Lush Easter Haul

If you saw last week's blog post you will know that the girls at Lush in Carlisle were holding a #LushSpring event and kindly invited me down. The Easter range is amazing this year, they have definitely got super creative as they have so many innovative ideas. At the event they kindly gifted us a Golden Egg*, which is essentially the essence of Easter in one bath bomb. It is completely coated in gold glitter, and I think this is going to look a-m-a-z-i-n-g in my bath. Which Came First?* is such a great idea, as you can smash the egg into two pieces and inside is a little chick which is an additional bath bomb. So basically it is a 3 in 1 bath bomb, and this creates a beautiful rainbow of colour in your bath. 

After the event I bought a Bunch of Carrots, as they are just so cute. I like how they have produced these bubble bars in three different colours this year, to allow a little more experiment and colour to happen within your bath. Last weekend, I went and picked up the Bouncy Bunny shower jelly, because it is just adorable and smells sensational as it contains orange oils. This has been a bestseller from the line, and I have to say it is my personal favourite and I cannot wait to use it!

Have you picked up anything from the Lush Easter range?

Lucy
xoxo

*PR sample

March Wishlist

February has been a month of saving for me as I have had many things to pay and save for! So putting this together somehow fulfilled my shopping cravings.

How cute are these Kate Spade Pave Open Heart Earrings though? Unfortunately within my job there is a no jewellery rule so when I get some time off I practically wear every piece of jewellery in which I own. I love gold and the red diamantes are beautiful, I think I may need to treat myself to these sometime soon.
This takes firm place at the very top of my makeup wishlist. It's the Makeup Geek Contour in Bad Habit, since the contour line was released there has been huge hype surrounding them and how great they are. Makeup Geek is such an affordable brand and since I bought some of their eyeshadows, I am totally obsessed with the brand.
Unfortunately, my skin has taken a rather ugly turn for the worse this month. I have been on a look out for a good decongesting mask and the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask has totally caught my eye.
I know this is totally out of my student budget price range at £1225, but a girl can dream. The Chloe Drew Small Saddle Cross Body Bag is totally gorgeous, and the contrast of colour between the grey and nude is so practical as you could wear it with anything and everything.
Whilst browsing the pages of BeautyBay I came across the Morphe Brushes 35 Colour Taupe Eyeshadow Palette, and I was instantly drawn to this. These palettes are such great value as Morphe is a budget brand, and Jaclyn Hill raves about these palettes so I am sold!
A beauty blogger cult classic is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. I have never bought it mainly down to the price tag attached to this. However, I think once payday comes it might be time to finally splurge. I am hoping it will help my skin as it a gentle cleanser but is suppose to work wonders.
One Friday night I had been browsing on Topshop for hours and could not find anything which I liked. I then found this beautiful Blue Lace Dress. I love that this dress is season appropriate with long sleeves, but is also great for going into the warmer months as it not too thick and contains the thinner lace layer.
If you need some new black suede everyday boots, then I have got you covered with these. I totally love the look of these BALE Western Boots from Topshop as they are a classic, simple boot but I totally love that they are western themed but nothing too over the top.

Lucy
xoxo

February Favourites

I did a post dedicated to the Maybelline Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara earlier this month, and I was saying that I was really starting to like it. The formula is a little too wet, but everything else about it pretty god damn good. It gives volume and length and is super easy to apply, although it can take a little time to perfect. I am super picky about mascaras, but Maybelline are bringing out some great ones as I also like the Lash Sensational from them.
This Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder has been only my face permanently throughout February. I find that it really light and weightless on this skin, but it still provides a good amount of coverage.
I totally rediscovered this Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush palette this month. I go through phases of reaching for it everyday and then letting it collect dust. I have been really enjoying using the purple hinted shade Mood Exposure, and I have really been loving it. You need a very light dusting on your brush as the blushes contain so much pigmentation - a little definitely goes a long way.
I did a NYX haul post which included this NYX Soft Matte Creme in Prague. I totally love the colour it is the perfect purple as isn't too dark and suits my skintone beautifully. This lasts a good amount of hours, but I had to completely reapply it after indulging in my lunch. The formula of these are not too drying or too matte, as they do has a cream like texture to them which makes them comfortable to wear.
This NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee is my favourite thing which I have discovered in 2016 hands down, and it's all thanks to Kathleen Lights and her recommendations. I have been wearing this everyday as it adds such a gorgeous sheen on to the lips. I feel like it instantly makes me look more livelier and some how put together. It's the ultimate my lips but better shade, it is the perfect nude with a hint of pink, and for the price it is an absolute drugstore must have.


Lucy
xoxo

MAC Mehr

So a few weekends ago I discovered that I had 6 products to take back to MAC which always excites me as it means a free lipstick is on the horizon. I spent my Friday night hunting the internet for a new shade, as I knew my dad would be more inclined to come with me if one - I explain the product is free, and two - I already knew what I wanted so I wouldn't have him bugging me to hurry up! I had heard so many people talk about Mehr so I went on a swatching hunt online and I really liked the look of this. I also liked the look of Craving and Twig, so I went with a few in mind which I highly recommend doing as you know exactly what you're heading for. I wanted an everyday shade along the lines of Please Me, Syrup and Patisserie, a shade which you can have in the bottom of your handbag and you know you can wear no matter what occasion. When I swatched Mehr in person in the store I was totally sold. It is a beautiful blue toned pink which has a matte finish. It is darker than my usual everyday shades, but I totally adore this. I have been trying more matte finishes out recently and this is a great shade to add to my collection.

Lucy
xoxo

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer

(Top - Brow Wiz in Taupe, Bottom - Brow Definer in Taupe)

Last week my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz just came to an abrupt end and I sharply rushed on to BeautyBay to order another one. Whilst browsing the page I realised that they were stocking the new Brow Definer. I had seen a few bloggers talking about these and after a bit of further research I decided to take the plunge and buy it. The trickiest part was deciding on the shade as they have added the shade Blonde to the collection. I had previously chosen the lightest shade which is Taupe in the Brow Wiz, I decided to stick with Taupe as the Blonde looked a little bit too light for my colouring. I was intrigued to try this out as the nib of the pencil is in a triangular shape the idea is that you can be more precise. 

When it arrived I was super excited to try it out and I am glad to say I am loving it. It is just as good as I expected. I thought it would take a bit of getting used to, but it is so easy to use and to get to grips with. My eyebrow game stepped up when I discovered the Brow Wiz but I think this might of just taken it to the next level. I turn the pencil upside down so that the thickest part of the pencil is upwards as it just makes it much simpler to fill them in. I then use the pointed end to fill in any areas which are more sparse and need more attention. It sounds a little complex but it really isn't and I think I actually do them faster than I used too. The spoolie is much bigger but I find that this means it covers the entire eyebrow in one swoop. A great advantage to this is the amount of product you get. The Brow Wiz lasted me about 6 months which is good going considering that I used it almost everyday, and it contained 0.085g. The Brow Definer contains 0.2g of product which is more than double which is brilliant, as there is barely anything between the cost of the two. 

In terms of colour the new shade of Taupe it is a little darker, but my Brow Wiz was on it's very last use when I took these photos. I find that the shade suits me fine, but if you are more of a light/ash blonde I would maybe check out the lighter shade. 

All in all, you need this in your life, and I totally don't mind being your enabler and blaming me for this purchase!

Lucy
xoxo

Step into #LushSpring

  

  

I was lucky enough to be asked to attend a blogging event at Lush in Carlisle on Friday night to launch Lush's new Spring range. This included ranges from Mother's Day and Easter. I had a fantastic time and learnt so much. The girls in the store were so lovely and explained everything in full depth. The Easter range is truly beautiful and I wanted everything on the display.

Lush has brought out a lovely line of gifts for Mother's Day this year. The Ladybird bubble bar was something which I wanted to love so much as it is so cute, but I found the peppermint scent a little off putting. However, if this is something which you like or your mum would like then this is definitely for you! The Flowering Tea is such a cool idea as you just dunk it in under the tap like you would with a teabag, but can reuse it many times. The Rose Bombshell contains rose oil, rose absolute and rose petals and it is the bath bomb for you if this is your favourite scent.

The Easter line has so many parts to it this year, which includes some rather exciting new releases. The Golden Egg is the ultimate Easter gift a golden egg with gold glitter covered in it, what more could you want? It is a bath melt containing orange oil and cocoa butter, and smells sensational. The most intriguing products from the collection are the Humpty Dumpty and Which Came First? bath bombs. I was surprised when I first saw the price of £6.95, and then the Lush girls explained to us how to use these new exclusives. You basically smash the egg into two and inside is another little bath bomb. In Humpty Dumpty is you get a fried egg, and in Which Came First? a little chicken. Therefore you end up we three baths worth of bath bombs once its smashed which is rather exciting, and such an innovative idea. Another bath bomb within the collection is the Fluffy Egg, if you are a fan of the sweet scent of Snow Fairy then you will love this as it is the same scent used. Ultraviolet is not my ultimate fave as I am not a huge fan of violet and jasmine scents, but that being said I can imagine this to be so relaxing and bubble bars are great as you just crumble the amount that you need under the tap so you don't end up with any waste. The Bunch of Carrots are my favourite product from the Easter line. They explained that they have decided to use three different colours this year to mix it up and allow you to be more creative. At the event they dipped all three carrots under the running water in one go and it made the most amazing colours, the oils inside are lemon and grapefruit and smelt truly divine. The first thing which comes to mind where you see Somewhere Over the Rainbow is that it looks sensational. They have done such a great job with this, and how amazing would it look in your bathroom for when guests visit. It contains mandarin and rose oil to keep your skin feeling fresh and fragrant.

They had only put their Easter stock out on Friday morning and the Bouncy Bunny Shower Jelly has already sold out, proving it is going to be a must have from the line. I am not surprised though, this is super cute and the scent is citrus and contains mandarin oils which are refreshing on the skin. They have brought out a few different gift sets for Easter which are super cute, and great if you want to check out a few different products from the line. My favourite is Bouncy Bunny as it contains an exclusive bath bomb called Spring Bunny, the Bouncy Bunny shower jelly, Somewhere over the Rainbow soap and Brightside bubble bar.

We were given the opportunity to make our own Angels of Bare Skin which I had never previously tried out. When we was shown how to use the product I was surprised at how little you actually need. You need a grape size at the most, and you lather it into your hands to produce a smooth cleanser. It contains kaoilin to draw out grease and dirt and rose absolute to help calm the skin. I am very excited to try this as it seemed to be a favourite amongst staff and other bloggers. We were also kindly allowed to make our own Creamy Candy bubble bar, which was super exciting and I choose a simple heart design. This is super softening and gives out more moisture than other bubble bars as it has a blend cocoa and almond butter within it.

Have you or are you planning on picking up anything from Lush's newest launch?

Lucy
xoxo

A rather large NYX haul

So NYX have finally landed in the UK for good and I decided to place an online order of some lip products. I picked up a Soft Matte Lip Cream in Prague (£5.50), a Butter Gloss in Creme Brûlée (£5) and a Intense Butter Gloss in Funnel Delight (£5.50). I had picked up one of the Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Pink Lust (£6.50) a few weeks previously so I have got lots to be putting to the test. I have a post dedicated to all the different lipsticks and glosses coming next week, with a review of them all individually. I'll be telling you what I have been loving about them, and most importantly the best of the bunch.

I then took a trip into Manchester at the weekend where I ended up at their counter inside Boots, and I simply got carried away. I had been wearing one of the Soft Matte Creams that day, and was intrigued to try more shades. I picked up Copenhagen and Istanbul after a good 10 minutes of swatching every shade and I even got my dad involved in the decision process! Whilst on the way to the checkout my eyes were literally drawn in by one of the Prismatic Shadows in Girl Talk (£5). It is the most beautiful shade I think I have ever seen, and it can only be described as an iced pink shade. I have such high hopes for this, and I have been dying to wearing it as it is just so pretty.

Do you have any NYX recommendations?

Lucy
xoxo

Collection Illuminating & Reviving Eye Primer

I am such a bad beauty blogger as a few weeks ago I discovered that I don't have any eyelid primers. I don't know whether they have got lost along the way or what, but I actually can't remember actually ever buying one. Whilst having the usual weekly wander around Boots, I saw that Collection had released a new primer called the Collection Illuminating & Reviving Eye Primer. When I swatched this from the sample it felt really silky soft and light. It seemed like such great value for just £4 so it ended up in my basket and at the tills. I find that Collection are really hit and miss with their products, they have some really exceptional items and some really bad ones also. But this I have to stay I think it going to be hit. 

Like I first thought this feels super light and is really soft and smooth when applied to my eyelids. It does not feel heavy and the formula is not too thick. I also find that it is hydrating and acts as a good base before applying my eyeshadows. I always manage to put my makeup to the longevity test as it on my face for up to 15 hours some days. I used this underneath my MAC, Makeup Geek and Charlotte Tilbury shadows and it proved to be a hit with them all. I don't feel as though it is effective for all of those hours, but it doesn't claim to which is fair enough.

I was in two minds about how good this was going to be. I am pleasantly surprised to say that is a pretty decent eyeshadow primer. I have nothing to compare it too as I've already said, but I think that this would be good on many people's eyelids especially if they are a little dry or you just need a light hydrating base.

Lucy
xoxo

Maybelline Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara

I have been putting this Maybelline Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara to the test for the last 2 weeks and I was intrigued to see just how good it really is. I only have two mascaras which I use regularly on rotation the maxfactor false lash effect and the maybelline lash sensational waterproof. This was on an introductory offer for £5.99 which is really great value, so I wanted to test it out as soon as possible to tell you guys my verdict. 

First up, the wand is super different to my normal wand type it is much longer, thinner and has smaller bristles. There are some really good points about this mascara which are that this allows a good amount of length and curl. It also add volume, but not as much as my other two favourites which is a slight letdown. I first applied this one morning before placement, and all I can say is that it a wet formula. For me actually a little too wet. I had just finished perfecting my lashes, when I must have blinked and it has transferred to the top of my eye sockets. But I have learnt to just take a few moments to make sure it is dry and then you are good to go. 

I think Maybelline have done an okay job with this actually, and it is a good mascara for the price. I have had so many drugstore mascaras in the past which I have just not been able to work. I will continue to use this, as with a little care and attention it creates a good amount of curl and lash length.

Lucy
xoxo

A Face Full of Charlotte Tilbury

Last weekend on my day off I decided to take the time to do my makeup, which means delving deep into my collection. I ended up picking out my best Charlotte Tilbury makeup as it just so dreamy. Since Christmas when I was gifted quite a few pieces from the Charlotte Tilbury collection which can read all about in a post here, I have been putting the products to the test and I have to say I am not disappointed.

The Dolce Vita Palette (£38) is sooo pretty, I find myself just stopping and staring at it in all of its glory. I have to say the gorgeous golden shimmer shade is not quite as pigmented as I would have wished it to be considering the price. If you have any recommendations of a good eyelid primer or whether you have worn it with a wet brush please let me know. The other shades are all gorgeous and the palette is so well put together, they complement each other really well.

I have been putting my base products to the test, and I definitely have some favourites. When the Magic Foundation (£29.50) was first released, I was not too sure about it. I have quite dry skin, and I did not find this as creamy as I would have liked. It definitely glides and blends a lot better with a face primer underneath it. It is a medium coverage foundation which is what I need, as it helps to hide pesky blemishes. The best feature is that it feels lightweight and breathable on the skin, as I hate foundations which sit heavy on the skin.

I am so happy with Chic to Cheek Blusher (£30) which I received in the shade Love is the Drug. It contains two pink shades. Both shades are seriously pigmented, and you need just one swipe is needed. It is finely milled so that it picks up all of the pigments within the product. A beautiful combination to add a perfect pop of pink to the cheeks.

The Air-Brush Flawless Finish Skin-Perfecting Micro-Powder (£33) is my favourite from all the products. It has a fine consistency which sits really lightly on the skin allowing it to breathe. Even though the formula is fine, it is buildable and you are able to create a good amount of coverage if needed. It is also silky soft on the skin, all round I am totally sold on this product and would highly recommend it.

To complete this look, I was also wearing my other favourite products which are the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, MAC Lipstick in Please Me and Anastasia Brow Wiz.

Have you got anymore Charlotte Tilbury recommendations for me?

Lucy
xoxo

Calvin Klein Bralette

I have been lusting after one of these Calvin Klein Modern Cotton Bralette, for no joke at least a year. What was stopping me you may ask, the answer is simple - the price. It costs £28, which seems rather expensive for a bra but I decided that I needed it. Last week, I finally caved and signed up to ASOS premier, I have been toying with the idea for months, and I decided to finally take the plunge. All I can say is, having the free next day delivery which is tracked and gives you a one hour time period has changed my life. No more waiting 5 days for your parcel or trips to the post office when you miss it once it finally arrives. A combination of this, and 20% student discount, the order was finally place at 10pm and arrived on my doorstep at 2pm the next day. I had originally wanted the grey version, but I thought the white would be more practical as I could wear it underneath absolutely everything. I thought this would be perfect for lazy days, when you are sat at home or just popping out and can't be bothered to get properly dressed. But in fact, I am going to just wear this everyday as it gives support and I love it. I bought this is a size small as they advised that this would fit the bust size between 32-34 inches which would be my usual size, but I was worried it would not fit over my actual bust. Although, it turns that it does in fact rather perfectly. I am totally in love with this as it is just so god dam comfortable.

Lucy
xoxo

Products Which I Have Used Up #1

I love reading other bloggers posts of products which they have used up, as a review can be something which you can originally love but after continuous use you may start to notice the downsides of it. So I thought I would try it out on my blog and see what happens.

First up the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, the best skin care find of 2015. Previously to this I had been using Bioderma, but it was hard to get hold off and was more expensive. This became huge in the beauty world, as it really took off. I am not surprised as it is a super great cleanser for such a excellent price. I apply this using a cotton pad, and gently move it across my skin. As it is water is really soothing and refreshing, and you can see on the cotton pad that your makeup has well and truly been removed.

I loved the compressed canisters which Sure brought out this as it makes it so much more convenient for when you are out and about, and is handbag friendly. My favourite is the Sure Women Anti-Perspirant. Being a student nurse you can get really hot as the wards are humid and you are constantly on the move. Therefore, I need something which is going to last and keep me refreshed for as long as possible. I feel like this helps me stay sweat free, I am not sure about the 48 hour long lasting claim, but it definitely does the job for a good 10 hours.

I have had this bottle of L'Oreal Elvive Nutri-Gloss Crystal Conditioner for about a year, it seemed to be never ending! It was a big bottle to say the least, but considering I wash my hair at least 5 days a week it has lasted a life time. I am not afraid to say that I initially picked this up as it was pink and glittery, and it looked amazing in the bottle. It is aimed at hair which is fine to normal, and adds moisture. It definitely adds shine and leaves your hair feeling very soft, which is exactly what I want from a conditioner. I think that was a really great conditioner for the price, and I would totally recommend it.

I remember debating over buying this product for a good few weeks, and I finally bought it when there was a promotion on. It is the Clinique Anti-Blemish Cleansing Foam, and I have really enjoyed using it, and I am glad that I made the purchase. It is a really light foaming cleanser which gently cleanses the skin. This does have a scent with I do not personally off putting, it smells kind of medicated but it a very gentle scent. I have used this every morning and I think I must of had it at least 6 months.

Lucy
xoxo

Cheerz Box and Magnets

When the lovely team from Cheerz contacted me to ask if I would be interested in receiving a few of their products, I was intrigued to see what it was all about. Basically in a nutshell the company takes any of your pictures and prints them in a variety of different forms. I chose the the Cheerz Box and Magnet Box as they both appealed to me the most. But they also do single prints, strip prints, posters, albums, and frames. You want it printing - they do it!

The Cheerz Box* (£13) is a great gift idea, but it is also a lovely keepsake of memories for yourself. You can choose between 30-45 photos of your choice and upload them on to the site pagE which was super easy to do, and you can do this from your images, facebook, instagram, google+ and dropbox. You then simply upload them and arrange them how you want. The next stage is to add your desired filters, cropping and borders to the photos to make them extra special. They then offer you the opportunity to add words to the bottom of the polaroids, and choose your favourite Cheerz Box design. There are a few funky designs to choose from, but I went for the black and white dots as I thought that this was the most classic design.

The Magnet Box* is another great present idea, you can choose between 9-18 photos with a starting price of £7.50 for 9. Within my box I made some magnets especially with the intention of giving them to my sister and friends as I knew they would love the gesture. The concept is exactly the same as the cheerz box, and once again the creation process is super easy to follow. I love magnets as they are always on display whether it be on your radiator or fridge for everyone to see. It gives you quick reminders of some of your favourite memories when you are not expecting it, and pops a little smile on to your face.

If you fancy ordering anything from their website or app, the Cheerz team have kindly given me the code LUCMCSO as a special thank you to my viewers. This promotion code allows you to get £4 off your first order when you spend £8 on any of their products. If you use the code tweet me at @lucyalanaxo and let me know what you have picked up!

Lucy
xoxo

*PR sample

February Wishlist

I have had my eyes on quite a few things this month, and I have collated my favourites to pop into a post for you.

This Topshop Sheering Clutch is so cute. I am totally loving fur this season, and this bag totally caught my eye. I love the pop of pink fur compared to the black leather. I think that it would look lovely with a simple outfit as it would make it look much more dressy.
I have been wanting to try out some new makeup brushes recently, and the Morphe Brushes have particularly caught my eye. They seem like good quality and are not over expensive. I think I might have to make an order soon, any recommendations would be great!
When I stumbled across the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lustrous Lip Gloss Set whilst browsing, I was instantly drawn in as all of the shades look beautiful. I think this is great value for £33, as you get 8 shades within the set. I think I might have to do so investigation as to whether these are good or not, as I think I need them in my beauty stash.
I have heard a lot of bloggers and youtubers talking about the Huda Beauty Eyelashes during the last month or two so I decided to take a look for myself. I was surprised to see that the eyelashes were relatively well prices starting at £12.
This is the only clothing item which I have really liked this month. It is this Topshop Cord Pinafore Dress for £39, I love cord in the the winter months as it is a thick material which means it keeps you warm. I love the dark red shade, as it looks great against my pale skin tone. Skater style dresses suit my body shape the dress, so I think this would look super flattering on me.

I recently bought a Calvin Klein Bralette in white from ASOS, and ever since I have been lusting after another one and I have got my eye on the grey version. They are super soft and sooo comfortable, and just all round great. They are not cheap at £28, but they are really lovely and the material is excellent quality.

I have been lusting after a Skinny Dip Iridescent Glitter Case for ages, and I think I need to take the plunge and buy one. I think this silver one is really lovely, and super girly like me! I have heard some horror stories about these leaking which is why I have been put off, but just look how beautiful it is.

Lucy
xoxo

January Favourites

If you saw my post this week about Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 you will know how much I have been loving this, as I have been having seriously dry, chapped lips and this has sorted me out totally. For £9.50, I think it is excellent value and it lasts a good amount of time.
I got this beautiful Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay Cologne for Christmas and it has been my go to fragrance within January. The scent is so refreshing, and I love that it is fruity but has some woody undertones too, which makes a perfect combination.
I did a full post with review and swatches of my first ever Makeup Geek order, with full details of the individual shades. The Makeup Geek Eyeshadows are such great for just £4.95, and they have been my go to shadows as they have great pigmentation and glide on super easy. My favourite shade have been Homecoming and Glamorous (first and fourth in the palette) as they are perfect everyday one swipe shades. In the same order I bought my first Z Palette, as the shadows come in pan form only. This was £8.99 for the small version which fits 9 shadows in, and is great for travelling.
Foundations are something which I am very picky about, and over Christmas my usual fave the L'oreal True Match ran out. I went into Boot's and I was intrigued by the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation,  as I hadn't heard too much about this foundation so I was interested in trying it out. I really like it and it has good lasting power, and it blends really well. The only downside is that the shade range is limited, and the shade I picked up is a little bit too dark, but I can just about make it work.

What have you been loving throughout January?

Lucy
xoxo

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1

At the start of the week, I woke up one morning with ridiculously dry and cracked lips. This always happens to me in the winter months, and it can become very uncomfortable and sore. I always have my go to product which is the Kiehl's Lip Balm #1.I have two versions of these the original and the mango. I have been using the original for over a year and it has always managed to the job perfectly. Over Christmas, they brought out a Christmas set and me and my sister shared it and I choose the mango version, as I was worried my other one was running low. However, the original will always be my all time favourite. A little tip with this is to apply a little more than you usually would, on the areas where the attention is most needed. For me, this is my top lip where the skin is especially cracked and needs the most love and care. It dries and soaks in quickly and doesn't feel uncomfortable or clumpy. After a few days my lips started to feel much better, but it does require continuous application in order for them to be back to normal. These cost £9.50 which I think is quite expensive for a lip balm, but it is a deep, hydrating product which gets the job done.

Lucy

xoxo

Drugstore Essentials Haul

One day at the start of last week, within one morning my shampoo, conditioner, cleanser and facial wash ran out. I mean it is rather unlucky for that to happen, but in fact I love using up products as it means I am able to to take a trip to Boots and see any new launches.

I have never tried any hair products from Garnier before, and I was intrigued by the Ultimate Blends Shampoo and Conditioner. I have been using this everyday for the past two weeks and I have been really impressed. It is advertised to work on dry, dull hair. I love how silky soft it makes my hair feel, and it adds some life and glow back into my hair. I am really impressed and these are still on offer for 2 for £4. If you are looking for a budget friendly new shampoo and conditioner combination, I would really recommend trying these out.

I am a big fan of foam cleansers, and I had previously been using the Clinique cleanser which I really enjoyed, but it was quite expensive. I picked up the Nivea Daily Essentials Soothing Cleansing Mousse, it claims to cleanse deeply and moisturise. After putting it to the test, I definitely does feel like it has thoroughly cleansed, and it leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed which is exactly what you want first thing in the morning.

Lastly, I picked up my holy grail night time cleanser which is the Garnier Micellar Water. It was on offer for the big 400ml bottle for just £3, which was really excellent value. This must be my fourth bottle of this marvellous water, and I am always recommending it to my friends. It does a really great job at getting your makeup off in one swipe. I use two flat cotton pads - one for my eyes and one for my face, and it does the job perfectly.

Lucy
xoxo

Makeup Geek Cosmetics - Haul, Review & Swatches

(Bitten, Homecoming, Cosmopolitan) 

(Glamorous, Country Girl)

This haul has been a long time coming. I have been wanting to buy some makeup geek eyeshadows ever since they landed on BeautyBay, I am not kidding it took weeks off deliberation, and driving myself crazy to the point where I made myself just order everything in my basket to stop myself going insane. But, I can safely say that I am very happy with my purchases. I needed to purchase a Z palette (£8.99) as did not previously own one. This was a huge decision within itself as there are many different sizes of these. I decided to go with the small which can fit 9 eyeshadows in, as it would be convenient for traveling. But at this rate, I am going to need the biggest one! I decided to order 5 shades to try them out and see what I do and do not like from the range. The eyeshadows were just £4.95 each which is great value. The formula of the shades are exceptional for the price, they are super pigmented and feel very smooth and creamy when applied. They blend great, and a little definitely goes a long way!

Bitten - The colour which everyone told me to buy including Kathleen Lights (her video is fab for details on every shade!) I was a little optimistic to try this out as it is very different to my usual go to colours, but I really glad I picked it up. It looks lovely with MAC's Cranberry and also blended with Country Girl. This is the only matte shade which I picked up and I really like the

Homecoming - I can see this shade being one which I use on a daily basis as it it such an easy shade to wear. I think it is quite similar to MAC's Satin Taupe which is one my most used shades ever. Everyone recommended this to me, and I think it is a great shade to choose to be in a palette which you are just starting to create.

Cosmopolitan - The prettiest rose gold shimmer shade which I have ever seen. I have never come across a shade like this ever before, it is just so unique and gorgeous. On the lids it looks beautiful, as the golden, peachy tones really come through.

Glamorous - This can only be described as the perfect medium golden. It is great as an everyday shade as it stands out on its own, with its metallic shimmer throughout it. It contains orangery shades which makes it quite unique from any other shades in which I own.

Country Girl - This was last to be added to my basket. But I am so happy which I did it is a darken shimmer shade which contains brown tones but it contains deep red undertones which compliment each other beautifully.

Please let me know if there is any other essential shades which I need to add to my palette.

Lucy
xoxo