PRODUCT REVIEW - ESSIE NAIL POLISH

I had never tried Essie nail polish before it was introduced into Boots and Superdrug as a diffusion line, a couple of months ago. I had always stuck to OPI or Nails Inc as they were more widely available in the UK. But once I saw the stand in my local Boots, I knew I had to try the popular colours I had been lusting over and the reduced price of £7.99 was more appealing to me and my bank balance.

I know these polishes have been really popular over beauty blogs and YouTube. They may be a tad pricer than the average drugstore/high street nail vanish, but the quality has really won me over. The size of the brush is great, it fits the whole width of the nail and I know this has been changed from the original line of Essie polishes. It does take a few coats to get the required colour that I want, but this is worth it as the staying power is brilliant and lasts a good while without chipping with a top coat. 

99 Mint Candy Apple - This is probably the most popular colour in the Essie line. A true bluey mint green. As you can see from the swatch, the colour is very build-able and is pigmented after about two coats.
77 Chinchilly - This shade is a purpley brown. This is my most wearable colour, and is most suited to me. Another bestseller, and is very pigmented after just two coats.
13 Mademoiselle - This shade is the perfect french manicure nail colour. The formulation is quite sheer, as you can see on the swatch it is still quite sheer after a couple of coats. I would use this colour if I just wanted a wash of colour over my nails to freshen them up.
I will be definitely building my collection of these polishes. They are fast becoming my favourite to use, just because I know the colour is going to last and the formula is great. I have my eyes on the shades Tarte Deco and Cute As A Button.
Nail Wheel from - Solo Beauty Supplies

What Essie colours do you like?

Thanks for reading!x

THE LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD

I hadn't heard much about this before getting nominated by the lovely Maddie at 'all the pretty things'. But I do think it's a great way of getting to know new bloggers and have enjoyed reading Maddie's post.

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.

3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.

4. Go to their page and tell them.

5. Remember, no tag backs!

11 things about myself

1. I am currently studying Fashion Retail Management at University

2. I want to be a Retail Buyer when I graduate next year

3. I hoard a lot of things I probably don't use or need

4. I am addicted to Diet Coke

5. My favourite colour is Purple

6. My favourite band - Arctic Monkeys

7. I collect Vogue and Elle magazine

8. I go to Starbucks at least once a week

9. My favourite Fashion Designer is Alexander McQueen

10. My Style Icon is - Classic Audrey Hepburn 

11. I am 21 tomorrow! woo :)

Maddie's Questions:

1. What is your favourite make-up product right now?

N07 Fanomenal Mascara 

2. Where in the world would you like to visit next?

I would like to visit a lot of places, but would love to see a lot of America. I have ticked off New York and Florida so far.

3. What are you most scared of?

Bit of a morbid subject. But I am scared of death and losing people around me.

4. What is the one thing you want most right now?

Stila - In the Light Palette. 

5. What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

My iMac maybe.

6. Where do you like to shop most?

Topshop, Asos & Boots.

7. Do you have any annoying habits?

I'm quite a messy person. I like to think I'm quite neat but I have a lot of things. ekk!

8. Whats your favourite food?

Anything with goats cheese or Feta.

9. Whats the funniest thing that happened to you recently?

??

10. What is your favourite movie?

I can't choose one. I love films like Pulp Fiction, The Adjustment Bureau, The Dark Knight, Inception, Shutter Island.

11. Something you need or need to do everyday?

Diet Coke. Caffeine.

My Questions:

1. Who is your favourite fashion designer?

2. What is your favourite Make-up brand?

3. Who is your Style Icon?

4. What is your biggest goal this year?

5. What is your dream job?

6. What is your favourite music? band? artist?

7. What did you study?

8. What is top of your wishlist?

9. What is the last book you read?

10. Describe your style.

11. What made you start blogging?

My Nominations:

breathebeautyfitness

annalittlefashion

loveontopxo

beautyprofessor

georgialoves-x

leopardprintnailsss

bearrbeauty

livelaughlipstick

chaneletco

twentiesgirlstyle

fabugloss

Thanks for reading!x

PRODUCT REVIEW - NO7 FANOMENAL LASHES MASCARA

Fanomenal Lashes is the latest mascara realease from N07 at Boots. As I had a £5 off N07 voucher, I thought why not give it a go. The brush to this mascara is like no other I have seen before. The brush is 'star' shaped and is made up of different lengths which coats with a good amount of  product and combs through the lashes to volumise, lengthen and separate, to create a 'fan' shape around your eye.

I have been using this mascara for a good few weeks now, and it's turned into my go to mascara. The brush does get quite clumpy at the end, but that is easily sorted and doesn't come off clumpy on your lashes. I do really like the way this mascara makes my eyelashes look, and definitely makes them look fuller and longer. I also see no fault in No7 mascara's as some of my favourites include there Exquisite Curl and Lash Adapt wands. I guess mascara is a very personal thing, what works for one person isn't going to work for someone else.

Before Application 

After Application

Personally, I think this is a great mascara for the price. The packaging is also really nice and sleek. The formula doesn't flake or smudge and it really does separate and lengthens lashes. I find the brush quite strange with its short bristles, it takes a lot of getting used to. But the effect is very good, and it is a good, versatile mascara. It is ideal for day wear, but you can apply a couple of coats for the evening with relatively little hassle. Overall, I think it's a great buy. You can buy this mascara from Boots for £12.95, or £5 cheaper if you have a voucher.

Thanks for reading!x

JUNE BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES 2012

I'm trying to be better at cutting down my hoard of beauty products by using them up one type of product at a time. This month I have seemed to do quite well, there are quite a few..
Firstly my basics, Johnson's Cotton Buds £1.40, Boots Cosmetic Buds £1.40 and Boots Cotton Wool Oval Pads £1.89. These are my basics for taking off my make up as well as touch ups. So I always have back ups of these, they do the job. Would I repurchase? Yes.
Johnson's Eye Make-Up Remover £3.29 - This is a bottle I have been trying to use up for ages, I don't tend to use Make-up remover much anymore, I would tend to use a cleanser for my whole face. But if I do have some difficult eye make up to get off, then I would use this or something like it. It is a very gentle formula and great for waterproof mascara. Would I repurchase? Maybe, at some point.
L'oreal Ever Pure Shampoo and Conditioner (Fullsize 250ml £5.99 each) - These were free samples in a magazine. I had wanted to try this shampoo since it came out. I was really impressed with this shampoo and conditioner, my hair was so soft and glossy. The no sulphate shampoo and conditioner smelt lovely of botanic oils and mint. The shampoo left my hair really refreshed. Would I repurchase? Yes defiantly.
Thierry Mugler Alien 30ml Eau De Parfum £35.00 - This has to be my favourite perfume. I would say it's more of a 'night time' fragrance, but I would spray it in the day as well, just because I love the scent so much, and there is nothing out there like it. A rich floral woody amber scent. Would I repurchase this? Yes, I can't live without this perfume.

Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo £3.99 - I repurchase Batiste Dry Shampoo over and over again, just because I know it does the job. I'm not too keen on this XXL Volume one though, It definitely gives your hair extra volume which I like, but I don't like the way it feels in my hair. It just makes me want to wash it out, the totally opposite of what I want from a dry shampoo. Would I repurchase? Not this kind, but definitely either the tropical or wild scent.
Nivea Double Effect Deodorant £3.25 - To be honest, I swap and change deodorants all the time. This one doesn't do anything special, I just like the scent and it does it's job well. Would I repurchase? Yes, if nothing else caught my eye.
Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo £4.49 - I always come back to this shampoo. I absolutely love the smell of it. It contains Macadamia Nut extract, which really helps dry and damaged hair, and leaves it silky and smooth. Would I repurchase? Yes definitely. 
Palmolive Shower Milk (Fullsize 250ml £1.59) - This was just a little sample size that needed using up. I would always have this shower gel when I was younger, just because I liked the sweet honey smell. But it does leave your skin feeling moisturise rich and soft. Would I repurchase? Maybe at some point.
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic (Fullsize 200ml £12.50) - This came as part of a 'try me set' which I purchased at John Lewis. I haven't tried Liz Earle Products before but I wanted to see what all the 'hype' was about. It was a great chance to try them, and I loved using up the little miniatures. The tonic is really natural and brightens up the skin. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would get the full sized version after I have used some of my 'stock' up.
Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask £5.75 - This is a face mask which you have to keep in your fridge and use up quite quickly as it is fresh. Cosmetic Warrior is suited for troubled skin to help calm and soothe spots. The smell is very overpowering, but if you can get over the smell of garlic, then you will find it is great at reducing the size of spots and even closing them up. Would I repurchase? Yes, if my skin was going through a bad patch.
Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous Foundation Faker £23.50 - This is a product that I would use as a teenager, it was quick and easy and covered up any redness to the face. It comes with a sponge pad to apply the make-up, which I find isn't really very hygienic. But the compact mirror is very useful. Would I repurchase? No, it did it's job, but I have moved onto other things now.

PRODUCT RAVE - SUMMER WEDGES

I'm not much of a New Look shopper, but one thing they are really good for are fashionable, affordable shoes. I knew I had to have these wedges when I saw them on the website a few weeks back. They probably won't get regular wear, just because the heels are so high! (5.5") But I know they will be my trustee heels when it comes to a night out or an occasion. They come in this grey colour and also come in black. The chunky platform heel is really comfortable as your weight is distributed and is not just forced to the ball of your foot. They have a metallic gold buckle fastening around the ankle and an ankle support at the back. The peep toe design is nice for summer, and the platform which gives real height if your a short 5ft4 like me. They are really versatile and can be worn with jeans or leggings, as well as with a dress. The best thing about them is the price, £24.99 which is a real bargain as you would pay a lot more for the same sort of thing on the high street. They currently only have them in black on the website, but check in stores as that's where I picked up mine!

Thanks for reading!x

 

BEAUTY WISHLIST - JUNE 2012 MUST HAVES

My birthday is coming up next week, so I might treat myself to the things I have been lusting over for ages. And thought I would share...
Stila In the Light Palette £25.00 - I have wanted this palette for a while now, probably since christmas time. I haven't bought it because I have been using the Naked 2 palette instead. But after reading Zoella's blog post about it, I think I might have to go out and buy it. Shade - Kitten looks too pretty. A great alternative to the Naked palette at a cheaper price.
Origins Brightening Musts Gift Set £26.00 - This set contains VitaZing 50ml, Modern Friction 30ml and GinZing 5ml. I have wanted to try these products for a while now, and I think this set is a great price to try them all out and see if I like them. I have other Origins products including the drink up intensive mask, and absolutely love that, so if they are anything like that I know they will become firm favourites in my skincare routine.
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream £7.99 - I have tried and nearly used up the Garnier BB cream and love that. But want to mix it up a bit and try another brand. I have heard good things about this, so that might have to be my next purchase. I have also sent away for samples, so hopefully they will arrive soon.
L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil 250ml £16.00 - I much prefer to have baths than showers. After reading Viviannadoesmakeup's blog post about this I knew it was a product that I had to try. If it smells anything like the Soap & Glory Almond body wash (my post here) then I know I'll love it. For the price, I think it's a bit of a bath time treat but I guess it will last a while, so to me it's worth it.
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains £7.99 - I loved watching Essiebutton's video and reading her blog post on these lip stains. They look like great dupes for the Clinique Chubby Sticks. Really good colour pay off, as well as being moisturising to the lips. I don't know if these are the right ones on the Boots website, as I thought they weren't available till July. But can't wait to try one!
Real Techniques Starter Kit £21.99 - I own the core collection, the blush brush and the stippling brush from Real Techniques and think they are the best brushes I have tried. So, this kit is next on my list, I know they are great for concealer too.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 150ml £22.30 - I got a sample of this when it was in the Glossybox a few months ago. I used it all up and loved the stuff. It defiantly did my hair some good. I'm currently using the Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Masque, but I think once all that is used up, I will change it up a bit and purchase this.
What's on your wishlist? Have you tried any of these products?

PROUCT REVIEW - SOAP & GLORY RICH & FOAMOUS SHOWER & BATH BODY WASH

Rich & Foamous is the most recent body wash/shower gel from Soap & Glory and fast becoming my favourite to use. I have tried all of the other body washes in the range, but I have got to say this beats them all. Once I knew the scent was Almond, Oats & Brown Sugar it went straight into my basket. If you like delicious, sweet honey/vanilla smelling products this one is for you. But what I would say, is that I think the smell can be a love or hate thing...and for some people they would much prefer the floral scent of the 'original pink' fragrance. 

The body wash itself is really moisturising, super creamy and leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed. The scent does linger on the skin, which I love as it smells so good. I use it in conjunction with The Breakfast Scrub by Soap & Glory, also a 'foody' smelling product. The product contains M-Suds MoistureBoost which makes the formula really frothy and bubbles up when massaged into the skin. Rich & Foamous can also be used in the bath by running a few pumps of the soap under water, which I like to do to create the ultimate bubble bath. 

This 500ml bottle is priced at £6.50 which I don't think is too bad for the amount of product that you get. (Especially when Soap & Glory is on 3 for 2.) Toiletries are currently 3 for 2 at Boots. I would definitely repurchase this product again and again. Soap and Glory please bring this scent out in a Body Butter!!

What are your favourite body wash/shower gels?

NOTD - BOURJOIS 10 DAY NAIL POLISH GUIMAUVE T26

I don't normally go for girlie, barbie pink colours when picking out nail vanish. But there was something about this shade which was so unusual that it caught my eye. My favourite thing about this polish is the brush, its perfect for application and covers the entire nail in one brush stroke. It is wide, angled and short, so it is great for touchups. It doesn't last 10 days without chipping with a top coat but to be honest I didn't expect it to. It still lasts a good 4-5 days without chipping and I am impressed with the quality.

For the price, £5.99 I would probably pick out an Essie nail vanish next time instead, but it is a nice colour for summer. I bought this when Boots were doing an offer of buy any Bourjois product get another one half price. But Bourjois are currently offering 3 for 2 on selected products at boots.

PRODUCT REVIEW - NIP + FAB COCONUT LATTE BODY BUTTER

This product is fast becoming my new favourite body butter. This is the first product I have tried from the Nip + Fab range, and so far I am really impressed. The body butter itself is a rich and creamy consistency which claims to soften and hydrate dry, dehydrated skin with 24 hour moisture-boosting hydra concept Aquaxyl.
'Aquaxyl boasts scientifically substantiated benefits to improve the water reserves in the skin, limit water loss and visually improve the surface of the skin.'
The scent I chose was Coconut Latte, but you can also get the body butters in Pistachio Sundae and Mango Smoothie. I am drawn to anything with a coconut scent. The butter also contains shea butter, which you can really smell and stays on you skin, which I really like. It also contains avocado oil which repairs and leaves skin with a healthy sheen, as well as honey which conditions and smoothes. 

I stubbled across this product whilst boots had 3 for 2 across summer products and I'm so glad I chose it, I have been using it for a good two weeks now. At the moment Boots are offering a 1/3 off selected Nip + Fab products, which makes a pot of 200ml only £5.66, (normally priced at £8.49) which I think is a really good deal for the amount of product you get. I'm sorry to say this, but I think It has replaced my Soap & Glory - The Righteous Butter, for now anyway..
Have you tried any products from Nip + Fab?

GLOSSYBOX - JUNE 2012 SEXY SUMMER BOX

I have been subscribed to Glossybox since November, after hearing about it on YouTube earlier on in the year. I think it's a great concept to try out new products that I maybe wouldn't pick up in the shops and always find something in the box each month which I fully use up and want to repurchase. This month's box arrived this morning and I think it's one of the best suited to me yet, so I couldn't wait to share.

This month's box is all about products which will help you get beach ready, and will cover every summer beauty need!
Glossybox - Serie Exclusiv Pro Beauty Brush, £15.00 - I think it's great that glossybox include their own products, it seems like a good quality brush that I would probably use for blush. (Also goes with the mirror we received in last month's box.)
Yves Rocher France - Mini Mascara Ultra-Volume sexy pulp, Fullsize £16.90 - This is a fab sized product to just put in your handbag when your in need of a touch up. I really like the shape of the brush, and I think it will add lots of volume to lashes. I can't wait to try that.
BM Beauty - Summer Warmth Bronzer, Fullsize £8.00 - I remember having one of BM beauty's products in a different beauty box - maybe carmine? It was a black shadow, which I have had a lot of use from using it as a shadow eyeliner. Now being quite pale skinned, I find a lot of bronzers can be quite dark on my skin type, but this shade seems quite light so I think it will just add a nice warmth to my cheeks. Something I wouldn't pick up myself, but you never know I might get some use from it this summer.

Clean Start by Dermalogica - Day/Night 3-Step Kit, Fullsize £12.00 - This is probably my favourite product in this box as I have been meaning to try something from Dermalogica for ages now. I am really into my skincare and will always cleanse, tone and moisturise every morning and every night. All three samples are really good sizes and are suited to my skin type as I like a cleanser which can clean deep pores and keep breakouts away.

Vichy - Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream Stick, Fullsize £19.00 -  This is also a really good sized kit and includes 6 sample shades so there is going to be a shade which suits every skin type. I've heard good things about this product, so I'm excited to try this out. Great for camouflaging flaws and good coverage.
Overall, I am really happy with my box this month, especially the Dermalogica products. I have seen other boxes have included HD Brows Tweezers and some with a Caudalie Fragrance, which I would have liked to try also. If you would like me to review any of the products in more detail I am happy to do so. What do you think of June's Glossybox?

PRODUCT REVIEW - SOAP & GLORY SUPERCAT EYELINER PEN CARBON BLACK

I've always been really into Soap & Glory products, I love their kitsch packaging and the original pink scent of their 'cult' products really wins me over. I always go back to these products because I know they are going to fulfil their purpose. Since the cosmetic line has been released, I have tried a few of their products including; the kickass concealer and love at first blush - which I love! This eyeliner is my most recent buy, so I thought I would share it with you.

The eyeliner itself is a felt tip pen applicator, this makes it so easy to apply and touch up if needed. I always find liquid liner so messy to apply, and normally find myself with more on my hands than my eye lids. I normally use a gel eyeliner and have also used other felt tip eyeliners in the past like the Maybelline definer pen, but I think this eyeliner is going to replace them all. It is that easy to draw a straight line with, I would even recommend this to beginners because like it says on the packaging, it is pretty 'foolproof'.

My style of eyeliner is really quite simple for daytime, concentrating on either the top lash line or a simple cat eye look. I would probably create a more dramatic cat eye with this pen for night time, and you could just pop it in your bag because it is so quick and easy that you could go from day to night on the go! To be honest, you could create any look with this liquid liner, it is super black, smudge proof and is very easy to take off, simply with make up remover or a face wipe.

I would highly recommend this product, my only worry would be how long it would last before drying out. But for the price you can't really go wrong. Buy Supercat Eyeliner - here for £6.
What are your favourite Soap & Glory cosmetics?