Tie Dye Summer.

Dior Tie Dye Summer 2015 Collection offers a range of sunny shades that bathes the skin in warm light. I know many of you were dying to find out about Dior Tie Dye Collection which promises to be the hottest summer 2015 Collection; I personally can’t wait to get my hands on most of it. You will definitely love at least of couple of products from this Tie Dye limited edition collection as the colours vary from jade to golden-brown amber to beige or sand-coloured lagoon blue shades. The lips shine in combinations of coral, pink, mauve and red shades, while nails are painted in a wave of grenadine trend colours of summer with a special twist. Let’s not forget about that gorgeous limited edition new Diorskin Nude Tan Tie Dye shades which are the thrill of this collection.

Roller Lash.

I have been fairly vocal about the fact that I am not Benefit's biggest mascara fan; there was Benefit Bad Gal Lash, which did add volume and length, but smudged terribly on me, fast forward a few years and the brand launch Benefit They're Real Mascara. This is arguably one of the most successful mascara's ever and yet I couldn't hop on board - yes it added length to my lashes but it also weighed them down, flaked and generally irritated my eyes. To say I was less than enthused about Benefit Roller Lash Mascara was an understatement. However after trying it I have to say its nothing short of wonderful.

Three of the Best.

At the moment mascara is something that I really cant live without. I’m up at 6 every morning and getting home from work around 6, therefore mascara is my must have for looking awake and refreshed…and like I have actually made an effort. Therefore, I thought I would do my 3 favourite mascaras. I have split them up into 3 different categories; the best budget mascara, the best curling mascara and the best overall mascara. This is because as someone who read a lot of blogs this covers pretty much everything people look for when they’re buying new mascara. 

Magnifibres.

Magnifibres -

Brush-On False Lashes

I am a real lover of lashes. I rarely wear falsies (I find them really hard to apply) but I love the fluttery-eyed look, so these Magnifibres Brush-on False Lashes sounded like just the ticket. Magnifibres are really easy to use. You just apply your normal mascara and then immediately brush on the fibres just like you would apply mascara. You then wait 30 seconds and then do a second coat of regular mascara, covering the Magnifibres. It does take a little while to get used to in order to make it work perfectly, however once you get used to applying it correctly your good to go.

When I ordered this, I was somewhat dubious about if it would work or not. Well, I was wrong. It does give you thicker, slightly longer lashes. The build-up is evident when doing the process once. You can also build up and add more product and mascara layers, to create an even more dramatic look. It comes off with your mascara, so no special treatment needed there. It looks like there is plenty in the bottle!

Overall, I love this product! It’s a great alternative to false lashes and truly worth the £21 they retail for, especially when you compare them with how much a good pair of false lashes cost.

Mini-Boots Haul.

Recently I went to Boots to do some Christmas shopping. I tend to buy most of my presents for my friends from boots, theres always something for everyone, especially for those people your unsure about what to buy. Whilst there I bought a few other things, some were essential because I had ran out or not far off running out, others are things I've been eyeing up for a while and decided I couldn't walk past them any longer. 

I'm planning on doing individual reviews on most of these, so I won't go into too much detail.

The essentials.

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Waterproof Mascara.

I normally have the original version of this mascara, however as its coming up to winter I thought the waterproof version would be better suited. It is amazing for giving incredible length, a curl that lasts all day and a touch of volume, which is exactly what I want from a mascara. I have never know it to clump, smudge or flake and the brush is so easy to use. I really don't like those thick brushes that some other drug store and high end mascaras have, I find them to hard to use, and don't find they always coat every lash. This on the other hand does an amazing job of making it look like you truly are wearing false lashes. Another thing I love about this mascara is that its build able without clumping, I use on coat for really natural luscious looking lashes during the day, then sometimes add other coat or two for really show stopping incredible lashes for a night out or when I'm going somewhere nice.

Batiste Dry Shampoo.

Batiste Dry Shampoo is the best dry shampoo I have ever used. Not only is the quality really good but its also really good value at only £4 and really easy to pick up from Boots and Superdrug. I know there are some other dry shampoos which are meant to be good, but are far more expensive. Nevertheless, I believe if its not broken then why fix it. It does the job and smells amazing. Currently I'm loving the 'Blush' version, which is really florally and leaves my hair smelling amazing. However I think next time I'm going to either get the 'Oriental' (warm notes of rite, flowers and rich coconut) or 'Floral' (delicate notes of blossom, rose, orange and peach) version, which are the newest from the brand.

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pure Oil-Free Primer. 

Not long ago I picked up the original version of this primer. I did at the time think this 'pure' version was discontinued because I couldn't find it anywhere, therefore I resorted to the original. Now. I'm not saying the original isn't amazing because it is, however this version is aimed at sensitive, combination skin, which sums my skin up exactly. The website states its clear (whereas the original has a strange pink tint to it,) oil-free, and helps to minimise and sooth rednessness whilst helping erase pores, fine lines and imperfections. Im really excited to try this because it sounds amazing. I will be writing a more in-indepth review as soon as I've gave it a good try out. Im expecting great things from this primer.

The not so essential.

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis Nail Colour.

I haven't actually ever seen a Chanel nail polish which really took my eye before. Normally I see one I like the look of, take note of the name and look for a dupe for it. The main reason for this is because I haven't always justified paying £18 for a nail polish. Lets be fair, its pretty steep even for Chanel. HOWEVER. This nail polish caught me totally of guard. Its been raved about all over the internet and I haven't ever seen a polish which could even come close to how amazing this is. I planned only to go to the counter to have a look at it, however it is truly amazing and I ended up buying it straight away. Personally I think its incredible. Its a rich, deepened red-toned purple with iridescent shimmer that reflects red, violet, pink and coppery-red. Seriously its like galaxy in a bottle!

butterLondon Petrol Nail Polish.

I have been waiting for ages for this to be released. I was actually worried it wouldn't look as good in person as I was hoping for, however it does truly look like petrol in water. Its a beautiful purple/blue duo which changes depending on the light. I've been reading a lot of reviews about this, and it sound amazing. I originally was planning on trying it as an overcoat on top of black, however some people say it looses some of its colour which I think could be the same for Taboo also if you used it for layering. Therefore I think I will try it alone and over different colours to see which gives the best result. Never the less this is something completely different from anything I have in my collection. 

If there is anything specific you would like me to review in-depth first leave me a message and I will be sure to get it written and posted as fast as I can.

xox

Mini York Haul.

Recently I went to York for my birthday. Shopping wasn't the main focus of going to York, I just wanted to get away with my boyfriend and have a very chilled and relaxed time away. However, whilst I was their I picked up a few things, most of which I have had my eye on for a while.

Firstly I picked up the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. Not too long back, they gave me a sample of this moisturizing gel (which also comes in a lotion for dry - normal skins) when I baught a face wash and I really enjoyed using it. Therefore, I thought I would pick it up, due to my sample pretty much running out. I chose to get it in the 50ml tube version, rather then the bottle with a pump, mainly because its huge, 125ml to be precise, and because I like to travel a lot, the tube version was just much better. However, if you aren't traveling then the 125ml is much better value!

Website Description - Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is oil-free and non-comedogenic. It gives you the lightweight hydration without oiliness so your skin feels smoother, softer and more comfortable.

Secondly, I got the butterLondon Horse Power Nail Fertilizer. I've had my eye on this and the brand for a while, because I've read so many rave reviews about it transforming people nails and helping them being so much more stronger and healthier. Ever since I ran out of my Dr Lewinn's Renunail, I haven't really found anything that I particularly like, and even thought I liked the Renunail, it didn't really give the results I was hoping for. Therefore, I thought I would give this butterLondon alternative a try. 

Website Description - This nail rejuvenator is one of our all time favourite products! This product is 3 Free, and uses an herbal ingredient called ‘Horsetail’ (which is a herb...not an actual horses tail) to strengthen and repair nails. When used properly, the results are really quite staggering! Apply one coat every day for 7 days, then remove and begin again. Use for one month. Horse Power Nail Fertilizer can be used as both a basecoat & topcoat.

Next, I thought I would pay my usual visit to Dior, which as you all may know is fatal for my purse. This time I walked away with the DIOR Diorskin Nude; Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Concealer, which is what I believe to be the concealer version to their AMAZING Diorskin Nude BB creme. As soon as I tried this on the back of my hand I was in love with it. It’s so creamy and smooth…but more to come in the in-depth review of this little beauty. Originally, I was going to buy the MAC pro-longwear concealer, however when I tried it…I found it was just wayyyyy too cakey for me.

Website Description - The Diorskin Nude Concealer contains 45% Active Mineralized Water for 6-hour hydrating action. Its lightweight texture, like an eye contour care product, becomes one with the skin without leaving a trace to offer perfect correction and an ultra-natural result.

Lastly, whilst at the Dior counter, I was also going to pick up the DIOR Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara, I've heard so many amazing things about this mascara. However, the woman at the counter asked if I would like a sample sized version to try out first. Which I think is just genius, because mascaras for me are so hit and miss. I did try it out in York when we went out for the night, and the effects were beautiful, however I’m yet to compare it with my beloved L’Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara.

Website Description - Bolstered by its backstage expertise, Dior brings you the latest chapter in the DIORSHOW mascara adventure, inspired by the big-screen eyes of movie star icons: ICONIC OVERCURL. Its secrets? An incurved brush, modelled after professional eyelash curlers, which delivers extreme curl and a stretch-effect formula for spectacularly shaped lashes. 

I will make sure to write an in-depth review about each of the products above some time soon. Giving you more detail about the products themselves and about what I think of them once I've given them a good try out.

False Lash Effect.

L'Oréal Paris -

Telescopic False Lash Effect Mascara

I think I have just found my Holy Grail mascara!!!

L’Oreal’s Telescopic False Lash Effect mascara is basically an improved version of their original Telescopic mascara, promising to make it look like you're wearing falsies by 'elongating lashes as if beyond their tips'.  Stretching every lash for an intense look, this sounded like the perfect mascara for me, as I prefer to have very bold, fluttery eyelashes!

This mascara comes packaged as a slim, mirrored silver tube that resembles a telescope: pretty cool, but a nightmare to photograph!  It comes in Magnetic Black or Hypnotic Brown and of course I went for the black version, due it begin in my opinion more dramatic. The wand is quite skinny and flexible with little bristles designed to catch every single lash.  I tend to prefer these types of wands, as I find really big oversized wands just end up putting more products on my eyelid then on my eyelashes.

This mascara is just amazing! It makes my eyelashes unbelivably long and luscious. I have had so many commenting on my eyelashes whilst wearing this, and some people have even asked what false lashes I’m using because they look so dramatic, but so natural at the same time. They were truly stunned when I explained I was only wearing L’Oreal mascara. Another bonus of this mascara is that it doesn’t smudge, nor is it a pain to wash off. It also doesn’t irritate my very sensitive eyes.

Overall, I love this mascara. In my opinion it gives any high-end mascara a good run for its money!!!

Unsure.

CHANEL - 

Le Volume De Chanel Mascara

I received this not long ago as a sample. To say its a sample its a pretty good size, and the packaging of the box it came in was stunning! I was really excited to try this mascara, because even though its new, I was hearing some pretty good things about it.

So what does CHANEL say...'Instant volume and intense curves from the first stroke with longer, plumper and thicker lashes. Lashes are coated in deep colour, giving eyes a wide-open effect. A shock result produced by the perfect union of brush and formula: The brush, creates volume thanks to its smart design of snowflake-shaped disks that are stacked and oriented for an ideal finish.The quick-drying fluid formula helps build a customised volume result. A flutter of seduction beats across the eyes as they become the expression of a vibrant personality.'

Now, isn't that something special to live up to.

Ok, so im not saying its rubbish...however it doesn't really live up to all the hype and the amazing description of the mascara. Lets start with what I liked about it;

- The jet black colour is amazing, it really makes your eyes pop

- The wand its ok, its not too hard to use like some other mascaras that take a while to get to grips with the wards

- It does make a difference to the length and volume of my lashes, however nothing extreme

HOWEVER...

- I found it very clumpy, and as someone who hates anything clumpy it really let the mascara down for me

For me, the fact it was really rather clumpy just ruined the whole experience of using this mascara. I did try it for a whole week, and every day the same thing happened...it ended up clumping my lashes together and it just ruined the whole look.

Sorry Chanel!

High-Street Alternative.

Sometimes I don’t have the money to spend on high-end make up, and when I’m running ridiculously low on something, I sometimes try a highstreet alternative. This either ends with me falling in love (rare) or running for the closest department store (more likely). Never the less, I always like trying high-street products and sometimes you do come across gems that are just incredible. Therefore I thought I would show you a few things I bought in the last couple of months and my thoughts on them.

Garnier Oil-free BB Cream - £9.99

The packaging is quite an elegant slim line squeezy tube with a pointy tip. Scent wise - it is fragrance free so doesn't smell much, which is a massive bonus. The texture of the Garnier Oil-free BB is very runny. Never the less, it is exceptionally easy to spread and doesn't set too quickly so you have time to work it. The finish is surprisingly beautiful. It's a nice soft matte, very skin like. It is light to almost medium coverage and is particularly good at hiding areas of redness. The oil control is good, but not fantastic. I am oily on my nose and I still need to apply a mattifying primer to this area before applying the cream. I love the finish of this. Count me very surprised. It lasts around 8-10 hours and makes my skin feel so silky. I happily wear this when I’m just going to university, work placement or anywhere I don’t think needs me to use my high-end, much more fuller coverage foundation.

Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer 002 - £6.99

I bought this because I wanted a cheap matte primer to use under my Garnier BB Cream, instead of using my rather expensive illamasqua primer. It states that the primer will will “smooth, resurface, brighten, mattify and protect” as well as make your foundation last longer (if you choose to wear it under make up). It definitely did the latter – my make up stayed in place and still looked fresh by 8pm – despite putting it on 12 hours earlier! As for the other “5 in 1″ things, I wasn’t too sure. Smooth, yes, brighten, yes, but protect? Protect against what? It has no SPF in it, so I wasn’t too sure what this primer was “protecting” me against. Despite this, the first time I used it I was just amazed. It made my skin so smooth and my BB Cream went on so nicely over the top of it. No patchiness or caking like with other high-street primers I have tried. Overall first impressions…very impressed, never the less I will keep using it and keep you updated if my view of this primer changes in any way.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer - £4.19

Firstly I apologise about there being no photo, my tube of this gets so much use it looks rather horrific at the minute, it also has no writing on it due to it rubbing off. I'm REALLY impressed with this concealer. For the price it’s an absolute steal for the high quality. It's thick and creamy so provides a good coverage, but isn’t cakey and is easily blended into foundation. It comes in 4 different shades and they are all so very different, currently I have shade 3 which is medium, however next time I might try 2 which is lighter, just to see if it blends that bit better with my false tan wearing off lighter foundation.

I totally recommend this concealer for anyone after a new concealer with staying power and good coverage. Don’t be put off by the cheaper brand (guilty makeup snob right here), it’s most definitely a drugstore product deserving a chance.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation - £7.99

I received a tester of this foundation when it first came out. The best thing about this foundation for me, and the thing that intrigued me the most, is the fact that it contains no oils or waxes…'no nonsense' being the selling point of the Fit Me range. However, this foundation just wasn’t for me. I have rather sensitive skin with an oily t-zone and it definitely didn’t like this foundation at all. Within about an hour of applying this foundation it began to somewhat disappear and slide off my face, and it just wasn’t a pretty sight. I did try to apply another lighter layer on top but the same seemed to happen again and it was just become cakey and felt heavy on my skin. Another down side was that when I took it off at night my face was ridiculously red and not at all happy. Usually I give foundations another try to see if it works better, however with this I don’t think I will risk it.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - £3.99

This is something so many bloggers rave about, and therefore I thought I would try it. I have it in shade 5, which is a really good match to my skin/foundation. Rimmel claims it contains natural minerals that help control shine for up to 5 hours and it also helps minimise the appearance of pores. For me this just didn’t live up to my hopes. I don’t usually use powder anyway, my past experiences have been that it makes your face really cakey and doesn’t really do much. This was for me no different. At first it looked nice, and gave me a lovely matte look, however soon it began to cling to any dry areas on my face, and also set into my pores. It just wasn’t good at all. I tried just using it throughout the day when I was becoming a little shiny, but it just looked shocking, I found it easier and better just to blot my skin and maybe add a little extra foundation over the area. Its cheap enough to try, and for some people it might work, for me…I wouldn’t use it again.

Rimmel Apocalips - £5.99

The Apocalips range is a type of lip-gloss/lipstick hybrid aka lip lacquer; they have all the pigmentation of a lipstick and the sheen of a gloss without any stickiness. The consistency of these products is what impressed me the most. They are really creamy and opaque. The applicator has a little well in the center that collects product so you can apply it with only one or two dips. However, sometimes it can be a bit of a nightmare when you want to get it exactly perfect, therefore I prefer to just us a brush to apply it. The product has a satiny finish that actually dries quite matte, so it can get a little dry after a few hours, however I just put a bit of balm or lip-gloss over the top to give my lips a bit of hydration then it’s it looks good as new. The staying power is fantastic. The bright colours especially, stay on my lips for hours and hours, even after eating! The 'scent' of these are slightly off putting, it’s very plastic-y and fake smelling. Overall, I think these products are really good, but not fantastic. Lovely packaging, the colours are ok, and the formula is good for the price

No7 Extreme Length Extend Mascara (fibre enriched formula) - £12.95

This mascara is amazing. Personally, I think it can give any high-end mascara a run for its money. I’ve done a much more in-depth review here. Trust me, it’s definitely worth a read.