On your marks, get ready, BAKE!

Wow! Has it really been over a year since my last post? Scary!

Anyway, I've had a bit of a hectic year and a half, I have a new job, a new house (I moved twice within the last year - never again!!!) and I'm back and ready to blog :)

If I'm being completely honest, I lost my love for blogging around last Spring. I've always been a lover of fashion and make-up and while I initially enjoyed blogging I personally felt like sometimes it feels a bit of a contest within the beauty blogging world.

It all seems to be about who buys the most expensive make-up and who uses the most prestige, high-end brands, now don't get me wrong, I am a bit of a make up snob and I will happily hold my hands up, however, since having my own place my priorities have definitely changed and while I still love my make-up I unfortunately don't have the luxury of having money to burn anymore.

So, from today With Love Kimberley will now be a baking blog!

Baking has always been something I've enjoyed but since I've moved out of my parents and into my own place it's turned into a bit of a passion and its something I thoroughly enjoy doing in my spare time.

While I can't promise to post multiple times a week, I'm hoping it can at least be a weekly activity, so keep your eyes peeled for baking goodies appearing shortly :) x

OOTD Birthday Edition

I don't normally do outfit of the day posts but seeing as though it's my birthday today I thought it was a good excuse for finally doing one!

Seeing as though the sun is shining today I decided to bring out a few new items from my Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Studded Denim Shirt - Primark

White Top - H&M

Jeans - New Look

Although you can't see my make-up that closely I'm wearing the following:

MUA Matte Perfect Primer

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation -Ivory

Soap & Glory Arch De Triumph

MUA Eye Primer

Too Faced Eyeshadow - Full Frontal (part of the liquifeyes kit)

Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara - Black

MUA Loose Powder

Collection Illuminating Under Eye Concealer

Benefit Posie Tint

Soap & Glory Solar Powder 

MUA Power Pout - Rendevouz

Nails: Rimmel 60 Seconds Polish - Caramel Cupcake

Perfume: Angel

Enjoy your day whatever you get up to!

//Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation//

Hope you've all had a good Easter my lovelies and didn't over indulge too much on chocolate and alcohol!

 

 

Today's review is on a sample I found in my make-up box while doing a bit of Spring Cleaning about a week ago.

 

As it's a small, sachet sample I would assume this came with a magazine but I cannot for the life of me tell you which magazine it might have come with, or even how long I've had it!

 

 

Foundation is not usually something I wear on a day to day basis (unless I'm having a bad skin day) but I do like to have one when I need a bit of extra coverage for a special occasion.

 

 

The shade I have is 'Soft Beige' which I would say is probably about 2 shades darker than what I would usually wear during the day so I only put this to use on Easter Sunday when I went out for a couple of drinks.

 

 

 

What Does The Product Promise?

 

To reawaken skin with a healthy radiant glow

A light, moisturising texture

Smooth application

Flawless, natural looking finish

Anti Fatigue Effect

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

See, I wasn't kidding about it being a few shades darker than what I'd normally wear, but, luckily on a night out I tend to be a teeny bit darker because I wear a gradual tanner to stop me looking like a zombie.

 

 

 

 

 

It does blend in extremely well and it did make my skin feel smooth and soft. I was apprehensive that it might be noticeable that I was wearing a darker shade but it didn't cause much of an issue at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the foundation has been blended it does leave a tiny bit of a shimmer but I think this is more than likely the 'radiance' promised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here's the finished result!

 

I'm really pleased with this foundation, Rimmel seem to be on fire at the moment! And I will more than likely purchase this foundation in the near future.

 

 

Granted, I used a primer and a light dusting of loose powder but this foundation lasted all night and didn't go patchy at all.

 

I would say its more of a light/medium coverage but as it blends so well I would imagine you could build it up to achieve your desired result.

 

 





 

 

What I Liked:

 

Lovely, smooth, texture

Blends like a dream

Subtle fruity fragrance (peach or apricot? I can't quite decide but it's nice all the same)

Affordable (retails at £8.99 which won't break the bank)

Long lasting

Light on skin

Complimenting products (concealer and shimmer)

 

 

 

What I Didn't Like:

 

Only 6 shades available

I personally think that the shimmer is a bit too much for a 'natural' look but it was perfect for a night out.

 



 





//New Beauty Buys pt2//

So this morning I wandered off into town to get my haircut for the first time in about a year (gasp!) luckily, that all went without a hitch and I now have some lovely new layers :)

After being pampered I decided to have a nosey round the shops, rude not to right?




 

L - R: Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean, Soap & Glory The Fab Pore,
Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara, Collection Illuminating Concealer,
Lee Stafford Blow Dry Your Hair Faster Spray.



 

If I'm being totally honest I only went in Boots to repurchase 'The Fab Pore' because it was running out and to pick up 'Doll'd Up' because I'd got an advantage card voucher to get it for £2.00

There was an offer on the Soap & Glory skin care range so you got 1 other product half price so I picked up Peaches & Clean!

I've just used up the last of my Collection Illuminating Concealer so I picked up another one, its great for everyday use, it diffuses dark circles without being too sparkly or glittery and at under £5.00 its an absolute bargain!

I love Lee Stafford products and this is something I've not seen in the range before.

This little spray promises to reduce blow drying time while detangling hair and offering heat protection.

My hair takes forever to dry so I'm interested to see whether this will do what it claims to do!

 

 

 

I don't know about anyone else but I can't buy Summer clothes when its cold and Wintery outside (unless I'm going on holiday of course) it just feels a little bit wrong.

 

Coral is one of my all time favourite colours, and I've been after a coloured blazer for a while so this one from Primark certainly fits the bill, I'm not sure if you can see on the picture but there's a pretty ruffled effect on the cuffs.

 

Its just bright enough to liven up a Winter Wardrobe and it will be perfect for Spring (when we finally get it!) and Summer, and knowing me I'll probably drag it into Autumn too!

 

 

The nude coloured biker jacket is also from Primark and was on sale for £10! I'm apparently a sucker for anything nude and studded at the moment but I think it is pretty versatile, you could dress it up or dress it down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I got home I discovered these waiting in the post for me,

 

The all new MUA Power Pout.

 

 

I got an email about these on Friday (I joined MUA's mailing list) and knew I had to have these lip balm/tint hybrids!

 

They're a steal at £3.00 each so I stocked up on Rendezvous (the nude shade at the bottom) and Justify (the coral colour at the top)

 

 

Look out for reviews coming soon!

 

 

 

 

 

//MUA Haul//Swatches & Pictures//

Matte Pefect Loose Powder, Pro Base Conceal & Brighten Kit, Matte Pefect Primer,
Flawless Skin Primer, Under Eye Concealer.


I've been after some MUA products for a while, pretty much every blogger I follow has used these products and raved about how inexpensive but good quality they are so after payday I decided to treat myself to some new goodies :)

 Matte Perfect Primer (15ml) £4.00

Here's what MUA have to say about their Matte Perfect Primer 'Formulated for oil prone skin, will mattify complexion and provide the perfect base for foundation'

Sounds good right?

Looks wise this reminds me a lot of Benefit's Porefessional (review here) although its got quite a peachy tone it does blend in and leaves no trace of colour (a bonus if you're as pale as I am!)

It has a very smooth and silky texture which is probably why it blends so well! It is quite a thick primer but its surprisingly lightweight on skin.

It does do the job as well, yes I still need to apply a light dusting of powder around midday (but so far I've not come across any primer that stops oiliness altogether!) but it does make my make-up last.

What I Like:

No fragrance (or not one that I noticed)

Easy to apply

Doesn't leave make-up looking 'bumpy'

Great price

Lovely texture and consistency

What I Don't Like:



I feel a bit stingy for saying this, with it being one of the cheapest primers on the market, but 15ml seems like a really small amount to me, I use primer everyday so I can't imagine this little tube will last me more than a few weeks!

MUA Matte Perfect Loose Powder £2.30


I always set my make-up with powder but this was actually the first time I'd used a loose powder. The main reason I'd purchased this was that I'd heard you should use this, rather than pressed powder, if you suffer from combination skin.

It's translucent so you don't need to worry about trying hundreds of different shades before you get one to suit your skin tone.

Its a fine, soft powder, its light on skin and it does seem to help with my oiliness, its also really good for setting make-up.

What I Like:

Doesn't look or feel cakey like some powders do

Affordable

Makes my skin feel soft

Keeps my t-zone shine free

What I Don't Like:



I don't know if it's just me because I'm a novice when it comes to loose powder but I find it really messy!
Even when I'm tapping my brush to remove excess it seems like I get a fine dusting of powder all of my floor!

 

Pro Base Conceal & Brighten Kit £3.50

 

This has got to be my favourite item out of the lot!

 

I've been after a concealer palette for a while that wasn't going to break the bank, and as well as 2 concealers you also get a cream highlighter in the kit as well!

 

 

 

The kit is available in 3 shades and I opted for the medium shade, Natural Medium Rose, although my skin is ivory toned I like a slightly darker shade for covering dark circles and any pesky blemishes.

 

 

 

You can just about see the colour swatches on my hand there.

 

The one on the far left is the highlighter, which is a pale pearly pink shade, the next shade up is the medium shade which is fab for under eye circles and the final shade is the lighter of the 2 concealers which I use on blemishes.

 

 

What I Like:

 

 

A handy little kit that contains everything you need for concealing.

Creamy, easy to blend texture

Affordable

Light and compact, so great for travelling

 

 

 

What I Don't Like:

 

To say this is the medium range I found the colours quite light so someone with darker skin may find the shades too light, although I would imagine you could blend the 2 concealers together to find a shade that does suit.

 

 

 

 

Under Eye Concealer £3.00

 

 

I actually bought this on a whim, I didn't even need an under eye concealer because I'm currently using the Collection 2000 one, but because it was so cheap I decided to pick it up.

 

I fell in love with YSL Touche Eclat years ago, but unfortunately its not the most purse friendly of products so I'm always on the lookout for a more affordable version.



 

In the shot above I compared the MUA version (top) with my current Collection 2000 version (bottom) for comparison.

 

The MUA version is a little bit runnier, although this may just be because it was the first time I'd used it so you always get a little excess product on the first use.

 

It's available in one shade so you don't need to spend hours agonising over which shade to choose.

 

 

The only flaw I found with this is that its far too shimmery for daytime use, so I'll probably use this more as a highlighter than an under eye diffuser in the day but use it under my eyes for night time use.

 

 

What I Like:

 

Great for highlighting and contouring

Nice, easy to blend texture

Versatile shade for all skin tones

 

 

What I Didn't Like:

 

Too glittery for day time use

Slightly runny consistency

 

 

 

 

Undress Your Skin Flawless Skin Primer £3.00

 

I wasn't kidding when I said I have a bit of a Primer obsession!

 

This one is currently on offer at an introductory price of £3.00, it looks as though it will cost about £5.00 when not on offer which is still good for a primer if you ask me.

 

This particular primer promises to 'reduce the appearance of fine lines and open pores, which means you can wear this alone giving you a perfect undressed look'

 

MUA also recommend applying in circular motions to promote a healthy glow

 

 

I'm a big fan of the natural look so anything that promises to make my skin look flawless will have me hooked.

 

The texture of the primer itself has certainly got to be one of the nicest I've used, its more like a gel than a cream and its silky smooth.

 

I also love the fact that its clear, most tend to have a tint to them so this ties in perfectly with the 'undressed' look.

 

 

This may be to do with the fact that its a clear gel but the primer practically melts into skin, and it leaves your skin feeling so soft and smooth, even once make-up is applied over the top.

 

I can't comment on how effective it is on fine lines, seeing as though I don't really have any. but my pores certainly do look smaller once make-up is applied.

 

I found this quite similar to Benefit's The Porefessional, its great at covering imperfections but if you're after a primer that helps to slow down oil production then it might not be right for you.

 

 

What I Like:

 

Beautiful texture and consistency

Easy to apply

Make skin feel soft and smooth

Helps to blur imperfections

Good Benefit dupe

Cheap

 

 

What I Don't Like:

 

Doesn't stem oil production so not the best primer for oily skin.

 

 

 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

 

 

//New Beauty Goodies//

What better way to cheer you up on a miserable, rainy, grey, dull day than the arrival of some new beauty products courtesy of Superdrug?

I'm getting into Superdrug again at the minuet, I tend to go through stages where I shop there all the time and then don't go in for months but they have got some pretty good offers on at the moment which is always an added bonus.

I only picked up a few bits, a few things needed replacing and a few where just new products that I fancied giving a try.

 

Nivea Express Hydration Primer - Normal/Combination: £3.99 (usually £4.99)

I had a sample of this a couple of months ago, review here, and got on pretty well with it so when I saw it was on offer I decided to buy the full product!

There is a version available for normal/dry skin but I decided to go for the normal/combination one.

B.Pure Micellar Water: £4.99

 

 

This is part of Superdrug's own skincare range and its an oil infused water that promises to cleanse, tone and refresh.

 

I'd never actually heard of Micellar Water before seeing this on Superdrug's website but after reading the write up I'm certainly intrigued!

 

This multipurpose product claims to be suitable for all skin types as well as being opthalmically and dermatologically approved.

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in 110 Ivory: £6.99 (will be £8.99)

 

 

 

I'd initially intended to buy the full version of Maybelline's Fit Me Foundation after using a sample before Christmas, but after reading a lot of reviews on the Revlon version, and seeing that it was on an introductory offer, I decided to give this one a go instead.

 

This is apparently a very light coverage foundation, so I think that this should be ideal for me seeing as though I hate heavy feeling foundation, look out for a review coming soon!

 

 

 

Rimmel 60 Second Nail Polish - Ring a Ring A Roses: £3.69



 

 

 

Superdrug currently have a 3 for 2 offer on Rimmel products at the moment so I got this little baby for free :D

 

I do love my nail polishes and this pale pink will be perfect for Spring/Summer (assuming the rain stops and we actually get a little bit of sunshine of course!)

 

A bit off topic but I also love the name of this one! Nail polish names usually tend to be a bit boring but this instantly takes me back to my childhood (I've also got the song stuck in my head now!)

 

 



 



 

Rimmel Apocalips in Luna: £5.99

 

 

 

Another product that's been doing the rounds in Blogger world at the moment.

 

I usually tend to stick to lipglosses but I like the idea of it being a lipstick/gloss hybrid and for under £10 you can't really complain.

 

I love my peachy lip colours so thought this would be a good choice for me, review to follow soon!

 

 

 

 

Collection 2000 Glam Crystals in Hustle: £2.99

 

 

 

I was instantly drawn to this glitter eye liner because I thought it might be a dupe for Urban Decay's Heavy Metal liners.

 

It had pretty good reviews on Superdrug's site and its a hell of a lot cheaper than the UD version, couldn't hurt to try it right?

 

 

 

 

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Kohl Liner - Nude: £3.99

 

 

 

This is something else completely new to me, I've never bought a nude eyeliner before, or seen one for that matter.

 

I tend to favour dark, smokey eye make-up for nights out and special occasions but I always worry about dark shades making my eyes look small so figured this might be ideal for making my eyes look bigger without using white liner (which for me, always looks obvious) I'm off out for Easter Sunday so I'll give it a try and let you know how I get on.

 

 

 

 

Until next time,

 

 



 





//Friday Lust List//

Happy Friday beauties!!!!

This week has gone super quick for me yet I'm still relieved its Friday, how does that work?!

Anyway, if you're a regular follower of my blog you'll know I'm slightly obsessed with Vivienne Westwood.

I spend at least a couple of days a week on her website drooling over all the new goodies which isn't good for my bank balance (or my health) especially seeing as though I've just booked a city break for May and trying to save for a proper holiday later on this year!

What I love about the website is that you can create a list of your favourite items - Things I Love - which I think is a great idea, its actually my birthday soon and I'm so tempted to send this round my friends and family!

As you can see I am desperate for a new bag and new earrings (I don't really need anymore Viv shoes as I've just receievd my 4th pair!)

What items are you after?