mrsjennyws

Just a quick one to let you know, in case you hadn't already reaslied, that my No Spend March went DOWN. THE. DRAIN. But I think we could all see that happening when I posted about the first week. Apparently telling myself not to spend did the opposite and I got a compulsive need to buy everything. And I mean everything.

I added this list onto the end of my January & February Haul (which was huge), it's all things I've bought in March. Oops.  

Some of the things I've bought this month... Seventeen Sheen Supreme Lipticks in Barelty Blush & Hot Stuff Sleek i-Divine A New Day Palette, Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Kipstick in Kiss Chase, Real Techniques Sculpting Set, Sleek i-Divine Vintage Romance Palette

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Kiss Chase - It was limited edition and going out of stock! Sleek i-Divine Eyeshadow Palettes - I got Vintage Romance and A New Day, they were 2 for £10 at Boots.Seventeen Sheen Supreme Lipsticks - I got Pink Posey, Barely Blush and Hot Stuff, I'm not sure why I ended up getting these. Seventeen Wow Skin Primer.  Seventeen Define and Conquer Contour Kit - I wanted to test out some contour kits before I go to Canada, so I know whether to shell out on a good one there, so this is the powder contour part of my research. Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Kit- Same as above, this is the cream contour part of my research. Makeup Revolution Fortune Favours the Brave Eyeshadow Palette - Supporting #teaminternet, plus SO pretty. Benefit Cheekathon Palette - This palette is a BARGAIN, 5 full sized blushes & bronzers for £44.50, that's less than 2 of them cost. Real Techniques Collectors Edition Sculpting Set - well, I needed something to go with my Contour Kits...right?

Benefit Cheekathon Palette

I've also ordered some Morphe Brushes from Beauty Bay. Oh and I'll add that I sent the Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette (that I missed out on, then ordered again for cheaper) back to Debenhams.

No more no spends for me. I do not currently have the self control.

I'm also currently battling the urge to spend AGAIN. Debenhams have a bonus £10 of points when you spend £50 using their Beauty Club Card. It's my birthday on Sunday, and who doesn't like buying themselves a present?

But I should save for Canada right?


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I hope everyone had a lovely long Easter weekend! It's a shame it went so quickly, and it's also delayed me posting, mainly because I sat back and didn't do very much with my weekend, which was FANTASTIC.

Right onto the actual post...

I've done all of my 30 Before 30 posts on my old blog, up until now. It's officially transferred over the mrsjennyws! I've linked the old posts at the bottom of this one in case you want to catch up.

This was my original list...I'm not doing too badly. Well, actually as only six things have been crossed off the list, that's pretty crap. And with my 27th birthday coming up this weekend, time is of the essence!

A few of the things I've crossed off. Getting engaged, getting married, buying a house and going camping!

30 Before 30

1. Get Engaged
2. Get Married
3. Have a Baby
4. Buy a House
5. Save Enough for Our Wedding
6. Have £10k in Savings
7. Earn at least £30k/year
8. Work for Myself
9. Be a Stay at Home Mummy
10. Buy a Mulberry Bag
11. Write a Book
12. Write a Recipe Book
13. Visit Australia
14. Visit New York
15. Visit Italy
16. Go to Harry Potter in Florida
17. Visit Disney
18. See the Northern Lights
19. Swim with Dolphins
20. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
21. Grow my own Fruit, Veg & Herbs
22. Go Camping
23. Have a Spa Day
24. Crochet or Knit a Baby Blanket
25. Learn to Drive
26. Run a Marathon
27. Own a Pet
28. Cook through a Cook Book
29. Do a 365 Project
30. Own less 'Stuff'

Any excuse to post some more wedding photos! Photography by Trevor Godfree

I'm thinking that, if it's not cheating, that I may need to amend some of the items on the list. Basically because I've realised that some of those things are just NOT going to happen.

In terms of no. 8 and 9, I would absolutely love for these to actually work out. I just don't think they will (unless this blog magically takes off), but I'm going to leave them on there with hope.
I also don't think that 26 will happen, I'm too lazy. And 24 will DEFINITELY not happen, I've had a go at the whole crochet thing and it was just awful, I'm not capable enough.

I need to swap these out for two new tasks, but I'm struggling to think what. As I said, I do want this list to be somewhat managable, I know that it needs to push me too, but I don't see the point of things being on there that I know will NOT happen, that's just a downer.
This is what I've come up with:

    24. Manage my Grief
I know that this might sound strange, but it's been nearly 2 years since my dear old Daddy passed away and yet there are still days when I feel like it happened a month ago rather than 2 years. I know that it's completely normal, that you can't rush this process; and that when the person is that close to you it can make the whole process worse. But I've realised a few things recently about this, which are that I'm not coping 100% and that it's made me an angrier person. I'm hoping that I can start to deal with this better so that it doesn't affect me in such a negative way and that I can just enjoy the time that I had with my wonderful Daddy.

My Daddy

    26. Keep Blogging
Again, a bit of an off the wall one, but at the moment I really enjoy this blog, I've already experienced and lulls that come with in (in terms of motivation, but maybe that's just me generally), but I still enjoy it. Having a little piece of me out there, a corner of the internet that's my own and something that I can focus on. So if I can keep this going until I'm (at least) 30 then I will be chuffed with myself!


There we have it. I feel like they're good things to add, not just a boring old task that can be ticked off, but something to work towards and a way to improve myself.

Here's the updated list:

1. Get Engaged
2. Get Married
3. Have a Baby
4. Buy a House
5. Save Enough for Our Wedding
6. Have £10k in Savings
7. Earn at least £30k/year
8. Work for Myself
9. Be a Stay at Home Mummy
10. Buy a Mulberry Bag
11. Write a Book
12. Write a Recipe Book
13. Visit Australia
14. Visit New York
15. Visit Italy
16. Go to Harry Potter in Florida
17. Visit Disney
18. See the Northern Lights
19. Swim with Dolphins
20. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
21. Grow my own Fruit, Veg & Herbs
22. Go Camping
23. Have a Spa Day
24. Manage my Grief
25. Learn to Drive
26. Keep Blogging
27. Own a Pet
28. Cook through a Cook Book
29. Do a 365 Project
30. Own less 'Stuff'

Some of the places on my travel list. Picture Credits: Rome and New York

Now fingers crossed I can get a few more things ticked off soon...if only I'd added visiting Canada to the list! There is definitely a bit of overlap with my Life (and 2016) Goals, so I've planned well there!


30 Before 30 posts from my old blog
30 Before 30
30 Before 30: Behind the List, Part 1
30 Before 30: Behind the List, Part 2
30 Before 30: Behind the List, Part 3
30 Before 30: An Update


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My Lipstick Collection

Last week I posted about my MAC Lipstick Collection. I LOVE MAC lipsticks, they are just, the best! And I did promise in that post that I would put up pictures of me wearing the lipsticks so you can see what they look like on me.
I actually find it to be very helpful when other people do this, as I'm so pale it's good to see what the colours look like on someone else pale! It'll also be nice for me to have a catalogue of my MAC lipsticks and what they look like on me...if I can stand to look at my own face.

So excuse my TERRIBLE posing (SO. AWKWARD.) and let's get on with this.

Here are the swatches on my arm and I've included the descriptions from last week's post (slightly ammended on some).

L-R: Faux, Brave, Please Me, Mehr, Velvet Teddy, Spirit, Twig, Amorous, Captive, Viva Glam I

I didn't wear liner for any of these, which actually helps, as I think I often change the colour of the lipstick with liner and end up not liking it so much.


Faux

MAC Faux

 Satin finish, MAC describe it as a muted mauve-pink, however it's more of a very pale, true pink on me. I find that it's a little sticky for a satin finish (my hair gets stuck in it!) as some of the other satin lipsticks are more matte like in their finish. This is a gorgeous colour, I've been loving it recently and it made it into my February Favourites!
Edit: I think that this works better with a lipliner on me, I usually wear it with MAC Lip Pencil in Dervish, which brings out the pink a little more.


Brave

MAC Brave

 Satin finish, MAC describe it as a pink-beige with white pearl. I don't think that how MAC describe these lipsticks is ever how they look on me! I would say this is a more of a bright pink on me, I'm not sure where the beige comes in. But it's probably my favourite MAC lipstick I own, as I said in my January Faves!
Edit: A light, bright pink I think.


Please Me

MAC Please Me

Matte finish, MAC describe it as a muted-rosy-tinted pink. It's not muted on me at all, in fact it's basically a bright pink, so bright that I had to wear it with a dark liner (In Control) when I first got it, as I was a bit taken a back with it! When I got this I was looking for a, well, muted-rosy-tinted pink...which ended up being Faux, and I had it all along!
Edit: As you can see, VERY bright on me! Well, in my opinion.


Mehr

MAC Mehr

 Matte finish, MAC describe it as a dirty blue pink. I have no idea where these descriptions come from, they obviously did not use me when they came up with them. This is quite a dark, slightly reddish pink on me. Really lovely though. I wore it for my wedding.
Edit: It definitely looks more pinky without lipliner, I usually wear it with MAC ProLongwear Lip Pencil in In Control, which is quite dark (it's the ProLongwear version of Soar). I need to wear it more without a liner!


Velvet Teddy

MAC Velvet Teddy

 Matte finish, MAC describe it as a deep-tone beige. I will agree with this more, Velvet Teddy comes out as brown on me, not the amazingly gorgeous colour that it is on everyone else. Which is a shame, I'm just not sure if I love it.
Edit: Same on the liner front as Mehr, I think it's better on me without a liner.


Spirit

MAC Spirit

 Satin finish, MAC describe it as a muted pinky-beige brown. This was the first MAC lipstick I ever bought! I got it at the airport, I was just trying lipsticks on randomly and ended up picking this one, I had no idea about finishes or anything. I was quite into the darker, browner shades then, which this is on me. I haven't worn it in a long time as I've been very much about the lighter, pinker shades recently.
Edit: I'm really liking how this looks in this picture, I think I need to wear it more!


Twig

MAC Twig

Satin finish, MAC describe it as a soft muted brownish-pink. This is quite dark on me, a bit more of a plum  on me, as I said, I've been liking the lighter, pinker colours at the moment, so I haven't really been wearing it much.
Edit: I'd agree with myself in what I said about it being slightly more plummy on me, a light plum though. Again, better without lip liner. I need me some lighter lip liners!


Amorous

MAC Amorous

 Satin finish, MAC describe it as lovestruck cranberry. I have no idea what a lovestruck cranberry is, except the most unhelpful description ever. This is very dark on me, similar to Captive. I must say, I've hardly worn it.
Edit: Not as bad as I thought in terms of it being dark and not suiting me...what do you guys think?


Captive

MAC Captive

 Satin finish, MAC describe it as a pinkish-plum. Again it's very dark on me and very similar to Amorous, there's barely any difference between them except I think that Amorous is slightly more pink (although I need to remind myself as I'm not sure when I last wore them!). And again, I've hardly worn it.
Edit: I would say that this is actually slightly brighter/lighter/pinker than Amorous! Liking how it looks with no liner.


Viva Glam I

MAC Viva Glam I

 Matte finish, MAC describe it as an intense brownish blue-red. I have no idea how to describe the colour, quite a deep, dark red, it is a lovely colour. Although I have trouble with it, I can never get a smooth finish on the edge of my lips, it seems to go everywhere and it looks terrible on me. I'm gutted as I haven't actually worn this yet and I have no idea how to make it work on me (i.e. not look messy and like it was put on by a 5 year old.)

Suggestions? I think I need to try something like Ruby Woo (Retro Matte) which is even more matte and might not go everywhere?



Right, so that was awkward. We've all discovered that I can't pose well and definitely cannot maintain a similar pose through multiple photos...I'll try harder next time. Once day I'll manage to look as amazing as Beauty with Emily Fox when she does her lip swatches.

I've also learned that I need lighter lip liner or to not use lip liner so much, as these look so much nicer on me without the lip liners!

Faux - Brave Please Me - Mehr - Velvet Teddy

Spirit - Twig Amorous - Captive - Viva Glam I

What do you guys think? Does these all suit me? Anything else you'd recommend I try?
Hope you liked the swatches! Maybe I'll post more of my face in future.


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One of my 2016 Goals was to buy less makeup. That seems to have completely gone out of the window as I've just bought all of the makeup in January and February. And I haven't stopped...
As I spent a lot on makeup last year on the run up to my wedding, I need to try and slow it and with Canada coming up. Well try to.

But seeing as I've bought SO much I thought it might be nice to have a quick go through everything I got. Mainly so I feel the shame of buying so much and stop doing it...


Stila Whole Lotta Love Palette
I picked this up in M&S in the sale because it was £18 down from £49 and I just thought why not. And that was the start of the 2016 purchasing. It has a nice mix of eyeshadows, blush and a mascara. I don't actually use it very much sadly. It's a bit of a chunk to carry round.
(It feels like FOREVER since I bought this.)

Stila Whole Lotta Love Palette

MAC Lipsticks Please Me (Matte) and Viva Glam I (Matte)
I really wanted a light pink (and as I said in my MAC Lipstick Collection post have now realised that Faux was what I was looking for and I had it all along) and I wanted a red. Caved and bought these. I've worn Please Me a couple of times, it's very bright on me. And I haven't worn Viva Glam I get, I love the colour, but I just cannot get red to go on my lips, they look messy and patchy and like a kid put it on. Seriously, anyone have any tips?

MAC Lipsticks Viva Glam I & Please Me

YSL Touche Eclat
Pre job interviews I wanted a good concealer as Benefit Boi-ing wasn't working for me. I'm not in love with Touche Eclat, I do use it everyday, but I'm enjoying using the Maybelline Age Renew more.

YSL Touche Eclat & Clinique Stay-Matte Pressed Powder

 Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder
I needed a setting powder, I chickened out of buying the YSL one I wanted (only to go and buy the YSL one anyway). I do really like this, it doesn't cake, the packaging is nice and the sponge is good for touch ups!


Sleek Highlighting Palettes & Blush
I was seduced! The highlighting palettes are SO pretty, and I've been AWFUL and haven't used them yet. Must try harder. I do really like the blush and it isn't like any other I've got. Plus it was a bargain.
First impressions on my mini haul here.

Sleek MakeUP Highlighting Palettes in Solstice and Previous Metals Sleek MakeUP Rose Gold Blush

YSL Poudre Compact Radiance Powder Universelle
See above. I don't feel like it makes me look radiant, but it's nice and has a nice smell!

YSL Poudre Compact Radiance Powder Universelle

Tanya Burr Cheek Palettes
LOVE these, they popped up in my inbox as being back in stock at Superdrug and I've wanted them for a while now. I'm so glad I got them when they had them!

Tanya Burr Peachy Glow Cheek Palette

Maybelline Age Renew Concealer
I am usually so down on drugstore, but I do love this concealer. It's so easy to use. But I am yet to find something that actually covers my dark circles.

Maybelline Age Renew Concealer & Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
I had one of these before, but I dropped it, the plastic cracked, it leaked and so in the bin it went. I haven't really used it much yet as I feel like it's quite heavy. I need to use it more. If it's good enough for Zoella, it's good enough for me!


Rosie for Autograph Eyeshadow Palettes
I LOVE these. They aren't that pigmented, which does annoy me slightly (I know that lots of people like that they're buildable though), but the colours are beautiful, so is the packaging. And they're nice and compact.

Rosie for Autograph Eyeshadow Palette in I Feel Like A Million Dollars & Lipstick in Lady Rose

 Rosie for Autograph Lipsticks & Cream Blush
I caved on the packaging again, and made my first venture into non matte/satin lipsticks. I'm enjoying them so far, I think I prefer the lighter pink (Camisole Blush) over the Lady Rose, but I'm all about the light pinks at the moment.
I've only used the blush once, I'm not sure if I've quite got the hang of cream blush yet, I need to try using it a bit more.


Pixi Glow Tonic
I must say I was taken in by the hype and I'm not completely sure that I agree with it. Sorry guys. It's nice, I like the way it feels and it smells like honey, which is amazing. I'll work my way through the bottle and get back to you.
Maybe I should try twice a day instead of once?

Tanya Burr Rosy Flush Cheek Palette, Rosie for Autograph Eyeshadow Palette & Lipstick, Pixi Glow Tonic Natural Collection Blush & Bronzing Pearls

Natural Collection Bronzing Pearls & Blush
I only really bought these to get a Boots points bonus. Shameful. I haven't even swatched the two sets of Bronzing Pearls, so I don't know what shades they are. The blush is a matte peachy shade.


Brush Washing Mat
This was a cheapy ebay purchase, I haven't used it yet as I washed my brushes quite recently. They only tend to get washed every 6 months or so. Oh dear.


Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Colour Mascara
This was a bargain in TKMaxx, so I couldn't pass it up. I do feel like it's a bit thick for me, I need to try and use it more and stop just using the same old mascaras EVERYDAY.

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow & Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Colour Mascara

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow
Another TKMaxx bargain. This is a gorgeous foil eyeshadow. I have one by Makeup Revolution, which I gave a try and it just creased EVERYWHERE. I haven't tried this one yet, I hope it's better.


Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick Between The Sheets
Well, technically my husband bought me this for our anniversary, so it doesn't count. But I LOVE it, it's sucha  gorgeous pink and so creamy, even though it's matte. I'm so sad that it's out of stock now, I wish I'd bought another!

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Between The Sheets

I had a small panic attack when I first wrote that all down. I couldn't believe how much stuff it is. I think I'm a bit more desentistised now that I've worked on the post for a while. Not sure if that's good or bad.

Also March isn't going so well either...so far I've bought:

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Kiss Chase - It was limited edition and going out of stock! Sleek i-Divine Eyeshadow Palettes - I got Vintage Romance and A New Day, they were 2 for £10 at Boots.Seventeen Sheen Supreme Lipsticks - I got Pink Posey, Barely Blush and Hot Stuff, I'm not sure why I ended up getting these. Seventeen Wow Skin Primer.  Seventeen Define and Conquer Contour Kit - I wanted to test out some contour kits before I go to Canada, so I know whether to shell out on a good one there, so this is the powder contour part of my research. Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Kit- Same as above, this is the cream contour part of my research. Makeup Revolution Fortune Favours the Brave Eyeshadow Palette - Supporting #teaminternet, plus SO pretty. Benefit Cheekathon Palette - This palette is a BARGAIN, 5 full sized blushes & bronzers for £44.50, that's less than 2 of them cost. Real Techniques Collectors Edition Sculpting Set - well, I needed something to go with my Contour Kits...right?


And now Debenhams have Triple Points AND I have a £5 voucher...
and after my post about makeup regrets I ordered the Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette for a mere £25. In the 24 hours following the order I seriously doubted my decision and decided to cancel the order, but it was too late and so I might return the palette now.

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My MAC Lipstick Collection

I absolutely love reading other people's posts on their MAC Lipstick collections, they're definitely one of my favorite posts to read. But that's probably because nearly everyone has some sort of MAC lipstick collection and it's so nice to see what other people have and compare, get ideas and generally build up the wishlist, because you can never have enough, right?
There's definitely something about MAC lipsticks, there are so many finishes and so many shades that there's something for everything. They also look (and smell) amazing AND they're the brand that made me fall in love with lipstick, so enough said.

L-R: Faux, Brave, Please Me, Mehr, Velvet Teddy, Spirit, Twig, Amorous, Captive, Viva Glam I

Personally, I don't think my collection of 10 is very big, I know that others might disagree. And don't even talk to me about how much that adds up to in £££, we don't talk or think of such things!  I do still have A LOT on my wishlist (nearly all of them) and I definitely want to explore more of the different finishes and shades, because as you'll see, they definitely follow a theme.

L-R: Faux, Brave, Please Me, Mehr, Velvet Teddy, Spirit, Twig, Amorous, Captive, Viva Glam I

I wasn't sure on the best way to go through them, but as I swatched them from lightest to darkest, it seems like the easiest route to go!

L-R: Faux, Brave, Please Me, Mehr, Velvet Teddy, Spirit

Faux
Satin finish, MAC describe it as a muted mauve-pink, however it's more of a very pale, true pink on me. I find that it's a little sticky for a satin finish (my hair gets stuck in it!) as some of the other satin lipsticks are more matte like in their finish. This is a gorgeous colour, I've been loving it recently and it made it into my February Favourites!

Brave
Satin finish, MAC describe it as a pink-beige with white pearl. I don't think that how MAC describe these lipsticks is ever how they look on me! I would say this is a more of a bright pink on me, I'm not sure where the beige comes in. But it's probably my favourite MAC lipstick I own, as I said in my January Faves!

Please Me
Matte finish, MAC describe it as a muted-rosy-tinted pink. It's not muted on me at all, in fact it's basically a bright pink, so bright that I had to wear it with a dark liner (In Control) when I first got it, as I was a bit taken a back with it! When I got this I was looking for a, well, muted-rosy-tinted pink...which ended up being Faux, and I had it all along!

Mehr
Matte finish, MAC describe it as a dirty blue pink. I have no idea where these descriptions come from, they obviously did not use me when they came up with them. This is quite a dark, slightly reddish pink on me. Really lovely though. I wore it for my wedding.

Velvet Teddy
Matte finish, MAC describe it as a deep-tone beige. I will agree with this more, Velvet Teddy comes out as brown on me, not the amazingly gorgeous colour that it is on everyone else. Which is a shame, I'm just not sure if I love it.

L-R: Velvet Teddy, Spirit, Twig, Amorous, Captive, Viva Glam I

Spirit
Satin finish, MAC describe it as a muted pinky-beige brown. This was the first MAC lipstick I ever bought! I got it at the airport, I was just trying lipsticks on randomly and ended up picking this one, I had no idea about finishes or anything. I was quite into the darker, browner shades then, which this is on me. I haven't worn it in a long time as I've been very much about the lighter, pinker shades recently.

Twig
Satin finish, MAC describe it as a soft muted brownish-pink. This is quite dark on me, a bit more of a plum  on me, as I said, I've been liking the lighter, pinker colours at the moment, so I haven't really been wearing it much.

Amorous
Satin finish, MAC describe it as lovestruck cranberry. I have no idea what a lovestruck cranberry is, except the most unhelpful description ever. This is very dark on me, similar to Captive. I must say, I've hardly worn it.

Captive
Satin finish, MAC describe it as a pinkish-plum. Again it's very dark on me and very similar to Amorous, there's barely any difference between them except I think that Amorous is slightly more pink (although I need to remind myself as I'm not sure when I last wore them!). And again, I've hardly worn it.

Viva Glam I
Matte finish, MAC describe it as an intense brownish blue-red. I have no idea how to describe the colour, quite a deep, dark red, it is a lovely colour. Although I have trouble with it, I can never get a smooth finish on the edge of my lips, it seems to go everywhere and it looks terrible on me. I'm gutted as I haven't actually worn this yet and I have no idea how to make it work on me (i.e. not look messy and like it was put on by a 5 year old.)
Suggestions? I think I need to try something like Ruby Woo (Retro Matte) which is even more matte and might not go everywhere?

My MAC Lipstick Collection

As you can see, except Viva Glam I, they all follow a similar shade type. I feel like I need to branch out a bit and get some more colours, I've been looking at lighter pinks, nudes, peaches and corals for spring/summer. But I don't really know where to start!

So that's it for now. I want to do a proper swatches of the lipsticks on my lips, I just need to work out how to not look AWFUL in the pictures...

My Lipstick Collection (I actually have a couple more now!)

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I spent a lot of my weekend looking at the Benefit Box O' Blushes in Dandelion and Coralista. I've wanted Dandelion for a while and whilst browsing I thought that maybe I should consider getting Coralista too as a nice spring/summer blush.

I got a few email offers through over the weekend and I kept adding them to my basket in various stores, but decided not to go through with it. I mean I have a lot of blushes on my Canada/US Wishlist anyway.

Then this morning my Bloglovin puts Miss Makeup Magpie's March Lust List in front of me. Low and behold, the new Benefit Cheekathon Palette. A new palette with 5 full sized blushes and bronzers, including Dandelion and Coralista.

I had a quick look online, it's not available to buy on the Benefit website yet, but it is available at House of Fraser and it's exclusive to them. Cue opening the House of Fraser website on an extra tab and work and constantly flicking back to it all morning to stare at it...

At lunchtime I decided to go to House of Fraser, with the intention of just looking at each of the products in the palette (Dandelion, Hoola, Rockateur, Dallas & Coralista) so I could decide if I should get it. I should also add that I had a bit of a crappy weekend and this morning at work wasn't great either, and so I thought to myself that if I liked the individual elements then maybe I should order it online in the afternoon. A pick me up.

Did I mention that it was 5 full sized products for a mere £44.50? The cost of each Box O' Blush is £23.50, so if I'd bought Dandelion and Coralista it would have cost me more than the palette. And you're saving a massive £73 compared to buying each of them separately.

Anyway, back to House of Fraser, I tried to get near the blushes, but couldn't. The lunchtime rush. One of the girls on the counter came to offer her help and I said I wanted to look at the blushes, low and behold she whips out the very palette I spent all morning staring at online.

It only took her a few minutes to seal the deal and I walked away £44.50 lighter and 1 very good value palette heavier...

First impressions...*insert heart eyed emoji here*

It's lovely, study cardboard and cute packaging. It's also quite slim, so good to carry round, much slimmer that the Box O' Blush boxes.

And I love how you still get the design on the Rockateur blush.

Thumbs up over all, I can't wait to crack it open properly!

 Sorry for the poor quality photos, I snapped them on my iPhone when I got back to the office at the end of lunch.
I just wanted to share as soon as possible!

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Feb faves I've been loving this month.

Makeup
Just generally, and I know that's silly, we know I love makeup and that's basically what this blog is about. But I've been wearing makeup a lot this month and I've really been enjoying it.
I've also bought a LOT of new products (oops), so it's hard for me to pick from things I haven't had a chance to wear yet.
Oh and generally a lot of love for lipstick too. Fave.


MAC Faux

MAC Satin Lipstick in Faux

I've been wearing it quite a lot this month, it's my go to lipstick for interviews, a lovely pale pink - although it is quite sticky for a satin lipstick, my hair does get stuck in it!
But I've been loving it. I recently got Please Me as I wanted a light pink colour, when in fact, on me, Please Me is basically a bright pink. And all along Faux was there, the pink I'd been searching for.


Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara

Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara

I got this free in the post sometime last year, I don't remember entering a competition or a SoPost sample thing, so I have no idea where it came from, but I'm glad it turned up. I was a bit dubious at first, as it's quite a light mascara and as I have long lashes usually one swipe of mascara is too much, but this one didn't seem enough. But I actually like that, for once, I can build up a mascara.
So I usually pop it on at home in the morning and I can easily swipe it off with a face wipe if I decide to do my makeup properly once I get to work.
The only annoying thing is the end of the brush is quite rounded and I am forever stabbing the side of my nose and leaving black smudges.

Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara

Real Techniques Blush Brush

Real Techniques Blush Brush

 This brush. It's just. So soft, so fluffy, so amazing. I actually think I might be a little bit in love with it. I have two of them, one for blush and one for powder. Depending on the blush I do use a Real Techniques Buffing Brush (from the Core Collection) instead for a more concentrated look (which I always have to blend out as I put WAY too much on - love the blush).
I could own a hundred of these brushes.


Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Between The Sheets

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Between The Sheets

 What can I say? The perfect pink, matte finish and yet it's SO creamy.
I absolutely love this and I'm so glad I got it, well my husband bought it for me, but I picked it. I would definitely recommend picking it up, especially as they're currently running out of stock! (I think it might be out of stock now - sob. And wondering if I should have bought a spare.)

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Rvolution in Between The Sheets & K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Kiss Chase

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth & John Frieda Hair Products

TRESemmé 7 Day Keratin Smooth Shampoo

I just started using some OGX shampoo and conditioner, and whilst it smells lovely and I love the bottles (even if it is ridiculously hard to get the product out), I just don't think that they're great on my hair. It seems to be a bit more flyaway and drier, so I'm disappointed. Finally, getting to the point, for the last couple of months I have been using the John Frieda (one of the brunette ones) and TRESemmé Keratin Smooth shampoos and conditioners and I LOVE them. They smell nice, feel nice and make my hair lovely too.
Especially the TRESemmé hair mask, it is AH-mazing. I just picked up anther one as it was on offer at Superdrug.

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Hair Masque

That's it for another month! I should have 1000 favourites next month with all the stuff I've bought this month.


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I fell off the bandwagon. Big time.
I didn't even make it a week before breaking my No Spend.
I feel ashamed.

Last week I bought one Kindle book, but that was ok. I realised that I should have added to the rules that Kindle Daily Deals/99p books don't count for the No Spend.
I track a lot of Kindle books using eReader IQ and when they come on offer at 99p (or dramatically reduced) then I usually try to buy them so that I can stock up my library.

But on Monday I went on a walk at lunchtime, popped into TKMaxx to see whether they have the bag I want in stock. I had it in my mind that if they did, I would buy it. It is something I've been mulling over for a good few weeks and I decided to take the plunge out of worry that it might go out of stock.
They didn't have it in stock. So when I went back to work, I was straight on the website and I ordered the bag. I also ordered the same bag in another colour, that kills two birds with one stone - I got free p&p and now I can see the two colours in person before I decide which to keep.

Paul Costello Lily Bag in Light Pink and Pistachio

 I'm not sure whether I regret it now...in fact if I feel bad enough I may return both.
Although a nice small, crossbody bag is something I've been wanting for the best part of a year now, really useful for weddings, general out and about and it'll be great in Canada.
Although it is possible that I might get one whilst I'm in Canada...on the other hand, I might not.

And then Tuesday morning it carried on. I went onto the Charlotte Tilbury website to check something about the Magic Foundation (I had used a sample of it that morning) and immediately this came up.
There's nothing like telling me something that I want AND is Limited Edition is going out of stock.
I added the K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Kiss Chase Lipstick, which was on my March wishlist, to my basket without a second thought and proceeded to checkout.
I actually don't think I have any regrets here, bucket loads of guilt, but I want that lipstick.


It even gets worse. Following the lipstick incident of Tuesday I proceeded to go into Marks & Spencer at lunch and buy shoes. The navy and black heeled boots to be exact.

M&S Shoe Shopping I'm also still dreaming about those flats, but they just weren't that comfy

 Admittedly they were £59 down to £29, potentially interview appropriate and gorgeous. I'm never usually sure about blue and black together, but something drew me to these and then when I put them on...it was love. The heel is higher than I'd usually go for, but I feel so stable in them, it's crazy. They're also really quite comfortable (except a teeny bit of toe squeeze), maybe it's due to the Insolia thing they have going on, but the inside is like a tiny cushion. But I've only walked around the shoe section and my work bathroom in them...so I'm yet to test them for a longer amount of time yet.

Autograph Stain Away™ Suede Elastic Shoe Boots with Insolia® in Navy and Black

I'm also feeling like I want to have a but style overhaul and so these fit in with what I'm going for.


So there we have it. One week down, three major fails. And I feel more coming on.


I'm desperately dreaming of the Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote Bag from my Wishlist. Sigh.
And the Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour and Cream Contour Palettes. I feel like I need to give a cheapy one a try before Canada so I know whether to add one to that wishlist.

Maybe telling myself that I'm not allowed to spend is just making me want to more.


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