A Few New Purchases

Boots is such a dangerous place for me, especially when they keep sending me those Advantage Card coupons! I picked up a few new makeup bits and thought I would share some quick reviews.

Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish in Ginger Melon

I wasn't keen on the idea of scented nail polish but I thought I would give it a try. Like all Revlon nail polishes the formula is great and I love the colour. I have been a bit obsessed with Mad Men lately and this is the perfect bright coral. However the scent is horrible, very synthetic smelling and every time I itch my nose or brush my face I get a waft of it. Nope, not a fan. Its all a bit too 14 year old girl for my liking.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Brush On Glow BB Highlighter in Shade 2W

I heard a lot of good things about this new under eye highlighter and I was intrigued to try it. I have to say I am impressed, this has a good brightening effect but also gives a good amount of coverage. 

Before and After

Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium

Gimme Brow is a fiber based brow gel. As well as holding your brows in shape, this adds colour and volume, filling in any sparse gaps in your eyebrows. 

Gimme Brow only comes in 2 shades, Light/Medium or Medium/Deep. I ummed and ahhed for a while over which colour to get, but as your brow colour should always be a couple of shades lighter than your natural colour, I went for Light/Medium. I actually really like this brow gel, it gives me enough colour and volume that I can use this on its own without using an eyebrow pencil first. 

There are a couple of downsides though, one being the extremely limited shade range and two it costs £17.50 for 3g of product. 3g! 3g! I'm sorry Benefit but that is plain greedy. 

So although I like this, I'm really annoyed that I do!

Before and After (with only Gimme Brow used)

Benefit They're Real Mascara

This a tried and true mascara, one of my personal favourites. Ive had a bit of mascara trouble this week (more on that later) so I wanted to go back to something I know works.

Ignore the picture on the box, your lashes wont look like that. I actually think this mascara gives quite a pretty, naturally defined effect. The torture ball wand gets to all your eyelashes, especially the outer corner ones giving a beautiful wide eyed effect.

Living Proof Full Root Lifting Spray

When I was in Brighton a few weeks ago, I sneaked in a little cheeky Space NK trip. I somehow managed to restrain myself and only walked away with one thing, Living Proof's Full Root Lifting Spray.

When I tried Living Proof's Full Discovery Kit this was the star of the whole kit for me. I used up the travel size sample in no time at all and vowed to buy the full size. 

I love this spray because it adds volume at the root where I need it most. You spray this on damp hair at the roots and then blow dry as normal. I have used this without blow drying my hair and leaving it to dry naturally, the effect is not nearly as good but there is still a difference. 

I particularly like spraying this at the front of my head, either side of my parting. Having long hair with a centre parting, I find the fronts of my hair can get lank extremely quickly. This keeps the front of my hair lifted instead of lank, which is a miracle in itself.

This will set you back £21.00 from Space NK pricey but the bottle will last you an age.

My other favourite thing about shopping in Space NK....samples! I got a sample of the Oribe Ultra Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner, which smell heavenly but were really nothing special. 

Nicole by OPI Carrie Underwood Collection

OPI is my all time favourite nail polish brand but I haven't delved too far into its sister line, Nicole by OPI. 

In the UK Superdrug sell the Nicole by OPI line and when I spotted the Carrie Underwood collection I thought the colours were beautiful, so I bought a few to try out. 

Goodbye Shoes

This is a really unique dusky teal. Great formula, completely opaque in 2 coats, exactly what I would expect from an OPI polish. 

Southern Charm

This is my favourite of the three and not just for the name! Its what I would consider a grown up nude and is very flattering. This was pretty opaque in 2 coats but the nail was ever so slightly visible underneath, so next time I would do a third coat.

Lips are Dripping Honey

This is a chunky gold and silver holographic glitter. The kind of glitter you don't mind spending half an hour trying to remove! I painted just one coat of this over Southern Charm.

Overall I am very impressed and will definitely be exploring the Nicole by OPI line further.

Face of the Day with Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

Ahh Saturdays, sweet relief from the mundane 9-5! I'm sitting here in my PJ's, listening to Pearl Jam Unplugged on YouTube and hoping that Monday never comes!

I have a new Face of the Day post for y'all today, nothing groundbreaking here just a neutral everyday look. 

Face

Foundation

NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji

I thought I would switch things up and use Sheer Glow, instead of MAC's Face & Body, which I have been loving lately. Sheer Glow is a medium coverage foundation with a satin finish. This really does leave your skin looking flawless.

Concealer

MAC Prep & Prime Highlighter in Light Boost

One of my favourite under eye concealers. This is yellow toned so helps counteract any redness and also brightens the face.

Laura Mercer Secret Camouflage in SC3

There is a reason this concealer is a makeup artists favourite. Covers anything and lasts for ages.

Bronzer 

Guerlain Terracotta Moisturising Bronzing Powder in 00 Makeup Artist

I use bronzer all year round just to add some warmth to my skin. This one by Guerlain is great because its completely matte so looks much more natural and this is a very light shade, so perfect for the Winter months when your skin is paler.

Powder 

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot

As Sheer Glow doesn't have an overly dewy finish I sometimes won't even bother with powder but today I just used a little bit on my t-zone and chin.

Blush

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

I definitely have an obsession with these Milani Illuminating Face Powders. I used this as a blusher but you can use the shade Amber Nectar as a bronzer as well. I love the sheer colour and glow you get with these, amazing.

Eyes

Eyeshadow Primer

Benefit Stay Don't Stray

Although this is a good eyeshadow primer, its ridiculously overpriced and the packaging is completely nonfunctional. 

Eyeshadow

MAC x 15 Warm Neutral Palette

For this look I used Creative Copper all over the lid, which is a beautiful gold colour. I then used Saddle which is a rich, warm, tan colour, in my crease and underneath my lower lash line. I have done a full review on this palette here but in summary its a beauty!

Eyeliner

MAC Fluidline in Dipdown

Look at me cracking out the eyeliner ;) When it comes to liquid liner, less is definitely more. I also love using a brown colour as opposed to a black because it keeps things looking softer and more natural.

Mascara

Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara

Like the L'oreal Miss Manga mascara, this has really grown on me the more I've used it. This is a fiber based mascara so really adds length to your lashes. The only thing with these fiber based mascaras is that they tend to flake by the end of the day and getting one of those fibers in your eye is a mother fucking pain!

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette

The best, mine is running dangerously low!

Maybelline Brow Drama in Medium Brown

You know what, this is actually a pretty good brow gel. It's tinted so also adds a little bit of colour.

Lips

Lipliner

Jordana Easyliner for Lips in Tawny

Lipliner is one of those beauty products that gets a bad rep and I think Kim Mathers can single-handedly take the blame for that! I like to use a lip liner to make my lips appear a little more fuller and I also use them to fill in my whole lip. This means that when your lipstick wears off, your lips will still have some colour to them. 

Lipstick

MAC Pure Zen

This is a very pretty light peach colour but I cannot use this on its own without Tawny, as otherwise its just too pale for me. Concealer lips are a crime my friends.

I suppose I should get dressed now!

The Beauty Graveyard

Time for a round up of all the products I have used up lately. If you haven't read one of my Beauty Graveyard posts before *'s indicate how many times a product has featured in previous Beauty Graveyard posts.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo **

I am a massive fan of the Bumble & Bumble Surf shampoo and conditioner. They leave my hair feeling squeaky clean and bouncy, plus help me achieve the tousled effect I love.

Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray **

This stuff is sickeningly expensive but it works so good I cant be without it! This gives me that tousled bed hair I love without any stickiness. In fact when I use this it doesn't even feel like I have anything in my hair at all. Plus it smells amazing and I always get compliments on my perfume when I use this!

Living Proof Full Discovery Kit

I have used up everything in this kit except the thickening cream. I did a full review on the kit here and I would highly recommend trying it, as its really good value for money. One thing I would add to my original review though, I didn't really rate the shampoo and conditioner but when used in conjunction with the thickening cream and root lifting spray, I really did notice a major difference in the volume of my hair!

Garnier Body Repair Anti-Dryness Restoring Lotion *****

One of my favourite body moisturisers. 

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion*

I really don't like the smell of this moisturiser, I think it must be the oat in it. Its not a bad moisturiser but the bottle is too small I use it up in no time at all. I probably wouldn't buy this again.

Clarins Body Shaping Supplement

I nicked this off my Mum as she wasn't using it. First of all I don't believe that any cream or lotion will shape your body in any way shape or form but as this is an oil you mix in with your normal body lotion, I thought it might be nice to use when your skin is drier in the Winter months. 

I don't have anything good to say about this, of course I noticed no "body shaping" results and it wasn't even particularly hydrating. Don't waste your money!

The Body Shop Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist

I definitely think these kind of products are used as a placebo but it was quite enjoyable spraying this on my pillow before bed and smelling the calming scent. I am a bit of a sucker at times, so I probably will purchase something similar to this again one day.

Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Masks

I did a full review on these masks in this post but I have to say I wont be repurchasing. In this pack you get 4 masks for £20.00 and I would just rather buy a tube of hydraluron for the money.

Yes to Cucumber Soothing Daily Calming Moisturiser *

You know I love the Yes to range because of their natural ingredients. I have tried all their moisturisers now, Cucumber, Carrot and Tomato. They feel nice and light on my skin, which is good for me as I cant stand heavy moisturisers on my face.

Neal's Yard Rehydrating Rose Toner

I really liked using this toner after cleansing as it left my skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. It didn't feel at all stripping or drying, just very gentle. I would definitely buy this again.

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel **

I forgot how much I loved this cleanser. For one reason or another, when I used up my last tube I didn't repurchase it. Then the other month I remembered how much I loved it and since then I have bought 2 tubes! I use this with a muslin cloth, it takes my makeup off so easily and feels really luxurious on the skin.

L'oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation

I really loved this foundation. It gave a light to medium coverage and felt really light on my skin. I would definitely buy another bottle of this. More in depth review here

L'oreal Miss Manga Mascara

This mascara really grew on me the more I used it. I felt like it really lengthened my lashes and gave volume but wasn't at all clumpy. I have done a full review here and again I would definitely repurchase this.

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder

Crappy packaging aside, this is a really good setting powder. It kept my oil at bay for the whole day which is important for me, as apart from lipstick I don't tend to touch up my makeup during the day. You do need to be careful with this though, as if you apply too much it can look a little cakey.

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip and Cheek Balm *

My all time favourite lip balm. This was in a limited edition peachy shade which they released a few years ago. I wish they would release more of these in different shades. 

This is a staple for me and I will forever be repurchasing it.

Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel **

Another staple, the best brow gel I have found. Not only does this groom your brows and keep them looking natural. It also has amazing hold, I like to brush my brows upwards and this keeps them in place all day.

Spring Favourites

Spring has sprung my friends and it feels good. 

I thought I would share a few beauty/makeup products I am loving at the moment but also incorporate a few other non beauty related things. I know this is a bit different to what I normally blab on about but I thought it might make a change, plus I love reading these kind of posts on other blogs. 

Flowers

I have gone a bit flower crazy these past few weeks but looking at them makes me happy. I am particularly loving Daffodils at the moment, they are so cheap £1 for a bunch and they last at least a week. Other favourites of mine are Stocks, which also last ages and Tulips but as they droop so quickly I don't buy them very often. 

MAC Face & Body Foundation in N3

For the first time in a very long time my skin is spot free, more on that later! I have been taking full advantage of this by using lightweight foundations and Face & Body is my current favourite. The coverage is very light but it just gives my skin a lovely glow and doesn't feel like you are wearing anything. I used my NARS Sheer Glow instead the other day and it felt so heavy on my skin in comparison.

NARS Copacabana Illuminator

A blob of this mixed in with the Face & Body gives you such a beautiful glow, perfect for Spring/Summer.

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Beauty's Touch

Damn girl, these Milani blushers are something else. I'm considering flying out to America, going to Walgreens to buy the entire Milani line and flying home again. That's economical right? 

Next on my list to try is their much hyped blush in Luminoso.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo + 

I have been using Effaclar Duo + for about three weeks now. I apply this every night after cleansing, followed by my moisturiser and I am genuinely amazed at the improvement in my skin. My skin hasn't been this clear in ages, I have had a couple of tiny spots which have gone overnight but that's it. 

Its that time of the month and usually I would have a chin full of angry red spots but there's nothing. I haven't noticed any difference in terms of fading marks on my skin yet but I think I will need to use this longer to see results.

Its always difficult recommending skincare, as what works for some doesn't work for others, but this has been a bloody miracle worker for me and I really would encourage you to try it if you are having similar skin problems. 

MooGoo Blemish Cleansing Moisturiser

I had never heard of MooGoo before but my Mum is currently having chemotherapy and as a side effect has been experiencing problems with her skin. MooGoo was recommended to her as they are a natural company which specialise in skincare for people with skin and scalp problems. She got the Blemish Cleansing Moisturiser as a sample with her order and this combined with the La Roche-Posay have worked wonders for me. I don't want to rave too much about how much better my skin is, in case I jinx it but lets just say I am thrilled with the results I have seen. I love natural products and supporting ethical companies, so I will definitely be purchasing the full size of this.

Brighton

A couple of weeks ago I conquered my fear of driving on the motorway and drove to Brighton with my friends for the day. I had such a lovely day eating salty chips on the beach, getting a bit addicted to the 2p machines in the arcade, walking through the lanes and finishing off the day off with a Bens Cookie! It was just so nice to get away and have a change of scenery!

My Inner Geek

Colour coding my book shelves

Game of Thrones Season 3

Aaaaamazing, I want to be Khaleesi! 

Dorothy Perkins

I had not bought any new work clothes in a loooong time. I actually hate buying work clothes but I have bought a few new colourful dresses and cardigans from Dorothy Perkins and I love them. My favourite is my daisy dress which I got when they had 25% off everything online, bargain! I feel like I'm channelling Zooey Deschanel in this!

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

A very thought provoking read so far. I'm only about a quarter of the way through but there are some very interesting points in here and I feel in need of some positivity right now.

Walking

I am a country bumpkin at heart and its so much nicer taking your dog out for a walk in the sunshine, than torrential rain!

Currently Loving: Rose Gold Nails

Generally speaking, when it comes to nails I stick to creme finishes but every now and then I venture out of my comfort zone.

Essie Penny Talk is simply the best metallic nail polish I have found. If you have been looking for a true rose gold nail polish, this is it. 

Before buying this I read some terrible reviews on the consistency and application of this polish. I have to say I don't understand why, I have no problems with streaking and for a metallic finish I think its pretty darn good. Only thing I will say is that the lasting power is not great and I had chips after a couple of days.

Metallic finishes will never be as flattering as cremes, so if you suffer from deep ridges in your nails I would stay far away. You can improve the finish of this by buffing your nails beforehand and using a ridge filling base coat.

I found this beauty on Amazon and every time I wear it I feel like the Terminator ;)