Drugstore Products Worth The Hype?!

I have been looking at my makeup collection recently, and I have discovered that half of the products I slap on my face daily are drugstore/highstreet products, eg; from boots, superdrug, feelunique.com... blah blah, basically they are affordable. So I am gunna talk you through products that are affordable that are great and are just as good as high end products! These products have actually been hyped up by my friends, people of the internet and magazines. So you probably will recognise most of them and I believe they are all completely worth all the hype and praise they get!

Maybelline Colour 24hr Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows
These are essentially cream eyeshadows in a pot, which are very creamy and blendable when you apply them on your eyelid, then after you have blended them, they set. Then they just don't budge for the whole day. The way I use them is by applying them to the lid with my finger then blending them out with a blending brush, such as; Mac 217. The colours I have are: probably the most raved about shade - 35 On and on Bronze and 65 Pink Gold. They are both shimmery, but gorgeous colours. The reason I love them the most is because they are so quick and you can use them on their own or under a shadow as a base.

Collection Eyes Uncovered Eyeshadow Palettes 
These palettes really compare to high end palettes for me, they are around £4 and they are worth every penny. They are creamy, blendable, easy to apply and the shades are lovely and wearable. I find in the drugstore you get palettes and then the colours are like blue, pink, yellow, green and theres about one neutral shade in there, that I would actually wear. I think theres about 4 variations of these palettes, I own two which are: the nude palette and the nude rose palette. I would say I use the nude palette more, and the first two shades I have actually hit pan on! The nude rose palette I love the orange shade in this, it's such a unique shade and I have never seen a shade like this in the drugstore!

Soap & Glory Solarpowder Bronzer
If you have been here a while, you will know I love this product. It's my favourite bronzer EVER, I love Benefits Hoola as well, but I would say this tops it. I have gone through 2 of these bronzers, and I actually broke this one the other day *cries* but I still dip my brush in and try to use it without getting powder everywhere! Its just the perfect shade, theres two shades in this bronzer, one has got shimmer in and is lighter (I think its supposed to be the highligher shade - but it's a gorgeous tone) and then theres a matte more bronzer shade. I normally just swirl my brush in both and apply it to the cheek bones.

Collection Lasting Perfection concealer
Again, if you have been reading for a while you will be skipping this one, probably. I rave about this all the time, and so does everyone else! I won't ramble for long, but this is a very high coverage concealer, I use it for blemishes, not under the eyes because it's too thick. But any blemishes or redness, use this and say goodbye.

Loreal True Match Foundation - shade 1N Ivory 
I have recently loved this foundation, purely because of the colour I have found the perfect shade, and I have very pale skin so it's hard to find the perfect shade that is light enough, especially in the drugstore. The consistency is very lightweight, watery and blendable. If you like Lancome foundations, you will probably like the L'Oreal ones, give them a try, they are much more affordable!

Maybelline Eye Eraser Concealer
This is a dream to apply, its got a sponge applicator, which is a bit ming but also, its a lovely way to apply the concealer. I use this one under the eyes, because it's very creamy and gets rid of any darkness straight away. It really lifts my under eyes and makes me feel a lot more awake. Fake sleep with this concealer.

L'Oreal Paris Superliner Perfect Slim Liquid liner 
I was very late to the band wagon with this one, everyone raves about this eyeliner. So I finally jumped on, and purchased it. I am pretty crap with liner, I can never make them even and the lines just get bigger and bigger, until it looks hideous and I get a makeup wipe and remove it all. This liner makes lining my eyes and creating a flick a lot easier, this is because the nib is very small and bendy so you can create a line that is small and close to the lashes. It really has made liner possible for me.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams
Since NYX has launched in Boots stores, I have been obsessed. NYX is a very fun brand, its got lots of products which are very 'in' at the moment, like liquid lipsticks, contouring palettes and so on. However, I find some liquid lipsticks very sticky, they don't set right on my lips and they just clump up, does anyone else get this?! But these, OH MY GOODNESS they are amazing, they are so creamy so they don't dry your lips out, but they stay in place for a very long time. The colour range is amazing, they do some gorgeous nudes. I have 4 of them, I'm obsessed. The shades I have are; Cannes (MY FAVE) Stockholm, Istanbul and Ibiza. All gorgeous shades and I reach for these A LOT.

Real Techniques Complexion Sponges
I was very sceptical when these sponges came out, because I have always either used my fingers or a brush for my complexion. I always thought a sponge would just soak up my product and wouldn't apply right on my face. However, I tried one and I was pleasantly surprised, I always spray some fixing spray on the sponge and then apply the foundation and concealer with it. They are basically amazing for blending out any cream products. With your fingers or a brush you sometimes get marks or lines where the foundation hasn't blended probably, well buy one of these and say goodbye to those. It just blends everything in amazingly and I would recommend these more than anything else in this post!! GO GO GO (just laughing about the picture, literally looks like two eggs)!!

Thank you so much for reading, don't forget to add your email on the right hand side on my blog. This will just notify you when I post a new blog post! xxxxx

♥

August Favourites 2016

August has been a whirlwind of a month, it just has flown by, I've done so much and it just has been the best! I started off the month with a spontaneous trip to Dublin, Ireland (I promise I am working on some posts - they will be here in the next few weeks)! I have had a weekend in Bath, had my hair all cut off and styled and I just ended the month with a nightout with all my friends for the August Bank Holiday!! Anyway, thats why I haven't been posting on here too much, *slap wrists* sorry guys.

BASE: FOUNDATION
I have quite a few makeup products in this months favourites, and quite a few base products well 4, is that a lot? I guess so for one months favourites. Its been quite hot on and off for the July and August in the UK. When I say hot, that horrible sticky, sweaty hot when all you want to do is pray that the sky bursts with rain. Anyway, I have been mixing two foundation products together, one to be Estee Lauder BB Cream and the other to be my much raved about foundation Chanel Vitalumia Aqua Foundation. Both are light/medium coverages, but I just find mixed together gives a gorgeous coverage and dewy base. It's just what I have been reaching for this whole month. I do like to switch up my foundations depending on the colour of my skin, hense why most months there is a foundation in the monthly favourites. Basically I love these foundations, and together they are very expensive, but I would say if I had to pick one, my favourite would be the Chanel Vitalumia Aqua Foundation, its just gorgeous, feels so lightweight but has such buildable coverage, I don't think you could go overboard with this one.

BASE: CONTOUR
I have then been trying to find my cheekbones with the Clinique Chubby Contour Stick I got this product back in April, and I did like it, but I just thought it was one of those products I wouldn't use much. However, I have been loving cream bronzer/contour this month in particular. It looks so scary in the stick, but it blends like a dream... seriously. Also, it doesn't give anything too dramatic, it looks very natural and is a lovely colour.

BASE: CONCEALER
The concealer I have been loving this month is an oldie, well it's not too old, but it's one I have never really stopped loving, its just one I forget about and I don't really rave about enough. The Maybelline Anti-Age Eye Eraser, I just absolutely love this, you twist it from the bottom and then product comes out from the top of the sponge. It makes the skin so flawless, I use it under my eyes and a little bit on my forehead and chin.

Bondi Sands Dark Tan Moose
I go in stages with tanning, some times I just cannot be bothered and I embrace my paleness, and other times I just want to be a confident bronze goddess. This month was the later. My favourite all time tan was the St. Tropez Express Tan, WAS. I think that I prefer the Bondi Sands one more, for a few reasons, mainly the colour is super natural, it is more of an olive tan than an orange one. Even though I love the way I apply the St. Tropez and I do like the colour and I have done a whole blogpost dedicated to it, so click here to read! Bondi is just much more natural and I do like the smell. It's easy to apply and I think its a fall proof tan, if you are new to tanning or are just a tan junky, try this!

Soap and Glory Exfoliating Gloves
Basically I have discovered these because of the previous paragraph. When you tan, you need to exfoliate because you need a clean smooth surface for the tan to be applied. So I picked these gloves up from Boots and they are so easy to use. I just put them on both of my hands and squeeze some shower gel in them and rub them over my body to exfoliate.

Chanel Coco Mademosielle Shower Gel
This is probably the most expensive shower gel I am ever going to talk about. Retailing at £34, it is ridiculous, but such a luxury. Its great for someone who loves Chanel fragrance, and especially the popular Chanel Mademoiselle. Chanel Mademoiselle is just my signature scent, I love it. Whenever I smell it I just get reminded of so many beautiful memories. It really is gorgeous, it is a slightly floral, but very feminine scent. Anyway the shower gel, oh my... I love it! I only use this in the morning and only a tiny little bit, for obvious reasons. But its great for layering the scent, so the fragrance lasts longer. I would keep this in mind for Christmas, if someone likes Chanel fragrances, and you don't want to spend too much on them, or you always get them the fragrance and you want an alternative.

Zoella Girl Online Book 
This book was bought for me last Christmas, and its just been sat on my bedroom table, waiting to get read... and this month was the month! I haven't read a novel for quite a long time, and I really enjoyed just having such a page turner again. Its really got me into reading, I just missed the way a book can make your imagination run wild! I don't want to send any spoilers out, but its about a girl Penny, who has a blog called 'Girl Online' and she seems to be struggling with being a teenage girl, and ends up going to New York through the family business and in New York actually meets the love of her life... Noah. But Noah has a secret, which could break them?! I literally cannot wait to go to Waterstones and purchase the next Girl Online... ON TOUR!

♥

Products I've Used Up: Number 2

I really liked writing the last one of these, basically when I use a product up, I keep it and then write about it and also give you a mini review on it. I do like to use products up wether I like them or not, because I like to try them fully out and plus I don't want to waste my money!

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Spray

This is my favourite heat protection spray, it makes your hair so soft and smooth as well as protecting it from the heat, PERFECT. It's got that classic Tresemme smell, there is also a corresponding shampoo and conditioner, which I have got because I love this heat protection so much. But I would say if you are gunna get one of them, the heat protection spray is the way to go!

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick - Loganberry

You would of seen this lipstick in one of my first posts, which is very embarrassing so please don't go back through them all, haha. I will just ramble on here about this colour... its the most perfect berry shade, its matte, it lasts all day, and I really do mean all day, the formula is insane and one of my favourite types of lipsticks. It is also quite rare that I do finish a lipstick, because I've got so many and there are just so many amazing colours in the world, but I did have to repurchase this shade when it ran out, and I am half way through my new one, so I think that tells you something...

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Powder

I was honestly obsessed with this stuff because it's the perfect shade if you are on the paler side. I've just checked the shade, and I've got translucent, but I do think it adds coverage and some colour thats why I think its good for fair skin. The packaging is very good for travelling and its got a mirror.

Avon Advanced Techniques Daily Shine Hair Serum

This is a product which I use every time I wash my hair, I just put it in the mid-end lengths of my hair, and it adds shine and makes my hair feel smooth. Its great if your hair is dry and damaged, it just makes it feel so much better.

Aussie Shower Smoothie Body Wash

In this case, I think this is 'leave worst until last' I just really didn't see the point in this. I didn't feel clean when I used it, it's one of those nice scented shower gels that doesn't do anything. Its supposed to make the skin smooth, hence the name 'shower smoothie' but for me it just did nothing. The packaging is nice and yes it does smell nice. But also it's like £5 for a shower gel from the drugstore, I just wasn't impressed and wouldn't repurchase.

Hopefully this helps you, if you were thinking about trying any of these products. I normally do like most things that I purchase because before buying I do normally research it a lot and read posts and articles just like this one!

♥

March Favourites

March has been the best month so far, the first 2 weeks was probably the best 2 weeks of my life. I got myself a new car, picked it up on the 1st of March, (Volkswagen Polo) and I am in love with it. Then I got myself a new job, so now I am a fragrance consultant and I start at the start of April, I cannot wait! I have been very happy and things have been going into place in my life, I have also discovered some new products this month, and I have been reaching a lot for a very beautiful eyeshadow palette which I got for Christmas, so lets hope April is as good as March

Lancome Visionnaire Serum

Oh my, I cannot describe to you how amazing this stuff is, it really is heaven in a bottle. Very expensive, but so worth it. It retails for 30ml £60, but I always believe spending a bit more on skincare is worth it. I asked for a sample from the Lancome counter, I had a sample of the serum, day cream and then the night cream. I love all of them, and gradually will probably purchase them all. But I thought what do I really need in my skincare routine, and the answer was a serum. Before this I was either using the No7 minimising pore serum or the Estee Lauder Clear difference serum. Both of those I loved, but the No7 one had ran out and my Estee Lauder one was getting too used to my skin so I felt like it wasn't working as well. I probably will still use that one when I have a breakout and my skin gets a little bit spotty :(. But the Lancome one, is really good for minimising pores, reducing fine lines and creates a better skin texture, it just agrees with my skin and I highly recommend it.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (combination and sensitive skin)

I picked this up on a little bit of a whim because I normally get the pink version of this one, but there wasn't any left, so I went with this green one. However, I think I prefer it, it just mattifies the skin and really does get rid of all my makeup. I either use this for just my eye makeup or as a first cleanse.

Soap & Glory Smooch Operator

I got this a while back, when I did an online order and when it arrived I was a bit disappointed because it says "smooch operator" on the lid, and I didn't really want a smooch operator that makes my lips bigger, I just wanted a balm. But this is honestly amazing, it tastes/smells amazing, its so thick and balmy, and I just love it, I apply it every morning when I'm doing my skincare, and then when I apply my lipstick my lips are just so soft.

Lancome Sourcils Gel and Zoeva Wing Liner Brush 

Another Lancome product, oooo I just love that brand at the minute. This is basically an eyebrow gel, one like the ABH Dip Brow Pomade which I have never tried just purely because it's not that easy to get in the UK. I have the shade Taupe, and I basically get my Zoeva Wing Liner brush which is insane for brows, and so easy. I just apply the product, outline my brows and then fill them in with little strokes, if its too harsh then I just brush my brows through with a spooly brush. I used to fill my brows with the Soap & Glory Brow Archery, but it kept drying out on me in the end, and this method is just so much easier I think.

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette 

Leave the best until last, I got this palette for Christmas and its amazing, the eyeshadows are such a good quality, lovely colours and so wearable. In March, I have gone quite neutral on the eye, just using the shade 'bitter start' all over the lid, with a bit of  'sweeter end' in the inner corner and half way on the lid. My favourite shades of the palette are 'sweeter end' and 'freshly toasted' they are gorgeous.

Hope you've had an amazing March, we are now in Spring, the clocks have sprung forward and I am currently tucking into an Easter Egg! Much love, and happy Easter/Spring!

♥

10 Top Makeup Products of 2015

WELCOME TO 2016 - how weird is that?!
2015 has created some amazing moments and also some amazing products! I thought I would write about some of the products that I have either discovered or rediscovered, but most importantly that I love. These are the products that I have been using the most this year, and that have probably appeared in a post I did back in September, my favourite products.

Soap and Glory Solar Powder

This is honestly the best bronzer that I have ever used, and I adore it. As you can see 'I've hit pan' haha and another one is currently on the list to purchase. I have quite pale skin, and the bronzer shade is just perfect, its not too orange, but then at the same time its not too cool either. Solar powder comes with the bronzer shade and also a highlighter shade. I swirl my blusher brush in both shades and then apply on my cheeks. Its so quick and I love the effect.

Maybelline Anti-Age Eraser eye Concealer 

When this product came out this year, there was so much hype and so many great reviews on this product. I normally avoid products that have so much hype, but with this one I jumped on the band wagon and purchased it. It's so incredible, it hides dark circles and makes you look awake. Also, I love the applicator, its a foam sponge, which soaks up so much product and makes it so easy to apply. However, the shade range of this product isn't fabulous, but I use the shade light and it works for me.

Lancome Grandiose Mascara

I discovered this a year ago now, last January and I still love this product. Mascara is a very personal aspect of makeup, but this mascara is just makes my lashes look how I love them to look. It gives volume, length and definition all at the same time. It obviously is a high end product, but for me it is worth the money because I love the effect it gives.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Yes, another mascara.. haha. As much as I love the Lancome mascara, I couldn't write this post and not include this one. I discovered this mascara only a few months ago, back in early September. But this is another product that had a lot of hype and is totally worth the hype. I use the waterproof version in this mascara, which is why it does justify having two mascaras in this post. I love this mascara so much because it does really keep my lashes looking long and curled all day.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation 

This is defiantly my foundation of the year, its a very full coverage foundation, with a matte finish. It lasts all day on me, the colour match is perfect for my pale skin. If you want to see my full review on this foundation click here.

Soap and Glory Brow Archery 

This is a brow product that I have been using every day for my brows this year. I think it's honestly amazing, it makes filling in my brows so much easier and I actually enjoy doing my brows when using this. There are different versions of this product, but the one that I love has a pencil one end and then the pen the other. The pen is the bit I use the most, I outline my brows with the pen (sometimes fill in with the pencil or something else... coming up very soon). The thought of a pen did scare me at first, but it really makes life easy.

MAC Omega eyeshadow

This is the product I use alongside the Soap and Glory Brow Archery. I use omega to fill in my brows once I have used the pen side of the brow archery. Omega is a perfect brow shade for blonde haired gals, its matte so no shinny eyebrows (lol) and just works perfectly for me.

MAC Soft & Gentle skinfinish 

This stuff is pure amazingness, it's just a gorgeous highlighter, which is so pigmented and shimmery. If you like a subtle highlight, this really isn't for you. I use this everyday all over my face pretty much, haha. I think it just looks gorgeous, and I have been especially loving this in the winter months, because my skin has got dryer so I like my skin to look a lot more illuminated and dewy. It's also gorgeous as an eyeshadow, so in the corner of the eyes to make them pop.

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick - Loganberry 

I have a few of these lipsticks from the range, and really do last all day, they are a matte finish but not drying at all. Loganberry is the shade which is just my perfect pinky/berry colour, everytime I wear this shade, I get asked what it is and get complimented on it. I have even got through a whole one of these lipsticks this year, so I purchased another loganberry. Honestly it's an incredible colour and formula.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Envy Lipstick - Impulsive 210

I've also done a full post on this particular lipstick this year too, here it is. But this lipstick is just a lovely gorgeous pink colour, so moisturising and a perfect colour for if you just want something on your lips to make them look gorgeous.

So in a nutshell, there has been a lot of products which I have been loving this year, but these are just 10 of them because I didn't want to bore you and then these 10 products mean more because I really do love them. I wanted to just include some of the beauty products that I have been loving this year, because shortly in the next few months you will see a skincare routine, so you will have to wait for that. If you do try out any of these products, please comment below or if I have missed any, please tell me!

(nails - No7 deep wine.)

HAPPY 2016 

♥