Models Own smokey eye kit

Models Own are probably most well known for their amazing nail polishes, but the make up range has been extending slowly but surely. I already have all of the blushers, I reviewed a couple here. I got this little kit a while ago in a 3 for 2 in Boots, always one for a bargain me!

The kit has 3 eyeshadows, 2 brushes, and a how to guide. The one I got is 'Sultry' but there is a range of colour choices.

The brushes I really like, you get an angled brush and a shading brush. I already have the full sized versions of these, and the mini versions have similar sized bristles, with itty bitty handles. Ideal for travelling, or to keep in your handbag.

The eye shadows themselves have good pigmentation, I love the shimmery gold. The darker colours are a little chalky.

I also love the addition of the how to card, as I am rubbish at applying eyeshadow. I have to say though, when I followed the instructions I just looked like a bad goth! Back to the drawing board.

Overall I am glad I got this kit, at £8 I think its good value especially as you get the 2 brushes. The kits are available from Boots, and from the Models Own website.

Have you tried any of the Models Own make up range?

I'm off to London town!

I am just getting ready to get the overnight megabus to London. The journey will  probably be horrific, but its the cheapest way. I am going to down stay with friends from uni, as I have an 2 interviews next week,  on Monday and Wednesday. They are not in London, but close enough to go for the day. I will get a wee bit of time to explore London too. I thought I would should you my lovely new suitcase, and what toiletries and make up I am taking with me.

Isn't it a beaut? I got it from Argos for £24.99 which is half price. Its meant to be the world's lightest suitcase, which means more weight for clothes!

Toiletries wise I tried to be good and only took the basics, as my case isn't that big, and I have lots of train changes.

Brushes

Face

Eyes

Lips

Again with make up I was restrained, and only packed basics and old favourites that I know I can rely on.

Lastly nail care. These little sets from Ms Manicure will cover all my nail needs when I am away.I am not planning on painting them,so have nothing like that packed.

Sorry this is mostly photos,but I have a bus to catch.Hopefully I will have good news when I get back!

If you would like reviews of any of the products, do let me know.

My e.l.f brush collection

I'm a little ashamed to admit that before I started blogging, I only owned 2 or 3 make up brushes, and generally just used sponge applicators and the like. Now however, I have quite a collection, most of which are from e.l.f (eyeslipsface). I have brushes from both the regular and studio ranges, with the regular brushes being priced at £1.50, and the studio ones at £3.50. I have quite a few brushes, so this post is quite long, but I wanted to give you my thoughts on them all. Some of the brushes I only bought last week, so haven't tried them all yet, but others I have had for some time.

Regular range

Eye brushes

L-R Defining eye brush, blending eye brush, 2x eye shadow brush, eye liner brush, smudge eye sponge, eye crease brush and concealer brush.

I really like the regular range eye brushes. They are a bargain at £1.50, and work well. I have had the defining eye brush, eye shadow brush and eyeliner brush for a while now, and use them every time I do my make up. In fact, I like the eye shadow brush so much I bought another. The others are from my recent purchase, but so far they all seem really good too. I wasn't sure what the smudge eye spinge would be like, as I thought it was a brush when I ordered, as it says that on the main page, but then says sponge when you click on it. However, it isn't a sponge like the sponge applicators you get, its more rubbery than that, and I think it will be good for smudging eye liner.

One thing to note about the regular line eye brushes, is that they can vary in appearence quite a bit. They can look quite different from the website, and from each other if you get multiples. Case in point, my two eye shadow brushes-

Apparently the same brush, but really quite different. The only other complaint I would have with these brushes is that they do come apart quite easily, as  in 2 of mine the handle has come out. This can easily be fixed though, and for the price I think they are great.

Face brushes

L-R Fan brush, foundation brush, total face brush.

I have to say, I have been quite disappointed with the face brushes from the regular range. I bought the foundation and total face brushes a while ago, and they haven't had much use. The foundation brush is quite stiff, and it just made my foundation look streaky. It could be my technique, so maybe I should try it again. The total face brush is ok, but feels a bit rough, and hasn't got much softer after washing a few times. I bought the fan brush last week, but just to use for putting face masks on. For that, it works a treat! So, I wouldn't really recommend getting face brushes from the regular range, I much prefer the ones in the studio range.

Studio range

L-R Fan brush, Blush brush, Complexion brush, Powder brush, Studio stipple brush.

As you can see, the studio brushes are made of a much softer, synthetic hair. This means they feel much nicer on the face, and I think give better application. The fan brush I haven't really used, even though it was one of the first ones I got. I think I like the idea of fan brushes as they look cool, but I am not so sure of what to really use them for. I think they work well with things like highlight, so I will need to try that out. The blush and complexion brushes I use daily, to apply blush and powder, and I love them. The next brush, the powder brush, I am sure you have read about on other blogs. I haven't ever actually used it to apply powder, as like most people, I use it for liquid foundation. It works amazingly for this, as it is very dense and allows you to buff on your foundation. A must have brush! Finally, the stipple brush. As soon as I saw this was released, I wanted it, but it was sold out for ages. I finally got it last week, but haven't actually used it yet. It feels very soft, but not very dense, so I don't think it would be great for liquid foundation as it suggests,but I am looking forward to trying it with my cream blushes.

Phew, that took a while. I hope this look at my brushes has helped somehow, and if you have any questions about any of the brushes, please ask.

Do you love any e.l.f brushes that I haven't tried yet?

Models Own Haul

Like many in the beauty blogging world, when Models Own announced a 50% off sale, I was powerless to resist! The only Models Own products I had tried before this were the blushers, which I reviewed here. Having loved these, I thought I would try a few more products.

I got the other blusher in the range, this one is Peach, normal price £5. I had heard good things about the nail polishes, so I got Lili's Pink, Silver Spangles and Lilac Dream. The normal price of these is also £5.

I had a quick swatch of these when I got them, and was impressed. They go on easily and the colours are lovely. In retrospect, the silver spangles maybe wasn't the best purchase as I probably won't use it much, but it will be fun when I do! I am sure NOTD's featuring these polishes will make an appearance soon.

I also ordered the eyeshadow brush set, which contains an angled, a blending and a shading brush. Normal price of this is £7 for the set, or £3 each. I seem to keep buying eye brushes, but i'm not getting any better at using them!

(L-R, blending, shading, angled)

I haven't actually used these, but they feel nice and soft. I will keep you updated as I use them.

So overall, I got £27 worth of stuff for £13.50, so I'm happy! This sale was advertised on facebook and twitter, and alot of companies seem to be doing this, so its worth following them so you can get the bargains!

Did you get anything in the Models Own sale?


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July Favourites

Can't believe its the end of July already! I'll be back at uni in no time. I have been loving a few products this month, so thought i'd share them with you lucky ladies.

HTC Desire- This is one of the most exciting things of this month! I've only had it for 4 days, but I love it! Of course I  had to get a pink cover for it, which was £2.99 from Amazon. The phone itself was free, on a £25 a month contract from Orange. It does just about everything, and I am thinking on doing a review post about it, once i'm used to it. I know I like to hear about other experiences before I commit to something like a phone.

Using 2 Mascaras-  Yeah, old news I know, but new to me! I have been using a lengthening one over a volumising one, in the hope of improving both length and volume. I think I can see the difference, but it could be all in the mind.

Models own blushers-

I know there was alot of interest when Models Own came to Boots, and I managed to resist for a while. I read alot of good things about these blushers, and when I was in and saw a 2 for £8 offer, I could resist no longer. They are normally £5 each. I got warm glow and cheeky pink, and they are both lovely. I will be reviewing these in the new few days.

E.L.F powder and complexion brushes-

Again, old news! Both these brushes are great, the flat topped powder one is amazing for applying liquid foundation, and I like to use the complexion one for powders. I hate to admit it, but until I got this brush, I just used to use the applicators that come in powder! This gives a much better finish. These cost £3.50 each.

Soap & Glory You won't believe your eyes- This is an illuminating under eye serum, which moisturises and  perks up the under eye area, with light reflecting properties. I like to thing it makes me look a little more awake. This cost £9, but there is often 3 for 2 offers on in Boots.

Barry M nail paints-

Now nail varnish isn't really my thing, on account of my nails being bitten and manky. However, I find the summery Barry M colours irresistible. These are mint green, blueberry ice cream, and pink iridescent. I am going to paint my nails nicely, in an attempt to stop the biting. Any tips appreciated. I am already eyeing up the  strawberry and berry ice cream paints too! These cost £2.95 each, and there is an offer of 2 for £5 just now in Superdrug, or spend £6 and get a limited edition nail paint in Boots.

L'oreal Perfect Clean with scrublet-

The one pictured is the exfoliating foaming gentle scrub, but I also have the purifying foaming gel wash. I just love the scrublet. Using it means only a small amount of product is needed, and it leaves your skin feeling smooth and clean. The bristles are rubbery and soft, so feel nice on the skin. These cost £4.99 each, but I got them while on offer. There is currently a boots offer of 2 for £7 on selected L'oreal perfect clean.

NYC Color Wheel mosaic face powder-

These face powders are more of a mix between powder and blusher. I have them in rose glow, and peach glow. The colours blend together, and create a nice colour boost and glow. They come in 6 shades altogether, and cost £3.99, from Superdrug. There is currently a 3 for 2 on all NYC make up.

You will notice I like to get things on special offer! Its my way of justifying my spending, ha!


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I love Poundland!

Yes Ladies, its true! Being a poor student, i'm always on the lookout for a bargain. Poundland has some really good deals, lots of brand names, for just, thats right, a pound! Now I didn't buy all this at once, this is a few months worth of purchases, as it is hit and miss, they have different things in all the time. They have brand name make up, which you need to have a wee sort through, but can get some good bits.

As you can see, there are some good bargains to be had! All of the above were a pound each, except the revlon lipglosses which were 2 for a pound.  So we have Revlon skinlights touch-pad makeup (more about that below), almay blush in a peachy shade, vital radiance blush, Revlon diamond lust eyeshadow, which is nicely shimmery for the summer, Rimmel metallic cream shadow, which isn't great on it own, but works well under the revlon shadow. Then its the 2 revlon lipglosses, which come with a tiny lip brush that doubles as the clasp!I am particularly happy with the vital radiance brushes, I got a brow brush and a concealer brush.

I will probably not use the brow brush for its intended purpose, but will use for eyeshadows and the like. I like the fact that the concealer brush is nice and little, for exact application! The Revlon skinlights touch-pad makeup I just thought i'd try out, it doesn't have a shade or anything.

As you can see, it looks a bit strange, its a liquid foundation, which is contained in a foamy pad. I just press down with my fingers, and apply. Its quite light, and shimmery, and I actually really like it for summer. I even went back for a back up. All the make up comes in a purple packet, so this is what you need to look out for-

It says famous brands, and they are usually hanging up so you need to have a good sort through. I also got a few other goodies-

I have seen a few different Sally Hansen products in there, I think some of them are ones we don't get here. I got a moisturising cuticle remover, as I'm a little fanatical about removing cuticles. I also got a pack of exfoliating and cleansing sponges, 2 pairs of lashes, and a little nail art set, just to have a play about with. I had read elsewhere that the lashes were good, so I got a couple of pairs to practice applying with, as I don't have much experience. I cut the top of the pack off to store them.

I got a plain pair, and a blingy pair. They even come with glue, which probably won't be the best, but we'll see. I am realising this post has gone on for ages, but I have one last wee bargain!

Now i'm sure you have probably seen these before, as alot of bloggers have them. My local store only just got them back in, so I was very excited about this, and bought quite a few! They are pretty small, but as my collection is rapidly outgrowing my pretty wh smith cupcake drawers, there are ideal until I sort out a better solution.

So I hope you enjoyed my bargains, and please let me know of any you have found!

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e.l.f and Sleek goodies

Good evening Ladies!
Hope you all had a good week, mine was fun as I was down in London visiting my bro, and also got to catch up with the boyf who was down for work!

I didn't buy much when I was down there, as the pennies are running very low, but I did get my first ever Sleek Palette! I chose Original-

I haven't done any swatches, as I guessed most people have seen them before, I'm a bit late jumping on the Sleek bandwagon! Please let me know if you would like to see any though! I chose this one as the colours seem very versatile, and not too bright, which I'm not keen on. I really want to get better at eye make up, so i'll be playing around with these alot.

So I  have had a wee list accumulating of stuff I wanted from e.l.f, and when last weeks offer of free postage, free lip glosses and competition entry came up, I could resist no longer! Here is a pretty bad photo of what I got-

Pretty restrained, hey? I have been wanting the brushes for a while, in particular the flat topped one.

I got the studio powder brush (flat top), studio blush brush, and defining eye brush. I plan to use the blush brush to develop my contour skills, and the eye brush along with my new sleek palette, to do better eyes! I'm going to be busy in front of my mirror (and youtube!).

Closer look at the flat top-

This is called a powder brush, but I bought it for putting on my foundation. It is very dense, and I did try swiping it over some powder, but it seemed to pick up a bit much for my liking. I prefer my e.l.f studio complexion brush for powder. I haven't tried this yet for my liquid foundation, but I have high hopes after reading about it on other blogs!

The other thing I got was the studio blush in Gotta Glow, which is a highlight rather than a blush, i'd say.

I really like this product, its got a nice sturdy case, its shimmery, but not too much, and gives a nice highlighted effect! Yay for e.l.f!

Hope you all have a good weekend, I have a hen do, so need to decide what to wear!