Beauty Tip Tuesday - Gorgeous Gloss

Today's Beauty Tip Tuesday is about how to get the best possible wear from your lip gloss or lipstick. 

We all love gloss, right? A lovely nude is my go-to right now. Have you ever applied a gloss and well it just doesn't look quite right? 

If so there are some really really quick and simple things  to do to get the most from your gloss or lipstick! 

1. Exfoliate! 

Smooth lips are best. Applying gloss on top of dry lips just isn't going to work. You need to get rid of that dry skin first. Simply use a wet flannel, a dot of facial scrub or even your toothbrush and gently rub off that dry skin. I like to do this before bed and then slather on a rich & hydrating lip balm for an moisturising overnight treat. 

2. Line your lips! 

If you find your lipgloss or lipstick bleeds a simple swipe of a lip liner can stop this in its tracks. Choose a liner colour closest to your natural lip colour and line just inside the edge of your lips. For extra staying power use the same lip liner and colour in your entire lips before applying your gloss. 

3. Less is more! 

When applying your gloss or lippie start in the middle of your lips and blend outwards. Applying too much can cause it to bleed and look stringy. Use a lip brush or I just use my ring finger. Build up the product slowly! 

So there you have it, quick and simple ways to make your lips totally kissable! My go-to nude is Younique's Luxe! A must have all round perfect colour! 

I'm off to apply some more gloss! 

Love Emma 

XOXO 

*contains affiliate link 

Silent Sunday 16/11/14

Birchbloggers Breakfast

So yesterday I jumped on the tube for the first time in months (since when was a travel card £17?! Hello!) and headed into central London for a real breakfast treat.

I had been invited by Birchbox (you all know how I love this subscription beauty box) for a Birchbloggers Breakfast meeting with some of their team and brand new Editorial Director Jessica Diner. What a lovely morning I had in store. 

Jessica Diner is true beauty royalty, having previously been the Health & Beauty Editor at Vogue magazine. I was super excited to meet the Birchbox team plus some fellow bloggers too. If only all mornings started like this! 

In true Emma form I arrived far too early and paced the streets like a lost window-shopping lamb before taking the plunge and going inside. The meeting location was Aubaine, a gorgeous French Restaurant just off of Regent Street. (totally my cup of tea, beautiful decor & really cute quaint touches). 

Breakfast consisted of coffee, croissants & freshly baked breads, served with individually wrapped sticks of butter & cold fresh orange juice. Heaven. 

Jessica gave us a little introduction and then handed out goodie bags *excited face*. We then went through the contents and chatted a little more about what's in store for Birchbox over the next few months. The December box sounds absolutely epic. If you were thinking of subscribing and haven't yet NOW is the time, trust me on that one. I was also excited to hear a little more about the one off Men's Birchbox available in December.  What a genius idea and one I shall absolutely be purchasing for my hubby.

Jessica & the gorgeous ladies from Birchbox UK 

It was an absolute pleasure to meet some of the Birchbox team and some really lovely fellow bloggers. A really enjoyable morning! 

As for the contents of my goodie-bag watch this space! I'll be putting them to the test & letting you all know what I think! 

Thanks again Birchbox UK! 

I'm off to play with my new products!

Love Emma 

XOXO 

What's In My Birchbox - November

It's one of my favourite times of the month - Birchbox time! Everything my box gets delivered I'm pretty sure I scare the postman with my overly excited grin as he hands it over. Creepy Cheshire Cat anyone? 

If you are not too familiar, Birchbox is a monthly beauty & lifestyle subscription box. You get around 5 deluxe sized beauty samples and one lifestyle per delivery, from what I've seen not all the monthly boxes are the same. 

The subscription costs £10 a month plus P&P, although the longer you sign up for the better the deal. It's a perfect way to try out new products that perhaps you normally wouldn't or high-end brands that are maybe out of your price range. 

 

November's box is themed 'Cosy At Home', my cup of tea right there! There's nothing I like more than getting in my PJs and snuggling under a blanket in front of our log burner. Here's what treats I received this month: 

English Laundry 'Signature For Her' - £60

Not normally a scent I would perhaps choose but very lovely nether the less. It's inspired by classic country gardens, quite a grown up smell but one I really like.

Jane Iredale 'Just Kissed Lip Plumper' - £22

The cutest lipstick sample I've possibly ever seen. This takes miniatures to a new  extreme. Perfect purse sized, great for the party season. Using a blend of mint oils and ginger root this lip plumper boosts circulation whilst delivering moisture with shea butter. I'll definitely be popping this in my pocket! 

Beauty Protector 'Protect & Detangle' - £14

I'm a big fan of leave in conditioner sprays. After my adventure with home bleaching and pink dye I need a little help combing after washing. I seriously can't get enough of the smell. It promises to detangle, minimise frizz, safeguard colour and add shine. Sounds perfect to me. 

Dr. Jart+ 'V7 Relief Vita Drop' - £26

This facial moisturiser is a huge 100ml, a very large full sized product! What a treat. It's packed with vitamins to brighten and moisturise. Interestingly the box describes it as a vitamin water, an emulsion that changes to a moisturising liquid vitamin water as soon as it's applied which is exactly what it does. I've never used a product like this before. Really excited to put this to the test! 

OPI 'Coca-Cola Red' Nail Polish - £11.95

I have a pretty large nail polish collection but have nothing as red as this gorgeous vibrant shade by OPI. Another full sized product and one that is perfect for the approaching festive season. Excited to get it on my fingers and toes! 

Drinkwel 'Drinkwel' -£39.99

This month's lifestyle extra are multi-vitamin tablets you take before or after you've drunk alcohol. Now here's the sad thing I've not actually had an alcoholic drink for maybe a year and a half, probably longer. My baby is now 5 months and I know that because it's been so long just one drink it's likely to knock me for 6. When I do finally pluck up the courage this Christmas I'll most definitely be trying these out! You're directed to take 3 before a big night out and another 3 before bed. If they work ward off a hangover I'll absolutely be picking more up!

As always a corker of a box. Birchbox never fails to deliver a great variety of lovely and exciting products! 

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? What goodies did you get this month?

I'm off to paint my nails,

Love Emma 

XOXO

Beauty Tip Tuesday - Start as you mean to go on!

It's all about that base, bout that base, no trouble! Today's Tip Tuesday as about a makeup must have, a primer! 

Why use a primer?

When you're painting and decorating (or getting someone else to do it, right?) if you prime a surface with an undercoat the paint goes on smoother, fine cracks get covered and the overall finish is more flawless. 

Well, the EXACT same thing applies to your lovely face. Using a primer takes all of two seconds but really can make a world of difference. 

A good quality primer provides the perfect base for your makeup. A primer can minimise pores, fill in fine lines, keep oil at bay and make your foundation go on smoother and last much longer. The biggest misconception is that a primer might clog your pores - a good quality primer does the exact opposite. 

I never ever used to wear a primer but I tried one out and now I couldn't be without one. If you find your foundation doesn't stay put or you're reaching for your powder before midday a primer could really be your new best friend. 

If you find your eyeshadow creases a primer will keep your eyes looking as pretty as they did when your first applied your makeup. 

Just apply a 5p sized drop to your face, concentrating on your T-zone, and take a few seconds to smooth it all in. A little dot on your eyelids is a must too. 

I used to use Benefit's Porefessional but I've now converted to Younique's Moodstruck Glorious Face & Eye Primer (£30). It's oil-free & contains antioxidant hero vitamin E & can be used with both powder and liquid makeup. (Glorious is MUCH better value for money too!).

EXTRA tip use a dot of primer mixed with your eye shadow to create an intense long wearing colour splash! 

I'm off to work on my base! 

Love Emma 

XOXO 

Beauty Tip Tuesday - It's All White

Another quick beauty tip for Tip Tuesday!

Today I'm sharing my love for the simple white eyeliner pencil. I bet pretty much all of you have a black eyeliner pencil? Some of you might also have brown, or maybe even a colour. I love me some eyeliner pencils. They're quick, easy and totally versatile. 

What about white? Do you have a white pencil? If not, why not? 

A simple white eyeliner pencil is a beauty trick you'll all be pleased you tried. A quick swipe or two in the water line of your eyes is like magic. A full nights sleep in a pencil. It makes your eyes look open, wide, bright and well rested. My secret weapon. Let's face it with a baby I'm not getting quality sleep. It's such an easy quick thing to do that really does work but that's not all. 

A white pencil on your lips is a celebrities' little pouty secret. A touch of white in the centre, a little smudging and a swipe of gloss turns flat flips into a full pretty pout. I'm pretty sure the Kardashians love a bit of white liner on the lips. Who needs fillers?! 

Last but not least a white eyeliner pencil can also be used as a quick freshen up on natural nails. You can use the pencil to colour in the underside of the free edge. Doing this makes your nails look longer and helps hide any discolouration you may have from too much polish and makes your hands look neat in a flash. A quick tip for fab fingers!! 

I'm currently using the Younique Precision Pencil in the white shade 'Pristine' (£12). It's soft, doesn't drag on my skin and is super long wearing. 

Check out another Tip Tuesday here all about pumping mascaras! 

I'm off to perk up my mummy lack of sleep eyes! 

Love Emma 

XOXO

*contains an affiliate link but all opinions are true and my own

Silent Sunday 2/11/14

Tried & Tested - Younique 3D Fiber Lash Mascara

I have about 11 mascaras in my current collection. I pretty much pick up a new one once a month in the hope that i'll find one that will give me the full and long lashes I oh-so desire. 

When I was pregnant with my son my semi-decent lashes turned into what can only be described as stumps. 5 months after having him my lashes have just simply refused to grow back. 

Lash extensions aren't an option for me, I had them a few years ago with a disastrous ending. Yes, they looked fabulous for a week but then to cut a long lash story short I ended up with less lashes than I started with. Bald gaps just isn't a look I want to repeat in a hurry. 

I thought I was destined to a life with sorry excuses for eyelashes until a product fell into my hands a few weeks ago. 

I got the opportunity to try the massively hyped Younique's Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Mascara. This two step product promises to give you 300% bigger lashes. I was beyond sceptical but willing to give it a go. I had seen all the incredible before & after photos all over the Internet but just wasn't convinced they hadn't been photoshopped. 

So about the 3D Lash Mascara. It comes in two tubes, housed in a really attractive and solid black case, a 'Transplanting Gel' & 'Natural Fibers'. The directions say you can wear a coat of your normal mascara first and then you apply the gel, followed by the fibers, and then another coat of gel. You can stop there or keep layering it up. 

The gel looks just like normal black mascara with a really nice full wand. The fibers, which are 100% green tea look like, well basically fluff on a stick. A fluffy little black caterpillar on the end of a wand. Surely this wasn't going to go well?

So, I applied the mascara as directed and was actually blown away. Completely and utterly shocked. After one round of gel, fibers, gel my little lashes were already twice the size. 

I decided to go for another round and I literally couldn't believe my eyes. My sorry little stumps were transformed into long, full, thick beauties. I don't mean just 'oh look, that's nice'. I mean stop-me-in-my-tracks, that looks like lash extensions or a strip lash stunning.

I can easily say that I have never ever been this impressed or excited about a beauty product in a long, long time. Maybe even ever. Yes, I know, that's a very bold statement. 

Younique claim the 3D lashes are water resistant. Well I certainly put them to the test by having a great big cry fest. The lashes didn't budge. No panda eye. No running, or smudging. For real. It just gets better and better. 

I wore the 3D lashes to lunch with a friend. She immediately commented that my eyes looked pretty. Result! I showed her my "before" picture as she just didn't believe me when I told her how short my lashes were normally. 

I am in love with this mascara. Truly head over heels crazy stupid in love. So much so that when the opportunity came up to join Younique I grabbed hold of it fast. This magic mascara is seriously life changing and now I have the chance to change my life by simply spreading the news of my latest obsession. 

Now, I don't want you to think I'm only saying all of this because I've got the potential to earn from it. Not at all. I would never, ever rave about or recommend a product I didn't truly believe in. That's just not my style at all. I am including this is in my regular 'Tried & Tested' because it's a product that's knocked me off my feet. How could I not tell you about it?! 

I'm seriously happy that I've found the much needed lash product I've been searching for my entire adult life! I urge you to just give it ago. I promise you won't regret it. There's also a 'Love It' or return it money back guarantee. Nothing to loose and loooong natural lashes to gain!! 

If you're interested in trying the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara simply go to www.emmaslovelylashes.com 

A set costs just £23 ($29) and lasts 2-3 months if used daily. If you think the average price of lash extensions is £85 not including the every 2 week maintainance you have to pay for on top the 3D lashes are a bargain!! 

You can currently order it if you live in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. 

Also, if you think you might be interested in earning some extra money by batting your lashes, whilst being on Facebook, sat in your PJs on your sofa just get in touch with me! I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. 

Younique is one of the fastest growing direct sales companies in the world and I'm super excited to be able to be part of the journey! 

I'm off to bat my lashes, 

Love Emma 

XOXO