Ravishing Reds

Nail Polish seems to be my new obsession - for now - and although it's often thought of as a Christmassy Colour, I love to wear red all year round. The polishes on my tips today all fall into this category, so here's the low-down.

Collection's red-toned wonder is more of a sparkly shade, check out the pinkie for further reference, and is what most people imagine being worn on the nails during the winter season. It has a very fine 'glitter' type iridescence running through it, but paired with a more classic colour can be sported all year round. The only annoying thing is it's unnamed. Darn. 

This next one is definitely a favourite! Nails Inc is one of those brands that I've usually just dismissed because of the price, but when the shade 'It's Red, Babez,' was given as a freebie in June's InStyle mag, I was sold. It's more of a tomato red than a straight-up pillar box, and I'm really into orangey shades.

A similar shade to the former mentioned colour, Hip Hop from Rimmel's new Kate Moss Salon Pro Range is of a similar hue but with more pinky-orange tones. The formula, colour and brush is amazing, and at just over four quid, you can't go wrong.

The next polish to grace my fingertips is actually my sister's, whoops, and is another nameless shade. But negatives aside, this classic red from No7 is more of a traditional red with a darker tone to it. Probably better for later on in the year, but equally good if worn in conjunction with a lighter shade. Love it!

And last, but not least, another Rimmel one, in the colour Double Decker Red. Honestly the best and well-fitting name for this polish, as this is the closest true red colour that I've found so far! It's as cheap as chips and a perfect all year round polish. Another stunner from Rimmel, the nail polish queens at the moment...

El
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May Favourites

left to right: Real Techniques Shading Brush, No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Truffle, Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze, Maybelline The Falsies Flared Volume Express and Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

A whole new category has appeared on the blog, and its about time! A monthly favourites post has been lingering in my mind, and now I've finally put pen to paper (or rather hands to laptop) and written one.

May's makeup is somewhat more of a simple one. No messing about within a sea of eyeshadows or array of mascaras- you could even call me speedy when it comes to getting ready! I find that a few well chosen products can really brighten up a look, and switching up my makeup on a monthly basis means its all getting used, and I can try out different things every once in awhile.

Collection 2000's lasting perfection concealer has become somewhat of a cult product in my collection, but it is often used for more than just the conventional use. The perfect dupe for a primer, I find that smoothing this over my lid before a smokey or just neutral eye can increase the longevity.

Ever since the Real Techniques Shading Brush came into my makeup bag, I've found eyeshadow application even easier. I'm not saying I was an expert without it, but I could choose a few colours to sweep over my lid (basic inner corner highlight, neutral on the lid and a dark crease) but now I don't have to worry about packing on the shadow either. It's a perfect brush for base and blending, and the RT brush will be in my bag for quite some time...

My Maybelline Colour Tattoo is a beautiful colour. Pair this bronzy and almost Rose Gold cream shadow with No7's Truffle, and you have the perfect lid. I like to apply a fair amount- not too much, not too little-but I do like to smoke it out for an appropriate occasion. Blended out with my favourite brush and I'm left with a pretty eye with subtle definition.

After hearing the raves of beauty gurus such as Tanya Burr and Missglamorazzi, I finally bought the infamous Maybelline The Falsies Flared Volum' Express. Mouthful, yes, but you should hear the name of the waterproof formula! The big brush is perfect for lash-catching (ever attempted to coat those baby eyelashes and failed? Not with this!)

My favourite Beauty Blogger/ Youtuber of the month has to be Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup- her posts are so well written! I love reading her blog and watching her vids.

My favourite TV Programme of the month has to be Drop Dead Diva, which is a girly feel good show of 4 seasons that I have been catching up on on Netflix. I love it- just the right amount of cheesy-ness and reality! I've also just started watching Covert Affairs, and when I say just I mean Just the first series! One down, one to go. 
I'm obsessed with Doctor Who. Literally, obsessed, and so when the series finale aired, I was on the edge of my seat. And it was amazing! It you haven't seen it then you are seriously missing out!


El
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Empties #1

oh, and err, excuse the hair pin-woops! 

It's that time again when my skincare and beauty saviours start to hit the bucket, and I have to make the hard decision of which to repurchase. I haven't done an empties post before, as really, I don't often encounter them, but since drilling my skincare routine in and using more makeup, I often end up questioning myself about how on earth I could have used up a bottle of something, or why did I finish that so quickly? So what beauty babes and skincare favs I am without now?

I picked up the Colgate MaxWhite One on a whim- nothing new there!- as I feel that having whiter teeth gives you a more 'confident' smile. I didn't use this on a daily basis but in conjunction with another toothpaste as I often misplace the former, so I didn't get the really witness 'amazing' tooth-colour-changing properties! I think this one will be a repurchase though.

These cute Clarins minis from the Daily Energizer range (there's a post on that!) appeared on my skincare shelf after a successful trip to Boots, that included skincare advice from the lady at Clarins. I actually repurchased the Cleansing Gel, but as the other samples lasted me such a long time, I didn't bother buying them. I may do, however, in the future, but at the moment I'm very pleased with my current skincare routine.

Another skincare item is the sample-sized eye cream from Benefit - starting to spot a theme are we? The It's Potent! cream was another product that lasted me a long time, but I won't be buying the big sister to this mini as I still haven't fully used it up. Okay, it's not quite empty...

I couldn't believe it when I ran out of my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer! It seems like I only bought it yesterday. It's not strictly finished, but certainly on it's last legs, and this will definitely be repurchased!

The Boots' Own Eye Makeup Remover is one of those things that every girl needs- a box standard gel that I've mentioned in other posts. It isn't the best eye makeup remover ever, but it's good to have around if you're not too great at liner or bad at blusher...

El
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Cream Products - The Trend

left to right: the POREfessional, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, Barry M Kohl Pencil ,  Maybelline Colour Tattoo (looks more silvery here but is bronze in true form), Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows in Birthday Suit and My Two Cents, Benefit Posietint

If there's one outstanding trend for this Spring/Summer Season then it has to be cream products. Whether it's a creamy concealer, eyeshadow or blush, this trend is all about banishing the powders and embracing natural dewy skin. Not only do creamy products blend really well and stay on all day, but they also speed up morning-makeup-time!

For a smooth flawless base, Benefit's the POREfessional Primer is the first step. Being a bare-faced babe, primers aren't really up my street, but after trying a sample of this, I can tell that just by smoothing out my skin a little (just a little though) it enhances my complexion. And being a creamy product, it's perfect for brush or hand application.

Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection Concealer is a product spoken about by me and practically every other beauty blogger, and with a creamy texture that can be easily blended under eyes or on stubborn spots, it definitely falls into this season's trend category. I'm fairly sure that this is the cheapest good concealer out there, and to find a product that costs less than a fiver and works is a miracle in itself!

I have to admit that I've really fallen for this luscious look, and eyeshadows of a slightly different texture to the norm are becoming a staple in my everyday routine. Benefit's Creaseless Cream Eyeshadows in My Two Cents and Birthday Suit   are prime examples of creamy shadows. The former is a beautiful coppery colour, hence the name, and the latter a more silvery-taupe tint. The great thing about them is that they can be blended in to create a subtle smokey eye, or packed on and set with a powder for an intense look.

At the more affordable end of the scale we have the Maybelline Colour Tattoo. Being one of the most mentioned and most used product, it's obvious I love 'em, and the same beautiful eye can be created with these as with the Benefit ones for £10 cheaper. No brainer! 

A three pound whim. I buy most of my products by 'wingin' it' unless I've read a persuasive post on a particular product, but my Barry M Kohl Liner  has to be one of my more successful discoveries. By blending these into the lid with a finger, they give a sheer wash of colour that can be built up, and they're perfect for shadow-phobs and the less confident cream lovers.

Now for a slightly different item. Still from the creamy clan, Benefit's Posietint is a more-liquidy tint for cheeks and lips. The pinky colour suits all skin tones and can be easily blended into cheeks for a subtle hint of colour.

El
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Less is More- Minimal Make Up

As not everyone gets up at the crack of dawn, goes for a morning stroll and is washed, dressed and fed by 7am, including a proper yet quick and easy make up routine isn't always simple. I for one have been known to skip steps in my skincare script and just used a cleansing water (such as Clarins Energizer Wake Up Booster) spritzed across a cotton pad and then briefly wiped across my face. Or rushed into my room to put on a quick coat of mascara before the school run to open up my eyes a little- everyone comprises in some aspect of their beauty regime! So how can busy mums or city working gals get a record look in record time?

left to right: Soap & Glory For Daily Youth, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow and Benefit Posietint 

Mixing your moisturizer and concealer is a real time saver; although it doesn't give much coverage, it brightens up your face. If you have the luxury of a couple more minutes, applying your foundation with fingers  instead of a brush also works. Apply a moisturizer prior to this to help your BB Cream or foundation blend into the skin.

For a five-minute face, buff in a cream eyeshadow over the lids with your ring finger- this is quick and simple. Seal it in with a powder shadow if possible (again applied with hands- no brush, less fuss!) and whack on a coat or two of mascara. Use a nude/white eyeliner in your bottom waterline to cancel out any redness, and then apply a creamy concealer to hide any bags. Using creamy products is best as they blend very easily.

Dip a finger in some cream blush and sweep over the cheeks and swiftly brush a bit of colour over you face with a bronzer if need be. Pop on a slick of lip balm, followed by some cream blusher or other multitasking product, and you're good to go! Tie up you hair in a rough pony or bun, grab your bag and skip out the door. Easy!

Just remember to start with a clean face and clean hands, and only use products that you really need. Setting out your make up and clothes the night before is another time saving tip- being organized is fairly underrated these days!

El
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Budget Buys

left to right: Soap & Glory Lid Stuff in What's Nude, Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze, Barry M Kohl Pencils in Bronze and White, Collection [2000] Lasting Perfection Concealer

As much as I do love to splash out on cute products from the much adored brand Benefit, drugstore and highstreet brands are something that I love buying, and I think my purse appreciates it too.

Soap & Glory is a brand more commonly known for their amazing skincare and bath and body products, so I was all for trying out a piece or two from their cosmetics line. I picked up Lid Stuff in What's Nude, a palette of mainly mattes with one brown-purple shimmer. Colour pay-off isn't great, and at a tenner I probably won't buy it again, but it is fab for a subtle hint of colour-you won't be worrying about garish looking eyes with this as even the slightly more whacky colours don't come out overly bright.

After hearing many a rave and review, I just had to try the infamous Maybelline Colour Tattoos and jump on the ever-growing bandwagon of popular products. And I wasn't disappointed. In comparison to other cream eyeshadows that I have tried, I would say that it's just as good as the high end ones and even without the premium price tag, there's no compromise on quality.

Barry M is one of the cheaper brands in Boots that I tend to veer towards when out of pocket. Having heard neither a good nor bad thing about the kohl pencil liners, I picked them up for a couple of quid each. They can be easily blended into the lashes, however in the waterline they don't fare quite so well- lasting power isn't covered by the small cost of them. I do love them though, and at such a little amount of money, another one wouldn't go amiss in my make-up bag.

I love a good trip down to Boots, so I'll be keeping my eyes open for any other budget buys!

El
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