The How To | Five Item Face

So, the other day I moved in with my boyfriend for 5 days. Why 5 days? Well, because his parents went away so we had to house sit. Everything was going well (well, okayish - when told to get chicken he got turkey and was promptly sent to Sainsburys) on the first night. All was good. Wake up the next day, go to get ready for work and here comes my issue - I forgot my make up.

No, how a beauty blogger FORGETS to pack her beauty items is beyond me. So, I had to drive home quickly put on a very quick face of make up and head to work - making it with about 30 seconds to spare. This gave me the idea to do a post on quick make up - and then I saw others named the "5 item face" so I thought I would combine to two...

So, first of all is your base. For me the idea before the five item face is that i won't be using moisturiser or primer, so on goes the BB cream - in this case it is La Roche Posay Hydreane BB Cream in Light. It's thick enough to be mistaken for foundation, but light to wear so it's a win all round. Next up is my 17 Glow Shimmer Brick - this is a highlighter/bronzer in one and I cannot live without this, and in this case it takes care of two areas in one product. Next I go to the eyes... Some sort of eyeliner is a must for me, and recently I've been reaching for Rimmel's Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Crayon in Black. I use it as a liner on my waterline and with a quick smudge you have some colour (well, black). Then I pop on the mascara - I do not leave the house without this on, it's just a golden rule for me. Lately I've been loving L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in black. It's long lasting and lengthens fantastically. Then I finish off the look with my lips. Here I've used Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in Shade 4. Long lasting, moisturising and the perfecct everyday colour.

This is pretty much my everyday work face - just minus the primer, moisturiser, blusher, eyeshadow, concealer, lip scrub and gloss... So actually quite a lot. But I have to say, this five item face doesn't do too badly!

What's you five item face?

Make Up | Glamshine Stain Splash

L'OREAL GLAMSHINE STAIN SPLASH IN ROMY, LOLITA AND PRINCESS £7.99

L'Oreal was 3 for 2 a few weeks back, so I decided I'd indulge myself in their new lip product. It's described as a gloss that acts like a stain, that is also 30% water. So, the product itself...

Honestly I am torn. The formula is incredibly light and very watery when applied, but thickens up quickly on application. It's comfortable to wear and again, lightweight. I wouldn't say it's very long lasting, maybe about an hour. I do prefer it over the top of a lipstick as opposed to wearing it on its own.
The wand itself really irritates me actually... Not so much on the lighter colours like Romy and Lolita, but you can see from the picture above that I found it very hard to use to apply Princess, a more pigmented product as I found the product collected at the tip of the wand, and was just a bit difficult to apply.

So now onto the colours...

Romy
A gorgeous pink that I think it meant to be like a deep hot pink. The colour is gorgeous, but very translucent  Definitely more of a gloss than a stain. It applies nicely and is a nice everyday gloss with a bit of colour.

Lolita
This one is my favourite. Its defintiely a "my lips but better" lip gloss and I've been wearing this most days over the top of Bourjois Rouge Edition in Shade 4, the two work perfectly together. It's a great lipgloss.

Princess
This is the one Cheryl Cole is wearing in all the adverts. The colour is a lovely coral red. I wouldn't say it was a stain, more of a pigmented gloss. I do like the colour, I just find it very hard to apply. I find this colour lasts longer than the other two, so there is some stain there.

Overall, I'm a bit torn really. I love the product as a gloss, but I love the colours, but as a stain I'm not convinced. For me, they are definitely more gloss, but they are a nice gloss. Lolita is definitely my favourite, so if you are looking for a a good every day gloss, Lolita is your one!

Have you tried Glamshine Stain Splash? What colours do you love?

Make Up | Nude Magique CC Cream

L'OREAL NUDE MAGIQUE CC CREAM FOR ANTI DULLNESS £9.99

After using a foundation that had lavendar pigments to help with dullness and finding it help, I thought I would give a CC Cream a go.Now, we have BB Cream or beauty balms, now we have CC cream, or colour correctors. There seems to be a new fad in double alphabet type creams going around.

L'Oreal bought these out a couple of months ago, a different colour for dinner reasons. Dullness is something I do suffer with, especially after a long day at work so it's quite nice to brighten to skin up. As you can see it comes out purple, which is quite scary, and as you apply and rub it in it turns into skin colour. It's a tad orangey and a little bit dark for me if I'm honest, so I can't use too much and I can't wear it on its own as a foundation.

I've been wearing it underneath my foundation as a base and if I'm honest, I'm really not seeing much difference. My skin doesn't look any brighter than without it on. For a tenner it seems a bit much for something that didn't really do anything for me. It's a shame as well as I love the idea behind it.

It hasn't put me off using CC Creams, I would love to find one that actually does something so if you have any suggestions?

What do you think of these alphabet creams?

Make Up | L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara

L'OREAL FALSH LASH TELESCOPIC MASCARA £10.99

I finally caved to the hype and bought this mascara. Now, I know you're all going to think I am crazy when I say this but - this is the first full size mascara I have bought in 3 years. No kidding. I usually use the small free samples I get or buy the travel size versions (if they have them). I just find it easy to find one I like, and cheap. But I thought no - it's time to be grown up and buy a big girl mascara. So I did, and I thought what better one to cave to then the much hyped Telescopic mascara from L'Oreal.

So, I didn't buy the waterproof one as I read this wasn't as fab as the normal one and I got it in "Magnetic Black" (I'm a black mascara gal). I like the packaging, I think it's simple, chic and it's not trying too hard to be in your face. I'm not a huge fan of in your face. The brush reminds me of an hour glass shape - I'm not an expert on brush shapes but this one is meant to stretch your lashes for an intense look that lasts all day.

Ok, so to begin with I wasn't wild about it, I thought it made my lashes look a touch spidery, but I soon realised that is because my lashes were in quite bad condition, so as soon as I started conditioning them with my Liz Earle Mascara Base this mascara really came into its own. It elongates my lashes to make them look long and curles, and it works with the conditioner to seperate my lashes. I have stopped using the conditioner this week and it works brilliantly and seperating them on its own as well.

Overall, I'm incredibly sold on this product. It is definitely worth the hype and I'm really glad I decided to grow up and buy a big girl mascara!

What's your favourite drugstore mascara?

Hair | Elnett Heat Protect Styling Sprays

L'OREAL ELNETT HEAT PROTECT STYLING SPRAYS IN VOLUME & WAVES £5.99 EACH

So, after seeing these on offer at 2 for £9 my curiosity got the better of me and I purchased the Volume and Waves version. I have thick hair, and there is a lot of it so after the first day of washing it lacks in volume thanks to the weight so I'd been looking for something to keep it big and voluminous. In terms of waves, I love curling my hair, but again thanks to the weight it drops quickly and I look the momentum. So how did I get on?

Volume
This is probably my favourite of the two and the one I've used the most so far. After towel drying my hair I spray this into the lengths and roots and massage in before combing through. Then blow dry. Once done it's instantly noticable for me that my hair has great volume and frizz seems to be lessened as well which was a nice surprise. So the next day my hair still looks full of life and volume without the help of my Batiste, and still the next day. It lives up to its three day promise.

Waves
I use this the same way I use the volume one so I won't bore you with that again, but when I'm finished blow drying there are waves and curls in my hair that aren't usually when I blow dry normally and again, less frizz. When I curl my hair as well they look more defined and keep their bounce for longer. It doesn't seem to keep its three day promise in terms of keeping them in tact, but it does keep them a lot longer than usual.

Overall these are a great addition to my bathroom closet! I will definitely be repurchasing the volume spray, maybe not the waves one however as I think I achieve the same look with a normal hairspray, but this does have the added protection against heat which my hair definitely needs. It doesn't make my hair feel dry or brittle like other heat protectors, my hair stays feeling soft and healthy.

Ok, so rounding off one of my longest ever reviews - I do really like these, volume is definitely my favourite and most used out of the two and I think they are just really great hair products at really good value for money!

Have you tried these? Which is your favourite?

Shop My Stash #2 L'Oreal Caresse

 

L'Oreal Caresse Lipstick in Rebel Red and Dating Coral £7.99 each

Yes, I am fully aware I have reviewed L'Oreal Caresse before, but not these colours - and these are the two I probably use the most. I bought these two about four or so months ago after falling in love with my initial Caresse purchases. I won't bore you again with a review on the product, you can see that here, but let's talk about the colours!

Dating Coral was the first of these two as it was when I was still on my hunt for the perfect summer coral lip colour. It's not my perfect coral lipstick, but I do like the colour. It's a really nice everyday colour that is easy to top up without a mirror and still gives that hint of colour.

Rebel Red is a really nice subtle sheer red. I love this and is one of my most used lipsticks when I'm not in work (much to Adam's dismay!). It's a really nice shade of red for those who aren't quite brave enough to do a proper red lip. This is definitely my favourite Caresse at the moment!

I do love the Caresse lipsticks, I think they are just the perfect alternative to lipsticks if you're not a big lipstick person. I would definitely recommend them!

What's your lipstick alternative? Are there any you've found when you've shopped your stash?

LOreal Lumi Magique Primer

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer £9.99

I've been looking for a primer for a little while, and after seeing this on Lily's blog I thought I would give it a go. It's a little pricey for just a teeny product but I thought I would give it a whirl!

I love the look of it, look how shiney it is. It looks like it has tiny little shiny molecules that reflects light and helps to illuminate your skin. I pop this on around the apples of my cheeks, my t-zone and chin.

Once the foundation, or BB cream as I've been using at the moment, is applied over the top it really does highlight those bits and bobs you've applied the base to and it holds your make up a little bit longer then usual. Which is fab and exactly what I wanted.

Another plus point is it doesn't aggravate my oily skin. There is no excess oil and I don't look greasy, just lovely and highlighted. On days when I can't be arsed with foundation this is quite good as well, it just gives you a new dewy natural look without any coverage. Nicey nice.

I do like this product, I'm still a bit on the fence about the price - it's not a huge product for quite a pricey tag, so I'm just seeing how long it last - so I will let you know. But atm, this is a must have product for me!

What primer do you swear by?

L'Oreal Caresse Lipstick & Giveaway

L'Oreal Caresse Lipstick

As seen here I'm a big fan of Revlon's Lip Butters, so when I heard L'oreal had a similiar version, the Caresse, I was dying to give it a go. Plus, in Superdrug they were 3 for 2 so how could I say no?

I picked up 3, in tempting lilac, nude ingenue and lovely rose. I wanted three that were different from each other and from what I usually use. I have to say I love the pigmentation, they aren't overwhelming like a lip stick, more like a lip balm or a gloss, yet you still get that hint of gorgeous colour.

I love the feel of this product. Putting it on my lips is amazing, it's easy to apply, good coverage and it just feels so moisturized as well. It's so balmy going on and I just love the feel of it, more so then the Revlon Lip Butters (I'm sorry!).

The only thing I would say about this product is that the colour doesn't last very long, probably an hour tops and that is without drinking or eating anything so it'll require lots of applications throughout the day, which means it'll run out quickly.

So what do I think of the three I bought?

Tempting Lilac

This has a definite lilac tone to it, but is very subtle which I love as I'm not a loud lip person. It is similar to lovely rose, but in the flesh you can definitely tell the difference due to the lilac in the colour.

Nude Ingenue

This is definitely nude. You can hardly tell it is on when it is, which I quite like actually as it still gives your lips a shimmer with a light tone of bronze.

Lovely Rose

A pale pink that is very in right now, but a more subtle version. It's a gorgeous colour and is definitely one of those suitable for night time as well as daytime. 

This product is £7.99 and available in Boots and Superdrug. I would definitely still pick this up again and probably in some more colours when I get the chance. I really do rate the product and would certainly recommend it.


GIVEAWAY
Because I love this product so much, and I have recently hit 100 GFC followers (THANK YOU) I have decided that one lucky winner will win THREE of these lovely lipsticks of your choice. You can choose your shade here http://www.loreal-paris.co.uk/needs/makeup/lips-lipstick.aspx
Unfortunately it's for UK entry only (sorry international readers), just enter using the rafflecopter - ends 30th June and winner will be announced 1st July. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

T&C

Only UK entries

Ends 30th June, midnight.

Will email the winner, if no response within 24 hours prize will go to someone else.

Must be GFC follower to enter and please comment below with chosen shades.

Good Luck!