Make up Revolution

I’m all for affordable makeup and when the quality and pigmentation is as good as high end products whats not to like? Make up Revolution is the newest affordable makeup brand on the block; sold exclusively in Superdrug and on their own website this is definitely a brand not to be missed. It is currently taking the blogging and youtube world by storm and I can see why! The brand reminds me of a cross between MUA and Sleek. MUA for the affordability and Sleek with some of the products packaging. 

Makeup Revolutions price bracket is really affordable. The items are priced between £1-£12 and the latter being their 100 colour eyeshadow palette.

Redemption Palette, Essential Mattes (£4)

For starters when you break down the price with 12 eyeshadows it works out to only around 83p each. This particular palette is exclusively matte, the shades range from natural beiges to browns to deep purples and even a matte black. I think this palette would be great for days you don’t want too much eye makeup or even a matte smokey eye. They have good pigmentation and last a long while without the use of a primer. I would apply the foundation last if using the darker colours as it can be a little chalky. I love the selection of colours in this palette. I have also seen many posts which say that the Redemption Palette, Iconic 3 (£4) is a great dupe for the UD Naked 3 palette. I will be purchasing it next time I’m in Superdrug, obviously.

 

Redemption Palette, Acid Brights (£4)

This totally reminded me of the Sleek Acid palette, I don’t own that palette but I have read dupe posts and they are SO similar. At £4 this really is a steal. There are a mixture of mattes and Shimmers in this palette and also a few neutral shades like the silver, black and cream.  To utilise this palette (as someone who doesn’t wear bright eyeshadow) I would use a colour as an eyeliner just below the waterline and then you have the option of layering your mascara if you want to tone it down further. And its perfect that way because it is one of the current trends this Summer! A pop of colour is always a win! This palette again is priced so affordably.

Baked bronzer, Bronzed fame (£4)

I love this bronzer, even just in the pan it’s oh, so pretty. I think marbleised is the right word to use- if that even is an actual word. The bronzer contains gold shimmers through it which is perfect for the summer. The bronzer colour itself appears to be brown in the pan but when applied it is more if a dark peach. So for me this would make the perfect blush colour. There is a good 13g worth of product in this so it should last you a while and again the pigmentation of this bronzer is brilliant, you only need the smallest amount.

The One foundation, shade 5 (£4)

I have used this a good few times to find the best way to wear it. It needs a really good shake and you need to watch how much you pour out as the consistency is really runny. When applied onto the skin it comes out quite light but when blended in it really does adapt to your skin colour which is quite intriguing! It states it ‘adapts to skin tone and texture’. This foundation is definitely build able, for me in needs at least 2 layers for it to appear like a tinted moisturiser. The great thing about this foundation is that it doesn’t appear cakey at all even if you layer it. It gives a lovely matte finish and feels very light on the skin. There are also 16 shades which is amazing!

 

Blush Lacquer, Rush | Bloom | O’Boy (£3 ea)

I love the idea of these blushers, I have never used a liquid blush before so these were exciting to try. After asking on Twitter for the best way to use these I finally found a way which worked for me. You need the smallest amount as they are very pigmented. Once you pump it onto the back of your hand, apply a little to your cheeks, I usually go over it with my foundation brush to blend it in a little further. Usually powder blushers disappear within an hour on me but these last the whole day!

Lip Laquer, All that I have inside (£3)

I love this lip gloss, the shimmery coral colour is perfect for the current trends and it is very long lasting. Thankfully it is not super sticky and the pigmentation is great. The coral colour shows up even without a coral lipstick underneath and the colour is true to how it appears in the bottle.

Amazing Care lipstick, happy lips (£3)

I was intrigued to try this lipstick, the inside is the lipstick itself which is really pigmented and then the outside clear ‘case’ is argon oil which moisturises your lips - a two in one product. The colour itself is perfect, as cliche as it sounds it really is a ‘your lips but better’ kind of colour. The lipstick is creamy and has great longevity. The packaging is pretty cute too.

Overall, I am really happy with the items! I am even contemplating replacing all my collection with items from Make up Revolution as they have literally everything. The prices are so affordable and the pigmentation and longevity of the products are great.

They have released a lot of new collections which look exciting! I am also eager to try out their Hot Spice Blush and Contour palette. They also have eyebrow kits (£2.50) which look good - I have never had an eyebrow kit before, I usually just use a regular eyeshadow so for the price it’s worth a try. They also sell individual eyeshadows and mascaras which look really good - basically I need to head down to a Superdrug store and go wild trying out all the products and then proceed to popping them in my basket.

Have you tried anything from Makeup Revolution? What do you think about the items I’ve reviewed?

*pr sample

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New Satchel - The Hillingdon.

Satchels were a big thing last year when they were first introduced by the creator of The Cambridge Satchel. Since then many high street stores have created their own versions of the must have bag at a much affordable price. This tan Hillingdon Satchel* (£24 & free delivery) from LYDC is the perfect bag for me and can be worn throughout the whole year because of the versatile colour and style - I thought it would be perfect for reviewing when offered. The bag itself is made from faux leather but it honestly looks real, the inside is lined with a suede effect material and this gives the bag more structure as well as making it feel more luxurious. The buckles have a tarnished gold effect. Last year I purchased their version of the Celine bag and was absolutely chuffed with the quality of that one so I knew this would be of great quality too.

When I saw it online originally I didn’t expect it to hold so much but I was proved wrong. The inside of the bag is really spacious, so much so that it can hold an A4 book and ring binder. Win right? The opening of the bag is via two buckles and the bag strap is also adjustable via a buckle. The front of the bag features a smaller pouch which is perfect for holding a phone or even cards. The  design  of the bag is simple but it still has the ability to smarten up any outfit. I know I will be getting so much use out of this satchel throughout the year.

Do you own a satchel?

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Malibu: Lip Care Balm (3pk/£1.45)

I collect lip balms so when I saw this amazing pack of three on the shelf I just had to buy it. You can honestly never have enough! And at £1.45 this is a steal, you can’t even get one lip balm for that price. 

The Malibu lip care balm contains 3 different balms and all have an SPF of 30. They also provide UVA and UVB sunscreen protection but I think they are still perfect for the whole year which is why am I planning or emptying the shelf next time i’m in store :) They all contain 4g of product and come in 3 different flavours out of a possible 5, I didn’t realise this until just now whilst I’m typing up the post so more of a reason to go back and buy some more! I’ve got Mango, Mint and Tropical. The Mint and Tropical definitely smell the nicest to me, they smell fresh. The Mango is quite strong in the tube but once on the lips the scent decreases. The Malibu lip balms are transparent. They are really moisturising and leave your lips feeling smooth so perfect for lipstick application. They actually stay on your lips for quite long, I would say it’s better than the Maybelline Baby Lips (which I absolutely love) and as good as Carmex! They are a perfect size for popping into your hand bag and the packaging is cute.

I found this in B&M Bargains (£1.49), but I also know that Home Bargains sells it too. I need to go back and stock up, this is a staple item for anyones collection. For those of you who don’t have those  particular stores close by Fragrance Direct sell it online for £1.99, still worth adding to your basket when buying other stuff as you would need to pay delivery.

Do you have any more lip balm recommendations? Have you ever used these ones?

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New In: home, jewellery, beauty and more

Hello! Today I thought I would show you some new things I have purchased recently, a little collaborative haul. I don’t think I’ve done a post like this before!

I have been looking for some cute jewellery holders for a while now and spotted the rabbit one on a few blogs. I managed to find it in Home Bargains and it was only £1.99 and then I also picked up the little bird jewellery holder too for the same price. They are great little decor pieces, so cute. The only thing is they are quite fragile - or I’m just really clumsy. On the way back I managed to break the ear off the rabbit one because I didn’t wrap it up well. Fail. I glued it back on but if you are buying anything ceramic just be careful!

Lip balms just because. Well actually I also saw these on a blog a little while ago and then a few days later whilst casually strolling through B&M Bargains I spotted them. They were such a bargain, only £1.45 for a pack of 3. I love bargain stores, they are so good for little gems like this. I will be reviewing these on my blog soon. But for the price this is such a steal. They are perfect for the Summer and come in so many different flavours.

I picked up this cute candle from Asda. It was around £2 and is unscented but I liked the colour of it and the little typography. You can never have too many candles right? This colours on this candle make me so happy, they are so bright and pretty.

I have seen this necklace on so many websites recently and they cost around £20, me being the thrifty person I am decided to go onto eBay and have a browse. I found this one which looks really similar for a fraction of the price. It was £1.89 delivered and is called a Point Necklace (link). You need to attach your own chain - I used an old one. I really want to order more as they have so many different colours.

I have recently been getting back into wearing jewellery and saw these on eBay too, 3 rings for 99p and delivered free too (link) - another steal! They are advertised as being ‘midi’ rings but if you wear a S/M ring size they would fit like regular sized rings. I think they look really pretty regardless and stacked up they fit into the current trends.

 

I have started the ‘diet’ again as of yesterday. I am such a bad yo-yo dieter it’s ridiculous but I’ve found snacking throughout the day has been helping a lot. And by that I mean healthy, low calorie snacks not full meals like I would usually do. Oloves recently sent me a stack of different Olives to try, and can I just put it out there - these are THEE best Olives I have ever had. Normally Olives are quite bland but these just burst with flavour. They come in four different varieties in a great snack sized pack which serves two people; so 25 calories each. These little packs are really versatile, perfect for travelling or in lunch boxes - I have also been making pasta with them. Add a little Philadelphia cheese into the pot and it tastes amazing. Because the olives are seasoned already thats literally all you need to do. I’m also hoping to make olive bread soon with these Olove packets so keep an eye out for a post. They are available on Amazon and Holland and Barratt, and are affordably priced. What I also like about Oloves is the fact when you read the ingredients I know what everything is, if that makes sense? The ingredients are literally olives and whatever its flavoured with - nothing nasty and processed.

I can’t believe how warm the weather has gotten recently, it was actually 25C yesterday. Can’t say I liked it - yes I’m definitely one of those people who complains about the warm weather, oops.  

I also can’t believe how close I am to 1000 followers on bloglovin’, thank you so much I am currently planning a little give away too. And a big thank you to those who have ordered from my little blog design shop. I am really enjoying being creative and working with other bloggers!

Anyways, let me know what you think of this warm weather and your thoughts on my purchases.

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Face B4: Anti bacterial cleanser and serum

There has been quite a hype around anti bacterial face washes recently. For someone who has suffered with acne in the past I am quite picky when it comes to labelling a cleanser as being amazing especially after having tried out so many different types of cleansers. But I was actually really intrigued when asked to try out the FaceB4 cleanser and serum and am glad to review it. I’ve never tried anything like it before, the fact it was ‘anti bacterial’ really caught my attention. 

I don’t know if there are many items like this currently on the market - i’ve never come across any before. If you think about it through out the day our faces are subjected to not only makeup but also pollution and other bacteria too, this product makes perfect sense. 

This 2 step procedure consists of a FaceB4 anti-bacterial foam cleanser* which actually holds a combined cleanser and toner, but when you pump the mixture out it turns into a foam cleanser. By using this twice daily I have noticed a reduction in blemishes and my face looks more even toned overall. It is so simple to use and they work with each other perfectly. I think this product is great for not only the person with the odd blemish but also some one who has acne. The packaging states ‘Fights the bacteria that causes spots’ and I certainly think it does. Also I personally find that foam cleansers last such a long time which is an added bonus! The 2nd step is the Face B4 anti bacterial serum* which adds moisture back into your skin and this just gets applied like a moisturiser. Both the products are really gentle on the skin and are advertised as being suitable for all skin types. At £14.95 each for the results you get it definitely is worth it. The only negative i’d say is the smell of the serum although for the great results it slowly doesn’t become much of an issue.

Overall I do really love this cleanser and serum and I can definitely see myself repurchasing it again once finished. My skin has become noticeably clearer and even toned. Any blemishes have also diminished so clearly it is working well. The fact that the cleanser and toner is combined makes taking care of your skin a lot easier especially for days you are rushing around.

Let me know if you’ve tried an anti-bacterial cleanser before? 

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Pretty pink personalised case

It has been a little tricky buying cute phone cases for my phone, much to my dismay most of the bigger retailers favour iPhones, so a personalised phone case was definitely the only way forward. I actually designed this personalised phone case* myself. I change phone cases almost just as much as the weather changes in Scotland.

When you think of personalised you instantly thing collages of pictures don’t you? Well I do anyways but I wanted something a little different. I couldn’t decide between florals or geometric patters but in the end I went onto Paint, yes Paint and designed a little case. It looks very Victoria Secret’s-esque, and so saying that wasn’t my inspiration would definitely be a lie. I opted for pale pink stripes and then an initial on the bottom corner, which also looks like a logo or corner design of sorts. I think it looks cute. The best thing about the company also is that they cater for most phones and even iPad cases. You can chose leather too, this case is clear and then it is printed just on the back and is matte.

The design process is very simple, if you are opting for a photo collage then just chose the collage style and insert your pictures. For a custom design like mine just make up a mock design (or search google), install it on the phone template on the site and see if it fits, there should be no blank spaces. If there is then alter it a little. 

The delivery was prompt, it came within around 4 days- they aim to design and post it out the same day which is very rare for a personalised item, this is a really quick turn around. At £14.95 it is worth the money, the case is sturdy and appears to be very durable.

Do you collect phone cases? I am always looking for new ones, let me know your favourites!

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Fathers Day Gift ideas

Father’s day is just around the corner so I thought it was finally the time to write up a post on what I’ve got along with other ideas! I’ve still to buy a few more things but I’ve added them into the post idea section at the end. For birthdays and other occasions I usually make up a box with lots of different items, so this year was no different. I personally think it’s fun opening up lots of packaged items on birthdays, must be the inner child in me!

My gift idea collage consists of a variety of items, it starts from £3! I have ordered a few of them a few days ago so they should be here soon but I wanted to get the post up as soon as possible so I couldn’t hold it off any longer, below I also have some items I recently kindly received.

1. Invictus fragrance - Escentual
2. Daniel Wellington leather strap watch - ASOS
3. Broadway Hamper - Regency Hampers
4. Car Air Freshner, Chocolate - Gift & Pieces
5. Cool Dad personalised mug - The Gift Experience
6. Parker pen, personalised - Ebay

Next up are some items I was lucky enough to be sent. The first pick is this Ralph Lauren grey polo neck top c/o House of Fraser. If it’s a favourite brand of the person you are buying for then surely it’s a winner? The top is super high quality as is everything from the brand. I personally love Ralph Lauren clothing too and have a black sweater from there; I just love how even though the pieces are basic they are still so versatile. What makes them even better is their discreet branding, to me it’s a lot more classy than brands who have their logo all over something. The materials used in Ralph Lauren clothing are top quality and are well worth the price, also this particular top is ‘custom fit’ so this ensures it is nicely fitted.

Another good pick is an aftershave, after reading so many good reviews about the L’Occitane, L'Occitan After Shave Balm c/o Escentual I knew it would have to be included in my gift idea post. This aftershave balm is enriched with Shea Butter and Birch sap which ensures moisture is retained in the skin. The smell consists of Top Notes: Lavender, Black pepper, Middle Notes: Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Musk. So a real mixture! I love the way it is presented, it looks very rustic and classy.

I hope you enjoyed this post and are all having a great ‘Summer’. It is currently suppose to be raining torrentially here but it looks ok just now! The sun yesterday has totally made up for it. I am back blogging now after 2 weeks off, first time I missed a post since I started blogging just over a year ago. I felt really guilty but just couldn’t find the time to blog and had to get lot’s of things done and sorted. 

Also want to say a big thank you for sticking with me, and a hello to all the lovely new followers! I can’t believe I am nearly at 1000 followers and you guys actually enjoy reading my blog. I am so grateful. I have lots of exciting posts to write up and am also planning on posting twice a week throughout the summer, hopefully!

Anyways, let me know what you all have been up to recently and have you purchased any Father’s Day gifts yet, let me know in the comments!

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