Me my blush and I: 2009

30.12.09

Sparkly, bright, glamorous, beloved LONDON.

Hey lovelies,

Before I post the 2nd part of my London HAUL I wanted to share some pictures with you all. Think of them as examples or reasons why I love London as much as I do....!

Brunswick Centre

St Christopher's Place

Debenhams(Oxford street)

Harvey Nichols

Selfridges

Oxford Circus

I just can't wait to go back...for good this time!Here is to hoping...!:D

xoxo
A.

28.12.09

Holiday/ London Haul (part1 LUSH)

Hello and Merry Christmas guys....!I am back from my trip with lots and lots of goodies...!Let me start by saying I had a great time in London!I saw some of my friends and walked around all my favorite places. It was an amazing Christmas overall and the cold weather made it even better for me since I am a fan of cold weather especially this time of year.
Now on to the first part of my haul. First shop I went to was LUSH! If I could I would have bought twice the amount of stuff but I restrained myself in the end and only got what I really...really wanted.

1. Fairy tail sugar scrub. I am in love with this product. It exfoliates my skin leaving it sooooo smoothe.Plus it smells great and it is so cute...!

2. "Honey I washed the kids" soap. A classic. I haven't used this yet but I have a good feeling about it.
3. "I should coco" soap. This is the ultimate coconut soap and I can't wait to use it.
4. "Ma Bar". This cracked in my suitcase which I am not happy about but that only means I will use it sooner rather than later. I like the way it smells and I think that the cube of brown sugar in the middle is genius.
5."Mister Butterball" ballistic. I got the snowman version of it and it smells so nice and musky and I cannot wait to crack it in my bath.

6."A french kiss" bubblebar. Love love love love loooove the way this smells. French Lavender is one of my favorite smells ever.
7. "I want to believe" bath melt. This sort of smells like tea tree oil which will make it the best choice for a detox bath.
8. "Rock Star" soap. I bought this as a present for my mom. I will let you know what she thinks of it.
9."Snow Fairy" shower gel. This smells like bubblegum!One of the best shower gels EVER.It is more of a summer-scent but who cares?:P
I also got a full size " Strawberry feels forever" massage bar for free. This came with a cute message on a little card written by Martha(the girl who helped me pick out the products in the store). It was a great surprise. I want to give this a try soon.

So...what is your experience with Lush? Have you tried any of these products? Also, would you like me to do Part two of this haul which includes skincare and make-up products?Comment and let me know.

A.
xoxo

p.s. Thank you for your Christmas comments and messages. I hope you had an amazing Christmas!!!!xoxoxoxoxoxo

22.12.09

off to London!

Hey you guys....!

I'm leaving in about an hour for the airport. My flight is an early one and I haven't slept at all this evening. I tried but I just couldn't...it is probably because of all the anticipation! Anyways...I wanted to wish you all Merry Christmas since I'll be back on the 27th and I don't think I'll have time to go online while I'm out there. I hope you're all having a gr8 time with your families and loved ones.
I'll be back after Christmas with lots of exciting things to share!

Merry Christmas...may all your wishes come true!

xoxo
A.

11.12.09

November favorites

Well it took me long enough (once more) but I decided on my November favorites.
The pictures are not very clear and I would like to apologize for that however I did try and make it as festive as possible by using my small(yet glorious)Christmas tree, as a background.

Clarins Pure Curl Mascara (in 01).A good everyday mascara. It gives a nice curl and separates my lashes however it doesn't give me much volume so I don't use it for evening/going out looks.

MAC Studio Fix Powder (my color is C3).I have been using this product for months and I love it. It gives me gr8 coverage by itself and sets my liquid foundation equally as well. I highly recommend it!

Two Faced Shadow Insurance. Dare I say I like it more than the UDPP??I do dare!:P
It keeps my shadows looking gr8 longer than the UDPP does and it makes the colors pop.

MAC's "Politely Pink" lipstick.I like this a lot. It is a light pink with slight mauve undertones.

The Body Shop's Nature's Minerals blush in "Pink Quartz".Great cheek color, easily blendable and super smoothe formulation. A great color too.

Last but not least isBobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (in 1-Black Ink).Amazing gel liner that lasts for hours.

That's it. Let me know if you'd like swatches for any of the products and I'll make sure I post some.

xoxo
A.

6.12.09

Dear Santa,

I am now officially in a very very Christmasy mood. Me and my family are just about ready to put up our Christmas decorations and I thought this would be the perfect time to do this post. Before I get started I would like to say that I will be leaving out wishes like: world peace etc not because they are cliche but because they are more spiritual and somewhat personal(at least that is what I think). So, if my stupid adult brain was capable of believing in Santa exactly like my innocent teenage brain used to I would ask for...

1. The Shu Uemura eyelash curler.I heard it is the best on the market and I would love to give it a try!

(image from: http://www.thecosmeticmarket.com)
2. Lush goodies. I haven't been able to get my hands on LUSH for a while now.

(image from :http://media.timeoutnewyork.com/)
3. A Car. I have been trying to get my father to buy me a car ever since I gave mine away to be recycled. I am so desperate I wouldn't mind a long-term lease either.I am now closer to persuading him and I will hopefully be driving this Fiat Panda very soon!!

(image from: http://www.blogcdn.com)
4.The Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 monogram Canvas handbag. This is pretty str8 forward I think. I love this bag but I can't afford it at the moment however my summer job will give me the opportunity to buy it.Until then I can keep drooling over it.
5. Lanvin "Eclat D'Aperge" perfume gift set. This is one of my favorite perfumes ever and I would like to re-purchase it.
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Lanvin+Eclat+Darpege+gift+set/129557570,default,pd.html?cgid=101
6. A trip to London (I am actually getting this for Christmas from my mom so you can imagine my JOY).
I love spending Christmas in London. Even thought it is the bussiest time of the year there I don't mind since I know London well enough and don't really need to do any touristy stuff. However I will seize this opportunity to shop till I drop and buy all sorts of stuff I can't get here.
7. A job!enough said!
8. Mini mince pies(preferably tesco's) topped with soy ice-cream.YUM!:p
9. Nars powder blush in "Sin". I have been drooling over it for almost 5 months now and I'll finally be able to purchase it!
10. Benefit "10". I have swatched all of the box o powders by benefit and I liked
"10" the most.
11. Sigma brushes("Nice in pink" travel kit) and the ss109.
12. Dan Brown's "The lost symbol". I'm picking this up the day I arrive in London cause I can't wait to start reading it.
13.A gym membership (or better yet a personal trainer :P to whip me back into shape).
14.Some extra prizes for my upcoming giveaway. I have accumulated some stuff but I wish I could have some more.

What's on your Christmas wishlist??

xoxo
A.

3.12.09

Why MIA?

Hey you guys,

I hope you are all well. I have been MIA lately because I have been ill. I am not sure exactly what is wrong with me. It feels like a cold or a upper respiratory system virus. I felt better a couple of days ago and yesterday I started feeling ill again. I am probably going to the doctor tomorrow but I am hoping I will get better soon since my mom and I are planning a trip for Christmas.

Hope you are all well and not ill like me!

Speak to you soon!

A.x

27.11.09

Skin care routine!

Hello my beautiful readers,

First of all I would like to say how excited I am to have over 40 readers and that I am waiting until I hit 50 to have a small contest/giveaway.
Now on to today's post. I am going to run you all through my skin care routine since I think I have finally made up my mind about the products that are best for my skin. This has been my routine for almost a year now (although I did change moisturizers half way through)and it works gr8.
I start by taking my make-up off using Simple "Cleansing lotion". This is a product available only in the U.K. as far as I know. I have been using it for almost 5 years and although it is not an actual make-up remover it works wonders.

Then I use a facial sponge and wash my face with L'occitane's "Rice Foaming Cleanser"

Once or twice a week, after having used my cleanser, I use an oil balancing facial scrub. This is the Simple "Clear skin Oil balancing Facial scrub".

After I rinse the cleanser I dab my face with a clean cloth and use L'occitane's "Purifying rice toner" on a cotton ball and go over my entire face and neck.

Then, I moisturise using Origins "Balanced diet" which is a 'Lightweight moisture lotion'.

Sometimes when I feel my skin needs a little extra something I use a serum (also by Origins but from the "Perfect world" series). I got this as a sample from a drugstore and I will definately purchase the full size when time comes.

Last but not least I put on my Clinique "All about eyes rich" eye cream.

So far so good with this routine. I definately recommend the L'occitane products if you have normal to oily skin. They work wonders for my oily t-zone as well for the rest of my skin. I love Simple products too. If you ever get the chance to try any of them don't hesitate. As far as the eye-cream goes I am currently looking for one to try out so if you have any recommendations please comment and let me know. Lastly the two origins products I mentioned are two of the best moisturising products I have ever used.

That is all for my skincare routine. I will be posting my November favorites soon too. Also, please e-mail me or comment if you have any requests.Have an amazing weekend! :D

xoxo
A.

19.11.09

Neutral look with a "splash" of green.

Hello my lovely readers. I'm sorry I've been MIA but I have been ill for the last couple of days. So, I finally got aroung to doing a look for you. The quality of the pictures is not the best but you get the idea. It is mainly a neutral look with an added element.
On the lid I used my ISADORA cosmetics quad in "Silvery Grey".If you want to have a look it is in my October favorites (http://lifeisonebigplayground.blogspot.com/2009/11/october-favoritesbetter-late-than-never.html). I mainly used the lighter color all over the lid& up to the brow bone and then some of the grey in the crease.
Then, what did to spice this look up is: I lined my bottom lashline with a green shadow(using my angled eye-liner brush). Firstly I applied some Too Faced Shadow Insurance to help the eyeshadow stick and then used an amazing green shadow from my NYX "Mysterious Brown eyes" palette.
If you have brown eyes, like I do, the green will really make them pop. Unfortunately I don't know what colors would be good for different color eyes however I will try some stuff on a couple a friends and report back.
I hope you like this idea. If you have any more ideas on how to spice up a neutral look please comment and let me know.

p.s. On my lashes: MAC zoomlash mascara.

I hope you like it.

xoxo
A.

12.11.09

Giveaway Entry!

Maggie from Polka dotted Apple is having an anniversary giveaway and here is my entry.
The link to her blog is : http://makeuploveforever.blogspot.com/2009/10/polka-dotted-apples-first-giveaway.html
You should definately check it out!!

What is your most prized possession?
My laptop
What is your definition of beauty?
Beauty is ones need to be the best he/she can be (inside and out).
What makeup item (Brand and name of product) would you recommend to me?
ECOTOOLS powder brush.
What is your favorite KIND of makeup item and why?
I love mascara. This is the only make- up item I cannot live without. I like to draw attention to my eyes and mascara does it perfectly.
A weird factoid about you. :B
I cannot sleep without 3 or more pillows.
What is the fondest memory of your childhood?
Spending time with my grandmother.I miss her terribly.
Describe yourself honestly.
Clever, funny, a bit of a pushover and a very hard worker.
Tell me something I could do to improve my blog.
Add a weekly or monthly thematic post. Something that rounds up the week or month(not necessarity favorites but favorites could be part of it).

That is it! My entry in all its glory :P

Good luck to everyone who entered!!

xoxo
A.

7.11.09

October favorites(better late than never)

Hello my beautiful readers. How have you guys been?
I am sorry I have been MIA but work has been hectic lately. It is now November 7th and I am bringing to you my October favorites!

1. MAC "Do it up" dazzleglass. This is an amazing watermelony gloss. I wore it on my b-day and paired it with a neutral eye and winged-up liner for an old-hollywood look effect.

2. Barry M dazzledust in Mushroom(no 51). It is a fairly dark purple/plum color with silver sparkles.

3. Ecotools blush and powder brushes. I am completely and utterly in love with these brushes. I also have a review on them if you want to check it out:(http://lifeisonebigplayground.blogspot.com/2009/10/ecotools.html)

4. Sephora Professionnel No 18 crease brush.I got this with an amazing discount and I don't even know why. It is a perfectly good brush and yet I only paid 2 euros for it. I really do like it!

5. Dior Blush in "Cinnamon Brown"(No638). This is a great autumn/winter cheek color. It is neither too dark nor too red. It is just perfect.As you can see for yourself(from the photo) I use this a lot. Do also bare in mind that I have had it for 2 years now.

6. Last but not least an item that I have had in my collection for a while but I only started using about 4 months ago. It is a e/s quartet(or quad) by IsaDora in : 21 Silvery Grey.It is essentially a smokey eye quad. IsaDora is a Swedish Brand and my mother bought a few items for me during one of her trips. The texture and payoff are gr8 and the prices are quite reasonable. I have no idea where you can find it however if you want to have a look you can go to their website(http://www.isadora-cosmetics.com/index.htm)

That's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this post.
xoxo
A.

2.11.09

my 24th birthday!

Today I am turning 24!!!!I'm just as scared as I am excited. On Saturday I organized a birthday party at a friend's house. I had the greatest time EVER. It was so much fun. My friends made me a heart-shaped birthday cake which was delicious and extremely cute. I had the chance to see some people I haven't seen in a while and celebrate in style since the theme of the party was "The Oscars".

Here are some of the gifts I got. There is lots of *bling* so brace yourselves! :D

First and foremost my mom and her bf Chris got me a Juicy couture watch!