September – 2013 – Hellbent for Lipstick

News, NOTD

NOTD – Ciaté paint pots in “PP107 pocket money”

September 19, 2013

I received Ciatés “Pocket Money” (£9.00) this in July 2013’s Glossybox.

On first glance, it not normally the colour I would go for, but I tried it for the first time on all my nails (not just an excited swatch on an already painted nail, which I do whenever I get new nail varnish) yesterday. First of all I tried it with Avon’s Opal, (on sale at £3.00) but it looked terrible.

Anyhow, I enjoyed the colour so much, that I repainted them today with Avon’s nailwear pro+ in “licorice” (on sale at £3.00) for the tips, and swapping them round on my index finger for an almost “accented” nail.

I adore how the glossy black Avon varnish compliments the classy grown up colour of the Ciaté. It’s like putting metal and finesse together! To finish up, I used my nails inc LONDON (£12.00) top coat.

Definitely going to be doing this one again as well as purchasing more from Ciaté’s range, which is absolutely beautiful!

On a complete side note … it will soon be Christmas, so look out for some nail tutorials of some of my signature “Christmas Nail” looks.

Totally hellbent for combining rock ‘n’ roll and chiqué

-Pants

Make-up

Calvin Klein Tempting Glimmer….in POUNDLAND?!

September 18, 2013

I love a bargain, and more and more often I seem to be finding cosmetics of high RRP in Poundland of all places! In the past few months I’ve found Sally Hanson, Revlon, Rimmel and Max Factor items all for only a pound, but this I think is the steal of the century!

The original price for these was around £15.50 each, so that’s £75-ish of make-up for a fiver!

I picked up (L-R) Vinyl black, Retro silver, Vintage metal, Bare silk and Gold velvet.

They all have the same creamy consistency, and give a sheer wash of colour, except for Vintage metal which is full of coppery metallic pigment and swatches very heavily. You can build the colour up, but I’ve found that they crease very easily is you apply too much product so would advise adding a primer underneath if you want to build a more solid look.

Not something I would pay the full whack for as I do tend to prefer good old fashioned powder or pressed eye-shadows, but for a bit of fun and something different it’s really worth keeping an eye out to see if you can get these for a bargain price!

Take a look in your local Poundland and see which colours you can pick up! If you have no luck, some shades are available at Fragrance Direct for £1.99!

Totally hellbent for designer labels at Poundland prices!

– Gem

Nails, NOTD

NOTD: Emagerd nail wraps how do these work arrrghhh!

September 18, 2013

As I sat down to do my nails today I thought…finally….at long last….today is the day I try nail wraps. I have quite a collection building up but I’m always too scared to try the nicer ones out as they only have one use, and I don’t want to mess that one use up!

I grabbed these disco zebra offerings that I picked up in Poundland ages ago and tried to figure this wrap thing out.

Turns out it’s not as easy as it seems! Now I’m going to put this down to both the cheapness of the wraps and my inexperienced application. On reflection I should have trimmed quite a few of them down at the sides to make them fit the nail better – but at least I’ve learned for next time!

I doubt this shoddy application will last the day, but I do feel a bit braver about reaching for the Essie and Sally Hansen wraps in my nail drawer now.

Have any tips for a smoother application? Leave me a comment and help me on my journey to pretty nails!

Totally hellbent for “ooh at least they look shiny and pretty from afar!”

– Gem

Festivals, Make-up, Skincare

Gem’s top five festival life savers for summer 2013

September 17, 2013

Did you see Amie’s blog about her festival survival kit? Well I thought I’d like to share some of my own top products for getting by with a minimal cosmetics bag! Some were so good we both chose them!

Now i’m not going to lie and say this is all I took (because I took a LOT of cosmetics with me to every festival this summer) but I could probably get away with just these items (and a stage make-up bag if we were performing of course!) if I absolutely had to!

Avon Maffifying Mineral Face Cream SPF 30 & Coola Mineral Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20

Exploding blusher accident on the Coola! =(

I’m usually not a fan of wearing anything under 50SPF, but the 30SPF Avon mattifying mineral face cream was far too good in comparison to the usual greasy shiny sun protection! I combined this with the Coola 20SPF tinted moisturiser and managed to avoid burning on my face at all.

How silly I felt after wearing sun protection on my skin for Hammerfest (Wales in March…AND the bands are indoors!) yet forgot to apply any for the boat to Wacken (North Sea in August). The results were harrowing…

But by keeping this topped up at ALL times other than on that silly boat my skin is brown not burnt which I am very very thankful for! My Dainty Doll 0001 foundation still looks like corpse paint on me against my tan, but as autumn and winter set in again I will become my (happily!) pale self again soon!

Coola £23.29 from Beauty Expert

Similar Avon on offer for £3.00 from Avon

Simple Eye Make-up Remover

I’ve loved Simple’s skincare since I was old enough to know what cleanser is, but this is probably my all time favourite Simple product (and it comes in uber-cute mini size!).

I’ve used much more expensive eye-make up removers, but none compare to this at all! Just a dash on a cotton pad clears even the heaviest panda eye-liner in a mere moment.

Most people will swear by face-wipes at festivals, and for convenience they are smashing of course, but I prefer to take mini cleanser, toner and make-up remover and do it properly.

£1.50 from Superdrug

Benefit POREfessional

Unlike Pants I am lucky enough to have reasonable eyebrows without having to draw them on, so my one make-up essential would have to be something that covers up my horrendous pores! Benefit POREfessional is simply the best product ever. Just a dabbing over the T-zone and chin makes my skin look a billion times better.

Last year we had our car broken into on the way to Wacken and one of the things stolen was my huge make-up bag. Having lost hundreds of pounds worth of full size products and brushes I decided to decant all of my more expensive products into small clear tubs (handily saving myself a lot of space too!) and I surprised myself by not even using half a tubs worth over the whole summer festival season!

£24.50 from Boots

Anamatomicals Spray Misty for Me & Avon Footworks Cooling Spray

I make no secret of the fact I hate the heat, and Wacken was UNBEARABLY hot this year! Amie already mentioned the Anatomicals Spray Misty for me (that we both received in our July Glossybox) but I also had the foresight to pack my Avon Green tea and Mint Foot Cooling Spray.

Let me tell you, after standing in heavy boots in 30 degrees for a few hours this was pure heaven.

Both products have moved into my gigging cosmetics bag, as even in the colder months it gets very hot and sweaty under stage lights, and they are perfect for a little pick-me-up if I don’t have chance to cool down between the stage and press/merch desk/greeting people!

Anatomicals £6.00 from ASOS

Avon Footworks £3.15 from Avon

Lipsmacker – Coca Cola Cherry & Nip+Fab Lip & Nip fix

I always get that horrible dry cracked lip feeling during festival season and it drives me bloody mad! Since falling in love with the Nib+Fab Lip+Nip fix however, I’ve not suffered chapped lips at all – even out in the sun all day!

Unfortunately the Lip+Nip fix has been discontinued but the Dr. Lipp Nipple Balm for lips is an almost identical product.

I’m a bit of a fangirl when it comes to lipsmackers and I have every flavour I can get my hands on, but this is my very favourite! I had one of these stashed in every bag I took so I knew I would never be without, this particular one also has a red tint, so saved me having to worry about lipstick too!

Nib+Fab discontinued =( / Dr. Lipp Nipple Balm £11.50 from Beauty Bay

Cherry Coca Cola Lipsmacker £3.50 from Claires.

So now we say goodbye to festival season ’13, but at least you can be well prepared for next year with these amazing finds!

Totally hellbent for 317 days to WOA 14

– Gem

Make-up, Skincare

Double Whammy – Benefit PORE-fessional & Gerda Spillmann Make-up Primer

September 16, 2013

From Left: Benefit The PORE-fessional, Gerda Spillmann Hydro Pearls Make-up primer.

I’m always on the lookout for things that make my makeup stay put on stage. I’m in love with the Benefit PORE-fessional, but I don’t always need to use this. Alas, since I was having a particularly bad face day during the last two gigs, I used this around my cheek area but decided to try out one of my beauty box delights, Gerda Spillmann Hydro Pearls Make-up primer.

I found the Hydro Pearls a little watery when I applied it, however it went on more like a moisturiser which seemed to give me more coverage. My foundation went on brilliantly and I was very impressed by the durability.

I finished putting my makeup on at around 16:30 in the afternoon, played a 40 minute set with Dakesis and came got home around 12:30am.

Despite sweating my behind off on stage, the end result is pretty damn impressive!

These were taken before bed & makeup removal – the second one obviously being for pure comical value!

Oh yeah … did I forget to mention the blonde? This is a temporary measure – I figured that having a break from Red, would a) allow the current fashion world to pick a new color and b) make it super super bright when I dye it again.

To conclude, this is definitely a product I will be using more often for gig days and will put on my “must buy in the near future” list.

You can buy Gerda Spillmann Hydro Pearls for £30 shiny pennies via the Birchbox website and you can pickup Benefit The POREfessional from Boots for £24.50.

Totally hellbent for 2 being a prime number ;o)

Pants

Beauty Boxes

Miss Glossybox September/October 2013

September 16, 2013

Miss Glossybox is the younger sibling of the HBFL favourite, Glossybox. A bi-monthly subscription beauty box aimed at teenagers.

The box costs £7.00 (+£2.95 P&P) and everyone receives the same items.

Absolutely loving this box! The seven (SEVEN!) treats inside are all things I will use which is a rarity amongst beauty boxes.

There are four full size products, two samples and an accessory so well worth the money!

NYC In a NY colour minute – Times Square

NYC are quickly becoming one of my favourite go to budget brands, especially their varnishes! Times Square is a gorgeous corally red with a hint of orange, and is a welcome addition to my sprawling collection of crimson polishes. I’m especially fond of fast dry formulas these days, and can’t understand why all polishes can’t dry as fast!

Full size product

£1.79 from Superdrug

NYC Nail Art Creation – Silverism

Another NYC polish, but this time with a tiny tiny brush for nail-art. I’m not sure the silver and red compliment each other very well, but I’ll certainly be having a play around with this and my blue polishes!

Full size product.

I couldn’t find a link to this anywhere online – perhaps a new release coming soon? At any rate it will be under £2.50 along with the rest of the range and available at Superdrug.

Beauty UK Posh Pout – Corally incorrect

Yet another copy of the Clinique Chubby Sticks, and this time from budget brand Beauty UK. I’ve not tried this brand out before, but Amie loves them so perhaps this gorgeous red will swing them into my favour. This is described as a “Moisturising twist-up tinted lip balm” but it has a lot more colour pay-off than you would expect from that description. I’d describe it more as a sheer glossy lipstick.

Full size product.

£2.99 from Beauty Uk

JvG Soft Touch Eyeliner

One can never have too many black eyeliners. This reminds me of the Avon Supershock gel pencils but far far less greasy. It’s not a bold enough black for my own person tastes, but it applies well and I have to admit is very long lasting. Might have to try this out on the waterline on stage for a real test of it’s waterproof (Or sweat proof!) capabilities!

Full size product.

£6.95 from Monushop

Katy Perry Killer Queen EDP

You know how I always complain about perfume samples in beauty boxes? Eek…well…I was really glad to see this one! I’m in love after a single spritz and this has gone on the top of my Christmas wish list (I’m aware it’s only September…)

Just gorgeous, and I know the full size bottle will look incredible on my dressing table!

P.S Loving the bad-ass trailer, I’m a bit of a KP fangirl (-100 krieg points?)

1.5ml Sample

£29 for 50ml at Superdrug

Skinetica Anti-Blemish Gel

A brand I’m not familiar with, but I’m always willing to try out anything that promises to “soothe calm and banish skin blemishes with results in 2-3 days”. It also claims to double as a toner and a base for make-up so I’m looking forward to giving this a try!

Sample size (amount unspecified)

£6.99 from Skinetica

Gabrielle Aplin mirror and album sampler

Genius marketing and a cute mirror to boot. The back of the mirror has a link to a youtube video where you can check out a sample of the album. Not my kind of thing but not exactly painful to my ears either.

Very cute and handy mirror!

You can get your very own Miss Glossybox here for £7.00 plus P&P

Totally hellbent for so many goodies in one box!

– Gem

Beauty Boxes

Birchbox September 2013

September 15, 2013

I returned home from the New Disorder Music Festival last night, to a note from a delivery man, telling me this little beauty was outside (with a slug attached to it).

Brains gave me that look … the one he gives when yet another makeup based/girl product arrives, and I grinned, ran into the kitchen, giggled to myself and opened it.

And what a delight did this month’s Birchbox have in-store for me …

From Left to Right:

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel – Body Gel (for use on “problem areas”? perhaps I’ll try this after a workout!)
Révérence de Bastien Nail Polish – Could this have come in a more perfect colour?
Molton Brown Ylang-Ylang Nourishing Body Lotion – (overjoyed at this, since I received the shower gel last month)
ModelCo® Party Proof Lipstick – I’ve heard good things about this Matte look lipstick, so I’m looking forward to trying out the wear-ability of it.
Bioderma – Bioderma H20 – Makeup Remover – I used this last night to remove my stage makeup and it definitely gives Loreal a run for it’s money.
Green & Black’s White Chocolate Bar – Firstly, I love White Chocolate, secondly, I love Green & Blacks and thirdly – how utterly adorable is that!!

So there we have it folks, another month, another box and a whole host of amazing goodies.

You can get your hands on this months (and the next) Birchbox for £10.00 + £2.05 p&p.

Totally hellbent for chick things and chocolate

-Pants

Skincare

Pants’ every day Skincare Regime

September 15, 2013

For many years, I was a believer of less is more. This is something I told myself when it came to my skincare regime, in that I wouldn’t really go above and beyond the morning face wipe/wash and moisturise routine.

I have naturally dry skin, so a lot of soap based products make my face feel especially awful. I try not to use too much on my face, and as part of my morning regime, rely heavily on good quality face wipes rather than washing with soap based products which makes my skin look terrible for the rest of the day.

One thing I will recommend, is invest in the more expensive face wipe, it’s amazing the difference this makes. Some of my favorites at the moment are Superdrug’s Vitamin E wipes, Nivea and Simple. They are relatively cheap to buy as well.

My latest edition, is cleanser and toner. I have no idea how I managed to get through life without these! It’s truly amazing to think of all the gunk and dirt that was left behind on my face – even after exfoliating face washes in the shower. I mostly use The Body Shop’s Vitamin E cleanser and toner, and find this suits me the best. I have tried Simple, and even the aloe Vera range from The Body Shop, but these tend to leave my skin feeling a little dry.

I use Superdrug’s Tea Tree Exfoliating Face wash around 2-3 times a week. I’ve found that out of most brands, this is the best as I like my exfoliating scrubs to feel similar to that of rolling around on sand paper! It leaves my face feeling invigorated and very much awake. This is especially good to take to festivals and I’ve never felt more clean/awake than when I’ve used this. Additionally, I like the Superdrug Tea Tree exfoliating pads which I use most days too.

So, in terms of my regime, my morning starts as follows:

A good quality face wipe to remove most visible dirt, a quick blast of an exfoliating pad just to get down to those nitty gritty bits around 3 times a week. I then cleanse, tone, apply moisturising serum and then my moisturiser. I do the same thing just before bed and ensure that all my makeup has been removed.

Here are some of my top tips for a good skincare regime:

Always use a good quality face wash that suits your skin when you shower. Some people shower daily – I must confess I do not. Be mindful that our skin has natural oils which are often affected with the use of some washes so you may want to consider a milder soap. My exfoliating wash is quite harsh, which is why I use this no more than 3 times a week, and rely on the pads for in between days which are not as harsh.
Remove makeup before going to bed. It’s amazing how much grime you can have caked on your skin, and the night time gives it a chance to breathe!
Choose a moisturiser for your skin type. If you have naturally oily skin, then something for very dry skin is probably not going to be a good choice. If in doubt, look out for product reviews.

There we have it, my basic skin care regime. I love trying out new skin care products, so keep your eyes peels for reviews!

Totally hellbent for cleansing!

-Pants

Festivals, Metal, Music, Skincare

Pants’ top 5 festival life savers for Summer 2013

September 15, 2013

Well festival season is officially over. Dakesis played Sunkfest and The New Disorder Festival, which were great when it comes to prolonging the post festival blues. Unfortunately, it’s now miserable outside and we are almost half way through September!

With so many memories from this year already what better way to reflect, than to think of all the scrummy products I got to try out whilst in a tent with significantly less access to things that make me look clean.

After much pondering on this, I have come up with my top 5 festival life savers for this year. It took some thought, but these are the 5 products that I absolutely couldn’t have lived without!

Suncream – I absolutely couldn’t have lived without my Simple factor 50 suncream as well as the Coola slightly tinted SPF 20 screen. Gem and I were very silly and had managed to get ourselves burnt to a crisp whilst on our ferry to Holland, but the Coola tinted moisturiser matched my self inflicted shade of orange perfectly, meaning I didn’t need to try make foundation work over my sore, sunburnt, orange and peeling skin
Facial Wipes – This are a must have, decent facial wipes to take off makeup, suncream and dirt. So long as I have these, it’s OK if I run out of toner and cleanser or don’t have access to showering facilities.
Eyebrow Kit – This ranks higher than any other makeup product, with my eyebrows filled out I at least resemble a human being!
Jelly Pong Pong Mascara – When the going get’s hot and sweaty, I am loathed to put makeup on knowing it will run and make me clammy. I love this mascara so much that I didn’t need any eyeliner or eyeshadow to glam up. An application of this left me looking refreshed and glamourous despite having spent 4 days in a field.
Facial Spritz – This was a life saver. It was so hot, that Gem and I were teasing each other by asking ourselves to imagine what it would be like if we were wrapped up in fleece blankets, whilst wearing onsies, with a hot water bottle and a heater on. It may not sound much, but the thought of this was nauseating! In this unbearable heat we took it in turns to spray each other (and our partners) with our recently acquired Glossybox spoil. This facial spritz feels like the most refreshing thing in all of the land when it’s 30 degress, with zero cloud cover, a multitude of black clothing and no shade. This is coming with me to every place that is in danger of reaching 21 degress upwards!

Totally hellbent for looking fab with minimum effort

-Pants

Metal, Music

To the End.

September 13, 2013

Last night saw Dakesis play our first hometown show since “the big line-up shuffle” (which is the nice way of saying it I think) and wedged between the awesomeness of Captain Horizon and Attica Rage, in honesty, my nerves were running high.

We’ve already had two very well received shows in Hull and Derby, but playing the home turf to familiar faces is the real point of judgement. As the intro track started I was facing drummer Adam, and I was grateful for the optimistic smile he gave right as the first song was about to kick in.

As I turned to face the sea of encouraging smiles in the crowd though, I knew I had nothing to worry about all along. Our nearest and dearest stood with horns and hands high in the air, Josh from Captain Horizon stood in salute for almost a whole song, the sound man Neil looked like he was having a party of his own in the desk, even the new faces, and the ones right at the back of the room looked like they were having a blast, and if the audience is happy then obviously the band will be happy!

There is something very magical about turning to look at your bandmates on-stage and seeing wide smiles. At a few points in the night when I paused for water (which I leave on the drum riser as not to give the audience even more of an eyeful!) Adam grinned and shouted “fucking triumph!”, and honestly that is what last night was for us. A big cheesy power metal triumph!

The cheer that went up at the end of our last song, Valhalla, cemented that no matter what happens, Dakesis will keep at it, through the good and the bad till the very, very end.