Give and Make Up

I thought now would be the perfect time to post about Give and Make Up. We've probably all received lovely gift sets for Christmas (or another holiday you celebrate) and inevitably, one or two of those things included might be products we're not as excited about. What happens? They get put at the back of our drawers, cupboards and baskets. How about placing these into a box and sending them off to women and children who need them?

Give and Make Up works with Refuge to provide toiletries and makeup to women who have fled domestic abuse. Although Refuge have these items listed on a checklist, your shampoo, conditioner and body lotion are hardly the first things you're going to put in your bag over your passport and birth certificate so quite often these basic items are left behind.



As an example, here are my two boxes. It's full of a few basics; some shower gel, body lotion, baby wipes and a kid's toothbrush plus some makeup items that have been used once or twice. We've all got those few products that didn't quite work for us, but they could be extremely useful and uplifting for some of these women and indeed products like hair dye can help them disguise themselves to keep them safe. They'll help them to create a sense of identity again and bring a sense of normality back to their lives. It may seem trivial to some, but try start your day with just plain water to shower with, just your fingers to brush your hair with and NO MASCARA!

Grab a box, have a sift through your makeup collections and bathroom cupboards and you'll be surprised with how quickly you can fill it up. Below is a list of items desperately needed.

Everyday Essentials
shampoo
conditioner
bath/shower gel
deodorant
toothbrushes
toothpaste
body lotion
feminine hygiene products
shaving products
at-home hair dye colouring kits

Skincare
cleanser
toner
moisturiser

MakeUp
foundation
concealer
powder
blusher
eyeshadow
eyeliner
mascara

Tools
makeup brushes
makeup bags
hairdryers
curling tongs
straighteners

Baby Products
all of them!

*please note - we can only accept new items of anything with an applicator wand e.g. mascara/lip gloss/concealer

GWP (Gift with purchase) sizes are fine, as are samples.

Anything that has been lightly used is also fine - if you would happily give it to a friend - we'll take it!

If you think you can help out, head over to www.giveandmakeup.com where you can find all the information you need regarding drop off points, postage addresses and contact details for the lovely Caroline.

Thanks so much for reading. I hope you've all had a wonderful holiday season and wish you the warmest, most fantastic New Year!

Chrissy xx

Review: Toni & Guy Dark Brunette Shampoo + Conditioner

I've had red tinted brown hair for years. No matter how many times I try to get it back to my natural colour (medium, almost light brown) it never goes ashy enough. This is a result of dying my hair an obnoxiously bright red in my mid-teens. I gave up on getting it to a true brown again so I ended up dying my hair red-brown for the remainder of my teens and into the first couple years of my 20's (with a few colour experiments thrown in). Last year, I decided I was going to get my natural hair colour back. I set out on a mission to first bring the muted, ashy tone back then to return it to the correct shade. Nothing worked. Dyes soon faded, colour stripping only helped minimally and nothing short of chopping 3/4 of my hair off would've worked. On a whim, I bought Toni & Guy Dark Brunette Shampoo & Conditioner. At 5.69 each, they're not a bargain but certainly not as wallet crippling as others on the market.



Packaging: Chic, pretty, modern...but utterly impractical for the shower. There's a cap, then there's a pop open dispenser which needs lots of squeezing and shaking to get any product out after a couple of uses. I don't have enough hands or time to be fiddling around with the packaging. I've resorted to completely removing the dispenser and dealing with possible wastage.

The shampoo can be compared to a shimmery tanning product in appearance and the conditioner looks like chocolate mousse. When you rinse your hair clean, the water turns a yellowy brown so just warn anyone you might be showering with...you know?

First wash, I liked the products. My hair was smooth and I did notice it was a little darker and less "red". I'm not a fan of the smell of any Toni & Guy products but it's not overly offensive. Second wash, my hair started to feel weighed down and coated in an almost sticky substance. I put it down to perhaps my hair just getting used to the new products but later realised it was the product itself...and I didn't like it. After getting used to Pantene Aqua Light, this actually made me it feel like my scalp was being tugged on! Both products contain olive oil and are incredibly hydrating but I don't think I love the results enough to deal with the weight of my hair and that odd, almost waxy coating. It's thick enough as it is. I'll continue to use both products until they're gone but won't be repurchasing.

Like the look of the results, but not the feel - certainly not for the price.

Have any of you tried any Toni & Guy products? What are your thoughts?

Collective Haul: December

I've finally finished all my Christmas shopping including last minute (last minute to me means a week before Christmas) stocking fillers and bits and pieces for myself.

Here's what I bought this month:

An order from e.l.f -



Bamboo Powder Brush
Bamboo Angled Blush Brush
Studio Stipple Brush
Blending Eye Brush
Eye Crease Brush



I also received a free 100 piece eyeshadow palette. I haven't yet had a chance to properly use them but I've swatched a few and some are better than others. The matte shades are crap, the satins are nice but very powdery and the glitters are crap colour payoff wise but nice glitter payoff wise! Still hunting...where's that perfect glitter shadow at?

I ordered the eyeshadow brush a while back but only recently noticed that it is exactly the same as the Models Own one. As are the two crease brushes from each brand.





My Sleek order which took exactly 5 weeks to arrive (I know...it's a joke)-





Good Girl Palette - which I know I said I wasn't going to get but it was 50% off...so...there...
Chaos Palette
Kajal Eyeliner in Odyssey
Pout Polish in Perfect Plum
5 Piece Brush Set

Accessories -



These lovely babies from the lanes in Brighton. Snapped up for 7.99! They have a fleecy lining so will be plenty warm.



A beautiful necklace from a dear friend from uni. She works for a jewellery company who produces pieces for French Connection, Oasis and a few House of Fraser brands and this was a necklace produced but never sold so is a one of a kind piece. I'm in love with it! She has the best knowledge of what I like and exquisite taste.





Fiorelli diamond shaped teardrop earrings. I got these from work and they look amazing on! All lines from our store come in clips as that's what we specialise in so if anyone reading has non pierced ears - drop me a line! We carry lots of fashion lines as well as more classic pieces which will last a lifetime. Most lines also come in pierced.

Space NK -





NARS Sweet Disposition mini multiples set. I've lusted after this for a while now so I'm glad I picked it up when I went in to redeem my free Eve Lom lipbalm.

I've also ordered a few Paul & Joe, Illamasqua, Pixi and POP bits and pieces from ASOS but I have a feeling they'll arrive after Christmas. Just my luck! At least there weren't any presents in there. Not for anyone but me anyways...

Any review requests, just send them my way. I need some ideas for content and it's great having your input as I like to write what you want to read! Except for when I don't really give a sh*t...and write total rubbish.

Only 6 days until Christmas! What are your plans for the holidays?

From my family to yours...Happy Holidays!

We really are this amazing.

Apologies...

Lack of posts is down to me spending 12-14 hours a day at work or getting to/from work! Boy and I are saving up to move so I'm taking on all I can get at the moment, meaning the blog is suffering big time. I'm getting round to posting a few reviews including my first impressions of Mario Badescu skincare and a tutorial for a silver smoky eye. I feel a little funny about tutorials since I don't feel like I have much to offer in the way of "teaching" but I've had a few requests for them and think they might be fun to do all the same.

Forgive me! There is a reason behind my disappearance, I'm not just being lazy.

How is everyone? Enjoying the run up to Christmas?

Be well xx

Sleek Sparkle Palette Winner

Drawn at random...

Is MakeYuUp! Congrats hun!

Please email me with your details and I'll have your palette posted out to you as soon as possible.

Thanks all who entered :)

FOTD: Spidery Lashes, Cherry Cheeks

I've been really ill for the last few days. A combination of an ear infection and the flu. Today, I feel better and since I haven't worn makeup for the last 2 days, decided to break out the Shu Uemura gel blush I won in a giveaway held by the whimsical, beautiful woman behind Worship at the House of Blues. Quite possibly one of my favourite bloggers; I am always inspired when I read her posts not only because they always feature beautiful photography but because they are exquisitely and romantically written. And I like that.



Eyes: Wet n Wild black gel liner all over the lid, sightly winged out, Diorshow Waterproof mascara - lashings of it. No joke, 10+ coats, applied messily (dotted, dragged etc.) & GOSH liner in Bananas along the waterline.
Face: Revlon ColorStay foundation, Shu Uemura Blush Tint in Miracle Cherry.
Lips: MAC Studio Finish Concealer.

Yes, that is a nightie.

24 Hour Giveaway: Sleek Sparkle Palette [CLOSED]

Rules:

As this is a mini Christmas giveaway for my followers, you must be a follower via GFC. I will check!

How to enter:

1. Write enter me below as many times as you like.

2. Tweet this:

RT @ricewarrior I'm giving away a Sleek Sparkle Palette to my blog followers! Only 1 day to enter! http://bit.ly/envcXE

Winner will be chosen at random tomorrow (9th Dec.) at 9:30pm GMT. If the winner doesn't contact me within 24 hours, I will choose another.

200 Followers Giveaway! [CLOSED]

Prizes (chosen by you):

- 1 M.A.C permanent line blush of your choice.
- A Surprise!!!
- 2 Lush products of your choice - choose a combination of bath ballistics/bubble bars/shower gels/shower jellies

Rules:

- You must be a follower of this blog via GFC.
- You cannot enter using a blog account used solely for entering contests and giveaways.
- You cannot enter via Twitter if the Twitter account is solely used for entering contests and giveaways.
- If you're under 18, you must have your parent's permission to give me your address should you win.

How to enter:

1. Comment below with a suggestion on how I can improve my blog. One entry.
2. Read and comment on any one of my previous posts that you haven't seen before. Each counts for one entry.
3. Copy and paste the Tweet below. One Tweet equals one entry.

RT @ricewarrior I'm celebrating 200 Followers with a giveaway! Prizes include MAC, LUSH & more. Enter here: http://bit.ly/hFr1tn

4. Post the photo below in your blog's sidebar with a link to this giveaway. 2 entries.



5. Follow the rules please. I won't publish comment entries that don't as it's unfair on the other entrants.
6. Have fun!

Winner will be chosen at random on 9th January 2011 @ 11pm GMT.

Thank you to those who read my blog, and aren't just here for the giveaways :)

Chrissy xx

November Favourites: Badger's Balm, MAC, Urban Decay, Revlon, e.l.f, Inglot, Batiste

This month I've really enjoyed smoky eyes and subtle everything else. I've been leaving my brows bare a lot, my lips with just a slick of balm and cheeks with just a hint of highlighter. It's also been about relaxing between rushing to get ready for work!



First up we have a lifesaver. Badger's Sleep Balm. I heard a few good things about this so decided to pick this up when eBay kindly gave me a £5 voucher. I purchased it from Fragrance Direct's eBay outlet. I have to say, it works. I'm always so skeptical about things like this but it's soothing in scent and the action of massaging it into your temples really helps you drift off to sleep. I had concerns about it breaking me out but so far, that hasn't happened.



A product I've been using a lot this month is MAC Blonde MSF. I use the light side to highlight my cheekbones and a hint of the dark side as a blush and think it gives the perfect amount of colour and shimmer.



Urban Decay All Nighter is something I didn't use much when I first bought it. It has grown on me though. It helps keep oils at bay for that little bit longer so I'm no longer looking like a grease ball at the end of my work day. I do notice lots of shine when I get home though so in conjunction with my Revlon ColorStay foundation, I'm shine free for about 10 hours.



Revlon Contour Shadow Brush - an incredible brush for buffing concealer under the eyes. It's soft, gentle and gives a wonderful finish.



Another brush I've been enjoying this month is the e.l.f Fan Brush. It's perfect for depositing a light amount of colour to the cheeks and great for highlighting. I'd like to explore fan brushes a little more and pick up a dense, fluffy one and see how it works out for contouring.



This Inglot shadow is stunning. I use it over black eyeliner to make it last longer and think it's refreshing to use instead of a matte black shadow. It really makes the whites of my eyes whiter!



Batiste Brunette dry shampoo has been a saviour. Recently, I've been having to leave for work a couple of hours early due to the snow and London's awful transport system. By using a dry shampoo I can cut at least 20 mintues from my "getting ready" time. Ideal.

What products have you been enjoying this month?

Review: Lush Cinders Bath Ballistic

Cinders is something I had high hopes for. I love the scent, I adore the look of the bath bomb and the idea of it is great. However, it really let me down.

Shock, horror! Finally a Lush product I'm not in love with.



What Lush say:

"If the slipper fits...

Once upon a time, it seems like everyone fell in love with Cinders last year, so we had to invite her back for Christmas. Bathing with Cinders is like falling asleep in front of a log fire and hearing the crackling embers as the snow falls down.

It must be Cinders!

Warming cinnamon, refreshing sweet orange and almond essential oils will make your day every time you have a bath. Use with Glögg shower gel for a warming bath-time cocktail that will feel like the cold is far, far away"

You can certainly pick up the cinnamon in this. The almond is a sweet after scent and the only orange I picked up from this is the colour but that's alright - I love almond and cinnamon and they compliment each other beautifully.

While the scent is lovely, unfortunately my overall bath experience with Cinders was not so incredible. The pop rocks - awesome idea but not so well executed. They weren't painful per se but they seem to be attracted to your skin and pop which gives a pinching sensation - not pleasant when you're trying to have a relaxing bath and you've got these things in the last place you'd want 'em! After all this - I got out, drained the bath and enjoyed how lovely my bathroom smelled then noticed a bright orange ring around the bath. It had stained it. Having to scrub the bath after finally managing to relax isn't ideal.

One huge plus for me was the sound the bath bomb made when plopped in. It sounded just like a sizzling, crackling fire! Only for a few seconds before it sunk down to the bottom of the tub though...

3/10 Lush. 3/10...

What I'm Currently Using: December

Shampoo: Lush Squeaky Green Shampoo Bar
Conditioner: Alberto Balsam Intensive Conditioning Treatment with Honey & Almond Extracts
Styling Products: Lee Stafford Poker Straight Flat Iron Protection Shine Spray
Shower Gel: Sanex Dermo Moisturising Shower Gel
Body Moisturiser : Lush Vanilla Dee-Lite
Deodorant: Sanex Invisible Anti-Perspirant
Face Wash: Mario Badescu Acne Facial Wash
Exfoliator: None!
Primer: None!
Foundation Brush: Fingers
Foundation: Revlon ColorStay
Concealer: MAC Studio Finish
Powder: e.l.f. HD powder
Blusher: MAC Briar Rose beauty powder
Bronzer: Rimmel Natural Bronzer
Highlighter: MAC Blonde MSF
Eyeshadow Base: Urban Decay Primer Potion
Eyeshadows: Biotherm duo, Sleek palettes, MAC Contrast, Dior Haute Couture palette.
Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero
Mascara: L'Oreal Voluminous/Maybelline Great Lash
Lipstick: Natural Collection in Autumn Sunset
Lipgloss: None!
Nail Colour: Models Own in Champagne with Barry M Nail Effects over top