NOTD: Glittery Mauve

Hello lovelies, 

I haven't painted my nails since before Xmas but I thought I'd go for something with a bit of sparkle.

 I've used Avon Mirror Shine in Metallic Mauve with a couple coats of Chit Chat (Poundland's brand) glitter in Violet shade. They took ages because the glitter polish didn't dry very quickly, and it absolutely stinks, but it looks fab and you can't complain when it only costs £1. 

Lauren x

August Empties

Hello lovelies,

Have you all enjoyed the weekend? I know it's back to school/college for some of you this week, so hope you've made the most of it! I spent the last few days hanging around at my sister's house, watching films and tv, painting our nails, walking the dogs, and just doing the usual stuff really. Anyway, on to the empties...

I've not done an 'empties' post before, but as I seemed to use several things up at once, I thought now was the time! Hopefully it'll encourage me to use up some of the things that sit around doing nothing. 

1. Avon Advance Techniques Heat Protection Spray

When Avon changed the packaging of their hair range these were going super cheap for reps, so I bought four. I use it every time I blow dry/straighten/curl my hair. I can't exactly tell if it works, but my hair doesn't look damagaed and it gives me piece of mind!

2. Henara Shampoo

I picked this up cheap at a local discount store because it's meant to enhance your natural hair colour. I can't say I noticed any difference and I hate the fact that it doesn't lather up. It's also very liquidy, with no body to it. 

3. Avon anti-dandruff Volume Shampoo

I like this shampoo and would buy it again. I use it in conjunction with the Avon Volume spray and it does give my hair a bit of lift when I blow dry it after using this. 

4. 17 Va Va Voom Mascara

I did a post about this mascara earlier in the month. You can find it here. 

5. Garnier Deodorant Invisi mineral Calm

Looking at these deodorants in shops, there are so many different ones. I got this one because it has a really lovely, girly smell that lingers around. Having said this, I got a bit fed up with it by the end of the can. It is a good deodorant though and is really gentle on my skin.

6. Marks and Spencer's Cocoa Butter Lotion

I discovered a few months ago that M & S do a whole range of lotions, shower gels, bubble bath, etc, called Nature's extracts. The lotion's a light, non-greasy formula which actually feels quite thin but moisturises well. I opted for cocoa butter because I wanted something richly moisturising for my dry skin, but my mum has the lemon verbena and it smells gorgeous! 

So there you go, that's what's now in my bin. I'll be having to fish the mascara back out though as I read that the wands make excellent eyebrow brushes.

Lauren x

Gold and Teal nails

Hi everyone, 

Yet again I'm sharing some nails with you. Lately I've been really good at keeping my nails painted and pretty looking, whereas I used to paint them once in a blue moon, I now change them 2 or 3 times a week. When I take the polish off they look naked and pale in comparison.

Here I used Avon's Arabian Glow polish in 'Teal Infusion' with George at Asda's 'Warrior' (Which I showed you the other day here). I did all my fingers in the teal which I would describe as more of a bright turquoise, then I drew a simple design on my thumbs.

These colours are perfect partners.

Lauren x

Avon Extra Lasting Liquid Foundation

I may have mentioned in previous posts that I used to be an Avon rep a few years ago.  During that time I amassed quite a collection of their products and got to try out all the new things before the customers did. I really enjoyed it but then I moved house which meant I would have had to drop my old customers and start again. At the time I had a lot going on and didn't want the extra hassle, so I stopped. Anyway, that's a different story, but my point is that I've tried a lot of Avon products and this is the one I use the most and would be lost without!

The foundation comes in a glass bottle containing 30ml and is dispensed by a pump. It has SPF12 and is available in five shades with a RRP of £12.50. Avon describes it as 'Long lasting foundation that gives a flawless finish that lasts for up to 18 hours'.

You can just see it blended in to the right half of my hand in this pic

The colour is slightly lighter than my hand when blended in, as I have a tanned hand and a paler face, but you get an idea of what it's like.

I don't know about it lasting for 18 hours, but it definitely stays put during the day and I don't find I need to touch up my foundation (although sometimes I do set it with powder). It gives good medium to full coverage and as I tend to have quite blotchy, blemished skin, it gives me a more evened out skin tone. It doesn't irritate or dry my skin out and neither does it make it oily, but I have combination skin which I think this foundation really suits. If your skin were on the more oily side then I wouldn't recommend this.
The texture of the foundation is right in the middle of watery and thick, with enough body to not just slide off your face like some liquid foundations, but not heavy and it doesn't look cakey. Like many people, I have slight paranoia about walking around looking like I've put my make up on in the dark and been a bit heavy handed. This in mind, I tend to go for a less rather than more approach, but this foundation is easily buildable depending on the coverage you're after. I've also heard but not tested it, that this foundation has water repellent properties so is great for swimming/exercising/humidity.

I use this everyday in the shade 'Ivory'. It's my first choice for a cheaper end long wear foundation and I would recommend giving it a try.

Lauren x