soap and glory mist you madly body spray

When the weather is as glorious as it has been recently I'm always so afraid of getting sweaty and sticky and horrible, especially living in London where travelling consists of boiling hot and over-packed tubes and buses. Therefore one of my summer essentials, along with a good deodorant, is a nice body spray to be able to have in my bag to easily freshen up throughout the day.

I've had the Soap and Glory Mist You Madly Body Spray for quite a few months now but not used it a great amount until recently. Over the last few days I've absolutely fallen in love with it as it's a fab summer body spray for a few reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, it smells incredible! It's a very sweet and slightly floral scent - the smell reminds me of Love Hearts, vanilla ice cream and flower gardens! The notes are actually bergamot and blackcurrant, magnolia, freesia, vanilla and musk. Perfect for summer. As for how well the scent lasts, I'd say for about two or three hours which I'd say is about average for a body spray.

Another reason that I love this body spray is that it's not in an aerosol can. It's a spray bottle filled with the scented liquid which immediately cools you down when you spray it on you. Obviously when it's this hot, anything that cools you down is a plus so I've been constantly spritzing this all over me!

If you love sweet and girly scents then I'd definitely pick up the Soap and Glory Mist You Madly Body Spray as not only is it a fab product but nice and cheap too! A large 250ml bottle is £6.50 from Boots and I can see this lasting for months as a little goes a long way. However if you're after something a little more travel friendly you can also pick up a 100ml bottle for £3.50.

PS. I had my last exam this morning (yippee!) so I am free for the summer to blog all I want!

xx

five empties #2

I'm really getting in to this whole 'empties' thing - is it only me that finds it satisfying to use things up? You can read my first empties post here but as I've recently finished some more products I'd thought I might as well do another one.

Boots Botanics Skin Brightening Toner

This is my usual go-to toner and I love it! It leaves my skin feeling so clean without that stripped and tight feeling and as is keeps excess oil at bay (not that I have particularly oily skin) it helps the skin stay spot free. At the moment I have another toner to use up but I'll definitely purchase this again.

The Botanics Skin Brightening Toner is £4.07 from Boots or online here and is currently on a 3 for 2 offer.

Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Conditioner

As with the toner, this is a product I revisit time and time again because it's so good. My hair is naturally quite dry but when I use this conditioner it feels so healthy and I very rarely get split ends. I also use the same shampoo from the range to really feel the full effects. I've actually still got a bottle of this to use up but when I run out of that I'll have to get another as it's the best I've tried for my naughty dry hair.

Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Conditioner is £4.69 from Boots or online here.

Boots Essentials Hand Cream: Intensive for Dry Skin

I really didn't expect much of this product when I first bought it but for £1.35 I can't fault it! It might not have fancy packaging or a gorgeous smell but it really does keep your hands moisturised and as it's so cheap and therefore not something I'd mind losing it's great just to throw in your bag when you're out and about. I've actually been through quite a few tubes now but after using up some more hand cream I would more than likely purchase it again.

The Boots Essentials Hand Cream for Dry Skin is £1.35 from Boots or online here and is currently on a 3 for 2 offer.

Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Nose Pore Strips

Um, can you tell I tend to shop in Boots by any chance? I'm not going to say too much about these as I've done a full review (which you can see here) but I really don't think that these do anything. For £4.99 I definitely won't be getting them again.

The Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Nose Pore Strips are £4.99 from Boots or online here and are currently on a 3 for 2 offer - not that I recommend getting them!

Benefit Refined Finish Facial Polish (sample)

Yes, I know that this featured in my last empties post but I had another little sample to use up! I can't wait to be able to get this again as I just love how refined (to steal Benefit's word) and fresh it makes my skin feel.

The Benefit Refined Finish Facial Polish is £17.50 and can be bought from Benefit counters or online here.

I'm liking these posts - I'm going to try and use up some more things, it's addictive haha!

Have you tried any of these products?

xx

favourite blushers for spring/summer

Left to right: Sleek Flamingo, 17 First Kiss, Topshop High Five, MUA English Rose, eBay Blush Palette Orangey Coral

Clockwise from top left: MUA English Rose, Topshop High Five, Sleek Flamingo, 17 First Kiss, eBay Blush Palette Orangey Coral

I love love love a good blush! They're definitely one of the bits of make up that I get most excited about. I think this might be as I'm so pale I feel that I need to add a bit of colour to my cheeks to make me look a little more alive. Anyway, enough rambling, I thought I'd show you the blushers that I love most for the spring and summer.

Sleek Blush in Flamingo
I know that this looks a terrifying colour in the pan and also on my arm as I've swatched it very heavily but on the cheeks (and used with a very light hand) it just gives such a pretty and feminine flush to the cheeks. I also know that Tanya Burr loves this blusher and I swear by her recommendations!
Sleek Blush in Flamingo is available from Superdrug for £4.30.


17 Blusher in First Kiss
I am OBSESSED with this blush at the moment - I've stopped even trying to restrain myself from using this blush every day - it's just so beautiful! It's a bright pinky coral which finishes with a subtle gold shimmer. It just gives your cheeks such a glowing and healthy look. Now I don't have it to compare, but I have read that this blush is very similar to the infamous Nars Orgasm (but obviously at a fraction of the price). From looking at swatches online it does look very similar hurrah! If you haven't got this blush then I URGE you to pick this up for the summer because I'm obsessed at the moment. I also think it would look brilliant on all skin tones!
17 Blusher in First Kiss is available from Boots for £3.49.


Topshop Cream Blush in High Five
This is a really bright almost neon pink which gives such a natural rosy glow to the cheeks. I love the Topshop cream blushers as they're so easy to blend and dry to a powder finish so your skin doesn't feel tacky all day long. My favourite way to apply these is with a stippling brush as this makes it even easier to evenly distribute the colour. Unfortunately I can't see High Five on the Topshop website any more but I have seen it in some shops still so have a look.
Topshop blushs are £6.00 from Topshop (and now the new John Lewis Beauty Hall on Oxford Street too!)

MUA Mosaic Blush in English Rose
I won't ramble on too much about this blusher as I've mentioned it before here where you can also see it on my cheeks! I think English Rose is such an appropriate name as this just gives you such a naturally pretty healthy glow. I love the shimmer in this blush as well as I feel it highlights my cheekbones so well to. For £2.50 I really can't fault it.
MUA Blush in English Rose is available from Superdrug for £2.50

eBay 10 Colour Blush Palette - shimmery orange coral (fourth on top row)
I picked up this ten piece blusher palette after seeing it on VIPXO (see Victoria's review here) and didn't have particularly high expectations as it was so cheap (it works out 44p a blusher!) However all of the colours are reasonably well pigmented and there's a great range of colours. My favourite at the moment is this bright shimmery coral. Corals and oranges are always so great for the summer and I love that these blushes are a little shimmery as I think that can make you look nice and glowy - and let you skip the highlighter!
This blush palette is available here from eBay for £4.46 - bargain!

What blushers are you loving at the moment?

xx

dirty works coconut caress body butter

With my recent dalliance in to the world of fake tan, I've been trying to keep the skin all over my body in tip-top condition as I'm really scared of any streaks or patchiness - so it's exfoliate exfoliate exfoliate moisturise moisturise moisturise for me! I have so many body lotions lying around but I absolutely can't get enough of the Dirty Works Coconut Caress Body Butter at the moment. Not only does this smell absolutely incredible (like coconut as the name suggests) but it's so rich and creamy and leaves your skin feeling gorgeous. However, although it is really effective in hydrating your skin, it sinks in relatively quickly so you don't have to stand about for ages feeling sticky!

The other fab thing about this product is the price - it's a nice big tub (300ml) so lasts a long time and even better it's only £4.99! Bargain! In Sainsburys at the moment you can actually pick it up for only £2.24, so perhaps now is the time I'll stock up!

What's your favourite body butter at the moment?

xx

collection 2000 lock n hold lip gloss in break dance

I've had this Collection 2000 Lock N Hold Lip Gloss for a couple of weeks now but I only wore it for the first time the other day. It was very cheap at £2.99 so I wasn't really expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised  by it! The first thing I was drawn to was the colour. It's such a gorgeous bright orangey coral which really does give a nice subtle colour and shine to the lips. I thought it would be such a pretty shade for the spring and summer and after trying it I really can see myself getting quite a bit of wear out of this gloss.

Formula-wise it's great because it's not sticky at all, I can't stand horrid tacky glosses which everything gets stuck to... not fun! It's very thick but thankfully the little sponge applicator makes it really easy to apply. The packaging claims that the lip gloss will wear for up to six hours. When I'm working it's always so great to have a lip product that you don't have to keep touching up and this actually fits the bill pretty well! While I wouldn't say that this lasts on your lips for six hours, it definitely only needs touching up every two or three hours instead of some lip glosses which seem to disappear from your lips almost instantly. Can I also add that this lip gloss is the BEST smelling lip product I own hands down. It smells so fruity that I have to restrain myself from having a little lick. Ah it smells incredible!

Overall I was so impressed with this Collection 2000 Lock N Hold Lip Gloss and I think I'll have a look at the other colours when I get a chance - Beat Box (a dark pink) looks lovely too!

Collection 2000 Lock N Hold Lip Glosses are available from Boots and Superdrug and are £2.99.

xx

face of the day: glow!

As my day yesterday simply consisted of getting my shoes reheeled, buying some new Biros and revision (wild), I wanted really neutral and natural looking make up - nothing over the top or too heavy. For me, this means getting my skin looking as glowing and flawless as possible because I think radiant cheeks and just mascara on the eyes is such a great combination.

After moisturising I applied some of the Rimmel Fix and Protect Pro Primer on and around my nose and on my chin. I don't know what's happened but recently my pores around my nose have been looking HUGE and so I picked this up yesterday in a bid to shrink those horrid craters in my face a little bit. So far so good but I'll test it out a bit more thoroughly before giving a full review. In the bid for glowing skin I also applied some L'Oreal Lumi Magique Base Concentre de Lumiere (the French name sounds so much more glamorous haha) to my cheeks and then after letting it sink it added another layer to my temples and cheekbones. While this definitely does not perfect your skin or give any coverage, the healthy glow that it gives when worn under foundation is just fab!

On to the foundation! Last Monday I picked up a sample of the Nars Sheer Glow from Selfridges and I am absolutely loving it. I only have about one application left in my little sample pot eek! I'm definitely going to go and repurchase it as I love the way it makes my skin look and feel. It makes my skin looking totally even and flawless but not flat and overly matte - I hate it when foundation takes away any natural glow. When I first applied this foundation I thought it looked really obvious, but after a couple of minutes and it's settled on to my skin it looks almost undetectable. I can't wait to get the full size! I also used a little of the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair under my eyes and anywhere where I needed any extra coverage (always the chin!), as well as using my UNE Skin Glow Pencil in G01 to take away any redness from my lower water line.

Next I applied some Soleil Tan de Chanel to the hollows of my cheeks and to the sides of my forehead with a stippling brush. Being quite pale I love the dimension this adds to my face and the sunkissed look it gives. I know that people say it can look orange and I do agree, which is why you have to be very careful to apply a little at a time to get the colour you're after. For blush I chose a 17 Blusher in First Kiss. Again this is a really glowy product and the pretty pink colour is so girly and gives a great flush to the cheeks. I think this blush and the Chanel bronzer are a fab team! I've also read that some people have said that First Kiss gives a similar effect to Nars Orgasm but obviously at a fraction of the price. After finishing my cheeks I put on a very small amount of Collection 2000 Pressed Powder in Candlelight just to my nose and chin to set my foundation. I never apply powder to anywhere else on my face as I want to keep my skin looking glowing.

I then pencilled in my eyebrows with Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows in Soft Blonde which is my go-to eyebrow pencil at the moment. I included it in my recent Current Favourites post so if you want to know more of my thoughts on it then click here! On my eyes I simply curled my lashes and then used the Clinique High Impact Mascara. I just have a little sample size of this from a magazine and while there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the product, I don't think I'd purchase it again as it far from blew me away and there are definitely cheaper mascaras that perform better. To highlight the inner corners of my eye and brow bone I then used an MUA Eyeshadow in Shade 1. I thought this was such a pretty highlight colour that I actually also dabbed a little on to my cheekbones.

Lastly I kept my lips very simple and used a Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick in Shade 3. Although I do like the colour of this lipstick it's perhaps a little light for me as I have quite naturally pigmented lips so I warmed it up a little with an MUA Love Hearts Lip Balm in Sugar Lips which is a really pretty pink and smells incredible!

So that was my make up for the day! I'd love to know any products you use to make your skin look dewy and glowy!

xx

current favourites

I didn't want to call this my April Favourites as that sort of implies that I'll do this every month, which I can't promise I necessarily will. However, regardless of the title, here are some things which I've really enjoyed using over the past month or so.

• For a true neutral lover (and lover of shimmer!) the Naked Palette is a must. It has the perfect range of shades to take you from a pretty subtle day time look to a full on smoky eye. It's quite pricey at £36 but for the quality and the number of eyeshadows you get (12), I think it's worth every penny.
• I've already done a full review of Lancome Hypnose Drama (which you can read here), but let me just reiterate - this is the best mascara I've ever used. It's just a shame that I didn't fall for a high street one!
• While I do love my Rimmel Brow Pencil for more defined brows, when I'm after more natural looking eyebrows for everyday (which are also quicker to do) then Clinique Instant Lift for Brows is a must for me. It has a screw up brow pencil on one end and a brow bone highlight on the other. However, my brow pencil end has run out and this time I've just purchased Clinique's Superfine Liner for Brows as I wasn't so bothered about the highlight side as it seemed a little too gold toned. It's a bit more expensive than a high street brow pencil at £12 but it's the perfect colour for my very fair eyebrows!
• Again, I've done a full review on the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze which you can read here. This is just such a fab multi-use product - I love to use it on its own, as a base for eyeshadow and as a liner - just brilliant!
• Three nail polish colours which I've really enjoyed wearing recently are Models Own 'Blooboo', Barry M 'Peach Melba' and Maybelline Express Finish in 'Turquoise Lagoon'. They're all just such fun colours for spring. Have a look at them on my nails here, here and here!

• I've definitely rekindled my love for Soap and Glory's Pulp Friction Body Scrub. Not only does this stuff smell brilliant (I have to restrain myself from eating it), but it leaves my skin silky smooth! You can pick this up from Boots for £8, which I thing is a fab price considering how long it's lasting me.
• This may seem a bit of an odd choice, but I've really enjoyed using the Dr. Bronner's Magic Lavender Hand Sanitizing Spray which I got in my February Glossybox. Living in London and working in a job where I have to handle money, my hands continuously feel dirty and I find myself using a lot of hand sanitizer. I not only love the smell of this as it's less chemically smelling than others I've tried but I love that it's in a spray bottle. I also find that it doesn't leave my hands feeling as dry as others have done. I'll definitely pick up another one of these when it runs out.
• Ever since I smelled Valentina by Valentino in last month's Glossybox, I've wanted a bottle. My boyfriend treated me to some for my birthday and I can't stop using it! I'm awful at describing scents, but it's floral and girly but not too sweet. Definitely give it a smell if you get a chance as it's such a beautiful perfume.

• These jeans were really difficult to photograph so I don't think I've done them much justice, but I absolutely love them. I can't get enough of Zara at the moment and I think these leather look jeans have to be my favourite recent purchase. I can't find them online any more but they're basically identical to these. They're great to wear both in the day and for a night out and make basic outfits look so much more interesting.
• This necklace from River Island has been practically glued to my neck all month! I know everyone has these cuff style necklaces at the moment but for me this is the perfect thickness. I just love how plain it is and it looks fab especially with basic tees. It cost me £7 and it's also available in silver (umm, may have to get that...)
• Last but by no means least is my Babyliss Big Hair. This makes my hair look salon fresh and feel so healthy and bouncy - Kate Middleton would be jealous! I love how it gives my naturally very flat hair a bit of life and volume. It's perhaps a bit pricey at £45 ish (here on Amazon) but it does make the fiddly task of blow drying your hair so much easier.

Have you tried any of these bits? What did you think?

xx

frontcover to go palette

It was very hard to take a picture of as it's so shiny!

Left to right: Pale Gold, Black Spark, Powder Puff, Wisteria

I picked this little convertible palette up from the Carnaby Street Boots yesterday as both the eyeshadows and the palette were on a crazy deal... how could I say no?! The palette itself was reduced by 75% to £1.25 and then each eyeshadow was reduced by 75% too making them £1.00. Therefore four eyeshadows and a palette cost me only £5.25 - fab!

There wasn't a huge selection left of  the eyeshadows as they're obviously just trying to sell them off now but thankfully there were lots left of the more neutral colours which I was very happy about. Also as you may have guessed by now I prefer to wear more shimmery eyeshadows, which was perfect for me as there didn't seem to be much of a selection of mattes. Here are the ones which I chose -

I picked (from left to right): Pale Gold, Black Spark, Powder Puff and Wisteria

These are all such beautiful colours and the eyeshadows themselves are so pigmented. I really can see myself getting a lot of use out of them. Pale Gold and Powder Puff are the kind of colours I wear most days on my eyes with a little lick of mascara and I can see the shimmery navy of Black Spark being fab to liven up a smoky eye for a night out. However, Wisteria is the eyeshadow which I'm most excited about. In some lights it looks silver and in others more purple toned. I can't think of another eyeshadow I have which is quite like it so I can't wait to use it!

After looking on the Frontcover website here, I'm a bit disappointed that there wasn't a few more shades available so that I could maybe have filled two palettes. Burnt Toast, Twinkling Grape, Moonstruck and Cloud Dance look especially pretty!

I just had a look on the Boots website and they do have the palettes and some eyeshadows left on there but not a huge selection. Also have a look in your local shop as for the price and the quality of the products, I really do recommend snapping them up if you get a chance!

Have you tried any Frontcover items?

xx

boots tea tree and witch hazel nose pore strips

I bought the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Nose Pore Strips quite a few months ago now and I have used three of the six in the box, so I thought perhaps now would be the right time for a review.

When you take the strips out of the box, they come in another sachet to prevent bacteria getting to them. As you can see, inside these sachets are strips of felt like material with a sticky side, which is protected by a sheet of plastic. After wetting your nose, you apply the sticky side of the strip to your nose and leave on for about fifteen minutes, and in this time the strip will dry and tighten to your nose. While they are comfortable to wear, you do feel a slight tug when removing the strip, but this feels a little like taking a plaster off rather than being painful. So that's how you use them - but do they actually do anything?

Boots claims that these nose strips will instantly remove dirt and oil, help to remove blackheads and tighten pores and prevent future breakouts. I don't suffer from spots particularly, but I do have a couple of blackheads on my nose. I also have quite large pores on and around my nose, so anything which reduces the size of those appeals to me!

When you remove the strip, on close inspection you can see evidence of a few blackheads being removed (disgusting I know, hence why there is no after picture of the strip haha), but I don't really see any difference in terms of blackheads on my nose. However, the one positive of these strips is that I would say my pores do look a little smaller after use. The only thing is that my largest pores are actually around rather than on my nose so the strips obviously make no difference to those!

I personally don't think that these strips have made much of an impact on my skin at all and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone looking to remove great numbers of blackheads as I don't really think they do that much. I couldn't remember how much they were so I just had a look on the Boots website - £4.99 (so just over 80p a strip)! Definitely not worth even giving them a go!

xx

lancome hypnose drama mascara

Left: one coat, Right: bare lashes!

One coat

When I saw a sample of this in my March Glossybox, I must admit that I wasn't that excited. I was happy with the mascaras that I was using (Bourjois Volumiser and Rimmel Glam'Eyes) and so I tried the sample of Lancome Hypnose Drama with low expectations. However, on first application I realised: this stuff is brilliant! After using my sample up, I had to purchase the real thing.

The shape of the brush is just perfect - the curved edge grabs all your lashes and perfectly curls them to add volume and definition, while the other S shaped side separates your lashes to ensure they hold the right amount of product and don't look clumpy. Lancome Hypnose Drama leaves my lashes looking full and thick, but definitely not clumped together like I only have one eyelash! I also find that sometimes the curve and volume of my eyelashes drops throughout the day, but this mascara holds my stubby little lashes in place all day and it also doesn't flake on to my cheeks - fab!

The packaging is gorgeous too. The tube is very simple and black with gold detailing but the curved shape adds some interest and makes it different from the sometimes cheap looking packaging on the high street. 

One thing that some people may perceive as a negative of this mascara is the scent. It doesn't smell of anything it particular but it does have a stronger than usual make up-ey smell. This doesn't bother me particularly but I know some people don't like strong scents near their eyes. I suppose another negative could also be seen as the price. This cost me £21 from Boots. I know that this is so expensive for a mascara but I really do notice a difference in comparison to my high street mascaras. Although it is pricey, I can see me purchasing it again when it runs out!

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara is available from lots of larger department stores as well as Boots.

xx

rimmel wake me up foundation and concealer

Note: Picture is without powder.

I thought it was about time that I reviewed the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation as I've now been using it for quite a while (as you can see from the bottle it's been well loved) and so I feel that I now truly know what my opinion is on this foundation: I love it.

The Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation claims that it visibly reawakens and illuminates skin with a radiant glow and a flawless, natural-looking finish. Now, I'm sure most of you are like me and read these things and are a bit sceptical. Surely there's only so much a foundation can do to even out and illuminate your skin tone? However, Rimmel you convinced me! When I wake up in the morning and I haven't had much sleep, I reach for this and it instantly makes my skin look not only look more even as you would expect from a foundation, but also glowing and healthy, as if I've had a good snooze. I'll also add that I have quite large pores by my nose and I feel as if the foundation actually reduces the size of them - fab! I use a flat top kabuki to apply one and a half to two pumps of this to my face which gives a medium but natural looking coverage. However, this foundation can be built up for a more full coverage if that's what you're after.

The foundation lasts well on my skin, which isn't particularly oily, although I do normally very lightly powder my t-zone to prolong wear. However, after seven or eight hours my chin does need touching up but this happens to me with all foundations (and annoyingly this is the only place I get any blemishes wah!)

I've read quite a few reviews of this which comment on the 'radiance pearls' as Rimmel call them, AKA little tiny bits of glitter. While I can see them in the bottle and ever so slightly when applied to my hand, I've never had a problem when using this with my face appearing sparkly. I actually just grabbed a mirror to have a look again - no, still not visible to me in natural light.

As for the packaging, while I like the fact that the bottle is made of glass, I'm not particularly keen on the bulky orange lid, but for the price and how good the foundation is, I'll let that go. There are definitely worse foundation bottles on the high street. I also love love love to have a pump which makes it not only so much easier to get the product out of the bottle but also not to waste any.

Now on to the negatives. There aren't many but nothing is perfect hey! In regards to the range of shades, there are only six colours to choose from, the lightest being not that pale and the darkest being incredibly light in my opinion! For example, I'm reasonably pale and wear the lightest shade, 100 Ivory. However, not only is this the tiniest bit dark for me (although unnoticeable when buffed in to my skin), but I also know a lot of people that are even paler than me. As for people with more olive to darker skin tones - I really think you'll struggle to find an appropriate shade which is a shame as this is a fab foundation. Part of the whole Rimmel London advertising campaign is ooh look how cool and London and British you can be... Um, London is a fabulously multicultural place and I just don't understand how so many British cosmetic companies can ignore so many of the varying skin tones that we have in this country. Anyway, don't get me started - basically the shade range is poo.

Another thing which people might view as possibly negative is the fact that Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation has an SPF of 15. This is great for everyday use as it will protect your skin but perhaps something to consider if you're going out at night or somewhere special where there will be lots of flash photography. No one wants to look at their pictures on Facebook and think they looked like a ghost! (Detag...)

The Wake Me Up range also contains a concealer which I picked up as part of the Boots 3 for 2 about a week ago. Rimmel describes the product as a full coverage concealer that visibly awakens and illuminates under the eyes and is also good for hiding spots and other blemishes. This again has some glittery bits in but as with the foundation I can only detect them in the tube.

My usual concealer of choice (like many people's) is the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer, but since buying the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer, my Collection 2000 one has seen less use. The Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer, as it claims, is great for illuminating under your eyes and covering any dark circles. It definitely makes me look more wide awake, however, I still prefer my Lasting Perfection Concealer for hiding any blemishes as I just worry (perhaps unnecessarily) that the invisible 'radiance pearls' may draw more attention to any spots.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer lasts under my eyes all day without wearing or creasing, does not look heavy or cakey, and in my opinion sits very naturally on the skin. However, as with the foundation the shade range is truly dreadful, with only four to choose from, but this is exactly the same with the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer.

The Rimmel Wake Me foundation is £8.99 for 30ml and the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer is £5.99 for 7ml.

Sorry this post is so long but hopefully at least one person will have found this helpful! Do you like the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation and concealer? What's your everyday go-to foundation at the moment?

xx

PS. If anyone's interested, I've also got on Clinique Instant Lift for Brows in Soft Blonde, Bourjois Volumiser Mascara in Black and on my lips MAC Creme Cup and Barry M Lip Gloss in 11.

nail of the day (and a quick review of sally hansen top coats!)

Just a quick post to show you what I currently have on my nails. The nail varnish was actually one of my presents from my little brother, so thank you very much Archie! (Will he ever read this blog, considering it's mostly about beauty? I don't think so...)

The colour is Barry M Peach Melba which is such a pretty pastel peach shade. It's perfect for this time of year and looks so subtle and natural. As with most pastel shades, it did go on a little streaky at first. I used two coats, but next time I think I'll add a third, as there are a couple of places where if you look very carefully, it's not totally opaque. I also think this would make a really pretty base for something like a gold or bronze glitter!

As usual, I used my No7 So Smooth Base Coat, which is honestly such a great base coat. In the past I've had a lot of problems with my nails getting stained from painting them too much and this not only prevents this but really helps your nail varnish to last a lot longer. Brilliant!

For the second time now, I used my new Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base and Top Coat to finish off my nails. When comparing it to my trusty Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat, I wouldn't say there was any difference between them in regards to how effectively they make your nail polish last. I find that Sally Hansen top coats really do make your nails last so much longer without chipping, even if you are using a poorer quality varnish, and both also give your nails a gorgeous glossy finish. However, I do prefer the fast drying properties of the Insta-Dri Top Coat, as you paint on a thin layer after waiting two minutes for your polish to dry slightly, and very quickly your nails are totally dry and so you don't have to worry about smudging them or leaving little dents anywhere.

No7 So Smooth Base Coat (£7.00)

Barry M Nail Paint in Peach Melba (£2.99)

Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base and Top Coat (£5.25)

(For reference, the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat is £5.99, and all prices are from Boots - remember the 3 for 2! Eek, too tempting!)

xx

a true lip butter?

The other day I gave in and finally purchased one of the new Revlon Lip Butters that we've been hearing so much about. I must admit that when they finally hit the shops I was actually a bit disappointed in the range of colours and found them a bit, well... boring. (Just me?) There wasn't a shade that instantly jumped out at me. Anyway, as I said I picked one up on a whim and went eventually for Macaroon, a subtle brown toned reddish shade.

As quite a few people have said now, the formula was not what I was expecting at all. When I heard about the Lip Butters I was expecting a very sheer and soft texture which was moisturising on the lip. In fact, they're really very pigmented and not sheer in the slightest. Also, as for the feel of them on the lip - dare I say it - I've actually found them to be quite drying. I have other lipsticks which don't claim to have moisturising properties which are less drying than this! Despite these criticisms, I do love the colour of Macaroon for everyday wear but I have taken to applying a lip balm first as I tend to do with all my other lipsticks. The colour lasts on my lips for three ish hours before I feel that it needs to be reapplied, which is about standard for me. I also like the sleek packaging which feels sturdy and well made. I love being able to see the colour through the top of the lid too!

In a totally unrelated incident (I get pulled in by the Boots 3 for 2 offer far too regularly...) I picked up a Mirror Shine lipstick by 17 in the colour Purple Haze. This is a gorgeous purpley berry shade, as the name suggests, and looks like you've been gobbling blackberries - just the kind of colour I love! Anyway, when I wore this for the first time yesterday, I realised that this was actually far more how I had expected the Lip Butters to be. The colour is incredibly sheer and I find the Mirror Shine lipsticks to actually be a lot more moisturising than the Revlon Lip Butters - I don't feel the need to apply lip balm before at all. The colour definitely doesn't last as long but that can often be the case with more glossy and moisturising lip products, and having to reapply regularly doesn't bother me particularly. I'm also not really a fan of the packaging; the blue metallic bullet doesn't really do much for me and looks a bit cheap.

Left: 17 Mirror Shine, Right: Revlon Lip Butter

Top: Revlon Lip Butter in Macaroon (slightly smudged... oops!), Bottom: 17 Mirror Shine in Purple Haze

I have other 17 lipsticks but this was my first from the Mirror Shine range, and I will definitely be picking up more as I love the formula. As for the Revlon Lip Butters? I don't think I'll necessarily get another one, not because of the texture but because of the colour range. One product that I hear has a similar feel to it are the L'Oreal Caresse lipsticks, which are meant to be very sheer. Also, the range of colours looks far more exciting than the Lip Butters so watch this space!

I picked both the Revlon Lip Butter and the 17 Moisture Shine Lipstick up from Boots. The Lip Butter was £7.99 and the Mirror Shine Lipstick was £4.59.

Have you tried either of these products? What did you think? If you've tried one of the L'Oreal Caresse lipsticks, did you like it?

PS. Today is my birthday! I'd like to pretend it's by eighteenth again, but the truth is I'm now twenty. Still young, but too old for my liking! Another trip to Boots for the 3 for 2 may therefore be appropriate as a little treat...

xx

maybelline 24 hour colour tattoo in on and on bronze

Hello!

I know there have been lots of posts on the Maybelline Colour Tattoos now, but I just had to mention them too as I am absolutely loving the colour On and On Bronze! Since buying this product I have used it nearly every day as not only is the colour absolutely beautiful, but it lasts so well throughout the day and can be used in a few different ways to create different looks.

If used with a very light touch, they can be used for a very thin wash of colour across the eyelid which can look lovely, especially in a nice summery colour such as On and On Bronze. It also makes a great base for other eye shadows so you can really build up the intensity of colour to create a really dramatic bronzey smokey eye if you smudge it around the eye. (The Colour Tattoos have been hailed as the high street version of MAC Paint Pots although I haven't tried those, so perhaps they're something to look in to if you love the idea of the Paint Pots but are on more of a budget.) However,my favourite way to wear the Colour Tattoo at the moment is as an eye liner as the bronze looks a lot more subtle than black for spring!

As for the twenty four hour claim... well, I haven't worn it on my eye for that long but they do last for absolutely hours in the same place with only minimal creasing. When I originally bought it, I swatched it on my hand in the shop and then went to work, and the colour was still all in exactly the same place hours later! If used underneath other eye shadows, they also do definitely make them last longer too.

I absolutely love the colour of On and On Bronze but I feel a bit disappointed that I'm not really drawn to any of the other colours, as I love the quality. The purple and blue are too colourful for me and I know they won't get much use and the charcoal shade just didn't really appeal to me either. When I saw Permanent Taupe in the shop I thought it looked a bit muddy, however after seeing it on Seonaid's eye (from Beauty and Baggage - she also has a great review!) I think that I may reconsider it as it actually looked really pretty on, and looked like it would make a nice neutral shade for everyday. 'Eternal Gold' is also really pretty, I'm just not quite sure how much use I'd get out of it. After looking on the Boots website, there is also a silver one, but I don't think I've seen this anywhere even as a tester...

If you're after a versatile eye shadow that's a pretty colour for spring, easy to work with and blend and will last all day then do try the Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze :)

The Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoos are £4.99.

xx

mua loves

Hello again!

As I mentioned before, I'm in Norwich at the moment and I was having a little look through my make up bags...  is three really too many for a week?

Anyway, the only eye shadows I decided to bring with me are the MUA 'Heaven and Earth' palette - I can't get enough of this! I'm pretty dull when it comes to eye shadow and only tend to wear neutral shades. I also love shimmery eye shadow so this palette is perfect for me!

It's great for a very subtle day time look or to really build up for a heavy smoky eye love love love. The eye shadows themselves are well pigmented and easy to work with and blend. This is the only palette I have from MUA but they have quite a few now, and are probably trying to revival the success Sleek have had with their palettes. Most of the others are more colourful, but after how much use I've got out of this, I would consider picking up the 'Glamour Days' palette. If you haven't already got the 'Heaven and Earth' palette, please do go and grab one of these from Superdrug as they're only £4 (!) and worth every single penny.

Another product from MUA that I get lots of use out of is the Mosaic Blush in 'English Rose'. This is such a pretty and natural colour and makes your skin look so much brighter if it's feeling a bit dull and tired. Gemma from gemsmaquillage compared it to the Benefit blush 'Hervana' as it has similar shades in it (without the painful price tag)! I love to wear highlighter on a pretty much daily basis but as this is a little bit shimmery and glowy, I feel that it does the work for me and I don't need any.

Looking quite well loved...

Like with all MUA products the price is brilliant and the Mosaic Blush in 'English Rose' is £2.50.

As with any other cheap brands, they do have some really poor quality products too but the 'Heaven and Earth' palette and the 'English Rose' blush are fab and are two of my most used make up items!

xx

origins checks and balances face wash

Hello!

I haven’t posted for four days now which I suppose isn't really that long but feels like FOREVER wahhhh! The pressure is finally off regarding essays and although I do have one more as well as revision to do, these things are not urgent at the moment. I've come to Norwich for a week or so for my birthday and my Mum's which is nice and relaxing so I'll have lots of time to devote to my little blog, which I'm very much looking forward to!

To get the ball rolling again, I thought I'd tell you about a fab product that I've been using for a little while now - the Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Facial Wash.

Months and months ago now I tried the legendary Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and had the worst possible allergic reaction to it. Now I don't have sensitive skin particularly and don't suffer from spots generally but this gave me itchy red blemishes all over my face for literally weeks (sob... so embarrassing). This isn't to say however that the Cleanse and Polish is a bad product though as I've heard of very few people having this sort of reaction to it; there was obviously something in it that I was just very allergic to. (I do have a picture of my horrid spots/boils that I took for lolz but do I want to show it? Um, no.) Anyway, after my skin started to clear up, I was on the hunt for a new cleanser, which was when I picked up the Checks and Balances Face Wash from Origins.

As I've said before I have combination skin, but the dry parts can be more of an issue . This is why this face wash is so good. It claims it cleanses both dry and oily places without cancelling each other out. Any unwanted oiliness is reduced but the rest of my skin is not left feeling dry and tight as a consequence. I do have the odd spots around my chin from time to time and I have to say, my skin has looked very clear recently, and I think the balancing effect of this may have something to do with it.

I use this in the same way as I did with the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, with a muslin cloth, however I don't put it across my eyes as it suggests not to. I also don't use this to take off my make up, as I always like to double cleanse, so I make sure that the worst of my make up is off first. The Checks and Balances Face Wash lathers up to be nice and foamy too so it's really easy to work it well in to the skin.

All together this is a brilliant everyday cleanser for people like me who have combination skin but don't want to make their skin any more dry or oily, and I definitely think it's worth the £17 price tag. This is a little more than you would pay for the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish (£14.75 for the starter kit) but you do get 50ml more product in the Origins cleanser. As a company, Origins also produce their skincare naturally and organically, without harsh chemicals such as parabens, and also make the most of renewable sources and energy - fab! - so I don't mind spending a little bit more on good quality skincare products compared to simply using all high street brands. In general, I think it's more important to spend money carefully on suitable skincare that works than on having all high end make up. If you're on the market for a new cleanser then give this a try!

xx

boots botanics conditioning clay mask

Ah! I've just finished using this product for the third time and I love it so much that I have to tell you about it! I picked the Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask up as part of a 3 for 2 skincare deal probably a month ago now. There was only actually two products I wanted so I grabbed this as it was cheap so it would be free. I wasn't really expecting much so I've been really surprised by its results!

The Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay masks contains burdock which 'purifies and clarifies' and clay to 'draw out impurities'. It claims to have 'a negative electrical charge to attract deep-rooted impurities from the skin without over drying'. Now, I don't know the science behind these things so I can't say if this is true or not, but all I know is that it works! After using this face mask my skin instantly looks so bright, fresh and clean, but at the same time doesn't feel tight and dry. I've also noticed that I've had less spots over the last few weeks and I definitely think this is something to do with it!

I take my make up off with eye make up remover and a face wipe, and then use a gentle cleanser (such as the No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser) just to make sure my face is completely clean. You have to shake it before you apply the mask to ensure that it's all an even consistency due to the clay. It's quite runny which makes it a bit difficult to apply without getting it all over the sink, but I attempt to apply it all over my face, avoiding the eye area, and not down my clothes and the tiles...

The tube instructs to leave it on for ten to twenty minutes and I leave it on for about fifteen. The mask does dry which makes your face feel all tight and funny (so I sit there stretching my face in to lots of different positions and try and make it crack...) The one negative of this mask is the removal process. You rinse it off with warm water, but again this paints your sink green. After a lot of splashing and rinsing, I use my cleanser again just to make sure all the mask is off.

I've been using this once a week and I can see myself repurchasing this over and over again. I love how bright and healthy it makes my skin look! I've used it three times now and I the tube is still really full. The Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask is only £2.49 so I really do urge you all to give it a try!

(I've said it before but just in case anyone was wondering - my skin is normal to combination but although I do get a little bit oily in places, my dry areas can be more of a problem)

xx

elf mineral moisturising lip tint

Hello!

Just a quick post about a product that I'm really enjoying at the moment!

If you're looking for something nice and moisturising for your lips, but equally a nice pigmented wash of colour then you should definitely try one of the ELF Mineral Moisturising Lip Tints. They're so butter-soft in texture and feel lovely on your lips, not drying or tight in any way. The Lip Tint also contains SPF 8 so while moisturising your lips, it's also protecting them from any further damage. However, the high point for me is the colour. The shade I have is 'Berry' and it's a gorgeous dark raspberry like shade (I have it on in my profile picture)! I have quite a few tinted lip balms and this is definitely the most opaque of them all! The only slight negative is that the colour doesn't stay on your lips for that long (this may partly be down to the scrummy sugary taste which leads to my constant lip-licking...).

The ELF Mineral Moisturising Lip Tint is available from the ELF website as part of their Mineral range for £3.50. They quite often do free postage and packaging offers too so if you're not already signed up for their emails then I recommend doing that! ELF can be quite hit and miss with their products but this is one which I really do recommend and I think I'll probably pick up another one in either 'Blush' or 'Cherry' when I next place an order! :)

I'd love to hear any of your ELF recommendations!

xx

no7 beautiful skin eye make-up remover

Hello hello!

I picked up the No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover in Boots on Saturday, so I thought while we all have millions of £5 off No7 vouchers lying around (surely this can't just be me?!), I'd tell you whether it was worth getting!

The front of the bottle tells us that the make-up remover is suitable for all skin types and hypo-allergenic, which sounds great to me as I have quite sensitive eyes. This didn't irritate my eyes at all, whereas some other make-up removing products can really make my eyes sting (I wear contact lenses and my eyes can feel quite sore by the end of the day). It also did actually do a good job at removing all of my eye make-up, including mascara, without me having to rub and tug about at my skin!

This is all sounding very promising but there is something that I HATED about this product - the consistency. It's just so greasy! It feels like what I envisage rubbing cooking oil around my face to be like, and this sensation doesn't evaporate or anything, it just sits there on your face, slipping around... Not pleasant at all.

The full price for the No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover is £7.75, which to be honest I think is a rip off for 100ml worth of oil. I wouldn't even get it again with a £5 off voucher.

Sorry No7 - you've got some other great make-up and skin care products (such as the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser - loving this at the moment!), but this really disappointed me.

xx

my current hair care routine

Hello :)

When I looked at my hair in the mirror earlier, I just felt all pleased with how shiny and healthy it currently looks, so I thought I'd tell you all about my hair care routine which seems to be working so well for me! I feel as if I've finally found some products that get on with well with my (sometimes naughty) hair.

First of all I should probably tell you a bit about my hair and its 'behaviour' so you'll know more whether or not these products will work for you. I've been told before that although I have a lot of hair (as in singular strands), each hair itself is quite fine so sometimes I've felt in the past that my hair can be quite flat. Also, as I've told you before my hair can be quite dry so I look for products that will help to combat this. I have naturally auburn hair which I've never died and I don't used a heat on my hair everyday, so I suppose it must just be naturally lacking some moisture!

Shampoo and conditioner

Apologies for the well loved shampoo bottle!

I was never loyal to one particular type of shampoo and conditioner until I tried the Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Shampoo and Conditioner. I was always put off previously as I really don't like the packaging and branding of the product (not quite sure why - Liz Tyler swishing her hair just doesn't really scream 'buy me', at least for me!), but the two were on some sort of deal in Sainsbury's ages ago so I just picked them up on a whim - and I don't regret it!

The products claim that they 'improve moisture balance and leave hair more resilient against styling or combing damaging' and 'prevent the formation of split ends' amongst other things. I've been using the shampoo and conditioner for a couple of months now and I did notice a difference very quickly. They leave my hair feeling clean and soft and I actually do believe they've made my hair stronger as I've certainly noticed less split ends. They're also both a brilliant thick creamy consistency and smell deliciously fruity!

I wash my hair normally about once every three days as my hair doesn't get very greasy. I use the shampoo every time but I don't always use the conditioner as I have a hair mask and a balm I also like to use which I'll tell you about in a minute...

I've just had a look on the Boots website and the Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Shampoo and Conditioner are £4.69 which I think is great as they're big bottles so last you a long time. If you suffer from dry unhappy hair then I really do suggest giving them a go! Like I said, you often see them on offers too so shop about.

Hair masks and balms

Every few washes (so perhaps once every week and a half) I like to use something really deeply moisturising. I make sure I've got a bit more time when I do this so I can let the products sit for a bit and feel their true effects.

My two favourites are the Umberto Giannini Indulgent Beauty Moisture Mask and Davines Authentic Moisturising Balm. The Umberto Giannini is a deep treatment conditioning mask which makes your hair ridiculously soft. I've done a full review of this product - because it's so fab! - which you can read here.

The Davines Authentic Moisturising Balm I actually got in my January Glossybox and at first I didn't really know what to do with it. The tube instructs that it's a '98% natural' product that can be used on your face hair and body... for me that's too much choice! On the back it tells you to put it on the ends of your hair and leave for a few minutes so I gave it a try - and it's brilliant! If you suffer from split ends or are looking just to prevent them then this product is excellent as you easily concentrate it on to where you really need it and it makes your hair look so sleek! I shampoo and condition my hair and then put this on to my clean hair. I probably leave it for about ten minutes while I do everything else in the shower then rinse this off last.

On a side not, the packaging is absolutely beautiful, with drawings of a girl, a bee, hummingbird and lots of other things. I love that it's a bit different to other designs on the market (a lot better than the horrid Pantene packaging)! I'll definitely be repurchasing this product. It's £17.40 for 150ml but I think that's great value as you don't need much of the balm at a time. I've been using my sample size (75ml) since January and I still have about half of it left, if not more.

Hair oils and serums

When I get out of the shower with my wet hair, I first towel dry it for a little while as I like to try and use as little heat on it as possible. When it's damp and not quite so wet any more, I smooth three drops of VO5 Miracle Concentrate through the midlengths and ends of my hair before I give it a short blast with the hair dryer and dry my fringe (it will go in all sorts of directions otherwise)! I normally leave the rest of my hair then to finish off airdrying.

The VO5 Miracle Concentrate in an 'intensive leave-in treatment' which contains the much raved about Argan Oil. It leaves your hair so soft and shiny, plus it smells great too. I think that it really does refine the look of the ends of your hair and makes it appear as if you've newly had a trim! I've not tried the much blogged about and very expensive Moroccan Oil but for now this is good enough for me and does exactly what it says on the tin. I picked this up from Boots for £4.99 which might seem like a lot for a tiny bottle but as I said I literally use a few drops at a time.

The VO5 Miracle Concentrate can also be used on dry hair to slick any frizziness and add a little shine if your hair is looking a bit dull. However, if my hair is being naughty and frizzy then I use the Charles Worthington On-The-Go Serum. As the name suggests, the main reason I use this is that the little sleek tube is great for carrying around for when your hair needs a bit of taming during the day. I just smooth a tiny amount through the ends of my hair to make my hair appear a little sleeker and put any naughty flyaways back in their place!

It does claim on the tube that you can use this on wet hair and then blow dry to make your hair lovely and smooth. However the reason that I use the VO5 Miracle Concentrate for this instead of the Charles Worthington Serum is that the the Miracle Concentrate actually contains conditioning ingredients which will do your hair good and moisturise the ends of your hair whereas the serum will simply make your hair appear shinier etc. The Charles Worthington Serum also contains a lot of silicones which will coat your hair and way it down over time.

I couldn't fine the Charles Worthington On-The-Go Serum online so perhaps it's not available any more. As it's a Takeaway product I think I paid about two or three pounds for it.

Extras

I don't actually use many different types of mousses etc for my hair, as I don't want to overload my hair with products. However if I'm going out and I want a bit more volume for my hair then I massage Charles Worthington Volume Body Booster Mousse into my roots then blow dry my hair upside down and perhaps finish it off with my Babyliss Big Hair (I won't go in to it now, that thing is a whole other post haha)! The Charles Worthington Volume Body Booster Mousse is available at Boots for £5.19, but it's also available as part of a deal for 2 for £6 on selected Charles Worthington products at the moment so you could check that out!

As for other products, I don't tend to use hairspray very much. I only use a tiny amount when I curl my hair as I hate how it makes my hair feel the next day, and I always worry it's drying my hair out. The hairspray I'm using at the moment is Sainsbury's Firm Hold Hairspray which is doing the job perfectly well but I can't get particularly excited about it!

I've just realised that this is quite a long post so thank you for persevering if you've made it this far! I'd also love to know what your favourite hair care products are and if you have any recommendations for me if you have a similar hair type to me :)

xx