SAMPLING MY SAMPLES

While perusing my make up and skincare collection I noticed that I have accumulated quite a few product samples, either from purchases I've made or as part of sets, where you just get a little sample of a few products. I thought that these little jems seem to go un noticed so I wanted to write a post giving my first impressions of some of these samples that I have tried as I think samples are a great way of trying the product and finding out if it will work for you before buying the real deal. 

 The sample that most stood out to me is actually missing from this post, as I used it up and now can't find it - so maybe I was actually a normal person and chucked the empty product away, instead of hoarding it up! It was the Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel with Marula Oil, which left my skin feeling so soft and nourished that I bought the full size after only using the sample a few times. Likewise, with the REN Vita Mineral Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream. I had only tried one thing from REN but I needed a new moisturiser and after trying this sample it seemed to work really well, so I bought the full size product. It's really hydrating and a great consistency, without being too heavy. Even though I don't have dry skin, I do sometimes find some moisturisers aren't hydrating enough but I have never had any issues with this one. I also liked REN's EverCalm Cleansing Milk, I have the Evercalm Clay Cleanser and really like it so I was excited to try the milk. It's a good cleanser and I probably would purchase the full size when I've used up the many I already have, as I do like milk cleansers and really like REN as a brand. 

I know I'm going to have to buy the full size of the Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion as it keeps my eye make up on all day. I tried doing my eye make up without but regardless of what eye shadow I was wearing, it would crease throughout the day, which doesn't happen with this. You also only need the tiniest amount, so I'm happy to purchase the full size as I'm sure it'll last ages. 

I found myself with what once seemed an endless supply of Benefit's Porefessional samples as they seemed to come with every Benefit set. There is so much product in them that they last for ages. We all know it's a good primer, but I haven't actually had to buy it due to still surviving on the samples! 

I've been enjoying using the Clarins Eye Contour Gel, as it's really hydrating and refreshing, perfect to use in the morning or to add some hydration throughout the day. I'm not sure if I would buy the full size, as I've got my eye on the Clarins Eye Contour Balm, which seems more suited for night time use. I think I've got morning eye creams sorted but maybe in the future. 

I really liked using the Clarins Water Comfort One Step Cleanser, for quick make up removal, it felt really refreshing and smelt amazing but I don't feel like I need to spend a lot of money on a product like this, when I've got the Garnier Micellar water which is a similar concept. Similarly, the Lancome Bi-facil Eye Make up Remover was a good product but it's not a product I'd want to splurge on.

 I've got the full size versions of the Clarins Facial Treatment Oils for oily/combo skin and dehydrated skin and I don't often have dry skin, so I wont be purchasing the full size of the Santal version but it has been handy to have as a sample for occasions when my skin is playing up and feeling particularly in need of moisture and as you only need a tiny amount it's lasting very well. 

I've heard good things about the Urban Decay Beauty Balm and similar products but I just can't get into the such low coverage products. I don't feel like I need a huge amount of coverage normally nor do I like a really heavy base, but these bb cream/tinted moisturiser type products just don't do anything for me, so I definitely wont be repurchasing. It has got good ingredients and an spf so I may just use this as a primer or a on holiday type of product when you don't really want make up but just the tiniest amount of coverage. The Bare Minereals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Cream Eyeshadow is another product that's one of those that I wouldn't get much use out of as it's just not something I would use. I think to make use of the sample I will use it likewise to the Urban Beauty Balm, as this too has spf so it would be good to just even out the eye lid for a no make up day when you're out in the sun. 

FURNITURE SHOPPING, BOOTS HAUL & NANDOS - MY WEEKEND

I know I go on about it maybe a little too much but I, like most others (unless you're an unfortunate soul who has to work), LOVE weekends. Now I have your typical Monday - Friday hours, I find myself constantly counting down until the weekend - granted, one day I plan to have a job that I don't count down the days quite so much, but for now it's a  regular hobby of mine. If you're a regular reader and you've read about me moaning about my previous job, you'll understandably think that I can't be pleased, which isn't the case, I just know  what job I want and need to work to get to it and go back to that horrid education even after completing my degree, so until then I mostly live for the weekends! 

My weekends are mainly spent with family; seeing my sister and visiting my grand parents. It's so nice to be able to spend lots of time with the ones that are most special to you. The other weekend, My boyfriend, Jamie and I went to my mums house, so that I could spend the day with my sister and he could go and see his family (luckily they live very close). My mum and her boyfriend made us breakfast when we got there, I'm fussy when it comes to eggs and only like the white part and can't stand the yolk, which is why the photo may seem a little odd. I wanted to start writing more lifestyle type posts, as my sister told me she doesn't bother reading my normal posts as she finds lifestyle ones more interesting (thanks sister), so I wanted to branch out.  It's surprising how hard it is to remember to take photos  in your normal day to day life, but I will get better at it! Everyone else was tucking into their breakfast and there I was standing on the chair, trying to get a decent angel and light for my breakfast shot... how do people make that look so easy?! 

I thought it was cute that my sister and I were wearing alternating colours, with our tops and jeans.I had been needing a pair of black jeans for ages as mine had officially come to the end of their life. I finally bought a pair from River Island a few weeks before and I think this was their first outing. Of course the first time I wore them I managed to get lily pollen on them which is notorious for staining. Luckily it all came off, with a helping hand from my mum hoovering my leg - if it worked I didn't care how it came off. Little tip there! 

My sister Hannah, is moving house soon so wanted to go and look at some furniture, which interests me for a little bit and then I easily get bored. Luckily for me there was also a Boots where we went and obviously I couldn't not go in. I had been wanting to get the Garnier Micellar cleansing water, the original pink version was out of stock so I just picked up the green version which is supposed to be good for combination skin. I doubt that there is much difference between the two but so far I'm liking it. Rimmel had a 3 for 2 offer on and I had been lusting after some of their highly raved about lip liners. Hannah and I got the same colours, Spice and Tiramisu. I wanted East End Snob but it wasn't there *cried a little inside* But all is restored as it may have just found its way into my superdrug online order (the only time I'm going to say damn you bank holiday, as it's just going to take even longer to come)! To satisfy the 3 for 2 I also bought one of the Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in the shade 08, which is a natural pinky mauve. 

After forcing Hannah and Jamie to take photos with me and the cats getting in on the action, we deliberated over what to have for dinner. I wanted pizza and Hannah wanted Chinese, some how we ended up going to Nandos and getting take away, which always seems a good idea when it's a Saturday night and hugely busy. I told Hannah and Jamie that I would stay at my mums house while they went to get it, as it was their idea and I didn't want to go to a busy place and just make it even more crowded. They didn't like this plan, so I ended up going. I sat in the back and they left me out of their conversations the whole way, as they both get on very well and have similar taste in tv programmes so often chat a lot about Family Guy and stuff I don't like and take the mick out of me. Luckily for me I had the food in the back so it wasn't all bad! Mwahahaa! 

I hope you're all having a great weekend and make the most of the extra day! 

MAKE UP REVOLUTION SUGAR & SPICE PALETTE

I'm so late to the party, but I have finally got around to trying Make up Revolution. I always think I'm lacking in blusher, in actual fact I'm really not and I think this will be confirmed when I finally get around to sorting and tidying my make up, but something always tells me I am, which is why I was so drawn to this palette, being my first Make up Revolution product.

The palette contains six matte shades of blush, one shimmery pink shade and a white highlight shade. I chose this palette as I it is quite heavily pink based and I love pink blush on myself, as I think it really gives a more, fresh and pretty look to the complexion. There is also a coral/peach shade and two more neutral nude brown/pink shades, so you still have a fair amount of variety. The two more nude brown shades (first and second shades on the top left) are designed for contouring. I personally don't use them for this as I just don't think they are the right shades, but I do think they're nice to mix with the more pink blush shades. All are very well pigmented,blend onto the skin well and last all day. I often think that blusher is one of those products that doesn't need to be high end to be a good quality, which is why I absolutely love the idea of this palette, as it was only £6 and you have lots of shades to chose from. I often find myself mixing a few of the shades together, which obviously isn't necessary but when you've got the choice of six, why just use one!? Although I do prefer pink blush on myself I will probably end up also getting the Hot Spice, more coral and peach shade palette. The only issue now is that like everyone else - I now want more! 

I have already got my eye on the new Mermaid eye shadow palette and a couple of the other eye palettes and some more blush and bronzer palettes... let the list begin!

You can purchase Make up Revolution products from their website, or from Superdrug. 

THE QUICK WEEKEND MAKEUP

I used to happily spend hours getting ready when I had the time to on days off; applying every product I could and trying out eye looks better suited for a night out than a chilled weekend. Lately, I've been embracing the much quicker routine and even skipping make up all together quite often on Sundays, if I'm just staying at home. I don't think I'll ever be the type of girl to go out happily without make up, not because I can't stand myself completely naked faced, but I just like to make an effort. These products are my go to items for achieving a very quick, fresh, pretty make up look, that still looks like you've made an effort but doesn't waste any valuable weekend time! 

First I apply the MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose under my eyes. I don't bother with an actual concealer as this product counteracts the darkness and brightens up the under eye well enough. I then go in with the Bare Minerals Original Foundation as you can just buff it onto the skin really quickly, without any careful blending, like liquid foundations. It evens out the complexion and adds a really radiant, fresh glow to the skin. If I feel like I need more coverage I can also buff a little more on. I love using the Bare Minerals Warmth to obviously warm up the complexion; it's the most gorgeous shade and makes such a difference to your base. You could just use the Warmth as a blush too but I'm a sucker for a pink blush, so I love using the Benefit Hervana Blush. It's a really pretty shade, that would probably suit a lot of skin tones. For my eyes, I blend a little of the two brown shades from the Naked Basics palette by Urban Decay through the crease, the outer corner and the lower lash line. I then take the black shade form the palette and just blend it along my upper lash line, so it looks like a blended out liner. I also take a little under the eye to add some definition . I then use the highlight shade from the palette to highlight under the brow, the inner corner of my eye and as a cheek highlight. I also use this palette for my brows all of the time. (I LOVE this palette)! I then apply mascara to my lashes, Lash Domination by Bare minerals is a favourite of mine. I finish by putting on a little lipstick, as I think lipstick is so easy to chuck on, yet makes your look so much more complete and like you've spent a lot more time on it, when really you were spending time still in bed or making time for a proper weekend breakfast! I love the Revlon Lip Butters as they're pigmented enough to give a good colour pay off but not as dramatic as a bright lipstick if you want something a little more subtle. This shade is Sweet Tart. 

I hope you all have an amazing weekend! 

JUST ANOTHER HAUL POST...

I don't know what it is about this time of year but it's always the time when I come down with a very strong case of the 'feeling spendy' flu. As much as I try to avoid it, I can't help myself. Normally I'm very good with money but this time of year just kills me and I end up wanting everything and some how justifying it (as you will see if you've seen my previous posts recently). I think this year is probably worse as I've now finished education (for now) so I don't have anything serious to focus on, so my mind is filled with pretty make up. The biggest stress in my life at the moment is deliberating over which lip liner colour I want to buy... seriously - not as easy as you'd think!

I justified all of these products on the fact I'd planned to buy them prior to going shopping, therefore there was no impulse buying, which I guess is a positive. Superdrug had a 3 for 2 offer on and I knew I really wanted to try Make up Revolution and especially their blush palettes. There is so much more from the brand that I want to try but it was too busy to really look so I just grabbed what I originally planned for. I chose Sugar and Spice as I love pink blush on myself. I'd also been planning on getting the new Sleek Del Mar Volume II eye shadow palette; I bought the first Del Mar palette last year and really liked it so I'm excited to use this one in the summer months. For my final product in the 3 for 2 offer I picked up the Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Powder. I knew I needed to buy a powder but hadn't decided on which one. I have never tried this one before and haven't actually heard anything about it so I'm intrigued to see how well it works. 

The next product needed no justification as I was able to use my loyalty points for the whole payment, which always feels so good. I chose to buy Urban Decay's Lip Liner in Manic. They are the best lip liners I have ever tried; they're so creamy and just glide over the lips so easily, sit well all day and still feel comfortable used all over the lips. Manic is a pretty rosy pink shade, that's just a richer shade of a natural lip colour so it's really complimentary and easy to wear. 

I also bought the Clarins Instant Concealer after hearing so many good things about it and the Clarins Aquatic Treasures Bronzing Compact. I loved the bronzer last year but didn't get round to buying it so I just had to this year as it is so beautiful! 

I'm looking forward to trying all of these products and I'm sure they will be featuring more on the blog, once I've had a chance to play with them. Have you used any of these?

APRIL FAVOURITES

April was a pretty good month; I experienced my first ever bank holiday, where I had four whole days off work, which was absolutely amazing when you've been used to working all of them and getting a whole two days off together was rare, and so a treat in itself. On the subject of weekends, I've had a really lovely month just spending my weekends seeing family, it's surprising how the simplest things can be so special. Now onto the favourites; I haven't got too many this month as I haven't used a great deal of products or explored too many new ones, but the ones I will be talking about have really stood out to me. 

I feel the need to first talk about the L'oreal Infallible 24H Matte foundation,as it was only last month that a different L'oreal foundation made it into my March Favourites post. I think I may be a foundation junkie, but I do feel that it is one of those items that really make or break your whole make up look and especially the longevity, which is important to me. I love this foundation for my normal - shiny t zone complexion. It looks quite matte but not flat when you first apply it but throughout the day I do notice that my t zone does still look a little shiny, so I wouldn't say it stays completely matte all day but unless you have seriously oily skin, I don't necessarily see that as a problem. It's more of a natural glow that it lets through with my skin type, which I'm happy with as it keeps the skin looking fresh and radiant. If you have oily skin I think this would still work for you, but you may just have to powder through out the day. I find that this foundation has really good staying power and my make up still looks good and in place at the end of the day 

I had been wanting to get a black liquid liner for a while as I only had a gel Make up Geek one, which I do love but I wanted something that was quicker and not so hard to repurchase, for everyday wear. I wanted to get a L'oreal one but Boots were rubbish and didn't seem to have any in stock or any testers for the one they did, so I picked up the Soap & Glory SuperCat black liquid liner pen. I love how quick and easy this is to use, it's also very black and lasts really well all day. The only thing I don't like is that as it is a pen form, so slightly thicker, I haven't quite mastered a neat flick/wing just yet, as I normally use a fine brush. 

Lush's Eau Roma Toning Water, has definitely made my skin feel so much more hydrated and soft. It's the most refreshing spray to use after cleansing my skin, as it's quite a 'wet' spray, in the sense that a lot more product sprays out than for example how a setting spray dispenses. This is great for a skincare product, as you're not worried about your skin getting too drenched. It does adsorb into the skin quickly, leaving such a hydrated feel to the skin. 

I have had the Bare Minerals Flawless Radiance Brush since least year, when as soon as I saw it and felt it, I loved it! Shortly after using it, I had a weird skin reaction, where my skin went very sensitive in certain areas and quite red and dry. I knew sometimes natural hair brushes can have this affect, so I stopped using it. Recently I found it again and thought I would give it another go and so far so good! It must have been something else. I love this brush for blending out the final stages of my make up or applying a light covering of powder. It's long bristles make it perfect for applying a light amount of product or just simply buffing over the face to make sure every thing is seamless. 

A negative of no longer working in a beauty department is that I can't lather luxurious creams all over my hands, arms, neck... all day everyday. I now carry with me the Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream and it really helps instantly soften and smooth my hands. It's one of my favourite hand creams and I've been very grateful to have it around when my hands have felt or looked less than perfect this month. 

Finally, I've really liked wearing Roberto Cavalli's fragrance, Roberto Cavalli. It is described as a 'vibrant and sensual,' 'exuberant and sunny' frangrance belonging to the 'ambery floral family.' It contains orange blossom, which I always find myself being drawn to.  I think the description is quite accurate and find that I get a lot of compliments when wearing this fragrance, from both men and women.