Models Own Utopia and Jack Frost

(L-R) Utopia, Jack Frost - please excuse my horrible ridgey nails!

These two are the first Model's Own nail polishes I have bought, I'm not sure why as I am pretty obsessed with nail polish and at £5 a bottle they are a bargain. 

I have heard a lot from other bloggers about Utopia and when I saw it in Boots I knew I had to have it, it is a beautiful neutral colour with a hint of lilac, I have worn it constantly since I bought it and have had lots of nice comments from people when I wear it. Utopia needed 2 coats but I think that is pretty standard for a nail polish this colour.

Jack Frost is such a pretty glitter nail polish, I LOVE it, the glitter is really fine and iridescent so it blends in with your base nail polish colour really well, it is quite subtle for a glitter polish but is really beautiful. I think that Utopia and Jack Frost really compliment each other well, I can't wait to try Jack Frost with different base colours. 

The nail polishes lasted okish on my nails, about 2 days max without chips although when you add the glitter top coat it does give the polish extra staying power. I am impressed with the colours and will definitely be trying out more Models Own polishes.

Elaine

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner Review

I recently went and had my makeup done at a Bobbi Brown counter with Rachel, just for fun... as you do, the assistant was really lovely and suggested a classic Bobbi Brown eye liner look, I always wear eyeliner so was skeptical how it would look different, but she used a gel eyeliner in Espresso Ink, she commented that as I have quite dark eyes I can use a brown eyeliner and still have the intensity black would give. I loved this look straightaway as it was something different to my usual thin black eyeliner, I couldn't quite afford Bobbi Brown so I went on a hunt for a high street alternative...

And found Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner, I know this has been around for a long time but Maybelline is a brand that I'm not usually drawn to and I'm not really sure why, so I was surprised when I tested this that it was a perfect match for Bobbi Brown's Espresso gel liner. This gel liner is only £7.99 compared to £17, you can find Maybelline's liner here.

The colour is a really rich pigmented brown, some other high street brown eyeliners seemed really flat and the colour seemed a bit hint of beige, whereas this eyeliner has a bit more intensity to it. I found this liner a joy to use, the gel liner is soft and easy to apply, the colour is pigmented you only need one stroke to get a great line and colour, and once it has dried it really does last all day without smudging even near my inner eye.

There is a brush that comes with the eyeliner but I found it was quite hard and a bit scratchy, so I bought an eyeliner brush from Eco Tools for only £5.49,  Rachel swears by this brush for her gel liner and I have found that it is much softer and easier to use than the brush provided. 

I really like this eyeliner and would definitely repurchase, it has inspired me to experiment a bit more with coloured eyeliner and to not always play it safe with black. I'm excited to try the new shades that are being released in December, you can see swatches here at British Beauty Blogger.

Elaine

My Christmas Wish List

I love reading other bloggers posts about their favourite products and their wish lists, as it's getting close to my favourite time of year and all the Christmas adverts are making me feel very festive I thought I would do my own Christmas wish list, these are some of the things I would love to try, and this post can give my boyfriend and family some ideas for Christmas (*cough*...  Rachel).

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

Liz Earle Eye Bright Soothing Eye Lotion

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic

Topshop Crescent Moon Highlighter

Topshop Colour Block Lady Cross Body Bag (What a name!!) 

I will do a post soon about the presents I have bought people or ideas I have, I love buying Christmas presents for my family and friends! Wrapping Christmas presents while watching ELF, Santa Claus the Movie and Love Actually is my favourite thing to do at Christmas!!

Elaine

Free Nails Inc with Glamour Magazine

Glamour are offering a free 10 ml Nails Inc varnish with their December issue (which is out now), there are 4 colours to choose from, as the magazine is only £2 it is very tempting to buy all 4...

The four colours to choose from are Glamour Glitter - a sparse gold glitter, St James - vibrant red, Motcomb Street - navy/black and Elizabeth Street - light pink.

I bought the magazines with Glamour Glitter and Motcomb Street, I will get a NOTD post done soon but if you can't wait Glitter Tips has done a great post with all 4 of the nail varnishes, which you can find here.

 I did have to go to quite a few shops to get the glitter varnish so if that's the one you want I would be quick!

Elaine

Customised Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

As a pale skin lady I really find it difficult to find anything to match my skin tone, I have quite pinky skin so sometimes foundation/concealer whites out my skin too much and I look a little strange.

 So when I went to buy the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer I automatically went for the fair shade as the light was a bit too dark, but I was never quite convinced as it was that bit too pale for my skin tone and it put me off using it, I would always look at other blog enviously when they raved about this concealer.

That was until I mixed the fair and light shades...

(Bottom - Top) Fair, Light, Customised

The difference between the Fair and Light shades is quite big, something so simple as mixing the two shades has created the perfect shade for my skin tone.

Although buying two concealers at £4.19 each might seem a bit expensive, but the quality of the concealer is worth it, and you can change the colour of your concealer as your skin tone changes and it will last twice as long... 

Elaine