Benefit 'They're Real' | Push-Up Liner and Remover

I might be a beauty blogger but I'll be the first to admit that I'm absolutely bloomin' useless when it comes to eyeliner. Let's face it, it's the devil of the makeup world isn't it? Many a time I've found myself rushing to be somewhere on time simply because I had a bit of a kerfuffle getting my 'flicks' even.  Yes. I hold my hands up.  To all of my dear friends who I know read this blog, it's never the bus that's to blame for my shoddy time-keeping despite what I might tell you - i think it's time to come clean... It's not the number 44. It's the eyeliner.  So when Benefit released their 'Push-Up' Liner as part of the 'They're Real' family, said to help make applying gel-liner a little bit more of a doddle, I was interested to give it a whirl...

Firstly, I love the concept.  As someone who has never dabbled in gel liner before, (I favour the more simple option of a pencil or felt-tip styled product) I thought it was a spiffing idea to combine the long-lasting quality of a gel liner and the convenience of a pen into one - essentially making application quicker, easier and much less of a faff.  You simply twist the bottom of the pen and you're good to go.  However, don't expect this to solve all of your eyeliner woes. It won't.  It has taken me a good few tries in order to nail the application of this stuff - it can be quite tricky at first to know how much to twist the pen, how much pressure to apply and exactly which angle to hold it at in order to get it right.  On the occasions where I have got it right, the effect has been great.  The pigmentation is amazing - the strong, matte black is long-lasting and has that lovely 'vintage' quality to it that compliments the 'cat flick' look. It stays put all day, and I haven't noticed any smudging or transferring onto the lids whatsoever.  You do have to be fairly quick to apply this - I've noticed it dries quite quickly so it's definitely a product for those of you who are already rather nifty with the eyeliner. The 'They're Real' remover is a great product to have in my bathroom cabinet.  As a fan of the 'They're Real' mascara (featured on my blog here and here) , which can be notoriously difficult to remove, it's handy to have and it does do the job very well. It doesn't feel greasy or heavy and removes all traces of makeup without having to scrub away for ages.

Overall, I wouldn't say I'm blown away at the moment.  At £18.50*, the Push-Up Liner isn't cheap and as someone who never really goes beyond a simple flick here and there, I can achieve my desired look with cheaper options on the market and I think I personally favour a liquid liner or 'felt tip' style.  If you love gel liner, are really are big on creating flicks and dramatic eyeliner looks, and want something that's going to stay put and resist fading, it's well worth looking in to - I won't deny it's incredible pigmentation and staying power! I just think, at the moment, it might be a little too hit and miss for me to use on a daily basis.  If you're going to buy anything from the They're Real range, I'd go for the mascara. It's honestly one of the best ones I've ever used (considering I usually hate splashing out on mascaras this is saying something!). 'Push Up' is indeed a fabulous product, and yet again Benefit have hit the nail on the head with the idea and concept, but for the time being, I think I'll stick to my trusty felt-tips! Watch this space though, I'm persevering with it... You can read up more about it and the rest of the range on the website here.

Have you tried anything from the 'They're Real' range?

A Selection of Bourjois Goodies...

Bourjois really are pulling out all the stops just recently with lots of new releases - it's no surprise that many of their products are being propelled swiftly into the blogger limelight! I'm particularly fond of their range of lip products and you can often find me having a good ol' swatch sesh at their stand - so I was really chuffed to have the chance to try out a few of their liners and, of course, the ever famous CC Cream! It's received one heck of a lot of praise amonst the blogger community just recently, hasn't it?  As the warmer weather seems to be creeping around the corner (albeit extremely slowly), it's good timing for this little tube to arrive on my doorstep.  I'm all for a dewy, light coverage as soon as the lighter nights start drawing in...So what did I reckon to this bunch of lovely Bourjois goodies? I shall get cracking with the nitty-gritty... 

123 Perfect CC Cream | £9.99* | Link
This clever little colour correcting base is filled with a selection of pigments in order to counteract dreaded dark circles, redness and dark spots. Been out on the tiles one too many times over the weekend? Fear not, this CC cream makes you look fresh, dewy and awake in a flash.  I'm all for a light coverage as soon as spring/summer rolls around, and although I must admit I'm not quite ready to put down my trusty bottle of Nars Sheer Glow yet, this CC cream has been my answer for those days where you just want a little bit of coverage but don't want to go all out with the foundation. It's so lightweight and blendable, and actually has a pretty good amount of coverage to say it's a CC cream - it counteracts any redness with ease, covers any blemishes or dark spots and even does a jolly good job at knocking out those pesky dark circles (and by heck - have I got a lot of those just recently!).  In the past, I've often found BB/CC Creams can lean much too pink or orange for me - but this little beauty matches my Simpson-esque yellow-toned skin perfectly! Hooray! It's almost undetectable and it doesn't look like I'm wearing anything at all - I love it!  If you do suffer with a little bit of redness (I don't tend to get a great deal of it so I can't vouch too much for this aspect) I can imagine it would be a great option to try due to the pigments it contains and the fact it leans a little more yellow.  Oh, and to top it all off, it also smells really nice and fresh - just what you want from a lighter coverage base.  The CC Cream comes in 4 shades, however, it's worth swatching in store - I have the shade 'Light Beige' and it seems to match my skin perfectly as it has more of a yellow undertone. Overall, I have to say I am very much in the rave camp when it comes to this product...Pat on the back, Bourjois. You have suitably impressed me.

Liner Feutre in 'Moka' and 'Violine' | £6.99* | Link
When it comes to liquid liner, I'm very much stuck in the 'black and nothing but black' rut - I know, call me boring - but I just stick to what I know.  However, these coloured options have certainly shook things up a little of late.  I've discovered I'm actually rather partial to a pop of subtle colour across the upper lash line now and again, who would have thought?! I love the purple because it really sets off the green tones in my eyes, and the brown version puts a neutral twist on my usual liquid-liner.   It's good to mix things up sometimes, right? I love the shape of these liners - they're very much my cup of tea and are so easy to get a good 'weight of line' going on. The felt-tip style works in their favour and they're super easy to apply and last pretty well too.  Yep. These are right up my street. 

Mega Liner | £7.49* | Link
Ok. I'm still a little undecided about this one.  I love the colour - the intense black shade really does crank up the definition and the staying power really is unbelievable. Honestly, could I get this swatch off my arm? No. No I couldn't get this swatch off my arm. It was the same story for my eyes - this stuff stays put - and it doesn't fade easily either. So if intense, long lasting black-ness is what you're searching for, this is well worth looking into.  However, I just can't seem to get on with the shape of the nib.  I very much prefer a tapered, felt-tip styled tip and if you have a tendancy to be a little cack-handed (even slightly) - you might find this will drive you up the wall. It's easy to achieve a variety of weights of line and it's quite good for getting a good flick going on - but it might take a bit of getting used to. If you're the type to think 'aint nobody got time for that' when it comes to fiddly things, then you might prefer the Liner Feutres featured above (much easier to get on with in my opinion!)

Beauty'full Volume Dark Kohl Mascara | £7.99* | Link
I'm extremely, extremely fussy with mascaras.  I can only think of 2 I actually love and repurchase on a regular basis - to say I'm a blogger and therefore try a great deal of different mascara offerings, that's saying something isn't it? It takes a lot to impress me. I must admit I do like the wand - the hourglass-typed shape really works at getting all of those piddly little lashes coated and it's quite good at getting into the inner corners of the eyes. I'm a big fan of Benefit's They're Real and one of the selling points of that one for me is the little 'spines' (is there a technical word for those things?!) at the tip of the wand - this one is quite similar in that aspect.  I also like the 'fullness' it provides my lashes with and it does give an intense black look.  I do like this mascara, but I'm not head over heels in love as yet. However, I always prefer mascaras once they're dried up ever so slightly, so I shall reserve judgement until then. It has good potential.

Overall, a fab selection of products from Bourjois and I wasn't disappointed with any of them. Personally, the CC Cream has to be my favourite of the bunch - it really is as good as everyone says (believe me I tried to fault it - I can't - shucks!) The 2 coloured liners are also really lovely - I like the fact they aren't too bright or 'in your face' - they provide a subtle pop of colour that's very wearable for daytime wear (even for a colour-phobe like me!) 

Have you tried any of these Bourjois products? What did you reckon?

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?

Monthly Favourites | August

You know those times where you just cannot get a decent batch of photographs to save your life? This was one of those times. Try as I might (4 times over) I just couldn't get anything to look right and this is the best of a bad bunch. I'm planning on giving my camera a good clean and a little spruce up over the weekend - so if any of you photography-nuts out there have any tips for me I'd be muchos grateful! Anyway, August has been a jolly good month for me. It's been my birthday (I'm now the grand old age of 23 - eek!), and I've also done an internship at a design agency so it's safe to say I've had a good couple of excuses to discover and try new things.  I have quite a few this month, so I shall get into the nitty gritty and quit with the waffle!

Neal & Wolf | Intensive Care Treatment*

I was sent this in my first Beauteco box (you can find it here, if you're interested!) and it has fast become my favourite conditioner - I will without a doubt be repurchasing once it runs out.  The formula is really rich and thick, and feels luxurious to apply.  Once rinsed out, it leaves my hair feeling nourished and incredibly soft - any frizzy bits or dry ends completely disappear and it makes combing through a complete breeze.  The best thing has to be the scent.  It leaves my hair smelling beautiful until I wash my hair again and if like me you wash your hair every other day - that's pretty impressive! The smell just seems to linger and you get a whiff of it every time you 'swish' your hair about (you'll be 'swishing' left, right and centre once you try this, honestly!).  It's not to everyone's taste - but it smells very 'salon like' and has a unique musky smell that is really, really addictive.

Mac Blush in 'Harmony'

This blush doesn't look much in the pan, but it's a beautiful colour once applied to the cheeks and it's one that gives a naturally contoured effect to the face.  Similar to Nars 'Douceur', the brown-y tones in this blush really make the cheeks 'pop' without looking like you've overdone it with the bronzing powder.  It's like instant cheekbones in a pot.  I'm planning a full review soon, so keep your eyes peeled. If you want an idea of how it looks once on, then I wore it in this recent post.

Moroccan Oil Treatment

Hair oils have been my saviour ever since I first discovered them.  I have built up quite the collection of various bottles over the past year or so but Moroccan Oil has to be one of the best. Yes, it's pricey. Yes, it's predictable - but it really does work wonders and if you still haven't tried it then it's worth treating yourself! It smells lovely, feels moisturising and has kept my hair in good condition throughout the summer months.  

Xen Tan | Moroccan Tan

This has been my first experience with Xen Tan and it certainly won't be the last!  It doesn't have even the tiniest hint of digestive biscuit in there whatsoever (yay for people not being tempted to dunk you in their tea of a morning! ;)). The lotion smooths on really easily with a mitt and feels moisturising to apply.  The guide colour is quite dark, but once washed off gives a lovely, even colour that lasts for a good while before fading.  The only downside is that it clings to the slightest dry patches, even if you've exfoliated well (trust me, there's always a little teeny-bit you miss and Xen Tan will pick it up) - it sometimes means that the guide colour can look a little patchy.  However, once washed off it always looks completely even.  It's really nice being able to go to bed smelling of coconuts instead of a soggy biscuit! I will definitely be going back to Xen Tan again.

Zara | Apple Juice Perfume

I talked briefly about this in a recent post, but it's the perfect summer scent and I've loved wearing it throughout the month.  It's not so summery that I won't be able to wear it throughout Autumn/Winter and it makes for a fresh, daily scent that doesn't break the bank (it's only a tenner!)

Art Deco Eyeshadow Base*

Again, I received this in my Beauteco box and am so pleased that I have been introduced to such a fabulous brand.  This eyeshadow base actually beats my Urban Decay Primer Potion (eek... never thought I'd say that) and is the perfect base for both cream or powder shadows.  You only need the tiniest dab for your whole eyelid and it really does keep your shadow in place for longer.  You can read more about it in my previous post.

Art Deco Soft Kajal Liner*

Again, Art Deco have impressed me! This eyeliner is just so creamy and soft - and applies like a dream without dragging the eyelid. The pigmentation is spot on and I actually prefer this to my Mac eyeliners as I find it easier and smoother to apply. I usually opt for liquid liner on my upper lash line but just recently I've been using this on it's own.  It gives a dramatic, smokey effect and can be applied in a neat, singular line or smudged out for a softer look.

Sinful Colors Nail Polish in 'Daredevil'

I haven't had this polish off my nails since I bought it.  It's become a little bit of a 'signature' colour for me the past few weeks and I've had so many compliments on it! People are always pleasantly surprised when I say it cost me just a couple of pounds! It's a gorgeous bright barbie pink with a hint of shimmer, and looks stunning with a bit of a tan. I have a full review of my Sinful Colour range including swatches here - if you fancy a nosey!

What have you been loving this month? Anything here take your fancy?

Brand Introduction | Makeup Atelier Paris

As a blogger, I love discovering new brands and trying out things I might not have tried otherwise.  I'd never heard of 'Makeup Atelier Paris' until recently.  I'd seen it appear on a few blogs and was really intrigued by some of the palettes - so I was really excited to be given the chance to give some of their products a try and see what the brand is all about.  Originating from France, Makeup Atelier Paris is a professional makeup brand which offers a vast array of products - from eye shadows of all colours of the rainbow to brushes and skin products.  I thought I'd give you the rundown on what I thought of each product...

Corrector Concealer Palette | £25* | link

I was really excited about this one.  I've recently ran out of one of my beloved Sephora concealer palettes and this one looked like just the thing to replace it.  The palette contains a mix of shades with a green toned concealer for redness, and comes packaged in a neat little plastic box.  The concealers themselves are fairly creamy, and when applied with a concealer brush blend really easily into the skin.  It's great for concealing small blemishes and redness, although dark circles require an extra layer or two. I like the fact that they don't feel oily and remain fairly matte once on the skin.

Cream Blush in 'Ambering Rose' | £12* | link

Of the lot, this has to be my favourite (no surprise there then! I love a good cream blush, me ;)). The shade is so pretty - a rose pink shade with a slight coral tint to it that adds warmth to the skin and looks dewy and fresh when applied.  I found the pigmentation to be really good and it blends really nicely.  It's not quite what I'd call 'cream to powder' but it doesn't feel greasy or heavy on the skin - it's just a nice little mid-ground cream blush that can be built up or worn subtlely. It adds a bit of moisture without looking 'shiny' - the formulation is definitely the type of thing I lean towards. I apply this using either my fingers or a stippling brush - and both ways provide a lovely finish.  I love this one!

Eyeshadow in 'Blue Marine' | £8* | link

I'm still undecided with this one.  I don't tend to wear a lot of colour and I've never really thought of wearing a navy shadow before.  That being said, I headed over to Pinterest (as you do...) and found heaps of inspiration for creating a gold & navy smokey eye.  I'm promising myself I will try and be brave and create more of a colourful look next time I'm heading out for the night and feel a bit daring with my makeup! I didn't find the eyeshadow to be the most pigmented shade I own, nor is it the softest - it took a bit of working up to build up an intense colour but I found it worked better with a really soft blending brush.  

Eyeliner Cake in Black | £12.50* | link

At first, I'll admit I wasn't keen on this one. I found it quite hard to work into and when applied I had to use a few layers before it looked like an intense black. I also found it a little uneven to apply at times. However, when I decided to give it one last try with a wet brush I found myself eating my words! To get the full potential from the cake eyeliner you have to use it wet - it gives a really, deep intense black colour that smooths on really easily and dries quickly.  You can see the difference of colour from the swatches above (the top photograph shows it applied with a wet eyeliner brush, the bottom one shows the eyeliner applied dry). Once it's on, it's on - although it does smudge a little in places throughout the day if you're not careful.  I've never used an eyeliner like this before, so it's been quite a refreshing change for me.  It's really grown on me!

I think it's safe to say the cream products came up tops for me - the cream blush and the cake eyeliner being the favourites by far! I wasn't so blown away by the eyeshadow, sadly - although this may be partly because it's not a shade I'd normally lean to anyway and i prefer a more creamy feel to my powder shadows.  I really want to try more of their cream products - inparticularly the HD Blush and Iridescent Highlighter. And of course I'm tempted to give the lipsticks a try (typical Beth...)   At the moment, I believe you can only buy them online from the actual website (you can find it here) - but I definitely look forward to hearing more about the brand in future and hope to give some more of the cream products a try!  I'd be interested to know other people's thoughts on the products as they seem to be a bit 'hit and miss' for me - but I cannot deny that I have found a couple of new additions to my makeup collection that I know I will use often.

Have you tried anything by Makeup Atelier Paris? I'd be interested to know your thoughts!

Urban Decay Eye Pencil in 'Demolition'

Ooooosh - snazzy photographs I here you say? Well yes, you'd be right - they are somewhat more 'snazzy' than the norm for me, but if you're a fellow blogger you'll be aware of the tricky little challenge/balancing act that is photographing eye pencils. Flippin'eck, did I get in a kerfuffle with this one - pesky thing just couldn't wait to roll off somewhere every time I perched my finger on the shutter button. After a bit of patience and a few carefully placed flowers to jazz things up a little, I thought I'd just go ahead and use the best of a bad bunch - I couldn't go without sharing this one. I've been using it all month. Urban Decay's 'Demolition' Eye Pencil is one of the newer additions to my collection and I've used it non-stop since I bought it - black eyeliner has taken a back-seat in my makeup regime for the time being. Before I went on holiday, I'd really had enough of lining my eyes with standard black liner.  In the summer I often go without lining my eyes and opt for a more natural, fresh look to my peepers. If I do need a little definition I tend to lean towards brown shades instead of piling on layers of black.  After misplacing my ancient brown eye liner, I decided it was time to treat myself to one of Urban Decay's waterproof pencils. I've always loved their eyeshadows so I figured I'd also be a fan of their liners.  Luckily, I wasn't wrong.

I won't go into too much detail - it's just an eye pencil after all.  But what I really love about this one is it's staying power. Some eyeliners just run for their life on me - I do have sensitive eyes and a dose of hay fever on top of that means they often get watery, so something that stays put for me is essential.   Well, this beauty stays put.  I was really impressed on holiday - the humid, balmy nights often mean that any eyeliner I apply has a tendancy to evaporate into thin air, but this one stayed almost exactly how I'd applied it and didn't smudge or fade.  It's quite a soft pencil to apply - being in between a creamy and waxy formula and doesn't require a great deal of building up to achieve a rich, deep brown. The consistency means it's soft enough to be a doddle to apply, but not so much so that it just slips right off your face as soon as a bit of humidity or warmth hits it!

At £14.00 a pop, these eyeliners aren't cheap, but worth it due to the staying power and quality.  If you're after a brown eyeliner that applies well and stays put, it's worth having a look at Urban Decay's range as they have so many different variations of shades (I was torn between 3 different shades of brown when choosing at the counter - eek! Don't give an indecisive blogger a choice!) I will certainly look into grabbing more colours in the future. It does exactly what it says on the tin (or box...) and it's been my go-to eyeliner pencil in my make up bag since I bought it.

Have you tried Urban Decay's eyeliners?

Eyeco | Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner

Eyeco Skinny Mini Liquid Liner | Black | £10.00 (link)

You know how it is when you're walking through the airport shops before a flight - racks and racks of magazines stare back at you and somehow, you end up balancing a massive stack of them, wobbling towards the tills with your hands full of crap, boarding card in between teeth and a pack of Glacier Mints for good measure.  I often get sucked in by freebies, and this time was no exception - Marie Claire were giving away a free Eyeco eyeliner and I quite fancied something to try whilst I was away. You can take the beauty blogger out of the country, but you can't take the beauty blogger out of the girl... I certainly nabbed myself a copy and their Skinny Mini Liquid Liner became my little tester for the week.  Eyeco is a brand I've always wanted to try and I'd always heard good things about their mascaras and eyeliners. 

First off, before I even get to the product, I have to say I really like the packaging.  Yes, It's silly to take cosmetics at face value, but let's be honest - good packaging can make or break a product (and the Design student in me is fascinated by this kind of thing...)  The little box it comes in adds to it's appeal (none of that fiddly plastic over wrap that I always break my teeth on trying to rip!) and the silver pen feels sturdy and of good quality.  The product itself has a felt-tip nib, which is dome shaped with a thin tip.  This makes it really easy to create flicks and differ the weight of line you use on your eyes. It makes going from 'thin to thick' really easy and it helps create a seamless line from inner to outer corner.  I actually found it easier to draw a thin line on my eyes as opposed to on my hand, so it does depend on the angle you're used to drawing your flicks at I guess, but I found the application really swift and quick.  The nib isn't so long that it becomes flimsy, but it isn't so rigid that it's hard to manoeuvre - it's quite good balance between the two and I found applying it a doddle.

The finish is quite glossy - I'd liken it to Loreal's Super Liner Carbon Gloss (one of my favourites) - I seem to prefer a slightly glossier finish to my liquid liners as opposed to matte, so this gets a thumbs up from me.  It defines your eyes really easily and the deep black colour means you only need one coat for it to look noticeable.  Eyeco's Skinny Mini Liquid Liner is said to be long lasting, and I would agree with this.  It's not waterproof or anything, and after a fair few hours the gloss fades slightly but the line lasts all day without budging or flaking off.  Ever since Loreal's offering has been hard to come by (I've heard it's been discontinued?), I've found it difficult to find a liquid liner that gives a similar definition and finish, but Eyeco's version is so similar and actually easier to apply.  I really like the nib as you can create flicks or a thicker weight of line so much easier than with a longer tipped liner.

Overall, I really like the Skinny Mini Liquid Liner. Yes, it's easy to say that about a freebie in a magazine so the question is - would I purchase it again? And I honestly would.  I've been reaching for it so much just recently and I used it for my entire holiday. I'd love to try the different colours they offer (I'm intrigued by the brown and purple version!) and when this runs out I reckon I'll be ordering my next one.  I adore the glossy finish and instant opaque colour it gives - and the nib means that you can go as natural or as dramatic as you want just by varying your pressure.  You can purchase Eyeco's Liners on  Eyeco's website, ASOS or Beauty Bay for £10 - which isn't cheap for a liquid liner but it's certainly not completely off the mark.  If it lasts as long as my trusty Loreal - then I'd be happy to part with the pennies for it. I'm tempted to grab the brown version next... Dare I say it, but I think I've found my new favourite!

Have you tried anything by Eyeco? Would you be interested in trying their liners?

*Edit: Since writing this post, I was sad to discover the Eyeko eyeliner dried up very quickly on me and didn't last as long as I expected it to. I could have just picked up a dodgy one but be aware that although the application and pigmentation is unfaultable, the longevity of the product isn't the best.

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April Favourites

It's the beginning of another month. Which can only mean one thing. Favourites time! I do hope you have all been enjoying the rare occurrence that has been this wonderfully sunshine-y bank holiday! For those of you who are blessed to live in sunnier climes (lucky devils, you), it is simply an unwritten rule that whenever the sun decides to show itself in the UK, everybody, everywhere across the whole country must adorn their summer wardrobes, dust down their flip-flops and herd to the nearest watering hole. And stay there. Even when the sunlight is fading for the day and a mere strip of light on the pavement is all that remains of the excitement of the past few hours, we stay there. Until every last ray that we can possibly squeeze from the day has disappeared.  And even then, by heck are we taking our sunglasses off!? I love it when the sun comes out - it's amazing how much happier it makes you feel and even the simplest things like going for a walk and queueing for a Mr Whippy feel like the most exciting thing you've done since forever.  The pubs are full of bare beer bellys and football shirts galore, and the air is filled with many a whiff of BBQ's from every single garden on the street.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a red-hot summer now (even if red-hot simply means that we remain in decent double figures for more than the one week of nice-ness we usually get..)  Anyway, typical British rambles aside...here are a selection of my monthly loves..

| Moroccan Oil Treatment |

After using my mother's sample size of the Moroccan Oil treatment, it's safe to say I'm hooked. So much so I now have a fuller version.  You may have seen my post a while back on my love for hair oils (here), and my love very much remains the same.  I can't say I can tell a huge difference between this and my Macadamia Oil, but the smell of the Moroccan Oil is just divine. Honestly. I urge you to sneak a little sniff of this beauty if ever you get the chance. It's just what dreams are made of.  Yes, it's pricey. But it's worth every penny and a bottle like this would last you an absolute age! It leaves your hair feeling incredibly soft and nourished and I will never ever wash my hair again without applying some form of oil to the ends. Honestly, trust me on this - never again will conditioner simply be enough.  I really want to try their shampoo and conditioner now - my mum uses them and loves them to bits so I'm definitely on the hunt for some to try for myself now!

| Mac Turquatic Perfume |

The sun came out. So it's only fair that this little beauty came out too. If you have never copped a sniff of this summer-staple, I urge you to do so right away. Seriously, go knock yourself out and drown yourself in it. It's beautiful. Now, I'm no good with describing scents whatsoever, but I shall try to nonetheless. Imagine sitting by a pool somewhere tropical, cocktail firmly in hand and the sound of the sea gracing your ears. It sounds obviously cheesy, I know, but conjure up an image of your ideal sunshine getaway and this perfume is exactly what it would smell like. Right down to the tropical fish swimming around your ankles.

| Benefit High Beam |

I wrote about this product briefly a while back when I reviewed Benefit's Coralista set (here) and I've always enjoyed using it.  Ever since I first sampled 'Sun Beam' a while back it's safe to say I've had great admiration for these highlighters. The past month, I've been using this over all of my powder highlighters (my Nars 'Albatross' has taken a firm backseat for now) and I just love the dewy glow it gives.  You don't need a lot at all, and just a few dots of it along your brow bone and your cheek bones blended into the skin with a small fluffy brush gives such a gorgeous bit of dimension to the face without being glittery.  I find it looks a lot more natural than my powder highlighters and it's perfect for the slightly warmer weather we are having - I love that it looks dewy and glowy without looking false. It looks like your own skin. No glitterball-face in sight!  I even pop a few dabs on my chest area if I'm going out - it's such a versatile product, and one that I guess I didn't realise just how good it was until just recently. I'll definitely be buying the full size bottle once this runs out - and I really want to try Moon Beam now.

| Nyx Cream Blush in 'Natural |

This blush is one of my spring/summer staples (I actually have two pots of it so I have back-up!) and I included it last year in my 'Top 5 Summer Blushes' (you can have a nosey at that here). I have another shade of theirs and absolutely adore the consistency.  I'm really not a fan of cream to powder blushes as I find them drying - so this one is perfect because its moisturising enough to feel silky smooth on your cheeks but not so heavy that it slides off. Nyx have got the creamy texture spot on the mark and I get a good few hours wear out of them before they fade.  They don't go patchy either.  I simply love the shade - it's a perfect pinky-nude shade, making in the perfect summer companion. 

| Loreal Super Liner Perfect Slim Liquid Liner |

OOf. What a mouthful! I'm a big fan of liquid liner. And a big fan of Loreal's.  I usually use their ever-famous Super Liner Carbon Gloss, but on a recent makeup spree I decided to throw this one in the basket instead.  I wasn't instantly fussed but now I find I'm reaching for it quite a bit and I really quite like it! It's different to the Carbon Gloss due to the slightly thinner, and less flexible tip that makes it more of a felt-tip styled liner.  It's slightly less glossy and looks a little more matte in finish. What I love is the the fact that you're able to vary the weight of line effortlessly, and cat-flicks on the outer corners of your eyes are much easier to achieve. I really like it. Stays put all day, a doddle to apply and a offers a little more precision than other liquid liners I've tried.

| Mac Lipstick in 'Freckletone' | 

I've just realised I have no photograph of the lipstick in the bullet, but I've actually taken photos for a compilation of my nude lipstick collection to be posted soon so it will be included there.  This lipstick deserves a lot more recognition. If you're a fan of Shy Girl - then you will love this. It's a beautiful glossy mid-peach/nude shade that looks very flattering on both pale and darker skins. It's also rumoured to be a favourite of Kim Kardashian and Beyonce. Who can argue with that!? It's a lustre finish so wear time can be a little disappointing, however I can overlook this. It's such a gorgeous, glossy shade and one that I've been wearing almost every day since I bought it.

Also, before I tottle off to paint some more pictures for my children's book (the end is in sight!) I thought I'd be a little bit cheeky and mention the Cosmo Blog Awards. If you're a regular reader or somebody that enjoys reading my blog, it would mean one heck of a lot if you hopped over and voted for me here (it only takes a second or too..I promise)! My category is 'Best Established Beauty Blog'. I shall give you the biggest virtual hug ever if you decide to drop little old me a mention :)

What have you been loving in April? Anything here take your fancy!?