Benefit Roller Lash Review and Demo!

It's here at last - Benefit's Roller Lash - but does it live up to expectation? Check it out here!

Wantable February unboxing

How to apply foundation like a pro

There are so many foundations on the market it can be hard to choose the base that is right for you. It's all very well going out and picking up a expensive foundation, but if it doesn't suit you that's £30 you're not going to get back. The search for the right foundation should be fun, not a headache, and this handy guide will give you a major confidence boost.

Get the right shade

50 shades of foundation
It's important when applying foundation to ensure you have the right shade for your skin. The best way to do this is by testing a pea sized amount of foundation on your lower cheek. Don't forget to test it on your forehead as this area catches the sun a lot more and may need a darker shade.

Keep it natural
The right shade of foundation will disappear into your skin, so try to test the foundation in a natural light and avoid artificial lighting.

Variety is the spice of life
Foundation comes in a number of forms - including liquid, cream and powder - and this can have a effect on how it looks on your skin. Before you buy try a number of forms and see which one looks the best on your skin.

Application

Keep central
Start applying your foundation in the centre of your face and blend out towards your hairline and down to the top of your neck to avoid any obvious tide marks.

Apply with your fingers
Applying with your fingers can be a bit messy but it's great for when you're in a hurry. Your body temperature will warm up the foundation and improve its blendability.

Sponge it on
The sponge is great for even distribution of liquid foundation and gives sheer but buildable coverage. Try using a egg shaped sponge (like the BeautyBlender) for the best results.

Brush knows best
One of my preferred tools to apply foundation is the foundation brush which is great for all over coverage. Instead of brushing the product on try pressing and buffing it into your skin.

The Finish

Keeping it matte
If you have oily skin with T-zone shine a matte foundation is probably more suitable for you. Air whipped foundations have a light formula that helps to keep skin appear shine free all day long.

Luminosity
Skin that is quite dull and lacking radiance will really benefit from a luminous enhancing foundation. Luminous foundations will give your skin a satin finish and help to conceal visible pores giving skin a instant air brushed finish.

You're Glowing
Do you feel like your skin is dry and in need of some love? Foundations that are aimed to make your skin glow will hydrate it and the sheer formula will allow the skins natural glow to shine through.

I hope you found this guide useful. If you have any requests you would like me to write about please send them through via the contact me page - or comment below :)

Get the smoky look on a budget with Miss Sporty STudio Colour Quattro Eyeshadow in Mysterious Smoky

The Hype
The Smoky eye is at the heart of every girl's box of tricks and Miss Sporty's Quattro eyeshadow range offers all you need in one palette.

There are six palettes available, each with four complimentary shades, that create a number of different smoky eye looks.

The Lowdown
The six shades available are all quite different and include:

• Smoky Green Eyes
• Smoky Brown Eyes
• Smoky Black
• Mysterious Smoky
• Smoky Rose
• Army Style Smoky

So whether you prefer the traditional look or something more girly you'll bound to find a palette that suits the occasion. I'm reviewing Mysterious Smoky a lovely palette of golds, browns and pink. Each shade is quite different on the colour spectrum so I'm interested to see what kind of result I get - hopefully not too contrasted!

On first impressions I found the shades had a lot of sparkle in them, were soft and quite pretty. Whilst saying that the darker brown shade was a lot harder and stood out a lot in comparison to the other shades.

I'm always looking for inspiration to try new things and Miss Sporty offer a useful guide on the palette if you're not sure how to apply it. Perfect for beginners new to makeup.

When swatched I found the shadow really hard to see which worried me a little. It was hard work applying the shadow and I did have to press a bit harder then normal to get a visible result. Whilst the final look was quite light and faint the colours did blend really well and it had a nice shimmer.

To create my look simply:

1. Apply the pink in the inner corner of your eye
2. Blend the middle shade into the centre of the eye
3. Apply shade 3 to the outer corner
4. Finally blend the dark brown onto the end of shade 3

I would say the colours are stronger in the palette then they appear on so you should take that into consideration when trying out new looks.

The palettes are only £2.99 which is a fantastic budget price so you can still treat yourself when you're running out of pennies.

A great range of palettes at a fabulous price that does the job. What more could you ask for?

I give it 3/5

Advantages

• Comes in 6 shades
• Has a simple to use guide to follow if you're stuck for ideas
• Lovely shimmer
• Colours blend well

Disadvantages

• The shades appear very faint
• Quite hard to get decent coverage

Asda George Fashion Favourites Shopping Haul

A week or so ago I found myself pulling a lot of items off the shelves in George Asda. I've found it hard to find tops I like of late which is quite frustrating as I love buying new items to perk up my wardrobe.

The tops were all a really good price and I had fun trying them on, check out the video to see what I bought :)

Barry M Ultra Moisturising Lip Paints Coral Blush review

The Hype
Are you bored of the traditional lipstick or lipglosses that are available on the market? Barry M have launched a range of Ultra Moisturising lip paints that are enriched with hydrating and lip nourishing Cocoa butter.

There are 9 shades available from the brighter Coral Bush to the starker Black Cherry and the colours are designed to add vibrancy to your lips.

The Lowdown
For the purposes of this review I am sampling shade 158 (Coral Blush). On first impressions the shade appears more of a sheer red then Coral which differs from the colour on the packaging. It has a lovely fruity smell and the pink packaging is simple and very girly.

The lip paint was moisturising and didn't feel sticky or uncomfortable. I was a little disappointed with the actual vibrancy of the colour, especially as it marketed itself as a 'lip paint'. The colour seems quite muted, more like the sort of colour you would get in a strong lip balm. I also felt there was no coral undertone in this lip paint at all, despite the name, and it was actually more of a pinky red.

The results are okay but it's not quite what I expected when I first bought the lip paint and I've had better results with other brands.

I give it 2/5

Grab it for £4.49 at Superdrug (currently a offer to buy 2 products for £7 on selected items)

Advantages

• Available in 9 quite different shades
• Moisturising
• Feels like a lip balm

Disadvantages

• Colour isn't very vibrant
• I feel the product has been incorrectly marketed

The best beauty products to get through Winter with Vouchacodes

During Winter it's important to get your makeup routine set for the colder weather. With the change in temperature it's important to think about protecting your skin by using products that are rich and protective. Here's a look at five of my most important beauty products for the winter months.

Clean & Clear Morning Energy skin brightening daily facial wash is perfect for when you need to exfoliate the dry skin winter leaves behind. With a oil free formula and bursting beads this little gem is perfect for giving your skin back that rosy glow. With a burst of orange to tingle your nose it smells amazing too! 

Despite the sun behind a distant memory it's always important to wear a foundation which has a good SPF. Rimmel's Wake Me Up foundation has a anti fatigue effect and gives your skin a radiant glow. With SPF 15 it protects your skin from the suns UV rays that can affect skin even on a overcast day. What could be better on a cold winters day then to look radiant like you've been sitting in the sun for the afternoon. 

Britain is famous for a lot of things, and amongst that is the British weather. With unpredictable elements like rain, snow, sleet and wind it can be a nightmare for hair. With the weather able to ruin your hair at a moments notice it's important to use a product that will moisturise and revive over styled hair. John Frieda's Full Repair is a heat activated styling spray that gives hair a all day full bodied style and volume. 

Harsh wind combined with central heating can leave lips feeling dry and flaky. With Christmas coming it's important to get your lips in top condition for the endless Christmas parties where lipstick is vital if you end up under the mistletoe. Figs and Rouge Cherry Blossom lip balm is a 100% natural lip product that nourishes and soothes lips with its completely pure ingredients. With a gorgeous cherry scent and rose tint this tiny little number will slip snugly into your handbag, there for when you need it.

The most annoying thing about the colder weather is the fact that the contrast in temperatures can leave your skin dry and lacking moisture. Olay Essentials Complete Care Plus is a Multi Radiance moisturiser that is suitable for normal/oily skin. With a formula that includes SPF 15 and skin pampering vitamins your skin is protected from the start. The milky fluid contains natural light reflecting particles that will help your skin look radiant from the offset which is perfect for those who prefer not to wear a base with their makeup. With a light fresh smell the moisturiser is instantly enticing and makes you start your day with a smile. 

You can find discount on these and lots of other amazing products over at Vouchacodes. Whether you want a cheap meal out or a new telly then you'll find a massive discount that's perfect for you. 

Get a alternative smoky eyes with Bourjois Smoky Eyes Mordore Chic palette

The Hype
This sophisticated Bourjois Smokey Eyes palette has 3 shades in 1 for a easy to recreate sophisticated smokey eye. The palette uses a ultra fine powder that is silky, easy to use and lasts for 8 hours. Available in 12 shades from girly Rose Vintage to the more traditional Gris Party you will find every smoky eye you could ever dream of recreating.

The Lowdown
As a twist on the classic smoky eye Mordore Chic boycotts the traditional black/grey palette in favour for beige and browns. I'm quite used to seeing the dark grey/black smoky eye so it was quite refreshing to try something a bit different.

To create this look I took these steps:

1. Sculpt the dark shade over the lid
2. Blend and stretch the medium shade over the arch of your brow but leave a small section under your eyebrow
3. Finally use the gold shade to illuminate the eye area

Whilst the shades appear quite dark in the palette once applied the two lighter shades actually have a lot of gold in them. As the eyeshadow is baked it's quite hard to get the transfer of the colour onto your eyes. The best way to apply would be to use a sponge applicator as they are the best at packing on colour. The shades have quite a light effect and I really like the chocolate mix. The gold shade adds something a little bit different that gives it more of a lighter effect.

Overall a nice look that is perfect for a casual 'no effort' look.

I give it 4/5

Grab it for £7.99 at Boots

Advantages

• Three shades in one palette which can be used together or seperately
• A twist on the classic smokey eye
• Easy to recreate the look using the on palette guide

Disadvantages

• If you're using brushes the colour transfer isn't great

Really simple nail art tutorial to recreate: Penguin Paradise

The Penguin Paradise nail design is so easy to recreate and it looks great. Perfect for hte first itmers!

1. Firstly paint your nails using a light blue shade, I chose Barry M in Sugar Apple
2. Get a black nail art pen or if you're feeling really brave, a black nail varnish and create a penguin shape. Barry M nail art pens are so simple to use.
3. Get a white nail art pen or varnish and create his chest and eyes by creating a large oblong at the bottom and two dots at the top. Leave a small black outline when creating his belly
4. Get a orange pen or nail varnish and create a small beak and two feet
5. Finally get your white pen again and apply small dots over your other nails to look like snowflakes

I hope you enjoy and do send me your pictures if you recreate it yourself!!

Get a natural looking glow with Miss Sporty Morning Baby Cream Blusher in Pink Flush

The Hype
If you're not a gym baby, or you don't like running around the block at the crack of dawn Miss Sporty has the answer. Their latest cream blusher 'Morning Baby Cream Blush' is a budget product which comes in two shades, Coral and Pink Flush.

The Lowdown
I actually really like the packaging of this blusher, it's small and quite quaint with the Morning baby reflected in the mirror. There are only limited shades available but the shades are quite neutral and will suit most skin tones.

It's very simple to use and has a lovely silky texture that simply melts into my skin. The coverage is very light and I did have to apply it a few times to really be able to see it fully. You can get a really nice natural flush with this blusher that isn't at all heavy on the skin.

A lovely product that is perfect for day to day wear and it's only £2.99!

I give it 4/5

Grab it for £2.99 at Superdrug!

Advantages

• Gives a natural looking flush
• Great pocket friendly price
• Easy to use
• Blends easily
• Melts easily into the skin

Disadvantages

• Limited shades

Gossimar Wings is a boutique jewellery store that adds the finishing touch to any outfit

As a lover of fashion and costume jewellery I was excited to find the goodies on offer at Gossimar Wings.

The site is a online jewellery boutique that specialises in fashion jewellery, statement jewellery, necklaces, handmade jewellery, fashion rings and earrings.

The pieces are all quite unique and are inspired by a mix of street style and current trends. Whether you like one of a piece necklaces or something a bit more mainstream you're bound to find something you like.

Some of the products are so popular they've been featured in the media in magazines like Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Good Housekeeping and more.

When I was given the chance to try one of their lovely necklaces I was delighted. I chose to test Lyanna Necklace in pink but unfortunately it wasn't available so I got sent the blue necklace instead. It comes beautifully packaged and gift wrapped with a pretty purple bow. The necklace has a bold flower pattern with a smaller flower set on top of a bigger one. The flowers are surrounded by petals and the necklace is finished off with a sparkly centre dimante. The necklace is very bold and great for spicing up a plain outfit such as a white top/dress.

Don't miss the chance to add a bit of prettiness to your wardrobe in 2015 at Gossimar 

How to get long eyelashes without using false lashes or extensions

The Hype
Younique's best selling product is Moodstruck 3D Fibre lash mascara that dramatically enhance and magnify the appearance of your own lashes by up to 300%. Gone are the days when you needed extensions or false lashes to get the lashes you dream of as Younique mascara adds length you can only dream of.

The fibres are completely natural and made from green tea.The mascara is water resistant but easily washes off with warm water and a cleanser at the end of the day.

The Lowdown
You've probably seen the reviews and advertisements for this product all over your Facebook page. The brand which was dreamed up in the states is a revolutionary new makeup company that only really exists online. Unlike most Multi Level Marketing brands everything is delivered straight to the customer and there is none of the usual hassle involved in selling the products. The presenters work through social media and promote the products through groups or pages.

So with claims of mega lashes that far outweigh all other mascaras and rave reviews I wanted to see personally how it performed.

The mascara works in three parts, the Moonstruck Transplanting Gel primes the lashes so that you can apply the Natural Fibres on top and is then sealed with another coat of the transplanting gel. I have used a few fibre lashes in the past and haven't really got on with them. The fibres are often quite messy, fall everywhere and if they get in your eye, they can really irritate it!

The mascara comes in its own little case which reminds me of a glasses case. I've never seen a mascara presented in such a way before so it was quite unique.

After applying one coat of transplanting gel I was actually very impressed with how long my lashes were. My lashes were lengthened and defined and there were no clumps. After adding the fibres I added another coat of transplanting gel, but I felt the fibres didn't add much length. I would just like to add that the fibres weren't messy like I've experienced in the past and stayed on my lashes when applied. They didn't get in my eyes and they didn't irritate them. The 3D Younique mascara worked really well on both eyes giving them real lift and definition.

Whilst I managed to find the product quite cheaply on a deal site the retail price of Moodstruck 3D Fibre mascara is £23.00 which is pretty expensive for a mascara. A lot of people may be put off by the price when you can get a high street brand mascara that does relatively the same thing for a lot cheaper.

Overall a great product that performs fantastically well and adds great length to my lashes. It's a little expensive but great for special occasions when you don't want to waste time with false lashes or extensions.

I give it 4/5

Grab it for £23.00 at Younique 

Advantages

• Adds real length to lashes
• No clumps
• The fibres stay in one place and don't fall easily into the eye

Disadvantages

• At £23.00 it's not the cheapest mascara on the market and may be more of a special occasion product
• The mascara has a three step process which may be quite time consuming and not so great for the early morning rush

My Payot Jour Daily Radiance Care Moisturiser Review

The Hype
Winter is often the time of year when the weather can play havoc with your skin leaving it dry and dull. Payot is a premium skin care range first launched in 1927 that was inspired by plant fragrances and herbalists knowledge. My Payot Jour Daily Radiance cream is your go to for a healthy glow in the morning and should be your first step in your beauty regime.

The day cream has a fresh, melting texture that moisturises the skin and adds instant radiance. Say goodbye to lacklustre skin, and hello to skin with a whole new radiant glow.

The Lowdown
At £29.15 this isn't the cheapest moisturiser I have ever seen so I really hoped the product would live up to its claims.

The moisturiser is enriched with super fruits such as Goji and Acai berries and appears very natural however there are many ingredients that I don't recognise.

The packaging is quite posh looking with a premium style lid. The moisturiser is lovely and creamy and has a gorgeous fruity smell that is very aromatic.

Whilst the product claims to add radiance I couldn't see my skin looking any different to how it looked before I applied the product. The cream did sink into my skin really easily, I wasn't left with a greasy residue and the skin was left really soft.

A nice little product that feels quite natural and leaves skin feeling great. Whilst it didn't live up to its skin revitalising properties it's a product I would buy - perhaps if it was a little cheaper.

I give it 3/5

Grab it for £29.15 at John Bell and Croydon 

Advantages

• Has a lovely fruity smell
• Sinks into the skin quickly
• Leaves the skin soft

Disadvantages

• At £29.15 it's not the cheapest product available so may not be suitable for tighter budget
• I can't say it really added any radiance to my skin

*This was kindly sent for me to test