Makeup Brush Chat

I'll use any excuse to post a picture of freshly washed makeup brushes. It's such a big task, forever on my to do list, that when it finally gets done I go crazy with the camera so I can look back and remember that one day they were like new. Its quite sad really, but anyone who uses makeup brushes will understand the struggle. I don't use any kind of specialist brush cleaning products (if you do and would recommend it, let me know) but instead I just use hot water and the mini shampoo or soaps you get from hotels. In my opinion, as long as they lather up and are rinsed thoroughly, they do the job totally fine. The only downside is my hand is really wrinkled after spending more than half an hour under running water.
It was quite a few years ago now that I saw the idea of using old candle jars as brush holders and I've been doing it ever since. These are the perfect size and make finding the brush I want much easier than if I were to search around the bottom of a makeup bag. 
The brushes I'm really loving at the moment are my MAC 217 blending brush, my RT eyeliner brush and my RT expert face brush.You have probably heard enough about the cult 217 brush to know that its super soft and one of the best brushes for blending out there. I only have one MAC makeup brush and I'm so glad that I went for this one. I'm a RT loyal overall though, as you can see from the photo. I've never used angled brushes and they've always been neglected in my collection. However, I've found a love for the eyeliner brush since I started filling my eyebrows in with eyeshadow. Its really precise, dense and picks up just the right amount of product. I've also been using the RT expert face brush a lot lately for applying both foundation and concealer. It blends both products so easily into the skin and has a really high density too. I'd say its as near to a sponge as a brush is going to get while maintaining precision. Its an ideal size for applying base products too. Some of my RT brushes I've had for upwards of 3 years and still they never shed a single hair. I've also got to give a special mention to my rose gold eyelash curlers which came in a Ted Baker set. They're so pretty!
What's your favourite makeup brush?

Superdrug Skincare Picks

When I first started blogging, I used to be amazed when I read other people writing 'I liked the look of this so I thought I'd buy it and give it a try'. I was a lot younger then and with my pocket money I could only buy the odd hyped product now and again after much careful consideration. Its been almost 2 years since I started my part time job and it means that every now and again I can treat myself to the bits and bobs in Superdrug that I just like the look of. 
I was always a Boots loyal when it came to feeding my beauty product addiction but over the past year I feel like Superdrug has really upped its game. There always seems to be promotions on and however sad it may sound, I think its so fun to go in and fill my basket. 
Today I'd like to mention a few skincare gems I've been using from Superdrug, all really reasonably priced and they all land top marks in my book.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

You can find my full review here in which I absolutely raved about this product and said that I actually preferred it to the original micellar water Bioderma. The only issues I raised were its impracticability for travelling and that you couldn't remove the cap. Well, they've only went and fixed exactly those problems! The new 400ml design has a easily removable cap and the mini size is the cutest thing I ever did see. I always buy a few of the big bottles at once when they're 1/3 off in Superdrug as its the only makeup remover I use.

Bio-Oil I thought I'd throw this in as I was recommended it and decided to pick it up in the hope it'd improve the appearance of my scars. I have noticed a slight improvement to scars on my leg with sporadic use but I think for it to really work you need to use it consistently and for a good few months. Have any of you tried it and has it worked well for you?
Vitamin E Eye Cream I think Superdrug's Vitamin E brand is underrated. They have lots of different skincare items in their range (wipes, masks, body oil) and since its 'own brand' is is very reasonably priced. The skin around my eyes became really dry during winter and I needed a simple eye cream that would moisturise the skin without irritating my sensitive eyes. This worked wonders. It feels light, refreshing and absorbs really quickly. I also have the SuperBalm from the Vitamin E range and I've really been enjoying that too.
Simple Kind to Skin Light Moisturiser This is a classic that I've been using for years. I go between this and the Rich Moisturiser, sometimes mixing the two at once. This is excellent for sensitive skin and absorbs really quickly. I really like the fresh smell of Simple products (I also use their cleanser and toner). I buy this when its on 3 for 2 and always forget that I have like 6 bottles in my cupboard!
Superdrug's Own Brand 'Destressing' and 'Refreshing' Face Masks I vaguely remember reading a review of one of these ages ago and when I saw that they were 2 for £3.50 I thought I'd pick them up for pamper nights. I've never used a peel-off mask before and its been quite an usual experience. The first time when I was taking it off I felt like a creature out of Doctor Who taking off my flesh (although I didn't really of course) and the next time I didn't put enough on so it came off in tiny bits. The mud mask is more of what I'm used to- put the mask on, leave it for 10 minutes and then wash off to a refreshed complexion. I think for the amount of product you get these are really good value and are all I'm really looking for from a face mask. Word to the wise though- be sure to stick to the directed time- I left one of these on for more than half an hour and came downstairs to horrified looks from my family: 'wtf happened to your face?!' 'why's it so red and blotchy?' thankfully it went back to normal quickly. 

The best thing about all these products is that they are all very affordable, keep problem skin at bay and don't irritate it (with the exception of the face mask faux pas which was entirely my own fault). 
What are your top Superdrug skincare picks?

Things I Love About Summer...

...♥Sun ♥Ice Cream ♥Cute outfits ♥Sunglasses ♥Days out when its sunny ♥Being stress free ♥Holidays and trips ♥Flowers ♥Music ♥My birthday ♥Blue skies ♥Long days/ light nights♥ Good TV ♥Swimming pools ♥Sandcastles ♥Blowing bubbles ♥Reading ♥The smell of BBQs ♥Sleeping in ♥Cold drinks ♥Bright nail polish ♥Photos ♥Fresh fruit ♥Late nights♥...
What are your favourite things about summer?

Current Beauty Favourites

Hey Everyone!

I've been absolutely loving each of these products over the last little while and thought I'd let you know exactly why. I am thinking of doing a non-beauty favourites too- let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like to see in that. 

Makeup

S&G Archery in Brownie Points- This has made the long time impossible task of filling in my brows so straight forward. Its really defining and just the right shade. 

No7 Stay Precise Liquid Liner- I had a bit of a panic in the last few week because I had run out and couldn't find it in any Boots. After being reassured it hadn't been discontinued, I managed to find it well stocked in the one Boots I hadn't tried (phew). Anyway, this hands down beats any other liquid eyeliner I've ever tried, including L'Oreal Super Liner. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo in On and On Bronze- See full review here.

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara- After getting a sample of this in a magazine I had to buy the full size because it is amazing. This has quickly become my HG mascara. It ticks all the boxes: length, volume, no clumps, and, unlike a lot of others, its not a pain to remove. 

MUA Lipstick in Shade 9- This has been a favourite of mine for years. It is non-drying, the perfect everyday colour and at only £1: it is an absolute steal.

MAC Lipstick in Girl About Town- Since receiving this as a birthday present last year, I wore this only from time to time because it was such a bold colour. I've been wearing it a lot on nights out lately though and the lasting power is absolutely amazing. Its such a good quality product and is really easy to apply.

Nails

Tanya Burr Nail Polish in Little Duck- I've been resisting Tanya Burrs collection since it hit shelves but I was delighted to receive 3 of her polishes for my birthday. I absolutely love mint nail polish but own none (surprising despite the size of my collection) and this is the first I used of the three. The colour payoff is excellent and it lasts a good few days without chipping.

Fragrance

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh- I'm a huge fan of Marc Jacobs perfume. I'm thinking of treating myself to another at duty free on the way to Portugal actually. Each one of the scents are fresh and sweet and beautiful. I reserve this for special occasions because its so expensive.

Body

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub- The Breakfast Scrub is the most delicious smelling product ever- its like syrup/ pancakes/ sticky toffee pudding. It also leaves my skin super soft.

Hair

Batiste Dry Shampoo- When roots are looking a little greasy, Bastise dry shampoo is definitely a life saver. I had been using the 'blush' scent which comes in the pink bottle but it has that tell tale dry shampoo musty smell which I'm not a fan of. I picked up the 'fresh' scent as a little experiment to see if it would be any better and I was really pleased: thankfully it doesn't have the dry shampoo smell rather a fresher, perfumed one. The XXL Volume is more like a sticky, hairspray dry shampoo. It is brilliant for bulking up hair although the white colour is a little more difficult to work into the roots. 

Random Snaps!

Hey Everyone!

At the weekend I took a while off studying and, taking advantage of the lighting, took a few pictures that I thought I'd share:  

• Stackage :)
• I haven't been keeping up with my New Years resolution because I've been so busy! I'll get back into it though!
• Loving these at the mo, especially Hand Food!
• How cute is this?!
• I have a sickness- one swatch and there's no turning back!