Friday 30 October 2015

October Beauty Favourites

This months beauty favourites once again as a few bits I picked up whilst in America. I did pick up some new Bourjois bits which i've been loving a lot as well as a few things i've dug out now that Autumn has fully arrived. 
October Beauty Favourites
October Beauty Favourites
Bourjois Air Mat Foundation (review) - £9.99 - I picked this up at the start of the month and have been loving it ever since. It's a matte foundation that gives great coverage but feels really light on the skin. It applies easily, doesn't feel cakey and lasts all day whilst feeling fresh on the skin. 
Bourjois Aqua Blush (review) - £8.99 - To go with it i've been loving this blush. It's a cream but isn't too pigmented so applies really easy onto the skin. It leaves a fresh, natural amount of colour. This one is in a lovely coral colour which really helps to give the skin a healthy boost. 
October Beauty Favourites
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe - £15.50 - It took me a while to get on the hype of this cult brow product but I finally did and I love it. Taupe is a great cool toned match for my blonde hair. The pencil itself is precise and applies really nicely giving a natural brow look. You could apply more product for a dramatic brow. It lasts all day as well which makes me love it even more. 
October Beauty Favourites
NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee - £5.00 - I don't normally like glosses but this one is pigmented and feels lovely on the lips. It's the perfect pink nude colour that looks great on and lasts a few hours which is good for a gloss without feeling sticky. 
Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in 107 - £5.49 - It's that time of year where I dig out all my berry lip products. This always includes this lipstick. It's matte so lasts really well, isn't drying and is the perfect berry plum shade. It looks best when paired with some knitwear or a chunky scarf. 
October Beauty Favourites
Barry M Nail Paint in Vintage Violet - £2.99 - I cleared out a bunch of my nail polishes recently and whilst doing so rediscovered this beautiful shade. It's very unique, and is an almost grey toned purple shade. It looks so nice on and is perfect for this time of year whilst being a bit different. 


So those are this months beauty favourites. I'm fully in Autumn mode now and so happy it's chunky jumper and thick scarf weather again. What have been some of your beauty favourites this month?

Wednesday 28 October 2015

October Empties!

This month I had a bit of a beauty clear out. I did this in stages and really condensed my collection. I popped a few of the product that were empty or dried up in this month empties a long with the bunch of products i've managed to use up this month. 
October Empties!

October Empties!
Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Cream - This is one of those products that I love but because it is such a big bottle by the end i'm happy to have finished it. It has the classic Soap & Glory scent, feels lovely on the skin and leaves you feeling super clean. It's great value for money as it lasts so long but i'm happy to be using a different scent now. Repurchase? No.
Nivea In Shower Cocoa Body Moisturiser - I love this when i'm taking a quick shower in the morning. The cocoa scent feels very moisturising and has a lovely soothing scent. This type of product is a life saver when you're in a rush. Repurchase? Yes.
Boots Tea Tree Witch Hazel Body Scrub - I sometimes get small bumps on my back and chest and this product really helped with those areas to feel clean and smooth. It's very effective whilst not being too harsh on the skin. Repurchase? Yes. 
October Empties!
Bumble & Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner - I've had these samples for a while and finally finished them. Both made my hair feel clean, thicker but not weighed down. I especially liked the conditioner which felt moisturising as well. They're a bit out of my everyday price range but they were very nice to try. Repurchase? No.
October Empties!
Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm - I mentioned this in last months favourites as I love how soft, nourished and clean it made my skin feel whilst I was away. This small sample lasted a decent amount of time because you don't need a lot of product. I will definitely be considering getting the full size. Repurchase? Maybe.
Clarins Lotus Face Oil Treatment - I was very sad when this came to an end as it had lasted me a really decent amount of time. This oil feels so lovely and light on the skin whilst deeply moisturising. It has a herbal scent which feel extra relaxing when used in the evening. Repurchase? Yes. 
October Empties!
Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat - I've had this base coat twice now and I really do like it. It dries quickly and gives a good base to whatever you put on top. It does go a bit thick tot the end which means I didn't actually finish all of it. Repurchase? No. 
Collection Cream Puff - I love these but sadly they've dried up. They're creams that are matte without being drying. They last really well and both of these are lovely colours. Repurchase? Yes. 
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara - I did really like this when I first started using it even though the brush was bigger that what I would normally go for. It gave nice defined, black lashes without looking clumpy. The only downside is that it dried up quickly. Repurchase? No. 

So those are this months beauty empties. I think this might be a hard month to top as I managed to use up a bunch of great products. Have you used up any of your favourite products this month?

Monday 26 October 2015

Anastasia Brow Wiz - Reviewed!

I love me some brow products and this has to be one that has been on my wishlist for a long time. It has been raved about so much I was so excited to finally give it a try. I was also very happy to see that they had some good matches for blondes which is normally not the case. 
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe
The packaging is very sleek and black which I love. It's also very slim so takes up hardly any space in your makeup bag. On one end of the pencil you have a brush which comes in very useful when prepping and finishing the brows. On the other end is the pencil which has a very fine point which makes it very precise. 
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe
The brow wiz comes in a total of 9 shades which is very impressive for a brow product so you're definitely going to find something that matches you. I have the shade Taupe which is very cool toned and is the shade recommended for blondes. The pencil itself is hard and slightly waxy. Although on the skin it feels hard to work with on the brows it applies very well without putting too much product on which helps to give a natural finish. 
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe
The fine point means you can apply very little product and build up where needed. You can fill in any gaps or just add an all over even colour. Best of all it lasts really well, keeping the colour and style in places all day. When I come to remove my makeup at the end of the day and can still see the product in my brows. 


Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe retails for £15.50.

It's not the cheapest of brow products but if you struggle to find a good colour match I would definitely recommend it. I can see why it has become such a cult favourite for so many people as it really does work. Have you tried any Anastasia brow products?

Saturday 24 October 2015

Sensodyne True White Toothpaste - Reviewed!

Today I have a bit of a different type of review; toothpaste. Not something that I often consider a beauty product but nice white teeth and a bold lip are something that definitely go together. Having clean looking teeth making any lip product look it's best. 
Sensodyne True White Toothpaste
I've had sensitive teeth on and off for a few years. Although it isn't as bad I still get some pain every now and then. This can be caused by hot or cold food or drink which results in a sharp pain. I also want my teeth to look nice and white whilst treating any sensitivity. 
Sensodyne True White Toothpaste
Sensodyne True White Toothpaste* - £7.99 - I really like the packaging of this toothpaste, it looks nice and sleek in my bathroom and is easy to dispense the product. The product itself is white and has a slight minty taste to it. It feels a little more liquidy than some toothpaste but doesn't hurt to use. Best of all it leaves the teeth looking very white and clean, even after the first use. I've had hardly any sensitivity since I started using this as well which definitely means it is doing it's job. 
Sensodyne True White Toothpaste
Sensodyne Coolmint Mouthwash - £4.99* - I have to say i'm not normally the biggest mouthwash fan. I don't like that overpowering mint taste which when I used this for the first time I was happy that it's a subtle mint taste which makes the mouth feel clean and fresh. I love using this especially in the morning as it really helps to wake me up. It is also alcohol free so feels nice and gentle and again seems to help stop my teeth feeling so sensitive. 
Sensodyne True White Toothpaste
Taking care of your teeth may not be the most fun topic but suffering from sensitive teeth can be a real pain and I think these product are great and really help with that whilst being gentle and leaving you with nice white teeth as an added bonus. Do you suffer from sensitive teeth? What are your favourite teeth products?

*This post contains PR samples

Thursday 22 October 2015

The Edit | Plum Lips

Autumn is my favourite times of the year. I love jumpers, candle, hot chocolate and wearing darker lip colours. I discovered plum lips a few years ago and since then i've been obsessed. I think they just suit my pale skin tone really well so today I thought I would share 5 favourites in my collection. 
The Edit | Plum Lips
The Edit | Plum Lips
LIPSTICK:
The Edit | Plum Lips
Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in 107 - I feel like this is a lipstick everyone loves and so do I. It's a matte formula that doesn't feel dry on the lips and is the perfect plum colour. It's affordable too and lasts so well on. I get excited to pull this out every season.
Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Glam Plum Fulham - If you're not a fan of matte lips this is a very similar red toned plum as 107 but is more of a balmy finish. It feels very comfortable on the lips and still lasts really well even though it isn't a matte formula. You can also sheer it out to get a less intense look. 
MAC Rebel - This is another classic and something I picked up last year and got a lot of wear out of it. It's similar to the others but leans more on the purple side. This feels really creamy on the lips and lasts really well. 
BALMS AND CRAYONS:
The Edit | Plum Lips
Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie - This is one I reach for when I want something I little more glossy and moisturising. It's pink toned and pigmented for the lip butters. It doesn't have the longest wear time but it doesn't go patchy and a good one if you have dry lips.
Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Raplumzel - This one is a great option if you don't want something as bold and pigmented but still something plum toned. It's glossy, moisturising and gives a nice sheer plum colour to the lips. This one is very wearable and a great starter for wearing bolder colours on the lips. 
The Edit | Plum Lips
L-R 107, Glam Plum Fulham, Rebel, Raspberry Pie, Raplumzel
I love plum lip colours so much. You definitely don't need all of these but I like to think they're all slightly different. If you looking for affordable bold lips Rimmel are definitely the way to go as they have some great options whilst being very good quality. What are your favourite plum lip products?

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Bourjois Aqua Blush - Reviewed!

When I picked up the new Bourjois foundation there was a 2 for £14 offer in Boots so I decided to give one of the Aqua Blushes a try. I'd seen a lot about them but never got round to trying them. I decided to go for the coral/pink shade since it seemed like the perfect healthy glow shade.
Bourjois Aqua Blush Cocoricorail
Bourjois Aqua Blush Cocoricorail
The packaging is nice and compact. It's simple and the colour of the packaging matches each shade. It has a pump which makes it easy to dispense the product. The formula is really unique. It's a bit of a gel/mousse hybrid which even before you apply it you can feel how lightweight it is. 
Bourjois Aqua Blush Cocoricorail
Bourjois Aqua Blush Cocoricorail
It is designed to leave a sheer, fresh colour whilst being lightweight and long wearing. If you find cream blushes hard to work with I would definitely recommend this as a small amount leaves a very natural, sheer finish and then you can build it up if you want more of a bold look. I put about a pumps worth on my finger and using both my index fingers I blend it on the apples of the cheeks upwards. It's very blendable and easy to apply; you can't really make much of a mistake with it. It feels so refreshing on the skin and looks so natural. It really brightens the cheeks giving a healthy glow. None of the shades are too dark so will give the same sheer, natural glow. 
Bourjois Aqua Blush Cocoricorail
I love this shade as it's the perfect coral, pink shade that would be lovely in the Summer but i've actually been loving it in the colder months to make my skin look less dull. These claim to last 12 hours and I would have to agree. By the end of the day I can still see the colour on the cheeks. 


Bourjois Aqua Blush retail for £8.99.

This has been my go to cheek product recently and as been the only thing I wear. I would recommend checking these out, especially this shade as it is very wearable. Have you tried these Aqua Blushes?

Sunday 18 October 2015

Travel Diary | Washington DC

Later than planned I have the second of my travel posts. A bit after we got back my laptop broke and I haven't been able to get everything off my hard drive; still not sure if it is broken yet. Sadly half of my pictures were on there. On the plus side I still had some New York and all the Washington pictures on my SD card. Hopefully I will be able to share the New York pictures soon but for now here's what we got up to in Washington. 
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC

DAY 1
We arrived in the middle of the afternoon, all a bit exhausted and in need of some coffee. There was a great coffee shop opposite the hotel so we went there then didn't want to waste the day so went to see the White House. It was about 5 blocks from the hotel; about a 10 minute walk. The White House is one of those buildings i've seen in pictures a bunch of time but it was really great to see it in person. It felt a lot bigger and had a lot of security around it. There's a lot of other important buildings around here and we even saw the Segway tour go past. This was something we considered doing but it was so hot we decided to do everything on foot instead. 
DAY 2 
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC
The next day we decided to do some museums. There are so many in Washington it was hard to pick which to do. First we did the Spy Museum which was interesting; lots of things to see so worth the money. That ended up taking most of the morning so after lunch we went to the Air and Space Museum. This might have been one of my favourite parts of the trip. It was free and there were so many planes to see and you could just wonder round at your own speed. Then we grabbed an ice-cream; definitely needed on a hot day and ended back to the hotel. After freshening up we went for food, drinks and relaxed. 
DAY 3
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC
On the next day we decided to visit most of the monuments. Luckily most of them are in the same area so you can walk from each one. We went to the furthest first to the Arlington Memorial. This is where there is the grave of John F Kennedy and the graves of soldiers. It was a breathtaking place and so much bigger than I expected. I didn't take any pictures here out of respect but I would highly recommend going if you can. 
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Then we headed to the Lincoln Memorial which was very impressive and was definitely a busy tourist spot. We then saw the Korean War Memorial which was really unique. Each memorial is completely different which makes it even more interesting to visit them all. Then we saw the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial which was carved out a big piece of stone. This was definitely the most impressive and had parts of his speeches around the outside. 
Travel Diary | Washington DC
Travel Diary | Washington DC
DAY 4
We wanted to spend at least one day relaxing and shopping. We decided to go to Target which was about a 30-40 minute walk. This was actually nice to see the less touristy side of Washington. Target was amazing and we ended up spending a decent amount of time there (beauty shopping definitely happened). We then went back to the hotel, freshened up then went to Macy's and a few other shops. 
DAY 5
The last day we just relaxed, had breakfast and coffee then got ready to go home. We had to be at the airport for about 3 so didn't have too much time to do anything big, plus we were all pretty tired at this point. The weather was amazing for the whole holiday and it only started to rain on the way to the airport. 

Washington DC was so amazing to visit. There's so much to see and if you love history you will have an amazing time. It has a nice relaxed vibe, compared to New York and there's lots of coffee shops and places to eat. I'm now making a list of other places I want to visit in America. I think Chicago or Portland is up there. What are your favourite places to visit in America?

Friday 16 October 2015

Wet n Wild Downtown Browns Eyeshadow Palette - Reviewed!

Wet n Wild shadows were high up on my wishlist the last time I went to America. This time I had kind of forgotten about them until I spotted this beautiful palette on a Target shopping trip. I loved the mix of neutrals and purple tones and so it ended up in my basket. 
Wet n Wild Downtown Browns Eyeshadow Palette
Wet n Wild Downtown Browns Eyeshadow Palette
The packaging isn't the sturdiest which is a bit of a downside. Although saying that i've had my Comfort Zone palette for a good few years now and it's still going strong with all the shadows intact. Each shadow is labelled, browbone, eyelid, crease or accent which helps to show how you can create different looks with the palette. 
Wet n Wild Downtown Browns Eyeshadow Palette
Wet n Wild Downtown Browns Eyeshadow Palette
The shadows are very creamy and pigmented which makes blending them very easy. Even the lighter shades; which have been some of my most used, show up really well on the lids. I love that there is a mix of pink, brown and purple tones. You can add some colour to an eye look whilst it still be neutral. The darkest, almost black shade actually has some purple glitter running through it which translates really well and gives a nice dramatic look.
Wet n Wild Downtown Browns Eyeshadow Palette
Swatches, left side then right side.
All the shades are shimmer shades. None of them have chunky glitter in them which means very little fallout and they feel comfortable to wear. The wear time is also great. I've worn them with and without an eye base of primer, both times they last well. With a primer the colours to appear more vibrant though and look just as good when you are removing it at the end of the day as when you applied them.


I'm always impressed with the amazing quality of these shadows and the price of them is pretty hard to beat. If you can get your hands on this palette I would highly recommend it as the shadows are beautiful and a bit different from your average neutral palette. 




Have you tried this palette? What is your favourite Wet n Wild eyeshadow or palette?

Wednesday 14 October 2015

Best and Worst Primers

I've been slowly trying to have a bit of a beauty clear out. It's definitely a bigger task than I expected but it has made me want to do some collection style posts. Instead of just showing you everything I have I thought I would do a best and worst, starting with primers. I have a lot of primers, some I love and some that don't really do that much.  
Best and Worst Primers
THE BEST:
Best and Worst Primers
Best and Worst Primers
Max Factor Face Finity All Day Primer - £10.99 - I thought I would start with this one as it a great all in one primer. It feels like a serum so isn't trying yet helps to prep the skin, pro long the wear of your base and help with oil control. I think this would work for all skin types really well. 
Rimmel Stay Matte Primer - £5.99 - I've heard some people don't like this but it's one of my favourites. It doesn't really heavy on the skin and really helps to control oil. It's my go to primer for the Summer or a long day as it really helps everything to last that bit longer. 
Bourjois Serum Matte Primer - £10.99 - This is very similar to the Max Factor primer and has the same serum texture. It feels lovely on the skin and a good option for dry skin. It's not as good value for money as the Max Factor one though. 
Best and Worst Primers
No7 Airbrush Away Primer - £16.50 - Onto the more expensive options. This one feels almost like a skincare product. It has a serum texture; my favourite for primers, and makes the skin feel soft and ready for makeup. It does  make your base last longer but there are cheaper options that do the same job. 
Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer - £52.00 - I've wanted to try this for a long time but the price tag put me off. When I got a sample I could see what the hype was all about. You only need a small amount and it makes the skin feel amazing and your base apply better as well as making it last longer. If you can justify the price it's pretty awesome. 
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - £29.00 - A slightly cheaper option; this one feels nice and light on the skin as well and preps the skin. It's smooths and definitely makes everything stay in place longer. The do a few different version and sizes so a good one to give a try, especially if you don't normally like primers. 
THE AVERAGE:
Best and Worst Primers
Rimmel Lasting Finish Primer - £6.99 - I was excited to try this primer when it came out and although it feels nice and light on the skin but I don't think it really does that much. It does stop your foundation looking cakey or going patchy but I don't think it makes it last that much longer. 
Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer - £6.99 - This one I feel the similar way about. It's nice, and I think it does make things last longer but it's not that great for oil control. Personally, as Rimmel primers go I think the Stay Matte is the most effective. 
The Body Shop Instablur Primer - £14.00 - I do enjoy this primer but I only use it in certain areas. It is a silicone based primer which works best to make pores appear less visible. I use this around my nose, t-zone and chin so when you apply your foundation the pores are a lot less noticeable. I don't think it makes my base last any longer but for that purpose it works really well. 
THE WORST:
Best and Worst Primers
Seventeen Stay Time Long Wear Primer - £5.49 - Onto the worst. I was really hoping this one would be perfect for those long hot days where you want your base to look perfect. Sadly it's really hard to work with. It's thick, and almost feels like you're putting glue on your skin. If you can apply it your foundation sticks to it and lasts a long time. It just feels really uncomfortable on the skin and almost impossible to get it to work. 
Benefit That Gal Primer - £22.50 - I'm not the biggest fan of Benefit primers as I find they don't really work for my skin. This one does add a glow to the skin but you might as well go without it as it doesn't make your base last longer or keep oil at bay. There's a lot of better, cheaper primers available.


So those are some of the best and worst primers that i've tried. I would definitely recommend the Max Factor Face Finity Primer and the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer as they're affordable and work really well. What are your favourite primers?