MY FOUR NAIL POLISH FAVOURITES FOR AUTUMN/WINTER

Hello everyone! If you have read my posts previously or you know me, then you will know already that i am such a neutrals girl at heart from anything neutral toned to nude lip products and of course when it comes to nail colours also. For me there is just something about autumn/winter time that always makes me want to bring out the darker nail polish shades, whether that be red tones or berry tones. That being said for today's instalment i thought i would share four of my personal favourite nail polishes for autumn/winter this year...

essie nail lacquer in the shade russian roulette | click to buy |

First up we have two of my favourite non-nude nail polishes by Essie, starting with the shade Russian Roulette which is the most beautiful bright red with almost a creamy orange under-tone to do and a glossy finish. This nail polish is that perfect Christmas party or even Christmas day shade of red, as it is such a classic and easy to wear colour. The thing i always have to say about Essie nail polishes is even though they are the "more expensive" side when it comes to drugstore nail polishes, they are definitely worth spending that little bit more on.

essie nail lacquer in the shade bordeaux | click to buy |

The next nail polish also by Essie this time a shade called Bordeaux which is definitely more on the dark side when it comes to nail colour, as it is this dark wine/burgundy shade also with a glossy finish. Unlike Russian Roulette which is more on the fun side of things when it comes to choosing a nail colour, i always feel like Bordeaux definitely gives off more of a sexy vibe. Even though this shade is super dark in tone it is in no way hard to apply, as dark shades formula's can be fairly thick and harder to apply but with Essie's darker shades that is not the case at all. As this shade is dark, you definitely only need to apply two coats unlike when you were to apply a much light shade of polish.

barry m gelly high shine nail polish in the shade blackerry | click to buy |

Next up ironically we have two shades from Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine collection, which is a selection of different shades with a gel-like finish. First up is the last dark nail polish of the post called Blackberry, Blackberry is a very dark purple shade with a blue tone to it. The thing i will say about the darker shades from the Gelly collection can have that thicker almost gloopy texture to them, so make sure you shade the bottle well and don't overload the brush with product. This is a polish that you could get away with just applying one coat, but i personally always like to opt for two.

barry m gelly high shine nail polish in the shade peanut butter | click to buy |
Finally i am finishing this post up with an all year round favourite of mine now, also from the Barry M Gelly collection and of course i had to sneak a nude in there somewhere. This particular shade is called Peanut Butter (which lets face it sells you just with it's name), Peanut Butter is the most beautiful caramel/peach-y nude shade of nail polish. Unlike some nudes this particular one is definitely slightly on the darker scale of nude, which is what makes is perfect to wear on your nails all year round.

Catch up on my neutral nail polishes i couldn't be without post: here

xo.

SUPERDRUG VITAMIN E SKINCARE DUO | REVIEW

Hello everyone! So for a while now i have been meaning to pick up/try out some Vitamin E formula skincare, as i have heard some really good things especially for people with normal/dry skin and skin that needs all the help in the hydration department (which i do). That being said i finally got around to picking up some new skincare bits, as i was looking to switch out/up a couple of products in my routine and i had heard good things about the Superdrug own brand Vitamin E collection...

vitamin e moisture boost facial serum

If you have been reading my posts for a while then you will know that i had been using the NUXE dry facial oil religiously both morning and night as i am so in love with it, that being said since picking this up i have been using this in the morning before applying my makeup for a specific reason. A lot of serum's can be more of a liquid consistency designed to be used as a further skincare step but i feel like this one is a little thicker than your regular serum, if i am being completely honest i don't think this is a life changer but what i will say is it does make for a great base for foundation in more of a primer role.

shop the vitamin e moisture boost facial serum on superdrug - here

vitamin e spf 15 radiance moisture cream

Ok so next up is the moisturiser, which i have a completely different opinion about and in a good way. I actually really like this moisturiser and for me it is hard for me to say that i really like one, as i am kind of fussy. What really sold me to pick up this moisturiser from the Vitamin E range also, was not only because it claims to be radiance infused and moisturising but because it contains SPF. Protecting your skin from the sun is so important and any step to can take to prevent causing any damage is a must, not only damage but also from signs of ageing. As i mentioned i need all the help i can get when it comes to hydration and i find that this does just that, it has a lightweight texture that soaks into the skin quickly and effortlessly. Out of the two products i would definitely pick up the moisturiser again but probably not the serum in a hurry, this moisturiser is a bargain at just £2.99.

shop the vitamin e radiance moisture cream on superdrug - here

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

AMAZON'S CHOICE MUST-TRY BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Hello everyone! So Amazon is that place you can go to and pretty much find anything/everything, from books/dvd's, homeware, DIY, electronic products and of course beauty products. Amazon have a bunch of different makeup/beauty items which are sold directly from them and not other seller's, so you know you aren't going to be getting someone's already opened or over-priced unwanted purchases. Amazon also have a wide range of "Amazon's Choice" products, which are all products that come highly recommended. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my personal favourite must-try beauty products, that are available under Amazon's Choice with free delivery on orders over £20 and selected subscribe and save items... 

l'Oréal paris infallible pro-glow foundation

So first up we have one of my favourite foundations of the year, which is in-fact an Amazon exclusive in the UK and it is the only official site that stocks the product. I did a first impression/review post which you can find all about the foundation in detail here.

maybelline fit me matte + poreless foundation

Sticking with the foundation theme and another favourite of mine, this time my all time favourite foundation. I always used to pick mine up from either Boots or Superdrug, but that was until i realised it was well over £1 cheaper on Amazon...so now i bulk buy and i always have some in stock!

sleek makeup highlighting palette

If you are an avid YouTube watcher, then you will probably already know how these Sleek highlighter palettes are always highly spoken about. Not only do they have super luxurious metal packaging, they are also super pigmented and come with a mixture or super lightweight powder and cream highlighters.  

rimmel london 60 seconds super shine nail polish

So Amazon's choice for nail polish is also a huge favourite of mine and i always opt for these colours when i am not in the mood to wait for over an hour for my polish to dry, as they are the only "quick dry" polishes that i actually think work as they say they should. Not only are they quick to apply, they are super affordable, come in a wide shade range and are long-lasting without chipping. My personal favourite is the shade Let's Get Nude.

l'Oréal sublime bronze self-tan summer glow lotion

I am one of those people that much prefers to opt for gradual tan lotions when it comes to my tanning routine, as it is super easy and quick to do. I definitely have tried my fair share of gradual tan from different brands and this one is definitely in my top three, along side the st moriz gradual tan which you can also pick up on Amazon.

palmer's coconut oil formula leave-in conditioner

I am obsessed with anything with a coconut fragrance and i have used this particular leave-in conditioner summer after summer, as it not only helps keep frizz at bay but it also leaves your hair smelling like summer holiday's. Leave-in conditioners are perfect if you are in a rush, or if you simply struggle with tangled hair once you have washed it. You can also pick up other item's from the range, as well as other drugstore brands.

real techniques miracle complexion sponge x2

This particular Amazon's choice selection is not only an accurate choice but also a complete bargain, as they stock a two pack of the sponge for just £6.66 rather than £10.99 or more. I use this sponge pretty much every time i do my makeup and i couldn't be without it, as you get a flawless and even finish. 

prodigueux by Nuxe Shower Oil with Golden Shimmer

So for the final item that is definitely more of a splurge but definitely a must-try product, is this shower gel from Nuxe. My go-to facial oil is the multi dry oil from the brand, which i use every single day both morning and night. That being said i had only tried that one thing from the brand and wanted to give something else a try. This shower oil has the same scent as the oil, that leaves you with a slight golden shimmer but nothing too major and is perfect for summer. The fact that you can also pick up higher end brands from Amazon, makes ordering so much easier.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

xo.

REVOLUTION PRO CAMOUFLAGE FOUNDATION + CONCEALER | FIRST IMPRESSION

Hello everyone! So last week i shared another first impression/review post on the L'Oréal infallible pro-glow foundation, as it is finally available in the UK exclusively to Amazon (review post link) and in that post i mentioned how i wondered what new foundation was going to be. That being said Makeup Revolution now just Revolution, have launched a new collection of Revolution Pro products with everything from eyeshadow palettes to lip products and of course foundations and concealers. With that in mind i just had to pick up the foundation/concealer to put it to the test and if i am being honest i have mixed feelings... 

So the foundation and concealer duo i am talking about is the full cover camouflage from Revolution Pro, which claims to be a highly pigmented and creamy pro full cover camouflage that creates maximum coverage with an even, natural looking finish. The full cover camouflage products claim to be able to conceal blemishes, scars, birthmarks, veins and also temporally disguise tattoos. Just like the Fast Base Foundation Stick and the Conceal and Define Concealer, this one is also available in 18 different shades (F1-F18 and C1-C18). With the numbers being the same i decided to pick up the same shades as i did for those two products, which were F8 for the foundation and C6 for the concealer. The full cover camouflage foundation retails at £7 for 25ml, then the concealer retails at £5 for 8.5ml and they both come in squeeze-y tube form.

Moving onto my first impressions on both the foundation and concealer, which funny enough i have two different opinions on. The consistency of the foundation isn't as thick as i thought it was going to be, with it being a "camouflage"product as they tend to always be thick in consistency. I applied the foundation in the way that i always would by simply dotting some product all over my face before blending out with my damp beauty blender, my first thoughts once it was all blended out was how yes it was super full coverage but it almost made my face look completely 2D and not like skin anymore but the finish wasn't completely matte. I also found that whilst it was on my face during the day, it did feel like i was wearing foundation and if i wear something like the Maybelline Fit Me or even the Fast Base Stick i don't feel like i am wearing foundation when i actually am. Moving onto the concealer and something i had seen a couple of people say how it was slightly tacky feeling, but for me that actually worked quite well and it didn't dry into any fine lines or crease. The concealer is also a lot lighter feeling on the skin and not quite as full coverage as the foundation, the consistency actually reminded me a little of the MAC pro longwear concealer but just with slightly less coverage. I definitely have to say so far i do prefer both of the other foundation/concealers that launched earlier but i still want to try different ways of using the foundation again, to see if i can make it work to suit me better. So watch out for how i get on with that ha!

Shop the Revolution PRO range HERE...

xo.

AFFORDABLE MAKEUP | MARCH LUST LIST

Hello everyone! I have mentioned this before in a different post, how i feel as if drugstore/affordable makeup brands are absolutely killing the product quality game at the moment and i actually prefer i a lot of those type of products over some high-end brands. Last month and this month so far has seen so many great new product launches, which have left me lusting after needing them in my collection. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you my current affordable makeup lust list, consisting of a mixture of makeup and skincare products from either the drugstore or affordable brands...

1. maybelline total temptation palette | £11.99

Years ago now when Maybelline launched their "the nudes" eyeshadow palettes, i became obsessed with how amazing the quality was for drugstore. They recently released this new total temptation eyeshadow and highlight palette, which is filled with such a variety of different shades/tones and of course i am itching to get my hands on the warm toned shadows in the palette. 

2. morphe fairy dust lip liner pencil | £4.50

I love a bunch of different makeup products from Morphe and every single thing i have is amazing quality for the price point. They recently released a huge selection of lip liner pencils, which i particularly want to try this shade called fairy dust because i think it will be the perfect shade to pair with peachstock lipstick from MAC. 

3. superdrug vitamin e facial serum | £3.99

I have seen/heard quite a few people rave about how good using Vitamin E is for your skin, especially for helping with keeping the signs of ageing in check amongst other great skin benefits. That being said i researched and so many people recommended the Superdrug own brand version, which if it is good is a complete skincare bargain. 

4. makeup revolution créme highlight + contour kit in medium | £15

Recently Makeup Revolution have released a bunch of new amazing products, including the Fast Base foundation which i am living for and can't seem to put down. Another stick form product they have released are these creme highlight/contour kits, which come with a dual ended brush and it is giving me complete KKW dupe vibes. 

5. wet n wild photo focus foundation | $5.99

So this particular foundation has been on my lust list for a while now, as so many people have raved about it repeatedly but it is such a struggle to get a hold of in the UK (unless you want to pay over the extras on Amazon). If anyone knows a good site to get a hold of this from the UK, please tweet me because i really want to try it out. 

6. l'oréal glow mon amour champagne highlighting drops | £9.99

As well as Makeup Revolution, L'Oréal have also recently released a bunch of new products which are also very much about that glowing radiant skin and i am all about that look. Starting with these liquid highlighting drops, which i am really into using at the moment and this particular champagne shade looks simply stunning.

  

7. l'oréal back to bronze matte bronzing powder | £8.99

Another release from L'Oréal is this matte bronzing powder, which to me screams summer vibes (especially as it is infused with coconut). I love how this bronzer is matte rather than shimmery, for a natural sun kissed glow which looks like the perfect tone not too warm or too cool. They also have a new blush/s in the similar concept. 

8. makeup revolution nudes collection matte in the shade buff | £3

Yet another launch from Makeup Revolution, which is fitting in with this whole nude vibe that i am of course living for. The new nudes collection is full of both matte and gloss finish nude lip colours and i am particularly drawn to this shade called buff, also £3 for a lip product is a complete bargain.

9. bleach london illuminati illuminating liquid | £6

Another liquid highlighter that i have my eye on is this one from Bleach London, which i have never tried anything from the brand before but i have heard such good things. This illuminating liquid looks like such a simply stunning golden dewy shade, the only issue is that this product seems to be forever out of stock.

10. l'oréal smooth sugar glow mask | £9.99

So finally last on my current lust list is this new release in the line of face masks from L'Oréal, which i was obsessed with the glow clay mask from the original line of products. As i have more of the dry skin type, i need all the help i can get when it comes to getting radiant/glowing looking skin.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

QUICK, EASY + AFFORDABLE WEEKEND NO MAKEUP, MAKEUP

Hello everyone! I don't know about you but when the weekend rolls around, if i am not doing anything in-particular or nothing at all then i am all about that quick/easy no makeup, makeup life. That being said rather than wearing no makeup at all, it is still nice to look a little more human and put together (especially if we are stepping out of the house). You don't have to spend a small fortune to achieve this type of look either, as you can get a bunch of great products and also use multi-purpose products to save even more in the long run...

bourjois city radiance foundation in the shade beige 

This particular foundation was a huge favourite of mine a couple of summers back but after a while i stopped, until recently that is and i have completely fell back in love with it. This is that perfect no makeup, makeup foundation as it has great coverage yet your skin still looks like skin, with a beautiful radiant finish to it. As you are trying to achieve that no makeup, makeup look this foundation has enough coverage to get away without having to pack on the concealer and as i do have normal/dry skin i can get away without powdering. RRP £9.99

ps 3-in-1 brow pencil in the shade tobacco
If you read my recent updated brow products post, then you will probably already know that this brow pencil has pretty much my go-to brow product ever since picking it up. No matter how i am doing my makeup, brows is never a step i skip as i always finds it adds so much definition to the face and pulls everything together. This brow pencil is super easy to use, whether that be the pencil side, the powder side and even the spoolie side. RRP £2

mua amplify statement lash black mascara
Just like brows, mascara is also always an important step for me personally, as i find just by popping a little mascara on the tops and bottoms of your lashes really opens up the eyes making them appear bigger. I am such a creature of habit when it comes to mascara and i always pick up the same one, yet recently i tried this one out from MUA and i love how it lengthens, leaves a voluminous finish and separates without clumping. RRP £3

w7 hollywood bronze + glow duo bronzer/highlighter

You are probably thinking this product looks familiar? When i first saw this product i thought how similar to the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar bronze and glow duo this looked. W7 isn't a brand i have tried too many products from but i absolutely love this palette and whenever i reach for it, i always wonder why don't i reach for it more. Both the bronzer and highlighter sides are pigmented, apply evenly and the bronzer shade is also perfect to pop a little something on as an eyeshadow. The only slight difference between the two products is i feel like the bronzer in this palette is slightly warmer in tone, which i honestly prefer. RRP £3.32

maybelline x gigi east coast lip liner pencil in the shade mccall + 
nip+fab makeup matte liquid lipstick in the shade biscuit
If you are not feeling the lip, then this step can be skipped or replaced with some lip balm but i always like to finish it off with a nude lip as it just finishes it all off, especially if i am leaving the house. A favourite affordable nude lip combination i love is the Maybelline x GIGI lip liner, with the Nip+Fab liquid lipstick. I love these liquid lipsticks as they are super opaque with just one coat, long-wearing, comfortable to wear and come in the most beautiful range of nude/neutral shades. My favourites are Biscuit, Tart and Toffee.
Lip Liner RRP £5.99 | Liquid Lipstick RRP £7.95

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

MAKEUP REVOLUTION CONCEAL + DEFINE CONCEALER | REVIEW

Hello everyone! For today's post i am back with my second first impression/review post of the month, first time around i shared my love for the brand new mua luxe light lustre liquid highlighters and this time i am bringing to you my thoughts on the new concealer launch by Makeup Revolution. Makeup Revolution is another affordable/drugstore brand that i have tried and loved so many different things from in the past, so of course i needed to put this one to the test.

So when it comes to concealers i am super selective on what concealers i like, as not every concealer works for me as i do struggle with creasing a little bit unless my under-eye area is super hydrated because i do have a dry to normal skin type. Like many i have my go-to concealers, which just like this concealer they both happen to be drugstore and they are the Maybelline Fit Me concealer in the shade 10 and the Bourjois Radiance Reveal concealer in the shade Light. I always apply my concealer no matter what one i am using the same way, with the applicator into a triangle shape under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose and chin before blending out with a dampened beauty blender. I just prefer to do it with a sponge, the same way i do my foundation, as it is quick, easy and has a flawless/evenly applied finish afterwards. 

Getting down to my actual thoughts on the new concealer by Makeup Revolution, if i was to put things about this concealer into a list of pro's and con's, it would definitely have more pro's than con's. This concealer is pretty much a drugstore first as this concealer is available in 18 (yes 18) different shades, ranging from fair to deep, with different undertones and retailing at just £4. The two shades i picked up were C2 and C6 as they are ones with the correct undertone for me. The shade C2 is the lighter shade of the two, which i will probably use when i am less tanned as it is a fair shade with a yellow undertone. The shade C6 is the shade i will opt for the most, as it is a light/medium shade also with a yellow undertone and is a very similar shade to the Maybelline Fit Me shade 10. The amount of product you get in the tube is slightly smaller than most concealers, as you get just over 3ML of product. Something i really like about this concealer is the doe-foot applicator, as it is slightly bigger than usual concealers and you also get a good amount of product in one go, rather than having to go back in more than once. Even though the texture of the concealer is fairly thick it doesn't look or feel heavy/cake-y on the skin and the coverage is definitely on the medium/high side. Something that is definitely going to make me want to reach for this concealer on a regular basis, is the fact it lasted all day long and looked freshly applied/brighter longer than some of my other concealers do. The only con about this concealer is it does dry down to a matte finish quite quickly, so what i have been doing is applying and blending in sections rather than applying it everywhere i would and then blending out. Over all i would rate this a 4 (maybe 4.5) out of 5!

shop the concealer:

| makeup revolution conceal + define C2 | tambeauty | superdrug |

| makeup revolution conceal + define C6 | tambeauty | superdrug |

xo.

MUA LUXE LIGHT LUSTRE LIQUID HIGHLIGHT

Hello everyone! In general i am definitely a self-diagnosed highlighter addict/hoarder, just as i am with any nude lip product. That being said for the past year or so i have become obsessed with using highlighter in liquid form, just as much as a powder finish and i have put a fair few to the test. Recently MUA launched a range of new liquid highlighters as part of their Luxe collection, which i have tried and loved so many products from before and therefor of course i just couldn't refuse giving this new launch a go.

If you saw my previous post talking about my 2017 beauty favourites then you will have probably read how last year was the year of the liquid highlighter for me (like i mentioned at the beginning of the post) and also how before then i had a fear of reaching for liquid highlighters, oh how things have changed and now i just can't put them down. I just love how a liquid highlighter can transform your face from looking matte/flat to looking naturally glowing and slightly dewy, it also couldn't be simpler to achieve by applying a small amount to the needed areas and blended out with a damp beauty blender/sponge. Liquid highlighters can also be used in several different ways other than straight to the area, such as mixed in with your foundation or applied before as a base and i tend to switch between these different methods.  

Moving onto my first impressions/review for the new MUA luxe light lustre liquid highlighters, which are available in three different shades and i have been putting two of them to the test between Christmas and New Year. When i first saw the packaging i was so shocked how beautifully chic and high quality it is for the price point, as they retail at £5 for 30ml of product (currently £4 at Superdrug saving £1). Just like a lot of liquid highlighters this particular one also comes with a pipette applicator, which was a winner for me as this one actually works perfectly unlike some i have tried previously. I love the combination of frosted glass bottle with the chic black font and gold accent on the pipette lid, which makes the product look like a £30+ more high-end type of product rather than drugstore/affordable. Beautiful packaging aside the product inside itself is simply just as beautiful, as the formula is highly pigmented yet lightweight feeling on the skin that blends out effortlessly and flawlessly. Unlike the usual powder highlight the finish of a liquid highlighter is more of a healthy glow, that looks natural and skin-like rather than overly shimmery and sometimes more obvious.

shop the shades:

| mua luxe light lustre in the shade marvel (rose gold) | mua store | superdrug |

| mua luxe light lustre in the shade sublime (gold) | mua store | superdrug |

| mua luxe light lustre in the shade opulence (pearl) | mua store | superdrug |

xo.

FIVE AFFORDABLE NOVEMBER FAVOURITES

Hello everyone! I swear this month has gone by with a blink and December is just a few days away now. With that in mind for today's post i thought why not do a spin on last months monthly favourites spin, which was five october favourites from superdrug. That being said this months affordable favourites products can all be purchased at Superdrug, except for one.

 brush techniques makeup brush cleansing spray

First of all i thought i would start with the only item that you can't get at Superdrug and it is this makeup brush cleanser that i randomly picked up from Home Bargains of all places. I didn't expect anything from this as it was only £1 (what a bargain) but that being said my trusty baby shampoo costs the same. It works in the exact same way as higher end/more expensive brush cleaners do, if not better than some i have tried and is great for those in-between brush cleaning days.

mua prism strobe cream in the shade golden ray

Next up is a product that i first featured in a huge mua highlighter haul and probably my favourite thing from that haul, as i have been reaching for it every single day pretty much since first trying it out. If you are a fan of MAC's strobe cream, then this is the perfect affordable dupe for it and to be honest i think i actually love this one more now. Ever since using this as a base underneath my makeup, i have had so many compliments on how healthy/glowing my makeup looks.

batiste naughty dry shampoo

Kind of a boring one that we all probably know everything about, as the majority of the time our hair is probably 75% dry shampoo am i right? That being said i recently picked up a different scent, which i think might be new and i really like the scent over all of the others that i have tried before. Batiste is probably one of the best dry shampoos i have used, which is probably why it is the UK's number one best selling dry shampoo as it never lets me down when i need some serious hair help.

maybelline x gigi west coast strobing liquid gold

The last couple of products are both from the Maybelline x Gigi Hadid collection, which first of all can we take a moment to appreciate how beautiful this packaging is! The first product i have been loving from the collection is this strobing liquid gold, which is kind of a similar product to the MUA one i shared above but this one is slightly deeper in colour but still equally as beautiful. This can be used either underneath foundation, mixed into foundation or simply applied to the highest points of the face and blended out.

maybelline x gigi east coast lip kit in the shade mccall

Just like the strobing liquid gold and the rest of the collection, the lip kits packaging is equally as beautiful with its pale nude-pink matte packaging with holographic writing. The formula of both the lip liner and lipstick in the lip kits are super creamy yet pigmented and not to mention hydrating on the lips. My favourite lip kit shade is McCall, which not only reminds me of Scott from Teen Wolf but also shock horror it is the pale nude-pink toned nude from the collection. 

Catch up on last weeks blog posts here:

six high-end products i probably couldn't live without | my favourite ways to find interior/decor inspo | black friday buys + discount codes | what i ate in a day 

xo. 

EBAY DUPES FOR HIGH-END BRUSHES

Hello everyone! If you are a makeup addict or just a frequent makeup wearer, then you will know one of the key things to have is makeup brushes, just like a painter needs paint brushes to do their work. A lot of the time we tend to spend a fortune on brushes, because lets face it half of the time they aren't the cheapest of items. Now with the aid of eBay and Amazon, there are so many different high-end brushes that have been duped "look-a-likes" that are just as good as the real thing (with the exception of a few misses). With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of eBay dupes for high-end brushes/brush brands.

1. nars yachiyo kabuki brush £43 vs. 

eBay flat kabuki powder brush £1.64

I am all about a splurge from time to time but i have to be honest, i don't think i would ever spend £43 on a single makeup brush, a set yes maybe but not a single brush. With that in mind eBay have an identical dupe for famous NARS yachiyo brush and i bet there is barely any difference, plus you could go through around 25 of the eBay dupes for the price of one NARS brush.

2. tarte airbuki bamboo powder foundation brush £23 vs. 

eBay flat powder foundation bamboo brush £1.39

Literally how identical are the two of these brushes and so unique in their shapes, as it is a great really dense brush and perfect for blending all over face products (whether that be foundation or powder). This brush is also one of those dressing table piece items, especially if you are into mixing woods and metals together.

3. real techniques bold metals arches powder brush £22 vs.

eBay seven piece metals brush set £6.99

If you really don't justify spending £20+ on technically still a drugstore item/brush, then eBay or Amazon have you covered on that front as they have so many different metal brushes on offer, from single items to sets and talking of sets you can actually buy a few different sets for the price of one single brush. The eBay dupes are also still as weighty feeling as the real deal, which amazes me as the product is obviously a lot less costly.

4. tarte the slenderizer bamboo dual ended contour brush £27 vs.

eBay double sided bamboo contour brush £2.81

Another great unique/dual purpose brush that is identical to one from Tarte, this particular brush picks product up so well and is great for applying/blending out cream products, such as contour/concealer etc. The feel of the bristles are super soft yet sturdy and is super handy for travel.

5. anastasia beverly hills dual sided brow brush £14 vs.

eBay double ended brow brush £1.39

Who doesn't love a good dual ended brow/spoolie brow brush? I know i do, as they are super handy when going in with a brow pomade and you can brush through the brows by simply twisting the brush around. I am also extremely picky when it comes down to the angle/shape of a brow brush and this particular eBay brush is just as great of an angle/density as the ABH number 14.

6. nars ita kabuki brush £43 vs.

eBay flat kabuki contour brush £1.88
Finally we have another brush that i would never justify spending £43 on and it is another ever so famous brush from NARS, that i have actually tried the real deal out before and i wasn't that impressed if i am being completely honest. That being said my friend picked up an eBay dupe for under £2 and it became her favourite contour brush, so naturally i had to give it a try for myself and i actually ended up preferring it.

♥

LIGHTS, CAMERA, LASHES: DRUGSTORE MASCARAS

Hello everyone! So back in January i mentioned that i was making it my mission this year to try a new mascara each time i ran out, which i mentioned in my january beauty favourites. Now that we are well into April, i thought why not share with you the particular mascaras i have been putting to the test so far and they are all happen to be easy accessible from the drugstore.

l'oréal paris false lash superstar x fiber mascara

This is the first mascara i tried out at the start of the year, as it was a new release at the time by L'Oréal. If you are looking for a mascara that will give you that super false lash effect instantly, without having to spend time building it up then this mascara is a must try. This mascara comes with a double wand, the first to be used as a primer that adds volume to the lashes and the second to add length with the fibers. This particular mascara retails for £10.99 from Boots, Superdrug and selected L'Oréal stockists.

maybelline the falsies push up angel mascara

Next up is a mascara by Maybelline, which next to L'Oréal is probably my favourite brand of mascaras and not just from the drugstore as they just always do a great job. I had tried the original push up drama mascara when it was first released and i loved it, so naturally i had high hopes for the push up angel mascara when they came out with it and i wasn't wrong. At first when i saw the shape of the wand, i was convinced that i was going to hate it but i was wrong. This mascara coats each lash, lengthening for that false lash effect without clumping and is a perfect as a bottom lash mascara. This mascara is slightly more affordable than the L'Oréal fiber mascara, retailing for just £7.99 also from Boots and Superdrug.

l'oréal paris mega volume miss baby roll mascara

Finally we have the mascara that i am currently using, another new release by L'Oréal and a product that comes in more than just black (indigo, lilac and teal). L'Oréal also have a range of several mega volume mascaras that i also love such as the miss hippie and the miss manga mascara. If your lashes struggle to hold the curl or you want them curled without using a curler first, then this mascara is a must-try. This mascara is the perfect dupe for the roller lash mascara by Benefit, the only difference between the two is the wands are slightly different. This mascara also retails for £7.99 from Boots, Superdrug and selected L'Oréal stockists.

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MAKEUP MONDAY: ESSENCE HAUL

Hey guys, i hope you all had a great weekend! So for a while now i have been noticing people posting pictures on social media of lots of makeup from the German makeup brand Essence and i thought to myself i wish they sold this in the UK. Then last week to my surprise i discovered that they have now launched in the UK at selected Wilkinson stores and my local store is one of them! Another thing that also impressed me is that all the products in the brand are super affordable with prices ranging from 99p to £3.99. So obviously after making this discovery i had to go and check out the stand, being honest i could of purchased the entire stand but i restrained myself and only bought a handful of products to try out before purchasing more. Here is what i picked out...

 Essence metal glam eyeshadow in the shade 03 frosted apple - £2.49

Essence eyeshadow in the shade 77 sandy says hello - £1.59

Essence superfine eyeliner pen in 01 deep black - £2.49

Essence xxxl long lasting lip gloss in the shade 3 very berry - £2.29

Essence xxxl shine lip gloss in the shade 04 rising star - £1.79

Essence xxxl shine lip gloss in the shade 26 bright side of life - £1.79

 Essence lip liner in the shade 12 wish me a rose - 99p

Essence lip liner in the shade 11 in the nude - 99p

Essence long lasting lipstick in the shade 09 wear berries! - £2.29

  Essence glossy lip balm in the shade mango ice cream - 99p

Essence silky touch blush in the shade 10 adorable - £2.49

I am so excited to give all these products a try and let you all know what i think of them. I would love to know whether you have tried Essence and what is your favourite Essence product?

MAKEUP MONDAY: FAVOURITE AFFORDABLE LIP GLOSSES

Hey guys, i hope you all had an amazing weekend! I think so many "makeup addicts" me included when it comes to lip glosses we just can't get enough. To some people they will probably think but you have that same shade of lip gloss already... that doesn't matter, i am just obsessed! I also think that some of the best lip glosses available are so affordable in comparison to some higher end lip glosses that are in fact disappointing. So here is some of my favourite and affordable lip glosses...

  

The majority of my lip glosses in my collection are pink or pinky/nudes as that is what i like to wear the most and it is in fact the colour what i feel suits me the most...

From L-R:

Sleek Matte Me (ultra smooth matte lip cream) in the shade Petal - £4.99 Superdrug.

This isn't glossy obviously as it is matte but it's obviously liquid lip colour rather than a lipstick. This is the most beautiful shade of pink on me and the staying power is amazing, it lasted about 6 hours on me and that was with eating and drinking!

MUA Sheer Finish (lip gloss tube) in the shade Cute Talk - £1 Superdrug.

I seriously don't think you could get a better lip gloss for only £1, the consistency is really glossy and shiny but not too sticky. As this in a tube i usually do like the apply this with a lip brush as that is just what works best for me.

Revlon Super Lustrous (lip gloss) in the shade Snow Pink - £6.99 Boots.

This lip gloss is one of my favourites to wear over MAC's creme d'nude as it isn't too sheer but it just adds a really nice shimmer to the lipstick as it has tiny specks of glitter in the gloss.

Tanya Burr (lip gloss) in the shade Just Peachy - £6.99 Feel Unique.

Everybody is obsessed lately with Tanya Burr's lip glosses and right to be as well who doesn't love Tanya Burr? and her collection is amazing. You can wear it as it is or on top of a lipstick and they look great either way. I only have two at the moment but i am planning to get my hands on some more soon.

NYX Butter Gloss (lip gloss) in the shade Eclair - £5 NYX.

This lip gloss is the newest addition to my collection, i mentioned in a previous blog post that i have wanted to try these for so long and i really wish i had sooner now... i have been wearing it every day since i got it! They apply really nice, long lasting and keep their shine.

Wet n Wild Mega Last (liquid lip colour) in the shade Click on my HyperPink - £2.54 - BeautyJoint.

These particular liquid lip colours are really similar to the Sleek "Matte Me" ones, they go on really nice and your lips don't feel dry how some can make your lips feel like that, they still feel hydrated. The only thing is about these is they don't have as good of staying power as the sleek ones.

Here is swatches of each of the lip glosses mentioned above...

What lip glosses are your favourites?