The Catalogue Game

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Baby Glitter is snoozing next to me and so really, this would be the perfect time to write my Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless post. Buuuuutt, I'm not going to. I want to write something detailed and well thought out, and today my brain is working at half speed so I fear I wouldn't do that kind of post justice.

Today I just wanted to share with you some of the little things in life that have been making me happy of late.

1. Catalogues. Ever since I was a little girl in corduroy trousers (why, Dad? Why?), I have loved catalogues. I find it really therapeutic to flick through the pages and play my little game. The rule is, with money as no issue at all, you have to pick ONE thing off of every page to buy, even if that page is the shower curtain page of the Argos catalogue. Yep, it's quite lame, but to this day I quietly play it by myself when I flick through.

At this time of year there tends to be a new surge of catalogues, showcasing the latest Autumn/Winter trends, so I love to get cosy with a stack and do a bit of from-my-sofa-window-shopping.

2. Boots Vouchers. Every now and then, Boots do their brilliant deal where they give you a £5 off voucher for No.7, when you spend £10. For me, it's really easy to spend £10 because I regularly buy nappies, wipes, baby milk and of course, beauty and cosmetics products, so I take full advantage of this deal. My usual purchases are the Cleansing Wipes which rrp for £7, but with my voucher, they're a much nicer, £2. So far I have 3 packs, but I have 2 more vouchers so I shall be well stocked!

The voucher deal ends on Sunday so you still have this weekend to get in there. I'm half tempted to try their Cleanse and Polish Kit (usually rrp £9, but would only be £4 with the voucher). Hhhmmmmm.


(Rather than post a picture of a list, I went for what is right next to me instead...much cuter! Plus, I can't bare for you to see my everso boring list ahaha 1. Stroke Cat, 2. Empty dishwasher, 3. Zzzzzz)

3. Making Lists. I am a self confessed list-aholic. I could spend my life, making lists. I make To Do lists, Things to Pack lists, Shopping lists, Places To Go This Month lists, Christmas lists, the list (haha) goes on. Now that my life is jam packed with being a Mummy, Wifey, Blogger, Vlogger, Worker, Human Being with Friends and suchlike, I find a list really helps clear my head and I feel quite a sense of accomplishment when I can cross something off.

Bit of a muchness of a muchness post today, but I would have done no justice to a review or 'informationy' post.

Do you play the catalogue game? Or will you be putting it on your list to do tomorrow?

Toodlepip!

xx

Lou's Reviews :: Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint

Aloha Bloggerinos,

A few weeks back, Liz Earle sent me the new Sheer Skin Tint to have a play with and let my gorgeous Bloggerinos know what I thought.

Before we even begin, I can tell you it's a thumbs up! My last Liz Earle review (found HERE) was a bit negative. I felt awful for not being jolly-hurrah-yippee about it, but knew I would feel terrible if you were to purchase it on my recommendation and not like it. As I said then, reviews on Sprinkle of Glitter are and will always be 100% honest, even it it means the brand in question fall out with me or put a picture of me on a board and throw darts at it! Tehe.

Since starting her business two decades ago, Liz had planned to created a beauty line, as well as her already fabulous skincare range, and so, Liz Earle Colour has arrived!

First up is this little number- The Sheer Skin Tint retails for £21, for 40ml.

First impressions of this product are that I love, love, love the packaging. Each tube comes in a chic navy blue box, the colour of which was inspired by sea surrounding the Isle of White, where Liz lives, and is patented- special! I love products that come in boxes, they feel extra luxurious and I rather struggle to throw the pretty packaging away. Anyone else have that problem?

The glossy blue tube has a basic squeezey nozzle, which I think is a shame as a pump would have been less messy, but I can always decant. Something I did notice that I liked, is the sticky label on the box. It's perforated so that I don't have to rip it off, ripping with it half the box and making it look all horrid and ruined. As a box lover (oh my!), I like to keep things in as perfect condition as possible. The devil is in the detail, eh. Or maybe I'm just a bit sad....hmmm.

The Sheer Skin Tint is available in three shades, Bare, Beige and Beach. Below are swatches of Bare and Beige, which is what I am when I'm sporting natural or tanned skin, respectively.

Enriched with vitamin E, avocado, borage and an SPF of 15, this lightweight foundation feels smooth, non-greasy, dewy and fresh on the skin. It gives a light- medium coverage and as a rosy-cheeked girl, I'm always on the hunt for something to even out my skin tone, and this does- Hurrah!

It feels light and unclogging (urgh, horrid word there) to the skin and coverage really did last all day- something even my beloved MAC Studio Sculpt can struggle with.

I have been wearing this for about a fortnight and can happily say I have had no breakouts, no strange dry patches and no irritability. I don't know how true this is, but I actually feel like it does my skin good.

I think in the winter, when I don't use so much fake tan, I would need a foundation with a fuller coverage, but with a tan, this is perfect for me. Literally, perfect.

Another great thing, to support their "Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle" campaign, when you order online, Liz Earle will send you a sample of each shade, so that you can try it out and ensure it suits, before opening your full size tube. That way, if it doesn't suit, you can return your unopened tube and safe faff, mess and waste- genius.

There is only one flaw inthis product (that I have found so far) - I think there needs to be a more varied range of shades. Whilst Bare, Beige and Beach suit me perfectly, someone with darker skin, would really struggle to make this work. My halfsister has dark skin and I know this is something she couldn't use. Perhaps Liz Earle are busying away in their labs making more shades as I type. We'll wait and see!

The Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint is being released into the world as of tomorrow. Will you be making a purchase?

Toodlepip!

xx 

Lou's Reviews :: Sleek Au Naturel Palette

Aloha Bloggerinos,

This September (my favourite month by the way), has seen the launch of Sleek's latest collection- Nuuudeee. Yes, it's actually 'Nude', but I like to say nuuuuuddeee in a high pitched sing-songy tone. Nice and normal then.

The collection comprises of a 12 colour palette, a lip conditioner and a blusher. Fabulous.

With a mixture of matte and shimmer pressed shadows, large mirror and double ended sponge brush, the palette promises something for everyone.

Ever since the first Original Palette, I've been a huge fan of the waffle texture the shadows have. I know it's not to everyone's taste but there is something about it that pleases me immensely. I even like the word 'waffle'. Mmmm waffle.

I'm sure you will have seen other people swatch these better (note to self- do smaller swatches to fit 12 on one arm!), but Sprinkle of Glitter wanted a chance to show them off too!

Top row, L-R: Nougat, Nubuck, Cappuccino, Honeycomb, Toast, Taupe.

Bottom row, L-R: Conker, Moss, Bark, Mineral Earth, Regal, Noir.

All of the above are one swipe swatches- I wanted to be equal. As you can see, the matte colours are not as prominent as the shimmery shades. I'm quite disappointed in the matte pigmentation because the majority of my eyeshadow collection is shimmer or glittery, so it would have been fun to experiment with a more matte look. Never the less, as usual, the other shadows have come up trumps and have excellent colour pay off. Good old Sleek.

Sleek Moss vs MAC Pressed Olive and Sleek Noir vs MAC Carbon.

 

My favourite colours from the Au Natural Palette are Moss and Noir. I was so impressed with them that I compared them to the holy grail- MAC. I think it's safe to say, they fared well.

I've noticed a bit of a trend with the Sleek palettes. I love they way there is a kind of gradiation. Granted they threw in a few curve balls with the Caribbean and Monaco collection, but if you are less out there with you eyemakeup, this could be the cosmetics company for you. Above is the Limited Edition Paraguaya Avoir La Peche Palette, Oh So Special Palette (still available) and the Au Natural Palette from the Nude collection, which, hip hip hooray, is going to be in the permanent line!

All in all, I wouldn't say this is one of Sleek's best, due to the lack of pigment in the rather chalky matte colours, but for £6.49, the other colours are worth it, especially since the some of the colours outshine MAC.

You can pick yourself up a treat from the Sleek Nude collection either from you local Superdrug or the Sleek Website.

Are you into the Nude-ness? What are your thought?

Toodlepip!

xx