Soap and Glory The Fab Pore

Soap and Glory The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser £10.00

Isn't it pretty?! I almost feel guilty using it and ruining it. I bought this at boots about a week or more ago, whilst I was on the hunt for a new cleanser that would get rid of my makeup. I usually use the boots vitaman E hot cloth cleanser, but I couldn't find it in store and just as I was about to give up, I came across this gem in the soap and glory section. 

I was a bit dubious, though. I know soap and glory tend to be pretty good but I only thought they did certain skin care items, I never knew about a hot cloth cleanser by them. I bought it anyway, and have been using it for the past week or so.

My first impression was obviously the packaging. It's so cute! I love girlie looking products! The only thing I didn't like was the tube itself...when you squeeze the product out, you end up ruining the look of the tube. I generally have bad history with these sort of tubes, I'm heavy handed and tend to squeeze too hard or twist too hard and the whole thing either breaks and seeps out or it explodes! I would have preferred a plastic sort of tube, but I can see why they used this type of tube because they tend to be easier in getting the last drop of product out of them...if they don't break in the process. You also get a free muslin cloth, which is always nice! (I didn't picture it here because it's got make up on it haha)

The product itself smells nice, a bit vanillary, but I'm not too fussed on the smell. Nothing to really report home on. It's packed with loads of oils to help moisturise the skin and protect it, though you can't really smell the oils...like I said it's more vanilla than anything! The products consistency is really light and dilutes really REALLY easily, as in just the littlest bit of water makes it watery and the cleanser itself is pretty much non existent. I feel like I have to use a lot of product to clean my face, and when it comes to removing make up, it doesn't budge much regarding my mascara...I don't think it would remove waterproof at all. It does remove foundation but not deep enough to remove it all even with the free muslin cloth. I tend to use this and then wash with my Biore cleanser which gets rid of any excess. I think this cleanser would work better if you used it once all traces of make up have been removed. It just doesn't dissolve make up like it says it does. 

I also think due to having to use so much product to even cover my face, the tube wont last long. There isn't a great amount of product anyway, but it would last longer if it wasn't so easily watered down and a bit more creamy. 

I've also got a nice spot since using this...not sure if it has anything to do with the product but I usually only get blemishes. Not too fussed about getting a spot even if it was the product, but it obviously doesn't cleanse as deep as they say. I'm going to try it when my face is completely make up/dirt free and see how it is then. It might work better and I might fall in love with it, but until then I'm not too impressed with it even though it is a lovely product...it just doesn't do what it says on the tin!

Like I said, I'll continue to experiment with it, and see how I can make it work for me. It's not a poor product by any means. I'm more bummed about how easy it is to make it go watery. I have to use a lot to cover my face...my head must be huge! We'll see if it can work another way :)

Any recommendations from the Soap and Glory beauty range?

Pink Crush

MUA Lipstick in Pink

For some reason the shade isn't on the website at the moment. I'm not sure if it's because of the recent 50% off they did and subsequently led to items being out of stock. I am sure you'll be able to pick it up in store, though.

As you probably know, I am a bit of an MUA fiend. They are an amazing company, and I always buy their products and find myself stalking their facebook for any news of new items that I can get my grubby mitts on. I think 50% of my make up draws are MUA, they're my loves.

This lipstick was a bit of a whim buy, as I don't tend to buy baby pinks, but due to my lack of baby pink, I got one anyway. It's a subtle pink, with a creamy consistency  I think due to the colour, and it being sheer when first applied (but build able , its staying power isn't too long, but looks lovely nonetheless. I'm not too fussed on staying power, because I tend to constantly reapply my lipstick for something to do, but for others it could be frustrating. 

99.9% of MUA lipsticks are long lasting, and as I said before, It's probably because how sheer the colour is. What I love about MUA lipsticks is the little pot of gloss that comes with it. Very cute, very unique.

What's your favourite MUA lipstick?

Calvin Klein Ruby Red

Calvin Klein Delicious Luxury Crème Lipstick 3.5g

I got this lipstick a few weeks back on fragrance direct website, since I was on a look out for a nice red that compliments my skin tone nicely. Bingo.

I have already got a few red lippies, but I haven't found one with a nice undertone that doesn't make me look washed out. At £1.99 on the site rather than the £13.50 anywhere else, I didn't see a reason not to because if it didn't suit then it was only £1.99 lost. Luckily, I got on pretty well with it.

The pigmentation of the crème lipstick is very deep and long lasting, but maybe a little too crème for my liking...though it's not really a deal breaker, it would just be better if it wasn't as moist. I guess it's just a personal opinion, because people tend to prefer lipsticks that are creamy. It's not drying on the lips, which is good, so as it wears off it doesn't leave a crusty mess behind.  The packaging is sleek and black, just how I like it ;)!

I'd say this lipstick is pretty well formulated, and long lasting. Minus the really creamy consistency (depends on how you like it), I'd say I would buy it again. I probably just have to get used to the creamy formula, it's most likely just me being fussy!

Have you tried any CK Lipsticks?

Pearl

MUA Peal Eyeshadow in Pearl £1

In my recent MUA haul, I picked up this glowing frosty gem. I needed a new shadow that I can use on its own or as a highlighter. Boy was I impressed.

This diamond has literally transformed how my make up looks, with its glowing iridescent finish. I use it on the whole lid as a base, under brows, on cheekbones, down my nose and wherever else I feel needs a sheen or pick me up. It's a fantastic product that is basically a 2 in 1. The colour is amazingly pigmented, even though it's a pale shade. The packaging is the normal MUA packaging, but even though it's cheap in price, I think MUA always excel at making their products look expensive or at least not cheap looking and sleek. The consistency is powder, but not overly powdery. It doesn't make your skin feel dry or tight either, which is a bonus and doesn't "fall out" or look loose when you put it on your brush. It brightens up wherever you place it, especially in the corners and underneath the eyes and brow bone. I believe this product would suit most if not all skin colours, even deeper skin tones. 

At £1 this is a steal! If you haven't tried it yet, get your paws on one! I wouldn't be without it now, as it's the perfect size to travel with, and can be used so many ways, it's so versatile.

Have you tried Pearl? What did you think?

They're real! Honest!

Benefit They're Real! 

I caved. 

I'm not going to lie, this product is AMAZING. I generally try not to believe the hype, and sometimes get turned off a product if bloggers rave about it constantly because I sometimes don't trust their opinion 100%...we all know that some are given products for free and I highly doubt they give their complete honest opinion...but nonetheless they do give an opinion and with this mascara they were spot on!

After looking at youtube videos and blog reviews I googled the product and came across lookfantastic, which have the product here for a few quid less than in the shops...with free P&P! Result! I obviously was sold, and thought 'hell with it' and bought it. I saved pounds in the process, and gained my ultimate holy grail mascara in the process. Once it arrived a few days later, I tried it on the next morning so I could get a full days wear out of it, to see how it lasts etc. The packaging is cute, like the majority of all Benefit products, and the mascara itself is so sexy looking, it looks like a silver bullet with a wand ha ha. 

The wand is plastic, and has a round load of plastic combs at the end of the wand itself, so you can get right to the root of the lash and those pesky little lashes that seem to be so hard to coat. I have to say, though that for the first 2-3 applications, it does come out a tad clumpy but the more you use, the better it gets. Plus the pros outweigh the cons by a mile. Or a thousand miles, it's that good! 

You get LONG (and by saying long I mean REALLY long) and thick looking lashes. My lashes practically reach my eyebrows! Unfortunately my camera skills aren't that great and you can't see how sexy my lashes look, boo. It does take some getting used to regarding application, but it has to be because of the plastic comb/bristles instead of synthetic bristles. The more you use it the better you get at using it and the better the outcome. I was hooked and had fallen in love by the first use though so you wont be disappointed the first time you use it. If you're still not sure, ask someone after you apply it, to look at your lashes. Do they look different? I say the person you ask will say how amazing and beautiful they look. You seriously can not go wrong with this mascara, I'd say it's one of the best if not THE best product brought out by Benefit.  The longevity is fantastic, and doesn't go flaky or irritating. It's a perfectly formulated perfectly thought out and designed lash saviour.

I now will never purchase another mascara by anyone else until Benefit do the stupid decision and discontinue like every make up brand does with their best stuff. I will never go back to another, I pledge my allegiance. 

Have you tried They're real? What did you think? 

Liebster Award!

I was nominated by the lovely Stefichop ^_^!

What is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster award is an award that is given to bloggers and their blogs with less than 200 followers. Its goal is to promote the bloggers that are nominated.

The rules

1. Nominees must link back to the blogger who nominated them...it's only fair to acknowledge the lovely person who went out of their way to nominate you :)

2. Once you're nominated, you must tell 11 random facts about yourself! 

3. You must answer the 11 questions that the blogger that nominated you asks, too!

4. and finally, create 11 questions for the 11 people you nominate for the Liebster Award! ^_^

11 Random facts about me

1. I lived in Italy for 5 years

2. Which means I also speak fluent Italian ^_^

3. I used to sing at Greenwich Jazz festival when I was younger

4. I was a HUGE Busted fan growing up....awkward! haha. My bedroom walls were top to bottom in Busted posters... (Google them if you're not familiar...Matt was such a hottie haha.)

5. I am the youngest of 4 children.

6. I have two kittens! One boy called Milo and one girl called Mila ^_^

7. I plan on going to University to study Criminal Law. I want to be a barrister when all is said and done!

8. People often think I look 16....I'm 21. The train ticket man has only started giving me adult train tickets after me telling him I was 21...doh! 

9. My favourite program is The Walking Dead...roll on feb! eep!

10. Rome is my favourite city along with London.

11. I sometimes stutter >.< !

Questions from Stefichop!

How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to shop, mostly on make up and clothes. I get a kick out of spending money and not always on what I buy...it's pretty bad haha. Other than that I like spending time with family and friends.

What's the reason behind your blog name?

L C G are my initials and xo...well we all know what that stands for right?! :)

Sweet or savoury foods?

I like a bit of both, but I tend to lean towards savoury more.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I'll hopefully either have finished Uni or in my last year :)

One thing that irritates you about the same sex?

Bitchiness. I can't stand a woman who has to put down other women for no reason other than to make themselves feel better. It's very weak.

Most used make up item?

Tinted lip balm! Even if I'm barefaced, I have to have a tinted lip!

Favourite childhood memory?

Spending my time with my dad, who sadly isn't with us any more.

If you could shop in one store for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?

I'm not going to lie, it would probably be Primark. Unless I was filthy rich...then it would be designer but I cant say my bank balance is capable of that sort of money at the moment! :(

Who is your celebrity Idol for make up and hair?

I like how Angelina Jolie does her make up and Marline Monroe...and I admire Kim Kardashians hair (even though she annoys me!)

Do you have any life time regrets? If so what and why?

I don't want to sound soppy but probably taking my family for granted, especially my father. I guess it's like they say... you don't know what you've got till it's gone. But a positive from this would be that I appreciate my family A LOT more since my fathers passing. It makes you realise so many things you were doing wrong. Puts your life into perspective.

Who inspires you most in your life?

My parents. I don't really get inspired by many people, but my parents have always been hard working, have always pushed me to always want to succeed and reminded me to always take time to be a good person. 

My Nominees

1. yamsfashionandbeautyloveaffair

2. luxelifeaspirations

3. anothergirlsparadise-x

4. fromrachaelclaire

5. in-the-name-of-beauty.blogspot

6. racheladores

7. beautyandlifestylediary

8. vanity-dollhouse

9. woobered

10. elohel-lauren

11. vinylreligion

Questions for my Nominees! 

1. What is your ultimate goal in life?

2. Where do you shop the most?

3. What's one of the best most impacting lesson you have learned in life so far?

4. What's your guilty pleasure?

5. What can't you live without?  

6. Do you believe in love?

7. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

8. How do you think a girl should act, no matter what?

9. If you could buy one thing, no matter how much it costs, what would it be?

10. One pet peeve you hate?

11. Your favourite Blogger?

Have fun!

We're in it together.

Essie We're in it together  RRP £ 7.99 - Bought for £1.99

I found a site online called fragrancedirect which sells everything beauty and fragrance wise for really really cheap! I was just browsing when I came across the nail section, and found Essie polishes for a measly £1.99! Bargain! I was so chuffed! The ordering and delivery was quick and sufficient  I will be ordering from the site again very soon. 

Okay so on to the product! I wanted a Barbie pink kind of colour and found that they had We're in it together on the site, so obviously I had to buy! The colour is more of a rose-pastel pink colour, but very flattering on my pale complexion. I usually find pinks can look weird on my hands because I'm so fair but this colour is just right. The hue isn't offending enough to wash my hands out or make them look more pink than usual! For some reason it also makes my fingers look skinnier (?!)...maybe just wishful thinking....

I did find I had to apply 3-4 coats to get the perfect pink, but one coat is fine if you want a subtle pink wash of colour...I prefer full on Barbie ;-) It also has a iridescent glimmer/very fine glitter in it which only can be seen with 1-2 coats...after you apply more coats it disappears. Not really fussed as I didn't even know about the glimmer/glitter when I purchased it so I wasn't expecting it. 

I really like this colour, and I'm a bit bored of plum/red winter hues on my nails at the moment, I'm wishing it was spring already so I'm starting to incorporate more colour starting with nails. I need cheering up and what better way to do it?! ha ha. I haven't worn it long enough to report on longevity  but so far so good. My polishes usually last a day because I constantly touch things and mess them up, and this polish still looks perfect. 

I'd give this product an 8/10, deducting 2 points because of how much you have to reapply to get the colour you see in the bottle. Other than that, I'm in love ^_^ !

What's your favourite Essie polish? What would you recommend?

New Daily Cleansing Routine

Biore Deep Cleanser £4.99 

 Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula £1.62

 So I've recently changed my cleansing routine because my skin has been in overdrive due to flu and crap products to fill in before my pay day. My skin broke out and was dry, itchy and tight and full of blemishes.

Until I found these gems...

I've heard good things about Biore before, and in particular their cleansers. I picked this one up because I thought to myself I might as well get a product I know will work and rid me of horrible skin faster. It'd designed to deep clean, but doesn't interrupt your skins natural oils or PH.  It's oil free which is fantastic as I have oily to dry skin, and this is made for those with combination skin, too. 

Palmers is a no brainer, and is the one moisturising product I can rely on to completely moisturise my skin deep down. I bought it in the solid form as it's easier to control how much I'm putting on my skin, nothing worse than applying too much and waiting hours for it to sink in. This way I can apply little amounts where I need to, without drenching my skin. It smells like summer, too ;-)!

I don't use any other skin products, I've learned that my skin prefers little product applied so I use one to clean and one to add moister. Anything else causes breakouts and the lot, best to avoid those! I do use an eye crème but it's near enough finished, so I'm on a look out for a good one at the moment! Any suggestions?

So what do you use to cleanse? 

What's in my bag?

Hi guys :)

I thought I'd do a what's in my bag! I find it interesting to see what people carry around with them on a day to day basis, and especially what products they carry, too. 

My bag isn't really packed with stuff, but I could certainly start flogging lip products with how many I carry about! Jeez! I never even realised. 

So let's start with my bag. So I bought my bag from Ebay for around £5.00, it came from Japan or China, and it used to have a strap but it broke :'-(! None the less it is a pretty sturdy bag, and carries everything I need and goes with pretty much everything. I can't seem to find it on Ebay at the moment but Ebay is fantastic for bags, so check it out.

 First thing is my 2013 diary I bought from Wilkinsons for just under £7. I needed it for work and college and to keep track of stuff as I have a horrible habit of writing important dates on random pieces of paper and then loosing them. This has well and truly sorted me out. I've been ill with flu recently and still recovering but back to work and college so I've had loads of packets of tissues lodged in my bag, and flu tablets in my purse...I'm prepared! I've got some fleece gloves for this horrible snow weather the UK is experiencing, and my trusty headphones (I broke my Iphone ones, boo!). I always carry Carex for getting rid of germs, and since being sick I'm blowing my nose constantly and I just use it after I've done what I've had to do. I don't like thinking I've helped to spread the germs for someone else to get sick too!

Like I said I have a hoard of lip products in my bag for some reason! I have two Vaseline tins (one Aloe Vera, one Crème Brulee which I think has been discontinued), I have Becca lip and cheek beach tint, Figs and Rouge rambling rose balm, the body shop's tinted lip balm in born lippy, Rimmel's Kate lipstick in 107 and Hello Kitty in Baby doll. Phew!

I then just have my keys and wallet from Primark. I also have a DIOR Perfume Sample from Vogue magazine that I keep in my bag to make it smell nice. Last but not least I have just a plain old deodorant from Superdrug, Charlie body spray in touch and Victoria's secret PINK Body mist in Cool & Carefree. I like to spray my Victorias secret during the day then my Charlie in the evening on top of perfume...don't ask me why haha.

so...that's it! I don't carry make up around like liquids or powders as I ALWAYS make my bag a mess, so I'm going to have to invest in a good make up bag, and maybe one of those bag organisers? 

What do you carry in your bag? 

Monday Must Haves 001

Hi guys!

So I'm starting a new thing on my blog where every Monday I will post a "Monday Must Haves" consisting of all products and goodies that I'm lusting over that week! So here it goes!...

00l. Benefit They're Real Mascara £18 - I've heard really good stuff about this mascara, and undoubtedly I'm falling for the hype. I always thought it came down to just technique with mascara but apparently the brush on the wand for They're real is the best for long thick lashes. I've seen some pictures from fellow bloggers who have said it's a make up bag staple...I'm going to give in on pay day.

002. Organix Moroccan Argan Oil hair care £4.99 each - I'm a sucker for hair Argan oils and I never fail to include oil in my hair care. I've used many different types and over the past year my hair has not only grown inches more than what it normally would but my hair has also become thicker and stronger since using oil. I swear by it (I even apply it on my face if my skin is really dry!). So it's only natural to want to try out the Shampoo and conditioner form of Argan oil. I've heard good things about this brands formulation of Argan oil Shampoo etc so I'm going to buy this and see what it's like. Super excited!

003. Cetaphil Cleanser and Moisturising lotion £8.99 Each - My skin is super super sensitive (I even get burns from Nivea sensitive skin care) and I also suffer from blotchy skin and the odd break out. I've done my research and found that Cetaphil is pretty popular among other bloggers and also the dermatological world, apparently many skin care specialists and GP's refer their patients on to this to help calm their skin if they suffer from acne etc. I'm a bit dubious when it comes to my skin care because I'm worried things I try could bring me out in burns or rashes...they're so painful. So I'm taking the risk and buying this, as I've run out of my other cleanser...fingers crossed!

004. D&G The One Fragrance £50ish- Well not much to say about this one other than it smells SO good and I've ran out of my bottle which has lasted me 2 years (sobs)!

005. Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub, Body butter and Lotion £6-£10 - Sammi at Beauty Crush has raved about these products from Soap & Glory a lot recently, and if I'm being honest it sounds/smells divine. I think the word 'Crush' makes it even more appealing...don't you think? Reminds me of tropicalness or a slush puppy...haha. Looking forward to getting my paws on these!

MUA LIPSTICK REVIEW &

MUA Lipsticks in (top to bottom) Shade 1 and Shade 3 £1 each.

Hi all!


Before I start the review I have a little announcement  As you can probably tell by the URL I have changed my accounts, because I lost my GFC and I pretty much lost out on everything without it. It would be testing for you guys to try and find a way to follow my blog if you wanted to without GFC. So I made the decision to delete my old account lcgxo.blogspot.co.uk and use this one. I've had problems trying to get my old url and for some reason I can't change this to .co.uk. We'll have to work with what we've got I guess! So I have zilch followers and I'm aiming to get on with it and see where this all takes me. Sorry for the confusion!

Anyway...back to the review.
I've had these lipsticks for a while now, and have had a pretty long time to wear and test them out, and at £1 I thought it was worth doing a review on them as not only are they affordable (they can be found at superdrug in store, Superdrug Online and MUA Store Online but they're obtainable, too.

The first shade is Shade 1 (which is a deep berry shade). I'd say I've gotten the most wear out of this shade recently because it's the perfect colour for the Autumn and Winter months. I do prefer reds or berry tones personally, as I find they compliment my fair skin tone pretty well. As for Shade 1, it diverse in the sense that what time of day you wear it doesn't matter...it can be worn during the day for an edgy lip with plain eye make up and bolder brows but also worn and layered on in the evening with a cat liner.

Shade 3 on the other hand is a dolly pink shade that would compliment most skin tones  I've not worn this as much as I said previously I tend to sway more towards berry tones but this shade is very girlie and pretty and a great alternative to a nude lip or red lip...because it's not as dramatic as a red lip. It's versatile during the day if you don't want to stand out too much but it's dramatic enough for evening wear due to it's semi loud colour and brings a girlie twist to an edgy evening/party outfit. I'd definitely rock this with a cat eye also for evening wear!

Both lipsticks are non drying and last HOURS and are highly pigmented. Honestly, I couldn't believe how long they did last for, through eating/drinking and during the day in general. I only found myself reapplying once during the day and another in the evenings I was going out for. So you're definitely getting a lot out of a £1 lipstick. I know it's not MAC but it is in no way 'cheap and cheerful' in the sense that its formulated poorly or that it doesn't withstand day to day activities because if I'm being honest it's one of the best (if not the best) drugstore lipsticks on the market at the moment and it's a good alternative than shedding out over £10 on a lipstick at mac when you're trying to save pennies. Seriously, don't knock it until you try it ;)

Now onto the packaging and added bonuses. The packaging is sleek and not fussy which I like. The cap "locks" in place and I've personally found it doesn't pop off constantly although it has done once or twice in my bag (lost cap in bag = messy dirty lipstick = unhappy Lauren), nothing worse than a ruined lipstick, so it would be better if it were a magnetic lock. The lipstick also includes gloss at the bottom of the case (I thought it was just to show you what colour was inside..I only found out it was gloss by looking online)! So in reality you're getting two products per lipstick for £1! I don't always apply the gloss over my lipstick as I find you could use them both separately and they'd still look fantastic, I just generally use the lipstick but it's good to know I have the options.


Overall, these lipsticks are pretty much awesome. It's light on the wallet, you're getting two for one per lipstick because of the gloss and its super longevity  and no dry lip effect...win! So I'd give these an 9/10...one point taken because it would be better if it had a magnetic locking effect on the cap.

The lipstick comes in 16 shades:

So, you have a pretty good variety of shades (although the nude ones look a bit orange/salmon for my liking). Would be awesome if they brought out more shades and what not.


Have any of you guys tried MUA Lipsticks yet?

p.s excuse my pj top in the pictures! I'm ill :( haha