We have moved

All activity swill now be at Fiorefashion, pop on over for baby, fashion, lifestyle and our new business posts

http://fiorefashion.blogspot.co.uk

New fashion blog

Sorry guys but this blog is going to need to take a back seat. I want to start a fashion business so have launched a new fashion blog to collect my ideas and build a brand.

You can follow my posts over at fiore fashion 

Vicky 

Moving forward in 2013

Hi guys with my upcoming interviews I have decided it is time this blog was divided into two;

http://tryingfortheimpossible.blogspot.co.uk – will focus on my path into medicine and more work related post from my time in science.

http://skirtsandstilettos.blogspot.co.uk will be my outlet for all the beuty related content which has been taking over this channel, please head over and check it out.

Vicky

Lush vs Bomb Cosmetics

Lush vs Bomb cosmetics

I love Lush as much as the next person, however when I came across a small Bomb store in Durham I had to give them a try. 

The Bomb website says 

"All our Bath Blasters are made in our factory entirely by hand. We use simple ingredients and only the finest essential oils. We don't use artificial binders like PVP - our Bath Blasters set naturally over a period of time rather than being stamped out on a machine.

Drop a Bath Blaster into warm water and it will fizz vigorously, perfuming your bath and softening the water."

I got the "Chilly Willy" (Bomb Cosmetics) and The melting snow man (lush).

Melting snow man (lush) 

Unfortunately I couldn't take a picture of my melting snow man as the boyfriend dropped him on the metrocentres marble floor and he smashed :( tho i did get more than one bath out of the pieces which was a bonus.

Now for the comparison 

Packaging - The Chilly Willy comes in a plastic wrapper which for me is a No no as not only is it bad for the environment but they are a pain to get off. The lush is packaging free and easy to drop in the bath 

Lush - 1

Bomb - nil

Fragrance - Bomb cosmetics gives off a very strong fragrance where as the Lush snow man to me doesn't really have a strong smell

Lush 1

Bomb 1 

Fizz/melting - arghhh this is where it all starts to fall apart! The lush snow man was broken by my boy friend so I just put a few pieces in and it melted into a nice oily bath which was divine. In comparison the bomb cosmetics snow man went in hole (it wouldn't break), fizzed very fast however the nose, mouth etc were left floating round my bath YUK!!

Lush 2 

Bomb 1 

Quality of the bath water - the bomb cosmetic snow man eventho he was twice the size of the bit of lush snow man I used had little impact on my bath water and was really a waste of time 

Lush 3 

Bomb 1

Price - Lush snow man £1.95

          Bomb snow man £2 

Lush 4

Bomb 1

Overall I was massively let down by Bomb cosmetics I will try another blaster before I right off the brand however for now I'm not a fan.

Top 5 Drug store/ High street foundations

Some of these I have had a while now on my quest to find the perfect lower end foundation. Hence some of them are in older packaging. I really don’t see the need to spend a fortune on a foundation for work however all of these have been used over benefit “that gal” primer (£21.50), benefit erase paste (£19.50) and benefit POREfessional primer (£23.50). Usually I apply them with a real techniques buffing brush or if I’m feeling lazy my fingers. I could rave all day about the benefit products (even if it has just shocked me how much they have all cost) and wouldn’t be without them.

Now onto the foundations

 1. Rimmel Match perfection foundation (103 True Ivory) (Boots £8.99). I have had this one around 6months and have used nearly all of it. It comes in 6 shades so I can imagine the colour match may be difficult for some people but this for me is perfect. The consistency is just right to apply with a brush or fingers, it lasts until after 5pm and doesn’t leave an oily residue unlike some high street foundations. With this the only place I find I need to powder is the absolute tip of my nose which is think is just where  I rub my face when thinking (Strange I know)

Colour match 7/10

Consistency 8/10

Lasting 9/10

2. No 17 Mirical MATTE foundation (Honey) (£4.99 Boots). This is the latest addition to my collection and is infact one of the darker shades (I’m usually on the lighter scale). The colour match is good but I could imagine darker skinned girls really struggerling. It blends well with a brush tho I often find my self topping it up the way it is so easy to apply makes it a firm number 2.

Colour match 6/10

Consistency 7.5/10

Lasting 5/10

3. Rimmel stay MATTE foundation (200 soft Beige) (£5.99) This is an absolute bargain and is the foundation I leave in my car for emergencies. With only 5 colours the match isn’t fantastic, however it does what it says on the tin and keeps me shine free all day. This is a thicker foundation than what I would usually wear and can be a little tricky to blend making it have a slight tendency to look cakey. Lasting power I’m unsure on as it is just generally slapped on for a few hours if ive been to taekwondo or similar then have to go somewhere else ..

Colour match 5/10

Consistency 5/10

Lasting 5/10

4.L'Oréal Paris True Match Foundation (Boots £9.99) – This is one I have had a while although the range of colours is fantastic (this is possibly the best match to my skin tone) the consistency of this really puts me off. In my opinion it is very runny yet difficult to blend and I generally find it sits on the top of my skin until around mid-day when it disappears leaving behind a very oily residue.

Colour match 9/10

Consistency 3/10

Lasting 4/10

5. Revlon PhotoReady Makeup (005 Natural Beige)  (£9.99 boots) this is the totally opposite of all of my foundation and at number 4 as for me it gives way to much coverage, looks cakey and is generally just a pain to work with. Ive been using this bottle for over a year as a kind of concealer for larger areas i.e. my forehead when spots break out. Once im done writing this it is going in the bin.

Colour match 5/10

Consistency 0/10

Lasting 5/10

Ultimate Autumn/winter 2012 wish list

Hey guys so its only 8 days till mine and the boyfriends holiday so im getting kinda excited. The only problem with going this late in the season is generally I find by the time we get back (September) the weather is getting colder and its back to work/uni, this wouldn’t be so bad if the us Brits didn’t put away our summer clothes the second it hits September but hey ho. Therefore I’ve started to shops for work clothes as I start my 1^st full time job on the 3^rd of September eek excited.

Each outfit is entirely from one website so im going to also review the site below the outfit!

Work wear

For me work is a chance to show off my fashion tastes we don’t really have a dress code aslong as its tidy and none offensive i.e. smart casual. Im loving both the lepard print and co-ordinate trends right now so for me this pushes all the right buttons, personally id wear it with tights.

River island – love this site plenty of choice easy to use, suggest related pieces and can easily view what is new in. Although I’ve yet to purchase the above outfit, but in the past I’ve found delivery to be prompt, quality as we expect from River island and returns no trouble. Only downside come sale time the site is a nightmare and this year had quite a few broken links

9.5/10

University

Although ive now left uni (hopefully only for a year) below is the short of outfit I would wear on a day in day out basis. Peplum tops seem to be a major trend in the coming season, personnaly id have liked to have paired it without bright coloured jeans but the website lacks these (have seen them in the store) and would prefer a peplum top without sleeves. This is the website I struggled with most so sorry about the quality of the outfit.  

Newlook – oh god where to start, instore I can normally find atleast 10 things I would like on the website im lucky if I get to one before I give up. The site for me has way to many clothes on it without a suitable search engine i.e. type in peplum tops (a big trend this season) and you get 3 tops yet a quick scan through the tops page spots 10 without really looking. It is also crammed full of basic which for me is a no no in online shopping as personally if I need a best/t-shirt etc ill pick it up in town when getting something else where as online im looking for something in particular not to traps through piles of dross. Also in the past ive struggled to get a size to fit me even in the store (Size 10) yet always find loads in big sizes (i.e. 16+) the website does seem to win on this points (loads in size 10)

4/10

Evening

Evening for me as a Geordie is about  fashion and 99.999% of the time being freezing, if your more sensible these shorts could be teamed with a blouse with a pretty collar or similar. Ive added two pairs of shoes as ive just gotta have both they are AMAZING. If I was you id get these short now as the store in town only had one pair of sequin shorts in a size 6 left

Topshop- great site with everything easy to find, focus on nice items with basics sidelined (brilliant) in the past delivery has been greats and have never attempted to  return anything to date. For me this goes slightly ahead of riverisland as I like the designer pieces that are featured on the site

10/10

Weekend

For when your going out but don’t want to be dressed to go clubbing. Im in love with metallic leggings and actually have these.

Asos -  for me the sit e is ok the massive difference in price annoys me at times as youll be looking for something and constantly have to remember to set a price limit on the left handside as the prices vary by so much its easy to spot stuff you would love but is above budget.

Hot tub/Pool party

My parents purchased a hot tub years ago and around this time everyone starts coming rounds for hot tub parties as its usually just the right temperature

Hope you enjoyed the post and check back soon for my holiday make up packing list 

Hen night dresses

Its my friends hen night soon which = a chance to shop!! Which is great as I'm in love with Riverisland new season collection, my favorite picks are below.

1 - LIGHT BEIGE FOREVER UNIQUE EMBELLISHED DRESS £385 – Riverisland

2 - PINK FOREVER UNIQUE JEWELLED BUSTIER DRESS £250 – Riverisland

3- BLACK PRINT PROM DRESS £80 – Riverisland 

March loves and hates

March loves and hates

This month has seen me buy so many new products it been really hard to pick out just a few things which I loved however the hates were oh so easy to pick.

Loves

Realtechniques Stippling brush (£11.99 at boots) I’ve always been a fingers girl when it comes to foundation having tried countless brush from the likes of Mac, No7 and even models own who I normally swear by. The realtechniques brush leaves all the other in a cloud of dust, the hair is just so soft (unlike the models own brush) while the finish it creates is spotless a real complement considering how quick I apply my make up, I defiantly won’t be going back to finger any time soon.

Benefit ERASE paste (£19.50 from Debenhams) in the shade 2 medium - my trusty Mac studio finish was running low and I fancied trying something new having used the Mac one for over 4years. For those that don’t no the ERASE paste comes with a little spatula which I promptly through in the bin big mistake, unlike studio finish this concealer really benefits from being warmed on the hand then dabbed under the eye or any other area you would like to conceal, the formula is creamy and such a close match to my awkward skin tone I am genuinely amazed big thumbs up. Plus it even comes with instructions for those new to concealer

Maybelline the FALSIES volume express mascara (£7.99 boots)– I actually picked this up by mistake as im not normally a fan of Maybelline mascaras, this one has kinda changed my mind all the formula does create massive lashes (hence I love it) the brush is a bit of a pain to work with. Will I repurchase possibly but will defiantly be trying more of the brand – hence it well deserved place here

LYNX Attract for her (£3 boots)– My boyfriend picked this up for me and I’m glad he did as it not something I would normally even look at. The sent is really hard to describe it kinda of girly but not making it ideal for my more masculine sport of taekwondo..........I’ve actually been and bought 6 cans as it’s a limited edition. Will defiantly repurchase if they make it a long term product 

The hates and I mean hates

Marks and Spencer’s Coconut body polish – I actually can’t remember when I bought this but started using it at the beginning of March and still haven’t managed to get rid of it. Although the sent is lovely it just not a strong enough exfoliator for me, the little bits of coconut shell are buried in the thick wash meaning you either have to use loads of it or accept it more of an all over wash or extremely gentle.

Avone Shine attract lipstick (£8.50)*in the shade P4 Happy Pink- Im really glad I didn’t pay for this lipstick the first time I used it I fell in love with the colour however after 1-2 uses the outer layer (clear) dries out making it almost impossible to get to the colour buried in the middle. Overall the most messy and frustrating lip product I have ever used 

*Promotional Item/Facebook giveaway 

The nail varnish tag

This post is inspired by ThePersianbabe on youtube her video can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvxSrBJ-mfo&context=C4032f4fADvjVQa1PpcFOAIlIQ_p0AviAIJDHmo2Qt8uf6cZXUTUo= 

1. What's your favourite nail polish company?

Revlon or BarryM, personally it’s more about the colour than the brand for me. I can normally be found with a mixture of brands currently in love with Revlon as a base colour and BarryM for special effects.

2. Glitter or no glitter?

Glitter all the way to the point I’ve used all my models own discos mix which is a 1^st for me. (As you can tell from my collection below)

3. OPI, China Glaze, or Essie?

Chine Glaze as personally I’m not a fan of OPI (shock when I’m trying to be a beauty blogger)

4. When do you change your nail polish?

At least every other day

5. What's your favourite colour on your nails?

Bright pink with disco mix over the top

6. Darks or Bright?

Bright

7. What are you wearing on your nails right this moment?

Revlon 190 strawberry electric

8. Matte Nails--In or Out?

Out I even put top coat over BarryM crackle I hate matt that much

9. French Manicure?

Done with acrylics I love it, using nail paint just looks tacky to me

10. Favourite Winter Colour?

Gold with a black crackle polish over the top to give a leopard like print

My collection of branded nail varnishes

 None branded (These are all off a little barrow in metro centre and cost a maximum of £2)

Nice and tidy

My life

Hi guys sorry its been a while between posts but I was struggerling to think of what to write and now have multiple posts lined up. Although this is my blog and I do in many ways write it for myself I was wondering if people would like to see a mixture of posts about the many topics in my life or a focus more on my obsessions A) Fashion & make up B) Medicine okay maybe medicine comes 1^st right now but I don’t wanna come across as a complete geek anyway I’ve got three posts lined up 

1) Pictures from mine and bfs trip to Liverpool + tour of anfield

2) Some product reviews
3)A little peak into my world with a GAMSAT essay 

I’m going to start with the GAMSAT essay for those of you who don’t know GAMSAT is an admissions test used by some universities for admission to graduate medical programs. This is a degree in medicine for those who already have an undergraduate degree in another subject.

Section 2 require the candidate to write an essay based around a collection of quotes, I’ve included an example below, now for those that haven’t done GAMSAT its horrid and currently the bain of my life (The reason im in tracksuit bottoms something I never ever ever wear). HOWEVER to make matters worse you aint marked on the content rather the way you write the essay arghhhhh runs and hide can I please just have an essay on make up or fashion or even a marked essay on medicine pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee someone save me...........runs and hides under the piles of shoes she needs to find a home for. 

The example for those that are interested

“If all the rich people in the world divided up their money among themselves there wouldn’t be enough to go around.”
Christina Stead
“Endless money forms the sinews of war.”
Cicero
“The only way not to think about money is to have a great deal of it.”
Edith Wharton
“Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game.”
Donald Trump
“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.”
Jane Austen
“Money frees you from doing things you dislike. Since I dislike doing nearly everything, money is handy.”
Groucho Marx

Is money the route of all evil

My essay 

“Money money money lets be funny, it’s a rich man’s world” is such an iconic phrase that is ingrained in into the hearts and minds of millions, yet I ask the question whether money is something to be treasured or detested. Money can buy many things which we as humans view as essential such as food shelter and to a degree happiness, it can also be used for purpose which destroy families such as alcohol, drugs and guns. It is something we all want and something we all need however do many of us truly understand its destructive potential. 

Walking through the streets of any major streets it’s clear to see area where money is in abundance (financial districts) and where money is in short supply (soup kitchens) yet many of us fail to stop and consider the true reason for these differences. In many cases it’s not money alone which has lead to some amazing great wealth while others are forced to beg for basic food rather a chance connection of multiple opportunities or hardships combined force a person into the life we are witnessing. Therefore it is possible to argue that money alone is a harmless commodity it is what we do with it that counts. 

As highlighted by the author Christina Stead “if all the rich people in the world divided up their money among themselves there wouldn’t be enough to go around” this quote focus on the negative aspects of wealth highlighting that for some money is so significant they fail to realise how much or how lucky they are leading to greed and deprivation. The world only has limited wealth therefore if a few individual continue to collect massive amounts of this wealth individual with less start to suffer; many people argue that it is greed for this wealth be it in the form of currency or goods such as oil which has lead to multiple conflicts as addressed by Cicero.

We must not forget the positive aspects of money and wealth as examined by Groucho Marx “money frees you from doing things you dislike. Since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy”. The author clearly highlights the ability of those with money to detach themselves from doing mundane tasks and concentrate on things which matter be that leisure or in some cases scientific discovery. Without this free time it is possible to question whether any of the great discovery of the modern day would have been made, i we consider a world without money to pay farmers to grow our food, engineers to keep the gas flowing or doctors to keep us healthy would we not be still living of the land around us instead of visiting the moon and fighting cancer?

In conclusion as highlighted by the many great individuals quoted money can be both a negative aspect of society, a way of keeping track of what we have achieved and a way of giving us time to do the things that matter. Therefore I conclude that although money can be implicated in many conflicts and hardships it is an essential factor of modern life, one of many that allowed us to the build the world which we all take for granted.

Weekend loves

1. Black smart playsuit (£40) riverisland

2.Mac 187 (£32.50)

3. Vera wang night princess (£34 at Debenhams)

4. Pink mini convertible (£12,000)

5. Pink bikni (top £17, bottums £ 10) Riverisland

6. Cover up (Ruffle playsuit £17) Riverisland 

I’m currently in love with Riverisland which is weird for me as usually its overpriced rubbish in my eyes however this year I could buy the store

Nailene Calcium Gel nails

Hey guys Im going to attempt to review they nailene calcium Gel tip kit which you can get at superdrug for £8.09 

This is a simple at home kit for acrylic French nail tips something that normally costs £25 a set at the salon. 

In the kit you get 40 tips, 20 in bright white French manicure and 20 in a clearer tip. These are attached to a backbone with the typical thin plastic which you twist. They do end up with a little bit of plastic attached to the top that is easily filed off with the boards provided. The tips are really thin which is great at preventing a bump in the nail once they are one. The tips do come in a variety of size however for my big fingers they weren’t the greatest fit.

You also get a gel overlay in a nail varnish type bottle that you use both to attach the nails and form the acrylic layer. Personally I used nail glue to attach the tips after 20minutes playing with the overlay and ending up with them falling back off. 

After applying the gel overlay you drop on 1-2 drops of the gel activator using the little dropper provided this then quickly set to form the hard layer. It recommend you apply a few layer of this mixture I personally used 3 which is enough to build it up to a smooth layer. 

Allow to dry and file to desired shape.

Review – the finish is ok tho ill report on that a little better when I’ve had a few attempts as my second hand does appear better than my first. Personally id have liked to have seen a bottle of nail glue in the kit to attach the nail tips which would have made the kit easier to apply than with the gel overlay which I just couldn’t do.