Drugstore Must-Haves #ColorTattoos

I was never quite sure about cream eyeshadows (just like right now I'm not convinced about the cream blushes), but then I came across these beauties from Maybelline. I'm pretty sure everyone knows about them by now, and it's no surprise - they are so worth the hype they are getting. There's a nice selection of colours available, everyone can find something for themselves - my favourites are definitely Pink Gold and On And On Bronze. Color Tattoos are known for being extremely long-lasting, which they are - I can have them on for 16 hours and they would still be in place, with no creases or fading. The texture of the shadows is soft and smooth, which makes them really easy to apply. They have a nice shimmer to them too, but it's not overpowering, it's just the right amount . You don't need to use too much of the product, you get an opaque look straight away, so the whole pot lasts for quite long too. I've had mine for way over a year and there's still loads of product left. Another good thing about Color Tattoos is that they can be used as a base for powder eyeshadows as well as worn on its own. They are only £4.99/each, I would say it's a bargain for the quality you get. I do want to experiment a little and try out cream shadows from other brands, I was thinking of Bourjois and Nars ones maybe. If you have any good recommendations please let me know, I'd love to know what's worth checking out and what's not.

What do you think about the Color Tattoos? Which one is your favourite?

xoxo

Natalia

The Drugstore Mascara Effect

I am a huge fan of the high street mascaras, and although I really want to try out the high end stuff too I just can't bring myself to spend a ridiculous amount of money on something I can get for a 1/3 of the price. And that something is usually a brilliant long-lasting product. Plus, drugstore is quite known for selling good-quality ones. My favourite is definitely Maybelline when it comes to mascaras, I loved pretty much all of the ones I've tried so far from them. Anyways, here is my fantastic five of right now...

Maybelline Falsies used to be my go to mascara at one point, it just makes your lashes look sexy. It curls them a little, lengthens and what's one of the most important factors - it doesn't clump or leave any black marks on your eyelids while applying. However, I do have to apply at least 3 coats to get the best out of it.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless is definitely my favourite for bottom lashes. It separates them perfectly and lasts all day without smudging. I'm not so fond of this product on my upper lashes though, the bristles of it are a bit too tiny for my liking.

Maybelline Colossal is my HG mascara, I always go back to it and always keep a spare one at the back of my drawer. It literally makes my eyelashes look bigger. It doesn't smudge or clump and lasts forever, I have it on for over 12 hours when I have long shifts at work and it looks perfectly fine all the way through. Also, you can see the difference after one coat only, and a mascara like that is quite hard to find. I am in love with this one.

L'Oreal Miss Manga is my latest addiction to my makeup bag. I've only been using it for about a week to see what it's like and let me tell you, it's pretty damn good. In the tv advert you can clearly see that the model's lashes are quite clumped, not a good look. But it completely surprised me, the bristles going from tiny to long are a great help for applying it in the inner corners of the eyes as well as bottom lashes. It might just be my replacement for the Lash Accelerator Endless. This mascara is the one to go, especially if you're looking for length.

Maybelline The Rocket is another one of my blasts from the past (well, last year but still). I mostly use it to separate any leftover clumps after finishing with applying mascara. It's the best for that.

Do you prefer high end or drugstore mascaras? What's your favourite?

XOXO

Natalia

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara | Review

I'm not gonna lie, I'm not an expert on brows (unfortunately). I can't seem to get mine right, one is always slightly bigger than the other and it keeps getting on my nerves. I was so glad to see that Maybelline came out with a brow mascara, made my life so much easier. The Brow Drama comes in three shades: Deep Blonde, Medium Brown and Dark Brown (I use the Dark Brown one). The brush was designed to contour 'the perfect brow', it makes shaping and defining brows much easier and doesn't leave any smudges or marks around them. Also, and what's most important for me, it doesn't give you that weird 'drawn on brow' kinda look - it's not too heavy or obvious. It also lasts for aaages, all day without re-applying and even after wearing it for 14 hours it wouldn't come off so easily. I absolutely love this product and will definitely re-purchase, over and over again (well, at least until someone comes up with something better). Good one, Maybelline.

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara: £4.99

xoxo

Maybelline Colossal Mascara | Review

So, I'm back from my holidays now, had time to recover and get back into the 'work routine', and now I think it's about time to get back to blogging, I've missed it so much. Anyways, I decided to write about the one item I was using every day over my holidays (and long before it too but never mind) and I literally can't live without it now. Yes, as you can probably tell it's the Colossal mascara from Maybelline. I cannot believe I've never actually tried it before, it's been around for quite a while. It does everything it should to my lashes - lengthens them, gives them lots of volume and lasts all day (I usually keep it on for up to 12 hours and it looks brilliant even by the end of the day). The wand does smudge a bit under my bottom lashes but I started using the Falsies mascara on my bottom lashes now so it doesn't really bother me. It does clump a tiny bit too when I put a lot of coats on, but I'm usually able to fix it using the Rocket mascara's wand (I just realised how much of a Maybelline post it is hah). Anywho, I recommend this mascara 100% and I can't say I would re-purchase it since I already got a back up for when this one runs out. I'm yet to try They're Real, but for now I don't see the point in spending almost 20 quid on a mascara when this one works so well for pretty much a third of that price.

Maybelline Colossal Mascara: £7.19

xoxo

Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara | Review

I've seen this mascara in a couple of magazines, but it's not getting as big of a hype as Maybelline's previous mascara - The Rocket. I also have read a few reviews, and not everyone was impressed by it. Now it's finally available in Boots and Superdrug so I decided to give it a go myself as I loved (and still love) The Rocket so much. And now that I've been using it for about a week I have to say I'm quite impressed, it's not the best mascara I've ever tried, but it's definitely not the worst either. It's a good mascara, it just lacks that wow factor that for example Falsies has. The wand is quite big and flexible, however I didn't get any mascara on my lids as I tend to do when wands are as big as this one. It doesn't leave any clumps on my lashes, might be a little hard to get it right on the bottom lashes but nothing a cotton bud can't fix. I'm mostly impressed with how long it lasts, I had it on for about 18 hours (I was travelling from London to Glasgow) and it didn't leave any nasty marks under my bottom lashes or my eyelids up until the moment I got to bed. I don't think I would re-purchase this mascara since there is so many better ones out there, but it is a good product and if you are looking for a long-lasting mascara, that might be it.

Have you tried Mega Plush mascara yet? What's your all-time-favourite mascara?

Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara: £7.99

xoxo

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish Collection

I have found these by a complete accident, I went to Boots to check out Maybelline's new mascara and ended up getting a few more things too, and these varnishes were my best find I think. As soon as I saw them I just grabbed all of them, it's only four colours in the collection (at least the Boots I went to had only four) but for £2.99 each it would be a shame not to try them out especially for me aka nail polish addict. I have a soft spot for nail varnishes, I used to do nail art on daily basis so whenever I see something new, I want it (I know, it's bad).  Anyway, Maybelline came out with a new collection of their Color Show nail polishes, which is called Polka Dots and it's basically varnishes containing lots and lots of little black and white dots of different sizes. As you put layers on the dots create a cool 3D-like effect. The shades I got are Chalk Dust, Shooting Stars, Rain Forest Canopy and Speckled Pink (I love the names of these products, they are just so cool). I liked the layering so much I put like 5 or 6 layers on the first time I tried them. The only downside is that they are an absolute pain to take off but you can't have everything, right. Personally, I will only use them on spacial occasions, but I reckon they would look brilliant put on one of the nails while the rest of them is just a plain colour similar to the Color Show shade.

Have you tried Maybelline's Color Show Polka Dots yet? Do you have any similar varnishes?

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polishes: £2.99 (each)

xoxo

Maybelline Master Shape Brow

I was surprised to find quite a few negative reviews about this product, but it works really well for me. I've seen a lot of complaints about sharpening it, but not had that problem myself just yet (only sharpened it a little once).  I only just started getting into eyebrow pencils about a year or so ago, so I didn't try that many just yet. Before I got Maybelline's Master Shape Brow I was using MUA's one but I wasn't impressed with it, and the same goes for Rimmel's brow pencil unfortunately. I'm glad I decided to try this one out as I find it best I had so far. It's got a waxy consistency and applies smoothly, it leaves a natural look and helps to keep my brows in place for hours (longest I had it on was 8h). My eyebrows are nicely shaped and filled thanks to this product. However, I will still keep an eye out and maybe get a couple of high end brow products just to see if they would work better than drugstore ones, but so far Maybelline one is my favourite.

Maybelline Master Shape Brow: £2.99

xoxo
NATALIA

Maybelline Baby Lips

I am quite disappointed with Maybelline for not releasing Baby Lips in the UK to be honest, Amazon charges more for delivery than for the product itself. So I decided to get a couple to check it out but in a chapstick form since it was cheaper and I have to say they work amazing. Plus they smell so delicious, I got mine in Mango Pie and Anti-Oxidant Berry so you can probably imagine. They are moisturising and really helped my lips get better throughout winter, so I'm glad I got them. They don't last very long, but I don't mind re-applying every now and then. It leaves a nice sheer glow which I like a lot too as a lip balm finish. I wouldn't choose them over Nivea lip balms though.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Mango Pie: £2.49 (+delivery £3.50)

Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry: £5.88

xoxo
NATALIA

Lipstick Wishlist

As I did my first ever monthly favourites last Friday I decided to do a wishlist for the first time too. And I've been wanting so many lipsticks lately I thought this would be the theme of my wishlist.

1. MAC in Cockney and Ruby Woo

2. L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipsticks in Aphrodite Scarlet, Dating Coral and Fashionista Pink

3. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Lipsticks in Fuschia Flash, Shocking Coral and Neon Red

4. YSL Rouge Volupté Lipstick in Lingerie Pink

5. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in Coral Incandescent

6. L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Magnetic Coral and Nude Sensual Rose

7. YSL Pur Shine Lipstick in Pink Diamond

8. Chanel Rouge Allure in Pirate

9. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Biarritz

10. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Abstract Orange and Red Lacquer

Hopefully I will add them all to my collection in the next few months. Can't wait to go shopping now.

xoxo

NATALIA

February Favorites

I usually post fashion on Fridays but since I really wanted to do my first ever monthly favourites and February ended yesterday I decided to post about that today instead. If I have enough time I will post fashion as well. Anyways, let's get to the favourites. First of all, definitely Nivea's lip butter in Caramel Cream is top of the list, I posted about it a while ago and you can find the link here: Nivea Lip Butters. I also loved (and still love) Nearly Naked foundation by Revlon - link here: Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation and Pressed Powder - however, there was something about the powder that put me off after using it a little more, I think I need to try a lighter shade maybe. So I got Maybelline's Fit Me! powder and it works amazing, I have a feeling it's going to be my favourite for a long time. I've also been loving Maybelline's Color Tattoos in Pink Gold and On and On Bronze, they look brilliant as everyday makeup and don't need a primer (I posted about Color Tattoos before too: Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows). Last but not least, I got L'Oreal Color Riche Confetti topcoat on my favourites list and honestly, it's the best topcoat I've ever used (I blogged about it a couple of weeks ago when I combined it with Barry M's pastel nail polishes: L'Oreal Color Riche Confetti Topcoat). Oh, and I almost forgot, there's also Rimmel's primer which I already managed to re-purchase, unfortunately it doesn't last very long but it works wonders so I don't mind re-purchasing every 6-8 weeks (link here: Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer).

What were your favourites in February?

Nivea Lip Butter: £1.49

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation: £8.99

Maybelline Fit Me! Powder: £5.99

Maybelline Color Tattoo: £4.99 (each)

L'Oreal Color Riche Confetti Topcoat: £4.99

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer 002: £6.99

  xoxo

NATALIA

My favourite concealers

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer is literally the best concealer I've ever tried. My shade is Fair (1), which is the lightest one. It's nice and creamy and gives medium to full coverage, it doesn't get cakey or dry. I don't apply it straight on my face, I put it on my hand first and then either with a brush or a finger apply it on. It goes on smoothly and stays in place all day, I can't say enough good things about this. However, the packaging is not as amazing as the product, the writing comes off really easily but then again, what's inside makes up for it.

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer is actually a concealer and a highlighter in one. I use this one mainly for the area under my eyes and my shade is 010 Ivory. It has a pretty natural finish, and wears nicely throughout the day without fading or getting cakey. I'm not too fond on the packaging of this product, but it works well, so I'm not going to complain. I apply it the same way as the Collection 2000 concealer - with a finger or a brush.

Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer is definitely the nicest looking one out of all three. My shade is 15. It has the same kind of applicator as the Collection 2000 one, so I use it the same way. Its consistency is quite creamy and blends into the skin really nicely, it doesn't sit in the fine lines and doesn't look cakey. It holds up well, I usually have it on for about 8-9 hours and don't have any problems with it. I mostly reach for this concealer when I can't find my Collection 2000 one, or when I run out of it.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection: £4.19

Rimmel Match Perfection: £5.99

Maybelline Fit Me!: £5.99

xoxo

NATALIA

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks

^ Left: 832 Kiss Pearl. Right: 150 Stellar Pink

Since I started getting into lipsticks and nudes weren't really working out too well I decided to turn to pinks. I picked up a couple of Maybelline's Color Sensational lipsticks in light and dark-ish pink. I didn't expect much cause lipsticks and I don't really get along that well during winter, but these two have been a nice surprise. First swipe only makes it sheer but it's buildable which lets you decide how much coverage is needed. It's nicely pigmented and smells quite funky and fruity in a way, which I like a lot (weirdly). It doesn't last particularly long but I don't mind re-applying since these are actually the first lipsticks I really like. What I love most about is the fact that it doesn't dry out my lips or settle into creases (rare this time of year), so I would love to try a few more shades at some point. The colour range is amazing, definitely a lot to choose from and I think the packaging is gorgeous. Money wise it's not too bad, £7.19 each.

xoxo

NATALIA

Maybelline The Rocket Mascara

I wanted to try out this mascara for ages. Well, since the day I heard Maybelline was bringing out a new mascara. I've seen it in a few YouTube videos and I just had to get it, the packaging is so cool too. After using it a few times I have to say I am in love. It makes my lashes so long with only two coats I can't stop checking them out in a mirror. I've heard it might get a little clumpy but I didn't have that problem at all. It stays on for hours and hours, in fact I forgot to take it off before I went for a shower yesterday and it was so hard to take off, almost as if it was waterproof. But that doesn't really matter for me because it means no rain will make me look like a panda and the weather in the UK isn't too great at the moment.

The wand isn't gaudy or too big, it's thin enough to get the bottom lashes perfectly covered without getting the mascara all over. I will definitely re-purchase it as soon as it runs out, it's so worth the money. Oh, it's £5.99 right now, but it will go up to £7.99 soon.

xoxo

NATALIA

Nail art

I used to be absolutely obsessed with nail art, I would sit and paint my nails for hours and hours every day at times. Then it started wearing off a little and I turned to other things, but now I'm thinking of going back to it. I've been looking through my old Facebook pictures and picked my favourite nail art ideas I've done so far. I will try and list the nail polish I used, hopefully I still have them somewhere in my drawers. Some nail polishes don't have names, and some names faded but I'll do my best. Hope it's going to give you some ideas too.

Base and top coat: Rimmel 60 Seconds in 740 Clear

White nail polish: Golden Rose

Noses: Colour Mania by Lovely

Eyes: Manhattan Lotus Perfect (yellow) and Miss Sporty (black)

Dots: Nails Inc. in Victoria

Owls from right: Maybelline Colorama in 47 Coconut Crystals, Maybelline Forever Strong in 830 Put a medal On It!, Rimmel Lycra Pro in 402 Urban Purple, Sally Hansen Insta Dri in Presto Pewter, Rimmel Lycra Pro in 397 Beige Babe

Base and top coat: Rimmel 60 Seconds in 740 Clear

Cherries: Dior Vernis in 853 Masai Red

Cream: Golden Rose

Cupcakes from right: 1. Ciate in My Fair Lady, Manhattan Lotus Effect (yellow), Golden Rose in 102 (glitter) 2. Miss Sporty in 13, Color Mania by Lovely (dark orange), NYC in 155 Gramercy Glitz (glitter) 3. Rimmel Lasting Finish in 025 Strawberry Fizz, Rimmel Lasting Finish in 300 Pop Your Pink (darker pink), OPI in Teenage Dream (glitter) 4. Rimmel Lasting Finish in 045 Misty Jade, Missguided in Misstique (darker shade), NYC in 155 Gramercy Glitz (glitter) 5. Miss Sporty (light blue), Maybelline Forever Strong in 630 Dark Denim, Rimmel Lasting Finish in 500 Disco Ball

White: Golden Rose

Black: NYC in 272 Bowery Black

Pink: Missguided in Missbehave

Yellow: Manhattan Lotus Effect

Brown: Maybelline Forever Strong in 778 Rosy Sand (light brown), Rimmel Lycra Pro in 397 Beige Babe

White: Golden Rose

Black: Miss Sporty

White: Golden Rose

Black: NYC in 272 Bowery Black

Dark red: Rimmel Lycra Pro in 402 Urban Purple

Light yellow/beigy: Nails Inc. for InStyle

White: Golden Rose

Black: Miss Sporty

Blue: Miss Sporty in 320

Pink: Miss Sporty in 347

Purple: Colourpop New Look in Purple

Green: Astor in 326

White: Golden Rose

Black: Miss Sporty

Bows: Claire's, but painted black

xoxo

Natalia