The Wella Shaders and Toners replacement: Superdrug Colour Effects

Hey beautiful people. Now if you wondering why I am reviewing two different hair colours, don't worry I haven't gone completely mad and on a hair colour spree. 'Cool Blonde' was for myself, and the 'Honey/Warm Blonde' was my mums, but thought I would throw it in for measure. In the past I adored 'Wella Shaders and Toners -wash in, wash out' for when I was too lazy for a salon trip, which was a pleasing 99p. However I noticed it just disappear from the shops, and I since found it seems it has been frustratingly discontinued by Wella. I really wish there was a way of stopping brands doing this, it is the most annoying feeling to fall in love with a product for it then to be snatched right from your reach. Well, I might be being a tad dramatic for a 99p product, but still...

Superdrug Effects comes small silver bottle, retailing at £1.29, coming in a range of shades. It is a 'wash in, wash out' product, promising 'conditioning colour'. It even weirdly, smells the exact same as the Wella product.  Claiming to provide 'up to 3 applications', but having used this product 3 times myself, I still have some left. I suppose this would depend on your hair length (mine is currently mid-length). I used a large handful of the dark purple conditioner and worked this into my hair each time.

You use the product like a normal conditioner, adding it to wet hair, and leaving it for 5 minutes before rinsing clear. As far as a 'conditioner' goes, it isn't brilliant. My hair isn't noticeably glossy or soft after use....However, the colour is fantastic. Both the cool and honey blonde do just what they say, my mums hair was left with golden tones running through completely warming up her hair. And mine was left with no yellow-ness at all, and just lovely cool ash blonde tones. Ah-mazing!

I actually can not rave about this product enough, so I won't go on about it but if your in need of a colour boost, seriously for £1.29 you won't find anything else better I'm pretty sure. They do a whole range of colours so I am sure you will find something to match your locks.

Superdrug Colour Effects - £1.00 Currently on offer fem £1.29

Have you tried out the Superdrug Colour Effects before?

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Blogs Worth That Bookmark

Image Credit. Sorry, impromptu post means impromptu image!

Hey beauties. My blog reading list is stupidly long, and I have decided that at some point in the near future I will be adding a Blogroll, but until then here is my six (sorry had to be a even number) blogs that I think are worth that bookmark. 

Rebekah Hannah - I have mentioned the gorgeous Rebekah in one of my 'What I've Been Loving Posts' with her versatile blog. And of course my girl crush still stands strong. Her fashion posts will make you want to go and change your entire wardrobe. Plus, she loves a nude lip, a girl after my own heart.

Katies Blonde Ambition - Its a blonde girl thing, obviously. But Katies blog is one of my new favourites to my reading list. And did I mentioned she blogs about beauty and brownies? Need I say more. 

Anoushka Loves - This girl always find makeup I've not even heard of, especially lipsticks. She gives me major envy of shades I just could never pull off. And she is on her quest for the perfect nude lipstick. Yep, think we both know why I love Anoushka's blog so much. 

Katie's World Of Beauty - I've been reading Katie's blog for a while now and love her diversity in her posts. Beauty items, fashion, books and movies this girl covers it all. And I am recently lusting after her beach pictures. My next obsession after castles!

Annie Writes Beauty - Alice's blog must be one of my newest finds, and I am so glad I found it. Her writing style is so lovely, and she makes me fall in love with every item she posts about. Plus, she is a total stunner and I'm forever wanting her outfits she posts on Twitter.

Beauty in Beta - I have a feeling I may of mentioned Beth's blogs, Beauty in Beta, somewhere on my blog before, but I can't find it so I may have been dreaming. Anyway, the reason Beth's blog is one of my favourites, and not just as I have a case of deja vu writing this, is that she just covers everything. Of course beauty being the main topic of focus, but her other posts have will leave me feeling rather positive about live. Plus you need to check out her latest charity venture, taking part in the Great London Swim in August for Polysystic Kidney Disease. Considering I can't get pass doggy paddle I very much admire Beth!

And of course, please do feel free to bookmark my blog....*smirking face*.

What other blogs do you think are worth that bookmark?

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Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her

Hey lovelies. Now, if there was a ever a nail polish which name makes no sense, this would be it. Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her is a reference to Munich, Germany's Maximilianstraße, one of the city's four royal avenues, apparently. No idea how this connects to the colour of this Essie polish. But onwards and upwards eh.

This polish looks almost grey at first but then has a muted down green tint. Maximillian Strasse-Her is a little thicker than other Essie polishes I’ve tried and very pigmented. Some (brave) people might find this to be a one-coater, but I wore two (as has my nail wheel) The first coat goes on slightly streaky but it self-levels somehow to a perfectly smooth surface. Second coat goes the same way.

I think if you asked anyone who saw this on what the colour is, they would say green. And that is the reason I love this shade. Its a not a bright 'oh wow she is wearing green polish' kind of colour, but, dare I say it, a classy and subtle green. Lets just say you could walk around Waitrose wearing Maximillian Strasse-Her, and not cause any offence. 

 
Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her - £7.99

Have you tried Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her?

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Playing Tourist

Hey lovelies. Now cast your mind back to January, and like everyone I did my blogging resolutions for 2014. And one was to post more lifestyle posts, so erm, I have obviously completely failed at that. I can't even ask for a high five for my attempt...but last week I played tourist and decided that the day and photos were just too lovely not too share. I visited a place that is stupidly near to where I live, yet never visited - Hever Castle. For those who don't know much about it, and I didn't till I went, its the childhood home of Anne Boleyn Queen of England, and one (the second) of King Henry VIII wives.

Anyway, I won't bore you with a history lesson, and I just got that off Wiki anyway, but just look how stunning the grounds are. I could live in a castle quite nicely I reckon, and it has given me the castle bug. I am on my tourist mission to visit all the castles I can, tour guide and all!

Have you been to Hever Castle, or any other castles that I can visit? 

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Loreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara

In any of my mascara posts if I ever say I want/need a volumising mascara I can guarantee I'll get quite a few comments telling me try the Loreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara. And I always feel so rude saying, well yes I have, when I've not even done a review on it. But today that stops, even if my poor tube looks like its been in the wash several times, which it hasn't of course, but I think this just shows how much I've used the Volume Million Lashes, and just how the review might go...

I love L'Oreal, and its no secret, their False Lash Flutter Mascara is one of my ultimate hughstreet mascaras, but the Loreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara seems to be more popular in the beauty world. This mascara is slightly different than your average as it has a in-built excess wiper removes excess mascara for no clumps and the 'millionizer' brush separates lashes for a fanned out lash look.

The excess wiper removes well, excess mascara. Within the first sweep I immediately noticed a difference to the length and definition in my lashes, so even in the rushed morning I can still get great results with this mascara. I always find with this mascara that I get just the right amount of mascara on the wand to achieve maxed up volume, but with no overload and no clumps. If you're not such a fan of big wands, you might make a mess with the bottom lashes, but I haven't made that much of a mess. And I can get mascara everywhere. But the tiny bristles do come in handy as a lash comb and helps me separate my often overloaded lashes.

However, I find that wands like this are better for lengthening lashes. They don’t seem to be as effective with volumizing. We will leave plusher wands for that task I think. Saying that, I have obviously used this mascara no end, and I can't fault the smooth, smudge-free formula and the absence of flakes throughout the day. Oh L'Oreal, you are the Queen of high street mascaras. 

Loreal Volume Million Lashes - £10.99 from Boots

Have you tried the Loreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara?

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Focus on PlayBoy Makeup

If you have ever read any of my mascara posts, you may have realised that I am fully fledged mascara snob. And unfortunately this does often extend to all makeup. So yes, I was rather snobbish towards the new Playboy Makeup that has been released. I am sure we all remember the days when Playboy was cool (well I like to think so) and everyone had Playboy pencil cases. Bit like Jane Norman bags. But there has been a shift in the brand and now I think we all know, Playboy just isn't that cool. But hey - even MTV have covered their new makeup release, so with that in mind I did decide to try their makeup, and just see.

PlayBoy Playful Lashes Mascara - Naturally this was the first item I had to try, promising thicker fuller lashes I thought its worth a try. And you know what, its not too bad. It does give some volume, but is a bit wet and takes a while to build up. Its not awful, but not one I'll recommend.

PlayBoy Lipstick Perfect Kiss in Centrefold Pink | Such a pretty pink colour, and really hydrating, almost balm like. It is pigmented, but obviously not like my favourite MAC shades, but still not bad. The colour lasts a few hours too and does leave a stronger stain for a few more hours.

PlayBoy Lipstick Perfect Kiss in Front Cover | This is a vibrant vivid red, but not as pigmented as I would of liked. Red is just one of those colours I don't believe should ever be anything less than super pigmented and strong. This almost verges on a coral shade, and is a lovely balm idea, and it does keep my lips super hydrated, but as a lipstick not so much. Although, I do really love the black packaging, and it does remind me of MACs. Except without the 'Playboy' scribble! And on the back of each one there’s a little message that says “Life is too short to be living somebody else’s dream” Not sure Playboy are going to quite be inspiring people yet...

Overall, its not a bad collection and the quality of the makeup was better than I expected but everything does scream Playboy and I am just not sure my inner snob can quite handle that yet. Although I am sure I may find myself slipping the lipsticks in my bag as a handy balm, well maybe just the pink.

Playboy Makeup from £3.95 for the lipsticks & £3.89 for the mascara

Have you tried any of the Playboy makeup?

*PR Sample/Gift

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FOTD: Summer Edition

Talk about bad timing with this post, in the middle of all storms and rain what do I decide to write about? What I am wearing on my face makeup wise this summer. Oh well, its still hot, and it is meant to be summer. And I have a similar 'What is on my face' post last year. Not that I named that particularly well did I? What is on my face could be pretty much anything, face paint, makeup or leftover dinner...Luckily this post does contain just makeup.

MAC St Germain Lipstick | Think anyone who wears MAC lipsticks would of tried St Germain at some point. Its easily one of my favourite shades, along side Snob. This is a bit darker and slightly more pink than Snob, which is more a of frosty pink. Back to St Germain, I just love this colour and I think it does a pretty good job at brightening up my face, where the summer tan is missing!

MAC Prep + Prime Beauty Balm | I actually can't believe I am using a BB Cream. I was so unbelievably determined I would never use BB creams as I needed more coverage. Well look what happened. To be honest I do think I still need more coverage, but there is something about summer that I just couldn't care. 

MAC Veluxe Brow Liner Viva Glam by Rihanna | I did my review on this last week. And since using pencils on my brows again, I am left wondering why on earth I ever stopped? Or why don't I just have the control to use one product, and finish it? Regardless of my issues, the MAC Eyebrow Liner has become my brows new best friend this summer.

Sleek Contour Kit | As you might be able to tell I am a bit fickle with makeup (see eyebrow posts above...) but the Sleek Contour Kit is one I have actually used daily since I got it at Christmas. And as I mentioned in my W7 Makeup & Glow post I do like a good bit of contouring, so it may be understandable just why I love this contour set so much. Hot sweaty summer or not, I need my cheekbones.

Benefit Dallas Bronzer | This is another product I can't get enough of, and the reason I have never reviewed myself it that my box is horribly tatty and half used. It took me about 10 minutes cleaning the Benefit Dallas Bronzer box to make it look presentable, and it still had to be photographed at a distance. But this just shows how much I love this, and it really adds a lovely warm colour to face (and neck!), as like I mentioned above, my face still looks like its not seen the sun in about 5 years. Thank God for Dallas.

Have you tried any of my FOTD: Summer Edition items? Or tell me what you're wearing on your face this summer.

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W7 Make Up & Glow Bronzing Base

Not sure if its just me, but I can't seem to write a W7 Makeup review without comparing them to other brands and products. It seems Benefit Cosmetics are the one brand that people seem to match W7 the most with. But wait for it, as the W7 Make Up & Glow Bronzing Base (£4.95) is a dupe for both the Soleil Tan de Chanel and the Bourjois bronzing primer.

Yes it's plastic packaging, but no-ones going to really know that by looking at it, and its much cheaper than Chanel, obviously.  And half the price of the Bourjois bronzing primer. Redeeming from the plastic is a gorgeous tropical-themed box, which I couldn’t bring myself to throw away just yet.

This is a gel-based bronzer that adds a hint of sun-kissed colour to your skin, before or after foundation. Obviously being a primer I would say to use if before your foundation if your a traditionalist. Or if your feeling a bit rebellious like me, this makes the perfect companion for contouring. I also find it perfect for when I can't be bothered with fake tan applying, which is rather often. It's a tad lighter and slightly more yellow toned than the Bourjois bronzing primer. 

And with 35g of product, I don't think I'm ever going to run out of this, and that is fine by me as its helping fuel my contouring addiction nicely, and stopping me downloading the Kim Kardashian App in contour envy...

Have you tried the W7 Make Up & Glow Bronzing Base?

*PR Sample/Gift

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Seventeen Falsifeye HD Mascara

 

Nothing excites me more than a new mascara release unsurprisingly. And this month Seventeen have brought out the Falsifeye HD Mascara. This is a improved version of its former Falsifeye mascara, although I've not tried that one, so I won't be able to give a comparison. I'm not sure why they have updated it, nor does it look anything like the original, and looks like a brand new mascara to me.

The mascara packaging looks like a normal one from the Seventeen range, aiming at a younger girls, rather than those, like myself, creeping near to the mid of their 20's. And again, no similarities in the slightest to the first Falsifeye Mascara, which was bright pink if I remember rightly, this is actually a bit classer looking with the black. This mascara claims to offer the false lash look without that fiddle we all know, and hate. 

The brush itself is extremely spiky. And that is a understatement. Seriously watch yourself with this plastic bristle as you will end up with some bad eye injuries, and blinding yourself with a Seveenteen mascara just isn't right. YSL on the other hand...

Anyway, wand sharpness aside I really like this mascara, and my inner snob is screaming that this budget mascara with stupidly spiky wand actually creates super length and separation that does give illusion of false lashes. Ever better, there is no flaking, smudging and uncurling throughout the day, just pretty much perfect lashes. 

My favourite thing about this mascara? The fact that you can also get away with adding more and more, layering up to create as much volume as I like, and adding more throughout the day. There is something in the formula that isn't clumpy and lasts all day looking just as good as when I first applied it.

Seventeen Falsifeye HD Mascara is currently on offer for £4.99 and I seriously urge you to go and buy this before the price shoots up. 

Have you tried the Seventeen Falsifeye Mascara?

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MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Raven

I have found I beyond boring with my eye makeup, especially when it comes to my eyes. I like to think I am changing my makeup up but trust me, I am the master of 20 different cat/wing eyeliner looks. So on my recent trip to The Cosmetic Store I really pushed the boat out and picked up the MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Raven.

This was part of MACs 2012 Christmas range, so I am bang on trend...the joys on discount shopping eh! Raven is a blackened burgundy shade, with a slight glitter, and is quite a warm colour. Like most MAC kohl's I've tried this is very soft and smooth, with cream-like consistency. It does feel like what I would imagine a stick of butter would feel like. No tugging or pulling here. 

I personally haven’t experienced any discomfort using it on my waterline, even though it does have tiny glitter bits (Think thats a bit of a taboo to admit I do that..but hey ho). The texture makes blending easy, with or without a brush. But what impressed me most was that I can create a defined line and build on the colour to give eyes a more contoured finished. And as we know, I am one for layering up my mascara, so if I can do this with a eyeliner too? Perfection. 

Have you tried any of the MAC Kohl Eye Pencils?

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W7 Cosmetics Prime Magic Camera Ready Primer

Its not often I am huge fan of budget makeup brands, don't get me wrong, I'll happily use them but I'll never be 100% content in comparison to their more expensive competitors. So W7 Cosmetics have been a nice try out for me since receiving a bag full of their goodies. And do I need it, being a makeup snob is expensive work. Maybe whats pleased me with W7 Makeup is that they seem to be the ultimate dupe brand. Last week I found their Lashtastic Mascara was in fact a rather good (and under £5) dupe for Max Factor False Lash Effect. So first glances at their primer screamed Smash Box with all the different primers for the different skin types. Well, W7 have three and thats good enough for me. And to my delight the W7 Cosmetics Prime Magic Primer seems to a much cheaper dupe (hello £6.95) of the Smash Box Camera Ready Face Primer.

This primer is clear without any scent, luckily for my sensitive skin. It looks pretty heavy and I worried it would be too thick like some others, yes Maybelline Baby Skin Primer I mean you, but this smooths on the skin so lightly and it doesn't feel like its clogging up my pores with its heaviness.

Personally, I love this primer as it makes my skin more of a matte finish and it would be ideal I would imagine if you have oily skin and you're looking for something to keep your skin matte all day, this and a powder over your foundation will keep you mattifed all day. I've just used this, (obviously!) and the infamous Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Primer, and to be honest, except from the colour there is really no difference as far as I can tell. If you're keen on trying Porefessional but not a fan of the £24 price tag I think this W7 Primer could be your answer. 

W7 Cosmetics Prime Magic Camera Ready Primer  £6.95

Have you tried the W7 Cosmetics Prime Magic Camera Ready Primer?

*PR Sample/Gift

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Karora Cosmetics CC Cream

When BB creams came out I swore blind I would never touch them. Too little coverage for my taste. And I have been true to my word, so again when CC creams were released into the beauty world I barely even bothered looking at them. So you can say I was very dubious about trying the Karora Cosmetics CC Cream.

This CC cream did catch my eye though as its a multi tasking cream that is designed to deliver radiance, coverage and apparently complexion perfection. And you can use this on your face, and body. Hello a MAC Face and Body Foundation alternative. Karora have made this with botanicals ingredients to nourish and hydrate to improve texture and tone of your skin, not that I believe I product that provides coverage i.e. blocking pores will actually be good for your skin. But then I don't understand the science part, so I won't be arguing.

The cream is available in just one shade, which comes out a greyish shade at first, but as you work it in it darkens and becomes very pigmented with an excellent and surprising amount of coverage. The one shade thing is a bit of a issue, as you can imagine. Rarely does any makeup item have the mantra of 'one size fits all', but I think face makeup is just the worst thing for that. Obviously this is way too dark for my face, and I don't do pale...

However, all is not lost as its an excellent instant tanner for my body, and covers everything, and is much easier than a fake tan to blend, and washes off if anything goes wrong. If you are a slightly darker skin tone I would imagine this would be great to mix into your normal foundation to darken it slightly.

So my view on CC creams for the face haven't changed, however its no surprise that as I do love MACs Face and Body foundation, I love this for my body, and being the clumsy girl I am, I do often need something to cover those bruises which I can never remember doing. Karora UK Stockist is Lloyds Pharmacy. Who have timely seem to of sold out...But for now have a look at their website Karora CC Cream.

Have you tried Karora Cosmetics CC Cream or any CC Cream?

*PR Sample/Gift

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MAC Veluxe Brow Liner Viva Glam by Rihanna

I never buy much, if anything, from MACs limited edition collections, as I fear I will fall head over heels for a item, then I'll never be able to have it again. But on a recent trip to The Cosmetic Store, the same as the one I visited in Bicester, I picked up the MAC Veluxe Brow Liner from the Viva Glam Rihanna range, must of had a spontaneous moment. 

I wasn't going to buy this as the only colour was Deep Dark Brunette, obviously a bit far fetched for my blondness, but after swatching it, I risked it. The colour Deep Dark Brunette is a grayish, brownish taupe, and is a cool shade, which more than likely helps it match up with my brows.

It’s also hard to go wrong with pencils when it comes to brows I find. All I need to do is fill in the sparse spots in my arch and the tail end of my brows, the side closer to my ear, brush through with the built-in brush on the end, then run the remaining product on the brush over the inner side of my brow, my nose side.

I also love the slightly powdery finish and it looks quite natural, as opposed to typical strong pencil. It’s almost like powder in a precision pencil. I do get better definition with than I get with a brow powder or eyeshadow, yet they’re not as harsh as brow-fillers like gels such as Benefit Brow Zings. A all round winner.

The MAC Veluxe Brow Liner is the perfect answer for when you glance at yourself in the mirror and think, “Yep, my brows could be bigger.”

MAC Veluxe Brow Liner Viva Glam Rihanna £15

Have you tried the MAC Veluxe Brow Liner? Or any of the Viva Glam by Rihanna collection?

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What I've Been Loving This Week

Again, I just can't resist these What I've Been Loving This Week posts. I obviously procrastinate too much by reading blogs...well it is blog research right? Or I could shift blame and say stop posting such interesting posts. I have work to do...

First is Holly from Petite Promise and Her Body Shop Haul. As if I need any more encouragement to head to The Body Shop at anytime, let alone during their sale, but Holly has given me about 4 more reasons.

Next is Kirstie from Yellow Brick Blog and her new Youtube venture. I'm still not entirely convinced on the Youtube world like most bloggers, but I'm getting there. And Kirstie's videos are definitely helping me fall in love with Vlogs and I have been religiously watching her uploads since she started.

Up next Ellis from ELRBX and her guide to tanning, for milk bottles, i.e. Me. Need I say more? Any tanning tips are very welcomed in my pale world as I am just not ready yet to embrace my non tanned skin. 

Seems one of my own posts has slipped in, so modest...I'm joking, but I mean bright pink nails. I seem obvious to the pastel trend this week, and can't get enough of cerise coloured finger tips.

Bloggers, I know I go on about it a lot, but the entire blogging community is just well lovely. And I tried to share the love on Twitter today with the standard #FF. Enjoy!

What have you been loving this week?

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W7 Lashtastic False Liquid Lashes Mascara

Now I've never met a mascara under £5 that I've liked. Ever. I just can't lie, none meet my expectations. Mascara snob over here. But as you might of seen in W7 Makeup Haul last week, I have the W7 Lashtastic False Liquid Lashes Mascara to try...

There isn't many claims from W7 to what this mascara is meant to achieve, just the false lash effect. But, first thing I noticed is the similarities to Max Factor False Lash Effect. Firstly the false lash claim, yes making myself sound very observant, but also the wand is identical. I do also think its rather similar to the Max Factor Clump Defy. The packaging stands out as well it is bright yellow. I am sure this one will not be hard to find in a makeup bag. But this is one thing I don't understand about budget brands, why make the products look cheap? Or it that the point? What do I know. 

I'll stick to what I do know, and that is mascara wands, this one is a chunky plastic one with short bristles, and the brush is large and I just knew before I tried it that I will make a mess. And I did. So just take note if you like your wands slimmer. (Just Google the Max Factor False Lash Effect if you're really intrigued into this wand..) However, fat wands, cheap packaging and slight eye mess aside, I really like this mascara. Its a great daytime natural look, and builds lashes up evenly without clumping up, so you can if you're feeling clever build it up for a more dramatic look. 

I can't stress enough how identical this is to Max Factor False Lash Effect. If you're a fan of that, or after a cheaper alternative you NEED to try W7 Lashtastic False Liquid Lashes Mascara. How much my inner mascara snob hates to admit this, in a blind test I highly doubt I could tell the difference. As if I have found my first under £5 mascara that I will actually wear...

W7 Lashtastic Black Mascara - £4.95

Have you tried the W7 Lashtastic False Liquid Lashes Mascara?

*PR Sample/Gift

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