Happy Beauty Day!

I was a very happy girl the other day when I walked in to boots and saw this little set 'happy beauty day' by Benefit! I've always wanted to try out benefit products but due to the limited amount of shops and the fact that I'm one of those people who likes the real shopping experience as opposed to online I've never got round to trying any out! This little kit came with 3 sample products;

1. BAD gal lashes mascarra 
2. The PORE fessional 
3. Posie tint liquid blush/lip tint 

1. Bad gal lashes I have used the least really, this isn't due to the fact it's a bad product, it's due to the fact that along with this set I also purchased Benefit's 'They're Real' mascara (post up soon!) which is amazing!! It's very different to this as the wands are different, with Bad gal lashes offering a thicker bristled brush, whereas They're Real uses a comb like brush, which I find is better as it gives less clumps, however thicker brushes I find can sometimes offer better volume. It just comes down to what you personally prefer. I have used this a few times and I do like it but compared to They're Real it's not a massive contender in my opinion.

2. I've used this product a few times now and it's not necessarily one I would go out of my way to buy. Although it's good, I think there are cheaper alternatives out there that do the same job. There wasn't massive noticeable differences in my skin but I did like the fact that it is slightly tinted as I think this helps with the covering up of pores. Maybe with a few more uses I might notice more of a difference but it just doesn't wow me really!

3. This is by far my favourite out of the three. This is such a good product and I'm now considering buying the full product when this runs out, as well as wanted to try the other shades. Its a lovely pink stain which blends really well on to the cheek (which is what I mainly use it for). It's well pigmented and gives you a lovely cheeky glow. it has a small brush that you can just sweep acoss the cheek and then just blend with a brush or your finger and vola perfectly pink cheeks! Even better it's a multipurpose product as you can also use it as a stain on your lips. It gives a lovely natural pinky tone to your lips without it looking like you've really got anything on, it just enhances them naturally which I really like.

At £9.95 this little set is definitely worth a go, especially if like me you've never tried benefit products. I think it gives you a nice little taster for a reasonable price! I've definitely been won over and I will be purchasing some full size products in the near future :)

MAC ~ Lady Danger

Lipstick // Lip Pencil

Not this weekend just gone but the weekend before my friend and I took a trip to Southampton. As you may or may not know I live on the Isle of Wight, which is somewhat lacking in shops. So if you want a good old shopping spree Southampton or Portsmouth are the places to go!! We ventured to West Quay with a idea of what we sort of wanted to look for but of course that all goes out the window and you decide you need every single item you see!!

One thing that was on my list however was Mac. I've lusted after Mac products for a while (as well as other high end make up brands) but have never actually gave in and tried it. I've always been a high street girl but I have often longed for high end make up but I can't usually bring myself to part with my money (it's a different story when it  comes to clothes though).

So we headed for John Lewis and I approached one of the assistants at the Mac counter. I originally went looking for a lipstick and she asked me my shade preference to which I said I like orangey red colours. She came back with three different shades and I chose my favourite (lady danger). I applied it and it was wonderful. Even though it was a matte finish it glided across my lips so well, I even had a little dry bit on my lips which it didn't enhance it almost just covered it up! The colour was fantastic too the perfect colour for what I had describe it's not quite orange but it's not quite red it has a lovely balance of both tones! Everyone in the shop said how good it looked! I'm so impressed with the product and it lasts really well too. I've worn it a couple of times now & I only have to top it up after I've had something to eat or drink! The Mac lady also paired it up with a Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in the colour 'What a Blast' these shades work together perfectly. I must admit I never used to use a lip pencil but after seeing the difference it makes I'm definitely going to make more of an effort.

As it was my first trip in to Mac I didn't just stop at the Lipstick and pencil, the Mac lady used some foundation on my friend as that is what she was looking for, as well as some other products, which of course I couldn't pass up the chance to try out too!! So £100 later (I may have got a bit carried away) I came out of there with a whole new face! I may have lost all reasoning and self control but I just couldn't help it! I must admit it was probably down to the fact that she was a professional make up artist, I could never recreate the look she gave me at home but I fell for it anyway! I do love what I got though and for my first high end make up shop I'd say it was a success... my purse and bank may not agree though!!

Beauty buys... plus a cheeky freebie!

Hi you lovely lot! Sorry I've been so absent lately, I don't really have a good excuse because I've had 2 weeks off work! Its just finding the time I guess! I have some goodies I have recently purchased that I'd like to share with you!!

First up lets talk about the Real Techniques Core Collection from Boots I've been ogling over these brushes for months and as I kept seeing really good things about them I decided to dip in to my purse and give in! I've never owned a really good set of make up brushes I've only ever bought cheap ones as I've always thought why spend so much on some brushes, the idea baffled me?! However I have to say I'm so glad I bought these!! The buffing brush alone is worth it! All the brushes are so soft and I no longer have to put up with shedding as I did with all my cheap bushes! At £21.99 these were so worth it!! 

Next up we have the MUA nail constellation and primer from Superdrug! I never really venture in to Superdrug as Boots is usually my go to for all things beauty! Since joining the blogging world however and hearing about MUA I thought I'd venture in! The purpose for this was originally to get the undress me eye-shadow palette but unfortunately they had all sold out :(  However I did end up picking up MUA's Nail constellation in Scorpio and Undress your skin primer as I needed a new one! I can't wait to try these out! It all seemed so cheap too and seen as though I've heard good things about the brand you can't really go wrong for that kind of money because even if you don't like it, its not a big lose! I'd love to know your views on MUA products, if you've tried any?

Last but not lease I bought the L'oreal Mousse absolute in natural dark brown (400). I usually use Live colour XXL in the foam when I dye my hair but this drew me in due to the fact that it was already mixed and re-usable! Looking forward to giving this a go! Will hopefully post with results. I also picked up the latest copy of Cosmopolitan and received a free Argan hair oil by Phill Smith, I've only used it once and have never really used hair oil before but so far but I love it! My hair felt so soft to touch and it really replenished it and bought it back to life!! Would definitely consider purchasing this!!

February Wishlist

Even though I have put myself on a spending ban because I'm trying to be responsible and save money, I can't help but trawl through the internet and shops. Its like an addiction, I see things and I just HAVE to have them in my life! Here are a few beauties I've spotted recently which I would really love to add to my wardrobe!! I have never tried any of the Naked Palettes from Urban Decay, I love this new addition to their collection and it seems to be a reasonable price! I'm also currently loving the bowler hat fashion at the moment. I tried the Topshop one on but just couldn't justify the £25 price tag so was thrilled to find the cheap Ebay equivalents. I have wanted a Topshop Geek top for ages too but being so tiny the t-shirt just swamped me (I know its ment to be oversized but it was ridiculously oversized on me!!) I was so disappointed ... until they bought out these nifty little crop tops, still oversized in style but a much better fit for me than the t-shirt!

This weekend I am going shopping in Portsmouth which is a pretty big deal for someone stuck on a little island! My lovely boyfriend is taking me over and we are making it a pre valentines trip (because I'm away the weekend of Vday) including a meal out in Gunwharf Quays. So should be fun! Hopefully I will come back with some of these goodies but I am still trying to be good! I will not give in to temptation ...... too much! :)