Upping the Ante

So, it’s been a shocking case of long time no write! My apologies. However I am now back, and with a different kind of post... I have caved and succumb to the undeniable allure of ‘high end’ cosmetics. That is not to say my point at the beginning of my blog is no longer valid - ‘drugstore’ buys are still what thrill me, but these products in particular are by far the best I have tried. However not allowing myself to be sucked in by an interesting ad and pretty packaging, I tried samples and deliberated about buying these products before I purchased them.

Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara 01 Noir Midnight

Ever longed for a mascara that would coat your lashes perfectly and do it every single time? I have been using this for a month nonstop and it has not disappointed me once.  In all honestly I was first drawn to this mascara as the television advert features Betty Boop, who is basically the sexiest cartoon ever – that is, alongside Jessica Rabbit. But it was not until one of the magazines I picked up featured a free sample that I was turned on to this mascara. As with all my mascaras, I use the Urban Decay Lash primer as a base and usually find myself coating my lashes a fair bit with my mascara to cover/blend with the primer; however with Hypnôse Star it takes about two swipes max and my lashes are coated and curvaceous. The dual-sided brush is designed to volumise the lashes at the tip – I assume to give the doll like star effect... it does just that! The formulation of the mascara is said to have a ‘black diamond’ shade, I can’t say I notice a distinct difference to my other black mascaras however it does have a more glossy tint. And for other queries you might have... it doesn’t smudge or smear throughout the day and is a pleasure to take off at night. Overall I would recommend hustling a sample if you can or putting this on your Christmas wishlist, because this mascara deserves to be admired by many!

Benefit The POREfessional

Before using this primer I was never really fussed about face primers. I would usually use one on a night out in the hope my makeup would keep. However this summer I noticed my foundation didn’t seem to be sitting right around specific areas of my face, and it was when my friend talked about pores opening in heat that I put two and two together. So at first I tried to not to apply too much foundation to areas where I felt my pores were most visible, but then one day whilst browsing the magazines, I saw one came with a free benefit product, and after seeing the word “pore” on the product I picked it up immediately. The texture of the primer is so rich and velvety that even if it didn’t work for my skin I would not stop using it, (but the price tag might defer me a little!) But luckily I feel it does work wonders with my skin, in all honestly I haven’t been properly analysing my skin with a magnifying glass each time I use it, but I do feel my foundation applies better with it as a base and it doesn’t seem to (without being too crude) ‘sweat’ much. On the Benefit website this is said to be ‘the UK’s best selling primer’ however I would recommend getting a primer if you want to try it out– or if you have the a similar issue with your pores and have tried everything else, then I would give this a go.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté shade 02

These lipsticks were hyped about a long, long time ago. Now I can see why, but at the time I thought it was a shocking amount to pay for a lipstick. However, I’ve changed. I swatched one of the Rouge Volupté lipsticks about a year ago in a coral shade and I was umming and ahhing about whether or not to get it, then it completely went off my radar. Then a few months ago my friend was getting her makeup done at the YSL counter and we were swatching possible shades for her to use and I immediately went to the lipsticks and I swatched a few colours and this was my favourite. So whilst the girl at the counter applied the makeup and talked us through each product I was going back and forth in my head about whether or not to get the lipstick. But then to complete the makeup look, the counter girl chose the lipstick I wanted, and used it on my friend (who has the same skin tone) and it looked stunning with the look – so I was sold! This lipstick has become my favourite for going out, or days when I haven’t done much with my makeup and want to feel a bit luxurious. The packaging itself is to die for, but the formulation itself is perfectly creamy but dries a little on the lips to make it more long lasting and doesn’t leave residue. I know some are on the fence about this product and this particular shade, however I have no complaints. It is very nude; however I feel its blendable consistency means you can make it work with your natural lip shade. If you are considering buying one of the Rouge Volupté lipsticks, then I would recommend swatching all shades you’ve considered to make sure you’re entirely happy with the shade - as it is quite a splurge!

Thank you so much for reading!

Until next time x x x

Birthday Haul Y’all!

So this is a bit late and I wasn’t considering doing a haul, but in the spirit of variety on my blog I thought I would include this post. Also it is beauty related so it fits right in ;-) below are the wonderful things my boyfriend was kind of enough to buy me on my special day, and a few I couldn’t resist picking up for myself! I’m gonna do a little review on each now as I think enough time has passed for me to have an opinion on each, so here goes...

And the one and only...

(L-R) Narciso Rodriguez ‘for her’ 50ml

I put off buying this perfume for SUCH a long time as I couldn’t quite work out if I loved it or not. But as my previous post showed, my perfume collection is quite large and I feel this fragrance was different to any I already owned. I would describe this scent as ‘darling’, it is an undeniably feminine scent and the name says it all ‘for her’. Right now I find myself leaning towards more unique smelling scents in the sense you can’t quite work out what the top notes are but instead seem a more muddled combination of scents, as these I feel are the ones that set beautifully on the skin. I also love this perfume as every time you smell it, it smells different to the last time – which is all the different notes coming out at different times and I think contributes to the longevity of the fragrance.  

John Frieda 3 Days Straight

I only buy this when it is on offer, as I don’t feel you get enough product for the price but I would say it is definitely a product worth trying. I wouldn’t say it makes my hair remain straight for 3 days, but that is because my hair is naturally VERY curly, so only something more permanent would do that – however this product definitely assists my blowdryer in getting the job done when it needs to be straightened.

John Frieda Full Repair Perfect Ends Sheer Mist

I really wanted to try this out as I was fairly impressed with the 3 days straight spray and I am equally impressed with this. It smells lovely and my hair does feel a lot softer when blowdrying with this. I would definitely recommend it for people whose hair tends to feel very dry and overprocessed after heat styling.

Urban Decay Primer Potion Duo (Original & Sin)

So as I mentioned in my primer post, I am mad for primers (particularly Urban Decay’s), and I needed to repurchase as mine were on their last legs. I saw this duo which includes the one I already have (but different packaging) and the Sin primer, which is a lovely champagne shimmery colour. It goes great under shimmery shadows, but also under darker or earthy toned shadows. Overall I do prefer the original as it has a more creamy consistency, whereas Sin is more like a paste, ideal for when you want a more deeper finish to your shadow.

Nars Concealer in Medium 2 Ginger

So I went to the Nars counter only after the Sheer Glow foundation and was duped into buying so much more. But I do not regret this one bit, this is the concealer the counter girl applied after colour matching my foundation and I loved the finish it gave. I have struggled with finding the right colour concealer and one that was blendable and this just fit the bill. It is a concealer stick, and the girl explained to me that these kinds of concealers last longer as it’s easier to apply as you just have to dab it to blend it in, which means more product remains where you placed it.

Nars Lipstick in Funny Face

This was a spontaneous buy. The girl serving me was wearing it and I just could NOT stop looking at her lips. She also had quite full lips like me and it complimented them well. It was very pricy (a lot more than I’d like to spend on lipstick), but the colour was just so unique and rich that I thought I would treat myself. It’s a beautiful cherry/plum colour and the finish is matte. It is also VERY pigmented, so I could imagine this lasting me as long as I needed it to. The reason I got such a bright colour and not a safe colour like a nude, is because I’m quite satisfied with my collection of nude/everyday lipsticks, but I am now trying to build my collection of reds and plums as I feel women look very dignified and classy when wearing these, and the Nars lipstick does just that! There are also a few by MAC I might just have to bite the bullet and purchase too!

Benefit ‘They’re Real’ Mascara

I have been hunting for the perfect mascara for YEARS now, and every time I find one I love, I get bored of it once I see an advertisement for another one. Before trying this mascara Rimmel’s Lash Accelerator definitely did the job, but it was mainly good for lengthening and separating lashes. However Benefit’s mascara does everything! I read a review on this where it got 10/10 for false lash effect, and that review did it justice. It lengthens, it volumizes and more importantly, it is buildable! So if you have the time to coat your lashes you will achieve beautifully structured flasesies!

L’Oreal Super Liner in Carbon Gloss

This was just a repurchase of my all time favourite liquid liner. It is excellent for precision, excellent for colour and excellent for when you are in a rush as it dries VERY quickly. Basically I can’t fault this liner, and for any of you who love the winged liner effect – this is the tool for just that!

Urban Decay Naked Palette 2

I wasn’t going to get this palette as I already have the first and am more than satisfied with it; however it was on offer and when I saw the shades in person I fell in love. I feel the first palette is perfect for the evening, as the shades are darker and more matte, whereas in the second palette the shades are lighter and more shimmery, so it is nice for the night time but even more lovely for the day. I would definitely recommend this palette for people who like heavier lashes with liner, as the lighter shadows contrast beautifully with that.

Real Techniques Core Collection brush set

Prior to buying this I had seen reviews of the brushes and they were all quite positive. I was mainly drawn to the set because of the bronzing brush, before finding this I was yet to find a brush that was good for getting into the right crevices for contouring. I have used all of the brushes apart from the foundation brush and I am more than impressed. The powder brush is great for buffing in my powder so that my face doesn’t look too cakey, and the concealer brush is great for evening out my concealer. I would definitely recommend this set for people trying to build their brush collection.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Syracuse

The day I tried out this foundation it was like the heavens opened. Aside from the perfect mascara I was ALWAYS on the hunt for the perfect foundation. My biggest issue was the colour match and then the consistency. This strikes off both. The woman at the counter matched me in Syracuse and Barcelona, but Barcelona seemed a teeny bit lighter than my face, and even though Syracuse is a tiny bit darker than my face, it matches the rest of my body perfectly! And as summer is around the corner, it was better I opted for the darker shade. The foundation itself is like velvet on my skin when applying, the colour blends so beautifully that it is impossible to have an uneven coverage and the staying power is all day for me. I will wear this all year round as it is perfect for all kinds of weather, and when I read the reviews for this foundation I knew it would be right for me and it really is a MATCH made in heaven ;-)

Thank you so much for reading!

Until next time x x x

Can you smell that?

The other day I was tidying my perfume section and decided to count the amount of perfumes I owned as I went along and to my horror there were 35 perfume bottles, and all still have a lot of life left in them! I also have a desire to get more. However to prevent this I am staying away from fragrance shops and the perfume section in Boots. Luckily a great amount of the perfumes have been gifts, but this in turn has meant I’ve acquired a lot more than I actually need! But in my defence, how I feel about my perfume collection goes deeper than an obsession... I remember where, when and why I bought each scent. Which can’t actually be said about the other things that I so clearly fritter my money away on!  I am also one of those people who don’t feel like an outfit is complete without perfume, be it day or night. I have painfully selected my top 10 and these are in no particular order (as that would be too hard) but I have separated them into day and night categories and stated my all time favourite and favourite of the moment.

DAYTIME:

Donna Karan Pure DKNY

This was actually a recent purchase. When I was tidying my perfume section I found a tester of this scent and naively sprayed some on my wrist... I COULD NOT stop sniffing my wrist! I was instantly hooked. I knew what was going to happen next – I bought it! But I have not regretted it and have worn it every day since. I would say this is my favourite perfume of the moment. It is described as opening with “Ugandan vanilla, dewdrop floral petals, lotus and Bulgarian rose. A heart beats in rhythm of exotic flowers - jasmine, freesia and orchid, while a base finishes the pure composition with white amber, sandalwood and vanilla in water.” Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? The scent also lasts forever, which is a winner in my book. I would recommend this for people who like gentle, yet long lasting scents.

Escada Absolutely Me

Not going to lie, I was drawn in by the gorgeous bottle and the cute name, but the scent delivers as well! This was bought after my recent summer holiday in the airport duty free. I haven’t always been a fan of Escada perfumes as I find some of them to be too sweet; however this perfume was quite different and has an unusual scent. It is quite sweet, but it isn’t that sickly sweet smell. It is described as opening with “with fresh fruit accords and raspberries. The heart is filled with delicate aroma of pink Rose Macaron, followed by soft vanilla in the base.” Does sound tasty enough to eat, but actually smells like a perfume and not a bag of treats! The scent doesn’t last forever but it does last a fair bit and fades to a nice enough aroma although quite faint. I would recommend this to people who love sugary perfumes but want a more established scent.

Kenzo Ca Sent Beau

I first smelt this on a client at work and it was the strongest, most lingering scent but with a gorgeous floral after tone. It was during summer time so I thought it would be the perfect scent for spring/summer. To my dismay however she told me it was discontinued in Harrods and that she had bought hers abroad in Dubai as the other duty frees don’t seem to sell it. This was very unfortunate, as it meant I would not be able to smell the fragrance once more before I purchased. But as I was already set on getting it, I took the plunge and ordered it online. It is perfect. It is stronger than I remembered (but this isn’t a bad thing), and in summer I find my perfumes tend to wear off quicker, so that is actually a positive.  It is described as having top notes of “amber and patchouli; middle notes are coriander, tuberose, African orange flower and mandarin orange; base note is vetiver.” It was also launched in 1989, which is the year I was born – meant to be! I would recommend this to those who favour stronger scents but want a floral perfume to add to their collection.

Carolina Herrera 212 Sexy

This was another scent I smelt on a client. The scent is hard to describe as it is neither very sweet nor very woody. It is also quite strong and quite light at the same time. I would wear this in the day or the evening as I don’t find the scent to be too offensive and it is wearable at any time of the year. The top notes are described to “unite freshness of bergamot with warm and exciting pink pepper. The heart reveals delicate gardenia and sharp geranium. The base is deep and balmy with a long and sensual trace of caramel, vanilla, sandalwood and mysterious musk.” It does sound like the perfect scent, and it is. I would recommend this to any perfume lover!

NIGHT TIME:

Yves Saint Laurent Belle d’Opium

I was suckered in by the beautiful bottle and the glamorous ad campaign behind it. However the fragrance was everything I expected and more! For a while I could not stop wearing it as it just had such a luxurious musk to it. It became my new favourite perfume to wear in the evening, although sometimes I could not help wearing it in the day. The fragrance features “jasmine, gardenia, sandalwood, lily and pepper.” It doesn’t sound much, but fused together they make the most beautiful, distinctive concoction! I have smelt the original YSL Opium, and I find it to be too mature. I would recommend Belle d’Opium to people who prefer to splurge on powerful, night time perfumes.

Paco Rabanne Lady Million

Another perfume I am guilty of smelling on another person! It was during the summer and it appeared the scent had somehow intensified on her and at first it smelt like something I recognized (now I know that being of Paco Rabanne 1 Million for Men) and when she told me I thought I had heard her wrong because I had never heard of it, and annoyingly that was the case because it had not even come out in England yet! She had purchased it abroad in Dubai (starting to believe Dubai is the perfume capital or something)! But lucky for me it was launching in less than a month, and so I patiently waited and when I got tired of doing that I looked for it on Ebay. The scent does not disappoint it is definitely a more night time scent and it is very recognisable. I don’t tend to wear this as much as I used to, as it is quite over bearing at times and has become quite familiar. But that is not to say I won’t reach for it again. Lady Million is described as having notes of “bitter orange, with a touch of raspberry, neroli follows with orange blossom joined by Arabian Jasmine underlined by gardenia, patchouli, honey and amber.” I would recommend this also to those who like their perfume to make a statement.

Dior Pure Poison

Hands down this is my favourite perfume of all time. I first smelt it when I was about 16 and have stayed in love with it since. It is very strong (as most Dior perfumes are) but the smell does fade to a pleasing note that any perfume lover would enjoy. Every time I spray it I remember why I love it so much, I could not get sick of this scent! It is described as having “fresh notes of bergamot and jasmine, then white flowers come in, erotic and intoxicating, while sandalwood and amber in the base give it depth.” It sounds simple, but there is no way you could improve it. I would recommend this to anyone of any age who is looking for a perfume. As mine is running out, (sob! This is my second bottle) I keep it only for special occasions, and it’s always a treat when I spray it.

Ralph Lauren Glamorous

I first heard about this fragrance when I was 14, as Jennifer Lopez said in a magazine interview that it was her favourite perfume. I went to smell it shortly after and it soon became one of mine! It is so fresh and so strong at the same time. Like Lady Million, it is very distinctive but it has a longer lasting scent in my opinion. However to my dismay at the age of 16 I found out Selfridges and all other perfume stores in London had discontinued it. So my only option was to buy it abroad. Luckily it is available in most duty frees (if I remember correctly). It is described as starting with “notes of rose, Clementine and arum lily. Rare and beautiful Kona Plumeria flower, Casablanca white lily, tuberose and ginger blossom compose the heart. Siam tree, cashmere and vetiver are at the base.” There is something quite chic about having cashmere in your fragrance, and in my opinion the fragrance itself is very chic. I can’t imagine anyone not finding this scent alluring, and I would recommend it to anyone for the day or the night time.

Givenchy Ange Ou Demon Le Secret

I put off buying this scent for a while as I was torn between this and the original (Ange Ou Demon) and ended up buying the original. However after a while the original became a bit too over bearing and I smelt this fragrance randomly and became hooked on it again. It does have similar qualities to the original as it is quite strong, but it has a sweeter more gentle after tone when wearing it.  And it is more appealing for the day and the night. It is described as having notes of “white flowers, Italian winter lemon, green tea leaves, jasmine, peony, blond wood and patchouli.” When I first smelt it, it did sort of smell like camomile, but that note does go away and makes way to a sweet musky scent. I would recommend this to people who like sweet fragrances and want one that is perfect for the evening.

Stella McCartney Stella Rose Absolute

I wasn’t really impressed with the bottle or the name, but the scent itself makes up for everything else. If you want a strong floral scent that will last you from day to night, this is it! I sprayed this first in duty free when I was on my way home from my holiday, and following serious delays, the blistering cold of England and a long overdue sleep, this scent had not budged from my wrist! It actually smelt like I had just sprayed it and as I was always on a quest for a long lasting scent I went and purchased it immediately! It is described as having the “top notes of citrus which are fresh and glittering, and sweet and delicate peony intensifies beauty of rose notes of the heart. And the deep, dark note of amber is perfect as the base.” Overall I find it to be distinctively floral and long lasting, so I would recommend this to anyone who favours over powering scents in the day or in the evening.

I can’t believe how long this post turned out, but I guess I stayed true to my word – I do care deeply for my perfumes, at least enough to spend paragraphs talking about them individually! I hope I gave enough detail and suggestions. I will probably end up expanding my collection, although I am trying to use up the ones I have, so my collection will only consist of a few favourites. At times I do wish I had one unique scent people associated with me, but I see perfume as an add on to an outfit so I do find myself reaching for different ones for different occasions, so I am content for now :-)

Thank you so much for reading!

Until next time x x x

Style Crush: Kourtney Kardashian

I have always lusted after her style! For me she has hit the nail on the head when it comes to personal style. She's a petite girl and she never lets anything swamp her. She also isn't afraid to try anything and always pulls it off so well. She can wear edgy, casual, chic and glam and still stay true to her own unique style. So nothing ever looks too contrived.

I also adore her as she's never without a blouse on. Blouses are my wardrobe staple because they can suit any occasion and any body shape. Here are a few I ADORE and am lucky enough to own:

My favourite place to find blouses such as these is Asos as they host a variety of brands on their site so you can find lots of different styles and at great prices! In my opinion Asos is the best place to search for practically anything. They are always up to date with the latest trend, their sizing is on point and they cater to people of all heights and sizes. I am rarely disappointed when placing an order on Asos and if I am it is a bonus for my wallet!

So to conclude this style post, in my eyes Kourtney Kardashian can do no wrong when it comes to her styling (your own opinion of who she is as a person aside, that girl has style ;-)

I also adore Miss Kardashian because she is always in a fabulous pair of Louboutins. 

I mean how can you not love her for that pure fact?!

Thank you so much for reading!

Until next time x x

Neutral > Colour

I used to be obsessed with coloured eyeshadows when I first started using makeup. My favourite colours to use were greens, blues and silvers; usually very sparkly and usually by Barry M (Glitter Dust.) But through the years and through experimentation, I feel like I've learnt which looks best suit me. And that is not to say I will never use a coloured eye shadow again- I do however believe there are eye shadows colours best suited for certain eye colours. My eye colour is brown (I like to believe a Mahogany Brown as it has a reddish tinge in the light) so I don't think there is a particular colour I shouldn't wear, however I feel neutral shades and lighter tones compliment them best. In the spirit of budget buys, I am now going to list some of my go-to drugstore shadows...

L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Brown Eyes Intensifier colour 511
I adore this colour. It is part of L’Oreal’s range of makeup that is suited for particular eye colours and I believe they hit the nail on the head with this one. It does compliment brown eyes so nicely! It is a sheer pinkish/cream/silver. It is perfect as an all over wash of colour but can also be used with a shimmery dark grey/brown for a smoky eyes effect.

    

No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow 25 ‘True Gold’
Yes, unfortunately mine recently broke *cries* luckily it broke into large pieces so it is still usable! This eyeshadow does what it says; it is a gorgeous true gold colour. It looks amazing with falsies and a smoky eye for a night out but also works lovely as an everyday colour. On its own it has a glittery gold effect, so it can be kept quite simple for the day. But if you include primer and build it up, it does become a brilliant bright gold. I also get questioned a lot on what shadow I’m wearing when I have this gem on!

       

BOURJOIS Eyeshadow 05 ‘Brun’
A lovely shimmery brown that blends so well with my skin tone that it is almost hard to see! But I love that quality about it as it is great for the days when you want a more natural makeup look. Or the days when you don’t have much time to spend on your makeup, so I will do a quick dust of this on each lid and then apply liner and mascara and my eyes are done! It is also a great shade for when you want to wear a bold lip, as with this shade on, all the focus will be on your lips.

I tried to keep this post as short and sweet as possible. I hope it was still informative, I couldn’t really think of how many more ways I could explain how much I LOVE THESE SHADOWS. I believe they will compliment any kind of skin tone, it just depends how much of the shadow you apply. If you are someone who constantly wears bright colours then I would suggest considering trying neutrals for a change, you might end up liking them more or finding them better suited for certain occasions.

Thank you so much for reading!

Until next time x x x

Prime Time

Not so long ago, Sarah and I were browsing the makeup aisles in Superdrug when I discovered that she had never used primer. I was absolutely shocked as since I can remember I had always used a base for my eyeshadows. I believe it started around the Barry M Glitter Dust faze where I thought ‘how do I stop this dust falling all over my face?!’ So I began using creamy eyeshadows as a base. This worked well for a few years and was very affordable; however since trying proper eyeshadow primers I have noticed a huge difference. 1) The eyeshadows were usually coloured, therefore you would have to use it as a base for a colour that complimented it well. 2) Some were quite watery, so you would have to wait for it to dry a bit before applying, and sometimes the colour would dry too quickly and the shadow wouldn’t stick/ apply evenly.
  Now since discovering eyeshadow primer, I have also ventured out into using other primers. I am now going to list the 3 I use and give you my honest opinion on them...



URBAN DECAY Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Since purchasing this more than a year ago I have used it EVERY SINGLE DAY. It has a neutral colour when you apply it so you can use it as a base for any colour ranging from white to black! It applies evenly so gives a lovely even finish when you apply your shadow. It will not budge (so don’t worry about creasing and smudging throughout the day) and when removing my makeup using water, after the first splash my shadow is still intact. The primer itself has lasted me ages, only now is it beginning to run out and I’ve had it for more than a year. In my opinion this is 200% worth trying out if you have had an issue with eyeshadows in the past.

URBAN DECAY Eyelash Primer Potion

There is not a day that goes by that I do not use this product! It might not seem an essential to everyone, but it is an essential to me! If you are like me and have an obsession with thick, false looking lashes, and used to use 3 mascaras at one time to achieve that effect... then your troubles are no more. Not only does this provide an EXCELLENT base for mascara, it also gives you the impression that you are using two mascaras (just so you don’t need to go cold turkey on your habit ;-) but honestly, it separates my lashes perfectly so there is no clumping when building up mascara and it gives the illusion of thicker lashes as the mascara coats the potion already attached to the lashes. So if you are not too fussed about shadows and are big on lashes instead, invest in this miracle product!

 L’OREAL Studio Secrets Resurfacing Primer

I don’t tend to use face primers as often as I use the other two primers. I guess because I’ve been blessed in having quite even skin, so no matter which foundation/powder etc that I’m applying, if done properly, it gives an even finish. However I do believe face primers are worth trying anyways. The L’Oreal primer gives a smooth, velvety effect when applied and it is good if you are like me and put a load of face cream on before foundation, so the primer gives a non sticky surface to work with. I do also notice that with primer my makeup stays in place a lot better, so I will use mine mostly when I’m going out in the evening and I don’t want things like poor weather and sweaty clubs to ruin my makeup. But in terms of using it in the day I wouldn’t really as I’m one of those people who prefer my makeup once it has set on the skin throughout the day.

All in all, I think primers are essential in creating a good base for makeup. If you haven’t yet tried a primer and are considering it, I would suggest deciding which area of makeup is the most important to you, be it: your skin, eyelids or lashes and start with one of the three and once you get the hang of that, branch out to the other areas if that interests you. Apologies that the products I mentioned are a bit on the pricy side, I just wanted to give an honest review and these are the primers I use and swear by. However as I am pro drugstore products I will tell you that MUA do an eyeshadow primer which my friend now swears by, and it is less than £3 and if I can remember correctly MUA also do other primers, so check their makeup counter out. Or if you want to start out like I did with creamy/liquid eyeshadows, that is fine also, the one I used to use was MISS SPORTY Eye Illuminator.

Thank you so much for reading!

Until next time x x x

Go Naturel!

Hello all, this post is going to focus on the unruly possession all women have- HAIR! I think it's safe to assume all women are on a quest for healthy hair. And as I began my voyage into the unknown two years ago I have learnt one valuable lesson, GO NATURAL! I once was a product junkie who would buy anything that promised me Rapunzel Locks! (Not actually checking if it was working for me but believing it was.) However eventually the cloud passed and I began to obsessively notice that my hair was not growing at all (of course this is impossible - hair always grows) but when it is in an unhealthy state the ends just break off; leaving you with the same length, if not shorter, that you started with. So I began to consider my options and I thought back to when my hair was at its healthiest and it was courtesy of Mamma who used to nurture it with natural products! So, sold on the idea natural products would give me a long, healthy mane I began my quest. I am now going to share with you the products I have used along the way...

 Coconut Oil:
You can use any variation of this really, mine is the hair conditioner but if you can’t get your hands on that, you could use coconut oil that you cook with. The only difference is the cooking oil is more solid, so you have to rub it in your hands longer before applying, and the hair conditioner has a more pleasing smell. But both do the job just as well. It can be used as part of a treatment that you rinse out but I just leave mine in (I am however very sparing when applying as it can be quite greasy!) targeting the ends of my hair. Coconut oil is also known to penetrate the hair shaft whereas other products simply coat it.

  

Castor Oil:
Just like Coconut Oil, Castor Oil is widely used for strengthening hair. It is also known to promote hair growth, I can vouch for this as I use mine simply to flatten flyaway hair, (usually the edges) which is where the hair is the shortest and I have noticed a significant difference in growth on my edges (which is were where my hair had broken most from over straightening) since using Castor Oil. There is also a liquid form of this, which I want to try as I feel it will seep into my hair better, as the wax version is far to greasy to use all over my head.

 Olive Oil Heat Protection Serum:
Before using this I was using TRESemme’s heat protection spray and although it smells lovely, I do not feel it protected my hair enough. When I would use my straighteners after spraying it, my hair would sizzle and the liquid would get hot and burn me. However that is not to say it doesn’t work for all hair types, just not mine personally. Since opting to Olive Oil, my hair glides better through the straighteners, it doesn’t sizzle and it leaves my hair with a nice healthy shine afterwards. Also a little goes a long way with this; two squirts are enough to cover all my ends.

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Serum:
Alongside my Coconut Oil I use this serum as I can apply it daily without feeling like my hair is getting too greasy. It also smells lovely! I use the regular Coconut Oil just after I’ve washed my hair, as I feel that is when my hair most needs oils restored, and the serum I use only when my ends are feeling dry or as part of styling as it leaves a lovely glossy shine!

Moroccan Oil:
Aside from all the hype this product really does work!  It smells wonderful, it absorbs into the hair quickly and it does make a significant difference when you use it on dry areas – my only issue is the hefty price tag! My bottle is almost finished, so I only use it in extreme circumstances or when I feel like treating my hair. I have tried alternatives like the VO5 Miracle Concentrate Elixir and although my hair does feel nicer when I apply it, I still believe in original Moroccan Oil as it penetrates the hair follicles and does not dry out as quickly.

Apologies for this being quite a lengthy post (just shows my commitment to hair care!) One thing you will find about all the products I mentioned... They don’t contain ALCOHOL! Alcohol is NOT good for your skin and it definitely NOT good for your hair! So as a tip I would suggest checking the ingredients of all products you are buying so you do not end up disappointed.

I would also suggest checking out the following web page as it's enough to make anyone change their current hair care regime!
Hair... Technically Speaking

Thank you so much for reading!

And remember ladies, alcohol doesn’t belong on your hair, it belongs in a glass ;-)

Until next time x x x

Chanel Doesn’t Feature in This

First official post! - This is exciting. I've noticed that a lot of love and adoration is centred around 'high end' products, which is fair enough - when things are priced so highly you expect them to be good! However I don't believe people should rule out drugstore products entirely! It's as if people forget that the advertisements on television and the large ad campaigns you see on the underground and in magazines ARE the drugstore products... Be it: L'Oreal, Rimmel, Maybelline, Maxfactor, Revlon etc. These are the brands investing millions if not billions into brand launches featuring superstars like Beyonce, Zooey Deschanel and Kate Moss! Therefore the company must be doing well if they're spending all this money. So I thought I'd kick things off with my favourite drugstore lip products in order of preference...

Lipsticks:

1.(L-R) ASTOR Shine Deluxe in shade 030 ‘Nudie’
The perfect consistency! It is moisturising but at the same time very pigmented when you build it up. In my opinion the perfect nude and very similar to MAC ‘Hug Me’.

2. RIMMEL 011 ‘Pink Champagne’
The first kind of pink I tried and fell in love with! It’s a pale pink but would suit most skin tones as it’s creamy as opposed to sheer, so blends nicely on the lips. It is also quite moisturising and has a lovely sweet scent.

3. MAYBELLINE 112 ‘Amber Rose’
A gorgeous, glittery pinkish nude. This lipstick does require a few layers to show up on the lips, however if you’re looking for a subtle pop of colour, one coat is perfect. It’s my go to lipstick when I’m going out as it goes nicely with a smoky eye.

4. MUA Shade 13
My favourite red lipstick. It’s soft, it’s pigmented, it lasts for ages! I also like it as it is not just a dull red, it has a pink tinge to it and I would liken it to MAC Cherry Lip-liner. And it is also £1 so no excuse not to try it for yourself!

Lip Liners:

1.(L-R) RIMMEL Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner 063 ‘Eastend Snob’
A lovely, natural looking pink. I wanted a pink liner that would be a good base for my pink lipsticks and this little gem turned out to be a beautiful shade on its own! You can layer a pink lipstick over it or you could just top it off with Vaseline or lip gloss for shine.

2.RIMMEL Lasting Finish Lip Liner 011 ‘Spice’
A brownish nude that also works lovely as an all over colour, but to jazz it up a bit I add a sparkly glossy lipgloss in a similar shade. I do find it to be quite drying so I make sure I always apply Vaseline as a base!

3. L.A. COLOURS Lip Pencil P506 ‘Forever Red’
A great deep red that is highly pigmented, and I usually wear it alone as a lip shade. It is quite matte, so I add a tiny bit of Vaseline to stop it drying out, but overall the colour applies smoothy and doesn’t dry out as much as other lipliners.

4. L.A. COLOURS Lip Pencil P511 ‘Smooth Plum’
A daring, darkish purple. I don’t usually wear dark colours on my lips as I usually have a dramatic eye, but not so long ago dark lips were the trend, so I picked this up to experiment (as it was only 99p) and I actually like the colour! I haven’t been brave enough to cover the entire lip but I have blended it with a purple gloss for a more wearable colour.

Lip Glosses:

1.(L-R) REVLON Super Lustrous ‘Peachy Sheen’
I layer this over almost any shade! It is my go to gloss as the colour matches nicely with my skin tone. I use this in conjunction with Rimmel ‘Spice’ or on its own if I don’t want my face to look bare, but fancy a pop of colour.

2. MEMEME Light Me Up High Shine Lip gloss ‘Show’
A bright Barbie pink, but it’s key feature is that it has a mirror on the side and a light when you open it. So these things make it perfect for precision application when on the go or in a dimly lit area. It does have a strong menthol smell/taste which I’m not sure if I like or not. But usually when lip products have that, it’s for lip plumping purposes – so no complaints here!

3. COLLECTION 2000 Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Cream ‘Cotton Candy’
Does what it says! A beautiful natural pink shade that is like velvet on the lips. It also has a yummy candy scent (hence the name) and an even matte finish. This lip cream does not require a base, you can even forget about Vaseline with this one.

4. REVLON Colourburst 002 ‘Crystal Lilac’
A shimmery, pinkish lilac. I rarely use this lipgloss on its own, I’ll usually layer it on top of nudes and pinks. My favourite combination is over Maybelline’s ‘Amber Rose’ as they both have shimmery finishes. It is quite drying, but otherwise a handy gloss to blend with more neutral colours.

So, this turned into a lengthy post (sorry!) But I just wanted to give as much detail as possible. I hope I gave good examples of finding great lip shades on a budget! That is not to say I don’t appreciate higher end products, but if you are like me and have a gazillion lip products so don’t want to keep splurging, or want to experiment with new colours, I would suggest trying the drugstore first and save the splurging for colours you’re more likely to wear every day.

Thank you so much for reading!

Until next time x x x