Missmercurylady Blog Giveaway

Missmercurylady is having a great competition!! http://missmercurylady.blogspot.com

Prizes:

There are some fantastic prizes including Mac makeup and jewelry.

The rules:

1. Must be a follower

2. Must post her giveaway on your blog.

3. Post the link where you posted her giveaway in the comments section

AND

4. Tell her one of your TOP HGs and why should she try it in the comments section.

**If with this giveaway she somehow hit 100 followers, she will throw in 4 more prizes. So 5 winners total.

WINNER will be selected using random.org

Contest will end October 13!

DAILY MAKEUP SURVEY

1. What time did you do your makeup today? I woke up late this morning so it was at 7:45am but normally it's 6:30am.


2. What's the least expensive beauty item you used?
I think it was my Revlon Colourstay Foundation.


3. What was the biggest problem you needed to correct?
Blemishes or marks/scars from blemishes :(

4. Did you apply false eyelashes?
No, I have never worn false eyelashes. I wear glasses and they would just annoy me. My eyelashes are quite long and think naturally.


5. Did you do anything while applying makeup?
I listened to Karen and Steve on Galaxy radio.


6. Biggest makeup mishap today?
None today :)


7. Did you have a makeup inspiration in mind?
Just something quick and simple.


8. What's the most time-consuming part of your makeup routine?
Normally it's my eye shadow but I didn't bother with any today. I think probably my foundation and concealor took the longest amount of time today.


9. What's part of your routine is the most fun?
I love choosing what blusher and highlighter to use, I have a vast selection and I think blusher can really change a look.


10. What part of your makeup makes the biggest difference in the way you look?
My foundation, without it I look pale and blotchy.


11. Neutral or colourful eyeshdaow?
Neutral normally for work but I skipped it today due to lack of time.


12. Liquid or mineral foundation?
Liquid all the way :)


13. Do you do your hair or makeup first?
I do my hair la as I pin my hair back when apply makeup.


14. Did you pack a makeup bag to take with you for the day?
I have a makeup bag that I always keep in my handbag. It contains the basics, concealor, powder, blusher, eyeliner etc and then I'll chuck in a lipstick for the day. Todays lipstick was Mac's Creme Cup.


15. When did you finish your makeup?
At about 8am, I was quick today :)

Lunchtime Sprees

I have quite a stressful job, so when lunchtime finally arrives I like nothing more than spending an hour perusing the shops.

Over the past few weeks I have bought a number of things during my lunch hour.

Nars Essentials Eye Palette

Top line Unconditional Love, Night Star and Galapagos.

Bottom line include Nepal, Ondine and Thunderball.

Unconditional Love is a cream shadow, ideal to use as a base or highlight.
Night Star and Galapagos are both quite glittery, great for Christmas nights out.

This palette can be used for a variety of looks, very versatile and can go from day to night.


Boots 3 for 2 and a little extra
At the moment Boots are doing a 3 for 2 offer on the majority of the makeup brands they carry.


I bought;


Revlon Colour Stay 12 hour eye shadow quad in Sunrise, Sunset - the shadows feel very velvety, I haven't tried them yet but I'll let you know how I get on.

Bourjois 3D Effect Lip gloss in no. 3 Les Nudes. I'll let you know how I get on with this. It smells like sweets which I quite like!

No7 Extravagant Lash mascara in black/brown - I hate this mascara, the wand is square, too chunky and difficult to use. I ended up with clumped, gloopy lashes. One for my mum I think.

The only good thing about buying the mascara is that I got a free No. 7 Sultry-Eyes Quad. All 4 shades are quite shimmery and the quad contains two purple shades. Purple is a must have colour for this season and it will be a great quad to use for night out.

I keep you updated on what I think of all the products once I had a good play about with them.

Pip xx

Schwarzkopf Gliss Hair Repair Shampoo and Conditioner WARNING

I change my shampoo every time I run out, at the moment it's the turn of Schwarzkopf Gliss Hair Repair Liquid Silk Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner. I've been using this for the past week and have been fairly pleased with the results.

Until now.

I had a shower this evening and while drying myself I noticed that my back felt quite tender. I asked my boyfriend to have a look for me and he counted 15 cystic acne spots on my back!!! I immediately ran to the mirror to see for myself. The spots are in the exact same place where my hair lies on my back. When I wash and condition my hair I will leave the conditioner on for a good 5 minutes before rinsing it off. I think this is when the allergic reaction has happened.

I have never ever had an allergic reaction anything like this before. I do suffer from acne but I believe I have it under control and I have never experienced it on my back before.

I don't know what ingredients in the shampoo and conditioner would cause this reaction, if I knew I would definitely avoid it from now on. Does anyone have any ideas?

Can anyone tell me what I can use to clear it up? I was thinking about taking some antihistamines, would that work?

If your thinking of trying this shampoo I would advise against it, it's not worth the risk - it's going to take weeks for these spots to clear up :(

Pippa xx

Makeup in Minutes

Hello Ladies

Last Sunday I literally had 10 minutes to get ready. I thought I would share with you what makeup I use when I'm in a hurry.

One thing I can't skip on is my foundation, concealor and powder routine, as I've been wearing makeup for nigh on 15 years I have the application down to a T and can apply it in minutes.

The next thing I grab is a cream eyeshadow or something like a paint pot or shade stick, something that I can apply with my fingers. I'll choose a light colour so I don't have to take my time being precise over the application.

Next is a quick coat of mascara, I'll choose a favourite, a mascara that I am familiar with.

I'll then apply blusher and I'm done. I carry a makeup bag with me everywhere I go, it usually contains a handful of lipsticks and lipglosses, so in the car I'll apply a neutral lipstick and that's me done.

What I used:
Usual foundation routine see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUel5mPH5kw
Mac Indiawood Paint Pot
Natural Collection Lash Build Mascara in brown
Gosh Velvet Touch Eyeliner in truly brown
Maybelline Amber Rose lipstick

Look what I bought today :)

This afternoon I popped into the Metro Centre in Gateshead. I headed straight to Top Shop as I knew exactly what I wanted. Lollipop26 has recently blogged about the outfits she has worn over the past week. As part of her Thursday outfit she work a gorgeous pair of pale pink flats with gold studding detail. I knew I had to have them and for £28 they're a real bargain. They have leather uppers with a t-bar fastening, both pretty and practicle.

If you're not already following Lollipop26's blog, you must, she is fabulous http://lollipop26writes.blogspot.com/

I also bought a pretty pale peach coloured top that will go nicely with my new shoes. I really like the collar on this top and the delicate lace detail. The top was also from Top Shop and was also £28. I plan to wear my new top and shoes with a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, I can't wait to wear them tomorrow :)

Sorry about the lighting in these photos.

I will indeed Skip that Chip

Whilst perusing my local Sallys I came across OPI's Chip Skip. Normally I'm not taken in with nail products that claim to keep you nail varnish chip free and in perfect condition but as I was purchasing a number of OPI nail polishes I thought I would give it a try.

I was expecting a base coat type product with a similar consistency to nail polish. however it's more like a thin liquid. The Chip Skip works by priming your nails allowing the nail polish to adhere better making the polish last longer.

I applied one coat of the Chip Skip, one coat of base coat, two coats of nail polish and a top coat. I did this the day I flew to Ibiza as I thought a week in the pool would be an excellent way to test the product.

My nails were still in perfect condition on day 6!!!! I have used this product every time I have painted my nails since and I will definitely be repurchasing. I can paint my nails on a Sunday night and will not have to redo them until the following Saturday.A great product for any nail varnish addict!!

Pip xx

Adult Acne - How I cope

Hey girls

I have suffered from adult acne since the age of 20. In my teens I had the odd blemish but it could by no means be called acne. Initially I thought I'd had an allergic reaction to something, one moment I had perfect skin, the next I had huge clusters of spots focused around my chin.

The doctor diagnosed acne and put me on a long term course of antibiotics. In total I took antibiotics on and off for 5 years. I have tried all of the cyclines changing from one to another every so often as my body would get used to it. I found antibiotics to be a very effective way of clearing my acne. They took about four weeks to take effect and for me to notice a difference. I didn't suffer any side effects and my skin didn't become dry or flakey.

After 5 year I thought it was about time to come off the antibiotics. I felt I wasn't doing my body any favours by taking them for such a long period of time. As soon as the level of medication had dropped and left my body my acne had returned. I then decided to try and cope with it topically.

I have tried many spot fighting moisturisers, cleansers and toners that claim to clear the skin. I now feel I have found one that actually works!

For the past 3 months I have been using the Clinique 3 step anti blemish system.

The system includes a foam facial cleanser, an exfoliating toner and an oil control moisturiser. I use this morning and night and have seen fantastic results. Before using the system I always had some sort of blemish on my face worsening during the time of the month. Now my skin is clear and smooth. I get the odd spot but nothing compared to what it was like before and usually they appear before my period.

I am thrilled with these products and would recommend anyone with adult acne to give it a try.

I have also changed my makeup routine. Like most girls I wear makeup everyday, I really don't feel like I'm fully dressed without my makeup and would certainly not leave the house without applying it first. Unfortunately makeup can irritate the skin and make acne worse. To try and prevent this I have changed my foundation to an oil free formula and I also use an oil free foundation primer.

Before changing my makeup routine I would get to 10am and have to blot my face to remove excess oil, now my makeup lasts all day long without any touch ups!!

I use the Revlon Colour Stay foundation and Mac's Prep and Prime with SPF 50, I then use Mac's Blot Powder on my t - zone.

So far this routine is working well for me, give it a try, you never know it may work for you too :) Let me know how you get on.

Love Pip xx