Thursday 30 June 2011

Purple Haze: EOTD




I wanted a little pop of colour today so opted for a hint of purple on the bottom lashes and outer corner. I'm not sure I entirely like it as it almost looks like my eyes are a bit irritated in the first photo haha but I thought I'd pop photos up here anyway!

Urban Decay Primer Potion
Senna 'Cocoa Nudes' as a base cream colour
Maybelline Beige Nude Eyeshadow
Purple from the Accessorize Palette
2True Eyeliner
Maybelline Falsies Mascara

Bigger is Better for Batiste


Batiste is easily a 'must have' product for me, since trying it out a year ago I've constantly had a can laying around for when I need it. My favourites, by far are the Tropical version - for the gorgeous coconut scent and Batiste for Brunettes as it blends well in my hair. Not only is Batiste handy for days when you wake up late and don't have time to wash your locks, it's also great for a boost of volume and to cover up roots if you've been too busy to book an appointment with the hairdressers!
I'd always wanted the cans to come in larger sizes as I like constantly having a supply and now, that's exactly what Batiste are offering. The best selling versions of their dry shampoo now come in 400ml and 50ml cans that are incredibly handy! I now have a 400ml can (£4.99) to keep at home and a handbag sized 50ml can (£1.50) for trips or nights I stay at the boyfs.
Batiste have also brought out the newest addition to their line the XXL Volume which I'm yet to try but can't wait to get my hands on!

Tuesday 21 June 2011

The Beauty Parlour Body Lotion


While browsing in Superdrug I stumbled across a new range of products I'd never seen before. The Benefit-esque packaging drew me to it, but on closer expection it's noticably a cheaper attempt at quirky packaging. The range has a nice selection of products, including body butter, body scrub, face wash and hand cream all for affordable prices.
The body lotion I picked up comes in a handy pump bottle with 300ml of product for £4.99, perfect for quick, easy application. The scent is a light, fresh, fruity smell and the lotion has a nice consistency allowing it to rub easily into the skin and absorb almost instantly leaving me with soft, smooth skin. If you want something deeply nourishing I wouldn't recommend this, possibly go for the body butter in the range or a slightly more expensive Body Shop Body Butter which is incredibly rich and velvety.
For me, I'll be using this as a tan mantainer everyday for a boost of moisture that doesn't feel heavy, absorbs quickly and smells fresh - covering up any DHA scent.
I'd be happy to re-purchase once I'm finished with the bottle and possibly try out a few other products such as their mattifying moisturiser.
Have you tried any products from The Beauty Parlour range?

Sunday 19 June 2011

Favourite Face Products


Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in 'Golden Beige' - I didn't like this powder at first, I thought it was too tightly pressed and would be chalky and noticeable on the skin as it's a cheaper product. I was obviously very wrong seeing as it's now my favourite powder and I've even hit pan which is a rarity for me. I'm a big fan of the packaging as it's remained intact after being dropped numerous times, plus the fact it has a twist out mirror - perfect for on the go touch ups! I apply this lightly with a large powder brush and it almost gives the same effect as a Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. It lightly mattifies areas, keeping you shine free for longer yet doesn't look too flat or take away from the finish of the foundation.
Estee Lauder Double Wear in 'Tawny' - I've seen a few people on Twitter say they hate this foundation as it's too heavy and mask like but I haven't found this to be a problem. You should be aware though if your buying Double Wear it's because you want long wearing, full coverage. The main reasons I love it include; the great selection of colours, the coverage, the finish and when it's dried it's not going to budge. I have an oily t-zone that cannot be tamed with a primer, foundation or powder but, this lasts all day on my forehead and chin with only a slight amount of shine on my nose which can easily be fixed with a dab of powder. I apply with a flat foundation brush as it gives me a light, even application eliminating any 'cakeyness' or looking too heavy which can be the case if applied with a stippling brush.

Maybelline Pure Mineral Concealer - I've had this for ages and it's by far my favourite concealer as of yet. It offers a medium coverage, really brightens up the under eye area and is incredibly creamy meaning it melts into the skin.
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer - Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon and I'm glad I did. Although I don't like this for under eyes it's great for blemishes or areas you need to conceal as it offers great coverage and a really natural finish. Only downside is the terrible packaging, expect the writing to wear off almost instantly!

Left - Maybelline
Right - Collection 2000

Budget Beauty; Eyeshadows


Those who follow my blog will have seen Natural Collection featured a fair bit over the past few months. I'm a big fan of their lipsticks, in particular 'Apple Blossom' which has become my staple, everyday nude lipstick, 'Golden Glow' bronzing powder and 'Pink Cloud' blusher. Last week when I went to re-purchase my beloved lipstick I was drawn in by their '3 for £5' offer so I decided to pick up two of their single eye shadows.
Priced individually at £1.79 they're a bargain, aswell as being pigmented and easy to blend. The packaging is pretty basic but I've never been one to carry shadows around in my bag so it's not like anyone will see them!

Sea Shell - A basic creamy white, I use this as an all over colour on days when I want to brighten my eyes up or as a base.
Barley - A gorgeous, glittery gold that looks great alone or paired with a bronzed brown shade in the crease or along the lash line.
I find that both lasted quite well on my eyelids however I'd recommend a primer if you wanted them to stay in place all day.


Saturday 11 June 2011

Top 10 Summer Lip Products

The last month or so I've been continuously wearing these ten lip products over and over again. For me, if I use over half of a lipstick or gloss I know they're going to be keepers so here's the ones that have gained my approval.

Natural Collection Rose Petal, Natural Collection Apple Blossom, Senna 'Tiffany'
All gorgeous nude shades, Rose Petal is a pretty coral/pink that's very easy to pull off no matter what skin tone you have. Apple Blossom is a pale pink toned nude, very cheap, pigmented and girly. Tiffany is a gorgeous peach shade that looks great with a tan and bronzed cheeks.


Rose Petal

Apple Blossom

BeautyUK Liplust 'Playboy', No.7 'Smile', Senna 'Love Drop'
Playboy is a pretty Barbie pink, shimmery gloss that looks amazing paired with 'Apple Blossom'. Smile is a very pretty sheer pink that works well alone or teamed with a pink lipstick looks gorgeous. Love Drop is a pale, girly pink that can be worn alone due to the fantastic pigmentation, I love this for days when I don't have time to carefully apply lipstick.


Elf Lip Stain 'Red Carpet', Elf Conditioning Balm 'Mellow Melon', NEW CID 'Scarlett'
Red Carpet is the most gorgeous shade of red I've ever found, by far a favourite it's incredibly easy to apply and works with most skintones. I wouldn't exactly call it a stain as it does transfer quite a bit but less than you'd find with a lipstick. Mellow Melon is a pretty bright coral/pink easy to swipe on and rush out the door. Scarlett is a beautiful, vibrant red which is quite sheer on application and very moisturising meaning you can achieve a light hint of colour or apply heavily for bold statement lips.

Red Carpet

Scarlett
The last is Sally Hansen 'Baby Pink' an incredibly creamy pretty, light pink which works well with a nude eyeshadow, long lashes and girly pink cheeks.

What's your fave Summery lip products?

Betty Hula

I was recently sent two samples of the Betty Hula Shea Butter Moisturising Cream in Champagne & Spice and Rum & Blackcurrant. If you haven't heard of Betty Hula before they're quite a small company that specialize in making handmade, natural products. The production of these products include no chemicals and all the ingredients are taken from renewable sources, all carefully chosen because they have a benefit to your skin.
The main ingredients used in their moisturisers include Grade A Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E. Although targeted at any skin type, these would be ideal for those with dry or sensitive skin.
Shea Butter is known to help heal burns, sores, scars, dandruff, stretch marks and dermatitis. Aloe Vera is used to repair damaged skin and promote healing as well as act as an anti-inflammatory. Cocoa Butter is used for it's moisturising properties and to help keep skin soft and supple.

The creams are thick in consistency but on contact with your skin they melt like butter and rub in incredibly easily. I found that they absorbed quickly but felt like they left a creamy (non-greasy) layer on the skin leaving it feeling soft and nourished. The things I liked most about these was how rich they are, without a doubt they'd be ideal for anyone needing a boost of moisture and the smells are very unique and linger on the skin longer than most moisturisers I've tried.

'Champagne and Spice' is a very subtle scent with a light hint of spice.
'Rum and Blackcurrant' was by far my favourite. It has a very refreshing fruity scent and you can definitely pick out the light undertones of blackcurrant.
The third scent available on the website is 'Kiwi and Lime' and the other product they have on sale is their 'The Secret' Anti-Ageing Oil.
Another thing to mention is the packaging, I can't show you as I received tester tubs but if you have a look on their website the moisturising creams come in a gorgeous jar, very unique.

Overall I really enjoyed using up the testers I received, the refreshingly different scents set them apart from most others I have tried. The only downside is the price tag, at £14.99 for 120ml they're definitely not the cheapest moisturisers I've come across, although you do receive free shipping. Another thing to take into account is the companies ethics, carefully sourced ingredients, packaging and the fact they're handmade all contribute to the price. In my opinion I'd pick these up if I was looking to splurge and treat myself or as a gift these would be ideal.
Have you tried Betty Hula?

Friday 10 June 2011

MUA

For some reason any time I've passed by the MUA stand in Superdrug I'll have a quick glance at the products on the shelf but never bother to swatch any or have a proper look. The other day I spotted a few MUA bits on another blog and decided to finally pick up a few products for myself, after all at just £1 each you can't really go wrong.
I ended up with two lipsticks, shade 13 and shade 1 and a matte eyeshadow in a pale beige shade. The eyeshadow I'm not going to bother showing as I found it had terrible pigmentation and was really powdery, the lipsticks on the other hand - amazing!

Top - Shade 13, a gorgeous, vibrant red.
Bottom - Shade 1, a deep, cherry red.

To start, the pigmentation is incredible! The lipsticks glide on with ease, leaving you with a slightly glossy finish. I found them both to be moisturising and lasted well, although they do transfer quite a bit as you'd expect with a vibrant colour. As well as getting a decent amount of product, the base of the lipsticks pop off to reveal an extra pot of lippy if you're running low. The only negative thing I have to say about these is that I hate the packaging, they look quite tacky and very minimalist but what do you expect for a pound!

SHADE 13

Have you tried anything from the MUA range?

Monday 6 June 2011

Elf Conditioning Lip Balms


I was recently sent two of the Elf Conditioning Lip Balms, a new addition to the Studio Line these will set you back just £3.50 a pot and come in six different shades! I received 'Nice and Natural' a pink toned, nude shade and 'Mellow Melon' a gorgeous coral, pink.
What E.L.F have to say;
'With the e.l.f. Conditioning Lip Balm, lips get treated to a sheer splash of colour that’s super smooth, velvety soft and non-sticky. Not only are these sheer, natural shades beautiful, they’re also beneficial, with natural ingredients that condition dry, chapped lips including Vitamins A & E. SPF 15 to protect delicate lips against harmful sun damage.
'
What I thought;
The packaging is simplistic and convenient to chuck in your bag on days out, the screw on lids mean there's no chance of making a mess in your handbag! The SPF was an added bonus as I never think about protecting my lips from the Sun, however I didn't find them to be incredibly moisturising. To me, they almost feel like a lipgloss in a pot. They're quite thick in consistency and slightly tacky, so I probably wouldn't use them as a lip conditioner - more so as a hint of colour on hot days out when I want to keep them protected in the Sun!

Left - Mellow Melon. Right - Nice and Natural
http://www.eyeslipsface.co.uk

Saturday 4 June 2011

Smooth, Soft Feet For Summer

During the last few weeks the temperature has really shot up and Summer is fully in swing! This means jumpers and jeans are chucked into drawers to gather dust and are replaced with a closet of light, flowy skirts, shorts, dresses and play suits.
For me, Summer also means more upkeep. Legs need to be hair-free constantly in case an overslept alarm leaves you melting in jeans all day purely because you didn't have time to reach for a razor in the morning, the body needs to be tanned - pasty bits are a nono, a light spray should be carried for days when you need a refresh or your surrounded by sweaty men on public transport and powder needs to be kept in your bag for t-zone touch ups. The one thing I always forget about are feet.

Whether it be gladiator sandals, flip flops, heels or bare feet they'll always be on show over Summer so give them a little extra attention for once!
The Liz Earle Foot Scrub has natural pumice to remove dead skin cells, avocado and wheatgerm oils rich in Vitamin E to help soften your feet and a light scent of peppermint and rosemary oils. I loved that the scent wasn't too over powering, it makes you feel fresh and squeaky clean! The scrub itself is also quick thick in consistency and full of little beads that really give your tootsies a good old exfoliation.

Once you've given your feet a thorough wash, then a good scrub you'll want to moisturise! The Foot Repair moisturiser also has wheat germ oils and
avocado in to help soften as well as Shea Butter to intensely moisturise dry feet. I love the packaging of this, it comes in a tube but with a pump so you can easily dispense the amount of product you want. Hopefully you can see below the consistency is thicker than your average moisturiser but quickly sinks into your skin, leaving behind a light, fresh scent to make you feel completely pampered!

Until the 7th of July you can get both the 100ml Foot Scrub, 100ml Foot Repair Moisturiser, 75ml Foot Spritzer and 5g Superbalm for £25.00 in their 'Sandal Ready Feet' Offer.
Individually the Foot Scrub was £10.45 and the Moisturiser £12.50 :)

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush


Recently a 'quick browse' around Superdrug ended up in me staring at the Maybelline stall swatching every shade of the Dream Touch Blush on my hand. The reason being, these infuriating little pots don't have shade names on them! The tester I originally fell in love with, I have now discovered was 'Peach' a gorgeous coral/peach shade with very subtle shimmer. I managed to pick up the wrong one and ended up with 'Apricot' a light, creamy peach with shimmer.
Originally I was a bit gutted as these do cost £6.49, but once I got home and tried it out I can safely say I'm glad I ended up with the wrong shade. The combination of the product being a cream and having shimmer means it beautifully highlights the face giving you a gorgeous, luminous finish.


This has fast become a Summer Fave and I've also picked one up for my mum as she loved it too! I wouldn't call this a blusher as it barely adds any colour to the skin when blended out, but it makes a gorgeous, dewy Summer glow! Another thing that I love is that it can be layered over powders, creams, tints and it doesn't disrupt what you already have going on. In the past I've tried some awful cream highlighters that make the products underneath vanish leaving a horrible streaky finish!

Left - Swatched heavily.
Right: Blended out.
Due to the lack of shade names (sort this out please Maybelline!) if you wanted this shade you'll have to look for the code '16GN1W' on the front :)
Whats your favourite highlighter for Summer?