A Little Topshop Make Up Haul

I've heard so many good things about Topshop make up but unfortunately, since I live in the middle of nowhere my Topshop is too small to stock it (I feel like I say something along those lines rather often...maybe it's time to move...).

I Heart MUA

For those of you that haven't heard of MUA, it's Superdrug's £1 make up brand. I've bought a few goodies from them before and have been amazed at the quality of the products for such a low price.

On a recent trip back to see The Parents (my local Superdrug doesn't stock it. Boo.) I picked up these little lovelies

There's been a lot of hype surrounding the MUA Love Hearts collection and unfortunately I think I picked up the few remaining products and as far as I know the collection is no longer available.

I got 2 nail polishes in the shades 'Love U 24/7' and 'U R Fab'.  Let's face it, any product that tells me I'm 'Fab' is going to get purchased!

I have to admit that I didn't really have high hopes for the formulation of these but I was prepared to cope with the chipping/peeling/general 'naff' feeling of them on account of the colours being so pretty. On application I was pleasantly surprised. They were both opaque after 2 coats and they seriously LAST.

Wearing 'Love U 24/7' with a coat of Miss Sporty Sparkle Touch over the top.

These polishes were a little more expensive (I think they were £2.50 each) but for the money I was very very impressed.

My final MUA purchase is one I just can't stop looking at...

Ooooooh.....

This is the MUA Professional Mosaic Blusher In English Rose. MUA Professional are slightly more expensive and this was £2.50, yeah I know, the word 'expensive' is applied loosely here. This is such a beautiful product consisting of a mosaic print of lighter peaches, pinks, pure shimmer, lilac, and rose coloured powders.  The pan is big enough to get a good 'swirl' going on with your brush and it looks a pretty, shimmery light rosy pink on the cheeks. OK so obviously the colour payoff is not going to be amazing but it's buildable and not chalky at all. Because of this it's really quite foolproof and great for anyone just starting out with make up or those that aren't too confident applying blusher. This gets at least a weekly use from me and although not my go-to blush (as I have quite a few) I do open it just to stare at it on a daily basis...simple pleasures and all.

You can find MUA products at Superdrug and if you haven't already I really recommend checking them out.

:-) xxx

December Glossybox Goodies: A Couple of Reviews

Since my Glossybox arrived a few days ago, I've had a bit of a chance to play with the products.  So here are my thoughts...

The first thing I did on receiving my box was to slap on (I literally mean 'slap on' as you will see) the Deborah Lippmann 'Razzle Dazzle' nail varnish...

Please excuse the extreme lack of skill exhibited here!

First let me say that the colour of this is absolutely beautiful.  It's perfect for Christmas as it is just festive enough but still sophisticated (not that I'm adverse to pillar box sparkly red at this time of year).  In some lights it looks red, red and in others (like above) it is a beautiful plummy colour.

All great so far right?  My problem?  This stuff retails at £16....SIXTEEN WHOLE POUNDS!  For that i would have expected the formula to be top notch: quick drying, easy to apply, no chips etc...sod it, for that price, I'd expect the brush to literally jump out of the pot and apply itself to my nails whilst I sleep.  Alas, no.  I found that it took ages to dry and after an hour it was still a bit tacky.  If this was say a Barry M product it would be fine but from such a high end brand I would expect so much more.

All in all I do like the product and will enjoy wearing it over Christmas although if I had spent my own money on a full size, I'd have been a bit disappointed.

Anyhoo, on to a product I honestly only have good things to say about...

I was lucky enough to get the Blink + Go eyeshadow and blush palette in 02.  Sorry it looks a bit dusty, I have been playing with it a lot since I got it.  This really is such good quality and the colours are all very wearable.

Also, I managed to get my camera to photograph swatches semi-decently:

Without flash

With flash

As you can see these are all shimmery and super pigmented.  My faves are the first four and I've worn them on my eyes every day since getting them.

And the blushes?

Without flash

With flash

These are bright, bright, bright!  The best advice is to use sparingly and apply lightly with a fluffy brush to avoid looking a bit 'aunt sally' (if you weren't born in the UK before the 90s you may not get the reference).

In summary, I love the Blink + Go palette and am a bit meh about the Deborah Lippmann polish.  That's why I love Glossybox, I now know what I would and (would not) buy if I had a spare £16 knocking about :-)

xxx