New Hair!

After the disaster of being trusted with bleach back in April and having my hair full out, I was on a "No styling or dying" ban which ended yesterday as I wanted needed my hair doing.

But like always, my hair has to be so difficult and do it's own thing when it comes to hair dye...

Before 

After

My friend who's studying NVQ Level 3 in Hairdressing has been doing my hair for the past two years or so as going to a hairdressers is so expensive. Despite leaving the hairdye on for the maximum amount of my time, my hair did not take to it as well as it should have done hence why it's still blonde. However, it's a more natural looking blonde with brown undertones. It's also been cut short as the length it was, was more dead than dead hair can be.

I really like this new hairstyle and I've received so many compliments from my family and Liam's family. 

I think from now on, I'm going to treat my hair with a little more respect.

Motives by Loren Ridinger

I would just like to quickly say a big sorry that I haven't blogged since Thursday - I've been busy working, finishing my NVQs in Plumbing & Retail Skills and just generally spending time with Liam.

Just over a week ago, I was contacted by the lovely Jeyda to see if I wanted to try out some Motives by Loren Ridinger products and having never heard of the brand before before, I dutifully accepted. I've waited until now to try everything out which I've been so excited to do ever since the package arrived on Wednesday.

After doing a quick google search on Motives by Loren Ridinger (MLR), I've realised two things. One, is that Loren Ridinger is best friends with Kim Kardashian. Two, why have I never heard of Motives before?!

Long story short, MLR was introduced by Market America (Internet marketing and product brokerage company that specializes in one-to-marketing to sell a variety of products across numerous markets) back in 1997, five years after the company was founded by LR and her husband, James Howard Ridinger in 1992. MLR was then re-introduced in 2009 and has since been a big success. It was released in the UK in March 2012.

Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 in Cream Beige*

This self-setting foundation and powder in one is infused with powerful anti-oxidants and minerals that protect and hydrate skin.

I have never come across both a foundation and a powder in one before until now. It comes out looking all creamy which is what I would expect a foundation to be like and I've found that it blends in really well. On closer inspection, I've noticed that this foundation contains the smallest amount of shimmer which is hardly noticeable - it's only if you stand upclose to a mirror and strain your eyes just to see it. I'm assuming that this shimmer is one of the many benefits of this foundation as doing a little google search, this foundation has been created using the newest technology with rich polymers and silicone that protect the skin as well as smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles or it could be its exclusive multi-mineral complex that helps protects the skin whilst complementing the complexion. It also contains vitamins A, C & E which gives your skin antioxidant protection whilst help conditioning the skin also. If only my Dad would listen to me that I'm getting my Vitamin C from my makeup.. Overall, this foundation is simply amazing - I have no downsides to it at all as it does everything and more that I would expect a foundation to it. 

Their foundation comes in eight different shades.

RRP £22.50

 Lip Shine in Debutante Pink*

With a lustrous finish, this blend of high quality botanical waxes and conditioners brings ultra shine and colour whilst hydrating and conditioning your lips.

I'm more of a lipstick kind of girl than a lipgloss person however the colour of this definitely did draw me in. It's a very delicate-y metallic light pink which is so eye-catching on the lips! It has this amazing shine to it which is a bonus. It contains antioxidants which helps gives your lips a more youthful appearance (I don't think my lips look that old!) The only downside I have about this product is that it feels sticky on my lips which I don't particularly like. 

Their Lip Shines comes in a variety of seven different shades.

RRP £13

 Khol Eyeliner in Onyx*

Make your eyes your best feature with our Motives Khol Eyeliner. The look can be as subtle or as dramatic as you like, and will stay defined and precisely lined all day. This great eyeliner will not pull the delicate skin around your eyes; it glides on smooth and has all day staying power.

I personally don't wear eyeliner anymore as I don't think it suits my eyelash extensions. However when I saw this, I asked my Dad what colour is Onyx and he said it's a browny black which I thought would be perfect for my eyes to wear on nights out.. Turns out Onyx is actually mainly black which I found out whilst swatching my hand. When most eyeliners claim to have all day staying power, nine times out of ten they're lying. However, this one honestly has amazing staying power! I rubbed it under running water with soap and a flannel and it would not budge! It eventually started to budge after rubbing for ages so I'm amazed at this staying power. I will definitely find a use for this.

Their Kohl Eyeliner comes in three different shades.

RRP £13

Pressed Eyeshadow in Bedroom Eyes*

Ultra smooth and luxurious, these eye shadows are crease-proof and deflect the light away from fine lines to help visibly reduce the signs of aging for a bright, polished look. The Motives Pressed Eyeshadows have impeccable colour retention that does not run are crease so you always look your best. They glide on ultra smooth with incredible hold, a flawless look, and a luxurious feel and finish. Take the guesswork out of looking gorgeous. The Motives Pressed Eye Shadow promises to give you the long-lasting, high-colour look you have always wanted.

Just like with the eyeliner, I don't really wear eyeshadow anymore unless it's for a special occasion. However, the name of this eyeshadow intrigued me.. Bedroom eyes. It sounds so simple yet so effective - it's like "If you want to have Bedroom Eyes, just simply apply this over your eyelids and et voila, eyes perfect for the bedroom". I would just like to say that I've accidently done a drop test (It just fell out of my hands and dropped not even 7cm) on this at it were and the eyeshadow didn't break, the pan just fell out. So I think in future, their eyeshadows should have a little more glue on it. The colour of this is amazing when swatched - it's the perfect mixture of both bronze and gold with tiny bits of shimmer throughout. It's beautiful, it really is. I have to agree with it being long lasting - despite it being swatched on my hand and using my hands a lot, it lasted a good couple of hours. So I expect that on eyes, it would last even longer.

Their Pressed Eyeshadows come in a whooping seventeen different shades.

RRP £13

Vitamin C Lip Treatment*

Enriched with Vitamin C antioxidant protection, emollients and hydrating ingredients, Motives Vitamin C Lip Treatment helps resist chapping to keep lips soft and spple. Apply in the morning, throughout the day or before bedtime. Wear alone or layer with your favourite lipstick.

I think I was most excited about this product to be quite honest and I don't really know why. Perhaps it's my love for lip balms really, except this a lip treatment. When I sniffed this product, I was expecting it to smell of oranges as vitamin C comes from oranges but to my dismay, it didn't smell like oranges at all - it doesn't have a scent at all which I'm gutted about. I love my lip balms to have either a strong or subtle scent and to have one that doesn't have a scent at all just doesn't appeal to me at all. Despite it not having a smell, the texture of it is so light and yet so creamy! It definitely feels nourishing on your lips! I can't help but compare this to Carmex as it feels so much lighter than Carmex which has quite a heavy feel to it on your lips.The only downside I have to this product is that the container should have been made just a fraction bit bigger perhaps to the size of a Body Shop Lip Butter or a Lush Lip Scrub as those two sizes are perfect for somebody like me who has longer nails. Despite the size issue, I cannot fault this product anymore and I will definitely be using it underneath my lipstick from now on as it works so well as a lipstick primer as it were.

RRP £14

Despite the expensive price tags, you can get money back if you buy Motives by Loren Ridinger cosmetics through this website which I think helps makes it that little bit cheaper.

Mini ELF Haul #3

It feels like all I'm blogging about now is my latest hauls but I promise that this is now going to change! As I'm now saving up for America - I need to save £250 to get $360 if the exchange rate was at $1.50 for every £1. When I think of it, I don't think $360 will be enough for my shopping list.. Eeeek!

Anyhow, I ordered from ELF on the 8th (which is on the same day of when I blogged about my previous ELF haul) as they had a promotion on - if you spent more than £10, you could either support Mineral or Studio and get a free mineral or studio eyeshadow in one of five different shades for both ranges as well as free shipping; which is pretty frigging generous! I decided to support Studio as I personally don't like getting powder everywhere. However, I didn't receive my order until today as they had a massive backlog of orders which is not surprising due to this rather generous promotion.

L-R

ELF Matte Lip Color in Nearly Nude

"This convenient jumbo sized lip pencil creates exact colour application. The pigment rich colour glides on effortlessly and provides long lasting matte colour. The enriched vitamin A, C & E formula moisturizes and hydrates lips for all day comfort."

This is lip colour #4 and I'm quite excited to start using this as I've been using Natural quite a lot recently so I'm wanting a change. I get on so well these as they're just like a lipstick except they're quite drying and are more like a crayon.

£3.50 (Will be changed to £3.75 I believe)

ELF Wet Gloss & Brow Clear Mascara

"Enriched protein conditioners combined with rapid-dry technology. Creates healthy looking lashes instantly. Glossy, wet look finish. Wear alone or over mascara."

I only bought this to use on my eyebrows primarily instead of for both my eyebrows and eyelashes. This is because I wear eyelash extensions and thus only wear mascara on my bottom lashes therefore I think it's a waste. However, on closer inspection - the brushes look the same as eachother so I'll use both for my eyebrows. I don't quite know what to expect of this as I think this was an impulse buy.

£1.50

    L-R

ELF All Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade

"Naturally illuminates for a healthy glow. Instantly soothes & conditions skin. Multi purpose formula."

After reading Becky's comment on my last haul about how she uses Pink Lemonade as a blusher, I thought I would try it - even more so after ELF's Cream Blush in Flirt let me down. She also say's that it's really subtle so I'm hoping she means for every day use but I'm sure I'll find out later on. Despite now owning four in total of these - I haven't actually tried them out yet so I'm determined to use one very soon.

£1.50

ELF Shimmering Facial Whip in Spotlight 

"Naturally illuminates for a dewy finish. Soothes and conditions skin. No sticky, greasy feel."

This was the one item that I've been waiting for ages to get into stock and they finally did get it in! This is apparently a really good highlighter and lasts quite a while so I'm looking forward to trying this out.

£1.50

ELF All Over Color Stick in Golden Peach

"Naturally illuminates for a healthy glow. Instantly soothes & conditions skin. Multi purpose formula."

Once again, Becky had said that she uses this and I thought what the heck, I might as well. 

£1.50

 

ELF Single Eyeshadow in Charcoal*

"Beautiful soft texture that melts into the skin for a vibrant color that lasts. Convenient and easy to apply, just layer the color to achieve the desired intensity. Apply wet or dry for a fabulous look that never creases or fades."

Despite this being a free gift, I'm a little disappointed to find that when I received it, the packaging was ripped. Perhaps all their single eyeshadows for both Studio & Mineral had rips in the packaging thus the reason why for the promotion to give it all away? I doubt I will use this as I don't wear eyeshadow often but I'll see what the colour is like swatched.

£3.75
 

UPDATE. I've left out the nail varnish that I had ordered by accident - I'll do a NOTD/NOTW in the next few days with it on as it's such a nice colour. It's in the shade Passion Pink if you're wondering.

I think when I go over to America, I might buy some of their range which you can't get over here maybe. Until then, no more ELF orders or any kind of shopping for that matter :(

Have you tried any of the above?

All ready for work.. FOTD

I've got a few minutes spare before I have to leave for work so I thought I would do a FOTD which is a first for me.

 Products used:

w7 Prime Magic Face Primer

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Medium 3

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Foundation (I don't know what shade!)

Collection 2000 Shimmer & Shade in 3 Just Peachy!

w7 Africa Bronzing Powder

17 Wild Curls in Wildest Black

Carmex Original

ELF Matte Lip Colour in Natural

Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Apple Blossom

OraLabs Essential Extra Moisture Almond Swirl Lip Balm

ELF Makeup Mist & Set  

This is pretty much becomming my every day look as I don't particularly like changing my style of makeup as I like sticking to what I like best which I'm sure is the same for most people. When it quits raining and gets sunnier and hot again, I'll start using less products.