A beauty transition...

Over the summer traveling has been my pastime, carrying just a rucksack. Wearing minimal

make-up has been so refreshing! My skin has also been behaving which likely is down to not wearing war paint on a day to day basis. Having just the hint of a tan can help cover a multitude of sins making going fresh faced less scary. Not hauling all the latest beauty buys over the last few months I wanted to share with you my staples which have been in my minimal make-up bag and haven't let me down. So while non of the products are sparkling and new with most having seen better days I thought a mini review of all was due seen as they have traveled the world  Europe with me.

MaxFactors False Lash Effect Mascara has to be the most repurchased item in my beauty stash. It builds up nicely giving a dramatic look, isn't clumpy, it's too wet so when you sneeze it doesn't transfer (why is it when putting on mascara you feel the need to sneeze even with no cold in sight!). The best thing about this mascara is that it does all of that with the added wonderfulness of washing right off when in the shower. I have previously raved about Benefit There Real mascara but it isn't half hard to remove plus its almost double the price of this little gem.

I have babbled about this Neutrogena beauty time and time again. What I like most is the pump as it makes it easy to work with in the morning without dipping fingers in and out of pots and trying to screw the lid back on while balancing the blob of moisturiser on a finger, where it is a race against time before it drips down the black jeans you have just put on. It sinks in straight away and has a fab SPF level which is one of the things that draws me to purchasing a moisturiser as we all know we should be doing it!

So in such a minimal make-up routine the last thing you might expect to see is a Make-up ForEver HD  Primer. I have quite rosey cheeks which is the main flaw that I am trying to cover up. This yellow toned primer is good enough at it's job that with a hint of a tan I could almost get away with just wearing this. That is why it has secured a place in my minimal make-up bag.

Two foundations were needed to switch up my shade as I got what must have been the first glimpse of a tan in years. I could wear a  foundation shade reserved for fake tanned skin without needing to have gone thought that laborious process (Maybe i'm doing it wrong).

First is Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation - I brought this on a whim, I asked the girl at the counter to colour match me and let me try it on, With that she slapped it on over my normal foundation. I spluttered out that I already had make-up on which she simple replied that's not an issue and carried on. Well I have never had a face so caked in make-up and when I got home and promptly removed it for the first time I though wow I look so much better without foundation on! For some reason even after the foundation looking horrid I still purchased (Probably because after years I have yet to try a Benefit product which actually looked Halloween style when applied correctly)

When applied in a normal quantity this foundation is so light and creates a fresh faced natural finish with that added glow of health we all look for. It is super blendable as even when transitioning from ghost to human during the summer the one shade almost took me all the way though, perfect to create a look of no make up make up. The staying power is pretty darn good considering it's lightweight feel.  

MaXfactor Smooth Effects Foundation is one I had in my draw purley due to it once being £3 in Boots and I needed a foundation for the fake tanned days and for that price is was worth a shot. As far as I can tell it also had no SPF in which I like as this was a foundation intended for wear at night so you don't look see-though in photos. The texture when applying is unique, imagine smoothing baby powder into your skin and this is what applying this feels like. It certainly does give you a smooth effect (always nice when it does what it says it does) a little gives a nice even finish but I wouldn't say it was buildable  coverage as then it can start to look a little matte which isn't the look I go for at the moment. You can still pick is up in Boots for £7.99 which is a pretty nice looking price for a higher end of the self selection market. 

Benefit  Hoola, I hoard few bronzers which I could probably pin point to the fact that this one works perfectly. It is matte making it great for everyday use and the colour doesn't come out too strong at first sweep but you can build until you get the depth of colour you like so is perfect for lighter skin tones. 

I have included a Maybelline 24hr Super Stay lip laquire for night where I need to glam it up a notch. It really does last even when having many a cocktail. I have also been braving wearing it in the day just patting it into lips like a lip stain to give a pop  wash of colour on the lips. Which has been what I consider rather daring! 

I recently switched form liquid to pencil as it just gives a softer effect than a harsh black line. My particular favorites are the Urban Decay 24/7 Pencils as they are just so creamy but have a good staying power. I also love the colour range that they come in, it has to be one of the most expansive! I'm currently using Oil Slick and even thought it has the glitter in I still use it in the day as it can create a softer smokey look rather than a solid black line. I have included a picture bellow oh how thick of faint you can make it which is why pencil has become in vogue due to a softer look needed in summer.

While being rather boring and minimal over the summer months i'm looking forward to seeing the new pallets and kits launching for Christmas!

p.s Congratulation if you stayed with me this far!

Have a good weekend 

One pair of eyes, four eyeliners.......

This is a bit of a random post and I am sorry for the lack of swatches but as many of you who read beauty blogs and are as obsessed with make up, like most of us here you cannot own and like just one eyeliner. To many people an eyeliner is an eyeliner but to us here we understand that is not the case. Here are my favorite eyeliners at the moment. From left to right;

2 True waterproof eyeliner- This is such a fantastic find on a recommendation of a friend. I think this was £1.99 when I brought it and it stays put all day! It's a nice intense black with a nib applicator it also seems to last for ages. I think for the price and the quality you get, this will always stay in my make-up bag. I have only seen this brand at Superdrug so far.

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil eyeliner- This is my favorite pencil liner at the moment. I use this mainly for creating a smudged eyeliner look  mainly on the top lid and recently I have been using  it on the waterline and it stays pretty well. It also does not drag your eyelid as is so creamy. While I got mine from the naked pallet this retails for £13

Rimmel Glam'Eyes liquid eyeliner- This has a really thin brush applicator which I reach for when wanting to create a thin line along the upper lash line to make lashes appear thicker. This retails for £5.29

Maybelline gel eyeliner- This come which a brush which is very handy, the eyeliner is really good as you can create a thin sharp black line of a thicker smoker look. With the right brush you can get precision with this liner and good control for doing ample looks. This retails for £7.99.

I love each of these liners for different reasons and reach for each one when I am trying to achieve a different look depending on sharpness or smokiness of the look, intensity of colour and longevity.

Whats your favorite eyeliner at the moment?

Hyped up products that I'm glad I brought into and a few regrets!!

I'm not going to lie I love a bit of hype on blogger to me I find it exciting to hear about it, then to see it creeping into peoples hauls and finally reviews start popping up on my reading list. I then enjoy a trip into town to take advantage of introductory offers. So yes I'm a sucker for a bit of hype but hey its not doing anybody any harm, well only to my bank balance :)

Here are the products that were hyped on blogger and I'm thankful for as I would have probably over looked them....

I actually like Bourjois healthy mix foundation for when I don't feel like wearing such a heavy foundation and it covers pretty well. I like that it does not have a totally matt finish as I have been into the more dewy look lately. The concealer works really well under the eyes as it is a light liquid unlike more solid concealers which can look cakaey under the eye area. No so good for hiding spots though.


This is my first and only MSF its in "by candlelight" and I only purchased this due to the rave reviews it had on blogger. I can tell you know I am in love with this product i wear it nearly every day since I got it back in January so that is £19 well spent.

I would probably have picked up Maybellines falsies mascara anyway just souly on the packaging but I have really liked it so far there may even be a repurchase in the pip line.


I never looked at Revlon products before I starting reading blogs I always over looked it in Boots and Superdrug but my opinion about the brand has truly changed. I have worn this foundation three times so far and like its natural finish it gives, while concealing fairly well. As of yet I have not had any problems with the much talked about "glitter".

I use this Sleek "storm" pallet on a regular basis and I wouldn't have picked this up in Superdrug had it not been for blogger due to the fact that for the price I would have assumed that the quality of the product was rubbish.

I never wore lipstick before blogger but GOSH darling and Mac's cerem d'nude changed all that for the better.

As well as all the good products I have discovered there a been a few hyped up products I have had a short fling with but the relationship sizzled out fast. Here they are...

mac fix + = Just don't get it

Barry M 101= very dry, makes lips look chapped and also not flattering (on me)

Mac's lipglasses= These glosses sit in the lines on my lips and don't look nice at all

Maybelline Falsies review

First off I would like to say hello and thank you to all my new subscribers, can't believe I have almost made it to 100!!! I get so excited when i log on to blogger and see my subscriber number has gone up.

So I picked up the mascara the other week and so far I'm liking it, the curve of the brush really helps to curl the lashes and coat each one with mascara. The formula is not clumpy always a plus. I tend to do about 3 coats, yes i know that may seem alot to some but i really do want the false look. Not 100% if it will be a repurchase or not yet but it is defiantly a contender.

haul 6!

I popped into boots yesterday and here is what i picked up, i had £35 worth of points so i though i would spend some though this decision was made due to a lack of other funds. what i got ...

• L'oreal perfect clean in dry/sensitive with the pop out scrublet, I have been drawn to this since i first saw it advertised so yes i am a sucker for advertisements and the PR people got me suckered (again *sigh*). I used it last night and I am so far impressed as the scrubblet it white you can literally see your make up come off which is quite satisfying.
  
• Maybelline falsies mascara, any thing that promises big lashes i buy and the tube is pink enough said,.
  
• boots tea tree nose strips, these get black heads out like a treat they are a repeat purchase i use them all the time.
  
• Boots No7 wipes, best make up wipes i have ever used and boots are doing their No.7 vouchers again so i got these for about £1.50!!!
  

Maybelline XXL extensions mascara

I brought Maybelline XXL extensions mascara recently as i wanted really volumised false looking lashes, maybe i was being to expectant! So onto the review

Brush: The brush is the old traditional style bristle brush which is quite petite when compared to today's brushes such as Mayballine's recent successes "the colossal".

Formula: The formula is not clumpy however it is also not long lasting as i put this on the other day for a lazy Sunday and with in 2hrs i had the pander eye effect! this alone means the mascara is not rated highly in my books.

The white primer: This was grate to add volume and length to my lashes and although this will not become my go to mascara i will continue to use the white primer under my favoured cover girl lash blast.

The black mascara: It is nothing special and reminds me of a very cheap mascara however it does not clump yet it does not lengthen or volumies either.

If anybody knows of an amazing mascara which gives the false lash effect to short eyelashes please let me know :D x

Feburary favourites

I can't believe its all most march. The news year resolutions are nearly all but a faint memory though i am still going to the gym at least once a week, last week a manged 3 visits which as you can tell i am proud of an a little shocked. So here follows my products which have brought me joy over the last month :)

1. I have been straighting my hair a lot this month so have been using Tony & guys iron it heat defence spray, which keeps my hair straight all day and also smells like you have been in the hear dressers.
   
2. I have also be back combing my hair alot this month on night out to get big voulmised hair so i have been using Shockwaves ultra strong hair spray which even hold my hair after hrs of dancing and in a really really hot night club!
   
3. Mac minralize skin finish, i have been loving this all month and so glad that i purchased it well worth the money.
   
4. i have been applying this mac skin finish and my bronzers with this slanted powder brush by Benefit which allows for such precises application.
   
5. max factor second skin foundation, gives a natural finish but yer gives a full coverage hence i have been loving it this month.
   
6. maybelline the colossal mascara, gives grate volume without clumping
   
7. soap and glory some like it hot thermal body scrub, i was blown away with this product now only does it heat up really really well but it retains the heat better than any other product i have tried, also it leaves skin so smooth smother than any low end brand body scrub i have ever tried.

so hears to march and another month of new product loves and discovery's!!! xXx

January favourites

Well the end of the first month of 2010 is over and i am quite happy about this :D hello February which is going to be a month of partying for me and also getting in shape. Any how moving on to last months favourites.....
from left to right

Maybelline colossal mascara: I have been putting 3 coats of this on and then putting lash blast over the top and it creates great results. It is this mascara which has intrigued me to try their new false lash mascara.

Max factor second skin foundation: I normally use the likes of Mac studio fix , estee lauder double where and benefit play sticks, i like my foundation to be of high coverage. I picked up the as it said it was virtually undetectable able. It says it is medium coverage but i disagree i think it is just as good as any of the above if not better as it is more light weight and belnds more easily. I am sad as i brought this in the summer and now it is to dark unless I'm wearing fake tan so i am definitely going to go and buy this in the lighter shade it my new favourite foundation!!

Mac mineralize skinfinish in "by candle light": so happy i pick this up been wearing it every day since over my benefit hoola bronzer!

NO.7 sauna mask: wow, i brake out on my chin all the time but after using this one evening i woke up brake out free in the morning, I use this once a week and thinking about upping it to two time a weeks, i have purchased a back up with my NO.7 voucher i had recently.

CHI keratin mist: I picked this up on my holiday to Florida after seeing it on YouTube and not being able to find it in the UK, with the combination of giving up the GHDs apart from on weekends and spraying this in every time i was my hair, my hair has grown so much in the last 4 months.