Been Shopping!

I popped to the shops yesterday to make some last minute essential holiday purchases and ended up picking up a few unexpexted extras along the way –  I just didn’t bank on seeing so many bargains!

No7 Soft and Soothed Cleanser £3 Boots

It’s No7 voucher time again and this is my all time favourite cleanser. It’s great for dry skin and leaves a lovely moisturised glow. Normally £8, just £3 with the voucher.

Revlon Nail Enamel in Facets of Fuchsia £4.49 Boots

Words or pictures can do this nail polish justice, it’s seriously HOT! Part of Revlon’s Autumn/Winter 11 collection, it’s a grey polish jam packeked with Berrylicious specs of glitter. Currently on promotion at Boots, save £2. Here’s a quick swatch on my finger.

Rimmel 3 Looks Volume Mascara and 60 Second Nail Polish £1 each Poundland

Poundland can be great for picking up branded cosmetics for, well £1. It can be hit and miss but pretty rewarding when you discover some gems, like this Rimmel 3 Looks Volume Mascara in Black and 60 Second Nail Polish in Desert Beauty.

GOSH Professional Eye Brush £5.99 Superdrug

I’ve been on the look out for a slanted, precision eye shadow brush with firm bristles and this fits the bill nicely. I didn’t want to spend too much and thanks to GOSH, I didn’t have to. Made from synthetic bristles – it’s great for shadow and liner.

Tail Comb 99p Superdrug and Travel Bottles £1 Primark

I have my tangle teezer for battling the holiday hair tatters, but this tailcomb I need for backcombing. And last buy by no means least, these handly little travel bottles so I can decant some shampoo and conditioner – they even come with little lables.

REVIEW: MAC 130 Duo Fibre Brush

I popped into Mac last week to buy a new brush and check out the Surf Baby collection. I’m sad to report I was pretty disappointed with Mac’s latest offerings – the packaging looks cheap and the colours are quite dark for a summer collection, but I cushions the blow with a few essentials.

Starting with Mac 130 Duo Fibre Brush. This is my new BBF (Best Brush Forever)! I’m a big fan of duo fibre brushes and I’m very attached to the 187. It’s great for foundation and cream products and highlighters, BUT I find it a little too big for apply cream blusher to my cheeks. The surface area of the brush head is quite large, almost as big as the Mac blush pots, making it difficult to contour or brush on small circles onto the cheeks. It can also look a little heavy handed.

130 compared to 187

The 130 Duo Fibre brush has a flat head and a mixture of both natural and synthetic bristles. For me, the 130 and cream blush are a match made in heaven. The surface area is much smaller, enabling you to be much more directional – I can dab a little on the apple of the cheeks or use small circular movements along the cheek bone. It also fits into the compact much more comfortably.  The brush itself is very dense and doesn’t streak; I’d compare it to 109 contour brush, which is my favourite for powder blush. It would be great as a foundation brush, but will take longer to cover the full face.

130 compared to 109

£28

Pop back soon to read my review of Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation and Blushcreme in Lilicent.

Lust Have: No7 Spring Collection Gel Liners

As a recent convert to gel liners (Bobbi Brown I love you) I couldn’t wait to try the Limited Edition gel liners from No7’s Spring Collection and I’m happy to report that they didn’t disappoint.

The consistency is very creamy, which makes them easy to apply and “play” with to create the perfect look, once it dries, it stays put for hours. That’s what I love about Gel liners, no smudge. They come with a mini brush, which is handy to keep in your purse, but I find you get better control with a regular sized brush.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, there’s been some mixed reviews, but all in all, a pretty good effort from No7.

Currently available in three great shades, here’s what Lisa Eldridge No7 make-up artist and creative director said..

“Fabulous gel eye liners to focus your BardotKitten eyed look. Gel formulations are so mucheasier than liquids because their creamy textureallows for a longer application time…so time toperfect your flick!

In three great shades, black is a total classic, blue is a chic and softer alternative to black and the creamy bright turquoise is just fabulous for making a bold eye statement.”

 

Do they rival the Bobbi Brown ones? For me, no, but that doesn’t mean I can’t find a place in my heart, and make up bag for them. A snip at £10, no wonder they’re flying off the shelves. Right now available in the 3 for 2 offer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

It was my birthday yesterday…

Birthday Goodies

Bobbi Brown Make up manual

Mac Wonder Woman Opulash Mascara – Victorious

Mac Blush Brush 116

Topshop Cream Blush – Flush

OPI Mini Nail Lacquers Katy Perry

Barry M Nail Paint – Mushroom

Didn’t I do well! I might be another year older, booo, but I’m well stocked up. Watch this space, new reviews coming your way soon, just as soon as the hangover wears off.

And a special thanks to my little sister…

An accurate respresentation of how I’m looking this morning!

REVIEW: BOBBI BROWN LONG WEAR GEL LINER AND CREAM SHADOW EYE KIT

When I stumbled upon this eye kit on a Bobbi Brown counter last week, I couldn’t resist. This fab eye kit includes the award winning Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, Long Wear Gel Cream Shadow in Velvet Plum, Dual Ended Cream Shadow/Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush and Mini Extreme Party Mascara. It’s the perfect solution to instantly update your eye make up.

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Designed to give the look of liquid liner with the ease & feel of a gel formula. It claims to be Long-wearing, water-resistant, smear and crease proof, and it comes up trumps on all counts. Suprisingly easy to apply and extremely long lasting, it’s no wonder this product blows the others out the water, and it has the awards to prove it. The short handled brush gives lots of control – use flat for a thicker line, or turn to the side for pencil thin line. The product dries quickly but gives just enough time to “play” around for the perfect line.

Long Wear Gel Cream Shadow

Why o why have I never used a cream eye shadow before! I assumed that being a cream it would sink into the creases of the eye, how wrong I was.  This product is simply AMAZING! So easy to apply with the cream shadow end of the brush, or fingers if you feel more comfortable; It looks as vivid on the eye as it does in the pot. Whilst it’s a cream, it’s not too creamy. There’s time to “play” but it dries quickly and like the gel liner, doesn’t budge until it’s washed off. You can also layer it up for extra impact. The shade is a gold flecked colour with a hint of plum. Needless to say I’m a convert, I’m so impressed I’ll be back to Bobbi Brown soon to try some more shades.

The set also includes a dual ended liner and cream shadow brush and mini party wear liner. It’s a great starter kit if you’ve never used these products before and great value at £32 (the liner and shadow cost that alone) no wonder it’s sold out on Bobbi’s website, still available online from House of Fraser £32 and selcted counters nationwide.