Collection Shadow Pencil

Eye shadow pencils or crayons aren't a new thing. Clinique, Jouer and Rimmel (to name a few) have their own variations and formulas but today I wanted to take a cheeky gander at the Collection's offerings - simply named Shadow Pencil...

Denim Diva & Hot Chocolate swatched.

I picked up the shades Hot Chocolate and Denim Diva (currently on offer in Boots.) I decided against the lighter shades because I already own Rimmels Bulletproof Beige - which works beautifully by the by. I'd usually steer clear from the bright colour options  that brands tend to release along with their neutrals but I personally think Collection have chosen a very beautiful navy as opposed to a bright turquoise or aqua, which might put people off and in all fairness probably not get used very much and up getting dusty in peoples collections.

Denim Diva & Hot Chocolate blended.

The bronze shade (Hot Chocolate) is astoundingly beautiful, not too dissimilar from Maybellines Colour Tattoo Bad to the Bronze/On and On Bronze - suitable for all skin tones and eye colours and will look beautiful on all. The navy shade (Denim Diva) is equally as gorgeous but as you can see from the blended swatch, together they look simply divine - I think a smokey eye with these two would be beautiful.

The pigmentation is great, staying power even greater than that - these are also waterproof and are pretty easy to blend (as with all products that set in place, I'd recommend working quickly in light layers,) and once they are set - that's it and all is in place.

I'm pretty pleased I went with something different in terms of the navy shade - I know it's probably not everyone's cup of tea, but in combination with a bronze - it's even more divine than on its own. In love? Why I think I am...

Have you got the Collection Shadow Pencils? What are your thoughts?

Peace!

Base | Concealers

Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer// No7 Stay Perfect Concealer// Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer// Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer.

Let's cut to the chase - I wasn't a concealer gal. When I was younger and overdid my make up (another story altogether, and maybe I will tell you one day...) I used a scanty amount of concealer and relied predominantly upon foundation to cover any blemishes (mostly redness, I don't break out,) - and then I would just move onto my eyes. No I wasn't an orange. If you're wondering.

Eventually though, I found my way back to concealers, and here is a quick round up of four drug store concealers that I've tried recently...

I first used the Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer - one of my first tests back into concealers (after having gone so long without,) and for a while it was perfect. But the same can be said with No7 Stay Perfect Concealer (new formula,) - it seemed to work for the first initial uses and then come up short, for whatever reason. I found when I used these in the summer they were fine - but when it got to winter they felt drying and clogging. 

I still don't know whether it was me, or the formula of these two products - but they just ain't cutting it for the concealing of my ever purple under eyes (lovely,) or slight redness around my nose. Sorry, Rimmel and No7. 

Moving onto the Collection 2000, I absolutely adored the Illuminating Touch Concealer - a similar product to the YSL Touche Eclat, and for the price range it was a solid contender. I will be buying it again, but I wanted to test the Lasting perfection concealer, from the same brand. The latter is a heavier formulation, and I tend to use this on larger blemishes rather than my under eyes. It covers, blends well and keeps the redness at bay for a solid eight hours. 

My favourite though and I kind of hate that it is because it's one of those hyped products - but it is completely worth it... Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer! I adore the foundation, and so tried the concealer too... what a surprise (sarcasm,) of course it worked and still works under my eyes, blemishes around my nose, spots. It doesn't dry or cake (I have sensitive/dry skin,) and rarely causes any problems (except when I am having a really bad skin day, which for me is dryness in epic proportions, but then I just use a tinted moisturiser if I absolutely have to use anything at all,) and for under £10 - comes into my budget and I don't have to feel too guilty. 

So while I haven't had much luck with the first two concealers, the last two mentioned have done a pretty good job at keeping my skins general redness at bay and under control.

What's your favourite concealer? Any gems you've found?

Peace!

September Favourites

aussie dual personality texturising + conditioning spray

collection 2000 lasting colour nail varnish - purple rain

collection 2000 supersoft kohl eyeliner - love bird

no7 stay perfect nail colour - devils delight

benefit high beam

l'oreal paris rouge caresse - nude ingenue

Another month of favourites! I've really had fun specifically with the no7 nail colour! It really is a beautiful shade of red and does make me feel like a devils delight... anyway!

I've been trying the collection 2000 eyeliner, that's the only new product to me -- the rest I have just rekindled my love for... I digress.

It really is a lovely shade with the cute name of 'love bird' - it takes a few swipes for colour pay off though, my only discrepancy because once it's on it's lovely. :)

What are your favourites this september?

Peace!

Empties #1

This Vaseline Cocoa Radiant is amazing! It left my skin feeling so soft and the smell was gorgeous! 

 My empties pile has been growing...

 Collection 2000, Super Size Mascara - I liked this for the length it gave but it left my lashes clumpy. For that reason I won't be repurchasing.

High Beam - This was a sample given to me, as you can tell by the dinky size! I love High Beam and have since purchased the larger bottle. God bless Benefit!

 Simply Pure, Superdrug - This moisturiser is amazing! It's paraben free, hypo-allergenic and has SPF 15 too. I will be repurchasing this beauty. Considering it was under £2 and provided an excellent base for make up...

Fix and Perfect Pro, Rimmel Primer - Amazing. It comes in just under £7 in most places, provides an excellent base for make up and leaves my skin feeling ready to battle the day! I have since bought two more of these and I am running out... 

MUA Primer - Its £4, it keeps my make up in place, the consistency feels weird, but it doesn't on your face once worked in. I have another one coming. I like it. Average, but it does the job well.

Illuminating Touch Concealer, Collection 2000 - This concealer was beautiful! I really must repurchase because it covered my dark circles/blemishes so well! You don't get much though and I was actually surprised it ran out so quickly!

I've literally just finished using this Dove Visible Effects body moisturiser, and while it does it's job beautifully the scent is a little over powering and almost feels slightly sticky as its soaking in. I would repurchase again, but the smell is just off putting - unless you hold your nose!

Peace!

Quick Make Up Routines?

 MUA primer, Benefit High Beam, Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch Light Diffusing Concealer.

Collection 2000 Colour Lash in Clear, Volume Million Lashes for Hazel Eyes Mascara.

You know when you gotta be quick? Or, you those days in the mornings/afternoons and you need to go out for whatever reason even though you reaallyyyy do not want to and then... 

You look at your face and think 'holy fuck, I must cover this up,' - for whatever reason, we've all been there, right? A spot, blemish, something that makes our morning routine a little bit more hassle, and let's face it, could potentially put us in a bad mood for the rest of the day...

My answer, for myself, of course, is...

Primer. Tighten my pores, even my skin tone please! 

Concealer. Blemish? Gone. Spots? Nearly gone, but it will do. Dark circles? Gone.

Highlighter. Cheeks. Rosy tint? Perfect. Glowing? Hell yes.

Brow/Lash correctors. Tidy brows. Sorted.

Mascara. Open up them peepers. Lush.

Then of course, depending my mood, lip balm, lip stick or lip gloss. Usually balm or the schtick. 

What's your 'shit I gotta get a move on' routine?

Peace!!

all about nails...

Crazy claw hand returns...

I showed in this post a nail polish named Caribbean Coconut - by All About Nails - A brand I found in Tesco - they also offer face products too...

Deciding to jazz it up ever so slightly, I added 'Shimmy Shake' in Collection 2000's Hot Look Nail Polish range.

I concentrated most of the gold near the base of the nail, so it was a light shimmer at the top - and most of the nude was on show there. :)

It looks pretty. Crazy claw does not.

Hope you have a relaxing weekend!

Peace!