Instant Summer - Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Blush

WOW! Long time no see eh? I do apologise! Anyway, I'm back with a summer review of a new product from one of my fast growing favorite high street make up brands - Maybelline.

They claim Dream Sun Bronzing Blush is a ' natural tan looking tan plus a pop of blush for a fresh rush of color.'. We all love a 2-in-1 product, so I gave it a go as the lightest shade looked perfect to give my casper-like skin a sprinkling of healthy sun tan.

What can I say except it looks pretty on the outside and it looks even better on. It delivers an all over glow or a more concentrated cheek blush when wanted. After a sweep of this you're left with the best fake it radiance I've ever experienced!

This has become one of my summer staples - especially on holiday in sunny Lanzarote!

If you're looking for a quick sweep of sunshine, I'd definitely recommend this beauty. At only RRP £6.49 (Available from Boots) grab it while the sun's still out!

Any other favorite bronzer/blush duo's out there?

The Perfect Double Act: Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara & Liner Feutre

You know when you're certain you don't like a particular make-up item since the beginning of time, but you can't really remember why? That was me and felt tip eye liners. But lately my usual gel eyeliners have been clumping and drying up and generally looking a bit worse for wear, so I decided to experiment with Bourjois Liner Feutre in Noir, as it was on offer in Boots along with my ultimate favorite mascara - Volume Clubbing in Waterproof Black Party. 

These two are definitely the best of friends to create either a daytime or dramatic winged out glamour look on the eyes. And another bonus is they won't budge all day and night long, so no need to worry on those sweaty nights out in packed clubs. (We've all been there.)

For me, this mascara is just the ultimate volumiser. I use Volume Clubbing day and night, as I know it's waterproof enough to stay put through anything the day might throw at me. I usually switch between this and Rimmel Volume Flash Waterproof, as they're the best I've come across. As you can see the brush is nice and big, but not too scary. 

This little beauty makes cats eyes far easier than I'd ever imagined. With my usual Gel pot eyeliners, I found that I could only create one kind of 'flick'. This has much more control, and allows me to tone it down for daytime with a thinner line and smaller flick. But when I need to ramp it up for nighttime, I can easily draw the outline of a more dramatic wing, and simply colour it in! I think I'll definitely be experimenting with more felt tip liners from now on. I'm yet to wear this through day and night, but I've a feeling it has incredible staying power. You can pick up Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara and Liner Feutre from Boots with £2 off both at the moment. 

Do you have any brilliant make-up double acts?

Transformation: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Now if I haven't mentioned before, this powder is my absolute make-up bag essential. I would never use another powder. Now those are strong words, aren't they? I discovered the other week that Rimmel has given their miracle product a very pretty makeover. 

The Rimmel crown logo is now beautifully embossed in the powder. Who doesn't love a little bit of extra luxury? This is easily the best low budget powder. And at £3.99 it makes my foundation budge-proof all day long. 2 words: miracle worker. 

What's your favourite powder to use on top of foundation?

MUA: The Best £3 You'll Ever Spend?

Why hello! It sure has been a while. Insert childish guilty face here... 

Anyway, I'm back and I urge you to scour behind your sofa's, the corner of your handbag and purses for a spare £3. You will not be disappointed. 

This new Make Up Academy highlighter is part of their new 'Undress Your Skin' collection, which is said to be the next best thing to Urban Decay's ever expanding Naked range. 

A beautiful iridescent pink, this instantly became my  new holy grail highlighter after the first use. Used on the tops of cheekbones, brow bones and along the length of my nose, it instantly brightens the complexion creating an amazing glow. Even if you don't use it on concentrated areas, a light sweep over the whole face with a large brush creates a glowing complexion. It reminds me in that sense of a really good dupe of MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish. 

I really can't put this down, and cannot recommend it enough. Even if you've never really tried a highlighter before, this is perfect as it is just so easy and a delight to use. And £3 for this much quality product? What a gem.

Have you tried anything from the 'Undress Your Skin' collection?

Dainty Doll Haul: First Impressions

So, if you were incredibly quick off the mark last week you may have been lucky enough to snap up Nicola Roberts' make up range, Dainty Doll, at some unbelievably discounted prices on certain cosmetic websites. I'm talking £1.99 and £2.99 per item, when the RRP's of some of the products are normally £20+. Sounds crazy, right? So naturally I had to snap up a few select items as Dainty Doll is a range I've never crossed paths with before and I was indeed curious.  

I have a complicated relationship with foundations, but for £2.99 I thought I'd give this a whirl as Dainty Doll is designed specifically for very fair skin tones such as mine. Liquid Foundation wasn't available in shade Light, which I thought would be ideal for me, so I took a risk and ordered Very Light, with the thinking that I could always use a tad more bronzer or just save for the winter months when I'm having a very pale period.

So yes, this foundation is VERY light, as you can see. On my first try with it I wasn't too sure, but after setting with my usual powder and applying my usual blush and bronzer, I actually like the flawless finish it creates. I'd say this is a medium coverage foundation, so I'll probably save for when I'm having a good skin day. 

The next item I got was Concealer Hot Pour in 002 Light. I've yet to try this as I'm still using my HG MAC Studio Fix Concealer and am positively addicted, so let's wait and see.

I still have a strange relationship with cream blushers, I need to be in the mood and have time to perfect them. But after 'Orange Country Girl' was dubbed as the 'cream version of NARS Orgasm' I just had to see for myself.

And it actually went on like a dream with a beautiful sheen. Sold! 

I picked up a few powder blushers (I could have ordered all 4, but restrained myself). The first is 'My Girl', a candy pink and is a great everyday colour. I don't own many this bright pink so thought I'd try something a little different. 

'Money Talks' looked such an interesting colour, I just had to have it in my collection. I'm still trying to decide if I should save this for contouring or light bronzing, but nonetheless it's a great winter blush as it's such a muted colour.  

Again, I could have snapped up the entire collection of lipsticks, but decided my purse would appreciate it if I didn't. I stuck to the one, 'Baby Love', as it looked a perfect pinky-nude to compliment the 'Money Talks' blush. I've yet to wear this and give it the all day test but on first impressions it's extremely moisturizing, however the colour pay off doesn't seem great.

Have you tried Dainty Doll?

Illamasqua 'Encounter'

As part of my (inevitable) mega overspend on Illamasqua in their January sale, I picked up lipstick in 'Encounter'. Described as a 'classic brick red, matt finish', it's simply just that. It's the perfect red with an irresistible matt finish suitable for any occasion, and needless to say it's kicked off a red lipstick obsession and I've been loving wearing it for weeks now. I love Illamasqua lipsticks for their durability, I can put this on at the start of the night and there's no need for any touch ups after sipping drink after drink. What's not to love?

 

Did you pick anything up in the Illamasqua sale?

Nails Inc. & Orly haul (that cost £4.50!)

No, your eyes do not deceive you, £4.50 I said. For all these.

Now, I don't have the best luck in the world, but I certainly did last Saturday. I just so happened to be stumbling around boots buying my essentials, when I reached a lovely little reduced make-up section. And as I stood there perusing the Nails Inc. and Orly polishes that were reduced to £5.50, a lovely Boots employee turned up and started stickering said polishes at 50p - happy days! Admittedly  one or two of them aren't in the best condition, but this can easily be solved.

From left to right: 

Nails Inc, 50p each: St. John's Wood, Hoxton Crackle Topcoat, Fishnet Magnetic in Piccadilly, Warwick Avenue, Designer Matte Finish in Heathrow, Lanesborough Place and Montpeller Square.

Orly, £1: Mani Mini Lacquer Trio: Beach Cruiser, Skinny Dip and Glowstick.

Has anyone else picked up any absolute bargains recently?