Review: Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara

Let me start by saying that I did not expect to like this mascara at all. I don't have a very good history with Revlon mascaras; Grow Luscious had a really awkward wand, the Lash Potion wasn't great either (you can read my review of it here), to be honest on I only bought this one because it was on offer and I was broke and needed a new mascara. But I was actually very pleasantly surprised by this mascara. I really, really like it, it might even be one of my favourites of all time.

First of all, the packaging of this mascara is lovely, I really like the colours in it (although you should never judge a mascara by its packaging, as I've learned several times). The wand is a good size (unlike the Grow Luscious one, which was huge and really awkward to use) and has these short bristles, which are really good for gripping your lashes and separating them out, and makes applying the mascara (particularly to your bottom lashes) really easy.

Eyelashes sans mascara

I think this is a really good mascara to layer on and do a couple of coats; it doesn't get clumpy or flaky. I think it's mainly a lengthening mascara, but also gives good volume.

For comparison; one eye with mascara, one without

My favourite thing about this mascara though, is that once you apply it it dries really fast and doesn't budge or smudge off if you're crying or out in the rain, etc. This thing has some serious lasting power, and I don't even have the waterproof version.

Both eyes

So overall it gets the thumbs up from me. It might even be a 'holy grail' product, as they say :)

Sales Haul

Hi everyone,
So I've been doing a bit of summer sales shopping and as the sales start to wind down, I thought I would show you what I got. It's worth noting that I got all these clothes over a period of time instead of just one big splurge, and because they were in a sale I don't know how readily available they still are.
But anyway...

Penneys Lilac Top  €7  €3

Penneys Blue Patterned Top  €11  €5

Penneys Blue Top  €8  €3

This might genuinely be the most comfortable top I've ever worn. I liked it so much that this happened...

Penneys Grey Top  €8  €3

*Just FYI, the grey one is a size smaller

Penneys Navy Top €9  €5

*The marks you can see are actually on the mirror, not the top.

Mango Blouse  €19.99  €12.99

Dorothy Perkins Dress  €35  €20

Penneys Heels  €10  €5

Review: Revlon Colourstay Moisture Stain in 'Miami Fever'

There's been quite a lot of hype on Youtube and in the blogosphere about these new Revlon lipstains, and being a lover of Revlon's lip products (or any lip products really) I decided to jump on the bandwagon. 

The shade range of the stains is really good, believe me when I say that I probably would have walked away with every single one had my common sense and bank balance allowed for it. But eventually I decided to opt for number 035 'Miami Fever', which is a bright orange/red colour.

I really like the packaging of the lipstain, it just looks very classy and expensive. It also has this slightly odd triangular angled applicator (try saying that ten times fast). To be honest, I don't think it does anything to improve the application of the stain. A normal doe-foot applicator would probably work just as well.

As for the product itself, well, I like it a lot. The formulation is very different to any other lipstain/lacquer/gloss that I've tried; it's very thick and moisturising. While Revlon are calling it a lipstain, I wouldn't describe it as such, I always think of lipstains as matte shades that you apply once and then don't budge for the rest of the day. This is closer to a lipgloss in the sense that it doesn't actually stain your lips, and you can just wipe it off. It does last well though, unless you're eating or something.

As you can probably tell from the picture, the colour payoff is also really good. These things are pigmented.

 There are two slight drawbacks to this product however. The first is that it has a slightly odd smell. Not bad, but just a bit strange. I think it might be chemical-ly, but I'm terrible at describing scents. It doesn't bother me, but it might bother other people, so it's something to bear in mind.

The second more major one, and I've read other reviews that have complained of this, is that is does apply a bit unevenly at first, it takes a couple of coats to get it even. So probably not one to reach for if you're running out the door. 

 Overall, while this product has it's downsides, and definitely isn't on par with some of Revlon's other offerings (I'm thinking of the Lip Butters and Super Lustrous Lipsticks) I did like it a lot.

Makeup of the Day| 17/8/14

Products used:

• Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Ivory
• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair
• Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder
• The Natural Collection Bronzer in Sunshine
• Primark PS Bronzer (the top shade, used as a highlighter)
• MUA Glamour Days Palette (Shades 1, 11, 6)
• Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara
• Maybelline Colour Vivid Lipstick in Neon Red

New In: MAC's Crosswires

Hi everyone,
Recently a family friend was going to America, and asked if I wanted anything from MAC (Pro-tip; if you know anyone going to America ask them nicely to go to MAC for you; it's so much cheaper. The lipsticks are $16. $16! that's like €12!) Anyway, I asked her to bring me back MAC's 'Crosswires', which she very kindly did.

The MAC website describes Crosswires as a 'clean pinky orange', but I'd describe it as more of a grapefruit colour. It is a very unique shade though, I haven't seen anything else like it (and trust me, I spent months looking for a cheaper dupe before I finally caved).

The lipstick has a Cremesheen formula, which means that it's very moisturising and comfortable to wear, but also tends to move around a bit more than some of the other formulas.

 Overall though, my first impression of Crosswires is that I really like it. It's a nice everyday colour and is very easy to wear.
Another one crossed off the MAC wishlist.

The Lip Lineup| August

Hi everyone,
As I've mentioned several times before I have an unholy amount of lip products (it's a problem I have no desire to fix) and so I like to have them on rotation. Every month I pick out five or six, so that none of them get too neglected. I thought that starting now I would do a post every month telling you what I'm using. In case anyone is interested.
Seeing as summer is sadly drawing to a close, this month I've brought out a lot of my brightest lipsticks for a last hurrah of sorts.

Right to left: Maybelline Colour Vivid in 916 'Neon Red', Gosh Velvet Touch Lipstick in 145 'Shocking Coral', Revlon Lip Butter in 'Tutti Frutti', Collection Cream Puff Moisuturising Lip Cream (it doesn't seem to have a shade number), Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in 175 'Pink Punch'.

Neon Red, Shocking Coral, Tutti Frutti, Collection Lip Cream, Pink Punch

Review: Rimmel Kate Moss Mascara

Being a big fan of the Kate Moss for Rimmel lipsticks, I thought I'd also give the mascara a whirl. Here are my thoughts.

The packaging of the mascara is really nice; (though annoying to photograph-it kept reflecting the camera) it reminds me of the Benefit They're Real mascara. It also has this very interesting wand, that I think is supposed to match the shape of your eye.

I took some getting used to, at first I found it awkward to manoeuvre, but once I got used to it it did actually work surprisingly well. The small bristles at the top are also rather useful for doing your bottom lashes.

The mascara itself gives good length and volume, and isn't clumpy.

One eye with mascara (right), one without (left)

However, all these good things are nullified by the fact that it is the wettest mascara that I have ever owned. After applying it, it takes several minutes to dry, and is inclined to get on my eyelids and under eye area when I blink. It takes an entire makeup wipe just to take off my eye makeup because it just goes everywhere. Anything -rain, crying, allergies- is liable to leave you looking like a panda. Recently, when the weather was a bit warmer, I looked in the mirror to discover to two rings smudged around my eyes. When I went to remove it, more came off.

On both eyes

All of this would be okay if there was a waterproof version that wasn't as runny, but unfortunately there isn't, which is a shame, because there are a lot of good things about this mascara.
If you are in a small minority of people that lives somewhere where it rarely rains but also isn't hot enough that you might be sweating, then this might be the mascara for you. If not, I'd give it a miss.

June/July Favourites

Hi everyone,
So I've been sort of MIA lately; some life things happened and to be honest I just got very lazy about blogging. But I'm back now, and I'm going to try and get back to regular posting, starting now.
I didn't post a June Favourites, but seeing as I'm still using most of the same things that I was then, I thought I would just put the two months together. I mainly have makeup favourites this month; seeing as it's summer I've changed my routine up a bit, and have made some new discoveries.

Wet 'n' Wild Coloricon Eyeliner in 'Turquoise'

Seeing as it's summer, I've started experimenting a bit more with colour, and one thing that I've gotten particularly fond of is coloured eyeliner, particularly this one from Wet'n'Wild. Despite what the name and above photo would suggest, it's actually more of a green than turquoise. The lasting power is decent, it's a huge pencil that will probably last me a lifetime, and at 1.99 it's a complete bargain. What more would you want?

Natural Collection Bronzer in 'Sun Shine'

I originally bought this because I needed a cheap bronzer to bring away with me. Being a big fan of the Natural Collection blushes I decided to give this a go, and it did not disappoint. The colour suits me perfectly; it isn't too orange or dirty-looking and lasts well. If you look closely it does have some glitter in it, but you wouldn't notice once it's on. And once again, at 2.49, it's a bargain. The only slight downside is the shade range, they only have two colours, so I'm not sure how they would work on different skin tones.

Elizabeth Arden Powder Brush

...Aka, what I've been using to apply my Natural Collection Bronzer.
I'll be the first to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of makeup brushes. I don't shop for them often, most of mine are cheap and in questionable condition; I'm just much more interested in the actual makeup itself. However, I got this brush in a gift set a while ago and finally started using it and well...I think I may have to reconsider my stance on expensive makeup brushes. I didn't know what I was missing out on. The quality of this brush is really nice, it's so soft and just feels very well made. It's also slightly flat, so it applies blusher and bronzer really well. I'm a convert.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in 'In Love With Ginger'

This is, in my opinion, the perfect summer bright. It's a really nice red/orange/coral hybrid and is very moisturising and comfortable to wear in the heat.

Seventeen Mirror Shine Lipstick in 'Barely Blush'

Or at the opposite end of the spectrum there is Barely Blush. This lipstick is slightly thicker than In Love With Ginger, but is just as moisturising and easy to wear. I really like the formulations of these lipsticks actually. And the packaging is lovely too.

NYC Nail Varnish in 'Raindrop'

I have decided that I don't own enough NYC nail varnishes. For some reason I tend to go for Essence more often, even though they're the same price, and I think NYC has the better track record. Although I don't think it's nearly as quick drying as it says (I don't think I've ever heard of a nail varnish that dries properly in a minute) it did last a good five days without chipping, which in my book makes for a good nail varnish.

Boots Cocoa Body Butter

This is a small tub that I got as part of a gift set, the full-sized tub is about the size of a Body Shop body butter, and I am seriously considering running out to buy one as soon as I finish this. It's one of the few cheaper body lotions I've found that genuinely moisturises my skin, and keeps it moisturised for longer than a few minutes. It also smells amazing.