L'Oreal Nails

Spring is trying ever so hard to make an appearance and there's nothing like pastels to give brighter days a little encouragement (and I don't just mean mini eggs). L'Oreal have released 4 gorgeous pastel shades in their Perfection Color Riche Nails range, and I couldn't help but pick up a couple on my latest 3 for 2 splurge.

I opted for the pastel yellow, as its one colour I am lacking in my polish collection; and the lilac shade purely because it reminded me of parma violets! Off white pastels are definitely a trend to look out for this spring/summer, they look so clean and fresh and will most certainly compliment a wonderful tan (wishful thinking eh brits?).

These offerings from L'Oreal are the perfect size too – we all know polishes do not last till the end… And the packing itself looks so pretty I want to keep them on display! With 4 shades in total, and at £4.99 each its hard to come up with an excuse to not buy them all.

One point I will make is that the wear time with these polishes isn't great but on the plus side, the brush is! You wine some, you loose some…

Have any of you guys picked these up?

L'Oréal: in two minds

Maybe it's just me but every time that moment comes when you need to triple pump to get the last sorry remains of your foundation out of the bottle, it's a 'same old or try something new' situation.

So when my trusty Clinique foundation ran it's course I did some blog searchin' and found a whole lot of love for the L'Oreal True Match foundation (with it being likened to Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk foundation :O) and so hit the nail on the head and purchased the shade N1 Ivory ASAP. It just so happened that L'Oreal was buy one, get the second half price, and by magic my make up wish list grew by one (I was yet to decide what one was). Eventually picking up the Super Liner Blackbuster in a bid to wear eyeliner more.

So after a week of trial and testing I am in two minds about these L'Oreal products. I haven't used their make up before and so these recent purchases have well and truly split my opinion 50/50.

The foundation is perfect, maybe a little on the light side in terms of colour but the formula is a lightweight liquid that can be built up to a great medium coverage, with minimal product. It has a pump (score) and SPF 17 which is always a plus. I need a few more weeks wear to fully review this foundation, but I think I'm onto a winner!

Now for the eyeliner... What can I say - it ain't 'blackbusting' for a start! I found the colour was far from intense and it took me a while to build up a strong black line. The nib is good, not too hard and just the right size but you can't achieve a good cat flick in a few swipes, a complete no no for if you are on the move a lot (or mostly late for work).

It can be said, I'm quite a novice when it comes to liquid eye liner and I'm afraid I don't think this particular liner is going to help me on my journey to cat flick connoisseur.

Are there any L'Oreal products that are a must have? What am I missing out on?

spill...

My Empties

So here is my first empties post, an array of products I've been squeezing the dear life out of over the past month or so. I can safely say I have been loving all of the above products and here's why...

Dove Hair Nourishing Oil Leave in Spray 200ml (£3.59) - I bought this product back in summer and I have only just got the bottom of the bottle, serious value for money here. It's a leave in conditioner to be sprayed on wet or dry hair and as I don't condition my hair in the shower, this was a great and easy product to apply to my hair before de-tangling and styling. I can honestly say it kept my hair in great condition preventing dry ends, especially in the summer months.  The smell is also amazing, it reminds me of hot summer days and cocktails!

Would I repurchase? YES - I am, however, currently trialing Boots own version of this.

L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution 200ml (£3.33) - I purchased this when I had finished my beloved Bioderma Sensibio H20 as a possible alternative. At a miniscule of the price, this Loreal micellar works just the same. I feel it isn't as kind on the eyes (Loreal have since released a gentle eye make up remover in a similar range) but removes make up with ease and doesn't feel as if you are applying anything to your face at all.

Would I repurchase? YES

Lush Big Shampoo 330g (£11.50) - Now, this was a splurge! I'm usually one to pick up the cheapest shampoo on offer but when I impulsively had my locks chopped earlier this year I felt I needed some 'oomph' and in turn went for this Lush shampoo. The texture is exactly what it says on the tin pot - coarse lumps of rock salt - which is weird at first but this product certainly lathers up and once dried my hair felt voluminous yet soft. It's not an everyday shampoo but worth the money if you save it for nights out.

Would I repurchase? YES

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector 30ml (£5.00) - I won't go on about this product as I think every woman on earth has had their hands on this cream. A classic Body Shop hand cream that doesn't smell too good but really does sort out dry hands. Often on offer too - score!

Would I repurchase? NO... only because I wish to spread my hand cream wings...

Wilkinsons Fruity Citrus Instant Hand Sanitiser - I go through these like there's no tomorrow. Dries quick and isn't sticky, not much more you can ask for from a hand sanitiser. 

Would I repurchase? YES, battle that bacteria!

Mac Powder Sheertone Shimmer Blush in 'Peachtwist' (£18.00) - Very much a 'going out' blush here... almost a bronzer with a deep, shimmery peach tone. My view is that this product can work as a bronzer, blush and highlighter all in one and it brightens up the face with even the smallest amount of product.
Would I repurchase? NO, I tend to steer towards more affordable blushers on the highstreet. Sorry MAC!

Rimmel Scandaleyes LYCRA Flex Mascara in '001 black' - This is my all time favourite mascara!! I am really fussy about how my eyelashes look and this lycra flex mascara can be layered and layered without any clumps in sight. It's large brush is fantastic at separating lashes and giving a wide eyed fluttery look. In fact, the whole scandaleyes range is uhh-mazing!

Would I repurchase? YES (as soon as I get through these other mediocre ones I have on the go ;))