Sleek Be Beautiful Blemish Balm Review

Being dubbed as the ultimate all in one dream cream, Sleek Makeup launched its very own BB cream on August 29^th and wait for it ……..it actually caters to women of colour sort of!  Gone are the days of ash, chalkiness and wasted money?.....Maybe not quite.  Now I am not going to go into a rant as to why it has taken so long for a company to make a product that allows women of darker skin and even some paler women to join in  the fun and enjoy the phenomenon of BB creams as many bloggers have done it so eloquently already. Obviously there are some lucky people who haven’t had this problem but I know a large percentage who have so I will just rave about this product.

I had heard about this product on the grape vine and after reading a few trusty blogs took myself off to superdrugs to acquire this "miracle balm" on the 4^th of September. For a mere £8.99 this beauty balm contains SPF 15 and can be used as a primer or tinted moisturiser. It promises to hydrate skin while providing full coverage, concealing blemishes and offering anti-ageing benefits and lives up to this. I have found that depending on how much you use it can work as a tinted moisturiser or be used for full coverage its all about making it work for you. I rarely wear a full proper face as I am lazy and I start to feel the make up after a while so this good for me so far.

My skin really does feel amazing all day and it has lasting power. It brightened up my skin and hid my blemishes well. It is thick but not heavy and it didn’t feel as though I had anything on my face. It is very moisturising so you don’t need to put any cream on before hand. This is a really cool product and I use it as an alternative to foundation as I don’t like wearing it everyday. This offers me an alternative that for when my skin needs a boost. I will say the tone is slightly too deep/red but with buffing it works.Unfortunately there are only four shades so a wide range of tones and shades won't be catered to.

The cream is choc-o-bloc full of goodies such as skin loving multi-vitamins, red algae, protein peptides , Vitamin C,  Vitamin E  and jojoba oil. I would definitely recommend this product as a must buy of 2012!

P.s Make sure you match the BB cream to your face/ neck depending on what you want to match and not your hand. If your like me then your hands are a bit lighter than your face so it wont be a true match.

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Reads of the month: September 2012

I have a very wide and eclectic taste when it comes to reading and I get through a fair few so I have picked a couple as not to bore you with the gazillions I devour each month. I love reading so much I honestly have been known to read cookery books like they are novels lol. I will be reviewing a mixture of old and new books some will be re-reads as well. Enjoy......

I have 4 books for you guys this month.

 

1. The Kite runner by Khaleed Hosseini.

Dubbed as the first Afghan book written in English, I picked this book up a while back but misplaced it half way through in 2004. What with the Afghanistan war being a back drop to our lives for so many years a story actually taking place in that land attracted me to this book. There is almost an Abel and Cain vibe to this book as the story of 2 boys, Amir and Hassan who learn to walk, talk and grow together are separated by their social standing in 70's Kabul. Hosseini weaves an epic political tale spanning decades and continents. With an incredible mix of guilt, loyalty, upheaval, trauma, cowardice, beauty and finally redemption being felt in equal measure. I found parts incredibly difficult to read at times but my hands would not allow me to put the book down. This is a very raw book with culpability, humanity, acceptance and betrayal melded into a very strange and ultimately destructive friendship. An excellent read. (5 stars) 

2. Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter

 I have finally rediscovered this author again yay. I am working my way through this series so this author may feature again down the road. I absolutely love crime and mystery novels and am a huge CSI buff so this is right up my street. Not to mention that I am getting very good at spotting the bad guy. As the first in the Grant County series this sees the town paediatrician and coroner Sara Linton discover the body of local blind college professor brutally assaulted in the town dinner. The Macabre and gruesome tale delves into a small town being held captive by a murderer.  With the help of her ex-husband who just happens to be the chief of police Sara tries to find those who are responsible before more lives are lost. (3.5 stars)

3.      Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

This book is quite simply haunting. It exudes a sense of foreboding. I found the suspense more thrilling than the actual end of the book. The tale follows the story of the very young and naive second Mrs de Winter as she makes the transition from ladies companion to the wife of the master of Manderly. Once her whirl wind marriage and honeymoon is over she finds her husband a changed man. Her much heard of home Manderly in Cornwall turns out to hold many secrets and is a perfectly preserved shrine to the first Mrs de Winter. On her arrival she is faced with resistance from staff as she is constantly compared to her processor Rebecca and can't seem to find her place in the house. Although Rebecca is dead she is definitely the central character in the book. One of the greats in classic gothic literature. (3.5 stars)

4.  Cloud atlas by David Mitchell

There are no two ways about it, this book is difficult. He isn't the first to write a disjointed and deeply fragmented story and I am sure he won’t be the last but unlike others he does it well. He hasn't used this deconstructed style of writing to cover up a dry story or to coast over a lack of interesting bits it’s like he has just decided to see how many readers could stick it out because that's just how he writes. I love returning to books that I read ages ago as you find something new and deeper on each return.

The book contains a mish mash of characters ranging from a 19th century America lawyer to a slave stow away, a sleazy composer from 1931, a gay composer and scientist, a journalist, a cloned slave and a publisher all are connected in some way. There are 5 stories visited twice in the book except for the centre piece Zachry's tale. Explaining the book is incredibly hard, Mitchell leads you on a roller coaster ride and lays over breadcrumbs that lead to shores unknown He mind trips you through the voices of the characters and idea that each character could possibly be a reincarnation of the character before as the book comes full circle .It has a strange modernist and cryptic feel to it. It is an incredibly interesting book that touches on so many of the great debates of our time. I would highly recommend! (5 stars)

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

 

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Mixtape Mondays #3

It's that time again, it's Monday and the hype hype isha must once again begin!

Emeli Sande - read all about it part 3. I love Emelis voice and album, honestly I prefer her version to the Professor Green song so yeah.

AlunaGeorge- Just a touch. I heard about this duo late last year but my friend Nikki (shout outs lol) turned me back on to them again. Having met through Myspace this duo can honestly do no wrong. Alunas voice is very unique and has a child like quality which clashes nicely with her  lyrics. While George knows his way around a beat and synthesiser and throws wicked R'n'B/ electronic textures in. Their debut single Analyser/ We Are Chosen was released this year and you can properly tell these guys have been heavily influenced by the 90's music scene and they fuse that effortlessly into their own special brand of London cool sensuality. Awesome stuff

Public Enemy- Harder than you think. This was THE TUNE of the summer especially for London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. You couldn't turn on your TV without hearing this song. Public Enemy are Hip Hop royalty and this song just seemed to inspire unity and leave the scent of revolution in the air.Hope they made so dollars.

The Jackson 5- I want you Back. Ok seriously this song needs no freaking words just enjoy.

Bonus- How awesome was Micheal Jackson? What a freaking bad man, guy was genius just look at him he looks different and moves different from the rest. A league of his own and them socks woooh lol just  Epic. Every few years I get obsessed all over again and have a massive homage of his greatest hits and this is that time.

R.I.P

Until next time..........

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Beauty Edit:September Favourites

Hey dolls, So I have decided to do a segment where I show you a few of my monthly favourites. Things that I have been using with success or have discovered and have fallen in love with.

Ok lets get started........

1.      Tea tree daily use facial cleansing scrub. This is an amazing, AMAZING, did I say amazing product? I really do love it. This stuff makes my skin feel absolutely great. It isn't harsh or drying. It has small micro beads that are not abrasive to the skin and is very light with no residue after. I use this about 3 times a week and it has really made a difference. I apply this to my face with a Muji face brush for deep cleansing at least once a week. The brush retails for £3.95 and the cleanser can be found in poundland or eBay. This is a really awesome product/ combo and a definite must buy. For these prices you wont regret it. For those with Clarisonic , I have heard good reviews regarding the face cleanser.

2.      The Body shop Hemp Hand Protector is seriously awesome. I rediscovered it in February on my birthday actually and I have been hooked ever since. I remember back in the day they had a similar one that stank a lot and my mum would power through it because hemp was good for you. This is sooo much better. It has a slight  hempy scent but the quality of this cream is great. It is super creamy and leaves my hands silky smooth and hydrated for hours. I use this in the morning and night as part of a routine I have created for myself. It is very long lasting and I am just about to open my second tube of the year. This retails for £10 and is worth every penny. If this seems expensive to you I would suggest taking advantage of peak sale season times such as Christmas to stock up as this shop does great reductions.

3.      The sun tropic Cocoa skin therapy oil is one of my new favourite things to moisturise with. This really locks in moisture and leaves your skin looking and feeling gorgeous. It smells really nice and a little really does go a long way. I haven't used it on my face but it sold as a total body advanced specialist skin care product. There has been a lot of hype about this product and I have to say it is utter brilliant. It contains vitamin E and pure cocoa butter, no preservatives and has been  formulated using active ingredients to help reduce the appearance of damaged skin.

4.  Australian Body care Argan cream with vitamin E is soooo nourishing. It is heavily scented which I really don't like BUT the benefits out weight my personal preference for non scented creams. The scent is incredibly floral but it really rehydrates my skin and keeps my face feeling supple. I use this as a night cream and i really must stress that only a small amount is needed as it is kind of heavy. My friend mixes primer into hers and it works perfectly.This can retail for £1-6 depending on where you buy it, so buy in bulk if you like it and can find it cheaply.

well that's my beauty skin care favourites for September. It seems to be a poundland extravaganza this month but if you have one near you simply raid! there is nothing better than finding well known and much loved brands for £1 a mere fraction of their original price. Love it.

Until next time..........

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

The AW/12 fashion moodboard

Yay Autumn is upon us! The kids are back at school and the first week of September has been unexpectedly sunny its time to shzuuush up your outfits with a those autumnal colours and whip out the old macs and capes.

Obviously times are hard and for most of us money is tight so picking key pieces and finding alternatives is important. Its all about layering and mix matching textures and prints. Statement pieces are always a must for a unique twist, be it a necklace, weird bag or killer coat let your piece do the talking! Keep it trendy in bold berrys and striking plums. Find your inner lady with lace but vamp it up with a whisper of leather. Find your own interpretation of British heritage chic. Match an over sized tee, funky legging, a Barbour or military inspired coat and those wicked Alexander McQueen riding boots for that concrete jungle edgy.  Jewellery wise keep it bold yet classic. Find simple pieces that have been updated or giver a twist. Always check boutiques, bazaars, markets and eBay for one off original items that others won't have.

Most importantly make it your own and have fun!

Until next time...........

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

MUA (make up) haul

Hey dolls! I know, I know its been a minute since I did a proper make up haul and I have been a bit hodge podge when it comes to posting lately- sooorweee . Anyhoo I am back and I have a haul for you guys. I tried a few of these MUA cosmetics over the summer and I really like them. The smooth eye shadows are just pearly enough without making me look like a 13 year old roller disco girl and the lip glosses are really nourishing with a gorgeous sheeny wash of colour. Not bad for £1 from Superdrug eh!

Looking at my haul it seems a fair bit summery but I am looking at these items as more transitional late Summer /Autumn hues, if you don't want to go dark and vampy straight away. What with the Olympics and Paralympics celebrations, royal and denim blues seem to be having a second round after being the spring it colour and the tawny rose blush will add a natural glow to most skin tones. I absolutely LOVE Mua nail varnishes. They work really well for me and last a long time without chipping. They give a really intense colour pop and don't stain my nail beds as some brands do.

I always mix and match my make up brands and I am doing so more as I learn to be less snobby once a brands quality has been proven to me. At £1 per item these are a steal which means that you can experiment with trends and update your collections and not break the bank. I will definitely be going back to grab a few more eye shadows, lipsticks and nail varnishes.

Until next time ......

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays