A beauty review: The Mascaras that I own.

Hello ♥

While putting on my makeup this morning i realised i have a lot of mascaras. I think this is because I'm extremely fussy when it comes to my lashes. If a mascara doesn't make my lashes look thick and long then i toss it to the side. I have wanted to write a review of my favourite product Maybelline's cat eyes for a while now and have decided to also review a couple of other that are in my makeup box as well. 

My best Mascaras. 

Maybelline the colossal volume express, cat eyes.  

I have been using this for nearly a year now and some how managed to avoid buying a new one. Just shows how much value for money the mascara is. It's a makeup product that i use every day and i have really struggled to find any other mascara to beat it. No, i haven't yet tried this Benefit they're real mascara that everyone is raving about. I just don't like the price of that one and have heard it dries out quickly. Will test it out one day when my curiosity gets the better of me.

The day i brought this mascara, i didn't really have one in mind. I wasn't into makeup last year so had no clue what where the best products on the market. I rushed and picked up the first one to catch my eye. You could say i judged it on the cover. Not the best thing to do but it was a good move in the end. With its bright yellow with leopard print details, it defiantly stood out among the hundreds of black mascaras. 

The wand itself is a curved 'spoon' type brush, This really works well on your lashes and now if i do treat myself to a different mascara i will probably look for this type of brush.  The brush is super easy to use and due to the bristles being so short, you can get right down to the eye to ensure you catch every lash as you stroke upwards.

Maybelline claims this mascara will give 'wide eye volume' and will 'flare out lashes for a bold cat evening look'. They are right. It really does. My lashes are lovely and long, almost giving the effect of false lashes (after a few coats). What i love the most about this product is that, having sensitive eyes myself, it does not affect them in any way. No sore, itchiness like most mascaras give me. The only negative if that if you cry or get caught in the rain the mascara begins to run. 

A mascara I didn't get on with..

Collection 2000 Skyscraper.

I saw this in my local pound shop and immediately thew it in my basket. I had no idea if was good or not, i just saw a bargain and snapped it up. 

Collection 2000 promise this mascara offers new super lengthening, clump free formula and also that the longer bristles on the brush coat your lashes from root to tip to deliver sky high length. 

When applied, it doesn't really show much or give you those va va vroom lashes which most girls like including me. However, it is nice for a soft day time look. It does lengthen a bit, and it does go on nicely but I just don’t see much else. I didn’t dislike this mascara entirely, but I wouldn’t buy it again. 

Another great mascara. 

Rimmel Scandel Eyes.

This mascara was not brought on impulse but recommended to me by a friend. I have always love Rimmel and never brought a bad product from their collection. This one didn't disappoint. I love how thick the brush is although this means i find it slightly difficult to apply on my little eyes. Lots of eye pokes etc. The great thing about it is that it picks up every single lash and really gives them extra volume. The brush also acts as a comb to brush out any clumpy build ups. I am also very impressed with how well the mascara stays on throughout the day, even if they get wet. Although, it is not as good as maybelline's cats eyes, this is still a great mascara and would defiantly recommend it. 

What mascaras are you loving at the moment? Feel free to leave a comment.
Gem x

Wearing Neon. Yes or no?

Hello ♥

So it looks like neon is going to be back for spring/ summer 2013. To be honest i think it will always be around especially during the warmer months. There is nothing like adding a bit colour into your look to match the cheerfulness of summer. 

I am very guilty of matching my wardrobe to my mood and to the weather. I wear a lot of deep colours such as reds, burgundies, browns and greys in the autumn, in the winter i seem to lean towards black, and then as soon as spring/ summer arrives you will see me wearing a lot of pastels and bright colours. Although i tend not to put myself in head to toe colour but instead to add a bit of colour pop to to my look. For example if i am wearing blue jeans and a casual white top, i like to add a neon belt or a coloured clutch/ handbag. I added a little example of this below, which shows how to follow the neon trend and still wear a simple LBD just by adding a few accessories. 

Neon - Turn Off the Lights! by latoyacl featuring cork handbags

This season i fancy being brave and treating myself to a pair of colour pop jeans like the ones below. I love these and think these will be gorgeous with a little white vest and sandals. I also fancy treating to myself to a mint green pair. Mint green is defiantly my favourite colour at the moment. The jeans cost a whopping £140 from mytheresa.com but most high street shops stock jeans of a similar nature.

Magic by asya-1 featuring travel handbags

I am also loving colour pop neon skirts. When i saw this one i fell in love although I'm not to sure i will be brave enough to wear it or if it will suit my pale skin. May have to get a few spray tans for it to look any good on me. This beautiful neon number is a bargain £16 from allyfashion.com although sadly i think it has now sold out. 

Think Neon! by bklana featuring black shoes

So what do you think? will you be adding neon to your wardrobe? will you go head to toe in this trend or are you like me and like to add a few neon accessories?

 Gem x

January so far.. A personal post

Hello,

Its 2013 already, wow. I really can't believe how fast 2012 went. It seems a lot of fellow bloggers, personal friends, and family are quite glad 2012 is over. I agree. For me 2012 was a huge rollercoster, containing many highs and too many lows for my liking. Also, other than starting this blog, i feel i haven't really achieved anything. I still can not drive, i am still a stay at home mum, and i still feel like I'm stuck in the bottom of a well. Im also still badly suffering with anxiety and feel this is what has stopped me from leaving the comfort of my shell. Feeling this way, i have decided to make 2013 my best year ever, starting with being over positive and throw all my negative feelings away. I have never before made new year resolutions as I'm bad at sticking to them but i want to write a blog post next year full of positive things i have achieved. So, i have decided to add a blog post at the end of each month, rounding up what i have been up to, what i have achieved, and what i have planned for the next month. This is more for me to keep track of my achievements and progress. Hopefully i'll be working, driving, a house owner, etc by 2014. 

January so far …

The first week of January has already been a great start for me. Instead of staying home, i got outside and did things for me. Every day i have been getting up early, walking the dog, cleaning the house and kept in touch with friends. 

The first day of January was welcomed with a few close friends, some fun drinking games, and watching the London fireworks on BBC. Its our favourite way to celebrate the new year.  No waiting in the rain for taxi's, no over priced shots or being a sardine in a over crowded nightclub. Plus we could actually talk and laugh. How did you guys bring in the new year? 

Most days have been spent ignoring my spending ban and hitting the sales, but in a positive way its kept me active and away from the left over chocolate. On wednesday i undertook my biggest achievement for this week  which was booking the very last ticket to see Les Miserables on London's  west end. I am not so keen on venturing into London on my own. I get very paranoid of people looking at me. The hardest part for me was sitting in the theatre alone. I felt a lot of eyes on me. I relaxed a lot though when i over heard a lady behind me saying that she was alone because her friend couldn't get tickets. Its nice to know you are not the only one in that situation. I am a huge huge fan of the show, and i admit i sat and cried on my own during the finale. I just thought to myself, ill never see the people sat next to me again. 

So thats January so far. Still some of the month left so will update the post at the beginning of February. 

From left: my new years outfit, top: les mis at the queens theatre, buckingham palace, shopping haul.

Whats inside my Glossy box December 2012

I was really excited to receive this months glossy box especially since it was going to be a festive edition. I have heard lots of great things about lasts years Christmas box so was hoping this one would be as good.

The box was a pretty silver rather than its usual pink, with black and silver starry tissue paper inside, tied with a silver ribbon. The usual menu of the contents was replaced with a large sheet explaining the contents in detail with a load of discount codes.

 

 

When I opened the box a disappointed look fell on my face. Although the box did smell nice (probably because the perfume was leaking) the products inside where not what the other girls were receiving. I felt a little bit upset that Ive paid £12 in total and did not receive the same amazing products. Most girls received eye palettes and a full sized Milkshake whipped conditioning cream. So i need to decide whether or not this is my last glossy box as i feel like I'm wasting my money. I have filled in the surveys but still get the wrong shades.

 

Anyway rant over, What did i get?

 

First up the tiny perfume sample: "Lemon" by Mary Greenwell.  

 

 Mary Greenwell is a famous British make up artist and this is her second fragrance. The "Lemon" perfume is very pricey,  costing £90 for a 100ml bottle or £60 for £50 ml. I didn't have to test this as the bottle has leaked all other the box so everything smells of this. In my opinion, this is not worth the price. I'm not a huge fan of citrus scents. I am more of a floral girl so this sample has unfortunately been placed in the bin.  

 

 

 

 

 

The next product is this nail varnish by Seche.

 

The shade is 'simplicity' which is a dull nude creme colour. This shade is not my cup of tea at all. Its too boring and plain for my liking. However, it does apply well and only really needs one coat to look professional.  A full size costs £9.95. If you like these nail polishes you can currently get buy one get one free from nailsbymail.co.uk with code: SecheGlossy.     

 

 

The worst, most disappointing product in the box is the Sleek true colour lipstick.

 

The shade is 'Amped' which is the brightness shade of pink Ive have ever seen. Very 80's. I really like sleek lipsticks, i think they are very good value for money at £4.99 but this isn't my shade. I'm quite boring when it comes to wearing bold colours so this little lipstick will be donated to a friend.

 

Product number four is the Magic Touch Cherry Blosson & Rice Milk body cream from Rituals.

 

 I think Rituals is a really great brand and the scent of this is so lovely! It's a really delicate scent and this promises to nourish the skin leaving it feeling silky soft. This is one of my favourites in this months box, and I'm really looking forward to using this one. The bottle is a nice sample size at 70ml. The website states that this is one of their best selling products with a 70ml size selling  for £5 and the larger 200ml tub is £20, a little on the pricey side, but worth the little splurge.

 

 

The fifth product is the Sebamed Anti dry day defence cream.

This a much needed product for me. With having to walk 5 miles a day for the school run in freezing temperatures, my skin is suffering. I have used it and i can say I'm quite impressed. There is no scent and has really done its magic on my dry patches. A 50ml bottle costs £9.99. Defiantly recommend giving this one a try.

 

 

This month Glossy box gave their subscribers a bonus product. Mine was this very pretty own brand blusher.

 

The shade is Glossy Rosewood. This is a very nice little extra. It looks a very suitable shade for my skin tone and will be defiantly adding this to my makeup bag.

 
Overall i thought this was a disappointing box, especially before Christmas. Some products i will keep but most will go to the bin or to friends. As always with Glossy box, I find myself jealous of other people’s boxes, but it is still a nice treat to myself once a month. I may wait till January's box to decided whether or not to carry on my subscription.  What do you think? What did you get in your boxes?

Gemma xx