Anastasia Beverly Hills - Modern Renaissance Palette REVIEW

#LFXMAS - Look Fantastic Beauty Box December 2016

Look Fantastic Beauty Box - December 2016 Edition

I've been receiving these boxes for a year now, and overall I have very mixed views on whether i'd like to continue my subscription.. (this blog is all about honesty right?) - this is what i'd of said a couple of months ago, but I see myself renewing for another year purely based on November's amazing box (you can see my review on that here) and December's box as they have been so great, and so suited to me & what I like to try! I usually find them too samey or not enough reflection of me.. but the last couple of months i've been seriously impressed..

Christmas Gift Guide - For Her - Splash the Cash

A Christmas Gift Guide - For Her - 'Splash the cash' Edition

Christmas Gift Guide - For Him - Under £30

A Christmas Gift Guide - Boys - Under £30

November Beauty Buys

I'm a huge makeup fan shock horror and at least every month I invest in something new purely from recommendations or what's on offer when I walk into my local boots, superdrug etc.. This month i'm so excited to share what i've bought throughout November, so lets get into it. 

REVIEW: Urban Decay Ultimate Basics Palette

This palette has been ridiculously anticipated and rightly so, it is honestly beautiful. Being a huge fan of Urban Decay, and in particular their eyeshadow palettes (this may be the sixth one I own?) I was super keen to get my hands on this when I noticed it on the Urban Decay website.. much to my dismay it was sold out, but I signed up for an alert to get it once back in stock and it only took a week! 

Mini LUSH Haul

I rarely get down to LUSH and I actually find I also never really have time to enjoy the luxury bath products they have to offer, and usually end up leaving them in the bathroom so the rest of the family can enjoy (accidentally). On a recent trip to Westfield, I thought i'd give myself a 'one off' treat and have a look at some products, particularly the Christmas/Autumnal inspired products to really get into the spirit. I ended up leaving with a couple of bath bombs, a bath bar and an interesting scrub

REVIEW: MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash

MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash

I first came across this mascara back around Christmas 2014, my friend and I decided to stop by the MAC store on a day trip in London. Persuaded by the lovely sales assistant Elena, I ended up leaving the shop with more than I anticipated (as you do) and this mascara soon became a statement in my life, shocking as I'm usually more of a face/complexion obsessed girl, i've never really been too faded by what type of mascara I have, whether its cheap or expensive.

Blogmas Day Eight ~ My Face With Five Products Challenge

Five items. Five minutes.

I think this post could be aimed at beauty addicts who like to mix around their beauty regime and also may not have the time in the morning to apply an extensively full face of makeup (I.e would rather opt for a few extra minutes in bed) or you have only five minutes to get ready literally, and need a 'go-to' quick regime that won't let you leave the house looking naked on the face.

If you're in a rush, you want something that works, gives you coverage and doesn't take long..these five items are pretty much that. (Please note, you will not be getting the flawless, completely done up look some might desire) - but it works, it's quick and it's simple.

Firstly I start off with my base, instead of trying to fit in a foundation, I thought about maybe a good coverage concealer? NARS Creamy Concealer in Medium does wonders to my face, the coverage is great, it doesn't cake, and it can leave your face looking like you actually have foundation on. I would apply this using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection 

Next I would curl my eyelashes using my NYX Eyelash Curler.. Curling your eyelashes makes such a difference to your eyes once mascara is applied, as mentioned in my brush collection post I used to never really understand the whole makeup tools hype, I never curled my eyelashes or applied makeup with brushes... Curling your eyelashes really does make that extra difference (just don't do it after you've applied mascara because you'll rip your lashes out) 

The fourth product would be Clinique Lash Power Mascara it's my current favourite mascara and it opens up your eyes and makes you look more awake.. 

The fifth would be something for my lips, something moisturising but pretty.. I opted for the Tarte Lip Shine in Smitten it's one of my more subtle lip products but because it's both glossy, moisturising and with a hint of colour I thought it would work well with my pulled back neutral & natural look. 

What would be your 5 products if you had to choose? 

Leave a comment!

  

The 'Make-Up Tag'

So as you may have already gathered, my blog is pretty much surrounded by makeup, skincare & beauty.. (although I do like to jazz it up a little and add something different) so naturally I was drawn to this tag.  If you know me well, you'll know that as much as I'm obsessed with makeup, I don't actually wear it as much as you would think.. Yes I go all out for nights out but who doesn't? If I'm at work or slothing around at home I'm generally bare faced, because you're reading this post you're probably just as nosey as me and want to know my 'general' makeup routine, habits & thoughts.. So here goes..

REVIEW: L'Oreal Colour Riche Collection Privee

 Following their very successful range of nude lipsticks launched last year, L'Oreal surprised us again with a more vibrant addition to the 'colour riche privee collection' this time with 'Pure Reds' (but I thought I'd add in and review my favourite nude for you to) 

REVIEW: MAC 'Flat Out Fabulous'

If you know me well you'll know I'm a massive fan of MAC lipsticks, (find their zillions of shades here) Raved for their high pigmentation, gorgeous scent and lasting appearance.. they never let us down - well they certainly don't let me down. New to my lipstick draw is the 'flat out fabulous' shade from the retro matte collection, and it really does live up to it's name!  

Bicester Village..

Known for its impeccable outlet stores, Bicester village does not fail a girls fantasy. From the likes of Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Ted Baker all the way to Prada, Mulberry, Marc Jacobs - it really is heaven. After taking a recent trip, I took along my trusty SLR in order to take some pics to later post to all my followers who are yet to see what this place has to offer, so here it is all lit up and wintery in a 'few' pictures.

Christmas wish list.. My 'top five'

Hello lovelies,

(photos taken from the web)

It's now officially my favourite season, Christmas is practically round the corner and at this point I'm starting to question where the last 11 months have gone and how much has changed in that time..

London trip / haul..

WARNING : this blog post contains lots of Christmas excitement.. 

Last Friday I took a long awaited trip into central London with a friend, I hadn't actually been since before I went to Australia which is well over a year ago now, and I was pretty overcome with excitement. ~ I live about a twenty five minute train journey from St. Pancras, so realistically I didn't have an excuse as to why I haven't been, in a way it's always seemed so close yet such an effort to travel into. (London commuters you may understand this)

Current Beauty Wishlist..

(Sorry for the lack of posts, I've been trying to make the most of my time left in Australia, I.e beach, drink, gigs, beach, drink, gigs)

If you're reading this then you probably, like me, have your own beauty Wishlist - jam packed filled with products you can't afford and will only feel comfortable buying when there's a decent looking number in your bank account, products that might always be sold out, products you're tempted by but want to see some more reviews on... This list is endless.

The main issue in my case is the countdown till I'm back in England and can afford to buy everything I want (yes Aussie beauty products are insanely expensive) but I'm also holding out on reading and researching more reviews for particular products I'm reluctant to take the plunge on..

March Favourites

Am I the only one that feels this month has gone SO quick?! I know February was a short month, but I was really expecting March to drag yet today is April? The heeeeeckk! I remember my trip to Sydney like it was a month ago when actually it was three! 

Anyways I think you're all more interested in my favourites instead of my rambling ons about time and the lack of it! Before I start I'd like to just give a big thumbs up and smiley face to my 110 followers! Thank you so much, I didn't expect to have this many quite yet, and it's really encouraged me to keep at it with my blog, so yay! 

I have a few favourites this month, all beauty related but very varied.. 

MAC Face and Body foundation in C5 (£21.50 Debenhams)

This was mentioned in my February favourites (link here) and it still remains a big favourite for me, as mentioned before I really did have a 'love hate relationship' with this foundation, at the moment I'm loving the natural finish it is giving me, my skin isn't breaking out and it feels light on my face. It's definitely a marmite foundation amongst the blogging industry, but at the moment I love it.

Helen E - Waterproof Lip Liner (£8.00)

I really like this lip liner for everyday wear as the color isn't too extravagant, I never really wore lip liners and I received this in a Glossybox last year, tried it a few times and fell in love. Only recently have I started using it again and have found myself re-igniting my love for it and the benefits it gives my lips, they feel fuller and look more plumped. Anyone who is considering trying out a lip liner I would definitely recommend doing so..

Maybelline Colour Show - Chiffon Chic (£2.99 Boots)

Affordable, long lasting, pretty, summery, easy to apply.. There is not much this nail polish can't do. For the price, it really is a wonderful polish.. Infact I did a review on it not long ago, which you can see here I think I actually like this polish merely because it's the exact colour I've been after for a long time, I can see it sticking around on my nails for quite a while, it's perfect. But I have a feeling the shade I got over here isn't available in the UK, let me know if you come across it please!

Caudalie The Eye Cream (full-size £49.00 Look Fantastic) 

I must admit, I'm not overly familiar with eye creams.. I've never found the need to use them because 1. I have oily skin and 2. I don't suffer with bags/puffiness etc.. Until recently my eye area has been fine, however a month or so ago I started suffering with dry patches at the side of my eyelid. (this hasn't happened before) so I started using this Caudalie Eye Cream I'd received in a Space NK goodie bag last year and so far it's cleared up all my dry patches and made a perfect base for my eyeshadow application. I use it day and night and find it really works around my eye.. 

V05 Plump it Up Dry Shampoo (£3.59 Boots)

Firstly, I suffer from fine oily hair.. If I want it looking half decent I have to wash it everyday, so you can imagine the amount of dry shampoo I go through in order to avoid washing it all the time (because we all know that's no good for it) The V05 is a new product for me and I'm very impressed with the results I get, 'plump it up' it's in the name really isn't it.. It really does leave my hair more volumised and 'oomphed' the scent isn't too overpowering (I can't stand the Batiste scent) so that's a bonus, and it doesn't dry out your hair.. It just really gives it freshness and life. Thumbs up!

Pureology Volumizing Mousse for Colour Treated Hair (£4.99 Rush Shop)

I usually tend to avoid mousse, I usually make a mess of it and a couple of hours will pass after I leave it too dry and my hair is all stuck together and rock hard (yeah not the look I was going for) Recently I've been using this pureology Volumizing mousse I bought over from England and it really has worked it's magic on my hair.. It feels volumized, thicker, smells good.. And doesn't leave an annoying residue.. Infact my hair feels light and flowy as though it has no product in it.. hooray!

Natures Way Night Multivitamin for Women ($14.69 Chemist Warehouse Aus)

I think this is an Australian brand so only available over here, however it's a general feedback so really you can find something that works just the same in the UK. I'm very shitty when it comes to sleeping and actually sleeping at ease, I don't fall asleep easily, I wake up a couple of times a night and I often have nightmares. This vitamin is to be taken before bed and as described on the bottle it helps to:

- relax your body

- restore your cells

- restore your energy

- replenish your nutrients.

Now although it hasn't completely eliminated my night problems it has reduced them quite significantly, I.e I find it slightly easier to sleep and wake up less often.. Infact the vitamins ran out a couple of nights ago and I'm finding myself slipping back into the old habits before I purchased these two months ago. It has to be in my favourites because I've noticed such a difference, I wake up feeling ill quite frequently, and since I have been taken these it hasn't happened.. Actually the first night I didn't take them I woke up feeling sick. Not only does it have obvious affects, it also makes you feel like your doing something good for your body. Would definitely recommend a multivitamin like this for anyone who has trouble sleeping, anxiety problems, or feels as though they might want a boost for the next day.

Australian Pure Beauty Sensitive Sorbolene (Coles $6.00 Australian)

My skin has been drying up a lot recently in the more warmer climate of Australia, this was on offer in Coles and I decided to by it because I was in need of a new moisturiser for my body and it was labelled 'sensitive' which at the moment is a necessity because of the heat rashes / cuts I've been breaking out in.. It contains Kakadu plum extract and Vitamin E which leaves your skin feeling extra soft and moisturised. Sorbolene is good for any type of sensitive skin, eczema/rash etc. I've found throughout March it has helped my skin an awful lot. 

That's my March favourites, let me know yours!

judyrudybeauty xox

Review: Maybelline Colour Show Nail Lacquer in 'Chiffon Chic'

As many of you may know, I'm currently living in Australia, I came over here with very limited nail lacquers because I knew I'd be able to buy them easily over here.. Well, easier said than done. I live in Byron Bay, (I'll drop a photo in at the end of this post) and it's very difficult to buy makeup on this end of Australia..I've been on the eye out for a nail polish for a couple of months now, I wanted the perfect colour and this is exactly what I had in mind! 

The Maybelline Colour Show is a great low priced polish (£2.99 from Boots to be exact) which in this shade produces a very pretty spring/summer pink.. with a slight purple undertone (And I needed something to go with my Ozzie tan!) it's not gloopy in any way and I've had it on for 3 days with an OPI top coat and so far no chips! Nice one Maybelline. 

It really is a gorgeous girly pink, with some slight purple undertones.. 

I can't imagine I'll be changing this colour up anytime soon.. I've checked out the range in Boots and there is a wide range of colours available, I can imagine I'll be snapping them up quick when I'm back on English soil. The perfect affordable polish! 

Main Beach, Byron Bay. - I'll be uploading a 'non-beauty' related post about my trip over here very soon.. So if you'd like a read, keep watching and leave a comment if you liked it!

judyrudybeauty xox