50 Facts About Me

Hey guys,

I've really enjoyed reading some of your 'Facts About Me' posts, they're doing the rounds at the moment so I thought I'd join in and do one of my own :) so without further ado...

1. I do acrylic and soak off gel nails but just as a hobby for friends, family and myself. I feel naked without them on!

2. I love musicals! The one I'm currently obsessed with is Rock of Ages.

3. I have a pedigree black Labrador called Zeus and I love him with all my heart :)

4. It's my Birthday in 2 days (9th Feb) and I'm so damn excited :) Let the cocktails commence!

5. I don't feel right on a night out without my fake lashes on!

6. Australia is the most amazing place I've ever been and I'd love to go back someday.

7. I'm an avid coffee drinker but I hate tea.

8. I'm going to see The Lion King the musical in March and Rihanna in July.... Excitables!

9. My favourite animals are tigers and owls.

10. I'm named after an angel (NOT a teenage mutant ninja turtle!)

11. I love drinking cocktails on a night out, they're so yummy and make me feel very sophisticated :)

12. I work for Benefit cosmetics and am so happy I've found a job that I love and am good at.

13. I got engaged at New Year and still can't stop looking at my ring *cue cheesy grin*

14. My dad died when I was 8 years old and I think about him every single day.

15. I am so close to my mam and always will be, she's my rock and I love her to bits.

16. I'm a geek for superhero films, they're my guilty pleasure.

17. My favourite food is Korma (trust my body to prefer the most fatty food there is!)

18. Walt Disney is the greatest man of all time and I have so much respect for him.

19. I'm obsessed with making lists, I make lists for pretty much everything.

20. I did my first online Asda shop the other day, it worried me how excited I was for my shopping to arrive. Easily pleased...

21. I love tulips, the'yre my favourite flower.

22. I give up something for lent every year, I have done for as long as I can remember. This year I'm giving up crisps, chocolate and takeaways.

23. Since getting my own house I've grown to love candles, I think they make a room look really homely and smell amazing.

24. Although Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year, I really do like Easter. There's something so uplifting about the start of Spring and the celebration of new life. And of course we can't forget the chocolate Easter eggs - yum!

25. I used to be really good at art and would love to start drawing against a hobby one day.

26. Shoes = obsessed.

27. I love meeting new people but I'm quite shy and reserved when I do. Then the more I get to know someone the more my personality comes out.

28. I enjoy baking cakes, but I don't do it very often as I end up eating all the bloody things. *fatty*.

29. Every time I put the lottery on, I am absolutely convinced I'm going to win it, needless to say I never do.

30. I would love to go to New York and Las Vegas.

31. I played the recorder at primary school. Hardcore.

32. Theme parks excite me :D I'm a complete adrenalin junkie when it comes to big rides.

33. I'm naff at saving money. If its in my bank/purse it gets spent.

34. I hate how materialistic I am, if I could change something about myself that would be it.

35. I would do anything for my family and friends.

36. I believe everything happens for a reason.

37. I like singing and dancing. I did musical theatre/ performing arts at college and got triple Distinction at the end of my course.

38. I'm going to Kendal Calling this year and it'll be my first ever festival (apart from Radio 1's big weekend in Carlisle last year). I'm a bit apprehensive as I HATE portaloos lol.

39. I'm sooo emotional. I cry at films all the time.

40. I like mayo but I detest salad cream! Yak.

41. I love the word platypus. I'm laughing just typing it...

42. I'd really love to be good at ice skating. I'm actually shite.

43. When I was younger I was obsessed with Polly Pockets, I had hundreds of the things. And when they changed Polly Pocket to be a bit bigger and she had stretchy clothes I became even more obsessed.

44. I love Glee. Don't judge me.

45. I always get mistaken for wearing hair extensions because my hair's so long.

46. I broke my leg a year ago as I fell over pissed up in heels. Has it stopped me? Absolutely not.

47. I prefer Summer to Winter (with the exception of Christmas). I'm looking forward to warm Summers evenings with an ice cold fruity cider sat in a beer garden with friends :)

48. I'm a great aunty... at nearly 23 years of age... I'm too young to feel old :(

49. I love watching films, there's nothing better than curling up of an evening in front of the fire with a brew, some munch and a good film!

50. I'm a people pleaser. I care far too much about what people think of me and I wish I didn't.

xxx

The YOU Beauty Advent Calendar - worth the money?

Hey guys!

I've decided to share my thoughts on the 'YOU Beauty Advent Calendar' that came out for the Christmas period last year. I'm sure most of you will have heard about it, and also maybe even lucky enough to receive it yourself (if so I'd love to know what you thought about it!) but I thought I'd do a review, so that if they launched another one at Christmas, you'll have an idea if it's worth getting and the value for money. My fiancé was an absolute gem and bought me this as an advent present. He'd also bought me the Selfridges 'All I Want For Christmas' advent calendar the previous year and I have to say I preferred this one by far, mainly because the products seemed aimed at a wider age group whereas the Selfridges calendar included a lot of anti ageing products and serums, oh and this one was £20 cheaper! (This calender retailed at £59.95 and the Selfridges calendar retailed at £80 - pricey huh?!) Don't get me wrong the Selfridges one was awesome, and I preferred the fact it included miniature perfumes, but the 'YOU Beauty Advent Calendar' pipped it at the post. 

It includes:

Jo Hansford Intensive Masque (40ml)Nicky Clarke Instant Calmer (30ml)Bioeffect EGF Serum (3ml)Balm Balm Organic Lip Balm (7ml)Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation (7.5ml)Philosophy 3-in-1 Cleanser (30ml) or Daily Facial Wash (30ml)The Vintage Cosmetic Company Eyelash CurlerSteamcream Moisturiser (75g; designs vary)Aromatherapy Associates Revive Bath & Shower Oil (3ml)Eve Lom Rescue Mask (15ml)Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (10ml)St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Lotion (50ml)Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ (2.5ml)Espa Lift & Firm Moisturiser (7ml) and Lift & Firm Intensive Eye Serum (3ml) Yardley Refreshing Body Spray (75ml – fragrances vary)Mavala Rouge Rubis Nail Varnish (5ml)Benefit They’re Real! Mascara (3g)L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (10ml)Richard Ward Volumiser Root Booster (50ml)Dermalogica Favourites Pack (7ml, 7ml, sachet, 5ml)Bellápierre Eye Shadow (2.35g)Mirenesse Lip Lift Moisture Shine (1.5g)Mont Bleu Crystal Nail File (90mm)AS London Candle

My favourite products from the calendar are the 'Balm Balm organic lip balm' (because it smells of turkish delight!), the 'Bellapierre eye shadow' (it's a loose powder in the most gorgeous shimmery copper shade), the 'Richard Ward Volumiser Root Booster' (anything that gives my hair added volume gets a thumbs up from me!), the 'Benefit They're Real Mascara' (I've gone through 3 full size versions of this and this miniature will be handy to pop in my handbag) and the 'St Tropez Instant Glow Body Lotion' (gives me a nice bronzed tan in a matter of minutes). The only two I wasn't too keen on were the AS London Candle, because I hated the smell (think old school medicinal nastiness!) and the Yardley Refreshing Body Spray, because I hated the smell of this too (think pot pourri/old people).

Apparently the products are worth over £210; I wouldn't pay that in a million years - but definitely think it's worth the £59.95 price tag. Although If you like the look of the products you can still buy the calendar here and it's half price at £29.95! BARGAINOUS!!

 Hope you've enjoyed this post

Raphaelle x

Urban Decay 'Naked Nails' nail polish set

(L-R) Naked, Sidecar, Toasted, Smog, Hustle, Creep

Hello Lovelies,

I'm so excited to share these nail varnishes with you all :) I'm aware most of you will have heard of the 'Naked' nail varnish set by Urban Decay but I'll give you my thoughts anyway :) 

I ordered this set along with the Naked Basics eye shadow palette off the Debenhams website, it was £21 which I thought was very reasonable indeed (The Naked Basics palette retails at £20) and I was so looking forward for these beauties to arrive on my doorstep. Needless to say I ended up having to collect them at my local post office as there was no one in when the post man arrived (how annoying?!). I must admit, as much as I was looking forward to receiving my Basics palette, I cast it aside straight away and focused solely on this set at first, it is packaged beautifully and I almost didn't want to prise the bottles out of their snug little homes...almost...

Upon first glance I couldn't help but notice that the bottles were quite a bit smaller than I imagined (each bottle contains 5ml) but then I thought it was pretty silly of me to expect 6 15ml bottles of beautiful Urban Decay nail varnish for £21 (wishful thinking, no?). As I took them out of the packaging and really scrutinising the colours, I was really impressed that I have never seen colours like this before, they truly are unique. I was so excited to test them out I thought I'd swatch them on one of my nail wheels, as seen above. All these varnishes are done with 2 coats and give a pretty opaque finish, Toasted and Creep are slightly more watery than the other 4 but still cover well with 2 coats (You may need 3 if you're a true perfectionist!). I must say each and everyone of these shades are absolutely beautiful and no 2 are similar. They are named after 6 of the shades out of the original naked palette and I think the polishes match their shadow counterparts really well (as much as a shadow can match a polish...). My personal favourites, (purely because it wouldn't be helpful for me to declare that I love them all equally!), are Sidecar, because I love glittery polishes and this one is just devine, Smog and Hustle, because I love deep rich colours.

Overall I think this set is great value for money, the colours are just superb and I have a feeling these will be the colours I'll be reaching for the most in the weeks to come :) Does anyone else own this set?? What are your thoughts?

Raphaelle x

Benefit 'Feelin Dandy' Lip and Cheek Kit - Review and Tips & Tricks

That is actually a mirror but thanks to the reflection of my pants it looks like a black hole!

Swatches - Posietint, High Beam, Dandelion Blusher, Dandelion Plush Gloss

Swatches - Blended

 Hey lovelies,

Today I'll be reviewing Benefit's 'Feelin Dandy' Lip and Cheek Kit. There's actually 3 in this range; 'Feelin Dandy' (Posietint, High Beam, Dandelion blusher and Dandelion gloss) 'Sugarlicious' (Benetint, High Beam, Sugarbomb blusher and Sugarbomb gloss), and 'Go Tropicoral' (Cha Cha Tint, High Beam, Coralista blusher and Coralista gloss). They're all very pleasing on the eye and are packaged beautifully, but I do prefer this one in terms of appearance, the pink and green packaging is just so pretty. I got given this one off work to try when they were first launched, but never really got round to opening and using it, probably because I know Dandelion is a little too light for me. Having said that I love Posietint, High Beam and the Dandelion gloss so I decided to start putting it to good use... on my face, obviously...

The best thing about these palettes is that everything is mixable, so even though you effectively get 4 products included in this kit, there's a great deal amount of different looks that can be created. So as well as using each product individually, some other effects you can create are:

- Apply Posietint to your lips and then add a slick of Dandelion gloss to create a shimmering flush of colour.
- Sweep Dandelion blusher on cheeks. Mix Posietint and High Beam together and gently pat on top up towards the temples to lift the face and add a subtle luminosity.
- If you prefer a little more colour on your lips, scrape a little of the dandelion blusher and mix it in with a little gloss then apply to lips, this gives a little more of an opaque finish on the lips as well as a glossy sheen.
- Apply Dandelion gloss to lips, then apply a very slight amount of High Beam at the centre to create the illusion of a fuller lip.
-Dab High Beam onto cheeks before Sweeping Dandelion blusher over the top, this will add a pop of colour with a subtle sheen, (these can also be applied vice versa, in which case the shimmer from the High Beam will be more prominent)

As you can see there's a lot more you can do with this kit as opposed to just applying each product individually; there is a couple of tips & tricks sheets included as shown in one of the pictures above (these are attached to the mirror and unfold but can be removed if desired). The Products all compliment each other beautifully and are a dream to apply, there's even a mini blusher brush included - cute!

Do you own any of the Benefit Lip & Cheek kits? What are your thoughts?

Raphaelle x

YSL Golden Glosses

Top picture from left to right - #51, #53, #47

Hello lovelies,

Ok so today I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite lip products - YSL Golden Glosses. Now I'm very much a lip gloss girl, especially glittery glitzy glosses with lots of shimmer and shine, and these are right up my street! 

First of all, like with all YSL products, the packaging is so elegant. I love reapplying these on a night out, they make me feel so classy :) I have to say YSL are one of my favourite brands as far as visuals go, the gold design they always use on their products is really eye catching, I think we all need a bit of luxury in our handbag ;)

The consistency is quite thick but by no means sticky, and considering how glittery they are there's no rough, grainy feel on the lips caused by the glitter. The colour pay off on the lips is quite sheer but so so shimmery/glittery. I think the only downside for me is the smell of the glosses, they smell quite melony and I'm not a big fan of melon, but they look so nice on the lips it's something I'm willing to overlook :) They're wearable over lipsticks but they also look beautiful on their own, I wear them both ways depending what look I want to go for. The purple one is stunning over a fuchsia lipstick! I intend to add a few more of these beauties to my collection but at £22 a pop it'll only be when I can afford to treat myself.

What are your thoughts on YSL Golden Glosses? Do you own any?

take care beauties

Raphaelle x

FOTD - Cinema Date

Hello lovelies!

I went to the cinema this afternoon with some friends to watch Les Miserables (I'm warning you now if you go to watch it make sure you wear waterproof mascara and take plenty of tissues!) and I thought I'd share with you what I wore make up wise. I do apologise for the crappy quality of the photos my camera lead's broke and I'm having to make do with my iphone/ipad in the meantime. I know you can't see the colours very well but you get an idea!

Face - Benefit 'Porefessional' Primer

Urban Decay Naked Foundation

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder

Benefit 'Bella Bamba' Blusher

Mac MSF in 'Gold Deposit'

Brows - Benefit 'Browzings'

Eyes - Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Eye Pallette in 'Rosewood'

Mac Fluidline Gel Liner

Benefit 'The're Real' Mascara

Lips - Revlon Lip Butter in 'Lollipop'

If anyone would like any reviews on these products at any time please let me know and I'll be happy to oblige (with better photos aswell!)

Take care lovelies!

Raphaelle x

Need these in my life...

Hello Lovelies!

So I wanted to share with you some things I'm lusting after this month, and also seeing as though it's my Birthday coming up, I thought this would be a good opportunity to create a wishlist and email my fiancé the link! Cheeky! 

New Look Structure Platform Courts - £25 - asos.com: I think every girl owns a pair (or 2) of trusty black heels. I did... until my black lab decided to add them to his chew toy collection (I cried). Anyway I'm looking to invest in some more and I really fancy a suede pair, I'm loving suede courts at the moment, they're really classy and a black pair will literally go with EVERYTHING. These beauties from asos would be just the ticket!

River Island Beige Textured Cap Sleeve Peplum Dress - £35 - riverisland.com: I've had my eye on this dress a week or two now and it would be perfect for my engagement party coming up in march, the style is super flattering (a peplum hides a multitude of sins!) and the colour is timeless, you could colour block it with bright accessories or keep it elegant with a black clutch and some courts. I would get a lot of wear out of this dress.

River Island Black Deco Metalwork Clutch Bag - £28 - riverisland.com: As I was looking through the River Island website for a bag to go with the dress I chose, I was really drawn to this clutch. I love the metal detail on the front, you'd only have to keep the jewellery minimal if using this clutch as there is more than enough detail to catch the eye. If I need a black back to go out with at the moment I grab my trusty Nica bag with the long shoulder strap; don't get me wrong I do love my Nica, but there's something about a clutch that makes you feel so dressed up and this would go lovely with my dress (I think my engagement party outfit's shaping up quite nicely!)

OPI Nail Lacquer in Pompeii Purple - £7.25 - amazon.com: When it comes to nail varnishes I do believe that OPI are second to none, their colour range is uh-mazing and they have a wide range of finishes from glossy to matte to suede. I know they're a little pricey but if you shop around you can find some right bargains! Like this one for only £7.25 on amazon; compared to their usual £10-£15 price tag I'd say this was a proper little penny saver! I love this shade 'Pompeii Purple' (the names are great too right??) and I think it would complete my outfit just nicely by adding that little pop of colour :)

YSLTouche Eclat Foundation - £28 - debenhams.com: I've been curious about this foundation ever since it was launched but I got the impression it would be too sheer for me (don't know where I got that from, maybe because the original Touche Eclat is quite a light formula, who knows?) but I decided to swatch it on my hand today at work and oh boy was I impressed! It was just the right consistency for me; not to watery but not too thick. I like it when, if you pump a small amount out onto your hand, it keeps it's little ball form and melts slowly as opposed to running down your hand. Anyways when I buffed it into my skin the finish was lovely, it has a really good coverage but is dewy and gives a subtle glow (it's not in anyway shimmery though). So I asked for a sample and am awaiting trial, although I have a feeling I'll have the full size in my possession before you can say 'pay day'!

DIOR Backstage Full Coverage Fluid Foundation Brush - £36 - debenhams.com: I know what you're thinking... 'Who in their right mind would pay that much for a foundation brush?!' BUT, my friends if you witnessed the smooth, velvety texture this brush beholds, then I swear you'd change your mind! I swear it's unlike any MAC, Sigma, Real Techniques brush you've ever tried! I really do think you would get what you pay for with this brush. I keep knicking it from the DIOR counter at work and playing with it it's that soft, and I've buffed some foundation onto my hand with it and it seems to blend like an absolute dream. It's been on my wishlist for aaages now as I've never had the spare cash to spend on something I really don't need... that much... But as a birthday present! Now that I can completely justify :D

Real Techniques 'Your Eyes' Enhanced Starter Set - £21.99 - boots.com: Now that's more like it... a price that doesn't hurt my eyes! Whether you're on a budget or not I really can't recommend these brushes enough, I have the Core Collection already and I think they're brilliant, they're soft, well made, and retain their shape really well. 

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in #10 'Provocative Pink' - £23.50: I really reaaaally want this shade so bad! It's the most beautiful lip colour ever! A bright fuchsia with blue undertones. I already have this lipstick in #2 'Sensual Silk' and it has to be my favourite lipstick by far, I love how smooth my lips feel when I apply it and the colour pay off is just wow! It also stays on surprisingly well, especially seeing as though it has such a creamy finish, it's usually matte lipsticks that have the best staying power. Another thing that makes this product so attractive is the luxurious packaging, it's so pretty I wish I could whack it outta my handbag more often!

Clinique 3 Step Skin Care - debenhams.com: This routine includes Clinique's cult skincare products; Liquid Facial Soap (cleanser), Clarifying Lotion (exfoliator/toner) and Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion (moisturiser). I really want to try this as I need to get my arse into gear with my skincare routine as I'm becoming slightly lazy with it. Apparently you have to use all three of these products in conjunction with each other for maximum effect so it will encourage me to cleanse, tone and moisturise every day. There's a large set on Sale in Debenhams at the moment for around £47 that includes a full size version of all three as well as a travel size, also of all three. Considering the moisturising lotion retails at £29.50 on it's own I'd say it was a bit of a bargain myself.

So there we have it, the things currently chart topping my wish list. I aim to have them all in my possession asap (Might take a while as I'm slightly skint!) Sorry for the long post, I tend to blab when I get excited about what I'm talking/writing about. What's topping your wishlist right now? 

Lots of love 

Raphaelle x

A new start...

Hey Lovelies...

Well, where have I been for the last year?? No sooner had I got my little blog up and running, I let it fizzle out to nothing :( Don't get me wrong I enjoy reviewing products and testing out new things, but I'm so naff with technical stuff and computers, I didn't think my little blog would be up to the standard of some of your masterpieces! That coupled with a very busy year meant that there was tumbleweed blowing across this little corner of the net... :(

Thanks to my friend Vicki over at alifeofgeekery.blogspot.co.uk, I'm giving my blog a new whole look and now I'm back and ready to get this page up and running - full of wishlists, reviews, beauty finds, hauls, bargains, splurges and all things related to beauty, fashion and life :D I thought I'd give my blog a new name for starters, the choice of name, The Benefit of Beauty, will become relevant if you read on... and Vicki has created me a lovely new background, she's a gem!

Now then for those that are interested, let me update you with a little bit that's been going on with me this last year. To begin with my boyfriend and I decided it was time to start a family. Now as cute as babies are, we are soo not ready to have a little one running around, so we decided to get a puppy to complete our little family instead :) We chose a pedigree black lab and named him Zeus. He is the most precious thing ever and I bloody love him to bits, I didn't think it was possible to love a dog this much but I couldn't imagine life without him now. Just look at that little face.....

He was around 10/11 weeks old in the first picture (it was taken in May). He's 10 months old now and let me tell you he's a considerable amount bigger as you can see in the 2nd picture. Still a cutie though :)

Another thing that happened last year is that I landed myself a new job... working for Benefit cosmetics no less!! (Hence new blog name...) To say I was overjoyed to get this job would be a huge understatement, not only do I get to work with make up and beautify lovely ladies everyday, I get to try all the new benefit products that launch for free (look out for a review of the new highlighter 'Fine One One' coming up in the next couple of weeks - it's beauts!). I absolutely love Benefit cosmetics and this job is right up my street :D 

Now me landing my dream job has to be the second best thing that happened to me this year. Second? I hear you ask, what could possibly be better than that? Well.... drum roll please... my wonderful boyfriend proposed to me! It was just before midnight on New Years Eve at Centre Parcs, we were surrounded by 16 of our close friends by the lake, it was perfect :D I am so happy I've been walking around in my own little bubble since it happened, glancing down at my beautiful ring every 5 seconds :) 

So now you're updated with what's been going on whilst I haven't been blogging, I hope you'll join me along my new venture, looking forward to getting stuck in again :D

Take care lovelies, any tips for my new bloggy would be greatly appreciated :)

Raphaelle x

The Beauty of Louise MAC give away!

The wonderful Louise over at 'The Beauty of Louise' is having a very generous giveaway on her blog! All this MAC make up is up for grabs so enter now for a chance of winning!! Link is in my sidebar xxx

The coolest nails I've ever done! (so far ;D)

I just HAVE to share this with you!

I have my friend staying with me at the moment and she's going down to London this weekend for her friend's birthday. She wanted some statement nails so she painted them a purple colour and she asked me to cover her 3rd nail on each hand with gems... this was the result...

We thought they looked fab! Anyways she had had them done for a couple of days and none of the gems had fallen off... in fact they didn't look like they we're gonna budge at all!! So we decided to cover all her nails in gems - we were dying to see what it looked like!! It took me nearly an hour and a half but I got there eventually ....

What do you think??


Raphaelle xXx

March Wishlist!

Hey Everyone!!!

First of all I have to make a huuuuge apology as I haven't blogged in over a month!! *the shame*
I've had such a lot to contend with... My boyfriend and I moved into our new house a month ago tomorrow (yey!) so we have been settling in and sorting out all our stuff, and I have also broken my ankle (not so yey!) so I haven't been getting around very much and I'm under strict orders to rest it! I know they're not much of an excuse and I really do apologise but I'm back now!! With a new March wishlist (as I'm sat here on my bum all day so all I can do is window shop on the internet, naturally... as if I'm not depressed enough at the moment!)

YSL Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF15 in 107 Impetuous Beige - £23.50

Doesn't this lipstick just look divine?? From the colour (even though it doesn't look beige whatsoever?!) down to the deluxe packaging... I have £10 worth of points on my Debenhams Beauty Card so I really am contemplating treating myself to this as I'd only have to pay £13.50! Hmm....

River Island Cream Pussybow Blouse -£25.00

I am very much a blouse person I think they look so classy! And I'm still searching for a lovely cream blouse to go with my burgundy jeans... and I think this may be it! 

OPI Original Nail Envy £11.95

I have recently developed a new love for OPI and now have 6 colours. I'd really love to add this to my collection as my nails are so weak, and if the lacquers are anything to go buy this would be a really high quality strengthener!

MAC 187 Stipling Face Brush £32.50

I have been meaning to add this to my collection for ages, it's just so much to pay for a make up brush and I never seem to have the spare cash! Anyone know of any good quality cheaper alternatives??

Topshop SPECTOR Contrast Back Platforms £62.00

I am soooo in love with these shoes and I can imagine they go with almost anything as they're a nude colour. I think I deserve a new pair of heels to celebrate getting my cast taken off on 3rd April :) (Can't bloody wait!! I'm forced to wear a flat shoe on my good foot and a sock on the other! Attractive? I think not!!)

What's in your wishlist this month??

until next time....

Raphaelle xXx

More nails! :)

Hey guys!!

I haven't posted on my blog for what seems like aaaages as I've been so busy! But I'm back now yey :) Was in two minds what to write about today as I haven't done a make up post for a while and I'm kinda getting withdrawls, but I decided on nails as I have just done mine and am pretty damn pleased with them, plus I wanna share with you all my bargain of the month :) enjoy....

Ok so my mum and a couple of friends have been wanting me to do them a french manicure for a while now but I lost my french white polish :( so I thought to myself if I see one cheap I'll get it just until I can afford a good quality one. Anyways I was in my local Bodycare getting some toiletry essentials when I spotted a stand with these little beauties in...

There was a white and the transparent nudey colour that goes over the top. I thought they'd be ideal for now so I checked the price thinking they'd be about £1.99...... 29p they were!! I couldn't believe my luck! So I snapped up a couple and tested them out on my mam that evening. Here's the result...

I had to do a couple of coats because it is quite a thin polish but for a total of 58 pence I'm pretty pleased with that to be honest! I do love a french polish!

I also bought some fakes for myself as I'm missing my nails at the moment but can't afford them right now, so  I thought I could just about manage £1.99 to make me feel slightly more groomed :) I've had them on for 4 days now and the white tips were chipping slightly ( well what can you expect for £1.99??) so I thought I'd do a bit of DIY and paint them.... I have a thing for painting the ring finger gold at the moment (or silver, depending on what colour I use for the rest), not quite sure why :/ but I really do like the effect. So here's a couple of piccys of my nails and the colours I used...

I used Barry M Nail Paint in Mushroom, and Barry M Instant Nail Effects in Foil. I hope you all liked this post :)

Until next time,

Raphaelle xXx

Review - 17 BB Blemish Balm!!

Hey all!!

I've decided to do a review on 17's BB Blemish Balm 'All In One Magic Make-Up'. I was going to buy the BB cream fron No7 aswell and do a comparison but I have to share this with you now! I bought this from my local Boots store as I had heard a lot of good things about Blemish Balms and I thought I'd give this one a go. It is quite cheap at £6.99 so I wouldn't feel so bad if I wasn't keen on it, plus I'd heard a few good things about this particular BB cream anyway so I thought it can't be that bad.

The boots website says
 'Discover the new 17 BB Blemish Balm to reveal the magic of flawless skin with this all-in-one foundation plus skincare wonder product.'

I picked up the medium shade as, even though I have quite pale skin, the light shade looked a little too light for me. When I got home and checked my receipt I noticed that I'd only paid £4.99 for it so it must have been on offer which was a real bonus! (Something as small as that can always brighten my day :D)

Here's what the packaging looks like...

I really do like the packaging. 17 is a cheap, affordable brand and I love the way they've made it look a lot more expensive. I've just realised it looks a bit dodgy at the bottom but that's just because I haven't screwed the lid on properly :) You get 30ml, same as your average foundation and when I've been using it I've used the same amount as I would with my foundation.

The all important swatches (flash and no flash)

At first sight the cream seems a lovely consistency but you can tell it's not going to give you full coverage, not that I would expect it to - even though it claims to on the Boots website, the packaging says it is the ultimate 'no make-up make-up'... and that says to me 'light coverage'.

I was expecting to get a tinted moisturiser effect, but the finish is a lot more impressive than that let me tell you! I was honestly planning on wearing this underneath my foundation so I didn't have to use as much (as my foundation is quite expensive), but I would actually just wear this on its own with a touch of blusher for a daytime look as it does give me the coverage I need (this coming from a girl who never normally leaves the house without a full made up face!) I am so happy with this product, especially for only £4.99!! I'd even pay the full £6.99 if I were to buy it again.

Now I know I should have really done a before and after picture so you can see the difference but I can not STAND the thought of putting a picture up of me with a bare face for the world and his wife to see!
So here's as much as I could muster - a pic of me wearing just the BB cream (massive apologies for the state of my hair, don't even recall dragging a brush through it this morning :/)

I haven't exactly got problem skin, all in all its pretty smooth, but my complexion can be somewhat uneven in terms of colouring sometimes, so as you can see the cream has definitely evened out my colouring and it has the most amazing dewy finish to it (if you have oily skin this can easily be resolved with a light dusting of powder). All in all I think this is a wonder product and it has certainly exceeded my expectations :) Would definitely recommend!

Hope you all enjoyed this post! Do any of you use a BB cream that you would recommend?

Until next time...

Raphaelle xXx

Mini Clothes Haul/OOTN!!

Hey Guys!!

I thought I'd share with you a couple of bits I got today :) I went to town with my friend to get something to wear for Saturday (as we are hitting the town!) and we popped into New Look, well I say popped.. I think we dragged half the shop into the changing rooms with us!! ... I was avoiding River Island and Top Shop as they weren't in my price range today unfortunately. Boo :(

Anyways I ended up picking up these...

The blouse was £14.99 and the bracelets were £7.99 (Both from New Look) and I will be wearing these on Saturday along with a long plain black vest top I also bought (£7.99) and black leggings or possibly jeggings, along with these bad boys I got for Christmas off my amazing friend....

Just LOVE them!!!! (they're a burgandy colour, pic makes them look darker) think they may well be up there as some of my fave shoesies :D I might even do a post on some of my shoes... I'm almost as obsessed with shoes as I am with make up... Almost ;) Will most likely get some pics up of my outfit on the night and post them on here :) Don't know how to do my nails though... maybe gold with a little pearl on each nail?? What do you think??

I also got this beauts dress from New Look which was £19.99 and will probably be wearing this on my Birthday night out (My birthday's 9th Feb but we shall be tearing it up on the 11th - can't wait!!)

I totally love this dress!! You can't see it very well on the picture but it has brown and turquoise feathers on it and looks lovely on!! Will have to dress it up with some accessories... maybe some feather drop earrings...

Eeeek I love how much more excited you get for a night out when you have something new to wear!!

Anyway I'm off to get some beauty sleep, day of make up coursework and pampering (ready for Sat!) ahead of me tomorrow! And maybe a cheeky post... if you're lucky ;) Take care lovely ladies!!

Until next time....

Raphaelle xXx