Glow Oil Lip + Cheek by Milk Makeup

/ Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie) / 2 Comments

I’ve been on a never ending quest to find a blusher that doesn’t look too powdery/flat or too sparkly, just something that gives a sheer pinky glow. Glow Oil Lip + Cheek by Milk Makeup £12 is my latest and last attempt.

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It’s rather small for the price but it is portable and I think that’s the idea. I was very disappointed to find it comes unnecessarily packaged in a plastic box, rather than cardboard.

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I picked ‘glimmer’ as it looked the right shade for my skin tone online and it does give a sexy flush of realistic colour. However, there’s subtle shimmer or ‘glimmer’ and then there’s full on sparkle with glitter…

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As I’m not a small child going to a party, I will not be wearing this glittery nonsense on my cheeks. How a brand can even pretend that this gives a sheer, natural glow, I do not know! It does look pretty fantastic on lips though, especially when mixed with lip balm or another lip oil. It’s non sticky, unlike a lot of glosses and it’s not particularly drying either. It also looks good arched over green or blue eyes (along with eyeliner and mascara) as the glitter ensures you don’t get mistaken for just having hayfever.

Rating 2/5

I’m going back to applying a moisturising lipstick with my fingers for blush in future.

❤Chrissie❤

 

 

Reducing or Replacing the Clothes I Never Wear

/ Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie) / 2 Comments

Things I’ve Gotten Rid Of 

I’ve been on this mission for the past 18 months or so as I’m on a limited budget. Here’s half of the clothes and accessories I’ve given to charity, chucked or put into a clothing bank and the (sometimes rather amusing) reasons.

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Pictured above

Cardigan: falling apart from wear. Sunglasses: I sat on them, like a dick…I mean I was the dick for sitting on them! Handbags x4: Not cross body and no zip so too easy to dip/thieve. Denim jacket: Too tight (sob). Belt: Falling apart. Hats x2: Too hot/itchy. Bracelet: Too faffy to be arsed even trying to fasten.

Not pictured

Knee high boots and ankle boots x2: Heels too big for me balance in these days. Pirate boots: Worn to pieces (sob). Cargo pants: Picked up every bit of fluff and then my neighbours fluff. Dark blue jeans: Kept stretching as waft and weave the wrong way, maybe? Stupid linnen summer pants: They get giant knees in them after one days wear. GIANT B-boy/skater pants: So wide and low slung that I kept tripping over them, getting them caught in doors! Converse and Vans which don’t support my arches and make me fall on my face. Cardigan that was 18 years old. Fitted check shirt that I can’t manage to do the buttons on anymore. Long-line hoodie to go over leggings, 3x leggings and 4x skinny jeans: I now find all of my leggings and skinnies too hot, tight and claustrophobic because of stupid sensory changes.

Some pictured below

Joggers with diamante: (apart from the naffness of diamante) they went all baggy after three washes. Tiny skater skirt: It’s tiny and I am not anymore. Fake Uggs: They have collapsed after constant wear.

The replacements and saves

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Black cuff-ankle jeans: to replace joggers and those fluff prone cargo pants. Camel cargo pants: to replace stupid linen pants and stupid giant pants. Stone wash, boot cut jeans: To replace many others I’ve had over the years. Snake print pants: To replace wearing pyjama bottoms all bloody day. Handbag: Sturdy, zip fastening and cross body – perfect! Shrugs x2: To wear over dresses or a nice top, less frumpy than ancient cardy. Amazing faux leather jacket: To replace really thin, cheap faux leather jacket which fell apart! Structured fake Uggs to replace other fake Uggs. Flat ankle boots I can actually walk in. Custom Nike Air Force 1’s: The comfiest trainers in the world. Knee high boots: Sleek enough to wear with party dresses and tiny heel which I can actually dance in for a bit. I’ve saved the fitted shirt as the perfect summer cover up. Long hoodie, leggings and skinnies: I hope when the weather is freezing, I’ll be happy in them again.

Loss = 25 items

Gain = 12 items

Save = 9 items

Result = 13 items successfully removed or replaced

Doing this has saved me so much time, space, stress and confusion. It’s such a nice feeling to be able to wear and use everything in my wardrobe easily. Now I like getting ready in the morning and look forward to putting together outfits for nights out. It’s amazing how style buoys your personality when you wear things you want to, rather than things you’re stuck with! Charity shops are amazing places to find practical replacements as the items are affordable and you can try them on; just make sure they really are going to earn their place in your wardrobe, otherwise they aren’t a bargain.

Note: Every item that wasn’t working for me went on a ‘Second Chance’ pile and was restyled and worn for a day, before I decided what to do with it or if I should replace it. Apart from the leggings and skinny jeans which are in the bottom of the wardrobe waiting for Winter.

❤Chrissie❤

Replacing Our Fave Scents with Cruelty Free One’s – The Result!

/ Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie) / 1 Comment

I decided we should use a mixture of Eden Perfumes and Floral Street perfumes to give us a better chance of finding our replacements. Here’s a reminder of what we want to find dupes for.

The bloke

Oud by The Body Shop (as they no longer stock it)

1 Million by Paco Rabanne.

Me

Heat by Beyonce

Deep Red by Hugo Boss (I already have a fairly good one from Floral Street)

Opium by YSL

Burberry Woman (the bloke noticed this on someone and asked what it was)

Final Result

Treasure by Eden Perfumes mixed with Wonderland Peony by Floral street replicates Beyonce Heat pretty well.

Electric Rhubarb by Floral street – which I was sure would be similar to Heat – was fun but had no depth to it, no projection at all and then faded into oblivion after 15 minutes!

Wonderland Peony by Floral Street is a deep, spicy replacement for Hugo Boss, Deep Red with Treasure by Eden being similar but lighter.

Black Orchid by Floral Street very similar to Opium by YSL but a little lighter.

No luck with the random Burberry one unfortunately.

Million Dollar Man by Eden Perfumes is pretty close to 1 Million.

Oud Wood by Eden Perfumes is the perfect replacement for The Body Shop Oud, we are both thrilled!

Surprise!

I can’t even remember how many perfumes I’ve tried at this point but it’s meant that I’ve found some new unexpected favourites.

Wild Vanilla Orchid by Floral Street smells like freshly baked fruit pie. So comforting and natural. It reminds me a little of the original Angel by Thierry Mugler but no where near as sickly.

Virgin Waters by Eden Perfumes smells how a Piña colada cocktail tastes. I have to resist the urge to drown myself in this everyday, the perfume I mean…possibly.

Well, even if I wear perfume every time I leave the house, I don’t think I’ll need to buy any more for decades! Now, I also have lots of handbag/washbag sized  ones.

Which out of all of the above do you want to try?

❤Chrissie❤

 

 

 

I Share the Veggie, Gluten and Dairy Free Contents of My Cupboards, Fridge and Freezer!

/ Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie) / 3 Comments

“You’re vegetarian, gluten and dairy free, so what do you eat then?” I’m often asked this question because lots of people are some of the above but most people aren’t all of those things. So here is my response in photo’s.

I Eat

Crisps, natchos, bombay mix, nuts, seeds, cake bars, sweets, cooking sauces, gf pasta, gf gnochi, rice, soup, daal, chilli, gf muesli, ratatouille, roasted peppers, falafel, smokey sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts in garlic oil, tamari (soy sauce), gf pies, gf tarts, Vitalite, quinoa, lots of pickles, veggie kebab strips, veggie chicken pieces, McCain Smiles (crunchy on the outside, fluffy in the middle), humous, df cheese, curry, burritos, tacos, all manner of fresh veg, garlic mayo, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, salad cream.

I Drink

Strawberry/chocolate protein powder and rice/almond/coconut/hazelnut milk, innocent smoothies, orange/pomegranate/mango/guava  juice.

[I’m sorry that some of the photos could be clearer but it’s so difficult taking pictures inside a very deep cupboard and of backlit items in a fridge.]

If you have any queries about brands and ingredients, I’ll do my best to help you out :o)

❤Chrissie❤

Hallowe’en Inspired Accessories

/ Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie) / 8 Comments

I know it takes some people a lot of confidence to really go-all-out for Hallowe’en but that doesn’t mean you can’t Vamp It Up a bit. Sorry, I couldn’t help it!

Deaths Head Moth Pin (print also available in dresses and tops) – Em and Sprout

Jezebel Tote Bag – Vivienne Of Holloway

Zombie Girl Pin – Worn To Death Apparel 

Cobweb Tassel Earrings – Boohoo

Chrissie V- -V

Making My Skin As Glowy As When I Was A Kid! Using The Body Shop – Vitamin C Facial Cleansing Polish and Glow Boosting Moisturiser

/ Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie) / 5 Comments

 

Hello lovely people!

As the tag line on the products suggests I naturally have ‘dull, tired, grumpy skin’. So I thought I’d simplify my routine and lay off the micellar water/cleanser and expensive Glycolic Acid (exfoliating) and Hyaluronic (moisture attracting) Acid and facial oil combination for a while.

The Body Shop, Vitamin C Facial Cleansing Polish (£11, 125ml)

I love this because it’s gentle enough to use everyday and it’s a cleanser and exfoliator in one. I wish they’d have reduced the amount of SLS as it’s very foamy! It’s not drying or irritating though and the polish leaves skin feeling clean, smooth and fresh.

Rating 4/5

The Body Shop Glow Boosting Moisturiser (£16, 50ml)

This is one of those gel-moisturisers where a little really does go a long way and it sinks in almost immediately. It’s also the perfect base for makeup for people with medium-dry skin. It left my skin feeling hydrated for the entire day and my T-zone remained shine free. It even rescued the look of a too-matte foundation I bought by mistake.

Rating 5/5

After a week…

My skin looks and feels like young, healthy skin. Honestly, I’ve not had skin this good, with this little effort since I was about ten! Rather than absorbing the light because it’s so matte, it’s now radiant, soft, smooth and looks slightly plumper. I’ve had no breakouts around my T-zone and I only have to use facial oil every three days, rather than everyday. This hero duo are perfect for the central heating seasons!

Don’t buy this range if you do not like the overwhelming scent of oranges. I love them!

❤Chrissie❤

‘Autumn Clearing’ of Things Gathering Dust

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In Spring I do Spring cleaning, in Autumn I do Autumn clearing.

This is about half of the stuff that either went to the tip, a charity shop or community centre.

I found I had accidentally hoarded a pile of bank statements from ten years ago, mobile phone statements from fifteen years ago, my Record Of Achievement from high school and Scrabble from family holidays as a kid! Everything that got left behind in my room when I moved out, then got ignored when I moved back in a few years later.

I now have a load of room under my bed and my desk and a two free half sized draws. I’m moving out again so it’s less to deal with then. Sorting everything was hard work but sort of fun!

Are you due for an Autumn Clearing?

Hangover Prevention and Selfcare Bedtime Routine

/ Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie) / 5 Comments

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These items are the reason I wake up feeling and looking refreshed, rather than trashed. I’m thinking this will come in handy for people who like to have a drink over the weekend too.

Beauty Kitchen Products – Oil

They are an independent UK company who try to be as sustainable and natural as possible. This oil is wonderful for taking makeup off with, to give the face a quick massage with and to nourish skin. No more waking up looking like a dried up Mummy, with curiously puffy eye bags.

Laptop/Book

Before I go to sleep I watch an episode of 90210, Lucifer or You Tube makeup tutorials by Wayne Goss, with the screen dimmed. If my eyes aren’t too tired I’ll read a character driven novel. Anything that’s interesting but not taxing.

Healthy Crisps

I always find I need salty food to soak up the sugary alcohol I’ve had. It also means I don’t wake up starving but too tired to make breakfast/lunch. I find the crunching really relaxing as i carry a lot of tension in my jaw.

Oil Based Lip Balm

Skin needs both oil and moisturiser so I apply this before it’s needed. I’m such a mouth breather at night XoD

Scrunchy 

How do people sleep without their hair tied back, how!?  When I do that, it wraps around me like a Face-hugger from Alien and then I wake up with it looking like statically charged spaghetti.

HYDRATE! (Waiting for my new flask to arrive)

I always have weak, sugar free cordial (water just goes straight through me) to sip before I go to sleep, throughout the night and before I get up in the morning. This stops me feeling shite, keeps my skin clear and reduces eye bags and ‘desert mouth.’

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Before I started this routine I used to wake up with a really flushed face, crazy hair, bloating, bone-dry skin and feel more tired than when I went to bed! This has made a significant difference to my morning chronic fatigue and mental health; most days I’ll happily get up at 11.00am, rather than dragging my sorry arse out of bed at 1.00-2.00pm like I used to.

❤Chrissie❤

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aldi Vegan No Sausage Rolls

/ Vamp It Up Mcr (Chrissie) / 1 Comment

I’m just going to get straight to it and say these taste fantastic! I was worried they might be a little bland but they have the perfect meaty, lightly spiced flavour you expect from a decent sausage roll.

The cooking instructions threw me a bit (from frozen) as it says to place them directly on to the oven shelf. Im glad I didn’t otherwise they would have glued themselves to it. Instead, I put them on a pre-heated pizza tray with lots of holes in so that they cooked through all crispy but didn’t stick. Ten minutes before the end I turned the oven up from gas mark 6 to 7 because they needed it.

They are so tasty I didn’t want to ruin them with the tomato sauce and ignored it. A nice bit of Branston pickle would have gone down well though.

Rating 5/5

P.S. These are vegan, so dairy free but not gluten free. Yup, I will have a food baby for the next few days – totally worth it for a treat now and then ;0)

<3Chrissie❤