5 make-up pieces I struggle to let go of.

When rooting through my mini makeup collection to swap out items, I noticed that I had a few products which probably should be in the bin by now but I can't seem to let go of it. I wondered if anyone else did the same, and the idea for this post came about! It's just a bit of fun, but here are the products that I can't seem to let go of!

I have about a few mascaras that have product still in them, however the Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof (£7.99/9.5ml) ran out a while ago, but I just keep holding on to it. I don't know what I think is going to happen- a national crisis where I will absolutely need this mascara. It's ridiculous. I did really enjoy this mascara though, it held up my lashes and just was reliable, so that's probably why it's hard to let go of! Also it looks an absolute wreck, so that's another reason to let it go!

The next item I wanted to mention was my Kiko Milano Highlighting Effect Fluid Concealer (£7.90/2ml). For brightening the undereye, this is one of the best concealers I have used, it's light on the skin, easy to blend out, has a bit of coverage and just looks great too. This ran out a few months ago, and I really need to get a new one, but I am trying to use up some other concealers first before buying this again. I think I'm holding on to this because it was just really good, however I do think it's time to throw it out just because there is no product left!

I've been talking a lot about products, however I wanted to mention a make-up tool. I have had these brushes with the red handle for around 6-7 years. It was the first makeup brush set I bought from Amazon when I wanted to experiment with makeup. I still use some of the brushes from that set to this day, the blush brush and their eyebrow brush I use on a daily basis. However this eyeshadow brush is just terrible, it's one of those that will take half of your eyeshadow off when you try to apply more product. The bristles are slightly scratchy and I never reach for it. I think I'm holding onto to this brush just because in the past I never had an excess amount of brushes, and now that has changed so I don't need this anymore and I never really thought of throwing it out until now. It's terrible so I just really need to start decluttering my collection. 

Eyeliner -  am I the only one who keeps a few? Does this happen to anyone else when your eyeliner runs out and a week later it magically has some products left in it? I think this is the reason I hang onto eyeliner, just incase I can get some more product out, especially if I really liked using a particular one. The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner (£14.50/0.55ml) was one of the eyeliners that was easy to apply and stayed put. I had both a full sized and a mini one, which has ran out however I just need to bite the bullet and throw it away since I have repurchased a new eyeliner recently! 

The last product I wanted to talk about was primers, I feel like I have a primer for every occasion, I have one for dehydrated skin, one to make my skin glowy, one to minimise pores, and the Sephora Collection Smoothing Primer (€12.00/15ml) to even out any texture on my skin which is more of a silicone primer. I'm a massive fan of primers, I think they are a barrier between skincare and makeup which is good to help stop things like pollution from reaching your skin. I like how different primers can change the finish of makeup or help with its longevity. Okay, I need to stop talking about the pro's of primer because this might end up in me buying more. I just need to finish this Sephora one, because it is actually really good but I got side tracked by my Two Faced Hangover Primer  (£27.00/38ml)...which probably isn't too surprising! 

I just think I am one of those people who buys and opens products for no reason, so I really should wait until I finish products properly. Does this post resonate with anyone else, because I hope I'm not alone in my hoarding ways. So please let me know through the comments whether there is anything you struggle to let go of - if you want to make this into a tag, feel free to have a go, I would love to have a read!
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Sephora Collection Smoothing Primer

I've been into trying and testing new makeup again, and today I wanted to talk about a new primer that I have reaching for the past few weeks....

The Sephora Collection Smoothing Primer (€12.00/15ml) is a product I bought whilst I was in Paris at the start of September, and I have been addicted to wearing it ever since. 

My skin type is predominantly oily which means I have noticable pores on my face. In a primer, I like products that are slightly more silicone based, as I find that they smooth over my pores nicely.

This primer is exactly that, sillicone based and, like the name suggests, smooths over the face so easily. I love the feeling of my skin after I have used this product, just because it feels baby smooth! I find that a small amount of this product goes a long way, so even though it's 15 ml's it isn't running out as quickly as I thought it would have been!

I find that my makeup is holding up throughout the day. The top layer of my skin is still oily, unfortunately that will never change, however once I've blotted the oil away, my makeup itself hasn't moved or worn off. Little things like my blush is still vibrant and the coverage on my skin is still there too. 

The packing of the product is something that initially caught my eye. I love the little frosted glass case, it's so nice to hold! I also love the fact that this has a pump, it's so hygienic and just a pleasure to crack out and use. I have total control on how much product is released so nothing is wasted too. Also, even though at times this product may be at the bottom of my makeup stash, weirdly it has never looked grubby! I can't say the same for other products in my bag...

I wasn't expecting to love this product as much as I have, however when I've just had a look online, it's not really widely sold on the American or British Sephora website so earlier I linked the Australian website which is the actual product I have, and here is the next closest thing to what I have described above! 

This product is also quite similiar to Lancôme La Base Pro Primer (£28.50/25ml), so if you were a fan of that, you might also like this product too! If you would like to see a round up of all of the primers that I have tried and tested click here! 

I would love to know your thoughts about this product or if you have tried anything similar! Let me know down below and be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

Sephora Blotting Sheets

I am a recent convert to blotting sheets. I was blotting my face with tissue and realised that there was a specific product for what I was doing that was probably a lot more hygienic and also more effective. So after a trip to Italy, I managed to get my hands on the Sephora Blotting Sheets (€6.00/50 sheets) and if you guys aren't already in on the action, I think I need to get you hooked.

If you don't already know, blotting sheets are designed to remove the excess surface oil that your face produces, so if you are a greasy mess like me, you really need to blot and remove the layer of oil before reapplying make-up over the top. Grease and powder mixed together can lead to a cakey finish on your face, and also harden your pressed powder. I didn't realise the reason why my powder became hard was due to the transfer of the oils on my face being repeatedly patted into the powder with my applicator.

The actual product is a blotting sheet on one side and has a slight powder on the other side, I tend to blot my face first, just pressing the sheet on to all the shiny areas of my face and then use the other side if I didn't bring any powder with me. So this product actually saves you from having to lug around a powder and an applicator, so if you are low on space, then this is the product you need.

Blotting sheets are designed to blot on the go, and so they are super travel friendly, having packaging that dispenses sheets like a tissue box, which is super convenient. It's also super thin in design and also very compact so it's easy to add in your daily handbag and even in a tiny clutch. For the price, I think this is a great product which helps eliminate residual oil on your face and also ensures non-cakey makeup for when you are reapplying! I highly recommend investing in one if you are one to carry products around with you!

I would love to know if you've tried blotting sheets. If you have, be sure to leave me a comment telling me what your favourite one is! Be sure to follow me on Bloglovin for more beauty posts!

3 nail polishes for the girl on the go...

We have all been there; you have an event coming up in the evening and your nail polish is chipped like you've been wearing it for a week when it's just been three days - what do you do? I hate those situations! You need a polish that looks worthy of coming out of salon,  that is quick in the application and also the drying time. Well, I have you sorted. I don't have one polish to share with you guys, but three! Take from this the colours that I usually go for in these situations and more importantly the formulations of the polishes themselves, because when the clock is ticking, you can't be playing around...

1) Sephora Formula X Nail Colour 'Brain Power' ($10.50/12ml)

The Sephora Formula X polishes are awesome when you are in a hurry, gliding on smoothly which makes applying another layer of polish is ridiculously easy. You know when you are in a hurry and when applying another layer of polish you end up dragging the last layer a bit because you didn't have enough product on the brush? Just me? Well anyway, applying this product is just a piece of cake and very very fool proof! This is in the shade 'Brain Power' which is a lovely nude colour that will save you for any occasion! I would recommend this to anyone who has difficultly applying polish!

2) OPI Nail Lacquer 'Not so Bora Bora -Ing Pink' (£12.50/15ml)

I never really got the hype around OPI, they aren't exactly the cheapest product. But when I got my hands on this product, I could see why people gravitate towards it. The formula is very thin, but in a good way because it dries in no time at all - I would say this is the best, out of these picks, for drying time. However, I don't think you could just work on one coat for this, it's not that pigmented. But even then two layers of polish would still be done in less than 5 minutes. So if you are really late to something, then I would suggest grabbing a bottle of OPI to get you through the day! The shade I have is a rouge pink colour - something that adds colour and femininity without going overboard!

3) Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish '313 Rita Rouge' (£2.99/ 8ml)

This colour is for the special occasion evening. It's a deep red toned mahogany that just oozes class and confidence. It's the cheapest out of all three polishes, and is just an awesome polish for both nails and toenails. What I love about this polish is that it creates a gel effect on the nail, so it's thicker than the last two polishes but has the best finish because you are left with this glossy, pigmented shade in one coat. Despite being thick, this dries down quickly too and so you can rely on it - I love taking this one on holiday! I don't think you can go wrong with a dark colour for an occasion! 

These nail colours will work well for lots of skin colours and they also suit most occasions too! So it's a win-win situation, whether it's a meeting with your boss, shopping with the girls or having a night out, your nails can be in tip top condition!

I love Essie and BarryM as brands but I was really focusing more on the quick drying aspect and the polishes I gravitate towards when I'm in a rush! Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed reading my picks for the girl on the go, I would love to know what your top picks would be!

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