Bourjois Goodie Bag

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Last week I wrote THIS about a recent work day I had in London attending blogger events. When I first started blogging, many moons ago, one of my favourite things to see on blogs were the goodie bags people were sent home with (I'm nosey like that) so I thought I would harp back to those days and show you mine.

Please note that this isn't bragging or showing off, I just figured that if one person (me) likes these sorts of posts, then other people (you), might like them too. It's not a review, just a 'ooohh look, purddyyy' dealio. Plus, I like looking at eye candy pictures of makeup. 

For me, the highlight of this collection is the blue 1 second nail polish. I'm not sure it did dry in one second but it was chip free for a good 4 days, beautiful to apply thanks to the flat ended brush and generated a heap of compliments- what more do you want in a polish? 

I'm excited by the cream blushes, apprehensive of the powder ones (never had much luck with the colour pay off) and intrigued by the bronzing products. I love a bit o' bronze in the summer months. Who am I kidding? I love a bit o' bronze in all the months! 

If any of these products really impress or really disappoint, I'll be sure to write a review and let you know. 

What experiences have you had with Bourjois products? Do you have any recommendations? 

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Toodlepip!

xx

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Barbie and Pie. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.

A London Workday

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

I am fortunate enough to be able to say my hobby is my job. 

From time to time, I hop on the train and wizz off to London for 'work things'. I use the tern 'work' very loosely because frankly, it's far too fun for it to be called work. I'd happily (and did for two years before mummyhood) do it for free!

Saying that, I thought you might like to come along on one of my work days. I'm a little cross at myself though. I was a bit of a wimp and didn't take photos of out and about things because I felt a bit self conscious standing on my own with my massive camera. I'm going to do another of these posts later in the year and will try harder.

The day started with an unexpected treat. Just as I was standing in the station cafe picking up some breakfast I heard someone ask for a, 'quite milky tea please' and knew instantly it was my friend Jess. It turns out she was off to London for some museum visits with her charming step daughter and gorgeous son Oliver.  He was such a merry little soul and loved being on the train, it was such a pleasure to share my journey with him. 

My first stop was to spend a few hours with an editor as I wanted a little bit of help with this Sunday's video and then it was play time!

I was invited by Bourjois to take a peak at some of their new products for this year and I must say, they were absolutely delightful! I have already tried the blue nail polish and was so impressed. It applied easily and beautifully and lasted longer than the average drug store nail polish. I will probably do a post on some of my favourite products from the goodie bag soon. 

Whilst I was at the event I sat with the oh-so-glam-in-hats Jennifer and Amelia who kindly added me to their group and let me chitchat with them.

Slight swoon over the original blush posts. Vintage loveliness right there. 

After way too many macaroons, it was time to pop into an event by Garnier to showcase their new Perfect Blur Smoothing Perfection Primer. 

I never usually get excited for this kind of thing but truly, I was impressed by this too! I don't have a full sample to show you but I will be heading off to buy one (rrp £12.99) as soon as I have the chance because I was pleased with how it minimised my pores, even over 10 hour old makeup. It seems like it would be the ideal top up product for when you're on the go. 

Excuse the slightly weary looking face, it had been a long day!

And then, before I knew it, it was time to head home for baby, baths and bed!

I really do feel incredibly blessed to have the job I do and am loving everything I have the opportunity to do these days. Whilst I don't attend to too many events, when I do go, I'm a happy camper. 

I hope you don't mind that this isn't a family style lifestyle post (have you noticed we've been having lifestyle posts every Friday?), but this sort of thing is a big part of my life too and I wanted to share. 

What other kind of lifestyle posts would you like to see?

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Previous Lifestyle Blog Posts

Crappy Sheep Day

Green Fingers

Baby Glitter is Two

Family Date Day

Toodlepip!

xx

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Barbie and Pie. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.

Illamasqua I'mperfection

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Along with some of my glamorous blogging chums, last week I attended the launch event for Illamasqua's new collection :: Imperfection. As Alex Box, Illamasqua's Creative Director, cleverly pointed out that the word 'imperfection' can be 'I'm Perfection'.  With this inspiration, a new collection was born. 

The new collection boasts 5 limited edition nail varnishes (£14.50 each), created by Product Developer David Horne. Side note :: Having spent a day with David at the Illamasqua Master Class, I can honestly say he is one of the most interesting and charismatic men I have ever met. You know that fun game people sometimes play where you have to choose the ultimate ten dinner party guests (and everyone always seems to pick Stephen Fry)? Well I'd pick David as one of mine. 

Back on topic, David took his inspiration for these varnishes from nature, which is incredibly beautiful yet incredibly flawed. You know how little birdie eggs have that gorgeous speckled effect, well that's what these polishes are. Egg speckles. I LOVE that! 

With two sizes of glitter flecks, what I found most interesting was that the glitter was matte (so we can question whether this really is glitter- I'm a glitter freak) so the 'speckled' effect really is as true as it could be. Saying that, wouldn't it be huh-mazing if real bird eggs were speckled with glitter? Oh my!

As well as 5 nail polishes, 2 eye products (speckled liners) and 2 lip products (intense lipgloss in green and girlie lipstick in pick-featured above), Illasmasqua have launched 3 new blush duos and a innovative new makeup brush.

The idea is to place the product loaded brush with the tips pointing toward your nostril and upper ear, under your cheek bone and flick/push upwards towards (but not to) your eye. This method, unlike the conventional swirls on the apples of your cheeks, is designed to create a soft oval hue on the cheek bone. You can continue applying blush in this method to create a more dramatic effect too. What I have always loved about Illamasqua powders is that they really are easy to blend, so building colour is a doddle.

Naturally, I would have been grateful for any product that was in a goody bag, but when I saw I had been given 'Lover & Hussy' I was pleased as punch because girly pinks and sweet corals are right up my alley!

(A few quick snaps from the event- it was too pretty to waste)

Illamasqua is a brand that strives and succeeds in pushing limits. It challenges stereotypes and questions the status quo. Some of it's products are a little outlandish for me but more often than not, I fall a little bit in love with them (I'm on my third pot of Beguile for goodness sake!). I love this collection not just for the pretty pastels and easy to wear blushers, but for the ethos behind it and the idea that acceptance of our natural selves is true beauty, it is perfection.

What stands out for you in this collection? Are you in love with the concept too?

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Toodlepip!

xx

 

 

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Ji Ji Kiki . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.