August 2014 Favourites Round-Up

It's the end of August so you guessed it....it's time for my August round-up!

Beauty products I have been loving and using this month, as-well as a few non beauty faves thrown in for good measure!

First up...

Hydraluron by Indeed Laboratories.

Really been loving this new moisturising jelly. 

Lovely and hydrating, so refreshing on the skin.

I use this both morning and night to quench my thirsty skin. Sinks in nicely.
It's sort of a cross between a serum and a gel moisturiser.

My most used lipstick this month has to be....

 MAC's Mineralize Rich in 'Divine Choice'

Such a pretty pink, that's creamy, pigmented but still has a slight glossy sheen to it.

Not to mention the familiar vanilla scent!

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

 I have been loving using this DHC facial cleansing oil ever since I got it in my summer edition Glamour box. Read my post here

It's such a lovely facial cleansing oil. Olive oil makes it lovely and soothing but hydrating on the skin. Does such a great job of cleansing that on the days I don't wear make-up I don't feel the need to double cleanse.

When this trial size runs out I will definitely be repurchasing this cleanser... it really is that good!

Finally got my hands on 'Allure' magazine!! 

It's America's beauty magazine which I can never seem to find in shops by me. Found this one during my weekend visit to London to see my sister. Oh another favourite is the Selfridges beauty hall... it's beauty heaven! Now just need to win the lottery!

Books:

 This month I haven't done a whole lot of reading (oops) but I have enjoyed this Bobbi Brown book 'Everything Eyes' 

Inspiring and really makes me want to be more adventurous with my eye make-up!

TV:

I really enjoyed BBC's The honourable Woman, without saying too much I didn't see the twist towards the end! Reminded me of a British version of Homeland. Had me gripped till the last episode.

Song:

I can't seem to stop listening to Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud'.

Such a great song, if you haven't heard it YouTube it!!

Lastly.... I have begun training for a 5km run ..... which if you know me, you will know that is a huge first step!!

(Put it this way exercise isn't really in my nature) 

Am starting to enjoy jogging, although i am nowhere near my goal of 5km I feel I am slowly getting a bit more energy and go in me! Just about managing a mile!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

My first 'Cohorted' purchases!

Ok so i made my first Cohorted purchase...and you guessed it! ..... It was a MAC lipstick!

For those of you who haven't heard of Cohorted...

How Cohorted works is each Monday at 6pm 4 cohorts go live, so this can vary week to week from MAC lipsticks to Sigma brushes or Urban Decay Naked palettes.

People join the one they want to win and when more people click to buy the price goes down. You pay the final reduced price.

Left: Show Orchid Right: Pink Nouveau

MAC Pink Nouveau Lipstick
Swatched on the lips

Satin lipstick formula. 
This is my 1st satin finish lipstick from MAC. 
I'd say that it was a cross between creamsheen and amplified with a sheen to it.

MAC Show orchid Lipstick
Swatched on the lips.

Wow this is a fabulous full on bright blue-pink!!
An amplified creme formula lovely and creamy with a punch and pop of colour.
A bold fuchsia pink. 
I was so pleased to buy this one as it is a pro store lipstick, so is only in selected MAC stores.
Have you tried cohorted yet? The website is cohorted.co.uk pop over and have a peak!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

The Cosmetic Company Outlet Cheshire Oaks ft Bobbi Brown & MAC

I Went on a little mission to discover this cosmetics store at Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village. 

Didn't realise that there was a cosmetics company store not too far from me. 

How did I not know?!

Has discounted products from these brands:

MAC, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Origins, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown

My Fresh Haul - Lip Service Gift Set

Fresh 
Sugar Lip Service Gift Set

Difficult to get a hold of in the UK, so I was incredibly excited to discover this small store in London. 

Picked up the gift set which contained:

Fresh Sugar Lip treatment

Fresh Sugar Rose Lip-balm

Fresh Sugar Tulip Lip-balm

Fresh Sugar polish lip scrub

So pretty and refreshing to use.
 Very moisturising on the lips and as you can see the tulip and rose have subtle tints to them. 
The lip treatment is a clear balm and the scrub is a brown sugar lip polish.

I just love the smell and taste to all of these. Have a very refreshing lemon sugary scent and are so delicious to use. Highly addictive and moreish!

Lovely, hydrating and protecting for the lips. 

The packaging is very sleek too with it being a metal tube that has a twist lock lid. Means that the lid stays put in my bag - no need to worry!

I am so glad I have finally tried these gorgeous tubes of deliciousness. 

Highly recommend and once these run out I will definitely be repurchasing, never want to be without!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

My Beauty Mart Picks

Beauty Mart is an edited beauty shop section within Topshop Oxford Street, that sells hero and cult products that work. 
Such a great idea!

Here is what I picked up:

Homeoplasmine

This French pharmacy balm is similar to Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour cream, only purse friendly and without the fragrance. 
Great for use on dry and flaky lips as-well as rough and irritated skin.

Embryolisse Concentrate

Have heard so much about this cult moisturiser, loved by models and make-up artists alike. Thought it was time I jumped on the bandwagon and tried it for myself.

First impression, it is a nice hydrating moisturiser that leaves your skin silky smooth and I mean smooth! Couldn't stop stroking my cheek! A lovely to use moisturiser and good for use under foundation as it doesn't leave a greasy or oily residue and sinks into the skin nicely.

Price wise this was £13 for 30ml which is fairly decent when compared to other moisturisers out there. Will have to see how long this will last. 

Weleda Skin Food

This is a super hydrating cream for dry and rough skin particularly great for elbows and knees as-well as hands. I will say it is a very rich formula and has a fairly strong scent to it. A sort of natural herbal fragrance, is excellent to use on your hands and a little goes a long way.

Weleda Aknedoron Lotion

Restores and rebalances, problematic acne prone skin.

This is a spot lotion that Stimulates and rebalances the skin. 

Contains essential oils sage, thyme and lavender. With calendula, chamomile and a mild astringent witch hazel together with Sulphur help calm irritation and soothe the skin. 

I have a few under the skin spots around my chin, so will definitely be testing this out!

So that's my Beauty Mart haul. 

They also have a website which has plenty more cult and high performing items to have a gander at!

 BeautyMart

Have you been to Beauty Mart yet? What products did you pick up?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

London Beauty Shopping hauling!

London Beauty Shopping!

Made a bee line to Selfridges. Have never been to a Selfridges 'beauty hall' before......  It was beauty heaven!!

Could have happily spent all day in there.

Confession... I seem to be a bit of a Lipstick FIEND

My name is Adele and I am a Lipstick fiend!!

As of late can't seem to go anywhere near MAC without picking up another lipstick shade ..... or 3. (My last post is proof of that!)

Admittedly, in my defence their lipsticks are such great quality, the formula spot on and the sheer selection of colours to choose from are fantastic. I am literally spoilt for choice. Oh and smell and taste of delicious vanilla.

I love their quirky names.

For example... 
'Chatterbox' I had this one on my wish-list for a while. 
Went shopping fully not intending to buy any make-up, I failed miserably when I saw a poster of some sort on a phone-box that said 'chatterbox' ....Well obviously it had to be a sign!! 
I have to say I am so glad I bought it because it is such a pretty pink lipstick. 
One of my all time favourite MAC colours.

So anyway...

This got me thinking... 

Why do I enjoy lipstick so much?
Here's what I came up with....

Lipstick does not go up a size.
Is always there for you when you have a bad day.
Never fails to brighten your smile.
You can instantly look more awake & put together with one swipe.
Contains no calories.
Does not judge or comment.
Can fit in your handbag or pocket.
Doesn't ask anything of you...other than not to leave in the hot sun to melt!
You always look like you have made an effort when wearing lipstick.
Can change up an outfit.
Can be worn throughout all the seasons.
Can make you feel extra special

Lastly

Makes you feel good & gives you that extra bit of confidence.

I know it's a lot for one little tube to achieve, but the 'pop' of a bold lip colour never fails to cheer me up. 

Even if it is just around the house!! 
Yes... I have been known to do the dishes wearing MAC's 'Girl about town' or 'Pink Pigeon' and why not eh?!!

That's without mentioning the thrill I get from choosing the colour, swatching them all on my hand, (eventually deciding on the one I swatched first) and hurrying home to try it on!

Oh and one more thing the Queen wears it and touches up the lipstick on the go!!

Don't believe me?.....

Told you!!

So next time you're feeling a bit blue, reach for that special lipstick and smile!!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

My MAC Lipstick Birthday haul

MAC Lipstick Birthday haul

Last Saturday saw my birthday. I am yet another year older and of course wiser! Hmmm!

Headed straight for MAC with my birthday cash and here is what I chose ....

Happy-Go-Lucky, Flat-Out-Fabulous, Impassioned
MAC Lipsticks

Swatches from Left to Right:

Impassioned, Flat-out-fabulous & Happy-go-lucky.

Impassioned Lipstick

I chose this because it is unlike any colour I have. It's a red-y-pinky pop of colour. 

Mac describe this as a 'Amped up Fuchsia'

Amplified Creme lipstick. Lovely and creamy to apply with a good colour pay-off.

Flat-Out-Fabulous

This is my first ever 'Retro Matte' formula. Matte lipsticks can be quite drying and my lips are rarely chap free! Since using Nuxe reve de miel lip-balm, my lips have been much more nourished, hence why I took the plunge and opted for this 'Retro Matte'.

I thought, if I don't get on with a matte finish i'll just add a lip-gloss or Papaya Gold paw paw balm over the top to change it up and add a sheen.

Flat-Out-Fabulous is a bright Plum fuchsia, tinged with pink, with a retro matte finish.

A 'Retro Matte' formula is a matte lipstick only matte-er! 

Like i said can be a little drying and settle into and chapped lines so prep is essential before hand. Lip-balm is a must.

Flat-Out-Fabulous is the middle swatch. 

Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick

This one I chose partly because..well I love the name! but also because I was after a bright hot pink. 

It was a toss-up between this or candy yum yum. 

I chose happy-go-lucky for it's amplified creme finish. Colour with a creamy sheen finish to it. 

So if you are looking for a candy yum yum colour pay-off that's not a matte finish this 'happy-go-lucky' is the one for you. 

With it's amplified creamy formula and great colour pop!

Think 'Impassioned' and 'Happy-go-lucky' are really lovely brights perfect to wear for summer. 

'Flat-out-fabulous' will be a lovely plum-fuchsia for Autumn.

Forgot to mention MAC lipsticks have a gorgeous vanilla scent and taste!

Have you tried any of these delicious lipstick colours?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo