Review: Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks

I was looking for some nude lipsticks and I've heard good things about the Rimmel Moisture Renew range. I dont like trying out the testers in the shop as I just think they're usually a bit grubby and unhygienic so I picked up two shades, Notting Hill Nude (720) and Let's Get Naked (705).

Notting Hill Nude is a nude with a brown undertone. It is great everyday nude with a nice satin finish, which I think would suit most skin tones.

Let's Get Naked is a peachy/coral undertoned nude, it is more feminine and works well for subtle bridal looks or people who like more of a cute girly look.

The moisture renew lipsticks are really nice and creamy, they glide on nicely and don't gather in the creases or leak. They are very moisturising and leave your lips feeling lovely and soft. They are nicely pigmented and wear off nicely after 3-4 hours, they don't come off in patches so there's no real urgency to re-apply. I think these lipsticks are lovely and work very well for the price.

Let me know how you've got on with these lipsticks or which ones are your favourite in the comments below.
Thanks,

How To: Encourage Hair Growth

It seems everyone wants longer hair, even after having it all chopped off I hear people saying 'I'm growing it out' or 'I'm fed up with having this short hair'. It is difficult to maintain good-looking hair in between styles so people want it to grow out as fast as possible. Realistically there is nothing out there which can make your pixie crop turn into waist-length tresses within a week. However, there is a few tips and techniques to encourage your hair to grow faster and reduce split ends and breakage.

1. Biotin: This is a supplement you can take which makes your hair and nails grow faster and promotes glossier, stronger hair. All you have to do is take one tablet a day. Biotin comes in a variety of different strengths, I take the maximum, which is 10,000mcg.
2. Coconut Oil & Head Massage: Coconut Oil is fabulous for hair and gives your hair and scalp a lot of nutrients to encourage growth. This works best when massaged into the scalp, as the massaging gets the blood flowing and the coconut oil is worked into the scalp. I'd advise to massage it in for 20 minutes before you wash it as a kind of pre-shampoo treatment.
3. Heat Defence: This is vital for healthy hair. Without heat defence hair can get dry and leave you with split or frazzled ends. I apply heat defence religiously after my hair is towel-dried, regardless of whether I'm using heat on it or not.
4. Deep-Conditioning Masque: It's nice to treat your hair occasionally and I'd advise to do a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week. Put the masque on, wrap in cling film and leave on for a couple of hours. Or even better, sleep in it overnight to get ultra-moisturised hair.
5. Brushing: This is very important in maintaining healthy hair, but a lot of brushes can cause breakage and pull hair out. It is best to brush hair with a wide tooth comb, afro comb, tangle teezer or tangle tamer as they gently remove knots without causing damage.
6. Reduce Heat and Washing: Heat, as everyone knows causes hair damage, you should try to reduce this as much as you can and try to find hair styles which don't require it. Velcro rollers, Flexi-Rods and loose braids can produce lovely hairstyles without causing heat damage. Shampooing hair strips it of its natural oils and leaves it dry and brittle, so if you are washing your hair daily try to reduce it to 2 or 3 times a week. Dry shampoo is a good way to bridge the gap between washes.
7. Trim: I know this seems counter-productive but trimming is an essential part to achieving long, healthy hair. Make sure you get your hair trimmed every 2-3 months and get at least 1cm taken off to maintain split-free ends.

If you have any hair-growing tips leave them in the comments below.

Thanks,

Body Shop Haul II

Once again I went a bit crazy online shopping whilst looking on The Body Shop, my go-to place for anything skincare. I've tried out everything and here's some sort of 'mini-reviews' of my purchases...

Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil (£10)
This was the only product I intended to buy, but I love and want to try out everything from TBS, which is why I bought everything else. I tried out the other cleanser from this range, which is a cleansing butter. I loved the cleansing butter & it worked really well for removing make-up and making my face feel fresh. So, I thought I'd try out the oil, as it's cheaper and you get more for your money size-wise. Also it has the Caroline Hirons stamp of approval so it made me want it even more. The cleanser works so well! I love it, it only takes a couple of minutes to massage into the skin and then remove with a hot cloth and it has a lovely subtle scent. It is great at removing make-up, even waterproof.

Vitamin E Face Mist (£8)
I have been using this as a toner pre-moisturiser in the evenings. It has a really subtle scent, kind of like baby lotion and it feels lovely on my skin, giving it moisture and making it feel fresh.

Vitamin C Energising Face Spritz (£9)
I have been using this in the mornings before moisturiser. It is aimed at dull skin and has quite a strong orange scent, which definitely wakes me up in the morning and makes me feel fresh and ready to go.

Vitamin E Eye Cream (£10)
This eye cream moisturises the eye area really well and feels really gentle on this skin. It glides on really nicely without dragging and doesn't sting the sensitive eye area. Since using it I've noticed a slight reduction in my dark circles and you only need a tiny amount so 15ml should last for ages.

Blackhead Remover (£4)
I've had one of these before (but it broke after 4 years) and it's fabulous at removing blackheads without spending 10 minutes squeezing your face. It's are best used after a hot bath/shower when your pores are more open and it does leave some temporary red marks/dents on your face, but if it get the job done, who's complaining?

Bath Gloves (£4)
As all fake tan lovers know exfoliation is a key part in getting a smooth, patch-free tan. I have a spray tan every 10-14 days to prevent me looking ghostly pale and these gloves are great, they are a little bit rougher and thicker than cheaper exfoliating gloves and they have a handy little loop on then so you can hang them to dry.

Let me know your favourite products from The Body Shop in the comments below.
Thanks,

P.S. TBS currently have free delivery, 35% off and a free gift when you spend over £5 with the promotion code 'mystery'!

Review: Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream

A few weeks ago my skin type changed dramatically (definitely blaming the weather...) and I went from Oily/Combination to Dry/Very Dry. Well I've never had dry skin in my life, that I can remember, so I was a bit stuck on what to do. My skin felt tight and looked ashy and flaky (gross!) so I felt I need to change up something ASAP. Knowing that both of the Pixiwoo sisters have dry skin I straight away thought of what they use, Embryolisse and Oilatum. Embryolisse is both out of my price range and hard to get hold of so I went for the Oilatum. I was extremely sceptical at first, as I usually use a mattifying moisturiser for shine control and I was worried about getting blackheads. The cream costs £7.65 from Boots, which is slightly over my ideal price of a drugstore face cream, but not too expensive.

The face cream comes in a 50ml tube, which is more hygienic than a tub and more travel-friendly. The cream is perfume, preservative and emulsifier free and is suitable for dry and sensitive skin. The cream has no scent at all which is great for people with sensitivity to fragrances.

Top: just out of the tube
Bottom: slightly rubbed in

The cream is relatively thick when dispensed, which I was worried about, but after waiting about 5 minutes after applying it it soaks in well and leaves the skin looking moisturised and glowing. It does leave a slight film over the skin, but this isn't really a problem, my make-up goes on really well over it. I've been using this for a week and I've noticed great improvement in my skin. On the packaging it claims that the cream 'penetrates deeply to intensively nourish irritating, dry & sensitive skin' and 'help repair your skin's natural barrier'. To be honest I usually take no notice of the claims on packaging as none of them are really noticeable. However, my skin surface has improved so much and any spots or blemishes I've had have cleared up much quicker than normal. Also, the tightness in my skin has gone and it looks much more moisturised and plump.
I think this is a fantastic cream, I can totally understand the hype around it.

If you have any questions about Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream or you use it, let me know in the comments below.
Thanks,
  Cameron :)

My Favourite High Street Make-Up

I much prefer to save money when I can, going for the cheaper option if it works as well, So heres my top picks of high street make-up...

Foundation: Toss up between Bourjois and Revlon. Bourjois Healthy Mix (£9.99) is great for normal/dry skin who want a dewy finish, it goes on lovely and lasts well on the skin. Revlon Colorstay (£12.49) is fabulous for oily/combination skin, it prevents shine and lasts on the skin for ages, and it gives a medium-buildable coverage.

Concealer: I love the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (£5.99). It is great for both under eye circles and blemishes, naturally concealing the areas without highlighting or looking cakey.

Contour: Sleek Contour Kit (£6.49), without a doubt. The kit comes in 3 different variations for different skin tones and includes a contour and an highlight to make sclupting your face easy.

Bronzer: Bourjois Delice De Poudre (£6.99) gives a lovely natural glow without being too orange or harsh.

Blush: Bourjois Cream Blushes (£7.99) are amazing, coming in a variety of shades to give a really nice subtle flush of colour.

Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (£3.99) is a great powder to keep you shine-free all day.

Mascara: Max Factor 2000 Calorie (£7.99) is my all time favourite, it gives great volume and length, without being clumpy or flaky.

Eyeliner: Maybelline Gel Liner (£7.99) is great for fine or thick lining and lasts all day. The Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner Pencils (£6) are also great, for the waterline and creating smokey liner looks.

Eyeshadow: The Sleek I-Divine (£7.99) palettes are without a doubt my favourite eyeshadows. They are super-pigmented with great staying power and the wide range of palettes means you can find one to suit any tastes.

Lipstick: Rimmel do fantastic lipsticks, especially their Moisture Renew (£6.49) range, giving great colour, finish and moisture.

Lip Liner: Rimmel 1000 Kisses (£2.99) are my favourite lip liners. They have a easy-to-apply creamy consistency and come in a wide range of colours.

If you have any questions or want to let me know your favourite high street make-up, write in the comments below
Thanks,
  Cameron :)

Winter Hand Care

My hands are definitely one of the first things that suffer as soon as winter hits. They get dry, cold and cracked which makes them look a bit lifeless and aged. I try to moisturise them as much as I can, to prevent white, flaky hands.

Firstly, I apply a light hand moisturiser as often as I remember. I try to get into a habit of putting it on, like every hour or after every time I wash my hands. I use either The Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Cream (From £5) as it smells so nice and also helps strengthen your nails, or Neutrogena Fast Absorbing Hand Cream (£4.09 From Superdrug).

Also, once or twice a week I exfoliate my hands with The Body Shop Peppermint Smoothing Pumice Foot Scrub (£7) and then slather on a heavy-duty moisturiser (I use The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector (From £5)). I then put on some cotton moisturising gloves and sleep with them overnight. This gives your hand a more intensive treatment, removing all of the dead cells and heavily re-moisturising.

If your hands are really bad you could try filing off the hard skin with an emery board and heavily applying a thick cream such as sudocrem overnight to soften the skin. It may also be worth switching hand-wash to one which states is skin friendly or moisturising.

If you have any more hand care tips let me know in the comments below!
Thanks,
  Cameron :)

Men's Beauty: Review: BaByliss For Men I-Stubble+ 7895U

I've wanted one of these for ages, so when I saw they were 1/3 off in Argos I decided to treat myself. The I-Stubble is a stubble trimmer, with an LCD display and cutting length choice ranging from 0.4mm to 5mm.

In the box you get the stubble trimmer, power cable, lubricating oil, cleaning brush and a 2-pin socket adapter. I know it's being picky but I'm glad they included the adapter, because there has been times before when I've not been able to charge stuff because I knew nothing about needing an adapter (I'm looking at you, Oral B Electric toothbrush.)

The shape and size of the trimmer is great. It fits nicely in the hand, is a good weight and it's designed in a way that you don't press the buttons when you're using it. The device has an on/off button and and up and down button, which changes the length it cuts at. the trimmer goes from 0.4mm to 2.0mm in 0.2mm increments and from 2.0mm to 5.0mm in 0.5mm increments.

Top: Cutting guard normal
Bottom: Cutting guard clipped back

As you change the cutting length the floating head of the device extends or withdraws. You can also clip the cutting guard back and just use the blade to cut hair precisely or give definitive lines.

So, after getting the I-Stubble out of the packaging and charging it for 16 hours (as told in instructions) I gave it a go. I think it's really great, it glides very smoothly over the skin and is very comfortable. The floating contouring head makes it really easy to trim the hairs evenly over the face, and all in all it took me about a minute to use, much quicker than wet-shaving. Overall I think this is a great product for anyone who wants that 'designer stubble', 5-o-clock shadow or rugged look. For only £40 in Argos I think it's well worth it!

If you have any questions about the I-Stubble or you have got one too, comment below!

Thanks,

Cameron :)

My Everyday Makeup

I go through alot of phases with everyday makeup and at the moment I'm aiming for a more natural look. I've opted for more sheerer bases and less harsh contouring and eyes, and here's the products I'm using at the moment.

Face:
Foundation: Mac Face and Body (C2) - Stippled on with a Crown Brush C439
Under Eye Concealer: Garnier Roll on - Buffed in with a Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush
Blemish Concealer: Bourjois Happy Light Concealer (21 Ivoire) - Stippled on with a Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush
Contour: Illamasqua Cream Pigment (Hollow) - Stippled/Buffed with Real Techniques Exprert Face Brush (Nose contour applied with Crown Brush SS021)
Powder: Clinique Blended Face Powder (08 Transparency Neutral) - Pushed on with Real Techniques Powder Brush (Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder applied on T-Zone)
Bronzer: Clinique Superbalanced Powder Bronzer (Bronzed 1) [discontinued] - Brushed over high points of face with Real Techniques Blush Brush

Eyes:
Eyeliner: Maybelline Master Drama Khol Liner in (Brown & Black (Mainly Use Brown)) - Applied with cheap angled brush from eBay
Eyelash Curlers: QVS Ergonomic Eyelash Curler
Mascara: Max Factor 2000 Calorie (Brown/Black) - Combed through with Real Techniques Lash/Brow Groomer
Eyebrows: Maybelline Brow Drama (Dark Brown)

Lips: Maybelline Baby Lips Peach Kiss

And I end up looking something like this...

If you have any questions about any of the products I use comment below!

Thanks,

Cameron :)

My 5 Favourite: Lip Care Products

With winter here and the weather getting colder and windier it's much more important to protect your lips. Personally I wear lip balm all year round as I hate the feeling of dry or flaking lips. After trying a lot of lip products these are the best of the bunch, in my opinion.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (£3.69 from Boots)

No top 5 lip care post would be complete without this! This is a hardcore lip balm which works wonders during the winter months. The thick, waxy consistency protects the lips well and soothes any cracks you have. You can tell by the state of mine in the picture that it is definitely a well loved product, and is always in my bag through the cold weather.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Lip Balm (£1.89 from Boots)

This lip balm is slightly more creamy than the Burt's Bees and has an AMAZING scent. It feels relatively light on the lips and contains SPF15, so it's perfect for the summer.

The Body Shop Coconut Lip Butter (£4.00 from The Body Shop)

This is far less waxy than the lip balms and It'd do little in terms of protection. However, this is a fantastic moisturiser. I slather it on my lips at night before bed, to put some hydration back into them. It goes on a little white, but soon melts into the lips and feels great.

The Body Shop Honeymania Lip Balm (£4.00 from The Body Shop)

This lip balm has a really nice scent and the consistency is similar to the Burt's bees one. However, I only really use this at home, as I find the pot is a bit annoying to carry around. I've got into a good habit though of applying it every time I go into my bedroom. It leaves my lips nice and smooth with a subtle sheen.

Maybelline Baby Lips Peach Kiss (£2.99 from Boots)

This lip balm is slightly tinted with a tiny amount of shimmer. It feels light on the lips and makes them look great without any drastic colour change. The formulation isn't amazingly protecting against cold weather, but it does contain SPF20 so it's great for summer.

Tip: Lightly brush your lips with a toothbrush to remove any flaking skin before moisturising, lips will feel much smoother!

If you have any questions about any of these products, or you have any suggestions of good lip care products I should try, let me know in the comments below!

Thanks,

  Cameron :)

Review: Crest 3D Professional Effects Whitestrips

For ages I've wanted my teeth to be whiter, so a while ago I switched to an electric toothbrush and a whitening toothpaste but not much changed. I am quite good at looking after my teeth, flossing every day and brushing 2+ times per day. However, as a smoker (I know, very bad habit...) I'm always going to end up with stains and discolouration. In the past I've tried out whitening kits with the gel in plastic gum shields, I found them very uncomfortable, produced little change and they left me with very sensitive teeth! I've seen a lot of positive reviews of Crest Whitestrips on the internet and thought I'd try them out. I decided to get the 'Professional Effects' variation as they are the strongest, and I want the stains gone as much as possible. I got 20 pouches (recommended) for around £40 on eBay. The price is a little bit steep, but if they work, it's much cheaper than paying £200+ to get them whitened by a dentist.

Each pouch contains 2 strips, one longer for the top teeth, and a shorter one for the bottom teeth. The strips are clear in colour, and when peeled of the backing plastic one side is coated in a sticky gel. You press the strips on your teeth, and then fold the excess over your teeth and press that to the back. The strips stick really well and aren't that noticeable in your mouth, you can still talk very easily, I think you can eat and drink with them in, but I wouldn't recommend it. You leave the strips on for 30 minutes and then peel them off, they leave little to no residue, and any that is left behind can easily be brushed off with a toothbrush.

With strips on

After using these for 3 days (I did them for 60 minutes a day, because I'm too impatient...) I noticed big changes, the stains on my teeth had reduced a lot and they were less grey and they looked more opaque. About 3 hours after using the strips I did experience a little sensitivity, but nothing major and brushing my teeth with a sensitive toothpaste sorted it out immediately. After 20 days my teeth were noticeably whiter and about 90% of stains were gone, as you can see in the pictures below...

OMG I can't believe my teeth were ever that bad! looking at the comparison picture I think I can safely say the product is amazing! I will definitely be using them when my teeth start looking gross again. For only £40 I think the difference they have made is great, I'm so glad I took the plunge and bought them.

If you have any questions, or you have tried out these whitestrips, leave me a comment below!

Thanks,

  Cameron :)

The Body Shop Haul

I love The Body Shop and when I saw they had put a cleansing face butter on their shelves I had to have it. But me being me, not being able to only buy one thing, I took advantage of their sale and a 40% off discount code to buy a few bits.

Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter (£12)
This is a solid cleanser which you melt in your hands and rub into your face, to remove any makeup, oils and dirt with a hot cloth. I thought it worked really well and it had a really nice subtle scent. It also left the skin feeling fresh, smooth and moisturised, without causing any irritation.

Rainforest Volumising Shampoo (£6.50) & Conditioner (£6.50)
These are sulphate free, paraben free, colourant free and silicone free hair care products. I plan to only use them occasionally, as I've started co-washing my hair. But I've used them once and they left my hair feeling soft and smooth, the shampoo lathered up well and they cleaned out any hairspray and other hair products with ease.

Raspberry Body Butter
I've tried out a few of The Body Shop body butters (Coconut is my fave!) and this one was in the sale. It smells a little bit like raspberry milkshake, and I was worried that I'd find the scent a bit sickly after a while. However, the scent soon calms down after being on your skin for a couple of minutes, and it leaves your skin soft, moisturised and supple without that sticky feeling.

Honeymania Lip Balm (£4)
I love a lip balm and wear them all the time, and when I saw this I decided to get in on the beauty buzz  of honey based products (pardon the pun!). This lip balm is great, it isn't heavy on your lips and leaves a nice subtle sheen.

Almond Hand & Nail Cream (£10)
I've tried out The Body Shop's Hemp Hand Protector before and although it's great at moisturising your hands it was a little bit too heavy for me and took a while to sink in, also, I didn't really like the smell. So I decided to buy the almond one. I love this hand cream because it sinks in easier and smells a lot better, as well as also helping your nails, bonus!

If you have any questions about any of these products, or you have any suggestions of good Body Shop products I should try, let me know in the comments below!

Thanks,

  Cameron :)

Review: Lush Caca Brun Henna Hair Dye

I have been dying my hair for years, it started with a few bleach highlights pulled through a cap (ouch!) when I was 10 or 11. Since then I have always dyed my hair with colours, bleach, semi-permanents, demi-permanents, veggie dyes, sun-in, lemon juice and anything else I could get my hands on to change the colour of my barnet, as you can see in the picture below...

So, the last 10 years of hair-dying has definitely taken its toll, leaving me with very dry, snapping hair. Also I've noticed in the past year that my hair is getting a lot thinner, especially around the crown area. So in an attempt to ward off chemical-induced male pattern baldness I started looking into healthier hair dying options.

This is where henna comes in. From researching on the internet I found out that henna is meant to be much healthier for your hair than commercial dyes, and definitely healthier than bleach. It is a depositing dye, which means it does wash out eventually, but by repeat applications of henna you can end up with a long lasting colour. Real henna produces a orangey-red colour, however it can be mixed with other natural ingredients such as indigo to produce browns and other colours. Henna also doubles as a protein treatment, leaving the hair a lot stronger, smoother and glossier. Henna is also great for people who have allergies to commercial dyes as it's made out of more natural ingredients.

I'd heard that lush did great hennas for beginners, and as I wasn't not confident enough to mix up my own henna dyes I thought it was for the best to get one of theirs. Lush Caca Brun (£8.25 from Lush) is made up of 35% henna and 65% indigo, to produce a brown hair colour with a reddish hint. The dye comes in a solid block form made up of 6 squares. It also contains other ingredients to condition your hair whilst you dye. The block is a greenish-brown colour and resembles a block of dry mud.

So, I crushed up one block of the henna and mixed it with boiling water, adding it slowly to create a ketchup-like consistency. The mixture has a rather odd smell, which I can only describe as a mixture of cut grass, leaves, coffee and ponds cold cream (what?!) It isn't a particularly pleasant smell, but not unbearable.

I then applied the mixture to my head with a tint brush, and then covered it in a disposable mob cap. The instructions say to leave it on for 1-6 hours, dependant on how dark you want the result, and to wrap it in cling film if you want a more red colour. I didn't particularly want it to be really red, so I left it open, however it started crumbling off, hence why I put on the disposable mob cap. When I have brown hair I like it relatively dark, so I left it on for the maximum amount of time.

After 6 hours of walking around my house looking like a dinner lady I went to rinse it off. Firstly I rinsed out the henna as much as I could, until the water run pretty much clear. I then took a generous amount of conditioner and worked it through my hair massaging it in as if it was a shampoo (I read that shampoo strips the henna out of the hair too much as some of the ingredients need to carry on working for 24 hours). After rinsing out the conditioner and blow drying my hair I was greeted in the mirror with smoother, glossier hair which looks brown indoors, but has a vibrant auburn tint in the sunlight... I LOVE IT! The only negative I have is the rather odd smell of the mixture seemed to vaguely linger in my hair for a couple of days after, which is not too much bother, considering all the good its doing to my hair.

Overall I think this is a great hair-friendly alternative to hair dyes. I will definitely re-purchase, however this wont be very soon as I'm only using 1 block a time, so it will last me ages. Also, I'm thinking about trying out some of their other hennas (Caca Noir).

UPDATE! Results Picture.

Have you tried out Caca Brun or any of the other Lush Hennas? let me know how you've got on with them in the comments below! 

Thanks,

  Cameron :)

Review: Real Techniques Brushes

Over the past year I have ended up buying a lot of real techniques brushes. I am a big fan of Pixiwoo and when I found out about the brush range I bought a couple, and OMG I was so sucked in! Overall I've ended up buying 6 different individual brushes, the Duo-Fibre Set and the Starter Set so far... All of the brushes are synthetic, made from taklon bristles which means they are cruelty free. I have found that all of the brushes are very soft and wash up very well, no matter if you're using them with powder, cream or liquid products.

Firstly is the Powder Brush.(£12.99 From Boots) This brush is slightly over-sized and gives a great liberal application of any powder products, whether they are loose or compact it always gives great results. Personally I'd like it to be a tiny bit smaller but it's not a big issue & overall I love it!

Secondly is the Expert Face Brush. (£9.99 From Boots) I absolutely love, love, LOVE this brush, so much so that I have two of them! It's versatile and can be used for buffing/stippling foundation, cream blush, cream contours, bronzers, anything! And its slightly tapered shape means that it can easily apply to small spaces such as around your nose and eyes. I personally use this brush for foundation most of the time, as the density makes buffing so easy and gives a great finish.

Next up is the Blush Brush.(£9.99 From Boots) I find this is great for blushes, bronzers and contours, the tapered shape of the brush means you only have to put the product right on the end of it, and brush does all of the blending out for you, amazing!

Next is the Stippling Brush.(£11.99 From Boots) To be brutally honest, I have a slight love-hate relationship with this brush, but I think it's because when I first got it I didn't really know what to use it for. This is good if you want a light-coverage finish with your foundation, I also use it for liquid bronzers and highlighters. (Also, when I first got this brush quite a big chunk of the bristles shed, but I'm guessing this was a one-off fault as none of my other brushes have done this, and after the initial shedding catastrophe no more bristles have fallen out!)

The last of the Face brushes is the Setting Brush.(£8.99 From Boots) This brush is great for precise application of powder highlighter, I have also used it for a one-colour sweep of eyeshadow on the eyelids.

Next up is the Limited Edition Duo-Fibre Set.(£23.99 From Boots) This contains a Face Brush, Contour Brush and an Eye Brush.

The Duo-Fibre Face Brush (Top) is great for light applications of powder, blushes and bronzers. Also, it gives you the choice to build up product gradually. The sparser bristles also make this brush great for blending out harsh lines in your bronzer, blush or contour.

I mainly use the Duo-Fibre Contour Brush (Middle) for applying cream contours, but it is also great for applying pigments as a highlighter, as it gives a really light application.

The Duo-Fibre Eye Brush (Bottom) is really good at blending out any eye makeup such as the crease, it is also really good for precise application of pigments.

The Starter Set (£21.99 From Boots) is a good eye brush set for beginners, giving you all of the tools you need to create nice eye makeup. It consists of a Deluxe Crease Brush, Base Shadow Brush, Brow Brush, Accent Brush and a Pixel-Point Eyeliner Brush.

Firstly the Deluxe Crease Brush (Top) is a dense rounded brush (almost like a mini Expert Face Brush!) and I personally use it for stippling/buffing in concealer. The size of this brush means its perfect to fit under-eyes and cover blemishes.

Next is the Base Shadow Brush (2nd Brush Down), this is a flat fluffy tapered brush which is a great all rounder when applying eyeshadow. The shape means that it can be used for packing on eyeshadow, defining the crease and blending.

The Brow Brush (3rd Brush Down) is a stiff, angled brush that gives you great precision and easy application when you're using a powder product to fill in your brows.

The Accent Brush (4th Brush Down) is a really good multi-purpose brush. To be honest with you, when I first saw it I really didn't know what on earth I'd use it for but as time has gone on I've found a lot of uses for it... Blending out pencil eyeliner, precise application of concealer on blemishes, contouring small areas such as the nose, applying lipstick, detailed eyeshadow work and precise application of pigments.

Lastly in the set is the Pixel-Point Eyeliner Brush. I don't particularly like this brush for eyeliner, unless I'm aiming for a really thick line. However, this brush is good for precise application of pigment and I have found it very useful for more theatrical looks, such as fancy dress.

P.S. This Set also comes with a stand/case for the brushes, which I don't personally use, but some people people might find it useful.

The final brush in my personal collection is the Lash-Brow Groomer.(£7.99 From Boots) For years I've had those plastic lash combs, but now I have one with metal teeth I'd never go back! Finally I have a lash comb which effectively removes clumps from my lashes and leaves them looking nice and defined, rather than just poking them in different directions! The Brow side of the brush is great too for putting crazy brows in shape.

Overall I LOVE the Real Techniques Range. All of the brushes are such good quality but at a very affordable price. Also the versatility of all the brushes is so good, so even if I don't use the brushes for what they are meant for I'll find another use for them.

If you have any questions, or you have tried out any of these brushes, or any others in the range, let me know how you've got on with them in the comments below!

Thanks,

  Cameron :)

Review: Maybelline Color Tattoo

As soon as I heard about Maybelline Color Tattoos I wanted some, and when I got them I wasn't disappointed... Colour Tattoos are marketed as cream-gel eyeshadows, with vivid colour and 24 hour staying power. I got 3 of the 12 shades: Pink Gold (65), Metallic Pomegranate (70) and Permanent Taupe (40) from Superdrug for £4.99 each.

Pink Gold is a light pink colour with gold shimmer and works really well in a subtle natural-eyed look. The Metallic pomegranate is a reddish purple colour, with flecks of gold shimmer, it works well with a slightly darker look with browns or purples. And the Permanent Taupe is a matte warm grey colour and would work very well in a black/grey smokey eye.

I think these cream eyeshadows are great, whether they're being worn on their own or under a powder eyeshadow. When used as a base for powder eyeshadow I find they give the eye makeup more depth and make the colours stand out more, as well as prolonging the wear-time. The eyeshadows are extremely pigmented and creamy, they are also very easy to apply and blend. The eyshadows can also be used as gel eyeliners when used with a brush, and perform very well.

If you have any questions, or you have tried out any of the Color Tattoos, let me know how you've got on with them in the comments below!

Thanks,

  Cameron :)

Review: Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara

In my opinion eyebrows are one of the most important features of your face, as they totally frame your face and show every emotion you feel. Also everyone would look rather odd without them... I've been drawing/filling in my eyebrows for about 5 years, I can't remember why I started, but I wouldn't be without my full eyebrows now! I've always really used eye shadow with an angled brush and a clear mascara over the top (and occasionally a pencil when plucking disasters happen...) But I got really excited when I saw that Maybelline were starting to do a tinted brow gel 'sculpting brow mascara' for only £4.99 in Superdrug, which is a steal! so I had to buy it.

The brow mascara comes in pretty ordinary mascara packaging, however the wand has a ball shape on the end. The shape of this want makes it easier to apply the product from all angles, also the wand doesn't pick up too much product, so you're not left with clumpy brows. The consistency of the product is quite thin, but I see this as a positive, as it means your eyebrows will not be too harshly coloured and they still look natural. I'm sure you could build it up if you needed more.

I love this brow mascara as I find it gives good colour and definition, as well as making my eyebrows stay put all day without them feeling 'crunchy'. However, I'm not too sure how people with sparser brows would find this product, I have a feeling it would be less effective on someone without quite a full brow.

If you have any questions, or you have tried out this product, let me know how you've got on with it in the comments below!

Thanks,
  Cameron :)

Review: Lush Hair Extensions

Lush Hair Extensions have been around since 2006, supplying good quality 100% Remy human hair in a variety of different lengths, colours and volumes. Lush hair extensions sell extensions from 12 inches all the way up to 26 inches, in 25+ colours. They also sell false eyelashes, hair care products and many other accessories.

Last week it was my sisters 16th birthday, and she did what she always does when she gets money and bought herself some new hair extensions! She has tried out many brands and types of extensions from different companies, some cheaper and some more expensive, but always seems to return to Lush Extensions. She ordered the Deluxe Full Head (double wefted) in the colour #18/613 and 18 inches long, for only £56.99. The extensions come in a long plastic wallet with care instructions on the back. Impressed, as always, the extensions are really smooth and thick, without looking 'plasticy' and unnatural.

The extensions come with 1 x 8 inch weft, 2 x 6 inch wefts, 2 x 4 inch wefts , 1 x 3 inch weft and 2 x 2 inch wefts. The clips on the wefts are quite large and sturdy with a rubber back to ensure more grip. I find that these clips are less damaging to the hair than other clips, as they distribute the weight over more hair.

When the extensions are clipped in they blend very well, and the clips are virtually undetectable if clipped in properly. The colour match is spot on and volume of the extensions make the hair look totally natural.

Overall, I think Lush hair extensions is a great company offering affordable great quality hair extensions. They also do a free colour match, all you have to do is send in a picture of your hair and they will advise you on what colour suits you best.

If you have any questions, or you yourself have tried out these extensions before, let me know how you've got on with them in the comments below!
Thanks,
  Cameron :)