Coming Soon: Benefit's Roller Lash

Volume? Check. Length? Check. Curl? Check. Does Benefit's new Roller Lash Mascara really do it all?

After trying Benefit's They're Real Mascara a few months back I found the formula just wasn't for me, my natural lashes are long and often reluctant to curl so when I read that Benefit were launching a new mascara called Roller Lash I knew it was one I needed to try. Luckily Elle Magazine collaborated with Benefit and the March issue came with a lovely sample of the new release, I often find that I either love or hate mascaras so being able to get my hands on a sample is a great saving money exercise!

The packaging of this is beyond cute, clearly inspired by 50's hair rollers - the pink textured handle of the full size mascara allows the user to have a good grip on the wand as well as looking chic. Benefit are always on point with the design of their packaging. 

Now lets get down to the formula - It's lightweight, water resistant, and contains pro vitamin B5 and Serin which are known for their lash conditioning benefits, it really lifts the lashes and adds volume and the jet black shade is such a dramatic look. I find that using eyelash curlers before applying this mascara helps to curl to stay in place. The small easy to use 'hook n' roll' brush allows you to grab every lash giving you a wide awake look at the same time as setting a curve and separating the lashes.

The formula promises to keep your lashes curled for twelve hours, a bold statement that I just don't think the mascara itself lives up to but hardly a problem if like me you only need it to last the working day. A great beauty tip I did see was to apply this mascara and leave it to dry and then add a layer of Benefit's Lengthening They're Real Mascara on top to give it that false lash effect - this is perfect if your lashes are naturally short!

Will you be trying this when it launches? 

New Skincare and Haircare Additions

Disclaimer - Although I work for The Body Shop this in no way effects my opinion. 

Recent purchases that made it to the top of the favourites list.

When it comes to cleansers I have tried a fair few, oil cleansers however have never appealed to me mainly because my skin is oily and putting and oil based product onto my skin feels like a big no no, that being said however Kate from Gh0stparties recently revised the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil from The Body Shop and loved it so I thought it must be worth a try, and I have to say I am now fully converted to oil cleansers. Of course it is a common misconception that an oil based product will increase the skins own oil production, this particular oil cleanser is gentle and effective and removes dirt and make up in an instant, I apply this onto dry skin and then add water to emulsify the product which produces a rich, soapy lather. Then using a warm muslin cloth I remove the product to reveal a nice cleansed face, If I am in a hurry however I will use The Body Shop's Vitamin E Cleansing Facial Bar which effectively removes dirt and impurities whilst providing the skin with hydration.

Another moisturising product on my list is the Origins Overnight Drink Up Intensive Mask, this is perfect if my skin is feeling dehydrated, I just pop this on right before bed and wake up to thirst quenched skin. The last product on my list is in the hair care

category, something not often mentioned on my blog as it takes a real backseat in my entire beauty regime, this product however deserves a mention, the NSPA Hair and Scalp Miracle Mask  is the perfect hair treatment, I was looking for a rescue and repair product that would not weigh down my roots and mid lengths but that would still be rich and hydrating enough for my ends, I had previously tried masks that direct users to apply only to the ends so as not to weigh down the roots, my hair however is incredibly hard to brush post hair wash so ideally I needed a product that would smooth and condition all my hair - not just the ends, that is why I love this mask, it is super hydrating at the same time it is great for my roots as it is so lightweight. As directed I apply this after my usual shampoo and conditioner routine, I massage this into my scalp working it right through the lengths of my hair to the very ends. I leave this on for around five minutes and rinse thoroughly.  I do this once or twice a week depending on how in need of a treatment my hair is.

That is it for my most recent additions, I am sure it won't be long until my next haul post... I may have made a few cheeky purchases already... Stay tuned.

An Ode to Revlon

Revlon have always been one of my favourite high street brands, the Photoready foundation is my go to for my everyday base and their recent blush releases are gorgeous, I recently picked up a few new products in the Boots three for two offer as you do, after reading so many good things about the Photoready Skin Lights Face Illuminator I knew I needed it for my collection, I chose the shade 'Bare Lights' as it looked like a perfect match for my skin tone, the other shades were either too pinky or too golden, this shade has a beautiful pearlescent sheen to it which gives the skin a really radiant finish and helps to create the perfect base when worn under foundation.

I also picked up the Revlon Colorstay Smoky Shadow Stick in 'Torch Incendiaire', I thought this would be the perfect product for an on the go smokey eye, the formula is really creamy and blendable, I love using the nude shade on my brow bone as a highlight and the darker shade under the eye for a subtle smokey effect. My last purchase took me a while to choose and I walked out of Boots with an arm full of Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm swatches, I eventually settled on the shade 'Unapologetic'  - a bright neon pink, I felt my collection was missing a statement pink until I got this bad boy, the formula is really long lasting and for a matte product my lips stay nice and hydrated whilst wearing this, I like to pair this with a neutral eye and classic cat flick liner.

I cannot wait to see what Revlon bring out next, they have been so impressive as of late. What have been some of your favourites?

Dry Skin Fixes

I don't know about you but all this horrible weather really dries out my skin, I think central heating is also a contributing factor, what ever the cause it is always a good idea to have some skin saviors that will sort you out in no time. Recently I have been sampling the Nip & Fab Coconut Latte Body butter specially formulated for dry skin, now it says coconut latte but I get a more caramel scent out of this one, although I'm not complaining. This does the trick and is great to use pre fake tan on knees and elbows. Another body butter I have been loving is the Cocoa Butter from Palmers, now the smell of this is not to everybody's taste but I actually rather like it, it's a very heavy cocoa scent. The formula contains vitamin E making it super moisturising, I reach for this if I am about to get into bed or not planning on going out any time soon, I find this takes a while to sink into the skin. For a quick fix before a night out I tend to use Vaseline's Spray and Go Body Moisturiser in Aloe Vera, this is so light and fresh but it does the job really well even on really dry skin, it absorbs into the skin in no time at all meaning you can get dressed straight away without that greasy feeling.


 So there you have it, my dry skin trio, what are your current favourites? 

Beauty Tools - Brushes

Let's talk basics, the key to good make up application is your beauty tools, sometimes that's your fingers, think cream eyeshadows and light coverage foundation, and sometimes it is a make up brush. My small brush collection contains some real gems that have completely changed the way I apply my beauty products.

The Real Techniques Buffing Brush: When it comes to foundation, this brush is the one. It perfectly distributes your foundation in an absolutely flawless fashion, I find I need less product when using this brush, it blends so seamlessly. A must own I would say.
The Avon Double Ended Shadow Brush: I have had this brush for ages, one end is a flat rounded shadow brush and the other end is a tapered sponge, now I have always discarded this as a pretty poor brush for eyeshadow, I find it far too dense, however recently I have been using this along with my HD Brows palette to fill in my brows and it does a perfect job.
The Real Techniques Contour Brush: This makes contouring super easy, it is the perfect shape for the cheekbone and temple areas, and the brush holds just the right amount of bronzer. I find this brush does a great job at setting under eye concealer also as it is the perfect size.
The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush & Stippling Brush: I have put these two together as I use them both for blush, the Expert Face Brush is perfect for cream blush and the Stippling Brush applies powder blush really well, both deposit just the right amount of product onto the face.

What are your favourite make up brushes?