Illamasqua Sculpting Duo

I have had a little bit of a splurge this month... It's been make up, make up, make up, dress... And no, none of those were Christmas presents they were all for me :-/ Oops! 

That being said, within the array of products I have purchased, some of them are now some of my favourite things to use on a daily basis, with this little treasure being one of them. 

I have been loosely trying to acheive the whole contoured look for over a year now  but never found the right colour blusher to sit with my skin tone. (Previously I was using a Mac matte blusher in Harmony and Gingerly for when I had some tannage going on) 

What this delicious little product does is that it makes the whole contouring this easy, and gives you the cheekbones you've always desired a la Kim K! And whether you like the girl or not, her make up always looks flawless. 

The two colours that you get in the palette are a soft brown - Heliopolis and a champagne gold - Lumos. 

Heliopolis is the perfect brown shade for us pale ladies which does not look in any way orange! Always a plus :-) the other benefit is that you can apply this colour with as much intensity as you like to suit your skin tone or the type of look you are trying to acheive.

For the day I use my sculpting duo with an angled blusher brush for a soft contour but I have been using my Illamasqua blush up brush (pictured below £28.50) for a more intense evening look. 

The Heliopolis shade can also be used as a bronzer, which I love because I hate that most bronzers are glittery or orange which is why Hoola by Benefit has always been a firm favourite of mine. 

Lumos is highly pigmented but does not look overly glittery on the skin - perfect combination in my opinion. 

The product comes in the usual Illamasqua black gloss square (I'm finding myself flicking through eyeshadow quads and powder foundations in my collection to find the correct one) it also comes with a mirror so is perfect for on the go. 

Retailing at £26 it's not cheap however, very little of the product is required to create the desired look so you will get your money's worth and your cheekbones will have never looked better! 

Rhian Xx

Sleek Brow Kit Review

Here is a guest blog post courtesy of the beautiful Miss Jody Watts

I have been following 'prettygreeneyes' for some time now and stumbled across the blog about the new Tesco beauty department and decided to see what the fuss was about. 

I was very impressed! I gravitated straight towards the 'Sleek' brand which I have never heard of before. The display was impeccable and the product packaging was really attractive (not to mention the prices). 

I usually use Benefit 'Primpcess' to fill my eyebrows in but I understand this has now been discontinued. I wasn't even looking to replace my current method (I've not run out just yet) but I was intrigued by 'Sleek'. 

Now onto the Product.

Sleek Brown Kit comes in two shades, dark and light and comes in a cute square compact case with a mirror attached (perfect for on the go touch ups) 
Within the case there is a small blending brush, an angled brush and a small tweezers. On the back of the packaging there are clear instructions on how to use the product (perfect if you are new to eyebrow makeup) 
The product itself includes pigmented wax to define and powder to blend. 
 
 
The wax is a really good consistency, it is thin enough to glide on with ease but thick enough to make an impact. I found that the more you put on, the darker the look so you are best off putting it on thin and adding more if necessary. The angled brush is very effective for creating the desired shape but can be a little fiddley as it is so small. The powder goes on evenly and blends well with the wax. The powder is considerably lighter than the wax which compliments the contours of the brow. 
All in all I am extremely happy with the overall finish. It was a quick and easy application and I will definitely be using this in the future. The only drawback would be the length of the brushes but At £8.49 I really can't complain and it didn't effect the overall finished look! 

Definitely worth a try!! 

9/10 

Thanks Jod! Looks fab!! And for £8.49 it looks very similar to the Benefit BrowZings for less than half the price. 

Ultimate Supermarket Beauty by TESCO

We've all been there... Wandering around a supermarket to pick up the odd bit of make up because it's convenient. 

I don't know about you but as someone who gets happiness out of make up shopping and trying products out I find the whole prospect of supermarket make up some what soul destroying, and not because of the product. Some supermarket own brand product is great! But it just never feels like I'm getting a treat. 

Until now... My local Tesco (Talbot Green) has had a complete make over (excuse the pun) on ots entire health and beauty department and I have to say. It's FABULOUS! 

Now before you get too excited let me manage your expectations. You are not going to see your favourite department store brands in Tesco, but the layout is exciting and bright... Gone are the usual racked units all the same with boring branding. Tesco have upped their game entirely while still understanding the market that they are in. The brands that they have in branch are pitched at the right level to the usual supermarket shopper, however it's colourful and enticing and there are also beauty advisors on hand to help out! 

Some of the brands now available are; 

Barry M

Fake Bake

Sleek 

In addition to the classics;

Max Factor

Maybelline 

Collection

Lorèal

Bourjois

Sally Hansen 

But this is no ordinary run of the mill Boots rip off beauty hall. Oh no! This beauty hall comes complete with beauticians and manicurists - no appointment required. 

The brow and nail bar is named Beauty by Regis and you can have everything from threading to tints and false lashes applied. The nail bar also offers manicures using OPI colours and gel polishes. 

Pricing is extremely competitive with treatments from £5. 

The Brow and Nail bar is running opening promotions until November 30th which include;

3 for 2 Threading Services

£10 OPI Gel Colour

Opening times of the bar are; 

Monday - Saturday 10am-8pm

Sunday 10am-4pm

Well done Tesco! I'm impressed. 

There's a couple of quick snaps below but be sure to check it out for yourselves. 

Rhian Xx

Illamasqua Empower Palette

I've had this palette for quite a while now... Yet I've hardly used it. 

As far as Illamasqua eye palettes go, I have two. This one and my favourite eyeshadow quad of all time the Compliment Palette - 4 shades which perfectly suit my green eyes. 

Back to the Empower Palette. 

The four shades you get are;

Blink - an ultra natural matte shade, great for contouring the eye to create depth. 

Synth - a highly pigmented pink, ideal for highlighting the brow bone. 

Slick - a liquid metal shadow in charcoal grey. 

Fervent - a blue/brown shade with a reddish undertone. 

     

Each of the shades are excellent in their own right and mix well with other Illamasqua colours. 

As you would expect the colours are long wearing and easily blendable. 

It's also easy to mix these shades with each other to create other striking colours. 

I don't wear this palette as often as the colours aren't as natural as those in the compliment palette but I have had a little play around today and I'm happy with the results. Teamed with a little slick of black eyeliner to finish it off. 

The palette retails for £34. 

The products used in this image are as follows;

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Illamasqua Empower Palette (all colours used)

Illamasqua Eyebrow Cake in Thunder

Bobbi Brown Gel Liner

Benefit They're Real Mascara 

My lashes are Eylure fine to full individual lashes which have been on for 5 days so you will need to excuse them slightly. 

Rhian Xx

e.l.f Cardiff

For those of you who don't already know, or that I haven't already told - I have some exciting news for you!

There is now an e.l.f store in Cardiff. 

This is extremely exciting news. 

For those of you that don't know e.l.f stands for Eyes Lips Face (simple huh?) It was born in New York in 2004 and it's mission was to provide consumers with quality cosmetics and low prices. The brand has been in the UK since 2007 and it's Head Office is based in Swansea. Last month e.l.f opened a store in my beloved Cardiff and I have been hooked since! 

The store is located in the Royal Arcade just off The Hayes and St Mary's Street and I promise you, once you have paid a visit you will be going back for more. 

There are some great gift sets for Christmas with some fab eye make up pallets for as little as £5, nail polishes all at £2.50 and brushes at around £3.75. They also sell essentials like brush cleaner, primers and also have a mineral range. 

So far I've picked up; 

Eye Contour Brush

Angled Blush Brush

Glitter Applicator

Flawless Concealer Brush

Eyeshadow "C" Brush

Blusher - Merry Berry

Glitter Gloss - Sparkling Wine

Lustrous Eyeshadow - Festivity

Glitter Application Glue 

Maximum Coverage Concealer 

All this has come to around £35 which is a bargain! 

Check out the website http://eyeslipsface.co.uk and I guarantee that you will not leave the store empty handed. 

Once you've visited let me know your thoughts. 

I will be blogging about some of my products soon! 

Rhian Xx

Essie - After School Boy Blazer and Cashmere Bathrobe

I know that you may all be bored by my numerous Essie nail polish posts but I have to say that it has become my "Go To" range of polishes, it's also available in my local Boots store which means that I don't have to go to a Salon or in to Cardiff to pick up a good quality polish. Also at £7.99 it's sits below the likes of Nails Inc. and OPI which makes it a perfect pick up. 

After School Boy Blazer

I've been fancying this shade for a while now, having seen it in lots of press and marketing plus some fab shots on Instagram of people wearing it. 

It's a dark navy polish and as you would expect with Essie the coverage is impressive. It's a perfect alternative to my usual Autumn/Winter shade choices of dark reds and mulberry's. 

coat. 

It also looks amazing when used with Essie's Matte About You top coat. 

Cashmere Bathrobe

At the same time as purchasing After School Boy Blazer I also picked up Cashmere Bathrobe, which is a dark grey polish with a slight silver speckle. This is great for anyone that wants a little sparkle but doesn't want wow in your face glitter. It's also a perfect Christmas shade away from reds or golds. 

Which one would you wear?

Rhian Xx

Nails Inc. Gel Effect Nail Polish

I got so excited when I first saw this product in Debenhams. So much so that I bought it straight away. 

Only available in four colours; Kensington High Street, St James, Bond Street and Porchester Square I opted for Kensington High Street which is a mulberry shade, perfect to wear with any outfit this autumn winter. 

On first application I note the following; it is much harder to apply a polish with a square lid as opposed to a round one - yes that may seem a small thing and I'm sure that BUTTER London would disagree with me, but for me it's not as comfortable to apply. That aside, coverage is good and it does offer the plumping effect that it suggests. 

I did purchase the gel top coat in addition to the polish to give it an extra finish, however having previously had a Nails Inc. Gel Manicure this polish still doesn't have the lustre and shine you get from having a gel manicure but in comparison it's only £14, so let's not expect miracles here! 

Now don't get me wrong, the polish does have the desired plumping effect it advertises as I mentioned before, it does even out the nail and any imperfections are hidden and when first applied it looks flawless. My biggest issue with this polish? .... Staying Power. Each time I have applied this polish I have been disappointed by how long it was stayed without a chip on my nail both with and without a gel top coat the staying power is poor. I can barely go two days without a chip and normally a polish and top coat will last me at least 4-5 days. 

If you like the look and finish of gel nails without the price tag then this is perfect and the colour selection is strong as despite it being only four shades it covers the essentials - Red, Nude, Purple, Mulberry. 

I just can't seem to get it to last on my nail as long as I would expect for a £14 polish. 

Have you tried this product? How did you get on with it? 

Rhian Xx

      

My Perfect Nude

Now I love a nude lip... And for a long while favoured varying shades of nude over dramatic colour. 

However amongst my many nude lip products I hadn't found "The One" The One nude lip colour which was just perfect for me... Not so pale it washed me out and not too pink either. 

I personally prefer the texture of lipgloss to lipstick, that said I don't like a tacky lipgloss - nobody likes their hair attached to their lips! 

I am writing this blog post because I think I have found My Perfect Nude - "What is it!?" I hear you cry. (Maybe not as dramatic as that but you get the picture) 

Well the award for My Perfect Nude goes to Revlon and their Super Lustrous lip gloss in Super Natural. 

This is not only the perfect shade for me, but it was a smooth texture, not sticky while offering a shiny finish. The colour itself isn't tonal and offers no glittering shimmer or pearlescent finish but it is simply perfect. 

It's great for day and night wear and it also offers an SPF of 15 while being highly moisturising. 

And all this for £7! Thinking of trying a few wintery shades in this gloss so will keep you posted. 

Do you have a perfect nude? If so what's yours? 

Rhian Xx

Make Up Forever Pro Finish Powder

Your eyes do not deceive you, it is me! I'm back - it's been a chaotic few weeks which had meant that I've not found time to blog. So as it's Sunday afternoon and I'm at a loose end I thought I would treat you to a post :) I can tell you're all pleased. 

Now, the product I am reviewing here is Make Up Forever Pro Finish powder foundation which I picked up in Sephora - Barcelona on a recent holiday. 

I wouldn't normally stray away from my longest standing product in my make up bag, my MAC studio fix powder foundation - but there was lots of hype around this product in store and so I was captivated. 

This powder can be applied wet or dry so you can customise how you wear it, but for me powder foundation sits on top of my liquid foundation to mattify my skin. I have never found a product that comes close to my MAC powder but this one has changed my mind. So much so that since purchasing, I've used it every day. 

The texture is slightly lighter and doesn't sit as heavy on the skin but still provides to matte, even finish to my complexion that I love. 

I apply my powder with a brush rather than a sponge but a sponge is provided if that's how you prefer to wear your foundation and is also handy if you apply the product wet - something which I don't do. 

I was matched as colour 120 - Neautral Ivory but it is available in 24 different shades. 

The only draw back? It's pretty pricey. I picked mine up during a 15% off event in Sephora but now I'm home and looking onlinev upwards of £35 for 10g. 

I do love this product but my bank balance prefers the MAC studio fix option and whilst I would purchase this product again I would keep it for going out rather than everyday wear. 

Have you tried Make Up Forever products? What did you think of them? 

Rhian Xx

OPI Liquid Sand - Alcatraz Rocks

This is my first OPI Liquid Sand purchase, I never really fancied one before but this colour looked amazing so I had to buy it! 

Application is quick and easy and you don't need a steady hand to apply this polish as it's pretty fool proof. Coverage is great in one coat but two coats looks better and there is no need for a top coat. 

The only draw back is that I didn't find it as long lasting as normal nail polish and it did chip quite quickly - it was however easy to top up on any chips as the coverage is good and it blended in. 

As with any textured polish it is a nightmare to get off but if you have enough time to soak it, it will come off easily. 

OPI liquid sand polish is available online but I purchased mine in John Lewis for £11. 

Have you tried liquid sand? 

Rhian Xx

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow

I have been meaning to write this post for weeks, but it's only now that I've got around to playing with this eyeshadow and creating a look with it. 

I've used it a few times and had a number of compliments on it..

       

Moondust is a highly pigmented range of shadows from Urban Decay - I opted for Zodiac which is a lush green colour and very sparkly. 

The product applies easily, and can be applied wet or dry. Applying the product wet gives a far more intense look. 

It isn't only sparkly but it has great staying power and very little fallout happens on the cheeks while applying. 

Far easier and neater to apply than loose pigment, while still giving the intense sparkly effect. 

Available in 7 dazzling shades and retailing for £14 - it's a must have if you like sparkle on your eyes as much as I do with little fuss. 

Especially as it can be applied effectively with your finger tips. 

I have combined the Moondust with a nude lipstick from Mac. 

I also applied my eyeshadow on top of a darker base to make the colour stand out more. 

     

Hope you like :) 

Rhian Xx

Twist and Out Nail Polish Remover

You may remember a while a go I reviewed Maybelline's new Express Nail Polish remover. 

If you can't.. Or you've never read it - shame on you! But here it is again for your reading pleasure! 

http://prettygreeneye.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/maybelline-expres-nail-polish-remover.html?m=1

After purchasing that product... My lovely Step Mum came back from Aberystwyth one weekend with a little gift for me. This!  

Twist and Out nail polish remover, which operates fundamentally the same way as the Maybelline Express nail polish remover. Except this one costs... Wait for it! £1!! And is available from Poundland. 

     

The pot is much smaller than the Maybelline one but that can be handy if you are wanting to travel with it... The foam inside is also not as dense which means removing a polish takes a little bit more work - but let's not forget. It only costs a pound! 

Despite it taking longer to remove a polish, it's still affective and works well. Even on dark polishes which are notoriously stubborn to move. 

I've used this product a few times now and it is showing no signs of drying up. It's also much less fuss than having to use multiple cotton wool pads. 

For £1 you can't really complain about this product. And it's acetone free so is suitable on acrylic or gel nails. 

£1 well spent! :-) 

Rhian Xx

Montagne Jeunesse - Dead Sea Mud Spa Mask

You may not be able to pronounce the name of this company (I struggle) but you would have almost certainly seen these products... Montagne Jeunesse offer a wide range of face masks for different purposes at around 99p - £2.00. 

I was sent some masks a while ago (this is a very delayed post - oops) to try and to tell you my thoughts... So here goes. 

The mask I tried was the Dead Sea Mud mask... Intended to invigorate my skin. Suitable for Combination, Normal and Oily skin. 

   

The product comes as a pre coated mask, which you simply place over your skin and smooth over, avoiding any product mess with an all over cream face mask. I'll be the first to admit that the mask isn't the most glamorous, but then is any face mask? 

     

The product is cooling and soothing when first places on the skin - intended to be worn for around 10-15 minutes, removed, any excess massaged in to the skin and then rinsed and patted dry. 

It's at this point you realise how much easier it is having the coated mask rather than having to try to wash off mounds of stickiness from your skin. 

My skin felt softer after application, and make up application was also nice after using the mask. I also felt that my usual combination skin looked far more matte than usual for the remainder of the day.  It was a perfect little pick me up, and at £1.49 everyone deserves a little pamper time now and again. 

These products are great for girly nights in and pamper parties and won't break the bank balance. 

To find out more about the brand and the products visit http://www.montagnejeunesse.com/ 

Rhian Xx

*sample*

Individual Lashes - Bliss Beauty (Talbot Green)

I recently went to Bliss Beauty by Cerys in Talbot Green and had individual eye lashes added.... I have only ever been to the salon once previously which was for an eyelash tint and that was a few years ago. 

The salon is located in Talbot Green near Llantrisant and it is a nice small local salon with friendly staff. 

I had the lashes applied on Saturday afternoon and they are meant to last for 2-3 days - I was advised that with careful care they should last for about a week... 

I would be lying if I said that the adhesive didn't sting my eyes - but was told it was the fumes rather than the actual adhesive that was causing the aggravation. 

The process of applying the lashes only took 1/2 an hour and I was very pleased with the results. 

It made a massive difference, and I had a mixture of short and medium lashes which were black. 

The lashes ending up lasting until the following Saturday - I lost a few over the week but the overall look was still there.

The treatment was £17 for a full set and infills are available. 

Perfect for a party or an event as they are very natural looking and far less agitating than strip lashes without the fear of them peeling off. 

Would you consider these lashes? 

Visit Bliss Beauty's website for more details. 

http://www.blissbeautybycerys.co.uk/

Rhian Xx

Illamasqua - Hydra Veil Primer

As shocking as this sounds, I actually wrote a post about this product weeks ago, but in typical ditsy fashion didn't save it! Yes... I'm a muppet. 

So here I am writing it again, which I'm happy to do because I cannot begin to tell you how in love with this product I am. 

I didn't purchase this product when it was first released as I wasn't sure if it was going to be suitable for my combination skin, and at £27 it wasn't a risk I wanted to take. I read a few reviews and was finally recommended it by my lovely friend Sheenie so I finally decided to purchase it. 

The product is a gel based formula, and only a small amount is needed to cover the face. 

The idea is that Hydra Veil creates the perfect base for your foundation, hydrating any dry patches and then acting like a magnet enabling you to use less foundation but still create perfect smooth coverage - it does all of those things! The product also makes your foundation last all day without the need for reapplication of any product (I sometimes suffer with an oily t-zone but with this it's been completely banished. 

When I purchased this product I was already using the Benefit Stay Flawless 15 hour primer, but after trying this my Benefit primer has been left at the bottom of my make up bag. 

I couldn't be happier with this product - the results are great which is positive because at £27 it is an investment. 

The packaging is also pretty nifty, coming with a handy little spoon allowing you to only use the pea sized amount required. 

Have you tried Hydra Veil Did it work for you? 

Rhian Xx

Maybelline Express Nail Polish Remover

Could this be the answer to every girls nail varnish removing woes?

I wear nail vanish all day, every day and that is 365 days a year - there is not one single day that goes by when there is not a polish slicked over my nails. With that in mind you wouldn't believe the amount if nail polish remover or cotton wool pads I go through - also the countless times I've been there rubbing my nails to remove the most stubborn dark shades of polish or worse - glitter! 

Maybelline have brought out this Express Nail Polish remover (£4.99) which is a tub, with a foam lining and a small gap where your finger is inserted. You simply dip your nail in to the middle of the tub turn slightly to make sure you have covered the nail, remove and voila! The polish is gone. 

It's very quick and simple and even works well on dark colours which can be stubborn, glitter is also removed quickly which is a bonus!

The polish to be removed - Essie Sole Mate
Thanks to Ol' Ma Sha for modelling

 

Results after one dip - polish has started to dissolve

 

After second dip, polish is completely removed

Now... It is great for finger nails but you can't banish your traditional method yet as you will need these for your toes. 

Have you tried this product yet? What did you think?

Rhian Xx

Illamasqua Rare Polish

This isn't a review as such... It's more about me telling you how much I love this shade of nail polish!

Unsurprisingly Illamasqua offer something different to everything else out there at the moment with this bright neon yellow polish. 

Coverage is excellent as you would expect and the vibrancy on the nail is as bright as it is in the bottle. 

Retailing at £14.50 it's going to be a marmite product however I'm on the love it side. 

This product would look amazing with a tan.... And lends itself to any party atmosphere. 

If your off to Ibiza this summer this is a must have polish to take on your travels! 

Love it!! 

Rhian Xx

Clinique Nail Polish - Strappy Sandals

Clinique have launched a new range of nail polishes. 

Clinique say the following about their product

"NEW A Different Nail Enamel. Glossy, long-wearing colour available in an array of pretty shades. Allergy tested and safe to use for sensitive skins, helps reduce the chances that eyes will burn, itch or water with contact"

I don't suffer for any of the above, but I will say that I am impressed with this polish, simply as a polish. 

I applied this shade - Strappy Sandals (Silver) to my toes rather than my finger nails because I'm not sure it's a shade I personally could put up with on my finger nails. But for my toes... I love it. Especially as I am still a little tanned. 

One coat of this polish was enough, as coverage was great and application was smooth and consistent. Very little polish was needed at all in fact. 

It has a similar affect on toes to a minx nail finish - at a third of the price. 

Retailing at £12 it's quite pricey as you can pick up brands such as OPI, Jessica and Essie for £11 or less. 

However if you do suffer from the above the price point would be justified not to suffer. 

Available in 14 shades ( Two which are limited addition, of which Strappy Sandals is one) 

Rhian Xx 

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturiser

 

If someone were to ask me, how often I moisturised my body my answer would simply be... probably not often enough.... and that's simply a time factor, but when there is time I tend to use a variation of cocoa butter.

When I saw the Vaseline Spray and Go advertised I got very excited - could this be the answer to every busy ladies prayers?

I opted for cocoa butter as this is my usual "go to" moisturiser.

Now what I will say is "Was I the only person that got the impression from the advert that you simply sprayed this on, it absorbed in a few seconds and you were done, good to go?"

Now maybe I wasn't paying enough attention to the advert.... but the above is not the case.

I was expecting a consistency similar to the aerosol spray tan - sort of a dry mist that would dry almost instantly. Unfortunately this was not the case... The product still needs to be rubbed in to the skin, and this is possibly the most disappointing part of the product.

I also don't feel like I am getting as much moisture in to my skin as I would with a traditional moisturiser, but this could be a psychological thing as the mist is far lighter and less dense than your usual moisturiser.

Despite me not being overly fond of this product, as it is not the miracle product that I was expecting, I have been using it every day as it is convenient and despite having to rub it in a little, its much quicker than the conventional type.

Available in; Cocoa Butter, Aloe and Oat each offering varying benefits depending on what you are looking for.
Retails for around £4.99


Rhian Xx

*I must add that I've since had to stop using this product as it irritated my skin, causing it to peel*

Benefit - Sun Beam Highlighter

How does that song go now? Oh yes....

I've got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine! 

How apt for me to talk about this product from Benefit which is literally sunshine in a bottle. 

It's summer time, and how many of us can honestly say that they don't long for the golden glow that summer time brings!? 

Me!? I love having a tan - and I've been trying to catch as much as possible while we've had the nice weather (although it is meant to rain the rest of this week *boohoo*) 

I'm a big fan of certain Benefit products, in particular their highlighters and cheek and lip tints. My favourite being Cha Cha tint which compliments Sun Beam perfectly. 

Most beauty fans will know that High Beam is a staple Benefit beauty product, which offers a subtle pink highlight - some may also be familiar with Moon Beam - which was in fact my first ever Benefit purchase! (many years ago now) 

So why Sun Beam? 

I am a fan of bronzer, and where most bronzers a contain glitter pigments - I am not a fan of this finish, I much prefer a matte look to my bronzer (my favourite being Hoola by Benefit) with all that matte finish on my face I need something to highlight my cheek bones and brow bones and that's where this product comes in! 

It's perfect for adding a subtle golden glow to your skin - even if you chose not to wear make up on holidays adding a little highlight never hurt anyone and this product is perfect for that! 

If your anything like me, I favour coral lip and cheek shades during the summer and this product really makes those colours pop. 

It retails for £19.50 - which is a big investment but it will last you a long time, as anyone that has previously purchased High Beam will know. 

I first picked up this product in an issue of Glamour magazine and I fell in love - so keep your eyes peeled if they run this promotion again! 

Rhian Xx

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow

I'm sure we would all love a cream eyeshadow that didn't cake or fade away in to the creases on our lids... Step up Maybelline's Color Tattoo 24 hour gel-cream eyeshadow. 

I purchase this product a while ago, but for one reason or another it's never been at the top of my blogging pile, which is a shame because it is in fact great! 

It is a highly pigmented cream eyeshadow that sticks like no other cream eyeshadow I have tried before. 

It can be worn in a number of different ways; 

Alone - the product offers a lovely sparkle which can be as intense or subtle as you make it. Perfect for anyone who isn't sure about applying eye shadows - and quick and easy as you can apply with your finger. 

Base - this product is great for applying a loose pigment on top of. Especially if the pigment is of a similar shade. 

Eyeliner- there is no reason why this product can't be applied as a gel eye liner for a small hint of colour. 

Now whether this product actually lasts for 24 hours is something I will never have to worry about as my make up never stays on that long - however I have applied in the morning and the colour is still there before I remove it for bed - Maybelline claim this product to be "Fade Resistant" but after 12 hours the shade is slightly faded. 

The colour I opted for was 35 - On and on Bronze. But it is available in 12 shades from intense blues and purples to more subtle natural shades such as the one I selected. 

This product usually retails for £4.99 and is available nationwide. 

Rhian Xx

Collection Gel Liner - Brown

It's a rather bleak looking Sunday morning... so what better to brighten your day than to tell you about a great product that won't hurt your bank balance! 

For those unfamiliar with gel liners, this is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to them at a budget price. 

In typical Collection style, this product sells for about £4-£5. I purchased mine in Tesco, on offer for £4 and for that it also includes a mini brush for application. 

I opted for brown, as I already have a black gel liner from Bobbi Brown but this range is also available in; Black, Gold and Teal. 

Application may require a little practise the same as any eyeliner, but a gel liner can provide a smoother and softer look to a liquid liner and also a more intense finish than a kohl liner - I find them perfect for applying on top of eye shadows to complete a look. 

This product promises 12 hour wear, I wore mine for about 10 hours and it held up pretty well. The colour wasn't as intense as it was after first application but then that's normal.

(I will say for anyone looking to invest more in a gel liner that the Bobbi Brown one I wear does not budge but retails for about £17.50 and the brush would be an additional cost) 

I opted for the brown shade for a softer day time look. 

The brown has a slightly reddish tone to it which is perfect for my eye shade. 

The brush isn't half bad either! The product applies very well and with great instant coverage.

I have found that even when ensuring that gel liners are tightly closed at all times they can tend to dry out, so will be keeping a close eye on this one. But for £4 this product is an absolute bargain! 

Rhian Xx

The Body Shop Natural Lip Roll On - Coconut

This is going to be my first of a few Coconut based posts....

Now to give a little background as to why... If Craig David were to ask me "What's your flavour" my immediate answer would be coconut. 

I love anything coconut fragranced from candles to sun cream! 

And it was upon a recent visit to The Body Shop that I really filled my boots! 

I picked up this 100% natural lip roll on because I am always conscious of getting dry, cracked lips. Also it being a roll on, it's easy to apply with no sticky mess. 

The product is super moisturising and smells delicious! Being 100% natural it is also non tacky.. But leaves your lips fabulously smooth and soft! 

It's also great for anyone who normally opts for a clear lipgloss as it gives that finish, with added moisturising benefits and your hair won't get stuck to it! 

It retails for £4 in Body Shop Stores and online and is available in other flavours if coconut isn't for you. 

-Berry

-Rose

-Mint

-Orange

The Body Shop are also running an online promotion on this line at the moment where two can be purchased for £3.50 when entering LIPS at the checkout. 

Rhian Xx

Illamasqua Precision Ink in Glister

Illamaqua is renowned for it's bold looks, but they also do subtle very well too.

I am a huge fan of Illamasqua products, and this is one of the first Illamasqua products I ever purchased, and thought it was a great time to talk about it as I noticed it is currently featured in the Illamasqua online sale for £10.00 - which is a bargain!
 http://www.illamasqua.com/shop/products/sale-10-1/precision-inks/glister-precision-ink



Precision inks are liquid eyeliners, and they are amongst the easiest to apply that I have ever used - it has a fine felt tip which makes application simple. - they are also waterproof!

Glister is a nude liner, with subtle hints of pink and purple sparkles, which catch the light perfectly for subtle glamour.

This shade is great for anyone who doesn't like a lot of eye make up, or any one that just loves a little added sparkle. It also makes your eyes look brighter....



For my make up look today I have used Glister on my eyes along with Mac eye shadows in Espresso, Embark and All That Glitters. Teamed with Illamasqua lipstick in Obey.

Snap this product up for £10 while you can - you will love it!

Rhian Xx

Benefit Stay Flawless - 15 Hour Primer

This is a slightly delayed post.... Unfortunately I missed the Stay Flawless blogging event in Bristol for the launch of this product as I was away sunning myself in Portugal.... Nevertheless I have finally got my hands on it.

Before I reviewed this product after one days wear, I thought it would be better to review after a few days, and it couldn't have gone through a tougher test because for the days I trialled it, I was in a sweltering hot office and then London town in 32 degree heat!

So how did it stack up?

Great! I have tried loads of primers, particularly because I have combination skin and I also do not reapply my make up throughout the day so I like to buy product that will last.

The product comes in a stick format, which is very handy for quick application, when applying I draw a number 3 on my face - starting at my forehead, round to my cheek and then back out to the chin. I then buff out using a brush to ensure an even coverage.
The product applies transparently to the skin and unlike other primers I have used it doesn't feel heavy or like a mask on my skin.
Using the primer means that I use a lot less foundation while still achieving the same level of coverage.

Now as I mentioned I wore this product on some of the hottest days we have seen for years and I was still impressed. My foundation stayed put and it improved the overall appearance of my skin. However I would say, that if you are looking to this primer to prep the skin and minimise pores you are looking in the wrong direction as the product does not target pores. For that I would recommend Benefits Porefessional. The two products combined together make for near perfect skin.

Being Benefit the Stay Flawless primer isn't the cheapest around at £24.50 (15.5g) but a little goes a long way.

Would this product be a regular feature to my make up collection? Yes, at the moment it is my favourite primer.

Do you wear a primer? If so what is your go to product?

Rhian Xx

Make Up Trials

Hello everyone! 

This is not a blog post as such.... More of an offer...

Looking for opportunities to get my creative juices flowing - and am interested in offering make up trials to people in the Llantrisant, Talbot Green, Pontyclun ( and surrounding within reason) areas. 

With eye make up being the main focus...

(Full make up trials and nail looks will also be available if requested)  

If you are interested please email me for details and to arrange an appointment. 

There is a contact me page on my blog so you should be able to find all my details there; 

Have a great day - hope to hear from you soon! 

Rhian. Xx

*please note that depending on the trial and location - a fee may be charged* 

Nars Night Clubbing Eyeshadow

This is my first ever Nars eyeshadow purchase.... and I love it! 

A deep black with golden hints of sparkle make for a perfect dramatic eyeshadow. 

This shade is great for all over the eye, or for contouring depending how brave you are with colour.

As the shade is highly pigmented it doesn't look harsh on the eye like some dark shadows can, but it can be applied wet to intensify the colour. 

I have used it all over my eye in the picture below, and highlighted the inner corner using Urban Decays "Half Baked" my favourite gold shade. 

£18.00 may seem a lot for a single eyeshadow, but it has great staying power, and the packaging includes a mirror which is rare for a single shadow. 

How would you wear this eyeshadow? 

Would you recreate this look? 

Rhian Xx