MAC Prep + Prime Samples

If you missed out on the latest MAC sample giveaway then you're going to hate this post. 

For MAC's Facebook fans, they gave away mini samples of their Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage. All you had to do was enter your email and address to get your hands on one. 

This little sample holds quite a lot in it to be honest. After a few uses I'm really loving how my skin feels after using it. It kind of leaves it with a powdery but not powdery feel, so a really soft finish. My make up looks pretty amazing after I've used it too, so it does what it says on the tin. 

MAC are usually out of my budget (waahhhhh) but I think I would actually invest in this. You don't have to use a lot, which means it will last for ages and it gives you the results you want. So why not eh?

e.l.f Cosmetics Los Cabos Baked Bronzer Review

I can't wait to go on holiday and get my skin all tanned. I think we can all agree that after a fews years of no sunbathing, we can go a little stir crazy. That is exactly how I'm feeling this year and I need to get myself on a plane to somewhere magnificently sunny, pronto. 

So when I received this item within the Mystery collection from e.l.f cosmetics, I was more than chuffed. 

The Los Cabos Bronzer has everything that you would want from a bronzer. It's got great pigment, with a burnt tan shade that will suit any sunny glow. As well as being slightly shimmery, which will look perfect on your cheeks and collar bones for contouring. I can't wait to give this bronzer a proper use once my tan is through. 

Loveable Luxuries Palette from Primark

I love Primark, for many many reasons. 

But one of the main reasons I love Primark, is that it always surprises me. I always find something that I didn't go in there for.. and it's never an expensive tangent either. 

So my bonus buy this time round was the Loveable Luxuries Eye Palette for a whopping... £2.50! 

It has 8 very pretty, very girly and summery shades within them ranging from a vibrant glittery purple to a cool, angelic green. Considering this was £2.50, the quality of these are lovely too. They go on really well and blend beautifully. Really pleased with this and how cute is the packaging?

MAC Mineralise Foundation Review

The other night I visited my friend Rachel's house, which always involves some pretty tasty food, a lot of chatting and, in this case, an unexpected little gift for me.

Rachel loves MAC, she's a self confessed MACaholic and I think for as long as I've known her she's always adored their lippies and foundations. But for some reason, her latest purchase wasn't sitting well with her. The MAC Mineralise Foundation, she told me, made her skin look shiny and over caked. So she gladly handed it over to me to have a try. Which was always going to go down well.

The next day, instead of picking up my L'Oreal CC Cream I opted for the MAC. I immediately noticed a difference in how heavy this was compared to my CC Cream. But that was always going to happen wasn't it; with the cc cream being moisturiser based n'all. 

It was the perfect colour for my skin, I've not been wearing as much fake tan recently so this is quite a pale shade compared to what I've used before. It covered all of my blemishes and I didn't need to use any concealer because the MAC foundation hid it all for me. 

Once powder was on it looked great, with a lot more coverage than usual. However, maybe it's just my preference, but it's too heavy for me to wear every day. Sorry MAC, but I think you are far too fancy for daily use and you will be put aside for those evenings when I want a little more glam. 

Does anybody else find this with MAC Foundations?

e.l.f Porcelain Tinted Moisturiser Review

Yes, another tinted moisturiser has made it into my life...

This e.l.f Tinted Moisturiser caught my eye a few weeks ago and I've only just had the time to get round to photographing it. It was hard to put down my L'Oreal CC Cream, but I love trying out new things so it had to happen. 

If I'm totally honest with you, I was a little disappointed with this. I bought Porcelain because I've been weening myself off the fake tan recently, so thought this shade would be ideal for my pale skin. However, as always with tinted moisturisers, it was still just too tinted for my skin. I could get away with it when I used a pale powder underneath, but for the most part I just wasn't happy. If I applied too much I would just be an orange mess...

Can anyone point me in the direction of a good foundation, tinted moisturiser or cc cream that works for pale skin? 

Shimmer Eye Powder from Helen e

I made another blogging blunder and missed out on yet another product to review on here. I was scrolling through my photos the other day and came across a group of products that I never got round to putting on the blog. So my first item comes from Helen e.

 I received this Shimmer Eye Powder as part of a discounted set for the Pro Beauty event in Manchester last year and I remember instantly falling in love with it. It's my type of eyeshadow; bronzed, shimmery and great for layering. 

I got Shade 13 in my set and it's just beautiful! It sits really well on your skin too as well as not having a lot of fall out on application. 

What do you think? I might have to get a bit more involved with Helen e, the beauty products on there aren't too pricy and from my experience, they have very good quality. 

Rather Disappointing...

Recently I've been feeling quite tired and I think my skin is starting to show the strain. Dull skin, bags and and oily complexion does not a beauty blogger make. So I had to do something about it.

The L'Oreal CC Creams have been integral within my make up bag since Christmas and it continues with the Anti-Fatigue version. Rather than the purple and green formula I'm used to, this one features a peachy orange shade that combats the pigmentation that appears on tired skin. 

However, compared to the other two, I was really disappointed with this one. Rather than blending well with my skin, this one leaves my skin a horrible orange shade. I definitely won't be buying this one again and will be sticking to the Anti Redness and Anti Dullness shades from now on.

What's In My Make-Up Bag

I did one of these types of posts when I first started blogging last year and my make up bag has changed a lot since then. So I thought I'd walk you through the products that get me out the door and ready for the day.

Base

Nivea Rich Moisturising Day Cream, Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

I love to keep my skin moisturized especially with putting make up on daily, but it's quite hard to find one that doesn't sit heavy on the skin and leave it oily. I picked this Nivea one up from Boots the other day and I really liked it. I've always liked Nivea and this addition to my daily routine is great as it's light and non-greasy. 
 I'm obsessed with Primers, I have tried loads but I find the ones with silicone in to make my make up look blotchy within a few hours. This is why I like the Stay Matte Primer from Rimmel so much. It's smooth and doesn't feel like a layer too many before my make up application.

Face

 
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, L'Oreal CC Cream Anti-Fatigue, Rimmel Stay Matte Transparent Powder, TOPSHOP Kabuki Brush, Benefit Boi-ing Concealer, Miss Sporty So Clear Concealer

Too many products to probably talk about in this part so I'll just highlight a few of my favourites.
 I've tried the Anti-Dullness and Anti-Redness CC Creams from L'Oreal so I thought I'd switch it up and try the entire collection by picking up the Anti-Fatigue version from Boots. It gives me the right coverage without feeling too heavy and brightens my every growing bags under my eyes. 
 I've moved away from full on face powders but I've always stuck my Rimmel when I want to banish the shine. So this Transparent powder is great as it's not too heavy for my skin and also rids my skin of shine.



Colour

 
Bellapierre Mineral Bronzer, Barry M Blusher, Primark Face Brush, (I have no idea what the other bronzer is, I just know it's fab)

Oo, I love this BellaPierre Mineral Bronzer! It's something I like to get out when I'm going for a night out or cocktails with the girls. It adds a little highlight onto my cheeks with it's subtle golden shine. This Barry M blusher is lovely too, the pigment is really strong so I only have to use a little bit to get the colour I want.


Eyes

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette, MUA E1, E2 & E3 Make Up Brushes

I've been using my Basics palette on a daily basis recently. I use the shimmer in the inner corner of my eyes, apply a base and contour for a subtle smokey eye. 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara, Helen E Brown Eyeliner, Barry M Liquid Liner



Brows

Maybelline Brow Drama Mascara, Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil

It's all about the brows and recently I've been trying to make my eyebrows as naturally bushy as possible. I use these two combined to firstly add shape with the Rimmel Pencil, followed by the brow mascara to almost make my eyebrows a little bit more 3D.


So that's it, everything I use to get myself ready. If you have any make up bag posts, leave them below. I'm looking for some good make up to add to this collection.

Bitch Craft!

Lime Crime have launched their Clueless Witch collection today and it is STUNNING!

Salem, Wicked and Black Velvet are three gothic but glamorous shades that I really want to get my hands (lips) on! Get them here

Salem

Wicked

 Black Velvet

So what do you think? I want Salem so bad!!!

The build up to this collection has been pretty amazing on Instagram, you should give them a follow @limecrimemakeup

Baby Lips - Winter Lip Care with Maybelline

These cute Baby Lips balms from Maybelline have been rocking every beauty blog since their release and it's not hard to see why. 

They come in an array of different shades, they're super moisturizing and they don't break the bank. And with the weather making a mockery out of my appalling winter wear, I need something to protect my lips from getting cracked and sore. 

My Baby Lips of choice was this cute blue & pink one but I think I might be investing in one to put on my desk at work as well as my make up bag.