Drugstore Gems | Recent Finds...

As a blogger, it's very easy to get sucked in to the luxury product hype - swishy packaging and the lure of a glitzy high-end counter certainly have the power to sway a purchase.  Whilst I'm not denying that you do sometimes get what you pay for (some of my high-end favourites simply cannot be beaten in my opinion) - I do think there's plenty of 'drugstore' products out there that perform just as well as - if not better than some of the high-end brands. I've become such a bargain hunter just recently (just call me David Dickinson) and I seem to have uncovered a small selection of fabulous 'drugstore' products that I absolutely love - I've been on a roll!  Of course, I often find cheaper products I enjoy and use on a regular basis, but these 6 most recent finds have seriously impressed me -  they're much more than fleeting favourites.  We're a fickle bunch, us bloggers, so to say that this little collection of my latest 'drugstore gems' top the mark as some of my most recommended is saying something! Here's why I think they're jolly good contenders to rival their higher-end versions...

Seventeen | Falsifeye HD Mascara | £6.99 | Link

I'll kick off with my most favourite shall I?!  If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know I'm rarely impressed with mascaras - I'm ridiculously fussy.  I've been using Maybelline's 'The Falsies' for a good 5 years or so now and I never really vary from this (Benefit's 'They're Real' is my only other 'go to' but I use this as more a 'treat' because it's quite expensive). It's fair to say I'm very stuck in my ways when it comes to mascara.  However - I think I may have discovered my new obsession in the form of Seventeen's Falsifeye HD Mascara.  It's seriously amazing. First impressions were good before I even left the store as it actually comes in a box - and we all know how much bloggers love their boxed products... It didn't stop there though.  I was blown away as soon as I applied it - it coats every.single.lash. The wand doesn't look anything special but trust me, it works a charm at coating even the smallest eyelashes and it's so easy to use. Usually, with volumising 'false lash effect' mascaras, the wands can be quite cumbersome but this one is just perfection.   It reminds me of a simplfied version of Benefit's 'They're Real' whilst being easier to use. 

The formula doesn't clump at all - I can easily apply 3 coats without my lashes clumping together and it also holds a curl really nicely. My lashes look fuller than ever and incredibly defined, and even though it's not waterproof, it doesn't smudge, flake or crumble.  I must admit I don't use it on my bottom lashes as the only mascara that doesn't smudge on me is Clinique's 'Bottom Lash Mascara' - but I can't sing this product's praises enough. I definitely think it's a good rival for Benefit's 'They're Real'. I think I'll be buying this from now on instead of the Maybelline one I've been using for 5 years... that's how much I adore it.

Seventeen | Instant Glow Bronzer in Medium Bronze | £4.49 | Link

Seventeen really have upped their game the past year or so! I'm loving the brand at the moment and their new image is definitely a winner in my books. This is another one of my recent purchases but as it's already featured twice on my blog so I shan't get in to it too much - you're probably sick of the sights of it! I picked this up on a whim at the airport before a holiday and my goodness, am I glad I did! It's such a good 'all rounder' bronzer and works so well for all over bronzing and subtle contouring. It's the perfect shade to add warmth to the complexion and even though it's pigmented, it's virtually impossible to over-apply as it blends like a dream.  I've been applying it even though my skin is paler now and it just gives the most incredible healthy glow without looking like I've piled on a shed load of bronzer.  I really loved Guerlain's 'Terracotta' bronzer earlier this year but I have to admit this one has had much more use.  It's matte so it provides a really lovely, natural finish and gives a nice bit of definition to the facial features.  I posted about it in a summer beauty haul here, and also in a recent favourites post here.  My love for it is still going strong...

MUA | Power Pout Lip Crayon in 'Rendezvous' | £3.00 | Link

I had to re-use a photograph I've taken of this product for a past post because my camera ran out of battery just before I'd finished this one - but trust me - this lip crayon is very well loved.  It's lived in my hand-bag since the day I bought it and it's not making a move out of there any time soon! I really love MUA's lip crayon offering - this colour is just the perfect every day shade and I've been using it over some of my Mac favourites just recently.  It's super moisturising, yet long-lasting and easy to apply on-the-go. I really don't think you have to spend the earth if you want a good quality lip crayon - I can't see why this one isn't just as good as some of the more expensive versions I've seen on the high-street.  I have a full post about the product here.

Collection | Illuminating Touch Brightening Concealer | £4.99 £3.99  | Link

Currently on offer for just £3.99, this concealer is my most recent discovery.  Now, I have to admit that my ultimate holy-grail favourite is Estee Lauder's Double Wear Concealer and I don't think I'll ever find anything else to rival it - but since it's so expensive (£21.00 a pop!) I wanted something to use under my eyes on those days when I'm not wearing a great deal of makeup.  I wanted something a little more brightening than Collection's 'Lasting Perfection' (another drugstore gem) as I mainly use concealer underneath my eyes to conceal dark circles. I've been blown away by this one! I was so amazed at how well it hid my dark circles - it's literally like a brightening version of their Lasting Perfection. The formula is quite thick (similar to L.P), so it's a little more hard-wearing than other brightening concealers I've tried before.  I've also used YSL's Touche Eclat in the past and prefer this cheaper version by a mile!

Bourjois | 123 Perfect CC Cream in '32 - Light Beige' | £9.99* | Link

I was actually sent this product a while back but as soon as this tube runs out (and it's getting rather low) I'll be purchasing another straight away.  As much as I love my Nars Sheer Glow foundation, it can be a little heavy for everyday wear and I sometimes crave a slightly lighter coverage. My high-end 'go to' for a dewy base is YSL's Touche Eclat foundation but for a cheaper alternative, this Bourjois offering is fantastic. It does everything it promises - the colour correction really does seem to work and I instantly look more awake when I've applied this.  The coverage is so impressive and comparable to a light-medium foundation - so don't let the fact it's a CC Cream as opposed to an actual foundation base put you off.  If i'm ever having a 'dry skin day'  I use this because its a little more hydrating than an average foundation.  It evens out the complexion in an instant and looks virtually undetectable, especially when I've applied it with my RT Buffing Brush. I have a review of it here, and it also featured in a favourites post here.

Look Beauty Eyeshadow | Shade 13 - 'Luxe' | £4.00 | Link

Ok. So this isn't exactly a recent find - I've had this shade in my collection for quite some time now but it's definitely a re-discovery! If you're looking for pigmentation, 'Look' Statement Eyes Eye shadows really are amazing - they put some high-end brands to shame. This eyeshadow has to be one of the most pigmented shades I own and it gives that statement metallic lid look - perfect for the upcoming festive season. It's so creamy and buttery-soft to the touch and the gorgeous antique-gold colour is so flattering. Admittedly, due to the fact it's so pigmented you do get a little bit of fallout but it's easy to overlook- I just protect my under-eyes with a tissue and 'dab' the shadow on with an eyeshadow brush. 

Swatches L-R // Collection Concealer | Bourjois CC Cream | Seventeen Bronzer | Look Eyeshadow | MUA Crayon

So there we have it, some recent drugstore finds that I've been seriously impressed with.  Of course, I have plenty of other favourites but these are products I've discovered in the past few weeks/months.  Do let me know if you'd like me to do a post on some of my other drugstore gems - I have a fair few that definitely rival their higher end versions.

Have you found any drugstore gems recently? Let me know!

HUGE Beauty Haul | Drugstore & High-End Products

Oh dear. Look what happened.  Once again, I strolled past the beauty counters one too many times and came home with more than I anticipated. #StoryOfMyLife.  Fear not, I didn't go completely bonkers and buy all of this stuff in one go - (jeez I'm not that impulsive ;)) but I do seem to have accumulated a rather sizeable amount of stuff over the past 3 weeks.  Of course, being a blogger - I can't use anything properly until I've photographed it so I figured I'd swiftly put together a haul post. Who doesn't love a haul? I know I certainly do! I have a mixture of high-end and drugstore products so I've tried to categorise this post as best I could - feel free to skip on through and pick and choose the bits you're interested in til your heart's content. Expect to see a few of these beauty treats popping up on my blog over the next month or so - I'll be individually reviewing some of them so do let me know if there's anything you'd particularly like to hear more about.  Anyway, I guess I should quit my rambling and actually get cracking. Grab a cuppa, this certainly won't be a post of the 'short and snappy' variety...

Tanya Burr | Lipgloss in 'Chic' | £6.99 | Link

I've had my beady eyes on Tanya's range for quite some time now.  Admittedly, I'm really not a lipgloss person, but after seeing them on so many blogs and, of course, being a fan of the lovely lady herself, it would have been a crime not to give them a whirl! After a bit of umming and arring and some rather in-depth swatch-googling sessions, I settled on 'Chic', a beautiful brown-y nude shade with a hint of peachiness - perfect for everyday wear and for applying over the top of my neutral lipsticks. First impressions are really good - it's ever so slightly a little too sticky for my liking but I'm happy to overlook it for the gorgeous pigmentation and beautiful scent (I adore the sweet, strawberry smell!).  It applies really smoothly and easily too. I'm definitely going to be picking up some of the brighter shades in the near future.

Nyx | Xtreme Lip Cream in 'Peach Fuzz' | £7 | Link

When I discovered that Next stocked Nyx, I was over the moon! If you've always wanted to try the brand but prefer to swatch in-store rather than taking your chances online, it's the perfect excuse to give them a go.  I've been a big fan of their cream blushes in the past so I had high expectations for their lip products. I've always wanted to try one of their ever-famous Lip Creams so that's exactly what I came away with. 'Peach Fuzz' is one of the most talked about shades and it's easy to see why.  It's a stunning peachy pink with intense pigmentation and a slight glossy finish.  I'm planning on a full review of this soon.

Barry M | Lip Liners | £2.99 each (unsure of shade names!) | Link

Barry M had one of their offers on so I picked up a couple of bits.  I got one of these lip liners free - which in hind-sight is a very good thing because I picked the two most similar shades I could have possibly picked! My beloved Estee Lauder double-wear lip pencil in 'Spice' is running low so I wanted to see if I could find a cheaper option for the time being (i reckon my Estee favourite will be a birthday present.) Barry M had these 2 nude shades so I picked up both.  One is slightly darker and more reddish in tone - very much a 'brick' sort of shade, and the other is a little more neutral and leans more towards a brown, mid-toned natural shade.  I really like the Barry M lip liners - I must have the majority of their shades now and I really recommend them if you're after a cheapy!

Sinful Colors | Nail Polish in 'Snow Me White' | £1.99 | Link

If you've never checked out the Sinful Colors range in Boots, then you need to re-evaluate your life. Ok, maybe not that drastic, but you seriously need to go and have a nosey.  They have to be one of my favourite nail polish brands ever and I seem to be building up quite the collection! This one is a gorgeous glossy white - nothing overly special about it but I'm loving white nails at the minute and this one applies really smoothly and evenly and is also amazingly opaque. A lot of white polishes take forever to build up but this one is perfect.

Barry M | Gelly Hi-Shine Polishes in 'Passionfruit' and 'Blue Grape' | £3.99 | Link

Ohhhh do I have a story behind this purchase... *face palm* I did the whole 'walk into Superdrug for one thing and end up waltzing around balancing a sizeable tower of stuff in just one hand' jobby. I seem to have really perfected this technique over the years (who needs baskets? Not me, apparently!) and I felt quite confident in my abilities to skillfully shuffle my way to the till. I almost had it nailed, however, it seems that I must have gotten a little bit cocky - because with an accidental nudge on the edge of the Rimmel stand and a little wobble of the elbows, my nail polish bottle had taken a dramatic tumble and promptly smashed all over Superdug's newly refurbished, perfectly polished floor.  Yep. I was that girl. It wasn't just a little drop of it either - ohhh no - it was the full works... a complete swirly mess all over the new dark wood flooring complete with massive dollop in the middle. Some might say I'd dropped it so amazingly well that it created a beautiful spiral effect to rival the likes of Van Gough but all I could think of was how long it was going to take to get it to come off. Everybody around me turned to stare... and then edged away pretty sharpishly whilst dodging the sea of bright coral nail polish that seemed to be spreading across the floorboards at my feet. You couldn't have scraped any more polish out of that bottle if you'd tried. I proceeded to shout over the sales assistant, my skyscraper-beauty-product tower still half in-tact and perched delicately in hand as she stared for a few seconds at what a mess I'd made. Somebody should have got a basket. It all turned out fine though - Superdrug's floor was restored to 'good as new' status after a few wet wipes and half a bottle of nail polish remover - nobody would ever know about my mishap and all traces of bright coral were successfully removed. I was lucky enough that the sales assistant was absolutely lovely about it (although she wouldn't let me help clear it up no matter how many times I asked - awkward - try standing there for a good 5 minutes whilst somebody else works up a sweat trying to scrub your nail-polish spillage off the floor...) She thanked me for being so honest and we had a bit of banter about customers who spill stuff - apparently it happens all the time with nail polish and people just walk off and leave it?! Needless to say, after working in retail for 5 years that fact doesn't shock me one bit. I've had to scrub all sorts off shop floors, let me tell you. Gregg's sausage rolls ain't so appealing when you've had to scrape them away piece by piece from carpet fibres...

Anyway, storytime over.  I don't have any of the darker shades in the Gelly polishes so I figured I'd grab a couple.  Passionfruit is a gorgeous sunset coral/red shade (which will look so much nicer on my nails than on Superdrug's floor) and 'Blue Grape' is a gorgeous deep royal blue.  It reminds me very much of Topshop's 'AWOL' polish... except a few quid cheaper (every little helps don't you know?!) I can imagine these will look amazing with a tan!

B. | Flawless Long-Lasting Concealer | £5.99 £2.99 | Link

I went into Superdrug specifically to look at their 'B.' range of beauty products.  I've never ever tried anything from there so I really wanted to have a good browse.  I was over the moon to discover they had a 50% offer on all of their products (they still do if you're interested so hop to it!)  I decided to try their Flawless Concealer - I adore my Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer but wanted a shade or two lighter to use on those days where I need a decent bit of brightening up and I didn't fancy shedding out another £20. I usually hate the twist up 'stick' form concealers, but I was blown away at just how creamy this one was.  I haven't tried it under the eyes yet so I'm reserving judgement but I really was impressed at how creamy, pigmented and easy to blend it was.  It seems like it has amazing coverage too so watch this space!

B. | Rich Intense Colour Lipstick in 'Toffee' | £7.99 £3.99 | Link

Wow. These lipsticks certainly aren't telling porkies - they really are rich and intense in colour! I'm obsessed with browns at the minute (not for everyone but if you find the right shade, believe me they work a treat at whitening your teeth!) so I settled on 'Toffee', a mid-browny nude. It has a hint of shimmer in the tube but it doesn't transfer to the lips - it just gives the lipstick a lot of dimension.  It's so creamy and smooth - quite similar to Mac's Amplified finishes. It isn't glossy, it isn't completely matte - just a lovely in-between 'satin' like finish that feels comfortable to wear. Again, I won't say too much as I've used it once but so far, so good.

Rimmel | Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in 'Black' | £3.99 | Link
Whyyyy on earth have I never tried these liners? I don't often wear a liner in my waterline but if I'm going out somewhere special I do like some extra definition.  I'm not sure if it's my eyes but I seem to be put off applying liner in my waterline because it smudges almost instantly and looks ridiculous within an hour or so - so I'm holding out hope that this one stays put a little better.  I heard Tanya Burr raving about these in a few of her tutorials so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Loreal | Superliner Perfect Slim | £7.99 | Link
My favourite liner of all time.  I will forever re-purchase this beauty and it's featured in so many of my posts now.  Easy to use, long-lasting and one pen lasts me months. Well worth every single penny! I urge you to try it if you haven't already!

Dove | Purely Pampering Body Cream in Shea Butter and Vanilla | £4.99 £2.49 | Link

My new favourite body butter was on offer for £2.49!? Amazing! This tub is huge and lasts me quite some time. I promptly picked up a back-up for when my current one runs out as it was too good to miss out on the offer.  I spoke about this in my recent favourites post which you can read here, if you're interested! 

Arran Aromatics | Lavender Tea Tree Facial Wash | Link

I bought this off AllBeauty a while back for a fabulous bargainous price - but it's not on there now for some reason. Well worth shopping around for as it seems to vary in price quite a bit! I received this a while back in one of my first Love Me Beauty boxes and I've loved it ever since.  I speak about it a little more in one my 'Best of 2013' post here. It's such a lovely gel-like consistency and it's really soothing to use.  It has a very gentle exfoliating effect due to the little beads in it and always leaves my skin feeling really refreshed and clean.  

Arran Aromatics | 'After the Rain' Eye Gel | £5.50 | Link

I like the brand so much, I decided to pop their eye gel into my basket too.  I adore their range of facial washes and their body butter has to be one of my favourites too, so i figured I couldn't go wrong with their eye cream.  It's really lightweight and has a cooling, soothing effect on the skin.  It smells really fresh too. 

Shu Uemura | Art of Hair Essence Absolue Oil | £29.60 | Link

My most favourite hair oil of all time - EVER.  I've used all kinds of hair oil brands and this one tops all of them by a mile.  I have a full review of it on my blog here if you want to read more about it, but it really has revolutionised my hair routine!  I use it every single time I wash my hair without fail, and have also used it on dry-hair through the day to revive my style.  It's not heavy in the slightest but it's incredibly moisturising - if you find Moroccan Oil far too greasy or heavy then I really do recommend Shu Uemura's offering.  I actually find this more moisturising and it doesn't weigh my hair down half as much.  A bottle lasts absolutely ages too because all you need is 1-2 pumps per use.  You can also use it on hair extensions if they're feeling a little worse for wear - little tip for you there!

Nars | Sheer Glow Foundation in 'Fiji' | £31.00 | Link
Another repurchase for me. I've had 3 bottles of this foundation now and it's still my favourite - it's going to be a tough one to beat! It is, without a doubt, a little on the pricey side but it's well worth every penny.  I have a full review on my blog so I won't say too much about this one but I really do recommend checking out the Nars stand if you're after a long-lasting, medium-full coverage foundation with a satin finish.

Nars | Matte Multiple in 'Altai' | £30.00 | Link 
The star of the whole post! If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that I made an impulse purchase on one of the new matte multiples! As soon as I heard about them I knew I'd end up buying one - I'm such a sucker for contouring products and when I saw the matte brown/bronze shades I was instantly sold.  I was sold even more once the assistant had applied it to my face - WOW. I was speechless.  She made a very quick, easy sale there! I'll hold off from saying too much about this as I have a full review planned very, very soon! I also haven't swatched it for the purpose of this post as I wanted to keep it pristine for my full review... (sorry ;))

Lola | Foundation Brush | £14.00 £11.20 | Link

And finally, my newest addition to my brush collection - this foundation brush by the brand 'Lola'. I was so excited when I heard that Marks and Spencers were going to stock the brand in store. A while back, I discovered 'Lola' on a trip to Lanzarote and was so sad when I found out I couldn't get my mitts on it here in the UK (I have a post on one of their blushes here - amazing pigmentation!). Honestly, I really hope the brand becomes more well-known in the blogging community as it really is such an unsung hero of the cosmetic world! I bought this because the assistant in SpaceNK applied the Nars Multiple with a flat foundation brush and I loved the finish it provided - I don't really own one like this so I promptly took it to the till. It's one of the softest brushes I own and it seems really good quality for the price (it was on offer at the time) - definitely one of the more luxurious brushes I've come across!  I'll definitely be checking out more of their things in future now that they're more accessible. The brand is definitely more mid-high end and their products aren't the cheapest, but they're well worth getting to know.

And there we have it.  I must apologise for this rather meaty post! But I really wanted to feature everything together rather than splitting it up into two halves and I haven't done a haul in a good while. I will be doing full reviews on some of the products featured in this post so keep your eyes peeled! 

Anything here that tickles your fancy? Is there anything you'd like to hear more about?

Rimmel | Match Perfection Foundation

 Rimmel | Match Perfection Foundation | £6.99 (link)

Ever since I found and fell in love with my beloved YSL Touche Eclat foundation (of which I am still madly in love with and probably always will be forever and ever and ever - there's a review I did a while back here, if you're interested) I stopped buying any other foundations and stuck to my trusty new partner in crime. However, when the bottle started to get a little lighter and I realised I was getting down it rather quickly, I decided it would probably be a good idea to opt for a cheaper option to use alongside it. My YSL is all very well and good, but I craved a bit more variety in my routine. So, like a woman on a mission, I took to the shelves of Boots to track down a new purse friendly favourite - my first port of call being Rimmel's Match Perfection foundation. I'd heard a few good things about it, and after swatching a few shades I realised I quite liked the texture of it and promptly put it in my basket.  I've been using this foundation now for a good couple of months or so now, and I really, really like it. In fact, I'd go as far as to say I actually love it. 

The Match perfection foundation is a little heavier than the foundations I usually go for. I'm all for my dewy, light coverage foundations and this one is very much more of a medium coverage - saying this, it does manage to cover more or less every single flaw on my face, and doesn't feel heavy or caked on.  It's also more of a satin finish, not quite matte, but not overly dewy at all; it's what I would call a perfect middle ground.  If you're looking for a general, all round foundation then this would be a fabulous option to go for - I also don't find it drying or oily - it is very much smack-bang in the middle of everything! It makes my skin look virtually flawless and applies really well with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I manage to get a good 5 or 6 hours wear out of this foundation before I need any 'top-ups' - it really does last a great deal longer than any other 'drugstore foundations' I have tried and I've found myself using it over my YSL! I've actually had people comment on my skin when wearing this - I don't know what it is, but something about it just works for me! I've shared a few swatches on the back of my hand above - the consistency isn't runny, but its certainly very blendable and not at all cakey (I'd been swatching products all morning and the back of my hand looked rather mottled to say the least - I can honestly say it's not due to a dodgy spray tan ;)) It feels so light on the skin and almost undetectable in natural light - because it isn't completely matte it gives that fabulous 'second skin' effect.

I really can't tell you how much praise I have for this little bottle.  I always used to think their Wake Me Up foundation was the bee's knees but after trying this one I can fully say I prefer it ten times more - it is miles above any other budget foundation I've tried and lasts one heck of a lot longer!  It just really seems to suit me and my skin. I have combination skin so I find it works very well, as it's moisturising enough for the dry areas but not so moisturising that it slides off my face.  In fact, when this bottle runs out I will be dashing out to grab another quicker than you can say 'product rave'.  The shade selection is fairly good - for reference, I use shade '200 - Soft Beige' which is the darker of the lighter shades, somewhat in between a light and a medium on the shade scale. It's quite yellow based too, which is a massive plus for me as it blends in with my skin tone very well and doesn't make me look orange throughout the day (yippee for umpa-lumpa avoidance!).  All in all, I'm really enjoying using it and it's fast become my go to foundation for daytime use - it even smells nice and fresh. I still love my YSL, but if I'm ever having a cruddy skin day then I tend to opt for this as it provides me with a bit more coverage.  For those of you who prefer a heavier, full coverage it might not tick all of your boxes - although to say it's a medium coverage it manages to smooth out flaws very well and the satin finish means it still gives that 'perfect skin' effect.  It's a smashing little all rounder and if you're after a new foundation to try, I really do recommend you give it a little test in store...It might just become your new budget favourite too.

Have you tried Rimmel's Match Perfection? Did you like it as much as me or did it not float your foundation-boat?

Latest Drugstore Beauty Purchases

Sometimes, in one's life, a trip to Boots or Superdrug for a mere shampoo or two turns into a little indulge-fest ending in a basket full of goods you never really set out to purchase but realise you simply must have. This is exactly what happened on a recent jolly-outing with my motherbear.  Of course, I thought it was only right I showed you what I threw in my basket that day and give you a little run through of what my first impressions of some of them have been...

Seche Vite | Dry Fast Top Coat | £9 | This is a repurchase for me and is something I will continue to buy forever and ever. And ever.  If, like me, you love painting your nails but hate waiting for them to dry then you need this in your life. It's very much worth the price tag and it lasts an age. I use this about 3 times a week and my first bottle lasted a good 6 months. I honestly cannot recommend this top coat enough and those of you sat wafting your hands in the air like you're at a boy-band concert of some sort waiting patiently for your nails to dry - take note!

Orly Polish in 'Purple Crush' | £5 | I bought this a while back now but decided to throw it in with this post anyway. I've had my eye on this for ages but never quite fancied parting with a fiver for a teensy-tiny bottle. I finally gave into temptation and my goodness me, it's such a pretty colour.  It's a really deep fucshia pink with warm purple hints and it looks utterly fabulous on the nails.

Barry M | Nail Paint in 'Mushroom' | £2.99 | I've wanted this in my collection for yonks. I've worn it already and I just think it's a beautiful understated shade of nudey-brown that goes with anything.

Eyelure False Lashes in 'Natural Volume' 020 | £5.35 | I often grab a pair of these. They're certainly not you're typical false eyelashes that you'd wear on a night out and they're incredibly subtle - but I keep these by me in case I ever need a bit of an eyelash boost on a day out somewhere nice, or if i'm going out for lunch. If, like me, you don't like full on glamour for daytime and you can be a little bit 'iffy' with false lashes, then i'd really recommend these. They're so light you can't even feel them on your peepers. Perfect.

John Frieda | Full Repair Deep Conditioner | £6.29 | I desperately needed an intense conditioner. My hair has gone crazy recently and i've had a bad hair month, let alone a bad hair day! I popped this on the other night and my mother commented straight after i'd dryed it how shiny my hair looked. Thumbs up so far John! ;) I must admit, I really do love John Frieda products and it's my go-to brand for all things hair care.

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in '101' | £5.49 | After loving the infamous '107' shade over the festive period (review & FOTD here) , I figured it was about time I picked up another one of these beauties. I opted for the lovely nude pink shade. So wearable and a fabulous daytime colour I will get tonnes of wear out of.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in '010 Rouge Buzz' | £7.99 | I bloomin' love this lipsticks and did a little review not long ago that you can read here. This one is amazingly bright and is a lovely orangey red. Similar to Mac's Lady Danger but a little bit more creamy in formulation.

Samy | Fat Hair Amplifying Mousse & Hairspray | I've been wanting to try this range for ages and finally gave in when I saw they were on offer. I shall do a review soon once I've given them a good whirl! I'm still not sure if they've taken over my trusty Mark Hill 'Va Va Voom' mousse/Elnet Volume Spray combo. But I shall let you know if they cut the mustard!

Revlon | Nearly Naked Foundation in 'Nude' | £8.99 | I gave into the rumours i've heard about this foundation being amazing and decided to try it for myself. I've never actually tried any Revlon foundations but being a fan of a sheer daytime base I thought I'd try this one out!

Rimmel | Match Perfection Foundation in 'Soft Beige' | £6.99 | Ok. So i've only used this for about 4 days but I'm really enjoying using this one. It's definitely medium coverage and covers the majority of imperfections - it looks flawless once applied and I find the colour range works for me as the lighter shades seem to have more available options if you have cooler yellow tones in your skin like me! Yippee! I have a feeling this will knock 'Wake Me Up' out of the water for me - I love that this one seems to have a more satin finish and doesn't look overly dewy. Watch this space ladies..

And so there we have it! Another trip to Boots/Superdrug and another little collection has gathered on my beauty shelves. I'd also just like to apologise for my past two posts having to be duplicated - I'm having such a 'mare with my HTML on some blog posts at the moment, and although the posts read fine it seems to stop any other blog posts showing up on my home page. If any of you are also getting this really annoying little devil of a problem, please do tell me if you've managed to shed any light on it.  I'm really not getting much joy out of typing my blog posts out twice every time to correct it!  I do hope this won't be a regular thing but something has really began to go a little pear-shaped over on Bird's Words the past few days.

Have you tried any of these products? What were your thoughts?