Collective Haul: Boots, China Glaze, and Clinique.

Hi ladies! ANOTHER collective haul post. I know, I'm terrible. ;) I plan on trying to watch my spending now, but who knows! I also plan on trying to find a job for the weekends, since at the moment I only work a couple hours during the week. Anyways, onto what I got:

Eighty Eight Beauty Supply: http://www.8ty8beauty.com/

I've heard about this website from a few YouTube guru's and figured I couldn't say no to China Glaze nail polish for $2.88 each! It is an American company so shipping to the UK was expensive ($16), but when everything is converted into pounds, it only cost about 19 pounds for FIVE China Glaze nail polishes, including shipping, which I believe is a very good deal. The only thing about the website is that when you order, you don't get an exact shipping amount, but get sent an invoice a couple days later. So essentially, you need to order and give your details before even knowing exactly what you're paying, which can be a bit of a con in my eyes, but when I googled shipping prices, they seemed pretty reasonable so I went for it. But other than that, once the nail polishes shipped, I had them rather quickly.

No Flash:

Flyin' High, For Audrey, Sea Spray, Frosty, and Innocence.

With Flash:

How pretty do they all look!? Perfect Spring colors, if you ask me.

Boots:

It was 3 for 2 on Maybelline products (although in the end the cashier forgot to give me the discount, sighs) and a lot of my mascaras have hit the 3-4 month period when you're supposed to throw them out, so I decided to pick up some mascara. Also, I've been needing a base coat for awhile now, and Maybelline had one on sale, so I grabbed it.

Maybelline The Falsies: 8.19, Maybelline One By One: 6.49 (sale), and Maybelline Forever Strong Pro base coat: 3.09 (sale).

Maybelline The Falsies brush:

I had to pick up this mascara because it's a favorite of soo many bloggers and YouTubers. I've only used it once, so I can't say anything yet, but I'll try and review it in a later post.

Maybelline One By One brush:

The newest mascara from Maybelline, and since it's on an introductory price, I figured I'd grab it. I've used this one twice, and again, really can't give my full thoughts yet and will review it at a later time. But so far so good!

No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner for oily/combination skin: 3.50ish with 5 pound off voucher:

I've run out of toner and decided to try a new one, specifically this one because I had a 5 pound off voucher and because I liked the packaging. It has a pump! It was only 3.50 which I think is a great deal for a toner.

Glamour Magazine:

As I'm sure you all know, Glamour magazine are currently giving out a range of Clinique samples with a purchase of their magazine for only 2 pounds. Nothing really stood out to me other than the moisturizer and the lipgloss. I've heard loads of raves about this moisturizer, but unfortunately I'm only realizing now that it's for dry skin and it's far too greasy/oily for my skin type. As for the Long Last Glosswear with SPF 15 in Air Kiss, it's sheer and sticky, but not so sticky as to annoy me, but in the end, it's nothing special and I'd never purchase a full size of it.

On the lips:

Boots:

And FINALLY, I made an order on the Boots website for the Vichy foundation. Lisa Eldridge used it in her Acne Covering YouTube video as a spot concealer, and it convinced me to try it for myself. I have some acne scars that just aren't covered by my concealer/foundation. I'm not sure if I'm going to use this as a concealer or as an all over foundation as it's meant to be used, but I'll test it out and review it for you and use it in a FOTD very soon.

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation in 15 Opal: 14.30 pounds

Well that's it! What have some of your recent buys been?

Recent Buys!

Hi ladies! Just figured I'd do a post on some items I've bought over the last couple of weeks, including mini reviews on any of the items I've actually used.

No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Truffle:

8.00 pounds (only 3 pounds with the 5 pound off voucher!)

Swatch:

So I actually wanted to get the Beautifully Matte foundation with my voucher, but when I went to the shop they didn't have a color light enough for me. So I then decided to check in the next Boots down the road. But again, the foundation colors started from Shade 3. Well, turns out, there are no Shades 1 or 2! What a disappointment. I feel like I possibly could of pulled off Shade 3, but I didn't want to risk it, so I just grabbed the next best thing....I guess. Didn't want to bore my boyfriend and make him wait around too long, so I just picked up this eyeshadow. It looked pretty enough, but it's just kind of a typical brown I guess. I didn't need it, would of preferred the foundation, but such is life!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle & Aussie Mega Shampoo:

3.67 pounds for the shampoo, and 4.69 for the conditioner (but they were on offer, 2 for 6 pounds)

I've heard a lot of things about the 3 Minute Miracle, so I decided to try it out. Besides, we were getting low on shampoo, so I figured it was a good deal (yes, that's how I justify my spending, tehee). I've used both and am quite happy! I love the smell of the shampoo, it reminds me of grapes or something. The deep conditioner left my hair feeling soft, but I wasn't sure if that's just because I was really conscious of the fact that I was using a new product, so I was looking out for it, or what. So I decided the real test would be what it looked like the next day. Normally, my hair is a bit greasy a day after washing, but even by the 3rd day I was quite impressed with how it looked! So I plan on using this conditioner weekly.

Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover, Nivea Milk & Honey Lip Balm, and No 7 Precision Eyeliner Brush:

3.05 pounds for the eye makeup remover, 1.99 for the lip balm, and 6.64 for the brush.

I'm running low on eye makeup remover, and I've heard good things about the Botanics one, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I used it tonight and am rather impressed. It didn't sting the eye area at all and removed all of the makeup effortlessly. Looks like I've found a new go to remover!

I bought the lip balm because I've been wanting it for ages, but sadly it doesn't smell as yummy as I had hoped. I was imagining Honey I Washed The Kids type smells, but sadly, no. I'll still use it anyways!

I bought the No7 eyeliner brush for my MAC gel liner. I've been struggling with application of it because none of my brushes are thin/small enough for my rather small eyes. So I grabbed this one, because it's the only one this particular Boots had, and because it looked precise enough and I figured since it was the No 7 brand it would be nice enough. I'll try it out tomorrow and see how it goes!

Well that's all! Nothing too exciting, just some essentials really. What were some of your recent buys?

Holiday Lips

Hey ladies! Today I've got a post on some lipsticks/glosses that I think would work well with a Holiday inspired look. Now normally, I'm all for pink lipsticks, but in this post I tried to pick out some more of my less used lipsticks, aka, reddish ones. I feel like any type of red lip would work well for a Holiday party! Although I've included some more brighter pinks as well, cos I think those work well too. So I'm going to try and expand my horizons and use these lipsticks/glosses more during the holiday season. Even though today I'm wearing Shy Girl by MAC....lol, can you blame me, it's my first MAC lippy!

Anyways, here are my favorites from the bunch:

Maybelline Color Sensational in Pink Of Me and L'oreal HIP Jelly Balm in Luscious:

A plummy wine color that I think is great for winter.

No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Waterlily and Bourjois Effet 3D MAX Lipgloss in Rose Eclat:

A brighter/darker rose pink, if that's even possible, that's a great variation on the typical pink lip.

Mary Kay Lipstick in Mauve Elegance:

I know the name says Mauve, but to me it's a bright fuschia!

Swatches:

Then I've included ones that weren't my favorite but that work well too. The top three are from e.l.f and the bottom is a lip liner by No7 which I think works well with all of the lipsticks I've shown.

Which ones are your favorites?

Boots Haul!

During my lunch breaks before my next shift starts, I often like to take a walk, which inevitably leads to me walking into some Boots shops, lol. I figured since I had a No7 voucher to spend, I might as well pick something up. And something always leads to somethings. So here we are!:

No7 Natural Blush in Candy Pink: 4.25 (usually 9.25, but had a 5 pound off voucher)

This is what I spent my 5 pound off voucher on. There wasn't really anything else I wanted, and I've been wanting a matte pink blush since it seems all the ones I have are shimmery and that's not always the most flattering on my face. I'd never spend the full amount on it, but it's pretty and pink and I like it!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Pink Blush: 3.99 (on sale, normally 4.99)

I'm realizing the only lipstick shades I feel comfortable wearing are pinks, so I decided to pick this one up. Partly because it's on sale, and partly because it's one of the new shades from the adverts with Zooey Deschanel, lol. As you'll see from photos below, it looks far more pinker on my lips than I expected. It reminds me of something Snooki would wear, HAHA, so I dunnno, we'll have to see.

Swatches of the blush and lipstick:

With flash:

After leaving this Boots, I soon came to another one. I've been wanting to try more 17 products lately, and they were having a 3 for 2 sale, so I decided to get some things.

17 Wild Curls Mascara in Wildest Black: 5.99

Now, I don't own the original one of this, so I can't really say if it's THAT much blacker, haha, but I kind of doubt it. Anyways, I've heard some good things about this mascara and decided to give it a go. Because it's impossible for me to put on a new mascara after having worn a different one all day (feels crunchy and odd, I dunno), I can't really say yet how I feel about it. Perhaps I'll do a separate review on it.

What I can say though is that I like the look of the brush. Not too big, not too small.

17 Liquid Liner in Black: 3.99

I've been wanting to try liquid eyeliner for some time now, so I figured this was the perfect opportunity. Can't say I've heard anything about the product, so it was a bit of a leap of faith. What I noticed was that while it took a lil bit to dry, it didn't budge when I rubbed my finger over it. Here's what it looks like on my eye, DON'T BE HARSH, I'm new to liquid liner and don't even normally line my top eye with pencil liner, sooo, it's a bit shit, but practice makes perfect!

17 Eye Shadow in Statuesque: FREE (3.49, usually, but it was 3 for 2 on 17 brand)

I think this is such a pretty color. It's really pigmented and shimmery without big ugly chunks of sparkles. Great for a glammed up natural eye.

Swatches of the eyeshadow and liner:

With flash:

And here is me, wearing all the products! Still unsure about the lipstick. It's like a big ol pink marshmallow or something, I don't even know, haha. But then again I was unsure about Revlon's Pink Pout at first and now I love it. I like the whole look of liquid eyeliner, I just need to get better at applying it! Overall, a good and relatively cheap haul! But now I've got TWO more No7 vouchers to spend. -SIGHS- Hahaha.

So what do you guys think? Have you tried any of these products before? If so, let me know your thoughts! I'm off to try and do some uni work before passing out. Exhausted from this week. Just want to get tomorrow over and done with and get to the weekend! It's my boyfriend and mine's 2 year anniversary on Sunday. :D

Bye bye!xxx

NOTD: No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Totally Teal

Totally Teal is a very dark teal color that's perfect for the fall/winter. It applies easily and only takes 2 coats! I'd recommend picking it up, especially with the No7 vouchers floating about. =)

Has anyone tried this color yet? What are your thoughts?

No7 Haul using the vouchers!

As I'm sure you've all heard by now, the No7 5 pounds off vouchers are back! Basically anytime you spend 5 pounds in Boots, on anything, they give you a voucher. I went in for some conditioner (I'd run out) and cheap baby wipes for getting off makeup swatches (1 pound for 64 of them!). Anyways, I got one of the vouchers, and went out the other day to spend it. I decided to only get things I actually needed or didn't have, so I grabbed two nail polishes in colors I don't have (Totally Teal & Vivid Violet) and a lip liner. I've been curious to try out lip liners so I figured this was the perfect chance.

Since it was 3 for 2 on No 7 products, I got all three products for only 9 pounds (as opposed to the 20 ish pounds it normally would of been).

But of course...that means I got another 5 pound off voucher for spending 5 pounds. LOL. So then I walked down the street to another Boots and picked up a concealer, since my Rimmel one is running out. It only cost 2.75 with the voucher!! So overall, I only spent 11.75 for all 4 products when normally it would of been almost 30 pounds! EXCITING. Lolol. Sorry, I wrote a lot. Anyways, onto the goodies:

No.7 Quick Cover Blemish Stick in Fair:

To show you guys how it works, I've taken a picture of a "beauty mark" (that's what my mum always called them and I quite like the name! Lol) on my arm and then concealed it.

Before:

After:

I must say I'm really pleased with the concealer. It's really light and almost mousse like. Covers quite well and sets amazingly and lasts. I set it with my Bare Minerals concealer.

No.7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Vivid Violet and Totally Teal:

Lovely colors! I've painted my nails with the Totally Teal color and will do a NOTD post with it later tonight.

No.7 Perfect Lips Pencil in Blush:

with flash:

w/o flash:

I wanted a pinkish color, since that's the color of most of my lipsticks. This seemed to be the lightest pink color they offered.

On my lips:

I then put on my No.7 Moisture Drench lipstick in Waterlily since they looked like a good match:

Overall, I'm happy with it. The liner lasted for ages, even after food & drink.

Has anyone taken advantage of the No7 vouchers yet? If so, what did you get?