1 minute review - Korean cosmetics Étude House " My castle sweet cookie" hand cream

Working in a office with nasty cheap soap ( sorry but it's true!) my hands get very dry and I need a lot of hand cream. I fancied trying something a bit different and stumbled across this by "Étude House" on EBay. 

 

Ana and Marshmellow don't come with, but they do sit on my desk pc monitor with the hand cream so I thought why not?!  They have different varieties of the "My castle" hand creams, but I choose "Sweet cookie" as I like baking scents. 

Firstly cutest packaging ever. It the "roof" if you like spins off to access the hand cream. 

The hand cream itself is thick and luxurious almost like a face cream. It's very hydrating and a little goes a long way, you can feel it on your hands for a while after application but it isn't slimy like some thick creams can be. It does wash off completely when you wash your hands so it is not water resistant. Funnily enough, it doesn't smell like cookies and smells more like butter with a hint of coconut. It's pleasant and light, but still noticeable ( I use this at work so have a tester audience if you like scent wise! Unlike me they have no choice mwahha. Still, I have had no complaints as it is generally very inoffensive) 

I paid a very random £4.63 with free shipping from a eBay seller, and it took around 10 days to arrive which isn't bad. 

Would I repurchase?

 Well I enjoy testing out things like this so might buy something different next time, or maybe just try one of the other variations ( The "Frozen" one is intriguing me and would go nicely with Ana and Marshmellow) So yes. It does the job and is cute. What's not to like? 

Here's a random cute snippit I found on the "Étude house" website which I liked. 

What's your favourite sweet smelling hand cream? 

1 minute review - Loreal infallible 24hr matte primer and foundation

My favourite foundation that I have found in my 25 years on this earth is Estée Lauder Double Wear. . I bought mine from a cosmetics company outlet so it could be a shade lighter, but apart from that it's perfect. Heavy coverage, can be set to matte and extremely long lasting. This stuff isn't cheap so if anything comes into the drugstore market promising any of these things I'm interested. 

Sadly, this time I was disappointed. You win some, you loose some. (Friendly reminder, what doesn't work for me, may work for you... This is my experience with the products) 

These were on introductory offer at boots (I think) for £5.99 each and it was 3 for 2 so I splurged. They are meant to be used together and have nifty instructions on the back for the best way to apply. 

The primer? Who knows. I'm not sure if any of them do what they say they do... Except porefessional which DOES reduce the visable pores on my face anyway.. This one does not claim to fill/blur your pores and thank god because it seriously doesn't! Does it make my makeup last longer? Guess I'll have to try it with a different foundation before I really know. 

The foundation. Sad face.Now I don't know if my skin just rejects this stuff (combination sensitive) , or if it doesn't agree with my moisturiser or what, but it just would not blend properly on applicaton. Like from far away it looked like it blended but up close it was forming into weird patches that are hard to explain. People who wear glasses; you know how the foundation sits on your nose weird and sort of rubs off where you glasses are over the course of the day? Like that only in multiple places. When I try to blend it, it just rubs off!! 

This gets worse during the day. It's medium coverage but my pores are on full display by lunch time, with random patches missing/ redness showing through. Waa. Not happy. 

So hard to show in a photo! Plus from far away it's fineish, it's just up close that's the real problem. 

It's such a shame as for me the colour was near perfect. I'm a NC15 in MAC and got the shade "porcelain" which is the lightest that they offer. 

It's left me wondering, what does everyone else think? 

Collection concealers - worth the hype?

Collection is known for their affordability, but I still labeled this a "worth the hype?" post because these concealers get a lot of attention from Youtubers and beauty bloggers alike. 

The "origional" if you like, is this one here 

(Image belongs to collection cosmetics)

I'm a huge fan of this stuff. For a long time I was being a makeup snob about it and decided that being so cheap, there was no way it could be as good as some of the high end ones I own. I finally tried it last year and I LOVE it. 

It's very high coverage ( a little goes a long way) thick and the best part? It comes in a super pale shade. I'm a NC15 in MAC for reference, and trying to find concealers or foundations that are light enough is very difficult. This one fits the bill and covers my dark circles as well as slightly highlighting the under eye area. It doesn't crease for me personally either. 

When I heard that there was a new "highlighting" concealer out by Collection I knew I had to try it. The packaging is different, unfortunately in my opinion looks cheaper, however the applicator is one of those twist ones and is quite nice.. The tip is similar to the cult YSL touché éclat 

( Image belongs to Collection cosmetics)

Here are the swatches of the two, side by side ( New " Illuminating touch"  concealer is actually the one swatched on top!) 

My first impression of the new concealer ( swatched nearest my fingers) was HELL NO. It's SO much darker than the other one!!  Both are in the lightest shades and the new one looked positively orange next to the old one. However, I have since used it and under the eyes it does a good job and doesn't look dark at all. Weirdly enough I feel like the new "Illuminating touch" concealer is more of a concealer concealer, and the "Lasting perfection" is better at highlighting! Whatever, my writing skills suck today but basically they should just swap the names of the two in my opinion! 

Will I continue to use and repurchase? 

Yes definately. I generally buy mine from Boots when they're a 3 for 2 offer on (there is right now for anyone interested) so it works out even cheaper, and for the price and the quality of the product they are both a steal. They have already become a staple in my morning routine! 

What's your favourite affordable concealer? 

MAC Cinderella collection - First impression

I love Disney. LOVE Disney. I would go Disney World/Disneyland every year if I could ( and yes there is a difference between the two) In fact, scrap that, I would live there.

I'm also a sucker for their merchandise, so when a collaboration with MAC for the new Cinderella film was announced I know I would be first in line. 

How pretty though?! 

I was online the morning of the UK release, refreshing my page like a mad man from 6am. Frustratingly, the collection came out at some entirely random time, like 9:10 am or something. 

Luckily my persistence paid off and I managed to get everything I wanted. I had obviously studied the collection and swatches beforehand and the main thing I really wanted was the eyeshadow palette, "Stoke of midnight" 

It didn't disappoint and is beautiful. Only one of the colours is actually limited edition and that's the black shade, with flecks of glitter. I know some people were put off by this as it may mean duplicating shades in their collection, but I only have a couple of MAC eyeshadows so this was not an issue for me. Usual MAC quality, pigmented and buttery ( not as soft as Urban Decay but enough to keep me happy)

Here are some swatches on my super hairy bear arm 

The first two don't show up because I'm so fair so please excuse that. They work lovely for an inner corner highlight on my eyes though. 

Next up is the lipstick in "Free as a butterfly", which I'm sorry to say but I was very disappointed with, to the point where I considered returning it. In the tube it looks like a brownish nude, but watched it's so sheer it looks just like shine. Literally. The only reason I didnt return it is because the packaging is so pretty, and if I can get over that and decide to get rid of it, I will put it on EBay instead. 

I don't know. I guess it just wasn't what I expected. 

The last thing I ordered was the "Beauty powder" (whatever that is!) in "Mystery Princess". I had studied the two face products and had chosen this one as it has a more champagne tone and on my fair skin I can use it as a highlight. I'm really happy with this! It leaves my skin with a glow without being too glittery or shimmery and I can get away with being a bit heavy handed without looking mega shiny. 

The finish on the packaging is super reflective and makes photographs very hard so please excuse that!

And a swatch

Overall I'm really happy with the collection and glad I managed to pick up the products that I wanted, even if the lipstick isn't really to my taste. 

Honestly though, Disney and makeup are my two favourite things so I think they could have thrown anything at me and I would have loved it. I can see why some people are disappointed as a lot of the products/ shades are just repackaged which is a little lazy in my opinion. I have also seen photos online of brushes that we didn't have, so that would have been lovely if us in the UK would have been given the change to purchase those. 

Here is a look I created with "Stroke of Midnight" eyeshadow palette. 

As "Coffee break with Dani" would say.. Welcome to mah face! 

Have you tried anything from the MAC Cinderella collection, and if so, what are your thoughts? 

Xxx

Dupe for Limecrime Cashmere?! And life update...

Hi guys! 

Liquid lipsticks. Scary. I don't do lipGLOSS as I hate the sticky feeling and it getting my hair stuck in it when I'm walking my etc! Urgh no. I'm blonde too so it stains my hair.. You get the picture. 

Liquid lipsticks however.. Happy to try those but didn't want to spend a fortune or buy from Limecrime (y'all know why) so was happy when I came across this post. 

http://thecrimeofashion.blogspot.ie/2015/03/menow-matte-lipsticks-swatches-review.html?m=1

As you can see I can take no credit for discovering these bad boys, only pass on my thoughts. 

They come in a weird tube like a test tube! Normal doe foot type applicatier. Prices vary but generally affordable. I paid  £3.99 from eBay but that's because I knew as soon as I saw swatches that I HAD to have number 18! HAD too! 

It's Kylie Jenner lips all over again!!! I just don't see myself getting fed up of these types of shades. Super wearable, neutral and go fantastic with my 90's grunge style. The moment I put it on, it reminded me of something but I couldn't put my finger on it

Then I realised!! It's got the same grey type undertones as Cashmere by Limecrime, just a little warmer!!  I don't own Limecrime Cashmere and so can't directly compare it, but going by colour alone I can see the similarity. Is it a dupe? Maybe not.. But it's good enough for me! 

IM IN LOVE and I'll definately be purchasing more shades. Also this stuff does not budge. I mean it. I swatched it on my hand.. Washed my hand.. Scrubbed my hand.. Showered and washed my hair... And it was still there! Be careful! 

Now for the downsides.. It dries to a weird texture. It doesn't feel sticky when it's just on my mouth, but if I put my lips together they kind of glue together! I think. The product just sticks to itself. Case in point

How attractive. Just don't smack your lips together like you do when you apply lipstick or gloss. Also don't attempt a second coat as the texture does not agree with that. 

So basically my verdict is.. I love them, but be careful! I think a lot of long lasting liquid lipstick products probably have the same issues as they have to be tacky in order to adhere to the lips for long periods of time

The colour selection is fantastic, so if this shade isn't for you, check out swatches of the other numbered shades before you purchase

Looks a little warmer again here as I have a red lip stain underneath 

Now for the life update if anyone cares.. I passed my driving test!! Yay!! Finally!! Been learning for ages and I'm 25 so it was a long time coming but I'm so glad I stuck with it and now it's done! Here's me looking all proud. 

That's all for now! Let me know your thoughts if you decide to try these out xx

Latest in Beauty - The Glamour Spring edit box

So.. I've been seeing this box everywhere but I'm meant to be cutting spending and being good so I held off purchasing. I also saw in the photos that it had another red nail varnish and gloss in so that put me off..

Then I found out that red is only one choice of three colours, and that the box includes a 12 month subscription to Glamour magazine. SOLD. 

I ordered this online for the bargain price of £16.99 and it only took 3 days to arrive. Considering the cost of a 12 month subscription to Glamour is more than that, I'm already happy. 

Here's what the box looks like open

Comes with cute and informative cards as well as discount codes for all brands included and my exclusive code for the glamour print subscription

First thing I noticed was the lipgloss from Rimmel. It's a really nice colour but I just don't use lipgloss. Will pass this on. 

Second I noticed the Moroccan oil hair mask which I'm looking forward to trying, as I mentioned in previous posts I do a hair mask at least once a week so it's something I love to recieve. 

Next up is the Beauty UK brow kit. Seeing it in photos, I was concerned that even the lightest color would be too dark for my brows, but having swatched it I think it will work well. I love the cute little brush and mini tweezers that come with it too! 

Then it was to the Revlon Colourstay nail varnishes! I hardly ever paint my nails anymore. Nail varnish does not stay on them for more than an hour. I've tried everything! So I wasn't too excited to recieve two in this box. However, as I received a lovely blue colour in "Full House" (rather than the dreaded over supplied red) and also as its a new gel formula, I'm going to give it a try and see if it lasts any longer than regular polish. So here's my beautiful blue shade, and the diamond gel top coat 

Then we had the item I'm most looking forward to trying, the Kiko eyeshadow long lasting stick. We have a Kiko in the Stratford Westfield shopping centre where I spend far too much time, but I always just walk past and I'm not sure why? Maybe just because I wouldn't know where to start, so I was excited to recieve a product from the brand in this box. I received a beautiful gold shade in 07, which looks like it's going to be perfect all over the lid. 

Next to grab my attention is the Model co. Creme rouge cheek and lip in "just peachy"  I'm a tad frightened of cream cheek products as I'm a powder girl, and often forget to put them on before and then we have some terrible mismatched cake face going on as it sort of curdles on my face. Not attractive. I'm also not usually a huge fan of peach colours but to me this is more of a deeper peach so I like it! Very generously sized, I'm going to attempt to use it as a blush as well as to chuck on my lips before dashing out the door to work so that I don't look like a dead person ( I'm very pale and my lips naturally have NO pigment)

They chucked in a free perfume sample for good measure. Not for my taste but smells like something my mum might like so I'll give it to her 

Finally, the Nuxe Creme Fraiche 24hr smoothing and rehydrating fresh mask. I've received this before in a beauty box and I love it. I have combination sensitive skin and this is wonderful for when my normal oils or moisturisers just aren't doing it. I get fine dehydration lines on my forehead so tend to keep this in my bedside unit and slather it on every couple of days before I sleep and it asks to make a big difference. It has a fresh non offensive sort of dairy type smell, which sounds weird but I promise you it's not. You don't have to wash it off either of you don't want to, which is good for me as I do like to use it as a overnight treatment for my face. Here's what it looks like

And that's everything! For the price I don't think you could get better. It's a fantastic deal. All products (expect the perfume) are full size and (including the subscription for Glamour normally £24.99) the box is worth a whopping £99 which is a bit insane for £16.99. 

If you're a fan of any of the products and/ Glamour magazine I would definately purchase one of these while you still can as it really is a steal

The Glamour Spring edit can be found here; http://www.latestinbeauty.com/glamour/

Calling all "Balance me" fans! Glamour magazine UK collab

The brand "Balance me" has collaborated with Glamour magazine (UK) this month and is giving away 1 of 4 possible samples with each magazine purchased. The magazine is only £2 so to get a decent size sample with it is a bargain in my opinion. 

The choices are 

And I went for the face mask as I'm always looking for pamper type treatments! 

 

I've only ever tried the wonder eye cream from this brand and was very impressed so looking forward to finding out want the mask is like. The products are 98% natural ingredients and the brand is cruelty free 

Which one of the four would you choose?