Changing it up

A super quick train application of the below new goodies

As I mentioned in my last post, changing how I store my make up has led me to properly mix up my morning routine. I am such a creature of habit these days as opposed to when I started blogging and wanted to try something new almost daily!!  I am embracing that change is good however and working in some new pieces and had some really good success so I had to share them.

The first exciting new addition that is proving ideal for my weekends is the Porefessional Makeup. Porefessional primer is probably the first benefit product that I fell in love with so I was excited to give this new tinted formula a go. I love the cute design complete with sponge in the base ( which is then washable- PHEW!) it is designed to put some of the product and then dab on and build. At first I was using it more as a little bit of extra base on my pores before applying my usual foundation but It actually gives me the perfect light and even base for the weekend which I am loving. It looks and feels smooth and it just evens me out a treat as well as being really buildable which is ideal. Super impressed with it so far and especially cause I can proper clean the little sponge so it will be the perfect travel companion.

A new base inspired me to switch up my usual day to day products too and pick up a few new bits from Superdrug to play with. I had been in exploring the new Buchanan Street store which I was so impressed with, well stocked, central and with a Nurse facility in store and of course I didn’t leave empty handed. I have used a lot of the B. skincare products in the past but their current range with Cassie Lomas had some super summery pieces that I couldn’t resist. The Sheer liquid Illuminator is such a good purchase you get so much of it and I have been dotting it along my cheek bones but I can imagine on holiday I would love to mix it  in with a BB cream for a proper glow. The B. matte liquid lipstick in All about meis the perfect matte nude, and the texture is divine as its not drying like so many mattes are. I have been so impressed with this one.  Lastly being a total brow fanatic I couldn't resist trying the new B. Brow Pomade which is a total bargain at £5.99, this bad boy is a perfect shade for me and doesn't smudge or flake. It has turned out to be the perfect affordable version of my more expensive Anastasia Brow Pomade.

Lastly I am rediscovering eyeshadow and I have been using this Lola shadow in Satin Brown on repeat heavily. You can find them stocked in the M & S beauty hall ( which is a real treasure trove) and they have some gorgeous items. I have been teaming this beautiful bronzey shade with their Mega Volume mascara and together they create the perfect ‘undone’ look. Their shadows are £7.50 for the mono and feel much more expensive than that which is nice, the colour has fantastic pay off and they feel buttery soft to apply. The Mascara has just the kind of brush I like and packs the volume I am after thanks to the silk micro fibres they use. I will definitely be using a few more of their products after this, so keep your eyes peeled for a full post.

That is a whole lot of newness in one go but  it has really inspired me to keep mixing up that routine, there are lots of new releases on the go that are now firmly on my list but it also reminded me to shop my own collection and get out some old classics too which I will be sharing very soon!

Benefit They're Real New Launches

So I may have taken a BIT of an extended Christmas break this year..... but instead of beating myself for not getting sorted sooner, I am going to just get on with posting and get stuck back in. Last year was absolutely the toughest I have gone through for a long time, and selling a flat, buying a house and renovating it certainly took its toll. By the time January came round I was fully done, and just needed some quiet time and I am so glad I did.

I am only just getting back to catching up on events, new openings and product launches now and it feels good to be back in the game and what better way to kick off than a bit of Benefit. You know by know a few of their products are my absolute daily staples ( namely brows and mascara) but I am always keen to see what new creative things they have come up with, they are always on the ball with new releases.

 I went along for a brow wax  in the super amazing pink Brow Mobile, right in the middle of Buchanan Street, who knew you could fit 2 people getting their brows done in the back of a car!?

I managed to get a good look at the new additions to the They’re Real family while in there including a range of new shadow duo and lip colours. Sticking to the They’re Real formula, they promise to be pigmented and long lasting- something I have not been let down on by Benefit. They’re Real mascara and liners are some of my most used items in my collection so I had hopes for these.

On first look when I saw pictures of the Duo Shadow Blender I have to be honest and say I felt sceptical, for the shadows I am not a fan of a little sponge brush and I was sure there was no way it could possibly apply to the lid in nice defined different colours but seeing them in the flesh I realised it was actually super nifty. I gave a beautiful bronze combo a go and was delighted to be proven wrong. I actually gave it the first go while sitting at my desk on my lunch, I figured if it was going to work i should be able to give it  a couple of swipes and be good to go and it actually worked!!I still cant quite work out how they have managed to get that sponge the absolute perfect shape but I had eyes that looked like I had put far more effort into them than I had. When I use it at home I usually give a quick blend with an eye shadow brush after but really there is no actual need, the system works as it is. I have my eye on a couple of other shade colour ways, can't wait to  try more!

The beauty of Double the Lip is the custom teardrop tip which is a liner and lipstick in one. Now I had visions of a bit of a 90's brown lip line with nude lipstick, but when I saw the Benebabes rocking a variety of the colours I was so impressed, their lips looked so FULL! I was desperate to give it a go and picked up criminally coral and I have to admit the first couple of uses I found the top lip easier to apply than the bottom lip, but once I got the hang of it, it was worth it. The colours on offer are just gorgeous and the extra definition the bullet gives the lip makes a difference, I think it was one you need to give a couple of go's to get it just right but the pay off is worth it.

These new products are well worth heading in store to check out in the flesh to see them work their magic, I delighted at just how handy they are.

Benefit Brow Range

Brows are such a hot topic for me, after teenage years with trichotillomania and therefore never having any proper eyebrows, what I do have there now is precious and only the best products will do. I have tried so many in the past, gels, pencils, powders, you name it- I have tried it. I thought I had fully settled on the perfect gel for me in the popular but a pain in the bum to get hold of, Anastasia brow pomade but then Benefit go and change the game completely with a whole new range of brow products that are absolutely fantastic.

I was blown away by just how many brow products they could have, and so prettily presented too. I should have known though as they never disappoint on that front! The product in particular that I was absolutely bursting to try was the new Ka Brow, a sleekly packaged brow cream with an incredibly handy brush hidden in the lid. Finally someone had paid attention to how annoying it is to carry a separate little angled brush!! When I headed into my local boutique to check it all out I was super impressed with the colour range on offer, the issue I have had with various gels and creams is that I cannot find an ideal match with many having too much red or being to dark but I was over the moon to find a match in the range. I was super excited to apply the next morning and see how it would compare in terms of application and longevity which is so important when you are paranoid about your brows! I needn’t have worried however as with pretty much all Benefit products I use daily, the quality and care that goes into creating them is top notch. This cream really did apply so incredibly quickly I was blown away, the brush does the job wonderfully ( was so worried it might let it down) the colour pay off is good and best of all it lasts through a hot sweaty day including the gym- HURRAH! Best of all it feels so much more compact for lugging around in my bag and I never have to worry about remembering a brush again!! This little has not left my side since I got it and I have been raving about it to pretty much every other girl in the gym changing room :)

The other new product that really piqued my interest is the Brow Definer that looked like a very promising dupe for the popular Anastasia Brow Whizz. There are two new pencils in the line up and this one is the more precision tip that is ideal for creating small, natural feather like strokes on the brow which is what I needed with mine being quite spares.For those blessed with a fuller brow the Goof Proof pencil is worth checking out for evening them up as it has a thicker nib but for me this one is a real winner as it applies great to areas with no brow. The formula goes on really smoothly and is easy to create a lovely natural looking effect that doesn’t budge, again the colour match is spot on and there is a shade for pretty much everyone. If you have ever wanted to try out the Whizz I highly recommend checking this out instead.

Lastly I got myself Brow Zings….I know, I know, as a brows fan I must have tried this before? I never have done!! It is recommended to me allllll the time and I can see why. For this one I had to get a colour a shade darker ( glad I checked!) but it is a super handy compact for taking with me as I go, plus I use it as liner too. This is an amazing little kit for getting for someone starting out with brows, i can't believe I didn't get it sooner. The powder really helps create a lovely thick statement brow or just for evening out patches for a more natural and subtle effect.

Here is me after a super super quick application of my the Ka Brow cream, I adore the colour and I just cannot get over how quick this has made the process for me. It has given my brows a much more natural appearance than my previous products and the products all last so much better too. A resounding success!

Glasgow Reviewed; My first ever Spray Tan with Benefit

Even though I have such a passion for all things beauty related I have never actually tried a spray tan before, I think the now famous Ross from Friends scene must have scarred me growing up and I have just always had this worry that I would end up AN 8!

Panicking post spray about how dark I was turning...

When Benefit moved their boutique into the larger area in House of Fraser and they had the space to offer both waxing and tanning, I knew at some point I would get over my fear and let them take me through it. So with my upcoming holiday being around the corner, I decided it was the perfect time to get a bit of a holiday glow with a tan the day before my flight and I headed in for the Benebabes to show me the ropes.  They use Vita Liberata  for the spray which i have heard Tan fans absolutely rave about thanks to its really natural colour and even though I maybe went a little darker than I needed I have to totally agree with how natural a look it gives.

Turning super dark the night before then healthy glow the next morning 

Being my first go, I did feel a little silly standing in my glamorous paper pants but i was totally put at ease in the room and talked through all the positions to move into in order for a really even and quick application. Apart from being slightly cool ( quite refreshing though) it was all over really quickly and before I knew it I was a fairly deep brown shade all over! A bit of a discussion with the Benebabes before I went in and they felt the medium was the colour for me and I actually got a shock at how dark it was. Perhaps the light might have been better for my first time, although the gang described it as more a glow and not too much colour so this seemed the better idea- I think I just wasn't ready for how dark the application colour of the medium would actually be!

Ready for my flight with my new lovely colour

I had time to let it dry a little bit, which it does super quickly before pulling on my loose clothes to head home where I got the teasing of a lifetime from Ally and my neighbour and I had to laugh along as I felt so funny with it on! I needn't have worried however as come morning, and with really minimal transfer on anything, I had the nicest tan that was super close to what i would usually come home with after a couple of weeks in the sun! It was really nice to jet off with an already lovely colour and it actually made me fuss less about trying to 'get a tan' while I was away which can only be good for my skin. Over the days it blended in nicely with any colour I was picking up and didn't start to go patchy as it went away which was amazing. 

My faux glow next to Ally's pasty arms on the flight

I really enjoyed my first spray tan and It was great to be in the teams capable hands. I would definitely  do it again for holidays or special occasions as I definitely prefer myself with a bit of healthy colour and it is so easy and safe this way. With prices from £20 you just can't go wrong.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

Benefit sure know how to launch a new product and their new mascara, Roller Lash, is no exception. On a freezing January night they rolled (groan!) into town in the most spectacular Benebus possible to invite us on board to learn more about their latest product. Opening the door I was met with the coolest space on wheels that I would quite happily move right into on a permanent basis, Benebabes were on hand to dish out the tips, mini cupcakes and fizz scattered about and some of the coolest quirky decor I have ever seen ( hairdryer lights= genius!) Add in a host of excited press and bloggers all sitting playing with the new Roller Lash mascara and you have a bit of a dream evening!

Alongside foundation, mascara is my favourite beauty product and the one that is most likely to get me in a frenzy and buying a new one regardless of how many I own. I am super fussy when it comes to the brush, the consistency, the performance and the longevity of my mascaras so I was more than ready to give this bad boy a whirl seeing as their last mascara, They're Real was a big hit in my books. Roller Lash is billed as the mascara that hooks, lifts and curls the lash much like a  velcro roller would in your hair. the innovative brush grabs and separates the lash thanks to these  tiny like hooks which is amazing for me as separating the lashes is one of the big things I look for, I HATE spidery lashes! This is a nifty bit of design and it took 4 different attempts to get this new brush just right and you can see all that work in the finished product.

So how did it perform? I am on the fence in some areas but then I was the same with They're Real initially and after a couple of weeks it became my absolute go to mascara! I do love that it is super black  in colour and the excellent separation it gives my lashes, it hasn't smudged or flaked on me, is long lasting and is still easy to remove which is also good. In fact reading that list of positives makes me realise just how demanding I am being here as it pretty damn good! It just doesn't quite give me the full va va voom I was hoping for and I definitely don't get much of the promised curl from it- I definitely wont be giving up my precious Shu's just yet! I find it doesn't quite give me as full a looking set of lashes as other mascaras can but I am still persevering as I think my application technique needs work.

For an innovative mascara with a nourishing formula this is well worth checking out- I think I just need a little more time with it to be won over completely. It has a lot of positives working for it and the fact it is just so damn good looking always wins points me with me!

The new Roller Lash launches in March at £19.50 but if you are lucky and manage to pick up a copy of the March edition of Elle you will find a tester with it- perfect for giving it a go before going full size.

Beauty Blogger Sleepover

Being a blogger has provided me with some amazing opportunities over the years from fabulous parties to trying amazing products but the best part has to have been getting to know other bloggers along the way. The number of us here in Scotland has grown massively through those years and I have met some absolute beauties in that time, so the chance to have an old school sleep over with some of them was amazing. The lovely Laura from A life with frills was super smart and organised a fabulous night in for us at the Fraser Suites in Glasgow with a host of companies taking part to make it a night to remember.

I have used these suites a few times in the past to accommodate both work colleagues and also my own family as I love that the rooms are not just beautifully put together but incredibly practical too with their own little kitchens to allow you a little bit of home whilst staying right in the city centre. They were the perfect spot to host a gaggle of excited bloggers indulging in a little bit of pampering and a big bit of snacking :)

We were treated to some amazing snacks from Dominos ( including some bloody gorgeous macaroni cheese bites that I am still burning off), nifty little cake pops from Cake-Cetera and a really beautiful berry cake from Whole Foods in Giffnock to top it off. We washed it down with an amazing punch laura made and some Fentimans botanical flavours- whilst gabbing away about all things beauty and blogging ( and possibly tearing up at numerous christmas tv adverts too....!)

 Fit to burst in my pj's we were lucky enough to have some of the fab Glasgow Benebabes with us to sort out our brows and soothe our skin. I have met the amazing Heiman before and she is a real waxing pro and sorted my messy brows right out with the signature benefit brow mapping, and then the super lovely Lynne treated me too a relaxing facial which ended up with a surprise sneak peak at a brand new Benefit product not out until next year! Puff Off! is an eye gel that can be used under OR over makeup to help fill in fine lines and of course de puff the area- it even has a little iron as an applicator- how cute is that!? It is going to be the niftiest addition to your make up bag come January.

We were delighted to be given a Shearers candle to take away with us which was amazing considering the rooms had all been scented with them which created such a lovely atmosphere. I love a good candle and the burn time on these beauties are seriously impressive.

Thanks so much to Laura and the rest of the gals for a really unique event that going into the mad party season was just what I was needing.

Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner

I absolutely love a strong cat-eye eyeliner look but usually shy away from a full black one unless it is going over some dark eye shadow, as I always feel I can't get it quite neat and even enough to wear it confidently. When I am giving it a go I prefer to use a gel/cream formula as I find the idea of using a brush less scary than jumping right in with a pen or liquid, which I usually end up getting everywhere and ruining my makeup. This is not the quickest or more travel friendly option however, so I was really intrigued when I first heard of Benefits latest innovative release- the They're Real Push-up Liner (£18.50). As a big fan of the mascara already, I had high hopes this liner might just be the one for me- allowing the precision of gel but with quicker, portable application and that is certainly what they have created. It has taken 5 years and 70 different versions to get this bad boy just how they wanted it, and that amount of work and dedication really shows in the final product.

Sporting a fancy 'accuflex tip' ( read angled rubbery nib) that basically lets you get right into the lash line, and a matte black gel formula that seriously does not go anywhere,this liner is definitely one for the liner phobes and liner fanatics alike. It took me a couple of goes to get the application just right but now that I have I am totally in love. There is a little cap you pop off to stop any product drying out and then I like to twist a little up and dab lightly on the back of my hand to ensure I have just enough product to go on. I find the soft angled tip is JUST the right size for almost stamping the lusted-after flick on and then you can draw the joining line on. It has a wide base which makes it really easy to grip and create a nice stable line and without a doubt it is the first liner I have ever managed to achieve a more natural think line with, no doubt thanks to how well it grips the lashes and lets you apply it really close.  It does dry really quickly so you have to work fast which is why it took me a couple of go's to master it fully as at first I was taking small tentative moves with it which wasn't a smooth end result but I have definitely built confidence with the whole winged look since using this.

First go- couple of spots where colour is not as even as it could be- but happy with the flicks!

Second attempt- not bad at all!

 I love the matte finish and the waterproof formula, it is a total godsend for warm summers and wild weddings- it does not come off for pretty much love nor money! Now this getting it off part is definitely tricky but Benefit have actually released a new They're Real Remover (£14.50) in response to customer demand for help in getting the mascara off and this stuff is a total god send. you only need to massage a tiny amount on to the eyes to help dissolve both the liner and mascara, remove and you are good to go! I know its not totally ideal you would need to be buying the remover in addition to the liner but it is really worth the extra cash for such a slick,waterproof liner that you can still remove nice and quick ( and it doesn't sting the eyes- Hurrah!)

 I am really impressed with this new product, I love that I can get a lot more precision along the lash line with it- I always hated that when I gave eyeliner a go that I had to do big huge lines just to cover all my mistakes and get around my lashes, but that is now actually a choice! I just need to persuade the lovely Benefit bods to create it in a nice rich brown (always warms my skin tone up a bit) and I will be a happy bunny. For anyone who has always lusted after the elusive cat eye or just shies away from liner generally this is just the right tool to build your confidence with and for any liner fanatics looking for a strong, matte stay-put formula, well your prayers have been answered! I wasn't sure if it was just blogger hype but happy to say this really does make eyeliner #criminallyeasy

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Glasgow Reviewed; The new Benefit boutique

party time!

I absolutely love talking beauty and skincare and everything in between with anyone who will listen. Even better than that though is talking about it with someone as interested and passionate about it all as I am, and that is just what I found at the launch of the new Benefit boutique in House of Fraser Glasgow. Obviously at a beauty blogger event you would expect me to be in this situation but it was actually the staff members I was caught up talking to on this occasion. I had a million and one questions ( no seriously, I was relentless) about the fact they now have private rooms for waxing and spray tans and I was just blown away with the level of care and attention they are offering in their new home. Alongside their famous brow wax and tints (absolutely no-one can give me an arch as good!) you can now choose from a whole host of treatments just like you would at any salon and for absolutely fantastic prices too considering the level of service they are offering.

I love that the private rooms they now have means if you are a little shy about having a facial area waxed or shaped you can now opt to sneak away from the shop floor, or if it is your first time and are a bit nervous there is somewhere you can go and relax while having it done. The staff are so well informed on the techniques and products they are using and have really listened to customers and what they want- making sure the experience is absolutely flawless for every customer no matter what treatment they are going for. I was bowled over with the prices too, for instance a Brazilian wax is only £26 for hot wax or just £20 with strip wax which is a huge markdown on many places I have been, the Vita Libera spray tans they offer in a range of shades are only £20 and on top they offer a fab loyalty card service which gains you bonus treatments along the way!  Having staff as interested in the customer experience really made me think about how many places I have visited where this is just not the case and how sad that seems on reflection. I can’t say I have ever really been ‘excited’ about getting a wax but with that staff passion combined with the lovely retro-feel surroundings they have created,  I actually can’t wait to give these services a whirl!

amazing loyalty card freebies 

Benefits new boutique in House of Fraser means they have really been able to spread their wings on what they can offer. This space, that is of course still jam packed with all their amazing products, goes much further than the make-up which is something I love and was super impressed with. Of course if it is their make up that is your favourite thing then they having something for you in their new boutique too. You can book in to their adorable VIP section for only £12 which gives you a full make up lesson, mini bottle of Moet AND a Benefit product to take home, I think this is such a fab idea and perfect for a pre-party pamper or even teen girls who are new to the whole thing.

If you are in Glasgow I cannot recommend going and checking their new home out and having a peruse of all that they offer, the Benebabes there are so lovely and welcoming, you will feel right at home! 

mid wax me!

 fresh brow wax and tint!

If you get in quick and book any of their services like a £12 brow wax before the 4th of December, you get ANY body service free which is such an amazing offer just in time for the Christmas party season!