Wednesday 29 January 2014

Urban Decay | The Naked 3.

As we all know, since the first Naked pallete was released in 2010, Urban Decay has become some what of a craze in the beauty world. I am not really surprised as they are filled with 12 beautiful shades.
I have been dying to get the Naked 3 from the moment I knew it was being released but every time I tried to order it, it was SOLD OUT. Finally, last week my fabulous boyfriend surprised me with it and of course I was thrilled.
Read on to find out my thoughts and to see some swatches too!

At first glance of this palette my favourites are Limit, Nooner, Darkside and Blackheart. Limit is a gorgeous matte shade that acts as a great base. Nooner again is a matte shade and is good to use to cut the crease or even if you want to create the perfect smoky eye. Darkside is definitely my favourite it is a dark brown with hints of sparkle..(and who doesn't like a little bit of sparkle?). Finally, Blackheart is the darkest colour in the palette but it is my go to eye shadow for the outer corner.


The palette as you can probably tell by now has a rose tinted theme going through it which is perfect for tanned and darker skin tones however it does create a lovely colour on fair skin too. As with all Urban Decay products they have pigmentation spot on and these eyeshadows are no different. They are rich and creamy rather than chalky and with the Urban Decay primer potion they last all day and night.
This is for sure my go to eye shadow palette at the moment and I will be trying out many different looks over the next few weeks so let me know if you would like to see them.
This palette is available at Debenhams or House of Frasers stores and is £37, go and get one while you can! (I promise you won't regret it!!!)

Have you got this palette? If so, whats your favourite colour?

Have a fabulous day,
Kates xo

Tuesday 21 January 2014

"There's more to life than hair but it's a good place to start" |Aussie Products

It's nearly the end of January..(THANK GOODNESS!!). In every post I write I always complain about the cold and this post is no different. I have felt that my hair has lost it's 'mojo' this winter, it feels dry and never ever looks shiny anymore. So this being a huge issue for me I took it upon myself on Friday to go and get a good bit chopped off and also decided to ombré it. After I had it all cut and blow dried it felt so healthy and 'back to normal'.
With this new found shiny fabulousness I asked the lady what she used in my hair and what she recommended to keep it this way. My hair is very long and extremely THICK which no, is not always a good thing. She recommended that I try the Aussie range because it is 'bottles filled with luscious magic' was the quote I think she used. 
So, I had been told what would help my hair so I obviously had to go straight to Boots and pick up some of these 'magic' products. I picked up three of their products because it was 3 for £10. I picked the Lucious Long shampoo, the Lucious Long conditioner and the Miracle Hair Insurance.

This stuff literally does what it says on the bottle. It's amazing, it smells fantastic and leaves your hair feeling fresh for days. It's my new holy grail. 
I've yet to try the Miracle hair insurance but I've been told it works a treat! It smells the same as the shampoo and conditioner which is a good start. I love these new found products and I think they'll do my hair wonders! Get down to your local shops and grab these while they're still on offer. I'll let you all know about the conditioning spray but I'm sure it'll be just as fabulous.

Kate's xo

Sunday 12 January 2014

THE LIEBSTER AWARD

Today I found out I was nominated for The Liebster award by the gorgeous Rachel from, Rachel says fabulous! Go and take a look at her blog! I was thrilled and wanted to find out more about it. I only started this blog one and a half weeks ago and never really understood what this award was for. So for all you 'newbies', like myself heres some quick info about the award - its a chain mail designed to promote new blogs and to get new bloggers to get to know one another. Isn't it such a cool concept?
Okay, so let's start with the rules:
1. You must link back to the person who nominated you. (THE FABULOUS RACHEL!!)
2. You must answer the 11 question given by the nominee before you.
3. You pick 11 nominees with under 200 followers to answer your questions.
4. You cannot nominate the person who nominated you.
5. You must tell the nominees that they have been nominated by you.

1. What's your favourite food?
It has to be anything with mushrooms on it! They are the food of the gods! I loveee them.

2. Which celebrity do you get told you look like most often?
I don't really get told I look like anyone..

3. Do you speak any other languages, and if so, which ones?
Nope, I would love to speak fluent French though!

4. Have you ever broken any bones in your body?
Never, ever! Im actually surprised because I am the clumsiest!

5. What's your can't-live-without beauty product?
My Benefit eyebrow kit! I could never leave the house without putting on dem' brows.

6. What's the worst present you've ever received?
It has hands down got to be a packet of colouring pencils because the person thought I might need them for Second Year Art!

7. Have you got a holiday(s) planned for this summer?
I am planning to book up with my boyfriend in the summer.

8. If you use Emoji, what is your most-used emoticon?
It has got to be the wee cheeky monkey! I love that wee thing.

9. What did you dress up as for Halloween last year?
I dressed up as a pirate..how creative!

10. My favourite word is FABULOUS! What is your favourite word?
Oh..Fabulous has got to be up there with one of my favourite words but I also like the word 'doll' even although I don't use it often enough.

11. Where's the furthest you've been from home?
Furthest i have ever been is probably Iceland or New York.

11 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME
1. I am a Nursing student at University.
2.I HATE slow drivers.
3.I can't save my money.
4.I am TERRIFIED of sheep..(even the word makes my skin crawl.)
5.I once did YouTube videos back in the days where I wore blue eyeshadow..
6.I still own a Blackberry :(
7.Dr Pepper is my ultimate favourite drink.
8.I work in a Chip Shop.
9.I could eat mushrooms ALL DAY EVERYDAYYYY.
10.I don't have a specific music taste,I just go with the flow and listen to whatever is on.
11.I failed Higher Biology TWICE (ahahhahhahahhaa).

MY NOMINEES
Charlotte @ BUSYBURT
Meghan @ MISSMEGHAAN
Kat @ BLUSHINGROSE
Catherine @ YOUWISHYOU
 Katie @ THELASTSOUVENIR
Leigh @ HELLOMYNAMEISLEIGH
Lucee @ LIFEWITHLUCEE
Gemma @DUGGYDIMPLES
Emma @EMS BEAUTY
Ellis @ ELLISTUESDAY

MY QUESTIONS
1.What is your favourite Beauty product?
2.What is your favourite colour?
3.What made you start your blog?
4.What is your favourite brand of makeup and why?
5.Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
6.What is your dream job?
7.What is your worst fear?
8.What is the three closest things to you right now?
9.Most worn item of clothing?
10.What is your favourite drink?
11.I love tartan clothing..what is your most worn pattern or colour?

Kates xo





ELF COSMETICS| HAUL

Its January which means the month where everyone is depressed and needs to be cheered up..right? So I thought I would take it upon myself to brighten my mood and take full advantage of the ELF cosmetics makeup sale (here). I didn't go too crazy and only picked up 10 things..(anyone who knows me, knows this is well restrained for me!).
I was so excited when this package turned up at my door and I couldn't wait to see what all the fuss was about! As I said previously, I have only bought a few things to try the brand out. Let's take a look at what I bought...
I mostly concentrated on eye products as that's what I feel I've got least of in my makeup collection. I bought a few glitter eyeshadows that were a crazy price of £1.25. I mean I couldn't just have one so I obviously I got three, ooooopsss!! I also bought an eyeshadow pallete that is especially for green eyes- this is one of the products I have tried out. I got the glitter primer because what girl can resist a glitter primer when she's buying three glitter eyeshadows!?
Moving swiftly on to lips, I purchased a jumbo lipstick stick which looks fabulous. Also to combine with this I bought one of the 'shimmer lip glosses' to out over the top of my lipstick.. This is in the colour pink umbrellas.
Finally, I bought a bronzer in the colour Golden, is it just me who thinks the packaging reminds them of NARS?.
I have actually tried the bronzer out and thought I'd give you a wee look at the colour pigmentation. It looks fab when it's contoured onto the face. I blend all four colours together using my real techniques blush brush and I dont think I'll ever go back to another bronzer. The picture does it no justice. I seriously recommended getting onto ELF ASAP and bagging this bargain for only £3.25!. 
I went on a night out last night and thought I would make use of this palette and 'enhance my eyes' as that's what this palette is supposed to do. The packaging is beautiful and the colours also look amazing but when I went to use them they were really chalky and the lighter colours were not the most pigmented things I've ever seen. In the end I decided to ditch the lighter colours and use the dark purple shown at the end of the palette and used some other loose eyeshadows I have from mac and urban decay. I really was disappointed with this but for the price of £2.75 I couldn't really complain.
To conclude I am not reallly sure how I feel about ELF cosmetics at the moment. The bronzer is fabulous but the eyeshadows not so much. I'll have to test all the other products out and decide from there.
Do you have any ELF products, and if so what ones? Is there any products from what I bought that you'd like me to review?

Happy reading,
Kates xo




Tuesday 7 January 2014

Let's talk about..BABYLIPS.

As you all know the cold months are here and everyone seems to be Ill, complaining it's freezing or has chapped lips. Well, I can't do anything about the first two I'm sorry to say but I have discovered a product that may solve your chapped lips.
I first heard about this product while watching YouTube videos. I done my research and was so disappointed that they were only available in the U.S. I managed to persuade myself many times to just order some from America but I just couldn't justify the postage. So back in July when I went into Boots and saw these I was overwhelmed with excitement and decided I just had to buy all 6...Incase you haven't already guessed, yes, I am talking about 'Maybelline, BABYLIPS'.


I was drawn in by the wonderful colours and childish packaging. I was so excited to try these and was surprised by the formula. They are so soft and almost turn into a liquid unlike most lip balms that are hardening on the lips and almost pull at them. These glide on with ease and leave such a fabulous texture. I absolutely love these..however, Maybelline claim that Baby Lips offer 8 hours of hydration and I'm afraid that it is not case it is closer to about 3 hours, as long as the balm is on the lips the skin will remain moisturised but once it wears off all the benefits tend to vanish. These products come in at just less that £3 each which is an absolute bargain..(and who doesn't love a bargain?). For such a bargain price they do contain substantial ingredients which include Vitamin E, Shea butter, Aloe Vera and in some of them even SPF 20. Also, while I was researching I found out that they contain a lot of petroleum which may be the reason as to why they don't last for as long as claimed. The main problem with Petroleum is that it tends to only mask the problem of dry skin/lips with a barrier of hydration and over time said ingredient can suck out extra moisture from the skin/lips making the problem worse rather than better.

At the moment Maybelline have launched 6 of their now infamous balms within the UK which include three with an SPF : Hydrate, Mint Fresh and Intense Care. All of these three apply clear and leave a slightly glossy finish to the lips( personally these are my favourite!!). The other three are tinted and give a very sheer colour. Unlike the non-tinted versions these do not include an SPF and come in the following shades Pink Punch, Cherry Me and Peach Kiss.


Basically I LOVE MAYBELLINE BABYLIPS. I just wish that they would last a bit longer. They are fabulous for stashing in your pocket or bag as a quick fix for dried out lips. All in All, they are a great product that are fun, smell amazing and are CHEAP!

Kate's xo

Maybelline Baby Lips- Boots, £2.99*



Sunday 5 January 2014

BEST EYELINERS IN TOWN..

Let's talk about eyeliners..these were gifted to me at Christmas and I can't get enough of them! There crazy pigmented and stay on your eyes for hours without budging. All in all these are just pencils of complete 'fabulousness'. 

This set from Boots (here) stores contains 5 eyeliners and 3 eyeshadows..(but let's forget about the eyeshadows for now!!) The pigmentation in these are insane. Let's take a look.
I mean look at how gorgeous these all are!!! I think it's love! 'Blue my mind' is a gorgeous navy colour that is perfect if you feel like a change from that overworn black! Also, look at the sparkles in 'AQUABAT' isn't it just gorgeous?! 'Grapevine is another favourite as I have green eyes and I do feel it compliments them. 
I am in love with all of these colours and think everyone should go out and treat yourselves. I am so impressed with the quality and pigmentation of these. WELL DONE SOAP AND GLORY! 
I am so happy with my new eyeliners and can not wait to try out more of the 'Soap and Glory' makeup.
Hope you all have a fantastic day xo

Saturday 4 January 2014

Goodbye 2013..Hello 2014.

Hello there..
As you can probably tell I am new to all this blogging stuff. I guess this post is just to tell you a little bit about myself and what I hope to achieve.
My name is Katie and I LOVE everything to do with beauty and fashion. I am going to post on this page everything beauty and fashion related so that 'you fellow beauty lovers' can get ideas or reviews on products that I simply adore.
I hope you all enjoy reading about things I find fabulous.

Kates x