Pixi Picks | My Passion & Hopes

I never really had much passion for what I got up to in my life in terms of a career. As far as I saw it I was working for the big man, to pay my rent and have some money to spend on lipstick or a cheeky glass of bubbles. I spent two years sweating it out for free for a career I wasn't sure was even really me, sometimes I still feel like that. The only thing I really know is that I have a passion for beauty, a craving to experience what is new and what is the future. 

My firends laugh at how long I spend perfecting my make up but are quick to ask me to do theirs. I am still not sure what the future holds for me and yes sometimes that is scary. Having not found something that makes me throw the sheets off in the morning and sing on the tube to work. What I have realised is that is it okay not to be sure, even when it seems like everyone else has it sorted. I am trying to learn not to compare myself to them, I am sure their lives are not as perfect as they seem. 

My hope for the future is that my passion for Pixi Picks continues to grow, I have never experienced such satisfaction as I have in the last four months from doing something that is a little love of mine. I never thought anyone would read my blog (read my thank to you here) but I am greatful to those who do. I will continue to write, continue to make mistakes and continue to dream. But you know what, I think I am okay with that.

Stay beautiful,

xoxo

Pixi Picks Is Up To New Tricks! TOM FORD GIVEAWAY

People call me the problem child; I’m either moaning about my flat hair, lumpy stomach or spotty skin or spending a small fortune on products that promise to change my world and make me look like Kendal Jenner. When I started my blog I didn’t really know what I was doing or what to expect. It was just a place for me to occasionally rant or rave about some products I had been trying. I have learnt so much from the world of blogging, met some inspirational people and gained more confidence than I thought possible. 

At the beginning I didn't want my face out there for the world to comment on. But as my confidence has grown taking a 'selfie' with friends, beauty products and the occasional animal has shaped me for the better. Thank you for all the lovely comments you leave on my posts they really mean the world!

After a couple of years of not giving my little project the love it deserves I have given it a little overhaul with the help of Baggle Design. So my lovely, wonderful people out there! Pixi Picks has a new look, isn’t it swish?!

To celebrate I have decided to do a little give away. Fancy adding a little bit of Tom Ford worth £40 to your make up bag? 

Well here is your chance!

Tom Ford Indian Rose is my go to nude lipstick. There is just something super lux about adding a swipe of a Tom F over your lips; it just finishes an outfit perfectly. It is also the ideal companion for a smokey eye! The packaging is beautiful with an art deco feel to it, would you expect anything else from Mr Ford? Being my favourite shade, I wanted to share it with one lucky winner.

All you have to do is make sure you are following me on Bloglovin and my social channels (I am lonely!) and Tweet about the giveaway! Simples…..! Oh also, it is open internationally for the readers across the pond -YAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

for T&C's please check the RaffleCopter widget

Faking a Bone Structure | Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring Palette

I blame my lack of bone structure for the fact I am asked for ID when I am buying paracetamol or alcohol. I have quite a round baby face, which many say I will appreciate when I am older, but for now it is annoying. I am a 25 year old woman with the face of a teenager. So in my hunt to chisel my features I asked fellow bloggers on Twitter (@pixipicks) to recommend a contouring pallete to help. There was one product that stood out and was the top of all of their lists, Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette. I popped off to Superdrug to see what all the fuss was about.

Blusher

Highlighter 

Contour Powder

Contour Powder / Highlighter / Blusher

No Contouring

What they say: With multi-tasking elements such a contour powder, highlighter and blusher in one neat compact designed to suit all skin tones.

What I say: The idea of having all three products in one neat compact is genius. The matte brown powder is perfect for creating shadow in the hollows of the cheeks. The best way to find the hollows of the cheeks is to make a fish face and suck them in.

Run the contour powder from the ear down to the hollow of the cheek and blend. I like to use the Real Techniques Contour Brush. The blush is a nice shade, but it isn’t very heavily pigmented so you need to build colour. I’m not keen on the shimmer in the blush; I think it would have been better to have a matte colour as there is the highlighter that can be added afterwards. It is a little too much shimmer to add them both. I use the highlighter down the ridge of my nose, chin and forehead. 

Before Blending

After Contouring (This photo looks edited but it's really not)

I really like that it is s easy to use and is small enough to carry around. Also the price is pretty damn good!

Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette, RRP £9.99

Rant or Rave?

RAVE

Stay Beautiful

xoxo

(Purchased product)

Meet The New Addition - Little Beau Belle

Sorry I haven't posted since Saturday! I brought a new puppy and she has been taking over my life! Here is a sneak peak of her....I am sure she will make some more appearances throughout the blog!

Meet Beau

The Perfect Summer Scent | Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne Review

Hello my name is Charley and I am having a love affair with Jo Malone. 

I admit it is one I can only take part in when I am feeling indulgent with a few pennies to splash. I feel like I am spraying liquid money onto my body or wafting it around my bedroom in a diffuser. Yet it is a luxury that makes me feel expensive, even if no one else gets close enough to have a sniff, I walk around in a cloud of floral heaven. Sometimes I actually sniff myself....

On one such day, my card was burning a hole in my purse and rather than allow this terrible event to occur I had to purchase something immediately to reset the balance of rich Charley vs poor Charley. So striding determinately into the shop I grabbed a small black shopping basket and perused the shelves like a woman who regularly spends £80 on fragranced water! Having spent a good hour getting my Jo Malone fix, rubbing cream into the back of my hand and sniffing every jar and bottle on offer, the shop assistant was obviously disappointed  I only left with a smaller bottle of the Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne, no commission for you lady!

What they say: The essence of charm. Peonies in voluptuous bloom, exquisitely fragile. Flirtatious with the juicy bite of red apple and the opulence of jasmine, rose and gillyflower.  Mingling with the sensuality of soft, blush suede. Luxurious and seductive.

What I say: I can’t say that I can smell apples, but there is a beautiful floral scent that reminds me of fresh flowers my mum always has in the kitchen. It is quite sweet smelling, but I prefer girly scents to musky ones. Also, have to point out that I do not get the seductive quality of it, men are not falling over to get a whif, but I certainly feel luxurious – maybe due to the price tag. I love the packaging. There is something classically British in the simpleness of the glass bottle and cream label. It doesn't scream ‘LOOK AT ME, I WILL MAKE YOU SMELL GREAT!’ like most of the Marc Jacobs bottles I have stashed away. It is something almost of a decorative object on my bedside table, something I can look at and think it makes me look sophisticated……no really it does!

Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne, RRP £39.00 30ml

(Purchased product)

Stay beautiful!
xoxo

p.s don't forget to follow me on Blogloving

Summer Cheap Cheap: Primark Monocrome Sandals

‘I love what you are wearing today, is it from Zara’

A smug look spreads over my face ‘no it’s actually from Primark’ and then, because I want to point out what a bargain hunter I am, I often slip in ‘it was only a fiver!’ GASP!!

Often I find that people turn their nose up at places like Primark or New Look, but honestly I find the BEST things there and you would never guess they cost next to nothing. If they break I don’t mind, I will just buy another pair because they cost me less than the Zara dress that shrunk on the first wash. This was a discussion I had with one of the girls at work today when she pointed out my super cute sandals. These are perfect for summer and look perfect teamed with white jeans or a summer dress. The best part was that they only cost me £8!!!! 

You better be quick if you fancy a pair, there were girls grabbing them left, right and underneath my legs. THIS IS NOT A DRILL…GO GO GO!!!! 

Stay beautiful,

xoxo

Buff Me Beautiful: Clarisonic Mia 2 Review

As Ariel Would Say.....
'I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty

I've got whozits and whatzits galore

You want thingamabobs?

I've got twenty!

But who cares?

No big deal

I want more'

I have a lot of beauty gadgets, but on my Christmas list this year was a very special tool! Something I lusted after but could never justify spending that kind of money on a tooth brush for my face. Santa was kind, he obviously agreed my skin needs a good scrubbing. 

What they say: The Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth skin. In just 60 seconds, the action removes more makeup and more dirt and sebum than cleansing with your hands alone. Removing more dirt and sebum from your pores also helps prepare for a better skin care regime.

Clarasonic Mia 2

Clarisonic Mia 2

My skin is extremely oily, having suffered from acne since the tender age of fourteen I suffer from scarring and painful spots. I was worried that after using the Clarisonic and once my skin was squeaky clean, my skin would over compensate and create more oil and in turn spots. However, I was pleasantly surprised. For those of you who suffer the same you need to read this review.

On first impression the gizmo looks as I said, like a face toothbrush. After wetting the bristles and my face I put a pea size amount of Lancome Gel Eclat, a fantastic foaming cleanser, onto the bush and turn it on.

Clarisonic recommend rubbing the bristles over each part of your face for twenty seconds, but I use it for a bit longer. Once the brush has automatically finished I rinse my face with clean water and pat dry. 

One negative is the noise it makes, it is quite a lot louder than an electric toothbrush but on the other hand my skin feels smooth, fresh and super clean! I like to use it in the shower to save time and it is fully waterproof!! I have noticed an incredible difference in my skin. The scaring has started to fade and I am definitely suffering from less breakouts. I tend to only use it once a day, or if it is making my skin feel really dry I do it on alternative days. 

Clarisonic Mia 2, £125 HERE

Lancome Gel Eclat Clarifying Cleanser Pearly Foam, £22 HERE

Has anyone else been using a Clarisonic? Have you seen a difference?

Stay beautiful

xoxo