A Little Late August Favourites

As usual I am a little unorganised so this post is a week or so late but alas we are here and these are my favourite products from August (and also maybe July because I can't remember if I did a July favourites!!) 

First up is a very recent purchase because I literally only bought it at the very end of August and it is this Primark Cleansing Sponge Thing (I unforunately don't know the proper name!). On my latest trip into Primark I noticed that the beauty section had had a massive expansion and there was loads of fun new stuff there that I was very eager to try out. I picked up a gel eye mask and also a grater for my disgusting feet, sorry for the TMI, but this was the most exciting thing I picked up. This is basically a little rubber disk with tiny little rubber bristles on. I have been using this every single morning and night with my cleanser and I love it! My skin has been a little problematic recently but I really feel like this is helping it get back to its good old self, and for only £1.50 it is such a bargain!

Now my second favourite is actually a purchase from way back last year but one I seem to have rediscovered recently. My skin was been on the oilier side recently so I have been desperately rummaging in my foundation drawer for an oil free foundation and this one has really stepped up to the job. The Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Foundation isn't one that is talked about a lot and is often outshined by its concealer friend but I think it really deserves its time in the limelight! This stuff stays on your skin for ages and provides really good coverage but without feeling super heavy on your skin. This foundation doesn't have any amazing colour range and the one I have is little too dark to for me but mixed in with a little bit of a light colour and it is spot on!!

Hold up everyone I have another eyeliner in my monthly favourites, what the hell is happening!! This Lord and Berry SMUDGEPROOF Waterproof Eye Liner in #719 Smoke* was very kindly sent to me but I have to admit at first I wasn't that excited! I am not a massive eyeliner girl but this ones seems to have helped converted me! Firstly I think the colour is really beautiful and is a really nice change from black or brown. I mostly smoke this out and use it under my bottom lashes but recently I have been using it on my eyelids when I'm doing a smokey eye for a little added depth. This is the first thing I have tried from Lord and Berry but if the rest of their stuff is as good as this I will definitely be giving some more of their stuff a go. 

Last up is a product that I never actually thought I would love. When MAC release their limited edition collections I can't help myself and I end up buying almost everything from the collection and that is why this MAC Kelly Osbourne Powder Blusher in Cheeky Bugger  was purchased. Don't get me wrong I never hated this product but I just thought it was something that would never wow me but wow was I wrong! This is actually just the most perfect blusher, the subtle pink colour really works with my complexion and just compliments my bronzer and highlighter really nicely. Most days I have found myself leaning for this and I can't see that changing. 

I feel like I have been typing for ages, my little fingers are exhausted!! But there you have it all my favourites from the last month. What have you been loving this month? I will be back on Wednesday for a look at a cheeky new MAC purchase, make sure to follow me on Bloglovin so you don't miss that post. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading, 

Laura xxx

Lord and Berry Eyeliner* - http://www.hqhair.com/lord-berry-smudgeproof-eye-pencil-various-colours/10661203.html?autocomplete=productsuggestion

Collection Foundation- http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-Lasting-Perfection-Ultimate-Wear-Foundation-SPF-20_1436025/

Feeling Cheeky; My Favourite Summer Blushers

I am definitely a lip product girl. I literally hoard lipsticks and whenever I see a pretty new shade I buy it but recently my love for all things lip related has dwindled and I have found myself thinking all about the beauty of the blusher! It is fair to say I have a fair few blushers now and I thought I would share my favourite ones for this time of year. Some of them are new and some old favourites but I will try and find the links for all of them below in case you want to get your hands on them!

Collection Shimmer Shades in 2 Blushalicious

This is an old favourite but one I tend to lean for all the time, especially in summer. This blush quad is made up of 4 lovely colours, all very wearable on their own, but what I do is just rub my brush around and use all 4. Combined this creates a lovely bright pink colour which looks awesome on the cheeks. This stuff comes out fairly pigmented so a light hand is needed with this!

Benefit Coralista

Everyone loves this blusher and I am no different! This is just such a beautiful colour, it has the perfect amount of coral and peach tones without being orangey. I only have a little 3g sample of this but when it runs out I will be purchasing the big one! This leaves your cheeks looking so glowy and lightly flushed, great when you have a tan!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush in 010 Santa Rose

This is really an old one! I think I have had this for like 3 years? Which is probably far too long but it is simply amazing! I think this is probably one of my favourites blushers ever. It is a really nice coral blush but with a pretty pink tone as well. This warms up your cheeks and gives you that summer glow. I think this is a product that has fallen seriously under the beauty blogger radar so I really really really recommend you go check this out!

Natural Collection Blusher in Pink Cloud

As brands go Natural Collection is not one to write home about but when it comes to their blushers it is a complete other story! I have 5 or 6 of them and they are all fantastic, really pigmented and long lasting, this has to be my fav though. This is a true pink blush which just gives life to your cheeks. This doesn't go onto your skin bright pink so don't use it cautiously, just go for it! 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose

Now unfortunately this is a limited edition product so unless you check out Ebay you probably won't be able to get your hands on it but I had to put it in here because it is so pretty!! I guess this is technically a highlighter but I think the rose gold colour makes it perfect for a blush/highlighter mix. I use this all the time, some times just on its own and other times on top of a more matte blusher to just add some extra glow. I am completely obsessed with rose gold at the moment and I think it is because of this blusher.

ELF All Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade

I thought I would sneak this in the end as something a little different. When it comes to the hotter months cream products become my best friend because powders just feel far too heavy and this is just a great example of an awesome cream product. This is supposed to be multi purpose so you can use it as a blusher and also as a lipstick (which I have tried and don't overally like). I like to apply this straight from the stick then blend it out with brush for a lovely sheer glimmer of colour.

So that is a little look into what I am enjoying rubbing on my face blusher wise. What are you guys loving on the blusher front at the moment? Follow me on Bloglovin, link below and to your right, and come back over here tomorrow for a look at what I am packing for my holiday for Greece next week! Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading, 

Laura xxx

P.S- I found the Rimmel Santa Rose blusher online but the picture didn't look the same as the one I have, so I am not sure if they have changed the names? or if it was just a bad picture!

Collection Blusher- http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-Shimmer-Shades-Blushalicious-Blusher_1219426/

Coralista- http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/coralista

Rimmel Blush- http://uk.rimmellondon.com/products/face/lasting-finish-soft-colour-mono-blush

Natural Collection- http://www.boots.com/en/Natural-Collection-Blushed-Cheeks_24279/

Stereo Rose -Limited Edition

Elf Color Stick- http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/face/shimmer/all_over_color_stick

May Empties

Ok so I have again been very bad and not posted in ages, but I feel a lot more organised now and I am back from holiday so hopefully I can start posting in a slightly more scheduled manner!! Anyway I have used up some more stuff in the last month so here is a look into my bin,

First up is this face mask from Lush and it is the Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask, this is a blueberry face mask which is suppose to be really good for break outs. I think I bought this back in March/April time and used it pretty quickly. The fresh face masks only last about 6 weeks so you do have to use them up pretty quick which is quite annoying but as the pot is quite small you do get through it within the time. I did like this mask but didn't love it so I probably won't repurchase this exact one again but I may try other Lush masks in the future.

Staying on skincare and this is probably my favourite skincare/make up product at the moment and it is the Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser. I am a massive fan of the tea tree range from Body Shop and for my skin all the products do absolute wonders! This is my 3rd tube of this primer and I am still a massive fan. It works at combating breakouts but at the same time minimises those pores and keeps your make up on all day. I think this is such a great product and I have already repurchased a new one.

Now this product isn't technically empty but I stupidly left the lid of this so it is all dried up and that is the Collection Gel Eye Liner in Black. Now as you probably know I am terrible at all eye liner, gel, pencil, liquid, you name it, I can't apply it so I haven't had a great deal of use out of this but on the odd occasion I attempt to use eye liner this is the one I lean to. From what I have used of it, it seems pretty good. I probably wouldn't repurchase it but if you like gel eye liner this would probably be fab for you! If anyone has any recommendations for eye liner that is idiot proof please let me know!

Next up very good mascara, the Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express Mascara. I think this is a drugstore favourite for most beauty bloggers and I love it as well. I think this gives great length and volume to your lashes without clumping them together which is great. I will definitely be repurchasing this at some point but I do want to try a few new mascaras first. 

Onto a empties regular and that is the V05 Give Me Texture Dry Texturising Spray. I mentioned this product in my last empties and also a favourites, so if you want to know more check those out! I do still really like this product but I have fallen slightly out of love with it recently. It does give texture and provides much needed volume for my hair but I really want to try a texturising powder (I really want Bumble and Bumble Pret a Poweder!!) so this probably won't be repurchased for a while. 

Now my last 2 empties are make up products and the first is the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation. I am pretty sure I have spoken about this before but it is basically my favourite budget foundation. I like foundations that are quite light and low coverage and that provides just that. This goes on fabulously with buffing brushes but also with sponges (I like applying this with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge). The feel of this on the skin is amazing and it lasts for ages. I really can't say enough good things about this and I will be repurchasing this ASAP!

My last empty is something that I had sort of forgotten about until recently and it is the Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Foundation. This is a great highlighting concealer! I am really trying to attempt contouring at the moment so when I found this in my make up stash I was very excited. It is great for under the eyes and is also really nice for highlighting your cheek bones. This is the only highlighting concealer I really have so although I really enjoyed this I would be keen to try some others on the market before repurchasing this one. 

So there is your look into my bin. I feel like I get through products quite quickly at the moment which obviously means more shopping (yay!). Again sorry for the long absence but I am back on track and very excited for some of the posts I have lined up! I will be back tomorrow with a post all about my recent holiday but for now I am off for a nap because I got back at 4 this morning and feel very tired from all the travelling!! Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading,

                                                                     Laura xx

P.S- feel free to follow me on Instagram where I have been posting pictures loads recently (link to the side) and also follow me on Bloglovin', every time I see I have a new follower it really improves my mood!!

Lush Face Mask- https://www.lush.co.uk/products/catastrophe-cosmetic

Tea Tree Primer- http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/tea-tree/tea-tree-pore-minimiser.aspx

Gel Eyeliner- http://www.superdrug.com/collection-2000/collection-2000-lasting-colour-gel-eyeliner-4g-black-1/invt/450652?source=179_75

Mascara- http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-Falsies-Mascara-Waterproof-Black_1416719/

Texturising Spray- http://www.boots.com/en/VO5-Give-Me-Texture-Dry-Texturising-Spray-200ml_1282797/

Foundation- http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-Nearly-Naked-8482-Make-Up-Foundation_1298536/

Concealer- http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-Dream-Touch-Lumi-Concealer_1189607/

August Favourites: Make Up Edition

I know this is super cliché but I seriously can not believe that today is September 1st! Where has the year gone. August has been a weird make up month, I have gone from loving make up to hating make up and then right back to loving it again. So I shall stop rambling and get on with my favourites.

Maybelline Baby Lips

Cherry Me and Coralista

I have already mentioned these lovely lip balms too many times on this blog so I'm going to keep this brief but basically I love them! My favourite is Cherry Me, it leaves a super pretty dark pink slightly red colour on your lips and leaves them feeling hydrated for hours. These are great for when you are on the go and just want something quick and easy to apply. I always keep one of these in my bag at all times.



Vichy DermaBlend in 15 Opal
Another product I have already mentioned this month when I did a full review about 3 weeks ago. I am happy to say I am still loving this foundation and although I am not using it everyday (trying out lots of new foundations at the moment) I do still find myself reaching for this more than any other foundation. The finish is lovely and my favourite thing about it is that when you have it on you feel like you have nothing on your skin at all. This is quite pricey for the drugstore so I am trying to ration it out to make it last longer!!

Collection Shimmer Shades in Blushalicious 
I know I know the name of this is cheesy and cringey but please look past it! This blusher quad from Collection I have had for ages but have rediscovered it this month. I tend to just put my brush into the blush and mix all the colours together but you can also treat this as 4 seperate blushers. Mixing all the colours together makes a beautiful pink colour which adds a great flush of colour to the cheeks. This is so cheap and would look great on so many different complexions.

Benefit Coralista
Another blush and this time a high end blush. The Benefit box blushers are a favourite of so many people but are quite pricey. I got this sample size blusher in a mini set from Boots which also came with Sun Beam Bronzing Highlighter. I didn't really like the liquid highlighter that much but Coralista is amazing!! It is a lovely coral colour with a subtle shimmer in it, on the cheeks it leaves a pretty natural looking pop of colour. This blush is fast becoming my favourite blusher.

So that is all for my favourites, I haven't got that many this month but the ones I have picked I really do love!! What have you guys been loving this month? Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading

   
                                                                        L xxx

My Make Up Starter Kit (All Products Under A Tenner)

Rimmel, Maybelline, Barry M, L'oreal and Collection!! The drugstore is full of low cost but great quality brands who have so so many products to choose from! So when it comes to getting together a basic make up kit you are absolutely spoilt for choice, but I have managed to narrow the hundreds of products down to what I think is the essentials in anyones make up starter kit. I haven't mentioned lip products in this post at all because picking one was just too hard so what I'm going to do is top 10 drugstore lip products post instead! So let's go...

Now to start a base, before putting on any make up I like to apply a primer. This makes your skin look generally smoother and nicer, zs well as keeping your make up in place all day. My
current favourite is Garnier 5 Sec Perfect Blur (£8.66), I did a full review of this the other day so you can check that out if you want to know more . Now onto your BB cream or Foundation. I have included one of each to keep everyone happy. For days where my skin is looking great I will always use a BB cream and out of all the ones I have tried the Garnier BB cream (£6.66) is my stand out winner. The coverage is really nice and light, feeling almost like you are wearing nothing, but at the same time covers up any imperfections just the right amount. BB creams are a dream in summer so make sure you have one! My winning Foundation has to go to an oldie but a goodie and it is Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (£9.99). This Foundation is literally one of the best I have ever tried from the drugstore! It is medium coverage (which is great for me) and creates a dewy finish. This Foundation is so reasonably priced but also so amazing, if you have never tried it firstly why? and secondly go get it, NOW! 




After I apply my foundation/BB cream I conceal any blemishes that the base hasn't covered. For spots, red blotches and blemishes I love the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (£3.99). This is a favourite for so many people and I am sure you have heard loads about it but it really is great. I love how creamy it is and it stays on for ages so you don't have to keep touching up! I do find this concealer to cakey for under my eyes though so instead I use the Maybelline Dream Lumi (£6.99), this is perfect for under eyes as it covers dark circles and brightens your skin. It is also great for highlighting. After all of that I finish it off with either a powder or a setting spray depending on how I'm feeling! My pick for powder is the Rimmel Clear Complexion Transparent Powder (£3.99), it sets make up beautifully but also doesn't leave your skin looking or feeling cakey. If I'm using a setting spray I would use the Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist (£8), this has a lovely rose scent and feels lovely on the skin. A couple of sprays at the beginning of the day leaves your make up in place for hours.

Next is onto my eyes. I would normally do my eyebrows now but I decided not to talk about eyebrow products because I am trying loads of new things out at the moment so watch this

space because there will probably be a post on eyebrows coming very shortly!! Anyway eye shadow, for this I did cheat because I picked two things but both have to be mentioned! So firstly my Sleek Colour Palette in The Original 594 (£7.99). I think sleek do some of the best colour palettes on the market, the shadows are super pigmented and all blend really nicely! If you don't like the colours in this palette check out their others, they are all great. Cream eye shadow wise my pick is the Maybelline Color 24HR Tattoos (£4.99), these are just amazing! All 3 of the ones I have are really pretty colours and are great either on their own or mixed with other colours. The only thing I would say about these is that you have to make sure you put the lids on really tightly as they dry out easily. 

After eyeshadow comes eyeliner (which I am awful at applying) and again I cheated and picked 2! First is the Collection Gel Eyeliner in Black (£3.99), This is great for creating a winged look or just to line your top lashes. Again keep the cap on because this drys out easily. My other pick is the Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Sticks (£4.49), these are technically eyeshadows but I mostly use them for eyeliner, Bulletproof Beige looks great and makes your eyes look really big! So finally  mascara and I actually forgot to include a picture of this (sorry!!) but I did do a post on mascaras this week so if you want to know what my favourite drugstore mascaras are then go check that out now!!! HERE IT IS

Now for me these bits are the finishing touch to any look. Blusher and Bronzer make your skin look so much more radiant and healthy, I just can't get ready without them!! My favourite cream blush is the Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush in Pinched (£7.99). This pinky peach tone leaves a lovely flush of colour on your cheeks, I'm not sure how much I will be using cream blushers as we head into Autumn but whilst it is still Summer I love them. If you have oily skin (or just like powder blushers) The Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush in Santa Rose (£3.99) might be better for you. This is a really nice coppery toned pink, I think this could be my favourite blush of all time!! And finally everyone loves that bronzed look and for me the best way to achieve that is with Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder (£6.99). I love this for creating a bronzed look and also for contouring!

So that is all!!! And I have done the maths (well used my calculator) to work out that all these products would cost you £103.18!!!!! Now that may seem like a lot but for some people this is all the make up they would need!

Phew!!! That seemed like a long post!! Hope you all enjoyed and thanks for reading!


                                                                      L xxx

Mascara Madness: My Pick Of Drugstore Mascaras

Walking into Boots and trying to find the perfect mascara for your budget can be very overwhelming, every brand has about a million different mascaras and frankly some of them just aren't up to scratch! So over the last couple of months I have done the hard work for you and tried out many different mascaras in order to find the best for you! So these 5 are my must have mascaras.


1. The Budget Buy- Maybelline Great Lash Mascara- £4.99
This was the first ever mascara I owned and I still buy it all the time! It isn't the best mascara in the world but it does the job. Your lashes look lovely and long but it doesn't add volume or fullness to them really! If you are just getting into make up or want a mascara to through in your handbag this is the one, and for £4.99 you can't really go wrong. I think part of my love for this is that it reminds me of being 15 again though!!

2. The I Can't Believe It's That Cheap- Collection Big Fake Ultimate Mascara- £5.99 (currently on offfer for £3.99) 
This mascara is crazy cheap for how good it is. The wand is so thick, it volumizes your lashes amazing. This leaves your lashes thick and full, giving an almost fake lash effect. This is my must have mascara at the moment as it just leaves my lashes looking amazing. This is normally £5.99, which is so cheap for the quality but it is currently on offer at Superdrug for a stupidly cheap £3.99 I shall be running down there and stocking up as soon as I can!!

3.The Middle Of The Range- Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara- £7.99
I was surprised to like this one actually! The wand is a strange shape but it actually works really well. The thick end is perfect for applying mascara all over your lashes where as the thinner end is great for getting into the inner corner so you don't miss those one!! The formula of this I didn't like to start with but once it had been open for a couple of weeks it gets a little thicker and is must better! 

4.The Beauty Blogger Favourite- Maybelline Volum Express Mascara Falsies- £7.99
I'm sure everyone has heard about the Falsies, it is a staple mascara for so many people and I love it to. But I think I love this variation slightly more!! the Volum Express just adds that little more volume to your lashes, and my lashes really need volume!! Unlike the Rimmel mascara the formulation of this is great from the beginning, I would say that it does dry up quite quickly though (especially if you sometimes leave the lid half one, whoops!) so don't expect it to last for ages but it is a really really good mascara!!

5. The Pricey Drugstore One- No7 Stay Perfect Mascara- £12.75
Now I have only had this one for a couple of weeks but it is one I really wanted to include. This has a much more natural finish than the others, it doesn't really volumise the lashes but it does length but the thing I love about this the most is the staying power. With some of the others I feel that it rubs onto my skin (especially in the summer) and I end up with highly unattractive panda eyes. But with this, it isn't problem. The brush is also slightly different because it is plastic. This mascara is quite new I think so I would be really interested to see what you guys have to say about it if you have tried it? 

and a special mention.....
I don't think I could do a mascara post without mentioning this one. The Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara is honestly a life saver! The tiny wand makes it really easy to apply to your bottom lashes and once this is on it just doesn't budge. This is slightly pricey though but I do think it is worth every 1200 pennys it costs!! (that's £12 by the way)

What are your favourite mascaras? Is there any I must try? Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading.


                                               L xxx

Mini Collection Haul

So I was having lunch near a Superdrug the other day and I thought it would be rude to not go in and have a look around. I was initially going in to look at the new Sleek candy collection but that store (annoyingly) didnt stock Sleek so I settled for a few Collection items! I wasn't repurchasing any items so I can't give you a review on them just yet but one may follow soon. 

First up was Collection's Big Fake Ultimate false lash effect mascara in Ultra Black (£5.99). I am currently using Tanya Burr's favourite Maybellines False Lash Effect mascara but I fancied trying something new. I had heard some good things about this one and I thought I would give it a go. So far I have only used it a couple of times and I'm not liking it that much but I'm going to give it a few more tries before I completely rule it out. Next I decided to try the Blush and Highlight Cream Duo in Strawberries and Cream (£4.19). I am loving cream blushes at the moment and thought I would give this one a try, it's a really pretty matte light pink colour which I can't wait to try out. As for the highlighter, I have been searching for a good drugstore highlighter for ages and wanted to see if this could be it! Again I haven't tried it yet but from the swatches I have done on my hand I'm hoping its a gooden! 

Now the next product is definitely the one I am most excited about! This is a beauty bloggers favourite and I have heard so many bloggers and youtubers rave about it, its of course the Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer (£4.19). I am ashamed to say I have never ever tried it ( I know its shocking, I'm sorry!) but from the couple of times I have used it so far i LOVE it! I got it in the colour fair, which is the lightest of the 4 shades, and I was slightly worried it would be too light but it's actually a perfect match. The hype is right, it covers blemishes nicely without feeling cakey and it's also really good for covering up dark circles under the eyes. It is fast becoming my favourite concealer. Finally I got a free nail polish (yes FREE). Collection were offering a free Hot Looks 60 Seconds nail varnish with any purchase over £3.99 (the nail varnish is normally worth £1.99). I decided to purchase a really pretty greeny blue shimmery colour which doesn't appear to have a name on the bottle but says 15 on the bottom?? (sorry I can't tell you the name. I did look on the website but can't seem to find it). The colour is just gorgeous but I have to say I was only wearing it for a couple of hours before it began to chip! But as it was free I can't complain I guess

Anyway I hope you enjoyed my mini haul, and maybe it gave you some shopspiration! Thanks for reading 
                                                                       L xxx