Anjolee.com Top Picks #AD

Although I am notoriously inconsistent with my posting patterns, there is always a part of my brain consumed with what I'll blog next. Lately though, my brain has become so filled with uni stuff that blogging has been pushed aside. In fact, I recently committed the ultimate rookie blogger mistake- I used a new eyeshadow palette before I'd photographed it. Please don't judge too harshly. However, here I am, at 12:06am gravitating back to my little old blog to share some gems I've been admiring so longingly lately. Its difficult to think about the fact I have exams in a fortnight when I feel soo Christmassy and I want to think of what presents to buy and what movies to watch and how long I can get away with lying down under a big pile of blankets without moving for. 
Of course at this time of year gift guide posts are everywhere. They're helpful if you don't have a clue what to get someone, they let you see whats out there at the moment and they're a good little hint hint if you have your eye on something. I see 'top picks' posts as a kind of all year round gift guide which is why I chose that title for this post- cos the items below are certainly not just for Christmas. 
When I came recently came across Anjolee.com I spent so long browsing through their collection. It wasn't the first time I've been known to trawl through fine jewellery websites- after watching Bride Wars I spent a whole evening goggling at Tiffany's collections. Anjolee.com comes with an added bonus though, because its the only jewellery website that lets you customize any item to your exact preferences, taste and budget. Not too shabby eh? I started on the hoop earrings page and was enticed from there. Prepare to swoon.

  Studs / Ring / Bangle / Necklace / Bracelet
While I'm a lover of  the odd statement necklace or watch, the jewellery I wear most often is a couple of simple staples of fine jewellery. You'll rarely see me without my necklace or studs (you can check the photo archives). My favourite metal is white gold (which is one of the reasons the studs are included above) and this is for a few reasons: 1. It looks like silver 2. It has the quality of yellow gold 3. It is referred to in Mean Girls. What's not to like? Each of these items look so beautiful and delicate. You don't need me to rant on about why each one is perfect and I need it in my life as you probably get it just by seeing them yourself.
If you're looking for something really special to buy as a present this Christmas, or you just fancy treating yourself, I'd recommend you pop over to Anjolee.com and have a browse. 
Be sure to let me know what your favourite piece is! Sponsored post

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. 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle Review

Hey Everyone!
You know when you want a product for ages, and ages, and ages and you finally get it and its really disappointing and not worth it? Well this is not one of those situations at all!!
I'm sure by now you'll be aware (by my constant references to it in blog posts and tweets) that I'm head over heels with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle at the moment. It was a birthday gift from my cousin and I honestly can't believe I have gone so long without having it.
The packaging is very sophisticated and high end- as with all MAC products it comes in a sturdy black plastic case with flecks of silver. The baked powder looks absolutely gorgeous- very marble like. The only problem I have with this product (getting it out of the way quickly) is that its quite messy and the powder gets all over the packaging even when its just sitting on a flat surface all day. I just use my brush to clean up most of it though.
To apply, I use a medium sized fluffy powder brush and sweep and dab it up my cheekbones. A little goes a long way with this rich, almost creamy powder and it blends easily. The gold flecks catch the light beautifully and it gives a lovely glow. It is the most gorgeous highlighter I've used and in my opinion transforms your whole makeup look.
I have been wearing it with my Bourjois Rose D'Or Blush and the two compliment each other beautifully. My cheeks are now the attention grabbers of my makeup!
Although this comes with a heavy price tag, I would highly recommend this as an essential for any makeup lovers collection. It is my new HG cheek product and I don't think any other highlight will ever come close to being as good as it!
Have you tried it? What do you think?

Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara Review

Hey Everyone!
So, by this stage, you will probably know of my addition to mascara. I try out many, many different kinds in the hope of finding my HG and I think at the moment I have around 7 open (eek!). Now, far be it for me to refuse the drugstore praise, as I buy most of my makeup, there but when it comes to mascaras I think high end brands do it much better.

A mascara I've been absolutely loving lately is the Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara. I have the sample size (possibly from bonus time a while back) and I have been using it daily for the past few weeks.
The packaging is what you'd expect from Clinique: clean and simple. The writing has actually rubbed off the tube which I found surprising as this usually wouldn't happen with higher quality products but I'm just putting it down to the fact I use it so often and I've had it a while. 
The brush is the perfect shape and size for coating hard-to-reach lashes and gives you a lot of control. It goes on very easily and dries fairly quickly but you can then continue to apply it without clumping. It separates, flares, lengthens and defines lashes amazingly. It also holds a curl pretty well. In my opinion ticking even a few of those boxes is impressive. Admittedly, I have other mascaras which are more dramatic and volumizing, but this can be layered for a more intense effect.

It strikes the perfect balance between staying power and being easy to remove. It doesn't quite stay precisely in place all day (there is very slight smudging on the bottom lash line- though remember I have oily eyelids) but there are definitely no panda eyes or flaking. Its also very, very easy to remove compared to They're Real or Telescopic. I'd say its about 4/10 effort points to take off. 
The only downside of this mascara is the £16.50 price tag. I do think its worth it though- after all, its only a few pounds more than some drugstore ones and its pretty cheap compared to other high end mascaras.
I absolutely love this (and Clinique mascaras in general) and will definitely repurchase after I get through my many, many mascara tubes. 
Have you tried it? What do you think of it?

Review | Benefit They're Real

After hearing so many good things about Benefit's 'They're Real' mascara, I was delighted to discover it in my stocking this year. 

Not only did the box include the full size mascara (8.5g) but a mini too (5g); perfect for travelling.

With claims to be the 'World's #1 Mascara' I had pretty high expectations, and it does not disappoint. The formula is thick but not at all gloopy and glides onto the lashes with ease.

The wand is great- quite large and extra spiky. Its shape is pretty unusual, having a round tip with longer spikes which you are supposed to apply vertically to your lashes for length (or is is volume- one or the other!). 

Personally I like to apply my mascara the traditional way: wand horizontal. Anyway, despite my slight confusion, I manage to achieve amazing results with even one coat of this. Not only does it darken, lift and volumize my lashes, it makes them look so long! Its the best mascara I've ever used- its the 'do-all' mascara! 

A slight drawback is that for me, it ends up under my eyes in a few hours. I think I have exceptionally oily eyelids, because this seems to be happening with all my mascaras, but I've found a simple solution is to powder the eye area before and after application, and it'll stay in place. Another thing which is a bit of a pain is that its really difficult to get off- I find it worse than my previous waterproof one and I never manage to get it 100% off and always have black residue. Finally, I realised it definitely isn't tear/ water proof when I went to see Les Mis wearing it- not a good move!

However, I definitely think the pros out weigh the cons and the effect that can be achieved with this mascara is fantastic. It really frames eyes and does everything a mascara is supposed to do and more. Being the mascara junkie I am, I don't think this will be the only mascara I will use for the rest of my life, but it has and will remain to be a staple in my makeup collection and I am currently using it everyday!

Have you tried it? What are your thoughts?