The Neutral Nail

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

You can pretty much assume throughout the Autumn/Winter ill be sporting a dark burgundy nail and come Spring/Summer ill have switched it up to something obnoxiously bright (have you seen the new 'Tan' range by Models Own?!) but its about time I grow up and dip into the neutral nails.

Opi's 'Tickle my France-y' is the perfect shade to start with giving a pale rose wash of a colour with slight mauve/brown undertones. It took just 2 coats to become opaque and found with 3 it becomes slightly too dark for my skin tone. The consistency is creamy and applies evenly and streak free with little effort leaving a such a gorgeous glossy finish I didn't need bother with a top coat! 

This nude instantly elongates my fingers giving me a feminine polished look I was after all along! Can you recommend me any nudes to build my collection with?

Rimmel 'Match Perfection' Foundation

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

After falling in love with YSL Touché Éclat foundation well over a year ago now (especially during the Summer time!) I've always been on the look out for a drugstore alternative that is slightly more purse friendly. Having heard Rimmel's 'Match Perfection' had similarities I headed straight to the shelves. After purchasing this foundation I've come across so many mixed reviews that it made me wander if everyone was even talking about the same product!

'Match Perfection' is designed to adapt to your skin tone to make you look as though you're not wearing foundation, 'a match so perfect its undetectable in any light' say Rimmel. A foundation far lighter than I'd usually go for that I really struggled with to build. I found the consistency extremely runny, thin and watery which was very hard to work with. It offers low coverage but does leave a dewy, satin finish that I usually love. I wanted to love this but I just can't seem to make this work for me. I find it makes my skin look uneven and patchy because the consistency is so runny and sheer. 

Although this foundation hasn't worked for me I would recommend trying it if you to like sheer, dewy bases as there are so many mixed opinions and I know a lot of people who do love it! I think ill try bringing it out again when I'm a little more tanned in the Summer and after a more sheer coverage to see if my opinion changes! 

Whilst at the Rimmel counter I also picked up the Primer that'll ill be letting you all know about shortly! 

New in! #1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I know I shouldn't be wishing away time, February was such a hard month for me that I'm glad to see the end of it. Something that makes me feel better? Shopping.

I picked up a few newbies in the Boots 3 for 2 offer that were totally unnecessary but completely needed.

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on the new L'Oreal 'Miss Manga' mascara so naturally that made its way straight in my basket to be tested. For a mascara to make it into my make up bag its got to give me length and a heck load of volume without looking clumping my lashes together or transferring, surely that's not too much to ask, right? I've only tried it a couple of times so won't comment yet but first impressions are good. The move able wand may take a few applications to get to grips with but the tapered brush has been great for reaching those smaller, corner lashes.


Collection's much coveted concealer is a repurchase after being without it for a while. After shopping my stash and using up other concealers in my collection nothing quite hits it like this one. For me, being long lasting and offering full coverage is right up there at the top of my list which this delivers along with being really affordable and easy to get hold of. I'm always unsure as to which shade I need with these so went for number 2 but think ill be back for 1 for under my eyes and 3 for when the sun is shining!  

A black eyeliner is an essential I'd been missing for a while, I always intend to buy one and then get distracted by more exciting releases! The Rimmel 'Scandal Eyes' shadow sticks work great as eye liners as they are super pigmented, creamy and easy to blend. I'd opt for a thick liner like this one any day over previous thin, scratchy pencils! I want to pick up other colours of this now to try as liners and shadows!

Lastly (and possibly my favourite purchase in a very long time!) a Revlon Lip Lacquer Balm in 'Demure.' I've heard the hype around the matte balms that have been recently released and initially headed for them. Once swatching the Lacquer Balms had me smitten being described as “high shine with a balm like moisture" and for me were far more wearable. 'Demure' is a beautiful soft pinky, nude with a hint of shimmer with a light peppermint fragarance. 'Tease' is top of the list on future balm buys, a gorgeous bold orangey red!

 I'll be sure to let you know how I get on with 'Miss Manga!'

Essie Winter 2013

      

      

      

      

      

     

      

      

      

      

 
 Essie's Winter Collection was a purchase I completely forgot I had made until I found it under my bookcase earlier this week! I had a bit of a fall out with Essie before Christmas as a lot of my polishes from them had turned gloppy and dry but these new Essie polishes have given me hope so fingers crossed they don't disappoint!

The Winter 2013 Essie Collection contains three 5ml mini polishes in 'Shearling Darling', 'Parka Perfect' and 'Toggle to the Top.' 'Shearling Darling' is the perfect deep red, burgundy which is my go to winter colour of the moment. If I ever struggle to pick a colour this what I've been gravitating towards. 'Parka Perfect' is a light blue/ grey with a subtle silver shimmer throughout that is almost unnoticeable. It's unlike anything in my collection I own but is a great staple to have. Finally 'Toggle to the Top' in my opinion is the show stopper. A dark raspberry, packed with glitter and shimmer that is super opaque and easy to apply. I wish I'd have had this over the festive period as it wouldn't have left my nails! 

If you're a fan of the brush on the full size polishes you'll be pleased to hear these minis have the identical thick brush that so many love. It makes them ridiculously quick and easy to apply that's great for when you're in a hurry! If you haven't tried any Essie polishes before I'd really recommend trying a set of minis to try a few colours and see how you get on with them without having to splash out lots for full sized bottles. If you are interested I know these are still available in Superdrug and Boots as I saw them earlier this week. 

Have you tried any of the colours from the Winter 2013 Collection? 

 

 
 
 

January Favourites!

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

 

I don't usually do monthly favourite posts but this month I've been loving so many great products I couldn't help but want to share! Having my birthday (January 4th) and Christmas so close together meant discovering products I wouldn't have bought myself but now can't see myself living without! 

I have lived in these Topshop 'Joni' jeans since purchasing them as a spur of the moment buy recently. I needed something that I could get away with at work but could also be dressed up. I hadn't ever tried anything high-waisted before and comfort plays a big part in my mood but these are super soft and stretchy. At £36 they aren't the cheapest jeans out there but are definitely worth it in my opinion. I'm looking forward to pairing them with a crop top when the weather warms up and jumping on that wagon! I'm usually pretty awful at remembering to accessorise my outfits, its normally just throw on and go however these rings have been put on everyday. I picked these 3 sterling silver ring up in the Accessorize sale after Christmas as part of a set. They can be worn stacked as a 3 or spread across your fingers as you wish and love how dainty they look. 

I've had the Origins 'Out of trouble' mask for a good while now that I try and apply on a weekly basis but with post Christmas skin from eating far too much chocolate this has been used a lot more! A 10 minute clay mask (that when my skin is awful I leave on for a good 30 minutes!) that'll help clear up problem skin. I mentioned it in my 'Best of 2013 - Skincare' post if you fancy reading more and have recently written full reviews of Benefits 'They're Real' mascara and the MUA 'Heaven and Earth' palette       which you can read here. 

The perfect nude in my opinion, MAC's 'Hue' is a subtle pinky nude that compliments my skin tone and looks great with a dark, smokey eye. 'Hue' is a glaze finish which is super moisturising and glossy looking on the lips. I've been making an attempt to use my MAC lipsticks more this month even though it makes me sad to see them coming to an end! I have been looking to expand my blush collection so this blush in 'Macaron' from The Body Shop made a welcome addition. I usually gravitate towards deeper, plum toned blushes so this had me stepping out of my comfort zone. I don't think these body shop blushes have the greatest formulas but I have been really enjoying wearing this colour, a lighter pinky peach. 

My go to brushes are Real Techniques so its no surprise another one of their brushes has made it into a favourites post. I don't use this brush for my eyebrows as most would but to apply eyeshadow as an eyeliner to define my eyes. I am horrible at liquid eyeliner but luckily eyeshadow is much more forgiving! The angle of the brush makes it easy to apply and picks up the perfect amount of product. I like to use a deep brown from either my Naked palette or MUA's palette as its a lot less harsh than black.  

I'm going to do a more in depth review of Benefits much talked about 'Porefessional' which FYI  is love. I have always skipped the primer stage but now I actually look forward to applying it so stay tuned for that one shortly! Lastly my Martha Stewart journal from Staples couldn't not be in this post. I got it for Christmas and have actually only started writing in it these past few days as I've been so scared to ruin it! I'm using it as my blogging notebook so any post ideas will be jotted down in this beautiful book. I hadn't seen the range before but for all you stationary enthusiasts out there its worth a peek, you won't leave empty handed! 

Phew that was a long one! I hope you enjoyed having a nosey at my favourites this month and have had a great Monday! What have your favourites been?! :) 

The Body Shop 'Vitamin C Skin Reviver'

     

     

     

     

     

Just as I warned you in my recent 'Shower gels' post another purchase from The Body Shop! I received the Skin Reviver for my birthday having mentioned how much I used to love it in a recent catch up chat with friends. I was first introduced to this a good 4 years ago by my Mum who suggested I try it!

The Body Shop 'Vitamin C Skin Reviver' is marketed as a radiance booster that refreshes and smoothes skin helping to enhance your natural glow, even in the Winter!  To achieve this the Skin Reviver contains light- reflective particles that to the eye looks like an apricot-y shimmer. It was perfect last Summer for those evenings were foundation was too much faff to wear alone without having to worry my skin looked dull and lifeless! The scent, just like all products from The Body Shop smells gorgeous, a citrus orange that is great for waking you up in the morning.

The gel like consistency applies effortlessly over the face with a soft, velvet texture that makes you want to keep applying! The Body Shop advise you to apply after your moisturiser and before your make up as a primer like product to help you achieve a flawless base. It's extremely easy to apply with your fingers just like a primer. This works well for my dry skin but if you've got oily skin or are having trouble with it I'd recommend cutting out the moisturiser step and seeing how you get on.

Although this product is similar to a primer after trying the Benefit Porefessional recently they are very different products. If you are looking for something to help the longevity of your foundation I would hands down recommend the Porefessional however if its a radiant glow you're looking for the Skin Reviver should be next on your list!