Carrera 5024S Black BIL Sunglasses

The sun has got his hat on - hip hip hip horray! The sun has got his hat on so........... we need to chat SUNGLASSES!

Yup! Today I'm talking all about shades with you guys and in particular this new snazzy pair I have from Carrera Sunglasses.

These were sent to me by the fabulous people at Sunglasses Shop - one of the greatest places online to hunt through designer glasses with hundreds of different styles from your favourite high end brands.

I am a BIG fan of cat eye sunglasses and most of my pairs are that design and mainly for one particular reason....
 I shan't beat around the bush - I have a large forehead.... which I'm not a huge fan of so glasses with a large frame normally suit me best (and kind of hides the 5head)!

This pair is from the Carrera Craze collection which is the most fashion focused from the brand. The frame is black whilst the lenses are a slightly less harsh grey shade. I definitely prefer it when the lenses are dark, I hate it when people can still see my eyes!
These are a great fit for me and I'm super pleased with them!

At first I wasn't that keen on the arms as they are a different texture and felt a little cheaper but I have got used to them now and having been eyeing up the different colours available!

Carrera 5024S Black BIL Sunglasses*

These are priced at £89 - if you want anymore information or want to check out the different colours they do.. click here.

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Rimmel London Wonder'Full Mascara With Argan Oil Review

So I needed a new mascara AND Rimmel just happend to release a brand new mascara .... well that isn't a coincidence is it? Totes meant to be! So as soon as I could get my hands on it this beauty was straight in my basket and bought before you could say - long lashes!

I've been using a Maxfactor mascara for a while but I do try and re-purchase mascaras every 3 months or so, someone once told me that after 3 months there is enough bacteria in a mascara to kill a rat.... and I don't really want that near my eyeball!

My holy grail mascara is Maxfactor's Masterpiece Max and it has been for years, but I seem to be on a constant mission to find something better so when new mascaras are released I'm on it like a ninja turtle on pizza!

This is the new mascara from Rimmel. I haven't used a Rimmel mascara since buying the Lash Accelerator last year (which I love) so it was about time I went back to them.

What drew me most to the Wonder'full mascara, apart from the fact it's new, is that it is made with Argan oil! I swear this ingredient i slowly making it's way into every single product possible! It is said to leave your lashes feeling conditioned and soft - sometimes, especially after a hot day in summer, my eyelashes can feel so thick and clumped that this sounded like the perfect product for me to try!

It comes in a cute curved copper/bronze tube - I like that Rimmel always try to make their mascara packaging completely different to the last, this looks like nothing else in their range.

I had to check the brush before investing - I'm really not a fan of thick, bushy brushes - I have really small eyes so bushy, fluffy brushes just don't work out well for me.

The brush had is fairly big (compared to things such as the masterpiece max) but I love the thin, spikey bristles - that's my kind of comb!
 I find it so much easier to coat my short, stumpy lashes with brushes like this! The bristles feel really soft and light aswell, better than those dagger, death traps which aim in life is to poke your eye out.

Now onto the results and what I think.....

Looooooves it! I am quite picky with mascara and all the ones I have bought recently I just haven't been that impressed with... naming no names......
But this is lovely! I'm normally not that keen on brushes that are a bit flimsy and bend easily but I could actually use this beaut with ease! Wahooo go me!
My lashes become separated with just a coat or two and what I love the most is that it's NOT clumpy! 
My lashes still feel light and soft and along with my eyelash curlers this gives me a fab everyday look! (and it's easy to get off too!)

This little newbie is only £5.99 - a massive bargain in my opinion!
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Hi Impact Brows - Eye & Brow Palette Review

Eyebrows are such a key thing when it comes to doing my make-up and feeling confident with it.

 They really do frame your face and as a teen I hardly even thought about mine and how they looked - I just plucked those strays ones and avoid any form of uni-brow. 
But.... over the last couple of years I have become very conscious of my eyebrows and what they look like and try my hardest to keep them the best I can.

I have HD Brows done regularly and it was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. I'm look constantly at new eyebrow products and reviews of them but I always seem to stray back to the same old, same old which I have become rather bored of - queue this new beaut in my life from Hi Impact Brows. 

This is a 4 shade eye & brow palette from Hi Impact Brows. That's right it's an all in one which is super handy if you are on the go, have a small make-up bag or don't like too many products!

Hi Impact Brows - Eye & Brow Palette*

The packaging is a slick, shiny black rectangle compact small and simple enough for all cosmetic bags. (There's nothing worse than a handy product which comes in ridiculously large packaging) 

 Armed with a mirror and brush also this has got everything you need for eyebrows both and home and on the go!

I've always used my elf eyeliner brush for my eyebrow powders but this one included has worked fabulously, it's slightly thinner so it makes it easier to be precise and not overload the product.

 The shades left to right :

Blonde

Cinnamon Brown

Chocolate Brown

Black

The colours can be used individually or mixed together to create a perfect shade for everyone and anyone's eyebrows.

Not only good for brows though these powders are great for both a subtle daytime eyeshadow look and a gorgeous smokey eye! (The black works great as an eyeliner!)

  
These are mineral based powders and are said to be long-lasting and anti-smudge, I definitley need this as I'm forever accidentally wiping my forehead and therefore my eyebrow/s which has had some hilarious/unfortunately consequences for my face! (Like that woman in the movie Just Go With It hahaha!)

Top to bottom : Black, Chocolate Brown, Cinnamon Brown, Blonde.

So I tested out the shades and decided Cinnamon Brown is the perfect shade for me at the moment - I love the warmth to it!
My eyebrows are really sparse at in the centre and I've been trying to grow them back for years - this is why eyebrow products are so important to me - I look ridiculous without! Also after a couple of weeks my HD Brows tint does tend to fade and my eyebrows are so naturally light that its nice to easily be able to fake the colour each morning!

This stuff applies like a dream and is so easy to build up to help get the shape and density right for you! I normally use a pencil and then a powder but the quality of this is so good that it's the only product I need to fill them!

To find out more head over to DeeandCo, this beaut retails for £17.99! 

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Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Gel Review

Since trying out Boots Essentials for the first time recently with the 3 minute mask I knew it wasn't going to be long before I invested in something else from the range!

Being only £1.50 an item and more often than not their being some form of deal or offer on it's not like I could say no!

I'd heard so much about this eye gel and I'm always looking for anything to help bring down those puffy eyes so this was on my list to pick up.

I feel like I don't own enough eye-based products! I don't have any eye creams and only rarely use my Garnier caffeine eye roll-on ... even though I love the stuff!

Saying this - I moan about my under-bags constantly so why I don't use products to help more often is beyond me!

This gel comes in a small, handy 15ml tube and like I said before retails for just £1.50! I like this range as the scent isn't too overpowering but still has a soothing quality. 

For the price this stuff is fab! Really soothing and you only need a small pea sized amount to cover both under-eyes.

It's for all skin types so even if you have sensitive skin - have no fear!

 I've been using this stuff a fair amount since buying it and I've found it's helped give some life back to my eye area! Not as puffy and sleepy-looking - wahooo!

I've decided to start keeping this in the fridge too - extra cooling and soothing that way! Another beauty bargain added to my collection!

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Product Of The Week #6

Finally another make-up product has made it into my product of the week!

Now, as you may know, I've been trying to put myself on a spending ban so I have been delving into my current make-up collection and using alot more of the stuff I already own (that would be sensible wouldn't it!)

As I've run out of my favourite everyday mascara (Maxfactor Masterpiece Max) and forking out £10 for a new one is a no-no at the moment, I have been going through that mascara draw I normally ignore and using up all those I have lying around!

The mascara that I have been using non-stop this past week is the Lancome Hypnose Star which is actually a miniature I bought in a gift set back at Christmas time. (you may remember the review!)

I'm so bad for buying things and forgetting to use them and I am totally guilty for forgetting about these miniature mascaras!

I spotted this one and thought I'd give it a go and add it into my daily routine!
Now... I am so happy I did! This mascara is awesome! It has a funky brush which is actually flat not round and it gets thinner towards the end which helps gets all those little lashes in the corners!

I have really short, stumpy rubbish lashes (waaaa for me :( ) so anything that helps lengthen my lashes is a good good friend - this does the trick perfectly!
Another full sized product I want to invest in - I'd better try and make this little one last for now!

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Sleek i-Divine Eyeshadow Palette - Au Naturel

I am a sucker for netural eyeshadow colours.
I'm not really one for wearing wacky, bright or rainbow colours on my eyes - just for the plain and honest reason that I just cannot pull them off so I'm always going for browns and creams... what a bore!
 I love a natural smokey eye and it is pretty much my deafult make-up when I'm doing a proper full-face. I have been using my Naked palette non-stop since I got it and even though I love it like a sister I'm starting to want some new palettes and shades to play around with when doing my make-up ..... queue my new Sleek palette from the i-Divine collection - Au Naturel.

I'm always so impressed with everything I purchase from Sleek and this has been no exception! 

A gorgeous selection of 12 netural shades with both matte and shimmer formulas. This cost me £7.99 and I purchased it from Boots, although I'm sure it is available in Superdrug too! A fraction of the price of a naked palette with some fantastic colours!

You get this plastic sheet inside the palette with all the names of the shades on which is really handy but I'm praying I'll never loose it! (Although I suppose I can now always come onto here and read the names.... genius!)

From left to right :

TOP  - Nougat, Nubuck, Cappuccino, Honeycomb, Toast, Taupe.

BOTTOM  - Conker, Moss, Bark, Mineral Earth, Regal, Noir.

I'm loving having some new shades to play around with and for the price the quality is fab! Highly pigmented and I can tell they are going to last a long time.

Great for both daytime and for big nights out there is such a great variety for both light and dark colours!

 My favourites have to be Conker & Taupe I think!

Another fantastic purchase from Sleek - everytime I buy a product from them I fall in love with them more and more!

Do you recommend any Sleek products or have you tried out any of the other eyeshadow palettes?

MAC Eyeshadow - Cranberry Review

I love mac and everything I own from them I treasure like a child. It's not a brand I can always afford and I have to really love something to splash out the money for it, even though I always know it will be worth it!
Something I have been looking at for a long, long while and totally lusting over is this eyeshadow, Cranberry.

I was in Bournemouth recently which is actually the closest MAC to my hometown on the Isle Of Wight - other than that it is London (way too far to travel for an eyeshadow!!)
Alot of my Mac purchases are bought online or on holiday and it's always exciting when I get new stuff... yes I'm that cool.

This shadow that I have been seen everywhere for months and months and even though it is only £12.50 (in the long run, not that expensive!) it has taken me a while to cough up the cash for it!
It is a gorgeous shimmery red/purple/copper colour, the best way to describe it - Cranberry. (funny that!)
I'm sure you have all seen this by now but if you haven't I'm sure you are falling in love right now!

This is definitely has more of a purple tint in real life  than the photos are making out - 'boo you whore camera!' but as you can see the colour and quality is of course amazing!

 This is an absolutely perfect colour for Autumn and a fantastic addition to any collection!

I cannot wait to use it again and create some great smokey eyes with it!

And if this isn't the sort of colour you've used before -don't worry, me either - I was a little nervous it would look a bit crazy and OTT on me but it is subtle and blends so well, I used it along side my Urban Decay Naked palette and it worked great!

Have you bought this badboy yet? Any other Autumn coloured shadows you can recommend to me?

Zoeva Cosmetics : Complete Brush Set

Some people may call me jammy, I'd just like to think of it as lucky.... yes I won another competition!
 Along with Rimmel, Revlon and Umberto Giannini wins this past 6 weeks or so I also managed to win a competition with the lovely people at Zoeva.
Zoeva are a cosmetics brand based in Germany, I'd seen them a few times on twitter and had heard really good things so thought I would enter - why not right?!
The prize I won was the "Complete Set" - a set of 15 make-up brushes and a brush cleanser product - A-mazing.

"The ZOEVA Complete Set is an exclusive selection of ZOEVA’s favorite makeup brushes for face an eye application.

This set contains 15 essential brushes for a perfect makeup finish. From powder, foundation and blush brush, to professional eye brushes for the application of eyeshadow and eyeliner – with this kit you are all set! 

A travel size mini Brush Cleanser is included in this set." - Taken from Zoeva's website

The brushes came in a lovely black case/pouch and are all black and silver - simple but gorgeous. There is literally a brush for everything here and I have been using them non-stop for the past week.

106 | Powder Brush
104 | Buffer Brush

102 | Silk Finish Brush

127 | Luxe Sheer Cheek Brush

110 | Face Shape Brush

142 | Concealer Buffer Brush

228 | Crease Brush

227 | Soft Definer Brush

231 | Petit Crease Brush

234 | Smoky Shader Brush

230 | Pencil Brush

317 | Wing Liner Brush

238 | Precise Shader Brush

315 | Fine Liner Brush

321 | Brow Comb

Zoeva Brush Cleanser 15ml

All the brushes are super soft which the first thing I want in a brush and to me they are just as good quality as the Real Technique brushes. (a personal fav)

The silk finish brush is perfect for liquid foundation application and the concealer buffer does the perfect job with my Collection Lasting Perfection concealer!

I'm also loving using the Luxe Sheer Cheek brush for my Sleek contour kit bronzer - it is the perfect shape to contour my cheeks and the powder brush is fab for my ELF Warm bronzer or Fake Bake shimmer brick!

The wing liner brush I actually use with my HD Brows palette to fill in my eyebrows, it works so well!

I can't wait for a big night out soon when I can put to use all the other brushes as I've only done that once so far - other than that I have just been using them fr my day-to-day make-up which is pretty basic!

I highly recommend these brushes and for only €88 for 15 brushes and a brush cleanser I think it is a bargain (works out at just over £5 per item - alot cheaper than going out and buying a whole brush collection separately!)

I'm definitley going to look into trying some of the Zoeva make-up because if the products are as good as the brushes then they are slowly going to be heading up to the top of my fav brands!

Have any of you tried any Zoeva products? What are your favourite brushes to use?

The 40 Beauty Questions Tag

So I was casually scrolling through video after video on YouTube the other night (a regular occurrence with me) and I came across this from beautybaby44 and it is the - 40 Beauty Questions Tag! 
Obviously right now I don't do YouTube videos.... I really would love too as I love watching them but I just don't think I am confident enough and not sure I ever will be for it so I thought I'd settled for writing it in a blog post!
(I'm not sure if there is actually 40 questions I just copied the ones from beautybaby44 video!)

 

How many times do you wash your face daily?

Well I give my face a quick wash every morning in the shower but every evening I use Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish to get off all my make-up and clean my face properly.
What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
I used to have quite normal skin but over the last couple of years its grown more towards the oily side so a bit of a combination really.
What is your current facial wash?
Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish, haven't found anything else that gets off ALL of my make-up with ease and makes my face feel fresh as a daisy. It is the best.
Do you exfoliate?
Yes. Face & Body.
What brand do you use?
 I use a Soap & Glory's Scrub Your Nose In It once or twice a week on my face and their Breakfast Scrub every other day on my body (it smells amazing!)

What moisturiser do you use?
I never really used to use one (face wise) - because I am naughty and I thought it was making my skin more oily but recently have been using Nivea's Soft Moisturising cream and I am in love! It smells amazing and leaves my face feeling so soft and smooth, it is my new obsession! 
Do you have freckles?
I do indeed - my Mum is a redhead so it was inevitable, I have pretty fair skin but my natural hair is quite dark but lots of freckles when the sun comes out - I don't really mind though.

Do you use eye cream?
Nope - does that sound bad? .... maybe I should buy some?
Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
No, I have been very very lucky with my skin and have only got/get the odd spot now and again, I am very grateful for that.
Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No. That only came out in the UK a few years ago aswell (clearly this is a US tag), I have been lucky enough not to ever have to use anything like tht.

What foundation do you use?
On a day-to-day basis I wear L'oreal True Match foundation in the shade N4 but on a night out and for more important occassions I mix this with Mac's Studio Sculpt foundation (which is amazing if you love full coverage), I also really like Rimmel's Wake Me Up foundation for a basic daytime look.

How about concealer?
I normally use Maybelline's Super Stay 24H Concealer which is great for my ugly bags under my eyes (I swear I am always tired!) I also recently purchased the blog/youtube-famous Lasting Perfection Concealer from Collection (Formally Collection 2000... when did this change!!?!) which I am also really liking!
Do you know your undertone color?
I'd say I am a neutral as I do have a mix of both warm and cool tones in my skin.

What do you think of fake eyelashes?
LOVE. I have seriously short crap lashes (I use two, sometimes three mascaras everyday) so wearing fake lashes makes me feel so much better about myself andhow my make-up looks! My favourite ones are 107's by eylure, they are my goto lashes, the suit my eye shape (as I also have super small eyes), are easy to put on and normally last all night!

Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes I did actually. When I was younger my Mum used to always have "Body Shop Parties" 
round our house ... who remembers them? And I'll always remember the host telling us all that after 3 months your mascara has enough bacteria in it to kill a rat - that is something that has stuck with me ever since.
What brand of mascara do you use?
The brand is always changing and I normally use more than one! I can tell you my current top 3 - Maxfactor's Masterpiece Max, Benefit's they're Real and Rimmel's Lash Accelrator Endless all in black.
Sephora or MAC?
Well I'm from the UK so we don't actually have Sephora but I have been to both stores and think I would choose Sephora for sure - more choice.
Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
Nope, The closest Mac store/counter to me is in Bournemouth I think and if not then it's London so I can't say I go there alot. If I ever want anything by mac I will purchase it online and I google the swatches to check the shade etc if I need to.

What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Mainly just brushes. The brushes I use on a daily basis are my amazing Real Techniques brushes (my favourite and the best make-up investment I've ever made I think) and some Elf mineral brushes! I also use eyelash curlers - couldn't live without those badboys!
Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
When I am using eyeshadow, which is normally only when I am going on a night out then I just use the Urban Decay Shadow Primer Potion.
For the face?
Yes, I always use a primer. My favourites are the Benefit Porefessional and Smashbox Photo Finish but at the moment I using the Seventeen Photo Flawless primer which is a great dupe for now. (while I am poor) I have also just started using the skin protector primer from ARK Skincare which I am loving in this hot weather - review coming soon!

What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
Hands down my Urban Decay Naked Palette. I'm not one to be wearing crazy colours on my eyelids, I think it just looks horredous on me, so I live for the naked palette. I haven't used anything else for eyeshadow since I got this for Christmas - I adore it.
Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Well I like to use a khol pencil normally like Soap & Glory's eyeliner or Maybelline's Master Drama Khloe Liner but I have just purchased the Seventeen Make Your Mark precision eyeliner pen which is like a felt tip pen and I am loving it. Really wasn't sure that I would but it is great.
How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Haha not very often but mascara... that's a different story! It always seems to happen when I have done all my other make-up fine and I am more or less done and I poke myself in the eye really hard with my mascara brush, my eyes water and GAME OVER.
What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
Never use them - too messy for my liking.
Do you use mineral makeup?
I do own a few bits but it isn't something I reach for, I like really full coverage stuff like liquid foundations and pressed bronzers.

What is your favorite lipstick?
I'm not just going to give one, because I can't pick! But my fav lines of lipsticks is probably Rimmel's Kate Moss collection (and Rimmel in general), Mac lipsticks (although I can't really afford them!) and Barry M.
How about lipgloss?
If you've read my blog before you have probably seen me rave about these and that is the Barry M lipglosses - they are a personal fav of mine and I could rave about them for hours - especially the scents! Also a new favourite which you've probably also seen me rave about is the Rimmel Apocalips. (Check out my previous post to find out all about them!)
What is your favorite blush to use?
I'm not really a blush user to be fair, I'm more of a highlight and bronzer only girl! I do love my Victoria's Secret Powder in All Or Nothing though (check out my Colours Of The Rainbow Tag) not sure wheather I can count that as a blush though. 
Do you buy your makeup on ebay?

Not really know, I have bought things in the past from chap discount stores on there but sometimes you have to question if they are authentic. 

Do you like drugstore makeup?
I love it.

Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)

Not really no, I live on an island do nothing like that really available here. I shop at Fragrance Direct etc though - does that count?

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?

Yeah still considering putting myself on a course.

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

I can be yes but I think I do it so much that I could easily do it without even looking now! The only bit I am worse at is mascara, how do I get it all over my eyelid seriously?! 

Name a makeup crime that you hate?

Foundation lines around the chin and OTT blush/bronzer.
Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
Lipsticks - I like both, I wear both! But for eyeshadows I like to stick with netural colours.

Which celebrity always has great make up?
The Kardashian's make-up always looks flawless, I love Kim's smokey eye look. I also love the subtle, minimal make-up that the girls on Pretty Little Liars wear - they are gorgeous.   
If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?Mascara, like I said my eyes are small and my lashes are short so this is easiest thing to change my face with one product. 
 Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes, although when I do I normally wear my glasses to hide a bit haha, I look so young without make-up on.

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?

Like I said I look really young without make-up on, I'm lucky with my skin but I'm just not a fan of myself with no make-up on at all but I'm not ashamed of it.

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?

I'll give you my top 4 - Two drugstore and two higher end. Rimmel, Barry M, Benefit & Mac. 

What do you think of Makeup? 

For me I think it a great thing to make yourself feel a bit better and maybe a bit more confident. It is a great way to express yourself and feel unique - I love having an interest in it and it is kind of a hobby, I could think of alot worse things to spend my money on.                  

I hope you all enjoyed this tag and guess what - I TAG YOU to do this post!!!