Braving Berry Lips - Smashbox Be Legendary Long-Wear Lip Lacquer - Currant*

Despite all the beautiful, wild and crazy lip colours that are now on the market it's pretty safe to say that I'm quite boring when it comes to lip colour - My vast lip collection is full of varying shades of pink, and nude, with the odd and barely worn red, berry and coral thrown in for good measure. As much as I would love to wear a deep wine or burgundy shade like MAC Sin or even something a little bit more daring, I'm just not brave enough.

Sometimes though you need to step outside of your comfort zone, and recently Smashbox gave me the opportunity to do exactly that with one of their Be Legendary Long Wear Lip Lacquers in the shade Currant.

Hailed by Smashbox as the new generation of lip colours, the Be Legendary Long Wear Lip Lacquers promise long wearing, vibrant colour, without any stickiness, tackiness, dryness, or uneven fading. They contain a special combination of strong, staining pigments, glossy pearls, and Vitamin E for moisture.

There are currently around 15 shades to choose from but the one I received was Currant, although this is probably a pretty safe colour for most of you, for me this pink toned, muted raspberry shade was a real step outside my comfort zone,

Although it looks a lot darker in the funky, angular square tube than it does when it's swatched and on the lips, it still took me a good six months before I plucked up the courage to give it a go and wear it our of the house. I wasn't sure at first but this product has really grown on me and it's become one of my go to lip colours since the Autumn of last year.

This product is basically a clever cross between a lipstick and a lip gloss. It has a smooth creamy formula, with only the merest hint of taste and scent, that feels moisturising on the lips, and has the sheen of a gloss but without the sticky or tacky feel - perfect for windy days and if you've got long hair like me

It comes with a cleverly shaped sponge, doe foot style applicator that allows you to both line, and define, and fill in your lips. The pigmentation on this one was excellent, and depending on heavily and how much product you applied you could either create a full on glossy block shade, or by
applying it lightly and blending it out with a brush you can create more of a glaze effect.

I'm going to be honest with you, I've read a few reviews and a few people have said that this is quite a messy product to apply, and unfortunately I have to agree with them. Although the applicator is very well designed the formulation is quite liquidy so it does have a tendency to migrate beyond the lip line especially if you have any fine lines around your lips. I don't mind tidying up as I go but on Mummy Lou who cough cough has a few more lines than I do, the effect was something along the lines of eating a jam doughnut, not a good look, and clean up was definitely required. Just a quick tip though if you do need to do a quick clean up, use a damp cotton bud or you might be left with a bit of staining around your mouth!

In my experience this product isn't quite as long lasting as Smashbox claim, the gloss that you get with the initial application does last quite a bit  longer than say a conventional lip gloss, but you do get a lot of transference onto glasses, cups, and dare it say other people ;) As the glossy finish fades though you're gradually left with a semi matte, pink, berry stain that fades fairly evenly and lasts for a good few hours

Despite the duck faces (sorry I was having a bad facial paralysis day :() I hope you can see just how pretty this shade actually is. I've actually grown to love the pretty raspberry shade but I do think that the formulation needs some work. Yes it's definitely moisturising and unlike some reviewers I didn't feel any extra dryness at any stage, the pigmentation in this case is superb but I just found it way too much effort to apply neatly and unfortunately it didn't wear quite as well as Smashbox claimed. Yes the gloss aspect lasted way longer than a conventional lip gloss, but it still transferred and disappeared within the hour, leaving behind an all be it nice shade of lip stain. I like the colour but given the application, transfer and wear issues, at £19 I just couldn't justify purchasing this product either in this shade or anyone of the other 14 colours. Smashbox Be Legendary Long Wear Lip Lacquer in Currant retails at £19 for a 6ml tube and is available from both the Smashbox website and Boots online and selected Boots stores. Are you a fan of berry lips? Let me know and if you have any similar toned berry lip recommendations I'd love to hear them x

*Sample

A Nude Eyeshadow Palette With A Twist - Smashbox Double Exposure Palette*

If you're as addicted to nude eyeshadow palettes as I am then you'll know that at some point you need to draw the line and say enough is enough! I have a drawer full of neutral eyeshadows from all price points and as much as I'd love to keep adding to my collection, even I know that I've got to stop somewhere.

It doesn't stop me wishing and wanting though, and I've currently got my eye on some of the palettes that I passed on including Urban Decay Naked 3 , the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette and the Smashbox Full Exposure palette.

I must admit that the Smashbox Full Exposure Palette was one that initially passed me by, but every time I go into Boots now I can't help looking at it and thinking how pretty it is. Full Exposure and now it's mini travel sized sibling, looks to be the perfect nude palette and features a combination of matte and shimmery shades in various neutral and smokey colours. For a neutral lover, and a Smashbox fan like me, it looks to be a must have.but I just can't justify it. If you're like me though and you're stowed off with neutral palettes but you fancy a little bit of a Smashbox splurge the Double Exposure palette might be right up your street..

The Smashbox Double Exposure Palette is very much Full Exposure's, braver little sister. Yes you have a few everyday neutral shades, but you also have a wider range of shades including silvers, blues and purples that take you from day to night, with the sweep of a brush.

Boxed and packaged in a magnetic fastening, plastic lined cardboard palette, Double Exposure contains 14 eyeshadows and a full sized double ended brush.

Unlike with some palettes this brush isn't an afterthought, it is identical in size and appearance to the standalone brushes in the Smashbox line. The brush is double ended and features a domed end, and an angled end for precise application.

The box also contains an exclusive #Shapematters insert which gives you instructions and a tutorial for a day look, a dramatic look and a defined look, for 6 different eye shapes.

Okay on to the shadows themselves, and as I say the palette contains 14 matte, satin and shimmer shades, ranging from browns, taupe's, and nudes, to lilacs, purples, mauve's and even a navy blue. The top row of shadows gives you a row of lighter shades, where as the second row gives you some more dramatic colours.

From left to right - Silver, Mauve, Peony, Blanc, Quartz, Flushed and Veiled.

and from left to right - Midnight, Temper, Haze, Noir, Copper, Fig and Espresso.

As you can see the pigmentation of all of theese shadows from the lightest to the darkest is excellent. There isn't a dud shadow in the palette they all blend really well and the staying powder is superb. There is a little bit of fallout on application but that's only to be expected when shadows feel as soft and silky as this.

Impressed so far? Well you've only seen half of it. Yes you get 14 eyeshadows in this palette, but what I haven't mentioned it that with the addition of water you can produce a further 14 shades! Yes that's right every shadow in this palette contains special coated pigments that transform the shades in one of 4 ways when they're used wet. Add a little bit of water or as I've been doing the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (read my review here) and the shadows will either deepen, turn metallic, become more sparkly or the colours will become more vibrant. Not only that but the addition of water or liquid won't damage your palette, just wet your brush and use the shades straight from the palette without any fear that your shadows will harden or glaze over.

Hopefully from these swatches you can see just how the shadows transform when you add a little bit of liquid - it's almost like foiling or painting! Again on the top row from left to right - Silver, Mauve, Peony, Blanc, Quartz, Flushed, and Veiled.

and on the bottom row from left to right - Midnight, Temper, Haze, Noir, Copper, Fig and Espresso.

The liquid makes a big difference doesn't it? and it really adds to the versatility of this palette. It isn't cheap at around £37-38 but your really getting 28 highly pigmented, versatile, blendable and wearable shades, and a full sized, superb quality brush. I was kindly given this palette way back at the end of January and I've used it pretty much solidly since then. This is a picture of my palette taken about 2 weeks ago - it doesn't look anywhere near as pretty or pristine as it once did but it has been very well used.

If you want to branch out from the traditional nude palette without being too brave then this palette could be worth a try. The colours can take your from day to night, and you can be as subtle and neutral or as daring and dramatic as you like. Smashbox Double Exposure Palette retails between £37 and £37 and is available from various retail outlets including Boots, Sephora and from the Smashbox website. Have you tried any Smashbox eyeshadows? Let me know your thoughts below x

*Sample

Cosmetic Innovation With The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water*

It's scary to think but I've been wearing make up regularly now for nearly 20 years now. My make up routine has changed a lot in that time, I'm better at applying make up now, thank goodness and something that I always use now is a make up primer.

Up until say the last 10 years or so, it was nearly impossible to find a make up primer either in a salon or on a counter, but behind the scenes, professional make up artists either used specialist products or made their own concoctions to perfect the skin and to make their make up looks last longer.

I know a lot of people are still cynical about primers but when you think about it, they make perfect sense. It's a widely used analogy but you wouldn't paint a wall or a piece of furniture with making sure that the surface was smooth, and without using an undercoat or a primer, and our skin is exactly the same, a good primer will not only help to smooth and perfect the surface of the skin, but it will also help your make up last longer.

Think of make up primers and one brand automatically springs to mind, Smashbox. In those days when it was impossible to buy primers in your local chemists, Smashbox were one of the first companies to bring primers to the mass, retail market. The original Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer was the first primer that I ever tried and it's still one of the brands best sellers. There are now more than 10 primers in the Smashbox line catering for all skin types and skin concerns but their newest primer release is by far their most unusual and most innovative.

Texture wise when think of primer you automatically think of something with either a cream or a gel texture, but the new Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water is probably the first primer water on the market and as the name would suggest isn't a gel or a cream, it's a runny liquid resembling clear water. This clear water like liquid is silicone, oil and alcohol free. It contains caffeine extract, real diamond powder, and electrolytes, and claims to leave the skin shine free and radiant as well as proving intense moisture to leave the skin smooth, and hydrated.

It comes packaged in a clear pump action spray bottle which dispenses a very fine mist with a light, almost herbal like scent. The texture is almost exactly like water, and had a cool light feel on the skin, in fact you barely feel anything, it isn't oily, or greasy, and there is only, a tiny, tiny bit of tackiness

It's definitely easier and less messy to use than a conventional primer, you just do your normal skincare routine, then when your moisturiser has sunk in, you just squirt a couple of sprays all over your skin, then you leave it dry and apply your make up over the top as normal

As well as a primer you also use this product instead of you normal setting spray. I've just been spraying it over my finished make up to set but you can also use it to refresh your make up throughout the day, and if you pop it in the fridge you can also use it as a general skin refresher spray. Oh and if your a real make up junkie you can also use it for foiling eyeshadows, and for transforming powder products into creams and liquids 

If you think about this product purely as a primer, I have to admit I'm torn. I've been testing it since the end of January and over the last few months I've used it with all different types of foundations from creams, to liquids, powders and minerals, and I have to say it worked well with pretty much every single one of them. In most cases my make up applied more more evenly and it tended to last longer, and in one case it even stopped a foundation that I'd given up wearing, oxidising on my skin.

It definitely creates some sort of a barrier on the skin,  but, in my opinion a primer should perfect the skin and for me this doesn't really do that. If you skin is perfect this would be all you need but if you're like me and you have open pores, an uneven skin tone, or texture or even discolouration, then you would probably need to use either a cream of a gel primer, alongside this one to thoroughly smooth and improve the surface of your skin.

Although it's marketed as a primer, this product for me is something more than that. For me this product comes into it's own when I use as a make up setter and skin refresher. In my experience it works way better than some of the more specialised setting products on the market. Refresher sprays and setting sprays are a real must have for me, as well as having oily skin, due to illness and medication I tend to perspire a lot. I usually have a bag or a pocket full of tissues, blotting powders and when I can, some form of face spray. It's a pain, my make up slips, and I look all flushed  but I've actually found that this helps quite a bit. As well as helping my make up last longer a bit longer, this has also helped to cool and refresh my skin especially during those warmer days that we had a couple of weeks ago, and it's even better if you keep it in the fridge x

This product also makes a pretty fantastic mixing medium. Yes, you can use water to transform powder products into creams, and liquids but I don't think it works quite as well as this does. As well as getting the obvious skin care benefits, it also gives a nice smooth result and it doesn't damage your powder products. I've got a few reviews coming soon where I've used this product to take both eyeshadows and a foundation from dry to wet, so keep checking back to read them x 

Yes this product looks exactly like plain water, but don't be fooled it's much more than that - in fact I think even the word primer is misleading, it's a real multi use product! If you have no real skin issues then yes, this might be all you need from a primer, but if your like me and you have a few issues with discolouration, or open pores, then you may need to use it alongside a more conventional primer for the best results. Despite that though I will definitely consider repurchasing this product rather than my usual setting spray, when I finish this bottle, for both setting my make up, refreshing my skin, and as a mixing medium. It isn't the cheapest product out there but the spray is so fine, a little goes a long way, so this bottle will last you quite a while. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water retails at around £20 for 116ml and is available from Smashbox, Boots, and Smashbox counters nationwide.

(*Sample)

Trimming My Stash - April 2014 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

Happy May Day Everyone xx I can't believe were into the 5th month of the year already. I think I say this every month but time really does seem to fly by the older you get. Speaking of getting older, May is my birthday month :) I have no idea what I want this year but I know that I'll always, without question get some beauty bits. I love beauty things but it always means that I need to make a bit of space in my current stash. I've haven't been doing too well, when it comes to using things up this year and whilst April was better it still wasn't amazing.

Soap & Glory Pulp Friction Foamy Fruity Body Scrub - 250ml
Bomb Cosmetics Mandarin & Orange Cleansing Shower Butter - 320g
Soap & Glory Clean, Girls Skin Softening Creamy Body Wash - 75ml
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener - 7.1 ml
Primark PS Love Your Skin Deep Facial Cleansing Wipes - 25 Wipes
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow / Liner - 4.5g - Skinny Jeans
L'Occitane Desert Rose Hand Cream - 30ml
Total - 7 Items

Yes, I finished 7 items, I guess I should be happy with that especially since I finished a couple of make up bits but I still think I could have done a little bit better. There are still a few products that just seem to be going on and on and that I can't seem to finish no matter what I do but hopefully I'll manage to break the cycle in May . What about the items that I did finish though? well as I say I finished pretty much a bit of everything in April including two make up items which is always good or is it?

1. Soap & Glory Pulp Friction Foamy Fruity Body Scrub - 250ml

This was from one of the big Soap & Glory Christmas, 2012's I think and I've only just got round to using it up. I have to say I really liked this it gave quite an abrasive scrub but at the same time it felt very creamy and moisturising. I loved the fruity smell and the smoothing effect it had particularly on my upper arms. Mummy Lou wasn't a fan though, as I've probably told you before she detests gritty body scrubs, that leave scratchy particles on the bottom of the bath. So either I don't repurchase or I religiously clean the bath and shower out PROPERLY after every use, decisions, decisions.

2. Bomb Cosmetics Mandarin And Orange Cleansing Shower Butter - 320g

This was a pressie from my bestie a little while go now and I have to say I'm quite devastated that it's finished. I really liked this a lot. The smell was lovely and zesty and citrus based. It's basically a semi solid creamy butter that you massage over your self and rinse off in the shower or you can pop a little bit under a running top for gorgeous soft creamy bubbles. I really loved this and I'll definitely look into repurchasing .

3. Soap & Glory Clean, Girls Skin Softening Creamy Body Wash - 75ml

This was a mini bottle that came in my Boots Advent Calendar. I was expecting to smell like the rest of the Soap & Glory but it was actually quite different. It had a softer more musky based scent. It was okay but I definitely prefer the original fragrance

4. Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener - 7.1 ml

I used to be quite into Smashbox as a brand but when they left QVC I kind of left them and I haven't purchased anything from them since. I still love the bits that I have especially their cream liners but I just don't find the brand as affordable as what it was. This under eye concealer and brightener retails at £16 in the UK, admittedly it's cheaper than the much hyped YSL number (I'm not a fan personally) but whilst I think it's decent, all be it though a little liquidy, the high street, and budget brands seem to have got this category pretty much covered for a fraction of the price.


5. Primark PS Love Your Skin Deep Facial Cleansing Wipes - 25 Wipes

I mentioned these in my recent beauty post and it hasn't taken me very long to polish off the first packet. These are from Primark's newly revamped beauty range, and you two packets for a pretty bargainous £1. There okay they do the job, I'm not keen on the smell (reminds me a bit of bathroom cleaner) but they are cheap and there certainly no worse then any of the more expensive wipes on the market. I'm probably going to stick to my old faithful Primark tea tree ones but these are fine in an emergency or a quick fix x

6. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow / Liner - 4.5g - Skinny Jeans

Using something up is always good in my eyes but sometimes you feel a little bit sad about finishing something. It sounds totally dramatic but I was devastated that this little pot reached the end of it's usable life. This has been one of my go to products for nearly 2 years now. It gives a smokey eye look in seconds, it's that perfect silver, blue, grey taupe colour that just works for day or night. I've used it and used it, and used it and up until recently it was fine but that last few millimetres has turned into a dry, clumpy mess, so it's time for the bin and it's time that I got a new one - I'm only thankful that it hasn't been discontinued.

7. L'Occitane Desert Rose Hand Cream - 30ml

I think I will always buy L'Occitane hand creams, you're pretty much guarantee that they will do the job, no matter what the fragrance and how dry your hands are, and this one was no different. This was one of their rose scents - a  fragrance that they do very, very well. It wasn't as thick as some of the hand creams in their range but it was really nice and it left the skin feeling soft and smelling gorgeous.

So they were April's empties, if your doing something similar I'd love to see your posts so please link me up x Thanks for reading

Lip Combo Of The Moment

I just thought I'd show you my favourite lip combo of the moment - a gorgeous shimmery nude featuring from left to right - Boots 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Nudist Peach and Smashbox Lipgloss in Luminous - enjoy x

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation Review and A Face of Yesterday

A few months I picked up Rimmels new Match Perfection Foundation during a Tesco shop.I chose the shade 100 Ivory. This foundation contains Rimmels exclusive "Smart-Tone" technology containing Blue Sapphire which allows it to adapt to an individuals skin tone and texture. It also contains an "Oxygen complex" which allows the skin to breathe.

The foundation comes in a glass pump action dispenser - which immediately gets a thumbs up from me - pump action dispensers are much easier to use and are a lot more hygienic. It has a thick lotion type texture

but it blends easily onto the skin both on top of bare skin, moisturiser and primer, I tried a few different methods of application and I have to say I found a sponge the easiest way to work with it. I found it gave a good medium coverage as you can see here - in my before picture you can see blemishes and redness


and afterwards even with no concealer the skin looks much clearer


I have to say I really like this foundation, it feels light on the skin and the coverage is good. It also seems to last quite well - I've removed it after at least 8hours and there has still been foundation on my skin. I also love the smell of this foundation it has a lovely fruity, fresh scent that I really enjoyed, and it had the added bonus of containing an SPF 15 - great for all year round protection. Would I buy this again - yes thankfully I don't need to because I won another bottle in an online competition ;) but I definitely would it has gone into my top 5 foundations list easily - it suits my skin well, and I love the natural polished look it leaves.
I purchased this foundation myself and this is just my opinion but if you want to try it you can get it from all Rimmel outlets for around £8.99 which certainly doesn't break the bank.

Since I took my foundation pics for you yesterday I thought I may as well show you the FOTD from my shopping / cinema trip with my bestie last night




Lazy Day on it own


with Easy Lounger over the top



Yesterday I Wore

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - 100 Ivory
MAC Prep + Prime Eye - Light
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
Lancome Palette Mix Complexion Kit - 1 (Lightest Shade Only)
Boots No7 Translucent Loose Powder
ELF Studio Blush Tickled Pink
MAC MSF Porcelain Pink
GOSH Show Me Volume Mascara - Black*
Two Colours From The Deborah Black Dalia Trio

This Grey From the beauty UK eye shadow collection 5

Avon Daring Definition Cream Eyeliner - Black
MAC Lipstick - Lazy Day
MAC Lipglass - Easy Lounger

(*Mascara Provided by PR)

A Quick FOTD x

I made a few You Tube videos today so I thought I'd show you a quick FOTD I did - a light silvery grey smokey eye with a bit of glittery fallout :(




Today I Wore

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation 100 Ivory
MAC Prep + Prime Eye - Light
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
Lancome Palette Mix Complexion Kit - 1 (Lightest Shade Only)
Boots No7 Translucent Loose Powder
MAC Cremeblend Blush - So Sweet, SO Easy
Benefit Sugarbomb
GOSH Show Me Volume Mascara - Black*
YSL Long Lasting Eye Pencil - 01 Black
Top Shop Eye Trio - Moon Dust (greys only, silver over base, dark grey in crease)

Scarlett and Crimson Creme Eyeshadow - Thunder Road

MAC Lipstick - Fabby

(*Provided by PR)

FOTD - Rediscovered Products

It was an absolutely gorgeous day today so I thought I'd get some stuff done - I was a good girl and by the end of today I will have done 3 blog posts and filmed two You Tube videos :) One of the videos that I filmed was a Rediscovered Products TAG so I thought I'd wear some of the products I was going to talk about and include them in the video and in this face of the day - I am trying to break out of my neutral eyeshadow comfort zone a bit this month so I did this green look - enjoy xx






Today I Wore

Revlon Photo Ready Foundation - Shell
Lancome Palette Mix Complexion Kit 01 (lightest shade)
Smashbox Photo Op Eye Brightener
MAC Prep + Prime Eye - Light
Boots No7 Translucent Loose Powder
MAC Mineralize Blush - Moon River
MAC Pigment Antique Green (I pressed this :))
Pout Retractable Eyeliner - Green (Don't know the shade name sorry )
Collection 2000 Collagen Curl Mascara - 17 Ultra Black (binned clumpy mess)
MAC Lipstick - Fabby
Lancome Juicy Tube - Pale Pink Shade