Budget Buy: Revlon Colourstay Under Eye Concealer

Revlon ColourStay Under Eye Concealer £7.49 Boots

When it comes to those pesky bags, giving away how little sleep I get it takes a lot to cover them up. Looking bright eyed and bushy tailed is a daily task, the quest for a drugstore undereye concealer that matched my standards was brief, it started with L'Oreal and ended with Maybelline, until recently I've been giving Revlon Colour Stay a whirl, and I'm pleased to report I'm impressed!

The formula is a little thicker than I'm used to, nothing as thick as Collection Lasting Perfection but just enough to be able to properly cover the darkness and redness under my eyes without fading throughout the day. 

For days where I'm opting out of foundation the shade Medium is perfect as it blends seamlessly with my skin tone. It's not as light reflecting as my all time favourite, By Terry Touche Veloutee but much heavier coverage making nights with little sleep look reversible... 

Budget Buy: 17 Trio Eyeshadow

Boots 17 Trio in Enraged £5.49 Boots

It's a constant struggle to find high street eyeshadows that match up to the high-end counterparts, especially when comparing them to the likes of my two favourites, Burberry and Dior. They all seem to be rather chalky, have terrible fall out and not particularly blendable. To date the best I've found are Boots 17, the trio in Enraged is perfect for creating an autumnal smokey eye.

The eyeshadow has a slight glitter overspray that comes off within a couple of uses to leave a soft warm powder. The pigments are strong enough that there's no need to pack on the eyeshadow to result in a decent colour. Even though the pigmentation is great I did notice a considerable difference when paired with a primer, namely my Mac Paint Pot. 

The shades in the Enraged Trio are really warm and autumnal, I'm really enjoying wearing the a combination of the two complimentary peachy pink and brown shade all over lid with gold under eyes as an eyeliner and inner corner highlight. 

Budget Buy: Sleek Glo

Sleek aren't a budget brand to me, everything I've tried from them is really amazing for the price. Their eyeshadows are the most pigmented drugstore eyeshadows around, likewise with their lipsticks and I've now fallen in love with Glo. 

The shade peach shimmer is a combination of 5 shades made for illuminating the complexion. It's the perfect combination between a bronzer and highlighter, one of those no-fuss slap on and go products, that I swirl a big brush and apply on my cheeks. 

Wearing Sleek Glo in Peach Shimmer

On first glance it reminds me of the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks but after giving this a fair road test I actually prefer it for being much less shimmery and much more glowy. The Bobbi Brown shimmer particles are actually larger and more noticeable on the skin whereas this provides a lovely subtle glow. 

 Sleek Glo is £6.49 and available here

Budget Buy: Vaseline Vitalising Body Gel Oil

Vaseline Vitalising Body Gel Oil £4.89 Boots

A tip I heard recently when complaining that my perfume didn't last on my skin was skin dry which gave me a little kick into starting my winter skin routine... this includes more face oils, deeply hydrating body creams and a lot of hand balm. Starting off with the body something different found it's way into my Boots basket, Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Vitalising Body Gel Oil.

As far as moisturisers go it's got all the boxes ticked. Easily absorbed? Check. Light and non-sticky? Check. Smells incredible? Check. Prepare to be seduced because this stuff may be £4.89 but it feels seriously luxe on the skin.It's texture is unlike the standard body moisturiser, it's a gel but as it gets massaged into the skin turns into an oil and leaves a light film on the skin which I adore. Think  L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil but much less. Despite being light and easily absorbed the oil texture keeps skin hydrated and dry patches at bay. 

On a side note don't let the words Cocoa put you off, the scent isn't half as intense as Palmer's Cocoa Body Butter and is much less sweet. Intrigued to try?

Budget Buy: Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiant Shimmer Touch

Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch £3.99 Boots

The quest for winter appropriate sun-kissed skin begins...the subtly of Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector isn't enough as it works best when there's rays of sun for the particles to catch the light on so I've been reaching for something with a tad more noticeable shimmer.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch comes in two shades, 002 Radiant Rose , a baby pink, and 004 Shimmering Sand a champagne peach. Used as a highlighter or blush but mixed together provide lovely winter appropriate sun-kissed skin.

The formula would be comparable to one of a cream blush so in terms of application I'll mix a little of each shade on the back of my hand and use the Real Techniques Stippling Brush to apply it by dotting the product into my cheeks and bringing it up onto my temples. 

A fantastic highlighter, blush or in general multipurpose cream! I especially like the small packaging, great for packing on-the-go... 

Budget Buy: Collection Shimmer Shades

Collection Shimmer Shades Boots £4.19

The Collection Shimmer Shade in Blushalicious is a multipurpose highlighter and blush compact that adds a subtle rosy glow to my cheeks. It's one of those slap-on-and-go products that I adore, instantly making me look radiant, it's easy to blend into the skin with a beautiful frosty finish.

The palette consists of four shades, of which I like to either apply the two pink shades as a blush or the two peach shades as a highlighter, or just swirl my brush in the pan and apply, getting a mix of all four. It's surprisingly well pigmented for a drugstore item but I find it to be the perfect amount. Personally I don't actually enjoy extremely pigmented blush compacts as I normally apply them in a rush and can end up looking like a clown.

Have you tried the Collection Shimmer Shades?

Budget Buy: Palmer's Cocoa Body Scrub

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Cocoa Body Scrub £4.99 Feel Unique

With all the London Fashion Week madness over, throughout the course of this weekend I've been doing what I love best, pampering and preening. Nails, hair, face masks were all done and used and I fell in love with one product in particular, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Cocoa Body Body Scrub. 

Being a sucker for anything decent smelling, as soon as I smelt Palmer's Cocoa Scrub, I ran to my shower and jumped in - I was that excited to use it. When I'm not removing that last stubborn smidgen of fake tan I tend to opt less of an abrasive scrub, something that leaves my skin feeling smooth and moisturised without feeling as though I'm stripping off a layer of skin, which is exactly what Palmers excelled in.  

It did leave a bit of a grit round the bath tub and not too keen on sticking my fingers in a pot but I absolutely love it. I struggle to find a nourishing scrub, that I don't feel the need to follow by slapping on a moisturiser but after massaging it over my legs and arms it left my skin feeling so silky, smooth and hydrated I  didn't feel the need to as it felt so hydrating. 

It genuinely makes me enjoy doing a task I usually find a chore - so much so I think I've been over scrubbing!

Budget Buy: Bourjois Intuitive Liner

Bourjois Intuitive Liner £6.99

My fickleness really kicks in when it comes to eyeliners, especially liquid. There seem to be quite a few recently I've been loving, L'Oreal, Pixi and now Bourjois - which has something different to offer in comparison to the others. It's a liquid eyeliner pen with not one but three points! at first glance it just looks like a bit of a gimmick - something that would help but doesn't really. Well, im happy to report it really does!

Top - just eyeshadow Middle - with eyeliner Bottom - with mascara

The three lines are supposed to aid drawing a line, which I didn't find they did too much, but perhaps this is due to the fact that I dont normally struggle with eyeliner. When doing something like a cat eye it made more of difference as I could map out the shape I wanted before actually drawing the line. Where it really excells is in thickening my lashes. The little dots of liner pressed into my lashline it manages to fill in the little gaps aiding my lashes to look thicker and fuller without having to apply layers of mascara. Perfect for natural makeup days!

Easier to apply than a thin nibbed eyeliner like Hourglass Script (post here) and ideal for those who dont care for thick eyeliner but desire a much more natural look. In terms of formula it's a true black that's a little runny but once set doesnt budge. Clarins have released something similar, personally only trying the Bourjois I can't comment but I'm always keener for the less expensive alternative!

So you think you'll be picking this up or opting for a normal eyeliner?

Budget Buy: MeMeMe Beat The Blues

MeMeMe Beat The Blues in Sunbeam £5.25

MeMeMe Beat The Blues is a natural golden liquid highlighter that has been gracing the high points of my cheek bones and even my eyelids recently. The shade Sunbeam gives a golden glow without looking overly shimmery or highlighting pores. Compared to the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (post here) it's much thicker in consistency and more subtle. Similar to Benefits Moon Beam and practically a dupe that's perfect in achieving that 'I'm naturally this radiant' skin.

In terms of application I just pat the liquid into my skin with my fingertips for a really subtle glow, its consistency is a little creamy so little goes a long way and it does need require extra blending. Applied on the tops of cheekbones, cupids bow and brow bone is where it looks best. Unlike the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector I wouldn't mix this is with foundation as it's just a little too creamy. 

MeMeMe Beat The Blues is available from Superdrug here for £5.25

Budget Buy: L'Oreal Super Liner

 L'Oreal makeup is clearly winning for me at the moment. Their infallible eyeshadows definitely live up to the hype, super pigmented, creamy and blendable. The Voluminous mascara provides that volume I need in uncurled lashes and the Super Liner is the super black, glossy eyeliner that just keeps giving.

I'm a fickle soul when it comes to eyeliners, sometimes I find smaller brushes easier to control like the Hourglass Script (post here) and sometimes it's stiff nibs like Eyeko Skinny (post here) but one that is a constant love is the L'Oreal. It's one that doesnt require a steady hand, that I can apply barely awake in the early hours of the morning. The felt nib is flexible which makes applying a line easy and the colour is fantastic - really rich black and glossy. I've had this eyeliner for a while and it doesn't seem to ever be running out!!

L'Oreal Super Liner is £6.49 & available from Boots here

Budget Buy: L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black £8.49

After hearing Kim Kardashian's makeup artist Mario Dedanovic talk repeatedly about L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black I knew it was one to add to the collection. Thick wand, long bristles and a heavily black formula is exactly what I was looking for to create really voluminous lashes.

On its own, it solely adds volume and my lashes are ones that need length and thickness added too so for that reason it's not one of my favourites. Being a mascara mixer (post here) paired over another mascara like Collection Multiplier Mascara, or Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill is where it really exceeds. It adds that extra oomph of volume that my lashes need, especially as I don't curl them on a regular basis. The perfect lashes in combination with a dramatic smokey eye!

I would recommend picking up the Carbon Black version as the Original is slightly greyer in colour. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara is £8.49 and available here

Budget Buy: Vichy NormaDerm Concealing Stick

 Vichy NormaDerm Drying Concealing Anti Inperfection Stick £7 Boots

I’ve mentioned my lack of makeup applying on holiday, before apart from some bits of concealing like on any blemish scars that my oversized sunglasses don't hide. I recently picked up Vichy NormaDerm Drying Concealing Anti Inperfection Stick in my local pharmacy which is a concealing pen. The nib is extremely fine which makes dotting the concealer on scars an absolute dream. Just dot it on scar as it's much more hygienic than sticking fingers in a pot of concealer and much more handy than getting out a concealing brush.

In the heat the less creamy the consistency the better. This lasts well throughout the heat and looks natural on the skin. Onto the important bit - the coverage, which I would say is medium but buildable. It didn't fully cover some of my redder scars but just enough for me to be satisfied! 

Have you ever tried anything from Vichy?

Budget Buy: Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder

Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder H07 £14.49

You may have seen this pop up before here as it's something I've been loving recently that was recommended by another eagle-eyed beauty like you and me. As soon as she told me it reminded her of Nars Laguna I knew I had to have it!

Une isn't a brand I'm familiar with but one that if all of the products are as lovely as the powder, I'll be in good hands. First of all, let me start with the packaging, which isn't something I describe too often as it's usually pretty self explanatory but I absolutely loved this! It's a sliding top with a mirror outside as opposed to the usual flip top, which I loved as it didn't get dirty with powder like most of my mirrors do.

Left - Nars Laguna Swatch Right - Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder in HO7

I chose a darker shade I could use as a matte bronzer, as the colour was a little darker than my usual shade I often applied a little too much, but this was never a problem as it was very easy to blend out due to the creamy formula. It's mineral which is always a plus as I feel it won't cake up my skin, clogging up pores and even though I've been using it religiously it doesn't seem to be running out anytime soon!

Have you tried anything from Une? I've got my eye on the blush next!

Budget Buy: Eco Tools Finishing Kabuki

Eco Tools Finishing Kabuki Brush £9.99

Apart from Real Techniques, most of my makeup brushes are high end (see my favourite Shu Uemura brush here) as I can justify the splurge knowing that they will last forever if taken good care of. Eco Tools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki brush is one of those 'on your vanity' brushes that stands up as it's bristles fan out.

The Eco Tools Finishing Kabuki is a duo fibre synthetic brush, think Mac 187 but a little larger and less dense. It's synthetic bristles means it's easy to wash and dry, and most importantly doesn't shed! In the hot summer months when I don't want to cake myself in powder but just apply a light sheer layer to look a tad more matt, this is what I've been reaching for. It picks up the perfect amount of product, leaving me with a flawless finish. Two other uses it works fabulously for, is applying bronzer lightly in large areas like all over my face and neck to add some tan, and if I've used a bit too much product like blush, as a last step in my routine, for blending everything together.

Have you ever tried any Eco Tools brushes? What's your favourite low end brush range?

Budget Buy: TRESemmé Volumizing Dry Shampoo

Quite honestly I don't know where I would be without my trusty dry shampoo. My hair can get a bit on the oily side of things so to prolong my blow-dry for an extra day I normally reach for good old Batiste. Recently I've been using TRESemme Volumizing Dry Shampoo, which pretty much does the same thing while adding a little volume to my roots adding a bit of life back into my flat hair. One thing I'm not too keen on with Batiste is that sandy feeling it leaves in my hair which I found TRESemme to have much less of, it actually felt quite cooling! 

TRESemme Volumizing Dry Shampoo is £4.79 as opposed to £1.45 for Batiste. Have you ever tried TRESemme Dry Shampoo or do you just stick to Batiste?

Budget Buy: Yes To Carrots On-The-Go Essential Kit

Having just gone on holiday it's been reinforced in my mind how much I love travel size samples. They take up minimal makeup bag space and are the perfect size for week long getaways. After having finished a couple of shower gels, body moisturisers and hand creams in Ibiza last week I've now got my eye on this Yes To Carrots On-The-Go Carrot Essentials Kit for my next holiday. 

Yes To is a brand I haven't tried anything from but by the sound of it they are right up my street, organic, natural and have different ranges for different skin types. The Yes To Carrots range is the most nourishing out of the bunch, which claims to soften nourish and revitalise skin, and as far as claims go I can't say I disagree.

The kit contains four items, the Super Rich Body Butter, Daily Softening Hand & Elbow Cream, Hydrating Shower Gel and finally a Lip Butter and conveniently placed in one little orange bag. 

First up is my favourite item, the Body Butter which contains 26 minerals, shea butter and carrot juice all together making it smell amazing. Don't be put off by the word 'butter' like I was as it just reminds me of thick sticky hard to blend in cream - this wasn't like that at all. It's very lightweight, feels very nourishing and dries within seconds. What I absolutely loved was that it dries matt as opposed to sticky so when in a rush to get dressed there's no need for waiting for moisturiser to sink in. 

The hand cream is slightly richer than the body butter but had a similar texture and matt finish. It was also wonderful around my cuticles! I'm not too fussed about Shower Gels but it's great to know what I'm washing my body with is natural. It feels lovely on the skin and lathers well without leaving that stripped feeling. Lastly the Lip Butter, which has a slightly oily texture that won't solve massively dry  skin but is great for keeping in the handbag for a little hydration as it lasts for hours on the lips. 

Yes To Carrots On-The-Go Carrots Essential Kit is £14.99 and available on Feel Unique

Have you ever tried anything from Yes To? Do you save samples for holidays?

Budget Buy: Melvita Eye Makeup Remover

Seeing as I'm officially going on holiday in one week (yay!) it's time to start testing out the waterproof products. I've been trying some eyeliners, eyeshadows and even bronzers but most importantly mascaras! 

I'm sure you know that absolute pain of trying to remove waterproof mascara, I do have a useful tip which you can read here, but for now I've been playing around with different makeup removers to see which is most effective. Of course there's the brilliant but pricey Lancome Bi Facil which I go through at the speed of lightening when used daily. I've recently found Melvita Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover to be somewhat of a similar formula and slightly more effective. 

The formula contains two 'phases' just like Bi Facil, which do need shaking before use. It's quite oily so does lift off eye makeup really easily whilst feeling really moisturising. I found that oily formulas were much more effective at removing waterproof eye makeup, especially mascara. Why I'm proclaiming my love for Melvita's Eye Makeup remover is there was no need for tugging and rubbing at my eyes whilst trying to remove eye makeup. Just the dousing of a cotton pad and holding and pressing against my lids.

I have a hunch this will be a definite staple in my summer makeup removal routine!

Melvita Eye Makeup Remover is £14 and available here

What are some of your favourite waterproof products? 

Budget Buy: Dermalogica Buffing Cloth

Getting legs out in the sun means one routine, tanning. I'm not talking sitting oiled up with factor 6 in the sun, that was last years routine! Being much more aware of sun damage and protection, this year it's all about fake for me. Let's see how long that lasts but for now I've been using my Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe like no other. (which I reviewed here if you're interested in some meaty fake tan reading)

Scrubbing off that last layer of fake tan can be such a hassle, especially around dry areas like knees where it refuses to come off! That's where I rely on Dermalogica Buffing Cloth to do all my work. It's basically a long cloth that I either scrunch up into a ball or holding each end in each hand and pulling it back and forth (great for reaching my back!) 

When scrubbing off fake tan I usually use it in the shower in conjunction with a body scrub by Soap & Glory. Apply some scrub all over my legs and continue to buff round in circular motions making sure the scrub lathers up. 

I've had my cloth for a good 6 months so it's a little worn away but do make sure to be careful as on first use they are quite rough! I do make sure to moisturise after exfoliating too for really soft skin      

Dermalogica Buffing Cloth is £12 - What do you scrub with?

Budget Buy: TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray

Being someone who regularly uses straighteners, curlers and a hair dryer I'm a definite culprit of damaging my hair by applying a lot of heat. To counteract the damage I cause to my hair I apply a really nourishing hair mask, the Fekkai Advanced Technician Rapid Results Moisture Mask (link to post here) and a lot of hair oil. To prevent the damage before applying the heat I slather on a lot of heat protector - the problem with this is it can make hair very crunchy and uneasy to style especially when applied to dry hair!

In general I prefer heat protector sprays as you can direct the product to a specific area whereas with creams it's harder to distribute it evenly. TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray is fantastic as its really easy to use, lightly mists your hair and the actual spray is so watery it doesn't alter the hair texture so it's easy to use while styling. It ensures protection up to 230 degrees and the packaging ensures its locked so no worries about spilling while travelling.

TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray is £4.69 and available from boots here

Budget Buy: Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

I've been obsessed with my Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliners for a while (post here) but the joys of being a beauty addict, when something finishes you want to try something new! Gel Eyeliners are the formulas that I favour for the conditions which I wear eyeliner in, at night most likely combined with some sort of smokey eye. I went on a hunt to find a decent drugstore gel eyeliner and success - I did! I picked up three , L'Oreal, Collection & Maybelline  and if you've been a bit of a detective and realised from the title of this post the winner is Maybelline you are correct       

Firstly gel eyeliners dry out ALL the time and the Maybelline pot had a screw on lid that was very secure so I knew I wouldn't be unable to use a full product in a couple months time. The reason why I love Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner is the blendablilty of the eyeliner, meaning I can apply it and blend the line to make it less harsh and a little more smokey so the line between my eyeshadow and eyeliner is less obvious. Which is something the Maybelline allowed me to do with ease, like the Bobbi Brown.

Second of all the Bobbi Brown colour pigment is really really black, which I love. When compared to the Maybelline it almost made the Maybelline look brown, only slightly and only noticeable when comparing the colours side by side so I let that slide.

Thirdly, the longevity of the Bobbi Brown is what really makes it stand out as a fantastic gel eyeliner. As I tested out and compared the longevity of both eyeliners, the Bobbi Brown on one eye and Maybelline on the other after five hours they both looked the same. No smudging and fully in place!

When it comes to application I just apply it the same as I would normally, with an angled brush from Sephora but you can pick up a similar one from Mac and blend the line with a matt black shadow and a pointed eyeliner brush like Louise Young LY13.

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner 24H is £7.99 and available from Boots here and Superdrug here