Shopping my Stash

I don't know if I am the only one who gets the urge to go into Boots and buy everything I can get my hands on. Unfortunately since I don't have the means to do that, I've had to develop strong will power to resist those urges. Recently however, I have found myself looking at products deep within the recesses of my make-up bag to see if what I already own will make me relive that shopping experience...

The first thing I found was the M.A.C Mineralised Blush in 'Love Joy' (£22.00/3.2g). I picked this up on my way to Milan, in Summer 2014, and I did use it but for some reason I just...lost interest. I have phases with blush, sometimes I feel like I need it and other times I feel like I can go without. Anyway, lately I have been loving this because it's a bronze shade with a red undertone and gold shimmer and so on my skin tone it's very flattering, adding depth to my face with a flush of colour. Another reason  I like it is because it's got a good amount of pigmentation, you can build it up to be as deep as the swatch I have shown below, or can add it just to warm your face up slightly. I know this will be a nice summer staple for me, so I'm glad I rediscovered this!

The next item is also from the same Milan trip! It is the Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in 02 Brun (£17.00/1.8g) This item has definitely been an on/off staple for me. It's a lovely brown eyeliner that I like to use when I want to add some definition to my eyes but not make them too bold. However lately I have been using this in a different way: I line my eyes messily with this product and then use a pencil brush to smudge out the product and the finished result is a wearable, slightly grunge style, smoky eye. I then proceed to tight-line my eyes with this product and also add it in my waterline so the colour is more concentrated closer to the eye. This takes me like 2-3 minutes to do and I love it, because it requires just one product that can be used in two different ways! Also this pencil is massive, so it's definitely worth the investment!

The last product that I rediscovered is the Eternity Moment Eau de Parfum by Calvin Klein (£50.00/50ml). This was a gift from my sister two years ago, one of five mini perfumes to try. Recently I cracked this out because I didn't want to run out of my other perfume, Sì by Giorgio Armani, and I was pleasantly surprised. If I had to describe this scent, I would say that is it smells quite sophisticated. I feel slightly older and more confident when I wear this, it's odd! It's a fresh floral scent that's not overpowering, having notes of Pomegranate Blossom, Litchi, Lily, Pink Peony, Guava and Musk. It's definitely one that is for young working women and so warrants a sniff!

I'm glad I shopped my own stash because I actually feel like I've discovered new products which have inspired new make-up looks. It's good to mix things around a little, and I would love to know if you have done this too and what items you have rediscovered or have found different uses for!

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To buy or Not to buy: Lancôme Grandiôse

The other week Lancôme had an amazing offer, buy any two items and get 8 samples for free (side note: The samples are amazing - head over to my Instagram to check out what I got!). I purchased the Lancôme Grandiôse Mascara (£25.00/10ml) as one of my purchases and I was excited to try out my first high-end mascara! I've worn this a few times now and I've surprisingly got a lot to say...

Firstly, isn't the packaging amazing, I love how different this looks. The bottle design is so sleek and the flower at the top just looks divine! I feel like you know the experience you will get with this product will be unlike anything you have ever tried before.

Opening up the bottle, you can see that it is a plastic wand. The wand however is ergonomically shaped to really hug and then push the lashes up. I actually quite like this design, I feel as though it does work to make the application process easier. With a traditional mascara you usually block your own view and so with this, you can actually see what you are doing!

As for the product itself, I have mixed feelings. I have straight, grey thin lashes and finding a mascara for me is tough anyway. I have to be quite careful with this mascara as if I apply too much, the curl that I created will drop. So I really need to thin out the application, but the finished results do look great. However there is that margin for error, so for speedy days - I don't reach for this. However, another way I have been enjoying wearing this is over the top of my everyday mascara. This end result of that is that my lashes look thicker and blacker, which looks really nice when you are going out for the evening!

The formula is not overly wet nor dry, it's a mix. You can create a few looks with this mascara, I prefer to add definition by really being quite specific with where I want to add length. This also can really add thickness to your lashes making them more clumpy but in a really awesome way, and so you get more of a dramatic, doe-eyed effect.

In terms of removal, I have had absolutely no problems with taking this off, my cleansing oils can do the trick without any need of using a separate eye make-up remover, so it's hassle free for all those in favour of skipping steps!

Curled eyelashed with one coat of Lancôme Grandiôse

So to buy or not to buy? Honestly, it depends on your lashes. I know I won't repurchase this, but it wasn't a complete fail, I still can wear this in a few different ways and honestly, I do actually like how different this mascara is. I also prefer to layer this product, I feel like I get a more 'false lash effect' that's quite dramatic and is unlike anything else I have in my make-up bag at the moment.

For girls who have stronger lashes that are more curled than mine, I know you will enjoy this because it's really good at emphasising what you have already got.

Anyway, I'm glad I got to try this! I would love to know if any of you guys have tried this and what you thought of it? Is there any high-end mascara's that you love? If so please share! I'm always on the lookout!

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