Project 10 Pan: 7 down!

Hello lovelies,

Another make up product hit pan! Finally, I only have 3 more items left until I can buy make up again! So the next product is a bronzer...

It's the NYC bronzer in the shade Sunny, which is a matte shade. This is the first bronzer I have ever hit pain on... and I bought this for literally about a pound and some pennies from Fragrance Direct. Unfortunately, this is what happened to my beloved bronzer whilst on it's last legs...

It's not too bad though, still useable! This is actually quite an orange toned bronzer, but don't all run away in horror, it doesn't look orange orange on the skin, it just gives a really nice warmth to the skin. Because it's matte it can also be used as contour which is probably my main use for it). So here it is on my skin as a contour (hollow of cheeks, temples, jawline) and very very lightly as bronzer (chin, nose, cheeks).

What is your favourite bronzer?!

NATALIESLOVEx

Project 10 Pan: 6 down!

Hello :)

So I know that technically I failed my project 10 pan mission because I did have a bit of a splurge on the Elf website... but it was just an offer that could just not be missed! I'm sure you all agree? (Elf haul here). But yes, now I'm back onto finishing or hitting pan on 10 items, and I managed a 6th one just recently!

So the 6th product I've hit pan on is a blush from MAC in the shade Pink Swoon. In the pan, it looks pretty terrifying, but I promise once it's on it is not that bright! It is a Sheertone blush which does mean... well, just that! It's a colour I can see working for lots of people, of varying skin tones. I did have this MAC 6 blush palette full, but I've actually sold all of the others - so there must be something special about this one?

This is the only photo that really showed the colour on the cheek - apologies for it being such a crappy one, and I apologise again for the minimal make up + bad skin day. As you can see it's nothing too over the top or done up and it just gives a pretty flush :) I find myself reaching for the blush most days of the week - it just seems to work with anything!

This is a very heavy swatch, but you can see that it still isn't as bright as you expect it to be when you see it in the pan. I'd definitely recommend MAC blushes, they do last for a long time and are good quality. This shade is particularly pretty :)

What is your favourite MAC blush? What is you favourite blush of all time?

NATALIESLOVEx

Umberto Giannini Enviable Body Blow dry spray

So once I'd purchased this blow dry spray, I popped on to Boots and looked up some reviews... it wasn't promising, a lot of people were complaining that it made their hair extremely sticky which made me a little worried to use it, but I did and here's what I thought...

I sprayed this into wet hair (as recommended) before blow drying and winced as I aimed the hair dryer at my head, expecting it to turn into some sticky mess. It didn't and I was thrilled! Until I realised that my hair looked exactly the same as it would have if I'd used no product at all. No volume, no body, no difference. I've tried this multiple times using different amounts of the product - but it's never made my hair sticky (or heavy surprisingly) but it's never made a difference to the volume either.

One positive thing I did notice about this spray though, was that it cut drying time in half. This is a big thing for me because usually it takes 15-20 minutes to completely dry my hair with a dryer, but with this spray it literally only took 5 minutes. One main reason I picked this up because it has heat protection built in... I'm normally good at remembering heat protection before styling, but not before drying!

So all in all, if you're looking for something to solely cut drying time + protect your hair from the heat then go for it, but don't expect any of the extra volume that it promises.

What's your favourite thing to create volume? (not dry shampoos)
NATALIESLOVEx

Project 10 Pan: 5 down!

Hello again :)

So in this post here I showed you, and reviewed the first 4 items I've used up since starting Project 10 Pan and now I've used up yet another one. This time a skincare item - the Clarins Daily Energizer Cream. Here's  a quick little bit on what I thought about it...

This stuff smells delicious (I think it's the Moringa) and is really fresh. It's a little bit thicker/richer than moisturisers I usually go for but it sinks in quickly and I found it made a nice base for make up. It didn't make my skin any oilier and I think it helped balance it out a little bit. A good all round moisturiser that I think would work well for all skin types. I love the bright orange packaging and the scent, but it is quite pricey and I'm not a fan of moisturisers in the pot. I probably wouldn't repurchase; it's a good all-rounder but not something that will wow.

Have you tried this moisturiser? What Clarins products would you recommend?

NATALIESLOVEx

Project 10 Pan: 4 down!

Hey everyone :)

I've mentioned a few times before (especially on twitter) that I put myself on a one month make up spending band - I succeeded! I did not buy one item of make up for 30 whole days which might sound minuscule but it was tough, haha! By the end of it I realised just how much money I must waste... and that it is possible to walk out of Boots empty handed! 

After re-stocking my make up drawer of it's essentials (foundation, powder + mascara) I decided I would try another make up challenge. Project 10 pan. I'm sure you've all heard of it but if you haven't... you basically aren't allowed to buy make up until you have used up or 'hit pan' on 10 items of make up already in your collection. I started Project 10 Pan on Wednesday, so it's been roughly a week and I'm already speeding ahead! I thought I would show you which products I've used up/hit pan on and do quick/mini/speed reviews on each product :)

Natural Collection 'Cover-up Cream' Concealer

I actually really like this concealer and was completely shocked, I know that cheap doesn't always mean bad... but in most cases it does! You can pick this up in Boots for £1.99 and is one of the gems from Natural Collection. Now, this isn't going to cover every single spot... I'd say it has medium coverage but it can be built up. The beauty of it is that it just doesn't look cakey it sits on the skin nicely and is really quite light. I love this for under the eyes because I find concealer often looks heavy there, but this doesn't. 

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

Can I start off by saying that I HATE that the writing rubs off of the packaging after literally, a few days! A lot of hype surrounds this concealer and I just can't see it :/ Although I think this could possibly due to the fact that it's not really the right colour for me. It does cover blemishes and redness amazingly, but I found this to be quite orange toned on my skin and also thought it was a bit hard to blend. Meh, probably my own fault!

Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner

I can't fault the applicator... felt tip liners are always the easiest to use (in my opinion) and I can always get a really sharp wing, without any drag. However, I do have an issue with the formula... but this is a common issue I've found with these felt tip liner style eyeliners - they dry out so quickly! I had to go over my line 2 or 3 times to get an intense black and once I'd finished one eye I had to wait for more product to reach the nib before doing my other eye. Longevity was great, stayed all day. I just think that felt tip liners will always dry out quickly :(

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

Yes, another concealer! I've obviously had a lot to conceal lately :| This is hands down, the best concealer I've ever used. The pot has lasted me foreverrr so I can justify the price. It covers absolutely everything, and once warmed up on the skin is extremely creamy which helps it blend seamlessly, lasts all day as well. Don't like this under the eyes though... looks a tad too heavy.

So that's 4 products finished, 6 to go! Hope it goes quickly because I have a long wishlist at the moment!

NATALIESLOVEx

Skincare Secret: Sudocrem

Hello lovelies,

So I'm going to do a review on a product which I've always had in my possession since I was about 13. It is seriously one of my skincare saviours and is one of the best multi use products, in the world. Yes I said it! I was approached by the lovely PR team and asked if I'd like to try out the 'new' Sudocrem marketed as 'Skin Care Cream' that comes in a new squeezy tube opposed to the tub which it only used to be available in. I jumped at the chance because I do love the product and I only had the 400g tub (I told you I love the stuff), so I thought it would be nice to have smaller and more hygienic way of using Sudocrem, but essentially it is the same cream. I know that I was sent this product but it does in no way affect my opinion, this is an honest review :)

Like I said, this is a major multi use product and here are some of the ways that you can use Sudocrem...

- Nappy rash

- Sunburn (life saver)

- Minor burns

- Bites

- Rashes

- Eczema

- Acne (which is my favourite way)

Sudocrem used to only be available in tubs of various sizes, I think it's genius that you can now buy 30g in a squeezy tube. Most of my use from this cream is to treat spots, so this tube is much more hygienic than digging your fingers into tubs which is very important when dealing with acne. It's almost much smaller and good to carry in your handbag for things like sunburn, bites etc.

Initially it is quite difficult to squeeze the product out of the tube, because it's texture is quite hard - think butter. You only need to squeeze a tiny amount out (much less than the photo) because it does sort of melt once warmed up on the skin.

When warmed up, you can see it turns into this thick, rich cream. It honestly works wonders with acne - I'm not saying it gets rid of spots, but it does help them heal more rapidly and seems to take the redness out. When I was around 13 I suffered from acne on my shoulders/back. I applied this every night before I went to bed and they cleared up quite quickly, I rarely get one now but if I do - this goes straight on!

I use this for spots on my face too, and works just as well. When my skin is in a particularly bad state I will apply a thin layer of this all over my face and it helps calm the spots down. But on days where I just have one or two/redness from previous spots I use this as a direct spot treatment. I'll take a small amount and rub it into the spot/red area. It does leave the skin looking paler and pasty for a while, but I'd recommend you use this just before bed anyway.

This is definitely one of my holy grail skincare products I couldn't be without, and I know a lot of people swear by it. This 30g tube is available for £1.99 so is affordable as well!

What do you use your Sudocrem for?

NATALIESLOVEx

Review: Body Shop Cucumber skincare

Hello everyone :)

A while ago now I ordered some bits and pieces from The Body Shop and showed them in this post here. A few people mentioned in the comments that reviews may be helpful :) I've been using both skincare items - the Cucumber Cleansing Milk and Cucumber Freshening Water both day and night since then. It's been roughly a month so I think enough time has elapsed to tell you what I think of the two products.

Cucumber Cleansing Milk, £4.00

To start off with, this strangely doesn't smell like cucumber; just a very fresh and un-offending scent. It has the same consistency as most cleansing milks - quite liquidy but creamy at the same time. It's super gentle and can be used around the eye area with no problem. What I really noticed about this cleanser was how moisturising it is. Once you've washed the milk from your face, your skin feels really hydrated. It doesn't leave a greasy residue behind, but a nice moisturising layer (which sinks in very quickly). This worried me a little bit, as I have oily skin. But I didn't find this made me any more oily than usual and it could've even stopped me from getting so oily because my skin didn't need to produce any! 

This is also a great cleanser to use when travelling - but you would need to dispense it into a smaller container. The reason I say this is because it is just as effective without water. I've used this a number of times after removing my make up just by massaging it onto my face and then wiping it off with a cotton pad. Overall, this cleanser leaves your skin feeling very soft, clean and hydrated. If you have dry/sensitive skin I really urge you to try this. If you have normal/oily skin it would also work for you, I just feel as though those with dry skin would benefit the most.

Freshening Water, £4.00

This smells a little bit more like cucumber, but again, nothing like I'd imagined. I used this as a toner after cleansing with the Cucumber Cleansing Milk, by pouring it onto a cotton pad and sweeping all over the face. It does what it says on the tin - makes your skin feel very fresh! The cleanser is pretty good at removing all traces of dirt but if there is still some stubborn foundation this will get it off.

This didn't do anything amazing to my skin, and I don't think it's anything to write home about. This is a good product, very gentle and keeps the skin soft and clean... but I just don't think it's special. I would definitely recommend the cleanser over this but it does work well as a step after cleansing with the milk.

Okay so they were my thoughts :) I hope it's been useful to some of you. Let me know what you think about these products if you've tried them out!
NATALIESLOVEx

Lanacane as a primer?!

Hello ladies,

It seems like I'm always doing face of the days/nights and my blog doesn't really extend much further lol, which bothers me a little. I always mean to do reviews on products, but it seems to slip my mind! But there's been a few product that I've been trying out recently... such as the one I'm about to review!

A while ago now I was reading a blog post (I have no idea which one so I apologise!) and it mentioned using 'Lanacane' as a primer. I researched it further and apparently the ingredients in Lanacane are almost identical to other silicone based primers, such as the MAC one. I didn't know how true this was but I went out and purchased it anyway - it was £6 something.

If you're not aware of what Lanacane is, or does... it is actually an anti-chafing gel. Yes I know, and I put this on my face?! It was all in the name of beauty! It's available from drugstores, supermarkets and pharmacies.

It is almost a clear gel and looks a lot like a silicone based primer. This is about the amount that I applied to my face - a little goes a long way, so used as a primer this would last a long time. The first thing I noticed is that it left my skin instantly, velvety smooth and was not greasy at all. It actually reminded me exactly of the GOH Velvet Touch face primer. To be honest, had I not of squeezed it out the tube myself, I would've been fooled into thinking it was the GOSH primer (which I've previously had twice and loved). Along with leaving my skin very soft, my foundation applied so easily and smooth.

However, unfortunately that's where it stopped impressing me. I'm pretty sure that this broke me out... nothing else in my routine had changed. I was using the same skin care and make up that I had been for a month or more. It was coming up to that time for hormonal breakouts, but I noticed a lot more blemishes that I normally would have. That's not to say that it will break everyone out though, this is just my experience. And again, it could've been hormones.

This didn't prolong my make up wear. The GOSH primer definitely did, but Lanacane didn't do anything to help my foundation stay on longer, reduce oil or look flawless all day. It actually left my foundation looking a bit patchy, especially on my cheeks. It seemed to have made my foundation sort of move around my face during the day.

Overall, I didn't like this as a primer, which is fair enough because... well, it isn't a primer. It was worth ago, but for me it didn't work at all! If you're looking for an anti-chafing gel then I'm sure this would be great! Lol. Just don't go looking for a primer in this product :)

NATALIESLOVEx

Review: Elf Daily Brush Cleaner

Good morning my loves,

I thought I'd do a review on a product that I really want to share with you all. 1 - Because it's so cheap and works wonders and 2 - Because I haven't heard much of a buzz about it within the beauty community, and I think it deserves it! Product in question? Elf's Daily Brush Cleaner.

I'm a bit lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes, I know that's pretty gross. But the whole shampoo and sink routine becomes a bit of a chore. I used to own the MAC Brush Cleanser, which I loved because it meant I could just clean my brush effectively and quickly after each use.

The first thing I noticed (and loved) about the Elf Daily Brush Cleaner is the packaging. It comes in a very sleek black, transparent bottle with it's own spray top! That was an issue I had with the MAC Brush Cleanser... it didn't have a spray top, so I had to dispense it into my own spray bottle. I think by having a spray you can save yourself from wasting product, and it distributes it over the brush well.

So how well does it work? Well, here is a dirty brush with about a weeks worth of blush. I thought I'd use a duo fibre brush to show you as the white bristles tend to stain so easily. I'm looking at you MAC 187!

After about 2-3 spritzes of the Elf Daily Brush Cleaner and a wipe on a towel, this is the result. Almost as good as new I would say! It dries basically straight away which is handy if you want to clean an eyeshadow brush because your blending brush is getting a bit grubby, you can clean it and then continue straight away.

The MAC version deifnitely smells a lot better, I think (although it is quite chemical), the Elf one doesn't really have a scent and I think it works exactly the same. I don't think either of them are better than the other. However, the Elf one is obviously much cheaper. This is how the figures work out...

Elf Daily Brush Cleaner - £3.50 for 250ml

That's £1.40 per 100ml.

MAC Brush Cleanser - £8.50 for 233ml

That's £3.64 per 100ml.

I think the maths there is correct! Haha. As you can see, you get more product for Elf from less than half the price. I really recommend the Elf version over the MAC. Elf also do a brush shampoo that I'd like to try :)

Have you tried this product?

NATALIESLOVEx

17 Lipstick 'Belle'

Bonjour bambinos,

Thought it was about time I got round to doing some swatches that I planned to do - admittedly, much later than I wanted to get them up but ah well. Better late than never ;)

So today the shade I'm sporting is 'Belle'. I've raved about these lipsticks plenty of times, so if you haven't got one or tried them out in Boots they're definitely worth a look!

So this is what it looks like on the lips, a really nice neutral baby pink. It's so wearable and can be paired with any make up you could wear. As you can see, you don't need to wear a gloss over the top they kind of remind me of the Lustre finished at MAC.

I realise that just lip swatches aren't always helpful and it's useful to see what it looks on the whole of someone's face, lol! So I've included some face shots for you guys :) Really recommend this lipstick - well, any of the shades actually!

What are you donning today?

NATALIESLOVEX

Mint Choc Chip comparisons

Hello lovely ladies,

In this NOTD, which feature 17's Mint Choc Chip I mentioned how it reminded me of Barry M - Pure turquoise and Collection 2000 - Button moon. I wanted to do a comparison of swatches to see how similar they actually are and whether it was just me. So here it is...

As you can see, Barry M is the same kind of 'family' if you like, but is a tad darker and a lot brighter... Mint Choc Chip is much more of a pastel shade compared to the Barry M Nail Paint. However, when you compare it to Collection 2000's Button Moon, it is actually so similar! Button Moon may be a fraction more blue toned, but it's pretty much the same! I can't believe how alike they do actually look. So if you can't get your hands on Mint Choc Chip then have a search for the Collection 2000 shade - they're both available in Boots and Superdrug and they're both really affordable so I suppose it doesn't matter which one you get. I was hoping I wasn't going to find a 'dupe' because then I could've justified buying a nail polish in a shade basically identical to one I already own. Oh well!

Oh and just wanted to let you all know I have Twitter, I've had it a while but not very many people that read my blog actually follow my twitter. So, if you'd like it www.twitter.com/ntlieread.

Are you guilty when it comes to buying one shade in a variation of brands?

natalieslovex

Schwarzkopf home dye

Hello :)

So a couple of months ago my niece Chloe went through a phase of wanted the 'Cheryl' red/plum coloured hair. She's never dyed her hair herself, so I offered to do it for her... I must've used more box dyes than had hot dinners! She loved the result, but we all know that red is notorious for fading quickly. So we popped to Sainsburys where she picked up a new colour to liven her hair up again and get rid of her roots. She picked up a Schwarzkopf dye in the shade 'Cyber Purple'.

I've used some Schwarzkopf hair dyes before, and I really like them - in fact they're probably my 'go-to' box dye! They make your hair extremely glossy and soft... and I find the colour doesn't fade as quickly as some other brands such as Clairol. Here is the before shot...

So the application is pretty much the same as any other dye... yup, with that horrible smell too! But it's easy to mix up, and it's easy to apply. However, I think we could've done with another bottle... It did manage to get all of Chloe's hair, but only just about. And as you can see, her hair isn't all that long (just below her shoulder).

Don't let the colour of dye in the bottle put you off, Chloe got a bit freaked about when she saw this pale pink solution (which oddly looked like yoghurt) going into her hair. It comes in the usual nozzle bottle, over some other ones which come with some kind of comb on the end. Is it just me who finds those ones tricky to apply??

These are the after shots - the dye turned out a bit darker than the box indicates, but that always happens really doesn't it? And within a few washes, it will fade out to the colour it's supposed to be. You can see the shine this stuff gives!! The only complaints I have about Schwarzkopf dyes is that it's really noticeable when it washes out, I'd say you'd need to use a dark towel (or one you don't mind ruining) for about 5 washes afterwards, because it really does still run out! I would totally recommend Schwarzkopf dyes, although I'd say the colour range is quite limited and they seem to specialise in bright colours.

What brand is your favourite dye? What do you think about the new foam dyes on the market?
natalieslovex

Elf Luscious Liquid Lipstick - Baby Lips

Hello cuppycakes,

So I'm slowly but surely getting through the swatches from my Elf haul, again I can only apologise... this month is a bit crazy for me but my usual blogging will be resumed shortly. I miss doing face of the day's! But I've basically just kept it simple with a winged liner most days, which doesn't make for a very exciting read, lol! So anyway, I've swatched one of the 'luscious liquid lipsticks' today, the shade baby lips.

So the 'liquid lipstick' comes in this long, clear (cheap) plastic looking tube, which twists at the bottom to release the lipgloss from the sponge applicator. I actually really like these types of applicators, I just which the packaging was a bit nicer... but what can you do for £1.50??

So I did a close up of just the lips, as well as a full face shot because I think people find them more useful - sorry I look so moody!! To me, this isn't a 'liquid lipstick', when I hear that phrase I think of a very thick but creamy formulation... this is basically just a gloss.The colour of this is quite sheer... a very light baby pink. This is swatched over the top of concealer to blank out my natural lip colour because my lips are naturally very pigmented...almost red! The formula isn't at all sticky, which is quite surprising and the gloss does stay glossy for a good amount of time - 3 hours and it smells very minty. I love minty smells! The only downfall for me is that the colour payoff isn't great, I like a lot of pigmentation in lip products as my lips are so dark. However, this could be a blessing for those that just want a pretty pink sheen on their lips :)

natalieslovex

Elf Mineral lipstick - Rosy Raisin

Hi loves,

So it's been a while since my Elf haul, but I promised swatches/reviews and I'm sticking by my word! It's taking me a while because I'm in the middle of A Level exams, which are practically taking over my life so I apologise :) So this is the lipstick in question...

The Elf mineral lipstick in the shade, Rosy Raisin. First of all, I really like these lipsticks... they're £3.50 with sleek packaging. This is a really pretty, but natural, peachy nude and these lipsticks are quite creamy and moisturising. Staying power is not so great but you can't go wrong with £3.50!

So these are the swatches, pretty true to life for once! They have a whole wide range of colours from nudes-brights, so definitely go and check them out if you haven't... they're definitely worth it, even if they do need another application after about 2 hours - which isn't actually all that bad. They don't have a scent which is good for those who are sensitive to fragrances. Hope this was helpful for some of you, have you tried Elf mineral lipsticks? What's your favourite shade?

natalieslovex

Maybelline - Dream Satin Liquid foundation

Hello my beauts,

I'm so sorry I haven't put up a post in a while, I'm in the middle of exams at the moment and spend every spare minute revising. Also been trying to fit in a bunch of driving lessons because my test is rapidly approaching (eeek!). So now my 'please forgive me for neglecting you' speech is over, I'm going to do a review on a foundation I showed in this haul a little while ago. I got a few comments asking for a review/whether it was any good... and it's the Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation.

First off the bat, I really like the packaging. It's simple and sleek but feels quite expensive as the bottle is  made of thick glass. I'm always happy with clear bottles because you get to see when you're running out (and the foundation doesn't cling to the inside like Colorstay!). Also... it has a pump, one that doesn't make the foundation come out in squirts! Need I say more? 

So Maybelline describe this as 'Air-whipped foundation, air-brushed finish' sounds appealing, right? If I'm 100% honest with you, I wasn't entirely sure about this foundation. I wasn't expecting all that much because I bought it on a whim! I was little bit worried about the word 'satin' as someone who suffers from oily skin... but it actually leaves a pretty matte finish in my opinion, not too matte and does let some of your natural glow and skin texture through. The coverage surprised me too, I'd say it's medium-full and blends over blemishes seamlessly.

As I mentioned, I have oily skin and that usually poses a problem with how long foundations last on me and how much oil they let come through. This foundation is actually quite long lasting, as long as I blot or powder during the day. It doesn't make me too shiny, but I do get a bit of an oily T-zone at about 2/3pm and I apply my foundation at 7am. But this is nothing a bit of powder can't sort out. As long as I make sure I sort out the oily zones, it stays basically the same way I applied it. If you do get oily and don't blot/powder the make up does start to slip in those places so do watch out for that. Another thing I found with this foundation is that it does transfer quite a bit, so be careful when placing your head on your other half's newly washed white t-shirt! Lol.

Overall I'm really fond of this foundation and I think it's made it's way into the top 5 drugstore foundations I've tried, and I'm normally so fussy with foundations. I just wish it didn't transfer as much! And unfortunately doesn't have any SPF. It's really readily available, all drugstores carry it and even some supermarkets and is really affordable at £8.19. If you want to know anything else... ask away :)

natalieslovex

MAC - The Faeire Glen

Hello guys,

So I wanted to do some reviews and swatches of some of the products from this haul here. Today I thought I'd do one of my favourite lipsticks I featured in that haul which has now become one of my favourites of all time! I feel like maybe this post is a little bit pointless because the lipstick is from the MAC collection A Tartan Tale, but I think you can still get most of the items. This is actually my first collection item and it's the lipstick 'The Faeire Glen'.

This lipstick is described as 'a pale neutral pink' on the website, and is a Lustre finish. I love Lustre finishes, other than Cremesheen they are my favourite. You don't need a gloss over the top if you don't want because they give such a pretty sheen to the lips. They're so soft and glide onto the lips, which means they're nourishing too. The only downside is Lustre's don't often have a great amount of colour payoff, but the colour is always buildable. So here are the swatches...

It's a really great nude for me... doesn't wash me out too much, not too orange and not too pink. Literally love this lipstick! I've heard that's it's similar to Hue lipstick, so when this runs out I'ma have to get myself that bad boy!

Did any of you guys order from the A Tartan Tale collection? What was your favourite item? I really wished I'd order the lipstick 'Cut A Caper' too, if it's still on the website I might just have to click the buy button! Oh MAC, how you rinse my bank account!

natalieslovex