The Spring Smokey Eye | New Arrivals from Yves Rocher

Yves Rocher is a brand I've recently been introduced to.  After falling in love with one of their summer fragrances last year, I was quite excited to give some of their cosmetics a try.  As France's number one selling make-up and skincare brand, Yves Rocher uses home-grown botanical ingredients to create affordable, natural beauty products.  I've been putting some of their new arrivals to the test the past couple of weeks - a selection of eye make-up goodies perfect for creating a Spring Smokey Eye.  I have to say I instantly fell in the love with the  eyeshadow palette...the colours are simply perfect for the season and I couldn't wait to get creating some looks with it.  Anyway,  I shall refrain from rabbiting on and just get into the nitty gritty... Here's the lowdown on some of Yves Rocher's latest bits and bobs...

Intense Kajal 100%  / £9.95* / Link

Now then, I'll be honest - I've never quite cottoned on to these 'kajal' liners. I see them reviewed quite a bit and for the most part they're always well liked - but I just can't seem to grasp the concept.  I prefer a smudged line underneath my lower lash line as opposed to a clean line anyway so it does work for me in that sense - the product is soft to apply and provides good pigmentation and the shape of it means that it provides a soft and sultry look.  However, I'm a bit confused as to what happens once the tip has worn down slightly as I already find it a bit difficult to use. I reckon I'll end up using it as an eyeshadow stick for when I'm going a bit heavier and smokier with the eye makeup - i think it will make a nice base product.

Sumptuous Colour Eyeshadow Quad Palette in Red Hot Brown / £12.50* / Link

Yves Rocher have created a series of these quad eyeshadow palettes with a variety of tones and colour options.  Naturally, I opted for 'Red Hot Brown' - I'm such a neutrals obsessive after all.  Firstly - I love the simplicity of this quad - it has everything you need to create a variety of looks and it's lightweight and compact in size… the elegant gold casing and large mirror finishes it off nicely.  The first time I swatched this palette I was blown away by the consistency and pigmentation of the shadows.  They're incredibly soft and buttery to the touch - even the matte purple/brown shade is super creamy and pigmented. I usually find mattes to be a bit more chalky in texture but this palette really has got every shade spot on the mark… I certainly wasn't disappointed.  Whats more, the shadows can be applied wet or dry.  Applied wet, they create a more intense, metallic sort of finish.

I've been using this on a daily basis since I got it - the champagne shade is perfect for the inner corners of the eyes or for using across the lid, and the taupe shade is a gorgeous everyday sort of colour.  I adore the rust gold/brown as it really seems to bring out my eye colour - and I can definitely see myself wearing it on holiday with the dark brown blended onto the outer corners for a super quick and easy summer smokey eye. The slight purple hue is so pretty. The colour stays put really well on my eyelids (i always use a primer first) and stays looking smooth and radiant for a good few hours.  Overall - this is a fabulous little palette and totally worth the £12.50* - I've bought drugstore palettes for similar prices in the past but Yves Rocher really have stepped it up a gear with pigmentation and consistency and I definitely think it rivals my higher-end favourites.  I reckon this might be jetting away on holiday with me (not that I'm planning already or anything…) - the colours will be perfect with a tan!

Mascara Volume Vertige  / £11.50* / Link

I've heard good things about Yves Rocher mascaras in the past - I remember when they launched their 'Sexy Pulp' mascara a while back and reading a tonne of fab reviews so I couldn't wait to give this one a whirl.  The Volume Vertige mascara is enriched with a fixing botanical extract which helps lashes hold a curl for longer - something I always look for in a mascara as my lashes are straight as straight can be. The brush is also a unique 'Reservoir Wand' - which disperses product evenly and prevents clumping. I've only used this a couple of times so far but it seems to separate the lashes really nicely - creating natural looking volume and definition...not a clump in sight. It also seems to do a fab job of holding a curl but so far I've been using this mostly at weekends - I'm yet to see how it holds up through a whole day at work which will be the true test here... my lashes seem to lose their 'umph' a little when I'm at the office! It's worth mentioning that it removes easily - always a plus point in my opinion! Nobody likes scrubbing their peepers of an evening do they?  So far, so good.

Fixing Eye Primer  / £7.50* / Link

I always like to use an eyeshadow primer.  Ever since I discovered the benefits a few years ago it's become a part of my daily makeup routine.  Not only does it lock in colour and keep it in place for longer, it also helps to intensify the colour of your shadows.  Enriched with Camellia Oil, this primer smoothes and fills wrinkles and imperfections, creating a smooth base for your eyeshadow. I've only used this a couple of times so far as I'm trying to save it for my holiday in July - the tube is so lightweight and is perfect for travelling with! I really like how smooth and easy it is to apply and it makes my eyeshadow much easier to blend as well as helping it to last through the day.  It seems to prevent it from creasing in the upper lid which I seem to struggle with after a long day at work.

Overall, a really nice little selection from Yves Rocher.  If you were going to treat yourself to anything I'd say go for the eyeshadow palette.  It really is a little gem of a palette and looks so much more expensive than it actually is...it really does rival some of my high end favourites and it looks set to go in my suitcase this July.  You can find Yves Rocher makeup online here - all products are really reasonably priced and I can't wait to treat myself to couple more things from them... their powder blushes look very tempting!

Have you tried anything from Yves Rocher? What would you recommend I try next?

Anna Sui | Lip & Eye Palettes

Ok. Let's just take a moment to appreciate the design of these Anna Sui palettes for a second, shall we? As a blogger, I often get sucked in by pretty packaging and quirky adornments but these beauties take it to a whole new level - I defy anybody to stash them away in a makeup drawer - they've taken pride of place on top of dressing table since I got them. It might have been love at first sight but let me tell you, the whirlwind affair doesn't stop at the aesthetics...ohhh no, it's all about what's inside that counts too, right? One contains a variety of pigmented, glossy lip colours complete with everything from barely there nudes to vampy reds and the second offers a beautiful array of shimmery shadows which happen to be perfect for the upcoming Autumn/Winter season.  After using them for the past few weeks, they've become my new obsession. Here's why...

Anna Sui | Lip Palette | £28.00 £14.00* | Link

If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know that I have a particular weakness for pretty lipsticks and testing and trying different shades.  Lip palettes always seem to tempt me but I've never owned any simply because I never really saw myself getting enough use out of one.  I always throw my lipstick into my handbag for the day but the thought of carting around a palette always made me a little dubious as to whether or not they were actually worth the hassle.  It really was love at first swatch with this one though.  Each shade is amazingly pigmented and so creamy to apply.  I love the glossy finish that each shade has - they almost have that 'lip laquer' effect once applied which i absolutely love.  They don't have names so bare with me and my wordy explanations of which shade is which here - but personally, one of my favourites has to be the middle shade on the top row.  I adore a brown-toned nude and this one is simply stunning - the hint of gloss really makes it pop and it looks so beautiful on a day to day basis.  It reminds me of a glossy, slightly lighter and more wearable version of Mac's Velvet Teddy.  I've also worn a couple of the coral/red shades recently - the lighter coral on the top row (second from the right) and the middle shade on the bottom row are perfect for this time of year - the orangey tones set off (whats left of) my holiday tan and look so bright and vibrant - which again, is amplified with the glossy, laquer-like finish.  I cant wait to start wearing the darker reds in the palette (how beautiful is the vampy burgundy shade?!) nearer to Autumn/Winter. 

I can't say I'm 100% converted to palettes yet but it is undoubtedly a gorgeous one to own and I'm so happy to have it in my collection. I've actually popped it into my bag along with the lip brush on a daily basis and it's not been too much of a faff because it doesn't weigh much at all (just bare in mind it's cardboard packaging so I'd be careful what's in there with it!) Luckily, the shades are fairly long lasting due to the pigmentation and despite the creamy, moisturising finish, tend to last around the two-three hour mark and the darker shades wear off to a nice, even stain/hint of colour. Another thing which I love about the palette is the delicate fragrance - for those of you who hate scented products you might not be too much of a fan, but I love the floral/sweet scent. I've been trying to put my finger on it for a while and I think I've cracked it - it smells very similar to Turkish delight - yummy! Overall, a fabulous addition to my collection and my first ever lip palette (can you believe it?!).  I've been loving it! I'm not denying that my classic lippies are much more practical but it's been really nice to experiment with these ones the past few weeks - I love the fact that it contains such a fab mix of shades suitable for every season and occasion as it makes it much more versatile. I cannot wait to delve into the darker shades now that we're coming towards the end of summer!

Anna Sui | Eye Palette | £28.00 £14.00* | Link

The second palette contains a selection of beautiful eye shadows.  Personally, I think these are the perfect mix for the upcoming autumn/winter months and I can't wait to start using the purples and striking khaki shade - they're still fairly neutral but not so 'in your face' that you wouldn't be able to use them on a daily basis.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with these shadows. Each one is really soft and creamy and all of these swatches were created with just a single swipe - a jolly good sign of a decent eyeshadow I'm sure you'll all agree. The only one which isn't too great is the second from the left on the top row. Sadly, this is one of the shades I'd usually get a lot of use out of as I love my understated neutrals, but I just can't seem to get it to swatch like the rest and it doesn't seem to show up too well on my skin - at best, it will probably work as a subtle highlight shade.  So far, my favourites have to be the intense copper shade (how beautiful!?) and the deep, antique gold - they've worked so well with my skin tone at the moment and I've created some beautiful daytime looks with the two - they look lovely blended together with a matte brown blended into the crease of the eye. I'm so excited to start experimenting more with colour - I've recently tried the khaki and purple shades and have to say they looked lovely on - a nice pop of colour without being too bright. The glittery black is also a nice addition - slightly more gritty and with a little more fall out than the rest but undoubtedly perfect for smokey eyes and nights out!

Again, like the lip palette, a very versatile and pleasing mix of shades for both day and night.  It's definitely more suitable for autumn/winter but there's some lovely neutrals in there I'll be using all year round (the copper colour sets off a tan like nothing else!) I've seen swatches of this palette on other blogs and I've read mixed reviews - I'm not sure if I've got a good'un but the only shade I've had problems with seems to be the lighter nude one - for me, the darker shades in the palette seem to be much more easy to blend and are much softer so do bare this in mind. Also, it has the same scent as the lip palette - it's fairly strong so if you do have sensitive peepers, it's worth noting!

Both palettes usually retail for £28.00 - but they're currently on offer for £14.00* each over on the Escentual website - you can find the lip palette here, and the eyeshadow palette here. Although I think the original price of £28 is a little steep, snapping the two up for the price of one is a smashing deal and they're well worth the money for the pigmentation, formula and eye-catching packaging.  I know the eye shadows have been a little hit/miss for some folk so if you're going to grab one, I'd say go for the lip palette - it makes a fabulous addition to any lipstick collection and it contains a lovely mix of nudes, pinks, corals and reds. If you're in need of ideas for birthday gifts for any beauty obsessed pals you might have, trust me here when I say you cannot go wrong with these (I'd have been over the moon if anyone had wrapped these up for me!) The packaging completely makes them - they're so unique and pretty. 

Have you tried these palettes or anything else from Anna Sui? Let me know your thoughts!

Summer Coolers | Arran Aromatics

Arran Aromatics have to be one of my favourite brands when it comes to skin solutions and body care. Their Lavender and Tea Tree Facial Wash made it into my 'Top 13 of 2013' (post here) and I found a new body-pampering fave in their 'Velvet Isle' Shea Butter not long ago (post here).  I've since placed more orders on their website and am always intrigued by their product range - if you're after something a little bit different from the lotions and potions you find on the high-street, they're well worth looking into. They also do some fabulous gift-y bits and I often have a little nosey on their website to see what's new (I must recommend their Island Spa and Velvet Isle ranges - I love them!) Just recently, I've been trying out a selection of their products all said to help soothe, calm and cool - perfect for the summer season. They've been welcome additions to my routine of late - the warmer weather and a rather sunny holiday in Crete has left my skin crying out for some pampering. Here's what I thought of the selection...

Aloe Vera Energising Body Gel | £8.50* | Link

This is the first product I tried when I returned home from my holiday.  Although I didn't burn at all, it's fair to say my skin was feeling a little parched and in need of some love.  Although I always pile on the aftersun (I'm a sun-care obsessive!), I like to look for generic lotions and gels which contain Aloe Vera during the summer as I find them much more soothing to the skin. It's the only time of year when I actually start looking for lighter lotions instead of thick body butters (as much as I love my pamper sessions!) I actually took to placing this gel in the fridge and applying after I'd been outside or tottling around town for the day (great if you've caught the sun and need a quick cool down!).  The witch hazel and aloe vera really does help to soothe and calm any redness, and the cooling, fresh scent adds to the sensation.  I really liked the gel consistency and the fact it doesn't leave my skin feeling tacky or greasy whilst still providing some nourishment. It sinks in so quickly and leaves behind a really subtle, fresh scent. I actually find it quite addictive and - little tip for you here - I sometimes keep it by my bed on warmer nights as it's great for an instant refresh if you're feeling a bit stuffy! It's just a nice, refreshing end to the day and it's definitely earnt itself a space in my fridge for the rest of summer!

Mint and Coriander Skin Smoother with Apricot Seeds | £4.50* | Link

I have to admit, this is one product I haven't used too much since I received it.  At first, I thought it was a generic body exfoliant as it doesn't mention on the label that it's actually for your feet!  I already have a body exfoliant on the go, so I figured I'd save it - however, when preparing this post and discovering it's intended purpose, I thought I'd actually give it a whirl and give my tootsies a treat. After shimmying around in flip-flops for 2 weeks, they needed a little bit of TLC!  It's much more harsh than your average body bar, that's for sure! It left my skin feeling smooth and revitalised, and the exfoliating seeds worked a treat. I found the mint fragrance really quite refreshing and the shape of the bar meant that it was easy to work with.

Peppermint & Lavender Foot Rub | £7.50* | Link

Oohhh this has to be my favourite product of the bunch. The consistency is what instantly sold it to me. It almost has a mousse-like quality to it whilst still remaining moisturising and soothing to apply. It definitely does seem to melt into the skin and that's exactly why I like it - it doesn't feel heavy or greasy and it's quick and easy to apply. Honestly, I love it.  It contains essential oils so it has great nourishing properties, and the peppermint and lavender scent helps to cool, soothe and comfort. It instantly cools the skin and you can feel it working as soon as you rub it in. I'd have loved something like this when I worked in the shop all day! If you work a job where you're on the go all the time and often come home feeling rather achey and 'flop on the sofa' tired - this is the perfect end-of-the-day treat.

Green Tea Eye Gel | £3.50* | Link

This is another one of my favourites.  I've previously tried one of Arran Aromatics Eye Gels (featured in this post) so I was really excited to give their Green Tea version a go.  As a lover of Green Tea (I know, I'm probably in the minority who actually enjoy knocking it back), I knew I'd love this.  I adore the scent of it - it definitely has a herbal sort of hint to it and I find it so incredibly refreshing.  Again, like the Aloe Vera gel, I've taken to popping this in the fridge and it's a very welcome treat for when my eyes are feeling a little bit tired.  It says to help reduce puffiness and fine lines, whilst extracts of Green Tea, Witch Hazel and powerful anti-oxidants help to soothe and revitalise the delicate skin around the eyes. For £3.50, these eye gels are really lovely.  They're definitely not the most moisturising - however, I love to use them for a 'refresh' and I always feel much more awake once i've popped some on. Great for summer.

Have you tried anything from Arran Aromatics before? If so, leave me your recommendations!

Jane Iredale | The Daytime Palette

Jane Iredale | Daytime Eyeshadow Kit | £39.95* | Link 

Just recently, I've been very much in favour of the 'barely there' look.  As soon as summer rolls around, I really do take my make-up back to basics - a dewy base, a subtle dash of bronzer, a smudge of shadow on my eyelids and lower lash-line with a quick sweep of mascara and I'm pretty much done and dusted for the day.  I'm a neutrals girl through and through - nothing tickles my fancy like a good 'everyday' palette and I'll often just wear a matte shade swept into the crease of the eye as opposed to spending ages applying my shadow in layers (ain't nobody got time for that!) The past few weeks, I've really been loving this little beauty from Jane Iredale. 'The Daytime Palette' consists of 5 neutral hues and is the perfect size for travel - its slimline exterior and lightweight feel make it the perfect companion for on the go.  It's simple, understated and pretty - everything a neutrals girl could wish for when it comes to this time of year.

My favourite shades have to be the first 3 - 'Oyster' - a gorgeous creamy white which is lovely to use on the inner corners of the eyes, 'Almond' - a peachy yellow/beige which works well across the entire lid and 'Cappuccino' - a stunning light taupe shade that is just perfect for using in the crease of the eye for some definition.  Texture-wise, these shadows are lovely and blendable - they're soft to the touch and apply really smoothly.  I've even used 'Oyster' on my cheekbones (it's also perfect for the brow bone) - it has a lovely bit of dimension to it but it isn't shimmery or glittery so it makes for a really natural looking highlight shade. The only shade that doesn't seem as pigmented and one that can be a little chalky is 'Charcoal' - the black shade in the palette.  Personally, I don't tend to reach for blacks that much anyway so this doesn't fuss me - I actually find it applies more grey - which makes it a nice option if you're smudging colour under the lash-line for a subtle smokey effect.  It actually works in the palette's favour and the fact it's not an intense black means it fits in very well with the 'daytime' theme - but it's well worth baring in mind if you prefer a strong black as it's quite difficult to work up colour with.   The brush that comes with the palette is a nice little extra - I prefer to use it for blending instead of packing colour onto the lid as it's quite fluffy, but it's a very welcome addition nonetheless - i do like it when palettes include a little brush! Also, it's worth mentioning that the shadows are formulated with minerals and botanical extracts.  

If you're a fan of the natural look then it's well worth looking at this palette. At £39.95, I have to say it really isn't the cheapest to say you're getting 5 shades - I shan't sit here and tell you that there aren't cheaper options on the market that probably do a similar job.  I own 3 Naked palettes by Urban Decay and it's easy to achieve a similar look with those (it seems very similar to the Naked 'Basics' - which fortunately happens to be the only one I don't own!) - but I must admit I do find this palette much easier to use for daytime because it's so simplistic.  I can even pop it in my handbag and carry it around with me all day because it's so small and slim - It's lightweight yet sturdy, and the rose-gold frosted finish tops it off nicely - very understated and simple.  The 3 lighter colours have to be my favourite eyeshadow shades at the minute! I do love a good matte... If you travel a lot, or just fancy trying something new or branching out from your usual daytime options, it's worth looking into these palettes. They also do a smokier version for those of you who prefer a darker look.

Overall, a really lovely addition to my collection and one that I feel is quite different from the rest. For me, the 3 lightest shades really are stunning - I've been reaching for them one heck of a lot just recently!  You can find Jane Iredale makeup on Feel Unique - the 'Daytime' palette retails for £39.95 here.

What do you think to this palette?  Have you ever tried anything from Jane Iredale before?

The Urban Decay Naked3 Palette | Review, Swatches & Photographs

First off, a big Merry Christmas Eve to you all! I hope you've all had a fabulous day and are now enjoying some good ol' festive telly and the first pickings of the Quality Street tin.  I've had a little walk around a local garden centre today (sounds rubbish but I'll have you know it's one of the best garden centres I've ever been to and it always looks amazingly Christmassy!) I ended up slipping a couple of decorations into my basket and realised when I got home that they were all bird themed in some way shape or form. Woops! Anway, I did have a jolly good festive post planned for today but it didn't quite work out how I'd imagined - so, instead, I thought I'd post about my newest addition to my palette collection - the Urban Decay Naked3 Palette.  If you were thinking of treating yourself to it after Christmas, then hopefully this post might be of some use.  I could just end the post here because it doesn't really need any words, does it? Just look at it! In all its rose gold, sparkly, glittery glory...

I told myself I really didn't need the third palette. Although, when they started selling out everywhere online and in-store (released just before Christmas - brilliant timing ;)), I couldn't resist any longer and snapped one up at House of Fraser with student discount as quick as humanly possible.  I use my Naked Palettes to death - I don't think there's a single day I've done my makeup and not used at least one shade from them.  I even take them on holiday with me.  Yep. It's love! If you've never tried Urban Decay eyeshadows then I really recommend them. They're hands down my most favourite shadows ever - in my opinion - they're hard to beat! I preferred the Naked2 ever so slightly over the first Naked palette, and so when I saw the third version with its rose gold tones and similar taupes - I had to snap it up.  Rose gold tones can be difficult to wear, but these ones aren't overly pink and are much easier to wear than what I first thought they would be... So what are the shades I hear you say? Here goes:

 

I won't provide a run-through of every single shade - as you can easily see for yourself in the photographs above (and there's been plenty of posts about this palette all over the bloggosphere already), but I thought I'd mention a few of my instant favourites! I adore the shade 'Half Baked' from the first 2 Naked Palettes, and am a massive fan of 'Chopper' from the second (a lovely antique gold) so I was instantly taken by 'Trick' - a stunning true rose gold colour.  'Buzz', 'Burnout' and 'Dust' all stand out to me as perfect everyday shades and are perfect to wear for uni with either 'Limit' or 'Nooner' - the two matte brown shades - blended into the crease.  The 2 matte brown shades in this palette seem to have a plummy undertone to them, compared to the taupe and warmer brown tones included in the first 2 palettes - so bare this in mind if you struggle to get on with plum colours and tones on your eyes! It's not always the most flattering! The other star of the show for me, has to be 'Blackheart' - it's unlike any colour I've seen in the palettes before. It's a beautiful deep brown/almost black colour with purpley-red flecks of glitter running through it (you can see it more clearly in the photographs below).  This will definitely be a main component in any smokey eye I decide to create over the festive season! I love it!

I have to apologise that my swatches are hard to decipher - but it's incredibly hard to photograph an arm full of swatches (although I think I deserve a gold star for managing not to twist my arm in the process...) I thought I'd pop them up there anyway so you can see how all the shades work together and compliment each other. The lightest shade in the palette (a matte creamy white called 'Strange' which can't really be seen on the swatches) doesn't show up too well on my arm anyway and isn't too noticeable on my eyelids - but it would make a lovely subtle highlight.  All the shadows are incredibly pigmented and creamy - and only require a quick dab of a brush in order to achieve a good colour pay off. I didn't expect anything less from Urban Decay - they always get it spot on!

As well as the palette (which comes packaged in a lovely box - always important!), you also get 4 weeks worth of different eyeshadow primers to try (not pictured) - I love their primer potions so this was a welcome addition into the box for me!  The brush is also the best one I've received in a palette so far.  It's double-ended and very similar to the Naked2 brush, but less dense and easier to use for blending.  It also seems slightly softer to me.  I also have to mention the tin the palette comes in - I much preferred the sturdy packaging of the Naked2 over the Original so I was really happy to see they'd continued this through the the Naked3.  It contains the same big mirror and is still fairly lightweight if you tend to travel with palettes. The interesting wavy shaped indentations over the lid make it even more unique and help set it aside from the Naked2.

Overall - I'm so glad I bought the Naked3 palette.  I wear their shadows on a daily basis so for me, it really is a fabulous purchase and one I know I'll get plenty of use out of!  I can see myself using the left-hand side more than the right (but i guess this is true for all 3 of the palettes) but I must admit I do love the darker shades included in the Naked 3.  On first impressions before I bought it, I did wonder whether I'd be wasting my money - in photographs - it does seem very similar to the Naked2.  But when viewing it in the flesh - it's very easy to see obvious differences and it actually has to be the most unique of the collection! The shades are undoubtedly more pink and plummy than the other two palettes - but definitely not so much so that they're hard to wear and I can see this palette suiting a lot of skin tones and eye colours. If you're a fan of Urban Decay shadows like myself, it's worth having a look into. I still don't know whether it has the potential to knock my current favourite, the Naked 2, off the top spot - but we shall see!

If you quite fancy rose-gold hues, pretty neutrals and plummy browns - I'd definitely recommend this palette.  They still have them in stock on House of Fraser for £37.00 here - so head on over if you fancy snapping one up! ( you can also grab discount with UniDays if you're a student) Or - keep your eyes peeled for some boxing day discount - you never know!

Have you given in to the lure of the Naked3 Palette yet? Which has been your favourite palette so far?

Loreal Liners | The Favourite 3

Swatches L-R / Ultra-Precision | Midnight Purple | Perfect Slim

I've realised that I'm actually pretty loyal when it comes to eyeliners, especially those of the liquid kind.  I've tried a number of different varieties and I always end up back with my old favourite - the Loreal Super Liner.  It comes as no surprise really - it is after all one of the ultimate all-time blogger faves and it might as well have 'holy grail' written all over it. Loreal don't half make a smashing eyeliner, let me tell you! It occurred to me the other day that I've never actually blogged about my liquid liner favourites, but when the inevitable happened and 2 of them both ran out at the same time (typical much?) I thought it was about time I dedicated some bloggy space to them (and because there's nothing like brand new 'straight off the shelves' packaging to photograph is there, fellow bloggers?!)  So without further jibber-jabber, I shall introduce you to my little Loreal trio...

Super Liner Ultra-Precision Black | £6.49 | Link

With its beautiful gold exterior and sleek, thin lid - this liner certainly looks the part.  It doesn't stop at the packaging either - it ticks every single box for what I look for in a liquid liner.  The thin, slightly flexible nib picks up just the right amount of product and distributes it in an even, opaque line across the upper lash line. With just a slight change of pressure, it's easy to go from a thin, precise line to a dramatic cat flick in seconds.  Not only that, but it lasts all day.  It doesn't matter if I've been at work all day running up and down stockroom stairs or if I've been on a flight - you name it - it's still going strong at the end of the day! I like the fact that it gives a slightly glossy finish - it makes it even more striking on the eyes and adds so much definition.  There's no flaking or smudging, and it doesn't fade throughout the day. It's not waterproof, so don't expect miracles - but overall I really cannot sing this liner's praises enough and If you're after a new liquid liner, I really recommend this one! It's the ultimate of ultimate faves!

Super Liner 'Midnight' in 'Purple | £6.49 | Link

I can't really say much about this one as it's basically the exact same as the Ultra-Precision, just with a little bit of colour!  Yes - it's purple but it doesn't look like you've tried to go all 'Disney Princess' when you wear it.  There is a very subtle hint of a purple hue in there that can be seen when it catches the light - but appears almost black when worn on the lash line.  I use this when I'm off on a night out and fancy something a bit 'spesh'. I have green eyes so I find the purple really does help to accentuate my eye colour and it looks really flattering when worn with a simple gold, neutral eye.

Super Liner Perfect Slim | £6.99 | Link

I bought this when I couldn't find my beloved 'Ultra Slim' and have actually managed to find myself a new favourite.  I've been wearing this constantly just recently and am now on my second tube of the stuff.  It's much more like a 'felt tip' sort of liner, and it a little more matte in finish than the ultra-precision.  I really love the nib of this one - it really is super easy to use and it's essentially fool proof.   I find it easier to grip than the ultra-precision and it's much easier to use if I'm in a rush of a morning.  I actually find this one more 'user friendly' than the ultra-precision - I find creating cat flicks and dramatic lines much more easy and it's such a good all-rounder.  I really recommend this one if you're after an easy to use, everyday liner with more of a 'felt tip' kind of feel to it.

So there we have it. My Loreal faves.  At just under £7 each they're really worth the money and last forever.  Many a time I've treated myself to a new eyeliner only to find it doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to life-span but these little beauties will last you ages! 

What's your current favourite liquid liner? Do you love Loreal's offerings as much as me?

Mac False Lashes | The '35 Lash'

Mac False Lashes in '35' | £10.00 | Link

For me, false lashes are always a must for special occasions.  They photograph beautifully, add definition to the eye and enhance your natural peepers like no mascara on the market ever could.  I have my graduation coming up in November and will be having lots of photographs taken... as well as having my Dad video 'my bit' on stage - yup - as if I wasn't feeling a bit iffy already about taking a tumble on stage and faceplanting the principal - my Dad decides to nudge the tension up a notch and I'm now facing a lifetime of replays on 'You've Been Framed' should the unthinkable happen.  Anyway, graduation-fears aside, I wanted some eyelashes for the occasion that looked fairly natural, but also ones that would add thickness and length - a little like the effect of lash extensions.   I was browsing around my nearest Mac store the other week, and decided to have a look at their false lash selection.  I really loved the look of the '35 lash' and swiftly took them to the till.  At £10, they aren't the cheapest of lashes but I really wanted to break out of my 'Eyelure 101' comfort zone and try something a little new.

Now then, I apologise for not showing the lashes on both eyes with the right sort of makeup, but if you wear false lashes then you'll know there's nothing like wearing them for the first time and they can quickly get 'gloopy' if you're not careful - so I wanted to preserve their new-ness as best I could for my graduation (hence why I've only photographed one).  I know the photographs of my 'few hours old' makeup don't show these beauties up to their best potential - but hopefully you can get a good idea of the length and fullness they give.  The Mac website says that the lashes provide 'dramatic length and eye-opening fullness to the centre of the eye' and I have to say, they really do give a lenthening, naturally full effect.  I love that the lashes have a partly invisible band - this only adds to their 'natural' look and when you look down, you can't see the tell-tale 'line' that a lot of false lashes seem to have.   They're also not completely black which only adds to their appeal for me - they have a mix of dark brown shades mixed in so that they don't look completely false.  They are undeniably long - almost a little too long and when I put them on I wasn't sure I'd picked the right ones, but I reckon with the right makeup and a toned down neutral eye (without the lashings of mascara I'd obviously put on here!), they will look lovely and 'swoopy' without being too much. When you turn to the side they do look rather lengthy to say the least, but the fact that they look so natural and light means that you can sort of get away with it - they look very much how lash extensions would and don't have that 'plastic' look that a lot of falsies tend to have.  They feel and look like natural lashes. We will see how I feel on the day about wearing them - but even if I don't decide to rock them for my graduation I will surely be using them for a Christmas party sometime soon (yes it's October and yes I've just mentioned Christmas #sorrynotsorry).  I did read somewhere that they're easily re-shaped and it's possible to trim a tiny bit of the length off - so I shall see what they look like with my makeup on the morning... Watch this space!

Overall, it's so far so good.  I will be sure to post some sort of 'face of the day/night' when I do decide to wear these out and hopefully I will have a bit of spare time before my graduation to take a few photos of my makeup.  If you're after something a bit different when it comes to lashes, I'd recommend checking Mac's selection.  They have a little bit of everything from natural to full-on 'drama' and they're also really nicely packaged and well made.  I have to say that I found them incredibly easy to apply - I found the length of the band to be just right for my eyes (I usually have to cut a small amount off) and they didn't feel too heavy or uncomfortable on first impressions either.  

Have you tried Mac's False Lashes?