Barbie Leopard Nails!!

Hi all!

Today im back with a nail post, ive been practising my nail art and I have come up with this nail look....

It's barbie leopard nails!! Lol

It was very easy to do, I put together a little step by step guide if you'd like to know how it's done.

Step 1

Paint nails in bubblegum pink shade of your choice, all except the ring finger which you can paint black. 

Step 2 

Take a black nail art pen (you can get cheap ones from primark or Barry m) and draw leopard designs on half of your nail 

Just like this, and it's not difficult it's just messy semi-circles and random blobs! 

Step 4

You can leave your accent nail as plain black or I had a nail sticker which I put on. I thought the pink heart sticker was so cute so I had to incorporate it into this nail look. 

Step 5

Put on your favourite top coat and your good to go! And there it is...very simple nail art. 

Let me know your thoughts, what do you think of the look, will you be re-creating it?

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Space NK discount code!!!

Hi all,

Just a quick post today I've come across a £10 discount code for Space NK when you spend £40 or more! 

Just put the following promo code at the checkout to get your discount...

DISCOVER14

Bear in mind that this code will expire midnight today so you'll have to be quick! Happy shopping!!! Lol

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October Magazine Freebies!!

Hi all!

Now I don't know if any of you are like me? But I always end up in my local WHSmiths store to check out all the magazine...partly to see if there are any decent freebies!! Judge me if you will but I can guarantee I am not the only one!! HaHa!!

Well in recent months, as a whole, the selection of freebies hasn't really impressed me...however this month the magazine world did very well. See what you can get below.....

Marie Claire 

First up we have Marie Claire magazine with the lovely Zooey Deschanel on the cover.

You get the choice of 1 of 4 30ml L'Occitane hand creams, a perfect size for the handbag and worth £8. You can choose from the classic Shea Butter or 3 limited edition scents, namely Passionate Jasmine, Subtle Violet or Rose Tenderness. They all sound fab!! I have the classic Shea Butter scent and it's amazing, both smell and performance wise...great hand cream.

 

 Red

Red magazine has the ever youthful Yasmin Le Bon on the cover....beautiful.

 

Inside the mag you get the choice of 1 of 2 This Works products, either 50ml of the Really Rich Firming Lotion or 50ml of Daily Boost Body Scrub. I've heard great things about the brand so this may be a good one for all those who wanted to try out some products without paying full price.

Glamour

This month's Glamour magazine has  Taylor Swift on the cover.

 

Exclusive to WHSmiths you can get a free Eyeko liquid liner with the magazine, I think I may just get this one, I love a good eyeliner! 

InStyle

In this month's InStyle the talented Drew Barrymore graces the cover.

With this magazine you can get a trio of travel sized Ren goodies!! These include 10ml of the Gentle Cleansing Milk, 10ml of the Global Protection Day Cream and 3ml of the Active Eye Gel. This would be great again for those wanting to try out the brand or if you travel a fair bit. I love this brand so I'll probably get this one too! 

Company

Company magazine has on its cover  the Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale.

 

The free gift here is a pack of 2 nail polishes! A girl can never have too many I say so check them out if your in the market for new nail shades!

Cosmopolitan

This month's magazine has the gorg Jennifer Lopez on the cover, I do love a bit of J.Lo!! lol

And with this mag you can get a free 50ml St Tropez Instant Tan face and body lotion. And seeing as the Sun has now disappeared some may need a bit of extra help! Lol

And thats that!!! Phew...that was a fair few to get through, but I love sharing these great deals with you guys!

Let me know which you'll be getting!!

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Giveaway Winner!!!! :-)

Hi all!

So my Giveaway ended yesterday. Firstly thank you to all that entered and sorry for all you international lovelies....but I will have another international Giveaway coming very soon...so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Now, just a reminder the winner will get the following.....

Congratulations to........EMMA WOODS from THE JOLLY FASHIONISTA!!!!!! I've sent you a message on your blog so please contact me within the next week so i can get the above out to you. Yayy!!! :-) :-)

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Paris Fashion Week

Hi all!

Today I wanted to talk to you all about my most loved Fashion Week...Paris Fashion Week of course darling! I feel that designers go all out in Paris, I mean it is the fashion capital of the world so I guess it's a given. And this year Paris didn't fail to deliver. I looked through the many many images and here are 3 of my favorite shows this season....

Alexander McQueen 

I have always loved the design spectacle that is Alexander McQueen...it is avant garde...it is chic....it is blooming amazing!! I can carry on with the adjectives..however me thinks I should stop now otherwise this will be a very lengthy blog post! ;-)

Love the tough warrior look with the girly edge...

I mean you can't not like these incredible designs...they may not all be very wearable but they are art in my eyes.

Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs can do no wrong when it comes to beautiful designs. One of my all time fav shows was the Spring 2012 Carousel fashion show...I mean that was incredible!!

Now sadly after many successful years as Creative Director this was Mr Jacobs curtain call!! :-( However he did very well and the show was incredible...a visual extravaganza!

 

 

Looks like black is making a return then...

And there he is..the man of the hour....bravo Mr Jacobs...bravo!

Elie Saab

Now I couldn't do this post without mentioning this brilliant designer.  I'm sure you will agree that the clothes from Elie Saab are all absolutely stunning. They are so feminine and beautifully designed and the work that goes into the pieces is mind blowing...I adore the attention to every detail.

 

Love, love, love everything from this designing house!!!

Well....there you have it folks. What do you guys think? Did you like these designers, and who were your favourites?

And of course don't forget to enter my Giveaway...just click here to enter...you have a few days left!!

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Haul and Giveaway!!! :-) CLOSED!!!

Hi all!

Today I am back with a haul for you all! This is a collective haul from the past month, I've been spending a lot which is never a good thing....but also not a bad thing! lol

I also have a little treat at the end of the post!!! Yayyy!!! :-)

Haul

So here's what I picked up....

Based on the recommendations of the uber skin care expert Caroline Hirons, I was forced into buying these 2 beauties! I have very dehydrated skin and I've heard nothing but good things about the Hydraluron... cannot wait to try this. I'll be sure to do a review once I've tried it out.

I am constantly looking for a new eye cream to prevent ageing and tackle dark circles etc. I also heard about this from Caroline and I love the ingredients...on paper it should be great...but we shall see.

This was another much talked about product, the Charles Worthington melting balm, I've heard Fleur de Force rave about this....you see how easily influenced I am! I've used this once and its really lovely...leaves hair soft and shiney! I'll use it a few more times and report back with a review.

I have horribly dry skin so when I saw this Nivea in-shower conditioner on an advert I was sold on it! It's quite a weird concept you apply it and then wash off...but hey if it works I'm all for it.

No haul can be complete without some makeup...and I finally get my mits on the Maybelline lip balms...yet to try but I have a feeling they'll be good, judging from what I've been reading. I stocked up on the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer...love this stuff. And I got the Rimmel nude eyeliner, it was finally in stock in my local store, about time an all!

I got these very pretty pieces of jewellery from the Debenhams sale, I LOVE this statement necklace from Jenny Packam its so pretty and intricate, a great piece to dress up an outfit. Cannot wait to wear it...i just found my excuse for a day out now! lol

Giveaway

And now its time for the giveaway..the best bit. Now I firstly have to apologise but this giveaway will only be for my UK peeps. However fear not I have a wonderful international giveaway coming very very soon!! So please keep your eyes peeled for that.

Now first for the prizes, they are....

 

A Mayelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch, it seems to be a very popular shade so I thought why not. Then we have these really cute pink earrings from Warehouse. I loved these, very girly and not too much either...perfect!

Now how to win....

1. Be a subscriber of course

2. Leave a comment below on what you think I should blog about

3. UK only please (though I will have an international giveaway soon)

3. 1 entry per person please

4. You can get an extra entry if you follow me on twitter @SecretBlogger11

5. You can get an extra entry if you follow me on Instagram @TheSecretBlogger2011

6. You can get an extra entry if you blog about this giveaway (please leave a link to the post)

(If you do number 4 or 5 leave your Twitter names and Instagram names please) 

The giveaway will close on  6 October at 8.00pm (BST). GOOD LUCK!!

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Nails of the moment....

 Hi all!

I made my first foray into the world of nail wraps...and yes I know I am very late on the bandwagon. But hey ho...better late than never.

I have to say I find them soo fiddly...(probably because it was my first time)...but I tried my best to make them as neat as possible. I love the fact that there's none of that nail polish smell, but I can't say it was quicker than painting my nails.

But I loved the end result! Though disappointingly these nail warps have no staying power! :-(

Though I'm not sure if this is just these particular nail warps or if their all like this? But regardless they are great if your going out.

I got these jazzy ones from Primark for only 50p!! Bargain!

What do you lovely people think of nail wraps? Love or hate??

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What's chic this week....

Hi all!

I was deciding what I wanted to blog about today....and then it came to me 'what's chic this week'....haven't done one of these posts in ages! 

Anyhoo this week is all about jewellery, rings to be exact. In particular my stackable Swarovski Crystal Eternity rings <3 <3

(Without flash)

(With flash)

These are so sparkly, like all Swarovski jewellery, and I love them worn together or separate. I fell in love with these as soon as I saw them....and so I treated myself! But you can get cheaper versions of these from most shops!

So that's it a short and sweet post today!  Do leave me a comment with what's been chic for you this week? 

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Until next time...keep smiling :-) 

Best Lip Balm EVER!!!!

Hi all!

That title up there….a bold claim…I know, but dare I say I think…no no I am 100% sure….that I have found the best lip balm ever!!!!

I have been on a mission, for many years now, to find a lip balm/treatment that would be able to tackle the Sahara desert of dryness that is my lips. No matter the weather no matter the time of year my lips are forever dry. I don’t know why. It makes me cry. (Hehe a little rhyme for you all).

I have honestly spent a small fortune on lip balms and treatments, I’ve pretty much tried them all…from Vaseline, to Carmex to Kiehls…all prices and shapes and sizes. None, unfortunately have been able to make my lips the way I want. That’s not to say they were all horrible, quite the contrary some were very good….but not great.

Now I have heard a few YouTubers talk about the Nuxe Reve de Miel, but aside from that I hadn’t heard much about this product, and I knew of the brand but it wasn’t on my skincare radar. However prior to my recent trip to Paris I researched on YouTube and blogs to see what people said were good products to buy and this little beauty popped up a few times. And each time the claims were high…I heard best lip balm batted around a few times, and that was more than enough for me to want to get this.

Here’s a breakdown of what I think…

* It smells amazing! Just like lemon cake…the Mr Kipling ones in particular…yummy!
* I love the texture it’s think and waxy and feels great on the lips
* You only need a small amount as it is so thick
* It sinks into the lips beautifully
* Its matt!! So no excessive shine or a slippy feeling on the lips, this is great especially if your wearing a satin or matt lipstick…or any lip product really
* It stays on your lips for ages (when I wear it overnight its still on my lips in the morning!)
* It leaves your lips feeling extremely moisturised and soft and I swear it makes them look fuller and plump
* I love the packaging; it comes in a small glass jar and has an expensive look to it. Perhaps not the best to carry but I don’t care! lol

I could go on and on about how much I love this, but I’ll stop there, I think you get the message!

Now I have checked and you can get this online quite easily, you can get it with free delivery from feelunique.com. The price is £9.50 which some may say is a lot for a lip balm but I’ve had more expensive ones which weren’t half as good. I think it’s 100% worth the money...it’s so amazing! Though it was cheaper in France…so if your ever near a French pharmacy grab this little beaut!!

So that’s all folks, do let me know your thoughts on this review. Also I’d love to hear what lip balms you would recommend, not that I really need one now....but the addict in me cannot resist!!

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Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask!

Hi all!

It's review time again and it's a good-un!!

I’ve wanted to try this mask for absolutely ages! However it’s not cheap at £30 I was a tad reluctant to part with my cash especially as I have the world’s most annoying skin. My skin will react to any random product without warning….which makes life that bit more stressful!

But anyway, in a nutshell I’m so glad I bit the bullet with this mask…..it is amazing!!!!!! I love you Ren!! <3 <3 <3

Packaging

I quite like the packing, it comes with a pump which is fab, and it has a little stopper to cover the nozzle…I guess to stop the product getting contaminated? Nice touch. The packaging is quite simple, nothing fancy and it comes with a lovely 100% cotton cloth.

The Product

The product smells sooooo good, it has a orangey/citrusy type smell which I love. The product itself is thick and sticky, kinda like honey but a bit grainier. It smoothes over the skin amazingly, there’s no chance of dripping, once you place this bad boy on your skin…it will not budge!

How I use it

1. First things first, I cleanse my skin as usual making sure it’s nice and prepped for the mask.
2. I apply about half a pump on my face and jaw line (now I know the directions state to apply a generous amount, which I did the first 2 times, then I realised I don’t want to run out of this too quick so Id rather be stingy then generous!).
3. I leave the mask on between 10-15 minutes, directions state to leave on for 10 minutes.
4. I then take the cotton cloth wet it under hot water, wring out the excess, and gently take the mask off.
5. Finally I splash my face with warm water then pat dry.

I have to say I love that this mask doesn’t dry hard like some others. It stays moist and sticky on the skin which is far more comfortable, plus it only has a slight orange tinge in colour so you won’t be scaring the kids wearing this!

The Claim

'A potent bio active peel mask designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone'

Results

As soon as you apply the product it seems to smooth out the skin and give it a moisture boost.

However it’s a whole other level of amazingness when you take it off, honestly my skin feels soo smooth and soft like I have new skin, smooth as a baby’s butt comes to mind! Lol

It also makes my skin look more radiant and less dehydrated and tight (side note – my skin is quite dehydrated at the mo). Even the day after using the mask I can see that my skin feels and looks better...healthier even. It definitely seems to live up to its claims...I love this stuff!!

Final Thoughts

I adore this mask, probably the best I’ve ever used and I would highly recommend it to everyone. No matter what your skin time I think this is great for all. Those peeps out there with uber sensitive skin don’t be sad I’m in the same boat as you and this product works like a joy for me (touch wood).

I know it’s expensive, I really wish it was cheaper, under £20 even. But its worth all those little pennies so I’d say start saving and the next time you want to treat your skin go for this.

I would look out for the 10% off offers that lookfantastic.com have on this, that’s when I got mine!

I hope you guys liked my review and found it useful, let me know your thoughts. Have you tried this mask? If yes what do you make of it, if no will you be trying it?

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15% off look fantastic.com code!! UPDATE!!

Hi all!

I was sent a unique voucher code by lookfantastic.com and it gives 15% off (I quickly checked on a Ren product). They currently have a 10% off code 'SUMMER10' (both discounts are subject to their terms &  conditions) but 15% is better!! Especially if your placing a large order. 

I don't need anything so I won't be using it, so if anyone wants here it is (bear in mind I'm not sure how many people will be able to use the code)....

4209-B782-4BC1

Remember lookfantastic.com delivers internationally too! Hope it works for you all.

 

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Tweet Tweet.....

Hi all!

Now I know this would have more sense being put in with my post yesterday, but the heat in the UK had obviously fried my braincells.

Anyhoo I'm now also on twitter...yay!

My twitter username is....

@SecretBlogger11

Make sure to fly on over and say hi!

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Instagram!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all!!

I'm getting my act together and I've finally joined Instagram!! Yay!!!!

I would love it if you followed me, I am...

TheSecretBlogger2011

Can't wait to share my pics with you all! X

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Poem of the Day...

Hi all!

I can't even remember the last time I did a poem of the day, so here's one for all poetry lovers out there!

'I celebrate myself and sing myself,

And what I assume you shall assume,

For every atom belonging to me as good as belongs to you...'

Walt Whitman (from Song of Myself)

Cute! Hope you liked that. Let me know if your a poetry fan like me?!

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Summer favs...

Hi all,

Summer is officially here and the weather is beautiful! 

So I thought I'd share some summer favs with you, I love these types of posts and hope you do too.

1. Armani Acqua di Gioia edp

This is summer in a bottle, it's an amazing fresh/fruity fragrance that's strong enough so it lasts all day but not so strong that it overpowers you. It really feels refreshing and I would highly recommend trying this out.

2. Dior Sunglasses 

These are a must for me as i have very sensitive eyes. I made this sneaky purchase not too long ago, oversized Dior sunglasses...who can resist!! 

These are the Dior Glossy 1 in black, in case your interested!! Lol. I love them!!!! 

3. Maxi Dresses/Skirts 

In summer I love flowy dresses so you don't get too hot. Also I tend to go for bright, colourful dresses with great summery prints. A light weight material is essential to keep you cool and it looks great too! 

4. SPF

Now people I cannot stress enough the importance of sun protection!! It is vital not only to protect from the harmful rays of the sun but also to prevent premature ageing. We all love the sun but that doesn't mean that the sun loves us!! We cannot go out unprotected! 

I love the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL sun screen, I use maximum protection factor 50. And for those out there with sun sensitive skin  I would say give this a try, it's not too greasy and also doesn't break you out! Score!!! 

But for those that don't want to spend a lot on sunscreen there are so many great and cheaper alternarives, like the Garnier range, but always keep in mind that you need both UVA and UVB protection! Most sunscreens have both nowadays but always check! 

5. Summery nails 

During the summer months I tend to go for bright, pastel or shimmery colours. I don't know why but having these types of colours on makes me feel more summery (if that's an actual thing). 

If your in the market for any new polishes I would suggest checking out the Barry M gelly nail paints. They are worth all the hype and then some!!

Okey dokey, I think ill leave it there for today, I could go on...believe me! However sometimes a somewhat short and sweet post is better than a long winded one! Lol

Let me know what your summer favs are, I'd love to hear from you! 

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Paris Couture

Hi all!! Now I know it has been a very long time since I last posted!! I'm sorry work just got crazy and working non stop kinda takes its toll on a person.

However I am back today with a fashion post....Paris Fashion Week 'Haute Couture' to be exact. I adore looking at what these talented designers come up....the wacky the ostentatious and sometimes the down right weird! Well it is couture darling and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Anyhoo, I have to say the designer who caught my eye....and always does...was non other than Elie Saab, I am obsessed with his designs, that man is a creative genius. If you don't know what I'm banging on about check out these exquisite pictures...

 







I love the attention to detail, the fabrics and the way they hang and move, the intricate hand details...i could literally go on forever!

I would love to know what you guys think. Are you an Elie Saab fan? Who has been your fav designer at couture week?

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Until next time...keep smiling :-)