Bare Minerals Sample

I stumbled across this post from Charlotte over at Lipglossing late last week which introduced the new sample sized products that were on offer at Escentual.com. This isn't a website that I have ever visited before but the idea of trying out some very expensive products for a super cheap price before committing to their full size price tag really did draw me in.

I have wanted to try the Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals foundation since I went to their counter in Meadowhall back on boxing day 2010 but a lot of things have put me off. First of all, I have very dry skin so my worry was that powder would not sit well and simply make it look even more dry. Then there was the coverage issue. My skin is much better than it used to be but I have been left with a lot of scarring and redness that I like my liquid foundation to cover and I just wasn't sure if a powder would manage it alone.

This 10 day sample pot and mini kabuki brush cost me £3.00 and postage was £1.95. Inside the package was a free nail file, business card and Bare Minerals booklet on how to apply the powder. I think these little extras really make a difference when shopping online and really make me want to revisit the site. I ordered this on Sunday night and it arrived Tuesday morning so delivery time was impressive. Overall I think my experience with Escentual.com was very good :)
Another great thing is that if I decide to buy the full size powder after trying out my sample I get £3.00 off the price, which basically means I got the sample for nothing. And even if I decide not to buy the full size, I got the opportunity to try a usually very expensive product for the bargain price of £3.00!

There are loads of other sample sized products available here

So far I have only tried this powder three times but once it is finished I will do a review and let you know what I think and whether I am going to buy the full sized foundation.

International Swap Anyone?

I have been thinking about doing another international swap recently because my beloved CoverGirl Lash Blast seems to be running a little low and rather than trying something new, I think I want to stick with what I know and love :)

I did a swap with the lovely Emily a little over a year ago and it was so much fun shopping for someone else and receiving some lovely things that just aren't readily available over here.

You can view the items I received here

I think this time if someone agree's to do this with me I would like to maybe get some essie or OPI nail polishes? Obviously the CG Mascara and maybe a few other little bits.

If you are perhaps interested in the idea of a swap then I can easily get brands like:

• Barry M
• Collection 2000
• Gosh
• MeMeMe
• St. Moriz
• W7
• Boots 17
• Rimmel
• Soap & Glory

The only British brand that I kind of struggle to get hold of without ordering online is Sleek

Anyway, please leave me a comment or message me on Twitter if you are interested :)

March, April & May Favourites

So, it has been a while since I did a favourites post so this is a collection of the past three months worth of products. Enjoy :)

Illamasqua Eyeshadow in Jules My only matte eyeshadow that works great in the crease

DiorShow Mascara Slightly strange smell but really helps to open the eyes and add length to lashes

Revlon ColourStay Foundation Great coverage and a lovely dewy finish, but be careful it can look a little greasy

Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Foundation Probably my all time favourite!

Barry M Nail Paint in White Goes amazingly with a tan

Illamasqua Eyeshadow in Tango Reminds me a lot of a classic Olsen eye when it is smoked out

Calvin Klein Highlighter Pen Really brightens the eye area

Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz at first I didn't like it but on the waterline I think it really makes a difference

Neal's Yard Remedies Eye Liner in Black Smokes out beautifully, and I think it was a freebie in a magazine

Mac Studio Finish Concealer This will forever be in my favourites, the coverage is flawless

Soap & Glory Hand Food Perfect after work when my hands feel really dry

Clearasil Ultra Overnight Lotion I think this really has helped to clear up my skin recently

Superdrug Vitamin E Illuminating Moisture Cream Amazing tapped along the cheekbones

Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Daily Scrub Seriously cannot rave about this enough. I have really dry skin but this removes it all and makes my face feel and look super smooth

Maybelline Dream Sun Glow Instant Bronzing Perfect for an instant tan that you only want for one night

Soap & Glory Righteous Butter Always a favourite!

Collective Beauty Haul

It has been a while since I showed you some of the lovely things I have bought so here is a quick overview :)

St. Moriz Mousse Fake Tan - £2.99

Wilko's SPF 25 Sun Cream - £2.99

Batiste Boho Dry Shampoo - £1.00

Neutrogena Invigorating Daily Scrub - £3 something

Maybelline Instant Tan - £2.00

St. Moriz Tanning Mitt - £2.99

Leighton Denny Polish in Do Me A Flavour - Free in Harper's Magazine

Miss Sporty Nail Polish in 346 & Miss Sporty Disco Tech - about £1.50 each I think

Barry M Nail Paint in Pink Flamingo, Spring Green & White - £2.95 each

Urban Decay Pigment in Smog - £3.00

Bourjois Bronzing Powder - £6 something

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara - £5.00

Girls Aloud Festival Lashes by Sarah Harding - £1.00

Look how pretty they are with the red flicks :)

My Blogs 2nd Birthday :)

I really can't believe it has been two years already!

I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who reads my blog and takes the time out to comment on it. If it wasn't for you, I don't think I would have been able to continue with it for this long!

It's that time of year again ... Benefit Freebies!

Thankfully these three were much easier to track down than last years freebies seen here

This years magazine came with large sample sizes of the cult cheek products:

• High Beam
• Posie tint
• Bene tint

And with Glamour magazine only costing £2 per issue, you can't really say no :P

Have you managed to grab all three yet?