Budget Beauty | Boots 17 Makeup | Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara, Glow Is Everything CC Cream & Second Skin Enhancing Concealer review

When it comes to budget-friendly makeup, you can't beat a trip to Boots to see what's on offer. These days, it's easier than ever to choose cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics that won't break the bank. As I've been feeling nostalgic this month, I thought I'd try out some of the bestsellers from the popular 17 makeup range.

If you grew up as a young girl in England, you're probably quite familiar with the Boots 17 brand. Like many teenagers, some of my very first makeup purchases were from this range (if I remember correctly, it was a bright pink lipstick and a lilac single eyeshadow with lots of glitter), so it's been an interesting experience to pick up a couple of products to try out and see how they feel as a mid-30's millennial. The brand has had a much-hyped revival after being discontinued in 2018 and there are plenty of new treats to discover with everything costing £5 or under!

I've played it safe and chosen some everyday makeup staples to see how they compare to what I generally use on a day-to-day basis, which may help those who are seeking some cheaper alternatives due to the cost of living crisis. 

17 Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara in Black (12ml, £4 or £3 with a Boots Advantage Card)

I'll have to admit that it's been a while since I've used a mascara that cost less than a fiver so I didn't have high expectations. 17 has a couple of different mascara formulas on offer and Extreme Extension sounded like the ideal one for me as I typically look for lots of length and definition. The packaging is very basic and quite chunky, but the rubberized flexible wand looked promising. 

First coat on and I really loved the results; it definitely adds noticeable length to my short lashes, defines them nicely, and has great pigmentation. The second coat, however, caused my lashes to stick and clump together so it didn't work for me as a buildable mascara. That said, for a one-coat, everyday mascara, it stays put for a good 8 hours and doesn't flake or smudge which is £4 well spent in my opinion!

17 Glow Is Everything CC Cream (30ml, £4)

Packaged in a cute squeezy tube, I'd seen the Glow Is Everything CC Cream raved about on various socials so this one was an obvious choice for me to try out. Having been pre-warned about the very limited shade range (this CC Cream is available in only four shades), I picked up the oddly named 003P which looked like a standard beige colour online and IRL this was a decent match for my light-medium skin tone. 

Upon squeezing a little of the product out, I noticed a slight chemical/plastic smell but it wasn't too off-putting so I grabbed a beauty blender sponge and cracked on. The light coverage looked surprisingly good with a subtle dewy/glowy finish and lasted well for 7-8 hours of wear. Again, this would be great for every day and those fresh 'no makeup makeup' looks. I did find that it oxidized later on in the day, turning a little orangey on my skin, but I felt that I could maybe get away with it when my complexion is a bit more tanned in the summer months. Not bad at all for the price point. 

17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer (£2)

The most talked about product was the 17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer which retails for the bargain price of just two pounds. Two quid! I couldn't believe my eyes! Into the basket it went, although straight off the bat, the shade range is again very limited with just ten colours on offer. 

001P looked like my best bet which is suitable for light-medium skin tones. The texture and consistency of this concealer is amazing. It blends so easily and definitely delivers a natural skin-like finish which feels velvety smooth! The coverage is also pretty decent; it won't fully conceal dark circles but with a corrector underneath, it achieves a lovely flawless effect that didn't crease into my fine lines and feels creamy and hydrating. I'd say this worked better for my under eyes than a blemish concealer. Like the CC Cream, it does oxidize a little throughout the day so I'd recommend picking a lighter shade. This is currently my best budget buy of the year so far!

Swatches: 17 Glow Is Everything CC Cream in 003P (top) and 17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer in 001P (bottom)

17 Makeup Summary

Pros:

- Amazing value for money, everything is under £5

- Cruelty-free

- Everything is vegan-friendly

- Great for everyday wear

- Easy products to apply & blend

Cons:

- Very, very limited shade range

- CC and Concealer do oxidise

- Packaging does feel cheap & basic

- Products have a slight chemical/plastic scent

Have you revisited 17 Makeup as an adult?

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Beauty Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

It's time for another Beauty Empties round-up where I share the products I've recently used up and say which ones I'll be repurchasing again. Well, you guys know the drill by now! Let's jump straight in.

Moi Vert Liquid Soap in Lemongrass* (reviewed here)

There's always a liquid Castille-type soap of some kind in my bathroom and I love their amazing multipurpose qualities. From hand-washing to cleaning makeup brushes (and floors!), they are a concentrated and natural way to clean pretty much everything so a little goes a long way. I enjoyed the fresh Lemongrass scent of this one in particular. Repurchase? Definitely.

Evolve Organic Beauty Micellar Water* (reviewed here)

I tend to wear a lot of waterproof eyeliner and mascara so a high-quality micellar water is a must-have. Evolve's version is 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and doesn't cause any irritation. It simply feels like a gentle, but effective, water that removes all traces of makeup. The glass bottle is also a good option for those who are looking to reduce their plastic waste. Repurchase? Yes.

Absolute Aromas Soothe Epsom Salts* (reviewed here)

Another bathroom essential, I always have a bag or two of Epsom Salts somewhere! These magnesium-rich salts work like magic on tired and aching muscles; the perfect remedy post-workout or simply to help you relax after a long day. Absolute Aromas have a lovely range with some gorgeous scents including this Soothe blend. Repurchase? Yes.

Butterwhips Warmly Relaxing Body Butter* (reviewed here)

Only recently reviewed, I've fallen so much in love with this luxuriously thick and heavenly whipped body butter that I haven't been using anything else. With 97% organic ingredients, this cruelty-free beauty is plastic-free and delicately scented with bergamot and lavender essential oils for a relaxing natural fragrance. Repurchase? On my list!

Holistica Balance Crystal Mist

I'm pretty sure that this came into my life via a wellness / natural beauty box of some kind? It's a fab toner spritz with lots of calming properties, making it ideal for red or irritated skin. Repurchase? I believe it's discontinued :(

Haruharu Wonder Honey Green Aqua Bomb Cream

I need to cut the tube in half to properly finish this off but I thought I'd sneak it into this Empties post as it's 99% done. This is a great daily moisturiser from a cruelty-free Korean brand, that's super hydrating and has a nice plumping effect. For a tenner, it's amazing value for money, although the ingredients are not 100% natural. Repurchase? I've gone back to using Skin & Me for now, but I may pick this up again in the future.

Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water (travel size)

This was good to try from a beauty box, but I prefer the Evolve Micellar Water above as it's more effective. I felt like I needed to use a lot of this product to properly remove my makeup. Repurchase? No.

Nourish Balance Nutritious Peptide Serum* (travel size)

A gorgeous balancing serum for combination skin that works a treat and helps to reduce the appearance of large pores. I was very sad to come to this end of this travel size bottle! Repurchase? Definitely.

Bloomtown Botanicals The Meadow Infused Oil Roll On*

I'm a huge fan of Bloomtown Botanicals and their range of Infused Oil Roll-Ons are some of the best in the aromatheraphy beauty world. They're also an absolute steal at just £6 and last forever. The Meadow is the brand's sleep and relax blend, so it's lovely and calming to apply to your pulse points before going to bed. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (travel size)

Whilst this is a beautiful nourishing night cream, it's a little too rich and heavy for my combination skin unfortunately, so I ended up using the rest of it as a hand cream. If you have dry skin though, be sure to check it out! Repurchase? Sadly not for me.

Marcelle Curling & Lenghtening Mascara (travel size)

From a beauty box, I'm not sure this brand is available in the UK, but this is a really good mascara that holds a curl well and doesn't smudge or flake. Repurchase? If I can find it!

What beauty products have you used up recently?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - June 2022 review

 

June's LoveLula Beauty Box finishes with a bang as it's worth a staggering £109! With a combined value that's so impressive, let's check out these luxury green beauty goodies pronto, shall we?

Check out my previous reviews of the popular natural and cruelty-free LoveLula Beauty Box here.

Urban Veda Purifying Body Oil 

I'm a big fan of the natural Ayurvedic-inspired brand, Urban Veda, and this Purifying Body Oil has actually been on my beauty wishlist for some time, so I'm thrilled to discover it in the box! With lots of gorgeous uplifting essential oils such as Organic Neem, Gotu Kola and Witch Hazel, this body oil has been formulated to purify and energise the skin.

INIKA Bold Lash Mascara

Last month, LoveLula included the famous INIKA Certified Organic Matte Perfection Primer, and this month there's the bestselling Bold Lash Mascara that subscribers can try out. I've used this mascara many times over the years as it's one of the best on the market if you're looking for something that's both natural and organic. The large brush helps to create big lashes without any clumping or flaking.

Lyonsleaf Beauty Balm

Speaking of bestsellers, Lyonsleaf's Beauty Balm is loved by many and is a water-free, multi-tasking wonder! You can use this pot of 100% natural magic for just about anything; as a cleanser, moisturiser, face mask and more. Super rich in plant oils and extracts, a little goes a long way, making it an affordable and eco-friendly skincare staple to have in your daily routine.

Organic Works Pro Smoothing Serum

Last, but not least, there's a full-size bottle of Organic Works Pro Smoothing Serum, which certainly sounds promising. Developed to help restore radiance to dull and uneven complexions, it intensely hydrates the skin with its natural and organic formula and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful glow. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the new one-off LoveLula Beauty Boxes at Lovelula.com

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Introducing: Soul Tree Ayurvedic Natural Makeup & Toiletries

Soul Tree is a natural brand that's been on my radar for quite some time as its products are inspired by ethical and ayurvedic formulas. Soul Tree is also big on using organic ingredients and is in fact, the very first Indian natural brand to carry European certifications for its ingredients.

I don't see many Indian brands that have caused such a buzz on the green beauty scene as Soul Tree have. From their super slick packaging to their wide range of products that are handmade using age-old traditional Ayurvedic methods, Soul Tree is definitely one that you can really enjoy exploring.

I've been testing out several of their products recently and wanted to introduce you to some of my new favourites.

Dry skin? Try Soul Tree Hand & Foot Cream (100g, £14.03)

Rescue dry skin with Soul Tree's wonderful multi-purpose Hand & Foot Cream. Featuring active botanicals, this intensive care cream formula is packed with natural anti-oxidants and rich moisturising ingredients such as Kokum Butter and an organic triple blend of oils from Sesame, Coconut, and Apricot. I love the addition of Honey, Aloe, and Turmeric to help soften and smooth dry skin.

Pamper yourself with Soul Tree Indian Rose & Cooling Vetiver Shower Gel (250ml, £11.29)

Enjoy a luxury shower experience at home thanks to Soul Tree's Indian Rose & Cooling Vetiver Shower Gel. Not only does this look beautiful in your bathroom, but it has a delicate rose scent that I feel most people will love, even if rose isn't typically your favourite scent as this one is quite unusual. The SLS and soap-free formula is brilliant for sensitive skin that needs a gentle touch.

Sensitive eyes? Try Soul Tree Ayurvedic Mascara (6g, £16.99) and Pure Black Kajal (3g, £14.20)

Soul Tree has a great range of natural makeup that looks chic in your makeup bag and performs effortlessly well. Their Ayurvedic Mascara delivers a natural-looking, lightweight, and clump-free result on the lashes, with a nasties-free formula that also helps to strengthen and nourish them. It's absolutely perfect for everyday wear! 

For some added drama in the evenings, pair it with the Pure Black Kajal; a true Indian kajal eyeliner that is made to a 3000-year-old Ayurvedic traditional recipe. The liner is richly pigmented and glides on so smoothly, with added moisturising properties for dry and sensitive eyes.

Treat yourself to Soul Tree Hibiscus & Honey Lip Balm (3.5g, £9.33) and Lipstick in Wild Honey (4g, £15.59)

My last two favourites come from Soul Tree's range of lipsticks and lip balms, both of which I highly recommend checking out. The Hibiscus & Honey Lip Balm is one of the best natural lip balms that I've ever tried. It's like smooth butter on the lips and completely eradicates any dryness. I also find that I'm not constantly reapplying it as a soft layer stays on the lips for longer.

I love the Lipstick in Wild Honey which has a similar list of ingredients to the lip balm, yet has a beautiful modern matte finish. The pigmentation truly blew me away as well! Most natural lippies struggle with this, but Soul Tree has really nailed it to perform just like a regular mainstream lipstick, but without the nasties. 

Swatches: Soul Tree Lipstick in Wild Honey, Soul Tree Kajal in Pure Black

Wearing Soul Tree Lipstick in Wild Honey, Soul Tree Kajal in Pure Black and Soul Tree Ayurvedic Mascara in Pure Black

Shop the full range of Soul Tree products at lovelula.com

Have you tried anything from Soul Tree?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - March 2022 review

 

Beauty subscription boxes continue to remain popular, so if you're looking for a monthly treat that features only cruelty-free and natural products, LoveLula is the box for you. This month's box is worth £52 and contains all of the following. 

Ayumi Argan & Sandalwood 3 Step Haircare Routine

Just in time for the new season, you can refresh your hair care routine with these three essentials from the ayurvedic-inspired brand, Ayumi. This simple three-step routine begins with a gentle massage of their Bio Active Growth Hair Oil to help add volume and stimulate growth. You can then follow this step with the Argan & Sandalwood Shampoo and Conditioner to cleanse, nourish and hydrate. 

Balm Balm Super Light Coconut Cleanser

Next up, I found a full-size Balm Balm Super Light Coconut Cleanser which comes packaged in glass and is formulated with 100% organic natural ingredients. This gentle cleanser is enriched with fractionated Coconut Oil which is extracted directly from Virgin Coconut Butter so it transforms into a light oil that's easy to massage into the skin. It melts away all traces of makeup and daily impurities for a really thorough deep cleanse every time.

Soultree Ayurvedic Mascara

A must-have for your make-up bag, this Ayurvedic Mascara from Soultree is lightweight and doesn't clump for a natural and beautifully defined finish. Ingredients such as Castor Oil, Black Seed Oil and Aloe Vera also ensure that lashes are nourished and strengthened to help them grow too. Keep an eye out on the blog next month for a special feature on this amazing brand!

Madara Micellar Water

Finally, the last product this month is a travel-size bottle of Madara's bestselling Micellar Water. This award-winning formula effectively removes makeup and daily grime without stripping the skin. Instead, it balances, soothes, and hydrates for a perfectly clean and fresh finish.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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November Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

Another month is drawing to a close so it's time to have a quick recap to see what I've used up recently. Here are my beauty empties! 

Nuori Sun Repair Serum* (reviewed here)

A beautiful fragrance-free serum for sensitive skin that helps to repair sun damage and restore moisture levels. I'm pretty good at applying sunscreen on a daily basis but I'm not always so good at re-applying it later on in the day (I know, I know...), so this helps in those times where I've been caught out. This serum has a light moisturiser-type of feel to it, yet sinks in quickly and layers well underneath any moisturiser or facial oil. Repurchase? It's not easy to find in the UK as it's a Danish brand, but if I do see it, I'll definitely repurchase.

Neal's Yard Remedies Goodnight Pillow Mist* (reviewed here)

I'm a big fan of aromatherapy pillow mists to help me to sleep, though I'll admit that I often chop and change between a few different brands. This one from Neal's Yard Remedies is one I've used many times, and it has a lovely blend of relaxing organic lavender, vetiver, and mandarin essential oils. Repurchase? I'm using one from Nourish at the moment, but I'll pick this up again soon I'm sure.

ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

Great natural mascara with good ingredients and a high-performance formula that doesn't flake or smudge. Lengthens lashes really well with excellent pigmentation so I'd say this is in my top 3 natural mascaras; I just wish it was a bit more volumising. Repurchase? Maybe -  I'm testing out one from Inika currently which I might like more...

Tropic Repairing Foot Remedy* (reviewed here)

An easy and simple one as it does what it says on the tube - if you have dry or tired feet in need of some TLC, this is for you, especially if you love fresh minty scents. Repurchase? Yes.

Mádara Ocean Love Polishing Scrub Soap* 

For a plastic-free body wash option that also offers some exfoliation, you can't go wrong with this scrub soap from Mádara. It has volcanic sand embedded into the soap that gently removes dead skin cells, and the soap itself is luxurious and hydrating with an uplifting natural cedar and lime fragrance. Lasts a long time too! Repurchase? Yes.

Ogario Hydrate And Shine Conditioner* (reviewed here)

I've used this Ogario Hydrate And Shine range on and off for around five years and I still love it. The conditioner, in particular, is amazing for fine hair like mine as it adds moisture to dry ends without weighing it down, and I always get incredible shine with it in addition to a lot less frizz. Pricey but worth it. Repurchase? I've switched back to Tabitha Kaan for now, but I have no doubt this will be in my bathroom again in the near future.

Omorovicza Moor Cream Cleanser

I was excited to try this as I've loved everything else that I've used from Omorovicza, but this cleanser didn't seem to suit my skin. I found it much too drying unfortunately so I'd say it's better suited for oilier skin types. Repurchase? No.

What beauty products have you finished up lately?

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Green Beauty: Lovelula Beauty Box - April 2021 review

One of my favourite online retailers, LoveLula, offer a popular monthly subscription box that's packed full of natural, organic and green beauty products from a wide range of brands. If you're looking for something that ticks all of these boxes, check it out! 

Here's what's inside this month's box which is worth £59:-

J.R.Liggett's Mini Shampoo Bar Set (RRP £12.99)

Solid shampoo bars are a great way to reduce the amount of plastic waste in your bathroom and if you haven't found the 'one' just yet, this brilliant Mini Shampoo Bar Set from J.R.Liggett's will be sure to help you find the right one for your hair type. The set contains six different formulas for you to try out or why not share them out with friends and family to encourage them to make the switch?

Ooh! Oils Of Heaven Jojoba Oil (RRP £19)

A lovely new product release from Ooh! Oils Of Heaven, this is made from simply 100% natural and organic Jojoba Oil which closely mimics the skin's own sebum. It's perfect for a variety of uses such as a facial oil treatment for acne-prone and oily skin, as well as a hair and scalp treatment to encourage healthy hair growth.

INIKA Long Lash Mascara (RRP £23)

Perhaps one of the bestselling natural and organic mascaras on the market, INIKA's Long Lash Mascara has numerous fans and once you try it for yourself, it's easy to see why! The pure, mineral-enriched formula is ideal for sensitive eyes and coats lashes without any clumping, flaking or smudging. It's suitable for vegans, cruelty-free and works a treat.

Crazy Rumors Black Cherry Lip Balm (RRP £3.99)

The last product in this month's LoveLula Beauty Box is the almost good enough to eat Black Cherry Lip Balm from Crazy Rumors. 100% natural and vegan-friendly, this lip balm is deliciously fruity and super moisturising - in fact, I've just used one up which you'll see in my next Empties round-up.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Beauty Box: LoveLula Beauty Box - September 2019 review

This month is just flying by - it's time again for a look at the latest LoveLula beauty box! September's edit of cruelty-free, natural and organic products is worth £65, so let's check out what's inside.

Kathleen Natural Tranquil Fields Bubble Bath (full size, RRP £18)

It's that time of the year when I want to start reaching for the bath products again and I was pleased to see this one from Kathleen Natural in the box. I've used their gorgeous Body Oil in the same Tranquil Fields scent in the past and adored it. Perfect for a relaxing evening at home to unwind from a busy day.

Madara Infusion Vert Body Cream (full size, RRP £17)

Having dry skin means that I always appreciate receiving a body cream, especially a full-size, luxury one from Madara! Their Infusion Vert Body Cream is a seriously rich and pampering moisturiser which helps to rejuvenate and restore elasticity, leaving your skin softer, smoother and more supple overall. This will definitely come in handy as the colder weather sets in.

Emani Organic Soy Mascara in Midnight (full size, RRP £18)

For makeup this month, there's a full-size luxury mascara from Emani, a brand that I've been meaning to try for a long time. Featuring a vegan-friendly, soy-infused formula, this mascara acts as both a mascara and a lash treatment and promises to be smudge-proof which is ideal for sensitive eyes including contact lens wearers. 

Balm Balm Little Miracle Cleanser (deluxe travel size 30ml, RRP £12)

A new release from Balm Balm's bestselling Little Miracle range, this is a nourishing cleansing oil which effectively removes all traces of makeup and dirt, without stripping the skin. Instead, it leaves your complexion soft and perfectly clean - I've tried it twice so far and love it!

Urban Veda Reviving Body Wash (sample sachet)

As an extra bonus, LoveLula have included an assorted sample sachet from Urban Veda and I received the Reviving Body Wash which smells lovely - very fresh and floral.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - June 2019 review

Another month, another fantastic beauty box from LoveLula! This month's box offers a green beauty selection of makeup, haircare and skincare to cover all the bases - it's what I like to call a good 'top-up' edit as I often find myself running low on many of these products. Here's what's inside:-

 FOM London Anti Pollution Hydra Plump Serum (10ml travel size, full size retails for £46)

Hydrating serums are ideal for Summer as they allow you to add moisture to your skin, without applying thick layers. Instead, this lightweight serum is fragrance-free and can be used morning and night to boost hydration levels, strengthen the skin's natural barrier and leave it looking glowy and naturally plumped up. I've used this FOM serum before and it does have a slightly sticky/tacky feeling to it at first, but once dried down, it works well underneath moisturisers and face oils.

 NATorigin Mascara in Black (RRP £15.95)

Finding a mascara that's suitable for sensitive eyes can be tricky on the high street, so I was pleased to see that LoveLula has included this one from NATorigin in their box this month. This award-winning mascara boasts a 98.5% natural formula that not only adds definition to your lashes, but will also lengthen and strengthen them. Approved by Allergy UK, it can be used by the most sensitive eyes and is suitable for contact lens wearers.

There is also a NATorigin Eyeliner included this month but mine appears to be missing, so you should have received both products if you're a subscriber x

 Ayumi Intensive Hair Conditioning Treatment (RRP £8.99)

Enriched with Coconut and Avocado Oil, as well as the unique Ayurvedic herbs Java Grass, Quassia, Sacred Lotus and Indian Lilac, Ayumi's Intensitive Hair Conditioning Treatment will help to revitalise and rehydrate dry and damaged hair in no time at all. This is a brilliant treatment to try if your hair is feeling frazzled from too much sun, and it's also free from SLS, parabens and mineral oil which is a much-appreciated bonus.

Madara Weightless Sun Milk SPF 20 (sample)

Finally, at the bottom of the box, I found a sample of the brand new Madara Weightless Sun Milk SPF 20. I was so excited to try this and it didn't disappoint! The texture is absolutely beautiful because it's light, sinks in quickly, doesn't leave a white cast and sits well underneath makeup. I will definitely be picking up a full size of this when my current facial sunscreen runs out!

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Budget Beauty: Trying Out Perfect Shade Disco Makeup - Review & Swatches

Every now and then, there's a makeup range that I come across which literally grabs my attention because the packaging is so awesome, and Perfect Shade is that current brand. I mean how cool does this new Disco line look?!

Perfect Shade is an online-only makeup brand, and if you're a savvy beauty shopper, you may have heard of them before as they're the same people who are behind the comparison website, myperfectshade.com. Having a wealth of experience in the beauty industry, they've decided to launch their own makeup range named Disco which features a core collection of 8 products and over 75 different colours, so there are shades to suit and flatter everyone's skin tone.

This inclusive brand has such a fun vibe to it and I was immediately drawn in by the colourful disco-themed packaging, as well as the fact that everything from Perfect Shade is cruelty-free and suitable for vegans. Best of all though, their makeup is super affordable with prices starting from just £6!

I was kindly sent some products from Perfect Shade to have a play with, and I'm thrilled to say that the performance of this makeup is just as good as the packaging. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Perfect Shade Disco Solo Of Sugarcoat Blusher in Hollywood* (10g, £7, link)

The Solo Of Sugarcoat Blusher in Hollywood is a bit of a strange product because, on first inspection, all of those glimmering metallic hues bring to mind a glow-tastic highlighter, but if you blend all of the waves of colours together and miss out the silver part at the top, you'll actually get a very pretty, albeit very shimmery, peachy blush tone as you can see in the swatch below. Clever huh? The powder compact formula is very soft and blends nicely for a quick and easy way to add a warm glow to your complexion. Very pretty!

Perfect Shade Disco Ice Cream Tide Pressed Powder in Cover Page* (12g, £6, link)

As far as Pressed Powders go, this Ice Cream version looks the most interesting in my whole makeup collection. With a cute Ice Cream imprint in the pan, this silky soft powder has a little shimmer to it, but once blended into the skin, it provides the perfect finishing touch to your look. It absorbs excess oil and helps to keep your makeup in place for longer, as well as making sure your T-zone looks shine-free for the rest of the day or night. I was quite surprised by this as I usually have to reach into my bag for a cheeky touch up after a few hours, but this lasted considerably longer than some other much more expensive brands and it didn't dry my skin out either.

 Perfect Shade Disco Playful Musician Liquid Lipstick in Plum* (8ml, £9, link)

Liquid Lipsticks are often best when they're richly pigmented and have a matte or semi-matte finish and the Playful Musician range from Perfect Shade ticks all the right boxes. There are currently 24 shades to choose from and it's a particularly good one to look into if you're looking for a vampy red or darker colour for Autumn and Winter. The shade above Plum is a stunning deep red-berry that dries down to a matte finish, and it looks amazing paired with a simple clean eye and perhaps a little flick of black eyeliner, to allow the lips to do all the talking. These liquid lipsticks are seriously long-lasting too and remind me of the Kat Von D and Bite Beauty formulas.

Perfect Shade Disco Swinging Lipstick in Psychopath* (4.5g, £9, link)

Ensuring that those who prefer traditional lipstick formats aren't left out, the Swinging Lipstick range boasts 24 shades and they have everything from nudes, darks, everyday pinks and even some interesting vivid purples. Like the rest of the Perfect Shade Disco range, the lipsticks have really cool packaging that stands out in your makeup bag - I've had so many questions and compliments from friends who have seen this recently! The semi-matte formula is also brilliant with a smooth and creamy application that makes it easy to get an opaque block of colour in just one or two swipes. I was expecting this shade Psychopath to be more of a brick red shade from what it looks like in the bullet, but on my lips and in the swatch it definitely leans a lot pinker, but it's still a gorgeous lippie nonetheless.

 Perfect Shade Disco Rocking Eyelashes Mascara in Pitch Black* (8ml, £9, link)

The last product that I tried out from this range is the Rocking Eyelashes Mascara which comes in both brown and black options. It features an interesting curved bristle brush wand which grabs onto the lashes easily and coats them evenly, without any clumping issues. I'd say that this mascara is better for volumising than it is for lengthening, so if you already have long lashes but just want a fuller look, it's certainly one that I'd recommend trying. It provides a smudge-proof formula that doesn't flake, and is nice and inky black for extra definition. 

Swatches! From top to bottom: Perfect Shade Disco Playful Musician Liquid Lipstick in Plum, Swinging Lipstick in Psychopatch, Solo Of Sugarcoat Blusher in Hollywood and Perfect Shade Disco Ice Cream Tide Pressed Powder in Cover Page.

Discover the full range at perfectshadebeauty.co.uk

Have you tried anything from Perfect Shade before?

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New In Beauty: GOSH Fake It! Lash Primer & Blown Away Mascara review

GOSH launched their shiny new S/S18 makeup collection last month, and two standout winners for me are the new Fake It! Lash Primer and Blown Away Mascara. Both are perfect for achieving an easy, wide-awake, lash look that you can wear to work or Uni every day. 

I've become a bit of a snob with mascaras lately, shunning the high street in favour of my higher-end favourites from Stila, Benefit and Ciate. Why? I've long since gotten bored with the disappointing clumpy tubes from the likes of Maybelline, Barry M and Rimmel, and I've been loving the instantly bigger, thicker lashes that the luxury brands have been promoting (and making much better formulas for). 

However, as a student on a budget, my fancy mascara habit was getting expensive and I started to covet a more natural, 'my-lashes-but-better' look for every day. Which is why I've fallen in love with these two newbies from GOSH; they're cruelty-free, affordable (plus you can almost always find them on some kind of offer in Superdrug), and they give me the results that I want.

GOSH Fake It! Lash Primer* (10ml, £9.99, link)

Lash primers are something that I dabble with every now and again, but they're not something that I would think to reach for on a day-to-day basis. The best that I've tried is from Benefit and I'd say that this new GOSH one is an excellent dupe for it, as it yields the same results. The Fake It! Lash Primer comes out a light grey colour instead of brown, but it dries quickly and leaves no lasting greyish tinge to the lashes, making it suitable for all hair colours to use. 

The perfume and paraben-free formula is said to be 'nourishing and strengthening' as it contains Hyaluronic Acid, but I can't say I've noticed much of a difference in that department after using it regularly for a month. Still, maybe it's more of a long-term thing?   I do love the thickening and lengthening properties of this lash primer though, and the skinny rubberised brush effortlessly coats each and every lash. You can use it underneath any brand of mascara and it will help your lashes to look longer and more fluttery - I really love it!

GOSH Blown Away Mascara* (10ml, £9.99, link)

Quick confession; I wasn't 100% 'blown away' by this mascara when I used it on its own. It was OK, but nothing amazing. So for the purpose of the rest of this review, I'm going to focus on how much I like it when I use it with the Fake It! Lash Primer which is what I've been doing for the past couple of weeks. Like the primer, the Blown Away Mascara has a rubberised wand, but it's thicker and has a clever 2-in-1 brush and comb (one side has longer bristles than the other). This allows the wand to apply just the right amount of mascara for the first coat, and then you can flip it to the other side and use the shorter comb to separate, which I feel helps to prevent the lashes from getting clumpy.

As you can see by the photos below, when used with the Fake It! Lash Primer, this mascara performs beautifully for a lovely 'my-lashes-but-better' finish. My natural lashes are not very defined at all, so I love the extra blackened definition and the length that these two products give. There's not much volume going on, but for every day, I'm simply smitten. It's not OTT, I don't look like I'm about to go clubbing, and instead, it's a more natural and fluttery look. Best of all, this combo lasts throughout the day without smudging or flaking, and yet it's easy to remove with any standard makeup remover, the latter of which is something that I can't say for my more pricier mascaras!   

Worn together: GOSH Fake It! Lash Primer & Blown Away Mascara

The new GOSH S/S18 collection is available exclusively in Superdrug stores nationwide and online via Superdrug.com

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