MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils - Review

Hello everyone,

About a month ago, I popped into MAC with the intention of expanding my lipstick collection further. I wrote myself a list of potential purchases, however when I tried them, none of them looked at all good. So I had a little wander around and found the Patentpolish Lip Pencils on a stand and was immediately drawn to them. If it's not a lipstick I'm after, it's any sort of lip crayon. I swatched a few different ones before trying them on, and then before I knew it, I was at the checkout with my card in the card machine about to pay for two new Patentpolish Lip Pencils. Here are the shades which I treated myself to...

These were limited edition lip products before in MAC and I think they made a great decision by choosing to bring these back again. I just hope that they stay for a decent amount of time so I can try a majority of the colours. I chose two slightly different colours this time. Both of these have a gorgeous glossy formula so it is a change from the matte lip that I am used to. I chose a lovely nude-ish pink colour called Kittenish and a bright red-pink colour called Pleasant...

Kittenish is what I would say to be one of the most perfect nude and wearable colours. It is a great pink shade to wear during both the daytime and nighttime. With one application it looks natural whereas it can be layered up for a bolder light pink colour. I like to use this on top of MAC Soar lip liner in the evening. Even though it is a slightly different colour, I think the combination of the two are just perfect. The size of this product is also amazing for a makeup bag or for a clutch bag on a night out. I think this shade is great for all skin tones. So if you are looking for a new pinky nude shade, I would definitely recommend this.

Pleasant is the most gorgeous bright pink shade. It isn't too dark or too red which, for me and my skin tone, makes it perfect, especially for the summer. The only small problem I have with this is that it is very very glossy. I am used to having more matte and satin shades for a dark lip, but nevertheless I am prepared to work through it. I like to use this colour to brighten up my makeup look, especially during the day with minimal eyeshadow. Once again this is a great staple to have in your makeup bag or clutch bag on a night out. If you love bold colours or a glossy lip, this product is definitely for you!

I will definitely need to head back into MAC soon because I don't want to risk these going out of stock again. I have loved using these so much and definitely want to try other colours, especially something orangey. Let me know in the comments below if you have used these Patentpolish Lip Pencils before or if you might have been persuaded to want to try them. 

So until next time lovelies xx

No7 BB Lips and Free Gift

Hello everyone,

Sorry there was no blog post last night and sorry that this one is so late up. I have had a very hectic few days. Anyway, when I went into town with my Nanny the other week, she treated me to a few lovely bits from the No7 counter in Boots. I was intrigued at the BB Lips products, and with them being lip products, I knew I had to get them. Here are the colours which I got...

These products have 3 key properties which are what attracted me to them. Firstly, they have a really nourishing formula. They are so lovely and easy to wear on the lips. Secondly, they have UV protection. It is great to find a good lip product that will protect your lips from the sun. Thirdly, they have the most amazing pigmentation and colour! I consider these to be a lip balm and they are amazing. When I wear a lip balm or lip gloss, they usually don't have very good pigmentation or properties, however these are off the scale. They are amazing and I would definitely recommend them. I chose two shades of these however at the counter I tried four on to find which I liked the best. Here are some swatches of the two gorgeous lip products I have added to my collection...

I chose two summery and bold colours which I thought would be great for the Summer months. The first shade I chose was Blink Pink. It is a really lovely baby/light pink shade. It is a great shade to wear in the daytime. It is good with both natural and heavy makeup. It is good to use it minimally for a natural 'your lips but better' look or layer it up for a more bold and intense lip colour. The other shade I chose was Geranium. When I first saw it, even before it was swatched, I knew it would be one I had to get. It is so so pigmented, even more so than Blink Pink. It is a really good lip colour for daytime and nighttime makeup looks. It is a great product for a bold lip that keeps the lips hydrated and will stay there for a decent amount of time before having to reapply. I would really recommend these lip balm or lip gloss alternatives. And for £9 each, they are a steal, especially when No7 has £3 off their cosmetics.

When I got these from the store, there was a promotion on because No7 are celebrating their 80th birthday at the moment. It stated that if you bought two or more cosmetic products, then you would be able to get a free gift set. And if you know me, then you know I am a sucker for a gift set. Here is what was included in the lovely set...

I got another mini mascara in this gift set like I got in my No7 Advent Calendar at Christmas. I really like this mascara so another mini is great for me to save in my spare makeup drawer. I will probably take this away with me when I go on holiday in a few weeks. Also in this gift set was a mini highlighter. I got the same highlighter as I got in the No7 Advent Calendar at Christmas. I have nearly finished the one I got at Christmas, so another one has definitely come at a good time. The third gift was a gorgeous deep and glittery purple eyeshadow. It is a great shade to use in the crease and outer corner of the eye. I would definitely use it more on a night out but nonetheless I will definitely get a lot of use out of it.

However, when you thought that was it, there was a golden ticket inside the gift. No7 have been offering a free full sized lipstick of your choice to those with a golden ticket. Because of this, I knew I had to get the free gift. When I had my makeup done last week for my night out, I decided to redeem my voucher and get my free lipstick. I have got more and more into bold colours this summer than any summers before. Because of this, I knew I had to go for something bold and something I didn't have in my collection already. Most of you will be thinking, 'is this possible? she owns every colour under the sun already'. I found the most gorgeous red shade with a hint of orange. It was in the shade Brick Red which was colour matched to my light skin tone of Calico.

I love all of these products which I got from No7. The free gift is so amazing that I would definitely encourage you to get it if you are going near a Boots store soon. Also, with No7 having £3 off their cosmetics at the moment, then it is even more of a bargain. If you were to redeem the voucher, I would love to know in the comments below what shade you would treat yourself to.

So until next time lovelies xx

My Current Beauty Wishlist

Hello everyone,

I love making notes. On my phone there are notes, I have plenty of notebooks and, as some of you will know, I adore sticky notes. Whenever I go into a beauty store or have an online browse, undoubtedly I find many items that I don't yet own that I must own. On my phone I have many lists of these. I have a drugstore one, a high end one and a MAC one. So for this post I thought I would make yet another list of what beauty related products I am wanting at the moment...

1. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder
I am a lover of trying to contour even though my cheekbones are hidden away somewhere underneath my fat cheeks. Hoola is a favourite of all beauty bloggers'. I feel I need to get on the bandwagon with this one once again. It is a natural bronzer which for me is hard to find because of my skin tone. I think that this bronzer really is missing from my makeup collection at the moment, so we will have to see if a purchase is made soon.

2. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara
I got a sample of this amazing mascara free with a magazine a while back. I made my mum go to the supermarket and buy it, only for the free mascara. I had heard a lot about this mascara, and because of its beautiful plastic wand I knew that I had to have it. The sample has done me well so far, but I really feel like I am missing out on what I bet is a great mascara in the full size. I've not tried any other Benefit mascaras, but I bet that if I get this one, I will be intrigued into trying the others, especially They're Real.

3. Urban Decay Weightless Ultra Defining Liquid Makeup
I have had my makeup done at the Urban Decay counter twice now and both times I have had this gorgeous foundation used on me. Sophie, the manager of the counter, matched me to it the first time and Stephanie, a wonderful makeup artist, used it on me again recently - so thank you ladies! This foundation is so weightless you can't feel it on the skin, yet provides the most amazing coverage. I'm annoyed that high end foundations are so expensive because I want to buy them all. However, having this one applied on me twice and me falling in love with it both times, does make me think that I need to get it soon.

4. Urban Decay Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion
When I had my makeup done both times again, the ladies at the counter used this primer on me. I loved the eyeshadow looks that they both did and the primer made it last for ages. It is a great primer that can be applied from the lash line up to the brow bone because it is matte and neutral. I have a few samples of this and know that on my next night out, I will be using this under my eyeshadow I'm sure. When they are used up though, it will be time to think about buying the full sized product...

5. Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush
I am falling more and more in love with Clinique products at the moment. I have had multiple appointments at the counter recently and this has made me want to buy the whole stock. The lovely consultant Natalia booked me in for a skin consultation last week and tried out a variety of different products on me, some of which I then went on to buy (spoiler - post on those coming soon!). She also used the Cleansing Brush on me and I have to say, that from the first time it touched my skin, I knew that I needed it in my life. The only problem though is that it is £79. I think that this is top of my wishlist right now as I want my skin to stop being so spotty so less makeup is needed to make it look good. So if anyone wants to give me the money, I would be truly thankful!

6. Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector
This was another product that Natalia used on me during my skin consultation - thanks Natalia you are amazing! One of my main skin worries is the size and appearance of the pores on my face. She recommended this product to me and after using it on my skin, my pores seemed to magically disappear and my skin became 'perfect'. I have used the Benefit Porefessional to reduce my pores, but I have to say that the Clinique alternative does wonders for my skin.

7. Nars Blush in Orgasm
Here we go, the cult classic that every beauty blogger raves on about. Three words - I need it! I have a few Nars products but not yet a blush. I swatched it in store a while back and fell in love with it, so I think this will have to be one to add to my blush collection. There are no other words to explain why this is on my wishlist really, because if you already own it, then you will agree with me I'm sure.

8. MAC 242 Shader Brush
I have seen many people use this brush for pigments and normal eyeshadows. I am always looking to increase my collection of eye brushes and I think that this one is needed in my collection. I really love flat brushes to pack on the product and MAC brushes are great. Of course any excuse to go into MAC is a good one in my opinion.

9. MAC 217 Blending Brush
This one shouldn't really be on here because its not really needed. But I would love another 217 brush. I got my current one a year ago and after many washes, the brush has started to lose its shape and softness. If it completely breaks, it will be time for a new one I think.

10. MAC Eyeshadow Pro Palette x15
I would just love to expand my MAC eyeshadow collection. I would love to create a palette of 15 shades, a good mix of mattes and shimmers, perfect for both the daytime and the evening. In this palette I would love to include some of the following shades: Hair, Shroom, Handwritten, Woodwinked, Honey Lust, Bamboo, Brule, Vapour, Wedge, Gleam and Smut.

11. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow
I love my Charlotte Tilbury lipstick, but I am dying to get a few more items. One item in particular I would love to get my hands on is the Bronze and Glow duo. Not only is it the rose gold packaging that I find enticing, but a bronzer and highlighter with a mirror would be great for me; it would be perfect for travelling. And if anything, it would be the perfect item in my makeup bag to brighten it up a bit with the gorgeous packaging.

12. Smashbox Step By Step Contour Stick Trio
Yes another bronzing and contouring product, can we see a theme appearing here? I love cream contour products, especially those in stick form. Because I am quite fair, for me this product would be great because of the three different stick shades it includes. And 3 sticks for £35 is a bargain isn't it? Well even though it might not be entering my shopping basket soon, it is staying on my wishlist.

13. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon and Frozen Quartz
I have wanted some Ombre Blackstars for a long long time. To get by, I have been using my Kiko Eyeshadow Sticks which I reviewed in my last blog post. I have been loving them, but they don't have the same gorgeous packaging as the By Terry ones. They also look a lot more creamy than the Kiko ones. These shades seem great for both a daytime and nighttime look. However, the hefty price tag is what is off putting. Maybe for a special occasion though?

14. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
I could not write this list without mentioning this gorgeous perfume. Every single time I go into Boots or Debenhams or John Lewis or anywhere with a YSL counter, I spray this perfume onto me. I love the gorgeous scent. I have a couple of samples that live in a little box in my room and I wear it when I go out. It is a great sweet yet sensual scent that is one of my favourites. I really really want this perfume, so next time I go to get a new one, I will probably be heading back to a YSL counter.

Now I know what you're all thinking 'wow she doesn't want much does she'. And as most of you know, yes I am a bit of a beauty junkie. I love trying new products. Many of these I have had used on me during makeovers in store or I have used samples of them. Because of this, I personally feel they are all justified items because they are not impulse buys that I might not actually like. And yes I know that there is a lot on my wishlist, but a girl is allowed to dream isn't she?

Do you have a beauty wishlist? What's on yours? Let me know in the comments below because I might need to expand mine slightly aha.

So until next time lovelies xx

Mini Kiko Haul

Hello everyone,

Everyone raves on and on about how good the products are from Kiko and also how cheap they are. I had found a few things that I wanted to get but because you have to have a minimum spend online, I always left it. However I recently went shopping in Cambridge and stopped by at Kiko. They had a great sale on and I spent ages in there trying to decide what to spend the last of my money on.

I was looking for some specific things after hearing raving reviews about them. Luckily when I found them, they were all on sale. I wanted to try these as I had heard about their amazing quality and because of the price. Here is what I treated myself to...

Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows in shades 25 and 38
These eyeshadow sticks are out of this world in my opinion. They are so highly pigmented its amazing. I have wanted to try the By Terry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks for ages but because of the price I was a bit sceptical. Trying the Kiko ones as an alternative was a great idea. In the sale, they were only £3.40 each, which I believe to be a steal. Shade 25 is a great colour for all over the lid if you want a subtle look. It is also a great base shade and a brightening shade for in the corner of the eye. Shade 38 is great for all over the lid for an evening and dramatic look. It is also a great colour for in the crease. These shades are all great for their blending abilities. However, if you leave them too long, then they set, so you better get the blending brush out fast! These eyeshadow sticks have staying power, as the name of them suggests. To take them off, a good eye makeup remover is needed, especially one that removes waterproof makeup. I use Benefit's They're Real Remover and it works a treat.

Mosaic Blush in 01 Inspiration Rose Coral
I love a good coral and peach blush as most of you know. If I'm being honest with you, one of the only reasons that I bought it was because of the pattern of the product. It is a great product because you can swirl the brush around it and get all of the colours on the brush at once. This blush is really really pigmented. It is one of the most pigmented blushes I own. However, I don't really like the packaging. It is quite bulky and I find it kind of heavy. I also have difficulty in opening it sometimes. An upside however is that there is a decent sized mirror in it which is great for application on the go. For me, this is the most perfect summery shade. It is great in the Spring and Summer months and I think would also be good as a transition from Summer to Autumn shades; hence I think it is a good blush for all times of the year.

These products from Kiko are all great, and due to these good experiences, I will definitely be going in there again to purchase some other bits and pieces. I would really like to try the Kiko lipsticks as I have heard really good things about them. If you have any other recommendations, please feel free to send them my way, because as you know, I'm always up for trying new beauty bits.

So until next time lovelies xx

July Favourites 2015!

Hello everyone,

The weather is starting to look up again yay! In fact, I am writing this whilst sitting outside drinking a glass of Pimms - lets just hope it stays sunny for the rest of the summer holidays. I cannot believe we are now in August. July came and went so quickly. August is a really busy month for me unlike July which I made the most of as a nice break. As we have come into summer and as I have had more time on my hands, I've been experimenting with old and new things and just trying different bits and pieces. I have a few favourites this month, some beauty related, others not so much. So here is what I have been loving over the past month...

Nars Bronzer in Laguna
Many beauty lovers rave on and on about this bronzer. I bought it this time last year only really because I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and get my first Nars product - I didn't even get a colour match or anything. I went into the Space NK in Leeds and bought it on a whim. When I got home, I wasn't actually too bothered with it, but as I spent a lot of money on it (*cough £27.50 cough*) I wanted to make the most of it. It has only been this year so far really that I have used it. I use it nearly every single day. Personally, it is one of the best bronzers which I own, and as a result have no regrets buying it. For me it is great to try and contour with as well as use as a bronzer. I really recommend you buy it, however maybe speak to someone in store first to see if it is the best product for you especially if that is all the money you have at the moment.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in On and On Bronze and Creamy Beige
When I first saw these a while back, I got excited and headed straight into my local Boots store, however I did not like many of the colours so walked straight back out again. However, I saw them again recently and thought I would go back into Boots and have another look. When I saw these though I knew I had to have them in my makeup collection. I have many shades of these cram eyeshadows but it is the most recent ones which I have loved this month. I use Creamy Beige 98 as a base for all my eyeshadows. I think it is a great base which doubles up somewhat as a primer. It is great as an eyeshadow on its own or with other colours over the top. For my perfect evening eye look this summer, I love pairing it with the shade On and On Bronze 35. I know I will be continuing to use it in the upcoming Autumn months too because of the amazing metallic bronze colour it gives. These are so blendable and great for both daytime and evening looks. They are also a steal at £4.99, especially when they are on 3 for 2 in Boots or Superdrug and you can get 3 for under £10.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
I have gone on and on about this mascara to so many of my friends over the past month, so it goes without saying that it is definitely one of my July faves. I reviewed it really recently so if you want to have a read in detail about what I think of it, head over to that blog post HERE. But basically, if you haven't got it or tried it, try it and you will most probably fall in love with it just like I did!

MAC Lipsticks in Chatterbox and Vegas Volt
I love lipsticks as many of you know, especially MAC ones. My collection increases each time I go into a MAC store. These are definitely two of my most used ones and think that they are just so perfect for the summer. They both have an Amplified finished, meaning the pigmentation is amazing but they are so nourishing for the lips, so there is no dryness like I get from the Retro Matte finishes. Chatterbox is the most beautiful bright but not so bright pink shade. I bought it for my May Ball event for my sixth form last year. It goes well with every single makeup look and can easily be dulled down to be a nude with a smokey eye or to be a bold statement lip. Vegas Volt is one of the only orange shades that MAC do that suits my skin tone. I bought this at the same time I got Nars Laguna last year and think they are great together to form a bronzey summer look. As these lipsticks are both so nourishing for the lips, it helps keep them hydrated, even in the heat of the summer. If you want to start experimenting with bold lips, I think the Amplified finished is the best and these colours are a great transition.

Only Imagine Perfume from Avon
This has gorgeous packaging for starters! I have always loved this smell and have waited for ages and ages to purchase it. I bought a handbag sized one which I have used sparingly and have recently come to the end of it. Because of this, I knew it was time to invest in and upgrade to the bigger size. I always had the smaller size in my school bag and on many occasions did some people from my Philosophy class want to use it. It is the perfect summer fragrance in my opinion - it is very fruity, especially with the scents of summer berries. Its great for the daytime and evening, so I would be inclined to wear it more often than some of my other more expensive perfumes sometimes.

Tangle Teezer
The classic! I got a Tangle Teezer in my stocking at Christmas because, once again, I wanted to jump on the beauty bandwagon. I bought it and loved using it, but only when my hair was dry and without tangles. So yes, I had a problem with it. However, in the summer months, since my hair has got shorter and more manageable, it is easier for me to use. I have got used to using it on wet hair also. I now always carry it in my handbag as a staple, as you don't know when you can get caught in the wind just before meeting someone. I am looking to maybe purchase a compact one and also a salon sized one in the future, so any opinions on those send them my way please.

John Freida Go Blonder Lightening Conditioner
In our house due to us having a lot of Avon products, we don't look at many other toiletries; this includes shampoos and conditioners, as to us we haven't really been able to find anything better for the price we pay. However, the other week, mum came home with this shampoo. Now anything that promises me that my hair will become blonder I am a sucker for. I have used this everyday for the past fortnight or so, and I have to say, I love this conditioner! It doesn't make my hair greasy. It nourishes my hair and kept it healthy by reducing breakage. However, what I don't love so much is its hefty price tag. Because of this, I think I will only be repurchasing on special occasions. But this still doesn't mean that I didn't love it, because trust me I did. So if anyone wants to give me some then I would appreciate it, thanks ;)

X by Ed Sheeran
Now this was my album of the summer last year, I listened to it nearly everyday and loved it so much. I then stopped listening to it for ages and around exams this year, I fell in love with it all over again. It has so many memories, both new and old, associated with it so whenever I listen to it, I remember various things, such as car journey singalongs with some of my friends. I am absolutely loving Photograph; I always liked this song but I now listen to it constantly whilst I'm writing blog posts or getting ready. I also really like The Man at the moment, to me it seems like a love letter and think that it is just so lovely yet somewhat sad at the same time. And finally two songs I will always adore on the album are All Of The Stars and Afire Love. They are so perfect and yeah, no words can describe them really. If you haven't got this album, I wonder how you have got through life without it because it really is fab - well done Ed, you made a masterpiece!

About Time
This is one of my favourite films ever. I always watch it when it is on Sky Movies and when nothing else is on. For me it is one of those films which you will never get bored of. I love the storyline and the acting is phenomenal. It has the most amazing mix and balance of romance and comedy, hence making it, in my opinion, one of the best romcoms out there. I watched it the other night with my mum and we had a good laugh. I just really like this, and recommend it to you if you want a good laugh or a good blubber.

So that is what I have been loving over the month of July. To be honest, there were a lot more items I wanted to include but this blog post would be never ending otherwise. Let me know what you have been loving over the past month as I am always looking to try new things. Also, do you like monthly faves posts? If so let me know and I'll do some more in the future as I love to look back over the past month and reflect on what I have been loving.

So until next time lovelies xx