BUMBLE AND BUMBLE CLASSIC HAIRSPRAY

I'm not an avid hairspray user, but recently after bracing the beachy waves (and finding my thick mop of locks dropping out within a few hours) I decided a hairspray was on the list for me, and on a recent trip to a CCO where I stumbled across the Bumble and Bumble Classic Hairspray my wishes were granted.

Now, considering I don't know the ropes of hairspray use, I don't know how much I can explain the hold, but I'll give it a whirl anyway. First thing first, there is no crisp with this. I always get flashbacks of my primary school discos where I went a bit heavy with the extra firm hold hairspray, but this looks like your hair did before you spritzed it on. I did use this when I opted for a hair-up look earlier in the week, and it did keep my flyaway-prone hair at bay, although not everything was kept in order.

As for the smell, things get a bit fusty. Me and Megan described it as if you went to smell the corner of a pub with some cold food that's waiting to be collected (brilliant), but I don't think it is that unbearable. I don't tend to smell it when it's on the hair either, so the smell must fade with time (unless I can't smell it but everyone around me that catches a whiff of my hair can; awkward).

But, I think for the price you pay, although I am loving the Bumble and Bumble product sitting proudly in my drawer, there are probably offerings equally as good in the drugstore, but if you see this at a discounted price like I did, definitely give it a whirl.

HIGH END EYES

When it comes to makeup, I am very much a drugstore/high street kind of a gal, but I think it's safe to say that on the high end front I have the most products which slot into the eye category. I'll talk you through what's in my collection...

Bases: For some odd reason, I love a good base, and I have 2 which I have been loving recently. For a standard primer, there is the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer, which just primes the eye like a dream, and my eyeshadow wears like steel on it. For something more creamy, with a bit of shimmer, is MAC Bare Study Paint Pot. The champagne, shimmery goodness makes me weak at the knees every time I open it.

Shadows: Of course, I have the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, which was purchased as a rather large impulse buy at the end of 2012 for my birthday - wild, I know. This is just the perfect palette with endless amounts of looks housed in a travel friendly metal tin, and only writing this has made me realise that I have been neglecting this guy a bit recently. The brush is pretty good too. Next up, I have this Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Quad (mini) which I cannot find the name of anywhere, but it contains the shades Seashell, Bronze Lustre, Truffle, and Cinnamon, and this is an eye look in a quad, which I have been reaching for a lot recently. Last on the shadow-front, we have MAC Woodwinked, which is my first MAC Shadow. This bronze, sheeny shadow is perfect all over the lid and feathered out for an effortless approach.

Liners: Strictly speaking, I'm not sure whether Stila is considered high end, but more so somewhere in between, but the quality of the Smudge Stick Liners is good enough to be classified high end in my eyes (excuse the pun). In particular, I have been using Angelfish (the taupe-nude), and Oscar Fish (the chocolate-brown shade) all over the lids and blended, and they don't budge.

Mascara: I never really thought of buying high end mascaras, because I am perfectly satisfied with the drugstore offerings, but when this Too Faced Lash Gasm mascara came in a set, I was shocked at just how good it is. It holds a curl amazingly, lengthens and adds volume, and I just love it. My only fault is that it isn't waterproof. Although, this is being rivalled in my collection by a certain Thick & Fast by Soap and Glory, so we'll see how that goes.

Yet again, another ridiculously long post, but perhaps I have enabled some purchases. Apologies..

LANCÔME HYDRA ZEN MOISTURISING CREAM

When it comes to skincare, I like to take care of my face, but not by splashing out this much. With the full size of this moisturiser retailing for  around £40, I was so happy when my mum was gifted this luxury and deluxe sample at work, and she kindly gave it to me. I have little of this left, and I think I will miss it when it's gone. 

I prefer to use this as a night cream, but it also isn't too heavy to wear in the day if my skin is feeling a little drier. It is a light consistency, which absorbs quickly, but is incredibly moisturising on my skin, and super soothing too. It claims to be 'anti-stress', but I'm not really sure how to manage this factor, but the 'soothing' claims are definitely true.

If I have any redness, or blemishes, (I used to have terrible redness round my nose and I haven't had it for ages, although I can't just say that is this moisturiser), I will apply this at night, and in the morning the redness is more pink, and any sore areas are soothed overnight.

I can't get over how much I love this moisturiser, and I will definitely be sad when I use the last sweep of it on my face. I am savouring the last few bits, but a little does go a long way with this. 

I'm not sure how I feel about this kind of price tag. If I had millions the answer would change instantly, but otherwise, I'll give this a miss for now, despite how great it is.... *sighs*

I must say though, the inner blogger in me got very excited when I realised this could fit perfectly into the glass flower vase to photograph it...