Flirty Fuschia Lips!

Guys, I am obsessed. I have fallen head over heels. For a lipstick. But not just any lipstick... the most perfect, vibrant, fuscha lipstick known to (wo)man. 

Roll up... Maybelline's ColorSensational Lipstick in the shade '902 Fuschia Flash'.

I have had my eye on MAC's 'Candy Yum Yum' for a little while now, but I just couldn't justify buying it as I wasn't sure whether I'd really get use out of it. That's when I stumbled across this beauty. Retailing at £7.19 it is a much more affordable option for you if you're wanting to delve into the pink neon trend. 

 

It is very much a bright magenta pink lipstick with strong blue undertones (my favourite kind of pink). It doesn't cling to any dry patches - in fact it's quite hydrating - and leaves a lovely glossy sheen. It's creamy formula means that its a dream to apply and as it is very opaque a little goes a long way. 

 

I'm not overly excited about the packaging (the lid is actually quite deceiving - it is more red than fuschia) but as the saying goes 'don't judge a book by its cover'... or in this case 'don't judge a lipstick by its packaging'.

Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask | Review

Let me start off by saying this is not a product I would gravitate towards when searching the market for a new face mask. I got this cute little 15ml sample size in the BBB edit beauty box put together by British Beauty Blogger. I wouldn't necessarily gravitate towards this mask if I saw it on a shelf due to the fact its targeted towards those with more mature skin. As I'm only 20 years old (21 in 4 days!) I don't tend to use anti-ageing products. Nevertheless, I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Containing Amazonian Acerola Cherry and White Truffle Poria Cocos to encourage retexturising of the skins surface and balance sebum levels, it claims to make the skin instantly smoother, shine free and more radiant. Elemis advise you to use it twice a week for best results and warn that you will experience a powerful tingling sensation.

 

This 'powerful tingling sensation' that they warn you of is HEAVENLY. The only thing I can compare it to is the feeling you get when you breathe in after you've used mouthwash or something minty. It's soo fresh.  

 

I can't really comment on the anti-ageing results of this product. Firstly because I've only been able to use it 6 times (much more than I was expecting to get out of the little tube!) and secondly because I don't have a great deal of wrinkles etc. I have, however, noticed that after each use my face really is instantly smoother and radiant - whilst any shine is kept at bay.

 

I hate to say it, because at £45 it isn't exactly purse friendly (the cheapest I've been able to find it being sold at is £38.25, here) but it really does seem to do everything that it claims. It is absolutely not the most affordable product though, and it's definitely not something that I can justify buying. Boo. 

 

Have you tried this product? What were your thoughts?

Maybelline Color Tattoo Review + Swatches

I'm sure you've already heard about Maybelline's Color Tattoo's but I thought I'd share my thoughts on them too! The shades I have to talk about today are '40 - Permanent Taupe' and '65 - Pink Gold'.

 

 

I'd never dabbled with gel/cream eye shadows before so this was a completely new concept to me. & I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. They are extremely long wearing (without the help of an eyeshadow primer) and can be 'built up' to create more intense look. 

 

They are also brilliant at multitasking - when I say that what I mean is they can be used alone swept across the lid, as a base and even as a liner. The texture is really smooth and creamy (which is a dream for lazy days when you just want a wash of colour) and can be easily applied with your finger tips and/or brushes. I tend to just use my finger tips to smooth it over the lid, but it does blend out nicely with the use of a fluffy blending brush too!

I also LOVE the packaging. It's very sturdy and looks way more expensive than it actually is. The best thing about this range? They are very affordable and easily available. They retail at around £5 (but are often on 3 for 2 offers in Boots so keep an eye out!). Bargain.

Have you tried the Maybelline Color Tattoo range? What are your thoughts?

Life Lately... #3

1. It was my cousins 21st last week; so on Saturday we ventured out for a good ol' pub crawl. For such a little town we have many, many pubs!

2. I've been making the most of the good weather we're having here in the UK. Mainly dragging my boyfriend out for walks and chillin' in the sun. That's Craig trying to find some crabs in the rock pools. Yep, we're cool.

3. Me & Craig all smiles at my family meal. Relatives from Canada came over to visit so we rallied the troops and all got together for a meal and drinks. It was lovely!

What has put a smile on your face lately?

Empties!

Eek! My first empties post! I don't often use things up and when I do it takes me quite a long time so this will be a rare occasion (hence the lame excitement :p).

 

 

So first up is a product I'm sure you've heard of. The infamous Bioderma solution. I bought this on a whim a few months ago to see what the big hype was about. Needless to say I fell in love. I don't go a night without using this bad boy! I soak two cotton pads in the solution to take the bulk of my make up off and then top it off with a creamy cleanser.

 

Would I buy again? I already have and in the bigger bottle! I don't think I could live without it now. Slight exaggeration? I think not. 

 

I must've bought the REN Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser (woah, what a mouthful) over a year ago now. If I'm honest I didn't stick to using it religiously everyday but even so it did last me a looong time for the amount I did use it (which was very often). I love this cleanser. It doesn't dry my skin out and it really does calm it down when I've had a particularly bad breakout. I normally applied it all over my face (excluding my eyes) and washed it off with a muslin cloth and warm water.

 

Would I buy again? Yes, but I've got my eye on a few different cleansers that I'd like to try first. I'm currently using Philosophy's Purity 3-in-1... keep your eyes peeled for a review very soon!

& last but definitely not least, roll up Rimmel's Match Perfect 2-in-1 Highlighter & Concealer. Ohhhh boy I love this product. It does the best job at - you guessed it - highlighting and concealing my under eye circles. It's also quite nice to dot down the centre of your nose for a slightly glowy look. I haven't read much about this product in the blogosphere but I swear by it. Definitely an underrated product.

 

Would I buy again? Absolutely YES! I'm heading into town tomorrow to repurchase it!

Birthday Wishlist!

I don't know what it is about wishlist posts but I love reading them and making them. Each to their own I guess! I turn 21 next Saturday so I thought I'd put together a little wishlist post (any excuse).

1. Dior Addict 

I had a sniff of this a few years ago (yes, YEARS) and I've been lusting after it ever since. I've just never been able to justify it (£52 for 50ml). I hate spending so much money on perfumes. Does anyone else think they are ridiculously expensive nowadays?

2. Dymo Label Maker

I am an organisation freak. I actually enjoy writing lists and if someone mentions stationary to me I'm likely to squeal in excitement. When you were younger did you get all excited at the thought of starting school again cus' it meant new stationary? No, just me? Haha. I've been after a label maker to keep all my stuff extra organised.

3. Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

I love a good face mask and this one sounds lovely. The fact that Kate from gh0stparties recommends it is enough for me to give it a go. I always trust her recommendations.

4. Soap & Glory's Breakfast Scrub

I've only actually ever tried Soap & Glory's 'Flake Away' scrub and I really liked it so I thought this would be cool to try for a change.

5. Seche Vite Top Coat

I'm such a sucker for falling into bloggers hypes. To be fair though, I do need a new top coat as I'm out of my trusty Sally Hansen. That's my excuse anyway ;).

Unloved Products | #1

I think we've all at one time or another fallen into the blogger hype. Sometimes you'll find its worth it, and others not so much. The two products I'm going to talk about today aren't terrible products - I just don't find myself reaching for them often for various reasons. But that's not to say what doesn't work for me won't work for you!

So here goes, step up my two most unloved products..

Origins VitaZing Moisturiser

I fell well and truly into the blogger hype for this one! I've had it for just over a year now and I think I've used it maybe 5 or 6 times. I bought this in the hopes that it would give a natural glowy/energised look to my skin. The problem, you ask? It's 'sheer tint release' doesn't quite match up to my milk-bottle white skin. If I was a few shades darker I think I'd probably fall in love with this product like everyone else seems to have done! So a word of warning to you fellow pale girls - this product might not be for you.

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat

Let me start off by telling you that me and this foundation have a love/hate relationship. I absolutely LOVE it when I first apply it. It gives the most perfect dewy and radiant finish to the skin. It's beautiful! It's a dream to apply and it's really easy to blend. The problem? Give it a few hours and my perfectly radiant finish has turned into a patchy mess. It just doesn't stay put. When I say this I mean it literally slides off my face. I don't have incredibly oily skin so this one just baffles me. Has anyone else had this problem?

What products of yours go unloved?

BBB Edit Beauty Box!

It's arrived! Yipeeeee. I think the post man got a bit of a fright this morning when I tumbled out of the door in all my bed head glory. I couldn't hold in my excitement ha ha.

This, my friends, is the first ever beauty box I have purchased! I love the thought of the whole beauty box idea but committing every month for a bunch of unknown products always made me shy away from it. When I saw that British Beauty Blogger had put together a box of her personal tried & tested favourites I just couldn't resist! There are so many products in there that I can't wait to get my hands on but what really did it for me was Trilogy's Rosehip Face Oil. I've been dying to try it out, and that + tons of other great products.. AND costing only £19.55 (that's postage included).. how could I refuse?

 

Alongside of all the products there were also some pretty wicked discounts included (ranging from a complimentary consultation with illamasqua, to % off discounts at elemis & neom etc). Jane also included a little booklet giving both her own and the brands opinion on each product (which is a lovely little addition don't ya think!).

Sadly, the boxes are no longer available. I think the 500 sold out within about 5 hours? Fear not though! If you weren't one of the lucky ones this time keep your eyes peeled - Jane plans to put together another BBB edit around Christmas time.

Were you one of the lucky ones? What are you most excited to try?

I'm really excited to try benefit's porefessional, lanolips lip balm, and trilogy's rosehip face oil!

A little catch up!

As I haven't been sticking to the once a week 'little things' post *slaps wrists* I thought I'd pop in a little catch up post.

We're having somewhat of a heatwave here in Cumbria so I've been making the most of it and spending a lot of time outdoors sopping up the sun. I may not be able to tan but I can damn sure try (ginger problems)!

 

1. I finally got round to downloading Rob Zombie's new album 'Venomous Rat Regeneration Vender'. If, like me, you're a fan of their stuff this album will not disappoint.

2. I spent today sun bathing and picnic-ing with my good friend, Danielle. I realise I look EXTRA happy in that pic. Must be the sun ;)

3. Pretty good view, no? I'm so lucky to live so close to the lake district. Weather like this always remind me of that.

4. Grafting at the gym!

5. This is a grumpy nephew tired from our very long hike (even though the most of it he spent on his bike being pushed by me!).

6. My idea of heaven - yankee candles galore.