MAKE UP | URBAN DECAY 24/7 WATERPROOF EYE PENCIL

URBAN DECAY 24/7 WATERPROOF EYE PENCIL in PERVERSION, £14 (x)

Having started this blog to talk about all things beauty, I have no idea why I've left it so long to write about this little baby! I first heard about this on youtube and I remember at the time I had been getting so annoyed as I'd apply my eyeliner and then a few hours later it'd be out of my waterline! I had given up on the whole eyeliner game really and had come to terms with the fact that I would forever be touching it up wherever I was, until this came into my life. I bought it on a whim and I'm so glad I did!

The formula itself is very creamy and when you first apply it it really makes you doubt its staying power.. but believe me, once this sets, it's set. The formula also makes it a bit hard to sharpen as it seems to sort of.. Melt if it gets too warm? Don't really think melt is the right word, but basically it's creamy enough that you can blend it out to be smokey if you'd like to. This is in the shade Perversion which is the blackest black they have, and to be honest the blackest eyeliner I've ever used! They have another shade Zero which I think is less intense but I haven't tried it. Now, what makes this eyeliner so special is that it stays in the waterline until you take it off. It doesn't fade, it doesn't budge, it doesn't smudge up in the corners or give you panda eyes, it stays! I've also used it when I didn't have my liquid eyeliner to do a flick, and I fell asleep with my makeup on that night (Bad Kitty!) and when I woke up my waterline and flick were still intact! It literally shocked me so much that it hadn't even smudged or faded the tiniest amount, it was as black and bold as when I first applied it!

This is hands down the best eyeliner I've ever used and I will never go back to any other liner. I really want to try out some other shades and also some of the rest of the 24/7 range, such as the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Shadow Pencils. If this pencil can last on my waterline, imagine what they can do!

SKINCARE | VICHY AQUALIA THERMAL EYE ROLL ON

 VICHY AQUALIA THERMAL EYE ROLL ON, £14 (x)

Considering how much I rave on about this on Twitter I thought it was about time I reviewed this little life saver. After picking this up in my recent haul, I've been using it every day and night, and sometimes pairing it with the La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Eye cream. I definitely have seen a substantial difference in the skin under my eyes in texture and in colour! I can only wish I had taken before and after photos.

The product itself comes in this squeezy tube with a handy rollerball which provides an instant cooling effect, which is awakening in the mornings and soothing in the evenings for tired eyes. My eye area, like most other peoples, is quite sensitive yet I have had no adverse reactions to this which is a relief as the reason I stayed clear of eye cream for so long was because of my fear of the dreaded eye milia! It's a thin, lightweight gel that is in no way sticky and it 'sets' quickly providing a nice base for eyemakeup without flaking or rolling up like some eye products can.

Much like the LRP Hydraphase, I have found this roller ball a little life saver! I thought that the lines around my eyes were a sign of early aging (God forbid, I'm 21!) but after learning they were dehydration lines and knowing starting an eye care routine would help, I'm seeing a lot of difference in such a small amount of time! Aswell as lessening my dark circles and making the skin around my eyes feel a lot stronger, I can pop this in my bag for non makeup days and whip it on if I feel like I need a bit of waking up!
 

SKINCARE | LA ROCHE-POSAY HYDRAPHASE EYES

LA ROCHE-POSAY HYDRAPHASE EYES, £14.50 (x)

After my little hunt for a miracle eye cream, my first port of call being the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Roll-On, I thought I'd venture out yonder. My dark circles are caused by, I think, staring at a laptop screen for most of my life and the fact that I don't really ever sit in full daylight at any one time (I like my mood lighting, ok?!) That and a lack of water, so extreme dehydration is on the cards. I also get dry on my inner corners which makes applying eyeshadow a bit of a faff.. No one lines flakey eyelids (Is that even a thing?! Eugh) Apart from upping my water intake, and in general trying to take better care of my little eyeballs - less rubbing those sleepy, straining peepers - I didn't really think an eye cream would do much damage, and if it didn't do anything at all then I hadn't lost out on much!

The formula of this is a clear, light weight gel that is easily absorbed around the eye area. I apply this in the morning and at night before bed and have been doing so for about a week now... and I'm quite amazed to say, I do see some results! The underneath of my eyes are lightened quite substantially and I've been finding myself having to use less concealer. My inner corners are also not as dry and I feel like the skin around my eyes is a lot stronger and more hydrated. I don't know if my results were so dramatic simply because I'd never used an eyecream before this and I'm reaping the benefits early, but boy, I'm not complaining!

 Hydraphase Eyes contains Hyaluronic Acid which is a molecule that attracts and holds water in the skin. It also contains Caffeine, a popular component in eyecreams, which is an antioxident that helps with swelling.

Under-eye bags were never really a problem for me, so I can't say how good it would work for that, but if it's working for the rest of my problems I don't see why it wouldn't help!

Overall I feel like my eye area is more hydrated, looks brighter, and I'm really impressed! Go La Roche-Posay!

MAKE UP | ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR

ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR, £27.50 (x)

Having extremely oily skin I can't seem to find a nice dewy foundation that doesn't leave me looking shinier than a disco ball 5 seconds after I've applied it. I dabbled in primers, but nothing has seemed to work, and my beloved Illamasqua Rich Liquid, no matter how amazing it is, leaves me greasy if I don't set it well with a powder. Powder isn't something I love, and so I always strive to look for a foundation that I can just put on and leave as it is. That's where Estee Lauder comes in handy!

They've recently added to their shade range which confused me a little at first and I'm worried I may of purchased the wrong shade, but the nice lady at the counter in Boots told me if it was wrong I could bring it back, which is definitely news to me! Back when I was 16 I used to wear this all the time, it was my holy grail, and then I'm not really sure what happened but I think I just ran out and never bought it again. Now 5 years later (5 years, oh Jesus!) I have returned. I used to be shade 1C1 'Shell', and now 1C1 is called 'Cool Bone' I assumed the colour would be the same and the name had just changed but it seems a little more yellow than I remember, but blended well it looks fine on my skin.

The foundation itself is a liquid, and many reviews I've seen seem to compare it to 'wearing a mask'. It's true, it's high coverage stuff, but you only need a small amount of this product and I think that's wear people go wrong. I usually buff this into my face with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, or use my hands. Yes, my hands. It can get a little messy, but the overally effect is very seamless and blended. I'd compare it to how you warm Studio Fix concealer with your fingers - if you use your hands with this it warms into the skin much more and that helps with making it not look mask-like.

Now for the best part - in my opinion. Doublewear is the only foundation I've ever used that I don't have to powder, or touch up during the day. I've also maybe slept in this (Once upon a time! Don't kill me) and woken up to a nearly flawless face... Now if that's not long wearing, I don't know what is.

For me this is the perfect everyday foundation when just used minimally, build it up it is perfect for a night out.

Have you tried Doublewear? Are you a fellow lover, or a hater? 

MAKE UP | URBAN DECAY NAKED BASICS PALETTE

NAKED BASICS PALETTE, £20 (x)

My poor old Sleek palette was getting worn out, and as always Debenhams.com was open on my laptop... I can only blame myself! Having my eye on this little baby for a while, I managed to swipe it and a bottle of De-Slick when they had 10% off, and I'm so glad I did.

Knowing that I didn't really need the extent of shadows that the full Naked and Naked 2 palettes have, I thought this little wonder would be perfect for me and I was right. It comes in a little cardboard box, and the palette itself is sturdy and durable, a real travel size kit that I can see myself taking to my boyfriends or to work for touch ups if needed.

As you can see here the box states it features both matte and satins, when really it's just one. I've seen people saying that foxy is slightly satin-y too, but in my palette it's most definitely matte. This isn't a problem for me as Venus is the perfect champagne highlight for inner corners and brows, I don't need another.

L-R: VENUS, FOXY, WALK OF SHAME, NAKED 2, FAINT, CRAVE

Venus is a light champagne highlight which is perfect for the inner corner, brow and even a bit dusted on the cheekbone. Foxy is a yellowy-nude and W.O.S is a pinky-nude, both which suit my very pale complexion as a lid colour. Naked 2 is a light taupe brown, which looks lighter in the pan than it is on the brush so be careful! Faint is a dark cool tone brown, and Crave is a nearly-black brown.

I've been using Venus to highlight, and then eitther Foxy or W.O.S on the lid, Naked 2 in the crease and then deepening the crease if needed with Faint. Crave has only been used to smudge along the lashes so far but I could definitely see myself taking an eye look from day to night with it. I also use a mix of Naked 2 and Faint as an eyebrow colour occasionally and it works perfect! All shadows are buttery soft and easy to blend.

All in all I think this is a wonderful palette, and if you were thinking of buying it for an easy day-to-night eye, it will do the trick amazingly. If you've got this palette what are your thoughts? 

SKINCARE | LA ROCHE-POSAY HYDRAPHASE UV INTENSE

 LA ROCHE POSAY HYDRAPHASE UV INTENSE, £16.50 (x)

Really I don't know where to start with the product! I first bought it on a whim in Boots whilst looking for an eye cream. I'd heard good things about Hydraphase for eyes but sadly they didn't have it, so I sulked around for a bit and found this! My skin is quite oily, but looks quite dull and dehydrated from years of stripping off the oils (Bad Kitty!)  To be honest I thought this would all end in distaster, and I invisioned waking up with an oily face and slippy slidy makeup. I was greatly surprised..

Hydraphase UV Intense is a lightweight lotion, that has a light pleasant scent and leaves no residue on the skin. It containts Hyluronic Acid which is already contained in our bodies when we're younger that gets produced less as we age, it's the acid that that plumps that skin and attracts water, keeping skin hydrated for longer! It also, as it says in the name, protects from daily UVA and UVB rays, which is just a plus for me. I apply this before bed, after cleansing, and also before I apply my makeup in the morning.

After using this everyday for five days now, my skin actually does feel a lot better. It hasn't worsened my oil, but also hasn't lessened it either (which is fine for me, as that's not what it's for) I do feel like my skin is more hydrated and it looks a lot more 'alive'. If you need a boost of hydration in your life, I recommened this!

So, have you tried any La Roche Posay products, or any of the Hydraphase range? Any recommendations would be welcome!

HAUL | URBAN DECAY

 

DE-SLICK MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY, £9 (x) | NAKED BASICS PALETTE,£20 (x)

They were on my wishlist, and now they're here! You know you have a problem when the postman hands you the packages and says 'more makeup?' Well, Mr Postman, I picked both of these up at Debenhams online whilst they were having a 10% off beauty day! Not gonna argue with that. 

De-slick is a setting spray to mattify my complexion now the heat is creeping into our lovely english weather, and it's partner in crime 'All Nighter' spray was a big hit with me, so I have high hopes. 

The Naked Palette on the other hand is... well.. an indulgence. I've been eyeing it up for a while and it seems to be the perfect everyday eye, even if I do own a lot of shades similiar, having them all in one handy palette appeals to me greatly. I've already swatched everything furiously after ripping over the package, and it's looking good! Full reviews of both of these coming soon once I've tried them out!

Have you tried either of these? What did you think?