Classic Beauty With Smashbox

I have so much good stuff to tell you guys about, I'm so excited! I had a bit of a splurge on cosmetics recently so I have loads of posts to do but my first and foremost is about Smashbox goodies.

Now Smashbox is a tricky brand, it has a troubled past - one which I think they would like to forget - because of an incident that happened in the past many beauty editors turned their back on the brand and so Smasbox was rarely featured in the press. Lauder has recently bought the brand which may mean things will start to look up for them though.

With this knowledge aside I have to say I think Smashbox produce fantastic, high-quality, long-lasting cosmetics. I have recently tried a few more products and they do not disappoint. Smashbox are professonals in studio make-up and apply make-up to the stars in LA. Because of this their cosmetics have to stand the test of time and be able to hold up against gruelling conditions on a photoshoot, like harsh lighting.

I tried the products from the Girls on Film collection, which is gorgeous nudes, browns, peachs and greys - basically pallettes that accentuate every feature perfectly because it's all similar colours to your skintone. The Blush Rush was lovely, a great texture in the silky powder blusher. Not too heavy but pigmented enough that the colour looked really radiant on the skin. I tried it in Pose but there are so many colours to choose from to suit every skin tone. The award-winning formula is packed with Vitamins A and E so your skin is left feeling and looking really healthy and glowing. The blush also had a swivel mirror in the packaging which was great for applying my make-up on the go - it's the small things in life that please me! It was £16.85.

I also tried the Lip Enhancing Gloss in Overexposed. I love this gloss, it's very sheer and pretty - the perfect lip colour to partner with any eye make-up. Overexposed is a nude-peachy colour and is great for making your lips look smoother, plumper and just generally more gorgeous! £11.75

I'm really impressed with Smashbox and will be purchasing more goodies from them in the near future, I'm dying to try the primers!

Penny xx

Plans for a summer body

Summer fun

At this time of year I am usually eating carbs galore and fattening myself up to avoid the chills outside. This year, however, I've decided to be responsible and not hate myself and my body by the time summer arrives. I am prepping my body ready for the summer, so it's in with the healthy eating and out with the multiple Mcdonalds. It should be very interesting.

As part of my campaign for a fit summer body I'm trying to rid myself of cellulite. 70% of cellulite occurs because of your lifestyle, however 30% is genetic - so unfortunately it may not be totally treatable but I'm going to get rid as much as I can. For this I am testing two products:
1) Tisserand Detox Massage Oil
2) Nivea 10 day Cellulite Serum

While using these things I will also be walking lots, as this really helps to reduce the orange peel. I've also reduced my caffeine intake and have started drinking hot water and lemon. I'm a new woman already!

I'll let you know how I get on, by doing weekly updates in the next four weeks. I've tried taking pics but my camera is RUBBISH! Just take my word for it when I update you next!

I want this hair!

I am on a mission to achieve this sexy hair like Brigitte. She is pretty amazing and I'm not suggesting I could ever get my hair to look anything like that, but I'm certainly going to try! To be continued...

Say Hello To Spring Lips!

In my early morning slumber I have noticed that it is getting considerably lighter outside a lot earlier than usual, which I'm sure I'm not alone in being extremely excited about, am I right fellow commuters?

Having to leave my house at 6.30am each morning does not fill me with joy, I have to admit, however these brighter starts are definitely going to help the situation. So to celebrate I thought I would reflect my brighter mood with brighter make-up and so I have recently been experimenting with the Collection 2000 Cream puff.
*Warning, you will want to buy this product*

As a make-up lover I am actually quite shy when it comes to lip products. I tend to be safe and stick to gloss as the colour and texture just seems to flatter my lips more than a bold, matte lipstick. However I LOVE this cream puff. I applied it just before I walked into the office at 8.30 and it was still perfectly in tact at around 11! As it is a cream based product it goes on very smoothly and moisturises the lips, giving them a soft velvety feel. It leaves a powdery finish, which I thought would draw attention to my dry, slightly chapped lips, but it didn't stick to the dry patches - it simply glided over them leaving highly pigmented colour behind.

It is available in four shades but my colour of choice was fairy cake - a coral shade that brightened up my complexion (great for all skin tones). It's only £2.99 so I will definitely be getting this in all shades! Huge beauty bargain here ladies! Available from Boots and Superdrug. Oh my goodness, I nearly forgot to tell you about the amazing smell of it - vanilla essence lingers on your lips which could attract many potential suitors. I have to admit I've tried a number of products from Collection 2000 and I'm impressed with the quality of the products for the small price you pay - definitely worth heading to their stand on your lunchbreak for a little look.

Top tip - To prep your lips beforehand make your own lip scrub by mixing olive oil and sugar. Rub gently onto the lips, et voila beautiful lips ready to be coloured in!

Penny xx

The Beauty List

Good morning lovely people hope you have all had a great week so far. Mine has whizzed by, as they usually do working in the wonderful world of PR! It's been about three weeks since I returned from Center Parcs I don't think I've actually told you guys about it.

I definitely recommend you go...if you're a billionaire. No but seriously it is amazing and so tranquil - just what you need in January after going back to work - but it is ridiculously expensive. One chinese takeaway between seven people cost £85! Shocker I know. Luckily they had rapids that were absolutely amazing so I was a little fish all week and just chilled in the pool and rapids all week. This was bliss for me because as my close friends I do love a good swim!

While I was away I stripped myself bare of all make-up and stayed like this all week. While this may have been  a bit traumatising for most people who had to witness this mess, for me it was bloody brilliant. My skin feels so much better for it too. I highly recommend going a week free from make-up, or maybe just a weekend - it does wonders for your complexion. I felt radiant and my skin seemed to have a new lease of life!

However I did have a few little helpers along the way to achieving this. Now I do work for this next brand but in no way does this mean I'm biased - I really do love this product and all the following views on this product are my own. It's the Avene Moisture Mask.

It has been my best friend in these winter months. You plaster it on to your skin and leave for 10-15 minutes, after this time you tissue off any product that hasn't been absorbed by your skin. My skin leaves no sign of it being there after 15 mins which shows just how much my skin needs that moisture! After doing this treatment by skin feels so supple and comfortable, it looks instantly brighter as if it has just had the best nights sleep. It's a must-have for this freezing February we're having.

Available from Boots for just £11.50! http://www.boots.com/en/Eau-Thermale-Avene-Soothing-Moisture-Mask-50ml_1225228/

Second on my beauty list this week is a foundation, which if I'm totally honest I didn't have high hopes for. Call me a snob but I tend to stick to foundation from the counters not the shelves, simply just from past experience I do find they're genuinely better. However this foundation is a close competitor. It's the Ageless Elixir from Maxfactor - 2 in 1 foundation and serum, I used colour Natural 50.

It is a fantastic product that I really do like - it gives flawless coverage and you really don't need to use that much. As you all know I like my foundation to be as light as possible, and Maxfactor do a great job of giving you enough coverage to be called a foundation but it's so light and blends well it would look to the outside eye that you don't have anything on.

The smell of it is gorgeous too, it's very fruity and summery and with SPF15 it will be a great foundation for summer. The foundation + serum mix means you have a great look today, and the serum is working on tomorrow. At only £12.99 it's a beauty bargain.
http://www.boots.com/en/Max-Factor-Ageless-Elixir-2-in-1-Foundation_1222533/?cm_re=c9094_rot1-_-product-_-max_factor_ageless_elixir&cm_sp=brand_treatment-_-c9094-_-c9094_rot1

That's it from my Beauty List - I have so much more to tell you about but I think they all deserve a blog post of they're own!

Penny xx

Introducing the Bed Head Street Squad...

For my first blog back after a little break I wanted to introduce to you the new kids on the block...the Bed Head Street Squad! These guys are a unique mix of people who have been put together to be the eyes and ears of Bed Head to help lead the way in hair trends and product innovations. From a make-up artist to photographer to the stars these guys are a unique mix of raw talent, not to be messed with.

Using their knowledge and expertise these guys have collaborated to create a new and innovative lifestyle blog reporting on the best that urban living has to offer. Check it out!
www.bedhead.com/streetsquad

Back soon!

Hello lovely readers, I'm so sorry I've been neglecting you all recently - Don't worry I've got lots up my sleeve to bring to you! I've been completely rushed off my feet recently but I will be back blogging again soon.

Stay with me! Penny xx