Event - Japonesque Make-up Consult

So last week I got to have my first ever make-up consult, yes first ever! I may be 26, but makeup, as you know, has never been my strong point! So when I was invited to visit the new Japonesque counter in John Lewis to have an entire make over and consult with a makeup artist, I thought I might as well go for it. I had never heard of Japonesque so had no idea what to expect from their products, but I figured it could be a bit of fun.

So introducing the amazing makeup guy, Paul! I was lucky enough to have my consult together with Leanne from A Slice of my Life and Joanna from Just Joanna

 Me getting my makeup done by Paul, he said I have brilliant skin so didn't really need to use foundation, so only spotted it under my eyes and sides of my nose to even my skin tone out. He was really helpful and knowledgable to, so was giving me lots of info and helpful tips on my skin and makeup needs.

 This is the before and after, I was pretty pleased, they only thing he didn't do was my mascara as I already had my benefit one on. I loved the lip colour he used, originally it was a pinky one, but I asked if I could have a darker one instead, and he agreed I could take a bolder look!

So here are the girls getting their consults too!

 Jo's finished look, a bit bolder than mine as she is used to wearing makeup (unlike me)

 And Leanne's finished look with a bright red lip to match her dress!

 The counter looks amazing with all the pretty packaging! (photo borrowed from Leanne!)

 And we were all incredibly lucky to get a goodie bag at the end containing 2 full sized products. We each got the Velvet Touch Finishing Powder Palette which retails at £20. 

 What is cool about all their colour cosmetics range is the packaging is all unique. The place a gel on the surface and drop ink dye on it, then bake it. So every package has a slightly different pattern. They are really beautiful!

Then we each got a separate item - I was lucky enough to get this beautiful Pro Lip Lacquer which retails at £15. In a rich sparkly red colour you can see below! 

Have you heard of Japonesque before? Do you use it? Opinions please ladies!

Events - John Lewis Christmas PR Event

Last week was the annual John Lewis Christmas PR Event - I must be honest, it is possibly the best PR event of the year in South Wales for the local bloggers. It is always a great, fun event, lots of nice drinks, tasty food and some great products and demonstrations!! This year it was held in the Park Plaza's Koko Club, it's a really cool wine bar in the centre of Cardiff.

The venue was amazingly decorated and laid out with all the top new products and christmassy items. There were a great mixture of people there from local bloggers, PR people, brand reps, local press, local stylists and other fab people. Here is how it all looked. Downstairs were the decorations, foods, technology, hair and fashion items.

 Some of the great food samples laid out in the centre of the room. I had a try of the crackers, biscuits, jams, pate and a few other nibbles. Plus some champaign and marmalade vodka - Champaign=good Marmalade Vodka=not so great!

These cheesy xmas tree crackers were really tasty though!

 The christmas tree and decoration displays were beautiful. I'm still loving the glass reindeer below, they had these last year and I just love how delicate they are, so pretty!

 Gift tree, covered in Jelly Belly Beans in cones. They were yummy! As usual there were lots of little treats we could pick up to bring home, mostly food based but also some cute little tea candles and xmas decoration things.

Next I checked out the new technology items.

 The orange case is an iPad waterproof case, that is half submerged in water!! The other i... items are all for budding musicians.

I'm a little in love with these awesome phones! The purple one is so cool! There were also funky radios you can just see on the side of the picture.
I also had my hair curled by the Kamigata team using the new Babyliss Pro Perfect Curler, which is amazing, but sadly my hair just doesnt hold curls, you will see it in my outfit post tomorrow! 
Upstairs was a beauty bloggers paradise with Liz Earle, Laura Mercier and Nars -

 A little in love with that Laura Mercier eyeshadow trio! Beautiful colours!

 Steph from Cowbiscuits getting herself a Liz Earle hand treatment, I also had one and it was lovely and relaxing!

 And lastly the haberdashery department, where you could try your hand at making your very own Christmas card.

 Ella from Hello Ella had a go, and she wont mind me for saying this but she is a bit artistically challenged! Hehe! After getting tangled a few times she managed to create this cute simple Owl card!

So that was the event, there were lots of other great bloggers there and a fun time was had by all. Almost getting into a Christmassy mood thanks to John Lewis, and I am never christmassy until at least December! Thank you John Lewis for all the lovely items in the gift bag, and the samples I got to try whilst there.

Anyone else been to a fun xmas event yet?

Beauty Review - Aveda Shampure Conditioner

I said a few days ago that May was going to be product review month on the blog and then I realised how many other posts I needed to put out first, so now I am finally starting my product reviews! I really have had loads of beauty products and samples given to me recently so I have plenty of stuff to work with, expect lots of fun and random reviews from hair products to nail varnishes, make up to face creams. Let the fun begin!

 First up is Aveda's Shampure Conditioner. I had a sample of this from the John Lewis Christmas event (yes that long ago!) and I have only just opened it. Now straight off the bat I can tell you that I really didn't like the smell of it. The ingredients say it contains Peppermint, Rosemary and Lavender. I don't mind any of the scents but mixed together they just manage to smell like an oil my mum used to use as a base to her aromatherapy massage oils - Sandalwood! And I really don't like Sandalwood!

But once I could get passed the smell the product is pretty good. I have used it twice now and realised you don't need to use much of it as a little goes a long way. I massaged it into my roots and tips after shampooing with tresemme and then left it on my hair for about 10 mins, this is the same as I do with all my conditioners. Now this is where I had another little issue, it might sound silly but is it possible for hair to be to silky? You know the slick feeling when you first apply conditioner to your hair, well even after rinsing for ages my hair still felt like it had conditioner in it - like it was too slick! But anyway I didn't still have any in my hair and I had managed to wash it all out properly.

I literally didn't have a single tangle in my hair when I came to brush it afterwards and my hair brush glided through it so easily. Even after drying it with a hair dryer the few knots that had formed slipped out with very little effort. Now I must say the finished result is beautiful, my hair is soft and silky and not at all fly away. I tend to suffer with static really bad and often when I have conditioned my hair will get really fly away, but this keeps it weighted just enough that it stays nice and straight. Even after a wash the day after my hair is still looking beautiful and is still soft and shiny. If it wasn't for the smell of it I think it would be perfect. Maybe they can try making it with a nicer scent!

If you like the sound of this Aveda Shampure Conditioner you can buy it directly from their site, online at John Lewis or even on Amazon, prices start at just £5

Event - John Lewis Christmas PR Event

So last week was the John Lewis Christmas PR Event, and what a beautiful night it was. Hosted in The Attic Bar of Soda Lounge - the John Lewis team had decked out the whole room with beautiful christmassy delights and some rather amazing fashion and beauty items. The booze was flowing (some rather amazing cocktails!) and the venue had prepared some rather tasty canapés which were circulated for most of the evening. The event was attended by a few local press and lots of lovely local blogging ladies! So here are a few pictures I took of the great evening!

 The Winter Wonderland setting was all homely delights in creams and golds. I would love to own most of this area.

 Seriously, how cute is this lantern!

And I would love this glass reindeer to go with the other ones I have that are similar. I think glass items like this at christmas are just so classy. He is only £18 if anyone wants to buy him for me!

 This was the black and gold christmas tree - so beautiful and elegant looking

The of course there were a few pieces of beautiful fashion. 

 This dress from Reiss was a big hit!

 As was this amazing coat from Warehouse

 Fashion and gadgets combined in these amazing earmuff headphones! Plug into your ipod and keep your ears warm at the same time, sweet!

The number 1 kids toy this christmas - The Furby, why I am unsure?

 And his new eyes are light up! Freaky!

There was some great beauty on show too.

And of course the lovely bloggers 

Georgina and me

Anyone else been to any fun events this christmas yet?