Mac New York Apple & Diva back to Mac haul

Evening guys,

I can't believe its Sunday night again! Oh how the time fly's when you are having fun!

When I was in Debenhams the other day I managed to have a sneaky stop at the Mac counter. This is something that I never seem to be able to avoid and I always seem to walk away with one of their black bags, clutched in my eager hands!

On this occasion I feel no guilt though, as I was actually being good and recycling, honest! As I am sure you know Mac do 'Back To Mac', this is where you can take 6 empty Mac containers i.e. Blusher, Eyeshadow or lipstick, hand them in and you can select a new lipstick (at Mac stores I think you get to choose between a lipstick, an eyeshadow or a lip glass, but I'm pretty sure if it's a concession you can only get lipstick).

I have recently bought two pro palettes and had a major de-potting session with my eye shadows and blushers which left me with enough containers for two new lipsticks. Now as they were in my mind 'free' I decided to be a bit more adventurous than I would normally be.

In my Monthly Crave post I said I said I have been lusting after New York Apple and Odyssey. Unfortunately Odyssey wasn't in stock so I had to pick another (I was prepared in case this happened and wanted 'So Chaud' but this wasn't in stock either! Annoying much!) After some searching and swatching I settled on Diva.

New York Apple, as I said was on my monthly crave wish list. Its a frost finish and is described as a muted red with a pink shimmer. The shimmer makes the lipstick look shiny, which makes the little voice in my head that tells me I should put glitter on everything in sight happy!

I gave it a swatch in the store and it was love at first swatch! Although it does have a definite shimmer to it, I don't think its overly frosty and it feels almost like a cremesheen to me! This is one of only a couple of frost finish lipsticks I own and thankfully its not a regret.

On my fairly pinkish lips it comes over as a lovely raspberry red and is quite glossy and sheer. The only down side to this lipstick is that it does seem to bleed quite quickly so I will need to pick up a lip liner to compliment it and to put a stop to any feathering. But apart from that its one I can see myself reaching for a lot over the next coming months.




Diva is a deep red matte finish lipstick. Its a bold colour and the deep red reminds me of mulled wine at Christmas (only 86 days away *slightly excited/worried face!*).

When I swatched it, it was so pigmented and rich that I had to get it. Diva is quite a change from the colours I would usually wear. I don't normally go for such dark bold colours but I think this is actually what persuaded me to get it, as I am trying to get out of my comfort zone and wear new lipstick shades.

This also seems like it will require a lip liner to stop it feathering (Another trip to Mac! Like I need an excuse!) On my lips it comes up a very deep berry red and I think will be perfect for the autumn/winter months that are rapidly approaching us.

Well that's my little 'Back to Mac' haul for you!

What's your view on these shades? Are they favourites of yours? (if so I would love some suggestions for Lip liners) Please leave a comment I would love to hear your opinions.

Heather xx

Heather's Addiction Social Media Links

Hello everyone, hope you are having a nice weekend.

Today I've been a busy 'technical' bee and have managed to add links to all my Social Media on my homepage. (Feeling like a very clever monkey indeed!)

Please feel free to connect to any of them.



Heather xx

Benefit VIP Christmas Gift Set Preveiw

Well I hope you are all ok and looking forward to the weekend.

This week seems to have gone so quickly! I was very excited little make up addict yesterday, as last night I was lucky enough to be invited to a preview of the new Benefit Christmas gift sets at my local Debenhams.
(Please be warned now this is a picture heavy post!)

We arrived a bit early so had a wander round the Beauty Hall which was full of temptations as not only did they have 10% off all beauty and fragrance but its was triple points too!




 Once we had managed to drag ourselves away we were taken to the little cafe upstairs where they had set everything out so we could have a look and a play. They had some delicious Apple and Cranberry sparkling juice for us to drink and jars full of Maoam dotted around for nibbling.


The lovely Benebabes Libby and Louise then gave a short presentation where they talked about what sets were being launched. We then got to get a closer look at what each set contained.

This years gift sets are some of the best I have seen. The ones that really stood out to me were the ones that came in tins. There are four large tins, one of the features I really liked about these is that they are all stackable so will make great storage solutions. All the stickers on them are all easy peel off and the tin designs and colours are very eye catching and pop art like (I have my eye on one already  "It's a love fest!" You will be mine!).

I scoped out which ones had what in just for you, my lovely readers. If you click on the links it will take you to the Debenhams website where there is a 10% discount on at the moment  :-

  It's a love fest! -

• The POREfessional
• They're real!
• Sun beam medium 4ml
• Ultra plush lip gloss mini in COARlista

  Love me b.right! -

• It's potent eye cream
• Triple performing facial emulsion
• Total moisture facial cream mini
• The POREfessional mini 7.5ml

   Primed for lovin'! -

• They're real!
• High beam
• The POREfessional
• Ultra plush lip gloss mini in sugarbomb

Gimme some lovin'!

• They're real!
• Hoola
• High beam mini 2.5ml
• The POREfessional mini 7.5ml

As well as the four large tins they are also doing two small tins with make up kits inside. These kits will make great gifts as again once you have finished with the products you will have a little keepsake tin rather than an empty cardboard container. They are:-

Groovy Kind-a-love!

• The POREfessional mini 7.5ml
• They're real! Mini
• Benetint - medium 4ml
• Dandelion & Bella Bamba - cheek powder duo with brush
• 4 shade eyeshadow palette
• double-ended sponge applicator

Luv it up! 

• 3 longwear powder shadows - call my buff, nude swings, thanks a latte.
• Creaseless cream shadow mini in r.s.v.p
• Ultra plush lip gloss mini in dandelion

This was my favourite and the one that managed to make me part with some cash even though I told myself I was only going to look! I just have no will power when it comes to pretty make up's!

I had a really lovely time, the Benebabes were very knowledgeable about the products and were just all round nice girls! There were definitely a few more bits that I may have to drop some hints for around Christmas!
We were even given little mini goody bags so we could trial a couple of the products which I thought was a really nice touch.

I will be posting a review on the palette that I got with some close up pictures and a swatch or two!
Please let me know what you think of the offerings from Benefits Christmas range this year I would love to hear your opinions. Speak to you all again soon!

Heather xx

The Monthly Crave #1

Hello again!

Well as the month is drawing to a close and pay day is fast approaching, I thought I would share with you a few bits that I have been lusting after and may possibly be treating myself to, if I can justify their necessity!

First up is something I have had my eye on for a little while now, and that is the Nars Fairy Kiss Eyeshadow Palette.
Nars describe it as "An enchanted autumnal vision for eyes. A six-shadow palette of high-fashion, fanciful hues for an infinite range of artistic effect" I describe it as "ohhh so pretty I want"

It has the most beautiful purple shades which is one of my favourite colours. I have only heard good things about the Nars Eye shadows so I think it would be rude of me not to add this to my stash!

Nars Fairy Kiss Palette

Its now officially Autumn or Fall depending on what side of the pond you live on and in the spirit of autumnal shades I feel I should add some berry colours to my lipstick collection. I think these two Mac lovelies would do just the trick.

Mac New York Apple is one of their frost finishes and is a deep raspberry red. It looks like it has a beautiful shimmer to it and I am looking forward to getting to my local Mac counter to give it a swatch.

Another one I shall be swatching to see if I can pull it of is Mac Odyssey this is another of the frost finishes and I have seen it described as a berry wine with good coverage.


I'm not sure why I seem to be wanting the frost finishes all of a sudden as normally I prefer the amplified or matte finish I think it may be that they both have a bit of shine to them and this appealing to my magpie tendencies!


I have been wanting the next item for a few months now, I keep sniffing it whenever I am in the fragrance counters of my local department stores but as yet have restrained myself from buying as I have quite a few perfumes on the go and I should really finish some of them before I buy any more.

Alien Eau De Parfum

My final item is not beauty related and is of more a practical nature as with the season changed my footwear needs a bit of a reboot. I have seen these ones which are both practical and sassy and I can see myself getting a lot of wear from them. 

I have even found them for a good price on one of my favourite websites for shoe shopping Shoeaholics

Sammy Boot Carvela Kurt Geiger

So that's my list! What are your cravings for this month? Please leave a comment and let me know I would love to hear and maybe get some more inspiration! 

Heather xx

What's in my Bag

I hope everyone is well and has enjoyed their weekend. They always seem to be over far too quickly for my liking.

My post today is going to be one of my favourite guilty pleasures when I read other peoples blog's, I love having a nosey and seeing what everyone considers as essentials to get them through their days!

I wish I could say that my bag looks this organised and uncluttered on a daily basis, but I have to admit that the only reason it is looking so tidy because I recently bought a new bag so I had a good clear out before I swapped everything over.

My new bag is a Celine inspired purchase, there is no way I could afford the real deal! So when I saw this one on eBay for a bargain price I snapped it up. It arrived pretty quickly and considering the price I cant fault the quality.

So on to the contents, I like to have my Ipad  to hand as it has most of my games and books on it. I love reading and read any chance I get, whether it be in the car or on the bus home from work.
The case was a bargain purchase from the Ted Baker store at Bicester Village a while back. I love it so much its made of a lovely soft brown leather and has rose gold details with a grey butterfly print on the inside. It makes me happy every time I look at it!

For my on the go make up essentials, I use a YSL bag that I got with a gift with purchase last Christmas this holds all my bits that I have "just in case".
Just peeking out of the bag is a comb, a No7 Amazing eyes black eyeliner and a couple of eyeshadow brushes. The other items that usually live in there are :-

• Two sachets of Lemsip
• A pack of Ibuprofen 
• A roller ball perfume ( Ralph Lauren No 2)
• A little pot of my foundation (YSL Teint Touche Eclat)
• YSL Volupte Sheer Candy No12
• Mac Freckle-Tone Lipstick
• Mac eyeshadow quad in Spiced Chocolate
• A double ended Clinique Mascara and Lip Gloss
• My favourite Mascara, Lancome Doll Eyes 
• Lanolips Rose hand Balm Intense
• Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour in Dark Honey
• Anti-bac hand gel in Pink Sugar Plum
• Lanolips 101 Ointment

My other cant leave the house without essentials are my Iphone 5 which I find invaluable to keep my calender and life in general in order, my house key of obvious reasons and my Micheal Kors purse which I was lucky enough to pick up for a great price on another visit to the outlet at Bicester Village. It's a great size, I can even use it as a mini clutch if I need to as it fits my key and phone in too, which is very handy.

Also my Wedding To Do Book, this is a very recent addition but I love it, its so cute and I bought the other matching planning books too because I love the design so much ( Possible blog post I think!)

Finally no bag would not be complete with out an emergency chocolate bar and some chewing gum to keep your mouth fresh!

So that's it guys,  I hope you enjoyed taking a look at what I cart around with me on a day to day basis!

Please let me know in the comments below if you have done your own whats in my handbag posts as I would love to see them! See you all soon.

Heather xx

Evening Skincare Routine

Good Evening!

For my first proper post I thought I would start with the basics, my skincare basics I mean. I used to be one of those girls who would either not bother to take off my make up at the end of the day, or if I did bother I would use a face wipe and think that would do!

All that changed however, after I saw the Pixiwoo Body talk video with Caroline Hirons.
If you would like to see the video, which I highly recommend you do! Please click here.
In it Caroline, who is in my humble opinion a skin care goddess, quoted my favourite and the funniest lines ever regarding face wipes.

 "face wipes are for Fanny's, flights and festivals"
 
After hearing these wise words and also going and devouring her blog Beauty Mouth. I told myself I would turn over a new leaf and begin a new skin care regime that actually focused on taking care of my skin.
As Caroline also very rightly points out, we only get one face so we should look after it!

So with out further ado, here are the products I am using and the routine :-

• First I take a clean flannel and leave it sat under a hot running tap (I have mixer taps so I let a little cold run through so its not too hot).

• I then take a small blob of my Clinique Take The Day off Cleansing Balm and massage it into my face. First I take it all over my eyes to remove my eye make up and then to the rest of my face.

• I take the flannel that has been sat under the running water and use this to wipe of all the cleansing balm making sure to keep rinsing it off under the running tap.

• Once I think its all off I do my second cleanse, this is important to do if you have been wearing make up or SPF. I use the Ren Clearcalm3 Anti-blemish Clay Cleanser as my skin is blemish prone.

• I rinse my flannel (still with the hot tap) and use it again to wipe of all the cleanser. My skin now feels soft clean and most importantly not tight as I haven't stripped it of all its natural oils.

• Next I use an exfoliating toner, at the moment I am using the Pixi Glow Tonic which I'm really enjoying it smells fab and I have seen a real difference since I started using it! All I do is pump two or three times onto a large cotton pad and wipe it all over my face, especially concentrating on my problem areas of chin and nose.

• I then use a hydrating toner put some moisture back into my skin, I have been using the La Roche Posay Serozinc I give my face a quick spray before I start to layer on my serums and moisturisers.

• I first apply my eye cream, I have been using a mini Clinique All About Eyes that I got with a gift with purchase from boots a while ago. 

• Next is my serum, I am using a tester of the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II which I have been really liking. I normally use the original version, but will definitely be purchasing the new formula when the tester and my original formula bottle is all gone.

• After my serum has sunk in, I then put on some Indeed Labs Hydralauron which helps lock moisture into your skin. This is another addition that has made a marked improvement to my skins texture and look and is on a continuous re-purchase list.

• Finally I put on my night moisturiser, I am using the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Night Cream. I like this but when I have used it up I will be looking to try something new as I like to switch things up every now and then.

Phew that was a long one if you have made it this far thanks for sticking with me!

This routine may seem like it takes a long time but it only takes me 5-10 minutes. One important note I forgot is to make sure your flannel in clean,  I achieve this by using a fresh flannel each night as this helps reduce any problems with bacteria on the flannel.

Please let me know if you use any of the products I have mentioned and what your own thoughts are, if you can suggest any replacements you swear by or if you would like an in depth review with swatch's etc of any of the products I use.

I think that's all for now its getting late and my routine is waiting for me!

I will see you all soon thanks again for reading.

Heather xx

Sharing my addiction!

For a long time I have lurked around beauty blogs absorbing all the prettiness and living vicariously through other peoples purchases!
Today I decided to bite the bullet and give it a go myself and share my addiction and love of all things make up, beauty and everything between.
I hope to keep my lovely readers interested by doing a mixture of hauls, reviews and a few posts about the preparation for my up coming wedding (any useful hints, tips and ideas will be gratefully received) and anything in general I think may interest you!
Well that's about it for now I am hoping to be able to upload a couple of posts a week so I will see you soon.

Heather xx