First Impressions: Max Factor Excess Shimmer Eyeshadow in Bronze

Max Factor Excess Shimmer Eyeshadow in Bronze

Today I have a first impressions post except I've worn it about 3 times already. But at least I have a more thorough idea about the product. When I first saw that Max Factor had released these eyeshadows I knew I'd end up with at least one. I'll go for anything remotely bronze coloured so the shade named 'Bronze' was obviously right up my street. It's looks amazing in the pot but sadly I don't think it transfers as well on to the eyes. As soon as it's blended out it just becomes sort of..... brown. The gorgeous colour in the pot gets a bit lost. I wanted this to have a wet look on the eyes and the name 'excess shimmer' would suggest that it would do but the only time I really noticed the shimmer was when the brown colour had started to wear off and gold glitter was left sticking around on my eyes. I've found the best way to apply this is by putting a bit on the back of your hand then using a brush to apply it to the lid as straight from the pot it goes on a bit patchy. In a cream eyeshadow I want a quick application but the mousse like texture and the darkness of the shade means it actually takes longer than a powder eyeshadow would. 

I'm starting to sound like a real negative nancy here, but I also think the price (£7.99) is a little steep for what it is. 

I have used this a few times so I obviously didn't hate it that much and I actually didn't realise I had that many bad things to say until I sat down to write this post. I'm sure I'll use it again at some point, possibly if I have longer to do my makeup one day and fancy a dark, smokey eye. 

Thanks for stopping by! Lots of love, 

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November Favourites

 Mac Twig Lipstick 

Mac Teddy Eyeliner

I'm feeling a little bit sheepish today after an unintentionally long absence from my blog. I have a list of excuses but I'm sure you all understand that sometimes things get a bit hectic and November was one of those months for me. Hence why I've only got two favourites for this post and they happen to both be Mac products. The first is a satin formula lipstick in the shade Twig which I wrote about in this blogpost. I found myself grabbing for it almost everyday because it goes with every makeup look and is so easy to wear. The next is a kohl eyeliner in the shade Teddy. This is another product I ordered from Fragrance Direct after hearing so much about it. I've been loving using this to line my tightline, a step I used to regularly miss out . It gives my eyelashes more impact and makes my eyes pop. I also like the way it lightly transfers on to my waterline as it intensifies the eyes even more. It's a gorgeous dark brown colour with shimmer running through it and the formula is super soft which is great but makes for lots of sharpening. 

That's pretty much everything for today. Apologies for the iffy photography and that I've reused the same picture in two blogposts but what can you do when it goes dark at four? Thanks for stopping by and see you again soon! Love,

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Red Eyeshadow?

Bedhead Cyberoptics Eyeshadow in Velvet - £2.99 from Tk Maxx

Hello everyone :) 

For today's post I decided to show you a product I've picked up on one of my trips to Tk Maxx. If you're familiar with any of my other posts you will recognise that I am firmly in the neutral eyeshadow camp but when I saw this rusty red colour for just £2.99 I couldn't see a reason not to try it out. It's also by Bed Head (Tigi) which is unusual as I've never seen any makeup by them before (and it turns out it's rather hard to get hold of in the UK). 

This is one of those colours that as I'm putting it on all I can think is 'oh god I've made a terrible mistake' however once it's blended out it's really got that 'grunge' look down to a T. I like to blend it as far up to the brow bone as possible and heavily on the lower lashline as well as I think the 'messier' the better with this kind of colour. Plus some warm brown tones through the crease never hurt anyone. 

I think it's easy to be afraid of colours like this one but I'm so glad I experimented as it's perfect for this time of the year when berry and dark red tones are introduced into our makeup more and more. 

I don't wear this everyday but when I feel like mixing it up this is an excellent option.

Thanks for stopping by, lots of love,

Mac Twig Lipstick

Mac Twig 

Hello everyone! Sorry about my prolonged absence, there are many reasons which I won't bore you with now but I'm back with a post I've wanted to do for a while. I was on Fragrance Direct one day and noticed that they'd started stocking some Mac products and I was doomed from that moment forth. They have a good selection of lipsticks in different formulas. Most of the matte formulas were sold out but the satin lipsticks seemed well stocked. After a mammoth google session I decided on Twig which is a brown- pink nude colour. I'm not the biggest fan of nude lipstick hence why this was the perfect choice for me. It's a dark nude so it still packs a certain punch but it's not so over the top that you can't wear a dramatic eye look with it. I think this would look really good with darker skin tones as well as lighter ones and is the perfect day and evening colour. Oh and I got it for £13.99 instead of £15.50. I know it's not a massive saving but every little helps. 

Thanks for stopping by! See you soon, 

(After linking it I've realised that it's now sold out on Fragrance Direct, sorry!)

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October Favourites

Pressed Flower Phone Case 

These phone cases are made using real pressed flowers and I think they are absolutely gorgeous and the best thing is they make them for Iphone 5cs which many proud 5c owners will know is rare.

 Pandora Ring

H&M Necklace

I've been wearing my Pandora ring since I got it for my birthday in August. I love how delicate it is and even though it's not my birthstone (thanks for nothing Pandora employee) I still think it's a really nice colour. I also love this necklace from H&M and have been wearing it non stop.  

 Soap & Glory Archery 2-in-1 Brow Filling Pencil and Brush a.k.a the only thing I've been using to fill in my brows this month.

 Stila Sunset Eyeshadow (In the Light Palette)

As you can tell I've been using this shade loads recently. It's a light bronze that you literally cannot go wrong with but sadly it doesn't come on it's own so when it's gone, it's gone. I couldn't possibly justify buying another palette just for that shade........ could I? (no)

Nars Laguna Bronzer 

Goes without saying and I will stop going on about this one day. BUT IT IS NOT THIS DAY

Food Network Red Velvet Cupcake Candle

One of my many Tk Maxx purchases and sadly one you can't get anywhere else in the U.K. A mammoth google search has led me nowhere and many tears have been shed. I've never had a candle that throws the scent so strongly and the scent is incredible. If you live in the USA and have easy access to this you have to try it. So. Fricking. Good.

I had so many favourites this month, it was actually quite hard to choose them. Thanks for stopping by and see you soon! Lots of love, 

Ren Radiance Gift Set Review

Ren Radiance Gift Set

Hello everyone and welcome to another review! About a week after running out of my Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm my skin went severely downhill and the beauty section of bigger Marks and Spencers' is a dangerous place. They have Nuxe, Stila, Korres and loads more including Ren. I've wanted the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask for ages but always resisted because of the £30 price tag. But this tin had a full size mask as well as a mini Micro Polish Cleanser, Satin Perfection BB Cream and a sachet of their Resurfacing AHA Concentrate all for £30. This deal coupled with my desperation led to a rather naughty purchase.

Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask: I put this on every Sunday as a way to start off the next week with a fresh face. It's slightly tingly and smells very citrusy. I can't see changes immediately after using it but my skin always looks clear and calm the morning after. My skin has calmed down so much since using this and changing nothing else in my routine. I had lots of under the skin bumps which have gone and my skin finally feels normal again. Yay!

Micro Polish Cleanser: This cleanser is meant to be used 2-3 times a week probably because of it's exfoliating qualities; it's packed with little beads and has quite a rough texture. I forget to use this that often but when I do my skin feels so soft and I just wish I could get into the habit of using it more often.

Satin Perfection BB Cream in Light Medium: I haven't actually used this because a) I am not big on BB creams because I like a foundation with more coverage and b) I think the colour is slightly too dark.

Resurfacing AHA Concentrate: This costs £30 for 30ml so you only get a tiny sachet (which I used and threw away) and while it was lovely to use for the couple of days it lasted I didn't notice any dramatic changes and my skin hasn't got any worse since finishing it. Maybe prolonged use is the key.

I think this would make a great gift for skincare lovers or a treat to yourself as I can really recommend 2 out of the 4 products you get in this set. Plus it comes in a tin and who doesn't love a tin.

Thanks for stopping by! Lots of love,

Burberry at a Bargain

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Taupe Brown

Burberry Lip Velvet in Bright Poppy

If you saw this post  you will know that I work in a Tk Maxx and will forever sing it's praises for having some amazing bargains. I love putting out stock on the Body and Bath section because I get to see all the makeup and skincare that comes in before anyone else. Which means I got first pick of the huge box full of Burberry makeup that got delivered one morning. I was like a kid in a sweet shop (or a beauty blogger in a makeup shop as it were). Both of these products currently retail for £22.50 and I got them for £12.99 each so you can imagine my glee. 

The eyeshadow is a cool toned taupe brown shade as the name would suggest. It's very nicely pigmented considering it's called a sheer eyeshadow but leaves a lovely wash of colour across the eyelids. The packaging is stunning and it even comes with a little pouch which I obviously still keep it in. 

The lipstick looks nothing like you think it would with a name like Bright Poppy. It looks like a dark burgundy red in the bullet but comes out much more plummy on the lips. It's quite matte which is why I chose it and I love the little engravings on it. But the best thing about it and I'm sure you'll all agree is the magnetic lid. So satisfying. 

Are you running down to your nearest Tk Maxx as we speak? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by! Lots of love, 

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