Boots Haul (Soap&Glory Inspired)

Back at Christmas I got a lovely Soap&Glory set - the one that was the big boxes on special offer one of the weeks? And inside it had a voucher for €4 off once you spent over €15, which is no bother to someone like myself who is a big fan of the brand and going into Boots to spend in general! The voucher was expiring on April 1st so I couldn't let it go as it was a decent (enabling) amount of money off. Boots had a lot of stuff on offer and 3 for 2 on nearly all their make up too, so I'm going to give their normal prices first and then their on offer price. Just so you know what they currently are verses what they are now!

As you can see above I got myself a lovely big bottle of Smoothie Star Body Milk (€13.99) as I love their almond scents the most and really wanted something that I hadn't tried from the range before. I also got a repurchase of Hand Maid Hand Sanitizer (€3.49) as I'd almost run out of the one I keep in my hand bag. For years I never got why people raved about it, but now that I've become more almost overly aware of making sure my hands are clean, I use these a lot when I'm out for the day. 

I ran out of all my makeup removing skincare at the same time so I've been stocking up on it a lot. I always need backups of my backups! Garniers regular eye make up remover (€2.99) always keeps me happy so I picked up one. I find it never stings my eyeballs and gets rid of heavy eyeliner and mascara without having to rub the eyelids off myself. 

I also picked up some Boots own brand cleansing milk (€3.79 - €1.90) and a toner (€3.79 - €1.90) that both have aloe vera in them for sensitive skin. I got some face wipes from the same range (€3.99 - €1.99). I never use face wipes but their handy for taking off lipstick to eat or wiping away make up from the back of your hand. I've not used this range before as far as I can remember, or if I have they weren't in as nice looking packaging. I'll report back how they are on my skin once I get around to trying them out. 

This is the essentials pile of bits. Who doesn't need a few good razors (€6.99) to keep away the crazy forest like legs! I have been hairing (- see what I did there!?) my way through nail varnish remover recently as I've been redoing my nails loads, so I got a bottle of Cutex (€2.25). I think this is one of the best brands on the market as they take way less time to totally get rid of the product then other ones I've used. I can't speak much for them being nail strengthening or whatever claims they have but there good at the physical getting rid of bit.

Also got some Nivea rolls ons that were 2 for €4, normally €2.99 each. I'm a big fan of roll ons in recent times as they don't clog up air if you want to freshen up before bed and they also don't effect my asthma. Saying that, I picked up my favourite Impulse (€2.79 - €1.39) too as I'm a fan of having a body spray in my handbag if I'm out and about.  

Lastly I couldn't go into Boots and not pick up at least a few make up bits! I was on a mission for a cheap eyeliner as I had only earlier lost my own to my sisters clutch in the car. I got a Collection one (€2.49) in black that does the job grand. 

I was on the hunt for a Barry M (€5.99) light blue nail varnish after I saw it on Instagram. I think this is called Green Apple but I could be wrong! I've misplaced my bottle so I can't double check, but no doubt I'll put it up on Instagram or twitter soon enough!  

And I've saved the best for last. Just look at that Sleek lipstick!! (€5.99) its in the shade Mystic and it was made for me. I haven't even swatched it yet as I wanted to take photos of it in perfect condition for this post. Man I'm so restrained! It is just beautiful and even before I try it I want everyone to have it. It just makes me happy.

Well thats all of it! I actually saved €16 and got triple points on my Boots card too so I'm extra delighted! At the til I came across the most lovely lady called Cathy who recommend products to me (which I picked up!) and talked about the things I was buying. She gave me some baby wipes as I had a lot of swatches on my hand and gave me loads of brilliant vouchers for things in the shop (and some handy tips too!). I've come across some lovely staff in the Boots at Liffey Valley in the past, but this lady went above and beyond. Just had to give her a mention, she was so friendly and I left the shop feeling extra happy after such a nice chat.

H&M, The Body Shop And Boots Haul

Naturally I'm really slow to put up any haul posts and its no different this year. This is more a show and tell type of post then a 'I'm sure all this stuff is still in stock and at this price' post. Thats why I've decided not to do a Lush haul post as its all the things that they have out only for Christmas and it might not be left in stock if you go to get it. Theres nothing worse then going to the shop or online and finding that they are sold out of a bath bomb I've read about and really wanted. However, I've been into the Lush on Henry St. several times since Christmas and not only do they still have tonnes (I mean tonnes) of stock left for some reason, but its all at 50%, as it is every year. No prizes for guessing that I have come away every time with more then one bag. So if your near a shop, pop in and see if you can still grab yourself a santy themed bath delight!

H&M isn't my normal hang out as their sizing is all over the place. I'm anywhere between a 16 and an 18, but one day in there I managed to fit into a 12 and then only get one arm into an 18 not long after. - I can't handle it at all *pauses to shiver*. But I was shopping with friends so I had a gander at the sale while I was in. I came away with the comfiest and most lovely jumper reduced to €10 from €20 that I actually had to take off to photograph before shoving it back on. They had loads on the rails so I'm sure they could easily have one or two left if anyone thinks they could be as happy as I am. I also picked up a load of midi rings for €3.99 and a hipster-like grey wool hat with sparkles through it, as I have now come over to the dark side. Next you'll find me posting selfies in Starbucks..

 It would have been utterly rude to pass by The Body Shop and not go in when theres a sale on. I picked up a papaya shower gel and the same scent in a body butter along with a passion fruit shower gel. €10 for a body butter and €5 each for the shower gels? Stop talking and take my money please. I really love both of these scents and have them waiting on the side lines in the shower, as I'm nearly finished my Soap&Glory Orangasm body wash. I'm going to be smelling nothing but b-e-a-uu-tiful for all of 2015.

Lastly I oddly didn't go too wild in the sales in Boots. I picked up lots that wasn't in the sale though, don't worry I'm in good health! A lovely pair of pump slippers that were €6.25 down from a little crazy €12.50 and a cute Balmi in coconut that was €3.25 reduced from €6.50. Its my favourite scent and I always have a Balmi swimming around in the bottom of my bag, so I was very happy with this one! 

I Only Went In For Hair Dye! Haul Post

I genuinely only went into Boots the other day for hair dye. I've decided to try go all the way back to my natural blonde colour and instead of having 12 shades of different roots, I picked up a colour closer to my own. Normally Boots has a massive range of dyes, brands and offers so I got the John Frieda moose. Partly because it was on offer from €13.99 down to €6.99, partly because I had never tried it before and partly because its a fancy pants brand! Oh and the most important thing of it matching my natural hair colour the closest. Nearly forget that bit. 

But once hair was thought about, I noticed that the John Frieda intense after colour conditioner was only €3.49 down from €6.99 and it would have been truly rude not to pick it up. The same went for the big bottle of Herbal Essences that was only €2.74 down from €5.49. But in my defense, I was running low on the shampoo..

After the hair care incidents I was on my way to the check out when I spotted that it was 3 for 2 on all the Simple range. I've been after the eye roller for mad bin bag under your eye balls (the technical advertising terms, of course) for ages since seeing Sprinkle of Glitter get it in a haul. It was €6.99 but then I did get the face mask free once I picked up the face scrub.. Both were €4.99 each. And I had to get them. Cos', cos' of the offer!!

After that total fail I said fuck it and headed to the make up. Collection had all their nail varnishes for only €2 each and I had about 12 in my basket, but decided against crying when I had to hand over all my money at the till. So instead I just picked up the one. Isn't it just gorgeous? I've tried it since getting home and its a perfect Autumn shade. 

I have been on the hunt for a particular eye shadow from Seventeen for myself and the sister, but its the hardest one to come by! Its always sold out everywhere. So to console myself after not finding it yet again I picked up these two lovely shades from Collection for €2.99 each. 

Well, I tried. But I did get the hair dye I went in for.

Damn bargains!

Bleach London

I'm a fan of a nice hair dye in case you haven't already noticed! I've tried loads of different brands out over the years and sported every shade going. Naturals to out right neon looks, cos' I like to mix it up a little. I spotted Bleach London in Boots a few months ago and was sure I would no doubt get my paws on a few bottles to lash in the hair. 

Before I dye my hair a bright colour I nearly always bleach it first so the colour comes out brighter and nicer. I use Jerome Russell Bblonde products, as seen in the photo above. It does a great job but careful when using it as the smell could nearly put you under the table and if any gets on your skin it will burn. Like, ouch fuckin pain that stuff burns! K? Good.

The first thing about Bleach London hair dye is the price, when compared to other unnatural hair colours, is a little more expensive then others out there. Its €6.69 for 150ml which isn't too bad in the long run but I have a strong devotion to the Live XXL colours that are cheaper and sometimes on offer at 2 for €9. Apart from price, the packaging is really eye catching and fun but it doesn't come with any colour friendly conditioners or even plastic gloves like other brands do. I don't mind the conditioner not being there, but I always need gloves. Washing your hands with bleach to try and get the dye off my skin is never something I look forward to. 

Anyway, I used the bleach, dyed my hair back to a white blonde. Got some of the Bleach London dye in bruised violet and slathered it on. It recommends you leave it for roughly 20 minutes but I left mine in almost an hour, as I'm lazy and didn't want to wash it out. (I might have gotten back into bed with a book to wait and then it was warm and.. oh dear.) Washing it out was fine and once I dried my hair I noticed that it was slightly patchy in colour - not from an uneven application but rather the dye just didn't seem to work in all the places it was put on. This bugged me a little as I had even bleached my hair so the dye would take better. You can see what I mean in the third photo below. I thought just to leave it in longer next time I used it.

On the bottle it says that the dye comes out in 2 to 10 washes, but this wasn't the case at all. The next day when I washed my hair (this would be the second wash as I'm counting washing the hair dye out as the first wash) as normal with some Dove colour friendly shampoo it turned blue and green in places. Not only that but it faded dramatically. You can see in the last photo below. I had never had that happen with any other dye I had used and was really shocked. I thought maybe it was the shampoo I had used that reacted with it but after finding some reviews on the Boots site I realised that this was happening with a lot of people. It wasn't just me who had faded blue and green hair!

Since dying it the first time and having this happen, I decided to dye over it again and the same thing is after happening. Its so annoying to spend the money and time on your hair and end up looking like you fell into a rainbow. But in fairness I have come to love the multicoluored outcome, even if its not what I was going for to begin with. After I finish this bottle I doubt if I'll ever buy dye from Bleach London again, instead sticking to brands I know will work, that are cheaper and come with gloves, conditioner and more.  

What really bugs me about this brand is the huge hype it has, when there are other brands that have been out longer with better results and they don't get talked about half as much. I hope over the next few months when more people have tried Bleach London there will be more praise for other brands. Right now only the big Boots in Liffey Valley stocks it, but you can order it online.

Today I Got All The Bargains! (Haul Post)

I'm just home and I'm far too pleased with all the bargains I got today, so I have to share them. Boots are only amazing for the offers and deals recently, so naturally when Seventeen were doing a buy one get one half price offer I couldn't resist getting the new falsifeye HD mascara  (€8.89) and the new stay time 25 hour foundation (€8.19).

The sister and myself were having a grand aul natter the other day and from her recommendation I got a Nivea sensitive 3 in 1 micellar cleansing water (€2.74 normally €5.49) and Nivea double effect eye make up remover (€2.49 normally €4.99). She also suggested I try the Garnier ulta-purifying fresh scrub (€3.59 normally €5.39). From reading reviews I had to try the Aussie dry shampoo (€4.32 normally €6.49) and I have been eyeing up all the Bleach products since they hit the shelves soo.. I got the reincarnation mask (€7.99). Before you think I lost the run of myself, I had a €10 gift voucher and a lovely €9.20 saved up on my card - oh happy days!  

Next I wondered into the Body Shop to try grab another bargain before their sales ends. Yes the Body Shop has a sale on, run! I got an almond shower gel the other week and decided to get another before they went back to the normal price (€5 normally €8.95) as they are just, nom nom nom. I also got the raspberry body scrub (€10 normally €18.95) the week before as well. Today as I was paying I picked up a little tea tree oil face wash (€2 normally €4) and the girl asked if I would like to sign up for a loyalty card that was on offer for €4 instead of the normal €10. Lads, did I get a bargain or did I get a bargain! She was kind enough to give me some samples along with my card too. I couldn't recommend the Body Shop in Liffey Valley enough, theres no scary intimidating security guards there to frighten you out of the shop like they do on Grafton St!

Lastly I nipped into Dunnes on the hunt for an exfoliating foot packet yokie that Nurse Fancy Pants talked about in her post over here. It was €4 but if Chloe says they are worth it, you damn well get 3! On my way to pay I spotted this necklace that was reduced (€4.50 normally €9) and they have nearly all of their jewelry reduced at the moment. Just being the enabling person that I am mentioning that.. 

Any bargains catch your eye?

Soap&Glory Sugar Crush Collection

I've been a massive fan of Soap&Glory for years now but sometimes the S&G signature scent can be a little overpowering and not to my likes. This is totally my own fault though, I've used far too many of their products and now I'm reaching for their other scents in the range. I guess you can have too much of a good thing! Right now I'm really in love with the sugar crush collection, its totally different from other scents in the range and I really love the slightly summery feeling it gives me when I have a shower in the morning.

First I have to talk to you about the gorgeous body wash. Like with all S&G things, I love all the bright pink packaging with these products, they make my heart flutter a little. I've taken this body wash out of the shower recently purely as I don't want to use it all up so quickly! This is the fresh and foamy body wash in a handy 500ml bottle with a pump. It smells like lime but sweet too, its not overpowering and stays on your skin after you've finished in the shower, something that a lot of body washes don't do. It foams up well and gives lots of bubbles. It also contains radiance boosting kiwi juice just to make your shower time fun even fancier. You can use this as bath foam too, but I've yet to try it out, preferring to keep it for the shower in the morning, This is €9 in Boots. 

To compliment the body wash I use the sugar crush body buttercream. This is the thickest and most rich moisturiser I've used in a very long time, its nothing short of utterly beautiful. I realise in the warm summer months not everyone is going to want a heavy thick cream which is understandable, but keep it on the wishlist for the cooler months, its worth it. I have used this so much in the past two months and have barely made it to the halfway point in the big 300ml tub. Once the cream hits the heat of skin it spreads easy and a little goes a long way which I was genuinely surprised about to begin with, thinking I would have to scoop most of it out in one go. This is the heavy duty kind of moisturiser that cures the sand paper elbows and knees and makes the rest of the skin silky soft - if I do say so myself! Its packed with shea and cocoa nut balm, kiwi juice water, lime and almond oils. You can again get this in Boots for 14.75 which I would consider pricey normally, but I have got so long from it without finding the bottom yet, I would say your skin will thank you. If not your pocket!

There is a body scrub in this range too, but I'll be talking about that soon in another post, so look out for that! From having a quick goo on the Boots site I've noticed all these products are in a 3 for 2 offer, so you could try them all out and save some money at the same time. (And get a few Boots points, man I love those things!) So theres another excuse for all the product junkies out there to nip into the shops and be tempted!

Whats your favourite S&G product?

You Pure Beauty! Barry M Gelly Hi - Shine

I popped into Boots the other day for hair dye and I saw the most beautiful site on earth - 3 for 2 across all make up. I know thats a bit dramatic, but to me its honestly in my top 10 best things ever to see. I clearly have a very sad life! Anyway, I might have picked up a few bits. Heres one of them.

Barry M nail varnish has always been a favourite of mine. When I was younger I got a few of their more colourful, 'out there' lip sticks and eye shadows too. But the one thing I always go back for is the beautiful polishes. Shockingly enough though, I didn't own a single one of their gelly hi-shine polishes until now, isn't that just woeful? I thought it was, so I picked up a colour I would never normally wear to celebrate my first purchase of the line (and hopefully many more to come, oh hello there Boots points you little beauts!!)

Key Lime is a gorgeous Spring/Summer colour and just makes me want to go pick flowers. Its bright green but not in an in your face way. Two coats of this and your ready to rock 'n' roll. It lasted roughly 3 days on me, with only little chips but I'm a devil for chipping nail varnish minutes after its applied so this was impressive! Taking it off is as easy as putting it on and it doesn't leave any stains on your nails like some polishes can. 

As for the gelly hi-shine part in comparison to normal nail varnishes? When I was applying it I did definitely notice that the polish was spreading differently and that the consistency was thicker then others I have used. But once it drys I'm not sure if I can really notice a difference, it might be a little shiner then normal but that might be because I have read it on the bottle so I expect it to be. 

But either way, I really love this colour and will be wearing it lots this Summer. I'm making small steps to get away from black and throw a bit of colour in! I might have my eye on about 7 more of these Barry M nail varnishes too, just in case your wondering why theres none in Boots next time your in!! Theres 21 colours in the hi-shine range and they wont break the bank at 5.99 each.

Have you tried any Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine polishes?

Sleek Contour Kit

Sleek, oh how I adore you. Your sexy, full of promises that you keep, your colourful, give great coverage, staying power and make me look amazing. What more could you ask for from makeup? Until last year I had never owned a Sleek product before and now the place is coming down with them - not that I'm complaining, oh no! I could rave to you all day about their brushes, their *pauses to drool* eye shadow palettes or indeed their contour kits. Anything I have tried so far from this range I have few bad words to say about them and today is no different.

A while ago I got it into my head that I was going to take on a new part of make up for me - contouring. Done right it always looks amazing but I had never done it before apart from Halloween and if you feck it up then you can just call it overdone for the day that it is! So with only the kardashians to help me (I know right? Totally fecked!) I went off and bought this from Cloud10Beauty for €7.99. As you can see from the messy packaging I have been putting it to good use over the last few weeks and now envy more and more women, men and drag queens alike who can use this stuff. One day, one day!!

I got my palette in light as I'm a pale yoke and I was afraid to go too dark in case I looked a proper fright. I will say, contouring is a bit of craic and I always find it great fun if I have time to mess about with my mug. The highlighter is gorgeous and adds just a tiny glow and highlight to my face while the darker pressed powder really brings out my features and gives me the allusion of slight hallows and bones where there will never ever be any, its magical! It is so easy to blend and sits beautifully for the entire day. No sliding once I put some setting powder over it like I normally would for any make up and it hasn't reacted at all to my overly sensitive skin like some make up has. 

I really love Sleeks packaging too. Its so.. sleek? I know, I'm getting worse at descriptions but thats what it is! It also has a strong clasp that closes it tight so it never opens in my bag. This little palette is the handiest thing to have in your bag if like me, sometimes you forget a mirror when your changing your make up bag so much. The kit comes with a leaflet that gives diagrams of where to put your contouring which I found uber helpful and a nice touch. I'd highly recommend nabbing yourself one of these bargain kits from Cloud10Beauty or in Boots. 

Without and with flash in natural daylight.

Have you tried this kit or anything from Sleek?

3 For 2 Offer In Boots You Say?

So I eh, went to Boots. Its a 3 for 2 offer on so many of the products and apart from going in for more Batiste and sprays, I might have had a little look round at some other things. All in the name of bargains of course.

A quick look at the Seventeen stand and I came away with a gorgeous nude lip crayon and a new colour clash nail effects nail varnish that looks really different, I can't wait to try it out. I also caved into the BB cream craze after avoiding it for so long. Rimmel had a nice one that I tried on the back of my hand with the added bonus of factor 15. I'm dying to give this a test drive and see if all the hype is as good as it sounds or if its one only fit for the bin.

Next I picked up 2 Impulse's for €4 and a half off bottle of Sure in the new mini size which is going to be handy to pop in my bag. It smells nice and also claims to leave no white marks, so we shall see. 

Lastly I bought 2 Batiste in blush as I ran out last week and was left nearly crying! To finish off the 3 for 2 offer I picked up L'oreal elvive's fibrology thickness booster that I've been hearing loads about so I wanted to try it out for myself. 

I've now loads of things I didn't necessarily need but none the less am dying to try out and most likely I will write some reviews on them! What about you, have you taken advantage of Boots brilliant 3 for 2 offers on loads of their ranges? I think I might need to do round two some time soon, just to make sure I'm taking in all the good bargains, you see ;) 

The Best Of Beauty Challenge: Pamper Products

Its week four of the best of beauty challenge hosted by the lovely All The Buzz. I'm sure by now you know the story with these posts! If not heres week one to tell you all about this great challenge. This week Sam has picked the topic of pamper products and to be honest I couldn't think of something that was really a proper, full on pamper product. So I had to sit in the bath last night and contemplate it all (any excuse for a bath) and decided I'd just write about what I had in there with me! 

Alberto Balsam is a new brand for me and really just the first conditioner I picked out of the drawer. If I ever go for a bath or pamper night I put as much conditioner in my hair as will stay in it and then go about everything else, knowing my hair is thanking me under all that goo. This one is the coconut scent and its just nom.

 Same goes for a face mask. Nothing screams pamper like a face mask to me and this one in particular. Nimue is an amazing brand and I am in love with their rejuvenating face mask. If doesn't hurt my skin, smells alright and leaves my skin feeling really lovely after. Its a proper treat!

Next its onto the skin. I'm a lazy thing and if I can shave my legs without too much effort, I will! This is why I love the Body Shops shea sugar body scrub. It has just enough scrubby bits that really help exfoliate the skin, making it a little sorter and ready to shave when the time comes. That and it smells like something you'd eat, not rub onto your skin. Promise I've not eaten any yet. Can't say the same for some Lush things...

After a nice bath, shave or even if I'm just feeling extra nice to myself I will pull out some moisturizer and go to town. Mostly my elbows and knees get all the attention which is bold of me, but I feel like sand paper - attractive! I like this Boots own brand one at the moment. Its a massive pot for next to nothing. It doesn't have an overpowering smell and skins into my skin quickly. Perfect!

Lastly how could I not include my favourite bubble bar Dorothy, from Lush. It smells like sweet magic, looks cool in bar form and in the water and best of all it makes a tonne of bubbles that leave your skin soft. I want, no, need them all.

Top that off with a nice Yankee candle (addicted to the bloody things!) a book or magazine and my pamper night it complete! As always, if you fancy reading more bloggers picks then you can follow #BOBBlogChallenge on twitter. 

Battle Of The Affordable Dry Shampoos

If you've been round these parts a while you'll know I'm a bit mad for my dry shampoo. There is nothing as good a freshen up of the mop of hair if your out of bed late or even if its just to give it a bit of a lift and extra shiny cleaness. But is there a good tried and tested dry shampoo that is affordable yet does an amazing job too? That my friends is where I come in, testing out the good, bad and the plain awful so you don't have to!

I have poker straight hair that needs a wash every day, otherwise you can clearly see the grease in my hair. Sexy right? Ugh!! So if I am really desperate I'll throw in half a bottle of dry shampoo to combat the grease until I can find a shower, sink or deep puddle to dip my head in. I just hate having dirty hair, its the worst feeling! So lets start off with the dry shampoo Spirit of the Carnival from Super Drug. This was actually not too bad if your hair is only a little greasy and your looking for a quick freshen up for £2.19. I also included a small Super Drug hair spray for extra firm hold that goes really well with all of these dry shampoos as its light and doesn't least a layer of hard hair that looks like its covered in hair spray or gel. All for the little price of £0.99? Perfect!

Then we have the worst out of the lot, Girlz Only Hazy Days Dry Shampoo from Pennys. This was under 2 euro but I'm sorry I wasted the money on it! My god, there was nothing I could do but head for the shower after I put this into my hair. It was wet, sticky and left my hair feeling twice as greasy from what I started with. All I can say is thank god I wasn't in a rush out anywhere or I would have been late! Straight in the bin with this horrible bottle after the photos for this were taken!

Lastly the best out of the lot, Batiste. I know that this one is the most expensive out of the lot and most widely available as you can get it in all chemists, Boots and even like likes of Tesco and Dunnes stock this brand. The most expensive being €6.59 for 400ml and the cheapest being about €3.99 for the 200ml. However you can get them in loads of different scents and they cater of all types of hair. I branched out with my last bottle and got a big bottle of Cherry. It wouldn't be my favourite scent but it really works so well and my hair feels the next best thing to being clean from the shower. My favourite ones are the light and blonde or the blush. And the packaging is always a plus too, I love all the different cute and eye catching designs!

So there you go, a few different kinds of dry shampoo to look out for or indeed, avoid! I will be on the hunt to see if there is something better out there and if I do find something, you will be the first to know! As always I hope everyone is having a good week and staying happy :)

Big Boots Haul

You would think I spend my youth in Boots and I would like to say your right but sadly its not true at all. Le sigh, oh well! I went this time on a mission to get something to help with my hair as its recently gone like straw and also I wanted to find a few new things to help with my spots and breakouts. That and I needed one or two repurchase of some much loved make up. Whats a girl to do but go shopping!

Ugh I can't say one bad thing about Aussie if you paid me. And at 3 for €13 how could I say no? Almost out of shampoo, another bottle of conditioner to try help my poor hair and if that doesn't work then some extra love with my spray leave in conditioner might just do the trick! And all aimed at coloured hair to top it off, lovely stuff!

I went looking for a Garnier face wash for blemishes and spots after being recommended it on Twitter and reading about it on a blog post but do you think I could find it! So I settled on Neutongena that had an offer of any two for €7, now you couldn't go wrong there! I got a 3 in 1 cleansing lotion to help with spots and a spot treatment gel. I can't wait to see if they work or not, blog post up at some point.

Next I got the essentials of Veet hair removal cream, Nivea deodorant and some Boots own brand razors. Not the most exciting things in the world but we all need them!

I had a No7 voucher for €6.50 and I have had my eye on their rapid spot reduce treatment for ages so I couldn't pass up the offer! Only left me paying €6.45 which was brilliant. I can't wait to break this out and bathe in the stuff to see if it works at all! I'll report back once I have had a good test run of it.

I also was cheeky and got Vaseline spray and go body moisturiser that was reduced from €6.15 down to €4.15. Again, I have read reviews on it and wanted to try it for myself for ages now so this was perfect. 

Lastly I got a natural collection black eyeliner and seventeen pressed powder that I had run out of and really needed as I like my pale panda look. As you do like! 

Thats all from me for now. Any sneaky purchases that you have made in recent times or something that you have had your eye on for ages and want to get soon? As always keep happy and have a fab day!

Sales Buys Part 4: Asos And Soap&Glory

So this is the final installment of my crazy Christmas buys for the year, I promise you all! If any of you have been here a while or know me from rabbiting on Twitter, you will know my favourite clothes site is Asos by miles. I just can't get enough of their gorgeous stocks that are ever changing (I just heard my purse cry as I typed that..) And not only are they true to their sizing  but they can be found with sales of up to 70% off at times if you keep checking back. What more could you ask for? Free shipping maybe? Well, they have that too and its worldwide. Can you see why I love it now!

So I was minding my own business the other day when I noticed they had indeed a 70% sale on selected items and an extra 10% off that they tweeted about. Could I really say no to that, now be honest? As always they have amazing shipping times and I got these bits 4 days after ordering them, bang on estimated times!

Sorry for the dreadful lighting, I was racing against the day light and even went outside to try and get the best light. I will retake these while wearing the dresses once I have le boyfriend about again next week.

First this gorgeous warm purple dress with black detailing that I got for around €22. Purple is my favourite colour and I am really in love with this dress. As you can see below, the black lace top is sheer and a tad see through, but it doesn't show anything off, so no need to avert your eyes! Its wonderfully stretchy at the waist so it slips on easily and its got a slightly winged look at the sleeves. There is also a little button at the back which is a cute detail as it leaves a space for a cheeky bit of skin. Ohherrr! Also, when you spin (because everyone spins, don't lie) it goes really wide. Funness! 

I can't find it any longer on the site, but heres a dress thats the same colours just a different style, or theres one here if you feel that ones not your kind of thing but still want the same kind of purple.

Next I got this lovely cream dress that has a similar lace style at the top as the one above. It has a beautiful black ribbon around the waist that really sets off the cream colour. It has a hidden zip at the back thats easy to get on and off along with a lovely v-neck that looks amazing in the lace. I got this back in August in a navy for full price, but never wore it for the event I had got it for so I returned it. I really wanted it in this cream but this colour wasn't suited for the occasion. So I was over the moon delighted that it was now only €25.28 and in my size in the colour I wanted. Score! You can still buy some sizes over here and get a much better description and look at the dress! 

I couldn't pass up these boots for only €26.96 down from nearly €54. I have been scouting out for some good sale boots as my lovely ones from Pennys that I've lived in since I bought them back at the start of autumn are wearing a little thin! These are so comfy and they have a lined inside so your toes are extra toastie. I love the buckle detailing and the little bit of a heel. You can see them over here.

Lastly I might have sent Stephen on a mission when he was passing Boots a while ago. I had seen this Soap&Glory face time gift set in the sales and now that it was half price, down from €32 I couldn't resist getting him to see if they still had some in stock. Oh me oh my, how I love this set! I can't wait to use everything and give you all some rambles and reviews on it. 

Christmas Sale Buys And What Pressies I Got!

Hello there all you lovely ladies and gents, I hope everyone had a really nice safe and relaxing Christmas. Also a happy new year to you all! I might have been awfully bold and abandoned my poor blog altogether for the likes of the lustful tin of roses and the many many reruns of Buffy and classic cheesy Christmas films. One cold and infection after another has left me promising to write up a blog post only to find myself face down snoring on the couch, so please try to ignore the time length!

I thought I'd start by showing everyone what I got for Christmas and then a few bits I nabbed in the sales. I went back for round two but I'll save that for another post soon! Apart from you all being jealous of my new pretty floral bed sheets - Ikea you sexy shop, you! You will notice that I have now renamed my blog to Big Blonde Girl as it not only makes life easier, but everyone knows me by that alone! The uber lovely Stephen from Hardly Working Highlight Reel  spent a painful amount of time on it for me, while I was leaning over his shoulder chewing his ear off. The poor sod! If you fancy your own beautiful blog banner then feel free to leave a comment on his blog or find him on Twitter. 

From L-R: A gas book my besties dad got for me, hes too good!/Irish mammies books from my mammy - expect lots of reviews!/Sleek make up brushes, be still my beating heart!/Benefit how to look the best at everything set that Stephen got for me/A gorgeous Yankee candle the mother in law got for me/Ombre nail set that the sister gave me/A chocolate santy of course!/Some gold FUN from Lush/A FUN set from lush - don't my family know me too well?!

If you have a look at the top picture you'll see my new gorgeous long purple scarf that the mother in law knit for me. I just. I just can't. Hash tag in love!!

And now onto the great bargains I got in the sales! Naturally on Stephens Day I was first in the que at the door of Lush, but that to be expected of me. don't you know. My total mind blown buys were the 500g Pounche shower gel €10.48 and an unexpected find of Lovely Jubbly breast cream for only €10.95 - its literally never on sale! I also got two Penguin and Christmas eve bubble bars that were €6.76 for them all! A little bit of angels delight soap, €2.33 and lastly the stardust gift set for €16.98. You can see all the wonderful things in it below!

Then I wondered into Boots and came away with some lovely cards, a royal jelly set and a Beauticology set that I had my eye on for ages before Christmas all for under €13! 

This New Year I have not resolutions, this year I'm just going to take one day at a time and hope that everyday is better then the last. To help me on my way I'm doing little things to perk myself up, which I will be blogging lots about soon.

For now, as always, have a fab day and 2014. You lads and ladies keep chatting, following and supporting me each in your own way and I am so grateful for you all. If 2013 was anything to go by, then I can't wait to see what this year brigs x