3 Recent Beauty Buys

Today I just wanted to share a few of the latest beauty bits that I’ve picked up! I’ve kept it down to 3 for this post, so I can really talk about them. You’ll notice this is different to a ‘haul’ because I tend to have tried some of these bits already and gotten them started, so I can give a little bit of initial feedback on the product. Sometimes I just find a post like this is a good ‘one stop shop’ method, so it saves having a haul, try-on AND then a review. It’s just like an all-in-one post, enjoy these little Autumnal pick-me-ups!

Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish in ‘335 Gimme Some of That’, £2.99: I’ve been enjoying the Rimmel formula for a few months now and have been really enjoying it. I’ve found that sometimes the lasting power on it can be great, usually get about 5 days out of them at a time. This one, as you can see in the picture has gotten a few small chips within only 2 days though. The shade is really lovely though, its a deep sophisticated pink that almost looks red in some lights though. It’s a really good one for Autumn and I have a feeling I’ll be reaching for this one a lot!

Revolution Conceal and Define Supersize Concealer in ‘C2’, £7.00: I’ve been using my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer for months non-stop, so I felt like I wanted a change. I have tried this concealer before, but then never got round to re-purchasing it. Unfortunately, I had to settle for the supersize one… which is MASSIVE! I don’t know if they’re still doing the regular sized one, but this one is almost like a foundation stick. I found it harder to shade match me this time, there are literally so so many to choose from even in the pale section- which is a good thing really. I’m looking forward to having a bit of a change up and using this one again.

OGX Purifying and Charcoal Detox Shampoo, £6.99: OGX is a brand that I’ve very recently begun dabbling in and I’m really impressed so far. I like to alternate with my shampoos, so this one and the coconut curls one are the ones I’m currently using. The charcoal one is set to give your head a real deep clean out of any product build up and general dirt. I love a good deep cleaning shampoo, especially as I use serums, so there can often get a build up if not cleansed properly. Love the packaging of these and they’re so big, it will take me a while to finish them off- I usually try and find them on offer too when I can!

Amy

Benefit Cheekleader Palette

Today I wanted to share a review of my favourite new make-up product, its full name is: Benefit’s Cheekleader Mini Pink Squad Palette, £26.00.

It’s only been part of my beauty collection for about a month and its already featured in a monthly favourites… so I feel like that is a little spoiler into how much I have been LOVING it. This is a great product if you want to try some Benefit blushes without having to commit to buying them individually because they are £26.00 for one individual full size one! I really feel like getting 3 slightly smaller ones, and they’re not exactly a mini, is a GREAT deal especially for the price.

Benefit’s powder products can really be trusted, they last a long time and they are just the right amount of pigmented. In the palette you can see there is Galifornia which is a rose-gold, coral blush that is really brightening. In the middle you’ve got Twinkle which is an exclusive shade to this palette and is a lovely highlighter, with a pink sheen. Then last, but definitely not least, is one of my favourite products EVER the Dandelion blush… which I have already discussed A LOT on my blog. It’s a lovely baby pink blush that brightens your cheeks and has a sheen to it, that gives you that healthy inner-glow! You can pick and choose what powder you want to use and where, I love the different looks you can make with this palette depending on what you fancy!

Right so to summarise, I love this product because: I LOVE pink blush, its perfect for travelling, it has a mirror, its a good way of trying new products, its diverse AND its great for giving yourself that summer glow.

Amy

 

Drugstore Beauty Haul

Today I’m going to be sharing a few of the things I’ve recently picked up from Boots. I was initially just going to call this a ‘Boots Haul’ but then I thought if you’re from outside the UK you might be disappointed with the lack of shoes in this video. I did the usual thing when you go into Boots, just looking for the one thing and then you get sucked into the 3 for 2. Yep, that still happens to me. So I’ve got quite the selection to share, so enjoy…

SO, the main product I went to re-purchase was the Umberto Gianni No More Frizz Curl Serum (£8.00). As you know, this recently featured in my Beauty Product Empties post and is pretty much the only one that I was keen on getting again. It’s one of my favourite haircare products and I find that scrunching it in after a wash really helps define the curls. This is when I was sucked into the 3 for 2… it was actually difficult to choose because I would love to try SO much of their products. They do ranges that aren’t just focused on curly hair too but I don’t hear much about the brand online. I picked up the Umberto Gianni Coily Curls Moisture Conditioner (£8.00) which looks LOVELY and has a pump… this is not a drill. I feel super fancy with the pump conditioner and I’m excited to try a new one! Last of the bunch is Umberto Gianni Curl Scrunching Jelly (£7.00), I am unsure on how similar this is to the serum because from what I gather they do very similar things but just in a different way. I LOVE the smell of this whole range, it smells like a good looking man. They have basically bottled up, what I imagine, Chris Hemsworth smells like.

The last couple of bits I got were some new skincare to try! I went for a very well-loved product, that I am yet to give a proper go- the Pixi Glow Tonic, I went for the smaller size which was £10.00 but they do a bigger size for £18.00. I’ve recently finished up my Glossier Solution and I just didn’t feel like re-purchasing it, so I thought this looked like a good alternative and a reasonable price. I also got the Neurtogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Moisturiser that was on offer for £3.50, but is usually priced at £5.25. One of my besties recommended this range and I thought I would give the moisturiser a try. I love that its good for spots AND is pink AND fruity scented… usually we are stuck with ugly green or smelly tea tree- ugh. I’m really looking forward to giving this a try!

Hopefully you have enjoyed reading about some of my recent beauty purchases. I’m still unsure on the best way to translate hauls onto the blog in the best format… it’s a work in progress! If you want to see my future thoughts on these products I’ll either do an updated skincare routine, individual reviews or just always keep an eye on my monthly favourites!

Amy

Must Haves: Budget Beauty

Today is the final instalment on my must-have Monday’s throughout March!

*pass the tissues*

I’m finishing on a high though by sharing some of my must-have products from the hughstreet beauty brands, specifically here in the UK. These are the products that make up my everyday make-up looks and are some great alternatives to higher priced items. These are quite natural looking items which is what I go for and are great for slotting into your routine. I’ve gone for my 3 absolute faves, which was actually really difficult, but I’m thinking you can get these in the 3 for 2 at Superdrug and you’re sorted. Once you start doing 4 things can get complicated haha!

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair, £4.19: I know you are all completely shocked by this brand-new original suggestion- sorry not sorry! If I’m being honest I actually do use this every time I wear make up and I love it. I’ve tried others but I genuinely do keep coming back to this and I really believe it is one of the best products the drugstore has to offer. It is full coverage, not flaky and blends seamlessly into the skin. I use it to conceal my spots, not under eyes, and I am always picking these up- as you can see!

Barry M Gelly Nail Polish in Acai Smoothie, £3.99: This had to be one of the easiest decisions for this post because the Barry M Gelly range is simply the best- better than anyone I’ve ever met. This formula is EVERYTHING, my only gripe with it is that I do have to replace them roughly every 10/12 months because they go gloopy. This gloop is what gives you that perfect shiny, professional manicure and with the reasonable price, I’m willing to do so. This shade has been my go-to for years and it’s a really unique shade, I would say it is almost a neutral purple with a hint of pink- it looks better than this description though!

Rimmel Brow the Way Mascara in Clear, £3.99: This was one of the first drugstore products I purchased and have continued to enjoy using it ever since. I’ve done a more indepth review, comparing it with the Glossier Boy Brow here. Although I love the Boy Brow this is always a good one quickly on the go in the morning as it is less of a waxy formula. It isn’t crispy and dries fairly quickly, it just doesn’t have the staying power of the Glossier one but it is a fraction of the price. I really like the packaging and it has a really good brush, it is shaped well just a smudge too long. If brow mascaras are your thing then I would definitely give this one a go.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little series, I’ve really enjoyed writing about beauty and make-up again! April is tough with the alliteration thing but if you’ve enjoyed this I might bring it back for May. Let me know your must-haves from Boots or Superdrug below, specifically if you have any bronzer or mattifying powder recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Amy

August: Collective Haul

Happy Monday!

After a bit of retail therapy throughout the month I thought I would post my first haul post! These are probably my favourite posts to read BUT for the sake of my bank account I’m going to limit my own ‘haul-ing’ to maximum once a month! Another thing that I want to do with my hauls is have a follow up post with maybe one or two products because despite my LOVE for hauls sometimes you never hear their further thoughts- so in the following weeks definitely come back for more on these products! Here’s a bit of what I’ve been buying this month:

• Boot’s Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Spot Wand, £4.49: If you’ve read my Blushing about… Skincare post then you’ll know I have oily, spot-prone skin and was trying a Body Shop oil to target my blemishes. I used it for a few months but haven’t seen significant results from that specific product (I still like other products from that skincare routine!) so decided to give this a go! I’ve used this range from Boots in the past but then turned to The Body Shop, hopefully this dual-ended wand will make my skin smooth!
• Boot’s Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Pore and Facial Strips: I can’t help but LOVE seeing people peel off nose strips… bit gross I know so wanted to have a go myself! I think they can give more noticeable results than face masks too. Hopefully this will work with the spot wand to help me feel better with my skin whilst not drying it out too much.
• LUSH R&B Hair Moisturiser, £11.95: I’ve wanted to look try some LUSH haircare for a while and with the humidity I thought now is as good a time as ever! This product is designed to hopefully fight my frizz whilst enhancing my curls. I don’t love the smell but I don’t mind that AT ALL if it works.
• Maybelline Superstay 7 Day Nails in Nude Rose, £4.49: As you might have seen in my Basic Girls Guide to: Nails I am VERY Barry M focused when it comes to nails but recently I’ve found that the shade range doesn’t always have what I’m looking for. I still love them but I wanted more nude-y, sophisticated and subtle colours so I had a look at other brands and found this one which is a perfect pinky colour.
• Maybelline Superstay 3D Gel Effect Plumping Top Coat, £5.99: I have been using the Barry M Plumpy top coat for a while but it’s started to go VERY gloopy and made bubbles on my nails! So I wanted to give a new one a try which hopefully will have more longevity.

This month I’ve tried to resist much make-up purchases just because I’ve been fairly satisfied with the products I have and wanted to focus on trying to target other areas like my spots- which hopefully in turn will help my make-up sit more smoothly! I hope this has provided some inspiration for your shopping list… although I’m sure you don’t need any haha!

Comment below your favourite purchase this month!

Amy💖