Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Currently Loving


This last week has been tough!  Mike collapsed and was taken to hospital with chest pains on Wednesday last week so he is going back to hospital tomorrow for a few more tests and to see the cardiologist again.  I am just not feeling right.  Nothing specific or genuinely ill but a feeling of general 'run down-ness', tiredness and just not feeling myself.  But the show must go on as they say!!

I think over the next few weeks we will be considering some all round lifestyle changes to get us a bit healthier as we admittedly lead quite an unhealthy lifestyle-especially me, two of my three meals a day are generally ordered in and eaten at my desk in the office!  And I am a raging chocoholic!

In the meantime, I have been reflecting on what products I am currently loving.

First up is the cleanser I am using in the morning, the much hyped Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip.  I was on a waiting list for this for ages on the Space NK website but I finally got my hands on it!

OK so the claims are pretty steep and after using this for about 4 weeks now I don't think I have 'flawless skin' or 'miniscule pores' but I still really like it.  It has a light gel texture which doesn't overly foam and no distinct smell.  I apply it in the morning to damp hands then massage into my face before washing off under the shower.  My skin isn't left feeling tight or dry or tingly.  The only downside is I think you need to use about 4-5 pumps to wash your face thoroughly.  Having said that, four weeks in and I still have over half left.  I personally wouldn't use it to remove make up but it would be a good second cleanser and contains a real cocktail of skin pleasing ingredients-French green clay to draw out impurities and Vitamin C to reduce discolouration and stimulate collagen production.  Sandalwood combats sensitivity, black pepper promotes circulation and jasmine soothes.

Repurchase?  Yes please!


Next up is a Nars duo I have had for ages and don't give enough love to!  It contains an almost foil like bronze which doesn't run particularly warm nor cold so will look fab on everyone and a plummy taupe with a satin finish.  They blend effortlessly and last all day long.  I pledge to show Kalahari much more love.




Two lip products make the cut next-first up the Burts Bees rejuvenating lip balm with Acai Berry.  Although I have one in my handbag at the moment I am not that much of a fan of the original Burts Bees formula-I find it drags on the lips a bit, I don't like the smell or the tingle and isn't terribly moisturising, but the Acai Berry version is so much better!  It imparts no colour to the lips and glides on, moisturising and smoothing as it goes.  It smells so much nicer than the original and is the perfect base for lipstick.  I think I'll be throwing out the original version in my handbag and replacing it with this.

My second lip favourite is the new YSL Gloss Volupte.  I own 5 of these now and I just love the glossy, non sticky, glass like shine they impart along with the hint of colour.  The one you see below is 204 Corail Trapeze and is the perfect spring/summer lip.  You can see it in action here.  And the packaging-inserts 10 heart shaped eye emojis


Next up is a product I probably wouldn't have spoken about on my blog if it wasn't for the fact Sephora is now shipping to the UK as it was available in the US only (and I feel mean to my UK readers) but now I am telling you to all go out and buy the Josie Maran Coconut Water Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise.

I absolutely love the formula, it feels like jelly in the pot without being messy and squishy.  The colour is to die for-a pink toned, almost neon coral but without being at all in your face.  I prefer to dip a stippling brush in the pot (hence all the brush marks), tap the excess on the back of my hand and lightly buff into the skin.  I can't get enough of it!  It's easily buildable and the lasting power is incredible.  I highly recommend.



And the perfect brush to stipple the Josie Maran blush onto my face?  I have been loving the Mac 130 Short Duo Fibre brush.  It has tightly packed bristles making controlling the application a doddle.  It doesn't swallow up too much product (I hate brushes that do that) and is brilliant with all types of cream blusher.  I think I bought it originally as a foundation brush but I find the head a bit small for all over application.  Am very tempted to buy a back up-you never know when a cat is going to nab off with it and stash it in their magical hiding place where the tops off everything seem to go.  I saw Fizzy sniffing around it this morning....


What are you currently loving?


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46 comments

  1. 205, I forget the name of it and don't have it to hand. I wanted 204 (I wonder why) but they didn't have it in stock. 205 is more of a vibrant red but not too bright and no glitter.


    Good, hope he's fully recovered soon xx

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  2. Let me know which of the YSL you picked up gorgeous


    Mike is on the mend thank you darling-taking lots of pills!! xxx

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  3. Hehe, NARS eyeshadow, Josie Maran gelees and YSL lipglosses - three things I am dying to try someday! Have to raid a few more dragon hoards first, though, LOL!

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  4. I'm not keen on the original burts bees lip balm either, so haven't ventured to try any of the other formulas, but might give this one a try. Am desperate to try some of the glossy stains, am hoping there's some duty free in glasgow tomorrow, if so I'll finally pick some up, this colour is beautiful. The josie maran gelee looks incredible - if I ever commit to finally placing a sephora order it's on the list.


    Hope Mike is on the mend now? xxx

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  5. Aww Holly you are just the loveliest girl ever xxx

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  6. Great isn't it! xx

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  7. I am the same Laura, this beauty blogging is an addiction! XX

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  8. Thank you lovely xx

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  9. The burt bees lipbalm is my favorite too! love the product!!


    www.dndb.in

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  10. Oh em gee those NARS eye-shadows?!?!! My my I think I've just died and gone to heaven, (or possibly Dubai which is obvs heaven, then in your house and into your make-up bag to hunt these downnnn) ...on another note, hope Mike is okay - and in these type of situations you are MOREEE than entitled to consume as much of the sweet stuff as physically possible, it will help :D and if that fails just dig out the NARS shadows again and stare at them...it's working for me :)

    MUCH LOVE GORGEOUS <3 xxxxx

    Holly Mixtures

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  11. Loving those Nars eyeshadows on you. I hope Mike is feeling better now? And you too? I have so many products at the moment that I am loving and still, I keep buying more (eekk)!

    Laura x | Life and Lipstick

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  12. Great picks. The Nars duo looks so amazing!
    Great blog hun.

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  13. Stacey, the Argan oil sample was too small for me to make up my mind one way or another. But the Tarte maracuja oil is a stellar product, LOVE IT! Thanks to you for getting me hooked ;)

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  14. Hi Jessica! I really like the Acai version xx

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  15. Thanks Sandy! 130 is great isn't it-I have used it with the Illamasqua cream blushes this week which are fairly similar to the Stila ones xxx

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  16. It's sooooo pretty Jen and I really think you would like the Sunday Riley cleanser xx

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  17. Thank you Anna, I wasn't there when it happened the first time but when I got to the hospital his BP was 180/130 and they couldn't stabilise it. Eventually they injected something into him and it dropped suddenly from that to 123/70 and he kind of fainted and was really dizzy and vomiting-that wasn't very nice. He's doing better though now xxx

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  18. Thank you gorgeous girl. I definitely recommend the JM blush!! Did you like the Argan oil? xx

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  19. Thanks Helene, the relax and study a bit are the ones I am struggling with! It's fab when you find an amazing eyeshadow xx

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  20. Hello lovely! The cheek gelee is brilliant, I hope the brand launches in Australia-it's not in Dubai sadly either :((


    Nars Kalahari is fantastic!! Let me know if you pick it up xx

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  21. Thank you Lucie! I definitely recommend both xx

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  22. Hi Bea, I always use mine over an eyeshadow primer, I really love it. Am not a big fan of Nars matte shades though-they don't show well on me x

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  23. It's a great shadow duo isnt it! I just love it xx

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  24. I really like it! Have been meaning to try the Zoeva range for ages-have read v good reviews xx

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  25. Mascara-Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes! You must try the cleanser-its lush xx

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  26. Thank you Laura-we have great taste!! xx

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  27. Thanks Joanna! You're so right about preparation being key. If you get chance to try the Josie Maran do!!!

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  28. I am sure one day Laura I am going to move a piece of furniture or a book or photo frame and find a magic kingdom full of trinkets the cats have stashed. Am seriously hoping they have been pilfering cash there as well! xx

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  29. Thank you Sunny-I really do love the Nars duo. Hope you get chance to try the cheek gelee-poppy paradise would be a great coral for you xx

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  30. So sorry to hear about Mike, I hope everything is all okay and you're back to your usual self soon :) I'm also having a #130 moment, have been using it with my Stila blushes recently and it's perfect! xx

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  31. Stacey, sorry to hear about Mike. I hope you guys start feeling better again very soon.


    Yet another interesting post from you :) Absolutely love the look of the JM blush, I must get it soon!

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  32. I love Burts Bees', best lip balm ever!
    Jessica xx
    www.fashionmagical.blogspot.co.uk

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  33. On The Dressing TableAugust 30, 2014 at 9:42 PM

    So sorry to hear about Mike Stacey, that must have been really scary. Hope the test are all okay and its nothing too serious xx

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  34. Oh goodness, all the best to you and Mike! You've featured such lovely products here- I'm super tempted by that Sunday Riley cleanser and how pretty is Kalahari!? :)

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  35. NARS Kalahari has been sitting on my wish list for soooo long! It looks lovely on you. Hopefully Josie Maran will one day be available down here in Australia, the cheek gelee looks like so much fun!
    www.luluisloving.wordpress.com

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  36. Oh Stacey I sincerely hope everything turns out fine with Mike! Take care of yourself now and try to find time to relax a bit, work, studies and worries... take it easy Luv!


    That NARS duo is gorgeous!!! I'm curently loving Dior mono in Velvet, I've been wearing it almost every day for the past 2 weeks! Or is it 3? :D

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  37. Thinking of Mike and you as they do the tests. I love the NARS kalahari duo too - it's SO simple to swipe on and look all glowy :)

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  38. Hey Stacey, again, so sorry to hear about Mike's health problem! I hope it'll all turn out OK!


    Kalahari is so frickking gorgeous on you! SO pretty on your skin tone! I've been curious about the Josie Maran Cheek Gelee as well. Glad to hear you're loving it!


    You take care! xx

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  39. Hi Stacey! I really hope both of you will get well soon :)
    The gelee sounds very interesting and the Nars duo is so so pretty!

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  40. Ohhh now I need that Nars duo. Its looks sooo beautiful! Going straight to the top of my eyeshadow wishlist.

    And tell me about the magical hiding place cats have..it swallows all my hair pins, hundreds of cotton buds and occasional brushes at our place as well!

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  41. Great picks! I had a sample of the Sunday riley cleanser ages and I liked it but never got round to buying it... NARS Kalahari is one of my favourites, so good! & the Josie maran blushes, I have coral oasis which is lush xx

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  42. 130 is on my wish list for some time, I recently bought Zoeva 110 (face shape), but I still want 110 brush. I just made me think of it again. :)

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  43. I NEED to get round to using the Sunday Riley cleanser asap, it's been sitting in my drawer for too long now :( those shadows and the cheek gelee look amazing! And your lashes?! Which mascara is that? I need haha xx

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  44. Thanks so much for commenting Lis! xx

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  45. I'm on my second bottle of the Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip and although it isn't ground breaking....I did notice the difference when I stopped using it - so it must be doing something right!


    Some lovely items on your favourites here :) xx


    www.elisabethrilatt.com

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  46. How is Mike doing now? My thoughts have been with you.
    That NARS duo is SOO pretty!! I'd wear that look you created anytime.

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