The Hack | Easy Smokey Eye - Or Is It?

I do love a smoky eye, however sometimes it's never as easy as it looks. A natural smoky eye is definitely one of those things. It looks great when it's done right, but it can look slightly drag queen-ish if it's overdone. It is very easy to look overdone. So when I found a hack on pinterest to make it easy as, I decided to give it a go...

The Review | Maybelline The Nudes Palette

I do love me a nude palette, and when I see high street ones I get a little bit too excited. I was a bit disappointed by the L'Oreal La Palette Nude (which is why you haven't see it on here...) However I was quite excited by the Maybelline offering, thanks to the amazing quality of their cream eyeshadows. The main questions was whether or not they could bring the quality from those little pots, into a beautiful nude palette.

The How To | Garnier Super Make Up Removal Team

GARNIER MICELLAR CLEASING WATER & GARNIER EXPRESS 2 IN 1 EYE MAKE UP REMOVER

I'm so lazy when it comes to skincare, really it's scary. However micellar waters have made it so much easier to remove make up and this has made a real difference. I reviewed the Garnier offering here and fell in love with it - I even prefer it to my Bioderma. I use this every single evening to remove all traces of make up, including eye make up. It's really gentle on the skin but tough on make up. I use it every morning as well just to get rid of any excess dirt from that evenings sleep. Although it's great I always found it left a little to be desired when removing eye make up. It was always a struggle, better than most, but still not exactly right.

Most eye make up removers I shy away from - especially those with an oil and water that you mix together - as it just leaves my eye area feeling greasy and disgusting. However, I decided to give the little Garnier version a whirl. It's a little bottle of goodness. It's really really gentle on the eye area but gets rid of make up very easily. Not only that but there is no grease or oil left around the area. My skin is left feeling clean and soft. 

These two together make the perfect make up removal team - they were made to work together and I love this team. Why would I want to pick anything else?

What's your make up removal team?

The Review | Pond's Eye Contour Cream

POND'S INSTITUTE EYE CONTOUR CREAM*

Something I've really wanted to focus on sorting this year is getting rid of those horrible black bags under my eyes. Concealer only does so much, but really I need a good eye cream that helps brighten the under eye. I was very kindly sent this so I knew exactly where I was going to start.

I apply this every evening under my eyes with clean fingers and work in. It's really quick to absorb and very nourishing. I pop it on in the evening to give it time to work overnight. After a couple of weeks I have definitely noticed a difference. My eyes look a bit brighter, not so dull and they definitely feel more nourished. 

This is definitely my eye cream of choice at the moment - I don't feel the need to pop out and buy another to try out so this is definitely one I'm going to carry on using it and I'd definitely recommend if you need something to brighten the eye area.

What eye creams are your using at the moment?

The Comparison | L'Oreal SuperLiner v Soap & Glory SuperCat

So it's not secret that I love eyeliners. Without it I feel a bit naked! For most of 2013 I was using L'Oreal SuperLiner, however I've discovered something new that I feel like I'm loving just as much so thought I would do a comparison between the two - mainly so I can figure out with is my fave and give you guys a bit of guidance. I've recently done a "How To" on how to do winged eyeliner so this comparison is paired with that. 

So lets start with where the liner comes from. With L'Oreal SuperLiner it has a little pot that's part of the product itself. For me this is amazing as I usually use liner with shadow so you can easily top up your liner on the nib but putting it back into the pot. Supercat from Soap & Glory is like a felt marker, the liner comes from the barrel itself. Having said that I have found it's not as bad as other nibs when it comes to fading with shadow. So far it's doing a very good job of staying a lovely glossy black.

The nib is so important. If you can't use a liner properly it's usually because the nib or applicator itself just isn't suited to you. For me that is brushes (shudder). SuperLiner is long and thin with a very fine tip. It's quite flexible so it does have the potential to wander if you don't have complete control. However if you are a beginner it's perfect as it is a fine liner. Supercat has a very thick base and then goes up to a fine line. Not as fine as SuperLiner so it does create a thicker line. It is a lot sturdier so definitely easier to control.

Longevity wise is again so important. So many liners end up on the top of my eyelids and it's just annoying. I'm happy to say neither of these do that. SuperLiner is long lasting, however it does tend to fade by the time I get home from work. SuperCat is actually amazing. It's even Zumba proof and that's after being on all day. It stays very glossy and very black.

Overall I'm very confused! I feel like I should stay loyal to my SuperLiner as it is a very good friend. However SuperCat has just pipped it to the post for me at the moment. After I've gotten used to using an entire pen as opposed to just a lid with a nib on it it's the perfect liner.

You can get both from your local Boots, Soap & Glory SuperCat for £6.00 here and L'Oreal SuperLiner for £7.99 here.

What's your favourite eyeliner? Have you tried either of these?

The Review | Pure Colour Raisins

This product has been raved about continually about over blogs, yes it's Estee Lauder Raisins palette. I blame Tanya Burr and Zoella - they are where I first saw it and from there it seems to have spiralled. So much so it's ridiculously hard to get hold of. I was lucky enough to get it for my birthday last month. My Mum raves about the quality of Estee Lauder's products, and while I've tried a couple I've never been overly overwhelmed by them. This was a game changer.

The powder shadows are buttery soft, apply with ease and grace and stay for hours. These two colours are slightly different from my usual nude. They add an extra winter plum to the mix and change it up, yet still feel incredibly everyday and neutral. I use the paler colour as a base over my entire lid, and then the darker plum to contour by brushing through the crease and blending in the outer corner. It creates a beautiful look.

I've been turned into an eyeshadow gal. Mixed with my usual winged liner this is beautiful. If you can track this down I would get it. It's a tad pricey at £23.00, hence why it was on my birthday list. But it really is a beautiful, luxury product. You can by Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eyeshadow Duo in most Boots store, online here and Debenhams stores.

What's your luxury pick for the Christmas season?

Make Up | Luv It Up

  

BENEFIT LUV IT UP

Benefit have some amazing little kits at the moment - perfect for Christmas, and for me it was perfect timing for my birthday. I received this gorgeous little neutrals kit for my birthday from Adam's grandparents and the shadows haven't really left my face since.

This kit comes with three powder shadows, one cream shadow and a lip gloss. It also comes with a little leaflet on how best to apply these products. I apply the cream eyeshadow, R.S.V.P, all over the lids and up to the brows. I then apply Nude Swings over the lid up to the crease. I love this colour, it's a gorgeous pinky nude with a very subtle hint of shimmer. Next up I pop Thanks a Latte in the corners and blend into the crease for contour. Call My Bluff is then used along the brow line as a highlighter. Perfect nude eyes!

The lipgloss in the kit is Dandelion, I'm not usually one for lip gloss however this could quite easily change my mind. This is the first lip gloss from Benefit I've tried and I will be going back for more. It's a gorgeous nude colour with a hint of gloss, not sticky, and very long lasting.

If you're looking for a little beauty gift for someone this Christmas I would definitely recommend hitting a Benefit stand and taking a look at their sets. It's the perfect present for any make up lover. The kit "Let's Make Lovely" is definitely going on my Christmas list!

What Benefit make up kit is on your Christmas List?

Make Up | Maybelline Immortal Charcoal

MAYBELLINE COLOR TATTOO 24HOUR CREAM EYESHADOW IN IMMORTAL CHARCOAL £4.99

So, after the amazingness that is On&On Bronze I wanted a new colour in these amazing eyeshadows. As a mostly neutral kinda gal I went for Immortal Charcoal. It's a metallic smokey dark silver that looks gorgeous once it's on.

I say once it's on because this is so much harder to apply then On & On Bronze. I found it really really stiff and just really hard to create an even finish as I can with the former mentioned colour. Very confused I have to say as the first one I used was so easy to use and apply, but this one I have real trouble with, which sucks as the colour is gorgeous - once you get it all on. 

As with On & On Bronze it is very long lasting and incredibly smudge proof - a really great thing about these products really in their lasting power. There isn't any fading and I love it for that.

If this colour was a bit easier to apply I'd be running out the door to buy others, but this has put me off a tad. Has anyone else had this issue?

 

Today I am off to lunch with the gorgeous Paige from paigejoanna.com so be prepared for some pics on Instagram and Twitter. I've been a bit sporadic in terms of posts this week - mainly just cause I've had a couple of things going on which have taken priority, and honestly it's been nice to take a bit of a back seat this week. Having said that I still got my 5 posts out this week so I can't really complain at myself! Hope you guys have a lovely weekend whatever you're doing!

What's your fave colour? What cream eyeshadows do you recommend?

Make Up | Extravagant Volume Mascara

NO7 EXTRAVAGANT VOLUME WATERPROOF MASCARA IN BLACK £12.00

Before I went on my hols I was on the hunt for a waterproof mascara - now I have L'Oreal Telescopic Waterproof, but I wanted to try something a bit different. I had a No7 voucher so decided to treat myself. As always, I got it in black. Sow how did I get on?

This is qutie a big brush, with thin bristles all over and on the end of the brush as well to help get all the little lashes. I found this to give such a natural look of elongated lashes, it pulls them up and curls them - making them longer and seperating all the lashes. I also found this to be perfect as a bottom eye mascara.

It's really long lasting as well, not smudging in water and also just generally staying put throughout the entire day. A tad pricey as a mascara for a drugstore product, but it is a really good mascara and has taken over as my daily coating from Telescopic.

Have you tried any of No7's mascaras? What's your favourite?

Make Up | Colour Tattoo in On & On Bronze

MAYBELLINE COLOUR TATTOO 24HOUR EYESHADOW CREAM IN ON & ON BRONZE £4.99

Yes, I know, I am ridiculously late jumping on this bandwagon. I don't know why but everytime I popped one in my basket, it would find its way back out of the basket before I hit the checkout. So when I popped into Superdrug recently I put it in, and kept it there, telling myself it was about time I tried one! Let's face it, a £4.99 eyeshadow isn't really doing to break the bank.

So, this is a cream gel eyeshadow that is long lasting and comes in metallic shimmery shades. It's also meant to last for 24 hours (as the name suggests). I got On & On Bronze because I tend to wear this type of colour on my eyes all the bloody time, it's very predictable but hey, it works. I do also really want to try Everlasting Navy as well though, I am a navy lover!

So what did I think? Well, it's easy to apply - however I use my fingers and my nails keep digging into it which isn't ideal, but apart from my fingers I just can't get to grip with any other type of brush with cream shadows. Anywho, it glides onto the lids easily and blends like nothing else I've used, it's lovely and smooth. The colour is a gorgeous bronze that helps bring out the brown in my eyes. Longevity wise, it lasts for hooours and what I love most - it does NOT crease. I find cream shadows tend to gather in the creases, but this doesn't at all and I love it for that.

Overall, I am so glad I FINALLY bought this. It's a great little product and I will definitely be picking up more shades.

Have you tried these eyeshadows? What's your favourite shade? 

Make Up | Super Eye Team

Step forward my super eye team. I don't know about you, but when I find products that just work perfectly together I just have to rave about it. Maybe it's the blogger in me... Or I just like to talk who knows?!

Anyway, I've been using the L'Oreal Telescopic for a few months now and it is my go to mascara - whenever I want an extra little pop or to feel that little bit special I pop this on. It lengthens, thickens and just adds that little something extra.

Very recently I have found the perfect pairing to this super mascara. The L'Oreal Ultra Precision SuperLiner is my new baby. It creates a dramatic, yet wearable, line that stays all day along with the mascara and I think the two together just create that perfect pairing of mascara and liner.

L'Oreal win in terms of eyes for me - these two are my everyday eye make up at the moment, added with a bit of eyeshadow for colour but ultimately - these are my heroes.

What's your super eye team?

Make Up | Mac Copperplate

MAC EYESHADOW IN MATTE COPPERPLATE £12.50

After using Woodwinked and Brule, I knew I had to invest in another Mac eyeshadow and fast. I decided to go for a smoky grey to try and work at using one colour for a smoky effect. It was a bit of a whim to be honest - one I'm glad I took.

It's a gorgeous buildable grey, subtle but you can build it to create a gorgeous smokey grey. Compared to the finish on Woodwinked - it is very matte, but it does last longer, it doesn't seep into the cracks as Woodwinked tends to and I love it for that. 

I really do love this eyeshadow. It's become my everyday baby along with my liquid eyeliner. A classic look that works whatever the weather.

What's your favourite MAC eyeshadow?

Make Up | Mac Woodwinked

MAC EYESHADOW IN WOODWINKED £12.00

This eyeshadow became the object of my affection after I saw Zoe wearing this on one of her recent videos. I think I missed what she was talking about as I spent it staring at her eyes going "I must have that eyeshadow...". Turns out it was Woodwinked and now it's mine. Woop!

Described as a warm antique gold, I would say it's more of a bronze than a gold with definite brown tones. I love the colour. I'm definitely a neutral eyeshadow girl and this is the epitome of that, with a touch a style to it. It's very easy to apply and looks gorgeous on.

One thing I'm a bit disappointed in is the longevity of the shadow. I find that after a few hours it tends to crease, which is something I have only found with cream eyeshadows. It does last a good few hours, but by the time I get home from work it has all but disappeared and just looks patchy. Otherwise, it's a great eyeshadow and I still adore the colour.

Have you tried Mac eyeshadows? Which is your favourite?

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?

Review | Bad Girl Bronze

RIMMEL SCANDALEYES EYESHADOW CRAYON IN BAD GIRL BRONZE £4.49

Yes, I know, I have already reviewed this in another colour but - I love this one more. I honestly didn't think it was possible to love this colour more than Bulletproof Beige but I do. I wanted to review this seperately because I used this in a completely different way than the other one.

WIth Bulletproof Beige I tended to use it just as an eyeshadow base, or purely in the inner corners to brighten my eyes. With this I'm using it more as an eyeliner on my waterline than anything else, teamed with a brown eyeliner on my top lid. It works really well like this and I love the affect on the bottom lid.

It has a metallic finish which is really subtle and just adds a little extra something, and not only that but it really does last all day and doesn't smudge. Yay! Such a fab bargain and a great guy - on my every day list!!

Which colour should I get next...

Review | Sleek Aqua

SLEEK AQUA COLLECTION EYE SHADOW PALETTE £7.99

I won this palette in a Twitter giveaway a couple of weeks ago and I was really excited to give it a try. I hadn't actually seen any of the colours so it was like a Christmas present!

I know it's part of their new Aqua Collection and I think there are some other really great pieces in the collection such as a blush and nail varnishes as well.

Now, I'm not a bright eyeshadow kind of girl - so if I'm honest most of these colours don't appeal to me. However, there are definitely some I will use. For example, I've already used Sea Shell, a bronze/gold quite a lot and Oyster, the white, for my inner corners. Black Pearl is great for a black smokey eye, but with different eyeshadows to this.

The eyeshadows themselves are really great, really long lasting and so easy to apply. I would definitely want to try another one of their palettes as I really do rate the quality of this product - but I am more of a neutral girl!

What palettes from Sleek would you recommend?

Golden Eye

 PRODUCTS USED: MUA HEAVEN AND EARTH EYESHADOW PALETTE  |  RIMMEL SCANDALEYES EYESHADOW CRAYON IN BULLETPROOF BEIEGE  |  MAC EYEPENCIL IN DUCK  |  GOSH EYELINER PEN IN BROWN  |  CHANEL INIMATABLE MASCARA IN NOIR

So this is how I've been wearing my eye make up for the past few weeks, it's ridiculously simple and it's a natural look for everyday.

I start off with dusking my eyelids with the a gold shadow from the MUA Heaven and Earth Palette and then run over it with my Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Crayon in Bulletproof Beige, which I also use in the inner corners to open my eyes up. The crayon ensures the gold colour throughout the entire day.

Next I go to my liners. I use my Gosh eyeliner pen to do my lash line and the flick. This tends to last all day and I love it at the moment as opposed to my usual black. I then do my waterline with my Mac pencil for a subtle line and to open my eyes up. Then it's finished off with black mascara, cause lets face it - nothing beats it.

This look tends to last me for an entire day and is suitable for work. I would definitely recommend picking up the scandaleyes eyeshadow crayons, they are so easy to use, really quick and really last. Definite a great buy!

What's your current everday eye look?

Rimmel Scadaleyes

RIMMEL SCANDALEYES EYE SHADOW STICK IN BULLETPROOF BEIGE £5.99

This was a complete impulse buy. Rimmel was 3 for 2 and I needed something to go with the foundation and powder, so somehow this ended up in my basket. More than anything I think I was just intrigued by the idea of an eyeshadow as a crayon as such.

So how did I get on with it? Actually quite well really. I feel like I've been spoilt with my new Tarte eyeshadows, so I was expecting to hate this compared to them. But I actually really like it. It's so easy to apply and it blends really nicely. It was a bit weird to start with, but you get used to it.

Like I said, it blends really easily with your fingers, and I imagine it creates an incredible smokey eye affects with the same product in a different colour, for example this and Bad Bronze. I definitely want to try this out in different colours. The eyeshadow stays on for a good couple of hours. It doesn't stick to the creases and overall it's a nice product.

I know Clinique have bought out their version of this as well, so I'd love to try these as well (if I had the money!), who knows, these could be a really good dupe!

Have you tried any of the Rimmel Scandaleyes products? Which do you recommend?