L'oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes

I got this mascara in one of those free gifts you get at boots when you spend over £15, I didn't think much of it at the time as usually these mascaras aren't very good. However, this mascara has grown to be my favourite mascara, it makes my lashes look long and voluminous and like I am wearing fake eyelashes. This mascara also holds the curl in my eyelashes as not many mascaras do this in my eyelashes as they are naturally so straight. 

I really love the brush on this mascara, plastic bristles are my favourite type as I find they really grip the lashes and coat all the really short lashes making your lashes look so full. The formula of this mascara is also amazing, it isn't really dry and is fairly easy to get off but doesn't smudge when it rains. I think I actually prefer this mascara to my L'oreal telescopic even though that seems to be more popular in the blogging world. I definately reccomend you try this if you like big lashes, L'oreal is soon becoming my favourite brand for mascara!

Buy it here for £10.99: http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-Volume-Million-Lashes-mascara_1048297/ 

Love,

Em x

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

 

The Rimmel Stay Matte Powder is by far the best powder I have ever tried. It keeps my skin shine free all day without making it look too matte and cakey. You literally need the tiniest bit of this powder and it keeps your skin matte all day, I only use it through the centre of my face as this is where I get oily but it still keeps my skin looking nice and glowy and not like I am wearing powder at all. 

At only £3.99 it is amazing value for the product which you get, I have had mine for over 6 months now and I have only just hit pan when I use it every day. This powder provides a little bit more coverage but its not like a whole powder foundation, it just sets the make up you have already put on or keeps your skin matte. 

Buy it here: http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Stay-Matte-Pressed-Powder_1015573/

Love,

Em x

L'oreal True Match Touche Magique Concealer

The L'oreal Touche Magique concealer seems to be another one of them hyped up products around the blogging world so I thought I would try it out for myself. I bought the lightest shade in this concealer which is a very salmony colour to cancel out bluey tones under my eyes. The colour is perfect and cancels out most of the darkness but can sometimes make it look too light and not natural, however, if you use a regular concealer over the top of it it looks fine (I have really dark under eyes though). 

The formula of this concealer is different to any other I have tried, it's so light but so pigmented and feels so smooth under your eyes. I don't use eye cream under my eyes so it can sometimes look a little dry but it's usually fine. I definately see why there is so much hype around this product as it is really such amazing quality for the price and covers up dark circles flawlessly. 

At only £8.19 it's such a bargain, buy it here: http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-True-Match-Touche-Magique-Concealer_984446/

Love, 

Em x

January Beauty Favourites

It's already the end of January, I genuinely can't believe it, it's gone so fast. So here is my January favourites, I have to say I haven't been doing anything drastically differently in January but I have discovered some new products so here you go!

My first favourite is the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, I didn't really believe the hype around this product as I didn't trust the glittery particles in it and I thought it would come up on my face really clearly. After buying this on offer at Boots, I see why everyone loves this product so much, it gives the perfect amount of coverage and has a nice dewy finish. I use this with a flat foundation brush, only where I have redness, which it covers perfectly and lasts all day. 

My next favourite is my Pixi Early Bird palette, I didn't think much of this product to start with but I have since discovered the blushs and bronzers which are amazing and suit my skin tone perfectly. If you want to see a full review of this, click here: http://beautyblog97.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/drugstore-palette-reviews.html

I have really been loving brown eyeshadows this month, its not usually a colour that I would go for but I have been loving putting brown eyeshadow all round my eyes, it seems to make my eye colour pop! I have been using colours out of my MUA palettes and some No7 brown colours to do this with. On days where I haven't been doing this I have been using my MAC eyeshadow in All That Glitters and doing a line of Liquid liner. 

Another favourite this month has been my carmex lip balm, I put this on overnight and it keeps my lips moisturised all day. I love this lip balm as when you wake up in the morning you can just scrub away the dead skin and have soft lips all day. I would really recommend this as its so cheap to buy and as good as expensive products. 

My last favourite has been my Umberto Gianni Salt Spray, I have used this pretty much everyday this month to style my hair into the messy wavy look that seems to be popular at the moment. This spray makes my hair look nicely wavy and not frizzy at all but with that messy look to it. This is probably the only thing I do to my hair as I am so lazy before school but this is easy and quick to do!

Let me know if you prefer favourites like this with reviews or if you just want me to list the products like in my 2012 favourites:) 

Love, 

Em x

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

I've been using the Collection 200 Lasting Perfection concealer for a while now and I honestly have to say it's probably the best concealer I've ever used. The coverage of it is so amazing, it literally covers everything and lasts all day too. I use this concealer to cover spots with a little lip brush by applying a tiny amount then patting it into the skin. This works really well and covers any little blemishes I may have. The only problem I have with this concealer is that it can be quite drying and if spots are already drying out it can look really obvious but if you put some moisturiser underneath it, it is usually fine. The only other annoying thing is the packaging which means it is really hard to get the last bits of product out of the tube which is annoying but as its so cheap this doesn't really bother me.

I bought another of these concealers recently and even though I bought the same colour, it is alot lighter, which is good for me as the old one was abit too dark for me. Just thought I would put this in to warn people that the colours have changed!

Love,

Em x

Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks

I bought this blush years and years ago and I think it was the first blush I had ever bought, I want to apologize for the state of mine, I lost the lid for it and it has got completely ruined in my make up bag, sorry! I have the colour peach melba which is a nice pinky peachy colour which looks nice on most skin tones. I love the rosy flush that it gives me which looks really natural and glowy.

The formula of this blush is also really nice, it almost has a kind of creamy consistency which goes onto the cheeks beautifully without looking patchy or cakey. It also lasts all day keeping the rosy glow on your cheeks making your skin look nice and healthy. I think this blush is such a bargain at only £1.99 and natural collection products are always on some kind of offer in Boots. 

Buy them here: http://www.boots.com/en/Natural-Collection-Blushed-Cheeks_24279/

Love, 

Em x

L'oreal Telescopic Mascara

I recently got this mascara after hearing loads of good reviews about it and there was a good offer on in boots if you bought this mascara. I have it in the waterproof formula as I don't take it off before I go swimming. I find that it stays on really well in the pool, it doesn't smudge just like comes off it little bits that are easily washed off(this doesn't happen alot, only a little bit), so if you are looking for a good waterproof mascara I would recommend this one highly.  

I find this mascara keeps my eyelashes curled all day long and makes them look really long and voluminous as my lashes are really short to start with. After using it for a while, I have found that my lashes seem to have become thicker and longer even though this product doesn't claim to make them grow or anything. The wand is thicker on one side and like a comb on the other which means you can comb out any clumps you may get and the thicker side coats all of your lashes making them look thicker and longer.

The only bad point I have about this mascara is that if you leave it on overnight or don't quite take it all off it can get into your eyes quite easily and cause some irritation but if you take it off with an eye make up remover you should be fine.

Love, 

Em x

Benefit Sun Beam Highlighter

I recently got a sample of the Benefit Sun Beam in an Elle Magazine, I hadn't really looked at these before then but as soon as I tried it I knew I would have to buy the full size afterwards. The Sun Beam is meant for darker skin tones and the High Beam is meant for paler skin tones but I find that the Sun Beam gives my pale skin a nice sun kissed glow like I have actually been in the sun. 

I really like the applicator on this product, its like a little nail varnish brush which means you can apply it straight to the cheekbones exactly where you want it. It blends really easily into the skin and lasts all day giving your skin a nice sheeny glow, which I really like on my skin. 

The highlighter is quite glittery but when on the skin it doesn't look especially glittery, even on sunny day or in photos. At £18.50 it is quite pricey but it lasts ages so it is definately worth it. If you don't have the cash to splash out on Sun Beam, MeMeMe have great dupes for this at much cheaper prices.

Love,

Em x

Nivea Express Hydration Primer

The Nivea Express Hydration Primer is a very hyped up product, Nivea has used YouTube beauty gurus to advertise it before YouTube videos(I think they are abit cheesy though!) and it seems like this product has been given alot of attention. I thought this would be my all time favourite product as sometimes my skin gets quite dry underneath my make up.

I first started using this when I was just using a regular No7 moisturiser and I really liked it, I felt that my skin looked nice and healthy and it kept my make up on alot longer than it would usually last. I then started to use the La Roche Posay Effeclar duo moisturiser  I tried to use this product on top but I found it make my skin feel sore and sting throughout the day (I don't really know why) and when I didn't persist and use it anyway my make up had no longer staying power but I had a redder face. Some people say that you should use this product as your moisturiser but I don't trust that it would give my skin enough moisture or protect it enough (for my liking anyway). 

If I am using this product completely wrong then please do tell me, but at the moment I am completely dissatisfied with the product as it only works if you use certain moisturisers underneath it.

Love,

Em x

Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara

I recently got this mascara in a Rimmel goody bag from the Clothes Show. I didn't think I would like it as the brush is so big but it's actually amazing. This mascara gives length and alot of volume to my lashes but you do have to be careful not to blob mascara on your browbone.

I also really liked the formula of this mascara, it didn't smudge or flake onto my face but was also easy to take off as I usually use waterproof mascara it was nice not to have to scrub at it to get it off.I wouldn't recommend this mascara if you have especially oily lids as I think it may smudge or if you want lots of volume in your lashes as this may get clumpy on your lashes. 

Let me know if there's any products you want me to review

Love, 

Em x

7 Deadly Sins of Beauty

Greed
What is your most inexpensive beauty item? What is your most expensive?
My most inexpensive is my Collection Extreme 24hr liquid eyeliner £2.99, review here http://beautyblog97.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/collection-2000-extreme-24hr-liquid.html 
My most expensive is my Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation, review here http://beautyblog97.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/clarins-skin-illusion-foundation.html

Wrath

What beauty products do you have a love/hate relationship with? What product has been the hardest to get?

I have a really bad love hate relationship with liquid eyeliner because some days it can go perfectly and some days it looks like I have put it on whilst on a rollercoaster. The hardest product for me to find is bronzer because I can never seem to find one that is pale enough for me and isn't orange.

Gluttony

 What is your most delicious make up product?
Body Shop lip balms, they taste soo good!

Sloth

What beauty product due to neglect due to laziness?

I would have to say eyeliner, I hardly ever wear it because I find it such a hassle and it never goes right for me, I need to practise!

Pride

What beauty product gives you the most confidence?

Definatley Concealer, it covers any redness I have on my face and makes me feel more confident as I know my face looks ok. I use the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer(review coming soon)

Lust

What attributes do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?

A good sense of humour, sweet and caring, know how to cheer me up and look after me well:)

Envy

What items would you most like to recieve as a gift?

Any of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes, I'm still saying up to buy them myself, or MAC eyeshadows.

Sorry for the 2 tag posts but I just had a mental block this morning and thought that these tags looked fun.

Love,

Em x

40 Beauty Questions

Skincare:
1) How many times a day do you wash your face?
    I always wash my face twice a day
2) What is your skin type?
    I have combination skin with some parts oily and some parts dry.
3) What face wash do you use?
    Clarins Daily Energiser face wash and Clearasil Daily face wash
4) Do you Exfoliate?
    Occasionally if my skin feels really clogged but for me it aggrivates my spots
5) What brand do you use to exfolatiate?
    I use the Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy Daily Energiser Scrub
6) What moisturiser do you use?
    I use La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
7) Do you have freckles?
    I only get freckles when I go on holiday in the sun
8) Do you use eye cream?
    I only use eye cream if my undereyes get dry, then I use the Avon 30+ eye cream as this is really                                    moisturising.
9) Do you have acne prone skin?
   Yes I have quite a few spots which occasionally get really bad
10) Have you ever used Pro-activ?
     No I haven't, I have quite sensitive skin so I don't think it would work for me

Make Up:
11) What foundation do you use?
      I am currently trying Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation.
12) What concealer do you use?
      Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
13) What is your skins undertone?
      I think my skin is more yellowy but I'm not really sure
14) What do you think fake eyelashes?
      I've never worn them personally but I think they are really nice as long as they are not too dramatic
15) Do you change your mascara every 3 months?
      It depends on whether I have used it all or it has dried up, I feel bad chucking away products when there is still some product left in them.
16) What mascara brand do you use?
      I really like L'oreal mascaras especially the telescopic and million lashes as I find they make my lashes look sooo long
17) Sephora or MAC?
     I would have to say MAC because we don't have Sephora in England but I would like there to be
18) Do you have a MAC pro card?
      No
19) What make-up tools do you use to apply your make up?
      I use my real techniques stippling brush for foundation, then I use all Eco Tools brushes and I have one Japonese eyeshadow brush
20)Do you use eye primer before your eyeshadows?
     I don't actually own any eye primers but I either use some concealer or my maybelline colour tattoos as bases for my eyeshadows.
21) Do you use a face primer?
      I sometimes use the Nivea express hydration primer or the Clarins beauty flash balm(amazing!)
22) What is your favourite eyeshadow?
     My favourite eyeshadow is MAC All that Glitters
23) Pencil or Liquid Eyeliner?
     Pencil always much easier than liquid
24) How often do you poke your eyes with eyeliner?
     Not that often but I poke myself in the eye with mascara almost every day!
25) What do you think about Pigments?
      I think that they look beautiful but they create such a mess, they end up everywhere!
26) Do you where mineral make up?
      No I don't wear any and never have but I am interested by the Bare minerals foundation
27) What is you favourite lipstick?
     I dont wear lipstick but my favourite tinted lipbalm is the body shop born lippy in pomegranate
28) What is your favourite lipgloss?
      Rimmel Stay Glossy in Stay My Rose
29) What is your favourite blush?
      Natural Collection Blush in Peach Melba
30) Do you buy make up of ebay?
     Not usually but if it was a bargain I definately would
31) Do you like drugstore make up?
      I mostly use drugstore make up as the quality is just as good as high end but its half the price
32) Do you go to CCOs (cosmetic company outlets)?
      I have been to a CCO but I didn't buy anything as there wasn't anything I really wanted but I hope to go again soon.
33) Do you take make up classes?
      I don't but I really want to
34) Are you clumsy at applying make up?
      Very clumsy, I can never get the perfect liquid liner as I have such a shaky hand!
35) What is the one make up crime you hate?
     Eyebrows; overplucked or too filled in, I hate them both
36) Do you prefer colourful or neutral make up?
      Definatley neutral, I'm not very brave with my make up
37) What is one item you can leave the house without having on?
     Concealer so I can conceal any spots or redness I have, its my saviour
38) do you ever leave the house with no make up on?
      All the time, if I'm ever going out to swimming or to gymnastics I won't wear any make up
39) What is your favourite make up line?
      Probably Rimmel, all their products are amazing and so cheap
40) What do you think of make up?
      I think make up is great to cover up your flaws and express your personality, it makes people alot more confident.

Hope you all liked this and it wasn't too long and waffly, comment if there is any products you want me to review or tags you want me to do:)

Love,
Em x

Collection 2000 Extreme 24hr Liquid Liner

As I said in my 2012 Beauty Favourites, I am going to try and review all the products I mentioned, so here is a review of my favourite liquid liner of 2012.

The Collection 2000 liner is a pen sort of liquid liner (which I personally find the easiest to apply as I have a really shaky hand). The nib is quite think and easy to create a fine line or a flick depending on what you want that day. It lasts quite well, I wouldn't say 24 hours but it is quite long lasting. The pigmentation of the eyeliner is also fantastic, I don't find myself having to go over the line as it draws a solid black line everytime.

I wore this eyeliner out shopping one day and most of it lasted but it was abit smudged and less sharp. On hot days it can also imprint so it wouldn't be one I would recommend for people with oily eyelids. However, for most people the staying power of this is perfectly fine.

The main reason I like this eyeliner is the ease of application but I also love the price, at only £2.99 it is a complete bargain for the quality of the product. I'm sure there is probably better eyeliners that are more expensive but you get what you pay for:) 

Buy it here (Boots): http://www.boots.com/en/Collection2000-Extreme-24hfelt-tip-liner_1160659/

More reviews coming soon...

Love,

Em x

Drugstore Palette Reviews

                                      

MUA Undressed Pallette £4.00:

This palette is amazing value at only £4, the quality of the eyeshadows is amazing, they are almost creamy in texture, blend together amazingly and last all day. My favourite shade is the gold for all over my lid as this makes my blue eyes stand out, I also like the black and brown shades to line my eyes and the light colour to highlight my brow bone. The colours in the palette are really wearable neutral shades which suit all skin tones and eye colours. They last a long time on their own but if you want to make sure they last, I use some Collection Lasting Perfection concealer underneath which seems to make them last. 

10/10  

Pixi Early Bird Kit £16.00:

This kit contains 16 eyeshadows, 4 eye base colours, 3 blushers, 2 bronzers and a highlighter. I personally think that this is amazing value as if you bought all these individually they would cost way more than £16. The eyeshadows are fairly pigmented and last quite long but need a primer/base to last all day. I personally don't like using the eye base colours as I don't find that they act as a primer and on their own they make my eyes look to perfected (I don't know if I'm using these wrong). There is a great selection of colours of these eyeshadows from light to dark suiting all skin tones and eye colours. The bronzers and blushers in this palette make it a handy kit to travel with. The blushers are nice colours to suit different skin tones and aren't too pigmented which I think is good as they don't come out too strong but can be built up. There is also a light and dark matte bronzer suitable for contouring or just warming up your skin. I use the lightest one as I am pale and it doesn't make me look orange at all. The highlighter is also nicely shimmery but not too glittery, which I really like.

7/10

                                      

Sleek iDivine Palette in Storm £7.99:

This is another amazing palette for such a cheap price, the quality of the eyeshadows are again amazing; easily blendable, and fantastic pigmentation. I love the colours in this palette, especially the pink and purpley colours which make a beautiful smokey eye. There is also a matte light brown, dark brown and black which are great for eyebrows and lining the eye. The colours in this are more daring than the MUA palette but i prefer it for evenings out and smokey eyes. I would definatley recommend this palette to make up beginners to start off their collection.

10/10

Buy them here: MUA  http://www.superdrug.com/eyes/mua-pro-pallette-undressed/invt/501051/

Sleek  http://www.superdrug.com/eyes/sleek-makeup-i-divine-12-piece-shadow-storm/invt/472360/

Pixi  http://www.boots.com/en/Pixi-Early-Bird-Kit_1289149/

Hope this helps.

Love,

Em x

PS. I am hoping to do some more drugstore eyeshadow palette reviews soon so if you want to see them, check back soon:)

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation

I have been using Clarins Skin Illusion foundation for about 6 months now, it is an amazing foundation which gives light to medium coverage which looks completely natural. My mum introduced me to this foundation when I was getting fed up with all my foundations looking too cakey and not natural. 

First of all, I love the packaging of the product, is it a glass bottle and looks very glamorous on your dressing table. The pump is also very handy as it dispenses the perfect amount of product to use on you face and doesn't get too messy. 

I especially love the effect this foundation has on my skin, it covers all the redness in my skin making it look flawless and glowing, which is what everyone wants their skin to naturally look like. It isn't too amazing at covering blemishes(but thats what concealer is for isn't it!) but it makes my skin look naturally beautiful.

If you have some extra money to spend on your foundation, I would definately reccommend this one for you to try (if you go to a Clarins counter they should let you try it before you decide on definately buying it), at £24, I would definately recommend you testing it first. However, if you are looking for a cheaper alternative, I do think that the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation gives a very similar effect on the skin.

Buy it here (feel unique): http://www.feelunique.com/p/Clarins-Skin-Illusion-Natural-Radiance-Foundation-SPF-10-30ml

Love, 

Em x

Rimmel Stay Glossy Lipgloss

The Rimmel Stay Glossy Lipglosses have recently become my favourite lip glosses ever. Their non sticky, shiny and long lasting moisturising formula is perfect as you dont need to top up your lip gloss every 10 minutes because they last sooo long.

I especially like the colours in the range, they are all so wearable and there isn't any really unwearable colours. The colour I have is Stay my Rose, which is a sparkly pinky colour, nice for  'your lips but better' lips.

(sorry this isn't in focus, I'm still trying to get to grips with my camera)

At only £6.29 (Boots), they are a complete bargain and are far better than the high end lipglosses I have tried. Rimmel is by far becoming my favourite drugstore brand, I'm looking forward to their release of the new Apocalips lip stains which I have heard great things about.

Buy them here: http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Stay-Glossy-Lip-Gloss_953480/

Love,

Em x

Top Beauty Products of 2012

I know I'm a little late for this but I thought I would do it anyway.

Foundation: Clarins Skin Illusion foundation

Concealer: L'oreal Touche Magique (under eye), Collection Lasting Perfection, Boujois Healthy Mix (blemishes)

Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte

Blusher: Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks in Peach Melba

Highlighter: Barbara Daly shimmering highlighter (avaliable in tesco)

Eyeshadow: MUA Undressed Palette, MAC eyeshadow in All That Glitters

Eyeshadow Base: Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze

Eyeliner: Collection Extreme 24hr felt tip liner (liquid), Estee Lauder Artists eye pencil crayon (pencil)

Mascara: L'oreal Volume Million Lashes in Black 

Eyebrow Pencil: Avon Colourtrend Kajal stick in Warm Brown

Lip Balm: Carmex Lip Balm

Lip Gloss: Rimmel Stay Glossy in Stay my Rose

Primer: Nivea Express Hydration Primer

Brushes: Real Techniques and Eco Tools Brushes

Face Wash: Clarins Daily Energiser gel wash

Moisturiser: La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (amazing spot treatment)

Hair Products: Umberto Gianni Salt Spray

Perfume: Givency Irresistible

Hope you all have an amazing 2013, I will hopefully be doing more blog posts on the products mentioned including swatches and full reviews.

Love,

Em x

Body Shop Born Lippys

The Body Shop Lip Balms have been one of my favourite discoveries recently, my mum ended up buying them after trying to reach £30 to spend a voucher we had, I didn't think much of them until I got home and tried it. I'm not really a lipstick girl so tinted lip balms are right up my street as I don't have to panic about having it all over my teeth.

They give quite alot of colour if you build them up but i like to dab it on my lips to brighten up my face everyday for school. They keep your lips hydrated  even when you only put on a tiny amount. When I'm going out I like to use them with abit of rimmel lip gloss on top, it makes you look fresh and pretty almost instantly and lasts a long time on the lips.

The colour selection of these are nice and as they are quite sheer I can get away with all the colours, and at £3 each, they're a steal. 

Buy them here: http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/skincare/lip-care/born-lippy-stick-lip-balm-pomegranate.aspx

Em x