March Favourites

River Island Ring / MUA Lip Balm / Sanctuary Body Moisture Spray / New Look Blazer

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe it is the end of March! Which means that I half one month left of uni –one month!! I haven’t got many favourite this month as  haven’t really been buying a lot –surprise surprise! I’ve been wearing the MUA Great Lips every day pretty much recently, I’ve been applying it with a lip brush which makes it last soo much longer and I just love the colour. Sometimes I wear it over Shy Girl if I’m feeling naughty – naughty? I rediscovered this Santuary body oil and I don’t know why I put this into my ‘never use’ bag –!? I’ve been really tired recently and the only thing I want to do after a bath is fall into bed, so this is amazing for super quick moisture on my lovely flaky legs – they’re not really flaky, although they would be, had I not wasted so much of my life moisturising! I have to say my all time favourite this month is the River Island ring; I only bought it last weekend but I love it that much it’s in the favourites. I just think it’s such a rare find for RI jewellery and I don’t own anything rose gold, so I am glad to have it in my life. FYI River Island have some good rings in at the minute! Last but by no means least, my bargain blazer from New Look. I know a lot of people have been getting the mint blazer from Primark but personally I think this one feels a little more luxurious and it was only £23 plus I got discount off so was around £20 really.

I hope you have got some better favourites than me this month! I can’t wait to finish my dissertation so I can focus on the important stuff in life– make up and face masks, lip gloss and body wash, you know.

I might not be blogging as much over the next few weeks as I have a lot of work to do at the minute and need to focus on that, I did not want to stop blogging without an explanation though. BUT I am always on Twitter –I cannot give this up just yet- and Instagram so if you’d like to follow me there my user name is @inordinateplush for both –keeping it simple. Come the end of next month, I hope to have gotten rid of my under eye bags, and I’ll probably be about ten tonne the rate I’m eating these Haribo, along with it a hefty loan instalment.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze–A Holiday in a Bottle

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Airbrush-Effect Self-tanning Dry Mist for Face 75ml – £11.99 at Boots

Hey ho spring time! It is Sunday as I’m writing this –the only time I feel it is suitable to write posts as I should be doing dissertation at every other flaming hour of the day!!- and I just wanted to say how lush was it today!? I was actually in the library all day but it just felt so summery during the walk to and fro. There were students grazing the SU area, basking in the sun with their pints of cider, it was lovely. So, now that the sun is coming out, my skin must do the same. And with it, comes my favourite face tan –along with a stupid price tag.

It was actually my mam who go me using this; we decided one day last year to give ourselves at-home spray tans, so we bought this and the one for your body while it was on offer. The body one is ok, and it does smell lovely, but nothing compares to my beloved St Moriz really; but this one is just a trip to Ibiza in a bottle! We nervously sprayed each other’s face and neck before going to bed, and awoke the next morning looking the healthiest I’ve ever seen!

I do spray a generous helping onto my face –I’d say an even 2 coats- as it’s a bit disappointing waking up with no healthy glow, I then sit around with my neck stretched for a while as to not get white lines where my folds are –those lines in your neck even – before going to bed when it is dry. I promise you, this is just lush. I always cringe a bit when spending £12 on this but it’s the best I’ve come across, so easy and quick to use, and let’s be honest, with tanning your face, you really can’t afford to get it wrong can you? Which face tan do you use? Have you use this before?

River Island Fancies and Quick Chit-Chat

Leggings £18 / Top £25 / Earrings £4 / Shoes £18

After my BFF mentioned her recent trip to River Island, I couldn’t help myself and had to have a peruse online. After a quick scroll through their ‘just arrived’ section I have to confirm, River Island is doing good –shame they don’t do the student discount eh? I’m not going to take the credit for the fab flatform-esque shoe find, as it was actually my friend who spotted these in Newcastle; but I just love to look at them. Fortunately for me –and my friend- I will not be buying these at this present moment due to the fact that I have bought approximately 5 shoes already since the beginning of 2012 –my excuse is my arthritic ankles, hallelujah for creepers and flatforms! The skull earrings however, well, they may be mine by the end of this week. Maybe. Most likely. Definitely –I hope.

I don’t have much to report on tonight, I’ve had a very long day and so my tiredness is the reason this post is a little last minute looking. I’ve been a good student today, doing my dissertation in the labs followed by taking a few street style snaps for my photography assignment –it’s actually termed Geophotography, but that makes me sound like some sort of tree-hugger. I’m not used to being out of the house and on my feet for too long so I am well and truly knackered. I’ve had a chilled night in tonight, had a nice bath, watched The Apprentice and I’ve just read a journal before I sleep –that’s classed as my bedtime reading now, how depressing, but every little helps and all that. Oh, I also rediscovered a moisturising body spray by The Sanctuary and I have rekindled my love for it, it’s so easy for lazy nights like tonight. I may just have to buy more of these lazy sprays. I hope you’ve all had a nice day –hello new followers *waves*.

Real Techniques Powder Brush

Real Technique’s Powder Brush - £12.99 at Boots

Since Samantha Chapman –one part of Pixiwoo- released her own make up brush line Real Techniques I have become a woman obsessed. On the day of release I checked every aisle in Boots, I started to panic as I began to realise that there were in fact, no brushes. Surely there’d be some sort of stand with a lovely display of shiny new brushes? Even the staff had little information for me –how could they not be more excited? Anyway, after almost giving up, there they were, on the lower shelf underneath Ecotools Brushes. One core set, one eye brush and a few kabuki brushes left.

A few weeks later and I own the core set, the stippling brush and now the powder brush. I knew the panic would be worth it –my face looks hellish good. I’m sure you’ve read a million reviews of the stippling brush and the buffing brush –found in the core set- so I will not bore you with another one –unless you want one that is- but I thought the powder brush deserved a review as it’s gotten lost in the hype.

I think that the requirements of a powder brush are pretty basic in my eyes, it needs to be big, fluffy and soft; and this one ticks all three boxes. In the past I’ve just used my cheap bronzing brush to apply my powder after foundation, I never thought powder a very big deal to be honest. Since using this one though I’ve noticed a difference in my face. I use to dust my face with my translucent powder and also to just buff my makeup into my skin after my long make up process is done. It really does help make my makeup look silky smooth.

If you haven’t already tried the Real Technique’s brushes I say go try them as soon as you can. They’re relatively inexpensive –comparing them to Mac or other posh brushes- and the quality is amazing. All the brushes are multi-use so you don’t necessarily have to use the eye brushes for example on your eyes, in fact the Pixiwoo sisters often use the dome shadow brush –which can be found in the Travel Essentials set- for concealer. Whatever you find works best, go with it.

The Real Techniques brushes can now be found in all major Boots stores in store and online.

Fame and Flatforms

Company April 2012

I am sitting on the floor, books all around me, my arse is numb and I would like a KFC. Only I can’t have a KFC because I need to keep reading, I need to keep doing this dissertation. Any thoughts of food are a mere dream of being able to procrastinate for a further 30 minutes. I do however permit myself a 10 minute break every half an hour, so here I am –break time. Just wanted to show you all my spread in Company magazine. Page 18 –wink. Well, a girl can dream, but still as if one of my tweets is in a magazine?! That’s my twitter name, and that’s my tweet, right there on page 18. It’s the simple things that keep me going in this life, and this really put a spring into my step! I tell everyone that will listen that ‘I’m in Company magazine you know’ I don’t continue to tell them however, that it is just a tweet and not actually my face or anything relevant to this big scary world. Nope, just my thoughts on the floral trend this season! I am going to keep this issue forever though.

I’ve got my eye on these flatforms from ASOS. After buying the black Vera flatforms (which are now sold out –boo) and painfully wearing them in, I am now in love with them. They are so comfortable and look gorgeous with black tights and little shorts or a skirt. At first it was these snakeskin ones vs. these floral ones but after a lot of help via Twitter (thankyou ladies) and a long hard think, I’ve decided I love the floral. They are black and I think will just look nicer with most of my things –and maybe the black will slim down my wide feet? I think they are more of an every day shoe compared to the snakeskin. What do you think? Should I go for it?

Turn your Living Room into the perfect Mother’s Day Treat!

Mudd Original Face Mask (a) / Revlon Nail Polish (b) / EcoTools Sustainable Moisture Socks (c) / Matalan Fur-Lined Slippers (d) / Tesco candle (e) / Millies Cookies Treat Box (f) / The Body Shop Thirsty Feet Moisture Socks (g) / Boux Avenue Mini Booty-Style Slippers (h) / Jo Malone Home Candle (i) / O.P.I. Nail Lacquer Java Mauve (j) / Kiehl’s Deep Pore cleansing masque (k)

Do you ever get bored of simply giving gifts? I know it sounds ridiculous, but I hate the idea of giving someone a gift and then never seeing it again. Selfish as that may be, I prefer to give gifts that can be enjoyed and a day be made out of it. So for this Mother’s day –18th March for all you naughty people who don’t know- I am treating my lovely mammy to a special night in. My at-home salon experience will consist of many a enjoyable activities, there will be new gifts and home made gifts, new things and old things, the room will smell like flowers and there will be an air of joy filling the room… Or at least, that’s the idea.

I done a spot of shopping today and got a few bits for the special night in, obviously for genuine stalking reasons, I have not included any specific items which are here next to me, but if you’d like to create the perfect girls’ night in for you and your mam –or mum, mummy, mother, ‘ma’- then I’ve included a few pieces you can buy and a few suggestions of what you might already have lying around.

Before she comes home, light some candles and prepare the goodies; I tend to buy pillar candles in bulk from Primark or Tesco, but Jo Malone do some fabulous candles, perfect as gifts and keepsakes –some people don’t like to light fancy candles. Any goodies your lovely mam likes pop into small sharing bowls/plates around the living room –or salon area of choice – or bake your own cookies and cupcakes for a personal touch. I would do this but I’m just a failure in the kitchen, so Millie’s Cookies’ Treat Box would be perfect –and no one will know…

Face masks are an essential part of a typical girl’s night in and let’s not kid ourselves, it will never not be funny seeing your mother –or anyone for that matter- with what looks like shit caked on her face –FYI. go for something chocolatey. Go for mudd sachets which can be bought from Boots, or up the ante and treat her to a deep pore cleansing Kiehl’s masque –not just a mask, it’s a masque- which she can keep for a few more uses after Mothering Sunday. Whilst your caked in face masks, what is the next most obvious thing to do? Manicures. If you have a set of glue on falsies lying around take them round and treat her to a full set –I get mine from Boots which are around £8 for 200 nails, glue included.

Use your favourite moisturiser to give you and your mam an at-home foot treatment, pop on some moisturising socks before wearing some cosy new slippers. There is simply nothing better than wearing new slippers –so bouncy. Oh I forget to mention, you simply must be wearing pyjamas, it is a necessary part of girls night; that and an ugly flannel headband.

Pop on your mother’s favourite dvd –something like The Notebook I am imagining, but it may well be a movie about Margaret Thatcher, who the hell knows- and dig into the goodies; you could even let your mam sit back and relax whilst you style her hair. Take round your stylers and hair products and just play around with funny hairstyles. And don’t forget to take some snaps! You know, for Instagram and all that –wink.

I think a night like this could be done so cheap, maybe even free if you have all the goodies, and it’s such a thoughtful gift to your mam; she deserves a relaxing day off. Treat her like a queen and get to know her all over again, get her to tell you the story of her first love –again- and the dreaded ‘The day I gave birth to you…’ story that we secretly all love. Have a lovely mothers day with your mammys, ladies!

 

Some items to include you may have lying around already:

• Hair stylers/brushes
• Hair products e.g. hair oil, hairspray, hair masks
• Tanning products/tanning mitt
• Waxing strips/tweezers –get those brows tamed
• Nail polish/Manicure products
• Make up/brushes –give the ultimate mother makeover
• DVD’s/CD’s
• A bucket load of lotions and potions for bedtime

What’s in my Harrod’s GlossyBox?

Harrod’s Limited Edition March GlossyBox – my contents included: Vanitas Versace Eau De Parfum 4.5ml / Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper body butter 50ml / Revive Intensite Creme Lustre SPF30 / Lancome Teint Miracle foundation 5ml / Clarins Extra-Firming body cream 30ml

Described as the most desirable GlossyBox yet, the limited edition Harrod’s box landed on my doorstep yesterday; I say landed but what I really mean is that we missed the postman and so my lovely father eagerly chased after the postman –who was a few blocks away by this point- just for my box. Best dad ever no? So as I pottered around Newcastle, I knew I had something lovely at home, patiently awaiting my arrival, and very lovely it is indeed.

How adorable is the Versace perfume!? I won’t lie, I did see some sneak previews of the items before I got my box but I wanted this perfume so bad! Purely for the cuteness element of it –I just like small things. I wouldn’t of cared what it smelt like, but it actually smells really fresh and I really do like it; that’s the bad side of these luxury samples, if you like ‘em you want to buy the full size –sorry bank balance. GB did include a 20% off code to use on any products from the Harrod’s site which I think is amazing, considering it’s Harrods!

I am so pleased with the size of the Bliss body butter but it really smells like Origin products –you know that orangey, tangy smell – and it’s a smell I just cannot handle. I got some Origins samples one day from John Lewis and I wasn’t feeling too good, with the smell  being so powerful it just didn’t go well with me and now all things orange –fake orange- I just can’t stand really. I might give this to my mam or sister though as it is quite a hefty sample!

I am really happy with everything I got and I can’t wait to get using them up –and showing off my mini perfume bottle- and I’ll make sure to pop up a review if anything stands out as a keeper. What did you get in your box? Did anyone else get the Lancome foundation? I hear this wasn’t even expected as an item in the Harrod’s GlossyBox –could be wrong though.

A love affair with thisworks clean skin

this works clean skin daily wash  (originally in Jan Feel Unique box) – thisworks clean skin gentle cleanser (120ml) can be bought from thisworks, Feel Unique and BeautyBay for £19

I got this wee sample of cleanser in the January Feel Unique box –remember those?- and to be honest, it wasn’t a product I was excited to try; I was distracted by the salt scrubs and the posh Caudalie moisturiser. The poor thing literally sat in an empty box for weeks –literally started using it a couple of weeks ago- awaiting the day when my Clinique liquid soap ran out. Alas, my Clinique soap is no more and I was forced to unveil my back up plan, in the form of the thisworks clean skin daily wash – it feels wrong not having any capitals in that product title.

I love the scent of this face wash, I’m so used to slathering un-perfumed Clinique products on my face I forgot what it was like to use a nice smelling cleanser –not that I dislike you for it Clinique, I will love you dearest forever. I’m not sure what the smell actually is but to me it smells a little gingery, which I like. The formula is not as thick as the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, but seems a little thicker than your average creamy cleanser, and has a slightly more gel-like consistency to it –God who knows, I’m no professional this is literally coming from the top of my head.

Applied to damp skin the cleanser does not foam but I like how it glides so easily all over my face. It is a none drying cleanser and I’ve noticed it takes a good few rinses to clear but I don’t like to splash my face too much with cold water as it’s just not necessary man. Once my face has been patted dry my skin doesn’t feel tight, nor does it look red and blotchy which I find some cleansers do to me. This may be down to the olive oils in the product, I’m guessing so.

It claims to remove all traces of make up, but I have not tried this as of yet; I find it a good morning cleanser to remove traces of all the greasy stuff I apply at night. I keep my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish for removing make up, and I like something a little more fresh feeling in the mornings. To me, this product is so perfect, and instead of using my No7 voucher to buy a new cleanser for £4, I am actually going to purchase a thisworks full size cleanser –online buying only means one thing, dedication. I cannot find this exact cleanser on the thisworks website, but I am assuming that the clean skin gentle cleanser is the same product as it holds the same ingredients and is from the clean skin range. In fact, I wouldn’t mind trying the rest of the range..

Has anyone else used this product? Or any other thisworks recommendations?

February Reflections & Instagram Love

procrastinating / best giveaway EVER by Jen / flatforms arrived

procrastinating again / tea in Durham / finally!

romantic Valentines trip the the Hut / chilling / most amazing bracelet from Wired Jewellery’s giveaway on Twitter

beautiful Stylist Pick wedges won from Rosie’s giveaway / einstein lip balm from Stylist Pick / bedtime reading

Glamour magazine sample / February GlossyBox / sitting at the back of the bus ‘cos am cool’

brushes / pizza / cream egg – or lack of it

really want this perfume / cherry lips from Heaven sweet shop on Heaton Road, otherwise known as Cloughs / ASOS dress

New Look bag / blogging / best page of More magazine

I perfected the no clumps hot chocolate technique / my face / a glorified FOTD post on my blog

the results of a FOTD post / Gossip girl / my face

February was a very boring month for me; I spent a lot of time thinking about my future and worrying about where my life was headed. I missed a lot of university and didn’t blog that much either. So last month was not the best for me, but the past couple of days I have felt a happier mood drift over me and I’m feeling slightly more positive about things, I even have a list –in order of priority – of things that need doing. This is a very good sign for me. I do hope March gets a little warmer and a little better, but I have a feeling it will be better regardless of the weather. I did however win a few giveaways which really did lift my spirits, including the ghd Scarlet set from Jen, a Bracelet from Faye and amazing shoes from Rosie; my luck was up that month –wink.

God I need to stop with the winks. This month’s posts will include a WIMH post, some OOTD’s, maybe a couple more videos and a Mother’s Day special. Oh and not forgetting the Revlon Lip butters are out on the 15th so I’ll definitely be grabbing those! I am patiently awaiting the Harrods GlossyBox this month and cannot wait to see what’s in my box! What are your plans this month?

I’m on YouTube–HOORAY!

Yes ladies, I have done the unthinkable, and created a video! Fear not, my awful geordie accent is not to be revealed just yet, but you can see what I get up to every morning when I get ready. I make lots of ridiculous face movements and I am constantly singing along to Coldplay throughout the video, so yes, I do look like a dick  but since when do I care? Also, my shoe-horn makes a worthy appearance –wink. I am loving those winks recently…

I genuinely have done this for fun, I don’t plan on doing any more videos regularly I just thought it would be a fun post for my blog; I only filmed using my webcam so the quality is rubbish. If however, I ever done a more in-depth beauty routine or whatevs then I would use my wee camera for recording purposes.  I hope you like it and if you’d like to see more of my face then do hollah.

February Favourites

Burt Bees Replenishing Body Lotion / Aussie Lucious Long leave-in conditioner / LUSH Lemony Flutter cuticle butter / Clinique Even Better foundation – Alabaster / thisworks clean skin daily wash / Invigorate shower gel / Elizabeth Arden 8-hour daily moisturiser / Mac pigment – Naked / BM Beauty Pure Mineral Eyeshadow –Dusty Road / Real Techniques Buffing brush and Stippling brush

I’ve actually tried out quite a lot  of products this month as I went a little bit crazy with all the money I get off the government for being a student –I’m talking about my grant by the way, which I did earn. Oh oh, I actually have a haul post done too, so some items will overlap; it’s sort of a Student Loan Haul. Which, if you’re a student you will understand just how fricking great loan days is. Especially if you are unemployed like me.

In general this month, I have been experimenting a lot more with pigments and brushes; I am so impressed with the Real Techniques brushes. This is how brushes should be, no one wants to pay much more than a tenna for a make up brush in reality do they? I am back to using my Clinique Even Better foundation, however, last time I used it I was a little more bronzed goddess and a little less pale and gaunt –which is how I’m feeling right now- so the shade is a little too dark for me but I balance it out with a bucket load of bronzer on my neck. That’s how we do it in Newcastle –wink wink. Not many people liked the Invigorate products given in the February GlossyBox, but I actually like the smell of this; I got the shower gel and it’s a really nice change to my lavender-esque shower gels I use.

I also want to say to anyone that read my post before this one, I appreciate it so much and you have no idea how it means to me that you took the time to read, comment and tweet me. I have had a rough couple of months –and yes it has caused me to slack on the blogging front- but it’s amazing the relief I felt after posting that. I was so nervous about putting it up, and even took it down at one point, but I’m not even sure why I was nervous because you are all so lovely.