When you are living somewhere that doesn't have a Superdrug on every corner and Department stores like Selfridges and Harvey Nichols just don't exist you truly realise which products you really love and miss within your routine.  These were the first few beauty purchases I made once returning to the UK, some items I truly missed being able to purchase and some that had launched while I was away that really caught my eye.  Not having these products readily available for quite a few months has made me truly appreciate being able to use the ones I love again and try out some new ones!  I picked up everything from either Superdrug, Selfridges, Space NK, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges and everything is linked above so you can check it out for yourself.

You will see there are quite a few hair care items, I really missed being able to purchase my essential hair care items especially the Batiste Dry Shampoo and Macadamia Deep Repair Masque, when I ran out I really missed them and realised what I difference they make to the my routine.  I already have the original Tangle Teezer and adore it but it is a little bit chunky to carry in my handbag so the purchase of a compact styler was something I had been thinking about for a while, so far it is a very welcome addition.  As you all know I colour my hair so I normally just pick up any shampoo that helps to prolong the intensity of the colour, I really love Herbal Essences as the scent reminds me of my Auntie's Hair, she used to use it when I was a child.  

I don't know what is going on with my eyes at the moment but my usual concealer just wasn't cutting it, so I got these to give them a go, I have never tried either before so this was a big risk, but thankfully not an overly expensive one.  The felt tip liner I was using for the last couple of months has just ran out and I was recommended this one by Charl from Gingergirlsays.com, as someone who used eyeliner nearly everyday I trusted her opinion, I am loving this so far!

I mentioned in my Change is Good post the other day that I had my make up done by Urban Decay's National Make Up Artist, Karen and she had used both of these products, I loved the way they looked so of course I had to have them.  I can see this being the start of an addiction with these lipglosses, they are really beautiful and not sticky at all, always a winner.

You know when you see a lot of hype around a product and you decide without much thought that you need it, that is exactly what happened with these Ole Henrikson make up remover wipes.  I am mostly using these to remove eye make up before cleansing properly in the evening, they smell delicious but I'm not sure they justify the expensive price tag.  

Have you tried anything recently that you think I should try?

I had decided around December that I wanted to try and put something together for everyone attending the meet up.  I had attended the #bbloggersxmas event in London and was overwhelmed when we were all gifted the most amazing goodie bags ever, you can see what was in that here. It really was the icing on the cake to an already amazing day and  I wanted the bloggers attending this meet up to have a similar experience. 

 I had already contacted a number of PR's and companies directly when I recieved probably the best email ever, from Sara who writes Pretty In Pink.  This angel had started to gather goodies from a number of amazing brands and wanted to help me out.   This was all out of the goodness of her heart  avoiding completing her uni work, I really cannot thank Sara enough for the input into these goodie bags.

 

I  need to say a massive thank you to all the sponsers that provided products for the goodie bags and giveaway prizes, Im sure I can speak for all the attendees when I say we really appriciate every product and cannot wait to try them out!

 

Without any more rambling here is what we recieved!

 

Fine One One, Porefessional, They're Real

Twitter -  @Benefit_UK_IRE

Facebook - BenefitCosmeticsUK

 Website - benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Each Goodie Bag contained one of the full size Benefit product.  I nearly fell over when they arrived in the pretty boxes. I have been wanting to try They're Real for a while now but after hearing mixed reviews I was unsure it was the product for me, I cant wait to try it and decide if it suits me or not. When I seen the Fine One One I nearly fainted this product is not even released to he public until the end of the week, I cant wait until I try this baby out.  I ended up with one of each *very lucky and greatful* due to some bloggers not being able to attend.  I was worried this may offend or upset people, so I apologise if it does but they were spare and I can give them a loving home.  I do intend to fully review the Fine One One and the They're Real as I have already reviewed Porefessional recently, you can read that review here.

 

 Glam Glow Youth-Mud Tinglexfoliate Treatment, Glam Glow Super Mud Clearing Treatment

Twitter - @GLAMGLOW_UK

Facebook - GlamGlowMud

Website - glamglowmud.co.uk

It's official I am a Glam Glow addict! I first tried the Super Mud Clearing Treatment after receiveing it in my #bbloggersxmas goodie bag and I fell in love with it then.  Then I tried the Youth-Mud Tinglexfoliate treatment and oh my goodness this is amazing! I will have to review this in full to explain further so please look out for that review!

Xen Tan Dark Lotion

Twitter - @XenTan_UK

Facebook - XenTanUK

Website - xen-tan.co.uk

I have been a massive fan of Xen Tan ever since I first used it way back in 2008, I love the scent, the application, the results just everything about this and even after using lots of other tanning products this is the one I keep reccomending and find it hard to find better.

 Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner

Twitter - @PaulMitchellUK

Facebook - PaulMitchellUK

Website - paul-mitchell.co.uk

Incase you hadn't noticed I have brown hair so I would not be able to test this shampoo and conditioner duo out fairly so I will be passing this onto someone with blonde hair so they can see the benefits.

 

 Outback Organics Bush Balm,

Twitter - @OutbackOrganics

Facebook - outbackorganics

Website - outbackorganics.co.uk

Ill be honest I had never heard of this brand before I recieved this sample, but after reading more about it I have high expectations.  This balm claims to reduce redness and calm the skin on delicate areas after hair removal so I will look forward to trying this out,  the whole post waxing range looks great if this works for me I may be investing.

 

 Collection of Blend Collective Hand Cream and Hand and Body Lotion

Twitter - @BLENDCollective

Facebook - blendcollective

Website - blendcollective.co.uk

This was another brand I had been missing out on until I recieved these perfect handbag sized samples.  At the moment I have a hand cream on the go so will be saving these for when that is finished.  The blend of essential oils in each little pot convinces me these are going to smell amazing.

 

 Premae Skincare Balance Rescue Face Tonique

Twitter -  @premaeskincare

Facebook - Premaeskincare

Website - premaeskincare.com/

I cannot wait to try this!  As soon as my current toner is finished this will be waiting for me to start experiencing the fantastic benefits.  This was also featured in this month Glossy Box so I am excited to read all the reviews that will be popping up everywhere.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Twitter - @DHCUK_Skincare
Facebook - DHCSkincare

Website -  dhcuk.co.uk

If you had said to me this time last year I would interesting in using an oil based product on my delicate oily skin I would have told you to stop talking rubbish, but this is not last year.  I have seen so many reviews and reccomendations about other fellow oily skinned lovelies using this and having fantastic results and I am looking forward to seeing some results from using this hyped about product.

Pure 100% Argan Oil

Further Information - Email

This is my absolute miracle product of the last couple of years, this is completely pure argan oil straight from Morocco.  My mum is lucky enough to live in the beautiful country and as soon as she was aware of the meet up she wanted to help out, and she sent these little bottles of wonder oil for us all. I have been using this since June 2012 on my hair, my skin, in my bath.  My Auntie has struggled with psoriasis all her life and this is the only thing that has ever made any kind of improvement to her skin condition.  Most of the well known brands that use argan oil in their products only use a very small percentage of it and mix it with so many other products - this is the real deal completely pure and natural.

Skinetica Anti Blemish Lotion

Twitter - @Skinetica
Facebook - Skinetica-anti-blemish-skincare-solution

Website - skinetica.co.uk

This has been a regular part of my skincare routine for a while now and I have never used anything that shows such quick and impressive results.  This is the only product I have ever found that keeps my blemishes at bay.  I could not live without this.

Rimmel Glam Eyes Lash Flirt Mascara

Provided by Cosmetics By Candy

Twitter - @cosmeticbycandy

Facebook - Cosmetics-by-Candy

Website - cosmeticsbycandy.co.uk

I love mascara, if I could only have one beauty product for the rest of my life it would be mascara.  I have never tryed this one but Rimmel are a brand that is really growing on me at the moment with all their fabulous new product reviews they are definately ones to watch in 2013.  Cosmetics by Candy is an online store that stocks lots of well known and popular brands, for at least half price or more.

RevitaLash Volumizing Mascara

Twitter - @RevitalashUAE

Website - goshaytrading.com

As above I love a good mascara and this one is no different I am very excited to try this to see if the claims to give a truly eye popping knockout looks are true.  From what I have read this is everything I look for in a mascara.

 

Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment and Deep Repair Mask

Twitter - @macadamiaoil

Facebook - MacadamiaNaturalOil

Website - macadamiahair.co.uk

This is my holy grail hair product! I first used the Healing Oil Treatment only a month ago and have done so ever since. It has made massive improvements to the condition and look of my hair.  I use this alternatively with my argan oil and jsut adore the results.  I have yet to use the Deep Repair Mask as I am savign it for a day when I have time to leave it in for the reccomended 7 minutes.  I have read so many positive reviews on this mask I just know I will love it.

 

Herbalife Bath and Body Bar and Herbalife Strenghening Conditioner

Twitter  - @Herbalife

Facebook - Herbalife

Website - herbalife.co.uk

These amazing full size products from the new Herbal Aloe range from Herbalife are going to be great for my skin which is in dire need of a little bit of tlc.  Enriched with chamomoile extracts, olive oil and african shea butter these sound like a luxurious treat for my moisture deprived skin.  The key ingredient being aloe vera which is known for its soothing, hydrating, healing and refreshing purposes makes me excited to add these to my daily shower routine.  I am especially glad I recieved the conditioner as I always run out of conditioner before shampoo.

 

Jamela Skin Care 24k Gold Under Eye Masks

Twitter - @jamelaskincare

Facebook - JamelaSkinCare

Website - jamelaskincare.co.uk

These look so weird.  Weird in a good way I have gone mad on eye creams lately and this will be a great boost for that under eye area.  I can't wait to lie down relax and pop these on for that ultimate pamper day.  I hope these are as good as they look.

 

Elemis Revitalise Me Shower Gel

Twitter - @Elemis

Facebook - elemisltd

Website - elemis.com

I have been using a lot of elemis skincare in the last year and have loved every minute of it, this is no exception.  This is just pure luxury liquid in a bottle, I love everything about this product, the packaging the scent the bubbly lather you can acheive.  I will be using this for a while to come and my current shower gels will have to take a back seat.

 

 Neal and Wolf
Hold and Shine Spray, Volumising Lotion and Shine Spray
Twitter - @NealandWolf
Facebook - NealandWolf
Website - nealandwolf.com
This year in the life of Gemma Button haircare is a major renovation challenge.  I want to make big changes to the way I care for my hair and these products will be proudly up on the shelf next to all my other favourite haircare products.  Now these smell amazing, not just any old amazing but so amazing you could just spray this all over you.  It smells idential to Ange Ou Demon by Givenchy, my mum wore this perfume sometimes and when I spray this it reminds me of her and when she used to get all glammed up for work in the morning. I haven't used these a lot yet but I already love them because of the scent, I am most excited to try the Volumising lotion, who doesn't love big hair!

I was very impressed with this goodie bag if I don't say so myself, and from the reactions of everyone who recieved one, they were very happy too.

 

What product are you most excited to see my full review off?

 

Lots of Love

 

Gem

 

xxx

Hi lovelies,

My goodness it has been quiet on Button's Blog this week, this is all down to the Birmingham Bloggers Meet Up. I have had so many things to do this week to make sure the day is going to be great. I have been making things, booking things and sending out numerous emails aswell as working my day job, I just hope everything is worth it and we all have an amazing day on Saturday!

These are just a few things I have picked up in the last little while, I haven't bought a lot this month as I am trying to cut down on my beauty spending but with the release of so many new exciting products this month I cant see it lasting.

 Chit Chat Nail Varnish - £1 Poundland

This just caught my eye with the large chunky glitter I thought for a pound I could give it a go, I was so impressed with this I will be featuring it in a Nail of the Day post very soon.

 Simple Baby Wipes - 74p  Sainsburys  + Nivea Pearl and Beauty Deoderant - £1 Superdrug

These are just basics I needed, I prefer these baby wipes to any other and use them for everything from removing my eye make up to cleaning my make up packaging.  This deoderant is my favourite, I never purchase any other, I love the smell, the packaging and off course the performance.

 Mac Mineral Skin Finish Natural - £20.50 Mac Counter Selfridges

I was looking for a new powder for while and because I love my other base products from Mac it was just a must for me to try this.  I am enjoying using this and do so everyday although I am sure there are drugstore alternatives for half the price that I will be purchasing instead of this one when it runs out.

 

 Mac Technakohl Liner 'Uniform' - £14 Mac Counter Selfridges

I love this.  After having this used on me when I had a Mac make up application, although I didn't enjoy the experience I did love this eyeliner.  I love that it is a twist pencil so no sharpening and the colour is amazing. It is black with a bronze/gold shimmer running through it, this looks perfect alone and part of a smokey eye.

 

 Nails Inc Icons Mini set - Price and Shop Unknown

These little beauties were a gift from my mum, I love all the colours and Im hoping to get more use out of these in the spring. 

 

Lipcote Original -  £3.89 Boots Broadway Real Life False Nails - £4.40 Boots

I wanted to try this lipstick sealer for ages and truthfully I have been really dissapointed, I just didn't get along with it at all.  I like the feeling of smooth a creamy lipstick on my lips so after using this and having the dried out feeling I feel it was a wasted purchase.  I always wear false nails as I am a terrible nail biter and these are my favourite ones as I can get two sets out of one packet, they stay on for around 10 days and as they are clear I can paint them myself .

 

Rings - £1.50 each Freedom @ Topshop

I love rings, and I believe no outfit is complete without a ring or two, these were such a bargain and will be worn all the time.

 

 

 Pearl Drops Smokers Toothpaste + Colgate Max White Tooth Brushthe easier - £1 each Poundland

I am on a mission this year to get whiter teeth, my teeth are not terrible but are not as white as I would like them to be.  I want to try a number of options on my quest for whiter teeth and have started with the basics.   

 Pearl Drops Smokers Mouthwash + Eucryl Toothpowder - £1 each Poundland

I am a matching freak, I like my toothpaste to be the same brand as my mouthwash, I dont know why but it looks pretty in the bathroom.  My mum and dad used this strain removing tooth powder when I was younger although I was never interested then I decided to give it a go.

 Nair Hair Remover - £1 Poundland

I swear by this stuff! I only use it on my arms though, the results don't last long enough to use on my legs for my liking.  Just to be clear I do not have overly hairy arms but I don't like them to have any hair at all, especially when Im wearing false tan.  I never have a reaction to this one and it is very moisturising.

 

I just had to write a post today just so the date 12.12.12 is on my blog little things like this amuse me.  If you follow me on twitter you will know that attended the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham last Friday and had an amazing day. I bought a couple of things and generally had a lovely day with Adam my boyfriend and fellow blogger Amy from PYT.

I wanted to look glam but comfortable too so I kept my outfit simple with black jeans, pepulum top and wedge boots and made more of an effort with my hair and make up.  I curled my Clip in Limited extensions and left them down and went for a brown smokey eye look and glossy nude lip with my make up.

 

One of the first stalls we visited was Miss Patisserie, these cute bathtime wonders are right up my street.  These little cupcake 'bath bakes' are beautifully handcrafted here in the UK. These are also animal friendly. This stand really stood out to me with all the cupcake bath fizzies all on show and the dreamy scent crept up my nose as I walked by. As the one I bought will be a Christmas present I wont be trying it out but Amy has reviewed the one she bought on her blog and you can read her review here.  Miss Patisserie will bebring out some new products soon and I will definately be trying them so look out for that review in the new year, all I will say is Bubble Biscuits.

In the winter I get always get a major urge to use false tan, more so than in the summer. I just want to be brown and bronzed all the time!  I have wanted to try Maria Fowler's (ex The Only Way is Essex) since I first got wind it was on the market, so knowing her range Celebrity Bronze would be available to purchase at the Clothes Show was one of the main reasons I wanted to attend. Approaching the stand it was obvious how popular it was and then I seen Maria, I had to meet her!  With help and reccomendations from Maria herself I purchased the Tanning Mouse and Tan Extender.  I cant wait to try these products out and ill be doing a full review when I have done so. The products were cheaper than usual at the show and I am loving the new logo. It was an extra special touch to meet Maria and she is just a normal person like you and I, she spent a good fifteen minutes chatting to Adam and myself  at the end of the day. Nice to meet a someone who is constantly in the media who is so down to earth and lovely, not to mention being absolutely flawlessly gorgeous.  This girl does not deserve any of the stick she recieves in the media and on twitter.

 Mouse £12, Tan Extender £7 Buy yours Here

Now this one is a no brainer if you know me. Amy Childs was at the Clothes Show and there was no way I was going home without meeting her or checking out her clothing range and beauty products. I made my way to Amy's stand and while looking around her beautiful dresses her mum came up to me and asked if I needed any help and indeed I wanted to know how curve friendly the size 16 dresses were and she explained in full that they are a generous size 16 and continued to say which one would suit me best, unfortunately I didnt have the funds to purchase one of these dresses but now I know what the sizing is I can order online.  I have wanted one of the XL Sleep in Rollers Bun Ring for a long time now, and the delight when I seen that Amy had teamed up with them to release her own range was unexplainable, so when I seen these on her stand I picked one up and headed to the till.  I will be doing a tutorial type post once I have used my bun ring a few times. As I turned round to make my way to the till Amy herself came up to me and said 'alright hunni' OMG OMG I think I just died, Amy Childs talking to me as if, I composed myself and said yes thank you.  I think this was all I could manage in the shock.  I was served at the till by Claire Powell, Amy's amazing manager and face of Can Assosiates, she also manages Peter Andre and Gemma Collins.  Later in the day Amy was doing a signing so I stood and waited for thirty minutes and met her had my picture taken while she signed my gift bag. Best part of the day for me was Amy telling me my hair will look gorgeous in my XL Bun Ring! Okay I can assure you my fangirling moment is over.

Buy your Bun rings here

 

Just as I was getting ready to leave a lady from OMG Nails asked me to come and have my nail stamped.  I walked over and she looked at my nails and decided to 'stamp' my glittery accent nail.  The way OMG nails work is, they have a giant stainless steel plate engraved with lots of different designs.  You paint over one of the designs, scrape with a special scraping tool to even out the nail varnish and use the stamper took to pick up the design and stamp on your nail and seal with a clear top coat.  I decided on a lace all over nail stamp.  I really liked this and would love if I went to a salon and they had this available but  I dont do my nails often enough to make this worth my money.

 

You can check out all the designs on their website here

 

As you can see I had an amazing first time at he Clothes Show Live, it was really just heaven with over 500 stalls and stands.  I will definately be returning next year and cant wait to see which brands and company's are attending.

 

Hope you enjoyed this long post and if you have made it to here, thank you.

 

Lots of Love

 

Gemma

 

 

xxx

So here is the all the Clothes and Accessories I recieved or bought with birthday money :)

 Hope you enjoy!

If you missed my Birthday Beauty Buys you can read HERE

 

 This beautiful playsuit was from Primark and was on one of the sale racks, the rabbit print was what first caught my eye. I love the collar detail as it just adds a bit more interest to the playsuit. Over the last while I have thought Primark prices have been creeping up ever so slightly so when I seen this was only £5 and in my size it was a must buy. I will more than likely wear this with black tights and boots.

 

 I got this top for £5 from New Look its just a simple black top but with the mesh sleeves it adds a bit of detail and can be worn casual or dressed up.

 I always stock up on Primark tights when im there, these were about £3 each and are perfect to cover my legs in the cold weather for autumn and winter if I want to wear a dress or skirt.  These hair tyes are a hair essential for me and at just £1 who can walk past them.

 

 This was another primark bargain find, at £6 this top is a steal.  I love the colour as I have gone mad on purple lately but the main reason I bought this was because of the collar clips, little details like this are amazing, Im loving them just now.  This is in a few more colours and im sure I will be purchasing more of them.

 

 These are my first pair of boots I have bought this autumn.  I love how simple they are and will go with anything, the velvet makes them look more expensive than they really were.  How much I hear you ask, only £8 from Primark, run run run and get them beforethey are gone.

 

 Its getting colder at night and what is better than a pair of fleesy on trend pj bottoms....nothing.  These were just £5 from Primark and come in lots more styles and colours, there is no doubt I will be buying more of them this winter.

 

 I LOVE the moustache trend that is going on at the moment so after searching on Ebay for soemthing a bit different I came across this I ordered it straight away.  I love anything with a gem or diamond shape on because of my name, so this is just the best tee ever!This is a mans t-shirt but I thought I could wear it oversized with leggings or tucked into a tight skirt and nobody would ever know. It is a copy of the YMCMB label worn by the likes of Drake and Lil Wayne.  They have lots more t shirts similar styles HERE.  This was £9.99 including delivery.

 

I bought this burgandy jumper and cardigan from H & M online and thanks to one of my favourite bloggers, the lovely Angela from The Beauty Belle I got a huge £5 off (use code 1304)and 25% off one item (use code 9921 or sign up to the newsletter).  So for both of these items it cost me £13.76 including delivery.  These are fabulous for autumn and I cant wait to wear them.

 

How would you style the moustache t-shirt?

 

Lots of Love

 

Gem

 

XxX