When to splurge and when to save on makeup

Makeup has become some what of a status definer.

There is definitely makeup snobbery out there.

I come across so many bloggers pushing ridiculously expensive cosmetics that they call their "ride or die" products. A palette they just "can't live without"

However, I think there are things that you really do not need. I'm almost the opposite to said bloggers. While I do like to induldge in beautifully packaged products. I am very proud of my penny saving pickups.

Sleek, Kiko, MUA, Bourjois Seventeen, Collection, Soap&Glory are all in my makeup bag. I use their products everyday. All of which are fantastic quality at affordable prices.

I regularly choose these products over some of the more expensive ones I have in my collection.

However, there are some products I do not scrimp on. Here is how I splurge and save on my makeup.


Foundation  - Splurge.
I do splurge on foundation. This started because I was abroad in South Africa in 2008 and I couldn't purchase a foundation light enough. The only company I could find that suited my skin tone was Estee Lauder. Ever since then I have used Double Wear. I've tried many other foundations from NARS to Maxfactor and I have to say I've found some terrible expensive foundations - YSL in my opinion you suck. But I have also found my new favourite, NARS Sheer glow. I keep trying drugstore brands and whilst there are some great formulations out there, colour range is still an issue. They tend to cater for light to medium skin and don't offer neutral, cool and warm tones. Its just light, medium, dark. Its a bit basic. I am a firm believer that base is everything. Its like building a beautiful house with no foundation... Its not going to last. Nor will your makeup if your base isn't right.

Concealer - I think you can save here. If you can get a good colour for you I believe some savings can be made. I do however have very minimal eye bags/dark circles. After having extensive acne treatment I no longer suffer with spots. So concealer is not a huge part of my routine. A little under my eyes in a triangle to wake my face up is all I need. I use a MAC concealer £15 but I also use Rimmel wake me up concealer under £6.

Powder - I can totally save on powder. Ive got very pale skin and I can use a translucent powder. If you have a deep skin tone you may struggle to use one from boots. I do find that translucent powders can give off flash back in photographs. Keep that in mind when applying. A hugely popular trend is the Banana powder - Ben Nye and Anastasia Beverly Hills do them. They Ben Nye became a must have of every You tuber. Ladies... Its yellow. Like pure yellow powder. This is not good for everyone. It will not suit all skin tones. This is a prime example of Instagram trends pushing a product and people wasting their cash. I do have oily skin and I like to control the oil with primers and setting sprays rather than layers of cakey powder.

Eyeshadows  - SAVE
Honestly ladies save, save, save. If you wipe your finger over the powder and its the same colour on your skin as it is in the tin you have a winner. There are cheap and expensive products alike that are not pigmented. Do not waste your money. If you find an inexpensive shadow with great colour pay off buy it. If you want to put it into a pallet to hide where its from do it. I am in love with Kiko eyeshadow sticks and Sleek palettes. They are awesome. They cost between £6-£8 and are very pigmented. I also love the Maybeline colour tattoo pots. These are £5 each and really last all day. Great for a base of an eye shadow look or even just blended out to create a simple smokey eye. Barry M shimmer pots. I've blogged about these before. They are great, no need to spend over £20 on a loose pigment.  Of course if there is a colour that you see and you love and its expensive go for it. I use my naked smokey palette every day. At £38 for 12 shadows I think it works out quite reasonable. However the £27 I paid for one Armani cream shadow... yeah that was stupid.

Lip Stick - SAVE
Yep save away ladies.
MUA do some brilliant liquid lipsticks for £3. You do not need to spend £20 on a lip colour you will wear for a season or worse.... once.
I have all of the MUA shades and it cost only a little more than a MAC long-lasting liquid lipstick.
I like Natural collection for bullets at £2 each. I also use a lot of KIKO products. For plumping glosses it has to be Soap&Glory. If you are worried about Makeup snobbery then sure go and buy your favourite lippy in its shiny gold case. But for all the other shades why not take them out and press them into a pallet. It looks like something a makeup artist would have. It removes the shame of the crappy packaging. Plus it makes it super easy to take 20-30 shades on holiday with you. You just need a lip brush and you are good to go.
You can get the empty palettes on Amazon - Have a look.

Eye liners  - Pencil liners  - Girls go save! Seriously. If its not drawing smoothly then heat up the kohl with a lighter. Most pencil liners smudge and have decent colour pay off. Rimmel do a great nude shade - not white. It is great for lining the water line to open up the eye.
Liquid liners - again slap addicts go and save some pennies. I love a good glitter liner. I can't help it I am a magpie when it comes to anything shiny. Urban Decay do some lovely ones but you can save at least a tenner and get the same thing from Collection. At just £3 each they are worth a try. There are plenty of shades to choose from, silver, gold, blacks, blues, pink and purple. I'm sure you will find a shade you are looking for. Black liquid liners are also easily replaced. No need to pay through the nose. Just check the applicator. Some brushes are awful. I tend to choose the ones with a felt tip style nib. Rimmel does a great one .

Blusher  - HMMMM this is a tough one. Really cheap powder blushes are bad because they can be very dusty and not very pigmented. I tried the Makeup Revolution ones and i found them chalky. However, bourjois blushes are beautiful. I also like Maxfactor and Loreal. I tend to use 2 blushes. A pink and a more apricot colour. As I use the same every day I don't mind spending on a more expensive product. I love Estee Lauder blushes. They last forever on the skin and in the compact.

Contour - the key to saving is chosing the right shade and remembering not to pick a product with shimmer. You want a matte cream or powder. Your contour shade should not be the same as your bronzer. Contour is creating a shadow to enhance your face shape. I like to use a product a few shades darker than my skin tone and with a more grey than orange undertone. I really love Smash box contour sticks. They are easy to use and blend really well. However I have used eyeshadows in the past and it looked really lovely on the skin. You can also use a foundation a few shades darker. You do not need to go and spend £50 on a contouring pallet. Trust me, there will be one or 2 shades that you use and the other 4 will be no good. These pallets are great for people who do makeup on others. For personal use they are a  big old wast of money.

Highlighter -  I like to save on highlighter. I love my Seventeen highlighter. It is great. Its not glittery. I hate glitter. Shimmer not glitter. Thats my motto. I tried the liquid highlighter High Beam from Benefit  - I wasn't impressed. One product I do like which is super super expensive is hourglass ambient lighting powder. These are more of a finishing powder. They give you a lit within glow that can be produced like no other. Its not a wet shiny finish, nor is it uber sparkly. Its unique. Its expensive but this is where I spend my money. I actually use a combination of cheap and expensive. The liquid illuminator under my foundation and the ambient lighting powders to finish.

Mascara - Save. Whilst I'm not saying a £2 mascara will be AMAZING I think spending about £6-£12 will be more than enough. I just tried a Dior mascara and all it does is crumble :-( I will stick with my Bourjois waterproof one seconde mascara. Mascara is only good for 3 months and it also dries out really quickly. Placing the product on your lashes close to the eye where you can get infections and sty's means changing the product regularly is paramount in preventing infections from reoccurring. Why spend £30 on a mascara? Also if you are a false lash user then there really is no need to waste your money.

Pretty much I spend on my foundation everywhere else I save my money. I do splash out on cosmetics but usually when I've tried and tested them and only on shades that I will use regularly.

Why be a snob when you can be savvy? 

Laura Geller - Roman Holiday

Today I'm going to do a review of the Laura Geller Roman holiday collection.

I am going to do my best to keep it short and sweet. If you want to to talk about a product in depth please message me. 

So who is Laura Geller... You may be a die hard fan and think this is a crazy question. Or, you could be like me and have only recently discovered her makeup. 

Laura Geller is a New York makeup artist who in my opinion has created a really beautiful product line. 

I fist discovered her product on QVC in 2015. I stalked Instagram and youtube for months until I plucked up the courage and the pounds to purchase her gilded honey highlighter. If you haven't got it - get one. Especially if you are a fan of the J-Lo glow. Girl you will not be disappointed. 

From that purchase came this one. I got this from QVC costs between £45-£60 but you get a lot of cosmetic for you cash. 

Inside you will find:

Baked Balance-N-Glow illuminating foundation - choice of shade - Expires,18 months

Baked Eyeshadow Palette  - Baroque, Cafe, Roma - Expires,18 months

Brow Gel Pencil - universal -Expires, 24 months

I-Care Eyeliner - Black - Expires, 24 months

Style lash Lengthening Mascara - Black - Expires, 6 months 

Color Enriched Lipstick - Rouge Audrey - Expires, 24 months

Pout Perfection Waterproof Lip Liner - Tulip - Expires, 24months

Color Drenched Lip Gloss - Pink Razza - Expires, 24 months 

Inside the box reads

Roman Holiday

The timeless enchantment of a Roman Holiday:

This seasons signature look is all about the perfect canvas, a bold brow and rose kissed lips. This lavish collection of artisan-baked formula's and effortlessly gorgeous shades is the ultimate beauty gift. 

I have to say this is one of the prettiest packages i have treated myself to. 

I love Audrey Hepburn. I think her makeup style was effortlessly glamorous. She her her style and it was bold. Those eyebrows were amazing. She looked feminine and still today decades later she is recognised as a beauty icon. 

Now to the products. 

Foundation- It's a powder based foundation. Not my usual preference. Its a baked powder 9 grams in total. The packaging is cute and easy to open. I applied this with a buffing brush a kabuki would work too. This powder is luminous! I know it said it on the box but it really is. I would consider this a light coverage. I did also try this as a setting powder over the top of a liquid foundation. It gave a beautiful soft glow to my skin. This would be quite lovely on more mature skins that don't need coverage for spots but want to  balance their skin and look radiant. This foundation alone would not be good for someone who like medium + coverage or who wants to conceal acne. I chose the shade fair. the lightest shade was porcelain, fair is a little warm for me. I should have gone with porcelain. 

Eyeshadows -  These are adorable. Baroque is a neutral shade, great all over the lid or as a highlight. Cafe is a milky coffee shade and Roma is a deep plum. All of the eye shadows are shimmery and a very smooth buttery consistency. They blend easily and would work on many skin tones. These tones could work for every day or be build up to create an elegant evening look. 

Packaging is adorable! There is also a small mirror inside and a sponge applicator which is shall throw away. 

Brow gel pencil - It's a light brown cool tone shade. Its not heavily pigmented I'm assuming because its gel pencil rather than just a pencil. The finish is meant to be lighter and more natural. Which it is. Its double ended one end has a decent spoolie the other is the brow pencil The lip of the pencil doubles as a sharpener. I like the fact Laura has included everything you need to do your brown in one product. Very ingenious. 

Eye liner - Another double ended product which I love. Its a general black liner which you twist up to use, it is really smooth when applying. It says its waterproof. I am yet to have worn this for more than 6 hours. however, so far so good. One end is the liner and the other is a very professional feeling smudge stick. soft applicator head. I say this because so many I get are too rubbery and cause the eye to drag, I hate that!

Lip liner - First off this is my colour. Thank you Laura. Secondly its a creamy pencil that glides on easily. It says its waterproof and so far its not left my lips. I filled in my lips with this first then applied the lipstick and then a dot of the gloss in the centre. I really wanted to try everything lol. 

Lipstick -   I love it when companies engrave the bullet. I think it looks so chic. 

The colour matches the liner perfectly. It glides onto the lips offering great colour pay off and feels really moisturising. This is a me lipstick but I think it would look great on darker skin tones also. It's a universal rose shade that pretty much everyone can pull off. 

Lip gloss -  This is a highly pigmented lip gloss with tiny gold shimmer running through. You could use this on its own without the lipstick the colour pay off is so good. Again it matches the other lip products in the collection. I'm a bit over the liquid lipstick craze and really welcome a good gloss. 

Mascara - This is a true black shade. This product has thrown me a little bit. I opened up the product and instantly looked at the wand. Its skinny. I usually think the fate the better when it comes to mascara wands. Its also made of the hard plastic bristle -  I tend to go for something fluffier. However, I'm converted. I love this mascara wand. It combs the lashes, separates them and distributes even coverage of mascara. Amazing for the lower lash line too. I really like this mascara. My other concern was that it isn't waterproof. I tend to go for waterproof mascaras to stop them smudging under my eyes. So far it hasn't smudged so looks like this product is also a winner!

Overall I love this box. The colours are wearable. All the formulations are easy to use and have a beautiful finish.

The foundation I am still getting used to. As this is a first impressions review its hard to give you much more detail. once I've been using a foundation for about 2 weeks I tend to have a better idea of how I really feel. I didn't use any concealer, contour or highlight. All I added was a little pink blusher. 

I may come back with an in depth foundation review in the coming weeks. 

Here's a picture of me with all the products. I hope you liked the review. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. 

Have a great week dolls! 

xoxoxo

April Birchbox

Birch box is my monthly treat - amoungst other things. I am rather spoilt. But I do love these arriving each month.

This months box is so pretty!

Inside is the following:

Benefit Dew the Hoola  - Its a bronzing liquid. No shimmer and a velvety smooth sheer finish. Great under, over and mixed in foundation. Packaging is stunning. But I wouldn't expect any less from Benefit. The usual price for a full size is £22.50. A little goes a long way. Especially if you are very pale like me. 

Kueshi foot cream - Full size £12. I can't stand the smell. It has tee- tree oil in it. It feels medicated and reminds me of spot treatments from my teens. Sadly I find the smell so off putting I couldn't care less if the product is doing any good. Will not be using this in the future. If you like tea tree then you may want to give this a try. 

Cynthia Rowley eye pencil  - £11. Its a black eyeliner. Not sure what else to say. It's a true black pencil liner which will smudge easily. It glides on to the eye without dragging. I have used this several times and I like it. Definitely something I will use again and again. 

Balance me tinted wonder eye cream -  full size £20. This is an eye cream that also works as a colour corrector for dark circles. Its a yellow/orange toned cream that will help brighten and hydrate the delicate eye area. It claims to plump, firm, and battle signs of ageing. It feels nice on the skin but it didn't absorb very well for me. It took an extra few minutes. Being an orange tone I found it looked kinda bad on its own. Better under makeup. If you really suffer with dark circles you may want to try a product in a more orange tone paired with a concealer. You can use this product AM and PM. I prefer my benefit or Estée Lauder eyecreams as they feel more nourishing and moisturising under the eye. I used this for 10 days and my eye balls started to feel quite dry. I can't say it is definitely this product could be my mascara but my eyes none the less have felt a little irritated. 

Parlour de-tangling leave in conditioner spray. Full size is £17. I have used this before. I like it. Smells nice but not sure what of. Hairdressers is my best description. I have fine hair that is a bit damaged and dry. I need leave in conditioning sprays and this one is light. It doesn't weigh my hair down. I prefer my Redken products but this is better for me than the Aussie Miracle range which tend to weigh my hair down making it flat. The product doubles as a heat protector. Apply to damp hair, comb through as style as usual.
This makes a great travel product. Will be keeping it in my overnight bag.

Overall a good box for me. 4 out of 5 stars. The foot cream let me down. If you like tee tree then this could be a 5 out of 5 box for you.

Let me know what you got in your birch boxes this month.

Till next time XOXOXO

Time to spring clean!

It's that time again. You've spent the last week or two in a chocolate induced coma.

Maybe like me you're just starting to come round to the idea that "spring cleaning" is a thing and it needs to be done. 

If so where better to start than your cosmetics. 

It's amazing how many of us have really old makeup in our possession. 

We probably have brushes or sponges with deadly bacteria festering in some forgotten bag or worse, in use! 

I'm not here to judge. Stones, glass houses and all that. 

But I am here to offer some tips on cleaning your brushes and the expiry dates of your beloved makeup products. This blog is all about expiration dates as I do waffle on coming soon will be the cleaning of brushes. 

These days pretty much all cosmetics will have a shelf life on them. Just pull any thing out of your kit and you will see a jar and a number. This indicates how many months you should keep a product once open. 

These are just a general guidelines. All products will vary and it is best to go by what is written on the tin. 

Mascara- 3 months 

Liquids - 6-12 months 

Powders- 24 months 

Here's why, mascara has a short life span because of the nature in which its used. It's placed directly into the lashes where common infections occur. Such as stys and conjunctivitis.  It is important never to share mascaras. If you do you must offer the other person a disposable wand. If you get an eye infections of any sort it's important to throw away the mascara as you could pass the infection to the other eye or risk the infection reoccurring. 

Me- I keep mine between 3 and 6 months. Usually because I have different mascaras on the go. I always throw them away if I get a sty. This is the main reason I don't spend a fortune on mascaras. Nothing worse than having to chuck a £20 tube. 

Liquids - Foundations, concealers, creams, lipsticks, etc. If they are a pump action in an air tight container they can last longer. If they are an open top like Estée Lauder double wear you may want to change more frequently. Lip gloss and lipsticks should not be shared unless you use a disposable wand or shave the bullet. Bullets can harbour bacteria. Make sure if you have a cold sore you do not use lip products. If you do I suggest throwing them away. You do not want to spread the infection. 

I am guilty as sin for keeping my foundations longer than 6 months. This is due to the fact that I don't use all of them in that time. I have several shades and finishes in my kit. I can't use all at once. Which I know begs the question, why have them?  But it's the same as why have more than one or two pairs of shoes when you can't wear more than one pair at a time. I want it. Simple. 

I do however, keep to a 2 year rule on the air tight containers and 12-18 months on the open ones. When it comes to concealers with wand or brush applicators I never use them directly on to my face. I sanitise my hands with hand gel them swipe the product into the back of my hand. I find the applicators a bit gross. If you are using a concealer wand directly onto your face especially pimples I would change it more frequently, same as your mascara. You don't want applicators harbouring bacteria and spreading it each application. 

Powders can be kept longer as they do not contain water. Bacteria like to grow in warm damp, dark places. Hence why mascara tubes are a breeding ground. 

If you use your powders such as eye shadows wet then reduce its life to 6 months. 

Eye liners if they are liquid have the same shelf life as mascaras for the exact same reasons. Pencils that you sharpen can be kept longer as you shave off the exposed product. Just make sure you keep the sharpener clean. You can keep these for about 1 year. 

Tips for keeping your cosmetics healthy. 

Keep your fingers out of the products as much as you can. 

Keep hands clean when using products

Do not apply makeup to infected areas such as eyes and lips. 

Use disposable applicators when possible. 

Keep products out of the bathroom. It's damp  and warm an ideal atmosphere for bacteria to multiply. 

Keep your brushes, sponges and applicators clean. 

Do not share cosmetics without using disposable applicators.

Check the label when you purchase a product for expiration.

Every season go through your kit and have a little clean out.



That's the basics Slap Addicts. Let me know what was the oldest thing you found.

Confession - mine was a very orange foundation from 2010 - EEK! 

Max factor facefinity primer

If you have oily skin you will know that foundation has a funny way of sliding right of your face. 

For me double wear is the only foundation I have found that doesn't fall off my face. 

Whilst I love makeup and some days I love the full coverage the Estée Lauder range provides other days, I want something natural. 

Not the days I want. Natural maybe even dewy finish I need to use a primer. 

My drugstore primer of choice is Maxfactor. It sets matte but doesn't have a silicone finish like the studio primer from

Loreal and the primer from bourjois. Honestly I think they are the same product. I did a review of the matte primer from body shop earlier in the year. This is a silicone primer and this again did not create a matte finish for me. 

This maxfactor primer goes on like a liquid foundation and it sets on your skin. It's translucent and has no shimmer or colour corrector. This is purely a product for keeping your foundation in place. 

I apply this after my skincare routine and before my foundation. This is not a replacement for a pore minimiser. If you have enlarged pores and you mask them with something else. 

This product costs £10.99

It will last as long as your foundation maybe even longer should you use it everyday. 

This primer has an SPF 20. Which is great. Just make sure you apply it all over your face to ensure you are protected. 

Please be aware that over SPF 10 you can get flash back in photos. 

On my skin this works well very with NARS sheer glow. 

You can still set your foundation with powder as you normally would. I am

fortunate enough that this primer and foundation work well on my skin and I don't need to touch up throughout the day. 

Estée Lauder double wear

This is a product I have a love hate relationship with. 

I've used it for 8 years. 

It's a product that will always always be in my makeup bag. It's the one I expect I shall wear on my wedding day. So of course I must like it, however, it's not perfect. 

Estée Lauder double wear is a difficult foundation to use. Put it on incorrectly - which I did for a very long time and you won't get the results you should. You will look cakey and get flash back in photos. 

Use it properly and you have discovered a new flawless version of yourself that will get you comments on your selfies asking "girl why are you so perfect" or "omg your skin is AMAZING" maybe people will simple put #hot #welljel I don't know I'm not really a hash tagger but you get what I'm trying to say. 

So stats ... 

Cost - £30

Size -30 ml 

SPF 10

Coverage - full 

Shades -38!

What do Estée Lauder say... 

The 15 hour staying power is an understatement, this doesn't come off till you take it off. You need to use an oil preferably, then double cleanse. A makeup wipe will not remove it. 

It's great in high humidity and I have swam in this without it moving. 

It doesn't come off on clothes once it's set on the face. It's oil free and great for oily skins. It's sets matte in my opinion. I have oily skin and I don't need to powder this foundation. I love that I can apply and forget about this. Urban decay naked skin foundation, NARS and Armani silk all come off of my skin. I have to check it throughout the day, blot and usually do several top ups. 

With this I can apply in the morning and know it will look good when I'm commuting home. 

The product can feel like a mask. I can certainly say this doesn't feel natural. It's a heavy coverage and a little goes a long way. I find a stippling or buffing brush is better than a flat foundation brush. It's gives a softer finish. Alternatively I like to use a beauty blender to really press this into the skin and create a flawless finish. 

If you want coverage but a more dewy natural finish I add a pump or two of seventeen illuminator, it softens the finish but not the staying power.

My night out makeup is a mix of this a NARS sheer glow. I like the finish of sheer glow but I find it slips off. I hate using powder so I add a drop of this to the mix and it keeps my face looking fresh all night long. 

Be warned that it can cause flash back in photos. That's the SPF and because the product is so dense. If you apply this sparingly you will reduce the flash back.  

This says it is non comedonegenic which I don't believe any product can truly claim. How can they know what works for every skin- they can't. However, even if the product won't cause spots, if you don't take it off properly ( which I've already said is really hard to do) the buildup of makeup left on your skin clogging your pores certainly could. 

There are 38 shades and there is a reason for that. It's a dense pigment, the wrong one will look wrong. Do take your time choosing your shade. Do take a sample and do look at your skin in natural light. The shades certainly cover fairer skins. I've seen the range and it appears to be suitable for deep skin tones also. Having light skin I am not aware if the darker tones are good but it does seem they cater for most people. 

This product dries quickly and once it's set it won't budge. You need to move quickly with this. Don't let it dry between layers, if you feel the need to do so. It will look muddy very quickly. 

Overall I give this product 4 out of 5 stars. 

It's long lasting, high coverage and comes in a variety of shades. 

It loses a star for the difficulty of use and the problems that arise from using it wrong.

Estée Lauder light

Estée Lauder double wear light. 

Cost - £30

Size - 30ml 

Coverage - medium buildable 

Wear - 15 hours

Finish - semi matte 

SPF - 10 

Shades - 9 

Ok so that's the stats for the product . 

Here's what Estée Lauder say about the product 

I agree - I don't look oily with this. I love NARS sheer glow but it will slip and slide if I don't blot throughout the day. It will definitely move if I don't prime. This will stay put and I agree with the 15 hour statement. 

I can wear this all night dancing. Pass out. Wake up the next morning with a full un-smudged face. 

To remove this a face wipe will not do. A face wipe will never do, but it really needs a face oil and a double cleanse to thoroughly remove all of this product. 

The claim that it goes on sheer is laughable. It's not sheer at all. It's a medium coverage foundation. It's not as heavy as the regular double wear but not much is. 

What I find with Estée Lauder is they have the double wear BB cream. Then they have the double wear light which they market as light coverage. They then say double wear is medium and then the double wear maximum is full coverage. 

In their range double wear light is the lightest coverage. Compared to the rest of the market it would be considered medium buildable. Double wear would be full and double wear maximum would be used for people with tattoos or scars. Not a day to day foundation. 

Does it feel natural on the skin? Compared to double wear yes. I know when I have double wear on. It can feel like a mask. However, the foundation is more noticeable than others. But it is not uncomfortable. 

It does stay vibrant and fresh and it won't melt off. That is a very true statement. 

Of course if you go swimming it may move but I bet not as much as you would have expected. 

How to apply. Use your fingers or beauty blender for a soft focus glow. Use a flat foundation brush for more coverage. Alternatively add a little illuminator to it and have a very fresh glowing complection that lasts. 

This is a lovely product. If you find the double wear too heavy but still want decent coverage and longevity give this a try. 

The packaging is much easier to use than the double wear also as its a tube rather than a glass bottle. The colour range isn't as vast however with it being lighter coverage you can blend it out easier. 

Estée Lauder are pretty good at giving out testers sk pop down to your local supplier and try before you buy. 

Remember to wear it all day and to look at your skin in natural light. I tend to take a photo with the flash on to see how it will look if I wear it to an event. 

If you've used this or have any questions please comment below. 

Xoxo

Estée Lauder double wear concealer

Hello my lovelies 

I'm back with a review of a product I have been using for years. 

Recently my reviews have been more of a first impression.

However, this product I know inside and out and I feel I can give a true opinion.  

What is it? 

Estée Lauder double wear stay-in-place flawless wear concealer. Wow what a mouthful. It's the concealer that's in a liquid formula with a wand. 

Cost - £22.50 ouch

SPF? - yep only 10. 

Size - 7ml

Colour range - pretty decent. Like the double wear foundation it also comes in warm , cool and neutral tones. As well as 4 base colours. 

Longevity- it's the real deal as David Dickinson would say. This, like the whole double wear range stays. 

Coverage- full, full, full. However, it's surprisingly blendable if you work quickly. 

How to use? I use this in a lighter shade as an under eye concealer when I'm doing a full face look. I also use it like a highlighter when I'm doing my contouring. I have a shade the same as my foundation for spot coverage. I use this product as a foundation when I don't want a full face of makeup. I simply apply it where needed and blend, blend, blend. 

Pros- long lasting, blendable, good coverage. Great for under eyes and for blemishes. 

Cons - can look a tad dry on the odd occasion under the eyes. If you have a dry under eye area I would certainly try before you buy and see how it wears for you. If you are of a certain age you may prefer something more moisturising. Other con - It's expensive. 

SPF continued... This is good and bad. Good because it protects your skin. Bad because it is known to cause flash back in photographs. I have used this in professional photo shoots and not had a problem. If you apply to heavily or too light the chances of flash back increase.

Packaging - standard for Estée Lauder. The writing will fade over time. But it does take time for it to fade. The wand applicator I like but for hygiene reasons I swatch it to a palette before I use it to avoid bacteria. I like the gold cap, it's the magpie in me. I like shiny things. It comes in a heavy duty plastic tube. Great for throwing into your kit or handbag. No fears of it cracking or splitting. 

If you use this let me know what you think. 

Cult buy. Laura Geller gilded honey

I've seen thousands of posts about #gildedhoney and I couldn't resist.

This month I've spent out on the ambient lighting powders by hourglass and now this highlighter by Laura Geller. 

There was a choice of two shades ballerina and gilded honey. 

Gilded honey is a gold tone and ballerina is a pink tone. 

It says it is a baked gelato swirl illuminator that applies like a sheer powder but feels like a cream. It's meant to create a translucent wash of luminous colour that can be swept all over the face for a lit within glow. 

It's quite small only weighing 4.5g however the product is really, really dense. When I swatched my finger across it I expected to spoil the swirl. To my surprise it doesn't even look like I've touched it. 

In the compact  the colour looks really dark. 

My initial though was crap I should have got ballerina. 

However, upon application with the Laura Geller dual fibre brush it gives a soft warm glow to my porcelain skin. My concerns were that it would look like a bronzer rather than a high lighter. But it's fine. Just don't be heavy handed if you are pale. If you are darker skinned you could apply it heavier. 

I'm not a huge fan of very highlighted faces. Nor am I keen on overly contoured looks. For photo shoots or just for fun I like dramatic makeup. 

For day to day I like to look like me just better. If you like a heavy highlight it could be achieved by layering the powder. 

Getting back to the product. For me the gold tone is a refreshing change to the icy shades usually recommended for my skin tone. It really is translucent. It's light textured and feels weightless on the skin. 

Be warned this is quite shimmery. It's not to be used all over the face this is certainly just the high points. Don't use as a bronzer or a finishing powder. 

Do use is as an eyeshadow! It's really quite beautiful. 

The product is about £30. I've seen different prices online. I got mine from QVC and it came with the brush pictured. 

The shelf life is 18 months. Just remember to keep your brushes and fingers clean when you dip

Into the compact. 

This is my first encounter with Laura Geller products and I am impressed! 

The only thing is I wish is that the packaging was nicer. 

I get that the lid is clear to show off the beautiful swirl. But as I use it and it starts to look a bit naff I don't want it on show. That's why I like compacts that are opaque. 

But that's really a very nit picky thing to say. 

More brow first impression

I'm back with another review. 

In my Birchbox this month was a full size MODEL co MORE BROWS medium/dark eyebrow wand. 

At 3.5 ml I was surprised this was the full size. However after using it I can see that a little goes a long way. 

Firstly the colour is good for me as a brunette. I think it could be too dark for blondes or red heads. 

Secondly when I first saw the wand I was unimpressed. It's really small and I am used to a wand which is smaller at the top and wider at the bottom. However when I used it, it was easy to use. I was able to create some definition also which is a plus. 

I'm not really fussed what type of product I use for eyebrows. I have pencils, powders, gels and creams. I tend to go for what ever is to hand. Unless I want a more defined carved out brow then I will use my sleek eyebrow cube. A dupe for the benefit one. 

This product is pigmented and completely matte. It is a similar texture to mascara. It goes on wet and then sets. You can use this to keep unruly brows in shape. 

I have to say it feels like I've glued them down. Lol. No smudging these when you lean on your face at your desk. 

This is something I will use again. Predominantly in my work makeup kit. It's simple to use and because it uses a wand I only need one thing to do my brows rather than a pencil and a gel which I have been using. 

At £13 it's not too bad, mid range in price. But for an all in one product I think it's good value. 

If you want the ombré Instagram eyebrows this might not be for you. If you want to enhance the brows you have and achieve a more natural result this could be a good investment. 

Here is a before and after shot. All I have on is mascara and the eyebrow product. I have not tinted my eyebrows in 3 months. Nor have I combed them prior to use. The result is purely from the product. 

Paraben, cruelty and gluten free vegan lip balm!

Lip balm - we've all got one or used one. But you may not have tried this one. 

Birchbox brand Arrow have created a paraben free, cruelty free, gluten free, vegan lip balm which also adjusts to the pH of your lips to create a subtle shade that's unique to you. Mines a rosey pink tone. The balm has a slight mint scent but it's not menthol or tingly. 

The packaging is cute and to me looks a bit ECO warrior. Which I like.

I first heard about animal testing when I was a kid. My mother is a vegetarian and she always used body shop products. She even got them for me. I remember reading not tested on animals and of course I asked my mum about it. 

I'm not claiming to be an animal rights activist. But I hate the thought of animals being tested on for something as superficial as makeup. 

This lip balm came in my March birchbox. I don't believe I would have discovered it or the brand otherwise.

The lip balm feels moisturising probably due to the mango seed butter. It has a nice glossy finish but it's not sticky. 

The whole Arrow range is cruelty and paraben free, gluten free and vegan. 

If you are interested in vegan cruelty free products take a look at the brand they may have more to offer you. 

Prices at £11 it's an expensive lip balm. If your quick you could order a March Birchbox and try it in there as you get a full size product. 

From over 100 reviews it's got 4.5 stars on the Birchbox uk website. Which is pretty good in my opinion. 

 

Benefit it's potent eye cream

Hello!

If you've read my previous posts you will know I am a little obsessed with skin care. 

What I haven't said before is that I am in fact petrified of looking old. I think it's a genuine phobia. 

My skin care obsession started when I was going through acne treatment. I don't know about you but when I am insecure about something I tend to notice that area on other people. As my obsession is skin I am forever looking at and adoring other people's.With living in London and using public transport I have a constant supply of people to look at. What I noticed was that tired eyes really make people look old. 

Botox can help to some degree but it won't get rid of the fine lines under your lash line and it won't do much for crepe eyelids. It can raise the eyebrows and help with the crows feet but I think they can add character. Lines that you get from smiling I think are cute and make you look warm and friendly. Frown lines and tired eyes I am less impressed by. 

With the worry of wrinkles playing on my mind I decided about a year ago that eye cream was something I should start using. 

Disclaimer- I do not have a single wrinkle on my face. I am using anti ageing products as prevention rather than cure. 

At night I use Estée Lauder advance night repair on my eyes. 

However in the day I have been using the benefit it's potent eye cream.

photo from www.benefitcosmetics.com

I was given a couple of sample pots last time I went to Debenhams and I have to say so far I'm quite impressed. 

The eye cream  claims to 

Screen shot from benefitcosmetics.com 

As I don't have fine lines I can't comment on that. What I can comment on is the claim of reduced dark circles and promise of brighter eyes. 

It does do both for me. After a late night or a busy week the best of us can sufferer from dark, tired eyes. I've been using this for 6 weeks now along with my Estée Lauder night repair which is been using for 1 year. I no longer suffer from dark circles. As soon as I apply the benefit eye cream even if my eyes feel puffy and tired they instantly feel tighter and more awake. The delicate eye area is moisturised  and my concealer looks better. In the past I have found some eye products leave a film and what ever you put over them either splits or is highlighted neither of which is a good look. This doesn't do this. A little of the product goes a very long way so although it may seem expensive, be assured if used correctly it will last you months. Remember to always apply eye cream with clean fingers and use your ring finger. Be gentle and don't rub or drag the skin.

I am not saying if you already have five lines and wrinkles it will magic them away. It won't. Nor am I saying that those black bags under your eyes from a 3 day drinking sesh will vanish in a swipe of this. They won't. Everything has its limitations. If you are looking for a daily morning eye cream to help reduce dark circles and give you the feeling and appearance of more awake bright eyes then give this a go. 

Natural collection lipsticks..: needs pictures

Hey all

I'm back wth another review of a reasonably priced product. Ok that's an understatement this is a cheap product but not in quality. 

Whilst the packaging isn't something to Instagram about the savings certainly are.

Priced at £1.99 each these lip sticks are something you can treat your self to mid month when pennies have already been spent on bills and boring stuff.

These are also pocket money friendly, great for those just getting into makeup. 

The colour range is predominately natural, there are some dark browns and reds but mostly you will see pinks, peaches and light browns. 

The whole range is priced at £1.99. 

There are tinted moisturiser, concealers, powders, blushes, bronzers, eyeshadows, glosses, mascaras and liners. I remember being at high school and having a whole makeup bag from here, for under a tenner. At times they do 3 products for a fiver. 

I have always viewed this brand as products for teenagers. Mainly because of the price point. Plus it's what I used 10 years ago. 

However, the gap is closing in the cosmetic market. I've seen YouTube videos of pre teens contouring and rocking a dark lip. They are copying more mature makeup and badgering their parents to buy the next UD Naked palette so why can't we use their cheaper products ? 

Whilst I am not going to swap my NARS foundation for natural collections tinted moisturiser, the lip sticks are certainly something to stock up on and add to a kit. 

They are lightly scented, moisturising and pigmented. They offer a traditional lipstick finish. No matte or velvet options here. The packaging is quite boring just a white  plastic case. They case isn't the strongest, I've had a couple over the years crack in my bag. The staying power is much the same as a regular lipstick. Eat and drink and it will go. But for £2 I'm not that worried. Plus I'm a bit over the liquid lipstick trend which can leave your lips looking dehydrated and flakey. Some call it  An@s lips I prefer - cats bum. Let's not carry on. 

I've got loads of these which I've melted in to a palette. It's one way of taking 10 colours every where with you and for under £20 I don't mind melting them. 

If you need a lipstick to always leave at the office or you want to try some different colours give these a go. At £1.99 it's cheaper than a Starbucks and it will last longer. 

Pixi Glow Pads Review

Hello Slap Addicts 

I've been off for a while because of having an operation. I'm all better and I'm back with a review of Pixi Glow Peel Pads. 

First things first ... What are they? 

These little pads are soaked in a 20% glycolic acid solution. There are 60 in a tub and cost £24. They are paraben free and not tested on animals. 

What do they do? 

Glycolic acid is great for exfoliation and increasing the skins cell turn over. By removing the dull old skin and rejuvenating the cells beneath you are left with a smooth glowing more youthful looking face. They will reduce the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation and blemishes. This is not Botox or filers - you will not have the same effects or a frozen face. 

Is it suitable for me? 

I spoke to my dermatologist and I have been doing some research, it seems that glycolic is an all round acid that's suitable for most. I know 20% sounds high but it is classed as a relitively mild peel. It is suggested some may want to use a glycolic face wash for a few weeks before treatment. I use a 2% glycolic face wash from Sk:n. 

Will I end up with layers of skin peeling and a red face for days? 

Immediately after the peel you will be a little pink. Very shiny but not in a greasy way. For myself I have a few individual skin cells shedding 2-4 days after I do a peel. I counteract this wth a good moisturiser. One thing you have to do is use SPF and a high factor. You don't want to damage your skin. I use a factor 50 the first couple of days after a peel and then go between 20 and 50 every other day like I normally would. 

How do I use them? 

Ok so you need to start with thoroughly cleansed skin. 

I usually do a double cleanse to ensure no dirt or makeup have been left behind. I then take a pad and swipe it across my face. I turn it over and swipe again. I like to bring it under the jaw line as I can get breakouts around that area. Avoid the delicate eye area. I also avoid the nostrils and lips and I find the product stings and causes dryness in those areas. Wait 2-3 minutes. Don't leave it longer. Neautralise the skin with clean running water. I tend to go for Luke warm to cold water. You don't want anything got on the skin after the peel. Once you have removed the peel apply your moisturiser. I must add it is best to do this at night and then the following morning use a high SPF. 

What does it feel like? 

As you swipe it across your skin you may feel a light tingling. This can increase as it is left. It isn't painful. If it is too much please wash away immediately. It tastes pretty foul so avoid your lips. Afterwards you skin will feel smooth and tight. If you have any broken skin it will sting in those areas. I don't find it too bad. 

How often do I use this? 

Some say to use these every night. I really don't think this is necessary and you could make your skin quite sensitive. 

I am planning on doing it once a week. As I've said so many times before skin care isn't one size fits all. I am quite used to peels and I could leave this on a little longer or more frequently than someone who is using them for the first time. 

Over all I am very happy with this product. Having had several glycolic and pyruvic peels at a clinic I have seen what results can be achieved. I am pleased to say I have actually cancelled my next appointment because the results have been so good. 

The little bumps under my skin ( closed comedones) have pretty much gone from just two pads. The blackheads on my nose are almost gone. Enlarged pores look smaller and my skin is glowing and baby soft. My skin isn't sensitive or overly dry. 

I know an initial cost of £24 may seen privet but the tub contains 60 pads which means 60 peels. Even if you do this twice a week you will have the tub for 7 months. I can tell you I've paid between £89 and £150 for a single peel at a Sk:n clinic. I'm getting very similar results without the hassle of travelling into central London or walking makeup free through town. 

If you want all round better skin don't let the word acid put you off. Acid is your friend. It will make you beautiful xxx 

Body Shop Matte Primer Review

Hello Slap addicts


Im back with another quick review.

Its no secret that I have oily skin. Ive never been into primers. Having been an avid user or Estee Lauder Double Wear I never found a need for one. The product is extremely long lasting. It's fantastic for oily skins.

However, as my makeup style has changed and my skin has improved I have moved on to lighter coverage and a more dewy finish. Having oily skin means achieving a dewy finish can be difficult. There is a fine line between greasy looking and dewy. Trying to combat a shiny T-Zone usually includes mattifying products like powder.

But powder will not help achieve a dewy finish ! AGHHH.

Its so hard. 1st world problems I know. 

So I decided a setting spray and a good primer were probably my only options. Pairing that with strategically placed blotting powder I believe I finally have a formula that works.

I do my usual skincare regime. Then I apply Body Shop matte primer. Its mattifying but not drying. A little goes a long way. I apply this'll over my face. I then apply my foundation - NARS sheer glow. I powder under my eyes on my nose chin. I avoid the cheeks and forehead. The primer should keep my foundation on. By avoiding powder on my cheeks and forehead the foundation looks fresh like skin. 

After using the Body Shop primer I can say at first it looks great but throughout the day my makeup starts to split. I don't look matte for long. My skin actually looked like curdled milk and then had very oily patches where the primer was. I swapped to Maxfactor infallible primer with the same makeup technique and voila- problem solved. 

I found that my makeup lasted better without the body shop primer. It's such a shame. The £12 spent was not an investment. I will keep this in my kit and try it again with a different foundation to see if it still get the same problems. I normally don't use a primer and the foundation lasts. To use one and for it to look worse is more than a little disappointing. 

Let me know if you have tried this product and what you think. I hope you've had a positive outcome. 

Bye for now. 

XOXO

Barry M shimmer pots ...Quick review

Barry M shimmer pots have been around forever.

Priced under a fiver they are a lot cheaper than Mac pigments. Still £5 could add up if you wanted a few.

I am not usually a fan of loose powder products. This is because I am clumsy and I spill them, all over the carpet, all over my bedding and all over myself. Yes I sit on my bed and get ready. So what?

But I have been playing with a dark black smokey eye and I wanted a pop of black shimmer and Barry M had what looked like the perfect shade.

I am also testing out a dark blue Kiko shadow stick - again I wanted to add depth to the look and Barry M had a wonderful shimmery midnight shade.

On the left is a single swatch of shade 98 in the dazzle dust. It has a blue tone shimmer. 

On the right is a single swatch of shade 22 in the fine glitter dust. It's a black powder with a bronze glitter. 

The product is soft, bendable and highly pigmented. Obviously it gets everywhere. Its loose black powder. So I use a slightly damp flat eyeshadow brush. I just spray it with makeup setting spray.
I pat the product on first and then blend out with a fluffy brush. Alternatively you could apply with your fingers. I do not do this because I end up touching everything and leaving colourful finger prints all over my white walls.

These shadow pots could also be used as highlighter if you chose a lighter shade. Be aware that some of the shades have larger flecks of glitter.

Be warned a little goes a long way. Also make sure you put the lid on tightly.

Give these a go. They are worth it just be careful.

Sleek Ultra Mattes V2 Darks Palette Review

Good Day Slap Addicts

Im back with a review.

Ill keep this short and sweet.

Sleek eyeshadow palettes are the BOMB. Priced at a penny under £8 they are a bargain. 12 colours in each compact. They are highly pigmented and blend easily.

The fall out from this product is no different to Urban Decay Naked palettes. However, they are £30 cheaper!

This palette is perfect for creating a dark smokey eye. I have been looking everywhere for an all matte palette with cool and warm brown shades. Maple is the warmer brown shade and Paper bag is a more neutral brown.

The compact itself is not great. I have been using these palettes for 10 years and its always the same. The top breaks off within a week or so. I end up storing them in the card board box that comes with it. Be warned and keep the box.

The applicator that comes with it is a double ended sponge. Not my choice of applicator so I just throw them away. But I never keep the brushes that come with kits.


There are so many palettes to choose from. Im sure you will find one that you like.
Take a look online at www.sleekmakeup.com

Collection Glam Crystals.

Some people have really cool nick names. Or they have a name that can be shortened.

My name doesn't sound great shortened. I also don't do anything particularly cool or funny to warrant a decent nickname.

I had one friend who called me California which is actually an extension of my name.

Then my mother branded me Maggie. Yeah... Awesome. Not maggie from the Simpsons or Mrs Thatcher. No , Maggie like Magpie the bird.

Now its simple really. I always have and always will be attracted to sparkly things. I remember clip clopping around in my glittery princess mules. I always had bracelets on. Sparkly hairspray was pretty much purchased in bulk. As I grew I progressed to glitter body gel, then sparkly nail polish.

Now I just use it all, at times all at once. Much to my boyfriends dislike. Dislike is a an understatement. He HATES glitter with a passion. Not the look but more how it just sticks to everything. Poor guy goes to board meetings in a sparkly suit.

He tells me I'm BANNED from all that glitters. Well if you knew me you would know that I quaffed at such a demand. Firstly I do not take orders, secondly glitter is my life. I am simply a sparkly person.

However, I am not completely unreasonable or incapable of compromise.

So I've been searching online and in the shops for a way to wear my glitter and not ruin his day.

I came across Collection's Glam Crystals. Much like Urban decays glitter liners they come in a variety of shades. These glitter liners can be used as suggested, as a liner. Or you can apply it all over the lid alone or over eyeshadow to create a very bling effect. No fixing agent needed. No fall out. And it does not budge! 

I have gold and purple. At £2.99 I will be purchasing the other shades. There is a silver and blue that I need in my life. The Urban Decay glitter liners are over £10 more! Collection is such a bargain! 

Give these long lasting glitter liners a go. No glitter is not just for New Years Eve. Come join me in the magpie club. I promise you will feel brighter :-) 

Brushes - What is really necessary?

I see so many youtube videos and posts on instagram of beautiful people applying makeup and swearing by their fave makeup brushes.

They all have a discount code attached to their post and more often than not the products they are pushing are over priced.

It got me thinking, what do I really need?

Truth is, the all time greatest makeup artist recently awarded and OBE by the Queen for her contribution to the world does not really use brushes. She does most of her work with her hands.
This amazing woman is Pat Mcgrath. Have a google of her work and you will be in awe. Then look at the images and remember she is notorious for using her fingers to create the master pieces.

Now I'm not saying we should bin our brushes and take to using our fingers. We don't all posses the skills of Pat. But I really don't think we need 12 different contouring brushes.

Ive taken a look through my kit and narrowed it down to what I believe I really need and what I use on a regular basis.


1. Beauty Blender
You can use an alternative like the real techniques miracle completion sponge.
I like my Beauty Blender. I use it every day.
I use it to apply my foundation. I use it to blend out my concealer. I use to to apply liquid illuminator and I use to to blend out my cream contour. Thats 4 brushes in one.
I also apply the products in that order so I can use the sponge to apply a whole face without having to wash it.

Alternatively any foundation brush will do. Different types create different effects so choose the one that matches the finish you are trying to achieve. 

2. Angled Blusher brush

I like an angled blusher brush. But if you prefer a domed brush then use that. I like an angled one because I can use it as a blusher brush or a contour brush easily. I don't like cream blusher that much. I much prefer powder and a brush is best.

3. Small Angled Brush

This is great for so many things. I use it for my brows, eye liner and when doing a cut crease.

4. Flat synthetic brush

This brush is great for packing on eye shadow. It can also be used for applying highlighter down the centre of the nose and on the cupids bow. Synthetic brushes can be used wet or dry. Great for applying cream products. If you wet your brush before you dip it into the eyeshadow the colour pay off will be stronger. 

5. Fluffy Blending brush

You may want a couple of these but you can get by with one.
I use this for every shadow look I do. You use this to blend out the shadows. I also use this to apply highlighter on the tips of my cheek bones and on my brow bone. 

6. Small domed eye shadow brush or pencil brush. 

You could use a different shape. What your looking for is a brush thats more compact than your fluffy brush and fits nicely into your socket. This is also useful for applying and blending shadow on the lower lash line. 

7. Large fluffy face brush.

You may want to use this to apply face powder, bronzer or shimmer to your face, chest and shoulders.

I make that a total of 7 items that I can not live without when applying a full face of makeup.

Of course I still have more.
Also, I could use less. But I think 7 applicators is rather modest for a Slap Addict.

When it comes to where to buy your brushes please don't think MAC is the only place to get a decent brush. Just as the beauty blender at £16 can be substituted for the Real Techniques for under £6, so can brushes. Real techniques again offer some very decent alternatives.
Body shop do some great brushes as do a company called Ovoni. You can get a set of theirs for around £30. The set includes a lot more than the staples above and comes in a handy carry case.

When choosing brushes you may want a mixture of synthetic and natural bristles. You want brushes that don't shed and ones where the bristles are evenly cut. Some cheaper brushes shed and the hairs are uneven, this will make the application harder. If you are applying a shadow wet or a lip stick you will definitely want a synthetic brush. 

Remember you can use your fingers too! 

Let me know what brushes you can't live with out. 

Take care. XOXO 

Little and Often ...

How do some women look perfect all the time?

This is a question I ask myself regularly.

I'm a regular girl with a pretty normal life and I still look worse for wear on a Monday morning and each evening on the commute home from work. I spend most of my spare time in gym kit. Not because I'm exercising but as a replacement for pyjamas.

As I commute I regularly see very pulled together women. Immaculate chignons, manicures nails and a slick of lipstick. I wonder how they do it.

Ive come to the conclusion that they get up an hour and a half before they leave their houses and probably don't have young children.

That solution is not possible for me. There is no way I shall be getting up at 5am to get ready. Its just not happening. I would rather slap my foundation on my face on the train and sleep more.

However, it got me thinking of a well known saying "little and often."

I know its commonly said when referring to food as a way to keep your metabolism stable. But, I've decided I can apply the same thought to my beauty routine.
If I maintain a certain standard by doing small things every day then the next time my friends ask me out for drinks it won't take me 3 hours to get ready. Or worse still, I won't decline because I know I won't be ready in time.

So lets start from the bottom

Feet- I know its advisable to have a proper pedicure every month. I do not have the time, money or the inclination to go every month. I tend to stretch it out to every 6-8 weeks. I know plenty of people who have never had a professional pedicure or only go in the summer months. We use and abuse our feet. Plenty of us are guilty of leaving a polish on for months on end or just layering a new colour over an old one. This isn't ideal. It means the next time we want to wear our beloved peep toes or our sexy sandals we have a major melt down. The task at hand seems too great.
I advise to go and have a pedicure. Start from scratch. Then going forward keep a basic foot file near the shower. Every time you shower give your feet a little buff. No more than 30 seconds per foot. This will maintain the lovely job the beautician did and keep you looking fresh. Remember to moisturise your feet after your shower. Once a week or fortnight depending on how your nails grow cut them or file them down. Remember to cut them straight to avoid in grown nails. With regards to the colour. It tends to grow out rather than chip. You can get a good months wear out of a polish before it looks really bad. If it does please remove it. Even if you don't have time to re-paint. It means when you do want to show your toes the application will be easy.

Body - I'm not talking about exercise etc. I'm lazy and I am not one to preach. Although I am currently doing a 30 day ab, squat and tricep dip challenge. Don't worry this fad will pass.
I'm talking about your skin. What ever you do for hair removal - do it. I tend to shave on a regular basis which leaves my skin a tad dry. I am very good at looking after my face but not so hot when it comes to moisturising my body. I'm making myself cream up after every shower. It is already making a difference. The other thing I am doing is body brushing in the shower. Its a great way to boost circulation, decrease the appearance of cellulite and remove dead skin cells. I got a long handled brush from Wilko's . Its very inexpensive but it is fantastic. I use this every shower. If your skin is sensitive use with a light hand. Once a week I use a granular scrub to really polish my skin. I put an alarm on my phone for my Sunday shower. Just to remind me to do my weekly body and facial scrub. This takes all of 2-3 minutes to complete. Once you get into the habit its something you won't want to stop.

Tan - I can't stress enough how dangerous it is to use sun beds. They cause cancer and premature ageing. As an advocate for pale and interesting people I am baffled as to why someone would use something so detrimental to their health. So I beg, use a fake tanner instead please. I know they smell and can come out a bit streaky but its better than wrinkles and melanoma. I know plenty of people who will not go out if they do not have a tan. If you're one of these people I'm sure you already use tanners and gradual tanners regularly. If you don't, but want an immediate tan I suggest using the Sally hansen Leg spray. This is marvellous. I have used it a lot in the past and not just on my legs. You can use all over. Not only will it tan your skin depending on the shade you purchase. It is also a makeup. It will cover any bruises and blemishes you have and leave you with a very even colour. It takes about 10 minutes to apply and about 5 minutes to completely dry. Unlike tanning products that may take 4 hours and then require a shower. You could also try some instant tanners. These add a little glow to the skin. They can transfer onto clothing so make sure you let it dry before getting dressed. I'm currently using Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Instant Sunkissed Tint Body Lotion.

Hands - Use hand cream through out the day. Keep a little tube in your bag. Try to use it after each time you wash your hands. I keep some by my sink and use it that way. At least once a week
I sleep in these little white gloves filled with cream and give my hands some much needed hydration. Its not hard. Takes all of 60 seconds to apply the cream and the gloves before bead. In the morning I take them off throw them in the wash bin and carry on with my day. Nails, I work as a nurse so I am not allowed to have false nails or gel colour. I have to keep them short and clean. If one snags or breaks I instantly smooth it with a file to prevent further breakage. I give my nails a quick buff with a 4 way buffer once a week. It doesn't take me long, maybe 5 minutes. The buffer leaves my nails ridge free and super shiny. I have started applying cuticle oil after I shower ( when I remember) Again this takes about 30 seconds per hand. It keeps my nails healthy and strong. If you wanted to paint you nails I would suggest trying a gel type formulation to prevent chipping. Or using a simple clear nail strengthener every day to give them shine.

Face - Skin care regime. This is a place I do not cut corners. I did so for many years and it lead me to acne. The biggest mistake of my early 20's was taking for granted that my skin was young and beautiful. I have a long routine. I cleanse with oil, then with a face wash, then with an acne treatment. I use an acid toner every day and a facial scrub once a week. I use a serum followed by a moisturiser then an acne treatment. Every evening I use eye cream and I also use a mask once a week. Every day before I leave the house I slap on some SPF on top of my usual stuff. It sounds like a lot. I know. It sounds a tad OTT. I know. But it is worth it. It means I can cut corners with my makeup. I can use a tinted moisturiser instead of foundation which is easier to blend and takes less time to apply.
Once a month I tint my eye brows and I pluck them. I do this at home. I have written a blog previously on how to use an at home tinting kit. It takes 10 minutes. But it saves me time in the morning having to colour my brows in.

Hair - I wash my hair of an evening. I apply all of my products and I let it air dry. I have naturally dry wavy hair that doesn't like too much heat. By prepping my hair the night before it saves me precious time in the morning. Sometimes I will go as far as to sleep in my rollers or tong my hair the night before ready for the following day. Once a week I do a deep conditioning mask . Its simple, wet hair, apply product, wrap head, do some ironing, take my evening shower and voila. I treated myself to an indulgent hair mask whilst doing my chores. Of course you could sit and relax with it on. But who has time to do nothing these days.

The little additions to my daily routine have meant that my hands and feet always look maintained. My skin feels smooth and healthy and my hair is prepped and in good condition.

As a person I admit I do feel more organised. I definitely look it. I've had several comments from colleagues saying I look well. I think that is code for "oh you got up on time today." But ill take it.

Looking after yourself doesn't have to be a chore. Make it part of your routine and don't begrudge yourself "me time" how are we meant to look after everyone else if we don't look after ourselves?

Let me know if you manage to add anything to your routine and if indeed you feel a little more polished.

Take care Slap Addicts .