Three mascaras not to leave Boots without

Because when do I ever leave Boots without mascara? It just doesn't happen. Yet in all my years of mascara buying there are three I repeatedly go back to (offer or not), and I know the pain of standing there faffing around over which mascara, so here would be three mascaras I'd say not too leave Boots without.

Firstly the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara is actually the only Borjois mascara I'd really say go for. Either this one, the ultra black, the original are a complete saviour for the days when my lashes go flat, pointy and a bit dire. And being able to say the sentence "my wand has balls" is enough to be team Bourjois.

Next is one brand who is consistent with their mascaras, and the Maybelline Cat Eyes Mascara is one of my favourites. But to be fair, pretty much any Maybelline mascara is worth having a look at as they all do the job they say on the tin.

Lastly is the one I have had the longest love affair with the, Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara. This gets to the root of my lashes and build them up without clumping, and with length. For under £10, what is not to like?

Notable mentions go to Max Factor Clump Defy, L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes, Seventeen Falsifeye HD and L'Oreal Paris False Lash Flutter Mascara. Can you now see why I never leave Boots without a mascara in tow?

Have you tried any of these mascaras?

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The Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette

 

Why have I done this again? Made a huge claim that if you only buy one Makeup Revolution item blah blah blah, and then have to retract that and say this is it. This is the one item you simply must own. Welcome the Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette (£8). It was in fact their other contour palettes that I said was the holy grail of, well makeup life. So this new palette really shouldn't be a surprise.

In this, are eight new powders, for contouring and sculpting with a additional of two of their merged baked highlighters for illumination, mirror included. Other brands take not. The brown shades, for contouring, are ridiculously creamy and it I was putting this on with a blind (obviously I wouldn't do that for contouring) I'd struggle to guess these were powders. And I am going to throw another big claim out there and say these are some of the best quality i.e. not powdery Makeup Revolution product I've tried.

The two illuminators I've tried previously in their other palettes, and the quality of these haven't changed as it seems they are a tad more powdery. Even so the white gold, and the second more golden one, are lovely to apply and the shimmer is approved by me (shimmer hater) as on the skin these are a sheer glow, no glitter chucks. Word is that this palette is a very good copy of the Anastasia Beverly Hills contour palette - but with two extra shades.

So if you can get over my lies, this is the one item you need from Makeup Revolution - I promise.

Will you be trying the Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette?

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What I have Been Loving This Week

Something odd has happened...we are ONE week away from AUGUST and I seem to lost about 4 months. Brilliant. In this time warp, I've also lost my weekly posts, as its defiantly been a fair few weeks since I've last done one of these, May to be exact. But as I have included the most irrelevant photo of my cat, then hopefully no one will notice I have consistency issues. 

The 'Twenty Sumtin Sumtin' 7 Reason to be happy this month | Well, why wouldn't you want to be happy? And what Anne - Marie has managed with this post is not your typical 'you have a lovely mum' (sorry mum) type of points, all these 7 reasons made me think.

She's So Lucy's keep on trying | Few points with this one, 1. I'm not having a emotional week, promise. 2. Not there is anything wrong with that. 3. But for some reason these motivational posts seem to be sticking in my mind this week. 4. Not only is Lucy's post self explanatory, its a must read.

Porcelain Beauty, how to wear purples post | I feel a bit like a naught school child with this, as I can't tell you how many people tell me to wear purple eyeshadow, but do I? Course not. Heather has my purple phobia (if you can call it that) sorted. Just beware your bank balance might diminish if you read this one.

Pinterest | I am awfully sorry if you do follow me on Pinterest, as this week there is nothing I haven't pinned. Cute of photos of pets I want? Photos of where I wish I was? Photos of what I wished I could look like? And photos of what I think are humorous quotes? Check. Over 12,600 pins later and I need rehab. Or least to delete the app.

What have you been loving this week?

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Freedom Makeup London Pro Correct Palette

Why don't some makeup items come with instruction manuals? They should. Or at least a big huge banner telling me what they are. As when the Freedom Makeup London Pro Correct Palette (£5) landed on my doorstep I didn't actually know what it was. First guess was eyeshadow, then I did see this was a corrector palette. Good job I didn't get as far as the application...

Freedom Makeup are the sister company (I think) of the slightly well know Makeup Revolution, and like I previously said I adore both brands for some budget makeup even if I can't tell the difference between them. The idea with this palette is that the 6 shade are there to conceal and tone your skin, and to illuminate. All the textures of these are surprisingly creamy, even being creams I didn't quite expect from a cheaper brand, serves me right eh. 

Luckily my skin tone is fairly even, but the three shades I have been using are the illuminator, concealer and the green one. The first two are pretty good, not quite enough to beat my favourite two concealers and highlighters but for a palette job, I'm impressed. The green? Well, its the best green thing I've put on my face, and my cheek redness has definitely been covered.

My only fault with this, and its not even with the palette itself, is what I previously mentioned (and no I wasn't joking) as a instruction manual of some sort would of been very welcomed. Or am I just showing my age?

Have you tried the Freedom Makeup London Pro Correct Palette?

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The Face Contrast

It appears I have contrasting standards with what I put on my face. Admittedly being a bit of a makeup snob you'd think it would only be one end of the price spectrum in my makeup bag. While there is of course a lot of pricey items across my dressing table, there are a few items that cost less than my (daily) coffee. No joke. When I pair these two contrasts up, I have one face that is contrasting, yet balanced price wise.

For starters,the Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Foundation is very Maybelline Dream Matte mousse-esque when you open it. What amazes me with the Creme Smooth is the excellent coverage yet it is stupidly lightweight. It honestly feels like I am wearing no makeup (mascara excluded), even a BB cream feels heavier than this.

To pair with the dreamy yet pricey pot? The Makeup Revolution Blush Palette in All About Bronze. The one Makeup Revolution item you need. All of these 8 shades are a range of matte, shimmer and merged baked blushers, and that includes two colours for contouring and highlighting. The palest colour luckily doesn't wash me out and still gives me a golden glow, while the darkest is still a very good contouring shade. Even for my pale face.

Are you the same? Do you have completely contrasting makeup items in your makeup bag?

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The one that beats Chanel

Not often I make such a claim. Well only the one, but the cleanser was worth it. I have had this perfume, or cologne as Jo Malone calls it, for a fair few months now, and it has not slipped off my perfume radar at all, so this is no passing fad (common in my world). 

The Jo Malone Peony and Suede Blush is the first scent of mine that I consider on par, if not, beating my ultimate Coco Mademoiselle Chanel.  The fuss with this scent? Well, its a sweet and romantic scent that combines the freshness of red apple, jasmine, the luxury of peony (favourite flower) and the unusual mix of suede into the one heavenly fragrance. 

Think a floral scent with a touch of leather won't work? Think again. This has no trace of leather at all, so no worries that you'll smell like a new car or that leather bomber jacket in Topshop. The combination leaves a scent I think is a tad musky but the floral edge leaves it warm and understated. Think Marc Jacobs Daisy or Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, but nicer. It’s that sort of scent that you’ll love but you won’t be sure exactly why.

Jo Malone Peony and Suede Blush Cologne £40

Have you tried Jo Malone Peony and Suede Blush Cologne?

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The Caudalie Rose De Vigne Fragrance

Oh Caudalie. Why are you so luxurious? If its not your Divine Body Scrub its your new Caudalie Rose De Vigne Fresh Fragrance £26. Help me, and my bank account.

Like expected I have fallen for Caudalie's newest fragrance, the Rose de Vigne. Aimed to 'capture the quiet and idyllic atmosphere of the vineyards with the arrival of spring', while be light and airy like you would imagine for a summer scent. As I have never ventured into a vineyard, and not at summer, I can't say if Rose De Vigne smells like the name suggests. But what I can say is that this is pure rose scent heaven, yet not with the typical heaviness you might expect as thrown into the mix is crispy rhubarb and grapefruit and warmed by white musks and woods amber. Although I'll be honest, and I cant smell the rhubarb (luckily) nor the grapefruit really, but there is a bit of a sharpness to this rose which makes non old lady like. 

Have you tried the Caudalie Rose De Vigne Fragrance?

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He-Shi Gold Foaming Mousse

July. Is. Here. So of course that means fake tan is firmly back on my radar. For me nothing means the slightly nicer weather has arrived than being sure my skin has somewhat of a glow. A new addition to my ever growing tan collection is the He-Shi Gold Foaming Mousse (£25), and I am in fact entirely new to He-Shi brand, which name I do love for starters, even if I can't pronounce it. 

The Gold Foaming Mousse is a mousse, if the name didn't give that one away, and like most you just apply it where you fancy, leave 6-8 hours (don't sweat etc so any excuse for me not to exercise), and then wash to bronzed skin. This has made me miss mousses after my recent affair with sprays, as it spreads so easily and smoothly and dries in a instant without stickiness. I even managed to fix a few areas with my hands as it is that workable, and hopefully I washed my hands in time...or no high fives for me.

Another thing that is a must for me and my tans is being able to see the colour when applying it, as I am just not talented enough for the guessing games, and the Gold Foaming Mousse is perfect as I can see just were its going, or not going and the bits I've missed which more the case. 

Even though this does look quite dark, once spread its a medium colour, which isn’t too deep for this time of year, yet I no longer look like a blonde corpse. Its very true to its name, and a lovely golden shade is the best way to describe the result. The smell is practically non existent, so much so that I did nearly forget to mention it. I would go as far as saying this has no scent, maybe due to the 92% natural ingredients, lack of parabens or alcohol but I'm not grumbling. With the mix of aloe vera, vitamins A and E, plus vitamin B5 to boost hydration, the He-Shi Gold Foaming Mousse is my new favourite tanner in my bathroom. Next on my list? Learning to pronounce it. 

Have you tried the He-Shi Gold Foaming Mousse?

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The Birchbox Travel 'Box'

 

Be a bit serious now, how can you not like Birchbox? I for certain won't hear any different anyway. And with July fully upon us it only seems fit for Birchbox to release their travel addition, or otherwise cutely named the 'Birchbag'. Like the heatwave (sob) gone is the box, and in its place is a neon pouch that could double up as either a clutch bag or a little place to stash all your travel essentials, although I could do with about 10 of these in that case.

There are in fact four neons, and naturally I was happy I got the pink but considering all colours are by the travels from editors at Condé Nast Traveller, Grazia and Sunday Times Style I wouldn't grumble at any. And once I have gotten over the pretty cases, the contents inside are not bad themselves...

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum | Congested skin? Yep, over here. This aloe vera, chamomile and lavender based serum is made to calm existing breakouts as well as soothe and calm the skin too.

Unani Aloe Vera Gel | If (when) sunburn strikes this gel is the perfect product to soothe, repair, moisturise and cool skin. Not that we get sunburnt of course...

Pop Beauty Eyeshadow Trio in Peach Parfait | Cutest eyeshadows, ever. This dinky palette of three warm gold shadows, are my idea of heaven. And ideal for the beach if you can be bothered.

Benefit Cosmetics Dream Screen | One brand whose skincare in underrated, and this SPF 45 face cream is so lightweight it doesn't overwhelm the skin in the heat. 

Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter Luminizer Gel (full size) |  This rose pink liquid highlighter is just so pretty with a tan, but remember from your fake tan yeah...

Barely Prep, Blot & Blend Sponge (full size) | This is genius in sponge form. Just a mini version of the beauty blenders, this does it all; foundation, cream products and contour and highlight. See.

As you don't miss out here, the code SUMMERMM will give you £5 off the Birchbox July 2015 The code will be valid until the 31st July. Its a special code so I do think you need to use it...

Will you be getting the The Birchbox Travel Box?

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Benefit Cosmetics They're Real in colour

Check this out. Stop what you're doing (except reading this obviously) and have a look at what I have. Only my favourite duo in colour form. Welcome Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Colour. Admittedly I am not one for coloured eye products as I abused them enough in my teen years to put me off a lifetime, yet as of course as its Benefit I had to give the new range a whirl. Plus they came with M&'M's so I was hardly going to refuse was I?

The Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Mascara now comes in two new colourful shades along with 4 new colourful shades in the Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Push Up Liner. I may be biased, but I do think I have the best of the colours, well for me at least, as in the liner I have a somewhat shocking blue, named appropriately beyond blue. Luckily this isn't a royal or turquoise blue like I was scared of, but more of a deep navy that sits perfectly with my mascara for a surprisingly even gel line. I have even surprised myself that after all these years blue eyeliner is back in my makeup bag.

For my favourite ever mascara, I have the shade Beyond Brown. Probably not one to wear with the blue eyeliner, unless you're brave, as this is a rich chocolate brown with a warm undertone. Not too surprising here, but for a mascara addict brown mascara is one that does often enter my radar. As if I could wear a darker colour than black mascara, I would. Yet this brown mixed with my favourite voluming and lash catching formula is perfect for a more natural everyday look. Which as I am flying through my 20's is actually the sorts of days I am having more often. The old saying is 'life is better in colour', and I defiantly agree.

Will you be trying the Benefit Cosmetics They're Real in colour?

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The Current Favourites

This could (and probably should in the blogging world) be a 'monthly' favourites posts. But as I have never done one of those before, and the chances of me doing one next month are ridiculously small, I'll just stick to this being my current favourites. Saying that, this is only a tiny selection of what I have been obsessing with recently as I am sure like most of you, my beauty draws are slightly overflowing.

First, is of course a mascara, and don't ask what on earth has happened as if you read my initial post on this I didn't really like it. But whatever happened, Benefit Roller Lash* has not been put down over here. It might be length, it might be the definition or it might even just be as I was completely wrong on this mascara, but I a Roller Lash convert.

Next probably just as surprising is a fake tan. I am stupidly fickle between every brand going, yet Cocoa Brown Tan* do seem to be the one I use the most. Maybe its just as I only have to wait a hour for a tan from this, but I love the brown glow I get from this. Even my mum uses it, and we all know mothers are indeed right.

Lastly, is a slightly odd yet hair saving object in the form of the Scunci Insta Twist*. Not as scary as this looks, as all I have been doing is popping two bits of hair under the clamps and twirling them up and pining them to my head. Think boho braids for when your hair isn't behaving, like mine never does. This tool has been fixing my bad hair days no end. Just don't show a photo of this a man (or girl I guess) as there might not be the cleanest of thoughts....

What are your current favourites?

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Make Believe Self Tan Lotion

 

I do like a good fake tan, I'm not one to really sit in the sun. I do blame my neighbour who is too chatty for my liking, but then I should thank him for looking after my skin. My latest tan to my (overflowing) collection? Make Believe Self Tan Lotion with bronzer (£18).

This is the first tan I've tried that comes in stages, well zones to be correct. Each describing the level of tan, and something more fake tans could take note of. Would save many fake tan disasters I am sure, and makes fake tan simple, which it should be. This self tan lotion is zone 4, described as a 'Summer in Europe' glow, which for the name alone I won't be turning down. Again, not entirely sure the 'with bronzer' part means as I would of presumed tan would include this already, but anything that promises to give me a tan I'll take.

Don't be alarmed at the deep colour of this, which I was, as once this creamy lotion was applied the colour settled down nicely, and least I could see where I was actually applying it. Surprisingly this fresh and fruity smelling tan only had to be left on for our hours before I could wash it off, ideal for someone, like me, with practically no patience to wait the typical 8 hours for a tan to develop. What I was left with after 4 hours was such a gorgeous bronzed colour that looks natural on my very pale skin. No orange undertones, and so far, after a week of using this I am still fully bronzed up. Whatever part the 'with bronzer' element played I am more than happy with the £18 tube. Nosey neighbour, thank you.

Have you tried the Make Believe Self Tan Lotion?

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The Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Body Butter

I'm often sold on a products name as I am that shallow, and Neals Yard Remedies newest addition is no exception. 'Bee Lovely'? How am I meant to resist that one? Well I didn't, and after a visit to their Bee Lovely Body Butter (£23) launch last week I have fallen for their 'bee-utifully scented' body butter.

The reason for this cute name (clever marketing) range is the discovery in recent years that the worldwide population of bees are in decline, which directly threatens our entire ecosystem and apparently our current way of life. While that is of course horrendous for the bees et al, I love this butter regardless. Normally more of a Palmers Cocoa Butter type of girl, this incredibly soft and creamy butter has taken over. Even the honey and orange essential oil infused scent has seen me shift the Palmers to living safely in my cupboard. Now this is rare, not often do I find anything to moisture my body that isn't greasy, heavy or basically just effort to use. But Neals Yard Remedies have only gone and done it, who would of thought I'd be using bees to leave my skin soft?

Have you tried the Neals Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Body Butter?

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