Over to the Dark Side.

Even though I said I wouldn't be doing a blog post until I'd finished all my uni work, I decided to give myself a break, cover my face in my new make up purchases and give you a sneaky peak of a new look I'm so in LOVE with.

Earrings; Primark £2 Necklace; H&M £3.99

So this week I've had a bit of a beauty splurge. I decided I needed to save my MAC studio fix foundation so I went to Boots and Superdrug just looking for a cheap everyday foundation. Superdrug are currently offering 3 for 2 on all their cosmetics so I HAD to buy my favourite Maybelline Matte Mousse Foundation so I also Rimmel Match Perfection to get Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara free. I then went on to get 3 for 2 on the MUA products and got a Blusher, Bronzer and a Concealer. I really recommend the concealer its BRILLIANT and only a quid! I also bought an MUA eyebrow pencil as my current one had been sharpened down to the end of its life. Whilst I was also in Superdrug I thought I'd treat myself to a new foundation brush, I've used a Superdrug one before my last brush and honestly I don't know why I ever changed brands, its super soft, smoothes the foundation and gives your skin a really even tone. Its easy to clean and dry and it lasts for ages!
I then decided to go into Boots and as I had a £3 off No.7 I decided to take a look at their mascaras (you can never have too many!!) I have used quite a few of their mascaras and really like them, but I've only ever bought them with a voucher as I do think they are quite pricey and they're not any better than other high street brands! The last product I bought was a shade I have never tried before but I have seen many people try it and I really liked the look. I have been looking everywhere for a really good dark dark purpley/red lipstick. When I saw the name New Black written on 17's Lipstick I assumed it was actually black so never paid much attention to it. But actually it is just the colour I'd been looking for! It's really dark but you can decide how dark you want it by using a piece of tissue and dabbing your lips to take some of the colour out. It is really pigmented and is really moisturizing on your lips!

So for this new look, I used all of the products shown in the above picture.

Maybelline Matte Mousse - Nude - £7.99

Rimmel Match Perfection Pressed Powder - Classic Beige - £5.99

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Blackest Black - £4.99

MUA Bronzer - Shade 1 - £1

MUA Blusher - Shade 5 - £1

MUA Concealer - Natural - £1

MUA Liquid Eyeliner - Black - £1

MUA Eyebrow Pencil - Brunette - £1

17 - New Black - £4.49 

Superdrug Foundation Brush - £3.99 

No. 7 Intense Volume Mascara - Black - £9.50

With the lips being so dark and prominent in this look, you need to be careful to not cape the eyes in make up and keep them quite simple. You can do a slight smokey look but just be careful to to make it too top heavy. I just stuck to a gentle line of eyeliner across the top lid and kept the rest of the lid bare and nothing on the bottom lid. But I guess it's completely up to you, and what suits you best!

To finish the look I just added my Gold Cross earrings from Primark and my favourite necklace at the moment from H&M.

These are all products I will continue to buy time and time again. They are great for quick application but create a lovely night out look as well. I think I'll have to be quite daring to wear the lipstick for an everyday look but it is definitely my new night out look! 

What do you think of the look? Let me know with your comments below, I love all the feedback from you lovely readers!

xo

March Beauty Haul

So as today is the last day of the month I thought I'd share with you some of the beauty purchases I have made over the past 4 weeks.

Firstly, there is Tesco's own Cucumber Extract Cleansing Facial Wash, Softening Daily Moisturiser and Hydrating Night Cream for all skin types. For the past year or so I have sworn by The Body Shop's day and night moisturisers, but since I'm recently running low I decided to find some similar creams and wash with a cheaper price tag. These Tesco creams were a great bargain, the Night Cream was £1 and the Moisturiser and Facial Wash were 74p each. I love them, they are great for day to day use and leave my skin smelling gorgeous and so so soft.

The next product to feature this month is the Maybelline FIT ME Pressed Powder. This is the second time I have purchased this powder and I think I've finally found the perfect one. I've tried many different powders but this one is great as it works evenly over my foundation and doesn't need to be reapplied that often throughout the day. The colour I chose is Natural Beige 220 and works great with Maybelline Matte Mousse foundation in Nude and with MAC Studio Sculpt in NW25. I really recommend this powder and it lasts a reasonable amount of time considering I use it everyday. You can find it in Boots and Super Drug for £5.99.

After writing a post a couple of weeks back on my favourite Lipsticks and glosses, I decided to add to my collection. I have purchased a Barry M lipgloss in shade 233 and even though it looks like a peachy pink it actually looks different on the lips. On the lips it's more of a light shine and doesn't give much colour. However I do like it when I'm doing a subtle lip with my make up. You can purchase this in many Boots and Super Drug stores for £4.49. I also bought some new MUA shades in shade 2 (a bright baby pink) and shade 4 (a dark purpley pink). I have found that with shade 2 you have to apply quite a few coats to really establish colour due to lack of pigmentation, so if you're in a rush this is not a good lipstick. Shade 4 is great it is dark and goes great with slightly smokey eyes. They're a great buy for £1 each.

Next up is Clinque's High Impact Mascara in 11 Brightening Black. I have used this Mascara quite a few times over the past few years and absolutely LOVE it. It's really black and tends not to give you the black dust under your eyes when you've been wearing in over the day. Which I hate with mascaras. Another great mascara which I haven't featured in the picture is Boots' 17 Black Jack Mascara, I got it for Christmas but it is soooo good. And for those of you who want to wear fake eyelashes but can't be bothered this mascara gives you that wow look for your eyelashes just like fake ones.

I fell in love with MAC cosmetics years ago and when I get the chance or have the money I will splash out as their products are amazing and last forever . They are quite pricey but as they last so long it's probably to that bad (or at least that's what I tell myself). I recently read some raving reviews on MAC Studio Sculpt foundation so when my Mum an Dad offered to buy an Easter present I couldn't resist. I have previously used the Studio Fix NW25 powder many times but as I'm so in love with the Maybelline Powder I gave the foundation a go in NW25 as well and it is THE best foundation I have ever used! I find it works best when I've just moisturised my skin and it leaves me with a great even tone with no patches. If you want to give it a try I highly recommend it and to use it with a foundation brush for best results. From MAC Westfield Shepherd's Bush £20.50.

For those of you who know me well, know I am addicted to Barry M nail varnish. I love their new Gelly range, even though they aren't that different from the normal varnishes the colours are beautiful and I just keep wanted to buy more and more and more. The two Gelly Hi-shines featured in the picture are Blueberry and Pomegranate priced at £3.99 each. And the other two shades are Cappucino and Aqua Glitter prices at £2.99 each.

Next up is my Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden collection. I swear by these, featuring in this post are the Hand Cream which I always keep handy in my handbag (essential for the weather we're experiencing in the UK at the moment), the Body Butter 100ml and Body Wash 250ml. They all smell beautiful and work wonders! Give them a try, they are a must have! You'll find the Body Wash 250ml priced at £5.50, Body Butter 300ml £9 and Hand Cream 30ml £3 in Boots Stores.

And then last but not least my beloved fake tan. I tend not to splash out when it comes to fake tan and that's how I discovered St.Moriz for £2.99 in Savers. The one I'm using at the moment is the instant self tanning mist. It was awarded the winner of the Cosmopolitan Beaty Awards 2012. It's great and makes your skin look flawless. I hate it when fake tan leaves your skin looking streaky but both the tanning mist and the mousse have never left me streaky! I'm addicted.

Well, thanks for reading today's blog and if you've got any questions comment below, I'd love to hear your opinions on these products too!
Xo