February Favourites

Another month over, another lot of favourites to share with you all.

Real Techniques Brushes: I am so in love with these brushes. As soon as I spotted them in Boots I went ahead and picked up the Stippling Brush and the Blush Brush (pink handles.) One cost £9.99 and the other £10.99 (I can't remember which, I think the stippling was the more expensive.) I love how these apply my make-up, they are so soft and I couldn't imagine not using them now. I then went back and picked up the Core Collection for £21.99, pretty steep, but for the number of brushes worth it. I got this pack mainly for the Buffing brush because as much as I love the Stippling, it has to be cleaned properly after every use, and at uni I don't have the ability to do that, whereas the Buffing brush is much better at going a couple of days without needing to be washed. I know a lot of people don't really comment on the other brushes in that set, however I've only had them a couple of days and used all four. The contour brush is extremely good and I used the little one for applying lipstick and the foundation brush to blend in concealer.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti Chip Top Coat: This little beauty appears in all of my NOTD's and I thought it deserved a place in my favourites. I don't know how I coped without it. For an avid nail painter this cuts drying time down ridiculously, I know longer have to wait, hands out like an idiot, waiting for it to dry. I have managed to convert some of my friends to it. I recommend it to anyone who paints their nails regularly or who doesn't have much time.

Max Factor High Definition Mascara: I know a lot of people rave about the Max Factor False Lash Effect, however I am obsessed with this one. I found it in November and have used it pretty much everyday since. It really elongates and seperates my lashes and gives such a natural, but better finish to my lashes. Couldn't recommend it enough.

Garnier Youthful Radiance Night Moisturiser: I am loving using this so much at the moment. It feels clean and fresh and really moisturises my skin over night. I did a post about this yesterday, here, if you want more details.

Clean and Clear Morning Burst: I'm loving using this in the morning. It smells gorgeous and leaves your skin looking fresh, bright and awake after a good nights sleep. It's a really nice way to start my day.

I also want to share with you my five favourite Blog's I've been reading this month:

http://www.ducklingtoswan.com/
http://www.blushworks.com/
http://www.icovetthee.com/
http://jemimaandted.blogspot.com/
http://www.thesundaygirl.com/

Hope you've all had a great month.

Laura xoxo

NOTD x2

I have two nail posts today for you, aren't you lucky?

First off I have a lovley lilac shade which I have bought in anticipation for summer from MUA. It cost a pound! It wore quite well, lasted about a day and half, and it looked really pretty too.

Usual top and base coat:

Now, I'm sure most of you are aware that this month's Glossybox, contained a set of stick on nails. I decided to use mine last weekend, however I really couldn't get used to the length, and was constantly scared they were going to break off, so I took them off before I went away. However here are some pictures of how they looked when I was actually wearing them:

What are your favourite nail colours?

Laura xoxo

I promise...

If you follow me on Twitter @callofbeautyb (nice little plug there) then you will know that something very exciting happened to me today (something that terrified my bank account.) I bought my first ever high end products.

First off was Estee Lauder's Double Wear Light. I've been wanting to have a High End foundation for a long time now. I love the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation (post) however, the colour was just not right for me, and I knew that, in the back of my head I really wanted something high end, so I plucked up the courage and took myself to Boots.

I've heard so many great reviews about the Double Wear foundation, so Estee Lauder was the first counter I went too. However, after a lot of different tests, the lady relayed the bad news that there was no match for me in the Double Wear range, yet all was not lost, as the Double Wear Light contained the perfect match. I was so pleased with it, it looked lovely. But, been as though I didn't want to just try one foundation, I then headed to Debenhams  to the Chanel counter, with an sample size of Estee Lauder in my bag. (I know Boots has a Chanel counter, but I didn't want the Estee Lauder woman to see me, I felt like I was cheating on her, that strange?)

At Chanel I spoke to another lovely lady about try the Vita-Lumiere Aqua, as again, rave reviews. I was matched to the the perfect shade and left the shop feeling very happy, just like Estee Lauder. I was at a cross roads.I left the Chanel on, and kept checking it throughout the day, however, I found that the wear didn't really sit well with me. It collected in certain places and rubbed off easily, allowing me to make my mind up pretty quickly. I then used my Estee Lauder sample size again today and it was love at first use. It applied well, lasted well, and on my way home from Uni, I popped into Boots and made the all important purchase. I also picked up an Estee Lauder concealer as I thought if I was going for it, I wanted to go all in.

This also meant that after months of saving, I finally had enough points to get the Benefit Hervana Blusher.

This post has become longer than I expected, as I haven't even really got round to the point of it. 

What the aim of this post was, is to say that I am now making a pledge, in front of you, my lovely readers, that I am not buying another make-up item, until I can show you TEN, that's right ten, completely empty products. I have more than what I need, and really need to start saving my pennies.

So any reviews of products you see are ones that I have already purchased prior to today, and I am determined to make do with what I've got, and stop recklessly spending.

Have you ever put a spending ban on yourself?

Laura xoxo

Moisturiser

I've recently been trying out two new moisturisers, one for morning, one for evening. I've been using them for the past two weeks, and would now like to share them with you, (aren't I kind?)

First off, the morning one. This comes from Nivea Visage and is called Natural Beauty Radiance Boosting Moisturiser and is meant to brighten the skin, leaving it looking radiant.

This moisturiser is a light to medium one, it doesn't feel heavy on the skin, and is quite light to apply. It has tiny little shimmery particles in it, which you can't see when it is on the skin. It could be used on its own and a day you don't want to wear any foundation, however it doesn't give any coverage. I like this moisturiser, but don't think I will be re-purchasing it, mainly as I don't find it does anything for me really, but this is a perfectly ok, moistriser to use.

For night time I use a Garnier moisturiser called Garnier Skin Naturals Youthful Radiance. I've thrown the box away so not 100% what it states it will do. My guess is rejuvenate your skin overnight?

 I love using this moisturiser. It leaves a nice heavy feel on my face, but in a good way, and I kind still feel the remains of it in the morning, which I really like. It is quite a thick consistency and blends into the skin really easily. It has a lovely fresh, almost cucumbery smell, and I will definitely be re-purchasing this.




I hope you found these reviews useful. Have you tried either of these?
What day-time moisturiser would you recommend?

Laura xoxo



What I did this weekend

As i mentioned in my post yesterday, at the weekend my friend and I decided to go to Bath for the day as it was such a lovely day. I thought you may like to see some of the pictures I took, as I like seeing other peoples posts like these, and it gives you a snippet of Bath if you've never been before.

After a long day of walking and shopping, we ended up in Frankie and Benny's for food and a cheeky cocktail, or two. (Cosmopolitan if you're wondering.)

Laura xoxo

Celebrity Inspired

Last year, everywhere you looked you would see the lovely Natalie Portman. I never plucked up the courage to watch Black Swan, but No Strings Attached is a definite fave of mine. So today's inspired post is Natalie Portman.

I really loved Natalie's lip and hair combo in this photo. She always looks gorgeous on a red carpet.

Face:

Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam with my Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Loreal True Match Powder

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer

Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer

Eyes:

MUA Heaven and Earth Palette

Bourjouis Smokey Eye Trio

Loreal Super Liner

Max Factor High Definition Mascara

Face:

Rimmel Winter Glow Blush Trio

Sleek Contour Kit

Lips:

No.17 Lipstick in Oh So Sassy

I hope you liked this look.

What do you think of Natalie Portman?

Laura xoxo

What I Wore This Week

I got a lot of lovely feedback from this post last week so I thought I'd do it again. Sorry about the lack of continuity in backgrounds, mixture of home/uni/visiting, plus my camera broke in the week so I had to improvise till I got a new one.

Monday:

Top: New Look

Cardigan: George at Asda

Vest: H&M

Leggings: New Look

Shoes: Primark Boots

All I did Monday was some food shopping and drove back down to uni, so pretty casual outfit.

Tuesday:

Jacket: Miss Selfridge

Scarf: H&M

Top:Republic

Vest: H&M

Leggings: George at Asda

Shoes: Primark Boots

Tuesday I had uni and then just did uni work in the afternoon (it's an exciting life that I lead.)

Wednesday:

Top: Glassons (New Zealand Brand that I picked up whilst there in the summer)

Vest, Leggings, same as before

Shoes: New Look Boots

I did a bit of shopping in the day, had a late lecture then drove home after

Thursday:

Jumper: New Look

Vest:H&M

Leggings: Topshop

Shoes: New Look Boots

I just did uni work and food shopping on Thursday, so another plain outfit.

Friday:

Jumper: George at Asda

Vest: H&M

Leggings: Topshop

Shoes: New Look Flats

Friday, I had uni in the day, then got a coach down to visit my friend in Bristol.

Saturday:

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Jacket and Scarf as before

Leggings: Topshop

Shoes: New Look flats

Me and my friend ended up going to Bath for the day, which I'm thinking of doing a post for with pictures.

Sunday:

Top: Fat Face

Vest and Leggings same as before

Shoes: H&M flats

I went shopping with my friend in the morning, then got the coach home and have got to drive back to uni later.

Shoes:

I hope you enjoyed this post and all had lovely weekends.

Laura xoxo

Fashion Friday

It's Friday again, woop! I hope you all have had lovely weeks. Now for this weeks Fashion Friday, I've decided to do casual looks with a Blazer. I love Blazers and constantly want to buy them, however, I never wear the ones I have, so think it would be a waste of money to buy more. The reason I don't wear them is mainly because I feel too overdressed in them, so I've created some casual looks that make the Blazer wearable. Let me know what you think.

Blazer: H&M

Top: New Look

Jeans: Dorothy Perkins

Shoes: New Look

Blazer: H&M

Dress: George at Asda

Shoes: Primark

Blazer: H&M

Top:New Look

Leggings: New Look

Boots: New Look

Blazer: New Look

Top: George at Asda

Leggings: New Look

Boots: George at Asda

And finally I thought I'd show you some Blazers that I am currently coveting:

How do you wear your Blazers?

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Happy Friday.

Laura xoxo

Freedom at Topshop

So yesterday I ended up having to pop into Town, and ended up in Topshop as I needed leggings. I left with desired leggings, a new top and some Jewelry (ooops.)

I am really bad with jewelry, I love it, but forget to include it in my day to day outfits. So as part of my New Years resolution, I decided to get some more and then, I thought I'd share them with you:

Necklace: £4.00

Ring: £6.00

Bracelet: £4.00

I love this ring as it swivels from happy to sad. So cute.

Do you include accessories daily?

Laura xoxo

MeMeMe Cream Eyeshadow

I was drawn to this brand purely for the name, I love it. They have a wide range of products for a reasonable price tag, and I spotted this eye shadow and decided to give it a go. I have seen a lot of people use MAC paint pots, and recently Maybelline Colour Tattoos (which I really want to try) and thought this may follow the same suit.

Sorry this swatch is so bad, I couldn't get the lighting to a good enough setting. However you can vaguely see that it is a light neutral colour, the actual shade is called Hollow Haze. It does have a very light and creamy consistency and apply quite well. However the pot is quite small which makes it hard to get out.

It contains quite a lot of shimmer, but looks rather nice when first applied. In the picture it is just on its own, however you can build other colours on top of it. Now it looks nice for about half an hour, then it creases. I was less than pleased. I tried it numerous ways; with primer underneath, powder over the top, eye shadow over the top etc and it still creased. 

I know this is quite blurred but I hope you can see the creasing. Now after this I still had quite a lot of product left, which I really didn't want to throw away, but I can't stand creasing. So I played about with product a bit, and have found that it works really well as a highlighter. It blends easily, and the shimmer in it reflects the light really well, so it really highlights my cheek and brow bones.

Overall I would give it a 5/10. I don't like it as an eye shadow, but as a highlighter, it gets a thumbs up from me. It would definitely not stop me from purchasing more MeMeMe products in the future.

Have to tried this, or any other MeMeMe product? What did you think?

Laura xoxo

NOTD - Rimmel Cranberry Zest

A nail varnish that smells of fruit? What will they think of next. I bought this nail varnish purely for the colour, however it does have a slight fruity smell, which does stay with the nails which I find, well, rather cool. Unfortunately you can't smell it through this, but here is a picture of the colour!

Usual top and base coat:

Have you tried any of this range?

Laura xoxo

Loreal Paris Super Liner Luminizer - Hazel Eyes

So I blogged a while ago about eye-liners and how they have become a staple in my everyday make-up routine. I loved the Loreal Liquid liner used in that post and decided to try out the one designed for Hazel eyes to see if it looked more subtle for a day time look.

Just like the black super liner it comes in a little shake bottle, with the liquid at the bottom and a long handle at the top. I really like this as it makes it easier to apply.

I really like this tip, it is small enough to give precise coverage, but is also build-able to create the different shapes you desire.

This swatch does show that it is rather purple, which did worry me at first, especially as I bought it as an everyday liner, and I'm not really a purple liner kind of girl, however, Loreal know what they are doing.

When on the eye it the purple tone is very subtle, and from a distance it would look like I am wearing your average black liner. However the purple tones rally work well with my eye, and give it so much more definition. It looks somewhere between a black, brown and purple, and is so complimentary. I'm definitely going to be re-purchasing this when it runs out.

Have you tried this liner? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Also I've made a Twitter account for this Blog if you would like to follow: @CallofbeautyB
Anddd, I've also made a Tumblr account: http://feelingleftout-everyonehasone.tumblr.com/