June Superdrug Haul!

A little present to myself for finishing exams...

I really haven't bought much makeup recently, because I'm well aware that I already own way too much. But there have been a few things I've really wanted recently and after much thought decided to finally pick up from Superdrug.

I have tried some of these products already, so I'll let you guys know a few first impressions.

Makeup

Ignore the moisturiser, I'll deal with that in the skincare section!

I picked up some really exciting makeup bits.

Firstly is something I've been so excited to pick up, but at first I was hesitant as I do own many foundations, a lot of which I don't currently use because even though I buy the lightest shade every time sometimes it's still not light enough for my winter colour skin!

This is the Max Factor Face Finity all day flawless 3 in 1 foundation which was £11.99, supposedly a primer, concealer and foundation all in one (which is a claim that really annoys me). I got it in the lightest shade, light ivory 40. The match is perfect for me, thankfully. I still have used a primer with it, just to make the application more smooth. But I did find amazingly that I didn't need to use concealer when I used this! It gave me the medium plus coverage I needed.

I wanted to buy this because Max Factor and Covergirl have many of the same products just repackaged and under different brand names, and I felt like I was missing out every time someone raved about the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 foundation, which is clearly the same product as this Facefinity foundation. So I thought I would never get to try this product out, but thankfully it recently got released under the Max Factor umbrella very recently this 2014 Summer.

And yeah, I love it so far. The first time I tried a bit of this on my skin, applying it with the Real Techniques Essential Foundation Brush (not something I normally use), the brush and the foundation together was an amazing match and gave a phenomenal effect.

This reminds me of my favourite foundation ever, the L'Oreal True Match which I actually am in love with... But I think this Max Factor one might actually be a little better! It's early days, I tried it on briefly and I've worn it out once all night,was impressed with the results both times, but only time will tell.

The only downer is that it has SPF! I guess it's good for summer, but not those nights where you know you'll be getting photographed with flash photography, as it might cause flashback- a white cast.

It was three for two on L'Oreal, so naturally I obliged and picked up three things because I've been wanting to try the L'Oreal Paris Glamshine Stain Splash's especially the purple shade, and I thought I would buy two to test out the shade range.

They retail for £7.99 each, and I got the shades Marilyn (lighter one, on the right above, and left below), and Milady (the deeper purple pictured above left and below right).

The idea between these is that they have high pigmentation but stain your lips and so have a better staying power, and they're good.

The scent is fruity and sweet, it's beautiful, and undoubtedly the colours are beautiful. I do find they work even better on top of a lipstick (nude for the light pink one, or a deep purple for the purple one) because they enhance the colour of the lipstick and kind of seal in the lipstick because of their staining power.

And of course there are naturally comparisons to the YSL alternative, because L'Oreal and YSL are owned by the same umbrella brand.

Marilyn, Milady

Everyone always mentions this, but it really is annoying that they don't have the product name on the outsides. The packaging is beautiful though, and the applicator is sort of heart-shaped and applies quite well, although not as well as the Rimmel Apocalips applicator which is the best lipgloss applicator EVER.

So yeah, so far I quite like them, they really do stain well, I couldn't get the last of the stains of these off my swatched hand 24+ hours after and using much makeup remover! But I shall let you know how my thoughts change or develop and perhaps do a full review.

Finally for makeup, I got this single eyeshadow from the Color Riche L'Ombre Pure range in 307 Smokey. This is really hard to track down online, but I'm pretty sure this was between £3-6.

L'Oreal have some amazing eyeshadows, and this is another one. It says it's 'gel infused', and I'm not really sure what that means but I think it contributes to how super creamy, blendable and buttery this product is. The colour is also a beautiful silver shade.

I did really get this because I had already got two L'oreal products, so picking out one for free, but I do actually love this product. The pigmentation is amazing, as you'll see from the swatches below.

Single eyeshadows are something I rarely get, but this colour was so beautiful and it's something I always wear as my standard eyemakeup look for a night out, so it'll be perfect for summer. I haven't worn it on the eyes yet but I know I'll get a lot of use out of it.

However I have realised that it's almost identical to another L'Oreal silver I own, the Colour Appeal (another amazing L'Oreal eyeshadow range) in 150 'Real Silver'. The only thing that's slightly different is the texture, this one having a drier texture in comparison to the one I picked up here.

Skincare

Witch naturally clear cleansing and toning wipes, £1.99, Simple kind to skin cleansing wipes, £1.48, Freederm deep pore cleansing wipes, £1.99. They all have 25 wipes in each packet. The Witch ones I haven't tried yet, but the Simple and Freederm ones I have. This may seem an excessive number of face wipes to buy, but I'm going to use them one at a time (I've started with the Witch ones), and they'll last me for ages. 

You'll see empty-reviews of these as I finish them, letting you know my thoughts on them. I know I love the Simple ones and Freederm ones for different reasons; the Simple ones are very gentle and do clean the skin, but the Freederm ones, my personal favourites of all time, I have noticed really do make a difference to my spots, and make them a lot less horrible to go through! Seriously try these if you haven't already.

By the way, I don't souly use makeup wipes to remove my makeup. I use the Bioderma and Nivea double effects to remove my eye and face makeup. I haven't been using makeup wipes at all for probably up to a year now, but I decided to try them again just to use for a final cleanse of my skin and make sure all the last bits of face makeup are removed. I've missed having makeup remover wipes!

The Clean and Clear Dual Action moisturiser, £3.59, is a repurchase for me. I finished it back in April after it being one of my first moisturisers ever (and wrote an empty-review of it), and when I saw it I felt like I wanted to try it out again. It actually did help with spots and sank into the skin so nicely, making it feel refreshed and, well, clean. It's also oil-free so it kept my oily t-zone under control.

So those are the things I picked up!

What have you most recently bought from the shops? What makeup are you currently loving? Let me know in the comments below.

Biore; Nose Pore Strips, Empty-Review

Empties: Mini Reviews

When I completely finish a product, I upload a quick blog post reviewing it.

Today I finished a pack of pore strips from Biore. I bought them from Superdrug about six months ago.

Around the nose is the biggest area of concern pore-wise for most people, and this is definitely the case with me too. These strips get placed around the nose, left to harden, and when you peel it off it takes out any dirtiness that was clogging your pores previously. You'll see the little black dots left behind- it's quite gross actually.

Each came in a packet like this, and there were 6 in one packet. It cost around the £7 mark, which I thought was quite a lot, but there didn't seem to be many alternatives to this product in the 'drugstore' and I had heard many people talk about these from this brand, so I thought I would give them a go.

They're really easy to use and quick. I normally apply this and do a face mask on the rest of my face at the same time. 

It really does harden (like having solid paper mache on your nose), and peeling it off is therefore quite the task- it hurts, but it's satisfying. Afterwards I cleanse my face to remove any residue, and then moisturise. It leaves the skin feeling really smooth- just like freshly shaven/waxed legs hehe.

Would I repurchase this? Probably yes. It's not a necessity in my skincare routine but nice to use once in a while and no doubt these really work well.

Have you tried pore strips before? Are there any other good products from Biore you reccomend? Let me know in the comments below.

Review: Barry M Touch of Magic Lip Paint

REVIEW: Barry M Touch of Magic Lip Paint

Today I'm doing a review of this super cool deep pink stain which is £4.49 from Barry M.

Nope, it's not a green lipstick.

Unfortunately.

I'd be quite up for a green lipstick.

Ooh I think they actually do a green one in this line. Crazy.

Barry M lip paints are known for being quite drying, but this one just isn't. It's a really moisturising longwearing deep berry stain that when brushed over the lips transforms from the green as seen in the bullet.

I'm gonna show you how it works:

Moisturised lips

 Colour starts to appear as soon as it touches the lips. And it gets deeper and deeper over the duration of about two minutes.

One coat over the lips:

It gets even deeper and richer in colour.

As you can see, the appearance is extremely glossy and even has a natural finish, as the product stains the natural lips rather than coating them- meaning you won't get that annoying gross emphasis of all the cracks in your lips that makes them look really dry.

And the best thing is- it's a stain! So this colour will last you all day. I really mean that- even when you scrub with remover it just won't come off.

So I guess it really just depends if you like this colour. It might not be a stain for everyone. But I like it. And it definitely does stain the lips.

I'm not quite sure why it needs to be green in the bullet, but it's fun I guess??

So there you go!

I really want to try some more Barry M lip paints after this! They have an amazing colour selection of unique colours you don't usually see much of at the drugstore.

I want them all!

Have you tried any Barry M lip paints? Which lipsticks are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below.

Carmex; Moisturising Lip Balm, Empty-Review

Empties: Product Reviews

When I finish a product I do a quick blog post reviewing it.

Today I finished the Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm. I've had it for more than a year and you can buy it from Superdrug.

A lip balm moisturises the lips if they're dry, and is especially good to use before applying a lipstick to ensure an even finish.

It's around the £4 mark, and basically I love this stuff. No other lip balm even comes close to this for me.

You get a gentle sensation on application, and I don't know how but it seems to evaporate any dry or cracked skin- it's amazing.

Using up a massive tub like this is definitely an achievement, this lasts longer than any other lip balms I have ever bought.

This one is just in the classic scent, which I don't love loads, but it's different. I've repurchased it in the cherry flavour, and I've also tried the strawberry one but in the tube form. I think the cherry is my favourite. The one I have in the tube is perfect for popping in my bag, and also has a spf of 15 which is great.

Would I repurchase this product? I already have, and would continue to do so. This is hands down the best lip balm/ lip moisturiser I have ever tried.

Have you tried this product? What lip balms do you use? Let me know in the comments below.

Clean & Clear; Dual Action Moisturiser, Empty-Review

Empties: Product Reviews

When I finish a product I do a quick blog post reviewing it.

Today I finished the Dual Action Oil Free Moisturiser from Clean & Clear, which I bought over a year ago from Superdrug.

A moisturiser, as the name suggests, is a facial product that hydrates the skin, and therefore provides a smooth, clean base for makeup. If your face has dry patches, the makeup will cling there and look cakey. I use a moisturiser in the morning and just before bed after removing my makeup, as the act of removing makeup can dry out or distress the skin.

This is a product I really grew to love.

It's probably around the £4 mark and doesn't have much of an odour. 

It is a creamy white colour, not overly liquidy nor solid in texture. You only need a really little bit- as I demonstrated by the fact it's lasted me so long, and plus it's 100ml.

It sinks really nicely into the skin.

A few minutes after application you will feel an odd sensation, not really stinging or tingling, but somewhere in between. For me, this isn't something that annoys me in any way, in fact I quite like it, but you may be different. It lasts 5-10 minutes.

Would I repurchase this product? Definitely when a few of my other moisturisers run out.

It's one of my favourites drugstore moisturisers I've tried, I might perhaps do a whole blog post on my top drugstore skincare, especially moisturisers, so let me know if that's something you'd be interested.

Have you tried this product? What drugstore skincare products should I try? Let me know in the comments below. 

Current Nails: Barry M Lilac Foil

Currently I am wearing:

This silvery purple from Barry M called 'Lilac Foil'.

As you can tell I've been wearing a lot of Barry M at the moment, and this is another duo-chrome beautiful shade.

These are about £3, but this might have been slightly more because I believe it was a limited edition shade.

The formula of Barry M shades is usually on the thicker side, however this one despite feeling thinner still creates the opaque shade you see above in just one coat. The pictures show no basecoat or topcoat either.

It's a beautiful shade when it catches the light, and with the other colours in the 'foil' range from Barry M (silver and gold), the best part about this nail polish is it's literally completely dry within about 30 seconds. I'm not even joking it's so quick and easy to just chuck on.

Have you got this shade? What's your favourite nail polish brand? Let me know in the comments below.

March Most Used: Makeup Edition (Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer)

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (Shade 1, Fair)

Here's a new feature I'm going to be doing every month where I showcase a product (I will have makeup, skincare and nail polish editions) that I have used a lot throughout the month.

My most used makeup product in March was this concealer from Collection, formally Collection 2000.

You've probably heard this raved about on the UK blogosphere and by the youtube community.

This product is available in the drugstore in the UK and it £3.49 I think, which for a concealer (a product you use everyday, is a great price).

As you can see, all the writing on the sides has completely rubbed off. I've had this for over a year now (and it's almost out, you might see it soon in an empty-review of mine), and the packaging has come into question and under critique. But honestly, I don't see it as much of a problem. For the price it is to be expected.

Furthermore, I picked up a replacement recently (as this one is almost out), and the packaging is the same but the writing seems to be clearer on the outside. Also, there seems to be a new increased colour selection, let me know if i'm wrong, but I seem to recall there only being 3 colours and now there are 4. I still picked up the lightest shade in 1 and it seems to be almost exactly if not exactly the same. This is good for me as I am extremely pale.

I had a love-hate relationship with this product, but have come to appreciate it once again. I don't use it under the eyes as I find it does tend to crease there, and also its thickness means I think it just doesn't work the best there.

However for active spot sites, blemishes and red marks, as well as around the nose, I find this works amazingly. It lasts very long on the face and doesn't look patchy (it claims 16 hour wear). I wear this on a daily basis to school instead of using a foundation, I much prefer it this way.

The applicator is an effective doe-foot. 

The finish of this product seems to be a natural satin, verging on the matte side but still looks like skin enough.

[Today I tried centring the text in my post instead of aligning it left like I usually do- do you prefer it this way or as previous? Please let me know.]

I love this product and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good yet cheap concealer. Unfortunately it is not available in the U.S. yet, but i'm sure in the future it will emerge there as there is so much demand for it.

 What's your current most used makeup product? Have you tried this concealer? Let me know in the comments below.

Current Nails: Barry M Chameleon Blue

Currently I am wearing on my nails:

This glossy silvery grey-blue from Barry M.

It costs around the £3 mark from Superdrug or anywhere with a Barry M counter.

I have been wearing this on my nails for about a week now, opting for the lazy tactic of simply adding a new layer over the top as the current one starts to chip.

As you can see, this coat is also starting to chip at the tips. As a result of the build-up, what you see in the picture is the colour after three coats (over a week or possibly more), however the colour fully and opaquely coats the nails in just one coat, as I have come to expect from Barry M.

I've had this for ages and the formulation is still so smooth and not clumpy or thick at all.

My nails are finally starting to gain some length haha! I'm so happy. I really hate short nails on myself.

Three coats, with a basecoat. As you pile on the coats, the shade gets slightly darker

The reason it's called 'Chameleon Blue' and has the funky limited edition packaging is due to the special effect of this polish.

With the addition of a topcoat, this blue shade transforms to a reddy-bronze. This makes it extremely easy to do funky nail art designs. I have tried this method before and not only does it work well, but the colour is also beautiful. This time I just felt like using this as a plain blue though.

Have you tried this nail polish? What are you wearing on your nails at the moment? Let me know in the comments below.

Witch; Anti-Blemish Primer, Empty-Review

Empties: Mini Reviews

When I completely finish a product, I upload a quick blog post reviewing it.

Today I finished the 'Anti Blemish Skin Clearing Primer' by Witch which I bought at Superdrug.

It's around the £5 mark which I think is a really good price for how much product you get- 30ml may not seem like a lot but trust me, it lasts forever.

This is a good primer to wear to school; either under foundation or instead of it. It mattes down the skin on application and acts as a barrier between your skin and any makeup which you put on top.

This primer was a milky product somewhere in between a liquid and a mousse; it didn't run. When blended out it became clear and had a mattifying effect.

The pump to this product was amazing and allowed you to control precisely how much product you got out meaning you'd never squeeze out too much or too little.

This was my second witch product (I have tried the foaming facial cleanser which I really loved) and I probably would go back to get more because the brand seems really focused on producing things good for the skin. I can also comment on its supposed 'skin clearing' effects. One day I remember having a spot and putting this on my face with no makeup, just going out to see a friend for the day. And I did notice that it shrunk the size of the spot and started it on its way to healing. I can't say that this will certainly work for you, but it seems to be a sort of two-in-one product and I highly recommend it for that.

Will I repurchase this item? Right now I definitely have more than enough primers to keep me going (I think only one is needed, max 2), but if I'm ever looking for a cheap mattifying primer to wear on a daily basis, I will definitely come back to this one.

Have you tried this product, or will you be picking one up? What products should I try from Witch next? Let me know in the comments below.

MUA Eyeshadow Trios

MUA Trio Eyeshadow in: PINK SORBET, INNOCENCE

Some of the Best Eyeshadows on the High Street

MUA AS A BRAND has been getting a lot of hype recently, and usually this is for their eyeshadows. Their most popular products are their palettes, such as the Heaven and Earth ones which have become a big deal due to their extremely low price.

Pink Sorbet

A lot of the MUA (Makeup Academy) line sells for just £1, such as their lipsticks (of which a review is coming up shortly). The MUA line can be found at Superdrug in the UK, and this is their website. As for the price of these two trios I have to share with you today, they sell for just £2.50 which I think is an amazing price.

Unlike some eyeshadows out there, these are packed with pigmentation, and there is a lot of product in each of these little domes of colour. They will definitely last you for a long time.

MUA is a cheap hit-and-miss brand, just like ELF is. Some products are really good, and others not so much. But their eyeshadows, and particularly these eyeshadow trios are worth a try.

They come in a variety of different shades, and here I am showcasing two of my favourites.

Innocence trio swatches

As you can probably tell from the swatches, they are extremely shimmery and glittery. The two trios I have to show are full glitter, meaning that there is not a single matte colour. This, for me, is definitely not a bad thing. Sure, it's hard to make a look using just the three eyeshadows and nothing else, but who says you have to do that? Certainly the lightest colour in each palette makes a stunning everyday light glittery colour for all over the lid: you don't have to wear them all at the same time.

The good thing about the glittery-ness(?) of these products, is that they provide more of a beautiful sheen than a full on glitter. The eyeshadows have a surprisingly creamy texture (not too chalky at all) and there isn't too much fallout when using them on the lid.

Pink Sorbet trio swatches

My favourite of the two is probably Pink Sorbet because I find that I can use all three colours together for one look. Admittedly, this was for a night out at an 18th Garden Party. I really recommend using all three in conjunction if you know you'll be in a very dark environment because your eyes will look amazing. 

I still think the middle colour (the lightest shade) in the Innocence trio is just divine. If you're looking for an extremely pigmented, light bright shimmery colour for any sort of highlight (browbone, inner corner, cheekbones even) then this is perfect.

The best thing about these? The swatches shown were used on normal clean skin- aka: no primer. Yes, that is the pigmentation without a primer.

Will you be trying out these trios from MUA? Does anyone have any recommendations from the rest of the MUA line? Leave me a comment below.