Topshop Make-up Collection: Lip Stick

 T-B  Topshop  Lip Stick in Powder Room and Lip Stick in Clueless

As a lover of the Topshop products, I decided to purchase a couple of these to see whether they met up to the other products. I used to love the Eyeko lip sticks in the same format but unfortunately these were discontinued as they were re branding their brand and so thought these might meet up and replace my love for them. The formulation of the actual lipstick is a lot different but this didn't stop me really liking it. They are of a very matte formulation, which actually I do like, although I much prefer using these when my lips aren't dry though. It looks as though these 'Lip Sticks' have been re branded and are now 'Lip Crayons' so look out for these when you have a look for them.

Powder Room

Powder Room is a light pink shade. One of the great things about these lipsticks is how pigmented they are. The colour pay off is great! This isn't a colour that I would usually go for as I usually go for the darker and brighter shades but this is great to have in my collection for those days that I don't feel like being so brave with my lip colour choices.

Clueless

Clueless is a very bright blue toned pink shade. On the occasion I choose to wear a bright pink, this shade has been known to make an appearance. The pigmentation is great and if your a lover of a matte finish then this is definitely for you.

L-R Topshop Lipstick in Powder Room and Lipstick in Clueless 

Here are some swatches that are pretty true to the colour. I would suggest going and swatching them for yourself though so you can see what the formulation is like. 

I have had a little break from using these lipsticks though as they have both become little stubs - I need to get a sharpener! (The only downside to this product in my opinion, I hate products that you have to sharpen yourself... Hopefully the re branding of this product has changed that, will be checking that out soon!) 

Have you tried these before? What's your favourite shades? 

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Illamasqua Powdered Metal in Ether

Illamasqua Powdered Metal in Ether - I don't think you can pick this shade up on their website any more but you can get Thalia here - might be worth a bit of Googling if you want to pick this up as I got it in a Glossybox

Illamasqua's Powdered Metal is a really lovely powder highlighter. I got this in a Glossybox ages ago, and was very happy with the box that month! This can be a subtle highlighter or can be built up to create more of an intense highlight depending on the look that you are trying to achieve. 

I usually use whatever product is in the lid as powder products like this can be quite difficult to use because if you dipped a brush where the product comes out, it is very likely that the brush would be covered in the highlighter and potentially you would look as though you dipped your face in highlighter, but each to their own - everyone applies products differently! 

I applied this quite thick here so you would be able to see the colour of the highlighter. Obviously, I wouldn't apply the product to my face as intensely as this but I just wanted to show you the highlighter in the best way possible. 

I wouldn't say this is my favourite highlighter as I usually reach for my Benefit High Beam (you can see a review here) but I do like to use it if I'm going on a night out or want my look to be that bit more glamorous. I love cream products and so I think a cream highlighter is next on my list. 

Can you recommend a good cream highlighter? Have you tried this product?

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Topshop Peel Off Nails in Straight Laced

 Topshop Peel Off Nail Polish in Straight Laced £6.00

As soon as I saw these polishes turn up on the Topshop website, I knew I had to have them. I was in love with all of the shades but originally bought only 3 of the 4 that they had out, although now I can say I've bought the last one and finished off my collection.

The first polish out of the set that I tried was this beautiful pale grey shade called 'Straight Laced'. At first, I'm going to be truthful, I absolutely hated the polish. I was very disappointed as I had bought so many shades and so I had to keep going with it and using it. I hated the formulation, it felt really odd on the nails and I just couldn't seem to get used to it. It appeared streaky, but now I would put this down to the way that I applied the polish that time.

It was only after I had taken this all of and reapplied with another shade, was that I realised how great this polish actually was. It dries so quickly, a great point for a lazy nail painter like me and actually even though it doesn't last as long as a normal polish, it is just as easy to apply it again.

Along with it drying quickly, the removal of the polish is also so much easier, you literally just peel the polish off! This can be seen in the image below, showing the polish peeling off easily.

I was so excited to peel all of the nail polish off my nails as it reminded me of when I was younger and when I used to peel the PVA glue off of my hands. The most satisfying thing ever. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?! Hell yes. What a great childhood we all had, eh. 

All I can say now about this polish is that I am completely in love. I hardly ever used to paint my nails as it all seemed to be like so much of a chore and really I would only do it if I had some sort of occasion to paint it for - NYE, an event... etc. All I can say is that I can tell already that I just don't want to paint my nails with anything else, the comparison to the chore of applying and waiting for it to dry and then the removal to that with this polish, well you just can't compare it. Which is why I just had to run out and pick up the last shade. I have been reading on the internet about peel off base coats and wow, I need one of these babies! 

This has got to be my new holy grail nail product. Please Topshop, bring out some more! 

Have any of you tried this polish? Did you love it as much as I did? 

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Benefit BADgal Black Lash Mascara

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara - £16.50 at Feel Unique

I absolutely love picking up these sample size products in magazines, it allows you to get the feel of the product before you go out and buy it, or in my case it allows you to fall in love with the product and then NEED to buy it! 

This was the case with this product right here. Benefit's Bad Gal Lash Mascara does exactly what I want out of a mascara, it darkens and thickens my lashes in the way I want it to. I haven't actually always loved this mascara though. When I first tried it I was actually using a sample size of Bobbi Brown's Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara (quite a mouthful!) and I was in love. It was perfect, but as I was used to using high street branded mascara, it was just too expensive to justify using up so quickly and repurchase and so this was where Benefit's Bad Gal Lash Mascara would come in. I would apply Bad Gal to my eyelashes first as a base and would then put Bobbi Brown's one on afterwards, still resulting in the same effect and therefore not using up quite as much of the product and while doing so I was using up a mascara that I just didn't like quite as much. Sadly the time came where my Bobbi Brown mascara had dried up and had ran out and really I did have to stop using it - trust me, I kept going as long as I could. 

I then started using Benefit's Bad Gal Lash Mascara on its own and all of a sudden, I just loved it. I don't know whether it was the change from using a dried up mascara to using a new fresh one (I had a couple saved up - I go a bit crazy when I see products in magazines and stock up!), but this mascara all of a sudden just did it for me and worked really well with my lashes. 

I would love to try the Bobbi Brown one again and perhaps use my old favourite combo! but alas, yet again, I cannot afford it - especially not buying two new high end branded mascaras! Sadly, my sample sized mascaras are running out and it's going to be time soon to bite the bullet and buy a new one. I have been contemplating repurchasing as really I do love it, the mascara and brush just work so well with my lashes and I know already that I like it but the Beauty Blogger in me can't help but want to try something new. Who else know's this feeling?! I am also contemplating repurchasing the Bobbi Brown one but I just don't know. 

What's your favourite Mascara? 

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Instagram #8

A Miracle in a pot - if you haven't got your hands on this already then get one now - it is amazing!, Macaroons from Pierre Herme, Snog Frozen Yoghurt

The beautiful lights in snog, the clothes I picked up at the thrift sale - all that for £10, who can resist discounted Ice Cream?!

Some Origins goodies I ordered, Callum getting his haircut, the location for an apocalyptic shoot

Medium Format Camera view, Location scouting with Sandra, Watching Breaking Bad with Callum while waiting for our Roast Dinner to cook

Wine at the Crystal Clear event, Us at the event, The Parsnip chips at the event

Ricky modelling for Elric, Dainty Doll purchases, the Lemon Meringue pie I made

Cocktails with Dina, Shooting for our Group shoot, Callum's 21st

Large format film, hungover Matt, Photoshop session

More Dainty Doll purchases, I made cupcakes at Uni, the best pumpkin sushi ever!

When we went to watch Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Meat Liquor, Making Cookie Cups from Nouvelle Daily

What have you been up to lately?

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Elemis Fresh Skin Face Mask Duo

Elemis Fresh Skin Face Mask Duo is currently 35% off on Feel Unique at £9.75! You can pick these up here

I rememeber trying these face masks years ago, I'm pretty sure I picked some up when I was at T4 on the Beach in 2009? Corrr, that feels like forever ago! I remembered absolutely loving them and so when I was feeling the need to try out some more face masks on a recent skin care haul (that probably I shouldn't have done!) I decided to give these ago again. I think I paid £15 on Feel Unique for 6 face masks - 3 of each type. 

Elemis Fresh Skin is the younger version of the brand Elemis. It is targeted at people in their teens to their twenties. There are two different types of face masks in this set: 

Elemis FreshSkin Deep Clean Purifying Facial Mask 

' This rebalancing facial mask has a blend of natural clays, goji berry extract and frankincense oil to help draw out impurities and refine the skin whilst vitamin E softens and soothes.'

This has got to be my favourite mask out of the two. It is a clay mask, and I can't really say I've tried too many of these out as I usually opt for the moisturising masks like the other in this pack but for once I can say that actually I really enjoyed this. It cleaned my skin so well and left my face feeling super soft. It still feels soft even the day after. I can't wait to use one of these again! 

Elemis FreshSkin Magical Moisture Quenching Face Mask

' This super softening mask contains white lupin, artic cranberry seed oil and apple extract to deliver an instant moisture boost to dry skin, while aloe vera gently soothes. Leaves skin radiant and exceptionally soft.'

The first time I tried this since ordering this set was actually while getting ready for New Years Eve. (you can read about my night here!) I love a good pamper and this was perfect to relax me while getting ready... I'll let you all in on a little secret ( my boyfriend did one that night too but sshh, don't tell him I told you ;) ) The face mask moisturised my skin so well and left a perfect base for me to apply my make-up on top of, although I felt as though I really didn't necessarily need a base, but as I was going out I put on one anyway. My skin was so soft and felt so clean. It really is a lovely product!

I do like both masks a lot but my favourite has to be the clay mask, it made my skin feel so clean and so soft and has made me want to try out some more clay masks! 

Have you tried out either of these masks? What's your favourite face mask?

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Instagram #7

I've just realised I've not done an update post in so long and so thought it was about time to get back on it. These posts will be going back to Christmas as this was where I last stopped. Here we go... again!

Tim with his skateboard, Holly with her Secret Santa gift for Callum - Cheeky!, our finished flat Christmas Chinese

The most amazing fresh Lemonade at Giraffe, Group skype with my friends over Christmas, Christmas Card from The Ragged Priest (you can get their clothes at Topshop)

Loving the Bubble Baths while I was at home, Fresh manicure with a Mavala Mini polish!, Wrapping Christmas presents

My mum playing around with her scrabble letters, Shortbread, Christmas day!

My Christmas Presents - I spy a few joke presents in there!, My Dad dressed as Santa, The two beautiful Topshop bag's I got

Back at Uni for NYE, Callum and I on NYE, NYE Fireworks from the roof on the Queen of Hoxton

Drunken Dina, My nail polish that fell off, The most amazing Urban Outfitters candle

Cocktails with Callum in Southampton, Finally got my hands on these babies!, Picked this book up from UO

Beautiful food from Strada, It was my New Years Resoloution to drink this much water a day... It didn't work though - oops!, Tim's drawing on Callum's foot

So that was the first instalment into what I've been up to. Sorry it's so late - I will try to keep up from now on, I promise! 

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Crystal Clear Skincare Event

I was recently invited to an event by the lovely ladies at Crystal Clear Skincare for a new product they were releasing. I hadn't actually heard of the brand before, but from what I saw online prior to the event, it sounded great. Along with that it was my first event, so what blogger would turn that down? I brought along my beautiful friend Dina, who is also a lover of all things beauty - just like me! so I knew she'd love it just as much as I would.We got into the event and actually we were the first ones there, we were eager to hear about the products! (I've borrowed some pictures of the event from the Crystal Clear Skincare event page, you can see them all here!)

Crystal Clear Skincare is actually a Salon brand, they have been going from 1995 so are definitely a well established brand and now they are branching out into selling their own products including the one they were showing us at the event - their new Lift Away The Years product!

Me - Cardigan; Topshop   Top; New Look   Disco Pants; Topshop    Boots; Topshop    Bag; Topshop    Nail Polish; Essie Bikini So Teeny and Topshop 3D 

Dina - Dress; ASOS    Bag; River Island

The hotel, 'The Soho Hotel' the event was held at was beautiful. The décor was stunning and Dina and I were in awe. Going from our plain dingy rooms in Halls, to the beautifully decorated hotel was quite an exciting change, even if just for the night... We were greeted with wine and non-alcoholic cocktails, we obviously opted for the wine, what student would say no to wine?! And it was lovely, neither of us would usually opt for wine but it went down a treat. The room was filled with products and goody bags galore. In awe doesn't even describe how Dina and I were. 

We got the chance to meet the lovely ladies that worked for Crystal Clear Skincare, they were all so lovely. We also got to meet Sharon the founder of the company and got to chat with her and find out a bit more about the products. 

The launch was to show us about their new 'Lift Away The Years' product. The website says: 

'Lift Away the Years is a revolutionary new skincare sensation shaking up the beauty world.

Clinically proven to increase skin firmness and reduce wrinkles from first use, this revolutionary product developed by our anti-ageing expert, Sharon Hilditch MBE, produces results that are visible after the very first use.

Lift Away the Years releases Intense Anti Ageing Serum through the technologically advanced oscillating applicator head and provides an innovative way of applying moisturiser to the face. Not only does it allow the moisturiser to penetrate deeply for maximum hydration, it also gives a visible firming and lifting effect to the whole face including eyes, brows, jaw line and cheeks, plumping lines and wrinkles.

The result? Beautifully rejuvenated skin in an instant. Skin looks and feels firmer, younger, toned and hydrated. Use twice daily as part of your skincare regime and watch the results get better and better day-by-day.

Priced at £79.99, this includes Crystal Clear Intense Anti-Ageing Serum (30ml).'

If I don't get any use out of this, I'll either save it for when I need it or I'll pass it on to my Mum who I know will!

Although the products weren't exactly directed at our age range - anti-ageing for 19 year olds, maybe not... But it doesn't hurt to be prepared right? I remember saying once that I'd start using anti-ageing products and 20 and at under 2 months away (so scary!) perhaps this event came at a great time! 

The event was great and we also got the chance to meet the lovely Luce from Bonjour Luce. Her blog is great, you'll love it if you don't already. (Here's a cheeky snap I took of Sharon applying the product to Luce!)

We left, feeling a bit tipsy, and headed off for a few cocktails round the corner at Revoloution Soho. They we're delicious!

I was planning on writing the reviews in this post also, but I didn't quite realise how picture heavy the post was going to be and so not to overwhelm you all I will include reviews in their own separate post, so you've all got that to look forward to soon. 

Have you tried Crystal Clear Skincare before? 

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Topshop Make-up Collection: Lip Liner and the Perfect Pairing

Topshop Lip Liner in Deception

This is the first lip liner I have ever owned at I actually purchased it originally to go with on of my other dark red Topshop lipsticks (more on that later!) and actually I really love it. The colour is a dark red and I usually apply it all over the lips to which I then apply a lipstick too later. 

Here is a swatch of the lip liner and as you can see it's a dark red, that could work well under most dark red/purple shades. 

L-R Topshop Lip Liner in Deception and Topshop Lipstick in Wicked

The lipstick I always pair this in is Topshop's limited edition lipstick in Wicked. Unfortunately as I have wrote about this before, I don't think you can get this any more which is really unfortunate (I will try to stop going on about it all the time...) As you can see through the swatches, the colour match is great and really they work so well together. It makes the lipstick last longer on the lips and I always find it much easier to apply the lipstick on top of it. I'm sure there are other shades out there that'd work just as well with this lip liner and all it would take is a bit of searching. I wonder whether Topshop's Lipstick in Beguiled would go with it, it's likely! 

Have you tried any of Topshop's Lip Liners before? 

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