New drugstore purchases

As if I didn't need any more products to try.

For the past few months I have been using Mac charcoal brown eyeshadow to fill in my brows. It's the perfect neutral medium brown, however since dying my hair dark (almost black) brown, I needed something new to use and after reading numerous positive to pick up the Sleek Brow Kit in dark. It comes with mini tweezers, two mini brushes, a dark brown wax and a dark brown powder making it perfect for on the go.

I bought a new mascara in the form of L'Oreal Miss Manga. I normally hate drugstore mascaras, but yet again, I got swayed by good reviews.

After watching this video, Kate spoke highly of the newly re-promoted Revlon Photoready Skinlights. They are marketed as face illuminators, yet can be used under foundation as a primer or over foundation to create a glowy appearance. I chose Bare Light - a beige, warm tone shade.

L'Oreal lumi magique is one of my favourite foundations, so I had to buy the new L'Oreal Lumi Magique powder. It appears to be a highly pigmented highlighting powder with a strong pink undertone.

New eyeliners! Rimmel Scandaleyes are one of my favourites in general and I use the nude colour religiously. Brown eyeliners are more subtle for daytime so I bought Taupe, a light brown. I also picked up a new liquid liner, L'Oreal Super Slim as I have been obsessed with a thin line of liquid liner on the upper lash line recently.

Xo

Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple

When the Revlon Lip Butters were first released, they were loved and obsessed by literally everyone. Including myself. I bought seven shades in total, mostly of pink and nude hues, and loved them to death. Then, after the buzz had died down, I didn't reach for them. Only recently when I was in need of a glossy red lipstick from the drugstore (for a fancy dress party), that I looked in Boots and saw this shade appropriately named Candy Apple.

Not only a cute name, but also a gorgeous lip product. I'd describe it as a glossy medium toned blue-red. It's really moisturising and applies really easily which does however mean the lasting power isn't that great. Yet if reapplying frequently don't bother you, then most definitely give it a whirl x x x

Spring drugstore beauty haul

I love drugstore shopping! You can buy several things for the price of one high end product. It's good if you just want to trial a certain colour before splashing on a good quality version (despite most high street brands are on par with high end brands nowadays!). I thought I'd just show the stuff I bought from Boots and Superdrug as I haven't bought that much high end makeup this week.

I picked up a new foundation, L'Oreal True Match in the shade W3 for no reason. I'm perfactly happy with Revlon Colorstay and Esteé Lauder DW, but whatever. I got two Barry M Nail Paints, one in "Blueberry" and the other in "Strawberry" - I think you can guess which ones which :) As for lip products, I picked up three Revlon Matte Lipsticks in "Nude Attitude", "Smoked Peach" and "Stormy Pink" as Nicole Guerriero (aka my favourite YouTube guru) raves about them. I also got a Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in "Nude Eclipse". I went into Superdrug and bought two of their blushes: "Suede" (another Nicole rave product) and "Pixie Pink". Boots need to start stocking Sleek, asap. I also got one of those Tangle Teasers, but forgot to photograph it.

Here are some more pictures!

Left-right: Suede and Pixie Pink

Left to right: Strawberry and Blueberry (obvs)

Have a great week,

Suzanna xoxo

"Sweet Tart" by Revlon

Even though I'm still in school (we have the no nail polish rule), I still like to wear bright colours on the weekend. I always paint the colour on the top of false nails - that way I can easily remove them before school and can always use them again. It also doesn't stain my nails, especially with the bright and darker shades.

The colour I've been loving recently is Sweet Tart by Revlon; a bright, near-enough neon pink. I've found with this nail enamel that the more coats you apply the less bright it becomes which is good. In the picture above I've applied around four coats so it's a much darker hot pink. The formula is really nice - it dries super quickly and is really thick and opaque. They also come in tonnes of shades!

For £6.49, I highly recommend :)

Suzanna x

Revlon Colorstay Foundation

Revlon Colorstay is one of those foundations near enough everyone knows about. It comes in two formulations: one for normal/dry skin and one for oily/combination skin, each with different shades of yellow or pink undertones making it easy to find the perfect match.

I have it in the shade "160 Sand Beige" in the oily/combination version. I have yellow undertones NC25 in MAC and Desert Beige in Double Wear, for reference.

Let's get all the claims out of the way. It says it helps to control shine all day giving flawless looking skin, feels lightweight, comfortable and weightless, looks fresh for up to 24 hours AND provides a medium to full coverage with SPF of 6.

The 24 hour test. The first I noticed about this foundation was the fact that, the longer I left it on, the more the colour oxidised (laymen's terms: gets orange). Due to the oils being produced throughout the day, the foundation also started to look extremely cakey, dry and thick making it uncomfortable to wear and certainly not weightless or lightweight.

However, who actually wears a foundation for that long?! No-one, I hope! For everyday wear, up to 10 hours, this foundation is incredible. The coverage remains the same (medium buildable), it doesn't oxidise, feels lightweight and looks flawless. I don't even have to powder throughout the day.

Even if you have normal or dry skin, I would recommend the oily/combination version as it oxidises way less than the normal/dry formula.

Overall, I love this product! The only thing that bugs me is there's no pump!

Price: £12.50
Stockists: Boots, superdrug, pharmacies, supermarkets

Suzanna xoxo

What's in my travel make-up bag?

This time tomorrow, I'll be boarding the plane to go to Rome! I am so excited as I've wanted to go to Italy ever since my dad came back from a business trip and told stories of how wonderful the atmosphere is there. Plus, we're going for my mum's birthday which makes it extra special.

Considering I've never done any "what's in my ___" posts, I thought I'd start with showing you what I am taking in my make-up bag for Rome. The make-up bag that I am taking with me is see-through so I can use the products on the plane if needed. It also makes it easier for me as I know where everything is!

This is everything I'm taking...

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara, Maybelline One by One Mascara, Clinique High Impact Mascara, Garnier Eye Roll On, MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder, MAC Eye Kohl in Fascinating, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion, Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner, Clinique Eyeshadow Duo in Victorian Pink, Avon Glimmersticks Brow Definer in Dark Brown and Blonde, MAC Brow Set in Clear, MAC Paint Pots in Bare Study, Nubile and Rubenesque, Benefit High Beam, Benefit The Porefessional, MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Semi-Precious Crystal Pink, Nars Bronzer in Laguna, Urban Decay De-Slick Translucent Powder, MAC Powder Blush in Harmony, Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake and Carmex!

(Underlined items link to reviews)

It sounds like a lot, but trust me, it's not!

I hope you're having a great summer and I'll be back towards the end of the week!

Suzanna xoxo

PS. I've mentioned this before, but I'm going to New York in October for my birthday. I've planned to do several posts before then including what I'm taking for skincare and what I'm taking for haircare. I might also do a whats in my bag post - if interested :)

(A rather late) April favourites!

1. Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman powder brush
2. MAC 129
3. Colgate Wisp mini portable brushes (life saver!)
4. Nails Inc nail polish in Tate*
5. Moroccan Oil
6. LO'real gel eyeliner
7. Garnier Anti-Puff Roll On*
8. NARS bronzer in Laguna
9. Avon Supershock Gel Liner in Black
10. MAC brow set in Clear
11. Revon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake
12. MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study
13. Clinique Anti-Blemish moisturiser*
14. Moov Massage Cream*
15. MAC Blot Film
16. Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder

★ 

Non-beauty favourites
- The song Payphone by Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa. To me, it's the best song I have heard this year, I absolutely love it. I've never really liked Maroon 5 before, but I do now!
What do you think of the song?  Have a listen here!
- Instagram for iPhone. It's the best app there is.
- Magazines! My favourites this month have been Company and Elle.
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Yes, it's one of those books everyone hates because they've studied it at school and yes, I am studying it at a school but I really like the story!
- My YMCMB grey hoodie. It's perfect for lounging which is what I love to do.

That's it! I hope you all have a wonderful May :)

Suzanna xoxo

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters Review and Swatches

Loads of American beauty gurus on YouTube started raving the Revlon Lip Butters back in October of 2011. They all said they were amazing and a perfect mix of a lipstick and lipgloss - not too sticky and incredibly moisturising.

I was dying to try them.

They were released in early February in the UK and yes, I am late on the bandwagon here! I picked up three of the fourteen shades available just to test them out to see if I was a fan.

I picked up Crème Brûlée, Peach Parfait and Strawberry Shortcake.

Swatches!

Strawberry Shortcake:





























Creme Brûlée:

Peach Parfait:

Overall, I really love these products. To me, they are in-between a lipstick and a lip balm. Most of the colours are sheer but are build able and some of the shades are extremely pigmented just like a lipstick. Out of the three I own, my favourite is Strawberry Shortcake - it looks pigmented in the container and the swatch but when you apply it, it becomes very sheer and really pretty. I also love Peach Parfait; I think this will be my summer go-to shade. The shimmer is gorgeous! Creme Brûlée is a gorgeous colour however I think it's a bit too light for my skin tone. I think it would suit pale skin tones much more as it has a light orange undertone. I can barley see it on myself!

The only negative (*gasp*) about them is the price. For a drugstore product, £7.99 is pretty expensive and in theory, you don't get that much product.

Despite this, I am definitely going to purchase more of the shades. If any of you (in the UK) are struggling to find them, I got mine from Boots. They have just re-stocked on their website. Click here!

Thanks for reading!

Suzanna
XOXO

Ps. Happy Easter! I just had my easter egg hunt, ha-ha! You're never too old :)

Recent purchases at Westfield

Westfield is definitely one of my favourite places to shop. It has everything. Literally. Two floors of shopping amazingness. If you live in London, or near, go to Westfield at White City.

Anyway, I just got back shopping and I wanted to show you what I got!

Left to right:
1. Umberto Giannini Salon Straight Blow Dry Cream (review coming soon)
2. MAC Pro Eye makeup remover (*)
3. Rimmel London makeup remover
4. LO'real Paris gel eyeliner in black and brush
5. Maybelline the Falsies volume express flared mascara
6. Revlon lip butters (review coming soon) (*)
7. Garnier eye roll on
8. E45 cream
9. Carmex lip balm
10. Soap & Glory Hand Food cream
11. Barrel hair brush

Left to right:
1. Marie Clare magazine
2. InStyle magazine
3. Glamour magazine
4. The Big Bang Theory season 1-3
5. Maze Runner by James Dashner

and the most exciting purchase...

It's my Dad's birthday on Monday so we decided to treat him to the new iPad! Let's hope he likes it.

-

Have a great Easter weekend.

Suzanna
XOXO

Ps. I've been watching Bertie's YouTube videos on his recent trip to New York. It makes me want October to hurry up so badly. It looks breathtaking! Check out the videos here: BertiebertG.