Blogging Pet Peeves | Beauty Edition

You may remember back in the times of yore when I wrote a post ranting about my biggest blogging pet peeves. From overly obvious tweet and social media scheduling to auto DMs and of course straight up stealing images and fellow bloggers work to further your own blogging platform, there is a great deal to be peeved about when it comes to blogging in general. However, recently I have found myself becoming increasingly annoyed by the beauty blogging community so today in order to therapeutically cleanse myself of these thoughts, feelings and annoyances and maybe pass some of them along to you!

No swatches

More often than not I'm quite drawn to blogs with beautiful imagery. I am a sucker for a good, well lit product shot despite having never quite mastered the art myself, but there is one thing a beauty blogger can do when taking photographs that will make me instantly click off, unlike, unfollow and never return again. No. Swatches. It's all well and good telling me how amazing the pigment on your new eyeshadow is or how a lipstick's colour has changed your life, but if you don't show me then... it's all lies!!! Admittedly this is something that new beauty bloggers are perhaps not used to doing, however for seasoned pros surely this is just good practice?

'I was kindly sent this by Too Faced...' 

Psst...you forgot to add - 'in exchange for the money I paid for it,'

When this comes from a brand new beauty blogger with a small following you've got to know they're pulling your leg. I have seen countless young girls trying to draw folks in by saying, Anastasia Beverley Hills got in touch with me to review this product... yeah via an advert on Beauty Bay!

Review your damn hauls

I love a good haul post. I like a good nosy in my peers baskets, particularly when it comes to beauty and fashion. However some follow up would be great - or at least a little test of the product before posting your haul, else it's really just, 'hey guys I bought this,' and cue the crickets! 

Ever found yourself guilty of the above? Probably - I know as a beginner in both beauty and blogging I have been guilty of more than I would really care to admit - it's a learning process that is never ending.

What are some of your blogging pet peeves, beauty, lifestyle or otherwise? Be sure to share your peeves and comments in the box below, come share them with me on Twitter, or if you'd just like to see who I'll write another peevey post about next then make sure you're following me on Bloglovin.

Until next time,

H.Elizabeth x

Scrub a dub dub | Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub Review

After bumping a little bit of this product from my friends shower a few weeks ago, yes really and I am terribly sorry but I couldn't resist, I have been obsessed and quite honestly on the hunt for one of these to call my own, yep from the title you've guessed it, it's the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub and I am head over heels!

Ever since my courtship with Soap and Glory began all of those years ago I have forever been a scrub em and leave em type of girl, the cleanliness and soapiness of the fragrance enticed me in and from then I have been a goner, swearing I would try nothing exfoliation wise every again. Oh boy was I wrong, it's safe to say now I'm a Sugar Crush convert and this is one infatuation that's built to last.

Upon opening the Sugar Crush body scrub I wouldn't blame you if you thought it looked more like a chip n dip than a beauty product, but don't let first impressions and looks deceive you there's more to this little goodie than meets the eye. Boasting a make up of fresh lime, lemons, vanilla musk and almond oil with exfoliating properties like sea salt and brown sugar and moisturising agents like macadamia oil (I'm a sucker for skin oils!) Sugar Crush will leave your arms, legs, elbows, booty and general body buffed to a high sheen and silky smooth.

The lemon and lime properties are what really make the shower experience come alive, particularly in the mornings, afterwards you feel so energized and awake it's hard not to fall in love as well of course to be ready to greet the day. I now use this scrub twice a week, usually after my weekly hair minimizing rituals and it leaves me feeling smooth for days and ready to take on the world - now can your shower scrub do that?! I follow this with my trusty nivea moisturiser and I'm good to go!

Whats next for Granite City Girl and Soap and Glory? I don't know, perhaps I may venture forth into shower gels and moisturising creams but we shall see, what is your favourite Soap and Glory product? I'd love to hear what your picks from the brand are! Be sure to leave a comment below, come share your faves with me on Twitter or if you'd just like to see more from me be sure to follow the blog on Bloglovin'

Until next time folks, scrub a dub dub.

H.Elizabeth x

   

Smashbox Cosmetics | Contour Kit Review

It must be said, I am a sucker for sales dupes, particularly when it comes to make up sales reps. Now I like to think that I am a strong, independent, go-getter of a woman, so why is it when it comes to entering Boots cosmetics I'm as ill willed as Snow White - never mind taking a bite of the damn apple I'd make a pie and gorge on the thing! But I digress, today we're not going to be devling into my inner psyche and uncovering deep rooted psychological issues that seem to attract me to the 'shiny shiny' of life instead I'm going to make lemonade from my lemon of a cosmetic situation and share my latest impulse buy, the brand new Smashbox Contour Kit.

Granted now that the product has been out for a fair while it isn't exactly new, but at least this gives you a sort of time frame as to how long it has taken me to learn how to use this nifty little palette. I had some apprehensions about buying this product, I had literally gone in to buy a new primer and the sales rep convinced me that this palette was all that was missing from my life and make up collection (I caved, obviously) and as he mentioned it was a great kit for peely wallys  like me I near leapt at him! As you can see the palette comes with three shades, the contour, bronzer and highlight as well as a handy little brush (which isn't very good) and perhaps the best thing about this palette - a handy sheet detailing every face shape and where you ought to contour - needless to say my face  is in the 'round' category, soon all that was about to change.

Admittedly I didn't get on with the palette at first, mainly because I was so excited to get sculpted cheekbones you could cut yourself on that I clarted all of the things on my face only to look like I had been playing in the mud or been up a chimney (ala Bert from Mary Poppins) So it was time to take a step back and believe me when I tell you that for us pale girls, a little goes a long way! The diagram told me that as I have a round face I had to contour in a 3 shape from my temples, into my cheek hollows and down around my jaw line, as well as the sides and inner corners of my eyes, put the bronzer from my cheekbones up to my temple, and highlight the middle of my forehead, down my nose and in the centre of my chin. Previously I had been highlighting underneath my eyes and pretty much giving myself a moon face... also not a great look!

At first I really thought the powder was going to be flimsy as I don't usually get along with powdered products (so messy on your clothes!) but this was surprisingly dense without being heavy (in other words juuuust right) and so when applied correctly it will go exactly where you need it to. After blending the product with my real techniques powder brush (don't worry I'm going to invest in a buffer brush) I was pretty much good to go. The staying power of the product was great and I was chuffed to find that it didn't mattify my foundation or congeal as some products do. Overall I am quite happy with this contour palette, the instructions are simple, the forumla works right and it stays all day so they've got the makings of a pretty amazing product here.

I am most looking forward to perfecting my blending technique as that is where I am a bit sketchy, so if you have any products or brushes that might be able to help me out as always I am all ears. Leave your comments and suggestions below, come share your amazing ideas with me on Twitter or of course if you'd like to keep up with my latests you can follow me on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, sculpting my face to Kardashian perfection.

H.Elizabeth x

Lush | Copperhead Shampoo Bar Review

It has been a good while since I have done a Lush post, if I'm honest Lush has been a bit of a sore spot for me recently as a while ago I bought two gorgeous face masks which I had intended to get into quite a routine of using however after a few weeks of hectic schedules and busy evenings I completely forgot about them only to discover them at the back of my fridge covered in mould and unsalvagable! Disappointed is not even the word (not with Lush but with myself, which feels even worse!) But on my recent journey to Dundee, who have a way better Lush than Aberdeen, I couldn't resist a cheeky Lush purchase, and determined to try something new I decided to be a bit more adventurous and buy my first ever shampoo bar.

There were so many to choose from but for me it wasn't a difficult choice. Since having my hair dyed last month the colour has faded quite a bit and I needed something that would lather a bit more oomph and life into it, and being a natural redhead Copperhead was the only way to go, and it smelt amazing to boot! Lush describe the shampoo bar feel, scent and qualities on their site as follows:

'Don’t be latte for work, invigorate with a double shot of coffee grounds and roasted cocoa extract. Persian red henna leaves hair feeling deeply conditioned and gloriously glossy. Escape the daily grind with Fair Trade vanilla absolute and vetivert oil for a rich, enticing aroma. Great for darker shades and those with red tones.'

As everyone undoubtedly has when confronted with a shampoo bar I was apprehensive, how does this thing work? Do I melt it on my head? Do I break bits off and use it that way? What if when I put it in the water it melts my £5 away?! But I really didn't have to worry, you simply wet the bar as you would with a bar of soap and lather it into your hair as you would with a liquid shampoo. It is surprising how quickly the bar lathers up, I expected to have to put in a great deal of elbow grease just to get a bubble from this sucker but nope, the bar was so easy to use and smelt even better when it was in my hair. The scent reminds me of a mans aftershave but not in a bad or hyper-masculine way, more in a way when you get a whiff you go 'oooh..' (but perhaps that's just me) 

Now I can already hear you all screaming, 'But does it make a difference!?' and having been using it for a week and a half I can tell you I have absolutely noticed a difference. First of all when I was the product out of my hair it actually feels clean (squeaky clean!) I say this as a big selling point because at times when you get a new shampoo, instead of actually stripping product from your hair it just feels as if it is putting a sheen or gloss over the top of you hair rather than actually washing it well that problem is over with your new shampoo bar! In addition to cleaning your hair properly it also makes your hair feel incredibly soft, which makes me wonder just how amazing their conditioning bars must feel (a must have on my next Lush trip) Lastly I have noticed the redder tones in my hair have been coming through much more, which is fantastic for me as sometimes the more yellow tones come through in summer which I don't really like so this is the perfect combating treatment for me.

In short I have loved using this shampoo bar and this could mark the end of all things liquid shampoo for me, who knows!? I think it all depends on how long it lasts, I have been using it for 2 weeks now, unfortunately I did run in to a spot of bother as it crumbled quite spectacularly and melted in my shower! Undeterred I have purchased another one and luckily the girl in Lush (Aberdeen) explained to me how I should be using it (i.e DO NOT immerse it in water!) and as an apology for not being told the first time I was given a complimentary tin to keep my shampoo bar in (aren't they so lovely?!)

Let me know if you have tried any of the Lush shampoo and conditioning bar range? What is your favourite or do you perhaps have an alternative that is EVEN better? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below, Tweet your thoughts at me or if you'd just like to see more from me be sure to follow the blog on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, I'm gonna wash that product right outta my hair.

H.Elizabeth x

MAC Lipstick | Craving a Cosmo

Well ladies and gents it's that time of the month again, perhaps I should say week rather, where like a magnet I am drawn ever so slowly into the MAC store to look at all of the pretty lovelies they so often have in store and once again I am pleased (my bank balance not so) to report that I have added not one, but two new sultry shades to my ever growing MAC lipstick collection. So to make myself feel a bit better at spending an eye watering £31.00 on two shades at once I thought I would share my purchases with you and attempt to rationalize such reckless spending.

This time, and as per usual, I was drawn towards their lipsticks. After falling head over heels for Bourjois Rouge Edition matte gloss in 'Nudeist' I decided I needed something a bit more hydrating and with greater wear ability in a similar shade - because lipstick all over a Starbucks cup is just not appealing! And like many of us self confessed make up addicts I found myself in MAC. Recently I have been finding it increasingly difficult to get into MAC, mostly because I go at peak times and nobody seems to actually want to go in to buy a lipstick, instead what they'll do is crowd around the lipsticks going through each and every stick for swatches then gushing over the shades which is just fine, if they would let the actual buyers in to get a look at least. After spending about 10 minutes battling my way to the front I finally had my moment and by god did I seize it! (victory is mine)

 

So instead of just being good and making an informed decision I found myself panicking at the prospect of potentially never getting to see the MAC counter ever again (a slight exaggeration on the part of my inner monologue) and ended up coming away with not one but two brand new creme sheen sticks - I regret nothing! Admittedly the shades are quite similar but they're right up my street so I thought 'why not?' Not only are they similar in shades but names too (as you can see from my oh so clever title) they are called 'Craving' and 'Cosmo'

First of all, Craving is described as a  'burst of plum' and I can completely see why, it is subtle enough that you can wear it day to day while also looking striking on paler skin tones such as my own, I would say it's a good tester lipstick for when you're trying to be a bit more adventurous. As ever the lipstick just glides on - never found a smoother application than with MAC, I have yet to find a liner for this one (or Cosmo for that matter) but if you can think of one to recommend I'm all ears! Cosmo on the other hand is far more of a nudey pink than a plumy pink, described as a 'pink coco' which as per usual, MAC, you have hit the nail on the head and of course it reminds me of a pink coco truffle. Through the grapevine I have heard nobody ever looks bad in Cosmo and I can quite believe it, being a striking shade on paler skin and I imagine even so on darker tones it's a beautiful colour with a gorgeous creme sheen finish similar to Craving.

I can't wait to debut these in the summer and I'm pretty sure these will be getting packed for Paris in May (a mere 8 whole weeks away!) but as I of course said I'm still on the hunt for perfect liners to compliment these so if you have any suggestions be sure to share them with me in the comments below, Tweet them at me, or as usual and of course if you'd just like to see more from me be sure to follow me on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks I'm craving more cosmos (and MAC)

 

 

H.Elizabeth x

Nip + Fab | Glycolic Fix Cleanser

As some of you may know from the likes of my Twitter or Instagram or maybe just as a person generally I am a serial swapper when it comes to beauty products, and in this case I'd like to focus a bit more on the skincare aspect of my swapping tendencies. In fact I'm never as much of a switcher and swapper than when it comes to my cleanser. Over the last year I have dabbled with Lush, Garnier and I've even went a bit higher end with an Arbonne cleanser, but today I am pleased to report that I think I've found THE ONE in the form of Nip + Fab's Glycolic Fix Cleanser.

Nip + Fab are a brand which I have been seeing everywhere recently mainly due to their Glycolic Fix cleansing pads that everyone and their mothers have been raving about. However on looking at them in the store I decided I just didn't need another make up remover tool / cleansing pad product, but what I did need and had been desperately searching for was a gentle foaming cleanser that would be kind to my dry winter skin, and being one of those people who fall haplessly into trends I chose the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleanser and I'll tell you I'm glad I did.

This product, as you may suspect from the name and packaging, contains 2% Glycolic Acid, which according to Nip + Fab if used regularly over the course of a couple of months will give the user the appearance of having had a facial peel (which as you know is saying a lot and if true can save you oodles of dolla') Now I think it can be difficult to boast these kinds of results unless you have tried both (which I personally have not) so today I'm just going to tell you a bit about the cleanser, what my favourite parts of the product have been so far and what perhaps you ought to consider before purchasing.

The cleanser is a gel consistency so it is really easy to squeeze out as much as you need without worrying it'll come squirting out at your face like some liquid cleansers tend to do. In terms of scent, you will either really love it or hate it as it has a strong grapefruit smell with a hint of apple (as it clearly says on the bottle) so it's a very clean smell, which is something a bit different to my body wash products such as the warming apple pie and cinnamon bun gels I use regularly, but it's a welcome change! I try to use this cleanser twice a day, in the morning before moisturising and in the evening before bed (also before remoisutrising) I find it really easy to work up into a lather and find the best results for squeaky cleanliness come if I use it just after exfoliating.

So far the most impressive aspects of the cleanser have been the longevity of the product, I bought it just before New Year and I have barely used a quarter of the gel and how the make up of the forumla has not dried out my skin, which seeing the word 'acid' brought up concerns over and overall I just love the way it has made my skin feel (would hope that a skin peel would deliver results a bit more dramatic than this considering their price) My one and only criticism would be that when you wash with it, it does make your skin feel a bit tight for a little while but that is easily combated with a thick moisturiser (I use Nivea Soft) which always does the trick.

I'm fancying trying some of their facials next, Dragon's Blood has been enticing me for a good while now. Have any of you tried anything from the Nip + Fab product range? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, come share your skin holy grails with me on Twitter or of course to keep up with my latest reviews, recommendations and general adventures you can follow me on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, I'll be foaming my face!

H.Elizabeth xx

Matte made in heaven | Revlon Colourburst in sultry

Honestly I've never been one for a matte lip, for some reason I got it into my head that my lips simply weren't plump enough to pull it off (I personally blame instagram and Kylie Jenner) or that they dry out your lips something awful, something I do not need, and until today have stuck mainly to creme lips and sheer butter balms, you know... the safe bets. But recently I have discovered a game changer and I want to introduce you to said beauty balm which has came into my life and altered all previous perceptions of plump lips and matte mishaps, ladies and gentleman I introduce Revlon's Colourburst Matte Balm in Sultry!

Now these have been around for a while now, you will undoubtedly be familiar with the Emma Stone advert with all of the lovely matte and sheen balloons, or perhaps you've seen bloggers raving and reviewing these like mad throughout the past few months (admittedly I am late on the bandwagon) but if I'm honest this is really more about me getting over my fear of the matte! Revlon boast a triple butter complex, meaning they are not only colourful and highly pigmented but they have moisturizing qualities too, which with our wintery weather in Scotland recently has been a godsend, so after hearing this I was incredibly keen on giving it a go.

The shade which I chose to experiment with, which is called Sultry, was actually inspired by a fellow beauty / lifestyle blogger I came across on Twitter (and I apologise to the lovely lady whose name and blog name escape me!) and I instantly fell in love with the shade. It is a brown - pink shade which I think has a very vintage appearance when applied and can be absolutely stunning if styled well. One of the first things I noticed was the scent, which sounds odd but upon looking into the forumla further I discovered that it has a light peppermint fragrance, which also explains the cooling sensation I experienced after reapplying later on in the day! I was really interested to see whether or not these would last throughout the entire work day, because I had heard mixed reviews where this was concerned, but I am pleased to report that I have had no issues whatsoever and it only required one very small top up while I was at work.

In short if, like me, you're looking to experiment with a matte formula which looks great, doesn't dry out your lips, has longevity, is highly pigmented, easy to throw in your handbag and as a bonus smells lovely then Revlon are your guys! Do let me know how you've found these or maybe if you've found something similar to this forumla, I would love to know in the comments below, on Twitter or of course if you'd just like to see more from me, my face and I be sure to hop over to Bloglovin.

Until next time, I'll be with my matte made in heaven.

H.Elizabeth

Hook 'n' Roll | Benefit's Roller Lash Review

As you'll have seen if you're a make up fiend like myself, the beauty blogger and cosmetics world has been in somewhat of a tizzy ever since there were whispers of a brand new Benefit mascara, four years in the making, set to be a steady contender against their already fabulous 'They're Real' formula, which you all know I am a groupie and advocate of. Naturally being a lover of all things lash and self confessed beauty hoarder I had to get my mitts on one of these suckers as soon as possible, and when I found out that this months Elle magazine were giving away an exclusive sample, practically pressed my face against the newsagents window the day they graced stands!

First of all, lets just take a moment to appreciate the packaging, the sample came in a little pink and black box, very chic, pin uppy and understated which is beautiful, it was then that I knew the two of us were destined for a long and happy life together (you know until Benefit release their next mascara perhaps 5 years in the making!) Before I get into my first impressions and general awe of the product I just want to share with you what is so different about this mascara and why there has been such hoo ha. The wand boasts a 'hook and roll' design which grabs every single lash to lift and curl, much like velcro hair rollers, to heights and curliness you've never before seen. 

There are a few reasons people have gone so crazy for this new mascara first of all the wand is smaller than Benefits previous mascaras and I can tell you it is much softer than the 'They're Real' wand, it has a slight curve which aids the 'hook and roll' design and is perfect for catching on to lower or smaller lashes. Benefit have claimed that the formula itself has conditioning properties, is more lightweight than anything we've seen before and is said to hold lash curl for 12 hours (something I am yet to test out)

So as you can see this is why I was so excited! Making sure I had the best lighting possible I got down with the mascara! At first I as incredibly worried we weren't going to get along, you really have to wipe the excess off on the tube before you get to work I warn you because as silly as this may sound it was very wet and I almost got in a spectacular mess, so I would say it takes a bit of playing around with, but after some perseverance I can safely say I am in love. The lift and not to mention volume you can achieve with this product is incredible, in fact so incredible that I didn't even feel compelled to wear my false lashes (a major step for me!) I also just want to mention that since removing the mascara m lashes don't feel dry or crisp like they sometimes do if I've been wearing a hard going mascara, in short is is lash magic in a bottle.

In short I do recommend you going and getting your hands on a copy of this months Elle magazine as soon as you can before I snap up all of the copies to avoid paying oodles when the official release date comes (Which is February 28th RRP. £19.50) Let me know in the comments below what your thoughts are on this latest and greatest mascara or if you have found something that's even better I'd love to hear about it. Be sure to catch me on Twitter or if you'd like to keep up with the latest Granite City Girl posts you can find me on Bloglovin

Until next time folks, I'll be perfecting my 'hook n roll'!

H.Elizabeth xx

Family Addition | Nikon DSLR 3200

Hello everyone, I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to our homes latest technological addition because she will be featuring a great deal on this little space here, introducing my new and improved camera, the Nikon DSLR 3200.

 As you guys probably figured I'm not much of a photography whiz, especially if some of the pictures on this blog as of late are anything to go on, truth be told I didn't have a camera whatsoever, with my good old digis having been claimed by natural disasters (in this case clumsiness) I have since been making use of my trusty iPhone 4 and iPad, both of which have worked wonders in keeping up to date with all of you guys, making blogging on the go that much easier and of course reading all about you and keeping up with your wonderful blogging spaces, and of course they will continue to serve these purposes.

It wasn't a spur of the moment decision by all means and I'm not at all implying that you need high quality images on a blog in order to gain readers or be successful in your chosen niche, equipped with a good quality writing style and blogging know how you really can achieve anything, this really has been more about personal preference and a desire to improve upon a much loved skill. With traveling and many many life events on the horizon for the coming year it only seemed natural that I am able to document them on something other than a fuzzy wee screen which has been tried and tested memory wise.

Now when I'm going to spend a great deal of money on something I like to weigh up my options, review, research and discuss every little thing with my family just to ensure I am making the right decision. For example I am a big believer in reviews, and sad as it sounds if I see a product, place or restaruant with one negative review on a reputable site I tend to write them off immediately (especially if a holiday is concerned - shopping for our upcoming Paris hotel was certainly a process I can tell you!)

Nikon DSLR 3200 Features

Having read a lot of reviews on this camera before buying it I found out that it is one of the best entry level DSLR cameras for beginners and admittedly I am a novice. Previously I had taken a photography module in college but it has literally not served me at all in the real world (it revolved around old school film cameras and dark rooms,  not enjoyable I tell you) But the reviews for this camera seemed seriously impressive and the features sounded ideal for my purposes, mainly traveling, documenting memories and of course blogging.

• 24.2 Megapixels
• Auto focus and Manual options
• 9 point auto focus
• Optical viewfinder
• 4 self timer options
• Max pic resolution 6016x4000p
• Video mode with sound
• Wide range of effects and exposure modes

Granted this camera will definitely take some playing around with before I am completely comfortable in shooting with ease but I'm looking forward to toddling along and figuring it out. I'd quite like to build up  a collection of what I call 'investment pieces' this year....step two...designer handbag (maybe) But of course I am looking forward to getting some beautiful shots when we go to Paris this coming May and Tuscany in August  (if weather and my skill set by that time permits) and who knows what in between!

This was really just to introduce you to my new investment piece and the equipment that will hopefully help me blog more efficiently and I do hope you notice a more positive change in the next few months! Of course if any of you have any pointers for handling this type of camera I'm all ears, I always think guides from real people are far better than the written ones especially since you've been sitting playing about with settings and it's really all about what makes you feel comfortable. If you do have any suggestions or just want to say something about this type of camera in general be sure to drop me a comment below, come share your words of wisdom with me on Twitter, or if you'd like to see more from me and this blog be sure to follow me on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, head's buried in the instruction manual.

H.Elizabeth xx

Having and Giving and Sharing and Recieving | Lush Recyling Scheme

It finally happened! Throughout the last year I have been loving Lush and since losing my Lush virginity all the way back in February last year with my 'Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser' and I'm pleased to today report that I have accumulated enough empty Lush pots to take part in their recycling scheme. I say I have only just managed this, truth be told I actually have 8 pots at home!

For those of you who have never been or are unfamiliar with the Lush recycling scheme (where have you been one may ask?!) it is basically a 'you scratch our backs, we'll scratch yours' which has economical (for Lush), environmental (for the world, obviously) and of course consumer (us) benefits. Lush ask that you collect and wash out any of your little black pots which have the wee recycling symbol on them and when you have 5 of them, take them back to your local store where they will exchange them for a free fresh face mask. The pots are then transported back to their production warehouse in Poole I believe, where they are then cleaned out thoroughly and reused for the next person to take home and love. Lush are working towards a closed loop system whereby they no longer have to produce their little black pots due to their durability and re-usability and of course by relying on the loyalty of their customers - and honestly who wouldn't be opting into their scheme?

Anyway, moving along from the techy techy environmentalist side of things, today I thought I would share with you which 5 pots I shall be trading in, alongside a mini review of what I thought of each product and finally what I shall be trading them in for.

Enzymion Moisturiser (x2)
My skincare savior! Following a horrendous experience with a rather thick (such as concrete) MAC foundation I wanted to use something a bit more natural and less chemically on my skin, and my usual moisturiser (Nivea) just wasn't cutting it! The consistency of this moisturiser is quite runny and can drip off your face if you use too much, but it smells lovely. I wouldn't say it leaves your skin feeling amazing or soft right away but give it a week and your dry, dull skin will have cleared entirely! You can read my full review for the Enzymion Moisturiser here.

Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser
You can see my full review of this cleanser here, but as you'll know if you've already read it, this helped to soften my skin and clear any and all blemishes I had. Although I had originally gone in the day I bought this for a cleanser that would also remove eye make-up (which this obviously doesn't and wouldn't) I still fell in love with it. The smell is lovely (if like me you are a fan of lavender) and the consistency is great too. A little of this goes a long way, it'll last you for weeks as long as you use it sparingly which I do!

Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask
I had a bit of a love hate relationship with this mask, while I loved the scent and the feeling it left on my skin it was incredibly flaky and the chunks of berry kept falling off of my face and into my tea! Because this was kept in the fridge it was quite hard to get out of the tub and onto my face and often flaked while it was drying so messy messy! I totally agree with the synopsis on their site however it is a very calming and soothing mask but I would not recommend if you are looking for something low maintenance!

Love Lettuce Face Mask
Fresh, fresh, fresh, is all I can say about this face mask. What I love about Lush's Fresh Face Masks is that because they are kept in the fridge to prolong their goodness, every time you put them on your face it is like getting a huge breath of fresh air, but maybe that's just me who enjoys a cold compress. Another thing I loved about this mask was the grainy quality meant you were not only moisturising (and cooling) your skin, but when you wash it off you're exfoliating too, which is why I would only recommend you use this one once or twice a week max. The smell is divine too, I believe it's a mix between honey, almond and lavender all of which I love. This is one I'll definitely be repurchasing in the future.

For all of these empty pots I can treat myself to one of their fresh face masks again, and I'm going to try and go for something different this time which of course is still good for dry skin as I'm still a bit of a sufferer, especially with Aberdeen having now joined the rest of the UK in the cold weather slump! At the moment I have been swithering between their Oatifix mask which sounds like a dream for dry skin or their BB Seaweed, because it looks and sounds so fresh. Do let me know your thoughts on what I should treat myself to in the comments below or of course any Lush products you yourself have been loving lately, I'd love to hear from you! As always you can catch me on Twitter or if you'd like to see more reviews, ramblings and rambunctious goings on you can follow Granite City Girl on Bloglovin

Until next time folks, getting fresh!

H.Elizabeth xx

My Coffee Table | Latest Reads

Over the past few months I have had a little bit of an obsession with the phenomenon sweeping the nation, blogosphere and coffee tables everywhere and since then I have gained quite an impressive library of fashion, beauty and lifestyle books, discovered some great authors and spent more than I care to think of in Waterstones! So in light of my recent discoveries and additions I thought I would share with you my top picks in fashion, beauty and lifestyle reads from my own coffee table.

A London Year: 365 Days of City Life in Diaries, Journals and Letters

A London Year is a collection or journal entries, diary excerpts and short musings from various individuals which date back to Tudor times and takes you right through to the 21st century, I really enjoy just picking this book up at any page and reading a little except and it really shows how much London has changed and how far people have come especially when you read an excerpt about the war, air raids and even executions. This is a lovely thick hard back book which is a great addition to anyone who loves reading about history, people's lives or who just loves London past or present!

Elvgren: Complete Pin-Ups Book

Pin up is something I have loved and admired style wise for a good while now and I love the glamour that comes hand in hand with post war 1950s style, in fact one of my greatest discoveries of this past year has been pin up You Tube sensation the Cherry Dollface. This book is a tribute to one of the world's greatest pin up illustrators, Gil Elvgren who liked to photograph models and then paint them into a hyper reality of long legs, gravity defying hair and flawless make up. This is actually a book I have had for years, and I use this when I'm looking for make up or style inspiration with a vintage feel.

Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic

One of my most recent purchases and I'll tell you for fashion and beauty enthusiasts it's a definite page turner. Since adding this nifty wee book to my collection I haven't been able to put it down, the ideas inside are inspired and even if you're not looking to read too much then the outfits captured inside are enough to satisfy your style cravings. With styling tips, interviews and inspirational quotes from French and fashion greats alike this  book can help you develop your own personal style with a Parisian flair for everyday glamour with that highly coveted je nais se quois.

So I hope you've enjoyed reading my coffee table picks, of course this is only part of our collection and we're always looking to expand so if you have any great reads we have missed out be sure to share them with me in the comments below or come share them with me on Twitter or if you'd like to keep up with the latest Granite City reviews, antics and adventures be sure to follow me on Bloglovin

My head will be in a book, until next time folks! 

H.Elizabeth x

Dear Diary | Getting organised for 2015

Stationary is something I have always had an affinity for. Going to school back in the day I was always the kid laden down with a bag full of stationary you name it I had it, pencil cases, sharpeners an endless supply of pencils and pens, ring binders and all manner of things that weighed down my bag while all of the other girls carried 'chic' handbags and their much coveted Jane Norman shopper bags I simply had too much STUFF (stuff might I add that these girls had no problems asking to 'borrow' when their tiny handbags struggled to fit in a pencil) This has been an obsession I have carried over into college, university and now that I work in an office I'm excited to finally fill up my desk with stationary goodies and nick nacks from the Boxing Day sales!

My main aim is to buy an all purpose diary to take around with me every day and write down my hourly happenings and goings on in a bit to become a little bit more productive in my days. So today I thought I would share my top diary picks of 2015 with you to see if you might be able to help me decide which one would be best for my scatter brain of late!



1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Being a beauty addict and well one of those people attracted by the shiny shiny, I mainly chose these for their appearances but really who can blame me?! There you have my top diary and journal picks of 2015 I hope this post has inspired you to get yourself organised for the rest of the year, or maybe even start documenting memories from this year! The sky is the limit.

Be sure to share you favourite diary and journal picks from the sales this year in the comments below or share your best organisational tips for work, university or just life in general, every little helps! As always you can catch me on Twitter or if you'd like to see more from the Granite City you can follow me on Bloglovin.

Attempting to stay organised! Until next time folks.

H.Elizabeth x

Oh my god, look at her buns | Philosophy Cinnamon Buns

Hello everyone and welcome to the first blog post of 2015 on Granite City Girl! Instead of having another festive, New Yearsy post I thought I would just get stuck right in and share with you one of my recent purchases (with my Christmas money so it is probably a little festive) which I have been lusting after since time began! Well since I bought my last one. May I present the Philosophy Cinnamon Buns shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath!

If you've read my previous Philosophy review which revolved around Granny's Apple Pie shower gel all the way back in March 2014, then you'll already know how I feel about Philosophy and I have to be honest I've become a bit of a Philosophy groupie, which has been both an enriching and money draining experience but I of course have found a way to rationalize my little obsession as always (excuses like it's for the blog have since become a staple in our house!)

This gel was not on offer and I feel a bit crazy for having paid £14.50 for it, but as a post holiday treat this is how I was able to reason with myself into actually buying it. Unlike the Christmas specials Philosophy annually come out with, this one doesn't come in a fancy wee box but has the usual luxe packaging with a recipe for cinnamon buns on the front, which I love. Just as a little note of how long these shower gels actually last, I still have the Granny's Apple Pie shower gel which I bought back at the end of February in 2014! This one, like the last one, feels very silky, sumptuous and rich, it's very creamy and it's easily worked up into a foamy lathery delight which as you'll know I love! The scent is very very sweet so if you like fresh smelling scents then this one isn't for you, and because of the white, silvery colour along with the smell it feels like you're washing with the icing off a cinnamon bun which is amazing, but may not help any healthy eating or food cravings for a post shower snack! Another aspect of the Philosophy gels which I love is the fact that when you do shower and you're bathroom is all steamy the smell lingers and travels through your house (which isn't difficult for our tiny one bedroom) but it's so lovely and it smells beautiful all day!

Even though thinking about the price of course still hurts me a little bit, I can simply wash all of my cares and woes of the price tag away as soon as I step into the shower, and being able to walk around all day smelling like a cina bun helps too!

Have you guys ever spent this much on a guilty pleasure? I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on the Philosophy shower gel range! Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below or if you've found any Philosophy dupes be sure to come Tweet them at me or of course if you'd like to keep up with the latest Granite City buys, adventures, antics and reviews you can follow me on Bloglovin

Until next time folks, I'll be the one smelling like a cina bun!

H.Elizabeth x

Not another MAC post?! | Burgundy Party Line

With party season well and truly upon us, and may I also add almost passed us, I thought what better way to mark this occasion than with a brand new MAC lip purchase!

Recently I've been going through my make up having a bit of a sort through, clear out and general 'I've forgotten what I have' rummage around in my drawers and I realised that I have a few bits and pieces missing from my collection which I would love to have throughout this party season. One of said items I was meaning to purchase during October when the Rocky Horror MAC collection was released, but sadly it was not meant to be and I had to venture forth into my life Rocky Horrorless....

So finding myself at a loose end I decided to take a trip to the MAC store and treat myself, again, to a pre Christmas present from me to me and I walked out with one of their Cremesheen lipsticks in 'Party Line' and one of their 'Burgundy' lip liners to go along with it. Of course I rushed home to try it out as soon as I could (much like Charlie Bucket with his golden ticket)

 

The colour is a bit more intense than what I would usually go for, but I am getting a little more adventurous in my make up use, I say adventurous but I'm hoping the look I'm achieving isn't 'eccentric' Since playing about with it a little I must say I am surprised it hasn't been highlighted as more beauty bloggers party season favourite, it's a classic berry sheen with the perfect balance of shimmer in there and paired with the 'Burgundy' liner along with a slick of gloss it's gorgeous! 

I'm really chuffed with this lippy I think it's going to be a great asset to my collection as it can be dressed up with a perty frock, paired with a sleek hair do you could go very 1950's pin up or you can of course wear it with a slouchy jumper and a hint of liner, it's that versatile! The shade I feel will also go along with a number of different skin tones, it is a very shocking and intense colour against my peely wally skin but the colour is so deep and lovely I think it would look just as lovely on someone with a darker skin tone.

As always I'm really chuffed to find a lippy that won't dry out my lips, stands the test of time and water and of course has such a gorgeous colour. Another thing I'd like to say just before I sign off is that I'm always really chuffed with the way the ladies in the MAC store help their customers out, they really got my requirements spot on especially given I'm usually so vague about what I want and I am terrible at verbal descriptions! In short I highly recommend you pick this lovely little number up for party season and as I say I'm very shocked more people haven't been raving about this sooner!

What do you guys think? Have you got any go to party shades this year or do you even have any MAC recommendations for me, I'd love to hear them? Be sure to drop me a comment below, come chat with me on Twitter or of course if you'd like to see more of me, my reviews and my face be sure to follow me on Bloglovin

Until next time folks!

H.Elizabeth

Keeping Cosy this Christmas | Winter Essentials

Something I adore about Winter and the colder months is that my perpetually cold state can be appropriately justified and it gives me a fab excuse to layer up with jumper upon jumper under my dressing gown and of course have my heating up full blast without complaint (both a pleasure and a joy for being around those who appear to be constantly hot throughout the rest of the year!)

Given that the colder weather has just hit us in Scotland like a tonne of bricks, and that as a ground floor tenant in a previously council owned flat next to the coast (which of course makes me an absolute expert in heat conservation!) I thought I would share my top picks for keeping cosy indoors this Christmas and hopefully this might help you create your own little burrito of cosiness for this supposed 'weather bomb' coming our way! 

Philosophy Shower Gel, Damart Slipper Boots and ASDA Fairy Lights - Winter Warmers

Fluffy superman dressing gown by George ASDA (Stolen from hubby)

A Christmas 2013 gift from my parents to my hubby...and now it's mine! I actually wear this year long, even in warmer summer evenings (as I mentioned my perpetually cold state earlier!) I enjoy a longer gown as the short "girly" ones just don't do their jobs, when it comes to dressing gowns I go for durability, comfy, cosiness and something super, not sex appeal!

Blanket cape by New Look

Straight from my November wishlist to the comforts of my very own home! I grabbed this one while they were still in store, and you know even now their moment in the Autumnal outdoors has come and past at least I have a lovely cosy blanket to see me through the chilly nights in addition to my superman dressing gown!

Thermal tech slipper boots by Damart

I actually got sent these bad boys by Damart to share with you lovelies and I admit at first I was a wee bit skeptical since I already have a pair of slipper boots I adore and I thought how can they get better? But trust me these are on another level of comfort and feet treat goodness! They apparently have some thermal tech (which I'm not up on since I'm not down with the kids) but they keep your toes cosy with their furry lining and I'm pleased to find a pair of slippers that are durable enough to stomp through the house in without ripping of getting a stray stone through! These haven't been off my feet since they arrived and of course have joined my winter warmer essentials.

Fairy lights by ASDA
These little lovelies are enough to get anyone in the festive spirit! I bought these for about £3/£4 a few weeks ago and wound them around the top frame of our bed which ultimately transformed the entire appearance of our wee bedroom (I don't even think I'm exaggerating!) They are the perfect little night lights for reading in bed on chilly nights and I just love how they look, so much so that I have recently bought another 2 sets and wound one around the tiered storage rack in my wardrobe to make all of my clothes look super pretty.

Granny's apple pie shower gel by Philosophy
When you get in from the cold, darker days it's nice to just chill out and have a nice warm shower (I don't have a bath unfortunately!) and what better shower companion than a great bit apple pie!? Well not quite but this is my favourite shower gel to come home to in the evenings in particular it is such a warming, relaxing scent and sets you right up for bed time and relaxing evenings. You can read my full review of this product here

Homemade cinnamon hot chocolate by me
As you guys know I have been dabbling and experimenting quite a bit in my kitchen recently and I am pleased to report another culinary success in the form of my winter warmer cinnamon stick hot chocolate. It may be the thickest, creamiest and sweetest hot chocolate or general thing I have ever had but it is to die for and it is especially Christmassy with the cinnamon scents and tastes throughout!

So guys I do hope you've enjoyed reading my favourite Winter warmer essentials and I'd love to hear what your strategies are for keeping warm inside in the Winter. Be sure to drop me a comment below, come share your best cosies with me on Twitter or of course you can keep up with my cosies by following me on Bloglovin

Until next time folks.

H.Elizabeth

Christmas Gifting | DIY Festive Lip Scrub

Recently I have been experimenting with various scents, flavours, food stuffs and colours in my kitchen, and as odd and potion like and, well, Breaking Bad as that sounds, don't worry it's all in the name of a cost effective Christmas. From a failed attempt at a gingerbread house, too embarrassing to share, to eventually ending with flour, sugar and all matter of ingredients all over my kitchen, living room and my cat, I accepted defeat at the hands of Baking Mad and moved on to something more my speed.

And so with the incredible success (if I do say so myself) of my own little DIY lip scrubs I thought I would share some of  my more festive scrubs with you so you don't have to go along and shell out £5.50 at Lush for Santa's Cola Lip Scrub (not that I am claiming mine are ANY better than Lush but they are tasty!) This is a super easy DIY and I bet you can find most of the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard, the only thing you may have to go on a little hunt for are small plastic containers to hold you lusciously lovely scrubs in.

Christmassy Lip Scrubs

What you will need

3 Tablespoons of caster sugar

3 Tablespoons of conditioning oil (you can use coconut oil, jojoba oil or extra virgin olive oil)

Flavouring of your choice (make sure it won't irritate your face!)

Small amount of food colouring of your choice (optional and remember your face!)

Small pots or containers (depending on how much you make add a bow for decoration)

What you need to do

 Measure out your oil into a small bowl

Add the sugar and mix well

Add the flavouring and colouring (if you have chosen to do so)

Scoop your finished creation into clean containers and you're ready to scrub!

As you can see I opted for the ever so traditional Red and Green, I had pondered going for a yellow food colouring to go for a gold ish scrub... but then I remembered yellow snow is not such a good look especially not for something to rub across your face day to day (good one if you want to give someone a slightly rubbish gift)

If you are looking to make it a little bit more Christmassy I would suggest adding the juice of some cranberries, which will enhance the taste of your scrub and may even give your lips a little bit of a glow (you will just have to add a bit more sugar to get the correct consistency) Flavour wise I chose vanilla (playing it safe following the gingerbread incident) but you could always go for something a little more festive like cinnamon, or dare I say ginger! And if you're feeling a bit more brave you could add some face friendly glitter or dazzle dust into the mix for added sparkle!

I hope you guys have enjoyed this beauty DIY which will hopefully save you some pennies and of course save you from the chaos that is Christmas shopping. I'd love to see your efforts if you decide to tackle this tasty lip scrub or anything that you have been making this holiday season, have you successfully erected a gingerbread house? Of course as you know I love to hear from you so be sure to drop me a comment below, tweet your photos at me on Twitter or if you'd like to keep up with the latest Granite City antics come find me on Bloglovin

Happy gifting folks.

H.Elizabeth x

Black Friday | ASOS Haul

The night before Black Friday I was anxious, incredibly anxious. One thing my friends and family have come to know about me in recent years is that manners and particularly shopping etiquette mean a great deal to me and sitting on the periphery of the dreaded Black Friday I just knew that all of those famed reservations and snobbish manners of the Aberdonian people was all about to go flying out of the window and there is only one word to describe my beloved Union Square on a sale day, and that is carnage.

Given my nervous disposition and unwillingness to brave the supposed amazing sales (which I was later to find were non existent in the likes of Zara, despite the crazed women who were grabbing handfuls of vests, T's and all manner to stuff into breaking point baskets) I decided this ear was the year I go digital, and that's just what I did. I enjoyed Black Friday from the comforts of my own home, armed with my dressing gown, slipper boots and a recently topped up card I was able to grab a fair few bargains which I thought I would share with you today!

 

ASOS Cyber Sales

Having done my research by looking at what felt like hundreds of articles revolving around the best online discounts during the Black Friday madness, I settled on ASOS as my poison of choice. Throughout the course of 'Black Friday Weekend,' ASOS were giving you 20% off everything using the code CYBERWKND20, which brought me right back to my student days where I could often get 10 - 20% off everything and I must admit I got a bit click - buy happy!

Clothes and Misc

River Island Too Vogue T Shirt £12.00

Only Live Love long sleeve top with lace trim £12.00

ASOS Midi Skirt in Ponte with pocket detail / Grey £14.00

ASOS Full Length Leggings in High Waist / Oxblood Colour £8.00

Happy Jackson YAY! Lunch box / Pink £6.00

Make Up

Eyeko skinny liquid eyeliner / black £12.00

Bourjois little round pots eyeshadow / pink £4.00

Bourjois limited edition vintage little round pots / beige rose £6.99

Price before discount: £74.99

Price after discount: £59.99
Total saving: £15.00

With a saving of £15.00 I think I did quite well, however as much as I do love all of my ASOS goodies and gadgets I have to admit I am suffering a little from buyers remorse because I just know that had it not been Black Friday and had it been any old sale I wouldn't have spent half as much as I have now. Yes ladies and gents at the time I unashamedly got swept up in the madness of Black Friday as I believe many of you did too but now shamefully find myself almost £60 down so close to Christmas that probably would have been better spent elsewhere!

If you are however going to splurge like I very much have, I would highly recommend avoiding the dramas and chaos Black Friday physical shopping brings (very physical judging by some of Tesco's finests customer videos) and spend some quality time with the good ole laptop, onesie and slipper boots and spend yourselves silly!

I hope you've enjoyed reading of my Black Friday buys and blunders and I'd love to hear about some of your best purchases from that weekend of madness? Did you pick up anything in the ASOS deals? Drop me a comment below, come share them with me on Twitter or of course if you'd like to keep up with the latests be sure to follow me on Bloglovin

Until next time folks!

H.Elizabeth xx

Christmas Time | Granite City Gifting and Special Reader Offer

Aberdeen's Castle Gate at Christmas (Image courtesy of Google - Since we have no snow yet!)

With Christmas just around the corner we've been in and dated with Christmas gift guides for him, her and them as well as the traditional Christmas Tag we've all come to know and love. But I thought I would do something a little different and since I am the Granite City Girl I thought I'd do something a little special for us Aberdonians and do an Aberdeen Christmas Gift Guide.

Also just as a wee side note be sure to stick with us until the end as a brand new local Aberdeen company contacted me recently to offer you lovely Granite City Girl readers a cheeky discount on their products!

Nova Gifts

24 Chapel Street, Aberdeen

Anytime I seem to find myself at a loose end (and at the far end of union street) I always take a gander into Nova because they always seem to have such a variety of cute nick nacks and whoosits and whatsits galore (breaking into song over here!) There is a bit of something for everyone, mugs, beautiful frames and niche beauty products. My top picks from their store would be their Mr Men and Little Miss mugs, their amazing rage of scented candles like Jelly Belly and finally anything from their range of natural toiletry products! Unfortunately you can't order from their store online so this truly is an Aberdeen exclusive (sorry guys!)

Nova on Rose Street

Old Aberdeen Gift Shop

605 King Street, Aberdeen

Shooting across to the other side of the Granite City pond is another cute and quirky gift shop offering all sorts for all kinds! They have lots of geekery products that might be a great trinket or stocking filler for your other half like money banks shaped like an Iron Man helmet or a transformers head water bottle. But my personal pick has got to be their Cupcake Mug with Frosting Lid, to be used for only the finest beverages of course!

Cupcakes by Jo

7a Crown Street, Aberdeen

Now I know what you're thinking, how are they going to even last until I get home?! Let alone putting in a Christmas order and expecting me to give them away. And really I did put them in here as an intention to first of all bring attention to a brilliant up and coming local business and secondly to say go and treat yourself! I recently had a Scottish Tablet Cupcake and a Millionaire Shortbread Cupcake, and their selection doesn't stop there, from good old vanilla to cookie monster coconut these beautifully decorated delights are simply delish! And if cupcakes aren't up your street then order yourself a personalised cake! Go and check out their website to see their culinary creations!

Cupcakes by Jo on Crown Street

Juniper Aberdeen

35 Belmont Street, Aberdeen

Juniper are a small, independent family run business in the centre of Aberdeen who specialise in unique gifts ideas and home trinkets. I must have bought my mum so many birthday and Christmas gifts from here in the past and I have a few pieces of jewellery from there myself. The way I describe Juniper is very Highland, they have a great deal of Celtic designed jewellery and the whole atmosphere of the store is very cosy. My top pick from there would be their cutesy Owl Cushions or their Bunny Ring Holders.

Aberdeen Whisky Shop

474 Union Street, Aberdeen

Something for the men in your lives now! Another wee independent shop again at the other end of town, boasting over 1000 different kinds of Whisky (who knew there were so many?!) there will be something for every Whisky lover. Whisky chocolates, books, hip flasks and those cute little miniatures that are right up my street as a non whisky drinker!

Some of the other independent stores around Aberdeen that are worth taking a gander into are Peapod for vintage lovers, Oil and Glass for artsy folk, Finnies the jewellers who do some beautiful jewellery pieces, MacBeans for coffee connoisseurs, Wowzie for sweetie lovers, and finally a new find for me Eighty7 Design and Living who from their Facebook seem to have some amazing and unique gift ideas!

The Natural Juicing Company Reader Offer!
The Natural Juicing Company are brand new to the Granite City scene and basically do what they say on the tin. Their cold pressed juices are said to retain up to 95% of all of the ingredients nutrients. If you'd like to read a bit more on their company, it's a great story which was recently featured on STV, click on over here!

Definitely one to watch in the New Year and with that in mind we arrive at our special Granite City Christmas offer! Send this as a gift or of course treat yourself to a refreshing detox towards the end of the year with £100 off the Natural Juicing Company's 'five day plan with nutrition guru' for your readers (Voucher code 5DAYGURU)

So there you have it ladies and gents, my top picks for Granite City gifting this festive season! I hope you guys have found it interested and I apologise if you aren't natives but hey at least you know where to come for some cool souvenirs if you ever venture this far North or maybe even gift someone something from one of the website stores!

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this Granite City Christmas post, thank you for making it this far! Share some independent stores and stocking fillers in your area with me in the comments below come tell me about them on Twitter or if you'd like to keep up with the latest Granite City Girl adventures come find me on Bloglovin

Until next time!

H.Elizabeth x

Beauty Haul | Pre Christmas Party Ready Treat

Every time I know I have to save for something I seem to spend more than ever. Having just booked our holiday for next year and with a good few birthdays and of course Christmas looming you'd think I'd exercise some self discipline! But alas it was not meant to be, unfortunately my route home happens to force me through Aberdeen's Union Square shopping centre and who can resist the twinkly lights and the special offers of their stores, especially after a long day at work AND with the cold weather coming in?!

Does anybody else do this? act as their own bank account saboteur when they know they really shouldn't? I suppose it's just my vice, I was quite restrained at one time but let's face it those days appear to be long long gone!

So now around £50 down and a good few products up, I thought I would be proactive, productive and pro product and share my latest buys with you.

Apologies for poor quality pics - teccy troubles!

Bourjois Délice de Poudre (RRP £7.99)
At the weekends especially I've been trying to experiment a little bit more with make up and of course with one of the biggest trends of the year being to perfect that Kardashian contouring routine I thought I'd give that a bash. When I was in Boots I saw this palette and thought it was perfect as a contouring and highlighting tool, stay tuned for my thoughts and review as I have yet to have a play about with it!

Eyelure Katy Perry 'Bangin Beauty' lashes (RRP £5.95)
As you'll know if you've been keeping up with my wishlists for the past couple of months I have been on the hunt for Katy Perry Party Lashes and as I think I may have missed the boat with the glitzy glam ones with the sparkles and studs I thought I would compromise and add these to my collection instead. I think these will be perfect for party season and they offer a middle ground to my current collection, as I have the Sweetie Pie lashes which are slightly shorter and a bit more sparse, I have the Lovely Lolita which look like spaced out medium lash clusters and finally I have the Feline Fierce which are long, thick, full and have a wee flick at the ends. These are a medium length full lash which as I said are a fab middle ground!

Goody Dent-Less Waves Foam Rollers (RRP £10.99)
Boots Essentials Sleep In Rollers (RRP £5.19)
My go to look when I'm dressing for a special occassion is to sit with slightly damp hair up in my massive rollers for about half an hour and then blast them with some heat to achieve that Cheryl-esque volume we all often crave. But if I'm honest I'm looking to inject a little bit of glamour and style into my everyday look so I have invested in these sleep in foam rollers to achieve this on a daily basis and to avoid heat damage to my hair. I got this idea from watching Becca Rose's vlog on how she achieved her lovely curls and volume on a daily basis and I really liked it and thought hey why not give it a bash (link to her video just below in case you are curious)
Becca Rose Video - Overnight Heatless Curls Using Primark Sponge Rollers

Tres Emme Keratin Smooth Deep Treatment Masque(£5.50)
Of course it goes without saying the Winter weather isn't often the kindest to our hair, mine for example is looking a little lack lustre, full of split ends and just feels generally damaged in the cold. And of course you can't very well experiment with your hair if it isn't in great condition (unless of course full frizz is your thing) And well Tres Emme has never let me down in the past and with the description of this item being, 'intensive rescue for unruly, frizz-prone hair. This masque deeply replenishes each strand for unbelievable salon-smoothness.' I suppose we shall just have to wait and see.

After writing this post for you guys I must say I do actually feel a little bit better about having spent so much this close to Christmas, I mean I was able to justify all of these products... right? And I just want to say before saying goodbye for the day that I do apologise for the pics for this post, perhaps Santa will bring me enough money to treat myself to some new photo taking products....

Guys once again I hope you've enjoyed this post, if you've tried any of the products above or of course if I've missed a trick please let me know in the comments below, I love chatting to you guys about new and great products on Twitter or of course if you'd just like to keep up with my latests do come find me on Bloglovin!

Until next time folks

H.Elizabeth