Mid-Month Beauty Picks

With July nearly half way through and me being too impatient to wait to upload the obvious 'July Favs' on August 1st I decided a mid-month catch up was a must!

After a few months of minimal daily make-up , a standard (boring) haircare routine and no new beauty purchases I've fallen back in love with my beauty stash and testing out new things! 
I've said it so much this year but I WILL be blogging regularly again now - it's taken me a while to get used to my new job and get the time and effort to get my blog on but fingers crossed I'm on it now! #finally 
So check out the below to see what my top products have been this month so far.....

Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes Kiss Of Colour

You may have spotted over on Twitter and Instagram last week that I took part in Race For Life Pretty Muddy in Portsmouth! A 5km run full of hilarious and MUDDY obstacles - which was so brilliant! I don't think I have ever been that muddy and it felt great achieving something with some amazing friends and knowing it was all for charity! 

Well... I decided that I really should go all out when it came to rocking the pink so I just had to do my hair! I had had this Lee Stafford product in my bathroom cabinet for a while, my Mum had given it to me to try as she had used it and loved it but had no use for the other half of the bottle I knew I loved a good pink hair session! I usually use the Bleach London wash in-wash out dyes and love them - and this was just as good! In fact I think I probably prefer this one as it is in a squeezy bottle which is alot easier to use then the Bleach bottles PLUS it has the original Lee Stafford scent which I'm a huge fan of! I think the next time I use it though I'm going to leave it on for at least 30 mins (double what is says) to create a vibrant pink instead of a tint.

Benefit Ready, Set, Brow!

Benefit's brand new brow setting gel is FREE this month with Marie Claire! Well it's a small deluxe tester size but still a great size that is going to last.

 I have fallen totally in love with this stuff! Since using up my Rimmel brow gel a couple of months ago I've been meaning to buy something similar to replace it and this fits the criteria perfectly. 

The brush is like a little comb which makes brushing the brows through so easy and the perfect finishing touch after using my MAC brow pencil to fill out my sparce areas. This is now a must-have in my everyday mkae-up routine - I love that it's clear and it keep my brows in place all day. If you can get your hands on Marie Claire this month (Blake Lively is on the cover!) then do it, £4 to try this stuff out is a bargain! 

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker XL Plumping Gloss*

I'm such a fan of Soap and Glory products and when a little box of goodies fell through my door to celebrate their 10th birthday last month I was thrilled! 

Along with a bunch of party bits to help them celebrate were a few little products for me to try out, including this - Extreme Plumping gloss! A clear gloss with the classic Sexy Mother Pucker scent and feeling.... yes that tingly lip plumping feeling that you either love or hate! I personally don't mind it at all and I love how this thick clear non-sticky gloss looks on - the perfect lipgloss with 0 effort needed.

Redken Pillow Proof Express Treatment Primer*

It's been a while since I treated my hair to anything other than standard drug store brands so this popping through my letterbox was heaven to my unloved locks! 

Having shorter hair means that styling becomes a must if I want to look half decent (although I do like a good plait!) - this stuff is the perfect primer and finishing touch before drying! It keeps my hair feeling soft and smooth and does indeed reduce dryig time whether I'm using a hair dryer or air drying, it was a dream to take to Mallorca last month as it seriously helped with the de-frizzing of my mane! 

NYX Liquid Suede - Soft Spoken 

I thought I should include a picture of this beauty, so check it out in all it's glory below!

I bought this last month to wear to the IOW Festival and it's pretty much been my go-to for the last 4 weeks! The colour is gorgeous on - a perfect dark brown nude for me (here's an occasion of my wearing it) - the formula is lovely and this stuff lasts for hours without feeling dry or crusty, time I invested in some more shades I think, for only £6.50 can I just buy them all #WhoNeedsKJ? ....

Shop the post below :

Follow

Sleek Matte Me Cream Lipstick - Birthday Suit

I don't think I'm the only person there that has tried and failed to purchase Kylie Cosmetics. (Damn you people faster than me.)
So, for me, it's all about finding dupes and lookalike products for now and I found this total bargain recently!
I was browsing the self-selection in Boots when I was shopping last week and these 'matte me' lipsticks by Sleek really caught my eye.

Birthday Suit was the first colour I swatched and to be honest was the only colour I cared about. I'm SUCH a sucker for a nude lip at the moment - and if it's matte.... even better! I knew I had to have it, especially for only £4.99.

The colour is gorgeous, a great brown nude which is easy to apply and feels so smooth. It dries quickly and has a great stay-time although after a few cups of tea I do need to re-apply but for the price it's not something I mind.
I've been wearing this on top of a nude lip liner and it's perfect for everyday work!

Follow

Make-Up Revolution Iconic Pro 1 Palette

So last week the postman literally made my day when he dropped off a mystery parcel which turned out to be a fabulous make-up delivery!

Yes this surprise package was from the lovely and generous people at Make-up Revolution - what cuties!

I think everyone knows I'm a netural eye palette obsessor! I'm quite basic with eye make-up so love using browns, bronzes, creams and pinks which makes this palette kind of the perfect palette for me!

So because I'm a 'beauty blogger' I whipped out my camera and got a few shots of it in all it's new and unused glory for you lot to have a little nosey at!

 Top (Matte) : Left to right

Ghost | Luna | Must | Enigma | Fade | Drama | Afflicted | Pitch

Bottom (Shimmer) : Left to right

Need | Dawn | Getter | Breathe | Too Grey | Stage | Addicted | Player

  Seriously how beautiful is this?!

The perfect mix of matte's and shimmer's (which is great as I tend to use both!)
 I cannot wait to have a play around with it, being at work for what seems like 24/7 this past week or so I still haven't had time too!

These new palette's are only £6.99 and the quality is insanely good - I'm always so impressed with everything form this brand!

Why fork out for a Naked palette now when you can get one of these for a fraction of the price AND you get more shades per palette!

You can see the palette and the rest of the fab products from MUR on their website - here.

Like this post? Follow A Yellow Brick Blog on  Bloglovin so you never miss a thing!

To see videos check out A Yellow Brick Vlog on YouTube

NEW Maybelline Super Stay 14Hr Megawatt Lipstick - Flash Of Fuchsia Review

Oh look - it's another pink lip product to add to my collection!!
This is the snazzy new Maybelline Super Stay 14hr megawatt lipstick.... bit of a mouthful isn't it..... and this is the shade 'Flash Of Fuchsia'. (Everyone knows if it's fuchsia - I will love it).
A quick little side note for you all now..... The sun has been so sunny that it has made the grass all dry and sad so I'm sorry these photos aren't more colourful and healthy I have sad grass :(

So this is a NEW product from the fabulous Maybelline - who, can I just say, I have been loving recently. 

Normally I tend to head to Maxfactor & L'oreal over Maybelline but that has really changed over the last few months and I've been really excited to check out Maybelline stands and see what's new!

So this new little lippy is said to stay bold and bright for 14hrs with 'no fading dragging or drying'

I've worn this a few times and am really loving it! From the tube I thought it was going to be a really bright flursecent shade but once on it's a really nice dark fuchsia!

After wearing it a few times I can confirm that this stuff DOES stay on (I still have a mark from the swatch on my bloomin' arm!). 

It's definitley not drying at all weither hich I love! It feels so so smooth which isn't ommon with matte colours they can be so drying!

The only thing I would say is that I did see a bit of fading when I wore it out for dinner - but this did obviously including eating and drinking for the evening!

Another amazing lip product added to my make-up bag - totes perfect for summer too!

Don't forget you can now find me on YouTube - so excited I've finally plucked up the courage to do it!

Bloglovin | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Mini Boots Haul

Time for a little haul ladies! These are a few little bits I've picked up from Boots in the last week or so....

Some of these bits are daily essentials and others are just a little treat that I snapped up because they were on offer!

I'm still on a slight spending ban due to my holiday so I can't quite splash out like I used too on beauty products but still... a girl has to buy some things right?

First up are these bits from the Boots Essentials range. If you've been reading my blog for a while you would have seen a few products from this range mentioned before (3 minute mask & the eye gel). 
Because of the success I had with those when I saw these on offer 3 for £3 I thought I why not pick up some more of these cucumber beauties to try out!
I've gone for the scrub, facial toner (because I've run out of my Liz Earle Skin Tonic) and the face wipes... which actually I just find handy for using when I'm taking blog photos of products, getting lipstick swatches off etc!

Next we have some everyday essentials. The No7 hot cloth cleaser was in my most recent favourites post. I love it so much I had to invest in another bottle and seeing as I have a £5 off No7 voucher it seemed like the perfect time.
I've been loving using sensitive shower gel's recently, they seem to have really helped my skin and dry patches.... and they are alot cheaper than buying Soap & Glory every month! 99p for this Nivea one.... I love love love everything Nivea!
 Lastly the new Aquafresh HD toothpaste - I try out new toothpastes monthly and have been wanting to give this new one a go for a few months now and it was on offer so... hello and welcome to my home toothpaste!
NOT pictured - Fab pink comb.... mine seem to have all gone missing so had to grab a new one - and what better than bright pink! Love using these to backcomb at the roots and give my hair a bit of oomph!

Summer is here and so is the new Barry M collections!
 I had been looking at this Matte shade for days umming and arring whether to buy it and I finally caved in and popped it in my basket! This is Waikiki and it is a Matte lime green, perfect for summer and perfect to wear with a hot tan! Can't wait to try it out!

Lastly it's an aray of Montagne Jeunesse face masks! Over the last couple of months I've been going sachet to sachet of this brand trying out everything I can and when I saw these were just £3 for 4 I had to pick up some newbies!

I went for .... Hot Spring Sauna, Nut Oil Masque, Black Seaweed Peel Off Masque & Hot Chocolate. I'm going to try one of these once a week ..... and I'm sure I'll be letting you all know how I get on!

What have you all picked up in Boots recently?

Bloglovin | GFC | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr

September Favourites

October is here so it would only be polite to bring you my September favourites! 

Yes it's those monthly products and things that I have been loving and obsessing over for the last 4 weeks!

September was a really fun month, my family just got a puppy, I moved out, I went to the Bestival, I met up with my friends from Florida and went to London to explore... it has been a gooden!

 Now it's October and probably going to be my busiest month this year so far, so keep an eye out for lots of posts coming your way soon....

There's beauty, there's skincare, there's haircare and of course a little something extra.... it wouldn't be a Kirstie favourites post without a random thing thrown in there!

We put so much pressure and strain on our feet day-in, day-out that I think it's so important to look after them and keep them looking pretty (as hard as that is for feet...ewww). There's nothing worse than toenails with no polish on, hard skin, dry skin..... a bit disgusting to talk abut but everyone gets it, especially after a summer of wearing sandals and flip flops 24/7.

This stuff is amazing for keeping my feet soft and thoroughly moisturised.  I love to give my feet a good pampering once a week or so, a long soak, a quick use of my 'Utterly fantastic foot buffer from Soap & Glory' and then smother this on before putting on some light cotton socks and taking myself off to bed to let it soak in overnight! The smell is so lovely and refreshing and totally wakes your feet up! In the morning my feet feel smooth, soft and smooth as a baby's bottom - fabulous!

I've always been so lucky with my skin, spots have always been a rare thing for me and I have always been so grateful for that. But over the last few weeks I have been getting a few friends on my face... and they haven't been the mot subtle of "friends", in fact, some have them have needed their on postcode! 

So as always I've rushed out and bought my savior - the rapid action treatment cream from Clearasil. This always works so well on my skin and I mentioned it before in The Skincare Tag I did back in July! I just pop this on the certain area a couple of times a day and it really helps with the redness and swelling of the spot which luckily means they don't lsat long at all! I highly recommend this stuff if you want a quick and easy way to reduce your spot size and redness!

If you read my blog regularly of have been here recently you would have seen the post I did on this product. I have used this literally everyday since purchasing it.

 It is a gorgeous highlighter and a fantastic dupe for Benefit's High Beam at just a fraction of the price.

 As a base, mixed with your foundation of just used on certain parts of your face to complete the look this stuff, in my opinion, is amazing - here is my post from a couple of weeks ago where we you can read all about it and check out a swatch! 

Again another product I have mentioned before. I had this in my "Beauty Buys Of The Week" in September and since then I have worn it a few times and have just been obsessed. It is shade 156 from Barry M and is one of their 'ultra moisturising lip paints'. Because it is now Autumn I have pushed myself to get out of my baby and bright pink bubble and venture out into using darker shades! This is a dark purple colour and I'm so glad I went out of my comfort zone and tried it as I really love it and definitely think I will be wearing it alot more over the next few months.

Nail polishes are something I buy every single month without fail, I don't know why but I'm always adding to my collection. So when I saw that my local Boots had released the Matte Barry M polishes I had to pick up this one.

I love black nail polish especially in Autumn and Winter and especially on my toes (looks great with peep toes). This is called Espresso and is just a plain matte black, something everyone needs in their collection I think and here else on the drug-store market can you get a good qulaity matte black polish? I can't wait to pick up the rest of the Matte collection but I have gel nails on the moment so it is little unnecessary buying all of them for now.

 Even if you have been living under a rock you know that I love Lee Stafford.
I normally use the Hair Growth treatment once a week but over the last month I have been chopping and changing through all the fabulous products I got in my Huge Lee Stafford Haul. 
I have been using this Breaking Hair Treatment a couple of times a week along with the Breaking Hair shampoo and conditioner and have loved the effect it has had on my hair. 
where I've started using clip-in extensions again this month I've wanted to make sure my hair is staying in a good condition.
 This product leaves my hair soft, strong and shiny and not to mention the amazing smell, my hair feels so much better from using this over the last 4/5 weeks on and off, another product from Mr. Stafford that is working wonders!

 I always tell myself to moisturise more but sometimes in the morning and before I go to bed I'm in to much of a rush/or too lazy to do it. 
Queue Nivea's Express Hydration Primer, perfect for the morning and before I do my make-up. Not only is this stuff as hydrating as Nivea's moisturisers it really is a fantastic primer. 
It looks thick and creamy in the jar but you only need a tiny bit to cover your face and it turns straight into a clear primer perfect for make-up application. I have used this nearly every day in September, it is fantastic. Not greasy, not thick and helps my make-up stay on so so well.
 Another great product from Nivea.... they always seem to make their way into my monthly favourites .

Just a last quick thing - Ariana Grande's debut album. I have had this album on repeat since the day I got it on September 3rd. Yes, she has been in my favorites before back in July but I am still loving her and now I have a whole album to rave about!

It is called 'Yours truly' and has 13 tracks, including her singles The Way & Baby I.

 She is amazing, the best voice in the charts at the moment without a shadow of a doubt.  There is a song for every mood on this album and I dare you not to like it! My favourite songs are Honeymoon Avenue and Piano! Go Ariana..... hurry up and come to the UK on tour please!