Beauty Favourites: Urban Decay

I recently discovered Urban Decay cosmetics and have been searching online to learn all about them! Urban Decay's ethos is to create make-up for alternative tastes something that isnt really catered for in the mainstream cosmetic industry and they have grown to become the largest independent cosmetic retailer in the USA. Their products are unique, packaged beautifully and seem to be of a fabulous quality - even though they are in a higher price bracket, sometimes you just have to have a splurge!

My favourite pieces from the range are the Eyeshadow Primer Potion, the Cowboy Junkie Set and of course the Naked Palette which I REALLY want to try. Urban Decay believe that more neutral eyeshadow shades are tired, and have created their own range of 12 "intriguing and sexy" neutral shades in a fun palette. The packaging of the original Naked Palette looks fun too and the brush looks fabulous. It seems like the perfect palette to travel with as the colours are blendable and workable enough to suit any situation!

I went into my local House of Fraser store today as I'd seen that the Urban Decay range was available at their stores and wanted to see if the quality matched what I'd seen online and read. Sadly there was no counter for it in my town or in any of the towns within driving distance of me. I like to try beauty products before I buy them - just a swatch of the colours on my skin to see if it works with me skintone or not - and you can't buy them online in the UK so I guess this will have to remain on my wishlist!

You can view the full collection at UrbanDecay.com!

Beauty Favourites: Rimmel Hide The Blemish Concealer

I'm almost at the end of my Rimmel Hide The Blemish Concealer so thought I would blog a little review about it.

I own the concealer in soft honey (102) which is a more tan colour with a hint of yellowy/orange as I have slightly yellow skin. I have found the product to be very blendable - hiding dark lines, spots, blemishes and more with ease. The consistency is a little thick for my liking but it does work well so I would probably buy it again!  The packaging is great with a wind-up and down tube like a lipstick, the product keeps well within it and hasn't melted or changed in anyway over the time I've had it. The concealer also lasted ages and stays on all day which is great too!

The Rimmel Hide The Blemish Concealer is still available to purchase online (although with different number codes for shades) on the Rimmel Website and of course at your local drugstore. I know I'll be popping into town later this week to buy another one!

Beauty Favourites: Collection 2000 Eyeshadow

One of my go-to eyeshadows is Collection 2000's Color Intense Trio in Cookie Dough. Whenever I want to quickly do my make-up or just want a shadowy sexy look for my eyes, I pick this particular trio.

The colours go fabulously with my skin and have enough sparkle in them to give my eyes a real zing! The lightest colour is a golden brown with sparkle, the middle tone is a bronze colour with metallic sparkle and the darkest colour is a real chocolate brown with considerably less sparkle. They blend absolutely beautifully with each other and can provide that dark smoky eye look that is so fashionable at the moment in a slightly different way.

The eyeshadow itself is really easy to apply, it doesnt take many layers to create a strong tone on your eyelid and it lasts all day - easily.The packaging is super practical and fits nicely in my makeup bag for quick and easy access AND the price is fabulously reasonable from loads of beauty shops!

I would absolutely recommend this eyeshadow as a fun brown tone for your make-up collection - 10/10.

Beauty Favourites: Hollister Laguna Beach Body Mist

One of my favourite scents is Hollister's Laguna Beach Body Mist. I tried it out at the Southampton Store a few years ago after looking at their perfumes (that were a little on the expensive side for me), I went for a body mist and loved this one the most! The scent is light and refreshing whilst smelling perfectly like summer! It stays on the skin for a good few hours, isn't overpowering like some scents can be and is light enough that they suit any season. I always get my Mum a bottle of it for Christmas and her Birthday because she loves it so much!

I've also recently tried out Hollister's Malibu Beach Body Wash - it makes the shower smell incredible and your skin silky smooth to touch for hours afterwards. Hollister's products feel really high end without being too pricey and shopping in their stores in an experience that I savor - LOVE IT!

What are your favourite fragrances?

Beauty Favourites: LUSH

Earlier in the year I attended a LUSH party, where we got to make the LUSH Sex Bombs and divulge in some after-hours shopping! Since then I've started visiting more and more often - Although it quite often makes me feel lightheaded being in the store because the smell is SO overpowering, I love it! This is actually another brand which is based nearby - in Poole! I'm really lucky to have so many beauty brands within easy driving distance and thought I'd share some of my favourite products from the store!

The first product that I really got into is the LUSH You've Been Mangoed Luxury Bath Melt. This is my go-to product for softer skin and when I'm feeling low or just want to treat myself, I'll pop into Lush and buy one. Slightly unconventionally, I actually use this product in the shower and not the bath - it does mean quite a long shower but it works just as well and means you can scrub tougher skin with the bar to make it softer. The scent is fabulously strong and stays with you all day. Although the product is a little expensive, it works wonders for my skin and I feel great afterwards.

Lush's Rehab Shampoo is incredible. I brought a bottle for my Mum for her birthday and it completely changed her hair around - she even thinks her hair has gotten thicker since she started using it! Her scalp and hair are now healthy, glossy and soft to the touch. Seems to me like this shampoo is literally rehab for your hair and not just a name!

With their cute wrapped boxes of goodies and fabulous products, LUSH is a great store to pop into for some gifts. I love the "Handmade" element to their branding and that it says who made your product on a sticker on each of the items. What are your favourite Lush products?

Beauty Favorites: The Body Shop

The Body Shop is a brand which I adore - I can't walk past the store without popping in. I think this stemmed from the fact that my Mum always smelt of the brand when I was young as she used their fragrances. As I got older, I started testing out products myself and wanted to share a couple of my favorites with you!

I really admire their stance on animal testing, the amount of philanthropy that the company does and of course their products. The Body Shop is based in Littlehampton, West Sussex so its a brand which is very familiar to me as I live a few minutes drive away from their headquarters.

Firstly is the Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel. I have used this for a few years now and absolutely love it. Although the product is not cheap, you don't need too much of it to feel thoroughly refreshed after your shower. The scent is stunning (definitely my favorite from the brand's shower gel selection) and you leave the shower smelling amazing - and leaving the bathroom smelling fabulous too! The Body Shop are currently running a promotion "Buy More Save More" which is valid on these Shower Gels, so its definitely worth popping into a store and have a sniff to find your fave!

When I was looking for a new perfume last year, The Body Shop came to my rescue. The Body Shop Love Etc... Eau De Parfum is STUNNING. The scent is fruity but light and I don't think I've ever found a perfume that has suited my personality like this one does. The incredible blend of jasmine, Vanilla and Sandalwood are a great mix and last all day and night - often with lots of compliments. I would highly recommend this scent because its so light but makes you feel really bold and its not too expensive! I love the bottle, the whole design of the Love Etc... range and can't wait to try out more of the products from it!

My third favourite is The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara in Black. I got this as a free sample in a magazine and love it. The brush is nice, creates even coverage and length, although does clump a little and you have to remove the excess from the brush before you apply it. The colour is bold and makes your eyes pop. Whether I would buy one, I'm not sure as mascaras from other brands are a lot cheaper but I will definately finish the bottle.

Which Body Shop products do you like or would you like to try?