Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy // Review

Shades L-R: Diamond Top Coat 010 // Checkmate 540 // Cardshark 100 // All or Nothing 020 

Revlon ColourStay Gel Envy nail polishes - aka the only nail polish you need in your life. I honestly cannot describe my love for these nail polishes. It's a bold statement but I'm going to say it anyway; this is my all-time favourite nail polish formula. They do exactly what the say on the bottle - two coats and you get a really opaque, gel-like finish. They're easy to apply because the brush is quite wide and rounded at the bottom. 

The pale pink shade, "All or Nothing" is easily my most worn - I've just purchased my third bottle. Since I bought my first bottle of the shade a year ago, one of these 3 shades has been on my nails and toes. I honestly haven't really used any other polishes!

I would say that even if you don't buy any of the range's shades, you have to try the Diamond Top Coat. I know that the Seche Vite Top Coat has always been raved about but I think this one is perfect, and it's a couple of quid cheaper too. Two coats of polish and the top coat and my nails can last a week before they need to be painted again. Even then they're usually chip free - but they are growing out a bit so I give them a touch up.

As you can probably tell, I'm a big fan of these nail polishes. I think as long as I'm still loving the shade range, I'll keep buying this formula for a long long time. (If Revlon ever discontinues this formula I'll deffo shed a tear or two)

Have you tried this formula? (It has been around for a few years now). Or - are there any other nail polishes you think I should try? xx

You Need This / Rimmel's Exaggerate Lip Liner

Bourjois' Volume Glamour Mascara, and Why You Need It

The New Thing: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Finally a new foundation to add to my ever-so-small stash. I could write a full blown ode to the Rimmel Match Perfection but since I've been giving myself a faux-glow for the past few weeks, it was time to try something new in a shade to match my sun tinted skin. I'm a dewy finish girl and gravitate towards a more sheer coverage, so after some extensive research I kept coming back to Bourjois' offerings.
So it wasn't long before this one came with me to the Boots checkout, and I've been reaching for it ever since.

After a few trials I decided this is definitely one to apply with hands- it blends so beautifully and creates a perfect, glowing base for the warmer months. And fear not- it doesn't cling to dry patches- something I know all too well. If you're more on the oily side I think this one will still be fine for you too, but maybe just powder to set it in place.

The verdict- I'm so glad I did my research and picked this up. It might not be the best for a long day out and about but that's nothing a little powder can't help. £9.99 very well spent!

The Dream Team

Now that I actually have time to give my hair a little attention I've been rotating the products I use to give my hair a little of the 'it's straight but still got oomph' thing. The straighteners have been coming out, but so has the spray to give my hair a soft, lived in texture. 

VO5 Give Me Texture Dry Texturising Spray- Word is that this is a dupe for the Orbe Dry Texturising Spray. I go a little crazy with this because it's undetectable in the hair, popping a little at the roots for extra lift before spraying it through the lengths for some matte texture. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Original- This little bottle comes in handy for those second-day hair situations. Spray it sparingly through the roots and comb through just to leave the hair looking clean, with no grit in sight.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment- Lordy, what a mouthful. I like to treat my lengths every now and again because even with a good spritz of heat protector, the GHD's do dry my hair out a little. If I'm brutally honest, this Aussie treatment doesn't give dramatically different results to any other deep conditioner I've tried. This choice is purely down to the fact that it works, it smells great and Aussie products don't irritate my fussy hair. 

Let me know what your favourite hair goodies are! Are you a fan of the matte, texturised locks a la Vivianna Does Makeup, or do you prefer something else?

The New Thing: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm, Elusive

I don't think I'm going to be saving any money anytime soon! The Boots '3 for 2' offer got me again... Remember my latest Wish List, that left me pining for a Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms? Well, I picked up the shade 'Elusive' a week or so ago and I'm impressed.

'Elusive' is a really wearable pink, and perfect for Spring in my eyes. Revlon seem to have perfected a matte offering that doesn't leave your lips feeling chalky- instead they're oh-so-smooth, no flaking in sight. I'm also in love with it's fresh, minty scent. Definitely a nice change from some of the funky scents my other lip products have. 

They're super easy to apply and touch up, and they sit comfy on my lips. I definitely want to go back and scout out the rest of the collection- there's a peachy orange I have my eyes on. 

WOMF #6 | Everyday Makeup

I've been switching up a few of the products I use in my (not so) everyday routine (I love a bit of makeup, but more often than not I don't wear it...) But, on the rare occasion that I decide to paint my face on, here's what it looks like. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - Natural Collection Concealor - Rimmel Stay Matte Powder - Sleek Pressed Powder (used as bronzer) - Natural Collection Liquid Eyeliner - Maybelline The Falsies - Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in 'Let's Get Naked'

This routine is pretty basic and simple, which is why I've been falling back on it for the last few weeks. My eyes have quite a round shape so I use a slick of liquid liner, and I like to keep my lips a subtle, peachy-pink colour, because knowing me if I wore a bright coral or red it would somehow find it's way all over my chin. 

All these products are pretty well tried and tested other than one- and if you follow me on Twitter you might know that it's Maybelline The Falsies. I managed to eek out my tube of Benefit's They're Real! for quite a few months but last week I felt like it was time to venture into pastures anew. I had heard the hype surrounding The Falsies (who hasn't?) so I decided to give it a go. I was a curvy-wand virgin but hey, how tricky can it be? After a few attempts at using it I think I'm getting there but it took me a good three days to figure out which way to hold the darn thing. Note to self: read the instructions! Sometimes they know what they're talking about... 

Let me know what you think of The Falsies and what you're current makeup looks like! 

Goodbye 2013... You've Been Fab

L-R

Colour Co-Ordination; Take Me to Paris; 17; Blue x 2; White Stripes; 

It Started With a Whisper; Ditsy Florals; Living For The Weekend; Collar + Sweater; Lately;    

2014 is very fast approaching! Here's a little review of what I've been wearing throughout the year. 

I've had so many amazing experiences throughout this year with family and friends- and I've had a few amazing opportunities too. Working with Mulberry for two weeks has to be one, as well as meeting Anna, Lily and Amelia Liana. September saw a trip to London Fashion Week, which I'm still pinching myself about. 

I can't wait to see what next year brings so be sure to stick around- I'm sure I'll be documenting it all on here. 2013, you have been a beautiful year and I'll miss you. Hello 2014, you're looking awfully exciting.

Wearing: Rimmel | Kate Moss Lasting Finish in 110

    01. Straight from the bullet.

    02. Applied with a brush.

A few days ago I took to twitter and asked both Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup and Amelia Liana from Liana Beauty for some drugstore red lippy recommendations. I picked up Anna's choice from Boots, and as I branch out into bolder options I might branch out into Liana's favourites, but I have to take it easy before my lips go into colour overload.

So for now, the chosen one is the Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 110. I was uber close to picking up 107 too, which is a darker more autumnal red, so watch this space.

So I had a good old experiment with shade 110 and I'm really impressed. It is totally out of my comfort zone, but I've found two ways of applying which give completely different effects, making it pretty versatile. Even though it's matte, and therefore pretty drying, it goes on really nicely straight from the bullet and builds up to be a really bold, in your face red. It hangs around too and here's the proof- I ate an apple and had a cup of coffee- lips still in tact for a few hours before it needed re-applying.

I went back to it this morning (apologies for the difference in lighting... and hair) and had a further play. Now this is where it gets good. I went straight in with a brush instead of applying it directly, and it gives a really nice, subtle (as subtle as red can be) tint to the lips. Maybe a tad more every day?

Let me know what you think of the colour, and whether you would wear it?

You can see how Anna wears it in her video: Super Simple Red Lip Tutorial.

Queen Victoria Street

I'm back with a new nail offering- Nails Inc, Queen Victoria Street. 

It's the first time I've tried a Nails Inc polish and I really can't make my mind up about this shade. 99% of the time it looks like quite a dark green, and I can't decide if I like it or not. However, in some light it looks more blue than green, and on camera it looks surprisingly turquoise. 

Aside from colour, I really like the formula of this polish. I've been wearing it for about a week now, and I am wearing a top coat, but my nails haven't chipped. The only thing I'm not so sure about, however, is the lid. (This is me being really fussy now) but I feel like the top is quite hard to work with because it's so large. 

Have you ever tried a Nails Inc polish, and what do you think about a green nail polish? I'm still undecided on this one...

WOMF #3

This face was so simple, it didn't even take me 10 minutes. I kept my face really bare (no bronzer/contouring, just a little blush) and focused on the eyes.

I blended Rimmel Match Perfection in Light Porcelain using my fingers to create a base, and then took the Natural Collection Cover-Up Cream in Fair under my eyes and on any blemishes. This was blended in using a fluffy brush. The colour selction for the concealer is pretty awful to say the least (I think there might be 3??) but I'd heard it's got good coverage and I wanted to try this range which I'm new to. Luckily, it matches me pretty well, and yep, I can confirm that it does cover my dark circles, really well in fact. (It's just a shame that the packaging isn't nicer, but I guess you get what you pay, right?) 

I used my fingers to dab a little of the Bourjois Cream Blush in Rose Tender on the apples of my cheeks, and my base was done! Now to the eyes... I cracked out the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze, which I blended out with a fluffy eye-shadow brush. I used the Natural Collection Liquid Eyeliner to thicken my lash line, then the trusty They're Real by Benefit on my lashes. I was quite impressed by the eyeliner too, the brush was tiny which meant it's really easy to use. I left my lips bare, and that's it, done. 

What's your usual make-up routine? Would you try something like this, or would you add in a bit of contour and something on the lips? Let me know in the comments!

NOTD: Lychee and Sour Apple

If you read my last post, you'll know that I love a textured nail polish every now and again, even if my nails don't. You'll also know that I got this new beauty to for my birthday, and it was only a matter of time until I tried it out! 

It's Sour Apple by Barry M, and is described as a confetti effect polish. The polish is clear, but there are tiny flecks of turquoise and neon yellow in there, which I think have a really striking effect. I toned it down a little with my favourite nude, Lychee. I've waxed lyrical about this polish and my seemingly undying love for it, all of which you can read about here. 

I'm all ready for Autumn and to me, this looks more like a spring/ summer colour, but who cares, it's so darn pretty. I have yet to try and remove the stuff though- and something's telling me that it ain't gonna be easy. 

Wearing: Districtly Come Dancing

I've been trying to push the boat out with my nail polishes recently. I would usually stick to pale colours, like lilacs, nudes, peaches- you get the idea. But I fancied a change and thought I would try out some new colours, and this one really caught my eye. This picture is a little deceiving because I think that, in real life, it's a bit greener than it looks here. 

On the first coat it was so streaky and patchy, but actually, with one more it looked pretty good. I'm not overly mad about the formula because I prefer a thicker polish (think Barry M Gelly Nails) but the brush is nice and big, which makes painting my nails super quick. I've just been eyeing up the collection on Boots and it looks like they have loads of nice colours. For just over £2, I'm not complaining.   

Have you tried this collection? What's your favourite polish at the minute? 

RNIL: Lychee & Greenberry

I've heard numerous bloggers talk about how fab they think the Gelly Hi-Shine range from Barry M is, so on my last trip to Boots I had to pick a few up. First of all, I can't get over how amazingly priced they are! At only £3.99 each they are a bargain if I ever saw one. Keep an eye on the offers too, when I bought these they were two for £5.99

Anyway, back to the nail polish. I love them. Personally, I don't think one coat is enough but with two you get a nice opaque finish. Just a few things to mention- definitely use a base coat, although I think they last fine without a top coat, and they're already pretty shiny. Barry M usually have a great colour selection, so I was kind of disappointed when I saw how few there were in Boots. The colours they did have were nice, but there weren't many. Maybe it's because it's quite a new range, so finger's crossed they bring out more! 

Lewis Watson @ The Bodega!

I have had an amazing week, and the highlight was definitely Tuesday, when I found myself living a dream (I know it sounds cheesy, but stay with me here). I've been listening to Lewis Watson's music for getting on for two years now, and I finally had the chance to go and see him live. So I grabbed 4 friends, and headed off to see Lewis!

The night started with Saint Raymond, (A.K.A Callum Burrows), who opened up the show. Although I've never listened to his music, I really enjoyed it! The fact that Nottingham is his hometown made it special, and the crowd was really welcoming! Listen to Bonfires, it's an amazing song and I've been listening to it ever since last Tuesday. Next up was Kimberly Anne, a seriously talented artist. She was great at including the audience, despite the fact that some of us didn't know her music! My favourite of hers is hard to choose, it's either Bury It There or La La.

Lewis' set was incredible. It was all I could have hoped for! It was so nice to see him play all his songs, from ones featured on his new EP The Wild to some of his first songs, such as 3, which is a personal favourite of mine. There were so many highlights to the night, but one that has stuck with me is definitely when Lewis unplugged his guitar and came into the crowd. The audience sat down and listened to him perform in the purest way and it was beautiful. Despite the calls from an audience of adoring fans Lewis is an undeniably modest guy, which is so endearing.

 Lewis was kind enough to stay behind and meet everyone single one in the audience. What a nice guy! I didn't get the chance to meet Kimberly Anne, but I did meet Callum Burrows. I have to say it's so refreshing to see down to earth artists. I'll leave you with some photos from the night! (Excuse the poor quality, but all were taken on an iPhone).

Waiting for Lewis- Let's just say I was excited. Wow, I can't believe I'm sharing this on the Internet.

The Crowd! (Taken from Lewis' Instagram)

Meeting Callum Burrows, such a nice guy! 

Lewis and the Girls! L-R Emily, Maisie, Gina, Lewis, Me and Jodie

Me and Lewis! What a nice guy, staying to meet us all even after the venue had closed! 

Read my previous post on Lewis Watson HERE!