Empties #3

  There were so many things in my ever-growing empties box that I thought I should split them in half: makeup and non-makeup. Above, we have a number of hair products, like for example the Batiste Dry Shampoo, the Aussie 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, and the Boots heat protective spray. I was a fan of all three of these, they are nothing fancy, but they do the job for not much money. 

  Then not one but two Snow Fairy's. A mini and a big one. It took me ages to get through these, and I admit I was getting a bit sick of the scent by the time it got to May, but I wanted to finish them up. My friend gave me this Ted Baker body mist, which I liked the smell of very much, although the only thing I'd say about it is that I got through it very quickly.

  In terms of skin, I've tried a couple of different products recently, neither of which I particularly liked. The Freederm face wash left a very strange residue, and the Neutrogena 'blackhead eliminating' lotion did not do very well at eliminating any blackheads.

  This may look like quite a few products (especially lips) but it has taken me six months since the last empties post to collect this lot. First is the Maybelline Baby lips, just the clear one. I liked this, not least because it was only £2.99. Then the Fresh Sugar lip treatment in 'tulip'. You may have seen this in my Sephora haul post. It took me a while to finish, but I'm sad that is now done because I can't easily find/afford another one. The Rimmel stay matte powder and Collection lasting perfection concealer are both old favourites, both of which I have already repurchased. 

  I actually finished the Benefit Lollibalm quite a while ago, because I got it for Christmas, and it didn't last very long, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. You may not be able to see from this rather low quality photo, but I have finished the middle three eyeshadows from the Naked Basics palette, Foxy, Naked 2 and Walk of Shame. I liked these immensely, but I've now used the colours I most like, so I'm not sure what I'll do with the other three (even though I've hit pan on Venus). 

Sorry I had a month off blogging, I was extremely busy, but now it's summertime, so hopefully posts should be more regular.

Love Lucy xxx

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue | My thoughts

I was going to include this in my next samples roundup post, but I decided that it merited it's own post. I finally summoned up the courage to ask at the bareMinerals counter for a sample of their new Complexion Rescue (believe me, it took a long time, I hate talking to people in shops). 

 The lady was very pleasant, and colour-matched me to my shade (01 Opal - the lightest shade naturally). She squeezed me out a sample into this cute pot. On the voucher I brought along it said 'Deluxe' sample, and let me tell you it was definitely deluxe. I got 18 uses out of it! That is a lot! And I was not being scarce with it, I was going all out, assuming it would run out after a week. 

The texture is extremely light, and the colour is perfect for me. It spreads very easily, and so a little goes a long way. The coverage is quite minimal, but having said that, it does reduce redness and cover up acne quite well.

The only negative I have with this is that it is very dewy. I usually like that radiant-complexion kinda look, but I have quite oily skin, and it is more of a shiny-face sort of effect. Coupled with the fact that I have just run out of my Rimmel Stay Matte powder, the shine has been reigning free for the last few days.

  All in all, I am a huge fan of this, and am extremely tempted to buy the full size, but it is pretty expensive. Having said that, bareMinerals is an excellent quality brand, and given how little is needed, it would last a long time. Hmmm...

Love Lucy xxx

Review | Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Polish

  Well if the extremely long name and the snazzy racing-themed names weren't enough to tempt you into trying this range of nail polishes, I can add my praise to the mix. I've been a fan of the Gelly polishes for a while, and after hearing some raves about this new range on Youtube and in the blogging world, I decided to give it a go. 

 I wanted to pick up the shades 'Eat my dust' or 'Stop the clock', but both were completely sold out in my local Boots so I got this one instead, 'Lap of honour'. It is a beautiful colour, and at £3.99, I am very likely to get a couple more colours, because the whole range is stunning. 

  I have always been sceptical about so-called "fast drying" nail polish, but I can honestly say this is the real deal. I couldn't believe it when my nails had dried in about 5 seconds. The whole process took record time, and I am extremely impressed. 

Have you got any fast-drying recommendations? I am very tempted to buy other colours, because this is easily my favourite nail polish of the moment, and very spring appropriate!

Love Lucy xxx

Samples Roundup #2

I'm back today with the second installment of samples from my sample drawer! Just a little head's up that I have a hella lot of samples still to try, so there will be more of these posts to come. :)

Garnier 5 second Perfect Blur - I did actually like this, and while I won't be purchasing the full size (because I don't believe in primers personally), it was quite a novel experience. Like it claims, it does blur imperfections reasonably, and smooths out skin ready for base.

Benefit Stay Flawless 15 hour Primer - Whether or not it was because the sample was in strange packaging, but I didn't really enjoy using this. It caked up quite a lot, and I ended up removing it and starting again both times I tried using it. As to it's lasting 15 hours, I'm not sure whether anyone has tested that assertion, but it seems unlikely to me. 

Bumble&bumble Colour minded Shampoo&Conditioner - I don't have coloured hair, so I probably wasn't the target audience, but I still enjoyed using these. I only got one wash out of the samples, but they were very moisturising, and I can understand how they would help prolong colour, with their hydrating properties. 

L'Oreal Elvive Smooth&Polish Perfecting Shampoo - I've wanted to try L'Oreal Elvive for a while now, and while this sample might not have given me the best idea, I certainly found it lived up to expectations. Also, the sample gave a hefty amount of shampoo, compared to the measly amounts usually given.

Love Lucy xxx

PS. The Garnier one isn't open in the pic because I hadn't started using it when I took the photo :D.

Product Empties #2

  This is second empties post, and indeed it bears a lot of similarities to the last one. What can I say, I am a creature of habit. Sorry the picture quality is so bad, I had to take it on my phone instead of a camera. :(

L'Oreal EverRiche shampoo&conditioner - These were in the last empties too, and are consistent in their appearances because I like them a lot. I also tried the EverSleek conditioner, which I probably liked even more than the EverRiche, so if I was to repurchase, I would probably get the shampoo/conditioner of this one instead.

Snow fairy shower gel - This has been in my empties box practically since I posted the last one, and I actually bought it in 2013, but better late than never! There will definitely be another Snow Fairy in the next empties, because I received it again this Christmas. 

GHD heat protect spray - Not a huge amount to say about this, it protected my hair (at least I hope it did), but I probably won't repurchase because it is more expensive than most drugstore heat protectants. 

Bumble&bumble Straight shampoo - The most expensive shampoo I have ever and will ever buy. I will almost definitely not repurchase for this reason, not least because it didn't last very long (and I am stingy with my shampoo).

L'Oreal false lash telescopic mascara - I was very sad when I had to let this go, but it dried up completely and got very clumpy and disgusting. Sadly I think they have discontinued the waterproof version of this, so I have had to resort to different mascara. 

Collection illuminating touch concealer - Again a repeat from last time. Not a massive fan of this concealer (although you wouldn't guess it), because it provides almost no coverage, but given the price you can't really complain. 

Maybelline Dream matte mousse foundation - This, in my opinion, hardly counts to be classed as a foundation. I bought this probably 2 years ago, and it is in fact not empty, but the consistency has gone very strange and I am never going to use it again. 

Body Shop olive body butter - I got this in duty free, and on sale, so for a fraction of the original price. This was perhaps fortunate, because I wasn't a fan of the scent. 

H'suan wen sua hair mask - I reviewed this fully here.

Sanctuary instant hydrating toner - It took me a while to finish this, because I kept forgetting to use it. I wanted to finish it though, and I am at last through it. It leaves your face feeling very fresh, but takes a while to sink in. 

Bumble&bumble hairdresser's invisible oil mini - If it wasn't ridiculously expensive, I would definitely buy a full size of this. It is very weightless, and has a very pleasant scent. 

That's it for the empties! I can't believe its 2015 as I write this... Bye!!

Love Lucy xxx

Review | Soap&Glory Dr Spot

  I have very acne prone skin, and decided I would try and find a spot remover that actually worked. I alighted on Soap&Glory's Dr Spot. Soap&Glory is a very well known brand in the UK, and all the reviews I read said it was a miracle worker, so I thought I would try it out. 

  It is £8, so not the cheapest option, but it was a case of wanting to spend a little more for something really good, not be a cheapskate and get something rubbish. I have been using this for two weeks now, so I feel I am in a position to comment on how well it actually works. 

  It is a gel formula. You squeeze a little onto your finger and apply directly to the spot or breakout. The idea is that it lessens the appearance of the spot and speeds up the healing process. When you first apply the gel, it burns. And I mean it really burns. I have quite a few breakouts, so I had it on quite a few areas of my face, and it felt very VERY stingy. Not a very technical word, but that is how it felt. I was pleased, because it certainly felt like it was doing something. However, several days of twice-a-day application later and I had not seen much of an improvement. 

  I should probably have taken before/after pictures, if anything to show myself whether it has had an effect, because I couldn't really notice any, but to my eye, no change has taken place. 

  I was very disappointed, because the reviews raved about this, saying it was the best thing they had ever tried for spots. I however, especially given the price tag, would not recommend. 

If you have any good spot remover recommendations, comment down below, because I would really appreciate it!

Love Lucy xxx

Review + Swatches | Urban Decay Naked Basics palette

Up until recently, I had never owned an eyeshadow palette (apart from set of blue Maybelline shades I got when I was about 7). Then, for my recent birthday, after an unsuccessful attempt to buy it on a plane, I received the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. This palette has been out for a while and got quite a lot of hype, which I can honestly say is totally well-founded. It is AMAZING. Seriously. I know it is getting a little late, but ASK FOR THIS FOR CHRISTMAS. It is all you will ever need, and I have literally used it every day for the last - almost - two months. 

It contains 5 matte shades and 1 satin finish one. L-R: Venus, Foxy, Walk of Shame, Naked 2, Faint, Crave. 

 I can honestly say I use every shade, and have already made a considerable dent in Foxy and Walk of Shame. 

Venus: A light cream shimmery colour, I use this for highlight on the brow bone and inner corners.

Foxy: A light yellow, good for using all over the eyelid.

Walk of Shame: Fleshy-toned, I use this for a base colour (to even out skin tone) or by itself all over the lid, for a more natural look.

Naked 2: A darker nude, good for a bit of shadow in the crease of the eyelid, or again by itself.

Faint: A plain matte brown. This is probably my least used shade, but I sometimes use it for liner along my lashline (see Crave)

Crave: Matte black. I take this on an angled brush and gently press it in all along my lashline, for a more smoky liner effect. 

So, as you might be able to tell, I love this palette very much. I will be posting again very soon!

Merry Christmas! Love Lucy xxx

Samples Roundup!

  I love samples, a lot. I have built up quite a collection over the last few months, and while at first I was loathe to use them, liking the look of all the packaging sitting together, I have now assigned myself to try all of them. I thought I would do a little set of reviews every so often, of 5 or so products at a time. 

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's invisible oil primer - Its a mouthful of a name, but I do really like this primer. I use it as a heat protectant spray, and it feels so light and weightless that I would consider buying the full size version

Maybelline Baby skin primer - There have been mixed reviews on this, but I personally loved it. It has a smooth, gel-like texture and glides over the skin easily. I would definitely purchase the full size. 

Taylor Swift: Wonderstruck perfume - This is quite old, and I don't know if they even sell it any more, but the scent is quite pleasant.

Nars 'orgasm' highlighter - I don't know how you would ever use up a full size of this, because you need such a tiny amount to put on your cheeks. It gives a very nice pinky glow, but I wouldn't buy a full size because it is quite pricey, and I think this mini will last me a while.

Caudalie vinosource moisturising sorbet - I got this with my feelunique order, and I find it very refreshing and hydrating. Also, the tube it comes in is very cute.

I will be back with another samples roundup when I have tried out some more, and I hope you enjoyed this one!

Love Lucy xxx 

August Favourites

  Feeling very depressed because school starts tomorrow :( :( :(. These are some things I've been loving in August. 

Body Shop Argan Oil Lips - This is so moisturising and nice. The packaging is also lovely. 

Jack Wills nail polish 'Hot Pink' - I had this on my toes on holiday, and it is such a nice colour. The formula of the Jack Wills polishes is very long-lasting and doesn't chip easily.

Tanya Burr lipgloss 'Picnic in the Park' - I've talked about this before, and my high opinion of it remains the same. I hope to purchase more from this range in the future.

White Company candle 'Rose' - This candle gives off the most beautiful scent, it really perfumes the whole room. I have finished it now, and the glass is pretty to hold things in.

Sanctuary hydrating cleanser - This has a cream-like texture and removes all makeup, including waterproof mascaras. It is also easy to decant into little pots for travelling. 

Bombay Bicycle Club 'So long, see you tomorrow' - I am a big Bombay Bicycle Club fan, and this album did not disappoint. It has a really relaxed vibe, and I am in love. 

There might not be very frequent posts over the next couple of weeks, while I settle back into school, but I will be back as soon as I can with more!

Byee! Love Lucy xxx

Review | H'Suan Wen Hua hair mask

  I have always been a fan of Lush: their ethics, their products, but recently I have become somewhat obsessed. Whilst my history of Lush products is not very extensive, I am very keen to try more, and expand my repertoire. So, I decided to try out this hair mask. H'Suan Wen Hua - £9.50 claims to be from the god of hair, and although I'm not entirely sure about this, it certainly is not like anything I've seen before. 

  You apply it straight onto your dry hair, leave it for 20 minutes, then proceed to wash you hair as usual. One thing to say is do not apply this out of your bathroom, or anywhere with carpet/furniture that cannot be wiped down, because this literally goes EVERYWHERE. It is unbelievably messy. I expected it to be a mousse like texture, but instead it is very runny and sticky. 

   I cannot say I have seen huge improvements in the 'lustre and condition' of my hair, but that may be because immediately after washing my hair, I went and played rounders outside in light rain, so maybe that washed away a bit of lustre. 

  Another point about this is that it was not a cheap product. £9.50 is expensive, I bought this rather on impulse (I have had it for a while, and only got round to using it this morning). I have medium length hair, I used over half the tub, not even covering my whole head. People with long or thick hair would probably only get one use out of it. 

  So in conclusion, buy this if you want good quality, and good ethics (not sure about the smell though... bananas and olive oil make for a heady combination), but be aware what you're paying for and long haired people might want to go for a hair mask with a better price:use ratio. 

Byee!

Love Lucy xxx

Review | OPI 'Lincoln Park After Dark'

 So aaages ago, I watched a couple of tutorials and videos on youtube by sunbeamsjess. Then I forgot about it and went on happily. Now, in the last few weeks, I have rediscovered her channel and I am OBSESSED. Consequently, I am in the 'whatever products she uses I want' phase. Whilst watching her Christmas 2013 haul, and also in several other videos, I saw this OPI nail polish, and I fell in love. It is the OPI 'Lincoln Park After Dark' - £11.95. I am of course aware that this is far from a spring colour, but bizarrely I find that the seasons do not affect my nail colour choices in any way. This is a lovely blackberry colour. It looks almost black, but is a very deep purple.
  

This is the first OPI nail polish I have ever bought, mainly because they are very overpriced. I do not own any colour like this, and its quite similar to Essie's 'Sole mate' which I was considering buying until I saw Jess's videos, and discovered this one. I hope this is the start of many more OPI nail polishes!

Love lucy xxx

Review | Mac 'Painterly' Paint Pot

 So this is my first MAC purchase. It is also my only eyeshadow. I am not an eyeshadow person, but I was looking for a nude colour for school, that wouldn't be too obvious. I have to say this Mac Paint Pot 'Painterly' - £15 is my new obsession. 

    

It is very easy to apply and rubs easily over the eyelid. I also find it stays very well in place and does not crease.
  They may be a little pricey, but I would definitely like to purchase another colour in the range. 

 Do you have any of the Paint Pots? It seems to be a staple in most beauty lovers makeup collection, and it definitely has a firm place in mine.