New Vaseline

 

I have been waiting for them to bring out a red-tinted Vaseline for ages, so this is great news for me. I love red lips but hate the effort they involve, so this is perfect. The only let down is the spiced berry scent (for me that is so unappetising). I would have preferred no scent. It's available on the Selfridges website for now but should be rolled out into UK drugstores soon!

 

http://www.selfridges.com/en/Paint-The-Town-lip-therapy_277-73029548-96095089?cm_mmc=Social-_-Vaseline-_-launch-_-0309

Maybelline Baby Lips

I genuinely thought this was an overhyped product before I tried it. How could just a tinted lip balm get so much online attention?

Now it's being rolled out into the UK I decided to pick up the shade 'Pink Punch', a bright Barbie pink which smells of pineapple. I initially thought the packaging was a bit babyish, but I've grown quite fond of it as it reminds me of the Lipsmackers I had when I was younger. Buying Babylips has actually made me want to go and repurchase Lipsmackers, I saw a Twister flavoured one in Topshop the other day which I will have to go back and buy. 

Anyhoo, the balm is literally all I've been using for the last week or so . My lips are soft and moisturised and you give the illusion of making an effort because the tint really looks like it could be a sheer lipstick or gloss. Pretty perfect for quick make-up before lectures. I also have my eyes on the 'Peach Kiss' shade, a peachy nude which, again has all the benefits of a lip balm. 

There are six variations in total (see below), but they have also released 'Baby Lips Loves Colour' inthe US, which are a 6H moisturising balm with a stronger hit of colour. I'm not sure when they will be released in the UK.

Priced at £2.99 each, or 2 for £5 in Superdrug at the moment, they're cheap and no fuss and look great on the lips.

From left to right: 'Grape Vine', 'Pink Punch', 'Peach Kiss', 'Peppermint', 'Cherry Me', 'Hydrated'

'Pink Punch'

Maybelline Mega Plush Volume Express

 

I picked this up in Boots the other week, as I was in need of a new everyday masacara. Something that gave length and volume, but without the drama. This fits the bill pretty well. It isn't the best I've ever owned but it has done a good job of not smudging at the end of the day (a problem I always always have!).

 

The packaging is pretty nice, and easy to spot in the bottom of a handbag. The application is a little wierd- I find it very 'light' when I put it on- as if the brush isn't doing anything. You have to give a good couple of strokes to get a good lash.

 

Overall I'd say it's good, not great but good- I think it is still at introductory prices, so for £6 you can't really go wrong. I have noticed that the new gel-mousse formula does prevent lashes from going brittle or flaky, but it can still smudge after a night out- but hey what mascara doesn't?!

 

With Mascara On- during the day I like a natural look

Do you own this mascara? What is your favourite everyday masacara? Don't forget to follow and leave a comment!

Hawaiian Tropic Lime Coolada Body Butter

Just a quick post on my favourite body butter at the moment- the Hawaiian Tropic Lime Coolada Body Butter. It's one I would never think to pick up as I associate Hawaiin Tropic with sun cream and aftersun. After I smelt my friend's I had to have it! It smells gorgeous- just like fresh mangoes and holidays away. It's also a great moisturiser with 'cocoa, shea, mango and avocado oil'. The body butter is a medium consistency which soaks quickly into the skin, leaving behind that amazing scent... get me to the beach...

 

 

 

 

On another note if you haven't already, give WIMH a look!

 https://www.whatsinmyhandbag.com/u/heathrey

 

 

Hawaiian Tropic Lime Coolada Body Butter Boots
http://www.boots.com/en/Hawaiian-Tropic-Lime-Coolada-Body-Butter-200ml_871470/  £5.24 200ml

 

Revision Beauty Essentials

With revision looming over all students I thought it might be good to do a revision related post. I described them as my beauty revision essentials but really they are just nice things that I lumber around with me in my bag and whack out to procrastinate with. Nevertheless they have their benefits!

Caudalie Beauty Elixer

This is a great multipurpose product. It can be used a toner, whilst its essential oils are great for a pick me up half way through the afternoon (I spray onto my hands and breathe in). I also spray onto my face to set make up in the morning and again during the day to refresh it. It is a tad pricey however and some may find the minty scent too strong. There are other cheaper versions available though,  I believe Simple has a version which does a similar job.

Soap and Glory Handfood

More often than not if you ask somebody if they use hand cream its Hand Food. And for good reason. Unlike classic brands like Crabtree and Evelyn and L'Occitaine which for me leave a greasy residue, Soap and Glory's wonder soaks right in allowing you to carry on writing without waiting. Plus the smell is amazing. What's not to like!?

MAC Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in 'Fuchia Fix'

This is basically fancy pink tinted vaseline with a vanilla taste and smell. I picked it up at an outlet outside Miami but you can get it in any MAC store. It's easy to apply and gives a beautifully sheer wash of colour and has moisturising properties- great for during the day.

Does anyone have any essentials they can't leave the house without? Let me know in the comments below and don't forget to follow if you like what you are reading!

http://uk.spacenk.com/Beauty-Elixir-100ml/UK200005089,en_GB,pd.html 

Caudalie Beauty Elixer £32.00

http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-and-Glory-Hand-Food-Hand-Cream125ml_27890/ 

Soap and Glory Hand Food £5.00

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/164/643/Products/Lips/Lip-Care/Lip-Conditioner-SPF-15/index.tmpl 

Mac Tinted Lip Conditioner £11.00

L'Oreal Paris GlamShine Stain Splash Swatches and Review

Hello again, sorry for the slight delay in posting this I've been up to my eyeballs in uni. I have been lusting after these badboys for little while and picked them up in Boots 3 for 2 the other day.

The glam stains are non-sticky, versatile and have great colour pay off. I love the packaging-chic and compact. My personal favourite is Lolita- a mauve-pink with gold shimmer which I have been loving for day time wear. Romy is a flirty baby pink with silver shimmer whilst Princess is a gorgeous bright coral perfect for lazy summer days. The product goes on easily with a doe-foot applicator and feels ever so slightly sticky- but nothing unbearable. Girls who aren't a fan of stickiness should definitely give the product a chance.

 My glamourous model for today is Antonia and she has olive skin which works perfectly with Lolita and Princess- she finds the product perfect for daytime both in colour and in formulation.

Antonia 'It's well smooth...'

Do you have your eyes on the L'Oreal Paris GlamShine Stain Splashes? Do you own any- what is your favourite colour! Let me know in the comments below and don't forget to follow!

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-GlamShine-Stain-Splash_1309088/ L'Oreal Paris GlamShine Stain Splash, £7.99 Boots.

NOTD Essie Mint Candy Apple

My perfect summer shade..what is yours? 

No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation Review

As many in the blogging world already now, No7 can now match your perfect shade with their Foundation Match Service which 'measures your skin's colour and matches you to your perfect skin-true foundation'. So that's exactly what we went and did! My friend Kate is my lovely model for today and she prefers a matte finish so chose Beautifully Matte. 

The process itself of getting matched is fast and easy. The assistant simply removed Kate's foundation near her chin, clicked a button and gave a near on perfect shade, picking up Kate's rosy undertones which she had always struggled to match previously. The formulation of the foundation is thick, but applies smoothly (I used a MAC 190 foundation brush to apply) and gives full coverage without appearing mask-like. 

  

Here is Kate's finished look which is great to transition from day to night (just add a little eyeliner and you're set to go):

Products used: No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation in the shade 'Soft Rose', Benefit That Gal Primer, Laura Mercier Translucent  Loose Setting Powder, Benefit Boi-ing Shade 02, Benefit Sun Beam, NARS Orgasm Blush, Benefit Bella Bamba, Laura Mercier Warm Eyebrow Definer, Maxfactor Clump Defy Mascara, Urban Decay NAKED palette, Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in the shade '101', Covergirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzer in Guava

Kate: 'It's dead good'. 

What do you think of the Foundation Match Service? Do you have a No7 foundation? What do you think?

http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Beautifully-Matte-Foundation_1273293/ £12.95 in Boots 

Micellar Waters

Bioderma is a beauty cult product. It gets rid of every last scrap of make up every time and is gentle on the skin. For those with sensitive skin (or wanting to jump on the bandwagon!) who want to try out Bioderma but find it difficult to get hold of, L'Oreal have released their own Micellar Water. For those on a budget it seems be a pretty good dupe and for only £2.49 (RRP £4.99) in Superdrug you can't go wrong sista. B. Pure Micellar Water is another option which you can pick up in Superdrug. Looks like Lisa Eldridge and the rest of the beauty blogging world has started a trend here!

Do any of you use these products? 

http://www.escentual.com/bioderma/bioderma015/ Bioderma Micellar Water
http://www.superdrug.com/loreal-skin-perfection-3-in-1-micellar-solution-200ml/invt/639956#readReview L'Oreal Micellar Water
http://www.superdrug.com/b-pure-micellar-water-150ml/invt/548853 B.Pure Micellar Water

Seche Vite- A What's In My Hand Bag Try

Okay so I have had my eye on Seche Vite for a wee while, but suffice to say I am a bit of nail biter. I love nail varnish and have always had a steady collection going but lately haven't really invested in a quality top coat. A friend of a friend used to work for OPI however so I have tried a few of their top coats and have never had any complaints.

If any of you out there haven't heard of WIMH (What's in my Handbag) I urge to you to check it out. It's a great new website giving people to opportunity to try out luxury brands at affordable prices plus a look into the handbags of style gurus/bloggers/celebs/journalists etc. It's definitely a website I check up on a lot. You can also build up your own beauty cabinet with your very own products and create a want list too! And as a founding member I was lucky enough to be able to try out Seche Vite. 

Who doesn't love sexy packaging?!

Seche Vite dry fast top coat

When I first tried this out it gave a great glossy finish. I went about my business loving life with my new sexy mani (feeling fabulous of course) when to my horror it literally peeled off in one fail swoop on my ring finger. Other nails were to follow. 

Anyway, I had a little peruse on MUA (my go to website for a quick honest review), many people had experienced the same issue. Advice came in the form of apply it to wet nail polish. So I went ahead and did that and I am pretty impressed as it no longer has the weird flexible texture. Just lovely shiny colour. These are the steps I take to ensure it doesn't peel off:

1. Apply a base coat.

2. Apply a thin coat of your chosen colour.

3. Apply a second coat of your chosen colour once you have allowed the first to dry.

4. WHILE SECOND COAT STILL WET apply Seche Vite in a medium thick layer, not allowing the brush to touch the wet colour below.

5. Give a good 10-15 minutes to fully set (don't be a mani-ac and start doing the dishes.. see what I did there!?......)

OPI 'Lucky Lucky Lavender' with Seche Vite Top Coat

For ladies who are big on nails and have the time to tend to their manicure it's a must have, for those who enjoy nail varnish but aren't committed to a perfect finish every time it's perfectly okay to go for a cheaper brand. I personally recommend Rimmel's 60 Second clear nail varnish as a cheap top coat alternative.

What do you guys think about Seche Vite? Got your eyes on it or do you have another top coat fave? Leave a comment and let me know!

If you want to check it out: https://www.whatsinmyhandbag.com/r/2tx3

Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat http://www.seche.com/

OPI 'Lucky Lucky Lavender' http://www.lookfantastic.com/opi-lucky-lucky-lavender-lucky-lucky-lavender/10374966.html

Top High End and Drug Store Mascaras

High End
These two really are the epitome of luxury. For me, Eyes to Kill gives a more natural look, whereas Faux Cils is more of a night out mascara for ultimate drama. 
1. Emporio Armani Eyes to Kill £24.50 Selfridges
2. Chantecaille Faux Cils £35.00 Space NK

Drug Store
I love Maybelline mascaras, in my opinion they bring a little slice of high end to the high street. I wear Maybelline The Falsies in Black/Brown when I want the length, thickness and volume but a more natural look.
1. Maybelline The Falsies £7.99 
2. Maybelline The Collosal Volume Express £7.99

Bourjois Blush and Hayden Panettiere Look

I recently picked up a lovely little bourjois blush in the shade 'healthy mix', which is dubbed as a universal shade for all skin tones. This is another addition to the successful 'healthy mix' line, which so far consists of foundation, powders, concealers and now- a blush!

I have been looking for the perfect sheer peach blush for quite a while-nothing too coral/orange nor too matte. This shade fits the bill very well! It looks very natural on the skin, giving it a sheer peachy glow making it perfect for every day and even evenings with a tan in the summer time for me. I would also agree that the shade is universal, this peachy shade would look great on almost anyone. Its also very difficult to apply too much, which would be great for people in a hurry. Only thing I'm not a massive fan of is the smell- it reminds me a little of incense/potpourri. 

The packaging is the same as all bourjois blushes and fits very snugly into my make up bag. I love the magnetic strip which closes the compact, as in the past I have crushed blushes/bronzers when I haven't snapped them shut properly (also makes a pretty satisfying click when you close it).  

So it's a definite thumbs up from me- especially with boots three for two on who can say no?! Do you have this blush or do you have a favourite blush? Let me know!

You can pick up bourjois 'healthy mix' blush in most high street pharmacies in the UK, and of course online. And below is collage look using the blush, inspired by Hayden Panettiere!

Caviar Nails

Caviar nails are dubbed as the ‘first three-dimensional kit’ for nails. Its not for everyone as I think you can tell- my mum was hatin’ on it big time. Here is the ‘Black Pearls’ kit in total which includes: a tray for catching the beads, a Ciate paint pot in Ghetto 02, the black pearls, a mini funnel to get your beads back into the bottle and of course instructions and handy tips.

I wont faff with telling you how to do it. It wont be for everyone- nor is it for every day but for special nights out it ticks all the boxes. The lasting power states 48 hours on the packet, but mine have never lasted that long. The price tag isn’t great retailing at £18.00 or $25.00 in the US, but you do get many looks out of the set plus a great high quality glossy black shade. If your nails are bitten perhaps try press ons before application.

Below are examples of how to switch up the classic look displayed on the box, using the Caviar Nails kit and ‘Feelin’ Hot Hot Hot!’ by OPI but it is really up to you! The top coat I used to protect the edges of the look was Rimmel 60 Seconds in 740 Clear (a great affordable range at only £2.99 a pop at Boots). You could even mix up the beads from the different sets: ‘Mother of Pearl’ and ‘Rainbow’.

There are loads of cheaper drugstore alternatives now such as MUA’s nail constellations, so technically everybody can try this look out.

Do you have/want Caviar nails, or MUA Nail constellations? What do you think?

Rimmel Wake Me Up Before Ya Go Go

Okay so I picked up Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation for £4.98 (yes you heard right) in Wilkos the other day. I normally steer clear of drug store foundations (don’t get me started on Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse), but I’ve heard positive things about this particular foundation.

Packaging: It’s okay. It isn’t nearly as dainty as my current HG Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. A tad heavy also. But there is something pleasing about the strange bottle nonetheless. Claims to: ‘visibly reawaken and illuminate skin with a radiant glow and a flawless natural-looking finish, instant anti-fatigue effect’… yadayadayda.

First Application: Pumps out nicely, not pumping too little or too much. I used a Mac 190 to apply, and it goes on surprisingly well. It has the feel and smell of a foundation that could be double or triple the RRP (usually £8.48 in most stores- quick run to Wilkos!). Noticed a lot of shimmer however which from close up potentially looks odd but from a normal distance appears to give a delightful soft focus, glowing effect. Will have to keep an eye on that shimmer later on in the week and update if needs be. Perhaps for the more mature ladies this could be a great holiday foundation, but not for every day if shimmer is too much.

Finish: This foundation, in my opinion sits on the fence between matte and satin, simply because of the shimmer. I don’t feel like I need to apply powder however, which is great. For the more oily of complexions I’d advise using something like Urban Decay De-Slick instead of powder and a good silicone primer, or else ya’ll lose that radiant glow!

So how does it score?

This is such a great foundation for the price, achieving something that not many high end foundations do. I'm not saying it's the best but it fills a nice little niche of its own because of that cheeky shimmer. I will certainly be keeping it in my make up bag for the time being. Colour range could also be better, this formulation would be perfect for darker skin tones. Sort it out Rimmel!

A pleasing 7.5/10

Leave me a comment letting me know your favourite foundation, or if you have Wake Me Up, what you think! x

Take A Peek

Here are some of my coveted favourites right now, a top ten if you will. Enjoy!



1. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua – this is a pretty great foundation. Hyped up by every beauty blogger and their mum, VA brings a velvety glow and warmth to the skin whilst retaining a good low to medium coverage. I will apply this with either a 190, a real techniques stippling brush or fingers depending on the finish I want. However- it isn’t a game changer I can definitely feel the urges to move on after 6 months- may be defecting to YSL Radiant Touch for summer (Oh the traitor I am!).

2. NARS Orgasm Blush- this is such a classic. A sassy strawberry-mango with shimmer, Orgasm is fabulously pigmented and long lasting. Because of this it will be a strong contender in your make up bag for a while to come. Plus who doesn’t love its cheeky name! Just don’t go applying it too thickly or you will look like a circa 1870s lady of the night.

3. Chanel Bronze Universal- A bronze addicts dream! This silky smooth multipurpose gel/balm glides onto the skin giving a natural glow which surprisingly fits many a skin tone without entering the ‘You’ve been tangoed’ danger zone. Just remember to use a synthetic brush (I’m still picking out the brush hairs *sigh*.)

4. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm- I love this two in one product. You can use it as a primer and a mask. This is one of those products that just immediately hydrates the skin, preps it and gives the skin a lustre which you just don’t get with most primers. As a mask it cools and calms the skin- perfect after a hard week. It also smells nice and I’m a sucker for that.

5. Chanel Illusion D’ombre in Emerveille- shimmered peachy champagne unique in formulation to most cream eyeshadows. This lies in between a mouse and a cream giving effortless application and longevity. Oh I am such a fan. One sweep across the lids, touch of mascara and your away- it can even be used as a base.

6. Chantecaille Faux Cils- A real luxury this smells just like rose petals and contains natural waxes to condition your lashes. I think my lashes have really thickened up naturally since using this mascara, and as it dries to a more glistened finish you don’t end up with crispy lashes (always a plus). Having said all this it is a touch pricey and there are plenty of mascaras out there which won’t punch your bank account in the same way.

7. Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer- great for blemishes, under the eyes and lasts all day. Great on its own or with foundation. It doesn't settle into fine lines under the eye which is my main concern.

9. Laura Mercier Warm Brow Definer- this little pot of wonder takes away the need for multiple products on the brows. No powder, wax then brow gel needed here! It does it all. I apply with an angled brow brush. It’s simple to use and can be built up for more dramatic brows.

10. Real Techniques Stippling brush – I thought I should include a brush here, and one that I believe is really accessible to everyone. Great quality, great application and a flash of hot pink. You can’t really refuse can you? This brush in particular would be great for those starting out in make up or for people who want a brush to do the hard work of many. Foundation, Cream Bronzer, Blush even powder at a push can be done by this brush.