What i've been loving this week // 18th January.

Ah the return of the loving this week post, I don't know why I stopped these in the first place but here's this week to kick off.

2015 diary// Whsmith 

If you're an 02 user you'll surely know all about the wonderful world of 02 priority full of free things and competitions , well just recently the had an offer for a 2015 diary for Whsmith free up to the value of £10.00 so I had a look about a thought this was the nicest one , hardback and goes day by day with loads of space to write, So hopefully as Ive said every year before this will be the year to get organised and plan more!

Urban decay naked 2 basics palette // Debenhams 

If you usually read my posts you'll know my last one was my thoughts on this palette which you can read here, but i've never really delved into eyeshadow before but this one is just a dream! and if you haven't heard of it by now where on earth have you been.

Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum // Boots

This was actually an item I got for christmas , I have heard it and seen it everywhere on the run up to christmas but had never smelt it but this is my new perfume favourite! I really can't explain smells but its quite musky and in a gorgeous little bottle perfect for anyone's dressing table display.

Ripped molly jeans // River Island 

Now these jeans I managed to get in the boxing day sales ( yes i'm one of those people ) but I had been looking for a perfect pair of ripped jeans for a while , all the other ones I tried on either looked really strange on me or didn't fit , so when I found these I grabbed them and took them straight to the checkout , I got a size 14 which I thought would be a little tight but they were so perfect fitting and the ripped knee isn't half way up my leg, Needless to say I might hold on to summer to wear these.

Loreal True Match // Boots 

Ah the ever raved and talked about foundation , I thought there is far too many good reviews out there for me to not try it out as a struggler of finding the perfect foundation. I really really like this I got the lightest shade which I think is ivory.At first I thought it was very watery and going to be a nightmare to blend into my skin but it really wasn't I used my Real techniques buffing brush and the beauty bender to get the perfect finish.

So that's this weeks favorites, comment below on things youve been enjoying this week.

Naked 2 basics palette // Eyes for beginners

I've never been the biggest user of eyeshadow , although with the eyeliner its a big yes.Thats why until now I have never thought to invest in a palette from urban decay or any high end brand, no matter how much they were raved about.

After Christmas though I had a bit of spare money ,new year , new me , new make up! So I picked up the basics 2 palette just to try out and experiment before I got one of the bigger palettes.
   


This palettes has 6 neutral matte shades starting from the lightest 'Skimp' which is a cream colour to the darkest 'Undone' which is a grey shade.

To apply these shades I use my Real Techniques Nic's picks base shadow brush for the base colour obviously and my angled shadow brush to place in the crease so it's a bit more precise, I use either of these brushes to blend out and my fingers if I get impatient!

I would definitely recommend this palette to anyone who is a bit weary of experimenting with eyeshadow as I was , it has converted me.

Discontinued // Lush haul

Shock shock , I'm back and with another lush haul , I just can't get enough of that place and when they have a 50% off all halloween & christmas products I just couldn't ignore!

By the time I got there a lot of stock was gone but these are the few I managed to grab!

Hot Toddy // shower gel

 I mentioned this is my last lush haul post but I only bought the tiny bottle well they had the biggest ones and I grabbed it for around £6! over the most as I loved using it over christmas  and didn't want it too finish! If you like cinnamon and glitter this is a good pick.

Ambrosia // Shaving cream

I've never been one for shaving cream or foam I usually just use soap but Ive heard really great things about Lush's creams and picked up this one , I haven't used it yet but done a tester on the back of my hand and it left it incredibly soft so fingers crossed it does the job.

Bath bombs

A trip to lush just isn't complete without picking up some bath bomb , I can't remember the names of these as they were just giving items in a paper bag without labels but I think the blue one is Shooting star and then So white. These as well were end of line so you can't buy them anymore.

Thanks for reading!

Iphone 5s cases // Haul

I think my next favourite thing after having an iPhone is finding the nicest cases everywhere to accessories my other half!

I haven't got many but I'm sure they'll be a lot to add too the post but I thought I would just show where you can easily pick them up.

These first two are very similar i first bought the owl one and then seen they had a snowflake one and thought well I need to have some sort of christmas case! these are both from Primark and £3 each which is such a bargain.

the next one is also from Primark and I'm taking it as cat ears at the top and i'll stick to that story this one was a steal at just a £1 

the last one I got is from Tesco and its made my the brand Turtle, after having a lil wander they had a whole box of covers on clearance and I spotted this one straight away and at only £3 I had to have it! and it reminds me that life is definitely peachy 

Thanks for reading :) leave a comment below where you get your phone cases for some cute and quirky ones.

The Body Shop // Christmas range

So it begins with the christmas items and I love it! it has got to be my favourite time of the year and especially when shops like The Body Shop bring out things that smell like it. I'm a sucker and always buy them.

This month I had £5 off my purchase since it was my birthday so I picked up two items to try out on their new range

They released Glazed Apple , Frosted Cranberry & Vanilla Brûlée 

I only picked up the frosted cranberry shimmer lotion ( believe me there is definite shimmer ) & vanilla brûlée shower gel for they cold mornings you don't want to move from bed hopefully the smell of a hot baking brûlée will entice me out!, these are just perfect for gifts & little treats for yourself.

This Thursday & Friday they have 40% off for Love Your Body card members and a free gift when you spend £30 or more so hurry and stock up on some christmas treats!

Mini lush haul // November

This past month has just been insane for me and I've had little time to even think about blogging which has made me feel really incomplete!! Now that I'm back on track and in routine i'm back to doing what I love.

I thought I would just jump right in with a little lush haul , a few things from the christmas range and a few just golden oldies!

Basically this is the second time i've bought this stuff in the space of a month because my first attempt I left lying somewhere for a lucky person to pick up (not intentional) but I can't go too long without having a lack of lush products in my life so I replaced them all.

Now onto the part everyone is here for!

Hot toddy // shower gel £3.95

This product is from their christmas range , a gorgeous burgundy colour with shimmery gold sprinkles in it to dd that festive feeling! This has a little biota a manly smell to it, quite spice but none the less still gorgeous and moisturising!

Melting snowman // Bath melt £2.25

This very sad looking snowman is very similar smelling to the hot toddy shower gel except this one, made with almond oil and cocoa butter , so super smoothing and relaxing , just pop this in the bath and let the little guy do his thing. Although i'm quite upset to realise he should have had a orange nose , mines must have fell off!

Snow fairy sparkle // Massage bar £4.95

This gorgeous snow fairy delight is my favourite , smells exactly like all the other snow fairy items which I'm sure you have all tried out! With a gorgeous silver sparkle through it too make you look glowing and left smelling like... well an angel!

Candy mountain // bubble bar £2.75

Last but certainly not least is good old candy mountain , not in the christmas range but just always one I can't get enough off with its calming colours and sweet smell I always make sure I pick this up, it's also a very similar smell too the rockstar soap which I'm also a big fan of!

Thats its for my lil mini lush haul , thanks for reading!!

Loving this week #4

Ready for another loving this week? It's a little late , I usually post on Fridays with this but I think I'm going to change it too a Sunday! 

So on we go

Polka dot lettered make up bag // Primark

I picked up this make up bag the other day as my one the zip had broken so all my make up would fall into my bag , definitely time to get a new one! I'm a sucker for polka dots so this was perfect and has my initial on it, very cute. It has two sections , I'll probably use one for brushes and one for make up items. The material is really nice and easily cleanable which is obviously a plus! This was £3.00.

Loreal Paris hair expertise everpure colour care & Moisture Shampoo&Conditioner // Boots

I found this in the clearance section in boots , I really suggest looking into this section as you can get some amazing deals! This product is originally £6.20 each and I got them for £3.10 each, Im not sure why these were in clearance as there was nothing wrong with them but this is definitely my new favourite shampoo and conditioner. Smell in these products is important for me and these definitely tick the boxes.

The shampoo smells very fresh and the conditioner I can definitely smell peppermint when I use this, they leave my hair feeling gorgeous and too know they protect my dyed hair is an added bonus!

Alexa Chung 'It'// Waterstones 

I'm sure you've all heard about this book , I picked up the paperback one as they were doing a buy one get one half price for this. I read this in a day , I loved how it was like an advice / information but done in a subtle way. Would suggest this book to anyone that loved beauty & fashion!

Dark red block heel chelsea boots //  New Look

I spotted these within some displays in New Look last week and knew I had to have them, funny enough I haven't had them off my feet since , these are super easy to walk in and are quite spongey , they go with pretty much everything but I've been wearing them with dresses and my boyfriend coat for a very Autumn look! these were only £24.99 which I think is a bargain!

Thanks for reading! If you've been enjoying any of these items too let me know below!

Benefit // How to look the best at everything flawless complexion kit review.

I picked up this little beauty from Debenhams last week and have used it quite a few times now so I thought I should share my opinion on the cute little complexion kit! First off, round of applause for packaging , here I am sucked in again just cause the packaging it to die for! i think you could agree!

Whats included?

Porefessional // 7.5ml

Hello flawless oxygen wow SPF 25 ivory // 7.0ml

Boi - ing 01 & 02 // 2 x 1.5

Hello flawless 'I love me' // 4.0g

It also includes some helpful tips & tricks to help you apply and use these products to get the best results , I thought that was a really nice touch.

Before I got started I cleansed , moisturised and applied eye cream to prep, this one I got in my September birch box and have got to say I am loviiinnngg.

I started off with using the porefessional , this is something I've never tried before despite its popularity , I was surprised when I took some product out and it wasn't clear or white like all the previous primers I've tried out but it was completely transparent on the face and blended well into my zones of enlarged pores!

Despite reallllly not wanting too , I didn't like the product at all. The colour was completely off and made me look orange but i'm ultra pale so always need the lightest of lightest everything! the finish was also very sheer but upon doing this post I read the tips & tricks and it says to pat on for a more full coverage look so I might give it another shot.

This I loved! I use for under my eyes and on my blemishes, I blended both colours to get the desired finish and patted on to my blemishes and under eye circles , the consistency is really creamy so perfect for picking up product and makes it easy to work with. 

Last step was the powder , i'm not a massive user of powder as it makes me feel really cake so tend to just apply it it the areas where my make up slips during the day and I really liked this one , a really nice finish and colour which I had fears about since the foundation was too dark for me.

I would definitely recommend this kit, they have the kit in light, medium & deep so make sure you pick up the right one!

Thanks for reading and comment below on your opinions of the kit!

Follow me on

Instagram - thegreatcatsbyx

Twitter - thegreatcatsbyx

Barry M Nail polishes // Autumn shades

Barry M have brought out an autumn gel nail polish range to add to their already gorgeous colour range.

I first seen them featuring in a few blog posts and thought the colours were just amazing.

They remind me of fallen leaves on a crisp autumn morning (getting all poetic)

These two colours I picked up were chilli & paprika , loving the names!

Application was great as usual , always a shiny & sleek finish.Another big factor in nail polish with me is definitely how long they take to dry , I'm the most impatient person ever and always seem to be doing something so waiting on my nails to dry is just a big no no , I've found with the Barry M gel range it drys so quickly!

Both of these were £3.99 and both Boots & Superdrug have deal on Barry M right now so definitely rush to the shops to pick up your new Autumn colours!

Thanks for reading!

Follow me on

Instagram - thegreatcatsbyx

Twitter - thegreatcatsbyx

September Birchbox // Review

Oh beauty boxes , one of the things I really have a love / hate relationship with , well used too!

I subscribed to birch box some time last year and was throughly disappointed , I have paid £10 to get some samples most of which said 'free sample on them' so I unsubscribed straight away.

Through that time i've seen a vast improvement in the boxes and thought I would give it a whirl again , So I subscribed at the beginning on September. 

I'm going to do a little review on the products in the box and what I thought it it as a whole!

So this months box was based on Happy days as you may have guessed! about sharing and remembering good & happy times and all items in the box are to keep you looking great through they times. I thought this was such a sweet idea! 

On to the products

Caudalie // Divine Oil

I have to say I am super impressed with this item, the sample is in a glass bottle and it's 15ml. I'm really bad at describing smells but this smells like cucumber I think don't count me on that! 

You can use this product on face , hair & body , I've used it quite a few times on my hair just on the ends and it's so lovely. Leaves it smelling nice and looking nourished!

Benefit // It's potent! eye cream

I'm sure everyone and their cat has heard about benefits skin care. I haven't got a chance to try anything out yet so when I seen this in the box I was supppper excited. I have read a lot of great reviews and nothing but nice things said about it and I would have to say the same, it's cooling on the eyes and smells very clean. I was impressed with the sample size as well! especially since this is a product where a little goes a long way!

Modelco // Lip Lacquer in Morrocco

Unfortunately for this product in was in the wrong place and the wrong time!

Lipgloss & I don't get along very well and this product really emphasised my dislike for them, I swatched this on the back of my hand and as soon as I took the applicator out the tube the were drips on lipgloss falling off  MESSSSS, this is probably the stickiest lipgloss I've ever tried another reason why I wouldn't let it near my lips and it was really sheer which isn't a problem for some people but I like lip colour to be a lot more pigmented.

I do have one plus about this product and thats it smells like strawberries , so maybe i'll just have it as a small snack instead of lipgloss. (obviously joking)

Premae // Mild dermabrasion face & body scrub 

This product I reallly liked, I often dabble with face scrubs at this time of year cause of the dry skin but I feel like most of the ones I tried just dried it out even more, but this was like a burst of moisture and will definitely be investing in the full size product!

Agave // Healing oil treatment 

This little one is quite a treat, it smells GORGEOUS and rubs in to the ends of my hair just amazing! the sample bottle is glass which I much prefer and a little goes a long way! so I'm sure this will last me a little while before I definitely repurchase!

Urban Fruit // Smashing strawberry

I loved these! they simply just strawberries that have been baked and my god they are tasty. I love little snacks like this that I can just pop in my bag for when I'm out and about and get a bit peckish. You can get these in a variety of different fruits and I will definitely be getting some more!

Well thats my review of Septembers birch box , fancy picking one up yourself? just use this link http://birchbox.co.uk/?raf=19411

Thanks for reading!

Loving this week #3

I'm getting quite into the swing of these posts now! 

This week I have chucked in a now beauty or fashion item as you can probably see and think i'll do this from now on!

So to get started...

Tartan scalloped top // Asda 

I had seen this a few times in Asda and always said I was going to buy it then change my mind but I eventually picked it up and took the plunge , I kind of went off this print as I just seen it everywhere but the shape and style of the shirt I loved, it was really flattering and fitted perfectly so I couldn't turn it down.

I also fell back in love with the pattern after seeing this on me. They have matching shorts to go with this but they didn't compliment me as well so I thought I would just get this.

At only £10 this was a bargain!

Pale pink shoulder bag // Primark 

I picked this up quite a while back but only have got started to use it and I love it! I got it based on the colour. I usually carry around a masssssive shoulder bag and it was just getting to sore and exhausting so I thought I would use this.

The space it a big limited but you have a front compartment to put little things in then in the main compartment it has a little pocket for your phone and a zip compartment. Ideal for just little trips about!

Rich moisturiser // Simple

Now I'm sure you have all heard about simple and what there about, about a week ago I was suffering from really really dry skin around my chin and upper lip , this happens from time to time if something aggravates it, So I cut my usual skin routine out and just implemented all Simple products and I know they work for me. I picked up the rich moisturiser cause I wanted this problem fixed quickly and can honestly say after suffering from it for 4 days just 1 day use of this and my skin was back to normal. Thank the lord for Simple!

2 in 1 cleanser & Toner // Nivea

I've never been a fan of something that claims to be 2 in 1 but when I was picking up a new moisturiser it was 3 for £5 and thought I might as well have a little nosey and I found this , I needed a new cleanser anyway and thought I would branch out and try a few more brands than I usually use, Nivea has been a brand I haven't used since I was really young so I picked this up. Ive used this about 10 times now and LOVE IT, the smell is so refreshing and  leaves the skin so soft to touch. Definitely impressed with this little find.

Medium house blend // Starbucks

I'm going to sound like such a snob here but the taste of instant coffee to me make me feel ill but I'm a massive coffee fan and have been since about the age of 12 , I can only drink ground, filtered and often dabble with what the supermarkets have to offer. I think it was quite a few years back that Starbucks starting selling their coffee in Asda & Tesco but before I would usually just buy it out of Starbucks itself, but I found this in Asda and it's just delicious. Although I think i'm going to invest in a coffee machine cause the cafeteria  it a whollllle lot of effort at 6 in the morning!

Thanks for reading!! comment below and let me know what you've been loving this week!

Little Finds // Home Bargains

I'm quite partial to a hunt around stores such as home bargains , b&m's and even a little nosey in pound land. I don't always find things but most of the time I fid nice little pieces for my room to brighten it up or just add a little character.

A couple of days ago a took a trip into home bargains as ones just opened in my town , I found it okay there was definitely nice things and obviously at prices you just couldn't turn down.

I managed to find this nice Ring holder , which is just a little white dish with a rabbit in the middle. I thought this was just the sweetest and grabbed it straight away. 

The next thing was this mug.

Now background with me and mugs i'm addicted ( each to their own they say ) and every time I'm in some sort of home store I always go straight for mugs. I don't have a clue why this happens!

Needless to say my cupboard is bursting full of mugs to the point theres no more room for anything else! 

I saw this tin mug and just couldn't turn it down! But I thought I could maybe use it for my make up brushes instead of drinking out of, minus the risk of my cupboards caving in and all mugs smashed (possible worst nightmare) 

These two items now sit proudly on my dressing table and just add more excitement too it! 

Naughty me threw out the receipt but I can promise both items were below £2!! 

I think it your room just needs a little brightening up or a change these stores are the best

 If you would like to see a food version of this comment below as I've found some gold in these stores!

Thanks for reading :)