NOTD Rimmel Salon Pro ~ Rhythm & Blues

 

 

 

 

I have to be honest here & say that when I went to the shops the other day, I was on the hunt for After School Boy Blazer by Essie but it's still sold out everywhere so when I spotted this navy blue polish by Rimmel, I though I'd give it a shot instead!

 

I'm a huge fan of the regular Rimmel polishes but this is the first one I've tried of the Salon Pro range.  I love the colour although it's not as blue as I'd like, it looks more like a black with a slight blueish tinge to it to me!  Both of my daughters asked why I'd painted my nails black.....

 

I don't think the longevity is great, I started getting some serious wear on the tips just the following day, not at all great.  To be honest, I find the regular Rimmel polishes wear much better.

 

Although I thought the brush was just the right size & firmness, I hated the short stumpy lid, I found it really difficult to hold & control.  The first coat was really streaky but it covered perfectly in 2 coats & as always, I finished it off with Seche Vite top coat.

 

So, I don't hate it........but I don't love it either & I wouldn't rush to buy another from the Salon Pro range.  I think I'll stick to the regular ones!

 

 

 



Collection Eyeshadow Stick ~ Hot Chocolate 4

 

I very rarely wear eye makeup on a daily basis (excluding mascara, natch!!) as I'm usually just on school run & PTA duties but as autumn approaches, I do like a bit of a smoky eye thing going on!  I picked up this Collection Eyeshadow Pencil in Hot Chocolate 4 in Boots a couple of weeks ago when it was on offer for about £3 I think (sorry, can't remember for sure)

 

 

 

 

 

This is a gorgeous eyeshadow pencil in a slighty shimmery, dirty brown colour that is so wearable & creates a gorgeous nude eye base.  As you can see by the label, it's both waterproof & long-lasting, which I totally agree with.  However, the "blendable" part...not so much!  Don't get me wrong, this shadow has some serious staying power - I wore it for approximately 9 hours & it didn't crease, flake or disappear until I removed it but because of this, I found it impossible to blend as you'll see on the next photos.

 

 

 

 

The photo on the left is just your usual colour swatch.  The photo on the right is after I tried to blend it, approximately 30 seconds later!!  So whilst this product is excellent for it's longevity, it's nigh on impossible to blend so make sure you apply it exactly where you want it!!

 

Would I buy it again though?  Absolutely, even if only for it's amazing staying-power!

 

 

 

 

 

 

September book club review

 

 

 

 

Our book club choice for September was The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.

 

This book follows the story of village boy Balram Halwai & his attempts to free himself of India's class struggles.  It details his journey to Delhi to become a chauffeur for a rich landlord & then onto Bangalore when his life takes a drastic turn.

 

The story is told in a darkly humorous way & it examines issues such as poverty, caste, loyalty, religion & corruption in India & I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The novel made the New York Times bestseller list as well as winning the Man Booker Prize & according to the author, he wanted to capture the unspoken voice of the people from The Darkness - the impoverished areas of rural India.

 

I'm afraid there's no review for August book club because I never got around to reading it with going away & then having family here.  I will read it at some point (it was A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens) but I'm still working my way through a ginormous stack of books at the minute!

 

 

 



NOTD Barry M ~ Vivid Purple

 

 

 

 

As much as I've loved wearing the neons & brights on my nails all summer, somewhere deep down inside of me I'm yelping with happiness that autumn is arriving & the darker, more vampy nail colours are back!!

 

I have another Barry M gem to show you today that I picked up the other day & first off, can I apologise for the photos because they just do not do this stunning colour justice!  I tried to take photos in so many different places with different lights but nothing could show off its true beauty......you'll just have to take my word for it!

 

Vivid Purple is a gorgeous jewel-like shimmer polish & I'm totally in love with it!!  It's just perfect for winter parties.....or just for everyday if you're like me & love a fab, dark nail.  It's a little streaky with just one coat but these photos are with 2 coats & Seche Vite top coat & I just love it!

 

 

 

 

 

What's your favourite nail colour at the minute?

 

 

 

 

 

 



Almost empties ~ August

 

 

 

 

So I'm showing you my August almost empties as I can't bear hanging on to empty bottles, canisters, containers etc. but they'll all be finished by the end of the week!

 

 

 

 

Mitchum Advanced Control Anti-perspirant £2.99

A new anti-p I bought thinking (hoping rather!) that it would be extra strength to cope with an all-day wedding I was at a few weeks ago but I wasn't overly impressed.

Repurchase? - No.

 

L'Oréal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution £4.99

This is the second brand of micellar water that I've tried & although I think it's ok, it's just ok.  My skin can sometimes feel a bit tight after using.

Repurchase? - Doubtful.  I think I'll revert to using the B Pure micellar water which I loved!

 

 

 

 

Avène redness relief soothing repair mask* £15.00

This mask was one of the products I was sent to trial & review for The Beauty Bible so I'm not going to go into great detail but I will do a post when the book is published.  However, I will say that if you suffer from redness on your skin, this mask is just amazing & I thoroughly recommend it - it actually does what it says it will!

Repurchase? - Have done already

 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum £10.99

I love, love, love this blogger favourite, I can't recommend it enough!  It somehow offers a semi-matte finish whilst still looking dewy & just gives a natural, healthy glow to your skin.  I've suffered no reaction to the fragrance in it, which I though I would to be honest & supposing the formula doesn't change, it will remain a staple in my makeup kit!

Repurchase? - 100% yes!

 

Bourjois BB Bronzer £9.99

I bought this on a whim when it was first released but it's been used pretty much on a daily basis throughout the summer.  My face tanned quite a lot this year so for a lot of the time, I'd just dab a little bit of this around my face & blend it in for a glowing, natural look.  Now my tan is fading but my foundation is still just a tad too light so I just mix in a bit of this BB bronzer until I reach the correct colour & it works a treat!

Repurchase? - Have done already

 

 

 

 

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic mascara £10.99

I can honestly say, this is the best mascara I've ever used - and believe me, I've used a lot of 'em!!  Every time a new mascara is released, I buy it on the off-chance that it'll be better than this one..... but they just never are!!  It lengthens, volumises, is just the right consistency, is blacker than black, never flakes or smudges & removes so easily at the end of the day.  If you've never tried it, go get some, you won't regret it!!

Repurchase? - Have done many, many times!

 

L'Oréal Super Liner Perfect Slim £6.99

Another L'Oréal win in the makeup stakes for me!  I've been a fan of liquid eyeliner & cat-eye flicks since I was 15 (a looooong time ago!) but was never a fan of pen style liners until I got my mitts on this little beauty.  The nib is the perfect size & firmness & lasts all day - or night! - until I remove it.  Love it!

Repurchase? - Yes but am also keen to try the Collection liner that I keep reading about.

 

 

 

 

 

 



NOTD Barry M ~ Blood Orange Gelly

 

 

 

 

I don't have to say again how much of a fan I am of the Barry M Gelly polishes, they're just amazing polishes for a few measly quid!!

 

Like the others I've tried, this bright tomato-red one doesn't disappoint either.  This is photographed with 2 coats although the second coat wasn't at all necessary as it covered totally opaque with just one coat.  I just think it's habit for me!

 

As always, I used my China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat & Seche Vite Top Coat to finish the mani off.  The photo was taken 3 days in with no wear on the tips or any chipping!