Taking the plunge...

Ahhh where has the time gone... Having plucked up the courage to log back into my blog account today I can see that it has been over a year since I last posted!!!

This year has been tricky for me and without going into too much detail I have, during the harder times,let this blog fall by the wayside and that makes me sad. Everyone has times in their life where things are a struggle and this year has definitely been one of those times for me. I have had all manner of things thrown at me including heart break, an awful lot of heartache and a whole bunch of life lessons. The good thing is I am definitely out the other side and so excited to get back on track and this most definitely includes getting back into something I really enjoyed doing....my blog!

I have been thinking over the last couple of months about starting the blog up again however in the run up to what can only be described as my favourite time of year I felt this would be a great place to start. I want to start writing again about all the things I adore (make up, shopping and all things pretty) but especially all the things I adore about CHRISTMAS! I want to keep note of all the fun things I will be getting up to over the coming weeks and it will be exciting to expand my content on the blog to include some  other bits and bobs

I definitely want to include all of the amazing beauty products that have made an appearance for the festive season and of course SHOPPING, CHRISTMAS parties and especially decorating my very own home :)

I hope I manage to keep some of the followers that I had when I wrote more and I hope I manage to write something people like but most of all I want to focus on all the good things in my life and all things that add that bit of Millie Magpie sparkle.

Sooo the next blog post will definitely be soon and will absolutely be festive. 

xxMillieMagpiexx

Product Review - Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Scar Serum!

After a visit to the doctor last year I was required to have a mole on my shoulder removed and since then I have been using this Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Scar Serum to help with the small scar I have been left with.

I have to admit scarring was not a worry for me at the time I had the mole removed but after the area unfortunately got infected I was left with a keloid scar tissue which is raised, painful, red/pink in colour and can be quite dry. It was actually the nurse at my local doctor’s surgery that suggested this stuff to me and I thought it would be worth giving a try to ease the uncomfortable feelings that I was having.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Scar Serum

The Palmers Scar Serum has high levels of vitamin E and Cocoa butter which help with the appearance and feel of scars and stretchmarks and promises to keep the skin moisturised whilst strengthening your skin cell functions.

The consistency and smell of this product isn't the nicest but it does leave the skin feeling really moisturised and relieves the tight feeling I often get with my scar. I usually apply this after my shower in the morning and also if I remember before bed. I have been using this now for about 10 months and although I wouldn't say it has been a miracle cure for the appearance of the scar it has definitely helped with the overall feeling.

I picked this Palmers Scar Serum up from Boots for £9.99 but having had a look on Amazon you can pick it up for as cheap as £4.99 Click Here.

What products do you use if you suffer from scarring? Are there any you would recommend I try?

xxMillieMagpiexx

My go to products for when time is tight...

One of my favourite things to do is have a long pamper session using and trying out  all of my products however sometimes life gets in the way and its hard to get that pampered feeling when you are rushing here there and everywhere!!

I have recently found myself reaching for five key products for when time is tight and they real have been my lifesavers over the last month or so. 

My key time saving products!

The first product is a recent product to my collection and is one that I can not stop raving about! Its the Vaseline Spray and Go and I picked this up the coco radiant version. This product claims to moisturise within seconds and I can say having used this no stop for the past week I could not agree more. This is a perfect product for when I have pressed the snooze alarm one to many times and have had to dash into the shower and run out the house. It sprays on in a fine mist and drys within seconds; leaving your skin feeling soft with no trace of greasiness. This is currently in boots and I picked this up for £4.99... I really would give this a try if you fancy something a bit different.

My second product has been a go too product for me for a number of years and that is the Batiste Dry Shampoo. This product can be applied quickly to the roots of your hair for added lift or for when you have not washed your hair for a couple of days. This is perfect when I am feeling a bit lazy and the blush scent gives a fresh subtle scent to the hair.

Next is a product I have been trying for the last couple of weeks and have really fallen for it. This is the L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream - Anti Redness. I suffer from hyper pigmentation and slight redness when I am having an off skin day and rather than pile on the make up if I am just popping out quickly this has been fantastic. This offers a great build able base but when in a rush gives you a even skin tone and slight glow. I must admit when I first saw this product I did think it might be a bit of a gimmick however having used it regularly now for the last 2 weeks I could not be without this on my bad skin days. 

I have had this next product for about a year but have found myself reaching for it more recently to have with my knotty hair :( This is a definite sign that I need a hair cut but till I can get to the hairdressers this Lee Stafford Detangling spray helps me brush my hair quickly and easily without any massive knots. The smell reminds me of holiday and doesn't leave product build up in my hair...perfect!

Finally this is a nail product that has not only been a time saver but a lifesaver when I have needed to redo the nails quickly. The Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Anti-Chip Top Coat is a purse friendly and super quick drying top coat which means there is no hanging about after painting my nails and I can get out the house and go or hope straight into bed without fear of smudging. The brush is nice and wide and covers my nails in one or two easy sweeps. 

What are your time saving products that you could not live without? Leave me a comment and let me know :)

xxMillieMagpiexx

I finally got involved....my review on the much blogged about Bioderma!

This has to be one of the most talked about products in the beauty blogging sphere of late and I have to admit I was desperate to jump on the band waggon and give it a try, so what s perfect timing when my lovely friend bought this bottle of Bioderma for me to try as a birthday treat last month.

Bioderma 100ml size

So for those who do not know Bioderma Sensibio H20 is a facial cleanser using special micellar solutions promising to remove make up with ease whilst maintaining the skins PH. 

So many people I have spoken to about this product have loved it and I have to say my expectations were pretty high. I have to be careful with the skincare products I use due to pretty sensitive skin however with this being fragrance free and suitable for sensitive skin like mine I was more than happy to get cracking and give it a proper test run. 

The first thing I have to say about this product is that it is incredibly light and soothing when using it to remove your make up. A little goes a long way are you and I can easily take off my whole face of make up with a double sided oval cotton wool pad. The solution easily breaks down the many layers of mascara I had on an swept away my foundation with ease. My skin felt refreshed after use and I was instantly in love.

I was using this after a particularly bad break out of spots on my chin and I was amazed how quickly they cleared up after a couple of days use of Bioderma. My skin didn't feel tight or dry like some of my past cleansers have made me feel and my eyes were irritation free. 

Although Bioderma is a not the most purse friendly option it is for me a product that is definitely worth the hype and the price tag. The 100ml bottle that my friend purchased for me was from Zest Pharmacy in London and is priced at £4.50 however I know you can find it on on various sites on line or if you were feeling particularly  flush hop across the channel to France. The 100ml  is definitely a size I would suggest buying if you are new to the product or as a handy travel size instead of lugging around the larger bottles.

All in all I am a convert and have been singing Bioderma's praises from the roof tops since its first use. 

Have you tried Bioderma or are there any other cleansers you are loving.... please let me know in the comments below

xxMillieMagpiexx

Millie Magpie - New Home

So I do have to apologise how infrequent my posts have been of late....things in the Millie Magpie world have  gone a bit crazy and the last month or so has gone by in a blur! 

I will be, in two weeks time, an official home owner so many of my evenings, weekends and any spare minutes have been spent trawling various home decor blogs, visiting furniture shops and having my dad spam me with pictures of practical things like sheds and outside lights..Eeeeek!

I do have blog posts at the ready, some beauty related and some discussing home interior ideas and general "pretty things" that I have managed to pick up for the house....so please  do bear with me over the next couple of weeks and I will get these posted as soon as possible.

 I will be back to my regular posting soon and will have so much to discuss but if you did have any ideas of posts you would like to see then let me know in the comments below and I can see what I can do.

xxMillieMagpiexx

My holiday make-up bag essentials...

So it’s that time of year again….my need for sunshine and warm temperatures has grown too strong and I have finally managed to convince my boyfriend in to booking a holiday. Now as it is fast approaching and we leave in 8 days (WOOOP), I have been thinking a lot about my holiday make up essentials.

 I like to keep make-up minimal when I am out in the sun so these will be my absolute essentials that will be coming along with me on holiday next week

 The first thing I have to mention is the OH SO CUTE make-up bag which was a recent pay day treat. I love the Ted Baker purses and make-up bags and this one with its cute bow, rose gold hardware and perfect size was love at first sight…even better as I got it at a bargain price in a recent House of Fraser promotion days.

 

 

 

Now I usually like to get a shellac manicure before I go away on holiday but with pennies needed to be saved this year, I decided to go down the cheaper route and picked up a couple of summer shades to take along with me for some pool side pampering! I opted for the Gelly Hi-Shine polish in Papaya by Barry M as well So Laque glossy polish in shade 04 Amande defile by Bourjois.

I do like to try and keep my base make-up minimal on holiday so will be taking with me my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in shade 20 Beige. This product offers fantastic coverage without being too heavy and doesn’t leave my skin looking cakey or overdone. Perfect for those warm evenings when I want to make a bit more of an effort.

The aim of the holiday will of course to come back with a sun kissed glow (I can but hope) but I will need a bit of help in the first instance. I will be taking my trusty Rimmel Sun shimmer Bronzer which offers a lovely buildable colour and it doesn’t leave me looking like a tangerine.

 

My eyes will be well looked after by my much loved Naked 2 palette. This is my go to eye palette with its easy neutral colours perfect for day or night. This is a fail safe product and is something I can not be without. On the mascara side of things I have been experimenting recently to try and find a new favourite and have opted to take with me my Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless and my Seventeen Doll’d Up mascara. This is a combination that I have stumbled across but has been a favourite of mine for the last month or so.

For lips I want to be sure to take products that will moisturise my lips so I will be sure to take my Carmex lip balm with SPF 15 as well as my much loved Soap & Glory Mighty Mouth moisturising lip gloss.

 

Moisturiser is a must have for me as I do suffer for dry skin so I will be taking my fabulous steam cream with me to ensure my skin is super hydrated throughout the day. I was introduced to Steam cream a couple of months ago by a fabulous make-up artist on my local Chanel counter and it has fast become my staple moisturiser. It’s all natural ingredients and light yet ultra-moisturising texture makes it perfect after a day in the sun.

Finally I will be sure to have my much loved Organix Moroccan Argan Oil with me to protect from the sun, sea and chlorine. This will not only strengthen my hair but will also give it some much needed moisturise and ensure my hair stays in tip top condition. My haire care post offering a more in depth review of this product can be found Here

What are your holiday make-up essentials?

Would you be interested in a post on my hand luggage essentials?

xxMillieMagpiexx

 

Revlon Nail Polish...Where have you been all my life????

 

Anyone that follows me on Instagram (MillieMagpie) will know I have a big love for nail polishes and regularly experiment with new brands and colours on my nails. I was recently on the hunt for a new base and top coat and when Boots had their 3 for 2 offer on all make-up, I thought this was the perfect time to branch out and try something new.

 

 I have always heard good things about Revlon as a make-up brand and I do already have a few of their lip products in my collection however Revlon nail polishes was completely new territory for me!

 

From left to right Girly,Quick Dry Top Coat, Charming, Quick Dry Base Coat & Sparkling

 

 Now I opted to pick up the Quick Dry base (995) and top coat (960)  at £6.49 each and for my free product picked up an amazing pink glitter nail polish called Sparkling (261).

 

 I of course got home and tried the top and base coat out straight away and was amazed when 5 days later there was no sign of any chips. The staying power of these nail polishes for me has been pretty unbelievable and the base and top coats dry so super quickly that they are never a hassle to add into your nail painting routine.

 

Obviously once I saw how good these nail polishes were I had to expand my collection and I recently acquired the beautiful lilac colour called Charming (211) and a really cute glitter polish called Girly (260)...perfect for the impending spring/summer season.

  

I would really recommend trying these polishes out if you haven't already. The colours on offer are fantastic, they stay on for ages and at £6.49 they really are a more affordable brand to experiment with.

 

Have you tried Revlon Nail Polishes before? What are your favourite colours?

 

xxMillieMagpiexx