sophie is made up | make-up & beauty blog

Liz Earle Colour Collection ♥

2012-05-22T01:53:00.000-07:00

Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush* Liz Earle Sheer Lip Gloss*

I have something super duper exciting to share with you today. I have been a huge fan of Liz Earle products for a few years now and when Liz Earle released the Sheer Skin Tint last year, the first product into the colour world i was lucky enough to meet Liz herself which you can read about here. When i met Liz she said that the world of make-up would soon be making a stand into Liz Earle so i have been sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the release ever since so when i heard it had been released a little over a week ago now i was so excited. The new make-up range has been 4 years in the making and has been split up into 5 sections...faces, cheeks, eyes, lips and accessories. Within the colour range you will find colour-true, sheer and easy to wear, blendable yet long lasting formulations that give high performance that Liz knew busy women really wanted. The range is also designed to work in harmony with the daily essential skincare from Liz Earle. Borage seed oil, avocado and shea butter are just some of the premium quality botanicals you will find in the range along with the finest mineral pigments and natural source Vitamin E.

The range really is to die for...the products really are amazing with such gorgeous packaging. I was lucky enough to get a full sneak peak of the whole make-up range and stand at the launch of the new John Lewis beauty hall last week and i have to say even the stand for the collection is beautiful. Whilst i was at the event i was very lucky to meet Jane Bradley who is the Liz Earle International Make-Up Artist who very kindly went over the whole range with us. Jane was absolutely lovely and honestly a real inspiration to me, i really couldn't believe that i actually got to meet her.

To top it all off i was sent 2 products from the colour range and i have been using them non stop since i got them. The Healthy Glow Cream Blush in Rose is now my all time favourite pinky cream blush..i had been on the hunt for one for a while and i have finally found it. It is a gorgeous dusky pink that gives a stunning glow to the cheeks. It blends incredibly well and you can really build the colour up if you want more of a vivid colour if not simply one swipe will give you a slight flush of colour but with the most gorgeous glow. It dries slightly matte which is what i like and also works so amazingly well with the Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint..the cream formula of both products really makes the skin glow! Also a quick tip..use the cream blush on the lips and see the results..it will be true love ;p There is 7 shades in the line so there is something to suit everyone...deeper pinks to corals, the perfect mix!

When i met Jane she said that the Sheer Lip Gloss in Cherry was in fact Liz's favourite so when i saw i had been sent it i was over the moon. It really is gorgeous..exactly what it says a sheer lip gloss with a hint of colour. Perfect to wear alone or over the top of your favourite lipstick. They smell delicious and have incredible staying power something which is such a huge added bonus..we all want to have gorgeous lips all day long right? The lip gloss is not sticky at all and just glides on..it is also really moisturising as it has avocado oil and shea butter in it. There is 12 shades in this line.

The packaging of all the products is beautiful but i really wouldn't expect anything less from Liz Earle!

Overall the wait really paid off as this really is an amazing make-up collection!

I am excited to delve deeper into the colour world of Liz Earle and will again wait patiently but very excited for the next phase of colour.

Thank-you Liz Earle.

Healthy Glow Cream Blush 01 Rose RRP £16.50

Sheer Lip Gloss 01 Cherry RRP £ 13.50

Have you dived into the new colour range from Liz Earle?

What are your favourite products so far?

Are you excited for more?

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Review

2012-05-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Dry skin has been something I have always lived and dealt with, trying to find the most richest of products to combat my immensely dry skin until around a month ago. I don't know how or why it has happened but I have suddenly developed really very oily eyelids. Eye shadow would always stay put all day with no problems whether it was a high end eyeshadow or a drugstore eyeshadow I literally never had any problems and would never need to use a primer, because of this when I did start getting oily eye lids I panicked as I didn't know what was going to be the best product to combat this problem. I'm not saying my eyeshadow would slide and ever so slightly crease but around 2-3 hours of wearing the eyeshadow it would have all disappeared leaving awful smudged greasy lines, it's hard to explain but really wasn't a pretty sight! So I started using different primers which I had previously heard good reviews of I.e Urban Decay Primer Potion and Two Faced Shadow Insurance but both products didn't do a single thing for me..my oily eyelids are really now that bad. It's such a strange thing to happen when the rest of my skin is still very dry. Anyway after many hours of reading reviews I decided to purchase the Nars Smudge Proof EyeShadow Base which had amazing reviews of. I was hesitant at first as you all know I do love my drugstore products and spending £18 on an eye shadow primer did seem a bit steep but as nothing was working I knew I had to try the 'cream of the crop' as all the reviews I read were totally singing its praises! So when passing through House Of Fraser in Westfield recently I took the plunge and purchased the product which I hoped was going to 'change my life' that sounds so extreme but I wear a neutral eye pretty much everyday so for it to suddenly start creasing and smudging so much was really frustrating for me.

I can honestly say for me this is literally a miracle product...i used it the day after, applied it in the morning used my favourite eyeshadows for my day time look and when i returned home from work nearly 10 hours later my eyeshadow was exactly how i applied it in the morning. Not one sign of a crease or smudge...it was perfect. I was so stunned. The product itself is a mix between a cream and a gel and dries pretty matte. You have to work quick quickly with it as it dries quickly but you really only need to smallest amount. I think that if you apply too much product it can work against you and do exactly what you don't want it to. I just use what it on the applicator for both eyes. I bought this well over a month ago and i have used it every day since..i am so happy i have found a product to combat and help with my oily eyelids. The price is still a down point for me but as its working so well i really can't complain too much. I can definitely see that this will forever have a place in my everyday make-up bag!

Have you tried this miracle worker before?

Did it work for you?

Free Nails Inc With InStyle Magazine &hearts

2012-05-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

In this months issue of InStyle Magazine they are offering a free nails inc polish and they are definitely not to be missed. Nails inc has really become my favourite higher end nail polish brand so to hear they were going to be free with a magazine and be new shades for the magazine was super exciting. As soon as i heard they were released i went straight out to hunt them down...it took a while to get all 3 shades but i got them in the end and love them all.

The 3 shades specially made for InStyle Magazine are...

Bluebell

Power Pink

Peach Sorbet

All of which are gorgeous shades, so opaque and a dream to apply.

I got so excited when i managed to get all 3 i couldn't decide which one to apply first so went with all 3 and ended up with the design above. I'm not amazing a nail art design and the above design isn't perfect but i love it and i have had so many compliments on my nails :)

They wont be around long and seem to be flying off the shelves so run out and pick them up asap you wont regret it...i mean £3.80 for an £11 polish is amazing!!

Which is you favourite shade out of the 3?

Happy Birthday GlossyBox ♥ OOTN ♥

2012-05-11T02:43:00.000-07:00

Dress: River Island

Leather Jacket: New Look

Boots: Primark

Necklace: Philippines

Nails: Orly Fancy Fuscia Revlon Facets of Fuscia

Lips: M.A.C Pink Nouveau

Last night i had a fabulous evening at the GlossyBox 1st Birthday Party and i thought i would quickly show you what i was wearing! I don't normally do outfit post's but do let me know if you like them and wouldn't mind seeing more.

Would just like to wish a big Happy Birthday to GlossyBox and thank-you for such a great evening..it was so wonderful to catch up with so many other amazing bloggers and of course chill with my babe Sabrina I have had such a brilliant time being a GlossyBox Ambassador and i look forward to the coming year!

Neon Madness ♥ Nails & Phone Case

2012-05-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

I put together this combo last night and instantly fell in love so had to share it with you!

Revlon Zealous

Bourjois Shade 26 (no name)

I bought these two colours earlier in the week as i thought they would be perfect for the summer..i had no intention of pairing them together until i got home and thought they would make an amazing bright neon combo. These are 100% going to be my go to summer shades they are both stunning. Revlon Zealous is a colour i have never tried before as most bright neon colours can tend to be very sheer...the Revlon is pretty sheer and i did use 4 coats for it but i think it was totally worth it as its so opaque and vivid. If i wanted to paint all of my nails in it though i think i may end up getting a little frustrated and annoyed. I'm glad i decided to go for an accent nail! What i love most about it is the slight gold shimmer...its such a bright neon yellow but with the shimmer it really just makes it special! The Bourjois was a dream to apply with only 2 coats needed and the slanted brush i thought was going to be awkward to use was actually so easy and made the application around the cuticles so simple.

I am loving the neon trend at the moment, so much so my new phone case is now on trend!

I posted a picture of my case on instagram and i got a lot of questions about it so just to let you know it was from H&M and was around £3..what a bargain!!

I'm going neon crrrrrazzy and i ♥ it!

Do you like this nail combo? Are you loving the neon trend?

Sleek Make-Up Ultra Matte V2 Darks i-Divine ♥

2012-05-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

Sleek Make-Up Ultra Matte v2 Darks i-Divine Palette*

Yet another i-Divine palette from Sleek Make-Up but one i am pretty positive you are all going to love. Matte shades are absolutely huge at the moment and make-up brands are releasing all sorts of interesting shades for the lips cheeks and of course eyes. One release that is now a permanent fixture in my make-up bag is the Ultra Matte V2 Dark i-Divine Palette. This is one of 2 new i-Divine Palettes from Sleek Make-Up, the one above being V2 Darks and the other palette in the range is V1 Brights both palettes make up of entirely matte shades...yep you heard that right a totally matte palette something which i think everyone has been longing for. I can hold my hands up and say that i always used to hate matte shades and would always sway towards the shimmers but having been experimenting more with some of my other eye shadows for the last few months i have been hooked on mattes ever since so when this turned up on my doorstep i was ridiculously excited! I was also pretty thrilled that i had the chance to try the V2 Darks Palette as in reality as gorgeous as they look the shades in the V1 Brights Palette wouldn't be something i normally go for.

The palette is made up of 12 neutral shades with a green, blue and purple thrown in there as well, a real perfect mix of colours. The shades are shade to be very highly pigmented but unfortunately like some other of the matte lighter shades from previous i-divine palettes they do lack a bit of pigmentation and can be slightly chalky but none the less still do work great. All other shades have amazing pigmentation and are so creamy and easy to blend! The palette really does have every colour you need even with a matte black perfect for travelling as well. 'Dune' and 'Paper bag' are now my staple colours for a smokey neutral eye!!

The packaging has slightly changed with the palettes and also the eye shadow pans no longer have the embossed design on them which i feel gives it a more chic expensive feel...the embossed design did give the palette a cheaper feel i thought.

The Ultra Matte i-Divines V1 & V2 will launch on the 9th of May and will be available in Superdrug stores and online at www.sleekmakeup.com.

They are not to be missed!!

Will you be first in the queue? What do you think of the shades?

Check Out The Bangs/Fringe ♥

2012-05-03T08:20:00.001-07:00

I have been toying with the idea of getting my fringe/bangs cut back in as to be honest when i first had it cut in around 6 months ago i really didn't give it a good enough go...it was cut slightly too long and really annoyed me so i ended up just keeping it as a side fringe and growing it out. Having short hair means you can only do so much and i was incredibly bored so decided to get the full fringe cut back in again. It is a little shorter than last time so its not annoying me all the time and i really really love it!! I got it cut at The Ginger Group in Westfield White City which i would highly recommend.

Would do you think? Do you like a full fringe/bangs?

Duo-chrome-alicious - Inglot AMC Lip gloss

2012-05-01T00:53:00.000-07:00

I have had this lip gloss in my collection for some time now so i have no idea why i haven't shared it with you sooner as it is actually amazing! Inglot is a brand that i have been interested in ever since the store in Westfield London opened, i have now collected a fair few of their brushes and also have a couple of the freedom palettes all of which i love and would highly recommend...do let me know if you would like reviews on either. One thing i do love about Inglot is that they are not afraid to have different, crazy unique products which to me this lip gloss definitely is. It is the most crazy beautiful duo-chrome colour which shines pink, purple, yellow and green pretty much identical to my new side bar background >>>>> tehe...however on the lips it gives off such a stunning coral colour. They last really well on the lips and are not sticky at all...perfect to wear alone or paired with M.A.C Hue is a match made in heaven!! The colour i have is 546 and now i have rekindled my love for it i can't wait to try the other colours. They are a little pricey at £12 a pop but i think its totally worth it.

What do you think of this lip gloss?

Have any of you tried the AMC Lip glosses?

i have had a make-over ♥

2012-04-30T02:12:00.000-07:00

I get bored very easily and changing my blog around always seems to cheer me up and really gets me back in the blogging mood. If ever i feel i have lost my mojo i like to change my blog up a little so it sort of gives me my inspiration back. I had totally lost my mojo over the last few weeks and really didn't feel like blogging much and felt maybe my blog wasn't worthy..i love blogging with all my heart so knew i had to do something to get my mojo back. I have never been a HTML/CSS queen but the lovely Faye from http://girldoesgeek.com/ totally is and has a fantastic blog with tutorials on how to mix your blog up a bit. I must admit i did cry for help with my gorgeous new Social Media Icons and Faye was a total babe and did come to my rescue for that but everything else i just followed her tutorials from her blog..such simple and informative tutorials!! Just a quick fyi Faye does charge for her amazing services and i of course paid for mine. Faye didn't ask me to write this post i just really wanted to let you all know about her amazing blog and if you ever need help with anything she really is the lady! I am so happy with how my little blog looks now and can't wait to crack on with lots of new posts for you all. Thank-you all so much for sticking by me...it means the world ♥

Would love to know what you think of my make-over :)

GlossyBox Natural Edition - April 2012

2012-04-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

GlossyBox Natural Edition - April 2012*

I have been literally dying to share this Glossy Box with you as i have had it for a few days now. I don't know about you but it has seemed like forever since we all lasted received our Glossy Box's so i was super happy when this was delivered during the week...thanks to my boyfriend hearing the doorbell at 7am tehe. I didn't review the last 2 months boxes as i had been away on holiday and i thought a really late review would have been pretty pointless as you would have all seen hundreds on reviews by then. Anyway on to this months box. There is a theme with this box, i really do love it when Glossy Box give themes for the boxes. They tend to have a different colour scheme and focus on something in particular. This months focus is 'Natural' so the box itself is 100% biodegradable and all 5 products inside are all natural and ethical goodies. I really love the colour and feel of the box and this it works perfectly with the theme. I tend to use my limited edition boxes more as i like the different colours more...anyone with me on this one?

So what did i get inside my box?

Caudale Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum

Inika Cosmetics Certified Organic Eyeliner

MONU Moisture Rich Collagen Cream

Figs & Rouge Lip Balm

Burts Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion

I must admit as soon as i opened this box i knew i was going to love every single product. Glossy Box can be very hit and miss and most of the time there is 1 or 2 products i just push aside and don't use but i love every one of these products...i am also super happy i got this box, as you all probably know the boxes can vary and most of the time i always end up wishing i had a product from a different box but i can safely say this month did me good and i am so happy with the box i got...some of the other products i have seen really don't appeal to be so much.

As well as the box being a natural theme lucky for me the majority of the products i got are for dry and dehydrated skin which is something i have and am always trying to combat so maybe this is another reason why i love the box so much. Each product is aimed at relieving and re hydrating dry skin. The Figs & Rouge Lip Balm and Burt's Bees nourishing milk i have used every day since i received the box. Both are so moisturising and smell amazing, i had a feeling i would love those 2 the most when i first opened the box. The Caudalie and Monu i have also been using every day and loving but of course a few days use isn't enough for me to do a full review however so far i am really enjoying them especially the Caudalie Serum...Caudalie has always been a brand i have been interested in. Then the only make-up item in the bag is a purple eyeliner from Inika...the purple shade isn't totally for me but the pencil itself is so creamy and blends like a dream, i am now really interested in trying more from Inika..see what you do to me Glossy Box??

So this month i am extremely impressed Glossy Box...thank-you so much!

It is Glossy Box's first birthday next month so i am even more excited to see what we get in our next box...who's with me on that one?

What did you think of this months Glossy Box?

Were you happy with your products?

nails inc 'Pudding Lane' Sprinkles Collection ♥

2012-04-23T02:27:00.000-07:00

nails inc Pudding Lane*

Last week i was lucky enough to attend a nails inc event where they were showcasing lots of their new and exciting up coming releases, i will be sharing lots of them with you over the coming weeks but there is just one collection i just couldn't wait to tell you about....

nails inc Sprinkles Collection!

The collection has a unique new formulation that provides amazing full coverage with just two coats. The glitter particles are mattified to create a unique sprinkles special effect. These sprinkles polishes allow you to create effects that would previously have taken two products to achieve!

This collection does actually remind me of the new crazy Caviar nails but much more simple, easy and mess free i mean i never really did understand having tiny beads on your nails and this polish it a perfect way to achieve that without the price tag and beads on your nails.

There is 4 shades in the collection which are all names after some of the most delicious streets in London...

Sugarhouse Lane - pastel grey with monochrome glitter

Sweets Way - Pale blue with pastel blue, pink and white glitter

Pudding Lane - Teal with navy and gold glitter

Topping Lane - pink with fuschia, silver and blue glitter

I was lucky enough to come away with Pudding Lane and i absolutely love it so i seriously can't wait to get my hands on the other three shades when they are released in June. I have to admit from what i saw at the event Sweets Way is definitely the stand out shade from the collection it was literally stunning a very very pale blue almost white with pastel blue, pink and white glitter...totally gorgeous and one i think everyone will love. We were treated to mini manicures at the event and lots of the girls chose to have Sweets Way and everyone loved it so it really is one to keep an eye out for i for one will definitely be first in line when it is released!

Like i said the collection will be released in June and will have an RRP of £11

I never really saw nails inc as one of my favourite higher end nail polish brands but they have for sure made it to the top now...i love nails inc muchly and couldn't quite believe how many polishes i actually own from them!

Thank-you nails inc for a fabulous event!

What do you think of the Sprinkles Collection?

Sally Hansen Girl Flower Salon Effects ♥

2012-04-10T02:38:00.000-07:00

If you follow me on Instagram @Sophieismadeup then you will have spotted these little beauties on there. I did my nails last night and was so happy with the result i posted a few pictures on Instagram. A lot of you loved them and soon lots and lots of questions came flooding in so i thought i would share with you on here what i exactly had on my nails.

It was in fact some nail polish strips from Sally Hansen in Girl Flower!

Yep i'm sorry i have to admit, it was nail strips....really did wish it was my own nail art design lol

That's the great thing about the Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips, they look and feel exactly like nail polish, they are not your traditional nail wraps!

I picked up 2 designs whilst out in the Philippines as they are so hard to get hold of in the UK and they cost around £7 which i didn't think was bad at all. I got the design you see above and a pink glitter design which i have worn and loved but for some reason didn't blog about..call me crazy!

I am a huge nail art/nail wrap fan ever since my friend Sabrina introduced me to Nailease which you can see reviews of here i have been hooked trying all new designs and wraps from different companies. I have to say Nailease are still amazing but the Sally Hansen have knocked them off first place though!

The Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips are in fact real nail polish which is indicated in the name ;P As soon as you open the package they smell of nail polish but still have the same look of a wrap..until you put them on your nails. They are a little harder to work with and i still haven't actually got the hang on it yet. They are much thinner and a lot more flimsy so once you have stuck it to the nail it will stay and you can't pull them off to re-position so just keep that in mind. They do not require heat which is a massive bonus, i really hate nail wraps/strips that require heat to apply. You get 16 strips in each box...16?!? why is it such a random number?? That's really annoying but i guess i will never understand it. It also comes with a small nail file, cuticle stick and buffer.

These really are the best nail strips/wraps i have ever used!!! They stay on your nails exactly how you applied them for at least 7-8 days it really is that impressive. You don't have to be so careful with your nails once they are applied, i always felt with other nail wraps i needed to be careful in case they pulled off, this is really not something you have to worry about with these they really are amazing! I am so upset i didn't get more and i know they are going to be a right pain to track down online. I did use a top coat with the above design as it was ever so slightly matte but with the glitter design i didn't and they really did last me over a week!

So there you have it girls the secret to my nail design ;)

Have you tried the Sally Hansen Salon Effects?

What did you think of them?

Sleek Make-Up Eau La La Pencils!

2012-04-08T11:07:00.001-07:00

Sleek Make-Up Eau La La* Red Sky Night* Cobalt Blue* Bullion*

I get super excited about new releases from Sleek Make-Up as they are one of my favourite drugstore/high street brands but i got really reeeeally excited about the newest release and couldn't wait to share it with you as it is honestly not one to miss.

Sleek Make-Up have released a range of 20 highly pigmented, smudge-proof pencils which are enriched with a soft, creamy formulation perfect for use on eyes, lips and brows. All of the shades are matte apart from 2 dazzling metallics, Tonic and Bullion, Bullion of which you can see a swatch of above a perfect bright vivid metallic gold! There is a vast variety of colours ranging from bright blues and yellows to soft browns, taupe's and dusky pinks. I really do love the way all the shades are so versatile there are some stunning pinks that can be used as lip liners and the perfect matte brown shades to help you fill in the brows to achieve the perfect brow for this season.

The packaging is matte black which is of course cult for Sleek Make-Up giving the pencils and classic, professional look along with the colour co-ordinated ends giving you a great heads up of your chosen colour! Strangely enough when you take the lid off the pencil it makes this seriously satisfying sound...so weird and crazy i know but please tell me someone feels the same way?! Its a bit like the satisfying sound M.A.C Paint Pot lids make when you open them lol oh dear I'm really starting to sound like a crazy lady now!

I am just going to say this straight up these liners really are comparable to Urban Decay 24/7 Liners for literally a fraction of the price..at only £3.99 these really are amazing and are definitely going to be flying off the shelves when they are released on the 11th of April ooooo only 3 days to go!!!

These Eau La La liners have a unique formulation that makes them waterproof and only fade or of course remove them with make-up remover. Sleek Make-Up say that 'these babies don't budge...FACT' and i can honestly say they don't!!! They are so super soft and creamy but you do have to work quickly with them as they do set pretty quickly..they are easy to blend but not as easy as the Urban Decay 24/7 Liners i must admit but they do stay put longer 100% Also the Urban Decay 24/7 Liners are only ever so slightly more softer which i guess is why they are easier to blend but for staying power the Sleek Make-Up Eau La La Liners definitely win!

The metallic shade i have in Bullion is a lot less pigmented and slightly harder to work with as it isn't as creamy but to be honest the 18 other matte shades interest me so much more so I'm not too disappointed. Cobalt Blue lasted on my lash line for around 8 hours and would have kept going strong if i hadn't had removed my make-up, i struggle to find a product to last a long time in my waterline so it did fade pretty quickly there and i did need to re-apply but that is normal for me as i have very watery eyes annoyingly! Red Sky Night is the most perfect lip liner colour for me, i have been loving teaming this with some of my favourite lipsticks as it its a pretty similar colour to most of them to be honest so i just helps define my lips slightly which i have been really enjoying!

I don't know about you guys but i am really excited for the release of these liners as i am now dying to try the brown shades as it looks as though there could possible be 8? I would love to see how they wear and look if i fill in my eyebrows, i wear a brown liner across my lash line daily so with the staying power and formulation they have i am guessing they will pretty much be a holy grail product for me!

Like i mentioned before these are going to cost a mere £3.99 which is seriously incredible and will launch on the 11th of April so be sure to head to your nearest Superdrug store or be ready at your laptop on the Sleek Make-Up Website as they will be available on there as well.

They really are not to be missed!

What do you think of these Eau La La Liners?

Are you excited to try them?

Another Dupe? 17 Instant Glow vs Nars Laguna

2012-04-05T06:15:00.000-07:00

You all seemed to really love my recent previous dupe post so i thought i would share another with you today...maybe i should make this a feature? Oooooo do let me know! Anyhooo i have been a lover of Nars Laguna bronzer for a few years now. It was majorly hyped about when i first started blogging a long time ago now and i remember treating myself before an Illamasqua event in Selfridges over 2 years ago...since that day it has been my go to bronzer but of course it comes with a Nars price tag of £24 which is a hell of a lot of money for a bronzer but i was willing to fork out that much as it would last me a good couple of months. Of course me being a lover of budget beauty apart from my foundation this bronzer is the only other product i religiously buy which is high end so i have been hunting high and low to find THE perfect matte bronzer and i just so happened to find that product the other week.

17 Instant Glow Medium Bronze....another dupe and another 17 product!! Crazy no?

This is a new product for 17 and i believe it is part of the summer range, as soon as i swatched it in store i knew it was going to be perfect and something inside told me it was incredibly similar to my beloved Nars Laguna. It was only when i got home and did a little more swatching and using the 17 Instant Glow that i realised it really was so similar.

In the picture above of the swatches Nars Laguna is on the left and 17 Instant Glow is on the right. Straight away you can see that Nars Laguna is much more of an orange bronze with much more 'glitter' where as the 17 Instant Glow is so much more of a flat bronze shade with more of a 'sheen' than a glitter. Nars Laguna has always been said that it is a matte bronzer with an ever so slight glitter to it, i love matte bronzer's but yes the slight glitter was a bit of a pain so for the 17 Instant Glow to have no glitter what so ever and a little sheen is seriously amazing in my eyes. It is also perfect that it is more of a deep bronze shade and not so orange. I still believe this is a great dupe for Nars Laguna however in my eyes the 17 Instant Glow is so much nicer and is now what i have been using daily, the picture above actually shows my 'back up' one :)

The 17 Instant Bronze comes in 2 shades Light Bronze and Medium Bronze. Now i know that 17 have a permanent range of Instant Bronze products including a bronzing powder so I'm guessing that they have added a few new products for the spring collection, whether they are permanent i am not sure which is why i have stocked up ;) Maybe i will pop back into boots to see if there is a difference in the shades between the original Instant Glow Bronzer, the packaging is definitely different!

If you are like me and love your drugstore/high street products but some high end products tickle your fancy but you don't want to fork out the hefty price tag in my opinion this is the most perfect if not better dupe for Nars Laguna and for only £4.59 it is such a bargain!

What do you think?

Do you think this is a great dupe?

Have you tried either? Do you prefer the 17 Instant Glow?

GlossyBox For Men - Spring 2012 Edition

2012-03-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

It's that time again for my boyfriend Ryan to take over my blog and share his thoughts with you all on the Spring Edition GlossyBox for Men!

GlossyBox for Men - Spring 2012 Edition*

I woke up this morning at 7am to the doorbell ringing and some serious knocking on our front door! As I got to the door, the postman had already begun writing the dreaded 'no one was home' note!

Glancing at the box, I noticed it was the second instalment of the GlossyBox for Men - Spring 2012 edition.

A warm stone coloured box, again with the black crimpled paper packaging - I eagerly ripped away the paper to find 7 products which are:

'GREEN PEOPLE - Organic Homme Active Fix Repair Serum' - Extraordinary age reversal plant formula with a clinically proven cell rejuvenator to actively reduce wrinkles.

(Full size is £16.50 for 50ml)

'4711 - The Original Eau De Cologne' - Pour a generous amount of cologne into cupped hands and apply liberally around the neck, cheek and wrist area for instant refreshment.

(Full size is £10.95 for 50ml)

'THE LEGENDS LONDON - Alum Matchsticks' - Natural after shave astringent.

(Full Size £1.00 for 1 book)

'FAB - Body Moisturiser' - The ultimate travel companion for all skin types that provides irritant-free hydration.

(Full size is £13.00 for 226.8grams)

'LIZ EARLE FOR MEN - Liz Earle for Men Face Scrub' - Pumice and jojoba beads exfoliate and help clear blocked pores - leaves skin clearer and ultra-smooth.

(Full size is £13.25 for 75ml)

'KYOKU FOR MEN - Sake Infused Shave Crème' - Prevents redness, irritation and moisture loss and guarantees a razor slick glide for a smooth, calming shave.

(Full size is £25.00 for 170ml)

'DR BONNER'S MAGIC LIQUID SOAPS - Lavender Hand Sanitizer' - A lavender scented hand sanitizer on a handy spray size perfect to carry around with you.

(Full size is £3.99 for 59ml)

I immediately tried out the Dr Bonner's Magic Liquid Soap Lavender Hand Sanitizer as you could use it straight from the bottle with no need to shower, shave or use water! I am not the biggest fan of lavender however as soon as I sprayed the light liquid onto my hands, within 5 or so minutes the smell had dispersed and I was left with clean ever so lightly fragranced hands. Another thing that I would mention is that this product is certified fair trade which would definitely appeal to the eco-warrior in you!

The 4711 The Original Eau De Cologne in my opinion would be perfect after travelling on a car, coach or plane and you need to freshen up! It has a wonderful citrus fruits scent that lasts and again I tried this product straight out the box! It actually reminds me of being on holiday! Very clean feel and leaves no traces of any oils and rubs in really nicely. Something to keep in my car I think!

Green People Organic Homme Active Fix Repair Serum has a really light, nicely scented and easily absorbed formula which should be used every morning and evening to see the full effects of its advertised wrinkle reducing ability. It is 89% certified organic and this natural serum is made without phthalates, parabens and any artificial fragrances meaning it would be good for all skin types, however this item in my opinion would need a few weeks to trial and some wrinkles before I could comment on its wrinkle reducing claims!

Suffering from some mild acne, I find using certain face scrubs breaks me out. I tried the Liz Earle for Men Face Scrub and after removing the silver protective foil, it actually came out with the consistency of toothpaste! Once I had rubbed it together I applied it to my face and I could instantly feel the cooling eucalyptus and the exfoliating pumice. My skin feels really smooth after using this product and it has yet to dry my skin out which is good, but I will have to wait till tomorrow to find if any blemishes have come out through using this product! Hopefully not! lol..

FAB's (First Aid Beauty) Body Moisturiser looked quite good in the packaging! Safe for sensitive skin and an antioxidant booster, it was already speaking my language! Eager to try, I used some on my hands and arms after showering and it absorbed really well! It has a very mild clean scent and leaves no oily residue afterwards. Something I would consider in the future!

Kyoku for Men Sake Infused Shave Crème comes in 2 types; one is in a white packaging which is for sensitive skin and the other which comes in black which is for normal skin. The one that was in the GlossyBox was the black edition with Japanese Sake and also silicone micro particles which provide a slick surface for easy gliding of the shaver. The crème itself came out with a green shimmer and lathered up really well on my face. Smelled great and definitely gave me a smoother shave with minimal pulling. Washed off with ease! Highly recommended - although pricey at £25.00 for 170ml!

The most interesting thing visually that I really wanted to try was The Legends London Alum Matchsticks. They look really cool and provide an interesting item in your toiletries bag! I have never used an astringent but after doing some research; it is apparently used after shaving to close pores after shaving, helps to calm shaving burn, and had antibacterial qualities to keep your skin in good condition. I used it after shaving and it left a really clean, cooling sensation! No burning at all which was what I was expecting! I still feel it now; 10 minutes after the shave! Just the right amount of product on the 'matchstick' although try not to soak it as the cardboard becomes soft and flops everywhere. Highly recommended and it is priced very well!

Overall I am very happy! Kyoku shave crème, the Legends Alum matchsticks and the FAB body moisturiser were my favourite items in this box, with the rest still being very useful! Definitely opened my eyes to new products which I had no knowledge on, and I am sure anyone who shaves would definitely be interested this GlossyBox Spring 2012 Edition!

PS: On my last review, I never had the length of hair to test out the Goldwell, StyleSign Lagoon Jam Volume Gel. Well now I have the hair back! But unfortunately the gel just didn't have the hold to keep my hair in position. I am sure it would be more suited to really short to short hair, but unfortunately it just didn't work for me.

What did you think of the Spring Edition Men's GlossyBox?

Did your boyfriend or friend subscribe?

Sleek Make-Up Blush By 3 'Flame'

2012-03-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Sleek Make-Up Blush By 3 in Flame*

I have been a huge fan of Sleek Make-Up blushers for a long long time. The pigmentation and quality for a great price really gets me every time so when i heard they were releasing a palette with 3 different blush shades in i couldn't contain my excitement.

I hadn't actually been able to get my hands on any of the palettes as they were pretty much sold out everywhere i tried so when the palette 'Flame' dropped through my letter box this week i was thrilled!

Flame is i believe the darkest palette out of the 5 available and contains 2 matte shades and one shimmer. 4 out of the 5 palettes have at least one shimmer and 'Pink Sprint' is made up of 3 true mattes. All 5 palettes have gorgeous shades and you will definitely find a palette to suit your skin tone. Unfortunately 'Flame' is made up of 3 red/coral shades which is a little bright for my skin tone but none the less i am loving Molten which just so happens to be the shimmer shade out of the three.

Left to Right : Furnace, Bon Fire, Molten

Molten is a stunning warm dark coral with a gold sheen/shimmer to it, it blends amazingly on the skin and is going to be the most perfect shade for the summer. The matte shades in the palette like i said are just a tad bit too dark and strong for my ghostly skin tone but i'm sure would work brilliantly for darker skin tones.

Sleek Make-Up really never seem to fail with the pigmentation of their blushes, it really is incredibly so do use a light hand when applying but don't worry they are also really easy to blend giving such a nice colour!

The idea behind these palettes were for those woman who love to carry a lot of make-up around with them but can't possible fit too many products into their micro-mino handbags but cannot possible face the prospect of being caught short, having 3 blushers to choose from in a slim compact palette is perfect. This palette has obviously not totally worked for me as i will only use one colour so it does slightly defeat the whole object of having 3 blushers in 1 but as i do really love Sleek Make-Up blushers i am definitely going to still hunt down the other palettes and choose one that is right for me and one that i will use all the shades...Lace and Sugar look totally up my street.

For only £9.99 i really do think these palettes are worth every penny just as long as you choose a palette that is right for you, like i said earlier there will be a palette for everyone's skin tone as the shades really do vary from palette to palette!

The other palettes available are Pumpin, Lace, Pink Sprint and Sugar.

They are available now from Superdrug stores until the 11th of April but will be permanently at the Marble Arch Superdrug store and online at the Sleek Make-Up website

Have you tried these yet?

Do you think they are going to be a new addition to your make-up/hand bag?

17 'First Kiss' Blush...A Dupe For Nars Orgasm?

2012-03-23T02:53:00.000-07:00

Left -17 First Kiss Right - Nars Orgasm

When i first started writing my blog back in 2009 one of the most talked about products was Nars Orgasm and still to this day it is pretty hyped about within the beauty industry. With its awful name but gorgeous coral sheen i think nearly everyone owns it or has it on their wish list. I picked mine up in a Nars counter in John Lewis nearly 3 years ago. Now if you have followed my blog for a while you will know that i deeply love drugstore make-up a lot more than higher end make-up, don't get me wrong i absolutely love lots of higher end brands and products and adore M.A.C but if i had to choose drugstore or high end i would definitely choose drugstore, being able to shop at your leisure and find amazing products for half the price really excites me more than having a sales assistant tell you what they think you should buy..surely you know yourself better than anyone else? Anyway that really is a whole other story. I only have 2 Nars blushes in my collection one of which obviously 'Orgasm' and the other 'Gina'..both i love a lot. Now with my love for more drugstore make-up comes the exciting 'finding dupes for higher end brands' I mean i don't go out of my way to find dupes but when i come across a product at a lower price which i feel resembles and product of a higher price i get really excited...is that sad? So when i was looking at the new products 17 have to offer at the moment i spotted a beautiful blusher in the shade 'First Kiss' which instantly reminded me of Nars 'Orgasm' so as soon as i got home i did a bit of swatching as you do and noticed they really do resemble each other so i had to share it with you all. They are obviously not identical but a pretty good damn try i'd say. They are essentially the exact same blush shade but the 17 'First Kiss' has a lot less of a gold shimmer/sheen to it. It does have a gold shimmer/sheen to it but its more subtle than Nars 'Orgasm' and in my opinion a lot nicer than Nars 'Orgasm' They are both very creamy and blend amazingly and to be honest i feel that 17 'First Kiss' will suit pretty much all skin tones as its much more subtle. As you can see i have actually hit pan on my Nars 'Orgasm' as i do really love it but since discovering 17 'First Kiss' it has become my everyday blush!

Thank-you 17 for releasing such a stunning shade for such an amazing price....£3.49!

(After doing a bit of research it seems that this blusher has actually been out for a while but when i spotted it it was placed at the top with all the new releases?)

Do you think this is a good dupe?

Do you love 17 Make-Up? Do you love finding dupes?

MUA PRO 'OUT THERE' Plumping Lipgloss ♥

2012-03-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

MUA is a brand that has always been in my favourite drugstore brands, to be honest in my opinion its the best affordable brand out there. From there £1 range to the MUA Professional range all the products are extremely great quality and they are always teasing us with new product launches, like these Out There Plumping Lipglosses. I know these were released a while ago but i only just managed to pick some up FYI Oxford Street Superdrug store is uh-mazing...the MUA was full to the brim of gorgeous products. Anyway have you ever tried a plumping lipgloss which only cost's £2?? Yep £2 that's pretty crazy considering these lipglosses contain the ingredient Maxi Lip which is a patented formula which stimulates collagen production and gives off the tingle feeling in the lipglosses to really plump those luscious lips of yours!

Priced at literally only £2 there is 8 shades in the range so i decided to go for...

Buff

Candy Pink

Peach Shimmer

All colours offer such great pigmentation which is great as you can wear them alone. Of course if you wish to pair it with a lipstick it would work perfectly as the colour of the lipgloss will really 'shine' I didn't feel the tingle sensation straight away, it took around a minute to really appear and then it stayed for another minute or so...not the most long lasting for the plumping sensation but its certainly felt like it was working and gave a slight plump to my lips. Nothing major but i didn't expect miracles for a £2 product. For a quick fix they work perfectly. What i love most about these is the pigmentation, for a lipgloss the colour pay off is amazing! The only problem i have is they don't smell very nice but i guess i can forgive them for that ;p

I don't know what it is but i actually really really love the packaging it feels really luxurious for such an affordable product.

Oh MUA how i do love you and all your amazing products...please keep them coming!

Do you love MUA products?

Have you tired these lipglosses?

pureDKNY Verbena Review ♥

2012-03-21T02:29:00.000-07:00

pureDKNY Verbena* RRP £35

I have another perfume review for you today, this perfume deffinitly has a special story behind it which i really love.

pureDKNY announces its continuation of its partnership with CARE a leading humanitarian organisation to help lift women out of global poverty. In honour of the launch of pureDKNY's new scent Verbena, DKNY will partner with CARE International's Access Africa programme which provides educational resources to help even more women escape pverty.

The pureDKNY and CARE partnership began in 2010 with the launch of pureDKNY Vanilla which really is another gorgeous scent. Together they helped educate the Ugandan vanilla farmers through Villa Savings & Loan Associates VSLA. By purchasing its vanilla from local Ugandan vanilla farmers the majority of which are woment, pureDKNY has taken a step to help secure long-term vanilla production in Uganda.

Now they have teamed up together to create pureDKNY Verbena. The hybrid note in the scent is Verbena-Basil which is a delicate plant. Although it is a herb is has a sparkling citrus, lemon like scent. With the partnership with CARE pureDKNY Verbena is helping to make and impact on improving the finacial future for women, literally one drop at a time. By purchasing its Verbena from local farmers in Togo pureDKNY Verbena has taken a step to help secure long-term production of Verbena in Togo.

pureDKNY Verbena is housed in a gorgeous clear crystal bottle which is insipred by a raindrop. It is made from 100% recyclable glass and topped with a cap made of 100% recyclable high quality aluminium. The outer packaging is constructed from certified forest paper and printed with lower volatile organic compound inks.

This perfume makes me feel so fresh and happy. Spraying this perfume certainly makes it feel different to any other perfume on the market as every drop is making a difference and is really helping a cause. The scent is very citrus, fresh and every so slightly sweet. Perfect for an everyday scent. The bottle is very cute and sophisticated and i love having it in my bag.

A drop of verbena, sourced from Africa, a drop of goodwill.

pureDKNY continues to support local communites and CARE's work.

Defending dignity, fighting poverty.

Help make a difference, pure and simple.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

2012-03-20T02:36:00.000-07:00

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer*

This is definitely one of those most talked about products in the blogging community and i had been dying to try it. If i am honest i have pretty good hair in the sense that it is in good condition, that is partly down to the fact it is a short bob however i do straighten my hair every time i wash it which is every other day so there has to be some damage on my ends somewhere, because of this i do like to use a hair mask/treatment once a week to give my ends a bit of a pick me up and lets face it our hair really does deserve a treat once in a while. I had heard amazing reviews of the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer so couldn't wait to slather my hair in it.

The Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a 'pre shampoo' treatment so you apply this all over when your hair is due a wash and also when it is wet. How crazy does that sound? Well it certainly did to me so i was a little skeptical i have to admit. You apply the treatment in sections all over your hair and pop on the shower cap that comes with it. You could always use some cling film which would so the same thing i guess. You leave the treatment on for 10-20mins but if you want a really deep intensive treatment you can leave it on for 30mins if you like.

I do tend to leave this one for 30mins as i really like to get the product working in my hair. Once you have left it on for your preferred time you then rinse it out and wash your hair as normal. Philip Kingsley advice that you use their shampoo and conditioner after using the treatment but as i do own any i just used my current shampoo and conditioner and it worked perfectly fine.

I am just going to say it straight..this treatment is out of this world!!! It makes my hair so incredibly soft, shiny and sleek so much so that i can't stop touching it after i have used it i really don't know how it does it! I suffer with fly-away hairs but after using the treatment they are so much more tamed and don't annoy then hell out of me during the day.

Sometimes if i am in a rush i just use the treatment on the ends of my hair as that is the driest part and again it works superbly.

I also have a very sensitive scalp and a lot of products tend to irritate my scalp however this has not irritated it at all which is always a huge plus for me.

I love the packaging as well so simple and clean!

The only downside to this product is the RRP which is £22.50 for a full size..i only have the 75ml tube and it is very nearly out which i am a little sad about but to be honest i don't think i will be shedding out £22.50..it does make me sad as i really really love it loads but its just a little too pricey. If i can get my hands on the 75ml size for much cheaper then i think this will be my next option :)

Have you tried this? Do you love it?

What other Philip Kingsley Products have you tried and recommend?

Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24Hour Reivew & Swatches ♥

2012-03-19T01:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so incredibly excited to be sharing these beautiful products with you!!

05 - Eternal Gold

Frosty Yellow Gold

20 - Turquoise Forever

Frosty aqua vibrant blue

55 - Immortal Charcoal

Mid tone grey with a slight shimmer

35 - On and on Bronze

Frosty deep brown bronze

15 - Endless Purple

Bright vivid purple with no shimmer but quite sheer

40 - Permanent Taupe

Matte deep taupe

So i am sure most of you are aware that Maybelline have launched a new line of cream eye shadows which are nicely housed in a small jar. They were originally released a couple of months ago in the US and us in the UK have been waiting patiently for them to be released in the UK, but the wait is now over as they have officially hit the shelves. A little confusing has arisen as there is only 7 shades in the line when there is 10 in the US and they also have different shade names. To me the colours look pretty much the same but they have just changed the name...i could be wrong but either way i am so happy we can now get our grubby mitts on them and i can safely say already that i love them.

The Colour Tattoo eye shadows claim to be smudge proof, crease proof and last for up to 24 hours!

I have mentioned many times before that i am a true drugstore make-up girl at heart so to see cream eye shadows on the high street that claim so much is amazing. I am a huge fan of M.A.C Paint Pots but of cause they do come at a higher price so my expectations of the Colour Tattoos was huge...i really was hoping they would be everything i wished for but for pretty much half the price of M.A.C Paint Pots.

The colour range i personally think is fab...i don't normally wear bright coloured eye shadow so for the line to have 5 neutral colours (there is a silver available which i unfortunately don't have) is totally perfect for me. The 4 neutral colours i have will get so much use out of and i can already say that Permanent Taupe and Eternal Gold will be firm favourites in my everyday routine. A matte taupe cream eyeshadow?? Just amazing in my opinion and one i can see many people going crazy for!! I don't see myself using the 2 brights too often but aren't they just the most gorgeous colours??

The pigmentation and formulation of the eye shadows is amazing. Apart from the purple shade Endless Purple all the colours have super pigmentation...the purple is just a lot less sheer. They are so creamy and don't feel sticky and grainy on the skin at all. To be honest they feel exactly the same as my M.A.C Paint Pots.

Now these really are claiming a hell of a lot to wear for 24 hours and i have to put my hands up and say i haven't actually worn them for a full 24 hours but for my full day at work around 10 hours they have not creased at all and have stayed put amazingly!!!! They have pretty much the same staying power as my M.A.C Paint Pots...soooo crazy for a drugstore cream eye shadow.

I am so impressed and so happy...they retail at £4.99 which i think is even more amazing! Such an amazing price for a drugstore cream eye shadow.

These really do excite me and yes i am a little disappointed we are loosing out on a couple of shades *cough cough* Pomegranate Punk how upsetting...i was so looking forward to that colour but hey ho admittedly we have some gorgeous shades and for them to finally be available in the drugstore is amazing!!

Go head out to your local Boots or Superdrug quick though as these will fly off the shelves.

Have you tried these yet?

Are you excited to try them?

Jemma Kidd Master Class Event!

2012-03-18T03:50:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night i was lucky enough to head to the Jemma Kidd Master Class event. I had such an amazing night so i thought i would quickly share it with you.

I absolutely love Jemma Kidd as a make-up artist as well as her make-up range, i was also a huge fan of her weekly column in You magazine so to have been offered to chance to go to her make-up school was really an honour.

When me and my girl Sabrina turned up to the studios in Ladbroke Grove i did have a little squeal when we saw that Jemma was in fact there...it was so amazing to meet her, she is absolutely lovely, so down to earth and is stunning...a real inspiration!

We were there to have a closer look at some of the JK products and also learn about the Master Class at Home Course. I was in fact lucky enough to be picked to be the model for Jemma's international make-up artist korbin which was seriously amazing!! He talked us through and showed us how a course would work and run. Some other course's which are available are the Perfecting Skin Course, Becoming A Yummy Mummy Course and Mastering Natural Make-Up Course...they are all £20 a head which is such an amazing price and would be perfect for a hen party or a girly night in.

Thanks so Korbin i have now totally realised that i don't need such a full coverage foundation and i can in fact get away with a tinted moisturiser but i will go into more detail about this in a separate post.

All us girls had to remove our faoundation and Korbin talked everyone through how to apply their base make-up from foundation,highlighter,concealer and blush, but like i said i was lucky enough to be the model so korbin demostrated everything on me :) A little daunting at first as everyone got to see my skin make-up free but all the girls in the bloggers in the class were super lovely!

We were also given a sneak preview of 2 palettes which will be released soon as well as Jemma's newest book.

To top off such an amazing evening we were given a really very generous goody bag which i will also go over in a separate post..i am in love with the products so want to share them with you in more detail.

Thank-you to everyone at the Jemma Kidd Make-Up School.

I had the best evening!

♥

It's So Cherrytastic ♥ Batiste Cherry!

2012-03-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

Since first discovering Batiste Original Dry Shampoo around 3 or 4 years ago it has placed a proud position in my everyday most used products. Lets face facts i have really rather oily hair and have to wash it every other day which is to be honest a right pain as it takes forrrreverrrr so being able to use dry shampoo in between washes is a god send for me.

Tropical was my favourite, then Batiste Brit was my favourite however now it is 100% Cherry!!

If you have been following this blog for a while then you will know that i love anything cherry scented so this was pretty much made for me. A very sweet almond cherry bakewell tart scent which is just delicious..its not going to be for everyone as it is very sweet but i personally LOVE it.

I also adore the packaging its so cute and kitsch and looks stunning on my dressing table.

Batiste Dry Shampoo can not only be used to banish oil but to give a huge amount of volume to fine limp hair...a bit of a 'pick me up'

This new scent is available now and has an RRP of only £2.99 for 200ml.

Go on why don't you pop your Batiste Cherry!

Have you tried this yet?

Are you a fan of Cherry?

L'oreal Caresse Lipsticks Review ♥

2012-03-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Finally a high street brand has done it... a sheer super moisturising lipstick with a gorgeous array of colours.

L'oreal i really do applaud you as these are gorgeous!!

I am a true high street/drugstore make-up girl at heart. Nothing pleases me more than walking into Superdrug or Boots and browsing all the brands at my own leisure without a sale assistant hovering my shoulders...does anyone else find it super annoying? Don't get me wrong i do love lots of high end make-up but honestly i really do enjoy drugstore shopping so much more so i tend to stay clear of department store counters unless i really do need something.

Whilst on a recent trip to Superdrug i spotted a new range of lipsticks...

L'oreal Caresse Lipsticks with a range of 10 colours.

What totally lured me in was the packaging and the range of colours..i really do love packaging.

I got...

03 Lovely Rose

501 Nude Ingenue

101 Tempting Lilac

These lipsticks are very sheer but still give off a nice wash of colour. They are very moisturising and have a gel like texture. They remind me a little of the Revlon Lip Butters but in more luxurious packaging and have more of a lipstick feel than a lip butter feel. I love that they are colour coded with the 'families' on the top of the packaging with a bright pink, gold and deep purple metal finish it really adds something different. You can also slightly see the colour through the packaging which always helps when purchasing.

I have been obsessed with 'Lovely Rose' and have worn it during the day most days since i got it. Its the most perfect rose pink and keeps my lips moisturised all day. In the bullet the colour looks quick bright and deep but as the lipsticks are so creamy and sheer the colour pay off is just perfect to give a nice flush rose pink colour.

I did pick 3 day time colours so 'Tempting Lilac' is a my lips but better colour and 'Nude Ingenue' is a lovely 'grown up nude' its much more of a flat brown nude so doesn't wash your lips out completely.

There are some stunning bright colours in the range which i am definitely going to have to pick up next time i am in Superdrug as they will be perfect for the summer hot pink and hot coral is just right up my street. Now i know how much i love these lipsticks i can venture into brighter fun colours so watch this space.

These retail for £7.99 and are available now from any L'oreal counter.

Have you tried these lipsticks yet?

Do they sound like something you would like?

Are you a fan of drugstore make-up?

♥ DKNY Sweet Delicious Tart Key Lime ♥

2012-03-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

DKNY Sweet Delicious Tart Key Lime

If you have followed my blog for a while then you will already know that fragrance plays a huge part in my life. I love make-up, skincare and nail varnish don't get me wrong but what really floats my boat and excites me the most is perfume. I think i have to blame my dad for this one as when i was around 13 or 14 he bought me my very first perfume in duty free when we were on our way to Spain on holiday. Ever since that time it has been a tradition of mine you could say for me to buy a perfume in duty free when i am off on my jolly holiday. Each perfume in my collection has a meaning and a memory for me, that may sound extreme to some people but it really is true. My first ever perfume left huge memories for me from my holiday to Spain and still to this day when i spray that perfume 'Escada Island Kiss' i think back to those times. The same as the majority of perfumes in my vast collection, yes i can totally hold my hands up high and admit i have a ridiculous collection but what can i say i go on holiday a lot, each and every perfume has a memory and when i spray that perfume it brings a time of happiness for me and memories of a great holiday. Crazy how a fragrance can do that and i hope a lot of you feel the same way. Travelling also plays a big part in my life so to have a fragrance to represent each holiday and each memories is something i love.

So my most recent trip away was to the Philippines which a lot of you will already have known. I am back now in my little house in London, i am happy to be home but also am now missing the Philippines and this awful cold weather that is hitting London again. So following my little 'tradition' i obviously had to take a trip into duty free and prance around for ages much to my boyfriends disappointment choosing which perfume will be my next victim.

I had previously spied a press release for a new Limited Edition line from DKNY and instantly new when it was released that one of the perfumes had to be mine...or all three ;p However i wasn't too sure of the release date and with the stress of packing and organising for my holiday i had totally forgotten about the release..until i spotted it when i was off to the Philippines in Terminal 4 duty free. The great thing about duty free is that they get new perfumes earlier than high street shops and department stores although sometimes its not so good for me as i work at Heathrow and end up having a wish list about the length of my arm. Anyway i was super happy to see the sweet like candy coloured boxes sitting nicely in the new releases section.

I am a huge fan of the DKNY Golden Delicious Perfume which has been a firm favourite of mine over the last few months so when i read the new Spring Limited Editon line was inspired by creamy recipes for CUPCAKES yes that's right cupcakes i literally nearly fell head over heals...if you hadn't already i am sure you can probably now tell that perfume really is up there at the top of my true loves!!

Cupcakes and pastel candy colours what more could a girl want???

The promo image for the collection is literally scrumptious and i think it really would tempt anyone.

There is 3 truly delicious (no pun indented) fragrances in the range

Pink Macaroon

Tart Key Lime

Creamy Meringue

I was really stuck for choice and really struggled with choosing which one i wanted for my holiday. It didn't help that the perfumes had literally just come in that day and the testers for them were coming the following day, how stupid is that? Anyway they still put all the perfumes out on display and even without testers they seemed to be flying off the shelves. After a long deliberation with my boyfriend bless him and many uming and ahing later i decided to go with 'Tart Key Lime' I wanted something sweet but fresh at the same time, something i could happily wear in 30 degrees heat on my holiday and something that screamed 'holiday' at me. Pink Macaroon sounds so nice, same with Creamy Meringue but sometimes lemon can come across a bit like toilet/kitchen cleaner lol so i didn't want to risk that and i thought Pink Macaroon may be similar to the fragrances i normally go for... Tart Key Lime sounded so different and intriguing.

I can happily say that Tart Key Lime was an excellent choice and is absolutely divine!!!

Who wants pie? This vibrant fragrance features a sparkling key lime pie accord blend with generous amounts of orange zest, bergamot and mandarin with vibrant neroli. Equal parts tangy and smooth, it imparts a bright allure and irresistible delight with tasty flourishes of basil macaroon and Ginger wrapped in feminine Violet leaves, this sweet-tooth favourite delivers an enchanting twist that elegantly captiates the sense...Dig in!

The Tart Key Lime and orange zest really come through quite heavily in the fragrance but in a stunning way. Its zesty, sweet, citrus and fresh all together. Its so incredibly different to anything i have ever tried and its so different to any other DKNY fragrance. You would assume that vanilla would play a huge part in these fragrances what with them being inspired by cupcakes but no, no vanilla. Again you would also assume that fragrances designed at 'desserts' would be very heavy and sweet yet this fragrance really is a citrus dream. It was perfect for my holiday and is going to be my fragrance of choice for the summer. It lasts ages on my skin and really settles into the skin with the tart key lime shining through.

The bottle also makes me happy...the pastel green is gorgeous and the matte finish really makes it something different..a first for the 'Be Delicious' line i believe! There will only be 50ml available which is a really generous size with the classic Be Delicious push button spritz meaning there is not lid, perfect for your handbag and freshening up on the go!

I am really in love and now want all 3!!

How amazing would it be if a gift set of all 3 in smaller bottles was available?? I think that's one for the cards DKNY i know i would buy it hehe.

RRP £36 for 50ml

These will be released on April 1st however they are now available in debenhams.

Do these sound delicious to you?

Are you excited for the release?