30 day blogger challenge: My favourite mascara 

I’ve bored you all with long posts all week so today’s is going to be short & sweet. 

My favourite mascaras. 

I don’t have 1 particular favourite, I tend to switch between 3. 

Too faced: Better than sex mascara £19.00 debenhams.com    
I don’t know why they’d call a mascara that because it’s definitely not true. I mean, yeah I get excited about make up but seriously? Nope 

The brush is brilliant, it picks up every single lash and makes my lashes look huge. But! And it’s a big but, the fallout is ridiculous. And it Makes me look like a panda by lunchtime. And you need to constantly wipe the brush on a tissue as there’s so much product build up. If they made a waterproof version of this it would be fantastic and be the only mascara I’d ever use as I haven’t found anything better which is why I’ve put it on my favourites list. Can’t have it all eh? 

Have you used this? How did you get on with it? I’d like to know if it’s just me that has this problem.

Max factor: False lash effect mascara £10.99 Boots.com

   

   
Another of my favourites false lash effect & false Lash effect waterproof. Obviously they are both the same mascara but one is waterproof (proof is in the name 😉 the original is great for every day use and makes my lashes look long and thick without crumbling off half way through the day. 

The waterproof is perfect for swimming, holidays,  sporting activities, gym etc the stuff literally doesn’t budge. I can’t fault it. But you will need a waterproof eye make up remover or you’ll never get it off! 

What’s your favourite mascara? Let me know in the comments.

See you tomorrow 🙂 

Sam x

 

30 day blogger challenge: Favourite palette 

It’s day one of my ’30 day blogger challenge’ that I’m setting myself. 

 
Choosing my favourite palette was harder than I thought. It’s like someone asking you to chose your favourite child. But I decided on one in the end. It was the smell that won it. (Yes the smell!) No I haven’t lost the plot (yet) all will be revealed shortly.

The winner was……

Too faced semi-sweet chocolate palette! 

  

Eyeshadow & chocolate, 2 of my favourite things combined! What’s not to love? 

16 shades of chocolatey deliciousness made with 100% natural cocoa powder. The smell is to die for! But on the downside if you’re on a diet maybe this one isn’t for you. 

  
It’s a mixture of mattes & shimmers that can take you from day to night in an instant. And for those that sometimes struggle with which colours go with which or where to apply what, the too faced palettes will really help you out as they all come with the how to’s leaflets which will help you recreate some of the looks on there. 

Here’s a quick swatch taken in natural light   
 
Colours from top to bottom:

  • Licorice 
  • Coconut crème
  • Nougat
  • Truffled
  • Hot fudge
  • Cocoa chili 
  • Pink sugar
  • Puddin’ 
  • Blueberry swirl
  • Peanut butter
  • Frosting
  • Rum raisin
  • Mousse
  • Caramel
  • Bon Bon 
  • Butter pecan

See what I mean about the diet thing? Just listing the names has made my belly rumble.

I purchased this from Debenhams for £38 so it is on the pricey side. It’s not something I would buy on a whim and I had admired it from afar for over a month before taking the plunge. 

So that was my fave palette. Have you tried any of the too faced palettes? Which one is your favourite? Let me know in the comments 🙂 

 Day 2 of my challenge will be ‘things that stress me out’ so prepare for a long one! You have been warned 

Sam x 

August empties/ favourites

Here’s my first empties post!

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In my entire life I don’t think I’ve ever used up an entire product before getting bored half way through and buying something different. But I’m on a spending ban enforced by myself in an attempt to try and use up the products I already own. (I did start last week but an unexpected trip to Tk Maxx set me back)

My first is:

Mac prep & prime fix+ (£17)

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It’s quickly become one of my ‘can’t live without’ products. I now use it literally every single day. It had been in my kit for a while and I just assumed it was a setting spray hence the name ‘fix’ BUT I did some googling and discovered some uses that make up artists swear by. And they’ve changed my life! Okay maybe not my life exactly but my usual make up routine. Heres how I use fix+ :

Spritz some onto your face before or after your chosen moisturiser for an extra moisture boost (or both if your skins really suffering)

Spritz onto your foundation brush to help your foundation glide on more smoothly  

Spritz onto the face after applying foundation and concealer & allow to dry before applying powder to keep your make up in place longer

Spray onto your eyeshadow brush before applying your chosen eyeshadow to really make the colour ‘pop’ and intensify the colour

Use it to thin cream or compact foundation for a more sheer coverage (decant product, never spray into the compact)

I’ll definitely be repurchasing, it’s been a godsend for my usually dry skin. I would certainly recommend trying it if you haven’t already.

Have you tried any of the above tips or have any of your own to add?

Urban decay: Naked skin foundation in shade 2.0 (£27)

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I allowed the consultant at the UD counter to match me up for this foundation. Which I should have known would be a mistake as no make up counter assistant ever selects the right shade for me wherever I go (#annoying ) however, it was okay to use on nights out as I go a little darker for evening make up.

So! Coverage was okay, I normally like something a little thicker so the liquid consistency took a little getting used to but it’s buildable which was good for me. I apply it with the real techniques buffing brush, allow to dry for a few minutes then use a beauty blender to add extra coverage where needed. And voila! ‘Naked’ skin that looks flawless and even, without the cakey look that some other foundations can give when they lie and say their product is buildable 😬

I will purchase this again after the spending ban 😉 but a lighter shade that will suit my pale complexion.

Stila stay all day 10 in 1 beauty balm (HD illuminating beauty balm spf 30 £26 duty free)

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I purchased this on my flight to Cuba a few months ago. I used it whilst on holiday and it gave a lovely glow with a subtle hint of colour. I don’t usually leave the house without make up at home but this gave me the confidence to go foundation free so that’s definitely something that impressed me.

However now I’m home and tan-less I can no longer wear it alone & team it with my normal foundation on those days where your skin needs a little pick me up.

It would be lovely for a make up artists kit as it’s perfect under foundation for a nice dewy, slightly illuminated effect (similar to Mac strobe cream)

Will I repurchase? If I can find it again yes! I haven’t seen it anywhere since 😦 So if anyone knows where I can pick one up please let me know! As id definitely like to add it to my holiday make up bag.

Embryolisse lait-creme concentré 30ml (£13 boots.com)

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What can I say, it’s amazing stuff, it instantly smooths my normally dry slightly flakey skin, and creates a smooth canvas for me to apply my make up. It also doubles as a primer (and has many other uses such as cleanser, make up remover, repairing mask, after shave cream, baby care product) My make up stays put all day without looking dry and it works great on my make up clients too as it stops shine on oiler/combination skins so it’s a win-win situation. Although the packaging was a bit pants as its a metal tube, so even when you squeeze a little out it still floods the cap.

Have you tried it? Let me know why you thought in the comments

I have already repurchased the larger-gold limited edition tube from boots.com £20 (pre spending ban!) the tube has been updated on the larger tube so no mess with that one.

George under eye concealer (Asda £4.50)

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This baby Rivals the YSL touché éclat for me. NO LIE! And at £4.50 it’s a total bargain. There’s no reason for you not to try it. I use it after my correcting concealer to brighten my eye area and it can also be used for highlighting. A little really does go a long way and it does exactly what it says on the tube. I can’t remember what made me buy it as id never normally pick up a supermarket own brand (make up snobbery I know, I’m not proud of it) but I’m so glad I did. I can honestly say I love this product and I can see this being one of my make up bag staples.

September 30 day challenge.

In an attempt to blog more regularly I’ve created my own little September 30 day challenge. The posts will be short and sweet but I hope you guys will be able to get to know me a little better.

So if there’s anything you’d like to know or see here leave a comment for me 🙂

Sam x

Being ‘perfectly polished’

I’m throwing myself in at the deep end and going with the flow so to speak so This particular post might not make much sense but stay with me. Good things come to those who wait & all that jazz. 
I had a thought, an epiphany some might say. That seeing as I spend half my life on social media watching make up tutorials and the other half in M.A.C that I should try and do something with it.Which brings me here.
I’m not going to sit here & pretend that I’m a really interesting person. (Far from it)

Moi, yes I'm pants at selfies!

Moi, yes I’m pants at selfies!

But I do buy some pretty good stuff! Well sometimes.
I have an old skool laptop, an iphone 6 and an obsession with make up & nails. So lets see how far we get as I’m not quite sure where/how/why/what im doing with this at present or how to work it. I don’t have a clue what tags are! But I’m hoping things will fall into place. (When all else fails wing it right?)

So, to begin my blogging journey here’s a ’10 things about me’ section so you can get to know me a little before I bore the hell out of you on a weekly basis
1. I’m from Essex! Make of that what you will. Yes I’m probably a bit stupid, with an annoying cockney accent & huge make up obsession- minus the orange tan, fake boobs & big bouncy blow dry. (only because I can’t afford them)

2. I’m a Nail technician, beauty therapist & aspiring make up artist. Although you wouldn’t think it to look at me. No I wasn’t born with it,and yes it is Maybelline.

3. I have a 10 year old daughter.And I have no idea how I’ve managed to keep another person other than myself alive for that long either.

4. The amount I’ve spent this year on make up I could probably put a deposit on another house. (I wont tell if you wont)

5. I’m turning 30 next month. Lets say no more on that

6. I have an obsessively clean, tidy husband who I drive crazy with my make up & nail varnish collections. Basically he’s going bald and I think I’m the reason

7. I’m scared of little flying bugs- Flies, moths, butterflies, flying ants, wasps. I flap around like an idiot if one even breathes on me. Moths always go for the throat! Why is that?

8. The taste of cucumber makes me gag, don’t ask why. I don’t know why I felt it relevant to tell you either but I needed a number 8

9. I need a pair of Louboutins to complete my life. Can’t take over the world in Primarni flip flops can I?

10. Hmmm, one of the most embarrassing moments of my life so far? Falling down a flight of stairs at a posh wedding of people I hardly knew. Landing at the bottom, arse up, dress around my waist, g-string on full view and no vodka in my system to blame it on. Not one of my finest moments I must admit.

So that’s a little bit of me to get us started.

I have some swatches coming up very soon of All that jazz cocktails collection nail lacquer. AND the new Urban decay smoky palette shall be in my possession very soon, For which I cannot contain my excitement!

Be there or be square! Xx