Review: B Makeup Brush Cleanser

When I first spotted this in Superdrug's in store magazine Dare, I made it my mission to hunt it down. Not only was it cheaper than my current brush cleaner, it came from brand I know I can trust for good quality and came in a handy spray bottle, making my accident prone self rejoice. 

However I found myself disappointed when I put it to the test. After not reading the back properly, I followed the directions; spraying several pumps onto each brush, swirling it over a clean cotton pad to remove the build up of make up. This is where it fell short in my expectations. It cleaned both of my foundation brushes to an extent (they weren't that dirty) but I found I still had to give them a go over with my No7 brush cleaner to finish the job. My powder and concealer brushes faired a lot better when I sprayed them. It only took one application and several minutes of swirling on a cotton pad to remove any build up on them. 

My first impressions of the B Makeup Brush Cleanser are not what I hoped they would be but it is a product I'm willing to perceive with. It's not the best product for cleaning the more dense brushes in a collection but if you're somebody who has a lot of eyeshadow or less compact brushes and not the time to give them a thorough cleaning then this product is ideal for you. Easy to use, great value for money with added antibacterial ingredients this product is brilliant for people short on time who want their brush collection to look as good as new. 

Available now from Superdrug

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Polishes

When I saw that Barry M were releasing new polishes I knew that some or all of the collection would be coming home with me. Not only were they promising a speedy/ quick drying time, they were also sporting a brand new wider flatter brush, which aims for a quicker more precise application. Both of these were enough for me to be counting down the days to their release.

The range consists of 9 new shades, some neutral, some pastel but all beautiful for the upcoming spring months. It was more the muted down, somewhat neutral pastel shades that caught my attention, the slightly brighter pink shades not really doing anything for me.  

 I picked up six shades, three more muted shades and three slightly brighter shades. The three more neutral shades are called Eat My Dust a stunning grey toned cornflower blue, Road Rage a beautiful mint green and Pit Stop a gorgeous mauvey grey shade. The three brighter shades I picked up are In A Heart Beat a pinky coral colour which actually comes out a lot brighter than the bottle suggests, Pole Position which is more of a apple green than Road Rage and then Lap Of Honour which is just your standard lilac shade. 

Upon application I was impressed by the precision the flat brush gave, coating my nails in a single swipe instead of many tiny swipes. The quick drying time also lived up to expectations, my nails dry and smudge free in a few minutes. However it was the formula of the colours themselves that let these down for me. I know that when it comes to pastel shades that more coats are required but most of the shades bar Pit Stop were sheer on application. Most shades were opaque after a couple of coats but a few were still sheer and somewhat streaky on the nail. 

If you love pastel shades and have the patience to do three of four coats (they're quick dry remember) then I would say these latest release from Barry M are totally up your street. At only £3.99 a bottle, the drying time and applicator a better quality than some of the higher brands out there I would say they are definitely worth having a nosey at next time you're near a Barry M stand. 

Available now in Boots and Superdrug now 

My Go To Autumn/Winter Lipsticks

As soon as September rolled around I more than gladly packed away my Summer lipsticks and brought out the much anticipated Autumn/ Winter shades. As it's that time of year now to reach for a red or a berry tone, I thought I'd give you a peak at some of my favorites including some old loves from last year and some new finds. 

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick 107 

This beautiful plum colour is great for day to night transitions. The long lasting non drying matte texture makes this lipstick wearable all day round. Transfer is minimal when eating and drinking, the dry texture of the lipstick itself pressing the colour onto the lips. This particular shade is stunning on everyone who wears it but I think it looks striking on anyone with a paler complexion.  It applies easily making a great product to take you from day to night or just to add a wash of colour to an outfit. 

 

 
Bourjois Rogue Edition Velvet Grand Cru
If you're looking for a long lasting formula this Autumn then these liquid lipsticks are for you. These liquid to powder lipsticks apply like a gloss but dry to a non drying matte texture, making them great for long days. If you're not used to wearing liquid lipsticks they can be tricky to apply but once you get the hang of application they leave you with a long wearing pop of colour that won't budge throughout the day. 

  Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm Standout 
I have a feeling you'll be sensing a theme by now. My third go to lipstick is another matte formula. Revlon Colourburst Balms can do no wrong in my eyes. This shade is the perfect Autumn/Winter shade and so very easy to apply. With a delicious peppermint smell, this product is another one that presses the colour onto the lips making it a stay put beauty. This stunning browny red shade looks fabulous on any skin tone and is definitely a product I'll be repeatedly reaching for. 

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick 31
This stunning pinky red shade is one of my favourite sheen finish lipsticks. Unlike some sheen/gloss finish lipsticks this colour doesn't slide off lips, the colour pressing itself onto lips. Highly pigmented this lipstick applies smoothly onto lips, the long wearing formula great for those long days at work or a night out with the girls. Just like the Matte Kate Moss lipsticks this colour looks great on any skin tone but is a fantastic stand out lip for paler complexions.

MUA Lipstick Shade 01
Another of my favourite sheen finish lipsticks, this classic red shade is perfect for any skin tone. Application straight from the bullet is easier than some, the non drying formula gliding onto lips seamlessly. This tone of red is the one shade I reach for when I want my lips to stand out. The formula doesn't dry lips out however it does transfer easily making it harder for that perfect red pout to stay in place all day. My advice would be to blot between each layer of colour to really press this shade into the lips.

I hope you all enjoyed my picks. I would love to hear what your go to Autumn/Winter Lipsticks are?
Until next time lovelies xx

May favourites

Bourjois Velvet Rouge Edition 

These lip colours have been my greatest find this month. These little beauties are super matte, highly pigmented and super luxurious. The colours themselves are amazing, each bringing it's own pop to the range but the colour range itself is lacking. These are great if you want a lipstick to last all day. They stay tacky for the first five to ten minutes after applying but then turn into a super matte pop of colour that doesn't budge for the rest of the day, with no need for touch ups. And unlike most matte lip products these don't leave your lips dry and flaking;the formula ultra hydrating, leaving lips looking fabulous at any hour of the day. 

                  (Bourjois Velvet Rouge Edition in shades 05 Ole' Flamingo and 06 Pink Pong)

Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm 

Can you tell I'm having a bit of a matte lip month. These have been out for a few months now, the hype  over the new releases really showing as people buy shade after shade. I am one guilty for that. In my own collection I own showy and elusive, two beautiful matte colours perfect for everyday. These are great for popping on if you want a pop of colour to brighten up a look, these Clinique-esque pencils can create either a super sheer, slightly more demure lip or a buildable pop of colour that makes your look for the day. I'd love to say these are as moisturising and long lasting as the Bourjois liquid lipsticks but unfortunately they are not. Touch ups are needed after most meals; the formula slightly drying, leaving that uncomfortable dry flake of skin on the lips after reapplying. Even though it has its flaws, I highly recommend these little beauts for anyone who loves a matte lip as much as me. 

                            (Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm in shades 220 Showy and 205 Elusive) 

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polishes 

Oh Barry M, how I love you. You have managed to banish any other nail brand from my nails. This year alone, there have been ten new shades of the Hi Shine range, my purse crying folornly as I fork out for most of them. First there was the three sugary pastels that screamed Spring that I just couldn't resist. My favourite of the three is Sugar Apple, a gorgeous pastel mint green and just like the other shades in the range it didn't disappoint. A buildable shade which once dry left a beautiful shine and a week long splash of colour amongst the boring black of my work uniform. But then the range went and outdid itself. Only last month a beautiful array of neutral and bright shades were released, my nail loving heart going into overdrive. Six of this collection found themselves coming home with me, the shade Coconut staying firmly on the shelf as it remind me too much of Essie's Fiji. The two that are standing out to me from this latest range have to be Elderberry, an unusual shade of blue with more grey undertones than blue, and Kiwi a bright apple green shade that would look amazing on toes when sandal weather is well and truly here to stay. With Barry M releasing more and more nail ranges every month, the likelihood of not being able to decide which shade to wear is growing and dare I say getting out of hand. 

                                               (L-R Huckleberry, Rosehip and Sugar Apple) 

                                        (L-R Pink Punch, Damson, Almond, Elderberry, Kiwi) 

Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation 

This is a product I've been using for a few months now, my first flurry into full coverage foundation after months of using BB Creams. And I have to say that I'm a mightily impressed. This claims to even skin tone and give you better skin when you're not wearing it. Usually when brands realise cosmetics with claims like this I'm quick to turn a blind eye; and working down a cosmetics aisle means I see a lot. However I was pleasantly surprised when the claims turned out to be the truth. After wearing this for just over a week I saw my skin clearing up, the usual chin outbreaks and small random pimples completely disappeared. This gave full coverage, evened out my skin tone and cleared up any blemishes I had. The only problem I have with this is the shade range. Being a fair skinned gal I found myself going towards the palest shade they had to offer, the colour jump between the shades leaving me no choice. Saying that though Light Beige is a brilliant porcelain shade that blends naturally into fair skin. I highly recommend giving it a go. 

Maxfactor Clump Defy Mascara 

Whenever anyone asks me for a mascara recommendation I immediately walk them over to the Maxfactor stand and always recommend this product. After spending my younger years trying various variations of mascara I've finally found one that I love. This was one of the most hyped products Maxfactor has released and it's safe to say it lived up to the hype. The wand is a thin curved number made up of tons of little micro bristles that hug each individual lash creating that clump free volumised look. As it says on the packet it's clump free, the curved wand loading each lash fully without leaving it thick and clumpy. This mascara is perfect for everyday wear but can be built up to create a volumised look for evenings. 

And A Couple Of Non-Beauty Favourites 

This month I acquired two things that I fell in love with straight away. The first one is a pair that have been inseparable since we put them together. For months I'd badgered my mum to let me get a rabbit; our house being too small being the reason I couldn't, but alas she caved as I knew she would and we went bunny hunting at the beginning of the month. I already had names picked out and knew exactly what type of rabbit I wanted. It only took one weekend, only one pet shop visited when I found the one. A soft black velvet male jumped out at me and I knew he was coming home with me and in the last three weeks Merlin has been the cutest thing ever. And as I knew mum would we went back the next day and picked a crazy haired male guinea pig which we called Arthur. Yeah I know, creative names. However this pair have been inseparable since, sleeping together at night, sharing cabbage and generally making me laugh at their antics. 

                                                        Merlin 

                                                             Arthur 

And the second one was for some a slightly more cringey addition to my life. After weeks of searching for a new piercing; I'd been bitten by that want a new piercing bug, a colleague of mine inspired me. So when my first payday after buying Merlin (I get paid weekly), I dragged my tattoo covered yet piercing squeamish mum with me to get another hole punched in me. As somebody who is experienced at being pierced I knew where I wanted it and when I wanted it; which was right away. I went in with various bars and hoops in my ears and came out with a shiny new barbell. I had a rook piercing (on the very inner part of my ear) and even though it was further in my ear than I've ever had pierced the pain was minimal, the piercer asking about my tragus bar which he had done for me nearly a year and a half ago. I absolutely love how it looks and while my step dad didn't approve, I am head over heels for the tiny shiny ball that pokes out from my inner ear. 

I hope you all enjoyed my favourites, until next time xx