No7 Stay Perfect Metallic Eye Pencil Review

I’m a great lover of No7 products so naturally when I needed a new eye pencil I went straight to them. They’re a little more expensive than other highstreet brands but no where near as pricey as makeup counter brands yet their performance is outstanding.

I liked the look of this one as soon as I saw it, I got in ‘Blackest’ as I needed an everyday wear pencil and I tend to stick to black. It has a lovely glitter to it which is quite subtle when it is on but still adds a bit of glamour. It also has a very handy smudging brush at the end which is perfect for smokey eyes.

I am so impressed with this eye pencil. I used it yesterday and I got a bit tearful at church and was terrified it’d run down my face but true to it’s name it stayed perfect. I then watched a soppy film (Now is Good, if you haven’t seen it, do!) and I sobbed, literally sobbed but guess what? Stayed perfect!

It was also really easy to use and came out really well, it didn’t smudge unless I wanted it to and then it did that well too. It was really precise to use too which is great for me seeing as I’m so clumsy. It was also really soft, don’t you just hate those ones that scratch at your eyes?!

Here’s the results!

It was also a really reasonable price at just £6.50. Think I may have to get it in a couple of different colours! I am also going to award this one with the Naked Beauty Seal of Approval, well done No7, another stonking product!

Newspaper Nails

I’m a total newbie when it comes to nails but when I saw this tutorial on My Life Through the Eyes of the Web this morning I just had to give it a go and I love it. It’s one of the easiest nail art looks I’ve seen.

I selected a news piece about some of my favourite artists from the paper and cut them pretty roughly into 10 nail size pieces.

I then done 3 coats of Avon’s Speed Dry Nail polish in Prompt and Pearly, any light colour will work though. This nail polish is fantastic, it is so quick to dry that it took me the same amount of time to do 3 coats as when I do one of some other nail polish’s.

Then one nail at a time I soaked a piece of newspaper in mouth wash although any alcohol-based product (even vodka itself) will work and then I placed it gently on my nail and held it down. Carefully lift it up after a few seconds and your done! Awesome!

My nails now have Bruno Mars and Ellie Goulding all over them!

Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Eyeliner and Eye Shadow Review

I have loved Jelly Pong Pong products in the past but unfortunately this one was pretty disappointing. I didn’t receive it in a colour I even like, I’m not even sure what shade it’s supposed to be but it’s a very dark green that I can only describe as swamp green.

I love multi-tasking products – when they do what they say they are going to do, unfortunately this one doesn’t do either of it’s advertised functions well.

The colour makes it really hard to find a purpose for it, this photo makes it look much darker than it really comes out. I braved it and tried it as both a liner and shadow and I didn’t like either. The line isn’t precise enough even when sharpened fully for a liner but it also doesn’t smudge well enough to be a decent shadow. I was so disappointed that this is basically useless to me.  I won’t even put a photo up of me wearing it because it is looked awful on me. Even when I used it as a liner it didn’t stay put for long and smudged into my poor sensitive eyes.

I would try some of the other colours, the bronze and amethyst ones both look pretty and may have been better but at £10.50 I’m not sure it’s worth the risk if I’m honest. Sorry Jelly Pong Pong it just wasn’t for me this time!

Try it: £10.50. http://jellypongpong.com/collections.asp?CategoryId=3069

Has anyone else tried this? Any better luck?

My Smelly Products Tag

Leanne Talks Beauty  tagged me in her My Smelly Products Tag last week and I thought it’d be fun to do, so here are my favourite smelling products.

Fudge Urban Seasalt spray – This smells wonderful, it actually smells like Malibu and when my hair catches the wind and I get a fresh whiff of it I’m transported back to holidays.

Soap & Glory  IFoam Body Wash – This smells like peaches and cream, it’s delicious, I actually just want to eat it but it probably doesn’t taste so good! It also washed really well and the scent does stick around for a good while after.

Original Source  Raspberry and Vanilla Milk – This is probably my favourite, it smells incredibly, do you remember those Campino sweets that smelt amazing? This smells like that only better because it’s raspberry not strawberry.

Avon  Rivera Goddess Body Spritz – I Love this budget scent, it lasts ages and smells really summery.

Ghost Perfume – This is my husbands favourite perfume of mine, it has an elegant floral scent and it now holds plenty of memories for me.

Superdrug Hand & Nail Cream – My colleagues love when I start dishing this out, it smells sweet and beautiful, it’s also actually a pretty good hand and nail cream.

The Body Shop Mango Body Butter – This has got to be another of my top ones, I love fruity smells as you’ve probably gathered by now, this one is sweet and definitely smells like mango!

L’Occitane Hydration Cream – This smells quite natural and earthy, it’s quite subtle actually but both my husband and I adore the smell.

I tag:

http://trendybelleblog.wordpress.com/

http://veggiewitch.wordpress.com/

http://hopedreamwait.wordpress.com/

http://glamourousagelessbeauty.wordpress.com/

http://lombardcc26.wordpress.com/

http://nellyandnoopy.wordpress.com/

I enjoyed doing this one, hope you guys do too!

Emite Eyelash Curlers Review

I’ve always doubted the worth of eyelash curlers, why bother when you have mascara that does the same job? That was until this little friend sauntered into my life courtesy of Glossybox.

I have used eyelash curlers before but never really seen any difference, these have changed all that! I didn’t worry about heating them up as I don’t fancy burning myself and I’m lazy but they still gave a great result.

I just pressed down on my eyelashes a few times starting at the base and working up, I held for 4-5 seconds each time and voila! Beautiful curled lashes BEFORE my mascara had even been looked at! I then added a quick coat of They’re real and walked out with eyes that appeared bigger and wider, and it’s all down to the super-curler lashes gifted by the Emite Eyelash Curler.

As a bonus it also comes with spare red pads, ideal for when you’re ready to show them off to a friend but more so for makeup artists. I would never have paid near on £20 for eyelash curlers before but these are definitely worth the price, after al they will last a life time!

Try it: www.emitemakeup.com or go subscribe to Glossybox now and get them plus 4 other fab items for £12.95 inc postage!

It’s in the Bag – Professional Special

I can’t believe it’s that time of the week again, this week we delve into the rather large professional Kit of Essex-based makeup artist Kelly Rendall of Kelly’s Beautique. She can be found on Facebook  or contacted on 07568 053608 if you wish to find out more.

Without further ado let’s check out what she has lurking away! The kit is literally brimming with products galore and today we’re going to check out her top 4.

Elemis Softly Softly moisturiser

Kelly has found through experience that this is by far the best moisturiser to apply before applying makeup. It soaks into the skin efficiently leaving it fresh, revitalised and radiant. It helps the foundation to glide on effortlessly, resulting in a beautiful flawless finish.

Beautiful Brows

This is a semi-permanent brow kit, Kelly confidently states that beautiful Brows should be very proud of this product as there is no other kit like it. It includes 3 stencils – sleek, natural and bold – and they are all fantastic. You also get your colour choice of powder, a highlighter, 2 brushes and an amazing set of tweezers. Every single lucky lady she has used this for has adored it. It frames your face and eyes and is perfect for everyone from brides to everyday wear. It does exactly what it says it will do “Guarantees you have beautiful brow every time.”

Benefit High Beam

This one is now on its third appearance on the It’s in the Bag series, that says a lot. This is one of Kelly’s favourite Benefit products, she warns not to pass over the little guys, those that are maybe less well-known in the range. Kelly tells us that High Beam is great for highlighting cheek, brow and jaw bones and you only need the smallest amount to define your best features. It also helps to brighten up the whole face and looks amazing in wedding photos. I can vouch for how amazing this product is myself!

 

Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara

Kelly says this product alone proves  that you don’t need to spend a fortune to own a fantastic mascara. It’s one of the best  waterproof ones she has ever used, it doesn’t clump and produces outstanding results. The brush is perfectly shaped and sized to get from root to tip and the best part is it really is 100% waterproof and as a result Kelly uses is for every bride.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Kelly for letting us see what she uses and sharing her advice. I hope to have Kelly back for some more professional themed posts soon. If you’d like yo get involved with the series and have a link to your business or blog please email me on tams.watt@hotmail.com.

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Maybelline Baby Lips – Cherry Me Review

Reviewed by Tams

I personally don’t understand how a lip balm could get so much hype, after all it is just a lip balm, there are thousands of those available. However, I decided to give it a go to see if there really was anything special about it.

Unfortunately, I was right, it is just a lip balm. It does smell amazing, actually I want to eat it. This one – Cherry Me – smells like cherry pie, one of my favourite desserts! That alone is a good reason to buy it. I only bought the one as I wasn’t sure they were for me.

They are a little more pigmented than some others but if you’re buying it as an alternative to a lipstick you’d be very disappointed. It is probably ideal for those of us that are less inclined to where bold lipsticks. Put it this way, if I had a daughter who was around 10 this is about the level of makeup I’d let her have.

It does feel really nice on, I just don’t think it needs to be pigmented at all, it’s not enough to wear alone but too much to wear with anything else for me. As for the 8 hour hydration it’s gone within 2. I’m sure it continues to hydrate after that but 8 hours is probably pushing it a bit.

I’d recommend this product for the younger generation but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. Sorry!

Try it: £2.99 available from Boots and Superdrug

10 Festival Beauty Essentials

With less than 2 weeks until I head to V Festival at Hylands Park with one of my favourite people my attention has turned to what I need to take with me. So here’s my list of the 10 essentials that I’ll definitely have with me!

1 – Antibacterial Hand Gel – With the toilet facilities lacking and being out in the open for 2 whole days (even though I’m heading home and not camping) this is the thing I could never attend a festival without.

2 – Sleek Pout Paint – This is a festival favourite, it can be used for cheeks and lips but for me it will be used to create pretty designs, perhaps flowers for a cute festival makeup.

3 – Water – If you want to keep your skin in top condition and not be the one passed out under a tree by 3pm then you need to stay hydrated! Most festivals only allow you to take a small bottle of water into the arena with you but have taps to refill, make use of this and drink plenty of nature;s good stuff!

4 – Sunscreen – You’re outside all day, even those of us who tan are at risk in those conditions, keep your sunscreen topped up and head for shaded areas when possible.

5 – BB Cream – Save space and take a BB Cream in place of a foundation and moisturiser, a BB Cream will double up as both and stop your skin from drying out. The Body Shop All-in_one BB Cream is my favourite!

6 – Fudge Urban Sea Salt Spray – With shower facilities limited and the expectation if rain at some point there’s no point in paying out to have your hair straightened while you’re there, instead spritz in some sea salt spray for a gorgeous boho, festival look, you could add some flowers to your hair too!¬

7 – Figs & Rouge Lip Balm – The is hygienic and easy to use without a mirror, it can also be used as a cheek stain and eye shimmer. Multi-taskers are the way forward when at a festival!

8 – The Body Shop Vitamin C Face Spritz – Ideal for a quick freshen up and to keep your skin looking radiant throughout the whole weekend!

9 – Makeup wipes/ wet wipes – Don’t forget to remove your makeup in the evening and wipe your face in the morning, also a good idea for a quick wet wipe bath to stay smelling a little fresh at least!

10 – Sunglasses – Protect your eyes whilst out in the sunshine, I swear half the time you site with the sun in your eyes! Plus sunglasses will always make you look that little bit cooler. Why not select a new fun pair just for this occasion?

I hope this quick guide has been of some use to you. What are your festival must-haves?

It’s in the Bag!

Tonight I’m looking into our reviewer and photography student Maisie’s makeup bag.

I was excited when I first caught a glimpse of this kit, I’ve already spotted some old favourites and some that I’m now eager to try! Maisie has a beautiful natural look that I often envy, she looks effortless but from a first look at everything she uses it’s clear that time goes into her flawless appearance.

There’s a really good range of budget and department store brands in Maisie’s kit, everything from Benefit to L’Oreal.  In no particular order, tonight I’m going to look at her top 3.

First up is the Thick & Fast Mascara by Soap and Glory. Maisie confesses that she’s tried out a lot of mascaras but this is by far one of the best. The reasons behind this are numerous, starting with how easily it builds up without any sign of clumping. It also creates long lashes in no time at all. Maisie uses it along side They’re Real mascara for greater definition.

Next up is a product I’m not dying to try – Soap & Glory Hocus Focus Instant Visual Flaw-Softening Lotion. This is an interesting product in that it does so many different things and can be used in several different ways. It can be used as a cheekbone highlighter, mixed with moisturiser to brighten skin or mixed in with foundation for an on-trend flawless dewy look.

Maisie loves that this product softens fine lines and reduces the size of pores without any shimmer added into the mix. It creates a lovely matte finish which suits he overall look. Maisie applies it over Porefessional but under her foundation for an effortless flawless result.

Last up is a foundation that I myself have struggled with but having read Maisie’s prep I may give it a go again using the products she uses as a base first. Maisie adores this foundation, she achieves a an even airbrushed result every time, especially after using Hocus Focus first! This again doesn’t contain any shimmer that Maisie isn’t a fan off so it’s utterly perfect for her.

I’ve really enjoyed tonight’s snoop and want to say a huge thank you to Maisie for her time tonight. Next week we look into a local makeup artists professional kit, I’ve just had everything over for it and it’s going to be a good one!

Collab with Blushing Beauty – Drug Store vs Department Store

The lovely Olivia at Blushing Beauty approached me a couple of weeks back about doing a collaborative piece together. We decided to put drug store against department store to create an evening look.

I opted for department store and if I’m honest most of my items are Benefit or MAC so there isn’t a huge range but still they are department store. My evening look is usually just a bit heavier but similar to my day look. Seeing as I do have to go out today I decided not to try anything to out there and stick with the smokey eyes and elegant lips.

Here is what I used:

Benefit: Hello Flawless, Fine-One-One, Bad Girl Eyeliner, Satin Finish Lipstick, They’re Real Mascara, High Beam, PoreFessional, Smokin’ Eyes, Cupid’s Bow
MAC: Powder Blush in Mocha

I mixed the PoreFessional in with the Hello Flawless foundation to create an airbrushed look in a flash. I always create smokey eyes for the evening as they’re not something I often can get away with during the day. I used a lighter grey across the whole of my lid then a darker one in the corner. I used a very pale pink for below the brow line. I also applied some high beam under my eyebrow. I applied Bad Girl liner across the whole of my top lid and 3/4 of the way (outside to inside) on the bottom lid. I applied 2 coats of They’re real and tidied my brows with the brow wax in the Smokin’ eyes kit.

For my cheeks I used Benefit Fine-One-One as a base and to create a highlight and contour. I then applied  MAC’s powder blush over the top for a deeper result.

I used the Cupid’s bow pencil to define my lips, I also used the darker side as a lip liner then applied Benefit satin Finish lipstick in Satin Snap which is an understated neutral shade.

I curled my hair using my GHD’s, I also blowed dried it using Guy Kremer Serum and set the whole hairstyle with Guy Kremer Hairspray. Blushing Beauty will be recreating this look using drug store brands this afternoon so go and follow her and keep an eye out for that. I’m really looking forward to seeing how well the budget look comes off, I’m sure it’ll be beautiful! Thank you Olivia for working with me on my first collab!

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