Empties #4

Every time I've finished something up I've just been shoving it in the bottom drawer of my bedside table and I didn't quite realise how much I'd actually collected up until I emptied it all out so here is my well overdue empties post and I've finally got my bottom drawer back!

Hair

Elnett Heat Styling Spray 

I don't quite know why I haven't repurchased this because I really enjoyed using it, it's a heat protection spray with volumising qualities that are meant to last for three days and it really did work, my hair was so much more voluminous after I'd dried it.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray

I am currently waiting for a new one of these to arrive because I can't live without it in the summer! This is the best salt spray that I've ever used, I spray it on damp hair and then let it dry naturally, giving it a bit of a scrunch to encourage waves and it leaves such a lovely undone beachy look. 

L'oreal Paris Studio Line Texturising Spray

This can get quite sticky so it's best to use for updo's because if you wear your hair down it tends to look a bit greasy and feel matted up. I did really like this but it would be better if it was a little bit lighter like the Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Spray.

Ojon Instant Restorative Hair Serum

I really wanted to like this but I didn't, it smelt awful and It was really heavy on my hair and I found it to tangle my hair up and make it a nightmare to brush.

Aussie Three Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner

You can't get anymore convenient than three minutes on and then silky soft hair! This was lovely to use and left my hair in a brushable state which is a miracle.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray

I can see why this is so popular, it made my hair look visibly fuller without making it crusty or greasy looking.

Skincare

Origins Never A Dull Moment Face Polish

This is a really gentle exfoliater that I probably didn't use as consistently as I should have but whenever I did use it my face felt clean and soft.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

I think there's been one of these in every empties post that I've done and it needs no explanation! It is a holy grail product like everyone says and there's no doubt I'll be getting a new one at some point.

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion

I took this on holiday with me because the sun really dries out my skin and the last thing I want is a peeling nose! It kept me moisturized and I don't think I got one patch of flakiness or even a tight face when I'd been out sunbathing.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial Oil

I got this when I'd had a really bad breakout on my chin and I couldn't shift the red marks that were left and this really, really helped clear it all up. I'd definitely buy it again if I needed some marks fading and apparently it's good for stretchmarks as well.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

I LOVE THIS PERFUME!!!!! I'm on my second bottle of this and I will rebuy it every Summer that it carries on being released. It's coconutty perfection and I live in it!

The Body Shop Camomile Eye Make up Remover

I love black eyeliner and lashings of mascara so I need all the help I can get removing it at the end of the day. This is so gentle and really does the job, I've just bought another one as well so it must be good!

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spray

I completely forgot about this (that's how long these empties have been collecting up) and I had good intentions to repurchase but never got round to it and now how much I enjoyed using this is all flooding back! It's perfect for this weather because it's so refreshing and left a lovely glow.

Lush Snow Fairy

Do I even need to elaborate on this?! This Christmas I'm going to be stocking up on these bad boys, it's my favourite Lush time of year!

Origins Ginzing Moisturizer

Hands down the best day moisturizer that I've used in a long, long time and I really need to get a new one of these because I really miss using it and it should have lasted longer but a certain boy took a liking to it...

Face

Benefit The Porefessional Primer

This served me well on holiday and kept my makeup in place in the heat and I also found that it is quite matte so saved me from being an oily mess! I wouldn't repurchase this full size as there are primers you can get in Boots that are just as good but it was nice to revisit!

Topshop Glow in Polish

I cannot rave about this enough, it's my holy grail highlighter and I've repurchased this as well as back ups because it has the habit of disappearing for months at a time and I can't be without it, my glowing face relies on this little pot of magic!

NARS Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc

Another one of my holy grail face products that I always repurchase and have even got another shade for when I'm looking a bit less pale which I've never done before! It's the perfect coverage for me and I love the radiant finish.

Maybelline Concealer

It's such a shame that this exploded because I was loving the fomula, coverage and spongey applicator but the twist to dispense product has put me off buying it again because it wasted no end of product and was really messy.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and Serum Foundation

I didn't even realize I had two types of this until I had them side by side to take the pictures! This is my favourite drug store foundation and the most similar to NARS sheer glow with a lovely finish and medium coverage and if I'm short on pennies and NARS is out of reach that month this is always what I'd go for.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Powder

This is a nice natural powder that is really light and not cakey at all, I would definitely reccomend this if you're in the market for something new.

YSL Touche Eclat

I really do love this but it doesn't last very long so I can only get them on special occasions because of the price but it really is the daddy of all clicky pen highlighters and can hide a night of partying no problem!

Eyes

Benefit Fake Up Concealer

This isn't for your eyes but it somehow managed to sneak in with all the eye products! This is a brilliant product and it is as moisturizing as it makes out and more I found when it used to transfer my bottom lash mascara all under my eyes but a bit of setting powder soon sorted that out and it's just the price that puts me off again as there are so many drugstore brands that do under eye concealers just as good and half the price.

L'Oreal Falsh Lash Telescopic, Million Lashes & Miss Manga Mascaras

L'Oreal is my brand of choice when it comes to my eyelashes and I've tried every high end brand going for a mascara that I deem worthy and none of them come close to how thick, long and fluttery my lashes are especially with Million Lashes. Miss Manga I wasn't so keen on and it only really took to my bottom lashes so I wouldn't bother with that again but the others are a welcome addition to my makeup bag!

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner

This would be my liquid liner of choice if it didn't dry up so quickly. It stays put and stays dark when it's new but I've found that even a week after starting to use it it's going grey and is hard to apply. I don't know if it's because I've been using the mini version but I just wish it lasted longer.

L'Oreal Superliner

Now this is my liner of choice, can't you tell?! It lasts forever and is still as black as the first time that you used it, the tip is the perfect shape for getting a good flick on the go and it lasts all day or night long.

ELF Eyeshadow Primer

If you want crease free, long lasting eyeshadow and still get change from a fiver then this is what you're after. Because of the price I didn't have the highest of hopes despite reading some rave reviews but I was wrong and it is as good as everyone says!

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Midweek Wish List #22

1-2-3-4

1. I got a tiny little sample of Strobe Cream with a MAC order I placed and have fallen in love with it! I've been using it as a primer and it gives the perfect radiant base. You can also mix it with foundation for that glow from within kind of look or simply use it as a highlighter.

2. The Illamasqua Summer collection looks absolutely amazing, I dread to think the damage that is going to be done to my bank account. The collection was launched today and I've got my eye on a velvet blusher to add to my ever growing Illamasqua blusher collection (they do them so well!) and all of the new matte lip liquid shades but I might have to limit myself!

3. As if this wish list didn't have enough lip and cheek products on it here's one more! YSL have brought out a product that's made to be used both on your lips and cheeks and the shade range is amazing. With these multi use products and especially the ones that are made for cheeks I usually only tend to use it on my cheeks but because this has a doe foot applicator I think I'd be more inclined to shove it in my bag as a lip product which means I have no excuse to not get one as price per wear has just halved!

4. For my Birthday I went to Selfridges in Birmingham wanting to come home with a beautiful new purse because mine is years old and getting a bit tatty looking, I looked high and low and with the exception of falling in love with a Mulberry purse that was far too expensive I couldn't find anything and then I stumbled across this little beauty when I'd stopped looking for a purse - sods law isn't it?! I love stripes, I especially love blue stripes and I love gold hardware so this is just perfect!

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My Top 5 Autumn/Winter Nail Picks

Autumn calls for revisiting the vampy nail colours that haven't seen the light of day for a good few months and leaving the pastels and neons to gather dust until the sun shows it's face again! I'm finding it harder than most to ditch the brights but now I've had a rummage in my collection and have rediscovered these beauties it's getting that little bit easier to move on!

Topshop Stolen Sapphires

This was my first ever Topshop nail varnish and it may (meaning definitely has) have sparked a bit of a love affair with these polka dot capped lovelies. This is a really unique colour, it's a striking deep blue with a hint of purple thrown in, it takes a couple of coats to make it opaque but other than that goes on smoothly.

YSL Jade Imperial

Another first for me is this YSL nail varnish in Jade Imperial and I now realise why these are so pricey - the formula is pure perfection. One coat is all you need, it goes on smoothly, the colour isn't washed out or streaky and you'll be using your hands again in no time because the drying time is amazing! I really didn't want to fall in love with this like I have because the price tag makes my purse cry.

Ciate Fade To Greige 

I overlooked this colour when I got it in my Mini Mani Month calendar last year and it wasn't until I dug it out and got so many compliments on the colour that I realised how pretty it was. Fade to Greige is confusing, is it mauve? is it grey? is it taupe? I don't have a clue but it looks gorgeous on so I'll live with the confusion! I've only ever owned these tiny little Ciate Paint Pots so I don't know if it's specific to them but I find the wear time is not so good, even with a base coat and top coat after just a day or two of wear they start looking messy.

Barry M Grey

Barry M has had a bit of an overhaul of late and this is a few years old now so I'm guessing the formula has been improved. Barry M have all the shades under the sun but sometimes the formula can let it down and be a bit too thick, but for the price who am I to complain?! I really like a grey nail, it's a more subtle variation of black and compliments paler winter skin.

Ciate Dangerous Affair

You can't let the cold months go by without an obligatory blood red nail! I have the same issues with the wear time of this as I do with Fade to Greige but in its unchipped days it is really nice. This went on a little streaky so it took an extra coat to get it looking even.

What have you been wearing on your nails now that Autumn is officially here?

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Empties #3 | Repurchase?

Since I've moved out I've been trying to make an effort to actually finish products rather than start using them and then buy something new so abandon them and repeat - it's a viscous circle and this house isn't big enough to contain all my half full beauty products!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
I really do get through my fair share of these which is unfortunate as they're a little on the pricey side but in my opinion completely worth it. I don't think this little gold pen needs explaining but just in case you're not sure it's meant to add some radiance to your skin and adds light to wherever you apply. I really can notice when I've skipped this step in my make up regime.
Repurchase? There's a new one in my make up bag as I type this!

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effect Faux Cils Mascara
I'd used this once before and never got along with it so when I received this in a gift set at Christmas I was a bit dubious but wanted to give it another go and then I left it gathering dust in a drawer until I came across it again a couple of months ago and I still don't get on with it. I don't know what it is that I don't like but it just doesn't give my eyelashes that oomph that I want!
Repurchase? I gave it a second chance but I am afraid that is was Faux Cils last!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish
I am pretty sure that you're all very familiar with Cleanse and Polish! It's basically a holy grail hot cloth cleanser that gets rid of all that grime that gets stuck to your face during our busy days and I really do see such a difference in my skin when I use it religiously, it's so clear and a lot brighter.
Repurchase? Already done!

Nip+Fab Pistachio Sundae
I am heartbroken, I've just gone to link this up and do a little restock because I really do love this body butter so much and it's been discontinued?!?! Say what?!?!?! Nip+Fab did you actually use this and smell how gorgeous it is and feel how smooth you were left no matter how scaley you were?? Obviously not or this would still be available to buy, boohoo!!!
Repurchase? I definitely would if I could but for some inexplicable reason this has been discontinued!

Origins Make A Difference Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk
I can never get all of my make up off, especially eye make up but when I wash my face with this it feels squeaky clean because it melts away all dirt and unwanted panda eyes. I did enjoy using this but I didn't notice that much of a difference to my skin but maybe that's because I never persevered with it enough.
Repurchase? Not at the moment but I would be happy to receive it in a beauty box and give it another go.

Bioderma Sensibo h20
Another product that needs no introduction! I love Bioderma and so does my skin - it's amazing for when you want to get every little trace of slap off and it's so gentle around the eyes that you can really get in there and remove those stubborn bits of mascara and eyeliner.
Repurchase? Hell yeah and I've upgraded from the 250ml to the 500ml!

Tresemme Platinum Strength Shot
I can't even tell you how many of these that I've got through since Glossybox introduced me to these little shots of wonder! I can have the most unruly mane known to man but 60 seconds of this on the mid lengths to the ends of my hair and I can actually get a brush through it. I love this stuff!!
Repurchase? I already have a little stash to make my way through.

Origins Make a Difference Skin Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion 
I really like to use this at the end of the day if my skin is feeling extra grimy to try and give it a little bit more life. It's meant for dry skin and really does help to hydrate it.
Repurchase? Not right now as my skin is more oily than dry at the moment but I'll keep it in mind if the winter dries me out!

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush
If you want super soft skin then this is what you need in your life! It's amazing for getting rid of that last little bit of fake tan that won't budge and I used it on my legs after shaving them to get rid of those pesky ingrown hairs!
Repurchase? I definitely wouldn't turn my nose up at it next time there's a 3 for 2 on.

Vaseline Active Fresh Deodorant 
Don't get me wrong, this does what it says on the tin but I absolutely hate this stuff and only got it because it was on offer! I can't stand the smell of this, I don't know what it is about it that just makes me feel sick, I think I'd rather ditch the deo and embrace the smell than smell of this, I hate it!!
Repurchase? No way.

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Shampoo & Conditioner
When I started using this I really did like it, it made my hair soft and shiny and for the first few weeks there was a bit of lift that wasn't there before but I don't know if my hair just builds up a defence against it because it seems to happen with all the shampoos I use - to start with I'm amazed and then just nothing!
Repurchase? If they were on offer in Boots in the future I probably would give them another whirl.

Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle
I definitely need all the help that I can get in the hair detangling stakes and this worked really way plus it protects from heat, safeguards colour, adds shine and conditions, a lot of little bonuses there! I really like using this and was sad when it ran out especially for it's lovely sweetie-esque smell that was right up my street!
Repurchase? I probably would do but even just looking for a link to this product has proved impossible so I think I'll stick with things that are more easily available for me to get my hands on!

Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara
I haven't even used this all up but I just needed to get rid of it! It left my lashes clumpy, there was no extra length and it just ended up all flaked down my face. I don't know what it is with me and mascara, my eyelashes seem to be very picky!
Repurchase? Nope!!

So there you have it, everything that I've managed to get through in the past few months and now I have a very empty bottom bedside drawer ready for me to fill it up with empties again!

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London Haul!

I'm home and considerably poorer thanks to Oxford Street! I had a really nice few days shopping and seeing a few sights. I didn't actually realise how much of a country bumpkin I was until I saw how London operated, it's manically busy all the time and everyone is rushing everywhere, Joel embraced the chaos but I have to say that it blew my mind and don't even get me started on the tube, I can't even handle the 127 bus! I loved London for a couple of days but I'm glad to be home, my bank account could not handle me being there any longer. An empty bank account must be accompanied by a haul so without further ado here is what I spent my pennies on!

Oxford Street Primark is the daddy of all Primarks - overwhelming is not the word! I was determined to come out with something to make the visit worth the torture that I was putting Joel through dragging him around his least favourite shop. It was so big and busy that it was hard to have a proper look so I didn't come away with much but I got a few bits! I fell in love with this grey marl effect dress as soon as I saw it, like an idiot I cut the arms out of the picture but they're a kind of pleather material like the detail on the neck, perfect for the coming months with tights, ankle boots and under a big winter coat. This red flowery shirt is something I grabbed last minute so I could wear it out that night for dinner, I love the print and it's a really flattering cut - the sleeves are short but it would still look nice under jumpers in the winter. Some obligatory Primark pyjamas came home with me, it's actually a onesie and it's got rabbits in glasses on, come on who can resist the cuteness?! A couple of other cute things I couldn't leave behind, some cat print slippers and an I love dogs coffee cup thing as well as a tanning mitt because mine fell apart the night before we left!

I was really excited to go to Forever 21, the last time that I'd been to an actual shop and not bought online from them was about 5 years ago in Florida! I picked up the brightest thing I could find which was this jumper, it is literally eye searingly neon and I've wanted something like this ever since I missed out on the neon jumpers from Topshop a year or so ago, my jumper collection finally feels complete! I also picked up this really cute cat face pouch, I always use Birchbox bags to put bits in but now I can use this and I could even use it as a clutch next time I've got a plain outfit that needs a bit of something to liven it up. I could literally live in Oxford Street Topshop, it's never ending! This Striped Breton top is the only clothing I bought from Topshop (make up is another matter, keep on reading!) I really love this top, it's so easy to wear and I really think that I'll live in it. Topshop have some beautiful coats in at the minute which I spent a while looking at but walked away empty handed as I'd already spent enough!! 

Can anyone guess what my favourite smell is?! The Victoria's Secret shop is floor after floor of beautiful lingerie, amazing scents and pictures of perfect bodied VS angels. I'm so happy that I've finally got my hands on some body mists and a couple of extras that I didn't know I'd come out with but their offers were too good to not take up and it ended up that this little lot only set me back £30 which is really good when you think they're all £11 each! I've stocked up on everything Coconut Passion which I can't get enough of, it's the kind of scent I love sweet, coconutty with a hint of vanilla but poor old Strawberries and Champagne has been neglected so I need to give that a whirl when I'm not smothered in coconut!

YSL Corail Intuitive, MAC Dangerous, Topshop Brighton Rock, MAC Runway Hit, MAC What a Blast! lip liner

MAC Bare Study, Topshop Crescent Moon, MAC Lets Skate, Topshop Glow in Polished

As soon as Joel put the idea of London in my head I had the longest beauty wish list so thank god for overtime, I moaned like hell at the time but I'm not moaning now! Our first beauty pit stop was John Lewis where I had £75 of vouchers burning a hole in my Mulberry, we've had these since we moved in from some Sky recommendation promotion and were going to put them towards an iPad but Joel very kindly let me turn them into YSL and Origins instead!

I went straight to the YSL counter because I needed a new Touche Eclat and if I got distracted those vouchers would be long gone before I even caught a glimpse of gold packaging and as well as that I came away with Corail Intuitive lipstick which I wasn't intending on getting but I'd had my eye on it for a while so when the man at the counter swatched it for me it didn't take much persuading to get me to the till (Where I was stood behind Stella off Corrie!). I also got the Ginzing Moisturiser with the vouchers which I haven't tried yet but if it's anything like the eye cream I'm going to love it!

In Topshop I finally got my grubby little mitts on a few things that I've wanted for so long but they disappeared online and in the shops I'd visited so I was beginning to think they'd been discontinued but no, Oxford Street worked its magic and here they are - Crescent Moon powder highlighter, Glow cream highlighter in Polished and Brighton Rock lipstick.

Finally I made my way to Selfridges with MAC in mind but there was no way in hell I was going to to get served by anyone as it was so busy so I resigned myself to just having a look around until a few floors up Ta da! There was another MAC counter that I had all to myself - hallelujah!! I got served straight away by a really lovely girl and didn't end up coming away with anything on my wish list but I got a new Retro Matte lipstick in Dangerous which is somewhere between Lady Danger and Ruby Woo and as they were the two I was trying to choose between I got the best of both worlds and a lip liner in What a Blast! which is exactly what I've been looking for to pair with all my corals. I cheated a little bit and added in the two paint pots in Bare Study and Lets Skate and another Retro Matte lipstick in Runway Hit because I didn't actually buy them in London (I'm too impatient!) but the Postman had been and they were waiting for me when I got home.

I have literally gone on and on, someone shut me up!! If you've stuck with this post until this point then I'm about to set you free - if there's anything that you want me to review sooner rather than later then please let me know and I'll get on it!

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Midweek London Wish List!

By the time this post goes up I shall be swanning around London, Starbucks in hand, laden down with shopping bags with an empty bank account! We all do it - whether you're going to London or somewhere you know there's going to be a Sephora - those mental wish lists just keep growing and growing. I live in the middle of nowhere, it's a tiny little village in Leicestershire where the new Asda is the most exciting thing going on here so if I want a MAC fix or even a Boots I need to get myself into Nottingham or Leicester. The thought of Oxford street is already getting my heart racing!

I've seen enough blog posts about the new MAC pro store in Covent Garden so I definitely want to stop by and see how beautiful it is and it would be rude to talk out empty handed! I've been looking for a lip liner to go with Morange and a few other coral lipsticks that I've got and after a little googling Lasting Sensation looks like the most recommended. I will happily admit it, I'm weak, I can't leave a MAC counter without buying a lipstick and I've got three on my wish list at the minute. Sweet and Sour is sold out everywhere and I've never had such painful skippers remorse, I NEED THIS!! I read that the new Pro store had the All About Orange collection stocked when it first opened and I know it's a long shot but maybe there's still one that got forgotten about and can come home with me?! I want to start getting a bit bolder with my lips and moving away from peachy shades and that's when Lady Danger and Ruby Woo finally got my attention. I don't think I've ever seen a MAC lipstick collection post without either of these so I definitely feel like I'm missing out, how will I choose between them?! I don't own any MAC Paint Pots but I've got my eye on two after seeing swatches and a couple of reviews - Bare Study is my usual neutral base colour and Lets Skate is a really unique glittery pink.

Moving away from MAC and something that I wouldn't be able to get my hands on unless I ebayed them are the Victorias Secrets Body Mists, I've wanted these for so long, so hopefully I come back smelling all coconutty! There's a couple of Topshop highlighters that I'm hoping Oxford Street will deliver for me because they seem to have fallen off the edge of the earth, boo! I need to stock up on Touche Eclat as well and try not to get distracted by the lipsticks begging me to take them home and another thing I need is a day moisturiser, I don't think I've ever seen a bad review about Ginzing so I really want to give it a go and see if it can make me look awake in the mornings! And last on my list is the Real Techniques Beauty Blender, I've never used a sponge before so if I get my hands on it this should be interesting! 

I really need to go and finish packing and getting ready now, London here I come!

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Empties #2 | Repurchase?

Yes, it really has taken me this long to accumulate enough empty products for a half decent post (my last empties post was way back at the beginning of March!) There would be more than this if I could get into the hoarder frame of mind more easily but unfortunately they ended up in the bin, must try harder! So this is what I've got through in the last few months...

Tresemme Salon Finish Extra Hold Hairspray

I got this travel size hairspray in a Glossybox a while back and Tresemme are more often than not the hairspray I pick up anyway. It's got a good hold and doesn't leave you with crispy, sticky hair. The full sized cans also last for ages which makes them well worth what you pay for them

Repurchase? Definitely!

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage (Full review here)

I have never been so sad to see a primer run out, I absolutely love this stuff! It gives you such a glowing complexion, I would have re-bought this the second it stopped pumping if I wasn't trying to kerb my spending ways and also waiting to try out the new Benefit primer. I have no doubt that we'll be reunited before the summer is out though!

Repurchase? Hell yeah, 100% will be buying this again at some point!

Lancome Hypnose Star

My name is Jade Hardy and I am a mascara hussy. I swap from brand to brand, thickening to lengthening and although I really liked this mascara I'm still on the hunt for the one that will make me stay faithful. This lengthened and separated but dried out so quickly and I didn't use it any differently than I do other mascaras that have lasted twice the time this one did.

Repurchase? I probably wouldn't repurchase the Star version of this again but Doll Eyes is definitely next on my list.

NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Carpates (Full review here)

This was a nice fluid black eyeliner pen with staying power that I'd never seen in a product like this before but application proved quite difficult with patchiness and rubbing off the black if you drew over an existing line, it definitely wasn't effortless.

Repurchase? £19.00 is far too much for me to spend on an eyeliner pen seeing as I get through them like water. There's drugstore brands that do just as good a job (if not better) for a fraction of that price.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat

This product is an every day staple for me, it's so easy to dispense and apply. As soon as it's on my face my whole complexion is brightened. Late night, what late night?!

Repurchase? This wasn't my first and I'm already on my next!

Benefit They're Real!

The first time I tried this was when I took a travel size version to Ibiza with me last summer but I was disappointed and blamed it on the hot weather making my make up fall off my face at every opportunity but unfortunately when I got to try this again in the depths of winter I still felt the same, am I the only person who doesn't get along with this?! It's a nice enough mascara and I love the brush, the way it's shaped makes applying to bottom lashes a dream but I really wasn't wowed.

Repurchase? I wouldn't go out of my way to use this again, I'm still on the hunt for my holy grail mascara.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation (12-Beige Rose)

I had a few issues with this highlighting the tiniest bit of dry skin on my face and making it look a lot worse instead of covering it. I found the finish to be quite matte and the coverage was buildable. The scent was a little strong at first but nothing that you don't get used too and it could feel a bit suffocating on the skin at times but it was a very even coverage and soon disguised any blemishes or signs of uneven skintone.

Repurchase? I may well do in the future but I'll try a few other brands and types before I revisit.

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Monthly Favourites | April 2013

Well it's that time of the month again, the one where we all wonder where the hell this year is going! At least it's heading in the direction of lighter nights and warmer days.

This month has been full of Birthday celebrations, illness and a hell of a lot of overtime so I don't think I would have managed to looked human without the help of Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat and I don't know if you can see very well but I got my hands on the limited edition collectors packaging which is covered in what looks like water droplets and was inspired by a crystal covered couture gown from the 1960's. Another thing that I couldn't have hid my sleepless nights without was Benefit Fake Up I've got a more thorough review of this to come in due course but just let me say, love, love, LOVE, goodbye creased concealer forever! I've finally joined the Bioderma club and I couldn't have caved at a better time because this month my make up has been on a lot longer than I should probably admit... I haven't seen any major difference in the condition of my skin since I've started using it but I'm just thankful for something that removes my make up so easily and leaves my face so squeaky clean. I don't know about you but I can't go on a night out without a bit of colour so when my friends got me this SiennaX Self Tan for my birthday I couldn't wait to bronze myself up! I would say that calling this dark tan is a bit misleading, after one application it was a nice golden colour but it's definitely buildable. Also, a word of warning, if you want to slap some of this on and pop down to the shops, the guide colour is very (very, very, VERY) dark, I was quite worried when I first woke up and saw myself but most of it does come off in the shower, phew!! I seriously don't know how I applied my make up before the Real Techniques Stippling Brush came into my life, my base has never looked so flawless, it's also opened a whole world of cream blush to me as I never quite got the hang of applying them but I don't think this brush could possibly make anything not look perfect. MAC Partial to Pink Cremesheen Lipglass has not been far from my lips this April, I really don't like lipgloss but I really do love this, it's not thick or sticky and it's effortless to apply with a lovely natural colour and shine. As you might have seen in my Birthday haul I have finally been reunited with my beloved Enrapture Totem Styler which has taken the toll on my poor hair so this Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash is a god send, it's gentle and minimises damages as you don't need to pull the brush through so roughly, also it's brilliant at making sure that your conditioner is coating every single strand of hair on that pretty little head of yours!

What have you not been able to live without this month?

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Birthday Haul and Celebrations!

 

 

My Birthday seems like a long distant memory now and this post was de-railed by the arrival of this months wonderful Glossybox but better late than never right?! I was a very lucky and spoilt girl this birthday and by the looks of it most people turned to my wishlists for gift inspiration! The Bioderma was actually a gift from me, to me but I had to sneak it in here somewhere. My mum got me a couple of things from Origins (Never a Dull Moment and VitaZing) and the box it all came in was a like a lucky dip, pulling out sample after sample, I was loving it! Along with my full size items I also got samples of Modern Friction, Ginzing, Brighter by Nature, A Perfect World moisturiser, a sachet of Mega-Bright and a deluxe sample of Checks and Balances, phew, What a list! I think that Origins usually have some good offers on receiving samples if you buy a certain product or spend a certain amount so it might be worth signing up to their emails as I get all the sample know how to my inbox. I also got some MAC, Benefit and YSL goodies along with a few Real Techniques brushes. My best friend was making sure that I'm BBQ ready with wine glasses and a cocktail jug and thank god for Joel's mum and dad replacing my Enrapture styler because my hair needed its oomph back! My lovely Joel was obviously fed up of me moaning about my knotty hair and dropping my phone as I am now the owner of a shower Tangle Teezer and the most beautiful Mulberry phone case but now I'm going to wave goodbye to any shred of social life I have because Gossip Girl season 6 awaits!! 

Enough with the presents and on with the celebrations! Unfortunately I felt horrendous because I'd caught a stupid cold but with that aside I started the day with a champagne breakfast, a bit of a Boots browse, then my best friend Beth came over to bully me into drinking blackberry vinegar (Absolutely FOUL!!!) and then another one of my lovely friends held a little bit of a tea party for me with cakes and one my favourite dinners (lasagne, chips and garlic bread, yummy) and an early night for the germ riddled Birthday Girl! I got the chance to put all my new make up to the test for a Saturday night round Loughborough (My outfit of the night is up here) and spent Sunday not feeling my best on the sofa wrapped up in a blanket watching Gossip Girl. So that's it for 2012's birthday - champagne, cake, a hangover and another year older!!

If your birthday is coming up soon, what's on your wishlist?

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Midweek Wish List #6

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1. I've never had a YSL nail varnish before and this needs to be my first. Not only is it practically named after me but it's such a unique colour, exactly what my collection needs!

2. I'm on the look out for my go to spring lip colour and Costa Chic looks like the perfect coral shade that I can wear during the day.

3. I've been dying to try a NARS Multiple for ages now and I'm torn between a couple of shades. I'm really loving glowy, highlighted skin at the minute and in the swatches I've seen it makes skin look gorgeous!

4. I'm such a sucker for anything with a little tree on it that is this shade of pink, I've literally had my iPhone for a few weeks and I've already scratched the screen (I am so clumsy and hadn't had chance to put a screen protector on yet boohoo) so I think that this is pretty much a necessity, don't you?!

5. I've been cursed with the eyesight of a mole and I think that it's only fair that I have a fabulous pair of glasses to compensate for that. If they're good enough for Katy Perry (see here) then they are more than good enough for me!