Apologies...

...for my lack of blogging recently. We've recently gained a new member to our family and shes been keeping me very busy.

Meet Bailey, our beautiful Chocolate Labrador.

She's incredibly cute, very cheeky, full of beans and most definitely going to keep me on my toes.

Check back soon for more beauty blogging. I haven't forgotten about you all, honest!

MUA Heaven and Earth Palette

I cannot begin to tell you how long I have been trying to get my hands on this product. Every Superdrug store I went into it was no where to be seen and the website was out of stock every time I checked. You should have seen my face when I spotted it in the new store in town. So to make sure I didn't run out, I bought two.

I honestly think this is the best selection of neutral eyeshadows I've seen (I haven't yet got my hands on the Urban Decay Naked Palette) and MUA certainly haven't scrimped on quality either, even for a £4.99 price tag.

Top row left to right

Bottom row left to right

Each colour is completely different, with a shimmery consitency and they last for as long as you're wearing them. Even without an eyeshadow primer. I have mostly worn the second shade on the top row and third shade on the bottom row. I can't wait to try a smokey eye with the other shades.

I'll be honest, I always assumed cheaper brands produced cheaper products but MUA have completely changed my mind. They show that you can get budget products that work just as well as brands which are slightly more expensive and compared to similar products produced by more expensive brands, it comes out on top.

Have you tried any other MUA products? Or have you tried any similar products that work just as w

My favourite products of 2011

I can't believe how quick 2011 went. At the beginning of the year I was praying I was still going to have a job by the end of it, let alone buy a beautiful starter home with my boyfriend. As 2012 approaches we're still decorating and finding endless bits and bobs to furnish it with. Slowly, it's starting to look not just like our house, but our home.

Aside from this, I still managed to blog about plenty of products and here's a quick round up of my favourites from 2011:

Skincare

I was given a sample of the Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser (not shown) earlier on in the year and instantly fell in love. Teamed with a few other Dermalogica products, it gives skin a deep cleanse, leaving it refreshed and squeaky clean.
Full review click here

I've been using the bareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam ever since I was introduced to it in October and I love it. I haven't used another cleanser since.
Full review click here

The Palmers Cocoa Butter Body Scrub smells divine and is the perfect consistency for a body scrub. Some body scrubs can be too soft, which doesn't really do much for the skin. But Palmers have got the consistency right, as well as keeping that good-enough-to-eat cocoa smell.
Full review click here

Clinique SPF 35 Targeted Protection Stick practically saved my skin on holiday this year. I'm fair-skinned so I'm prone to burning, especially on areas like my nose and ears. The protection stick was my ultimate savour.
Full review click here

For me, the Nivea moisturiser was my favourite of 2011. It can be used on any part of your body, from face to hands and body. I currently keep it on my desk at work for whenever my hands get dry.
Full review click here

Cosmetic 

The Revlon PhotoReady Foundation and bareMinerals Mineral Foundation stood out the most in 2011. Although bareMinerals wasn't a new product, 2011 was the year I discovered it. Unfortunately a hotel cleaner smashed my PhotoReady Foundation and I never got round to buying another, but it had a huge thumbs up from me. Both give great coverage - Revlon adds a subtle shimmer with light reflecting particles, while bareMinerals gives a complete matte finish.
Full Revlon PhotoReady Foundation review click here

My favourite nail polish of 2011 was definitely the Maybelline Forever Strong Nudes collection. They may be nude colours, but they stand out and look beautiful on any hand. Plus, the formula lasts longer and doesn't chip, more than any other I have used.
Full review click here

What are your favourite products of 2011?