The Amazing Seventeen Makeup

SEVENTEEN is one of the very first makeup brands that I tried growing up, it was from 17, as they were then that I bought my very first lipstick and lip gloss. Things have changed a lot since then and they have become a brand which has not only upped there game, but one that has some amazing products. Not only are they always on trend, they are also affordable and great quality to boot.

I recently received an amazing surprise parcel from the lovely people behind the brand, containing some of their best selling products, some of which I use and some of which I hadn't ever tried, so here is what I found within my box:

Define & Conquer Contour Kit in Medium*. £5.99

Attempting to Contour isn't something I have found that easy, I have mastered strobing much better. That said, this handy little kit is not only quite sleek in design but it is also handbag friendly and hosts a decent sized mirror. The formula of this is so creamy and pigmented that it blends with ease without looking orange or dirty. The darker powder helps to define you face whilst the lighter powder helps with definition. It comes with a handy 'How Too' guide for those like me, who still need some practice.

Skin Wow Primer*. £5.99

This is a product I have wanted to try for a while now. I am slightly obsessed with highlighters right now and this one is definitely worthy of its name. You can either use it on its own under make-up to create a nice base or on top of your foundation on cheekbones to give a highlight effect or you can mix it with your foundation to create a dewy effect. For £5.99 this is a fantastic product, one I absolutely love and it is perfect for strobing.

Instant Glow Shimmer Brick*. £4.99

I have raved about this shimmer brick here as a great Bobbi Brown Dupe, but it is an item I use constantly. The Shimmering powder brick contains four different shades which work incredibly well together. Starting with a lighter shade and ending with a dark shade, sweeping your Kabuki Brush across all 4 shades creates a fantastic light or dark bronzing affect, depending upon your preference.

Brows That! Brow Kit*. £5.99

If there is one part of my face that I don't do much with, it is my brows. Now before you frown at me there is a reason. Around 3 years ago, I went to a well known store with a friend for threading but it didn't quite go to plan and I ended up with almost no eyebrows at all! Now three years on and after not touching them, I almost have something to resemble eyebrows. This brow kit is quite something, it contains brow wax, brow powder, highlighting powder, brow sculpting pencil and a brow brush. Add to that a handy 'How to use' guide and a decent sized mirror, you have everything you need to do your brows on the go.

Falsifeye HD Mascara*. £6.99

One item I could never be without is mascara and it is the one thing I never leave the house without. This mascara is a brown black shade which isn't too dissimilar to my own eyelash shade. What I love about it is the wand, it has a lovely long handle but the brush itself is so easy to use between the lashes that it does give some volume, something I need more than length as I have long lashes.

Gel Colours in Hurricane & Irish Coffee*. £3.99 each
Gel polishes are it for me. I can no longer be doing with a polish that lasts for a few days on my nails before chipping. I have Hurricane which is the most stunning shade of blue that ive worn a few times now and it does last for just over a week without chipping. Irish Coffee is a stunning nude shade which is perfect for all occasions and both polishes glide onto the nail, the brush is a perfect size for coverage and I have only ever applied one coat. For just £3.99 they are amazing value for money.

There isn't a single product here that I do not like, it has been so good to find some new amazing products to add to my makeup bag. Have you tried anything from SEVENTEEN lately?

A keepsake for remembrance of my beloved Bo Bo

Regular readers of my blog will know that as well as my love of all things beauty related there are a few other people in my life.  The mister who also blogs here and my boys, the fur kids.

Almost three months ago to the day, one of my little fur kids was fatally injured by a car and I had to make the agonising decision to have him put to sleep.  A decision that broke my heart into a million pieces and whilst I know I did the right thing, it is something that I am going to take a very long time to come to terms with because nothing and no-one can prepare you for it and the feeling of numbness is as raw now as it was on that day and I miss him terribly.

A really good friend of mine, whom I speak to everyday suggested I get a memento to remember 'Bo by, something that would remind me of him and something that made me smile.  We did have him cremated privately and his ashes are back home in a beautiful Urn and I admit, I do chat to him as though he is still with me, but I wanted a memento.    

Anyway, I spent a while browsing the internet and there was a lot of nice things I could have bought and initially I wanted either a cat shaped ornament or a charm for my Pandora bracelet, but I found neither that jumped out at me. Then I came across this shop on Etsy which has some dog and cat themed jewellery and I just love it. Best described a Sterling Silver bracelet, it features a Sterling Silver Cat Charm which could be initialised, which I had done with the letter A, as the name we gave him was Asbo.

After I ordered it, it then arrived a week or so later looking exactly as it had on the screen, only so much better and beautiful than I had ever imagined. There you see we have a dainty yet beautiful bracelet and upon it is a perfectly sized silver cat charm and there upon it is an engraved letter 'A' for my boy. Now I know it won't bring him back and it doesn't replace him, nothing ever can or will, but it is quite comforting.

New Badger Hair Rescue Oils

I am a huge fan of Badger Balms, infact I use a lot of the Sleep Balm when I need a little help drifting off, it is one of those products that works for me. 

Now there are three new hair rescue oils** which I have been trying out for the last few weeks.  There are three different ones to choose from - Dry & Damaged Hair, Dry Scalp and All Hair Types.  Each Oil is 100% natural and contain no Silicone or Silicone Dirivatives, no artifical fragrance, no colour or synthetic ingredients, no mineral oil and they are cruelty free.

It is said that over time hair is weakened by natural elements such as pollution.  Day to day pressures can strip away your hairs natural lustre and strength.  The people behind the Badger products have a simple approach to hair care which is simple - enhance the beauty, lustre and body of the hair by using 100% natural, nourishing products that are said to work in harmony with the whole body. Oil is a key component for healthy hair, I use a lot of hair oils that my hairdresser recommends, if used properly they can make so much difference.  Badger use a unique blend of carefully selected natural oils that easily absorb into the hair to help repair, rescue and protect.

Badger Hair Oil - Seabuckthorn, Apricot & Pomegranate Replenishment Blend is overnight antioxidant hair oil treatment with a blend of powerful oils which help to deliver naturally occurring vitamins A, B, C, E, and K to nourish and replenish hair. Using the ingredients of Seabuckthorn CO2 Extract and Pomegranate Oil promote hair strength and elasticity plus Apricot Oil to deliver moisture and shine. This oil also contains Rosehip CO2 Extract with regenerative properties to helping hair return to its healthiest state. 

It smells absolutely divine and to use, you apply the oil to dry hair and then massage it from root to tip.  You can either leave it on for an hour or overnight and then shampoo and condition as normal.  After using, my hair is soft, smooth and shiny, not to mention static free.

Badger Hair Oil - Argan, Jojoba & Baobab Damaged Hair Rescue is a nourishing oil is applied to damaged hair, it re-establishes its healthy balance and protects hair from heat, chemicals, and UV damage. Precious Argan Oil is rich in vitamins, proteins, and essential fatty acids, which strengthen and soften hair at the same time. Jojoba deeply moisturises the hair, while Baobab strengthens it. Each oil selected for this blend contains potent antioxidants that prevent free radical damage, and protect hair from the elements.  

To use, you apply the oil sparingly over damp hair, working it from root to tip and then style as normal.  As this is an oil designed to be left on the hair, you can use it daily and it isn't too thick an oil that it will weigh your hair down.

Badger Hair Oil - Jojoba, Rosemary & Tea Tree Dry Scalp Rescue is my favourite of the three oils. Is is described as being a "synergistic blend of plant oils designed to deeply moisturise, while soothing itchy and dry scalps and improving hair texture". The use of Rosemary, which is the traditional herb for hair health, stimulates the hair follicles, encouraging healthy hair from the root. Tea Tree and Rosemary deeply cleanse the scalp and help to deliver moisture, while Jojoba and Sunflower oils penetrate deeply into the roots, where they are most beneficial. Menthol and Peppermint cool and refresh, while imparting an energizing, cleansing tingle to the scalp. Sunflower Vitamin E nourishes dry skin and hair while generating a healthy shine.  

I suffer with a dry scalp which can become quite itchy especially if I am stressed.  This oil is a lifesaver and one I have used the most.  To apply you apply the oil directly onto the scalp and roots, I find sectioning my hair is easier, then massage your scalp until the oil begins to absorb and then wrap your hair in a hot towel for an hour or again leave overnight, then shampoo and condition as normal.

All three of these oils are brilliant and all work really well with my hair.  Each bottle has a pump action spritz to make application really easy, you can either apply direct to your hair and scalp, or onto your palms.  They cost just £17.99 each for a 59.1ml bottle and they are available from Superdrug.

Unicorns Unite Lipstick Collection by Makeup Revolution

If ever there was a brand who would create something that was not only quirky and kooky but also has that 'OMG' factor, it would be Makeup Revolution, who have, right now, some amazing products soon to hit the shelves.

The Unicorns Unite Lipstick Collection is literally quite something and I am pretty convinced there will be something for everyone within it.  Consisting of five shades Magical, Myth, Throne, Legend and Magic.  If you are looking for some new lipsticks, want something a little bit different or just want to be every bit daring, then look no further!

Each and every one of these five lipsticks are not only really pigmented, much more than I expected them to be considering they cost just £1 each but the shades, I mean look at them, they are just crazy brilliant.

Horn of Magic is a fabulous light yet bright blue shade which in the sunshine looks to be almost ice blue in colour but it is actually mint green.  It glides effortlessly onto the lips and looks every bit cool. 

Legend is my favourite shade of all the lipsticks within the Unicorn Unite range because it is every bit the mythical shade I expect to be associated with a Unicorn.  It is a bright yet sparkly shade which glimmers in the sunshine.

If ever there was a shade to excite me, it is Pink Myth.  I absolutely love the colour pink and this lipstick is bright, sassy and bold.  A beautiful shade which again glides on effortlessly and looks fantastic.

Throne is a stunning shade of purple, quite dark and mooding but it looks fabulous on the lips. This is the kind of shade I wish suited me because it is so pretty.

Finally we have Magical which looks blue in the sunshine but on my skin it is a brilliant bright purple that shimmers in direct sunlight so you can see how purple it is, but when not in the sunlight it is a brooding dark shade, almost blue.

I think these lipsticks are a lot of fun, they are totally different to anything else I own and I sincerely believe there is something for everyone.  Not only that but if you are bored with your pinky nude shade, then these are perfect for trying something new and they cost £1 each, which is amazing value for money!

What is the most 'out there' Lipstick shade you own?