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?!

Dont make me blush

So when the lovely Charlotte took to twitter in search of guest bloggers I jumped at the chance. Sorting through my stash I came to the realisation that I have quite the obsession with those pretty pink powders also know as blusher. After much umming and ahhing over what to write about, I decided that it was only right to share my little collection with Charlottes lovely readers.
Ive mentioned a few of my must haves (a hard task for a blusher junkie like myself), including some cult favorites (Nars & Tarte to name but a few).

I would love it if you took the time to check out the post here!! ..and take a peek at Charlottes lovely blog while your there!!
 I would love to know what you think!
Are you a lover of Blushers?! 

If all my makeup disappeared!!

 So whilst reading Laura's recent post not only did it make me chuckle but it got me thinking about the first ten items, if heaven forbid all my makeup disappeared. I don't have a ridiculous amount of makeup but the fair few products that I do have, I will openly admit that I will stick to the same few products on a daily basis and my choices don't tend to vary. As Laura suggested this kinda post really makes you think about the products that are perhaps your holy grail and cant live without items. 

1. MAC studio sculpt foundation- i have raved about this on more than one occasion, a perfect foundation that stays put all day

2. Sleek blush (rose gold)- since I managed to get my paws on this gold dust item (and I can see why so), I have hardly touched any other blush, a gorgeous peach toned shimmery number this can be lightly applied for a subtle look, or can be applied a little heavier to create a more dramatic look. 

3.MAC refined golden bronzer- the perfect shade for contouring or for those days I fancy a change from applying blush. 

4.Bobbi brown long wear gel liner- I purchased this on my recent trip to new York, as I was fed up of liquid liner. a creamy formula, this black as black liner not only makes it easier to create a winged look, but it also doesn't budge all day. 

5. Collection 2000 long lasting concealer- apart from the teensy gripe in that all the writing rubs off the packaging, this is the best concealer I have managed to get my mitts on, with its creamy formula and brilliant coverage this baby beats the likes of MACs studio sculpt concealer hands down, and does so at a fraction of the price. 

6. real techniques stippling brush- this beauty can be used for a multitude of things, from applying foundation and concealer, to blush and bronzer, i along with no doubt alot of others have a soft spot for this brush, super soft, hassle free and easy to clean, what's not to love 

7. urban decay naked palette- I think this choice is pretty self explanatory, eyeshadow palettes have come and gone, but this one has always stayed a firm favourite, which is somewhat evident by the usage shown in the picture above, super soft, super pigmented and with enough matte and shimmer shades to create an abundance of looks. 

8. Bobbi brown extreme party mascara- one thing that has been clear since blogging and by the range that have been shown on my blog is the fickleness I have towards mascaras, this is the current mascara that I would definitely pick up first, this mascara defines my eyes by adding volume and length to my lashes

9. MUA clear mascara- this is perfect for keeping my unruly eyebrows at bay, and for £1 it would definitely be one of the first items id purchase if my beloved makeup were to disappear 

10. Chanel Jalousie Glossimer- lipstick has always been a daily addition to my makeup routine, completing the final touches of my look, however never before has a lip-gloss made the grade, with the idea of poor colour pay off and uber sticky lips. However Chanel's Jalousie has changed all of this, highly pigmented, brilliant colour pay off and completely colour free this baby would be the first lip product that I would purchase.

What items would you repurchase if your makeup disappeared??

http://ahintofsparkle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/new-york-giveaway.html

Sleek Rose Gold Blush, is it really a dupe for Nars Orgasm?

 Hello lovelies, i hope your all well!! so i recently managed to get my hands on the much sought after Sleek Blush Rose Gold, and all i have to say is i absolutely love it. Iv'e heared many similarities between this gem and Nars Orgasm, which is my go to blush, so i thought id compare and see!! 

 In terms of packaging and size they are both comparable, with the sleek black packaging with a mirror within the lid, but is this as far as the similarities go??

as you can see from the pictures above although similar i would definitely not call these blushes dupes although both share the same gold shimmer, orgasm is very much pink toned and rose gold is more peach toned, however both are lovely, and in all honesty rose gold is just as pigmented, maybe more so than orgasm, for a fraction of the price. 

Altogether although not a dupe, rose gold is a similar alternative for those who dont wish to fork out the £20 price tag for Orgasm. 

Have you tried either of these blushes?? what did you think??

June Faviourites.&.30 Day Challenge..Day 21

Hello Lovelies,
So its my first month at this but i though id give my monthly faviourite's a go:)..So here's the products i couldnt be without in the month of June.

Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic

I think this is the biggest go to item i own, especially on the days when i cant be bothered to do much with my makeup, ive had this beauty for just over a month and ive already hit the ban on boing 1, it just makes my complexion look good without much effort

Benefit High Beam

So when i found out this was going to be in glamour magazine i had to try it, after hearing raves about it on YouTube i really wanted to try it and this was the perfect opportunity, ive been using it under my eyes and on my cheek bones, i especially love how a little goes a long way with Benefit and i will definately buy the full size product at some point

Elf All over Cover Stick in Pink Lemonade

for £1.50 i just think this is an awesome product, on lazy days iv'e been wearing it as a Blusher alternative

Mac Creme Cup

Okay so this isint just my June faviourite its my all time faviourite Lipstick, which was my challenge question today, i think its a perfect every day colour, and even my mum has taken a fancy to it haha 

Lauren's Way Tanning Lotion

I take back my first opinions of this, ive grown to love it now, when i first used it the tan only lasted about two days, however as i have kept using the tan has lasted about a week, maybe not as dark as the first day, but it leaves a really lovely summer glow, it also has a lovely fresh smell to it, although you cant get away from the 'fake tan' smell.

DKNY Be Delicious

Love love love this, its a perfect summer scent 

Mac Surf Baby Nail Polish- Ocean Dip

Although i have flitted from one polish to the next, this has been my toes colour of choice ;) for the past month, and its not going anytime soon!!

Sleek Monaco Palette

I think the palette speaks for itself, its just full of really lovely summery colours, I've had a slight obsession with turquoise colours lately so this is just perfect :)

So what are your June Faviourite's??

Sleek Monaco Palette

Hello Lovelies hope your all having a lovely day. Now i know im not the first (and shall no doubt be the last) person to talk about the Sleek Monaco Palette, but i just cant get enough of it.


Sleek is something that until i started blogging would have walked straight past in Superdrug, however after all the rave reviews i decided to give this Palette a go. For roughly £6 you cant really go wrong the pigmentation is so lovely and i have literally used it every day since ive bought it..okay so some of the colours are slightly in your face but the majority of the colours are a definite hit with me

Altogether i absolutely love the palette and the colours are really lovely, however some of the lighter colours such as Bamboo just dont show up on my skin tone :( , also some of them dont last that long, but altogether there a definite hit!!

Top Row, from L-R: Bamboo, aquamarine, midnight garden, sunset, washed ashore, magenta madness

Bottom Row, from L-R: summer breeze, sand walker, kiwi zest, lotus flower, hummingbird, moore treasure

Swatches: apart from the darker colours the others were slightly to light to swatch

And here i am wearing Hummingbird and summer breeze (ignore the awful grin haha)

Thanks for Reading my Rambles

Soph x