Subsitute for Urban Decay's 'Naked' palette?

 As promised in the title of this post, for me this is the perfect substitute for Urban Decay's "Naked" palette. I do own the palette in question, yet I received it as a gift and will therefore be seriously stretching the purse strings when the day comes to replace it. I absolutely love it, and so began on my quest to find a cheaper alternative. I also fancied finding something with the main colours I use in my "Naked" palette, which tend to be brown, bronze and gold hues.

 

Famous High Five Eye Shadow palette in Glitzy

First of all, the packaging is a little tacky. However, do not let this put you off! Inside the lid, there are five eye shadows of different types. I am a big fan of metallic shades and textures, therefore this is absolutely perfect for me. Because of my blue eyes and fair skin, my favourite colour in this palette has to be the top right gold corner, as it is almost identical to Urban Decay's "Half Baked" and has really good staying power.

Famous High Five Eye Shadow palette in Glitzy

Moreover, this palette is much more travel friendly. I know it doesn't have as many colour choices as Urban Decay's cult product, but this suits me perfect, as I only stick to these shades in the larger palette anyway. It's compact size means packing lightly for days at university or even a holiday becomes much easier, as it fits much better inside my make-up bag.

Famous High Five Eye Shadow palette in Glitzy

 

I personally cannot fault this product. It's only obvious disadvantage is the limited choice of colours, but for around the £5 mark I don't really think you can go wrong. The eye shadows are really good quality and the packaging isn't overly tacky, so I definitely think I would purchase this product again.

 

You can buy this palette from Superdrug.

 

Love, Sally x

MAC Morange Review

 

This is not my usual, comfort-zone shade of lipstick at all. After being persuaded by my twin sister, I finally decided to buy a lipstick with an orange hue, to make a nice change to my classically red lips.

 

 MAC Amplified Lip Stick in A42 Morange

MAC Amplified Lip Stick in A42 Morange

 

So I decided to buy MAC's Morange. I actually saw a girl with similar colourings to me at the counter wearing it when I recently bought some powder and couldn't resist. I really, really, really like this product. Although the texture may be a little heavy on the lips, the colour is so bright. It has such good staying power, as I only need to reapply a few times on a night out.

 

 MAC Amplified Lip Stick in A42 Morange

 

 

 MAC Amplified Lip Stick in A42 Morange

I really like how different this colour is from my usual lipstick choices. However, I will only really wear this with simple outfits, such as a nice white shirt/ dress or a colour block blazer. It is quite a statement colour, and when its worn right can look really striking.

I thought I would take a few picture of what it actually looks like on. There are two photos, one with flash and one without to give you the full picture. If you want to purchase this lipstick, click here.

MAC Amplified Lip Stick in A42 Morange (flash)

MAC Amplified Lip Stick in A42 Morange (no flash)

 

Love, Sally x

 

Chubby Stick vs Korres vs Revlon Lip butter

This Summer, I've fallen in love with pinky/red shades of lip colour. I've also been on the hunt for the perfect addition to my beach handbag. Therefore, I thought I'd review my three favourite moisturising lip tints for you all.

Clinique Chubby Stick. Moisturising lip colour balm in 15 Pudgy Peony 

So, like I've said in my previous posts, I am absolutely gullible to great advertising. I've been wanting to try one of these before, and so when I saw their new advertising campaign at the beginning of the summer I was pushed over the edge. I also loved Clinque's wide range of colours and decided to go for 15 Pudgy Peony as I do not own a lip colour similar.

Clinique Chubby Stick. Moisturising lip colour balm in 15 Pudgy Peony

Clinique Chubby Stick. Moisturizing lip colour balm in 15 Pudgy Peony

Firstly, I really like the packaging of this product. Its simple and the colour of the tube reflect the colour of the moisturising lip balm inside. I did a few tests of different colours on the back of my hand, and decided to settle on this one. I like the texture of it and overall it does seem to keep it's promise of a moisturising lip product. However, I do feel that the it does lose colour dramatically.

My Korres Lip Butter does not suffer from this ailment. This deeply nourishing product retains it's dark hue after one application. I absolutely love this lip balm, I honestly think it's amazing.

Korres Lip Butter in Plum 

Korres Lip Butter in Plum

I really enjoy the simple packaging and the tub form that it comes in. I don't really suffer from dry lips, but nevertheless I can honestly say that my lips stay moisturised throughout the day with the product. I really like the variation of shades which Korres has to offer and I will be very tempted to purchase more.

The only downside of this product for me is the messiness. I am not a fan of tub lip balms because even though I like the way they look, I have no idea what to do with my balm-coated finger after I have applied. I would love for this exact same product to be in stick form, but for now I shall use Revlon Lip Butter.

Revlon Lip Butter in 075 Lollipop

Revlon Lip Butter in 075 Lollipop

 

Yet again, I really like the packaging of this product (ongoing trend here.) Truth be told, this is actually a really lovely product. The colour when applied to my lips and the texture is unquestionably good, and my lips do not dry out one bit. I would definitely buy this product again.

 

Love, Sally x



Summer Blush

This summer I've had three favourite blushers. Whilst narrowing my make-up bag down for my summer holidays, I've realised that I actually only use three blushers properly. For summer, I love peachy and tanned hues. My favourites are Lancome in Peach Forever, my trusty Rimmel bronzer and my new MAC blush in Peachykeen.

Lancome Blush Subtil for all skin types in 20 Peach Forever | Rimmel Bronzing Compact Powder in Light Matte | MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen

Lancome Blush Subtil for all skin types in 20 Peach Forever

Lancome Blush Subtil for all skin types in 20 Peach Forever

Lancome Blush Subtil for all skin types in 20 Peach Forever

 Lancome Blush Subtil for all skin types in 20 Peach Forever

This was the first peachy-toned blusher I've ever bought. I was swaying between this and Benefit's alternative but I'm really glad I chose this one. I love the texture and the colour on my fair skin. Moreover, it's perfect for holidays as it shows up really nicely on darker skin.

Rimmel Bronzing Compact Powder in Light Matte

Rimmel Bronzing Compact Powder in Light Matte

Rimmel Bronzing Compact Powder in Light Matte

Rimmel Bronzing Compact Powder in Light Matte

I was a bit disappointed when I left the shop after purchasing this, realising I'd bought "light matte", in stead of the darker, shimmery shades that I usually opt for. However, I was really impressed with this as it gives me a subtle sun kissed glow. It's texture acts as a powder and is a must for holidays. I can happily wear this and only this on my face for a daytime look.

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen

I love wearing this blusher when I have fair skin. I really like the pinky, peach tones and the texture. This is a highlighter as well as a blush and sits really nicely on my cheek bones. Despite being slightly pricey, I would definitely buy this again!

Love, Sally x

Loreal Nude Magique BB cream review

So after seeing this advertised on the telly, (I am a sucker for clever advertisements), I thought I'd give it a go. I'm just about to go on my weeks holiday to Madrid and fancied a new product to try. My skin is, thank god, fairly good at the minute and seen as I've ran out of foundation, I thought a new BB cream might be the best way to treat myself, plus I love wearing light make-up on holiday.

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

Firstly, I like the packaging. I normally find Loreal's packaging tacky for even my standards but this isn't bad. Simple, effective, I like it. Secondly, this product makes VERY attractive claims. A product that not only is a "bare skin beautifier" but that also involves "smart pigment capsules". I for one have absolutely no idea what these are, but I like the sound of them. I chose the product for fair skin, knowing that like all high street BB creams it will probably be darker and therefore suitable for my holiday.

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream - Bare skin Beautifier in Fair Skin Tone

This BB cream is different from my Garnier and No7. It comes out as a white liquid with small white pigments inside it, and then spreads out to create the skin tone described on the bottle. Yet again, as with all my BB creams, I can get away with this as my skin has a yellow undertone to it. However, it is not exactly what I would describe as "fair".

Overall, I do like this product. The texture is nice on my skin as it is extremely lightweight. It does even skin tone considerably for myself, yet I do need to apply concealer on my red patches and old blemishes. Moreover, it gives my skin a nice glow without being oily. I only needed a small amount to cover my whole face, therefore I think £9.99 is a fair price to pay, as it will definitely last me a long time.

The final product (ignore bags and dodgy eyebrows)

Love, Sally x

Life in Miniature

For my next post I thought I'd share a few things from my toiletry bag that I am taking on my week to Madrid. Because we refused to be ripped off by extortionate baggage prices on our cheap airline, four of us girls are sharing one large case to hold our weeks worth of toiletries. This panicked me. However, today I found myself down the aisle in Boots that contained their travel sized products. They are SO CUTE. So i decided to purchase three of them, and decant my shampoo, conditioner and facial cleanser into travel sized tubes.

Lee Strafford Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner| Soap and Glory body wash miniature|  Aussie hair care 3 minute miracle miniature|  Soap and Glory body butter miniature|  Soap and Glory Face Soap facial wash

Lee Strafford Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

Soap and Glory body wash miniature| Aussie hair care 3 minute miracle miniature| Soap and Glory body butter miniature| 

Soap and Glory Face Soap facial wash

I have recently started using Lee Strafford's Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditioner after reading good reviews about it on the Boots website. I always though it was way too pricey at £10.99 a bottle but it was on three for two, which made it a bit better. However, after using nearly half the bottle on each, I have realised it is so worth the price. Because I have coloured hair, I can get away with very oily products. They made my hair ridiculously soft and looking healthy even a few days after I'd washed it.

I decided to buy a miniature body wash, body butter and three minute miracle. In stead of after sun I often find that body butter is much more effective, but the tubs are just too big to be carting around when I only have limited luggage allowance. I also thought I'd get a three minute miracle because my tubs of hair mask are much too heavy. I used to use this so I know keeps my coloured hair nourished.

I will also be bringing with me Soap and Glory's Face Soap Facial wash as it is my favourite cleanser and does its best to keep my skin clear. Don't be fooled by the title, it is not a soap, and doesn't leave my skin too dry or tight.

Love, Sally x

BB Cream

Due to the fact that the British beauty market has become AWASH with BB creams and cleverly marketed "BB technology" in the past year, I thought it was time for me to review my old favourites. I am referring to these three creams as old, because who knows what they are going to bring out next. Personally, I am finding it extremely hard to keep up with the ever-changing and improving development of this product. However, I am a massive fan of natural looking make-up, forever wishing to be brave enough to leave my house with no make-up entirely. Last year, when I gave my first BB cream a try, I was pleasantly surprised with the compromise which this new product brought to the table. In this post, I will review my three favourite BB creams and share which ones I am eager to try.

No 7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream for Normal/Oily Skin in Fair | Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector in 0-2 Light | No 7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream for Dry/ Very Dry Skin in Fair

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector in 0-2 Light

The first BB cream I tried was Garnier's "Miracle Skin Perfector". Due to its clever marketing and its claim to even skin tone in a lightweight formula, I'm sure this was the first BB encounter for many. As well as these claims, Garnier also insists that this is an "all-in-one" BB cream, suggesting that many of the qualities that one searches for in a "perfecting" cream are encapsulated into this one formula.

Personally, I do quite like this product. My skin is average to good, other than the occasional monthly breakout/meltdown, therefore I don't usually have any coverage problems. However, when I am forced to endure my skin's monthly tantrum, I don't think this would be the facial product that I would reach for. It is a LIGHTWEIGHT alternative to foundation, which, most of the time, I do enjoy.

What I do not like about this formula is the texture. My skin is the epitome of combination, spanning from the extremely dry to the extremely oily sides of the spectrum. However, even during my dry spells (ha), this formula is just way too oily. My skin can tolerate this cream in small amounts, but if I was to put anymore than that on, I might as well start using cooking oil as a moisturiser. I presume Garnier have encountered this problem themselves, as they have recently released an oil-free alternative. This is something I am eager to try.

In addition to its oily texture, I do think Garnier's idea of "fair" skin is slightly warped. This is a problem I have found with multiple BB cream's I have tried. I would class my skin as fair, however I do have yellow undertones which makes the colour of this cream acceptable for myself. I would in no way class the hue of this cream as "light". Therefore, I would love to try Maybelline's take on the BB phenomenon, as their product is available in a wider variety of shades.

No 7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream for Normal/Oily Skin in Fair

No 7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream for Dry/ Very Dry Skin in Fair

My favourite BB cream of the moment is No 7's Beautiful Skin BB cream in fair. Because of my combination and erratic skin type, I bought one cream for dry/very dry skin and the other for normal/ oily.

This product claims that "one simple step provides a flawless, healthy complexion for a beautifully bare make-up look". This, for my skin, is a fairly accurate claim. I really do like the coverage that this cream provides, however I do use concealer as well as this product. Because No 7 provides three different creams for three different skin types (the third being for normal/ dry skin), the problem of an overly oily or drying texture is eliminated.

However, yet again, the concept of fair is seriously misconstrued. This cream is absolutely perfect for holidays or when my skin is darker, but when I am  my natural FAIR tone, it is a little bit too dark. Applying a smaller amount will fix this problem, but I do think that a reassessment of their formula's tone will improve No 7's product immensely.

If you want to give this cream a go, it's priced at £12.95. I know this is a bit steep for a BB cream, but with the ever present £5 off No 7 vouchers, the price becomes A LOT more reasonable.

Love, Sally x

Pastelle Nails

Just a quick post as I haven't done one in a while! Recently I've bought a few new nail varnishes, this being one of my favourites. I love the texture of it and the colour after a good two coats. I have always been a fan of Topshop nail varnishes and this shade does not dissapoint. It is easy to apply and has fairly good staying power.

 

Topshop nail varnish in Parma Violet| OPI Top Coat

 

Love, Sally x