Models Own Nail Polish in Aqua Splash

Models Own are a brand I know I'm going to get an amazing quality nail polish from. When I spotted this polish in 'Aqua Splash' in the sale section of Asos for £3.50 I couldn't help myself. I added it to my basket  and took it back out a few times actually before deciding to take the plunge because it wasn't going to break the bank exactly. It's described as a top coat but I think it can be worn on it's own today with just two coats (adding more for an opaque finish to the nail). The splash collection I think is amazing for Summer!

The polish paints a light blue base with a glitter top coat like finish to it. The glitter particles are actually silver and blue depending which light you shine it under. I tried this polish out on top of a purple polish and the glitter showed more blue than silver. So the finished depends on how you're using the polish. The quality is like other Models Own polishes - lasts best part of a week without chips.

You can buy it HERE on sale from Asos! 

Have you tried out any products from Models Own before?

March's Birchbox

When I knew Birchbox were teaming up with Lulu Guinness for this months box I knew I had a reason to be over excited. Cute packaging inspired by Lulu's latest SS collection, a life lesson book included with tips and quotes. Don't forget a Benefit favourite of hers is amongst the goods too.

• Benefit Stay Don't Stray (£20.50)
• Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner (£39)
• Korres Citrus Body Milk (£9.50)
• Molton Brown Rhubarb & Rose Replenishing Hand Cream (£10)
• English Laundry No. 7 For Her (£47)
• Candy Rock (inspired by Lulu Guinness)

Out of all the sample sized products I received this month I am most excited for the Dr. Brandt number! Even though I think Birchbox are still miles ahead in the beauty box game I wish they would mix it up a little more with the brands. It seems to be the same ones as I've had before this month. Still excited nonetheless! 

Have you tried Birchbox yet?

Elf Flawless Eyeshadow

You know when you rediscover products and you think to yourself why did I ever stop using you? I guess when I have far too many neutral eyeshadow palettes though it's easy to forget about old favourites. Yes I'm a self confessed neutral eye girl and hardly ever venture away from browns, beiges, goldens and the occasional dash of black. This offering from Elf is nothing but affordable yet pigmented, no complaints here. 

Like a lot of palettes around these days this quad comes with writing imprinted onto the shades in a way to help guide you what shade to use wear. The fading of a few shows which are my favourite shades too. This particular quad is part of the 'Flawless Eyshadow' range and is in Tantalizing Taupe. Packaging is the standard white plastic with a tiny mirror like a lot of the inexpensive Elf products. I find the shades are a little similar too each other but it makes the a great compact palette for perfecting a brown smoky eye. 

When it comes down to the shades themselves we have one matte shade which makes a fantastic shadow eye liner. The other three are all shimmery. The lightest shade I love to use as a base or highlighter for the eye especially on the brow bone. As for the other two the lighter of the two browns I tend to use on the lid and blend in the darker shade into the crease. Elf's quads really do make a gorgeous smoky eye.

You can buy Elf Flawless Eyeshadow for £2.50, HERE.

What do you think of Elf products?

Topshop Lips in Petal

I've been wanting to try out Topshop's make up range for the longest time but just never got round to it. I've heard great things about their lip products so I recently grabbed one in the shade Petal. Quite easily it has become my favourite pale pink to wear, it's the most perfect pink nude I've come across. 

The shade 'Petal' is a velvet finish and glides onto the lips, leaving a moisturised finish. I'd add lip balm before you apply though as I found it can be a little drying after a few hours of wear. Petal leaves a nice shine to the lips and looks amazing if you add a lip gloss of your choice to it. It's an everyday shade to wear and would suit any skin tone in my opinion. We all know how adorable Topshop's make up packaging is too. I definitely think I've found my favourite nude shade to wear.

You can buy 'Petal' for £8 HERE.

What do you think of Topshop's make up range?

Sleek Blush in Rose Gold

After hearing rave reviews about Sleek blushes for a long time I decided it was time to get my hands on one. I opted for the shade Rose Gold which has been said to be a dupe for NARS' 'Orgasm' blush. I can't confirm that as I don't own the NARS blusher. I know that this Sleek offering is amazing though.

Let's talk packaging. I often find (as you can see in the above picture) that the blush can get a little messy which means dust can end up in the edges of the packaging. There's something sophisticated about Sleek packaging though. An example of a high street brand doing it the right way. It's so compact too but contains a good amount of product - gold star for you Sleek.

It's what's on the inside that counts right? A highly pigmented rosy pink colour lined with gold speckles. I'm not usually an overly glittery fan but this adds just a right amount of shimmer to the cheeks. It works really well along side highlighting products I find. It's such a lovely shade and I find it to be suitable for any time of the year. You can buy it HERE for £4.49.

What do you think of Sleek?

February Favourites

When you put yourself on a spending ban you tend to raid your mountain of samples and are forced to rediscover old favourites. There are a couple of new things that I just couldn't turn down because I was out of them so it was totally allowed and I was sucked into the blogger hype. So here's what I loved in February.

• Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in Ivory (£8.99) - I posted a more in depth review of this foundation HERE. This product has got me out of my foundation rut though!
• Seventeen Phwoarr Paint in Fair (£5.49) - This is a product I forgot about recently and then it ended back into my make-up routine and I wondered why it ever stopped. It's perfect for hiding those under eye bags but covers blemishes really well too.
• Birchbox Eyelash Curlers (£10) - I never understood eyelash curlers and that's probably because I was useless at using them but with a bit of practise and a quality pair of them I can see why they are so useful.

• Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Lightweight Conditioning Spray (£4.49) - This is essentially a leave in conditioner but it de-tangles hair really well as well as protecting from heat. An affordable price for a multi-use product. 
• Korres Citrus Showergel 50ml (£2.50) - This was part on my Birchbox subscription and had been left lying around in my samples collection. I love to use this before bed as the smell might be citrus but leaves me feeling relaxed and sleepy. 
• La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] (£15.50) - Everyone is talking about this product. I received a sample of the original Effaclar Duo just before this newer version got released so of course I picked it up on the introductory offer. Blemishes aren't around for long with this.

So that's everything from me! What have you loved this month?