New Years Beauty Resolutions - 2012

So, it's that time of year again - resolution time.  I'll admit that I am usually terrible at these, I normally promise to eat healthily and then gorge on left over Christmas chocolate on  January 2nd. Disgraceful I know :p.

This year along side all the normal resolutions that I am destined to never stick to I decided to make some beauty resolutions.  I have tried to choose things that I genuinely think I can stick to.  I think it will be interesting to look back in a year and see which ones I have managed to achieve.

So here goes.

• Try to use things up and cut down my collection/hoard.  To quick this off I will be starting the 100 day spending ban with other lovely ladies such as L'amour Josie and The Black Pearl Blog.  This is in keeping with my project pan (which isn't as successful as I want it to be).  I want to continue to whittle down my collection to just my favourite pieces.  To do this I will be shopping my stash each month and trying not to just stick to the same things all the time.  My rules will be that I cannot buy any     makeup or beauty items. I will also be stopping buying books (unless for uni) and no buying food whilst out.  The only exceptions will be going out for people's birthdays.  Hopefully this will help me take control of my finances.  Even after the 100 days are over I hope to try and limit the amount I buy this year as truth be told I really don't need to buy anything it't just that I get so drawn in by new colours or good bargains.  

• Find a skincare routine that I love and use it.  I am very lazy when it comes to skincare.  I have been blessed with fairly good skin so I have managed to get to 22 without needing much more than face wipes and moisturizer every now and again.  I am also often quite bad about taking off makeup before bed.  This year I want to find skincare products that really work for me and get into the habit of using them.  I am aware that if I don't start looking after my skin I will regret it in years to come.

• Have a monthly pamper session.  I want to take the time to have guilt-free me time.  So I want to get into the habit of at least once a month having a big pamper session.  You know the ones where you look like a creature from the swamp as you walk around with face masks and hair masks on and then people a hugely unpopular member of the house as you lounge in the bath until your fingers are raisins and the water has lost all heat.  

• Wear my hair down more.  Sounds like it should be easy but my hair is usually very mischievous and does not like to behave itself.  Therefore I will need to make an effort to do 'stuff' to my hair in order to be able to wear it down and still look nice.  So hair masks and hair oils will be my best friends and I  may even invest in a good pair of hair straighteners.

• Drink Water.  I am appalling at drinking water.  I sometimes realize at the end of the day that I have only drunk one or two glasses.  I desperately want to get better at this.  Water is one of those miracle workers.  It can improve hair, skin, nails and general well being.  I think this may be the one I struggle the most with as it is something I will have to remember to do everyday.

So those are the things I will be trying to achieve this year.  What are your resolutions?

Controlled Naughtiness

It has been almost 3 weeks since I started my Spending ban (see my reasons for doing so here). When I started I gave myself 5 (seemingly) simple rules.   One of which was "If I see something from my wishlist heavily discounted I can buy it as long as I don't use it until Project Pan is over."  

Well, whilst browsing my beloved ASOS I spotted that they had #3 on my wishlist - Benefit 'Hello Flawless' powder foundation in Shell in the sale for only £17.50.  So I caved in a bought it along with a couple of other, non-beauty, items.

Indeed as I was writing this post the doorbell rung to tell me that my lovely postman (who is probably relieved to be lugging less parcels to my house) had brought my ASOS package.  I was pleasantly surprised as I only ordered a couple of days ago.  Well done ASOS.

So I decided to document my opening of said parcel and turn this into a mini haul post .  Enjoy :)

All my goodies :)

Here is the  Benefit 'Hello Flawless' My Holy Grail powder foundation.  I cannot wait until project pan is over so that I can use this lovely new one.  I will do a full review soon.   As you can see below it comes with both a brush (that I'm not super keen on) and a little sponge so that you can vary how much product you apply.  This was £17.50 (down from £25)

Next up because of the fickle weather we are currently suffering in England I bought this beautiful umbrella from Ella Doran for Fulton.  I have a huge love of all things butterfly particularly when they remind me of old natural history prints.  It folds up lovely and small, perfect for my bag and doesn't weigh too much either.  I am looking forward to seeing how it holds up in the next lot of showers.  This was also in the ASOS sale for £12 (down from £20)

Another sale item that I just couldn't resist at £3.50  (down from £9) was this beautiful Pieces Noam Scarf.  It is a really peculiar shape, almost a kite rather than a square.  I bought it to tie onto the handle of one of my bags to make it look a little more summery and more 'me'.  I am really glad I picked this up as I reckon it was a bit of a bargain.

Lastly, and probably my favourite, is this amazing bird print satchel from the amazing Kate Sheridan.  It was £36.50 (down from £155)  It is just wonderful, the fabric is really sturdy and the straps are made from leather so it will last really well.  This is my third Kate Sheridan bag and I wear my other ones all the time.  She is fast becoming one of my favourite British designers.  I love that it is subtle but still quirky.  The colours mean it will go with pretty much anything and the size means that I may have found my new day bag :)

 Have any of you purchased any of these things...or anything else good from the ASOS sale?

Caudalie Beauty Elixir ON OFFER!

Hey guys,

I know its not on my wishlist (whoops) but I am super tempted to try the massively hyped Caudalie Beauty Elixir.  I had always said I wouldn't due to the crazy price but I have found it on BuyaPowa where it currently £24.50 but if more people (ie. you :p)  join then it could go as low as 22.50 Check it out here. I am staying strong because I have already been naughty once (details soon) but I wanted all of you to be able to take advantage of this offer if you want to.  Let me know if you go for it and whether it needs to be on my wishlist.