review: botanics skin care

hello! i know, it's been absolutely AGES since i last posted (over 3 weeks!). i've been really busy juggling university and my lab project and working part time as well as having a bit of a social life and binge watching game of thrones with my boyfriend and this has all resulted in me neglecting my blog! but i have a bit more free time now so i am trying very hard to get back into blogging on a regular basis.

i'm going to kick things back off with a skin care review, i've switched up my skin routine recently and thought i'd share my opinions on the new products i've been using. as i've mentioned before in posts on here, i am a massive fan of the garnier micellar cleansing water and have been repurchasing it for quite a while. it is such an easy way to remove your make up and has helped shake me out of lazily reaching for a pack of make up wipes every night. i've never really done the whole 'cleanse, tone and moisturise'  thing but as i'm getting a bit older (i'm almost 21 now!) and branching away from 'teenage skin' products i've decided to give a fuller routine a go.

after reading a review on another blog recently (i can't remember which one it was, sorry!) i decided to branch out a bit and try out the brand botanics from boots. lucky for me, there was a 3 for 2 offer on skincare so I decided to purchase a cream cleanser and a micellar cleansing water (i also bought the garnier bb cream as part of the 3 for 2 offer which you can see a review of here). i actually wanted to buy the toner in the range but it was sold out in my local boots, instead i decided to try the micellar water to see how it compares to my trusty garnier one.

botanics gentle cleansing cream and botanics micellar 3 in 1 cleansing solution - RRP £3.99 available here and here

i've been using the botanics all bright cleansing cream by applying it to cotton pads and wiping all over my face to remove my make up. this does require using quite a bit of product and it can be quite messy as the cream is very runny and greasy and tends to get all over my hands, this is probably best done over the sink where you can rinse your face fully to ensure all the product is off. it also takes up quite a lot of cotton pads which aren't ridiculously expensive but i have been getting through them pretty quickly.

i've then been using the botanics all bright micellar 3 in 1 cleansing solution which is a liquid very similar to the garnier water and sort of using it as a toner. i apply this to cotton pads and then wipe over my face again to remove the residue from the cream and any additional make up, it's surprising how much is still on your face even when you think you've taken it all off!

i then finish my routine by applying my olay moisturiser which i talked about in my last post on skin care here. 

now, this isn't a particularly long winded process but it does require a bit of time and patience, something that i haven't always got i.e after a night out at 4am when i just want to get in bed! it also uses up lots of product and cotton pads, i don't wear particularly heavy make up and it can take me 10+ pads to get all of my make up off. i've found the cream cleanser doesn't actually remove all of my make up and i actually need the second cleansing step just to make sure it's all off. i'd say it's probably best to use the cleanser by applying it all over your face then removing with a damp flannel or something rather than cotton pads as i have been doing.

i decided to try using just the micellar cleansing water to remove my make up to compare it to the cleansing cream and see how it measured up. i can say i probably wouldn't use it as a sole way of removing make up, it worked well at removing any left over bits of make up after cleansing but when tried alone, my eye make up barely budged! you'd need to use a lot of product and the bottle isn't a huge size, i think i'd get through a whole bottle pretty quickly.

the double cleansing i've been doing has left my skin feeling very soft and the products smell lovely, quite fresh and floral but only subtle and not overpowering. i do also agree with the claim that the products make to 'brighten skin' as i definitely noticed my skin had more of a glow about it after using these products for just a few days. however, i've found i have had quite a few spots and blocked pores since starting this skin routine. this is obviously something to be expected when using new products but it's something which i didn't get from the garnier micellar water which made my skin incredibly clear. i feel using a cream cleanser and then a micellar water and then a moisturiser is probably blocking my pores as it's quite tricky to wipe all of the product away, i do feel like there is a residue left on my skin even after wiping it all away.

the products are pretty reasonably priced and may suit people with less sensitive, less blemish prone skin but for me, i yet haven't been tempted away from the garnier cleansing water. it makes taking my make up off so much quicker and easier, i use far less cotton pads and the generous sized bottle (400ml) lasts a lot longer than these products have done. it also leaves my skin feeling very clean without the need for double cleansing or using a toner to remove any residue. sadly these particular botanics products aren't for me and i probably wouldn't repurchase them, however i definitely will try other products from the range as the quality and price are really good!

do you have any skincare favourites that you swear by? feel free to comment! i'm always on the look out for new products to try!

october favourites

hello! i haven't really done a monthly favourites post before but over the past month i've discovered and rediscovered a few new products that i've been using a lot and it made sense to share them all in a post like this so here we are! 

i honestly can't believe it's already november, where on earth has this year gone?! on the plus side, i absolutely love this time of year and get really excited about halloween, bonfire night and of course christmas! so here are a few products i've been loving so far this autumn:

seventeen smoulder gel eyeliner

RRP £3.99 - available here

i am a massive fan of a feline flick of eyeliner and i rarely leave the house without it, i just feel like it improves my make up 10000% and makes me look like i've made an effort even if i got ready in 15 minutes. i've been using the maybelline precise felt tip eyeliner pen for a while but i recently decided to try out a gel eyeliner as i've never really tried one and i fancied a change. i went for the seventeen gel eyeliner as at just £3.99 it hardly breaks the bank and i wouldn't feel like i'd wasted my money if i hated it. luckily, i have absolutely loved using this eyeliner and it is firmly a part of my everyday make up routine!

the eyeliner does come with a brush but i use my ruby and millie angled eye liner brush that i've had forever. i must admit, it does take a bit of practice and i haven't quite nailed the technique yet, cotton buds are your best friend when getting to grips with eyeliner! the gel liner is so much more pigmented than the 'felt tip pen' style of eyeliners i've been using and it literally lasts ALL day. seriously, it's a struggle to remove! it's tear proof, sweat proof and almost eye make up remover proof, if you're looking for something with longevity then this is the product for you. i will without a doubt be wearing this eyeliner all winter, once you've perfected the application (if in doubt there are tonnes of videos on youtube about applying gel eyeliner) it's so quick and easy and lasts all day without the annoying panda eye effect.

garnier bb skin perfector (oil free)

the shade 'light' 

 RRP £9.99 available here

i bought this in boots during a 3 for 2 offer on skin care when it was actually reduced to just £5. i have used the garnier skin perfector daily all in one bb cream (the first one they brought out) before and thought it was perfect for summer but left my face quite dewy and the coverage was only light, something great for in hot weather but not so suitable for winter. this caught my eye as it claims to be oil free and give 'perfected skin with no shine', something i much prefer in winter. recently my skin has been really clear and some days foundation feels a bit much, especially when i don't need a heavy coverage and so i've been turning to this.

this product is just fantastic, it's so different to the original bb cream. instead of a dewy appearance it leaves skin matte but with a healthy glow, it glides on smoothly and feels almost like a primer in texture rather than a moisturiser. it's also much higher coverage than the original bb cream and could easily replace your foundation if you usually use one with lighter coverage such as the bourjois healthy mix foundation. it seems to melt into my skin and doesn't feel heavy or cakey, in fact you can barely see it at all but it does subtly alter the appearance of my skin and evens out the tone. the shade is perhaps a little too dark for me but you only need a little and it blends in enough to stop you looking 'orange' as you would with a foundation. this is one of very few products i've found that actually does exactly what it says on the tin and to top it off it is spf 20, what more could a girl want?! well, perhaps a little more variety shade wise but you can't have it all can you!

collection gothic glam lipstick

in shade 'revenge'

RRP £2.98 available here

i actually got this lipstick about a year ago in superdrug but i can't actually find the product on the website anymore. however if you follow the link above you can buy it from asda so it's worth keeping an eye out on any collection stand because they might stock the 'gothic glam' collection.

this is the perfect autumn shade, the lipstick bullet itself looks like quite a dark, bold purple shade but it's actually a plummy red which is really wearable. i love the darker make up shades that autumn brings so i decided to switch up my usual red lipstick for a braver, deeper shade and i'm so glad i did. the lipstick glides on really easily and wears really well, it isn't drying on the lips and has quite a creamy consistency. obviously it does wear off a little as you eat/drink and needs reapplication but for less than £3 you can't really complain! this lipstick is really good value and a gorgeous shade to try out a winter berry lip. if you're unsure about trying a darker shade of lipstick then this could be a good starting point, it's not too purple or dark, easy to wear and doesn't break the bank.

soap and glory kick ass concealer

RRP £10 available here 

i've already done a blog post talking about this product earlier this month which you can see here so i won't go on too much about this. i had to include it in my favourites as it's definitely been one of my favourite things to pull out of my make up bag this month and i've used it every day since i bought it, it's even replaced my trusty collection concealer! 

the use of shades of apricot and yellow to counteract purple and red tones in your skin is what sets this concealer apart from any others i have used, the coverage is just so much better. it's so creamy in texture and just glides on without the need to use too much product. i find it easier to use my fingers and pat it on than to use a brush as it blends much better. i then pat over the areas i've concealed gently with the pressed powder included and it is set all day. if you're on the fence about whether you should try this then i think you should go for it. £10 does seem a lot for a concealer if you're not keen on spending loads on make up (like me) but i think it is worth it and boots always have offers on cosmetics which can make it a bit better value for money.

thanks so much for reading! i've reached over 2000 views which is insane seeing as i only started this blog a couple of months ago. i really enjoy keeping it updated and writing about beauty and fashion things i've loved or hated so it means such a lot that people seem to be enjoying reading it too!

recent hair favourites

a lot of products i post about seem to be either make up or skin care related so, for a change, i've decided to write about some of the hair products i've been using and loving recently. 

my natural hair colour is dark brown but after a few years of dying my hair red and then more recently brown with at home box dyes i've decided to start having my hair highlighted gradually at the hairdressers to (slowly) become blonde! my hair is very 'delicate' according to my hairdresser so having a full head of highlights every 8-10 weeks is a lot better than me whacking a box of bleach on at home and hoping for the best. even though my hair is still in pretty good condition despite the regular bleaching, i want to keep my hair feeling and look it's best so i've been turning to these products for the past couple of months and definitely haven't been disappointed.

john frieda sheer blonde highlight activating moisturising shampoo for lighter shades

RRP £5.59 available here

i've been washing my hair with this shampoo pretty much every day for the past month and i must admit, at first i was skeptical as to whether it would actually 'brighten and bring out my highlights' without the use of bleach, especially seeing as my hair is still fairly dark in places. i have, however, been pleasantly surprised by this shampoo, i would say it has definitely had an effect on my hair and brightened my highlights. when i visited home recently after a couple of weeks away at uni my mum actually commented that my hair looked lighter and the different shades of blonde seem to blend together a bit better, something i'm definitely putting down to this shampoo. it is a little on the expensive side for a shampoo but it lasts ages,  lathers up really well and i've been washing my hair with it almost daily for a month and i'm no where near the end of the tube. it has a very subtle floral, fresh scent and leaves my hair feeling clean and soft, there are no harsh bleach-like chemicals so it doesn't leave your hair feeling dry and damaged. the shampoo obviously won't magically turn dark hair to blonde but it's perfect for anyone with dyed blonde hair or highlights who wants to keep their hair looking bright between trips to the hairdressers.

lee stafford hair growth treatment

RRP £8.49 available here

i've seen loads of beauty bloggers rave about this hair product but always felt it was just a bit too expensive to pay the best part of £10 for what's essentially a conditioner. however, a couple of months ago boots had a 3 for £12 offer on (!!) which meant buying this product made perfect sense and i actually bought two tubs and a frizz protection spray (see below) and ended up saving about £17, bargain! boots actually have a 3 for £20 on lee stafford RIGHT NOW so if you're thinking of buying this then go go go. basically, this is a moisturising hair treatment which you leave on for 5 minutes between shampoo and conditioner, concentrating on your scalp to 'nourish hair at the root'. it's designed for 'hair that doesn't grow past a certain length' a sentence that definitely sums up my hair, it feels like it reaches a maximum length and then just stops growing! years of dyeing and using heat on my hair probably hasn't helped it so i thought i'd give this a whirl and see if there was any effect. 

i'm not claiming that this has made my hair grow inches overnight and i'm not suddenly blessed with rapunzel locks but i would say that since using this (i'm now onto my second tub) a few times a week between shampoo and conditioner my hair definitely looks and feels really healthy and has actually grown longer than it has been in years. i have been having regular trims so i can't say exactly how much my hair has grown but i would say this product is worth a go. if nothing else, it's a wonderful smelling, luxurious hair treatment which leaves your hair lovely and soft afterwards and if it helps your hair to grow too well, that's a bonus!

lee stafford frizz off keratin spray

RRP £10.99 available here

this is something i picked up as part of the 3 for £12 offer at boots, i wouldn't usually splash out on something like this on a whim but i was saving a ridiculous amount of money in the offer and wanted a third product to add to my 2 tubs of hair growth treatment. i decided to try this as i have naturally frizzy hair, especially when i dry it with the hairdryer and this product promises to reduce frizz, protect hair from heat and strengthen with keratin. i spritz this onto towel dried hair after getting out of the shower, comb it through and then blow dry my hair and i have been quite impressed with it. i must admit, i'm really bad and never use heat protection spray so that's the main reason i'm using this but it does seem to reduce frizz and you only need a few squirts meaning this will last ages. one thing i would say is you don't need to use much at all and try not to spray too much near your roots as it can make hair look a little bit greasy. when used properly this leaves hair feeling really soft and silky and like the hair growth treatment it smells gorgeous, it's quite a strong smell which won't be to everyone's taste but it's quite a deep floral, perfumed scent which lasts all day.

tangle teezer compact styler

RRP £12.49 available here

i was generously given this tangle teezer by my boyfriends mum and i haven't used another hairbrush since i got it. my hair is really tangle prone and can get so knotty, especially when i get out of the shower. i used to find myself dragging a hairbrush through it and losing loads of  hair in the process but the tangle teezer has literally changed my life (i realise how dramatic that sounds). it's something you have to try to appreciate but basically this detangles my hair without any tugging, pulling or ripping out massive clumps of hair. it just glides through, i don't know how it works but it must be some sort of hair witchcraft! the bigger tangle teezers are actually a bit cheaper but this is a slightly smaller, more compact one designed for taking in your bag as it comes with a protective cover for the bristles. i take this everywhere and i'd definitely buy another. the price may seem expensive for a hairbrush but if you have one of these, you'll know what i mean when i say it's definitely worth the money, you'll never want to use another hairbrush again. if you haven't got one, then you really should go and buy one! they're perfect for anyone who struggles with brushing knotty hair or is sick of losing massive clumps of hair everytime they run a brush through it, my hair feels so much healthier and thicker since i switched to using a tangle teezer.

save or spend - lipstick

a few weeks ago you may have seen i did a post comparing different mascaras from a variety of price ranges (if not then you can read it here) to see if it's worth splashing out on pricier brands or if cheaper 'budget beauty buys' can do the job just as well. today i'm going to do a similar thing but this time with a favourite of mine, red lipstick! i generally stick to red if i'm wearing bright lipstick as i think it suits me and it always leaves me feeling like i've made an effort even if i had to rush to get ready (i'm always running late!). so here are my comparisons from a wide variety of brands to see if it's worth spending a bit more or saving your pennies when it comes to lipstick!

natural collection moisture shine lipstick

in the shade 'cherry red'

RRP £1.99 available here

i absolutely love these lipsticks. firstly, the price is amazing, less than £2 for a lipstick and there is always an offer on the natural collection range at boots where you can get any 3 products for £5 (!!), insane! these lipsticks are available in a wide range of colours (i also own the shade raspberry) and they are so pigmented and creamy. as someone who suffers from dry lips i find most lipsticks can really dry out my lips and look quite unflattering but this is a really moisturising product which doesn't need reapplying too often. it also fades evenly rather than leaving a sort of ring of lipstick around my lips when i've eaten or had a drink! this is cheap enough to just throw in my bag and reapply whenever and i find myself turning to the moisture shine lipsticks for most of my day to day lipstick needs!

would i recommend? yes! these lipsticks are fabulous value for money and the packaging might look a little basic but this is a perfect product for everyday wear.

rimmel kate lasting finish lipstick

in the shade '001'

RRP £5.49 available here

i really wanted to love this lipstick, i think the packaging looks great and they're really hyped up but honestly? i don't like the kate moss lipstick range. i also own the shades 016 and 005 which are more pink and i find them really difficult to apply, the lipstick isn't creamy and doesn't glide on, i end up having to use a lipbrush. all 3 shades also cling horribly to dry skin on my lips so unless you've got ultra flawless lips, this lipstick probably isn't for you. the 'lasting finish' part is true but unfortunately the lipstick only seems to last around the edge of my lips and fades really quickly in the middle meaning i have to reapply ALL the time, something you don't want to be worrying about when going about your day. the shade 001 is actually a nice red but it just doesn't wear well on my lips and i wouldn't buy any more lipsticks from the kate moss range.

would i recommend? no, these lipsticks aren't exactly a bargain price and just aren't creamy enough for me. they're very pigmented but don't wear very well and tend to fade quite quickly, not suitable for anyone who's prone to dry lips.

avon ultra colour lipstick

in the shade 'perfect red'

RRP £7.50 available here

i recieved this lipstick as part of a gift set from my grandma and i have absolutely loved it. i've used some avon products before, especially when i was younger but this is the first time a product of theirs has really impressed me. this lipstick is really pigmented and very creamy and gives quite a bold look so i usually use a lipbrush to make it a bit more precise and neater. you could however blot it on gently to get a more subtle look as it's really easy to apply and the colour transfers to the lip really easy, something i wasn't getting with the rimmel lipstick. the packaging is really pretty and looks very high quality in my opinion and i think that £7.50 is a really reasonable price for this lipstick. i carry it around with me all day to reapply but a little goes a long way and it's lasted me absolutely ages.

would i recommend? yes, this lipstick is really good value and gives a really good creamy, pigmented finish, everything you want in a red lipstick. i've actually recommended it to my mum and she has since purchased 2 shades (which obviously i'll be 'borrowing' from her...)

max factor colour elixir lipstick

in the shade 'chilli'
RRP £7.99 available here

the lipstick i've got has different packaging to the ones i can find online so i'm not sure what's going on there but basically this lipstick is bit sheerer than the others i've talked about and is a much darker red with a sort of shimmer going through it, it's really nice for autumn. as it's quite sheer, it's also a bit more subtle and easier to quickly slick on, it doesn't require as much precise work with a lipbrush (and a lot of cotton buds because i always smudge lipstick when i put it on!) in terms of price, £7.99 is quite expensive for this lipstick in my opinion as i'm not totally wild on the shade, it feels a bit more like a shade my mum would go for as i favour a brighter red. that being said, it is a really good quality lipstick and goes on easily with a creamy consistency. it wears fairly well and evenly without too much need to worry about reapplying.

would i recommend? yes, if you're looking for a less pigmented and bold lipstick then a max factor colour elixir lipstick is probably for you. there a loads of different shades available so it's worth having a look.

mac lipstick

in the shade 'russian red'

RRP £15.50 available here

now, i really wanted to love this lipstick. it's the first mac product i've ever owned and it seems like everybody raves about mac lipsticks, especially this shade. however, it wasn't my favourite lipstick. it really upsets me to say that but for £15.50 and the hype that surrounds mac, i just expected so much more. the lipstick is very pigmented which is great and it's a really flattering shade of red for my skintone but as with the rimmel kate moss lipstick i find it very hard to apply. it doesn't go on well at all straight from the bullet and i have to painstakingly apply with a lipbrush meaning it's something i only really reach for on a night out when i've got plenty of time to get ready and make a bit more effort. it also really clings to any dry skin on my lips and makes them look a lot drier than they are and i tend to get that dreaded ring of lipstick if i don't reapply enough, something you don't want to be thinking about on a night out!

would i recommend? maybe..it's worth trying to see if you like this lipstick because so many people seem to and obviously this is only my opinion! it is a beautiful shade of red and i will continue to wear it and buy mac lipsticks in future but maybe i would go for a sheer lipstick next time or one with a creamier texture.

thanks for reading! i feel like these posts can get a bit long with my rambling on but i always have so much to say. so if you manage to stick with it right to the end then well done and thanks! i really appreciate anyone reading my posts and especially all you lovely people that have followed me!

my new primark winter coat

coat - £25 primark

black turtle neck jumper - £5 primark

leopard print skirt - £38 topshop

black patent loafers - £15 sainsburys

so this is my first proper fashion post where i'm actually 'modelling' the clothes, albeit very awkwardly and in my garden. please excuse the awkward poses (kate moss i ain't!) but i just wanted to show off my lovely new winter coat which is surprisingly from primark! i've been at home this weekend and so took full advantage of the good lighting and got lots of pictures for some blog posts i'll be writing up later in the week! 

i was so shocked when i saw this coat in primark because it is just so lovely and definitely looks worthy of a spot on the rails of topshop/zara etc. i was even more surprised when i saw the price tag, can you believe this beauty was just £25! i got this very bright 'tomato' red shade as i quite like coats in bright colours, especially as most of my wardrobe is black/grey. it's also available in a gorgeous camel colour which to be honest i would've preferred but i cannot for the life of me find it anywhere, i have checked in three different primarks! i can only assume it's been snapped up because it's such a bargain and looks much more expensive than it is! if you've managed to get hold of one then i am very jealous of you!

as well as being very fashionable and lovely to look at, this coat is really good quality. it's made of a wool blend material and feels like it will wear really well. it's fairly thick which means it'll keep me snug even on very cold days and it's actually quite generous in size, this is a size 6 and fits me perfectly whilst keeping the oversized boyfriend look. the faux fur collar is detachable which means this coat will be really versatile and is even wearable right into spring, let's face it you need a coat pretty much all year round in england! the collar is also really soft and doesn't feel or look 'cheap' like some faux fur collars i've seen on coats in other shops, plus it feels like it won't shed hairs all over my clothes.

primark has a really wide range of coats, all in a similar price range to this and all really fashionable and on trend. i was pleasantly surprised at how many coats caught my eye, if you're looking for a winter coat but don't want to spend £80+  as most high street shops tend to charge for a coat then definitely pay primark a visit. you could even get two coats for the price of one and mix it up a bit, you can never have too many coats!

i've now reached 60 followers on bloglovin which is amazing, i didn't think anyone would read my blog at all so it really means a lot to me and encourages me to keep posting!

soap and glory cosmetics

i have been a massive fan of soap and glory for ages, every single christmas without fail at least one of my presents under the tree contains a selection of some of their gorgeous bath and beauty products. from shower creams and shampoo to body mists and lotions, i've tried a huge array of soap and glory products over the years and i'm absolutely in love with the brand. the retro packaging, amazing quality and gorgeous, girly scents have meant soap and glory has been a staple part of my bath or shower routine for a long time but surprisingly i had never tried any of their cosmetics range, until now.

i have had my eye on the 'kick ass' concealer for a while and on a recent trip to my local boots found there was a 3 for 2 offer on soap and glory make up. naturally i used this as an excuse to pick up a few more of their products to try out and i have not been disappointed. as with the bath and beauty range, the soap and glory make up also has the trademark retro, quirky packaging and is a little more pricey than other brands but is definitely not unaffordable, especially when most of the time there is some sort of offer on in boots!

kick ass concealer

RRP £10, available here

The 'kick ass' concealer is a 3 in 1 concealing kit which contains 2 concealers and a translucent setting powder as well as a mirror and a small pad to apply the powder. i purchased the kit in the shade 'fair' as i'm very pale and the shade suits my skin well. the shade on the left is designed for concealing under your eyes as the apricot tones counteracts purple/blue tones and the shade on the right has yellow tones and is designed for counteracting the redness of blemishes and spots on your face. the concealer has a really creamy consistency and blends really well, a little goes quite a long way. i found the shades blended into my skin very well and i was especially impressed by the way the apricot shade covered my dark under eye circles, perfect for making me look a bit more awake on early, winter mornings!

the concealer palette also contains a translucent powder and powder puff (see above) which really helps to set the concealer but is not at all cakey and doesn't cling to dry skin which other powders can tend to do. 

i am really enjoying using the kick ass concealer as an alternative to my trusty collection concealer. the fact there is a powder and mirror in the palette makes it feel a bit more luxurious and special to use and the packaging looks so pretty, it's almost a shame for it to be hidden in my make up bag!

kick ass instant retouch pressed powder

RRP £12 - available here

i've been alternating between using my stila pressed powder and the rimmel matte powder for ages now and whilst browsing the soap and glory stand, this pressed powder caught my eye. it promises to have 'superblur technology' to perfect your face and so i thought i would give it a try! i really like the compact as it comes with a mirror and is quite nice to whip out of your bag in public to 'powder your nose'. the powder actually lifts up to reveal a space to keep a powder applicator but i was disappointed that product didn't come with one included. 

the powder is fairly translucent and didn't leave my face feeling cakey at all, it didn't set into the creases around my nose or cling to dry skin like some powders tend to do. for the price i would've expected slightly more from the powder i.e. an applicator and i don't think this is as good value for money as the kick ass concealer, however i do like the product and it's worth a try if you're thinking of buying it yourself.

archery brow tint and pencil

RRP £10 - available here

archery is a double ended brow product with a 'felt tip' at one end which contains a tint and a brow pencil at the other end. the idea is to use the tint to brush on small strokes and fill in the colour of your eyebrows then to use the pencil end to sketch and perfect the shape of the brow. i bought this product as it was essentially 'free' due to the 3 for 2 offer (which is still on by the way!) and because i wanted to try out an alternative to filling in my eyebrows with my along came betty brow powder and real techniques brow brush.

i found the product very easy to use. the tint is quite subtle and brushes on gently and easily to fill in the sparser bits of your brows with a bit of colour. i then used the pencil to further define and shape my brows, the pencil is a bit more waxy to apply which really helps to set your brows in shape. 

the photo above shows swatches of the tint (top line) and the pencil (bottom line). as you can see, the tint isn't too pigmented so it doesn't leave you actually looking like you've filled in your brows with a felt tip pen. the product is only available in two shades, 'love is blonde' and 'brownie points'. i obviously went for brownie points as i have quite dark eye brows but found the pen wasn't too light for me so would probably suit all brunettes. it wouldn't be suitable for anyone with very dark or black eye brows but i did see other soap and glory eyebrow products which have slightly darker shades so they could be worth checking out if 'brownie points' is too light for you.

all in all i have been really impressed by the soap and glory cosmetics i bought, even after just a few uses. they are quite expensive compared to other drug store brands but it's nice to treat yourself every once in a while, especially when there is a 3 for 2 offer on. i would recommend you have a try of the soap and glory make up, especially if you haven't already done so. the packaging and names are gorgeous and really perk up my dressing table and so far i am loving the quality, especially of the kick ass concealer and archery brow product.

let me know if you've tried any of the soap and glory make up range, is there anything you recommend or would definitely never buy again?

save or spend - mascara

hello! it's been a bit longer than usual between posts as today was my first day back at university and i was very busy last week moving into my uni house and getting all organised. my timetable has been quite kind to me for the first few weeks of term so hopefully i'll have lots of time to do more blog posts (probably time i should spend doing uni work but oh well). one downside to being here in my uni flat is that it's probably THE darkest flat in the world and the only suitable place to take photos is on the window ledge in the living room (i've already had a few weird looks from the builders across the road) but i'm going to try and make it work!

i've decided to do a new little series of blogposts where i review and compare products from different price ranges and brands from budget to high end and see if it's worth spending a bit extra or saving your money! as a student i'm always on the look out for products which give high quality but for as low a price as possible. i'm going to start by looking at mascaras, an essential part of any girls make up bag and something i pretty much won't leave the house without (i look so ill and tired without it!).

seventeen superlash mascara 

RRP £6.99 available here

i consider seventeen at boots to be a bit of a 'budget' brand and so in my opinion £6.99 is quite expensive for one of their mascaras but i actually received this as a free gift as part of an offer when it first came out. the packaging is a little bit 'cheap' looking compared to other products in the same price range and as you can see, the brush is quite basic. this mascara is just ok, it coats my lashes and gives a bit of length but it doesn't do anything special. i didn't hate the mascara but i don't think i'd pay £6.99 for it. there are other mascaras by seventeen which i have tried previously and preferred such as the falsifeye mascara and i am a fan of the range as a whole, just not superlash!

would i recommend? no, the price doesn't reflect the quality in my opinion.

maybelline big eyes mascara

RRP £8.99 available here

 i have already done a more extensive review on this mascara which you can see here but basically, i love this mascara. the fact there are two brushes is absolutely perfect for someone like me who has very long lower eyelashes but struggles to apply mascara to them without getting it all over my face. the mascara is very lengthening and coats lashes evenly without leaving them too clumpy. i actually bought this whilst it was on offer and being totally honest i do feel that £8.99 is quite expensive for a brand such as maybelline,especially as the two mascaras below are cheaper but from slightly higher end drug store brands. i would repurchase this as it's a staple part of my make up routine at the moment and i think i'll still use the lower lash mascara even if i switch brands for my top lashes but i would probably wait for it to be part of an offer or in the sale. 

would i recommend? yes, perfect for giving upper and lower lashes length but perhaps look out for it being on offer or as part of a 3 for 2 etc.

bourjois volume glamour ultra care mascara

RRP £7.99 available here

the price of this mascara surprised me slightly as i consider bourjois to be at the more expensive end of drug store bands and usually expect to pay around £10 for one of their mascaras. this is a version of the volume glamour mascara but designed for sensitive eyes, something that intrigued me as i have very sensitive water-y eyes which is sometimes aggravated when i put eye make up on. the consistency of the mascara is quite thick and dry but i like that as it clings to my lashes and gives them a bit more volume. the brush, as you can see, is very rounded and thick, perfect for building up volume and coating every lash but isn't too big and bulky and so will suit even very small eyes. i definitely feel a difference sensitivity wise when i wear this mascara and so if you suffer from sensitive eyes it's perhaps worth a try. for the price the quality is good, i would probably expect to pay more for a bourjois mascara. 

would i recommend? yes, good quality brand and product for a reasonable price and suitable for sensitive eyes.

max factor 2000 calorie mascara

RRP - £7.99 available here

i was also surprised by the price of this mascara as i consider max factor to be at the highest end of drug store brands and have previously owned mascaras such as the false lash effect (which by the way is amazing) but retails for around £11. this mascara is fantastic value for money, the packaging is simple but not tacky and the writing does tend to rub off in your make up bag but that's to be expected. the name '2000 calorie' definitely suits the product, it gives my lashes a lot of volume but also lengthens them and the brush is a good size meaning the mascara is easy to apply. i would probably expect to pay more for a brand such as max factor so if you're looking for a good quality, everyday mascara which can be kept simple or layered for a more dramatic look, this is the mascara for you.

would i recommend? yes, max factor is, in my opinion, a higher end drug store brand and so £7.99 is a really good price for a mascara which is such good quality.

benefit they're real! mascara

RRP - £19.50 available here

this mascara is by far the most expensive at almost £20 and most people will have probably tried it by now as it's a bit of a cult fave in the blogging world. i am however, not a fan. don't get me wrong, the mascara works quite well, it really lengthens my lashes and coats them thoroughly and i love the packaging (as i do with all benefit products) but i just don't think it is worth such a hefty price tag. the brush is plastic-y and almost a bit uncomfortable to use, it definitely isn't a soft bristled mascara brush like most brands. this means it pretty much 'combs' through your lashes, the effect is quite nice but not everyone will be a fan, i think the brush feels quite cheap. the mascara is also a pain to get off, it definitely lasts all day which is a positive but come night time, it's quite waxy in texture and definitely requires more effort than usual to remove (so much so that benefit actually sell a remover designed just for this mascara!)

would i recommend? sadly no, i love benefit but this mascara just isn't worth £19.50. if you want to try it, i'd recommend buying the miniature version which is available in shops such as boots or getting a benefit gift set which includes a miniature 'they're real'. the gift sets are much better value for money than the full size products in my opinion. 

i hope you enjoyed these reviews, let me know which mascaras you love (or hate), i love getting comments! also, i just want to thank all of my followers, i've recently surpassed the 50 followers mark and i am absolutely made up that so many people want to read my posts, it really does mean a lot!