Rimmel stay matte foundation

Rimmel stay matte liquid mousse foundation £5.99 available online here

I've done it...I think I've found my ultimate drugstore/pharmacy foundation!!! This little beauty rivals that of it's high end alternatives. It's hands down THE BEST foundation I have bought for under £6!! I love revlon colourstay and probably will always go back to it but couldn't actually believe how good this was.

 

First impressions:

I picked this up at Boots for £5.99 and thought why not give it a try i picked shade 200 soft beige. There was only two shades to pick from, I'm not sure if there is more as my local Boots is only small. I tried it this morning and I literally said 'wow' when I put it on. I used a Sigma F80 flat top kabuki to apply and I didn't need a lot. I do have blemishes and dark spots but the coverage is fab so I didn't even need to conceal once applied. It blended like a dream, was a good match and didn't feel too heavy! This is definitely only for people who like full coverage and matte skin, it isn't dewy or glowy it does exactly what it says!! It's a thick consistency and almost a mousse like texture. 

 

Pros and cons:

There are so many pros for this foundation, it's cheap for £5.99 and there's a 3 for 2 deal on at the moment so you could get 3 of these for under £12!! It's great coverage as I said and perfect for oily/combo skin. I didn't have high hopes for this foundation but Rimmel have done it again, they just keep getting better and better! I guess you could say 2 shades really isn't enough, Rimmel should bring out more shades of this it's such a good foundation!! 

 

Overall:

Definitely my go-to foundation from now on! It does what I want for a foundation and I can't believe how cheap it is! I can't say enough good things about this foundation if you're thinking about trying this do it!!! 

Me wearing the Foundation (no filter):

 

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner and Real Techniques Fine Liner Brush

Maybelline Gel eyeliner £7.99 - available online here

Real Techniques Fine Liner £6.99 - available online here

This one is a double whammy! I bought these two products together because I knew what I wanted; a long wearing black gel eyeliner and a good brush to apply it with. The gel eyeliner comes with a small brush you are meant to apply it with - I find this brush pretty useless for that as its too thick and hard to control - is good to apply lip products with so I have kept it for that purpose!

First impressions:

I had researched what to buy by looking at reviews and testing whilst in store. The liner is very pigmented and has a smooth texture. I pick up the product straight from the pot onto the brush and dab off the excess in the lid, I find the eyeliner glides on easily and kind of sets which I suppose is needed for longevity. This is now my go-to eyeliner everyday now, I love it! I have used Bobbi Brown, Clinique, MAC and other drugstore versions but this is the best by far and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a long wearing black eyeliner.

The brush is a perfect tool to apply this eyeliner - its easy to use, light and it moves so easily to create your preferred look. I have a few of the Real Techniques brushes and they never let me down!

Pros and cons:

To me I cant say there are any cons for either of these products I am so happy I looked into what to buy beforehand as it paid off. The pros are they are both drugstore/chemist products so cheap and easy to get hold of plus there's usually a deal on in the drugstores!

Overall:

I am extremely happy I bought this eyeliner - it is exactly what I needed to create winged eyeliner or any kind of dramatic eye looks I want, it also stays put on the waterline which is a bonus! So if you are looking for the same things to add to your makeup collection.....look no further!

Lush: mask of magnaminty

Lush - Mask of Magnaminty, £5.95/125g available online here

 

Help! I have got a spot and I need it gone now!! DONE!! Well pretty much...if you suffer from our little red angry friends fear not I have a solution for you! The mask of Magnaminty is your knight in shining armour!

First impressions:

When I heard about this mask I had to have it! I suffer from breakouts a lot around my mouth and chin area and I was looking for something to help get rid of these. I have tried lots and lots of masks before and they just generally really dry my face out or just don't make a difference to my spotty chin. I picked this little beauty up and tried it as soon as I got home. It smells fresh and minty and the texture is thick and grainy. It took a while for it to dry on my face - it says leave on for 5-10 minutes but I had it on for a good 15-20, maybe I applied it too generously but it says to do so! I removed it with a warm flannel and instantly my skin felt softer and the redness from the spots had gone down a little. In the morning the appearance of the spots had definitely improved, high five Lush! 

 

 

Pros and cons:

 

This mask is pretty cheap, there's a fair amount if product in this tub - plus you can get a 315g tub for £9.25, which I will be purchasing when this little baby runs out! I really only apply this to the areas which I have the spots so I think this will last me a while - but remember to check the use by date on the tub. It works so that's a massive pro, the only con is that it contains parabens (listed in the ingredients) which has been linked to cancer. I know that a lot of products contain parabens but I try to choose products (if I can) that do not contain these.

 

 

 

 

Overall:

 

If a product works - and this really does!! I am only going to recommend it, so go and buy this!!! Its fantastic value and the best spot preventing product I have had for a long time! Has anyone else tried this yet? If so what did you think?

 

Organix coconut milk shampoo and conditioner

Coconut milk shampoo available online here

Coconut milk conditioner available online here

 

I have tried so many shampoos recently! I want a shampoo that moisturises my dry hair, really cleans it and doesn't weigh it down! I have found it!!! The search is over!! I am in love with this shampoo and conditioner duo, I just can't get enough!!

 

First impressions:

The smell! Oh the smell!!! It's like holiday in a bottle, it's smells good enough to drink....please don't!! Like any other shampoo it lathers up nicely but not too much! It cleans all the products out of my hair in one wash but I sometimes double up on this if I want squeaky clean hair then move onto the conditioner which isn't greasy or sticky it's light but definitely moisturising. After drying my hair it feels soft and silky and still voluminous, my perfect shampoo! 

 

 

Pros and cons:

 

The smell is definitely a pro and the packaging is lovely! There are a few other types of these including a Moroccan oil which I want to try next. The price is £6.99 for both the shampoo and conditioner which isn't cheap but like I always say you pay for quality. so really there are no cons!

Overall:

 

I am so happy I tried this shampoo and conditioner I think it has changed my haircare routine forever!! I want the oil next I think I am addicted!! If you haven't tried the Organix range yet, give it a try; you won't be disappointed! 

Vaseline spray and go body moisturiser (Aloe vera)

Vaseline body moisturiser - currently £3.99 (usual price £4.99) available online here 

 

Am I the only one who sometimes finds moisturising a bit of a chore? Probably not! So, when I saw this product It was love at first sight. Anything that cuts time is a bonus for me, I'm a sucker for new products anyway but this was just a no brainer!

 

 

 

First impressions:

 

The packaging is sleek and quite large but easy to hold. I have used this nearly everyday since my purchase but I'm thinking its because its more of a novelty that I can literally 'spray and go'. It smells lovely and fresh and I think this would be a great after sun product as well as it contains Aloe Vera which is soothing. The spray was very light and absorbed into my skin really quickly, it didn't feel sticky or heavy and the scent was present for a while after.

 

 

 

Pros and cons:

 

As I said above its quick and easily absorbed - great for anyone in a rush! I'm not quite sure when I will run out of this it still feels as if I have some in there but is hard to tell! Love the scent and I cant wait to try the others too (one is cocoa flavour but this was out of stock in my local Boots). No cons at all, it does what it says on the tin!

 

Overall:

 

I will be repurchasing this again especially with the current offer on for £3.99 hopefully in another scent, I think £4.99 is a tad high for a moisturiser id be happy to pay £3.99 over and over but just under a fiver is pretty steep. At the end of the day this is a FAB product, its not a fancy luxurious moisturiser but nowadays who has money or time for that - this is perfect for me and my lifestyle!!

Clarins Double Serum

 

Clarins double serum 30ml £55.00 - available online here

Recently I have been trying a number of new and exciting skincare treats! I wanted to share with you my thoughts and what I would recommend and what I wouldn't. I purchased the Clarins Double Serum after seeing lots of adverts and being told by the Clarins representatives this was the ultimate serum and I needed this in my skincare routine! I'm a skincare junkie and I was swayed by the promises this serum made.

As you can see the serum has promise! The main reason for me buying this was the claim that it would make my pores less visible, hey what girl doesn't want that!? 

First impressions:

 

Simple generic Clarins packaging, love the pump bottle and it feels expensive. The smell is very herbal and fresh much like a lot of other Clarins products; which I love! Very light to the touch and on the skin feels like water, extremely lightweight and sinks into my skin without feeling heavy or sticky. The bottle is made up of two compartments one with a clear serum and one with a darker more 'orange' tint to it. 

Pros and cons:

 

Well, I may have only been using this for just over 2  weeks now but I can already say my skin texture is smoother and more radiant without makeup on. I am using this only at night after cleansing and before moisturising. You can use it both morning and night also. I can't say there are any specific cons but generally I cannot say my pores have shrunk! Believe me I have had a magnifying glass on them! 

Overall:

 

Am I happy I purchased this serum? In a nutshell, yes. It is pricey but for a high end serum with '20 plant extracts' in it I suppose you get what you pay for! I am happy so far with the results and hopefully I will see more improvements the longer i use it. Compared to a few other serums I have used before I can quite easily say I would purchase this again and would recommend this as a serum for all ages and skin types.