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Wednesday 21 May 2014

MOVING DAY!

I have been considering this move for a while, in truth I kind of wish I'd started out this way but I didn't want to invest money in my blog until I knew I was going to keep it up. Today I migrated all of my posts over to my new WordPress site where I hope you will follow me via blog loving - link

I'd appreciate any feedback you have on the layout and how user-friendly you find it to be from a readers perspective, it's a work in progress but I'm really happy with the first draft.


BNTBlogger


Monday 19 May 2014

Take it from an eye liner virgin... they're Real push-up liner benefit!



I've always struggled with anything eye liner related hence the title. I've maybe tried a liquid liner once in the past and I just couldn't get a natural looking line that worked with my eye shape; My upper lid ends slightly lower than, well, my lower lid so I find it difficult to get the flick at the outer edge. Obviously there isn't anything I can do about the shape of my eyes! But, in general, I've found liners difficult to use so, simply, I don't use them. Coupled with the fact that when I've tried I just couldn't do it without it looking wobbly and OTT. So when I heard about this new push-up liner from benefit you can understand why I might be a little sceptical....

The they're Real! Family consists of a mascara, push-up liner and a remover

The benefit sisters have been working on this product for five years, trying to create a liner easy to use for any age.


Whilst at the benefit launch..still feeling sceptical I tried out their newest addition to the they're Real family and wow I was impressed!!..in fact I think I've been converted.  

Why??
 
The main one being a liner virgin....It's easy to use
 
It has a AccuFlex tip making it easy to get to the lashline.
 
The matte black gel formula is waterproof and it doesn't smudge or dry out.
 
I was able to use it, well, like a felt tip pen, but also achieve a flick without it looking ridiculous!
 
 I could use it on the lower lid to finish the look.
 
Two clicks are enough for both eyes
 
It stayed on allllll day without so much as a wobble!
 
The remover takes the liner and mascara off with ease
 

 After trying this product at home I haven't changed my opinion. I've tried it with and without eye shadow and I love the looks you can achieve with it. Might I add that I NEVER normally go without eye shadow. Yes I'm sure there are other fab liners out there but for this liner virgin the benefit push-up liner is a winner!  



Look...no eye shadow ;)
 
When does it launch? Worldwide on the 27th June at benefitcosmetics
 
Blog post to follow on the they're Real mascara!
 
BNTBlogger x
 

Thursday 15 May 2014

Nail Stickers...Meh

I've never really paid as much attention to my toes as I do my finger nails, but I figured with summer approaching my toe nails are going to be on show a whole lot more so I thought I would try out some nail stickers. I have had minx done before in a salon and was impressed. They stayed on for a couple of months; Minx is basically heating stickers onto your nails.

 
It can cost around £15 to have minx nails done in a salon. Now as you may know I like to try my hand at DIY if I can achieve the same myself for less. Nail stickers are supposed to work along the same lines so if you find it enjoyable than try it yourself definitely.
 
These rebel nails start at around £6.00
 
Application
 
Clean your nails with nail polish remover, dry them, and then apply the design of your choice.

Select your size either by using the template or the nail, peel, buff and apply.
Finally smooth over the nail and file off the excess.

Removal:
Heat the nail and peel off the nail wrap covering peeling from one side to the other.
 

Thoughts.....
 
I didn't find them so easy to apply...it was difficult making sure there weren't any creases
 
The template sticker sizes, in the main, didn't fit to my toe nail sizes. The biggest ones weren't big enough for my big toes...I guess I have abnormally large toes!! Still wearable though as it was just one of the edges, however, I would rather my whole toe be covered!
 
They lasted a few days before they started to scuff so I would recommend wearing them for a special occasion perhaps rather than anything long term. HOWEVER I have been wearing shoes and socks so in the Summer if you're wearing sandals I would've thought they'd last longer
 
Would I use them again?
 
No simply because my toes don't fit the template criteria lol but definitely worth a try if yours are smaller. Good for a special occasion but I think I'll pay £15 next time and have someone do my toes and have them last longer!
 
Anyone like these? Are the finger ones any good?
 
BNTBlogger x

Saturday 10 May 2014

Brunette to Blonde Phase 1......

As you may already know I suddenly decided recently that I'd like to try being blonde. The majority of my hair is grey now and I'm having to dye it every 6-8 weeks due to the grey being so obvious as soon as there is any growth. Little did I realise that red is the worst colour to dye your hair when it is going grey! I've been against going blonde in the past mainly because of the maintenance but now I'm pretty much grey going lighter should make the grey less obvious when I have regrowth and I should just be able to have my roots done every 8 weeks. Not only that but I'm keen to see how dark blonde with highlights will look on me!
 
So here is phase 1 of my transformation!.........
 
Step 1 Consultation
 
Firstly I have a consultation with my colour specialist. She explains to me that I won't get the look I'm aiming for straight away because it will damage my hair if everything is done in one visit. The silly impatient part of me thought there may be a "glimmer" of a chance that I could achieve it in one go but there you go..silly and impatient. She reassures me she won't let me leave with orange hair phew! but it will be closer to a warm brown with caramel highlights.
 
Step 2 Stripping the hair
 
My hair is stripped to remove the unnatural colours from my hair.  Something I found out, might I add, is that the boxed dyes I've been using are harder to strip from your hair because they contain more chemicals than salon professional colours and are really damaging. I think from now on I will always visit a salon for any colour changes.
Time span of stripping the hair will depend really on your hair. In my case it took about an hour and she needed to put six lots on..whatever that means! 
 
The above shows the colour of my hair after stripping.
 
Step 3 Highlights
 
Highlights are put throughout my hair using foils and I'm left to read some mags and have my second Costa kindly bought for me by Khila who is more excited than me to see the end result!
 

Step 4 Full head colour
 
Whilst the foils are in a colour is put on the rest of my hair and then left to develop.
 
Step 5 Toner
 
When the foils are removed a toner is then used to help "tone" down any "yellowy" areas of the highlights.
 
Step 6 Cut and Style
 
The whole process took about 3 hours which I was pleasantly surprised by. I really thought it would take longer. Super impressed.
 
Salon Recommendations
 
I'm told to use conditioning shampoos and a hair mask weekly to keep my hair healthy and prevent damage from the highlights, especially as I'm going to have my hair coloured/highlighted on a regular basis.
 
Thoughts so far......


I actually love this "interim" phase. The colour's warm and doesn't look unnatural and if I don't like being blonde in the next phase, I'll definitely go back to it being like this rather than to dark again. As it stands I don't have any regrets and my hair feels great. Doesn't feel at all damaged. Not only that I think it has warmed my face up if that makes sense and doesn't look unnatural with my dark brows. Overall so far I'm very impressed!





Stay tuned for the next phase in my #brunettetoblonde escapades. Potentially 7 weeks time..if I can wait that long! Has anyone else had good/bad experiences of dramatic colour change?
 
BNTBlogger x



Tuesday 6 May 2014

Chanel notd....

I think these are my favourite so far. I LOVE pink and black together and obviously along with the Chanel nail art makes for a good look. Again I've used Gelish Nexu along with Gelish Harmony Foundation (base coat) and Gelish Harmony Top It Off (top coat). I am going to try Nexu base and top coat and I'll let you know if it's as good...being a cheaper product fingers crossed it is!
 
 
 
Check out my video below on how I applied.
 
 
 
BNTBlogger x

Just another excuse to spend money on eBay......

As usual, when one product will do the job I have to order two because, well, why not when you're a shopaholic. My thoughts are that it's all about the alternating between the two phone cases....if I'm in a bling mood..whatever that is...I'll go for the bling case and if I'm in a cool mood...again no idea...I have the, well, the cooler case right?! I seriously believe my own hype. Roughly translated I couldn't decide which of the many on eBay to buy so I figured I'd go for two....so here they are....

"Bling" case from said eBay Price: £3.99
 
It pretty much does what it says on the tin....glitzy and over the top and I have to say I LOVE it! The downside being that it might damage easily if it's not looked after seen as it doesn't have any sort of protection on the glitz; However if you're like me and a little obsessed with keeping things "nice" then you'll be just fine.


"Cool" case eBay Price: £3.99
 
I stumbled across this looking for other phone cases. I knew about the jumpers etc with this on but didn't know you could get other accessories. There's also mugs on eBay. The font reminds me of the Pretty Woman credits at the beginning of the film...you know what I mean?!
 
Check them out on my video below.
 
Until the next time.....follow and subscribe fellow humans ;)
 
BNTBlogger x


Wednesday 30 April 2014

Maybe I should go easy on the wall art now.....

Flower Dandelion wall art eBay Cost: £12.50
 
I don't know about you but when I decide I want something I can be a little "excessive" with it; And coupled with being someone that doesn't like to wait for pretty much anything I make for a true shopaholic when I have ANY money spare. So here are some of the wall stickers I've recently purchased from eBay.
 

Marilyn Monroe eBay Cost:£8.71 

 Banksy childhood girl with balloon eBay Cost: £14.99
 
I have ordered another Banksy one because I love them! Its one of a maid sweeping into the wall...check it out here.
 
BNTBlogger x
 




Sunday 27 April 2014

NOTD. Glitter gelish nexu



I decided to use these two colours together as Andy wanted some more photos for eBay. If you haven't read my other nail post, he is selling gelish nexu and there's a link here to his eBay if you want to take a look. 




After applying and the idea being to go for a "nautical"look I realised they looked a bit spiderman too!! Ha ha. Obviously not wanting to miss an opportunity to jazz them up some more with nail art  I also put lollipops on the red nails and I think they match the colours pretty well. I applied them using acrylic and they say on so well. Much better than nail glue.
 
Stay tuned for more NOTD....I am a little obsessed!! 

Thursday 24 April 2014

Ordering different sizes online and miraculously fitting?! Topshop mini haul

I recently discovered that there was a sale on in topshop and thought I would have a browse online. I'm came across the gorgeous jumpers they were selling around Christmas time..the knitwear ones...and they were in the sale! What was incredibly annoying though is each time I clicked on one they only had two sizes left, both not my size of course....that or I would add to my basket, then go back to said basket and it had been sold!! I think I may have unwittingly looked on the first day of sale and didn't realise that I needed to act fast! I luckily managed to purchase 3 items..all in different sizes and miraculously they all fit. Yay!
Sometimes I think that you can guess on the size just by looking at the material/style of the item. Not only that but its been on trend for quite a while to wear tops a little baggy. Luckily I love that!   

 
Fluoro Ribbed Vest    £3.00
 

Drape Sleeveless Top  £5.00
 
Knitted Fluffy Jumper   £15.00
 
I'm not really impressed with their website however. When looking on my mobile every time I clicked on an item to view after going back to carry on looking it took me to the top of the page so I had to scroll back down again..which was in some cases 50 + items. Annoying especially when I needed to buy fast ha! 
 
Any good sales ANYWHERE lol let me know!

Check out my haul below........










Tuesday 22 April 2014

Urban Decay Electric Palette....Neon Continued x

I came across this palette on youtube before it was available in the UK; I think it was a tutorial on how to do neon eyes and I was sold! I haven't got any bright coloured palettes and because I've been going for neon nails it was all too tempting to match.
 
 Reading reviews of the palette, I was keen to get my hands on it once it came to the UK. Its been available since the 1st April.  
 




Wow I love the colours!!!!!!! They are so bright. Urban Decay have used pressed pigments to create "heavily saturated brights" and the look is just as dramatic on the eye as it is in the palette. I was a little apprehensive using the yellow (thrash) but blended with freak, savage, jilted and urban looks fab!  How cool are the names too?!
 
 I must admit when it arrived I didn't know where to begin because I'm so used to using one or two colours but I think its a palette you can really experiment with. There really isn't a right or wrong way of using it. In terms of "staying power" they last all day without needing to reapply, to the point where on removing, I could still see the colour a little the next morning!



This brush comes with the palette and I'm really impressed with it. No excess shadow fell under my eyes and the smaller brush is great for using on the inner and outer edges of the eyes.
 
How I wore it.....
 
 

 
Check out  how others wore it here.......

Where can you get it?? I purchased mine from Debenhams. Price: £38.00 
 
 

Saturday 19 April 2014

NOTD...Bunnies


It wouldn't be right not to have bunnies on my nails for the Easter period lol. The bunnies are eBay and I got them along with a variety of other 3D art that I mention in another of my blog posts. Again the gel is gelish nexu and my husband is selling these on eBay if anyone would like to take a look here. The bunnies really remind me of a cartoon but I can't think which so if anyone possibly knows what I'm going on about let me know...it's bugging me!


I'm going to being doing a NOTD post each time I do them which will no doubt be a lot judging by my excitement for all things gelish so watch out for the next....
 
BNTBlogger x

Thursday 17 April 2014

H&M haul.....!!

 
 L-R Stretch trousers £12.99, Sleeveless dress £24.99 with Waist belt £7.99 
 
Firstly I LOVE the fact that you can order products from H&M and have the option of a monthly invoice. If you haven't heard of this, it is, in a nutshell, shopping now and paying later minus the interest. The negative however..in my case anyway..is that I order more because I'm not paying at the time in which I'm shopping. Not always ideal when you get a buzz from picking lots of pretty things. Cue lots of photos of...pretty things......I have purchased..!

Loving the cropped style trousers. I haven't tried these before and I think they'll be nice as a smart/casual look in the summer. I'm waiting on the dress still as its not due in until May, and I thought I'd wear it for a Spring wedding with some wedges and gold jewellery.


L-R Figure-fit dress  £12.49.....it has gone back up to £24.99 now...so good timing and Jersey dress £7.99..Bargain!
 
Lace dress £19.99
 
I bought this dress for work. Its quite nice that it isn't fitted..comfortable for moving around! And because its lacey round the top it looks nice with a black strappy top underneath. 


Shopping bag £24.99
 
Love that this is called "shopping bag"! Its definitely a substantially sized bag ..similar to that of a Mary Poppins one lol.
 
OOTD to follow......
 
BNTBlogger x
 
 




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