You Need This Now!

Vaseline have released a new Lip Therapy product! (The cute travel size vaseline in a tin - didn't know they were called Lip Therapy either...)

The original Vaseline is/was great, my mum always swore by it and would use it on everything from lips to nails, hands and sunburn! When the small tins came out they were really handy and a great idea. Then came one with aloe vera, conditioning and calming. But I found both of these products quite greasy and would only wear them indoors or before bed...




Next up was SPF in a yellow tin, great for holidays, but still greasy.

Finally, they answered our prayers with a tinted Lip Therapy in a pink tin, which is quite sheer, with a subtle smell and looks great on everyone.

And now *drum roll please* we have Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter in a liquer coloured tin. This smells gorgeous and while it isn't coloured it is super moisturisng and quite glossy for a balm, I will definitely be wearing this over most of my lip products especially now that it is getting so cold. The cocoa butter in this product also seems to have made the consistency a little thicker and smoother, so rather than greasy it almost feels creamy? It is lush!

Boots are currently offerng 3 for 2 on these treatments which cost £1.89 each. Bargain, so I took two of the new ones and a backup of the tinted one thank you very much!

I think the next step for Vaseline will have to be some sort of application tube?? Easier application, more hygenic and you don't get left with a bit of gloop on your finger...

Happy Shopping!
xo

Polish Pondering...

I have recently become a nail polish fan, I was always taken with a french manicure and well shaped nails but was never keen on painted nails, at least not on me.

The last time I owned polishes I was probably around six or seven, had a good few of them, and painted with them occasionally, mostly walls and soft-furnishings...

I think polished nails look better with a tan, particularly colours which otherwise would make you look a little, well, dead. Blues, greys and purples for example. I love Barry M's bright colours but again not on me, so when I decided to buy some polishes I did it tentatively and safely, neutrals with a hint of shimmer and in warm autumnal colours, and so far the cheapies are winning.

I own Barry M, Revlon, Collection 2000, 17, No.7, Stargazer and Rimmel...

Barry M have a fanastic colour selection, are reasonably priced and are of good quality.

Revlon have some great colours, are a good size, have good colour pay off and seem to last pretty well.

Collection 2000 I will pass on in future same with No.7.

Stargazer are very afforable, have some great colours, dry very quickly and 2 coats make it opaque, they also last for a good amount of time.

Rimmel are a bit blah, blah colours, blah pricing and blah quality.

But my winner so far? 17 Fast Finish. Good price, some great colours, quite good drying time and last really well. The best part for me is the brush, I'm guessing its the length of it, it is quite short and stubby but I find it the easiest to use, it is easy to control and I rarely "go over the lines" and need touchups.

After reading BeautyMarked19's blogpost on their new shades I had to try them, I already owned Toasted Almond, a shimmery neutral colour that goes with everything and always gets me compliments.



So thanks to her for the recommendation, 3 for 2 at Boots at the minute too, so I was a happy camper! Also I might have "borrowed" her image as mine looked keek in comparison, I got the brown shimmer, ruby shimmer and a rich green shimmer (not pictured).

Happy Shopping!
xo

When You Find A Beauty...

When Sleek finally arrived at my local Superdrug, I got ridiculously excited, I had heard such great reviews and can honestly say that the products I have tried so far are fantastic!

First up the much talked about palettes, I have three of these (Original, Storm and Sunset) and had to talk myself out of buying the others simply because I would never use them as I don't really wear acid bright colours.



The palettes are £5.99 on the site, I don't know if the price of these has increased but I'm pretty sure when I purchased in store it was cheaper. I would definitely pay £5.99 for these as the quality, pigmentation and colours are brilliant. I think they are better applied with a sponge applicator and then blended out with a brush as applying with a brush gives a more subtle wash of colour.

Will definitely repurchase and look out for new autumnal palettes *hint hint*...

Next is the Ink Pot. I wanted to try a high end gel liner but before I spent the cash I thought I would try a cheaper version. I think in the UK there are very few highstreet brands that offer a gel liner, and as I have never used another brand I don't know if I can give a good opinion but I think this is fab. The colour is very true, the formula nice and creamy and it stays on really well. Mine did dry up slightly after a few months (I did leave the lid off overnight once) but I just added a little water and it was fine. The very mini brush that comes with it is a tad pointless but usable.



These are priced £3.99 on the site and come in a range of colours.

On to blush. Very, very pigmented, a little goes a long way. Lovely consistency and lasts a long time. I use mine religiously, probably for around 9 months now and only hit pan a few weeks ago. I will repurchase! I am quite pale but use tanner and bronzer, so I am rarely my natural colour :S I have Coral and want to try others!



Finally I have tried a Pout Polish in Perfect Plum. I love the colour of this gloss, it is very rich and creamy. I don't think it is as moisturising as the site makes out, actually found it a little drying. Again with this a little goes a long way or you will look slightly ridiculous due to the pigmentation. I don't reach for this product very much at all, I find mine has an odd smell/taste, not unpleasant, just odd.



These are £3.99 on the site and come in a range of colours. While it isn't my favourite Sleek product, I would try it in another colour.

I was going to purchase some new sleek products in store this week, but seeing the site has made me want to have a nosey now. I feel I can purchase online with this brand as I know the quality of their products is very good, the images online are pretty true to real life colours and after my disappointing Eyeko haul I could do with a pick me up.

There are so many products I want to try from this brand. I don't think I will try the foundation, as I am very loyal when it comes to that product! But I do want to try *deep breath* some of their powders, concealer (I have never found a really great one), contour powders (I have never really attempted it), eye dusts, mascara, kajal eyeliner (looks scary!), lip sticks and nail polishes...

So far I am very impressed with this brand, it is unfortunate that my local stockist isn't very well stocked, or tidy, which makes shopping for it in person a little "meh", although you can get student discount in store...

Any suggestions on great products from this brand, or promotions they run?

xx

Losing my Eyeko Virginity...Then Regretting It.

Eyeko was still stocked in Superdrug back when I worked there and I was mildly curious about trying their range, but never did.

Since then the blogging community has apparently fallen in love with this range, which has meant a considerable increase in their prices *tut tut*. After reading on many blogs about some of their "best" products I decided to give it a go...

The website was well laid out and their branding is really quirky, quirky but not very expensive looking. Shipping within the UK is free, which is always a bonus and luckily I had an embassador code to use, which also means a free product. So far, so good. Apologies for picture quality, they are taken on a super warm fleecy blanket because I'm not well :(

The first item I picked up was the Eyeko 3-in-1 cream. Gemsmaquillage did a video on this a while back and I was very tempted by it, even though the price has increased from £5 to £8...

When it arrived it did not seem completely full, has anyone else experienced this?




I noticed the pot is not the size it appears from the outside either, the base is raised so less product is in the pot than you may first think.

The product works well as an eyeshadow base, especially for shimmery colours. When I used it as a highlighter over my foundation and bronzer I found it very difficult to blend and the result wasn't overly great. When I applied it on foundation and then applied bronzer on top it blended much better but wasn't as noticable. I definitely won't be trying this product as an eyecream! Disappointed by this, I was expecting more, especially for £8 and I don't think I will be repurchasing unless I can figure out what to do with it.

The next item I purchased was the new Eyeko Magic Mascara. I think the packaging on this product is gorgeous! It takes a lot for me to try new mascaras as I find most of them are over-priced and under-deliver on results. When I heard my holy grail Loreal Voluminous was being discontinued in the UK I bought 4 of them off eBay!

I couldn't get a really great picture of the product but Zoella has one on her blog. She had raved about this product so I thought I would try it. It arrived with a dent in the bottom, which I would have overlooked had I thought it was a really good mascara... It seperates lashes really well, and gives them a good curl, but it is not very thickening or volumising, which results in my lashes looking slightly spidery. Fine for a daytime look but for night I would layer another mascara over it.



Another I won't be repurchasing I think...

I have recently been getting more into nail polishes and thought I would try Eyeko's as they get good reviews. I liked the look of Vampira and Cosmic. The website was offering Vampira for free when you spent a certain amount, so I was quite happy to purchase Cosmic. The polishes look a little on the small side, and although some bloggers like the packaging, I think it looks a little cheap.

However, I can't fault the product itself, the glitter is lovely in both of them and one coat is pretty opaque. I haven't worn these for long enough to know how well they wear, but I really like the colours. I am unsure if I will repurchase as I think some brands on the highstreet offer great polishes in a wide range of colours at a similar price.




The final product I purchased was the Graffiti Eyeliner Pen in Black. I love this product!! I have tried Eyeliner Pens before but the angle you have to hold them at to apply always meant the fluid did not come out right. This is the best liquid eyeliner pen I have ever used. It allows you to create a really fine, straight line, which is buildable and it does not come off easily. Would definitely repurchase and consider other colours, which I think they should expand upon too!



Finally my free embassador code product, well, I didn't get one. Apparently it is stated on the site that each customer can only recieve one promotion at a time, which is fair, I was just unaware of it and was expecting a free gift.

Overall, if it were not for the eyeliner pen this would be a very depressing post. If the items were a little cheaper it may not have been so disappointing but when you consider the quality of brands such as Sleek, 17 and Barry M at the prices they charge, I do not think I will purchase from Eyeko until my eyeliner pen runs out...

Next Big Thing...

Lollipop26 tried Nude Cleansing Oil (around £22) and loved it, then hated it. I would have combination skin but the thought of using an oil to cleanse my face leaves me shuddering as the next day I am sure my makeup would just run off my face after application and I would scare people with a reflective surface for a face.



However, I have been informed that this is not the case and that Oil Cleansers are going to become very popular (and hopefully cheaper!) So here are all the reasons why we should convert and tips on choosing the best one.

* Oil cleansers clean deeper than most other types. They trap impurities and remove them from your skin. They won't leave an oily film on your face if you add water when removing it. It will emulsify the oil into a cleansing milk and rinse off easily. If you want to ensure you have removed all excess use a toner afterwards.

* They are good for oily skin as they trick your skin into thinking it has produced enough oil, therefore producing less in future. Ones that contain sage or lavender can help reduce breakouts. Choose a "dry oil" cleanser, these sink in quickly and leave a matte finish.

* They are super moisturising as they lock in moisture (like a body oil) and can reduce ageing. Ensure your oil is non-comedogenic, this means it won't block pores and cause nasty blackheads.

So those are the top tips for choosing an oil cleanser...but I have to say I am not yet convinced...And I think I will be waiting until a cheaper alternative becomes available before testing it out. (Unless baby oil counts??)

What do you think??
Post a comment!

xx

Me Me Me

No, this isn't a self obsessed post, I promise!

MeMeMe is a makeup company, stocked in many Superdrug stores, which has some really good products at affordable prices. They often have special offers and a good few of their products are dupes for high end brands, even the packaging is really similar. I'm going to suggest the items I think are worth getting and the ones I would stay away from...

Hot!

1. Shimmy Shimmers - dupe for Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks


RRP £3.99

Available in 3 shades, these are gorgeous! The tan can be used as a bronzer but I prefer matte bronzers so I don't use it for this purpose, I love it as a blusher/highlight. The individual lines can also be used as eyeshadow as they don't smudge into each other when you run your powder brush over them. If you want a lighter glow, concentrate your brush towards where the white is and if you want a deeper colour concentrate towards the bottom end of the palette.


RRP £27.99

2. Beat the Blues Liquid Highlight - dupe for Benefit High Beam


RRP Around £4.00

This is great as a highlighter, though I do find it a little difficult to blend as it dries very quickly. I much prefer using this product as an eyeshadow base. Works really well and as I usually wear shimmer eyeshadows I think this makes a difference to the final look.


RRP £16.50

3. Pussycat/Poppy Tint - dupe for Benefit Bene-tint/Posie Tint


RRP £3.38


RRP £22.50

Pussycat is more of a stain, the colour is buildable and long lasting. I haven't tried this product on my cheeks, just my lips as it is quite watery and I'm a little afraid to try it on my face in case I ruin my makeup! lol Poppy Tint is harder to find, it may be discontinued?? Either way they are worthwhile purchases.



Honourable Mentions:

I haven't tried any of the mascaras myself but I have heard good reports. The single eyeshadows are quite well pigmented and quite easy to blend. If you like bright, original colours it is worth a look but if you prefer a natural eye steer clear. There are some great colour choices in the lipsticks and they are quite moisturising. Favourite lipgloss from the range is the Light Me Up glosses which have a light in the applicator and a mirror on the side of the tube for easy application. Also a great conversation starter!

Not!

I would steer clear of the Ultra Glosses, they have an unusual smell and come in rather strange colours which are highly pigmented. If it looks bright orange in the tube it will be bright orange on your lips! The eyeliners aren't the worst I've ever tried but I have found some really good ones at great prices so I just wouldn't bother. I haven't tried the nail polishes so I can't really comment but when I worked in Superdrug we used to end up getting rid of a lot of them because the colours seperated. And finally the foundations. They weren't great sellers, MeMeMe were working on them when I left Superdrug a year ago. Just don't go there.

This post has made me realise I need to re-purchase a few things...yay! lol

Happy Shopping!

xx

Holy Grail Foundation...

I am currently off work and uni because I had to have emergency surgery last Thursday :( so while I am healing I guess it's a good time to write a few posts for my imaginary subbies...lol



I know a lot of bloggers have done posts on these products but I thought I would throw my two cents in there because I love them so much. The first is Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation. I love this foundation so much. I have quite sensitive, combination skin and it works brilliantly. It gives amazing coverage, it doesn't budge, in fact on a night out when you're dancing away you can barely sweat through it (gross but true!) and it gives a flawless, matte finish. However, I do have two minor issues with this product.

One - it retails at around £23.99 per bottle. It is a high end, high quality brand so I can't really complain about the price tag. However, I am a student, so I will lol

Two - you absolutely have to make sure you remove it every time you wear it, you can't just fall into bed when you are reaallly tired with it on because you are almost guaranteed to break out in spots or blackheads.

However, there is a fantastic dupe for this product, it may not be just as long lasting but that is probably a good thing as it is less likely to break you out should you forget to take it off. The product is (drum roll please...) Revlon Colourstay Foundation.

This product comes in two varieties; Normal/Dry and Combination/Oily and usually retails for around £11. (Boots currently have a 3 for 2 across makeup ranges - so stock up!)

I tend to have dry skin on my body but I have an oily T-Zone. I always use the foundation for combination/oily skin as it really helps prevent my face from going shiny during the day.

What Revlon Say:

Lasts up to 16 hours - transfer resistant

Oil-free shine control

SoftFlex provides all day comfort

SPF 6

What I say:

While the product could last me all day (say 9 til 9) if it had to, I do touch up or use powder maybe once or twice during the day and if I am going out in the evening I will take my makeup off and reapply. I think it doesn't look as matte or as fresh after a full day of wear.

The shine control isn't just as good as Double Wear but it beats every other foundation I have tried, so that is a definite thumbs up. There is a good selection of colours available to match with your skin but I have no idea what SoftFlex is or what it is supposed to do. A search on Google did not answer this question either. I guess it's just another made up scientific term used to encourage us to buy products...

I have repurchased this foundation many times and will continue to do so unless something even better comes along. Has anyone got any favourite foundations they think I should try? Leave a comment...

xx