Tuesday 18 June 2013

My MAC Palette

I thought for todays post I would show you guys my MAC palette, I've been collecting them for about two years and I absolutely love all of them. Most of them are fairly neutral which means that I use them A LOT! They are also so pretty to look at ... 


l-r vapour, naked lunch, quarry, satin taupe, star violet
brule, all that glitters, sable, fig.1, beauty marked
wood winked, expensive pink, sushi flower, shadowy lady, carbon


Kathleen x

Friday 14 June 2013

Statement Necklaces


For me, I like to keep my summer outfits really simple but a statement necklace can really bring an outfit together. Here are some of my favourites for this season. 


Silver and gold collars from Forever 21, £3.80 each



Turquoise necklace from Forever 21, £12.85
Gold triangle necklace from Topshop, £10



Gem necklace from Accessorize, £n/a

Kathleen x

Tuesday 11 June 2013

Banishing the Blemishes


We all have those days. Wake up, look in the mirror and begin to devise a concealer routine for the rest of the day to hide those pesky blemishes that have appeared during the night for ABSOLUTELY. NO. REASON. Skincare wise, I like to keep it fairly simple when in a blemish battle and the following products are my knights in shining armour. 

Firstly, we have the Garnier Pure Active Intensive Anti-Spot Exfoliating Scrub - yes, I know, the name is ridiculous. Although chemical exfoliants have become the "it" product recently, it is sometimes rather nice to give the face a good ol' scrub and this product certainly delivers. It contains small beads which provides just the right about of scrub without being too abrasive, whilst the 2% Salicylic Acid content keeps the black heads at bay. 


Skincare wise, REN really hits it out of the ball park for me and this clay mask is no exception. The Invisible Pore Detox Mask is incredible for getting out all the grime for the skin and leaving it feeling super smooth and clean. To finish up, I like to dap a little tea tree cream on any particularly stubborn blemishes and this helps the redness and inflammation. I seriously love it and it's super inexpensive! 

Kathleen x

Tuesday 4 June 2013

May Favourites

I thought I would start off this weeks blogging activities with my May Favourites. I've spent the majority of May studying for exams so most of these products are for covering up greasy hair, dry skin and stress break outs ... Am I painting an attractive image of myself here? Nope? Thought as much. 


Hair Favourites


Redken Hair Cleansing Cream - So after several days of denial in a top knot, I would finally admit that my hair was no longer sanitary and for safety reasons I would be forced to wash it. There was only one man (shampoo for arguments sake) for the job and this miracle comes in the form of the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream. Two washes produced squeaky clean hair that felt light and grease free. Redken says that it 'Clarifies and works to remove copper, iron, hard water minerals and styling product build-up on all hair types. Formulated with fruit acids to add shine, purify and refresh hair'. My hair was immediately put back in top knot of course. It's a studying ritual, ya'know. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume - Literally does what it says on the bottle. Gets rid of the grease - are you starting to see the pattern? - and seriously puts a little somethin' somethin' in my hair. If you like your dry shampoo to leave your hair feeling light, then this isn't for you but for a serious dose of texture and volume this baby means business. 

Skin Care Favourites


Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning for Face - This stuff is flipping amazing. It takes a couple of applications for a bronzed goddess look to materialise but apart from that it truly is faultless. Melts into the skin instantly, no funky biscuit smell and lasts for ages. It's not cheap but my God is it worth it. More raving will be coming soon in my tanning post. *UPDATE* The orange finger tan lines are receding very slowly. Will be brave enough to leave the house soon. 

Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover - It's cheap and it seriously works. I wear waterproof mascara everyday due to my infuriating straight lashes and this 'oil phase' sensation dissolves mascara with a swipe of a cotton pad. No stingy eyes and due to its oily nature, super quick and easy. 

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum - My skin has been hit with dry and flakey patches and it looks as horrendous as it sounds. Trust me. The only product that has been keeping this flakey period at bay is this serum. Light and fresh but absolutely packed with moisture. Its a good un'. 

Palmers Natural Bronze Body Lotion - Okay, this ISN'T a gradual tanner. End of. One application and after a couple of hours golden and silky smooth legs are present. It's pretty amazing but be warned, it's speedy stuff. 

Makeup Favourites


NARS Laguna Bronzer - Unless you have been living under a rock for ... EVER, then I'm sure you'll have heard of this product because it's, umm, pretty darn famous. Everyone and their goldfish seems to use it and I am no exception. Amazing for pale skinned gals like moi and just adds a subtle glow to the face. LOVE IT. 

MAC Lipstick in Speed Dial - The perfect summer pink. Creamy and is ideal for a sheer slick of colour or a bright statement lip. Bit melted now though, took ages to get the perfect grass shot and for some unknown reason, the sun is shining in Scotland. We're all pretty shaken up. 

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Bronze - Apart from the fact that I don't understand the name - what is a Kajal?! - it's a lovely product. Super blend-able and stays on ALL day. Perfect for the summer months and super easy to achieve a bronze-y, brown-y, smoky eye. Ya get me? 

Chanel Les Bieges - Perfection in a compact. Light, delicious and radiant. I say no more. 

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - Again, an infamous product. Cheap as chips and lasts really well on the skin. I seriously can't imagine using anything else but the packaging is truly crap. Excuse my french. 

Essie's Meet Me at Sunset - The epitome of summer. A true orange-red, reminiscent of Chanel's Holiday without the over-priced and horrendous chipping formula. Me likey. 


Sorry that this was a bit of an epic but I just couldn't miss any of these out! Well done if you have reached this far.

Kathleen x


Monday 3 June 2013

Welcome to Beautiful Notions

Hello fellow beauty addicts, welcome to our first meeting! My name is Kathleen and I gravitate towards Space NK subconsciously. This blog will be a place for me to share my beauty experiences, the good and the very, very bad - I am currently sporting the ever so classy fake tan between the fingers look - and for us all to create a beauty community to share these mortifying occasions and exciting product revelations. Poet didn't know it! I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy writing it and I promise never to pretend that I am at all experienced in the beauty world. I am just a ditzy Scottish, blonde girl who wears sunglasses indoors because they are Chanel - don't lie you would do it too - and is completely and utterly obsessed with all things beautiful. 

Kathleen x