Urban Decay 24/7 Blending Brush

Hey there!

I've got a quick review of my latest brush addition today. You're probably sick of hearing about Urban Decay by now but that's tough really, because they're an amazing brand that i can't believe I haven't bought more from sooner, so settle in for another review!

I've already raved about their 24/7 pencils multiple times before but regardless of which pencils you have, you should know that you also need this brush in your life.

The 24/7 Blending brush is a staple brush for any make up addict. It has so far perfectly blended every eye liner I've thrown at it and it does it with ease.
The small tapered shape allows you get right into the corner of your eye without feeling like you've thrown sand into it and it expertly blends the product along lash lines without dragging it halfway down your face.

It's made from cruelty free, super soft synthetic hair held together by recycled aluminium. It also cleans back to its original white colour without much hassle, I've found that simply using an eye make up remover takes away even black liner from the brush leaving it white which is pretty impressive really!

It definitely doesn't disappoint with regards to its name; it blends like a trooper.

The easiest was is for me to show you some looks I've created myself using it:

On the left below we have Perversion, UD's number one black liner thats soft yet super pigmented. On the right we have Smoke, a soft grey that complements the Naked 3 palette perfectly.

Both look perfectly blended to me, would you agree?
I do like wearing product under my eyes as well as on the top so the ability to blend it through my lower lashes was a high priority for me but applying the liner and brushing and blending it through was no problem at all and I love using Perversion for a night out!

For the image above I used the Naked Basics double ended eye pencil which I've posted about previously. Smudging the darker colour (crave) on the outer corner and the lighter colour (Venus) on the inner corner proves how easily the colours have blended as there isn't a line where they connect.

So have I won you over??

I think everyone needs one of these in their make up bag, and the best part is.......its only £10!!

What a bargain, go and snap one up straight away!
(I'm not on commission....just a bit of a fan!)

L xxx

The perfect bargain black court!

Hey All

I really real like life is speeding by at the moment and seem to have no time at all! Today has been an amazing day as I got a job promotion at work. I really feel like the luckiest girl at the moment and finally feel like everything may be falling into place. I feel genuinely lucky to have the amazing group of family and friends I have around me!

Anyway's today I had to share with you my ultimate bargain! I popped into my local asda to pick up some T shirts for Glastonbury as after getting burnt in Cyprus I wanted some cover ups. After casually browsing the sale bit I found these gorgeous black patent court shoe! Everyone needs black patent courts right! They were massively reduced down from £14 to £3! I couldn't believe it. I've lived in my nude court shoes from asda they are slightly lower and still sold for £14 so I thought I'd try these!

For my interview today I tried them on. The test of a comfy heel for me is if I can last a full work day in them. I work in a lab and have a 10 minute walk to and from the bus stop everyday so I do do a reasonable amount of walking on a work day.

My nude court shoes from asda are super comfy but these are higher and post glasto feet (from reading posts it's seeming likely we walked around 50 - 60 miles over the weekend!!) I wasn't sure how comfy they'd be! When I slipped them on they weren't the comfiest on my little toe. I did stub it on holiday and it's been hurting since.

Ignoring that though they did feel pretty comfy. Even though they were high. There is a slight platform to them. I did keep them on in work all day even though I took other shoes I didn't feel the need to change them.

Asda yet again have surprised me with a cheap but comfortable high heel. They have a variety of classic court shoes so I'd definitely suggest picking some up!

I am a super clumsy person and have scuffed them already so I thought I'd also share with you how I fix them. It's a simple trick. Any patent shoe you have grab a nail polish the same way and paint over heel scuffs. It disguises them so well!

Let me know if you manage to grab the bargain pair!

Love M

xxx

Balance Me Extra Care Radiance Face Oil*

Hey All

I'm almost at the end of an amazing two and half weeks off work. This morning was an early one for us as we had to pack up our tent and leave Glastonbury after an amazing few days but it's safe to say we missed cleansing our faces and I couldn't wait to get back wash my face and get back into a proper skincare routine. 

My skin is feeling really dehydrated after 2 and a half weeks of sun, drinking and not taking proper care of my skin. My skin had been suffering pre holiday and after tweeting to ask for advice Balance Me kindly offered to send me some bits to try to improve it. I was keen to try more from their range especially as I love their rose lip balm!

As someone with oily combination skin oils are usually something I tend to avoid but as it's started to feel dehydrated to I figured it was a good time to try one. This one is aimed at all skin types so I was hoping it would sink in easily.

I love that balance me is created in the UK, it is great to support UK industries. It's also another company that don't use parabens, sulphates and many more! I love that it doesn't use petroleum too. I'm someone who doesn't like Vaseline and don't find it beneficial! 

The balance me radiance oil can be used as a moisturiser or as an extra boost. I've been using it as an extra boost in the evenings alone as I don't like to apply oils in the morning. It sinks into my skin easily and doesn't feel too greasy. My skin does feel more oilier in the mornings than normal which is why I don't use it in the mornings. I had been also suffering with minor breakouts. Since switching my skincare to include this and a scrub my skin is looking much clearer and also more glowing. I've not been wearing foundation as much which is always welcome in the summer.

It is a glass tube with a roller ball. I tend to roll this directly onto a freshly cleansed skin but not near spots to avoid spreading bacteria into the roller ball. It easily comes out and is rubbed into the skin without wasting product. I do find with dripper bottles I do tend to put too much on. The Frosted glass bottle has also meant that it stays looking clean.

Have you tried facial oils?

What's your favourite?

Love M

xxx

   

Beauty Rehab

Hi there!

I'm back with another instalment of my quest for space and freedom. My stash has got to the point where I am overwhelmed and although I'm clearly addicted and have cut my spending down dramatically, I still have drawers, cupboards and suitcases full of products. It's quite frankly ridiculous and I've cleared out crappy stuff that I've hoarded for no reason, got rid of doubles to family members and powered my way through tonnes of amazing products (which you can see following this link).

It's still an overwhelming amount of stuff but it has been cut down from its original size, here's my latest load of empties for you to browse!

Aussie 3 Min Miracle - 100% love this product, continuously repurchasing!
Scrub of Your Life - Another good one from S&G, would repurchase on a 3 for 2 deal
Burt's Bees Buttermilk Lotion - Weird smell, nice and moisturising but wouldn't repurchase
Origins Modern Friction - So much love for this stuff! Expensive but lasts a long time and works wonders

Murad Refreshing Cleanser - Lovely cleanser but didn't always cleanse all my make up off
Origins Make a Difference Serum - Lovely but just doesn't last long enough for me
Vichy Normaderm Promat - Mattifying but seems to have disappeared off shelves?
Clarins Bath and Shower Concentrate - Not a fan of the smell but was very concentrate so lasted well, wouldn't repurchase though
Una Brennan Rose Miracle Facial Oil - Nice product, removes make up well but needs a few pumps of oil to remove everything and is too expensive for such a small bottle for me personally.

Clarins HydraQuench Cream - Super thick and hydrating, but £35 for 50ml might be too much for me at the moment
Philosophy Snow Angel - Lovely smell but it was just a gift, wouldn't repurchase
Redken Color Extend - this was a sample and not big enough really to know long term colour protection effects, but was light and I barely noticed it on my hair so wasn't crispy or sticky
Sally Hansen InstaDri Top Coat - This is a pretty good topcoat, I'd consider repurchasing when my Essie one has run out

Origins Checks and Balances Cleanser - This is my 3rd tube and I've bought a 4th! Enough said.
GHD Heat Protector - Not sure if these truly work but any protection is better than none! Have repurchased a cheaper one
Ted Baker Body Lotion - This was so thick it was hard to get out the tube and hard to absorb too, wouldn't repurchase
Alpha H Liquid Gold - This definitely works and I'm a bit gutted to have finished it, would repurchase if I can find a deal!

No7 Face Wipes - Always buy these with the vouchers when they come around. I know face wipes aren't ideal but after a drunken night out its exactly what's necessary and for those times when you need to remove a few layers of product before washing your face properly.
Duac - Technically not a product you can buy as it's only on prescription but if any of you have skin problems I would 100% recommend you ask your doctor to try this. It's not a long term solution as it can thin your skin but it has permanently cured my acne.
Crabtree and Evelyn Hand Therapy - This is a lovely hand cream I would recommend for anyone with dry hands that need a little more than the average hand cream

Have you tried any of these products? Would you repurchase or give them a miss?

L xxx