After the Hype's Died Down

By know I'm sure you know how things work in the blogging community. Really well known and well loved bloggers receive some press releases of new and exciting products, wet everyone in the beauty communities palette, and by the time they're released to shops the aisles of Boots are cleared for weeks. Once you find the coveted item you get home and use it constantly for days, maybe even weeks; and then something else comes along.

Sound familiar? I know it's what I do. Today I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on products long after the hypes died down.

Clinique Blush Pops - Aren't these just the prettiest. That's what drew me in. However I must admit I wasn't that blown away once I started using it. It just wasn't what I wanted it to be, if that makes sense. However, it's prettiness keeps it in rotation as I like seeing it in my basket.

Loreal Extrodinare' Gloss - There have been so many liquid lipstick releases over the past year or so, and I think this one is actually my favourite. I reach for this quite a lot as it applies nicely and the colour goes with  everything.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - These original powders have been well and truly been put in their blusher shadows, however I still really like this powder. I don't use it as much as I found a cheaper dupe, so this is just special occasions for me now.

Bourjouis Cream Blush - For some reason me and cream blushers are on a bit of a break. I love how they look, but for someone with oilyish skin, summer is not the time to be whacking out creams. Maybe my love will rekindle in the winter?

Maybelline Colour Tattoos - If I'm honest I don't give these guys the attention they need. I prefer the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Sticks as the application is much easier and the packaging is sleeker. Sorry Maybelline.

Revlon Lip Butters - Right, in the interest of full disclosure, I kind of forgot about the whole lip butter thing. I know! Sacre bleu! I think it's because Revlon have had so many new and exciting lip releases I've just forgotten. I must remember to use them more.

Bourjouis Rouge Edition Velvet - I must admit, I don't wear this often, but I think that's more due to the fact I feel uncomfortable in bright lips atm. I'm having one of those phases.  When the more nude colours are released, maybe it'll be a different story...

Rimmel Appocalips -  I much prefer the Loreal version. I find these get on my teeth too easily and smudge a bit too much.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains - I can't remember the last time I used this. For me, my crayon fave is the Bourjois one. (I guess I'm a bit of a Bourjois whore atm!)

Chanel Cream Blush - This is the only cream blush I've used in the past few months, but I fear that's more cause I feel like I need to use this, rather than I want to. Again, let's wait till winter rolls round.

So what do you think? Remember/use these products?

Laura

Throwback Thursday: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

I'm sure you've all seen plenty of reviews on these balm stains. They took the beauty world by storm for being the first 'dupe' of the beloved Clinique Chubby sticks; however now you can't turn a corner without some sort of crayon calling for attention.

As usual, I used this loads when I first got this and then it got left behind when something newer and shinier came along; but it really is a gem of a product. Easy application, good lasting time and quite moisturising too.

Colour-wise, Honey is the perfect everyday, your lips but better colour.

Do you have this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Review: Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Pinched

I picked up this blush in a 3 for 2 offer Revlon were having. I love a peachy colour, and cream blushes seem to be my thing of the moment.

Now, let me get the negatives out of the way first. The pigmentation of this product sucks. The right hand swatch is a couple of swirls, and the left is a good ol' dig. I feel like if it had a sheen to it, then maybe it would be ok, but for a cream blush, it's actually quite matte.

However, when you've made your arm ache getting enough product on the brush, it does give such a natural colour to the cheeks.

So whilst not the best formula, and I probably won't be re-purchasing, it is a lovely colour, that gives a subtle summer look to your cheeks,

What do you think? Have you tried this?

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

Worth the Hype?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has bought something due to the fact that the world and it's wife has blogged about. It's like when at school it was cool to collect Pokemon cards, or put balls of gloop in your airing cupboard to make it have 'babies' (I'm talking about those Aliens, you know what I mean, right?) Anyway, we are all dragged in by hypes, and sometimes I question are they really worth it?

So in this post I've picked some of the items I bought due to the hype online, and will give my opinion of whether  I  think they're worth the hype!

Maybelline Color Tatoos

Simply put, yes! I think these little beauties are amazing. I think the On and On Bronze (right) is better, as it has a creamier formula and lasts much longer, but overall, these are definitely worth all the hype. Best bit, they're only a fiver! More shades please Maybelline! 

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

When I first started watching Youtube Videos every other one contained this product. Seriously, it seemed like a holy grail item. When shopping I got it without even swatching it as there was not tester out, got it home and was a bit like, this is it? It's very concealer based colour, and I was just a bit like, what is the point? However I think the fact that I have worn it pretty much daily since I bought it, speaks for itself. I think I may need to try other colours too? Yes I hear you say, that's what I thought!

Revlon Lip Butters

I'm sure you are all sick to death hearing about these. When I first swatched them, I hated them. They were sticky and just not what I expected. I then swatched them again, and actually found this colour to work quite well, so I got it (mainly for this post! Or so I tell myself) I do get why everyone loves them so much, but to be honest they hype is so huge, that it really just did not live up to it for me. So it's a no from me. The Loreal version on the other hand....

O.P.I Nail Envy

Firstly I did not pay £18 for this. I snatched it up on Buyapowa, and oh my goodness, when I do run out, I think the £18 will be spent. I love it. My nails have never felt or looked better, gone is the flaky, breaky nails, hello strong new ones. It crops up quite regularly on Buyapowa too, so keep an eye out for it!1 Definitely worth the hype. Your nails will love you. 

Chanel Bronze Universal

I've been wanting this for a while, and got a gift card for Boots for Easter, and thought, why not? I've got to say, I think the price tag, is very high for what it is, but it is also the only cream bronzer I can think of on the market. It really does add that something special to your make-up, but I also think you could live without it. I'm really split on this item, I think if you have the money, great, get it, but if you don't there are better things to spend your money on!

And finally, a little extra:

I absolutely love these books, especially the second and recommend them to anyone. I honestly thought I wouldn't like this, but I am yet to find someone who does not like these. The film is extremely good too!

I hope this post has come in slightly useful, I think I'm going to do another one at some point in the future so keep a look out!

Have you tried any of these? Do you think they're worth the hype?

Laura xoxo

NOTD - Leopard Print

Okay, so since I've got my nail art pen, I've been kind of obsessed with playing with it, and thought I'd share with you my latest little 'artwork.' I feel the need to add that I have always been terrible, horrifically so, at art (my art teacher even said so!) I like to think I have the right ideas, and things always look great in my head, then I put pen to paper (or to nail in this case.)

Now I must say that I think I managed to pull off my left hand quite well:

Not perfect, but adequate.

Now we have the right hand:

As you can see it looks like my 2 year old cousin did this, sadly he probably would've done it better. It means that I'm going to have to remove it before my lecture tomorrow (they might place me back in nursery if I don't.) But it also means I can have another play, yay!!!

For the base I used Rimmel's Smokey Canvas (which you can see on its own here.) For the spots I used a mixture of Hot To Trot by No.7 and Models Own Mushroom. For base and top I used my usual (I feel like I'm at a bar. I also feel like I'm using brackets a lot again?)

Do you enjoy messing about with your nail art pen? Also do you have an idiot proof one? I think mine is a little too mature for my skills.

Laura xoxo