Some Products I've Been Enjoying Recently

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge | I last mentioned this in a First Impressions post back in February (here), and said I liked it, but still had my reservations. My foundation applied better with it, especially when damp, but I wasn't keen on replacing it every 1-3 months. Due to an offer and multiple discount codes, I've since bought two more for around £3 each (usually £5.99). Thankfully, I haven't had to use them yet because my original one is still doing a great job, two months down the line. The finish it gives is natural, and it's great at blending. I also find it to cover those blemishes which have scabbed over well. The sponge is able to mold around every crevice. Sounds gross, I know, but we've all experienced it! I don't really know where to store it when it's still damp, though, so it tends to just sit on my chest of drawers next to my makeup basket. The stains are there for life as well, but I've accepted those!

Revlon Super Length Mascara | This was another product in my First Impressions post, and I didn't have strong feelings for this either! It wasn't clumpy and gave my lashes that fluttery effect, like Maybelline's Mega Plush, but I wasn't blown away because I love my Maybelline ones so much. I've been using it every day since, though, so that must say something, and it doesn't flake either. I'll still go to Maybelline first when I need a new mascara, but I'd be happy to repurchase this one.

NYX Butter Lipstick in Root Beer Float (formerly known as Pops) | I've been loving these nude pink shades recently, and the formula of this one is very creamy and pigmented. It lasts considerably well, too, considering how creamy it is. It looks more brown in the tube than it does on the lips, but once on, it's incredibly natural, and not too dissimilar from my natural lip colour. Since taking the photo above, I've also bought the NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Tres Leches, which is a similar colour. I've been loving this as well, so will have to do a swatch post soon.

Rimmel Exaggerate Automatic Lip Liner in Eastend Snob | I've been wearing this with Root Beer Float, so thought I'd talk about it next. They don't look like they'd go well together, but Root Beer Float is more pink than it looks, and this is less pink than it looks. It seems to be a cult classic, and has been compared to Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk. It gives off a nice amount of pigment, and isn't at all scratchy, which is what I associated most lip liners as being. It lasts all day on my lips, and you don't even have to sharpen it. Plus, it's only £3.99.

NYX HD Blush in Taupe | I owned and loved the colour of the old Taupe, but it had no pigment, so I was happy when I got my hands on this. It's so much more pigmented! I actually have to be really careful when contouring with it. It feels a little chalky when swatched with your fingers, but it doesn't come across like that on the face.

Maybelline Creamy Mattes Colour Tattoo in Creme De Rose | My eyelids have some red discolouration to them, so I usually conceal them. They get quite oily, though, so even with a primer, they can crease a little. I bought Creme De Rose hoping to use it as a wash of colour, and start wearing eyeshadow. It ended up being so close to my skin tone, though, that you couldn't even tell I was wearing it. I started using it in place of my concealer instead, and it works really well. It barely creases, and it keeps the oil at bay much better. I've even been using a little under my eyes, where those fine lines are. It's on the cool, pink side, so I wouldn't use it anywhere else on my face, but it works well around my eyes. It's been compared to MAC's Painterly Paint Pot, so if you have your eye on that, try this first and save yourself some money!

Have you tried any of these products? And if you've tried both the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and Beauty Blender, is the latter worth the extra money?

Recently Purchased

I hadn't painted my nails in roughly two years, but last week saw me buy four polishes from Barry M's new ranges, and I've painted my nails multiple times since. I don't know what changed, but I'm rolling with it! I bought the Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Pink Lemonade (the third one along) in store, wore it, loved it, and then decided to buy some more online at Boots. It was 2 for £6 or 3 for £9, but adding a third only increased the total by less than a pound, rather than £3. Then student and staff discount brought this down further, meaning I somehow paid £1.58-£2.36 for them. I chose the Mani Mask in Bashful, the Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Cream Soda, and the Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Butterscotch Sundae. I'm loving these delicate, nude shades. Pink Lemonade reminds me of a slightly pinker version of Models Own Utopia and OPI's Steady As She Rose. which are old favourites of mine.

I've been wearing and loving Rimmel's The Only One Lipstick in Naughty Nude an awful lot, but I also like my berry shades, so picked up Oh So Wicked from the same line. It's already love. I wore it the other night and it lasted through pizza, which is the ultimate test in my eyes. These lipsticks seem to seal themselves without becoming drying, meaning they comfortably last for a long time.

In the same Boots order as everything else, I also bought another Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Black because I always like to have a back up.

Then, from Superdrug, because it was out of stock at Boots, I bought the Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation in Porcelain. This was £3.99 down from £5.99, and I used £1 of my collected points, making this just £2.99. It's darker than what it looks like on other people, and this is the lightest shade, but this isn't a problem now that I have The Body Shop's Shade Adjusting Lightening Drops in my life (I love them so much!). I've only worn it once at the time of writing this, but I like it so far. I'm used to natural or matte foundations, so wasn't sure how this dewy formulation would fair on my combination oily skin, but it lasted well, felt really nice on the skin, and actually made my skin look less flat than it normally does. It also wasn't cakey, and didn't settle in places it shouldn't. This was with using the Soap & Glory One Heck Of a Blot Primer underneath it, though, so I don't know how good it is on its own.

I've liked the look of printed trousers/jeans for a while, and finally decided to just buy some in Primark last week. The ones above were £11. The trouser material is something I'm going to have to get used to, but I love the print, and am already on the look out for some navy tile ones.

I spotted the skirt above (£17.99) in New Look before work one day, and impulsively bought it without trying it on. Once home, I found that while it didn't fall down, it was too big to look flattering. I wanted to exchange the 8 for a 6, but it wasn't available, so I just returned it. Then I found it on ASOS, where smaller sizes are available, so bought it again. The smaller size fits perfectly. I've recently tried on three New Look skirts in size 8 now, and all of them have come up big, so it's something to consider if you're going to buy one from them. Anyway, the print of this one is pretty boring, but I can see it coming in handy for a few occasions.

The makeup bag was also from New Look, and was £5.99. It's so incredibly tacky, but makes me happy to look at! It reminds me of mermaids and unicorns and all things beautiful. The photo above really doesn't do the changing colour justice, so I've included more photos below. I've also included photos of me wearing the clothing and Barry M's Mani Mask, all of which are from Twitter/Instagram.

I'd be interested to know what you've purchased recently, so let me know below!

Disappointing Products #02

I usually read a lot of reviews before purchasing a product, so it's rare to come across a disappointing one, hence why there's only three to show you this time around.

I'm a fan of the Aussie shampoos and conditioners, with the Mega and Miracle Moist ranges being ones I've repurchased multiple times. I thought I'd try out the Luscious Long products some time last year instead of my usual ones, though, just to mix things up a bit. It had high ratings and positive reviews, and is supposed to make your hair silky smooth, which I'm all for. However, the shampoo made my hair so dry, and the conditioner didn't do much either. If anything, I thought they'd have the opposite effect and possibly weigh my hair down from being too conditioning and silky, so the fact that they were drying really surprised me. This is the one range I'll be staying away from in the future.

The Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur Primer is supposed to blur wrinkles, fine lines, and pores, while leaving your skin feeling smooth, soft, and matte. To be fair, it does do these things, but I hate the way it feels on my skin throughout the day. It has that silicone texture that's very slippery, and not only does it feel horrible, it doesn't help your makeup last well.

I love Maybelline mascaras, and used to use the Colossal Volume Express one years ago. I picked it up again during a promotion last year, and when I got round to using it, was surprised at its flakiness. Even as I was applying it, I would notice little specks falling on my skin. It wasn't completely terrible, and I could manage this small negative feature, but why bother when I can use ones I love? Life's too short to use an average mascara. I ended up giving it to my mum, where most of my unwanted makeup goes!

All three of these products are loved by many, so I'm disappointed that they didn't work for me. Have you tried them? What do you think?

Top 15 Products of 2015

I didn't give myself a limit to the number of products featured in my 2014 favourites, and ended up having two mammoth posts, so I set about having just 15 this time around. It was quite difficult actually, so I may write another post with the ones which didn't quite make it!

Most of these products are ones which I discovered in 2015. There are three which I've been using for longer, but I absolutely love them, so had to include them. I haven't included my trusty NYX Cream Blush in Natural, The Body Shop's All In One Face Base in 02, Maybelline's Gel Liner in Black, or ELF's Studio Eyebrow Kit in Light, because although I've been through many of each, I talk about them all the time.

The fragrance which I'm choosing as my 2015 favourite is Viktor & Rolf's Bonbon. I haven't had it that long, and I still love all my others just as much, but this one is so different to anything I own. It's rich, warm, and sweet, rather than light, floral, and fruity. The caramel note is really what makes it, and I'll catch whiffs of it throughout the day. One spray on the neck, and one on the wrists, is all I need, and my mum will comment on my perfume when I get home from work. I've avoided smelling Flowerbomb because of the patchouli note, but everyone seems to love it, so I think I'm going to have to track down a tester or sample of that one as well.

I'm grouping the MUA Sweet Sheen Lip Balms together, but thought I'd show you two of the five shades I own; Cherry Bomb and Dusky Rose. They're light, balmy, and last surprisingly well. They're also only £2 a piece!

I've been using the Superdrug Colour Effects Wash In Wash Out Conditioning Colours for years, and have spoken about them an awful lot, but I had to include them in my 2015 favourites because I've been using them more than ever, and have been receiving more compliments on my hair than ever. These bottles (£1.49) add different tones to your hair, depending on which shade you opt for. I tend to use the Mahogany shade the most, which makes my auburn hair deeper and richer. I also like True Chestnut, which is less red. I'll either leave it on for an hour once a week, or put it on in the shower for ten minutes and gradually build it up over the course of a few days.

I discovered Lush's Ultrabland Facial Cleanser in 2014, but it became the only cleanser I use in 2015. When you first start using it, it feels very heavy, and so moisturising that you think it'll clog your pores, but it doesn't. The texture has become the norm for me now, and the simple ingredients are great for my skin. The best thing about Ultrabland is how well it removes your makeup. It just melts it away, and doesn't sting your eyes.

Rimmel's The Only One Lipstick in Naughty Nude wasn't going to be in here, but when I thought about it, it's a lipstick I go to a lot. It's opaque, creamy, and lasts for hours. It kind of dries down to feel like a satin/stain, but it's not drying on the lips at all.

Barry M's Satin Super Slick Lip Paint in Berrylicious isn't one I've had that long, but I really do love it. Again, it's opaque and incredibly creamy, but it lasts well, especially when I dab and work it into my lips. The colour is different to other berry shades I own as well. It's slightly more purple, more muted. It's also only £4.49, which is a bonus.

My new favourite mascara is Maybelline's Lash Sensational. I'm not great at distinguishing the qualities between mascaras, but I know that this one separates my lashes, somehow makes them look better than other mascaras do, and doesn't flake.

I also discovered Lush's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner before 2015, but I love, love, love it. I found the scent overpowering at first, but now it seems to calm me. The actual product is what does it for me, though. You put it on in the shower, wash it off, and voila. You're left with moisturised skin. No need for butters or lotions in the cold.

Boots were selling Origins Mask Marvel sets, left over from Christmas, in the spring for a great price. I think they were £20 for three 75ml tubes. My favourite out of these is the Drink Up Intensive one. You sleep with it on overnight, and wake up to incredibly moisturised, plump skin. I usually find that once you wash your face, the effects of other moisturisers and masks seem to disappear with it, but this one doesn't. It also smells like apricot, which I love.

The Body Shop's Shade Adjusting Lightening Drops are a game changer. I've been loving them so much. You simply add however many drops to your foundation to make it lighter, which is great if you're pale and find it difficult to find a foundation light enough. It doesn't change the formula of the foundation either.

I became a big fan of Nip & Fab in 2015, especially of the Glycolic Fix range. I love the mask and serum, but decided to include the pads here because of their ease. Wiping one of these over your skin will improve the texture, making it smoother and brighter. You'll see more of an effect if you incorporate them into your daily routine, but I like to give my skin a break after about a week.

I've been loving highlighting in general, and have a few favourites, but the one which tops them all is probably Topshop's Glow Highlighter in Polished. You only need a small amount of the cream formula, and it blends beautifully. If you want something that's warmer than this pearlescent shade, they have a golden shade called Gleam.

Overall, I love my cream blushes more than my powder ones. My NYX, Stila, and Illamasqua ones in particular. But I thought I'd include Max Factor's Creme Puff Blush in Nude Mauve because, out of the blushes I bought in 2015, it's the one I go to the most. The colour is so natural and easy to wear, and the formula is a dream to use. It's soft, yet not chalky, and blends incredibly well. These blushes were talked about a lot last year, and for good reason.

I found a new brand to dominate my brush collection in 2015, and that brand is Zoeva. They look and feel more expensive than they are, and the ones I own have not disappointed. The two I use the most are the Silk Finish and Brow Line ones. Even after using the Silk Finish brush to apply my foundation after all these months, it's still just as in shape and dense as it was when new. The Brow Line brush is thinner than any other eyebrow brush I've used, so it doesn't pick up as much product, and allows you to have more control. This comes in particularly handy when using pomades.

Have you used any of these products? What were your favourites of 2015?

A Christmas Gift To Myself (and other things)

The Origins Glow So Nice Christmas Gift Set was in my post-Christmas sales wishlist, and the one I wanted to get my hands on the most. Its contents is worth £71.75, with the VitaZing alone costing £29. The GinZing eye cream is £20 to buy individually (in pot form), the KissZing lip crayon in Rosemance is usually £16, and the GinZing mascara sample is worth around £6.50. On top of this, you receive a mirror and little cosmetics case to hold it all, so the £40 price tag isn't astronomical. I still wanted to wait until after Christmas, though, seeing as we haven't got long to wait now anyway. However, I was browsing the Boots website the other night and saw that it was a third off, at just £26.66. Then I added it to my basket and my staff discount brought it down to £20.66. It had taken off double the amount of discount that is was supposed to. Seeing as it was nearly half price anyway, I decided to buy it then, because it's not guaranteed to be in stock after Christmas. I'm looking forward to trying all the products because I've heard great things!

The Boots website (and some stores) now stocks NYX, so I added the Concealer Wand in Green (£5.50) to my basket as well. I've had the pot version for a few years now, and after not using it for a long time, I've recently dug it out again. The texture is really thick and drying, though, so I wanted to get the liquid formula. I haven't used it properly yet, but it already seems to be a lot more manageable. 

I've decided to start using my Boots Advantage Card points before I get to £100, because I know that once I hit three digits, I'm going to withhold from spending them even more. The first product I bought with them was the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creme De Rose (£4.99). This is supposed to be a dupe for MAC's Painterly. I don't wear eyeshadow, but thought this would be a beautiful wash of colour to get me into doing so. The lid implies it's a lilac shade, but it's actually a creamy beige.

I'm a fan of the Barry M Satin Super Slick Lip Paints I already have, so wanted to use my points to add 169 Mannequin to my collection. It's the nude that I wanted Nuditude to be. I find that it looks more brown in the bullet than it does when swatched, which suits me perfectly because the brown lip trend hasn't won me over yet. These lipsticks are only £4.49, so I'd definitely recommend checking them out. 

I know I've just posted a haul of sorts, but I can't help it if things catch my eye so soon after! Let me know if you've purchased any Christmas gift sets for yourself this year. They work out to be better value for money than buying the products individually, so they're a great way to sample a brand.

Empties #13

I've taken out the usual suspects this time. You know, the shampoo and Colour Effects bottles, the Maybelline gel liner, The Body Shop face base. I've become tired of talking about them, so you've probably become tired of reading about them!

Tresemme Platinum Strength Deep Conditioning Treatment | When I first used this, I thought it was good. Then I used more, and was amazed at how soft it left my hair. I stocked up while it was half price, but now I'm back to thinking it's just good, so think my hair needs a break from it. I really love everything in the Platinum Strength range, though. The shampoo can weigh your hair down if you constantly use it for more than a couple weeks, but it's still one I go back to when I want incredibly soft hair.

Tresemme Oleo Radiance Creamy Moisturiser Mask | I have a thing for conditioners, so bougt most of the Oleo Radiance range when it was released. This mask is good, but I think I like the Platinum Strength one slightly more. The Platinum Strength range leaves your hair feeling soft, whereas the Oleo Radiance range leaves your hair feeling smooth. Does that make sense? The Oleo Radiance products can weigh my hair down if I use too much of them.

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel | This is the bottle I bought in last year's Christmas sale because I can't bring myself to spend so much on a shower gel, no matter how good it smells. For those of you who haven't smelt it before, it smells like pear drop sweets. It's very sweet, which is right up my street. I'll probably try and get hold of another bottle after Christmas this year.

Aussie Shower Smoothie Body Wash | When I smelt all the Aussie shower gels, this one appealed to me the most. It's basically a bubblegum scent. It's different to Snow Fairy, but if you want something along those sweet lines, for a much cheaper price, give this a go. It's also available all year round!

Nivea Soft Rose Lip Balm | This is a big moment; I've never finished a stick of lip balm before! I'm surprised it's this one actually, since Nivea lip balms aren't the most hydrating and this one was an initial disappointment. I bought it thinking it'd have more of a tint, but it only has a slight pearlescent finish. Still, it ended up being one I'd apply before bed every night because it felt really nice on the lips, and I loved the scent.

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets | I've spoken about these before, but they're amazing. I get quite oily throughout the day, and rather than layer powder on top of oil over and over again, I use a couple of these at lunch time. For some reason, they were discontinued, but you can now get them on eBay. However, the deals aren't that great anymore. I'll have to find an alternative when I run out of these (I still have a few packs left).

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara | I don't know why I like this more than Rocket or One by One, but I do. It does everything right, like the others, but this is the one I repurchased the other day. Towards the end of the tube, I started seeing specks of metallic paint on my face and hands, and could not figure out why, but then I realised it was from the tube. I'll try and be more gentle with my new one! On another note, I started using Colossal after not using it for years, but I don't like it as much as the others now. The formula, of the tube I have anyway, is slightly flakey. I've already given it to my mum because life is too short to use a mascara you don't truly love. Am I right, or am I right?

Have you tried any of these products?

Boots Haul

It's currently double discount week (and a half) at Boots, where employees and designated card holders receive 25% off branded products and 45% off Boots own products. I've been taking advantage of this, and thought I'd show you what I bought. Compared to last year's haul (found here), this is tame, especially considering some of it isn't mine!

Both my sister and I already have a large bottle of Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream. I bought my sister it for her birthday, and considering she's not into perfume, she's already half way through her bottle. She decided to buy another for when it runs out, which I have no complaints about because she received 500 Advantage Card points for buying it, and gave them to me! I'm now back up to £80 odd.

She also picked up the OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner because it was already a third off, making these around £3 a bottle. I've used OGX in the past and like it, but don't find it to be above and beyond what I normally use. I also have a drawer full of hair products already, so have put myself on a hair product ban!

The Maybelline Rocket Mascara and Lasting Drama Gel Liner are also hers. I also picked up the Gel Liner and the Sensational Mascara, both of which are repurchases. I have other mascaras to use, but wanted a back up of one I really love.

I bought the Laura Ashley Ceramic Cupcake and Muffin Tray and Rolling Pin with my future kitchen in mind. They're both things which should see me through the years, and they're so pretty! I actually bought two of the trays because I always make at least 12 muffins when baking. They're both originally £16, but the 3 for 2 offer and double discount brought this down to a more acceptable amount.

I ordered through the tills in store so I could have access to the products online. On the website, you can buy a No7 Restore & Renew bundle for just over £31, which is an amazing price when you think that the day and night creams are usually £24 each. The bundle also comes with the eye cream, and I'll be giving all of these to my mum for her birthday. This bundle was exempt from the discount because you're already saving so much.

Soap & Glory! I picked up the Super Exfoliating Scrub Gloves in the hope that they're better than my usual cheap ones. I also bought the Sugar Crush Body Wash, which I haven't used in a while. I still have my fair share of shower gels to get through, but I've resisted quite a few recently, so thought I'd allow myself this one. The One Heck of a Blot Primer and Sugar Crush Hand Gel are both new releases, and for some reason, I received 45% off of them, which I'm very happy about!

Barry M have released a new lipstick range called Satin Super Slick Lip Paints. There's six shades, all of which are beautiful. There's some neutrals, berries, and a peach. I chose Nuditude and Berry-licious. Nuditude is more pink than I thought it'd be, and looks like it'd be chalky, but it's not at all. Berry-licious is more toned down than a lot of berry shades, making it more wearable. Because of the 3 for 2 offer and discount, I got both of these for £3.47. I'm excited to wear them, and can see myself buying a couple more shades!

Have you had a splurge in Boots or Superdrug recently? What new releases have caught your eye? I can't wait to get my hands on the Freedom brow products, as well as The Body Shop's Fresh Nude Foundation and Shade Adjusting Drops.

Gravitating Towards Nude Pink Lip Products

Revlon ColourBurst Balm Stain in Honey, Maybelline ColourSensational Elixir in Blush Essence, Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Crayon in Bashful, Bourjois Colour Boost Glossy Finish Lipstick in Proudly Naked, L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Julianne's Nude

It's hard to believe that I've only been regularly wearing lip colours for a couple years. It was the step I used to skip, but now find it pulls the whole look together. One of the first products I started to wear on a daily basis was Revlon's ColourBurst Balm Stain in Honey. It's a combination of pink, mauve, and brown, making for a natural, easy-to-wear shade.

Since then, though, I've been all about the corals, reds, and berries. Every shade in my 2014 favourites was bold and eye catching. I didn't wear them to their full intensity, mind you. I'd sheer them out, so they were appropriate to wear to work. I wouldn't even notice the nude, natural pinks on the stands. For some reason, though, this has changed recently. I've been favouring the shades above over my usual ones.

I only had a few of these shades in my expansive collection, so it was the perfect excuse to go shopping. I ended up buying the Bourjois Colour Boost Glossy Finish Lipstick in Proudly Naked and the L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Julianne's Nude the other week.

The Bourjois Colour Boost Glossy Finish Lipstick in Proudly Naked is more nude than the others, but is still in the pink spectrum. I'm liking this more than Peach on the Beach, and it's making me want more shades from the range, even though I should probably stop buying lip products. I liked Peach on the Beach, but it settled in the lines of my lips ever so slightly. I think this was because it's one of those shades which is mixed with white pigment to make it lighter and brighter. I thought every shade in the range was similar, so was pleasantly surprised when I swatched Proudly Naked. It's balmy, sits on the lips nicely, and fades evenly.

I already own L'Oreal's Colour Riche Lipstick in Julianne's Red, and love the shade, so had been eyeing her nude shade for a while because we have the same colouring. Julianne's Nude is a peachy pink. It's not as balmy as the other shades, understandably, since it's in the form of a lipstick, but it's still one of my favourites. It's not heavy or drying, and probably lasts the longest.

The other two products in the photos above are the Maybelline ColourSensational Elixir in Blush Essence, and the Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Crayon in Bashful. They're both extremely balmy and lovely to wear. I personally think the Maybelline Elixir packaging could be improved, but I don't mind too much because I really like the formula. The Soap & Glory Gloss Crayon is the least pigmented, and more of a tinted lip balm, but it feels the nicest on the lips. I have three different shades of both, so I'm clearly a fan!

What lip shades are you wearing at the moment?

Empties #12

Okay, enough procrastinating, I can write this...

Offers and the scents of the Aussie shampoo and conditioners lead me to buy many a bottle. I liked both the Mega and Miracle Moist ranges. They didn't leave my hair the softest, but they didn't leave it feeling dry either, and I experienced no build up with them. I still have plenty left in my hair drawer, and I would happily buy more.

The Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave In Conditioner is one I've been through countless bottles of. I use it after I shower, it smells incredible, leaves my hair a little softer than it normally is, and you can put as much in as you please without any greasiness. I'm already on to my next bottle.

I dedicated an entire post to the Tresemme Platinum Strength Shampoo a while ago, I was that impressed with it. I still love it as it makes my hair insanely soft, but I've found that it weighs my hair down and makes it greasy looking after a couple weeks. Because of this, I switch to another shampoo is remove any build up, and go back to this after a short break. I'd definitely repurchase, and I've just bought the Deep Conditioning Treatment and Leave In Treatment from the same range. They have high ratings and positive reviews, so I'm looking forward to using them.

Lush Ultrabland is my number one cleanser at the moment, and I'm on to my third tub. It removes my makeup better than any cleanser I've tried, leaves it super moisturised, and doesn't sting my eyes in any way. Love.

I still have a fair bit of Lush's Lemony Flutter left, but it's started to smell funny because I've had it a while. I'm going to make more of an effort to apply it to places other than my cuticles if I buy it again, because the pot is too big for just that use. It was heavy and greasy, but that's kind of to be expected from a cuticle butter. It did improve the appearance of them, though, and before it got old and funky, it smelt beautiful.

The battered Lush pot you see there is Ro's Argan. I used to think the price of this was insane, then I bought a tub with my Mystery Shopper store credit, then I asked for a tub for Christmas, and then I bought my own. And will do so again. I don't mind the price now because there's nothing which compares to it. It leaves your skin so moisturised, so soft, and so deliciously scented.

Original Source has been a favourite shower gel brand of mine for years. Their lime one is one of my all time favourites. So I was pretty pleased when they came out with a mango one. It smells just like the fruit, and I've already stocked up.

I've been through more of the Superdrug Colour Effects Conditioning Colours. More than the one bottle featured. They just transform my hair from so-so auburn to bam auburn. I get a lot of compliments on my hair colour, and these are part of the reason for that. I like all the shades, but mostly use True Chestnut and Mahogany.

I've been through another The Body Shop All In One Face Base in 02. It never looks cakey or powdery; only natural and silky.

There's still product in the ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit in Light, but it was getting a bit gross, so decided to start a new one. It's still one of my favourite eyebrow products after all these years, so I'm sad that I now have to resort to eBay to buy it. Hopefully, they'll launch another UK site.

The Maybelline Gel Eyeliner is everything. If I could only wear one product, it'd be this. It's pigmented, like black black, and it's creamy enough to be easy to work with, but not so creamy that it takes away from the pigment. It also stays put all day, even on my lash line. My favourite brush to use with it is the one it comes with, so that's another bonus, and it's affordable. I don't think there's anything more to say!

The Blistex Intensive Moisturiser is the best lip balm I've ever used, and I'll continue to use it for a very long time. I'd like a heads up if they plan on discontinuing this, because I'll be clearing the shelves.

Do you like any of these products?

The Price of My Makeup Routine

I was looking back through old blog posts the other night when I stumbled across the how much is your face worth? tag I wrote four years ago. I couldn't believe that it had been over four years, and was sure I'd done one since then. As it turns out, I've written about my various makeup routines since, but have never calculated the cost of them since 2011. I thought it'd be interesting to see just how different my current routine is, and how much it costs. I can already tell you it's going to be a lot more expensive, because I used a £1.99 blush and lip balm in the old post, and the total was a mere £38.95. My makeup varies day to day, and I don't always use a bronzer and highlighter, but this is what I wore yesterday.

Revlon ColourStay Foundation in 110 Ivory | £12.49

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Natural | £5.50

Bourjois Bronzing Primer | £9.99

Topshop Glow Cream Highlighter in Polished | £9

The Body Shop All in One Face Base in 02 | £14

ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit in Light | £3.95

Maybelline Gel Eyeliner in Black | £7.99

Maybelline Sensational Mascara in Black | £7.99

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon | £7.99

Total: £78.90

It's just over double the price of what it was four years ago, but I'm not that surprised! My makeup knowledge and skills have come a long way since then, and I'm now using products and brands I never did in the past. Also, the total is based on the retail prices, but I rarely pay that. I've never paid £14 for The Body Shop All in One Face Base, I recently bought the Revlon Foundation for £9.99, and I remember the Maybelline products being £5.99 each. Then there's discount codes and loyalty points, which I paid for the Bourjois Bronzing Primer with.

I remember this tag doing the rounds back in the day, so would love to see updated versions. I'd also be interested to see the total of your routine if you've never calculated it before. Let me know in the comments!

You Know You Love a Product When...

you always have a backup. I have backups of most products I use. I like to think it's because I'm organised, but it's probably because I can't resist an offer, so stockpile when there is one. I don't do this as often with makeup, though, because it takes a lot longer to finish, and I change it up more regularly. There are a handful of products I do keep multiples of, though. The ones above are the ones I currently have in my stash.

ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit in Light // I've been using the eyebrow kits from ELF for about 4 years now. I used to use the shade Medium, but switched to Light a couple years ago, which is a much better match for me. As well as being the right shade, both the wax and powder are pigmented, and last all day. The actual kit takes an age to use up, and for less than £4, it's great. The UK site is no more, unfortunately, but hopefully the brand will have a new distributor in the near future. If not, there's always eBay, which is where I bought the one above from.

The Body Shop All in One Face Base in 02 // I feel like this is the most mentioned product on this blog. I've been through so many, and always add one to my order when there's a particularly good discount code. It's soft and leaves you with a velvety matte finish, but what I like most about it is that it provides you with a little coverage. You'd think that it'd look too heavy on top of foundation, but it doesn't. It just looks natural.

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Black // This isn't a product that I usually have a backup of because it's only become an everyday staple in the last six months or so, and one pot will last ages, but I bought an extra when there was a great deal on a couple months back. I used to be too lazy to bother with eyeliner, specifically gel, but it makes the world of difference. This one is jet black, creamy, and stays in place all day. The brush it comes with is good, too, and is the one I use daily.

Maybelline Mascaras // I always have at least one Maybelline mascara in my stockpile. I actually have four different ones on the go at the moment, so am keeping the two above sealed until I've used them up. Again, the reason for buying them was because of an irresistible offer. The Rocket is probably my favourite (along with Sensational now) and I bought The Colossal because I haven't used it for a few years.

I switch up the other makeup I use too often for me to get through one product in particular. I am tempted to buy a replacement for my L'Oreal Infallible Foundation in Porcelain, though, because it's the lightest on the highstreet, meaning it's the best match I've found. 

Empties #11

I haven't written an empties in four months, and I've used up a lot of products since then. Mostly of the hair variety, which has made me think twice about using so much in the shower! I'm only showing half the products in this post because we'd be here all day else. The others are what you've seen countless times before - Tresemme shampoo and conditioner, Aussie leave in conditioner, many shower gels, many packs of wipes, and even more shampoo and conditioner. The ones above are those I've barely mentioned on here before.

I managed to get the Organix Macadamia Shampoo and Conditioner for around £1 each (down from £6.99), which I was incredibly happy about. They smelt great and did their job, but that's about it. They didn't do anything amazing for my hair, and performed like my usual, cheaper branded shampoo and conditioner. I don't think they're worth the full price.

I've just finished the Aussie Mega Shampoo and Conditioner, and will likely repurchase. They smell delicious and are lightweight. They don't leave my hair as soft as the Tresemme Platinum Strength Range, but as they say on the packaging, they're more for everyday maintenance. 

I don't know what's happening with the Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures range. It's only recently been released, but now it's been taken off the shelves in my local Boots, and it's not online. I managed to buy two bottles of the conditioning treatment and two bottles of the serum for £3.17 the other day, thanks to the clearance stand and 3 for 2 offer, so I'm not complaining, but I am confused! Anyway, the Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures 1 Minute Treatment smelt yummy, like creme brulee, and made my hair soft. It didn't leave it 'omg my hair feels SO soft!' kind of soft, but it was still soft. I wouldn't pay the full price of £4.99 for it, but for 99p (one bottle was actually free with the 3 for 2 offer), I'm glad I have more.

Lush's Montalbano Solid Shampoo Bar, like every other product I've mentioned so far, smelt incredible. Straight up lemony goodness. After using it for so long, my hair felt a little stripped, but that's because it's a clarifying shampoo. It's probably best to use every few washes. My bar lasted about 5 weeks, and that's with me using it a lot (I really need to cut down). I'd definitely repurchase, but have another three bars to use first...

We all know how much I love Superdrug's Colour Effects Wash In Wash Out Conditioning Colours, and I've actually been through 6-8 bottles of the True Chestnut and Mahogany shades since my last empties post, but I wanted to talk to you about the new Burgundy Red one. It's red. Like really red. It's so much more intense than the other shades, taking just one application to really make a difference. I didn't mind it, but will be sticking to my usual ones in the future.

I also wanted to discuss Superdrug's Colour Episode Non Permanent Hair Colours. I actually used a couple of these, not just the red shade featured. They were okay, but they weren't any more intense or long lasting than the Colour Effects, they had less product in, and they were double the price. They're basically the Colour Effects in foam form.

I wasn't keen on the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara at first because I found it slightly clumpy, but liked it more when it started to dry up a little. I then managed to get two tubes for £1.80 each, instead of £9.99, so will clearly be using it again!

Two products you will have seen many times before on this blog - Maybelline's Rocket Mascara and The Body Shop's All in One Face Base. The mascara doesn't clump on me at all, and the powder offers some coverage with a velvety finish.

I didn't think the Witch Anti Blemish Skin Clearing Primer was doing anything for my skin any more, but my skin became very oily on the day I didn't use it. It's been discontinued, unfortunately, so I'll be using my last bottle sparingly.

What's left? The Body Shop's Mango Shower Gel. I love anything mango scented, but had never used a mango shower gel until this. It smells just like the rest of the range (incredible) and it did its job!

Another The Body Shop product I finished was the Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter. I've declared my love for this before. It removes my makeup with ease and leaves my skin feeling super soft. I'm already on my next tub!

The Body Shop's Frosted Cranberry Hand Cream was also a winner. Non greasy, moisturing, and smelt like crisp berries.

Figs & Rouge is one of my favourite brands. Their packaging is cute, their products smell amazing, and they just work. The Figs & Rouge Mango Mandarin Hand Cream was not greasy in the slightest, but left my hands feeling very soft. I've since bought the large tube of this, but will probably buy the small one again for my bag.

Nearly there, I promise! I picked up Lush's Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask for free with their black pot exchange. It smells beautiful (like Palma Violets to me), and left my skin feeling cleansed. I didn't feel like it did much else, though. The quality of my skin wasn't vastly improved or anything. I also found it a challenge to use before it went off! 

If you've used any of these products before, I'd love to know your opinions on them.

Love-Hate Relationships

There are some products I have nothing but love for, and there have been a few I can't stand. Sometimes, though, a product comes along which divides my feelings.

Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer

Love | The coverage this gives, and the fact that it doesn't crease on me like other products do. I sometimes still get the odd crease here and there, but it's nothing like I experience with alternatives.

Hate | The shade. The lightest shade, Light, is too dark for me. I can just about make it work, but it should be lighter to brighten the area, as well as conceal. Also, the packaging is annoying. I actually don't mind the sponge, but taking the lid on and off gets messy because it's difficult to not touch the product-soaked applicator. 

NYX Powder Blush in Taupe

Love | The shade. It's perfect for fair complexions to contour with because it's not orange in any way.

Hate | The pigmentation. I don't know if it's just mine, but the pigmentation is really, really poor. I have to swirl my brush with great force to even pick up a little product. My finger doesn't even pick anything up, so I couldn't swatch it for you. I think I'm going to have to scratch up the product.

Real Techniques Brushes

Love | The quality. They're soft, dense, and are still going strong after a couple years use.

Hate | The handles. I know I'm not alone when I say this, but the handles are just too bulky for my liking. They take up too much room in my brush pot. I know the whole point of them is so they can stand up, but I'd rather keep them in the same place as all my other brushes.

Do you have a love-hate relationship with any products?

Recent Purchases

This post is going up about a month later than I originally intended because I just kept buying things! As well as all my brand specific hauls (Lush, The Body Shop, Yankee Candle, Illamasqua, Makeup Revolution...), these are the purchases I made when feeling really spendy in January.

The Christmas sales were a disappointment, especially after three of my orders were cancelled. I did manage to buy some bargains from Ciate, though. The Mini Mani Manor went down to £14.70, the Candy Cane House to £7.50, and the Cranberry Love Me Oil to £5.50. I then bought a couple of the Big Beauty Buses from Boots for £5 each.

I also managed to pick up the No7 Skincare Collection in the Boots sale for about £6, which I'll be giving to my mum for Mother's Day. Online, Boots also had the Marc Jacobs Daisy Sunshine for £22.50 instead of £45, so I had to add it to my collection! Other purchases from Boots include the Rimmel Gel Eyeliner in Emerald £6.99 (a twist on black which should make my eyes and hair pop), the Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Peach Poppy £6.99 (so pretty), the No7 Eyelash Curlers £7.25 (they're okay, but not great - other reviews are very negative!), and the Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures 1 Minute Treatment £2.99 down from £4.99 (smells great and conditions my hair, but not to a great extent).

From Lush, I bought a large pot of Ultrabland for £11.50 because it's one of my favourite cleansers, ever. I also picked up the Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask for free because I brought back 5 black pots. It smells incredible, but easily crumbles off your face. It does seem to cleanse and mattify my face, though.

I always buy underwear in the Accessorize sale, and the ones above were £2-3 each, instead of £5-6. I also bought the parrot shopper for £8 because I love a shopper!

The dress doesn't look like much folded up, but it's really pretty. It's from Closet, and one I had my eye on for graduation, but it wasn't really appropriate for that, so I bought a couple others from the brand (and ended up keeping both because they fit so well!). It was £26 down from £51 in the Dorothy Perkins sale, which I think is pretty good, considering I wanted it beforehand. The back has a V shape, but you can still wear a normal bra with it. I'm just waiting for a summer wedding so I can wear it! I seriously love Closet for more formal dresses - the shapes are beautiful, and the quality incredible.

For some reason, I included my mini lint rollers from H&M when taking the first photo. They are helpful, though, and I've been keeping one in my bag.

Debenhams had the Marc Jacobs Daisy Delight for £24 instead of £48, and I had to buy it to complete my collection. I didn't mean to collect them - it just happened! Like the others, it smells beautiful.

Finally, I picked up a copy of Elle for the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara. I dislike magazines, and this one's no different, but some samples are worth buying for. Roller Lash has a very similar wand to the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, and the effect is pretty similar, too. I think I prefer the Lash Sensational one, though, but I'll keep you posted.

What did you pick up in the sales?