MAC 'Shy Girl' Cremesheen Lipstick - Review & Swatches

   

I've mentioned in my most recent YouTube video that I've never bought a MAC Lipstick below. I know. I'm not a very good beauty blogger am I?! Anyway, I had a MAC voucher for £25.00 so I nipped to my nearest MAC store on my lunch a few Friday's ago and picked up one of the most talked about MAC lipstick shades 'Shy Girl'. 

Shy Girl is a golden peach colour that has a slight hint of orange too. It's a lovely creamy texture but this also means that it fades quite easily so frequent reapplication is needed! The smell is also divine! 

I do like the texture and consistency of the lipstick but I'm not sure if the colour truly suits me. I'm in two minds about it. I don't know if it makes me look a bit washed out. Nevertheless, I'm absolutely positive I'm going to buy more shades and gather some sort of mini collection.  

So this has left me in a bit of a pink now... I'm becoming a MAC lipstick hoarder. I bought my second one 'Crosswires' last weekend when I was in Newcastle visiting my Boyfriend and that's a delight too!

If you have any MAC lipstick recommendations please do get in touch with me and let me know by leaving a comment below! I'm looking for a nice every day shade(s)!  

Summer Essentials Video - Clarins, St Tropez, 17 Cosmetics & More!

With the weather heating up recently it made me think about what my summer beauty essentials are so I've put together a little video talking about a few of my favourites. From fake tan to ensuring your complexion is shine free, these are my must-have products for getting through the Summer months as beautifully as possible!

Thank you to everyone that has subscribed to my channel over the past couple of weeks. I make the strangest sqeal when I hear I have a new subscriber!

Benefit They're Real Mascara Review

I ran out of my Blink + Go mascara recently meaning that I was faced with the decision of whether to buy it again, buy my all time favourite mascara Clinique Lash Power Mascara or try something altogether new. I decided to go with the latter and ended up with the Benefit They're Real mascara after reading some positively glowing reviews of it. 

APPLICATION

I really like the wand on this mascara. It's got a plastic wand as opposed to a fibre brush and the tip is spiked meaning you can get those teeny tiny lashes right in the corner of your eye. 

APPEARANCE

I must admit this does look fab on. It instantly lengthens your lashes giving them volume and oomph! I wouldn't go as far to say that it looks like you have false eye lashes on but it does come very close! 

STAYING POWER

I only started to notice this as the weather has got a lot warmer but it does smudge slightly underneath my eyes. I hadn't noticed it until this absolute heat wave we've been having so I'm sure if you used it in winter it would be fine. I've not tried this on a night out yet but if this is how it reacts in heat then it's probably going to smudge on you in a club!

When it comes to taking it off I feel it's a massive effort. I'm used to wiping my eyes with my muslin cloth and the mascara almost falling off with my Blink & Go and Clinique Lash Power but with this I found it just took endless cotton wool pads and olive oil to get off. Nightmare! 

PRICE 

This stuff is very pricey for a mascara at £18.50 and to be honest I'm not on the side that thinks it's worth it. I've found there are other mascaras on the market that do a better job for a cheaper price. 

VERDICT

A good mascara that gives you plenty of length and volume but the staying power isn't great and it costs a fair pretty penny. I don't think I'll be buying it again but I will use it up as I do like the effect it gives. 

Have you tried the they're real mascara from Benefit? What did you think if so? Has anyone tried Sun Beam yet? Is it worth the hype?! 

The Sunday Post

Milkmaid Braid Tutorial (here), Having a Pedicure, The Wedges in Question, Queen of Pudding Cup Cakes!

Unless you've been living under a rock recently you'll have noticed that we've been enjoying some absolutely glorious weather here in the UK. It's been a week full of high-20's sun filled days! I've made the most of this weather sporting pretty summer dresses, crisp white shirts and gorgeous wedges to work this week. I *accidentally* bought a new pair of wedges on Saturday morning from River Island. They are stupidly tall but totally beautiful. I'm also considering getting them in coral too as they are surprisingly comfortable! 

This weekend has been dedicated to enjoying the sun and that alone. Yesterday I went for a much needed pedicure at my favourite local salon. It's called The Retreat and the girls there are very good at what they do so if you are ever in the area I cannot recommend them more highly! I have a super summery colour put on - one called Raspberry Parfait by CND. I also picked up the CND look book whilst in the salon which has got my mind buzzing with new nail ideas and inspiration! 

I also have some quite exciting news to share. My boyfriend, Joe, has got a job in London! He's going to working for a Market Research company based in the City and he's literally so excited! It means I get to go down to London at the weekends to visit him so I'm super excited to explore the city with him! We went out on Wednesday night to the Northern Quarter in Manchester celebrate with a few of our friends. We had a few cocktails and some gorgeous food in the sunshiiiiiine! 

I've done a couple of YouTube videos this week if you fancy having a mooch. I've done one on a mini MAC haul (I'll be doing a separate reviews of each item featured) and a fake tan favourites video too. You can find them both on my still fairly new YouTube channel HERE. 

Hope you've all had a beautiful weekend! What have you been up? Making the most of the sun I hope! 

Milk Maid Braid Hair Tutorial

 This hot weather is really making me wants to wear my hair up at the moment so what better way inject a bit of personal style whilst keeping cool than putting your hair in milkmaid braids?! I love this style, especially the half up half down twist pixie lott has given it. GHD have written a fab tutorial on how to recreate this look so have a look below to find out how! 

Milkmaid braids are proving to be a big hit in the boho world and the best bit?  They are easy to achieve and need very few hair styling products.

The best way to achieve this look is to begin by spraying the under section of your locks with a dry shampoo product.  Brush out the dry shampoo and backcomb the locks in order to create a volumised style.

Take the top section of hair and smooth it loosely over the backcombed section.  The top section can then be pinned into place with hairpins.  This will create the appearance of a mini beehive style.

You should have now created a half-up, half-down look.  The section that is loose should be separated into three pieces, as you would if you were going to create low-slung plait.  Plait the loose section into one entire braid.

Take the plaited section and wrap it around the crown of your head in order to create a milkmaid braid.  Pin the plait into place and tuck the ends down neatly.

Use hairspray to ensure the plait stays in place and to also get rid of any flyaway pieces.

Add a sweeping fringe to create a more glamorous style.  The fringe section should be pulled out prior to beginning the style.  Use a pair of ghd hair straighteners to smooth the fringe out.  

Using the ghd hair straighteners with a twisting action will ensure the fringe frames your face and stays in place as appose to flicking out.

Finish the look by spraying the locks with a high shine hairspray.  This will add a glossy A-list shine to the entire look.

Steal a little style inspiration from Lauren Conrad and Pixie Lott.  Both have been seen sporting this style in the recent months.


PS: I also have a new YouTube video up today! Have a butchers! It's a mini MAC haul! CLICK HERE

*sponsored post

The Queen's Jubilee Beauty Buys!

I don't know about you but I've really been getting into the whoel Jubilee thing! I'm actually holding a prim and proper party at mine where it will be Pimm's galore! I've only just recently started to notice that there are so many limited edition products out there to celebrate  the Jubilee so I thought I'd gather my favourites together! 

Butter London Lillibet's Jubilee (here)

Limited Edition Benefit That Gal Highlighter (I believe this is exclusive to John Lewis until 2nd June)

          

Chapstick (available nationwide)

        

Lush British Nanny Cream 

  

OPI Great Britain, Great Nails! Jubilee Collection. Currnetly on Buyapowa