March Favourties

Hi Everyone,

It seems like forever since I wrote last months favourites, This months favourites are mostly high street products, that Ive been loving for a while and rediscovered or just newly found products! The only product that's been the same from last months favourite has been the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.

Firstly I have two kind of Body Products, To start with I have Soap and Glory's Righteous Butter. Which Ive started using, every few days, to prepare for the warmer months (If we ever get any!) I love the smell of this and Just how it feels on the skin, You can read a full review on it here though.

Next up is a Body Spray by Natural Collection at Boots in Mango and Papaya, I used to use the Natural Collection many years ago, So when I got this for Christmas I thought id give it ago, Ive only finally got round to using it daily and I love it, Its really fresh and Fruity and great for these spring month's!

I haven't been into so many make up products this month, Ive been keeping it very minimal. Two Products I couldn't live without this month are:

Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Unrequited: I did a review on this recently which you can find here. But Ive been loving this, this month to kind of brighten up my skin a bit more, Ive never really liked Blushers, But this one has converted me, I just don't want it to end though as its discontinued :(.

Collection Sheer Loose Powder in 1 Barely There: I have been on the hunt for a powder that doesn't turn me orange and is way too dark for my skin tone. After nearly splurging at MAC, I found this at the back of my collection and its been amazing, It doesn't turn my foundation any darker and keeps my make up set for about 8 hours id say before id have to touch up, This is a new found staple!

Lastly Ive been loving Barry M Textured Effect Nail Paint in Ridley Road, I did do a review on this too a while ago which you can read here. Mint is my favourite at this time of year and Ive been non stop wearing this, this month and I'll probably be non stop wearing it next month too!

What have been your favourites this month? Have any of these been a favourite?

Eloise x

I ❤ Spring Tag

Hi Everyone, 

I thought Id have another try at a tag Ive seen popping up recently, the I heart Spring Tag! I noticed two of my favourite Youtuber's had given it a go, FleurDeForce and MissGlamorazzi, so I thought I might too!

1. Favourite spring nail polish?

Barry M Nail Paints in Mint Green, Ridley Road and Greenberry

I knew straight away what my favourite Spring Nail Polish colour would be, Which made it very easy to choose my favourite Nail polish or 3...

I love Mint Green Nail Polish, My first ever Barry M Nail Paint was Mint Green and its been my favourite ever since. Plus with the Two new Mint releases Ridley Road and GreenBerry, I just couldn't choose!

2. What is your must-have lip colour this spring?

MAC Lipstick in Chatterbox
My must have Lip Colour has to be Chatterbox, It just ties into being with the Bright Lips trend without being too bright and I think its great to make that statement lip without going extremely bright pink.

3. Show us your favourite spring dress!

H! By Henry Holland - Blue Stripe Daisy Dress
My favourite Spring dress has to be the one I bought today from H! By Henry Holland, I just love Henry and I love this dress, Especially to go with my Henry Holland Jacket. Its very in with the floral print right now and the collar. I just wish it could get a bit warmer so I can wear it!

4. What's your favourite flower?

I don't really have a favourite flower I guess I like Rose's and Daisy's, But Ive never really had a favourite.

5. Favourite spring scarf/accessory?

H&M Rose Gold Link Bracelet - Ive seen in store but not online 
My favourite Accessory last year was this Rose Gold Link Bracelet, I wore it constantly and I can see myself wearing it a lot again this year. I want to get into wearing scarfs this year, Ive never really been a scarf person, But I'm currently eyeing up another Henry Holland item in the shape of a scarf....

6. Favourite spring candle?

Yankee Candle Tart in Wedding Day

In the spring I like fresh scents, I like wedding day because its fruity and floral, I also Love there linen candle but I don't have any at the moment as that's a really clean and fresh scent!

7. What spring trend(s) are you most excited about this year? (Makeup, fashion or both!)

Ive loved the Lip Trends such as Matte and Bright, So I cant wait for the sun to appear so I can start using them, I also love that one of the trends is Pink, So I can incorporate that into the Lip Trends too and Clothing!

8. Favourite body spray/perfume for spring?

Body Shop Body Mist in Japanese Cherry Blossom
Again I don't like too heavy scents in the spring, I like them to be fresh and this is a really fresh but floral fragrance I love during the spring and its so light as its a Body mist!

9. What is spring like where you live?

Currently Snowy and Freezing I just want the Sun to come back!

10. What's your favourite thing about spring?

The trends and getting to crack out the Brighter and Pastel Nail Polish and Clothes and just finally having a bit of warmer weather!

11. Are you a spring cleaner?
Not really but I am clearing out A LOT this year, But Ive never really been a spring cleaner before.

12. Any plans for spring break or an upcoming vacation?

In the UK we don't really have spring break, However I am going away for a week next week, But hopefully if all goes to plan there's still be more blog posts being uploaded!

I Tag everyone to give this ago! What are your Spring Favourites?

Eloise x

Oz The Great and Powerful by O.P.I

Ive been hunting down this collection since it came out and Ive finally got it! Ive been most excited for What Wizardry is This?, When Monkey's Fly and Lights of the Emerald City. I have found a few secret surprise favourites though too!

I wish there was maybe a green for the Emerald part and maybe a Gold/Yellow for the Yellow Brick road, But I love the selection there is in the collection as it is too.

I Theadora You: This is a Soft baby Pink, which is sheer, I found two coats was maybe enough for this one, But one more coat would definitely have it opaque, This would have to be my favourite Soft Shade in this collection, I may even "Need" the full size.... oops!

Don't Burst My Bubble: Is a very sheer, Pale Pink kind of, Of white colour, I found this was really sheer compared to I Theadora You, I only did two coats, But that's not even enough, You'd need around 3-4. I do love the colour I just wish it wasn't so sheer!

Glints of Glinda: I have to admit this is the shade I was least excited for, I'm just not a huge fan of plain browns. This was the most sheer of them all, Its a soft caramel beige sort of colour, I found this did make my nail tips go a bit yellowy which wasn't nice.

What Wizardry is This?: This is the only liquid sand in the collection, I didn't really like the liquid sand colours except from one in the Mariah Carey collection, But I do love this one and its cute little mini too! Its a brown colour with gold shimmer, I'm not sure if I like this more with a topcoat or without yet.

When Monkey's Fly: This is a gold glitter jumbo size, with holographic glitter running through it in a clear base. This was one of the glitters I was most excited for, I do find that some of the gold glitter curves and some of it will lay flat, I did find this a little annoying.

Which is Witch?: A holographic Glitter with a clear base, The holographic glitter is big and small chunks of glitter with a bar glitter too. I really like this glitter as it packs it on in just one stroke, I think this was the glitter I was the least excited about as well but its exceeded expectations.

Lights of the Emerald City:This is probably the glitter I was most looking forward to as its really different to anything Ive seen before, Its a clear base with white squares and small iridescent square glitter. I do wish this applied a little more glitter in one stroke though.

(Swatched - Left To Right: Don't Burst my Bubble (2 Coats), Glints of Glinda (2 Coats), I Theadora You (2 coats) , Lights of Emerald City (1 Coat) over Don't Burst my Bubble (2 Coats))

(Swatched - Left To Right:Which is Witch? (1 Coat) over Glints of Glinda (2 Coats), When Monkey's Fly (1 Coat over) I Theadora You (2 coats) , What Wizardry is This? (2 Coats), What Wizardry is This? with a Top Coat)

Overall I like most of this collection, I do wish it didn't take more than two coats on the sheerer shades and that Lights of the Emerald City packed a bit more glitter, But both of those can be sorted with just another one or two coats.

I do love this collection and I may have to go purchase some full sizes of the mini's too! My bank account wont like this!

You can find O.P.I in the uk at Lena White and Nail Polish Direct!

Have you tried any of this collection? Which are your favourites in the collection?

Eloise x

Mini Illamasqua Blusher Collection

Hey, 

Today I have my mini collection of Illamasqua Powder Blushers, if you can even call two a collection. Ive never really worn blusher as it always kinda scared me. But I got a Illamasqua Blusher in a Mystery Illamasqua box and instantly fell in love.

The two I have in my collection are Unrequited and Nymph, Both are matte blushers, Ive tried blushers before with lots of shimmer and glitter, So I think the fact that these are matte are part of the fact why I Love them so much.

Both are highly Pigmented and on my super pale skin I really don't need a lot, so it looks like I've hardly dented the pan, Which I'm kinda glad for as it means they last a long time.

I also love the Packaging of the Illamasqua Blushers, which some people do find cheap, But I just love the fact they're different to typical packaging and look sleek in black. Plus the little window so you can actually see what colour it is really helps. The only down side to the packaging is the fact the name of the blush rubs off really easily, which can be a nightmare!

(Swatches - Left to Right: Unrequited Blended using a brush, Unrequited Swatched)

Unrequited was my first Illamasqua Blush, Ive used this now for about 4 months and I can hardly tell Ive used it. Unrequited is quite a warm soft baby pink, The camera has made it show up a bit darker than it actually is. Sadly I recently found out its been discontinued *Sobs* so I better start using Nymph a lot more!

(Swatches - Left to Right: Nymph Blended using a brush, Nymph Swatched)

I got Nymph when I went to the Illamasqua Beauty Transformation session, I haven't used this one as much but I do love it, Its a warm candy pink, I thought it was slightly similar to Unrequited but it is quite the bit lighter. 

The wear time for both of these is actually quite good even on my oily cheek area. You get 4.5g of product for £18 and they do seem to last forever. I cant wait to get my hands on more colours, I have been eyeing up Tremble, Katie and Hussy so they'll be next on the list! 

You can get Illamasqua blushers Here.

Have you tried any Illamasqua Powder Blushers? Which are your favourites?

Eloise x

L'Oreal GlamShine Stain Splash Review

Today my review is on the much hyped L'Oreal GlamShine Stain Splashes, Ive been desperate to get my hands on these after hearing they are great dupes for the YSL Glossy Stains, Which Ive been dying to get my hands on too!

I'm not a huge fan of the packaging of these, I definitely prefer the YSL Packaging. I like how they click lock, I just don't like the look of the packaging, then again I'm not really a fan of gold unless its rose gold.

The shade I got was Romy, I found there wasn't many shades, apparently there are eight shades in total, but boots only stock six, so I'm not sure why they're not all out in every store instead of just a few. Romy is a kind of bubblegum pink shade when swatched, but when on the lips its a dusty pink shade, Id really like to try Lolita too.

The actual wand is very similar to the YSL wand too, It has a dip in the middle like a reservoir for more product, which is really handy. A lot of people have also said they don't like the smell of these glosses but I love it, It is just like a artificial berry smell and taste though which has been putting people off.

The application of these is quite watery, but it soon turns into a gel like consistency which is rather weird at first, Ive been using 2-3 coats of this. The 1st coat to stain the lips and the 2nd to make them glossy. Sadly I don't have one of the amazing YSL ones to compare the pigmentation of them, but from pictures Ive seen they're not too different, maybe just one more coat to reach the same pigmentation as the YSL stains.

They last really well, Ive worn it for about 4-6 hours without touching it up.

(Swatches - Left to Right:) 1 Coat of Romy, 2 Coats of Romy, 3 Coats of Romy)
(The IPhone camera has turned them more red as well!)

Overall I really love this product and cant wait to get my hands on some other shades, The only downside for me is the fact that the packaging is gold. But other than that I think these are a great little dupe for the YSL Glossy stains and definitely a lot cheaper too just around 1/3rd of the price!

You can get these at Boots and Superdrug in the UK (Superdrug has 8 Shades while Boots has 6).

Have you tried the L'Oreal GlamShine Stain Splashes? Or the YSL Glossy Stains? What do you think about them?

Eloise x

Benefit Face Date

Hi,

I went along to a Benefit Face Date that bot me and Mary had been invited to, Sadly Mary was ill and couldn't make it. So I just went along myself, It was a great experience and Hannah, The girl who organised this at Benefit, Was very nice and we had a very long ramble chat over make up.

Hannah gave me one of these really nice leaflets, I love the design of them! Which told me what product's she had used and in what shades, This is really handy to have so you know your foundation shade, what products were used and what you can sneakily go back for, when really your on a spending ban, shhhhh!

I told Hannah what kinda look I was looking for, Quite a natural, But different look than I usually go for, Basically just surprise me! Then off Hannah went to go get the products while I just filled out a little Benefit card.

Then this was the finished look!

Face:

Triple Performing Facial Emulsion - £19.50

The POREfessional - £23.50

Hello Flawless Foudation in Ivory - £24.50

Hello Flawless Powder in Ivory - £24.50

Box O' Powder in Hervanna - £23.50

Eyes:

Stay Dont Stray (Lid and under eye area) - £19.50

They're Real - £18.50

Brows:

Browzings in Lite - £22.50

Lips:

Loreal Glam Shine Stain Splash in Romy (My own - Review Soon)

I love this look as its very natural and kind of glowing, the face products didn't feel heavy on the skin, I found it was like I wasn't wearing any make up. My favourite products are actually pretty much all of them! Which isn't going to be good for my bank account. I was going back to purchase POREfessional, But Ive ended up with a cold and couldn't get back, Sorry Hannah!

A Benefit Face Date is free at your local counter, Mine took around 45 Minutes (Including mine and Hannah's rambling chats!) It was a great experience and Id definitely love to do it again!

Have you tried a Benefit Face Date Session? What's your favourite Benefit Products?

Eloise x

March GlossyBox

Hi Everyone,

Its time for this months GlossyBox review and I have to say I'm loving this one a lot, I have been feeling a little bit "meh" over a few of the recent past boxes, they didn't really wow me. This one is definitely better though.

I love the theme of this months box 'City Chic', I love there is also the little Travelling book, which has some rather cute little stickers inside, This might be my favourite little added extra by GlossyBox EVER.

The Packaging of this months box was the usual dusty pink which I love, I do think the layout of the products could of been better, Looking back at it now (I was too excited to notice when I first opened the box).

Inside this box was:

1) Juicy Couture Fragrance in Couture La La (£63 for 100ml) 

Ive never really picked up or tried any Juicy Couture Products, but after smelling this, I don't know why not, Its a very floral smell and great for this time of year, I will definitely be using this!

2) Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Lip Blush in Marshmallow Pink (£12 for 2.5g) I have a few other Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetic Items, I find them very hit and miss, However just from swatching this I'm loving it, Its so pigmented and I can see myself using this a lot, I just don't like the price tag.

3) Nails Inc in St James (£11 for 10ml) I loved this when I saw it in the box, I'm in love with the little Nails Inc Miniatures and they are just so handy. However when routing through my nail polish collection later on, I realised I already have this shade in a full size version, Oh well I still Love it!

4) Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Fragrance Free (£25 for 50ml) I have been desperate to try the much loved Eight Hour Cream, I almost screamed when I saw this, I cant wait to use this a lot more!

5) Tresemme Salon Finnish Extra Hold Hairspray (£4.69 for 500ml) Ive heard great things about this hairspray, I have a lot of hairsprays that just don't do anything for my hair, so hopefully this one will be the best one Ive tried and hopefully it works! I love the handy size of this too (100ml)!

(Swatches: Nails Inc in St James, Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush in Marshmallow Pink)

Last Months Boxes Favourites:

(Swatches Left to Right): MICA Bella in (Blended), MICA Bella Shimmer Powder in 94 Intelligence, MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow, MAC Sable Eyeshadow)

My Favourite products from the last two boxes have to be the MICA Bella Shimmer Powder and Jason Lips Bee Healthier Lip Balm. The Shimmer Powder is a amazing colour, which I thought was close to MAC Woodwinked but that's slightly too gold, However I did find it was closer to MAC Sable eyeshadow. Ive been wearing the Shimmer Powder just on the outer corner of my eye.

The Lip Balm Ive been loving because of the taste and smell, On the ingredients it does say coconut but It reminds me of mint choc ice cream, It feels nice on the lips and doesn't dry them out too quickly.

Overall Ive loved this months GlossyBox and can see myself repurchasing at least 3 of the products included, GlossyBox has really gone up a notch with this box for me.

Are you subscribed to GlossyBox?

What are your favourite products from this months GlossyBox? What do you think about GlossyBox?

Eloise x

Illamasqua Beauty Transformation

Hi Everyone, 

So on Friday I popped along to a Illamasqua Beauty Transformation session, as Id missed the Beauty School Drop in event that month and needed my Illamasqua fix!

The beauty Transformation sessions are 45 minutes long and cost £30, which is redeemable against any products. My main concern was to find a foundation light enough for my skin tone for once! Kyle (who did my make over at the Medowhall Counter) basically taught me a few tricks and how the products can benefit me with building up a pro kit too!

(I now realise how difficult it is to take a good 'selfie')

This look is not what id usually go for with the dark eyes but I absolutely love it and wish I never have to take it off :( . Kyle used these products on me:

Face:

Satin Primer - £22.50

Skin Base Foundation in Shade SB 03 - £27.00

Cream Pigments in Bedaub and Androgen - £17.00

Powder Foundation in 120 - £23.00

Powder Blusher Duo in Katie and Ambition - £26.00

Eyes:

Medium Pencil's in Vow, Obscene and S.O.P.H.I.E - £13.00

Neutral Palette using Shades Wolf and Obsidian - £34.00

Pure Pigment in Static - £15.50

Eyebrows:

Eye Brow Cake in Peek - £14.50

Lips:

Medium Pencil in Ascend - £13.00

Lipstick in Immodest - £16.00

Intense Lipgloss in Shoot - £14.00

Sheer Lipgloss in Opulent - £14.00

These sessions are great, I loved it, These are amazing if you just want to a few little tricks or want to shake up your usual make up look!

Have you been to one of the Illamasqua Beauty Transformation sessions? Whats your favourite Illamasqua product?

Eloise x

How Much is My Face Worth?

Hi Everyone, 

I though today I'd work out how much my recent Make-Up routine is worth, I may do different versions over time as my routine changes, but just now this is my make up routine. I'm not sure I really want to know how much my face is worth though *needs to hide the bank card*.

Face:

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in Light Porcelain - £6.99

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair - £4.19

Bourjois Mineral Radiance in Vanille - £9.49

Illamasqua Powder Blush in Unrequited (Discontinued :( ) - £18.00

Eyes:

Illamasqua Eye Shadow in Lestat - £15.50

Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara in Black - £7.99

Eyebrows:

MAC Eyeshadow in Omega - £10.00

Lips:

Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie - £7.99

Total = £80.15

I have to admit I was expecting around that mark, but then when I realised how little make up it usually is (without my usual eyeshadow choices), that is quite a lot at about £10 each item! I dread to think how much it would be including brushes and skin care for the day too.This probably wont put me off my High end brands though, I just cant help but love MAC and Ilamasqua even if it isn't good for the bank card.... oops.

How much is your face worth?

Eloise x

Spring/Summer Soap and Glory Favourites

Hi Everyone,

Today I thought I'd share my favourite soap and glory body products for the spring summer season...

First up is Clean Me, this is my favourite shower gel, it also has a built in body lotion. I use it every day, it lathers well and smells amazing, its the famous soap and glory scent, which I love! The scent does last on the skin but not for very long, Its kind of a citrus but then slightly floral scent, it does seem quite peachy too.

With that I use the Sugar Crush body scrub, this is a new edition, as I only got it for Christmas, so I haven't really used it as much. The scent is different to Clean Me (Flake Away is closer to this scent), quite a bit stronger, but it smells fresh and very citrus with its sweet lime ingredient, I'm sure ill love it once I get to use it more.

I use The Righteous Butter (a cult favourite!) to moisturise, I can't stop smelling it, again it's the famous soap and glory scent. It doesn't leave me too much with that sticky feeling, but it's best used before bed so you don't stick to your clothes too much!

Finally is the well loved Hand Food, I got this after hearing Fleur De Force rave about it this time last year and I've been in love with it ever since! It leaves my hands feeling smooth and not sticky, it just melts into the skin. The scent (same as The Righteous Butter) lasts well and I've not found a better hand cream since!

Clean On Me - £5.50 for 500ml

Sugar Crush - £8.00 for 300ml

The Righteous Butter - £10.50 for 300ml

Hand Food - £5.00 for 125ml

I used these a lot last year and I can see the same happening this year! I can't wait till Spring now!

Have you tried any Soap and Glory products? What are your favourites?

Eloise x

Feburary Beauty Favourites

Hi Everyone,

This months favourites are a bit shorter than usual as again I have mostly the same favourites this month, such as the Rimmel Stay Glossy and The MAC Eye shadows in Vanilla and Omega, So I don't have as many make up favourites this month.

Firstly is Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, Which I used in my Valentines F.O.T.D , It really helps make my make up last better on my skin and evens out my skin tone before foundation, as I have dry skin it also helps with those dry patches, stopping foundation cling to them as much. I don't use this everyday as Ive heard your skin can get too used to it, I'm not sure how true that is though, But its fantastic for when you really want your make up to stay perfect!

Next up is a brush I recently found in TK Maxx, its the Eco Tools Eyeshadow Brush, I've been looking for a eye shadow brush that is a bit larger than the norm and this is it, its extremely soft, synthetic, cruelty free and good for the environment with it being made out of bamboo! This has been perfect just to sweep my eye shadow over the entire lid for a less intense eye look, but it can be built up.

With the Brush I've been using a old favourite MAC Naked Lunch, I've used this for a change on a plain matte eye, to add a bit of shimmer to my everyday look, Its a pink shade with shimmer and is part of the Frost finishes by MAC, I use this across my lid over soft ochre paint pot.

(Swatched - Bottom to Top: Naked Lunch, Naked Lunch over MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot)

 

Lastly is Heel Genius from Soap and Glory, this is a bit of a different beauty product for me, but as I'm in love with most of the rest of the Soap and Glory line, I thought id give this a go. Like the other things by Soap and Glory this smells amazing, with menthol, Orange and Lemon. It advises to use cotton socks and sleep over night with it on and this definitely makes a big difference. I've been using it every other night to prepare for all those Spring/ Summer Sandal's!

 

Overall most of my monthly favourites are favourites from last month, but I have rediscovered some old favourites too.

 

Have you tried any of these products, what did you think?

 

Eloise x