All Things Bright and Beauty-ful! - Beauty Product Review - NARS Sheer Glow Foundation Review.

Hi!!!

If you read THIS post a little while ago, you'll know that I treated myself to NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc. I'd been eyeing this foundation up for absolutely ages and one of the reasons I was so interested in this foundation was because of all the brilliant reviews that it had from all the wonderful bloggers and YouTube beauty gurus. So, I thought since I used their reviews as an excuse to buy this product, I thought I'd write one so that you can use mine as an excuse to purchase it, as well as all the others.

 

 

The Product. 





 

 

 

 

 

What NARS Promise. 

 

 

In their own words, NARS promise a "glowing, natural radiant finish foundation" that has "sheer" yet "buildable" coverage, that "evens out skin tone". NARS claim that it will leave skin "hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother". NARS also claim that if  "used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves the skin's brightness and texture".  

 

According to NARS, Sheer Glow Foundation contains powerful anti-oxidants that will protect against skin damaging free radicals. It also contains turmeric extract that supposedly improves the skin's tone and radiance.

 

NARS recommend this foundation for Normal, Normal to Dry and Dry Skin Types. If you however have an oily skin,  NARS also sell NARS Sheer Matte Foundation, available (HERE).
 

What I think of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation.

 

I really love this foundation.

 

This foundation feels beautiful on the skin - it's cool on application and it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It really does make the skin look more glowing and radiant and it has such a beautiful finish. My skin doesn't feel or look cakey or dried out after using it.

Also, it's brilliant for someone like me with sensitive skin because it's fragrance free and dermatologically tested.

This foundation wears brilliantly on the skin and lasts for most of the day (between 5 and 7 hours depending on how hot it is outside)  - please do note that I use this foundation, as I do with every foundation I wear, with primer.

 I apply it at a medium coverage, but it is definitely buildable. Also, if you prefer a lighter coverage, just use it sparingly and consider applying with your hands.

 I tend to apply it with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush - part of the Core Collection (HERE) - or just with my hands. Both give a really lovely finish. I don't think that there is a bad way to apply Sheer Glow.

 

NARS Sheer Glow photographs beautifully. It contains no SPF which is great if your moisturiser has an SPF in (since you aren't supposed to layer SPF's) and also means that it won't flashback in photographs.

 

Something else that really impressed me was the packaging - a sturdy yet elegant glass bottle which is cool to the touch and fits perfectly in my makeup bag as well as looking beautiful on my dressing table with an almost velvety lid. My only issue with the packaging is the fact that the lid does pick up foundation covered finger prints and marks very easily... But you can't have it all I suppose.

 

I can't vouch for the improvement of the brightness of skin and texture that comes from using it everyday because I don't wear foundation everyday - sorry (I don't see the point if I'm just going to Tesco and popping round to see my Auntie). However, since this foundation delivered on everything else, I'd imagine that it would on this, even just a bit.

 

Would I recommend it?

 

I would highly recommend this product to anyone with a normal, normal to dry, or dry skin who is looking for a premium foundation that will photograph beautifully and make their skin look stunning. I cannot recommend this highly enough. It's worth all the hype that it has received. It's my dream foundation to date...

 

Where you can buy NARS Sheer Glow and how much does it cost.

 

 NARS Sheer Glow retails for £30.50 and is easily accessible to purchase at Space NK (website HERE) and Selfridges & Co (website HERE) stores. It is also available on the NARS website (HERE). The NARS website also has a list of stores that stock NARS products - mentioned above and others - and their locations, so its worth a look.

 

The final word.

 

 That's it for today then, guys. I hope that you've enjoyed this post - my first beauty review. If you have enjoyed it then do let me know in the comments. Do you have NARS Sheer Glow? Do you agree with what I've said? And if not, have you got your eye on it? I assume you have.

 

I hope that your day is absolutely brilliant.

 

GingerSnaps xxx

 



It's Showtime!!! - Theatre Review - The Ladykillers.

Hi!!!

Last week, I went down to London to go and see four plays/musical productions. I was given tickets to these shows for my birthday because, as you may already know if you've been round here for a while, I love the theatre and the idea of going to spend a week in one of my favourite places in the world, shopping, eating cake (what's new?) and seeing some really highly rated productions is basically heavenly!

Before I begin I just want to say that it might seem like I think every show is brilliant and worth a viewing. However, this isn't the case. I would never tell you to go and see something that I didn't think was worth your time or hard earned cash. There will be times when I tell you not to go and see something, as well as times when I say you *have* to go and see something (like today). These reviews contain my 100% honest opinion.

The first show of the week was The Ladykillers at The Vaudeville Theatre on the Strand. The Ladykillers to me is a classic (black) comedy, and since I was about 10 the original 1955 film has been a firm favourite in all aspects (except maybe Alec Guinness, who scared me a bit as a child...).

So...

What is it about?

 

Posing as an amateur string quintet (or five amateur musicians to you and me!), Professor Marcus and his gang of four other odd ball criminals rent a room in the lopsided house of Mrs Wilberforce, a sweet, if slightly scatty and eccentric elderly lady. The gang plan to involve her in Marcus’ perfectly planned heist job, all without her realising a thing. The police are baffled by the crime but the little old lady becomes wise to their crime and Professor Marcus decides that there is only one way to keep Mrs Wilberforce from telling the Police - the men will have to silence her themselves! Mrs Wilberforce is alone with five desperate criminals (and her - literally - sick parrot, who goes by the name of General Gordon), and they will do anything to save themselves (except General Gordon, of course). But will everything go to plan after all? Who will have to face the music in the end?

What did I think?

I absolutely loved this show!!!  Honestly, it was just brilliant!

 

As I said above, I really love The Ladykillers anyway. However I think this theatrical version funnier than the film. Also, I found this version more light hearted than the film, which is always good. Plus I think this storyline works excellently in the theatre, it injects a new lease of life to the piece.

 

The set was brilliantly designed by Michael Taylor (who also designed the costumes).  He captured the lopsided essence of the house wonderfully and I thought that the method of the turning set to reveal the different elements of the house was creative and highly innovative.

 In my opinion the play was brilliantly acted. The Ladykillers has a small cast and sometimes, a small cast can't carry themselves. However, every actor in the play carried their roles well, individually and as a collective.

Mrs Wilberforce was portrayed by Angela Thorne (you may recognise her from quite a few of her TV and theatre projects (as well as her film projects), however I imagine you'd best know her from "To the Manor Born".) She played the character very well, with even the tiniest mannerisms down to a T, whilst still providing the comedy factor.

Chris McCalphy made for a fabulous One-Round, creating his dim (yet hilarious) persona without over-egging it, which is a serious challenge for any actor and takes great skill, I'd imagine. He carried the part very well.

Ralf Little (who you'll most likely know as Anthony from the outstanding (in my humble opinion), "The Royle Family", although he did write and star in "The Café" which was rather successful too.), gave a fab performance as Harry Robinson. He was brilliant in the role of Harry and executed all the physical theatre parts of his role with ease and excellence. Great performance from a great actor.

Simon Day was a great Major Courtney. He's a really good actor and I'm surprised I hadn't heard more about him before although I no doubt will from now on.

John Gordon Sinclair made for a fantastic Professor Marcus. His performance was very good, it was believable and still funny. The delivery of his lines were great. 

My standout actor of the whole piece, if I had to choose one, would be Con O'Neill. He played the role of Louis, who is a foreign assassin. O'Neill's performance was spectacular! He was hilarious, his timing, actions, accent and ability to stay in such a big character throughout. He was such a highlight for me. He was brilliant and I really enjoyed his performance. I'll definitely be looking out for his work in future.

I would also like to acknowledge the performances of Blair Plant as Constable MacDonald and Carole Dance as Mrs Jane Tromleyton  as well as those who acted as Mrs Wilberforce's guests. There roles may have been "smaller" and appeared less than the other roles however they were  still excellent.

 

I must also say that the real musicians in the orchestra and composers did a great  job.

 

Also, the special effects team created some fantastic features for the play and that really added to the production (you'll see what I mean if you go!)

 

What did other people think?

 

I know that most people would like a second opinion and if I put one or two here, it means you won't have to go searching around as much. You're welcome. 

 

The person that I went with thought that it was brilliant, hilarious and  well acted. They don't find very much funny, to be honest, so it has to be hilarious for them to laugh and they laughed... A lot!

 

And, because I'm so good to you, I listened to what the people around me had to say (so basically, I eavesdropped on your behalf). From what I gathered, the general consensus was that it was really good, really funny and highly enjoyable.

 

Would I recommend it?

 

If you can go and see it - do. I would highly recommend this to everyone that's in a position to see this. It was very popular with the audience when I went and it's also been rather popular with the critics. I truly believe this one of the best West End comedy's there has been in a long time and it's cast and crew are just brilliant.

 

When can you go and see it?

 

The Ladykillers was originally running until October 26th 2013 however, they have extended the running time to November 16th 2013. 

The Ladykillers is running at The Vaudeville Theatre on The Strand in London.

 

The final notes...

 

• Please make an effort with your clothes - not a lot, just you know, look nice, out of respect for the actors.
• Try and get the best seats that you can.
• Enjoy the show!
• Be sure to buy an ice-cream in the interval - it's Hagen Das!!!

 

That's all for now then. I'll be reviewing the other three shows within the next few days. I hope you've enjoyed this post and that, if you can, you'll go and see the show. Do let me know in the comments if you've seen the show, and if so what you thought of it and if you agree with me, and if you haven't seen it do let me know whether this has made you consider going.

 





I hope that you have a brilliant day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

 



Celebrate Good Times! - Happy Birthday To You... - Happy Birthday Elf Girl!

Hi!!!

I hope that you've enjoyed this week everybody and that it's been as fun and lovely for you as it has for me. Today's post is going to be a bit shorter than normal, but I hope it's still enjoyable for you all. 

This week has been a very special week.

 

It has been my best friends birthday.

 

Here in BlogLand, she goes by the name of Elf Girl. I'd love it if you'd go and check out her blog as a birthday present to her - its not like any other blog I've ever read actually. It's so funny, so unusual and is just brilliant. I love her posts - they never, ever, ever fail to make me smile. Something else I love about it is the fact that she created her own background, and therefore her blog is a very personal space to her through her creativity and design. If you'd like to check out her blog, you can do so (HERE).

 

Elf Girl is the most amazing friend I could ever have asked for.  She's so funny, creative, sweet and just a little bit crazy. I don't know what I'd do without her and her support, the fact that she makes me laugh and smile all the time and her ability to put up with my Christmas obsession!

 

I hope that you will go over and check out Elf Girl's blog, and enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you for reading.

 

Have a wonderful day everyone!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

 

 



Shopping for Treats - Little Beauty Haul - Shopping at Space NK

Hi!!!

So, my birthday has been and gone and I was lucky enough to get a bit of money. Well, I say a bit - it was more than I had expected it would be. This meant that, as any decent human would I went shopping. No, I didn't spend it all at once, I just did a tiny bit of shopping. I was out and about a week or so ago and saw a Space NK... It would have been rude of me not to go in.... And buy at least one item... So I did...

(P.S - I know, there are no pictures in this post but, Blogger seems to hate me and won't let me upload any form of picture/image/stock photo. This means that to view the products, you'll just have to use the links. I've been trying for days to get the pictures into this post but no such luck. Yes, I could have spend another few days trying but I wanted to get this post up as soon as possible so it was still relevant and to make up for the lack of posts last month. Sorry guys!)



The first thing that I bought was Nars Pore Refining Primer (HERE). I don't have massively visible pores - I never have had (thankfully). However, what attracted me to this primer was the fact that it didn't have any oil in it. I didn't want my skin to feel greasy and I find that some primers can make my skin this way, which isn't something I'm used to with normal skin. Also, in this warm weather, foundation will quite happily do as it pleases and run down your face, which doesn't leave you with a particularly attractive look. A primer will help keep it where you put it. Finally, I want my foundation to last as long as possible. Primers help it last much better as well as helping it look better for longer too.

The other item I bought was a complete cult product from Nars to go with my primer... You might have already guessed that it is Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (HERE). I got it in the colour Mont Blonc. I have heard such amazing reviews about this foundation from practically everyone who has tried it which is why I bought it. If you have an oily skin, this may still work but they do also do a Nars Sheer Matte Foundation instead (HERE) which comes in the same colour range as Sheer Glow and is the same price - just in case.

 

The shop assistant who was helping me out that day was very friendly, chatty and helpful as well as having a good knowledge of the products. As if this wasn't nice enough, she threw in a load of sample products that she thought I'd like... I love Space NK...

 

I was given these two sachets of the Eve Lom Rescue Mask (HERE). I'm not sure how this will bode with my sensitive skin however if it doesn't rile up my skin, it sounds right up my street (deep cleaning, clearing and brightening - yes please!) and will be a great treat either now or in the upcoming colder months (feel free to hate me because I reminded you of the dreaded colder months!!!).  

 

The next samples I received were two of the Beautannia Brideshead Bath and Shower Gel's (HERE) in a handy duo pack with a Beautannia Brideshead Body Cream (HERE) in each pack. I was chuffed to be given these for free as the Body Cream alone is £42. The skin on my body is still sensitive just not as sensitive on my face so I'll have to see how I go with these but I look forward to using them and I hope they are as good as they sound. I love the packaging here - it's just lovely.

 

The last duo of samples that the shop assistant gave me were perfumes. They were two mini Acqua Di Parma Eau De Toilette in the fragrance Blu Mediterraneo (HERE). They are around the size of "Travello" bottles (if your unfamiliar with them, they are small bottles to decant your perfume into - view HERE). I think that these will be great for my handbag and I love wearing perfume - I feel weird without it! - plus I know for sure that I will get on with these!

So, overall, I had a lovely experience shopping at Space NK - as always I was highly impressed with the staff and everything else. I know I'm lucky to have bought what I did and I love all the products I walked away with.

Thank you for reading. If you have anything to say about this post or any of the products mentioned, feel free to leave a comment.

I hope your day is wonderful!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

Rest In Peace - Celebrities We've Lost - Cory Monteith.

Hi!!!

Just a quick post today. As I think you'll know, on Sunday the world got the news that Glee star Cory Monteith has passed away. He played Finn Hudson in Glee since the show first started. I'm a big fan of Glee and so I wanted to put a message out there about it. ( I know that it might seem a bit much to post this, but I'm sure a lot have people have tweeted about it - so I'm allowed to blog about it.)

 

Cory was found dead at his hotel room in Canada.

 

 He was only 31 years old.

 

He had so much talent, and so much potential. He could easily have done so much more with his career. I'm watching an episode of Glee now and it's so weird knowing that the bloke on screen won't sing anymore, won't act anymore, won't dance anymore.

 

We don't know what he died of yet.

This story goes to show that life is, sadly, far too short.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with Cory's family, friends and of course, the lovely Lea Michele as well as all the other people whose lives he touched. I can't imagine how any of them must be feeling.

R.I.P Cory Monteith - 1982 - 2013.

 

GingerSnaps xxx

Ready to Rock - Festival Style Guide - Basics.

Hi!!!

It's now well and truly festival season, with Glasto (Glastonbury) finished and all packed up! I love festival season! I love going to festivals; the fun of the experience, being surrounded by good music, good people, and a relaxed vibe. I just love them. Now, I know this will be no use to people who are going to Glasto - cos you'll be home now recuperating, although to be honest, if you've gone to Glasto this year - I AM JEALOUS! You got to see the Arctic Monkeys, Mumford and Sons and the Rolling Stones. The Rolling Stones! You lucky parsnip!!! I'm moving away from my point... As I was saying - it won't be any use to Glasto go-ers, but those going to any other festivals, big or small, it might help you. It can be difficult to know what to pack  and so I have devised a Festival Style Guide to help. This is the first instalment of the series - Basics. Before we start this series, you need to have the basics down so that we can then just get on with enjoying ourselves. So, onwards...

SPF.

This should really be common sense to you and if it's not, I hope it will be now. I am really fair anyway - I think I'm the only person on the planet whose Collection Lasting Perfection concealer is in Fair... - and so I really need an SPF. But even if you're not fair like me, you need an SPF because you are going to be outside all day long. You will need an SPF for your face, this could come from your moisturiser, or just from a sun cream.

Make sure that you really do protect your face because the skin on your face is delicate and in 20 years time, you don't want to look in the mirror and go, "Look - look at all these wrinkles from my weekends of festivals! Oh, oh look, there's the Glasto wrinkle, there's the Latitude wrinkle, there's the V Festival wrinkle..." and so on and so forth. Please make sure you protect your face.

You'll also need an SPF for the rest of your body - we all own some form of sun cream, just use it please. We don't want to come back from our weekend of amazing music and (fingers crossed) sunshine, with bright red skin. Last year, I went to T4 On The Beach and I put sun cream on and as it didn't seem massively sunny so I didn't reapply much. I got back to the hotel at night (it was a one day festival) and my face was stinging and bright red and so were my feet - it was painful. Be aware of windburn and sunburn and please, please, please, SPF your body.

I also SPF my lips as they can get sore if they are burnt.

My moisturiser contains SPF 15. It is The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 (HERE), which is an amazing moisturiser (review soon). I use a lower SPF on my face because I often wear hats...

My body sun cream choice is Nivea Sun Spray Invisible Protection with SPF 30 (HERE) or on a really sunny day Nivea Sun Invisible Protection with SPF 50 (HERE).

My choice of SPF Lip Protection is Nivea Lip Care Sun Protect with SPF 30, which is Water Resistant (HERE). Beware though, it does taste a bit like sun cream.

Essential Products.

This shall be a bullet pointed list....

• Anti Bacterial Cleansing Hand Gel - Festival toilets don't have hand washing facilities. This means that you need some means of keeping yourself germ free. It also comes in handy when you eat or just if things get a bit muddy or when you have put makeup on with your hands so that you can clean them. Try Soap and Glory Hand Maid Antibacterial Hand Cleansing Gel (HERE) - it smells yum - or maybe Carex Hand Gel Aloe Vera (HERE) or for the best hand gel since the Dawn of Time and Dinosaurs and stuff - The Body Shop Satsuma Hand Cleanse Gel (HERE) - it is the best hand gel ever; soaks in nicely, smells divine and works really well.
• Dry Shampoo - If you go to a 2 or 3 day Festival, then you won't be able to wash your hair. I don't wash my hair everyday - I wash it every 4 or 5 days - so I don't struggle but a lot of people will and if you're in the heat all day or in the bad weather, it will wreak your hair. I like TRESemme Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo (HERE), or Batiste do a travel size Dry Shampoo called Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush (HERE). 
• Cleansing Wipes/Baby Wipes - Firstly, I'd like to say that I do not under any circumstances condone the use of Make-Up Wipes on an everyday basis - they are not particularly good for you. But, every now and again, you'll be OK to use them without doing too much damage. They are perfect for festivals because you can use them not only to remove your makeup (which you *need* to do), but you can use them for a really super quick refresh wash or even to wipe off your hands before/after eating. They are pretty multi use, so great for this but when you arrive home - no more wipes. You might like Nivea Daily Essentials Fragrance Free Facial Cleansing Wipes (HERE).

Travel Miniatures/Decanting Products.

Now, if you're being clever about this, you won't be trekking all the way across a field, with a tent, all your stuff and then drag huge full size bottles of everything you've ever used beauty wise. That's just silly. I know that Travel Mini's can be expensive for what they are but, they can be worth it and if you go every year then you can decant your products into the miniature sizes. Everything from Shower Gel, to Deodorant to Hairspray to Dry Shampoo and Mouthwash - Everything is there. Also, some of the essentials I've mentioned are available in miniature form and so, they might be a better choice. I've put a link (HERE) to the Travel Size page on the Superdrug website so feel free to browse. Plenty of shops do little wash bags with little pots and containers for you to decant full size products into and they can come in so handy for Festivals and then be reused for next year or weekends away. The Travel Bottle Set from Paperchase (HERE) could be a good choice.

 

Be Prepared For All Weathers.

 

 I'm off to a Festival soon and I've checked the weather - it's going to be the hottest day of the year so far and super sunny, but I'm just lucky. It could tip it down at your festival - I hope it doesn't but it might. If it is sunny, you need sun cream and hats, and if it's raining you'll need wellies and waterproof ponchos. Check the weather before you set off and pack to suit and if you're doing a full 3 days do take a bit of both - just to be on the safe side.



Alrighty then, you lovely lot - they are my festival basic picks. I promise my next post in this series will be a lot more fun but we had to get the basics out of the way, we can get on with the cool stuff. I have a festival makeup post on the way, a festival hair post on the way and a festival style post on the way too to get you kitted out for your festivals.  I hope that you enjoy this series and that it helps you in some way, shape, or form. Do leave a comment if you have anything to add. Let me know if you're going to any festivals this year and whether or not this has helped - I'd love to hear from you.

 

Have a great day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

Congratulations! - Blogging Milestones - Happy One Month Anniversary Blog!

Hi!!!

So, today, July 3rd 2013, this little blog turned one month old. I know, not you typical anniversary age, that's usually a year, or two years or so on. But I wanted to just say a few things...

Firstly, I know I didn't upload as much as you'd expect last month. I'm sorry for this but I do put so much effort into all my posts. I set a load of time back to write my posts, I proof read them around three times. I always try my hardest to make them interesting for you and hopefully they are a good read.

Secondly, thank you for reading my blog, and thank you for sticking with it (and me!) even though my archives have been a bit quiet. I love how when I log on, I see all the views I've had since I started from all over the world and it really does make me smile. To know that my blog has been viewed 342 times by people from all over the world amazes me. I feel privileged to have an audience like I do. Thanks guys.

Thirdly, and lastly (cos it's the 3rd of June), I hope that I can help my blog to continue to grow into something great and would love it if you'll stick around to see it. I have loads of ideas for my blog, loads of things I'd love to do and plenty of posts coming up - so watch this space.

Thank you for your support for the first month of my blog everyone - it means a lot.

I've got lots up my sleeve for the future and can't wait to get on with it. Please drop me a comment if you've enjoyed this post, let me know if you're a regular reader, and if you have any ideas for upcoming posts let me know.

Have a lovely day or night, you brilliant person.

GingerSnaps xxx