Boots Haul

Hello my lovelies

To me there is nothing better than walking around Boots and finding new products. I could quite happily spending hours walking up and down every single aisle and seeing what takes my fancy and having a look at what brands have brought out recently. I have been on a bit of a spending ban recently so I haven’t posted my standard monthly buys post because I haven’t been buying much recently.

I know I’m shocked in myself that I haven’t been shopping in a while, but I am saving myself for my trip to Paris in September so I can visit Sephora. I have never been to one of their stores before so I am extremely excited! However I was going stir crazy recently that I hadn’t picked any new products up recently and I thought to myself go and treat yourself – I didn’t need much persuading!

Collection – Contour Kit see here

I have wanted to pick this up for the longest time but for some reason it has never made my basket before. I am really getting into contouring and annoyingly most of my favourite contouring products are high end, I thought to myself surely I can find a drug store equivalent. I am hoping this will be the one, I am not 100% convinced with the highlight shade but the contour shade looks pretty good to me. I am sure I will post a review soon on my thoughts so keep your eyes peeled!

L’Oreal – Lip Paint Nude-Ist (212) see here

Liquid lipsticks are my thing. I have an awful lot, I just love them. I do feel that it is hard to get a liquid lipstick right I have tried quite a few that are not great but also a whole load that I absolutely adore. I saw recently L’Oreal brought out their own version and I just thought it was rude not to try it out. Although it is a brown lipstick, which I have a lot of this shade is completely different to anything I own. I would say that it is a purple toned brown, it’s quite beautiful. I am beyond excited to try this out and whether it lives up to my high expectations..

Rimmel – Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour in 800 Midnight & 830 Blue Iris see here

So Rimmel have also joined the band wagon on liquid lipsticks and I thought it would be rude not to try them out. I mean for whatever reason I have gone for two colours that are more autumn/winter appropriate but I am sure I will be pulling them off all year round. I am trying to get into this whole blue lip thing, I am a little nervous but I really think it looks so good and I always say to myself you have to go out of your comfort zone every once in a while so that’s exactly what I am going to do. Their shade range is actually pretty impressive for a recent launch I really think there is a shade for everyone. Also with Rita Ora fronting the campaign I couldn’t not refuse!

Collection – Lasting Perfection Concealer in Cool Medium see here

This is a cult item for me, I can’t live without it. It’s THE best concealer on the market and I cannot be without it. I always have a backup of this and every time I am in Boots I pick it up for the price you really cannot go wrong. For anyone that hasn’t tried this little beauty out yet – WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? Go try it, it will change your life and also cover up everything you need to.

L’Oreal – Infallible Mattifying Base see here

I have had this in the past and I love it, it really is an amazing primer and for whatever reason I stopped buying it. When I was in Boots and I saw it I just knew I needed to pick it up. Especially as unfortunately my skin is now quite oily a matte base is exactly what I need and great for oil control. I really hope when I try it again I will love it as much as I used to!

Soap & Glory – Peaches & clean Deep Cleansing Milk see here 

This now my third bottle of this stuff, I blooming love it! It really is so impressive, it does exactly what it says on the tin and I don’t really have anything negative to say about it. I have a full review of this stuff here if you are thinking of picking up this may help. I always have to have a bottle of this stuff in my collection because I know I can always rely on this little baby doing what I need it to do. I don’t think it will ever rival my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish but it is sitting at my number 2 spot. Not bad for a cleanser that costs £8!

L’Oreal – Mega Volume Miss Baby Roll Mascara see here

I don’t own many L’Oreal Mascaras, for whatever reason a lot of them don’t agree with my lashes. My favourite is the Miss Manga it’s pretty damn amazing especially if you are needing a high impact mascara which is what I love. When I saw they brought this one out I thought it would be rude not to give it a go. I mean the packaging is so cute, I was sold as soon as I saw it. I really hope I enjoy it as much as my Miss Manga, don’t you worry once I have had a little play around with this I will be sure to post my thoughts.

Garnier – Micellar Cleansing Water see here

This stuff is AMAZING. It is seriously the BEST micellar water I have ever tried and I refuse to buy anything else. I have gone through countless bottles and long may this continue, I love that this year they have brought out a bigger bottle as it lasts so much longer and better value for money. As my current one was beginning to run out I knew it was time to get a new one so I won’t be without it. Honestly if you have never tried this, please I beg you go try it out I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Soap & Glory – Pore Refining Mask see here

These are new to the scene from Soap and Glory and I am so blooming excited to try this out. I seriously need all the help I can get when it comes to reducing the size of my pores. I have tried a lot of different masks and nothing seems to of really made a difference. I am hoping that this will actually do something because to me at £3.50 a pop this is quite expensive! I also have never used a sheet mask before so this will be a complete new experience for me. Don’t you worry guys I will report back on my findings soon.

Soap & Glory – Vitamin C Facial Wash see here

Last but by no means least another Soap and Glory product. They had buy one get one half price on and I thought it would be rude not to take advantage of this. This is another product from them I have never tried before and I am quite looking forward to trying this out. For a face wash it looks quite interesting and I am all up for trying new things. It says it smooths, cleans and purifies – these are pretty big statements and I will be sure to let you know if this is the case or not. For me this is quite an expensive facial wash at £8 but if it does what it is claiming then I will be impressed..

That’s all folks! Let me know if you have tried any of these products out yourself and what your thoughts are on them, I’d love to know!

-A x

REVIEW| Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette

Hello my lovelies,

Zoeva for me is a brand that a few years ago were quite unheard of and now are a pretty big deal in the beauty world. I absolutely adore their brushes. I have a lot of their sets and the next obvious step was to venture into their makeup. Again, their eyeshadow palettes have been a pretty big deal – I have had the Naturally Yours palette for quite some time now as I loved it so much I thought it was about time I tried one of their newer palettes out. It would be rude not to right!?

So as I have previously tried an eyeshadow palette from Zoeva my expectations were pretty high. But, I did worry that the formulations of the eye shadows may be different due to the difference in release dates. It took me a long while to finally decide on a palette if I’m honest it’s because they are all blooming gorgeous.

First off, I love the packaging – it’s different to anything else I have seen. It is a cardboard based palette but this is one of the sturdiest I have seen. The corners aren’t going funny and the print of the packaging isn’t wearing away either. As soon as I looked inside, I fell in love with the colour range. I mean who doesn’t love an array of gorgeous golden colours with pops of colour!?

From back to front: Bitter Start, Sweeter End, Warm Notes, Subtle Blend and Beans are White.

From Back to Front: Pure Ganache, Substitute for Love, Freshly Toasted, Infusion and Delicate Acidity.

As you can see there are a mix of shimmer and matte shades, which instantly I love because I know I can make multiple looks from the palette without having to reach for anything else. The pigmentation of the colours are pretty incredible, I mean there are so creamy and effortlessly apply to my lid whether that is using a brush or my finger for that added pigmentation of colour.

They blend wonderfully with other shades in the palette and from other brands. From this palette I have created numerous different looks and that’s what I love whether you are wanting a day to day look or you are wanting a glam smokey eye this palette has your back. For me, I am a sucker and I do most of the time stick to the brown toned shades – I am a girl of habit ok!

My only annoyance for me is that it doesn’t have a mirror, I was a little disappointed but I suppose you can’t have everything. However, it does carry the front pattern on into the inside which I love. I hate when you have a palette that has a cool design on the front and when you open it, it is plain inside – BORING.

Overall I am really happy with this palette, I have had this for a good few months now and I still always have to have it by my side. I just love it, the palette is as good if not better than the naturally yours palette which for me is pretty impressive. It still astounds me that it is only £18 which means only £1.80 per shade – WINNING! You can pick it up from here and I assure you, you won’t be disappointed. I will be most certainly picking up another palette from them soon I just have to decide what one it will be!

Let me know if you have tried this palette before and what your thoughts on the shadows are. What one would you recommend for me to get next?

-A x

July Favourites

Hello lovelies,

I cannot believe another month has passed. July is always my favourite month of the year due to the amount of birthday celebrations there are including mine! I had the best birthday filled with lots of prosecco and my favourite people around me. I don’t think I could of asked for anything more. Due to it being such a busy month I was sticking to a lot of products that I know and love. I wish I had more time experimenting but unfortunately I was just to damn busy.

NYX – Soft Matte Lip Cream in Dubai see here

If you have been reading my blog posts for a while you will know I love this range. The shade range and the formula is just amazing, however I have found that the formulations do differ from shade to shade so just beware. I love a brown lip and this is the one I have been wearing pretty much every day. It’s a beautiful matte brown shade and is so comfortable for day to day wear. I think this is quickly becoming one of my favourite shades from the range, I just love it. I have actually written a full review of soft matte lip creams here

Clinique – Clarifying Lotion see here

Now I use this as a toner after removing my make up as it actually works as an exfoliator. As it’s quite an intense toner I opted for dry to very dry skin formula just so it is as comfortable as possible on my skin. This month I have absolutely loved using this as my skin has been in complete turmoil and I think this little baby has really helped to improve my skin. I haven’t really tried much Clinique skincare but I think because I have been enjoying this so much I will definitely exploring a little more.

KIKO – Velvet Passion Matte Lipstick in 315 see here

I blooming love the formulation of this lipstick, and this colour is the newest addition to my collection. On a whole I love KIKO as a brand and is completely underrated, they offer amazing quality products and very affordable prices. As I have been a busy bee this month I have been reaching for comfortable long lasting colours and this is one that I just find so easy to apply on this lips and not have to worry about. This shade is beautiful and is something completely unlike anything else I have in my collection. I’m not usually a pink lip kind of gal, but with it’s strong blue undertones I just blooming love it. I have also reviews this range of lipsticks here

NARS – Laguna Bronzer see here

I love this bronzer and with the summer months this really is my favourite bronzer to use. It adds that shimmer that everyone loves in the glorious weather. With the warm weather over the past couple of months I thought it was about time I finally got this little baby out. I have just loved wearing it and I forgot how much I adore this product. This really is a cult classic and I know everyone has it, but there is a reason why. Lets keep the sun shinning so I can wear this even more! I even mentioned it in my Top 3 Bronzers – that’s how much I love it.

Freedom – Duo Brow Powder in Dark Brown see here

Just an FYI before I tell you how much I blooming love this product – as I came round to taking this picture for the post I dropped it on the floor. I am absolutely gutted, so I do apologise I seriously need to go out and replace this ASAP but because I love it so much I am going to have to use it until I go to my local Superdrug 😦

So, I love this stuff. It isn’t very often that I change up my eyebrow products but last month I was on the TAM beauty website and thought it was worth giving it a try. Although I was looking forward to trying it I was worried I wouldn’t like it. Boy was I wrong, I blooming love it. It is the perfect shade for my brows and the formulation is incredible. It is the only product I have been applying on my brows this month and long may in continue. Thank you Freedom for introducing me to a brilliant product!

Kat Von D – Tattoo Liner in Trooper Black see here

So although I knew that this was a good eyeliner, I just thought at the end of that day it’s just an eyeliner how impressive can it really be. Well, I was seriously proved wrong I am so obsessed with this – I won’t go out of the house without applying this. This is the only eyeliner I have been applying for about 6 weeks now, everything else has been pushed aside. Just, wow. The ease of applying this is incredible and gives the perfect line – although I think it’s pricey for a eye liner it’s a blooming good investment and now I don’t see my life without it!

Let me know whether you have tried any of these products and what you think of them, I would love to know!

-A x

Top 3 – Concealers

Hello my lovelies,

Concealer to me is a big deal. I don’t think I can live my life without them. When you have bags under your eyes or blemishes on your face, what product do you turn to – concealer. I feel now more than ever there is fierce competition between brands of creating the best concealer. For me, there is only a few out there that I well and truly adore that I use time and time again.

Normally I find it hard to whittle down my favourite products in a category but this one was simple. I like high coverage that doesn’t look cakey and doesn’t dry my skin out. Not too hard to ask for right? But actually it is and these little babies I just know I could never live without..

Estee Lauder – Double Wear Stay in Place Flawless Wear Concealer see here

This is one of my most newest concealers to my collection and I instantly fell in love. The double wear range for me is blooming impressive. It is long wearing and feels comfortable and doesn’t even crease under the eyes – impressed? I certainly am! If I know that I have a blemish that needs some serious coverage of my skin needs to look flawless for a long duration this is my first and only thought. It even has SPF 10 in it, I find with concealers this is hard to come by so for me this is another winner.

Although this isn’t something I wear on a daily basis if I need that extra pick me up I know I can count on this little baby. Just for your reference the shade I use is 2C, light medium (cool). I have actually written a review about this concealer, if you haven’t read it you can see my thoughts in further detail here

L.A Girl – PRO.conceal High-Definition Concealer see here

I have had this for quite some time, I think I picked this up around 2 years ago at IMATS in London on a whim. I had never heard of the brand and for some reason I thought it would be good to try it out. I gave it a go and really enjoyed it and for some reason I forgot about it. Then came a massive hype in the beauty world about these concealers and I thought it was about time I used it again. I fell in love and now I know I just can’t be without it.

This is slightly different to the other concealer in this post whereby it has a brush application, not something I am a massive fan of but we can’t like everything can we and I am rather picky! I would say this is a medium coverage concealer and is definitely buildable especially if you have a blemish that needs an extra layer of coverage. It is super easy to apply the one thing I would say is that it can crease under the eyes but if you powder enough you are absolutely fine! It’s a little gem for £5 in my eyes. For your reference the shade I use is GC970 Light Ivory.

Collection – Lasting Perfection Concealer see here

I don’t think I haven’t met a person that hasn’t used this concealer. It is still highly regarded in the beauty world and is constantly sold out when I go to my local counter. It’s a little annoying but I know why – it’s because it’s AMAZING. I mean it, this really is the best concealer on the market for me. I can’t get enough of it, I have gone through ridiculous amounts of tubes of this. I mean it doesn’t look like a lot on the outside but seriously the formula of this is perfect for my skin.

I use this near enough everyday and I just can’t be without it. Every time I start a new one I then buy another one because I’m too scared to use it up or worse loose it! The shade I use is cool medium which is the perfect shade for under the eyes to brighten and actually for blemishes. It somehow counteracts the redness and just covers with barely any effort. If you haven’t ever tried this before – then what have you been doing, going and find it because I’m pretty sure you will love it and be obsessed like me!

Have you tried any of these concealers before, what do you think of them? What concealers would be in your Top 3?

-A x

Empties #7

Hello my lovelies,

Another empties post, I know! I am getting through a lot of products at the moment, a lot of them are skincare as recently my skin has just been awful so I have been using different products to see if they will help to do the trick. Who doesn’t love an empties post anyway!?

L’Oreal – Pure Clay Detox Wash see here

I brought this a couple of months back because I enjoy the Detox face mask an awful lot – I knew I had to try this. My oh my I LOVE it. I honestly think this is my favourite face wash of all time, I know big statement. It smells exactly like the detox face mask and feels like your applying the mask because it’s so thick. Because of this it feels blooming amazing on the skin, it really does do the job of washing all the impurities away from my skin. For the amount you get the price point is pretty impressive, a little goes a long way and I actually LOVE washing my face because of this product. Weird I know. Seriously if you haven’t tried this yet go check it out, I have already picked up another one as I know I just can’t live without it!

PS Love Your Skin – Gentle Cleansing Wipes 

If you have read my blog for a little while you know these are pretty much the only cleansing wipes I use. I don’t use them for removing make up I just use them for removing swatches or if I make a little error on my make up these are by my side. I just find them the nicest ones to use and not too expensive. Cleansing wipes can seriously be expensive but whenever I am in Primark I always pick two packs of these up for £1 – you can’t go wrong!

Montagne Jeunesse – Peel-Off Masque Anti Stress see here

I don’t use sachet face masks very often, I use an awful lot of bottles/jar face masks as I feel that these are better value for money. I have had this sitting in my collection for a while and with my skin feeling a little under the weather I thought I would give this a go. Its scented lovely, obviously with this having cucumber extract it was very soothing for the skin. I was very much enjoying the mask until I had to take it off. Obviously this is a peel off mask but my oh my it was a bugger to take off. It states anti stress – well I was stressed trying to take it off. I struggled so much! I did feel though however it did soothe my skin and my pores looked in better shape than before. Not sure whether I would pick this up again but I enjoyed trying something new..

PS Love – Oval Cosmetic Pads 

Now I am not going to talk about these an awful lot as these are in literally every single empties post – whoops! These are the only cotton pads I use they are the perfect size and for 90p you seriously cannot go wrong. Now, I am getting a little worried as I have been in two different Primark stores recently and they have none in stock. I really do hope they haven’t discontinued them because I don’t know what I will do without them. If you have seen them please let me know as I am running low!

Radox – Feel Ready with Pomegranate & Red Apple Scent Shower Gel see here

Shower gel is quite a basic thing to me but I am picky when it comes to scents. When I am away for weekends I usually pick up whatever is on offer and on this occasion this was the one I picked up. I’m not usually a massive pomegranate fan but I love the scent of apples and with the summer months I thought this was the perfect scent. I love a fruity vibe in warmer months. I enjoyed using it but I didn’t feel like it was anything special, the scent didn’t last for a long time on my skin but it did the job.

Soap and Glory – the ULTIMELT see here

I love my cleansers and I am also loving Soap and Glory’s skincare range. I have actually written a full review on this product here so if you want to find out a little more go have a read. I really do love this though, although the packaging reminds me an awful lot of toothpaste. I have actually already picked another one of these up because I love it so much. I always think sometimes it’s best to stick to what you love.

Liz Earle – Cleanse & Polish see here

If you have read my blog for some time you know that I absolutely adore Liz Earle as a brand and more importantly their Cleanse and Polish. Seriously I don’t think I have found a cleanser that impresses me more. I absolutely adore it and whenever someone is looking for a new cleanser I always suggest this one. It’s absolutely wonderful and my skin is also a massive fan. This is a mini bottle I have used up through trips away and travelling but I do have an awful lot of these bottles waiting in the wing to take it’s place!

Simple – Kind To Skin Smoothing Facial Scrub see here

I have gone through countless tubes of this, it is my all time favourite scrub and nothing will replace it. I do from time to time try other scrub products out but nothing else comes close to this little baby. It’s cheap and it does exactly what it says on the tin. I do feel that Simple is a little underrated as a brand, the products that it has are pretty impressive and I would totally recommend this one. Again, I have mentioned this in previous Empties posts and I’m sure they will be in more to come!

Cattier Paris – Masque Argile Clay Mask see here

I received this sample mask quite some time ago and unfortunately has just been neglected and left at the back of my drawer, as I was having a little sort out I found this and decided to try it. It’s a clay mask which are my favourite and it’s pink – what could be better!?  I really enjoyed using this actually, it isn’t a brand I have heard of before but is something I am going to have a look into. My skin really felt a whole load better and actually really helped my skin out. I love that it actually comes in a tube – I think I might have to go and buy this!

Another empties post over! Let me know if you have tried any of these products out and what your thoughts of them are – I would love to know. If you haven’t seen my last empties post, see here

-A x

 

REVIEW| MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer

Hello my lovelies,

So as you may know by now if you have read a few of my previous blog posts, I love lipstick and recently I have well and truly fell in love with liquid lipstick. My face is not complete without something on my lips. A matte lip is always a winner, very rarely will you see me with a shine on my lips. I think that is where my love of liquid lipsticks has come into play. An awful lot of brands are bringing out their own take on a liquid lipstick – it would be rude not to try them out right?

For me, MUA has never been a brand I have gone to for lipsticks and actually in recent years I very rarely even look at their stands. I think I feel that it’s too young for me as I was forever buying eyeshadow palettes from them in my teens. I do feel as though they have upped their game recently and the Velvet Lip Lacquer most definitely caught my eye when I was walking past!

So I obviously couldn’t pick up what I call a ‘normal’ shade – I like a bold lip ok! The shade I picked up is Kooky, interesting name.. I picked it up in my trusty local Superdrug store here for £3.00 who can turn down that bargain. The shade itself is a bright purple shade, which I love to wear and I thought it would be the perfect shade to add to my collection.

The packaging is pretty basic and standard for a liquid lipstick, I do like the gold top – yes I like packaging a lot and it does determine sometimes whether I pick it up or not. It has a doe foot applicator which for me is the best way to apply it so first impressions I was impressed.

I then opened the lipstick to be greeted with a very sweet scent, the scent reminds me of my lip gloss that I used to own from about 10 years ago. I mean it’s very nostalgic but it is fairly strong scented so I would beware if you are sensitive to smells, I mean it’s not a bad smell but it does give you headache if you sniff it too much.

The application of the lipstick is very easy, sometimes I find that formulas can be  very thick and hard to move around the lips but actually this one is controllable and doesn’t leave streaks along the outline of your lips – does anyone else have this issue or is it just me!? The pigmentation is pretty impressive actually, I felt after one application it was the perfect shade and the packaging shade was near enough the same colour as was what was on my lips.

So I know what you are all interested in is the staying power. I am very pleased to report back that I am very impressed. I have tried this countless times, ate and drunk and it didn’t budge. It didn’t feel cakey on my lips or like it was there at all really. You can feel it on first application while it’s drying but after that I didn’t really feel anything. I hate it when you feel like you can’t move your lips or you just feel a huge amount of product on your lips.

I always do worry that with the staying power being so impressive that it will be a bugger to remove but actually it was a dream. It was easily removed from my lips and I did use various cleansers to make sure it just wasn’t just a certain product. Another tick in the box from me!

Overall, I blooming impressed. This is a very good liquid lipstick, it ticks all the right boxes for me and I really enjoy wearing it. My only annoyance is they haven’t got a wide range of colours, but I know if I find another colour I love as much as this one I will most certainly be picking up – how you can refuse it for £3!? Seriously if you are thinking about trying this out I would really recommend it and what do you have to loose you won’t be breaking the bank!

Let me know if you have tried this formula out and your thoughts of it, also any colours that you would recommend for me to pick up next!

-A x

Top 10 Beauty Products Under £10

Hello my lovelies,

So I love a bargain, and actually I love the drugstore. There is nothing better than looking round Boots or Superdrug finding some gems. It’s one of my favourite things to do and I at least visit the drugstore once a month – normally more! For me, the drugstore have really upped their game. I’m loving so many things at the moment and I thought it would be good to share with you my favourite beauty products that are under £10.

Garnier – Micellar Cleansing Water see here

I adore this stuff, it is one of the only micellar waters I have tired and I wouldn’t want to try or using anything different. I use this day and night and always comes to save the day. I don’t think I could live without this bottle of goodness. Honestly, if you have not tried this – go and do it. What I love even more is that they have recently brought out the 700ml bottle which means it lasts even longer – winning! The 700ml bottle is around £8.00 but is always on offer and honestly this lasts a long time! Complete bargain in my eyes.

Collection – Primed & Ready Mattifying Pore Minimiser see here

I love this primer, this is primer I use on a daily basis. I have found it tricky to find a good drugstore primer and this one really is the one that stands out for me. I think because it is mattifying and a pore reducer this really calls out to me. As I am getting older I am having issues with oily skin and large pores and this comes along and reduces them nicely before applying foundation. If you are on the hunt for a mattifying primer I would seriously head down to your local collection counter and check it out.

Rimmel – Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in 063 Eastend Snob see here

I love this lip liner, so much so it is the first ever lip liner I have used up completely and had to buy another one. It is a beautiful colour and goes with so many of my lipsticks. It applies so easily and is very comfortable on the lips. My favourite thing about this lip liner though is that it is retractable – no sharpening required. Lip liners for me have become such an important part of my makeup and finding one that you absolutely adore can be hard – Rimmel just need to bring out more shades please!

NYX – Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Teddy see here

I have recently wrote a review on this liquid lipstick here so if you want a more detailed review I recommend you go check my post out. For anyone that just wants a quick rundown – it’s amazing. If you like liquid lipsticks and are a nude/brown fan that this line is for you. If I am undecided as to what to put on my lips then I always opt for this because I know that I love it and the shade is perfect. If I am honest NYX for liquid lipsticks all round are pretty impressive. If you haven’t brought one yet – what are you doing!? Get down to your local Boots ASAP!

Rimmel – Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder see here

For me this is the best powder in the drugstore, no ifs or buts – it’s a fact. This for me is a powder that for years was the only thing I have used. I think it’s blooming brilliant. For me I never have much to say about powders because they do what they say on the tin and actually I find them quite hard to compare. I just know I like this one, and you know me – I stick to what I know. I have tried other drugstore powders – I promise but I always seem to go back to this one..

Maybelline – Lash Sensational see here

Now I know everyone and there dog loves this mascara, but seriously it’s because it’s amazing. I try not to talk too much about this product because I know everyone has seen it time and time before – there is a reason for this though. It’s incredible – it’s one of the only drugstore mascaras that I will actually go out and repurchase. Like everyone, I am quite picky when it comes to mascara and this one ticks near enough every box for me. Again if you haven’t tried this where have you been!? Go check it out, I don’t think you will regret it.

Collection – Lasting Perfection Concealer see here

This is another product that I don’t think I could live my life without. It is my holy grail and will forever be my favourite concealer. I mean I love other ones but I don’t think anything will come close to this baby. I blooming love it – I go through so many tubes of this and long may this continue. This is the product that introduced me to the brand Collection and I have never looked back. It is simply the best all rounder concealer on the market. It isn’t too heavy, but has medium coverage and easily buildable as well as being extremely comfortable on the skin – what more could you want!?

Soap and Glory – Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk see here

What a cleanser, I am pretty impressed with this. It is something I have only this year discovered and is such a lovely cleanser to use. I don’t think it is quite as good as my trusty Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish but this is perfect to use on a daily basis and easily removes my make up. I have wrote a more detailed review of this cleanser here so go check it out if you are wanting to find out more information on this product.

I heart Makeup – Goddess of Love Triple Baked Highlighter see here

Again, another product I have spoken a lot about on my blog but there is a reason why – because it’s amazing. It is a beautiful highlighter, I love to wear a golden highlighter and this is a perfect alternative to MAC’s Soft & Gentle and BECCA Champagne POP. This is a highlighter I wear near enough on a daily basis, I just think it’s perfect. It’s not got too much glitter and while it gives you a gorgeous glow it is not too in your face. I know the brand is aimed towards young teenagers with the packaging, but don’t right the products off until you have tried them.

Bourjois – Delice de Poudre, Bronzing Powder in 52 see here

I think this is one of my favourite bronzers I have ever found. I mentioned this in my Top 3 – Bronzers so obviously I love it a lot. It is definitely a well loved product which will forever have a place in my heart. I wear this bronzer near enough on a daily basis. The pigmentation is really quite impressive and considering I have had this a long while I don’t see myself hitting pan anytime soon. The best part about it – is that is smells divine. Who doesn’t want a product that smells of chocolate!?

Let me know if you have tried any of these products and whether they make it into your top 10!

-A x

REVIEW| Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer

Hello my lovelies,

Concealer – it’s not something I have really touched upon and I’m not too sure why because I think it’s so damn important. It always comes to the rescue in times in need when you have a spot appear or your knackered and need to cover dark circles. For me, I find it hard to find a concealer that I like. I am the girl that sticks to Collection, Lasting Perfecting Concealer and it does the job. This year I told myself that I needed to branch out and actually try new concealers.

One of the ones I have picked up in recent months is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer, I have the foundation and I really enjoy it in fact I mentioned it in my Top 3 – High End Foundations because I love it so much. For me it was the next logical step to see whether the concealer to match was any good..

First off, the name is really long – who needs a product with a name this long. For me I shorten it to the Double Wear Concealer – easy right? I actually went to my local Estee Lauder counter and was colour matched, I have never reaaally thought to get colour matched to a concealer but actually it was really helpful because the range is so extensive. For reference I have been matched to 2C Light Medium (cool).

The packaging is pretty standard, but I like that it has a doe foot applicator – for me it is the easiest and best way to apply concealer. I don’t really like tubes where your squeezing product out as I always use too much. I’m all about ease and being practical. The product itself is actually fairly light considering it is part of the double wear range. It easily blends into the skin and I never feel as though it sits on the skin especially under my eyes looking cakey.

Although it has a light consistency feel to it, this is a very heavy coverage concealer. I am quite impressed by the fact that actually it isn’t very heavy on the skin. I always use this when I am having a bad skin day – although I know it is very heavy and normally I would stay away from this when my skin is not at it’s best but actually it does the job. It covers those unwanted marks and blemishes without feeling like you have lots of layers of product on your face probably which normally causes more harm than good.

As it is part of the double wear range, it does last for a long period of time. Whenever I look at my face after a long day I always knows that I have some coverage left with this little baby. I will say for me, I can’t wear the double wear foundation and concealer together. It’s too much – my skin does feel too heavy because of how high coverage they both are. Unless I had spots all over my skin and it was a disaster I wouldn’t wear these two together, but I think this is mainly down to personal choice.

Overall, I like the concealer a lot. Probably not a concealer I will choose to wear on a daily basis as I don’t always need a heavy coverage. But, on the days that you need a magical product to solve all your problems – this is the one. It really is my savior on days where my and my skin are not friends. For the price of the concealer it is definitely an investment but one I would make time and time again. If you want to check it out, you can here – when I go onto the Estee Lauder website and actually see what they say about the concealer I probably agree with almost everything they say it does. Not bad right?

Let me know if you have tried this concealer and your thoughts on this.

-A x

Birthday Wishlist

Hello my lovelies,

I am back with a slightly different post, but I like reading these sorts of posts and as my birthday is fast approaching I thought I would do one. Normally I give my list of what I want to my family months in advance, sad I know but I blooming love birthdays. Especially mine, and I am that person that draws it out for as long as possible – who doesn’t love a good celebration!? My birthday is on the 22nd July, so if anyone is after buying me a present this may help 😉

I actually found it pretty difficult this year, as the years go by I want less & less, I just always buy it myself. This year my lovely boyfriend is taking me to Paris in September as part of my birthday – I am beyond excited for this! For me, I do like receiving gifts that aren’t on my list – it’s a good test for me on how well people know me – anyone else think this? Anyway this is a little bit of fun and a helping hand if people are struggling what to get me.

1. Too Faced – Better than Sex Mascara see here

I have wanted this for the longest time, for some reason I have always put off buying this for myself & I’m not sure why. I know I really want to try it out – it was the first thing I thought of when I was thinking of what I would like for my birthday. Weirdly, I don’t own much Too Faced makeup at all so I really need to delve into their products because I have heard so many good things.

2. Happiness can be found – Dumbledore Quote see here

I love a good quote me – if anyone knows me they know I LOVE Harry Potter. It has always been a big part of my childhood & it still is now. I watch the films constantly and I have been to Harry Potter studios countless times. The inspiring quotes in both the books and films have always stayed with me and this one is very apt for me at the moment, overcoming a lot of struggles and remembering to stay positive.

3. Urban Decay – Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette see here

This is a recent launch that I just need to get my hands on. I have 3 of the other Naked palettes and I need this to add to my collection. The shades are beautiful, these are the shades I have been experimenting with recently & I can just hear it calling out my name, sadly it is currently sold out & I feel this is going to be a struggle to get hold of for a little while which makes me sad 😦

4. MAC – Blue Brown Pigment see here

This is another product I have wanted for the longest time. Every time I go to buy it, it is always sold out. I just think is beautiful & I really want to get my hands on it. MAC is a brand that I have fallen out of love a little, but actually I know if I walked into a MAC store I would come out with so many things. This really is top of my list right now, who can say no to this beautiful pigment!?

5. Moana DVD see here

I haven’t seen this yet and I know I need to. I have heard so many good things about it I just want to watch it. No one wanted to watch it in the cinema with me and now it’s on DVD I want to get it. Who doesn’t want to check out the latest Disney film? I have heard a lot of the songs and already I know I’m going to love the film.

6. Mickey Mouse Medium Soft Toy see here

If anyone has seen my room, I have an awful lot of Disney soft toys. It’s a love of mine and I love every single one of them dearly they sit on my bed and most of the time I end up sleeping with them. I am always wanting new ones especially when I recently went to DisneyLand Paris I wanted them all. For some reason I have a Minnie, but no Mickey – how is this even possible!? So for my birthday I think it is only right that I have them both so Minnie is no longer on her own. Whats Minnie without Mickey!?

7. Zoeva – Coral Spectrum Blush Palette see here

This is another product I have wanted for the longest time, I haven’t placed a Cult Beauty order for a little while and I can’t justify buying other products just so I can get free delivery – yes I am that person & plus I like the samples you get with your order. I love blush and as I am getting older I am not after that bright pink cheeks I want a more subtle cheek colour and this palette looks absolutely perfect! Zoevea is an amazing brand, so anything from the brand would be amazing!

So that’s all guys, there are other things I would like, like for my makeup to be done by MAC for my actually birthday as I am having a little party and every girl needs to pampered on her birthday along with a spa day with my bestie Nadia as our birthdays are quite close together. Or prosecco – I blooming LOVE the stuff. Who knows what I will receive and what I do receive I will be forever grateful.

I will be doing a ‘What I got for my Birthday’ post so keep your eyes peeled for the days that follow the 22nd July. My countdown has well & truly begun!

-A x

June Buys

Hello my lovelies,

Another month has gone and that means I have done a serious amount of shopping, whoops! I just get carried away and too many things call my name when I am in a shop I just can’t say no! I just have a shopping addiction and I am ok about it, everyone has a vice and that is mine. I just love buying beauty products – I get sucked into all the deals and end up spending waaay to much money that I had budgeted for. I don’t think I am the only one – am I?

Boots 

Yes this is a monthly trip, I actually had two trips to Boots this month so just a pre-warning that this was not all brought in one fail swoop. Thinking about it – I don’t know why I am justifying myself I still did buy it all no matter how many trips I made!

John Frieda – Frizz Ease Daily Miracle Leave in Conditioner see here

I don’t buy many hair products, but I have been stuck in a rut with my hair care products and I thought it was about time I jazz it up a bit starting with a new leave in conditioner. Let’s see how this goes!

Simple – Kind to Skin Smoothing Facial Scrub see here

This is a firm favourite for me and I love using this exfoliator. This is one of the only exfoliators I have ever repurchased, I have been through countless bottles of this and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

Garnier – Pure Active Anti Blemish Clarifying Tonic see here

I actually picked this up due to binge watching Miss Budget Beauty on YouTube a few weeks ago and she said that this product has really helped her skin/ I have had a few issues with my skin recently so I thought there was no harm in trying this. I will be sure to let you know my thoughts on this in the coming months.

Boots – Nail Polish Remover see here

A cheap and cheerful product that I needed to pick up. My current nail polish remover is running low so I knew I need to stock up before it ran out. I never get anything fancy – for me it’s there to do one thing remove your nail polish!

Clinique – Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm see here

I have wanted to try some Clinique skincare for the longest time and I have heard so many good things about the cleansing balm that I bit the bullet and brought it. I am very excited to add this to my collection and try this out!

Clinique – Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer see here

So I actually picked up a sample of this last month see here and I fell in love. It is incredible, I knew that I couldn’t let the sample run out without getting the full size bottle so I could continue to wear it. I will be doing a full review on this in the next couple of weeks so keep your eyes peeled.

As I had brought two Clinique products I actually received a free gift yay! It was a makeup bag full of mini’s of some of their products which is perfect because I haven’t really tried anything from them – perfect way to try some of their products out before buying them full size! In the bag was:

Moisture Surge see here

Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion see here

Pep-start 2 in 1 Exfoliating Cleanser see here

Pep-start Eye Cream see here

Long Last Lipstick in Watermelon see here

High Impact Mascara in 01 Black see here

Quick Fix Facials – Purifying Charcoal Mask see here

I have seen that these have been out for a while and I have always just walked past them. As I mentioned I have been trouble with my skin recently so I am really hoping that this will help me out!

L’Oreal – Hydra Genius see here

I have heard so much about this product this month that it was heard not to pick this up. I am very intrigued about this, I have never really tried to much skincare from them so this will be interesting to see what this does for my skin, of course I will report back to you and let you guys know what I think.

TAM Beauty

I placed my first ever TAM Beauty order this month, I was getting annoyed with the Superdrug website and whenever I go into store everything I want was always out of stock. I am very impressed with the delivery and the free samples I also received with my order – I think I will be ordering more from them in the future!

Freedom Duo Eyebrow Powder in Dark Brown see here

When it comes to my eyebrows I don’t change up my eyebrow products very often I like to stick to what I know. When I saw this was in the sale and it looking like the Anastasia Beverley Hills duo powder for literally a quarter of the price I thought I might as well try it out. I will report back on this and let you know my thoughts.

Freedom HD Highlight & Contour Set see here

I felt as though I needed new contour products – and this was exactly what I was looking for and it comes with a double ended brush. Such good value for money! I am very excited to try this out and see whether it is any good.

Makeup Revolution Retro Luxe Kits Matte in Glory see here

I have heard lots of good things about these kits and actually I never need an excuse to buy a new liquid lipstick – I have too many and I shouldn’t be buying anymore but here we are but for the price I really couldn’t not put one in my basket!

Makeup Obsession Glow Obsession see here

I have heard a lot about this brand and I thought it was about time I tried it. The highlighters all came individually which you had to put in the palette which I thought was going to be right mare but actually it was so easy! They are so easy to pop in and out so if you were to go travelling and only wanted to take one you could pop it out and put it back in it original one pan packaging – AMAZING!?

Makeup Revolution Strobe Luxe Palette see here

Ok so, I actually only brought this because I love the packaging so much. Bad I know, but hey a girl can never have too many highlighters right? It also helps that the shades are blooming gorgeous and it didn’t really break the bank. This is why I mentioned I have a shopping addiction – this proves why!

So then I received a few free samples and I am very happy..

Freedom Contour Brush (I think) annoyingly they have no reference on the brush what they are or a code so I can find it for you – I’m sorry..

Freedom – Duo Brow Powder in Medium Brown see here

Makeup Revolution – Salvation Velvet Lacquer in Velvet Rebel see here

KIKO 

I went shopping with my lovely friend Toria who had never been into KIKO, so obviously I showed her amazing the brand is and while I was in there I couldn’t help but pick up two new lipsticks for myself – whoops!

Velvet Passion Matte Lipsticks in 315 & 324 see here

I have actually recently wrote a review on the velvet passion matte lipsticks here and I wanted to add some more colours to my collection. It’s safe to say both of these shades are not what I normally go for but you should always step outside of your comfort zone once in a while right?

Home Sense 

If you know me, you know I love walking around Home Sense & TK MAXX to find some beauty bargains. This month I only popped in the once and picked up the Tony Moly I’m Real Aloe Mask Sheet for £1.99 I have seen these retailing for around £5 so when I saw this I thought it was a no brainer to pick this up. They also had different ones in there so I would really recommend you head down to your local store to see what you can find if you are into these masks. For me I have never tried a sheet mask, so I am a little nervous to try it out. I’m sure I will report back to you to let you know how I got on!

Wow, that was a lot of items. I always forget how much I buy until I write my monthly posts – whoops! If you haven’t checked out my previous monthly buy post see here

Let me know if you have tried any of these products and your thoughts on them – I would love to know!

-A x