Friday 18 September 2015

20 Tried and Tested Beauty Tips and Tricks

I always love reading about beauty tips and tricks, or life hacks. Most of the time they are things you've never thought to do, yet they are always so simple and easy to achieve. I have put together 20 tried and tested beauty tips and tricks that I've come across over the years. I'm definitely not the first to have tried these and I don't claim to be the genius who invented them, but they are things that help me out and make my life that little bit easier. 

Hair 


To tame those fly aways spray hairspray onto a toothbrush (obviously not one you are currently using) and brush down those annoying strands of hair. You can also use a toothbrush for some last minute back combing at the roots to add extra volume to your hair. Then just flip away to your hearts content.

Apply your dry shampoo the night before. When you wake up in the morning the dry shampoo will have absorbed any excess oils throughout the night. Brush through your hair and you're good to go. 

Brush through your hair before washing. It makes it a lot easier to manage once it's been washed. 

When brushing, brush from the centre to the ends and then from the scalp to the centre. This will cause far less damage than dragging your brush from your scalp to the ends in one painful sweep. 

Lips 


Almost finished your favourite lipstick? Melt it down in the microwave and mix it with Vaseline, honey and your favourite essential oils. Leave to set and you have a brand new lip gloss.

Mix sugar with your favourite lip balm to create your own lip scrub. Use to exfoliate and soften your lips before applying your favourite lipstick. 

Loving the matte lip trend but don't have any in your collection? Apply your favourite lipstick and then cover with your regular face powder. This will absorb any oils and create a matte look without having to buy a new lipstick. 

Looking for a fuller pout? Apply lip gloss to the centre of your lips and look for products that contain mint as a natural pout enhancer. 

Brows


Running out of brow tint? Apply dark tanning lotion to your brows as a quick fix. Wash off as normal and your left with a subtle added colour to your brows until you can get to the shops or beauty salon. 

Spray hairspray onto an old mascara wand and brush through your brows. This will tame any wild hairs and keep your brows in place all day. 

Stand away from the mirror when filling in your brows. This will give you a better perspective of how your brows are looking and prevent any 'over drawn' disasters. 

Waxing at home? Draw your eyebrows in with a pencil first and then just wax the stray hairs that are around the outside of the brow. Waxing at a salon? BE PATIENT let those brows grow out. The finished result will be worth it. 

Eyes


In a rush? Apply your eyeliner to the upper rim of your eyelash curlers. When you press down to curl your eyelashes, the eyeliner will print onto your lid. You can touch up any sparse areas afterwards. 

Press your eyeshadow onto your eyelid, rather than swipe. This will give a more pigmented and intense look. 

Running out of your favourite eye make-up remover? Use coconut oil as a gentle yet effective alternative.

Place ice cubes inside a cloth and place on puffy eyes to rejuvenate them in the morning. 

Nails 


If your favourite nail polish dries up, apply a few drops of nail varnish remover into the bottle and shake. This will provide you with one last manicure before you have to say a proper goodbye.

Cut across the nail, rather than into the corners. This will prevent any ingrowing nail problems from occurring. 

Line your nails with craft glue or vaseline for an easy clean up. Once you've finished either wipe away the vaseline or peel off the excess glue. Job done! 

Use a white nail polish as your base coat. This will make any top coat colour pop. 


Do you have any tips or tricks to add to the list? If so, get in touch and let me know. 

Jade x 

Thursday 17 September 2015

Max Factor Facefinity All Day Primer Review


I've been on the lookout for a primer to wear underneath my foundation to make my makeup last a little longer throughout the day. Ideally, I wanted an oil free and silicone free primer however, these are few and far between when shopping on the high street (they are available if you want to invest in the more high end brands). So, after a little research on the internet I came across the Max Factor Facefinity All Day Primer. Everybody seemed to be raving about it and after popping into my local store and seeing it on offer it seemed like fate that I should pick it up.

Now although it doesn’t claim to be oil or silicone free, the reviews I read suggested it was different to many silicone primers and didn’t irritate the skin or cause breakouts for those who had used it. Therefore I was willing to overlook my requirements and test it out anyway.

Firstly, I personally like the feel of the packaging. The bottle is made of glass, which for me makes it feel a little more expensive than it is. Although some may disagree as it’s not ideal for travelling and I imagine it’s going to be tricky to extract the product when you come to the end of the bottle. The bottle does contain a pump, which makes it easy to dispense the right about of product (usually 1 pump is sufficient to meet my needs).


The product itself is white in colour and I did need to give the bottle a good shake before use as the first few pumps were quite runny in texture. However, when mixed you end up with a nice creamy product. Unfortunately, when you first dispense the product, there is quite an overpowering smell to the primer. I can’t quite describe what it is, but it’s not appealing and definitely doesn’t smell as though I should be using it on my face. That said, once applied to the face and absorbed into the skin, the smell does disappear.

The primer does sink into the skin really quickly and leaves a smooth, almost matte finish to the skin. It also seems to slightly improve the look of my skin and forms a nice even base for foundation. I have used a few foundations on top of this primer and some do seem to sit better than others. I’m not too sure why this is, but if it doesn’t seem to be working on the first attempt, it might be worth trying it with another foundation. This is a bit of a disappointment as I would like and expect it to work with all of the foundations I own. I would also advise to use the ‘less is more’ mantra when applying this primer as using too much also seems to ruin the foundation application and can create a bit of a patchy mess.

However, after playing around with the primer, it does seem to make the foundation last longer than normal and this is what I was after in the first place. I feel more confident that my makeup is staying in place throughout the day when I have this on underneath. It also (touch wood) hasn’t caused any irritation to my skin, which is a major plus point for me.
Overall, this primer is ok! I am a little disappointed, as after reading other reviews, I was hoping to love it, but the fact that it has a strange scent and only works with certain foundations in my collection means that I don’t think I will be repurchasing this.

The hunt for the perfect primer continues.

Do you have any primer recommendations? If so, get in touch and let me know.


Jade x

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Collection Contour Kit Highlight & Sculpt Review


I recently re-purchased the Collection Concealer, it’s been raved about since it was first launched and I forgot just how much I loved it until I added it back into my daily makeup routine. Whilst picking this up, I also opted to buy the Collection Contour Kit Highlight and Sculpt palette. Everything within the Collection brand was under £4 that day and you can’t turn your nose up at such a good deal (I’d also seen Zoella raving about it in her latest YouTube video). As the name would suggest the palette contains a bronze shade to contour and a highlight to bring luminosity to the face.


The contour shade is perfect for my skin tone, but being quite pale I don’t know how this would stand out on darker complexions and to my knowledge there’s not a range of shades like other brands. However, you may be able to build up the colour to add a more intense contour to the face. The contour does blend really well into the skin and I don’t find it orange in colour, which is a big bonus for me. It’s also completely matte with NO shimmer to it, again another major advantage to create a more natural defined look.


The highlight within the palette is quite nice and adds a subtle shimmer to the skin. It’s not packed with glitter either so you’re not going to sparkle like a disco ball. Unfortunately, I do have other highlighters in my stash which I will continue to reach for before thinking about using this one. In my mind, I want my highlight to stand out and have a bit more of an impact than this one gives but it’s nice to have in your bag as a back-up throughout the day.

Overall, I’d definitely say the contour is the clear winner within this palette and although the highlight is not my favourite, at £3.99, the palette is really affordable and would be a great addition to a new makeup kit.

Have you tried the contour kit? If so, get in touch and let me know what you think.


Jade x 

Sunday 6 September 2015

Barry M Eye Shine Shadow and Glaze Palette Review


Whilst perusing the internet, I came across the eye shadow of my dreams that being Mac’s Coppering. Reluctant to spend £13 on one eyeshadow, I then came across the Barry M Eye Shine Shadow and Glaze Palette for the bargain price of £6.49 and most exciting of all it contained a similar shade to what I was looking for, so I snapped it up.

On closer inspection the Barry M Palette is Limited Edition, which probably means you should snap it up quickly if you’re interested. It also comes complete with two eye shadow applicators, a handy mirror, 6 eye shadows and a glossy top coat. To be honest most of this escaped my attention when I first picked it up, but now it seems like an interesting idea for a palette.


The colours themselves are quite bright and well pigmented. Some of the colours are definitely more wearable than others depending on how brave you are feeling, but I think the blue and green colours would look lovely as a pop of colour under the lower lash line. However, the bronze and terracotta colours are perfect for Autumn and I’ll definitely be getting a lot of wear out of them this season.


Now to the interesting part – the glossy top coat. Once I realised this was in the palette I had my doubts about it right from the start. oweHhH However, I was willing to give it a go. Unfortunately, it lived up to my fears and it’s the only thing to let the palette down. It’s pretty much like smearing Vaseline onto your lids once you’ve created the perfect makeup look and then watching it crease and ware away before your eyes.

Overall, I love the palette and the colours in it (especially the terracotta colour). For the price Barry M have done a great job and offered an affordable palette with beautiful pigmented eyeshadows. I would stay clear of the glossy top coat, but if you find a way to make it work then do let me know.

Remember to get your hands on it before it sells out!

Have you tried any of the Barry M palettes? If so, get in touch and let me know what you think about them.


Jade x

Sunday 30 August 2015

SkinOwl Lavender Beauty Drops


I came across the SkinOwl brand after reading Lilly Pebbles' blog post which you can read here. After reading this post I did some research of my own and decided that the entire range and ethos behind it sounded amazing! Basically, the brand was founded by Annie Tevelin who battled with her own skin issues for years and decided to create her own skincare range to overcome the problems she was having. You can read all about this here. The beauty drops caught my eye immediately, the brand offers three different beauty drops Lavender, Geranium and Clary Sage. They also offer a Mangosteen night time oil. The Lavender Oil had my name written all over it, as it is specifically targeted towards acne prone skin and claims to;

Nurture sensitive, acne-prone skin, while calming redness and inflammation. Best for oily or oily-combination skin types. 

I ordered a bottle of the oil from Cult Beauty and it arrived within two days and I put it to good use immediately. The oil comes packaged in a simple bottle with a pipette style applicator which makes it easy to dispense as little or as much of the product as you would like. The instructions state to use 5-7 drops in the morning and a whole pipette for the evening. I would agree with this, I think any more than 5-7 drops in the morning would be too much for daytime wear and possibly interfere with makeup application and a whole pipette is perfect to nourish the skin in the evening. 



The oil glides onto the skin effortlessly and gradually sinks into the skin. As the name would suggest the oil has a delicate scent of lavender to it, but nothing too overpowering and it definitely doesn't linger on the skin. After using the oil, my skin felt incredibly soft and nourished and definitely looked more radiant and healthy. After a few days of use there was a noticeable difference to the redness of my skin and a few of my blemishes has definitely reduced in severity and looked a lot calmer. 

So far, I am completely happy with my purchase of the beauty drops Lavender oil and i'm impressed with how my skin feels and looks after even a few days of use. I'm definitely going to look into purchasing the night time oil and add this to my evening routine. 

Have you tried any of the SkinOwl products yet? If so, get in touch and let me know what you think. 

Jade x 

Friday 28 August 2015

Balance Active Formula - Youth Serum, Hyaluronic Moisturiser and Stop Puffy Eyes Gel


I recently stumbled across the Balance Active Formula range whilst browsing the internet and reading reviews on many new beauty products. These products stood out as they seemed to be targeted towards some of the issues I was having with my skin. Surprisingly, the price tag was beyond affordable (I purchased 3 of the products and spent just over £6 at my local Savers store).

I picked up the Balance Active Formula Hyaluronic 554 YouthSerum, the Balance Active Formula Hyaluronic Moisturiser and the Balance Active Formula Stop Puffy Eyes Eye Gel. The three products can be used within one skincare routine or, as sold in bundles on their website, can be mixed and matched with other products in their range.


After cleansing my face, I start the regime with the serum. This serum comes with a pipette style applicator so you can control how much or how little you need. I usually use 5 drops in the morning and a whole pipette in the evening. The serum is very watery (I almost thought it was water) so can go everywhere if you’re not careful. It does feel nice on the skin, has little to no smell and sinks into the skin really quickly. The product claims to be a;

lightweight and non-greasy serum, containing Syn-Ake, a snake venom-like peptide that reduces expression lines, and active levels of Hylasome EG10 for visibly younger looking skin that is perfectly hydrated and smoothed. 

I do agree that the serum is lightweight and non-greasy and my skin definitely feels smoother after using it. I don’t believe I have been using it long enough to notice any difference in expression lines or younger looking skin, though I’m always sceptical about those claims anyway. It does say it leaves your skin perfectly hydrated, which I’m not sure I feel is quite accurate (for me anyway). I tend to feel a tightness to the skin after use, almost as though I want to slather a tub of moisturiser on my face to combat it. However, throughout the day this feeling does subside and my skin feels more hydrated.


After the serum, I apply the Balance Active Formula Hyaluronic Moisturiser, which as just mentioned I do feel the skin needs after applying the serum. The moisturiser claims to be a day and night cream (bargain 2 for 1 deal), which gives a more radiant look, evens out skin tone and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. The moisturiser is lovely and hydrating but definitely not greasy. Much like the serum it sinks quickly into the skin and has a slight scent to it, which I quite like. Again, I don’t feel as though I can comment too much on the ‘wrinkle’ claims, but I do feel I end up with a more radiant complexion after use and I do feel as though my sensitive skin is looking a lot better in terms of redness and breakouts.


As a final step, I use the Stop Puffy Eyes Eye Gel. This is another product that can be used morning and night and one which claims to reduce eye puffiness, moisturise and revive the under eye area and refresh and cool. My eye cream journey seems to be a little hit and miss as I have never found one that seems to do anything for me and this seems to be another one to add to the list. It’s just one of those MEH products. It’s quite a nice thick gel consistency and sinks in quickly and it doesn’t irritate the eye area, but other than that I haven’t been bowled over by any instant change in appearance.

Overall, I am pleasantly surprised with the products and the effect they have had on my skin

considering the very affordable price tag. I will continue to try out the serum and eye cream to see if I do fall in love with them after all. The moisturiser is lovely and I’ll definitely finish the tube. Overall I’d say give it a go, for the cost; you really don’t have anything to lose.

Have you tried any of the Balance Formula products? If so get in touch and let me know what you think.


Jade x 

Sunday 23 August 2015

Get the Glow



Highlighting and strobing are all over the place at the moment and I must admit I did have to do a little ‘strobing’ research to fully understand its meaning. However, it did sound right up my street. If I could smear glitter and sparkles all over my face on a daily basis then I probably would. I can’t help but be drawn to anything that shimmers, sparkles, glitters etc, etc. They’re just so pretty to look at and this week I found the perfect products to fulfil my sparkly needs.

The Simple Illuminating Radiance Cream has been in my collection for some time and I didn’t really give it a fair chance, but to add some glow to my base I decided to dig it back out of my makeup draw and I’m glad I did. I either use this before applying my foundation or mix it with my foundation, either way it does illuminate the skin and give a dewy, healthy radiance. It does feel quite moisturising on the skin and I would suggest that less is more.  I think there could be a tendency to apply to much and end up looking like a disco ball as the product does contain particles of glitter. As with all Simple products, it promises ‘simple goodness’ in other words there’s no artificial perfume, colour and no harsh chemicals. For someone with fairly sensitive skin I can’t help but love the simple products in general so I’m sure that this is going to be a new firm favourite of mine.

L-R: Topshop's Shuffle the Cards, Topshop's Glow, Simple's Illuminating Radiance Cream 

 My next two offerings come from a last minute decision to take a look at Topshop’s growing makeup collection. I’d already heard great things about the Glow highlighter and when I tested it out myself I quickly decided that I could not leave the shop without it. The product is amazingly creamy and easy to blend into the skin, a little also goes a long way so even though it seems like a small pot, the product could last forever. Once blended, it leaves behind the most beautiful highlight without being overly glittery or obvious that you are wearing it. It just looks like dewy healthy skin and I’m in love!

Finally, and perhaps my favourite purchase is the ChamelaonGlow in Shuffle the Cards. Again, I tested it out and just new that I desperately, without a shadow of a doubt NEEDED this. I did assume that this was just an eyeshadow, however Topshop suggest that it can be used as a facial highlight too, so you get two products for the price of one. I bought this with the intention of using it over eyeshadow to add a pop of colour and sparkle and it looks beautiful! The colour is amazing and so pigmented with an iridescent finish. It’s very glittery and when it catches the light it looks amazing. I will definitely be picking up the other shades in this collection very soon.

Have you got any recommendations from Topshop’s makeup collection that I should take a look at? If so, get in touch and let me know.


Jade x 

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Tuesday 18 August 2015

L'Oréal Volume Million Lashes Waterproof



Last week I 'shopped' my makeup stash and noticed that I have a growing collection of  L'OrĂ©al mascaras. This inspired me to dedicate a week of posts to each of the masacaras that I own. 

Today I am focusing on my favourite mascara of theirs and that is the Volume Million Lashes Waterproof. Anytime I look into buying a mascara my first preference is that it needs to be waterproof, so that ticked the box immediately. The packaging is quite nice and the colours catch your eye, but other than that it's nothing too special. The wand is plastic and has a lot of flexibility too, which is quite nice when working the mascara into the lashes and moving it around the eye area. As for the design of the wand, again there is nothing too special about it especially when you see the thousands of other 'new innovations' on the market. It's basically a fat wand that tappers off at the end. 


All that said, I do love this mascara. It applies to the lashes really nicely and the wand does well to grab hold of the lashes and distribute the product evenly. As mentioned the wand is quite big, so applying the mascara to the smaller, inner lashes can be a little more tricky and benefits from a more delicate approach. 

As mentioned in previous posts, I do love a mascara which holds a curl and this beauty does just that. For those of you that like a more natural and subtle mascara look, you could probably get away with applying one coat and be fine. However, I do love a bolder look and need 2-3 coats to get the desired effect. I find that the mascara does separate the lashes quite nicely and adds some length to my lashes.    However, I do think any more than 3 coats and the lashes could start to clump together, so bear that in mind if you're looking to try this out. 

L - No mascara R - 3 coats of mascara

The mascara wears really nicely throughout the day but even though it's waterproof I do get a few smudges under the eye area by the end of the day. This is nothing that can't be quickly dealt with and if it's seen me through most of the daylight hours, then i'm not complaining too much. 

As usual, this mascara is not completely going to stop me in my tracks and prevent me from moving on and trying new products, but it's one I'll keep coming back to as a trusty favourite. 

Have you tried the Volume Million Lashes mascara? What did you think of it? Get in touch and let me know. 

Jade x 

Sunday 16 August 2015

Fake It Until You Make It


Summer is soon going to be a distant memory, which is devastating news as it feels like I've blinked and missed it yet again. Some of us have been lucky enough to fly off on beautiful holidays and others (me included) have relied on the tan in a bottle to keep us going. 

As soon as the sun shines, I love nothing more than sorting through the summer wardrobe and wearing all those beauties you've had to stash away during the winter months. However, this does mean a little preparation and pampering needs to take place first, which brings me to today's post - tanning lotions. 

I have selected a range of different products that I have in my stash, these include gradual tanners, face tanners, wash off tanners and your normal tanning lotion. 


The first tanning lotion in my stash is the Bondi Sands Self Tanning Lotion in Dark. I started to see this everywhere in recent months and as I am always on the looking for a natural looking tanning product I had to pick one up. I chose the Dark colour as...well... the darker the better really! You can, however, pick up the Light/Medium alternative if a darker tan is a little too much for you. When smelling the tan from the bottle it smells just like holidays, it's glorious. The colour also does not disappoint, it is extremely dark. The application it lovely too, it glides onto the skin really easily and when using a tanning mitt takes no time at all to achieve a nice even coverage. I also love the fact that it drys quite quickly, so you don't have to stand around for hours doing strange interpretive dance moves until it's time to put your clothes back on. On the back of the bottle it does suggest to apply another application 30 minutes after the initial application for a deeper tan, which I am prone to doing  as it does create a beautiful colour. Once washed off the next day it does leave a beautiful dark tan, which lasts (if well maintained) throughout the week. The only warnings I will offer are that it does rub off on clothing and bedding until the initial application has been washed off and there is no escape from that biscuit smell once it's settled into the skin. However, these issues do not deter me and I will be repurchasing this tanning lotion as it is a new firm favourite of mine. 


Next up - St Tropez Instant Tan Wash Off Face & Body Lotion in Light/Medium. This is for those days when sudden plans pop up and panic sets in because you haven't been give 48 hours notice to apply, reapply and probably re-re-apply your fake tan. This is a beautiful quick fix to add a little summer glow to the face and body. I love to mix this with my regular body or face moisturiser to work it into to the skin, as when applied by itself it tends to set quite quickly and could end up looking patchy on the skin. There is a slight, I'm going to say 'floral', scent to this product, so bear that in mind if you have sensitive skin and are looking to use it solely as a facial tanner. As a Light/Medium shade, it is still quite dark and buildable once dry, so it satisfies my deep, dark tanning needs. As the name suggests, it is a wash off tan, so will come off in the shower at the end of the day. It does say that the product is water resistant, however I wouldn't trust it completely if there happened  to be a sudden down pour and you're caught right slap bang in the middle of it. 


A gradual tanner for you now, in the form of Dove's Summer Glow with a subtle gradual self tanner for Medium to Dark Skin. This was raved about when it first hit the shelves and it is still loved by many, not to mention it's as cheap as chips (Hallelujah!). I use this either in the Winter months to add a subtle tan that doesn't stand out like a sore thumb or I use it to top up the Bondi Sands tan throughout the week. Unlike the other tanning lotions I have mentioned, this is cream in colour, so it is hard to tell where you're applying it, however as it is a gradual tanner you can't really make to many mistakes. It does build up really nicely to create a subtle colour and wears quite nicely throughout the week. It's also quite moisturising. Again, the product smells quite nice in the bottle, but once it settles into the skin there is a slight tanning smell that you can't escape from. 


Last but not least, is the Garnier Ambre Solaire 1 Week Glow No Streaks Bronzer Tinted Self-Tan Cream for Face. Despite the long, long, long name, I picked this one up as it's made solely for the face. It claims to offer an instant sun kissed look, with no self tan smell and lasts for 7 days. It also smells somewhat like apricots. As the name says, this is a tinted cream and applies to the skin with a golden sheen. I don't buy the 7 day glow spiel as anything you apply to the face is unlikely to last 7 days when you're cleansing, toning, exfoliating etc etc twice a day. However, it does leave a golden glow when you wake up the next morning. It also suggests that there is no need for foundation when using this product. Now it's good, but it's not that good, it might slightly cover any redness, but it's not a miracle worker for blemishes so it works as a nice base for foundation but I definitely wouldn't skip it altogether. An all round lovely product! 

Do you have any self tanning lotion recommendations? If so, get in touch and let me know. 

Jade x 


Thursday 13 August 2015

Favourite Concealers - Maybelline, Estee Lauder, Rimmel and Collection


Now that it's 'Summer' time in the UK, I have started to take a rather minimal approach to applying my makeup. In other words, the less I can smear on my face the better, as I hate venturing out into the sunshine and feeling like I have layers and layers of makeup on and that my skin can't breathe. 

To combat this issue, I tend to use a lot more concealer, in areas where it's needed, and leave the foundation in my drawer ready for Winter. As a result of this, I'm sharing with you a few of my favourite concealers, which do exactly what I need them to. 

L-R - Maybelline Eraser (light), Estee Lauder Double Wear (Light/Medium), Rimmel Wake Me Up (Light), Collection Illuminating Touch (Naked 1)

First up, the Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser. This was a massive hit when it was first released and most people were raving about it. However, there was a love/hate issue with the sponge application, but I suppose you can't have everything. Personally, I enjoy the sponge applicator, I understand that it's not the most hygienic, but it's not enough to put me off another purchase. The concealer comes in two shades, which for me is a little disappointing. As you can see from the swatch, this concealer is pretty much a perfect match for my skin and for the under eye area I would have liked it to be a little lighter than it is. For this reason, I would be interested to try the Nude shade to see if this works any better for me. Having said that, the concealer applies smoothly and blends well, it also has a fantastic coverage. 

Next, comes Estee Lauder's Double Wear concealer. I have a much more in-depth review about this little beauty, but to round everything up...I LOVE IT! Although alot more expensive than the other three concealers, It's by far my favourite of the four and I will definitely repurchase this. It's a great match for my skin and so covers any redness/ blemishes I have. Also, it blends perfectly but you do need to work fairly quickly before it sets, otherwise it's not going anywhere. This concealer lasts all day and as a little goes a long way I definitely think this will last forever. 

Third on the list, is Rimmel's Wake Me Up Concealer. This is another concealer which was highly talked about when it first came out. I enjoy using this underneath the eye area as it is so light and along with its illuminating properties (there's definitely some shimmer or sparkle in there somewhere) it does a good job of highlighting the eye area perfectly. Again, it's really blendable and doesn't set instantly, so you have more time to work with it. I am concerned that this slightly dries out my under eye area and can at times highlight any dryness that is there. However,  I am going to keep trying this just in case the dryness is caused by other products. 

Finally, I love the Collection Illuminating Touch Brightening Concealer. This concealer is lovely and light and illuminates the under eye area perfectly. It isn't going to cover the darkest of circles, but then it isn't really intended for that. It blends out so nicely and looks lovely on the skin. This concealer is also incredibly cheap and I'll definitely keep repurchasing this! 

Do you have any concealer recommendations that I should try? If so, get in touch and let me know. 

Jade x 

Sunday 9 August 2015

Beauty Photo Challenge #5 - Products You Keep Buying


1: Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer - Great to liven up the under eye area, this beauty will not cover all imperfections, but for a quick pick me up and priced at £4.99, you can't go wrong!

2: Collection Colour Lash Mascara (Clear) - I use this purely to tame my brows after applying any product and to keep them in place all day. Again, this is another bargain buy, but it does the job and I will keep repurchasing this

3: Eylure Individual Combination Lashes - Individual lashes are a new love of mine. It used to take me forever to apply the full lashes and even then they didn't look that great, but these beauties apply like a dream and look so natural on! In this pack you get 3 different strips of lashes, which come in short, medium and long. For me the long and possibly even the medium length lashes are a little too long for my liking, however the short are just perfect to add a little definition to the outer eye area. I do trim the other lengths down, so they don't go to waste, but I would bare this in mind if your thinking about picking these up. 

4: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick - See my previous review of these beauties! They are a firm favourite of mine. 

5: Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Liner (Nude) - This gem is another firm favourite of mine. It's another quick trick to give you that wide awake look and take away any redness in the eye area. It applies really smoothly and lasts a long time. 

6: Barry M Nail Paint - Everyone knows about Barry M and everyone I speak to highlights the love of their nail paints. They come in every colour known to man and apply really nicely without that horrible streaking effect. They don't last forever as some other high end brands might, but they are so affordable you can keep changing your look once the wear and tear begins to show. 

7: Maybelline Superstay 7 Day wear Nail Paint - Maybelline's nail paints wear a little bit longer than the Barry M alternative, but whether that's a complete 7 days, I'm yet to be convinced. However, this colour (Pink in the Park) is the perfect 'barbie' pink and for that reason I will keep repurchasing it. However, I do find these dry out quite quickly and become a little unmanageable and gloopy when applying them to the nail. 

8: Carmex Tube Cherry - A simple lip balm selection here, it smells like cherry and it eliminates any dry skin or chapped lip you might have going on. An overall winner! 

9: Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil Free Moisturiser -  This lovely, is a holy grail product in my eyes. I have tried and tested many a moisturiser to suit my oily (prone to break outs) skin. After many failed purchases, I tried this and it works like a dream. It's oil free, so doesn't break me out and when applied it's so refreshing and almost gives a tingly feeling to the skin, which is great to wake you up in the morning. It sinks into the skin like a dream and provides the perfect base to apply foundation. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! 

Do you have any products that you just can't stop buying? If so, get in touch and let me know. 

Jade x 









Wednesday 5 August 2015

Beauty Photo Challenge #4 Favourite Makeup Brushes




Left to Right: Duo Fiber Face Brush, Buffing Brush, Duo Fiber Contour Brush, Buffing Brush, Contour Brush, Duo Fiber Eye Brush

Day 4 of the #beautyphotochallenge is - Favourite Makeup Brushes.

Like most of the world, I’ve gone for the Real Techniques brushesfrom the YouTube beauty gurus, Sam and Nic. They’re everywhere at the moment and rightly so, because they’re fantastic! Their recent Bold Metals collection looks amazing and they’re definitely going to be one of my next purchases.

For now, I own the Real Techniques Core Collection and the Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection. The core collection is probably the staple of any collection and consists of a detailer brush to target problem areas, a foundation brush for liquid foundation, a buffing brush which is ideal for powder application and a contour brush. Also, you get a handy brush case, which is great for travelling and displaying your brushes. All of the brushes are ridiculously soft and a dream to use on the skin, my favourite brush from this collection is the buffing brush, however I use this to apply my liquid foundation and it gives me a perfect flawless finish.

The second set I purchased was the Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection for a more lightweight makeup application. This set includes a face brush, contour brush and eye brush. Firstly, this set caught my eye as they look so effortlessly classy! I love the white and black finish. The duo fiber theme also intrigued me. Again, these bushes are beautifully soft and give more of an air brushed finish to the skin. I love the large face brush to set my makeup with a light dusting of powder and I use the small contour brush to apply powder underneath my eyes to set my concealer. Finally, the eye brush is perfect to blend out any harsh lines and apply a pop of colour to the crease.

If you’re on the lookout for the perfect set of brushes, I’d definitely recommend these for price, design, sheer beauty and makeup application. I can’t wait to keep adding to my collection.

Have you tried any of the Real Techniques brushes? If so, get in touch and let me know what you thought about them. 


Jade x 

Tuesday 4 August 2015

Beauty Photo Challenge #2 Favourite Highlighter


Day 2 of the #Beautyphotochallenge calls for, Favourite Highlighter. 

My previous go to highlighter was always the MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder, which for the price of £3.00 (sayyy whattt?) is still flippin' amazing! However, when I saw this little beauty it soon became my new firm favourite. In the Sleek MakeUP Highlighter Palette (Precious Metals) you get 3 cream highlights and 1 powder highlight, but you also get a big mirror which, for me, is always a bonus when trying to highlight on the go. 

The shades themselves are beautiful, with some subtle shimmer for a day highlight and a more glittery shimmer for an evening highlight. I must admit, I tend not to reach for the powder highlight in this pallette, but i think that's down to the other 3 highlights being so beautiful. 

Although slightly more expensive than the MUA powder, the Sleek palette retails at £9.99, you do get 4 different highlighters to create a range of looks and I have a feeling that this gorgeous addition to my makeup collection is going to last absolutely ages! 

Do you have a highlighter recoommendation that you just can't live without? If so, get in touch and let me know. 

Jade x 

Taming the Mane - Aussie and Fudge Urban




Taming the mane is a daily hassle, sometimes I wish I could just cut it all off, but I know that I’d secretly die a little bit inside.  So, instead, it’s all about working with what you’ve got. I have fairly thick, wavy hair that definitely needs a little bit of care and attention after being washed, otherwise it just turns into a frizzy mess.

Styling wise, I tend to either blow dry it straight or blast it with the hairdryer and then curl it. I also caved into the hair trend and had to get some ombre in my life. So now you have the low down on my hair type, we can get into the products that I use to tame it.  

Firstly, after washing my hair, I use the Aussie MiracleHair Insurance Leave-in Conditioner (a saviour for weak, distressed hair). I’d love to say I purchased this for a great reason however, like ALL of the Aussie products I purchased it because of the AMAZING scent (seriously, you need to go and give it a whiff). Other than that, it does do a great job of detangling any knots in my hair and making it a whole lot easier to brush through.  It’s also amazingly affordable and you can currently snap in up for £4.49. BARGAIN!

Next, I take a big dollop of the Fudge UrbanIced Raspberry & Vanilla Styling Mousse and run this through my towel dried hair, making sure to give it an extra massage near the scalp to add volume. Again, this smells amazing and offers heat protection. This mousse isn’t strong, but for me that’s perfect. I hate the feel and look of sticky products that leave the hair feeling crispy. This beauty adds more of a natural hold and volume to the hair. This could also be used on dry hair to tame any fly aways and more importantly, it does not make my hair greasy.

After blow drying and styling my hair, I finish off my routine with the FudgeUrban Instant Smoothie Post Hot Iron Smoothing Spray.  Without sounding repetitive, this is another product with an amazing smell, but this one in particular smells just like holidays (yay!). I love this product to tame any fly aways and add a lovely smooth, shiny finish to the hair. If you’re still not sure, the packaging is pretty amazing and both the moose and the smoothing spray are really well priced and currently on offer for under £5.00!

Have you ever tried any of the Aussie or Fudge products? If so, let me know your thoughts and if you think they smell amazing too!

Jade x

Beauty Photo Challenge #3 Last Product finished


Day 3 of the #beautyphotochallenge is - Last Product Finished. 

For me, that was the Batiste Dry Shampoo Cherry. Although the scent is not a particular favourite, the dry shampoo has to be a winner. I know for many the Batiste Dry Shampoo can divide opinon, but for a quick fix on a lazy day, with the added bonus of a lovely scent, you really can't go wrong.

The product is quite chalky and does come out white in the hair, however as long as you don't go crazy with it, this can be brushed through. It does the job of eliminating the oil in my hair and I even use it on freshly washed hair to add a little volume and texture.

If cherry is not your thing, there are plenty of other scents to choose from and you can even pick up versions for brunette hair. More importantly, there's always a bargain to be had where the Batiste Dry Shampoo is concerned. Superdrug and Boots always run half price, or buy one get one free offers, but at £2.99 anyway it's definitely not going to break the bank.

Have you tried any of the dry shampoos in this range? If so, get in touch and let me know what you think.

Jade x




Sunday 2 August 2015

Beauty Photo Challenge #1 Favourite Lipstick


My aim this month is to take part in the #beautyphotochallenge, which basically means you work your way through a daily list of items, you find said items, take a picture and upload to your Instagram account.

First on the list is, Favourite Lipstick. After much deliberation, I chose the lipstick I have been reaching for more and more recently and that is the Maybelline Superstay 14HR Lipstick in the shade, 260 Always Plum.


Although not a very season appropriate colour right now, it is beautiful and adds a bolder, more glamorous statement to a makeup look. It looks quite matte on the lips and does leave a stain, which means it lasts throughout the day. 

I have a few other shades in this collection and I would definitely recommend that you go and check them out. If you already have some of these beauties in your collection, get in touch and let me know what you think. 

Jade x 

Saturday 1 August 2015

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks



Lips are everywhere at the moment (you all know who I’m talking about), and Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lipstick range seems to be growing by the minute, with new shades popping up all over the place. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I LOVE them!

What the company says:

Fall in love with color, all over again:
 • Crisper color from pure pigments
 • Creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar
 • Lipcolor so rich, so stunning…it’s sensational
 • 68 captivating shades


Again, I only have 4 of the lipsticks in my collection, but each and every one of them is a beauty. The formula is definitely creamy, which makes it a dream to use on the lips and very moisturising. I like to blot the first application and layer up for a pop of colour that lasts.


As there are so many shades to choose from, you’re bound to find the perfect colour for you. I find that Peach Poppy and Petal Pink are the perfect shades for an everyday, subtle makeup look. Shocking Coral and Fuchsia Flash are more vibrant and will definitely get you noticed on a night out, or can be used for a bolder look during the day.

The Color Sensational Lipsticks are not lipsticks which are going to stay all day and see you through a big bowl of spaghetti whilst out on a hot date, but priced at £6.99 I’m happy to reapply, a few times throughout the day, to rejuvenate the colour.

I will definitely be adding to my collection very soon. Do you have any recommendations I should try? If so, get in touch and let me know.


Jade x