Due to the recession (and my excessive spendings on junks) I have recently been trolling on the Internet to see if I can find products at a cheaper prices that can still satisfied my spending spree. Debenhams had some attractive offers lately with 25% off clothes and others products; and 10% off beauty products (why not 25%?!?). I know they start selling MAC products and was dying to get my hand on the MAC 219 pencil brush because the reviews seems optimistic about it. Oddly enough after typing in "MAC" in the search box, the result I got was the brush cleanser and one other item that I don't want. Feeling very down and wanting to get hold of that specific brush I decided to trek to Selfridges today and buy it.
... I think you can guess what's coming next... Yes! Somehow I managed to realised afterwards that Debenhams sell it 10% cheaper than other places. It means I could have saved £1.90 on the brush, except that I have already paid the full price for it.
Warning ladies (and gents), make sure you type in all relevant words on the search box and browse through all the shop online before deciding where to purchase the stuffs. Well at least I only paid full price for that one item...
M xx
Friday, 16 November 2012
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Debenhams Exclusive: Passport to Posh eye kit... Have I seen you before?
I was browsing through the Debenhams website today looking at some make up and perfumes sections because they are doing 10% off offers on beauty products (and also doing some planning for Xmas pressies!) when I came across something very familiar... "Debenhams Exclusive: Passport to Posh eye kit" (http://m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_123901005199_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7EBeauty accessed from mobile phone).
The name doesn't look familiar, however its content resembles the Xmas present I received last year, which was called "BENEFIT PRIMPCESS Travel Set Glamorous eye primping Kit", (available in amazon.co.uk if you're interested).
Not too sure if the kit I've got had been released in UK previously or not, and whether it is the same kit, but if so, I don't see why they should changed the name? I might pop in to the counter later on and have a browse to see if the shade is the same or not.
If it's the same kit then I must say it will make a lovely gift present.
I must admit I really like browsing beauty products during the Xmas periods since they usually promote those "all in one set" that include eyes, cheeks and lips products. These are fabulous for people starting to wear make up or as a travelling kit to minimise the luggage space. It is also economical comparing to buying the eyeshadow, blusters and lipsticks separately.
For the Primpcess kit (since I don't own the Posh eye kit, there's no point of me commenting on it), it is purely an eye kit where you get 3 eyeshadows (the darkest shade can be used as an eyeliner), a mascara, a crease less cream eyeshadow, bo-ing concealer, eye bright and 2 small applicators along with instruction booklet and a mirror.
The eyeshadows are very subtle and gives (in my opinion) a posh finish (maybe that's why they have change it's name?). The lightest shade look like a vanilla tone, the medium shade is like a brown-pink tone, and the darkest is a brown colour; this somehow reminded me of the Big Beautiful eye kit except less pinky tone overall. In my opinion it is more suitable for light to medium shade skin, but not too sure about darker skin tone.
The cream eyeshadow is used as a base colour, but I find that it doesn't stay well and creases quite quickly, so maybe an eye primer is needed to solve the problem?. The boi-ing is obviously used to cover under eye dark circles, however I don't really use it as I find the shade slightly too dark for my skin tones, and also because the concealer is hard to dig out. This is likely to be due to the kit is an old stock as the mascara was already dried up when I first tried on the kit, so no reviews on the mascara ;).
The eye bright is used on the brow bone and the inside of the eyes to emphasise it, not bad but have to make sure the lids are tightly closed afterwards to avoid the concealer and the eye bright starting to go hard. I will put some photos up soon to show you swatches of the colours in the kit.
Has anyone else used these kits before? If so, let me know what you think of it.
M xx
The name doesn't look familiar, however its content resembles the Xmas present I received last year, which was called "BENEFIT PRIMPCESS Travel Set Glamorous eye primping Kit", (available in amazon.co.uk if you're interested).
Not too sure if the kit I've got had been released in UK previously or not, and whether it is the same kit, but if so, I don't see why they should changed the name? I might pop in to the counter later on and have a browse to see if the shade is the same or not.
If it's the same kit then I must say it will make a lovely gift present.
I must admit I really like browsing beauty products during the Xmas periods since they usually promote those "all in one set" that include eyes, cheeks and lips products. These are fabulous for people starting to wear make up or as a travelling kit to minimise the luggage space. It is also economical comparing to buying the eyeshadow, blusters and lipsticks separately.
For the Primpcess kit (since I don't own the Posh eye kit, there's no point of me commenting on it), it is purely an eye kit where you get 3 eyeshadows (the darkest shade can be used as an eyeliner), a mascara, a crease less cream eyeshadow, bo-ing concealer, eye bright and 2 small applicators along with instruction booklet and a mirror.
The eyeshadows are very subtle and gives (in my opinion) a posh finish (maybe that's why they have change it's name?). The lightest shade look like a vanilla tone, the medium shade is like a brown-pink tone, and the darkest is a brown colour; this somehow reminded me of the Big Beautiful eye kit except less pinky tone overall. In my opinion it is more suitable for light to medium shade skin, but not too sure about darker skin tone.
The cream eyeshadow is used as a base colour, but I find that it doesn't stay well and creases quite quickly, so maybe an eye primer is needed to solve the problem?. The boi-ing is obviously used to cover under eye dark circles, however I don't really use it as I find the shade slightly too dark for my skin tones, and also because the concealer is hard to dig out. This is likely to be due to the kit is an old stock as the mascara was already dried up when I first tried on the kit, so no reviews on the mascara ;).
The eye bright is used on the brow bone and the inside of the eyes to emphasise it, not bad but have to make sure the lids are tightly closed afterwards to avoid the concealer and the eye bright starting to go hard. I will put some photos up soon to show you swatches of the colours in the kit.
Has anyone else used these kits before? If so, let me know what you think of it.
M xx
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Buying 2 Winding paths for Smurfs Village game
I know some of you are trying to follow the tasks on the Smurf's Village game about buying 2 winding paths. I've figured it out and here it is:
- Go to the store and into the 'flower' icon and then scroll through the items until you see the path shown in the picture that cost about 175 coins (picture 1). To know its the right path you should also be able to see a small Smurf with the feather hat face on it as well (not shown cos I have already completed the task). The smurf should resemble the one in picture 2.
Hope this helps.
M xx
- Go to the store and into the 'flower' icon and then scroll through the items until you see the path shown in the picture that cost about 175 coins (picture 1). To know its the right path you should also be able to see a small Smurf with the feather hat face on it as well (not shown cos I have already completed the task). The smurf should resemble the one in picture 2.
Hope this helps.
M xx
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Reduction in portion size! (but prices remain the same?)
For people who lived in the UK, or the European countries will certainly know the recession has hit us very hard for the past few years, but it seems like this year has been the worse so far!
Everyday without fail the newspapers will report articles of hundreds of people fighting for one job (I'm not exaggerating, it is that bad!). With the government cutting back on benefits and other supports of the public it really feels like they are rubbing salt into wound.
Well I supposed desperate times call for desperate measures! This brings me to an incident that happened yesterday. I went out to lunch with my parents at the usual local Chinese Restaurants, which still requires 10-15 minutes driving time. We ordered the usual stuffs and much to my amazement I noticed the size of the dim sums has shrunken quite a bit, especially the Cheung Fun, Ha Gao , Siu Mai and the Rice with Ribs and Chicken Feet! Should have taken some photos to back up my statement (well I did take one photo, but to be fair the food pictured here had already been eaten quite a bit by us, therefore it doesn't represent the full amount given,[ see below]. What I want to show in this photo is the container used is not the usual one. Normally it is filled inside a taller rounded ceramic pot that is double that size), but anyway, it wouldn't have been that noticeable if they didn't use the old plates to hold some of the foods. I know some manufactures use this tricks for sweets and foods but I never thought it will happen to restaurants as well (yes, I can be very naive at times). I suppose it is less noticeable than increasing the price of the foods instead! =_=!
Has anyone got the same experience(s)?
M xx
Everyday without fail the newspapers will report articles of hundreds of people fighting for one job (I'm not exaggerating, it is that bad!). With the government cutting back on benefits and other supports of the public it really feels like they are rubbing salt into wound.
Well I supposed desperate times call for desperate measures! This brings me to an incident that happened yesterday. I went out to lunch with my parents at the usual local Chinese Restaurants, which still requires 10-15 minutes driving time. We ordered the usual stuffs and much to my amazement I noticed the size of the dim sums has shrunken quite a bit, especially the Cheung Fun, Ha Gao , Siu Mai and the Rice with Ribs and Chicken Feet! Should have taken some photos to back up my statement (well I did take one photo, but to be fair the food pictured here had already been eaten quite a bit by us, therefore it doesn't represent the full amount given,[ see below]. What I want to show in this photo is the container used is not the usual one. Normally it is filled inside a taller rounded ceramic pot that is double that size), but anyway, it wouldn't have been that noticeable if they didn't use the old plates to hold some of the foods. I know some manufactures use this tricks for sweets and foods but I never thought it will happen to restaurants as well (yes, I can be very naive at times). I suppose it is less noticeable than increasing the price of the foods instead! =_=!
Has anyone got the same experience(s)?
M xx
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Peanut Butter Cupcakes - for the peanut butter lovers! ^.^
I want to make this cupcakes especially for my parents. They work in a take away shop and very often need to go back early on a Sunday morning to deep clean the whole kitchen on top of the daily cleaning after work (for those who had worked in those environments before should understand how easily the kitchen becomes get greased up after only a few days)!
Even though there are ample of ingredients and foods in the kitchen, however after cleaning for a good few hours they usually preferred to reached for biscuits and cakes to replaced their afternoon meals instead of making a hot chow meins or rices to eat.
I've started to bake Japanese cheesecake few weeks ago and my mum mentioned that my dad used to love the cupcakes she makes (even if it's one of those ready-prepared where you only add eggs and milk in :p) so I thought "why not bake some for them"? My dad are a peanut butter lover, his usual breakfast (and supper) is peanut butter sandwiches so I try looking on the Internet to see if there is a peanut butter cupcake recipe? I'm glad there are loads :) I really love the taste because I'm also a peanut butter lover myself. I want to share with you all this recipe. It is very easy to make.
http://www.motherthyme.com/2011/09/peanut-butter-cupcakes.html?m=1
The recipe was taken from the website above. It also included the frosting, however I'm not a fan of the frosting as I find it very sweet so I left it out, but I've included the recipe below in case you want to add it on top of the cakes :)
Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
¼ cup unsalted butter ( ½ stick)
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup sugar
1 egg
¼ teaspoon vanilla
1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
⅔ cup whole milk
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Using an electric mixer combine butter, peanut butter and sugar until creamy. Add in egg and vanilla and continue to mix until combined.
Mixing butter, peanut butter and milk together.
Adding in egg and vanilla essence
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to peanut butter mixer, alternating with milk on low speed until all combined and batter is creamy.
Spoon in to lined cupcake tray ⅔ full. Bake for 20 minutes until tester comes out clean.
Ready to be baked...
... 20 minutes later
Cool on wire racks.
Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners sugar
4 tablespoons whole milk
Directions
Cream butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Slowly add in confectioners sugar until all is combined and blended. Stir in vanilla extract, and milk until frosting is creamy.
Fill pastry bag and pipe on cupcakes or frost as desired.
Enjoy!
Mary xx
Friday, 15 June 2012
Apple Crumble
I remember making my first Apple Crumble in Food Tech. lesson in secondary school. I remember coming home quite proud with the fact I made something nice.
Anyway fast forward to present, I recently found the exact recipe to the one I made in my teens and decided to have a go at it, most of the recipes I came across involved baking the uncooked apples with the flour mixtures together in the oven. This one I feel is more easier (from my point of view).
The recipe it from this website: http://allrecipes.co.uk/m/recipe/478/perfect-apple-crumble.aspx
Cooking time: 1 hour 30 mins
Ingredients:
Serves: 6
- 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 250g caster sugar
- 200g plain flour
- 120g butter
- 1 clove or cinnamon stick
Preparation method
Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Extra: 45 mins
1. Put the apple chunks into a pan, add three quarters of the sugar, the cinnamon stick or clove and cover. Allow to stew gently for half an hour, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Keep checking as they can easily burn at the beginning.
2. Check that the fruit is cooked by mashing it a bit with a wooden spoon. The apples should be soft but not puréed.
3. Put the apples into the serving dish and allow to cool. Set the temperature of the oven to 150 C / gas 2.
4. Mix the flour, remaining sugar and the butter with your fingers in a bowl until it becomes like a breadcrumb consistency. Cover the stewed apples with the crumble topping, without pressing down.
5. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the crumble is golden brown and crunchy. Spoon a helping of crumble into a dish and serve with cream or ice cream.
The end product looks okay, but the taste need a bit of an improvement, but its entirely my fault.
Here's the reason why:
1) I've put 3/4 of the total amount of sugar into the mixture, but it tasted a little too sweet. To be fair I didn't weigh the ingredients out as I don't find weighing scales, I used "weight-to-cup" conversion which is not that exact, therefore it did affect the taste.
2) Stupidly enough I did not realised I only put in 1/2 of the flours needed! (200g I worked out is roughly 2 cups. I only put one cup in!) =_=!
I thought it was odd when the flour mixtures doesn't resemble breadcrumbs, but more like a dry paste! Therefore I added more flours, 1/8 cup at a time until it looks like crumbs (by then I must have added nearly 1 cup!)
3) I baked the crumble for nearly an hour because I was waiting for it to turn golden brown, it didn't and I could see the apple at the bottom is boiling up so I turned the oven off. Probably need to set the temperature higher next time. Still it was ok, apart from a little too sweet :p. oh well, practise make perfect ;)
Here I share my photos with you. Enjoy!
Mary xx
Anyway fast forward to present, I recently found the exact recipe to the one I made in my teens and decided to have a go at it, most of the recipes I came across involved baking the uncooked apples with the flour mixtures together in the oven. This one I feel is more easier (from my point of view).
The recipe it from this website: http://allrecipes.co.uk/m/recipe/478/perfect-apple-crumble.aspx
Cooking time: 1 hour 30 mins
Ingredients:
Serves: 6
- 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 250g caster sugar
- 200g plain flour
- 120g butter
- 1 clove or cinnamon stick
Preparation method
Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Extra: 45 mins
1. Put the apple chunks into a pan, add three quarters of the sugar, the cinnamon stick or clove and cover. Allow to stew gently for half an hour, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Keep checking as they can easily burn at the beginning.
2. Check that the fruit is cooked by mashing it a bit with a wooden spoon. The apples should be soft but not puréed.
3. Put the apples into the serving dish and allow to cool. Set the temperature of the oven to 150 C / gas 2.
4. Mix the flour, remaining sugar and the butter with your fingers in a bowl until it becomes like a breadcrumb consistency. Cover the stewed apples with the crumble topping, without pressing down.
5. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the crumble is golden brown and crunchy. Spoon a helping of crumble into a dish and serve with cream or ice cream.
The end product looks okay, but the taste need a bit of an improvement, but its entirely my fault.
Here's the reason why:
1) I've put 3/4 of the total amount of sugar into the mixture, but it tasted a little too sweet. To be fair I didn't weigh the ingredients out as I don't find weighing scales, I used "weight-to-cup" conversion which is not that exact, therefore it did affect the taste.
2) Stupidly enough I did not realised I only put in 1/2 of the flours needed! (200g I worked out is roughly 2 cups. I only put one cup in!) =_=!
I thought it was odd when the flour mixtures doesn't resemble breadcrumbs, but more like a dry paste! Therefore I added more flours, 1/8 cup at a time until it looks like crumbs (by then I must have added nearly 1 cup!)
3) I baked the crumble for nearly an hour because I was waiting for it to turn golden brown, it didn't and I could see the apple at the bottom is boiling up so I turned the oven off. Probably need to set the temperature higher next time. Still it was ok, apart from a little too sweet :p. oh well, practise make perfect ;)
Here I share my photos with you. Enjoy!
Mary xx
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Review: bareMinerals Face Fashion, The Look of Now - Earthy Chic5-piece Collection
I have in total 4 of these sort of collections and this, and the "Pure Happiness" kit is the most I loved! This has more natural and earthy look (hence the name "Earthy Chic!"), whilst the Pure Happiness is more spring time probably heading towards summertime look. The other two sets are: Natural Muse and Fab Fresh. Natural Muse I felt was too dark for me and I really hate the lipgloss as I looks quite ageing and ashy for my complexion, as for Fab Fresh, I still haven't opened it yet (oops!).
The reason I chose to do a review on this collection set after so long was because I felt it's a very beautiful set, but somehow not a lot of people has known or done reviews on it, which I felt was a shame.
As you can see from the photos below it contains 2 x eye colours (neutral and a dark sparky khaki colour), 1 x eyeliner in the form of powder (dark brown), 1 x blush (pink) and 1 lipgloss (nude-pink), including instruction guide on the side. I would recommend this kit to fair, maybe medium skin as the colour is very subtle. Darker skin might have a bit of a problem getting the colour to show. I love the lipgloss a lot, the texture is not too sticky and it has a minty feel, the colour I felt complemented my complexion.
 |
| Inside |
 |
| Back cover |
 |
| Swatch on arm (left to right) Chic Nude eye shadow, Smoky Sage eyeshadow, Spiced Fig eyeliner, Desert Rose Blush, Lip Polish |
n hand bag for touch up later on during the day.
I used this collection on my face today, minus the eyeliner in the kit as I didn't bring my eyeliner brush with me. It looks very subtle in the photo, maybe I should have layered it on more but since I will be working soon afterwards, I didn't want to frightened my customers! Here's what I put on my face. I've also I included the swatch and photos with (last photo) and without the flash (second last).
 |
| Without Flash |
 |
| With Flash |
• Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in Warm Sand (2.5)
• Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation 02
• Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3
• No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder in 05 Translucent
Eyes:
• bareMinerals Chic Nude Eyecolor
• bareMinerals Sage Eyecolor
• Makemania Data Pencil Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black
Cheek:
• bareMinerals Desert Rose Blush
• Mini Sandy Buxom Lip Polish
Has anyone tried the bareMinerals / Bare Escentuals kit before, if so let me know of your opinions on it. =)
On the other side, there is some cons in this set, it can get very messy with the powder spilling out of you're not careful if applying it. Also the lid where I tap off the excess before applying it can be on the small side, so I suppose you have to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether it's for you or not.
Mary xx
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Japanese Cheesecake - 2nd attempt!
The previous cheesecake I made, I found out that it tasted more like the ones I got at the patisserie after leaving it in the fridge overnight, so the conclusion I got was that it was supposed to be chilled! (What a dim-wit I am!). Anyway, taste-wise it was acceptable, so presentation-wise it could do with some improvement, so today I tried it a second time to see if the cracks were due to the oven too hot!
As you can see the from the photos below, there are still cracks is still cracks forming, if not there were more rise into it! Funny enough after I cooled it for 5 mins in the oven, the next thing I know it shrunken? Which didn't happen previously. Anyone know why?
My next mission will be to try a slightly different recipe, one that don't use cake flour (or plain/all purpose if you can't find the cake flour, like me!) and see if it taste or look different.
I now share with you my failed attempt Número. 2 =p
Mary xx
P.S. haven't tasted it yet, still need to wait another 2 hours before it sets. Fingers cross it still taste okay...
As you can see the from the photos below, there are still cracks is still cracks forming, if not there were more rise into it! Funny enough after I cooled it for 5 mins in the oven, the next thing I know it shrunken? Which didn't happen previously. Anyone know why?
 |
| Whilst baking. |
 |
| Cooling down |
 |
| Looking deflated |
I now share with you my failed attempt Número. 2 =p
Mary xx
P.S. haven't tasted it yet, still need to wait another 2 hours before it sets. Fingers cross it still taste okay...
Monday, 21 May 2012
Japanese-Style Cheesecake
Today I want to share my experience on Japanese-style Cheesecake. I first tried this cheesecake in Oriental City (Yaohan Plaza) in Colindale, it taste like a combination of cheesecake and normal sweet cakes, quite light and airy. I always buy it whenever I visit the bakery, even if it cost quite a bit (between £4-5 which to me can be quite dear!), but ever since the whole plaza closed down around 4 years ago I haven't got a chance to taste it again unless I go to Chinatown.
Two days ago I was looking for a recipe to make Apple Crumble that I suddenly decided to also try looking for a Japanese-style cheesecake one as well, and voila! I found loads, seems like I'm not the only person craving for it! ^_^
Today I finally being able to attempt my first trial on it. I bought all the ingredients and equipments from my local supermarket, and started baking the cheesecake. It took me slightly less than 2 hours from preparation to cooking and the outcome was acceptable, although it taste slightly moist, not sure if it is because the cheesecake was slightly undercooked, so I put it back into the oven and baked it a further 15 mins, but it's still moist so I assume the problem might be from not thoroughly mixing two ingredients together prior to cooking.
Here's the end result... Half eaten already! =p
Enjoy!
Mary xxx
Two days ago I was looking for a recipe to make Apple Crumble that I suddenly decided to also try looking for a Japanese-style cheesecake one as well, and voila! I found loads, seems like I'm not the only person craving for it! ^_^
Today I finally being able to attempt my first trial on it. I bought all the ingredients and equipments from my local supermarket, and started baking the cheesecake. It took me slightly less than 2 hours from preparation to cooking and the outcome was acceptable, although it taste slightly moist, not sure if it is because the cheesecake was slightly undercooked, so I put it back into the oven and baked it a further 15 mins, but it's still moist so I assume the problem might be from not thoroughly mixing two ingredients together prior to cooking.
Here's the end result... Half eaten already! =p
Enjoy!
Mary xxx
Saturday, 19 May 2012
No heat curls
I've always had my hair straightened, or prefer to have it straight as I felt it can slim down my round face! But recently I want to try something different and have it curly so I trolled through the website and found this new gadget called Curlformers. What attracted me to this "thingy" is the fact it doesn't need heat to curl the hair. I saw some reviews and it sounded positive, unfortunately the downside is if you decided to sleep with the curlformers in, it can be very difficult and uncomfortable. Anyway, here's my result from using it.
Enjoy!
Mary xx
Enjoy!
Mary xx
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Real Techniques Core Collection
I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with the Real Techniques Brushes designed by Samantha Chapman from Pixiwoo.
I have been following them for around 2 years I think. It all started off with me browsing through random videos on the YouTube looking for tips and tutorials on how to apply make up, and it wasn't long before I got hooked onto it! Most of the earlier ones I saw was filmed by Sam, and it took me a while before I realised the channel was shared between her and her sister, Nic.
When Sam announced she was launching her own brand of make up brushes I was excited as I could tell from her videos she's not the sort of person who would hard sell her own line to the public, and also she will put a lot of thinking in the quality of the brushes. I must confessed I have bought quite a few brushes in the past, however a lot of them doesn't seem to do the job properly, i.e doesn't blend well enough, or the bristles will shed like mad! However although I was looking forward to the launch, I didn't go out and buy the brushes straight away because:
1) I've just bought a brush set from AOFM that was recommended by Nic in one of her videos, and don't see the need of wasting more money buying more (had I know Sam was launching her brushes back them I would have definitely waited!),
and also
2) I think it was only available in the US back then, and shipping it to the UK can be costly.
But anyway, when Sam announced that it was available to be bought in Boots this February, I thought "that's it! I have to get it!" as I have read loads of goods reviews about it, especially the Buffing and the Stippling brushes. I ordered mine online from www.love-makeup.co.uk as all their brushes was £1 cheaper than Boots, plus I get a free shading brush if I ordered over £40 so I got the Core Collection and the Starter set.
I really loved both of the set, but I prefer the Core Collection, especially the Buffing Brush. It really made my face flawless whether the foundation used were cream, liquid or mineral.
Unfortunately I do have one complaint, the bristles in my Buffing Brush was, and still shedding after using it for 3 weeks (See picture below). I wasn't too sure whether it was due to how I cleaned it (I used 90% alcohol, as recommended by gossmakeupartist) or I was just unlucky enough to have got a bad batch, but I was very upset seeing it falling apart, luckily not long afterward Boots did a 3for2 offers so I bought 3 more sets, kept 1 and sold the extra 2 sets on eBay (cheeky I know! But I don't see the point of having 4 sets since I'm not a make up artist and it's only for personal use!)
I'm having my eyes on the expert face brush and the eyeliner brushes, but to be honest I don't see the needs as all the brushes can be multi-tasked with other uses (I sometime the Buffing brush for foundation AND blusher AND powdering my face!). I also uses the Shading brush for shadows and concealer, which is good if you want limit the amount of stuff to pack for holidays. However, never say never. I got a feeling I will purchase them soon as I have nearly all the brushes apart from the Kabuki brush, the eyelash comb? and the Travel Set.
Bottom line, do I think it's worth the money? Definitely YES. It works out cheaper than other inferior quality brands. The second Buffing Brush I have is still in perfect condition after using it for over one month. Just finger cross it doesn't need replacing again for a short time! ^_~
Mary xx
I have been following them for around 2 years I think. It all started off with me browsing through random videos on the YouTube looking for tips and tutorials on how to apply make up, and it wasn't long before I got hooked onto it! Most of the earlier ones I saw was filmed by Sam, and it took me a while before I realised the channel was shared between her and her sister, Nic.
When Sam announced she was launching her own brand of make up brushes I was excited as I could tell from her videos she's not the sort of person who would hard sell her own line to the public, and also she will put a lot of thinking in the quality of the brushes. I must confessed I have bought quite a few brushes in the past, however a lot of them doesn't seem to do the job properly, i.e doesn't blend well enough, or the bristles will shed like mad! However although I was looking forward to the launch, I didn't go out and buy the brushes straight away because:
1) I've just bought a brush set from AOFM that was recommended by Nic in one of her videos, and don't see the need of wasting more money buying more (had I know Sam was launching her brushes back them I would have definitely waited!),
and also
2) I think it was only available in the US back then, and shipping it to the UK can be costly.
But anyway, when Sam announced that it was available to be bought in Boots this February, I thought "that's it! I have to get it!" as I have read loads of goods reviews about it, especially the Buffing and the Stippling brushes. I ordered mine online from www.love-makeup.co.uk as all their brushes was £1 cheaper than Boots, plus I get a free shading brush if I ordered over £40 so I got the Core Collection and the Starter set.
I really loved both of the set, but I prefer the Core Collection, especially the Buffing Brush. It really made my face flawless whether the foundation used were cream, liquid or mineral.
Unfortunately I do have one complaint, the bristles in my Buffing Brush was, and still shedding after using it for 3 weeks (See picture below). I wasn't too sure whether it was due to how I cleaned it (I used 90% alcohol, as recommended by gossmakeupartist) or I was just unlucky enough to have got a bad batch, but I was very upset seeing it falling apart, luckily not long afterward Boots did a 3for2 offers so I bought 3 more sets, kept 1 and sold the extra 2 sets on eBay (cheeky I know! But I don't see the point of having 4 sets since I'm not a make up artist and it's only for personal use!)
I'm having my eyes on the expert face brush and the eyeliner brushes, but to be honest I don't see the needs as all the brushes can be multi-tasked with other uses (I sometime the Buffing brush for foundation AND blusher AND powdering my face!). I also uses the Shading brush for shadows and concealer, which is good if you want limit the amount of stuff to pack for holidays. However, never say never. I got a feeling I will purchase them soon as I have nearly all the brushes apart from the Kabuki brush, the eyelash comb? and the Travel Set.
Bottom line, do I think it's worth the money? Definitely YES. It works out cheaper than other inferior quality brands. The second Buffing Brush I have is still in perfect condition after using it for over one month. Just finger cross it doesn't need replacing again for a short time! ^_~
Mary xx
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Introduction to my love of plants and trying to grow lavender from seeds.
I have been into growing different plants lately, firstly because I like the fact that I can see it growing day-by-day, and secondly I find gardening very therapeutic. However, since my dad "owns" the garden so ultimately my gardening skills can only stretch as far as my bedroom, but nevertheless I still enjoy having some green living stuffs in my bedroom to keep me company.
I must confessed I have killed quite a few plants in the past either by giving it too many loves (i.e. overwatering them in most cases), not watering when it's needed to and also not giving it the ideal growing environment (my bedroom faces North, hence hardly any sunshine!), but looking on the bright side at least I felt I have learnt from my mistakes (I hope!).
My current "babies" in the bedroom is a Parlour Palm and Peace Lily that I bought from B&Q 2 years ago. The reason for choosing these 2 plants was because I've read that they can survive in partial sun, so will be perfect for my dark bedroom. Sadly enough my Peace Lily never bloomed again after the flowers died shortly after taking it home, however I blamed myself as I hardly ever mists it, which I know it loves! I have noticed that it really does not like the sun as the leaves turns into a paler green when it's placed near the windowsill whereas it has a more deeper green colour when I moved it to a darker space! Well, it's now back on the windowsill because my room is turning into a mess, but I'm hoping to find it a better space to settle soon!
Anyway fast forward to the present, I tried to grow lavender from seeds. I placed the seeds into the soil and left it on my windowsill hoping it will be okay, however the sprouts seems thin and weak, so my conclusion is there is not enough light! I have now moved it to where I work where the window is south-facing do hopefully the sprouts will turn stronger.
Here's a picture of it so far. Any suggestions welcome. You may also share your planting experiences along with some tips =)
Mary xx
I must confessed I have killed quite a few plants in the past either by giving it too many loves (i.e. overwatering them in most cases), not watering when it's needed to and also not giving it the ideal growing environment (my bedroom faces North, hence hardly any sunshine!), but looking on the bright side at least I felt I have learnt from my mistakes (I hope!).
My current "babies" in the bedroom is a Parlour Palm and Peace Lily that I bought from B&Q 2 years ago. The reason for choosing these 2 plants was because I've read that they can survive in partial sun, so will be perfect for my dark bedroom. Sadly enough my Peace Lily never bloomed again after the flowers died shortly after taking it home, however I blamed myself as I hardly ever mists it, which I know it loves! I have noticed that it really does not like the sun as the leaves turns into a paler green when it's placed near the windowsill whereas it has a more deeper green colour when I moved it to a darker space! Well, it's now back on the windowsill because my room is turning into a mess, but I'm hoping to find it a better space to settle soon!
Anyway fast forward to the present, I tried to grow lavender from seeds. I placed the seeds into the soil and left it on my windowsill hoping it will be okay, however the sprouts seems thin and weak, so my conclusion is there is not enough light! I have now moved it to where I work where the window is south-facing do hopefully the sprouts will turn stronger.
Here's a picture of it so far. Any suggestions welcome. You may also share your planting experiences along with some tips =)
Mary xx
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