Born Pretty Store Review I Featuring Colour Changing Nail Gel* & Shell Studs*

The lovely people down at the Born Pretty Store contacted me asking if I would review a selection of their nail products. I had honestly never heard of their company before but from viewing their website I quickly realised that they were one of those hidden internet gems, with their site selling every nail art brush, pen, polish, gel, gem and decal (the list could go on) under the sun. Not to mention a selection of other products.

Bimuno products* I IMMUNAID review

If you've followed my blog for a while (and checked out either my instagram, twitter or facebook), you'll know I like to keep fit, and that minus the odd weekend treat (or two *cough*) I like to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regime.

When Bimuno Prebiotics contacted me asking to review their new IMMUNAID product, I jumped at the chance. The product has an interesting take on aiding the immune system, turning the idea of gut bacteria on its head. Unlike other products the pastels (taken once a day) feed pre-exsiting bacteria in the gut and helping them thrive, instead of topping up the gut with new bacteria.

Jaded OOTD I with invaluable.com*

When I think of Christmas and New year (whilst being a bit of a magpie) I think of the sparkle, with jewelry, accessories and embellishment vital for finalising this 'once a year' outfit to make it a little more than just the usual black evening attire.

Hiatus I The Update

I just wanted to give all my lovely readers a little update on my current hiatus.

Unfortunately due to little computer fault I haven't been able to finalise any imagery to the standard I usually post, which is why I've been offline for a while. I had hoped my issues would be fixed a while ago but unfortunately these things take time.

I do plan on posting in the next few days (possibly without my less than polished standards) with a few fun reviews and outfits. But If you're looking for a bit of entertainment while you wait check out my Instagram or Twitter accounts where I post most days with the tabs above.

Brb! x

Michelle

♥

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Tartan Tea Party OOTD

I love nothing better on a weekend than to hang out with some great people for a catchup, and last weekend took quite a classy outlook with myself and friends celebrating one of my best friends birthdays with a champagne afternoon tea for three at Boyd's Bar and Brasserie just off of London's Trafalgar Square.

Gone Fisson I Fuse Gelnamel Review

Most of you will have spotted by now from either Instagram pictures or reviews that I am the proud owner of a UV gel nail kit, which has changed styling my hands and feet forever. I purchased the Sensational gel start kit a while back but since coming onto the market Sensational have expanded and started to provide a new brand of gel's in their entitled 'Fuse' range.

The only havoc that all you gel nail wearers out there will know that its not the setting of the polish that takes the time like traditional nail polishes, is the prepping and ultimately layering that takes the time. The beauty of 'Fuse' is that with whatever colour you choose it does not need a base or top coat and so takes half the time to apply, and with time always being of the essence during my hectic weeks schedule I had to trial this.

Choosing a light pale pink with a small bit of sparkle off the shelf to opening the bottle and ending up with a clear polish with a lot of dense pink and green glitter is not always a great start when you've paid £15 for a polish you thought was the opposite to what you got. Its confusing because the image online suggest that I received my colour in the wrong container so it could've been a factory slip up. But we soldier on..

Prepping the nails with the usual file, shape, buff and gel cleanser application to ensure the nail is clean, I then applied my colour straight on, flash dried for 60 seconds then did the same application again for denser colour, flash dried for 60 seconds and the finished with the cleanser and I was done! I was amazed at how much quicker the whole process was, for the same price and with more in a bottle than the normal sensational bottles, PLUS you're cutting out the top coat middle man so saving time and money again.

The only issue I found with this product is that if you apply too much you create the added chance of the gel being raised enough so that it can get caught on something and come off, and with my usual Sensationail I found this would cause minor chipping. With Fuse Gelnamel I found in some cases that the gel didn't have any grip to the nail and would come off in one piece just like a false nail. Since testing this I have found after the cleanser application to use the Sensationail 'gel primer' to add the much needed sticky layer which has since solved this issue.

Another thing I have noticed with this product is that the consistency is quick thick (which must be something to do with removing the base and top coat application in the traditional gel application) so at times its quite hard to control. I found adding a small amount and then building is the key to controlling the amount and placement on the nail.

Although I had a few small nicks with the Fuse collection, overall I would definitely buy the product again as its saved me so much time and money overall. Plus the colour's in the serious are amazing!

Michelle

♥

What products I used
Fuse gelnamel in 'Gone Fisson' - Boots

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Photoshop and Afterlight)

The Super Belated Birthday Haul* I featuring Thomas Sabo, Oliver Bonas and Mememe Cosmetics

Although its been a good 4 months and several other friends birthdays later.. I have now finally got round to writing my little birthday haul to celebrate my crazy 25th milestone (how did that age come round so quickly!?)

Anyway, I wanted to give a few things that I was lovingly gifted from friends and family a little mention, and possibly give you a few mini reviews/more insight on some of the products if you are looking to buy them for yourself, or perhaps looking for Christmas present ideas! (there's only 67 days left you know!)

The first 2 gifts pictured above were from my friend and fellower blogger Becky from This Crafternoon. She's one of my friends thats crazily good at themed gifting and is always on the money with what I love most.. one of those being Shell's! These super twee Oliver Bonas shell stud earrings with dangly faux pearls are my current favourites to wear, and as they're about 2 cm squared they're big enough to be a statement piece, but not too big that they overpower an outfit so I've found them perfect for both day or night wear. I also received a very intricate mini notepad with shell illustrations on the cover and on the pages inside (which I have yet to deface because its just a little too nice!)

The next 2 little gifts that I was given as part of my overall present parcel from good friend and fellow sidekick Cassie, was a body shimmer and a highlighter, both pretty pink shades. The Nougat body shimmer first off (to give a mini review) is really dainty with fine glitter so its perfect for every occasion to give that little bit of extra luxury. The Mememe highlighter is an ultra feminine light pink in colour and quite subtle, so you need to use alot in comparison to my experience of Benefit's 'High Beam' to get that full on 'cheek bone raised' effect, which although at times annoying, it really just gives the product more versatility when applying makeup so you're more in control for day or night.

The last few gifts I'm going to share was my main present from my mum, dad, brother and my brothers girlfriend Sabina. It had been discussed prior to my birthday that I really wanted a charm bracelet and I seemed to have been hoarding charm booklets all over my flat in the months leading up to my birthday in order to focus on one brand that I felt was best!

The reason why I chose Thomas Sabo over the mainstream brand Pandora is basically because the charms and whole execution of the bracelets are just very chic, stylish and a lot more grown up. I still like the Pandora charms and obviously with being an international company theres alot more to choose from, but I think Thomas Sabo charms overall have alot more character. I was gifted the latest silver bracelet in their collection and rose quartz charm from my brother and Sabina, plus the dangly 'M' letter charm and charm holder from my mum and dad. This is now a bracelet I have yet to stop wearing over the last 4 months and is a solid staple in my jewellery collection.

What did you get in your latest birthday haul?

Michelle

♥

What I was lovingly gifted!
Clam Shell earrings - Oliver Bonas
Shell notepad - Paperchase 'Anchors Ahoy' Collection
Pink body shimmer lotion - Nougat
'Pearl Pink' highlighter - Mememe Cosmetics
Silver bracelet, rose quartz charm and 'M' letter charm - Thomas Sabo

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Photoshop and Afterlight)

L'oreal Rouge Caresse Review

After seeing those luscious and effortlessly feminine images splashed over TV and in magazines, I had to delve (or try to) into the lifestyle of that perfectly poised Rouge Caresse girl.. By buying the lipstick of course!

Firstly, with my personal love for design I wanted to comment in this review firstly on the lipsticks container. Like the ads, the tube fits the super chic luxurious mold, completely clear with metallic elements to really bring out the colour of the product and also inspire the modern woman, who wouldn't want this in their handbag?

Following on from the design, the product itself is very pigmented (a filter has not been added to the image of the colour so you can get a better idea of this) and not the classic feminine in shade I expected, and although effortless to put on the product was actually quite dry after a few hours of wear. Those dreamy TV and mag ads I feel really had me hook line and sinker, and sold me a product far from that dainty colour with a dewy finish.

Moving away from the ad let down the product is actually quite good for the very opposite reasons I bought it for. The colour is almost metallically and lasts a while so is great for a night out.. Although, it does fair better with a coat of clear gloss.

Michelle

♥

What product I used
Colour 'Impulsive Fushcia' 202 - Boots

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Photoshop and Afterlight)

The BRGR and Poncho OOTD

As most UK dwellers will know the sun is sadly leaving us with colder darker nights and early starts taking hold (so apologies for this slightly grungy set of OOTD pictures!). Last night being particularly bracing I wanted to experiment with some of my favourite winter pieces to get into the spirit of AW14. I decided to go for a monochrome look digging out this wool blend poncho jacket alongside a plain sheer white shirt and patent black flatforms. I then accessorized using my current love of 90's and long hair with a high ponytail and gold hoops to give the whole look another new twist (what do you think of the high pony?).

To put this outfit to good use me and my boyfriend decided on an improtu latenight shopping adventure round Oxford Circus to buy a few new household bits and bobs and for me to then gaze around the Apple store in wonder afterwards, particularly around the section of the iPhone 6!

We then followed the shopping trip with a search round Soho for a new burger place to try out. After stumbling around for ages with most places having up to an hour wait we came across BRGR.CO, which ended up being one of the best accidental finds. We ordered our standard Oreo milkshake and coke to share and then decided to go all out on our much need cheat day with 2 of the marbled "Masterpiece" burgers, parmesan truffle fries and crispy buttermilk onion stack. The service was outstanding and the meal was totally indulgent but affordable, making this place now top of my favourite burger places. But its safe to say the portions were more than generous (especially with that mountain of onion rings!) so we boxed what we couldn't stomach ready for a naughty snacking session the next day.

What did you get up to this weekend?

Michelle

♥

What I wore
Woolen poncho jacket - Minuet (found in a Charity Shop)
White dipped hem shirt - Newlook
Gold hoops - Argos
Patent black flatforms - Buffalo
Gem adorned band ring - Vintage
Midi rings - H&M

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Photoshop and Afterlight)

Revlon ColorStay ShadownLinks Review I Makeup on a budget

I'm obsessed with Revlon products. They're reliable, high quality and affordable. So I thought what better way to get back into using eyeshadows again than with my most trusted makeup brand.

Having jumped on the white eyeshadow dark red lip bandwagon that was leaping about the catwalk during fashion week for SS14, I wanted to get back to wearing shadow during the day to day and make a bit more than the mascara and light pink lip kind of effort that I'd been doing for a few years now.

I didn't want anything too dark colour wise but I wanted something with sparkle and a tad more colour than just the plain white I already had so I went for 'Petal' in the 'ColourStay ShadowLinks' range. Retailing at £2.99 a link in a tiny thin box with an attachment edge they're the perfect space saver size to fit into your purse and makeup bag, so you don't have to worry about leaving enough space for a huge shadow palette. Plus they're affordable and tailored to your budget as you can buy as many or as little as you wish, and the greatest thing is you can create your own palette of shades instead of having a tray of half unused and half demolished set of colours that's feels like such a waist.

The colour 'Petal' itself is a very light pastel pink almost leaning on the white side and is perfect for highlighting the tear ducts, browbone and outer crease. It also has a hint of sparkle so it's not too overpowering for daytime (although I'm a bit of a magpie so I would've liked a bit more of glitter. But thats more of a subjective comment). 

I also bought the colour 'Gunmetal' for a more evening look (and also so I could test the 'links' effect). This shade does come out quite dark and is perfect for the smoky eye look on the outer crease, but I've found by toning it down with my 'Petal' shade makes the effect even better.

Interms of its 'colour stay' claim in its name, I would say for such a sheer colour from the time apply in the morning to the time I get home at night most of the colour and sparkle has stayed which is good for something so dainty, but I do start to see creasing at the eyelid level. The creasing' not as bad as most other eyeshadows I've had in the past but there's still a little bit that occurs.

Overall I rate this product as for price and definition its certainly worth the money, and is a good spacesaving tool as well as a problem solver with the age old issue of half empty palettes.

I give this product 4 shells out of 5

Michelle

♥

What products I used
ColorStay ShadowLink in 'Petal' - Boots
ColorStay ShadowLink in 'Gunmetal' - Boots

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Photoshop and Afterlight)

Botanics Shine Away Mattifying Cleansing Mousse Review I Skincare on a budget

I am a fiend for a good facial scrub or cleanser (which anyone whos graced my bathroom will know), and having had the pleasure of being gifted with Clarins Shower Mousse and subsequently falling in love with it, and THEN taunting myself gazing at the slightly lower end Champney's Shower Mousse, but one that was still a pipe dream product that I probably couldn't really afford to keep buying. I thought to myself there must be a lower end product that has the same technology and silky calming high quality effect as this, but for your face which is affordable on a normal budget. After having a route around the Boots local to my workplace I looked at the 'Botanics' range and found this gem!

Having never bought from the range before I was slightly unsure as to how good this was going to be but for the offer price of £2.99 (RRP £3.99) that I paid for it I thought its definitely worth the punt. 

Described as a cleansing mattifying moose that refreshes and rebalances it instantly came across as calming and light which I feel was the perfect description for this product. The mousse was as light as a feather and didn't feel you were putting hardly anything on your face (so obsessive scrubbers need not apply). The pump itself was very sturdy and the product managed to remove all makeup when tested.

As for the scent it also had a very quaint note to it. With the Botanics range developed by the experts on plant extracts at the Royal Botanic Gardens the professional mix of willow bark and lemon peel was heavenly, not overpowering and what I now find is the most refreshing part of my morning shower routine.

I give this product 5 shells out of 5!

Michelle 

♥

What products I used
Botanics Cleansing Mousse - Boots

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Afterlight and Photoshop)

Wild contrast OOTD

 

Although these pictures don't do this outfit much justice I'm just so proud of this fashion find that I had to blog it. Especially when next to this lovely selection of wild flowers making a stunning contrast!

Two pieces are really big this season, with woolen skirts and matching jumpers set to storm AW14, so when I bought this box cut gingham top in the Newlook sale and realised it came with a wrap skirt counter part I made it my mission to complete the set, as as you can see above after multiple sale raids I found said skirt and walked out the store with a very smug look (plus another great sale dress under my arm).

Although the set is one size too big on both skirt and top counterpart, but due to the elastication of the material I think I can just about get away with it don't you think?

What's your best fashion find from this season?

Michelle

♥

What I wore
Two piece gingham top and wrap skirt - Newlook
Leggings - Topshop
Minnie Mouse pearl necklace - Disney Mawi Collection

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Afterlight and Photoshop)

Hawes and Curtis Fashion Shirts* I 3 Ways to Wear

When Hawes and Curtis contacted me for a blog review of their new fashion shirts, I was slightly skeptical as to whether there would be anything in their collection that that would suit me, let alone fit with my taste and style. Due to their well-known industry status being firmly in the suits and business shirt attire I wasn't sure if I'd find much. 

But I couldn't be more wrong with their latest small but adequate range of fashion shirts to choose from and all extremely high quality material and finish compared to the more major high-street chains selling the same product.

Heres a short YouTube video of how I chose to wear my Hawes & Curtis polka dot shirt*!

Michelle

♥

What I wore

Brisbon relaxed fit spotted shirt - Hawes & Curtis
Hawes & Curtis current offer - 3 shirts for £69

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Afterlight)
*Polka dot shirt gifted by Hawes and Curtis

Pretty Please OOTD

  

A few weekends ago I took a day trip down with my boyfriend to the sunny seaside of kent to visit my grandparents and family on their mini annual holiday away.

We went down to the tranquil St.Margrets bay which looks like something out of a Jack Penate music video. I decided to wear my new graphic crop top for the day and make the most of the sunshine. I put the top with my black skater skirt worn high waisted with a gold studded headband, gold and white flip-flops and tortoise shell gold studded sunglasses.

Naturally after a spot of icecream and a natter we then headed to a local pub for a sunday roast!

What summer hotspots have you been to this summer?

Michelle

♥

What I wore
Studded headband - eBay

Pretty please graphic crop top - H&M

Black skater skirt - Topshop

White and gold flip flops - Havanas

Tortoise shell and studded sunglasses - Newlook

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Photoshop and Afterlight)

Natural Collection Shine Away Foundation Review I Makeup on a budget

I've been meaning to do a review on this product for a while, and since this was the brand that helped me delve into the world of foundation I thought it'd be a great product to do a budget makeup review on, as there just aren't enough truly budget makeup reviews out there.

Although this product is budget I think it's great for essential day wear when you don't need very much coverage. As you can see from my before and after photo above it doesn't provide an astonishingly different look like an Estée Lauder double wear, but it does cover and provide its 'shine away' claim. Plus for its price at £1.99 it's hard not to try it out.

There are a few major flaws with it though, one being that it doesn't match skin tone very well. I'm quite a fair skined person so I went with my normal 'porcelain' choice, I tried the product on the back of my hand which came out fine but in some lights I feel you can see the line of where I begin and the makeup ends, even after vigorous strokes to eliminate this. Plus I find every now and again I'll get a 'caking' effect where the foundation dries at a quicker rate to that of me applying it and ends up bunching together and flaking off which is really annoying. But I think because my skin is SO dry if it isn't moist to start with it creates havoc using this product, so I think I'm going to start taking to mixing a bit of moisturiser in with the foundation from now on.

If you're thinking of buying this product, overall its great for a girl on a serious budget or just starting to use and learn how to wear makeup, but this is strictly NOT for professionals.

I give this product 3 shells out of 5

***UPDATE*** 
When mixing moisturiser with this product it works perfectly and provides a non-cakey coverage.


Michelle

♥

What Products I used
Natural Collection Shine Away Foundation - Boots

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(All Images taken by myself and additional design added via Photoshop  and Afterlight)