Focus on 90's Nude Lips

Kylie Jenner has a lot to answer for, she has opened my eyes to a whole new girl crush, with her just perfect lips. Seriously girl. Besides of any speculation that they are not quite natural, it has also sparked the nude lip that was on trend back in the 90's. Had to take my mum's word for this, and it did break my heart slightly that my love for nude lips wasn't as original as I hoped.

As a fan of natural toned lipsticks and matte formulas this is one trend I know I'll be abusing. Plus this means I can now pull out some golden oldie lip products that are very much inspired by Miss Jenner.

First up is my MAC Satin Finish Lipstick in Myth, the marmite of the nude lip world as you'll hate it and think it looks like you've bitten a foundation sponge, or you'll be in my 'I absolutely love it' camp. I do have to dab this on gently or I do look like I've eaten my foundation sponge. Next is my Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Nude Eclipse. The perfect and only nude gloss, plus this is what I use on the go, when I am lacking a mirror and not brave enough to attempt lipstick application freestyle.

Last, is my newest lip edition Barry M Lip Liner in Russet. My first trip into the lip liner world, and I picked this nude colour (part from being nude) as it seems to just go with every lipstick I own. Admittedly I don't have the most diverse lipstick collection but Russet does just seem like my own clip colour. This is so creamy and really doesn't look lip linery at all, well I hope not anyway, I was not going for the Pamela Anderson Baywatch look...

Have you been wearing the 90's Nude Lips trend?

 

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Makeup Revolution Essential Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette

Hey there lovelies. Makeup Revolution are a brand I am just sure you'll of heard of. Newish to the budget makeup world, now known more for making spot-on dupes of the three Naked palettes from UD (colour-wise, anyway) called the Iconic palettes. But I can't lie, I didn't seem as excited to try Makeup Revolution as some people. Not sure why, but maybe as I am never overwhelmed by 'budget' makeup. Makeup snob? Yep.

So what am I doing with this palette? A gift bag goodie from the Bluewater meet up I went to a few weeks ago, and I can honestly say I was intrigued to try out the Essential Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette.  On first glance, it's a very standard looking palette. The packaging is made from a black plastic and has a clear window on the top. All very typical of low-cost palettes, and of course a bit cheap looking. But then I am grateful this is black and not bright plastic, least Makeup Revolution have made an effort to avoid the cheap look.

Anyway, there are ten shimmery shades in this palette and two matte shades. All the shades are much more buttery than I expected, and no fall out issues, even with all that shimmer. Blending wise, no problems either but they do lose their pigmentation a tad once applied, yet I must say they did last a good 6/8 hours with no creasing, my absolute pet eyeshadow hate.

For £4 I do think this a pretty good palette, but I can't say I am blown away with it yet. To be fair I am a UD Naked girl through and through so it did have tough competition, and any eye shadow will have a hard job trying to convince me to wear shimmer. And I just don't know if I am intrigued enough to try the matte palette they do... 

Makeup Revolution Essential Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette £4

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Essential Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette? 

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Barry M Gelly Nails Effects - Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection First Impressions

Recently, it feels like I have brought the majority of the Barry M stand. After the Barry M Olive shade, I was actually a bit repulsed by their new Autumn/Winter Collection. Horrible colours was my first reaction. Brown nails? Dingy red? Even worse, mustard yellow nails? And now I own three. The most turnaround reaction ever, but I am glad I caved with their new Gelly Nails Effects. I've not yet got to try them, hence the swatch-less post, as they are pretty much fresh from the Barry M stand yesterday. But I was just too keen to share them regardless.

First up is Barry M Gelly Nails Effects in Chai, this a medium grey. Well and thats about it really...just a nice mid toned grey. Next I opted for the Barry M Gelly Nails Effects in Cocoa, yes the dreaded brown, but this rich colours leans a little on the side red. Last is the my favourite, the Barry M Gelly Nails Effects in Chilli, with reds forever being my fail safe colour, I love this shade with the slight brown tones.

Barry M have got their AW14 range spot on in my opinion, and despite my initial hate, the colours are perfect for autumn. I'm just not sure I can commit to the mustard.

Will you be trying the Barry M Autumn/Winter Collection?

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Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick...The Infamous Shade 107

Hey lovelies. Like this even needs much of introduction, the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick have been huge in the blogging world for a while now, and shade 107 seems to be the shade that everyone has. So of course I wanted it. Its one of those items I just don't care if anyone has it, I need to have it too. 

As I always go on about, I normally go for nude lips or something very natural looking, but after my MUA Lip Crayon I have been a bit obsessed with finding a berry or wine colour lipstick. This one is also a matte finish, one of my favourite make up finishes, eyes, cheeks and lips are best in matte, well in my opinion anyway. Even so, with my daily lipstick being MAC Myth, I can safely say this lipstick is the complete opposite to my normal choices.

But oh my do I love it. The deep red wine colour is actually flattering against ivory skin and very deep and vibrant in colour, ideal for the darker lip trend this autumn. Plus I love the packaging, shallow yes, but the simple red casing with the classic 'Kate' Signature is so sleek looking and I think they look more expensive than they actually are. I haven't as yet experienced any issues with the matte finish, the colour applies so easily and does still feel fairly creamy in texture, not expected from a matte item. But being true too matte does mean its lasts a good 5/6 hours. Even with a few coffee stops. 

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick is just my ultimate favourite lipstick at the moment, all for £5.49, and finally something has come close to MAC in the lipstick stakes. 

Have you tried the infamous 107 shade? 

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My Top Three Mascaras. Ever.

Hey lovelies. So I am rather fickle with makeup, and constantly change my favourites (if you haven't noticed), and even what I'm looking in a product. One day I want matte, the next I want a dewy look. Or I want a bronzed goddess image (that never happens), then I want to go au natural. But, one thing that has never changed is my mascaras. I am always after extreme volume and serious lashes, and there are three mascara that do just that...

Benefit They're Real Mascara

A fairly simple mascara, no OTT brushes, you can really build the volume up without it looking clumpy and spidery. I think out the three this is the least volumsing. But that is me being so picky.

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara

My first mascara love. Volumsing and glossy lashes in a tube. Although I do feel like this is a mascara you could very easily go over board with, but that is something that is never going to stress me, surprisingly. Plus the best Lancome mascara hands down, don't get swayed by Lancome Grandiose. Just don't. 

YSL Shocking Mascara

This wins on packaging. See I did say I was fickle. But the YSL Shocking formula is thick and so black, honestly the blackest mascara. this is very much a dramatic, and true to its name, shocking mascara. Sorry Lancôme and Benefit.

What are your favourite mascaras?

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Focus on Eves of St Agnes Skincare

Hey beauties. Now if anything excites me, it is finding a new skincare brand. Almost as much as fining a new mascara. Maybe as I am forever on a quest for perfect skin and I do seem to think every cream and lotion I try will change my skin. No surprise I've been a bit disappointed in my so far

Today I have a newish company Eves of St Agnes started by a lady called Emma, and is handmade right here in Britain. Brownies points for that, and with chemicals kept to an minimum, and this means no parabens, no SLS, mineral oils, or artificial perfumes. I'm in love before I've even opened the box and seen the packaging.

I have been lucky enough to be trying the Hydrating Facial Silk, Bamboo Exfoliating Polish and Nourishing Cleansing Cream. Paired with a cleansing cloth to remove makeup and cleanse my skin just how it should be, the Bamboo Exfoliating Polish is a no soap formula, so doesn’t strip my sensitive skin—that means no tight, dry feeling. The Hydrating Facial Silk will have its own post very soon. As it is just that good. Trust me. 

Don’t even get me started on the zesty orange scent. It must be the Cocoa Butter, Honey and Sweet Orange, but seriously, I don't think I have ever smelled such nice skincare. I really can't. Since I have never been a fan of the infamous Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (whole other story) this cleansing pair has finally made me see the fuss around hot cloth cleansers. The 3 Trial products I've tried are seriously good, and besides the scent (which I still can't get over) I am seriously impressed by Eves of St Agnes, and I think they could be a brand to watch. 

Eves of St Agnes Twitter and the Set of 3 Trial Size products £15

Have you tried the Eves of St Agnes Skincare?

*PR Sample/Gift

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Sudocrem Skin Care Cream

No, I've not gone entirely mad, yet. But today I have one of my most loved skincare items ever to grace my dressing table. The Sudocrem Skin Care Cream. Once more famous with mothers as a nappy cream, but I think Sudocrem is now less known for that, and more for what I have been using it for years as, a pretty damn good spot treatment. 

Not that I am alone, Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, Jessica Lowndes, Lauren Pope, Chloe Sims and Amanda Holden, who claim the cream is their secret beauty weapon. Although considering I've been using Sudocrem for years, I like to think its them who copied me, obviously...

This is the first time I have used Sudocrem in a tube, before I was scooping it out of a giant pot which made quite a bit of a mess and everything you touch. Not to mention the hygiene, handbag friendly factors. Nor is it yet socially acceptable. 

There is no point waffling with this, as its just too good. I am not sure what makes this so effective but it really kills my spots. Even those horrendous face volcanos. It might be the antiseptic ingredients but I can pretty much guarantee that applying this at night will leave my skin much clearer in the morning, if a with a bit of white crust, but I can't have it all. 

I also find that this helps calm the redness and seems to speed up healing process of those red marks we get from erm, squeezing. All of this for £2.11? You have no reason whatsoever for this not to be part of your skincare routine. None. 

Sudocrem Skin Care Cream £2.11

Have you tried the Sudocrem Skin Care Cream?

*PR Sample/Gift

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Toni & Guy Professional Hair Dryer

Until recently I never really bothered with hair driers. I think I had the same one for about 5 years, and it was never a item I was fussed on. They just dry your hair, whats the fuss? But recently I had a slight hair dryer explosion issue, leaving me faced with the idea of air dried hair. And my hair does not do that nice beachy wave look when left to dry naturally. It goes into a fizz ball in protest.

I have been lucky enough to be trying the Toni & Guy Professional AC Compact Dryer.  Designed to be easier to use and lighter weight compared with most AC dryers apparently, and it does come with a concentrator for precision drying, or the Volume Enhancing diffuser for Ultimate curls. I've not really used the diffuser, I have tried it, but hair does not do curls so it was a bit of a hopeless mission. However, the concentrator is excellent and rather sturdy. You won't be getting hit of the head by this falling off. The only way this will happen is by you actually dropping on your head as I do find it bit heavy, but nothing arm aching. 

But what I love the most about this hair dryer? The luxury rubberised finish. It just feels so nice, and it looks expensive. No cheap plastic here. This is one very good hair dryer. My hair got a dried quickly at both high (slightly wind turbine like) and low settings, but isn't so hot you feel like your cooking your head. In comparison to my previous £8 hair dryer, well there is no comparison, my hair is much smoother and less frizzy. Who knew a hair dryer could do that? 

Toni & Guy Professional AC Compact Dryer £39.99 from Argos, and have a look at their entire salon professional Toni & Guy Electrical site.

Have you tried the Toni & Guy Professional Hair Dryer?

*PR Sample/Gift

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NEW | Collection Cosmetics Galactica Range

Anyone who knows me will know I am a complete Autumn/Winter girl. Everything from food, fashion, and of course the makeup. I just don't suit summer. Expect the heat, I don't mind that. So when makeup companies start releasing their Autumn/Winter ranges I am all over them. And today I have Collection Cosmetics Galactica Range. To say I am excited by this metallics range is a understatement, the entire range is inspired by sequins, foils and metal. Everything that is great about winter makeup. The Galactica range includes:

Galactic Eyeliners (£2.99) in Silver Lining and Solar Ray. Not colours I've worn on my eyes in a long time, but I can Solar Ray becoming rather used, I just need to brave Silver Lining.

Galactica Lip Butters (£2.99) three pinks and a neutral shade, (L-R) Cosmic Candy, Moon Rock and Pink Rush. Of course I am already obsessed with, nude lip heaven. The texture of these butters is SO creamy, it does feel like your putting butter on your lips. In a good way.

Galactica Nail Polish (£2.99) in Blue Moon, Shooting Star and Galactic Gold. All three are not as shimmery as I expected, which is of course as I worried they would look a bit cheap. But all three are thick and pigmented in colour, and I do think Blue Moon is already my favourite.

While I do think this range is aimed at a slightly younger then my *cough* 23 year old self, all the colours are rich and vibrant and much nicer than I expected when I first saw them. And even though they are metallics, they are not bright and in your face, unlike some. This may be my first of many metallic makeup items. 

Will you be trying the new Collection Cosmetics Galactica Range?

*PR Sample/Gift

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George at Asda Glow Shine Highlighter

I have been on a hunt for the perfect highlighter, that won't cost the earth. Well, I've found it. Thank you Asda. Who would of thought that George at Asda makeup range would deliver so well? Admittedly I do think George got the inspiration for this highlighter from Benefit High Beam, don't you think? But a good £10 cheaper at £3. I was instantly sold the minute I swatched this, and yes I did sit on Asda's floor trying on makeup...classy. This highlighter has so many similarities to Benefit, once you open this it has the same brush and pearly formula.

Once applied properly on my face, like in the second picture of my hand, it has a beautiful sheen,  and is incredibly pigmented and super reflective. Glow Shine also blends really well and has a gorgeous pearlescent pink hue, very much like what High Beam offers. To praise Glow Shine even more, the formula was satisfyingly thick, without being clumpy. I applaud George for the the mixture of soft, pearlescent sheen and easy-to-blend formula. If you didn't guess, I am in love with this highlighter, and it was so worth sitting on the supermarket floor for.

George at Asda Glow Shine Highlighter £3 (normally £3.50, I think)

Have you tried George at Asda Glow Shine Highlighter?

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