Review: Maybelline New York Big Eyes Mascara

I find that having long eyelashes can be a bit of a chore, with mascara being too heavy, after an hour the curl in them droops and they don't have the same brightness. This isn't my favourite mascara as I find that the part for the top lashes don't separate the lashes but tend to clump them together, and then they look uneven. However the bottom lash mascara separates and coats them evenly, maybe this is due to the smaller end but, even though it is made for the bottom lashes I tend to use it to put a second coat on the top lashes, it just keeps the eyelashes apart and keeps the mascara on them.

Lent

I know lent has started already, and lots of people have already started to give things up, but about 3 days after pancake day, I finally decided exactly what I needed to do.

I have a stupid amount of makeup that 1. I don't use and 2. is so old that I probably don't even remember using it. So instead of giving up some type of food, or chocolate, or some type of thing that I usually break within the first week, I told myself that for the 5 weeks of lent I cannot and will not buy any makeup other than moisturiser if necessary. This means that the makeup that has been placed in a drawer somewhere will be found again, and will either be thrown away or probably become part of my everyday routine. I like to think this could be a form of 'spring cleaning' which will save me pennies and discover old loves. 

Origins Minatures

They were only little tester and so aren't full size

I've had a relatively small amount of experience with origins, but what I have tried I have loved, and has become a favourite in the past. However after trying a few miniature, tester sized things I've been fairly disappointed. After a night in with the girls having a chinese take away and just rummaging through her makeup, we discovered her stash of unused origins things that just isn't compatible to her sensitive skin, which led to her giving it too us. We divided up the contents of these mini cracker things that she was given over christmas, we each took away a new little gift to explore. There were 4 main tubs that were handed out; 1. Modern Friction (Nature's gentle dermabrasion)  2. Drink Up Intensive (overnight mask to quench skins thirst)  3. Make A Difference (Rejuvenating hand treatment)  4. Clear Improvement (Active charcoal mask to clear pores).

Modern Friction is a strong exfoliating face product. It has an incredibly strong scent, and leaves the face tingling, I wouldn't suggest this to people with sensitive skin as it's a little strong. This is the product that I least liked out of the 4. On the other hand, my skin did feel fairly smooth afterwards, but I wouldn't buy it in full because it almost had a tingling sensation on the face that just wasn't very pleasant.

Drink Up Intensive Is one of the top two of the products. I love how simple it made my night skincare routine. I would just simply cleanse and then pop this on, not too much so that it wouldn't make my skin feel claustrophobic, but in the morning my skin was so soft, as soft as a baby's bum- too much? Anyway, This product is probably the one I would repurchase because it just does wonders for a dehydrated skin. Because it is a strong product I tend to use it 2 or 3 times a week so my skin won't get used to it. However, it has an extremely strong scent, not a bad one- just strong, and so the first 2/3 minutes can be a little strong, but I didn't mind pushing through the smell for the results it has given.

Make a Difference This is my favourite product, probably because I'm a sucker for a moisturiser, but this is the hand cream that I have by my bed so whenever I go past it, I will pick it up and use it. I haven't used it as a travel hand cream because this particular bottle is a little on the small side and I feel that I would lose it in the bottom of my bag and just forget about it. It has a small smell but it's not bad, I just don't know how I would describe it *sorry* the only reason for not buying this is that I like to switch hand creams because there is a tonne out there and most of them are as good as the other, I've never found one that really stands out to me.


Clear Improvement This is another that has been new to me. I don't tend to use face masks because 1. I'm too lazy 2. I don't have time. However, since using this charcoal mask it has stuck to what it said it does, and clears pores (I would hope it would do what it says) It's just as good as most other charcoal masks if I'm honest, it's not really anything special.






Overall, 2 out of 4 tester products have become a regular skincare item for me, which isn't too shoddy.

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Kirby Hall; Day Out

                                

Kirby hall is an old building that has a tonne of history and beautiful scenery, just outside of Corby, Northamptonshire, that is a wonderful day out. It's only small and would be one of the things I would say go to if you have a few hours spare, that need to be filled, on a day of visiting around the area. I went with two friends and had a great day venturing in and out of the various doors that left us walking in circles.

It was truly beautiful and had numerous large, elegant windows that lit up the rooms in an unbelievable way. It had an Italian feel *just look and the picture above* and had clever views that left you wondering what it would be like to live in this type of building.

There was one room dedicated to exploring the history of the building, and even had a miniature seating area for children that had books about previous queens, and were all based on the house so even the children can learn about the building.

                                 

They gave us a remote looking device that turned out to be the audio for the tour, however do not put this into your bag when you need the toilet, you end up leaving it in your bag and then going home with it, realising what you have done, and having to drive all the way back again in fear that they would think you had stolen it, why they would think that I would want one is beyond me but it was returned and they were very graceful about it and just laughed at my stupidity and let me use the toilet once again. 

Not only do you get to follow through the beautiful scenery, but they had numerous peacocks on site, which definitely confused me. I didn't know peacocks were a bird that would like to be around people, I thought the area would've inhabited ducks but, it definitely added to the feel of the countryside. The peacocks allowed you to get incredibly close, that one even guarded the door and would stand by it until you opened it and then would circle around and go back to where it was standing. 

I think Kirby Hall is an amazing place to go out with family, and small children would love the space they are able to run around in. They even have cute little knights costumes being sold in the shop, along with other child friendly souvenirs. Plus there are many adult friendly items, whilst we were there they were giving free tasters of their lemon curd, cherry jam, and two types of alcoholic beverage (I don't remember the names now).

Buttery lips

From left to right: Pink Truffle, Strawberry Shortcake, Candy Apple, Red Velvet & Tutti Fruitti

The Revlon lip butters are my current favourite everyday lip colour to wear, especially on school days where I find a bolder colour is definitely too much make up, and too much maintenance throughout the day. They have a moisturising texture to them and are clearly not matte at all, however, they nourish your lips and protect them from the lip biting stress of everyday life.

My personal favourite is Pink Truffle. It has a deep rosey colour that is subtle and looks effortless. It brings a little oomph to a natural everyday look. However, Red Velvet is such a close second that they are almost on an equal level, a deep reddy brown (mostly red, don't be scared by the 'brownish' tone), but I find Pink Truffle an easier colour to develop and tame on the lips throughout the day making it the perfect 'on the go' lip colour. I gathered colours one or two at a time as tastes change and styles change, but the colours are so diverse I find myself reusing the colours I had forgotten about previously and falling back in love with them all over again. I do find myself worrying that I will cave in to the urge to buy even more colours and eventually become overrun with every shade and then having too much choice and just moving on to a whole new project.

I usually pat the lipstick off a little before going out just to soften the colour and make it look more casual. I tend not to wear them on nights out, especially not for meals, as they can slide on the lips and need a little care when worn as a bold, solid colour. This is just 5 of the 20-something shades available at around £8.

Pink Glow

There has been a lot of hype recently around the pink/neutral eyeshadows (as seen by the urban decay naked 3 pallette) I am partial to a little pink, but I'm definitely not a girly girl. However, my latest discovery is the Maybelline 24 Hr colour tattoo in 65-Pink Gold. I got this in a Glossybox about 3 months ago and ever since a first (and pretty shabby) attempt to use it, I have fallen completely in love with it. It's simple to apply, no fuss. 

                                      

I wear it on it's own, and sometimes with Mac- Satin Taupe in the crease just to make it a little more special on those nights out. 

                                      

The colours completely compliment each other, and easy to put together for someone who isn't very confident with the whole contouring of the eyes (like myself, I'm certainly no expert) 

                                       

I haven't needed to buy a new one because it just seems to be never ending, even after it's daily use. I was shocked by the staying power alongside the ease of use. Once put on, it really doesn't budge at all. It's undoubtedly not the cheapest eyeshadow out there, however it's certainly not at all expensive at around £8 per eyeshadow, and worth it trust me.