Check out my YouTube Channel! *lucyhelen89*

Hey guys, I've just uploaded a few new videos - quite exciting as I've not done any for a while! A few more will be up in the next few days - including November favourites & a small haul video!

feel free to subscribe to my channel - I will return the favour! Thanks :) here's the link!

lucyhelen89 on YouTube

Two Glossy Boxes later... and what are my thoughts? October & November 2012 Mini Reviews.

So I received my first Glossybox in October, and I have an initial thoughts post which you can see here: Glossy Box October 2012 Initial Thoughts

I'm just going to run through a few of the products that I feel are worth mentioning from the October box and also the November one, and my overall thoughts on the Glossybox experience/value for money etc etc...

Glossy Box October 2012

From this box I have really enjoyed the Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal moisturiser, it glides on really nicely, and doesn't feel heavy or greasy, just a really nice moisturiser to use! Quite refreshing.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure. Really loving this, it does take a few coats to get a decent finish, but the colour is absolutely gorgeous and its perfect for winter :) slight shimmers too!

I would like to give an opinion of the Skinetica blemish solution but I used it about 5 times (as directed) and it was used up! So can't really comment on the effects on my skin :( not a very good sample size I didn't think! 

The enzyme Peel Mask isn't particularly useful to me... not sure if it's had any effects and also quite a lot of product is used for one application so it's almost run out after two uses.

Anatomicals don't just clean it woman scrub it body scrub. This works quite well as a scrub, I'm really not keen on the scent, smells like 'gone off' grapefruit to me... :s but it does the job in removing dead skin.

Glossy Box November 2012

The only product I'm super impressed with this month is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant! I can't tell you how soft this has made my skin, and it's great that it's gentle enough to be used every day :) I'm currently using it after cleansing with Sanctuary daily face wash and they're a great pair. The only downside is that a full sized product is £38!!!!!! Which is just so expensive...! 

Nails INC caviar top coat - this one's pretty nice, gives a lovely finish to the nails, but it doesn't prevent chipping! I did my nails at night time, and the next morning walking to work I noticed chips already, not very impressed! Also, I don't know if it's just me... but I find the Nails INC bottles look quite cheap?? Seeing as full price you are paying £10+ I'd expect decent packaging (like OPI etc which look great.) Maybe it's just me.... let me know!

Alison Claire Mango Body Butter - this feels really nice, not too keen on the scent, does what it says, moisturises!

Burberry Body perfume sample - I don't like this perfume, so this is a miss for me.

Dr Jart BB cream - this gives quite a nice finish to the skin, but takes a bit of work because it's supposed to adapt to your skin tone, and it's got a white base or something, so it looks like foundation and a white cream so blending in is required. Also I've found that the 'white' tones tend to stick to any dry patches making them look white... so not impressed with this one!

Overall, it's quite hit and miss what products you end up getting, and it's often down to luck when getting the 'better' products that month. I don't really understand why they ask you for a beauty profile, as the product choices don't seem to fit my beauty profile? Bit confusing, any comments then please leave them below! :)

I'm going to hang on to my subscription and check out December's box, but depending what I receive, I may cancel my subscription! Not to have a complete downer on Glossybox, I think it offers a good chance to try products you may not have necessarily thought about before, and perhaps find products that you love, such as the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (in my case).

So until the December issue of GlossyBox..... thanks for reading and please feel free to leave any comments regarding GlossyBox or anything beauty related :)

Lucy xxo

xbeautybee bracelet range! 10% off!

Hey guys, just a quick post to tell you about my little online jewellery store! Each item has been made by me using an assortment of different beads and materials. 

My absolute favourites are the mottled effect 'made with love' bracelets! They come in white & turquoise, and have a little 'made with love' charm which is adorable!

I'm expanding the range soon for Christmas, with some exciting designs coming! In preparation for this, there's a 10% off sale on the current items in the store using code:

AUTUMNSALE 

XBEAUTYBEE.BIGCARTEL.COM

Thanks for looking & head over to the website for a look, products are selling out fast! 

Lucy xx

My go-to lip products for autumn/winter 2012

These are the products which I reach for the most, I was having a tidy of my make up bag and thought I'd share these ones with you :) the main thing I go for with lip products is colour payoff combined with moisture, my lips are naturally quite blue tinted (I am very pale and bare lips just wash me out) so lip products are a MUST all day - every day! Here are the beauties which are doing it for me right now :)

- Palmers lip butter in dark chocolate & peppermint! -

This one is amazing, it gives a nice sheen to the lips and smells amazing! I don't think I'll go back to carmex now as this one is much better (not as thick and sticky)

- Blistex tinted lip balm -

I was a bit dubious about this one, as its got little shimmers in it, but they've not been a problem, this one is great for when I can't be bothered with the maintenance of lipstick! I can just throw it on and it gives quite a lot of colour, kind of a muted red colour :)

- Rimmel Kate Moss matte lipstick in #107 -

Probably the most popular shade in this range, my friend recommended this to me, and I fell in love with it! It's such a nice deep colour, perfect for autumn! I wore it on a fancy meal out and it stayed put all night! (With it being matte it has better staying power) love love love it!!

- Rimmel lipstick in 'Asia' -

I always wanted to have a perfect nude lip.... Well that's not going to work for me as I'm so pale I found out! So instead I go for nude-ish pinks and find these work much better! This is a dark kind of pink, slightly dusty, perfect to just throw on without too much thought! I do like MAC's Creme Cup but I have to wear this when I'm bronzed up or going on a night out, as casual day time make up do not look good with creme cup for me as I'm too pale!

Overall these are some nice products! Pretty cheap too, I got them all from either boots or superdrug and were all under £6! :)

Thanks for reading! Loveeee xx

My first GlossyBox October 2012 - initial thoughts!

So I've been curious about subscribing to GlossyBox for a while, it's gotten to the point where I'm buying products for the sake of it and wasting a lot of things that I buy because they don't work out and they're often large sizes (hence the waste). Branching out and trying new brands is my aim here, so.... my initial thoughts!

Comes beautifully boxed (not the main concern, but packaging is always something I tend to go for!) and everything inside is nicely packaged! 

Anatomicals body scrub
not a fan of the smell of this.... perhaps I will enjoy using it, but I've just actually bought the Body Shop sweet lemon scrub so that totally trumps this one for now! 
Yves Rocher France - Hydra Vegetal
An anti-wrinkle moisturiser.... I think this is a hard product to place, as people are many different ages who order the box. This doesn't apply to my skin's needs, but hey, it's never too early to try these things I guess! Plus it's nice that the RRP 30ml is £18 which makes me feel like I've got more than my money's worth for the entire box!
Skinetica - anti blemish
My main skin concern is persistent blemishes, so this was welcomed with open arms! Excited to try this one the most I think, as it says it works within a couple of days (hopefully!).
Green People - organic self tan
( or The Organic Pharmacy - Enzyme peel mask as I got...... )
Slightly confused with this one, I know that all the boxes are different, and there are a certain amount of products which get mixed up and sent out depending on your skin etc. However, my leaflet says I should have got the Green People product (which I would have really wanted to try) but instead I got the Mask... Surely the leaflet you receive with your box directly relates to what you have in your own box? Therefore I have the leaflet with details for a product which I don't actually have? Perhaps this is normal, but I'm confused, any comments on the matter would be great guys! :)
Sally Hansen - complete salon manicure
I've not had too much luck with Sally Hansen products in the past, but these look like reasonably quality products. I've actually tried these out already (eager!) and the first thought is how incredibly THIN the formula is!! I received 340 Black Platinum, and it goes on very sheer (almost grey) with the first coat (looks awful) however a second coat and the colour is really very nice!

 I'll do an updated post on all of the products in this months glossy box when I've used them for a week or so! :)

The beauty box idea is pretty good for trying stuff out which you might not have necessarily chosen to buy yourself from the high street! 

Thanks for reading! Please feel free to leave a comment and I'll get back to you!

Check out my YouTube channel! lucyhelen89

*NEW* Superdrug Naturally Radiant skincare range mini review!

Check out my YouTube Channel :) lucyhelen89

This range is extremely new to the market, launching at the beginning of October 2012 and I just happened to stumble across it as I was searching for a new 'winter' moisturiser as the weather is getting harsher and my skin is getting drier. Since buying three items from the range; Hot cloth cleanser (with muslin cloth), day cream SPF15 & renewing night cream, I haven't actually seen much written about it in terms of reviews etc.... apart from a little hype around the Brightening radiance balm (which I didn't purchase this time). This range is all half price until 4th December in Superdrug stores (and online) so it's definitely worth a try while they're at this great price! Everything is around £2.99 (was £5.99)

Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser 150ml with muslin cloth.
"Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser is formulated with a unique energising complex and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to help revive skin’s radiance and even out skin tone.Enriched with nourishing Cocoa Butter, this rich and creamy formulation melts into the skin and cleanses away make-up and impurities, whilst also providing gentle exfoliation, leaving skin feeling renewed, soft and ultra clean."

I was really excited to see this in the range, as I have heard a lot of great reviews on other hot cloth cleansers (most of which being out of my price range, for example the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish). 

First thing you'll notice is the smell of the product, as it has a few quite potent ingredients including Kiwi and Mulberry, the smell is very strong but one that I like, it reminds me of something from my childhood but I can't quite figure out what! To use, I apply the product all over a dry face (not a wet one as it suggests, as I think that the cream sinks in more and helps to moisturise better) I then wet the muslin cloth in hot-ish water and work in circular motions to remove the cleanser from the face. 

This product feels incredible when you're using it, it really feels like it's cleansing the pores and nourishing the skin, it really feels like a treat to use! Because it's so gentle, I can use it every day (sometimes twice!). I really agree with it's claim that it evens out skin tone! I suffer with large acne scars and they are quite pigmented (I never go out without foundation nowadays) but I have really noticed a difference in my skintone since using the product, I am now looking at my skin in the mirror and I'm not as horrified as usual, so it must be working!! Really really impressed with this, and the size of the bottle means it's value for money, even when it goes back up to £5.99! Worth a try definitely if you have sensitive skin or uneven skintone!

Naturally Radiant Brightening day cream 75ml SPF15 Normal/combi 
"Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Day Cream SPF15 is formulated with a unique energising complex and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to help revive skin’s radiance and even out skin tone.
Enriched with nourishing Sugar Beet extract, this lightweight formulation provides all day moisturisation, helping to smooth and soften skin’s texture, whilst also protecting against UV rays to keep skin looking youthful."

Seeing as I was buying the cleanser and night cream (below) I thought it would be worthwhile getting the basic range so I went for the day cream as well! I usually stay away from moisturisers with SPF in because I can find them greasy,  but this version was for Normal/combination, so while it's going to moisturise and protect from UV rays, it's not going to be greasy for anyone with oily skin (there is also a normal/dry version which I guess would be a thicker consistency for people with extremely dry skin. This one is great too!

 I love the smell again, and it goes on a treat after the hot cloth cleanser and the face just feels so clean and moisturised it's really a nice feeling. This also makes a great base for makeup (I don't really bother with primers as I don't like the feeling of putting too much product on my face, so I generally just use moisturisers - although I have been trying a sample of Clarins beauty balm which is essentially a primer.... I can do a review if anyone would like). Overall a really nice day cream so far, I'm looking forward to it working with the cleanser to even out my skintone even more! :)

Naturally Radiant renewing night cream 75ml
"Superdrug Naturally Radiant Renewing Night Cream is formulated with a unique energising complex and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to help revive skin’s radiance and even out skin tone.
Enriched with nourishing Sugar Beet extract and skin renewing Fruit Acids, this intensive formulation delivers rich and long-lasting moisturisation, whilst helping to refine skin’s texture as you sleep, leaving skin feeling smoother and looking more youthful."

Night creams can really be hit and miss when it comes to my skin.... if they're quite thick they usually give me breakouts during the night etc, which is always annoying to wake up to! This one however, goes on like a dream, feels thick enough but also doesn't leave the skin sticky or greasy. I have woken up every morning since starting with it feeling nourished and fresh. My skin almost has a dewy finish to it (without make up might I add!) which is brilliant!

Overall:

I am really glad I stumbled upon this range! The differences in my skin that I've noticed after just a week using it have been incredible! I feel really comfortable in my own skin at the moment, and I really do think it's down to the 'brightening' and tone correcting qualities in this range! Head over to SUPERDRUG and try it for yourself! I'm hoping that the products will continue to work for my skin, and I'll do an updated review in a few weeks! :)

Thanks for reading, any questions just leave a comment below <3 lucy xo

Boots and Superdrug haul! Some old favourites and some new things I've been wanting to try out!

Check out my YouTube Channel :) lucyhelen89

I've been a bit quiet in the blogging world over the summer, this is down to working quite a bit and also trying to restrain myself from buying any more products before I've used up the ones I've got (an impossible task let me tell you...) I've got quite a big haul here and the reason is that it's getting colder here in the UK and I'm finding that my 'summer' products, especially skincare products, just aren't nourishing my skin! So I thought I'd go ahead and try some new products in preparation for winter :)

Superdrug Naturally Radiant skincare range
Hot cloth cleansers are raved about in the blogging world, in particular the Liz Earle brand. With that one being out of my price range, I came across this Superdrug one and at only £2.99 it was a must have! Recently I've been slacking when it comes to removing my make up, which is a bad idea as I have problem skin as it is...... so this gentle approach I'm really looking forward to trying! I went and bought the night and day creams from the range too, so I'll do an update if anyone would be interested just leave a comment below :)

Essie Rock Solid base coat
my nails have been a nightmare recently, peeling and breaking... so I took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer in  boots and got myself the Essie base coat and the collection 2000 essentials which I always go back to. The Lasting perfection powder in Fair, and the lasting perfection concealer in 2 Fair. 

Laidbare pore mask
OHDEUXFOIS recommended this face mask as a great way to minimise pores and generally make your skin really really soft! She reviewed it and first of all commented on the smell... I completely agree, it's an amazing smell! The notes that come through the strongest are liquorice and its really a treat to use. I'll do an in depth review on this if you're wondering how I'm getting on with it, I've only used it once so far so can't really offer any real views in terms of the effects!

Dove products (their stuff always smells SO good!) & toothpaste!
I always seem to go back to this deoderant, smells insane and does the job! perfect! The dove leave in treatment for hair is a risky product for me.... I have fine hair, but due to dying, it's been quite brittle at the ends and generally looks a bit of a haystack so I'm looking forward to using this at night and hopefully (fingers crossed) it won't leave my hair greasy for days... I've stayed away from all the hair oils out at the moment because of the grease factor, but I thought I'd give this a try seeing as it was only £1.99!
Toothpaste is a slight obsession at the moment, my teeth are quite white anyway, but I want them to have that wow factor, so I've been intrigued by the colgate 1 week whitening one :) I'll let you know how I get on!

Quite a big haul for me.... although I did pick up some bargains along the way! I really think that the Superdrug range is a good deal, as I can end up spending a fortune on skincare (Philosophy etc) so it's nice to try cheaper alternatives! And from the reviews I've seen, the hot cloth cleanser is very comparable to the Liz Earle cleanse and polish!

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your comments and will reply to them asap :)
~Lucy~

MUA Cosmetics.... a quick review of my MUA products!

Here are the MUA items that I have :)

MATTE FOUNDATION - SHADE 1 SOFT SAND £2
EYESHADOW PALETTE - UNDRESSED £4

BLUSHER - SHADE 2 £1

SINGLE EYESHADOW - SHADE 24 PEARL £1

BRONZER - SHADE 1 £1

LIPSTICK - SHADE 2 £1

You can purchase MUA products online www.muastore.co.uk or at Superdrug stores! :)

*disclaimer* all products have been bought by me! All thoughts and opinions are my own :)

My most used items in this collection are the blusher/bronzer and Undressed palette. This brand really knocks other more expensive brands right out of the water, because not only are the products insanely cheap, they are amazing quality for the price! Who needs to spend £30 on an eyeshadow palette when you can spend £4 and create the same (if not better) looks! I also love that MUA don't test their products on animals, which has been a priority for me lately when buying products!

I'm a complete amateur when it comes to eyeshadow looks, but the Undressed palette makes it really easy to create looks, it even has a guide on the back for a simple look to start you off! The blusher and bronzer are really pigmented (great for only £1 each!!). 

The single eyeshadow that I got works really well with the Undressed palette, and I can incorporate it in to looks when I'm using it! 

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment below if you wish :) loveee xx

Looking forward to more products from MUA, and next on my wishlist are some more of the eyeshadow palettes to start experimenting more with colour!! These ones are catching my eye: 

Pretty Pastels

Glamour Days

Collective review.... Philosophy, acne treatment and moisturisers!

In the past month or so my skin has broken out horribly, and it's been a nightmare trying to tame it! It's down to hormonal acne, so skincare generally doesn't have an effect on these blemishes and they will eventually go away by themselves. As for my general skin (apart from the hideous spots) it's doing really well at the moment and I put it down to a few products......

Philosophy 'purity made simple' - one step facial cleanser 90ml

Philosophy 'microdelivery exfoliating wash' 118.3ml
Lacura 'Anti Wrinkle Q10 Night Cream 50ml

Palmer's Cocoa butter formula lip butter 10g
Sudocrem skin care cream 30g

purity made simple - one step facial cleanser

Initial thoughts.....
When I first tried this product, I wanted it to live up to the hype (I've seen it mentioned in the beauty blogging world for about 2 years now) and all I had heard were positives. Now when something has such a 'hype' I think it's easy to expect miracles.... but the thing with this cleanser is that it's just exactly what it says... it's simple [but certainly effective] in what it sets out to do. I have been using it for a few weeks now and it removes all of my make up (including dark eye make up) and leaves the skin feeling soft and comforted. The smell is quite weird... something to get used to, but the thing is with this product now is that I actually look forward to using it because I love how it makes my skin feel! Afterwards I use a toner (usually a tea tree one for the blemishes, and then follow with a moisturiser). Really great product to try out if you want something simple and effective. You can also use this cleanser on its own, it doesn't even need a toner to be honest!

microdelivery exfoliating wash

e this in the mornings to wake my skin and to get rid of anything grim from the nights sleep. It sort of lathers up if you use enough product, but it's a bit of a waste as it's really only an exfoliator. The beads in this are quite small but quite rough so be gentle. It leaves the skin SO soft! And sometimes I follow with the purity cleanser afterwards to soothe the skin after the abrasive mature of the scrub! Overall, great products that work well together! For general good looking skin, these are great for maintaining healthy skin!

I us

Lacura Anti-wrinkle Q10 Night Cream

This little find from Aldi is AMAZING! I've not been using it recently actually because it managed to get lost at the bottom of a very large bag of cosmetics [I have way too much stuff]. However because my skin has been playing up, I'm reaching for this again. So my skin is soft from the Purity cleanser... and then when I put this on it's so soft! The cream is quite thick but not greasy at all. It settles in to the skin nicely and feels slightly tingly when applied. I can honestly say that my face looks 'tighter' and more 'radiant' when I've used this.. it sounds ridiculous I know... and I'm only 22 so don't really need any of those benefits, but I have also read in the blogging community that people have seen it reduce acne and scarring, so I'm willing to try anything really! My skin really feels great in the morning, not too dry & not too oily, great!! It's only £3.99 from Aldi, and their stuff is really recommended by a lot of people in the beauty world so it's worth a try :)

Palmer's cocoa butter formula lip butter 'dark chocolate and peppermint'

So not really skincare.... but I love it so it's going in the review! :D I bought this on a 3 for 2 offer a month or two ago... only really got it to try something new from the Palmer's  range and to make the most of the offer! Sooooo glad I tried it! It's my favourite lip balm of all time I think! I have tried the stick version and I hate it, it's really dry and makes my lips look almost white because it sticks to the dryness! This one however, it comes out quite glossy (but not at all sticky!) and almost glides on. The smell is amazing, like After Eights :-D. I would tend to use it on its own in the house, and when I'm going out put a tiny amount on before some lipstick (it would be great if they came out with a tinted version, I hate bare lips!) overall an amazing product! I've just ordered a Dark Chocolate and Cherry one from eBay and I'm hoping that it's as good as this one!

Sudocrem.....

This one will probably come up time and time again... it really helps to reduce the size of my blemishes throughout the night [I have cystic acne, so the blemishes are extremely swollen at times...] it has antibacterial properties which I think penetrate the blemish and help to fight all the nasty stuff in there through the night. I'm not sure it's so good on smaller redder acne, as it can be quite greasy, but it does make a good overall face cream [my friend uses it every night as an all over cream and she rarely has problems while using it!] overall great stuff, and the little tube is about £1.99 and lasts forever [a small amount really goes a long way!]

A small collective review on some of the products that have been helping my skin recently.... thanks for reading and do leave a comment & any requests for reviews

Lucy xx

Essentials I'm loving at the moment!

So recently, my acne has been playing up really bad, so any cosmetics have just been playing havoc with this. So I've been sticking to buying things that might help my face, and just general necessary items for the bathroom!

In skincare I've been trying the boots Witchazel & Tea Tree range... I have the toner, night gel & day moisturiser!



I've only been using these for a few days so I'm going to let them start working before reviewing them :)

Another item which I have been loving, is a toothpaste (boring I know...) but it's something that for me actually works! I usually HATE whitening toothpastes, as they taste awful and don't leave my mouth feeling fresh... But the Oral B Pro Expert toothpaste is brilliant! The advert is really cheesy with the woman saying 'my mouth felt fresh in the morning' but this is literally the case! It makes your mouth so clean that it doesn't seem to have that 'just woken up' taste or anything! Love it!



Here's a picture of the actual toothpaste, it's sparkly! :) I can actually see a slight difference in the colour of my teeth in just a few days which is great! It's not cheap, I bought it for £3.60 at boots (I'd tried it before when my mum bought it once) so I decided to re purchase as it worked for me!


I hope this helps anyone looking for a good toothpaste which leaves you feeling fresh and visibly whiter teeth! :) thanks for reading xx

L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream SPF 12 *Review*

So I've been trying out this product for over a week now... so I thought it was due for a review :)

I've tried one other BB cream... and that's the Garnier BB cream (light) and I have to say I really don't like that one... it feels far too greasy and it seems to slide off my face as the day goes on... overall not a good product for me personally (although I know a lot of people love it). 

So, the L'Oreal Nude Magique....... It's quite a weird texture, it's a white cream (quite runny so be careful) with little 'grains' in it which are called 'smart pigment capsules'. It is marketed as a Bare Skin Beautifier, and I think it does just that!! Here's what it looks like as a white cream, and then partially rubbed in (I find it does take some rubbing in to get it totally smooth).



I know a lot of people have had the problem of the Light shade being too dark, and I do think it is too dark for a 'light' product as you can see on my hand.... however, on my face, I like a bit of colour as I'm quite pale, as long as it's rubbed in properly and you make sure that there aren't any horrible lines near the neck then it's absolutely fine! I usually use concealer over the top and then a lighter shade in a powder to set it and it's a really nice finish. 

Sometimes if I want a heavier look, I will use this BB cream as a primer.... it says that it has a 'flawless and dewy looking' finish, but on my skin I find it to be much more matte, which is great to use under other make up (in particular my Clinique Tinted Moisturiser). This does create a heavier look, but I find that the L'Oreal Nude Magique creates an excellent base!

 

Again... this probably looks quite dark to you guys, and I agree, but I love the actual product so much that the shade of it doesn't really create a problem, as it can be blended out and it's not 'so' orange that it's unusable! A light powder should correct it. I have used the Nude Magique alone with only a bit of concealer, powder and blush, and my friend was surprised that I only had that on, as it looked really flawless!

So far it's a great BB cream to try. I have combination skin (dry/oily in places and prone to breakouts) and this really leaves me with even skin, to either create a natural summer look, or as a base for other foundations/products. Because I find this to be quite matte, I would recommend using a good exfoliator every morning (a daily one such as Neutrogena Grapefruit daily scrub or Philosophy Microdelivery).

I've not seen too many reviews on this product, and most of them were in French when I did find them! So I hope this has been helpful to you guys! Any comments just leave them below, thanks for reading!

Lucy xx

Diorshow Iconic Mascara 090 Review!

Hey guys, just a quick review on a mascara I've been trying....it's the Diorshow Iconic mascara in 090 Black.

So I don't usually want to pay a lot for a mascara, but recently I've been wanting something that would give a false lash effect without the false lashes (I like wearing them, but generally only on nights out and not during the day time). Where I work, we sell Dior products, and I recently helped someone with a mascara, and after looking at reviews online, I wanted to try it for myself :)

The brush is exactly what I like about a mascara brush, it's plastic (not bristles, however my previous post concluded that I like the bristles on the Benefit Bad Gal!) 

The actual parts which apply the mascara are evenly spaced, so that when you're applying it, no lash is left out (much like the effect you would get when using a four or 5 blade razor.....weird comparison I know... haha but it really does create a nice even look!

Just one to two coats of this mascara can create a really nice look, and a few more and you're set for a more dramatic look It only starts to clump after about 4 coats, but if I wanted that much of a dramatic look then I would probably use false lashes too to prevent the clumping look! Here's a pic of what it can look like, this is with about 2 coats on...... (apologies for the crappy quality!)

Overall I really like this mascara, I don't know whether I will definitely repurchase because it is expensive, it retails at around £20-£25 depending where you buy it (luckily I got staff discount so that helped). But yeah, it's just really easy to create a nice semi-dramatic look for the day with minimal effort really, you don't have to stand there for ages trying to build it up, it's pretty instant, and as I said, with a few more coats you can create a dramatic look too.

Hope this review has been helpful to you, feel free to leave me a comment below :) Lucy xxx

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara *review*

There are very mixed views on this mascara.... after getting this free with Glamour magazine, I was honestly expecting it to be average at best! I know friends that have tried it and disliked it.. and for a freebie I wasn't too bothered, as it's a good way of trying before I buy! :)

The first thing to say is that it's not a super 'wet' mascara, and it can feel like hardly any is going on.... but with a few coats it really builds up to a nice mid-dramatic look. The best thing about this mascara I have found is that it doesn't seem to clump! For example this morning I applied one coat, and then a few hours later I applied two more coats and it hasn't clumped once, the lashes are suitably separated and they look fuller. I absolutely hate it when mascaras clump in certain areas and there's nothing you can do to separate them again....

The brush is not one I would usually go for, as it's got bristles instead of being plastic, and I find that these usually do nothing for me, and leave me clumpy and messy! This one however works really well for me, I don't know how... maybe its because the bristles are close together? Hmmmm...

This sample size from Glamour is perfect to carry around in the handbag, and knowing that it isn't going to clump means I can apply it throughout the day and build it up for the night time (usually I would take all of my make up off and start again...)

I really recommend trying this mascara, and for £2 with the magazine you can't really go wrong!! :)

Thanks for reading! Lucy xxx

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - Dual Fibre Stippling Brush REVIEW

So... I've heard great things about this range of make up brushes, and especially the Dual Fibre Stippling brush! I'm not a person who will spend tonnes of money on make up brushes, as to be quite frank I just won't use them. However, the stippling brush is something I've been wanting to try for a while. I've tried regular 'foundation' brushes (the ones that look like a paint brush....) and I find they just cake on the make up and are pretty rubbish at blending. My flatmate decided to take the plunge and buy this brush, and I managed to get the very last one in Boots (lucky!). Here's the brush:

Real Techniques Dual Fibre Stippling Brush.

First of all, the price is really very reasonable, £11.99 for a multi-purpose make up brush is pretty good going. (the main reason I don't buy make up brushes is because brands lure you in with all of their different brushes which you have to buy individually for extortionate prices) but I really think that this is worth it, you can use it however you like! Obviously the Real Techniques range do a whole host of different brushes, but one like this is great for someone like me, who doesn't necessarily want lots of different brushes. The brush is really easy to hold, and the end has a black bit which is easy to grip! The brush itself is a nice size, and you could use it for wet or dry products, I choose to use mine with foundation! 

How I use my Real Techniques Dual Fibre Stippling Brush:

I love this brush for my foundation (I've been using it for a few days now). I'm not actually using a 'proper' foundation at the moment, as I've been loving my Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15 (shade 02). This brush is absolutely brilliant to apply this tinted moisturiser, and you wouldn't know that I didn't have a 'full' foundation on. I use about a 20p sized amount on the back of my hand and dab the brush in to it. I then apply to the apples of my cheeks and forehead, nose & chin. Then I can start stippling and blending. It does an excellent job of getting in to all the nooks and crannies to ensure that it's a flawless finish! This is great, because even though I'm not using a heavy foundation, it still creates the coverage that I'm after!

 I use a few other products to finish my make up, and recently I've been loving my Maybelline 24hr Superstay Concealer in Light Beige 02. To set I've been using Bourjois Mineral Radiance powder in 02 Vanilla!

The brush here is actually really good too, it's an ecotools one and I picked it up from Fragrance Direct (.co.uk) and it was really cheap too! Not sure if they still do them, but I know you can get Ecotools brushes in Boots! 

Overall I'm really impressed with this Stippling Brush & would recommend it to anyone! I'll also try using it with different foundations and let you guys know the verdict! So far though I'm loving it with my Clinique Tinted Moisturiser (which to be fair is more like a foundation than a moisturiser...) :) With regards to washing my brush.... I have to say I'm quite lazy when it comes to washing make up brushes, but for now I've been wiping it with a baby wipe and leaving it to air dry by the window each time I use it (so far so good!) I'm reluctant to buy in to the 'brush cleansers' that some brands do.. as they're quite expensive for what they are. I've also seen people washing their brushes with baby shampoo etc, so baby wipes and baby shampoo are cheap alternatives! 

You can follow Real Techniques on Twitter:  @realtechniques 

Thanks for reading! Any questions then just leave me a comment, thanks! Lucy xxx

Today's Purchases :) mini haul post!

Did a bit of shopping today... and got a few pieces that I needed, and some that I've just heard lots of great things about!

Got these two bra's from New Look, they were on sale for £6 (pack of two) and they feel like they're going to be super comfy! Also under all the products I bought a simple navy top from Primark, to go with my Jubilee outfit for the weekend!

Got some false nails from Primark, they're red as it's Jubilee weekend coming up, and I have to dress up for work and also a night out that's planned for Sunday! And for only £1 it's a pretty good deal!

I was so impressed with my lip tint that I got from Primark that I got a different colour, this is more of a baby pink and looks perfect for the summer! £1.50. 

I've been loving MUA Make up (available at Superdrug) as it's so cheap but quality! The bronzer is perfect for me, and teamed with my Primark blush brush, it goes on quite light so I can build it up without looking too orange! I have it in shade 1 and it was £1 (everything is on three for two at the moment in Superdrug too).

I got my hands on a Revlon Colour Burst Lip Butter - in 090 Sweet Tart. I've heard lots of good reviews, and my flatmate Jess has been using hers and can't recommend it enough. I tried all the colours and thought this was a really nice pretty pink for the summer, it's a little brighter than I'd normally go for, but I thought I'd have a change :) I've been trying it this afternoon and I'll do a review on that for you guys! £7.99 from Boots and Superdrug (and anywhere that sells Revlon products). 

Bit of an impulse buy at the end of the shopping trip, Jess has been going on about getting one of these Real Techniques Dual Fibre Stippling Brushes for a while now, and she finally bought one today after hearing such good reviews. I too have been seeing various Beauty Bloggers and Youtube Guru's talking about them, and thought I'd give it a try! Excited to see if this one works out! I'll review it once I've tried it (which will be later today or tomorrow I think!) It was £11.99, which is quite a lot to pay on a student budget for a brush.... so I'm hoping it will deliver!!

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed my little haul, please leave a comment about any of the products featured below, and if you'd like me to review anything then I'd be happy to! :) Lucy xxxx

Piz Buin sun care range! A review.

About two years ago I was on the lookout for a sunscreen which wouldn't break the bank... But which actually worked! I can across a good offer on Piz Buin in Sainsbury's where they were half price at around £5 per bottle! I got the 1 Day Long factor 30 and the Tan Intensifier factor 15.




After I bought them I read some reviews and found that a lot of people with sensitive skin (like me) simply couldn't use Piz Buin as it irritated. This got me worried... However I can say that it is by far my favourite sunscreen, I love it!

For pale skin like mine, factor 30 is perfect to put on in the morning, and then the 15 tan intensifier is great to apply throughout the day. I went to Spain that year and it was scorching, I didn't get burnt once!!

It has a great summery scent, unlike any I've smelt before with a sun cream! I re purchased this year before going to America and it did the job, even in heat of around 90degrees farenheight it worked really well. The factor 15 is perfect for this heat wave we're having in the UK at the moment and I really do recommend trying it! It's permanently on offer in Bodycare (there's one in Manchester... Not sure about anywhere else) and are around £5 :) I've also seen it in Boots, Superdrug & other supermarkets like Tesco! I'll update if I see any deals!!

Just a quick review on a sun care brand I'm really loving, hopefully this has been helpful! Thanks for reading, Lucy xxx



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Rimmel, Max Factor & Primark.... how do these lip tints compare?

I have a pale complexion, and over the past year or so I've been looking for a lip tint or 'stain' which will give me the desired colour that will LAST. I will usually wear these tints with some balm over the top, or as a base for lipstick, so that even when the lipstick eventually wears off, the lip stain should still be there to provide me with colour to perk up my lips :) Loads of brands have been coming out with these, and I've tried four of them. Here's a picture of three of them, these ones are in a 'felt tip' style and can be worn alone or with a lip balm or lipstick!

1. Max Factor 'Lipfinity Lasting Lip Tint' in shade 08

This one I had high hopes for, it was the first time trying a felt tip style one, and I had been drawn in by their advertising and didn't expect the product to be so poor! I don't know if it was just mine, but the colour is quite bad, a sort of dark brown colour with maybe a hint of red. Obviously I could have picked a different colour, but it seemed like it would be a good choice for the day time. The other thing I don't like is that the tip felt very dry, and it was often hard to get any colour to actually go on to my lips, again I don't know if this is just me, and that I had a 'dud' one.... my flat mate had one in a different shade and she seemed to like hers and didn't think it was dry at all, so who knows! I'm not going to buy this one again though because it's quite expensive and didn't work for me.
£7.99 at Boots & Superdrug. 


2. Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Transfer Proof Lip Tint + Balm


This product is definitely a step up from the Max Factor one!! The colour pay-off was much better on this product, and it didn't feel as drying. With a good colour base all set, there is also a balm on the end, with its own cap, so you can use it after the lip tint to prevent drying! This lip balm is AMAZING. I wish they did it in a balm on its own, it really is the best stick balm I've ever used. I usually stay away from this design as they can be drying and exaggerate the dryness, but this one glides over the lips and leaves it looking slightly glossy and 'kissable?' hehe. Really love this stuff! Overall for this product, the lip balm is better than the tint I feel. 
£5.99 approximately and can be found at Boots, Superdrug & Ebay etc :)


3. Primark 'Lip Stain Pen' there's no shade, but it's sort of a dark red/pink colour.


I bought this today, and I've tried it out and so far I really like it! The 'wetness' of the actual pen makes it so easy to apply the colour, and it's not too drying. I actually used my rimmel lip balm over the top and it's such a gorgeous deep colour, and with a balm it looks like a super pigmented lip gloss without the stickiness! (you could use any other balm over the top, for example I have Palmer's Cocoa Butter Dark Chocolate and Peppermint which would go really nicely as a glossy top coat).


edit**** completely forgot to mention, this lip stain is only £1.50! and comes in three shades! :)

4. Model's own lip stain.


This one comes in a container much like nail varnish.... and applies... much like nailvarnish! I find this quite tricky.. and although the colour is really nice, it's hard to be accurate and the bottle is a bit of a nightmare. It's prone to leaking, which is a major problem if you're wanting to carry it round in your make up bag or handbag. This one is definitely for the dressing table, don't chance taking it out with you ( or perhaps put it in a small plastic sealed bag?) Just a word of warning :) This one is also a cheek stain (much like Benefit Benetint) but I don't like using it on my cheeks as I find it hard to work with and hard to blend! ;)






I have also tried Benetint by Benefit and I don't actually see much difference (apart from maybe the smell..Benetint smells more floral) but I would definitely prefer to pay £5 for Models Own than extortionate prices for basically the same product! 

Generally, the rule with lip tints is to make sure that your lips are well prepared for the often drying product, and make sure that you have a good balm to seal it in place and give a glossy finish (unless you like the matte look!) I don't know how the Primark one will play out, but I hope it doesn't dry up too soon!

If you have any comments then just leave them below, and do tell me if you've tried any of the tints that are out there, likes and dislikes?

That's all for now :) thanks for reading! Lucy xxx

Stella Rose Gold Fossil Watch :)

I've never really been a 'watch' person, but I now find myself with three watches for various occasions, mostly casual day wear ones. I have two leather strap ones, one a beige pink and one a tan brown colour, which go with every outfit. This post is mostly about my brand new love though, my new Stella Rose Watch by Fossil! (Click the link to see the full product detail on their website)

I think that Fossil watches are underrated, they have loads of really nice designs, and some classic colours such as silver, gold and leather to suit every occasion. I was originally going to get this one...... but decided on the Rose one after all! It's a Rose Gold effect, and the watch is actually stainless steel which is great because it's going to be durable, so perfect for everyday use.

I do like the Stella Tort Resin Watch and may just have to purchase it as well... as they're both so nice!! The great thing about these colours is that they look good on every skin-tone! I have worn my rose watch when I've got fake tan on and it looks great, and also when I'm paler, even though it may seem like it would wash you out, it really doesn't! Anyhow, so much love for Fossil watches at the moment, so just thought I'd share my purchase and possible future purchases with you! Hehe :)

Thanks for reading and do check out their website for prices and more info! Lucy xxx

Heatwave!

My first post in a while..... I've had exams etc and just generally been too busy to blog, but I'm hoping I can get some reviews done in the next few weeks as I have tonnes to share :D may have been spending a bit too much.... oops! Anyhow here's a quick post for you guys! 

So for the past few days it's been really hot in the UK (loving it!) but its hard to stay feeling fresh in the hot sticky weather, so it's good to get yourself a purse spray that you can carry round not only to cool down, but to add a subtle scent too!

I have used the Avon Cherry Blossom spritz and really liked it, but I've misplaced it and I've been looking around their website for an alternative...... I've come across this one which looks really nice. It's called Miami Party and it's a body mist.... with a 'fresh citrus scent'. Here's the best part... it's only £1.50 at the moment! (usually £3.50) so I'm definitely going to order some!

In the Cherry Blossom range, they have the shower gel on offer too at the moment! I love the scent, so I'll probably get that too and it's also only £1.30! Some really good savings on summer essentials! :D

Another essential I find is an Aloe Vera moisturiser after exposure to sun. I got a great one from Walgreens in America, but Avon do similar ones for £2 or £3! Really helps to reduce flaking if you were unlucky enough to get burnt! :)

Thanks for reading, Lucy xxx

Cinderela B Jewellery London

Bumblebee Pendant £25

I came across this brand in a few posts I've been reading recently, and I have to say the jewellery is adorable! Especially the Bumblebee Pendant, which is very fitting (xbeautybee, lucybee etc...) hehe!

I was looking through some other bits and pieces and came across some charm bracelets, they're super cute and come with different charms (spider, bumblebee, dragonfly) you guys should check their website out!

Cinderela B London

Charm bracelet £16.95

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Rimmel Offer @ Superdrug & Boots!

Lasting Finish Lipstick in 'Asia',
60 Second Nail Varnish '415 instyle
coral', Exaggerate waterproof eye
definer in '261 Noir'

 Just a quick post, I was in Superdrug today and found this good little deal, spend £9.99 and get a FREE Volume Flash Scandaleyes Mascara (Worth £6.99)


I love this mascara, so I thought why not! I got myself a new lipstick, eyeliner and nail varnish and got the mascara for free! I won't be running out of mascara for a while! :)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MY FIRST YOUTUBE VIDEO!










Lipstick £4,99
Nail varnish £3.69
Eyeliner £2.99

Edit*** You can also get this offer at boots :) spend over £10 on Rimmel and get the mascara for free. 

Sudocrem.... miracle product?!

Just a quick update on a great product I've been trying recently!

Both of my flat mates have been using the product, and recommended it as a spot fighter and all around face cream!

I was using this a couple of weeks ago, when my face had flared up really bad, and I have to say it works really well! I can put this on at night (it's a very thick product so I would recommend only using at night!) and my spots look and feel reduced in size.

It works to block out nasty stuff getting to your pores in the night, but also dries the skin and any oily areas where spots occur! It's a good idea to use a good exfoliator and moisturiser the morning after using Sudocrem, as it does dry out the skin quite a bit!

I stopped using this product while I was away in America, and my spots returned. Since getting back and using it again, it's reduced some of my larger spots over night, which is brilliant! It's quite cheap and lasts a while! It comes in a tube or a pot, and I prefer the pot for ease of application & hygiene!

Thanks for reading! :)

Skincare routine for dry combination skin!

I guess every girl attempts to achieve healthy looking skin which allows make up to glide on effortlessly! It's also a plus point if the make up stays put throughout the day, especially when working under bright lights and for long hours... this is a must! Well this weekend I've been trying a different skincare routine, having come to the end of my Clinique Cleanser and Toner, I've been trying random things that I have lying around my room..... and nothing has quite compared to this weekend's finds! (I tried the face wash courtesy of my Mum and Sister... hehe!)

I have tried this Garnier range in the past and hadn't been too impressed with it, but this time round, teamed with some other products it seems to be working well!

This cleanser is soap free, which means there won't be any soapy residue left on the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and spots! It's really refreshing, and can be used morning and night. It really makes my skin feel soft, I am SO impressed!! 

I follow with these wipes from Garnier. I opted for the 'soft essentials' as I felt like I shouldn't strip my skin of too much moisture, as that would be done with the gel cleanser! These wipes are great for removing any excess make up!

It's a little tough to get eye make up off with them though, they aren't wet enough! No problem though as I just use some Simple eye make up remover to get rid of any stubborn mascara!

To finish off the routine, this moisturiser is a great Oil Free one! It's a little pricey at around £25-£30 per tub, but it really is great for dry combination skin which can be prone to oily areas/spots! :) 


A good finger tip's worth should do the whole face, it glides on and goes really far I find! Just dab it on each cheek, the nose, forehead and chin and then blend. It's heavenly to apply! Moisturising enough to replenish during the night, and light enough to sit nicely on the skin as a primer before make up!


My true test of make up is when I go to work, and this weekend I've been at work with no problems. Usually my face is an oily mess by about half way through my shift, but I have felt comfortable with my skin all weekend! This regime seems to be helping my skin to calm down and just generally look and feel better!

It's only been a few days, but I'm hoping that this routine will keep giving me these results! :)

Thanks for reading and please feel free to comment below! Lucy xxx



** update: I went in Sainsbury's today and their Garnier range was on special offer!! The face wash usually £3.50 was £1.70 :D and the same with the face wipes!