Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

Beauty | Shopping with Offers and Discounts!


My guilty conscientious has a part to play for the inspiration behind writing this post. At some point, most of us have been impulsive and splurged when we should not, bought the same shade nail polish in 3 different bands, or broke out the credit card because I WANT it.  Damn that inner voice! Blogging does have some impact on my beauty expenditure because (and my justification is) I'd like to review it for my website. To do that, I need to be savvy in the way I shop.

Online Vouchers & Discounts
Researching online also has its benefits to finding the best beauty deals. VoucherCloud and Voucher Codes are great if you're looking for money off and free delivery codes. Not only do they cover beauty and beauty, but they also cover restaurants and electronics. So if you've shopped until you've dropped in need a pit stop lunch, use their apps for deals. These can help you stay on budget.

Loyalty Cards & Coupons
My purse is full of loyalty cards from various beauty companies such as Boots, Super Drug and The Body Shop. The 'Advanage Card' from Boots is probably my most used and abused loyalty card. You earn points from spending, then you can spend the point on products marked with an asterisk *. In addition, they post out coupons to utilise the amount of points in each transaction instore or online.

Super Drug also have a fantastic points reward system with their 'Beauty Card'. The point system works similarly to the Advantage Card. If you are a student then you should take note of the extra 10% off with a NUS card!

The Body Shop also have a rewards card called 'Love Your Body' Card where you receive 10% off all purchases for a year. You have to pay £5 for the card. You also receive free gifts, a special birthday present, invites to even offers and discounts, and previews of new products. It's worth it if you regularly shop there.

Again, The 'Debenhams Beauty Club' Card allows you to collect points and exchange them for rewards on Beauty, Fragrance and Beauty Electricals either instore or online. Other benefits include free makeovers and skin consultations, free delivery online, free gifts, and exclusive special offers.

The N.Dulge card from Space NK in also worth having if you enjoy your higher end brands. You get £5 off for every 100 points earned. You earn 1 point for every £1 spent in store. There are also get exclusive invitations, product previews and "birthday treats".

There are many, many more available. I even have one for Toni&Guy, Costa Coffee and Starbuckes!

Shopping Around
Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert is a fantastic place to keep up to date with the latest deals. The information and advice available on this website is great. I have recently found some steals on there thanks for a colleague at work. You can also sign up to a regular newsletter that I would recommend putting your details down for.

Local grocery stores such Asda and Tescos (in the UK) are also hidden treasures for having deals on high street brands such as Rimmel and Maybelline. So if you're out doing the food shop and need some new makeup -  why wait until you're going into town when I can pop into your local store (which is probably closer) and pick up your favourite brands.

Sign up to newsletters online and take advantage of the special offers they send you. Most companies will send you exclusive deals like an extra 10- 20% off selective items or even sale items that have already been heavily reduced. If you dislike Spam, make a separate email account that's just for this purpose - one for business - one for personal. Makes sense!   

Cash Back Websites
This is the most recent discovery of mine. Cashback websites are great for earning money back on purchases. You have to shop online to get these cash backs but they all add up in the end.Top Cashback and Quido are two of the most popular sites which I use. It works by receiving a fixed percentage back on purchases. For example, if you spent £50 at Tesco who offered 5% cash back, you would earn £2.50. Now that's not exactly ground breaking but it would all add up and some extra savings for that expensive makeup palette. There are also certain banks with current accounts that are offering cash back on spending too! The savings can be deposited straight into your bank account or exchanged for vouchers.

Disclaimer: I have not been sponsored to feature the above companies in this post. All who are mentioned are the ones I enjoy using.

Let me know how you get on. Tweet me @Ragerwager and follow me on Bloglovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/8599775

Beauty | Confessions of a Blogger TAG



Today, I have really enjoyed reading up on the ‘Confessions of a Blogger’ TAG. Although I have not been tagged personally, I think it’s a good TAG for followers/readers to get to know you more, and gain insight into you as a blogger.
10 Questions…

When did you first start blogging and why?
My first online blogging experience actually started on Tumblr in 2011 under the name ‘Beauty Critique’. Later on, I discovered that someone else had a blog under that name so I decided to shut it down. There was something about the platform that I did not like for blogging. I moved my blog to Blogger in October 2012. Then, I changed the name to Rager Wager Beauty Blog (combining my nickname and blog focus together) making it more personalised for me.

Starting the blog was something that I had debated to myself for a long time (not many people know this). I built up the confidence to start on Tumblr after watching so many of my favourite Youtuber’s online develop their knowledge and network of friends. I’ve always been interested in beauty products and the industry. As a teenager, I was told that it wouldn’t pay as a future career and my ‘talents’ would be better spent in supporting people. Nonetheless, it’s better late than never!            

Have you had any past online presence?
Before my blog, I had very little presence online regarding blogging and such. In late teens, I was always a late bloomer to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and even Google+. Occasionally, I would Google myself to see what my ‘Digital Footprint’ looked like. It used to freak my out when I see searches related to me. I was very much into MSN Messenger for quite some time. How times have changed, eh! That said, even now I’ve chosen not to join some social networking sites. In my full time job, I see the negativities all the time – mainly cyber bullying. But now, I am learning to embrace that having an online presence isn’t such a bad thing, as long as it isn’t abused.

When did you become serious about your blog?
To be honest, only within the last year or so have I thought about making something out of it. Blogging is just a hobby for me that I enjoy. Recently, I have begun tracking my readers and where my audience is coming from as it’s fascinating. Reflecting back, before coming across people on YouTube, I didn’t even know that blogs like this existed. I felt quite ignorant in that respect. However, as I have progressed with blogging, so has the use of social media. I have even noticed beauty bloggers such as Fleur de Force and Tanya Blurr being featured more in national UK and international magazines.

What was your first blog post?
On Tumblr I vaguely remember starting my blog with something like an introduction or welcome post. Looking back, I should have just started it with a product review or a post to engaged bloggers from the start.
On Blogger, my first blog was on the September 2012 Glossy Box. In fact, watching videos on YouTube about beauty reviews is what first introduced me to the concept on Beauty Boxes. Then I watched reviews on them, and wanted to review them myself online.

What have been your biggest challenges blogging?
With all hobbies, you need to be able to find the time to schedule it in. Just like going to the gym, or planning an exercise routine, I found it difficult at first to prioritize when to blog and what on.  Having a full time job means that I am fully dedicated and tied up during the day. So, I have started using a small notebook to write things down when I have the time, or if something pops into my head. My memory for thing is shocking so this method works well for me.  

Blogging is not just about writing posts, reviewing products, fitting it around your day; it’s also about networking with others. Therefore, I use my diary to schedule in online chats and opportunities for networking. For example, on Twitter, there are #bbloggerchats that go live on Wednesdays and Sunday evenings. Mainly on a Sunday, I try to take part in these so I arrange my Sunday evenings around this.

What is the most rewarding thing about blogging?
I love interacting with fellow beauty bloggers but also the wider blogging community. On Twitter, I enjoy tweeting and following other bloggers and commenting on their views. Being a blogger, I know it’s such a good feeling when someone uses their time to take an interest in something you’re doing. And, vice versa. Although I’m not blogging to gain followers, it’s rewarding to see that the interest of my blog continues to grow.

What is the most discouraging thing about blogging?
There isn’t much that has discouraged me about blogging. However, it really ‘grinds me gears’ when people stereotype you have the amount of followers you have. I know that my bank on followers is small, but the number of people accessing and reaching my blog is in the thousands. It’s something that I do not like shout out about as this is just a hobby after all. Obviously, I am not native to enough to think that people would not make judgements on my blog and my opinions. However, it is exactly what this blog is about and I would rather than then to be thought less of because of the quantity of followers over quality of posts. You need thick skin and guts to do something like this. It takes strength and motivation to see through the trolls, but also take into account some feedback.

What is your last inspiration or motivation?
My motivation comes from reading other bloggers all around the world. I have been inspired by other bloggers to write this post (even though I haven’t been tagged to do so) because I enjoy writing them. Every time I read I post, I automatically start thinking about my thoughts and responses, and think I should write that down quickly. Following Beauty Bloggers on YouTube was my first spark of inspiration which still stands today. I admire the resilience and envy their creatively to pursue their hobbies into full time careers.  

What is your current goal as a blogger?
Perhaps in the next couple of months, I would like to extend my presence on social media and move onto YouTube. Something that like for me needs guts, and spontaneity. I have already started looking into the things. Currently, I am in the process on gather equipment, which does not come cheaply, but it’ll be worth it in the end (hopefully).

I hope you have enjoyed reading this post, and getting to know more about me. I will continue to read these tags as they’re interesting! If you decided to do this post, please let me know in the comments below!  I’d love to read them!

LUSH Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar



In April, I popped to the Lush Store in Preston and picked up this beauty. I have been on the search for fresh new scents, smells and fragrances for Summer. This ladies and gentleman is the LUSH Strawberry Feel Forever Massage Bar and smells AMAZING!  It's made up of fair trade cocoa butter, fair trade shea butter,  real strawberries, infused hibiscus and extra virgin olive oil compressed into this handy sized bar to enhance the massage experience.

The concept of a 'massage bar' appeals to someone like me to dislikes slippery mess and half used bottles taking up spare in my cupboards. I have clumsy tendencies so oily products end up spilt all over the place and I end up pouring precious money down the sink (I have no bitterness about learning the hard way...not). Therefore, with the massage you can reduce the likelihood of waste. This is one of the reasons why I was intrigued about this little product from LUSH.


Basically you can rub the massage bar in between your hand to start the melting process, or as I did, rub it directly into the areas you wish to to moisturise. It has helped hydrate my skin, especially around my elbows and needs. But it's also nice if you've got someone else to rub it on your back for you :)

It is slightly gimmicky. However,  this product has the potential to last. I am confident that the price of this is pretty reasonable for the length of time you could have it for. Plus, with the quality of the ingredients and fair trade mark: your money is partly going to a good cause. It could be tempting to use this whole bar in one go (especially if you were having a couples massage....ooooh. saucy) so it might be easier to cut this up into smaller pieces to ration your stock.

As with most LUSH products the scents are strong and potent. This has a light small of strawberries but ultimately it's sweet and sadly artifial. Regardless, it's sure to satisfy that sweet craving youre after. There are a selection of massage bars available at at LUSH. Check out their website or stores for further details.



How I Deep Clean My Makeup Brushes





It's a mundane task. Cleaning your makeup brushes on a regular basis should be a part of your daily beauty routine. Hands up, who is guilty of not doing this?! Yes, I've been there. Let me tell you why you should clean them!  Each time you use your brushes, dirt, oil and bacteria seep into the bristles. The next time you use that brush, you're putting all that yuk back on your face and collecting a new layer on dirt at the same time.  You dirty buggers!

If you do not do this on a regular basis, it could be one of the reasons why you're having regular breakouts, blackheads, and clogged pores. If you have acne prone skin then I'd recommend that you do this indefinitely! I've noticed a difference since doing mine. Whether you've invested in the cheapest drugstore band or high end brushes - taking care of them should be a priority in maintaining the quality and longevity of your product.



You will need:
  • A Small Bowl
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Clarifying or Baby Shampoo
  • Several Cloths (I used Muslin Cloths)
  • A Towel
  • Your Sink
  • A tap with running luke warm water
Arrange your brushes to commence with the detox.

1. Drop about 3-4 table spoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil into the small bowl. Take your dirty makeup brush!


2. Place your brush into the small bowl and begin coating it in the olive oil. Focus on the bristles rather than the end where they're glued into the handle. You don't want to loosen them. Then, take the brush and run it back and forth in the palm of your hand. This will gentle encourage and massage the oil through the bristles. Do this for about 5 minutes.

3. Squeeze out the excess oil into the sink. Begin running your luke warm water. After removing the excess oil, if your brushes still need further cleaning, dip the brush pack into the small bowl and repeat this process until you are happy. Rinse the brush and excess oil under the tap.


4. Then, use about 1 teaspoon size of the clarifying or baby shampoo.Work this into the bristles over the sink. Keep washing until the bubbles become clear. Thoroughly rinse!  
 
5. Use the cloth to soak up the excess water from the brushes and dry the handle. Reshape the bristles as you go.

6. Lay the brush flat to dry over several hours.

There you go! This is cheap and easy way to clean your brushes. To help drying and to stop the water for dripping back into the handle end where the glue is; slightly elevate your brushes from the handle end so the excess water is soaked up by the towel. If you found this useful, let me know by leaving a comment. Is there any tips you could offer to improve this process. I'd love to here from you!
 

Weekly Beauty Favourites #1


Happy Sunday Morning Everyone!

This week has been a busy one! I cannot believe we're into June. Where has the time gone, eh?
On a morning, I've been keeping my 'getting ready' routine to a minimum. These products have been part of my weekly staples for some time now. And it's time to share...

As the weather is starting to get warmer here in the UK means I am wearing less and less (layering I mean) in a bid to try and stay cooler throughout the day. I have typical British skin. I'm pale and burn easily. But thankfully, I once the redness has settled I tan. So, to kick start the tan, I have been using the Garnier Body: Summer Body Moistrurising Lotion Sun Kissed in Deep. It's currently on sale at Boots.com. It's a bargain in if you're on a budget! This is a gradual tanning lotion that allows you to control and build up your tan. The more you apply it, the darker your gradual tan will look. The apricot fragrance is lovely and distracts from the usual tanning smell. Its non sticky and easy to apply. This is my second bottle of the year!

The second product that I've been enjoying this week is the Studio Blush and Highlighter Palette from Super drug. It was part of the Studio Natural Beauty Set that I purchased at Christmas (I know - ages ago right). There are 3 shades available (from L to R): a peachy rose, a dark rose and a shimmer for highlighting areas of the face.  Use together, and all three shades can create that perfect summer glow. I tend to use the peachy rose shade during the day as it compliments my skin tone. Both blushes are full of pigments so I only use a tiny amount. The shimmer is subtle enough to 'highlight' as suggested. Great little palette that I can see myself using throughout summer.

The last couple of months have been a stressful time for me. As a result, I have been breaking out more and more in specific areas: nose and chin. These are the worst areas for me. In order to calm the redness, I purchased my third favourite of the week. The Bodyshop Tea Tree Oil has done wonders from reducing these horrible red spots that appear out of nowhere! I use a cotton bud or Q-Tip and apply 2 drops to the end of it. Then, I apply directly to the spot/s rather then all over my face. It dehydrates the spot and reduces inflammation. I thought £7 for alittle bottle of oil was expensive  - but actually I can see it lasting forever. It's also great for mixing with your daily shampoo if you're suffering from dandruff. Mutli-use product!!!

What you are been enjoying this week? Beauty or Non Beauty Favourites???

Mini Haul of Beauty Products #1


I have been trying to keep my outgoings low this month. But, as ever, I struggled to resist the urge to buy products to try out. So, here's the list of things I bought. Some are re-purchases, some are brand new to me.


All the products mentioned above have been linked. Click on the links to see more details of where you can purchase them yourself. If you have tried any of these products, let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading!  


L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume Review



“Ooops, look what just feel into my shopping basket.” That is what happened during my venture to Liverpool about 3 weeks when I came across the L’Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume mascara in Boots. It was on an introductory offer on £5.99 (usually £8.99).

The mascara is available in 3 different colours: Black, Violet and Turquoise. I packed black as I planned on using it every day rather than something for a night out.

I have been a very loyal fan of the Maybelline express mascaras that have been launched over the few years. So, when it came to re-purchase my favourite one I was stopped in my tracks by L’Oreal’s latest addition.  


Its unique selling point:  “360 degrees flexi brush’” for a more “amplified” and “defined” to create a manga eye look. Well, the main point I got from the adverts was that it supposed to make your lashes look more volumised which is what the Maybelline rocket express did for me.

Half way down the applicator is a flexible part that feels flimsy. However, this should and does make it easy to use in different directions. It makes wiggling the awkward parts much easier.

My first impressions from this product were good. The brush is excellent. Hopefully, I have managed to pick this up on the photo’s but the wand is thinner at the tip expands outwards with a slight wave effect throughout the bristles. The pointy tip is great to reaching smaller lashes like the bottom and inner corners of the eyes while the thicker ends scoop the lashes up and flare to the side.

Before application....

After: Finished Result
As you can see the results are good. The formula is thicker than other mascaras I have used before. To begin with, I found that the applicator had enough mascara to last me a week which caused my lashes to clump together. This might be the desired look, but I wanted the volume aspect.  However, as time goes on this has reduced and now I can get the results I want.

The intensity of the colour is great. I’m pleased I opted for black. It gave them the boost and lift. There were no smudges and flakes of mascara underneath my eyes at the end of the day.

This product worked for me. It created more definition with my upper lashes with added volume and length. In terms of the Manga effect – it can be done with the right application. The more product on your wand, the more likely you will achieve the clumped together effect – as there will be more than enough product on the applicator. Personally, this is something I wouldn't try. I like the mascara and would repurchase in the future. 


How to Clean False Eye Lashes



Now, I love false eye lashes. They make a statement. There's nothing better than applying a fresh pair of lashes ready for your special day or night ahead. However, one of the biggest bug bearers for me is when I see girls with at least 2 months worth of mascara and glue stuck on their false eye lashes - and that's no exaggeration! I have vivid memories of working with young students who for some reason had not thought about giving them a little scrub down. The term 'spider eyes' is an understatement!

I am not saying people are lacking hygiene or cannot be bothered. Perhaps it's more of a question of  "can I wash them" or "will I damage them if I try to clean them". Well, the answer is simple: either you give them a bloody good wash or you stick germ and bacteria ridden lashes on one of the most precious senses and risk infection. Rant over!

So, here's a guide to washing false eye lashes for re-use:

...and a small bowl or eye lashes tray from the packaging (sorry I missed that off). 






L to R: the before and after cleaning  process. 
And there you are people! 5 simple steps to follow. It will take you 5 minutes to prepare and around 10 minutes from step 2 -5 - that's 15 minutes in total. 

Please let me know what your method of cleaning your false eye lashes! Is there a different method or tip you could share?





My 5 Beauty Resolutions for 2014

The New Year has arrived! Happy New Year (again) and thank you for taking some time to look at this post.  Every year I set myself the same resolutions and stick to them for about, what, 2 weeks max before I am back to old habits. I break them for one reason or another, usually I lose my will power within a couple of days and think...bugger!

I have decided to make some achievable resolutions. Something which I have considered to be some SMART targets (...can you tell I work in education). These are mostly beauty related, with no. 5 being more of a personal target that I have set myself this year.







So, do you like my resolutions? I will keep you updated on my blog to let you know how I have done. What resolutions/ goals have you set yourself this year? Is there anything you would like to gain? Leave a comment below letting me know!


L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation Review


Here's a look at the new Nude Magique Eau De Teint from L'Oreal. 

The Claims:
"Our lightest foundation formula ever. A feather light foundation, feels as light and fresh as water. A new sensation with a lighter than water formula for non greasy zero make up feel. Instantly fuses with the skin blending seamlessly to leave a silky, second skin effect. Perfect bare skin look Naturally even, shine free look. Undetectable coverage. Silky soft touch. No make-up feel."

My Review: 
decided to test out this 'lighter than water' philosophy by adding afew drops into a small glass of water and compared it with a foundation that I use regularly, Maybelline Fit Me foundation.  A picture speaks a thousand words. Suddenly, the Eau De Teint looks more appealing seeing that the formula is floating on top on the water rather than sinking to the bottom like the Fit Me foundation. It's just something to note...and it's claims about being it being a light foundation is possibly evident. 




The first observation I made is the lovely packaging. The lightweight formula comes in the frosty glass container which feel really smooth to hold. And, has a purple metallic screw on lid. Most L'Oreal foundations do come in a glass dispenser but there's something special about this one. It feels more high end. Though my only issue with the packaging is with the lack of pump. Not very hygienic. Let's hope we remember to wash our hands before usage. 




So, to test it's staying power, I choose not to wear a primer underneath. I have plenty of mild acne scars, dark circles and some hyper pigmentation around the cheek area,  so I'm always in the market for a magical, wonder foundation that will complement my skin.

Use as directed: Shake well before use, apply a drop to your finger. Now, I wish that one drop would cover my entire face. Truth is, I used about 12-15 drops to cover my face and neck. The formula is very runny and light in consistency and without a pump, it can get alittle sloppy. It's definitely offers a lightweight formula but can be built upto a light/ medium coverage. I tend to prefer something with medium/ heavy coverage so I didn't enjoy using this as much as I hoped. It did leave matte finish to my skin which is what I prefer. So I didn't feel the need to use power over the top. 

After an 8 hour day at work, there is barely any sign of foundation on my skin, which really disappointed me. All my blemishes were on all show, my forehead, nose and chin looked incredibly oily (and I have dry skin)! This foundation would be more suitable for those who have normal skin who like a feather to light weight coverage. Later on this week, I tried using a primer underneath but it seemed to make no difference. 

With SPF 18 it provides some protection against UV rays. However, it will give some flashback on photography so it may not be suitable for photoshoots. 

To sum this product up here's a quick list of the pros and cons: 

Pros:
- the packaging of the foundation feels very high end
- the shade of foundation matched my skin tone perfectly. I picked up 'warm ivory' 110. 
- SPF 18 for UV protection
- 'lighter than water' formula 

Cons: 
- not suitable for those with combination, oily and dry skin. Would be better for those with normal skin
- there is no pump to this container, so it does not feel very hygienic 
- for 20ml, there is not enough product to make it worth while purchasing the £10 I paid 
- on my skin, it didn't last for any longer than 3 hours, which is not suitable for my life style
- With SPF, it would not be ideal for photography 

I am really disappointed that this didn't work for me. But I have to take into account that my skin type is dry for this time of year. Unfortunately, the cons outweigh in the pros in my opinion. 

It is available from most drug stores across the UK for around £10. 

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