Mark Hill Sexi Flexi Hot Rods

Sexi Flexi Hot Rods 

For my Christmas my Mum bought me the Mark Hill Sexi Flexi Hot Rods.  I had asked for these after seeing them in Boots and it reminded me of a set I used to play with when I was little.

The concept is easy and although they are not as popular as they were in the '80s/'90s - I would say I prefer to use them versus my hot rollers or curling wand.

The rods heat up fully in about 10-15 minutes in the pouch and I would recommend leaving them in your hair until they are at least cool (10 minutes) or as long as you can spare.  They do get very hot so I would take out a couple at a time to allow them to cool just a little so you don't burn your fingers.  The set comes with the Mark Hill heat protection "gloves" which is a little glove that sits on your thumb and two fingers.  I find that they don't stay on very well and I can't feel what I am doing properly.

The rods themselves are made of a rubber material and feel pretty lightweight when you have them curled up.  The only fiddly bit I have is when I try to straighten them out to go back into their slots in the pouch - they will never be perfectly straight after using them.  That said, as long as you get rid of any major kinks they slide in fine.

As with any hair product like this the results vary depending on the size of the section of hair you are using.  I usually use a small section as I like the fact they give a tight curl - you could get a loose curl but you could do that easier with a curling wand (in my opinion).

plus side to these would have to be that they are less damaging to your hair than other heat tools.  This is because you hair is not in direct contact with the heated element and the rubber protects your hair.  Having said that you should take your time removing them; this is to avoid pulling at your hair and breaking it.

Although they may look like they give one style of hair (due to the one size of rod) that's not true.  Mark Hill has videos on Youtube which shows how to use them to create a different style.  For example; larger sections of hair only curled half way up the head, then brushed out.  This gives a soft, curly, fluffy look.

These are great if you are looking to get a truly curly look while being able to do other things - that all important make up routine. 

All in all I think the
flexi rods should make a come back!

What's your favourite hair tool?

Nic xx

Series Post: Lips the Favourites

My Series Posts: Lips the Favourites

I thought I would do a series post so I wouldn't run out of things to blog about and I like organisation so this helps keeps things in order haha!

For my first series I thought I would choose lips as I was looking through my make up and there were a few items that fell under certain categories.

First up - my favourite lip products.

These are just a few of my favourite lip products at the moment starting with lip balms, through to lip gloss.

Lip Balms

  

I am a sucker for lip balms and I own a lot of them.  However I am often disappointed with them due to their lack of moisture of the tacky texture.

This however is my favourite one for moisturising - Palmers (either plain or dark chocolate and mint).  I apply these at the start of doing my make up and they really soften up my lips in time for my lip products.

Lip Liners

I was never really into lip liners for a long time until Youtube twisted my arm!  I am still in search of the perfect nude but I have found my two favourite pinks (for the mean time).

The first is by Rimmel and is in shade 063 Eastend Snob.  This is a twist up design and is a very soft crayon type product.  It goes on the lips beautifully and doesn't snag or drag your lips.

Next is by Maybelline and is in the shade 132 Sweet Pink.  This is a more traditional pencil but I still find it to be soft and easy to apply, unlike some MAC lip liners I am sad to say.

Both of these apply well and are easy to work with colours.

Lipsticks

This is by far the hardest category to whittle down!  I have chosen three of my favourites and although the colour scheme doesn't have much range I tend to stick to nudes and pinks.

This is by far my most worn lipstick MAC Creme Cup and it was my first MAC purchase.  This is an easy to wear pink with a slight blue tone to it.  It goes on like a dream and doesn't take too much effort to get it looking good.

Next is a Barry M lip paint in 147 which is a nice coral shade.  Sometimes I find the lip paints to be very dry and hard to work with but Palmers lip balm sorts that out!

This Summer I have fallen head over heels with a statement lip and this is one of my favourite shades - Rimmel 004 Indulgence.  It works great with a natural look or a dark smokey eye for  a night out.

Lip Crayon

I don't have many of this type of product because I don't usually like them however these two I love.

Bourjois 04 Peach on the Beach really caught my eye in the shops and after reading up on them I knew I would have to give in.  I only went with one to start with as I was unsure how good the colour pay off would really be.  It isn't a strong colour but it gives a nice touch of colour and gloss to the lips.  They are also so easy to carry and touch up with.

Revlon Crush caught my eye last year and I really liked wearing it in Autumn.  It is has a stronger colour pay off than the Bourjois versions which make up not as 'throw on and go" - I do tend to worry about bleeding with this one.

Lip Gloss

This is probably my least favourite category.  I am not a huge lip gloss lover because I am very picky with them.  There are many, many colours that I swoon over yet when I test them the formulation just doesn't tickle my fancy.

This one I do like - MAC Fashion Whim (cremesheen glass).  This was bought as Christmas gift from a collection but I think it is a permanent colour?  I could be wrong there.  It is a great nude colour with no shimmer and although it may be a little too sticky for me, if I apply a little bit it works well.

Next is Revlon 04 Nude Lustre.  It is a slightly darker nude but is less sticky - a definite favourite for me.

This is a LONG post but I hope you enjoy this type of post.  I will do the counter part to this post next - it may take even longer to whittle down what to include haha.

Any other good lip products I should look at?

Nic xx

My Current BF

My Current BF

My current BF is my trainers (and dumbbells and exercise mat)!  Sorry for the no pictures post but we all know what trainers look like don't we?

A few weeks ago I started out yet another mission to get fit and healthy, although this time there was a difference in my attitude.  I never have and never will be "skinny" and this does not bother me.  I am proud to be curvy I just don't want to wobble as much!

After I had my first son 4 years ago during my mat leave I put on a lot of weight (I don't know the numbers thankfully).  Mainly because I was out a lot during the day with my baby and friends and I have since learnt this lesson; I cannot eat what my naturally slim friends can :(

So I had joined a gym but nothing really came of it and I soon cancelled it then last year guys in my work started using an app called MyFitnessPal.  At this time I also tried Curves gym but half an hour didn't feel like it did anything.  I was seeing results from the guys and the app so I though I'd give it a go.  It gives you a set amounts of calories for the day to reach your goal and you enter all the food you have eaten (in a nut shell) and it works pretty well.  It does however get a bit addictive - I found myself weighing EVERYTHING including tomato sauce.  I used it up until our holiday in June then slowly started again to get rid of the post holiday weight until I found out we were expecting again!  I did want to be lighter before I was pregnant again but I decided this after we had been trying already.

This time around I was a stone lighter after my pregnancy (I didn't gain with my first either) so I felt like I was on a high.  I have been determined to not make the same bad eating mistakes this time.  I'm not sure what it was that happened but one day a month or so ago I decided the time was right to kick this flab!  So I signed up to DW fitness gym and I love it!  I have also been using Youtube and blogs for exercise ideas, as well as healthy eating habits.

However, although I eat as healthy as I can, I struggle to come up with meals my whole family will enjoy (the boys don't love salad) so I'm thinking of joining Weight Watchers for their great recipes that I'm sure are family friendly - or were when my Mum did it?!

For a while I was a little bit scale obsessed but I am trying to not hop on them all the time - as being at the gym means toning up and we all know muscle weighs more than fat, and who wants to not see a loss on the scales?  Instead I am going to buy a tape measure (how come when I didn't need one I always found it, now I want it it's gone?!) to track my progress.

Sorry this is a bit long winded but I wanted to share my new re-discovered love for exercise.

If you would like to know my exercise routine or anything about what I'm doing just let me know!

I'd love to know what your get fit tips are?

Nic xx

Would You Rather - Make up

Would you Rather - Make-up edition

I saw this on the lovely blog Given Me Wings find her here!  And I thought it looked like a nice post so I have given it a go.

1. Would you rather lose all of your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, and lip glosses or lose all of your palettes and eyeshadows?

I would hate to loose my mascara!  I feel like my face is manly without it haha!

2. Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?

Never be able to cut it again.  Again, I would look a bit manly I think and I'm too used to having long hair.

3. Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?

I love coral although I think it's hard to get a true colour pay off with a bit of a tan, whereas pink usually always shows up.   It's a tough one but I'd say coral.

4. If you had £1,000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?

Make up without a doubt!  I am on a mission to get fit and loose weight so I have little interest in clothes right now.

5. Would you rather apply lipstick as eyeliner or eyeliner as lipstick?

Depends, is it black eyeliner?  Either way I would rather do neither but if I was pushed I would say lipstick as eyeliner - just call it a statement haha.

6. Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?

There isn't a Sephora in the UK but I understand it has a mixture of brands so I would pick there - although MAC is nice, one brand would get boring.

7. Would you rather only use one eyeshadow colour or one lip colour for the rest of your life?

One lip colour - I change up my eyes a lot but I can stick to one lipstick for a while.

8. Would you rather wear winter clothes in the summer or summer clothes in the winter?

Probably Winter clothes in the Summer - although I don't usually invest in big heavy clothes so it wouldn't be too bad (not that we get a great Summer in not so sunny Scotland).

9. Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?

Bright nails - I don't think dark colours flatter my usually short nails and I prefer them on my toes.

10. Would you rather give up your favourite lip product or your favourite eye product?

I could give up my lip product, I quite like my natural lip colour.

11. Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun?

I have recently become fond of a bun but I hate having all my hair pulled back, so If I'm leaving some hair out at the front I would just do a ponytail.

12. Would you rather never be able to paint your nails again or never use lip gloss?

I don't like lip gloss much so I could live without it.

13. Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or Sharpie them in everyday?

Sharpie - who would shave their eyebrows?!

14. Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

I could give up nail polish any day - although I would miss all the colours.  My face without make up is not fit to be seen by humans haha.

I tag anyone who wants to give it a shot!

Nic xx

FOTD #1

Current FOTD

Recently with having a new little man in our lives, doing a full face of make up has taken up place in the back seat again.  Saying that, if I'm ever lucky enough to have time while he is sleeping to do my make up I love it.  Being rushed though means I'm not always as creative as I'd like so I end up in a little rut.

I thought I'd share with you what my 'go to' look is and when I set everything out I'm a bit shocked at how many products I really use at once, it's worse on a night out (not to mention the brushes involved too).

 I have been trying to use up some foundations I have lying about so I was using this Bourjois one.  It is too light for my during the Summer so my Channel Bronze Universal works well to add some colour.  I'm also enjoying this NYC bronzer to give a little shape to my face.

Mac MSF in medium plus is my go to powder, it's light and doesn't look too cakey which is good in this hot/clammy weather we have been having.  This Bourjois cream blush was on my wishlist as soon as I read about them.  It is a lovely coral type colour although I think it doesn't show up as well on tanned skin.  Next is my trusty Sleek eyebrow kit.  I have very dark brown hair and the powder in this is a nice shade - not as dark as my hair but not too light.  I have tried all manners of eyebrow products and I always favour this.

Maybelline colour tattoos are a God send to anyone who has children but loves a bit action on the eyes!  This one is in pink gold and it is perfect to just sweep across your eye with your finger for a spot of colour.  They do crease a little on me but a spot of primer helps.  I love anything to do with Palmers!  This lipbalm in dark chocolate and peppermint is lovely and really conditions your lips.  I always apply it at the start of doing my face to get my lips ready for lipstick.  This lipliner is a nice pink/nude and is from Maybelline.  It doesn't drag on the lips of dry them out.  Finally this lipstick was my first MAC buy - Creme Cup.  Everyone knows it so few words are needed apart from I'm glad I have a spare waiting.

Please excuse the un-done hair.  Had to rush before the wee man woke up!

The lighting sucks (and my camera skills) but this is what I look like most days haha!

How does your day to day make up shape up?

Nic xx

Summer Bronzer

Summer Bronzer

I feel like I am always on the hunt for that 'perfect' bronzer.  One that isn't too dark, too light, too orange, too chalky...the list goes on.

This is the latest addition to my collection and it is by far the cheapest - I got it on a little offer for about £2.50!  I don't think it retails for much more than that to be honest though.

It is in the shade Manhattan and I think there is one other shade (that I could see).  It is a touch on the orange side if you use a heavy hand and I think on pale skin it would be too much - too orange and just not be believable.  To me bronzer should be in a shade that you could believe matched your skin if you were a few shades darker.

It is a big old product especially for the price, although it may not be the most travel friendly size!

All in all - it is a budget friendly product, very good price and not bad shade.  Size is a little bug for travel but we have to compromise somewhere huh?! 

What's your favourite bronzer?

Nic xx

Notd #2

NOTD #2

This is titled #2 but since the last one my nails have had a couple of different colours on - one was another shade of coral and the other a pink.  Today however I felt like laying the brights aside for a while and giving a nude a shot.

This is my favourite nude polish, it's called nude beige and is a dark nude with a soft brown almost taupe tone to it.

It goes on really well with one coat but just to make sure it looks good (or any polish) I usually always go for at least 2!

As for wear and tear it's hard for me to comment; being on mat leave and having two boys means a lot of dishes and hand washing so my polish never lasts as long as others.  I have found Models Own polish to be pretty good quality.

What's your favourite nude shade?

Nic xx

Boots Haul

A Little Shopping...

Hi, my name is Nicole and I am a shopaholic.  The other day I went into Boots to buy a miniature shower gel to take to the gym and I came away with a few more items than planned; although I did buy the intended item (which doesn't always happen!).

 I have bought True Match foundation before in a darker shade when I had a tan from holiday last year and it was a nice enough foundation.  This shade is a little light for me at the moment as I have a slight bit of colour but I have my Channel Bronze Universal to warm it up.

The other L'Oreal product is a 7 in 1 nail repair.  I have a Sally Hansen one and a Boots own brand - neither of which I love so I'm hoping this will do my nails some good.

L'Oreal (shock horror) have brought out a range of eyeliners, each which create a thin, medium or thick line.  I have one from the medium range which is a gel cream liner.  I will do a review on it, but so far I don't like it :(

Lastly is a major disappointment.  I swatched a couple of Rimmels coral lipsticks and found one I thought was a good doupe for one of my favourite shades at the moment (post to come), however when I picked up one to buy I went for the one I didn't like!!  I should really pay attention more!  I will do a post on it but it wont be a happy one haha!  It's shade 600 soft coral for reference.

 I am a sucker for gold shiny things!  Hence the Ted Baker eyelash curlers.  In my defence I have been needing new ones for ages.  So far they work pretty well but I have only used them a couple of times.

I have owned Ecotools brushes before and they were very good!  I had no reason to buy these other than they looked lovely, were a handy travel size (for the gym, my go to excuse haha) and my past experience with them.  I haven't tried them yet but they feel SO soft it's crazy.

Next up is a naughty impulse buy (surprise, surprise).  On my way to the till they had this little box of temptation en route.  It is a sample size of coralista and sun beam - I'm not an avid fan of Benefit (how dare she?!) but I have had my eye on these for a while and I will try to get a review up once I have tested them out for a while.

What I will say about these just now it that the packaging for the blush does not feel travel friendly.  It is in a very flimsy feeling plastic case - can't see it standing up well.

What was your last spree?

Nic xx

5 Bad Beauty Habits

Bad Beauty Habits (or lack of)

I would like to think that my love of beauty would mean I follow all the steps before, during and after when applying make up, tan or whatever it may be.  However that isn't the case.  I would like to say it is just because I have a busy life but sometimes I'm just plain lazy about things - so here are my top 5 worst beauty habits.

1. Removing make up before bed

Uh-oh!  The worst sin of all and I'm guilty as charged.  Usually by the time I get to bed albeit after work or just after running around after the family I just can't be bothered!  If I suffered from bad skin because of it I would definitely do it but thankfully I do not!  All that being said - you should do it (and I do go through phases or trying to do it but I always go back to bad habits).

2. Moisturising 

I own LOADS of moisturisers and I love Palmers Cocoa Butter - it does the job wonderfully but I do not have time to do it twice a day...I do try my best to do it, just skip a few most days haha.

3. Primer

Now I know not everyone needs primer for the face but most people use it on their eyes.  I however can spend ages on my eye make up and then realise I didn't put it on.  I always intend to use it but sometimes I'm too busy thinking of what look I'll do that I jump straight in without it.

4. Picking at my nails

That sounds horrible but you know what I mean right?  I have never been a nail biter but if my nail gets snagged or breaks I'll pick at it instead of getting the nail file out - no wonder I've never had long nails.

5. Eyebrow maintenance

If I'm honest I wish I never started doing anything to my eyebrows.  Having to pluck them and even fill them in just bores me these days.  Sadly I think it's one of those things that if you start you can't stop.  If i ever go without make up to my sisters, see wont mention anything but "wow you should really put your eyebrows on".  I try and leave not doing y eyebrows for as long as I can if I'm honest and then it's a hurried job when I do do them.  Don't get me wrong, I love how they look when they are done - it's just time consuming. 

Now some of these may make me sound a little lazy but they are things I don't do so I can spend longer on other beauty things - making my face look human haha.

What are your bad beauty habits?

Nic x 

NOTD #1

NOTD - Matte Coral Nails

Okay so I only managed to get one picture of these nails before my camera died...boo!  Seeing as I am on mat leave I am making the most of painting my nails (waitressing means I can't usually paint them at work).

  This year I have been loving mint and coral - I mean loving!  Anything in these shades tends to end up in my basket, can't say my purse likes that.

I have had this matte top coat for a while now and I haven't really used it much.  I tend to stick it on after my nails have been painted normally for a couple of days - just to get a different look from the same polish.  It is from Rimmel and there isn't too much to say to be honest - it makes your polish matte in one coat and doesn't take too long to dry - what more could you ask for?

The coral polish is Coral Craze 342 from the Maybelline Colour Show range.  It is a brilliant Summer colour and looks great with a tan!  I would say it take two coats to make it truly opaque like a lot of colours.  The brush is a nice size and the polish isn't too runny or thick.  I usually don't have time to apply a top coat (obviously not including the matte one) but I find the finish of this to have a nice enough shine by itself.

What's your go to Summer colours?

Nic x

Blog Take 2! & A Bit About Me

Welcome To My Blog

Hello there!  My name is Nicole and I have to hold my hands up...I am was a terrible blogger.  I really wanted to love my blog and post all the time but life got in the way.  This time I'm here to stay!

I am currently on mat leave with my new baby boy Ryan, so I am determined to make a good go of it this time.  I love make up and giving my opinion so this is the perfect place.

Want to know a bit more about the person behind the blog?  I am a Mum of two and live with my boyfriend in Dundee.  I have recently graduated with a BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychobiology - sounds geeky, I know!  So I am currently enjoying my time off and planning on starting the "big girl" job hunt in a few months.

I hope that I will be able to post hauls (girl loves a shopping trip, or two, or three) as well as reviews etc...

I also want to apologise a little if there are loads of posts up straight away - I have a few things stockpiled to blog about already!!

So in a nutshell that's a little glimpse of life and plans for my little corner of the world wide web.  I hope you will like what you read and join me in fuelling my beauty addiction!

Nic x