FIRST IMPRESSIONS! Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation.

I was lucky enough to receive a free sample (via Latest Free Stuff) of Rimmel's new foundation offering the Fresher Skin Foundation.

My first thought when I saw this was that it reminded me of the Rimmel Cool Matt Mousse that I had once as a teenager and I did wonder if it was just the same thing repackaged. It's been so long since I had that that I don't think I can comment since I can't really remember and decided to just give it a go. 

I applied this with a stippling brush, as this is how I usually apply my foundation and the first thing I noticed is that it has a cooling effect on the skin and that it smells lovely and fresh, like aloe vera. It makes sense since it contains aloe and also contains chamomile, and sea algae. It claims to be light, bulidable and breathable coverage but I'd say it was more of a medium finish, in fact I was quite impressed as it covered up a semi healed break out without me having to use concealer over the top.    

Once applied I felt like it needed time to "set" and I found it to have a slightly powdery finish. It claims to be buildable but for me when I applied another layer it went patchy on the drier parts of my face. I'd avoid this foundation if you have dry skin as I'd say it was geared towards oilier skin types, and it's claims to be shine free and to contain mineral powder to absorb excess oil would support this.   

There's a couple of things I'd like to mention before I finish up, firstly, and don't ask me how but I managed to get a bit of this foundation in my eye and it stung like bitch! Now I know foundation doesn't belong in your eyes but the scent is quite heavy and I was literally crying so if you have sensitive eyes you might want to swerve this one. The second, and equally as dumb thing I managed to do was use too much product and I found it settled into fine lines on my face (yes, I'm getting old now!) but in summary, it's one I would definitely consider picking up especially in the summer months as it feels nice and cool on my face and my skin tends to be oilier when the weather is warmer. 

Find Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation HERE (£5.99 or currently on offer 2 for £10) or in your local high street stores.

Thanks for reading!

Wench x

Loreal False Lash Sculpt Mascara

It's a bold statement to make but I think I may have found my new favourite mascara! (I told you it was bold!) I've been using this for about a month as I like to give mascara a good trial period as I find you need a little practise when you swap to a new brush and formula but I was blown away from the first time. The brush is a really unique looking thing (see photos below) but it combs through lashes so well and gives me great volume, length, and separation. 

My lashes are quite long naturally (no bragging intended!) and I find lots of mascaras make the ends of my lashes stick together and clump up. I also find many mascaras transfer to my brow bone and I end up looking like a panda (my biggest pet peeve!) but I don't get that with this mascara hence why I'm here telling you how awesome it is! 

Get yours HERE or at your local Boots or Superdrug

Thanks for reading,

Wench x

NEW! Benefit Gimme Brow

Benefit are at it again! By that I mean they're giving away samples of their new, revamped, eyebrow range and this time they're giving Glamour (£2) readers a free sample of Benefit Gimme Brow!

If you saw my previous post, you'll know I really enjoyed the Benefit Goof Proof Pencil in a previous magazine freebie but the Benefit Gimme Brow also has its place in my routine for when I've got literally 5 minutes to do something with my brows before my little boy runs off with my make up bag! I would also use both products when I do have time or for a special occasion as I think they work well together for a well groomed look.

Beware! When I first grabbed the magazine I got excited as I saw what the sample was but on closer inspection I realised there were 2 shades, the one I originally picked up was in Shade 1 which is for blonde/fair and the one I actually picked up is Shade 5 which is perfect for my dark hair.

Again for me the only downside is the price, at £18.50 for the full sized product I can't justify spending that much on make up at the moment but if you can, go for it.

Remember where I mentioned a little boy running off with my make up bag? Here he is being my glamorous assistant! Awwww! 

Pick up your copy of Glamour (£2) from your local newsagent

Or get the full sized product (£18.50) HERE

Thanks for reading!

Wench x

NEW! Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil

Eyebrows are big business these days and I definitely think they make a huge difference to your face. I can't believe there was a time I never used to bother! I do have one problem and that is that I'm not that great at doing them. Nor do I have a lot of time to dedicate to doing them. I recently picked up Elle Magazine (£4.10) who are currently offering their readers a sample of the new Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil. The magazine is rubbish (about 90% full page ads!) but the sample is a decent size (0.11g - full size 0.34g) and being a sucker for something new I decided to give it go.

I have to say I was a little skeptical when I first looked at it because I couldn't see how it was different to any regular pencil and how it could be "Goof Proof" but on closer inspection I saw it had a unusual, diamond shape nib (see pic below). The product claims that it "features a custom, non-sharpen “goof-proof” tip, soft colour and a glide-on formula for easy and fast brow filling." I definitely agree with this statement as I filled my eyebrows in for the first time and they looked great! All in about 2 minutes. I've used it a few times now and it's the same result every time and might I add I haven't had them shaped or tinted in a good while either! 

There's a downside though, to go out and buy a full sized, full priced one it's gonna set you back £18.50. I just don't currently have that kind of cash to throw at an eyebrow pencil but hey, if you do go for it!

Available HERE for £18.50

Also "free" sample inside Elle Magazine (£4.10) available in newsagents, supermarkets etc.

Thanks for reading,

Wench x

Primark Haul!

It was my birthday recently and I got a Primark voucher, I've never actually done a haul on here before so I thought I'd show you what I got!

Ripped Skinny Jeans £15

I've wanted some ripped jeans for so long but alas being so small (I'm only 5ft 1.5, the .5 makes all the difference!) and being built like a shetland pony (short and sturdy) makes it difficult for me to buy jeans. Especially skinny ones! I usually can't get my chunky calves into skinny jeans and if I do manage that then they're a mile too long so I was so pleased these fit!

Collared Long-sleeved Tops (pink and grey) £10 each

I liked these so much I ended up with two! I wanted something I can throw on quickly, would look nice like I may have actually made an effort, and be floaty enough so I wouldn't have to worry about the ol' mummy tummy! My expectations were high but I think I cracked it with these! I love the collars and the blousey material poking out underneath.

Black Jeggings £6

I live in black jeans and leggings so the best of both worlds here. I have shed some of my baby weight and my old jeans keep falling down, not a good look! I've never found leggings that aren't see through so these are a definite solution for me!

Tassel Shorts £3  

I love tassels! The weather has been so nice here in the UK for a change I thought these would be nice to doss about at home or in the garden while the weather is nice (although it is actually raining as I write this!). 

Ice cream T-Shirt £5

My wardrobe is so lacking in colour when my mum showed me this T-shirt I could almost feel my eyes water. It's the colour injection I so desperately need!

Candy Stripe Bedding £11, Pillowcases £1.80, Sheet £5.80

My current bedding is looking pretty dull and tired (...hehe tired, get it?) so I thought it's time for some new sheets. The pastel colours are nice for summer and also inject some colour in my magnolia bedroom!

Long-Sleeved Lace Top £5

I'm loving the whole lace thing, this is another top I can just chuck on but look nice as well. 

Feline Sunglasses £2

Probably not the best shaped glasses for my face shape but I'm a sucker for cat eye shaped sunnies. 

Hope you enjoyed my first haul!

Have you been to Primark recently?

Thanks for reading,

Wench x

     

Barry M Lipstick And A MAC Velvet Teddy Dupe!

I love nude lipstick, and I also love a matte lippy too but they leave my lips feeling so dry so I wanted to find a nice nude lipstick that wasn't matte that I could wear in between times while my lips "recover" from matte lipstick.

Enter Barry M Satin Super Slick Lip Paint in Mannequin 169 £4.49 (that's quite a gob full!). This is a polar opposite to a matte lipstick, but that was what I was looking for. It has a lipgloss shine to it but the the colour pay off of a lipstick and I've found myself reaching for it nearly everyday. It's not as long lasting as a matte lipstick but it does last a good couple of hours (the colour outlasts the shine) and I'm happy to reapply if that means my lips don't feel like the Sahara desert!

Another bonus to this lipstick is that the colour is remarkably close to that of MACs Velvet Teddy. The finish is obviously no where near the same but the colour is very nearly spot on, the picture below doesn't really do it any justice as the different finishes make it look really different but if your looking for a cheaper alternative to MAC Velvet Teddy or just a nice nude lipstick I'd definitely go check this one out. 

Barry M isn't the brand I'd usually think of for a lipstick but I'm so impressed with this one I'll certainly pay more attention to them in the future! 

Get yours online HERE or at your local high street store.

Have you tried Barry M Lipsticks before?

Thanks for reading,

Wench x   

Collection Cream Puff Lip Cream

I have a serious lipstick problem, to the point I might even need counselling I just can't help myself and when I find one I like I can't just stop at one I have to have more.

This Collection Cream Puff Lip Cream is one of those such discoveries. It's a matte finish, which I'm very much in to at the moment but unlike a lot of matte lip products out there it's not super drying. Now I'm not saying it doesn't dry out my lips at all but it's considerably less than most. It's also really comfortable to wear and goes on really smoothly, it's creamy when you put it on initially but then it sets to a lovely matte finish. It lasts amazingly too, I road test most of my make up while I'm at work and I only really have to apply after I've eaten or after about 4 hours and considering the price tag (RRP £2.99) I think that's really good! 

excuse the red nose, I had a cold! 

There is only one real downside to these and that is the limited colour range. There are only four colours which I think is a travesty! The one I have here is Cotton Candy which as you can see from the photos above is a lovely, neutral, dusky pink colour. Not pictured here, I also got the shade Angel Delight (for some reason this one seems more difficult to find in stores. FYI I got mine in Wilkos) which is a really good nude colour (Google it to see the colour!) I tend to find that high street brands can never get a nude colour right but this one is spot on (not to be confused with the other nude colour they do Powder Puff which I think is really pale and awful!)

Collection as a brand are full of hidden gems and too easily overlooked!

Find Collection Cream Puff Lip Creams HERE or in your local Boots, Superdrug, or Wilkos. 

Have you tried anything from Collection?

Thanks for reading,

Wench x 

NEW! The Falsies Push Up Mascara

I've had quite a few Maybelline mascaras and always liked them so when I saw they had a new one out it piqued my interest.

And while me and my mum were out shopping one day she bought me one because she's a sweetie and it was buy one get one half price so we both had one!

The Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara* claims to give dramatic lift to the lashes for a pushed up effect. The brush has cup shaped bristles which scoops and lifts lashes and the formula itself delivers instant volume and holds the lift in place. 

I have to disagree with the claims here, I can't say I noticed any extra curl or lift to my lashes and the volume is pretty non-existent. My lashes are naturally long (lucky me!) so volumising mascaras is really where it's at for me but they do mascaras that are a lot better for volume than this one (the Rocket, Colossal, and the original Falsies all spring to mind). I find the brush holds too much product and while the plastic bristle brush is really good for getting right into the root of the lashes for separation it leaves clumps of mascara in my eyelashes which is not a good look! I've tried to persevere to see if it gets better in time (like the Lash Sensational mascara seems to do) but for me it's just getting worse and leaving more and more clumps to the point where I'm probably going to bin it (and I'm a make up collector, its rare I bin something I've not used up!).

I always find mascaras to be very much a personal thing in that I might love one and the next person might hate it so it's something to bear in mind but for me this one just doesn't cut it!

Have you tried this mascara?

Thanks for reading,

Wench x

* I've given this a * as I didn't pay for this mascara my mum bought it for me awww!