Serious bargain alert - The Body Shop Body Butters

If you’re like me have have incredibly dry skin, no doubt you will have tried Body Shop Body Butters. Although I certainly enjoy using luxury body lotions, I use them like they’re going out of fashion - I can quite easily go through a big tub in the month - so I’m always very aware of the price and always on the hunt for good deals. The Body Shop regularly have their Body Butters on offer, I was passing today I noticed that they had some down to £5 so I went in to stock up. I picked up 2 and went to the till only to be told that I could get 5 for £15. Yes 5 FOR £15! That’s £3 a body butter! 

I always pick up ones specifically for dry skin. I have psoriasis on my elbows and knees and for me, these are one of the best body moisturisers I’ve found that don’t aggravate my skin but keep everything well hydrated. I wouldn’t say they’re absorbed into the skin instantly but you’re not left feeling sticky. And they smell amazing!

The promotion did appear to only be on a few - I picked up 3 Papaya and 2 Passionfruit but I noticed Blueberry was also available. Now I can’t see the 5 for £15 online for some reason so it may only be in store. So if you’re passing a Body Shop, the do have a lot on sale so it’s definitely worth a look. And 5 Body Butters for £15, you just can’t go wrong!

Prom Makeup

This time last year I was celebrating finishing University and getting ready for Graduation and Grad Ball. This year it was my sister’s turn. My baby sister (she’s 17, so I probably can’t really call her a baby) has just finished high school and last week it was her 6th year Prom. I’ve done my fair share of prom makeup through working on makeup counters but it was very different getting ready to do my own sister’s makeup.

Rachel’s dress was a gorgeous bright red, floor length dress which really complimented her pale completion and black hair. Rachel told me she wanted a red lip which I originally tried to talk her out. I think a red dress can be a little awkward makeup wise as it’s already a statement piece but in the end we opted for a slightly more subtle red lip with a light smokey eye, that way we would have a well balanced look.

Base

Primer - Clarins Instant Light Base 01

Foundations - Double Wear Shell and YSL Touche Eclat in B20

Concealer - Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Porcelain and Estee Lauder Ideal Light 01(now discontinued)

I used Clarins Instant Light Base as a primer to give the skin a glow and to balance out the slightly heavier foundation. Rachel is a massive fan of Estee Lauder Double Wear, which I mixed with YSL Touche Eclat foundation and buffed into the skin using the Real Techniques Buffing brush. I love mixing these foundations, I think the coverage to radiance ratio is spot on, especially for a night out. These foundations aren’t great for photos with the type of SPF they contain but for Rachel, her biggest concern was coverage. I used a liner brush (Mac 209) with Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer to cover any little blemishes then using the Real Techniques Setting Brush, I buffed Ideal light to cover any darkness under her.

Eyes

Eye Primer - Nars Primer

Shadows - Mac Patina, Copperplate & Naked 2 Booty Call, Pistol and Blackout

Mascara - Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite

First I primed the eyes using the Nars Eyeshadow primer then using a small paddle brush (Mac 239) I patted Booty Call in the inner corner of the eye and on the brow bone. Patina was then patted all over the lid then lightly blended using a Mac 217. Pistol from the Naked 2 palette was blended into the outer third of the eye then Copperplate was used for the crease. I then we lined the eyes using Blackout and blended out gently using a pencil brush so it wasn’t a harsh line. As we hadn’t had a trial run, it was all about building the colour until we were happy so I added the colour with the 217 then buffed out any harsh edges with a Mac 224 until we had the right colour intensity. Rachel naturally has the most amazing eyebrows so all we had to do was brush them into place (I hate her).

Sculpting and Blush

Blush - Nars Orgasm

Contour - Kevin Aucoin Sculpting Powder

Highlight - theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Powder - Double Wear in Shell

I blended the Sculpting Powder under the cheekbone, under the jaw then round the hairline then buffed away the harshness with a big fluffy brush. Nars Orgasm was applied to the apples of the cheeks then Double Wear Powder was lightly dusted over Rachel’s forehead and over her chin. Although it is a really matte powder, I still haven’t found anything that beat it for staying power. Then using the Contour Brush from the Real Techniques Core Collection, a tiny tiny bit of Mary-Lou Manizer was dusted over the cheekbones for an extra bit of glow.

Lips

Benetint and Benebalm

Benefit’s Benetint is perfect for the subtle red colour Rachel was after, so we layered on some Benetint for the staying power then used Benebalm for the lovely finish.

How gorgeous does little sister look! The fact that my little sister is heading off to uni in September doesn’t make me feel old at all…

Liebster Award Tag

Thank you lilliputianrose for tagging me!
 

Facts about me
1. I have an old english sheepdog called Skye
2. I used to work for Benefit
3. I originally went to uni to study English but switched to Marketing and Media
4. I'm allergic to guinea pigs 
5. I was nominated for biggest geek in high school (I was so disappointed that I didn't win!)
6. I love superhero films
7. Purple is my favourite colour and has been since I was a little girl
8. I still have chocolate from Easter hiding in my cupboard
9. I find clothes shopping stressful
10. I get far too obsessed with TV programmes. Right now, it's The Good Wife
11. I can't whistle

Questions

1.Who are your favourite 5 bloggers? 

The Sunday Girl
One of the first blogs I started following a long, LONG time ago. She’s always the first to know about fab new launches and I love how you can just tell she loves blogging. Adrienne regularly updates her blog, so there's always something new and exciting to read.  

We Were Raised By Wolves
Such a great mixture of posts. Evelyn writes about such a great range of products and I love how it’s not just hyped up blogger products. Always very creative with her posts and her book recommendations are always on point - I tend to find myself on Amazon when her monthly book lists goes up.   

Jennypurr
Jenny’s photography is always absolutely stunning and her posts are honest and beautifully written. One of my favourite posts is Jenny’s 5 Skin Care Rules - I wish I could have handed out copies of this when I worked for Lauder - it would have saved me a lot of frustration! I love how honest Jenny is, and I find that fact that her blog is only 1 year old and already so successful extremely inspiring. Jenny's definitely my blogging role model 

The Private Life of a Girl
I wish I was as stylish as Sophie! Her makeup and fashion posts are beautiful and inspiring without being fussy. I love how Sophie knows her own style – something I definitely need work on.     
      
Gh0stparties
I sometimes use Kate’s blog to make shopping lists. I love Gh0stparties, my bank balance doesn’t. I seem to have quite a similar skin type to Kate, so I found quite quickly that the skin care products she recommends work well on my skin. So thank you Kate! You’ve definitely saved my skin on more than one occasion!

2.What's your favourite blog post you've written so far?

I've only written a handful of posts but so far my favourite is the one about my time at Estee Lauder. I probably did go on about the discount too much (it really is beautiful though) - but it's something I get asked about a lot and hopefully it might help someone who is considering their first step into working on a cosmetics counter.  
 

3.What's your dream job?

Working in the marketing department for Estee Lauder. 

4.What's your next blog post going to be? 

Prom/Grad Ball make up ideas. Earlier today I done my sister's makeup for her 6th year prom, so I thought it help be helpful to write about the products I used and some little tips. 

5.You are stranded on a desert island; name 3 people you'd want to be stuck with...

Hugh Laurie - the man of my dreams

Jennifer Lawrence - for the entertainment

A survivalist 

6.You're granted three wishes but whatever you wish for will disappear or change back in a weeks time, what do you wish for?

To attend Hogwarts. I don't really feel an explanation is necessary

To be able to eat what I want without gaining weight

To live with Johnny Depp

7. Favourite item in your makeup kit?

My mac palette. It's just so pretty.

8. What are you excited for summer wise?

Holidays! I'm off to Portugal in August. I'm really looking forward to spending a week just relaxing and drinking cocktails. 

9. Why did you create a blog?

I'd wanted to start a blog for a long time but I was never sure about whether I would actually be committed enough or if I would have the time to post regularly. I felt that leaving the beauty industry was the perfect time to give it a try as it would keep me active in the beauty community (And I was probably looking for an excuse to try more products).  

10. Who will you nominate? 

The blogs I've been reading today - 

lilacghosts.com

happylittlelift.co.uk

gisforgingers.com

britishbeautyaddict.com

1. Why did you create a blog?
2. Who are your favourite bloggers?
3. What is your most repurchased product?
4. Who is your style icon?
5. Can you remember the first piece of make up your purchased? If so, what was it?
6. Skincare or makeup?
7. If you could only buy cosmetics from one brand, which one would it be?
8. Best piece of beauty advice?
9. Where is your favourite place in the world?
10. Do you have any blogging advice?
11. Who will you nominate?