Howdy Y’all,
This is a quick post. Now I know most of my blog posts to-date have been focused on the higher end products. With most things I live by the mantra “you get what you pay for.” This however does not always ring true in cosmetics and I really believe you can find some gems in the drug store or chemist. I do not want to fill up this blog with my love for particular brands but I do have a few, namely L’Oreal and Revlon. It is of Revlon I wish to speak today, in particular their nail polishes. Do not even get me started on their lip range (FABULOUS!!!!!!) Today as mentioned I am focusing on their Colourstay Gel Envy range. Love Love Love.
Love Love Love Revlon Color Stay
As a young mum, a manicure is a little wasted on me, my hands are in/out of water or scrubbing stains etc so a manicure seldom lasts. But I do not look totally disheveled, and if I tell you that my mummy (Mummy L) always has her nails painted (I do not think I have ever seen them their natural color, well not in my memory,) that tells you the sort of barometer I hold myself too. I like a polished nail, especially in the US, where getting them painted and cared for is very reasonable. Since time is a luxury I have little of, I often find myself compensating with a DIY job. I do not want to spend a fortune on polish, who does? (Well thats a lie because I have been dying to try Tom Ford’s Nail Lacquer in Toasted Sugar- anyone tried it?) That is why I was so delighted with this Revlon range, the price point for a color and diamond top coat (needed as part of application) is $12.99 and fyi is on sale in Walgreens. I already owned the top coat which I purchased in a similar deal at Target with the color Royal Flush, a bright cerise pink which screams summer. On Sunday I purchased Perfect Pair for $6.99 and hit goal.
Beautiful hand model :0)
I am always looking for a neutral shade, not a grey or a light pink more a flesh color. I wanted a color that would give the appearance of being painted but would not look horrendous if they got a little chipped. That has always been my problem with the stronger colors. If they chip I instantly want to remove the polish or place my hands in gloves. Some may find this shade a little pale or insignificant but for an everyday polish that is what this LL is looking for. As I mentioned earlier I am rough on my hands and so far the polish and color have withstood. I am so happy Revlon, thank you, I just have to pray that they do not discontinue the shade. Any polish types or shades that you recommend I try? Please leave me a comment and I will give them a go!
Happy Painting
Ta ta for now
TLL x
Picture of shade on hand. No chips day 3!
Howdy Y’all,
Happy hump day. It is nearly the weekend :0) So if you read my blog you know it’s Organizational August in the Lifestyle household, meaning we are tackling projects and ensuring the house is running well as we step into the Fall/Autumn. I remember having a conversation with a group of women about handbags/purses, now this is a conversation I love. Bags/purses are a weakness of this LL, however the lady who was speaking was talking of an analogy which holds true to me and I think of often. She explained how her handbag/purse represented her, her state of mind and how her life was running. For example, if her bag was untidy, disorganized and full of junk, she was pretty sure that’s how her life was operating. Whether your working, running a home, looking after small children or all three; time to keep your bag organized and clear of junk is low on anyones priority scale.
I mentioned earlier I love bags, often the bigger the better, being a taller person the idea of carrying a small clutch has not appealed. One problem area with big purses is that they can become a bottomless pit of sippy cups, old baby wipes, receipts, lipsticks, chewing gum, diapers the list goes on and on. I have always tried bag/purse organizers, and they have often been pretty blah. Never fitted properly, slipped down, the pockets where not large enough, on and on, until about two years ago I discovered Samorga.
it often baffled me that mostly ladies and some gents would fork out a small mortgage to buy designer bags and would not care how the content was stored inside. It seems the people of Samorga agreed with me. I would not describe myself as an ethical shopper, but I do care where and how products I buy are made. I first discovered Samorga on Etsy (YAY) and loved that their products are handmade. Samorga have a wide selection of bag/purse organizers, they even arrange organizers by the style of designer bag/purse you have. So if it is LV or Hermes, Mulberry or Tory Burch, you are almost guaranteed that they have an organizer for you. They also custom make. What I really love about these organizers is that they are made of a heavy felt, so they are sturdy but do not scratch. You can transfer them bag/purse to bag/purse (provided they fit.) I believe for certain bag/purse styles you have a variety of designs, with more or less pockets, depending on your preference. You can select the organizers color many sensible people choose a color which matches the inside of their bag/purse, it has that seamless, meant to be look. I on the other hand choose a pink one as it fits several of my bags and I love pink. My next big purse/bag purchase I may select one with a similar interior color.
The price point of these items is approximately $50-$100, some may feel this is quite steep but when you consider the cost of bag/purses these days and the quality of these products I would say they are a great investment. They have certainly helped me to keep organized. It was a lucky day when I discovered them. I have posted some pictures below of my Samorga both in and out of the bag. I will preface, this was not made for the bag, it happened to fit but I am thrilled with how it sits and looks. You would not believe how much is in the bag, and it does not look full. I love keeping it in the bag/purse when I have another bag/purse in rotation because it helps it keep its shape. This is a wonderful product and I love it. I just want to spread the love and encourage you to get one!
Ta ta for now,
TLL x
I promised on my earlier post that I would limit myself to five products, but in true LL style that is a little more difficult than I originally thought. I wanted to mention one or two more products I am desperate to try. The earlier post was products I am confident with, I either use them frequently or am very familiar with the brand. Here are a few extras – enjoy.
La Mer Skin Care Collection Trust me to want to try the most expensive beauty products in the sale, but it is in the sale, so that makes it ok? (Or is the woman logic Mr L?) I love my skin care products and have no ambition to change but I have always wanted to see if its worth the hype. After all Mrs Victoria Beckham is said to be a fan, and I have some LL friends who use it and they look GOOD. At $330 price point in the sale it is a serious investment, even by LL standards. Although I see their moisturizing cream is on sale at $1000- if you have some spare change. This might not be a purchase for this time but next year maybe.
Living Proof No Frizz Set If I understand correctly the Jennifer “hair” Aniston is related to this brand. Again I am not looking to change my hair products but I have heard fantastic things about this brand. They had me at “no frizz,’ living in Texas at the height of summer with thick wavy hair, this product is singing my tune. At $45 for three products, and I come away looking like Jennifer Aniston. LL purchase – absolutely, no brainer.
Fresh All Star Kit I love Fresh, I think I blogged earlier about their wonderful lip treatment, I have also tried the Lotus Youth Preserve Cream and loved it. Light and hydrating but not greasy. I have read fantastic things about the Soy Cleanser and you get the bonus of a Sugar Face Polish. At the price point of $53 this is an absolute YES especially when you think a lip treatment retails at $22.50- well worth it I might add. LL purchase – DEFINITELY
Butter London Coveted Classics This has London in the title so I am sold, enough said. In all seriousness I have been reading and hearing how great these polishes are. Now I am rough on my hands so I need a polish to be loyal, nothing is more annoying than chipping after a few hours. I would really like to give these a go. Price at $45 seems quite pricey but for six colours it makes the deal seem better. Surprisingly I am quite drawn to the colour palette. LL purchase – Maybe.
Think I better stop now before I get anymore carried away. Just popping off to Nordstrom, now where is Mr L’s credit card? :0)
Ta ta for now
TLL x
It seems that the vast majority of the US blogs I follow have all gone crazy for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, so I follow the mantra, “if you can’t beat them, join them.” Now when it comes to sales I try to have a focused approach, firstly only buying what I need, a deal is not a deal unless you need it or can fit into it (does not matter how pretty the shoes or dress are.) Secondly a deal for me is getting higher priced and quality items cheaper, often the best sales products are still expensive but the percentage discount greater.
When it came to the Nordstrom sale I wanted to keep the recommendations concentrated; focus my mind and my spending ;o) (sorry Mr L.) So below are my top five beauty finds. I wanted to add to those reader outside the US, all the brands and items I am suggesting are available internationally. All items I would be prepared to buy at full price and being on sale makes it extra fabulous.
Chanel Travel Makeup Palette I chose this for a variety of reasons, firstly its Chanel and it screams quality, I have loved their makeup since I bought a lipstick with one of my first pay packets around seventeen years ago. (Always been an expensive gal :0) ) So my love affair started then and has continued to date. Secondly I love a travel palette, as a mummy I have found my needs, time and most importantly room in my luggage has decreased significantly. I need compact items with multi uses, and when you don’t have the luxury of carrying individual favs with you, a travel palette of the best quality you can afford is essential. I do not own this particular palette but the colours look fairly neutral, I’m less keen on the mulberry/mauve shade of eyeshadow but I have blue eyes and it would suit green much better, there are a few neutral tones which would work well. Now at $95 this is a higher price point but I feel for the amount of products offered for the price and for the brand Chanel it offers good value for money. LL purchase – a definite maybe.
Jo Malone- Nectarine Blossom and Honey Collection I have loved Jo Malone as long as I can remember and am a little embarrassed by the size of my collection. This fragrance like all the others does not disappoint. In this kit you get the body cream which is heavenly and great for layering with fragrance or wearing alone. The bath oil is to die for, it smell divine and leaves your skin feeling nourished. At $99 again this is on the pricey side, but you get three items. LL purchase – absolutely if I didn’t have so much already. :0|
Laura Mercier Ultimate Luxury Souffle Set I have mentioned in an earlier blog my love for Laura Mercier products, and these are amongst my favs. The body products are wonderful. I do feel that you either love or hate the fragrance of her products, Mr L adores the smell but I will be honest I only tend to wear this at night. I think it will be too much as a day fragrance. The quality of the product and the way it makes your skin feel outweigh my indifference to the smell. Again a higher price point $120 but well worth it. LL purchase – once mine runs out yes.
Bobbi Brown Brush Set I love all makeup and I know a little about it, it does not mean I am an expert at application far from it. Makeup does however look infinitely more professional and easy to apply if you have the correct tools. Makeup brushes are essential and they don’t get much finer than a collection of Bobbi Brown’s. So if you don’t have any I can’t recommend then enough. They are also make a great gift. At $128 although being quite expensive it’s almost half price and that ladies and gents is a bargain in my book. LL purchase – yes if I didn’t have a full collection already :0)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Set Love Anastasia brow products and am so delighted that thicker brows are coming back in fashion (or I am wishing them back.) These products are excellent and make your brows look natural, thick and healthy. A more reasonable price point of $36 which is good value. LL purchase -Yes
Hope you liked these recommendations. Any beauty purchases you have purchased from the Nordstrom Sale? Get in touch.
Ta ta for now
TLL x
So Little L the sweet angel that she is, (I am saying this because as I write she is tucked up visiting the land of nod.) bought me a subscription to Birchbox for Mothers Day. I am somewhat behind “The Bell Curve” (surprise) when it comes to these monthly subscriptions, but some of the blogs I read where all raving about Birchbox and since I love everything to do with makeup and beauty it was “right up my alley.” I loved the fact that you get new samples to try; after all we can get in a beauty rut can’t we? I was hoping that it would be a win win for us, Mr L would be thrilled because it may (potentially) lower my Ulta and Sephora bills and would inspire and introduce me to new items. Yesterday I received my third box, and I will admit I was looking forward to its arrival, I resisted the temptation to read emails with sneak previews into the box just to add that rush of excitement to my life (a gal has to get her kicks somehow-right?)
So the box arrived entitled Go Bold. I was sold on that – one of my mini mottos is Go Bold or Go home, and I’m telling you it’s a pretty box, inside is what I am interested in and honestly so far with Birchbox I have been underwhelmed. That being said it might be more about my profile, which you populate when you join Birchbox. I need to check mine out, because I feel I get sent lots of hair products. Inside the box was a few new and fun items, many of which I am yet to try but hope to update you on later in the month. Today I tried the Supergood- Daily Correct CC Cream with SPF 35. Now I love lightweight coverage for my face, especially that contains a good SPF, which is essential in the Texan heat. I mainly need coverage to even out skin tone; I am always trying new products but am often drawn to Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer that only has an SPF of 20. I am a CC and BB virgin but have to say I may be converted, this Supergood is light on the skin but gave me the coverage I needed, wasn’t oily or greasy had no odor and has lasted all day. Its price point is great too so this might be an order. I have heard that there sun protection products are fantastic so may need to give them a try.
The other item I am rather besotted with is the Stila look at me liquid lipstick, in the shade Bella. Birchbox hit bingo with this; I love Stila products and bright and bold lipstick, especially in summer with a slight tan going on. No its more a case that my handbag is stuffed with rubbish and items for Little L that a lipstick is all that there is room for. Now all this being said the colour is awesome, however I am a gal who likes her lipstick to feel nourishing and balm like on her lips and this falls much more in the stain category. It reminds me a little of the Sephora Lip Stains but the Stilla is much more drying, so I would totally recommend wearing a really good lip balm underneath like Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment The thing that worked in the Stila favour was that it literally lasted all day, meals, drinks, swimming the lot. In fact much to Little L disgust she had several big kiss stains on her face, that required some elbow grease to remove. It is the colour that won me over on this product, but not sure that I will be ordering the bigger size, mainly because its a summer shade and Mr L probably wont be seen in public with me wearing it.
Regarding the few other items, I’m looking forward to trying the Juice Beauty Peel- Sensitive my sister in law loves Juice Beauty products and I am yet to try their line so waiting to give this a go. The Rusk Hair Care styling cream, I am fairly new to extensive hair products but am finding with increasing age and a humid climate I am looking for products which can help keep me a little more presented rather than a frizzy mess. I absolutely love my Rusk Speed Freek hair dryer, which my friend recently commented on, so if this is the standard of their offering I am looking forward to trying. Finally I have the Macadamia Professional Leave in Conditioner I am obsessed with hair masques and trying to keep my hair hydrated, not sure how a leave in will work but again heard great things about the brand so looking forward to giving it a go!
Goodness I have got carried away- told you I love beauty!
Hope this might inspire you try something new! What products do you love? Have you tried any of the above?
ta ta for now
TLL x
Beautiful box
Beauty items inside box
Beautiful summer colour