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Monday 20 September 2010

Hauser Bears

Okay guys this is not my usual type of post, it's nothing beauty related but it's for an important cause and I urge you to keep reading.

www.hauserbears.com

Hauser Bears is a charity created to raise awareness of the suffering of bears worldwide.
It came about after the Hauser sisters visited India and witnessed the fate of the dancing bears, horrified they decided to set up a charity to help all bears and to educate people on these magnificent creatures so that they can start living a torture free life.

The only bears that I knew were in danger were the Polar Bear and the Panda Bear but I was completely oblivious as to how many species are in danger and the level of torture some of them go trough.
It was only after meeting one of the founders that I realised just how bad the situation really is and how poorly these beautiful animals get treated.

There are four threats to the bears and I'm gonna list them briefly below:

Bear Bile and Gallbladder: Widely used in traditional chinese medicine and used to cure a wide variety of ailments. The fact that there's now a synthetic equivalent available makes the need for bear bile completely redundant but this still doesn't stop some parts of Asia from surgically inserting an hole in the bears abdomen and inserting a tube in their gallbladder so that they can collect the bile on a daily basis.
The bears can live for years this way but they are in constant pain and are kept in cages that are barely big enough for them to move an inch.

Food and Pet Markets: In some parts of the world bear meat is considered to be a delicacy and sells for a high value, the front paws and back feet being the most expensive.
Poachers are also after live bear cubs to sell on the black market, the cubs are taken from their mothers, who are inevitably killed and more ofter than not the cubs die too because of shock or malnutrition before they are even sold.

Bears in Entertainment: Bear baiting shows still occour in some parts of Pakistan, the bear is tethered to a rope and fighting dogs are set on it, the fights are brief but both dogs and bear sustain injuries but the bears usually come out worse as the dogs will rip out their nose and mouth.
Bear dancing as been eradicated for the most part and the last lot of bears were rescued from India at the end of 2009.
In India the bears were also trained by means of a rope inserted in their nose, the hole is created by inserting an hot poker trough their snout.

Changing environment: Were all very aware that climate change is diminishing the polar bear population but widespread logging and pollutants in the water are causing a decrease in all bear population.

If you've read all the above you would have to agree that those bears are existing a life of pure torture and I'm absolutely shocked that anyone could put a living thing trough so much misery, it's cruel and disgusting and it needs to stop.

This is were we can all help, it's only going to get better if we spread the word, tell everyone you know about it, do a blog post, share it on twitter or facebook, if you can make a donation.
People need to know that this is happening for it to stop.

The website: http://www.hauserbears.com/
The youtube video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmd-mM7fvPk
Follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/HauserBears
Follow Them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hauser-Bears/132594796778440?ref=ts

Monday 14 June 2010

Quick Update!!

My apologies for not updating in a while, I've not forgotten about my blog I've just not had time and been quite lazy.
I'm gonna start updating regularly starting from tomorrow and not all my blogpost are going to be beauty related, a few things have been really annoying me lately and I wanna get it off my chest so expect a few rant posts.
I'm also really considering starting doing youtube videos just because I find talking a lot easier than writing stuff down and now that I have a new and improved notebook it's perfectly possible.

What kind of post or videos would you all like to see?

Monday 22 March 2010

MAC Spring Colour Forecast & Too Fabulous Haul

I must admit I went a little crazy with these two collections, infact I could have easily picked up a few more things but I stopped myself.

Spring Colour Forecast is huge probably MAC's largest collection to date, or at least that I can think of.
The thing I wanted most was Ripe Peach and my store had sold out of Ripe Peach in 3 hours, I had to ring around and did manage to find a store that still had them but I couldn't use my pro discount as I bought from a counter and to be honest now that I've got my hands on it I don't think it's that great.

Too Fabulous is composed entirely of lip product and if I had any self control I should have skipped it entirely but they were so pretty i couldn't resist.

Spring Colour Forecast
MAC Spring Color Forecast

Colour 4 Quad - Full of nice bronzy neutrals not that I need more of them.
Bubblegum Lipstick - Funnily enough I don't have anything like this in my collection, great pinky purple shade but you really have to layer it to get the color to show.
Ripe Peach Blush Ombres - Pretty but overated, wouldn't bother to search for it if you missed it.
Victorian Lipstick - Love, love, love!
Azelea Blossom Blush Ombres - Might be going back as I have a million colors like it.
Ember Glow Lipglass - Lovely peachy shade with gold shimmer, saving this one for when the weather warms up.

Too Fabulous
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Deelight Cremesheen Glass - a great natural shade with an hint of brown.
Just Superb Cremesheen Glass - a neutral pink that would look great with a smoky eye.
Richer, Lusher cremesheen Glass- a lovely peachy coral that's not overly bright.
Two Virtues Mineralize Blush - Going back cause I have too many colors like it.
Naked Lip Pencil
In Synch Lip Pencil
Trimmed In Pink Lip Pencil
Boldly Bare Lip Pencil

Sunday 14 March 2010

TAG - 40 Beauty Questions

SKINCARE

How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice, once in the morning and once in the evening.

What skin type do you have?
Combination - weirdly it's oily on the t-zone and dry on the cheeks but the cheeks are were I get my breakouts

What is your current facial wash?
Mario Badescu and Boots Botanics Cleansing Mousse for sensitive/oily skin.

Do you exfoliate?
Yes, about twice a week.

What brand do you use?
At the moment I'm using one of those exfoliating wands from a company called Dead Sea Spa Magik but I wouldn't repurchase. Normally I use MAC Microfine Rifinisher

What moisturizer do you use?
MAC Mineralize All Over Lotion

Do you have freckles?
No.

Do you use eye cream?
Yes, MAC Fast Response in the morning and Moisturelush at night.

Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Not really acne prone but I do get the occasional spot on my cheeks and jawline.

Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No.

MAKE-UP

What foundation do you use?
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation or Dior Nude.

How about concealer?
Garnier Tinted Eye Roll-on under eyes and Make Up For Ever concealer on imperfections.

Do you know your undertone color?
Yes it's yellow/neutral.

What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I love them but they are a pain in the ass to put on daily.

Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes, and I usually do as by then they've usually dried out.

What brand of mascara do you use?
At the moment it's YSL Faux Cils but it dries out to fast, I much prefer L'Oreal Voluminous.

Sephora or MAC?
Shepora, I wish we had them in the UK.

Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
Yes I do.

What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Brushes and fingers.

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
I use Urban Decay Primer Potion but I prefer Too faced Shadow Insurance just a little bit more.

For the face?
Urban Decay Brightening Complexion Primer.

What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I couldn't choose a particular one shade but I really do love purples.

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Both, depends what look I'm going for.

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never, but I do manage to get the mascara wand to close to my eyeball and it leaves little marks on my lenses.

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
Love them but they are so messy.
Do you use mineral makeup?
I sometimes use Bare Minerals but I prefer liquid foundation.

What is your favorite lipstick?
MAC Angel.

How about lipgloss?
MAC Florabundance.

What is your favorite blush to use?
At the moment it has to be NARS Orgasm.

Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
I've done so in the past to get hold of limited edition items but I don't anymore.

Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes I do, my favourites being GOSH, Barry M and Bourjois for the foundations.

Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
I have when I've been in the US but not over here.

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
I would love to but I don't have the time or the means to do so.

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
No.

Name a makeup crime that you hate?
There's loads. Foundation that's too dark or too light, foundation that's too thick and cakey, not blending properly, too much bronzer, bad contouring, badly shaped eye brows, no eyebrows, clumpy mascara, over lined lips, I'm gonna stop there otherwise I could just go on and on.

Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I like them both, it depends what mood I'm in.

Which celebrity always has great make up?
I'm gonna say Jennifer Aniston, she's always immaculate.

If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Foundation.

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes if my skin is looking okay.

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
Yes but I think make-up make me look better.

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
There's not one best makeup line, I think each line has good and bad and it's just a case of finding each lines good products.

What do you think of Makeup?
I absolutely love it.

Friday 12 March 2010

February: The Good & The Bad

I know I moan about being late with these every month but truth is they come round so fast and I simply forget.
Another slow month because I'm actually trying to use up a lot of my half used products, it's funny how you seem to rediscover your love for something when you haven't used it in a little while

The Good

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - Comparable to Chanel's Pro Lumiere in coverage but more matte and better smelling. Comes with a pump and it's inexpensive, absolutely love it. I've got the matching concealer but I'm not sure on that yet.

NARS Laguna Bronzer & Orgasm Blush - I'm loving Laguna as a contour and Orgasm on the apples of my cheeks, it looks very glowy and fresh.

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner - I've finished both of these and I'm sad but cannot re-purchase just yet cause I have too much to use up.
Even my hair stylist asked what I'd been using as my hair is was so soft.

Vera Vang Princess - Another item I've nearly used up, nice and sweet, very pleasant and inoffensive but not very unique, I prefer to use this one for layering with other fragrances.

The Bad

Breakouts - I swear I get to a point were I think my skin is nice and clear and then out of nowhere I'll get a breakout, granted it's not quite has bad as I always make out but it still drives me up the wall.

Thursday 11 March 2010

TAG: Getting To Know You/7 Random Things

I was tagged by Visionary Beauty a while ago to do this but I've only really had the chance to do it now.

1. I'm incredibly short sighted so much so that if I was without lenses or glasses I would not be able to function outside of my house.

2. I collect perfume, I will always check out a fragrance if I think the bottle is pretty or unique but I only buy the ones that I like the smell of too.

3. I'm absolutely petrified by spiders, I cannot be in the room with one and have to get someone to remove it otherwise I start crying.

4. I'm a really messy person, I constantly "lose" stuff in my room and then find it months afterwards.

5. I am a bit of a video game nerd, I have quite the collection of consoles and games and my favourite game is Kingdom Hearts.

6. I used to speak fluent Italian, that's until I moved to England and the lack of practice made me forget how to have a conversation with someone, however I can still understand most of it.

7. I hate people who suck up to you and pretend to be friends with you but don't actually like you, I'd much rather you told me to my face than talk behind my back.

I tag everyone who reads this.

Perfume Review: Christina Aguilera by Christina Aguilera



I'm a big fan of Christina Aguilera and that is probably the main reason why I purchased this perfume in the first place, at first I really did like it but my love for it quickly went away and I found myself struggling to use the bottle up.

It's classed as an Oriental Floral and the notes are Black Currant, Peach, Peony, Plum, Jasmine, Lily Of The Valley, Sandalwood, Musk and Vanilla.
To me this smells straight up peony with an hint of the black currant poking trough but in a very sharp synthetic way that's not pleasant to my nose. I get none of the other notes whatsoever, it smells very generic and boring not to mention quite cheap, I've actually had people comment that this stuff smells quite offensive.
However I've recently smelled the By Night version and that's much softer and creamier.

I've managed to use my bottle up (the bottle being the only thing I actually like about this fragrance) and will keep the empty for reference but I wouldn't repurchase, actually I wouldn't take this if someone offered it to me for free.

The Eau De Parfum retails for 30ml £20 - 50ml £27 - 75ml £37

Monday 8 February 2010

Project 10 Pan - Round 1 Complete!!!

Yes you reading correctly I've finished my first Project 10 Pan, I allowed myself to include skincare products which I feel in a way it's kinda cheating but I do have so much of it to get trough.
I actually did enjoy the challange of finishing something up, it felt very satisfying to see the empy container build up however the day it finished I did buy new stuff from the new MAC collections so I guess my addiction isn't over :)

Project 10 Pan Round 1

MAC Charged Water Renewal Defense
Urban Decay Lash Primer Potion
L'Oreal Double Extension Renewal Serum
L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black
Lancome Fatale
Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in 333
MAC Slimshine in Long Stem Rose
L'Oreal Renewal Lash Serum
Elemis Skin Buff
MAC Moisturelush Cream

Let round 2 comence!

Thursday 4 February 2010

January: The Good & The Bad

This is gonna be short and sweet as I've been doing Project 10 Pan so I haven't been able to buy new stuff so my favourites are gonna be pretty much the same as last month with the addition of a few new items.


The Good

MAC Feelin' Good Tinted Lip Conditioner - The prettiest color I've seen in a long while, gives a lovely nude pink sheen and it's very moisturising.

MAC Mineralize All Over Lotion - Now that I've finished the Moisturelush I can go on to using this, it's a bit lighter in feel but equally as moisturising and I absolutely love it.

Diorskin Nude Foundation - I only have a little of this left so I'm trying to use it up, this is my staple summer foundation and one I will re-purchase once I'm out of it.

The Body Shop Yes Yes Yes Lip Butter - Great for toning down the natural pigmentation in my lips or for toning down bright colors, can be a little drying but I love it none the less.

The Bad

YSL Faux Cils False Lash Effect Mascara - I've been using this on and off for about 6years and I've always loved it, the new tube I got simply didn't do it for me this time round, it still works the same as it used to but I prefer the effect of L'Oreal Voluminous.

Me not being able to attend IMATS - I really wanted to go so I could get my hands on some Yaby palettes, MakeUP ForEver and especially the OCC Lip Tars, sadly I was working and there was no way for me to get the day off :(

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Project 10 Pan

I've lost count how many times I've tried doing Project 10 Pan and failed miserably, this time I'm determined to stick to it.
I've been doing it for about a week and half and so far so good, I've not bought any makeup related items at all.
I'm including facial skincare products in the count but I'm mainly trying to concentrate on lipsticks and glosses as I've got so many of them.

I've actually already used up a MAC Charged Water 2 tubes of mascara and a tube of lash primer and I have almost finished 2 lipsticks, a gloss, 2 powders and a pot of lipbalm so I'm actually being really good.

i've not really missed buying makeup and I'm enjoing the challange of finishing an item up, I'm even scooping out the excess product in the bottom of the lipsticks.

Is anyone else on Project 10 Pan? How are you finding it?

Sunday 17 January 2010

MAC Warm & Cozy and Love Lace Haul

I know I'm really late posting this, I've had the items a couple of weeks now but just haven't bothered to show you all, very naughty I know.

I don't think either collection is particularly unique but I personally loved Warm & Cozy just because it's full of nice everyday wearable neutrals.
Love Lace I wasn't has keen on as a lot of it his very frosty but I do love the Khol Power pencils and I'm very tempted to go back for Sense Of Style.

Photobucket

Care Blends Essential Oils in Grapefruit + Chamomile - I've only used this once since I got it so I cannot really say how I feel about it yet, it certainly didn't make me oily and did had a little bit of extra moisture but I'm not sure if it's worth £14.

Mineralize All Over Lotion - OMG do I love this or what? It is the best moisturiser I've come across in a long time, very thick in texture so it takes a couple of minutes to absorb but it leaves skin feeling deeply hydrated but not greasy and creates the best base for makeup. The bad part is it's not permanent so I'm gonna have to stock up while it's still available.

Lipglass in 2N - I bought this the last time it came out with the N Collection and while I absolutely loved the color there had been a problem with that particular batch and it when rancid within the space of a month, this new batch has no problem and the color is gorgeous and so worth getting.

Lipstick in Pretty Please - Love the color in the tube but on my lips it just shows up has frost so I cannot use it on it's own, however it looks nice over other light pink lipsticks such as Creme Cup and Angel.

Tinted Lip Conditioner in Feelin' Good - I love this color so much I bought 3 of them and I hardly ever buy backups has I usually have trouble finishing the first one. I'm glad I did cause I've used quite a lot of it already, it's a gorgeous milky pink and it helps tone down my lips while keeping them moisturised.

Mineralize SkinFinish in By Candlelight - I looked at this one and passed on it at first cause it looked way to frosty but I saw a swatch of it somewhere, I can't actually remember were, but it looked so pretty I went back and got it and I'm glad I did cause it's gorgeous. It is very shimmery but not in a greasy way and it's a beautiful peachy pink shade that just suits me so well.

What did everyone else get?

Monday 4 January 2010

December: The Good and The Bad

I'm late, I know but at least I'm actually posting this instead of missing it like I did last month.
I've completely neglected my blog over Christmas but I'm gonna try and post a lot more, I really want to start reviewing all of my perfumes as I'm really into fragrance at the moment.

The Good

MAC Moisturelush Face Cream & Eye Cream - I've been trying to use up all my half fineshed products and these probably have a month left, thing his the more I use them the more I love them and can see myself buying more when they've gone.
Chanel Pro Lumiere Proffesional Finish Makeup - I bought this last month and have been using it pretty much ever since, it gives the perfect full coverage but with a dewy finish.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - I love this product and keep going back to it, it's a satin finish powder as opposed to matte so it makes skin look like "skin".
L'Oreal Duuble Extension Renewal Mascara - I've been using this and the matching lash serum and I can honestly say it's made my lashes thicker but not longer, it's a really nice mascara but it dries out quite quickly.
Bourjois Bronzing Powder - Looks like chocolate, smells like chocolate and give the most natural looking glow to the skin.

The Bad

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser - This is actually an okay face wash but I doesn't perform to my standards. I've used glycolic cleansers in the past and they have worked miracles for my skin leaving it clear and radiant, I shall use this up and never look at it again.