When insomnia Strikes

Evening guys,

I know that this post may not fit into the Beauty title of my blog but I also want to consider my blog my space to occasionally write about what's going on with me. I suppose lack of sleep can and does impact on beauty and the look of health that we all want to attain, I have certainly noticed that my glow is disappearing and being replaced by a general look of being knackered.

Not to bore everyone with the ins and outs of it all I will just say this, I am on ALOT of medication at the moment for a chronic pain condition and I have been for 2 years. It seems that it has caught up with me like a big old kick up the backside and the way that it is showing its self amongst other signs is insomnia. Now I, like everyone have had that annoying night of clock watching and not being able to sleep and also nights of pain when of course you can't sleep but man this is a new experience for me.
Yes I still have the pain but I am just not sleeping at all. Fair enough in the last few years I have been going to bed earlier but I never lie in the dark 4 hours after the H2B has fell a sleep.
Tonight I have had enough so I have gotten up made a cup of herbal tea with honey and decided to spill a bit on here and who knows you may have some tips for me?

The past two weeks has may be been the worst. I lie in bed so tired that my eyes are dry and my mind is burnt out yet sleep never comes. I have been in a bath to soothe the pain, listened to relaxation tapes and even tried self hypnosis all with no joy. So what to do?
In the mornings I could pass as a extra in The walking dead and it takes me a good while to feel human only to repeat everything again. I seem to be loosing any joy in the small 'Sam' things too. I used to love looking at make up and bath websites and filling up my imaginary shopping carts or reading but... meh

I have a lot of beauty stuff that I want to and will blog about in the next few days and weeks I guess I am just putting a bit more of me in to this blog for now too.

Like I said any tips would be welcome or if you are going through this too and need someone to sound off to that is cool  as at least we will know that we are not alone.
Now I am going to finish this cup of tea and go and try again to sleep, Wish me luck.

Much Love
Sam x

Photo credited to ironically a sleep website troublesleeping.com

Sisley

I was given the chance to review two of the new additions to Sisley's A/W collection recently.


To be honest I don't really see Sisley being review any where when I read beauty blogs and after                      testing the make up products I have no idea why.
They tick so many important boxes for make up lovers,

1. The look really impressive and expensive
2. The formulation is great, very long lasting
3. They have statement pieces
4. And they make you feel a million dollars

I was given the Phyto Lipshine in sheer burgundy.

You even get your own velvet pouch! Very posh

Now the colour looks really dark there but it is a sheer lipstick. The colour pay off is great and it is very moisturising. The bonus of this formulation is that you can wear a statement lip but slightly more in your comfort zone if you are not a normal wearer of bright shades. Also with it being sheer you don't get it collecting around dry skin on your lips if you have not managed to use a lip scrub before. Most strong shades need lip prep before you can even think of wearing them.
And do I really need to point out that it is the perfect A/W colour?
I am sure you would get a few compliments whipping this out at Christmas parties.

The next thing I tried was Phyto Khol In Dark Amethyst




A lovely shimmering purple with smooth glitter.

With this you can either use it as a normal eyeliner on your upper lids or try what I did.
I did a light smoky grey eye then used this purple to line my lower lash and water line taking it up to meet the outer corners of my eye shadow on the top lid.
There was just enough glitter to make it look special and the colour blended in perfectly. I can see this looking great on a plain lid and the lines being a bit thicker.
I don't have sensitive eyes so could use it on the water line no problem but I would say because of the glitter be careful if your eyes tend to water.
I also found because I have blue eyes the shade of this liner was perfect to make them pop a little more than usual.

I could not write a review of this liner without showing you a picture of the end of the pencil

Sorry about the shadow!

How pretty is that?? I am a true magpie for little details like this lol

The Phyto Shine lipstick retails for £26.50 which is about what you would pay for a high end brand
The Eyeliner is £30.50. Now as much as I love this eye liner I do think that it is rather expensive for what it is and compared to other high end brands.

You can purchase the Sisley make up range from House of Fraser or online
@House of Fraser


Although products sent for review all opinions are as usual honest

 

Bobbi Brow Ltd Ed

Just to say that I am so blummin excited!!! I was watching the Bobbi Brown show on Qvc when this little beauty came up.
 The BB Black Ruby Sparkle eye pallet. Isn't she beautiful?

Now I had to use a stock photo here because delivery is not due until after 7th November. I cannot wait! Just before my birthday too!

I was so lucky to get my order in as no sooner did I add it to my basket it sold out!
Of course I will keep you all updated with swatches when it arrives. I am pretty sure this is going to be my go to for Christmas.

Has anyone got their mitts on this??

Priced £34 plus delivery charge on QVC Link!

It's also available at the moment on BB site Bobbi Brown Uk

Have a grown up Halloween!!

I don't know if I am the only one but I hate Halloween so instead of getting a trick I am going to indulge in a treat...What about you??

Halloween Special – Offer on masks!

Offer duration:  24th – 31st October

Halloween masks special – For one week only get 15% off masks at blissworld

bliss steep clean pore purifying mask Professional-strength mask for clearer skin Why we love it • exfoliates dulling dead skin cells for a clearer complexion • decongests clogged pores to minimize breakouts • brightens skin to prevent post-blemish hyperpigmentation • regulates oil without drying This pore plunging, clog clearing mask will transform skin into a scene of extremely clean when used weekly for 15 minutes. Intensive exfoliation, oil elimination, and deep pore purging are a perfect for all (but especially pimple prone) skin types. 3.4oz / 100ml

£35.80

bliss no zit sherlock breakout-busting rubberizing mask (pack of 6) the same zit-zapping mask used in our spas Boost your blemish-battling regimen with this straight-from-our-spa facial treatment, a weekly must for pimple-prone skin. The unique rubber texture is designed to envelop skin’s surface to absorb impurities and allow the mask’s key ingredients to be optimally absorbed by the skin. Plus, it’s packed with pore-de-clogging, oil-absorbing, super-soothing extracts and nourishing, detoxifying seaweed. So if you’re looking for a clean, clear, shine-free complexion—‘mask’, and you shall receive! Includes 6 individually wrapped mix-it-yourself masks, 6 spatulas and measuring scoop. • With seaweed, tea tree, willow and menthol extracts • Purges pores, absorbs impurities and calms skin • Helps control oil, fade blemishes and prevent future breakouts

£35

bliss triple oxygen energizing mask InStyle best beauty buy 2009, 2010 & 2011!! A super quick fix for dull, tired and sallow, 'I'm sick of my skin' skin. Engineered to mimic the effects of our spa's famous Triple Oxygen Treatment Facial in seconds. This fabulous complexion brightening formula uses every 'tech' in the book to give you fresher, younger-looking skin. • delivers oxygen to the skin with innovative Fluid02 technology • brightens, lightens, and tightens the skin with the most active powerful form of Vitamin C available • protects cells from free radical damage with powerful antioxidants 3.4oz / 100ml

£39.90

Choose yours @ Bliss world

Details provided on behalf of Bliss

Stepping over to the dark side!

You know how there is always that one shop in the shopping center that catches your attention when ever you get within a few steps but you never go in? Well that was me with Lush. I used to wander past sticking my nose as close to the door as possible because the smell in there is incredible. For some reason I very rarely went in and when ever I did make it past the entrance I stuck to just the Bath Bombs.

That changed a few weeks ago. I did a post on it here. I was wandering past in my own little world when I went in to pick up shaving crème for H2B to take on a stag do. Whilst there I picked up the Lip Scrub and the Lush bug bit.
It's almost becoming a obsession, and for some reason every blog I read it brimming with posts raving about Lush. Well I couldn't take it any more and decided to bite the bullet however small... baby steps right?
So I bought a honey bath bomb which was amazing, and this

Scary looking eh?


I asked the S A for some help choosing skincare. I said that my skin was not sensitive  but oily so she advised this amongst others.
According to Lush  Dark Angels is the alternative to Angels on bare skin for peeps with oilier skins.
9 out of the 10 ingredients are natural which = Good for skin.

I have not taken a picture of this in use because to be honest it is quite messy. You take a little crumbled bit in your hands add a little water and turn into a paste.  I like this process and the mess though, it makes cleansing less humdrum.
It really deep cleanses and scrubs your skin, my skin is like a babies bum!
I rinse the stuff off then rub my skin with a cloth to get every scrap off.

For some reason to me this smells like liquorish. There is non in the cleanser but I think the Sandalwood oil and black sugar makes the scent. I don't normally like the smell but it actually makes you feel even cleaner.

It is £5.95 for 100g and I think this will last for ages. 
I am definitely going to keep this in the bathroom. Now if you excuse me I am going to get my Lush on in the online shop :-)

Bought with my own pennies, Glad I did
Get yours in store or here Lush!

What a mess!

Hi everyone, I hope that you have all had a great weekend!

My week has been Ok. The H2B and I also went to see Lee Evans on Thursday and I am happy to report he was extremely funny and worth every second of pain it took me to sit through his very long gig... My God do you get your moneys worth out of him lol. He seemed a very nice bloke who happily signed every autograph and shook every hand that was thrust in his face. I am now a Lee Evans fan!
Now that was the positive out of the week but I do have a negative and it is beauty based.


As I have said before I have very greasy hair that is also very flat. So when I read so many great reviews about Batise XXL dry shampoo I thought that I would give it a try. I don't use dry shampoo very often as I wash my hair everyday, however I thought I would put this new addition to the test.

I sprayed a normal amount into my hair, rubbed it though and that was as far as I got. I could not even put my fingers through my hair. It became one big knotty mess. Yes it looked cleaner and yes the volume was there but my God the damage! I read on other blogs that you could feel the product in your hair but I did not expect what I had to go through when it came to washing the stuff out.
 I had to wash it then cover it in conditioner just to get the comb through then it took a further 2 washes and condition for it to go back to a normal state.
The next day my hair was like straw! Again came the wash, condition but then I had to do a deep hair mask and cover the ends with V05 oil. Now I am back to reality.

My verdict is that I would rather wash my hair then have to go through all that again. I am going to keep it for my fringe from now on. Beware if you have hair that is long and gets tangled I would not recommend you use this as it does more damage than good.

Major thumbs down

Image Chemist direct.

More Bobbi Brown

Morning Everyone!!  I hope that you are all well and looking forward to the weekend?

Anyway I wanted to do this post about two Bobbi Brown products because as we all know I am Bobbi Brown mad.

First off I am going to start with a cleanser. I was kindly sent this to review and I have thrown everything at it, water proof mascara, a full face of make up... you name it.

I use this cleanser to take my make up off or a night cleanse. As it is part of the Hydrating range it is a little too rich for me to use in the morning. On the bottle Bobbi recommends using it as a wash off cleanser, however I use it almost like a cleansing cream. I massage a small amount over a damp face then use a muslin cloth to sweep away what ever make up or dirt is on my skin. It does a great job and I have removed full eye make up including water proof mascara without having to drag my skin and rub too hard. This is full of Avocado butter so if you have dry skin it would be wonderful as your main cleanser. After I had used this I hardly felt the need to use a moisturiser so it must feel amazing on skins that are at the dryer end of the scale. The cleanser it self smells great, just what you would expect from Bobbi. I fully recommend this and I am happily going to reach for this as my night cleanser of choice especially as the weather is getting nippy and the heating is on and drying out my skin.

Next up is my favourite lipstick...

Creamy Lip colour in Nectar  no4

I bought this Lipstick in Fenwicks Newcastle. I knew that Bobbi was the queen of the Nude palette  So I asked them if they could choose some make up that I could wear on my wedding day. I posted about the eye shadows and the liner in a previous post but wanted to rave about Bobbi a bit more.
Although the format is a Creamy base this Lipstick is quite sheer and very build able.  I have always stayed away from peachy tones however this lipstick is gorgeous. Nude but not in a foundation lip sort of way and not matte which I also hate. The shade finishes of a make up look so well and actually makes me feel polished. As it is creamy it is also very moisturising but well lasting. All boxes ticked so far. The question was will I wear it on my wedding day? The answer, yes if I have any left...I may have to buy a back up. I know without a shadow of a doubt next time I have some spare cash put aside for a make up spree the BB counter is where I am heading!
Trust me when I say that if you are constantly on the look out for a perfect Nude, and reading so many blogs I know this is a favourite... head to Bobbi Brown she won't disappoint you and neither will her MUA .

Cleanser £19 for 125ml * Pr sample

Lipstick £18 ( worth every penny) Bought by me

Get yours @ Bobbi Brown Uk

Was it worth the wait?

Hi everyone,

I know that the blogging world has been bombarded with reviews about Liz Earle's Skin tint over the past month or so. Personally I don't mind reading loads of reviews because they help me decide whether a product will suit me and is worth the money, the reviews of course need to be honest!
I was lucky enough to be sent the Skin tint in Bare 01. The other shades are Beige 02 and beach 03.
As a lot of other bloggers have found the Skin Tint seems to of created a whole new category for it's self. It's not a foundation or a tinted moisturiser it is just as it says a Sheer Skin Tint.

You get shade samples when you buy from Liz Earle web site

For quite a long time I have stuck to mineral foundations and still use them now. I had trouble finding a liquid foundation that I couldn't feel on the skin and to be honest I can feel Skin tint, I do not know if this is because I chose to test it out when we were having the Indian summer at the end of September ( What was that about?). However that is the only downside and one that I am happy to over look. The match is perfect, no tide marks eurgh! It leaves a amazing healthy glow on the skin that does not make you look sweaty like some can do. And most of all the coverage can be tailored to what you are looking for. I have stuck to one application because I want it to be what it is, Sheer.
It is a perfect base for that no make up look.

A description from Liz Earle

The perfect way to enhance your skin. Our rich and creamy, yet lightweight formula leaves all skin types looking naturally dewy, even and radiant. With mineral UV SPF15, it’s enriched with our own blend of natural source vitamin E, borage and avocado, specially selected to work in harmony with our skincare range.

Apply a little Sheer Skin Tint onto forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, then blend with fingertips over your face.

Overall It will stay in my make up bag and when it runs out I would purchase it for myself because lets face it you can't go wrong with Liz Earle. I am hoping that there is going to be more additions to the make up side now.

£ 21 for 40 ml

Link to Liz