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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow

Today, it’s all about the eye…shadow. In particular, the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow. It’s fair to say these shadows are already a firm favourite of mine and at £4.99 per pot, I don't really think you can go wrong. 

The experts say that:

• Collection has 12 long-wearing shades
• Our innovative pigment technology gives a visually intense, high colour impact
• Cream gel formula feels light on lids and is fade-resistant.

I must say, I agree with it all. The formula of the shadows is creamy, which makes them easy to blend out and create a more natural day time look, or they’re easily buildable to create a more intense evening look. More importantly, once set, the suckers don’t budge.

L-R: Permanent Taupe, Metallic Pomegranate, On and On Bronze, Pink Gold

Maybelline currently have 12 shades in their 24HR Tattoo collection and they are all highly pigmented and absolutely beautiful! As you can see, my growing collection only contains 4 shadows. On and On Bronze is my everyday go to shadow as it adds a lovely shimmer to a quick day to day make up look. Permanent Taupe is the only matte shade in my collection and works great as a base. Pink Gold is a very pretty shade and adds a girly femininity to a makeup look. The latest addition to my collection is Metallic Pomegranate, not only do I love the name, but the colour is amazing. This shade in particular contains a lot more glitter and I can’t wait to use it to create a more glamorous evening makeup look.

Have you tried the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR shadow? If so, what did you think about them? Get in touch and let me know.

I think I have my eye on Eternal Gold next, so watch this space.

Jade x 

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Waterproof Mascara

Another day, another review and this time it’s all about the eyes. Ever since the death of my beloved, Loreal Telescopic False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara (I still have no idea what happened there), I find myself forever on the search for the ‘perfect’ mascara. I didn’t think I was asking for much as by perfect I SIMPLY mean:

1. Holds a curl
2. Waterproof
3. Sticks like glue to the lash (a.k.a. NO AWFUL PANDA EYES)

However, after many a failed purchase, the search still continues, which brings me to the Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Waterproof mascara. This has been another item on my wish list, however at the price of £22.50 it’s not a purchase I was going to jump into lightly. I did hear good things about this mascara most importantly, that it held a curl and didn’t budge. So, after several more seconds of deliberation, I decided to give it a go.

What the experts say:

• The cone shaped brush is carefully developed to assure the ideal load on each lash, even in the inner corner of the eye.
• The exclusive Fibershine formula, enriched with nylon powders, offers perfect load and beautiful curve for seductive fanned out lashes.
• A must-have mascara for a volumised, extended, lifted lash look.

The packaging in itself is a sight to behold. It definitely screams grandeur and I imagine fireworks to shoot off into the sky every time I pull it from the depths of my makeup bag. This is a definite bonus and possibly offers some justification for the hefty price tag.

Named ‘Doll Eyes’ I did hope for the wide eyed, dare I say it, clumpy effect. Although not for everyone, I do like a mascara that makes itself known. To keep things fair, I didn’t curl my lashes before applying the mascara, which I would usually do and I definitely think I will prefer this mascara when the lashes have been curled, as mine are pretty straight.

After one coat, I wasn’t overly impressed. The shape of the wand and brush is nice and allows you to get into the corners of your eyes and grab even the smallest of lashes, however there wasn’t a lot of volume or lift to the lashes. There is also a perfumed scent to the mascara, it’s not offensive, but if you have sensitive eyes I’m not sure if this would be an issue.

After the second coat, the mascara did begin to clump (which, as I said before, I do like!); it also gave more lift and length to the lashes.

After the third coat, I noticed more clumping to the outer lashes and slightly more curl. More importantly, length has clearly been added if you compare the second and last image.

Pros

Beautiful packaging

Waterproof

Not going anywhere

Perfect wand to grab the smallest of lashes

Cons

Price

Need to curl lashes before use

Begins to clump after several coats

I can already tell that this mascara is not going to budge, which already outweighs some of the negatives for me. I’m looking forward to curling my lashes before applying the mascara next time to see the difference it makes. Based on first impression, I do think I’m going to like this mascara. However, I’m not calling of the search…just yet.

Do you know of any ‘perfect’ mascaras that meet my checklist? Get in touch and let me know.

Jade x