Thursday 21 March 2013

WAKE ME UP!

This foundation has been raved about all over the blogosphere and as I had just ran out of my Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation I decided to give in and buy both the Rimmel Wake me up foundation and concealer.

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Foundation - £8.99 Concealer - £5.49

I have been using these two products for about 3-4 weeks now and I completely understand why everyone is obsessed with this foundation. It has a subtle shimmer running through it which really helps to create the awake and dewy look which is a look that I tend to go for more than the matte look. This is definitely a medium coverage foundation however it could be built up to become more full coverage which is great for when your having a bad skin day and a couple of those pesky spots have cropped up and you can really build it up to help conceal your blemishes. I will most definitely be re-buying this foundation when it runs out as I think it pretty much has everything I am looking for in a foundation!

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 After I have raved so much about the foundation I am now regrettably about to say how I found the concealer a little disappointing as it was not as full coverage as I would hope as it is quite a light concealer which makes  it not great for concealing blemishes, so I suppose I'll just stick to my Collection (previously known as Collection 2000) Lasting Perfection Concealer!





However, even though this concealer is not very good for concealing blemishes I do like to use it for under my eyes, which I have a feeling it may have originally been created for, as I find that it really helps to cover up dark circles. This is because it is quite a brightening concealer therefore it helps to counteract the darkness under my eyes. I wouldn't say that this is the best concealer that I've ever tried and I think that the Collection concealer is a lot more effective for blemishes but I will carry on using it for under my eyes as I think that it really helps. So even though I found the concealer quite disappointing I think that the foundation is well worth checking out!

What's your favourite concealer and foundation?

Tuesday 12 March 2013

LIEBSTER AWARD!

First of all I'd like to thank What Would Audrey Wear for nominating us for the Liebster award! If your unfamiliar to the Liebster award basically it involves a lot of elevens. This award is given to people with under 200 followers, you have to give 11 random facts about yourself as well as answering 11 questions that the person who nominated you asked and then create 11 new questions for the 11 bloggers you will nominate. Told you it was a lot of elevens...



Because there is two of us we decided to split the post into two so that this post didn't go on for years! So we decided that Anya would answer the 11 random facts and Ella would answer the 11 questions! 
So here we go...

11 Random Facts
1. We have a cat called Jasper, he is absolutely adorable and I'm sure everyone would agree that he loves me the most!

2. I am quite picky with food which can get quite annoying for whoever is cooking me supper!

3. I love to sing and I go around Liverpool doing gigs with my two best friends who I also backing sing for.

4. I'm going to see Beyonce in May and I cannot contain my excitement!

5. We all have (meaning me, Ella and our brother) 4 years between us.

6. I'm going on a music tour to Italy with my school in July.

7. I am in year 11 doing my GCSE's and Ella is in her 2nd year of Uni.

8. Our house is the coldest house in the world and I am permanently under some kind of blanket.

9. I have never been to Disneyland.

10. My favourite film when I was younger was Aladdin and I always wanted to be Jasmine (I even had her outfit).

11. I may be a bit too obsessed with make-up meaning that if I get money it is most likely that I will spend it all on make-up, but I may as well!

11 questions

1. Why you began blogging
The reason I began blogging was a new years resolution! I have read blogs for such a long time, I decided it was about time I stopped being so lazy and went about doing it for myself! I've always wanted to but I decided that 2013 is the year I do all the things I wish I had before.

2. Favourite thing you've ever worn
Hmm.. I'm not sure about this one! I think I would have to go with the dress I wore for prom, which was so gorgeous! I am just dying for another opportunity to wear it, but it is a very dressy outfit! 

3. 3 goals you want to achieve this year
Fairly basic ones unfortunately, 1) drink more water! 2) blog, blog, blog! and finally 3) I want to take some major steps in getting experience for my future career

4. Favourite Disney character
Oh god how can I choose? Disney Princess would be Belle. Can i pick an animal? Because in that case it is definitely Ray from Princess and the Frog! 

5. Best thing that's ever happened to you
Oh god, I don't know! 

6. Item that's top of your wishlist right now
I've just watched about 5 mac lipstick youtube videos, and right now all I want is Mac Girl About Town amongst so many others

7. Favourite place in the world
Liverpoooooool. There is no city like my hometown! 

8. Comfort food
Doritos and Guac without a doubt

9. Where/how you met your best friend
We went to the same primary school and that was that!

10. What inspires your style
Tumblr! There is so much inspiration on tumblr if you look for it! 

11. Beauty product you can't live without
Foundation, any foundation. One of these days I will have skin like Anyas... 

11 questions for our nominees 
1. What is your favourite brand(make-up or clothes)?
2. Who is your favourite blogger?
3. What has been your favourite holiday?
4. What is your favourite food?
5. What is your favourite season?
6. What is your favourite film?
7. What is your favourite childhood memory?
8. What would be your dream job?
9. What is your favourite animal?
10. Who is your favourite band/artist?
11. What is your holy grail make-up product?

Our 11 nominees
http://bitsandbeautybobs.blogspot.co.uk/
http://imhoneyy.blogspot.co.uk/
http://101studentbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.ragsoflove.com/
http://rosesrooftop.blogspot.co.uk/
http://sparklewithlaughter.blogspot.co.uk/
http://sarahseebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/
http://thestellarskin.blogspot.co.uk/
http://softwarestostilletoes.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.oohlalondon.com/
http://sophiesophs.blogspot.co.uk

Monday 4 March 2013

REVIEW | TOPSHOP HEAD OVER HEELS BLUSH AND SAINT LIPSTICK

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Lipstick - £8
Cream Blush - £6

I went on a cheeky little shopping spree the other day in Topshop and couldn't help but pick up a few of their makeup selection! After a long time perusing and swatching to my hearts content, I finally landed on their lipstick in 'Saint' and cream blush in 'Head over Heels'.

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Firstly, the lipstick in Saint is one of their nude options, which in large amounts actually completely erases my lips to a point where I look like I swiped foundation all up over there. However, when lightly applied it is a gorgeous nude which a glossy finish, and my particular favourite way to use this lipstick is over the top of a bright lipstick, to bring it down to an every day level. This is a creamy lipstick with a lovely glossy finish, and I adore the way it applies. I will have to purchase more of these in the future! Thank the Lord for student loans eh... 

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I have been on the lookout for a cream blush for a while and I finally decided I might as well get a budget version to start out with! This is a pinky coral colour which looks delicious when swiped on the cheek, and has an almost cream-to-powder finish to it. This is so quick to apply so is super good for those in a rush! I also like to throw this in my bag as a multi-purpose product, as it also looks good on the lips! 


Anyone else tried some Topshop products? Any recommendations? 

Sunday 24 February 2013

REVIEW | MAYBELLINE THE ROCKET VOLUM’ EXPRESS MASCARA

A couple of weeks ago the time had come for me to buy a new mascara after my beloved Maybelline The Falsies had run dry, so I decided to go with the hype and try Maybelline's The Rocket Volum' Express. Believe me this mascara is absolutely worth the hype I fell in love with it instantly!

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£7.99
Normally I don't like plastic brushes as they seem to generally not work as well as fibre brushes however with this mascara It does not seem to bother me as much as I feel like it gives just as good results as a fibre brush maybe even better! The only downside I have found with this brush is that it is quite fat which can make it difficult in getting the really small lashes but I barely notice it so I think if you can get over that fact then you will surely love this mascara as much as I do.

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The main thing that I look for in a mascara is volume that is my main priority, some go for length I personally prefer more volume than length on my lashes, this is why this mascara is perfect for me as you can see it gives a lot of volume and length (which is an added bonus!). I chose to get the waterproof version as for years now I have had the problem of my mascara literally melting off my eyelashes throughout the day which is tremendously annoying! For some crazy reason I never thought to try a waterproof mascara and now I have I am never going back, it stayed on all day and didn't smudge underneath my eyes.

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Without mascara
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With mascara





















What is your favourite mascara? I'd love to try some new ones!

Monday 4 February 2013

REVIEW | LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR DUO AND CLARIFYING LOTION

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Recently, I was early for a train to visit le boyf. This oh so obviously led to a trip into the huge boots in my town. I had been toying with the idea of purchasing Effaclar Duo, as it has been raved about across the blogosphere. I caved. But all is not lost! At my local boots, they had a deal on all the La Roche-Posay Effaclar line, which involved buying two products for only £15. How could I say no! This meant that I simply had to purchase something else, and I settled on the Lotion Astringent Micro-Exfoliant.


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Effaclar Duo - £13

Astringent - £11










I suffer from a lot of hyperpigmentation after I get an outbreak of dreaded spots, and so I really wanted to try the Effaclar Duo to see whether it would help. I am pleased to report that this is truly worth the hype, and I might even consider it a Holy Grail product! It glides on so smoothly onto the skin, and you only need a small blob to cover the entire face. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and smooth and even after only using it for just over a fortnight, it has already improved the state of my skin dramatically! As well as this, it smells delightfully of roses, which i personally love. All I can say about this is that if you are on the fence about this purchase, jump straight off and run to Boots now!

The Astringent claims to “unblock and reduce the appearance of pore size.” I have to admit, I haven’t consciously noticed a difference in the state of my pores, but I haven’t really been paying too much attention to be honest. When applied as a toner, it feels refreshing and cooling and also has the same lovely scent of roses. Again, hardly any product is needed to cover the face, making both these products fantastic value for money.  But I am still not sure about this product. Occasionally, it has left my face stinging after use, and I would therefore not recommend it to anyone with sensitive skin, or who has severe acne. However, for someone who gets the occasional breakout, I would say to give this product a go! I do recommend not to use it every day, morning and night, though as it contains an exfoliant LHA, which may not be so good for your skin if over used!

Friday 1 February 2013

MY NEW LIP OBSESSION!

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Looking through ASOS is always going to burn a hole in your pocket especially when there is a 20% sale and student discount which is bound to draw people in and Ella was one of those people! And because she is a very kind sister she kindly bought me some things, and in that small bundle was the Korres lip balm in quince and I have not stopped using it since I opened the box!

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The smell and taste of this lip butter is to good not to love (well at least in my opinion it is anyway) and unfortunately this means that I can't help but lick it off my lips which is a bit of a problem as if I carry on like this I may end up buying another pot! It is described as 'a buttery lip balm that melts on the lips' and I can't do anything but agree, it is one of those lip balms that when you have it on you can't help but rub your lips together! If you compare it to something like the Body Shop Lip Butters where, if you have tried them you will know, they are so thick that they almost smother your lips this is nothing like that! Even though it is still quite thick it is just thick enough that it feels like it's moisturising your lips, which in these cold months in definitely something you need.

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Korres lip butter - £7


The lip butter leaves a gorgeous natural pink tint to the lips which is absolutely perfect for day to day life where you just want to shove something on that will look nice and keep your lips moisturised. Hence why I keep this on me at all times and it does not leave my bag! I am definitely going to be buying more of these lip balms!

What's your favourite lip balm for this time of year? 

Thursday 31 January 2013

REVIEW | REVE DE MIEL & THIS WORKS TURBO BALM

Nuxe Reve de Miel - £9.50       This Works Turbo Balm - £10

The other day I was perusing the Space NK website with a bank full of student loan, and some accidental purchases were made... Two of these were the Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm, and the This Works Turbo Balm.



 Firstly,  Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm has become a sensation within the blogging world, and I would have to agree! It is a thick textured balm that has a slightly medicinal honey smell to it. It goes on to the lips smoothly although it has a slight grit to it that can also be used to exfoliate. The finish of this balm is very matte, which would make it ideal to use underneath lipsticks. 

 I find this balm ideal to use at night, as it doesn't feel sticky or heavy so is perfect for slapping on and getting to sleep! When  you wake up, your lips are hydrated and softer than anything! I often suffer from chapped and extremely dry lips when it turns to the colder months, and whilst I have only had this for a few days I can officially declare this a holy grail product! 



 The Turbo Balm from This Works has a whole different feel to it, and I would say this would be put to better use when not used as a lip balm. This balm has a much smoother, thinner feel to it, and disappears when applied to the skin. This, in my opinion, would be perfect to throw into your handbag and use on those pesky dry patches that pop up when the weather gets colder.  I have found this to be a life saver for soothing the itching that comes with my dry skin. Due to its small size I think this would be a perfect on the go solution for anyone!

I  hope this helps anyone looking for a lip balm or all over balm, let me know if anyone else has found a 'holy grail' product for them! :)

REVIEW | NARS TORRID BLUSHER

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NARS Torrid - £21
Torrid is described as a 'warm coral with golden shimmer' which I find is very accurate as that is what I would instantly describe it as being (however it is on the pinkier side of coral)! I have ummed and aahed over getting a NARS blusher for so long as they are rather on the pricy side however I thought to myself ‘I have wanted a NARS blusher for so long so I may as well’ and here we are!

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Every blogger and their mum has raved about these blushers, and I must admit I see why there is so much hype around these blushers. This is honestly the one of the best blushers I have ever tried as it is so unbelievably pigmented that you only need to dab your brush in and there's enough (don't go swirling your brush in it as you will end up like a clown!).
This blush is very versatile and can be used for both everyday and more formal occasions and would definitely suit most skin types, the shimmer is very subtle but still noticeable especially under bright light where it gives your cheeks a warm glow. I have been wearing this since the day I got it and I love it! If you are looking into getting a NARS blusher I would definitely recommend this one as it gives your cheeks a beautiful natural glow!
What is your favourite blusher? NARS or not, let me know!

Monday 7 January 2013

WHAT IS IN MY MAKE-UP BAG?

Dr Jart+ - BB Cream
Rimmel - Stay Matte powder
EOS - Lipbalm in Lemon drop
Maybelline -The Falsies flared mascara
Nars - Bronzer in Laguna
Rimmel - Blusher in 010 Santa rose
MAC - Rubenesque Paint pot
MAC - Eyeshadow in Woodwinked
MAC - Eyeshadow in Naked lunch 
Yves Saint Lauren - Lipstick in 09

























The contents of my make-up bag varies a lot (and I mean a lot) from season to season, from month to month. This mainly depends on what is in fashion at that time, what goes with what outfit and the most likely reason for products to be swapped in and out of my make-up bag is my annoying indecisiveness with what I like and don't like at one time. 
From day to day these are the four products I generally wear as a base (occasionally excluding the bronzer) as they together create quite a natural look which is the look that I prefer to wear as you will most likely be able to tell by my extremely adventurous eye shadows (ish...).
The one thing that is repeatedly switched in and out of my make-up bag is my many lip products whether it be a lipstick, a lip gloss or just a plain old lip balm, I can never seem to make my mind up! However for the moment I have been loving my YSL lipstick in 09 over the top of my EOS lip balm my lips moisturised, whilst the lip stick supplies pretty much the only colour to my everyday make-up and it is perfect for this time of year!

These are the products I keep in my everyday make-up bag, but knowing me ill have to do another one pretty soon as the contents of this bag are most definitely going to be swapped with another product at some point! :)