December Birchbox

And a little catch up.

After This Post about my big news I planned to get myself organised and prepare for the start of my new job in January.

However for reasons that I won't go into I got an early morning phone call on Thursday asking if I would mind starting "today"?

Hence the lack of blog posts .I have been a little preoccupied.

My need to be organised has well and truly be challenged in so many ways this year, but I am getting there slowly. 

So onto all things beauty.

December Birchbox

I do like it that Birchbox includes brands that I haven't tried before . I have found that items are now creeping their way into my daily routine. When the samples are gone I am missing them so re order the full size if they are amazing. The Ritesens creme cleanser was just lovely and I have now reordered it. It suits my skin at this time of year and lasts for ages. I was intrigued to see another similar milk cleanser in the box this month so will be trying that out with a view to adding that in. I find my skin gets accustomed to cleansers so I like to have a few on rotation. 

• Number 4 Non areosol hairspray - a great handbag size
• Nail Rock Nail velvet - I tried this out straight away - I didn't do a great job as it was late, but it gives a lovely velvet effect. See the ring finger!!

• Twistband - I am hooked on these - they don't bend or damage your hair.
• Naobay Milk cleanser - lovely for dry skin
• Alima Pure shimmer eye shadow - this looks pretty.
• Aromatherapy Associated Bath and shower Gel - Smells divine

I am always happy with my little samples. It is a treat each month. I suspect it is not for everyone, but now I am working full time and don't seem to have a moment to spare  I shall enjoy my box even more.

Any tips from you working mums on time management gratefully received at this point in time!!

Liz Earle Make Up

 Wednesday Beauty Buys

I have  had these two products for a little while now - Signature Eye Colour in Conker and Natural Glow Bronzer.

I have come to the Liz Earle love affair a little late . At first I must admit to not getting the attraction, but I now find I am regularly using the Hot Cloth Face Cleanser , the Shampoo and Conditioner and loving them.

I had been on the hunt for a nicely pigmented dark brown eye shadow for ages and this seemed to fit the bill so decided to give it a go. As my bronzer had also run out this Natural Glow Bronzer got added to the basket as well.

The eye shadow is really pigmented and dark. The colour is beautiful, I mean stunning. My only criticism and this is my own failing, is I struggle a little with the application . You need to blend well and knock off any excess powder as it will drop onto your face if you aren't careful. I know this is easily dealt with, but when you are rushing in the morning a nice compacted powder that leaves no trace is always preferable. However, I would definitely add another colour to my collection for the pigmentation alone. Staying power is great too, although I did have a primer on underneath.

The bronzer is just perfect for me. Light and delicate colour, not orange at all. I have a very pale skin and I like a bronzer that just lifts that a little. This seems perfect and applies consistently and well. Worth the money and will last the distance.

So in summary - both great little products. Certainly a range worth exploring if you haven't already, but I still haven't found anything to compare to Mac products for pigmentation, ease of application and staying power......yet!

Don't forget to also look out this week for the magazines - some great products to tempt us again. Oh dear. Percy Reed with Glamour mag, Elemis with Cosmo and Neals Yard Hand Cream with Marie Claire. Check out this site to keep updated with these deals in the UK.

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Bourjois Colour Pots

Wednesday Beauty Buys - little shots of colour!

I have been looking for some alternatives to my Mac individual colour pots which I adore, but are a little pricey. I have tried some other high street alternatives and although products such as Stila give good colour , I do find it hard when they poof off the brush all over my face when applying. I try all the tricks of the trade, but at the end of the day I want a quick application with a colour that doesn't go everywhere. The Mac products are perfect for this of course!

However, I do think I may have found two of the three colours I am looking for in these Bourjois products. The 08 to replace Mac's Ploof and Brun Moka 09 to replace my various darker browns I haven't been happy with! Mac have some gorgeous deep brown colours if you do have £12 to spend on a little pot of heaven, but as I am trying to rein things in I shall have to rely on Santa for that one. 

These don't leak everywhere and are gorgeous shots of colour. I would say you need a primer to be applied beforehand to get the richness of the colours, but they apply beautifully and do stay in place then all day. The brown I am particularly pleased with. It is a deeply intense brown and perfect for adding a bit of depth on the eyelids. If you apply with a damp brush it adds even more intensity. I got these from Boots a little while back on a 3 for 2 offer. I do believe they have a buy one, get one half price offer on at the moment at Boots and a 3 for 2 on at SuperDrug! They cost between £6.49 and £6.99 each, full price. Half the price of Mac and a larger product. They are also Paraben free. 

 I just need to find a colour that is similar to Honesty in the Mac range as this is the one I use most and can't find a cheaper alternative. Any suggestions? My criteria is , it must be a single pot (just a weird preference) and mustn't poof everywhere on application. All you beauty lovers must have a solution for me!!

What are your favourite eye shadows at this time of year?

P.S The result of yesterdays loft sort out - good job no one was standing at the bottom! 

Wednesday Beauty Buys

Stila

Stlla Eye Shadow and Shimmer Duo

I had a good child free browse around the Benefit and Stila counter in our local Boots last week. I was looking for a darker brown than the phloof Mac shadow and wanted to take the opportunity to try something different. I don't know whether this is me showing the signs of middle age setting in, but on this occasion, I found the packaging and Benefit display utterly confusing. Nothing is particularly clearly labelled and for most products an explanation is needed as to what it is for.I think once you are really familiar with all of the products it becomes easy, but the reality is not many of us are. It seems to me that some of the labelling and packaging for Benefit has gone down the gimicky route for the sake of it and I think it detracts from the fantastic quality of the products.

 Now, I love a bit of fun in products - I like the way Soap and Glory label and package some of their product, but I also like to know what I am looking at. It took me forever to find an eye shadow and then the products were in a pot that was difficult to rummage in and I couldn't find what I was looking for. Usually the Benefit lady is hovering ready to impart advice and makeovers, but today was no where to be seen, so I headed off to the smaller Stila display. This was clear, simply set out and I found what I was looking for straight away. I was a bit gutted that I had missed the £1 offer at pound land on some Stila products, but maybe that will teach me to be quicker off the mark!

Firstly a lovely eye shadow in a lovely brown with a gold sheen in it called 'Golightly'. Very pretty and has a lovely depth of colour especially when used with a primer, but also is a great colour alone. I am very pleased with it's ability to stay put too. A little cheaper than the Mac products at £13.

I also picked up an all over Shimmer Duo called 'Kitten'. I have used this on it's own or as a highlighter with my blusher. It isn't as apparent on your skin as the 'Watts Up' highlighter from Benefit which I have and love, but is more of a subtle shimmer for daytime use. I mix the colours and use this mostly on it's own as it gives just a lovely peachy glimmer which is ideal on my fair skin. I think for darker skin tones you may want to use it as a highlighter with your usual blush. A really versatile little product and I paid for this with my points at Boots so an extra little gift. Price £18.

You can buy the Stila eye Shadow here for £12 and free shipping, and the Kitten Shimmer Duo here for £15 and free shipping. The same site.  This is cheaper than the Boots prices.

One of my favourite Stila products are their smudge sticks - very easy to get addicted to these and to want one in every colourway!

Wednesday Beauty Buys

Estee Lauder Double Wear ( Stay in Place) Shadow Creme

I was chatting to a friend, who is also a mum of 3 and we were saying how hard it is sometimes to find those moments for yourself, especially when getting ready in the morning! The school run can be such a testing time and yet it is worth carving out a few minutes to put on some make up and do your hair. I find it makes all the difference to me to leave the house presentable - not for anyone else! With this in mind I had been looking for some eye shadow that would last longer during the day and not crease during the warmer months ( if they ever really arrive) and was tempted by a pot of this Estee Lauder Double Wear Shadow Creme in Ivory Lace . 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Eye Shadows

It gives a lovely pale shimmer effect which you can use on your brows, or add a touch to cheekbones to reflect a bit of light . I found it to be the best eye shadow I have had for staying in place and still looking like it should after a day on the run! I was so pleased with it I have since gone back and purchased two other colours: 

Mochachino - a lovely coffee coloured matt shadow and Golden Sands - a shimmer shadow in a soft gold colour - my favourite of the three. 

Golden Sands, Ivory Lace, Mochachino

You can see by the pictures I use them regularily . They were my holiday make up bag staple this year! I tend to mix two at a time to give variety and use the Ivory lace to highlight. I also use the Double wear eye pencil, which is equally as effective and does not leave me with panda eyes by the end of the day - result! I know they are a little on the pricey side, but if you buy from a department store such as Boots or Debenhams there is usually some deal on where you end up with a load of free samples or goodies - and we all love those to try out! 

Even after a whole day painting my daughters bedroom - the eye shadow was untouched. Photos of the finished bedroom coming - just putting the final touches to the room tomorrow - it's looking good! x