My Thoughts On 5 Mascara's

It's so hard to find a mascara that delivers everything you want. Some only focus on delivering length, volume or curl but most of us are greedy and want it all. It's also a product where results vary dramatically from person to person. What one person loves, someone else will hate so please don't let me put you off trying any of the one's mentioned in this post. When it comes to mascara you definitely need to try them out for yourself as we all have different lash issues, mine being lack of curl. Funny how my hair is naturally curly yet my lashes look as if they've been straightened, some even point downwards! 

I don't mess around when it come's to mascara colour. I stick with black and always go for the darkest black available. Waterproof formulas are something I don't have time for either but there is one in this post. 

Revlon Grow Luscious: It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of this mascara. Since it came out a few years back I've read so many mixed reviews, it seems to be if you love it, you love it but if you hate it, you really hate it. That kinda put me off giving it a go but when I found it at a stupidly low price I grabbed it and it's honestly one of the best beauty purchases I've ever made. It lengthens, adds mega volume, makes my lashes blacker than black and holds a curl all day. Has it improved the condition/growth/look of my lashes as it claims? I really don't think so. I've been using it for a loooong time and repurchased it over and over again so I'm sure I would've noticed by now if it had. The brush is my favourite type - big with good old fashioned bristles rather than the plastic comb types that brands are so fond of using now. I have sensitive eye's but haven't ever experienced any irritation nor does it smudge or flake halfway through the day. If it does start flaking that's when you'll know you need to chuck it and repurchase but it lasts way longer than the recommended shelf life for mascara.

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping: After falling in love with the original I decided to give the plumping formula a go but sadly the same can't be said for this version. It has the same bristles as the original but they're spaced further apart and the wand is very long and tapered. I have big eyes but even I struggle to apply this without getting mascara everywhere so I'm gonna hazard a guess and say anyone with small eyes will have no hope unless they don't mind doing a lot of cleaning up afterwards. I'm not a lover of the formula either, it's very wet and can make my lashes look sparse. It does add colour and length but if you're after volume and curl, look elsewhere.

Revlon Lash Potion: This is the sneaky one that tricked me, I was too busy looking at the packaging to realise it was waterproof. The results from this one are too natural for me and I hate the extra effort I have to put in to remove it. The wand is full but alot shorter this time and it has the same wet formula as the Grow Luscious Plumping mascara.

Maybelline The Falsies: Possibly the most hyped up drugstore mascara ever so as you can imagine I had high hopes but it wasn't to be. Instead of giving me lashes to rival that of flasies, it gives me what can only be described as 3 lash syndrome. The formula is so wet that it clumps my lashes together so badly that it looks like I only have 3 lashes. I've left it open overnight to let it dry out and see if that helps but nope. I don't like the flexi wand either, I want to be able to push against my lashes and get right into the roots without the wand bending making it near impossible.

Cosmetics A La Carte Divine Lash*: This has my least favourite type of brush. It's teeny tiny with short plastic bristles which is fantastic for lower lashes as it allows me to reach them all without making a mess but again, it's too natural for me. It does hold a curl well but the volume is lacking and at 23 quid it just isn't worth it in my opinion.

What's your favourite mascara?

Have you tried any of these?

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Drugstore/High Street Hit List

When I walk into Boots, Superdrug or any other affordable makeup haven I often feel more overwhelmed than I do when it come's to having a snoop around make up counters in the likes of Debenhams. Usually when I'm buying a high end product I'll know exactly what I want and track it down in a matter of seconds then leave before I'm tempted to run back to the till clutching something that's caught my eye. Boots and Superdrug however always lure me in with their 3 for 2 offers and money off vouchers, plus the promise of double points turns me into a wild beast. I'll spend as long as it takes doing laps of the aisles making sure I've got everything I need for the next 40 years before heading to the till and handing over my double points voucher. The never ending offers may seem like bargains at that moment in time but in reality, the majority of products I end up stuffing into my basket fail to impress once I get them home and put them to the test.

The point of this post is to hopefully save you a few quid by listing some of my favourites so that the next time you're passing Boots and hear the 3 for 2 offer calling your name so loud that you can't ignore it, you'll know what to grab.

L'Oreal Super Liner Black Lacquer: If you're a fan of glossy, black, precise liners then look no further. Pigmentation is fantastic and the sponge tipped applicator is just the right size. Even if you're cack handed like me and a straight line is something you struggle with then fear not, you can still create a sharp cat eye look by pressing the liner sideways along your lash line rather than trying to draw the line. Staying power aint too shabby either.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara: The prayers of my poker straight lashes were answered the day I tried this beauty. I don't want a mascara that can only deliver length, curl or volume, I want all 3 and I want it to last all day which is exactly what this does. All the straight lashed ladies need to try this.

Rimmel Nail Polish: The wide brush makes application a breeze, the colour range is great and they last ages on my nails before any chips appear. Three of my faves are in the photo above 'Pop Rose' 'Blue My Mind' and 'Peppermint'

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub: A densely packed scrubby scrub that smells good enough to eat and leaves no residue behind on the skin. Great for preparing the skin pre fake tanning, equally as good at ridding any fake tan mishaps.

John Frieda Frizz - Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum: Yes it's silicone laden but that's why it works so well. It manages to tame every trace of frizz without weighing my hair down or making it look greasy. Not only does it fight frizz and leave my hair looking/feeling healthy but it protects your hair from heat damage and can even be used to tame any fly aways after styling. One of the most basic, affordable hair products I own and easily one of the best.

So there's five of my faves. Feel free to leave some of your recommendations below.

 Have you tried any of these products?

Are you a fellow victim of the 3 for 2?

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TAG: The One & Only

Source

After seeing this tag on Angelica's blog (original post here) it really got me thinking. Would I be able to narrow down each category to just one product? The simple answer is no, I'm a fickle being but I'm not gonna be a rule breaker, so what I'm going to do is choose products I reach for most often or am currently obsessed with. They're all gooduns though, I wouldn't use them otherwise.

So the point of this tag is to pick just ONE product for each question. I know, it's hard, I'm breaking out in a bit of a sweat just thinking about it as there's certain products I switch up on an almost daily basis. I'll add links if I've reviewed/swatched the products mentioned.

The Question: If you could only have one ______ what would it be? And in a few short words, why?

Primer:

I very rarely use a primer and don't have a favourite but I'm currently testing out one which is new to me. I find my moisturisers work good enough on their own.

Base:

Pur Minerals CC Cream - Over the last few month's this is the base product I've reached for almost everytime I do my makeup. I still don't believe the skincare claims and it hasn't made it into my Holy Grail list but I like how I can apply it with my fingers for light coverage or build it up with a brush when my skin is going through a 'scare the kids' phase. It feels nice on the skin and for me it's the perfect finish - not too dewy, not too matte. It also contains SPF 40. (link)

Concealer:

Garnier Tinted Eye Roll On - Again, it isn't Holy Grail worthy but it's what I usually reach for on a daily basis. It's affordable, coverage is decent and it doesn't crease too badly. I usually add a few dabs of YSL Touche Eclat on top.

Powder:

Clarins Graphic Expression Face & Blush Powder - Obsessed doesn't even slightly describe how I feel about this powder. It's such a multi-purpose product. You can read my review here and find out how I use it. I would go as far as saying it's one of the best make up products I've ever bought. 

Blush (cream or powder):

Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush 'Blossom 02' - I don't have a favourite blush but this one from Liz Earle goes with any makeup look and can even be used on the lips. It dries down and doesn't feel greasy or tacky which makes it great for both the warm and cold months. (link)

Bronzer:

Clarins Bronzing Duo 'Medium' - I really believe this is the only bronzer I will ever need (not that I don't own others or won't buy more) It comes in 3 shades - light, medium & dark. Each pan is split into two halves with a darker and lighter shade which allows you to adjust the colour to suit your skin tone all year round. It does contain some shimmer but it isn't noticeable so could be used to bronze and contour. (link) 

Highlighter:

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter 'Rose Illumination' - I love everything about this highlighter, it's the most gorgeous rose gold shade and can be as subtle or in your face as you want. It lasts all day on the skin and I don't find it highlights enlarged pores or fine lines. (link)

Make-Up Brush (Single):

Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush #45 - I adore this brush and plan to pick up a few more when I go to Paris in the next few weeks. It can be used with both liquid and mineral foundation and if I had to I could use to to blend concealer, contour and apply blusher with a light hand. I've had it for months now and there still hasn't been any shedding. (link)

Eyebrow Product:

Liz Earle Brow Pencil 'Fair' - Back in the day I had almost jet black blushy brows that needed plucked every other day. Now thanks to thyroid problems they're sparse and are a lot thinner than I would like. Instead of just filling them in I need to draw and add parts on and so far this is the only brow product I've found that gives me definition and doesn't look too red or green like all other brow pencils do. It lasts all day and doesn't budge or smear even if I'm caught in the rain. (link)

Eye Shadow (Single):

MAC Paint Pot 'Painterly' - 'Sin' from Urban Decay is my favourite eyeshadow shade of all time but I don't wear shadow on a daily basis which is why I haven't picked it for this question. 'Painterly' blanks out any discolouration on the lid and looks completely natural. MAC isn't the be all and end all for me but this is one product I'll always repurchase. (link)

Eyeliner:

Sephora Waterproof Contour Eye Pencil 'Flirting Game' - Sephora can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to their own brand of make up products. This pencil glides on so easily and lasts untill you wash it off. I'm going to Paris soon and plan to hit the Sephora products with a bang! Let me know in the comments if there's anything I NEED to get. (link)

Mascara:

Revlon Grow Luscious - This is my current fave. It's very black, volumising and lengthening plus it doesn't irritate my eyes, smudge or flake as the day goes on. I very rarely repurchase the same mascara but I'll definitely be buying this again. 

Lipstick, Lip Gloss or Lip Stain:

MAC Creme Cup - A bit of a boring pick but it's the type of colour that would go with any make up look and the cremesheen formula is my absolute fave.

Lip Liner:

I never wear lip liner.

Lip Balm:

Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid - One of the best lip products I've ever tried! If my lips are chapped to the point were it feels like they're going to split if I laugh, Lanolips is the only thing that fixes the problem almost overnight. It's a fantastic product and smells lovely too. (link)

Nail Polish:

L'Oreal 'Opera Ballerina' - This pale milky pink is my most repurchased nail colour ever. One coat gives an almost clear, healthy look to the nails but 3 coats gives an opaque pale pink finish. The colour goes with everything and wouldn't look out of place at any event. (link) 

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