miss budget beauty: uk beauty, lifestyle and fashion blogger: Page 4

NYC Foil Explosion – Power of Elements

You may remember my declaration of love for the Essie foils last year, they were one coat, fast dry and just awesome. well not only are these NYC versions just as good, they’re only £1.99!! There are 5 colours available and I will try to get a but swatch post up of the rest soon but I couldn’t wait a moment longer to blog about this new product – these photos were actually taken in my phone, I didn’t even have time for cameras and memory cards!

The only downside with foils (same with the Essie) is that chip quickly, even with my Seche Vite top coat I saw wear overnight and chips the next day but the formula makes reapplication so quick and easy that its no huge chore. My one issue with this particular colour is that I’m just not sure whether it borders a little too closely on an 80s frosty pink.. In some lights it’s purple and others.. Mmm. Other than that I’m loving this and can’t wait to try the others!

Available from Superdrug stores nationwide

Miss BB

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The Shirt Dress / FOTD

At the weekend I shared my first proper outfit post in a while and by the bonus day off that was Bank Holiday Monday I was on a roll.. here’s what I wore.

Dress: Primark, Necklace: Primark, Pumps: H&M, Bracelet: Thomas Sabo, Watch: Michael Kors

I’m hoping the weather will hold up so that my OOTDs can be a little more frequent over the coming months but for the beauty-only bunch, here’s a list of what I’m wearing makeup-wise

MUA Undress Your Skin Foundation, Revlon Nearly Naked Powder, Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel, MAC Blush in Peaches, L’Oreal Volume Million Excess Mascara, Revlon Lip Butter in Sorbet

Miss BB

China Glaze – Sunday Funday

I’m a couple of days late with this post really aren’t I?

A week or so ago I took an impromptu trip to Sallys Beauty Supply on my lunch hour as my friend wanted some hair extensions for the weekend so I of course found myself killing time by the nail polish and hair colours.. as you do. I picked up some crazy colour and was pondering some of the new China Glaze colours from the recent Avant Garden collection when I spotted this bright almost aqua blue. It’s so not me, I would never usually love a blue to begin with but especially something so very cool toned (not such a crazy description of a blue as it may sound) and in your face. It’s the kind of colour that will look ah-mazing with a tan but it’s not unflattering on my pale skin which is what puts me off the cooler side of the spectrum.. it’s just lovely. Coverage wise it was opaque in 2 coats and the brush/application is very nice. Irritatingly I was using my old top coat which bubbled when applied too thickly so the finish here is not indicative of China Glaze at all. I haven’t tried much from this brand as it’s not readily available in stores but I may look online for more as I am really happy with this and look how gorgeous this colour is.. I need it right?

Available online here for £6.99

Miss BB

Organic Surge – Fresh Ocean Body Lotion

Here in the North of England it is beautiful today so it seemed fitting to blog about a product I’ve been loving and is so heat-appropriate! I actually mentioned this is my April Favourites and couldn’t believe I hadn’t already written it up so lets right that wrong. I’ve tried a lot of products from Organic Surge as they’re lovely enough to send me their new releases but this is one of the best. If you’ve been reading my blog or watching my videos for a while you will know that one of (if not the number one) my favourite night creams is the OS Blissful Daily Moisturiser as it absorbs quickly but hydrates and refreshed, well this is basically the all over skin equivalent.

The skin on my face is combination/oily but my body is dry as the Sahara and much as I love a thick body butter when I have the time to lounge around wearing very little as it sinks in this is great for when I don’t. It’s also idea for the warmer months when any lotion can make you feel sticky as it’s gone in a few minutes and you can get in to bed or get dressed without fear of smearing your body lotion everywhere. As with all products from the brand it is scented with essential oils, in this case Lemon, Rosemary & Lime, very summery and fresh. Best of all? It’s all natural and animal friendly.. no nasty chemicals but it still does the job and at £5.99 for 250ml it’s a good price point too.

I’m not huge on Organic usually as I find that a lot of the time I like what those nasties do to my hair or skin but I’m yet to find a dud product from Organic Surge and although I’m not about to bin anything with parabens and sulphates etc etc if it does the same thing why not switch to something that does a little more good? Now if only they made make up…

Available online here

Miss BB

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Cinco De Mayo

I have a question for you fashion bloggers who read this.. what do you do with your face? When I take photos like this it’s what I struggle with most.. that and trying to avoid the generic looking down poses and inevitably choosing those as my favourites.. much harder than photographing a lipstick that’s for sure. I often wish I could be my own photographer, much as my husband is great I would be more critical and could direct myself where as he points and clicks and hopes for the best. I love this dress, it’s new to me from Primark (bought it yesterday so it should still be in stores) but I’m not sure whether I should have gone a size down. It’s baggy and I expected it to be but I kind of assumed it was designed that way.. a little smocky if you will but I think it’s more like a skater style in reality and now makes me look larger than I am.. thoughts? I love the idea of smock dresses.. super duper comfy and easy to wear but do they just end up looking like you’re wearing a moo moo because nothing else will fit you? I could never be a fashion blogger.. I never totally embrace these trends until they’re over. My shoes are also from Primark but they were A/W’12 and my necklace is Topshop, I love it and they are constantly redesigning it with different metals and fabrics so if you can’t get this one you’ll definitely find something similar in stock right now. Ella wouldn’t pose for a nice summery photo so this is the best I could get.. an action shot of her fleeing from the puppy on here didi car. While shopping this morning I spied this “new” (is it new, I don’t know – I’d never seen it before) Budweiser, it’s lightly carbonated a little sweeter than usual. I wasn’t sure I’d like it, I thought it would be flat and sugary but it’s really nice, as it suggests it is smoother and so it’s gone before a regular Bud would be flat and warm and you don’t feel as bloated afterwards. Random beer review there and for those wondering I was absolutely not paid by Budweiser.. however if they’d like to send me a crate of this Brew No.66 I wouldn’t say no *wink*

It wasn’t quite as lovely light when I took my original outfit shots this morning but I couldn’t not take advantage of the late afternoon light while we were in the garden.. I thought I would share this earlier photo though, what do you think of the jacket? I love it and hate it.. it’s a bit bulky and boxy – I also wore it in this outfit post – but it’s what I bought for Spring so I may do a styling post soon and wear it different way.. see how you guys feel.. I’m sure some of you will have some great tips so leave me a comment if you do!

I’m sure lots of you will have plans this evening.. lucky things.. but I will be making dinner, putting the children to bed (well.. my husband does that) and watching a movie in preperation for an entirely relaxing bank holiday Monday. Not really, we have lots of gardening to do *sigh* but my hairdresser friend is coming to do my highlights (I’m going blonder) so that’s fun. Have fun and I’ll see you tomorrow!

Miss BB

e.l.f Matte Lip Colour

The shade I have in this is Tea Rose and straight off.. it’s a touch more lilac than I thought it would be, the name rose suggests warmth and I’m not seeing that so much but regardless I love it! I know it’s the ultimate blogging cliche but it absolutely is that ‘my lips but better’ shade and the matte finish just gives that extra polished look, don’t you think? I am really enjoying the new trend for lip products in pencil form, they’re so easy to apply, it’s like colouring in your lips and the twist up mechanism is so much easier than sharpening. The formula itself is soft enough that it’s nice to apply but not so creamy it collapses in the tube.. important when we’re talking about a finer point rather than a traditional bullet. It’s matte in finish but not at all drying and matte generally means kiss proof and longer wearing lips which I think we all appreciate. Lastly the packaging.. I love e.l.f’s Studio line for there simple black look, it looks so much more expensive than it is and pulling this out of my handbag for touch ups you could be forgiven for thinking it was from a beauty hall brand.

Currently available online in the Spring Sale for just £2.50 here

Miss BB

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