Wednesday 29 May 2013

The Makeup: Beauty On A Budget

If you're like me, you end up spending a small fortune on makeup and skincare bits in Boots, (even though you only popped in for one thing) it's crucial to know the best and worst items in the drugstore. So here's a heads up of the products that should be entering your basket next time you pop in for ''lunch'', all under a tenner.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine nail polishes £3.99
Priced at £3.99 these beauties are too good to miss out on. Barry M are releasing shade after shade, after shade and they're all glossy and easy to work with. Blue Grape (pictured) is one of their newest shades, a stunning royal blue.


V05 Give Me Texture spray £3.49
Freshly washed hair can be hard to work with, so sometimes you need a bit of texture and grip in your hair in order to style it. For me, this V05 texture spray works well and is super cheap too.


Bourjois Rouge Edition lipstick £7.99
These have been talked about a lot in the ''beauty community'' and I think just about everybody loves them. Available in a variety of shades, from nudes to bolder colours, smooth and incredibly pigmented.


Dove Firming Nourishing lotion £4.99
I'm currently on the countdown to shorts weather, so any product that helps firm the skin is a godsend. This particular one contains white tea extract for an invigorating effect, so apply this daily to keep your limbs firm and ready for the Summer.


L'Oreal CC cream £9.99
These CC creams contain clever little pigment capsules to help reduce red, dull or yellow looking skin. It aims to provide you with lightweight coverage for a fresh and natural makeup look. A much cheaper alternative to the new Clinique CC creams.

Monday 27 May 2013

Benefit All-Star Kits | New In

Benefit really know how to get us excited, they've recently released three new kits that claim to brighten, bronze and keep your makeup tip-top throughout the day. Each little kit contains six sample sized products and they're priced at £26.50 each.


So I hear you ask, what are these kits about? Let's find out...


This nifty little kit aims to give you a bronzed and glowy complexion, without looking orange. It contains the 'Hoola' bronzer and lipgloss duo, 'Watt's Up' cream highlighter, 'They're Real' mascara, 'Thanks a latte' powder eyeshadow and 'Bikini-Tini' crease-less cream eyeshadow. There you have it, everything you need for a sunkissed glow.


This kit is all about keeping it easy and making sure your makeup will last all day long. The contents are; 'Some Kind'a Gorgeous' foundation, 'Girl Meets Pearl' highlighter, Benetint stain, 'Stay Don't Stray' eyeshadow primer, 'They're Real' mascara and the 'Porefessional' face primer. This contains everything you need to look gorgeous on the go. The famous Benetint stain will add a rosy glow to your cheeks and your lips.


A collection of brightening products, ideal for a fresh Spring makeup look. The kit contains; 'That Gal' brightening face primer, 'High Beam' highlighter, 'Dandelion' face powder, 'Bad Gal' waterproof liner and the 'They're Real' mascara. My favourite picks would have to be the 'Dandelion' face powder, to instantly uplift your complexion and the 'They're Real' mascara, to give your lashes mega volume.

These handy kits are great as a little treat to yourself or as a pretty gift for a friend! Which one's your favourite?

Sunday 26 May 2013

The Weekend Post #11: A New Fragrance



I love buying new perfumes, almost as much as I love walking into Boots and immediately smelling different scents and seeing a wall packed with a huge variety of fragrances. It can be tricky working your way through the wall and I could stand there forever spritzing away and as usual, I left with a handful of sweet smelling cards. Anyway it wasn't until a few days later that I could smell something heavenly lurking in the pocket of my leather jacket, and I pulled out one of the Boots fragrance cards. That was when I fell in love with Stella - the perfume, not actually Stella McCartney - so I made my way back to Boots and made a very quick purchase. I couldn't wait to get my mitts on it.

Summer by Stella McCartney was released earlier on this year and is housed in a beautifully striking bottle. The smell just makes me think of summer (hence the name), it's light and long-lasting. With top notes of frosted lemon and green apple which then fade into a mix of rose and peony, and warm amber to end off with, this ladies and gentlemen is my new scent. I can't describe how delicious this scent really is in a blog post, but its divine, sweet blend of lemon, apple, rose, peony and amber is pure bliss in a bottle.

Will you be trying this out?

Friday 24 May 2013

The Notes: The Seven Deadly Sins Of Beauty Tag

I was tagged by the lovely Annie, from YouMeFriday to do The Seven Deadly Sins Of Beauty Tag, so make sure you check her blog!

                                                                         source
#1 Greed - What is your most expensive beauty item?
That would have to be my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette at £36. To some people, it probably doesn't sound that expensive and I do know that there are more expensive beauty products out there, but to me it is. But I get a lot of use out of it, so it certainly hasn't gone to waste.

#2 Wrath - What beauty item do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Hmm... this is a tricky one, however, I'd have to go with eyeshadow pigments! I love the fact that they come in a variety of different shades, but it's just the fact that they get EVERYWHERE!



                                                                     source
#3 Gluttony - What brand makes up the biggest chunk of your makeup collection?
I don't own a huge amount of makeup, but Rimmel London probably makes up the largest chunk of my whole collection.

                                                                    source
#4 Sloth - What product do you neglect to use due to laziness?
I'm so lazy when it comes to curling my eyelashes, I only curl them a few times a week, maybe not even that. I'm going to try and start using them more though.

#5 Pride - Which beauty product gives you the most confidence?
Foundation. I sometimes get redness in my cheeks and a get the odd spot here and there, so I like to cover them up!

#6 Lust - Which item is at the top of your beauty wish list?
I've recently been lusting after is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder. There is only one word to describe this, ah-ma-zing. If there was a Space NK nearer to me then this may have already made it's way into my stash.

#7 Envy - What makeup product looks great on others but not yourself?
I love the look of  a deep red lipstick, but unfortunately they don't suit me very well.

So there you have it, The Seven Deadly Sins Of Beauty Tag. I tag YOU!

Monday 20 May 2013

The Nails: Models Own Splash Collection

I really don't need any more nail polishes but when I first saw these I was practically hyperventilating, I mean, I'm sure there's room for a few more? As soon as I saw these, I had to alert you.


These are available now in Boots

The collection consists of five shades; Aqua Splash, Golden Shore, Pink Paradise, Mermaid Tears and Red Sea. Each nail polish is packed with chunky pieces of iridescent glitter, that claim to glisten, sparkle and refract the light. 
I think these would be great to use over the top of another nail polish, to add a bit of sparkle to a dull nail polish. This collection just reminds me of Summer and they've been created with the sea and distant shores in mind, and they certainly have me dreaming of tropical beaches and and a Summer haze. I'll most definitely be  getting my hands on at least one of these and I'll do a review too.

Sunday 19 May 2013

The Weekend Post #10: Relaxing


∆SH. (Luscious_Ashley) on Twitter
                                                                                          Picture from weheartit.com

The blog has been neglected this week - aside from one post on Friday that I'd had ready to upload for a week - due to exams (yes, that dreaded word). But thankfully they're over and done with now, so I can get back to blogging (hooray!) Everything will be back to normal from now :)

Friday 17 May 2013

The Makeup: Peach Madness

Spring time always has me sporting a fresh peachy/coral makeup look, so I though I'd show you a selection of products that have me head over heels. I don't know what it is about peach... I just can't resist it.


Essie Nail Polish in Tart Deco £7.99
Essie have a huge variety of shades to choose from, so picking a suitable shade can be difficult but this is one of their original members. A good quality polish for a reasonable price and don't get me started on that brush of theirs!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in Peche Cosy £7.99
No doubt you've all heard/seen these lipsticks before but I had to share this particular shade with you. A light creamy peach shade, that will brighten up any makeup look.

Nars Blush in Gina £21.50
Pricey, but well worth it. Claims to give you a healthy, natural glow to any skin tone and is build-able  depending on how intense you want the colour to be. Gina is a very popular shade and you'll probably find most beauty lovers will have this lurking in their makeup bag somewhere...

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Papaya £3.99
I'm pretty sure everyone and their dog owns at least one of these nail paints. Gel-like nails with a high amount of shine are what everyone's talking about right now. This shade is bright, bold and a stunning shade for the Spring months.

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya £7.99
Revlon Lip Butters are very popular in the 'beauty world' so when I heard about some new shades, I was very excited! If you'd like to hear all my ramblings about this product then click here. But in a nutshell... this lipstick adds a lovely sheer wash of peachy colour to your lips.


So there's a quick round-up of some coral products that have caught my eye, will you be picking any of these up?


Sunday 12 May 2013

The Weekend Post #9: Short But Sweet

I haven't had much free time on my hands this weekend - hence why this is only being written at almost ten o' clock... Ooopss! - but I wanted to keep you a little up-to-date on what I've been doing this weekend and what my plans for the rest of the week are.

Alívio Imediato | via Tumblr
I have an exam on Friday (and I am NOT looking forward to it!) so I will be dedicating most of my time to revising this week, so if posts become a little sparse don't panic because as soon as I've got the exam over with it will all be back to normal.
I am also in the process of creating some (more exciting) blog posts, so keep and eye out for those!
Also, if you have any requests (reviews or more fashion posts) then please do say in the comments and I will try my best to do them!

Thursday 9 May 2013

Monthly Favourites | April

This month has been jam packed with new releases and I found it quite hard to keep up, but I've managed to whittle my favourites down to a few items I've been using non-stop. I've been breaking out some more Spring-appropriate choices so here's what I been loving...


Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya. (also mentioned here) If you haven't already heard that Revlon have released some NEW lip butter shades, then where have you been?
Juicy Papaya is a peachy coral shade and it leaves my lips with an even wash of colour. Their new shades don't contain any glitter, which is a bonus for me as I'm not too keen on lipsticks with glitter, and there are some brighter options if you prefer a more bold lip.

Natural Collection Blush in Peach Melba. This stunning peachy shade will add a nice subtle colour to your cheeks, and I've been finding myself reaching for this recently. As cheap as chips and good quality as well, some people might avoid the Natural Collection stand and head straight for the higher-end brands, but believe me, you need this in your stash

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh. (also mentioned here)
A captivating light scent that's perfect for this time of year. Very fresh and feminine with notes of

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Polish in Lychee. (full review here)
Nudes are what everyone's talking about, and Barry M's Gelly nail polishes are some of my favourite ones to choose from. Lychee is the perfect nude that will suit a lot of different skin tones. I am very pale at the moment and it surprisingly looks okay. I'd uuhhmed and ahhedd in the shop about purchasing this particular shade, but as I loved the formula for their gelly nail polishes I thought I may as well give it a go. I am very happy with this and it's been featured on my nails a lot this past month.

Soap and Glory Face Massage Mini Mitt. I bought this a while back and never got round to mentioning it on my blog! How?, I don't know... I love to use this handy little 'gadget' in the evenings with a dollop of cleanser to give my skin a nifty 'deep clean'. It's made of soft silicone, so it would be suitable for people with sensitive skin. I massage my face in circular motions which will help to cleanse my skin and remove any dirt from my pores too. It'll remove any dead skin cells and leave your skin feeling instantly refreshed and squeaky clean! And the best part is, it's only £4 from Boots! So if you fancy a little pamper without spa prices, this is for you.

So that concludes my April Favourites, I've also been loving my Stila Convertible Colour in Lilium, but as I mentioned it in my last favourites post, I thought I better not ramble on about it too much! (If you'd like to hear my thoughts on the Stila Convertible Colour then click here)


Tuesday 7 May 2013

The Makeup: New Purchases

I like to change my makeup routine up quite a lot but once Spring is here I like to whip out my coral lipsticks and peachy blushers ready for a glowy and healthy makeup look. Hidden away are my deep reds and raspberry shades, and out come some more Spring-appropriate choices.



First up is 'Pink Punch' from the Models Own Ice Neon Collection. This super bright pink is getting me really in the mood for Summer and I can guarantee you this will be on my nails for the foreseeable future. Beautifully opaque in two coats, but it's not incredibly matte. It does say matte effect on the bottle but sadly it's not as matte as I would of liked.
Revlon have recently released some new shades of lip butters and with me being a huge fan of them already, I had to pick up at least one of their new shades. It has the same qualities of the original lip butters, a soft, creamy butter-like texture, hydrating and pigmented on your lips. How could I not resist? Juicy Papaya is a warm-toned peachy coral shade and instead of having shimmer in it (like the rest of the lip butters do), it's just one block of colour. Overall the pigmentation isn't fantastic, it's just a nice sheer lipstick to add a subtle wash of colour to your lips. Other shades that have been released are: Wild Watermelon, Pink Lemonade and Sorbet. All ideal shades for this time of year and I'll look forward to picking up some more soon.

Something else that's been on my wishlist for a while is the Rimmel Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush in 'Santa Rose' and it wasn't until the other week that I managed to get my mitts on it. Santa Rose is a stunning muted pink/peach shade, and for £3.99 you can't really go wrong. It adds a subtle, healthy glow to your cheeks. This is a blusher I reach for on a daily basis, as it's great for everyday wear. The packaging isn't anything to rave about but as long as the product itself is good, then it doesn't really matter (although a beautifully designed casing always ticks all the right boxes for me).
A few days ago I purchased my first Mac lipstick (I'm hooked already by the way) and I wanted to pick a shade that would be easy for me to wear, so I went for Patisserie. A brown/pinky nude shade and I know a lot of people hate this phrase but, it is a 'my lips but better' shade. Sheer on the lips, so it's perfect for everyday wear and would probably please people who don't even like lipsticks, as you can't feel it on your lips. For my first Mac lipstick purchase, I am very happy and I look forward to my next buy!

Monday 6 May 2013

The Fashion Post #4: Calling All Cats

Fun and quirky printed tees are some of my favourite things to wear. Easy to style and comfortable to wear, what more could you want? Cats are being featured on Forever 21's a lot recently, so here's the verdict.


This dainty compact mirror is great for just throwing in your handbag, and for £2.40 you can't really say no. This adorable cat print is also on a makeup bag and some tweezers, so you could have all matching accessories!

Muscle tees in my opinion, are a Summer staple, so why not stock up on a few ready for the warmer months? Forever 21's tops are always such brilliant prices too, ideal if you're on a budget. This top worn with a bandeau underneath and some denim shorts is a stunning laid-back outfit, great for hot sunny days.

Forever 21 really are making it easy for us aren't they? Another muscle tee, I hear you say? Yes. I really do have a soft spot for them! Loose-fitting and this crazy cat print makes this top even better. A mixture of different types of cats in a spectrum of colours will add a pop of colour to a simple look.

If you're not one for bright colours or bold prints, but want to jump on the 'cat tee' bandwagon, then this is for you. A plain white top with a lovely black cat print, and as you can see in the picture looks fabulous with a neon skater skirt and would suit some pastel shade jeans.

There's so many phone cases out there but I think this one stands out from the crowd. It comes in lovely blue and pink shades and the cat has a little bow tie as well. Aww Anyway, enough aww-ing over a phone case! This is definitely one to add to your collection and I love how it's ears stick out at the top. This will add character to your phone and protect it at the same time.


Sunday 5 May 2013

The Weekend Post #8: Benefit They're Real in ELLE

I'm a huge lover of Benefit cosmetics but I've never had chance to try out the They're Real mascara. With claims to volumize, curl, lengthen, lift and separate your lashes. What more could a girl ask for?
Well when I saw that this months edition of ELLE had a free sample size of the Benefit They're Real mascara, I snapped it up. You can actually buy this size at Boots for £9.50, and I've stared at it many a time whilst in the queue however, the magazine was only £4 itself, mega-bargain!

 I will do a review of this once I've had time to try it out but I merely wanted to alert you of this (as it's too good to miss!).

Will you be picking up this months ELLE?

Friday 3 May 2013

The Makeup: Currently Coveting #1

My makeup wishlist is getting bigger every day and I thought I'd share a few items with you that have been on my mind recently.

MAC Extra Dimension Skin-finish in 'Definitely Defined' £21.50
As described on the MAC website, this is a silvery soft rose shade with shimmer. These can be used wet or dry and they have two different shades in them, so you either mix them together or use them separately. I love pronounced cheekbones so I think this would be an ideal product for me!

L'Oreal Confetti Top Coat £4.99
Basically... heaven in a bottle. This reminds me a lot of mini eggs and a slick of this over a cute pastel shade, you're ready to go. Bang on trend for Spring and adds a little somethin' to a plain polish.

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss £14.50
Benefit have recently released these new lip glosses, eekk, I am so excited! Anything that claims to plump your lips has my heart beating a little faster than it should do. A small selection of shades but one to please everyone, from crystal clear to bright fuchsia.

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyeshadow Kit £23.50
This has been on my radar since it arrived in Boots stores, the 'most glamorous' nudes palette stands out to me most, as it has a perfect selection of shades whether you're going for a neutral every-day look, to a more severe night-out look. Quite pricey, but it contains 4 powder shadows and 2 of their famous crease-less cream eyeshadows so you can't really complain.

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil £30
This claims to leave your hair with "a smooth feather-soft feel with a trace of shine". I've never spent this much on a hair product before and sadly, I don't think I'll be dishing out a few tenners any time soon but you never know...

Thursday 2 May 2013

The Nails: MUA vs Essie...

Whilst I was browsing Superdrug the other day, I noticed that MUA have re-designed their nail polish bottles. I was actually quite shocked at how similar they look to the Essie bottles. I love how simple and professional-looking the Essie bottles are I didn't even know brands could make a product look so similar, obviously the MUA ones are smaller in size, and the packaging is a little more 'plastic' as you can see in the photo.

The price and quality of the products do differ though,  the quality of MUA is no way near as good as Essie but they do have a pretty selection of shades available to have a gander at. MUA's Pistachio Ice cream is incredibly similar to Essie's Mint Candy Apple. MUA's are priced at £1 each (a complete bargain if you ask me) and Essie's are £7.99.

A great factor with Essie's nail polishes are the brushes. I know every time I talk about Essie I mention this, but they really are fantastic quality and MUA have a lot of catching up to do if they want to beat them.
So there's my thoughts on the new MUA packaging, do you love or loathe it?