L O V E L A U G H L A U R E N

NOTD: Glittery Ring Finger

2012-02-27T16:53:00.000Z

Things seem to have been a little bit more summery in the UK these past few days so I decided it was time to ditch the dark nail colours for something a bit prettier and brighter. I decided to sport a past favourite- Models Own 'Bloo Bloo'- and jazz it up I added a bit of my W7 glitter polish in Cosmic mauve on my ring finger. My friends found this an odd concept but after seeing similar designs on many other blogs I decided to give it a go.

Although the rain has returned I am still enjoying my colourful nails and can't wait to experiment with more of my glitter polishes!

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash Review

2012-02-23T16:53:00.000Z

This was quite a random purchase. It's not often i'll buy a skincare item without doing some research first but when I went home for Christmas I realised I hadn't brought my face wash with me so I rushed out and picked this one up on a whim.

I didn't really expect much from it, afterall the packaging is rather unexciting and I haven't heard much about this on the blogging scene. However, I have to say that I really enjoy using it!

This product effectively removes all my makeup, leaving my skin feeling incredibly fresh and clean. The pink gel foams well and smells gorgeous. It claims to eliminate spots and blackheads and although I don't often get blackheads, I have noticed that I haven't had many spots since I have been using this. The oiliness in my skin seems to be much more under control, too. The scent is quite overpowering but I quite like it as it is refreshing.

Considering this is around £3-£4 this is definately worth giving a go and I will certainly be repurchasing. The bottle has lasted me a long time and it is perfect for controlling my horrible teenage skin without leaving it dry and tight.

Have you tried this?

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Mousse Review

2012-02-19T17:07:00.001Z

I've always been a bit... rubbish with fake tan. As much as I adore looking bronzed and glowing, I normally end up looking a tad orange and streaky. This means that recently I have been on the hunt for fool-proof products that will get me looking how I want.

I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to try the St. Tropez Gradual Tan Mousse. Although I adore my cheap and cheerful fake tan, i've always been curious to see how a higher-end brand compares.

St. Tropez promise that this product will give a 'gorgeous hint of self tan' for a 'natural looking, golden colour'. You get 120ml but I don't think the bottle would last long as I use a lot of it to cover my whole body.

The product itself is a white foam. I wouldn't say it has the texture of a mousse as it is very watery rather than creamy. This means it sinks in effortlessly but is still easy to distribute. St. Tropez have striven to ensure that the product doesn't have the conventional 'biscuitty' fake tan smell but instead it smells very un-natural and chemically and the odour hangs around on your skin for hours after use.

The major advantage of this over my other self tanners is the colour. It really is a golden tan rather than an orange/brown tan and it looks very natural on my fair skin. You can see a slight colour after one use but I really began to notice the change after about three uses. I don't think this will give you a dark tan so if that's your thing then this won't be the product for you. I will admit that I don't exfoliate and moisturise before every use but this doesn't seem to affect how well the product works. This is definately a fool-proof tanner and if you can handle the smell is certainly worth persisting with as the colour is gorgeous. I would advise being careful around your hands but if you're a fake-tan expert this shouldn't be a problem. It is a lot more reliable than the high street tanning lotions which I have tried in the past and the colour lasts well for a good few days.

Would I buy this product? Yes and no. If I wasn't a poor student then certainly yes as I really enjoy using it, but it isn't a necessity. You can buy this product here for just over £16 which I think is quite reasonable for a high end product.

This product was sent to me for consideration. This has not affected my review and all opinions expressed are 100% truthful.

MUA Lipsticks in 'Bare' and 'Nectar'

2012-02-10T15:37:00.000Z

I really didn't need anymore lipsticks. However, after The Sunday Girl compared the MUA lipstick in Nectar to MAC's much-coveted Ever Hip I couldn't resist! Whilst browsing the stands I also picked up the shade 'Bare', another new shade and a very pretty one at that. Both lipsticks cost only £1.

'Bare' is a pretty, warm nude. It is very creamy but not glossy on the lips. The pigmentation is brilliant and the colour is beautiful- no concealer lips in sight! Nectar, despite looking very scary in the picture, is a soft peachy coral. It applies very sheer so you have to build it up to get more colour. It is quite glossy and I really love the way it looks. Neither lipstick is drying and they are just as good quality as some of my more expensive lipsticks.

I'm so happy that I got these and i'm very tempted to pick up the other new shade called Juicy. I would definately reccommend these and Nectar will be perfect for summer. Have you ever tried any of these lipsticks?

Shopping my stash

2012-02-07T14:55:00.001Z

I really, really need to use up some makeup products. My drawers won't close because theyre overflowing with lipglosses and eyeshadows that I never touch, and that is why i'm making it my mission to use things up. I thought i'd start by copying an idea that i've seen on The Sunday Girl. Basically, she selects different items each week to use, and i'm hoping this will help me make the most of the products I own. I will continue to use the same foundation, mascara and eyeliner as I don't own too many of those and now i've found a great everyday foundation I want to carry on using it!

These are the products I am going to try and be using for the next week or so.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Gloss Stick in 'Rose Dusk' and Paul and Joe lipstick in '002'. These are both lipsticks that used to be my absolute favourites. They're both really easy to wear, very moisturising and look great with any look. I don't know why I stopped using these because they were both very expensive and I love them!

The Beauty Uk eye trio in 'Earth' is one of those things I bought and never really used. The light brown is okay and the white is quite pretty but I can't get on with the dark brown as it is too cool in tone. This trio is very pretty but it's not my favourite so i'm just trying to use it up really.

No 7 Eyeshadow in 'Wheatsheaf' is another very pretty neutral that has a tendency to get lost amongst all my other favourite neutrals. Not the most pigmented of colours and nothing 'wow' but I will try and use this up too.

Revlon 'A floral Affair' blush in 'Pinking of you' is a really pretty matte pink blush. I really don't own another pink like this but it works so well to provide a natural, pretty flush on the cheeks. Another former favourite.

The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain is something that is a great all round product. I find lip stains perfect for long days as I don't like having to remember to top up and i'm really into darker colours for the colder weather.

Finally, Natural Collection Juicy Lips Lipgloss in Sherbert is a very pretty light pink. It smells gorgeous and isn't as frosty as you'd imagine looking at the packaging.

Wish me luck girlies! xx

January Favourites!

2012-02-01T14:42:00.000Z

Hello ladies!

So after not getting round to doing a 2011 beauty favourites post, I thought I owed you guys a January favourites post. I know everyone says it but I can't believe it's over already- December and January have been two of the best months of my life and i'm just so happy at the moment.

Anyway... onto the good stuff! A lot of this is very predictable and you will have seen them mentionned before.

St Moriz- I actually prefer the spray version but I left that at home so i've been using the mousse since I got back to uni. The colour is perfect for me as I am pretty pale and the spray applies beautifully. I manage to get an even application which is a miracle because i'm rubbish at fake tanning.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid- My foundation of choice recently. See my full review here.

MAC All That Glitters eyeshadow- When I bought this I didn't realise just how much i'd love it! I use this day and night and it's just beautiful. Easily one of my favourite eyeshadows ever!

ELF Warm Bronzer- I've been using this on my cheeks instead of blusher to get a bit of a glow and it really brightens up my cheekbones. A rediscovery but something i'm really enjoying using.

Ralph Lauren "Romance" perfume- I've been wearing this loads lately both day and night. A really summery, pretty smell that lasts for ages.

W7 Glitter Nail polish in 'Cosmic Mauve' - I ADORE THIS. The most gorgeous, girly nail polish that I own and it makes me smile everytime I look at my nails. If only removing it was as easy!

MAC Lipsticks in Angel & Creme Cup- Two really beautiful daytime colours. Both are really easy to wear and i've been getting a lot of use out of them.

What are your january favourites?!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation Review

2012-01-31T13:03:00.000Z

Hello :)

Today i'm going to be talking to you about a foundation I bought just after Christmas, MAC's Studio Fix Fluid. Considering the MAC hype in the blogosphere, I don't often see many positive posts about MAC foundations, and this has, in the past, put me off them. However, after seeing Julie's review I decided to get a sample and give it a go. For those wondering, I was matched to NW20 and it is the perfect colour for my skin.

I think its important to mention what I want when I buy a foundation. I have always had bad skin, so I like good coverage but I prefer it to look natural rather than heavy. I prefer a matte finish and I need it to wear well as I never top up my makeup throughout the day. This foundation gives me everything I need.

The most important thing to me is that this foundation lasts. All day. It is easily comparible to my Double Wear in terms of how well it lasts, but is much lighter and easier to blend. It still provides the coverage I need without being heavy and cakey. I don't feel like i'm wearing a 'night out' foundation and it leaves my skin looking fresh and clear.

The main bad thing for me is the lack of pump. I know you can buy them from MAC, but when i'm paying almost 20 quid for a product I kind of just expect it. The packaging however is modern and expensive looking, with a rubberised lid and heavy glass container.

I would definately recommend this foundation and I am really interested in trying others from MAC. I can't believe I overlooked this for so long and will be repurchasing many times in the future!
Have you tried this? What did you think?

My MAC Lipstick Collection

2012-01-22T17:18:00.000Z

Now, i'm quite ashamed to say that my lipstick collection is ridiculously big. However, MAC lipsticks only make up a tiny percentage of this collection. I think of them as a little treat as I cannot get to a counter very often so whenever I get a new one I get a little buzz (how sad) and wear it continually for weeks. I always find I get a little bit overwhelmed at the counter so I always go in knowing exactly what I want. I didn't realise until I took the pictures just how similar some of the colours were, I guess i'm a creature of habit hey ;)

L-R: Creme Cup, Please Me, Lazy Day (LE), Angel, Vegas Volt.

Vegas Volt is my favourite ever lipstick ever! It's such an unusual colour and i've never seen anything else like it by another brand. It's really vivid and is lovely for summer or going out. My friends always steal this when I take it out with me. The formula is lovely (its an amplified finish) and it lasts well.

Angel is my newest addition and the lipstick that got me into using Creme Cup again. I never used to like Creme cup but now i'm addicted to it! Both of these are lovely everyday colours (although quite similar) and have a pretty finish.

Please me was my first ever MAC lipstick and is a lovely rosy pink. It is a matte finish which can be quite hard to work with but it does look very pretty when used properly.

Finally, Lazy Day is another one of my favourites. I use it sparingly as it was limited edition, brought from a blog sale. It is a lustre finish and I think this is my favourite as it's so glossy and pretty. Definately need to check out more of these!

My next purchase is definately going to be a bright pink, i'm thinking either Pink Nouveux or Snob.
Which are your favourites? Link me to your MAC lipstick posts!

FOTN: First night out at uni

2012-01-18T17:30:00.000Z

So last night I went out for the first time since I returned to Sheffield.

Some of our friends threw a cocktail party which was pretty fun and then we headed out for a night out.I may or may not have bought a new dress after seeing Lily wearing it in her post here but incase you were wondering the dress and earrings are from Primark.

Face

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Desert Beige

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer

Masters Colours Beauty Flash Powder

Benefit Dallas Blush

ELF Warm Bronzer

Eyes

MAC All That Glitters eyeshadow

Milani Liquif'eye eyeliner

Clinique High Impact Mascara

Matte black eyeshadow from Sleek Storm Palette

ELF Eyebrow palette in Medium

Lips

Sleek True Colour Lipstick in Cranberry

You're probably all getting bored of FOTD's... I feel like that's all I do recently! Hopefully some more exciting posts up soon!

FOTD: My new favourite lipstick

2012-01-16T15:40:00.001Z

After seeing my recent haul post, a few of you requested a FOTD post. I have been happy to oblige as I am over the moon to say that MAC Angel lipstick has quickly become one of my favourites ever. I do have a tendency to become infatuated with any new lipstick that I buy but I have a feeling this one will stick around. Its a little peachier than it looks in the picture. It's such a wearable, pretty colour and it works well with any type of makeup. I am also impressed with my All That Glitters eyeshadow. It is the most pigmented of the three MAC shadows I own and stays put for a long, long time. A big thumbs up to MAC!

I am getting back into blogging a little bit and I'm quite enjoying the responses i'm getting from my posts. I got back to uni yesterday and i'm absolutely over-the-moon already. As much as I love home and spending time with my mum, I really missed being here. I've also embarked on a healthy eating and excersize regime. It's not very strict (i'm not denying myself treats when I really want them) but I am aiming just to try that little bit harder to stay in shape and stay healthy.

Products used:
MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW20

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

Masters Colours Beauty Flash Powder

ELF Warm Bronzer (As blusher)

MAC All That Glitters eyeshadow on the lid

MAC Shroom eyeshadow as a highlight

Urban Decay Buck eyeshadow in the crease (Naked palette)

ELF Brow Palette in Medium
Covergirl Lash Blast fusion mascara

Benefit Eye Bright pencil

Benefit High Beam

MAC Angel lipstick

MAC & Superdrug Haul

2012-01-12T16:42:00.000Z

Today I went on a little shopping trip, with the intention of spending the Debenhams vouchers I got for Christmas. I was a very lucky girlie and as soon as I got them I knew i'd be making my way to a MAC counter very quickly! Before I went I knew I was going to pick up Studio Fix Fluid as i'd tried a sample before christmas and fallen in love with it. I also intended to pick up the much raved about Hue lipstick and Melba blusher, but when I saw them in real life I wasn't so keen. I didn't think melba would show up much on my skin and Hue was just too nude and I thought it would end up like my other MAC lippies- in a drawer unloved and unused.

I did, however pick up Angel lipstick. It is a frost finish but it is a very pretty colour and I can't wait to use it. I also bought All That Glitters eyeshadow. I told myself that I wouldn't buy anymore eyeshadows (especially MAC, i've been very unimpressed by the two I currently own) but i'd fancied it for quite a while and it really was beautiful in real life. If the quality is good I know i'll get a lot of use out of it.

Also, the kind lady at the counter set me up with a Debenhams beauty card (something I should have done a loooooong time ago) and I got 500 free points which = a fiver off a purchase. WIN!

Next I went to Superdrug. I only intended to get a replacement for my much loved Collection 2000 Lasting perfection concealer but I was quite taken by the NYC stand. All the items looked realy pretty and they were supposed to be only £2.50 each (the woman on the till overcharged me which I didn't realise till I got home but i'll have to get over that). I bought the liquid lipshine lipgloss in Prospect Pink which is really pretty and oh my goodness it smells AMAZING! I adore it. There were so many pretty colours, I definately want to pick up some more! Lastly I got the mosaic face powder in Rose Glow. This actually cost me 4 quid which I guess isn't bad. I hoped it would be a blusher as the colours looked quite dark but reading the packaging it seems like it may be more of a face powder. Oops.

If you would like a review of any of these products please let me know, i'm planning on doing one for the foundation in the near future.

I'm so pleased by my purchases and really excited to try them all out!

W7 Glitter Nail Polishes + swatches!

2012-01-10T11:48:00.000Z

I've been tweeting like a mad woman recently, desperate to get my hands on some glitter polishes after seeing them raved about all over Blogger and Tumblr. I didn't want to pay 9 quid a bottle for OPI (sure they're stunning but I wasn't sure how often i'd actually use them) and all of my local Boots' and Superdrug's had sold out of the colours I wanted. However, I got online and found a website called Fragrance Mad who were selling polishes by a brand called W7 for around £3.50. I really wanted to write an in depth review of these with some good swatches because I struggled to find anything of any use when researching these online.

I'm sure you all recognise the bottles; yes they are almost exactly like the OPI bottles! And i'm certainly not disappointed with the products either- aren't they just beautiful! I seriously haven't stopped staring at them since they arrived! The colours I got were (from left to right) Purple Dazzle, Pink Dazzle, Cosmic Black, Cosmic Purple and Cosmic Mauve.

Purple Dazzle and Pink Dazzle are exactly as described, just bright purple and pink glitter. They both require at least three coats to get full on opaque glitter, whereas with the other three colours you can get away with two. Cosmic black is quite a matte shade with a mixture of silver and gold glitter and cosmic purple (my favourite of the bunch) is a purple with pink and blue glitter (maybe a dupe for Models Own Disco Mix?!). I saw cosmic mauve described as a pink with gold flecks, but honestly I don't see the gold and I feel it is a lot like Models Own Pink Fizz, but maybe a tad more lilac. I prefer them with a top coat over the top as it really lifts the colours and make them a bit more in-your-face and shiny (and I hate my nails feeling all rough!).

From thumb to little finger: Cosmic Mauve, Cosmic Purple, Cosmic Black, Pink Dazzle, Purple Dazzle.

The drying time is very fast so these make perfect on-the-go colours, particularly if you are impatient like me and end up knocking them before they're dry. They seem to last quite a while before chipping too, but this would depend on how many coats you use and which topcoat you use.

Glitter nails are certainly my favourite nail trend of 2011 and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of these colours. I do wish I'd bought them before Christmas as they would have been perfect for parties and gatherings.

Have you tried glitter polishes? What are your thoughts?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T13:06:00.000Z

Hello ladies ♥

I just want to start off by saying a huge happy new year to everyone, I hope you all had a lovely christmas and I hope 2012 brings you lots of love, health and happiness :)
I havent been blogging much recently, and honestly i'm not going to apologise because i've been back from uni for Christmas (aswell as going skiing!) and i've been far too busy spending time with my lovely family and friends to want to sit on my computer and blog. I do feel a tad out of touch but I hope that normal blogging will resume when I return home.

I wanted to write a post to show you all my favourite Christmas present as I am sure many of you will be very interested.

As you can probably tell, it is a copy of the Miu Miu handbag we all fell in love with after seeing it on Laura's blog. I bought it from this ebay shop and was very impressed overall. Of course it isn't an exact copy, but it is a gorgeous bag nonetheless. The quality of the "leather" is beautiful and soft, the bag arrived quickly and it just feels so much more expensive than it actually was. If you're thinking about getting one, I bought the colour khaki and it's just the most perfect colour.

Like I said, I hope to get back into blogging very soon, stick with me!!

xxx

I love glitter!

2011-12-23T19:05:00.000Z

If you haven't seen the hype surrounding glitter products in the blogging community recently, I'm not sure where you've been hiding! Gorgeous glitter polishes and eye makeup looks have been popping up everywhere, and i'll admit i've been reading the posts with a lot of envy. I haven't been able to get my hands on any glitter nail polishes as my local Boots is always sold out, and I always thought incorporating glitter into your eye makeup looks would be something which required a lot of skill.

However, when I came home from uni and raided my box of unused and generally unloved makeup, imagine my excitement when I came across some little pots of glitter and loads of pretty glittery eyeliners! I have already started incorporating these beauties into my makeup looks.

I have been treating the eyeliners as liquid eyeshadows and simply pressing them ontop of whatever eyeshadow i'm wearing, as well as bringing them along my bottom lashline. I have been sprinking the loose glitter (i'm currently sporting a chunky gold glitter) on my ring fingers to jazz up my nail polish.

Have you experimented with glitter for christmas? Send me your links!

Giveaway winner!

2011-12-20T13:27:00.000Z

Just a quick post to announce the winner of my 17 cosmetics giveaway.

A big congratulations to...

Charlotte from ShimmerCharlotte!

Thankyou for entering everyone!

Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and get lots of lovely presents ♥

Normal blogging should resume soon!

Hairtrade.com Hair Extensions

2011-12-12T17:48:00.000Z

Hello ladies ♥

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted, been overwhelmed with deadlines and christmas so things have been very busy!

Today I am going to tell you about a little purchase I made a couple of weeks ago. I finally got round to buying some hair extensions, and I absolutely adore them!

I got them from a website called Hairtrade.com, recommended to me by Laura.

When I was looking to buy some, it was important that they were cheap but good quality. Being an extension virgin I didn't want anything too fancy incase I decided that they weren't my cup of tea.

However, I could not be more pleased with the ones I bought, along with the excellent service I recieved from Hair Trade.

The exact extensions I got were these. I bought 2 pieces which cost just over £30 in total, and they're the perfect thickeness for my hair. They're 20 inches long which is great as I already have quite long hair. They're easy to put in and take out, and they couldn't be a better match for my hair colour. They feel very soft and natural (much softer than my actual hair!) and don't look at all like they're not my real hair.

I also have to mention how impressed I was with the service I recieved; Hair Trade went out of their way to provide me with a 10% discount code! Win!

Anyway, words don't tell you much and i'm sure you want to see how they look! Please excuse how minging I look haha, but it shows off the extensions well.

I would 100% reccommend this company and these extensions and will definately be purchasing from them again in the future.

17 Falsifeye Mascara

2011-12-03T14:56:00.000Z

My idea mascara has to be pretty much a wonder-product. I like a hugeeee brush that creates ridiculous volume and false-lash length. The 17 Falsifeye mascara claims that it does all this so I was very excited to give it a go.

I got the 'blackest black' version, hence the black tube rather than the pink one. I have to say, I am blown away by this mascara. I knew as soon as I saw the brush that it would be exactly what I was looking for, it's massive! This does make it a little clumbsy but i'm willing to forgive this for the amount of volume that it gives.

It may be because i've been using old mascaras for a while, but the formula of this seems really wet for a volumising product. It creates outstanding volume and good length, and I think this will get even better as the mascara starts to dry up.

The packaging is chunky and interesting, and this compares brilliantly to some of the more expensive mascaras I own. At £.6.49 it's a complete bargain and I highly recommend picking it up if you're into that 'false lash' look.

PS. Don't forget to enter my 17 Cosmetics giveaway!!

A small thankyou giveaway...

2011-11-29T15:38:00.000Z

As you may have noticed, I recently hit 900 followers on Lovelaughlauren.

I am absolutely thrilled- I have been working hard on my blog for a long time now and it's great to have built up such a huge number of readers.
When 17 sent me a couple of products as a thankyou for getting involved with their twitter party, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to give some to you guys as a thankyou for following my blog.

I know it's not a huge giveaway but honestly, as much as i'd love to, I don't have the money to go spending lots of money on expensive makeup for myself, let alone to give away!

If you would like to win some 17 goodies, all you have to do is comment this post with whatever you like :)
To gain an extra entry, feel free to tweet about the giveaway, but include my twitter URL which is @LAAUREN_LOVE.

You must be a GFC follower to enter!

Please remember to leave your email so I can contact you if you win, and if you want to, leave your blog link so I can have a read!

This is open to UK residents only, i'm sorry!

I will close the giveaway on the 19th December so hopefully I can get your prizes out to you before Christmas!

xxxx

Sleek Makeup Berry Collection

2011-11-28T15:26:00.000Z

I've been struggling with inspiration for blog posts recently, so when Sarah offered my the chance to try the new Berry Collection from Sleek I jumped at the chance. This was actually a post I wrote for her blog but i'm sticking it on here too :)

The collection is a limited edition, three-peice giftset costing £9.99. It contains a lipstick, blush and kohl pencil.

The Blush in 'Fenbury' is warm, wintery matte red. It was extremely pigmented (much like most of the other Sleek blushes i've tried) and I found I had to use a much fluffier, less dense blush to make it look more natural. It was a lot easier to blend than I expected when I first put it on. Once blended in it gave a really pretty flush on the cheeks. In my opinion, this would work well for both paler and more tanned skin tones, and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of it. It compares well to Topshop's cream blush in 'Nutmeg', just a little darker.

The lipstick in 'Cranberry' is easily my favourite peice in the collection. It is a matte berry colour with pinky undertones. In the bullet it looks much more red than the colour that actually transfers onto the lips, but I adore it as I have nothing similar in my collection. The texture is very creamy considering it is a matte colour, and it feels very comfortable on the lips. It lasted exellently, even through eating, and left a stain on the lips once it had worn off. Overall, a huge thumbs up from me! I can see me getting a lot of use out of this lippie.

The last item is the kohl pencil. Admittedly, I didn't give this much of a chance because when I put it on it just didn't suit me AT ALL! Although it is a very pretty colour, it just didn't suit my skintone and made me look like I had some form of eye infection- not a good look. However, the pencil is soft and pigmented and very easy to blend.

Overall this a very exciting collection. The packaging is lovely and festive and i'd be more than happy to open this on Christmas morning!

Thanks again to Sarah for being so generous! Make sure you check out her blog here.

No 7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser Review

2011-11-26T11:22:00.000Z

Hello Ladies!

Today i'm going to talk about a product I bought quite a while ago with my No 7 vouchers- the Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser. I'd been contemplating buying into the 'hot cloth cleanser' trend for a while, so when I got the vouchers I thought it was an ideal opportunity to give it a go.

Just a little background information about my skin; I used to have very oil, acne prone skin but recently it has become a lot more balanced. I still get spots but my main problem now is the acne scarring and my huuuuuge pores.

The product comes in a large, rather luxurious looking bottle. You get 200ml of product and a muslin cloth for £10.

The product itself is a thick cream, and you are supposed to massage it into the skin, and then wipe it off with the muslin cloth bathed in warm water.

Immediately after using this, your skin feels incredibly soft and I was very impressed as I normally need to use a combination of products to get my skin to feel that good. It takes off makeup brilliantly- even eye makeup- but is still very gentle. My skin also looks a lot brighter after using this, just generally more clean and healthy.

The only thing for me is that I haven't seen any long term results. My skin has got worse recently (I don't blame the cleanser, my diet has been hideous) but I haven't felt like this has had any lasting effect on my skin.

I do think this is a very high quality product and with the No 7 vouchers it certainly is worth picking up. The packaging is excellent as it comes with a pump and you are able to see how much you have left. It pushes the product up which means no waste & good value for money. I think this would be great if you already had good skin as it would certainly brighten and make your skin healthier. I will continue to use it and I would probably buy it again.

The Balmshell Lipgloss

2011-11-23T17:38:00.000Z

At the weekend I won a competition on Twitter and yesterday I recieved my prize! It was wrapped up beautifully and I couldn't wait to open it- it was like my birthday!

The lovely people at Zuneta sent me a lipgloss from The Balmshell, in the shade Sleep-in Beauty. It is a sheer baby pink with lots of sparkles.

The Balmshell claim that these lipglosses contain lanolin oil & jojoba oil to moisturise your lips. It does feel lovely on; the formula isnt at all gritty or sticky and it lasts a decent amount of time. The lipgloss has no colour whatsoever when it's on your lips but is a very girly sparkly shade.

The packaging is very cute, and you can take the end off with the 'floating illustration' to make the lipgloss smaller.

These lipglosses are a lot of fun and would make a great present for christmas.

You can buy them from Zuneta here.

L'oreal Mythic Oil Review

2011-11-19T12:07:00.000Z

Hair oils have become a bit of a phenomenon in the beauty blogging world. From the moment I read about Morroccanoil I knew I needed to try it, but the extortionate pricetag meant that I knew it just wouldn't happen. Fortunately, however, many high street brands have started to introduce similar products, meaning that people like me can give them a try, too.

I gave the VO5 Miracle Concentrate a go (read more about it here) and I liked what it did to my hair. However, when I got home and found that my mum had purchased the L'oreal Mythic Oil I got very excited.

The major difference between this and the VO5 oil is the texture. This is thicker (the VO5 is very runny) and is silky to touch. It has the same velvety feeling as some facial primers but is still easy to distribute throughout the hair. You also barely need to use any of this. The Miracle Concentrate, I find, needs a good few squeezes to get enough product for my long hair. However,with this, two pumps is more than enough. I feel this makes it much better value for money.

As for the results, you can feel your hair is smoother instantly, even when wet. When dried my hair felt gorgeous and the difference was much more noticable. The ends of my hair were much less dry and generally more healthy looking.

I would definately reccommend this over the VO5 Miracle Oil, because although it is quite a bit more expensive (£11.95 on Feel Unique). My hair was noticably softer and the packaging is a lot more practical (and pretty!)

Why I love expensive lippies...

2011-11-13T14:34:00.000Z

Now, unfortunately my collection of designer lippies is quite limited. I do love my highstreet brands but there's nothing like the feeling of owning and using a ridiculously expensive lipstick.

The 4 I have are YSL Rouge Voluptes in 9 and 29 and Estee Lauder Pure Colour Gloss Sticks in Nude Almond and Rose Dusk.

All of these are fabulous quality, look beautiful with almost every makeup look, and (almost more importantly) have packaging that is to die for.

I have a list as long as my arm of YSL Lippies that I hope to purchase, but unfortunately my bank balance disagrees so i'll have to wait for a special occasion!

Have you got any reccomendations?

17 Twitter Party

2011-11-11T16:43:00.001Z

I have recently been contacted by 17 Cosmetics about an exciting event happening on Twitter on Sunday 13^th November at 7pm, whereby they are planning to host a Twitter party to discuss all things make-up – the latest trends, celebrity styles, looks for the upcoming party season and individual inspiration.

May from May Loves makeup and Ree From ReallyRee.com will be hosting the party, and are hoping to get lots of beauty obsessed girlies involved. If you want to join in, just use the hastag #17cosmetics! They are also giving away lots of 17 goodies to random tweeters!

In addition to the Twitter Party, 17 are also hosting a competition on their Facebook page. The winner could get themselves an exclusive makeover with 17’s official make-up artist, Vanesa Guallar, tickets to a Summer Camp gig for themselves and two friends, £500 of high street shopping vouchers and an overnight stay in a top London hotel. All you need to do is go to the Get Involved tab on the 17 Facebook Page and fill in your email details by 27^th November.

I'm really excited to get involved with this, and I hope i'll be seeing a lot of you on Sunday night too!

I was contacted by 17 about writing this post but I have not been paid or sponsored to do so. I love 17 cosmetics and this is something I genuinely have an interest in and I think will be a lot of fun!

Topshop Lipstick in 'Pillow talk'

2011-11-07T16:29:00.000Z

I much prefer it when highstreet brands bring out limited edition collections, and the Topshop A/W 'Smoke and Mirrors' Collection is no exception. Everytime I see it I contemplate purchasing something but the one thing that really caught my eye was the Lipstick in 'Pillow talk'. When I finally got round to going to Meadowhall it was the first thing I picked up (there was only one left, it was fate!) and with the 10% student discount I managed to get it for £8.90.

Pillow Talk is everything i've been trying to get from a lipstick ever since I started blogging. After seeing it described as a glossier version of MAC's Cream Cup it was definately something I needed to try. Cream Cup looks rather boring and flat on my lips, whereas Pillow Talk is glossy and smooth, being an opaque baby-pink that is ridiculously easy to wear. I find the lipstick comfortable on my lips and easy to apply.

Excuse the blurry close-up shot!

I know there has been a lot of hype about this product but I have been enjoying using it so much that I had to post about it. Contemplating picking up a back up!

Haul: Being Good

2011-10-31T15:42:00.000Z

Since I moved away to uni, buying makeup has been right at the bottom of my list of priorities. It occurred to me the other day that I hadn't actually bought any makeup in about 6 weeks- so I thought it was about time that I treated myself!

And with Superdrug offering 3 for 2 and 10 points per £1, I could hardly resist!

The first thing I knew I would pick up is the Sleek Oh So Special Palette. This is something i've wanted since it first started appearing on blogs but it was always sold out and i'm so glad I finally purchased it! The colours are more interesting that my usual nudes and I really can't wait to start using it. If you've used it for any EOTD's please link me below!

The real reason I decided to treat myself was that I needed a black eyeliner for tonight (halloween!) I've been eyeing up L'oreal's Super Liner for months and thought this was the perfect opportunity to pick it up. I've already given it a go and it is ridiculously easy to use- even for someone like me who can't use liquid eyeliner to save my life. The finish is gorgeous and smooth so it's definately something i'd recommend.

Finally for my free item I bought Revlon's Facets of Fuchia nail polish. This is the most stunning and unusual colour I own and looks gorgeous over black nail varnish. I am wearing it tonight to go with my Halloween costume!

I'm really happy with everything I bought- I know i'll get a lot of use out of everything. I have satisfied my beauty cravings!

Have you bought anything recently? What's on your wishlist?

My Autumn Face

2011-10-24T17:30:00.000+01:00

I'm not one for completely changing my makeup routine with a change of season, but when autumn comes around I can't help but dig out something a little more season- appropriate. Here are a few products that i've been using now that the temperature is dropping and i'm starting to wrap up a little warmer.

ELF Cream Eyeshadow in Dawn

Rimmel Eye Kohl in Jet Black

Topshop Blush in Nutmeg

17 Lasting Fix Lipstick in Autumn Berries

I'm definately favouring deeper berry tones and simple but smoky eyes at the moment. I drag out Nutmeg every autumn and it gets so much use- I simply feather it on with my MAC 187 stippling brush for a flush of warm colour. The lipstick is also a hidden gem too- the colour stains your lips and therefore lasts for hours. I feel like a bolder lip is essential for winter- I like to stand out under all my layers of chunky knits!

What are your favourite autumn products?

Maybelline 'Fit Me' Foundation Review

2011-10-22T13:55:00.000+01:00

Maybelline's Fit Me Foundation was something that i'd had my eye on for a long time. It cropped up on many blogs from across the pond so when I went on a trip to New York I was keen to pick it up. After wearing heavy, long lasting foundations for quite a while (think EL Double Wear) I was after something that would look light and dewy whilst still making me feel comfortable enough to leave the house. Many options crossed my mind- Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, MAC Face and Body etc etc but I decided that I didn't want to spend a fortune on something that might not work for me.

Upon first impressions, the packaging is beautiful. The bottle is sturdy and heavy, making it look very expensive. The major downside for me is the lack of pump. The foundation is very liquid which makes pouring it out a bit of a chore and I always end up wasting quite a bit of product.

The texture of this foundation is beautiful, it is light and runny yet somehow quite opaque and therefore blends into your skin effortlessly. The bottle suggests using your fingers to blend but I have been more inclined to use my Sigma F80 as I find it gives just that little bit more coverage. Many blogs have spoken about this being very light coverage but in this respect it hasn't disappointed me at all. It sits on your skin more like a foundation than a tinted moisturiser (which I find tend to sink into your skin more). I have bad acne scarring which I find it covers suitably and it certainly hides any redness. However, I do find it sinks into my pores, something which I try and fix by using a primer beforehand. The finish of this foundation is lovely; it leaves your skin looking naturally dewy and in really great condition.

I used to have very oily skin but these days I have found myself fitting into the normal/dry category. I can say with confidence that I wouldn't use this if I had oily skin. I find that after a couple of hours wear I need to powder/ blot which can get pretty annoying as I am used to wearing very matte foundations. This is the only foundation I own that doesn't claim to be oil free and I can definately tell the difference on my face. It is certainly a hydrating foundation. When I have it on my skin it feels a lot softer and a lot less... dry. (good wording there, Lauren!)

The array of colours in the Fit Me range is fantastic, particularly for a drugstore foundation. I found it difficult to choose a colour without being able to swatch it beforehand (is this the case with all US drugstores?!) but I think I chose well.

The major downside for me is the staying power. This would honestly be HG material for me if it just stayed on your face! Even with a primer this certainly doesn't last all day. I feel like it needs powdering but I feel that it is a shame to mattify it as I love the finish.

Sorry to all you UK ladies, this one can only be bought in drugstores in America. I was asked many times to review it :)

FOTN: Reunited

2011-10-18T10:57:00.000+01:00

This weekend I was reuinted with my Naked Palette. How I ever lived without it i'll never know ♥

FACE

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder

Benefit Dallas Blush

EYES
Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin and Dark horse)
Milani Liquif'eyes eyeliner
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion
LIPS
Natural Collection 'Apple Blossom' Lipstick

Sorry it's not very exciting, life is mental and i'm losing my blogging mojo a little.
Peace out x

Beauty Blog Link Love

2011-10-08T14:01:00.002+01:00

Phyrra disseminates this month's Independent Spotlight about the darkly delightful Distorria and Detrivore Cosmetics!

Love all things Urban Decay? Check out their 15th anniversary palette, at Krasey Beauty!

Excited for October 31st? Musicalhouses shows you her Halloween cobweb nails and her Halloween red and black eye look!

Do you have all you need to complete your fall nail wardrobe? Polish Insomniac breaks down the FingerPaints Fall Fashionista Collection.

A beauty junkie in London shares what's in her travel make-up bag.

The Beauty Spot goes for a very untraditional Disney inspired look!

Mehak from Peachesandblush has over fifty MAC lipsticks swatched on her blog. Which one do you love?

Benefit Cosmetics is launching a false lash range, and Addicted to Beauty can't decide which of the 9 styles she likes most.

Jonesing to buy loads of new makeup without the wallet to back up your wants? Gouldylox suggests checking out this 27 piece kit that is actually worth it.

Miss Beauty Nerd discovers three new lip balms almost good enough to eat (as her kitten will attest)!

Looking for silicone-free hair products? Tracy at Beauty Reflections finds a great silicone-free hair serum, PHYTO Phytokératine Serum!

Sherrie from Mirror, Mirror On The Wall Reviews Elemis's New Melting Cleansing Gel.

Fleurissante is giving away Chanel Le Vernis Graphite. Will you be the lucky winner?

theNotice: a beauty blog just turned four - and Rae's hosting four colour-coded week-long giveaways to celebrate. Check out this week's nude giveaway to win five tubes of her favourite lipstick formula!

Anita is celebrating 200,000 pageviews by giving away a gorgeous Laura Geller blush over at Pleasureflush!

September favourites

2011-10-07T17:00:00.000+01:00

I know i'm a little late but I had intitially planned to do a 'summer favourites' post a month or so ago. However, life got a bit hectic with moving away to uni that I never got round to it, so here's the products that I have been using and enjoying for the past few months.

I haven't included bodycare, but if you want to see what i'm using check out this post.

The biggest change to my makeup routine is that I have been putting all the products I have been using in one large makeup bag as my current makeup storage makes it hard to find the products I want.

Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser

This is such a great everyday product, I have been using it most days since I bought it and I am absolutely loving it. It has surprisingly buildable coverage considering it is so light and lasts really well. When I use this I feel like i'm giving my skin a bit of a break from heavy makeup which I have been wearing most nights. I'm honestly so surpised this doesn't get more coverage on blogs because it is a great product.

Benefit High Beam

I can't believe I didn't try this sooner! This is the sample size that came with Glamour but I can't imagine me running out anytime soon. I feel naked if I go on a night out without this as I feel it really lifts my face and gives my makeup that something extra.

Nina Ricci -Ricci Ricci perfume

This was a Birthday present and although I didn't choose it I absolutely adore it! I'm not going to try and describe it (google tells me it is a 'sensual' and 'glamourous' floral scent) but it's exactly what i'd pick and I'm so glad I was bought it. The bottle is really cute too!

MUA Heaven & Earth Palette

There's loads of reviews around, but although the colours aren't my favourite (the quality doesn't compare to more expensive eyeshadows) I seem to get a lot of use out of this palette. They're easy to throw on in the morning and there's a neutral to suit everyone.

ELF Eyebrow Kit

I did a full review of this product here but this is a staple in my everyday makeup routine. Couldn't live without it!

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Skinny Jeans

I've been wanting to get more of these for ages but I use this every single time I go out. I spoke more about it in this post.

Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara

The best mascara I have ever tried! Seriously amazing.

NYX Cream Blusher in 'Natural' and MAC 187 Brush

I don't own many cream blushes so I can't compare it to anything, but this is silky smooth and leaves a dewy, natural finish. I've been applying it sparingly with my 187 brush as it is so ridiculously pigmented. Definately worth checking out if you get the chance.

MAC Vegas Volt, ELF Nicely Nude and A freebie lipstick from my mum's magazine
These are practically all i've been wearing! Vegas volt for nights out, and the other two for daytime. The dark pink lipstick was free in my mum's Prima magazine, the packaging is cheap and the texture is just odd, but the colour is beautiful. It is a great autumn everyday colour and i've got a lot of use out of it!

Trevor Sorbie Beautifully Straightened spray

This is awesome stuff! Not only does it smell like perfume but it's a great heat protector too. It makes my hair really soft and I can tell the difference when I use alternative heat protectors. It was super cheap and is definately worth checking out!

So that's all my favourites! Link me to yours :)

Currently Loving: Bodycare

2011-10-04T17:00:00.001+01:00

It's not often I dedicate a whole post to bodycare because, if i'm honest, I don't spend that much time using all the lotions and potions i've got in my bathroom. However, these are a few products that i've been using religiously for the past few months that make me feel a little bit better about the way my body looks.

St. Ives Smoothing Body Polish

This was a product that sat around unloved in my cupboard for a long time as I was using my beloved Soap & Glory Flake away. However, I decided to bring it to uni with me as it was a full pot and so far i'm absolutely loving it! It makes my skin feel lovely and smells nice (although maybe not up to S&G standards) but is just a generally lovely product to use.

Piz Buin Self Tanning Lotion & Colour Dial

This isn't a product i've ever seen on a blog but since I was given it by a friend I haven't stopped using it! It gives me a gorgeous, even colour and although it isn't that dark it is perfect for me as I am extremely pale. It smells vile (not exaggeration, it's hideous) but it doesn't make a mess and I've come to the conclusion that I prefer lotion self tanners to other formulations.

Bio Oil

Although I haven't been using this religiously on my scars (and therefore haven't seen much improvement), this is fantastic for moisturising dry elbows and knees and you can feel it on your skin for hours. A bottle will last you forever as you need the tiniest amount and I highly recommend everyone keeps a bottle of this in their cupcoard.

The Body Shop Coconut Shower Cream

Long-time readers will know that I love anything that smells of coconut, and this shower cream is no exception. The smell reminds me of holidays and my skin feels really lovely after i've used it. And it's on offer in The Body Shop- the more you buy the cheaper they are.

Garnier intensive 7 days Nourishing Lotion

I got the version of this for dry, rough skin and i'm so impressed. This had a lot of thumbs up from people in the beauty community and it is such a bargain product. I do think the 7 days claim is, frankly, a lie, but it doesn't stop this being one of the best moisturisers i've ever used. It really does leave your skin feeling soft and moisturised all day. The smell is very strong and you will either love it or hate it but personally I think it is gorgeous. I don't normally repurchase body products as I have so much sitting around at home but I will definately be getting another of these when I run out!

What are your favourite body products?

Next Nail Library

2011-10-02T16:22:00.000+01:00

I'm not normally a fan of makeup giftsets, particularly when they aren't from an actual beauty brand. However, I recieved a nail giftset from Next for my birthday and I have been so impressed that I wanted to show you them!

Please excuse the rubbish picture, i'm not sure what planet my camera is on these days.

The set contains nine really different colours. There are three opaque brights (a hot pink, purple and turquoise), three metalics (a dark blue, a gold and a black/silver) and a dark blue, red and slightly shimmery white. Next have really hit the nail on the head where it comes to the colours, there literally is something for every occasion.

I am currently adorning the turquoise as I wanted to brighten up my nails to match the lovely weather i'm having. It was opaque in one coat (yes, seriously!) but I applied another for good measure and it wasnt streaky at all. It applied beautifully and dried quickly.

I am seriously impressed with this set, the polishes are fantastic quality and i'm so glad I was bought it because I don't think I would have picked it up myself!

Makeup Disaster...

2011-09-30T17:00:00.001+01:00

I just thought i'd show you the remains of my gorgeous Sephora lipstick, bought in America and used only once. The rest of it is driving round in the back of a taxi somewhere.

If you happen to be heading to Sephora and are from the UK PLEASEEEE email me as I desperately need a replacement.

Sorry for going on about it, but i'm literally heartbroken. My perfect nude, right there. *sob*

NOTD: Essie Playa Del Platinum

2011-09-28T17:00:00.000+01:00

On my recent trip to New York I picked up three nail polishes from the brand Essie. I haven't ever tried their polishes before but they colours are all so stunning that I couldn't resist picking a few up. (actually I regret not buying more!) I have tested them all out and I adore them all, but I only got round to photographing this one.

Playa del platinum is certainly the most unusual colour out of the three that I purchased. I believe it was released as part of the Resort collection so I guess it was intended as a summer colour. It is a warm-toned grey that is opaque in three coats. It took me a bit of getting used to on the nails- much like Models Own Nude beige which is now one of my favourites- but I am certainly loving it!

FOTN

2011-09-26T17:00:00.000+01:00

Following on from my last post, here, I quickly snapped pretty standard FOTN before I went out last night. I have been changing my lippie everyday but more-or-less keeping the same face. I haven't wanted to do anything too outrageous so it is generally pretty neutral.

Face

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Neutrogena Healthy Skin brightening eye perfector

C2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Natural

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer

Eyes

Covergirl Eyeshadow trio in Pure Romance

Milani Liquif'eyes eyeliner

Benefit Skinny Jeans CCS

Covergirl Lash Blash fusion Mascara

Lips

Sephora lippie in 619 (RIP!)

Hope you like, sorry it's not very adventurous!

Beauty Blog Link Love

2011-09-25T11:59:00.002+01:00

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed revels in the luxury of lash extensions - come admire her fluttery lashes and find out what they have in common with Gremlins!

Christina Aguilera was the inspiration for the celebrity makeup challenge over at SocialiteDreams. Check out the recreated makeup looks and participate on the next celeb!

Addicted to Beauty gets fresh and fruity with her Strawberry Nail Art Tutorial.

Madame B Fatale finally continues on with her Decades Past series with a 70's inspired makeup look.

From Benefit to Dior, theNotice has all of your new-product-needs sorted. Check out this week's recent launches, products, and deals!

Amy Antoinette reviews Topshop's new Smoke & Mirrors collection.

Midnight Violets shares some bargain brushes that have become a part of her everyday routine!

Kajal Couture shows you a cheap and easy storage solution for makeup and skincare that you use on a daily basis.

Dollar store beauty - trash or treasure? Check out Confessions of a Glitterholic and you be the judge!

Is there a dupe for the new minty-blue shade from Color Club? Find out in polish insomniac's Color Club New Bohemian comparisons and dupe search!

Still looking for the perfect red lipstick? Anita thinks she's found hers in Guerlain's Garconne Rouge G!

Lydia from Perfectly Imperfect shares her daily beauty plan of attack and favourite products.

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Head over to Adorable On Your Vanity for a chance to win NINE amazing L'Oreal Paris Color Infallibe Eyeshadows.

Phyrra is giving away the entire Madre Labs bath and body product line from iHerb!

Enter to win a chance to win a NEW Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pink Raspberry from the "Blushes You Can't Have" series on the Pink Sith Blog. Giveaway ends September 30th!

What i've been wearing.... uni nights out edition

2011-09-24T11:33:00.000+01:00

Hello ladies :)
Sorry I haven't posted for a while, as many of you know i've just started uni and it's been a bit of a rollercoaster! I've been so so busy and I've met so many people this week. I thought I would show you the products I have been using most nights when going out, as I have been going out a lot more than usual! I have been putting minimal effort into my makeup so everything is quite basic.

1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

I think it's safe to say i've been wearing a lot of Double Wear this week! This is my go-to going out foundation. It lasts all night (i've stopped setting it with powder and it has been great) and gives a great finish. Perfect for hiding late nights and bad diets! I've actually been quite naughty and forgot to take this off some nights and my skin hasn't been suffering at all.

2.Neutrogena Brightening Eye Perfector

An American buy (sorry ladies) but a great purchase all the same. This feels light and works fabulously. It is the only concealer i've been using!

3. NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Natural

I haven't worn cream blush in foreverrrrrr but this is a great colour and it is so pigmented! I apply it with a MAC stippling brush and you only need the tiniest amount.

4. Covergirl Eyeshadow Quad in Pure Romance

I heard a lot of people talking about how badly pigmented this is but I completely disagree! The colours certainly aren't vivid but they're soft and easy to blend and have been working fabulously to create a simple smokey eye. I have been sweeping the creamy white over my lid to mattify them and used a huge blending brush to bring the dark brown into my crease. The taupe-brown is definately one of my new favourite eyeshadows as it is so unlike any of the (many) browns that I own.

5. Milani Liquif'eye eyeliner

This is amazing. It is the most intense, creamy liner that I own and was a great purchase. It stays in place all night and is great for smuding or drawing on your waterline.

6. Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara

Lives up to the hype. Need I say more?!

7. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Skinny Jeans

This has been great for running along my lower lashline to make it a bit more smoky without using a heavy black. I adore the colour and although it is a little disappointing on the pigment front it is still a great eyeliner.

8. MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick

Annnnnd the most worn lipstick award goes to....! Vegas volt is a failsafe 'notice me' colour, and is loved (and stolen) by lots of my friends.

9. Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

This is just something i've been keeping in my bag for when i'm feeling lazy. It is a subtle nude and smells great. Love it!

I hope you like my 'favourites'... sorry a lot of them are American but they are really great products and if you have the chance you should certainly check them out! What are your go-to night out products? I'd love to know!

Would you like me to do a daytime edition of what i've been wearing?

John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Spray Review

2011-09-17T17:00:00.000+01:00

I don't often accept products from PR companies but when I was offered the chance to try the John Frieda Go Blonder lightening spray, I practically bit their hand off. I have been trying to get my hair lighter all through the summer, starting with highlights, then putting lemon on my hair in the sun and eventually dying it lighter blonde. However, I never did manage to get it the shade I wanted.

To use, you simply spray your damp hair where you want it to be lightened, brush it through and then dry with a hairdryer. The more heat you use, the more effective the product is, so it also recommends using straighteners afterwards for maximum impact. John Frieda sent me this link if you want to have a look at how to use it.

I apply this liberally all over my hair, concentrating it more on the roots because my dye is now starting to grow out. It doesn't leave any greasy residue and you wouldn't even know it was in your hair. I did have visions of it turning my hair orange but I noticed a subtle change in just one use. It became obvious to other people after about 5 uses, when I had a lot of comments about how light my hair looked. Even my hairdreser was impressed!

Sorry the picture isn't the best comparison, but you can definately tell it is lighter.

I adore the colour it is now. My dark blonde roots have vanished and the colour is natural and summery. This is such an easy and inexpensive way of lightening your hair and I would definately recommend it to people.

The only downside for me is the amount of heat you have to use; I rarely used heat on my hair so it was a huge change, but definately worth it.

I really adore this and am going to repurchase as soon as mine runs out ♥

Makeup Haul from New York!

2011-09-15T17:13:00.000+01:00

I'm home! I had such an amazing time in New York. It really was as magical as I imagined it to be.

The highlight of my shopping was definately visiting Sephora, it was heaven! I didn't purchase much from there (I planned to go back but never had the time) but I did get quite a few things from the drugstores.

Everything I bought looks so pretty so I knew i'd have to show you all what I got! Ask if you want any reviews, but I am planning on doing a few individual blog posts anyway.

Face
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector
Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

Cheeks
NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink
Maybelline Fit Me Blush in Light Rose
Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink
NYX Cream Blush in Natural

Eyes
Covergirl Eyeshadow Quad in Pure Romance
Wet n Wild Eyeshadow in Nutty
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara
Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner Pencil

Nails
Essie Nail polishes in Ladylike, Merino Cool and Playa del Platinum

Lips
Sephora Lip attitude Glamour lipstick in G19
Korres Jasmine Lip Butter
Korres Jasmine Lip Butter Glaze

I'm not disappointed with anything I got! I'm so happy I didn't spend a fortune on higher end makeup, as the drugstore stuff I got is all gorgeous! I also have to thank Tiffany from Will Work For Makeup for her recommendations, I have been reading her blog for ages and noting down things I wanted to buy!
xxx

I'm going away for a while...

2011-09-08T13:47:00.000+01:00

Just to let you all know, i'm going to New York tonight until Tuesday and I haven't scheduled any posts.

I have been obsessively planning this trip for weeks, and my makeup wishlist is 3 pages long!

Normal blogging will resume when I return, and i'm sure i'll have a lovely haul post to show you all :D

Have a lovely weekend girlies! ♥

What's in my makeup bag?

2011-09-04T15:41:00.000+01:00

♥ Bourjois Brush foundation in Beige Clair

This is a really gorgeous foundation, but has sadly been discontinued. It is really light in texture (and actually my lightest foundation in colour) but still provides great, natural coverage that isn't dewy or matte. The brush is useless but the foundation works beautifully with a Sigma Flat Top Kabuki. I will certainly be trying many more Bourjois foundations in the hope that I can find a suitable replacement as this is nearly on it's last legs :(

♥ Maybelline Pure Mineral Foundation

This is a staple for me. Alone or over liquid foundation this provides great, even coverage.

♥ Benefit Erase Paste Concealer

This isn't as good as my trusty Collection 2000 concealer but it is nice and compact for carrying around. The coverage of this is brilliant but I find it just doesn't last long enough.

♥ ELF Eyebrow kit in Medium

Another product I couldn't be without- read my review here.

♥ Bourjois Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder

This is such a great, natural colour and works well with my pale skintone. It is really soft and blendable and I really enjoy using it. Full review here.

♥ The Body Shop Baked Blusher in Petal

This product is so underrated. I've never heard any bloggers talking about these blushes (except when they came out, they were EVERYWHERE) which is such a shame coz this is such a beautiful colour. It really lifts the cheeks and is great for daytime. I'd love to get my hands on the corally one but I never seem to get round to purchasing it!

♥ MUA Heaven & Earth Palette

I wanted to blog about this but there were so many reviews about, I thought it would be a tad redundant. However, this is a truly gorgeous palette with some great shades. I don't tend to be too adventurous with it, usually sticking with the lighter golds and taupes, but it is great for carrying round as there is always going to be something to use. Does it replace my Naked Palette? Definately not (it's not as versitile), but if you like neutrals and want to skip the smokier tones that come with the Naked palette this is certainly for you.

♥ No 7 Smoothing and Brightening Eye Base

Another underrated product, this creates an even and smooth base for eyeshadows and is very cheap when bought with the vouchers. I often just wear this alone as it really brightens the eye area.

♥ Estee Lauder Lipstick in Tea Rose

I actually didn't use this lipstick for a good few months when I got it but I recently tried it again and fell in love! It is a gorgeous dusky pink with a little sparkle and is really smooth and creamy. It is a really unusual colour and one I definitely wouldn't be without now.

♥ MAC lipglass in Underage
Every time I look at this lip glass in the tube I think 'eurghhh', because' let's be honest, it looks very hard to wear and frankly way too nude. Even when you first put it on it looks like a horrible milky mess, but this mess somehow turns into a really pretty peachy pink which kind of warns to your lips. It is very wearable and looks great with pretty neutral makeup. Definitely one to try before you buy, but I would recommend giving it a go.

Tangle Teezer

2011-09-03T18:35:00.001+01:00

Recently I won a giveaway over at Beauty Comes From Within which consisted of a hugeeeeeee bottle of Batiste and a Tangle Teezer.

The Tangle Teezer was something that I was very excited about. I have recently lost my old faithful hairbrush (not kidding, must have had that thing for like 8 years) so I was hoping that the TT could replace it. I was a little skeptical, I didn't believe the claims that it could remove knots painlessly without damaging your hair.

However, I have been more than pleasantly surprised. Although not entirely pain-free, brushing your hair is effortless and quick. I have a lot of hair so I have to section it before I brush it, but it isn't a problem. The bristles are quite soft and flexible but still rigid enough to remove knots. It works equally as well on wet hair and leaves my hair feeling really soft afterwards.

My only issue is that it does leave my hair a little frizzy, particularly on the ends. However, this is easily improved by using my hair oil (something that is part of my daily hair routine anyway) or straighteners.

I would definately recommend picking one of these up. Initially I thought they were a little expensive at around £10 each but compared to a lot of hairbrushes they're very affordable. If it improves the condition of my hair over time, which I can see that it will, it is definately worth picking up, and i'm actually a little annoyed that I didn't get one sooner!

Beauty chat Tuesday: 6 feet in Heels

2011-08-30T19:51:00.000+01:00

This week is the turn of Alex from 6 ft in heels! I'm super excited to be featuring her as we chat quite a lot on twitter and she's a really lovely lady :)here are the q's!

1.You’re allowed only 5 products to take on away holiday with you, which 5 do you pick?
Hmm this is so tough! I always overpack makeup for vacations. I would say:
1. Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black
2. Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette
3. NARS Dogon Eyeshadow Duo
4. MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Light Medium
5. MAC Viva Glam Cyndi Lipstick (I'm sorry to use an LE!)

2.       Name your three favourite blogs
Temptalia (www.temptalia.com), because she started my addiction to beauty products.
Makeup and Beauty Blog (www.makeupandbeautyblog.com) because Karen is hilarious. And Will Work for Makeup (http://willworkformakeup.blogspot.com/) because Tiffany is smart and features lots of products that I would buy!

3.       If I gave you £100 to spend on beauty products, what would you buy?
I wish I had that much money to spend on beauty! I'm a poor student. I would start out at the Chanel counter, because I don't have any Chanel cosmetics. Definitely their Poudre Universelle Libre and a few nail polishes would end up in my cart. Then I'd move on to a bunch of NARS blushers and eyeshadows. I only have one duo (Dogon), but it's unbelievable quality! I'm somewhat practical, so I'd probably finish off by getting back-ups of my everyday products like mascara, concealers, foundations, etc.

4.       Which item do you use religiously?
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black. I have naturally long, black lashes, but I find most mascaras damage my eyelashes and "burn" them off. Buxom Lash is made using natural ingredients so my lashes aren't damaged. It extends and volumizes and is easy to remove. I've actually had other mascaras dry up on me because I ignore them in favour of Buxom Lash.

5.       What is your favourite high street beauty product?
Nivea Essential Lip Balm! It's about $2 and is the best balm I have ever tried. Super moisturizing and the only thing that keeps my lips from cracking to bits in Canadian winters. It also comes in a few tints!

6.       What is your favourite high-end beauty product?
NARS eyeshadows! They are amazing quality; buttery smooth and apply like a dream.

7.       What was the last thing you purchased?
Hard Candy Blush Crush Baked Blush in Living Doll. It's pretty to look at and gives me a beautiful, pinky flush. I'm really liking it so far.

8.       What inspired you to start blogging?
I guess reading blogs! I developed a love of beauty products after I found Temptalia and a few big blogs. I started shopping at MAC and trying out lots of brands the bloggers recommended. Once I felt like I knew enough about beauty to share with others, I started 6 ft in heels and now I'm totally addicted.

9.       What attracts you to follow a new blog?
#1 for me is good photography - I'm all about pretty pictures! Also, someone who updates at least a few times a week and reviews a mix of high and low end products. If I read a few posts and enjoy them, I'll definitely follow. I love supporting fellow bloggers and know how good it feels to get a new follower!

10.   Which products do you regret buying and why?
Benefit Confessions of a Concealoholic kit - I like the Erase Paste and Boi-ing Concealers, but don't use all of the products and hate that they are stuck together in the kit. I should have bought a couple of the included products separately.

Thanks for featuring me, I'm very excited!
Thank you to Alex for taking the time to answer my questions! Visit her blog here!

Kemp Aromatherapy Treatments Bath Melts

2011-08-26T13:05:00.000+01:00

I just wanted to show you the gorgeous gift I recieved recently. These bath melts were bought from a little shop close to where I live full of loads of unique treats and decorations. They're so delicate and pretty I haven't dared use one yet! I think I might display them on a pretty china saucer or something.
I think the pictures speak for themselves!
Each melt is hand made and can be bought here.

FOTD: Inspired by Pixi2woo

2011-08-22T15:00:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone! Sorry the posts have been a bit sparse this last week; I haven't been very inspired to blog :(
However, whilst catching up with Youtube vids I came accross this video by Pixi2woo. I thought the look she created was absolutely stunning and decided to give it a go myself.
I learned three things whilst trying to recreate the look:
1) Dark eyeshadow goes EVERYWHERE if you're not careful
2) I'm awful at doing eye makeup
3) It's not as easy as it looks to create that gorgeous eyeshadow shape that Tanya creates effortlesly.
Anyway... onto the products I actually used.

Face
Bourjois brush foundation
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
Collection 2000 Pressed Powder
ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in 'Glow'
The Body Shop bBaked Blush in 'Petal' (only the highlighter side)

If I was actually wearing this out at night I would replace the Bourjois foundation with my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation.
Eyes
Benefit Creaseless Cream shadow in 'Skinny Jeans'
Black & white from the 17 Glam Rocks Eyeshadow Palette
Light Blue from the Sleek Storm Palette
Unbranded Gel Eyeliner
L'oreal Volume Million Mascara
ELF Eyebrow kit in 'Medium'
Lips
MAC Lipglass in Underage

I really love this look. I wish I could get the hand of the blending round the edges to make it more smoky and sultry, but overall I would definately try this again to go out. Shame I haven't got anywhere to wear it now!
Can you give me any tips to make this look better?!

Beauty Blog Link Love

2011-08-19T12:04:00.002+01:00

Soap up with the Eye of Thundera as Addicted to Beauty celebrates the release of the new Thundercats TV show.

Miss Beauty Nerd is going to Europe, and packing her Clinique Day to Night Palette which contains most of her basic colour essentials in one pretty little compact!

Tracy at Beauty Reflections thinks that the new tokidoki Royal Pride Hercolino Palette makes a great Back To School palette!

Curious about the newest additions to the Make Up For Ever Family? Well, Krasey Beauty has swatches and photos of all of Make Up For Ever's newest Aqua Liners!

Ever run into a gorgeous product that left you (and a handful of other bloggers) in, erm, a burning heap? At theNotice, Rae runs into just that. Find out what the culprit was!

Bummed out because summer is almost done? Jennifer over at Spiced Beauty shows you how to get dewy, radiant and healthy skin.

Shatter your nails in the coolest shades! Musicalhouses shows you the BeautyUK Shatter Polishes!

Fleurissante has found her perfect summer fragrance: Montale Intense Tiare.

My Lips But Better gets a magical glow with MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder.

Over at Prime Beauty, Cindy has developed a Nude Attitude with some help from Three Custom Color Specialists!

Phyrra shows you the wonders of Neptune’s Grotto from Meow Cosmetics.

Christina from Confessions of a Glitterholic shows you how to do a simple sunset eye in this quick tutorial.

Jellyminx goes on a swatching mission and shares her MAC blush obsession!

Claire looks at a fabulous little sculpting kit from Sleek, perfect for all your highlighting and contouring needs!

Take a look at some of these drugstore gems from Essence over at Makeup, Beauty & More.

Are you after some great quality, but cheap eyeshadows? If so, check out Anita's swatches of her Boots 17 eyeshadow singles and trios over at Pleasureflush!

Funky Nail Designs for the remainder of the summer days. Tribal nail designs easy peasy at Dolce Vanity! Bonus nail pen review included.

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Can you have enough L'Oréal makeup? Beauty Crazed thinks not and is giving away a crazy amount to one lucky winner so make sure you enter!

Cheeky Chops

2011-08-17T16:15:00.001+01:00

Say hello to my new favourite nail polish- Cheeky Chops from the No 7 Stay Perfect Range.

The nail varnish in real life looks absolutely nothing like the picture (do I moan about my camera too much?!), but if you want to see how it looks check out Katie's swatch here. 'In real life' it's a vibrant pinky coral with peach undertones. The new brush and formula are lovely; the chunky brush almost coats a whole nail in one swipe and the formula is smooth and easy to apply. It dries quickly and lasts fantastically. Thumbs up No 7, this really is something to be proud of!
Why not pick this up with your £5 No 7 voucher?

Collection 2000 Cream Puff

2011-08-15T17:03:00.000+01:00

I know i'm a bit late on the bandwagon but I finally picked up two of the Collection 2000 Cream Puff Lip Creams. I knew i'd buy these as soon as they came out because of my love for the Bourjois So Delicate Lip Cream in shade Fushia Delicat, which has now sadly been discontinued.
The shades I picked up were Powder Puff (top), a light nude and Cotton Candy (bottom), a vivid dusky pink. It has to be said that neither of these products were what I expected. Cotton candy is exactly the texture which I anticipated, being soft and thick and heavily pigmented. The colour is much darker than it appears in the tube, I imagined a delicate light pink (much like MAC's or 'Please Me' lipstick) but in real life it is a very heavy, bright pink. It does look gorgeous on the lips, drying matte but not drying them out. I will admit now that I am very disappointed in Powder Puff. It is seemingly a completely different formula to Cotton Candy, being thin and watery and looking dry and flaky on my lips. I do think if it was thicker and softer it would create a 'concealer lips' effect as it is so pale and if i'm honest I can't see myself wearing this at all. The Collection 2000 stand didn't have a tester (Sort it out, Boots!) so I probably wouldn't have bought this if i'd swatched it in store.

The formula of Cotton Candy is beautiful, and the swatch shows the colour and texture very accurately. Mixed together these do create a very pretty daytime shade and I will try to get my wear out of the nude by mixing it with other colours. I am very keen to pick up the other two shades, as, at £2.99 each, they are a very guilt-free purchase.
Have you tried these? What were your opinions?

Skin treats

2011-08-14T13:38:00.000+01:00

I'm quietly confident that we all have our little skin 'secrets' that we rely on when we feel our skin needs a bit of a boost. Whether it is expensive or high street, it's always nice to know that we have something we can turn to when we want to look our best.

The two things I turn to are Avene's gentle purifying scrub and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

I will hold my hands up now and say that the Estee Lauder product is a sample I got free, but I absolutely love it! If I had the money to buy the full size bottle (I believe it's around £50) I 100% would. This makes my skin so velvety soft and really makes it look a lot more flawless, reducing the size of my pores and smoothing over my imperfections. I will be ridiculously sad when this runs out!

The Avene scrub is lovely. I had my doubts initially as it was so gentle, I didn't think it would perform as well as some of my more abrasive scrubs. However, this again leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth, and a lot brighter. I would definately recommend this to anyone who is after a scrub.

What are you skin rescue products?

ELF Studio Matte Lip Colour in 'Tea Rose'

2011-08-12T15:41:00.000+01:00

I'm going to start this review with an apology. This may have been the single most difficult-to-photograph product in my entire collection, and for that reason the only image I am posting is a lip swatch. However, if you want to see what the product looks like, click here!

Having said that, this is a product that as soon as I tried out I knew I would HAVE to tell you about.
For £3.50 you get a sleek, chunky pencil containing 0.06 oz of product. The pencil is extremely pigmented and very smooth, making it easy to apply to the lip to create a flawless, even coverage. The colour is a gorgeous, silky dusky pink, but it is quite dark. For me, it is a really great colour that I can just throw on with neutral makeup. I expected this to leave my lips feeling horrible and dry but it actually feels very comfortable and soft, leaving a more satin feeling finish. These are ideal as a lipstick as the colour is long lasting and extremely wearable, but it would also be very handy as a natural looking lip liner.
I would certainly recommend this, and I definately want to try some of the other colours!

Beauty Chat Tuesday: Beauty She Writes

2011-08-10T16:33:00.000+01:00

Sorry this is late, I was working last night so I had no time to post it!
Today is Rhiannon from Beauty She Writes, a relatively new blog but definately one worth checking out.
Here are her answers!

1.You’re allowed only 5 products to take on away holiday with you, which 5 do you pick?
Ooo tricky one!
1) Maybelline One By One Volum’ Express Waterproof Mascara
2) Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder in 51
3) Rimmel London Glam Eyes Quad Eyeshadow in 002 Smokey Brun
4) Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation in 100 Ivory – I don’t really like this foundation by itself, but I mix it with a moisturiser and use it as a tinted moisturiser/lighter coverage foundation
5) Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss is 006 Strawberry

2. Name your three favourite blogs
1) http://www.buynowbloglater.com/
2) http://hollyarabella.blogspot.com/
3) http://www.chantellemakeup1writes.com/

3. If I gave you £100 to spend on beauty products, what would you buy?
I would probably spend this on skincare products and a decent foundation. I think having a good base is really important as then anything you put on top of it just looks instantly better.

4. Which item do you use religiously?
At the moment it is Bourjois’ Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder in 51. My face doesn’t seem to tan as well as my body – and even that isn’t very much! This bronzer has a lovely matte finish to it and just looks natural on my skin. It did take me a while to get into this product as I didn’t like it at first, but now I don’t know what I’d do without it!

5. What is your favourite high street beauty product?
I love Revlon’s ColorStay Foundation – but it NEEDS a pump!

6. What is your favourite high-end beauty product?
If you can class Benefit as high end then their Benetint – I lost Posietint and I’m so annoyed about it! It was only a mini size but still!

7. What was the last thing you purchased?
Rimmel London Glam Eyes Quad Eyeshadow in 002 Smokey Brun. I’m really trying to get good at applying eyeshadows and I’m getting there slowly! This is a really lovely neutral quad that compliments my blue eyes nicely.

8. What inspired you to start blogging?
I started blogging fairly recently, at the start of July 2011. I wanted to start blogging as a bit of a hobby really, and a way of sharing my opinions with people, read other people’s opinions, and to discover new products and just reading other people’s blogs inspired me.

9. What attracts you to follow a new blog?
Regular posting, a nice layout, detailed descriptions with clear pictures and links to where to buy the product too if possible!

10. Which products do you regret buying and why?
No7’s Sun Kissed Bronzing Pearls – whenever I apply them, they don’t make me look bronzed, they make me look dirty and orange! Not a good look at all!

Thanks Rhiannon! Don't forget to check out her blog here.

Eyebrow routine & Review of ELF's Eyebrow Kit

2011-08-09T10:33:00.000+01:00

Hello girlies :) sorry it's been a while since my last post, i've been busybusybusy and I have lost my blogging mojo a little.
However, after a few requests I thought I would review the ELF eyebrow kit in Medium whilst giving you a rundown of how I 'style' my eyebrows on a daily basis. I must mention now that I am not at all proud of my eyebrows. They are ruined beyond repair (when I went to get them professionally done I was told that there was little that could be done to make them even) so it's my mission each day to make them look at least slightly normal.
However, I think I have my routine sorted down to a tee and the addition of my new eyebrow kit from ELF has made it easier than ever to sort out the mess that is my eyebrows.

The products I use are:
ELF Studio Eyebrow kit in Medium
Pointed end teezers
Small angled brush
Collection 2000 clear mascara

My eyebrows are quite flat and rounded as opposed to arched or sculpted so I try and ensure that I keep their natural shape. They are also naturally quite dark, much darker than my natural hair, so if you are blonde you may consider using a lighter shade.
I pluck my eyebrows with pointed tweezers. I know this is incorrect or whatever but I find it gives me much more control and enables me to be much more precise with my plucking. I occasionally get my eyebrows sugared- a technique much like waxing but without the pain- which I do believe gives a better finish. I pluck my eyebrows most days; instead of letting them grow and styling them properly I tend to just grab stray hairs as I find them.I did let them grow for a long time in the hope that they would return to their original state but I eventually caved as they were hideous!
I begin by shading my eyebrows in using an angled brush and the powder side of the ELF brow kit. The powder is very smooth and very easy to blend and I find it great to work with as you can build up the colour to how you need it. I find using an angled brush makes it easier to follow the natural curve of my brow. If I want my brows to last for a long time (for example a night at work) I then press my finger into the brown gel in the palette and run this through my brows, before using a very small amount of the clear mascara to set them in place. However, more often than not I will just use the clear mascara as the brown gel can make my eyebrows look a bit intense and harsh.
I would definately recommend the eyebrow kit from ELF, it is handy for travelling and lasts on your face well.

FOTD: Shopping my stash

2011-08-05T14:02:00.000+01:00

Today I made a concious effort to use some of the products that haven't ventured out my makeup drawer for a good while. I am a creature of habit, and recently that habit has been the Naked Palette & a 17 Blush, combined with either ELF 'Nicely nude' or No 7 'Grace' lippies. I'm really glad I did- I really fell in love with one of my old blushes!
I'm afraid the FOTD is the best of a bad bunch- my hair is in a messy bun so excuse the, er, mess.

The rediscovered products were:
MAC Underage lipglass (I ALWAYS hate this when I put it on initially, it's a lot more nude in real life)
The Body Shop Baked Blusher in 'Petal'
No 7 Eyeshadow in 'Wheatsheaf'

The rest of my face consisted of...
Bourjois Brush Foundation
Benefit Erase Paste Concealer
Benefit Boing Concealer
Maybelline mineral powder foundation
ELF Warm Bronzer
Rimmel Sexy Curves waterproof mascara

I really adore the way this blush brightens and lifts my cheeks, and i'll certainly be picking this out more often. The lipglass is something that I always reach for with reluctance as it looks so harsh when you put it on, but I do find the nude colour softens and adapts to your natural lip colour.
Have you recently rediscovered any old makeup loves?

Beauty blog link love!

2011-08-04T17:11:00.001+01:00

Musicalhouses shows you an awesome Bird of Paradise/sunset inspired eye look using the Sleek Curacao Palette - possibly the brightest eye look ever!

Beauty's Bad Habit shows gorgeous eyeshadow swatches of her first love in indie cosmetics, the fabulous Fyrinnae Cosmetics.

You know that cooling sensation when you bite into a peppermint patty? Well it's the same thing when you use the Chantecaille Aquablush in Charming. The Pink Sith explains.

At theNotice, Rae reviews a Benefit BADgal waterproof liner and decides that if bad girls all have to wear BADgal... she'd rather just be good.

Check out the new Too Faced Matte Eye Shadow Collection from Too Faced. Gouldylox has swatches and details.

Addicted to Beauty is still dreaming about the crazy hair extravaganza that was the L’Oreal Professionnel Colour Trophy 2011 .

Phyrra's Independent Spotlight for the month of July is One Hand Washes the Other.

Check out Smashinbeauty's Return to Paradise review and swatches.

Tracy at Beauty Reflections wishes Tarte For True Blood Natural Cheek Stain was Hellmouth worthy!

The Beauty Spot tested out the new Rimmel Vinyl Max Lipgloss. See how it worked out!

Have you ever considered Juvederm? Read about the experience of Marcia at Beauty Info Zone to learn whether Juvederm is something that would work for you.

Love bright eye shadows for summer? Make sure to keep lips subtle with this fabulous nude lipstick at Makeup, Beauty and More.

Do you need to perk up your under eye area? Pammy Blogs Beauty's Cover-It Concealer Review series continues with a review of this under eye treatment/primer by Per-fekt.

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed swatches Chanel nail polish to prove that all greys are not created equal!

Read the MAC and Sigma brushes dupe guide at Handmade Reviews.

Take a trip to St-Tropez! Nicole from Lipstick and Luxury swatches this limited-edition luxurious nail polish from Dior.

What type of results REALLY come from having a Brazilian Keratin Treatment? Check out Socialite Dreams for the results of the KeraStraight treatment at Ulta.

The return of beauty chat tuesday!: Primp and Preen

2011-08-02T21:09:00.000+01:00

So here we are again, back for another round of Beauty Chat Tuesday! For new followers, this is a series of blogger interviews. If you don't remember it, be sure to check out the old posts as there were some great girlies involved!
The first blogger in the new series is Rosalyn from Primp and Preen. She is a really lovely girlie and I have been following her blog since the very beginning. To visit her blog, click here!

1.You’re allowed only 5 products to take on away holiday with you, which 5 do you pick?
Eeek- very difficult. I’d have to say MAC MSF Natural in Light, MAC Dollymix blusher, Lancome Hypnose mascara, Urban Decay’s Naked Palette and Burt’s Bees lipbalm. As long as I have a bit of blusher and mascara on I look alive so that would do me at a push.

2.       Name your three favourite blogs (please link!)
I know everyone says the same but this really is so difficult as I love so many blogs, but 3 of my absolute favourites are Lollipop Loves, Lily Loves Lola and May Loves Makeup.

3.       If I gave you £100 to spend on beauty products, what would you buy?
Well there’s always the temptation to go and blow an enormous amount on MAC lipsticks as there’s a ton more that I’d love to add to my growing collection. So I’d either do that or finally get round to getting some decent brushes, either ones from MAC or Sigma.

4.       Which item do you use religiously?
Lee Stafford’s Hair Treatment For Hair That Never Grows Past A Certain Length is the most amazing intensive conditioner and I rarely deviate it from it, pretty much only if I’m testing another one. I also haven’t used another powder since I discovered MAC MSF Natural.

5.       What is your favourite high street beauty product?
I buy most of my products from high street brands so it’s difficult to pick a favourite but I do love 17 nail polishes, Sleek Eyeshadows and Revlon lipsticks.

6.       What is your favourite high-end beauty product?

My Chanel Rouge Coco in Paris is the most stunning shade and the formula is gorgeous. I’m going to have to pick up another soon.

7.       What was the last thing you purchased?
I haven’t bought much recently as I’ve been given things for my birthday and Christmas so I’m having to wrack my brains on this one. *Thinks really hard* I think it would MAC Girl About Town lipstick but that’s the only thing I’ve bought in ages.

8.       What inspired you to start blogging?
I love beauty products and I love writing so when I found out that people were blogging about makeup, I figured there was room for one more! I love chatting away to people who love the same things and it’s turned into a fab hobby.

9.       What attracts you to follow a new blog?
I like it when someone writes in a really chatty way and you feel like you’re getting to know them. I also like a good mix of posts and lots of pretty pictures.

10.   Which products do you regret buying and why?
I wish I hadn’t rushed out to buy MAC Blankety. I got it because I thought Myth was too pale for me but now I’ve started wearing Myth with a lipgloss over it or patted on lightly and I like it a lot more than Blankety which is OK on but I don’t need both of them really.

Thanks a lot to Rosalyn! Make sure you check out her blog here :)
If you want to be involved in Beauty Chat Tuesday, email me (address is on my contact page) with 'Beauty Chat Tuesday' as the subject.

ELF Haul!

2011-07-31T13:24:00.000+01:00

As many of you may know, ELF have recently had a 50% offer on all of their products. This meant only one thing- I needed to FINALLY buy all those products i'd had my eye on for a while!
I was very happy with everything I bought and super impressed with the service that I got from ELF, the package arrived very quickly with no fuss at all. Brilliant!
Anyway, onto the interesting bit...

1) Studio Warm Bronzer- I ADORE this! It's a gorgeous product and definately deserves all the blog hype it receives!
2) Natural Radiance Blusher in 'Glow'- I haven't actually tried this but it looks stunning in the pan. It is a soft peach with lots of shimmer and I'm looking forward to giving it a go.
3) Mineral lipglosses in 'Sorority Girl' (pink), 'Wild' (coral) and 'Au Naturale' (nude) -Oh my god these are amazing! These are easily the most gorgeous and unusual lipglosses I own and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of them. I'd definately recommend these and I plan on buying a LOT more!
4) Matte Lip Crayon in 'Tea Rose' - This is another beautiful product. It is creamy and applies wonderfully, looking like a gorgeous dusky pink on the lips. Another thing i'd 100% recommend.
4) Mineral Lipstick in 'Nicely Nude' - Not at all nude but certainly nice, this is a sheer pink with a sublte gold shimmer. Very very pretty.
5) Eyebrow kit in 'Medium'- I initially thought this would be too light as I have very dark eyebrows but the colours are infact perfect. It is a very handy size for carrying around.
6) Studio cream eyeshadow in 'Dawn'- This is my first ever cream eyeshadow and first impressions are very good. It is very smooth and is very easy to layer and create a more intense colour. I haven't worn it for long so I can't tell you about longevity or creasing but I would definately pick up more from this range.
7) (not pictured) Nail polishes in 'Mango Madness' and 'Fluorescent pink'- The only products i'm disappointed with. The colours are beautiful but the formula is AWFUL. These need three coats to be opaque and they take forever to dry (despite the packing saying they're quick drying), leaving a mess on your fingers. They also chipped within a couple of hours. Probably wouldn't buy a nail polish from them again, but I can't complain as I paid 75p for them!

I'm ridiculously impressed with ELF, it has certainly lived up to my expectations and I plan to order from them again in the future. The products I got were genuinely beautiful and even my friends (non makeup junkies!) were enjoying using them and playing with them. And I got all that for £15 plus delivery!

DIY Crop / Vest Top: An Idiot's Guide

2011-07-29T17:00:00.000+01:00

I had decided to alter one of my long (rather triangular) leggingish tops to make it into a more wearable vest top and was rapidly searching the web for an easy step by step guide (i'm prone to mess things up, you see) but all of them seemed long winded and a bit faffy. So here's my simple guide, I think it turned out pretty well, don't you? I think it is important to make sure that when you are cutting you use long strokes rather than little snips otherwise you'll end up with a messy, jagged edge. Other than that, it's all pretty straight forward!
And yes, I forgot to include a 'before' picture... oops :)

1. Large safety pins
2. Chalk
3. A long ruler
4. Fabric scissors (regular scissors just won't cut it i'm afraid)

See, easy peasy!
There might be a 'proper' way of doing it using a sewing machine but mine turned out pretty well and i'm very happy with it :)

BaByliss Porcelain Curling Wand Review

2011-07-27T17:00:00.000+01:00

My hair has always been very difficult to curl. It is incredibly fine and a tad on the greasy side so any curling I do usually ends up flat after a couple of hours. As much as I try I just cannot make my hair hold large, loose curls so I have been keen to try out this BaByliss curling wand for a looooooong time, in the hope of getting smaller, boho waves and curls. After seeing it on offer in Boots for just over £20 (& I had a double points voucher, scoreeeee!) I knew I had to pick it up.

This is very easy to use, it comes with a little glove to prevent you from burning your fingers and has four heat settings. Due to the nature of my hair I thought I would have to use the highest setting in order to get my curls to stay in place but I can get away with using the third setting. It curls very quickly and takes me about half an hour to do my whole head. I can also get away with having messy wavy hair on the second day, but it does need a little bit of tweaking due to my awkward layers (i'm trying to grow them out).
It also has a swivel cord which is actually a godsend as I'm very particular about ensuring that all my curls go the right way (ie away from my face) and this makes it a lot easier to not get caught up in the wire.

I would definately recommend this to anyone. It works fabulously and is a great price. If you want to see my hair curled with this wand, you can take a look at my FOTD here.

NOTD: Psychedelic Sister

2011-07-27T08:37:00.001+01:00

Just a quick NOTD before I go away... Psychedelic Sister by Urban Decay, as part of their summer of love collection. It really is a stunningly unusual colour.

I hate my camera, it just wouldn't pick the shade up at all. Having said that, none of the nail swatches on the internet could quite capture this shade. It is a soft coral red with almost pink undertones. It is fun but sophisticated and i'm very glad I own it.

Cupcake Fail

2011-07-25T14:42:00.001+01:00

I consider myself to be quite a good little baker. I often whip up a batch of cupcakes or cookies and I have a few recipes that I know are reliable and will always turn out well. However, I decided that I wanted to try something new so after a bit of research I settled upon this Hummingbird Bakery cupcake recipe. Hummingbird bakery cupcakes are supposed to be the Ferrari of the cupcake world so I was keen to give it a try.
However, these cupcakes didn't turn out as well as expected. They didn't rise and were rock solid on the top. I've never experienced this before and I was very disappointed, particularly as I followed the recipe to the letter. Also, the icing quantities were hideously wrong and I ended up with a very liquidy gloopy mess which didn't work at all.
On top of that, I got in a godawful mess (I realise this is no fault of the recipe!) and ended up with icing sugar all over my kitchen and red food colouring all over my hands. Oh, and I dropped two and ended up with an icing splat on my kitchen floor. Woopsie! Anyway, i'm sure you want to see some pics...

Needless to say say, they did not satisfy my baking cravings!

What i'm wearing...

2011-07-23T13:01:00.003+01:00

This was a post inspired by the lovely Tiffany over at Will Work For Makeup. I know that my makeup changes from week to week so I thought it was a fab way of showing you guys what I'm into at the moment. I've been being a bit lazy with my makeup recentlyso I have been picking out items that don't take much thought or effort.

Gold & Highlight shades on my eyes

Sleek Storm Palette, MAC Shroom, UD Naked Palette & No 7 True Gold
In my opinion, there's nothing easier and more reliable than a wash of a pale and pretty colour dusted across the lids. I've also been brightening up my eyes by taking some beneath my waterline and on the inner corners of my eyes. I desperately want to pick up some cream formulas in these shades as I think they will be perfect for long summer days.

Nude Cheeks
Rouge Bunny Rouge Decadent Duo in Joys and Desires, 17 Blush in Nude and Plum Puff, Benefit Dallas Boxed Powder
Again, these shades are just so easy to use and go with every makeup look. I find that they really sculpt the face and make your cheekbones pop. I particularly love 'Nude' by 17- it has a slight shimmer which creates a perfect highlight.

Light, glowy skin

Maybelline Pure Mineral Foundation, Miss Sporty Light Energy Foundation, Nivea Tinted Moisturising Cream, Lacura Shimmering day Cream

All of the above have been mentionned before on my blog (some more than others!), but nothing beats the feeling of knowing your skin is simply glowing. My skin has been a little better as of late so I've beentaking advantage of my lighter coverage foundations.The Lacura Shimmering Day Cream is just one simple extra step which I believe just kicks your foundation up a notch, making your skin look beautifully glowy. A definate must-try for only a few pounds!

Barely there, stained lips

The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in 01 and Bourjois Eau de Gloss in 1 Framboise Glacee

I feel like these have to be two of the most boring products in my lip collection and yet they're still so well used. The Body Shop lip and cheek stain is something that I would never have bothered buying for myself but I got it free in a magazine. I love how well it lasts and how the colour is buildable. I quite often layer a lot on so that it lasts for a good few hours. The Bourjois gloss (please excuse the revolting packaging, it came with a hugeeee sticky label on it) creates a really subtle but polished look and I do actually get a lot of use out of it.

I hope you enjoyed this post, i'm thinking of doing it a little more regularly as I quite enjoyed putting it together!
What are your makeup staples at the moment?

Rings 'n' Things

2011-07-22T14:14:00.000+01:00

I'm always on the hunt for unusual jewellery and recently I picked up a few beautiful bargains which I thought you might all like to see.
The two rings were from H&M and cost under £4 each. The large stones are absolutely stunning colours and the fact that one is silver and one is gold means that I have one to go with every outfit. They've definately been my most worn items of jewellery since I bought them.
The tassel t-bar bracelet was a real find. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. It was £1 in the sale in Primark and again i've worn it almost everyday since I bought it. I feel like it looks a lot more expensive than it was and is a really unusual addition to my outfits. I really wish I'd bought a back up as Primark jewellry is notorious for breaking easily.
Finally, I got the necklace for £5 in the Next sale. I was instantly drawn to it as I am really into the tribal trend that was around this summer and I thought it would be fab to update a simple outfit. It is on a long black leather cord and hangs really low around the neck.
Gold is definately my colour of choice when it comes to costume jewellry and I think these are all perfect items for summer.

FOTD: It's all about newness...

2011-07-20T14:47:00.000+01:00

Hello girlies :)
The plan was that when I got back from holiday, I would save up a little for a little break with the boyfriend and some money for uni. However, that plan's gone out the window so I thought it would be nice to show you a quick (rather rushed) FOTD and a couple of the things I bought.

The three makeup items I got were the Beauty UK Baked Eyeshadow Trio in Earth, The MUA Professional Eyeshadow Palette in Heaven and Earth and Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara.
The mascara was reduced to £4 so I thought it would be rude to say no considering a) I needed a new mascara, b) I don't own a waterproof mascara, and c) It was half price! It is an average product really, I would have been disappointed if i'd paid the full £8 or so but it does curl your lashes nicely and holds the curl well. The two eyeshadow palettes were things i'd set out to buy (alongside the Oh So Special Palette from Sleek which was rather annoyingly sold out) and I am super happy I picked them up. The Beauty UK Trio is most unlike anything I own. Although it is neutral, the colours are cooler toned and they are very pretty and very pigmented. I haven't given the MUA palette a proper test run yet, but I didn't plan on doing a full blog post on it as there are so many about at the moment. Please let me know if you'd like me to though! Initial impressions are good though, the quality is fab for a £4 product and the colours are lovely.

Face:
Bourjois Brush Foundation
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
Maybelline Mineral Powder Foundation
TBS Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder
Sleek Rose Gold Blush

Eyes
Beauty UK Trio in Earth
Rimmel Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara

Lips
No 7 Lipstick in Grace (Limited Edition)

Hair
Styled with my new BaByliss curling wand (review to come)

I hope you like!
Let me know if you want to see more in depth reviews of any of the products mentionne!

Beauty Blog Link Love

2011-07-17T10:13:00.000+01:00

Here are some more fab blogs for you to check out :)

Read a thorough and honest review of Sigma's new eyeshadow palettes in Dare, Bare, and Flare at Handmade Reviews!

At Musing on Beauty, Mariella has been trying the new Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation and reviews it in depth.

Musicalhouses shows you summer's hottest offering - Benefit Cha Cha Tint!

The jury’s still out on whether a certain new lash curler looks incredibly intriguing or… incredibly gynaecological, but the real question is: are you ready to start a Revolution with Urban Decay?

Looking for a new blush? Check out my Swatches and Review on Chanel Joues Contraste Blush!

Beauty's Bad Habit shares her technique for using Fyrinnae's infamous Pixie Epoxy eyeshadow base.

You can achieve the perfect summer glow with just one product... shimmer! Steal My Heart Lovee.com shares her thoughts on Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks.

Amy Antoinette shares her top tips for transforming hay fever eyes!

Want the scoop on Urban Decay's new Fall Collection? Well, Krasey Beauty has it all, from information to product pics!

Kelly from Gouldylox has a very bad day. Luckily some MacGyvering with beauty products saves the day!

Miss Beauty Nerd goes to the Big Apple and gets her eyebrows threaded at Blink Brow Bar inside Henri Bendel.

Madame B Fatale introduces her boyfriend to Gillette's new razor and skincare products.

Tired of the regular crackle nail look? Jenn over at Spiced Beauty spices it up with a tri-color mani!

If you like bright colours you'll want to check out the latest find from Lisamarie at Beauty Crazed - SleekMakeUP Caribbean collection - and you'll be relieved to know that the swatches are not on her arm!

Makeup, Beauty and More shows some love for the Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in I'm Getting Sunburned.

Lauren from Lovelaughlauren shows us some fab makeup brushes for less than £20!

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The Pretty Exclusive shows you beautiful swatches of Geek Chic Cosmetic's N7 Collection & Geek Love Duo, AND has a giveaway to win them all!

Pammy Blogs Beauty is giving away Clinical Organics "Try Me" Packs to two lucky winners! Visit Pammy Blogs Beauty for more details and to enter.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Goodies!

2011-07-16T17:00:00.000+01:00

When I arrived back in sunny England and switched on my phone, amongst 47 emails was one from Glossybox informing me that I had won their Rouge Bunny Rouge twitter giveaway. Of course I was beyond excited; Rouge Bunny Rouge is a brand that i've coveted for a while but as their products are quite pricey I hadn't taken the plunge and actually bought some. A few days later, a beautiful box arrived on my doorstep containing these gems.

Long Lasting Eyeshadow In Unforgettable
This. Is. Stunning. A colour I would definately have picked myself, unforgettable is a gorgeous shimmery gold. I can definately see myself wearing this a lot as I feel it is a very versitile colour.

Joys & Desires Decadent Duo
Initially I thought this was a double ended lipgloss but after a bit of research I have discovered that it is a lipgloss and blush duo. Both colours are very neutral and wearable, and although the lipgloss is very sheer it is incredibly pretty. I may not have actually bought this myself but I really love it and have got a lot of use out of it since I got it.

This is genuinely one of the best giveaways I have won and I am so pleased with the prizes. A big thankyou to Glossybox!

Beauty Blogger of the Month!

2011-07-14T17:00:00.001+01:00

I was lucky enough to win Beauty Blogger of the month over at Beauty Blog Giveaways!
If you want to have a look at the interview, click here!
I must say a big thankyou to Belle who was generous enough to give me a prize :D
THANKYOU :D xx

Borghese Makeup Brush Set

2011-07-13T16:18:00.001+01:00

Bloggers, this is something to get excited about.
I've been after some new makeup brushes for a loooong time but the price of them meant that I felt I needed to save up before I made the investment. However, after reading this review over at Beauty Marked I knew that if I had the chance to pick the up Borghese brushes I would.

Lowe and behold, the next day my mother and I took a trip to Costco where I picked up my new set of brushes for less than £20!

For £20 you get an array of 10 face and eye brushes, with a mixture of both natural and synthetic bristles. They are all incredibly soft and they feel sturdy and well made. I initially picked up this kit mainly for the kabuki brush, contour brush and domed eye brush, as these are similar to ones that i've been lusting after from MAC and Sigma.
I am no expert in brushes as my collection is very small, but on first impressions I am very pleased with my purchase. I have experienced little shedding and they feel very nice to use. Although I can't give a more in depth review as I haven't fully used them all yet, it is likely that a few of these will feature in my favourites posts and I will certainly write more about them then!
You also get a small brush roll which is very neat and will no doubt be very handy as it is much less bulky than the one I currently own.

Overall, these are definately worth picking up. I think you can find them on Amazon and Ebay but I don't know how much they will cost you. In my opinion, the quality of these brushes definately compares to the other, more popular, brands I have purchased.

(My brush collection taking pride of place on my dressing table!)

Pink to make the boys wink

2011-07-11T14:05:00.000+01:00

OPI's Lucky Lucky Lavender has been a favourite of mine since I bought it, and those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time will have seen it crop up in a good few blog posts. However, today I decided to jazz it up a little bit, with the addition of Barry M's Glitter Nail Paint in Pink Iridescent. I love how over the top this glitter is, it really stands out on the nail and hosts an array of pretty colours. Very cute!

My week in photos

2011-07-09T19:58:00.000+01:00

The gorgeous view // Unlimited peach schnapps & lemonade // Turkish sunset // A few too many cocktails // "Watersports" // All the essentials // FINALLY a FOTD with MAC's Vegas Volt (Specially for Alex over at 6ft In Heels!)

So i'm back! After a lovely week in the sunshine I have returned to (not so) sunny England. I will admit that it is nice to be home, i've slept all day! I had a lovely break, I didn't get as tanned as I would have liked but I was very cautious about getting burnt- it was 40 degrees most days! It was a week full of smiles, drinks and relaxing. Perfect!

Beauty Blog Link Love

2011-07-09T15:16:00.002+01:00
Are you a fan of NARS blushes? If so, do you own the shade Mata Hari? At Steal My Heart Lovee.com she shares her review.

Kelly from Gouldylox Reviews shares her first ever makeup tutorial. Part drinking game, part smoky eye, it's easy to do and isn't so over the top you can't wear it to work.

Madame B Fatale shows us her bright eye look using some gorgeous colours!

Musicalhouses swatches the Illamasqua Powder Blushers! Do you prefer the bright, bold blush shades, or the easily wearable, pretty-in-pink shades?

At theNotice, Rae reviews a cult-favourite MAC eyeliner - but isn't feeling the love. Find out why this popular product was such a letdown!

Phyrra falls in love with the Too Faced Eye Love palette and tells you where you can find it.

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed begins her fall lemmings early with pictures of the Lancôme St-Honoré Fall 2011 Collection - come add to the drool puddle!

Don't forget My Lips But Better's travel must-haves when packing your bag this summer!

Prime Beauty gets in touch with her Inner Flowerchild while falling in love with BECCA's new Mineral Powder Blushes.

Lauren has been going crazy for coral! Check out her latest lipstick additions!

Want a sneak peek at MAC's latest collection, Semi-Precious? Well, Krasey Beauty has pics and swatches, to ooh and ahh over!

Tracy, at Beauty Reflections, discovers an unexpected gem in MAC Prep+Prime Vibrancy Eye Primer and is really glad she decided to try it!

Fleurissante has found a way to the perfect brows with Le Sourcil de Chanel.

Claire swatches OPI Serene Grand Slam Rally Pretty Pink Set over at The Beauty Scoop!

Erin shows you an easy way to create rainbow eyeliner at the Pretty Exclusive.

If you like highlighters, especially at this time of year, Vesna from Beauty addict blog has a few suggestions for you!

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Want glowing, gorgeous skin? Specific Beauty has teamed up with Socialite Dreams to giveaway their full regimen to one lucky reader!

An eyeliner confession... (pick up a bargain!)

2011-07-02T17:00:00.000+01:00

I'll admit it now, i've never been able to do black eyeliner on my lids. Ever. I tried and tried (and moaned a lot on twitter) but it just never happened. After seeing Nicoletta's post here where she talked about an amazing gel eyeliner bargain I knew I had to try it. The eyeliner in question can be purchased here. And to think I had contemplated buying MAC's Blacktrack Fluidline only a couple of days before!
For only £1.27 (Including postage!) I got a heavy frosted glass pot with a black lid. It has no writing or any indications of size or ingredients so it's obvious that it's not from a well-known brand. I didn't really know what to expect as I had no previous experience with gel eyeliners before. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised.
The eyeliner itself is very creamy and ridiculously easy to use. I used an angled eyeliner brush and it created a very smooth and even line. I have created a fab winged eyeliner look but I've also used it as an intense waterline colour. This hasn't irritated me but there's no instructions to say it's safe for use on your waterline so try this with caution.The colour is certainly very black and is a fabulous black colour.

This eyeliner is waterproof and therefore is quite difficult to remove. It required a lot of eye makeup remover and a lot of smudging and scrubbing to finally get it off. It's also important to note that although it won't budge when you want it too, it does smudge on your eyes if you're not careful.

I just wanted to share this with you as it was such a fab bargain and I thought you all needed to know! So a big thankyou to Nicoletta & I hope you all enjoy using your bargain eyeliners! Do you have any secret beauty bargains?

What's in my holiday makeup bag?

2011-06-30T17:24:00.000+01:00

As many of you may know, i'm off on holiday to Turkey tomorrow! I leave around lunchtime but i'm sure I will be busybusybusy all morning so this will be the last post before I go!

I had a very restricted weight limit so I was trying to pack light. I am sharing a room with two of my girlies so we've agreed to share things like shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, face wipes etc etc, and this has made it a lot easier to pack lightly.
I think I have been quite economical with my makeup packing, what do you think?!

I usually use a makeup bag with two compartments as they tend to lay flatter in the case. In one half I put face products and in the other I put eye and lip products, and I like that it is clear so you can see what you want to get out. I also have a seperate brush rolll which I haven't photographed but my brush collection doesn't leave much to be desired!

Face

No 7 Shine Free Primer
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
Miss Sporty Light Energy Foundation
Nivea Tinted Moisturiser
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Maybelline Pure Foundation Mineral Foundation
The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder
Sleek Rose Gold Blush (New favourite thing ever!)
Benefit Powder Pop blush trio

Eyes

The Naked Palette (this was inevitable)
Sleek Storm Palette
Lash Curlers
Benefit High Beam mini
L'oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara
Collection 2000 Clear Mascara (for brows)
Unbranded Eyeliner (review to come, Oh. My. God. Love.)

Lips

I think it's safe to say that I failed to pack light when it came to lipsticks. I am a self-proclamed lipstick addict and I couldn't bare to part with any of these for a week!
In no particular order:
MAC Lipsticks in Lazy Day, Vegas Volt and Creme Cup
Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick in Persian Melon and Hot Coral
No 7 Lipstick in Grace
Natural Collection Lipstick in Rose Petal
Benefit Lipgloss in Fresh Squeezed
Revlon Lipgloss in Pink Pop
NYX Lipgloss in Natural
Lush None Of Your Beeswax lipbalm

How well do you think I packed? How much do you take on holiday normally?
I have posts scheduled for whilst I am away so hopefully you won't miss me too much ;) haha xx

OOTD: Sixth Form Ball

2011-06-27T12:08:00.000+01:00

Hello girlies!
I just want to start this post by saying thankyou for all the lovely comments I received on my Sixth Form Ball FOTD post. I really appreciated all the nice comments and they all really made me smile. Also, hello and welcome to all my new followers! The little number has grown quite quickly recently so hi, and I hope you enjoy my little blog :)
Onto the OOTD that I know some of you have been waiting for! I didn't actually take a picture of my outfit but I have cropped me out of a picture where you can see my dress.

The dress was from H&M in the sale and only cost me £15, what a good find, eh?! I borrowed the broach from my mum's friend and I wore them with a pair of silver (flat) sandals from Matalan. I was really happy with how summery and pretty the outfit turned out :)
I had a really lovely evening, with some good food & great company. I'm now enjoying relaxing in the sunshine with nothing to worry about!
I hope you're all well! xx

FOTD: Sixth Form Ball

2011-06-25T10:40:00.000+01:00

So as many of you might know I have finally finished my exams and I am now free to enjoy summer before I have to face up to the responsibilities of life.
I had my sixth form ball last night so I am doing a face of the day to show you my makeup. It's very simple and summery but I loveeeeee it! I hate that my camera doesn't capture FOTD's very well. If you've got any tips let me know :)
I will do an OOTD tomorrow when I have some pictures.

Face:
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
Maybeline Mineral Powder
The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzer
Sleek Rose Gold Blush
Benefit High Beam

Eyes:
UD Naked Palette (Sin on lid, hustle and dark horse in crease)
L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara
Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero

Lips:
No 7 Grace (spring collection)

Going crazy for coral!

2011-06-24T14:00:00.005+01:00

Obviously, last week, one coral lipstick just wasn't enough.
It wasn't until I put all my new lippies together that I realised that in the space of a week I had indulged in 4 (yes, 4!) coral lipsticks. However, I must insist that they are all different and beautiful in their own way! Let me introduce you to my new additions...

Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick in Hot Coral, Sleek True Colour Lipstick in Coral Reef, Barry M Lip Paint in 147 and MAC Lipstick in Vegas Volt.
In my opinion, coral lipstick is something that will suit everyone. My collection seriously lacked this summer shade (I didn't actually own one at all) so I justified making a few purchases as all of these lippies has been on my wishlist for quite a while. Coral Reef & 147 were blogsale purchases from the lovely Corrie. Please check her blog out, she's a gorgeous girlie :)

I had a picture with a lovely array of swatches but blogger doesn't seem to want to let me post them. If you want to see swatches, click here. On the swatch picture, from left to right, they are Vegas Volt, Coral Reef, Hot Coral and 147.
The only one of these that I am disappointed in is Barry M. The formula is very drying and therefore hard to work with, although the colour is still very pretty. Vegas Volt is just more amazing than I could ever have hoped. It applies like a dream and stays put for a very long time. Hot Coral is definately more red but is still a staple in my collection.
I think I have my perfect summer pout just about sorted!
What are your favourite summer lippies? Is coral a colour you've been sporting recently?

The Body Shop Honey Bronzing Powder

2011-06-21T13:08:00.000+01:00

The Body Shop Honey Bronze collection was one that got me very excited. At this time of year, I adore the sunkissed bronzed look and this collection seems to promise just that.
The first item I purchased was the Bronzing Powder in shade 03 Medium Matte. I am continually on the hunt for the perfect matte bronzer so when I saw a 50% off code for The Body Shop I immediately added this to my basket.

When it first arrived I was surprised at how small it was so I immediately compared it to the other bronzers in my collection. Surprisingly, with this you get 11g of product, compared to Bobbi Brown which is 8g and MAC which give you 10g.
The packaging is... average. It is functional (the large mirror is infact very handy) and compact but, in my opinion, a little dated.
The bronzer in the pan appears to be very pale and almost orange toned, but on the skin it looks very natural.

It's important to mention that this definately is matte. I've read many reviews that say 'it is matte but...' or 'it is matte with a hint of shimmer', but this is about as matte as you're going to get. It has a silky soft texture that sits on the skin beautifully. My only niggle is that this is just too light. I am very fair skinned but I do have a lot of redness on my skin and this means it doesn't show up very much. I have been left to wonder what the lighter shades would be like as this is the second to darkest colour of the bunch.
I hoped that this would work well as a contour product too but it just doesn't cut it in the pigmentation stakes.

I do love the texture of this bronzer and the way it applies but regrettably it's just not dark enough. I have been applying it with a heavy hand which works well for a natural daytime look.

Beauty Blog Link Love!

2011-06-18T16:47:00.000+01:00

It's that time again! There's some fab posts in here :)

At Musing on Beauty, Mariella tries the Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman brushes and tells you everything about them.

Ever wonder how to airbrush your own makeup photos? Well, now you can - check out theNotice's basic Photoshop tutorial for your exclusive look behind the scenes of a beauty blog!

Now that summer's in the air, Musicalhouses shows you a Summer Eye Look and a Summer Lip Look for cheap!

Need melt proof makeup? Check out the new Summer collections from Tarte. Gouldylox has the swatches and details.

Madame B Fatale shows you how to use a conical wand!

Tired of eyeshadow and blush pots taking up too much space? Try de-potting them using Kajal Couture's de-potting tutorial and place them in palettes.

Phyrra's Independent Spotlight for June is with Belén from Lost in Makeupland!

Addicted to Beauty gets serious tween envy when she spies the Happy Faces hair salon. Who wouldn't want to get their hair done whilst sitting in a pink chevrolet?

Amy Antoinette shares her top tips for dealing with Keratosis Pilaris.

Lovelaughlauren tells us her favourite products from the last few months.

Prime Beauty discovered Burberry's newest lipstick formula, Lip Mists and has some insider info for you!

At Eyelining Obsessions Claire finds her perfect pink bluch while trying some ELF Barginous Blushes.

Rachel McAdams sends Lydia from Perfectly Imperfect running to the NARS counter. Find out why!

The coveted Asylum by Sugarpill is back in stock and in the Christina the Glitterholic's hands!

Looking for an affordable gel eye liner? Be sure to check out this fabulous Gel Eye Liner by Essence at Makeup, Beauty & More.

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Handmade Reviews is hosting a Sigma Summer Giveaway with over $300 in prizes and winners every month.

Beauty Crazed is giving away 5 Lancome Desert Rose Blushes - they still think they are too pretty to use but maybe you aren't that squeamish so enter to win one!

Holiday Haulin'

2011-06-17T16:58:00.000+01:00

If you follow me on twitter you might know that I recently got a new job. And we all know that a new job = more money to spend! I took a day out of revision yesterday (I have realised what a mistake that was today) to get a few bits for my holiday to Turkey in two weeks!

The green dress was from H&M. I have my sixth form ball next friday and the dress I fell in love with was way too short (boo for being almost 6ft tall :( ) so I had to hurriedly bought a new one. This was in the sale and only cost £15, it is a very vibrant colour and it fits beautifully.
The two camis were from Tesco and cost £10 each. They have already proved to be very useful and I think they will be perfect for both being at home and being on holiday.
I saw the stripy vest on one of Holly's OOTD's and new I had to have it. It is a beautiful, light material and I think it will be fab for dressing up and down. It was from New Look and was about £20.
Finally, the shirt dress was something that normally I wouldn't have picked up but I tried it on and i'm glad I did. It is a super light fabric and fits really nicely so i'm looking forward to wearing it. It looks lovely with gold jewellry and brown wedges.

Both navy blue shorts and the white denim shorts were from H&M. They were all such a bargain, I don't think I paid over £30 for all of them together! I've wanted white denim shorts for ages so these were a fab find.
The heart print skirt was from River Island. I loved it online but it doesn't look as nice in real life. It does still look quite nice though.
Finally, the coral shorts were £32 from Miss Selfridge. I do adore them but i'm struggling to find things to go with them other than a basic white tank. Have you got any ideas/ pictures? Please link me! I might take them back as they were quite expensive and it would be a shame not to get any use out of them.

I also had the chance to go to a MAC counter (this doesn't happen very often) so I picked up Vegas Volt as i've wanted it foreverrrrrr. It really is the PERFECT summer colour. It's beyond gorgeous! I am planning on using it saturday night so I will hopefully do a FOTD and some swatches then. I also picked up the Honey Bronze Bronzing powder from The Body Shop in their 50% off sale. I have photographed it and a review will be up shortly!
I haven't actually ever 'hauled' like this before. To some of you this may not seem a lot but for me it was loads and i'm so happy! I managed to get quite a few bargains which made it a lot more bearable!
Now back to revision... i'll be free on Thursday! ♥

Beauty Blog Chat Forum

2011-06-13T17:27:00.001+01:00

I recently thought about creating a forum where all us bloggers could get together and chat all things beauty and blogging. However, when I realised that someone had already done it, we decided to collaborate! So I joined with Sarah from Sarah See All and I present you Beauty Fashion Lifestyle! Current topics include a place to share blog links, favourite drugstore products and a page for sharing what inspires you to blog. I'd love for as many people as possible to get involved as I think we could really help each other out and get some fab advice, all in one place!
You can sign up here!
If you enjoy it please spread the word; any tweeting and blogging would be really appreciated!
Lauren ox

Spring Favourites

2011-06-12T20:10:00.000+01:00

You may or may not have noticed that recently I haven't been doing monthly favourites posts. This is because I felt that I just didn't get enough new products every month and I was either showing you the same products over and over again or showing you ones just for the sake of it. So I have decided to do seasonal favourites instead!
I still haven't actually got much these past few months but the things i'm showing you are things I really am in love with and I think are definately worth buying. I want to try and buy more makeup as I haven't got much for a while and there wasn't really much that I felt was good enough to show you. I definately want to expand my blush collection, I have a serious lack of beautiful cheek colours!
Anyway, onto the favourites...

Nyx Lipgloss in Whipped and Natural Collection Lipstick in Rose Petal
This has definately been my favourite lip combo of the month. I've worn it over and over again because it just works with any makeup. Both products are super cheap (I did get the gloss from a blogsale) but fantastic quality. The gloss is a pretty peachy nude and the lipstick, although it looks quite orange-toned in the picture, is a peachy pink nude and is perfect for my skintone.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
This is hyped all over the blogosphere so I knew I had to try it. Mine is obviously well used as the packaging is just ruined but it is certainly worth giving a go. I can safely say that I know it last all day as this colour is actually too dark for me and one day I came home to orange circles round my eyes where the rest of my foundation had worn off! Cringe!

VO5 Miracle Concentrate
This is another hyped product and I resisted devoting a whole blog post to it as there are loads floating about at the moment. I got this on offer at Superdrug and i'm really glad I picked it up. A little goes a long way and it really does make my hair look noticably sleeker and smoother- and it feels amazing! I know this will last for ages.

Johnsons Refreshing Gel Wash
I truly believe this deserves a whole post devoted soley to it, but as I have inundated you with skincare posts as of late I thought I would just stick it in here instead. I would never have tried this had I not got a magazine sample but all I can say is wow. This £3 cleanser is honestly one of the best I have ever tried. It leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean, and best of all- soft. My oily skin looks fresh and clear after using this. It is so gentle but effortlessly removes makeup. It's seriously worth giving a go.

Avene Eau Thermale
When I first got this I just thought it would be water in a can but i've actually got so much use out of it. It resided in my bad throughout those few warmer weeks and was great for refreshing my skin and my makeup. I also can't wait to get some of this for my holiday, a smaller can will be fab for the plane.

Avon Skin So Soft Fusions Moisturiser
If you've never tried Avon's Skin So Soft range where have you been?! I have tried several products and they have all been fabulous, and this is my current favourite. I adore the smell (it might be a bit old lady-ish for some) and it is light but a great body moisturiser.

St. Moritz Self Tanning Mousse
I'm a hopeless fake tanner but this is almost fool proof! The guide colour makes it easier to get an even tan (but I still manage to get it wrong) and in my opinion the smell isn't offensive. The best thing, though, is the price!

Models Own Bloo Bloo & Revlon One Perfect Coral
Bloo Bloo is a new favourite whereas One Perfect Coral is something i've been loving for years. They're both perfect summer colours and they both apply beautifully. Favourite colours!

I hope you enjoyed my favourites! Sorry they weren't that exciting!

Rediscovering old loves

2011-06-08T18:00:00.000+01:00

We all love the thrill of buying new products but recently i've enjoyed rediscovering a couple of gems in my collection.

Nivea Tinted Moisturising Day Cream

Now, I had a very good reason to stop using this product. The last time I used it, on holiday, (so I had a good tan) I put it on as normal and for whatever reason it just turned orange. I'm talking bright orange, and it was shameful. I went out and spent the whole night so embarrassed that I vowed never to use this stupid product ever again. However, after 'shopping my stash' and digging it out, I decided to give it another go. Sure enough, when I put it on, it gave me a beautiful finish and- best of all- there was no tangerine in sight. I'm so glad I rediscovered this, it is a lovely product and it was a shame to ignore it.

Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion

When these gradual tanners first came out I think my mum and I must have tried every single one on the market. Years later, this is the one she keeps repurchasing, and I can tell why. I gave up on them when I realised I could have an 'instant tan' with proper fake tanning products, but my poor application skills left me looking streaky and feeling a bit disheartened. So I decided to give this a go again and the results were fantastic. My legs looked smooth and evenly tanned, I even had quite a few compliments! I will definately be reaching for this over the summer as it is an easy way to get a natural, even tan.

Which products have you discovered recently?

NOTD: Models Own Grace Green

2011-06-07T11:07:00.000+01:00

I bought this polish a good few weeks ago and have only just had the chance to test it out. It has to be said, this has quickly become one of my favourites. Opaque in one coat (although I applied two just because) and it lasts for days. This picture was taken after 5 days wear!
I just adore Models Own!

P.S how'd you like the new layout? I'm not 100% convinced by it yet, i'm still playing around to make it just right :) x

Beauty Blog Link Love!

2011-06-04T10:14:00.000+01:00

So i've finally joined Beauty Blog Link Love! I think it's a fab way of discovering new blogs so I was really keen to take part!

Madame B Fatale tests a fun gimmicky product with some not so amazing results.

Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone, and slip into summer? Then be sure to check out this melon and teal makeup look over at theNotice - you won't be disappointed!

Phyrra gives you her take on the Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Sticks.

AOYV shares her tryst with Inglot eyeshadows and shares with fellow Canadians how to access this fabulous brand.

Pammy Blogs Beauty finds a new "Holy Grail" product with MAC's Prep & Prime Vibrancy Eye Primer.

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed is already thinking about fall - but she can't help it, it's Chanel! Come check out the Illusions d'Ombres De Chanel fall collection and you'll understand why she's so weak!

Vesna from Beauty addict blog has a thing for Inglot products lately! Her favorite Inglot item at the moment is definitely 420P eyeshadow so check out what she loves about it so much!

Here's my link: Beautywoome just reviewed the best airbrush tan EVER.

Not having a good day (like Tracy, at Beauty Reflections)? See how the Sephora Flashy Liner helped her to face the day!

Want a fancy perfume but hate the price? Jeweled Thumb finds something similar to a popular and expensive Juicy Couture one. Best part? It's $10!

Beauty's Bad Habit shares her five favourite make-up finds for under £5 because everyone loves a bargain!

Need a sheer foundation for summer? Check out My Lips But Better's comparison chart for Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua vs. Clinique Moisture Surge. Which will be the winner?

Hair prone to frizz? With the weather in the UK always indecisive it's good to find something that can control that frizz. Has LaaLaa over at Dolce Vanity found that with Sedu Anti Frizz Polishing Treatment?

MAC's Big Bounce Shadows got a bad rap, but Kajal Couture shows you how to make them work.

Looking for a new curling iron? Sophie tries and tests the Remington Pearl Conical Wand!

Don't have the budget for the Mac Big Bounce shadows? Jo checks out Rimmels 8 hour colour mousse and is very impressed!

Nicoletta's Beauty Space tries out some of her favourite Sleek True Color lipsticks.

"Project Bathroom" Update

2011-06-03T12:25:00.000+01:00

A while ago (yes, I know it was ages) I set out on a little mission to clear my bathroom cupboards of the hundreds of lotions and potions I had accumulated over the last few years. It was sort of like a project 10 pan, but more like a "project as-many-as-I-can pan". I stole the name 'Project Bathroom' from the lovely Rosalyn from Primp & Preen! So check out her blog :)
Anyway, a few months on, here are the products i've managed to use up.

(this is only a fraction of the products- the ones I remembered not to chuck away!)

A little round up of the products I used up...

Imperial Leather Skin Bliss Shower Gel
Fantastic stuff. Definate repurchase in the future.

Dove Firming Body Lotion
Average, definately doesn't firm.

Soap & Glory Flake Away
Fab-u-lous. Amazing Stuff! DEFINATE repurchase (when I get through all my other body scrubs!)

Toni & Guy Warm Blonde Shampoo
Nothing special. See my review here.

Austrailian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleanser
Amazing! Can't wait to get my hands on more of this! See my review here.

Herbal Essences Conditioner (the green one!)
Used this for years but just got bored. Average product.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle
I quited liked this, but I thought it would be important to mention that once it 'ran out' and I couldn't squeeze anymore out of the normal hole, once opened up I got
about 5/6 more uses out of it! So remember to check!

Sami Fat Hair Shampoo
Again, average. See my review here.

Boots Cucumber facial scrub
Such a bargain! Genuinely quite a good product considering it was only a couple of pounds.

No 7 Cleanse And Care Eye Makeup Remover
Certainly worth buying if you have the £5 till splits. Otherwise, waaaay too expensive.

Collection 2000 perfecting Minerals Foundation
Sad that this has gone :( So worth buying!

2 packs of Simple face wipes
Quite boring but good essential products.

Garnier Pure Active Deep Cleansing Wash
Good for bad skin, read my review here

Trevor Sorbie Intensive Conditioning Treatment
LOVEEEEE it! One of the best hair treatments i've ever used. Review can be found here.

So that's it!
Sorry this was probably a boring post but I think i've gotten through a lot of products! I'm really happy :) Link me your project 10 pan/ project bathroom posts!

Product Review: H&M Lipglosses

2011-05-31T15:33:00.000+01:00

You may have heard about the almost-too-good-to-be-true discounts that H&M were offering a couple of weeks ago. I knew I had to make an order and as you had to spend a certain amount I ended up adding these two to my basket. After a lot of kufuffle they finally arrived and I knew instantly that I would have to tell you about them.
I've never tried H&M makeup but as these cost me only £1.99 each I figured they were worth a go. I got the colours Sweet Talk me- a pretty coral pink with lots of shimmer and Bite Me Blondie- a pearly nude. The packaging looks expensive and sleek and definately gets a big thumbs up from me.

When I first saw these I was honestly blown away. They are so beautiful in real life and I think the photograph captures this well. I just can't stop looking at them! They are both very pretty colours in the tube. I wanted Sweet Talk Me to be my 'go-to' summer colour.

On the lips, however, the colour just doesn't show up the same. They both might aswell be clear glosses with shimmer. Words cannot express how much I wish they looked the same on the lips as they do in the tube as I am head over heels in love with them! I think they will be great over lipsticks as they last brilliantly. The texture is comparable to the MAC Lipglasses/ Dazzleglasses as they are quite sticky and you cannot feel the glitter in them on your lips at all.
However, for £1.99, I cannot complain!
Have you ever bought a H&M Lipgloss? What were your thoughts?

17 Blush powders

2011-05-30T12:49:00.001+01:00

I have been really enjoying buying blushes as of late. Only recently I realised that my blush collection left a lot to be desired and I was using the same colours over and over again. Yesterday, I decided to take advantage of the 3 for 2 offer at Boots and pick up three new 17 Blushers that i'd had my eye on for a while.
17 is a brand that I regularly dabble in. It is a cheap makeup pick-me-up and I honestly haven't tried a product from their range that I have been disappointed with.

The colours I picked up were (clockwise from left) China Pink- a warm toned peachy pink, Nude- a neutral nude with a pretty pearlescant sheen and Plum Puff-a dusky pink with brown undertones.

As before
In terms of formulation, these are really soft and therefore really blendable. China Pink and Nude are extremely pigmented and Plum Puff is definately buildable. They have a subtle shimmer to them and I find they really lift the skin and give you a nice glow.

China Pink, Nude, Plum Puff
The swatches really don't do the shades justice- they need to be tried out to see them in their full glory. I initially thought Nude would be a good dupe for Benefit Dallas (one of my favourite blushes) but it is a lot darker and has pinkier undertones.
I really do love these and they were so worth spending your pennies on. I definately want to pick up the rest of the colours- unfortunately they were sold out when I bought these.
Have you got any of these? What are your thoughts?

Beauty UK Peaches and Cream Baked Blush

2011-05-22T16:58:00.000+01:00

Browsing the aisles of Superdrug I today I noticed that my local store had finally got a Beauty UK stand. There was a lot of products I wanted to get but I decided to exersize some self restraint and pick up only one item- one of their new baked blushes.

For £3.99 you get 4.4g of product which is quite a lot considering for a MAC Mineralize blush you get only 3.5g for £17.50.
This product is very smooth in texture. The colour is a peachy gold with coral pink running through it.
Baked blushes are notorious for providing buildable colour, and this product is no exception. When first applied I was disappointed; there appeared to be no colour payoff at all. However, when applied with a heavier hand I found that it really gave the cheeks a soft golden pink glow. I really want to try some of the other colours in the range as they appear to be a lot more pigmented, and will certainly be picking some up soon.

Avene Skincare Winner!

2011-05-19T21:04:00.000+01:00

So my Avene giveaway ended yesterday so I thought I would annouce the winner as soon as possible!
I was pleased to find that it is someone that I talk to on twitter and someone who's blog I read...
Steph from Random Rambles

I have tweeted you and sent you an email so look out for them!
Thanks for entering everyone x

Let's talk summer foundation #

2011-05-18T15:38:00.000+01:00

I love summer. It will always be my favourite season but I find it impossible to wear heavy makeup in the hot weather. I like to let my skin breathe a little and my skin only gets oilier as the weather gets warmer. This is why I decided to give my beloved Estee Lauder Double Wear a rest and try out some new, more summer appropriate foundations. I'll admit, I bought quite a few. They were all super cheap but these two in particular stood out to me and I knew I had to feature them on my blog. I got them both from Fragrance Direct - I can't resist a bargain!

Revlon ColourStay Mineral Mousse
I've wanted to try Revlon Colourstay for a while but the heavy coverage and expensive price tag- for a high street product, anyway- put me off. When I saw this little baby on the Fragrange Direct website I knew I had to try it. The formula is exactly as you'd expect, a light liquid mousse but without the cakeyness or heaviness of products such as Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse. It dries to a completely matte finish and I find that is just disappears onto your skin, looking and feeling totally natural. It has SPF 20 which for me is something that I love and lasts well. The major downside to this is that you have to use a lot for each application.

Miss Sporty Light Energy Foundation
Moving from a heavy coverage to a super-light coverage foundation was a huge step for me but I really adore this product. It feels and smells like a moisturiser but warms and brightens your skin. On a 'good skin day' I really feel this foundation works wonders for my skin. I feel this would be fantastic for dry skin as it feels so natural, but it absorbs really quicky so it is necessary to work fast when applying. For less than £2 this is definately a product worth trying!
You can get both of these foundations here.

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush
I know there's a lot of reviews for this product around the blogosphere but I really cannot sing its praises enough. I was so excited to try it and it certainly didn't disappoint. It has transformed the way I put on my makeup, leaving it truly flawless and streak free. I use it by buffing in the foundation which really helps it blend into the skin. I also find this helps me get a better finish with less product. I would love to try more of the Sigma brush range as I have heard nothing but good things about them.
You can get these brushes here.

The last product I want to mention is something that I got a sample for and have absolutely loved. Clinique's Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser is something that I would never have tried had I not got a sample, but i'm so glad that I did. It comes in lots of shades (the one I tried, 03, was a little dark for me) and I really love the formula. My skin stays shine free all day and it provides the perfect amount of coverage, without me feeling guilty about clogging my skin. It is on the pricier end of the market but I am certainly going to buy it when I have more money.

What are your go-to summer foundations? I'd love to know! ♥

Giveaway reminder! +

2011-05-17T21:46:00.000+01:00

Ladies, tonight is the last night you can enter my Avene skincare giveaway!
Thanks and hello to all my new followers, and to everyone that has entered already!
Click HERE to enter ♥

OOTD & FOTD: A little bit 50's +

2011-05-14T11:45:00.000+01:00

Recently I've been taking any opportunity I can get to go out and have fun. It's no secret that exam season is nearly upon us and with this stressing me out I appreciate being able to go out and have a chat and a boogie even more. My mum got me a new dress from Primark and it fits like a dream. As soon as I saw it I knew how I would wear it- nice and simple with lashings of bright lipstick. It annoys me that the photograph doesn't at all portray just how bright this lipstick is, it got a lot of compliments. I blow dried my hair with a new mousse and it just went MASSIVE, so I simply pinned the sides back and sprayed it with hairspray.

Face:
Benefit 'That Gal' Primer
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
Maybelline Pure Foundation Mineral Powder
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin all over the lid, Half Baked on the outer corner, Buck through the crease)
Maybelline 'One By One' Volum' Express Mascara
Sleek Storm Palette matte brown for eyebrows

Lips:
No 7 Lip Pencil in 'Nude'
Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick in Persian Melon

Dress: Primark
Necklace: River Island
Shoes (barely seen) Tesco
Snake Bangle: Ebay

I'm really pleased with how this 'look' turned out. Normally I end up rushing and messing things up and feeling rubbish all night but I was quite content with how everything went. Have a lovely weekend girlies, and don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Maybelline Volum' Express One By One Mascara

2011-05-11T11:30:00.000+01:00

I always find buying a new mascara to be a bit of a chore. There are so many on the market, all with ridiculous claims, so when I find one I love I rarely stray from it.
However, after my trusty L'oreal Million Lashes ran out I decided to scour the shelves of Boots for something new. Maybelline's One By One mascara is one that I have seen a lot in the blogging community and this tempted me into purchasing it. Having never tried a Maybelline mascara before I was quite interested to see how this perfomed compared to other brands.

Maybelline claim that this mascara will create clump-free volume. This is due to the 'Lash Catcher' brush , supposedly with 3 bristles per lash. The brush is made of a chunky, rubbery plastic and is very flexible. It has lots of fine bristles and narrows at the corners, which I find is useful for getting right into the corners of your eyes. This mascara definately does not clump. It creates a really defined look and it effortlessly coats all of your lashes in just a couple of strokes.

The packaging is a winner for me. I love the bright coral/red colour and the shape, which stands out in my makeup bag. The overall effect of this mascara is pretty good, but it does not create the fat, volumised look that I am after. It lengthens and seperates the lashes well, but I would definately give it a thumbs down for volume. It does work well for daytime use.

NOTD: Models Own Fuzzy Peach

2011-05-07T18:41:00.000+01:00

Here's my first swatches of the Models Own Polishes I bought last week. I did try out Bloo Bloo and I absolutely fell in love with it but unfortunately my application was so poor (I blame this on my rubbish undercoat... more on that later) that I couldn't face putting it up on my blog.

I was initially after a pastel peach colour and this is a lot more vivid than what I was expecting, but it does look lovely on the nails. It is super shiny but a little streaky, but this can be sorted by applying two coats.

I tried to edit the image as little as possible. This image gives a really good idea of the actual shade but doesn't capture how gorgeously bright it is once on the nails. It really is a beautiful colour and is far from similar to any other that I own.
I also wanted to mention how happy I am with my Rimmel 3 in 1 Base, Topcoat and Strengthener. I bought this after my Bloo Bloo incident and I really, really like it. It applies really easily and the brush is a fantastic size. I haven't yet tested if it is actually strengthening but it was so cheap that i'm just happy to have a new topcoat and base coat. A big thumbs up for me!
I am going out tonight so I may do a FOTD if I have time! Have a lovely weekend ♥

Models Own Nail Polish Loot

2011-05-01T14:25:00.000+01:00

As you may or may not know, Boots are currently doing a 3 for 2 offer on all their makeup. There is lots of stuff that I want but I decided that it would be the perfect time to try a few of the Models Own nail polish shades I had been admiring for a while.

The colours I bought were Bloo Bloo, Grace Green and Fuzzy Peach.

I love everything about Models Own polishes- the packaging, the formula and the price. These are really gorgeous colours and i'm looking forward to trying them out!

Ralph Lauren Romance +

2011-04-27T17:38:00.002+01:00

I don't know about you, but nothing picks me up like a new perfume. I love adorning my dressing table with pretty bottles and this one has been a wonderful addition to my ever growing collection.
Housed in timeless, classic packaging, Romance is the perfect summer fragrance. It is romantic and feminine, a luxurious, floral scent. It is a truly lovely fragrance laced with hints of rose, lotus flower and patchouli.

As the fairytale nuptials of the modern Royal couple edge closer, Ralph Lauren have launched
this fragrance so we can all feel like a princess on April 29th.
It is available nationwide.

Blog update... %

2011-04-26T17:35:00.001+01:00

Hello girlies!
I hope you've all had a fantastic easter and have been making the most of the glorious weather we've been having.

I wanted to do a little post to just update you all and tell you that things will slow down a little on the blogging front. I am very busy at the moment, I have my A-levels coming up and a lot of uni stuff to sort out and for these reasons I will probably not be blogging as often as I have been doing.
Also, I am losing a bit of motivation. It is lovely to see the number of readers shooting up and I really, really appreciate it, but i'm finding it difficult and, most of all, expensive to carry on blogging. I am purchasing 99.9% of the things on my blog with my own money and as you can imagine it doesn't come cheap! When I have something interesting or worthy to blog about I will do but I'm finding that I am buying things and blogging for the sake of it, rather than actually putting my heart into it. Don't worry, Lovelaughlauren will still be up and running and I will still be posting weekly!
As a final note, have you entered my giveaway yet? I have a lovely set of Avene skincare goodies for you to win! Click here to enter.
Thanks for your support everyone!
xox

NOTW: Collection 2000 Wham

2011-04-22T17:30:00.000+01:00

I got this Hot Looks polish free with another Collection 2000 purchase and I was keen to try it out. I don't own any other greys so I was interested to see if it suited me. I am in two minds about this polish. One part of me thinks it's a chic, all-seasons colour and another just thinks it's a bit blah.

(Apologies for the rubbish pictures, I had to use flash and they look horrible!)
It applies easily to a glossy finish and is opaque in two coats. It is a midtone grey and has blue undertones. The longevity of the Collection 2000 polishes leave a lot to be desired but they're so cheap that it doesn't bother me having to reapply.
I wouldn't say this is a must-buy product but if you're after a cheap and cheerful grey polish that I imagine would suit most skintones then this is worth picking up.