Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara - Review

Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara £10

"This super volume mascara creates mascara creates amazingly, longer, fuller, fabulous lashes. Featuring SUPERFILL™ False Lash Fillers, SHINE AMPLIFIERS, and NOFLAKE24 technology."

Those are mighty big claims for one mascara and a drugstore one at that! On first impressions, I didn't think I would like the mascara. I didn't think I would be a fan of how it applies and I didn't think I would be able to apply it without getting mascara everywhere as the brush is on the larger side. Oh how I was wrong! I take it all back!

The mascara actually applies like a dream. It separates lashes, makes them appear longer, gives them volume - all without any clumps! It also holds a curl really well and the shade of black is a really nice shade but that may be down the 'shine amplifiers' reflecting the light. I find one coat is perfect for the daytime and during the evening when I like a more dramatic look, it can be layered without clumping.

I haven't got a bad thing to say about this mascara. I even like the smell! I definitely recommend that you give this mascara a try if you haven't found your perfect mascara. This may be the one! It's one of Soap & Glory's best sellers as for the past three years, it's been included in their 'Best Of' gift sets.

Are you a fan of Soap & Glory make up? Have you tried this mascara?

Rachel x

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a personalised planner from Personal Planner here!

NEW from The Body Shop - Frosted Cranberry

From left to right - Frosted Cranberry Bath Sprinkles £7 // Frosted Cranberry Lip Gloss £7 // Frosted Cranberry Soap £2.50 // Frosted Cranberry Hand Cream £3.50 // Frosted Cranberry Eau de Toilette £8.50 // Frosted Cranberry Lip Balm £4 // Frosted Cranberry Body Butter £13 // Frosted Cranberry Sparkler £15 // Frosted Cranberry Body Polish £10 // Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Lotion £8 // Frosted Cranberry Shower Gel £4 // Frosted Cranberry Bath Jelly £10

Another limited edition from The Body Shop for the festive season. Along with Glazed Apple, The Body Shop have released Frosted Cranberry and Vanilla Brulee (stay tuned for this). Very similar to one of last years scents; Cranberry Joy. I'm not sure if the scents are different but some of the products are. I quickly nipped into The Body Shop at the weekend to have a sniff and it's a lovely scent. It's fruity and festive without being the obvious festive scent. I haven't purchased anything from the range yet but I have my eye on the bath sprinkles, hand cream, body polish and the bath jelly! 

From left to right - Frosted Cranberry Treat Box £7 // Frosted Cranberry Tubes of Treasures £15 // Frosted Cranberry The Schoolbook of Love £15 // Frosted Cranberry Tin of Delights £25

There is also a range of gift sets ready made which include some Frosted Cranberry products. These range from £7 to £25. If you're feeling creative, you could always find a nice basket and make your own gift set. That way it would just include products you know the other person would love and it's more personal. My favourite of the bunch would have to be the Book of Love. It would make a perfect gift for someone you love.

Rachel x

Please note - this post isn't sponsored. I just love TBS!

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a personalised planner from Personal Planner here!

Christmas Wishlist

Holidays are coming! I love Christmas and all the festivities and family time that comes with it. I'm running out of excuses of why I shouldn't start listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album. I'm sure it'll be played before the end of this week! Family and friends have started asking what I would like for Christmas so I thought I'd gather a few items from my wishlist. These are all things which I would love to find under my Christmas tree.

Last week, I attended Fragrance Direct's Christmas Party. It was at this event that I discovered YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum. Oh My God! This fragrance is something special. The packaging is dark and mysterious and the scent is exactly the same. I need it in my collection! Soap and Glory is a brand I've only just gotten into in the past couple of years. I've loved every single bath/body product that I've tried and I've recently branched into their make up. Lipstick crayons are a product most brands have launched in the recent years and these Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Crayons are definitely something I'd like to find in my stocking. 

Kiehl's is a great brand and I've heard a lot about their lip balms. At this time of year, I suffer from extremely dry, chapped lips and this Kiehl's Lip Balm Collection seems the perfect solution. It's a sad state of affair when I cannot wear lipstick because my lips are that chapped! Last year, I received a full size Moroccanoil Treatment and it's just coming to the end of it's life. I've popped it on my wishlist as it's done wonders for my hair and I'm not sure I could live without it! 

Last year, I was lucky enough to pick up an Origins gift set in the half price sale at Boots. It was from the Make A Difference + range. I loved all the products in the set but I think the Origins Let Us Glow Gift Set will be better suited for my skin type. There has been so much hype over the GinZing range and I can't wait to give it a try. I've loved Benefit for years and I used to save up my pocket money to buy my most lusted after products. I think Hoola was one of my first products and even though I currently own Dandelion, I cannot resist this little box of beauties - Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O’ Blushes.

It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of hand cream. I must apply it at least 5 times a day. I've tried quite a few hand creams from The Body Shop, including the almond one and vitamin E, and I'm a massive fan. The scents are delicious and they soak into your skin like a dream. This The Body Shop Hand Cream Collection seems like the perfect opportunity to discover a new favourite plus they're the perfect size for my handbag. For years now, I've had trouble drifting off to sleep. It's seems to take me forever and with today's technology, I cannot seem to drift off without my phone or iPad. I'm hoping that This Works Deep Sleep Night Time puts an end to all this nonsense and allows me to have a decent nights sleep.

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

Rachel x

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a personalised planner from Personal Planner here!

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate - Review

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate £20 (10ml roller ball)

I've had this little wonder product for at least a year now and I'm only just under half way through. I always seem to dig it out of my skincare collection at this time of year so I thought why not share why I love it so much. It's actually Liz Earle's 'November Botanical Beauty Hero'. Superskin Concentrate contains 100% pure plant oils including hazelnut oil, lavender essential oil, neroli essential oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, rosehip oil, argan oil and chamomile essential oil/extract. It's suitable for all skin types as it helps to soften dry or mature skin and balance combination or oily skin. I love using it on my skin and because it contains lavender and chamomile, it helps me drift off to sleep.

Liz Earle suggests using Superskin Concentrate at night time after cleansing and toning but before, or instead of, applying your moisturiser; almost like a serum. I analyse my skin each time I use it as I find sometimes I don't need to follow with a moisturiser but other times I do. Directions suggest you apply sparingly and massage gently into face and neck two to three times a week, or as often as needed. As we get into the middle of Winter, I find I use it two or three times a week but at the moment, I'm just using it once or twice a week. As and when my skin needs it. Massage helps clear toxins, reduce puffiness, boost circulation, and aid lymphatic drainage.

At £20 for 10ml of product, it isn't affordable for everyone but you only need the tiniest amount and it really will last you a long time. As I said, I've had mine for over a year, maybe even two years. It has a great shelf life of 3 years so I think it's easy to justify the splurge. Why not add it onto your Christmas list? If you really want to invest into your skincare, Liz Earle have a 28ml pump bottle for £40.50 which works out cheaper per ml. Alternatively, you can purchase 2ml for £6 which is perfect if you want to try before you splash all that cash or it's a great travel friendly option. Personally, I love the roller ball as it's super easy to apply and you only use the amount you actually need. 

Rachel x

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a personalised planner from Personal Planner here!

Personal Planner Blog Planner - Review + Giveaway!

Recently, I was contacted by the lovely people at Personal Planner. They kindly offered me my own blog planner which I was able to personalise to my own needs. I jumped at the opportunity as organisation and planning has always been something I've needed to improve; not only with my blog but real life too. 

I was able to completely personalise my planner including the front and back cover, the size I wanted my planner and when I wanted my planner to begin. You can choose to have an image, collage or picture on the cover. I went for peonies to symbolise our wedding plus they are my favourite flower. There are four sizes to choose from; small, medium, large and A5. I went for Large as I want to be able to plan real life as well as blog posts and events. It isn't too big though and still neatly fits inside my handbag. The planner is for one year but you can choose which month you want it to start from. I opted for January 2015 as I'm traditional! There's even an option to change the colour of the elastic closure! 

You can also completely customise the inside from the colour and design to the layout and features included. I chose a pink design; my favourite colour and included lines so my pages would appear neat. You can also chose modules; the number of these depends on the size of your planner. They include workouts, exams, graphs and tune of the week. As I chose a large planner, I could have up to four modules. I opted for; to do this week, list of the week and idea of the week. I kept the fourth space blank so I had space to write anything else I needed to that week. 

Once I had ordered my planner, it took less than two weeks to arrive which is amazing considering every single one is personalised and made to order. What's even better is that Personal Planner offer worldwide shipping at only £2.95 per planner which is a bargain in my opinion! 

I absolutely love my personalised planner and cannot wait to start using it once 2015 is here! I've recently discovered washi tape so my planner will look even more beautiful once I've finished with it! It's also an excuse to go out and buy new pens! Like I need one anyway?! I love stationery! 

Giveaway

Personal Planner are kindly giving away one their beautiful planners to one lucky reader of Lost In Lipstick. All you need to do is read the Terms and Conditions below and use the Rafflecopter form to enter. I will contact the winner via email and once I have a reply, I will send your email address to Personal Planner where they will contact you to arrange your prize. You will be able to completely personalise your planner including pictures, colours, dates and size. Good Luck!

Terms and Conditions:

• To enter the giveaway you need to use the Rafflecopter form below. The more steps you complete, the more entries you'll gain into the giveaway.
• There are two mandatory entries to enter the giveaway - you must leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and you must leave a comment answering the following question - If you could add an extra bank holiday to the calendar, what would it be?
• The giveaway is open WORLDWIDE so anyone and everyone can enter!
• The giveaway will close on 8th December 2014.
• I will contact the winner via email before passing on your email to the lovely people at Personal Planner. If I don't get a response after 48 hours, I reserve the right to chose another winner using Rafflecopter.
• All entries will be verified and checked, with any false or incomplete entries being deleted. The winner will be announced via Twitter (@lostinlipstick) and added to the Rafflecopter widget. I will also be posting a seperate blog post with the winner. 

Good Luck!

Rachel x

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Five Essence Lipsticks

From left to right - Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 10 Cotton Candy (I can't find this online so I don't know if it's been discontinued or not) // Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 13 Love Me // Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 01 Coral Calling // Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 12 Blush My Lips // Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 02 All You Need Is Red

Introduced to me in June, Essence was an unfamiliar brand which I have grown to love. The products, which average at £2, are high quality at affordable prices. At the UK Launch event in Manchester back in June, I was kindly gifted some fantastic products. Within the products were five of the Long Lasting Lipsticks in a great variety of colours. The full range includes nudes, pinks, corals and reds.

The five shades I have are; Cotton Candy which reminds me of Barbie Pink, Love Me which is an almost nude but kind of bright pink, Coral Calling is exactly that; a coral lipstick with pink undertones, Blush My Lips is a bright fuchsia pink, and All You Need Is Red is a sheer red which would be perfect for newbies.

The lipsticks do have a scent which is neither pleasant or unpleasant in my opinion. They seem a little moisturising as some lipsticks can be very drying. The finish of the lipsticks are similar to Cremesheen from MAC. They aren't too glossy but they're not matte either; a happy medium. They can be applied sheer or layered on for a more intense colour. All colours seem extremely pigmented.

I love the imprinted logo on the bullet; it makes the product feel much more luxe and I actually find the packaging to be quite sleek. The ring of colour is an excellent touch and allows you to identify the shade of lipstick that you want from your collection.

Considering the name of the lipstick is Long Lasting, I wouldn't say they are particularly long lasting which is unfortunate. Maybe 2-3 hours wear but I have found it to be less if I'm eating or drinking. This is the only negative that I can find and the lipsticks are so affordable therefore you can stock up several shades and have a wider variety in your make up collection.

Essence is available in Wilkinsons stores nationwide and they have their very own store in Westfield and Manchester Arndale. Within the Arndale, the store which is like a pop up shop, is located on the top floor actually just outside Wilkinsons! As I mentioned earlier, the average price is just £2 so you can be sure to pick up some great quality bargains!

Is Essence a brand you're familiar with? Have you used the products before? Any standout products for you?

Rachel x

LUSH Christmas Haul

I love LUSH! I'm just putting that out there! At first, I couldn't stand to go in the stores as the smell gave me a headache and I know some people still feel the same. However, now it's a different story. I adore the smell and just walking past a store makes me want to go in. 

We've lived in our house for two years now but we've only just got our hot water sorted this Summer which means this Winter is the first that I get to have LUSH baths in the cold, wintery evenings. I couldn't be happier. It called for a visit to pick up some of their Christmas offerings.

Melting Snowman Bath Melt

This is kind of a celebrity in the LUSH world and unbelievably I have never given him a try. I've actually never tried a bath melt. I think you just drop it into your bath like a bath bomb but presumably it melts instead of fizzes. This one contains almond oil and cocoa butter so it's going to leave your skin feeling super soft. I can't wait to melt my snowman. Some people are worth melting for.

Christmas Hedgehog Bubble Bar

I prefer a bubble bar over a bath bomb as you get more uses from it and The Comforter is my all time favourite bubble bar. I've never used this little fella either. He's made of Shea and Cocoa butter as well as essential oils so it's soothing and moisturising. 

Cinders Bath Bomb

This is the only repurchase from this haul. I used it last year and even though I don't like cinnamon, I loved this sweet and spicy bath bomb. My favourite part has to be the popping candy! Who says baths can't be fun when you're an adult? 

Dashing Santa Bath Bomb

This sounds like one exciting bath bomb. It's designed to fizz from one side first so it literally dashes across your bath! I'm so excited to see this for myself! It contains mandarin oil so smells like satsumas. 

I have one difficult decision to make now; which one do I use first and which one do I save for Christmas Eve. Although they may not last that long so I might make another LUSH trip. 

Rachel x

TGI Fridays Fast Track Restaurant

Back in August, TGI Fridays opened a new style of restaurant located within Manchester Piccadilly Train Station - TGI Fridays Fast Track. It's actually the first of its kind and it's extremely exciting that it's here in Manchester. Providing a convenient dining location for locals and commuters, main meals are served to guests within ten minutes of ordering. The restaurant is equipped with technology for commuters including power sockets, USB charging sockets, WiFi and individual seating options.

The restaurant is equipped to serve 135 diners at any one time. The interior has a rustic colour scheme and memorabilia inspired by travel, local artists from Manchester, and has a particular nod to the most famous train station in the world – Grand Central Station. Even part of the restaurant is arranged like a train carriage and that is exactly where I chose to sit when I was recently invited to sample the breakfast menu. The new Fast Track restaurant has an open plan kitchen which allows you to see the food being made before your eyes. I love this feature and it makes the restaurant stand out from the rest. The man in the kitchen in the above photo was working his first day on the job and I captured it on camera!

The restaurant opens at 7:30am and serves breakfast until 11:30am. Rory and I headed to the restaurant to fuel up before a busy day of shopping. We were greeted by extremely friendly staff who showed us to our seats and handed us our menus. Chanel was our waitress for the morning and she shared her recommendations and told us a little bit about the restaurant. Rory opted for the Jack Daniel's American Breakfast, which looked amazing and tasted incredible according to his raving review. I chose the Breakfast Waffles with Candied Bacon and Fried Egg as I wasn't hungry enough to eat a full breakfast.

In Mexico, I tried pancakes, bacon and maple syrup for the first time which was delicious. When I saw the Breakfast Waffles with Candied Bacon and Fried Egg on the menu, I just had to have it but I wasn't sure about the egg. I thought I'd give it a try anyway but I'm so glad I did; it was AMAZING! The flavours went together perfectly. Our food arrived quicker than a usual restaurant but it wasn't sitting there waiting to be ordered like fast food restaurants. I would describe it as somewhere in the middle which is perfect for the location and purpose.

Although the service was quick, the quality of food or service is definitely not compromised. We will definitely visit again and it's my number one choice next time I'm in Manchester. I'd urge you all to visit if you're in the area, travelling to or from Manchester or in a hurry but still want that restaurant experience. Thank you TGI Fridays for inviting me to visit your new Fast Track Restaurant. I had a delicious meal and absolutely love the vibe of the restaurant.

Rachel x

Private White V.C. AW14 Launch Party

Rachael, Beki, Frances and I

The shop located within the factory in Manchester

New womenswear collection for AW14

The store was opened by HRH Princess Anne

New womenswear collection for AW14

I fell in love with this gorgeous jacket!

The factory above the store where all the clothes are made

New womenswear collection for AW14

Last week, I was invited to an exclusive party to celebrate the launch of the AW14 collection from Private White V.C. The event was held in their factory store in the heart of Manchester, which was officially opened in September by HRH Princess Anne. We had the chance to look in the factory and see the collection being made before our eyes as well as a first look at the highly anticipated womenswear range. We were greeted with cocktails and canapés made by Artisan, DJ Pasta Paul was upstairs in the factory playing vintage vinyl and Josh Goddard from Lucky T Jackson serenaded us with an acoustic set of 60s soul.

Private White V.C. is a luxury clothing brand named after World War I Victoria Cross recipient Private Jack White. Born in Leeds in 1896, Private Jack White was only 18 years old when he signed up to the Royal Lancaster Regiment. It was saving the life of his commanding officer whilst in action that won Jack the highest and most prestigious honour to be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. After returning from service, Jack began an apprenticeship as a trainee pattern cutter at a local factory, before he became general manager and then owner. It was here that Jack laid the foundations of the Private White brand, drawing on the Yorkshire influences that led to the company’s specialism in woollen clothing. 

Alongside company director Michael Stoll, the company is now run by Private Jack White’s great grandson James Eden, through which the company’s passion for local industry has been inherited. As a family business, Private White’s factory has been a key industrial fixture in Manchester for over 100 years. Managing director and great grandson of Jack White, James Eden, comments: ‘The legacy left by my great grandfather is one that champions quality materials, traditional methods and local industry. We have endeavoured to keep this ethos alive, and by opening up our factory space and store to the public we are not only providing a unique shopping experience, but also inviting others to celebrate British manufacturing in Manchester with us.’

Set within a building dating back to the nineteenth century, the shop celebrates the brand’s long-standing devotion to British manufacturing, incorporating basic elemental materials such as brick, leather, cast metal, wood, glass and copper that honour the industrial beginnings of both the company and Manchester.

The collection spans clothing, accessories and a new womenswear line, and is designed by creative director Nick Ashley, son of iconic fashion and interiors designer Laura Ashley. Materials are always sourced locally wherever possible, with the majority supplied by mills within the surrounding area. The Private White V.C. brand pays homage to its namesake WWI hero. The clothing line has a subtle nod to its military heritage, with many items based on classic wartime pieces, updated with added functionality and detail for the modern gentlemen. All clothing is expertly constructed by hand in the Private White V.C. Factory, Manchester, where garments are designed and developed using only the finest regionally sourced fabrics, trims and materials.

Visitors are now invited to shop by appointment at the unique high-end store, a hidden gem nestled within the streets of Salford. After being greeted by Brutus, Private White’s mascot Bulldog, guests are welcome to take a tour of the factory and experience first-hand the various stages of production, from pattern cutting to the hand-finishes or buttons and trims. "We are immensely proud to be opening the store at our Manchester factory and it is particularly poignant as it happens to be the centenary year of WWI,” says James Eden, Managing Director and great-grandson of Founder Private Jack White. “Our intention was always to go direct to the end customer and we are delighted that our supporters up north can now visit the store and factory to see our Manchester made goods in work and on display.”

I had a fabulous evening and I would urge everyone to have a tour of the factory and visit the store. It's truly beautiful and amazing. Also, I really enjoyed finding out the history of the brand and I think it's a really unique story they have. Thank you to Private White V.C. for inviting me to your factory store. 

Rachel x

Professional Beauty Haul

Two weeks ago, I attended Professional Beauty North held in Manchester Central. I had a great day and enjoyed seeing the buzz at the annual beauty event as I had never been before. I will definitely go back next year, maybe with more money so I can treat myself even more! I hardly took any photos during the day so I didn't want to write a blog post about the event but as I purchased quite a few goodies, I thought I'd share what I picked up.

At an event in Summer, I had a manicure using OPI products. I didn't have any chips and the polish looked great for almost two weeks! Ever since, I have been dying to get my hands on OPI base coat and top coat. At PBN, I finally managed to pick up the top coat. Also, I picked up Nail Envy. Since having acrylic nails three months ago for my wedding, my nails have been in terrible condition. It was on special offer along with Avoplex Nail & Cuticle Oil for the same price. Bonus! I haven't had a chance to try any of these out yet as I have Calgel on my nails. I'll let you know how I get on with them.

I went to PBN with Rachael and she wanted to have a look at the Sleep In Rollers as she has wanted some for quite a white. When we found the stand, all Sleep In Rollers sets were £10. Well I couldn't resist could I and picked up a set for myself! We both chose the Mega Bounce Gift Set which includes a hair dryer hood so curls can be created in 20 minutes. The box said inside there would be 10 original rollers and 10 Mega Bounce rollers but we both got 20 Mega Bounce and it also said it includes a DVD tutorial but we're both missing that too. So I'm pretty disappointed with this purchase before I've even used it.

Coconut Oil is such a wonderful product and can be used is so many different ways. Finally, I've got my hands on my own tub! It can be used in the kitchen during cooking or baking as well as several different beauty uses. Coconut Oil is a great moisturiser, a nourishing hair mask and many many more fantastic things. I cannot wait to start using coconut oil in everyday life and I'm thinking of doing a blog post in the future to share all the uses I find. I'd be interested to hear any unusual uses you've discovered. 

I think this was our last purchase of the day. The girl as the stand demonstrated the product on our arms and it safe to say we were amazed! It's quick, easy, painless hair removal; who doesn't want that?! It was £20 but we have several replacement pads which each last 3 months so it's definitely worth it. No more waxing, shaving, plucking, etc. I think the technique needs to be mastered as I couldn't get my legs as smooth as she did but practise makes perfect so I'll keep trying. 

Rachel x

October in photos

Christmas is on its way! (John Lewis)

Discovered Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime - delicious!

Dessert of the month - Warm Chocolate Brownie with Chocolate Sauce and Mascarpone Ice Cream 

Amazing illustration by Jacqueline Bissett at the Selfridges AW14 Fashion Showcase

Professional Beauty North

Popped my Almost Famous cherry!

Rachael and I at Izabelle Hammon Beauty Launch

Getting my DIY on!

McBusted Tourplay (I miss McFly though!)

Private White VC AW14 Launch Party

Happy Halloween!

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Rachel x