Belated birthday gifts

I have six close friends in Leeds who I've known through University, and we always put £10 in for birthday presents. It means that we have a good £60 to spend on each other and so always makes for a good gift. I'm sure a lot of other girls do this!

As we were all getting together this weekend I received my birthday presents and oh, how I love them! As we walked round the shops on Saturday they took note of the specific things that I liked and went back and bought them for me.

I received:

This hand creme smells amazing and its worth buying just for the gorgeous packaging!

MAC eyeshadow in retrospeck.

Has anyone else got this? What do you wear it with? I wore it all over the lid on Sunday and really liked it own its own.

By Terry- Baume De Rose

This is my favourite gift! I was totally ahhing over it in Space NK but I could never spend the £30 odd on it myself. I'm going to do a full post on this soon as I'm really impressed- as were my friends who all tried it. It's total luxury! Thanks to Laura (Lollipop26) for the recommendation.

I also received a couple of samples which came with the Space NK buys.

FOTD

I'm out for a couple of drinks tonight. Here is what my face looks like.

Face

-Revlon Colourstay- applied with fingers. I am finding it so much better to apply with fingers than with a brush!

-Garnier tinted under eye roll-on/concealer

-Maybelline mineral concealer

-MAC MSF natural

-Stila pink blush (don't know the name!)

-Benefit High Beam

Eyes (not that you can see much of this as I have a myspace style photo going on here!)

-Patina e/s over lid

-Satin taupe e/s in crease

-Phloof! to highlight

-Sleek gel ink pot in dominatrix

-L'Oreal Telescopic mascara

Lips

-Jelly Pong Pong lip & cheek stain in slenderella

-MAC lipstick in creme d'nude

Primark purchases

I had a good shop in Primark today. Alongside the purchases photographed I bought lots of socks and four long t-shirts in an assortment of colours- it's meant that I have thrown away a lot of my old and worn tees though which was very overdue. I've also thrown out all of my old pumps. Clearing out clothes and shoes is immensely satisfying!

£11

£4

£6

£4

£1.50 each (one for me, one for my ma)

Everyone loves a baby meerkat...

On Sunday the boyf and I went to Tropical World which is basically a mini zoo. It was really fun, although the hoards of children there did get a bit much! I just thought I'd share some pictures, especially as they have baby meerkats.

This chap obv needs a good sleep- grumpy!

I love this little guy

Cute, tiny meerkat baby!

My favourite of the bunch.

If you haven't entered my giveaway to win a Sleek palette then click here!

Review: Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash

Product

Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash

Price

£4.99

I was sent this product for review and am not being paid to write this

What does it claim to do?

"Daily Care Face Wash cleanses, refreshes and moisturises all skin types. Rinse away daily dirt, make up and impurities with this naturally- foaming, gentle face wash. Organic rose geranium essential oil will help restore the skin’s natural balance and clear a dull, sluggish complexion.... Organic Surge's effective, honest products are packed with skin-loving, naturally-derived ingredients. They contain no sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate or parabens for your precious skin to absorb." - Organic Surge website

What do I think?

I am always a fan of paraben-free products and so was pleased to receive this to review, especially since I haven't tried Organic Surge products before. I have to admit though that I have only used this a few times since I am reluctant to change to a whole new cleanser whilst using the Liz Earle cleanse & polish. The times that I've used it I have enjoyed it- it feels refreshing and my skin feels squeaky clean. The scent is a bit over-powering for me though as it smells strongly of the rose geranium.

Although I've not been using this daily, my boyfriend has (yep, a fan of the rose geranium scent ha!) and so I asked him for his comments. He said:

• It lathers up really well
• The smell is "well nice"
• You need a few pumps to get enough product so that could be improved
• His skin has been really clear since using it. He often finds (as I do) that once he's used a cleanser a few times his skin will clear up initially and then break out again. However he's not had any problems with this one.

Would I repurchase?

I probably wouldn't as the scent doesn't appeal but Chris definitely would. I'm also keen to try other Organic Surge products.

Dublin

This photo doesn't really show you much of Dublin but it does have a gorgeous blossom tree in, and more importantly shows my new H&M cardigan.

I am in total love with H&M cardigans and am planning to buy more of the same tomorrow. They are only £10 and are so comfy.

The sun shined the whole time we were in Ireland, not a drop of rain. I had such an amazing time and a fantastic birthday. We returned home with numerous in-jokes and a million photos. I've included a few below but haven't added any with people in because of privacy etc etc.

Have you been to Dublin? Where were your favourite places?

A small April giveaway

I haven't had a giveaway in a long time so thought I would show some follower love. I have one of the limited edition Sleek Graphite Palette's to give to one lucky person. This palette is no longer in the shops or online, as far as I know.

I attempted to take a photo of the palette but the shiny packaging meant that it just didn't work out. Luckily one of my all time favourite bloggers Charlotte (visit her blog here- it is super duper ace) takes excellent photos and said that I could nick one of her shots.

Ta da!

For more info and swatches click here.

The rules

1. You must be a follower
2. This is open to everyone, wherever in the world you may be!
3. To enter simply comment on this post and let me know what eyeshadow you wear the most (I love taking these opportunities to find out something interesting)
4. The contest will close on the 30th April at 6pm. I will use a randomizer to determine the winner.

Good luck!

This competition has now closed

Barry M nail polishes

My sister said she'd pay for some Barry M nail polishes for me for my birthday. I've heard so much about these and don't actually own one so thought it was about time! I could have bought them all but settled on these three- admittedly one of these is quite dull being a base and topcoat but nevertheless- an important buy!

I have only tried the Mint Green shade so far but am so impressed with the quality of Barry M. I totally adore OPI but do find that it chips quickly- however the mint green has stayed practically perfect since application.

I have to point out that the photo doesn't truly represent the colour- the photo makes it look like more of a blue/green- almost like the Collection 2000 Button Moon shade, but in 'real life' it's definitely more green!

What Barry M shades do you recommend?

Early birthday treats

Last Wednesday I went back to Surrey for a few days and had a rather lovely time (totally adore my family, love love love). I have a few bits and pieces to show you but thought I'd start with a few make-up items I picked up and were given.

On Saturday we went to Gun Wharf Quays in Portsmouth which is home to lots of designer outlets, some nice restaurants and also a Cosmetic Company Outlet. I could have spent hours in CCO but I was accompanied by my sister who dragged me away. I was also very controlled and only bought two things from MAC.

Phloof! eyeshadow

I was so pleased to find that they had Phloof! When I wrote a post about my MAC palette I had some great suggestions for highlight colours and this is one of them. It is completely gorgeous, does the job and only cost me £7.75.

'Blankety' lipstick

I had also heard a lot about this nude lipstick and as soon as I tried it, I knew I had to have it. It's a slightly darker nude than the others that I own but I love it. It's an amplified lipstick and has such a creamy consistency- it's lovely to apply. I think it cost me about £8 or £9.

I met up with a few friends whilst I was back south and one gave me my birthday present early (and I had to open it whilst she was there, of course!). The present included...

Bloom eye colour cream in taupe

Me Me Me Light Me Up lipgloss in no.2

I know that these 'light me up' style glosses have been around for a while but this is my first experience with one and what a handy idea it is! As you can see from the photo, the gloss comes with a mirror and lights on the wand so that you can see where you are applying your lipgloss- so useful for a night out.

I am sad that this weekend is over but am flying to Dublin on Thursday for some birthday fun so can't complain! What has everyone been up to over the long weekend?