Lately I’ve been rather…
I’m trying to be more…
And the of course this…
🖤Chrissie🖤
Is that my fave beastie – a Tardigrade!?
Author: Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie)
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
What the brand says….
‘The ultimate high gloss, high glow celebrity-skin-filter-in-a-bottle! This was born on the red carpet makeup, inspired by technology, for real life, in real time that looks amazing on-screen or off.
Smoothing airbrush polymers roll over your complexion for a poreless-looking, creamy finish.
Glossy Oil is a lightweight moisturising oil that reflects and adds light to your face where you need it.
Finely milled powders soft focus, makes lines and pores appear smoother which means it only ever looks as amazing in real life, as it does on camera.
Porcelain Flower Extract is a brightening ingredient derived from a Thai flower with natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to enhance microcirculation and brighten skin.
Ideal for superstar-lit skin whether you want a subtle glow or a mega-watt complexion.’
What I want this for…
As you probably know, I have uneven skin texture thanks to having bad skin into my early twenties and I easily get bags (from dehydration/gluten indulgence) so big they carve two lines into my cheeks. I’m proud of how clear and fairly even toned my complexion is these days but I still need a hand with the overall texture and a little redness sometimes. I like CC and BB creams but find they can either be too pale, making me go from tomato red to an eerie green-yellow or they are too transparent and shiny. I chose Flawless Filter as it offers medium coverage, is available in a surprising amount of shades, and then there’s the whole ‘flawless filter’ part.
Before purchasing Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter £30 I read a lot of reviews; a huge amount said it very good but a few said it was awful but unlike me, they had dry skin.
The packaging…
I love the recyclable glass bottle but would prefer a pump rather than the doe foot applicator as it totally fails at applying this type of product and leaves a massive amount in the bottom, which you’d have to tip onto the back of your hand like 1990’s foundations.
The bigger problem with it…
Above; before using the product, makeup free in dim afternoon sunlight. Not too bad but not great either. Much worse, in fact when there’s a lot of contrasting light and shadow.
Here’s me wearing the product. Talk about unflattering – contrasting light! I’ve taken the photo in the same dull afternoon light but it’s still managed to highlight all of my pores, lines and the orange peel effect on my cheeks and even eye bags. Thanks for that Tilbury. I can see how it might work on me in blindingly bright California sunshine but even then, as soon as I went indoors it wouldn’t.
My conclusion….
I have to say the coverage is surprisingly good and the realistic skin tone shades meant that number 3 Light/Medium was perfect for me – not usually an easy thing.
If you have smooth skin but slight redness or dark circles this could be great for medium coverage and added radiance.
If you are older but have been lucky in the genes lottery this might be incredibly flattering for you.
If you are like me you really want avoid it, unless you want to use it as a very expensive highlighter.
On days where I’m very red, I use a full coverage foundation from ELF and I’ve started mixing a teeny-tiny bit Flawless Filter in with it, so my skin doesn’t look as matte and flat with just the foundation. I also use it very sparingly as a realistic looking highlighter on my cheek bones, collar bone and down the front of my shins.
Rating 2/3
🖤Chrissie🖤
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Essential Style Basics for Winter to Early Spring
These are from my fave high street shops Peacocks, budget friendly but always modern and stylish.
The earrings. I’ve added a bit of everyday sparkle to dull weather days by using the hoops in my lobes and the studs going up the sides. How cute are those little bows.
The bandeau top/bra. I’ll be wearing this as a cute modesty panel with low cut dresses or sheer tops when the evenings get milder.
The brush. The plastic paddle type are the only brushes that tame my hair and make it shine. Important as I can’t keep washing it and letting it air dry into its natural waves in the winter. My bloke saw this flat side up (looking just like a paddle) and thought Agent Provocateur or Anne Summers must have a unicorn theme running!
The shawl. I’ve wanted a warm black shawl forever and was so pleased to find this in the sale at Matalan. This is encompassing and dramatically swishy enough, as shawl go.
Clint Eastwood, the goth years.
It’s so soft and I love the length. An excuse to wear a comfort blanket that also covers your rude bits when wearing leggings.
The longline cardigan. This one from Evans actually buttons up – no ‘waterfall’ nonsense here. They start at size 14 and as I’m a 12 and wanted anough room to wear this as a cardigan -dress (I’ve started a thing) and found this to be just right. I love the neckline and the overall length, so I can wear a pretty vest underneath, tights and heeled boots if I want to dress it up. Look at that snuggly sleeve length! Oh, and it also has pockets that your phone won’t fall out of.
The boots from Lands End for Debenhams. My old brown Ugg type boots have sagged and make me look like Shazza the basic-bitch hobbit. So I replaced them with these pale grey, structured ones with sleek black soles. They keep feet warm with a short-pile fluffy lining throughout but let ankles and calves get some air with a fabric outer.
Which of my Winter – Spring basics do you like?
🖤Chrissie🖤
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Not Disappeared – Just Resting
When I’m quiet on the blog, cartoon me will say hello in our Outfit Of The Day instead.
I hope everyone has the healthiest and happiest new year possible xx
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My New Bitmoji’s
Here’s what I look like on social media. I’d have one of these as my profile pic on this blog too but I feel it should be a photo of the real me, to show straight away that I actually exist!
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Weleda ‘Nature’s Collection’ A Beauty Calendar with a Difference
I wanted an advent calendar that was beauty (rather than chocolate) based and wanted natural skincare items that I would make my skin and wellbeing that little bit better everyday. With that in mind, the first brand that I thought of was Weleda and luckily they had produced one but one that was a little different!
Nature’s Collection calendar £34.95 consists of 12 doors, each containing a different product but you start it on Christmas day. It’s designed to brighten the dullest mornings and complexions through to the 5th of January.
I’ve always found that part of the year to be a tad odd and I can’t tell you how many New Years I’ve started with either a hangover, a tad of uncertainty or both so I thought this was a lovely idea.
About the designer
‘Throughout the year, Emma Britton, decorative glass designer, has captured the essence of ‘The Field’, our Weleda Garden in Derbyshire, and the place where it all starts – the journey from seed to skin. As a pattern designer Emma sees things in everyday life others might miss and she is inspired by floral beauty in both countryside and garden.’
**SPOILER ALERT**
I opened three doors ahead of time for the purpose of this review and because I was feeling pretty bit low the first few days of it going dark by 3.00pm!
If you are buying this as a Christmas present for a lucky someone, you can see the full list of products in the description on the Weleda website.
❤Chrissie❤
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October & November Round-up
I’ve been a bit of a nomad these past few months going between home, my blokes flat and his Dads. No wonder I haven’t been sleeping, my body doesn’t know where ‘my own bed’ actually is anymore! Here is a two month round-up for you.
October (a fair bit)
I reviewed this Maleficent tee which I bought from Pop In A Box who sell Funko Pops! but also other alternative pop-culture things.
I was lucky enough to get gifted some products from my one of my fave natural brands Yaoh to review. Total skin saviours in the crazy changing Autumn weather.
With Halloween coming up I put together a Modern Witchy OOTD. I’ve found that this style of dress is perfect if you want something over-the-knee and strappy but have a bit of belly as they emphasise the right curves and hide the ‘I’ve eaten way too much pizza’ kind. I also love this style of boot because they look stylish, don’t cut across legs mid-calf (which is never flattering) and the heel is low and chunky enough to support a wobbly wench like me.
It was my blogs 6th birthday! I’m so glad that I’ve stuck with this particular blog for six whole years and that you’ve all stuck with me too. Thank you so much!
Dyspraxia Awareness Week (7th-13th Oct) celebrated 30 years. For any posts I’ve written relating to Dyspraxia just type the word into the search bar on the lower right side of this blog.
I reviewed Ciate Dewy Stix in Gleam Gold and had mixed feelings about it.
I bought some seasonal and creepy-cute pins from Little Lefty Lou and Em & Sprout (the cat I’d previously bought from Punky Pins and it tends to spin around upside-down unfortunately).
I put together 6 Simple Autumn Style Essentials as we all want to be stylish and warm!
For Halloween I also treated myself to these pre-loved Monster High dolls from ebay which were about a quarter of the price they would have been new. One is a punky vampire and the other is a goth looking ghost. #stylegoals
I reviewed Ciate polish in Paradise Lost – part of their Gelology collection as it’s perfect for Autumn and the upcoming party season.
I compiled a list of Spooky TV Shows to Binge Watch – old and new.
I was so happy to be gifted these beautiful Moonstone rings from Gemstone Silver Jewellery to give my thoughts on.
I bought the oversized bat-wing jumper from Boohoo and lived in reviewed it. Why I look like the actor Ron Perlman in this particular photograph I don’t know.
November (not so much)
My hair was very happy that I reviewed this Shampoo and Conditioner from Yaoh but I begged to differ at one point!
10 Cozy Ideas for Autumn & Winter. I love doing posts like this each year as it makes me feel all cozy and optimistic for the months ahead.
I was gifted an Exercise (resistance) Band by Care Co. and had a lot of fun and some mishaps reviewing it.
When Hunkemoller asked my to choose something from their range of PJ’s and loungewear range I knew I wanted these velour joggers immediately. Here’s what I thought of them.
I thought it only fair to share My Autumn and Winter Skin and Hair Saviours with everyone.
I’d say this photo pretty much sums up my October and November lol
❤Chrissie❤
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Simple ‘Moroccan’ Hummus Recipe
I know that lemon humous is refreshing with salad on hot days but for the cold Winter weather here is some spicy ‘comfort hummus’.
Gluten and Dairy Free
Ingredients
200g tin of Chickpeas (save water and a small handful of chickpeas for later)
Juice of 1 small Lime
1 teaspoon of Garlic Paste
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin (not essential)
100ml Tahini
5 tablespoons Chickpea Water
4 tablespoons Virgin Olive Oil
2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
1 1/2 Pinches ( measuring spoon ‘pinch’) of Salt
1 Pinch of Sugar
Method
Chuck everything into a blender and blend until you get a thick but smooth consistency. Top with a sprinkling of whole chick peas, a little smoked paprika and a last squeeze of the lime.
To Serve
With bean falafel, roasted yellow peppers and tomatoes, warm pita, crackers, bread sticks or biscuits. Basically anything that’s heavy on the carbs or your version of comfort food.
Enjoy!
Do you have your own version of hummus?
<3Chrissie<3
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My Autumn & Winter Skin Saviours
My skin and hair have been lurching from one extreme to the other as a result of the changing weather throughout Autumn. It’s now landed on mainly dry with compensatory bouts of oilyness if I ignore it for too long.
Pierre’s Apothecary, Renewing Hair Treatment Mist
Smooth on neat when hair is dry, frizzy and windswept or gently squeeze into wet hair when waves and curls need a refresh.
Murad, Age Reform AHA/BHA Cleanser
I’ve found it’s cheaper to just use an exfoliating and cleanser in one, rather than a chemical exfoliator and cream cleanser. This one has the softest and tiniest granules as well as gentle natural acids to remove dead skin cells and makeup. It leaves skin feeling incredibly smooth and looking radiant.
Neal’s Yard, Wild Rose Beauty Balm
Now that skin has been prepped it will be able to absorb any goodness you apply to it. This balm replenishes the skins lipid barrier and makes skin plump, resilient and protected against the cold, drying air.
My cheek and neck area tends to be dehydrated requiring moisturising; my T-zone tends to be dry requiring a drop of facial oil in the morning (or it overcompensates, producing way too much by the afternoon). I’ve found this balm benefits all areas of my face in one simple application!
e.l.f. Foundation Serum
This is lightweight, medium coverage and doesn’t dry out skin, which I find some foundations can do in the Winter. For a foundation without any silicones, it glides onto skin easily and wears evenly, even on combination skin.
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Athleisure Style Joggers from Hunkemoller
When you spend a lot of time chilling in doors, you want to wear something cozy but you don’t want to greet people when wearing washed out cartoon PJ’s from a decade ago. You know you need a serious (grown) up-grade. This is where Hunkemoller comes in handy as they offer pretty and practical pyjamas and lounge-wear.
How cute is this box ^_^
Look at my gorgeous new joggers! With a silky tie at the waste, sparkly sporty stripes down the gently tapered legs and a rich burgundy colour, I invited people around just to show them off – not kidding. They are also warm and pretty enough to go outside in, if you don’t have the time (or simply can’t be bothered, let’s be honest) to get changed.
They are made of a velour type material which I love because a) They are bunny soft b) They have some substance about them so they don’t end up getting baggy knees after a day of wear and c) They look sumptuous, especially in burgundy.
These are a ‘Small’ and although I agree with that as far as the waste band goes, I think they could have been a little more fitted around the top and the back. I’m glad I have slightly thick thighs and a lot of junk in the ole’ trunk, put it that way! To be fair, they are one of the few tapered pants I can wear that don’t feel like they are cutting off the circulation in my ankles and the length is perfect for my 5’8″ height. I’d say overall Hunkemoller sizing is generous.
If you could treat yourself to a lounge-wear/pyjama upgrade for the winter, what item would you choose?
❤Chrissie❤
