Bourjois | 1 Second Volume Mascara

When it comes to mascara, I'm not the most experimental of the blogger bunch.  I stick to what I know and I've repurchased the same mascara for yonks. I have long lashes but sadly, I wasn't blessed with curly, swoopy ones and if I didn't attack them with my trusty lash curlers on a daily basis, I'd be stuffed. As soon as I find one that actually manages to hold a flutter, I'm sold - but so far, only a handful have managed to impress me.  It's fair to say I never really hold out much hope for mascaras and I never feel compelled to try the newest formula on the market simply because once I find one that works, I'll stick to it. However, when I first heard of Bourjois' new release - the '1 Second Volume' - I have to admit I was rather intrigued. The idea of a 'roller' inspired brush to inject volume and definition to your lashes was something I really fancied trying, so when it arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to give it a bash!

The unique wand design with it's 'spherical' bristles means that lashes are coated in a 360 degree motion. This paired with the standard bristles makes for a spiffing combination and I have to admit I really do like it.  The brush is undoubtedly quite large - if you're not a fan of larger brushes then I'm not sure you'd get on with it as it can be a little bit cumbersome if you're not concentrating - however, for me, it works perfectly and I really like how easy it is to apply.  It separates every lash whilst providing amazing definition - I definitely agree with the 'clump-free' claim as there isn't a spider-lash to behold - yippee! This is definitely helped by the fact the brush is plastic - if you've ever tried Benefit's 'They're Real' (one of my faves) then I find that this feels rather similar to apply. But - the big question is... did it hold the curl? A mascara can separate, volumise and define all it likes but if it doesn't help to lock in the 'swoopiness' then it won't float my boat.  I was actually really happy with this - it really does seem to hold a curl very well and my lashes stayed in place all day. Result.

Overall, I have to say I've been impressed with this mascara and I'll most certainly make a purchase on it in future.  I was really happy to discover that they offer a waterproof version too as I usually wear water-resistant mascaras on a daily basis (saying that, I never noticed any smudging or flaking with this one - another big plus point!).  Although the brush is a little on the large side, I was sold on the unique design and the way in which it's so easy to apply - literally a few sweeps and you're sorted. If, like me, you have fairly straight lashes and struggle to find mascaras that hold a curl, it's well worth trying this one - it defines every single lash, is quick and easy to apply without the need for endless coats and it holds your lashes in place once you've curled them.  For £9.99*, it's reasonably priced too. You can find it on the Boots website here.

Have you tried this mascara? Are there any others from Bourjois that you'd recommend?

Monthly Favourites | March

No word of a lie, I actually had to check what month it is just then. Is it really April? Cripes. March was indeed a bit of a toughie for me.  Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis may have noticed that my usual blogging schedule went a little topsy-turvy. As the type of person who likes a bit of routine in her life, you can only begin to imagine how much this made my eye twitch with nervousness... however, that ugly, black cloud that some like to call 'the dissertation' is now handed in and I'm slowly starting to get my life back. Wahey! Hopefully, Bird's Words won't be so empty this month - I had visions of seeing tumbleweed bouncing across my blogger homepage if it carried on much longer...

Nevertheless, amidst all that time sat at my laptop referencing clever folk and trying to make myself sound somewhat well spoken (anyone else find themselves shocked at just how many 'therefore's and 'furthermore's seem to spill out when you start typing anything for uni?!) - I've still found the odd bit of time here and there to find myself some new favourites.  Here's what I uncovered last month...

Elizabeth Arden | Eight Hour Lip Cream*

Admittedly, this is a fairly new discovery for me and I've only really been using it religiously over the past couple of weeks, but Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour lip cream has become my go-to lip balm for March.  Ok, so it doesn't last the 8 hours - I shan't lie - but its a very good little tin of balm nonetheless.  I find it much more moisturising than similar products I have in my collection and it's really smooth and soft.  It also smells really fresh and pretty. It does absorb and sink in pretty quick, which is what makes me a little dubious to the 8-hour claim but I find that i have to apply balm much less often when I use this - must be doing some good! I have to say, it does moisturise them very well. I'm not sure if I'd go out and repurchase but it's a nice product to have in my handbag and on my bedside table.

Rimmel Lipstick in 'Undressed'

Ohhh what's a monthly favourites if there isn't a lipstick in there somewhere? This month, I've really gotten into nudes again.  But I've definitely switched up and away from the typical nudes I'd usually wear and gone for something a little more, dare I say, 'grown up'. At 23, that seems a little silly to say - but I've really been getting into brown-ish hues and darker nudes as opposed to milkier ones (not that I was ever into 'concealer lips' but you get what I'm trying to say...) I've really been loving this offering from Rimmel - so much so that I reckon I've worn it almost every day throughout the month.  It's such a lovely colour - it's ever so slightly darker than my lips so when I wear it it still looks like I'm wearing a lipstick as opposed to a tint or a nude balm - and it provides a great deal of definition.  I've had quite a few people ask me about my lipstick this month too - so it must be a good'un! I've also been a fan of Mac's 'Half and Half' which is ridiculously similar (Mac's is a tad darker) - if you're after a dupe - head on over to the Rimmel stand!

Deep Steep | Moisture Stick in 'Lavender and Chamomile'*

I mentioned this in my Love Me Beauty box post earlier in the month and mentioned how intrigued I was (post here).   It's fast become one of my new favourite products to reach for and I've found it so, so handy to have.  For some reason, around this time of year, my skin always seems to go a little itchy and irritable - I always seem to be allergic to something in the air around March time! This moisture stick is so useful - you simply just twist up and apply to skin - you don't really even have to rub it in (i do, but you could get away without it...) It's so simple to use and completely mess free so you can moisturise on the go without looking like a loon with a tin of body butter on the bus.  I tend to use it most on the tops of my arms and it provides instant moisture relief, at the same time as keeping your skin feeling soft through the day. Love it.

Dove | Purely Pampering Body Butter (Shea Butter & Warm Vanilla)

Speaking of body butter... Here's another one! Why do I always seem to have a body butter in my favourites? Nothing like realising you feature one every month to highlight just how quick you get through the stuff, is there?  I threw this one in my basket on a complete whim a couple of weeks ago.  I wanted to cut down on the fragranced stuff whilst my skin has been so sensitive and try something a little different. Dove always seems to be a winner for subtle scents so I opted for this one. I can't quite bring myself to use an un-scented product (such a girl...) so I thought this one would be perfect as it's not overpowering.  Firstly, the scent is beautiful - it's very light - but it's got a hint of sweet-ness to it. Secondly, the consistency is gorgeous - really thick and creamy - think Soap & Glory's Righteous Butter but even more so.  It's so dreamy - honestly, grab a tub! I'm so glad I walked past it and decided to take a chance - it's a definite re-purchase.

Eyelure | Naturalites in '020'

These have to be my most re-purchased lashes ever.  I know what you're thinking - but there's nothing to them? Maybe so. But that's exactly why I like them.  They look so natural and blend in to your real lashes so they're almost completely undetectable. They add that little bit of extra volume and thickness without looking like you're actually wearing falsies.  You know when you have one of those mornings when your mascara just doesn't sit right... (no? surely it can't just be me...) these lashes are perfect for those moments. They're super light and I often forget I'm wearing them. I much prefer wearing these to big, dramatic lashes now.  Honestly, give them a go. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Natural looking false lashes so under-rated.

Sanctuary Spa | 'Relax' Reed Diffuser

Yep. That's right. A reed diffuser. I'm aware it's not exactly the most exciting product in the world, nor is it beauty related but it's something I've been loving this month regardless. I'm a sucker for any 'relaxation' product.  This offering from Sanctuary is just the ticket - it smells beautiful - almost oriental - and it isn't overpowering either.  I catch the odd whiff of it when I'm sitting in bed or getting ready of a morning and I just love it. I can't really say much more about it other than it looks pretty sitting on my dresser and it makes my bedroom feel like my own little relaxation haven. Definitely going to re-purchase it as soon as it runs out - although judging by the size of the bottle, I doubt that will be anytime in the near future...

 What have you been loving this month? Any of my favourites tickle your fancy?

Girls With Attitude | False Eyelashes

Girls With Attitude Eyelashes* | link | £5.00

One thing I can't live without is false eyelashes. I don't wear them on a daily basis but if I ever have a bit of a 'do' coming up then quite frankly - they're a must have.  They define your eyes, add volume and length to the lashes and also photograph really nicely.  I recently had the chance to try some lashes from 'Girls With Attitude' - a website which stocks all sorts of beauty bits including false eyelashes and nails.  I must say, their website is fantastic and so easy to navigate. I found it really easy to browse through and they're all categorised so you can easily find what you're after.  They kindly said I could pick a couple of pairs to try and to say I was spoilt for choice would be an understatement.  I actually ended up picking out the 'Natural Beauty' and 'Swept Away' lashes and asked them to do me a bit of a lucky dip on the third pair - ever the indecisive blogger!

The lashes, like most falsies, come with glue and are ready to apply.  I decided to try 'Swept Away' on a recent night out and found them really lightweight and easy to place on the eyes - some lashes I've tried can be quite stiff and don't react nicely to being flexed/manipulated to the shape of your peepers, but these were really easy to fit on the lash line and weren't too long either.  I've never really tried eyelashes which flick-out at the ends - I'm very much a 'bog standard' eyelash kind of girl but I must say I'm now converted to a more 'swoopy' shape (yes, 'swoopy' - you get where I'm coming from...) They give the eyes a lovely little 'cat eye' shape without being overly false or heavy looking, and when paired with a smokey eye look really striking.  A couple of the girls who I went out with actually mentioned how nice my eyelashes looked and said they were shaped really nicely.  The lashes stayed put all night, and the glue held them firmly in place. I have sensitive eyes so sometimes have to be careful with what eyelashes I wear but I had no problem with these.

I also tried 'Natural Beauty' - a very lightweight, almost undetectable false lash.  Don't underestimate the power of natural looking falsies. Some of you might question why you'd wear false eyelashes if you aren't going for full on glamour, but I'm very partial to the more natural looking ones - I find they open my eyes and make my lashes appear longer and they're virtually undetectable from my natural lashes. If I ever have a presentation at uni or if I find my eyelashes just don't want to be curled on a certain day - then these come in very handy. They maintain the 'just applied my mascara' look all day long and because they're so natural looking, they don't look heavy or 'false' at all. In fact, if you're new to false eyelashes or want to try something for the daytime without looking overdone, I cannot recommend these types of lashes enough.  They're a must-have in my make-up collection for me and the shape and style is something I always go back to if my eyelashes are ever looking a bit 'sparse' - they give fullness but don't look like you've overdone your eyes.  

I'm so impressed with these eyelashes and I will no doubt be ordering from Girls With Attitude again.  I was so impressed with the selection - they really do have something for everyone and the range is one of the biggest and most varied I've ever seen from a brand. They have a pair of lashes for every occasion from 'natural' to 'dramatic' - or even full-on double lash effect ones and paper cut outs for the more daring amongst you. For any false-lash fan this company is one that you simply must know about and you can have a nosey at their site here.

Have you tried Girls With Attitude lashes?

Which eyelashes are your favourites?