Benefit Creaseless Creams–My Small Collection

I’m a big fan of Benefit’s cream eyeshadows, for those lazy mornings when your pressed for time, or feeling particularly uninspired,  team that with the fact they stay put all day, double up as eyeliners and bases for powder/mineral eyeshadows.
I either apply with fingers or a Mac 217, on bare lids, I find without a primer these still last all day on me, despite having fairly oily lids.

They are packaged in sturdy glass jars, so you will want to make sure you keep the lid on tight, to avoid them drying out. the design on the lids is classic Benefit, with a pretty, vintage-feel dove print.

L-R: R.S.V.P; My Dates My Brother, Get Figgy; Strut
I love using R.S.V.P, My Dates My Brother and Get Figgy for lazy mornings before I head off to work, or with a bold lip. I use strut as a base for smoky eyes.
These really don’t budge once you put them on, so they make great bases for powder shadows, if you’re not one for a dedicated eye primer.
Benefit Creaseless Creams can be found here priced £14.00 for 4.5g.

Are You Putting On A Mask Every Morning?

Image Credit

After reading  this article I found myself wondering why people seem to have such a desire to judge themselves against celebrities and make themselves feel bad for putting on bit of slap in the morning. So many times women are judged for covering up the ‘real’ them by wearing make-up, what if they don’t feel themselves without it? When did self-expression become an invitation for judgement?

I have no problem leaving the house with no make-up on, but I happen to like wearing make-up, I enjoy spending that time on myself in the morning and I wouldn’t roll in to work without putting a brush through my hair or my teeth; but nobody is commending celebrities for walking around with bad hair and breath that smells of last nights curry.

I’m sure some women do use cosmetics because of social pressures, but don’t judge all women by that thought, some of us like playing with lotions, potions and bright colours. What’s so wrong about that?

Recipe Time: Raspberry and Chocolate Cheesecake

My mum made this cheesecake a while ago and I thought I would share the recipe with you all as it was absolutely scrummy!

• 180g digestive biscuits
  
• 75g melted butter
  
• 100g milk chocolate
  
• 300g cream cheese
  
• 200ml double cream
  
• 75g sugar
  
• 150g raspberries
  
• icing sugar
  
• chocolate melted

Crumble the digestives in a food processor (or just whack them like crazy with a rolling pin), add the melted butter and mix. Place in a 20cm flan ring with a push-up base and flatten down with the back of a spoon.
Melt the chocolate in a microwave or a glass bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Mix the cream cheese, cream and sugar together until smooth. Add the raspberries and stir in, then add the melted chocolate and quickly swirl through.
Spoon into the flan ring and smooth over the top with a palette knife, then place in the fridge and chill for 2 hours, or until set.
Dust with icing sugar and a the melted chocolate and double cream.
Serves 4-6 (depending on how hungry you are!)

Review: Good Things Stay Clear Purifying Cleanser

I bought this as I wanted a cleanser that was quick to use in the morning and didn’t require any faffing around with a muslin cloth. I also wanted something that was SLS free, so when I spotted this at Boots, I picked it up.
It is free from parabens, sodium laureth sulphate and mineral oils, it is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It claims to use extracts of blueberry, mango and willow bark to ‘decongest the skin’ and keep ‘breakouts at bay’, I haven’t used it long enough to notice any skin benefits yet, but it does exactly what I need it to.

It’s a gel like consistency, but it doesn’t foam up a lot. After using this my skin feels comfortable and clean but not stripped; something that usually happens when I use foaming cleansers. I haven’t tested this cleanser’s ability at removing make-up because that isn’t why I bought it, I think a cream or oil based cleanser is necessary for make-up removal anyway.
It comes packaged in a simple white tube,so is perfect for travelling. Another thing I love about this product is the scent! It really does gorgeously and naturally fruity, a great scent to pick you up in the morning.
Here’s the ingredients for anyone who’s interested:

You can find Stay Clear at Boots priced £5.10 for 150ml.

Swatching my Stash–Barry M Dazzle Dusts

One of the first brands I got really into as a teenager was Barry M, I think I was seduced by all the bright colours and glitter, the Dazzle Dusts and Nail Paints being a firm favourite of mine (and they still are). While the Dazzle Dusts may not have the best texture on the market they easily match some higher end brands loose pigment offerings and are a snip at £4.99 a pop (although currently in a 2 for £7 offer at Boots)
There is a very wide colour range available, with something to suit everyone, from metallics, to taupes, neon brights to darker smoky colours. I challenge anyone to not find at least one Dazzle Dust they love.
At the minute I have 8 in my collection (I did have more but I think they may have been ‘borrowed’ by my sister).

Swatched with UDPP (top) and bare skin (bottom)
From L-R 14, 15, 75, 79

98, 64, 44,9
If your into your duochromes and metallics I suggest having a look at these little pots of joy as there’s many interesting colours to discover. I'm loving 98, for a smoky eye with lot’s of black mascara and a nude lip at the minute.

Barry M: Berry Ice Cream NOTD

Please feel free to excuse my cuticles!
I love this shade, its not as girly as your average pastel and is a really unique shade. As with most Nail Paints I have tried Berry Ice Cream applies easily and is opaque after two coats.
Berry Ice Cream can be found in Boots or Superdrug priced at £2.99.

Top 5: Red Lips

Every woman should own a red lipstick, or so they say. I myself own far more than one! Here’s my Top 5 from my stash:

From L-R:
Jemma Kidd Make Up School: Silk Touch Lipgloss in The Perfect Red (was exclusive to last months Red magazine)
Mac Lipglass: Russian Red (£12.50 available at MAC)
Urban Decay: Icon Lipstick in Revolution ( £13.00 available here)
Mac Lipstick:Ruby Woo (£13.50 available at MAC)
Mac Lipstick: Viva Glam I (£13.50 available at MAC)