Some people get pregnant, pop the baby out and snap back to the way they were before. Some people do do that, but not me. I got my first eat on the tube at around 11 weeks and expanded from there. I felt sick all the time unless I was eating exactly what I wanted and what I wanted 90% of the time was pizza. I was huge. Then out he popped and every one promised that breast feeding would suck the fat out but no, it seemed to make me lay fat down. I only really started to shed weight (apart from about 3 stone of water retention within the first three weeks) after I stopped breast feeding and by that time my stomach had had it. It was crepy, and wibbly and wrinkly and just has an extra layer of fat that won't shift which I refer to as the Ned House.
I don't believe in miracle creams - if there were creams that could flatten your stomach and tone you up then we'd know about them. Instead there are lots of creams that say they are going to fix things and they do for some people, don't for others and make tiny changes for the majority. So I wasn't hoping for much when I tried Nip + Fab's Tummy Fix even though I had heard great things about the brand and Maria Hatzistefanis who also created celebrity favourite Rodial. I used it at least once a day on my stomach and muffin tops for over a month and I could see a difference within two weeks.
The final winner is Melya Putri - congratulations. Please email me your address and I will post this out to you.
Thank you all so much for your support and for taking part. On the 4th January I will be giving away any of the unclaimed prizes. So check back here then but in the meantime MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR xx
THE PRIZE: This fantastic goodie box from Benefit featuring some of their most famous products - Let's Make Lovely contains mini sizes of Hula, Pore-fessional, They're Real mascara and It's Potent eye cream. Whether you already love Benefit, have always wanted to try on have never even heard of them before this is a prize well worth winning. Suitable for any skin tone even the box for this fab.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment below - Good Luck and Happy Christmas xx
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Daisy T (Anonymous!) - Congratulations. I'm so sorry in the delay in announcing this. We have had a power cut for the last 24 hours which was just terrible but this prize is worth the wait. Email me your address and I'll get it out to you asap xx
THE PRIZE: I saw these Along Came Betty products and thought they looked really fun so I have the Blusher Duo and Fix Me Quick Mattifier to give away along with the ultimate dry shampoo from Batiste - great for fixing your post-party do or on those days when your Christmas hangover just won't let you wash your hair.
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave a comment below this post - Good Luck!
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Rebecca Gransden - congratulations! Please email me your address and I will send this out to you as soon as I can x
THE PRIZE: Is my favourite Sleek Makeup Eye Palette - Oh So Special. I find it incredibly versatile and easy to use.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment under this post
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Amanda Norwood - congratulations this is a really awesome prize. Please email me your address and I will post it out to you as soon as I can (contact at corinna harrod dot com)
THE PRIZE: Is a MAC 217 arguably the most famous make-up brush and the one that appears in most make-up artists professional kits. Perfect for blending shadows, drawing in a crease, buffing and even using with concealer. This is the ultimate blending brush.
HOW TO ENTER: What does MAC stand for? leave me a comment below this post
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Jadea - congratulations! Hope you love it. Please send me an email with your postal address so I can send this out to you (contact at corinnaharrod dot com)
THE PRIZE: Embryolisse Rich Balm is one of my top three face mositurisers - it's fantastic for dry skin and problem patches and got me through pregnancy with out too many horrible lumps and red spots.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment under this post
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Julie Baxter - congratulations. Please email me your address and I will send out your gorgeous nail varnish x
THE PRIZE: This gorgeous blue nail glitter set from Nail Rock - perfect for the Christmas party season. In this pack you get a blue varnish and blue glitter to add on top - just sweep a layer of varnish on to your nails, dip them into the glitter and you have gorgeous glitter nails.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment under this post
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Tiffany Callan who really deserves to win such an awesome prize having been a fab supporter of this giveaway the whole way through. Congratulations Tiffany - please email me your address x
THE PRIZE: If you missed out on MAC's Ruby Woo at the beginning of this giveaway or if you are a lover of classic make-up than this is the prize for you. Besame's Classic Red lipstick is a really beautiful blue-based red and the packaging is just fantastic. I'm really sad to be giving this one away I just want to keep it. Thanks to Neat PR for sending me this from 20thCenturyfoxy.com
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment below telling me which stunning brunette starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Judith Dysart. Please email me your postal address and I will get them out to you as soon as I can x
THE PRIZE: Today you get three gorgeous lip colours as one prize. The first Art Deco Lip Brilliance in a beautiful sparkling pink - lovely on it's own or to add a touch of sparkle over a lipstick. The second is Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie in a deeper colour for a little more drama and lastly there is is Collection's Cream Puff in Fairy Cake - this is an amazing matte
finish lip cream. It's long lasting, not drying and this colour is
really beautiful on any skin tone.
HOW TO ENTER: What was the original name of the cosmetics brand Collection? Leave me the answer in the comments below. Good Luck
THE PRIZE: Bioderma Solution Micellaire is a water-based cleanser that is used by make-up artists all over the world. It removes make-up really easily, even waterproof mascara (hold a soaked cotton pad to your closed eye for a minute) and used on the end of cotton bud you can correct any make-up mistake and sharpen edges.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment under this post. I'm afraid this can only be open to UK residents.
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Erika - congratulations. Please email me your postal address x
THE PRIZE: A gorgeous MUD eyeshadow in smoked sapphire. Highly pigmented this is a great colour for a sultry smokey eye this party season or it would look really lovely with a glitter pigment over the top.
THE PRIZE: Meet Dermalogica. Does exactly what it says on the box and this box contains... special cleansing gel, daily microfoliant, multivitamin, power firm and skin smoothing cream.
HOW TO ENTER: What is my favourite Dermalogica product? Leave me the answer in the comments below this post! (Clue - it was one of my Products of the Week recently). I'm afraid this is only open to UK residents.
YESTERDAYS WINNER: Is Ross Beardsall. Congratulations - please email me your address and I'll post this out to you as soon as I can x
THE PRIZE: Another for those who aren't that into make-up and another 2 for 1. Honeybell Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh Scented candle and and 15ml bottle of Caudalie Divine Oil. This gorgeous candle will real add a festive feel to your house and Caudalie Divine Oil is the perfect size to keep in your make-up bag, you can use it on your body, face and it's perfect to revive your hair after a night out!
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave me a comment under this post!
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Liz Ferguson - congratulations, an amazing prize! Please email me your address and I will get it out to you as soon as possible x
THE PRIZE: An amazing Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Flush and the brush to go with it. This is perfect for medium to dark skin tones. Daniel's Sandler's products are absolutely fantastic and his Watercolour blushers are a completely revolutionary product. I'm really excited about this prize and I was going to film a video for it but who's better than the man himself so click here to see a video of how to use this amazing blusher
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment below and tell me, what is my favourite powder blusher? (Click here for a clue!)
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: There were so many good answers that I had to let Ned pick a name... Natalie White please email me your postal address x
THE PRIZE: Skin Repair Boost Me - a gorgeous moisturiser filled with vitamins and antioxidants. Use as a day or night cream free from preservatives, perfumes and emulsifiers.
HOW TO ENTER: In the comments below let me know what is your post-Christmas Party make-up or beauty fix? For me a good cleanse and moisturise really helps.
YESTERDAYS WINNERS: Were Bruce and Jacqueline Roberts. Please get in contact and I will post these out to you asap
Have you entered this giveaway? If you have please check back to see if you've won. I have some prizes still unclaimed...
L'Oreal Blockbuster Liner and MeMeMe Nail Varnish - Lynne
Amazing Shine Lashes and Duo Glue - Nikki Pearson
Chloe Sims Instant Tan and Mit - Shelagh Milne
Rituals Shower Gel and MUA Lip Glaze - Helen Gilbert
If you enter a giveaway I will announce the winner the next day in the same post as that days giveaway. So day 4's winner is announced in the same post as day 's prize xx
THE PRIZE: Another 2 for 1 and for those that maybe aren't so into make-up but like to look after themselves. Anatomicals Don't Just Clean It Woman Scrub It Body Scrub and Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter. (No I'm not insane, this is the nicest, post exfoliating moisturiser ever.) It is like butter and it will make your skin as smooth as a baby's.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment under this post. Good luck!
YESTERDAYS WINNER: Is Helen Gilbert - congratulations and please email me your postal address so I can post you the shower gel and lip glaze.
THE PRIZE: Rituals White Lotus and Green Tea foaming shower gel (mini sized) and MUD Lip Glaze in Java.
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave me a comment below this post and I will pick the winner at random. Good luck!
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: The winner of the Chloe Sims Starship Tanning Mousse and Mit is Shelagh Milne. Please email me your address and I will post this out to you asap.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who has entered so far. I'm completely overwhelmed. I originally intended to do a few more videos to go with these prizes but I have the mother of all colds and I sound like something from The Exorcist when I'm better there will be vids I promise. Now back to it...
THE PRIZE: Chloe Sims Starship 1 Hour Tanning Mousse and mitt - for those of you daring to bare this party season.
HOW TO ENTER: Chloe Sims is famous for starring in which television reality show? Leave your answer as a comment on this post.
YESTERDAYS WINNER: Again picked by random.org due to continued horrible cold in our house is Nikki Pearson. Congratulations - email me your address and I will send the lashes and glue over to you x
THE PRIZE: Five sets of Amazing Shine Lashes and a tube of Duo Glue. Both these products are used by professional make-up artists and, unless you are allergic to latex, Duo glue is a fantastic glue that works with every kind of false lash. The fine stems used by Amazing Shine make them incredibly easy to apply and if you treat these lashes nicely (removing the bits of glue after use) you can get a couple of uses from each set of lash.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment below but those who are Subscribers to my YouTube channel will get entered twice! If you are a subscriber let me know in your comment. Good Luck!
YESTERDAYS WINNER: Sorry this is a bit late but there were a lot of entries! The winner is Jordi. Congratulations and please email your address so I can send you the MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
THE PRIZE: MAC Ruby Woo. Arguably the most iconic red lipstick of the 21st Century this gorgeous matte red shade is, according to everyone who works there, their most requested product and the inspiration for the recent Retro Matte collection (which was my most favourite ever!)
HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment below this post telling me which female screen icon starred in the 1954 film Rear Window?
YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Lynne - congratulations. Please email me your address to contact at corinna harrod dot come.
THE PRIZE: L'Oreal Blockbuster Superliner and MeMeMe Nail Varnish in Rouge Noir. Perfect for adding classic glam to your Christmas party look.
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave me a comment below this post and I will pick the winner at random. Good luck!
DAY 1 WINNER: The winner of Day 1 - as picked by random.org is Carina! Hurrah, congratulations. Please email me your address and I will put your prize in the post (contact at corinna harrod dot com) xx
OK so the first product you can win in my Christmas giveaway is...
THE PRIZE: CK One Powder Eye Shadow - You can use this wet or dry and the colour (700 Infinite) will look amazing on its own, with black liner or blended into a smokey eye.
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave me a comment below this post and you will be entered into the draw. Remember you can enter every day of this competition. I will announce the winner of this prize tomorrow.
Right - it's nearly time to start the big Christmas Giveaway. Firstly, how to enter and other things then see the video below for a peek at all the prizes.
1. You can enter every single day of this competition. I will be choosing the winner after 11.59pm on that day.
2. Every day I will ask something different so you need to read the post and then respond.
3. I will try and post everything out as soon as I can but please be patient. If you win I will let you know and ask you to email me your address. I will be using second class post.
The Prizes:
CK One
Powder Eyeshadow in Infinate
L'Oreal Superliner in
Blockbuster and MeMeMe Nail Varnish in Rouge Noir
MAC Ruby Woo
Amazing Shine Lashes and Duo
Glue
Chloe Sims 1 Hour Tanning
Mousse and Mit
Rituals Foaming Shower Gel
MAC 217
Boost Me Skin Repair
St Grape Aqua Scrub x 2
Daniel Sandler Watercolour
blush in flush and brush
Accessorize Velvet Nails
Meet Dermalogica
Honeybell Scented candle and
mini Caudalie Divine Oil
Nail Rock
Bioderma Solution Micellaire
Anatomicals Body Scrub and
Waitrose Bottom Butter
Besame Classic Colour
Lipstick
MUD Smoked Sapphire Eye
Colour
Embroylisse Rich Balm
Collection Cream Puff,
Bareminerals lipgloss and Art Deco Lip Gloss
Sleek Oh So Special Palette
Along Came Betty Fix Me Quick
and Blusher Duo and Batiste Dry Shampoo
One of the massive perks of my job is meeting some amazing people and one of those is photographer Claudia Rose Carter. We did Modern Mummy Katy Dial's wedding and it was so relaxed and fun and the photographs look just stunning... more on my updated website coming soon
To celebrate the (final) change of name I have decided to have a huge Christmas giveaway. Every day from 1st to 24th December there will be a prize to win on this blog, it will also involve Facebook, Twitter and YouTube but as long as you follow it on here you can be in with a chance of winning.
You can enter as many times as you like and every single day - there will be a different way of entering every day and I will be choosing winners completely at random I PROMISE unless the question involves a right or wrong answer. I will either be using random.org or my son picking a name out of a hat or something like that. But it will be random. It will.
So, what can you win? Well I'm going to do a video soon listing everything but for now here's a sneak-peek...
Iconic MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo
Boost Me Skin Repair Cream
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush
Embroylisse Rich Balm
MUD Eye Shadow
Amazing Shine Lashes and Duo Glue
For those of you on twitter you can follow me here and use #LMBxmas. I'm also on Facebook and YouTube. I'm really excited - I hope you get involved x
So the reason I set up a YouTube channel was to film my make-up everyday... I've not succeeded in that yet. I WILL but for now here's Wednesday 20th November 2013.
For the past couple of weeks my face has really taken a hit. Firstly I used some beautiful Eldora lashes for Halloween and was too lazy to get my Duo glue from my kit so used the Eldora glue instead. Big mistake have had an inchy, sore patch under and around my eye ever since that seems impossible to fix. It opened the floodgates for the change in temperature to make my skin incredibly dry and bumpy and to be honest my whole face has felt pretty awful for the past week.
Then I remembered my Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and have used it a couple of times in the past five days and my skin has really taken a turn for the better which is a relief. An incredibly gentle exfoliator this has removed the dry, bumps from my forehead and chin and meant my moisturiser can actually mositurise my skin rather than sitting on top of it sadly unable to penetrate. I'm not a huge fan of Dermalogica but I recommend you try this.
What you need to know - Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Is it a bit weird to have two Hourglass products on consecutive weeks? If it is then I don't care, it's my blog and I love them both and have been using them constantly since I bought them in New York. Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick has the best staying power of any lipstick I've tried without a doubt and the colours are so beautiful I found it quite difficult to limit myself to one, which I had to, these products aren't cheap even though I got mine in New York where they are a bit more manageable for the purse. I ended up getting Rose which is a beautiful pink that suits me for every day, unlike Ballet which was the colour I originally wanted to get this is a browner pink so more suitable to have in your handbag for any occasion, it goes with whatever you are wearing and whatever the situation. If money was no object I would have Ballet, Muse, Edition and Riviera too. When checking these out online be aware that they don't really look like any of the swatches I've seen.
This video may make me look like I was very restrained whilst shopping in New York in October. I was restrained about make-up... what you not see are the heaps of clothes I also bought!
When I first bought this in New York I was a little dubious. It came highly recommended from everyone I spoke to in Sephora but it seemed slightly cakey to me. This week however I've been in such a rush all the time that I've just been slapping it on with my hands and that seems to be the way to do it. A great medium to full coverage tinted moisturiser Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturiser is perfect for those who need that little bit more now autumn is finally here. I know I do.
What you need to know - Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturiser
To stop myself buying the lipstick I really wanted because I deemed it too expensive I bought a whole load of cheaper stuff from Superdrug that I didn't need or know I wanted...
Inglot have been around for a while now and although I have a list of their products I'm keen to try I never seem to be able to have the list, the shop and the time all at once. The colours are spectacular - for those make-up butterflies out there this could be the brand for you and it's really not unreasonably priced.
So what made me take the plunge? Well I bought their AMC Eyeliner Gel on the spur of the moment when I went to Olympia Beauty a month ago. The discounts there are spectacular and even though I got this liner for an amazing £7 I would gladly pay double that and not bat an eye (sorry... ). They do a really inspiring range of colours in this liner too so don't feel the need to stop at the black - yellow, green, blue, purple, pink. Pretty much all colours are covered in this line.
Why do I love it so? Well it's matte and I pretty much want to wear matte things ALL THE TIME at the moment. It also glides on, I know that's what they all say but it really does literally glide straight on making it really easy to use for those who aren't accustomed to using gel liner and really fantastically quick for use for those who are. It is also almost impossible to get off without the help of some form of make-up remover - annoying if you make a mistake (but fine if you have Bioderma and a cotton bud to hand) amazing if you want a liner that is going to last allll day (or allll night). Now to Westfield to try out more, more, more from Inglot. Waterproof and crease-proof, the only downside is that it will dry out eventually once opened (6 mths +) but then, show me a gel liner that doesn't. This would be perfect for those who were a flick liner everyday.
What You Need to Know - Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel
£13
5.5g
29-32 colours available (depending on your country)
It's that time of year where there are a lot of Christmas launches going on. I know that if you work in journalism you are so over Christmas by now and probably just past Valentines Day but for us bloggers we're basically Christmas from July to 24th December with a little bit of Spring thrown in for good measure.
This week we were given a little insight into Debenhams Christmas 2013 with lovely giftsets, new ranges and exclusives.
One of the new ranges going into Debenhams is Emma Hardie who regular readers will know I LOVE... more on that in another post (I got a mini facial from the lady herself) and Arch Angelz are expanding their fantastic walk-in brow treatments.
Benefit are offering this huge advent calendar available in Debenhams from November. Yes it's expensive at £50 but it has so many treats it is more than worth it. Mini's of their classics along with other little accessories this is Christmas come early.
There will be loads of perfumes on offer and some are in exclusive limited edition bottles just for Debenhams including the most beautiful bottle (pictured center) of Opium, a true classic.
Cargo are an American brand that is expanding in Debenhams with these lovely face palettes and wearable eye colours this is a range worth checking out for all skin tones.
Nails Inc.,are doing some lovely gift sets as are Benefit (A Whole Lotta Lovin' £25), Elemis and Astalift.
A gorgeous exclusive palette from Bare Minerals - An Affair to Remember is £35, eight shadows in a beautiful gold case.
I've had to refilm this three times due to camera teething problems and it's still not great but you get the general idea. I love doing my make-up when I'm off to an autumn/winter wedding as I feel I can go a bit more full-on than I would in summer. I also got to use my Clarins face powder, the smell of which reminds me of being young - I love it.
I got this on the spur of the moment at Olympia Beauty and it has shot straight to the top of my favourite eyeliner list. Blackest, black and beautifully matte it really does glide on and lasts for ages. If you want a professional looking feline flick then Inglot Gel Liner is the product for you. Full review to follow...
There are lots of different ways to put lipsticks into a palette but this is how I do it. It's quick and easy and you can do it in the time it takes for you to have a cup of tea. I hate cutting the ends of my lipsticks but it makes your kit lighter, it's easy to see what's what and a couple of sprays with Beauty So Clean and you know everything is nice and clean for next use.
I usually take about three bags of make-up on holiday with me to cover every possible eventuality... no I don't know either, but this year I took one. Yes one. Here's what was in it...
I had the pleasure of being invited to the launch of a really exciting venture a few nights ago - Daniel Sandler, award-winning make-up artist and creator of his own amazing make-up range has decided to make his products available at the Peak Health Club and Spa where you can not only buy from the range but get make overs and even book a bridal appointment with the man himself.
Anyone who has tried Daniel's products will know what an oppertunity this is to be able to purchase them in person (rather than online) but to have a make over from a professional at the club that Daniel will have trained himself. His incredibly innovative watercolour blush has been a complete game changer in a world where a good, lasting cream blusher is still a relatively new thing. What I personally love about the Daniel Sandler range is that they are made with women in mind, normal women as well as celebrities, it is easy to use make-up with a professional finish in useable, wearable colours.
As for the Peak it's central London location means if you are at work and going out afterwards and want your day time make-up ramped up a little you can just get the 'finishing touches' facial, or if you go to the gym before you go out you can have an hour long makeover. It is a real breath of fresh air to have a health club and spa that sells good make-up rather than affordable products that just aren't that good.
For the high powered but make-up challenged London workers this will be a revelation for those meetings and dinners where you need to look your best. And for those of you who haven't tried out any Daniel Sandler products do it - they are fantastic.
Definitely one of my top three favourite mascara's. Haven't used it for years and a friend recently bought it for me when she went through the airport. 'They're Real?', 'Bad Gal', 'Are you sure?'. Tried They're Real and just didn't love as much - I know I'm in the minority and maybe next time I'll bite the bullet and buy it to try for a longer time but for now I'm loving have a flash-back to my mid-twenties with this gorgeous black, black mascara.
Now you may have seen my recent video where I show you the lipsticks (and one sneaky little lip liner) that I bought recently from the new Retro Matte collection from MAC. Having now had them for a week or so I thought it about time I reviewed them as I have been using them pretty much constantly. Ok, ok so I didn't do the right thing and buy all of them just for the purpose of being able to review every single colour. I had other stuff to buy. I'm not made of money. I did however buy three of them and am sorely tempted to return to get some more (namely Runway Hit, Steady Going and Flat Out Fabulous). I can tell you about the colours I have got and what I think - the formula will be the same for whatever colour you chose from the collection.
First things first lets get the review of the lip pencil out the way. It's a Pro Longwear Lip Pencil from the Retro Matte collection so it has a new formulation and is definitely a bit softer than their other lip pencils meaning it does 'glide' on easier but it's almost too soft. Possibly just right, I'm still undecided. The colour, Dynamo, is a beautiful hot pink, a redish pink - a truly lovely colour for all you pink fans out there and would work well with any deeper pink lip colours as long as it's blended well and is so easy to apply that I would recommend it to anyone looking for a strong pink lip pencil. Big tick from me.
So, to the lipsticks themselves. Now call me unadventurous but the colours I chose are All Fired Up, Dangerous and Relentlessly Red. Yes, yes all quite similar I know. So similar in fact that they are right next to each other in the online swatches* but actually very different and all beautiful in their own way. Dangerous is a bright, organgy red - Lady Danger's little, less bright sister - but dare I say it, it's a bit more wearable than good old LD. Relentlessly Red is a brighter red than the famous Ruby Woo (the inspiration for the whole collection) which everyone loves and just doesn't suit me. I think Relentlessly Red would suit everyone and because it's matte you could wear it to work and not feel too over the top. Now, All Fired Up. All Fired Up is my absolute new favourite lipstick. It's just beautiful - again the matte-ness of the lipstick makes this not too in-your-face but it is the most lovely dark, hot pink.Now don't get me wrong - you will stand out with these lipsticks but they are sophisticated colours that will bring out the glamour puss in you.
If you don't like the feel of wearing lipstick then these probably aren't for you. It's the very nature of matte lip colours - you feel like you're wearing lipstick (I personally quite like it) but if you can resist licking your lips for the first 10 minutes then these lipsticks will last an awfully long time. And I mean it - coming from me that's a very good sign, I chew most lipsticks off within ten minutes. These colours are back to MAC at their best and you should go and get some soon, in all likelihood MAC will discontinue them at some point (as they do with all their collections *sigh*).
Stupidly I forgot to take pictures of these before I took the tops off for my lipstick palette (video of that to come soon) but you can see them swatched in my video.
*On a slightly different note does anyone else find MAC's online swatches not that good? I'm not being rude - to my tiny brain it is a hard thing to do, match an actually lipstick to a colour on the Internet but even the pictures of the lipstick palettes don't look right - Lady Danger is the red palette just doesn't look like Lady Danger in real life. IS IT JUST ME?
At the moment I can't get enough of L'Oreal's Superliner Gelmatic liner which I kindly got sent as part of their Line of Beauty box. Really easy to apply and the ideal size pencil for getting a fine, thick or flicked line, easily blendable and stays put pretty much all day. OK so it doesn't really go on the waterline very easily or thickly but if you don't want that then this is by far the easiest gel liner I've used to date. It is all a screw pencil so no need to faff about with sharpeners - which, with gel liners, is a messy business believe me. For quick, precise baby proof, non-waterline application this is the one for me at the moment.
What you need to know - L'Oreal Gelmatic Liner
£5.99
Available in 3 colours - black, deep violet, taupe grey
So although I didn't get sunburned on holiday (thanks to the amazing Adaptasun by Institut Esthederm) I have been using Hampton Sun Aftersun Moisturiser everyday to keep my lovely tan lasting as long as possible. Cooling, moisturising, and gorgeous smelling - this will be my go-to aftersun from now on. Expensive at around £30 but totally worth it - a little goes a long way and it really gives your tan longevity. Available from Space NK
Slightly scary photo - still working out my new camera!
We have just been on a much needed holiday in France and, as Ned has inherited my fair skin, I was really worried that he would
get sunburn and so spent some time hunting around for suitable sun creams for children under 12 months. There's a lot to choose from and I took a couple with me but my favourite was definitely Hampton Sun's SPF 70 for Kids. It's not cheap at £33 (but you really can't put a price on your child's health) and the ease of the spray on application and the lovely smell made that rather steep price tag totally worthwhile. In fact it was so easy to apply he was
positively giggly about having it put on which made a nice change from
the angry shrieking that usually ensues and it was so much quicker.
I reapplied this at least every 80 minutes when he was outside and we used it on nephew sometimes as well - there was still some left over and no evidence that he'd been in the sun at all (not a nappy tan line in sight). Highly recommended - I'm going to buy a bottle of this at the start of every summer.
Some people get pregnant, pop the baby out and snap back to the way they were before. Some people do do that, but not me. I got my first eat on the tube at around 11 weeks and expanded from there. I felt sick all the time unless I was eating exactly what I wanted and what I wanted 90% of the time was pizza. I was huge. Then out he popped and every one promised that breast feeding would suck the fat out but no, it seemed to make me lay fat down. I only really started to shed weight (apart from about 3 stone of water retention within the first three weeks) after I stopped breast feeding and by that time my stomach had had it. It was crepy, and wibbly and wrinkly and just has an extra layer of fat that won't shift which I refer to as the Ned House.
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