Dainty Doll - Are You Experienced?

Dainty Doll Eyeshadow in the shade Are You Experienced?

I actually purchased this before Lollipops & Roses (see review here) but never got round to reviewing it! Like all Dainty Doll eye products it's full of vitamins and anti-oxidants to keep you looking refreshed, which is perfect if, like me, you're wearing makeup all day after about four hours sleep.

The pigmentation is amazing as one application is plenty for me to do a smoky eye for everyday wear and doesn't fade or get wrinkled in the crease. I just apply with my real techniques base shadow brush and find it doesn't stain the brush at all.

You can't buy Dainty Doll in stores anymore but I got mine on eBay for a couple of quid so it's well worth searching for if you're after an everyday basic brown that's going to last a fair while (they're about twice the size of the MAC shadows) and is higher-end but still affordable.

Quinoderm for Acne

Quinoderm

First off I know I've been a bad blogger *slap on the dodgy fake tan wrist* but I have now finished my alevels and thus can now concentrate more on here (without reciting Macbeth or the Weimar constitution to myself).

All through school I had pretty good skin - of course I got the odd spot but I could go out completely bare faced if I really wanted to. However when I got to about 16 my skin started to really breakout and since then it's only got worse.
I eventually went to the drs back in January and ended up with this acne cream Quinderm on prescription - after the first three treatments were refused by the chemist! One tube lasts about 2-3 weeks and I soon discovered it was hard to get more on repeat so simply started buying it myself from Boots. Now I was told it may take eight weeks but six months later and I've seen no improvement what-so-ever so am going to have to go back and beg them for pills - which I have been asking for since day one.
The cream itself burnt as soon as applied to the skin and this lasted about 3 minutes, but if you put any creams on top the burning returns... and stays. It also caused my skin to become red and irritated before finally peeling. I think it did show early signs of working but increased the amount of blackheads and basically made my scars permeant.
Quinoderm must work for some people for it to be so widely used but it is probably the worst beauty product I have ever used and seriously regret beginning the treatment as my skin now relies on it, whist it is slowly ruining it.

Rimmel Salon Pro by Kate - Rhythm & Blues

Rimmel Salon Pro by Kate in shade Rhythm & Blues - £4.49

When they were launched last month I actually wanted New Romantic  (a pale pink) but I don't own anything quite like this one so made a last minuted decision and this ended up in my basket and eventually part of my collection. 

Rhythm & Blues looks black when on the nails you discover it's actually a very deep navy - almost an ink effect. I love this so much as under different lights you spot different tones and it's a lovely dark shade without actually being black.

The new Salon Pro collection is available in a wide range of shades, with eleven in the Kate Moss range, and are designed to last 10 days before chipping/ peeling as well as being fade proof. Best summer holiday vanish? 

Well first off the application is amazing with a large, sturdy brush which coats the whole nail in one go. One coat is probably enough but I applied two just to be safe with my Barry M topcoat as well. I kept it on for seven days and found I had two smalls chips on my left thumb, one on my right, and one on my right middle finger (both thumbs from doing up jeans and the middle from getting my hand stuck when buying M&Ms from a vending machine - dooh). I also noticed some scratching but for someone who paints their nails once a week it really is a great beauty product and am so happy that I bought three in Boots 3for2!

Illuminating Face Perfector

Illuminating Face Perfector from Avon - £1.75 (usually £10)

Primers can be pricy, especially considering that no one is ever going to walk up to you and say how much they love it. I love primers however as they make the skin so smooth and will make your foundation last far longer (brilliant for nights out). 

The product contains SPF which is always a bonus and does smooth out any imperfections and helps your foundations and blushes glide onto your face, but the staying power isn't ever so amazing. It makes the foundation you first applied last longer but if you top up during the day this does rub off.

Now this will be retailing for £10 but is currently around £3 and I wouldn't pay full price when there are so many great alternatives on the hughstreet. For £3 though it is definitely worth a try and will be buying another whilst they're still on an introductory offer. 

Dainty Doll - Lollipops & Roses

Dainty Doll Eyeshadow in shade Lollipops & Roses (007)

I don't know if you've noticed but suddenly Dainty Doll is no longer at the high end counters but you can now pick them up for next to nothing in places like TK Maxx or Fragrance Direct - which seems to have made the beauty world go into panic and bulk buy. Anyway in the summer I'm really into bright colours around the eyes so when I saw this pink for £2.65 I wasted no time in clicking "buy now".

The colour is even more beautiful in real life than in photos and really does look edible! Mmmm. Despite it being a powder it glides on effortlessly and with vitamins A, C, and E it'll perk up your eyes and help reduce wrinkles. Yes - it's anti-aging gals.

I'm completely in love with this so will definitely be purchasing "Copacabana" (bright blue) and "Jungle' (deep green) as they really are a steal and about twice the size of MAC!

What's your summer make-up statement? 

Collection - Fast Stroke Eyeliner

I've got a bit of a thing for eyeliner but actually don't very often try anything different - when I found something I that works I tend to stick to it. However I decided to get out of my rut and pick up some new products - one of them being this Collection "Fast Stroke" liquid liner.

It doesn't show up on the Boots site (although I bought it from there in-store about eight weeks ago) but I think it was about £3 as I bought it as part of an offer.

The product itself it lovely and very easy to apply as the brush is stiff without stabbing your lid. I apply it over a liner felt tip as I feel this gives me more precision and am less likely to make a mess - never let me loose with a gel pot! It lasts about 6 hours before you need to touch up the flicks but doesn't crumble like some other drugstore brands do. This liner also appears to be fairly resistant to rain and wind although I've only worn it twice in such conditions so I won't go recommending you buy it for winter or what-not.

I don't hate this liner but I don't love it either. It does the job and for the price really is a great product but it just doesn't make go "wow" like some cosmetics do.

My Everyday Summer Makeup

Products used:

Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser in Natural 

Natural Collection CoverUp Cream in Fair

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush in 06*

Chit Chat Highlighter

Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Neutral

The Body Shop Eye Definer in Carbon Black*

Bourjois Paris Ombre Stretch in 02 Max Blanc

The Body Shop Big and Curvy Mascara in 01 Black*

N.Y.C Eyeshadow in Metro Quartlet (used on brows)

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm*

When the sun starts to shine it's nice to mix up your look a little and go back to basics which for me means no black cat flicks and toned down lips. I know a lot of people will whip out a bronzer but with pale skin they always go orange in one application so I tend to stay clear! It's also nice to use a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream which is lighter on the skin and a softer blush. Natural Collection is my go-to when it comes to bases as foundations always make me so orange unless I want to spend a bomb over at Urban Decay. For lips I try to just use a lip balm but my must-have lipstick for summer is Kate for Rimmel in shade 12 (pictured above).

What are your summer make-up must haves?

MAC Shadow in Nocturnelle

M.A.C Eyeshadow in Nocturnelle*

What girl doesn't like to come to home to find a brand new MAC eyeshadow on the table eh? Well this happened to me when I got in from a rather sluggish day at college and it's safe to say my Monday rocketed upwards!

This is my first MAC eyeshadow and it's in the shade Nocturnelle which is a highly-pigmented purple with a slight shimmer - perfect for when you're going for the "wow" factor. I personally don't think it's that showy off and actually wore it to college today but it is buildable and depends on your own confidence. 

MAC always impress with products and this is no different (sold out on the site but some in-store counters might still have it) although it does retail for £12 which is pretty steep considering the average price in the drugstore is £2-£4. It is however a great piece and worth bearing in mind with pay day when you need to treat yourself.

What's your favourite eyeshadow shade and brand? 

The Body Shop - Coconut Body Butter

Coconut Body Butter*

Body Shop body butters are one of the best out there so it's always nice to receive one as a little treat - especially when it's coconut!

Not only beautifully scented it comes in this neat little 50ml tub making it easier to get the amount one needs without wastage. This size costs £5, although you can get one 4x the size for £13, so it's a good way to try before you buy.

What's your favourite Body Shop product? 

Why use a nappy cream on tattoos?

Bepanthen Nappy Cream - £3.50?

For my birthday a few weeks I went and got a tattoo I've been dying for since I was 14 - "Libertine". For those of you who don't know The Libertines were a band in the noughties fronted by Pete Doherty and Carl Barat, who had this tattooed upon them. It's just for the band I had it tattooed but what it meant to be and the actualy meaning behind it.

Anyway it went really well and was told to use baby cream on it to help it heal - but not to use Sudocream (lucky they told me this as I was planning to! Bepanthen can probably be found in any chemists or supermarket but I got mine from Asda for about £3.50. 

Admittedly I wasn't the best at remembering to put cream on but it seems to have healed really well and the cream helped with the peeling and tightness you get. It was rather sticky so I had to roll my sleeve up whilst it dried but apart from that is was great. It also helped with a burn I had on my wrist so might speed up scar recovery too. 

Have you got any tattoos and healing tips or are you a bit more traditional when it comes to inking the body?