June favourites!

Hey guys!

How's everyone coping in the UK with this heatwave? Holy moly it's HOT here. I know that 30c doesn't seem like much to some, but when you're from the UK it's a bit too much. I've been practically melting. At least I'm not too bummed about not going abroad this year because I have the weather here so that saves me a few hundred!  

Also, whilst I'm writing - I would like people to take a moment to think about those affected by the attacks in Tunisia, Kuwait and France. Also a moment for the airplane crash in Indonesia. I can't begin to imagine the emotions people were feeling or what was going through their heads as the events unfolded or how their families must feel. My thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected by this. There's so many sad happenings across the world recently and it's horrible to hear, it's nice to hear some amazing news in the midst of it all, so that's why I would like to say a big HURRAY to the LGBT community after the historical victory of same sex marriage being legalised in all 50 states of America. You guys have worked so hard and fought so long for this basic human right and you finally have it. Marry who you want wherever you want, love wins! So that's my reflection for June, let's crack on with my June favourites!

Hoola - Benefit Cosmetics 

Ok so I've raved about this product so much in the last couple weeks and all with good reason, it is simply the best bronzer I've ever used and the only bronzer that makes me look good, gives me that sun kissed feel and lasts ALL DAY. Even in this sweltering heat - my sweaty face doesn't shift it! I just love love love love it! The amount of times I've said love pretty much clarifies all my opinions on Hoola. If you're willing to pay that little extra for some bronzer then please try Hoola!

Naked2 palette - Urban Decay

This is always a firm favourite of mine, but recently I've been thinking and it really does deserve a slot on the favourites of the month post. I think what I love the most about the Naked2 palette is that it is such an ideal set of shades for my eye colour. I'd say I have medium-dark brown eyes so this is so perfect for that colour. I love the names of the shadows and how well they sit on your skin, they're so pigmented and a little goes a long way. My favourite look is with Bootycall, Tease and Busted it just looks so pretty and good together! The only downside to the Naked2 is the price but honestly it is worth it. I would prefer to pay a little bit extra for something I know has a good reputation and will do exactly what I need - this fits the bill perfectly. I'm so excited for Naked Smoky to come out in just a few days - eeeeek!

Fame - Lady Gaga

Ok so this is a pretty random favourite because it was a purely random purchase in the black Friday madness at the end of 2014. I had heard how good it smelt so I just clicked and into the basket it went. If I'm being honest, I had pretty much forgotten about this until I was packing my room up at Uni and saw it there. I gave it a spray and since then I've worn it loads. I don't really know how to describe the smell because it's quite a sweet scent but I know I definitely like it. The colour of the perfume is black like what the hell?! That's so cool! I definitely think the packaging and the presentation of perfume helps with the sales. So I'm glad I found this amongst bits and bobs at uni!

Honeysuckle Honeydew - EOS lipbalm

This I got for my 21st and at first I was kinda unsure of the smell because it's quite intense to begin with. But seeing as it's lovely weather and my cats have stolen my summer fruits EOS lip balm, I gave this one a whirl. I got used to the smell pretty quickly, I'm not a fan at all of anything remotely floral so this is a big step for me but I love honeydew melon so I just imagined myself eating that and viola! It was love, just like that. EOS lip balms are incredibly soft to the lips and really moisturise's them - again ideal in this type of weather, this lip balm in particular has saved my lips from being super dry and chapped.

So there you guys have it - my favourites for June.  I hope you enjoyed reading this blog, in the comments I don't want any hate at all regarding the things I said at the beginning of this post, all opinions and views expressed on here are my own. I just want people to take a second to think about all the horrible things happening in the world and those who are suffering. But then I also want you to think about these good things like the legalisation of same sex marriage - whether you agree with it or not, it's a basic right to love whoever and be with whoever you want to be. So on that note: share, plus one it, comment, tell your friends! Thank you all for reading and for the continued support you guys are showing me. I honestly appreciate it so much, it means an awful lot to me. I'll post again soon,

Katie x 

Benefit Cosmetics super mini haul and samples!

Hey guys!

So I've done a bad thing and blown money on the Benefit Cosmetics website again... whoopsie daisy. But, it was worth it :) I paid for two items so this is a super duper mini haul. I purchased the Rollerlash mascara and the Hoola bronzer. I used a special code to get two freebie samples of Dreamscreen and Lollitint, then at the check out you usually get to pick two samples for free so I went with Professional and Puff Off. I'll tell you a bit about each of those as the post moves along but I'm really excited to write this as I love Benefit Cosmetics. It is probably a joint first place with MAC for me right now, all for different reasons. 

Rollerlash mascara - 

So if you've read my blog before you will know that I absolutely adore this product, I used to be a  faithful follower of the They're Real mascara by Benefit but when I tried Rollerlash I was completely turned by this product. It just makes such a difference to your lashes, it doesn't make them look clumpy and gross, just naturally curly and long. Aside from eyebrows, my eyelashes are probably what I take most pride on with my facial makeup, I'm one of those annoying people who will redo their mascara about 50 times until I deem it fit for others to see (yep, I'm pretty sad) And this does them amazingly every time. I use this mascara day in, day out for work, social, night out, everyday... you name it I'll more than likely wear it for that (other than swimming or a bath because then it'll run and I'll just look silly) it's only JUST beginning to run out and I think I bought my first Rollerlash in March sometime? So that's how bloody good it is. If you want a full, indepth review on Rollerlash then here's the link from my blog:

http://lifebeautylove-km.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/rollerlash-mascara-is-it-really-holy.html

Hoola bronzing powder -

Ok, I've wanted this bronzer for a while now but this was my dilemma: whenever I try bronzer no matter how light it may be I ALWAYS look like I've smeared poo on my face... Yep, bad isn't it? Bronzer and me just have a horrible history and we don't get on. However, I gave Hoola the benefit of the doubt (ha, get it? Benefit?) after reading all the great reviews on it and plucked the courage to give it a shot. Safe to say I love it, I've worn it twice since it arrived in the post - the second I opened it and for work today. It made my skin look so healthy and tanned. It's a pigmented powder but it's not overly done, it's a nice and natural shade. I'm debating whether to give Hoola it's own blog post for a more in depth review, what do you guys think? I also love the name, reminds me of Hawaii, summer and all things fun-loving! The little miniature brush you get with Hoola is also really good, I've used it both times and it's super soft and applies wonderfully which of course is an added bonus.

So now onto the sample freebies so these sections will be much smaller :)

Porefessional sample -

I'm really glad I got to sample this because it's another product I've wanted to try out because of how great the reviews are but never actually tried it for whatever reason. First things first the sample I tried - I loved! It's super super super soft on the skin (I used super three times it's that soft) and it blends in instantly. It helped minimise my pore appearance and created a matte look to my 'tend to get oily as the day progresses' areas, instead of a shiny look, which I'm really glad about. I didn't have to re-apply at all during the day which is a massive plus. I will definitely purchase a full size version of Porefessional and more than likely the whole porefessional range (particularly the new 'license to blot') 

Puff off! sample - 

Again, if you read my blogs you know I suffer with dark circles and puffy under eyes. So when I was given the option to sample this, naturally I went with it. Instant difference to my puffy dark eyes when I applied it. It cooled them upon touch, I swear I saw the puffy go down but maybe that's because I was watching my under eyes like a hawk to check this. Puff Off! made my eyes appear brighter after application and lasted for much of the day, this is another product I will be buying a full version of!

Lollitint -

In the sample tube, this looks like quite an in your face pink shade that stains your lips and cheeks, so I was apprehensive about trying it to begin with but it's actually quite subtle to the lips when you've applied and blended it in. I didn't have enough courage to try it on my cheeks incase I didn't like it and was unable to take it off, but I'm interested in the whole tint range now, so this was a good little experiment for me and it's helped me broaden my makeup possibilities, I never thought I could get into tint but after trying Lollitint I think I could. 

Dreamscreen - 

This is the only product I haven't tried because the weather here has been miserable and wet on and off for the last few days. However, I squeezed a small circle on my arm and it felt so soft and smelt great. It's an SPF 45 so it's really good protection against the sun on your face. This would be really ideal for me as my face always burns on holiday. Alas, my review for Dreamscreen is a bit naff I'm afraid as it's the one thing I've not been able to try because of the weather, argh :( I've heard some good things about it though so fingers crossed I'll like it. 

That's everything for todays post guys! I hope you've enjoyed the read, let me know what you think in the comment section below. Don't forget to share and tell your friends about my blog if you think it's their thing and if you enjoy my posts! Any feedback is welcome <3 Thanks for reading.

Katie x 

'Rollerlash' Mascara: Is It Really The Holy Grail Of All Mascara's?

Hey guys!

So there has been a bit of a surge in the beauty world about Benefit Cosmetic's latest mascara 'Rollerlash'. Now, I've been wanting to try this mascara for a while but my finances have been bad recently (if you're a student you'll feel my pain here) so I've just had to follow the hashtag on Instagram and admire lashes that way... Which is pretty sad actually. But Hallejuah! Student loan AND pay day from work rolled in together, which could only mean one thing.... At last! It was time to buy Rollerlash!

I have been a loyal user of Benefit's 'They're Real!' mascara for at least two or three years. Let's be honest, who doesn't love this mascara? I've always found it to be fab on my lashes, I have quite long lashes anyway so this just intensified EVERYTHING.  ***Little tip - IF you want your lashes to be longer, and have a natural curl, just pop a tiny bit of vaseline on them every night for about three months. I did this about seven years ago and I've never had to do it again! Oh, and try avoid using curlers!***  However, 'They're Real!' the last couple of times I purchased it, it just didn't do the same thing for me anymore, I found that it clumped my lashes and it would dry up really fast no matter what I did to try avoid it drying up. It really saddened me that it happened! But it is still one of my favourite mascaras EVER.

My lashes with 'They're Real!'

My lashes with 'Rollerlash' Excuse the brows, I had a little nap and messed them up!

 Alas, I think I have found a new favourite for the time being, and that is 'Rollerlash' as you can see form the photos ^^^^ 'Rollerlash' just really lengthens and curls my lashes instantly. It feels so light on my lashes too, I don't know how to describe it, but they don't feel heavy or thick. They feel natural, beautiful and light. I can see what all the fuss is about with this mascara. I was, however - hoping to find some flaw in the product just because I've seen people say it is the 'Holy Grail' of mascara, but I am yet to find a flaw. The packaging is beautiful, the actual mascara is amazing, the brush is so soft against your lashes (I hate it when they feel rough and like they're tugging). It's only £19.50 too so it's actually a really good price considering the quality of the product. All in all, this is a bloody great mascara and I am absolutely in love, sorry 'They're Real!' I think I've found another....

I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post today! I'll be sure to post again ASAP! Thanks for reading. 

Katie x

Urban Decay Naked2 palette review!

Hey guys!

Soon I am going to start doing a variation of posts, but whilst I get my foot in the door, I'm going to do a couple more make-up/hair kind of stuff, the next blog post will be about University and why it can be the best time of your life! But today I am doing a review on the much raved about Naked2 palette! 

First things first, this is an expensive piece of make-up. So make sure you you either 1. Can definitely afford it and you won't make yourself short of money. 2. Ask it as a gift - birthdays, Christmas etc. 3. That you definitely want it and that you will definitely use it, the reason why I say this is because the amount of times when I have purchased high end make up products and not even used them, then you regret buying them because you haven't gotten your moneys worth from it!

Now onto the real reason why I am blogging this. I absolutely adore this palette! I know now why it is raved about so much, the colours are lovely and pigmented, the names of the shades are brilliant, theres a nice variation in the shades - from neutral to smokey, matte to shimmer; this palette really does have everything you could ever want in eyeshadow! It is beautifully presented:

You can see here how it is presented.

How beautiful?!

There are 12 shades, from left to right:  Foxy, Half baked, Booty call, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YKD, Busted and Blackout. It comes with a mirror in the lid and a brush which applies the eye shadow wonderfully, but I tend to use my Real Technique brushes for applying, blending etc! My favourite shades are Booty call, Tease, Snakebite and Busted. I find these go really well together if you want to create a brown/taupe smokey eye look. I'm very hesitant to try Blackout properly because whenever I apply it on myself, I end up looking like I have black eyes! Everyone is different though, but I think that Blackout is not the shade for me unfortunately :( For an everyday look I like to wear Half baked with Tease or YKD. (As you can tell, Tease is my upmost favourite). What I like about this palette as well is how well the shadow stays on when you apply it, how easy it is to blend in and stuff! One swish across the lids and you're good to go!

Swatch of the shades on my skin (you can't really see Foxy but it is there!) 

As you can see on the picture, they're very pigmented like I've said previously. That was with just one swipe of the brush. They're all very flattering shades, with brilliant names. It definitely makes the palette more memorable. I also have the Naked3 palette (which I will do a review on if you guys want me too!) and the quality of the Naked3 palette is as equally good as the Naked2. All I need to do now is to get the original Naked palette and I'll be sorted for life! Another reason why I love the Naked2 palette is because it really suits my eyes, maybe this is because I have brown eyes so it suits me more than other colours would (I can't pull off much colour on my eyes unfortunately) but whenever I wear Naked2 on my eyes, I will always get compliments, which is a real confidence boost for me.

Overall, if you can get your hands on an Urban Decay Naked palette, then I would definitely recommend you give it a go, because it honestly is a beautiful palette sent from make-up heaven to show us the ways of the future (slight exaggeration I know, but you get the general jest of how good these palettes are). I don't think I could ever wear another brand of make-up for eyeshadow, because this is the best I have found so far! If you could see the amount of eyeshadows I own, you would see why I have said that. I think that's all I wanted to say, please give Naked2 a shot if you can, I love it so much <3.  Thanks for reading guys and I'll write again soon!

Katie x