I'm finally doing my much talked about GIVEAWAY!  Part of the giveaway will be shared with you my amazing followers. However, some parts will be kept secret to allow for this to a little bit exciting!  I'm very excited to offer you the chance of winning this lovely prize, and hope that you will enjoy the process of entering the competition! 

The main prize will be the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette!

 

Other prizes include:  Naked Starflower Crush Body Wash, Foam Bath and Body Butter.  Then there is a fun little photo album with the funky gerbil on, a handbag hook, Hello Kitty keyring, handbag tissues, metallic red nail wraps, Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Face Mask, Kiss Lashes, Soap and Glory's new 'A Great Kisser' Lip Moisture Balm in Juicy Peach and a little hamster pen. 

What does the secret giveaway mean?

It basically means that a part of the giveaway will be shown here, and another part will be kept secret.  I've listed the brands below to allow you to see whether any of the competition is worth entering. 

So, what brands are going to be in the giveaway?

Urban Decay, Benefit, Soap & Glory, Naked, Kiss, Nail Wrap, OPI, LUSH and Montagne Jeunesse. 

How do I enter?

The rules are pretty simple and straightforward:

1. Be a member/follower of the blog via Google Friend Connect (the box in the left hand column)

2. If you can't follow the blog via GFC then I will accept email entries at the normal address (buttonsfriend85@gmail.com)

3. Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would like to see more of on the blog and/or what you find the most useful (i.e. add video tutorials/do more nail posts/fashion is important)

4. Leave a valid email address or Twitter handle for me to contact you on in case you are the winner

5. Spread the word via Twitter or Facebook to all your friends and family - This isn't really an entry requirement and you won't get any extra brownie points but if someone you know wins, then maybe you can divvy up the prize.

That's it!

Like I said, the rules and regulations are straightforward and all entries must fulfill the requirements or else it won't be counted. If you don't leave a comment, name, contact info or be a follower then you are automatically taken out of the loop and lose the chance of winning. It's only one entry per person so if you've left a comment then you don't need to email me your entry because it won't count, and vice versa.

The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and is now live so you can start leaving your comments from here on. I will close the giveaway on Wednesday 29th February at 9pm so there is enough time to get your entries in. Remember, you snooze you lose!

I look forward to reading through all your entries and remember, keep an eye out on Twitter for information about more brands being added to the giveaway.

Ready... Set.... GO!

Lots of 

Blog TAG

As a new incentive on my blog, I've decided to start a blog tag.  This will consist of me giving out three "blog-awards" every month to the blogs that I've particularly enjoyed reading over that month.  I'll also be listing why I like them!  And then I'll let you know five things about me. 

I'm not taking credit for this system, because I know of lots of other bloggers that participate in similar schemes.  I just thought it would be a fun way to get to know each other a little bit better!

My Blog Awards go to:  *Drum Roll Please*

*  The Bloomin' Couch - Yolandie is really innovative with her posts and a real good business woman.  She runs her "beauty salon" aptly named the Bloomin' Couch from her home premises, where she can do make-up, nails and now has started selling animal cruelty free bath salts, soaps and lipbalms.  Not only that, she also has the amazing talent of being able to draw and create beautiful canvasses.  But it doesn't stop there!  She also has a dedicated YouTube channel where she has started creating beauty tutorials for the public and her followers, and she tackles all sorts of topics on her blogs.  If you are not privy enough to live in South Africa and visit her beauty salon, I'd suggest following her blog!  It is filled with exciting and different topics each week day, and is always fun and uplifting. 

*  Kandee Johnson's Blog - If you haven't seen this girls blog, WHERE have you been?  I'm totally in love with her blog.  It is filled with lots of make-up ideas, creative stuff and fun facts about her and her babies.  She is always uplifting and always makes you feel amazing about yourself.  Mostly she talks to us about make-up.  WIN-WIN!  She blogs most days and also has some amazing YouTube videos.  She is helpful and kind.  I don't know what else to say about her blog, except to CHECK IT OUT!  ^_^

*  Trisha's Epic Reviews - As by the name you can see that Trisha Hilton reviews movies, music and books and all things cultural.  She tells us what movies are hot and which ones rot.  I love the way she honestly tells you her opinion on films and lets you know whether in her opinion it is worth watching or not.  This really helps with those friday evening dilemmas of what to watch at the cinema's with the man.  She is witty and funny and clearly has a very unique writing style that is candid and true.  Not only that, but she also has a decidated YouTube channel that serves a general purpose for her to let us know what she likes/dislikes.  It includes make-up, fashion and much much more.  She's also a very nice person, and loves promoting other bloggers and businesses especially on her Twitter Page. 

~~~~~~~~~All YouTube channels can be linked to via their individual blogspot pages, and you can also be linked to their Twitter accounts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Fun Facts about ME:

1)  I was born in South Africa and lived there until I was 17 years old.  Most of my family still live there including my amazing mom.

2)  I love reading.  It is something that has always enthralled me and it was so easy to slip into the adventures or world of the fictional character.  Books I enjoy reading, include:  Chick Literature, Adventure, Crime and much more.

3)  I'm a huge animal lover with a specific soft-spot for doggies!  Despite this, I've only had a hamster called Hammy.  He was awesome but has since hit the deck (bless him!).  He looked like a little bear.  I've got two wonderful doggies in my life (that don't belong to me) and they are both girls named Bella and Lilly.  They are amazing!  ^_^

4)  My star sign is Virgo and so is my husbands.  It makes us two very stubborn mules!  Our birthdays are one day apart and we love celebrating together.

5)  Travel is my passion.  I've been to New Zealand, Australia, Canary Islands (Spain), all over the United Kingdom including Wales and Scotland, all over South Africa, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and Lesotho.  I've got big plans for further travel in America, Canada and Europe.

Have a nice day :D

Angie xxx

Golden Wonder

It is no secret that I'm an absolute Lush-aholic!  Lush makes some amazingly organic bathballistics, soaps, bubble bars and much much more.  If you haven't ever tried any of their products, then take a look at their website.

Over January, I popped into my local Lush store, only to realise they had a 50% off sale on all the Christmas stock!  I picked up loads of bits but there was one item that stood out BIG TIME!

Golden Wonder

This ballistic is like a pass the parcel gift – each layer has something different to offer. This is not for a quick bath because it takes its time, this ballistic, its wonders to unfold.

First take some time to shake it, listen to the little rattle from within and try to imagine what’s in there. Then drop it in your water and gaze in wonderment as gold turns to yellow, turns to blue and spits out soluble stars along the way.

This isn’t a bath – this is an event !

This ballistic smells of a light fizzing champagne cocktail, and contains sweet orange oil, cognac oil and lime oil.  This ballistic contains edible gold lustre and soluble paper stars – so there’ll be no sparkly bits left to clean out of your bath afterwards.

I highly recommend this baby if you fancy something different!


Which LUSH products are your favourite?

 Bisous

Sheer Skin Tint SPF15

This morning, when I started getting ready for work, I applied some Liz Earle moisturizer.  It is the only moisturizer that works beautifully with my skin.  It is not greasy and doesn't cause any spots.  The formulation is so gentle and beautiful.

I also had the great pleasure of trying Liz Earle's Sheer Skin Tint because I received a small sachet of sample with my Christmas Giftbox of Liz Earle goodies!  And that is what I'll be talking about today.

I've actually used the sheer tint on several occasions and have been mightily impressed by it.  It is so moisturizing and feels very greasy when you're first apply it over your face.  But don't fret!  It gives great coverage and easily sinks into the skin, leaving a glowing complexion.  If you are worried that it might leave your skin too shiny, it is worth just dabbing on a small amount of powder, and this easily lasts for the whole day then without being shiny.

All my other makeup products work really well in conjunction with the Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint and there really is nothing bad I can say about the product.

Sheer Skin Tint SPF15 Awards

 Liz Earle says: 
The perfect way to enhance your skin. Our rich and creamy, yet lightweight formula leaves all skin types looking naturally dewy, even and radiant. With mineral UV SPF15, it’s enriched with our own blend of natural source vitamin E, borage and avocado, specially selected to work in harmony with our skincare range.
Apply a little Sheer Skin Tint onto forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, then blend with fingertips over your face.

Suitable for all skin types

Bare 01

The palest shade, this suits fair, alabaster complexions.

Beige 02

The medium shade, this suits the majority of Caucasian skins.

Beach 03

The darkest shade, this works well for suntanned, olive-toned and most Asian skin tones.

 The skin tint also comes in three shades as stated above, which makes it super easy to find your perfect match.  The bare 01 shade is great for concealing and the beige 02 shade is great to use as a soft foundation for my medium skin.  I'm definitely thinking of buying this product in the full size.

Liz Earle's Sheer Tint SPF15 Makeup is priced at £21 for 40ml.  This might seem pricey, but it is nicer than Clinique or any other more expensive luxury brand that I've tried (including Christian Dior).

What do you think of this product, and have you tried it?  What is your favourite foundation?

Bisous

Miss Piggy for M.A.C.

Glamorous Miss Piggy has decided to share her beauty secrets with the world in a capsule M.A.C. collection.  The collection is stemming from the new Disney's The Muppets movie, which is being released in cinemas on the10th February 2012.

The collection consists of three pieces of eye products and will be released as an online exclusive during February. 

The Miss Piggy products:

 Eye Shadow in 'Miss Piggy Pink' - This will be a mid-tone blue pink eye shadow with a frost finish.

Price: £11.50 / EURO 15.00

Penultimate Eye Liner in 'Rapidblack' - A true black liquid eyeliner with a fine felt tip applicator.

Price: £14.00 / EURO 19.00

Lashes in '36 Lash' - A lovely set of full lashes that create a naturally dramatic look.  

Price: £10.00 / EURO 12.00

Are you planning on buying any products from the Miss Piggy collection for M.A.C.?  I love the pink eye shadow and can't wait to get my grubby mitts on it! ^_^

 

Bisous

Luxe vs Less

So, times are hard and there is a lot less money in circulation.  How can you change your beauty buys without skimping on the items you can't live without?  Easy, find a dupe or find something similar!  I've made a comprehensive list of bits and bobs where you can swap your luxury brands for something less pricey, whilst still doing the same JOB!

001.  Rodin v Aesop
Facial oil is used for its moisturising properties and quick-drying ingredients, but are all facial oils created equally? Rodin Olio Lusso face oil (£90) and Aesop Fabulous Face Oil (£34) both have similar textures, yet completely different prices.

 

002.  Just like the rest of your skin, lips need to be exfoliated regularly. Fresh allows you to do this with their Sugar Lip Polish (£18), while Lush gives customers Pow Wow Lip Scrub (£4.95).

 003.  Chanel's Glossimer (£20) became popular for its subtle shimmer and strong staying power. A less expensive option is Rimmel's Stay Glossy Lip Gloss (£3), which comes in an array of vibrant colours and stays put when applied.

 004.  A deep cleansing mask is great for shrinking pores and getting rid of blemishes, but there are so many to choose from! Clark's Botanicals came out with their Intense Radiance Mask (£58) recently, and beauty editors have been raving about it. Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque (£16) is a similar, less-expensive option.

 005.  Highlighters can do amazing things for the face, like make it dewy and fresh looking. On the luxurious end of the spectrum, you have Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate (£55), which also has darker makeup for contouring the face. You can use your own applicator or the brush that goes with it, but it's an extra £50. Clinique's Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator (£16) is on the less expensive side of the spectrum and can be easily applied with your fingers.

 006.  Although La Prairie's Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream (£135) and Garnier's Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller (£8) target the same problems, it is their difference in ingredients that causes such a big price gap. La Prairie uses caviar and sea algae to form a protective film over the eye area skin, while Garnier uses pro-retinol to get rid of crow's feet.

 007.  Laura Mercier is revered for her tinted moisturiser (£25), which wins tons of beauty awards each year. When developing her own tinted moisturiser, Sonia Kashuk kept the brand in mind and came up with her Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (£10).

 008.  When it comes to lashes, thin is NOT in. Instead, women want full, long lashes that make eyes stand out. When you can afford to, DiorShow Mascara (£15) will give your lashes the wow effect you want. You can see similar results with L'Oréal Studio Secrets Professional High Drama Mascara (£5), which comes at a steal of a price.

 

009.  Long nights out and sleep deprivation can make you look like a nightmare in the morning. This is why so many women have turned to YSL's Touche Éclat (£18) for their dark circles. In 2012, however, Maybelline will be offering a less expensive alternative, called the Dream Lumi (£6), which will also fight the look of fatigue.

 

010.  Nothing is more important for skin than hydration, which is why findning a good moisturiser is so important. Whether it's an expensive brand, like Dr Alkaitis's Organic Day Creme (£72), or a less expensive version, like Olay's Total Effects Moisturiser (£10), it's important to make sure it's providing your skin with the moisture it needs.

So hopefully this has been a handy post and you might be able to try something new that you haven't before!  If you have any handy tips on luxe vs less, PLEASE let me know in the comments box ^_^

Bisous

Ban those January blues

With the weekend at a close and it being the last week of the month of January, so many people must be feeling a little bit 'low'.  But don't despair!  I have a little pick me up!  Here are some beautiful pictures to inspire you, especially as it is almost pay day again and you'll be able to buy yourself a little treat.  Sweet dreams!  Bisous