What's in my school makeup bag?

Hola!

So if you're in the UK, you're probably dreading going back to school soon, so I thought it would be appropriate to show you what I keep in my school make up bag, especially if you're starting out in make up and would like to see what I think are the bear essentials. I have also done a tutorial of my daily make up routine to go with this post so you can click here to go and watch that, I would really appreciate it too if you liked and subscribed! :)

So the first thing I should mention is the bag itself, which is from Superdrug or Boots, I can't remeber. I really like it as it is the absolutely perfect size for the makeup I take with me. Plus it has a little pocket on the front, which is handy for little bits, like cotton buds, spare hair bands/grips or a few tissues. Sadly they don't sell it anymore though :(

One thing that I feel like I should mention is my foundation. Although I don't feel the need to take it with me to school, it is part of my school makeup so I ought to talk about it really. I'm currently using the Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Foundation, about which I have some explaining to do... so, I am aware that I raved about this a few months back when I first bought it. It was (and still is, you'll see why) my first ever foundation, so I thought it was amazing. However, over time I began to realise how much I didn't get on with it. I mean, sure, it has SPF 20, which is quite high for a makeup product, but that's as far as the good points go. It claims to last for 16 hours, where as it has basically gone after 6, its also quite cakey and drying on my skin, I definitely wouldn't recommend it for dry skin, and it's supposed to minimize imperfections, which it really doesn't do at all. So why don't I just buy another one and stop using it? Because that would be a waste of money, and I don't like waste! So until it runs out, I'm afraid it's all I can offer in tutorials, sorry!

Now onto the stuff I do like, and I'm starting (ironically) with the Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer, which is so SO much better then the foundation. It has OK coverage, it lasts quite well and it doesn't crease too much on me. Its not perfect, but for under £5, that's not bad at all.

Next I have my Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. This, like the Collection concealer, is a cult product amongst British beauty bloggers and I can see why. It keeps my skin matte all day, which is great as that looks far more flawless than oily skin, which I have a bit of around my t-zone (my forehead, nose and chin). Love it!

Bronzer is next and I use the L'oreal Glam Bronze in 00 Blonde Sun. I don't use it everyday, but I like it, especially in winter when I'm less tanned, as it's quite light and my skin's quite pale so it works much better than a lot of other bronzers, which are quite dark and look unnatural on me. Yes, it is a little more  expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

Next I do my eyebrows with the 2true Eyebrow Pencil in Shade 2. I only do a little but on the outer edges of my brows as I don't want it to look too dark and defined just for school. Plus I don't have the time before school to perfect them too much. I reviewed this pencil here.

I don't do any eyeshadow or liner for school-it's too much hassle, so now I go onto mascara. I use the Avon Superextended Mascara. I like this for school as it gives length and definition without looking too full on. Its also waterproof which is handy, just in case!

The last thing I do is lips. I use the Nivea Pearl Shine lip balm. I like it for school as it moisturises my lips and looks really natural and pretty. You could also use the Vaseline Rosy Lips as it does the same thing but without the shimmer that the Nivea one has. If you want something a little more glossy, I would suggest the Tanya Burr Lipgloss in Afternoon Tea. It doesn't moisturise like the other two, but it's far more glossy and pigmented. I guess it depends how much makeup your school allows you to wear.

I hope you liked this little insight into my makeup bag and I will see you soon with another post :)

August | Monthly Top 5

Hola!

Another month gone, another monthly top five. You know the drill by now, so I'm just going to get straight into it.

5. Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Makeup Remover

There's not much to say about this, other than it works! It takes some work to get waterproof mascara off, but it comes off eventually. It's nice and gentle on my eyes, and I would recommend it, especially if you've got sensitive skin or eyes. 

4. Mylene Klass nail wraps

I like these simply because they're so quick and easy to apply. No drying time and no chipping. Brilliant! I did try having them on my toes when on my holiday, but they didn't survive a swim in the sea, sadly, but they don't always peel too much. So, if you hate painting your nails but still want some colour or even patterns, then I would highly recommend nail wraps.

3. MUA Highlighter in Iridescent Gold

This is my first ever highlighter and I really like it. It adds a really subtle shimmer and glow without making me look like a shiny mirror. It also makes me look a little more awake, which is great, especially before school, when I'm usually still half asleep for the first 3 hours of the day. I also like using a little in the corners of my eye sometimes, for the same reason. It's also only £4, complete bargain!

2. Primark Strappy Sandals
This and the next item are my first ever fashion items I've included in a monthly top 5, and they really deserve it (that sounds odd.....it's not like they're people......anyway...). I took these sandals away on holiday with me, which is where I fell in love with them. I wore them everywhere: to the shops, into town, out to dinner, to a market, everywhere! They are so easy to dress down with shorts and a t-shirt/vest top or dress up with a plain maxi dress. They look gorgeous with everything and I can't wait to wear them next summer, that is, if they still fit...

1. Primark Mini Satchel
I. Love. This. Bag. If you know me, then you'll know I have a huge obsession with bags (and shoes....but mainly bags.... *sighs* .....), so when I can choose a favourite above the rest of my collection, it must be good. And it is. I've been trying to downsize the amount I carry with me in my handbag, especially to take on holiday as they take up room in the case, and this bag has seriously helped. It may look small, but I can fit a surprising amount in it, exactly what I need in fact. So I'm no longer carrying around pointless bits and bobs with the excuse "just in case". I used it everyday on holiday and continue to now I'm home. And to top it all off, it was only £6!!!! Yay!

So those are my favourite things from august. More posts (and maybe some sneaky videos...) coming soon! 

Beauty Haul

Hola!

Over the last month or so, I have had a few shopping trips and collected a small stash of stuff to show you. The majority is from Superdrug, but some stuff you can only get from Boots, so that's where I went. I prefer Superdrug as it has more budget-friendly stuff, which I like! Especially as I have one of their beauty cards-bonus! Anyway, before I start, I would like to add that some of the stuff was bought in the last few days, where as others are from weeks ago, so I've had a chance to try them out.

I'm going to start with skin care, and the first thing is the No7 Beautiful Skin face wipes. I haven't tried these yet, but I've heard some good reviews, so I can't wait to give them a try. They are £7 from Boots, but I had a £5 off voucher, so that came to only £2!! Bargain!

I also got the Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser in Honey. I had the original and really liked it, as I said my Winter Favourites post, and I love the honey one too! It smells gorgeous and leaves my skin really soft. I also want to try the cocoa one because it smells like chocolate! Heaven! They are £2.36 from Boots or Superdrug. 

The rest is all makeup, and I'm starting with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. Its a bit of a cult product and I raved about it in my April Top 5 and I still love it! Everything I have to say is there really. It's £4.19 from Boots or Superdrug. 

Superdrug were having a deal where you got a free nail polish with any Collection  purchase over £4, so I had to! I got the shade 22 Lilac Daze. I haven't used it yet but I can't wait to! They cost £1.99 from Boots or Superdrug. 

Another cult product I picked up was the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. I really like this, it was in my May Top 5, so go check that out for a full review. It was £3.99 from Boots or Superdrug. 

Next up is the Tanya Burr lipgloss in Afternoon Tea. Again, it was mentioned in my May Top 5, and again, I love it! They are £6.99 from Superdrug only. 

The L'oréal Glam Bronze in shade 00 is my next product, and once again, it was in my May Top 5 (I'm seeing a pattern here!) Yep, I love it, read it for the rest!

The same thing goes for the 2true Eyebrow Pencil which I have in the lighter shade, which is just called Shade 2. Click here to read that. 

I have also mentioned the MUA Lipstick in Shade 9 in my most recent top 5. 

These last 3 things are my most recent purchases, so I haven't mentioned them yet, starting with the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. I haven't used it very much yet, but so far I quite like it. When I get my hands on the Wake Me Up Foundation, I will do a Rimmel Wake Me Up vs Collection Lasting Perfection post, so look out for that in the next few months.

Next is the MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter in Iridescent Gold. I have used this a bit, and I like it. It gives my skin a nice shimmer without looking shiny. Plus it was really cheap, only £4 I think, which is a total bargain!

The final thing is the MUA Undress Me Eyeshadow Pallet. This is supposed to be a dupe for the original Urban Decay Naked Pallet, which I don't own so I can't confirm that either way, but the colours look very similar. The MUA shadows are really nice, a little chalky but for £4 are a fantastic bargain. I would seriously recommend you check out MUA, it's really cheap and good quality, especially if you're just starting out in makeup.

July | Monthly Top 5

Hola!
It's been a while, not just since my last monthly top 5, but since my last post! I was very busy at the end of June and start of July, but now it's the summer holidays (yayayay!!!!!) so I've got a bit more time. I've had a few shopping trips (which means a haul soon-ish!) and I've filmed a video or two that will go up in a few weeks. For now, I'd better start on my favourites...

5. Boots Botanics All Bright Eye Roll-On

This product is at the bottom of the list (for now at least) because I've only had it for about a week and a half, so I haven't really got a proper idea about it yet. So far, I quite like it. It's cooling and moisturises my under eyes really well. One thing I'm not sure on yet is how well it reduces under eye circles, which is what I bought it for. I haven't seen a major difference to the colour yet, but it's early days. I will be doing a review of it in a few months, with photos etc. 

4. MUA Lipstick in Shade 9

Despite it being relatively low on this list, I really like it. It's fairly well pigmented, creamy to apply and doesn't dry out too much. It isn't very long lasting, but you can't expect too much for just £1!!! They also have a small pot of the same lipstick shade on the bottom of the lipstick that screws off. I'm not sure exactly what it's for, but I use it with a lip brush as a form of lip liner. If you do know how it's meant to be used, please let me know! Overall, these are great value for money, as are most MUA products, so I would recommend checking them out!

3. Wilko Depilatory Cream

If you don't know what a depilatory cream is, (which I didn't until mum bought some!) it's a cream you use to shave you legs or underarms. I was going to try a slightly more expensive, but still reasonable, one called Esscentially Smooth, which was supposed to not smell really horrible (which most others do), but mum found one in Wilko that was only about £2, which was £10 cheaper, so I thought I'd give it a try and I really liked it. I've gone through 3 or 4 tubes now! They recently changed the formula, it used to REALLY stink, but most recent tube I bought smelled alright. I wouldn't go as far as nice, but it wasn't too bad at all. Plus it gives great results, my legs honestly feel seriously soft and smooth for a long time after, a lot longer than when I use a razor! I'm not sure if it would be for sensitive skin so always remember to patch test first!

2. 2true Eyebrow Pencil

I first saw this recommended in a magazine over two high end ones, so I had to give it a try. It's the first eyebrow pencil I've used, so I haven't got anything to compare it too but I do like it. It's kind of waxy, but it goes on quite creamy and stays put for ages, plus the little brush is really handy. They only sell it in two shades, so being blonde I went for the lighter one. It can be easily built up to a darker shade so the light one (shade 2) would be good for blonde to medium brown, then the darker one would probably do brown to almost black. I'm afraid anyone else would have to look else where. It is only £1.99 so great value for money, I think. 

1. Avon Super Extended Mascara

I am aware that in the first picture on this post, I have the Collection Pump Up The Volume mascara, but when I was trying to find a link to it, I discovered it had been discontinued, so I panicked for a moment, before realising I love this one just as much, maybe even more! It doesn't do that much for volume, but it gives great length, so I wear it with an old Collection one, which they don't sell anymore and they look brilliant! It's also actually waterproof. The great test for it was when I went to see the Fault In Our Stars. I cried loads and it didn't budge! It's around £5, so fairly good value for mascara. I don't know exactly how you get hold of Avon products without the catalog that we sometimes get through the door, but I found it on Amazon so I have linked it to the name above (like I do with all other products) so you can click there to buy it. Anyway, this is a great mascara and I'd really recommend it. 

I hope you liked seeing what I've loved the past 2 months. Just to add, I'm going away tomorrow, so you won't see anything from me for 3 weeks at least, sorry! I have got a couple of things lined up for when I get back, as I said at the start, so the few weeks after will be slightly more active :) xx

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