Face Of The Day 08|07|14

Details of today's FOTD. 

Nars radiant Creamy Concealer in Honey applied with Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.
Rimmel Stay Matte Face Powder in Warm Beige & Estee Lauder Signature 5 Tone Shimmer in 02 Bronze Shimmer, both applied with Real Techniques Setting Brush.
Urban Decay Naked 3. I used Limit all over the lid & Nooner as my crease shade. Blended with the brush that is with the palette.
Benefit They're Real Mascara
Seventeen Clear Mascara ( eyebrows)
Maybelline Lip Colour in Rose Dust.  

I used Limit & Nooner

Thank you for reading. See you again soon.

Face Of The Day 07|07|14

Another FOTD today for you. A trip to hospital was on the agenda for the morning. Otherwise a "quiet" Monday - whatever quiet means when you have kids.

Concealer - Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Honey  & Maybelline Fit Me in 85. Applied with Real Techniques Expert face Brush.
Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder in Dark Beige. Applied with Real Techniques Contour Brush.)
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. Applied with Soap & Glory Kabuki Brush.
Clinique Blusher in Precious Posy. Applied with Real Techniques Blush Brush.
The Balm Mary -Lou Minizer. Applied with Real Techniques Setting Brush.
Mac PearlFusion Shadow in PastelLuxe. Applied with Superdrug eye shadow brush & blended in with Real Techniques Shading Brush.
Benefit They're Real Mascara.
Maybelline Lip Colour in Soft taupe.
Zara Rose EDT.
Real Techniques Brushes.

Face Of The Day 06|07|14

 My face of the day for a trip to Brighton. It's pretty similar to the last FOTD I did which must prove I am really loving the same things right now! 

Nars Concealer in Honey ( applied with Real Techniques Expert Face Brush)
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Warm Beige ( applied with Real Techniques Setting Brush)
Seventeen Clear Definition Mascara
NYX Ombre Trio in Aloha/ Mink & Bronze - I've had this for a while & can't seem to find a link. Sorry. ( applied with a Superdrug shadow brush & blended with Real Techniques Shading Brush)
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara
Clinique blusher in Iced Lotus ( applied with Real Technique Multi Task Brush)
MUA Shimmer Kisses Bronzer ( applied with Real Technique Domed Shadow Brush)
Maybelline Lip Colour in Soft Taupe
Real Techniques Brushes.
Estee Lauder  Bronze Goddess perfume.

Thanks for reading

Paradise Park

The Hubby wanted to get on with some book work today so as trying to do so with a 3 year old running around is not the best thing , I took him ( the 3 year old not Hubby) to Paradise Park. 

We have a family card so its great to use several times over the year. It is only roughly about 30 mins by car. Sometimes we take a picnic , although today we ate in the garden centre cafe. Because we have the card it is OK if we stay for just an hour or 2 or for the whole day. 

It was pretty much overcast the whole time we were there. the sun did try peeping out but to be honest it was nice to not have that intense heat we have had of late.

As always I could not resist a look around the pet shop...!

My Stoma - The Big Reveal!

Time & time again I always wonder what to tell me about my stoma. Sure lots of people do seem to have more knowledge of them these days but there is also still so many people who do not have a clue what the op was that I had done. A lot of people have no clue where the stoma is - which must mean I am getting the clothing thing just right. Other people just shrug their shoulders when I answer some of their questions & almost don't seem to want to understand.

One of the reasons I am showing these photos is that I often think back to 2011 when I 1st had this op done & about how hardly anyone came to see me. I think people did not understand at all what I had , had done & I was stuck in hospital so I couldn't tell people either. I was actually quite upset about this ( even though I tried not to be , people have a life of their own of course & i never believe the world revolves around me,)  because I think that when they were told I was in hospital , they perhaps were not told how serious this actually was.  

Also how can people understand when to them I look the picture of health. 

Basically this bag I wear to poop in - yes I crap out of my stomach - saved my damn life people. It is scary to think of that & I don't very often ( although my ever supportive hubby reminds me in my darker moments how bad it really could have been.)

I think this is just my way of showing you what an invisible illness can look like.

Oh by the way - many people name their stoma - i do not apart from when it is misbehaving & those names are too rude for here :-)!

I am not showing the actual stoma here guys. No need for that. You can follow this link if you want to see what a stoma actually looks like so please only click if you are not weak of stomach!

Here is me dressed for the day with my stoma hidden away!

Here it is folks. making clothes buying hell since March 2011

It can be a bloody nightmare at times when it is sore , itchy & just does not behave but it saved my life so I can continue to watch my kids grow!

Thank you so much if you read my little ramble here.

Amanda xxx

June 2014 Beauty Favourites

Morning All , 

I didn't bother with a favourites for May as I really did not use anything new or anything worth mentioning. To be honest I didn't think June would be any better but on closer inspection I do have 7 items to actually share with you! 

Body Shop Peppermint Soothing Pumice Foot Scrub. This is a new item in my daily routine & I love it. I always struggle with my feet but adding this to what I do has helped so much. Right now I am using along with the Intensive Foot Rescue ( which is actually my 2nd tub so that must be good too!)

St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Mousse. A recent addition as I never used to self tan at all. Also one I spoke about in a review here. I tend to use it for a couple of days in a row , which gives me enough coverage for another 2 days or so before I use it again. I will probably use it everyday in the lead up to our holiday but for now this way works well.

I was colour matched to the Clinique Moisture Surge CC cream in Boots store. I had gone moaning about the redness that can appear in places that no concealer, BB cream or foundation will quite cover. I was give a small pot to bring home to try ( mine is in Medium btw) & I was amazed at how well it does help. I decided the cost was worth it to add to my routine especially as right now , whilst it is quite warm most days I use it along with concealer in place of full foundation.

It will be no surprise to see this here. I have mentioned it so much but the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in the BOMB when it comes to concealing! I was heartbroken when my 1st tube ran out during my ban. I am in shade Honey - which again was matched to me when I was in store - this time Space NK. This week I have had 2 days where I have used only this on my face along with some pressed powder & it works so well at keeping me covered. 

Brows are another thing that until recently I did not do much with. Apart from regular waxing I did nothing else with them. After using a Nars pencil for a while, I was delighted to receive this Maybelline Brow Drama in Dark Brown in a Glossybox. I love it. No need to run a spoolie through it 1st & of course the mascara sets it all in place too. Brillaint invention!

Benefit They're Real Mascara. I got this in a magazine & I am going to be honest at 1st I could not see what the fuss was about. I hated the brush so much & just thought it really wasn't that good. I have no idea why I have changed my mind , maybe a few uses made it all seem much better to use. Anyway in these days of not wearing much make-up I find this is perfect for doing a little more to the eyes without going overboard with it. It layers up really well if you want it too but for me it gives me the eyelashes I want in one use. Nearly finished this one & I would not have bought a new one yet as I have so many other mascaras - so i was overjoyed to receive another of this size in my last Birchbox.

Lastly we have Rococo Nail Varnish Remover. I don't as a rule spend much on this kind of thing as I think the cheaper ones do just as good a job. I must have been intrigued by the packaging as well as the system of pushing the cotton pad down on to the pump thing. Anyway, it is great stuff. It does not have that usual over powering smell that you get with the removers. I wouldn't say it is the best smell in the world but OK nonetheless.

So, what have you been loving in June? 

Product Empties 11

It's that time again to do another product empties. For those who don't know what they are - I like to call them a mini review of items I have used up. I prefer these to monthly favourites as I think by finishing up a product I can give a better idea of what I thought. It is amazing how a product you love the begin with can sometimes not end so well & visa versa. 

Let's get started as there are a few here .

Original Source Pink Grapefruit - This was nice. I like pink grapefruit very much so was excited to give this a try. I do like the Original Source range , although which scents I like can be hit & miss. It always washes me well & the scent can last for ages. I would get this again when I don't have my own shower gel collection already in the cupboard to get through.

Body Shop Olive Shower Gel - I got this 60ml in a set with another 60ml bottle in a recent sale. It was nice enough, did a good job of cleaning me up. However, whilst I love the Body Shop range immensely this is in the not so keen camp. I have the other 60ml which I will use up but nah not for me!

Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish- I loved this so much , I used it up in very quick time. It smells divine & works a wonder on my body. Where some scrubs leave me feeling a little irritated for ages after, this still does it but only minor & gone within about 10 mins max. I feel like it really does the job fantastically. I would re-purchase when I need a new one ( like the shower gels I have lots of body scrubs too!)

Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo - This came in my Birchbox. It was amazing. Did wonderful things for my hair & smelt divine. At £13.50 though for a 200ml can I don't think I will be buying it anytime soon though.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Perfume - My favourite perfume ever. I had almost sued this when they released it again for this summer! It was one of only 2 things I bought during my 100 day ban as I was worried about running out. because I love it so much it is a smell that makes me think summer, hot weather, good times!A sensuous, sun-drenched blend of Bergamot, warm Amber, Tiare Flower and Vanilla combined with delicious creamy Coconut.

Nivea Extra Gentle Eye Make Up Remover - Definitely good enough to do the job it should. Removes all my eye make up, does not sting & none of that horrid greasiness that some can leave behind. Cheap enough too & usually on a special price somewhere to make it even better. Will repurchase soon as I only have what I am using right now & no backups.

Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack - I am going to be honest & say I thought this was a bit rubbish. Of course that is my opinion only but I really did not think it did anything for me whatsoever. For the cost of it I expected more.  

No7 Intense Day Cream - has an spf of 15 which is always good. Perfectly reasonable working cream. I think, along with the night cream I would re-purchase when funds allow as I do think they work better in tandem with each other. Not for now though!

Wilko Nail Polish Remover with Acetone - I can't find a link to it i'm afraid. It was very inexpensive though. I don't know about anyone else but as long as my remover is doing the job is should then I will pay as little as possible for it. I usually use the Boots brand one but picked this up last time. It really good. I thought a the price it was ( under £1 I am sure) that it would be a load of rubbish. You do have to work about harder if your polish contains a bit of glitter etc but really it does do a good job. I would get it again when the need arises.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - My holy grail of the concealer world. I was without if for over a month during my ban as it ran out & I was not going to buy a new one! Mine is in Honey. It covers everything so well that I feel like my make-up looks fresh for hours.