Estee Lauder DW and MAC Blot Powder REVIEW

Estee Lauder Double Wear

Today was the first time that I used this foundation and I think it's fair to say it's my favourite of all time! So many of my friends use this and always have perfect looking skin, but I've never really thought about buying it because I always see other new and up-and-coming foundations I want to try. I've been using Infallible by Loreal and I really do favour it over most foundations, but this one has a thicker and less-greasy coverage, which I wanted.
The application is so trouble-free and glides on so smoothly but the final look is what I love the most. I look like I have flawless skin, but not too matte or too greasy to look fake. I normally suffer from a greasy T-zone and normally have to reapply foundation over these areas but this one has been as non-greasy as anything I've tried before! It's also stayed put all day - which is a first!

I paid £19 for it because I got 20% off through my staff discount, but it normally prices at £26.50 from Debenhams or other stores as such.
I think for £26.50 it's a great deal because when I applied it, I didn't need much product at all to cover my face - and I have really uneven skin tone to prove it's good!

I also bought...

MAC Blot Powder/ Pressed

I've seen loads of reviews on the MAC Powder and how good it is and really wanted to purchase it. I'm using a Collection 2000 at the moment in a similar colour but it isn't translucent enough for me - I can see the powder so much on my skin and I always look like I have severe dry skin!
This one, however, maintains my foundation ALL day (and I mean all day.. I woke up at 7 and went to bed at 12 and it was still there!), it also prevents my greasy T-Zone getting too bad. At times I touched the areas to see if I needed powder, and to much surprise, I didn't, whereas before I'd be re-applying the powder every second.
Both products will be so happy in my makeup draw! They are by far my favourite products at the moment and can see them lasting a long time. If all goes well, I'll be re-purchasing these (but I won't speak to soon, you never know what might happen!)
Anyway, hope you all have a lovely day!

December GLOSSYBOX 2011

Ok, so here it is! My first EVER GlossyBox! I first became interested in GlossyBox when I saw it featured on many blogs I read and Youtube Channels I sub and it pretty much fitted my criteria - wanting to develop my knowledge and broaden the horizon of the brands I know and love.
The first thing I noticed about the GlossyBox as soon as it arrived, was it's size. I hadn't raised expectations on it's size but it just seemed to be a lot smaller than what I thought it was. OH WELL!
I feel I can't comment too much on whether this month's box was 'good' or not but I do like the variations of products here. The actually sizes of them are reasonable as I feel the only thing I probably won't use, is the smallest product.
As to say the least, the box colour is stunning and the wrapping really does make me feel like I'm opening a present early!

The items in this months GlossyBox include:
BIONOVA Eye Wrinkle Treatment


This product was packed in a rather well-sized cardboard packaging but was a slight disappointment when I opened it to find it was actually 10 times smaller then the box but other than that, I have yet to try it out. I do feel, however, even after filling out a questionnaire on the GlossyBox website about my age and products I use, that this product will not come into great use until 30 years have gone by. I will, however, lend this to my mum (in her 50's) and ask for her opinion.


BLINK+GO Eyeshadow and Blush Palette


At the moment I'm going through a phase in which I'm OBSESSED by eyeshadows! And when I saw this eyeshadow palette I did start thinking of new colour ideas. I, for one, am not entirely impressed with bright, pop coloured eyeshadows but can definitely see myself using the yellow and white. The colours themselves are very shimmery and heavily pigmented which is great for the Christmas/winter season. There is also a blush included underneath the palette - which I hadn't even noticed (me, being me)..


CARGO COSMETICS Classic Lip Gloss

The Lip Gloss was actually surprisingly non-sticky, which I appreciate A LOT! I have so many moments where the wind blows my hair into my mouth and it sticks to my sticky Lip Gloss - not pretty. I got the medium shade - the Lip Gloss is actually in my bag at the moment, so therefore my feet won't let me go get it to tell you the colour. For what it's worth, it's a peachy-pink colour which appears translucent on my lips but looks glamorous! The applicator is a LITTLE on the small side (nice pun) but it's not a huge issue! The Lip Gloss is moisturising and non-sticky with a natural colour to add. 


DEBORAH LIPPMANN Mini Nail Varnish in Razzle Dazzle with 'Stripped to Go' Sachet


What can I say? This is a fab colour for Christmas and New Years. As you would have seen, it didn't take me long to try it out, and I found that only 2 coats create a lovely glittery surface. The drying time isn't TOO bad, but I did however have trouble pulling up tights after 10 minutes waiting time. I recommend doing your nails at a computer so finger nails are facing up and not doing labouring work. I actually used the Sachet of Nail Varnish remover too today because I had a smudge incident at college and had to remove the majority of it. The nail varnish remover is shaped to curve around your finger to eliminate the colour and extracts it SOOOO well! I normally have a right hassle taking nail varnish off and end up with cotton wool threads stuck to my nails. THIS however didn't do that. It nourished my nails so I didn't have dry or brittle nails after - THANKYOUUU!
(Please ignore how messy my nail varnish was applied - I was rushing!)


RITUALS Foaming Shower Gel


I haven't used any Rituals products before but cannot wait to try this out. What's funny is that my bathroom has recently undergone a makeover and is colour schemed as Bright Pink and Purple. "Ooo" I hear you say! Yes.. And so I was SO pleased when I realised this would match it - and the hundreds of Bright Pink Shampoos I have! The smell is divine! The notes include Indian Rose and Sweet Almond Oil which sounds reasonably sophisticated no? I agree! It's a full size bottle at £6.50 and claims to "gently cleanse your skin and leave it silky soft and smooth." Well... I'll have to keep you up to date as I'll be trying this out tomorrow morning!





As my first ever GlossyBox, I'm very pleased with the products I have obtained! I cannot wait to try everything out - including the Eye Wrinkle Treatment (why not!) and perhaps do an 'Up to date December GlossyBox Review'??
Anyway, I found this was a great investment, and can't wait for January's Box!!

My Secret Santa Present Revealed

If you've followed my blog for a while now, or have browsed through a couple of posts, you may have seen I was taking part in a Bloggers Secret Santa - arranged by the lovely Rani from Cupcake Couture. I only JUST sent my parcel off because I bought some things online, and me being me, ordered very last minute and it got delayed by a few days due to the demand of Christmas post! Anyway, this post is not to reveal what I've sent, but what I was given.
Obviously the whole concept of Secret Santa is that you don't know who had you and it should always remain a secret, so I would like to just write a little message to my Secret Santa.

Dear Santa,
You were very, very generous and gave me such lovely presents - all of which I love! I was very touched when I saw the 'Wreck this Journal' book from which I'd featured in one of my Christmas Wishlist and the Coral coloured Barry M Nail varnish! You absolute star! You brought a  genuine smile to my face a week or so before Christmas!
Lots of love, Ceri T xxx

And for all of you who wanted a peak, here we go!

I absolutely adore all the items given to me, and I'm so greatful! I've already used all of the items; attacking the book with pens and scissors in bed, chewing the candy canes, using the Chilli Tingle Lip Tint, the nail varnish - which I have on today - and of course, the Lindor chocolates have yet to be eaten but will definitely be consumed within a few hours of TV tonight! They're my all-time favourite chocolates! THANKYOU again!!

My Morning Skincare Routine

I know so many guys and girls have problems with skin. Whether it's acne, sensitive skin or redness, many people suffer from these and as a result, confidence is the first thing to go. I've suffered from sensitive skin and redness in the cheeks pretty much ALL my life, so I've never known what it's like not to have it. Although at times, I look at other women with amazingly clear skin and envy their fast makeup regimes, I have tried pretty much most brands and products that have said they will cure it. No luck. Either my skin is the most sensitive skin in the world, or their products don't actually cater for sensitive skin, I can never find anything gentle that won't sting my face. But this year, I've found all my dream products, and from here, it only gets better!
Let me introduce you to my spot busting, redness remover and super sensitive skin products! 

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit cream wash - £4.94 Boots
Garnier BB Cream - £9.99
Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser - £15.00

This was one of my first ever face wash, and to be totally honest, it wasn't the wash that drew me to it - it was the colour (I was 16 and that's really what I used to look for in those days). No days, I'm more into using products that feel like they're working. This cream wash works best when in the shower. If you smooth a layer over your face after a few minutes in the shower, you will feel this tingling your face. As I'm prone to sensitive skin, I was worried at first that this would sting my face, it doesn't at all.. It feels like it's opening and cleaning your pores.
I use this daily in the shower, and I've definitely had better skin since first using it. It has reduced my greasy T-zone to a slight shine - nothing some powder can't sort out - and it's also minimised my spots and breakouts.
I even bought this for my boyfriend because I love it so much, and he has seen a difference in his skin too - and so have I.
For best results: Use scrubbing mittens to wash it off after a few minutes in the shower.

This product was released about a month or two ago, and I first heard about it from ramz and the flock when Garnier were sending out 3 samples to the first couple thousand who signed up to try out this new cream. BB Cream, also known as blemish balm, is supposed to even out skin tone, create a smooth application for foundation, defend against UV rays with an SPF of 15 and to hydrate the skin all day. When I first used the testers, I fell in love. My foundation would look a lot more natural and it would stay put (even more so) after using it. I even gave my mum one of the samples to get her into it.
This product squeezes out into a thick lump of foundation-looking mush, but then glides onto my face into a conditioning, light paste which DOES calm my red cheeks down! Absolutely love this product, and will be repurchasing over and over.
 Only thing I will suggest is to buy the correct skin tone for you. I think there's two or three shades and I accidentally only thought there was one, so I picked up a medium instead of a light urghhh..

I'd always known I had naturally red cheeks, even when I was 1 years old. I've never known what it's like to have just one shade on your face, never. Although I really doubt I'll ever find that one product that will illiminate this skin problem, this one settles it down. I use this at night usually when I'm taking off my makeup and in the morning, my skin is pretty much one-tone but with my skin being so sensitive, this doesn't last long as any slight movement on my face, will bring my cheeks up again. Using it in the morning doesn't seem to work, unless I had an hour to spare, because it doesn't sink into my skin until an hour where I can see a difference.
It's an amazing product, and cleans my face without irritation. It's more of a cleanser for really sensitive skin than a redness solution, but oh well.. it still works!
Apply a small amount (roughly a 5 pence piece) into your hand and rub over face. Use a cottle wool pad to remove. I usually take MOST of my makeup off with another cleanser or makeup remover THEN apply this.

REVIEW: MAC Christmas Special Edition Brushes

For a while now, I've needed a good makeup brush. Not just a something that will help me apply my makeup - I already have roughly 4 foundation Brushes - but a "GOOD" makeup brush. My first ever brush purchase was from Body Shop: A Foundation brush and a Blusher brush. I didn't really know there were so many different brushes and types - but luckily chose well the first time.
I've been shopping at MAC for a few months now and love it. Although I've had to take back a foundation, everything else is great. I made the decision to splash out (I say splash out but I currently have little money in my account - so this WAS a splurge) on the Special Edition Christmas Brush Set. I was planning on buying a Blusher Brush and a Foundation Brush and the woman suggested I buy the set because the other three brushes came with the two. BARGAIN. It came to £31.30 (the brushes and a makeup bag included) in the end which I thought was a great deal - and for such gorgeous looking brushes.. WHY NOT?

Blusher Brush: 129 SE
It's a bit of a disappointment for my first ever purchase of an expensive brush and is very bristly and scratches my skin slightly rather than smoothing on my powder and blusher/bronzer. Although I've only used it once, I definitely won't be using it again.. It was of such bad quality (in my opinion) that the individual strands of hair (or whatever crap it's made from) would actually brush off onto my face, leaving me with having to pick strands off my face. It just doesn't meet to my expectations of a good Blusher Brush - Sorry MAC.
Foundation Brush:190 SE
This is by FARRRR my favourite Foundation Brush I've used to date. It's soft and thick - everything a Brush fanatic could wish for. I haven't found a down side to this brush yet - but I am looking. The only think I'm worrying about it getting round to cleaning it. I hate the first time you wash a brush and dread to think that the glue is unsticking!
Eyeshadow Brush:275 SE
I never normally wear eyeshadow, purely because it over-powers my face and it takes up even more of my time in the morning. But TODAAYY... I obviously had to try it out. This brush is made from the same hair type as the Foundation brush so it's silky smooth to touch and glides effortlessly over my eyeshadow pallet and onto my eyelid. FAB! There's not much more I can say, because I never use Eyeshadow that much.. (Maybe I should?)
Concealer Brush: 266 SE
Again, I never use Concealer, let alone Concealer Brushes, but it was one of those purchases where you think "maybe one day I'll start using concealer and I'll be forever greatful that I bought that Special Edition Brush Kit." Or.. Not.. Anyway, haven't used this yet, and doubt I will for a while. I just wanted to ramble on about not using Concealer ... (Another 'Maybe I should' moment)
Eyebrow Brush:226 SE
OK OK, this is SOO ME! I live for Eyebrows... They're my favourite feature on most faces (weird, I know) next to Eyes (saved myself).. I think they define a persons whole face and it really frustrates me when I see over-plucked eyebrows. I think we've all gone through that stage. I know I did. URGH absolute disaster = eyebrows + razor. I've learnt by mistakes.
This brush will come in SO handy as I've just received an Eyebrow kit (Benefit, if you must know) and the brush that came with it is just not flexible enough. OMG can't wait to use!!

Link to the Brushes kit here