NOTD: Rimmel Ash Rose

When I first put this on the first thing John said and I thought was it's not very "me" - it's not ugly-pretty and it's not obnoxiously bright or unusual. I thought about removing it and putting it in the pile of stuff to give away but this morning I woke up and saw it in sunlight and it's very very beautiful. It's muted elegance - something I've never posessed.



Ash Rose is a lovely tawny pink and is perfect for everyday. I think it'd look great on toes too; especially if you're pale.

Autumn Cleaning & P5P update!

You do a little bit of Autumn cleaning....and you find a forgotten Stila lipstick in a handbag, a Rimmel nail polish under the bed and a load of earrings you'd thought you'd lost so had already thrown away the other half of the pair. Actually, the kitten found most of the earrings...she thought they were new toys. Toys they were not.







Stila Shine Lip Color in Anna

A Project 5 Pan update - I finished my Armani powder foundation a while ago and have just knocked out my Lush lip balm - a sure sign of how parched my lips are at the moment. I'm finding myself applying lip balm every 5 minutes. I have UDPP, the Biotherm eyeshadow duo and my Revlon Colorstay left to go! I've been using the Colorstay everyday since P5P started and because my skin seems to be behaving itself at the moment, I'm using less of it which is slightly annoying. I'm aware of how stupid that sounds.

I'd also like to add that I used up 3 mascaras this week! I decided not to include mascaras in P5P as they're so easy to use up. I finished off my Diorshow, Rimmel The Max Volume Flash and a mini Benefit Bad Gal Lash. Very proud.

Many will know that the amount of UDPP wasted is just...unasseptable (watched Supernanny today) so I'll be posting about how you can get the rest of the product out.

Update on Mimi: She's settling in very well and is super affectionate. Having some trouble with Reggie accepting the fact that he's not the baby anymore but this happened today:



And I consider that a bloody triumph! This is what it must feel like to see your child walk for the first time.



Miss Mariah

Hope you've all had a fabulous weekend! Get up to much? Do share.

xx

Review: My Mascaras

What do I look for in a mascara? Volume and colour intensity. I've never been overly fussed about lengthening. I don't have particularly long lashes but I do have hooded eyes which makes super long eyelashes a pain in the bum sometimes as my mascara can transfer. Plus long lashes get in the way when I'm wearing my glasses or sunnies. Before you recommend an eyelash curler - I'm terrified of them!

These are the mascaras I'm currently using. It seems excessive but I do use them all and keep a note of when each one was opened so I know when to throw them out!



Without mascara. I have one eyelash that grows downwards - it's so annoying!



L-R: Rimmel Extra Super Lash, L'Oreal Voluminous, Bourjois Volume Clubbing, Rimmel The Max Volume Flash, Maybelline Great Last, Dior Diorshow Waterproof, CoverGirl LashBlast Volume, Dejavu Fiberwig Paint On False Lashes: Extra Long, Miss Sporty Studio Lash, Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl.

I applied one coat of mascara to the top lashes.

Rimmel Extra Super Lash: Lash Building Mascara in 103 Electric Blue





It's quite clumpy if you're not careful, not exceptionally lengthening and doesn't offer much volume but for a blue mascara which I rarely wear, it's decent. I like to wear this on my bottom lashes or just on the tips over black mascara. The wand is a standard cone shaped mascara wand.

Waterproof: No
Easy to remove: Yes
Price: £4.79 at Superdrug

3/10

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black





One of my favourite mascaras by far; I've repurchased this many times. This offers volume without clumping and is buildable. It's easy to apply and the wand isn't fussy or gimmicky.

10/10

Waterproof: No
Easy to remove: Yes
Price: £7.99 at Superdrug (L'Oreal Perfection Voluminous Mascara Carbon Black)

Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara in Absolute Black





The wand is awkward. It has bristles down two sides, then a gap on the other two where mascara gathers. This mascara is very prone to clumping if you're not careful. I will say that once you get the hang of using this, it offers wonderful volume from the roots of your lashes. I use it by twisting the wand and pulling out while I apply it. It also takes a long time to dry.

4/10

Waterproof: Yes
Easy to remove: Yes
Price: £7.99 at Superdrug

Rimmel The Max Volume Flash in 003 Ultra Black





I love this mascara! The wand is large but doesn't have bristles too close together so it offers great separation and length. Volume is great if you're quick and put a few coats on before it dries. I occasionally have this with various mascaras, but I prefer this when it's had a couple of weeks to dry out slightly. I'm the same way with Rimmel Sexy Curves and Diorshow.

8/10

Waterproof: No (a waterproof version is now available)
Easy to remove: Yes
Price: £6.69 at Superdrug

Maybelline Great Lash in Very Black/Ultra Noir





A classic. It's been around for decades and there's a reason for it. This mascara offers a "my lashes but better" look. They look natural yet defined. I find myself going back to this time and time again as it's the perfect mascara to use on a "no makeup" day. The wand is standard and applies the product well. It's also quite small so is perfect for getting the small lashes in the inner corners.

8/10

Dior Diorshow Waterproof in 090 Black





Another mascara I find myself repurchasing. The wand is large and thick but because it is tapered, inner corner lashes aren't missed out. The waterproof forumula is a must for me. I didn't like the original Diorshow. A must for dramatic lashes.

Waterproof: Yes
Easy to remove: Yes
Price: £21.50 at Boots

9/10

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume in Very Black





I'd wanted this for months and finally received it in a swap! I pulled the wand out and was unsure about how to use it. It definitely takes some getting used to but now that I've got the hang of it, I love it. With two coats I get thick, evenly separated lashes. It dries quickly and doesn't give me any hassle when I'm wearing sunglasses.

Waterproof: Yes
Easy to remove: Yes(ish)
Price: $6.94 at Target - I'm sure you'll be able to find it on eBay as well

9/10

Dejavu Fiberwig Paint On False Lashes: Extra Long





I've never really had great experiences with curved wands, but this mascara gives me thick, long and glossy lashes with minimal clumping. I'm unsure about whether this mascara is available in the UK as I was given this by a friend in Hong Kong.

Waterproof: No
Easy to remove: Yes
Price: £8.80 at sasa.com

10/10

Miss Sporty Studio Lash in 001 Black





For the price, this is a fantastic mascara. It's by no means perfect but if you want a volumising buildable mascara on a budget; Studio Lash is your friend. It doesn't offer much in the way of length but like I said, it is buildable. It has a spiky plastic wand similar to the LashBlast but much, much smaller. Without a tapered end though, it's quite difficult to get to the corner lashes.

Waterproof: No
Easy to remove: Yes
Price: £2.99 at Boots

6/10

Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl





This is a mascara I picked up in Hong Kong but only recently opened. It has an hourglass shaped wand which works well for applying the product. It's also quite small so it grabs every lash. The colour isn't very intense, it clumps at the tips and it is impossible to get off without an oil based eye makeup remover. It doesn't offer much volume but it does curl well and the formula holds the curl all day.

Waterproof: Yes (nuclear wipeout proof too)
Easy to remove: No(oooooo)
Price: £7.40 at sasa.com

4/10

So there are some clear winners but everyone's preference is different. These are just my views on how well these mascaras fulfil my dream mascara criteria. Hope this can help someone!

Makeup and Clothing Haul!

Yesterday, ASOS.com had free next day delivery so I purchased a few things. Only one clothing item (a boring pair of black trousers) and a small handful of makeup.

Urban Decay Preen Shadow Box



Comes with your mini UDPP and a mini 24/7 liner.



L-R:
Snatch, Mildew, Flash
Painkiller, Smog, Toasted



Korres Colour Shimmer Eyeshadow in Golden Green



Paul & Joe Eye Colour in Boulevard



Paul & Joe Limited Edition Palette - Spellbound 002

This is a beautiful palette with shimmery orangey neutrals which I think will really compliment my eyes. I'm really pleased with it!

I'm an absolute sucker for packaging and I love Paul & Joe's, even the boxes they come in which I often pick out of the bin a few times before finally deciding a piece of floral cardboard is best in the recycling than in my drawers. Urban Decay's packaging is amazing too - vibrant and so reflective of the colours in the palette.

I also nipped into town yesterday (for cat food...not makeup) and saw that Superdrug (and Boots) were having a 3 for 2 offer on Rimmel and Maybelline. I picked up Rimmel's Natural Bronzer in 022 Sun Bronze, Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in 26 Noir and their Stay Matte foundation in 103 True Ivory. I've not used Rimmel foundations in a long time so I'm excited to see how this one holds up. The bronzer, I've used before and did like. It's just a nice matte bronzer which doesn't look orange or muddy on my glow-in-the-dark pale skin. I've not tried the liner but by looking at it, it can be compared to MAC's Technakohl liners. It comes with a smudger and a cute little sharpener on the end.



Whilst in Superdrug I picked up Sleek's Sunset palette which is full of gorgeous reds, bronzes, pinks, yellows, a matte black and a blue shadow. It really does remind you of a sunset! I love Sleek shadows - the pigmentation you get for a palette that costs a fiver is mind blowing. They're all beautiful colours too. I also have the Graphite palette which never fails to help me create the perfect smokey eye.



I walked around a little bit and went into Claire's - something I haven't done for a good 6 years. Most of the stuff, I gave a miss. I did spot this adorable ring though.



And a little eyeshadow palette.



I'd seen lollipop26 and melovemakeup talk about these so I thought I'd give them a try. I'm quite impressed with the colour payoff.

Next stop was Apricot where I picked up a couple of sale items.



A bright yellow off the shoulder slouchy t shirt which I bought because it has such an unusual and strange shape. I tried it on and I'm not 100% sure it works for me but I do like it all the same and it's comfortable. The black studded dress was a must! I'll buy anything studded. I think this would be a great dress for day and night and it's so easy! You don't need to accessorise too much so it would be a fab run home, shower, back out the door kind of outfit. I think it would be adorable dressed down with UGGs and a beanie.

Lastly, Primark. Disposable fashion, yes I know. But some of the stuff is well made and gorgeous! I only purchased a few things.

A beautiful dark blue cardigan with lovely detailing at the back which I think would look lush with S/S 2010's nudes and a denim look shirt which I'd probably wear belted with leggings and boots.

I got another pair of jeggings just because they're so easy to throw on with a slouchy tee and run out the door. I also bought some adorable pyjamas - zebra print! But they're in the wash so I couldn't take pictures. I wash all my new clothes before I wear them - does anyone else do this? Excuse me, but I don't want someone's skanky armpit stench rubbing up against my skin! Haha. Plus I hate the smell of new clothes.