Mini MAC haul

So recently I ventured into the MAC shop on one of my Friday evening shopping sprees.

 I primarily went to repurchase my trusty studio fix foundation. This time I decided to get studio sculpt and I got a tube rather than a compact. More product for your money (at least in my head anyway).

I also realised *shockhorror* that I only own 1 MAC lipstick, which I never use as a) it is a vibrant red colour (Ruby Woo) which I would not really wear on a daily basis and am still unsure of and b) it has a matte finish which is really drying on my lips.

As everyone needs a good MAC lipstick in their life, I decided to buy one. I kept picking up the 'velvet teddy' (or something like that!) shade, but my friend advised that it didn't suit my skin colour. It was a kind of nude colour with brown undertones, which I've been drawn too recently.

Instead, I got this one:

It's in shade faux and it's such a lovely creamy pink with purple undertones. It's doesn't have a matte finish so it's not drying for my lips, which is great, though I do find that lipstick sits a little weirdly on my lips.

Here's the rest of my haul :

*Faux lipstick £13.50
*Studio sculpt foundation in NC15 £23.00
*Brush cleanser- £8

So the foundation is pretty close to my 'perfect' foundation (though I'm still on the lookout for any other goodies...I'm considering trying Nars Sheer Glow next). I get it in NC15, which is almost perfect for my skin tone. It is quite thick and heavy (for me) and gives a good coverage. I can't help thinking that it is maybe more of a 'night out' foundation due to the coverage, but I still like it! My skin doesn't seem to be complaining too much, but that may be down to Liz Earle. Since I've been using the hot cloth cleanser, my ever present skin spots have diminished and my dry skin is feeling more hydrated! Definitely repurchasing.

Last MAC thing, the brush cleanser. Does what it says on the box really. I found it a bit fiddly and I found that I needed quite a lot of fluid to cleanse one brush, but it did the job and left my brushes feeling nice and soft and clean. All you can ask for really!

What's your favourite MAC lipstick shade? Any recommendations for a pale skin tone? (I'm loving lipsticks at the moment!) xx

PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway! 

http://weareunderthewillowtrees.blogspot.com/2012/02/ootd-leather-and-giveaway.html

Sorry for the long link, I have a lot to learn!

Liz Earle 'Care Package'

Today I received an exciting package from Liz Earle. I have been feeling more than a bit peeved with my stubborn dry skin which no cream or potion has been able to soothe as of yet. I have heard good things about the Liz Earle collection and so I decided to give it a whirl.

I ordered a few sample sized products from the website. I was pleased to see that you can shop by skin type, so I clicked straight on the 'dry' button. Great- no need to spend ages searching for the right product. I ordered two of the products recommended for dry skin, the skin repair moisturiser and the intensive nourishment treatment mask. 

The products came swiftly and neatly packaged, (although naughty Mr. Postman left the package on my step, leaving it available to any opportunist thief who may walk past!) I received a lovely little 'personalised' letter and a catalogue of products, as this is my first time shopping with Liz Earle.

All in all, a happy shopping process. I feel cared for by them, let's see if my skin does.

Sorry for the Spongebob blanket background! Hot cloth cleanser *free gift*

The product that I tried tonight wasn't even one I ordered. It was a free gift, and who doesn't love a free gift?

This was the cleanse and polish hot cloth cleanser. It came with a clear set of instructions, which I love. I, of course, promptly followed it step-by-step.

It is perfectly easy to use. The cream glided on really well. For some reason I expected it to have a face mask consistency, but it was pretty light.

I used the cloth to rub away my makeupdirt and then, as instructed, 'carefully' patted my face with a towel. I love that use of 'carefully'-it highlights that the skin is fragile and important and so should be looked after.

My skin definitely felt 'looked after' after I used the cleanser. My skin was silkly soft, even more so when I applied the skin repair moisturiser after, again as instructred, which luckily I had ordered!

 

So I'm sitting here now with pretty smooth, hydrated and happy skin. I didn't use much of the moisturiser and my cheeks and chin are lovely and smooth, but to be honest I think I'll need to add a little more to my most stubborn area, my forehead, to make sure that I don't get that tight/flaky look overnight. Nice. 

I'm happy with my shopping experience and products from Liz Earle, and if my skin continues to respond to the products as it is now, then I will be purchasing full sized items pretty soon! 

I'm looking forward to using the face mask now (whilst indulging in a hot bath with a girly magazine...oh yes). 

Topshop Nails and Dry Faces

On Friday I took myself to Westfield for a spot of retail therapy. At the moment I'm really enjoying experimenting with nail varish. I've been wearing a different colour every few days, which is a bit of a mixed blessing. It's good because it means that I wear different things and use what I have, but on the other hand it's not so good because most applications barely lasts two days!

I don't know how long I expect polish to last for..I guess at least 2-3 days. The Deborah Lippmann (turns out it does have 2 ps and ns) Razzle Dazzle lasted for a day. And I didn't even do any hardcore scrubbing! 

Anyway, the Topshop nail polishes seem to fare a little better with me. On Friday I purchased a new, metallic based polish called 'glimmer'. It still gives me a little happy feeling every time I look at my nails (oh the little things!)

Here it is:

It glides on pretty well, and only took two applications to achieve the desired effect. I have a few Topshop polishes, and I think I'll be purchasing some more pretty soon.

My skin is really playing up at the moment. It is oh-so-dry. I'm currently using the Monu moisturiser that came with the November glossybox, but it's not doing much for me. It's quite thick and heavy, and it makes my skin feel tighter. It does say that it is for normal/combination skin though, so I'll forgive it for not easing the pain of my sensitive skin.

I'm thinking of trying some of the Liz Earle products. Anyone know anything that is good for dry skin?

Any recommendations would be appreciated!