Five in Five #1

I've finally come to the realisation that I have far too much make-up, and due to this I've decided I should really stop buying anymore. Which is great for my bank balance, but not so great when trying to think of new and creative ideas for a blog that's main focus is beauty. There are only so many times I can tell you about my favourite products, however I thought I'd start a series where I show you five products, and challenge myself to describe them in five words.

Ready, set, go!

Nars Multiple in South Beach - Glowy, sunkissed, Millie Mack cheekbones.

Real Techniques Contour Brush - Brush with hundreds of uses.

Dior Skin Nude BB Creme - Best thing since sliced bread.

Benefits Hervana Blush - Smells good enough to eat.

No7 BB Lips - Everyday esstential item must have.

Laura

Trying the Trend: Winged Liner

Now I know liquid liner isn't a new trend, but ever since reading this article by Alexa Chung I can't stop thinking about it (and since then this video.) I think I've developed a bit of a girl crush on Ms Chung now (late to the party, I know) and envy her liquid liner style.

For ages I just couldn't get liquid liner to work for me. I couldn't be bothered with the effort so settled for an angled brush and some eyeliner and was happy with the subtle effect. Due to having quite hidden eyes I find a line that's too thick just makes my eyes look lost, but a subtle dust of black powder on the lash lines make my lashes look thick and eyes look bigger.

Fast forward a bit and I'm now loving the look of lined eyes!

At the moment my favourites have to be the Eyeko Skinny Liner that came with the latest issue of Glamour and the Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner.

What're your favourite liquid liners?

Laura 

Review: Benefit's They're Real Remover

They're Real Remover // Normal Remover

I'm sure you're all aware of Benefit's new releases. The Push Up Liner definitely has everyone talking, however alongside that release also saw the arrival of a new eye make-up remover, the They're Real Remover*. Due to the skincare lover in me, I was actually just as excited to receive this product as I was the liner.

Now the liner really does cling to your lashes meaning it's quite difficult to get off of your eyes at the end of the day, however I've found that using this really does help. The product is almost lotion like in Constancy and is meant to be applied to a cotton pad and swept across the eyes.

However, I've found the best way to use it is to apply a bit to your finger and rub it in yourself. This is because I find you have to use a lot of product to get the cotton pad to work, or else it kind of breaks the cotton pad, whereas you can use a smaller amount to make it work just the same. As you can see it really gets rid of much more eye-makeup than using a normal cleanser. The above picture is using it via a cotton pad too.

I found that this really does break-up your eye makeup and leave you with lovely clean eyes.

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura

*This item was kindly sent to me, I have not been asked or paid to review it and all opinions are my own.

Battle of the Gel Liners: Benefit VS Maybelline

I'm sure by now you've all heard and read about the gel liner counter part to Benefit's They're Real Range, the They're Real Push Up Liner*. I was super lucky to be sent this for review, however I'd also previously purchased the Maybelline Lasting Drama Black Shock Gel Liner. So, I thought I'd do a little comparison post for you.

Appearance: Let's get the superficial thing out of the way first. For me, the Benefit liner just looks that little better, you can see that more time has been taken to craft the product, but you wouldn't expect anything less from Benefit!

Maybelline//Benefit

Application: As I had the Maybelline one first I realised that the best way to work with these liners is to put the product on the back of your hand first and then work it into the lash line with the applicator.  The nib on each of the product is pretty much the same, rubber and slightly pointed. I found the Benefit one easier to use, I think it may be slightly thinner, but the Maybelline one ended up looking better.

 Maybelline

 Benefit

Longevity - Unfortunately, this is where the Maybelline one falls a bit short. I only had it applied for about 15 mins and it had managed to smudge on me. I do have oily lids, but it really doesn't boast good staying power, whilst the Benefit one lasted me through an evening meal without a single smudge. 

For me, the Benefit one just tops the Maybelline one. Just due to the longevity and formula of the product. Whilst there is a £10 price difference, I do think for the knowledge of it not smudging the Benefit has to be the winner. However, if you're on a budget and don't have oily lids, definitely check out the Maybelline one.

What do you think?

Laura

*Whilst this product has been sent to me for free my opinion is completely honest. I do feel that it is the better product, and I'm not being paid to say that.

Back to Bronze

Spring and summer definitely send a signal to my make-up caves and call upon the bronze heroes to stand to attention. Winter's a great time to give the berry coloured items some loving, but if there is one thing that works throughout summer it is definitely the bronze!

For a nice simple bronze cheek offering I definitely suggest you pick up the Nars Multiple in South Beach. The perfect consistency to just blob onto your face and gently blend it. It has a slight shimmer running through it which means it catches the sun perfectly and leaves you feeling ever so glowy and bronzed. However, if matte is more your thing thang than I definitely suggest Benefit's Hoola. It isn't too orange, but definitely has a darkness too it that many other bronzers don't have. It's the perfect contour or all over 'I've tanned' colour. Finally for cheeks, if you're a pale person who just wants a bit of colour, without looking like they've rolled in Wotsits I highly recommend the Clarins Bronzing Duo in Light. I've harped on about this product plenty but seriously, I love it. 

For eyes cream bases seem to be the way forward for me, simple and fuss free which means you have more time to enjoy the limited sunshine. A quick wash of bronze that isn't too dark and really compliments a tan has to the Bad to the Bronze from Maybelline Colour Tattoo. It gives a lovely wash to your eye that isn't overpowering but still compliments any tan perfectly. If you want something a little darker, this pencil from Rimmel Scandaleyes is your guy. The perfect rusty bronze colour in my opinion. I prefer it a little blended as it can look a bit OTT on me, but if you like warm colours I think you'll love it. Finally, for a bit of liner Powersurge by MAC is your guy. I seriously love this liner, it works as a shadow too. What more could you want?

What are your favourite bronze products?

Laura xoxo

Best of the Bronzers

When writing this post, the sun is shining and summer appears to be on it's way, but I am scheduling it for the future, so who knows what the weather is doing. Anyway, due to the nice weather, I've been digging out my bronzers, trying to pretend I've just spent the week in St Tropez (a girl can dream!)

First up Clarins Bronzing Duo in Light. I bought this hoping it would be a nice contour colour, but it definitely a bronzing shade. What I love about it is the fact it is quite light, which is nice as I'm of the paler variety, and it has hint of shimmer in it that leaves a lovely healthy glow on the skin. Perfect for days you want a healthy sunkissed glow.

Next, my favourite 'bronzer' bronzer; Benefit Hoola. For me this tops Nars Laguna and is great for an all over colour to my cheeks. It is slightly orange, rather than brown, but blended out nicely it looks lovely.

Finally, a mixture of the two, but from the highstreet, Collection Mosiac Bronzer. This swatched the best, and is so pigmented. On the skin it looks so glowy and bronzed and just basically summer in a pan. Perfect if you're on a budget. 

For a full review on each, just click the name (it's a link)

What are your favourite bronzers?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Benefit Hoola

Ah, one of the most hyped bronzers out there, bar Laguna obviously. Benefit's Hoola has a definite cult status here in the beauty community, and for good reason.

This is the perfect summer bronzer colour which really adds depth and golden bronze look to the skin.I retired it for the winter, but now it's summer it's back with vengeance.

Whilst it does have the slight orange tinge most bronzers have, this one doesn't make you look like you're mom was a carrot.

I really do love this bronzer and can't wait to start wearing it more in the summer.

What do you think of this product?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Watts Up

I have been really loving the Jemma Kid Dewy Glow Highlighter, but the other week I remembered that it's going to be pretty tough to get another one when it runs out, but didn't want to give up cream highlighter, so rummaged around my drawers and found this.

I got this when I bought a Benefit Box from ASOS, and used it for quite a while, then cast it aside for other products, (story of my life.) But now it is back.

It is a lovely golden colour, which adds an almost bronzed glow to the face, which I find adds that little extra bit of contour.

As you can see, it's really subtle, but gives that extra dewy glow to the face.

It applies like a dream, looks pretty both on the face and in the tube, and I have no complaints with it.

Do you like this product?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Benefit Hervana Blush

This blush holds a little place in my heart as it was the first high end piece of make-up I bought. I used it constantly when I first got it, but then I got bitten by the beauty bug and it got cast aside for newer products. The other week however, I decided to bring this out and give it a wear.

The first thing that I always forget is how fabulous this smells. It is so gorgeous. I love all the light colours that swirl together to give the perfect light flush to your cheeks.

It blends and applies so effortlessly, and gives such a subtle look to your face.

Do you like/use this blusher?

Laura xoxo

July Favourites

[insert usual 'my time has flown' comment here.]

Another month gone, more favourites for me to blog about!

NSpa Replenishing Moistuire Mask: This mask has really made my skin so soft. I have quite dry patches on the side of my cheeks and this has really helped with that. I love that it dries clear as it means I can leave it on for a while, which really helps my skin. My skin looks fuller and plumper (not in a chubby way, but in an 'ah so youthful' kind of way,) and I feel I can see an improvement in my skin after.

Dior Amber Diamond: There hasn't been many days since I got this little beauty that I haven't worn it! I love it so much! It is so versatile, both an eyeshadow and a highlighter. It gives a gorgeous glow to the face, and the bronze in it really makes the product perfect for summer!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey: I've worn this everyday since I bought it, enough said, no?

Avene Cleance K Cream Gel: This has really helped my skin, I'm not going to go into too much detail here, but my full review is here!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer: The perfect bronzer. Not too orange, not much shimmer, just the perfect bronzer really! (Oh I already said that, ooops!) To sum up, it is the perfect bronzer! (De ja vu?)

And another little mention for my Enrapture Totem Styler, I love the looks I've been able to create with this tool. So versatile!

Other Favourites of the Month:

Favourite Nail Art: http://hollyarabella.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/3-step-flower-nail-art.html

Favourite Helpful Post:  http://shen-moo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/tip-top-summer-shopping-tips.html

Favourite Look: http://jazzabellesdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/inspired-by-audrey.html

Favourite Shopping Partner: http://treat-party.blogspot.co.uk/

Favourite Person Who Tweets Cute Things: http://andpeaches.blogspot.co.uk/

What have been your favourites this month?

Laura xoxo

A Box of Benefit

I saw a post on Hayley's blog (here) and it was one of those moments where you read a post, think 'oh dear lord I need me that' and go straight to the website and purchase the product. (Ahhh the power of advertising.)

At the moment there is a deal on ASOS, where if you buy either Hoola or That Gal, you get two free samples with it. I went for the Hoola box, mainly for the Watts up because I wanted to try it so much. Also I loved the Hoola sample I got, and would've bought a full version anyway, and this seemed the perfect opportunity. (That is my story, and I'm sticking with it!!!)

As you can see, the samples are quite small, but still you can't grumble really.

For a review on Hoola, check here, I love this bronzer, not orange and gorgeous contour and all over bronze look.

So I don't know if I like this 'stain' idea. On my lips I placed it on top of carmex, mainly 'cause my lips are really dry at the moment and I didn't want it to cling. On my cheeks, especially in this picture, it looks like a rash on my cheek haha! It doesn't look that bad in real life, but I think I'll be sticking to powder blushes.

This product is kind of why I bought the box, silly I know, but I was really torn between getting this highlighter and the Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow in Ice Gold. I do really like this product, it gives a nice subtle glow, and I love the creamy formulation, however I think it's a bit too warm toned for me, which is fine for summer, but I think when it runs out, or when I get enough money to justify the Jemma Kidd, then I'll get that one! But I have nothing against this highlighter.

You can get this box, here!

What do you think, do you get things just for samples too, or am I completely crazy?

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