Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

Lets face it, Maybelline sure knows how to send the beauty world into a total frenzy. Over the past year there has been a big song and dance over the brands products and its easy to see why. First there was the release of the ultimate under eye concealer and sought after Colour Tattoo's. Then in the Summer, the drugstore brand finally decided to bring the cult product, Maybelline Baby Lips, to British shores. With the hype dying down, it was only a matter of time before another product was thrown into the mix, que the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. 

Hailed as a drugstore equivalent to Benefit's Porefessional and Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer, I couldn't resist getting my mitts on one (plus im a total sucker for the cute packaging, shameful I know). The Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser does exactly what it says on the tube. The silicone based primer claims to reduce the appearance of pores whilst leaving the skin feeling velvety soft. 

Personally I find that Baby Skin does a marvellous job of blurring pores and imperfections. To the touch this primer has a greasy, silicone like texture, that once blended into the skin, leaves a smooth matte like finish. I really would liken this to the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer over Benefit's Porefessional (a primer that fills in pores rather than covering them). 

The Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is completely inexpensive making it a fab alternative to higher end silicone based primers on the market. At £7.99 this is a product that will be hard to beat. 

Have you tried Maybelline Baby Skin? 

Best of 2013 | Makeup

Its crazy how much tastes change within a year. When I wrote my 'Best of 2012' post way back in January, my go to products included EOS Lip Balms, a Jack Wills Lipstick and the infamous Nars Orgasm. Fast forward 12 months and the sea of bright pinks have been replaced with daring reds and blushers have been pushed aside for bronzers (hello Tarte's Park Avenue Princess). With this being the case it will come as no suprise that only one product from last years post has made the cut. 

YSL Shocking Mascara (review here)

2013 saw me purchase a fair few mascaras (what can I say Im anything but loyal to them). Yet I find myself going back to YSLs Shocking Mascara time and time again (typical its the most expensive eh). This luxurious, long lasting, lengthening mascara may not be 'the one' but it comes pretty darn close.

Runner Up: Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara 

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers (review here)

Hailed as dupes for several high end lip products during its release, its hardly suprising that the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers went down a storm with beauty addicts. Apocalyptic a pigmented bright pink shade has regularly made its way into my day to day makeup routine since I purchased it back in January.                                      Runner Up: Chanel Jalousie 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (review here)

Iv'e said it before and Il say it again, no matter how many times I stray away from Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (DoubleWear is the usual suspect), I always find myself coming back to it. I cant rave enough about this light weight and long wearing gem. 

Runner Up: Estee Lauder DoubleWear 

Barry M Nail Art Pens (review here)

In the summer I went gaga over Barry M's Nail Art Pens (these are ideal for nail art novices). These fuss free pens will help to create quite simply the perfect manicure. Here's hoping they release more shades in the New Year.

Viva La Juicy La Fleur (review here)

Viva La Juicy La Fleur has been my go to scent this year. Each time I spritz this on my wrist im instantly transported back to my week in Paris with Tim. This beautiful feminine fragrance is the perfect floral yet fruity scent suitable for both day and night. 

Runner Up: Viva La Juicy Noir 

Maybelline Baby Lips (review here)

The hype over Maybelline Baby Lips may have died down, but personally I still cant get enough of these super moisturising and buttery soft balms. I wont ramble much more about these as I may have gone just a little overboard when they were finally released back in July. 

Runner Up: Fresh Sugar Lip Balms 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (review here)

December saw every blogger and their friend adding the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette to they're Christmas Wishlist's (myself included). This Palette really is perfect from the sleek rose gold packaging down to the seriously pigmented shades. This beauty may be a newcomer but considering it was love at first swatch, it well and truly deserves a spot in my 2013 faves. 

Runner Up: Nars & God Created Woman Palette

What were your favourite beauty products of 2013?

Getting Down At The Drugstore

Hi my names Sophie and I have a total weakness for a good drugstore bargain. 'Gift with purchase' and 3 for 2 offers, are words that never fail to make me a little giddy at the knees, and because of that I often spend a small fortune within minutes on fabulous high street gems. So It will come as no suprise that I didn't leave empty handed during my recent trip to Boots thanks to those two devilish words. 

The Seventeen Brows That Brow Kit was the first item to fall victim to my basket. Dangerously close to pan on both my E.L.F Brow Kit and Benefit Brow Zings, I couldn't resist picking up this Limited Edition gem (any excuse hey). With a full review in the pipeline I wont go into too much detail but what I will say is that its a serious contender to knock Brow Zings off the top spot (yes it really is that good). The Brows That Brow Kit is currently £6, or free if you spend £8 or more across the Seventeen line. Obviously I made the most of the offer and picked up a Skin Wow Primer Highlighter and 18 Hour Stay Time Concealer (expect a review soon). My logic?? Why spend £6 on one product when for a mere £2 more you could get three. How shameful. 

After a mooch around I was ready to hit the tills, when a row of limited edition Cherry Velvet Maybelline Baby Lips caught my attention. Its no secret that I have an obsession with these colourful balms, so it would have been rude not to leave without at least one. However I will say that the offer on this balm is a little confusing to say the least. Emblazoned across the barcode was 'limited edition sample, not for resale', yet all that was written on the board was 3 for 2. A little confused, I took to twitter to find out a little more about this mysterious Maybelline Baby Lips, when the lovely Amy came to my rescue. Basically as part of the 3 for 2 offer, aswell as getting the cheapest item free, you also get a limited edition Baby Lips (win win right?!). 

Making the most of 3 for 2, I also picked up the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Metallic Pomegranate. Hailed as a purse friendly alternative to MAC's Cranberry I couldn't resist popping it in my basket. A Maybelline The One By One Black Mascara and a Nail Polish which I happily handed over to my friend, for good measure. 

Are you a sucker for a good drugstore bargain?!

I Heart Drugstore Make-Up | Tag

I love high end makeup as much as the next person (I think the Princess Tag proves that), but my heart well and truly belongs to the drugstore. I can walk into Boots full of cold in search of cough sweets, and still find myself making my way to the till with a basket brimming with goodies. Thanks to 3 for 2, points cards, and the many temptations that surround the tills, its safe to say that I could spend a small fortune in a matter of minutes, on inexpensive, high quality products. So when the lovely Charlotte tagged me to do the 'I Heart Drugstore Make-Up Tag' I saw it as the perfect opportunity to ramble about my love of budget beauty. 

What's your favourite drugstore brand?! 

This is such a tough question, but I would have to say Maybelline. From the sought after Baby Lips and much loved Mascaras ( Falsies is the one and only Mascara I have repurchased) to the coveted Colour Tattoo's, its safe to say that Maybelline are on fire of late. 

What are your favourite face, cheek, and lip products?!

When it comes to my complexion, il admit to being somewhat of a high end snob. I would rather spend £20+ on a decent foundation (hello Chanel Vitalumiere), than buy countless bottles of drugstore ones that just aren't all that. However there are two exceptions to this rule, que Revlon's Nearly Naked, a lovely, buildable, long lasting, budget friendly foundation and Collections Lasting Perfection Concealer. This heavy duty beauty, blows all others out of the water. 

For cheeks it would have to be a toss up between Sleek's Rose Gold, a seriously pigmented long wearing blush (did I also mention its a dupe for a much loved bloggers fave?) and Elf's Tickled Pink.

As for lips I still cant get enough of the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers, Maybelline Baby Lips and Bourjois Color Boost Glossy Finish Lipsticks. 

Least favourite product?!

This is such a hard one as Im rarely unhappy with my makeup purchases as I often research the products before parting with my pennies (maybe im just easily pleased). But Sadly I would have to say Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation. I would love to sit here and sing its praises, but to be totally honest we just dont get along! I love the finish, texture, shading, but after an hour or twos wear I just end up looking like an oily mess (no amount of powder seemed to help). 

Best makeup bargain?!

Ooo now this is a toss up between MUA lipsticks (for a pound they seriously are the bees knees), and Collection's Lasting Perfection (im sure this comes as no suprise). It is without a doubt the BEST concealer I have come across. To find a creamy, full coverage concealer for as little as £4 is a total steal.

What's your favourite underdog product?!

Easy, Barry M Dazzle Dusts. They deserve way more love than they get. Available in a range of beautiful shades, these wonderful little pots are a great alternative to the sought after MAC pigments!! 

Over priced drugstore product?!

This was such an easy one. I rarely ever look at Maxfactor as I find the brand (mascaras in particular) to be a little overpriced for the drugstore. Considering we have to pay double figures for a product when its sister brand Covergirl (basically the US equivalent if you were wondering) charges almost half the price for its line is a little shocking to be honest.
Talking of American brands, another drugstore product/line I find to be somewhat overpriced is the Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush. Dont get me wrong its beautiful, from the packaging, to the colour and finish, however it lacks pigmentation, so for that I would say that the $12 price tag is a little steep. 

Drugstore Dupes?!

The obvious would be Sleek's Rose gold, which is a perfect dupe for Nars Orgasm. Not only are the two near identical, but I would go as far as to say that Rose Gold is a lot more pigmented. So at a fraction of the price its certainly a steal (oh drugstores how I love thee). You can read my review on the pair here.

Drugstore products that aren't really worth the hype?! 

Please dont hate me, but I just dont understand the hype over Revlon Lip Butters and L'Oreal GlamShine Stain Splash's. Dont get me wrong there nice enough products, I just dont quite understand the hype that surrounds them. If anything Id say they are overpriced for what they are. Give me a Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer or Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick any day.

I tag:

Claudia from Claudia Couture

Ally from MissAllyV

Erica from EricaWears

Trina from TrinaWears

Gemma from Miss Makeup Magpie

What are your Drugstore essentials?!

Maybelline Baby Lips

Long before the days of MAC Lipsticks and Rimmel Apocalips, I was the girl who went giddy over a good Lip Balm. Back in the day (oh to be a carefree Year 8 again) you were the bees knees if you possessed the latest Nivea Lip Balm in your Groovy Chick pencil case (Does anyone else remember these?!) Nearly 10 years on (whaaa that makes me feel old) and I still cant help getting a little excited over the latest releases, and dont get me started on quirky packaging. Please tell me its acceptable to own a handful of EOS Lipbalms in several shades/flavours?! (After all variety is the spice of life right!)

Like most, I have coveted Maybelline Baby Lips for quite some time, so im sure you can imagine how thrilled I was to see not only one, but two of these beauties sitting pretty in the bottom of my swap package from the gorgeous Trina. I had high expectations after reading many a rave review, so I did fear that I would be left a little disappointed, however I am happy to report that its love.

Maybelline Baby Lips are super moisturising and buttery soft, without leaving the lips feeling greasy or sticky. To top it off they smell divine (Cherry Me has a lovely synthetic 'cherry smell' whereas Pink Punch is very fruity) and add a subtle hint of colour to the lips (please note my lip swatches seriously dont do these justice). I was seriously impressed with Pink Punch a wearable blue toned Barbie Pink. For a lip balm it seriously packs a punch (no pun intended). 

Cherry Me is very much a pink shade as you can tell from the swatch above (somewhat deceiving when in the bullet its such a vivid red), although pigmented, it is very sheer once applied to lips. But leaves a subtle pop of colour nonetheless. 

Now heres where I would normally let out a huge sigh, and state how these babys are only available in the US. However I am happy to tell you all that the much sought after Baby Lips will be touching down on British soil within the next month (about time too hey). Want to be one of the first to know when there released?! then sign up here!

Its safe to say that I have truly fallen for the Baby Lips hype, and with good reason. So I shall definitely be setting my alarm come August. 

Have you tried Maybelline Baby Lips?! 

US Beauty Swap with TrinaWears

Warning: Picture heavy post!!
Currently surrounded by a mass of American goodies, its safe to say that im more than just a little bit excited to be writing this post!
Just over a month ago I proposed a swap with the gorgeous Trina who just so happens to live in the Big Apple (home to Bath & Body Works, huge Sephora's and Duane Reade). As you can probably gather from this post, she jumped at the chance, and a few weeks on I am now sat here, clutching a huge box like a child with their beloved teddy!! When it came to planning the swap we originally set a limit (which went out the window almost immediately), picked four products we were eager to get a hold of, and agreed that the rest of the goodies would be a surprise.
Lets face it as beauty bloggers we all have wish lists brimming with the latest and greatest products, were desperate to add to our ever growing collections (please tell me it isn't just me?!). But sadly there comes a time when some of the products we dream of owning are just that little bit out of reach.
This being the case It will come as no shock that the four products I picked were a Tarte Blush, Maybelline Babylips, B&BW Hand Sanitisers and not forgetting a Wet n Wild palette!!

Want to know what else she got me? then read on ;) .. you can see what I got Trina here.

Ladies (and gents) can I just draw your attention to the pink bubble wrap for a minute! Pink bubble wrap people, please tell me in not the only one that thinks this is amazing?! (I may or may not have got just a little too excited over this).
Being a serial beauty junkie, products come whizzing through my letter box on a weekly basis that will more often than not cause me to squeal, but nothing (and I seriously mean nothing) comes close to the sheer excitement I experienced yesterday when opening my huge parcel from Trina.
I love everything that she picked out for me. Its funny how someone I have technically never met, knows me so well!

An array of Bath & Body Works goodies
As I am writing this I can smell a lovely waft from the Bath & Body Works Pink Chiffon Shower Gel that attempted to escape from the box during transit!! I was so overwhelmed at the sheer amount of Bath & Body Works goodies Trina filled my parcel with!! .. Living in the UK I often find myself watching endless youtube videos on Bath & Body Works products and dream of the day that I visit the states and do a mad trolley dash to the till, with endless candles, body products and not forgetting hand sanitisers (what can I say im more than a little bit obsessed!!) So im sure you can imagine my excitement when I unwrapped these yummy scented goodies!! 

Make Up Forever Aqua cream (13) .. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Tipsy) .. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
A cult product in the US, I cant wait to put the Make Up Forever Aqua Cream for eyes and cheeks to the test! This beautiful shimmery beige claims to be both waterproof and creaseproof. I can imagine this being perfect used on the brow bone to highlight, aswell as an all over colour on the lid!!
Raved by those who can get a hold of it, and lusted after by those who cant (If your listening Tarte, please come to the UK) Im ridiculously excited to finally have the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy in my possession (swoon).

Wet n Wild Lipsticks in Cherry Picking .. Dont Blink Pink & Pinkerbell

Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque .. Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara .. CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara 
I have heard so many great things about the Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara and Covergirl Lashblast Volume, so I cant wait to give these a try!! As for the Lipsticks how gorgeous are the shades?!

EOS Lipbalms in Pomegranate Raspberry & Strawberry Sorbet

Wet n Wild Blushers in Heather Silk & Mellow Wine .. Wet n Wild Nutty, Sweet As Candy, Silent Treatment & Comfort Zone
When it comes to lip balm I am a total addict. Already a lover of the egg shaped EOS balms, im excited to add two more to my collection! As for the Maybelline Baby Lips, I can already vow that these will be staples in my handbag!!
Whilst in the states last year, I picked up a Wet n Wild palette for my giveaway winner yet stupidly never purchased one for myself, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw not just one, but three palettes, a single eyeshadow and two blushers sitting pretty in the box.

Last but certainly not least I received various American candy, including Pop Tarts, Ice Breakers and Sour Patches, aswell as Jolly Ranchers. I have a feeling my boyfriend thought all his his Christmasses had come at once, when he saw the huge bag, on top of the box (Trina I can tell you now that these WILL be devoured haha). 

So there we have it, a sneak peek at my lovely American goodies. 

my only advice if your planning on doing a Swap is to:

Make sure your swapping with a genuine person ( I obviously had no worries here with Trina, but there really are some horror stories out there, so please be careful)

Keep an eye on the weight of the box (a few kg's over and it could cost you a whopping £100 to send your box)

Be aware of what can and cannot be sent. I happily put Barry M polishes in the box, only to be told that they needed to be taken out due to tighter postage rules!!

and finally HAVE FUN!! Partaking in a Swap with Trina has been without a doubt the best thing I have done since starting my blog. 

PS. Oh and Trina,Thank you so much for the package!! Its been amazing getting to know you better and Im looking forward to our next swap already ;)
PPS. If you haven't already done so, go check out Trina's amazing blog here!

Have you done an international swap?! 

Maybelline THE FALSIES volume express Mascara

If you usually read my posts (ugh that sounds so big headed) then you'll know that i am always on the quest for a new and better Mascara, when it comes to mascaras, i am the first to admit that im rather fickle and will use a certain one till something 'better' comes along. For a while my go to mascara of choice has been Revlons grow luscious mascara, and i definitely cannot fault it, but i will admit when i saw Maybelline THE FALSIES volume express mascara was on offer in Tesco a while back i couldnt resist making a cheeky purchase. I had heared rave reviews about many of Maybellines Mascaras, from both the beauty world and friends, so i was excited about trying this, and well what can i say i definitely was not disappointed. I absolutely love it. The brush is somewhat curved which i though would be a problem to start with but it actually makes the mascara better, first you apply mascara using the curved edge of the wand followed by the straight edge. I am blessed to have reasonably long lashes, so length is not something i tend to look for in a mascara, but they seriously do look longer, what i do however look for is volume and this baby certainly gives lots of it. 

In the month or so that i have had THE FALSIES in my possession, if i try another mascara, i still find myself going back to this, its pretty long lasting, never seems to clump my lashes together, and gives me the volume aswell as length that i desire, of course i will still no doubt seek for better, but for now this mascara gives me what i want and then some. 

Altogether i really cannot fault this mascara from the packaging, to the wand and the price is pretty reasonable, i paid around £5 due to the offer, but i think it usually retails around the £7 mark 

Have you tried the falsies mascara? what did you think??

So I've Finally given into temptation

Hello Lovelies, i hope your all having a great start to the week!!..im looking forward to an evening spent chilling on the beach with friends. So there are four items that have been on my wishlist for quite a while, after continuously seeing them appearing on many people's blogs, and after several reviews i finally gave into temptation

So the four items in question are, Urban Decay Naked Palette, Nars Orgasm, Maybelline gel Liner and Rimmels Day to night mascara

So i wont really go into detail about this as there have been many many reviews on it. I know people have struggled to find this but i managed to get it on the house of Fraser website link for palette here..this was definately love at first sight from the great quality packaging and the pigmented and beautiful neutrals :)

Next up is the Maybelline gel Liner, for the past month or so i have been religiously using elf's gel liner, and although i love it, it very easily smudges so ive been desperate to try another brand, so when i saw this on offer in Tesco i had to add it to my basket ;) haha.

Nars Orgasm 

I have been waiting for this for the past two weeks, i honestly thought it would never turn up, ive always been a bronzer sort of girl but recently i just cant get enough of blushers, i absolutely LOVE this, especially the gold tones to it, however i cant help but notice the similarities between this and my ELF blush in tickled pink, the colours are similar, as is the packaging, even so i still think this purchase was worth it...but if your looking for a cheaper alternative i'd definately say go for the ELF blush 

 and finally Rimmels Day to Night Mascara, I've gotta be honest i went with the hype, and to be perfectly honest i love the length, but as for using the volume wand its just really clumpy :S i wont completely hold judgement yet as ive only used it twice, so i'l keep on using it and let you know what i think.

Anyone recently invested in these lovelies??

have you given into temptation lately ;) ??

30 Day Challenge..Day 20

Hello Lovelies,

Hope your all having a good week so far, So my question for today is my faviourite Mascara, this idea couldnt have come at a better time, I have had two solid mascaras i have used non stop for the past two years and i think its time to try something new!!

top, L-R: Maybeline Define a Lash Pulse Perfection Mascara, Mac Haute & Naughty

bottom, L-R: Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes, Maybeline Great Lash Mascara

So my Mascaras of choice for the past two years have been the define a pulse perfection and the great lash mascara. the define a pulse perfection is brilliant, it has a little vibrating thing on the brush handle which helps to lengthen your lashes and i also find that it also stops my lashes from getting clumpy. Great Lash Mascara i love because it also makes my lashes long and thick, however it is without a doubt one of the clumpiest mascaras i have ever used!!

iv'e got to be honest i originally bought both of them because of the hype, and although i love them i think there just not good enough anymore!! (out with the old and all that jazz haha)

Anyone of you lovely bloggers have any suggestions for me??

After looking through different blogs and online i like the sound of Mac Haute and Naughty and Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes...im lucky in the Lash department as my lashes are quite long but i like the 'fake lash' look so any suggestions are welcome!!

30 Day Challenge..Day 8 & my NOTD

hello lovelies i hope you all enjoy your tuesday, so my question for day 8 is a photo that makes me laugh and here it is

I have loads of photos that make me laugh but i think this is one of my faviourite, its me and my friend Ben rocking out to something at the sixth form ball (2009), i think i love it so much because we didn't realise it was being taken, i have another faviourite from the same night of me, my friend and an old teacher i had in school, we kept on taking photos and failing so he decided that we needed to have a confused look photo (believe me its brill but i dont think he would appreciate it on here) 

So on to my nail of the day!!

i recently bought Models Own Pearly queen as i wanted to try something subtle compared to my usually bright nails.

Its a really lovely as the name says pearly colour however i felt like it was a bit to plain for my liking so i decided to do a French manicure with pearly queen as a top coat and here it is:

I dont think my pictures do the colour of pearly queen justice

With modelsown i also used maybeline colorama in french white and ballerina, usually if i do a manicure my nails dont last and chip really easily, however as all modelsown polishes the polish just stays and i have had this for four days now with next to no chips :)

Anyone else tried Pearly queen?? anymore modelsown colours anyone suggests??

Thanks for reading my Rambles

Soph x

30 Day challenge..Day 3 to 7

hello lovelies, sorry for the second post today, had a hectic week so my posts are a bit all over the place :( so i decided to do days 3 to 7 together as i haven't got around to doing them each day


so on to the questions 3. your favourite headband


okay so im not really a fan of headbands, the reason being they never seem to look right on me :S so any suggestions on making them look good would be much appreciated :)..i have spotted a few i like on asos, but im more of a flower girl and now its coming up to summer il no doubt have flowers in my hair again, my faviourite has to be a pink orchard from accessorize

4. Faviourite foundation

I really flit from one foundation to the next, my current faviourite would have to be my Mac Studio Fix fluid in nc44, im also loving Loreal's roll on true match however for the price it doesn't usually last to long. however saying this my ultimate faviourite foundation is probably maybellines dream matte mousse, i love the texture and its a foundation that lasts all day with a really good coverage.

5. your faviourite thing to do

I think my faviourite thing to do would no doubt be going to the beach with my boyfriend and my friends, im really lucky to have one down the road from me :)..

6. Faviourite Perfume

this definately has to be dkny in be delicious, I was given it as a Christmas present from my boyfriend and what an awesome choice, it smells of apples and it also has a floral scent to it, ive used it practically every day and i still have quite alot of it left 

7. your faviourite Animal

My faviourite animal without a doubt is a cat, I have two cats of my own Bill and Ben and my boyfriend has just had a kitten Bella, they are just really friendly creatures, and my boys in particular have quite human characteristics about them haha 

My boys :) 

Thanks for reading my Rambles

Soph x