Winter flushes: Deep Throat powder blush by NARS...

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Continuing my hair colour journey; Schwarzkopf Color Mask in Light Brown [600]...

 

As you may know, I used a different shade of Color Mask dye [Dark Blonde - 700] on my hair a while ago, but found out that when it came time to touch up the roots, the results where slightly uneven. However I did like the product's formula, so I picked a darker shade, took a deep breath and redyed my hair....

The main selling point of Schwarzkopf's Color Mask hair dye range is that the formula of the dye is like a conditioning mask; it has a thick formula, so you apply it to your hair using your hands so it gets right to the hair roots, and there are no drips. Was the application that easy, and was it mess-free? Yes, and yes again. Plus the dye was super easy to rinse from my hair, using only water.

 

Success! I've now been using the Light Brown shade for 6 months and it is almost exactly the same shade of honey tinged brown as that on the box's model. Any colour fade is minimal, I can go over two months between top ups, as the formula is so fade resistant. And my roots [ash blonde/brown] dye the same shade as the rest of my hair.

I started to go grey in my teens and this has perfectly blended them away, which is a first; I've found that dyes typically colour the grey hairs slightly lighter. Overall; I'm very impressed with my chosen shade,  and with the Color Mask formula.


Color Mask costs £6.49 in Boots, Superdrug, Asda, and Sainsburys.

 

Yeah THEY'RE REAL... They're Real mascara by Benefit.

I'll start with the good stuff; Benefit's THEY'RE REAL mascara ticks all of the mascara dreamlist boxes for me; Great separation, added length and amazing volume increase. I've not experienced flaking or smudging, plus it holds my curl all day and is easy to remove.

The brush is a regular size with short rubber bristles so it is easy to use and It grabs, coats and pushes every lash out and up. However what is unique is that the end of the wand also has bristles, to catch those little straggly hairs in the inner and outer corners of the eye.

I've had favourable comments from strangers when I've worn this mascara...

Naked lashes vs 1 coat

 

 

Bad points? I don't have anything negative to say about the formula, or the results. But whilst the shape of the brush is important to create the shape and definition, the shaped end can be a bit of a hindrance. One eye on me always looks great because of the shaped end, but I don't like flipping my wrist to do the other eye as I don't like the feeling of a lack of control, so my other eye rarely has the same level of definition.

As you can see on the below photo my main issue with this problem is that the inner corner of one eye always looks less defined, and the outer corner of the problem eye can be prone to a few minor clumps.

Of course, if you are comfortable flipping your wrists during mascara application you can just ignore the last few paragraphs :)  

2 coats

                                                                              
The price [£19.50] is also a bit of a put off for me; so whilst I will consider buying this mascara again, I'll always be on the look-out for a cheaper alternative as They're Real is good, but the niggles over the brush and price mean it isn't a I-must-have-it-now product for me.

New fragrances for Feb 2014: Britney Spears Fantasy The Naughty Remix and Fantasy The Nice Remix...

scent. Remixing the original notes to create new  fantasy scents gives my fans and me more ways of expressing our inner fantasies  - whether they’re naughty or nice."—Britney Spears.


Britney  Spears presents two new versions of her best-selling and most  popular fragrance Fantasy from 2005—The  Naughty Remix and The  Nice Remix. These flankers are coming out at the beginning of  February 2014.










The  Naughty Remix is made for moments when you feel a bit dangerous and  daring, and is described as a sensual, dark and exotic version,  highlights jasmine petals, white chocolate orchid, sweet cupcake accord, sensual  woody notes, orris root and creamy musk.


The  Nice Remix is in touch with your softer side and is a romantic and flirty version of the original Fantasy. It is a sparkling fruity  scent that blends signature kiwi accord with floral tones such as jasmine, sweet  cupcake and creamy musk.










Both versions are  available as 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum.
[via Fragrantica]

Are we there yet?; Fifth Grave Past the Light (Charley Davidson, #5) by Darynda Jones...

☠☠/☠☠☠☠☠

Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth....more Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth.

However, when dead women start appearing in her apartment - lost, confused and terrified beyond reason - Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes's help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister Gemma is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her - body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she might be willing to pay...

NOTD: Lorelei's Tiara by China Glaze...

 

Wowza - the glitter in Lorelei's Tiara is just insane.

This shade was part of China Glaze's Eye Candy 3-D Glitters Collection, and  there is so much silver glitter here that the polish is opaque in two coats, and the lighter spattering of the blue glitter particles are evenly distributed, every single time. It looks like my nails have been wrapped in foil - I can't stop staring at my hands whenever I wear it.

 

Despite the heavy amounts of glitter this polish is easy to apply, leaving no bubbles or streaks and I was impressed with the drying time. Being a glitter bomb it does take a little bit more effort to remove, but it seems easier then my other glitter-heavy polishes.

Even without using a top coat this polish will last me around two/three days with only minimal wear; but I am tough on my hands and regularly bang & catch my nails (self powered wheelchair user), so it will probably last longer on other people.

 

Lorelei's Tiara is still available to buy from Amazon UK, for £3.99 [plus £1.99 p+p].