The Best Of February

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Well, I meant to write this post for Friday, but will with all the upset of loosing my little Mindycat, I took a day away from my laptop. I'm sure you won't mind.

February was a proud blog month for me. I challenged myself to upload a post every single weekday and I succeeded. I wasn't exactly a breeze but I really enjoyed getting stuck in and am pleased with the content I produced. Look at me being all self praising! Haha. 

I'm reluctant to challenge myself to do this throughout March as I know I have a LOT on in the next 4 weeks but I'm going to give it a while. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say...whatever that actually means!

So, before it's too late, let's reflect on the great month that we just had and tomorrow we'll be looking forward to the next one. Smooooth.

We kicked off February with THIS post, oohing and arring over the latest offerings from Urban Decay. The above palette is the Naked Blush Trio, the sister product the the Naked Eyeshadow. I'm crossing my fingers for more from this range.

Still in total makeup junkie mode (when am I not in this mode?!) I told you all about THIS amazing Illamasqua Event I had attended and we talked about speckled nails. Last month I also saw that L'Oreal are continuing with the speckled nail trend so I suspect this will be something we see a lot of in the months to come. Exciting to have something new.

In week two, as well as having a long overdue blog redesign from Blogger/Author/Designer WonderForest, I talked about spending quality time with Darcy and making THESE oh so cute Valentine Cards for our family. 

 

In that same week, I uploaded THIS Happy Wife FOTD and took a new approach to photographing products - grouping! I by far and above prefer this method and think I will keep it up in the future. 

 

February's giveaway was for a pair of Cloud Nine Stylers (won't link it as this giveaway is now closed). I was thrilled with your enthusiasm and may try and do a few more of these sorts of things. I'm quite fortunate in that I am offered to do giveaways by a lot of brands but I only really do them if the prizes excite me or I think they are extra special. Shall I do more? You decide.

 

February was the month that I launched THIS new feature- Baby Style. If Darcy will stand still for 2 minutes and I can get a decent snap, you'll see a lot more of this kind of thing! After THIS insane clothes haul, I think I've got enough clothes! Haha.

 

In the final week of the month, we had THIS good old fashioned DIY post. As always, it was easy and affordable as I think that's what makes projects most appealing! All too often I have given up on things when they were too complex (I'm looking at you 'easy sew nappy bag') and felt frustrated and out of pocket (yeah, still you 'easy sew nappy bag. Grrrr). If your repins on Pinterest were anything to go by, this DIY tutorial was a hit. Woot woot. 

And then finally, at the very end of a brilliant month, there was the very sad news of my wonderful kitty going up to heaven. She is buried in my back garden (I paid extra for the vet to come out to our house and leave her body- well worth the expense if you are ever in this awful position as the animal is a LOT calmer) and I imagine that she is up in heaven with my Mum and Gran and her kitty Mum and any brothers and sisters she might have had. She had a good life. 

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So a busy month! On top of all of those highlights (and the low light), were my regular posts like Amazing Advertisers, Bedroom Beauty Challenge and four Motivational Mondays (I think my favourite posts to write). 

Is there anything specific you'd like to see in March? What did you enjoy or maybe dislike (holds breath and hopes you're kind!) in February?

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Toodlepip!

xx

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

Happy Wife FOTD

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

A little while ago my gorgeous Husband surprised me with a baby sitter (yay for sisters) and a trip out for some lovely time together.

Before leaving, I took a few quick shots of my makeup for our 'date night'.

I've been sporting this casual look quite a look of late. I do love dark smokey eyes and bright lips but I feel very confident and comfortable in this more low key one.

Beauty Products To Achieve This Look

MAC Strobe Liquid :: Great to mix into foundation to give lacklustre skin a bit of luminosity.

MakeUp Forever HD Foundation :: I love the finish of this but I do find it needs the strobe liquid to prevent the dreaded 'flat face'.

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle :: My holy grail. There is no other warm toned highlighter in your life. Stop what you're doing and buy one now.

Sienna X Matte Contour Powder :: Incredible pigmentation, I have been using this every day for over 3 months and look how much I've used- next to nothing!

Clarins Palette Eclat Face and Blush Powder :: I focused my brush more on the coral and pink tones  for a blush and was really impressed with the lovely candy hue it gave.

L'oreal Super Carbon Gloss Liquid Liner :: Fabulous for winged liner in a rush.

Topshop Kohl in Coal :: Works wonder on your water line and also smudges well on the skin if you want it to.

Boots No. 7 Exquisite Curl Mascara :: The curved bristle wand is great for catching every eyelash and coating from root to tip.

Benefit They're Real Mascara :: Use to just thicken up the outer corner lashes. I think I really like this mascara but I'm still having the odd off day with it.

MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study :: The all time perfect champagne base colour for eyeshadows.

MAC Cyrstal Avalanche, Antiqued and Amber Lights :: Ideal for creating a neutral eye with a bit of a kick.

Look Beauty Brow Perfect Kit :: Despite being so hard to open that I jabbed 2 finger nails in the powder (massive grrr), I love this little powder compact. It does just the job for unruly brows, you are given a lot for your money and it's under a tenner. Woop.

Balmi Lip Balm in Raspberry :: I have two balmis and I adore them both. I keep them in my makeup drawers (because my last one broke in my handbag, I'd like slightly sturdier packaging) and apply them right at the start of my routine, when I do my moisturiser, and then by the time I come to putting on my lipstick, my lips are fully ready and in prime condition. 

Clarins Joli Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick in Guava :: This lipstick is from the new Spring Summer collection and I have been loving it. It's delicate, subtle but with a hint of glimmer- perfect for day to date!

And that's it! When you lay it all out like that, it looks like a lot more than it feels. I just had a quick count and it was twenty products- crikey.

I quite enjoyed doing a FOTD post in this style, with group product photos- what do you think? More in the future? Do you spot any products that you'd like a full review of?

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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. 

Lou's Reviews || Collection 2000 Glow Getter

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

You know those products you have, that might not be the most glamorous high end products, but you use them day after day until they are old and tatty but you just LOVE them? Well Collection 200 Shimmer Shades 'Way to Glow' is my one of those. 

I bought it about 2 months ago and have found myself using it every single day since. Now, as an extreme beauty junkie, this is high praise indeed!!

I use the 2 darker brown shades under my cheek bone to contour and this gives the illusion of a shadow. You want to create this illusion because it then makes people subconsciously think your cheekbones are more prominent and your face is slimmer. It's a great little trick if you have a round face or a bit of extra chub like I do.

(Mmmm maybe I should just felt tip on myself. It's so shexy!)

Above that (so on the lower part of my cheek bone) I use the peachy blush shade and then above that to highlight, the pearly shade. I tend not to use the peach and pearl shades too often as I have other blushers and highlighters that I enjoy, but the two brown colours are a staple. 

I love that there is a warm and a cool toned bronzer in this kit as I can match this according to weather I am (fake!) tanned or au naturally pale. 

The packaging is sturdy and functional. It's not the most beautiful item I own, but it does the job, never pings open in my makeup bag, is clear plastic so you can see what you have and isn't unnecessarily bulky. 

I have found the pigmentation of this to be fantastic, my slanted contour brush (which I sell in mine and Zoe's SHOP in the mineral collection) picks up the pressed powder beautifully and it has EXCELLENT staying power.

Really, at £4.19, you'd be silly not to add this to your kit. I find myself choosing it over my much more expensive products- crazy.

All in all, I literally cannot fault this quad. Great formula, impressive lasting times, good packaging, bargain price. 10/10.

Do you have any 'must have' staple items like this? Share in the comments and we can all diminish our bank accounts! haha!

Toodlepip!

xx

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Confessions of a Secret Shopper. If you would like to know more about advertising on Sprinkle of Glitter, check out my 'Sponsor' page up at the top!