Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Hold the phone, guess who's finally posting! I think a quick apology is in order due to the fact i've had a little too long off of the blogging scene. You all know the drill, sometimes life just gets in the way it's a lame excuse but running the house, my job, trying to get in some time at the gym and then all the various other tasks i've been so darn tired and haven't even turned the laptop on! Excuses and apology over it's onto the post.

So Maybelline have released a new mascara recently and although a little late on this one, I couldn't resist picking it up and giving it a try. I used to love Maybelline's The Falsies mascara, it was my go to for quite some time but since it went past the point of being useable I moved on and tried various others.

Now,  I've seen a few reviews on this mascara kicking about and theres a fair few comparisons to the new Benefit Roller Lash but in all honesty I can't see why. The brush shape is fairly similar but the overall effect of the mascara is so so different. Roller Lash is a much more daytime appropriate mascara, it adds length and volume but still looks very natural. Maybelline however definitely lives up to it's lash multiplying name. My lashes looked long and so much thicker and fuller. It adds a lot of volume to the lashes and I really like the overall look it gives, i'd even go as far as to say this give more of a 'falsies' effect than Maybelline's The Falsies mascara.

Packaging wise its the standard Maybelline tube just a new colour. Its ok, it's not spectacular but I like the metallic baby pink.

Overall it's a good mascara for night and day, it's totally up to what you prefer, but i've been reaching for this mascara a lot recently and i've really been enjoying using it!

If your looking for a new mascara i'd definitely recommend picking this one up. it's only £7.99 in both Boots and Superdrug.

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

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?

The Miracle Cream: Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion

I thought i'd share with you all today a cream which is literally a miracle in a bottle. I've struggled with my hands for a long time now, it's actually a little embarrassing! I remember at the worst point the skin on my hands was red raw, literally, it looked awful. They were so dry that they would crack and bleed which was so so painful (tmi right). I'd tried everything it had gotten to the point where anything touching my hands made them feel like they were on fire and i was left with no option but to seek a little bit of medical advice, little did I know the doctor would introduce me to this absolute gem which had been sitting on the drugstore shelf all along. I'd never heard of Aveeno before but fast forward 3 years (yes really) and it's quite possibly my most repurchased product going.

So the product itself, it has a thick texture which once rubbed into your skin literally melts into it. It's not greasy and it doesn't linger on your skin (you know the creams i'm taking about). It leaves your skin feeling so soft and my hands? They've gone from the horrible red, dry and cracked mess to looking good as new (if not better).

I absolutely love this product and although it may seem a little expensive compared to other creams and lotions it's worth every penny you can get Aveeno from both Superdrug (£7.15) and Boots (7.65) for 300ml. Have any of you tried Aveeno yet?

Budget Buys To Love

You can't beat the drugstore, I think so many brands have some brilliant products to offer and recently on one of my many browses of the aisles of Superdrug and Boots I picked up a fair few products I'm loving. Two of these products are these, the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in the shade Hot Pepper and the Maybelline 24Hr Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze (late on the bandwagon with that one I know).

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet: Something I've seen a fair few posts on and something I just couldn't stay away from any longer, I'm finally starting to steer out of my comfort zone with lip products and try out the reds, dark and plumy to bright and bold I'm working my way through them all and this one from Bourjois made it's way into my basket. It's certainly the brightest red I've ever tried and it's safe to say I really like it. the formula is fab, it glides onto the lip easy and dries matte (doesn't cling to those dry patches) I'd say the velvet claim in the name is true. Lasting power? It's okay... I certainly had to touch up during the day and after meals it had worn away a fair bit. It also has a smell about it, I can't describe it, I can't say I like the smell either but if you can look past that its a fab lippy for the price and one i keep reaching for!

Maybelline 24Hr Colour Tattoo: Late on the bandwagon with these much! It seems like everyone and their nan has had one of these before me and I really don't know why it's taken me so long to pick one up. Don't get me wrong, I've looked at these many times, like more than I should but every time something has stopped me putting one in my basket, why? I don't know and I'm kicking myself for not trying one of these sooner! I picked up On and On Bronze and my oh my do I like it! The colour is so pigmented and the lasting power is fabulous. I like to apply this with my finger and then blend into the crease with my mac 217. It's creates an effortless bronzed eye look and I really like it paired with the Bourjois lip. It's not too heavy and allows the focus to be on the bold lip.


You can get both these items at either Superdrug or Boots.
Bourjois £8.99
Maybelline £4.99

The Lipstick That Just Doesn't Suit Me...

Ahh the YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in 13 Peach Passion; such a  beautiful shade of pink isn't it? I first saw Milly wearing this beautiful shade and I knew I had to have it, on her it looked perfect... I had to have it.

I got it, I couldn't wait to try it and as soon as I did?... Bitter disappointment. It looked beautiful on Milly and I've since seen it on Zoe (aka Zoella) and it looked gorgeous on her too, but me? No. Now this isn't an entirely negative post trust me, the formula to these lipsticks is just amazing, so hydrating, moisturising and creamy. The colour is so pigmented and lets face it YSL know exactly how to do packaging. it looks simply gorgeous. Sadly this colour just doesn't suit me, it doesn't go with my skin tone,., even when I have a tan! I wish it did suit me, I've tried numerous times but this just isn't my shade *crys a little* I can't explain it other than it looks like I've smeared strawberry ice cream on my lips... it's just not right. Has it put me off? No way, in-fact I'm dying to try Number 5, Fuchsia in Excess (a pretty bright but deep purpley/pink). Sadly this one lays in my collection longing for a day to be loved! But until then its beautiful to look at.

Have you tried this shade? Did you experience the same disappointment as me?
You can buy the YSL Rouge Volupte from House of Fraser or Debenhams, £25

Real Techniques Duo Fiber Brush Set

There's no secret Real Techniques are an affordable brand, the brushes are amazing quality and this little set did not disappoint.  I picked these up only around a week a go, but trust me a week is enough to know that In love them!

This brush set is different to the usual Real techniques brushes, the bristles are much softer and they make it impossible to pick up too much product, which is brilliant for those just starting out or I guess even those of us who can't quite grasp the difference between lightly powder to set and looking like you've applied 'talc' to your face.

The set includes a powder brush, a contour brush and a blending brush. My favourite of the set? it's got to be the powder brush. It just allows you to deposit the right amount of powder to your face, having said that it's the same for all of the brush's but the powder brush just... it's just good, really good! I was so impressed with every brush in this set, they're just beautiful, I also love the sleek black design of these however the writing on them is still colour  coded the same as the usual yellow/orange, pink and purple. I highly recommend this set and they'd also make a lovely gift for fellow make up lovers.

You can buy this set form Superdrug, £20.99

Brand Focus: L'oreal

L'oreal is by far my favourite drugstore brand (don't get me wrong I like others) but L'oreal just does it for me every time. These are 5 of my current favourites from their range.

True Match Foundation: I don't think there are many beauty bloggers who haven't passed comment on this foundation, many have compared it to the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk (i'm yet to try this so I can't comment yet) however; this foundation is certainly my current drugstore favourite. It leaves my skin looking fresh, it covers well but without looking cakey andits definitely a buildable coverage though depending on what you want. I tend to keep mine minimal and cover 'imperfections' with concealer, I thoroughly reccomend and just in case you wanted to know i'm shade N1.

Lumi Magique Primer: I really like this primer, it certainly makes your skin look more radiant and your skin look like it has a natural glow. If your skin is slightly on the dry side this would be good for you, if your oily i'd steer away! It's a really good base for your foundation and I certainly think it makes mine last the little while longer.

Cheryl's Nude: I literally love this lipstick, its so creamy! It's the perfect nude for my skin-tone (nobody likes foundation lips). This is my everyday lipstick, kind of a fail safe, I know it works and if in doubt go with what you know. The only issue is... what has happened to this lipstick!? I've raided every drugstore I've come across and it's just not there, my only guess is it's been discontinued and I really can't understand why! *inserts cry face emoji*

Glam Bronze Bronzing Powder: This really is a gem, I think I picked this up one day when there was a 3 for 2 on and I just didn't really know what else to get as my 3rd item, luckily I picked this and found rather a fabulous bronzer, I have shade 06 golden bronze. Its a lovely colour for a day to day contour or an all over warmth and it's a steal at just £7.99.

Brow Artist Plumper: The newest addition here and an obvious dupe for the benefit gimme brow. I never tried any of the other drugstore brow mascaras (is what even what you call them?) the wands just seemed a little too big for me. This is the perfect product for those, like me who struggle with their brows. My brows are more on the darker side and it seems every time i try a pencil I look like I've stuck those fake moustaches on my face (nice!). It just helps get my brows into place and adding a little more depth to them. I have the medium/dark shade.

Have you tried any of these products from L'oreal? Are there any others I should be trying?

Current Favourite Moisturiser

B. is a brand which as far as i'm aware you can only get in Superdrug. Their make up is never something I've really tried however when it comes to skincare their day cream is my current favourite! They offer 3 different skin phases, each one for a different age group. Phase 1 if for ages between 20 and 30, phase 2 for 30's and 40's, phase 3 for your 40's and 50's and the final phase is phase 4, designed for those over 50. I go for skin phase 1.

Superdrug claims ''To help enhance skins youthful appearance and help protect against the first signs of ageing''.  A fairly bold claim and in all honesty not one I can really comment on as to whether or not its true! My skins still young (I don't even get those lines on the forehead) so for me i see no difference on that one. The cream itself is lovely, it glides onto your skin and absorbs relatively quickly, it doesn't feel greasy at all. My skin feels moisturised and soft all day and its perfect for before you put your make up on. The packaging for the cream is also fab, I think it looks quite luxurious. I've repurchased this cream several times now as it just works for me!

Now for the best part, the price! This cream retails at £9.99 however it is currently on offer in store and online at Superdrug for £4.97, yes really! for that price you just can't go wrong. I thoroughly recommend this cream.

Have you tried anything from the B. range?

The Autumn/Winter Nail

Well a few days into November its become very apparent that good weather has well and truly passed... seriously where did this summer go? The clocks have gone back and Christmas is only next month *gulps* and the dark mornings are in full swing, the weather at this time of year certainly doesn't excite me.However when it comes to nails autumn/winter colours are most certainly my favourite. spring shades are hit and miss with me pastel pinks just don't do it for me, although I like a fair few pale and pastel shades the deeper colours are those I tend to favour. The colours i've been loving this year are these (two of which are pale shades!) I'm certainly no expert at painting nails and to be honest i'm a little messy but who looks that close anyway...?

1. Rimmel Salon Pro Kate in 104 Saturn: the colour i'm wearing on my thumb. For me rimmel nail varnish's are brilliant, especially for the price and this shade just ticks all the boxes. A black base colour with a gold sparkle, plain black for me looks a little drab on the nails but the gold shimmer in this certainly for me is the colour for a night out, whether it be a night with friends, a date night or an evening meal. Application wise Rimmel have got it covered, the size of the brush is perfect for making sure your all covered without going over the same patch, over and over again leaving you with some sort of smeary mess (we've all been there). the first coat gives a fairly good coverage but i'd recommend two for that flawless finish.

2. Barry M Gelly Hi Shine in Almond: a pale nude shade that doesn't give you the mannequin hand look. This is a good all round colour which goes with just about anything (saves changing the colour of your nails all the time... who has time for that!?) Everyone seems to have such a high opinion of barry m polish's... I can't say I love them but I don't hate them either. For me the formula's tend to go some what gloopy rather quick and application wise the brush is a little on the thin side. That being said this shade makes all of that bearable and its worth persisting with i'd say two coats leave you with the best finish.

3. Essie's Thigh High: I'm currently loving this shade of red, a deep burgundy with a slight shimmer too it. Essie is by far my favorite nail brand the formula's are on point, the brush is the perfect size and every time i'm at the stand deciding which shade to pick up next i'm left looking slightly odd picking one up, taking it back and swapping it out, only to return back to my first option: i've spent some serious time wandering round boots trying to pick. Thigh high is for me that red right now, everyone seems to have at least one if not more 'burgundy reds' for this time of year and it's safe to say thigh high is my current favorite.

4.Essie's Midnight Cami: Another shade with some shimmer too it (I do own other finish's I swear!) this time it's a deep royal blue. An alternative to the black nail if it's just not your thing, midnight cami may well just be for you! the photo just doesn't quite capture the colour of this polish, the downside to taking your photos in the evening. I picked this colour up the other week and received a fair few compliments on the shade it's once i've ceratinly been loving.

5.Essies's Maximillian Strasse Her: It's safe to say there's a slight essie trend going on here. I've seen quite a few reviews on this shade and finally i gave in and decided to purchase (I wasn't disappointed) My current favourite of the lot and once it started to chip on my nails its the colour I reached back for to paint my nails all over again (which is not like me at all) It's more of a grey shade with a subtle hint of mint green, a shade which I personally wouldn't tie down to just this time of year... the perfect all-rounder.

What are your favorite shades right now?