Top Ten Under £10: Make Up

When it comes to make up I do love a luxury purchase every now and again but at heart I'm a budget drugstore make up girl. And whilst some of you may think the high street is full of duds, there are a few gems on the market which wow even the hardest to please beauty lover. So today I'm sharing with you my Top Ten Under £10.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
If there is one concealer on the high street that everyone has tried and loved at some point it's the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. This full coverage concealer covers even the reddest of blemishes without being cakey or fake looking. It also gives great coverage under the eye and can be used as a highlighting concealer in certain areas of the face. It's only £4.19 a tube and works better than other higher end concealers. I've lost count of the amount of these I've gone through and know I will go through countless more in the future.

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Polishes 
Normally I'd choose a shade or two to show you but with these polishes I just can't choose. There are so many beautiful shades in this range and each one gives a stunning result. These polishes are thicker than your standard polish to give the look and effect of a gel nail without having to go to the salon. Their flat square ended brush makes application a dream and even though they're a thicker formula, they dry almost as quickly as the Speedy Quick Dry Range. Some of my favourite shades include Elderberry, Almond, Guava and Cocoa.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms
Lip products on the high street can be very hit or miss, especially when a brand tries their hand at matte products. One brand that succeded is Revlon and their Colorburst Matte Balm range. There are tons of shades in this range and deciding which one to buy is difficult. This chubby stick-esque lipsticks range from light pinks to deep browns. Application is easy as their pointed tip makes it easy to create a defined look without an additional lip liner. And unlike other matte lip products, these are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time and you can reapply over the top of exsisting product without a problem. Plus they smell of mint which is one of the nicer lip product smells out there.

PS Love Lip Liners
A lot of the time when I think of budget beauty I always think of things you can find in Boots or Superdrug and because of that I very nearly overlooked my favourite lip liners. Primark's PS Love Lip Liners are some of the best I've ever tried and they only cost a £1. They're more of a crayon than a pencil liner and glide smoothly along the lips better than most pencil liners. There is a whole range of shades from bright pinks to neutral browns and dark purples. The shade range is always being added to and their low cost means adding to your collection won't break the bank. These sharpen with a normal pencil sharpener and don't drag or scratch along the lips.

Maybelline The Eraser Eye Concealer 
Another concealer that I've brought countless times and definitely deserves a place on this list comes from Maybelline. The Eraser Eye Concealer is a sponge topped concealer that deposits the perfect amount of product under the eye and blends out to reveal a brightened more awake looking under eye area. It only comes in two shades but the two shades cover a wide spectrum of skintones so nobody misses out. Even if you have the darkest of dark under eye circles/bags this will help to cover and conceal them. A damp beauty blender is the perfect tool for blending this out as it gives it a seamless flawless looking finish.

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipsticks
Matte lipsticks is something that is only becoming a larger trend in drugstores now. Revlon kicked it off with their Colorburst Balms and the next brand to step up and do it well was Maybelline. Their Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipsticks are not only stunning shade wise but brilliant value for money and the quality rivals that of other higher end brands. Non drying, long wearing and highly pigmented these lipsticks are ones I find myself reaching for constantly. The shade range is ever expanding and now they have a beautiful range of nudes as well as bright shades and dark winter plums. They glide effortlessly onto the lips and don't transfer without drying the lips out or looking gross on the lips. Definitely ones to check out when you're at a Maybelline stand next.

Gosh Matte Lipsticks 
Another lesser known brand that do fantastic matte lipsticks is Gosh. Released two years ago they bowled me over with their highly pigmented, long lasting, comfortable formula. Like the Maybelline their shade range grows with each season and they never fail to disappoint. Neutral shades, bright shades, dark shades and out there shades, this range has something for everyone. They're very creamy to apply to the lips and once they're on, they don't go anywhere. The creamy formula means you don't have to worry about drying your lips out and reapplication is easy as well. My favourite shades are Rose, Cherry, Grape and Cranberry. Definitely keep your eye out for these, they're definitely worth a go.

Maybelline SuperStay Setting Spray
Setting sprays are something that are becoming a trend on the high street and every brand is bringing their own version out. And Maybelline's is one of the best out there. Their SuperStay Setting Spray is very lightweight, non pore clogging and oil free. It is suitable for every skin type and is lightweight enough that it won't cause any problems with even the most sensitive of skins. It's very fine mist doesn't drench the skin and disrupt make up when you spritz it. And it really does lock make up into place all day long. It also helps create a more natural look to foundations and powders that have a tendency to look cakey after a while. Perfect for the warmer months ahead of us.

Maybelline SuperStay Primer 
A newer release that definitely earned it's place on this list is another Maybelline SuperStay product. Their new primer is a lightweight, oil free, pore smoothing beaut that grabs and holds onto make up all day long but is also perfect for evening skintone out on non make up days. It's thin liquidy consistency makes it feel more hyrdating on the skin than other primers and it's velvet finish has a nice tackiness to it that really grabs and holds onto any base product you apply over top. Two pumps is significant enough to prime the skin perfectly and once it's got a hold of your base product it's not going anywhere. I predict that this could be one of Maybelline's best selling products.

Loreal Total Cover Foundation
Another new release that earned it's place on this list with it's first use is the new Loreal Total Cover Foundation. This lightweight gel feeling foundation gives the highest coverage available on the high street, it even covers tattoos. It's matte finish, oil fighting formula means that you can look flawless but not overdone all day long and not worry about touching up at all. A little goes a long way with this foundation and it blends out like a dream, leaving a flawless finish that still looks skinlike and natural. If you're still unsure then I'll tell you now that this managed to make me part ways with my favourite Dior Foundation and even converted my friend from Bobbi Brown to Loreal. I can not recommend this foundation enough. If you have oily skin this will work like a dream for you. 

Review: Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara

At the beginning of the year Maybelline released a new mascara as part of their Push Up mascara. It's a different kind of mascara for Maybelline and had a big ad campaign with Gigi Hadid fronting it. They clearly wanted it to be as good as the original Push Up Mascara or even their Lash Sensational Mascara. And it is.

The Push Up Angel has a thin curved wand with bristles on one side.Being one sided may seem a weird concept for a mascara wand but on this particular mascara it works very well. It's bristles are very close together so it coats every lash without leaving lashes clumpy or crispy. It's wet formula means you can layer this mascara to create dramatic volume without the use of false lashes. Don't sneeze though as this will go everywhere and that's just not a good look. The thin one sided brush not only coats every lash but grips them and fans them out for added volume and length.

When I first opened this mascara I didn't think I was going to like it. However from the first brush of the wand I was bowled over with how this gripped, lifted, seperated and volumised my lashes. I had fanned out dramatic volume that looked natural with one coat but still had that wow effect. I did find it easily transfer onto my eyelids but was nothing a cotton bud couldn't clear up. Usually throughout the day my lashes would droop but with this mascara they still have a nice curl and volumised look. An oil based cleanser or bio-phase eye make up remover removes this perfectly without it stinging the eyes.

If you're in the market for a new mascara and you don't want to pay the earth for it then definitely have a look at this mascara. It's one sided wand makes it easier to work with and it's gravity defying formula means your lashes won't droop or lose their curl throughout the day. And for under a tenner it's well worth giving it a go. 

My Everyday Make Up Routine

I'm the kind of person that can never stick to the same products. I'm always on the lookout for the latest release or best reviewed product that catches my eye. A lot of the time they turn out to be duds but occasionally there is one that jumps out and amazes me and becomes a permanent part of my routine. And lately I've replaced a few products in my make up routine and thought now is a good time to share it with you.

For primer I start with an older favourite in the form of the Barry M Hydro Fix Primer Mist. This is very lightweight but very hydrating and is perfect to prep skin before any kind of base. I spray a few spritzes of this before I go in with my Maybelline SuperStay Primer. This is a very liquidy primer but once it's applied to the skin it feels like velvet on the skin and leaves skin feeling tacky which makes it perfect to grab onto base products.

For the last few months I've been totally enamored with the Dior Star Foundation but in the last month it was replaced by the Loreal Total Cover Foundation. This is one of the best foundations on the high street right now. It's full cover, matte finish, lighweight formula is perfect for giving a flawless yet natural and lasts all day long without becoming oily or fading. It's only downfall is that it's a squeeze tube but I'm willing to overlook that as it gives such good results. I use a dense topped stippling brush to apply this but a lighter/duo fibre brush would work as well to blend it out even more.

Then it's onto concealer. After using that foundation I don't need to go in with tons of concealer but under the eyes I always go in with some. And my all time favourite concealer is from Maybelline. Their Anti-Age The Eraser Eye never fails to cover up my dark circles and brighten my under eye area completely. A damp beauty sponge is perfect for blending it in seamlessly which I then usually take over the rest of my face to make sure all my foundation is completely blended in. And if any redness has managed to pop through the foundation or I have a blemish then I go in with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair. This is high coverage but blends out like a dream and covers both blemishes and redness well. I use the same damp beauty sponge to blend it in to make sure everything looks seamless.

For powder I go in with the Collection Pressed Powder in Ivory. This seems to be the only powder that I can use both under my eyes and all over my face without it oxidising or creasing. I take the Real Techniques Setting Brush and pat it under the eye area to really set all my concealer in place before taking a Make Up Revolution F104 Brush to dust it down the centre of my face and along my jawline.

Onto mascara and usually I'm the most unfaithful to mascara. I can alternate between two or three different ones on a daily basis but ever since it's launch I've been seriously loving the Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara. I don't know if it's the formula or the brush but this never fails to give me fanned out volumised lashes that stay in place all day long. A couple of quick goes with my eyelash curlers and a layer of this and my lashes are good to go.

Before we talk about the products can I please just apologise for the quality of this photo. Stanley my cat decided he wanted to try and photobomb me every chance he got. And as you can see he succeded. But back to the products. If you've been a long time reader of the blog then you'll know I'm a big fan of bright bold lips no matter the weather or the occasion. Well this may be a surprise to some but so far this year I've worn more nude lips than anything else. And my favourite combo at the moment comes from Rosie For Autograph. Her recently released Lip Definer in the shade Silk was the only lip liner I reached for in February alongside her Lipstick in the shade Silk Cami. There's just something about Rosie For Autograph Lip Products that I can't get enough of and for someone who loves a matte lip it's another surprise. These are a sheen finish lipstick but don't transfer, bleed or fade unevenly. I currently have seven and find myself rotating them daily.

I used to use a setting spray to set everything into place but since I purchased the Loreal Total Cover I've not needed a setting spray. If you're looking for a recommendation of a couple of good ones then definitely check out the Maybelline Setting Spray. Very fine mist, lightweight and hydrating on the skin. Another good one comes from Barry M in the form of their Matte Finish Fixing Mist. Sets make up to a matte finish, lightweight, locks make up in place all day and doesn't let oil break through. 

The Foundation That Made Me Break Up With Dior

Late last year I went on the search of a new foundation. I wanted something that could cover my redness, look natural and still let my skin breath. I thought I'd found the perfect foundation in the shape of the Dior Star Foundation. It covered my redness, let my skin breath and looked flawless yet natural. Sure it was pricey but I was so happy with the results I didn't mind the price tag. Fast forward to the beginning of last month and my relationship with Dior went right out the window.

And that's because Loreal launched their new Infallible Total Cover. This is a high coverage, matte finish foundation that claims to be able to cover redness, unever skintone and even tattoos. It's lightweight in feel and texture and doesn't clog pores. The only downfall to this foundation is that is only comes in seven shades and the jump from pale to medium then medium to dark is quite big. It does mean that some skintones may not be able to find the perfect shade for them which is quite disappointing.

I chose the shade 9 Light Sand, it looks darker than the shade Poreclain but that's only because it has more of a yellow undertone where as Porcelain has a pink undertone. Shade 9 suits my skintone perfectly and doesn't need a ridiculous amount of blending down my neck to look seamless. I'd prefer this if it came in a pump bottle as occasionally I do find myself using too much product. A dense flat topped brush is perfect for blending this out and creates an even, flawless base. I can sometimes have really bad redness but this covers it up and doesn't look cakey or unnatural on the skin. Once it's blended out skin looks flawless and shine free but if your prone to oily skin then I'd recommend powdering to set it in place.

I have never been so surprised by a foundation. This doesn't cling to any dry patches, doesn't fade throughout the day and doesn't look cakey if layered. I wore this for about two solid weeks and then decided to go back to my Dior for a day. Compared to the Loreal, the Dior was streaky and didn't give as good a coverage. Overall I wasn't happy with how my make up looked and went straight back to my Loreal the next day. And day after day my make up always look fresh and flawless everytime I use this foundation. And the best bit about this foundation, it comes in at under a tenner. A big difference from the likes of Dior or Bobbi Brown.

Monthly Favourites: February

I know I say this every month but where has time gone. It only seems like February began last week. But even though this month has felt short it's still given me plenty of time to find plenty of favourites.

Rosie For Autograph Lip Definer in Silk 
My first favourite this month has to be one of the new Rosie For Autograph Lip Definers. If you didn't know she released six lip definers shades to coinside with her lipstick collection. I have the shde Silk which is a deep mauve brown toned shade which works perfectly with a ton of nude lipsticks. I have never known a lip liner be so creamy. It just glides onto the lips and doesn't tug or pull at all. And the pigmentation is ridiculous, the tiniest of swipes and you have an opaque line that is crisp and precise. I'm definitely going to have pick up more shades in this range.

 Rosie For Autograph Lipstick in Silk Cami
Another Rosie For Autograph product I've been loving is one of her original lipsticks in Silk Cami. It's a beautiful peachy nude shade that not only looks stunning on my fair skintone but will also look stunning on darker skintones as well. It's a sheen finish lipstick but dries down to an almost satin/demi matte finish. I have quite a few lipsticks from Rosie For Autograph and all of them including this one are comfortable and long wearing. I always find myself reaching for these lipsticks over any of my others.

 Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Rollerball
This I've only had since Wednesday but I'm already loving it. My best friend Jasmin went to New York this month and ever so kindly brought me back the Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Rollerball. And I'm in love already. With notes of Musk and Peony this is floral and fresh but isn't too overpowering or sickly. A little bit goes a long way and once it's warmed on your skin you'll really notice it. Due to it's hard to buy nature this will be going alongside my Gucci Bamboo as a special occasion fragrance.

Primark Handbag
For the longest time I've been looking for a new handbag. I saw one in New Look but wasn't too sure if it was really me which essentially was too long to decide and I couldn't get it anywhere when I wanted it. So this year I've been trying to find something similar to that one and I've finally found it. This Primark Handbag is absolutely stunning and so so spacious. It doesn't have a zip fastening but it's locking mechanism is secure enough for it to not be a worry. Inside is just one big pocket that fits so much in it it's unbelievable. I took this out on a recent day trip to London and was impressed by how much I could actually fit in here. It's a little nicer looking than some of my other handbags but it goes well with so many outfits and has the ability to pull some looks together just so.

Loreal Total Cover Foundation
If you were reading the blog late last year you may remember I fell in love with the Dior Star Foundation. Well that was all well and good until Loreal released their new Total Cover Foundation. This claims to be able to cover up redness, uneven skintone and even tattoos, claims I was a bit sceptical of. But boy was I surprised. This is a very full coverage, matte finish foundation that covers redness, uneven skintone and tattoos. However instead of being cakey or heavy looking on the skin, it's extremely lightweight and natural looking; as well as a full coverage foundation can. I haven't even gone back to my Dior Star since this took up residence in my collection and I dare say I don't think I will.

Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara 
A mascara I was surprisingly obsessed with this month comes from Maybelline. It's their new The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara and whilst it's ultra thin, one sided wand makes it look like it wouldn't work on lashes, it actually does. It's multi bristle wand catches every lash and pushes them up and out to create a fanned out volumised look. It's a very wet mascara so you can easily layer it without it clumping but sneeze whilst applying and you're in trouble.

Loreal Pure Clay Glow Scrub
Last month Loreal released their Pure Clay Face Wash range. And within that range the released the Pure Clay Glow Scrub. It has exactly the same formula as the face mask but in scrub form. And boy does this scrub work. It's thin consistency makes you believe that it won't be effective but when you start to massage it into the skin it really gets to work and it's gritty texture works well to remove any texture or dead skin that's there. I used to be a big fan of Olay's face scrub but apart from one slightly stronger scrub I've been reaching for this more times than not.

Garnier Moisture Bomb Gel Cream 
I've been a fan of the Garnier Moisture Bomb range for a while so when I saw they'd released another cream into the range I just had to grab it. This is a water based gel cream that claims to add a healthy glow to the skin as well as locking in moisture all day long. And it really does. I normally don't use these types of products under my make up but I've been really enjoying this to add some extra hydration to my skin before I apply my base.

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash
Another new skin release I've been loving is this Garnier Micellar Gel Wash. It contains the same dirt grabbing technology that the Micellar Water contains but in wash form. I was quite nervous about trying this as I never got on with the original micellar water but so far I've had no problems with this. It foams up on the skin when you add water but never leaves skin feeing tight or dry after you've washed it away. I've been loving this for a second cleanse after make up or as an intial cleanse on bare skin.

Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It AHA Scrub
The other scrub I've been loving this month come from Soap and Glory. This is their Scrub Your Nose In It Scrub which contains a mixture of AHA's that work together to exfoliate and refine pores. This looks and smells like toothpaste and is very strong on the skin. If you have very reactive or sensitive skin then I recommend staying away from this as it's very potent. It tingles as you massage it into skin and continues to do so as you leave it on for 1-2 minutes. Once it's washed away skin feels slky soft and revitalised.

Barry M Lip Kit in Runway 
And the last favourite of the month comes from Barry M. This is one of their limited edition lip kits which is very similar to the Kylie Lip kits but a good half the price. I have the shade Runway which is a stunning deep pink shade, perfect for a whole array of skintones. The kit comes with a lip liner and matching liquid lipstick. The lip liner is ridiculously creamy and easy to apply, definitely one that could be worn on it's own and the liquid lipstick is thin and lightweight in consistency. Together they create the most beautiful combination. Plus both are long lasting, comfortable to wear and easier to reapply. I'm definitely going to pick up another shade or two of these.

Review: Boots Sheet Mask

 

When it comes to skincare and pampering my self there is nothing more than a good face mask. Sure the standard face masks are brilliant and I love the results but lately I've really been enjoying sheet masks. And Boots have recently released a collection of sheet masks that brilliant.

The Boots Ingredients Sheet Masks are a range of masks individually designed to aid different skin types. There are five masks in total ranging from hydration to clarifying.

 You have the Safflower and Peony Mask to help aid skin's youthful appearence.

 Then there is the Lotus Flower and Tiger Lily Mask to help with skin's radiance.

There is the Charcoal and Willow Bark Mask which cleanses and purify's the skin.

 There is the Super Hyaluronic which helps boost skin's hydration levels.

And finally you have the Rooibos Mask that helps to energise and revitalise skin.

These are a thin cotton sheet masks that are drenched in serum. Each one is designed to aid a particular skin issue or skin type. They fit well against the skin unlike some sheet masks out there and there's no worries of getting any product in your eye as the pre cut slots are cut large enough to fit comfortably on the skin. And once it's smoothed into place they do no budge. You can bend down, carry on with housework or even just lay back and relax and they won't shift in the slightest.

Most of these masks you leave on for 15-20 minutes. There will be excess serum on your skin when you take the mask off but you can just rub that it in or leave it to soak into skin naturally. And that's when you'll start to see the results. If you use the Super Hyaluronic mask which contains Hyaluronic Acid your skin will feel instantly hydrated and plump once you remove it. Whilst specific skin types can use certain masks in this range, there is nothing in any of these that would stop you from using all of the masks.

Overall these are really good masks. My personal favourites are the Super Hyaluronic and the Safflower and Peony. Whilst they are saturated in product there was no dripping or unnecessary spillages. They fit comfortably against the skin and didn't bunch up or peel away. And the best bit is that they only cost £2.50 and can always be found on a save off or 2 for £3 offer in all Boots stores.

Top 5: Liquid Lipsticks

Liquid lipsticks have been big for a while now and don't look like their going anywhere soon. A lot of brands are attempting to create their own versions. Some brands fail spectacularly whilst others shine bright. So today I thought I'd share five of my favourite liquid lipsticks so you all have an idea of where to spend and where to save.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw
Kat Von D has to have one of the best liquid lipstick formulas I've tried. It's lightweight, long lasting and comfortable to wear. It's doe foot applicator has enough flexibility to it that it makes application easy but it's not that bendy that it goes everywhere. One thin coat of these liquid lipsticks is enough for a completely opaque finish that once dried down doesn't budge. I only own Outlaw at the moment but am definitely going to be picking up a few more shades in the future.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso 
Another red liquid lipstick that I absolutely adore comes from Stila. This has a slightly more dry formula but it's still stunning and long lasting. It can be uncomfortable to wear but it all depends on your lips when you apply this. I always make sure to exfoliate and prep my lips thoroughly before I apply this. It's a bright tomato red shade that I reach for all year round. I've actually worn this that many times I'm already on my second tube.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Serenata 
Another Stila liquid lipstick I adore is Serenata. Unfortunately this is a limited edition shade so whilst I absolutely adore this shade I have to wear it sparingly. If you're looking for a twist on the normal nude shade this is perfect. It has a greige undertone to it that just adds something a little extra to it. Again it's a slightly drier consistency and can be very unforgiving on the lips but if you prep your lips well enough then this will sit perfectly in place all day.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Rome
Now I don't know if this counts as a liquid lipstick but I consider it to be one as it does dry down and doesn't budge once in place. The NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams can be slightly hit and miss all depending on the colour you chose but if you get a good one then you're onto a winner. The shade Rome is a stunning neutral shade that even as a nude shade makes any look pop. It's long wearing, opaque in one coat and comfortable to wear. I love popping this on with a bit of BB Cream and mascara to just pull it all together.

NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Exotic 
And finally the NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipsticks are some of the better liquid lipsticks the high street has to offer. If you're into your ultra nudes then this range is perfect for you. I have the shade Exotic and sometimes find this can be a struggle to wear color wise but when I manage to pull it off I absolutely love it. It's more a dry consistency than the Soft Matte Lip Creams but with enough prep it looks gorgeous on the lips. It's doe foot applicator reminds me a lot of the Kat Von D applicator, flexible but not to the point where it'll end up everywhere.