W7 - New makeup

W7 is a well known affordable UK brand. Ive used many of its products over the years, plus been very impressed with the quality. Ive bought and was kindly sent some to trial (Lashtastic mascara, a hint of tahiti, Viva la berry lipstick and eye dream liquid shadow) by W7 for review. I created a look using these product's. 

About : 

Colour cosmetics for all - who will you be today. W7 is an incredible budget make up brand with a huge variety of products.

Lashtastic Mascara

Lashtastic creates a look of false lashes with a short plastic brush applicator.

- Im a very fussy mascara consumer. I have quite a hard time finding one i really love. I was honestly not expecting much from this product. I do think the packaging could be improved upon and thats a personal opinion. The mascara itself is applied by a rounded plastic wand, with small but well spaced "application hair's". It looks very liquidy yet on closer inspection it is a very pigmented liquid/gel hybrid. Upon application the mascara made my lashes look long and the pigment was so black that i was stunned by the fact this was only coat 1. The second coat made them look darker and I would just need to curl them if i wished. This is an impressive mascara for when you need something affordable. 

- Eye dreams

Create a stunning long wearing, crease proof eye look. Precise eye framing with the precision applicator tip, creating a soft and natural look.

This eye base is a swipe of liquid gold. I did think how best would this be used. I then decided to save this for a gold and green look, I have planned with some amazing lashes. Based on consistancy and time taken to dry, I will use a light base of this shadow then do a darkened green/gold cut crease. Then using a forest green on the outer V for intense definition. I will keep you posted on this look.

- Viva la berry

Viva Glam Lipsticks are perfect Autumnal colours, weather you want a dark berry or a more pink berry shade, there is going to be a perfect shade for you. The lipstick glides on for easy application and has a moisturising effect on the lips with excellent staying power.

Very creamy and is pigmented, I placed the lipstick in the centre's to define the outline's. Then i simply rolled my lips and the colour filled the small space I hadnt applied product too. It gave a natural and even colour to my lip's.

- In the glow & A hint of Tahiti 

In the glow 

Illuminating liquid formula that highlights facial features.

A hint of Tahiti 

Violet gel based lip and cheek stain. Also available in Bali, Cuba and Rio

In the glow 

Is a really subtle highlight that is just on the champagne side. When lightly tapped out, gives a lovely addition to the cheek. This needs just a small amount to give that hint to the cheek and it is buildable. Also i would give advise to tap these liquid's in with your ring finger, rather then a sponge to get the most from them. Lovely liquid illumination. 

A hint of Tahiti 

You look at this shade and automatically think wow thats going to be intense. Whilst it can be if you added 2 layers, with just 1 layer it gives a beautiful rosy glow. If you want a more noticable blush then just build the layer and for lasting power a small dab of translucent powder dabbed on top seals them to get a little more wear time. Again apply with the ring finger and dab whilst moving the blush to the area you like. 

- W7 Hollywood Bronze & Glow &  making waves eyeshadow palette

- W7 Hollywood Bronze & Glow

Bronzer & Highlighter In One Handy Box. Use The Bronzer To Creat A Tanned Complexion. Use Highlighter To Creat A Defined & Sculptured Look. Create Super Touch Cheekbones. For Sun Kissed Look & Finishing touch.

- Wowzer's now whilst this is a subtle highlight and amazing bronzer. I am aware this highlight may only enhance,  pale up to the lower spectrum of medium skintone's. Its really the cheaper sister to the other well known higher end product, as you can expect this is not as buttery but as far as pigment etc ..... Save your money and pay for this until you want to splurge. This is the alternative you can use and be proud of. 

- W7 making waves eyeshadow palette

A luscious pigmented eyeshadow palette that is sure to make your eyes look fabulous! The palette comes complete with 5 complementary colours. 

- Again another dupe for the high end version and i must say after seeing the alternative version and its not so hot review's. I was hoping that W7 would give this a run for its oh so expensive price tag, sure enough it did. W7's version is light and buttery feeling shadows, give a beautiful light natural look. The swatches shown are of each colour panel, it gives buttery colour payoff and also using a smaller brush helps. Im highly impressed by this palette. 

- Lookbook - Using all the W7 product's mentioned

We all love having a splurge and treated but doesnt it make it more fantastic feeling every now and again ? 

However for those daily makeup needs and with everyone nowadays looking for quality, but affordable alternative's for makeup. W7 always comes to mind for affordable makeup and on looking recently at current product's they have available, I just had to purchase the certain items above. My lookbook show's the eyeshadow has given a lovely light look suitable for daily use. Even using the darkest shade to do my eyebrow's. The liquid blush and highlight give a beautiful naturally flushed look. They can be set with a translucent powder or using the hollywood highlight & bronzer palette. I used the bronzer to give a light contour and it blended seamlessly with everything. The lipstick finished the look and gave my lips the hydrating finish which eliminated the need for gloss. So overall W7 do have some amazing product's that stand out because they give flawless daily look's, with the most ease. 

Il keep buying W7 when im needing product's on a budget and proudly use them. 

Ihearthomes - January edition

http://www.ihearthomes.co.uk/

New year and new monthly edition of ihearthomes subscription. It's a theme mix of thank you, friendship and following your dream's from my understanding of the content's. This is the £15.00 box, which i subscribe to with my own money. 

About :

ihearthomes are passionate and a little excitable about all things home. We have always loved making that house into a home and love gorgeous items that really make the difference. From quirky wooden signs to romantic rustic hanging hearts, we love all the items we sell. 

We have beautiful wedding decorations and gifts, stunning children's items, heart warming hearts, gorgeous signs and plaques. Take a look around the site and see what takes your fancy.  Don't forget to come back again, as we are always looking to add new items.

Content's : 

- Inspirational card 

- Hummingbird keyring & pencil

- Candy striped baggy full of sweet's

- Zebra paper clip's

- Friendship poem

- Make your own bunting kit

- Floral photo frame 

- Scent gel cube 

- "Live & Dream" wall plaque 

- "Live & Dream" wall plaque 

This plaque is colourful and bright to usher in the new year and wave goodbye to winter for another year. It's perfect as a gift to anyone starting a journey with a new home or change up any area's in need of that little pizzaz of colour. Metal feeling and very well made.  

- Floral photo frame by Sass & Belle

Sass & Belle are really ihearthomes subscription box hero's. Every month we recieve a beautiful item from there collection which compliment's the theme perfectly. This floral frame has "follow your dream's" written within the space until you can find a photo to place inside. Thank you again Sass & Belle. 

- Hummingbird keyring & pencil

This keyring reminds me of the Sass & Belle style and i adore it. So well made on a rose golden tinted metal, with a vibrant colourful floral print within to compliment. It's a beautiful and unique item that il be showing with pride. 

Pencil : Now everyone need's a pencil and notepad within there bag, place you write ideas's or information. Handy and very cute stationary addition for this month. 

- Make your own bunting kit

When i saw this kit i thought it again was a beautifully colourful addition to make for an event or just add some unique room decor.  

- Zebra paper clip's

Perfect for my planner and notebook's to keep important documents attached but also reusable. There are 3 clips included and these are made by Sass & Belle. They will add a new and fun dimension to my planner.

- Candy striped baggy full of sweet's

The candy stiped bag in each month of ihearthomes contain's a surprise. This month it contained some fruity milk bottle sweet's. They were lovely and a perfect little snack to have whilst looking at the content's if the box. 

- Friendship saying

This saying plaque is beautiful and it would be the perfect gift to your closest friend whom you may not see regularly. The presentation is stunning and really does make this a unique gift. 

- Inspirational card

These card's i find are the perfect inserts for parcel's, I tend to write a note on the back for the reciever to read. I have kept some that i do like to interchange within a frame on my dresser. It help's give inspiration and happiness depending on your need for that week. 

- Aromatherapy soap cube 

This little soap cube is jelly in texture but smell's of a floral & fruity mix. It is a really beautiful scent and my skin from just unwrapping the paper feels so soft. The oils are definatly present and im going to be using this soap today. Below is a little information about the company. 

"Om Shanti Aromatherapy products offer handmade artisan bath bombs, bath salts, soaps and candles. This company has been born out of a love for aromatherapy and holistic wellbeing. Our aromatherapy products use 100% pure essential oils. Essential oils are obtained by extracted the pure oil from the plant. These oils can help to alter mood, and evidence suggests that they help with psychological and physical wellbeing."

In conclusion : This box was beautifully presented this month and amazingly well constructed. Most of these item's i have planned to gift to some of my closest friend's in thanks for there continued love and support through probably one of my most difficult year's. 

Too end is my mantra for the year and ultimate goal for improving positivity. 

Ihearthomes - May edition

  

Ihearthomes Website

It's that time of the month again when we recieve the ihearthomes box. This box is becoming a real favourite of mine. 

They say :

ihearthomes are passionate and a little excitable about all things home. We have always loved making that house into a home and love gorgeous items that really make the difference. From quirky wooden signs to romantic rustic hanging hearts, we love all the items we sell. 

We have beautiful wedding decorations and gifts, stunning children's items, heart warming hearts, gorgeous signs and plaques. Take a look around the site and see what takes your fancy.  Don't forget to come back again, as we are always looking to add new items.

We wrap all our items in white tissue paper as standard (size permitting), to add that extra special niceness when you receive your order. 

Content's : 

- Polka dot case

- Rose bud chocolate

- Paper tape

- Fridge magnet (Dance like no one's watching) 

- Blue stripey bag (3 Paper clip's)

- Vintage photo frame 

- "Wish upon a string" bracelet 

Polka dot case & Rose bud chocolate

Polka dot case 

I really love this case which can be used in a variety of way's, as a pencil case, makeup bag etc. The simple design goes with any occasion, so perfect if you want to travel with it.

Rosebud chocolate 

 What a lovely addition for the box and such a well made treat. A pink rosebud chocolate on a stick, wrapped and then bound with twine. I cant wait to enjoy this treat. 

Paper tape & Dance like no one's watching magnet 

Paper tape 

This paper tape is fantastic if you like crafting, scrapbooking or using a jazzy tape to make your gifts more special. It has a lovely decorative pattern and will serve me well. 

"Dance like no one's watching" magnet 

 This magnet is a quirky decorative element for what can be a dull appliance. It can also hold paper's up if there is something you need to remember. Its small and in no way offensive or overkill to uplift your fridge/freezer. A nice little gift addition to the box.  

Blue stripey bag : 3 paper clips 

Blue stripey bag : 3 paper clips 

The blue stripey bag is always a lovely surprise and this month was very handy. 3 felt decorated paper clip's which again can be multifunctional. Mine will be used in my planner so i can keep track of important day's. 

Vintage photo frame & Wish upon a string

Vintage photo frame 
 This frame is beautiful and perfect for small photo's. It has a hook for hanging up. You can also hang it as is, with the lovely drawing within as a feature. Either way it will brighten any room. 

Wish upon a string bracelet 
This is beautiful and its the type of jewellry i love. It has meaning and significance when its worn, plus can be a beautiful gift for a close friend. This addition is a lovely way of taking something so simple and making it special. 

This month's box, wow what a lovely set of treat's. All have a stationary or to be used purpose. I love all the item's as i avidly use writing and craft material's. The additions of a Rose-bud chocolate to have as a treat, while you use the other item's was a nice touch to the box. As was the "wish upon a string" bracelet is beautiful, lovely way of giving something special. All in all i think this box is becoming a firm favourite for me. It gives me something i will use, plus they are quality product's that support british brand's. So im all subscribed for future boxes and im so excited for June's box now. 

Nivea Q-10 range & 3in1 Micellar water

Nivea UK

I love Nivea products as they are affordable and brilliant skincare. So when I saw the new 3 in 1 cleansing water, I was so excited. Along with the cleansing water, I also tried the Q-10 hand cream and firming shower cream. Having dry skin at times the Q-10 range with its Moisturising formula would be the perfect shower cream to help improve the skin's condition.

They say :

For an easy daily routine that will leave your skin feeling spa-firm and moisturised, try our new NIVEA Q10 Energy formula. The advanced ‘energy complex’ features three power ingredients to improve the skin’s appearance and elasticity. Try it today for energised and firm skin, within just two weeks.

Co-enzyme Q10 is found naturally in our bodies and enhances skin regeneration and repair – increasing the collagen and elastin that keep your skin looking and feeling young, supple and healthy. With these super skin-boosting benefits, it’s easy to see why we picked it as the star ingredient in the NIVEA Q10 Energy Body range. 

Q10 : Age defying hand cream

 Q10 Plus Age Defying Hand Cream effectively preserves the natural beauty of your skin by reducing the appearance of ageing and smoothing your hands.

This cream is lovely on the hands and smells beautiful. Well absorbed and only a small amount is required to hydrate the skin. Its a generous sized bottle too, so it will last. Its a fantastic handbag cream and really is great when those cold days hit. Now coming into spring i want to replenish as well as hydrate. Replenishing the skin is what i want to do in the months nearing spring, as i want to show healthy hands and nails. So far my hands are looking hydrated and my nails are beginning to strengthen and really grow quick so i can shape and paint them. I used to have very weak nails that would break and i would end up having to cut them down, now i have a decent size to paint and decorate. They are really lovely looking and healthy, so I'm really impressed. This hand cream is the one i feel can keep my hands well hydrated and my nails health and strong. 

In-Shower body moisturising firming 24hr Care Q-10 plus

Moisturises instantly to get dressed and go. Normal to dry skin Q10 & massage beads & menthol. Skin compatibility dermatologically approved.

I love this Shower wash and it is perfect for dry skin. As i feel my skin is amazingly cleansed and then its left moisturised after i leave the shower. It is perfect for that day where you are pushed for time  need a moisturising product, yet don't have time to put loads of cream and serums on. It really smells fresh and gives a great deep cleaning to the skin, without it being irritating or making the skin sore. Whilst it does say it is firming I can see my thigh area is better condition, yet i do tend to massage and really rub this shower wash in as its so moisturising. So i will spend that bit longer in the shower using this wash, to really make sure every part of my body is well moisturised. I can say that in reading on massage is beneficial so maybe it is helping my legs look well conditioned. I really love this shower wash as its just made my skin looking so much better, as i don't have days where my moisturising step is missed due to less time. 

3 in 1 Miceller cleansing water

Daily Essentials Micellar Cleansing Water cleanses deeply, removes make-up from face and eyes and moisturises in one step. It helps protect against the 3 main signs of sensitive skin. 

Redness, Tightness, Dryness

The caring formula with Dexpanthenol & Grape Seed Oil. Cleanses deeply thanks to its extra effective yet mild cleansing complex. Moisturises and refreshes the skin, Is free of parabens, colours and perfume.

I have to say that in my top Nivea products, this is a definate must have. I love Nivea wipes, however there are months i cant afford to purchase them. So i applied this to my cotton pad, to see if i can get the same cleansing as my wipes. This is refreshing, hydrating, cooling and cleanse's beautifully. It will remove my most stubborn makeup and heaviest eyeliner with such ease. This product is a fantastic addition to my skincare routine and i will always have a backup now. Im so impressed at how well it cleansed my skin and just made me feel refreshed in the morning. Im so glad i tried this product. 

Saving money, Blogger brainstorming and thank you's

So I love my MAC, Urban decay and NARS as treats when I can save to afford a few to trial or I'm lucky to find a blog sale with some bits in. However now I'm saving and have only blog sale spends this month with my treat budget I'm really thinking that saving will be good. I appreciate my makeup and gifts when I'm given them. Il just explain a little as I use makeup as a therapy being that I am housebound due to an illness I find this a brilliant way to relax, unwind and express myself.

Being housebound I meet amazing people via Facebook and other social media and I've built up a wonderfully close set of special friends. They pick me up in spirit when I'm in hospital by sending me whitty banter. It's the little things that make these friendships so amazing. So while I say a huge thank you to all you amazing and supportive friends, also I must point out that I do receive some product's from companies to use (plus extremely grateful for) and I love to review these.

So as I missed budget June, I'm imposing a budget July with myself by saving and doing more looks and reviews. Also show what I use regularly, as I never do review my usual products in depth. Plus how i pick my facial products for a certain looks. I will be doing this as I love affordable makeup. We all love a bargain (its how my collection has begun to grow) and I want to show you some of my all time favourites. I will be adding a page to my blog each month which will be updated regularly, this will show how to save money, gain discount codes and also newsletters plus news from press releases. I will also love for everyone to feel free to add codes and offers in the comments to start a sharing circle.

It is about now i start to save for christmas and put a little aside, you may think I'm mad as its only July but i always find that starting now makes the burden in december less. Plus gives me a little pot to purchase a few of the christmas collections. I will be posting some products i no long want over summer. Also i will be doing posts of sales and bargains in the run up.  

So I welcome you to my blog and hope the summer gives you loads of joy and sunshine. I will be having some operations, till then I wanted to send a huge thanks to all my supportive friends and also my supportive followers. I will be opening 2 MAC competitions when my Facebook pages and GFC counters reach hit there little milestones. (See the black MAC picture on my Facebook for more details) 

Some of my favourite Summer finds have been Bioderma (Blue range), the Nivea Hydration primer and honey lip balm. I continue to love Elemis products as they make my skin feel refreshed and clean of impurities along with my clarisonic Mia.  
There are so many to name that i will be doing a run down next month of my holy grails i use and re-purchase on a regular basis. Plus companies i think are hidden gems like BeautyUK, Smooch, La Colors, Kiss, NUXE and many more.
I would love to thank my fellow bloggers for there amazing posts to which I've read and then purchased a absolute gem of a product. GIG, UK bloggers, Aloha blog hop etc your amazing and such a joy to network with.

So top tips
*Budget and have a little treat a month then save
* use Seller sites if you find you have to much
* Topcashback or money when you shop sites ... excellent way to make money back and have a fund for christmas.
*loyalty cards - Boots , debenhams, super-drug etc you name it get it, as the points rack up and really are work having and same for supermarket points.
*Do budget sheets and set yourself a goal to save and how much by... i know im OTT but its how i can afford treats on so little money
*samples or gifts when you spend -these offers are worth waiting for

So please feel free to comment here on on my Facebook, telling me what you would like to see reviewed, it can be from inspiration look requests to a Q&A session. We can do as much as you wish the world and blog is your oyster and i only can speak as i find.

So please feel free to comment below or visit my Facebook page to contribute any ideas you may have or requests of items you wish to see.