September Haul

I have convinced myself that since I'm going back to uni soon, and (ahem) won't have time to spend money, I should spend my summer earnings now. Anyway, I need lots of new outfits for going back. I'll go to any lengths to justify spending.  Jeans are always a tricky item to buy. Usually either they don't get past my thighs or they are massive at the waist so when I find a style I like, I always buy multiple pairs. I've always wanted a pair of Topshop jeans but when I tried on a pair of Jonis a few years ago they were disastrous. I hadn't even considered that other styles would be a totally different story. I'm now in love with the Leigh and Jamie jeans. I struggle to get my size in store or online so when I seen 2 pairs I just went ahead and bought them both (with a slight tear in my eye at the till). I also really love the Zara basic range. For simple tshirts, you don't pay much more than Primark and you get better material, fit and quality. 
I saw the Barry M lipliners recommended on a Youtube video a couple of weeks ago and since I'm pretty obsessed with brown lip products at the moment, I picked one up for £2.99. While I was in Superdrug, I stocked up on my favourite Simple skincare products as they were on special offer and came with a free Vaseline. I also bought MUA's Pixel Perfect bronzer. I've used their Mosaic Bronzer for years and love it but it seems to have been discontinued (cry) so I've decided to embrace its replacement. Finally, I had a voucher for a No7 Match Made lipstick from the bonus-time summer box. The woman at the counter done a skin tone analysis and gave me a little information card with the shades that best suit me. I've already mentioned my love for brown lipsticks at the moment so I used my voucher to get 'Spiced Latte' worth £9.95! 
All in all, it was actually a pretty sensible shopping trip as I see myself getting plenty of use out of all of this.
What have you bought lately? 

Updated Everyday Makeup

Hey Everyone!
I've said time and time again that, for me, every extra minute of sleep in the morning is precious. For all my procrastination during the rest of the day, from 7.45- 8.20 my routine is timed to the second. Because of this, I've honed my everyday makeup routine to the essentials so that I don't waste any unnecessary time doing it but I still look (semi) presentable.

Products worn: Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer Bourjois Round Pot in Rose D'Or MAC MSF in Soft & Gentle S&G Archery in Brownie Points No7 Stay Precise Liquid Liner in Black No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara in Black Maybelline Babylips in Cherry Me Avon Translucent Powder
It takes me roughly 10 mins to do this makeup (with the exception of lip balm which is applied while running round to the bus stop). I've been wearing this to both work and school for months and in terms of lasting power its pretty fab. 
The products I'm using have switched up quite a lot since my last FOTD post. I've reverted back to my Rimmel foundation and No7 liquid liner- in my eyes no other liner can compete. As usual I'm switching up mascara pretty frequently and just using what I have opened at the time. I wouldn't describe this one by No7 as 'exceptional', as the name suggests, but it doesn't smudge (which is quite the feat for my oily eyelids) and is good in terms of adding length and not clumping. 
I'm still loving Maybelline Baby Lips- I have countless lip products yet I find myself reaching for this every single day. I love the way it smells and the fact it doesn't do anything weird (like going patchy or leaving an outer line- ew) when it fades. I've started using concealer again because my skin is in quite a state at the moment. I'll possibly do a post with more info on what I'm doing to try and manage that soon. Ooh and big news on the makeup front. During my four month absence, I finally started filling in my eyebrows. I'm planning an in depth review of the S&G brow tint & pencil but basically I'm really loving it- it makes eyebrows so easy to do- even for a complete novice like me. Finally, on my cheeks is my usual combo. I'm getting a bit tired of the Rose D'Or blush since I've not used any other blush in months- I'm looking forward to looking out my cream blush for summer. 
Well that's me over and out for tonight folks. Hope you all have a great weekend. There will be a Primark haul up on Sunday so look out for that :)

Review | MUA Liquid Liner vs No7 Amazing Eyes Liner

Hey Everyone!

I have been posting quite a few reviews lately so I thought today I would take a bit of a different approach and instead of just reviewing my new No7 liquid liner I would compare it to what I had been using: MUA's liquid liner. 

Each liner is an own brand make- MUA is Superdrug and No7 is Boots.

The MUA liner is £1 and the No7 one is £8.75 (though only £3.75 with the £5 off No7 vouchers which are currently available.)

In terms of packaging, both items are pretty similar. Simple black with metallic coloured lettering. Both look high end and classic. The MUA one is 3.1ml and No7 is 4ml which shows looks can be deceiving as the No7 one looks at least double the size.

 

The applicators of the liners are, in my opinion, quite different. The MUA one is pointed and very firm which means it can be a bit scratchy to apply. On the other hand, the No7 one is like a tiny paintbrush which is soft and has enough flexibility to glide smoothly over the lid but not so floppy that your line will end up at your eyebrow.

Also, the formula of each liner is quite different. I find the No7 one a lot wetter and pigmented, although I think perhaps because I've had the MUA one for quite a while it is beginning to dry up.

The finished results of both liners can be more or less the same, depending on how much effort you put in. Application of the MUA liner takes quite a bit of time, patience and a flexible wrist to reach awkward angles, though if you get enough on the brush the line comes out a pigmented black. Be careful not to let the line dry and then go over it though as it will start peeling. The No7 one, as I mentioned, glides on in one motion and takes about 10 seconds, depending on if your doing a flick or not. It gives a bold black line instantly, and is more glossy than the MUA one.

Wearing MUA liner a few minutes after application.

Wearing No7 liner a few minutes after application.

The most significant difference I have noticed in the liners though is their staying power. By the end of the day, the MUA liner has crumbled and looks really bad. However, the No7 liner is immaculate as if it had just been applied.

Wearing MUA liner after around 7 hours of application.

I would recommend the MUA one to anyone who would just be wearing it for a few hours or for someone brand new to liquid eye liner and who needs to practice (that's how I got the hang of it!) I think that for £1 you may as well give it a go!

My hands-down favourite though, is of course the No7 Amazing Eyes Liner. I wouldn't pay the full £8.75 but I think £3.75 is completely worth it. It is perfect and after using this I doubt I'll be returning to my MUA one.

Which do you prefer? Do you like this type of review post? Feel free to leave any requests for posts in the comments.