The Lazy Products - Eyes

Lets get one thing straight, I'm a sucker for anything that makes life easier, and when it's in the make up department - even better! 2013 was most definitely the year of the chubby stick and paint pot and I really enjoyed trying out various new 'quick and simple' eye products.  I currently have 3 easy bronze products firmly in my make up drawers for when I have very limited time to get ready (who am I kidding, I reach for them even if I have bags of time).

They are as follows:

Collection 'work the colour' Eyeshadow Pencil in Hot Chocolate

Maybelline color tattoo 24hr in On and On Bronze 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Paint in Rich Russet

All carry the same principle - apply, smudge, go! I prefer to use my ring finger to apply and blend out the maybelline colour tattoo and the collection pencil. I reach for a tapered blending brush with the scandaleyes paint as the consistency is more wet. You have to work quick with the scandaleyes but once blended that baby won't budge for nothin'! I also find these bronze shades create definition on the lid without the need for any darker shades in the crease, a lazy girls dream!

Are there any products you use that look amazing in one swipe?

Current Mascaras

It's a common theme in the beauty world to have multiple mascaras on the go all at once, all serving a slightly different purpose. Here are four drugstore mascaras I am currently trialing.

1. Collection Volumising Mascara(£3.99)

I very recently bought this mascara on a whim as the '£1 off' drew me in (poet and I didn't...). First impressions weren't too great but I am going to preserver with this one. The wand is huge with short plastic bristles, which I love. I find these types of brushes prevent clumps and I for one can't stand uneven lashes (picky, I know) so thumbs up there, BUT this 'volumising' mascara doesn't seem to add much more to my lashes - there's no oomph! Nevertheless, I'll give it a second chance.

2. Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara (£7.99)

I have had this product for a while now and my love for it yoyo's. With quite a thin plastic wand it adds length to your lashes no doubt. I prefer my lashes to be thicker rather than longer and so I normally have to use this alongside another mascara to get the look that I want. I usually use this masacara as a quick fix on weekdays for work.

3. Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara (£10.00)

S&G make up is regularly hyped up by bloggers - to the extent I feel I need more of the stuff in my life! This mascara came with the hugeeeee Christmas set that I most gratefully received from the rents. It's big fibre brush certainly does give you thicker lashes with minimal effort but I feel it's downfall is that you I can easily over apply and be sporting spider lashes in an instant. The formula is very wet and can be a bit messy, it probably needs a little drying before it's on top form.

4. Maybelline The Falsies Mascara (£7.99)

You may already know my thoughts towards this mascara so I won't go on for long... I'm a bit mehhhh about the whole thing. After all the hype around it I was sure I'd love it, but no. I do still use it every now and again to try and regain my confidence in it, but for now it's definitely the mascara that's most nearing the back of my draw.

Oil Slick Nails

A collection of my multi-tonal metallics for you today. I sometimes go off metallic/glittery nails but right now, this second, I'm loving them! After a rifle through my polish collection I realised I have a few very similar metallic shades - all generally donning that oil slick look.

As I said, these five shades are relatively similar -  some more than others but it just shows what trends we are seeing across the polish world right now. Okay, I must admit, I've had the Naked polishes for nearly a year now but they are still firm faves in the nail department and still on trend! (full review here)

Rimmel Metal Rush in 'Pearly Queen': A very sheer lilac polish that shines green/pink in the light. Quite the girly shade in my opinion.

Angelica Nail Colour in 'Chameleon': The most 'oily' of the bunch, purple with hints of reds and greens and generally every colour of the rainbow. This polish really does look different in every light.

Models Own in 'Purple Blue': Part of the Beetlejuice collection, this polish is very glittery mainly shining purples and blues... I know, how did you guess?

UD Naked in 'Hustle' and 'Smog': Hustle is yet another purple based metallic with hints of brown whilst Smog is coppery with subtle hints of gold and red.

Eye catching nails eh!?

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 ;))

In Pictures: Clothes Show Live 2013

When do next years tickets go on sale?

Winter Pastels

Who says you can't enjoy a good pastel mani in the colder months. I must admit I have raved about a seasonal deep red or classic nude for Autumn but it's also nice to have some alternatives up your sleeve (or on the end of one har-har)!

Today I present to you six shades I feel are the don whatever the weather...

Essie 'Fondola Gondola' - A dusky pink

Models Own 'Utopia' - A very pale lilac nude

Topshop 'Rainy Day' - A blue/grey

Barry M 'Blue Moon' - A simple baby blue

Barry M 'Lychee' - The perfect creamy nude

Rimmel 'Sage Green' - A pale khaki 

Anyone else dare to flaunt pastels this time of year?

ps. sorry for the awful lighting, its dark a lot these days...

Autumn Go-To's

Autumn is well and truly upon us, and what is more exciting than switching up your make up collection to match? Today I bring to you my autumn go-to's, my 'always on top of my make up pile' staples that I will be using constantly during the colder months.

Autumn is all about deep tones and simple looks, and what I am about to show you is all completely affordable (all under a tenner, score)!

Two lippies I reach for non stop... (left) Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in the shade 'Notting Hill Nude' (720). At £6.49 this nude is simple and wearable both day and night. (right) 17 Supreme Shine Lipstick in the shade 'Deep Secret' at £4.99 is a very fun christmassy colour (anyone else thinking works christmas do?). Both great lip products, brilliantly moisturising and easy to apply, even for the lippy rookie over here.

Next up, the most gorgeous plum blush by Maybelline from their Expect Wear line, in the shade 'Flash Plum' - obviously! And for £5.99, deep cheeks can be worn by eveyone.

This product is a lazy girls dream, from their Scandaleyes collection, this Shadow Paint (£4.99) by Rimmel in the shade 'Rich Russet' is the perfect dark bronze for a simple wash of autumn-y colour. Plus the Liquid texture is great during the harsh winter that dries out our skin boo-hoo.

Give it a go, Warm up with Winter!