Mini Boots haul December 2nd

Today I indulged myself in a little bit of retail therapy, which I think is quite well deserved after a really hellish week last week. I had no intentions of buying anything. ... but Barry M had a special offer on, then there was a little sale basket when I got up to the till. Im only one woman, there's only so much I can resist.

My first little splurge was on a Barry M eyeshadow and nail polish, and because I spent over €9 I got a free special effects glitter polish worth €5.99 absolutely free!! The polish I bought is a lovely autumnal red, I love it. And the glitter goes on really thick and is really holographic on. The shadow is a lovely light bronze colour with a gorgeous shimmer.

So I went up to the till thinking I'd been really good only technically buying 2 things.... then the sale basket got me.... I got-

Seventeen Stay Time foundation €4
Seventeen Stay Pout (Date Night) €2
St Tropez Bronzing Mousse (500ml) €16.50

Whoops....... still though, I think I got some great bargains there!

Sally Hanson Hard as Nails Xtreme wear

While in Dealz earlier today this bright pink polish caught my eye. Normally once autumn sets in I'm all about dark colours, but this looked so neon I just couldn't resist. Plus, a Sally Hanson polish for €1.49 would be stupid to pass up, right? Wrong.

I absolutely love the colour in the bottle, but it came out much duller on a clean nail, so I applied it over a white base. I should state that the base was absolutely bone dry, so is in no way to blame. The colour did come out much more vibrant over the base, but that is where the good points end.

The polish doesn't dry properly, so it dents and chips at the slightest touch. About an hour after painting my nails, I curled my hands up my sleeves to try and warm them up, and you can see the results. They are a disgrace!

I'm really disappointed in thia polish! I'm not sure if it was a different formula because it was being sold in Dealz or if this is standard of all Sally Hanson polishes? I know it was only €1.49, but it was €1.49 for a polish I'll likely never use again!

Has anyone else ever had any experiences like this with Sally Hanson?

 

My lovely little mini haul- Wednesday 29th May

I stumbled into a bit of spare cash this week (thanks Tax back!) so I've been splurging left right and center. Today I well and truly treated myself, and damn near emptied my purse. I had gone into Superdrug because they were supposed to be getting an MUA delivery in and I had my eye on a primer and pallet, but they hadn't gotten around to putting the delivery out yet so I was FORCED to browse everything else in the shop..... poor me..... So, this is what I got....

Mini haul booty

Collection 2000 Primed and Ready smoothing primer- €7.75
Collection 2000 Shimmer Shades in Blushalicious- €5.35
NYC Smooth Skin pressed powder -€2.55
Barry M Brow Pen Liquid eyebrow pen- €6.45
*Hairspray Nail polish shade 662- €2.99

Superdrug have a 3 for 2 offer across all their cosmetics at the moment, so my blusher was free!! Also, the nail polish wasn't bought in Superdrug, but I am very impressed with it so it has to get a mention!

Primer- I love the feel of this on my skin, it makes it feel incredibly soft. It's late and I haven't had a chance to use this as a base yet, but it definitely does make my skin look a little less flawed, even without my regular foundation. I'll use it properly tomorrow and give a more precise review then!

Barry M Liquid eyebrow marker pen- Every now and then I spot something on a make up display that makes me absolutely loose my shit and go all fan girl in public. This was one of those things. I just think it's so clever! As a lot of people know, I'm an absolute demon for anything eyebrow, I'm obsessed! I was cheeky and had a go of the sample in Superdrug and I have to say...... Love it!! It's dark brown (that was the only shade Superdrug had, so im not even sure if it comes in any lighter shades) so suits me perfectly. It's quite similar to a felt tip eyeliner. I have found that certain eyebrow pencils/powders would rub off my glasses and leave marks above my brows. This hasn't budged, and I've been wearing sunglasses all day. This is definitely the gem in my splurges crown.

Hairspray nail polish- I love pastel polishes, they make me feel so summery and girly, but they can be an absolute nightmare at times. They can be so watery and sheer, and take 3-4 coats to get a good colour, so you have to dedicate quite a while to get your nails right. This is, without a doubt, the most opaque pastel polish I have ever used! In 1 coat it was perfectly lilac, the second coat wasn't strictly necessary. I've only really been typing (and sinking a sneaky drink) since i put in on so it's lasting time has yet to be determined, but i am definitely intrigued to try some of their other pastel polishes now!

Please ignore the dire state of my cuticles!

I've yet to use the other 2 products, but they'll get a thorough investigating tomorrow!

I'm trying something kinda new with my hair tomorrow, changing the colour and the style slightly, would anyone be interested in reading an account of it all?

Mini haul- NYC and Essence- 04/02/13

I had a few spare quid this week, so I decided to treat myself to a few new bits of make up! Considering i spent less than €10, I think I did pretty damn well!!

Today's mini haul!

For me, NYC is one of the best budget make up ranges on the market. Bar their foundation, which I can't use because they don't make one pale enough, I have always been pleased with their stuff! So I got NYC Big Bold Curl Mascara in Extra Black for €3.79, and Expert Last Lip Color in 441 Traffic Jam for €2.49. A steal!!

Big Bold Curl in Extra Black €3.79

Expert Last  in 441 Traffic Jam €2.49

I'm thrilled with lipstick! I thought id would be quite a balmy colour judging by the look of it in the tube, but it packs a punch! It feels really light and moisturising on and has a lovely, healthy shine to it. This beats the socks off some of the more expensive lipsticks I have, only downside is the range of colours is great! But hopefully that'll soon change! I know what you're thinking, pink hair, red lips..... lets just say I'm getting in the mood for Valentine's Day!

I haven't tried the mascara yet, I packed on my 17 Doll'd up this morning, so that will have ,to wait till tomorrow!

Now onto the Essence! I've always found them a bit hit and miss. Some stuff is absolutely fantastic, other stuff, particularly in the new Studio Line nail range, is just piss poor! But I have always loved their mascara's, felt liners, powders, eyeshadows and eyebrow pencils!

I got t he new Stays No Matter What Waterproof eye pencil in Stunning Brown. I didn't buy it to use on my eyes, but my eyebrows. There is NOTHING in this world worse than an eyebrow pencil that smudges as soon as you look at, walking around for hours with your eyebrows down your nose and being none the wiser. THE HUMANITY!!!! I have high hopes for this, as I swear by the run of the mill Essence eyebrow pencil. I popped it on when I got home, left it a while, then gave it a little rub, and to be fair, it didn't smudge!! For €1.89, I'm very impressed! They could have been slightly more inventive with the name though!

Essence Stay No Matter What €1.89

I also got Essence Colour & Go Polish in 144 Black is Back. I have had a life long battle with black nail polish. It's verging on impossible to find a budget black polish that doesn't come out like mucky water and need 5-6 coats before it's not see through. This surprised me! It's easy to apply, but goes on a really dense, dark colour, 2 coats and your done! And it dries quick! If it doesn't chip like a bitch like most black polishes I'll be a very smug shopper!

Colour & Go 144 Black is back €1.79

So there ya have it! €9.96 spent in total, and overall i'm very happy. The Essence stuff surpassed my expectations, as did the vibrancy of the lipstick. If the mascara is any good I'll be 4 for 4!!!