What I've Been Loving This Week

Feels like I haven't done one of my What I've Been Loving This Week posts in forever. I think I got too distracted playing tourist. But I have found there is just too much love this week over here, so of course I have to share it.

Erstwhile Felicity | One of my brand new blog finds, and I am so happy I stumbled across Erstwhile Felicity as I am head over heels with everything this girl does. Just look at her photography. You will be in love too.

Miaou Or Never | Just look at her cat. No words are needed to why I love her blog, coming from a future mad cat lady.

Soap & Glory | Why oh why did I ignore their makeup, completely? I admit it, I am a snob who thought a 'budget' brand just could not be good. I eat words...Supercatt and Brow Archery I salute you.

Alexa Chung's 'IT' | Ugh. I did not want to like this, I did not even want this book. But it happened (thanks to the library, old school eh) and I am a tiny bit obsessed, even for the photos alone. The entire book just wants me to become more 'cool'. Which will never happen. Don't with Arianna Grande's album on repeat anyway.

What have you been loving this week?

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Soap and Glory Brow Archery

I can fully blame Sian for this purchase. And she can also take the blame for the Supercat Liner Pen I also brought at the same time. But since seeing the Soap and Glory Brow Archery on her blog months ago, I just had to have it. I got the shade Love is Blonde, and the range is rather limited, I got only see two colours. However, this shade was pretty perfectly matched to my brows so I was happy.

The unique thing with Brow Archery is the pencil on one end and a felt tip pen on the other. The pencil end is firm, a little dry but not too waxy allowing you to fill in and define your brows in either a natural or dramatic. The rounded end doesn't give you the precision that some others pencil's do but that's where the Brow Tint comes in.

The brow tint, a fine nib felt tip pen that is, somehow, just the right amount of colour. Some people have said that they find the nib to be dry, I haven't found this... I then use the crayon to then define my eye brow shape a bit more. The great thing about the crayon end is there is no need to blend in. It creates more of a smudged natural line than a harsh line which kohl pencils can create if you’re a little too heavy handed and don’t use the brush to blend.

I never thought I would see the day I would use a felt tip pen on my brows, but Brow Archery just works. One item that does deserve the hype.

Soap and Glory Brow Archery £10

Have you tried the Soap and Glory Brow Archery?

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Underused Makeup

Totally irrelevant photo, but impromptu post means impromptu photo. Plus I am trying to cling on to summer with my sunnies. Anyway, I think we are all guilty of not using most of our makeup. But sitting here thinking about it, there are items I love, yet I don't use...not reason in particular, I just need to use them more.

MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Raven | I love this colour, I really do. But its almost like it just totally forget I own it. Which I think I did till the post. Might have to stick this on my mirror or something...

Karora Cosmetics CC Cream |I'm all for a lazy makeup cut, so why I don't use CC cream more is beyond me. A bit of colour and even complexion? Yes please. So why do I forget it? I honestly have no idea.

Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner | I do love this, and the finish. But it can be a pain to apply quickly. Or maybe thats just me making a mess, but I am finding the Supercat Liner much quicker (like I said I am a huge fan of makeup laziness). Although I must try and persevere with this. I must.

Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara | I love the wand on this mascara, and think its the perfect Benefit They're Real dupe. Its only of the only high street mascaras I really rate, yet it barely sees the light of day. 

George at Asda Quick Dry Nail Polishes | These are £1. Its practically like shop lifting them from Asda. Yet my collection of these polishes totals to one. Forget using these more, I actually need to buy more. I feel a rather polish centred weekly shop this week.

Whats on your Underused Makeup list?

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Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara

Bourjois are one of those brands who their entire mascara range has passed me by. There is nothing wrong with them, but they cost near to the £10/£11 mark, which in my eyes is expensive for a high street mascara. But, that has all changed now as with the release of the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara a few months ago, Boots had this on sale. And I caved. Excited to try a new high street mascara brand, and a mascara that claims to offer volume in well, 1 second, how could I not be intrigued?

There's the regular version, which is the one with the orange band, and the waterproof version has a blue band, just in case you end up standing in Boots trying to figure out what's what! I do really like the mirrored packaging and it means I can find it easily when it's plonked in my makeup bag along with everything else, and it reminds me of cheaper version of my beloved Benefit They're Real mascara. 

You'll have to excuse me here but there is really no other way to describe this. My wand has balls. I know. The technical term is 'wraparound spheres', but they're balls. Look at them. These 'wraparound spheres' are alternated between the evenly sized bristles and promises to cover each lash.

So does this work? Ohh yes. Straight away I found the formula perfect, not too wet, nor too dry and this wand covers each of my lashes giving me volume AND length. The wand is slightly large, so do bare that in mind if you prefer a smaller one, but even though I am messiest mascara applier ever, I've had no smudgy eyes when I've been putting it on. And, I  do think it works particularly well on the bottom lashes, and dare I say it...I think this could be a very good Benefit They're Real dupe.

One tiny downside, I think if someone were to buy this hoping for volumised lashes in one second flat, you may not get what you expected, as who can apply mascara that quickly? That aside, go and get this mascara ASAP before the price goes back up.

Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara £6.99

Will you be buying the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara?

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Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen

 

My favourite eye makeup look requires a eyeliner pen in my opinion. Gel is too thick (and messy), and even the marjory hyped Benefit They're Real Liner is just a bit heavy for every day use I'm finding. I picked up the Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner on a bit of a whim, and most high street liners I try just don't cut it, so I thought I would try one makeup brand I've never really tried. Plus I loved the name. Supercat? Well they sold me.

Of course gorgeous packaging by Soap and Glory, as always. Although the cardboard box is a little unnecessary as it just gets thrown away. Or recycled of course. When I swatched this I was surprised by how black it is, and some others (Rimmel & Maybelline) almost looked grey in comparison.

Supercat has a super fine tip, which makes it very easy to draw on a straight line on your lid. Yes it hurts a little, but then I can't have it all. Fine lines and soft nibs don't mix. What I like about finer nibs is that I can get either a natural fine line, or a thicker for more dramatic look. Which is normally what happens as I don't have the artistic skills for drawing fine lines. I can't manage on paper so there is no hope for my twitching eyes. 

For only £6 I highly doubt you'll find one as good, and this eyeliner has firmly made a place in my makeup bag. 

Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen £6

Have you tried the Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen?

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Playing Tourist: Part 3

I am really getting into this tourist malarkey. Especially castles. I do like a good castle visit. In previous weeks I have Playing Tourist at Hever Castle, and again Played Tourist at Leeds Castle. This week, its Bodiam Castle. Again, stupidly close to where I live I can't actually believe it, and just how uncultured I really am.  

14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's 'most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments'. But now days its a just a ruin. Deceiving as from the outside it looks still in a perfect state, but the broken down walls and general lack of interior say otherwise. Obviously this has slightly less to walk round then the others, but I still loved walking round imagining, and wishing,  I lived in the Medieval Times. Then I remembered they didn't have mascara. 

I might go further a field on my next castle venture, as well, I am running out of castles.

Have you been to Bodiam Castle?

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Birchbox | August 2014

This is only my second ever beauty box, and this months Birchbox has a lot to live up too. I fell head over heals for the Birchbox and Harper's Bazaar collaboration box. This month’s theme is Away We GoAs, obviously designed for those of you jetting off. And not so much for us girls still here in our usual routines. Oh well, I like to feel summery regardless. As usual there is cards inside with lots of hints and tips, and a run down of all the products in the box, which I am forever grateful for as there is always a few brands I've never heard of... And this is what is inside the August Birchbox

Liaison De Parfum | Sample | Full Size RRP £105 (ouch)

I almost didn't smell this, as I didn't want to fall in love and not be able to afford it. But this scent is lovely, but just not my cup of tea. I picked up the Sandalwood tones straight away and in my opinion overpowers the remainder of the other notes which include leather, cedar, Laban, bergamot, lemon, tangerine, immortelle, patchouli, iris, geranium and musk.

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect | Sample Size 30ml | Full Size RRP £20

Always handy to carry a leave in conditioner, especially when away to tame that tangled and unruly hair. Beaches trip can be thanked for this.

Supergoop Daily Correct SPF 35 CC Cream | Sample Size 3ml | Full Size RRP £32

This CC cream from the American brand, is a good amount of holiday skin coverage. Estee Lauder Double Wear would be too much for even me on holiday.

Nude ProGenius Omega Treatment Oil | Sample Size | Full Size RRP £58

Oh. My. God. This is amazing. I've only used it twice, but this treatment is a saviour on my dry skin. Normally I steer clear of serums as I just think its a spot fest waiting to happen. But clearly I am wrong, and there will be tears when I finish this.   

Wild about Beauty Powder Eyeshadow | Olivia | Full Size RRP £13.00

Who knew that Louise Rednapp along with Kim Jacob had a make-up line? Well here is one of the powder eye shadows from their paraben free range and it’s a full sized product. Say hello to Wild About Beauty.

Lifestyle Extra | Chapter Sampler of the The Proposal by Tasmina Perry | £7.99

Slightly random, but here is a book chapter to read. I've actually read the book so this wasn't useful for me. But I would imagine it is a very clever way to get you engrossed and then buy the book. Which you should, its a fabulous book.

Overall I do love this box, but I don't think its quite as good as the Harper's Bazaar box I received a few months ago. 

Also, you can sign up to BirchBox and get £5 off your first box. Bargain. Just use this code - BBX5MASCARA

What did you think of the August 2014 Birchbox?

*PR Sample/Gift

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Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Hey lovelies. I've talked and recommended this foundation on so many occasions, but I don't actually have a post dedicated to it. Today that has changed as I finally have my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation review. This is such a holy grail foundation for many, and I am sure you would of already read a million other reviews, or least know that so many bloggers rave about this Estee Lauder foundation. I know I have.

The claim from this foundation? To stay in place, be transfer free, mattifying, oil and shine free, and wait for it, leaves your skin looking flawless. With the liquid foundation claiming to last for 15 hours, my expectations of Estee Lauder have a lot to live up to to say the least. Not that I can imagine anyone actually wearing their foundation for 15 hours at a time? Or if you do, own up. 

Now Estee Lauder offers so many colours I was stuck for choice (makes a change), and I got matched up with a consultant only to find when I went outside my face was WHITE. No joke, I looked like I was moonlighting as a clown that day. So much to my mum's horror, when I actually brought the foundation I purchased a slightly darker shade, 1N1 Ivory Nude, to find the match was perfect. I prefer a yellow based foundation as it cancels out a lot of the red tones that I have in some areas of my face. Not that the consultant was listening to that....

Anyway, onto the foundation itself, and if you didn't guess by my introduction I adore this foundation. Such a creamy texture that only requires a small amount to cover my whole face, this foundation dries quickly once applied to the face. But it's not difficult to work with when dry. I find that it layers well (although I'm always good with one layer) without looking blotchy, and with all my makeup experimentation I've found for a lighter coverage, a dampened beauty blender sponge is perfect. Sorry foundation brush lovers. 

One tiny negative, because this foundation initially blurs out all imperfections, it can make your skin look very one-dimensional. I think, bronzer and blush are necessary to add shadows/dimension back into my face and stopping me looking like something from Madame Tussauds. Plus contouring and highlighting is my new favourite makeup activity (yeah...thanks for that Kim K.) Double Wear really does live up to its name and stays put all day, 10+ hours without needing touch ups. Overall, Estee Lauder has done well, and in my opinion I can fully see why this is such a holy grail product. Slightly expensive, but hey, it's so worth it.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation  £28.50

Have you tried Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation?

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Focus on bronzing

Its that time of year where bronzers are everywhere. Perfect for me as I am not going on holiday this year, and regardless, I don't tan anyway. Saying that, I never actually try. When it comes to a tan, fake is best. No sun for me, and I am sure when I reach 50, my skin will thank me. Well, it better do. But here is a run down of my favourite tanning products I use to give me a bit of a glow.

Benefit Dallas Bronzer. I know I harp on about this bronzer, but I am yet to find one that beats it. Nars is next on my list saying that, but it will take a lot for me to part from Dallas. Maybe I'll just buy another one as a spare...

Bourjois bronzing primer. My Chanel copy, as I just can't afford the real thing. But Bourjois have done so well this, I can't stop using it. 

No7 Instant Radiance Bronzing Highlighter. Again, I know I keep mentioning this, but No7 have just made it so easy to highlight with this stick. No faffing. 

Seventeen Instant Glow Shimmer Brick. My budget bronzer of choice, and a complete Bobbi Brown copy. And even cheaper that The Body Shop's version. You only have to read my first line of this post to see how much I love it. 

Benefit Sugarbomb Blush. So technically not a blush, and I wasn't even fussed when I got this. But I do like to add a hint of pink/warmth to my face. Just to side step the total Umpa Lumpa look.

What are favourite bronzing products?

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Barry M Gelly Nail Polish in Olive

Hey lovelies. After picking up Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her last week I seem to now I have a thing for green toned nails. I once thought they were only good for the likes of Shrek, but for some reason the minute I saw the shade in the new Barry M summer collection, I just knew I needed it. Ugly or not. 

Olive is pale green/grey, and much nicer than olives you see in jars I must say. This is also thicker than most the Gelly polishes I've tried, and I do think I could almost get away with the one coat. But then I decided that was just too risky, and painted on another. 

I don't like this as much as Essie Maximillian Strasse-Her, and Olive is very much a marmite shade, you'll either love the green/grey finish. Or completely hate it and think its vile. With that in mind, I am looking forward to wearing this out to see what the reaction is... 

Barry M Gelly Nail Polish in Olive £3.99

Have you tried Barry M Olive?

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Benefit Cosmetics High Brow Pencil

Hey lovelies. I do really think that after mascara, eyebrows are my next makeup obsession. I have had my eye on the Benefit High Brow Pencil for a while now, but I was torn between this and the High Brow Glow, which is a shimmery take on their original. But I do know I am much more a matte girl in every makeup sense, so welcome High Brow to my makeup bag (well room really).

I have not long 'grown' my eyebrows, but they just never look neat. High Brow, which is a light matte pink shade, is applied just under the arch of the brow, enhances eyebrows, giving them instant lift and creating the appearance of perfect, arched brows, even though I don’t have them. How does it do it? Honestly, I have no idea. It’s hard to put your finger on just what High Brow does to make such a difference, but I can tell you that it does make a difference, making my brows look so much more groomed and dramatic than they do without it.

The color is perfect too, whilst the High Brow Glow is much more of an evening colour, High Brow being a matte shade it is ideal to wear during the day, without being too white or pink, and doesn't give your eyebrows that make you stop traffic. And not in a good way. No surprises then that this is another Benefit product that gets a huge thumbs up from me. Just watch out Cara Delevingne, just watch out...

Benefit High Brow Pencil £15

Have you tried the Benefit High Brow Pencil?

 

 

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Arran Aromatics Green Tea Eye Gel

I'm all for any gel or creams that claim to give my eyes a break. Puffy eyes are my forte. And with Arran Aromatics being pretty hyped in the blogging world at the moment, how could I resist trying the Green Tea Eye Gel?

No fancy claims here, just claiming to reduce puffiness and wrinkles and just being a treat for tired eyes. I just wish the jar was a bit more exciting, it reminds me of samples you get at makeup counters, and I like my packaging just a bit more interesting. But then it is £3.50 so I can handle expect the world...right?

This a very lightweight gel with an almost watery consistency, I just popped on underneath my eyes (straight on the bags and puff) and it has such a lovely cooling effect. Putting on at night helps when I wake up as my eyes feel less puffy and more like I've had a good night sleep, even though I rarely do. I did also fing keeping this eye gel in the fridge as it makes it even more effective on my eyes, and obviously more cooling. 

I wouldn't say it's a major player in the eye cream world, but it's definitely a lovely treat for my  ever tired eyes.

Arran Aromatics Green Tea Eye Gel £3.50

Have you tried the Arran Aromatics Green Tea Eye Gel?

*PR Sample/Gift

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Old Wives Tail Hair Rosemary & Argan Oil Treatment

Hey lovelies. Now before you say anything, I've not made a spelling mistake in the title, 'tail' is a play on 'tale', not me making an error. Which is normally the case. I was recently sent the Old Wives Tail Oil Treatment to try, and this couldn't of come at a better time as I am trying to bring my hair back to live after a hairdresser pretty much killed it with bleach. But that is whole different story. And no, I didn't ask for a full head of bleach foils, she misread my notes. Wonderful. 

Anyway, moans aside, I was very grateful to receive a product designed to condition my hair tacking thick, fizzy and unruly hair, with added vitamin E. Which mine has recently become. Its also good to note that Old Wives Tail as a brand are 100% against animal testing, and are a natural, chemical free, environmentally friendly brand. Also you need to have a read of the story behind OWT.

Following the instructions, I used the treatment on damp hair and massaged it into my scalp. Having left it on for just over an hour, trying to ignore my boredom, and then rinsed thoroughly. The Rosemary & Argan Oil scent is obviously notable, and however stupid this sounds, it does smell like its working. Or is it just me who thinks products have this effect?

You really don't need a lot of this, I've used this mask about four times now, and I've not even used a quarter of it. My hair was in such a mess that I doubted it could do much for my hair, but this is the only product that I've used on my hair in a long time that has actually worked, and helped my hair feel less bleached. My hair isn't going to be like silk at the moment, but this treatment has made it feel a bit more 'normal', plus smell lingers for several days after washing. I can't really praise this enough, and this is defiantly one brand you need to watch out for.

Old Wives Tail Rosemary & Argan Oil Treatment £13.99

Have you tried Old Wives Tail Hair Oil Treatment?

*PR Sample/Gift

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Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

 

After that hate that seemed to surround the Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick, I was rather wary of foundation sticks. Admittedly I do love the idea and laziness that comes with a foundation stick, and while Maybelline's one is okay, its not fantastic, and that is more than likely why I was attracted to the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick. I just hate when foundation is a effort, I prefer to put my efforts into my mascara. Foundation needs to be quick and easy.

This stick has actually been updated and reformulated from the original, so I do wonder what the first one was like, but with the packaging staying the same I would imagine its hard to tell the difference. The new version has a 'transparent base and skin tone correcting pigments', designed to give a natural look. I wouldn't expect anything less from Bobbi Brown though.

I don't apply this directly onto my face, as I just think that is a bacteria spreading ground, especially when my skin is having a spot party. So I use my fingers and then Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to buff it in and it blends smoothly and evenly that I ever expected. The first photo is the foundation dabbed on my hand (obviously thats not my face), and the second is blended in. This just shows how good this is as it even blends ands covers my fake tan hand. This foundation is just like using a one from a bottle, and never did I expect this from a stick. 

And although the formula is moisturising and creamy, it really complements my combination skin, and no oil breakouts through during the day. I think as my expectations of this foundation were so low, I am pleasantly surprised, and a tiny bit gutted I overlooked this for so long. And if you didn't guess by how many times I said the word 'blend', this is definitely the best thing about it. Well done Bobbi Brown, a reformulated product gone right. 

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick £29

Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick?

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