SOAP AND GLORY GLOSS STICKS

Recently in Boots I was browsing the Soap and Glory stand and noticed that there were no longer the full size Sexy Mother Pucker balms and in their place were these Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks in mini sizes and new shades and of course I couldn't resist, especially on a buy one get one half price I'm surprised I'm not writing about the whole collection. I don't know whether it was just my particular store that didn't hold both the full and mini sizes or whether the bigger ones are gone for good, but I thought I'd draw up a comparison post nonetheless.

I picked up Nudist and Pinkaboo, and I already have Nudist from the original formula, however this one is definitely a different shade entirely and does stick to a more brown/neutral nude rather than the peachy hue the original has. Pinkaboo is a medium pink and although nothing stand out, something I thought would become a staple in my collection.

I think what I've noticed with these in comparison to the original formula is that they are a little less thick. I often found the original to be quite heavy feeling and although it still stands as one of my favourite lip products, I do like that these are slightly more lightweight, and a little bit closer to a 'gloss' formula. These are now £3.50, and although you don't get quite as much product, I'm near enough yet to finish any of the lip products I own, so not only is this perfect for handbag size it also helps me get through it a little better than other ones I'd pay more for.

Generally, although there isn't too much difference to the original, I really like the concept of these and I'll be taking them on holiday with me in my carry on as they are just the best size. I especially love wearing these with a matte strong lip liner just to give more of a youthful appearance to my look, and I kind of want to pick up the rest of the range, in particular Purple Rain as it draws closer to dark lip season.

FIVE PIECE FOOLPROOF EYES

Over the Christmas break, I totally stripped back my eye makeup (getting up early on boxing day wasn't going to be a full on smokey eye look, was it?) and it's kind of stuck for school and such, and only involves 5 products, including tools.

For brows I was quickly etching them in with the Soap&Glory Archery Brow Pencil and Tint, a product I used to be sacred of for the fear of cartoon looking brows, but I've found the good light handed technique that leaves them looking the same as if I were to have used a shadow.

Speaking of shadow, I was using the MAC Malt matte eyeshadow all over the lid; it's a light taupe-pink sort of nude and just looks very barely there and natural, but still like you've got something on your lids. I just use the Real Techniques Base Shadow brush for this, as it applies colour and blends too, and sometimes I will take a bit of my bronzer of the day to define the crease slightly more.

Then, as it seems I can't go a day without a slick of liner any more, I use the Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner - one that took a bit of getting used to but with the right technique you can get an ultra black gel feline flick that balances nicely with the light sweep of shadow. Then, a few coats of They're Real Mascara seals everything together and gives me length and volume to the lashes.

What has your daily eye makeup routine been recently?

BROW PRODUCT ADDITIONS

Slowly but surely, I am coming to terms with achieving my desired brow. In the past, I've had brows that were non existent from the halfway point, and since the likes of Cara, the whole 'strong brow game' thing has been getting me a little jealous. Although my brows are now a nice thicker shape, I do like to recruit a few products to help me out along the way.

A couple of weeks ago, I picked up the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint and Precision Shaping Pencil in the shade Brownie Points. I have unusually coloured brows, and everything out there seems to be too dark or too light, and so although this may be a touch too dark, with the right combing and balancing, it looks pretty good. The pencil is a nice waxy consistency, and the fine pen allows you to mimic the effect of real hairs where you need extra oomph.

The new kid on the block is the Rimmel Brow This Way Brow Styling Gel. Now, it does a great job at tinting and setting, but I would say the brush on this is a little to big for my liking. I was expecting something more in the style of the Benefit Gimmie Brow, so you just have to be extra careful with your application. I bought the shade Medium Brown as blond was way too fair for me, but this is quite warm toned and so when I put this on the first time I was pretty shocked. I would suggest scraping a lot of product off the brush, then going in lightly, and if you are looking for an ashy gel, you might want to find something else.

EXPERIMENTAL EYES #2 - PINK AND GOLD

You might remember my first installment of 'experimental eyes' and today I'm here with part two, which is a bit more wearable and is a soft, almost quite romantic pink and gold look. I will add that my brows were not looking on point on the day and I can't help but gawp at them instead of focusing on the shadow, so apologies.

I started by using the Avon Eye Primer as per usual, and then took Shade 2 from the MUA Undressed Palette (a budget friendly look today) on the inner half of the lid to create a slightly pink sheen. Shade 4 (a pale brown/taupe shimmer) went over the rest of the lid with Shade 6 (quite comparable to Half Baked by Urban Decay) in the centre of the lid to add that golden sheen.

For the pink crease I began with Shade 5 as a warm matte brown base, and then took Crochet from the Sleek Lace Blush By Three, along with the pink from the H&M Spring Flowers Blush to transition it as it was a bit lighter in colour. I don't own any pink shadows so it's all about working with the products you own whether that be blushes, bronzers or something else. As usual I blended the outer edge with a touch of the Sleek Contour colour to give it a warm, seamless look and is pretty much foolproof.

I used the Barry M Blink Pen Liner to create a wing slightly less dramatic than shown in the previous look, but still fairly noticeable. I also used the same array of mascaras as the previous look, Soap and Glory Thick & Fast, followed by Sheercover Lash Fibres, then Too Faced Lashgasm - a bit of a creature of habit it seems (or maybe not considering I just put pink on my eyes). 

PRE-SPENDING BAN BEAUTY HAULING

Yesterday, I went shopping - bad idea, I know. But, in the next couple of weeks I am starting my spending ban in order to save for my trip to America in the next few months so that I can try out some of the beauty items from there, but of course I had to pick up a couple of things I could try out so I wasn't totally beauty purchase deprived up until I step into the airport (read: Duty Free).

I restocked on the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in the shades 1 Fair and 2 Cool Medium as I caught the sun a little recently and so I thought I could mix the two of these together to find a match. I also got a new Batiste for those bad hair days in the Floral & Flirty Blush scent.
Sticking with the hair products, I also thought I would give the VO5 Give Me Texture Dry Texturising Spray a whirl and on first impressions, I'm a little unsure - how do you use this product?

In the trusty Boots clearance I found the Botanics Face Brush which I plan to use occasionally to cleanse, and this was £2 anyway so I thought it'd be a good time to try it out. As well as this, I found the Soap and Glory Archery Brow Tint and Pencil in Brownie Points for £4 (after peeling back the sticker apparently it's expired but if it's unopened I don't see the issue - I'll report back), but this is something I have been wanting to try for a while now so when better than for when its selling for something short of a fiver.

In TkMaxx I found this Orly Nail Polish in Va Va Voom (a vibrant neon pink in which the picture just isn't doing it justice) but this was a bargainous £2.99 so I couldn't pass it up and I thought it'd be a good summer shade. Finally in Topshop I got these simple gold shape earrings in the sale for £2.50 and thought they would be nice to wear everyday.

What have you been buying recently, and what are your tips for saving money?

AN ODE TO SOAP AND GLORY

When it comes to pampering, Lush and Soap & Glory are my favourite brands to amp up the bath treats, and today I thought I would share some of my favourites from the 'original' line... I'm not sure that's correct, but what I mean is the products that share the typical Soap & Glory scent.

One that everyone and their mother adores is the Hand Food hand cream. This is a firm favourite for me too, a little goes a long way, its nourishing, and yet sinks in really quickly so no greasy hands here. I could tell how much of a cult this was when I saw people grabbing multiple of this and the hand wash duo in the Boxing Day sales - it must be a good'un.

The Righteous Butter currently sits at the top of the list when it comes to an evening body butter. In the same breath as the Hand Food, it is quick to sink in, leaves my limbs feeling baby soft, and what I like is that the smell stays with you for a while after application. My mum really likes the smell of this one too, so perhaps I'll persuade her to buy one for herself.

I have been more into scrubs at the moment, and after reaching for this one whilst in the bath the other day, I rekindled my love for The Scrub Of Your Life. I think somehow I love the novelty of how darn thick the consistency of this is (I am a child at heart), but honestly, it really gets any dryness off without feeling irritating or sore.

Finally, is the Clean On Me shower gel. I think this was the first thing I ever fell in love with from the brand a coupe of birthdays ago, when I bought a mini of it and ended up savouring the stuff. It foams well, leaves you feeling clean, and smells incredible - what more could you want?

Soap & Glory, you do serve me well...

THE NATURAL SPRING FACE

To me, Spring means natural, dewy and fresh-faced makeup looks, and with the first day of Spring having just passed, it was the perfect opportunity to share what I reach for when I am looking for something more natural, perhaps a look for on the weekends.

For a base, of course it would have to be the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum - a cult classic in the blogging world. This offers natural coverage which looks glowy and dewy on the skin, but by no means shiny. I am almost out of this bottle, so I think either a repurchase or a trial of the Happy Light offering is on the cards.
The Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush in Santa Rose is one of those products which you can apply in a sweep, and not have to bother with contour or highlight when you are going natural. It is just the perfect muted colour for daily wear.

On the eyes, the term 'one sweep wonders'; may be something you like to hear. I have 2 bronze, shimmery colours which with a wash over the lid and a slick of mascara are the definition of natural. MAC Woodwinked is the slightly more coppery option out of the two, and for something a little more shimmery, the Rimmel Mono Shadow in Backstage is a good option. The mascara in question is the Soap & Glory Thick and Fast which adds length and volume in seconds. A no-frills step of MUA Clear Mascara over the brows comes next, and just keeps them in place when filling in isn't on the cards.

For lips, as I have been getting into glosses, I have been reaching for the GOSH Volume Lip Shine in 04* which adds a tint of pinky-red to the lips but without any sticky feeling, and is quickly becoming a daily essential for me.

What are your essentials for a Spring-centric face?

SOAP AND GLORY SUGAR CRUSH

The Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Range was one of those things that when it first hit the shelves I wanted, then smelt it and hated it, then have miraculously bought and now love. Slightly citrus scented, mixed with a sweet, sugary, and almost slightly creamy scent, this has gotten me week at the knees and I think my body appreciates them too (which also means my body care based resolution is still going strong).

Sugar Crush Body Wash: This body wash is lovely. A little goes a long way because it lathers really well. This is only a half size that I got in the set, but I can see it lasting a long time (especially because I alternate between about 8 different shower gels), but this one is different. The scent lingers, so when I use this, the scrub and the butter cream, I literally smell like a lime that has just jumped in a bowl of sugar.

Sugar Crush Body Scrub: I love Soap and Glory scrubs. They literally are so thick in consistency, and are jam packed with sugar/salt particles that my limbs feel like silk after using them. This one is no different. I have almost finished the mini 50ml size, and I think that it'll be upgrading to the larger pot in the future.

Sugar Crush Body Buttercream: Now this, for me is the main event. All my life I have hated body butters because they don't skin in quick enough and I always feel like they leave a sticky residue. But this, does none of that. Despite being so thick that I have to almost claw it out of the whopping 300ml tub, it still manages to have soaked in by the time I am ready to dress after using it. The smell stays for a good while as well, which I enjoy a lot.

Something I once thought I hated has turned into me singing its praises online once again...

 

A BELATED AUTUMNAL SMOKEY

There are a number of bandwagons in the blogging world - most of which I jump onto a good few months late, including the red/burgundy autumnal smokey eye, but I thought it deserves a post anyway.

You are probably all screaming at your screens waiting for me to quit the rambling and get on with explaining what products I used, so I'll do it now. I began by priming the lid with the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer, which is my new favourite primer, and I followed that up with MAC Bare Study Paint Pot all over the lid. I used my trusty MUA Undressed Palette and used Shade 2 all over the lid, followed by Shade 9 on the outer half and along the lower lashline. I then took the Kiko Eyeshadow in 137 through the crease and blended it thoroughly and then went in with 133 to deepen it up slightly.
Finally, I finished off with Soap and Glory Thick & Fast Mascara and the look was complete.

I may be late on this, but I will continue to go for the winter looks until I see a ray of sunshine through the clouds and I personally declare it Spring.