Beauty Bits & Bobs!

As some of you may know I have been splurging lately in terms of beauty buys. I think where I haven't bought anything in a while, I have gone a little crazy! It's allowed, right? There are a few firsts in this post, so lets just get to it…

I'm going to start with my more 'expensive' purchases, as you may have read in my previous post I went into Selfridges on Saturday and these are the goodies I bought, along with some delicious Topshop beauty products.

I bought another NARS blush, in 'Taos'; I was attracted to its dark terracotta colour, I have never seen a colour like it. It's such a natural colour on my skin tone and it's warming to the face. As always the pigmentation is amazing, there is a slight sheen to the blush, but I can't see any glitter particles.

My next NARS purchase (which was a first) was the eye shadow duo in 'Surabaya'; I love these browns! I haven't worn anything else since purchasing this! They are so warming and you can definitely create a sultry smokey eye with this, there are gold shimmers in it, but they don't really transfer onto the lid, which is a bit of a shame but nevertheless, the colour pay off is really good. If you have blue eyes I would definitley tell you to go and have a look see.

Another first for me was buying something Laura Mercier. I got the blush quad in 'Pink Rose', again this was the warm toned blush out of the two pinks that were on display (can you see the trend?). This blush is completely matte, so perfect for the day time. Again the pigmentation is really good, I haven't worn this one but I know I will like it.

On to the Topshop stuff, now this was bought with student discount (my friends; so thank you to her for that!). I've been wanting to try one of their lipsticks for a while after hearing so many good things about them, so I picked up this lippy in 'Hazard'. I am clearly going through a phase of statement lips. The formula of this lipstick is matte, but it's moisturising and doesn't lose its pigmentation.

The last two Topshop items are nail polishes in 'Lead' and 'Panther' ,which is apart of their collection 'Dark side of Nude'. I love 'Lead' because in some light it looks like it has a green shimmer running through it and in others it looks like it has a purple shimmer running through it.

Now the next lot wasn't intended to go in this post but I figured it may as well. The first lot I got from Boot's on their 3 for 2 offer. I've been lusting after the Sally Hansen Insta-Dry top coat for a mighty long time and decided it was finally time I buy it.
Along with that I got the 'Expert Face Brush' and 'Setting Brush' from Real Techniques. I love this brand and all it's brushes (of which I have a majority). The quality, ethos and price tag always draws me back to this brand; whenever my friends ask me what brushes to get (especially to put foundation on with) I tell them to get Real Technique brushes, no question!

I have been needing a new mascara for a while as all the ones I have are all drying up and not performing to the best of their ability! So after hearing so much about the L'oreal 'Telescopic' (waterproof) mascara from the lovely and gorgeous Vivianna from Vivianna does makeup, I have been wanting to try it. So instead of buying my usual Maxfactor False Lash Effect I got this. I have only worn it once (right now) and it is holding it's curl, but I'm going to reserve judgement for now.
Next is another lipstick (naughty) from the Kate Moss collection for Rimmel, number '107'. The colour is a darker tone of Nails Inc 'Piccadilly Circus' (which I have been wanting to match forever). The formula is creamy and the finish is matte, there is a smell of rose which I'm not too fond of but I can get over it considering the colour and pigmentation.
Finally is this Blistex 'MedPlus' balm, I have been using this since I bought it which has only been a few days but my lips are noticeably softer and there is no cracking! I have been applying it before I go to sleep and in the mornings. I can tell this is going to get repurchased already!

L-R: Peach Puff | True Blue | Gold Digger

L-R:Motcomb Street | Northcumberland | Oakley Street | Pimlico | York Street

L-R: A List | Allure | Bordeaux

Finally I bought a whole load of polishes from TKMaxx, this is my final first, buying something from TKMaxx. I wanted to see if my store had any beauty bits in it, and to be honest these were the only gems I could find. I'm very happy with my purchases and can't wait to wear most of the shades I bought. I got all of them for a fraction of the RRP so I am not going to complain (unless they end up being rubbish).

That was a lot of stuff! And I know I am not going to spend money on beauty bits for a really long time! Here's hoping!

♥ RP ♥

3 Tool Challenge!

So, my friend Harpreet came over on last Friday after we attended a wedding. Which was beautiful by the way!

Anyway, she immediately commented on the amount of make up brushes I have (although, she has seen them before but she still commented. I think she was trying to say I have a problem!), and it got me thinking, if I could pick 3 make up tools could I not live without.

Now, that was extremely hard! I really set myself a challenge here! But hurrah, I prevailed! The reason I choose these 3 items is because I could use just these to make my face presentable and walk out of the house.

The first tool I would keep is the Buffing Brush by Real Techniques. It doesn’t matter what foundation I use, this brush will give me a seamless finish. At this stage of my life I don’t think I could live without foundation, hence this choice.

Secondly would be my MAC 224 Blending brush I use this brush for concealer, but you could use it for eyeshadow (but if I just wanted to walk out of the house I wouldn’t wear eyeshadow, I would just want a flawless face.) I know that this brush sheds, mine did, but it doesn’t anymore so I still use it.

Third and final choice would be Eye Lash Curlers, I have the Shu uemura ones. Using eyelash curlers makes such a difference to my face and obviously my eyes.

I think I could apply everything else with my fingers (which I don’t like to do lol) if I had to. Or use pencil eyelines, for example, instead of a gel liner. In my head I need all my brushes but this was a fun challenge to see what I really needed.

What brushes can you not live without? I challenge all you makeup lovers to try and see which 3 tools you couldn’t live without. =) x

Make-up Brush Loving!

Whenever my friends come around they are always astonished by the vast array of make-up brushes I own, I’ll be honest; I have too many...“Hi, my name is Rohini and I am addicted to make-up brushes!”

I have a thing about applying my make up with my fingers, I don't like it. I don't know why but that’s my excuse for owning so many. That being said, I know exactly which brushes I would recommend!

Real Techniques!!

I bought mine when I went to America last September. I was absolutely driven to get these brushes and I am so glad I did! The hype surrounding these brushes is justified. I am soo happy that they are finally being stocked in Boots, all I can say is; it’s about time!

If I had to pick which brushes to buy out of the 3 sets, I would say the core collection, which contains brushes for face products.

Likes:

The buffing brush is brilliant for foundation application. The contour brush is great for cream blushes. There are two other brushes which can be used for concealer, one larger than that the other. These brushes apply liquid and powder products brilliantly. The bristles are super soft (they’re synthetic), they are easy to clean and it’s affordable. You get 4 brushes for £21.99 and if you have enough boots points you don’t need to pay a penny.

Dislikes:

The only thing that is slightly annoying about these brushes it the size of the handles, they are quite chunky. The reason is so they can sit on your vanity but I don’t keep my brushes like that, they all live in holders. I can live with this minor flaw though, definitely worth a look see if you’re in a boots or looking to invest in some brushes.

The brush that I really wanted when I went to America was the stippling brush, but they were out of stock (I was so gutted), so that is now on my list of things to get when I get paid.

Do you have any of these brushes? If so, what do you think of them? What brushes are you favourite? =) x