Avon Haul!

So here we are again, it's the day before payday and I already know that I will be broke by this time tomorrow. I know I do it to myself so I really shouldn't complain. But yes, I bought some things from Avon which may have left me skint for the week but it's okay, because it's my last little self splurge before Christmas. So I will tell myself that I'm allowed even though that is just a massive massive lie.
I've had these things for about a week so I've had just enough time to use everything well enough to review them honestly and let you all know my honest opinion of them. So, lets begin.

First off is the Mega Effects Mascara in "Blackest Black". Yes, I bought this for the novelty of it. I think its just adorable. The little spade like applicator though makes applying the mascara really easy. If you're like me and have a habit of stabbing yourself in the eye with a mascara wand then this is something you need in your life. Honestly I have had this mascara on every day since I got it and its just fabulous. It gives you a really even but thick 'false' lash look which I am all for as I'm very much in to the dramatic eye effect, especially in the Autumn/Winter seasons as I find there to be much less rub off under the eye from the lower lash line. Although saying that, I haven't found any wear with this mascara. The formulation of it is really very thick but it sets within 30 seconds or so, so there is really a good all day wear out of it. Out of ten, I'd easily give this an 8.

 

 

 

Next up are Three eye liners and a brush. There isn't a lot I can say about the brush, other than it is an eyeshadow applicator with a blending sponge on the other end. My reasoning for buying this is simply because the smudging brush on my Maybelline New York Master Smoky eye liner is past the point of being clean now. And as the Avon one was only about £3 I though, why the heck not?
Now, the eye liner above the brush in the photo is from the Mega Impact collection and is in the colour "Colbat". As you'd maybe imagine it's a really intense vivid navy blue colour. Honestly, when I ordered this I didn't anticipate how pigmented it would be but my days, it is the brightest eyeliner I own. Strangely enough after playing around with it I've found that it looks incredible on both the upper and lower water line. It adds a really awesome difference to a smoky eye look which is handy really because I've been trying to venture out and find new looks for this year. Who wants to stick to the same old look day in day out huh?
Next up above the blue is my favourite eye liner in the history of eye liners. It is from the SuperSHOCK Collection and is in the colour "steel". I have also, literally, been wearing this daily since I bought it. I bought this with the idea of straying from black eye liner every day as I was just getting a little bit bored of it. And steel is just a fantastic deep metallic grey colour which again is so super pigmented it's just not real. I've had a super shock eye liner in the past and the thing that pulls me in with them is there lasting power. You apply this, and ten seconds later its as if you've used liquid eye liner. Unlike most kohl's it just does not budge. I am amazed by it and I can tell you now I'm going to be stocking up on these bad boys.
And finally, the top liner, is from the ordinary Avon collection and is called "Green". Oh Avon with your adventurous names you. I bought this because I though, hey, its Autumn. Why not try something autumnal with my makeup. Thus, this was bought. I know you can't see very well in the picture but its actually a really lovely kaki mucky green and under the lash line it does look fantastic. Particularly with brown eye shadow. I like it a lot but I feel as if this is going to be on of those things the lasts me forever.

Next is an eye shadow trio names "Onyx Quartz". I really like the design of this. Its very compact and as you can see it has a little drawer for the applicator. Adorable. I chose this compact as I thought the white, black and dusky rose would make for an interesting smoky eye. However although the colours are beautiful the actual formulation of the eye shadow lets the whole thing down a little in my opinion. I've tried to love this but after using it a few times I have to say I've just been so disappointed in the amount of fall out there is. It's really difficult for me to apply cleanly and I've been getting frustrated having to reapply concealer after the original application has been sprinkled with black. Also the eye shadow is very sheer and really not very buildable at all. Give it time I may find a way to make this work until then I will just be saddened by it.
And in the little glass pot is the best eye shadow primer I have used. It's so silky and gives a tint of colour as well. I've found that this works quite well as a concealer on days where I don't need much coverage. A tiny bit of this goes such a long way as well so although it's in the smallest pot ever I genuinely think this will last me a long while. I'm really happy I bought this to be honest. It's just superb!

 

Next is a nail varnish top coat named "Rose Golden". I love this, words can't explain how much I have come to depend on this. It's really similar to the rimmel London Aurora top coat I posted about a few weeks ago but this is just so much nicer. This looks amazing on top of greys, greens and blacks. I've been experimenting with this loads and I just adore every look I've used it with. It has various sized little orangey gold flecks and tiny little silver glitter bits in it. It dries super fast and doesn't leave my nails feeling thick with varnish. It doesn't chip easily and the glitter doesn't scrape off during the day like I've found with some glitter top coats. I really have nothing bad to say about this. I love it. Just, love it.
And the two lipsticks. Again, love them. The packaging for them is tiny and I mean, tiny. I got two colours. "Light Rose" and "Very Berry". The formulation for these is really creamy and feels real moisturising when it's on. However I have found that I have to reapply them quite a bit to keep the colours vibrant as they're quite glossy and sheer. I think these were on offer when I bought them at 2 for £3 which really you just cant go wrong with can you?

 

And finally I got this little box cosmetics bag as a free gift. I didn't think I liked this at first but I've come to like it quite a bit really. The size of it is just excellent as it holds a very decent amount of make up. I think I'll mostly use this when it comes to travelling as it's just that bit too big for every day use. Really though it's not bad for a free gift. And who would I be to complain about it?  

So that's it from Avon. I'm really quite surprised by the value against quality concept with it. I had all these ideas growing up that only rich ladies bought things from the Avon catalogue but honestly it's so affordable. If you don't already receive a copy of it I would look in to joining. I'm glad I did anyway.  

 

Now for the Christmas wish list this post. Dear Santa, I would rather like this.

This is the Ted Baker "Lips Made For Kissing" set. It's available at boots now for £15 and I really really really really really really really really REALLY want it. I've been very good this year and I personally think that I do deserve this. Going to have to speak nicely to that mother of mine. The colours of this just look fantastic. I would literally wear every colour. Oh Ted, why do you do these things to me.
Guys, hold out hope for me yeah?
Love you, G x

 



 

  

 

 



First Empties Ever!

It is a sad time in my life when I run out of one of any one of my cosmetics. And over the last few weeks that seems to have been happening a lot. But fear not, I do compensate by restocking. Probably not the best idea when it's coming up to Christmas. So I thought today I would write my very first ever empties blog. Is this going to hurt?

Firstly starting with beauty related items it seems I've only been running out of face products. This is honestly my favourite Primer. "Primed & Ready" by COLLECTION. Oh my days I could not get enough of this stuff. I'm pretty sure it retails at about the £3/£4 mark so it is well worth it just for the price alone. However I've only ever seen it available in the 18ml size which is honestly not enough. I would say I probably got about 10-15 uses out of this which really isn't too great. But let me tell you, after using this primer you literally could see no kind of flaws on my natural skin. My pores appeared non existent and any redness or blemishes I knew about looked so minute I could barely notice them. I will definitely be repurchasing this.

Next up is my all time favourite liquid foundation by RIMMEL LONDON. I used the wake me up foundation in "100 ivory" and the match to my natural skin tone was just sensational. I actually adore this foundation more than humanly reasonable. But there are so many reasons why you should. Firstly the lasting power is just immense. I can put this on at 7 in the morning and not need any touch-ups all day. Secondly just the way it looks. It says on the packaging that it gives an anti-fatigue effect and radiant glow. Now I don't know about the radiant glow as I have to wear powder foundation on top if I want to feel comfortable however it is amazing for the anti-fatigue effect. Put this on the morning after a late night and you'd not know the difference. If you want to trick people in to thinking you get 8 hours sleep a night then this is the foundation you're after. I know I never get that much sleep but you'd really never know. Now, I do want to repurchase this more than anything but the problem is I already have another one but in the shade "200 soft beige" and while it is still pretty amazing it's just that bit too dark for Autumn. Maybe it'll go on the Christmas list?

Next is the MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Dream Matte Mousse in shade "005 Porcelain". I have literally had this foundation for almost a year. It got to the point where just as I was finishing it off was when it had started getting a little funky and past it's best. It was just getting a bit dry and cracked. Nothing like the soft, light and well whipped consistency of when it bought it. Although I really liked this foundation in the summer I'm actually quite relieved it's over and done with now. Porcelain. When I think of porcelain I think white, pale, ivory. But no, this really is quite orangey which is not on my ok list. I found I had to spend a whole bunch of time really really blending this in well to get rid of the orange tinge it gave. Although I never had to use a powder on top as it was quite powdery in itself and yes, exceedingly matte which I love. This is one of those products I want to love, and I want to repurchase but I really don't think it'll happen. Unless I found an even lighter shade in it. But honestly I don't think one exists. So it's a very sad farewell to the dream matte mouse.

Also from MAYBELLINE NEW YORK is not one, but two of the FIT me! pressed powder foundations both in the shade "120 classic ivory". Now you may think that because I have used two of these that I must love it. However I'm not sure that's the case. Yes, it's a really good powder foundation. Yes, the coverage is great (when you use enough). Yes, it's affordable at about £6-£8 but they just run out SO fast. I couldn't really believe it when I'd had one for about 5 weeks and I had to go out and buy another. I'm not really sure why I did in all honesty as thinking back I feel like I've completely wasted my money. As you can see in the picture they are not actually completely out, however they're at that point where I really can't get any more out of them with a brush. What I will do though is crumble them up in to the Dream Matte Mousse pot and use it as a loose powder. Mainly because I love the glass packaging of the mousse. Anyway I definitely wont be repurchasing this. Maybelline, what are you doing?

Now on to shower related products. Firstly is the TRESemmé cleanse & replenish Remoisturising conditioner. I love love love love looooveee this conditioner. Usually when I stick to one conditioner my hair gets a bit bored of it and doesn't really feel as nourished after 3/4 washes but with this, oh no, that was definitely not the case. After every single use of this my hair felt amazing. I really do think Tresemmé are exceptionally underrated. I honestly felt like id just been to the salon every time I used this. I can't remember the exact price of this but I believe it was on offer at around £4. Now, £4 for a 900ml bottle of conditioner is good at any stretch of the imagination. This conditioner lasted me literally about 3 months too, and that's not just with me using it. Even my sneaky older brother was dipping in to it every now and again. The big git. Now I went to repurchase this two days ago at Tesco but unfortunately they were out of stock. But I will get my hands on this again. Be it the last thing I do (Over dramatics, yay!)


And finally in my empties collection is my all time favourite thing in the history of my life. The Original Source Vanilla milk and Raspberry shower gel. There is no greater thing in the world than this smell. I don't care what anyone says. Being realistic it's a decent shower gel. It isn't too sticky, it's not weak, it's affordable and it works. I can't complain about the formulation of this. But it's the smell. The smell bought this for me. If Original Source were to bring out air fresheners or car danglys or whatever I would buy the lot. I only finished this two nights ago so I haven't had chance to buy it again, but I will. Oh, and at the poundshop they had this in a handwash form which is now sitting nicely on my sink. Love it.




 So that's it for my very first empties Blog. I am now hopelessly depressed about all these things I have to go out and rebuy. So depressed it hurts. I hate shopping. Gosh. I'm also pro at sarcasm.
Now for the Christmas wishlist. What do I want? Hmmm... Oh yeah, this.

 

The BOURJOIS PARIS Blush in "48 Cendre De Rose Brune". Believe it or not, I only own 1 bourjois item which is the Queen Attitude Kohl Kahjal eye liner. Now, I found out through watching EssieButton's youtube videos that this shade blush is the very first shade Bourjois ever created and that makes me want it so bad. I don't honestly know why but the idea of having something so classic in my make up collection excites me. Also the packaging of pretty much all Bourjois products is just so so beautiful. I think the only packaging that doesn't pull me in so much is that of the Healthy mix line, so the foundations and serums and concealers. I think it just looks a bit bland. But honestly, look at that picture. It's just so feminine and cute and gorgeous and lovely and pretty and god I want it now. Hopefully Mr. Claus will be generous this year.

Love, G x

 

Seasonal Ring Finger Favourites

 

Summer is dead. I think it's official now. However, i'm not sad. Quite the opposite to be honest. Autumn/Winter is by far my favourite half of the year. We can finally say goodbye to the sweaty days where we have to touch up our melted make up a million and three times a day. What is not to love? Autumn is also an excuse to buy more clothes which is wonderful. We can layer up and wear our two favourite jumpers at the same time without being judged. Hey, we're just keeping warm right?
Also the end of the year is subject to so many awesome occasions. Halloween, guy fawkes night, thanksgiving for the Americans, bloody Christmas!!! Again, what is not to love? (Not mentioning our bank balances). Thus leading me on to todays post. I'd say about 80% of girls want pretty nails on occasions such as these, what with the parties and everything. And the past year or two we have been loving the ring finger polish phase, so I thought I would tell you all about my three favourite ring finger looks for the seasons ahead.

                                                             Firstly there's my two newest purchases of my nail polish collection. I got these Rimmel London varnishes yesterday from Boots and I've absolutely fallen in love with this look. I wear the deep burgundy red colour called 'Rapid Ruby' on each nail. Once that's dried I move on to the pretty bit. The contrasting colour I got is from what I believe to be a new line, the space dust collection, in the colour 'Aurora'. I wear this on my thumb and ring finger. I don't add any kind of patterned nail art as I think just as block colours the two compliment each other superbly. This look is going to be a killer at Christmas. The red is very sophisticated but then the gold just adds a hint of glam and festivity to the look that will really work well in December, especially at a Christmas party or such.

 

 

Next up is more of a day look that can be altered with quantity

in to a more desirable night look. The deep turquoise blue is by Missguided and is named 'Misstique'. I thought that the hint of green in this polish is very autumnal and although blue is usually seen to be quite vibrant this is actually a really

dark, not deep, but dark colour. Then for the ring finger

we have a Barry M Sequin nail effect in 'White'. Catchy name

huh? With the sequin nail polish having flecks of gold and blue in it it does add again to that effect of autumn. The two together work really well for if you just feel like having a bit of a brighter day as they look really cute, fun and dainty paired up.

I tend to use two coats of the white as the actual polish in it

is quite transparent. I don't put the white polish over the blue

one as it dulls it down and takes away some of that lovely fun.

 

 

And finally we have a really pretty, girly look for the season.
This isn't a look I would wear on an every day basis, more for

a special occasion again. The purple is Technic's 'Amethyst' 

and as you can see in the picture is quite metallic and shiny 

but a very deep purple at that. I wear this on every nail and

then on the ring finger I wear L'Oreal's color riche

 'crystalissime'. The two pair up together really really nicely

as the L'Oreal top coat has very faint and tiny lilac flecks in it

complimenting the technic polish not so subtly which is nice.

As I said however, I really would stick to wearing this

combination at a party or on a night out as it is a very sparkly

and glitzy look. So girly and very seasonal on the same level

though.

 

So there you have it, my top three combinations for a pretty little ring finger manicure for the colder season. I'm hoping this post was useful in terms that I am positive you could make your own match based around my ideas to suit your own budgets. A few handy hints for you also. I use a clear top coat by COTY over all these looks as due to layering coats of polish they tend to chip easier. My top coat however is fool proof. I can go to work at my little retail job for 12 or 13 hours and go home with perfect non chipped nails.  

 

 

Now my first thing to go on to my Christmas wish list is a cheat because I cant decide between two things. A) Some new brushes. Id quite like a real techniques set as I've heard amazing things about the buffer brushes. But all mine are getting to that point in life now where they just do not come clean and every shampoo for them is an effort on my part. And B)..


This. Rimmel London Stay Blushed in 001 Pop of Pink. I tried this at Boots yesterday and the urge was there. But there are sad days in life where you just have to put your purse down and step away from the goods. Soon though.... Soon.
Love, G x