Spending Ban Update #2

Source: WeHeartIt

So today I've been on my spending ban 3 weeks exactly. Apart from the 2 beauty giftset's I mentioned I'd ordered from Debenhams for birthday prezzies, I hadn't spend any money on anything beauty related for myself. I got my dispatch email from Debenhams on the 20th but my parcel still hadn't turned up so I gave them a ring to see what was going on and was told my order had been cancelled. By cancelled they ment both items were out of stock when I paid yet neither item was updated as out of stock, they took my payment, sent a dispatch email and no one got in touch to let me know there was a problem? You're in my bad books, Debenhams! I was slightly pissed off and at the same time a letter came from Perricone along with a 20% discount code (NEWYEARNEWYOU if anyone's interested) so of course I ended up on the website ordering No Concealer Concealer!

I think it's safe to say this week has been a bit of a fail but I'm not too bothered. I've wanted No Concealer Concealer for what seems like forever and just couldn't pass up that offer plus getting my money refunded from Debenhams paid for it. Next week there will be NO slip ups! :)

Are you on a spending ban?

How are you getting on?

TIGI Bed Head Foxy Curls Hi-Def Curl Spray

TIGI Bed Head Foxy Curls Hi-Def Curl Spray*

I've been giving my hair a well deserved break from heat mostly due to laziness ;) but also in an attempt to improve the condition. My hair is really long, thick and curly/wavy but if I ever want to leave it curly I need to use product of some sort or I'm left with what looks like a mountain of frizz! I'm probably the fussiest person alive when it comes to styling products, I can't stand products that make my hair look wet or feel hard/crispy but at the same time a bit of hold wouldn't go amiss.

Tigi Bed Head Foxy Curls Hi-Def Curl Spray is designed to help you achieve highly defined, frizz-free, separated curls. It can be used on wet hair after washing or on dry hair to give your curls an extra boost. After washing, conditioning and tangle teezing my hair I squeeze the excess water from my hair with a towel just how I would before using hair oils or any styling product. Once my hair is wet but not soaking I tip my head upside down, do a few sprays then tip my head back doing the same to the rest of my hair. I use my tangle teezer to make sure the product is worked through evenly so I don't end up with random missed parts of hair then scrunch and leave to dry naturally. I wake up the next morning like curly sue but a few head shakes loosens it up and if any stray frizzies appear around the top of my hair I smooth them down with a tiny bit of oil.

I would describe the finish of Hi-Def Curl Spray as very natural. Once you realise how much product is enough for your hair (my hair can take quite alot) you won't end up with that wet perm look, just defined, soft , natural curls. And did I mention how good it smells?!

Have you tried this before?

What curl products would you recommend?

TIGI Bed Head Foxy Curls Hi-Def Curl Spray £6.37 from hairtrade.com

*PR sample

Pür Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup

Pür Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup* & Chisel Brush*

Pür Minerals is a brand which is new to me yet it has been around for over a decade. The products are launching in the UK from the US and will be stocked exclusively at Marks & Spencer's Your Beauty Stores as well as online.

I've been trying out the 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup in 'Light/Clair' and as I'm sure most of you know, I'm not the biggest fan of mineral/powder foundation's especially when they're loose. I can't be bothered with a cloud of powder flying around my head and I've never found one that gives enough coverage without looking cakey but I decided to give Pür Minerals offering a try as its pressed and contains makeup's first proven anti-ageing technology (Ceretin Complex). You know me, if it's anti-ageing I'm all over it like a rash! It's also free from a long list of nasties - harsh chemical dyes, petrolium-based oils, fragrance and fillers. The compact is really sturdy with an attractive design and mirror. The first thing I noticed is how well it covers any redness on my cheeks. Don't get me wrong, it's not full coverage by any stretch of the imagination but it covers enough for everyday use and application takes no longer than 60 seconds with the Chisel Brush.

I've been wearing Pür Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup on days when  I don't want to wear makeup but don't want to go out completely bare faced either. As long as I moisturise first I never end up with that awful cakey face and it keeps the dreaded shine at bay for a few extra hours. If you have oily skin I think you would get on really well with this but if you have really dry skin it might look a bit too matte/flat.

Have you tried any products from Pür Minerals?

Pür Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup £24.00 & Chisel Brush £13.00 available from Marks & Spencer 

*PR sample

Spending Ban Update #1

Source: weheartit

I really wasn't planning on joining in with the spending ban. I didn't think I could do it, I have no willpower and am somewhat addicted to online shopping. Most people are doing the 100 day spending ban but I'm just going to see how long I can last. It's been 15 days so far and I'm happy to say I haven't spent a single penny on beauty products for myself (I did buy 2 giftsets but they're presents for other people)

The rules for my ban are simple: No beauty products and no candles. If I run out of things like cotton pads or nail polish remover I can buy them, hopefully with my Boots points.

I've found it easy so far but I'm scared to speak too soon! When I go shopping I dart away in the opposite direction from Boots and all those other naughty shops that call my name and shake their shiny new products in my face, I don't look on my favourite websites, I ignore offer/sale emails and I cancelled my Paypal account. If you're on a spending ban and have Paypal, get rid of it! You won't believe the difference it makes.

Good luck to everyone on a spending ban!

DGJ Organics HairJuice Clarifying Shampoo, Conditioner & Berutti Oil Review.

If you like to avoid parabens and SLS in your shampoo/conditoner and you're looking for an affordable way to rid your hair of build up caused by styling products, mainly hair oil's containing silicone then you might want to read on.

HairJuice Clarifying Shampoo 250ml £5.99*: This clarifying shampoo contains mandarin essential oils and rose extracts. I love the scent, it reminds me of orange sweets and lingers on the hair all day. The lather is crazy for an SLS free shampoo! If you've used SLS free products before then you'll know it's sometimes hard to get a lather going but not with this. If you use alot of styling products or even shampoo/conditioner containing silicone your hair is often left feeling weighed down by the end of the week which is where HairJuice Clarifying Shampoo comes in. It removes every scrap of build up without sucking all the moisture out of every strand of hair. You don't only have to use it once a week though, I've been using it twice a week and each time I'm left with shiny, clean hair.

HairJuice Clarifying Conditioner 250ml £5.99*: The scent is exactly the same as the shampoo. The conditioner rinses out easily and never leaves the hair feeling weighed down which make's it perfect for girls with fine hair who struggle to find conditioner's that don't stop them being able to put some body into their hair but if you have thick, crazy hair like me it may not be enough.

Berutti Oil 150ml £7.99*: Berutti Oil is a cross between a serum and oil. It can be used on damp hair before styling/leaving to dry naturally or used to smooth the ends of the hair once dry. It contains organic argan oil to help nourish and restore healthy hair and just like the more expensive Moroccon Oil, it improves the overall look and feel of your hair instantly. I have naturally curly hair and noticed Berutti Oil helped tame any frizz and defined my curls in a soft, natural, bouncy way but if I decided to straighten my hair it looked sleek without being limp or flat and any frizz was kept to a minimum even in the drizzly rain.

If you have problems with your scalp - dry from time to time, drives you mad with itch, you'll know SLS make's the problem even worse. All DGJ products are free from this skin irritant and unlike a lot of organic hair care brands everything mentioned in this post is purse friendly.

Have you tried any of these products before?

All products available from DGJorganics

*PR sample

What A Tart..

I burn what I like all year round. I don't tend to coordinate my scents with seasons and have been leaning more towards wax tarts than actual candles lately. Wax tarts look like flat, wickless candles but once they're heated by a tealight at the bottom of the burner they turn into any oily/wax. They scent a room within minutes and last a surprisingly long time. My favourite thing about them is being able to pop them out of the burner once they've solidified, store them away to use again and add another scent to your burner. They're also alot cheaper than candles and give you the chance to try a scent before commiting to a big candle.

Pink Sands

Fluffy Towels

True Rose

Sparkling Lemonade
Christmas Cookie

The one festive scent I have been enjoying is Christmas Cookie! I only have the small size but I'm sure I'll buy the large jar at some point. Lemon isn't usually a scent I would go for. It tends to remind me of household cleaning products but sparkling lemonade is beaut! There's a fizziness to it, it's like holding a glass of sparkling lemonade and sniffing it, as weird as that sounds. True Rose smells exactly like a true rose. Funny that. Pink Sands is a mix of bright citrus, sweet florals and vanilla. If you were buying a candle for someone Pink Sands would be a safe bet. I can't imagine it offending anyone's nose. Fluffy Towels smells exactly like it's namesake. If you enjoy burning Clean Cotton then chances are you'll like this too.

I know Yankee Candles aren't the most healthy candle choice out there but I enjoy sweet scents more than lavender etc which most natural candle brands seem to gravitate towards. If you know of any natural brands you think I would like please let me know in the comments.

What candle are you burning?
Have you tried any listed in this post?

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter 'Rose Illumination'

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter 'Rose Illumination'

Elizabeth Arden isn't usually a brand I'm drawn to. I've always considered it a brand that caters to more mature ladies but this last few months I've found myself perving over a few items on an almost weekly basis. Rose Illumination is from the Rose Aura Spring/Summer 2012 collection. It had been on my radar for a while but I just couldnt justify another highlighter purchase atleast not untill I spied it after Christmas for half price in the Debenhams sale! I dropped the rose gold beauty into my basket without a second thought and I'm really glad I did.

The compact is plastic but really well made and of course it's rose gold in colour. The mirror is a good size (I can't stand stupidly small mirrors) but what's inside is even better. Rose Illumination is a true rose gold, not at all garish and I'm happy to say it isn't similar to any highlighters I already own. I don't bother with blush when wearing this as it adds just the right amount of colour as well as highlighting and the pigmentation is fantastic!

 I lightly dab my Real Techniques Contour Brush into the pan then apply to my invisible cheekbones. There's no chunks of glitter, just beautiful shimmer meaning you can wear it as natural as you like or build it up. Rose Illumination just adds something extra to your everday make up look and looks great paired with only a base, mascara and a dollop of gloss or balm if you're a lazy girl like me. :)

Have you tried Rose Illumination?

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter available from various online retailers but the cheapest I can find is £19.95 from Feel Unique

Shopping My Stash #9

Shopping My Stash posts are even more exciting for me now. I decided to join in on the spending ban but haven't commited myself to 100 days. I started last thursday, it's been 10 days so far and I still haven't buckled under the pressure of wanting shiny new things. I have however bought a few beauty bits as prezzies but please tell me this doesn't count? :) I haven't gave myself a target, I'm just going to see how long I can last.

So onto what I'll be using over the next fortnight..

Liz Earle Foot Scrub & Foot Repair Moisturiser: Liz Earle have a recommend a friend scheme and after recommending someone during the summer I received a lovely little travel set containing both foot products. I've only used them once or twice before but from what I remember I really liked them and as it's winter and our feet aren't on show we usually forget about them so this is my attempt at keeping them looking as nice as feet can look. Bleugh!

Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa Sheet Mask*: I'm no stranger to Montagne Jeunesse masks but this will be the first sheet mask I've tried from the brand.

Ren Neroli & Grapefruit Body Wash: My house is coming down with shower gel. There's atleast one in every cupboard, even in the kitchen. I go through phases were I'm obsessed with a certain type of product and for a few months it was shower gel. Neroli & Grapefruit is a lovely uplifting scent which will hopefully help wake me up in the mornings.

MAC Blot Powder: From what I can remember I really didn't like this but I was using it on top of a MAC foundation which I hated so maybe that's why. I've been using a loose powder to set my t-zone but it isn't practical for using on the go so I'm giving MAC a second chance.

Liz Earle Light Perfecting Concealer*: As I'm sure most of you know by now I am a slave to YSL Touche Eclat and this shiny silver pen is the same type of product. I can't imagine ever liking a similar product more than YSL's offering but for those of you who hate it (I know there's a few of you out there) I have a feeling you'll love this one. I done a full review back in August (link) if you want to know more.

Britney Spears Radiance: On my mission to cut my perfume collection in half I'm working my way through all the ones I don't love. I have a soft spot for Britney and her fragrances, they're my guilty pleasure but from now on I only want fragrances I 100% love and use almost daily.

Are you on a spending ban?

Have you tried any of these products before?

*PR sample

January: Used, Abused And Reviewed.

Boots 24hr Protection Sensitive Deodorant, Soft & Gentle Lavender & Patchouli, Nivea Energy Fresh: I never use just one deodorant at a time so this month I've been finishing off the few half empty ones I had scattered around the place. I won't bore you lovely lot any further but the Boots deodorant was surprisingly good (and cheap) and I loved the Soft & Gentle Lavender & Patchouli scent, the lavender wasn't sickly at all.

Repurchase? Yes, apart from Nivea Energy Fresh.

Como Shambhala Invigorate Lotion: I believe this came in a Glossybox many moons ago but I only recently used it up. The scent is lovely, if you like eucalyptus and peppermint. It's also scented with lavender and geranium which I'm not so fond of. From what I can remember Como Shambhala is a pricey brand and free from nasty ingredients such as parabens. It did feel nice on the skin but wasn't anything special.

Repurchase? No.

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray: This huge 500ml tin has lasted me well over a year plus it's cheap as chips.  I find this hairspray great for holding up-do's in place for hours but it isn't ideal for everyday use unless you're going for the helmet head look.

Repurchase? Yes.

Decleor Phytopeel: This has to be one of the most pointless products I've ever used. This exfoliating cream doesn't contain any scrubby bits, it's smooth and after being left on the skin for a while the directions say to scrub using circular movements to remove then splash face with water. My face felt horrible after! Not only did it do a terrible job at exfoliating but I couldn't get rid of the residue left on my skin.

Repurchase? Definitely Not.

Vera Wang Princess: January has definitely been a month where I've been using up the last dregs of all my products. Out with the old, in with the new and all that. Vera Wang Princess has been living in my cupboard for 4/5 years and isn't a scent I reached for often. There's nothing at all wrong with it, I quite like it but it's a bit boring (can a scent be described as boring?) The scent includes a blend of water lily, apple, mandarin meringue, golden apricot skin, dark chocolate, amber, musk, and vanilla. Princess is sweet but surprisingly not overly sweet.

Repurchase? No.

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo: Yet another product I've been using up the last few dregs of. Back in the day when my scalp was normal I loved Herbal Essences but now that I try to avoid SLS in my shampoo it has no place in my hair care cupboard. Herbal Essences products are full of silicone and often weigh my hair down but they are good at taming frizz.

Repurchase? No.

Virgin Vie Spring In Your Step Foot Fizz: This is great for anyone who is always on their feet or gets hot, restless feet. It sprays out just like a body spray but crackles on contact with the skin. The crackling sensation is really strange but does a brilliant job of making your feet feel more comfortable. It instantly cools your legs and feet and has a lovely minty scent.

Repurchase? I think it's been disontinued now but no as it contains parabens.

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion: I've made my feelings clear on the Benefit skin care range. I haven't used this sample up but have had it for months and it's now time for it to go live in the bin.

Repurchase? No.

Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Base & Top Coat: These are my all time favourites. My polish lasts alot longer when I use Kensington Caviar as a base and the top coat dries in seconds as promised.

Repurchase? Already have. :)

La Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution: I really liked this stuff. It's one of the only micellars that didn't leave a tacky feeling behind on my skin but it did struggle to remove certain mascaras. You can read my review here.
Repurchase? Yes.

Have you made your way through many products this month? :)

Sephora Sparkling Metallic Eyeshadow in Outrageous Metallic Taupe



Sephora Sparkling Metallic Eyeshadow 'Outrageous Metallic Taupe'

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Sephora make up is fantastic! Everything I've tried so far has far exceeded my expectations and I just wish Sephora would come back to the UK some time soon, like now!

The above swatch is one light swipe across the pan and look how pigmented it is. Outrageous Metallic Taupe leaves behind a gorgeous metallic finish as the name suggests or you can blend it to a sheer wash of colour for daytime wear. I've been wearing Outrageous Metallic Taupe close to my lash line then blending it halfway up my lids.

Huge thankyou to Lina for sending me this beauty. She really is feeding my Sephora monster! :)

Have you tried Outrageous Metallic Taupe or any other shades in the Sparkling Metallic Eyeshadow range?

BeTrousse: Christmas Beauty Box

In the BeTrousse Christmas Beauty Box there is a total of 7 full size products worth £97 but as usual with BeTrousse boxes you won't pay anywhere near that price. The Christmas Beauty Box costs just £19.

So whats in the box? Theres a few familiar products which have featured in previous boxes but the rest I haven't saw before.



BeTrousse Christmas Beauty Box*

Charme D Orient Relaxing Body Massage Cream: You will either receive the Massage Cream or Bath & Massage Oil. Relaxing Body Massage Cream contains black seed oil, cinnamon essential oil and capsicum. The cream has a warming sensation when rubbed into the skin making it great for relaxing muscles. If you're lucky enough to have someone who never objects to giving you a massage then I can see this being a great product to have.

Size & price: 100ml - £16

Anti Blemish Skinetica: Skinetica is a non toxic blemish treatment. It's a non greasy liquid which you apply to your face after cleansing and it claims you will see visible results in just 2-3 days and best of all, it's suitable for sensitive skin.

Size & price: 100ml - £9.99

Hydra Expert Cream by Soins Experts: I'm always happy to see skin care in beauty boxes, especially when the product is designed for dehydrated skin which most of us have these days. Hydra Expert Cream treats wrinkles aswell as soothing and protecting the skin.

Size & price: 50ml - £34

Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa: I've tried Montagne Jeunesse masks before but never the sheet versions. You will either receive Dead Sea Mud Spa or Glacial Clay Spa. Both have specially sourced clays infused into natural bamboo fabric. I'm excited to give this a try, I'll let you know how I get on with it in my empties post.

Size & price: 1 mask - £1.49

Turbo Slim Chrono Active by Forte Pharma: 'Developed by Forté Pharma Laboratories and Dr Yann Rougier, TURBOSLIM CHRONOACTIV works in harmony with the body’s natural biorhythm, with no nasty side effects. Known as slimming chronobiology, TURBOSLIM CHRONOACTIV provides different active ingredients at different times of the day to maximise or inhibit the way the body naturally processes and absorbs food.  TURBOSLIM CHRONOACTIV  contains collagen and elastin fibres which improve skin firmness and elasticity leaving you feeling great, both inside and out.' I just copied the blurb for you to have a read. I steer clear of any type of slimming pill. Apparantly there aren't any nasty side effects with these but they aren't something I would use personally. I'll pass them on to a friend.

Size & Price: 2 packs of 28 tablets - £29.95

Saffron London Cracking Nail Polish (black): This made an appearance in the last box too. Saffron London Polishes are really affordable. If you've tried any let me know how you got on in the comments. I've never tried them myself.

Size & price: 14ml - 75p

BeTrousse Tattoo by Tattyoo: I'm not really at an age where I enjoy playing around with stick on tattoos. To be honest I can't see why these were included but I'm sure if you passed them on to young kids they would enjoy them.

What do you think of the Christmas Beauty Box?

Have you tried a BeTrousse Kit before? 

BeTrousse Christmas Beauty Box £19 available from betrousse.co.uk

*PR sample

Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Purifying Facial Wash

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Purifying Facial Wash*

Una Brennan seems to be the buzz word(s) of the moment. The Super Facialist is kicking up a storm with what seems like cleansing routines to suit every skin type. From oils to facial washes and cream cleansers there's bound to be something to suit everyones needs. Over the last 5 weeks or so I've been testing out Tea Flower Purifying Facial Wash and although facial washes are my least favourite way to cleanse I was interested to see what changes if any it made to my skin.

Tea Flower Facial Wash is formulated with skin clearing salicylic acid which helps to decongest skin of excess oils and impurities in a non irritating way. The cleanser is a lightweight gel which foams up nicely once mixed with water and while it sloughs away make up really easily it struggles with mascara so you would be best using eye make up remover first. The scent is quite strong, Elderflower I think? If you need to avoid scented skin care then Tea Flower Facial Wash isn't for you. After each use initially my skin felt clean and fresh but without that awful tight feeling. My skin remained clear with no new breakouts but after a fortnight of daily use my skin started to dry out, mainly my cheeks.

I already knew my skin didn't get on the best with foaming cleansers. It doesn't matter if they're natural or full of SLS, my skin always dries out at some point. I did like how clear my skin looked though so I haven't cut it out of my routine completely. Tea Flower Purifying Facial Wash now lives in my shower where I use it around 3 times a week which seems to be the perfect balance for me.

Have you Tried this facial wash or any other products from Una Brennan?

Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Purifying Facial Wash £7.99 (currently £5.99) from Boots

*PR sample

Jo Malone Rose Water & Vanilla Cologne Intense

Jo Malon Rose Water & Vanilla Cologne Intense

I've been wanting to dip my toes in the Jo Malone waters for a while now but could never decide which scent to go for. When I saw Rose Water & Vanilla on the website I'd already made up my mind, I needed it! The description really sold me  'Delectable Turkish Delight. Rose Water and comforting vanilla are enriched with a succulent bite of rose loukoum. A tempting and addictive fragrance.' mmm!

Rose Water & Vanilla is a fragrance I've never saw mentioned in the blogosphere which made me think it was limited edition. I think it was ment to be but it's a permanent scent in the Cologne Intense line. I added it to my Christmas list straight away and headed into town with my dad who by the way almost fainted when he saw the price of the big candles and thought I'd switched some labels around to wind him up. One of the girls who worked there sprayed some on a card for me to smell along with Velvet Rose & Oud. I walked around town for an hour trying to decide which to go for but in the end went with Rose Water & Vanilla.

On the card the scent was gorgeous. I wouldn't descibe it as turkish delight but it definitely had a sweetness without being sickly. I couldn't get enough but once I got home and tried it on myself it all kind of went downhill from there. I don't know why I didn't tell the girl to spray it on my skin instead of card but I really wish I had. On the skin it's a warm, heavy, rich, sweet, almost powdery scent. There's too much going on at once an even one spray can be overpowering (to me) but the plus side is it lasts a full day, you won't need to top up and the hefty 100ml bottle is going to last a very long time.

It's a strange one, some days I like it more than others but if you're the type of person who finds certain scents bring on a migraine you might want to skip Rose Water & Vanilla or atleast do the sensible thing (unlike me) and try it on your skin first.

I'm still on the search for my perfect scent. Have you found yours yet?

Jo Malone Rose Water & Vanilla Cologne Intense 100ml £95 from Jo Malone.co.uk

Shopping My Stash #8

 This Shopping My Stash post is an exciting one for me. Everything is brand spanking new to me, I can't wait to try them all out over the next fortnight. I'll be giving them all a good whirl and reviews will follow.

Eve Lom Rescue Mask: This was one of the products I was really excited to receive in my Latest In Beauty advent calender. Eve Lom is an expensive brand so this was a great way of trying the product without emptying my purse.

DGJ Organics Hair Juice Clarifying Shampoo & Conditioner*: Both the shampoo and conditioner smell good enough to eat, like orange sweets! All Daniel Galvin Jnr products are free from harsh chemicals, parabens and sls so I'm hoping my scalp loves this pair as much as my nose loves the scent.

DGJ Organics Berutti Oil*: I adore hair oil so this Berutti Oil is a welcome addition to my collection. It's a cross between an oil and serum and promises to breathe life back into dull, damaged and unmanageable hair.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter: This is one of the bargains I managed to get my grubby mitts on in the Boxing Day sales from Debenhams. It retails for around £23 and I think I paid £11. I've had my eye on it for a for a long time but haven't made a dent in any of the highlighters I already own so always talked myself out of it. The compact is stunning and the mirror is fantastic.

Have you tried any of these products before?

*PR sample

My Hairy Baby

Say hello to the reason I haven't be posting as often as I usually do -

This is Bubba aka the best Christmas present ever! 

 He was dumped in some bushes along with his brothers and sisters (whoever done that needs a swift boot to the bollocks) so I don't know for definite how old he is but the vet said around 15 weeks. He was underweight and had an eye infection which is now clearing up and all he does is eat. The pounds are piling on. :)

I've never had a cat in my life and always considered myself a dog person but now I'm definitely a both person. He's the most loveable wee thing ever and I can't imagine not having him now. He clings onto me 24/7 and I can't go from one room to another without him coming with me. I barely have time to shower! This is how I imagine being a mum would feel but atleast babies can't walk. I'm joking kinda, I'm sure a real baby is alot more work.

So this is the reason all has been quiet on the blogging front but hopefully it'll pick up soon.

Diego Dalla Palma Special Tanning Cake

Diego Dalla Palma Special Tanning Cake*

I've lost count of how many times I've sat down attempting to draft up some posts. I got a kitten for Christmas, he clings onto me 24/7 like a koala but when I sit down with my laptop he likes to sprawl out across the keyboard. :) He's asleep at the minute so I'll be spending the next hour or so trying to draft up as many posts as I can.

I hope you all had a lovely NYE whatever you got up to and 2013 is a great year for you all.

This is the first product I've tried from Diego Dalla Palma. I'd heard of the brand before and read reviews but as far as I'm aware nowhere local to me stocks it. Special Tanning Cake comes housed inside a glossy, white square compact with a huge mirror (you can see your whole face in it!) There's 7 shades to choose from with both matte and slightly satiny finishes. The shade I've been trying out is '99 Mat Biscuit' which in the pan look's a bit too dark for me but really it's probably the best match out of all 7 shades.

The end result is very natural, the website even states the matte versions are suitable for men. If you shy away from bronzer in fear of looking too bronzed/orange, you should get on well with Special Tanning Cake. The texture is very nice, it's silky smooth, feels weightless on the skin and isn't overly pigmented so you don't have to be too careful with your application.

I've been using Special Tanning Cake in place of blush to warm my pale, wintry skin. It's great paired with tinted moisturisers too as the colour is so natural, doesn't look too dark and blends in well against my natural skin tone. On my skin it wears for around 8 hours before starting to fade and the matte finish makes it great for contouring.

Diego Dalla Palma Special Tanning Cake £22.00 from Debenhams and other online retailers.

Have you tried Special Bronzing Cake or any other products from Diego Dalla Palma?

*PR sample