Tag: How much is your face worth?!

I've seen this tag floating around for a while and I think it's so interesting to read, so I thought I would do it for you.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation: £9.99

Clinique Airbrush Concealer: £16.50

MAC Studio Fix Concealer: £14.00

MAC 'Well Dressed' Blusher: £17.50

Benefit 'Hoola' Bronzer: £22.50

Benefit Browzings: £22.50

MAC 'Painterly' Paintpot: £14.00

NARS 'Alhambra' Eyeshadow Duo: £24.50

MAC 'Wedge' Eyeshadow: £12.00

No7 'Fanomenal' Mascara: £13.50

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Powder: £3.99

Burts Bees Lipbalm: £3.69

Any MAC Lipstick: £14.00

Total: £178.17

Honestly, I'm pretty shocked but it was the around the number I had in mind when I started thinking about this. I would say I do use mainly mid-range products - MAC and No7 aren't cheap, but they're not extortionate. If you were to tally up my skin care, which is mainly Clinique and Clarins, then we might have a much higher number up there! It is startling to see the amount in black and white though. This doesn't account for any tools either - such as brushes and eyelash curlers. I love make-up but I do think I'm fairly sensible with it because I do try and keep the number of products on the go to a minimum.  Items like eyeshadow and lipstick, I have tons of but things that will expire, like mascara, I will generally only use two/three maximum at a time. So while that is a massive number up there, I use nearly all those products every day and will only vary the eyeshadow/lipstick.

Review! Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation!

It was a sad moment for me when I realised I was coming towards the end of my beloved Chanel Vita Lumiere. I still had some left but I wanted to save it for special occasions and being premature of my next pay packet, I couldn't afford to replace it. So I headed off to Boots with the intention of giving Revlon's famous ColourStay foundation a try but while I was there I spied something better.

It was this little gem from Bourjois. I'd recently found out that Bourjois were cruelty free after thinking for so long that they weren't so I was quite excited to try it out. It has 4 different fruit extracts in it, each one working together to make your skin appear radiant and flawless. It claims to last for 16 hours, with a primer it may last up to about 8 or 9, but it will generally last about 6 on me. But thats 6 hours of flawless coverage and it only starts to fade a little bit, it still looks really great after this time - just not perfect.

I really, really love this foundation. I may even go as far as saying I like it better than the Chanel Vita Lumiere! It has a lot of the same aspects as Chanel Vita Lumiere - it applies beautifully and flawlessly, but still looks really natural. I think it applies better than the Chanel foundation because it doesn't cling to any dry patches and sinks in much better. The Chanel foundation always looked better after an hours wear, it needed that time to settle into the skin. The smell of the Bourjois foundation is lovely too, you can really smell the fruit extracts. I find this foundation applies best with a flat foundation brush, I use the MAC 190. I'm really excited to try the Healthy Mix concealer now!

My Make-up History tag!

Oh no, over a week since my last post - this is not good at all! What can I say dear readers? The only explanation I have for you is that I've been so busy since my last post. I finished placement (thank god) and I've moved back to my london flat so I've been doing things with different societies and generally chilling after placement. But that is no excuse, and I'll be back blogging much more regularly before you know it.

So today, I'm doing a tag for you guys and it's the My Make-up History tag! I spotted this over on Shannon's blog RasberryKiss which you can check out here.

1. How long have you been wearing makeup?

I think I started wearing make-up when I was about 12/13 but that was just your basic mascara and foundation. I really got into different brands and products when I was 16/17. 

2. What was your favourite makeup product in the beginning?

It was probably the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation! Oh those were the days!

3. What is your favourite makeup product now?

I think it's red lipstick or, failing that, any bright lipstick. My favourite one at the moment is the Rimmel London Kate 01 shade or a lovely Barry M limited edition shade 201 called 'Valentine'

4. What were some of your favourite brands in the beginning?

I really liked Max Factor, and to this day I still think they are a great brand - I just wish they were cruelty free! I was really into Natural Collection and I still really like them.

5. What are some of your favourite brands now?

MAC*, NARS, and Revlon. My tastes have changed a bit!

6. How would you describe your makeup style?

I generally go for quite natural make-up - I don't like to look fake or cakey, but I like to have flawless, glowing skin.

7. What is your everyday makeup like?

Usually a neutral eye using a MAC* Paintpot in 'Painterly', or my Revlon Smokey Shimmer Stick in 'Torch', with any bright lip colour.

8. What is your going out makeup like?

I generally go for more of a smokey eye using MAC* or NARS eyeshadows, and a few No7 ones I have. I then often for for something like 'Creme Cup' by MAC* on the lips and I will bronze up my skin a lot more.

9. What makeup look are you known for?

Ooh a tricky one here! I would say my statement bright lips but people do often comment on having glowing skin so I'm not sure. You will have to ask my friends!

10. What is the worst beauty crime you have committed?

Ooh wearing too much blusher. I'm really pale and I didn't really realise that blusher needed to be matched to your skin like every other, so I'd have like white skin then these patches of bright pink blusher. CRINGE.

11. What is the worst beauty crime you are proud to have not committed?

I never had orange foundation lines, I was always really careful to match my foundation correctly.

12. What is one beauty trend your were part of but now aren't a fan of?

I'd agree with Shannon here and say the overly khol lined eyes.

13. What is one trend you are proud to say you were never a part of?

The blue eye-shadow and red lipstick trend. The thought makes me shudder!

14. What is one look you will never go for?

The scousebrow. Or, having really thick eyebrows pencilled in. I have quite thin eyebrows, so I fill mine in softly and only where there is actually hair there. I cannot understand this obsession with making eyebrows massively thick when it's so obvious that they are drawn in.

15. If you were brave enough to wear any look what would it be?

I think I'm actually pretty brave with make-up looks. I suppose I would love to do a really dark, rock-chick style smokey eye but other than that, I'm alright for daring make-up.

16. An old Holy Grail product of yours?

Max Factor 'False Lash' Mascara. I went through so many tubes of this and, honestly, I don't think I've found a cruelty free one I love as much as I loved that one. Max Factor, please go cruelty free just so I can use your mascara again!!

17. A new Holy Grail product of yours?

My Clinique Airbush Concealer. I love this thing to death, you can read my review of it here

I tag anyone who reads this to do this, either as a post on your blog or in the comments below! I'd love to hear what you guys think so please let me know :)

MAC 'Jest' & 'Wedge'

I thought I'd share with you one of my favourite eyeshadow combinations for a really natural, neutral smokey eye. I have blue-grey eyes so I tend to go for brown/gold/pink colours as these tend to look the nicest on my eyes, and really makes them 'pop'.

I've had 'Wedge' for quite a while and use this often with my beloved NARS* 'Alhambra' Eyeshadow Duo but I recently purchased 'Jest' and these two colours just look so beautiful together. 'Wedge' is a really natural, light brown matte colour that is great for adding shape and definition through the crease. 'Jest' is a stunning golden-pinky-peach colour in a frost finish that is so, so lovely and has enough shimmer in it to catch the light.

I use a neutral cream eyeshadow such as MAC* Paintpot in 'Painterly' as a primer then sweep 'Jest' all over the lid. I then apply 'Wedge' through the crease and blend this towards the outer corners. It's a really natural but gives a great smokey texture and finish to my eye. It's so simple, yet so effective!

Soap & Glory 'Hand Food' Hand Cream: Review!

Soap & Glory was one of those brands I'd never given much thought. I'd always heard good things about their products, and I knew they were cruelty free but I'd never really head to that section when in Boots. However I needed a really good hand cream to rescue my hands from all the damage caused by the hospitals anti-bacterial gel and I had heard such great things about this product. So I decided to pick it up and give it a try and I do not regret it! This is such an amazing quality hand cream. I get dry patches below my knuckles and this really makes them so much better. It smells so lovely as well, it's got a very sweet, marshmallow smell to it. 

This is quite a 'slippery' hand cream, as in you have to leave it to soak in for ages otherwise you can't do anything. This isn't really great if I use it in placement, I applied some earlier this week and then I couldn't even get the lid off my pen! I get around this by applying this on my lunch break if needed, and then when I get home from placement. 

This is the small 50ml size which cost £2.50 from Boots, but I shall be purchasing the 125ml version for £5 when this runs out. 

August Favourites!

I know, a very late August favourites but these are the products I have been really enjoying this month. I've been going for a very natural look this month as I've been on placement for nearly all of it and so, while I am allowed to use make-up, it's not necessarily been appropriate to wear a lot of it. 

Soap and Glory 'Hand Food': This has been such a life-saver this month! If anyone works in a hospital or has spent a lot of time in hospital, then you'll know about the spirogel that needs to be applied before entering or leaving a ward. This has been completely destroying the skin on my hands and this doesn't make it completely relieved, but is definitely helping to protect my skin and make it feel nice and soft. The smell is so nice too! I'm going to be doing a full review on this soon.

Real Techniques 'Blush Brush': I got this brush for my birthday and I've used it every day since to apply my blusher. It's tapered and so the precision is great, it doesn't deposit too much product on your face and is great for blending. It's so soft and doesn't have any fallout either. I love it.

Focus Dailies One-Day Contacts: This is a weird one, I know! I don't normally wear contacts as my eyesight is not that bad but I decided to get some for placement as if I am trying to see things such as ward signs from far away and I don't have my glasses on then it would give me a headache and I just generally thought it would be easier for placement. These contacts are so easy to use and I can wear them for so long without my eyes getting irritated or dry. 

No7 'Fanomenal Lashes' Mascara: I've done a review on this mascara already so you can check that out here, but I generally love this mascara and I've been using it everyday for the past few weeks.

Revlon ColourStay 'Smoky Shadow Stick': When I first got this, I really didn't like it. I just didn't think much of it and I didn't think it was gonna do much. Nothing particularly against the product, but I just didn't really see the point of it almost? But I've tried it a few times and eventually found a great way to wear it, and I can blend this in so well to wear in the day. I don't think it gives a smokey eye as such, but it does have a lovely effect and I have been wearing it a lot. 

MAC* 'Well Dressed' Blusher: This is such a great natural blush that I think everyone should have it their make-up bag. It's the perfect light pearly pink shade that is so buildable and beautiful to wear every day.

NARS* 'Alhambra' Eyeshadow Duo: I featured this in a haul a few months ago, and since then I've been wearing it so much! It is really, really stunning and NARS eyeshadows are one of the best on the market. Their quality is incredible and all the colours are beautiful. I have been wearing the peachy-pink shade of this duo the most and this looks lush with blue eyes!

MAC* Paintpot in 'Painterly' (not pictured above): This is a great natural beige shade that can be used as either a base for shadow or on it's own as a very neutral your-skin-but-better shade. Love it!

Burts Bees Lipbalm: This is a favourite every month really as it is my absolute, all time favourite lipbalm but this month I could not have lived without it! My lips have been so dry, the wards are so so hot and humid and this has been an absolute saviour. 

Topshop 'Whimsical' Lipstick: This is a really pretty peach-pink shade lipstick which is great for summer. Topshop have a great formula for their lipsticks and this is one of my favourite shades of theirs. They've brought out a few new shades which I shall have to go and check out!

Revlon Lip Butter in 'Strawberry Shortcake': When these first came out, I was obsessed with the Rasberry Pie shade of the lip butters but more recently I've been wearing this really cute pearly pink shade. There's not much I can say about the lip butters that you probably haven't already heard, but they are so so great. Definitely check them out!

Tangle Teezer: I've written a full review on this which I will link here, but I generally have been obsessed with this recently. It's great if you have thick hair that does get tangled easily like mine. 

Thats all from me! I will see you soon.

Review: Bourjois Magic Nail Varnish Remover!

It's just a quick review today because I am absolutely knackered after placement and am subsequently in bed at 8pm. Living the high life! I've been wanting to review this for a while and just haven't got around to it. Bourjois Magic Nail Varnish Remover is a nifty little beauty product that eliminates cotton wool in the nail varnish removing process (take that cotton wool!) and claims to cleanse your nails in 1 second. If your incredibly lazy like me, then this will sound like the best thing since sliced bread!

 It definitely is easy, you simply put your finger into the hole (oo-er) and give it a little twist for about 5 seconds and it does come out lovely and clean and nail-polish free. It definitely takes more than 1 second to remove all the nail polish. It smells nice and fruity and doesn't have that horrible acetone smell that generic nail polish removers do, which means it is that little bit more pleasant to use. I would say it arguably removes more nail polish than my usual one as I don't find I have so much colour staining on my nails after wearing polish when I've used this to take it off. I wouldn't necessarily say it is easier/any less effort to use than using a cotton wool, but it is definitely move fun and I suppose it is quicker than using cotton wool.

I really like this, my only concern is how quick the sponge inside is going to dry out. If that is not an issue, I would definitely re-buy this. It isn't extortionately prices either, retailing for £4.99.

No7 'Fanomenal' Mascara Review!

Yes, it's another mascara! No7's new mascara 'Fanomenal' promises a fuller fan lash, with a unique 'star' brush which supposedly allows better control with the wand. I would be inclined to agree with this.

At first when I pulled out the brush, I was like "Oh great! What good is this gonna do?!" but after using it, I think it's a really nifty little brush. It doesn't deposit too much mascara onto your lashes which allows you to build up the volume without clumping. It's not great for curling, but I use my eyelash curlers anyway and it holds in this curl just fine. It gives amazing length, my eyelashes look huge with this mascara and it definitely gives a fuller 'fan' effect. Some people have mentioned about this being quite a 'wet' mascara, meaning it can transfer to your eye-lids when applying to the bottom lashes. I haven't especially noticed it with this mascara any more than any other mascara, and hadn't even thought about it until seeing it mentioned in a few reviews.

Overall, I really like this mascara. It doesn't beat No7 Exquisite Curl which is one of my all time favourite mascaras but I have been using it every day for the past few weeks and I do really, really like it. This mascara retails for £12.50 but I managed to get it half-price. I'm not entirely convinced I would repay the full price to buy it but if I had one of the £5 off No7 voucher that Boot's always give out, I probably would.