Sample Stash

This is a bit of a random post, I have been sorting out my room recently and have obviously been going through my stash of products.

It has slimmed down slightly from what it was....but it still takes over the majority of my room and I drastically need to curb my spending!

I've been doing pretty well and haven't bought much for just over 2 months and I've been trying to go through my stash of samples to keep me going with trying new things.

Does anyone else have a massive pile of samples they have collected from various places??

This is mine:

It overloaded not one box, but 2 and a beauty box bag, so I'm a little overwhelmed!

Here's a few pictures of what's inside:

I am hoping that instead of buying new products, I can use these up, therefore making space and saving money all at the same time.

I hadn't even considered this before as I honestly didn't think I had that many, and it seems silly now!

Have you used all of your samples up recently? I have so many skin product ones that I'm sure it will keep me going for a few months!

I've already used some Avene samples and they've been great, really moisturising but not overloading, I'm looking forward to trying the Bioderma ones next.

Could you do the same as me for 1 month and save yourself some money??

1 month could make all the difference to me with saving up for a car!

I can't believe I've kept them all for so long, I'm definitely a secret hoarder!

L xxx

Review: Benefit Rockateur Box O' Powder

I was so excited when I heard Benefit were bringing out a new blush. As a huge fan of their Dandelion box blush (reviewed here). I'm a fan of softer colours on my cheeks usually so I thought this would be one for me.

As soon as I heard Swansea was having a one day sale of it I headed on the train down as I really wanted to try it. The benebabes there made me need a World Famous Neutrals palette. See my review here

It comes in the typical box like all Benefit blushers and I'm always surprised how well they last in my make up bag. This is the 'provocative one' hence the packaging have a lace print.

There was some controversy when this blush was released and people found out it only contained 5g of product. I didn't know before this that benefit box blushes aren't all the same size. They vary between Dandelion 7g, Hervana 7g, Hoola 8g, Coralista 8g, Sugarbomb 8g, Bellabamba 8g, and Dallas 9g. (these are the current amounts advertised on Benefit website). Though it is a lot less Benefit released a statement stating it was due to different ingredients used in the blushes and to keep them all at the same price. This didn't bother me and due to how much I love Dandelion and the fact it lasted over 6 months before I hit pan and that was being used 5 times a week I wasn't too worried.

Rockateur comes with the new shaped brush. I love the brush with dandelion and use that over others but I prefer this one. It's angles at the tip to make it easier to apply to the cheeks.

It also contains a small mirror which I have come to think is more of a gesture as it is a little to small to use in my opinion. I love that this is an embossed blush and has rock imprinted in it and has a a sparkle over it. This doesn't translate onto the cheek though which I like.

To me Rockateur is a mix between coralista and dandelion. It has more of an orange tint than dandelion. It;s really soft to the touch and sits well on the skin and lasts all day.

On the cheeks it translates to a natural colour, and has a great pigmentation. One sweep and I'm done which is always great for the mornings. I do think as the colour doesn't require building up it should last well. I really love how it looks. It's the perfect inbetween orange and pink blush, not overly shimmery but looks healthy and lasts!

Here it is on outside. It makes my skin look so healthy and works well against the very light tan I have.

The size issue doesn't bother me too much. It's a really pretty colour on the skin and I love the way it looks. I'll update on how well the product lasts. 

Will you be picking up Rockateur? Does the amount of product bother you if it's a great colour and lasts all day?

Rockateur can be bought from the benefit website from August 22nd.

Love M

xxx

Benefayre Cardiff

I'm sure you've all seen plenty of posts about this but I had to show my thanks and support for such an amazing event that Benefit have been putting on around the country over the past few weeks.

The Benefayre in Cardiff was on this weekend just outside Jamie's Italian and a few of us popped to see it on the Saturday.
You can see us all below with the lovely Alyson Rowe, she's so lovely and always has time for a chat with us!

There were so many things going on so I took a load of pictures to save me from waffling on!
Below you can see the face painting, amazing decor, kids playing with the ducks and the photo booth:

 

 The best part of the day was the fair style games.
Porefessional had been turned into a Shootout, Hello Flawless into a Tin Can Alley, and They're Real was turned into a Hoopla game.

 

This one was my favourite but unfortunately I missed one so lost out on the top prize!

 

This one was a surprise to me, I am normally awful at these things and this was the hardest one but I actually got all of them onto the brushes! I couldn't believe it!

 

This one I was awful at, getting the balls to knock down all 5 of the bottles was so hard! Especially the bottom ones.

When you arrived you donated money and received these poker chip style coins to use at all of the stalls including the photobooth and for drinks, makeovers and facepainting.

This was of course, all in aid of Refuge, a charity to help women and children against domestic violence.
Similar to their Mascarathon last year this was a great way to raise money and so many people got involved.
There were so many children there having just as much fun as the women, and plenty of boyfriends shooting, throwing and looping to get their partners presents!



Twice as many women in the UK suffer from domestic violence than breast cancer, which was shocking to me as you just don't hear as much about it.
It also shocked me that 2 women are killed a week by their partners/ex partners.

Although it was a really fun day it was very important to get this message across as it's so easy to donate a few pounds and this could make a real difference to someone in need of help.

You can text BENE88 to 70070 to donate £2 which is so easy, let's face it you will barely notice an additional £2 on your phonebill.
If you'd like to donate more you can follow this link to Just Giving.

I was lucky enough to win a few things whilst I was there including the Stay Flawless mirror (which is amazing!), a make up bag and a few mini products which you can see below:

I had a lovely day there and had some great fun with the girls, catching up and having fun in the photobooth!
We tried many poses, not all were successful.........

Did you make it to the Benefayre whilst it was travelling around the country?
This is such a good way to raise money and awareness and have fun too, this is exactly why Benefit will always be a brand that I purchase from. Not only do they make great products and have fun with it, they raise money in a fun way that everyone can join in with!

L xxx

Urban Outfitters WIP Nail Varnish

Happy weekend!

I wanted to share some nail polishes that my friends bought for me a little while ago. I'd never heard of this brand before and they told me they were from Urban Outfitters, and as far as I can see is their own brand of nail polish.

These are great value at £6 each and are currently on offer, 2 for £10!



The colours I was given were Dolly Mix and Blueberry, shown with and without flash.



I've never used any polishes by WIP before, but I've been super impressed with them so far. Not only is the range great; they have a load of brights and funky glitters on the website (found here) but they're opaque in 2 coats and last just as good as OPI and Nails Inc for half the price.

The first one you can see is Dolly Mix, a hexagonal purple glitter in a clear base:

I applied it over a nude colour (Essie's Sand Tropez) so you can easily see the glitter after 2 coats.
It applies pretty easily with a decent amount of glitter in each coat but 2 is always better!

I love how it looks over nude! 

Blueberry is a super bright opaque blue colour that applied like a dream, it's so creamy and after 2 coats was opaque:



I teamed it here with a bright pink (Essie's Watermelon) for a fun summer look, I love how they both make each other look brighter.

I really like these colours that my friends chose for me, and the brand has been a great addition to my collection.

Have you tried any polishes by WIP? I have no idea what it stands for bit I'd love to know if you do!!
I've seen quite a few bright colours that I'd love to get my hands on.

L xxx