Benefits Erase Paste

It was only recently to my delight I realised I finally had a local Benefit Counter.

Oh I was thrilled. I was helped by a lovely assistant with vibrant red hair in selecting Benefits Erase paste.

You see the Collection 2000 concealer which I love had been creasing under my eyes as the day went on....and in all truth it was really starting to bug me.

There were several helpful suggestions:

Lemon Aid

Bo-ing

&

Erase paste

The reason I chose the erase paste is because of its brightening qualities.

The lady on the counter told me that mixing the erase paste with a bit of High Beam can added even further amount of luminosity.

"This concentrated cream formula flawlessly helps to conceal and brighten dark circles and imperfections"

The product is perfect for the dark circles under my eyes. It does not however work effectively over blemishes....I keep a tight grip on my Collection 2000 concealer for those bad boys. The formula blends well with the heat of your finger and I am a sucker for benefits retro and flamboyant packaging.

The shade advised was No1 Fair.

I'm a little more tanned than usual at present and this shows on the swatch.

I am currently using this under my foundation and I am thrilled with the results.

I have seen other bloggers describe this as a must have product. I really like it but I also think at the price of £19.50 there are probably drugstore comparable at a more reasonable price.

Regardless you get a lot of bang for your buck and it will be months until I have to agonise over whether to repurchase this product or not. If like me the Collection 2000 formula doesn't agree with you I would certainly encourage a wander down to your local Benefit counter for atleast a try.

What I loved about the day I purchased this was that my local Benefit counter were offering free makeovers. It was a Saturday and I got pampered for a good 40mins while a Benefit makeup artist worked her magic and got me glammed for the nights events. This also gave me the opportunity to test Benefit products I don't own and see if they could endure a night out. A product I without doubt will return for in due course is the Watts Up Soft Focus Highlighter. It a lot more pink based than the High Beam and I love the glowy look it gave my face....no doubt review to come soon. 

I was so happy with the service I received that day. The girl was so friendly and helpful. Big up to you guys at Benefit!

P.S I have a MAC lippie giveaway still running! All Details here

August Favourites Extravaganza.

Hello Beauts.

Today I bring you my August favourites and it feels somewhat peculiar because favourites posts always pass me by before Ive got around to them.

Come to think of it my last favourites post was last.....oh god March.

Regardless August has been one of those months where Ive been a crazy mad working lady with brief pauses for some well earned play, and I think my selection reflects this.

Foundation has been a bit of this and a dash of that. I purchased Rimmels widely raved about Wake Me Up foundation. I absolutely love the finish and weirdly the smell. The only problem is generally I need my foundations to last all day, and I don't know if its the "drugstore curse" but for me I come to the end of the day a little lack lustre for that beautiful finish I leave the house with of a morning. I love that this foundation  is easily buffed out with my beloved Real Techniques buffing brush. However despite all of this I haven't given up on this. I was thinking of trying to set it with some powder perhaps? Its one of those relationships I'm willing to invest a bit of time on  to make work (oooh don't I sound over emotional!), because I don't think I'm getting full potential at present any tips greatly appreciated!

Benefits Erase Paste has become a new and welcomed member of my daily makeup routine. This works wonderfully at hiding the darkness (and lets face it sometimes suitcases) from under my eyes and also brightens the area. It has been bringing a whole new meaning to "putting your face on" of a morning. I covers a multitude of sins, and sometimes hangovers review here.

For a change Ive been steering away from my UD Naked palette(s) when not being lazy and applying MAC's paintpot in Bare Study I have been delving back into my [still not complete] MAC palette this month. I love shroom as a highlight, Satin Taupe, Woodwinked and All That Glitters for a crease/lid colour depending on occasion. ...and with regards to completing the palette I shall be patiently waiting for when Debenhams annually looses its marbles and offers 10% off all beauty. Suggestions for eyeshadow shades please!

With Regards to blush I have been loving the combo of Topshop cream blush in Head Over Heels with a light dusting of  Benefit's Coralisa for added coral-ness. I really didnt get the whole coral cheeks thing until summer came around. Now I love it. If you are into the dewy look when it comes to makeup I cannot reccommend the cream blushes enough, theres also a beautiful selection of shades.

Nails has been a general rush of Essie-ness. I think because their so easily available everytime I visit Boots I am compelled to purchase, I have been loving Figi, Tart Deco as well as ELFs Mango madness. For Creamfields I wore OPIs Cajun Shrimp. Notting Hill Carnival may have well taken place on my nails they've been so colourful.

So thats it!
What have you been loving over August?
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Beauty Essentials- Current Favourites

Hey ladies!

Today I thought Id write about my everyday beauty favourites- threres some familiar products in there and perhaps some you may not have tried.

Stila Brow Kit In Dark- I bought this product a long time ago and I use it faithfully everyday to line my brows. I find even when I'm due a wax and the brows are looking a little worse for wear a quick once over will keep them defined.

MUA Matt Eyeshadow- 17- When applying eyeshadow I like to put a nude near the top of my lip to set the shadow. This baby is a comparable to Urban Decay's "naked" in the naked palette. My palette's had a beasting so I use this instead...its also brilliant value for money!

Benefit High Beam- I bought this little sample in a blogsale and I have a feeling it will be a long time until I will need a full size! I use this on my cheek bones and really like the luminosity it creates. This is a product I really wanted when I first started blogging as there were reviews everywhere!

MAC Blush In Well Dressed- I feel like I'm a broken record with this blush- its my everyday go to.  For more raves have a look at My Favourite Blushes post

Collection 2000 Ultimate Wear concealer in light (2)- This is also a big beauty blogger favourite not only because of the price but it does an excellent job. It promises 16h of wear which is quite a claim for a drugstore produc. I owned this in my teens and loved it. I'm very glad to have it in my make-up drawer again.

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara- Show me a girl that doesn't mind a bit of chanel in the handbag. I got this in a tester form when I purchased my mat lumiere foundation and vowed Id purchase this in full size, so when I saw it come up in a blogsale I had to give in to my lust! I this is a fabulous mascara- I'm also a sucked for the Chanel packaging.

What products are you loving?

Please make sure you check out my JAPONESQUE GIVEAWAY!

My Favourite Blushes- Confessions of a Hoarder

Along with an obsession of lipstick I also have a lot of love for blushes-

I love how you can get a variety of shimmers, matts and blush really can add dimension to your face.

I always enjoy top 5 posts because they open my eyes to blushes/colour I may not have seen or tried before.

I like to think Ive picked a pretty good cross section of colour for different occasions.

MAC Well Dressed

This was my first ever MAC purchase- Can you tell?

The pan explains everything- This blush is so incredibly transitional and multi-occasion.

If I'm not feeling all that adventurous chances are it ll be MAC well dressed.

The blush is a baby pink with a discreet amount of silver flecks

Benefit Powda Wowza (Bella Bamba)

I have a full review of this little box of treats Here

When I bought this box initially it was to get my hands on Coralista and Hoola but Bella Bamba has been a welcomed surprise.

Its the most pigmented deep pink with a hint of shimmer and has been keeping my cheeks glowing a lot of the winter. 

The pigmentation means that one swipe is necessary to do the job so I like to think its longevity with endure.....

Although whether I would fork out 20 FLIPPIN QUID!!? for a full size size remains to be seen.

Hats off to Benefit these box's are a wonderful way of experimenting with what they have to offer for a reasonable price.

MAC Mineralise Blush-Merrily

I'm so glad the camera picked up the flecks of gold in this blush!

This is the Christmas equivalent translated into blush....and on that mention this was a limited edition blush for Christmas...sorry ladies!

Its a deep red with orange undertones filled with gold flecks and is statement-makeup.

I picked this little beauty in a blogsale and have been enjoying wearing it out.

Nars Deep Throat

This is my only Nars Product.

I should buy more really as I get a nice little student discount off of ASOS

Deep throat is a pink with silver flecks of shimmer....yes more shimmer.

This is a another go to for daytime and works really well in adding definition to your face.

MAC Her Blooming Cheek

Fully reviewed here

This is like an old friend that I just cant let go of.

I go through fazes with this one and then it goes back into the drawer for prolonged periods.

Used sparingly this can be worn in the daytime and equally at night. 

I'm yet to find a drugstore equivalent that holds pigmentation quite as well 

(if you have Id love to know!)

So there we have it my 5 favourite blushes!

On the blush lust note I am really excited to try MUA's new blush collection I really do think their up my street. I will no doubt be hoarding some more mineralise MAC blushes as Ive just proven I am a complete shimmer whoare!

What are your favourite blushes?

Send me your links!

Back & All Excited For Christmas

Ohhh my gosh its been a crazy 3 weeks of deadlines..and I'm through the thick of it and on the home straight for CHRISTMAS!...Almost.

Just a little post for you all today but you'll be glad to know through my University 3rd year deadline woe I have been pitilessly accumulating dresses for the party season in some way of promising a reward of endless (well not quite) partying once all of the work is completed.

I now have 3 dresses. 

One only of which you have seen....my Christmas party dress.

Toady's post is sooo purrrty and that is Benefit's Powder Wowza

Firstly the packaging is in standard benefit cosmetics form...Im more of a sleek packaging kinda girl in all honesty but its a new bright addition to my makeup collection.

Don't let this picture  deceive you because this product is tiny..I mean generous for a borrower if you've ever watched the film but its enough to muddle your makeup brush through.

Makes a lovely travel item though.

But the colours oh my!

In the set we have the infamous Hoola (bottom right)

Coralista (top left)

and Bella Bamba (top right)

I bought this set with the view that the Benefit blushes are bloody expensive so in this way if theres ultimate love with any of the shades I could purchase in the distant future with an informed choice.

Gosh I never realised how serious that sounds!

In all honesty my main interest in the blush palette initially were to try out Hoola and Coralista...I mean in themselves their iconic, but the bizarre thing is its Bella Bamba I'm loving, maybe because of its red undertones for some reason I always reach for pink blush.

Maybe this is the start of a new sophisticated red blush phase I'm not sure.

I bought mine from ASOS with my handy Student Discount among other party dresses...at the moment I believe its sold out.

But I know Debenams currently have a beauty discount of 15% so look out ;)

In Other News

I have received my secret Santa today...wow theyve done a wonderful job sending me products from researching my blog. I don't know who you are but I owe you a huge thank you. I am genuinely thrilled....and also typing this with sparkly gold tips on my nails!...more on this soon.

I missed my November favourites...I am aware of this damnn!

I am currently mad for OPI Best Of The Best. I am not a nail art kinda girl but my god my nails are changing so much because I'm eager to try all the colours!

I have so many new bits coming soon so stay posted...oh and I'm back!!

Catch you very soon