ASOS Wishlist

I love to spend hours browsing on ASOS but have surprisingly never made an order. However on a recent window shopping expedition I found quite a few bits that caught my eye and made it onto my To Buy/ASOS Wishlist. And with that I thought I could share with you what has recently caught my eye on ASOS and what I'm likely to buy in the upcoming weeks to update my Spring/Summer wardrobe.

ASOS 90s Metal Round Sunglasses In Gold £12
The first thing on my wishlist is a pair of sunglasses. I've been looking for ages for a pair of dupes for the gold framed Ray Bans that everybody seems to own. And I've finally found some on ASOS. These aren't an exact dupe but they are the closest that I can that actually have a rounded frame and no overly reflective lenses. Their lenses aren't as dark as the Ray Bans pair but for £12 you don't mind if they're not an exact dupe. Think I'll have to add these to my sunglasses collection sooner rather than later.

Kingsley Ryan Sterling Silver Moon And Stars Stud Earrings Set £10
If you follow me on Instagram you may know I have multiple lobe piercings alongside a dozen other ear piercings. And usually I find it difficult to find earring that would look nicer in my second, third or fourth hole. However ASOS seem to be onto a winner with a lot of their earrings and this trio set is the first of a few that I've got in my wishlist. This trio are all made of Sterling Silver and all look small enough to sit comfortable in a standard lobe piercing as well as higher up in the ear. And £10 for all three isn't bad when you can sometimes pay that or more for just one pair on its own.

Kingsley Ryan Sterling Silver 14mm Wire Wrap Earrings £7 
Whilst we're subject of the perfect earring for higher up the ear, I absolutely adore these Kingsley Ryan Wire Hoops. They're a 14mm diameter which isn't as big as it sounds and would make them sit perfectly in my second or third hole. And the little design along the hoop would just add a little something to my otherwise boring ears. And for Sterling Silver I don't mind paying a little extra as I know they're going to both last and not irritate my ears.

ASOS Hand Stud Earrings £4
The next pair of earrings that caught my eye was this pair of hand shaped studs. These are the kind of stand out stud I like to wear in my first lobe hole as they draw the attention down from my other more prominent piercings. These are more likely a gold plated metal than anything else so are likely to lose their colour and tarnish quickly, but for £4 you can't expect a lot more and these are just quirky enough for my taste.

ASOS DESIGN Sterling Silver Scorpion Stud Earrings £8
Now these are not going to be to everyone's taste but I loved them as soon as I saw them. These Sterling Silver Scorpion earrings are again the sort of thing I'd pop into my first hole to break up the row of studs I normally wear. Again their Sterling Silver so you're guaranteed a lot of wear out of these without irritation and being a Scorpio, I thought they would suit me perfectly.

ASOS DESIGN Felon Leather Flat Sandals £16
Every Spring/Summer I say I'm going to buy some new sandals and I never do. But this year I'm determined to not only buy some new sandals but to step out of my comfort zone slightly. And that's when I found this gorgeous pair of Leopard print sandals. What I liked the most about them apart from the design is that they have no toe post so no worries of rubbing but also that they were a thin strap so they don't look to heavy or clunky on the feet. I can already picture these paired with some shorts and a white t-shirt for that perfect casual summer look.

ASOS FIBBING Studded Flat Sandals £14
When I saw this next pair of sandals I very nearly brought them right there and then but somehow managed to stop myself. But worry not, these will be mine very soon. They're a very similar design to the previous pair with a thin strap and no toe post but these are black studded whereas the other pair were leopard print. Again these paired with shorts and a t-shirt of some kind (I'm thinking a band tee of some kind) would be the perfect casual comfy summer look.

ASOS DESIGN Flattered Wide Fit Leather Plaited T-Bar Flat Sandals £18
And the last pair of sandals I've got my eye are these gorgeous tan plaited style sandals. The front of them is giving me slight YSL slider vibes but these are an actual sandal. With a intricate plaited detail that curls around the foot and holds onto the back, these show of the inner foot without being like a flip flop or slider. And the tan shade would work perfectly with a host of colours. I think that once I've added these to my collection, these will become my holy grail Summer sandal.

GRWM: Night Out At Strictly

                                          

On Saturday me and my mumma went to The Hexagon to watch Strictly Come Dancing professionals Ian Waite and Oti Mabuse's show Rhythm Of The Night. I had spent ages putting together an outfit and make up look but had to make a couple of last minute changes due to the fact that the one day we wanted it to be nice, it started pouring with rain as we got ready. However it didn't take away from the night and we had a fantastic time. So today I'm sharing with you all the products that I used to create this look as well as a couple of pieces I used to accessorise my outfit. 

                           

Primer

I spent all of Saturday fighting a headache from hell but it didn't stop me prepping my skin before we went out. For that I used the Garnier Moisture Bomb Rebalancing Tissue Mask followed by the Rodial Dragon's Blood Under Eye Patches. It gave me the perfect canvas for make up and I was totally surprised with how good my skin looked. To start my base I went in with my age old favourite primer duo. I spritzed my face generously with the Barry M Hydro Fix Primer Water and followed it up with the Maybelline SuperStay Primer. The pair leave my skin feeling ultra hydrated but leave a tackiness behind that just adheres my foundation to my skin. 

                           

Colour Corrector 

Even with the assistance of the Rodial Under Eye Patches, I still felt that my under eye area needed something more. So I dotted some of the Collection Lasting Perfection Colour Corrector in Lemon where it was darkest and blended it out with my finger. I find using my finger the best for products like this as it can really warm the product up which makes it blend into the skin better than if you blended it in with a brush. 

                             

Foundation 

Normally on nights out I would reach for a high coverage foundation but because I'd spent the last week really looking after my skin so it looked as good as possible, I could reach for something a little more medium coverage. And for that I chose the Rosie For Autograph Amazing Skin Secret Foundation. It's a medium coverage foundation that covers but still looks healthy and skin like. I only applied a thin layer and bopped it in with a damp beauty blender and whilst this normally looks good on my skin, this time it looked even better and I couldn't believe it.

                             

Concealer

Now it's concealer time and three may seem like a lot to use at once but this trio of concealers have changed how my under eye area looks without appearing too heavy or cakey. I start with a thin layer of the Maybelline The Eraser Eye Concealer. Then I dot two-three small dots of the Make Up Revolution Conceal And Define Concealer over top. And the last thing I add before I blend it all out is a triangle of the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. Then finally I blend them all out with my damp beauty blender and whilst it sounds like it will sit heavily on the skin, it in fact doesn't. It leaves my under eye area looking flawless but not weighed down and because I used a beauty blender to blend it out, any excess product was soaked up so only what I needed was actually blended out. Sounds like a lot but worth it for now it makes my under eye area look. 

                           

Powder

There are times I don't like setting my base because it can sometimes make my make up look heavy but because I wanted it to last the whole evening I set everything with a loose powder. And my favourite loose powder of the moment is the MUA Ultra-Fine Loose Setting Powder. I popped a generous amount into the cap and dabbed my damp beauty blender into it; I don't know why it took me so long to cotton onto this, and pressed it gently under the eyes. Not only does it help stop creasing, it also stops my under eye area from looking too powdery. I then again used my beauty blender to set the rest of my face and I seriously can not get over how good it sets my make up and how well it works with pretty much all my base products. 

                          

Brows 

Now can I just ask you to excuse how untidy and unruly my brows look. Me and my brow girl had to rearrange my appointment. As you read this, I'll either be counting down the hours to my appointment or will be staring at my freshly waxed and tinted brows in every reflective surface in the house. However they were looking a bit sparse so I went in with a little bit of the Benefit Gimme Brow to add a slight tint and to brush them into some sort of shape. 

                            

Lashes 

For my lashes I wanted them to look big, voluminous and defined but not clumpy or weighed down in product. So to start with I curled my lashes a couple of times do my lashes really had some lift to them. I then primed them so that the curl and definition would last with a coat of the Lash Sensational Lash Primer. Then for mascara I went in with one I rediscovered recently and have fallen in love with all over again. One coat of the Maxfactor Clump Defy Mascara is enough to give lashes everything I want them to have. Curled, defined, voluminous, this mascara works wonders and even after a good eight hours later, my lashes still hadn't drooped. To say I was sad to remove my make up Saturday night is an understatement. 

                            

Lips 

Now I originally planned on wearing a rather bright pair of shoes and for the longest time I was stuck on what lip colour to pair with it. Until I swatched the Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink in Seductress. And then it was neutral lips all the way. I started off with the MUA Lip Liner in Caramel to even out my lips and create a defined edge for the lip colour. I then applied a thin coat of the SuperStay Matte Ink and let that dry down as much as it was going to. I chose this particular product because we went out to eat before hand and I knew that it wouldn't transfer or disappear completely. And it didn't. However I found I did need to dab a little bit of the Rosie For Autograph Lipstick in Lady Rose over the top to even everything out, both before we left and after we ate. However my lip still looked flawless when I got home and I again wished that we had been out for longer. 

                            

Shoes 

Now I did just say that I had brought a pair of brightly coloured shoes to wear and these certainly aren't those. The shoes I originally planned on wearing were a beautiful pair of lemon open toe sandals with a block heel. However as we were getting ready, it started to rain and I was forced to rethink my shoe choice. So going off the hardware off my bag, I went for these Primark boots which remind me a lot of the Chloe boots that every seemed to be wearing during the Autumn. These had a small heel which was perfect for the evening and paired with my slightly monochromatic outfit, they went well. 

                           

Bag 

I had a perfectly good bag for nights out but when I saw this in Primark I just had to buy it. It's a very structured small box bag that has a slight Chanel vibe to it. It has a flick switch opening and a long handle with gold chain hardware. It was just enough to hold a small purse with some cash in it, my lipstick and a compact mirror. It only cost a tenner and I know I'm going to get a lot more wear out of it before the years out. 

                            

Fragrance 

And just before we left I doused my self in several perfumes which when mixed make the perfect combination. The first I went in with is the Rosie For Autograph Rose Gold EDP. It has a warmth to it that grows as the perfume warms on your skin. It's stunning on its own but when paired with both the Elizabeth And James Nirvana Black and Nirvana Bourbon becomes even better. They have a slightly more masculine scent to them that when mixed with warmth of Rose Gold, gives it a sensuality that makes me feel like a strong confident, good smelling woman.

Make Up Shake Up

                           

A couple of weeks ago I had a massive beauty purge. A lot of it was in a condition to donate whilst some of it just had to be thrown away. And whilst I was in the midst of going through everything, I discovered some old favourites which I once loved but hadn't used in a while. So for the last few days I've been switching out a few of my regular products with some I'd rediscovered and I thought I'd share the results with you. 

                             

I didn't discover any old primers so I just used my normal duo of the Barry M Hydro Fix Primer Water and the Maybelline SuperStay Primer. I did though find the Barry M Flawless Colour Correcting Wands. I remember trying these when they were first released and I wasn't initially impressed, much preferring the Collection Lasting Perfection Colour Correctors. And again when I used these; lemon under the eye and green on any redness, I wasn't impressed again. The lemon did a little to brighten my under eye area but some of the blue tones still showed under my eyes. The green corrector was too thin in consistency to do anything for my redness and with this mini heatwave we're experiencing, it was also pointless as my redness just shined through soon afterwards. 

                     

I found quite a few different foundations but only one still matched my complexion. And I'm so glad I found this out as I've fallen in love with it all over again. The Gosh Foundation Drops were a key staple in my routine but then I found another foundation I loved more and they were forgotten about. However this is now going into my daily rotation of base products as it has just wowed me. It's a buildable foundation which can either be quite light in finish or built up to a heavier coverage without going cakey or powdery on the skin. The shade 002 matches my complexion perfectly and doesn't oxidise on my skin, even in this warmth. I bopped it in with a damp beauty blender which not only helped keep a good level of coverage but also gave it a more natural, flawless look that just can't be acquired with a brush. 

                           

I didn't find any different concealer so that I could use so for my under eyes and any excess redness I wanted covered I just went in with my normal combination of the Make Up Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer and the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. I did find another powder to try however and I wasn't exactly bowled over by it. The MUA Skin Define Hydro Powder claims to hydrate skin whilst locking make up in place but in fact it just sits heavily on the skin and ruins what was a lovely looking foundation. I tried applying it both with a beauty blender and a brush and found that nothing could make this powder work with my skin. Plus it's slight yellow undertone gave my skin a warmth that I wasn't too pleased with. 

                           

For lashes I rediscovered an old favourite lash primer and a mascara that was still sat in its plastic. I loved the Barry M Lash Saver Lash Primer but then I discovered the Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Primer. I can remember why I liked it, it gave my lashes volume and lift that doesn't droop no matter how hot it is outside. Plus it contains a complex of ingredients that helps lashes grow, something my lashes could do with. Then I don't remember getting this mascara but at some point I did. The Maxfactor Clump Defy mascara is amazing, it's plastic bristle brush is curved to follow the contour of the eye and catches each individual lash to give them both length and volume. Now I'm not sure if it's the mascara or if it's the lash primer but my lashes haven't looked this good in a while and I think it's all down to this combo. 

                             

Now my lips aren't anything new but I thought I'd share it with you anyway. I lined my lips with the Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner in Dusty Rose. I then filled my lips in with the Maybelljne SuperStay Matte Ink in Seductress. Now when I swatched Seductress in the shop, it looked a bit darker than it actually appeared on my lips. So I just added a touch of my Rosie For Autograph lipstick in Silk Cami to even everything out amd darken it ever so slightly. I really like both the Matte Ink and the Rosie For Autograph lipstick as they last all day long but aren't drying or uncomfortable. 

                          

Whilst I was decluttering/organising my beauty products I discovered a bottle of the Make Up Revolution Amazing Make Up Fixing Spray. From what I can remember, I wasn't a big fan of it. And again I'm not sure if I like this or not but I'm also not sure if that's because of the powder I used underneath. I'm going to try it with my normal loose setting powder and see if everything sits better, if not then it's bye bye to it. 

Overall I quite liked how this look turned out. I definitely won't be reaching for the colour Correctors or the powder again but the lash combo and the foundation I'll be adding into my daily rotation of products. The setting spray I'm going to try with a few different base products and powders to see if it's actually a decent product or if it just doesn't agree with certain products used beforehand. Keep your eyes peeled because if I continue to like them they may feature in a favourites post at some point. 

Anti Haul

As a blogger and a beauty junkie, I'm always on the hunt for the next best thing and with new releases being launched every month, it's hard to define what you actually need to try or what your trying because it's the product of the moment. And at the moment there are a few products I've heard a lot about or am/was thinking of investing in but after a little bit more research, I'm wondering if they're actually worth it. Some of these product I've really wanted to try but what's really put me off is that the brands that make them are hiking up prices and some aren't just a couple of quid. One is nearly a tenner more expensive now and for those who like a bit of luxury but also have to stick to a budget, it's just not feasible to spend the equivalent of a month's food shop on a skincare product.

Loreal Revitalift Laser Renew Anti-Ageing Glycolic Peel Pads £22.49
The first is one I so nearly caved and brought when I first saw them advertised on the Boots website.I am a big fan of any kind of pre soaked glycolic pad. It's my go to choice of acid for exfoliating, retexturising and brightening my skin. It wasn't the 9.6% Glycolic Complex which to be honest I'm doubting it actually has that put me off. What put me off was that you were paying nearly £23 for only 30 pads, which you use daily. Now I know I have some more high end skincare in my collection but honestly £23 a month is not something I could add to my budget, especially I can pay between £8 and £15 for the Nip and Fab pre soaked pads for double the amount of pads and that I know are going to work on my skin. Plus my friend Lauren tried them and says she regrets paying out for them as they've done nothing but dry her skin out.

Lancome Advanced Genifique Hydrogel Melting Mask £16.50
Now this next one I'm a little on the shelf about, especially after reading a few reviews and a piece in a Sunday supplement about it. Lancome have released a hydrogel sheet mask which instantly caught my attention because I love sheet masks and I especially love hydro gel sheet masks. What put me off initially was the price tag for something that would sit on my for face for fifteen/twenty minutes max. However upon reading more about this particular mask, I'm still really intrigued to try it and may just part with some hard earned cash for one. I know this kind of defeats the idea of a anti-haul but it wasn't until I'd started this post did I read a review and go back to sitting on the fence.

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm £47
Now if you've read my blog before you'll know this is one of my ride or die products so you may be shocked to see it in an anti haul post. However it's become a product I don't think I'll be repurchasing in the future due to a price hike which has seen it rise to nearly £50 a pot. And it's a shame, I love this product. It's one of my go to Autumn/Winter cleanser and really works to give my skin a boost when necessary. But to pay £47 for a 100g pot to just wash off my face, with the packaging cracking halfway through use just isn't cool with me. Now it may seem like I'm only worried about paying out when it comes to these products but in reality not all of us can afford to buy an expensive cleanser, alongside an expensive moisturiser, serum and eye cream, without the added cost of masks. And nowadays you can get really brilliant products that work for your skin but at a fraction of the price. In the future I may cave and buy another pot but for now I'm just going to use the travel sized pots I have in my collection and ration them until my skin really needs it.

 Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser With Natural Neroli £42
The Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser With Natural Neroli is a product I received in a goodie bag from a Liz Earle once and I instantly fell in love with it. For my skin it's the perfect Autumn/Winter moisturiser and really helps to hydrate and brighten my skin without weighing it down. And for a while I was quite on board with purchasing a full sized tub. However when I saw the price had jumped and was now £42 a pot, I just couldn't fathom spending that amount of money on a moisturiser when my trusty £7.99 moisturiser from Garnier works just aswell. Now I know that a lot of people believe that you have to pay that little bit extra to get a product that really works but sometimes; especially nowadays, you can easily find similar products that work just as well for a fraction of the price which means the left over money that you've saved can go towards that holiday you had planned or a good day out with family or friends. Maybe if they sold smaller pots I'd be tempted considering it's more of a seasonal product for me but until then I think I'll stick with my Garnier. 

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair £55
Now my final product is one I'm a little torn about. Not because it's a terrible product (it's fantastic) but because it's similar to another I've tried and I'm not sure which ones worth saving my Boots points for. The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Complex is a cult beauty product and I can totally understand the hype. It's worked wonders for my skin when it's been at it's worst but then so has the Lancome Advanced Genifique Concentrate and I'm uncertain of which to purchase the full size of. Or if I should bother to purchase either and save my Boots points for something extra nice for my mum for Christmas this year. As I said they both help my skin when it's at it's worst which as I've gotten older is a lot less, which essentially seems like I'm saving points for something that would barely be used and would probably end up going off, which to me is a waste. If you've tried either then please let me know in the comments if I should continue saving my points and which one I should get, if I get any at all.

Review: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

                           

For the longest time the only concealer I'd use was the Collection Lasting Perfection in Fair, then Extra Fair until they both started to oxidise on my skin. I'd seen that Maybelline had released more shades of their Fit Me Concealer and thought I'd give it a go. And this has certainly taken over from my once beloved Collection concealer. 

It's a medium to full coverage concealer that can be used under the eyes, to cover redness and can even cover blemishes without making it obvious you're trying to cover something. It doesn't gather in pores or crease under the eyes and can last all day when set with a loose powder. There are seven/eight shades in the range, ranging from from extremely fair to deep skintones.  It's a better range than when they first released it and because of that its a concealer I've seen talked about a lot more on social media. 

I love love love this concealer. I had to take my back up out to photograph as the one I'm using now is practically empty and the packaging is faded that much you can barely make out the name of it. I use this everyday both under the eye and to cover any redness or imperfections that my foundation hasn't covered. I like that it covers but doesn't look to heavy on the skin and doesn't budge once it's set with loose powder or a setting spray. I have the shade 05 and it matches my skin tone perfectly. It blends in perfectly over redness and blemishes but still looks brightening when used under the eyes. And at £5.99 a tube, it's not going to break the bank if you go through a tube regularly. If you haven't swatched or tried the Fit Me Concealer, I highly recommend you give it a go. You won't be disappointed. 

Beauty Declutter

                       

If you follow me on Instagram then you'll know this weekend that I did a massive beauty purge. I filled up an entire bag of products that I didn't want or that didn't/wouldn't work for me, that I'm working on donating to a local women's charity. However there were a few products that weren't suitable to be donated so I thought I'd share them with you before chucking them out. 

                         

There was only a couple of skincare items I'm throwing away. The first is this Clearly Youthful Resurfacing Night Serum. I loved this serum at one point but then one bottle was just full of little plastic bits that scratched my skin. And if that wasn't enough to put me off, when I looked inside these boxes, they've clearky gone off. Both bottles are yellow in colour and the product has separated in the bottles. I hadn't used this product in ages so throwing them out isn't going to create a gap in my routine at all. 

                           

The other skincare product I'm throwing out is the Nivea Express Hydration Primer. I brought this on a whim to use under my make up but it didn't work so it just went to the back of the cupboard. And now it's been sat there that long, it would be unhygienic to use, even if it did work. Again because it hasn't been a part of any of my routines, it's not a loss to get rid of it. 

                            

Going through all my old foundations made me really question what the hell I was thinking. A lot of them were empty but all of them looked a good two shades two dark for me. I can't believe I happily wore those out in public. This one I thought I could try and make work but was horribly wrong so it's got to go. This is the Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation. I remember when this first came out and how impressed by the look and feel of it on my skin. But it's clearly too dark for me (just call me Casper) and has separated in the tub, so it's bye bye to this. Let's just all be thankful that I've finally learnt how to match my foundation properly. 

                           

There are two concealers I'm getting rid of. The first is the Gosh CCC Concealer. This actually matched my skin tone but was really piss poor when it came to coverage and staying power. I never reach for it so I don't see the point of keeping it. The second is the Barry M Flawless Light Reflecting Concealer. What on Earth possessed me to buy this shade. It's clearly too dark for me and from what I remember from using it, is that it doesn't do a lot coverage wise and just sits heavily on the skin. Again it makes me feel grateful that I finally learned how to choose the right products for my skin. 

                      

Two colour Correctors I'm getting rid of come from Maxfactor. I remember ordering these especially from Boots when they were first released. I wish I'd never bothered, these are thick, heavy textured products that drag on the skin and do little to correct skins tone. These are also about three years old so I think it's best if we just parted ways. If you want a decent colour corrector, I'd recommend trying out the Collection Lasting Perfection Colour Correctors. 

                              

The Rimmel Clear Complexion Pressed Powder used to be a staple in my everyday make up routine. Now though I much prefer loose powders, especially those that are transparent and can't be detected on the skin. This now has too much colour to it for me to wear. Plus for hygiene reasons, it's probably bests that this goes in the bin. 

           

                            

I'm throwing not one but three mascaras. I'm always cautious when it comes to products that come into contact with my eyes so even though I like one of these mascaras, it's for the best that chuck it out. The first is the Bourjois Volume 1 Second mascara. I remember using for the sake of using it when I first brought it but the brush was way too big and caused more mascara to land on my eyelid than my lashes. It's pretty ancient so it's for the best that it goes. The second is the Barry M Showgirl Mascara. The bristles on this particular wand are just way to spiky and I ended up poking them in my eye more times than not. And because it's been opened, I'm just going to throw it away instead of donating purely for hygiene reasons. And the last one is pretty much finished but one I'd completely forgotten about. The Pur Volume Vixen featured in a beauty advent calender one year and I absolutely loved it. I loved it that much that I used it all up but because it was so small in size, it got lost in my collection before I could feature it in an empties or just chuck it away. 

                             

Another eye product I'm throwing just to be on the cautious side is the Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner. I don't wear eye liner but I did try this product when I received it to see if it would be the product the worked for me but alas it didn't. That being said, it felt like it could be a nice product, just that didn't work for me. If it had been in an uopened cellophane wrap, I may have considered donating it but because I've opened and used it, it's just gotta go in the bin. 

                             

I remember spending ages looking for the perfect lip scrub and then finding two, that after a couple of uses just sat forgotten about in my collection. And now they've both gone off and I'm back to square one when it comes to lip scrub. The first is the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub. This worked well on my lips but it tasted horrible and I always ended up with it in my mouth no matter hard I tried not to. The second is the Body Shop Lip Scrub. I wish this one was still okay to use (it's not) as it worked wonders on my lips, didn't taste of much and didn't end up in my mouth even after I'd wiped it off. I'll probably have to repurchase The Body Shop lip scrub as I am actually in need of one at the moment. 

                              

Two lipsticks that I'm bidding adieu to are the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 38 and the Revlon Ultra HD lipstick in Peony. Both are colours that just don't suit me, even when I've tried to mix them with other shades. Plus I've lost track of how long they've been sitting in my collection, so I don't feel comfortable donating them, even though they've barely been used. 

                                

A liquid lipstick I'm throwing away is the Loreal Infallible Lipstick in 503. It's a stunning colour, actually the kind of colour I'm looking for at the moment. But when it's held up to the light you can see that it has a shimmer run through it, that would definitely show when your wearing it. I'd have cleaned it up and donated it but when I opened it, it had started to dry out and looked like something even I wouldn't be happy to out on my lips so I wouldn't expect anyone else to either. 

                         

And the last thing I'm throwing out is something that should have gone ages ago. The Loreal Infallible Setting Mist is just a heap of crap and that's putting it nicely. It would probably have potential to be a nice product if it didn't have that white sediment that settles at the bottom no matter how much you shake it and then appears like little blobs of dried toothpaste on your face. If you're looking for a good setting spray I'd highly recommend checking out the Maybelline SuperStay Setting Spray or the Collection Primed And Ready Make Up Fixing Mist. Both lock make up into place but won't leave those horrible white dots on your skin. 

Monthly Favourites: April

                          

Happy May! Today I'm back with my April Favourites and it's going to be a quick one as I only have four beauty favourites and one non beauty favourite to share with you. So let's get started. 

                           

My first favourite and only skincare favourite is the newly released B Vitamin Facial Spray. It's very reminiscent of the Pixi Vitamin Wake Up Mist that I liked but never repurchased. It contains a mixture of Vitamin C, Caffeine and Cucumber extract which all work in conjunction with each other to refresh and awaken skin whilst giving it a healthy glow. It's the perfect morning facial mist but also works well if you're in need of a skin pick me up halfway through the day. I've loved applying this in with my primers to give my skin a boost and have reached for it whenever I'm home doing a quick change before heading out with Jasmin. It's lightweight, doesn't disrupt make up and even though it's scented, it hasn't given me any issues and my skin looks better every time I use it. 

                           

The first of two make up favourites this month is the Make Up Revolution Gast Base Foundation Stick. Before this I had never tried a stick foundation but after having such brilliant results with this, I'm eager to try more. This is a medium to buildable full coverage foundation that covers a multitude of sins whilst still allowing skin to look and feel like skin. It lasts all day long and doesn't break down if your skin becomes oily throughout the day. This has been my go to base this month and paired with my next favourite, it gives me a flawless, long lasting base. 

                        

And the product that works wonders alongside the Fast Base Foundation stick is Make Up Revolution's Conceal And Define Concealer. This isn't an exact dupe of the Tarte Shape Tape but is a pretty good affordable dupe. It's perfect for use under the eyes as well as covering things such as redness and blemishes. I have it in the shade C1 and it's perfect for brightening under the eyes but not appearing too heavy or cakey. Even if I find another foundation to use, I'll still be reaching for this. It's even replaced my beloved Maybelline The Eraser Eye Concealer. 

                           

And my last "beauty" favourite is something has saved my skin and stopped me from wanting to wear a paper bag in public. Last weekend I used an Exfoliator that I wasn't keen on but hadn't had any problems with. Until the day after I'd used it. My skin was left angry, red as a beetroot and covered in tons upon tons of tiny little bumps. Too say I was pissed is an understatement. I tried putting aloe vera feel on it but it didn't help, in fact it just dried my skin out more. So I reached for the trusty pot of Sudocrem we keep in our house. I wore a thick mask like layer for a whole day and couldn't get over the difference it made to my skin. The redness died down but the bumps remained. I could happily live with that and highly recommend trying this if you ever have a bad reaction to anything. The rest I've left down to Glycolic Acid and I can happily say that my skin is back to its normal self. 

                              

And my only non beauty favourite of the month is a music favourite. After a break, Carrie Underwood is back with a new single. I was a little apprehensive as I thought she couldn't top any of the songs from her Storyteller album but she has outdone herself this time. Her new single Cry Pretty is a powerful song packed full of power notes that Underwood hits flawlessly and the underlying message is relatable to all who listen to it. If Cry Pretty is anything to go by, her recently announced upcoming album due for release in September is going to be her best work to date. If you hsvent listened to Cry Pretty then I highly recommend you do.