High Street v High End: Eyeliner

Following on from last month's mascara comparison (here) I thought it would make sense to move on to eyeliner. These are both slim pen liquid liners with the aim of getting an accurate fine line. An easy to use eyeliner is super important for me because I only wear it on special occasions so I'm not the best at applying it!

High Street: L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Perfect Slim - RRP £6.99

As you can see the point on this liner is really tiny so it's easy to get a really thin line, which I love, however it's quite flexible, which I find makes it a bit more fiddly to apply. I love that this can be used for a more subtle eyeliner look, but I get quite watery eyes when it's windy (which it was when I wore this) and it streaked down my face...not a great look! When my eyes don't water it does stay put all day, but I can't imagine it'd be that safe to wear in the rain either!

High End: Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner - RRP £12.00

I got this free with a magazine a while ago and it has been my go to eyeliner ever since due to it being so easy to apply and I love how thin you can get the line! This ticks all the boxes for me really - as I've said it's easy to apply plus it stays put all day and can be used for a super thin line or built up for a more dramatic look if desired. 

Winner - Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner. This was quite a tough choice as I think I prefer how the L'Oreal liner looks on my eyes, but the practicality of being able to apply the Eyeko one so easily and know it's going to stay put won me over!

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

Amy x

Easy Spring Nail Art

If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know I love a good excuse for a bit of nail art! So without further ado here are some designs I've been experimenting with while I've been getting into the spirit of Spring!

This is simple but effective with just one accent nail. Colour is Technic in Sea Foam and for the rose I used Rio nail art pens in Red and Green. You can't actually see the rose very well in this picture, but I kind of drew little curves starting from the middle until it looked vaguely like a rose!

I think this is my favourite! The red is Technic in Fire Engine Red. I drew the leaves with a Rio nail art pen in Green and the seeds with a Rio nail art pen in Black. A lot more simple than it looks!

You can use a variety of colours for the base of this one but I chose Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Huckleberry because it just screams spring. If you're great at nail art you could attempt more sophisticated flowers, but I kept mine simple by dotting the middle with a Rio nail art pen in Yellow and dotting the petals with a Rio nail art pen in White. 

I think I would like this one more if the wings I drew for my bee didn't look so weird! I maybe need a bit more practice with this one...but the base is Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Coconut and I drew the bee with Rio nail art pens in Yellow and Black. 

Have you tried any nail art this spring? Let me know if you try any of these! Which is your favourite?

Amy x

Hints of Leopard Print

I never used to wear leopard print. I was scared of it, thought it was tacky and if you told me that one day I would be sporting it I would have laughed in your face.

I'm still not a fan of a huge amount of leopard print, especially not on myself, but I've grown to love just a little hint of it here and there and when it's subtle it can actually look pretty good!

I'm definitely late to the animal print party, but I've loved doing this design on my nails for a while now and recently found these gorgeous shoes (which are also super comfortable) in TK Maxx. I've been wearing this with all black or grey to let the print speak for itself!

Shoes: Hoxton Chic at TK Maxx (not online)

Dress (OK I'll admit it's actually a long T-shirt): H&M (here)
Necklace: Primark

Nails: Technic Nail Polish in 24ct, Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Mocha and Rio Nail Art Pen in Black. 

What do you think of leopard print?

Amy x

Everyday Make-Up

I don't wear a huge amount of make up everyday - I prefer to go for a more natural look for everyday so that when I'm going out or doing something a bit more special than just going to work or the supermarket I look a bit nicer. These are the products I've been turning to recently!

Base

Base is easily my favourite part of my routine (is that really boring?!). I've recently ditched full coverage foundations for a lighter spring look with the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Ivory, which I mix with Maybelline's Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser and apply using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I've been using the Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer in Light to cover any blemishes which does such a good job. To set all this I use Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder in Peach Glow using an Autograph Powder Brush.

Cheeks

I used to be a bit scared of bronzer as I'm so pale, but recently I've been doing a really subtle contour with the Bourjois Bronzing Powder  in 51 and the Makeup Revolution Contour Brush. I love highlighter and Benefit's High Beam is so easy to apply and just looks lovely. For blush I've been using the Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush in Rose D'or and applying with a Body Shop Blush Brush. 

Eyes

I go pretty subtle on eyes for everyday. Starting with brows I use the Rimmel Brow This Way Sculpting Kit (full review here). For my eyes I've been turning to the Makeup Revolution Essential Mattes 2 Palette and I tend to just apply one of the five lightest shades all over my lid for everyday using the Autograph Eyeshadow Brush. Along with probably every other blogger I've been using Benefit's Roller Lash, which I got free with Elle Magazine and am very tempted to replace with the full sized version once it's all gone!

Lips

I've included three products here because for colour I've been turning to either Benefit's Dandelion Lip Gloss or Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Watermelon. These are both subtle pink shades great for everyday wear. To keep my lips hydrated throughout the day I've been using the Burt's Bees Lip Balm in Replenishing Pomegranate. 

The result

And that's it! Do you use any of these products? Leave me a link to your everyday makeup routine in the comments below!

Amy x

My 95p Skincare Saviour

Since Christmas my skin has been on a bit of a bender. However healthy I ate, however much I cleansed and exfoliated, however much water I drank, it just didn't seem to be working. Then I discovered this gem... the Skin Therapy Overnight Calming Blemish Serum. I was originally in search of the Witch Overnight Clearing Serum, but couldn't find it anywhere in Hull and whilst searching Wilkinsons for it in a last ditch attempt I stumbled upon their own skincare range and this serum leapt out at me.

The description says: Our tea tree overnight calming blemish serum has been developed to help prevent breakouts and reduce redness. This formula helps to leave you with a blemish free complexion and visibly clearer skin.

It does say to apply all over the face and neck, but as I have combination skin (oily t-zone, but dry cheeks) I only apply to my forehead and chin. I apply quite a thick layer of this before bed and you can feel it begin to tighten and dry up oil and breakouts. For this reason I wouldn't recommend this to people with dry skin as it is quite drying, but for me it's been perfect. I wish I'd done a 'before' photo so I could show you the difference it's made - my breakouts have pretty much cleared up and when I do get the odd spot it clears up so much quicker when I apply this. The best part? It costs 95p! Definite win and I will be repurchasing this product.

Have you tried any Skin Therapy products before?

Amy x

10 Things I Love About My Mum

In light of it being Mothers Day tomorrow here are 10 things I love about my Mum (I love more than 10 things about her obviously even if she did let me walk around in those odd sunglasses, but I wouldn't want to bore you!):

1 - She is the most caring and genuinely kind natured person I know.

2 - She can solve any problem. Is this a general mum thing? If it is I'm not sure I'd make a very good mum! She literally always has the answer and knows how to fix everything!

3 - She's taught me to be strong. She is the definition of someone who just gets on with things.

4 - I can talk to her in exactly the same way I would my friends.

5 - She puts everyone else before herself, which makes it even nicer when I can treat her on Mother's Day because she hardly ever treats herself!

6 - Her cooking. I swear everyone says their mum is the best cook, but mine really is.

7 - The way that she's brought up my sister and I to feel totally equal even though we have completely different needs. Sometimes people will ask me if I ever felt left out or overlooked as a child because of my sister's needs and the answer is 100% no. (I guess my dad gets some credit for this one too!)

8 - She's so thoughtful. This year she had the idea that we should arrange a day out together each month, which is lovely.

9 - She always cares what I have to say, even if I am talking utter rubbish!

10 - She is beautiful, inside and out. End of.

Amy x

Spring Print

Hurry up spring so I can wear this dress without being freezing! As you can see it's still rather grey up North, but I couldn't resist this dress I spotted in New Look. It's the first spring piece in my wardrobe and I can't wait until I can wear it properly!

Wearing: Dress New Look 

Cardigan H&M (old)

Boots Topshop (old)

Amy x

Makeup Revolution Haul

I'm about to say something that might shock you - I've never tried Makeup Revolution until now. I don't know why, as I've heard so many good things about their products and they're so affordable. So I leapt at their recent Valentine's Day offer which included 6 free lipsticks with any spend over £20! Here's what I bought:

Essential Mattes 2 Palette

I've heard such good things about the Makeup Revolution palettes and I was tempted by some of the more colourful ones, but I'm a neutral girl really so I know I'll get so much use out of this. Some of the lighter colours don't really show up in the swatches, but that's the type of subtle eyeshadow I love the most!

Vivid Baked Highlighter - Golden Lights

This is sooooo pretty. I'm a bit obsessed with highlighters at the moment because I'm craving a spring glow, but I don't actually have a powder highlighter so I thought I would add this one to my collection!

Pro Fix Makeup Fixing Spray

I don't ever reapply makeup during the day because I don't usually have time and I forget until I look in a mirror and think 'ewww'. I've tried this out a couple of times now and I'm pretty happy with the result - my makeup has definitely stayed in place for longer.

Ultra All Day Prime and Anti-Shine Balm

I'm a bit of a primer obsessive and I especially like ones that you can wear on their own on a good skin day. When I saw this online it reminded me a bit of Benefit's Dr Feelgood so hopefully I've got a bit of a dupe on my hands...

Pro F102 Concealer Brush and Pro F105 Contour Brush

I'm trying to broaden my brush collection at the moment as I use my fingers to apply make up quite often, but find that my base looks more flawless when applied with brushes. These are two I thought would be good to add to my collection.

Now onto the free gift! This was 6 of the I Heart Makeup lipsticks, which I've swatched below. The colours look a lot nicer on lips than they do in the tube as they don't come out as bright as they look. The pinks will be lovely to see me into spring.

From left to right: Irregular Heartbeat, Racing Heart, Heart is Pumping, Beating Heart, Heart Attack, Rising Pulse.

I also got sent a free sample of the I Heart Makeup Wow Lipgloss in Watch Out World. I love the colour of this, it's quite bright, but can be toned down or built up into a bright colour depending on what you're feeling! 

Have you tried any of these products? What would you recommend from Makeup Revolution?

Amy x

Thought of the month: March

Just say no

How many times have you gone out with friends when really you'd rather have stayed home? How many times have you agreed to do something at work that you really didn't want to? How many things can you count that you only do because you feel obligated?

I've recently learned to say no...and shockingly, the world doesn't end when I do. Nobody hates me for saying no, I haven't lost out on any opportunities at work and I sure feel a lot happier.

For years I've been a 'yes' girl. Yes to every single outing my friends are going on because I didn't want to miss out, even if I couldn't really afford to or was super tired. Yes to absolutely everything work-wise because I was desperate to be hired permanently and wanted to earn as much money as I could. Yes to so many things that I didn't want to do. I think a phobia of saying no is something a lot of people can relate to.

I'm not saying you should be completely selfish and only please yourself, but trying to do everything and please everyone is exhausting, which is really not good for you. So once in a while, say no. If you'd rather stay in on a Saturday night, save a bit of money and have a bit of relaxing 'you time' then do that. If you'd rather not do some overtime at work because you've been there for 10 hours already and don't think you can face anymore, then don't. Saying no is easier than you might think and people understand because sometimes they want to say no too.

I haven't completely changed my ways - I can't stop the stab of guilt I feel when I tell a friend I'm not going out and I still do most of the overtime I'm offered at work. But because I bit the bullet and said no a couple of times, it now feels like I have the option instead of feeling obligated.

It's all about finding a happy medium and I think I'm well on my way to finding mine. I hope you manage to find yours too whether you're a 'yes' girl like I was or whether you actually need to say yes more often.

Is a fear of saying no something you can relate to?

Amy x