My project 5 pan decision, and a big thank you!

The first I heard of project 10 pan was in a lollipop26 video, so I'm not sure who started the bandwagon, however I'd like to sincerely thank them for a GREAT idea.

I will freely admit up til very recently (say the last year...), I did not buy much makeup. I had my stash - small but functional, and wore the same look daily. Having been a beauty therapist, and freelance makeup artist in years gone by (before kids), - I had obviously fallen into a deep boring rut without noticing.

Enter youtube, and people lie lollipop26, pixiwoo, petrilude to name a few - my eye's bulged with new possibilities for my face, and the buying began. It started with mineral companies - everyday minerals (blah), fyrinnae (love), then NYX, and next moved rapidly to mac. But mac is expensive, and I only have one face to paint.

I also have 2 kids to feed, clothe and keep happy, a house that needs a new kitchen, and lots of improvements to prevent me going crazy, and no rich husband to spoil me! Therefore something had to give - and project 10 pan gives me the motivation to do it.

I am going to concentrate on the following:

Makeup
Skincare
Shampoo & Conditioner
Fake Tan

I had already started on the shampoos and have used up a good 4 bottles, but I'm not going to count them. So we begin - no more purchases until I have used up 10 items. Will I manage it? I may have to stop reading blogs / watching youtube but I'll try ;)

Lastly and even more important I want to THANK each and every one of you who has followed me. It means the world that people with as much choice as you guys do here - would think my blog is worthy of reading. So, many thanks!!!

I will continue to reiew products I have purchased, so stick around, and if you have any ideas of things I should do, or try with the blog...feel free to throw them in a comment.

Happy friday guys x

REVIEW: St Tropez Whipped Bronze Instant Self Tanning Mousse

My first review, and its gotta be for the tanning mousse, why I hear you cry?

Because self tanning is something I find hard work and pretty much only do once in a blue moon. I'm lazy and proud of it!! I'm always looking for a tanner that I will use regularly, and not find a chore to apply.

Also because there is a rumour we are in the midst of summer. In saying that the weather seems to have missed that particular memo...

Not to say I don't adore the way I look all brown and healthy, as opposed to my normal pale and sickly shade...but because I hate standing in one spot, hands out to the sides, legs spread and stark naked, whilst the sticky, stinky lotion I just applied dries.

Not to mention stained sheets, and blotches where you missed a bit. We've all been there - right ladies?

The alternative is stripping off in a beauty salon, standing in a cold room reminiscent of a prison shower block (not that I've ever been in prison...honest!), whilst being jet sprayed like a car. I'm not sure about you guys, but I find it a bit, well, humiliating. The only thing more humiliating is leaving said salon, dressed in old loose clothing and flip flops, resembling a cross between an oomp loompa and an over cooked sausage. Pretty.

So, back to the product at hand.

The blurb states:

When you want a tan and you want it now, Whipped Bronze Instant Self-Tanning Mousse is what you need. Streakless, instant color dries in just 60 seconds allowing you to "Whip-it-On" anytime, anywhere for a perfect tan, every time. This self-adjusting mousse is oil free and complements your skin tone, while your tan deepens over 3 hours - all without the damaging effects of the sun.

Onto my thoughts...

Out of all the self tanners I've tried, St tropez was one I shied away from based on my observations of others using it. St Tropez was, in my mind, that tangoed older woman, with sun damaged leathery skin, trying to reclaim her youth with a "healthy" colour, and ending up looking like she'd been spit roasted over the course of a week.

That's not quite the look I was going for.

But, I read reviews...on MUA, and I watched video reviews, and instead of leathery skinned oompa loompa's - I saw pretty faces with a gorgeous, natural looking sun kissed glow. I wanted to be like them. Oh how I wanted to look as good as them, and so I ordered my very own...

Application:

• The smell was not over powering or unpleasant as expected. A plus.
• The mousse is tinted so it's easy to see where you have put product and avoid missing bits
• I like the dispenser too - rather than having to pour product out, its so much easier just to push the button down.
• A little goes a long way, but I went too lightly the first time. I guess the moral (if you are nervous like moi) is start lightly and build up daily if you want to avoid going too dark - over 2 days I got a pretty nice colour...not too dark at all.
• This product dries really fast. Another bonus. However it did feel sticky when I went to bed a few hours later...and I didn't sleep well as a result. Maybe it was the heat of being under my covers that made the product feel like that.
  

Results:

I woke up the next morning and jumped in the shower. The water turned a lovely shade of chocolate brown. Fear not - its just the colour guide washing off, revealing a lighter tan underneath.

My covers were slightly stained.

The colour is a gorgeous natural brown colour - nothing fake looking about it at all, however it is not streak free as everyone claims it will be. My legs are the worst affected by this nastiness...but my legs, even at the tanning salon - rebel, so might be me, rather than the product.

I am not sure, but I think it broke my face out - use it on your face with caution.

Conclusion:

The product is expensive, but it is worth it because the colour is so natural looking. I think it's a question of practising to find your own perfect application technique...but that's the same with any tanning product. The first time you try it - maybe do it when you don't have anywhere important to go the next day...just to be on the safe side (this advice for ANY tanning product)

The tan lasts about 3 days on me, with me showering every single morning - sometimes twice a day. I wish it lasted longer, but you can't have everything. It fades naturally without leaving that patchiness that makes you look like you have a nasty skin condition.

All in all this product, if you aren't a lazy arse like moi, is a god send for us pale skinned girls who need a glow and don't want to cook our skin to get it.

Highly recommended!

I give St Tropez Whipped Bronze Mousse a healthy, glowing 8/10

My July 2009 Buys

I am currently on a self impossed no buy, however we all know that we always find ways around this fact!


I just got a new puppy, a maltese named Tobey, so my money has been spent on him, his toys and little extras because his sweet face makes me melt. See...?!!!


Tobey's first trip shopping was to superdrug in N'ards. I'm not sure who enjoyed the trip more...myself or him. I'm guessing superdrug is more a girlie heaven than pooch paradise!

My trip was all about purchasing a nail polish by NYC that I'd seen on Konaddict's blog
, called Big Money Frost.

I was so excited that they had it, and they also had a "buy 2 for £2.99 offer" so of course I picked up another one too - named east village (avert eyes left!).

NYC polishes go on pretty sheer initially, but with 3 coats hit the same colour as the bottle. Excuse the non perfect application but I was rushing...





Other products purchased in July were

Aveda Scalp Benefits Shampoo and Conditioner: so far seem great, but I'll review properly after further use.

To date, after 3 uses - my scalp remains calm and my hair doesn't feel like it needs washed the day after washing - always a plus!






St Ives Body Scrub: I bought this after reading great reviews on mua. So far I'm impressed enough with it but I've had better ;)

I think my fav all time body scrub has been st tropez one, however the price is crazy so I only buy it when I'm feeling flush.





St Moriz: Hello lollipop26!...yet another product I've been convinced to try because of the sweet one's review. It is on it's way so no review just yet.

25 % off KONAD at OCNAILART

Hello lovely readers,

For any of you interested in konad nail stamping kits - the fabulous Kathleen over at OC nail art
is offering a very special discount. This offer is meant for returning customers from what I can gather, so might only work if you have purchased in the past from ocnailart.

(please note: If you are a first time customer, you can still purchase with discount of 20% plus free shipping on orders over$20, using the coupon code: casuallavish)


Here are the details:

This is a one-time discount of 25%, plus our customary FREE SHIPPING (even internationally) on orders over $20 (after the discount is applied).

When you check out, use coupon code client1 and you will receive 25% off of your entire order!

Be sure to select the appropriate "FREE SHIPPING" choice from the drop down menu under shipping.

For anyone unfamiliar with oc nail art - trust me when I say her customer service is the best I've EVER encountered. I don't know kathleen personally, but anytime I have made an order she has been so friendly and helpful.

The fact she offers free international shipping alongside the usa free shipping is something so unusual, and so appreciated by me, and I'm sure all customers from overseas.

So - if you were thinking of trying out Konad - NOW is the time to order. You have until 31st August to use this offer.

If you are a first time customer, you can still purchase with discount of 20% plus free shipping using the coupon code: casuallavish

Enjoy, and let me know if you go ahead and order anything, or if you have any recommendations on plates or special polishes I should order! You know I'm ordering more stuff. Oh yes!!!