Waterproof Eyes Test

I conducted a highly scientific experiment using Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara which is on sale for £2.50 at Fragrance Direct which you're probably sick of hearing about down from £5.29 which is still quite reasonable at Superdrug if you prefer not to buy online, and Miss Sporty Pump Up 24H Booster Eye Liner in Waterproof which I can't find online but I bought it recently in Boots for under £3. I usually avoid buying from brands like Miss Sporty, Collection 2000 etc because I always think that for that price they're not going to work which isn't true for the majority of them and I prefer to have nicer brands in my makeup bag which is really shameful and snobby of me!

Anyway, I put these on different eyes after removing all my other makeup and any traces of my non waterproof mascara which I'd been wearing and got into the shower to wash my hair and I was so impressed. I got out the shower and neither had even smudged under my eyes and I feel so much more confident about wearing these on the beach without having black running down my face!

I've only tried the waterproof mascara for that brief period of time and yes, it's not the best mascara and I knew that when I splashed (get it) a massive £2.50 on it and the fact that it's name is not Millionize Billionize Trillionize Waterproof mascara but 100% Waterproof Mascara seemed to suggest that it's main pro is that it's waterproof. The mascara claims to lengthen and build lashes but when I put it on it obviously wasn't the best mascara I'd ever used but it does the job and I'd definitely recommend it for a waterproof mascara but probably not an everyday use!

Rimmel 100% Waterproof ...

I wore the Miss Sporty liquid eyeliner for a day and application is so easy because it's sponge tip rather than a brush which I will definitely look out for when buying another liquid eyeliner because they're so much better to use. However, although it dries really glossy and black, by the end of the day some of it had flaked off so I wouldn't recommend this for all day use, probably more evenings and going out, however for under £3 it's an easy eyeliner that is waterproof!

Fragrance Direct Haul Part 2

3. 

Constance Carroll silk finishing powder in 3 beige

I mentioned before that I don't really like powders but I chucked this in last minute as it was only 99p and I got sucked in by the name 'silk finishing powder'...

It's a very sheer powder, I can't really see how any of the shades would be different as it's basically a translucent powder. The back says to apply generously over a makeup base or on it's own but I'll definitely be using it over make up as it does give a silky feel to the face, not sure how much it's actually doing though. It comes with a sponge which is a bit annoying and the duster sort of lid makes it quite hard to get much out, think I might ditch the sponge and go for a brush. It also says UVA and UVB sunscreen but doesn't mention or give an SPF so not sure about that...

Overall: I won't be rushing to try anything else from Constance Carroll but for 99p this is definitely a good buy and you do a get a lot of product

Constance Carroll Silk Finishing Powder ...

4. 

Sleek glisten me liquid illuminator in goddess

This was a last minute addition after debating over it (meant to be saving money here!) as I wanted to try an illuminator.

This is a bronzy colour which is nice for warmer skin tones like mine. I'm reaaally unexperienced with illuminators, I'm never sure if I look glowing or like I've thrown glitter down my face... I tried this out today and I quite liked it from what I could see but I'm planning to practice a bit more. I think this will be perfect for holiday when I get a tan and want to look glowy and fresh.

The bottles really nice, it's a frosted glass pot with a spatula so it's really easy to get the product out. I think I'm gonna have to decant this for holiday and it is quite heavy though and there's 30ml of product which is really good value but way too much for a holiday

They only have goddess left on the website unfortunately.

Overall: a bargain at £2.99 for an illuminator and I'd recommend this for medium/dark skin tones with warm undertones

Sleek Glisten Me Liquid Illuminator 30ml ...

5.

Rimmel lasting finish lipstick in 250 birthday suit

I've wanted to try a nude lipstick but didn't wanna pay like £6 for one incase it didn't suit me. This was a bargain at 99p. It's slightly shimmery which I didn't realise when I bought it. I've tried the Kate Moss Rimmel lipsticks and I really like them so I knew I'd like the formula which isn't drying like I find the Mac ones. Unfortunately this colour really doesn't suit me...it makes me look so washed out and just like the colour's drained from my lips. I probably won't ever wear this which is annoying but I'm glad it only cost 99p!

Overall: love the formula of Rimmel lipsticks but this shade just isn't for me

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick 4g

I haven't tried out the Essie varnish yet or the mascara so I'll save them for another post...

Holiday Essentials

I'm going away in 2 weeks and I've been buying quite a few new products recently with this in mind and I sorted out all my makeup and rediscovered some gems.

Firstly...face makeup

I reviewed Maybelline Dream Creamy foundation recently here so won't bore you again with that and the little pot is a bit of Sleek's illuminator decanted which I reviewed here! 

I recently bought Bourjois Paris Bronzing Primer which I bought for £6.99 at Boots when it first came out (and I used my Boots points so it was essentially free!) but it's back up to £9.99 now online here. I've only used this once because it's quite a small pot and I'm saving it for going away but its a really innovative product and I love it! Some have said it's a dupe for Chanel Bronze Universel but I can't really comment on that since I don't have the money for Chanel makeup! As someone who can't get on with bronzer's and prefers blushers, I love this as an all over primer either on its own or with foundation over the top. Well worth the £10 even though it's quite a small pot and I love the mousse texture of it!

For blush I'm using Rimmel's 3 in 1 powder blush in, ironically, 004 Winter Glow. I was using Paul & Joe face colour in 11 which is a shimmery pink but I've really gone off shimmer on my face recently. This blush is matte and there's really nothing to complain about but I'm thinking of picking up a blusher in more summery colours before I go away. Not sure if these are available anymore, they're not on Boots or Superdrug online but there's plenty of dupes around and Rimmel have Match Perfection blushers in blendable shades.

For a concealer I'm using MAC Select Moisture Cover in NC30. I LOVED this when I picked this up using birthday vouchers but I'm beginning to go off it as it's a bit orange for me and possibly a bit too dark. I love the formula but I'd definitely see about getting a different colour when repurchasing. Buy it at MAC here although I'd suggest going into a store unless you know your colour.

Secondly...eyes

I've rediscovered Bare Minerals Glimmer in Celestine which I stole off my mum a while back and it's the nicest shimmery eyeshadow I've seen! It's described as a 'light pewter' but it's a really hard colour to describe, I wish I had a good enough camera to show you swatches! It's kind off a nude pinky shimmer. It can also be worn wet which looks equally good! It's £10.82 here but well worth it as it'll last ages!
Own blog post coming up!

Pixi Triple Eye Colour in Hipolita which is a white shimmer, silver shimmer and darker grey shimmer eyeshadow set and is basically a really useful palette for eyes. It's a pretty average palette but the colours are nice. I can't find this online but it's probably available on ebay.

Benefit Miss Popularity precision highlighter is one of my favourite things for the inside corners of my eyes (and I love the name haha). Weirdly my grandma gave this to me as obviously she had no use for a shimmery eyeshadow. It's a nice product but I wouldn't use this on my face and I probably won't repurchase as you can get cheaper white shimmer eyeshadows. You can get it for around £6.50 on ebay but Benefit don't sell it anymore.

For a waterproof eyeliner I'll be using my favourite eyeliner ever, Benefit's BADgal black eyeliner. It's the absolute best creamiest eyeliner ever and stays on and black all day! It's £15 but it's so much better than any high street or top brands and I'm nearly finished so will definitely repurchase. Buy it here.

I've already reviewed Miss Sporty and Rimmel's waterproof eyeliner/mascara previously. 

I'll also be taking Sleek Lash Out Mascara for my bottom lashes and Primark's Lashful Mascara which I wish they still sold! I love the curved wand and I miss Primark makeup :( I picked up Sleek's mascara in Poundland and I wouldn't recommend it but I only use it for bottom lashes.

I'll also be taking a sachet of L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil and an Aussie Hair Mask to pamper my hair midway through my 3 weeks and Garnier's Moisture Match in Goodbye Dry which is £5.99 here but buy 1 get one free at Boots! I honestly love this moisturiser and thoroughly recommend it!

That's it for holiday skin! Please comment for further reviews or any questions!

Fragrance Direct Haul Part 1

I was so excited for this to come through the post today! This lot came to about £17.50 including postage and I found a code for about 90p discount (every little helps right) so an absolute bargain compared to what it would cost in stores!

I've been looking for a new foundation for aaages. I've been using Rimmel's match perfection in 200 'soft beige' for a while but it's not amazing for my skin which can be very dry. I tried my sister's MAC studio something foundation the other day and it was so much better and it reminded me that I could actually get a better foundation for my skin than keep using one I don't like! I was contemplating going back to the fit me Maybelline one but then I came across the bargains on fragrance direct on a few blogs so couldn't resist!

I'm gonna split this up into a few posts so I can be thorough on my reviews!

1.

Rimmel match perfection cream gel foundation in 201 classic beige

I used to use this foundation a while back and then they redid the match perfection range and there was a round powdery compact for a while and now there's a square one but not this cream gel! I'm not sure if it's been discontinued or what but Boots don't seem to sell it anymore which is a shame.

It's a really unique texture which I haven't found in any other foundation, it sort of feels cold when you put it on but it's really light and it's not a foundation for full coverage which I like because my skins relatively clear. I don't have a good enough camera to give you any swatches but this shades a medium colour with a pinky undertone which isn't ideal for me and it's why I would have preferred soft beige which has a warmer undertone.

The packaging is quite heavy as it's a little glass pot which looks cute but it quite annoying to take anywhere. 

Overall: so glad I rediscovered this! Even not in my ideal shade I'll definitely be using this regularly!

It's £3.99 at fragrance direct and they've got a few shades available

Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Gel Foundation ... - Fragrance Direct

2.

Maybelline dream creamy in 48 sun beige

I've never seen this compact before, its definitely not available from Boots or Tesco's anymore so assume it's been discontinued at least in the UK and it seems to have been launched in the beginning of 2010 so didn't last long unfortunately. I was contemplating not getting this after finding the Rimmel one but it drew me in when it said it's ideal for dry skins types and keeps skin hydrated...ideal for me. I find it really hard to find foundation for dry skin, there's so many 'matte' options and powders but they completely highlight any problem areas and I find my skin actually looks better with nothing on.

This is a really sheer light coverage which I actually prefer but it seems quite a lot of people don't but when I tried it on I found it quite easy to add another layer on and build up the coverage. I'm honestly so glad I bought this and where the Rimmel foundation above leaves your face feeling quite cold and dewy (hard to explain), this dries but doesn't feel drying...this is perfect for my holiday where I don't want foundation dripping down my face!

It comes with a little sponge which is nice but I wish the bottom part with the foundation was flip up rather than screw and a mirror would be nice but I'm not complaining!

Overall: I can't recommend this enough for anyone with dry skin!

AND IT'S ONLY £2.99! Only a few shades available unfortunately

Maybelline Dream Creamy Make Up 14g £2.99 ... - Fragrance Direct

Compare: Rodial Brazilian Tan in light/St Tropez Everyday Body Moisturiser in Medium Dark

Both these fake tans came free with Elle Magazine, the one with the free Rodial tan is on sale now and I got the St Tropez one last year but haven't  had a chance to use it till now.

I'll start off with the Rodial Brazilian Tan. 

As an Elle subscriber I was disappointed when the Light version came through my post as having quite tan skin I thought it wouldn't show up. How wrong was I...

I exfoliated beforehand and applied this with my hands. As a relatively unexperienced self tanner I wasn't 100% sure if I was doing it right but I seemed to have got an even spread of the gel and I was pleasantly surprised by the coconutty smell.

However when I woke up the next morning, I had a massive streaky line down one leg, a dark mark on one knee and streaks on my foot... Where the tan did work it was a lovely colour, however I definitely won't be using this again after this disaster. 

Not only was the coverage uneven but I couldn't stand the dreaded biscuity smell. 

On the plus side it does have good staying power as there's still a very faint line and I applied this on Saturday and have exfoliated and been swimming since. 

The full size retails for £35 which I can safely say I will not be purchasing, however for anyone who can perhaps apply their tan better than me and can bear the smell the next day, here's the link to the tan at the reduced price of £25.

Rodial Brazilian Tan

Onto the St Tropez Gradual Tan

I applied this again after exfoliating and although it didn't have to nice coconut smell the Rodial initially had, it applied nicely and sunk into the skin well. The next day I was pleasantly surprised, my legs were slightly more tan and more importantly, they didn't smell of biscuits!

The tan promises to reduce the 'tell tale self tan aroma by 70%' but I can assure you that I really couldn't smell it at all. I only applied this once as it hasn't been that sunny and I've been holed up inside revising but I will definitely be using this the week before I go away!

All in all I'd recommend this self tan, especially as it's 1/3 off at Boots at the moment and is only £9.59! If I wasn't so poor at the moment I'd definitely be repurchasing!

St.Tropez Everyday Gradual Tan Body Medium/Dark 200ml

Overall: St Tropez is the clear winner!

For a self tan newbie like me who's pretty satisfied with the their skin colour, the Everyday Body Moisturiser is a fail safe way of getting that extra colour!

L'oreal Paris 3 in 1 Micellar Solution

After hearing amazing things about Micellar waters but not being able to afford Bioderma's £9.99 one (and not being able to be bothered to go and find it), I decided to try out L'oreal's version. I picked this up for half price in Superdrug so was less than £3 which is extremely reasonable for a make up remover. I initially bought my trusted Garnier cleansing lotion as it was on offer for 3 for £4 in Boots but I couldn't resist trying this after all the hype.

However, this is one of the most disappointing products I've tried...

As you can see, I've nearly finished the bottle and it hasn't lasted nearly as long as my regular make up remover but more importantly...it just doesn't work. 

It promises to dissolve all traces of make up and it works okay on regular non waterproof eye make up but it simply won't remove my Benefit waterproof eyeliner which comes off fine with other make up removers. It also promises 'no need to rinse or rub' but I definitely have to rub my eyes to remove any eye make up and I don't wear eyeshadows either. 

Overall, although I'll finish this bottle, I can safely say I will not be repurchasing and I'll be extremely hesitant on spending £10 on Micellar water. 

Seems like I'm the only one who doesn't like this product! I'd recommend ONLY if you don't wear waterproof make up (or maybe its just benefits waterproof eyeliner?) 
It's 1/3 off at  Boots at the moment at £3.33 so a decent price if you want to try it out!
L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution 200ml

Nina Ultra Pro in Fuschia Rage

I stole this from my sister a while ago and I can safely say its my favourite ever nail polish!

I've never heard of this brand before but the polish is different to anything I've tried before, and trust me that's a lot of different nail polish... 

It's got sort of a matt finish to it, it's like if you use a matt top coat and then buff it up on your jeans. It is quite a streaky formula and needs about 3 coats to get a good finish.

I'm gonna paint my nails with this as soon as this varnish chips so you can see what it looks like but it's honestly the brightest barbie pink ever. It's so much brighter than it looks in the pictures below. 

I'm not sure where you can get this, I know ebay had a few at around £10 each which is a lot for nail varnish and I personally wouldn't pay that much for any varnish but if you do have the cash to spare, this is the best pink ever!

I also have 'Mermaid' which is an extremely pale sheer shimmery green, it sort of reminds me of the models own 'Indian Ocean' in a way but only one colour.

And as a final note, I'm not entirely sure of why this colour's called fuschia, it's not what I would have called it at all so don't let it mislead you!

Models Own Pro in Olive Pearl

I picked this up the other day in Boots for the bargain price of £1.60 and I couldn't resist the chance to try one of the models own pro polishes to see if they really were worth the extra £3 at £8 each compared to the normal models own price of £5. 

I have 2 coats on my nails with no top/base coat (I know, so lazy) and it gives full opaque coverage which I was pleased about as when the first coat went on it was extremely streaky. 

It's called 'Olive Pearl' which I was confused about at first since it seemed like a straightforward metallic silver, however after wearing for a few days I can sometimes notice a green sort of sheen, however it's barely noticeable. 

I was expecting more from this polish and it chipped after a day and you can sort of notice on the pictures below where I've re-covered some of the chips.

Although it had a really nice application from the bottle and I do like the colour, I don't think I'd ever splash out £8 a bottle when the regular models own range seems to be identical, although I do really want to try the 'Green Envy' shade in this pro range!