Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

 Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm £3.69

Everyone loves a good lip balm and the Burt's Bees Beeswax is one I've used for the last few months particularly over the winter. I love that it comes in a lipstick form which means it's a lot more convenient to use. It's very easy to apply, feels nice on the lips and definitely soothes them. It's also very good for prepping the lips before applying other lip products. Oh and I also like that it's more on the minty side, it's very subtle but it definitely gives that cooling sensation when you use it. I also find this keeps the lips moisturised for a really long time which means you don't have to apply it so often. I'm almost out of this now but I've got a new one in pink grapefruit which I'm hoping will be just as good! x

Lush Bombardino Bath Bomb

 Lush Bombardino Bath Bomb

I don't often go for baths as I am more of a shower girl but ever since I've gotten into beauty, I've become more and more open to the idea of it. That plus a bunch of bath goodies from my sister and voilà I'm converted! The stuff she got me were all from the Christmas collection and I've only just gotten around to using them. Most of these will no longer be available but they often have equivalents in their permanent range and who knows they might bring out the same stuff again this year? 

First off, can we just appreciate how cute this little thing is, it's impossible not to smile when you look at him! On the Lush website Bombardino is describe as: "This little fellow takes his inspiration from an apres ski drink traditionally made in the Italian Alps with eggnog, brandy and whipped cream. Our version of the Bombardino is just as rich and creamy, smelling like a lemon meringue pie. With added cocoa butter to soften your bath water, Bombardino will leave your skin feeling silky and soothed."

Once I dropped this in the bath, I noticed it wasn't as fizzy as I thought it would be probably because I have had it for a while or because I expected too much from my very first Lush bath bomb. Regardless, it isn't the most exciting bath bomb out there as it pretty much just turned the water yellow. It definitely smelt good, as most Lush products do, but it was more on the sweet side with a hint of citrus. I agree with its claims of leaving your skin feeling silky and soothed, however once you get out the bath, you're left with shimmer/fine glitter all over your body which really bugged me. The shimmer pretty much stuck to my skin and whatever I touched for a good few hours. The other problem I had was that this stained the bath pretty badly, so I had to try and scrub it off instead of just relaxing once I've finished. So yea, overall I'd say it's an okay bath bomb, good in some ways but it's not for me just because of the shimmer it leaves on the skin and the hassle you have to go through after using it. Not necessarily wowed but I understand how some may really enjoy this product. Have you tried Bombardino, what's your thoughts? x

Skin System Toner

Skin System Toner £2

I use toners on a regular basis, mainly to bring back moisture into the skin after cleansing, refresh my face in the mornings and get rid of any leftover gunk before moisturising. In the last few months, I have used the Skin System Toner — available at Asda. I like this because it's cheap and does the job! Another great thing about this is that it doesn't contain any parabens, fragrance or any artificial colours. It contains 'antioxidant white tea extract and vitamin E to help fight first signs of ageing; aloe vera leaf juice and shea butter to leave skin feeling moisturised and refreshed.' Well, isn't that just music to the ears?

For £2 it doesn't seem like it would do a lot but I've honestly enjoyed using this. It replenishes the skin nicely and feels a lot like water. Also, it doesn't sting or irritate my skin in any way. Plus points for the packaging too, it's simple but sleek at the same time! I don't really have much else to say about this apart from that it's good and that I would probably repurchase it seeing as I'm pretty much out. Then again, I haven't tried many other toners, any suggestions? x

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm in Mint

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm in Mint £2.69

With the weather slowly getting colder and colder, it's important to moisturise and keep our skin and lips hydrated. A good brand to use, as I've heard, is Carmex. The only product I've ever tried from them is this one, which is in liquid form kept in a squeeze tube. I got the one in mint, and believe me when I say that it is very minty! It smells good but I'm afraid the taste isn't all that amazing. It has that very artificial and chemical taste to it which I really don't like. However, it does really soothe your dried and chapped lips. It is also very moisturising except you're left with very greasy lips so I really wouldn't suggest using this under other lip products (i.e. lipsticks). I mean, you can get away with it if you prep your lips a few minutes beforehand but I wouldn't apply lipstick straight away after I've used this. 

I think it's a fairly good lip balm but I'm not a big fan of the squeeze tube so I'm probably going to try out the ones in lipstick form next time. Oh and the other thing that I find with this is that, whenever you stop using it, you end up with really chapped lips again. So you'll have to use it constantly, which is kind of annoying but what can you do, eh? Have you tried any Carmex products, what's your thoughts? x

NSpa Ultimate Cleansing Tonic

 NSpa Ultimate Cleansing Tonic £5

Taking makeup off can be a really tedious task for me so I was on the hunt for a makeup remover/cleanser that was easy to use. I normally just use makeup wipes but I know they're not the best for the skin and they don't really take all of your makeup off. And so comes in this product, it's the Nirvana Spa Ultimate Cleansing Tonic which I bought from at Asda for £5. I thought I'd give it a go as it claims to be a 'one-step cleanser that removes daily impurities and makeup, even waterproof mascara'. So I was curious to know if it would work on my skin.

The first thing you'll notice about this product is that it's one of those oil and water solutions that you shake and mix together. I thought this was good as it would help take eye makeup off much easier and it does. What I do is apply it onto a cotton pad and then dab it onto my lids, move it around for a few seconds and most of the makeup comes off. I repeat this process until my eye makeup completely dissolves. Afterwards, I move onto my face and I normally do the same thing, I just pour some product onto a cotton pad and use that to take my face makeup off. Although it works, I find that I have to use a good amount of product and several cotton pads to completely get rid of everything.

This doesn't really sting my eyes or irritate my skin and I have normal/combination skin. However when you finish, you're left with a thin film of oil around the face. I don't particularly mind this as it absorbs onto the skin after a few minutes, leaving the surface really smooth. However, it can be an issue if you have more of an oily skin or don't like that grease feeling. Normally after this, I would just cleanse again with face wash and water or if I'm feeling lazy, I'd go straight to using a toner to get rid of any dirt or makeup that's left. Another thing to note is that, it has a slight chemical scent to it. This doesn't bother me now as I've gotten used to it, but it's something to consider if you're planning on trying it out.

Overall, it's a pretty good product that doesn't cost a lot. It was my first time trying out something like this and it's made me want to try more. I would like to try out more micellar waters like the one from L'oreal and of course, Bioderma. x

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter Body Lotion

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter Body Lotion £10

I get really dry skin especially around my legs and arms so it's important that I keep them nourished and moisturised. After hearing a lot about Soap and Glory, I thought I'd try some of their skincare, one being The Righteous Butter Body Lotion. I'm not really a big fan of body butters in tubs as I don't like dipping my hands in to get the product out. So the pump was a really good selling point for me on this one. I just find it easier to use and I know exactly how many pumps I need for each part of my body. I don't know, I just prefer my skincare in bottles. Aha! 

The product itself is really easy to apply, it's not sticky and it absorbs into the skin pretty quickly. I just honestly love this product, it works so well in keeping your legs and arms smooth. Oh and can I just mention how amazing this smells, oh my goodness! Every time I put this on, it just makes me feel so refreshed and clean. It's almost as if I'm incomplete without it after a shower. The only thing I have to say though is that the smell does linger for a really long time and sometimes can transfer onto clothes. So I'll be careful to use it along with other scents. I personally don't mind this as I'm not big on spraying perfume. I just think it's a bonus that I get to smell good and be all soft and silky. Hee!

But yeah, I really recommend this to anyone who's looking for a really good body lotion especially this time of year when the cold just sucks all the moisture out of you. It's not the cheapest but for what you get, I think £10 is definitely worth it. This entire bottle has lasted me a good few months too so I think it's done pretty well for itself. Soap and Glory products are available in Boots. x

Circle Lens — EOS Flower Pink

 Diameter: 14.0mm

Base Curve: 8.6mm

I've had these lenses for quite a while now and they were from an online shop called Japanese Candy. I can't  remember exactly how much they were but it wasn't at all expensive. I'd say around the £15 to £25 mark including postage and they last a pretty long time too! These are my second pair of contacts, the first one being a two-toned green which I had about 3 years ago. As you can see, the lenses have a pink floral design which surprisingly show very well even with dark eyes like mine. They are very easy to put on and comfort-wise, they're pretty okay. I can wear them for about 8 hours straight, possibly even 10 if I wanna push it. 

I don't wear fashion or circle lenses on a regular basis, but I like having them anyway for days when I want to make my look that tiny bit more interesting. These lenses are lovely and I really adore them! Although sadly, I think it won't be long until I have to throw them away, as I've had them for quite a while now. I do however, have a new pair, yey! I will make a post on that one sometime soon too! x

Look Beauty Make Me Blush in Flirt

Look Beauty Make Me Blush in Flirt £8

I've had this blusher for quite a while now and I really like it! It's the Look Beauty Make Me Blush in Flirt. I originally heard about it on Lily Melrose's blog, whom can I just say is one of the most inspiring bloggers out there. I believe this used to be one of her favourite blushers and it's no surprise why. 

Flirt is a dark coral type of blush with hints of shimmer running through it. Personally, I think it's the perfect mix of pink and coral. It is so pigmented, you only need the tiniest amount to get colour on your cheeks. And you can easily build it up for a stronger look, or if you've got darker skin. I also find this colour very flattering on me regardless if I'm wearing it subtly or a bit more pronounced. As for the shimmer, I find it very hard to notice once it's on the face. The lasting power is pretty good too, I only ever touch up once a day. Sometimes, not even, depending on how long my day is. I also really like the packaging. You get a grey square container inside a pink box, which I love! It has the words 'Make Me Blush' printed on it. Then you get a pretty decent sized mirror inside — perfect for touch ups! And on the pan is 8.6g of product.

It retails for around £8, which I think is very reasonable. Especially as you're getting a really good quality product that works! And if you're not one for spending that much on a blush, this product goes on sale quite often. Normally 50% off, so keep your eyes peeled! Look Beauty is available in Superdrug and online. x

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer £4.19

Most of you would have probably already used, or at least heard about the Collection 2000 (or Collection, as they wanna be called nowadays) Lasting Perfection Concealer. After all, it is by far one of the most hyped about drugstore concealers out there and for good reasons too. One, it is absolutely affordable. Two, the coverage is amazing. And three, it really works! 

I'm no expert when it comes to makeup but it doesn't take a lot for one to notice how good this product is. It covers unwanted spots very well, hides the redness where necessary and most of all conceals my dark circles. But just like every other beauty item out there, it also has its downsides. I think the most common being its tendency to get really cakey. To stop this from happening, I always set it with my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder and I also avoid applying too much. And although, I've mentioned how good the coverage is, its claim of 16-hour wear isn't exactly all that true. For me, it lasts a good 6 hours until it gradually starts to fade. At which I'd re-apply if I feel like I need to. Also, the packaging isn't the greatest but for £4.19, I'm sure it's something everyone can live with. 

Overall, a really good concealer especially for starters. I would recommend this to anyone and would suggest you give it a go too if you haven't yet! x

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Rimmel Stay Matter Powder £3.99

If you're familiar with the world of beauty blogging, you would have probably already heard about the Rimmel Stay Matte powder. With the likes of Tanya Burr constantly talking about it and using it in a lot of her makeup tutorials, it's no wonder people go on and on about it. Likewise, I just had to go out and try it! I bought mine quite a while ago now, and I think it's safe to say that it's one heck of a powder! And for £3.99, seriously, what's not to like? 

I use this with my Real Techniques multi task brush and all I do is dab it in to get a good amount of product. It isn't at all powdery but it isn't like a brick either when you're trying to get some out the packaging. I've had experience with some products being really powdery and going all over the place, as well as ones that take a whole lot of work just to get the tiniest bit on the brush. This one's just perfect!

My shade is in Warm Beige, a tad light but there's no telling once it's on the face. What I love about this product is that it does exactly what it says it will — mattify! It's a great all-around-the-face powder but more so for areas where you get more oily, for me, the t-zone. Surprisingly, it lasts a pretty decent amount of time especially if I'm using a good foundation. The only time I would probably have to re-apply is when I've been sweating a lot or if my face has gotten too warm and has released more oil. But other than that, it's keeps the face pretty matte for as long as you need it to. And if it really can't be helped, just re-apply. It takes little to no time! That's what I do.

There are probably better powders out in the market but for a drugstore product, this has done pretty well for itself. Not the best packaging, no. But this isn't one you buy because you're feeling fancy, it's one you get because it's cheap and it works. Would I re-purchase and recommend it? Yes, definitely. So if you're looking for a new powder that stops you from getting overly shiny, this is may be the one for you. Just try it out and see how it goes. After all, that's what I did and now it's part of my daily makeup routine. And if it doesn't work, at least it hasn't cost you all your savings! x

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation £8.99

Here's a product that I have been wanting to review for so long now and it's the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation. I am in the colour 400 Natural Beige which is probably a tad dark on me now. However, this matched me perfectly back when I first purchased it late last year. My skin was darker then as I travelled a lot over the summer and caught a bit of sun. I was using it quite regularly and have gone through almost two thirds of the bottle.

The consistency of this is really thick, and by that I mean a lot thicker than any other foundation I have ever tried before. This doesn't particularly bother me as it still applies very smoothly with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I normally use around a pump and a half to two pumps of this to get an even coverage around my face and neck. It has a light to medium coverage, enough to even out the skin and cover most of the redness and discolouration around the face. Although it has a pretty decent amount of coverage, you would still need to use a concealer with this for any problem areas such as spots and under-eye circles. It has SPF 15 too which is always a good thing to have in a foundation. There is also a slight scent to it which I actually quite like but if you're not one for scented foundations, then I would definitely stay clear of this. 

It claims to re-awaken and illuminate the skin which I agree with. I think this is due to the little amounts of shimmer in the product that gives the skin a glowing effect, making it look a lot more awake and radiant. The shimmer really isn't visible once it's on the face unless inspected up close or swatched. It also has a very natural finish, not too matte, not too dewy. The lasting power is pretty fair. I have normal/combination skin and it lasts around 8 hours of good wear on me. It can probably stretch up to 10, maybe even 12 hours without looking patchy and oily depending on how often I powder and sweat throughout the day. But for the most part, it stays on really well and doesn't just melt away during the day.

I really like this foundation. In fact, I couldn't think of a bad thing to say about it. And although it may not be the most amazing base out there, it stays true to what it says on the bottle and does a really good job in doing the things I would want a foundation to do. Would I buy it again? Yes. Would I recommend it to other people? Definitely. It's cheap and cheerful and overall a good product. Have you tried the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, what's your thoughts on it? Let me know! x

Pixi Lash Line Ink

Pixi Lash Line Ink in Black Silk £12

Last year, I bought the Pixi Lash Line Ink soon after seeing Lily Melrose write about it on her blog. I was in search for a new pen liner since the Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner just wasn't cutting it for me anymore. The main selling point for me on this one is the pointed nib that apparently held its shape through time, which I find it really did! It applies really smoothly and the fine tip makes for a nice precise flick, which I also love! It isn't as waterproof as it claims to be but it stays on pretty well — proving you don't cry buckets. Haha! 

The only problem I had with this is that it would start to smudge onto my crease after a few hours of wear. I don't particularly have oily lids but I would have to use powder or eye shadow to prevent the smudging. I've heard other people with similar issues but some seem to get on just fine. I'm afraid you're going to have to test it out yourself to find out. Other than that, I think it's a really good and reliable eyeliner, especially for everyday use. It's not the cheapest but I think it can be really worth the money. After all, it lasted me three months and I used it almost everyday. I would probably repurchase it too if I don't find a better alternative! Mine is starting to dry out now so I'm on a hunt for another pen liner. Any suggestions? x

Real Techniques Core Collection

Real Techniques Core Collection £21.99

The Real Techniques brushes have been out in the market for a quite a while now and the hype around it remains as every blogger and youtuber continue to talk and rave about them. I have never really been a brushes type of girl as I have always relied on my fingers to apply my foundation and a cheap brush to apply powder and blush. However, seeing as I've started to get more and more interested in makeup, I thought, "You know what, why the heck not? Everyone seems to love them." So yea, a few months ago, I curved and bought the core collection!

One that has stood out the most within the collection is the buffing brush. A lot of people find it a bit annoying that you can only get it if you buy the entire set but I didn't mind. For what it's worth, you get three extra brushes which may or may not work for you. Personally, I use the buffing brush for applying foundation and I love it! Having used it for the last three months, I don't think I'd ever wanna use my fingers again. Aha! It works really well in terms of blending the foundation onto the skin, therefore allowing you to achieve a flawless base. 

On the other hand, I use the contour brush for the exact purpose it's labelled as, contouring! It's great, and blends in the product well. I also use it to apply my blush and set my concealer. Speaking of which, I sometimes use the foundation brush to blend my concealer in. It's okay, does the job but I wouldn't go as far as saying it's great or anything. I can see how it can be used for foundation but I personally think it's too small and could apply streaky. Besides, I really just don't have the time or patience to even bother testing it out. So yea, I basically just use it for my concealer. Lastly, the detailer brush which I use on days when I fill in my brows with powder. Overall, it does a really good job and it's easy to use too. I believe, you can also use it to apply lip products but I haven't tried that myself to say whether it works or not. 

As far as the entire collection goes, I would rate the buffing brush as the one I get the most use out of. Contour brush second, detailer brush third and the foundation brush I can easily live without. Having said that, I think it's a really good affordable set especially for beginners like myself. And believe me when I say that the buffing brush does not disappoint! x

Topshop Nails in Eclipse

Topshop Nails in Eclipse £6

Last week, I picked up my very first ever nail polish from Topshop in the colour Eclipse. This immediately caught my eyes as I thought it would be cool to have another glitter polish that changed colours in different lights. My first one being, Barry M's Silvery Lilac 324. Although, I do love it and think the colour is really pretty, I find that it has more of a brass green tone rather than the dark turquoise green that shows when you first grab the bottle. I found out about this as soon as I applied that first coat and noticed the prominent amount of gold shimmer in the polish. Not to worry though! Hints of that nice dark turquoise undertone still appears in brighter light especially when you move your fingers around. Application wise, it was very smooth and I'm not sure whether it was the brush or the formula but I never went over my nails whilst using this polish which is really quite impressive. Oh, and plus points for drying up pretty quickly too! Definitely a polish worth all those pennies. x