Mini Illamasqua blog sale

Hi all.
I've started to clear out my makeup kit to make space for new things and also because I have a clear through once a month or so.

I have some Illamasqua goodies that have never been used so I figure I'd see if anyone fancies giving them a home before I ebay them.

2 x blush/bronzer in shade "create". £10 each

2 x powder shadows in shade "never". Beautiful navy colour £8 each

2 x intense lip gloss in shade "liason" £9 each

1 x lipstick in shade "blaize" a gorgeous matte coral colour.  £9

Leave a comment below if you would like anything.

Much love
UG
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Garnier BB Cream

Hello lovelies.

I hadn't intended on posting today as I'm just recently out of hospital and in recovery/lazy mode.

However,  Mr Postie has just been and he popped through a random sample of Garnier BB Cream in light.

Thanks Mr Postie!

So feeling a little yuk and in need of a pick me up off I trot to a mirror and slap the stuff on.

I've never been one to jump on the BB/CC cream bandwagon.  In my opinion its just another way of selling tinted moisturiser.
Its not necessarily new nor is it groundbreaking.  Brands have had tinted moisturising products out there for aaaages. But hey ho..... here I am, late to the party and wot not. (Or in the words of Real Housewives of Atlanta... "tardy for the pardee")

I have to say, at the time of writing this, I've actually washed the product off.
*** hence no picture***
It was very uncomfortable on my skin in the sense that it felt really greasy.

Considering I had the shade "light" it actually made me look like I had a slight tan so god knows what the medium or dark versions are like!
My skin looked shiny and almost sticky...not the look anyone is going for I'm sure.

I don't like this product and I'm pleased it was a sample freebie instead of a purchase.
Supposedly Garnier have launched one for oily skins so I wonder if that would work better for my combo skin?  I dont wonder enough to purchase it mind you.

Are you a BB or CC cream fan? Is there one out there you love?

Much love
UG
x

36 day spending ban....

Sooooooo I am now officially on count down for my trip to the USA.
For those of you that don't know, my other half is living in the states for a year and on May 7th I fly out to see him for a week.
Its only my 2nd time in the states, first was a trip to see him in November last year.

Not long to go until he's home for good though, only 4 more months! Yay!

Anyway. ... he surprised me with a mini trip to New York while I'm there as an early 30th birthday present  (30 in October.....eek!)  Its been on my "want to visit" list for years, so I'm very excited that I get to go.

In preparation for my New York trip, I have decided that I am going on a spending ban between now and then.
I want to take around $1000 with me because I have a long shopping list, so its a case of save, save, save!! Plus, as he's paid for the trip I'd like to treat him to a few things.
We have 3 days when I arrive in Minnesota then we fly to NYC for 3 days then back to MN for my final 2 days.

Its lucky I work as a Branch Manager for a foreign exchange company as my day to day because I get a better rate on my currency....... phew!

The spending ban is quite a mini one compared to some I've seen, but it all helps right?

So,  I am only allowed to spend on the following:
Travel to and from work
Cat food
Phone bill
Essential household bills
Essential toiletries that I may run out of, toothpaste,  deodorant etc...
Regular groceries *no treats*

I vow to stick to this for the next 36 days until I leave......... wish me luck!

P.s do you have any suggestions for things to buy, places to go etc? ?

Much love
UG
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Nails of the day and OPI GERMANY Collection review

Just had to share this gorgeous nail colour from the OPI Germany Collection.

This is a lovely nude/bone colour called "don't pretzel my buttons".

The Germany Collection looks beautiful and I really want to get my hands on some of the other colours;  particularly "every month is Octoberfest" a beautiful rich jewel plum colour, "Berlin there done that" a taupe/mushroom shade, "schnapps out of it" a really vibrant coral tone and "Germanicure" which is a deep wine colour.

I got this one to start me off and paid only £7.95 including postage from www.nailpolishdirect.co.uk
Which is a MASSIVE bargain considering OPI retails at £11.50 ish a bottle.

They didn't have all the colours I wanted hence the one purchase,  but I'll definitely keep checking back and if not I'll get them in May when I head to the USA.

OPI oddly is a polish I haven't used before. I think I've had it put on when I've hady nails done but never actually owned a bottle myself. .. (really can't work out why)

The polish goes on so well, really smooth and this is a bold colour pay off with only 2 thin coats.
I've never really done the nude nail,  I've always gone for very bold, bright colours but I love this!

I'm so impressed and can't wait to get my hands on more of the collection. As and when I do,  I'll post on them.

UG
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Nivea Lip Butter - Review

I've been having real lip issues lately. They've been dry and flakey and really irritating for the last week or so and I've been practically eating my way through my Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream!

I was doing my usual potter around Boots,  not really looking for anything in particular while waiting for a prescription and I came across this Nivea Lip Butter.

I've not seen them before and the idea of a butter on my lips didn't really appeal because I thought it would be too heavy and goopy but I was pleasantly surprised.

They only had "original" which smells exactly like the Nivea face cream my grandma used to use and the "vanilla and macadamia" which is the one I purchased.

It has a really thick but creamy texture and  although it takes a little time to sink in, it does a great job of moisturising the lips and softening any dry bits.

You do really have to rub it in because the texture is an odd one and it can leave your lips looking like they're just covered in a random cream.
It does have any glossy properties so it's a "does what it says on the tin" product,  quite literally!

I paid around £1.35 I think for a 19ml tin, but a little goes a long way and its super handy to have in your handbag or  pocket.

My lips have really improved so its doing its jobs. Obviously a little more pricey than a regular chap stick, but I think its worth the extra pennies and my lips are happy!

UG
xx

Skin sins!!!

Hello again!

I've been wanting to do a post about skin sins for a while but as I usually am quite OCD with skincare I haven't been in a position to write it......until this very moment that is.

My skincare routine is pretty good. My current routine is. ... cleanse (Philosophy Purity Cleanser), tone (Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic), moisturise (Philosophy Hope in a Jar),  and exfoliate (Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant).
I also include various facial oils (Clarins Lotus Oil or Decleor Iris Oil) when I need them as well as drinking lots if water.
The only thing I need to include regularly is a good eye cream. **if you have recommendations let me know**

I rarely commit *crimes against skin* because now I'm approaching 30, I feel like I need to really look after my skin.

Then......tonight, it happened.  The ultimate skin skin (or one of).
I took my makeup off with. ......... BABY WIPES!!!

Let me explain. ... its 11.30 pm ish and I've just returned from a trip to A&E.
I really just wanted my bed,  which is where I am as I write this.
In the bathroom,  merrily brushing teeth, I spied the baby wipes.

"Dont do it!!" Screamed my face.....too late,  there I went, rubbing away.

Not only did they do a rubbish job, my face now feels tingly in the not-so-good way and its dry as sand.

Why?? Why did I do it???
Sheer laziness,  yes. But really,  its no excuse.

Lesson learned!  No matter how late,  how sick and how lazy I feel....do not reach for the wipes!!!
Its got me thinking though, we all must have these monents no matter how dedicated we are to our routine, no?

So, what skin sins do you commit and why?

Much love
UG
xx

Vitiligo and it's patchy self....

Not sure if I've mentioned before that I have a skin condition called vitiligo? Pictures for reference are included.

Its basically an immune disorder where the body essentially attacks its own pigment and you end up with pure white patches all over.
They start out really small and eventually they all meet up to make one huge big patch.

My mum has the same condition and hers started when she was around my age (29) too.

We've been told its linked to the fact that we have under active thyroid glands and given that this is a life long thing, there's pretty much nothing we can do but wait to become one big white patch. Oh the joy!

My mum has huge big patches which have joined up over the years but luckily she had never had any on her face.  Unlike me....

It started out as small patches on my hands and under my arms....these have and are still getting bigger.
Then came my very own connect the dots on my upper thighs. ..then my hands and now, either side of my chin.
I have bilateral symmetrical vitiligo, so I look like one of those paint splodge pictures!

Now obviously I can cover up with makeup on my face,  but gradually I wonder how big these patches will get?

I'm kind of getting used to it, but I'll admit,  I really really dont want the patches on my face to get bigger.

Is that vanity? Maybe.... I do feel conscious of it. Hopefully one day there will be something to help it disappear.

Until then, patchy as ever.....
UG
xx