Elf HD Blush - Review

Ello Lovelies!

Elf are brilliant for their sales and up until recently I've been very good at resisting them... Well that changed! I took full advantage of one of their recent 50% off sales and got a whopping £60 worth of products (that i don't really need) for a mere £30, considering how cheap Elf is already that means a LOT of stuff! If you've seen my recent Lust List post you would have spotted this little beauty on it, the only thing i actually "needed" from Elf. I previously purchased another, brighter shade and was desperate to get my hands a more wearable option, so here it is in the form of Headliner!

Elf HD Blushes are the copycat version of the MUFE HD ones, but not owning any of them i can't really compare the two, sorry! But after trying these i have no real urge to try the much more expensive option. Liquid blushes with a pump like these get rid of all the ickyness of having to dip your fingers into a pot to apply, just pump out what you like and blend away! I will say they do pump out far too much product, so a lot is wasted but at £3.75 for 10ml I'm really not complaining.

Headliner is one of the more wearable shades of the 5 available and I'm a little bit smitten with it. Its a gorgeous pink that in my opinion leans ever so slightly purple, making it great for fair - mediumish skin tones. These have a velvety smooth texture which is a little drier than all the cream blushes I've tried in the past, but i feel this adds to the wear time of it. They are extremely pigmented so a little bit goes a long, long way! Due to the drier formula they take a little bit more effort to blend than your average cream blush but it's not something that bothers me.

Overall I'm pretty darn pleased with this purchase from Elf. I'd go as far to say that in my opinion these might be the best cream/liquid "drugstore" blushes available on the market. Yep, a bold statement there from me but i really am impressed!

Have you tried Elf's HD blushes?

Let me know what you think!

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MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer - Review

We all know how much i love mattes...

After weeks of pretty much stalking my nearest Superdrug and being teased with an empty display i finally got my mitts on some of these bad boys! When i first spotted them they only had two on display, but i managed to snag another one before they sold out on the Superdrug website! Hurrah!

MUA are continuously stepping up their game with product launches and these might be my favourite product to date. Matte lips are near enough the only lip i rock nowadays so these were the perfect addition to my collection. I skipped the red shade because i already own Limecrimes Red Velvet and the lighter pink shade because i just wouldn't be able to pull it off, but am delighted to have snagged the other three colours in the collection.

So did they live up to the hype...?

 (silly question since I've already expressed my love for these)

Atomic, Funk and Kooky

Yes

These impressed me so much I'm actually considering buying the red because i prefer the formula to the Limecrime offering. Insanely pigmented, long wearing and extremely comfortable on the lips makes these babies a winner in my books. Like any liquid lipstick i still wouldn't recommend these on dry or cracked lips and i use a good balm 5 - 10 minutes before application. They take a little while to dry down to a matte finish, but when they do they are absolutely beautiful and wear on me for a good 5 hours (I'm a lip fidget so they'll probably wear better on everyone else). 

The frosted packaging feels and looks a lot more expensive than other MUA products and considering these retail for just £3 they are an insane bargain. If a high end brand were to release these they'd sell for over five times the price. I'd go as far to say that these are the best liquid lipsticks available here in the UK at any price point right now. If you're not a fan of bright or bold colours, i don't think these are for you as every colour in the range is extremely bright. But looking at how on the ball MUA are with their releases who's to say we won't see a more natural selection of colours appearing on the shelf in the near future... Dusky rose shade please MUA!

Atomic, Funk and Kooky

Overall i think these fantastic products and I'll be getting a ridiculous amount of use out of these in future and especially over the festive season with parties and Christmas coming up! If you can get your hands on them, do it, do it now! I wholeheartedly recommend these little beauties and can imagine these flying off the shelves for months to come. Superdrug and MUA frequently have deals on so keep your eyes peeled for those, Superdrug currently has 3 for 2 so you could get three shades for a mere £6 currently, bargain!

Have you tried the MUA Velvet Lips?

What is your favourite shade?

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Quite possibly my favourite scent in the world?

Or at least my new favourite LUSH one!

I'm not a big fan when it comes to rose scents as i generally associate it with old fashioned, "grandma" type fragrances, so Rose Jam is something I'd looked over on my last few trips to Lush. That was until they hooked me in by offering me a little sample, as soon as i used it, i was sold!

Rose Jam shares its gorgeous scent with Ro's Argron Body Conditioner and the Rose Jam Bubbleroon and an utterly beautiful scent it is! With a mixture of vanilla pod, goji berry, Turkish rose, lemon and argan oil this makes it my favourite shower gel scent to date. And that is really saying something considering my love for certain Soap and Glory fragrances. It lathers up a treat and feels lovely and nourishing on the skin due to the argan oil. I've found myself using this in the evenings, in a hot bath (it doubles up as a lovely bubble bath) or shower to unwind.

It is a little pricier than many of their shower gels at £15.95 per 500g but take into consideration that rose is a pretty darn expensive oil, the other great ingredients and the amount of uses you'll get from this (500g of shower gel can last me months!) i think its definitely worth the price tag and something i'll be grabbing a few more of soon since it is limited edition!

You can try this at your local Lush store or online here.

Have you tried Rose Jam?

What is your favourite Lush scent?

 

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A/W Lust List

Its been a long time since I've posted one of these and I've had my eye on quite a few goodies lately but sadly i am a no buy. Will power wise I'm doing well so far... But here is a few of the bits I'm desperate to get my paws on lately!

1. Elf Goodies

Elf UK currently have a 50% off sale and i am sat here twitching wanting to place an order... They've released quite a few new things since my last order and I'd like to grab a more wearable shade of their HD Blush because I'm loving the one i have already formula wise, its just too bright! In theory i could place a small order just for the blush, but the whole free shipping thing over £30 spend gets me every time...

2. Nars One Night Stand Palette - £45

I need it. Space NK is the only store with it left as far as i can see and the collector in me is going totally nuts over it. I was lucky enough to be gifted the Damnari palette for Christmas last year and i ADORE it. Yes, i already own two of the shades but I've hit pan on them so this is totally justifiable right?

3. MUA Velvet Lips

 I've been stalking my local Superdrug for these for a good few weeks. The displays are up but no stock. I will be getting my hands on these beauties when they finally get them in store!

4. Bubbi Brush Set - £54

Beauty Guru Bubbi has her own brush range and these look super cute! I've had my eye on them since their release but i just can't justify new brush right now... damn.

5. Michael Kors Large Black Studded Selma - £320 ish

My student overdraft breathed a sigh of relief when i saw that this isn't available on any site in the UK currently (if you see it, let me know!). This bag is gorgeous and there is something about it that makes me irrationally want to buy it. Its a real high end splurge but in comparison with other leather designer bags the price really isn't that bad. I've been considering getting the 13in tote from the Apple store website but it just isn't as pretty.

6. Origins Best of Ginger - £45

I love Origins, i love ginger scents but i can't be buying Christmas gift sets my myself! Origins have some lovely gift sets as always this Christmas at all price points, so if you're looking for a beauty gift, check them out!

So that's it! All the pretty things I'd love to buy, but can't. Some of these will probably end up in my Christmas Gift Guide posts (early thinker, i know!) which will be up soon!

What have you been lusting over lately?

Leave me a comment and let me know!

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Collective Nail Haul! Zoya, Claires, Seche Vite and OPI.

Hii Lovelies!

I did it. I finally caved and got me some Zoya....

I've been lusting after some new Zoya polishes for over a year now... My last (and first) Zoya splurge was in Ulta on holiday last year and since then they've released some pretty darn stunning shades. So every now and then I'd hunt the web hoping for a store that would stock the brand at not incredibly hiked up prices. I eventually found one, but the postage is £5... sigh. It took me a good few months to build up a list and finally take the plunge and order... But i did it! And i sure i don't regret it!

This little nail haul is from two shops Tiffany Nail Supply (for everything apart from the Claire's polises) and you guessed it... Claire's! I am a numpty and ran out of camera battery then forgot to reshoot my Nail and Envy and Seche Vite but those are boring so, forgive me?! I'll jump right in with the pretty colours now...

The nail snob in me has looked over Claire's polishes many a time but often i'd "oooooh'd" over the best friends nails it turned out to be one of these! Sadly, they are discontinuing this formula! But it did mean i managed to pick these up for a mere 85p each with discount. I've only tried the glitter sand one so far, but I'm impressed! That silver is a gorgeous holographic glitter that i just cannot wait to put on my nails! If you spot these in the sale bin at your local Claire's, buy them! Apparently the new formula just isn't as good as these little gems!

Arrabella, Carter, Zuza, Tomoko, Aurora

Zoya, Zoya, Zoya... Oh how i love thee!

Tiffany Nail Supply have quite possibly the best range and most reasonable prices for Zoya in the UK. Yes, postage is £5 but if you are buying a few at a time it still works out a lot cheaper. These retail for just under £6 on the website (rather than £11.50 elsewhere) so i had to get a few right? Tomoko and Aurora are my favourites so far. Tomoko reminds me slightly of China Glaze I'm Not Lion, but with a much better texture (you all know how much i love I'm Not Lion too) and Tomoko won't peel off your nails like the glittery CG option. Aurora is simply stunning, it is quite possibly one of the prettiest purples i have ever seen. Also unlike most glitter or textured polishes these aren't a pain in the ass to get off! I was shocked at just how easy they are to remove. I see another order coming soon....

Nail Envy is price at an extremely affordable £7 and Seche Vite around £5. So Tiffany Nail Supply gets a big thumbs up from me!

You can check out their website here.

What is your current favourite polish?

Let me know!

If you'd like individual reviews for any of these, leave me a comment.

Hope you're all having a great week!

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Its beginning to smell a lot like Christmas... Lush Haul!

Ello lovelies!

I know, i know, its only October... But i don't care!

Most of the year now i can pretty much miss Lush off shopping list but as soon as they release their Christmas range something in me goes a little crazy, and this year is no exception! There are the few bits i pick up every year (Snow Fairy and Candy Mountain) and i tend to try out a few new bits while I'm at it too. I'm having a little bit of a Lush obsession phase so i can see quite a few cheeky Lush trips happening before the year is out...

So what did i buy?

Let The Good Times Roll - £6.35 - Review here

Aaaaand its back! I fell in love with this cleanser last year and then Lush had a problem with sourcing one of the ingredients and it was no longer available, this gave me sads. This year i am pleased to announce it is permanent! Hurrah! I've done a full review on this product last year so feel free to check it out with the link above. Its my perfect daily exfoliant packed with popcorn oil, maize, polenta and cinnamon and i am pleased as punch to have it back!

Breath of Fresh Air - £7.50

Another repurchase. I love lush toners but as i feel this is an optional step in my routine is not something i often splash out on, i generally buy one or two a year and refill the bottle with a Simple one to save a few pennies as i love the spray. This is my favourite out of their toner selection and has lovely ingredients for my dry skin including sea water, Carrageen seaweed and aloe gel. A simple, lovely, refreshing toner that i highly recommend. 

Mask of Magnaminty - Around £6

This is a bit of a blast from the past for me as this is one of the masks me and my friends adored as teenagers. Described as a face and back pack this green goodness is used to fight breakouts and help clear imperfections. Like all Lush products its packed with skin loving ingredients and is a real old favourite for me. Its your typical face mask green colour that dries and sets on the face, i leave mine on for 20 minutes then wash off in circular movements and use the Aduki beans to exfoliate. Its great for when my skin is playing up a treat!

Rose Jam Bubble Bar - £3.50

Rose scents i would normally avoid but there is something just a little bit special about their Rose Jam fragrance. I think its the mix of berries and rose that give it a really tasty yet comforting smell. You can already tell i like it eh?! Bubble bath bars are my favourite things to buy from them so i really had to give this a bash. I also got a little sample of their Rose Jam shower gel which i avoided since its a tad more expensive (£15.99 for 500ml) than a lot of their other ones... The sample worked... I'm sold and will be going back for a huge bottle of it very soon!

Ickle Baby Bot - £1.95

Intended for babies, Ickle Baby Bot is incredibly cute. I have trouble sleeping so thought this little ballistic might just come in handy to send me to the land of nod after a few bad nights of sleep. It contains sleep inducing, calming oils and for just under two quid i thought it was worth a shot!

Candy Mountain - £2.65

I buy many of these, each year, without fail. It is my absolute favourite Christmas scent and i don't think there has been a Christmas I've been without it. Each year Candy Mountain (previously Candy Cane) gets a little makeover and this year its in the form of a sprinkle of glitter. Its a sickly sweet candy scent (very alike to snow fairy) so its probably not to everyones tastes, but its definitely my cup of tea. I've already gone back and purchased the second of what will be many Candy Mountains this year. I also grabbed one of their adorable Penguins but he got a little smashed up sadly.

Snow Fairy - £3.50

Each year i buy a little one to keep me going to Christmas then spend the next few months hinting at the parents that I'd like a large one for Christmas, normally this plan works. So this little gem will have to last me quite a while! Snow Fairy is probably the most famous Christmas item, its pink, it smells somewhere between sugar, candy floss and bubblegum and i absolutely adore it.

Have you nabbed any of the Lush Christmas range yet?

Let me know what you've been buying!

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Nars Ride Up To The Moon Palette - Review

 

Hii Lovelies!

Another Nars review for you lot today!

I'm a big lover of all things Nars and as soon as i clapped eyes on two of their fall release palettes i knew i had to have them. Well, i was a little restrained and only picked up the one... hmph! The two palettes are Ride Up To The Moon which is what I'll be reviewing today, which is a gorgeous tiny (really, its the smallest eye shadow palette I've ever seen) palette that features six earthy hues. I'm a sucker for golds and bronzes, so this palette was right up my alley. The second palette which i passed on (sob) was a more cooler toned purple/grey collection which i knew i wouldn't get as much use of and i think is now sold out as i couldn't find it on the Nars website.

Lets just skip back to the previous section for a second, this palette is small, really small. Silly me forgot to photograph this next to Nars Laguna bronzer because there really isn't too much in the size difference, this fits neatly in the palm of my hand. You get 6g of shadow in total, which putting it that way isn't horrendous, but as this is my first experience with Nars shadows so i was just a little shocked! Priced at £32 it isn't too pricey for Nars but considering the size it still isn't budget friendly either way. Sometimes i think my bank balance weeps.

Out of all the shades i believe only one is limited edition which is Argentina, the top left shade and is probably my favourite out of the bunch. If i could own 50 champagney eyeshadows, i would. The colour selection in this is simply stunning (my love of earthy tones leaves me a little biased though) and next time i travel this will be the palette thrown in my makeup bag. The lighter shades work perfectly for day time looks with a slick of liquid eyeliner and the darker browns are perfect for creating a more evening appropriate smokey eye and the green to add that pop of colour... Perfect! The small size actually acts a plus for travel too.

Top row: Argentina, Isolde, Night Porter.

Bottom Row: Biarritz, Fez, Cordura.

As you can see the pigmentation and colour pay off is beautiful, i just wish Cordura was a little more pigmented as i feel the need to use a deeper matte black for smokey eyes when using this palette. Honestly, I've not much used the Night Porter (the green shade) yet, which is odd since I'm drawn to greens, buy a ton of them and just never wear them! But the other shades... oooft I'm in love! With the weather turning colder the warmer browns will be getting a ton of day use I'm sure. But I'm actually a little scared of running out of Argentina, it is beautiful and works for so many looks!

As first impressions go, I'm pretty smitten with these shadows. I was kinda hoping to not love them because Nars isn't the cheapest and i know full well I'm going to lust over future collections, I've even got my eye on a couple of single and duos.... ooops!

Ride Up To The Moon is limited edition, so if you like the look of it i recommend picking it pretty soon so you're not left disappointed like many wanting the And God Created Woman Palette (like me). So if you're looking for a bit of a shadow splurge I'd highly recommend giving these beauties a little swatch!

You can buy this at Nars counters and online here.

Have you tried any Nars eye shadows?

Feel free to recommend me your favourites! 

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Bourjois Bronzing Primer - Review

Hey Lovelies!

How late am i on the bandwagon with this one?!

This is one of those products that i nabbed back in the summer, put it in my "new things" drawer and then totally forgot about it... oops! Well its now certainly back out of my drawer and into my daily makeup routine.

The Bourjois Bronzing Primer made quite a splash in the beauty blogging world as many comparisons were made to Soleil Tan De Chanel which is made by Bourjois parent company (i think I'm right there?). Sadly, there will be no comparisons in this post as being pretty darn pale spending thirty odd quid on a bronzer far too orange for me didn't really float my boat. But the Bourjois offering is a whole different story...

I find it a lot less orange than the Chanel offering (from in store swatching) and a completely different texture. Its quite soft in consistency so heavy handed me has to be a bit careful, but saying this it blends out like a charm so even if my sausage fingers pick up a little too much product its really no biggie. I generally use this under foundation to warm up anything a little pale for me, or to just give my face a little more warmth. If I'm feeling really fancy (or just got an extra minute or two to slap my face on) I'll use this with a Real Techniques Contour Brush and attempt to contour my face. In reality, its a little too warm for the latter on my skin tone but looks pretty reasonable applied lightly.

  

What i really enjoy about this product are two things.... It works great over and under foundation and blends seamlessly (that counts as one thing, right?). Secondly its lovely to find a cream bronzing product that isn't overly orange, I would love a slightly cooler toned offering but this does just the trick for now. The ease it blends really helps it work for even my skin tone, so I'd really recommend this for anyone with fair to medium complexions.

On the budget side the Bourjois Bronzer Primer is a middle of the road £9.99, not the cheapest but still affordable on a budget. Boots and Superdrug often do 3 for 2 offers or something along those lines so you can often pick up a few things at once and save some pennies. If you're really keen on trying this out (and are late on the bandwagon like moi) you can snag this from Asos currently with free postage for £6.50 here.

Overall I'm really enjoying this. I picked it up on a whim and for once its one that's payed off! I just wish I'd hooked it out my drawer a little sooner and got some good use of it during the summer months!

 

What is your favourite Bourjois product?

 

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Viva La Juicy Noir - Review

Ello lovelies!

A quickie perfume review for you lovely lot today! This was a bit of a splurge for me at £63 for 100ml but i did have around £45 of Debenhams points to spend at the time, so its not toooooo bad. I'm a big fan of the original Viva La Juicy fragrance, its so fresh and fruity and perfect for day wear that when i spotted this little gem i had to give it a sniff!

Viva La Juicy Noir is the originals night time counterpart. Its a little darker, sweeter and more akin to the usual sickly sweet scents i normally opt for. If you can't already tell, I'm a fan! 

If you love scents like (i shamefully love this one) Britney Spears Fantasy and want something a little more sophisticated i really recommend giving this one a whiff. The same if you're a fan of the regular Viva La Juicy and just fancy spicing up your perfume collection next time you run out, definitely check this little beauty out! I'm rubbish with scent descriptions so I'll leave this one to the experts.

"An enticing interpretation of the original best-selling Viva La Juicy fragrance, Viva La Juicy Noir highlights the succulent ripe berry notes and gourmand accents of the classic scent with a touch of honeysuckle and sandalwood." (Source, Debenhams.com)

Overall I'm a little bit smitten with this fragrance and its become my evening scent choice for the last month or so, it just smells delicious! For everyone put off by the £63 price tag, Debenhams do stock a duo rollerball option with the original and the Noir scent for a mere £9.99, so a little bit of both for a more affordable price!

 

Do you love any of the Juicy Couture scents?

 

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Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder - Review

Hiii Lovelies!

I've been on a little bit of a Nars kick lately so this is just one of the products I'll be reviewing in the coming weeks. I first spotted this little gem on Temptalia and after reading the rave review i knew i had to have it, I'm normally a pressed powder kinda gal but the loose offering recieved all round better reviews so i thought I'd purchase and test it out for myself.

 "Enhances the look of foundation without a trace of color and prolongs makeup wear. This invisible silky powder is infused with Photochromic Technology to diffuse light and adjust to new sources of light throughout the day. Fine lines, wrinkles and pores optically fade as skin is visibly smoothed. Soft, silky and luxurious to the touch, this weightless formula applies evenly and blends effortlessly. Ideal for touch-ups, it helps regulate shine and seamlessly sets foundation.Paraben-free. Fragrance-free. Non-Comedogenic." (Source: Narscosmetics.co.uk)

I love a good powder but i generally have quite dry skin so a lot of them really do not like me. For nights out i prefer a matte finish but a lot of powders will cling to dry areas and show up like a sore thumb so finding one that works great and works well with my skin type can be a real pain in the bum. So what did i think of this one?

I think i may have found my holy grail powder.

I apply this with my Real Techniques Powder Brush to set my liquid foundations and it applies like a dream. I use a small amount and press it into the areas i need it and buff it out ever so slightly. It really does give a diffused look to the skin that I wouldn't be able to describe eloquently enough. It mattifies without looking harsh or heavy and leaves my skin looking flawless. It even manages to make my pores look less defined on my cheeks, I absolutely love it. Priced at £25 it is a little bit of a splurge but i have nothing in my collection that rivals this in the slightest, it has a different texture to my much loved Elf HD powder that when going back to that feels almost heavy. I imagine this will last me quite a while when used with a light hand so i look at it as more as an investment.

Overall i think if you're looking for a new powder this is one to definitely consider. It'll be a repurchase for me for sure when this runs out and i can happily say I've ended my quest for the perfect setting powder for my skin type... But knowing me I'll be on the constant look out for a drugstore or high street alternative to keep an eye on my pennies!

Priced at £25 this is available online and from Nars counters.

What is you're favourite Nars product?

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CK One Shock For Her - Review

Hey Lovelies!

I've got a fragrance review for you lot today and we all know how brilliant i am at those.... (not!). CK One Shock is a fragrance I've looked over so many times in the past purely because of packaging. With all the pretty fancy bottles floating around the perfume market currently you can really see why I'd never given Shock a sniff up until now. The bottle, while not being hideous is pretty darn plain, its inoffensive but fails to catch the eye which is a shame because it smells bloody lovely!

How the experts describe it:

"A juicy, flavourful floriental that warms into a sexy skin musk. CK One Shock For Her opens with a fierce bouquet of passionflower, pink peony, and jewelled poppy flower. The intensity deepens with blackberry, jasmine and narcisse flower drizzled with a liquid accord. The addictive signature finishes with magnetic ambers enveloped in vanillin and patchouli, wrapped in second skin musk." (Notes taken from ThePerfumeShop website)

My nose strangely picks up a strong lemony scent which i adore, to me its like a lemony cake scent rather than harsh lemon. I also pick up the blackberry and an overall fruity feel to the fragrance. I'm not a big fan of floral and luckily my nose doesn't pick up those notes. Its not the most sophisticated of fragrances, its sweet and fresh, perfect for day time wear and I've been wearing it every day without fail. I adore it. Its a scent i don't get sick off, i just wish the bottle was prettier or the smaller sizes worked out as great value for money as this giant 200ml bottle does. Its definitely not handbag friendly and will fade after a good few hours but those little downfalls aside, i just love it!

Pricewise this is a pretty purse friendly perfume at around £30 for a whopping 200ml! I am working my way through the bottle pretty fast though... If you love fruity, sweet fragrances i really recommend giving this a sniff. The bottle may not be the most enticing but i personally think it is a really lovely scent, maybe not the most sophisticated but definitely a winner for me. I plan to grab a Travelo just so i can throw some of this fruity goodness in my handbag!

You can find CK One Shock for her on Cheap Smells for £28.99 per 200ml.

Whats your favourite CK fragrance?

I love a little Euphoria too!

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