BEAUTY BARGIN (US ONLY)

Okay so this is for all you across the pond as I haven't yet found a UK equivalent. But feel free any American friends (a-hem Miss Tate) to sign me up!

Birchbox.com is an American based website which allows you to sample the latest beauty products... every. single. month.

$10 a month (or $110 a year) you receive a monthly box filled with oversize hair, skin and make-up samples from loads of brands. 

So if you're wanting a monthly injection of NARS, Benefit, Xen-Tan, Bvlgari, Laura Mercier, Bare Essentials, Stila and many more get heading to www.birchbox.com ... oh and whilst you're there, maybe mention UK shipping?! Sweeet. 

In need of new nails? ... Look no further

Sally Hansen's "Salon effects real nail polish strips" are my new beauty must-have for fab and fun fingers.

Cool eh?
They're made from real nail varnish and claim to last up to 12 days, so if you're in a rush out the door or fancy some super detailed nail art but can't be bothered for a trip to the manicurists these are perfect.

Included in the packet are 16 differently-sized strips (in case you bodge some up), a cuticle stick and mini file/buffer. You simply peel of the strip, stick onto your nail bed and file off any excess... no drying time = no smudges!

Available in both simple, plain colours and crazy patterns there is sure to be something to suit you. Personally I am LOVING the glitters line, especially 'Blue Ice' (second nail down on the far right) ..... teamed with an LBD... amaze?!

Cleaning out my closet

 I have now officially finished my first year of Uni and am living back at home for the summer. So having brought everything home from Birmingham, I decided to get super organised one rainy day in June and arrange my closet.

Okay so it may be more of an organised mess but I feel totally better for it!

1. Chloe - eau de parfum

2. Carolina Herrera - 212 on Ice

3. DKNY - Be Delicious

4. Hollister

5. DKNY- Women

6. Thierry Mugler - Alien

7. Dior - Miss Dior Cherie

8. Sarah Jessica Parker - Lovely

9. Escada

10. Prada Miliano

11. Chloe

12. Marc Jacobs - Daisy

13. Thierry Mugler - Angel

Mascara testing for Cosmopolitan

Thanks to Kate Turner, Cosmopolitan's beauty editor, an opportunity came up for me to test and review two brand-new volumising mascaras coming out in July.

But just so you don't have to wait until September's issue.... here's what I made of them.

#1.  Givenchy Demesure Audacious Lashes 

I was given a huge brief with the Givenchy mascara- about their advertising campaign, Liv Tyler being the face of the brand, and a whole A4 page of instructions on how to apply the mascara. Yet, Givenchy failed to mention the RRP of the product... so we'll have to wait and see for that, but we can guess it will be a 'higher-end' mascara!

As my eyelashes are quiet long naturally I tend to look for volumising effects when buying mascaras, and its volume that the Givenchy Demesure Audacious Lashes mascara promises to deliver. The mascara's application is totally different to any mascara I have ever used, and requires time and patience to perfect. It requires placing the barrel base of the mascara at the roots of your lashes, brushing through the product, and then individually separating your lashes with the finishing tool. (Yep, BLAG.) But if you're not in a rush, after a tricky first few attempts (and a lot of clumps!) you get used to three-dimensional brush and it does get easier. The finishing tool is really quiet useful for fanning out lashes as the mascara does easily clump. Also- the extensible brush could be a little longer as it doesn’t quiet reach the inner corners of your eye.

However, when applied first thing in the morning, it lasted me right through to night with no smudging or need for touch ups... so if you're wanting dramatic lashes day to night... I recommend it.

Personally, I found the mascara a little too heavy and thick for everyday wear... buuuuttt if you're wanting a striking evening look with Va-Va Voom.. the Givenchy mascara may be perfect for you.

#2. Collection 2000 Super Size Fat Lash mascara

Now I'll admit, even as a student I can be a snob when buying make-up. So honestly.... I would've probably have walked past this £2.99 Collection 2000 mascara without a second glance. BIG MISTAKE.

Firstly... £2.99.... £2.99 ! That's £17.99 cheaper than my current mascara!! And I mean for £2.99- you get what it says on the tin. Okay so it may not knock you off your feet or anything.. but as a everyday mascara- Fine! The mascara fanned out my lashes eeeeeasy... not one single clump, and with each coat it built volume, so it's pretty much fab for both day and night. Along with its fool-proof application (no gimicky 3-dimensional brush here), it lasted me all day and night with no touch-ups, no smudges, no smears. And come'on... with its teeny tiny price tag it is definitely worth a place in any girls beauty bag.

I Heart New Thingies.... #2

Thanks to the amazing Alana Burton, I finally have the MAC lashes I've been lusting over for months now. Still yet to debut them but eee I am exciiiited!!

Thanks doll x x x x

MAKE-UP BRUSHES 101

I am in LOVE with my Bobbi Brown make-up brush set... and okay, maybe a 15 pcs brush set is unnecessary for every day make-up. BUT... a few decent tools can really add to your beauty bag. plus- kind of makes you feel like a make-up pro.



FACE BRUSHES:

There are so many different types of foundations- liquid, powder, cream... and each require a different brush. I personally only use a liquid foundation, therefore one synthetic, densely-packed, flat brush is fine for me.
However if you use a cream-based foundation you’ll want a 100% natural bristle brush so it deposits less product as you swirl it all over, giving you a flawless airbrushed effect.  Natural bristles are best for building coverage without streaking.
If you use a powdered foundation (for example mineral make-up) you could use either a synthetic or natural bristle powder brush, but look for one with a plump shape designed for swirling the powder evenly.

For Undereye Concealer (or Bobbi Brown corrector) I use a flat synthetic concealer brush for covering dark circles because you can really “lay down” the product by using the side of the brush.  The other component to look for is a tapered edge because this helps you avoid clumping during application.  The synthetic bristles will pick up less product so your coverage will last longer (the thicker you apply it, the more likely it will crease and cake).
When concealing blemishes you're going to want a pointed and tapered concealer brush made of synthetic bristles so you can apply it precisely on top of any kind of blemish (pimple, scar, broken capillary, etc.) without touching the surrounding skin.

For all-over face powder look for a big, fluffy natural bristle powder brush- perfect for setting foundation, creating definition with bronzer or for super-shiny days.
Then when it comes to Powder (specifically for the T-Zone) use an eyeshadow blending brush made with natural hair bristles as a powder brush just for the areas that tend to shine: between your brows, around and on the tip of your nose, your upper lip and your chin.  This allows the rest of your face to glow and breathe.

Thanks to the amazing Amy Nadine from the beauty department for make-up brush tips 101 !