Yet Another Mini Boots Haul!

Yet again, I have another mini Boots haul for you all! As per usual, I found myself pacing up and down the aisles putting item upon item in my basket. Of course, this happens on a fairly regular basis for me but I surprisingly haven't bought myself to anything new in a while now (shock horror!) I have only found myself picking up some essentials here and there, rather than discovering new products. However, I decided to treat myself to a few bits and bobs in celebration of starting my new job last week! 

Firstly, I picked up a Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Nail Polish (£6.99) in the shade 'Nude Now.' One of my favourite nudes from China Glaze has sadly dried up and now I have finally found a replacement for it. I have always loved both the formulation and the brush of Sally Hansen products, so I'm sure I'm going to love this one just as much. In the photograph above, the shade seems to look quite peachy and bright but in real life it is waaaay more subtle and nude in colour, I can assure you!

Then, another shade called caught my eye called 'Street Flair,' which is from the new Miracle Gel range (£9.99.) I am really into muted and understated colours right now - especially as we are entering into autumn - so, I just had to have it! I also purchased the matching top coat to go with it, which also cost £9.99. I love the look of glossy gel nails but I hate how hard they are to remove, so this range seems like the perfect fit for me. I cannot wait to apply this shade and see how long it lasts, so I will be sure to report back on my blog soon!

I also decided to pick up another shade of Bourjois' Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick (£8.99) called 'Don't Pink Of It.' I already have three other colours from the range in my collection (Frambourjoise, Beau Brun & Personne ne Rouge,) so you can tell that I am in love with this formula! I wanted to purchase a more wearable shade wasn't too vivid and was appropriate for wearing during the day time and I think this nude-y pink is just perfect for that.

Lastly, as well the products I treated myself to above, I needed to pick up another bottle of my hold grail foundation; Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid Foundation (£7.99.) This foundation is barely spoken about online and it is extremely under-rated but I love it and have done for years now! 'Ivory' is the absolute perfect match for me, as it is the second lightest shade in the range that is yellow-toned rather than pink-toned. It blends seamlessly, is very buildable and gives a gorgeous satin finish to my skin. The only thing that I am slightly concerned about is the 'new formula' sticker on this new bottle, so I hope I still adore it just as much as I did before and fingers crossed that it hasn't changed too much.

So, there you have it guys, those are the five new products that I picked up in Boots! What do you think? Have you tried any of these products before? What have you hauled lately? Let me know, as always, by leaving a comment in the box below!

My Clubbing Make-Up Look

Hi guys. I went out clubbing with my friends for the first time in ages on Saturday night as it was my best friends leaving do (she's going to work in Barcelona for nine months!) One of my favourite parts of the night is dolling myself up and taking ages perfecting my make-up, as you can really go all out! I just love getting the opportunity to dress up as often as I can, as it gives me much more confidence and I love seeing how my outfit and make-up always come together. So today I thought that I would show you all what make-up I used to achieve this night time look. Let's get started!

Here are the products that I used to complete this look:

Benefit Porefessional Primer (mini version)
Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation in Ivory
L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer in Light
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent
Rimmel Blusher in Coral Rose (now discontinued)
Rimmel Sun Shimmer Bronzer in Light Matte
Benefit High Beam Highlighter (mini version)
Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara in Black
Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil in Dark Blonde
Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stain in India Intrigue 

Before I started my make-up, I prepped my skin by cleansing and moisturising to ensure that my skin was fresh and hydrated ready to apply my base. Firstly, I applied my Porefessional primer to the places where my make-up tends to slip off and where my face gets oily - which is mainly in my T-zone area. I then applied my Maybelline foundation to give my skin a flawless and even finish. I like to use two thin layers of my foundation for when I'm going out to get my desired level of coverage. After this, I applied my Lumi Magique concealer under my eyes to eliminate any dark circles and to brighten up the area a little.

I then left my base for the time being and started on my eyes. I began by applying my Rimmel liquid eyeliner to create a subtle cat-eye flick, which is my go to look as it really suits my eye shape. I then curled my eyelashes and applied two coats of my Lash Accelerator mascara, concentrating mainly on my bottom lashes as I was going to apply some false lashes later. I then used my dark blonde Maybelline brow pencil to naturally fill in my eyebrows. After this, I returned to my base and applied my Rimmel blush to my cheeks and also contoured ever so slightly in the hollows of my cheeks using my Sun Shimmer matte bronzer. To finish off my face, I added a few dots of Benefit's High Beam to the tops of my cheekbones to highlight the area and give my face some luminosity too.

For my lips, I simply used my Revlon Moisture Stain in the shade 'India Intrigue' as the colour matched the flowers on my playsuit almost identically. To finish off my look, I applied some Ardell Demi Wispie fake eyeslashes, which add amazing length to my usually short and open up my eyes a lot. Lastly, I also spritzed some of my Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray over my face to make sure that everything was set in place and would not budge throughout the night!

(A photo of me and my friends during the night)

So, those are the products that I used to create my make-up look on Saturday night! What do you guys think? I was really happy with the results and my make-up pretty much stayed in place all night long (until 3am to be exact!) I love experimenting with night time, more dramatic looks and I cannot wait to go out again soon so that I can get all glammed up once again!

Maybelline 3 for 2 Boots Haul

Last Monday, I popped into my local Boots whilst out shopping with my parents. I was determined to purchase one of Maybelline's new Color Elixirs but when I saw it was also 3 for 2 on all Maybelline products, I couldn't resist having a little spend up! That's the typical thing us beauty bloggers do when we go into Boots, right? We come out with way more than we originally needed! Due the the 2 for 2 deal, I have discovered two new products that I would have otherwise ignored, so I guess I can justify my spending more than I wanted to! After my splurge, I though it was only right that I shared what I bought with you guys on my blog. Let's get started!

Maybelline Color Elixir Creamy Lip Lacquer in Rose Redefined - £6.99
First up is the product that I actually wanted to purchase, one of the new Color Elixir lip lacquers. I have a lot of lipsticks and lip crayons in my make-up collection, so I thought it was about time that I bought a few more glossy formulas to add to my stash. I had heard nothing but good reviews about this product and I can confirm that everything I heard is true. The consistency of the lacquer is very smooth and not at all sticky or uncomfortable to wear. The doe foot applicator makes applying this product a breeze and not only this but the colour pay off is brilliant. It definitely has more pigmentation than a normal gloss does. The colour I chose is 'Rose Redefined,' which is gorgeous yet natural pink shade with a slight peachy tone to it too. I just love it and I definitely want to pick up another shade soon!

(Top: Maybelline Color Elixir in Rose Redefined - Bottom: Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick in Minimalist)

Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Colour in Deep Red - £4.99
Next up is a nail varnish that I have often overlooked because I do not tend to buy drugstore nail polishes anymore. This is because since I did my nail course last year, I have been buliding up my kit with more professional bands such as China Glaze. However, as I was doing the 3 for 2, I thought that I would give this gorgeous aptly named deep red colour a go. It's the perfect shade for autumn! The wide brush makes application incredibly easy and the colour comes out extremely opaque, it is definitely a two coat job. The only thing that I would say is that this formula does take quite a while to dry, so you need to make sure that you have enough time to sit around and wait for them to completely dry. However, once dried, this polish is incredible. I forgot to put on a top coat and it took 5 days for chips to appear (and they were only very small.) It gives you a glossy, gel-like finish that makes it look like you have been to the salon too. This is a must-have product!

Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick in Minimalist - £4.99
Last but not least, I spotted this lip pencil on a fellow beauty bloggers page recently in a berry colour and I knew I had to have it, but that shade is sold out in all of my local stores. So, I decided to try out the shade 'Minimalist' instead which is a neutral pink shade with lots of glitter running through it. I must admit that I am not a huge fan of the amount of glitter in it but it does look very pretty on the lips. It is a great daytime colour for when you don't want to go too overboard. When I first used this pencil, it was a little hard and was dragging my lips as I tried to apply it. However, I just rubbed the pencils tip between my hands a little to soften it and that worked a charm. I wouldn't say that this product is worth buying for the reasons I have stated above but it is pretty nonetheless and I will still wear it from time to time.

I hope that you have all enjoyed reading my Maybelline 3 for 2 Boots Haul. Overall, I am extremely happy with the Color Elixir lacquer and the Super Stay polish but I am slightly disappointed with the Color Drama lipstick pencil, although that was my free item. Without the 2 for 2 deal, I would have spent £16.97 but instead I was only £11.98 out of pocket! Have you tried one of the product above? Which one is your favourite? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!

Boots 3 For 2 | Bourjois and Maybelline

Hi guys. Today, whilst running a few errands in town, I found myself caving in once again to the infamous Boots 3 for 2 offer. After finding out that this deal was back on last week, I tried to resist but I have finally given in and bought myself some new beauty goodies! There are so many products that are currently on my wish list, so it was very hard for me to whittle it down to just three - I could have spent an absolute fortune! With that being said, I settled on two Bourjois products and one Maybelline product; so here is what I think of them so far!

Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Polish in 06 Rose Cupcake - £5.99
First up is this really lovely nail polish from Bourjois. I have loved the 1 Seconde range for a long time now after having owned a few other colours in the past. Not only do these polishes dry relatively fast but they leave you with quite an opaque colour after just one coat as well, (although I still like to apply two!) Another great thing about this product is its flattened 'fan effect brush' which makes painting your nails a breeze, as you need just one swipe on each nail and you're done. Not only this but the gorgeous rosey pink colour is perfect for spring time too. Overall, I love this polish and I can see myself reaching for it a lot in the up and coming months!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 10 Light - £5.99
Next, I was in dire need of a new concealer that was not brightening or highlighting, as of course you do not want to use those types of formulas on blemishes or things that you want to conceal. So, after hearing lots of great things about Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer, I decided to give it a go. I went for the shade 10 'Light' as opposed to 15 'Fair' because it was too pink-toned and my skin is more yellow-toned. After trying the product out on a few blemished earlier, I am a little undecided as to whether I like it or not. The consistency was not as creamy as I was expecting and although it was not difficult to blend, it looked quite obvious on the skin and clung to dry patches. However, I am determined to continue using it to see if I start to enjoy the product more.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in 02 Frambourjoise - £8.99
Last but not least is a product that has been creating a lot of buzz around the beauty blogging community lately and I must say, they definitely live up to expectation! The Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks are, in my opinion, amazing. The shade I opted for is Frambourjoise, a bright and vibrant berry pink which looks lovely on. The formulation is very lightweight and they feel very smooth and buttery the lips - aka not sticky at all! This lipstick does give a beautiful matte finish but when you first apply the product, it is glossy and it does take around 5 to 10 minutes to fully dry. So far, I have had this product on all day and it is very long wearing; it hasn't budged at all, even after I have eaten. I only have two minor problems with this product. Firstly, it is quite hard to get a precise line using the doe foot applicator. So, I think that I am going to buy a new lip liner soon to accompany it and make the application process easier. Secondly, when you initially apply the product, it has a slightly odd smell to it. However, it is not too offensive and it fades pretty quickly, so I can easily overlook this. I am in love with this product so far that I am already eyeing up which shade I want to buy next, I'm thinking either Hot Pepper or Pink Pong! 

So, those are the three products that I purchased as part of the Boots 3 for 2 offer today. I absolutely love the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick, I think I'm addicted after just half a day! Have you tried any of these products out before? What did you think of them? Please let me know by leaving a comment below. Thank you :)

Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid Foundation Review

Hi guys. I think it takes a lot of time and experimentation to find a foundation that suits you perfectly. There is so much to consider when finding your perfect base; finish, coverage, colour and so on. So, when you finally find the right one for you, your foundation becomes your ultimate staple. This foundation for me is Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid Foundation (£7.99.) 

Ever since I discovered and started using this product a few years ago, I have fallen in love with it's formula! Maybelline claim that this foundation has the lightness of a mousse but in a liquid form, which automatically intrigued me, as I cannot stand products that feel really thick and cake-y on the skin. Due to the fact that the foundation is air-whipped, it glides on to the skin seamlessly and as its name suggests, it leaves you with a gorgeous satin finish. Although this is a medium coverage foundation, it is extremely buildable and if you use a tad more product for a night out, you can build it up to a fuller coverage and your skin looks flawless with absolutely no imperfections in sight!

As the formulation gives a satin finish, this means that it also gives your skin a subtle luminous glow too. This is not something that I would have automatically gone for due to my oily/combination skin, as most people with this skin type tend to opt for more matte products. However, when buffed in to my skin using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush (which is part of their Core Collection,) this formula has great staying power! I also set my foundation with Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder (£3.99) to ensure that it is locked into place. Of course, I still do have trouble with oiliness on my T-zone as the day goes on but that is easily fixed by using blotting sheets or re-powdering. 

The colour I use is Ivory (010,) the second lightest out of the eight shades available, and this matches my skin perfectly. Although in the swatch above the foundation looks very yellow-toned compared to my pink-toned hand, I can assure you that it is my perfect match! However, as we go into the summer months and I hopefully catch a tan (the UK weather is pretty unpredictable,) I will probably buy the next shade down, Cameo, instead. Each bottle lasts me around three or four months and for just £7.99 a time, I do not see myself changing foundations any time soon!

Overall, this product is great for those who need a medium coverage that is buildable which has a natural, yet slightly luminous finish. It is definitely one of my absolute staples make-up wise and I do not see enough reviews or hype about this product in the blogging world. Have you ever used this foundation before? What do you think of it Please let me know in the comments below. Thank you!

My Favourite Valentines Day Products

Hi guys! Today I thought that I would show you some of my favourite products that are also Valentines Day inspired - aka red and pink makeup! All the products mentioned in this post are ones that I have use all of the time and absolutely adore, I would recommend them to anybody. I will most definitely be wearing some of them tomorrow! I hope that whatever you are up to on February the 14th, whether you are single or taken, you have a lovely day and remember to spoil yourselves rotten! With that in mind, here is a list of some gorgeous Valentines Day Products that are featured above.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Color Rush Lip Crayon in The Redder The Better

A vivid red lip crayon that is super moisturising and lasts for hours.

Yves Saint Lauent Elle Eau De Parfum (50ml)

An ultra feminine, rich perfume with notes of peonies and pink berries.

Max Factor Glossfinity Nail Polish in Red Passion

A classic and opaque red nail varnish.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Pomegranate

A deep pink polish that gives an incredibly shiny, professional finish.

Barry M Ultra Moisturising Lip Paint in 156

A beautiful berry coloured lipstick with great staying power.

Maybelline Super Stay 24hr Color in Cherry Pie

A rich burgundy lip stain that stays put all day long.

Essie Luxe Effects Nail Polish in A Cut Above

A stunning rose gold glitter polish.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish in Scarlet Fever

A chip resistant berry coloured polish that is incredibly opaque.

Benefit Posie Tint Lip & Cheek Tint

A liquid rosy pink tint for both lips and cheeks.

Rimmel Colour Show Off Lipstick in Shocking Pink

A vibrant pink lipstick which also smells like watermelon.

I hope you all enjoyed this post and even though it is rather short, I really enjoyed making it. Again, whatever you are doing on Valentines Day, I hope that you have a fabulous time. Thank you :)

My Monthly Favourites - January 2014

Hi guys. Even though we are now a couple of days into February, it's time for me to talk about my monthly favourites throughout the whole of January. It was very hard to choose my favourites this month because I have been trying to use lots of products that I had forgotten about, so I have fallen back in love with quite a few forgotten about items! However, I have managed to whittle it down to these five lovely products. Let's get started!

Peaches & Clean 4-in-1 Deep Cleansing Milk - £8.00
First up is the this amazing cleansing milk from Soap & Glory. I have tried so many cleansers on the market over the past year or so but I can honestly say that this is one of the best! It is a definitely a toss up between this or No 7's Beautiful Skin Foaming Cleanser for me, as I alternate between the two. I love this milk because it leaves my skin feeling really soft and it doesn't dry it out in the slightest. In addition to this, the scent is absolutely gorgeous. As suggested by the title of this product, it smells like peaches. However, it also has a minty/menthol like quality to it which is really refreshing and tingly upon application. I recommend Peaches & Clean to everybody, I cannot get enough!

Boots Extracts Cranberry Body Butter (part of a Christmas set)
Next is this lovely little body butter from the Boots Extracts range (which is part of their fair trade brand.) I received this butter along with three others as part of a set that my friend Sarah got me for Christmas. This product is lovely to use as it is not too thick and sinks into the skin really quickly, which is excellent for me as I am quite impatient and lazy when it comes to moisturising my body. I absolutely the adore the cranberry scent too! It is such a shame that this particular scent is not in the permanent Extracts range as I have feeling that I am going to get through this tiny pot rather quickly!

Soap & Glory's Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara - £10.00
I bought this mascara all the way back in August and initially, I didn't give it a very good review. Due to the fact that I have very thin and sparse lashes, I often struggle to find a mascara that does what I want it to in terms of giving me length and volume. This mascara used to disappoint me but recently, I have changed my mind! I love to use this product on days where I wear minimal make-up as it gives me just the right amount of length and volume for a natural, everyday look. The only thing that I find with this product is that the brush is a little too big, making it difficult to apply to your bottom lashes neatly.

Yankee Candle Medium Jar in Soft Blanket - £16.49
This is the first Yankee candle that I have ever owned as I have never been that into candles... until now! My best friend Laura bought this candle for me as part of my Christmas present and I love it. 'Soft Blanket' is a relaxing scent which is very comforting when you are stressed out. It also quite subtle, which I love as I am not one for overwhelming scents. I like to use this candle at night time in my bedroom or during pamper sessions in the bath to make them feel more luxurious. I am definitely a Yankee candle convert now and I hope to try more scents in the future - I have my eye on 'Beach Walk' or 'Loves Me, Loves Me Not' next!

Maybelline Color Show Nail Varnish in Brick Shimmer - £2.99
Last but not least is this lovely nail varnish from Maybelline. My preferred nail colours are usually shimmery or glittery, as I prefer the finish of them as opposed to solid, opaque colours. 'Brick Shimmer' is a beautiful bronze colour that looks really sophisticated when applied. This polish is usually chip resistant for about 4-5 days,which is quite good for a product that is just shy of £3. I am definitely going to be trying some other shades of this very affordable, pretty polish!

So, that's it! I hope you enjoyed reading about my five favourite products throughout January. Which products have you been loving over the past month or so? I would love to know what you have been reaching for! Thank you :) 

My Monthly Favourites - December 2013

Hi guys! As promised in the post I uploaded yesterday, 'My New Years Eve Make-Up,' here are my December Favourites. Granted this post is a few days late now (I cannot believe it is now 2014) but better late than never, eh! Usually, my favourites tend to consist of products that I have been loving for quite a long period of time, as I like to give honest and well-rounded reviews of things that I have tried and tested for at least a month. However, all of this months products have only been in my possession for a week or less. In addition, three of the products I will be mentioning today were given to me as Christmas presents,  which I am incredibly grateful for! With that being said, let's get straight into my five favourite products during the month of December.

Clinique Superprimer Universal Face Primer - £20.00
First up is this lovely primer from Clinique. I have been after this particular primer for a fair few months now after I used a sample of it that I found in a magazine. Up until now, I have only used cheaper high-street primers which I haven't got on with too well (Revlon's Photo Ready Primer in particular.) I have only used this product once so far, on New Years Eve, and I must say that I am impressed already. It provided a smooth base for my foundation, which seemed to stay put all night whilst I was out clubbing. My parents bought me this for Christmas and I am so grateful because it's a product I probably wouldn't have been able to afford or fathom buying otherwise. As it is so special, I am vowing to only use it on special occasions and nights out!

Marc Jacobs Honey Eau de Parfum (50ml) - £39.50
This perfume was another surprise present that was given to me by my Mum and Dad. I am a huge fan of Marc Jacobs fragrances overall, both their smells and packaging are amazing. I was actually given the gift set version which includes a shower gel and body lotion with matching scents to the perfume. The eau de parfum itself is a pretty sweet scent, which I usually steer clear of, but due to it's added fruity elements - it is a lot more wearable. I would agree that it is more of a spring/summer fragrance but it's gorgeous none the less!

Soap & Glory Butter Yourself Five Fruits Super Rich Soothing Body Butter  - £10.50
Next, my lovely aunt and uncle bought me this tub of Soap & Glory body butter. I am a lover of the brand and both me and my Mum use Soap & Glory products religiously. Considering that they are a widely available high-street brand, the quality of their products are amazing. The Righteous Butter has always been my favourite but now I am converted. I tend to prefer fruity and refreshing scents as opposed to cocoa or shea butter scents, though I still love both. This moisturiser is extremely rich and sinks into the skin really quickly, which is an added bonus.

Real Techniques Powder Brush  - £12.99
I have owned the Real Techniques Core Collection, which consists of four brushes; buffing, contour, pointed foundation and detailer brushes, for quite a while now. However, I have been stuck using a brandless powder brush that is pretty useless. The hairs of the brush always used to shed, leaving little black hairs all of my face (how frustrating!) So, with some cash that my Nan gave me for Christmas, I have finally gotten around to buying this brush. As with all Real Techniques brushes, the bristles are really soft and I know that I am going to get a lot of use out of it. I also hope to expand my brush collection in the near future. Next on my list is the Starter Set that features 5 eye brushes.

Maybelline Super Stay 24hr Color in Cherry Pie  - £7.99
Last but not least is this lovely lip colour from Maybelline. I am always on the look out for long-wearing lip products, as there is nothing I hate more than lipstick that barely lasts an hour without fading, transferring onto your teeth or bleeding outside of the lines. I bought this particular product after my friend Sarah recommended it to me, as she has it in a different colour. I bought the shade 'Cherry Pie,' which is a deep red colour which is so pigmented. The lip colour is dual ended, one end being a liquid lipstick and the other being a clear balm. What you have to do is apply the lip colour, wait for it to dry sticky and then apply the balm over the time. I assure you, this product DOES NOT budge! In fact, it is so long-lasting that is actually a nightmare to remove and it requires a lot of scrubbing to do so. That, however, is the only downfall to this amazing product. My only wish is that I purchased a slightly more wearable colour so that I can wear it in the day time too, so I might have to do that some time in the future.

So, that's it for this month! I hope that you enjoyed reading about my December favourites. Please let me know if you have used any of the aforementioned products, I would love to know how you have got on with them. Also, feel free to let me know what products you have been loving over the past month - I love getting recommendations! Thank you :)

My New Years Eve Make-Up

Hi guys, Happy New Year! This evening, I thought that I would do a quick post showing and listing the products that I used on New Years Eve. Unfortunately, I do not have a good photo of the my finished look but I thought that I would still do the post anyway. I know that I usually write a little description or review about every product that I mention, however, this is just a filler post whilst I prepare my 'December Favourites.' Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, that post will be uploaded tomorrow (fingers crossed!) 

So, here is a full list of the products that I used:

Face
Clinique Superprimer Universal Face Primer
Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation in Ivory
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent
Rimmel Sun Shimmer Bronzer in Light Matte
Rimmel Blusher in Coral Rose (discontinued but still available on Amazon)

Eyes & Eyebrows
Clinique Eyeshadow Duo in Beach Plum (the light shadow only)
Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner in Black
Benefit They're Real Mascara in Black
Ardell Professional Demi Wispie Lashes 
Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil in Dark Blonde

Lips
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain in Crush

Tools
Real Techniques Buffing & Contour Brush (part of the Core Collection)
Real Techniques Powder Brush
Mister Mascara Eyelash Curler

Even though this is a very brief post for me, I hope that you all enjoyed snooping at what I wore make-up wise on New Years Eve. As mentioned, my December favourites will hopefully be up tomorrow or the weekend at the latest, so keep your eyes peeled for that! Thank you :)

Disappointing Products #1

Hi guys! Many of us beauty bloggers, myself included, tend to write about products that we love as opposed to products that we loathe because let's face it, they are more fun to talk about! However, today I thought that I would share with you five products that have left me a little disappointed over the recent months. Of course, products work differently on each of us as we are all very unique but I am simply sharing with you my experiences with using these products. So, let's get started!

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray (50ml) - £7.50
It seems that many of us beauty bloggers received a free sample of this hairspray when we bought the September issue of Elle Magazine. I was really excited to try out this product for multiple reasons. Firstly, I have heard good things about the entire Bumble & Bumble range and secondly, anything that promises to thicken my hair grabs my attention as I have extremely fine hair that could always use a little boost. However, after following the instructions on the side of the bottle that told me to apply this onto my wet hair, I was thoroughly disappointed with the result after I dried it. My hair had no noticeable volume and was simply left with a horrible, sticky residue at my roots which is definitely not what you want!

Maybelline Super Stay 10 Hour Tint Gloss in Endless Ruby - £6.99
When I initially swatched this tinted gloss in Superdug, I knew I had to have it! The highly pigmented deep red colour and smooth liquid formula drew me in and I could not wait to try it out. At first, the gloss was everything I expected and more but as the day went on, I incurred a few problems that really put me off this product. Throughout the day, the colour of the gloss darkened to a really strange black colour around my lip line. Secondly, when I went to take off the product that night (even with five minutes of laborious scrubbing,) it just wouldn't budge! Sure, staying power is typically what we want from a stain but not so much when it seeps into the cracks of your lips and doesn't come off fully for two days!

Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover Pen - £4.99
I bought this product on a bit of a whim whilst in Boots because I thought it would be handy to use to remove any eyeliner or mascara mistakes (I get through a lot of cotton buds doing this!) The first two times I used this pen the results were great; the tip of the pen was small and precise, which in turn got rid of smudges and mistakes perfectly. After each use, I cleaned the nib of the pen and put the lid back on firmly as instructed. However, when I went back to use this product for the third time, the pen had completely dried out! I was really disappointed with the longevity of this product and I will be sticking to my usual method of cotton buds to remove any make-up mishaps!

Bourjois Paris Little Round Pot Blush in Love-struck Rose - £7.99
When my much-loved Rimmel blusher hit the pan a while back, I decided to browse my local Boots for a different blusher to try. As these Bourjois blushers have been around for many years and I had always heard great things about them, I decided to give one a whirl. Love-struck Rose is a beautiful coral coloured blush with hints of gold shimmer running through it. However, begrudgingly, when I went to apply this product to my cheeks - the pigmentation was awful! Although I had plenty of the product on my brush, it was just not coming out on my face. I was really disappointed with this product and have not used it since!

Barry M Eyeshadow Pencil in Gold Cream - £4.59

Recently, I have been really getting into experimenting with eyeshadow, which is a rarity for me seeing as I am a classic eyeliner flick kind of girl! I bought this eyeshadow pencil to highlight my inner corner with as I find that a classic powder shadow rubs off rather quickly in this area. When first applied, I loved this product because it was so creamy and just simply glided on. However, after a mere two hours, the product had just settled in the creases of my eye and it began to flake a lot which made the whole look appear messy and unflattering.

I hope that this post has been helpful to those of you who are maybe considering trying out some of the products mentioned above. Also, if any of you have had positive experiences with any of the items above or even if you share the same views as me, I would love to hear about them - so please leave a comment below. Thank you!

My First Autumn Inspired Makeover

(Before)

Hi guys! The other day, I had a serious brain storm about some new things that I wanted to try out on my blog and makeovers is one of them. So, I roped in my good friend Lucy to be my model for the afternoon. As Lucy usually wears minimal makeup (eyeliner and some mascara,) I thought she would be the perfect candidate for me to transform. Seeing as we are now well into autumn here in the UK, I wanted to reflect this with the look that I created. So, without any further ado, here is how I achieved the end result.

(After)

Seeing as Lucy has never worn foundation before, her skin is in amazing condition due to the fact that it is never clogged up with products. So, I used Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light rather sparingly to simply even out her skin tone a little. A light BB cream like this one is definitely all the coverage that she needs, as a foundation would be too heavy, which in this case is unnecessary.

Next, I primed Lucy's eyes with Benefit's Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer to ensure that any eye products I used on her would not budge or slide off throughout the day. I wanted to keep the eye area quite neutral in colour as I wanted the main focus of this autumn inspired look to be the lips. So, I chose Clinique's Eyeshadow Duo in Beach Plum and used the lightest colour of the two, which is a shimmery champagne colour, and swept it across the entire lid. Then, I continued to line the lash line with Rimmel's Exaggerate Eyeliner in Black bringing the product out into a subtle, cat-eye flick. To finish off the eyes, I applied lashings of Benefit's They're Real Mascara in Black to really make Lucy's eyes stand out.

Afterwards, I then went back and applied Rimmel's Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory to brighten up Lucy's under eye area. The reason I did this after applying all of her eye make-up was in case of any fall out the eyeshadow may have caused, as it contained a lot of glitter which could have fallen down onto her face. Then, to set all of the cream based products I had used so far, I lightly dusted Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent all over her face to set this and to also keep any shine or oiliness of the skin at bay. 

Next, I applied Rimmel's Blusher in Coral Rose  to the apples of Lucy's cheeks to give a little flush of colour. Please note that this blusher has since been discontinued by Rimmel still do a great variation of similar blushes such as 'Santa Rose' and 'Pink Rose.' The last of the facial products on used on Lucy is Soap & Glory's Glow All Out, which is a lovely luminising powder. I used this product on the tops of Lucy's cheekbones, the bridge of her nose and her brow bone to accentuate the high points of her face and to give the illusion of healthy, glowing skin. 

Finally, to finish off the look, I applied Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain in Crush to Lucy's lips. This lip stain is the perfect product to use for an autumn inspired make-up look as the gorgeous deep red/berry shade is very 'in' and is a trend that we see every year. At first, Lucy was extremely dubious of having such a bold lip because as mention, her usual look is very minimal. However, the colour looks amazing on her and she has since bought this product as she loved it so much!

I hope that you all enjoyed my first makeover/tutorial-style type post. I was really pleased with the end result and I am sure you will all agree that Lucy looked beautiful! If you would like me to do more posts like this, then please do not hesitate to leave me a comment below as I really loved making it! Thank you :)

Summer Beauty: Essential Products

Hi guys! Following on from my previous post, 'Summer Style: Crop Tops,' I thought that today I would share with you some hair & beauty products that have been getting me through this lovely spell of hot weather that we have been having in England lately. Soaring temperatures often means that our make-up is prone to sliding off and our hair becomes unruly, which are both major beauty no-nos. Whether you are off on holiday or are just enjoying the beautiful sunshine here in this country, the products I have chosen should definitely be essentials in your beauty kit. So, here are the few key products that I have chosen... let's get started!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light - £7.99

During the summer months, it's very important to take care of your skin by using products that contain SPF to protect us from the suns harmful rays. I love this BB cream by Maybelline because it's so light on your skin and it almost feels like you are wearing nothing on your face at all. Plus, it has SPF 30 in it too which is perfect for days when you still want to wear make-up despite the heat. BB creams are great alternatives to foundation during the summer, as wearing heavy make-up can clog your skin and cause you to sweat and eventually break out (ew!) I simply apply this product to my skin using a buffing brush and then set it with powder to make sure it doesn't slip off of my skin during the day.

Carmex Cherry Lip Balm -£2.69

This lip balm by Carmex does exactly what it says on the tin (or tube in this case.) It soothes, relieves and moisturises your lips and also leaves them with a nice glossy, sheen too. When out in the sun, many of us neglect our lips and forget to protect them in the same way that we would protect our skin with sun tan lotion. Luckily, this balm contains SPF 15 to keep your lips from burning or drying out in the sun. In addition, I love this product for it's delicious cherry flavour. Carmex also make other versions of this lip balm including Strawberry and Mint, which smell just as lovely. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo Tropical - £1.99

Over the last few years, dry shampoo has become a cult product for so many people and I am a huge fan of Batiste in particular. Batiste can instantly refresh your hair and stop it from looking greasy inbetween washes, as it is unhealthy to wash your locks every day as it strips your hair of it's natural oils. In addition, the spray adds lots of volume to your hair and so if you have very fine or lifeless hair, you can also use this spray to add a bit of uplift to your tresses. To use this product, simply spray it on to your roots and then massage it in (you can also brush it through with a comb if needed.)  This dry shampoo comes in a variation of scents (including Cherry and Blush,) so there is definitely a scent to suit everyone. I use the tropical scent which is a lovely coconut smell, which is so refreshing and it reminds me of being on holiday. Batiste also do travel mini versions of this product, which are perfect for if you are on the go and need to slip a can into your handbag.

Revlon Photo Ready Perfecting Primer - £9.99

The key to getting your make-up to stay on all day is to prep your skin using a primer. Primers mattify your skin, which decreases shine, and creates a base for the rest of your make-up. In turn, this will allow your foundation to stay on much longer than it usually would and prevent it from slipping. I love this Revlon Photo Ready primer as it also really minimises the appearance of your pores and any imperfections that you may have. Of course, high end and premium primers will probably do a much better job, but I think that this primer is so affordable and it is easily accessible in the high-street. However saying this, I would love to own a Smashbox primer as they are meant to be amazing!

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets - 99p

Last but not least, this pack of 50 blotting papers from Kleenex are so useful. Hot and humid weather often causes your skin to become a lot more oily - especially around your t-zone area. Normally, we combat shine by applying powder, but doing this several times a day is not only time consuming, but it is also bad for your skin too. Caking on layers of powder throughout the day can clog your skin and can cause a variety of problems including spots and blemishes. Instead, consider using shine absorbing sheets. They absorb the oil on your face just by you dabbing the sheet on to your face. The greatest thing about this product is that the packaging is so compact, so you can literally pop the sheets in to your handbag and you will always be prepared for when that shininess appears. I bought these sheets when they were on sale in Sainsbury's for 99p and I have since looked for them online to find the original price. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find them on websites like Boots or Superdrug etc. I have only found them in stock on various pharmacy and beauty websites where the price seems to vary. However, there are so many brands out there that also do blotting papers which are widely available in shops and I highly recommend you give them a go!

I hope that this little essential products post has been helpful and that you have enjoyed reading about them. As always, I love reading your opinions so if you have ever used any of these products or even if you want to after reading these mini reviews, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. Thank you :)