High Street Blushers

L-R: Natural Collection: Dusky Pink; Rimmel London: 050 Live Pink; L'Oreal Paris: 125 Nude Pink

L-R: Natural Collection: Dusky Pink; Rimmel London: 050 Live Pink; L'Oreal Paris: 125 Nude Pink

L-R: Natural Collection: Dusky Pink; Rimmel London: 050 Live Pink; L'Oreal Paris: 125 Nude Pink

The teeny tiny brush in the L'oreal offering

The shoddy Natural Collection packaging

I recently hit pan on my favourite Nars blush and had a mini heart attack. At £21.50 a pop - it was a sad day. However, I have decided to move on and decided in a bid to prolong the life of my Deep Throat blush I would try a few high street/drugstore alternatives. 

While I was mooching around Boots a couple of weeks ago I picked up 3: one from Rimmel (£3.99), one from L'Oreal (£7.69) and a super cheap one from Natural Collection (£1.99). 

The first thing I noticed was the Natural Collection blush had broken packaging which was less than ideal. I'll keep it in my make up drawers but if you were to carry it round in your make up bag it might not go the distance. Also, the L'Oreal blush comes with a brush which is a nice idea but who actually uses these brushes?! I would rather they lost the brush and the price came down slightly. I liked the Rimmel packaging the best - slim and compact, perfect for storing!


It's really hard to pick a winner here. I would say the Natural Collection one is the loser. It's chalky, a funny colour and the poopy packaging just doesn't cut the mustard. I haven't tried any other shades so maybe there are better ones in the range. Credit where it's due, you won't find anything better at that price point. If you are quite young and just getting into make up this is for you but as a potential new favourite? It's a definite no.
So, which do I prefer out of the other two? They both have their plus points. The L'Oreal blush has beautiful shimmer running though it, is a really nice, muted colour and is great for the down days, or if you're rocking a bright lip and don't want anything too much. 
The Rimmel one is a bright, bright shimmery pink which is great for when you really want a pop of colour on the cheeks. It's really soft and easy to blend, it is very pigmented though so tread carefully.
I think they are both brilliant blushers and for the price you can't really go wrong. However, I think when my Nars Deep Throat finally goes to make up heaven I will re-purchase it. None of these fall into the 'perfect everyday blush' category. 
The L'Oreal and Rimmel both have a bit too much shimmer to be everyday (I have the same problem with Nars Orgasm - that is a serious statement blush!).

What is your favourite blush? What is your everyday shade?

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Megan xxxxx

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paints

Nail Paints L-R: Blueberry; Dragon; Lychee; Prickly Pear; Grapefruit
Swatches L-R: Grapefruit; Blueberry; Prickly Pear; Dragon; Lychee

L-R: Dragon; Lychee; Prickly Pear; Grapefruit; Blueberry

 

One Coat

Two Coats

Three Coats (a ladyyy!)

 I have loved Barry M for years and years, mentioning them here and here. I have loads of the original nail paints and when Barry M released these Gelly Hi-Shine formulas I was so super excited! I bought the shade Grapefruit, then when the new collection was released I went a bit wild in boots and picked up Blueberry, Prickly Pear, Dragon and Lychee

The formulation of these is just incredible - they apply really well, one thick coat would do if you are in a rush, two thin coats gives a beautiful, shiny look and three ensures a long lasting, sheeny shiny perfect looking nail! You could definitely get away with 2 coats - I always wear three coats of any nail polish.

The shade range is really good in my opinion, I can't pick a favourite! I think Blueberry is really nice for Spring whilst Lychee is great for this seasons 'Mannequin Nails' trend. My sister is a huge fan of Dragon (as am I!) whilst Prickly Pear (I love that name) and Grapefruit and both great staple shades.

Next I really want to get Papaya but it's always sold out when I'm in Boots or Superdrug!
.  

 Do you love Barry M as much as I do? What's your favourite shade?

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Megan xxxxx

Topshop Lip Products Collection

L-R: Lip Stick in 'Powder Room', Lips in 'Nevada' 'Innocent' and 'Whimsical'

L-R: 'Powder Room' 'Nevada' 'Innocent' 'Whimsical' 

I love Topshop make up. When I first heard they were bringing out a range (which was in 2010 by the way! How does time go so fast?!) I was a bit skeptical. Normally when clothing shops bring out make up ranges they are pretty poopy (I'm looking at you H&M, Primark, don't even get me started on you). However, their make up range is incredible! What they lack in colour choice they more than make up for in quality and value for money.

 The lipsticks are definitely the standout 
winners in the range if you ask me. I have the shades Nevada, a pink toned nude, Innocent, a blue toned bright pink and Whimsical (best name ever!!) which is a peachy coral in a matte finish. I also have one of the 'Lip Sticks' in Powder Room which is a very bright pink.

My favourite by far is Whimsical. I bought it last Summer and wore it pretty much throughout the whole season. It's bright but not too bright, an alternative to pink but still an everyday shade that isn't too out there. I had a look on the Topshop website and it's not there anymore! Having a slight panic it's been discontinued!! Innocent isn't there either. There aren't actually that many shades - Topshop better pull their 3-for-£8 frilly socks up and release (and re-release) some new shades soon!

I love all of these shades: they apply like a dream, have amazing pigmentation and smell amazing! The packaging is lovely when new but after a week or so it's grubby and if you carry it around in your bag the white actually rubs off as shown above!! I can't recommend them enough! 

The 'Lip Stick' is okay. It's quite drying and very bright. You can't sheer it out like you would a regular lipstick so you go bright or you home with this one! I actually wanted the Pillow Talk Lips but they didn't have it so I settled for this one, not quite what I wanted but nice enough and great in the Summer with a bit of a tan. This isn't on the website either but they have the same shade in Lip Crayon form.

Topshop 'Lips' are £8 and the 'Lip Sticks' are £7. 

Do you love Topshop make up too? What's your favourite Topshop lipstick?

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Essie Nail Polish Collection

L-R: Not Just A Pretty Face; Fiji; Princess Pink; Super Bossa Nova; Jamaican Me Crazy; All Tied Up; Leading Lady; Mint Candy Apple; Absolutely Shore

L-R: Mint Candy Apple; Absolutely Shore; Leading Lady; All Tied Up; Jamaican Me Crazy; Super Bossa Nova; Princess Pink; Fiji; Not Just A Pretty Face

 I am a massive fan of Essie nail polishes. They featured in this post and this post. The ones from Boots and Superdrug with the new brushes are amazing but the original brushes don't detract from the incredible quality of the formulation. 

The ones I have that you can only get online (and have the thin brush) are: 

• Princess Pink
• Super Bossa Nova
• Absolutely Shore
• Leading Lady (although this was part of the Christmas 2012 collection) 

 The rest you can get in Boots and Superdrug and have the brilliant wide brush:

• Not Just A Pretty Face
• Fiji
• Jamaican Me Crazy (Best. Name. Ever.)
• All Tied Up
• Mint Candy Apple

 Of course these are available online too but I would say, if you can, get them from Boots or Superdrug.

So, some of the polishes are really opaque (e.g. All Tied Up, Mint Candy Apple, Super Bossa Nova) whilst some of them are pretty sheer (e.g. Not Just A Pretty Face, Princess Pink). This isn't a complaint, just an observation. Sometimes you want a sheer polish to just make your hands look polished and grown up and sometimes you feel like an opaque, bright statement nail.

My top 3 are, without a doubt, Mint Candy Apple, Jamaican Me Crazy and Fiji. Mint Candy Apple is a veritable legend in the blogospere and is a bright minty green. Perfect with a tan, lovely without one - all round winner. Jamaican Me Crazy is amazing, it's a bright purplely fuchsia with fine glitter suspended in it. I only bought it cause of the name but actually really, really love it! Fiji is very, very pale pink - it's almost white. It's a bit different and I always get compliments when I wear it.

As mentioned above Princess Pink and Not Just A Pretty Face are both really sheer. Princess Pink is a blue toned, light pink. It applies sheer but if you have the patience to sit and apply 4 coats it will reach opacity but I think it's quite nice as just a shimmery coat on the nails. Not Just A Pretty Face is the sheerest of the bunch. One coat barely shows up, two just makes your nails look perfect and polished -  a real 'my nails but better' shade. My mum loves this one!

The rest are all fab too. Absolutely Shore just missed out on the top 3. A less in your face version of Mint Candy Apple which is lovely in Spring and Summer. I bought Leading Lady for Christmas then my mum treated me to a set of acrylics for an early Christmas present so I have only actually worn it once but I loved it. I think it is quite festive as it is quite opaque (which is a good thing!) so I will definitely be wearing this come Autumn/Winter. All Tied Up is a reddy brown with very, very slight shimmer. Another great one for the colder months and something a bit different. Last but by no means least Super Bossa Nova, a bright, shimmery hot pink. Applies really thickly and easily. Fab fab fab. 

I think I have definitely conveyed my love for Essie!! They aren't the cheapest but aren't the most expensive either at around £8 a pop. 

Do you love Essie too? What's you favourite shade?

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Megan xxxxx

Face of the Night #1

I wore this make up out a couple of weeks ago and think it is great for going for dinner or drinks with friends!

The first thing I did was to prep my skin with Nars Oil-Free Primer, which I don't rate very much. When this runs out I think I'm gonna try the Laura Mercier equivalent. I also popped a bit of my Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Peach on my dark circles. I love this.

 After this I used my Stila Stay All Day foundation is the shade Fair 2. I applied it using my real techniques stippling brush. This foundation is really nice but my skin is so oily it just doesn't 'stay all day' as it claims. The shade is a great match though! It is good for drinks out with friends but not much else for me. I used the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer in shade 2 to cover any redness, my dark circles and my (many) spots. 

 I filled in my eyebrows using my Rimmel eyebrow pencil in dark brown which I really rate! It's really quick and simple and looks really good. I set them with Urban Decay brow gel, the writing has all worn off and it's not clear any more!! It's been on to-buy list for some time now...

Next onto the eyes, I began with the Nars Eyeshadow Primer, which is fabulous! Then using a Mac 217 I sweeped Mac Nylon (a shimmery white) eyeshadow all over my lid, then lightly worked a bit of Satin Taupe  

(shimmery greige) into the outer corner, quite lightly as I wanted the eyes to be quite simple. I used L'oreal Super Liner in Black Vinyl to line the upper lashline and winged it out into a flick. I then lined the upper and lower water lines with the Rimmel Scadeleyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Black. These are AMAZING! I have the nude one as well and they stay put on the water line a really long time! I curled my lashes using my Models Own Eyelash Curlers which are incredible and really, really cheap! I used Maybelline 'The Falsies' mascara in Extreme Black on my upper lashes and my Clinique Bottom Lash mascara on the bottom ones. Both of these mascaras are incredible and I can't recommend them enough!

Next I went back to finish the skin. I powdered the foundation using Mac Studio fix in NW15 which is a tad light but as I used Nars Lugana Bronzer to warm up my face and contour my cheekbones it wasn't an issue. Both these products are amazing - I can't believe I hit pan on the bronzer already! I used Nars Orgasm blush on my cheeks and Mac Mineralise Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle down the centre of my nose to slim it down and a little bit in the inner corner of my eyes.I didn't put it on my cheeks as the blush is already really shimmery.

I used my Rose&Co Strawberry Crush lip balm on my lips, which I have had for ages and is still going strong! I finished the look off with a Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in shade 320 Funtime Fuchsia.

If you managed to read all of that post WELL DONE! It's taken me ages to write but I have quite enjoyed it! 

Have you ever done 'Face of the Day/Night'? What's your favourite going out look?

Mini Topshop Beauty Haul

Topshop Glow Highlighter in 'Polish' - £9 Topshop Cream Blush in 'Head Over Heels' - £6

 On the same day I went to the vintage fair, see this post for full details. When I was in town I popped into Topshop to pick up the cream blush that my friend Hollie recommended and that I have been eyeing up for ages. I love everything I have ever bought from the topshop make up line so has this latest purchase lived up to my high expectations?

I got it in the shade Head Over Heels which is a gorgeous coral shade. It is a cream to powder blush, I applied a little bit just now over powdered make up and it worked fine although I do think it would look even better over non powdered skin. I think it would last better with a little translucent powder dusted over the top as well, due to my super oily skin!
The colour looks a little scary in the pan but built up in light layers it looks really pretty! I used a real techniques stippling brush to apply it which worked really well. I only popped it on for this post but I really like it. If I really like it no doubt it'll turn up in a favourites post soon. 

The highlighter I first spotted a couple of weeks ago and really liked but I thought it was a bit expensive so decided to leave it and decide if I still wanted it and I did! It's sold as a highlighter but when I swatched it in the shop I thought it wouldn't be much cop as a face highlighter but would be a really pretty inner corner highlight for my eyes. However, when I got it home I thought I would try it on my cheekbones and good grief it looked amazing!! Not too shimmery, not too shiny not too gold - it's perfect! When I put it on my cheeks I used the tiniest amount, warmed it between my fingers and applied it lightly and blended it with my fingers. I don't think this would work with a brush - it may apply a little heavy. It's really soft and creamy and I really like it. 

It will be intersting to see how these fare in the hotter months - they might just slide right off but I hope not! I'll keep you posted.

Sorry for the horrid photo! I was super tired after a day of shopping but really wanted to show what it looked like on the cheeks!

Have you tried any of the topshop make up line? What's your favourite item?

Topshop make up is available from all big topshop stores and topshop online.

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Monthly Favourites March 2013

Being Human; Diptyque Baies; Jo Malone Lime, Basil & Mandarin; Maybelline The Falsies Mascara; Revlon Lip Butter; Soap & Glory Lid Stuff; Boots Botanics Eye Cream; Nars Blush; Nars Bronzer

Boots Botanics 'Radiant Youth' Eye Cream (£6.99).  This month the skin around my eyes has been pretty dry so I've been using this to try and combat it. I moisturise daily but only use eye cream every other day as my eyelids can get pretty oily but have upped it to daily this month and it's done wonders. I really recommend this as it's quite light but really moisturising.   

Diptyque Baies Mini Candle (£20). I'm a big candle fan, I love sitting in my room with a good movie on and a candle burning. I've lusted after a Diptyque candle for quite a long time and finally settled on Baies. It's a mixture of rose and blackcurrent leaves and just gorgeous. I'm not normally a fan of rose scents but this one isn't over powering and calmed by the blackcurrent leaves. I have my eye on Viollete next - it smells like parma violets! 

Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin (£76). Jo Malone's signature scent - a mix of peppery basil which cuts through the sharp, summery smell of limes. I got this for Christmas but have been wearing it lots this month. A perfect fragrance for Spring/Summer and a lovely alternative to Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb which is my normal everyday scent.   

Nars Blush in Orgasm (£21.50). This is a one of those products that gets a lot of coverage in the blogosphere and it is totally justified. It's bright pink, with a lot of gold shimmer running though it. If you use this you really don't need highlighter so it is a one stop blush - great for days when you've slept it! Nars blushes are great quality and worth every penny! I highly recommend! 

Nars Bronzer in Laguna (£24). Another renowned product in the beauty world and rightly so! I had a bit of fake tan on for half of this month and I never put it on my face so relied on this to bronze me up a bit. I use this daily for contour and it is definitely a holy grail item for me! Everyone needs one of these in their make up bags! 

Maybelline The Falsies Flared (£7.99). After singing the praises of Rimmel Extra wow mascara here I went totally back to my mascara whore ways and bought this and I am so glad I did! It has a curved, bristle brush and is very black. You can build it up and up without it going clumpy at all! It is drying up a tad so I am going to try the Black Drama one next.

Soap & Glory Lid Stuff in What's Nude (£10). I bought this ages ago and go through phases of loving it. All the shades are matte bar one which has a light shimmer. It's great for everyday wear and really easy to apply. The eyeshadows are so soft and really pigmented.  I think this is a total bargain as the quality is on a par with mac and this quad would cost over £40 there! The packaging is great too as it is super compact!

Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart (£7.99). Everyone and their Granny should have one of these. This shade is Sweet Tart and is a really soft pink (look up for it popping up in a post next week!). Perfect for Spring, light but pigmented, nourishing but looks nice - it's perfect! I bought Tutti-Frutti today which is an orange shade and I think would be great for the coming months! All round perfect product which is worth every penny! 

Being Human. Being Human is my favourite show ever. (Aside from perhaps Doctor Who but who doesn't love Doctor Who?!). This programme (in case you don't know) is about a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost living together in a house and trying to 'be human' - clever huh? It is nothing like twilight however, it is truly different to anything in the supernatural drama genre. It has one of my favourite actors in it, Russell Tovey, and I would recommend it to anyone! There is an American version but I have no interest in it at all, after seeing the way they 're-imagined' Life On Mars I have steered clear of American versions of British shows! American tv shows are great, British tv shows are great and lets leave it at that! (Don't even get me started on Skins!!). The 5th series of Being Human ended a couple of weeks ago and was the last ever series.I'm not going to lie, I cried at the end. Anyway I bought series 1-4 boxset about a month ago and have pre-ordered the 5th. If you are in the market for a new tv show to get your teeth into I can't recommend this more! It has everything - tears, laughs, heart stopping moments and very hot vampires and werewolves! GO BUY IT NOW! 

That's all my monthly favourites for March. This has taken me ages to write because I just signed up for netflix and have Ashes to Ashes open on one tab and blogger in the other! Reminded slightly of revising for my exams at school! Such a good student *ahem*! We all did it!

What's your favourites for this month? What's you favourite TV show?

*SIDENOTE - Boots have a 3 for 2 on at the moment!!! GO GO GO!!*