Stippling Brush Review

I had a very successful eBay find about a month ago now! I know quite a lot of people rave about the Real Techniques stippling brush and how good it is. However as I'm now on a very tight budget, as much as I'd like that buy the Real Techniques brush I cannot really justify spending £15(?) on a brush. So I decided to try trusted eBay and I have definitely succeeded! I when I found the brush I was a little dubious as it is from China and I know that sometimes the products are really naff. But for £1.19 I thought that even if it doesn't turn up it's not that I've spent loads of money and be worried about getting my money back. 

I have to admit the brush did take AGES to arrive! Alright it came from China but come on I'm sure it travelled via an owl. 

The packaging of the product wasn't very much, just a couple of seal envelopes. 

The brush on the other hand is AMAZING. I know it's just a little cheap one but compared to my original foundation brush, the bristles on this one are super soft! I want to stroke my face all day with it, it's that nice! Definitely makes applying foundation so much nicer! 

The application? Back to comparing it to my foundation brush it goes on a lot easier. I'm not sure if I'm applying it right but I apply it in like round strokes? I've also noticed my foundation (MAC Pro-long wear) feels a lot more flawless and doesn't feel as though it's clogging up my skin like it use to do. 

Final comments. I may just actually keep buying this brush! I know the Real Techniques brush will probably be even better but for £1.19 I'm super super happy with it! So yeah, get on eBay and type in "Stippling Brush" and the world is your oyster!

Outfit for today!

As I previously mentioned, I'm sorry! I've learnt that I should start scheduling posts and I shall do! Anyway, I've decided that I miss the fashion aspect of my blog and would be more than happy to get back into blogging fashion and etc!

 

 

 

Today's outfit is very sun inspired! It's the first day in weeks that the weather has hit double figures, yay!

 

The jacket and top are both from ZARA, and shall be featured in my ZARA haul post! The image of the top that is on here is actually the back, the front is just plain strips.

 

The jeans, I'm not a jeans kind of person since dislocating my knee, however these are the first pair that I have bought since and I am pretty impressed with them! One issue that I have when it comes to buying jeans is that in the leg they fit fine but round my waist they're just too big! Hullo back hole. But these jeans fit perfectly! Link here >>> JEANS I'm 99% sure these are them and only £30!

Sunglasses, these are definitely my trsuted sunglasses when they break I will cry. £3 from Primark and I've had them for three years now! They've survived Leeds Festival, Reading Festival and a holiday to Bulgaria. So here's hoping they last me till my trips to Tunisa and Paris!

 

Links

So it's back to mid-term essays and after Wednesday I shall be on top form with blogging! For now though I am adding links at the side of my page >>>> and the first one is to my eBay account as I'm having a complete wardrobe/bedroom clear out. Mostly to fund my trip to Paris! So if you would like to see what I'm auctioning off, head to the left, to the left!

(No I didn't get beyonce tickets, sad face!)

Thanks Guys! 

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick Review

Not long ago I posted my first lipstick review and with the matte collection I was definitely very happy! With this in mind I wanted to buy a second lipstick from the Rimmel collection, however this time I wanted something with a little more shine and bought the Lasting Finish Lipstick in 058 (4.99). 

I have to say I'm very pleased with the initial results, applies easily and has a lovely shine to it. Although I'm not happy with the lipstick after an hour or so. Rimmel claim that "High colour impact for up to 8 hours wear" so I would love to know how they get their lipstick to last 8 hours! #slightly annoyed

Admittedly I'll still be using the lipstick but I know it will not last me as long as I had hoped now that I have to apply it at least every hour!

Oral-B 3D White Brilliance Review

I'll admit I have been a terrible blogger! However those of you that are in university will understand how much mid-term essays are a pain in the backside! Now though, I have got everything hopefully in order and I can resume blogging like I should do!

On to the review!

Now I understand that this isn't a typical blog post, however I thought that most people are put off and wary of these toothpastes that claim the somewhat impossible so why not give it a try? After all I am one of those people and sometimes I don't trust the reviews online!

The main reason I purchased this product was the endorsement from Holly Willoughby, as I see her as a person who wouldn't endorse a product unless it actually works! So my thoughts? The packaging is definitely eye catching, when I was looking down the dental aisle it caught my eye straight away.

So the tube? I have to say I'm somewhat surprised at how big the tube is, usually with these branded and expensive dental products they supply a large box but the tube is microscopic! I definitely reckon that this toothpaste can easily last me a month or so (well I'm hoping!).

The toothpaste? So I'm in love with this toothpaste just on appearance! Come on who doesn't like a purple coloured toothpaste to get the morning started? But anyway, my usual toothpaste had a smooth texture while this one has a slight gritty texture. At first taste it's a little weird for me but once I was brushing my teeth it no longer bothered me, so thumbs up! Also I have to say the lather (maybe, I know it's not soap but surely this is the right word) is amazing! You definitely only need a pea size amount on your brush unless you could be there for ages brushing your teeth. Thirdly, I know I definitely have a disliking to strong flavored toothpastes and admittedly the "radiant mint" was slightly concerning, anyhow yes there's a definite minty flavour but it is not overpowering at all!

Afterwards? My teeth feel stupidly clean! I brushed my teeth at say 9am ish and I have eaten porridge and a pain au chocolat and my teeth still feel as though I've just brushed them! So another thumbs up! Colour? My teeth aren't hideously yellow, but admittedly they're not squeaky white, and I have already noticed after one brush a slight difference in the colour, yay!

Final thoughts? Even after one brush I'm shocked at already noticing a slight whiteness in my teeth, so I'm looking forward to see if the 2 week challenge actually works! Price wise? Yes I have to admit it is slightly expensive at £3.49 a tube, but hopefully if the tube lasts me at least a month and it actually works it is definitely going to be one of my must buys!

I shall post an update in two weeks time with the results and hopefully I'll be a happy bunny!

Have you tried any whitening toothpaste before and did it work?

Week five

Went on my first night out in heels || my best friend bought a pug

I treated myself after a 12 hour shift || dragged myself to the library to study

Came down with cold || today I'm catching up on great British bake off.

For anyone that knows me, browses my Instagram or twitter will know that last August I dislocated my knee for the third time and I haven't been very amused ever since. Being only 5ft2 I try to wear heels as much as possible, especially on nights out, and last Tuesday I was finally tall!

The bottom two photos are me sympathising with myself, no matter what time of the year it is you can guarantee I will end up with an infection rather than a cold. So if anyone has any tips on preventing colds or speeding up recovery post them here please! I've already been through some strange ones such as drinking black cold tea, warm water and salt and the traditional honey and lemon. Here's hoping lemsip and whiskey works wonders!

Soap and Glory Review

Not so long ago I posted about my current skin care routine and that I loved the Gariner Pure collection, although I'm trying out another product doesn't mean I don't love it anymore I just like to keep my options open. On to the review!

After being bought a soap and glory collection for Christmas I wanted to give some of the other products a try, so with one of my resolutions being to improve my skin care I bought Scrub Your Nose In It. Now unlike some scrubs this one can be used as a face mask if it is left on for a little bit longer (5 minutes I'd say). At first glance you cannot see any of the little beads, making me a little dubious, but once you begin to work the scrub onto your face you can start to feel it working.

The smell for the first couple of times put me off, as I'm use to my Ganjer one not smelling, but its quite a minty smell and now after using it for a week it's definitely growing on me. However for me personally it may be a while before I can put up with the scrub being a mask because of the smell.

After feel, now if a scrub doesn't leave my skin feeling baby bottom soft I'm disappointed, but this one certainly does leave this lovely sensation, downside my skin after a while feels a little dry. Also one thing I have realised that my Garnier one doesn't do is my skin feels a little bit tighter? I gather that's the mask ingredients working there.

Final Comments - if you have more off combination/oily skin complexion I'd definitely recommend this product as for my dry skin I feel like I am having to put more moisturiser on afterwards. For dry skin? I'd recommend it but definitely not for daily use!

Week fourrrrrr

Admittedly I've been a little quiet on instagram so I've not been able to really post much of an update on here. However I'm back hurrrrrr!

First issue of HARD was released || Went out on a girls night

Someone else made me buy MAC || I had a terrible day so treated myself to bubbles, bath and tv

University work began again (heading off to the library when tennis finishes) || The first and hopefully last snow fell for the year

Payday wishlist

Why must pay day just come and go? It seems like forever since I last got paid! 3 weeks and 1 day (to be exact). I have to admit this is definitely a wishlist, when pay day comes back around I am definitely not going to be able to afford any of this! Stupid iPhone and iPad contract.

1. Mac Studio Fix Powder I had a small (£60) shopping trip to MAC last week and I have to say I have definitely fallen in love with the make up! Usually I'd not bother with a powder to finish off however if I was to buy this I would definitely be using powder a lot more!

2. Yankee Christmas Cookie Candle After raving over this for little over a month before Christmas, my mum bought me the smaller non jar versions for Christmas and I've now used them all up. Therefore I want a really big one! Also I reckon the jar would be pretty useful afterwards.

3. French Connection dress Working where I do, I am now constantly seeing loads of clothes that I REALLY want, but REALLY cannot have! Eg, this dress. It came in new today and I had the pleasure of putting it out and secretly hoping there would be something wrong with a size 10 so I could buy it. Alas it didn't.

4. La Senza Bra I really have a thing for pretty bras. 

5. Zara Embellished Clutch Your eyes are not deceiving you, this bag is actually £9.99!!!!! Okay so maybe I may just have to buy this bag. 

Concealer Boi-ing Review

About three months ago I had a make over at my local benefit counter and one of the products I treated myself to was the Benefit Boi-ing in shade 01. Even though I was fully impressed with the make over and the concealer it has just occurred to me that I had put it away in my make up case and has never been used, until now! Not being very make up savvy it wasn't until I had another make up tutorial at a MAC counter that I was told that it is best to use concealer around the eyes rather than foundation. Oopsie! So now I have dug out my Benefit concealer and I am yet again amazed with the results.

The before shot (ignore the untamed eyebrows!) all I have on my skin is a Garnier Moisturiser and Soap and Glory You Won't Believe Your Eyes.

After shot - although this is my other eye, there is definitely no difference in my skin without the concealer. I have to say it definitely does what it says on the box! The slight dark circle has disappeared, it gives me an even skin tone around my eye and covers up some of the finer freckles!

Final Comments - As you can see from the pictures the concealer definitely does it's job and I have found even when I have finished university the concealer is still on! I've also been told from a friend that with daily use the product easily lasted her 3 months so for £16.50 that's only £5.50 a MONTH for this amazing product! I've also find that if I'm having an iffy day that dabbing a little on my t zone gives me perfect coverage for them lazy day.

Final comment part 2 - Go and buy it! 

Kate Moss Matte Lipstick Review

After changing my look over Christmas I realised that my make up bag doesn't contain a shade of lipstick and now since buying one I honestly do not know what I've been doing beforehand! My first choice of lipstick of probably many was Rimmel London's Kate Matte Lipstick in shade 19 (£5.69). I find that with the matte effect my lips seem quite dry and as a result I'm constantly moistening my lips. Although saying this I still find that I can last pretty much all day (10-4) without having to reapply another layer.

What's your favourite matte lipstick or just lipstick in general?

Snow.

Typically a topic that is now not news, however while everywhere else has had inches of snow, the snow in York was pretty pathetic. Although now it has finally arrived, yay!

So be careful lovelies!

Cath Kidston iPad Case Review

Usually with technology I'm not someone who is fussed about making sure they're protected, eg my iPhone hasn't had a case entirely and so far it has two minor bumps on the side, so I like to think I'm quite a careful person! However since being spoilt at Christmas and receiving a keyboard for my iPad, it has literally become my everything, I always have it on me. Bearing this in mind I thought I have to give in, look after and protect it. So I went all out and treated me (and the iPad) to a Cath Kidston case.

Being a newbie to Cath Kidston I'm not a really big fan of the flower print, however this is definitely growing on me! So I decided to start out subtle and being a polka dot fan I went with the navy and white polka dot case. One thing I have learnt from my few trips to a store is not to believe the packaging, as this is labeled as a "iPad Case" therefore making me think that my iPad 2 would not fit into the case. Luckily this wasn't so! (I shall continue this in a bit). The case is known as a normal cover, and not oil cloth which is known as the "waterproof" material. Not being a fan of the red and white smaller polka dot I have taken the chance with the lovely snowy weather, and so far has it has proved to be utterly waterproof, (not that I'd drop it in a puddle to test)! +1 to Cath Kidston

As hopefully you can see from the photo the inside has some cushioning, further protecting the iPad. I have actually accidentally, luckily whilst in the case, dropped my iPad :( and I'd like to think that because of the cushioning my iPad is still completely intact! +1 to Cath Kidston

The first photo is to show my iPad and it's keyboard together and how chunky it becomes and the second on it to demonstrate that it fits in perfectly. Now to the naming of the product, I'd definitely recommend taking your iPad with you, if you can, and seeing if your iPad will fit. However as my iPad and Keyboard (about 2cm high) fits perfectly, and technology is becoming smaller and thinner, anyone other iPad should have no problem fitting into an "iPad case" or "iPad 2 case".

Final comments : I LOVE it! I now happily carry this around in my arms and do not worry about dropping it or the hideous weather getting to my iPad. The downside for £30 it is a little pricey for what it is but I suppose being Cath Kidston that is expected!

  

Make up bag

Not long ago I posted a daily make up post and in a month a lot has definitely changed! Not only have I upgraded my bag and but also my make up (Yet again!).

Even though I adore the packaging on Benefit products I've found that for exactly the same price you can purchase better quality, longer stay products! Definitely recommend popping to your nearest MAC counter and grabbing a sample of a foundation! This said, I'm not completely leaving Benefit behind, I still have the odd products that I cannot live without.

An updated photo and post shall be coming soon on my opinions on MAC.

Week UnE

Seeing the new year with a new bedroom || Love my urban decay set

Treated myself to a French Connection Top || Finally submitted my assignment

Decided to take my skin care routine seriously || A Starbucks saved my life this morning

I've seen a couple of people do these kind of posts so I think I shall give it a try for a couple of weeks! Hopefully my life in photos is interesting enough!

Skin care routine!

Previously I've never given much thought to my skin care routine for my face, as I've been quite lucky growing up and not suffered from many spots! Which is surprising as to how much chocolate I use to eat! However now give me a deadline, whether it is for HARDzine magazine (shameless plug), or for university I become a face of spots. The most annoying one's being on my chin and then the lovely Buddah (sp? sorry!) spot.

So with my university assessment timetable being released, I have four 1,500 essays, one 3,000 word essay and two presentations, I am now taking my routine for my skin very seriously! So to start with I began with the Garnier Pure Facial Scrub. I have to say this product is amazing on it's own! As the saying goes my skin feels like a babies bottom, it makes it that soft! The smell with facial scrubs I've found can be quite unpleasant, however I can happily use this one and keep it on my skin for a few minutes without the smell making me feel icky! Down to it's actual purpose, the spots. Once I've used the scrub any of the spots are always dramatically reduced, however I've found the redness is still there!

The second purchase was the Garnier Pure Moisturiser, I already own a moisturiser from the avon however with my spot prone skin and the hideous winter weather I thought I'd upgrade and splash out. Matching this with the scrub has definitely helped my skin, not only is it a lot less dry but as the exam period is approaching my skin is not as spot prone, yay!

My third purchase is the Soap and Glory You Won't Believe Your Eyes! I bought this because recently I have been having many sleepless nights and foundation and concealer are not even to cover my dark eyes. Every morning, rain or shine, sleep or no sleep, I apply this serum and I have definitely seen a difference in the skin round my eyes! Also my mum's friend use to apply an eye cream every day from being a teenager and can I just say for 60 odd years old she actually looks the same age as my mum 40! This reason alone should get any teenager/young adult using a moisturiser every day, who needs botox!

When my student loan arrives on Monday, YAY, I am definitely going back into boots, where I buy all of my items from, and purchasing the toner form the Garnier Pure Collection. Safe to say one of my New Year's Resolutions is to improve my skin care routine!

Nails, Nails, Nails

I have to admit I am a girl who paints her nails, although it is only because I've found they are less prone to breaking with polish on. However I might just have changed my mind! See I've never been able to find a polish that simply just glides on, as you would expect, so I've never really been bothered by it, until today. My housemate for Christmas bought me a Topshop Nail Polish Set originally when I opened it I thought oh great this is going to be useless. So after days of pondering I have finally tried it and the outcome is amazing.

When putting the nail varnish on it isn't thick and gloppy so you don't have to take most of the varnish off of the brush before you put it on your nails. If you make a mistake it is incredibly easy to remove and with it being thin-ish (not too thin but not too thick) you do not have to wait hours waiting for it to dry, or put numerous coats on top of each other.

As it is quite a light colour I did put on two coats, however I think I waited a couple of minutes the first time and 5 minutes for the second coat, just to be safe. But overall I am super happy with my Christmas present and I am counting down the days until my student loan comes back in so I can go and buy looooads more!

If you want to buy the varnishes separately the gold is called crystal clouds, the glitter is called ice crush and the lilac is called parma violet.

Outfit of the Day

I definitely couldn't wait to get the topshop petite dress I bought yesterday on! With it being winter and unable to wear anything but tights I make it a perfect excuse to wear it! Now admittedly the dress is quite short and seems to be getting small with each time I put it on but I've taught myself not to drop anything on the floor and hope I'm with someone to pick up whatever is on the floor.

I decided to match the dress with my favourite aztec cardigan from Republic and the tights are from Next, after all hints of colour make a black outfit more fun!

Dress Topshop | Cardigan Republic | Tights Next

New Purchases!

Definitely didn't go on a small shopping trip, it ended up as a rather large shopping trip with possibly more posts with my outfits from it.

I have to sadly to say that the clothing from urban outfitters had to go back, major sad face! I just didn't have any clothes to mix them with and I kind of ran my budget dry so couldn't buy anything to mix them with. So lets start with Topshop, I have to say I don't completely agree with some of the designs that are now around, eg the whole hipster look. Now I don't have anything against this look, as my best friend is and has been a hipster for a good four years, I just don't understand the whole shorts and tights with a cross top and converses. However this is what I treated myself to!

The purple jumper I had to go back and get the black version! If you love a chunky knit I definitely recommend this jumper! Surprisingly very warm as well.

Cath Kidston was purely a free gift which I couldn't believe! They were having a student lock in and if you found the ticket (one in the image) you received an item corresponding to that ticket, and I won a purse. YAY!

I have to say the item in the Disney bag was/is/forever will be my favourite purchase! £10 for this little bugger! He's adorable! To add to my pug obsession, like many girls, I love Disney!

And finally to get myself through winter, I indulged in some shoes (Primark) I'm unable to wear until January and a lovely fur hat! (Accessorize)

That my lovelies, that is all. More than likely adding a part two as I'm currently full of cold and just craving sleep!