Wednesday 26 February 2014

Drugstore Wishlist



I have been on a bit of a spending ban/budget this year and I have refrained from making any beauty purchases as I still have lots of products I haven't tried and tested in my collection. However there have been a few new releases recently that I think I may need to have a test of soon.
 
Bourjois CC Cream
CC creams intrigue me, I like the idea of balancing out the pigments in the skin and that they aren't as heavy as wearing a foundation, and Bourjois have brought out some brilliant products recently so I don't think this would disappoint.
 
Rimmel True Match Foundation
Ok so I know this isn't a new release but it has been featured in so many YouTube videos and on blogs recently that I have to give it a go. I have been wanting to try a new foundation for a while now so I think this is going to be it.
 
Real Techniques Travel Essentials Set
So this isn't a new release either but I really want to try the Multi Task brush that is included in this set. I love Real Techniques brushes and this brush has had rave reviews and, from experience wih the brand, I know it won't disappoint.
 
Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser
My pores have been awful recently, especially around my nose area. This is the latest addition to the Baby Skin range from Maybelline and, although it has had very mixed reviews, I do want to give it a go just to see if it can help reduce the appearance of my pores.
 
Revlon Colour Burst Lip Lacquers and Matte Balms
The latest Chubby Stick dupe is from Revlon and comes in the form of two different finishes-glossy and matte. I have swatched these in store and the finishes are lovely plus there seems to be a good selection of shades in the collection. I want to try both of these products, I like both matte and glossy finishes although I find that matte finishes tend to last longer.
 
Barry M Silk Nail Paint
The latest addition to Barry M's Nail Paint collection, this is a matte polish with a pearly sheen to it. There are such a beautiful range of shades which I think are perfect for Spring. I love Barry M anyway as there shade range is unbeatable and they are such a bargain, so I will definitely be picking these up!
 
Its my birthday next month so I might have a little shopping trip where I will more than likely pick up a few if not all of these items so keep your eyes peeled!
 
Has anyone else tried any of these yet?

Saturday 22 February 2014

Garnier Moisture Match Illuminating Light Lotion



 
If you haven't heard of the Moisture Match range from Garnier, well first of all where have you been?! They are a range of creams that are suited to different types of skin and each have their own qualities, benefits and properties. I already have the Mattifying Fresh Cream which you can see a review of here, which is a cream for those with oily skin to help keep shine at bay. However in these last couple of months, I have noticed that my skin has appeared quite dull and lifeless and I thought it needed something to give it a bit of a lift. As I got on so well with the mattifying cream I thought I would give the Protect and Glow Illuminating Light Lotion a go.
 
This cream is designed to give skin a non greasy hydration, illuminate skin and protect from UV rays. The cream is very light compared to the other one I have tried, which I like as it doesn't feel too heavy or greasy on the skin. I can't say I have noticed a remarkable difference in the appearance of my skin which is a bit of a disappointment, however what I have found is this lotion is great to use underneath base make up, not necessarily for its priming qualities but it does make my make up appear more 'glowy', which is after all the look I want to achieve.
 
So although I'm not completely amazed with this product, it does have some good properties, and with its SPF it's always a good lotion to reach for.
 
Has anyone ese tried this cream or any others from the moisture match collection?

Thursday 20 February 2014

A Month in Instagram #2

Ok so considering I was supposed to be trying to update my Instagram more I haven't done a great job this month! What I am tending to do is take photos when I'm out and about but then forget to post them, its not quite the same when all your posts are tagged with #latergram hey?! Anyway here is a selection of my posts from the last few weeks...
 

I've been quite busy recently, seeing lots of my favourite people and going to different places. I've been busy winning raffles, seeing my favourite little lady, buying lots of cake, plaiting my hair, watching my favourite programme, and, of course, drinking vodka! As a side note, the tattoo isn't one of mine, its just a quote from my favourite film, The Notebook.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Natural Collection Lipstick in Cranberry

 
 
I've recently got into Natural Collection, before I would always bypass their counter as nothing really stood out to me. In my opinion the packaging is bland and the products don't feel very special at all. However a few months ago I saw a couple of blogs that were raving about the Natural Collection Moisture Shine lipsticks, so I decided to try one. They're only £1.99 so if I didn't like them then it wasn't the end of the world. However I loved the lipstick that I tried and since then I have been checking out a few of their products.
 
I decided to pick up this shade as I thought it was a perfect all-year-round shade and is an easy shade to wear. The lipstick itself has a creamy consistency however has a matte finish, which I like because if I do fancy a bit of shine then I can just apply a gloss over the top. This isn't the most long-lasting product I own however for £1.99 you really can't complain. This shade looks lovely during the day with simple make up or as a subtle lip for an evening paired with dramatic makeup or a smoky eye.
 
Overall this lipstick is lovely and for the price it is a real winner. Natural Collection is definitely a brand I want to try more of and as it is so budget friendly I don't think my bank balance will have a problem with me adding a few more of their products to my collection!
 
Has anyone else tried their lipstick range? Or have you got any suggestions for other Natural Collection products?

Monday 17 February 2014

Top 5...Red Lips

 

Red lips is such a classic look, pretty much anyone can get away with wearing a red lip no matter what their complexion is. I love teaming red lips with simple eye make up, winged eye liner, and a little bit of contouring. Its a look I've really been loving recently so I thought I would show you my top 5 red lip products.

 
Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang
This is one of Rimmel's latest additions to their Apocalips range. If you haven't tried the Apocalips range, have a look at my review here but they are basically well pigmented lip lacquer with a doe foot applicator. This shade is a typical post box red, very bold and bright. This has to be in my top 5 purely for how long the product lasts once on the lips. Whereas the gloss might fade, the product stains the lips so the red colour still stands out.

 
Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple
I absolutely love the lip butters from Revlon, they're incredibly moisturising like a balm but are just as well pigmented as a lipstick. This product is the one I reach for if I want to rock a red lip during the day as it is slightly more orange toned than any others so is a bit brighter and more wearable for a daytime look. I love this because of its moisturising qualities, it has a lovely creamy consistency to it and, obviously, doesn't leave a drying effect on the lips.

 
Bourjois Colour Boost in Red Sunrise
These beauties were released last summer and I love them. I also have the shades Orange Punch and Plum Russian which are fabulous shades. Red Sunrise is a much more pink toned red so sometimes I'll pair this with a smoky eye which looks quite nice. My only issue with this is that the shade doesn't last very long on the lips so I am constantly topping it up, which can be annoying on a night out. However it is still one of my favourite red lip products, and I especially love it during the summer months as it is a bit brighter than others in my collection.

 
Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate in 107
This has to be one of the most coveted products in the beauty blogging world. Practically every blogger and their dog has tried and tested this lipstick, and I can absolutely see why. This is the darkest shade in my top 5 however I think it is beautiful. It has a matte finish too which, again, is the only one in this collection. This lipstick has created the perfect 'going out' look during the colder months as, although it is slightly blue toned, I think it has a lovely warming feel to it.

 
NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Spicy
I have only had this a few weeks but it is, by far, my absolute favourite lip product I own. I seriously cannot fault this. It is highly pigmented, long lasting and moisturising on the lips. It has a slight matte finish to it but slightly glossy due to it being a cream based lipstick. If I want a lip product that will still look just as bright and in place as when I first put it on, this is the product I reach for.
 
So there we have my top 5 red lip products. I think you cannot beat a red lip, its classic and so easy to wear when its teamed with the right make up.

Does anybody else use and love these products?

Saturday 15 February 2014

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick 16

 
 
I have been after a perfect pink lipstick for a while now just because I think a pink lip looks so feminine and pretty. The Kate Moss lipsticks from Rimmel are great so when I saw this one I decided to give it a go.

As you can see from the swatch, this is an almost peachy pink shade, so is a bit different from the shde of the bullet which is much more of a Barbie pink shade. However I love this colour, its so wearable. The lipstick itself has a creamy consistency but has a lovely matte finish to it which looks great on its own or teamed with a gloss. The only criticism I have of this lipstick is that the shade didn't last very long on my lips which is a shame as its so lovely.

I think this shade is going to be perfect as the seasons change, and I'll be able to get lots of wear out of it in the next few months as (hopefully) the weather starts to get warmer.

Does anybody have any recommendations for other perfect pink lipsticks?

Friday 14 February 2014

Monu Illuminating Primer

 
 
I received this in a Glossybox a few months ago but I've only just started using it. As the weather has been so darn miserable, my skin definitely seems to be suffering and has been much more dull in appearance. Although I have recently purchased an illuminating moisturiser (review to come) I thought I would give this a little try.
 
Considering this was a freebie from a brand I have never heard of, I absolutely love it! The primer has a thick consistency which is great as the tiny sample bottle has lasted such a long time, and absorbs into the skin really well which is great. I hate applying primer when it feels like you have applied one layer of foundation already. As soon as I started to use this I noticed my makeup just seems to look much brighter, and as a primer it does a pretty great job of keeping makeup in place.
 
So overall, I have been very impressed with this sample. I haven't looked into the brand but I think I might as this product has been such a hit!
 
Has anyone else tried any Monu products?

Wednesday 12 February 2014

NYX Haul


You may or may not know but Next have started stocking NYX cosmetics in some of their stores. I'm lucky to have quite a few large Next stores near by so as soon as I heard this news I decided to go and see for myself. NYX is a brand I have wanted to try for a long while now, it is constantly raved about in the beauty world and the prices are pretty reasonable.
 
I wasn't sure what items to pick up as they all looked pretty irresistible but I managed to control myself and just stick to these three products. The setting spray caught my eye straight away, its not something I normally see on a drugstore counter and, although I don't tend to fonder the dewy look, I thought this would be something different to try out especially as we head into Spring.
 
The shimmer roll on was a purchase that I didn't put much thought into really, and I'm now wondering why I bought it as I'm not entirely sure when I'm going to wear it. Now the festive period has come and gone, the glitter look has most certainly died down. However this is a lovely bronze glitter so could work when the weather warms up and the bronzed look works a bit better.
 
The final product I bought is by far my favourite and one I will get plenty of use from. I have heard of the Xtreme Lip Creams in plenty of blogs, and when I heard Next were stocking NYX this was the product I wanted to try. And I have to say it hasn't disappointed me at all! Its extremely well pigmented, and lasts ages on the lips. It has a beautiful glossy finish to it without being too sticky.
 
I'm very excited to start using NYX products and I have a feeling this will be the first of many NYX hauls.
 
Has anyone else bought anything from NYX recently? I would love to know!

Friday 7 February 2014

January 2014 Favourites

I have been so busy the last couple of weeks, I can't believe I have only just got round to doing my January favourites! Lots of exciting things happening though, just not enough hours in the day! Anyway here is what I have been loving in January...
 

 
Herbal Essences Classics
I love Herbal Essences so when I heard they were going to re-release some of their classic products I got just a little bit excted. I went out straight away to get my hands on their classic conditioner, I think I would say its my all time favourite hair product. It has such a classic Herbal Essences scent and no other conditioner leaves my har this soft. I have been loving using this again.

Soap and Glory Shower Gel
I bought this a few months ago and use it almost every day. The first thing I love about it is how far the product goes! This shower wash has the Soap and Glory scent that I absolutely love and I feel so clean after using this.

Benefit Coralista Blush
I got this sample a few months ago but have only just started using it. I've never tried a Benefit blush so was quite eager to give it a go. The shade is a peachy coral shade which I love, the blush is amazingly pigmented so lasts ages! I'm almost running out of this sample however I have already convinced myself to purchase the full size.

Seventeen Eye Shadows
I picked these single shadows up just before Christmas as I was after a couple of good neutrals that I could use. I know they look extremely similar but Rose Quartz has a slight pink tone to it whereas Statuesque is more of a bronze hued neutral. This eye shadows are so easy to work with and blend, I've been wearing them nearly every day!
 
NYX Xtreme Lip Cream
They have recently started selling NYX in selected Next stores across the country, and as NYX is a brand I have wanted to try for a while I had to pick up a few bits including this lip cream. I love this product so much, it has become my favourite lip product I own. The lip cream is effectively a lacquer, similar to Rimmel Apocalips, but I find it to be much more pigmented and slightly more of a matte finish than the Apocalips. This lip cream also lasts ages which is another bonus!
 
Natural Collection Lipstick in Cranberry
I don't own many Natural Collection products but their Moisture Shine lipsticks are lovely so when I saw this beautiful cranberry shade I had to give it a go. Whereas the pigmentation isn't as great as other lip products, I love how easily this glides onto the lips and how it doesn't cling to any dry areas. I have been wearing this lip shade most days in January as I find it is perfect for this time of year.
 
Lush Popcorn Scrub
I have recently done a full review of this product that you can see here. However in brief, this is an exfoliator for your lips to help reduce dry areas. It has a delicious buttery taste to it and is fantastic at smoothing the skin on the lips. I have been using this most days before I apply lip balm and/or lipstick and I find the lips feel so much smoother and products are much easier to apply after using this.
 
Pro Strong Nail Strengthener
I got this as part of a set for Christmas, I do believe it was available on QVC. This product is a liquid nail strengthener that dries almost instantly. I have been applying this underneath OPI Nail Envy anytime I paint my nails and it has made such a difference! My nails are much more stronger, and the peeling that I used to get has almost completely disappeared!
 
Collection Jesy's Eye Shadow
Little Mix released a make up range for Collection based on their individual make up looks a few months ago. I loved the look of these loose eye shadow however this copper shade was the only one I thought I would get use of. This eye shadow is a beautiful copper shade that has a shimmer finish to it. As it is loose, it is extremely easy to apply and to work with, and the colour can be built up depending on the look you are trying to create. I have been using this a lot just with a champagne shade or as part of a bronze smoky eye.
 
Babyliss Curling Wand
I bought this in the Boxing Day sales as I have been after a curling wand for ages and this was an absolute bargain at £10! Its extremely easy to use, it has 10 different levels of heat although I tend to use the highest as my hair is so thick and long. I've been using this on sections of my hair to curl the whole head, or just picking individual sections to create a bit more of a relaxed, surf look. The curls last for ages and most of the time last into the following day with a little help of some good hairspray.
 
So there we have it, I didn't realise quite how many products I have been loving until I went to compile this post!
 
Has anyone else tried any of these products?
 

 

Monday 3 February 2014

Real Techniques Shading Brush


 This is the latest addition to my Real Techniques brush collection. I have never tried any of their eye brushes so I have been quite keen to test this out. Of course, I was not disappointed with the quality of this brush. I have been using it to apply eye shadow to the crease of my eye, and also to blend shadows together.
 
The shape of the brushes makes it perfect for blending into the crease and creating contour around the eye area. Its big enough to pick up enough of the product as well, which is good for blending over the entire eye lid. Depending on the amount of pressure I use, this brush helps create both subtle and bold eye looks.
 
I have been so impressed with this brush, its great! I'm really keen to try the other eye brushes from Real Techniques.
 
Has anyone tried this brush? I would love to know your thoughts!