Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter Liquid Starlight

Hello, my name is Annabel and I am addicted to all things shiny. But trying to find the balance between on trend highlight and full face sparkle/illuminating is hard. The struggle is real. So when I found out Makeup Revolution have release 7 new highlight shades, including this Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter Liquid Starlight, my summer was made. 

Spoiler alert: it's incredible.

This highlighter is a reflective, iridescent champagne toned liquid, and it comes packaged in a holographic droplet bottle, which just adds to the fun (because let's be honest, packaging matters). Think Iconic London and Cover FX in terms of staying power, as this highlighter stayed on all day, despite the Bank Holiday heat and ever the swatch I did on my hand was staying put. Makeup Revolution also suggests mixing a little with body lotion for a whole-body unicorn glow.

The other shades from this new range include; Starlight, Champagne, Luminous Gold, Lustre Gold, Rose Gold, Bronze Gold and the next one on my list Unicorn Elixir - because what is that saying? Always be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn, then always be a unicorn. I'll be a very well highlighted one at that.

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter Liquid Starlight?

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Lee Stafford Coco Loco Mousse & Hairspray

I don't often buy things purely for one reason. Well okay, that may be a slight lie I am a slight magpie for pretty things, but generally speaking I like to buy things when there are a few reasons for me to do so. But did this happen recently? Of course not, I saw the word coconut and the Lee Stafford Coco Loco Mousse and Hairspray just fell into my basket....

To give myself credit, I do know I like Lee Stafford haircare and their 'Hair that doesn't grow' range has been a massive hit in my bathroom but I hadn't really seen much on his new coconut range, but nevertheless being a huge coconut fan this purchase was a 'no brainer'. The hairspray is designed to, well do what hairspray generally does and keep hair in place. No hairspray has ever overtaken Elnette, it's Elnette then everything else, but this Coconut hairspray is on par. Yes, on par. No not better, but just as good. Its does just what I want, holds my hair in place without 'showing', and stays in all day and then brushes out. An added bonus for this pink can? Not only does it smell of coconut (duh), you can smell the coconut when you move your head. Genius.

The mousse in similar fashion is designed to give soft, big, bouncy hair with a deliciously coconut scent, and that it does. Its less of a stiff foam then others, but disappears into my hair and leaves me with hair that is full of volume and with no crispy fringe in sight. This is the first mousse I have actually stuck with using, usually I don't see any benefit so I don't bother but Coco Loco has changed this.

Both were so worth the impulse purchase, and if anything my nose definitely thanks me on a daily basis with the coconut trace following me round - being a magpie for coconut has worked in mine, and my flat fringe, favour.  

Have you tried the Lee Stafford Coco Loco Range?

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The L'Oreal Paris Paradise Collection

So, I'm a cliche. I could pretend otherwise, but to be honest I don't mind and I am well on my way to pick up my marble background as we speak....

But, lets be serious as there was no way I was putting down a rose gold packaged mascara and eyebrow pomade was there? It is just far to Instagrammable to miss out on. I'll give myself credit here as I do normally love anything L'Oreal so I knew there was a good chance I'd see beyond the prettiness and use the products regardless. Out of their new range I opted for the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara (£9.99) obviously, and the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Brow Pomade (£9.99) as my new lashes would need new eyebrow friends.

I had heard rumours that the mascara was a dupe for the slightly well known mascara out there... the Too Faced Better Than Sex, and with a price tag of £9.99 compared to £19 and rose gold packaging L'Oreal already had brownie points. L'Oréal's Paradise mascara promises to give "intense volume, spectacular length and a feather soft feel." Which basically sounds like my dream lashes in a rose gold tube. What have pleased me even more with L'Oreal is that I can get away with just one coat of this (hello work mornings), and when one coat doesn't happen, which is quite often, I can build up volume without clumping and with my lashes seeming to grow in length. A versatile mascara? This tube can stay firmly in my makeup bag.

No pressure for the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Brow Pomade....and it was off to a good start at the stand in Boots due to the colour choice. No three shade choices from L'Oreal and I opted for the 'warm blonde', which matches my pale skin and mid blonde hair perfectly. As in it actually looks like my brows, not like I've drawn them on with a darker shade. The natural look that can firstly be achieved with the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Brow Pomade is ideal to match my one coat mascara days. And like the mascara this can be build up (without clogging and looking OTT) to get more of an evening look. But the best thing about the Brow Pomade? The smudge proof qualities...tried and testing accidentally in one of those 'I forgot I put my brows on' situations as I wiped my brows and they stayed put. A miracle. This was then extended to the removal, as this did take quite a firm rub to totally remove.

I am glad L'Oreal didn't let me down here, because as much I don't mind being a walking cliche, I do feel much better about myself (as does my bank account) when the products are nothing less than wonderful. A blonde beauty blogger with a rose gold obsession? Now you don't see many of those around...but least I can have good lashes and brows when I get my marble iPhone out...

Have you tried the L'Oreal Paris Paradise range yet?

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The Natural Health Practice Hair Skin and Nails supplements

Patience isn't my strong point, especially when it come to beauty. Instant results is what I'm after, and anything that takes longer than that doesn't generally work with me. So when I started taking The Natural Health Practice's Hair, Skin & Nails supplement (£29.77) I had already pictured myself with Beyonce-esque wind machine type hair by the weekend. Seems I was being a tad optimistic, as until 6 months ago I firstly I had never thought about taking supplements, and secondly didn't realise that these supplements can take around 3 months in 'get into your system'. Sigh. Nevertheless, I thought adding these into my daily routine wasn't going to do much harm, and hey if I got better hair, nails and skin as a results then that is a bonus.

So why did these stand out for me over the others in the market (apart from a certain Kardashian family not endorsing them)?  The entire The Natural Health Practice brand is formulated by Dr Marilyn Glenville, AKA the Charlotte Tilbury and MACs of the nutrition world. And we all love a expert. The combination of Vitamin C, Biotin and Zinc in these supplements is specifically formulated for health, radiance and beauty and is a special combination carefully chosen nutrients for women - and being one of the female species myself I thought this pot could only do good things. I am sure these would also work for men, I can't see the limitations stopping at women.

Now for the science bit, and if you're not fussed please feel free to skip this next paragraph (just not the rest obviously...). So, the combination of ingredients all help to slow down the ageing process, with nutrients that help with the strengthening of collagen such as MSM, Lysine and vitamin C. The other nutrients include biotin for maintaining healthy hair and skin, horsetail (nothing do to with actual horses FYI) which provides a natural source of silica for strengthening hair and nails, inositol and choline for promoting hair growth and lastly vitamin B12 for healthy cell growth.

Now onto the important bit - do they work? In a short answer, yes. My hair has been my biggest beauty hassle, long story short it fell out when I was 16 due to medical problems and grew back, well sort of grew back all fine and wispy (goodbye to the dark thick hair I used to flick around), and even to this day has never been the same again. When I'm stressed it falls out and I get with 50p sized pieces missing around my head. But the last 4 months have been slightly different, hair-wise at least as my scalp has seen more hair growth than 'normal', and the condition of my hair has been described by as hair dresser as 'very good', and I am normally the person who gets told off by the hairdressers....

I have spoken to some other people who have used the Hair, Skin and Nails, and seems to be one of those products that varies with every person. Some said they noticed a change in their hair in a few weeks, some said it was their nails they noticed the benefit with first. Like I have mentioned, Hair, Skin and Nails has made the most difference to my hair, but then I am lucky with my skin not to get many blemishes (only sugar induced ones), and the same with my nails as they have always been strong like acrylics - but for what these supplements have done for my hair alone I will make sure I remember to take my two a day, and keep working towards my Beyonce goals.

Do you use any beauty supplements?

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Makeup Revolution Baking Powder Ghost Finish

Remember the Luxury Banana powder? As if you could forget that name. Funny off topic story - in my old house we used to have a banana shaped phone. Yes seriously (link link link). Anyway, off the back of banana powder, Makeup Revolution have upped their game for us paler skins and developed a light finishing powder, called the Makeup Revolution Baking Powder Ghost Finish (£5).  Can't say I have ever used ghostly white as as beauty inspo, purely as I'd never be as cute as Casper, but as usual Makeup Revolution have made the impossible possible and I have not put this little pot down all week. 

As you would imagine with the name Ghost, this is a white mattifying powder designed for setting areas you generally place concealer, so for me under the eyes, in the centre of the forehead, on the bridge of the nose and the chin. Or also known as my entire face...but it does give my foundation a highlighted dewy finish when applied at the end of my makeup routine. I loved the finished, so in true me style I wasn't overly fussed if this powder did much more, but I was pleasantly surprised to notice my makeup lasted longer and didn't smudge around my face so much during the day like normal.

The only thing to watch out for is the mini sieve within the lid, while it will prevent clumping and ensure easy application it does make a white powdery mess everywhere when you open it...just be careful where you choose to open this one or expect a bit of judgement. 

I can handle whatever judgement comes by way as I have a dewy face of perfectly set makeup, and being the previously owner of a banana phone I am the last person to throw judgements around. 

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Baking Powder Ghost Finish?

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Hello Summer Nails. Hello Rimmel Super Shine Nail Polish

So what happens when you go into Tesco's for a food shop? You come out with a new Rimmel nail polish of course. Or perhaps that is just me and my lack of makeup self control in the vegetable isle. I don't know quite what happened there, but I love my new Rimmel 60 Second Super Shine Nail Polish (£2.99). A summer cliche of course with the coral, or One Last Tango as Rimmel have named this, but what other colour am I really meant to wear in August?

Obviously I didn't really purchase this for the 60 second claim, or the shine factor, as it was just the only nail varnish choice on offer. But I am very impressed with the brush on this and its much better than most, even Essie. The formula is even more surprisingly, thick and non gappy, two coats was plenty, and I could even skip a top coat. I can safely say this is the best thing I have ever brought from Tesco's.

Have you tried the Rimmel 60 Second Super Shine Nail Polishes?

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Summertime Phone Wallpapers

1. Pink Flowers

2. Tropical Leaves

3. Summer Vibes

4. Pink Flamingo

5. Pink Champagne Bottle

6. Flamingo Collage

7. Pink Palms

8. Gold Pineapples

So, phone wallpapers. Anyone want to share with me why I am so addicted to changing mine? Most people seem to just switch theirs once in a while, perhaps using the stock ones that come with your phone. But me? Of course not, I take it to the extreme, naturally and I will change mine weekly...yes weekly. With with weekly obsession nowhere near under control I decided to share a few of my current summertime favourites, and just maybe get some ideas for my next wallpaper choice...

What is your current favourite phone wallpaper?

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The Seventeen Instant Glow Shimmer Brick

Product rave and bargain alert..

I wont beat around the bush here. I am head over heels for this. The Seventeen Instant Glow Shimmer Brick in Gold Bronze forms part of the Instant Glow collection and the minute I laid eyes on it I knew I had to buy it. I've been lusting after Bobbi Browns bronzer for years but sometimes (most) the time my wages just are not quite allowing for £32 to be spent on bronzer. So at £4.99 (!) there was no way I was not buying this, regardless of the hundreds of bronzers/blushes/cheek stains I've accluminated. Makeup is a girls prerogative right?

Well I picked the Gold Bronze rather than the pink shimmer brick, I need to look tanned, not flushed. The gold bronze contains a soft champagne, a golden sandy taupe, a rich coppery bronze and a deep rose bronze. Each shade is super pigmented and smooth. No chunks of glitter here. Phew. Also, the colours could be used as eyeshadows but I wouldn't recommend that and using it as a bronzer too...hello the Oompah Lumpha look, with added sparkle.

Safe to say I love this - seventeens best product in my opinion. Plus my purse is thanking me as this has pushed Bobbi Brown out my wish list and is very happy with the £4.99 alternative bargain.

17 Instant Glow Shimmer Brick in Gold Bronze - £4.99 -Available in Boots

Have you tried the Seventeen Instant Glow Shimmer Brick? 

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My Most Loved Candle

This is one big claim isn't it? For such a candle to narrow it down to that one that I will openly say is my favourite. I never venture much further than good old Yankee Candle, perhaps sometimes getting a nice one from Waitress (on offer) but I have gone to the Jo Malone side, and I am not going back. Well that is until I run out funds of course.

The Jo Malone Wild Fig & Cassis Home Candle (£42) has been taking pride of place on my bedside table, and that is when a candle knows it done well in my house, and just for this candles appearance alone it is pure luxurious.  

The wild fig and cassis scent is sweet at first, yet not sickly, and after a few minutes its more of a juicy against woody pine scent and a base note of musk. Think sun-warmed figs. If you know what they smell like. Pricey, yes, but when do you walk into Jo Malone and expect any different? Plus this has doubled up as bedside table decoration so really its a two for one deal. I do just need another one for my collection I reckon...

Have you tried any Jo Malone candles?

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The Pink Barry M Hi Shine Gel Effect Nail Paints

 

Something odd has happened to me. I am potentially growing up. I know. But, recently (and slightly OTT) my hair has been cut shorter, and got darker as I grew tired of long platinum-ish blonde hair, and my entire makeup tastes have changed to what could be classed as more sophisticated. In all of this, gone are my false nails for something I would never ever wear, my own nails painted pink. And I don't do pink nails.

Yet I have, and I am in love. So much so that I brought two pinks to fuel this latest passion, and of course they would be the Barry M Hi shine Gel effect Nail Paints (£3.99). Nothing for that price is as good as these Barry M ones, others do come close, Rimmel, Maybelline and Collection to name a few, but Barry M are the kings for a reason.

The two I opted for was firstly, Grapefruit, a bright vibrant pink. (You won't lose your fingers) Borderline neon pink, but not quite. Next was Dragonfruit, my favourite of the two. Slightly more subtle, not that would be hard, and stronger than a baby pink. Both of these of course have that famous Barry M Gelly texture and are thicker than most. Still, two coats is needed but I can skip the top coat, so my inner lazy nail painter in happy. Essie etc are still hold the trophy for better polishes, but these Barry M ones have given it a good shot, and they must be good, as I don't do pink nails.

Have you tried any Barry M Hi Shine Gel Effect Nail Paints?

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Goodbye Pale, Hello James Read

My face doesn't do tan, real or fake my face insists on staying white. From a skincare point of view this is of course wonderful news, but for those who have to look at my marshmallow face? Not so much. So these James Read face tanning treats really couldn't of come at better time.

The first item I grabbed from this gold and white goodness was the Day Tan, a 'revolutionary' (their words not mine) day cream that is meant to a deliver a glowing of colour as well as instant moisture and SPF protection. Like I expected, my face wasn't too tanned from using this, but I do think there was a slight glow to my skin rather than a wash of tanned colour. Which is probably a blessing in disguise as my face wouldn't actually mess my pale body. But this mixture of glow and moisture is very welcomed.

Next is another product recently scare me (hiya Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Palette), with the Sleep Mask Tan for face. Who puts fake tan on and then goes to sleep with hope of waking up tanned? I do apparently. This is fact quite the skin treat, the gel mixes well with my dry skin and I do feel like I am giving myself a little facial, and this is a bit stronger in colour that the Day Tan, but nothing that would make people think 'Oh God she has been fake tanning her face'.

Lastly is one item my skin really needs, the Enzyme Peel Mask. This is meant to be the skin prep for a tan, but I just love the hydrating yet exfoliating mask that I am going to keep using this regardless of the fact I don't have a tan, but don't worry face you just tan in your own time yeah? Pfft...

Have you tried any James Read tans before?

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The mascara dream team

Unsurprisingly, I can't just use one mascara at a time. I don't have that much self restraint. Normally its two (often more) mascaras I use for both my bottom and top lashes, as I don't like to deprive them. If I use a purely lengthening mascara I end up with skinny lashes, and if its a volume centred mascara they end up too stumpy for my liking. So my natural answer, and my answer to most makeup issues, add more mascara. 

For me, at the moment its the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara that gets first dibs. Wand-wise this rubber offering defies normal rubberness failures of lack of volume and definition, to give me some good lashes. The brush head itself is also slightly curved, which is the perfect tool for even coated and lengthened lashes. Rarely for a high street mascara the formula is spot on; not too wet nor dry, and there is probably a technical way to describe that.

The Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Mascara comes next. This really builds the volume up without it looking clumpy and spidery. There are also bristles on the end/top of the wand whichever way you view it, and I find this helps to 'hook' any annoying lashes. Its easy to coat both the inner and outer lashes, without causing a mess, or more importantly not poking my eye out.

This is the summer jacket of mascaras for me at the moment, as its not a black but a brown. Not a full of hit of blackness which can be too strong for daily wear, but a lighter offering of brown that give the right balance of colour (and warmth if it was a jacket...). 

Do you use two or more mascaras at once?

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Sleek Highlight Palette Cleo's Kiss

I don't really get on with cheaper highlighters, I get too annoyed and snobby when they aren't pigmented and wear off after an hour. But there is one brand that I will allow exceptions from on the highlighting front and that is Sleek. I have previously used their Precious Metals kit and this time round decided on the more golden option of Cleo's Kiss (£10). The names did help in my decision progress, not only did I used to have a horse called Cleo (yes really), the shade names of Sphinx, Delta, Dynasty, Goddess just had to come home with me. 

Cleo's Kiss is made of two baked powder highlighters as well as two cream ones. Another pain for me is cream highlighters as they always seem to smudge my foundation off, but these two have surprised me on how creamy they are yet not oily so that don't do that annoying smudging thing. The powders meet Precious Metals standards and are extremely pigmented, glowy and so far have lasted all day. Sphinx is a gold powder highlight, Delta is the gold cream highlight - FYI also looks good with Sphinx layered over the top. Dynasty is the second cream highlight, the creamy gold shade. Lastly is Goddess (and my favourite) the rose gold powder highlight. Four of my favourite words right there.

I was worried that these shade combinations would be too dark for my pale skin tone, but good job I took the risk as I like to think that they look pretty good. Even if I must say so myself. 

Have you tried the Sleek Highlight Palette Cleo's Kiss?

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Pantene Foam Volume & Body Conditioner

Conditioner and fine hair do not like each, well at least mine don't. No matter which one I try I can only apply conditioner to the very very ends of my limp hair, and even then its a gamble to see if my hair is going to be lank until I wash it again. Incredibly frustrating and before I knew better it lead to skipping conditioner. One tip - don't.

Nowadays I just try and muddle my way through the greasy lankness that is my hair, so when I saw that Pantene could possibly offer a solution to my issue I decided I would risk the £1.99. I don't do faff when it comes to my hair, I need simple quick and preferable something I can do within my very basic hair care routine for it to stay around. Luckily this Pantene Foam Conditioner Volume & Body ( currently £1.99)does just that; just apply like normal conditioner. I can handle that. 

The mousse comes about the that traditional Pantene scent and instantly disappears when I apply it to my hair. I followed instructions and waited till it was all gone (practically 30 seconds) then rinsed off like normal. As if it would be that easy, and I did doubt that I had even conditioned my hair, and this was one of the only occasions I didn't mind being proved wrong. Once I got over the chore that is hair drying, my hair actually was lifting from my head and was soft at the ends, almost like I swapped hair in the shower with someone...

I highly doubt this would be conditioning enough for anyone with thick hair (aka the model in the TV advert), but it did work for me and my shoulder length hair which is about a inch wide in a ponytail to give a rough estimate. My risky gamble of £1.99 has truly paid off, and a true sign that I love this (and any) product? I will buy it full price - *inset sassy hand Emoji girl*.

Have you tried the Pantene Foam Conditioner Volume & Body?

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Instagram Diary: Part Fifteen

Miss Baby Roll Mascara | Matching makeup | Best of Maybelline | Arundel Castle | Easter Basket | Homesense fun | Strawberries to counteract the Easter chocolate | Floral pretties | Creme Egg Brownies

I like blogging, it teaches you a lot. Well at least for me, and what have I learn this week? That I can not spell 'fifteen' and that I am very thankful for Google and its spell check properties. I have also learnt that I like Easter far too much and I am going to see how long I can leave my Easter decorations (yes I decorated) up for before my mum physically removes them. I have also found my new mascara obsession with L'Oreal's Miss Baby Roll mascara, and being very much like Benefit Roller Lash with added volume and half the price I am one very happy girl indeed. I may be a Easter obsessed bad speller, but at least my lashes are sorted.

What have you been up to this week?

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L'Oreal Paris Miss Baby Roll Mascara

If you can walk into Boots, Superdrug or something similar, without buying mascara please can you tell me how? I seem to lack any sort of self control. The latest addition? The L'Oreal Paris Miss Baby Roll Mascara (£7.99). It's new, its L'Oreal, its volumising and it has pink and green pastel packaging so it was pretty much a sale for me the minute I saw it.

To give myself the benefit of the doubt, this mascara is everything I look for in one. This 3 in 1 mascara combines curling, lengthening and volumising properties to give the finished look. I am not entirely sure where the 'Miss Baby Roll' name comes from at this point, but I am guessing this is more for the marketing rather than what the mascara does. Unless 'Miss Baby Roll' is a look that I am totally oblivious to? Ah well.

Back to the actual mascara, and the rubber brush/wand on this has several curved spirals or very short bristles, which in turn have little balls. It reminds me of the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara in Ultra Black, which also has little balls clinging onto the wand. I am sure there is a technical name for these, and I am guessing these little balls help distribute out the mascara itself. This isn't as clumpy to use as the Bourjois one, and reaches the base of my lashes (hello lazy eyeliner trick). On to the formula, this is mascara perfection, for me at least, not too wet and not too dry. It has the perfect in the middle consistency that isn't that new mascara wet or one year mascara dry that is often the case for most. This covers each one of my lashes and gives instant volume to them. Again, a rare combination.

Surprisingly this mascara even delivers on the last element - length. Its no secret mascaras do not do volume and length easily yet Miss Baby Roll has done it. My lashes have been left not sticking together and with the effect of a lash curler, not to mention the elongating/volumising factors and little effort required to get the finished look, I am very happy with this little pastel tube. I often fall back to slightly cheaper brands (Maybelline) for mascara but trying this new L'Oreal offering I can safely say I'll be using this tube all the way to the end, and I am very glad for my lack of self control when it comes to mascara shopping. Although I did draw the line at the colour options with Miss Baby Roll, as I am far too old to be reliving my teenage years with blue and purple mascara. No matter how pretty the lilac is....

In a nutshell from my mascara induced waffle, my lashes are transformed from this mascara. Welcome to the family L'Oreal Paris Miss Baby Roll.

Have you tried the L'Oreal Paris Miss Baby Roll mascara yet?

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