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Monday 30 March 2015

Jessup Makeup Brush Review


Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review


I'm not ashamed to say that new make-up brushes make me excited, ridiculously excited! I have had my Sigma brush set for many years now so I decided it was finally time to purchase some new ones. I've seen Jessup brushes on blogs and YouTube for a while now and decided to buy some and try them out before investing in a more expensive set. 

These are really affordable, around £12 for the set and you can buy them from a few different sellers on ebay, primarily based in China. These brushes were originally made to be dupes of the Sigma brushes but they are now so popular that there are sellers making fakes of the Jessup brushes. Confusing I know but as long as you stick to one of the reputable sellers you'll be fine. 

I went for black and gold but they come in a variety of colour combinations and you can get sets of 10 or 15 brushes depending on your preference. 

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

Cheap Jessup Makeup Brush Ebay Review

So do they live up to the hype? I definitely think so. Firstly they are soft. A 'sit rubbing the brush against your cheek for five minutes for no reason' soft! I have used them for a couple of weeks now and washed them a few times with no signs of shedding yet. There is nothing more annoying than little brush hairs stuck to your face! 

I also have found a use for all of these brushes in my normal routine apart from the two white coloured blending eye brushes. They are a little large for my liking and don't hold their shape when blending. 

All of the rest I love though and I think this is a great little set for the price. 

Sunday 29 March 2015

Metallic Temporary Tattoos - Reverting to my Childhood

Temporary Tattoos Gold Black

I have officially become one with my 9 year old self. I found these metallic temporary tattoos when browsing Ebay and I couldn't resist. They were about £1 to £2 per sheet and there are loads of different sellers and designs to choose from. The sheets I chose have individual designs as well as longer strip versions to put around your fingers or wrists.

These tattoos are slightly more sophisticated than the 'My Little Pony' versions I used to wear but you apply them in exactly the same way.

Cut out the design you are interested in.

Temporary Tattoos Gold Black

Peel off the clear plastic from the top and stick onto your skin.

Temporary Tattoos Gold Black

Then get a damp sponge and pat the back of the tattoo for 30 seconds or so. You'll see the white paper backing start to slip away from the tattoo and then you are done. 

Temporary Tattoos Gold Black

Oooooo so shiny................

Temporary Tattoos Gold Black

Temporary Tattoos Gold Black

Temporary Tattoos Gold Black


These obviously don't last very long, basically they will disappear as soon as you wash but on the upside they can be easily removed before any important work meetings ;-). I also think you need to be tanned to really pull them off.

Though saying all that I absolutely love them. I think they are great fun and will be perfect for summer and/or music festivals. The perfect finishing touch to that boho chic look!

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Martha's - The Best Lunch in Glasgow


Martha's Best Lunch in Glasgow

Recently there have been what seems like millions of fast food places opening up in Glasgow city centre. These are predominantly burger places and while I love a burger, occasionally I fancy something a little healthier. This is usually the case during the week when I know I only have a short amount of time for lunch and I wan't to avoid feeling completely stuffed and in a food coma for the rest of the afternoon! One of my favourite places to grab lunch when I'm in a hurry is Martha's. They do fast food with a difference.

They buy their produce from mostly local suppliers who use ethical and sustainable practices. The majority of what is on their menu is natural and healthy and they also change their menu seasonally. Their website has super helpful nutritional advice which means you can always find something even if you are eating a particularly selective diet.

I always reach for the Tam Tam Chicken main box which is seasoned chicken with kohlrabi, beansprout, moolis salad and a sesame dressing accompanied with brown rice and Martha's coleslaw. That sounds like a lot of strange ingredients but it is simply the tastiest and healthiest version of your usual chicken and rice dishes!

Martha's - The Best Lunch in Glasgow

Martha's - The Best Lunch in Glasgow

Martha's - The Best Lunch in Glasgow


I usually get a smoothie too, the C-Moregreen smoothie being my favourite. Spinach, celery, mint, orange and mango yum! You grab your cup of ingredients and they make it in front of you which is about as fresh as you can get.

I have my fingers crossed that we will see more of these places opening up in Glasgow soon!

Thursday 19 March 2015

Revlon Colorburst - Whimsical Fantaisiste Review and Tutorial



I picked up the Revlon Colorburst lacquer balm in 115 Whimsical Fantaisiste recently so I thought I would do a quick review of it for you. 

What They Say 

"Shine like never before with brilliant color infused with a Triple Butter Complex. Available In 10 craveable, collectible lacquer shades."



Revlon Colorburst - Whimsical Fantaisiste Review and Tutorial



Revlon Colorburst - Whimsical Fantaisiste Review and Tutorial



Revlon Colorburst - Whimsical Fantaisiste Review and Tutorial

Revlon Colorburst - Whimsical Fantaisiste Review and Tutorial

Revlon Colorburst - Whimsical Fantaisiste Review and Tutorial


What I Say

I love this lip product! I find my lips can get a little dry occasionally and on those days I hate wearing conventional lipsticks which can dry my lips further and look really unpleasant as the day goes on. This applies like a balm so has a very smooth and moisturising texture, not sticky at all. This particular colour is also really bright and pigmented after two coats, with a high gloss and shimmer finish.

I also really like the bold packaging (try losing this in your bag!) and the fact that you simply turn the bottom to push up the product. No messy sharpening involved. 

The only thing I don't particularly like is the staying powder as I find I do have to touch up regularly throughout the day. 

Overall I think its great for everyday use and I'll be adding more to my collection very soon!

Rating - 9/10

Revlon Colorburst - Whimsical Fantaisiste Review and Tutorial

If you want to see this product in action then feel free to have a look at my "Everyday Spring Makeup Tutorial" which I've linked below. 




Monday 16 March 2015

What I Eat - Workday and McCune Smith

Hi everyone,

Today's 'What I Eat' post involves cake. You know straight away it's going to be a good day when cake is involved. But before we get to cake, I should probably tell you about breakfast.

I started the day with half an avocado, a boiled egg and some cherry tomatoes. I sometimes have this with a slice of toast as well if I'm feeling particularly hungry.

What I Eat - Workday and McCune Smith

I had a pretty miserable work meeting scheduled which I decided to make slightly more enjoyable by relocating to one of my favourite local cafes, McCune Smith. McCune Smith is on Duke Street in Glasgow city centre and it does the most fantastic coffee but also has super tasty sandwiches and cakes. Of course when I have to decide between a sandwich and a cake I always choose cake :-). Especially the chocolate variety!

What I Eat - Workday and McCune Smith

What I Eat - Workday and McCune Smith

Doesn't this look amazing?! It was a rocky road with loads of marshmallow, cherry, biscuit and chocolate. This picture doesn't even do it justice because it was huge! I would definitely recommend a visit for anyone in the local area. Their banana cinnamon toast is next on my list of things to try! 

Not surprisingly after eating all of the rocky road I wasn't feeling particularly hungry at lunchtime so I had a kiwi and a pear to keep me going until dinner. 

What I Eat - Workday and McCune Smith

For dinner I decided to try making courgette noodles which I keep seeing popping up everywhere at the moment. I had been putting this off as I really don't like courgette that much. I think I have had too many bad experiences of soggy courgette with no flavour! Luckily with this recipe you don't need to cook the courgette so it stays quite firm. Most of the recipes I have seen require a spiralizer but I don't have one so I grated the courgette instead which seemed to work just as well. I fried some chicken and half an onion with a little pesto and cherry tomatoes and threw in the courgette at the last minute to warm without getting soggy.

What I Eat - Workday and McCune Smith

This was surprisingly really tasty and filling and an added bonus is that it is healthier than a typical chicken pesto dish as you aren't using any pasta. I'll definitely be adding this to my list of go-to easy dishes for dinners during the week.

Despite having lots of chocolate earlier, I felt like something sweet after my dinner. I had a few dates leftover from making my beetroot cupcakes (click here for the recipe) so I cut a few in half, added a little almond butter and topped with a sprinkle of raw cacao powder.

What I Eat - Workday and McCune Smith

 I know they don't look particularly appetising but they are as close as you can get to a natural version of a Snickers bar, a super tasty end to the day!

Saturday 14 March 2015

DIY - Palm Tree Cushion Covers

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

As it is getting closer to spring I decided to change the decor in my room around a little. I spent a while (a.k.a hours when I should have been working ;-p) browsing home decor on Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/glasgowgg/) to see if I could find some inspiration. Over winter I had a grey and black theme and felt I wanted a brighter, lighter feel. As I currently rent a flat I don't have the ability to paint the walls or do any major home decoration so I have to rely on switching up furnishings to get the look I want.

I found some amazing mint, coral and grey colour scheme ideas on Pinterest and thought I would try to add some of that to my room. I luckily found a really cute bedding set from Primark along with some cushions but really wanted to re-use my grey cushions from my previous bedding set in some way as it would be a waste to throw them out. I decided to re-cover them and thought I would share the ridiculously simple way I did it. No sewing involved, woohoo! This is definitely a lazy girls guide.

What you need

A pillowcase (either buy or re-use an old one) in the colour/fabric of your choosing
Fabric glue (or a glue gun)
Scissors
Old cushion

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

Step 1

Put your cushion inside the pillow case and cut away any excess fabric. I was lucky that my cushions are the same height as a normal pillow so I only had to trim down one edge.

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

 If you are doing more than one cushion of the same size, take the cushion out and use the trimmed pillow case as a template for the rest.

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

Step 2 

Apply fabric glue or glue from a glue gun all along the top of one edge of the fabric.

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

Step 3

You now need to tuck the side without any glue in on itself, folding over the top few cm's to hide any rough edges. Carefully do the same with the side with the glue and stick both together. I find this is easiest to do if you start at one corner and work to the other side. Then just keep squeezing the sides together until the glue is beginning to dry. 

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

Once you have done that you should have your finished cushion. No one will ever suspect how easy it was to make!

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

DIY cushion covers spring home decor

Beauty Review - Five Affordable 'Drugstore' Foundations


It can be a little overwhelming to know where to start when choosing a new foundation. There are so many available now that a trip to the high street can leave you with a choice between ten or twenty different brands before you even start to think about type of foundation or shade. The good thing about having so many affordable foundations on the market is that you can get really good quality for not a lot of money. 

I been keeping track of the different affordable foundations I've tried recently and here is a review of the most recent five. Apologies in advance for the messy bottles, for some reason I just can't keep them clean!

1) L'oreal Paris - True Match Foundation 


My Shade D1W1 Golden Ivory
RRP £9.99
SPF 17

What They Say

 L’Oréal Laboratories have developed a unique palette of 23 skin-true shades in L'Oréal Paris True Match Foundation. The result for L'Oréal Paris True Match Foundation is a natural looking, skin-true colour without tide-marks and outstanding coverage without caking.
What I Say

It cakes...... I really wanted to love this foundation because it has been compared to Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk which is great but I was really disappointed. I picked up golden ivory as I always tend to get the lightest or second lightest shade in the range as I have relatively fair skin however the colour is really light and I probably should have gone darker. With a range of colour which is so diffferent to, and much larger than every other foundation on the market it's difficult to know exactly which to pick up. There are only so many testers you can try on in store! 

I also didn't find the finish particularly great. This has a medium to full coverage which is good but it seems quite a chalky consistency to me and is very streaky and noticeable on the skin. I ended up blending this foundation with a darker one I have to use it up. I know a lot of people love this foundation though so I'm tempted to try it again in a darker shade. 

Rating - 6/10

2) Maybelline New York - Dream Satin Liquid

My Shade 10 Ivory
RRP £7.99
SPF None

What They Say

Air-whipped liquid provides perfecting coverage for 100% poreless skin

What I Say

This foundation is what I would call "cheap and cheerful". It has a light to medium coverage, is moisturising and blends effortlessly. It isn't suitable if you are trying to cover acne or scarring and it does eventually wear off towards the end of the day but it gives a really nice light coverage to skin which when teamed with a concealer is enough for me for every day use. 

Rating - 8/10

3) Maybelline New York - SuperStay Better Skin Foundation


My Shade 10 Ivory
RRP £8.99
SPF 20

What They Say

Better Skin reduces the appearance of the visible effects of stress including bumps, dullness and redness.

What I Say 

This is a medium to full coverage foundation. It is quite thick and therefore needs a little more work to ensure it is completely blended. Despite being the same shade as the Dream Satin Liquid from Maybelline (10 Ivory) it is a little darker so it's worth testing it out instead of just opting for your usual shade. This foundation has a really good staying power and can easily go a full day without wearing significantly. One word of warning would be that as it is for normal skin, if you do have dry skin you will need to moisturise well before using or it could cling to drier areas. 

Rating - 8/10

4) Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

My Shade 103 True Ivory
RRP £8.99
SPF 15

What They Say

Instantly reawakens skin with a healthy, radiant glow and minimizes premature skin ageing. A light, smooth texture for natural, 100% poreless coverage instantly eliminates signs of tiredness and lifts skin from fatigue. Radiance pearls illuminate for a healthy, radiant glow. Flawless natural finish.
What I Say 

This is a medium coverage foundation so you will need to add concealer for any blemishes or red areas. It also has some shimmer which I think you either love or hate. I don't find the shimmer in this foundation too over the top and I think it just adds a little extra 'glow'. I find this foundation moistuirsing so it is really easy to apply and blend, even with a brush. It is a nice colour match for my skin tone and isn't cakey. It has a really nice fragrance and I love how the solid colour bottle top hides all the smears of foundation so it stays looking presentable! It does require a few touch ups by the end of the day but overall I love this foundation and have repurchased three or four times now.

Rating - 9/10

5) Revlon Photoready Airbrush Effect Foundation

My Shade 002 Vanilla
RRP £12.99
SPF 20

What They Say

The iconic PhotoReady Airbrush Effect Makeup has new and improved pigment technology that provides a flawless, airbrushed appearance in any light. Based on consumer feedback the formula has been improved to give a beautiful radiant flow without being overly shimmery, providing complete yet undetectable coverage.

What I Say

Unfortunately I didn't realise they had changed the formula on this foundation until after I had purchased it. It is the latest addition to my collection so I have only used it for a few weeks but my initial impression is that it blends well on initial application but is quite drying for my skin. That means that after a few hours it can cling in certain areas. It gives a medium coverage but does wear easily and I find myself having to reapply more often than with my other foundations. It is also shimmery, very shimmery. Overall a little bit of a disappointment. 

Rating - 6/10

Finally I thought it might be useful to do a colour comparison between all five foundations. These swatches are on the underside of my arm which is ghostly white but don't worry, these are all a much better match for the skin tone on my face! The best colour matches for me are probably the second and fifth which are Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid and Revlon Photoready. 

From left to right 1) L'oreal Paris - True Match Foundation, 2) Maybelline New York - Dream Satin Liquid, 3) Maybelline New York - SuperStay Better Skin Foundation, 4) Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, 5) Revlon Photoready Airbrush Effect Foundation.

From bottom to top 1) L'oreal Paris - True Match Foundation, 2) Maybelline New York - Dream Satin Liquid, 3) Maybelline New York - SuperStay Better Skin Foundation, 4) Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, 5) Revlon Photoready Airbrush Effect Foundation.

Overall quite a mixture, with some I will avoid and some I would definitely re-purchase. What are your thoughts? Let me know if there are any you would recommend I try next!

 

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