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

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
x

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

Unimpressed with Bare Minerals.....

This week, after months and months of deliberation and seeking advice from fans of the products, watching countless QVC UK shows and visiting several Bare Minerals counters in several different stores (including a Bare Minerals Boutique in the USA), I finally took the plunge and coughed up £49 whole English pounds on a starter kit. I had originally wanted the "try me, love me" kit, a dinky little £20 kit with just enough to see if you like it before having to jump in feet first with a £50 purchase......however it appears you can only get this in the USA from Sephora.
You might want to rethink this Bare Minerals!

Keen to see if the hype surrounding the "swirl, tap, buff" phenomenon, I eagerly tore in to my newly purchased addition to my ever increasing make up collection.

I have to say I was utterly disappointed.
Although the pots are convenient with a "click, lock, go" system to avoid spillages etc that's pretty much the only thing going for these products in my opinion.

I bought the "medium" kit, which includes a 2g pot each of original formula foundation in medium and medium beige, a mineral veil finishing powder and a powder called "warmth" which is waaaay too dark for anyone unless you're going for the oompa loompa look this season and a mini prime time face primer.
It also came with a full flawless face brush, a flawless face brush and a concealer brush plus the most long winded "how to" dvd ever.

I do think the brushes are good quality, however I did hear that this kit used to come with a kabuki brush,  which I think would be much better than the 2 face brushes (full flawless and flawless) which are essentially the same brush but one is fuller as the name suggests.

Basically,  and this is only my humble opinion, it just doesn't work.

The brushes dont seem to pick up enough product,  the product itself doesn't seem to stay on the skin, it dries out skin, takes about an hour to actually have any effect and lets face it,  who wants to wait an hour before going out after doing make up? ?
The primer I felt was too greasy and made my skin feel tacky.

I attempted use of this over three days and by the third day my usually clear ish skin was irritated, itchy and clogged atound the nose and chin.

In all, I really think this was a waste of £49 and there's no way I'll be converted.
There are plenty of BM fans out there,  friends of mine included. If it works for you, then great but this certainly won't be on my re-purchase list.

Bare Minerals UK tweeted me and said I "wouldn't be disappointed". Well, I am.
Massively so.

Back to liquid I go......

UG
xx
Apologies for badly lit pics!