Soap and Glory Nudist: Not So Nude?

After hearing a lot about the Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick from Soap and Glory and how the shade Nudist is great I decided to test it out. However I was disappointed! Many people suggested this would be a good nude shade for everyone but for me it just didn't work out. I also wouldn't really call this shade a nude, it looks like a peachy sheen swatched.

I am sad to say I am not a nudist. I had high hopes for this product as nudes very rarely suit me so I thought this more peachy, glossy shade would work for me. Unfortunately this shade did not show up on my lips at all! Possibly if someone had very pale or unpigmented lips it might show up slightly peachy but the colour is sheer so would just be a slight wash. However on me this 'gloss stick' just gives my lips a slight glossy look to them.

It's not all bad however as I do really like the formula of this, it's very smooth and hydrating. It is also very lightweight on the lips. I might try some of the other shades but I'll definitely swatch them first! 

Have you tried the Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks? What shades did you like?

Harriet x

The Only Palette Home For Christmas

 

I am currently home from university over the Christmas holidays which means selecting just a few products to travel with me, a task I always struggle with as a notorious over packer. I normally end up bringing a couple of palettes with me but this year I chose just one, and the choice was easy! 

The Revolution Salvation Palette in Girls On Film is just £6 and I think pretty great quality. I kindly received this from Amy for my birthday and I am really enjoying it! There is a great selection of colours, including six mattes which match nicely with the shimmers.

The colours range from pastel, pinky to neutral to darker smokey shades. I like to look at this palette as three sections of six colours, going from left to right. The six colours in the sections all work well together,as well as with other in the palette, and they all have a similar tone. This makes it easy to create looks when in a rush but if I have more time I can play with different colour combination. 

L-R: Shooting Star, Frenzy All Down Your Spine and Smile Wider.

Now the pigmentation of this palette is not the best but it is pretty decent for a high street brand, and a cheap one at that. Of course it's not comparable to the likes of Urban Decay or Too Faced but I would say it is comparable to Natural Collection, MUA and Collection. As always with cheaper brands, the pigment is better in the shimmery shades and those which are darker. Some of the pastel shades such as in the top left (Walking Hand in Hand) you do really have to work with but others give the colour saturation from just one brush stroke. I really recommend this palette, especially for the different neutral shades it provides other than the typical brown.

What palette would you take home for Christmas?

Harriet x

Tried and Tested £30 Make Up

This was originally going to be a £20 make up 'challenge' but I didn't want to include products that I wouldn't use myself so the total of this make up look is £30 but includes all major elements needed for an everyday look.

Foundation: Rimmel Match Perfection £7
This is the foundation I use everyday, it gives a light to medium coverage and can be easily built up. As the name suggests they have a large selection of shades so there should be something for everyone! I would especially recommend this to those with drier skin as it is quite hydrating.

Powder: Maybelline Matte Maker £4 (Not pictured)
This is a really high quality powder from the high street. It has a super smooth texture and lasts pretty well without going cakey.

Bronzer: NYC Smooth Skin in Sunny £2
I love this bronzer! It's such a bargain at £2 and can be used on a range of skin tones as it can be sheered out or built up. This looks super orange in the pan but works really well on even my super pale skin with a light hand.

Eyeshadow: Natural Collection Solo in Willow £2
This was my first ever Natural Collection product and I still use it daily as a highlight in the corner of my eye. If I'm going for more a simple look I just use this all over the lid. It has such good pigment for the price.

Eyeliner: 2True Effortless Eyeliner £2
I have mentioned this eyeliner before as it is the only liquid eyeliner I use. It lasts all day on my droopy lids, better than an high end liner be it pencil or liquid. Another very cheap product which I use daily to create a small wing.

Mascara: Rimmel Wonder'full £8
This is a great everyday mascara as it lengthens and separates while still giving some volume. It's not dramatic in anyway so I wouldn't use it for a special occasion but it does it's job as a decent mascara.

Eyebrows: Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil £3
I have this pencil in black brown (04) and the colour match is create for my practically black hair. I actually like this better than a lot of other pencils because the colour easily transfers onto my hairy brows but doesn't smudge. With other eyebrow pencils I often find I have to press hard to transfer the colour which is a downside for me as I have bold brows which are blonde, completely different to my hair! If you need to change the colour of your eyebrows and just neaten them up a bit I would highly recommend this product. It is also one of the few high street products which is dark enough for me!

Lastly, Lips: Natural Collection Lipstick in Raspberry £2
This is a great everyday colour at a cheap price! A lot of the Natural Collection colour products are good quality but I haven't ever tried any of their base products, so I couldn't speak for them. Natural Collection lipsticks have a large range of colours for a great price so I would highly suggest checking them out.

So there you have it, a everyday make up look for just £30! I actually wear this combination regularly so I can vouch for the quality and lasting power of these products. What would you include in a £30 make up look?

Harriet x

Easy Everyday Eye: L'oreal Quad

I must admit I own very few quads as I'm more of a palette girl. But often with palettes there's too many shades to create a look from when you're in a rush. This is the eyeshadow I reach for the most: the L'oreal Colour Riche Quad in E4 Marron Glace (I have also seen this called Absolutely Taupe). For a mere £8 this quad is great quality from the high street, especially for containing a matte shade. I really like the colours in this quad as they are neutral but can also can be used to create a dramatic smokey eye, we all know how many options there are with quads.

As you can see the lid is actually broken on mine and doesn't stay on unless it's closed, which is my one disappointment with this product. Anyway, the colours in the quad are a frosty white, a glittery taupe which looks lighter in the pan but this picture shows the true colour, a matte medium brown which is less orange than this picture and a dark shimmery brown. The colours all work well together and are extremely pigmented, apart from the matte brown which is a bit more sheer. However I find this isn't a problem as it is easily buildable and I tend to use it as a transition shade in the crease.

How I like to use this quad is I put the frosty white in the inner tearduct and under the brow bone as a highlight, although this may be too white or frosty for some people. I then use the glittery, shimmery taupe shade all over the lid and the matte colour in the crease. If I'm going for a more dramatic or smokey look I use the dark brown in the outer 'V'. Add some eyeliner, a slick of mascara and that is my daily eye look.

I really recommend this quad, especially for the price and quality, and I am looking forward to trying more colours! Have you used and loved any highstreet quads or trio?
Harriet x

PS: Should I start including swatches in these kinds of posts?

Hangover Day

Been out last night? Feeling it today? This is the post for you. Yesterday was a 'hangover day' for me so I thought it would make an interesting post to know how I sort myself out. Lot's of people say 'if you have time to brush your teeth you have time to wash your face'. I am not one of those people. In all TMI honesty I barely have time to take my contact lenses out before I crash, let alone brush my teeth! 

So you've just arrived (probably loudly) at home whats the first thing you do? Get a pint of water, trust me in the morning it will help. I always get a big cup of squash and leave it by my bed for when I wake because alcohol = dry mouth. Then crash into bed and we will fix that face in the morning...

If you can manage it in the morning, shower. There isn't always time for a shower the morning after and you probably washed your hair in preparation for the alcohol consumption so if you're in a rush just stick to a ponytail. But if you have time a shower will help, trust me. Wash your body, your hair, your face. Bask in the warm water.

Speaking of washing your face, on hangover day I always use a hot cloth cleanser and a warm flannel to wash all the make up that's still left on my face and not on the pillow. If I'm wearing make up that day I follow this with a second cleanse using an exfoliator. I'm currently using the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser and Garnier Wake Me Up Exfoliator. Now I personally very rarely experience hangovers but my skin always looks rough after a night out! 

After getting rid of wayward make up and grime the next thing on my mind is hydrate and SPOTS! If I am wearing make up I continue with my normal skin routine but add in The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum as my skin loves this for hydration but it isn't greasy and make up applies easily on top. Hydrating serums are important after drinking as the alcohol dehydrates the skin. I follow this with my eye cream, the Botanics Radiant Youth Hydrating Eye Cream and the Clarins HydraQuench Lotion to moisturise. As I generally sleep in my make up it is guaranteed I will have a few spots in the morning so I target these with the Simple Rapid Action Spot Zapper.

If I'm not wearing make up I like to give my skin all the hydration it can get so I just use my eye cream and the Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil. I usually only use this hydrating serum and oil combo at night time but after a late night of drinking this is just what I need. It has been compared to serums by high end brands and I think it can work miracles. However this can feel and look greasy on the skin so it's not great under make up.

When I am wearing make up I want hydration and light coverage, despite the mess my skin might be. Despite the spots I'll most certainly wake up with, I want my skin to breathe so opt for light and easy options. For eyes I tend to use a cream shadow, such as the Kiko Long Lasting Shadow Stick in 05, and then blend it with my finger. I then curl my lashes and add a slick of mascara, my current choice is the Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara. Next onto face. I cover up under eye circles and the bit of redness on my chin with the Maybelline Eye Eraser in light. For foundation I go for light coverage and hydration like the Rimmel Match Perfection. I set this with a powder, my current it the L'oreal True Match. My face is quite red so with a light foundation I don't need any blush but do like to add some definition with a bronzer that has a bit of shimmer, like the Bourjois Delice de Soleil. Lastly I fill in my brows with the Soap and Glory Archery in Hot Chocolate.

Another important step for me after a night out is carbs. Carbs always help! They settle stomachs, absorb alcohol and generally make you feel ready for the day. I always make sure I have some pasta or bread in to eat on 'hangover day'.

How do you help yourself on hangover day?
Harriet x

One Lovely Blog Award

I was nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award by the lovely (excuse me) Iram. Her blog is such an interesting and engaging read, I really recommend it! So lets jump right in.

Firstly, The Rules:
1. You must display the award logo at the top of the post
2. You must thank the person who nominated you and leave a link to their blog in your post
3. You must add this set of rules to your post so that your nominees will know what to do
4. You must add 7 facts about yourself into the post
5. You must nominate 10 other blogs and leave links to each of them in your post
6. You must let the people who you have nominated know that they've been nominated
7. You must follow back the person who nominated you on BLOGLOVIN

So heres my 7 Facts:

1. I am currently studying Sociology at the University of Leeds.

2. I am also currently avoiding work for said degree...

3. On the 13th I went to Manchester to see Miranda Sings with Amy (EEK!)

4. Red lipstick is my signature staple.

5. I never EVER where jeans. And barely ever leggings.

6. I am naturally a blonde but I relish in the fact people think my dark hair is natural!

7. I couldn't wait to leave my home town to move to Leeds but I really do miss that village sometimes.

And lastly I Nominate:

Amy

Lizzie

Hannah

Emily

Alice

Hannah

Becky

Jaye

Carly

and Saskia

If you do this tag please leave a link in the comments so I can check it out!

Harriet x

A Not So Little Haul

So it happened, I caved. And in a big way. But in my defense most of these products were something I 'needed' or had come highly recommended by other bloggers! I did also buy the Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet in addition to this but I got home and opened it to discover it had already been used with a huge nail gash in it! I'm hopefully taking it back for an exchange.

Firstly, two mascaras. Lately I've been having big issues with black smudges under my eyes, I originally thought it was concealer not lasting very well but I then realized that it was actually mascara leaving the black marks. To combat this I've returned to waterproof mascara and two that come highly recommended are the Revlon Lash Potion and MaxFactor Masterpiece. The brushes on these are very different, the Revlon being a big bristly brush whereas the MaxFactor is a small rubber brush. I'm excited to put these to the test!

Next up two lip product. I ended up with both of these in my basket because of MissBudgetBeauty. She recently did a feature on the Natural Collection Lipsticks and mentioned loving the shade in Raspberry. I picked this up because it seemed like a lovely everyday colour for autumn and winter without being too bold. She has also mentioned many times loving the Revlon ColourBurst Matte Balm in Unapologetic and after swatching it I fell in love in the colour so bought it as well.

I was feeling a bit basic with just using a black eyeshadow on my brows which is why I ended up with two brow products. First is the Rimmel Brow This Way in Clear because the shade available did not match up with my hair or eyebrows so I thought clear would work for on top of my simple powder. Many bloggers have recently have been talking about this so I thought it would be worth picking up for the price. The L'oreal Brow Artist in Dark Brunette was on a separate stand and I noticed it on the way to the till. This shade looks like it would work perfectly for my eyebrows and it comes with a shaping wax, coloured pencil and brush so hopefully will be a great all in one. I haven't seen many people talk about this so I believe it is a new product.

Lastly two Maybelline products. Everyone says the Eye Eraser Concealer is great so I picked this up in light as my current concealer is running out. I also got the Eye Studio Master Graphic eyeliner as I hadn't seem much buzz about it but it seems an interesting concept.

Look forward to seeing reviews of these products in the future. Is there anything you've got your eye on currently? Boots have 3 for 2 on all cosmetics at the moment so it would be a good time to pick up those essential bits and bobs! I got a saving of £18 on this lot.
Harriet x

Winter Lust List 2014

This lust list was actually harder than expected to come up with because my birthday and Christmas are coming up. Because of this I haven't included anything I've asked for so far in this list.

1.) White Stag - Despite not being in Leeds for much of December I am already in the Christmas spirit but don't want to spend much on decorations or go too overboard so I love this little(ish) stag/reindeer from Paperchase as it is simple and small but still cute and festive.  Also because it's white it would fit in any sort of colour scheme or room so can be used again and again! 

2.) DKNY MYNY - I have seen this on a few blog but I have also sniffed it quite a few times in boots and samples in magazines. I just love the smell of this and think it is quite different to any of the DKNY Be Delicious perfumes (which are also lovely!) but still a fruity fragrane, which is right up my street.

3.) Silk Diary - A new year means a new diary! This one from Paperchase is only A5 size so will fit in any hand bag as well as my uni bag. It also has a week to two pages which is the perfect amount of space for me to put in deadlines and events or activities.

4.) Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Dione - Lily Pebbles did a make up tutorial not too long ago using this eyeshadow and since then I have had my heart set on it! It's a beautiful shade which I think would be suitable for day or night. It's just a matter of time before I cave...

5.) Fluffy Reindeer Jumper - It's no surprise that I love Christmas so of course I love Christmas jumpers as well! This one is adorable with a sequin reindeer face. I also love the muted colour of this, meaning it can be worn with a variety of clothes. And you can never have enough Christmas Jumpers!

6.) Embellished Clutch - You know what Christmas means: parties and nights out, time to get out the sparkle! Just another reason why I love this time of year, any excuse for some glitter and sparkle. I don't have any clutch bags as I tend not to use them on a night out from fear of loosing it but this beauty would have to be an exception. The colours on this bag also mean it would go with virtually any outfit and dress it up for nighttime. 

7.) Nars Blush in Douceur - I've seen lots of swatches and reviews of this blush and everyone claims it is perfect for pale skin. That combined with the fact I'm been dreaming of getting my hands on a Nars blush means that any Christmas or birthday money will probably go towards this beautiful colour.

Surprisingly I haven't included any sparkly dresses in this list however I couldn't really find any that I loved and I've probably got enough clothes already. What are you wishing for this winter?
Harriet x

PS I'm thinking of having a name change but struggling for ideas. Prehaps Harriets Happy Place or Make Up and Mishaps? What are your suggestions?

Products I Don't Use Enough

So today I went through my collection and realised I have a lot of products I barely use but I wouldn't dream of getting rid of! I'm going to make an effort to use these products more.

L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream (£9.99 here)

I have this CC cream in the anti-redness version and when I first got I adored it! Surprisingly I didn't use this at all during the summer when low coverage light bases are perfect. I haven't used this in forever so I'm hoping I still love it and will start using it on those lazy days.

Primers

As you can see two of these primers are colour correcting because I have a major issue with redness. The other is pore blurrer (Is that a word?). All three of these primers work well with my skin, as do the others I own, but I often just forget to use them! Primers can completely change your make up look and, in my case, help ease the redness shining through my foundation. Time to put these babies to use, especially with the cold months here and enhancing that redness.

Bourjois Java Rice Powder (£9.99 here)

I bought this powder because it's supposedly illuminating but also a great setting powder but I've actually only used it a few times. The packaging makes it really impractical for me, I always end up with the powder everywhere and too much on my brush. I'm not positive how I'm going to fix this but it is a pretty good powder so I'm going to try and use it more. I will comment that it isn't anything special and I don't think it works as just a highlighter.

Glitter Eyeliners

The first of these is a Urban Decay liner that I was given as a present and the other two are £1 MUA glitter eyeliners. They all are pretty decent but I just don't seem to use them! I bought the MUA versions with the intentions to use them on nights out on my lashes and sometimes as actual liners. All three of these liners are actually just glitter in a clear gel so aren't made for defining the eye, resulting in them lying in the back of my draw. Halloween will be a great opportunity to try and get some use out of them.

L'Oreal Glam Shine Splash Stain (£7.99 here)
I love these gloss come stains by L'Oreal but I forget to use them! Out of habit I tend to reach for a lipstick. One colour I have is great for everyday but the other is more dramatic, so I should be getting more use out of them. I'm going to make an effort to reach for these more because I love the formula and the colours I have. Plus they taste yummy!

What products don't you use enough? Are they secretly brilliant products but just forget about them? 
Harriet x

A High End Haul

Last Wednesday I went on a 'make up only' shopping trip with my friend Amy. It must of been fate because my student loan came through in the morning, just in time for our spending spree! I felt we were quite controlled and only bought a few bits instead of going crazy. Here is what I bought...

We went to Harvey Nichols and from Nars I got the Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (£19.50 here) as it is raved about among the beauty community. I've only used it a few times but so far I like it, it provides a long lasting base for my shadows. I also got bought the Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard (£22 here) which is a bit dark for me but I have been using it everyday because I love this concealer! It is everything everyone says it is. I kept my Nars purchases very safe but next time I plan on getting some blushers and eyeshadow, they were so pretty!

At MAC we both indulged in our first MAC lipsticks! I went for Lustering (£15.50 here), a lovely rose shade with a hint of raspberry which is perfect for everyday. I'm very happy with my choice but wasn't impressed with the range of MAC products available at our counter. Leeds Harvey Nicks, sort it out!

Not everyone would class Kiko as high end because it's prices are pretty average for the high street, but because it has it's own shop I'm including it. We ended straight for the Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow (£6.90 here) and I picked up the shade 06 which is a lovely bronzey rose gold, depending on the light. This looks great under every eye shadow I've tried with so far but I also love it all by itself! Then from the Daring Game collection I got the Ace Of Diamonds Lipstick in 21 (£7.90 here) and the matching Lipliner (£5.90 here). I love this colour because it is also another everyday pink tone for me, nude just doesn't suit me. The texture of the lipstick and lipliner is so smooth and they are quite long wearing.

All the products swatched, left to right: Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (although this is a little hard to see, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, Kiko Ace Of Diamonds Lipstick in 21, Kiko Ace of Diamonds Lipliner in 21, Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06 and lastly MAC Lipstick in Lustering.

What was your first MAC lipstick? What do you have your eye on in the high end brands?
Harriet x

Autumnal Nail Polish

Autumn is well and truly here! This is the first post of the season guys so I thought we'd start with something I love to spend time on: nail polish. Here are five seasonal colours, mostly from the high street.

I actually have this colour on my nails right now! It's Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Chilli (£3.99 here). This colour is a blend between red and brown, but I wouldn't call it a 'proper' burgundy. It reminds me of a typical autumn colour, like leaves and chestnuts. And of course it's in the gelly formula that so many love.

So it looks brown in the bottle, but trust me it's not. This is Bourjois So Laque! Ultra Shine in 29 (£5.99 here) and it comes out a deep purple, with a hint of red in the light. Another colour which to me seems typically autumn but I also love the formula of these polishes. They are really glossy and apply well.

The picture doesn't so this polish justice at all. This is the OPI Nail Lacqour in Russian Navy (£8.98 here). I got this from TKMaxx in a set for about £10, I love TKMaxx for bargains like this! The colour is beautiful, a deep purplely blue. Not so typical for this season but I love dark colours when it starts getting cold.

This gorgeous colour is the 17 Magnetized Nail Polish in Green (£5.99 here). This polish is a striking metallic teal, I've never seen another polish like it. And if you're feeling especially fancy you can use the magnet included to create patterns.

This colour is for all you Halloween lovers! It's a lovely sparkly orange which many people have complimented me on in the past. This is a very unique and bold colour but still wearable. It is another Nail Paint by Barry M in Tangerine (£2.99 here).

Lastly a shout out to this genius nail product which I have been relying on heavily these past few months. This is the Bourjois Instant Dry Nail Drops (£5.99 here). You just squeeze the nail drops onto each nail once fully painted, wait a few moments then wash the residue off. They work extremely well, which surprised me for a high street product, but they truly are now an invaluable bit of kit.

What nail colours do you love to wear in Autumn?
Harriet x

Current Favourites!

So I'm back off holiday and ready to post again. Sorry for the delay, I spent a week with my boyfriend after my five week holiday. But being away from home from such a long I realised that I have some products that I'm really enjoying at the moment...

Max Factor FaceFinity Foundation in Warm Almond (£11.99 here)

This foundation is amazing! Perfect for long days or when you're not feeling your best, this lasts all day and gives pretty high coverage. I wear this most days unless I'm only going to nipping out or having a chill day. 

Rimmel Match Perfection in True Ivory (£6.99 here)

If I'm not wearing the previous foundation this is what will be on my face. I've mentioned this foundation before as I really do love it, although the FaceFinity is now a rival for my affections. If I'm in a rush I use this foundation as there is no way to mess up application. It's also great for letting my skin breath if it's freaking out while still providing some coverage. I love how this feels on my skin, so light!

Body Shop Honey Bronzer in Light Matte (£13 here)
When I first got this bronzer I thought it was far too light for even my incredibly pale skin (four weeks in Australia, one week in Bali and I didnt tan despite being burnt to a crisp) however I didn't take this with me on holiday and boy, did I regret it! This bronzer gives me the perfect look for contouring and adding that bit of colour to my skin and is my new favourite. Wouldn't leave home without it again!

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Rose Gold (£4.99 here)
Another product I've mentioned before but I've been using this under all of my eyeshadows and it never budges. These days I place all my trust in this Colour Tattoo, even abandoning the Urban Decay Primer Potion. I love the colour of this, it really goes with any colour as its not too overpowering.

Bright Lips
I didn't take many lip colours with me on holiday, another decision I came to regret! I feel my face just doesn't look 'right' without a bright lip, be it pink, red, green... You get the idea! Here we have the Boujois Color Boost Lip Crayon in Red Sunshine and L'Oreal Spalsh Stain in Juliet (which comes out far more red than it looks in the tube) but there are many more I could of featured.

Almay Get Up and Grow Mascara

I bought this mascara in Australia after seeing it featured many times by the lovely Emily Noel and I have fallen in love. I normally go for mascaras with rubber bristles and this has more traditional fibre brush. Somehow this mascara manages to length, volumise and separate my lashes as well as hold a curl! I am however using it sparingly as it's not available in England.

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser (£20 here)
This product is a miracle in a bottle for my skin. No matter how much I neglect my skincare routine and let my skin go crazy, this stuff always sorts it out. Just used a make up wipe at night? Forgot to chemically exfoliate? Skin just feeling a mess? This exfoliating cleanser has me. If I'm being good I only use this as a manual exfoliator a few times a week but more often than not I'm lazy; I don't do my night time skin routine and this little beauty saves me in the morning. As I have dry skin I have to exfoliate in some form once a day or make up just doesn't sit on my skin properly, but this won't be the case for all skin types. This is just my personal holy grail skin care product.

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub (£8 here)
This product is kind of representing exfoliators in general as on holiday I took a small Scrub 'em and Leave 'em also by Soap and Glory. For the first week or so of my holiday I could not shave my legs, the hair just wouldn't come off. Gross, I know, but it's the truth and I couldn't figure out why. Then I realised, I haven't been exfoliating my legs. I loved the Scrub 'em and Leave 'em for it's moisterising properties and texture but I also adore the scrubbiness of Sugar Crush. I can't choose between them!

So that was a round up of my current favourites, along with some little life lessons I learnt on holiday. What have been your favourite products recently?

Harriet x