New In | Drugstore Edition

 Lately, I've been finding myself pulled towards the likes of Boots and Superdrug and steering away from the high end concessions.  Now, I'm not saying that my love for luxury has died completely, I just think the drugstore is having a moment right now.  Brands have been launching products left, right and centre and some have been too gorgeous to avoid.  I found myself perusing the aisles of Superdrug yesterday, looking to pick up some essentials and also to treat myself after finishing my degree (would you like a post on my university experience?) and found that all cosmetics were on 3 for 2, so I felt I should oblige. 

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover; £4.99 - Another essential I've been meaning to pick up was the Bourjois nail polish remover.  This will be my third pot of the gimmicky goodness and I just love it.  It removes nail polish almost immediately and leaves a gorgeous fruity smell behind - my only hang up is that it's not toe friendly (don't pretend you haven't tried!).  

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer; £4.19 - Unless you were born yesterday, you'll know this product is very much loved and raved about in the UK.  I picked up another tube as I'm currently scraping the edges of my old one.  It provides amazing coverage, it doesn't cling to dry patches or looks cakey on the skin and it's only £4.19 - bargain! 

Sleek Shimmer Blush in Pomegranate; £4.49 - Sleek's a brand I haven't really ventured into much, apart from a lipstick and the infamous contour kit but when I saw this blush I couldn't not get it.  It's slightly more plummy in real life and it's definitely more of an autumn colour but I'm going to try and make it work for the summer - it could even be a great crease colour on the eye.  I've just swatched it and the pigmentation is lovely so I'm excited to try it.  

Maybelline Colour Sensation Vivids in Shocking Coral; £7.19 - I passed the Maybelline concession without a second glance until the word 'Vivids' caught my eye and I remembered seeing some of the lipsticks on YouTube.  I spied Shocking Coral, a true coral shade and popped it into my basket.  I swatched this once I got home and the colour really is vivid, plus it has a really nice smell to it. 

Bourjois Cream Blush in Nude Velvet (#01) and Rose Tender (#03); £7.99 - Bourjois are famous for their Little Round Pot blushers, but they've just launched their new cream blushers, complete with that Bourjois rose scent.  Admittedly, this is the reason I wanted to go into Superdrug and out of the four shades on offer, these two stood out the most.  I've really been enjoying cream blushers lately and I'm excited to try these. 

Have you picked up any goodies from Boots or Superdrug lately?

April 2012 Favourites

Another month gone, where is 2012 going? April was an extremely busy month with the magazine unit due (see the finished product here) and then work experience starting, I haven't really stopped.  When it came to my make up for this month it was quick and simple which is reflected in my favourites.  

For my base I've kept it light and dewy as I haven't really had the time to buff out a heavy duty foundation, plus my skin hasn't really needed that extra coverage. I've switched between my Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow in shade 'I'm pure 4 sure' and my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B10.  These both give a dewy finish which leaves your skin looking really natural.  My brush of choice is the Sigma F80 flat top kabuki which makes life so much easier! It applies the foundation extremely quickly, leaving a flawless finish. 

To add warmth to my cheeks I've been using the Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronze Universel with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection.  As I am so fair at the moment, I use the tiniest amount otherwise I might look like an oompa loompa (sorry Roald Dahl, it was never a good look).  I'm looking forward to taking this on holiday and using it when I have a tan! I've also been picking up my Sleek Face Contour Kit and using the highlighter to brighten the inner corners of my eyes as there was a lot of early mornings and late nights through April.  

Keeping with the simple look, I haven't really done anything other than kohl liner on my tight line and mascara.  My mascara of choice is MUFE Smoky Lash in black which I will definitely be stocking up on when I go to Sephora in Spain next month.  For lips I've kept things pretty nude or sheer in colour.  My favourites have been the Clinique Chubby Stick in wooping watermelon and 17 Mirror Shine On Lipstick in Beehive.  

What have been your favourite products of April? 

Trying Out: High Street/Drugstore Cult Products

As with the high end beauty brands, there is always a lot of hype surrounding certain products, including the high street brands.  Wandering round Boots and Superdrug the other day, I picked up a few 'cult' products, that have been raved about by fellow bloggers or YouTube gurus.  Without further adieu, the products in question are...

1. MUA Heaven and Earth Palette; £3.00 (Usually £4) - I have the Naked Palette, which I reach for on a regular basis, but feel it lacks the in between or medium colours.  I picked this up in Superdrug and it even had an extra quid off (super scrimper ftw).  I used it this morning and I'm impressed. It was a bit difficult to get some of the colours to pick up on the brush but I think that's just the first layer.  If it's still on offer (or even if it's not), it's definitely one to pick up - especially if you're a beginner! I didn't swatch these below, but if you would like to see any swatches, please let me know.  

2.  Natural Collection 'Peach Melba' Blush; £1.89 - I have been looking at getting MACs Melba blush for a while, but didn't want to splash out £17.00 incase I didn't like it.  After doing a little bit of research (watching Barbara over at The Persian Babe and Meg at meganisobel) I found this beauty for under £2.00.  I really love the colour, it has a good pigmentation and leaves a healthy glow to the cheek.  Definitely one to try at that bargain price!

3. Sleek True Colour Lipstick in Fuschia; £3.99 - I've been obsessed with bright lips as of late, not the usual pillar box red either.  I picked up this bad boy in Superdrug after hearing how ruddy pigmented they are and I wasn't disappointed (see picture below).  I really like the consistency and the overall colour.  I'd like to get 'Amped' next, which is a bright matte pink - I have MACs Viva Glam Nicki Minaj on the way though, so maybe not just yet!

4. 17 Lipstick in Beehive; £4.59 - Now, this product is nothing new to me.  I bought this a few months ago and loved it and one day it disappeared before my very eyes.  I have turned my room upside down looking for this lipstick, but to no avail.  This product is extremely moisturising and the perfect 'my lips but better' shade. The only downfall - it tastes funky!

Here are some swatches and what not:

Do you have any high street products you deem 'cult'-worthy?

May time wishlist.

It's a the first day of a brand new month (which reminds me, I need to change my calendar!) and with that brings lots of different events.  I will finish university for the year on the 27th, which seems to have completely flown by, this time last year I was revising copious amounts to get to where I am today.  It's also a pretty big birthday month with my brothers and uncle on the 7th, my youngest niece on the 25th and also some of my friends.  At the end of the month i'll be preparing myself to start my first internship, which means new wardrobe additions, gotta look good in the office!  With student loan due and an impending pay day, I've been screen shopping (onlines window equivalent) for some things I'll need to get me through this month! 

I've been eyeing this up for months, and after watching Fleurs video on how she uses it I was convinced further.  I swear by my GHDs although, I find I can never get the desired look when I use it to wave my hair.  This has the same technology as the conical wand, only it's flat.  I think this would help me create different looks for day to day in the office, as well as giving me another option to poker straight hair in the evening.  Have any of you tried this?  I'd love to know your thoughts.  

H&M; £29.99

I've been after a new light-weight blazer for the S/S months and especially now as I wont want to have to carry a heavy jacket with me to London and back, this seems the perfect fit.  It comes in many colours but I've been loving terracotta this season.  

ASOS; £45

Floral wedges, perfect.  These would look great with a pair of shorts or a dress or even leggings.  A great  everyday shoe (although I would pack flats for walking to the office!)

ASOS (River Island); £37

Unfortunately, when it comes to practicality my Chiltern just isn't big enough to fit everything in!  When travelling around London I'll need room for a book, my diary and of course a pair of flats!  This isn't too big and isn't too small, just the right size.  

Superdrug; £6.00ish 

I've heard so many rants and raves over this product that I can't wait to try it.  It's the Sleek contour kit including a highlighter as well and a contour powder.  Thinner face minus the dodgy size zero diet, perfection!

*Picture courtesy of Corrie's blog!

I've also been on the look out for a neutral eye palette as the Naked palette never seems to be in stock.  Corrie over at Dizzybrunette3 picked up a great palette from the MUA Pro section in Superdrug.  It has a lot of colours that I could combine to make a great soft smokey eye, and get this, it's only £4.00. 

What are your May time wants?  Remember, if you have tried or use the Babyliss Waving Wand, leave your comments/opinions below!