March Favourites

Hi Guys!

I seriously can't believe March is over, where did that month go?! Here's hoping we have a slightly more Springlike April, as March was a bit of a let down!

Anyway, I have put together a few of the bits and bobs I have been loving this month, it was difficult choosing as I had a few so I have whittled it down!

First up we have a hair product, and this is something I seriously cannot live without now when washing my hair I swear by this!

• Garnier Ultimate Blends - This stuff is incredible, I had never been one to use oil products after washing my hair until I started to see a few reviews pop up about this, so I thought I would give it ago. As I have ombre hair and my ends are blonde they do tend to become a lot more dryer than usual and this had been advised to really inject added moisture into the hair. It has multi use you do not have to use after washing, if you add it pre wash it pre nourishes your hair leaving it feeling super soft after, if you add it after it gives heat protection up to 230c meaning if you are one to dry your hair it won't get as damaged if you use this first. I find this gives my hair added shine, it acts as a conditioner too making it much more simple to comb my hair after I have washed it. Most of all this really has kept the ends of my hair healthy, they don't break as easier and it literally smells divine! You can buy it here.

Next is my March makeup favourites!

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in the shade dark brown - Again I had seen a number of promising reviews on ABH brow pomade, and after my fellow blogging friend makeupwithcaits did a review she highly recommended it and I was sold! I got the shade dark brown and this is an exact match to my brow colour, however if you want to build it you can. I was for sure more of a powder girl when it came to brows, but this is a cream/matte formula and I bought the ABH 2 in 1 angled brow brush and brow comb, which works perfectly with this product. I have ever since been using this in replace of my powder, it is just so easy to apply, such a nice consistency it's not to heavy and it makes your brows look much tidier as the cream formula sets your brow hairs, so they are more together but the finish is matte so they don't look at all false or shiny. I brush my brows before applying as I find this works best then again after so it blends the product through each hair, giving a more tidier perfected look. There are so many different shades you won't struggle to find one which matches your brow colour! You can buy this here.

• Benefit Rollerlash Mascara - This was the new mascara recently launched by Benefit, and mascara is something they don't tend release much, only 3 in the whole time the brand has been about. Elle did a magazine addition with a free sample (when I say sample, it isn't really I have been using it daily for at least 5 weeks and it's still going strong!) . I have to say out of all the Benefit mascaras this one is my favourite by miles. This gives volume, length and curls your lashes tremendously making them stand out making them a focal point to your face. The packaging on the full size mascara is very similar to hair rollers, which seems to link the theme of the mascara together as the colour is a retro pink and the spoolie reminds me very much of hair rollers too! What I love about the head of this mascara brush is the bristles are very thin meaning each lash gets an even coating, and the head really grips on to your lashes whereas on a number of other mascara heads they tend to be thicker which ends up giving you clumpy lashes. My only down point to this mascara is I find it very difficult to remove, which for some would definitely be a positive it does stick to your lashes even though it doesn't claim to be waterproof, I have found it is so far! You can buy it here.

• Loracs Pro Palette - This again had become familiar to me seeing if appear over Instagram and blog posts, as an American brand it's not exactly easy to get hold of, however Ebay happened to have a few from UK sellers and at 12.50 I kind of had to! This palette is so incredibly versatile there are so many ranges of shades which are me all over, mainly nudes darker and light, you really are not stuck for choice, the top row are all matte shades and the bottom and shimmer metallics. This palette is so pigmented which for the price I didn't think it would be, the matte shades I use to blend in the crease, or act as a base before I incorporate the other shades on to the lid. This palette has a mirror to which is handy for when you are on the go.  There are a few different palettes which have different shades, so I may have to invest in them sometime soon!

• Liz Earle's Radiant Glow Bronzer - This isn't a new product of mine, lets just say I rediscovered it a lot this month. This is a multi toned bronzer which acts as a contour and highlight or when swirled together applies a flawless radiant natural looking glow to the face. I forgot how beautiful this bronzer is, it really is the perfect bronzer for any skin tone as the four quarters are all different tones of bronze, the shimmery quarters give out such a sun kissed highlight and this is buildable, so it doesn't make you look orangey or cakey, you can apply less for a natural glow or more say if you have been away and want to add a more bronzed depth to your face. You can buy this here.

• Mac's Lipstick in the shade Blankety - This lippie is an ideal spring/summer shade, it's very similar to Mac's Honeylove just slightly lighter. This has an amplified finish which gives off a nice shine and is very mousturizing when applied to the lips. This colour is such an easy shade to wear as it's a nude with a very slight pinky peach undertone, so is more subtle than some of the other nude Mac shades. I have been wearing this lots this month, as we are now heading into real Spring I prefer the lighter colours on my lips, plus I have had a few compliments as it's such a natural colour with a gorgeous shine to it, you can buy this here.

• YSL Babydoll Kiss & Blush in the shade 9 - I love love love this lip product it is quite possibly the prettiest pink I have ever found for a lip shade it gives  off such a nice pinky pop of colour! This can be used on the lips and cheek, I personally have yet to try it on the cheeks, but it is so beautiful when applied to the lips. When you first put it on it feels creamy and velvety, but it sets and gives off a flawless satin/matte finish, but does not dry out the lips, but strangely feels very moisturised. I will be trying this soon on my cheeks and will update this review then! You can buy this here.

So that is my March favourites, what have you been loving this month?

Emily xoxo

SHARE:

2 comments

Beautiful Burberry

Burberry makeup as a brand is something I have always lusted over, however as a high end brand I have always looked but never bought... until recently. 

We are in Spring now and this season always catchs my attention most for limited edition products, especially blushers, mainly the beautiful intricate detailing but also the pretty colours relevant to these seasons and beautiful creative designs, knowing they are limited edition makes it so much more difficult not to purchase!

The downfall usually - the price!

When Burberry's 'Rain or Shine' SS15 blusher got released, it for sure made my eyes pop. It is gorgeous, and not the type of fun design I thought Burberry would have gone for, at £45.00 it is definitely steep but for 9g when usually you only get 7g ( makes a difference as the palette is that much bigger)

The blush has a sweet rose scent like the rest of the Burberry makeup brand, which when sweeping across the cheeks becomes really does come apparent.

The product is branded as a highlighter/illuminator, however to me I see this more as a blush, and the colour payoff is more blush with a hint of highlight but not greatly noticeable. 

Made up of 4 colours, the base being a bright pop of pink, the writing Rain Or Shine overlaying the base are the three words which resemble the highlighting/iridescent part of the palette, while the cloud is a creamy in colour, and a delicate powdered texture which is perfect for lightening the areas under the eyes. 

When swirled together (yes It took me some time but I had to do it) it gives off the most beautiful pinky flush to the cheeks giving you a healthy Spring glow. 

This would suit any skin tone, as it is easily buildable, but can be worn down for days when you only desire a hint of colour. 

All in all I would highly recommend this blusher, as it is ideal for the Spring/Summer months, with a girly design, it is a great addition to any collection. 

My next buy was something I had seen pop up often over many blogs, and found it to be highly recommended,  Sheer eyeshadow in the shade Rosewood, this little beauty seemed from swatches and reviews to be my ideal eye colour. 

Firstly the title of this product would suggest a subtle non pigmented formula, however it really is the total opposite, it has a gorgeous shimmering sheen which glides on perfectly to the lids, this shadow doesn't feel cakey or heavy it is light in text. 

Another pro to this compact is there is no excess when applying, that is the most irritating issue to a great majority of eye products you apply it then get dustings of shadow falling around the eye, with this you don't get that it sits nicely. 

The colour to this shade is a metallic nude taupe, with I think undertones of grey/purple but only slightly, this is so easily blendable that when applied it distributes evenly revealing a gorgeous sheen making the eyes appear wider and more awake. I have found this an easy to wear by itself or applied with other nudes in my various other collections. 

Finally my last Burberry buy was Effortless Mascara in Midnight Black, I am always on the look out for that 'perfect mascara' which makes your eyelashes black, volumized and longer all in one (asking a bit much?!) but that is the dream. I normally find with mascara they will do one thing but not the others.

However whilst on my Burberry splurge I decided to purchase the effortless mascara, as this claims to volumize lashes, and also contains marine plant glycogen, that supposedly accelerates fibre length and strengthens the lashes, so if a mascara can claim to do that it's got to be good right?!

The mascara itself comes in a clear hard plastic bottle which I thought was good as you can keep track on how much you are using. 

The wand is itself is fairly long with the lid chunky enough to get a good hold on, the head is straight and sphere shaped with a good space between each lash line, meaning the application doesn't clump your lashes together but distributes the product evenly to each lash. I have been using this for a few weeks, I can't say I have noticed growth in my lashes, but then again I never have suffered with stubby lashes mine are naturally longer in length. But this is great for added volume and gives your lashes a darkened desired affect when it comes to the colour. 

One thing Burberry should be highly praised on is their beautiful packaging, it's so durable and long lasting, you really pay for what you get, the mirrored effect with the Burberry infamous stripes really sets of an expensive, elegant sleek on trend vibe.

I will definitely be investing again on other products from the Burberry line, have you purchased any if so what do you recommend?

Emily xoxo

SHARE:

0 comments

Mac Cinderella

Hi Guys!!

Firstly I am so sorry I have been MIA on my blog, it has been a hectically busy month so I have had little time to just sit and write about lovely things, however... the post I am about to create makes me happy and should make up for missing a months worth of blogging!

So I think I am most definitely one of many who were ridiculously excited to hear Mac were releasing a limited edition collection of Disney's Cinderella. 

This collection certainly made hearts or broke them!

One of them being the reason this was in some places gold dust, and if you managed to nab one product from the collection you were definitely lucky.

So like all the majority of Mac collections, the date was advised but no time was, so unless you happened to stalk the website on the day and keep your wits about you, this was easily possible to slip through your fingers. 

I (somehow) thought the collection was being released online on the 13th of March, so you can imagine my surprise when I received a text from my sister saying 'did you manage to get anything?' the week before (6th March)... I was not happy! And when I then manically typed in the website I saw only the fluid line eye liner gel and mascara were available. (Sad times) so I purchased both, as I was desperate to own something from this collection, I am a massive Disney fan girl at heart and Cinderella being one of my favourite princesses made me want this makeup even more, I mean the packaging is just stunning, and without a doubt my favourite limited edition collection to date. 

However I had some luck ironically on an unlucky day.  I was away with my boyfriend and his family in York the following week, and me and his sister ventured (the day before the shop release) to the Mac counter at Fenwick's, we chatted to a lovely girl on the counter who told us how it was crazy the amount of people who were asking after this collection and how she thought it would go (like online) within hours, she even showed me the drawer full of it and I was desperate to grab a handful and run... obviously I didn't! But I knew I wasn't going to be able to get to the shop as the following day it was released we were due to leave York.

So the final part to my little Mac Cinderella story (you will all be happy to hear) was that night I fell asleep, and the crazy mac lover I am happened to dream of this stunning collection (yes I think I am slightly insane), and I happened to wake up needing a drink around 3.30am, I knew there had been rumours of the collection being released on Selfridges and other websites that day, so I decided to be a midnight nutcase and look on the website... to my surprise every single item had moments ago been added to the website and was all available. (I really was desperate for some of this collection) it's not been for everyone, but I am a huge lover of the pastels and nudes incorporated into this one. 

I frantically if my life depended on it added away, I did go slightly OTT but oh well YOLO!

And managed to seal everything on my wishlist and more, then went back to sleep I went a very happy girl..

Now on to the best bit. 

The reviews.

Stroke of Midnight

Without a doubt one of the highest on my wish list, now if you missed out luckily they do 5 out of 6 of these shades within the current collection. Admittedly I was lusting after this palette as I adored the packaging but also as it combined a few shades I had been wanting for a while but had not yet owned, and at £13 a shadow or £10 a refill this palette for £38 was good value for money. 

A mixture of shimmers, frosts and mattes there is a good variation of subtle and more obvious colours. 

This palette starts with two lights then two nudes then finishes off with 2 darker shades, giving a nice step by step option for day and night. All 6 colours work perfectly with one another. 

Vapour is a very milky sheer frosted cream, which I have found is a perfect brow highlighter or base for the eyes, it has a hint of a pearlised shimmer but more velvet. 

Phloof! the next shade is slightly more grey, with an overlay of shimmer frosting giving a beautiful definition to this colour. 

Omega and Quarry are more natural and these are two I already have been using together, Omega has an almost nude pale beigey green tone to it, with undertones of subtle browns, and Quarry is more of a nude mink with again soft a soft undertone of brown, both matte shades are perfect for daytime looks, and both buttery within texture.  

Finally Satin Taupe and Stroke of Midnight (the limited edition shade) are the two darkest completing the palette. Satin Taupe has to be my favourite, as some of you know I am a nude girl and this has the perfect amount of shimmer creating a warm toned sheen to the eyes.

Lastly Stroke of Midnight, which from most reviews i've read you either like or you dislike, I have to say I am a fan, definitely not a daytime colour for me, however this shade has the most beautiful purple sparkle addition to the velvet shade, this has  a black/dark purple pigmentation which is great for creating smokey looks, on me the purple glitter does translate on to my lids, I have read this is not the case for everyone, but I do really like the finish this darker shade creates.

Next up...

Pretty it up, Evil Stepmother (pigments) And Reflects Pearl (glitter)

I am all about the shimmers and the pigments, I just love the way the light catches on these types of product.

Starting off with the two pigments of the collection, Pretty It up

 is described as a mid tone pearlised olive, I have to say this pigment blends like a dream, this definitely has olive tones within it, but I think it is more of a bronze with gold/yellow undertones, with tiny additions of glitter but this has been more finely milled, so the formula incorporates subtle specks of glitter which sits comfortably on the lid perfecting a warm bronze glow to the lids. 

Evil Stepmother (love this name) is the darkest of both shades described as a black pearlized plumb tone. Now I found this shade didn't blend as well as Pretty It up, it's more mattified with the addition of fine specks of purple glitter, I found this shade translated easiest when damp, as it's formula is more dry in comparison to Pretty it up, so dampness makes it easier to work with. I personally wouldn't wear this shade by itself as it is extremely dark, but I have found adding pale colours such as creamy nudes etc compliment this shade and therefore lightens it up slightly. 

Next we have the glitter addition to the collection - Reflects Pearl, this is described as a pearl sheen with fine particles of glitter, this is pretty much as described. 

I would say the most 'magical' product within the collection, I know my niece will certainly be wanting me to create magical glitter princess looks with this addition. 

This is not advised to be used on the eyes as the glitter particles are more loose and nowhere near as milled as the pigments. However this adds a dazzling effect to day to day make up, I would advise a dampened brush when applying this to face/body so it transfers adequately to the skin. I love the pearl sheen to this glitter it reminds me of fairy dust, and it might not be the most used within my collection but certainly the most prettiest. 

Next up we have the Lipsticks (huge heart emoji) 

Royal Ball and Free As a Butterfly

The Lipstick part of the collection definitely mirrors the image of a modern day Cinderella, these two beautiful lustre lipsticks are jus stunning.

I lusted after Royal Ball the most, but when I saw Free as a Butterfly was also available I had to grab it to add to my ever growing collection of Mac lippies. 

First up Royal Ball, this is the darker of both shades, but when I say dark it really isn't dark at all. This shade is described as a fleshy pink, on the bullet this in my opinion looks more peachy pink, (hello summer lips). This has a pinky frosted finish which I found moisturising when applied. The colour pay off is darker than I thought it would be when transferred on to the lips, but I did have to build the colour so the pink tones became apparent. All in all I really like this addition to my collection.

Next we have Free as a Butterfly, the lightest of both shades. 

This shade described as a sheer golden nude, it is noticeably more subtle than Royal Ball, it has warm undertones and a frosted golden beige sheen to it on the bullet and when transferred on the lips. I personally find this too pale to wear by itself, it does lighten up my lip colour I have but, applying it over the top of pinky nudes / brown nudes is a perfect touch, as it leaves a beautifully golden frosted finish mixing up current colours. 

Next up we have

Cinderella Studio Fix Boldblack Lash Mascara and Little Black Bow Fluid Eyeliner Gel

The Mascara is in the current Mac collection, the only difference is the packaging which I loved, but luckily I already was a fan of this mascara as it has a high coverage, which coats your lashes with the perfect amount of formula and this is a highly pigmented black shade so your lashes really stand out and look darker and more volumized which is always a pro with me!

Next we have the eyeliner gel addition Little Black Bow.

Gel eyeliners for me seem to have a better staying power than liquid, so I was pleased to see a gel product in this collection. The shade to this eyeliner is black with warm brown undertones, and the slightest hint of sparkle. I find layered the brown tones really become apparent and obvious, but layered down it appears more black, this compliments any nude eye product beautifully. 

Next we have...

Lightly Tauped Studio Eye Gloss 

This isn't a product I have come across before, so I was intrigued to see what is was about, I can only describe the formula similar to lipgloss as thats's what the texture feels like. The colour of this gloss is a beige brown with burgundy/pinky specks of glitter. Now when I applying this I found the formula quite tacky and sticky, and the colour payoff was more clear then brown as it suggests in the pot. I have  found using a matte base and then adding a few small taps of this gloss to the top layer leaves you with a matte/glossy affect, which feels a lot nicer than with just the gloss on the lids. If you aren't a fan of sticky products this definitely would not be for you!

Next we have another glossy product

Happily Ever After Lipglass

I decided to go for the shade Happily Ever After as I was drawn to the pink milky shade, I really like this lipglass, the colour is a cool pink with blue undertones which over a pale pink lipstick gives a lovely milky sheen finish. 

When twisting the bottle back and fourth the blue changes to a pinky glitter and it looks very pretty. 

When applying I think the pink sinks into the lips so it doesn't then appear as pink as it does in the tube but it still adds a beautiful subtle glossy affect.

Lastly...

Iridescent Powder in Coupe D Chic 

I was definitely torn between this and the Mystery Princess beauty powder, however as this came out in America a week earlier than the UK a lot of reviews I read on the beauty powder were, it was extremely sheer and not entirely noticeable, now a huge highligher lover I did want it, but the more reviews I read the more I decided maybe I should stick to the iridescent powder. 

Firstly a beautiful compact, I adore the packaging the most with this as you have a mirror to accompany it. 

This is a pinky peach golden colour with golden particles. I found this to be more of a blusher than an iridescent as the name suggests, many of my other iridescent are more shimmery, whereas this had more small particles of glitter than shimmer grounded into the compact.

This pinky colour is gorgeous and a will leave a lovely finish to most skin tones. I use this on the apples of my cheeks, and alone the cheek bone as I find the golden particles transfer easily giving your face that extra bit of shine. 

The texture to this is buttery and gives off a powdered finish. 

So that completes this post... apologies for the length but I felt I had to do a whole post of all my purchases from this collection.

I'm happy I managed to get what I could and think I will be using this quite a bit in my daily routines.

Did you manage to snap anything up from this limited edition collection, if so what are you favourites?

Emily xoxo

SHARE:

0 comments