E.L.F. Villainous Villains: Evil Queen Day and Night!

Today I am bringing you another one of the looks that I created using the E.L.F. Villainous Villains books. This time, I used the Evil Queen Devious Dramatic Eyes Book. I followed the directions for the eye looks, making minor changes where I saw fit. And here are the finished looks.

Left: Day Evil, Right: Night Villain

For the Day Evil look, I followed the directions for the look exactly. The only change I made was to use the Elf cream eyeliner rather than the liquid liner, simply because I find the cream eyeliner easier to work with. I'm wearing NYC Instant Lash mascara for the day look. For my lips, I used the lip color that came with the book, and I topped it with the elf super glossy lip shine in flirt for some added shine. on my cheeks is the Elf HD blush in superstar.

For the Night look, I again followed the directions exactly. The only change I made was to add a bit of the shimmery brown along my lower lash line, and again to use the cream eyeliner in black. I used two coats of maybelline the falsies mascara for some extra drama. On my lips is the Night lip color from the book. I found these lip colors to be a bit hard, but applied over top of a lip balm they became easier to work with. On top of the lip color, I used Elf Luscious liquid lipstick in bark. On my cheeks is the blush from the Elf contouring blush and bronzing duo in Turks and Caicos.

The directions for these looks were very easy to follow. For the day look, I found the eyeshadows to be less pigmented than I would like, even over top of a primer. The night eyeshadows were very pleasant to work with, pigmented and easily blended. Overall, I do like this book, I just wish the day eyeshadows had been a bit more pigmented.

So what did you think of these looks? Let me know in the comments below. And be sure to be on the lookout for the last looks in this series, the Maleficent Smoky looks!

NOTD+Sally Hansen Salon effects Review

A while back while I was in a discount store I picked up a box of the Sally Hansen Salon effects real nail polish strips. I finally got around to applying them today, and I thought I would share with you my experience with them, and show you the finished product.

I bought the nail polish strips in the color How Romantic! These are a mosaic design with different shades of pink. I think I remember these particular ones coming out around Valentine's Day. The design isn't exactly fall appropriate, which is probably why I scored these for 2 dollars. Still, I like the look of them, and wanted to try them out.

The box comes with two separate foil packets that each contain 8 nail polish strips. Before I even began this manicure I decided that I was going to use the nail polish strips as accent nails, that way I could get two manicures out of one box of strips. (I ended up using 6 of the 8 strips, and I used NYC nail polish in Fuchsia shock on the other nails- it matches these strips perfectly!)Plus, I figured if I messed it up too badly, I would get another shot at it. The package also includes a wooden stick for pushing back your cuticles and a little file that is used to shape your nails and remove the excess nail polish strip when you are putting them on.


The packaging tells you to make sure that you have clean nails and then to pick the polish strip that will best fit your nail. Ok, so far so good I had no problems with this step. I was able to find polish strips that would work for each of the nails I wanted to use them on. Then it tells you to peel off the clear protective plastic cover. Again, no problems. Then it tells you to peel the nail polish strip from the backing paper. Here's where I encountered my first issue.

Some of the strips came right off the paper backing no trouble at all. Others were stuck tight to it. I don't know if it's because this is an older design, or because I didn't use it right away after I bought it, but I really struggled to get the paper backing off some of the strips. Because of that, the pattern on some of the strips got a bit distorted. It wasn't too bad, but it was the first hiccup I had with applying these.

After you have the nail polish strip off the backing it tells you to break the silver tab off the strip. Here's where I had problem number two. When I did that to the very first one I managed to rip the nail polish strip right in half. Luckily it ripped in a place that I was still able to use it, but still. I was much more careful after that.

Then, it tells you to place strip against the cuticle line, hold strip at center and press the nail strip to the nail, gently stretching the strip to fit. Well, once again I had issues. I had a hard time getting the pattern straight on my nails, and when I stretched the strip to fit, it again distorted the pattern. So with the other strips, to avoid distorting the pattern, I didn't stretch the strip, which then led to bare spots on my nails.

Overall, as you can probably tell, I had a hard time putting these things on. I think it's just because it was my first time, but still. Had I paid full price for these I have seen them in the stores for anywhere between 8 and 10 dollars) I would have been tremendously upset at the results of this manicure. Because I only paid two dollars, I am not too heart broken. For my first experience with these nail strips, I have to say I am not impressed. I still have 6 strips left to try, and I will give those a shot providing that the strips I have on now last. I have a feeling that the first time I stick my hands in dishwater these will peel right off.

So, while I love the idea behind these, I doubt very much if I will be purchasing these again. For the price, these just simply aren't easy enough to work with. Perhaps others would enjoy these and not have the same issues with application that I did, but for me, it's just not worth the trouble. Unless I see a design I absolutely cannot pass up, I will be skipping these from now on!

Sally Hansen Salon effects nail strips in How Romantic!
 and NYC Fuchsia Shock on the other nails

you can see the gaps where the nail polish strip didn't line up right,
 and I didn't want to stretch it and distort the image further

Have you tried the Sally Hansen Salon effects nail polish strips? What was your experience with them? did I just get a bad batch, or did I do something wrong? Leave me a comment down below and let me know! Thanks for reading!

E.L.F. Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow review and swatches

I have quite a few reviews coming up on the blog soon. I asked on the Budget Beauty Facebook page which review you would like to see first, and someone said the review for pressed mineral eyeshadow. So here ya go!

Not too long ago, Elf was having a deal on their website. If you purchased 20 dollars worth of products, you could use a coupon code and get 20 dollars worth of products from their mineral line for free. I did not have any experience with Elf's mineral line of products (except for a couple of brushes that I have received in myster bags, or as free gifts) so I jumped at the chance. I was most intrigued by their newest product in the mineral line, the pressed mineral eyeshadows. I have always heard great things about their mineral eyeshadows, but had never jumped on the bandwagon because I am really not a fan of loose shadows. They are messy, and I tend to have a hard time working with them. So, when they released the pressed ones, I was eager to try them, and this deal seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I purchased 5 of the 10. I got Disco DJ, a light silvery grey. Lunch Break, a mid toned brown with a satin finish. Out all Night, a dark gunmetal grey. What's your name?, a taupe-y purple color. And lastly, Wine tour another taupe-y purple-y color with lots of Gold shimmer.

I was really excited to get these. The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was how small these seemed. The packaging is about as big around as a 50 cent piece, and not very tall at all. I don't know why, but I was expecting it to be bigger. So, I checked their website and they say there is actually 3 G worth of product, so that's a lot for a single eyeshadow, in my opinion. I guess it's just because the packaging isn't super bulky, so my eyes were deceived.

Speaking of packaging, these eyeshadows are packaged very nicely. It's a simple, round case, that is black, with a clear window so you can see the product inside. It's nice and sturdy, again, without being bulky. I like it!

Disco DJ, Lunch Break, Out all Night, What's your name? Wine Tour

Now let's get on to the actual products. I was so excited when I swatched these. They swatched beautifully. Quite pigmented, and really soft and easy to work with, with minimal fall out.

top: Disco DJ, Lunch Break, Out all Night bottom: What's your name?, Wine Tour (with Flash)

The same as above, no flash

But, when I started working with these eyeshadows, putting my brushes into them and applying them to my eye, I have to say, I was disappointed. Despite the promising swatches, these colors did not come off bright and pigmented on the eye. Instead, they came off quite sheer and needed to be built up a LOT to get them to show up on my eyes, even with a primer. Now, I can deal with that I am sued to having to work a little bit with products, especially when they are so inexpensive. But, then I started blending. They blended easily, don't get me wrong. They are quite soft. But these blended away to nothing. Whenever I tried to blend these eyeshadows they disappeared, causing me to have to add more and more product. And then, after all the trouble putting them on, and making them look nice, they faded away after just a few hours of wear. They didn't crease, or transfer. They just faded away. And when I tried to apply them wet. I am not sure if this is the type of product you can apply wet or not, but I figured It was worth a shot. That was a disaster. They applied patchy and uneven wet, and the water that I used to wet my brush changed the texture of the eyeshadow in the pan a bit too.

Like I said, I have no experience with mineral eyeshadows. Maybe the natural ingredients and dyes make them less pigmented and not as long lasting as a rule, and I am just expecting too much from these eyeshadows. I don't know. I love the colors. Especially "Wine Tour" and "Lunch Break", but these just aren't worth the trouble with application and the fading for me. I am glad I didn't pay for them. I know, they only cost #3.00. But, there are so many other great products from Elf with that same price point, and even less, that it seems a shame to spend even 3 dollars on a product that just doesn't work.

Unfortunately I cannot recommend these products. They are okay. And if mineral makeup is important to you, and you don't mind working a little harder to apply your makeup, then I would say go ahead and give these a try. Maybe you will have better luck than I did. But, otherwise, stick with some of the other eyeshadows from Elf! Maybe try the loose mineral eyeshadows. Like I said, I haven't tried those, but I have heard great things about them!

E.L.F. Villainous Villains: Cruella Day and Night!

Some of you said you were interested in seeing looks from the E.L.F. Villainous Villain collection and I was happy to oblige. First up is the Cruella Everyday Eyes book. I followed the instructions in the book to create both a day eye and a night eye. I used only the eyeshadows from the book. I did not sure the lip and cheek colors, because I wanted to out my own spin on the looks. I didn't use the eyelid primer from the book, because I already have an Elf eyelid primer open, and I used that. I also didn't use the liquid eyeliner from the book, because again, I already have a black Elf liquid eyeliner open. So let me show you the looks and then I will tell you a bit about them.

Left: Day Evil Right: Night Villain

The instructions for the day look called for the eyes to be lined in liquid eyeliner. I find liquid eyeliner to be pretty harsh for daytime, so I switched it up and used cream eyeliner, which gives the same basic effect only it's a lot easier to control and a bit softer of a look. I used the NYC Instant Lash mascara for some length! I used the Elf HD blush in headliner to add a nice peachy flush to my cheeks. And I finished it off with the NYC lipstick in Violet Shine and a bit of Elf super glossy lip shine in Cherry.

The night look called for liquid eyeliner and this time I did just that. I struggle with liquid eyeliner and making it look neat and even, but I did my best! I used two coats of Maybelline the Falsies mascara for that extra drama. One again, I chose to use lip and cheek coilors from my collection rather than the book. I used the Elf Studio powder blush in Peachy Keen on my cheeks, and I did some light overall bronzing with NYC sunny bronzer. On my lips I am wearing Elf Mineral Lipstick in Party Pink with Elf super glossy lip shine in Pink Pop on top.

So that's that. Overall I really like the looks that I was able to create following the directions from the books. The day look in a natural look with a subtle sage green wash of color. The Night look is a smokier neutral eye. I really enjoy the texture of these eyeshadows. I was able to blend everything very easily, and the looks each came together quite quickly. I can't wait to try the other books and see what the results will be!

I hope you enjoyed this! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Leave me a comment down below and let me know what you think!


p.s. Quick questions...Do you like the way that I have been doing photos lately, where I create a collage of photos? Or would you prefer I go back to posting individual photos? Leave me a comment letting me know!

Seraphine Maternity Review & Giveaway **NOW CLOSED**

* * GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED * *

Congratulations to Becky Gower, this gorgeous knit is is winging its way to you! xx

A couple of weeks ago I was sent a couple of gorgeous maternity knits by Seraphine Maternity. Seraphine is a fantastic online company offering well made, elegant maternity and nursing clothes, made from super luxurious fabrics and patent pending designs. Their designs epitomise Parisian chic for pregnant women, and offer maternity wardrobe solutions for every occasions ranging from dresses, knitwear, shoes, jeans, bags and tights. One of the best things about Seraphine is that many of their tops and dresses double up to be worn throughout nursing too, which is such a great idea and prolongs the life of many maternity clothes beyond the normal nine months.

I was sent the Blue and Ivory Knitted Bamboo Breastfeeding top and the gorgeous Grey Wrap Front Breastfeeding Jumper. Both of these slinky and delicate knits come in a patent pending bamboo yarn that is designed to regulate temperature fluctuations experience by pregnant women (and me, a lot). They are just gorgeous, super light weight, yet warm and cosy. They are cut and hang really well which means they flatter the bump (and hard feat to accomplish) and have taken me right through the first stages of feeding a newborn discreetly.

So the really exciting news is I have one of these gorgeous Blue and Ivory Knitted tops in a size 10 to GIVEAWAY, yay!

Here are the details on this awesome knit;

Add a touch of Riveria chic with our signature essential breastfeeding top. In Silky soft bamboo yarn the striped pattern is very flattering to the pregnant figure. Featuring Seraphine’s patent pending popper front fastenings for fuss-free feeding, this slinky top is sure to be your summer wardrobe best friend.

• Popper Font Opening For Easy Breastfeeding
• Long Line Body that covers Hip & Thighs
• Innovative fabric that helps regulate temperature during the postpartum phase
• Size 10 - fits me with ease at 40 weeks pregnant so would defo fit a size 12/14.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

To enter the giveaway all you have to do is follow the blog and leave a comment below along with a way to contact you.

For an extra entry you can follow and tweet the giveaway "I've entered the Seraphine Giveaway comp @honeysmummy1 http://honeysmummy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/seraphine-maternity-review-giveaway.html #giveaway ". Please leave a separate comment along with your Twitter name to say you have done this.

For a third entry like the Facebook page and leave a comment below. All links are to the right.

One winner will be picked randomly after the closing date: Friday 24th August at 4pm. I will pick a winner by random in two weeks time (which gives me a chance to work out how to function with two babies under two!!) and get is sent straight off to you. The giveaway is open to UK residents only. If no response is received within 48hrs I will randomly pick another winner.

GOOD LUCK!