American Drugstore Beauty Buys

So I am back from America with new found hope, inspiration and an eagerness to adventure more. To balance that out I also bought back a mother load of American make up and beauty items. Gotta keep my spiritual and materialistic sides balanced you know.

I'm actually going to split this into 2 posts and in this post I thought I would share all the drugstore make up and beauty items I got. Tomorrow I will share my Sephora purchases!

We spent an awful lot of time in Walgreens! I was really excited about trying out all the new drugstore makeup that's not available in the UK yet. It was a little overwhelming how much makeup they had in there, not like my local Sainsburys where there's a Rimmel and a Max Factor stand, always half empty and with the same three lipsticks that have been there since 2004. 

Have you ever seen such beautifully stocked shelves?

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Warm - I actually found this in Rite Aid on my last day as Walgreens didn't stock Physicians Formula. This was on my list to get before I left and I was so happy to find it. It boosts my happiness just looking at it!

EOS Lip Balm - These lip balms are a must have if you are visiting America from the UK. They are so handy as you don't have to get your finger messy applying them. Side note I did actually see these on Selfridges UK website the other day so looks like they are finally being released in the UK, but they were £5.00 (not including delivery) bare in mind these are about 2-3 dollars in the US!

L'oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation - One of my favourite things I bought, I love this foundation. I was slightly apprehensive that it would have a very powdery finish but it doesn't at all. The finish is very natural, not dewy or matte, just very skin like.

Yes to Grapefruit Correct and Repair Daily Facial Scrub - I am so jealous of all the different Yes to ranges you guys have in America. We don't have the grapefruit range over here so I had to try this mini one out.

Maybelline Colour Whisper Lipstick in "Cherry on Top" - Another must have. These are more of a lipstick balm (which I personally prefer) but the colours are really bright and nicely pigmented. The staying power of these is also really impressive and they stay glossy. Kind of wish I had got more!

Pop Nail Polish in "Mint Magic" and "Baby Blue" - The one thing that really disappointed me beauty wise was the serious lack of nice nail colours anywhere! These colours were the exception, great formula as well, opaque after one coat!

Jordana Lipliner in "Tawny" - One of those YouTube made me do it purchases. I love watching Carli Bybel's videos and she is always using this lipliner.

Maybelline Great Lash Limited Edition "So Very Berry" - These had just come out and although I'm not a massive fan of the mascara I loved the colour, reminded me of my By Terry one which was hideously expensive!

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara - If I said this was purchased purely because of the packaging I wouldn't be lying! 

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in "03 Beauty's Touch" - Again suckered in by the packaging but this is actually a really lovely blush. It doubles as a highlight too and comes in 2 shades, this pinky colour and a more bronzey peach version. This would be another of my recommendations if you are going to the US anytime soon.

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover - Haven't tried this yet, but have heard great things.

L'oreal Infallible Shadow in Amber Rush - Another one on my list before I went. You can get these shadows in the UK but the infamous Amber Rush is not available over here. Its a really beautiful gold colour, really compliments blue/green eyes. Plus it has all the sparkliness of a loose pigment eyeshadow, without the mess!

Ardell Brow Trim and Shape Grooming Tool - This is another must have. I bought a pack of these little eyebrow razors 2 years ago in New York and I have used them to death. They are perfect for getting all those little fine blonde hairs in between your brows and along the edges.

I treat EOS like Pokemon!

Herbal Essences Moroccan My Shine Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner - These were just released as well and when I saw an advert for them in a magazine I knew I had to track them down. You really cant go wrong with Herbal Essences and I cant wait to try these.

Its a 10 Miracle Leave-in Plus Keratin - I managed to track this down on one of my last days in CVS in LA. This is a leave in conditioner but you cant buy 'Its a 10' in the UK. I used this for the first time this morning so its too early to give this a full review but I sprayed it though my hair when it was wet and it was so much easier and smoother to brush through. Even with a tangle teezer my hair takes a good few brushes to get the knots out but this really made a difference.

As I use more things I will include more reviews on my blog. 

Post Holiday Blues

I am back from America, laden with goodies from Sephora and Walgreens! Beauty blogging will resume tomorrow but until then I thought I would put a few pictures up from my holiday (pre warning I like taking pictures of scenery!)

 

 

My Travel Makeup Bag

Tomorrow I am off on holiday for 2 weeks, so things will be a little quiet around here! I'm going to miss my blog and cant wait to share all my Sephora finds when I'm back. Before I go I thought I would share with you all the make up I'm taking with me and yes this is my attempt at packing light!

FACE

* Urban Decay De Slick Makeup Setting Spray - Because its going to be hot and I want my make up to stay on!

* Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer - See above!

* Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation - My favourite foundation

* Chantecaille Just Skin Anti Smog Tinted Moisturiser

* Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

* MAC Prep & Prime Highlighter in Light Boost

* Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

* Jouer Mattifying Bronzer in Sunswept - My current favourite bronzer and I love that its small so doesn't take up much room!

LIPS

This was really hard to narrow down!

* NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo - These matte lip creams by NYX are amazing and so cheap. You can only get them online here in the UK so I will definitely be checking these out in America.

* Rimmel Apocalips in Stellar - Although these aren't as long lasting as I would like this colour is amazing. The perfect bright orange/red.

* MAC Scarlet Ibis - I really didn't need another orange/red coloured lipstick but its in Marilyn Monroe packaging and I'm going to Hollywood, its only right I take it!

* DIOR Lip Glow

* Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry

* Revlon Strawberry Suede - My favourite lipstick!

* MAC Plumful

* Clinique Black Honey

EYES

* Hourglass Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette - Essential!

* Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara Waterproof

* Benefit They're Real! Mascara

* NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

* Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

* Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Pink

* NARS The Happening Palette

* NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Isolde - My favourite bronzey/gold eyeshadow

* Tweezerman Tweezers - I love these :)

ON THE PLANE

Now I'm not going to be doing a whole beauty routine on the plane and its debatable if I will even use these but just in case

* Face Wipes - Because after 4 hours my mascara will be halfway down my face

* Caudalie Beauty Elixir

* Nivea Light Moisturising Day Cream - So I don't turn into a prune

* Origins No Puffery - This feels so nice and cooling on puffy eyes, it will be needed!

* Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip and Cheek Balm - My favourite lip balm

And last but not least, my passport. The only essential item really!

Skin Care Emergency

Ahh mother natures monthly gift, bring on the back pain, stomach ache, mood swings and spots! 

This is the time of month when I get out my emergency skin care kit and spend 10 minutes looking like the green goblin!

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask - I use this if I'm feeling and looking tired. You know when your skin is just dull and blah looking, well this leaves your skin looking instantly brighter. It works like an exfoliator (without all the gritty bits) to remove dead skin cells.

Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Calming Face Mask - As you can see I have been using this a lot lately! When I have a few blemishes and my skin is looking red and blotchy I slap this on for 10 minutes to calm it and reduce redness. Its also good to use if your skin is irritated as its very soothing.

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel - Like the REN mask this is good to use when your skin is looking dull and tired. It contains natural exfoliating fruit enzymes which eat away at all the horrible dead skin to instantly brighten your complexion.

Origins Drink Up Mask - One minute my skins oily and blemish prone, the next dry and tight feeling. Aah the joys of combination skin. I use this when I need extra nourishment and hydration, its also really good if you have a bit of sun burn and need some instant relief. 

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque - This is a good mask for spots and blackheads. I wouldn't recommend applying this all over your face as its very drying but if you apply it in the areas you need it, it really does a good job of drying out those spots!

Origins Super Spot Remover - I only bought this yesterday but it has already worked wonders. Apply a  tiny amount with a cotton bud to the offending blemish and leave overnight. It wont make your spots disappear but seriously reduces and drys them out. Its a little miracle worker!