Rimmel Waterproof Gel Liner

I've recently fallen in love with gel liners after purchasing the Bobbi Brown liner. But there are a number of alternatives out there... So what are the budget gel liners like?
I recently purchased the new Rimmel Waterproof gel liner in Aubergine (because I already have a black gel liner this seemed to be the next most suitable colour for me, especially for my green eyes)
I applied the liner before work this morning (8am) and now at 8pm (12 hours later) the eyeliner has stayed put. It has lost a little depth to the colour but nevertheless it is still there.
The application was surprisingly easy, the packaging itself houses the applicator brush cleverly in its lid - this is a great idea especially if like me you misplace your brushes on numerous occasions. The added benefit to a shorter brush also is that there is more control over the strokes so application is swift and pretty mistake free. (If you have never applied a gel liner or liquid liner it may require a little practise to keep your hand steady)

I was very impressed - whether this liner lasts 25 hours like it suggests on the packaging is something I will never attempt to find out but it's a great buy and once you get use to the application you may find (like I have) that you prefer using a gel liner to a liquid or a kohl liner as it can double up as both.

The Rimmel liner is available in 3 shades
- Black
- Deep Blue
- Aubergine
Retail price is £6.49

Have you tried a gel liner? What are your favourite brands?

Rhian Xx

Essie Glitter Polish - Beyond Cozy

Not that I wish to bombard you with Essie nail polish posts, but as I blogged about Sole Mate earlier on today, I thought I would take the opportunity to talk to you about my other Essie purchase - Beyond Cozy, a delicious gold glitter polish.

For those who have read my blog before you will know that I love anything that glitters. And despite already owning a glitter nail polish when I saw this one, I had to have it.
This is because its not a brash harsh yellow glitter, it's a subtle shade and is perfect for teaming with other shadows with an accent nail or as a glitter ombré look.
The coverage of this glitter is great, unlike the Jessica Glitterati polish I blogged about last week, this is not best used as a top coat because in all honesty it will completely cover over what you've already painted.

One coat is all you need for great coverage, and as its a glitter polish is dries quickly too.

A perfect party shade.

Rhian Xx

Illamasqua False Eye Lashes - 17

I LOVE Illamasqua false eye lashes, and I say that with confidence, despite only ever having previously tried one style (#14)

So when I recently visiting the Illamasqua sale online, I opted for a new style - and at £5 it's hard to say no really!

The style I opted for was #17. These are slightly denser than my usual #14 lashes and are a less conventional style. I would normally be dubious but the Illamasqua website offers a video showing all their lash styles being modelled - fabulous idea!

Illamasqua lashes come with a great adhesive, which applies in a blue shade but dries clear. The glue will guarantee your lashes stay on all night and the lashes are really comfortable even when worn with contact lenses.
The lashes are also not too long, so can be worn by glasses wearers also.
The band on the lashes is thick, and they can be worn on numerous occasions without then losing any shape at all - I have one pair of #14 lashes which I have worn on at least 10 separate occasions.

I like the style of #17 lashes, but prefer my #14 lashes (this is just my preference on style as the quality is equally as good)

If you want to grab these lashes at £5 hurry and visit www.Illamasqua.com before 29.01.13

Rhian Xx

Essie Nail Polish - Sole Mate

It's fair to say that I am a lover of dark nail polish especially for the autumn/winter. Any shades of darkened red or mulberry always catch my eye.
My favourite new polish shade of 2012 was Skyfall from the OPI James Bond collection. But my favourite shade of all time is Nails Inc - Saville Row. Which is a perfect blackened mulberry which great especially when the light catches it.


I was recently in my local Boots store, and like a moth to a flame was drawn toward to Essie stand.
Now it's fair to say that up until fairly recently I was an Essie nail polish virgin. Having always been drawn towards Nails Inc polishes, this would have been my "Go To" brand.
The polish that I opted for was "Sole Mate" (Essie polishes have fabulous names)
The shade is again of the dark plum category but does not disappoint.

Thanks to the large brush the coverage is great and you need very little strokes - the application is even and dare I say, with a steady hand almost fool proof.
I know it's hard sometimes to justify over £5 for a nail polish especially if you rarely paint your nails, and there are plenty of similar shades from brands such as Collection and Rimmel - So why choose Essie which is £7.99?

Well as with brands such as OPI and Jessica who specialise in nail polishes Essie polishes not only cover fantastically in the first coat (I always find with cheaper polishes the first coat can be a little lack lustre) But they last for ages too, so if you were to apply a polish you would easily get 5 days wear with very little damage to the finish.
I would still recommend a base coat and a top coat but there is no denying that this shade and overall finish is fabulous!

Would definitely recommend this product, and I will be collecting more and more Essie polishes.

Rhian Xx

Jessica Nails polish - 742 Glitterati

It's not often I have a bad word to say about Jessica Nail Polishes, I have a couple in my collection already which I adore. But this one left me feeling a little but deflated.
This may be my own fault, as the colour looks so wonderful and glittering in the bottle.
When applied alone the shade is "nothing" and the glitter coverage isn't great to say the least - this is why I was disappointed. Maybe I had built it up too much in my mind and was expecting to be wow'd.
Suffice to say... I was not wow'd, even when applying multiple layers the shade didn't improve a great deal.

However I have just applied over a black polish and am much happier with it. It's a subtle, subdued sparkle and the bronze, copper tones are great for this winter.

This shade is not going to rank amongst my favourite nail polishes. But I would definitely wear it over a black polish to add a little sparkle.

Have you tried any other Jessica glitter polishes? What are your thoughts on them?

Rhian Xx