Magnifibres Brush-On False Lashes

Magnifibres* - £20; available online and at Selfridges

I don't know about you, but false eyelashes is one of those beauty things I suck at.  I find application quite difficult and usually have one side sticking up, not exactly the look I was going for.   I was a little more than intrigued when I heard about Magnifibres, a product that at first looks like one of those white mascaras but on closer inspection is in fact so much more.  As you can see above, the wand has natural fibres, which you brush on top of mascara to create extra length and volume.  You can apply up to three coats of the fibres, depending on how dramatic a look you're going for. 

The product claims that it can be used in conjunction with any mascara and after road testing with a couple of different mascaras, I've found it's definitely better to use with a more wet formulation so that the fibres can really grip to the lash.  Below, I have used Magnifibres with one of my favourite high street mascaras, Rimmel's Scandaleyes.  To use, simply apply a coat of your chosen mascara, followed immediately by a coat of Magnifibres, allow 30 seconds for the fibres to stick before applying a further coat of mascara. The amount of fibres you apply is up to you - you can achieve a more natural false lash look with one swipe, or build it up for something more dramatic.  I've played around with several coats of the Magnifibres but my favourite look is using just one coat (see below) as I have reasonably full lashes and need help with length over volume. 

Before

One coat of mascara with one coat of Magnifibres.

After - one coat of Magnifibres with two coats of mascara. 

As you can see, there's a dramatic difference between the before and after pictures.  As previously mentioned, you could build up one or two more layers to really make your lashes pop and give off the dramatic false lash effect.  The product's also long lasting, I put it through the ringer on Saturday, wearing it from 8.30am - 10.30pm and found there was no smudging or flaking at all during that time.  At £20, this is reasonably priced when you consider that most false lashes range from £5-£15 and only have one or two applications, whereas Magnifibres will last as long as your favourite mascara, with endless applications.  

Could you ditch the falsies in favour of the fibres?

Last Minute Christmas Shopping Guide

It's been a while since I last posted due to university deadlines and then being struck down with a horrible cold.  Being so close to Christmas, I decided to lie low until I felt better.  Speaking of Christmas, there's only six shopping days left, which may leave some of us in a panic.  If you're working, the easiest option is to do what you can online on your lunch break, but with each online retailers having different delivery deadlines, it can all get a bit confusing.  I've compiled a list of all the popular online retailers and when their last shipping dates (United Kingdom only) before Christmas are, as well as including any discounts that the brand are dishing out.

Amazon -  For free standard delivery order by end of today, for first class you have until end of Thursday 20th December and for One Day or Express delivery, order by 11am on Sunday 23rd December. 

ASOS - Order by 2pm on Sunday 23rd December and choose 'Next Day Delivery' at the checkout. - Up to 50% off in the ASOS sale -

Benefit Cosmetics - Order by the end of today and choose 'Express Delivery' at the checkout. Excludes UK Highland & Islands.  - Get 10% off certain items online - 

Boots - Order by 7pm on Thursday 20th December for 'Collect from Store' and 'Standard Home Delivery'. For 'Next Day Delivery', place your order before 3.30pm on Friday 21st December. - Save £10 when you spend £50 on selected gifts and toys - 

Debenhams - Place orders by 12pm on Thursday 20th December.  If you're ordering cosmetics, you have until midnight on Thursday 20th December. - Up to Half Price Gift Event - 

House of Fraser - Order by 5pm today and choose 'Next Day', 'Nominated Day' or 'Collect+' at the checkout.  For 'Buy & Collect' order before 5pm on Friday 21st December. - Up to 50% Off - 

John Lewis - Order by 7pm today and choose 'Free Standard Delivery' or order by 7pm on Saturday 22nd December for 'Click & Collect' in store.  - Up to 30% off Womenswear Brands -

Miss Selfridge - Order by 4pm on Friday 21st December and choose 'Express Delivery' at the checkout. 

Origins - Order by 12pm midday on Thursday 20th December for Free Premium Delivery. - Gift with Purchase of over £30 - 

Selfridges - Order by 12pm midday on Friday 21st and choose either 'Nominated Saturday' or 'Nominated Day'. 

Space NK - Order by 12pm midday on Thursday 20th December and choose 'Free Express Delivery' at the checkout.

Topshop.com - Order by 4pm on Friday 21st December and choose 'Express' or 'Nominated Day' delivery.  If you wish to collect from store, you have until 12pm midday on Sunday 23rd December to place your orders online. 

Tesco Direct - Order by 3pm on Friday 21st December for 'Express' and 'Click & Collect' delivery.

I hope this helps some of you out of a Christmas panic. Happy shopping!

A day out in London.

If you follow me on Twitter then you'll know that I went to London today to visit Oxford Street with my best friend.  It was a lovely day, we had lunch followed by a naughty cheesecake from Selfridges, washed down with a Starbucks during happy hour (half price fraps from 3-5pm, bargain!).  We got off the tube at Marble Arch and made our way down through the shops, until we eventually hit H&M and thought 'enough is enough'.  

Primark; £15.00

I've admired these dresses since I saw them in Grazia so I was excited to finally get my mits on one.  Miss Impatient that I am, I didn't want to queue for a good half hour to try it on, which would have saved some heartache doing so.  I'll be taking this back as I hate it on, I think i'm a bit too big chested for it to suit.  

Primark; £10.00

Bargain!  I absolutely adore these shoes, although I originally wanted some canvas wedges.  I thought these would be great for when I intern (although I will be wearing flats for the commute!).  On the label they were priced £14.00 so was pleasantly surprised to see they were actually £10.00. They have pretty floral detailing on the inside, which although you can't see when on, adds a nice touch.  

Primark; £9.00

I needed a bigger bag than my beloved Chiltern when I intern as i'll need to take a notepad with me for meetings and such.  I liked this faux leather bag, which was a bit different to all the other tan bags.  The green as a bit brighter in real life.  

VO5 Instant Oomph Powder; £4.07

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Starter Kit; £13.25

La Roche Posay Effaclar M; £13.79

I got some beauty products today.  I was most excited about the Liz Earle product as I've heard so many amazing things about it.  I've already used it this evening to take my make up off and on first thoughts it's incredible! My skin felt extremely soft after use and less red.  I also got a full size version of the Effaclar M moisturiser I mentioned here.  And in a bid to get big hair, I am going to try out another of the VO5's new range.  It's already had great reviews so I have high hopes.  

Purse - New Look; £7.99

Ring - New Look; £4.99

Belt - H&M £7.99

Bracelet - Primark; £2.00

I picked up some random accessories, including this purse which I immediately fell in love with.  It has a floral crochet pattern and it solid, a bit like a clutch.  I have changed all my stuff over into it and it's not as roomy as it first seemed.  

These are just the leftover randoms I bought/picked up.  I couldn't go to London and not buy some Nerds from Selfridges and I also wanted to pick up the new loyalty card from Superdrug.  I ended up grabbing a Costa clubcard because, well, I spend most of my time there or at Starbucks so...

Here are some more photos from the day, including a couple of sneaky photos from a small couture exhibition in Selfridges.  

Quite possibly the best combo!

There were some great McQueen pieces.

All in all a fantastic day, minus the dress hiccup.  It's an extra £15 to spend elsewhere...

How was your day?

A Right Royal Souvenir.

If you have ever been to a big white wedding, you'll know your typical souvenirs are the sugar coated almonds, in a pretty little bag or (if you're the psycho 'I will be the bride not always the bridesmaid' type) the Brides bouquet. 

 An amusing evening of flicking through Vogue.com, showed me the many a souvenir you can buy to commemorate the Royal Wedding.  Don't get me wrong, I am slightly excited about it (i'm a sucker for a wedding and, indeed, a romance) but do we really need a 'Barbie' doll Kate?  Yes you heard me.  A doll.  

I guess they are banking on the girls who couldn't get the 'engagement' dress in shops and would therefore purchase a doll to remind them of how elegant she looked.  At a non festive $195 I do think they are going overboard...

You can also buy many other items...

Even children retailers are getting involved.  I have to admit this is pretty sweet and my nearly two year old niece would probably love this... £15

Of course, you get the extremely stupid and then you get the 'okay that could look kinda cool'.  

These pumps are pretty cute and remind me of Vivienne Westwood's Prince Charming stuff.  You can get them on the day for £98

When I first saw this I thought, Vogue.com have you gone mad?  I then realised it said 'Kate' and 'Will' on it.  I think it's quite a nice idea to get the younger generation involved.  This comes in at £25 from Selfridges.  

And here are some humorous ones I saw...

£17; John Lewis

£29.95; www.notonthehighstreet.com

£30; Harvey Nichols (don't worry this includes afternoon tea too...)

Will you be buying into the wedding?  I think I'll just stick to my special Royal Wedding edition of Vogue, after all I'm only a student, not a princess.