Beauty | The First 2014 Haul!

It may be awful, but when I'm feeling a bit down I got for a bit of a make up spending spree! Boots and Superdrug are both my bestfriends and also my enemies, as far as my bank account is concerned! I recently headed to both, and surprise, surprise brought things from both! So here's a little look at what I brought!

Firstly, a trip to Superdrug is never complete without buying something from MUA! MUA is like my holy grail beauty brand as their prices are incredibly affordable and the quality is really impressive for what you pay. I'm yet to come across a MUA product which I don't like. Their palettes have always been a favourite of mine, especially my much loved Heaven and Earth palette. I've also been dying to try out their new Colour Blast Eyeshadow Tint and chose the colour 'Stay'. I also picked up their 'Smokin' palette and their 'Ever After' matte palette.

Next, I headed to Boots where I embarked upon a new adventure. I don't know how it's possible to go this long without one but I picked up my first Bourjois blush in shade 35 Rose d'Or - Golder Rose and it is the most beautiful colour ever! I also repurchased an ever favourite of the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent. This is currently one of my most used products and helping with any oilyness I've been having recently. I'm also always on the look out for that perfect mascara and after watching a video by Moree Milk, ages ago, where she swore by this Mascara as being the best I knew I had to give it a go. So that's how Number 17's Peep Show Mascara ended up in my basket! Finally, after hearing everyone endlessly rave about Barry M's matte Nail Paint I had to have some for myself, along with adding another Gelly Hi Shine to my collection. I brought the Gelly Hi Shine in shade 'Plum' and the matte Nail Paints in shades 'Crush' and 'Mocha'.

- MUA Smokin Palette - £6.00
- MUA Ever After Matte Palette - £4.00
- MUA Colourblast Eyeshadow Tint - £3.00
- Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Pressed Powder - £3.99
- 17 Peep Show Mascara - £6.29
- Bourjois Blush Rose d'Or Golden Rose - £7.99
- Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Plum - £3.99
- Barry M Matte Nail Paint Crush - £3.99
- Barry M Matte Nail Paint Mocha - £3.99

So that's what I've been buying recently, and reviews will be coming as soon as I possibly can find time to write them, as it's starting to get hectic again being back at uni!

What are your recent favourite purchases?!

Beauty | My Custom FashionistA Palette

Recently, there has been a lot of talk from MUA about how they've now taken over FashionistA and they were doing a deal where if you filled a palette with 4 shadows, bronzers or blushers then it would cost £7 rather than £10 and if you filled a palette with 6 then it would cost just £10 rather than £15 as a special offer. I've been wanting to try the custom palettes from FashionistA for ages, which is a brand which can only be brought in certain Superdrugs.

I had great fun choosing from all the eyeshadows, blushes and bronzers which FashionistA have to offer and I think I'll be going back to fill up more palettes too! From top left in a clockwise direction I brought Cafe Au Lait Eyeshadow, Glamour Girl Eyeshadow, Milan Blush, Barcelona Bronzer, Couture Eyeshadow and Bronze Eyeshadow. I choose four eyeshadows which I could use to create that perfect bronzed smokey eye which I love.

I choose four eyeshadows which I could use to create my perfect smokey eye which is perfect for the day time and also in the evenings by vamping it up with Couture, bottom right. The FashionistA eyeshadows also come in a range of mattes, shimmers, glitters and baked eyeshadows which personally, I think all are beautiful.

I also wanted to add a blush and bronzer to the palette to make the palette meet all my needs as it'll be great for taking on my travels and means I can pack lighter without having the faff around wondering if I've got everything as I'll know it's all in the one palette. Milan is a gorgeous pink, it's not too bright and doesn't make you look like a crazed clown it can be used to create a subtle look or applied heavier for nights out. Barcelona has to be my favourite from this palette as it's very similar to MAC's Soft and Gentle which I'm in love with. Although it's not exactly identical it does have it's similarities.

Swatches from the palette. Left to right: Cafe Au Lait, Glamour Girl, Bronze, Couture, Milan and Barcelona. As you can see they're all really pigmented, even the base colours like Cafe Au Lait. I've been using this palette a lot recently and have been finding it hard to put it down. In a few months I think I'll be going back to the FashionistA stand as I think they're great value for money, especially as you can create loads of different looks from the one palette.

What do you think about the FashionistA Palettes?

Topshop Cosmetics

You all know that I'm late with jumping onto the bandwagon with products and brands, always have been, and always will. After reading quite a few good reviews about Topshop makeup I knew I had to try some, so after my job interview at the weekend (WHICH I GOT, BY THE WAY GUYS, YAY ME!) I headed to Topshop to investigate their products, which is where I picked up a Lipstick and a blush. Can I just say, how cute is their packaging?! I didn't want to throw the boxes away, but decided I wasn't going to become the ultimate hoarder! The packaging is also very sturdy, so in that morning rush you can just throw these into you bag and not have to worry about them being damaged or any breakage or smashing of products.

I cannot get over how cute the packaging is, I love it! I opted for two of my favourite colours, a nice bright pink for lips and a peachy/coral for cheeks, these are two of my favourite summer trends at the moment! This is also the first cream blusher which I've owned in a long time. A few years back I owned one but threw it away after struggling to use it and never using it. But now, I think the formula's have of cream blushes have improved and my make up skills have also improved, (I'd like to think!) allowing me to apply cream blushes with ease. Phew.

This Lipstick immediately stuck out to me, but I think that's because I have a love of all things pink! I only wanted to get one Lipstick but I'm telling you, I could have brought them all! Well at least several...

I was pleasantly surprised at how creamy and moisturising these lipsticks are, which for someone with dry lips such as myself is always a bonus. The Lipstick also applies evenly, so if you're in a rush you don't have to worry about wasting time using a lip primer or brush, it just glides on effortlessly. It is also incredibly pigmented so you don't have to worry about building the colour. Although, obviously, the more you apply the more bold and vibrant the colour will be.

I thought I'd play it safe with this blusher as it can look really natural if you really blend it well, or you can use it for a more bold look. As it's name suggest I really have fallen head over heels in love with this product. I don't find it too creamy, and it blends really easily and you can either use your finger or a stippling brush for this. The best part about this product is although it's cream based once it's applied it becomes more powder based making it more easy to work with. Maybe it's because sometimes I can be lazy with my make up routine as to why this product is such a favourite, it's really quite effortless and perfect for beginners, it's certainly got me loving cream blushes again!

 

Have you tried any make up from the Topshop range yet?

 

Hi, I'm Hannah And I'm an MUA Addict.

This addiction for  MUA is almost out of control! For some reason I just cannot resist their products. I think I almost have one of each product. Next I'll have one of each colour!

 A while back MUA had a promotion which was something like 45% off and five free Nail Quakes with your order - it wasn't their most recent promotion, but like always I couldn't resist. So this is just a quick haul of what I brought.

- 3 in 1 Contour Eyeliner Pen in black - £1.50

- False Eyelashes in Glam - £2.00

- Undressed Palette - £4.00

- Trio Eyeshadow in Innocence - £2.50

- Lipstick in shade 15 Juicy - £1.00

- Blusher in shade 1 - £1.00

- Intense Kisses Lipgloss in Quick Smooch - £2.00

- Lip Liner in Softly Lined - £1.00

- Out There Plumping Lipgloss in Pink Sugar - £2.00

Finally, the Nail Quakes which they sent my free were Jailbreak - the black, Shockwaves - the pink, Broken Arrow - the purple, Shattered Ice - the silver and Quiver which is the blue.

Soon will be reviews of the products, I have lots of posts for you but at the moment I also have lots of coursework deadline dates coming up!

I've also recently purchased a few products from their new range so theirs also a smaller haul and reviews to come on those too!

What have you recently purchased from MUA and are loving?

My First Glossy Box.

If you read my post a few days ago you will know that I have cancelled my She Said Beauty Box subscription and have started a Glossy Box subscription. Well let me tell you something, I think I have fallen in love! I have never been so impressed in all my life! A lot more impressed than when I first subscribed to She Said Beauty. So lets take a look at what I received.



I already love the product description card so much more than She Said Beauty's, lets take a look at the contents inside the box.

Again, I apologise for the poor photo quality. I cannot wait until the days stay lighter for longer again so I can go back to being snappy happy for my blog. Maybe in 2013 I'll invest in a better camera! When taking off the lid to the box, I was full of excitement. Glossy Box lived up to everything I thought it would be.

1. Rituals Ultra Rich, Whipped Body Cream - I can't begin to explain how amazing this smells! I've already tested this out on the backs of my hands and it really is the definition of a little goes a long way. It's one of the most nourishing moisturisers I have come across in a long time. For the 70ml which I received, the product retails at £5.00 for a 200ml sized product it retails at £15.00

2. Ayuuri Tumeric & Bergamot Face Wash - I am mad on skin care so I cannot wait to try this out. It has a very citrus scent mixed with spices which will be really refreshing in the mornings. The face wash is designed to remove dirt and excess oil, which is perfect for those oily spots on my face. This product is full sized and retails at £4.95 for 200ml.

3. Lemon By Mary Greenwell - I am really not keen on this perfume sample. I'm not a lover of lemon scented things and this perfume also has a really musky smell to it which reminds me of my Granddad. So for me this is the only product which just isn't to my taste unfortunately.

4. Seche Nail Lacquer in Aristocrat - Seche isn't a brand which I am familiar with but I love the deep purple, it's my favourite colour for this time of year. But what makes it even better is the shimmer to it. For a full sized bottle which I received they retail at £9.95 which I have to admit is very pricey for a Nail Varnish.

5. Kryolan Glossybox Blusher - Kryolan are a new brand which have teamed up with Glossybox to produce a special Glossybox blusher as a festive treat. The blusher is names Glossy Pink.

6. Sleek True Colour Lipstick in Candy Cane - I love the Sleek range, and it's one of the first brands I go to when I walk into Superdrug. I haven't brought one of their lipsticks yet so I can't wait to try this one. It's an amazing red which is perfect for Christmas. Sleek Lipsticks retail at £4.99

 

I am so impressed with everything which I received from Glossybox and cannot wait to try out all these products!

 

I hope you all have a lovely Friday night!