Battle of the Liquid Liners

Here I have my four current favourite liquid eyeliners:

• Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner in Brown, £5.29

• Bourjois 16 Hour Liner in Black, around £6/7

• Loreal Super Liner in Carbon Black, £6.19

• Prestige Liquid Liner in Black, £5.99
  

Both the Rimmel and Prestige liner have the classic short tip felt brush which I find pretty easy to use apart from controlling the thickness of the line which takes a bit of practice, they also offer a matte finish unlike Loreal Super Liner which dries to a more glossy finish. Click Here for my full review on the Loreal Super Liner which includes a picture of the applicator and what you can achieve with it.

The newest find in my hunt for liquid liner perfection was the Borjois Liquid Liner, the applicator is very thin and small but it's made up of little hairs instead of a felt style brush which makes it more difficult to control the shape of your flick. As you can see below after vigorous rubbing the Loreal Super Liner didn't fare very well, this is pretty standard for this eyeliner as it will usually need a touch up throughout the day. Both the Rimmel and Prestige liner held up quite well, with slight smugding but the best by far was the Borjois Liquid Liner which would be perfect if it wasn't for the brush!

Overall I'd say if you're a liner newbie then Loreal Super Liner is the one for you due to the applicator and lovely glossy finish.
If you're looking for something small to chuck in your bag that works well check out Rimmel or Prestige.
And if you're looking for the liner that will last all day Bourjois 16hour Liner is for you.. if you don't mind the slightly annoying brush!

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Phil Smith Hair Products

At the start of the the week I recieved a lovely package from the people over at Phil Smith with some hair goodies inside. I've had a good play about with these and had my mum try them out on her super frizzy locks and here is what we thought..

Super Straight Glossy Locks Shampoo & Super Straight Oh So Smooth Conditioner:

I love the packaging, it would definately catch my eye in a shop display and it's all completely secure (no nasty dirty caps!). Both the shampoo and conditioner have a really lovely light fruity scent and retail for £3.99 each.
The shampoo comes out transparent, lathers really well and left my hair feeling squeaky clean. The conditioner felt light but nourishing at the same time and left my hair incredibly soft, I have very long fine hair but lots of it so when products are really rich they tend to drag my hair down and these didn't. I wasn't left with plastic feeling hair and it kept my hair feeling fresh and clean for a good few days.

S.O.S Daily Defence Straightening Mist:
This doubles up as a product to help straighten the hair and as a heat defence which is always a plus! This also has a light fruity scent and comes out in a controllable light mist that allows you to distribute the product easily. It can also be used on wet or dry hair but doesn't feel as if you have any product in your locks. My mum straightens her hair most days and she said this sped up the process and made her feel as if she was doing her hair some good.

Super Straight Leave Me Sleek Serum:
This comes in a cute little bottle with a pump to control how much product you dispense. You only need a pea sized amount to cover the majority of your hair and this really helped control the flyaways at the ends and by my fringe. When you rub the product into your hands it feels almost like an oil but it didn't leave my hair feeling greasy or oily which other serums have before.

Xtravagant Hairspray:
This comes in a huge can and was probably the one I was most apprehensive about.
I hate hairspray.
No matter which kind I've brought in the past even if it claimed to leave your hair 'flexible and light' has left my hair feeling hard, crispy and dry looking. I'm also allergic to most perfumes and hairsprays, in particular the classic 'hairspray scent' within minutes gives me a migrane and leaves me feeling sick.. But, suprisingly I ended up liking this, alot. It has a fruity light melon/tropical/coconut scent which is gorgeous! It comes out in a very fine mist and a light spritz of this holds up my backcombing and allows me to be comb free all day!

Overall, I'm very impressed and I've just ordered some other products which I'll pop a review up of once I get them!
The majority of the Phil Smith products retail for just £3.99 and are available from Superdrug (where they're currently on discount) or KmiClub. They offer so many other products such as dry shampoos, volumising products, curl enhancers etc. So feel free to check them out!

Sainsbury Phil Smith

KmiClub Phil Smith

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Simple 'Going Out' Eye

I can never pull off the dark shadow all over the lid as it makes my eyes look tiny but this is my version of a 'going out' sultry eye.

Urban Decay half baked accross the lid.
Bourjois 16 hour liquid liner on the outer 3/4 of the eye to create a flick.
Benefit Bad Gal eyeliner smudged on the inner corner of the eye, joining up to the liquid liner and the bottom lash line.
Smudge with a cotton bud.
Gently smudge a dark grey shadow on the lower lash line.
Lashing of Maybelline Falsies Mascara

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Contour, Blush, Highlight HG

I've always been incredibly picky about my bronzer, blush and highlight combo..

The bronzer has to be matte with no orange or red undertones, pigmented and the perfect shade - dark enough to create the desired effect but not too intense otherwise it'll be unflattering.
The blush has to be a light flushed pink which doesn't resemble that of a clowns cheeks when applied, no shimmer, pigmented and not powdery..
And finally the highlight has to be finely milled with shimmer not glitter.

So after my long term hunt I think I have finally found my HG's.


Benefit Hoola Bronzer.
Illamasqua Blush in 'Katie'.
Accessorize Baked Blush in 'Pretty Pink'.

Some may be a bit sceptic but when layered these look beautiful. Hoola contours pefectly and adds dimension to the blusher which gives you a pretty girly flushed look and 'pretty pink' enhances the colour while adding a gorgeous sheen to the skin.

My all time favourite highlight was without a doubt Bourjois Highlighting Powder in 53, in the chocolate style packaging but like all good things it was discontinued and it's pretty hard to track down!

What's your favourite bronzer, blush and highlight?

xx

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Illamasqua Concealer Review

Price: £12.50

Available: Here
Product Quality: 3/5
Packaging 5/5

PRO's:

• Medium to full coverage
• Simple chic packaging, secure and even has it's own little mirror
• Creamy and easy to blend once warmed
  
• Covers what you need it to
• Works well under the eyes

CON's:

• Expensive for the amount you're given
• You really have to warm up the product before it comes creamy and easy to work with, at first touch in the pan it's hard and quite difficult to pick up product especially with a brush
• Cakes up around the nose and on blemishes if you apply too much and doesn't last very long in these areas.
  

Overall, it does make a difference as you can see from the photos and I'm going to continue using it purely as an undereye concealer but I'll definately be moving on to try out Bobbi Brown and Mac next time!


P.s! Sorry about the au natural brows and naked eyelashes haha

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NOTD

Today I went for Nails Inc Polish in 'Elizabeth Street', these are usually £10.50 each but you can find them online for £7-9. It's a lovely light pink nude which I love that looks really elegant, compliments a tan (yes, even a fake one!) and elongates your fingers. This beauty combined with my new found favourite Andrea Fulteron polish resulted in..

They look 100x times better in person than in pictures, plus they make me feel all festive with the glittery bits haha xx

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Accessorize Baked Blush in Pretty Pink

My local Superdrug finally got around to stocking up on Accessorize cosmetics so I had a little browse around today...a few pieces caught my eye such as the liquid highlighter, the lightest shade of their bronzer, a few nail polishes and their mascara but I resisted and just ended up with the one baked blusher in shade 3 'pretty pink'.

The blush itself is shimmery with purple veins running through it and looks lovelyyy! It acts as both a blush and highlight in one and retail for only £5, far cheaper than the easily compareable Mac Mineralize blushes which will set you back £17.00 for just 3.5 grams.


Have any of you girls tried and tested the Accessorize make up range yet.. ?

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Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Packaging: 4/5
Product Quality: 5/5
Price: £9.99 for 30ml
What they claim: '70% more radiance! Bourjois 1st radiance-boosting fruit therapy foundation: a flawless complexion for up to 16hrs! Its exquisite and glide-on formula blends onto the skin for a flawless, yet natural finish. 8 hours moisture. Let skin breathe. High tolerance dermatologically tested.'

What I think:
I've used Bourjois foundations in the past and remember liking them but not repurchasing for whatever reason so a few months back I decided to try them out again and picked up their healthy mix foundation. The first thing I noticed about this product is it smells amazing. I usually hate perfumed products but this isn't overpowering, just refreshing!

The finish to this foundation is glowy and dewy yet it doesn't contain hideous glitter particles to achieve this, instead of ending up like a disco ball you'll look fresh faced and glowing yet natural. It offers a medium coverage which is buildable and comes with a handy pump which annoyingly can get slightly messy! It lasts a good 5 hours on my oily skin before a touch up is needed and overall is a really beautiful forumlation, highly recommend!

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Blog Name Inspiration

Back when I opened up my blog I really struggled with creating a name for it. After thinking up several terrible options I decided to leave it until another day.

The next morning when I was applying my make-up I came across this chucked away in one of my draws, saw the name and thought it appropriate seeing as I'd just fallen back in love with this and I am also obsessed with having a 'faux golden glow'.

Thanks Natural Collection!

Where did the inspiration for your blog name come from?

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Dream Matte Powder : Review

Product: Dream Matte Powder in Golden Beige
Packaging: 4/5
Product Quality: 4/5
Price: £6.99
Available: Here
What they claim: To offer a matte perfect, natural looking finish with an air soft feel on the skin.

What I think:

I picked this up in Superdrug the other day when I realised I'd finally hit pan on my Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural. I wanted something that would mattify my oily t-zone while leaving a light feeling and no cakeyness. I'm not sure if it applies to everwhere but both my Boots and Superdrug only had a limited 4 colour section which was disappointing however you only need a small amount so the colour doesn't really transfer. It does the job and holds my make-up together for a good 4/5 hours before I need a little touch up. It also comes with a twist out mirror and a powder puff which makes the packaging a little decieving, at first I thought it was quite a large amount of product inside when in reality most space is taken up from the add on's. I do appreciate a mirror in products though so I can't complain, especially since this was only £6.99. It lives up to its claims of mattifying while feeling weightless and giving a natural finish to the skin, however I don't think anything will take the place of my beloved MSF Natural. For £6.99 though, I can't complain!

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NOTD

Today I was wearing FlawlessYouForever varnish in 'Dubai', it's a gorgeous deep cherry red that is going to be my staple for winter. Two coats left me with a lovely rich colour and glossy finish, the photo doesn't do it justice!

What is your winter favourite for your nails?

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New Sigma HD Brushes

Price: $16.00 each, or the set of 3 for $42.00
Quality: 5/5
Available: Here
Would I recommend? Definately! Products came well packaged and live up to all expectations.

Some of you may of heard about the release of the three newest Sigma brushes, the F80, F82 and F84. All are made with Synthetic Sigmax HD filament and retail at $16/£10 or $42/£26 for all three.

These brushes have been developed to give you the ultmate airbrush finish when applying liquid, cream or powder products and personally, I think Sigma have suceeded in their quest!

The first thing you will notice about the F82 and F84 is how incredibly soft and fluffy they are. The F80, flat top Kabuki I now use for powder and stippling on Fix +. The F82 - Round Top Kabuki, is the most dense from the three brushes and therefore when used with foundations will allow you to build up a full coverage incredibly easily, which I love! The F84 is angled and less dence making it perfect for popping on a hint of blusher - whether it be cream or powder - or contouring bronzer on to your temples and chiselling non-existant cheekbones!

When it comes to shedding of the brushes I have given both a vigorous wash and only discovered one sneaky hair when I dried them both off. I'm aware a few people have had difficulties getting their brushes 100% clean, however I've never had an issue. I would suggest soaking the tip of your brush for a minute or two, then using a reliable brush cleanser or as I do, a clarifying shampoo and making sure you lather well and rinse thoroughly. Reshape then leave to air dry over night!

Everyone previously compared Sigma to Mac brushes and commented on how well they have manged to duplicate well-known favourites for a far lower price.. Now, I think people will notice that Sigma has branched out and created items that people will hold in a class of their own as they are creating innovitave fresh products into the cosmetic brush market. These three new additions to Sigmas collection are a true triumpth and I have no doubts that anyone else investing in these beauties will
love them too!

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Superdrugs answer to Strobe Cream

Packaging: 3/5
Product Quality: 4/5
Price: 2 for £3.00
Overall Thoughts: Nice, bit too glittery alone but mixed in works well!
Available: Here

The other day I picked up two of the Superdrug Vitamin E products in their 2 for £3 offer. The Illuminating Moisture Cream instantly reminded me of Mac Strobe Cream, except not as pearlescent and slightly more glittery.
I decided to try mixing it in with my Revlon Colorstay which is far too dark and thick for me and I love the effect! I'm definately going to be picking up a lighter shade of Colorstay and mixing these two together for winter.
The two mixed result in a dewy, glowy finish which reminds me of Revlon PhotoReady but with better coverage!

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At Home Remedy For Blackheads

Meghan over at Tease and Tweeze created a blog post with her home remedy for Blackheads, so I decided to try it out myself!

Check out her post here!
It's ridicuously easy and far more cost effective than the nose strips you can buy instore!
Step 1, Seperate an egg and keep the white.

Step 2, Whisk up the egg whites until they're all bubbly!

Step 3, Trim up a piece of toilet paper to fit.
Place on your nose, cover with the egg white.
Leave for 10/15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes are up, the toilet paper will have hardened as the egg white has dried.
Slowly peel back the sides, just as you would a nose strip.
And Voila!

Sorry about the missing Step 1 and 3 pictures, I'm not sure what's up with the uploader but my pictures kept coming out sideaways - Grrrr!

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