BROW PRODUCTS TRIED AND TESTED

Hello everyone! Earlier this year i shared with you all my current brow routine, which you can catch here if you haven't already and i mentioned how i barely switch up the products up that i use on my brows. Saying that over the years i have tried out my fair share of eyebrow products, before landing on a cult favourites and just recently i have been trying to switch things up from time to time. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some tried and tested eyebrow products, that i love and would recommend giving a go.

anastasia beverly hills dipbrow pomade in the shade dark brown 

So i thought i would kick things off with the "cult favourite" brow product that i mentioned and is something i used every single day for well over a year, because i was that obsessed with it and i still have so much love for this product. Using a pomade is super easy to control what you are doing with the product, as you are using a brush to create the shape/hair-like strokes. This product will keep your brows on through anything, sun, sweating, rain, hail, snow as it is completely budge proof and waterproof. This pomade retails for £15 but is well worth the money in my eyes, this tiny pot will last you such a long time and a little goes a long way.

freedom pro brow pomade in the shade dark brown

If you are still not convinced about the ABH dipbrow pomade or you have never tried a brow pomade out before and you don't want to spend a ton of money, on something you might not like then this product is for you. Just like the ABH one this is also is also long wearing, budge proof and has a similar if not identical formula. The only difference between the two products is this one is probably a touch cooler in tone and this one only retails for £5 on tam beauty or superdrug in-store and online.

freedom duo eyebrow powder in the shade dark brown

If brow powder is your thing then you definitely need this one in your life, which also happens to be from freedom makeup london and another dupe for an ABH product. This brow powder is pigmented, yet easy to work with and also long wearing. As this is a brow powder duo is comes with two different shades one cool toned and one a little darker (which is the one i always use) but you could use a mixture of the two all depending on your personal preference. The most baffling/amazing thing about this product is the fact it only retails for £2 for such an amazing product, that i have been reaching for on a regular basis recently.

benefit browvo! conditioning primer

This product has been a real brow saviour and is something i have used every single day on my brows for around a year now, i simply brush some on my brows before i start my makeup. This products acts almost like a primer for your brows, allowing product to sit/last longer and better, as well as encouraging your brow hairs to grow fuller and thicker. It isn't the cheapest of product retailing for £23.50 but just like a lot of brow products, a little goes a long way and lasts you for quite a while.

l'oréal brow artist plumper in the shade medium/dark

This particular product from L'Oréal is another cult favourite of mine and one that i go back to over and over again, as nothing ever seems to quite compare to this brow gel for me. I like to brush/set my brows in place by combing through them with this upwards, doing this gives you the appearance of fuller and fluffier brows that will stay put all day long. A great thing about this product is as it is tinted, you could simply apply a small amount to your brows if you are in a hurry and you would be good to go. Another great product from the L'Oréal brow artist range is the brow artist shaper in the shade dark brunette and probably my favourite drugstore brow pencil, as i really struggle with the shades of pencils being too warm toned and making my brows appear reddish, yet this one doesn't do that at all and it is also super easy to work with.

estée lauder double wear brow lift duo in the shade black

So i picked this up in the sale on feel unique recently, as i really wanted to experiment more with brow pencils and i thought why not give this one a go, as i always love anything i have tried from Estée Lauder and this product was no different. Even though this is in the shade black, you wouldn't think so as it isn't too dark and it matches the tone of my brows perfectly. The tip of this pencil is super thin and is perfect for creating hair like stokes, for a full yet natural everyday brow. This is also a duo product so one end is the brow product and the other end is a beautiful brow bone highlight shade, that allows you to clean/neaten up the brows easily.

eylure pro-brow dybrow in the shade dark brown

Finally we have a product that will make all the difference when it comes to filling in your brows and also their over-all appearance when you aren't wearing makeup. I have tried a couple of different brands of eyebrow dyes, yet nothing compares to this one from Eylure. A lot of the time we are quick to spend unnecessary money on getting our eyebrows tinted at a salon, when you can get the exact same result easily from the comfort of your own home. One of these dybrow kits lasts for 12 or more uses for around the £7 mark and some salons charge more than that for one treatment. 

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LIMITED EDITION PRODUCTS I WISH WERE PERMANENT

Hello everyone! So i know i am not the only person that gets super excited whenever a brand brings out a new limited edition product for a season, whether that be for the holiday or a summer line. The only downside to this is buying the product, falling in love and then scared to use it all up because you know it isn't replaceable. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you all my favourite limited edition products, that i wish would be made a permanent line/product and then i could talk about them more often.

kiko dessert dunes trio baked blush in the shade lust coral

This particular blush from Kiko was part of their limited edition summer collection last year, they even have a 2.0 version this summer in the shade coral bay. I just love every single thing about the brands blushes but this one is a particular favourite, i also love how amazing and chocolate-y it smells.

kiko beam of light highlighter in the shade cream

Sticking with another limited edition Kiko product but this time a highlighter, that i have loved for so long now and i believe it was a part of their travel or everyday essentials collection. This particular highlighter has such a beautiful lightweight texture yet it has a pigmented creamy formula, in a stunning golden pearl shade.

mac cosmetics wash & dry blush in the shade crisp whites

I have mentioned this particular blush in so many posts previously, as it is my favourite blush shade of all time from the brand. MAC are probably the worst culprits for making you fall in love with something from one of their limited edition collections, just like they did oh darling! but thank god they added that to their permanent line after a while. The good thing that doesn't make you too sad that it was limited edition is that you literally only ever need the tiniest amount, as they are super pigmented.

mac cosmetics x mariah carey lipglass in the shade dreamlover

I never really used to like the lipglass formula but i have done a complete 360 and i love it now, i also know this is the case with quite a few people the formula is a love or hate thing. I have a couple of different ones but this one is definitely my favourite, typical seeing as it was from the limited edition Mariah Carey collection. This is just the perfect shade of gloss to not necessarily to add any colour, but to add a sheen to any lip colour applied underneath. Another thing is i also wish all of the packaging from MAC was this sassy and beautiful.

mac cosmetics nutcracker sweet bronze pigment in the shade stardream

The final and probably my favourite out of all the limited edition MAC products, this pigment from last years holiday collection. If you have read my posts in the past then you will probably already know that i am a huge fan of the pigments, but there is just something about this one that makes it my favourite and yet again typical of me with it being limited edition. Just like the blush though these pigments will last forever.

anastasia beverly hills self made eyeshadow palette

Moving onto this limited edition eyeshadow palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills and unlike the modern renaissance palette, this particular palette was a limited edition one. I have two particular favourite go-to shadows in this palette (hot & cold and sherbet), which i am so scared to use up because unlike some palettes/shades from ABH you can't get them in their single pan form and that sucks. If they bought the shadows out individually i would buy them just like that, they are literally my perfect shades/tones in an eyeshadow.   

barryM boots limited edition nail paints in the shades beachy keen and golden sands

Finally if you are from the UK, then you will probably be familiar with the fact that both Boots and Superdrug quite often do limited edition nail polish shades with barryM. This particular duo is from the Boots limited edition collection last summer, which i literally live for both shades as i am such a nude-y/neutral nail girl now. The only up-side to this is the barryM nail polish in the shade peanut butter is quite similar to the shade beachy keen, but there is nothing similar to shade golden sands which kind of sucks. 

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SOAP AND GLORY FAVOURITES

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to! Many of us all know Soap and Glory is probably the most loved drugstore brand when it comes to all things shower/bath and pampering related. So for today's post i thought i would share with you my favourite products and a little little bit about why i love them as much as i do...

The Daily Smooth Body Butter - £9

I decided to start off with this body butter as it is hands down the winner of them all for me. I have tried out so many different brands of body lotions/butters but none of them do it for me like this one does. I love everything about it the incredible softness it leaves my skin feeling as well as its heavenly scent of rosehip seed oil and cocoa butter, with the famous mist you madly scent. 

Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em Body Buff - £8

This product is also scented with the mist you madly scent as well as babassu oil, sea salt, jojoba and mandarin oils. Whenever i unscrew the lid i have to take in a good smell it smells that good. Like every soap and glory product does it leaves your skin feeling ultra soft and smelling delicious. I do prefer this over the "scrub of your life" (which i will get onto next) but it's only downside as it isn't a very shower friendly product unlike a squeezy tube is.

The Scrub of Your Life - £7

This is definitely the perfect exfoliater for the shower as it is easier to use with the way its packaged unlike trying to struggle to open and close a tub with wet hands. I also like that when you rinse the product off it just washes away straight away unlike some other brand products can take some rinsing off. The scent of this scrub is their original Pink fragrance and is very fresh smelling.

Hand Food Hand and Nail Cream - £2.50 (Travel Size)

Hands down the best hand cream i have ever tried and that is probably why i have found myself having around 5 or 6 back up ones. I always buy the the travel size ones as they are perfect handbag size and i always have one permanently living in my bag. This is also their Pink Fragrance as well as being infused with shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow. The soul purpose of this being the best hand cream is not only it's amazing scent but also the fact it is a non-greasy formula.

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JUNE EMPTIES

Hey guys, i hope you are all enjoying your day! For the last few months now i have been sharing with you some of the products that i have used up and giving you my opinion on them, whether i would purchase them again or not etc. So i thought i would do this sort of post regularly (once a month or so)...

Skin Therapy Dry Skin Facial Wipes.

I mentioned earlier this week in my June Favourites post how obsessed with these i had become and as you can see i have already gone through two packets. They are only 75p for 25 wipes and i would definitely buy them again and i already have got my hands on another four packets to stock up.

Dove Dry Shampoo.

I love this dry shampoo, i always used to be a Batiste girl and when i first tried out this one from Dove i wasn't too sure but then i grew to love it. I have already repurchased this item.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Base Primer.

This is my go to primer i just love everything about it. It is definitely a great primer for you if you love that dewy/glowing looking skin and is very similar to MAC strobe cream but obviously a lot more affordable. I have already repurchased this about three times and i need to again soon. At the moment i have been trying out the L'Oreal Nude Magique Blur Cream.

L'Oreal True Match Foundation.

I go on about this foundation way too much but it is just that good. It lasts all day and gives a really nice coverage/finish (i am now on my third bottle). The only thing i hate is it looks like there is product left but you can't pump any more out and i can't undo the lid.

Beauticology Chocolate Cupcake Shower Gel.

I had mentioned in my favourites the Vanilla Frosting hand cream i had been using and this shower gel was also part of the set. I ended up using this shower gel with one shower as i didn't think it was going to be a runny as it was and i ended up pouring out most of the bottle by accident. I don't think i would purchase this again i will stick to my faithful The Body Shop shower gel's although this did smell amazing.

The Body Shop Satsuma Hand Gel.

I buy these over and over again as they smell so good and are so handy to just carry around in your handbag if you need it (i always need it being the germaphobe i am).

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder.

There really isn't much to say about this powder except for it is the best powder ever. I have probably been buying this powder ever since i have been wearing makeup, it's that good i always keep a back up.

The Body Shop Shower Gel.

Surprise, surprise another shower gel from The Body Shop. They have been in every single empties blog post i have done, i will try a different brand one day...i promise!

APRIL EMPTIES

It's been a little over a month since i last did an empties blog post, so seeing as i have used up some more products i thought i would share my thoughts. Some are daily basics and some aren't...

L'Oreal Elnett Satin heat protecting spray.

In the past i have tried out so many different heat protectors, whether they are cheaper drugstore versions or higher end salon brands but non compare to this one I LOVE IT! The thing i hate about some heat protectors they tend to leave dried product on my straightener plates which is a nightmare to get off, this one doesn't do this at all.

Nivea gentle facial cleansing wipes in dry and sensitive skin.

I always purchase different facial wipes but then go back to these as i never like any other brands as much as these. They smell great, remove makeup well and doesn't dry my skin out. I have already repurchased and i will continue to over and over again, they are my holy grail face wipes.

Nspa Toner spray.

I have already repurchased this item as i love the fact it is in a spray bottle rather than having to use extra cotton pads, it's just so refreshing on my skin.

The Body Shop Vitamin E night cream.

I got this in a small sampler size just to try out, i liked the product i think it did it's job but there was nothing that made me think wow about it. I thought i would because i love the Cream Cleanser from this range.

No7 Exquisite Curl mascara in black.

I really liked this mascara, not for the top lashes but for my bottom lashes. The wand just seemed to work so well on them. I am not sure i will repurchase though as i just think there is so many better mascaras out there.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth 60 second treatment.

I mentioned these in my previous blog post about how much i liked them. I like to use one of these once a week after my usual shampoo and conditioner routine, i have found that it really helps my hair to straighten a lot easier after using it as my hair can be a nightmare to get completely straight with it being curly. 

The Body Shop honey mania shower gel.

I don't think i will use a different kind of shower gel again except for The Body Shop ones, i love them! The honey scent is also a top favourite, it smells so good! 

Garnier Mineral 5 protection deodorant.

I usually use the roll on deodorant by Garnier but i seen this one was new when out shopping and thought i would give it a try. I really like it as it actually does as it says. I have already repurchased.

Hope you all had an amazing weekend and are having a happy monday!

TRIED IT OUT TUESDAY: EMPTIES

There is always something satisfying about finishing a product, whether it is because you loved the product so much that you can't wait to repurchase or you are just glad to have used it up.
Here are some of the products that i have used up recently...

Batiste Dry Shampoo in the floral and flirty blush scent.

Batiste is definitely the dry shampoo of choice for me as it really does the job well but i don't think i would repurchase this particular scent again, when i bought this particular one it was because they didn't have my favourite scent (oriental).

Clean & Clear morning energy daily facial scrub.

I love love loved this facial scrub and i have already repurchased this item. I like to use it in the morning time as it really does as it says makes me feel awake and refreshed.

NSPA nourishing eye and lip treatment.

I have a love/hate relationship with this lip balm, it says it can be used under the eyes but i never used it for that, i just used it as a lip balm. It really did its job by re-hydrating my lips but i hated the consistency. I don't think i would re purchase this item as i feel there is so many better quality products available.

Nivea gentle facial cleansing wipes in dry and sensitive skin.

I always purchase different facial wipes but then go back to these as i never like any other brands as much as these. They smell great, remove makeup well and doesn't dry my skin out. I have already repurchased.

L'Oreal gentle eye makeup remover.

This is the third or forth time i had repurchased this eye makeup remover as for a long time it was my go to holy grail item but i had found a better remover which i preferred over this one. I don't think i will repurchase this one anymore.

Impulse body spray in into glamour.

I love impulse body sprays and the majority of them smell really nice but i would have to say this is my favourite scent hands down and i will continue to repurchase this one over and over.

The Body Shop vitamin e cream cleanser.

I mentioned this cream cleanser in my February Favourites blog post previously, i got this small size in a gift with purchase set from The Body Shop and i am obsessed with it. So if you are looking for a really great cleanser i definitely recommend this one. I have already purchased the full size.

L'Oreal mega volume collagene 24hr mascara in black smoke.

I have mentioned this mascara in so many blog posts previously, i am obsessed with this mascara. It doesn't only just give volume to my lashes it really gives them length, i just love everything about it. I have a couple of other mascaras to use up first and then i am going to repurchase this one without a doubt.

What products have you been using up lately?

Katie♥

MAKEUP COLLECTION AND STORAGE

The only chore i enjoy doing is organizing and tidying up my makeup collection, so whilst i was doing this i thought i would take some pictures and show you my collection. I have quiet a lot of makeup and in no way am i bragging about the amount i own, also compared to some other peoples collections i think mine is actually quiet small. So here it is...

 I store my makeup in one drawer separated into different sections: face products then eyes and lips.

In this stripey box i like to keep all of my base and face products (primers, foundations, powders and concealers) as the box is quiet deep and spacious. I keep my less used products at the bottom and then the products i use more on top for easy access. 

In the middle section at the front i keep all of my mascaras, eye liners, some loose pigments, brow products and some random lip liners which i use on a frequent basis.

In the right hand section of my drawer i keep all my lip products, lipsticks to the back and then lip glosses and pencil form lip products. Also to the right i just keep two of my urban decay palettes because they fit just right there. At the back of my makeup drawer i just keep my single pressed eye shadows, loose eye shadows, cream eye shadows and then some of my smaller sized palettes.

I like to store my makeup brushes on top of the set of drawers in this vase which i am obsessed with. I also like to just keep some random products on there also like my makeup remover, hand gel and toner. 

I am thinking about doing a beauty product collection post some time soon, which is the drawer above my makeup drawer. I keep all my skincare/body products and also my large makeup palettes.

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend...

Katie♥

WHAT'S IN MY HANDBAG

I love looking at other bloggers and youtuber's "what's in my handbag" posts and videos as let's face it who doesn't love having a good nosey in someone's bag. I have been meaning to do this blog post for a while now ever since i changed up my handbag. So to cut a long story short, here is the contents of my bag...

Since before last month.. i'd say for around 18 months i had been carrying around my trusty River Island handbag and even now there is still nothing wrong with it, i just fancied a change. So i decided to pick up this one from Just Fab online and i am so glad i did, it's such a spacious bag and as it's black it pretty much goes with every outfit. I love the gold detailing on the front and the material of the bag is really good quality. I would definitely recommend taking a look on the site as they have some really nice shoes/boots and accessories available and are reasonably priced, my particular tote bag is only £35.

Inside My Bag: Beauty Items

1. Soap & Glory Hand Food - i literary can't go anywhere without this stuff.

2. Beyoncé Heat Perfume - i am obsessed with this perfume, it smells so nice.

3. The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Lip Butter - cause nobody likes getting chapped lips especially in this cold winter weather, so i like to keep them moisturized.

4. L'Oreal Lumi Magique Highlight Pen in Light - i like to keep this in my bag just in case my under eye areas need a quick pick me up and brightening.

5. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent - i always carry this trusty powder just to touch up my face during the day in any shiny areas.

6. The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleansing Gel - i carry hand gel anywhere and everywhere i go, as i tend to be a really bad germaphobe and this one smells amazing.

7. Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Frosting - i like to apply this if i want a little bit of colour as well as to hydrate my lips throughout the day/evening.

8. MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme D'Nude - cause we always have to carry a nude lipstick it is just essential and necessary.

As of late i am really proud of myself for only carrying around 3 lip products, cause before my handbag tended to be a place full of different lipsticks/lipglosses that i didn't even know was there.

Inside My Bag: Random Items

9. Floral 2014 Diary - i always keep this diary with me just in case i want to write down any dates or different ideas for blog posts and etc.

10. Wrigley's Extra Gum - just because who doesn't carry gum in their handbag.

11. My Keys - to get in and out of my car and house obviously, i love my little miss princess key chain that my sister got for my not too long ago.

12. iPhone Headphones - i swear this pair is actually indestructible, they are always getting tangled up and just thrown to the bottom of my bag.

13. French Connection Purse - i got this new purse around the same time as my new handbag for a steal in the sale on ASOS and is such a classic.

So there it is the contents of my handbag. What random things do you keep in yours?

Katie♥