May Favourites

It's June tomorrow? Seriously? How did that happen? I've already had a month off of uni and have diddly squat to show for it! However, all is not lost, the month of June is the one that holds my birthday (the 29th if you were wondering! You weren't? Oh ok!)

Anyway, with the end of the month, comes the usual monthly favourites, the things I've been loving and using this last month!

Loreal True Match Mineral Foundation:

Yes it's got to be said, this is now my favourite foundation. This lovely mineral beauty has adorned my face nearly everyday this month, and I love it! It's simple and fast to use, giving me extra valuable minutes in bed!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinsih in Soft and Gentle:

It was only a couple of months ago I was declaring love for my No 7 Vital Brights highlighter, but this little guy has pipped it to the post. It is more bronze, whereas the No 7 is more gold, and it has a slight more shimmer too it! I still love the No 7 one, but I'm really enjoying this one at the moment, and this one isn't discontinued!

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly

When I first got this product I was slightly underwhelmed by it. It looked a bit like concealer really, however the fact that I've reached for it everyday this month speaks volumes! It is a great base for allowing make up to last and neutralising my eye. I now understand the fuss about this product.

Essie Cute as a Button

This colour makes me so happy! It's cute, girly and summery all rolled into one, and makes my nails look and feel so special. A smile in a bottle I think. I'm also really impressed with Essie nail varnishes in general. I can feel a collection brewing...

MAC Powersurge

I couldn't do these favourites without mentioning, the one and only Powersurge. Rachel and I found this on our first shopping trip and searched high and low to finally get it (well Rachel was kind enough to search high and low for it, thank you!) It is the most gorgeous golden eyeliner and I lurrves it. Simples!

Top Five Books:

I am a serious book worm, which I'm guessing is why I love reading blogs too! Now that Uni is over for summer I've been able to do some much needed 'reading for pleasure!' I've read about 12 books since I've finished, but thought this month I'd share with you my all time five favourite. Be warned I'm all for trashy chick lit and a bit of teen thrown in! Please don't judge me.

1) You Don't Have to Say You Love Me - I think I got this around January last year, but have read it at least five times, probably more, and can safely say, it is my favourite. It has slightly rude parts, so be weary if you're under 16 maybe. It's not just an average love story, it has twists and turns, and although bits may be predictable, it's a fun easy read, that I can pick up time and time again.

2) The Hunger Games - I'm sure you're all aware of this book series, and I honestly would recommend to everyone. I was skeptical at first, but then got through the whole series in four days! I think they are incredible. I've just finished re-reading the first again and am about to move on to the second! The second is my favorite by a margin, but I'm not such a fan of the last one! They kind of loosely remind me of The Host by Stephanie Myer.

3) Twilight - I said don't judge! I do love Twilight, I just love the whole idea around it, and the intensity of the love between Edward and Bella, I just love it. Got to say though, I'm not such a fan of all the others. This  one is my fave, followed by Eclipse, but New Moon annoys me slightly!

4) Fifty Shades of Grey - I love the whole series of these, and couldn't pick a favourite. They are so addictive, and there is something about them that means you can't put them down. Again all three were read in three days! Now these are very rude, and maybe don't lend them to your Grandma and maybe get parents to check if under eighteen, but if you can stand the blushing, these are brilliant! 

5) OK so I've failed and cannot just name one more, so I also jointly love these, Something Borrowed, The Chocolate Run, The Time Travelers Wife, P.S I Love You and One Day. Oh and I love ALL of the Georgia Nicholson Diaries, Louise Rennison is brilliant!

I'm hopefully (fingers crossed) getting a Kindle for my b'day, Insurgent is on my list, but what else do I need to read?

What have been your favourites?

Laura xoxo

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

From what I can gather, this is one of the blogging world's go to Mascara's. I've mentioned enough that I love my Max Factor High Definition Mascara, but curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to give this a whirl. (There was £2 off the price, who could resist?)

The brush for this mascara is very fat! It took me quite a while to get used to it, but I grasped it easily enough! The bristles are quite short, but I find that if I wiggle at the base of my lashes and bring the wand upwards it gave my lashes a full coating.

I wouldn't class this as making it look like I have a pair of falsies on, but it does coat my lashes well and gives them extra length, separates them and makes them look fuller. I was pleasantly surprised with this mascara, and I do like it. I can see why people like it so much! However, I do have quite good lashes to begin with, so I like volume and length from my mascara! 

As you can see, this mascara does just make my lashes more defined, which is nice, and I am considering getting this in brown, for 'natural' make-up days! (Oh the irony!)

Therefore I do favour my High Definition mascara, just because it gives me more volume and length, and makes my lashes look more dramatic, so I do think it wins slightly over False Lash Effect, and it is cheaper (all round win!)

So overall, I like this mascara, and would recommend it, but it's just not the best for me!

Do you like this mascara?

Laura xoxo

Update on my MAC Palette

A while ago in this post, I showed you that I had started to build by own MAC palette. To begin with I just had Malt and Omega, but then last weekend I took advantage of 15% off and free delivery from Debenhams. I then got Woodwinked, Quarry and Naked Lunch.

I then decided to experiment, putting Woodwinked over my lid and Quarry in the crease, I think it worked quite well, if I do say so myself! I wore it to a nice little picnic in the park with my friends and think it looked rather good on a nice summers afternoon!

I've saved a space for All that glitters at the bottom, and I'm also pondering Charcoal Brown, any more recommendations?

Laura xoxo

Top Three Favourite Foundations

That's right, you read the title correctly, I have gotten to the point in my blogging life where I have found three 'favourite' foundations. Now I still want Chanel Vita-Lumiere Aqua, why when it doesn't work that well with me I honestly don't know, there is just something about that little bottle, maybe when I'm rich and famous? (haha yeah right!)

Anyway, carrying on my top product theme, here they are:

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light // Loreal True Match Mineral // Rimmel Wake Me Up

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light: Now this foundation has been very love hate, but I have finally found a way to wear it that I love. It gives such good coverage, is a perfect match, and lasts the whole day! Lovely!

Loreal True Match Minerals: Dare I say it? I think this is my favourite foundation, ever! Big statement I know. It is a teensy tiny bit different to my natural colour but I can live with that. But this foundation is brilliant. It isn't a heavy heavy coverage foundation, but it does give a nice medium coverage, covering up redness and spots and evening out my skin tone. The mineral form means it is quick and easy to put on, and in this heat, has SPF 15 and doesn't melt!

Rimmel Wake Me Up: I think this is the drugstore equivalent of Double Wear? Especially were hype is concerned. I finally got this in my proper shade, and I must say, I really like it. It has good coverage, lasts and is usually on offer in Asda for a fiver! Perfection!

What is your favourite foundation?

Laura xoxo

(Titles are links to full reviews :) )

What I Wore this Week

I'm going to be terribly British right now and complain about the weather. IT'S TOO HOT! There, I said it. Now I'm all for a bit of sunshine, but seriously, I feel like I'm going to melt or die (die of melting maybe?) every time I step out of the house. Don't even get me started on driving, my little car does not have air con, so driving is a lot of fun (note the sarcasm.) Why can't we get just warm weather, say 18 degrees celsius with a bit of sun and  nice breeze? 

Anyway enough moaning, but seriously, this heat has not worked well with my mainly black wardrobe! A shopping trip is needed I think, except I've spent all my money on make-up. Although, I am enjoying experimenting with summer make-up, yes that is how exciting my life is. New make-up and I've just got Sims 3! That is where I'll be if you don't hear from me!

Monday:

Jumper. Leggings: Topshop // Vest: H&M // Boots: New Look

(This is before it got hot btw! I'm not that crazy!)

Tuesday:

Jacket: Fashion Union // Top, Shoes: New Look // Vest, Leggings : As Before

Wednesday:

Shorts: Asda // Scarf: Market // Flip Flops: Ralph Lauren // Top: New Look

Thursday:

Top: New Look // Rest as before

Friday:

Top, Vest: H&M // Scarf: Gift // Shoes: Miss Selfridge

Saturday:

Top, Vest: H&M // Cardigan: Primark

Sunday:

Top: New Look // Skirt: Fat Face

I'm now off to loose myself in Sims 3, it's good being a student sometimes! I hope you all have lovely weeks.

And remember the SPF and water!!!

Laura xoxo

Let's go back...

...to the start.
Now that I've finished uni for the summer (sorry for those of you that haven't) I've had a lot of free time on my hands, so what have I been doing? Watching YouTube videos, more precisely Tanya Burr YouTube videos. I love all of her make-up tutorials, I think they are some of the best on YouTube, and I always have a soft spot for them, as they are what introduced me to the world of make-up, YouTube and blogging.

Whilst browsing through, I found this video, a Bella Swan wedding make-up tutorial, and realised it was the first ever YouTube video I watched. The day after watching it, I headed to Superdrug and purchased my Beauty UK palette (in 4, in case you were wondering) and set about trying to re-create the look, I didn't succeed very well if I'm honest.

But my make-up skills have grown a lot since then, and after watching that video again, I decided to have another stab at it, but place my own twist on it too, to work with the sunny weather we are having, and this is what happened.

Base:

Loreal True Match Mineral Foundation

Rimmel Perfect Match Highlighting Concealer - Under Eyes

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer - Blemishes

Eyes:

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly - Primer

MAC Naked Lunch - All Over Lid

MAC Omega - Crease

Stila Convertible Eye Pencil in Lapis

No.17 Shadow in Darkness

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

Sleek Brow Kit - Light (not pictured)

Face:

Bourjois Bronzer

MAC Dainty

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle

Lips:

Stila Lipstick in Arieal(not pictured, sorry)

It's also shows how far I've come by the amount of High End products in that list, when I started blogging back in January I owned none. 

I used a combination of my Stila Convertible Colour and No.17 Darkness shadow on both of my lash lines to mimic the same style as Tanya's Print and Carbon. For cheeks I tried to add some colour with bronzer, and a tiny sweep of blush.

What got you into make-up?

Laura xoxo

Fashion Friday: Copy Cat

Now, I wouldn't call myself fashionable. I'm still learning what works for my shape and size and how to fit in with the latest trend. I usually don't get in to a trend until it's over, but that's ok with me. I do however enjoy fashion, reading magazines, reading blogs and seeing what's new. My main inspiration, as shallow as it seems, stems from celebrities. From this I've decided to start a 'copy cat' series, which is basically a celebrity inspired post.

For my first post, I was inspired by the picture Shenae Grimes posted on her blog of a gorgeous black and white outfit. I've also found other celebrities who have rocked that style.

I've also put together an outfit that if money and figure permitting I could get/wear, but alas no.

I did try to take a picture of myself wearing a similar look, but I am no fashion blogger, I either looked seriously moody, or just didn't get my all body in the shot. So luckily for you, a post without my mug on it!

What do you think of this look?

Laura xoxo

A Summer FOTD

This is a bit of a impromptu post, I usually plan them or have an idea for them, but yesterday, the sun was well and truly out, and I decided to make the most of this summery heat wave we are having, and tried my hand at a simple summer look, and thought I'd share the result.

Base:

Loreal True Match Mineral Foundation (SPF 15!!!)

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer - Under Eye

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Eyes:

Stilla Smudge Pot in Amber, heavy on the lid then blending lightly to the brow bone

MAC Eye Liner in Powersurge - Upper and lower lashline

Max Factor Flase Lash Effect Mascara (Review to come)

Face:

Collection Mosiac Glow Bronzer

MAC Dainty Blush

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle

Lips:

A Little Splash of Carmex (SPF 15!!!)

And here is a little shot of it in action, with my new BFF!

What have you been wearing in this sudden summer weather?

Laura xoxo

What's all the fuss about?

It appears that I am doing a lot of 'worth the hype' type posts at the moment, that is obviously where my head's at, at the moment, but this will be the last, for a while at least.

Today's post is about the Bourjois Magic One Second Nail Polish Remover, which I'm sure you're all familiar with. However, as it took me forever to find one, I also picked up a Pretty Quick nail polish remover which works under the same pretense, stick your finger in, twist and remove (that sounds so elegant, no?)

First up the underdog so to speak. On my nails I had Essie's Mademoiselle, and a glitter accent nails.

Now the Essie colour, was not the best to show you, I admit, so I have done another one, which you can see in a minute, but it did remove it no bother. But when put to the test, after a couple of twists, it only removed a fraction of the glitter nail polish.

(Essie Cute as a Button)

Next, the item in question, the Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover.

As you can see with this polish remover it removes the main colour perfectly, and the glitter polish pretty much perfectly too, with just a couple flecks left, which were erased after another dunk. However the glitter remained in the pot, and comes out when I use it now too!

Now, the nitty gritty. They do have pretty much the same results, the Bourjois one is defintely more soothing to my nails if that makes sense? And does do it quicker, but it didn't live up to the one second claim.

The Borjouis one is double the price, but almost double the size too. It definitely has a nicer smell, but they both smell extremely strong.

So overall, I like the idea behind these products, but I don't understand why the shelves are empty of the Bourjois one, when the same thing is out for a cheaper price. I also think, my perfectionist ways prefer a good old cotton pad and remover 'cause it means I can reach everywhere.  So good for maybe travelling, but overall, I'm not blown away.

Another cheaper alternative can be found in Rach's post here!

What do you think? Worth the Hype?

Laura xoxo

Top Products - Top 5 Blushes

So I've seen a lot of people doing Top Ten or Top Five posts, so I thought why not give it a go. I was going to do a top five of everything, but I don't actually have that much make-up for all the categories haha, so some may be five and the other maybe three! I hope you like see what my favourite products are.

L-R Clockwise: Rimmel London Winter Glow//MAC Dainty//The Balm Cabana Boy// Benefit Hervana// MAC Lovejoy

Now at the moment I'm a bit blush crazy. So these are my favourites at the moment. They're pretty much the same, but slightly different.

Order, same as above!

Rimmel, Winter Glow: This is one of the first blushes I got and it's just a nice red toned almost plum blush. I also love the whole concept of mixing colours to get a new one, that is my favourite type of blush. 

MAC Dainty: This is a gorgeous pinky peachy shimmery colour that I find perfect for a light summer look. It is just a nice light, dainty (I had to do it, I'm sorry! My inner Chandler Bing made me!)

The Balm, Cabana Boy: This is a nice plummy raspberry colour which is super pigmented with a tiny bit of shimmer. It looks so pretty on, and I really love it. Plus, how amazing is the packaging?

Benefit Hervana: I love this pale pink colour, and it smells amazing! Another swirl all the colours together blusher. 

MAC Lovejoy: I've banged on about this product so many times. But is such a good all rounder colour, and a firm favourite. A lovely warm brown colour that is just so easy to wear!

What's your favourite blush?

Laura xoxo

P.S If you want to see these blushes on, the title is a link :)

Celebrity Inspired - Kylie Jenner

If you follow me on twitter then you will have seen me just post about how I've been without internet since my last post went live, hence why I haven't been able to respond to comments etc. But I am back now, thanks to a lovely Virgin Media man who has just sorted it all out, yay!

I'm back with another Celebrity Inspired look, this time from Kylie Jenner's OK! photo shoot. I randomly found this and loved her look, so thought I'd have an attempt at it. Especially being a bit of a Kardashian fan, (major jealousy at the bloggers who got to meet her!)

In this look, it is very much a flawless base with a winged out smokey eye and nude lips.

Base:

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Rimmel Perfect Match Highlighting Concealer - under eyes

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer - blemishes

Loreal True Match Powder

Eyes:

Maybelline Colour Tattoo In Tough as Taupe - all over lid

Front Cover, Baked Bronze, Bourjois Smokey Eye Set (Darkest Colour) - Crease/Outer Corner

The Dark Chocolate Brown from my Beauty UK Palette - Lash Line

Loreal Super Liner 

Max Factor High Definition Mascara

MUA Eyebrow Pencil

Face:

Bourjois Bronzer 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Soft and Gentle

No.7 Blusher in Honey

Lips:

Loreal Rouge Caress in Tempting Lilac

No.7 Lipgloss in Whisper

Do you like the Kardashians?

Laura xoxo

Porefesional - Worth the Hype?

If you read my post yesterday, then you will know that, although I think the Porfessional from Benefit is good, it is just not worth the money. I also said that I found something that I think works just as well, and thought I'd share this post with you today, as I didn't really wear anything worth showing you this week, and many of you said that you would like to see this post.

Now, I don't know if this sounds stupid, now that I'm showing you, but I find this much more cost effective than the Porefessional, so thought what the heck! 

At the same time as purchasing the Porefessional for my Worth the Hype post, I also bought the much spoke about Collection (2000) Lasting Perfection concealer. Now, for spots, this really did not blow me away at all, and I hated it for under the eyes. But I refused to give up on it. I remember reading or hearing somewhere, that is is great for filling in pores, so one morning, before applying foundation I patted it into the pores around my nose and it filled them perfectly.

Collection + Primer // Porefessional

I did this on top of concealer, then one morning thought, I wonder what would happen if I mixed the two together, and lo and behold, it made the same sort of paste as the Porefessional. It is slightly thicker, but the idea is still the same. I think any primer/concealer formula would work the same. I like mixing it on my hand and applying it with the Real Techniques (surprise, surprise) Foundation Brush from The Core Collection.

(These aren't the best pictures, but you get the idea. I couldn't find the right light to really capture it)

As you can see, the effect is pretty much identical, and this is a whole £10 cheaper.

So I'm not necessarily against the Porefessional, but just don't find it worth the money, and definitely think this is much better.

What do you think? Am I mental, or have I found a winner?

Laura xoxo

Worth the Hype? #2

Been as though my last one of these posts went down so well with all of you lovely people, I've decided to do another. So here are five more items, that have got that blogger buzz around them.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinsish in Soft and Gentle

I think this is the bloggers world go to highlighter. I love a good highlight, and when shopping in MAC, I swatched it, liked it, but thought, no I'll be good, then found myself asking for it when at the till, and I'm so glad I did. It is a very pale golden frosty highlight, that catches the light perfectly. I can see it being universally flattering and really brings to life your cheekbones, and I love using it as a highlight in my tear duct too. So yes, I think this is worth the hype. Yes £21 is a lot, but you get a hell of a lot of product with it. And it's just so pretty.

Moroccan Oil

Now if you've read my blog for a while, you will know I absolutely adore this product. However, as I said in this post, I was unsure on whether I could fork out the price when it wasn't actually doing any benefit. Later consideration has made me realise, that the way this makes my hair feel is so good, regardless that it's just coating, not benefiting. So dependent on what you want, something to make your hair feel gorgeous, yes this product is great. Something to nourish your hair, probably not no.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

I got this in my Tan About Town set, and I love it. I think it is the perfect contour shade and really flatters my skin tone. So yes, this gets my 100% worth the hype! I also love the way that it is a smaller size, as I think most things should come in this size so you can pay less to see if you really love it, then you can purchase the full size. So much better!

Benefit the Porefessional

Another Benefit product, but this time, it isn't a positive I'm afraid. So many people rave about this, and when the woman in the shop used it on me, I was impressed too, but she used a lot of product and I can't afford to do that. I just think it's way to expensive for what it is. The woman in the shop mixed it with moisturiser too, and it did look good, but when using it at home, I've gotta say no. BUT I have found a cheaper alternative, which I should be posting about  very soon, so keep an eye out! 

Real Techniques Brushes

OK so these are not all of my RT brushes, I have the core collection (minus Buffing Brush, as it sadly passed away, RIP) the eye starter kit, the stippling brush, the blush brush and the Expert face brush (to replace the buffing.) In case, the quantity of my brushes doesn't give it away, I freakin' love these brushes. I think they are amazing, super soft, easy to work with and makes your make-up look so good. They aren't overly expensive at all, and I love them. Now my Buffing Brush, I think water got at the base, and the hairs started to fall out in massive clumps, but I've replaced it with the Expert Face brush, which I think is only available online, but is just as good as the buffing brush.

And a little extra one:

Zara Messenger Bag

I think every blogger has this bag, in either the balk of pale grey colour! I opted for the black as I didn't own a black bag! I had to add an extra hole on the straps to make it the right length for me, but I do love how it gives a nice slouchy look and fits into the nook of your hip and feels lovely. For £19.99 I think it's worth the hype.

So that's another Worth the Hype Post. I hope you enjoyed it again, and there may be another one soon.

Do you agree with me?

Laura xoxo

Fashion Friday

In case you've been living under a rock, you will know that the 2012 Olympics will be taking place in London. Next have designed a line that runs alongside this event.

Due to being part of the Next bloggers scheme, a lovely woman from Next asked if I would like one of their scarves and of course I said yes.

The one I got sent was from the paralympic line, and is much smaller than a regular scarf, too small to wear around my neck, but it does look nice in my hair but I don't really wear that look, so I've found the perfect way to wear it and show my support for the Olympics, as it's never going to happen again in my country in my lifetime.

I've tied mine simple round my handbag to add something extra to my bag, and then I'm carrying my support around with me.

What do you think? Are you excited for the Olympics?

Laura xoxo