10,000 Views Competition!!

YAY! It's happened!! I have finally reached 10,000 views. I just want to say thank you all so so much for your time and support. My blog is steadily growing each week and I'm so happy.
So to celebrate I'm giving away a high street beauty collection. I've tried to add in a wide variety of products so there is something for everyone.
What is inside?

• Superdrug colour effects blonde hair toner. I have already reviewed this and it is second to none! Amazing. 
• Purity facial wash. An organic skincare range. Great for even the most sensitive skins. 
• Superdrug Vitamin E all over body cream. Heard great things. Bought. Felt great things!
• Clean & Clear morning energy skin brightening daily facial moisturiser. I LOVE the smell of this gorgeous little product made with lemon and papaya extracts. 
• Lady Gaga Fame fragrance samples. I can not get enough of this fragrance. I thought I would hate it. Smelt it and fell in love with its soft scent. 
• Simple spotless skin quick fix cleansing wipes. I didn't get a single spot when I tried these. 
• Rimmel Glam eyes mascara in black. Great for defining each lash. 
• L'oreal colour infallible eye shadow in time resistant white. Gorgeous colour and has great staying power. 
• Helen E lip crayon. Not avaliable on the high street I picked this up from a beauty show because Helen E's lip products are all just amazing. 
• MUA pearl grey eye shadow. MUA has done an amazing job creating well pigmented eye shadows. Great for the smoky eyes look. 
• Gosh crystal lashes. These are completely sold out and won't be available again! Stunning!
• Elegant Touch nail wraps. Tried these on my mother and they lasted her weeks! Heat under a lamp and apply as using a hairdryer can dry out and the glue and cause them to peel quickly. Also the tighter you apply them the better so don't be afraid to give them a good stretch. There is enough here to play about with. 
• Kiss nail file. These files last me ages. Specially designed for acrylics I simply love them!!
• Ear cuff. Bang on trend right now!!

I'm using rafflecopter for the giveaway as it will choose a winner fairly for me.
All you need to do is answer the question and follow on twitter. You can earn extra entries too by following on GFC and retweeting. Don't forget to leave me a comment below letting me know what you have done with your email address.
Good Luck you lovely lot!
Competition ends on the 11.11.12! So not long to enter.

Lots of Love Aimie xxx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tips on how to get the perfect tan!

Being a beauty therapist I learn new tricks all the time. Some that seem ridiculous but work and some that are just brilliant. I want to talk about how to get the perfect fake tan! Winters coming so our summer tans are fading quickly, so why not fake it to keep a healthy glow all winter long?

What are the ingredients for a perfect fake tan?

• Exfoliator. The day before your tan exfoliate away any dead skin. There are some great exfoliating gloves on the high street. You can simply squirt your favourite shower product into your gloved hands and get scrubbing away in circular motions moving in the direction of the heart. This helps move any built up toxins to the closest lymph nodes which then remove the toxins from your body. This technique is great for the reduction of cellulite. 

• Application of tan. I don't know about any one else but I'm not really fussed on tan applicator mitts. They are okay but some feel ikky on my skin and the feeling goes through me. A fab little tip a friend told me whilst we were training in college was to use socks. Basically get your self some latex gloves and then pop two socks over the top and use these like you would your tanning mitt. Now there are many ways to apply your tan. Personally I find it better to firstly apply a really thin layer, making sure you don't forget areas such as the elbows or backs of knees, and leave it dry for 10 minutes or so. Another great tip is to dry yourself off quicker with a hair dryer. Then apply a thicker layer and pat over it with your sock covered hand to get an even layer on your skin. Obviously avoid wearing a bra after you have tanned or had a spray tan. 

• How to prevent streaks. Talcum powder is your best friend here. Areas of the body where there can be skin to skin contact or areas that rub against clothes can sometimes be a nightmare to tan and the tan may rub off before it has had chance to develop. I find the worst areas are the underarms, backs of knees, inbetween the thighs, inner elbow crease, under the boobs and under the bum. However it is up to you where you apply. This will give a dry feel to the area and prevent the tan from wearing off before it has developed. I have tried this technique with many different tans and it hasn't affected the developed colour at all. The best and easiest way to apply the tan is to place some talc in a small bowl and pat on gently with a big soft bronzer brush and blow off excess. 

Here is a list of the top 10 tips!!

1. If you’re a tanning junkie, make sure you exfoliate regularly to avoid build up as several layers of tan can result in an uneven result.

2. If you’re waxing or shaving before tanning, make sure you do it more than 24 hours before your tan.

3. When you’re tanning give yourself a good all-over polish and apply plenty of moisturiser the night before to get your skin as silky as possible. The most common cause of a patchy tan is dry skin, so it’s crucial to moisturise problem areas (wrists and hands, elbows, knees, ankles and feet) immediately prior to self tan application.

4. Keep palms tan-free – try using latex gloves or our applicator mitt when applying, then simply sweep the backs of the hands with self tan diluted with moisturiser. Tan Remover– which you can use for up to four hours after tanning – removes any unwanted tan.

5. When you’re applying your tan, make sure you’re covered all over. Don’t worry if you go over the same area twice – the tan will only be patchy if you miss a bit, not if you double up.

6. Make sure you don’t rub in your gradual or self tan. Gentle smoothing is all you need, then you can let the product do its work. Rubbing may make the finish uneven.

7. Try to avoid washing your hands for as long as possible in the development time – a minimum of 2 hours. Try a hand sanitiser or wipes instead.

8. Your tan won’t get deeper the longer you leave it – once it’s been on for the required amount of time (check the pack) it will have given you the natural-looking golden colour you’re after. For a deeper tan you should re-apply on successive days – 2 – 3 days in a row will give you a really deep, rich bronze tan.

9. When you’ve applied your tan wear loose, dark clothing and avoid tight-fitting underwear. Anything that’s pressing on the skin may make the results a bit patchy.

10. The hands and face will fade quicker than the rest of the body so apply facial tan to the face and the backs of the hands to keep your tan looking fresher for longer. For a colour boost for the rest of the body, try using St Tropez Self Tan Intensifier every 2-3 days - but don’t forget to polish and moisturise, too, or your colour won’t fade evenly...

Now that isn't too hard to keep in mind. I hope these tips work for you!!

Lots of Love Aimie xxxx

Elemis comes to Superdrug.

"Elemis is the leading luxury British spa and skincare brand favoured by as many as 6.5 million spa-goers per year. The successful combination of natural active ingredients with cutting-edge technology has enabled Elemis to bring to market some of the most influential anti-ageing products and professional spa-therapies the beauty industry has ever seen". 

As a qualified beauty therapist this is really really exciting news!! ELEMIS BEING STOCKED ON THE HIGHSTREET!!! In Superdrug of all places. Considering Superdrug was going downhill fast and worrying about their future less than 2 years ago this proves they have worked their way back up and are doing a fantastic job once more!!
Elemis is a fantastic brand usually used in luxurious spa treatments. To be able to get a peice of this at home is amazing. The products are reasonably priced ranging from £5.45 to £18.99. The range includes Make up remover wipes, daytime and night time moisturisers, face masks, lip balms to gift sets this is very exciting.
The range of products can be seen here on the website. 

This weeks nails!

So I'm doing every thing I can at the moment to avoid watching TV tonight as the dreaded ET is on. I actually want to be sick at the thought. *shivers* Only my fellow ET hating friend Layla Holzer understands and is having a massive sweat on like me right now.

Anyways....
I need less than 200 veiws before I reach 10,000!! Wow, thank you for the support so far! I appreciate it. I'm glad people read and enjoy. My giveaway includes goodies such as Lady gaga fragrance, L'oreal eyeshadow and much more!! I can't wait until I can announce it!

These are my nails of the week! I've gone for a gorgeous subtle nude colour with a glitter ombre effect. Effortlessly easy, Simply paint your chosen colour onto the nails and then apply gold glitter with sponge and fade downwards. So striking yet easy to do!!

 

Other nails from this week include these, as you can tell I've gone a little ombre mad this week!

Hope you like as much as I do!
Lots of love Aimie xxx

My cosmetic essentials!

I love seeing what is in peoples make up bags. So why not have a route around mine. This isn't all my items from my make up bag, just a selection of my most fantastic ones.

1. Estēe Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme My favourite moisturiser. Although it isn't cheap It makes my skin feel so beautiful. Read my full review here. RRP. £47
2. SLEEK i Divine eye shadow palette in Storm. As you can see this palette is well worn! Many people rave about these eye shadows and I have loved them from the start.There are 13 different palettes with a huge array of colours from acid brights to neutral nudes. In every palette you get 12 shades of high quality, super pigmented eye shadow suited to every skin tone. They last ALL DAY and a little goes a long way. I use the matte brown colour over my brows after I have applied my pencil to get a super HD'd look. The matte black is amazing for a blendable eye-liner or to create the ultimate smoky eye. RRP. £7.99
3. SLEEK eyebrow Pencil. Brown. Bold brows are a trend that just keep growing. This pencil has lasted me ages. It's very soft so I can apply it easily. It gives an even flawless look when pencilling my brows. It lasts all day and doesn't smudge. Lately I have started using the Sleek i Divine shadow over the top to help keep my brows looking fantastic. Both products work wonderfully together. RRP. £1.99
4. Estēe Lauder Double Wear Foundation. It goes without saying that this is my number one product  on the market. It clings to your face without feeling thick or mask like and will literally last all day...and all night. I have been swimming, to the gym, clubbing and sleeping in this foundation and it really lasts and still looks fresh. I find that it can be hard to remove at night and only a few products get through it.  I love how I can apply this and just leave it and forget about it. When in work in a busy beauty salon this is exactly what I need. I know I don't have to worry about what my face looks like. I have quite large pores and It keeps my complexion looking flawless! RRP. £22.50
5. Ms Sporty. Dr Balm. This lovely little lip balm is great for daytime use. It has a lovely scent of watermelon. This balm isn't highly pigmented, giving you a soft sheen of colour again perfect for daytime wear. It lasts a while and keeps your lips feeling soft for hours at a time. RRP. £1.99
6. Ms Sporty Eye Liner. Magic. I have tried so many eye liners. Cheap. Costly and simply nothing compares to this. For a tiny price you get a smudge free yet blendable highly pigmented super black liner. The blackest I have come across. It is fantastic and can last most of the day. RRP. £1.99
7. Johnsons Dreamy Time Face wipes. These are the only facial make up remover wipes I will use. With a relaxing scent of moonflower they remove make up in double time and leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. These are the only wipes that get through Double wear others only remove it from the surface and don't clean your face properly. These do! They are gentle enough for sensitive skin and great around the eyes.  RRP. £3.05
8. MUA Face Powder. At only £1 I can not complain!
9. Ms Sporty. Studio Lash Mascara. Again I have used many mascaras from YSL to this and I had to mention this mascara because for the price it is fantastic. Firstly it doesn't flake. No not at all. Secondly It isn't sticky or gloopy. I have gotten through a fair few tubes and it never goes thick and horrible, it stays great right until the tube is bone dry. It works well as a great 3 in 1 mascara, It lengthens like you wouldn't believe  It defines each and every lash beautifully and after two coats its super thick and voluminous. RRP. £3.49
10. Collection 2000 Fast Stroke Liquid Liner. The applicatior on this is great, you can get fantasticly precise lines with this and the handle is easy to hold and conrtol. It lasts well throughout the day and is super black. RRP. £2.99
11. Lancome Hypnose Mascara. I can really pump up the volume to hypnotise with this mascara. It works great over one coat of the Studio lash to build up lashes to the max. It doesn't flake and its reasonably easy to remove. Definitely lasts all day! RRP. £21
12. Jica Lash Extension treatment. It is made up of natural lash fibres which add length, thickness and beauty to your lashes. This treatment gives the illusion of long, strong voluminous lashes instantly. Application could not be easier; Apply mascara to lashes. While still wet, apply lash fibres with a rolling motion of the brush. Ideal for everyone including contact lense wearers. It builds up mega volume super quick and I have actually replaced using false eyelashes for this for nights out!!! RRP. £13.80
13. Mac Blusher. Peach Twist Highly pigmented with a touch of shimmer, you don't need much to look gorgeous. RRP. £17.50

Here is some of my products at work :-) Please ignore how pale I am. I'm not tanned up at the moment. 

Lots of Love

Aimie xxx

MAC Make-up brushes.

Mac Make-up brushes on ebay!

I think these little beauties deserve a mention. I purchased this set nearly 2 years ago on Ebay. I'm not 100% sure of their authenticity as when comparing them to my MAC brushes in store there is a slight difference.
However authentic or not, I simply do not care! This 9 piece set also came with a free foundation brush and I think I only paid £25 for them. Which let's be honest is fantastic either way.
In the current set on Ebay you get-

• Large Powder Brush (This was in my set. Fantastic. I've lost hardly any bristles, it is still soft and full, although this isn't my most used brush)
• Large Angled Contour Brush (This too was in my set. I use it as my blusher and highlighter brush. This brush has been used to death and still looks good as new!!! Amazing quality on this brush)
• Eye Shading Brush (I didn't get this. Instead I had 3 eyeshadow brushes of varying sizes, these are used everyday in my morning routine and are holding up fantasticly)
• Medium Angled Shading Brush 
• Shader Brush
• Small Shader Brush
• Concealer Brush (fantastic, with silky smooth bristles. Not so great for concealer as I find it a tad small. Works well for covering up very small blemishes)
• Small Angled Brush (This is by far the best brush in the set. Soft bristles, yet very firm. Works amazingly for applying eyeliner or use on the brows. 
• Fine Liner Brush (Basically a sponge on a stick, works okay for blending, however it is still going strong!)

With all the brushes I can't complain about quality whatsoever as they ultimately have stood up to the test of time and been extremely well used. Washing them regularly goes without saying to help with hygiene and longevity. I have lost minimal bristles and the quality of them is almost like new. They feel great against your skin very smooth and they grab the product well to help with a fantastic even application.

I have had an absolute bargain with these brushes and NEEDED to share this with you lot because great tools mean everything. The set I have mentioned here is just an example of the kind of set I had. Bigger or smaller sets are still available on Ebay.

Lots of Love

Aimie xxx

P.s So so close to reaching 10,000 views. Please keep reading and the competition is all yours. 

Galaxy Nails Tutorial.

With the galaxy nail growing ever more popular and it being so simple to replicate I thought I would post a tutorial and help you all get the amazing nails you dream of. 

I'll try to keep this simple. 

Firstly start by painting your whole nail either black or dark navy. I have opted for Navy.

Seondly get yourself some sponge cut into small chunks and some tweezers to hold onto it with. These are the colours I chose to use. White, glittery purple, glittery turquoise, metallic grey. I didn't use the pink so ignore that one.

Using your sponge lightly pat some white polish in an S shape across your nail and leave to dry.

Using your metallic grey colour pat some grey through the middle and on the sides a little just to add depth to the nebula.

Now using your blue highlight some of the sides just like a real. Feel free to help yourself with pictures of nebulas if it helps!

Again as you can see I have added the metallic pink into the corners and in the middle. It is really starting to take shape now :-)

Nearly finished...Get your white again and with a cocktail or orange stick dab on dots of white in different sizes to be our shining stars.
After this is all dry add a light shimmer over the top to help create that space sparkle and topcoat.
Simple!!!!

I told you it was easy!
If you have a go send me yours!!!
Lots of Love Aimie xxx

Vaseline Pink Bubbly

I've got it at last! YAY! About time. 

Now for me anything that has "wine extract" listed in its ingredient list is definitely my thing! It has arrived just in time for me with my skin drying out in this cold weather already this will act as a fantastic barrier for my lips when walking around town. With Vaseline it doesn't always heal my lips when they get chapped, I leave Carmex do that for me, but this is going to be great to apply during the day to help stop them drying out. 

The scent is truly lovely with a little fruity twist. YUM. It leaves a lovely sheen over the lips which can be used on its own or over your favourite lipstick. I got this in Superdrug for a tiny £3.49 this morning and it is obviously proving popular as I snatched up the last one. This is definitley one of my favourite new beauty items this month.

"Luxury living is all the rage, but this time it’s all about letting your lips enjoy a champagne lifestyle. By popular demand, cult beauty brand Vaseline Lip Therapy has created an exciting and decadent new limited edition flavour, Pink Bubbly. Available exclusively at Selfridges, Vaseline Pink Bubbly has a gorgeous rosé hue. Enriched with champagne grape extract, this luxurious jelly will intensively moisturise and smooth, creating a perfectly kissable pout. Simply glide on over your favourite colour to give lips A-list colour that shimmers, or use over bare lips for a more natural demure look."

Lots of love Aimie xxx

Estēe Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme

I was routing through my beauty cupboard the other day and found this hiding away in there. It's Estēe Lauders Resilience Lift Extreme creme with SPF15.
I don't know how anyone else's skin feels at the moment, but mine feels awful. I'm recovering from a cold and it is so dry and sore to the touch. I am a massive fan of  Estēe Lauder so will I fall in love with this too?
It claims to be best used in the morning after cleansing. Although it absorbs well and quickly into the skin I think it is a little too heavy for daytime use as it's quite thick and creamy. I have found mine much better to use at night, replacing the moisture my skin is loosing due to the cold wind and other free radicals.
I think it smells lovely, it reminds me of a freshly cut Granny Smith apple. I also detect rosy tones to it too.
I find as soon as I apply it my skin feels instantly soothed.
I am very pleased with it and would recommend to anyone needing a good moisturiser. I am tempted to spend the RRP: £47 for 50ml although I may need to save a few pennies first.  I believe it is worth it though as I haven't ever found such a great little product. 
Yay for Estēe Lauder once again!
Lots of Love
Aimie Victoria xxx

Matrix Design Pulse Mega Dust

Wow!
Just wow. Finally the hair angels have sent something down worth raving about.
This product is well loved by many of my friends and myself!!

It is called Matrix Mega Dust! Mega dust is ideal to create volume that actually holds and it is oh so simple. Simply sprinkle the super light power over separated sections of your hair and rub into the roots. It has a targeted applicator for easy use.It dissapears into the hair leaving behind hair with the ultimate lift.
Its texture is very grippy so it is great for up does and back combing. Words can not do this product justice!
Here are my results.

Before










After.




As you can see my hair is dramatically bigger. I haven't done anything differently. I styled my hair with the name straightners, only I applied Mega Dust to my roots after styling.
Seeing is believing. Great huh?!
This product will cost you from £7-9 online or in salons!
If you can't get to a matrix stocking salon this link is one of the best prices you will find.
Enjoy!

Lots of Love Aimsie xxxx