My favorite three...Benefit

Hey Dolls :)

This is the first post of a new series I've been thinking about where I pick my three favorite products from different make up brands and talk about why they're firm favorites! I'm starting with Benefit as to be honest I probably don't talk about benefit very much on my blog. Benefit was the brand that caused me to move from drugstore into higher end make up. However, as time has went on and I experiment and try more and more products I continuously realise that Benefit is just a wee bit overpriced. In a conversation in work about blushes my lovely work chums didn't believe me that a benefit blush was more expensive than a MAC or Illamasqua one. I'm definitely not Benefit bashing but I just wish they would adjust some of their prices in line with the quality/performance. Saying that, I absolutely love lots of their products, here are my top three...

One Hot Minute

One hot minute is a beautiful rose gold powder. I use it during the day as a really pretty highlight and have often used it on a night out as an all over face powder. Even when used all over the face it doesn't make you sparkly or shiny - just lovely and glow-y. It's quite a subtle rose-gold, if you're quite pale you could even use it as a light bronzer.

One hot minute is packaged in a rose gold tin and as with all benefit products looks really pretty and kitsch. You also get this little fan brush which being honest I haven't used but probably would be quite good to distribute a really feathered dusting of powder. It's also lightly scented which I really like.

Liquid Illuminators

There's been a lot more written about high beam over moon beam which is a shame as moon beam is stunning! Firstly, high beam is a satin pink highlighter which is perfect for using on the cheekbones, bridge of my nose and cupids bow. It adds a lovely fresh look to my make up. However, I think it's quite a difficult product to get right - as it's a liquid it can't be used on top of powder or it will go streaky. I always use a duo fibre brush to apply high beam and stipple it on - I hate streaky cheeks!

I love moon beam even more than high beam. Moon beam is a goldy apricot illuminator. It's quite hard to catch the multifaceted glow in a photo but can you see the milky, slightly pinky/purple?

I use moon beam mixed with my foundation and always get compliments on my skin. It instantly lifts and brightens my face without being loaded with shimmer and glitter. If you don't like a completely matte base I definitely would recommend incorporating moon beam into your face routine!

Bad Gal Pencil

When bad gal was released this year as part of the glamour promotion I was shocked at how many people disliked bad gal - it's always been one of my favorite pencils. Maybe that's nostalgia talking as it was the first item of 'high end' make up I ever bought. Also I love the smudged liner look, I don't really like everything looking too perfect which bad gal is perfect for as it stays put. Saying that, on me bad gal stays where I put it without having to set it with powder. If you like soft, smudgey pencils, bad gal is definitely for you!

Are there any particular brands you would like me to focus on? Also what are your benefit favorites?

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

YSL Faux Cils Mascara

Hey Dolls :)

As mascaras go I'm not typically one to buy high end products. However, when I was at the YSL counter curiosity took over about Faux Cils. To be honest I'm not quite sure why as all I ever hear is people complaining about how quickly the tube dries out despite how it makes their lashes look. My suspicions were confirmed further when the MA gave me instructions on how to open and close the tube...

This included the exact speed with which to twist the top open and to always ensure the YSL sign above was aligned. I suppose this will be more of a first impressions post rather than a full review and I'll do an updated post reviewing how long the mascara actually lasts (the SA said roughly about 9-10 weeks).

First impression wise the packaging is absolutely beautiful. Just like all YSL packaging it's glamorous and classic. The mascara is also scented, something I hadn't really experienced before. It's quite floral and fresh and I could actually smell it through the day. The formula is quite wet which I like and the brush is bristled (I hate plastic wands) and is quite big - but not big enough that it's hard to use.

As to how it looks - it's incredibly lengthening and volumising however it is really quite easy to go overboard - hello clump city.

As you can see when it comes to the second coat of mascara it begins to clump however it's nothing a lash comb can't fix! Overall I really do like this mascara though I'm just not sure whether it warrants the price tag! Are you happy with drugstore mascaras or are you a high end fan?

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

YSL and Accessorize Love

Hey Dolls :)

This week so far has been a really exciting make up week - I've bought a couple of absolutely beautiful products and the two I've been most excited about is YSL Rouge Pur in 128 Tyrian Purple and Accessorize's merged blush in Starlet.







Tyrian Purple is probably the prettiest lipstick I own. It's an amazing fuchsia with a silver glitter running through (it isn't really noticeable glitter just adds a nice sheen to the lips). It's the smoothest and creamiest formula and actually lasts a long time (my one criticism of the rouge voluptes is they aren't long lasting at all). As always the packaging is beautiful and so classic. YSL lipsticks will always be my little slice of luxury and glamour.

When I went into Superdrug to visit the Accessorize stall I could not believe how beautiful the products were. I ended up buying four things which I'm sure you'll see popping up. The stand out product for me was the merged blush in starlet. It's a hot pink with beautiful gold and purple veining and is so unbelievable pigmented! It adds a really lovely glow so no additional highlight is needed. It blends really easily however it is quite powdery and you do lose quite a bit when swirling your brush in the pan. However, the blush is only £5 so it's not a huge criticism!

I would love to hear if any of you have tried the Rouge Pur's or the accessorize range and what you thought?

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

I Love Volume!

Hey Dolls :)

If you've read my blog for a while you will know that I love big, volumised hair. I seem to be on a constant quest to find the perfect volume-giving hair routine and I feel I have finally found it...

I've started from the very beginning - I normally let my hair air dry partially first.

I then use a thickening spray in my hair - my spray of choice is Samy's Fat Hair '0' calories thickening spray.

I also think it's quite important to think about the parting of your hair - I use a rat tailed comb to section my hair - I'm not sure how to explain it clearly...I section my fringe and then the rest of my shorter layers around the crown of my hair I flip back - you can see what I mean a little in the photo above. A rat tail comb and a round boar bristle brush are my best friends - boar bristle brushes are honestly brilliant - they backcomb, smooth and helps add loads of volume when blowdrying hair...


When blowdrying, I section my hair and use a boar bristle brush to add volume at the roots. I position the brush under my hair at the root and brush up and out whilst moving the dryer down the section of hair. To be honest, I find blowdrying really boring however I feel it's vital to getting lots of volume around the roots and crown of my hair. I've seen lots of people recommend drying your hair upside down, however if I do this my hair turns into frizz city plus you lose out on lots of shine as you're drying against the hair shaft rather than down.

After sectioning all of my hair and drying it like above, I am left with a true mushroom do!

I quickly then run over my hair with my straighteners - again similarly to the way in which I dry my hair - I always pull the iron up, out and down to keep the volume in the root and crown. Today I've also popped my extensions in.


I have fallen in love with velcro rollers! These are from Trevor Sorbie and are the biggest I've seen in boots/superdrug.

I position the rollers around the crown of my head adjusting the size of the roller according to the length of my layer. I blast the rollers for a couple of seconds with my hair dryer and let them cool. The length of time I leave them in depends on how much of a rush I'm in. It's best to try and leave them in for as long as possible!


Normally I take this time to have a dance break to an amazing tune such as...



The last step is to use a finishing spray/product. My two favorites are Schwarzkopf's Dust It and Umberto Giannini's Backcomb in a Bottle. Today I used backcomb in a bottle which I absolutely love!




I do apologise that this was a bit of a beast but for someone who is quite rubbish at doing hair I get quite a few questions and comments about how I do mine! Hope this helped!

Love Nic
xoxo

Things I have been enjoying lately...Nine

Hey Dolls :)

I haven't done one of these posts in a while so here we go...

1. My New Fringe

My hair was feeling rather limp and lack lustre so off I trotted to get a new fringe cut in. I also got quite a few short layers put around the crown of my head - I love how much volume short, choppy layers instantly add.

2. Big Hair

This isn't really something I've been enjoying lately - it's more of a permanent enjoyment. However I have recently discovered some amazing new products which are assisting me on my quest for big beautiful hair! Reviews of all products are on the way!

3. Mini Jaffa Cakes

Nuff' said.

4. Silver and Grays

When shopping lately I'm been completely attracted to gray and silver items which is most unusual! If you're looking for amazing slippers, the grey ones in this picture are probably thee comfiest slippers I have ever owned - it's like walking on a giant bouncy mattress all the time!

5. Mad Men

I am in love with Mad Men at quite possibly the worst time as my dissertation is due in four weeks...

6. I am T Pain Iphone App

Basically it's autotune for your phone. Honestly Nick and I have spent hours singing songs through it. Songs like...

Never thought I'd see the day
When a big boat coming my way
Believe me when I say I fucked a mermaid

HAHAHA

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

Pink Opal and Sue Moxley

Hey Dolls :)

After writing my October favorites a couple of people asked to see pink opal used as a highlight on the face. I've used it today though as I'm going to work I've used it a bit lighter than I would on a night out...

So as you can see it leaves a really nice sheen to the skin - as I said in my october favorites the more you use, the more apparent the pink duochrome becomes. I also said that I would show what the Sue Moxley shadows I blogged about here looked like on.

Face - Revlon Photo Ready/MAC MSF Natural/MAC Well Dressed/MAC Pink Opal
Eyes- Two Faced Shadow Insurance/Sue Moxley shadows shades 12 and 14/MAC Pink Opal/Benefits Bad Gal Liner/17 Wild Curls
Lips - MAC Snob/MAC Sugarimmed Dazzleglass

I am still in love with these shadows, they're so soft and blendable and the colours are so much more complex than they first look in the pan. I really do urge you to go into superdrug and swatch some of the colours - they're beautiful!

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

Review: TRESemme Naturals

Hey Dolls :)

I was quite excited when on a recent browse around Superdrug I saw all of the new TRESemme Naturals range was on offer for 2 for £6. I've yet to explore the world of natural and SLS free haircare so was quite excited to try the shampoo and conditioner.

I chose the vibrantly smooth products as in winter I normally get a serious case of finger in socket hair! After using the shampoo and conditioner I am absolutely in love with how my hair feels - it's healthy and shiny looking and is unbelievably soft. This last week has been a true test of this shampoo and conditioners capabilities - it has went from being windy to rainy to freezing to all three at once and I'm pleased to report that I really did notice that my hair was a lot less frizz prone and fly away.

However, as much as I love how the naturals range has left my hair I do have some niggles in the back of my mind. On reading the ingredients it doesn't seem particularly 'natural', all that seems to be added and tweaked from the original formula are some organic extracts. The shampoo is a 'lower sulfate' formula rather than SLS free which is a little disappointing and I can't help but feel that TRESemme should of went the whole way and made it completely SLS free.

Despite this, I would definitely repurchase from the TRESemme naturals range again, I have genuinely noticed a positive difference in the condition of my hair. The shampoo and conditioner is really good value for money at just over £5 for a 900ml bottle each. It has also intrigued my interest in SLS free haircare - do you have any recommendations?

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo