Products that I don't "get"

Here is a small selection of items which I know some people rave about, but I just don't get on with them at all. Don't you hate that?

1. MAC Face and Body - When I first got this I really liked it actually. But as I have used it more and more, I'm not liking it so much. It is a water based foundation and is incredibly runny. When you first apply it on your face it just feels so wet! Obvious I know. It also has a horrible smell. I'm using this as my every day foundation for going to work purely to use up the bottle. But it's my least favourite foundation that I own. It's not that bad, I just don't think it's that good.

2. Maybelline Brow Drama - I got this because I had heard some people say it was similar to the Benefit Gimme Brow, which I do really want to try but refuse to pay the hefty price tag! Maybelline seemed like  safe, cheap bet for me. I really don't know what to do with this thing. The wand is like a giant bulb, there is no way to get it precisely on your brows. Also it makes your brows really crispy. Maybe I just haven't figured out the proper way to use this stuff but for now I am not happy with it.

3. Clinique Chubby Stick - I got this free in a magazine actually. It's not a bad lip balm crayon but it totally is not the best. It is a bit more waxy than I would like, and also the colour is so sheer. It is not a patch on the Clarins lip balm crayon!

4. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - this is a little sample size but enough for me to try it out numerous times. I just don't know what to do with this thing. I put it on and it does nothing for me. I want that glow that folks talk about! I would hate to have paid for the full sized product. Also it kind of has a weird smell.

5. Maybelline Colour Tattoos - These are decent enough, but they crease like crazy on me. What I love about cream shadows is how they stay put all day and even make a great base under eyeshadows. But the Maybelline Colour Tattoos aren't working for me! I thought they would be good for mornings when I'm heading to work as something quick and handy to put on my eyes, but they are currently neglected at the back of my drawer. Why do these work for lots of people but not me?


I don't know if I am using any of these products wrong or if they just don't agree with my skin type - which would be weird as I have a normal skin. If you have any tips on how best to use these please do let me know!

Are there any hyped up products which you don't get on with?

Clinique Party Tips - Nail Polish Trio Gift Set

I received this lovely box as a Christmas present. I have never used Clinique polishes before but even the presentation and the packaging of this box is just very fancy!

Inside the box is this cute little bag, with the three nail polishes inside. The nail polishes are petite 5ml bottles, they are absolutely adorable and the shades are second to none.

L-R - Black Honey, Strappy Sandals, Polished Amethyst

This is Black Honey. I absolutely adore this colour.... it is the most beautiful, deep, aubergine colour. Application is just like a dream. The polish is a cream texture and feels so smooth on your nails. I have used three light coats here. I haven't worn dark nail polishes for years and years. This one has really taken me by surprise and I love it. I think this is my favourite colour of the trio!

And here is Polished Amethyst with Strappy Sandals as an accent nail. Polished Amethyst is the most beautiful, fuchsia pink nail polish ever. It is almost iridescent. It's not really shimmery, but it has a glossy kind of metallic sheen. That is probably the worst description ever! But I really do love this colour. It was a dream to apply too, it is almost a one-coater but I applied two coats to give the colour a bit of extra depth.

Strappy Sandals is an incredibly shimmery, metallic silver. This one would have a frost finish. It could apply in quite a streaky fashion if you aren't careful. The consistency of the polish is very lightweight and a bit runnier compared to the others. Again I used two coats here. This polish is the most long-wearing of the trio!

I am very impressed with Clinique polishes. Apparently they are designed for sensitive skin. I can't vouch for this as I don't have sensitive skin and can wear anything on my nails. But colour wise, and texture wise, they are absolutely brilliant! As for wear, I got a good three or four days out of them before they started chipping. These colours are absolutely gorgeous, especially for this time of year. The standout in this collection for me is Black Honey.

What do you think of these nail polishes?

Beauty stuff I got for Christmas

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a nice Christmas! I certainly did. It is so good being off work for a while. I have been enjoying just being at home, watching movies, eating chocolates and just generally chilling out! It's going to be so difficult getting back into a routine in the new year. But I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

So on Christmas Day, it was so much fun being at my sisters house. We played games, ate great food and just had a really nice day. Christmas is so not about presents for me, although I did get some lovely things. I just enjoy having fun. But, I will now show you what beauty stuff I got for Christmas. Admittedly, I did buy a lot of this myself with money I got. (Thanks dad!)

Clarins Eye Contour Balm - I chose this as I really need to start using an eye cream again. I have read good reviews about this one and the texture is so nice. I don't see any results just yet but I swear I will apply this religiously every night!

Lancome Rouge in Love Lipstick - I adore the cute packaging of this lipstick! The shade is "Midnight Rose" which is a gorgeous deep, raspberry pink. Unfortunately I have been unable to wear it yet due to a horrible outbreak of coldsores :( but this shade is so beautiful. I cannot wait to wear it.

Clinique Party Tips Nail Polish Trio - I love these gorgeous nail polishes, and is it just me or are they the most perfect shades for New Years Eve? I am kind of excited to try out Clinique polishes for the first time. They come in such a cute bag too.

YSL Touche Eclat - Oh my God, where has this been all my life? You know how I always complain about my undereye area looking less than impressive, and no concealer helps? Well this is so light and brightening, it is exactly what I needed! I got shade 2. I swear this is the best thing I have ever tried, and the only concealer that has ever made any kind of difference.

Sampar Sea Scrub - I have been lusting after this for some time. The scent of this product is to die for, it just smells like a luxurious spa. I actually thought this product was for your face, but it is a body exfoliator. I have used a small amount on my face though. It is the most expensive product I have ever used! (it was around £50.00). It is so nice and so effective.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara - After buying a Hypnose Star mascara earlier in the year, I have decided that I think Lancome do the best mascaras. I had a tiny sample of the original Hypnose which I loved, so I decided to buy the full sized version. The wand is just perfect and the bristles are so soft. It makes my eyelashes super long and full. I love it!

Nuxe Creme Fraiche de Beaute moisturiser - In desperate need of a new skincare routine, I chose this moisturiser. It is so thick and creamy, and I think it is designed for dry skin. It feels so nourishing and has a beautiful scent. It is such a luxurious product and my skin feels so soft and plump even after just a week of using it!

I also got a ton of Lancome and Clarins samples when I bought my products, so I am really excited to try these out too!


I hope Santa was good to everyone!

New - MUA Power Pout - "Justify"

I could not wait to get my hands on one of these! I have always admired Clinique Chubby Sticks but at £16.00 a go, it would really break my heart paying that because I am such a lover of budget beauty items! The MUA versions are just £3.00! Now, obviously I cannot compare the two brands but so far, I am loving the MUA Power Pout!

I chose the shade Justify because I am so in love with coral shades at the moment. The packaging is great, it is a perfect chunky crayon. The silver part twists to reveal more product, just like the Clinique Chubby Sticks. There is so much product for the £3.00 price!
These Power Pouts are so full of moisture, they just glide on and look so glossy. They have a slight menthol scent and as such they tingle a little on the lips but I love this! They feel so good on your lips and are very comfortable to wear. They are pretty long lasting and even after a couple of hours wear, there was still a little tint on my lips. Love it! I am definitely going to buy more of the shades!

Clinique All About Eyes Rich

I am very, very conscious about my under-eye area. Although I am only 24 years old, I swear my under-eyes make me look so much older. I put it down to dry skin making me look like I have fine lines. So in need of some hydration, I started to research what eye creams would be good for me, and I came across this one. I got it in Debenhams and it cost me £24.00. 

 Nearly all gone! 

So I have had this cream for more than a year now, and been using it every night. And I can safely say, that it has made NO difference to the appearance of my under-eyes. I might as well not have been using it at all! I had read so many good reviews on it, some people really saw a huge difference after just a few weeks, but a year on I see no change at all.
Just recently I have read some pretty bad reviews on Clinique's 3 Step skincare range and it has really frightened me. I have used Clinique's make up before and liked it, but this was my first time using any of their skincare products. This eye cream did not irritate my skin or anything, it just hasn't made a difference at all. If anyone has any suggestions as to what would be a suitable and effective eye cream for me, please let me know!

Monday Morning - Rush Hour! My daily make up

The weekends are just not long enough! :(

I don't always have a lot of time in the mornings to apply my usual make up. It's all about what is easy and convenient for me, while I am rushing out the door to go to work! Here are the products I use....

Sleek Creme to Powder Foundation (shade White Rose) - This is a very full coverage foundation,  a nice little compact which also contains a sponge applicator underneath the foundation pan. This is perfect for me in the mornings because it is so quick and easy to apply.

Sleek Eyebrow Kit - It's very important to me to have my eyebrows filled in, so this is a must for my every day make up. This brow kit is an excellent dupe for the Benefit Brow Zings, as you can see. And I think it only cost around £7.00 too.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow (shade RSVP) - I don't have time in the mornings to blend and contour any eyeshadows! So I just apply this all over my eyelids, and I just apply it with my fingers.

Clinique Brush On Gel Eyeliner - I love this eyeliner! I treated myself to this Clinique liner over a year ago, and there is still so much left! There are many cheaper alternatives, however.

Essence Get Big Lashes Mascara - I always use mascara in the mornings! I will use whatever mascara comes to me first. Lately I have been using this Essence one which I like.

Benefit Erase Paste - If I have any blemishes or any dark circles, I will use this concealer. It's amazing!

Benefit Hervana Blush - I love this blush, as you can see! When applied, it is a nice peachy/pink colour.  It's handy to use as well, and so compact.

Sleek Pout Polish (shade - Pink Cadillac) - For going to work, I will just keep it simple and use something like this tinted lipbalm. I have several Pout Polishes, they are very nice to use, and they smell so amazing too!


So that is my morning make up routine! And obviously these are my essential items. I'm usually running late getting ready for work and with these products it can only take me on average 5 minutes!