The Perfect Daytime Pink | Revlon 'Pink in the Afternoon'

Oh what's this? Another lipstick on Bird's Words? Yes. It is indeed another lipstick on Bird's Words but it's a stunner to say the least. I've been trying to curb my lipstick buying habits (honestly), but I guess you could say I've failed on my little mission because I ended up giving in to temptation at the Revlon stand just recently.  I have to say, I do love Revlon lipsticks. Some of my most loved shades happen to be Revlon (Cherries in the Snow anybody?) and I just find them to be of really good quality and the packaging and finish is always spot on.  'Pink in the Afternoon' is a gorgeous mid-tone pink with a beautiful creamy finish. It contains an exclusive blend of moisturisers and vitamins and is really silky smooth and soft to apply to the lips, whilst providing a slightly glossy, natural finish.  It's the perfect pink for daytime wear and it's so effortless and chic.  I actually bought this shade because I spied it on a friend of mine and instantly knew I had to own it - it really is stunning and it looks lovely with a bit of a tan too as it isn't too pale. It reminds me of one of my high-end favourites, Mac 'Fanfare' (post on that here) as it has the same sort of undertone and finish - it's maybe slightly lighter but if you're after a lovely neutral pink, it's well worth looking in to these 2.  

Overall, another fabulous buy for me. This is a shade I will get a tonne of wear from and Revlon never fail to impress me with their lipstick selection. For £7.49, they're really worth the money and I recommend looking into their range if you're after a good quality, drugstore lipstick. You can find this shade on the Superdrug website here.

What's your favourite Revlon shade? Any others you can recommend?!

Glossy Vampy Lips | Revlon Evening Opulence Lipgloss in 'Embellished'

So I happened to be strolling on by the Revlon stand the other week.  I'm never normally one for buying lip glosses - lipsticks tend to tickle my impulse-buying fancy much more - but I took one look at this beauty from Revlon's new range and knew it had to make its way in to my collection! Revlon have bought out a new trio of glosses as part of the 'Evening Opulence' collection and the shade 'Embellished' really did catch my eye.  I've been quite partial to a 'vampy' lip of late - I'm drawn to deep berry shades and dark, wine coloured reds and this gloss seemed like the perfect counterpart to my new lip colour preference! 

The colour is simply stunning.  It looks somewhat different when swatched as it does in the tube - as you can clearly see from the photographs above.  In the tube, it appears much more purple toned, but when swatched on the hands and lips appears much more of a wine tinted burgundy red. Right up my street. The flecks of purple and red glitter make it just that little bit special and add to it's festive appeal (yep - now it's November I can officially throw Christmas out there!)   It's slightly sheer, so it will look different depending on what lipstick you decide to pop on underneath (if any at all) - I find it darkens any plum colours slightly and adds extra depth and dimension to a berry lip.  It's ever so slightly 'vampy' whilst still being completely wearable.  As for consistency,  I do find it ever so slightly sticky, but then again, I find most glosses annoying to wear and I wouldn't say it's overly thick or gloopy.  I also don't find the glittery flecks gritty in any way.  I also have to admit that I'm a sucker for Revlon's packaging - their quilted lids really do appeal to my packaging preferences (such a marketer's dream aren't I?) and the long, doe foot applicator makes for a swift, easy application.

I've recently invested in Mac's 'Dark Side' and have been wearing Collection's Deluxe Lipstick in 'Prohibition' (post on that here) almost constantly the past few weeks, and a slick of this on top adds the perfect finishing touch.  The lip swatches above show what the gloss looks like layered on top of 'Prohibiton' (this is also the lip look I'm wearing in my current Twitter pic, if you're interested) and completely on it's own.  Some might prefer wearing it on it's own - it's much more toned down without a lipstick underneath yet still makes a bit of a statement - although I much prefer it layered over my trusty lippies!  Even if you don't want to go for a full on glossy look, it looks lovely when simply dabbed on and creates a much more natural finish and 'just bitten' kind of look to the lips.  Overall, I'm glad I bought this little beauty. The flecks of glitter simply make it for me and I really love the effect it gives. I reckon it will be creeping into my handbag for nights out over the festive season! You can have a nosey at the 'Evening Opulence' collection here, and the glosses retail for £7.99 - not bad for a good quality, nicely pigmented gloss!

Have you tried Revlon's lipglosses? Are you loving dark reds as much as me?!

Top 5 Autumn/Winter Reds

Swatches Top to Bottom | Rimmel Kate Moss '107' / Collection 'Prohibition' / Mac 'MAC Red' / MUA 'Shade 13' / Revlon 'Red Laquer' /

Autmn/Winter is the perfect time of year to really experiment with berry tones and statement reds.  A red lip is timeless and classic - and once you've found 'the one' (or in a beauty blogger's case - a fair few) you'll never look back.  A pop of red on a dreary winter's day always looks striking, and the whole build-up to Christmas is the perfect excuse to get festive with your lip colour.  Berry tones and pillar-box reds are my preference for the winter months, and I tend to lean towards orangey-reds in summer.  If you're a 'red lipstick newbie' it's worth baring in mind that what might look amazing on you in winter, might look a bit dull on you in summer and vice versa. So, this in mind, I thought I'd give you a run-down of my current Top 5 'wintery reds' in no particular order... I have worn the majority of these in different posts so I've linked those into the mix as well if you want a more in-depth look at the shades.

Rimmel | Kate Moss '107' 

Ohhh Kate Moss. Your lipsticks sent beauty bloggers across the globe into a berry lipstick frenzy last year. A year later and I'm still addicted to the infamous '107'.  This is the darkest shade of the bunch and is a dark berry red with hints of purple.  It's very much a gothic twist on the classic red, and although it appears scary in the tube, it looks beautiful once on the lips.  It very much reminds me of Topshop's 'Beguiled' (post here) and is amazingly pigmented.  It's quite matte - so it isn't for the faint hearted but it's a lovely colour all the same.  Want to see what it looks like on? You can find my previous post on the shade here.

Collection | Deluxe in 'Prohibition'

I have written a whole post on this little beauty including a snap of it on the lips here if you want to read more.  This shade is my most reached for lipstick at the moment and has to be my current favourite.  I actually prefer this to '107' - although almost identical in shade, this one is a touch lighter and is much more glossy - although it's still strongly pigmented.  It's just the perfect consistency in my opinion and I find it so easy and comfortable to wear. I don't find it drying in the slightest (107 has a tendancy to be a bit drying) and I've been wearing this in both the day and at night - it looks lovely with a simple, neutral eye and a slick of liquid liner.  It's the lipstick I'm wearing in my current Twitter picture, if you're interested! I shall be doing some sort of post on the look soon so keep your eyes peeled!

Mac Lipstick in 'MAC Red'

This lipstick is an absolute classic in my eyes.  I love it.  It's a true 'pillarbox' red shade and looks so striking when worn. It's quite a bright red and looks amazing on the lips as it makes such a statement.  The satin finish and vivid colour it provides are just the perfect combination.  It leans slightly blue without being overly cool in tone, and instantly makes your teeth look whiter.  It applies like a dream and stays put for ages - it looks so classy and timeless. If you're after a classic, true red - look no further than Mac's 'MAC Red'.  I have to say Mac's Red lipstick selection is second to none. There's something there for everyone.

MUA | Shade '13'

THIS little beauty is my red staple and has to be one of my all time favourite reds.  I wear this in the day (I even wear it to Uni) and on nights out and every single time somebody will ask me what shade of red I'm wearing.  Every time I tell them it's a £1 special from Superdrug their little eyes light up with delight (I should really stop telling them shouldn't I? - I'm giving away my MUA secret!) It's extremely pigmented - probably the most pigmented of the bunch - and is so soft and creamy to apply.  It's a lovely, instense bright red and I like it because it isn't too orangey - it suits me in both the summer and the winter time without fail and if MUA ever discontinued it I would bulk buy a lifetime supply quicker than you could say 'product rave'.  True love right there.

Revlon | Red Laquer

This shade is perfect for those days where you don't want to be too 'OTT' but fancy a little pop of colour.  Similar to Revlon's 'Candy Apple' lip butter but slightly brighter, this shade is such a lovely, subtle orangey-red that is just perfect for every day wear.  You don't need a lip liner to wear it, you don't need to spend 5 minutes in the mirror pulling your 'concentration face' and you don't need a special occasion to pull it off - it's just the perfect understated red.  The orangey tone brightens the complexion without looking too sickly - and it feels glossy and smooth to apply.  I think of it as a watered down version of Mac's 'Lady Danger' with a glossy, buttery finish.  If you're interested as to what it looks like on, I wore it last Christmas in this FOTD.

You've got to love a red lipstick, right?  I'm addicted to buying them! My collection must house an entire spectrum of crimson shades now and one day I shall have to sit down and photograph them all because that would just be extremely satisfying....  I shall be sure to keep you posted if there's any more additions - I currently have my eye on Mac's 'Hang Up' but I reckon I might pop that on the Christmas list...

What's your favourite winter red? Any of these tickle your lipstick taste buds?!

Revlon Lipstick | 'Skyline Pink'

Revlon Lipstick in 'Skyline Pink' | £7.49

Yes. I bet you're all rolling your eyes aren't you? 'Beth's blogging about another lipstick'.  If you've been following me for a while you will know that they're my biggest weakness. I don't feel quite 'finished' without a slick of lipstick. And this little beauty is one of my newest additions to my stash. I'd been eyeing up Mac's 'Pretty Please' for a while - and although i liked it - I just couldn't bring myself to buy it.  This is when I spotted this offering from Revlon - an extremely similar shade that's pretty much identical.  I adore Revlon lipsticks.  I think they're bang on the mark and rival some of my high-end lipsticks in terms of both quality, packaging and pigmentation and I've built up quite the collection of them over the past couple of years ('Cherries in the Snow' is the perfect winter pink - one of my all time faves!).   I love the gold tubing and black lettering around the middle - so simple but really elegant and totally worthy of the price tag in every way.

'Skyline Pink' is a pearl finish - which has a certain frostiness to it that is very 'love or hate' - but I adore it!.  The formula is lovely - really moisturising (like all Revlon lipsticks I've tried), not at all gritty and lovely and smooth to apply.  It is admittedly the type of colour that you can only pull off at certain times of the year (definitely not with a tan!) due to it's milky, paler appearance, but it's simply stunning when worn in the right way.  It's a beautiful pastel pink, with flecks of shimmer throughout it - almost appearing silver in certain light.  It's quite a 'young' shade - and at 23 I'm still unsure I can really pull it off but baby pinks have always been a guilty pleasure of mine and I'm determined I will make it work.  It looks lovely when worn lightly, or over another pink lipstick or paired with a slightly darker gloss.  I will have to make some sort of 'Face of the Day' with it over the autumn/winter time - I can see it looking lovely with a paler complexion and a smokey eye once the weather turns colder. Skyline Pink isn't for everyone - but I love it.  It's a little nod to my younger self and with a smokey eye I reckon it's going to be a winner for me - it's pearlescent, shimmery, pink and undoubtedly very, very girly. What's not to like?!  If you've never tried Revlon lipsticks I highly recommend them - they're some of the best drugstore lipsticks I've ever used and they do some absolutely stunning shades. I might have to do a collection post over the next few months?

Have you tried Revlon Lipsticks? Love them as much as me? :)

May Favourites

Change of scenery for the ole' bloggles today.  The sun was shining so I thought I'd make the most of it - the neighbours must think I'm a right nutter sat out in the garden, photographing a pile of lotions and potions.  The weather has been undoubtedly warmer of late (hooray) and it's fair to say we have been spoilt just recently with a day or two of sunshine.  I tend to switch up my routine as soon as the slightest hint of summer rolls around - I banish my wintery cosmetics to the bottom of my makeup drawer and go a little crazy for cream products and anything coral...

| Garnier Ambre Solaire | After Sun - Hydrating Tan Maintainer |  

Okay. Not the most exciting of products to kick off my monthly favourites, but it's one that I swear by through Summer. I've had countless bottles of this stuff now and when I jet away on holiday, rest assured I have one in my suitcase.  It's such a lovely little after sun - it smells like holidays and is cooling and calming and the gel-like consistency sinks in really quickly.  Nothing special I hear you say? No, I suppose not - aftersun is aftersun after all. But this one helps to maintain your tan. It contains a teeny-tiny amount of false tan that helps to deepen the natural tan you already have - without smelling of typical false tan.  It's very subtle, but there's something about it that really does work - and heaven forbid they ever discontinue this. Garnier - you have been warned ;)

| Garnier | BB Cream in 'Light' | 

Most bloggers I know really aren't a fan of this. I think I must be in the minority that really get on with Garnier's BB Cream.  It was the first one I ever bought. I've branched out and tried many others, but I always come back to this one.  I don't have oily skin in the slightest so I guess this is why I find it works for me - it's very creamy and moisturising.  It's just perfect to 'slap on and go' when I'm having a lazy summer morning or if it's really warm and I don't want to have foundation sitting on my skin but still want a light bit of coverage. The sun protection in it just adds to it's appeal in the summertime.  I personally really like it and find myself continuously going back to it.

| Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in 'Pinched' |

An old favourite of mine and one that I always reach for as soon as the weather warms up.  It's such a lovely cream blush - it's not too drying (I'm not a fan of cream to powder blushes) and it's not greasy - for me, it's just the perfect, light consistency that makes this blush one of my top summer products. I'm a fussy little madam when it comes to cream blushes - and Revlon have got it spot on with this one.  It's very subtle - so on darker skin tones or on deeply tanned skin it's not the most pigmented of blushes - but this is what I like about it. I've been opting for a dewy, bronzed look just recently so I don't want my blush to be too overpowering. A quick sweep of this with my Real Techniques Stippling brush of a morning and I'm good to go.

| Models Own Nail Polish in 'Blueberry Muffin' |

I tried so hard to resist this. I really did.  I'm a sucker for blue polish and I lost count of the amount of times I shuffled past this on the shelf... I finally caved.  It's such a lovely shade of powdery, pastel blue, and to say it's such a light shade it really does show up on the nails which is what I love about it so much.  Oh..and it also smells of blueberry muffins - what more could I ask for?!

| Lord & Berry | Luminizer Stick in 'Moon' |

I won't say too much about this, since I already have a full review here, but I've really been loving this just recently.  Similar to the Nars Multiples, you simply twist the product up and apply straight to the areas of the face you wish to highlight.  It's such a lovely shade and very easily blendable.  It's effortless. If you're a newbie to cream highlighters or just fancy something a bit different from powders - it's worth giving this a whirl.

| Origins | Super Spot Remover | 

A cult favourite amongst beauty bloggers everywhere so I'm sure you've all heard of this little miracle worker. I've been reaching for it a lot this month as I've been on and off medication and my skin has had a little strop as a result.  This bottle may look tiny, but my goodness it packs one heck of a punch and stops any spots right in their tracks (it also lasts a lot longer than you'd imagine - I'm not even halfway through mine and I've had it since Christmas).  If you pop it on as soon as you feel that 'tingle' then it more often than likely won't even surface.

| Balance Me | Balancing Face Moisturiser |

I've written a whole post on this moisturiser (you can read that here) so I won't say too much - but it's a fabulous product for combination/normal skin and really helps to balance your skin.  It sinks in quickly and leaves your skin really smooth to the touch - making it perfect for using both morning and night.

| Chanel | Tan De Soleil 'Bronze Universal' | 

I've included this in a couple of posts before and it's featured in my 'How I Contour' post here if you fancy a nosey at how I use it.  It's just such a versatile product and one that I always reach for. Even when the sun isn't shining.  It can be buffed in over foundation or worn underneath to give a bronzed glow.  I sometimes use it for contouring my cheekbones and the consistency is just perfect - I haven't touched my powder bronzers in quite a while because of this little gem!

| Rimmel Lipstick in 'Nude Pink' | 

May saw me rediscover one of my old favourites in the lipstick department.  I'm a big fan of Rimmel lipsticks (especially the Kate Moss ones!) but this shade is one that I always return to.  It's more of a nude coral than a pink as the name suggests, and it looks really lovely with a tan.  The slightly frosted finish is surprisingly flattering - and although it's not everyone's cup of tea, I really love it. I love nude lipsticks for daytime, and the coral tone to this one is just perfect for summer.

And there we have it. My monthly favourites for the month of May.  I'm sure now I've stacked up all of my cream products and summery stuff that the weather will go back it's usual cruddy self.. but this month has really got me into that 'summery mood'. I'm just about to sit down and look for some late holiday deals now...wish me luck!

What have you been loving this month?

Recent Buys | New Nail Polishes

| nail swatches all photographed with a topcoat polish |

If you follow me on Twitter, you may know that I recently took the plunge and sorted out my nail polish collection. Yes girls - I embraced my inner ruthless-ness and got rid of any I don't wear or any that had simply gone gooey and well past their prime! I find it very hard to part with nail polishes - collections are updated so often that it's sometimes hard to find a replacement for a shade that you're getting rid of and as someone who changes their nail polish up to 3 times a week (shocking .. I know, I just can't stand chipped talons!), having a big selection of shades is quite important to one's manicure regime!  Since clearing out the somewhat obsessive collection, I've been really good and only purchased 5 newbies over the past 3 months or so (this is astonishingly good going for me - it's taken a big fat dose of willpower not to accidentally-on-purpose knock a couple of bottles into my basket when picking up neccessities). I thought I'd show you the ones I decided to cave in to.. one brand being one I've never tried before but have been so superly duperly impressed by I will most probably be going back to grab the whole shade range pretty soonish..

| Sinful Colors | Timbleberry | £1.99 |

A brand I've never tried before but one that I will be buying into again for sure. The quality is amazing - for the price of £1.99 it is such a bargain and it beats my more expensive polishes in terms of application and wear time without a doubt.  I noticed very little chipping and the formula is smooth and easy to paint on.  The colour is also amazing - it's a lovely orangey coral colour with a slight hint of pinky red - a really interesting shade that is really bright and colourful - perfect for this time of year and one that will take you through summer as it will look beautiful with a tan.  A girl even stopped me when getting on the bus to ask what shade I was wearing on my nails - so trust me on this - the photographs don't do it justice! My local Boots store have quite an extensive range of shades - one of the best displays of colour i've seen in a long time - I really, really recommend you have a little nosey if you spot them.

| Orly | Purple Crush | £5 |

 This has been on my wishlist for ages.  At £5 it isn't the cheapest of polishes and the bottle is definitely on the small side, but I loved the colour so much I decided I'd treat myself.  I must say, the only downside to this polish is the wear time - I personally find it chips quite easily, and when dry the finish is quite matte.  I'm a big fan of shiny, glossy nails so this is something that annoys me a little.  I have to apply a couple of coats of my top coat to get a good gloss on it. Apart from that, I love the application and the colour range available, and the colour only takes 2 coats to get a fully opaque finish.  I actually quite like the little bottle and the brush - it's all very cute and it makes for a fool proof application - yippee.

| Barry M | Mushroom | £2.99 |

An old favourite and a cult product amongst the blogger world.  Such a brilliant understated colour that gives a nod to the whole 'nude nails' trend without looking sickly.  Barry M's polishes are some of my all time favourites and the quality is bang on for the price.

| Revlon 'Moon Candy' Collection | Galactic | £8 |

An impulse buy, and an expensive one at that! I was so taken by the little duos in their 'Moon Candy' collection and even though this polish probably isn't the most obvious choice now we're coming into Spring/Summer - it's one that I simply had to have.  The little foil pieces in the polish bring the shade to life and add so much dimension and interest to the nails.  I really love the finish it gives and the irridescent pieces certainly aren't skimped on - it only took two swipes with the brush to get the finish shown in the swatch photographed above.

| OPI | Teal The Cows Come Home |

Bought in a blog sale for £5 - I've had this on my list since last year so when I saw it in a blog sale recently I had to get it! OPI polishes don't come cheap so I was really chuffed to grab it for a fiver! If you're a regular reader of my nail-related posts you'll know I adore blue polish - and this shade is just the most beautiful shade of turquoise blue ever. It's not the most opaque polish in the world, which is a shame as it takes a good 3 coats to build up properly, but I've also worn it over plain blue polish to give a bit of metallic dimension and it looks amazing. I love it.

I've done so well to hold back on the temptation to go crazy and build up my collection again. But I think it's good to have a good clear out and buy shades you really love instead of having a load of them you'll probably never wear.  I will certainly be stocking up on more of the Sinful colours range - there's some amazing bright corals and blues in their shade selection that I simply need in my life! You can take a little look on the Boots website here (I'd also just like to add I am in no way associated with this company or being paid and poked with a stick to sing their praises - I just happened to stumble upon them and think it's of paramount importance that you are all aware of their existence!)

Have you tried any of these brands? Whats your favourite shade right now? I'm on the lookout for some new favourites!

Revlon | Nearly Naked Foundation

Revlon | Nearly Naked Foundation | £8.99

I think it's safe to say I've become a bit of a foundation-aholic the past couple of months.  I used to be the type of girl who would find a base they like and stick to it, but just recently I've been testing and trying lots of new ones to add to my makeup collection; it's good to have variety there - my skin doesn't always call for the same coverage every day and I find it refreshing to have a bit of a choice.  Hardly surprising then that I got caught up in the hype that is Revlon's Nearly Naked foundation.  Being a fan of light, sheer bases I knew I had to try it.  Do I like it? Yes. But there's a few things I have mixed opinions on..

First off. The shade range. I've never tried any Revlon foundation before (I know, shocking..I've had their Photoready foundation on my wish list for donkeys..) so I wasn't sure where I would be in their shade spectrum.  After much debating I settled on '150 - Nude' as I'm usually one or two shades darker than the lightest available. However, in the morning when I decided I would give it a whirl, it became apparent that the colour was a touch too dark (my fault, not Revlon's!). I can usually get away with a shade lighter or darker but it was a struggle getting it to blend seamlessly because of the pink undertones to that came through once applied on my more yellow-toned skin. Feeling a little bit annoyed with myself for picking the wrong shade (we've all been there, done that and got a replacement bottle), I thought I'd grab a lighter one.  Every store I went in had '130 - Shell' as the next shade down, so I grabbed it and crossed my fingers.  It does match a great deal better, as it seems a little more neutral with the undertones, but it's possibly a touch too light.  What a kerfuffle.  I tend to wear the lighter shade as I find it blends better into my skin, and mix it with the darker shade in some areas if I think I need to.  This said, I find there's quite a bit jump between the 2 shades and I can't seem to find a middle-ground?! I don't think there is a '140' but if anyone has found one, do let me know as I seem to be smack-bang in the middle here. That was probably my first and only little gripe.

I find it gets messy very quick due to there being no pump, but to be honest, I can look past this. It doesn't effect the foundation in any way and if I over-pour I simply just tip a little back in - it's actually very handy as you can see exactly how much is left and rest assured you can get every last bit out once you're running low. The foundation itself is lovely. Now, I shall be honest here and say it didn't blow me away when I first started using it. There was no 'crikey me I think I've just found my new holy grail' moment but I did like how light and easy to blend it was and I didn't put it straight back in the drawer.  I've been reaching for it a lot just recently over my slightly heavier foundations. My skin has been a little on the dodgy side due to various reasons the past couple of weeks, and I've found it covers any blemishes well without drying around them and making them appear worse. Some might think that having a few blemishes would mean a heavier foundation, but for me I find a lighter base works better when I'm having a bad skin day - as it doesn't exaggerate the dodgy bits.  It helps to mask them and smooth out the skin, and also doesn't appear obvious that you're trying to hide something because it doesn't look 'caked on'.  You do need a primer if you want it to last (for reference I use Loreal's Studio Secrets Resurfacing Primer and it works very well with it). The first few times I wore it without a primer, it faded pretty quickly within about 3 hours, but if I make sure I prep my skin beforehand and dust a little of Mac's MSF over the top to set, I get a good 5-6 hours wear out of it albeit a little wear around my t-zone.  After application it gives is a very natural, satin-like finish.

It feels very, very light on the skin which is what I love about it. It's an absolute dream to apply and blend (I use a Real Techniques Buffing brush and it works a treat!) I do agree with the claim that it looks almost undetectable from your real skin, and it feels completely weightless.  I would say it has a little more coverage than a couple of my BB creams, but not much. If you're an Estee Lauder Double Wear girl then I'd stay well clear of Nearly Naked! But if you're in the market for a lightweight, subtle foundation that feels like you're wearing nothing on your skin, I'd really recommend it. Yes, there are a couple of things I'm not so sure on, but nothing major and I can see why there has been a lot of hype surrounding it.  It's really grown on me and I've been wearing it daily the past fortnight - it's been a little saving grace for me and my skin just recently and the only gripe I have is with the shade range for me personally but then again, I'm always awkward. I'm glad I have it in my foundation drawer and for summer I'm sure I'll be reaching for it a lot more! It wasn't instant love but it's getting there - once you learn to work with it I have to agree with the masses and state that it's a very good little foundation that does what it says on the tin (or bottle..)

Have you tried Revlon's Nearly Naked?
What were your thoughts? Yey or Nay?

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?

January Favourites

Swatches | L - R | Chanel Tan De Soleil - Bronze Universal / Mac 'Blushbaby' / Revlon 'Red Lacquer' / Mac 'Lady Danger' / Rimmel Apocalips in 'Galaxy, Luna & Big Bang

January is a strange month, isn't it? All the excitement of Christmas is over, the Quality Street tins that once adorned our coffee tables are replaced with credit card bills , and the bank balance looks a little sorry for itself to say the least. It's safe to say I'm ready for Summer to come around the corner now!  Here's this months picks of my favourite and most used beauty items of January...

The Body Shop | Indian Night Jasmine Fragrance Mist | £7.50 - This scent is the most glorious aroma to ever pass my nostrils, let me tell you! It's one of those fragrances that you find yourself walking past on your dressing table and spritzing the air around you just for the sake of it! Now, I'm not a massive fan of floral scents, so don't let the name put you off - it has a certain spice to it that hints towards more oriental notes. It is both refreshing and light, and smells just as 'expensive' as any perfume would, just with a little less staying power! The next time you pass The Body Shop, give this a spray - I bet you'll be as addicted as me!

Soap & Glory | Girligo - Spray On Body Moisturising Mist | £6.50 - I have a review coming up on this little beauty, so I won't say too much about it.  It's fabulous for lazy days when you step out the shower and just want to get ready and go! It saves the need for body butters and also acts as a regular body spray with moisturising benefits - and it smells amazing.

Soap & Glory | Clean on Me Shower Gel (mini) | £2.50 - How did I ever live without this little bottle of yummy-ness sitting on my shower shelf?!  Definitely going to purchase the full size once I've used up the rest of my stash.  Lathers like a dream, smells good enough to eat and is really creamy and luxurious. Perfection.

Liz Earle | Cleanse & Polish | Hot Cloth Cleanser (Starter Kit) | £14.25 - I have a review of this little beauty here. It's been a little skincare saviour for me and it's such a good little cleanser. I really recommend it.  I have sensitive skin and I've had no problems whatsoever - in fact, I'm yet to read a negative review!

Nivea Essentials | Rich Regenerating Night Cream | £4.07 - My skin has been really, really dry just recently. My usual nighttime moisturiser just wasn't cutting the mustard to be honest, so I bought this on a whim.  It's quite heavy, so I don't use a lot of it - just where I feel I need it.  When I wake up in the morning my skin feels really soft.  It's not for everyone - if you struggle with shine I'd stay away from this - but I've got on with it very well and it's solved my temporary skin woes!

Chanel | Tan De Soleil Bronze Universal | £30 - I love this so much I actually cannot explain in words... I'm thinking of doing an in-depth review on it soon.  I use it for contouring every day and I just can't imagine my life without it now! I've used it every day since Christmas and I've barely touched the surface.. suits my winter skin perfectly and looks natural and light.

Mac | Sheertone blush in 'Blushbaby' | £17.50 - This blush is excellent for those days when you aren't sure what to wear as it's a fairly understated colour. It's fabulous for effortless contouring, as using this alone defines the cheekbone area and makes your face appear more structured.  

Rimmel | Apocalips | £5.99 each - Ohhhh how I love these little beauties! The perfect mix of a lipstick, lip gloss and a lip stain.  I cannot wait to pick up some more shades - I'm addicted. You can read my full review and see swatches of them on the lips here.

Mac | Lipstick in 'Lady Danger' | £14.00 - This lipstick is perfect for nights out when you really want to make a statement with your lips.  I've had a couple of nights out just recently and have worn this countless times - even in the day! It's the most perfect coral red, is beautifully bright and just oozes sex appeal! Oof ;)

Revlon | Super Lustrous Lipstick in 'Red Lacquer' | £7.49 - I wore this on Christmas day (you can see my FOTD here) and it's just the perfect understated red for when you want a pop of colour without going 'OTT'. Perfect for day wear, moisturising and has impressive staying power. It has the same sort of undertones as Mac's Lady Danger but is slightly more sheer in finish - if you're not a fan of matte, opaque reds, then this is a good one to opt for.

Have you tried any of these products? What have been your favourites this month?

 ♥