New in at the drugstore | Collection Eyes Uncovered Palettes

When I heard Collection were releasing some new eyeshadow palettes I was all over them. I'm a sucker for a new release and couldn't help but rush down too Boots to get my hands on these. I picked up the Nude Bronze and Nudes palettes, there is however a third - Nude Grey I didn't pick this one up, purely because i'm not one for wearing grey eyeshadow. I've been testing these for a couple of weeks now and although one is slightly better than the other I can report they are really good value!

Up first is Nude Bronze, the deeper coloured palette of the pair with much more shimmery shades. I swatched these on my arm and after looking a them wondering where i'd seen those shades before, it twigged. I went and grabbed my Naked palette and bam. Almost if not exactly identical in colour to some of those shades from one of my most loved make up items. Now the quality if of course not a patch on Urban Decay but at £3.99 you really can't fault collection with these. I also Like the fact it's not a direct 12 shade copy... I think brands need to stop focusing on copying the Naked palette and try to create something new. The shadows in Nude Bronze are pigmented and last well.

Next up is the Nude palette. Nude basically offers you a paler and more matte (still a slight shimmer) version of the Nude Bronze palette. This one is much more day appropriate for me and possibly a little more 'spring' appropriate. I found the colour okay pay off of these not quite as good, the quality of the Nude Bronze wins here, Nude was just a little harder to work with but with a little patience I got there. Overall I was impressed with both palettes.

So formula over, onto the packaging. I've mentioned it a few times now and cardboard packaging isn't my thing, however this packaging is a step up for Collection if you ask me, it's simple and effective... so I can let the cardboard slide on this one. However why do brands insist on those little eyeshadow applicators? - That was binned straight away.

Overall i'm impressed at £3.99 you can't nock these palettes and if your in the market for a good drugstore offering of shadows, i'd recommend these. You can buy all three from either Superdrug or Boots. - Note these are currently on offer and are £2.99 In boots.

Soap & Glory Archery | Not worth the hype...

I'm not really one who wants to post a negative post on my blog, I always feel like who wants to know whats bad; but thinking a little deeper? We all do! I've bought so many products now which I've instantly regretted and I want to help anyone else out there who's in the same boat as me. The Soap & Glory Archery brow pencil and tint is a much loved blogger favourite (this and its sister product) I'm yet to find anyone that has got a bad word to say about it. Naturally when the raves came along off I went to see what all the fuss was about and well? I'm still trying to find it...

I really wanted to love this, i'm really not into my eyebrows I want to be able to add that little bit more shape into them and I thought this would end up becoming my holy grail; how wrong I was. The felt tip end of the pencil is the better end but it still comes up so faint on my brows that it just doesn't really have a point too it. The pencil end? This is the biggest down side, press lightly hoping for a little 'hair like hair' and you get nothing, not a smudge; that comes when you press harder. Once you press harder you end up with one thick line of brown right where you wanted it too look like you had a little hair. I've tried with this product so so many times now and I just can't get it to work for me... the fact everyone else raves leaves me questioning am I doing it wrong? Am I really that bad at brows? I just haven't figured it out yet. I can imagine this product is good for those who want too add more dept to their brows, if they already have the shape and just lack the colour but unfortunately my brows are already dark they've just been over plucked and waxed and this product isn't the one to help make them look lovely again. I'm sorry soap and glory, I really did want to love this but it's just not for me. Maybe I should give its twin product a whirl?

What are your thoughts? Do you love this? Am I missing something?
You can buy the Soap & Glory Archery Pencil in store or online at Boots, £10

Nars All day Luminous Weightless Foundation

The talk of a new Nars release was circling a while back now, I remember seeing Laura from buynowbloglater post a photo on Instagram several weeks ago and ever since I was patiently waiting for it to be released. Fast forward and here it is. I was in Leeds the week before its release (I think) and the lady at the Nars counter told me it was available for colour matching the next week, sadly I don't live that quicker drive away from Leeds so unfortunately a colour match wasn't on the cards. I ordered mine online and for reference I went with my Sheer Glow shade match... now I actually think my Sheer Glow match is a shade dark and it would seem that ADLW (it's too long to keep typing) runs darker than Sheer Glow so this is not a brilliant match for me right now! that being said, I can work with it. It will be better once my skins seen a little sun but for testing purposes I went with it.

Now Nars claims that 1 pump is enough for your whole face... granted that will be for the finger application method (more on that one pump in a moment). For application your supposed to shake well, warm one pump in between fingertips and apply (be warned the formula is very thin and almost watery) I did this and one pump wasn't enough for my horrendously round face, just a little less that two was needed. Now in all honesty applying foundation with fingers isn't for me so you'll be pleased to know it apply's just fine with a brush! the coverage reminds me a lot of Sheer Glow but it is of course more matte. That being said I do think it lives up to the luminous claim, my skin looks healthy and as for weightless? It feels like a dream on my skin. For such a water formula the coverage is outstanding, it really is. It covers just the right amount without looking too heavy.

So after talking formula i'm going to talk packaging and emphasis on a point that, literally everyone else has gone crazy over. Nars have released a foundation with a pump! It's about time lets face it, why should I have to buy a £30 plus foundation and pay extra for a pump on top? I don't think so Nars; so to finally see it coming with one was actually a little exciting (I need a life). The bottle itself is a nice weighty glass bottle with a frosted effect, which i'm loving. It's like an updated version of the Sheer Glow/ Matte bottles and I really really like it. It's the same as all other Nars packaging, simple but I like that.

I can imagine this one would be a really good one for in the evening, I'd maybe not opt for something with such a full coverage in the daytime. I'm loving this new release from Nars but a colour match is needed - I can imagine be probably being Gobi.

You can buy Nars ADLW foundation from Nars or Space N.K for £32
Have you tried this one yet? What are your thoughts?

Super Facialist by Una Brennan

I'll be honest, my skincare routine is very very lazy and seriously lacking. I usually just go for the quickest option which is good old soap and water *hangs head in shame*. I really need to start taking better care of my skin and taking my make up off properly! So in my effort to start incorporating new things into me routine I picked up this cleansing oil; Super Facialist by Una Brennan.

So first up, this smells incredible, like oranges? ... I'm pretty certain that's what it is anyway. Now this isn't the first cleansing oil I've tried and i'll be honest it's not my favourite either but i'll let you in on what that is later. The formula of this cleansing oil is a little on the heavy side. Sadly it's just a little too greasy for my liking. I'm a little bit funny with oil, I'm not overly keen on the way it feels and I cannot stand it being on my hands... That goes for any type of oil, heck even cooking oil *squirms at the thought* and this one is just too much for my liking. Now it's not prefect at removing make up either, i'm left with panda eyes and a oily foundation mess on my face so it's back to the soap and water to wash off the greasy residue and the make up it just doesn't want to budge off my face.. So much for ditching that one ay?

For me this just doesn't live up to my top spot cleansing oil (Body Shop Chamomile Silky Cleansing Oil if your interested) - if you'd like to see a review on that let me know. I didn't want to be disappointed with this one, after seeing Anna from VDM share good thought's I was expecting to love it as Anna is usually fab at finding some real gems! I'm still wanting to try more from the Una Brennan rage, i'm not put off yet!

If you want to try this you can but it in store or online at Boots for £10.99

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine

Swatched: Right, heavy swatch, Left, one swipe 

Nars is definitely one of my favourite make up brands, the simple packaging and amazing quality products keep me coming back for more. A recent Nars order and a little help from one of Jill's posts (check out her blog its fab: alittlesoapbox) lead me to this. The Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine. This is my first ever Velvet Matte Lip Pencil purchase and I can assure you it didn't disappoint.

First thing, i'm glad I ordered this online, because I can just imagine me asking for this very name at a counter would lead to me feeling very awkward, although i'm sure anyone behind the Nars counter would be used too it (example deep throat, orgasm... it goes on) The name is a little bit of a strange one but nonetheless, this product is now in the most used section of my make up storage.  Its a lovely pinky nude shade, am I going to say it? yes, it's a your lips but better! It has ever such a slight shimmer too it. It lasts well on the lips, a little top up is required after eating but that's all. Its perfect for the up and coming spring months. The matte finish is definitely something i'm loving on my lips right now and this gem has got me longing for more from this range!

Have you got this shade or any others from this range? What are your thoughts?
You can buy the Velvet Matte Lip Pencils from any Nars counter, Nars online or Space N.K £19 (it's gone up by £1 since I bought it! - sneaky Nars)

Soap & Glory Solar Powder | worth the hype?

It took me 4 weeks in a row of nipping into 3 different Boots stores till I finally struck lucky and got my hands on the Soap & Glory Solar Powder. I'd almost given up hope, it was even out of stock online and I never thought this bronzer would be mine. Finally one day I went into boots and there it was, there was loads of them and I pretty much ran up to the stand to grab one, finally it could be added into my collection! I've been dying to use this for so long, everyone had raved about it and I just had to know, is it worth the hype?

First thing is i'm obsessed, my Nars Laguna bronzer has been dropped from my everyday make up selection and replaced with this (sorry Nars, I still like you too) This bronzer features two shades a darker and a lighter. These can be used separate or swirled together with your brush to add a pop of colour and some dimension back into your face after applying your foundation. My current preference is to swirl them together and still use my filmstar bronze and glow for the contour but that doesn't mean the solar powder can't do that job either. The lighter shade in the compact has much more of a shimmer too it for my liking so i'd dismiss that for a contour myself, however the darker shade i'm feeling. It still has a slight shimmer but nothing like the lighter shade has got too it and is perfect for creating the chiseled look. Or for those of you like me which just want to stop their head looking so round, it does that job too. So the product itself is good but what about the packaging? Soap & Glory have a really unique and feminine style, which I really like however, the cardboard compact isn't my thing. I much prefer something more sturdy feeling. Having said that I do like that  1. there is a mirror and 2. it has a little magnet to help keep it shut. In all honesty though, a product this good the packaging doesn't really fuss me so much.

The Soap & Glory Solar powder can be bought in store or online at Boots for £11
Have you tried the Solar Powder?

Mac Velvet Teddy

Mac lipsticks are a little guilty pleasure of mine. The shade and finish range is so vast that they really do have a lipstick for everyone! recently the world has been going crazy for Kylie Jenners lips and this is reportedly one of the lipsticks she uses. Now i'll be honest, i'm not really fussed whether Kylie used this shade or not, I bought it purely hoping it would be another browny toned, pinky nude to add to my collection and when I found it finally back in stock I ordered it straight away.

So Velvet Teddy is from Macs matte range, I've already got a couple in this finish and it's one I really love. Long lasting, matte without being drying and feels so smooth on the lips. The shade however, it's not my favourite. I was so desperate to love this, but sadly I was disappointed. It's a little too peachy for me and doesn't really do anything for my skin tone. It looks a little nondescript. I swiped it across my lips for the first time and thought to myself ''so this is what the fuss is about... oh'' all the swatches I looked at online it looked beautiful and like it would be right up my street. I'm hoping that maybe once the summer months come around and my skin tone warms up a little I can give this another try but until then all i can do is wait... or keep trying and hope that one day I change my mind on this one.

Have you got Velvet Teddy? What were your thoughts on it?
You can buy Velvet Teddy at a Mac counter or Online

Benefit Roller Lash, Is it really as good as everyone is saying?

Before and After Roller Lash

So this week the blogging world (I'm still new to this) went crazy. Twitter was full of people posting about the new Benefit Roller Lash mascara and the fact the ELLE magazine were giving away a free sample of this along with the March issue. Naturally I did the same as everyone else and dashed out to get my hands on a copy. Apparently it really was everyone doing this as I had to try a couple of times and get to the shop very very early, on my way to work in fact to actually get a copy! Now I know there are 101 reviews this product but I feel like I need to add my thoughts into the basket and let you all know what I think.

Now I've never actually tried any of Benefits mascaras! Yes really, making Roller Lash my first one but also meaning I can't compare it to any prior benefit mascaras but hey, I've still tried a lot of mascaras over the years. Now there's always a hype around benefits new releases and Roller Lash is no different with it available for us all to pick up and try prior to it's release date.

I love the fact that Benefit take their packaging to the next level. Whether it's their Puff Off eye gel (also a relatively new release) with a clever little iron shaped applicator or the Majorette blusher which looks a little like a mini drum. The packaging is always clever, girly and it does the job of catching your eye. Now of course the little sample size doesn't have the same quirky design as the full size product but it's pretty darn similar and lets face it, it's mini and looks oh so very cute! The full size version of the product replicates that of a hair roller, again clever.

So enough about the packaging and onto the product. Benefit claims roller lash is one that will make you ditch you eyelash curlers as it's set to 'separate, lift and curl which holds for 12 hours' as said by Benefit. The photos above show my lashes before and after application, no eyelash curlers were used. You can see that my lashes look long and evenly separated with a bit of a curl, however I don't think i'm ready to ditch the eyelash curlers yet. although it's definitely lifted my lashed and curled them up, i'm not so sure i'm looking as awake as i'd like to yet. having said that I'm really liking Roller Lash. It's the first Benefit product I've tried for a long time and i'd definitely but the full size version!

Have you tried Roller Lash yet? will you be picking it up on release date?
You can get the sample size now with a copy of Elle magazine for £4, however it will retail for £19.50 at Benefit counters and Online.

Note: apologies for the comparison photo, I look like I've got miserable eyes probably due to the bags that I just couldn't cover as I was soo soo tired! Better photos will happen once I get myself a tripod and a remote. 

Lush | The Comforter

After going on a lovely long walk on Saturday it's safe to say I was pretty tired when I got home and all I wanted was a relax in the bath. It's rare for me to want to have a bath (don't panic!) I much prefer to jump in and out of the shower, I just find it quite hard to relax in a bath. Why? I like the water hot, no one likes a cold bath but then after sitting for so long I get waaay to warm... can't win. However this particular night I really really felt like I needed a bath which meant one thing, my Lush Comforter would get some use! I was really excited to use the product, I know its a favourite of many peoples and I had a feeling it wouldn't disappoint... I wasn't wrong.

First thing is that this smells... AMAZING really fruity and fresh but not overpowering. I can't even begin to explain how good it smells (those of you who've tried it will know what I mean) Those of you who haven't... I urge you to go to Lush, even if it's just to smell it. I didn't use a lot of the bubble bar either they suggest half but I just broke a small section off and crumbled it under the hot tap whilst it was running so a little really goes a long way. You can see from the photo I ended up with a beautiful pink and bubble bath, I did have to separate the bubbles for the photo too because there were so many! I felt so so relaxed, the comforter could be a game changer and change my opinions on baths! I can see this bar going a really long way, I've got more than half of it left which makes it really good value for money too! I slept really really well after using this product, i'm not going to lie the fact I went on a long walk probably contributed to that but The Comforter really helped relax me. After this i'm dying to try more Lush products, I really like the fact that they don't test on animals, all of Lush products are cruelty free which I think is amazing.

You can order Lush products online but if you live near a Lush store, I'd day go in! The staff are helpful and there are so many other amazing products to be discovered! If you wish to buy line you can do that: here for £4.75

Have you tried this bubble bar? What other Lush products do you love?

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder

Another item I bought in my most recent splurge is the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder foundation. I'm yet to find a Charlotte Tilbury product that has disappointed me and this is included in that. I love the system she has with her make up line, it's simple and yet effective. Light Wonder is the only foundation in Charlotte's line and it comes in 10 shades from 1 being the lightest and 10 the darkest (i'm shade 2 for reference). The system is just easy, there isn't several different foundations promising different finishes, full cover, light cover... you know the drill; it's one foundation which is claimed to have a light feel to it, perfect coverage and breathable. Do I agree? Yes, although I would say perfect coverage is one that's up for debate as that's different for everyone.

First things first the packaging. It's kind of a tube I guess you'd call this? It's plastic and you squeeze the formula out of the little nib at the end. No pump but yet no problem. It's not a glass bottle where your trying to tip just the right amount onto the back of your hand actually i'd even go as far as to say I'm liking this more than a pump, you've got more control over how much you get out and I'm yet to end up with any waste. A little screw cap covers the (what i'm going to call) nib - if you know the proper or a better name for this let me know. The screw cap is of course rose gold. Everything in Charlotte's range has got something rose gold added into the designs of her packaging, simple but I love it; actually I just love rose gold but don't we all?

Onto the foundation; I really really like this. I'd say its more a medium build-able coverage which leaves your skin looking healthy and radiant. It's easy to work with and blends into the skin effortlessly leaving an even finish. It's a really nice one for everyday wear, it looks healthy.  I actually often put my foundations through their paces and try them out at work... that doesn't sound like it's hard work but I promise you it is. I actually don't usually wear any make up to work, I just tie my hair up and go. Not that I want to bore you all with my job but I work in an heavy, industrial environment, it's hard not to go into much detail here about my what I do but trust me when I say that CT was put to the test . It lasted amazing all day, no slipping or sliding and I didn't look as though I was desperate for a spot of powder.

You can buy from any Charlotte Tilbury counter or online at Charlotte Tilbury or Harvey Nichols for £32. Have you tried this foundation yet?

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer | A new favourite

So January/February is really going to be a post heavy month because I've gone a little bit crazy with spending money (you may have seen my latest Instagram photo - there's more than that! *slaps wrist*) One of the things I've picked up recently is this, the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I've seen people rave about this for so so long but for some reason I decided to  stick to my Rimmel wake me up concealer, why? It was accessible and was stocked in my local town which has barely any shops. 

All of this has changed and I picked this up on a recent trip into Leeds! (if you live near Leeds, seriously is is amazing for shopping) I can't get over how amazing this concealer is, first use and that was it bye bye Rimmel. I got the shade vanilla (that and custard are the most purchased I think) It covered all those little imperfections, especially my bags perfectly. I'd say it was a fairly thick concealer but it doesn't look cakey it looks so flawless on the skin and it's super lightweight. This is by far my new favourite concealer; I actually went to repurchase this online the same week I bought this but sadly vanilla was out of stock. 

Is it worth the hype? 100% I'm obsessed with it and it's worth every penny! 

You can but this from Nars, Harvey Nichols and Space N.K for £22 

Have you tried this concealer? Do you love it or are you dying to try it?