Rimmel London ScandalEyes Mascara

I'm normally so impressed with Rimmel London and have fallen in love with countless products of theirs: the Waterproof Exaggerate Liner, cheap £5.99 wonder bronzer, the Kate Moss collection... They are one of my favourite high street brands and almost always get it right. Almost.

I don't know why I was so coerced to buy this mascara, maybe because it was on Superdrug's 'Top Buy's' list or maybe because my friend uses it and her eyelashes are incredible. She must have brilliant genes because on trying this I was bitterly disappointed. Because of my loyalty to the brand I am inclined to blame it on the fact that I bought the waterproof formula as I generally find those to be worse than the originals. It didn't volumize my lashes nor really lengthen them. Of course, you can see a difference, but compared to other similar priced mascaras it just really wasn't worth it for me. It's a 'barely there' look, which isn't exactly what you're asking from with a mascara, is it? It retails for £8.99, and trust me its worth spending 2 or 3 pounds more for one from L'oreal (the Volume Millions Excess is great) or Maybelline (my second favourite apart from Benefit's They're Real)! I am debating giving the non-waterproof option another try though...

Bourjois Record Liner Gel

I admittedly had ambivalent feelings towards this liner at first. It's not the smoothest liquid/gel liner I've ever used (I think the consistency of the Maybelline one is a lot nicer) and that fact initially put me off. However, unlike most products which I love right from the start and get bored of, I slowly grew to love this liner. Though it was brave for Bourjois to advertise it as 48 hour lasting and waterproof, it definitely is just that. After British Airways decided to delay my already 13 hour flight to Hong Kong by a day and a half, I was forced to test their statement myself. When I looked in the mirror when I finally arrived at my hotel, my eyeliner was exactly how I had left it back in England. It also has a tiny brush that pops into the cap (no need to worry about losing/scrabbling for one ever again!) which is ideal as it enables you to make as thin a line as you want. Need I say more? This on-a-whim-buy has led me to the gel liner I can see myself using for the foreseeable future. I can't recommend this enough; try it and be converted.

BareMinerals Ready Foundation and Precision Face Brush

Bareminerals Ready Foundation £25

I don't usually experiment with foundations; mostly because-out of pure laziness-I hardly ever use them. With limited time on my hands I usually skip the step altogether and just splash a bit of moisturiser and powder over my face. Terrible, I know. And so, with the wish to abolish this horrible habit, I purchased the Bareminerals Ready powder foundation. Spreading and blending the liquid was the hassle before, so hopefully I can stick with this one! The product comes in a medium sized black compact with a small mirror inside. Looks lovely and professional but my one teeny complaint is that its made of a matte plastic (like Nars products) and so will get very dirty very quickly...

Since I'm no pro in  the guess-the-best-skin-match game, I got the lovely woman from the Bareminerals counter to help me choose the right shade for my skin. All I can say is that I'm going there again! She took moisturised, primed, set and re-did my face with the Ready foundation so that I could get a proper look on how to apply it and what it would look like in the end! I highly recommend getting shade-matched, not only for the amazing experience, but because there are around 20 shades to choose between so it can get a bit tricky. The brush she used (which I had previously purchased) is the Bareminerals Precision Face brush, and it's one of the most incredible brushes I've ever bought! It's very dense and compact, making it perfect for picking up pressed powder (like this foundation).

Precision Face Brush £23.00

I have nothing bad to say about this foundation. It easily beats others I've tried, including the benefit Hello Flawless (my most recent). It's easy, quick and really does give you medium to full coverage! It covers up my uneven skin tone (including any redness around my cheeks) and even covers red spots and black circles. If you're going to try this one I would advise you buying the brush as well, you won't be disappointed. My only fear with this foundation is that some people have said it's extremely delicate, so don't let it go rolling around your handbag as I'm sure to do in the not-too-distant-future.

The Urban Decay Primer Potion Alternative: Revlon Photoready Eye Primer

I remember when I lusted after the much coveted Urban Decay Primer Potion. Let's face it; we all have at one point. Well known for it's heavenly ability to keep your eyeshadow in place all day and night long, I was convinced I needed it in my life. Sadly, without paying, in most cases, extortionate shipping prices, it's unfairly hard to find Urban Decay (except from the Naked Palettes) in the UK. Bless the day when an Urban Decay counter appears in my nearest Boots/Superdrug...

 But! After much debate on whether it was going to be yet another waste of my money, last year I stepped up and bought the Revlon Eye Primer as an alternative. All I can say is that I'm so so glad I did! I've tried the UD Eye Potion (a friend's) and the Revlon primer definitely matches it up. It keeps my eyeshadow on all day and night without very much product. What's more: it's lasted me more than one year even though it looks so tiny and I use it almost everyday. It's also advertised as an Eye Brightener, although I can't really see how it 'brightens' my eye-it may be due to the light pink colour of the primer which is known to help brighten the eye (remember the Eye Bright from Benefit? It's exactly that colour). It also hydrates, blends, doesn't crease... Seriously,
I thoroughly recommend this one, especially for those who live in countries that don't stock Urban Decay. It's cheaper too (no surprises there...)

Toni & Guy Prep Volume Plumping Mousse

Move over Aussie Volume Mousse, you've met your match. Admittedly I was sceptical about this product at first. It's had mixed reviews from other Beauty Bloggers, but thought it was worth a try-I'd do anything to get a bit of volume in my hair. I have been using the Aussie Volume Mousse for a good year, but picked up the Toni and Guy one in the boots buy one get one half price offer. It doesn't smell as good as the Aussie one (hard to beat that amazing smell...), in fact it smells a but like aftershave (seriously!). It's a harmless smell though, and after it's applied the smell doesn't stay in your hair at all. A little goes a very long way with this-cue me having an absolute nightmare on my first time application  when my hands were overflowing with mousse. All you need is two tiny squirts and you're good to go.  When applying this I towel-dry my hair first, and then squirt a little onto my hands and rub them together. Then I scrunch it into the hair on the top of my head (and round the roots) before tipping my head upside-down and doing the same to the top of the back of my head. I dry my hair as normal and then voila! My hair has bounce and a lot more volume then it was with the Aussie Volume Mousse. I'm not saying it gives you sky-high towers on your head, but for a mousse, it's pretty damn good. I'm really happy for this product and can see myself using it for the foreseeable future. That is, until I find a new one to experiment with...

Mac Eye Brows Pencil in Spiked

I'd never really been a brow girl, until 4 months ago when my friend filled them in and I really saw what a difference it makes! Filling in your brows helps to accentuate your eyes and make them stand out, something almost every girl wants. I picked up the Mac Eye Brows Pencil during a lunch break from revision after getting tired of how my Rimmel one didn't quite match my eyebrow colour (it only comes in three shades!). All I can say is that I'm so glad I decided to swap! The Mac Brows Pencil comes in six different shades, including 5 different shades of brown so you can be sure to get a good matching colour for your brows. It's also wonderful to apply, giving just enough product to give a 'believable' eyebrow and avoid the 'coloured-in effect' (another problem I had with the Rimmel one...). I also love how it's self sharpening, making it so much easier on the go and alleviating my worries about bringing a pencil sharpener on long weekend trips! Even better, it only costs £12.50, a bargain for a Mac product, and this one is definitely worth the money. I would also recommend asking a Mac Shop Assistant for help in choosing your perfect colour.

Swatch of Mac Eye Brows (Spiked). It took about two light strokes
to get this swatch, so you can really make your brows as dark or light as you want!

In case you're wondering, to do my brows, I firstly run a brow brush through them, then apply the Mac Brows with short strokes, starting from the middle, and lastly use a brow gel (I use Barry M Clear Brow Gel) to set them as this really keeps them in place and even waterproofs them. The difference this makes to my face is unbelieveable, and now I can't even imagine leaving the house without my brows filled!

Nars and Sephora

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Kalahari 
Nars Orgasm Blush
Sephora Glossy Gloss in Confectionery

I must have the best mother ever; who else goes to a business trip and comes back with makeup for their daughter?! My mum recently came back from Milan and surprised me with these unexpected post-exam treats! The Orgasm Blush from Nars is something I've wanted for a long  time so I was absolutely thrilled to finally have it! I'm also so excited to try the Eyeshadow Duo in Kalahari, which has a taupe cocoa colour on one side, and a light muted gold on the other. I already own two other Glossy Glosses from Sephora (Cocktail on the Beach and Pink Macaroon), and although this isn't a colour I'd have picked for myself, I love it! It gives the perfect pink pout which is subtle but still visible. Reviews to come of these products! 

Recent Shopping List

1. Motel Tara Playsuit, 2. Urban Outfitters Playsuit, 3. Free People Tee, 4. Asos Dungarees, 

5. Nars Alhambra Duo, 6. &OtherStories Sandals, 7. Clarins Lip Perfectors

I've had a lot of post-exam free time lately, and  have been browsing the internet for good summer buys-despite the weather! Just thought I'd share a very small collection of amazing things I've found and want to buy. 

1. Motel Tara Jumpsuit in Black and White Polka Dot 
Motel is amazing at the moment and this playsuit is no exception. I love the cute spotty print and collar and it looks like quite a flattering fit as well. The only reason I have yet to purchase it is the price which is a pretty steep £48. It will probably be only a week more before I cave on this one though....

2. Ecote Blue Beach Day Playsuit 
Another playsuit but what can I say, I'm obsessed with them at the moment. I actually tried this on in store on a complete whim as I'm not usually a sleeveless girl, but I immediately fell in love with it. It's so lovely and comfortable and has a unique pattern and mix of purple and blues. It's from Urban Outfitters, so again not a cheap find at £38.

3. Free People Tri-Blend Double Tee Team 
Everyone once in a while I fall in love with an overpriced T-shirt, and that's exactly what I've done with this gorgeous tee. Words cannot describe how much I love it, maybe it's just because I'm a sucker for anything tie-dye. Being from Free-People, this isn't cheap either! £48 for a T-shirt. Can I justify that to myself because it's beautiful?

4. Asos Petite Exclusive Dungaree Playsuit with Deep V
Another playsuit-type item. I'm so glad dungarees are in fashion this season, I've always wanted an excuse to buy a pair (or three!). I was browsing the web for a plain black pair of dungarees, as black is my go-to colour, especially with new trends and came across this beauty. I love the deep v, as it means I can show the t-shirt I'm wearing underneath as well! They're £35, which in my opinion, isn't bad at all!

5. Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Alhambra
After being given a Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Isolde last year as a gift, it has become a favourite of mine. They have amazing pigmentation and staying-power, not to mention the wide range of colours that are offered. I was choosing between this and Key Largo, but went for Alhambra as it seemed like something I'd use more often. These can be bought for £25.

6. &OtherStories Wooden Heel Sandals 
I cannot tell you how much of a relief finding these was! I have been looking for the perfect pair of black sandals for at least three summers and I've finally found them. They are black leather with a mid-heel, perfect to give me extra height (I need it at 5'1!) but comfortable enough to wear on a day-to-day basis. And only £65, which isn't bad at all for shoes!

7. Clarins Lip Perfectors 
I've actually had my eye on these for a while, ever since I saw my English teacher using it in class! Last week I had the opportunity to try one for myself as my friend has recently purchased one, and it only confirmed how much I needed it in my life! They are smooth and balmy with a hint of colour, perfect for a no-fuss lip. I think candy-shimmer will be the one I try first. Sadly they come at a high price, as expected from Clarins, and are £17.

Pastel Nails: Forever 21

Regardless of the dreary conditions and the ever-present English rain, my excitement for Summer has spilled out onto my nails with this beautiful pastel. I picked up this gorgeous colour (called Babyface) from Forever 21 in New York, although I'm sure you can pick it up in this country too (I haven't checked though!). The varnish is a cute pastel blue, perfect for summer, mixed with minute navy speckles, purple and blue glitter. As my nails probably show, the colour comes out exactly as it looks in the bottle; the only problem being it did take me at least three coats to make it look just so. Definitely worth the effort though! And the best part? It's only $2.80!

Black and White

American Apparel Top 

Urban Outfitters Leggings

Office Boots

River Island Rucksack

I was feeling brave this morning and didn't bring a jacket! A risky move with the British weather but luckily it didn't rain! This top (one of my favourites!) was actually bought from ebay for just £12, a bargain seeing as it's originally from American Apparel-my favourite shop although my bank account doesn't agree.The leggings were probably not a weather-wise decision either but I just couldn't resist because I love them so much. Hopefully the weather lets up soon, I can't wait to get out all my summer dresses.