Collection Eyes Uncovered Nude Palette

I'm really not the kinda girl who's really into eye shadow however I will wear it on special occasions, when I can be bothered. Yes, I am aware that sounds lazy but I think my problem is I'm not sure how to apply it properly so it doesn't look naff basically. But anyway, I picked up this Collection palette a long time ago actually but I had heard a lot of things about it and it was £2.99, so hardly breaking the bank.

So if I do wear eye shadow I really only like the neutral shades, call me boring, but I feel if I stick to neutral then I can get away with just blending the whole thing out and having a hint of colour basically. That's why I was drawn to this palette as they are all neutral shades that are really wearable for day or night. The packaging is pretty flimsy but is great for the price that you're paying to be honest.

I've used this a few times now and have really enjoyed it when I have. The colours are really soft and blendable which is a bonus for a beginner like me. I love the lightest shade in the corners of my eyes and I think could even be used as a highlighter. I also really like a tiny amount of the darkest shade in my crease for more of a noticeable, night time look, however I have been wearing it in the day time. That's what I love most about this palette, it's just so wearable and you could make a slightly more dramatic look and wear it in the evening. But you could create the same look without piling on as much product and wear it in the day time.

Overall for the price tag and what you get, this palette is actually really great and definitely worth looking into if you haven't already. I know they do the same palette in different colour ranges so if this one isn't for you, then there may be another one more up your street.

Collection Primed & Ready Mattifying Pore Minimiser

Here's me trying yet another high street primer out and putting it to the test. On a recent online Boots order I needed to buy a new primer due to running out of my old one. I went onto the primer page and scrolled through all the pages before going back to pop this one into my basket. Two things attracted me; 1. this primer has witch elements in it which is aimed at spots and 2. the price! I believe the price also had an extra £1 off, or something like that, so I basically couldn't not try it because it was super cheap. There are a few other Collection products which I love, so thought this one may live up to those expectations.

Firstly the packaging is pretty standard coming in a tube which you squeeze the product out of. You only need a small amount of this product to cover your whole face, as a little goes a long way. It does feel quite slippery and is silicone based, so if you don't like those sorts of products then you won't like this. I like to leave this for a couple of minutes before going and applying my foundation. After applying this product, my skin looks relatively matte and it does smooth out my skin. I then go and apply my foundation which does apply really well on top of this primer. It looks smooth and great if I'm honest which when I'm in a rush in the morning is great.

After wearing this primer for a few hours, my oily patches do shine through under my foundation. I think that's pretty standard though when you do suffer with oily skin, those of you who do will understand. I think this primer gives me 3-4 hours wear before I do need to powder and blot the oily patches away. I think for such a cheap, affordable primer that's really good wear time.

Overall this primer is a pretty good, standard primer. It's not an outstanding primer but it definitely does a good job in terms of make up application after applying this product and keeping my oil away for a few hours. However, I can't say that the witch element has helped my skin in anyway since I began using this. For the price this is a great mattifying, pore minimising primer so would definitely recommend this. I also think this would work great on all skin types!

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Collection

As soon as I heard about this new range of products I knew that I wanted to try them out. I do suffer with oily roots and dry ends which is exactly what this range is aimed at. Boots were doing these three products which are; the shampoo, conditioner and mask, all for £10. I thought this was a great introductory offer however I'm not sure if Boots are still doing it. I've been using these three products together now for a few weeks so feel I can tell you all about my results using them.

So first things first you apply the mask onto dry roots and massage it in. At first I was a bit like what? But I guess it's to prep and get rid of as much oil from those roots as possible. It states to apply this relatively heavily so I do that all round my head and down my main parting. I then go round and massage it all in, you then have to leave it for 5 minutes. The first thing I noticed, and you will notice if you have used or are going to use this mask, is that it stains your fingers blue! Yes it's such a pain and it doesn't come off if you wash them straight after applying the mask. When I've been using these products it's when I've been in the bath and when I get out, my fingers have returned to normal colour, so I think they just need a good old soak.

You then go on to use the shampoo and conditioner as normal, after washing the mask out of course, and you have to make sure you thoroughly remove all traces of the mask from your hair. The shampoo and conditioner are pretty standard, they smell fresh and do the job. My hair does feel particularly soft after using this three step routine and I have really been enjoying doing so.

Onto the real deal, do it make my hair last longer in between washes? The answer is yes, I do get another day out of my hair when using these products. I can guarantee that I will have to use dry shampoo on the third day but that's no biggy as I would normally have to do that on the second day if I hadn't used these products. The only other downside to getting blue fingers is the slightly longer time period you need to do this. Obviously it's only 5 minutes but if you plan on doing this in the shower in the morning before work then you'll have to get in a bit earlier. I know it's not a huge difference but it's something to consider.

Overall I'm really impressed with these products and love that they do actually work in prolonging my hair washes. I've tried a couple of other products which claim to do this but they haven't worked so I'm glad these do. I would definitely recommend these products if you're hair type is like mine, I know hair types are different and these might not work for everyone but I can say they really do work for me. I'd love to hear your reviews if you've tried these products, let me know in the comments.

I Spent Even More Money On Make Up...

When Boots have 3 for 2 on all make up I cannot resist. I purchased six make up items that I really don't need but wanted, isn't that always the story? There were actually a few new releases make up wise and after watching some YouTube videos about the best of the high street brands, I obviously needed to try those too right.

Firstly influenced by Fleur from FleurDeForce I picked up the Collection Eyes Uncovered Nude Palette. I'm not one to always wear eye shadow but when I do I like to have choice depending on what I'm wearing. In this palette there are six neutral shades which are all totally wearable for everyday and on a night out. This palette was as cheap as chips so I'm looking forward to see if it's any good.

Next is a new product from Barry M and it's their Flawless Colour Correcting Primer. This particular one is aimed at redness but there is just a normal one on offer too. I've always said I find it hard to find high street primers so when I saw this one I knew I wanted to try it out. I then picked up the new Rimmel Super Curler Mascara which I read mixed reviews about. This mascara is supposed to curl your lashes without the need to use an eyelash curler. I'm not sure whether this will work or not but I'm excited to see whether it does or not as I'd love to not curl my eyelashes daily!

I then picked up the Bourjois Brow Natural as my current brow product is nearly all gone basically. Unfortunately when I went to try this product out, it didn't work. I took it back to Boots to get another but it was the same so I didn't bother again. This was a shame as I love using felt tip like brow products but it simply just wasn't meant to be.

Next is the Revlon Colorstay Concealer which I have wanted to try for a very long time. I've heard it is supposed to be a dupe for the Nars concealer which I do really like. Hence why I wanted to try this one as it's a fraction of the price. Finally I picked up the Bourjois Mat Illusion Bronzing Powder simply because I wanted a matte bronzer. I've got the Bourjois chocolate bronzer but it does have some shimmer in it which for the autumnal/winter months I didn't want. I do love Bourjois as a brand so thought I would stick with it and found this matte one which I haven't heard anything about so thought I would give it a go.

That's it for this Boots haul (again). I definitely need to stop buying make up for quite a while now and use up more that I have in my stash. I do love when Boots do 3 for 2 though as it's such a good time to save money and try out new things you've always wanted too. I hope you all have a lovely weekend :-)

Empties #1

My first ever empties post! I actually remembered to huddle some of my empties together to write a post on them, yay me! I always tell myself to write one of these posts but then realise that the other day I threw one in the bin, end of that post. I must say these empties are from rather a long time ago, probably December woops, but finally this post goes live.

My first empty was the Nivea express hydration primer and I really enjoyed using this. It was absolutely perfect for those 'in a rush' days before work as it moisturises and primes all in one product. It obviously isn't the most luxurious product but it did the job for a day at work and for that reason I really like this product.

Next are 2 products from Collection, first their infamous lasting something or other concealer. This was my first tube of this and it's just a little tube of perfection really. I had this in the lightest shade for under my eyes which worked absolute wonders. It was too light to use to cover my spots/imperfections and for that now I bought the next shade which I also love. I won't run on too much as I'm sure everyone reading this has most probably tried it. The other Collection item is the Fix Me Up, said to keep your make up in place for longer. First things first the bottle is pretty small, now I know Collection aren't the most expensive but this bottle barely lasted. I also didn't notice much more hold in my make up, it was nice to apply in the morning but no more than that and I doubt I'll be repurchasing again.

Aussie is one of my favourite hair care brands as they have different products for your length of hair which I like. I believe the 3 minute miracle is probably one of their best sellers, I got the one for long hair and I really enjoyed using this. It helps deeply moisturise and nourish your hair which it definitely did, it left my hair feeling super smooth and soft. I used this once or twice a week depending on how much I thought my hair needed it. It definitely did the job and I've always used Aussie products and I won't be stopping anytime soon.

Finally 2 perfumes, due to living in 2 houses I have a perfume at each and this time it just so happened that they ran out at the same time, annoying hey. First the Calvin Klein IN2U, I actually got this for my birthday from my aunt and uncle and it smells super duper good, definitely an everyday wear. I'm rubbish at describing scents I'll have you know. Next is one from Sarah Jessica Parker, this is simply an old time classic and totally reminds me of middle school. I'm not so keen on the packaging but the smell is gorgeous, I'd say this one is slightly floral but again is for everyday and this is also is super cheap, bonus.

So that's all my empties and I hope you enjoyed this post, a first for me and you as my readers! I think it's nice to get mini reviews and I enjoy them so I hope you do too :-)

The One and Only Tag

I enjoy doing Tag posts on my blog and also reading them amongst many other blogs. I simply just find them fun to write and some of them really get me thinking mainly about beauty products. I asked on Twitter for a new tag to feature on my blog and Angelica from One Little Vice replied with this tag called 'The One and Only'. I loved this idea and thought it would be lots of fun to think of my absolute make up staple items. The idea of this tag is to think of one, and only one, make up product from each category. So here goes!

The Question is: If you could only have one ... what would it be? And, in a few words, why?

Primer

I've not tried that many primers as they're quite new to my make up essentials but I'd definitely have to say the Benefit POREfessional. It's so easy to apply, makes your face feel so smooth and keeps make up in place!

Foundation

Definitely Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. This is my all time favourite foundation, although I am currently trying another of their foundations which I think I will equally love!

Concealer

It has to be the infamous Collection Lasting Perfection. I have two shades; one lighter for under my eyes and one my actual colour for spots and blemishes. It really is just such an all rounder.

Powder

Rimmel Stay Matte, I've literally used this for years. It was the first make up item I think I ever got and I've used it ever since! I suffer from oily skin and this really does keep it at bay.

Blusher

Now blusher is one of the things I always change up in my make up routine, I never stick to the same one for very long, then go back to them after a little while. So at the moment it's 17 Blush in China Pink, I definitely think I need to invest in a more autumnal shade though as this one's quite summery.

Bronzer

Honestly I never really use bronzer, it really is just one of the make up products that I'm not fussed about. But if I did pick it would be MUA Mosaic Bronzer. It's got light and darker tones to it which I like as it's not too heavy.

Highlighter

Again not something I use in my everyday make up but I do love Benefit High Beam. It's such a gorgeous pearly pink and really easy to apply. I definitely need to branch out a bit more with highlighters as I do think they are really pretty on the skin!

Make up brush

This is pretty easy, it has to be my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. It's such an amazing brush, gives a lovely flawless looking finish and is easy to blend with. I use this also for my concealer sometimes which works really well too.

Eyebrows

It's a new one for me but from now on a definite staple. It's Soap & Glory Archery in Brownie Points. Oh my it's my new favourite toy, it's so easy to apply and I love having the pencil and tint altogether in one product.

Eyeshadow

Again not an everyday product but I'm really trying to change this. My current go to is the Maybelline Color Tattoo's, I'm especially loving On and On Bronze but another newbie to my collection is Metallic Pomegranate. These are super easy and quick to apply for everyday which is why I love them.

Eyeliner

This product was again a very early purchase and one that I have repurchased for many years is the Collection Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner. It's amazing, stays on all day and is super easy to apply giving thicker or thinner lines.

Mascara

This is the hardest one for me, I never seem to buy the same mascara more than once unless I truly love it. And the one I've repurchased more than any others is the L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes. The formula is amazing and really curls my lashes, also keeps them curled all day!

Lip product

Again this one is pretty hard but I think I'm going for Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Notting Hill Nude. It really is just an everyday colour which I love as I'm not a very bright lip girl unless I'm on a night out! I've also got this same product in Sweetheart Tulips which again is such a gorgeous but brighter colour.

Lip Balm

How is this possible? Lip balm's are things I always buy and literally must have hundreds of them! I think I'm going to have to be boring and say Vaseline Cocoa Butter. It's simple does the trick and smells nice. For tinted Lip Balms I'd go with the Maybelline Baby Lips though.

Nail Polish

Again, how can I choose just one? I cannot choose a specific colour but brand wise it would either be Essie or Rimmel Lycra Pro. Ah I can't decide between the two! Essie definitely have more of a colour range so maybe I'd go with them!

Right so there it is! My all time favourites, it was actually quite tricky and I definitely wanted to choose more than one for quite a few of those questions, but I came out of the other end, completed! I hope you enjoyed this tag post and I'd love to know what your products would be. So having said that I'd love to tag you all to do this and let me know in the comments if you do! :-)

Boots Haul

Here I am back with another haul, I honestly can't stop myself recently! There just seems to be so many new and exciting beauty/make up items in the high street that I end up getting lured in and with a full basket. What first drew me to the Boots website was the launch of the Maybelline Baby Lips which every blogger has been chatting about. As they are not in stores yet I thought it the perfect time to make an online order and to get free delivery I had to spend over £20 so that wasn't very hard.

So first things first I picked up 3 of the 6 Maybelline Baby Lips, Maybelline is currently on 3 for 2 at Boots hence why I got 3. I was tempted to get all of them but thought that was a tad extravagant considering I've never tried them before and wasn't sure what to expect. Anyway the 3 I picked up were Peach Kiss, Pink Punch and Cherry me. I haven't properly trialed these as I only got them yesterday but so far I really like them. They all smell fruity and I really like the packaging. Also Pink Punch and Cherry Me have a slight tint to them, and I'm talking very slight, but I can notice it and I rather like that about them. These are also only £2.99 which is a bargain and even better with the 3 for 2 offer on at the moment.

Next I picked up 2 Sinful Colors nail varnishes, I've wanted to try some of these for so long since they launched but never got my hands on them. Again they're a product that I, personally, can only get online due to all my local Boots not stocking them. So again this was a perfect opportunity to order some. Sinful Colors have many different finishes of nail varnishes which is nice to have the variety there within the same brand. I picked up one glitter, obviously the green, which is called 'Call You Later' and is a lovely lime/olive green glitter. I also got 'Daredevil' which I believe may be a pearl finish (if I've got that wrong then it's just a normal varnish) but it's a very bright fuchsia pink. I can't wait to try these and for only £1.99 each they're definitely a bargain.

I then got a few bits from Collection, recently I've been on the look out for a make up setting spray. I haven't actually come across many other than the Urban Decay one (which I still very much want to try) and this one I purchased. It's called 'Fix Me Up' the long lasting make up fixer. This is obviously a high street one and was a slice of the price at £4.99. I think these setting sprays could be a staple in the summer months so I'm excited to try this. I also then picked up a 'Work The Colour' eyeshadow pencil, this is an influenced purchased from Zoella featured in her recent video. I got this in the colour 'Vintage Blush' which is a gorgeous shimmery pale pink, I've only swatched this on my hand but it seems creamy and is a lovely colour which would look nice in the corner of the eyes or all over the lid. Also because I spent over £4 on Collection products I got a free nail varnish, this was a nice little surprise as I had no idea what colour I was going to get. It's actually a rather nice teal green colour called 'Electric Dreams'.

My last purchase was from 17 and is one of their creme eyeshadows called 'Wild Metallic Eyes' and I got the colour 'Wild Nude'. Again if you watched Zoella then you'll know this is another influenced purchase. It's like the Maybelline Color Tattoo's (which I already have one of and I love. I was also actually going to purchase another one of these online but all the colours were mixed up and I didn't want to receive the wrong colour) but it's less pricey. Again I've only swatched this but the colour is very wearable as you would think as it's called nude. It's also very creamy and there's just not so much shimmer in this one compared to my Maybelline one. The other thing which will define the 2 is the wear of them, the Maybelline ones really do last all day so I'm looking forward to seeing if this one matches up too that.

So that's it for my Boots Haul, I hope you enjoyed it and I'd love to know if you've tried any of the products I purchased and your thoughts on them! It's payday again today and there's already more things I want to purchase (as always) but I'm trying to hold back, let's see how long this lasts, hehe! Hope you're all having a lovely week :-)