Making Time

So last Mummy Monday we talked about looking after our minds by taking up a course and this week we are going to talk about looking after our bodies! No diet talk though cause its christmas and your just a crazy person if you can diet over crimbo! (no offence to the crazy people we are only jealous really).

I don't know about anyone else but when the cold weather rolls around we just feel a bit blurgh!

The healthy eating stops and all we want is stodge, our days are so busy at the moment we make very little effort with things like painting our nails, shaving our legs etc we can't be bothered to go to the gym, basically we just go to ruin!

Tell us we are not alone please!!

We are so wrapped up in the kids and work and making christmas super magical that we forget about looking after ourselves!

So we are making a pact! A pact to make sure we take a little time for ourselves. To visit the hairdressers. To make time to have our eyebrows done, to take time to paint our nails, to take 5 mins to fake tan! To take a little time to just make the effect to do the things that make you feel better about yourself.

We all say we have no time but we do really we just have to make the effort to find the time, and if we make the effort we will feel so much better about ourselves! Don't loose your mummy sparkle in all the christmas sparkle.

Who's in on the pact with us?

Have a fab Monday everyone!

Xen-Tan Moroccan Tan

Happy Thursday and Happy Halloween!! Hope you all have some spooky fun planned!

Any signs of any summer tan i had have well and truly left the building! So whilst the pale zombie look will be very apt for today i am not one of those girls who can pull off pale and interesting. I'm more pale and frightening! So theres only one thing for it the fake tan is back out of the cupboard.

When i went to Belfast a few weeks ago i stupidly took some of my He-Shi fake tan in my hand luggage and forgot about the liquid limit so got it confiscated! Along with showel gel, deodorant toothpaste etc etc. Doh!!

So after i finished the tiny bit i had left at home i thought i would give another brand a try! I have been fake tanning since i was probably around 15/16 Rimmel Sun Shimmer being my tan of choice and it always makes me smile a little when i see it on the shelves of Boots still.

Ive tried soooo many fake tans but my faves have always been He-Shi and Piz Buin foams. But i thought i would try out Xen-Tan having seen nothing but rave reviews.

I opted for the Moroccan Oil tan as it boast a super dark tan with a silky moisturised feel. Well i have to say it certainly lived up to the hype! Its by far the best tan i have ever used in terms of the colour and how long it lasts! 

Theres not a hint of any orangeness (i know thats not a real word but i like it so its staying) its the most natural looking tan i have ever used.

Saying that though, this is after a shower! When you put it on its dark and i mean DARK! But this washes off and your left with a natural looking tan afterwards. 

If your thinking of trying this tan i would 100% get a mit to protect your hands and also make sure you wear dark clothing as it does get everywhere till you shower it off!

The results last for a week which is fab if your short on time! Its deffo my no.1 tan now i think its super-de-douper! I ordered mine from Amazon (shock) for £17.00. With only having to apply once a week it will last quite a while.

Let me know how you get on if you try it!

Lashes that last!

So a few weeks ago my lovely friend Gemma posted on her facebook wall that she was about to be fully qualified in eyelash extensions and i was all wow id love me some of those!

I can't leave the house without mascara on its like my comfort blanket, but some days when i'm dashing to get Sienna to nursery on time i just don't have the time to stand there trying to carefully apply mascara and curling my lashes. Hence i roll up at nursery looking like i just rolled out of bed and thats always the day i see superglam mum! You all know the mum she's at every nursery, school, soft play centre etc and she's always always perfectly preened! Not a hair out of place, not an undereye dark circle in sight and not a lb of baby weight left on her perfectly toned body! And she's always the one who looks a little bit sorry for you because your still wearing the top your baby spilt milk all down just before you left but you didn't have the time or energy to change it!

So i know your with me now with these eyelashes aren't you? One less job to do every morning in the hope it makes me look a little bit better when i'm rushing out the house makeup free!

So here is my pre makeup morning face eeeek!

I went to my appointment with Gemma from Pretty Perfect one Wednesday morning and in just under 1 hour i had lovely full long lashes which to me looked really natural which is just what i wanted!

I love them! I don't have to think about mascara or having to remove mascara at night and i haven't lost a single lash having had then nearly 1 week!

Gemma recommends going back to have infills every 2-3 weeks or when you feel like you need them.

I'm really happy with my lashes and would really recommend them to anyone, makes my life so much easier  i just have to put a bit of bb cream and blusher on and i'm set for the day! Also i don't feel like such a mess if i have to rush out in the morning with no make up! 

You can find Gemma who did my lashes via her facebook page 'Pretty Perfect'

Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

Love
Lee xxx

July 2013 Glossybox - Seaside Splash

Hey Dolls! Well i promised i would let you know about what was in my Glossyboxes so here is July's box. This is my third Glossybox now and as its summertime (and it really is, whoop sunshine) the usual pink box has been replaced with this gorgeous blue and coral box.

I love the boxes and now i have a few i'm going to start organising my different bits and bobs of the beauty world in them as they are too pretty to throw away!

So whats inside i hear you cry? Well let me show you!

Everything always comes wrapped in lovely tissue paper and tied with ribbon! Its all about the packing!! Every month you also get a leaflet which has Glossybox news and tips in and also gives you a full description of each product in your box and how you should apply it!

So this is July's box. The contents of the boxes will vary from person to person so you really never know what your going to get. I love the surprise! 

So lets take a closer look at whats in the box.

Ciaté London Paint pot in Island Hopping £9.00 Full size 13.5ml.

 I would never ever pick up this shade in a shop but i absolutley love it on! Its like a corally, pinky, orangey, sparkly red and is really easy to apply!

Coola Organic Suncare Collection Mineral Face SPF20 Rose Essence Tint £29.00 full size 50ml Sample size 7ml

I liked how light this felt and it took no time at all to sink into my skin, the shade is probably a little to light for me at the moment as i have a tan but i will pop this away for later in the year.

Nip+Fab Spot Fix or Shine Fix Full size 15ml £9.95

This looks fab and its a full size sample too! I'm yet to try it as i haven't had any spots yet but i tried a bit on my hand and its lovely, no sticky residue and had a nice tingle to it which makes me think its actually doing something haha 

Alterna Haircare Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist £23.00 full size 125ml

sample size 25ml

I havent had chance to try this product yet either but after finally getting to grips with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ill be interested to see how this stacks up against that. Its a nice sized sample too!

Anatomicals Spray Misty for me Spritz £6.00 Full size 100ml

Another full sized sample and wow who doesn't need this at the moment in this heat! Super refreshing although if i am being picky the spray could do with being a bit finer. The raindrop in my eye didn't go down to well (must remember to close eyes)

So thats your lot for July! I'm really happy with this months box lots of things i will use, Perfect!

Did anyone else sign up to Glossybox? Let us know if you got anything different!

Love 

L xx

Guest Make Up Blog x

Hello ‘A Little Mummy Magic’ followers!

My name is Alexia, sister-in-law to Magic Mummy Jade, younger sister to Nick and proud aunty to Honey and Rocco!
I’m also a freelance make-up Artist, qualified for 3 years and have been in make-up retail for 3 years. I’ve been employed by M.A.C Cosmetics for over a year.

I’m going to share some products with you all that are quick, easy and effortless for all of you busy yummy mummy’s on the go!

MORNINGS: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SKIN

1. M.A.C FAST RESPONSE EYE CREAM - The super-charged, caffeinated cream with instant effects. De-puffs, erases the look of dark circles, firms, soothes and softens skin around the eye. Special optics act like magic to fade away lines.
£22

It works wonders! I’m not a Mummy yet but I do have to get up at 4am to wear a full face of make-up for shift work at M.A.C so my eyes suffer with puffiness which I’m sure you’ll know about! The key to this product is the caffeine! Try one eye first and you’ll see the difference. A little goes a long way!


2. M.A.C PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER- A lightweight fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a comfortable, natural matte finish. Colour-true formula lasts up to 15 hours. Helps conceal and correct the look of under-eye circles, and discolorations.
£14.50

One pump of concealer can be applied quickly under both eyes, again a little goes a long way! The main benefit is that is lasts for 15 hours! Perfect for long days! You can use your ring finger for gentle application under the eyes.

3. M.A.C PREP + PRIME BB BEAUTY BALM SPF 35- lightly tinted in a nearly sheer beige tone to work on an array of complexions, it creamily re-texturizes the skin and then goes on to excel at being a face primer with high everyday UVA/UVB SPF 35 defence.
£14.50

You don’t need a brush; you can use your fingers which is quick and easy! It moisturises and has a tint, which evens out the skin tone if you have any discolorations and it acts as a primer for when you may add foundation for an evening look.

4. BENEFIT POCKET PAL- This double-ended, portable duo has benetint, the famous rose-tinted lip and cheek stain on one end and shiny clear lip gloss on the other. It's so easy to tint and gloss on-the-go!

£15.50

For the cheeks and the lips, 2 in 1 = bonus and a time saver! Add a tint of colour to the cheeks and lips for a rosy glow in the morning. Save the gloss for later on in the day!

5. MAX FACTOR FALSE LASH EFFECT MASCARA-  False Lash Effect's biggest brush ever doubles lash size appearance vs. bare lashes. Patented Liquid Lash™ formula coats lashes from root to tip. No flaking or smudging gives lovely lash confidence. Ophthalmologically tested.

£10.99

There’s nothing better than a product that can change your whole appearance! Mascara is definitely that product for me. A quick application with this amazing brush, which will define the eye and make you look more awake, even if it is 7am! Not a bad price either.

EVENING ADD ONS: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EYES
For special occasions with only half an hour to transfer your morning look into a glam evening look.

1. M.A.C PAINT POT: A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. The next generation of a popular M·A·C formula, Paint Pots maintains all the intense traits of its inspiration. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners. Available in satin, cream, frost, and pearl formulas.
£14.50

The paint pots make a great base for eye shadows which means your eye shadow will last longer, it won’t crease and it will also make eye shadows more vibrant. For effortless application, smooth the product on the eye with your finger. Use on it’s own for a day look!

2. SLEEK MAKEUP, I DIVINE, ULTRA MATTE V2 PALETTE: Sleek MakeUP’s legendary i-Divines are 12 shades of high-quality, super-pigmented eye shadow, suited to every skin tone. Each i-Divine includes Noir, a classic matte black, perfect for lining your upper lid.
£7.99

I recently purchased this product and it is great value for money! £7.99 for 12 colours. We all love a bit of sparkle but I particularly like this matte palette for a sophisticated evening look. The colours are very pigmented so you will save product. Sleek also do an array of palettes for the same price, sold in Superdrug. BARGAIN!

3. M.A.C 239 EYE SHADER BRUSH: Soft and dense to shade or blend eye shadow or emollient-based products. This brush has a tapered, rounded edge with smooth, firm, fine fibres. It can be used to build intense colour on the eyelid. M·A·C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature birch, linden and ramin wood handles, nickel-plated brass ferrules.
£19.99

4. M.A.C 224 TAPERED BLENDING BRUSH: For controlled eye shadow application. This brush has soft fibres which taper to form a medium size dome shape. M·A·C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature birch, linden and ramin wood handles, nickel-plated brass ferrules.
£22.00

Although these brushes are not products, they are key tools to quickly transfer your morning eye look to your evening glam look. I would not be able to easily create the perfect smoky eye without these brushes! They will make the process a lot quicker too. You may think they’re pricey but they’re good quality, do the job and if you look after them, they’ll last forever! (MY NO.1 TOOLS) Alternatively, look for brushes that have a similar shape.
Check out Crown Brush click here

5. PRO LONGWEAR SPF10 FOUNDATION: A long-wear foundation that gives up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition. Lightweight and creamy, applies smoothly to provide sheer to medium coverage. Even in hot and humid conditions, controls oil to keep skin fresh, natural and flawless. Provides everyday SPF protection.

£24

This is my No.1 foundation! It seems to work well on all skin types, it can pretty much create whatever coverage you like and it honestly lasts for 15 hours! I can put it on at 4.30am, be home by 3pm, have a nap, go out and it will still be on! I have even missed a spot on my neck with the face wipes, had a shower and it’s still there! Perfect for busy Mummy’s with a long day ahead! A small amount will cover the face! Add it with M.A.C’s Strobe lotion for a lighter coverage!

6. (TO GET IT ALL OFF) JOHNSON'S® DREAMY SKIN™ Facial Cleansing Wipes with Moonflower aroma to help calm the senses. They gently wipe away impurities and effectively remove make-up, even waterproof mascara, leaving your skin cleansed and toned.

£3.05

1 wipe does the job and they smell so good! PERFECT!

These are my product recommendations but alternatively I’m sure there are similar products out there that will do a similar job and fit within your budget. Just look out for products with the same benefits!

Don’t forget you can book me for occasion make-up and make-up tutorials on a one to one basis or group booking. Contact me for availability and prices, details are also on the links below.

Enjoy! Love Alexia X

alexiajade@hotmail.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaJadeSpecialistMakeUpArtist

https://twitter.com/AlexiaJadeMUA

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Our Make Up Must Haves!!!

Its Monday again! Today we thought we would write about our 3 must have make up items that we use everyday and cry when they run out!!!

First up is Jade...

My number 1 fave is Benefit BADgal liner Waterproof £15

I wear this everyday! Its stays on all day! Makeup wise i couldn't live without an eyeliner! I feel naked without it on! Mascara i can take or leave but eyeliner is a must!!! 

Number 2 i'm going with Laura Mercier Tinted Moisteriser in Sand £33
I love the feel of this product - it is moisterising doesn't dry my skin and you can layer it for a higher coverage!!!

Number 3 is Nars Sheep Lipstick in Roman Holiday £18.50 

You've got to love a bit of lippy (wow i sound like my mum) - and Honey particularly likes drawing with this one (cue the tears - mine not Honeys).  I can't wear red lipstick i look really weird in it but pink i love! And this pink is fabulous!!! 

And now for Leeannes fave 3...






So number 1 on my list is Chanel 'Le Blanc De Chanel' Sheer illuminating base. This has been in my make up bag for years (recently reformulated). I never ever feel tempted to try anything else as i just love it. It reduces redness and once combined with my foundation (Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua) my pores are barely visible and my skin looks amazing with a healthy glow! 







Number 2 on my faves list has to be Benefit's 'Posetint'. Its a gorgeous pink colour and super versatile. I keep mine in my handbag and whenever i need a mid day perk up this will add a flash of colour to my cheeks and lips in a jiffy.

Number 3 is YSL 'Touche Eclat". There cannot be a woman alive who doesn't know about or rate this concealer. It speaks for itself and its a definite must for any mummy with little people who do not sleep!

We would love to hear what your top 3 cant live without makeup items are, so leave us a comment with them below!

Happy Monday

Love J & L x

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Swimsuit Revival

Its holiday fever time here at 'a little mummy magic' with our summer hols being literally days away! (Holiday Blues time by the time this post is published)

I remember the conversations when we booked this holiday well, and they probably will sound familiar to you too. 'We have 19 weeks to loose weight' 'we can so do this' 'yeah we will be fabulous and skinny in time for hols' '1lb a week is 19lbs and we only want to loose a stone!'.

Well the weeks have ticked on by and who's lost that last stone?? Not me!! Ive lost a few lbs and put them back on and gone on like this for 18 weeks, and its no ones fault but my own. I just love food too much. At the end of a long day of toddler tantrums and teething babies food is something to look forward too!!

So i could right now be crying into my tub of Ben and Jerrys (any flavour i'm not a fussy fat girl in a crisis) but you know what i'm not!

We mummy's with the tummy's can still look super fabulous on holiday without having to don the dreaded 2 piece bikini! Swimsuits are no longer the drab shapeless speedo's i remember there's styles to suit everyone and i promise they will make you feel far more confident if your anxious about your bikini body.

Here's a fabulous holiday look that can not fail to make you feel like a super yummy mummy!

Love

L xx

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Beach Bag: New look at ASOS £13,

Wide Brim Sun Hat: Whistles £35, 

Snake Print Swimsuit: Ted Baker £79, 

Kaftan: H&M £19.99, 

Sandals: Sam Edelman at ShopBop £44.73

No More Panda Eyes

Product under review: Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara £22

If i were only allowed 1 item of makeup for the rest of my life it would most definitely be mascara! As im sure you know all about our holiday by now but when you go on holiday you NEED a good waterproof mascara! There is nothing worse than panda eyes by the pool... well maybe ageing men in speedos but lets not go there!

Me and Jade managed a mad dash around World Duty Free (aka heaven) at the airport and amongst one of our purchases was Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara.

So im going to be totally honest here, if you want amazing super full long lashes than this is not the mascara for you! I know Lancôme say to add more coats for fuller lashes but its too clumpy for my liking. But... if you want a decent mascara for everyday use that WILL NOT smudge than this is brilliant!

Ive been in the pool, bath, shower, cried, rubbed my eyes and even ashamedly slept in this mascara and not once have i ever had panda eyes!

I'd highly recommend this mascara for cry babies like me (yes i do cry at anything!!) as a fab every day mascara. At least you know whatever the day throws at you your mascara will not be running down your face!

Love
L xx

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Surprises in the Mail

If your anything like me and Jade, your always split between trying to be the bestest mummy possible and trying to get your sparkle back! You know that little glimmer you used to have before those lovely little people you made entered your life? Before the sleepless nights of babies and the endless days of questions from your relentless threenager? That time when you could spend lazy sundays bathing, preening and all day looking through 'In Style' reading about the latest beauty products?

Yep we love to get lost in that lovely dreamyland too, but how can we bring it into our reality? Grabbing the occassional few hours with a mag and coffee in peace is a huge luxury these days. Who has the time to be reading up whats new and fab in the beauty world? We may make the effort to read up once every few months but then when do we actually get round to purchasing these new products to make us feel fab and somewhat like our old sparkly selves? Theres always something the little ones need and lets face it they always come first (and rightly so)!

So thats why when Jade mentioned to me about 'Glossy Box' a few months ago i thought wow what a fab idea!

www.glossybox.co.uk

The concept is simple! Every month you receive a lovely box (its always all about the packaging) containing 5 luxury beauty samples. Its delivered straight to your door and every month theres something new! How perfect is that for us mummy's? We get to try out fab new products before we part with our pennies on full sized items that we might not love! There's a range of subscription services the most expensive being £10 per month + £2.95 p&p. But lets face it whats £12.95 a month really? A couple of starbucks? Well worth it for the excitement of sending yourself a present in the post every month and being able to try lots of new products without having to spend lots of money!

I signed up for my first month this month and am so excited for it to arrive! I'll be sure to let you know what i think when my first box comes!

Have a lovely Sunday.

Love 

L xx

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The fall of the legging's

Soooo picture this - its 6.45am both children are awake demanding full attention and the mammoth tasks of getting dressed x2, breakfast x2, brushing teeth x2 and leaving the house x2 is less than 2 hours away! So realistically this gives me all of 5 mins to get my self ready. Cue quick ponytail, glasses on (as eyes are too dry for my contacts yet), quick bit of tinted moisteriser and then the staple: Leggings Tshirt no fail quick comfy outfit!

I had recently decided that my wardrobe was not my friend, i had fallen out of love with all of my clothes and just wanted to buy new clothes!

My friend has her own Style advice and Life Management company and she was round for a cup of tea whilst our husbands played golf and we were talking about being a mum and not having much time for me and how i have no clothes and she said she would put a date in her diary and come and help me!

The day came and i had 2 full rails of clothes over 40 dresses over 60 pairs of shoes 15 pairs of jeans and my 11 pairs of leggings ready to be judged haha! Well after 3 hours of trying on and saying oooooh yes why haven't i worn that before or car boot and my wardrobe restyle was complete!

It was literally the best 3 hours ive ever spent on my wardrobe or id go as far to say shopping! Its amazing how just having an outsider look in your wardrobe and make you try on clothes you'd never think to put on for the school run completely revamps a once hated wardrobe!

So the golden rules i learnt were:

1. No leggings! (even if they are Jack Wills) yes they are fine for those home days but not to go out!
2. Jeans are my new best friend! I bought these Leigh Jeans from Topshop and they are fab!

www.topshop.com

3. Dont be frightened to wear a dress for the school run
4. It doesnt take anymore time to put a pair of jeans on as it does leggings!
5. You don't have to buy new to make your wardrobe work for you!

I know this sounds such a simple concept but honestly i feel more confident, happier with my size 12 shape, loving my wardrobe and finding it quick in the morning to look and feel great!

Dilly at www.perfectme.co.uk Thank you !!! You have made me feel like me again!

p.s I also made £455 on my old clothes at the car boot sale! Off to Gucci i go

J x

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Happy 1st Blog Day

Happy 1st Blogday to us 

Happy Monday and welcome to our first blog. 

We are Jade and Leeanne, two best friends, two mummy's with two 3 year old girls called Honey and Sienna and two 1 year old boys called Rocco and Tate and two 30 something husbands called Nick and Chris.

We've been reading some blogs for a while with envy but secretly neither of us thought we were interesting enough to start a blog on our own so we decided to join forces.

*cue Xfactor stylee voice over* When the power of two mummy's combine we become... super magical mummy's!! (Sorry we may have watched one to many cartoons!) 

We couldn't find a blog which was really us - there are lots of mummy ones, lots of toddler ones, lots of fashion ones, lots of make up ones, lots of baking ones but not with all of these things in one place! 

We are always finding and sharing ideas about kids, food, shopping, beauty, food, (oops is that food twice) and finding ways to get our sparkle back. We want to be us again not just someones mummy, it is the best job in the whole wide world, but we do actually have real names haha 

Our blog will consist of:

• Mummy Monday's: Which will be products we love, tips to get your sparkle back, mummy time
• Toddler Tuesday's: Fun things to do, fashion, help and tips
• Wish for Wednesday's: Present ideas for everyone 
• Thats Cool Thursday's: A review of our favourite things, inspirations, recommendations
• Fashion Fix Friday's: Mummy fashion - obtainable and school run wearable 
• Scrumptious Saturday's : Baking, favourite recipes, family, diet 
• Surprise Sunday's: The world is our oyster 

We hope you love our blog and thanks for joining us on our blogging adventure

Love

J & L 

xxx 

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