Beauty Samples

I am a sucker for a sample and have been lucky in the past to have an big sister working in 'The Industry' to give me goodies galore so much so that I have only recently felt the blow of paying full price for my favourite 'high-end' makeup and skincare.  

But when the beauty bug has bitten, there is no going back. I've become hooked on some delicious products and I've never been good with goodbyes. I enjoy the slight twinge when I pass over my card, butterflies for the anticipation of getting my mitts on a new product and the slight nausea caused when I'm handed the receipt, crikey that's a a lot of numbers. This is when I become really quite excited and grateful for a good sample, we mere mortals can dip our toes, though fingers would be much more hygienic, into the latest beauty buys with a host of serums, creams, gels and mousses all without parting with out hard-earned cash. I have discovered many a miracle product along the way and have been happy to go ahead and purchase full-size with confidence in my decision and in the product, thanks to a sample. Equally it has saved me from the odd mistake in the past. 

Some beauty counters can be a bit tight and don't offer samples but I've found with a little perseverance, remembering your Ps and Qs and a smile which never goes a miss, you can try out an array of makeup and skincare and who know's what you'll discover? 

Rachel xo

Beauty Wishlist

I am a notorious list maker, I actually enjoy getting out my Moleskin notebook and compiling to-dos and shopping lists. Recently it has been more of the latter, my only to do as of late is work, eat and shower. Uni, you are killing me.  I've been taking notes of products I've seen crop up and I've compiled a list of what I really want to try for myself. 

The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder. I will absolutely buy this once I'm over with Uni and working again, my student loan won't stretch this far. It is such a unique product as it has an ash tone which creates the shadow you want for your contour. I quite like my cheekbones and would be interested to try this to emphasise them. 

Sleep-in Rollers. I swap between washing my hair in a morning and at night. I find that when I sleep with freshly washed hair, god knows what I do but I awake with nothing less than a bird's nest upon my head. I know theses rollers are designed for volume but seriously, even if they just help in smoothing my hair out that's a plus in my books. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. I took a little detour from the Uni library yesterday and just happened to stumble into Debenhams. I tried the Urban Decay BB cream (amazing - almost purchased but I resisted - pats self on back) and the lady at the counter set it with this and although I didn't thoroughly road test it with my leisurely stroll through town, it intrigued me and I will definitely look into buying this. 

Topshop Lipstick in The Damned. I am a big fan of the Topshop lippies and on my daily visit to the 'New in' page of Topshop.com I saw this beauty. It is the exact colour I have been thinking of getting, it is described as purple but it looks to me to have a little pink in there too, making it more wearable. Another item I will look to pick up in the near future as it is only £8. 

REN Radiance Perfecting Serum. I'm all for a bit of radiance and I love me my serums. In the evenings I use Lancôme’s Génifique and I love the feel of this product on my skin and it leaves it feeling so soft so I'm certain I would like this REN product as it too is a serum but it claims to leave your skin plump and bright. Perfect. 

So there you have it, my list of gluttony. There is always something I want and I am definitely having a 'beauty' moment rather than clothes, I didn't see anything in my local Topshop and I literally can't walk past it without my purse crying a little. 

Is there a particular beauty product you're interested in trying? Have you tried anything I've mentioned? 

Rachel xo

Make-up Trend

The orange lip. It is the younger sister of the iconic red lip whose relationship with the equally as elegant black cat-eye liner has become a make-up staple for any woman. This has inspired the fresh and fun twist on the look we're seeing more and more. Orange lips and a blue eye. On paper it sounds a little garish and 80's but it is a beautiful look that you could easily re-create at home. I do have a particular love for orange lipstick which I'm sure I've mentioned on here before. My go-to bold lip is GOSH's Flirty Orange. As for the eyes, Urban Decay do their 24/7 long lasting liners which have been raved about for as long as they have been around. I had a look on their website and they do a colour, Deep End, which looks to be a bright turquoise. 

The key to this look is your base, with a lot going on in both the lips and eyes department, you're going to want a flawless base. Use your favourite foundation and concealer, use a little bronzer to contour and you're done. 

This look is perfect for Spring/ Summer it is bright and fun and I can imagine it looking great with a tan. 

Would you wear this look? What will your Summer look be? 

Ombré Lips

 

I do hope I haven't put anyone off with my mouth just glaring at you.

 

As I have mentioned before, I am more of a 'lips' lady when it comes to my 'maquillaje' - makeup
and ever keen to try on a new pout than an eye look. Ombré has been a big trend for our hair, clothes, nails and now our make-up. I am guitly of succumbing to the dip-dye on my hair, I loved it but my lord, did it dry it out? I have many a Topshop dip-dye jumper or tee and I have played with ombré nails, all I have enjoyed, so I thought I should give my lips this same treat.

I was at first anxious about this as I thought it would make my already not so luscious lips appear smaller but it's only lipstick, I can swipe it off. I used 3 lipsticks and a black eyeliner, sounds odd I know but fear not- I lined my lips with the black liner, concentrating on the outer corners then I went all over with a favourite of mine, Rimmel Matte 107 then used a Lancôme lisptick, I acquired this from my Sister, it says it is called 'French Touch 306' but any dark purple would do the job. Always be sure to blend as you go and layer these colours. Lastly, I put another trusty Rimmel Matte, this time in 110, in the centre of my lips and rubbed my lips together to blend. Then came lots of blotting and re-applying wherever looks like it needs it. 

I really want to try this look, and hopefully to a higher standard and more amplified, for a night out, though I am conscious that it might not last long when meeting my friend, the wine glass. 

Rachel xo

Products I regret buying.

For the amount of time and money I spend in Boots it is certain that I will come across a few things I don't like for one reason or another and I am sharing what I have accumulated over time that doesn't take my fancy. 

L'oreal True Match Mineral - This is perhaps the most annoying thing to have on the list because I have bought this before, decided I didn't like it and gave it to my Mum and she likes it and then I visitied home, sans makeup bag and figured I could just beg and borrow off of my Mum and Sister for the weekend and I reached for this and must have liked it that day because I went out and bought it again to then use a handful of times and not like it. So now it sits in my make-up box, unused and unloved, and this stuff isn't cheap I think it is £14 which for a high street product is on the expensive side. Oh well, lesson learned.

Tresemmé Tousled Wave Spray- I have several different texture creams and sprays so I didn't need this in the first place but I must have picked up a dud bottle because the nozzle doesn't spray is an even dispersed way, it just fires out in a straight line. I have been spraying this into my fingers and rubbing into my hair but it is a sticky mess and not worth the fuss when I have other products I prefer and do the job. 

Real Techniques Powder Brush - I am sure this is an unpopular opinion because I know how successful this range of brushes have been and I have other Real Technique brushes I wouldn't be without now but I aren't keen on this particular brush, it isn't dense enough for me and I bought it when Boots were having their 3 for 2 offer. For powder I love the Eco Tools powder brush so I didn't need this brush in the first place. I have been trying to find a use for it, the other day I tried it with the Chanel Bronze Universel but I still didn't like it. 

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stains - I like the colours of both of these and they have good colour pay off but I simply don't reach for them because I hate the mint scent of them and the cooling effect they have on your lips when you apply them.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow- I have this in the shade 'Recess' which I believe is now discontinued, the shade is lovely a very warm beige with a pink tone to it. I don't use this product at all now, and never really did get the chance because I found it dried out so quickly, and I take care of my things and always screwed the lid on tight but it was impossible to get any product onto the brush so I figured I could use my fingers as the warmth would help loosen the product but it all cracked as it was already so dry. Very dissapointed.