October Rate Or Hate

Wow it seems like absolutely ages since my last rate or hate! I literally cannot remember the last month when I posted a rate or hate it was that long ago, what can I say apart from there hasn't been anything in particular that I've been rating and hating *slaps self on the hand for being a naughty blogger*. But this month is different as there are two products that have stood out for me this month for both good and bad reasons so here are this months Rate or Hate...

Kiko Kiss Balm in 06 Blackberry and Benefit Bad Gal Lash

Rate -

Kiko is constantly making it way up in my list of favourite makeup brands, as with every product I try I am more and more impressed. The Kiko Kiss Balm is the perfect compromise between a lipstick and a lip balm as it moisturizes your lips and give just enough colour payoff to perfect the appearance of your lips. I always get compliments when I wear this and the best thing of all it's reasonably priced.

Hate - 

Benefits They're Real is my all time favourite mascara and for this reason I had high expectations for Benefit's Bad Gal Lash Mascara, sadly they were not met. In all honesty I was extremely disappointed with this mascara; the wand isn't particularly special, it made my lashes look clumpy and by the end of the day the mascara had transferred onto my eyelid and smudged beneath my eye, these are not things I'd expect from any mascara let alone one that costs £17.50.

What have you been rating or hating this month?

Eleanor xx

July Rate Or Hate

Occasionally I struggle to make my mind up when deciding on what products to feature in my monthly 'Rate Or Hate' posts. This is because sometimes it is just impossible to say that you either love or hate a product as a lot of the time they fall into the uncertain middle ground of 'like'. The two products I'm going to feature today both fall into that middle ground so instead of trying to class them as 'Rate or Hate' I thought I'd do a mini review of each product.

Nars Laguna Bronzer - £27

Nars' Laguna Bronzer is an incredibly hyped about product within the beauty blogging community but I'm not that in love with it. Don't get me wrong it's a gorgeous bronzer: just the right colour, a hint of shimmer but not glittery and makes my face look photo shopped. But in all honesty it doesn't blend that well, it isn't that pigmented and like all Nars products the packaging gets extremely dirty. If it was a bit cheaper then these imperfections may be forgivable but for £27 I'd really expect more.

Cocoa Brown Fake Tan By Marissa Carter - £6

This product is at the other end of the price spectrum so I expect that this product may not be perfect but I still don't like to think that I've wasted my money. While this isn't the best fake tan I've used it's still not bad for the price, in fact when it's washed off my skin is a gorgeous brown not orange. But a word of warning if you do not prepare your skin it will go patchy, it also stains your sheets and goes patchy as it starts to fade. That being said I'd probably buy it again because it's easy to apply, dries quickly and you can fix the faults with a bit of exfoliating and moisturizing.

Have you tried either of these products? 

Eleanor xx

June Rate Or Hate

So we are officially more than half way through the year, isn't that crazy? The beginning of my year was so great because of my trip to New York that everything since then has seemed a bit average but July is a new month and I'm going to do my best to make sure that the rest of my year will be as good as (if not better) than the start of my year. 

But to improve you must reflect on all aspects of your life including my favourite (and not so favourite) products so here is this months rate or hate -

Seventeen Stay Time Concealer and Bioderma Micellaire Solution

Rate -
Every time I run out of my trusty Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer I always struggle to replace it as my local Boots and Superdrugs are always out of stock, so this time I decided to try something new: the Seventeen Stay Time Concealer. I was all prepared for this concealer to be disappointing but I was pleasantly surprised! The Seventeen Stay Time Concealer is incredibly similar to the Collection Concealer, the only difference is that it is less drying, paler and a slightly lighter coverage so if you were disappointed by the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer then maybe you should consider giving this a try!  

Hate - 
For over a year now I have been hearing about micellar waters and of course the 'holy grail' of micellar water: Bioderma, but in all honesty I'm not that impressed. Bioderma Crealine H2O Micellar Water is basically just a makeup remover, it's nothing particularly special and does as good a job as my makeup wipes. In fact my makeup wipes are a lot easier as I have to use at least four cotton pads and quite a bit of the micellar water. Sadly I think this is just another case of a good product being over hyped to the point where it seems like a rubbish product.

What are you rating and hating this month?

Eleanor xx

May Rate Or Hate

Looking back at May it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. With a month of exams that don't finish until the middle of the June, I was honestly dreading May but I have been pleasantly surprised. Of course not everything was great this month (I'm looking at you C2 maths exam) but I've formed great memories by making the most of every moment I've been able to spend with my friends in between exams. 

Not everything is perfect and this shows in this months rate or hate -

Maybelline Baby Lips and Eyelure Naturals No 015 Eyelashes 

Rate - 

In the past I've never been a fan of strip eyelashes, all I ever saw on the high street were thick fake lashes that made you look like an extra on TOWIE or beautiful fluttery eyelashes that looked great in the packaging but brushed against my eyebrow they were that long. But after seeing these beautifully re-branded Eyelure lashes in boots I decided once again to give strip lashes a chance. The No 015 eyelashes by Eyelure are the perfect eyelash, they thicken and lengthen the appearance of your lashes but without looking fake or unnatural. I'm no pro at applying false eyelashes either but these were so easy that I put them on perfectly first time saving a lot of time compared to my usual individual lashes. Will I be repurchasing them? Definitely!

Hate - 

I feel like a bit of a hypocrite having the Maybelline Baby Lips as this months hate as I vaguely remember including it as a rate sometime last year, but I can honestly say that my opinion of them has changed since then. Honestly, the Maybelline Baby Lips lip balms are nothing special, they don't particularly moisturize or hydrate my lips and since I started using them I haven't noticed a dramatic difference in the appearance of my lips. Looking back now I may have fallen under the pressure of the hype because truthfully cheap and cheerful Carmex does a better job at moisturizing my painfully dry lips.

I'd love to hear how your May been, did you rate it or hate it?

Eleanor xx

April Rate Or Hate

This is the first time in a while when I've actually been dreading the next month, but it's hard not to when you've got 7 exams coming up that don't end until mid June. For those of you in the same position as me, trust me when I say I feel your pain but hopefully this post will provide a bit of a welcome break from your revision instead of a means of procrastination.

This months rate or hate - 

Bare Minerals Ready Foundation and Mac Viva Glam Gaga 2

Rate -

Bare Minerals Original Foundation is my go to everyday foundation and has been for a couple of years now, but when I ran out a couple of months now and Debenhams didn't my colour I had a decision to make; do I buy the foundation in the wrong colour and try make it work or buy the pressed version. As you can see I bought the pressed version of my normal foundation (in the right colour) and I have been pleasantly surprised. There isn't a lot of difference between the original and the ready foundation apart from the ready foundation is a lot less messy and gives a slightly fuller coverage, which are only positives in my opinion!

Hate -

I bought this lipstick a couple of years ago now and at the time I really liked it but I haven't worn it in months because I have just gone off it. I don't think that Viva Glam Gaga 2 is a very flattering shade as it creates the appearance of foundation lips and makes me look ill. It isn't as bad if I wear a lipgloss over the top and it may suit a different skin tone but I do regret buying it. I guess on the plus side the money I paid for it goes to charity so it wasn't a total waste.

What have you been rating and hating this month?

Also don't forget to enter my £15 ASOS Gift Card giveaway here!

Nominate me for Best Teen Style Blogger in the Company Style Blogger Awards here!

Eleanor xx

March Rate Or Hate

It feels like it's been ages since I last wrote a favourites post but that's probably because it has been a few months. I'm sorry for slacking but I don't try that many new products each month so sometimes it's hard to find things that I've been loving and hating. But luckily this month I had no trouble deciding my favourites.

This months rate or hate...

Kardashian Kroma Honey Stick Lipgloss and Hask Argan Oil

Rate -
I spotted this small bottle of Hask Argan Oil when I was wandering around the Primark beauty section a couple of months ago. I'd never tried a hair oil before and decided to pick this up on a whim because it was so cheap and I'm really glad I did. I've heard lots of people complain that hair oils can make your hair greasy and way it down but I didn't find this at all with the Hask Argan Oil. It nourishes my spilt ends and leaves my hair feeling soft whether I use it on wet or dry hair, and I feel that it's definitely improved the condition of hair since I started using it. I bought it for £1.50 so it's a bargain compared to other hair oils on the market like Moroccan Oil and you only need a coin sized amount so it will last a very long time.

Hate -
I really dislike using the word 'Hate' to describe the product that I've haven't been loving but it rhymes so I will continue to use it despite the fact that I don't hate my Kardashian Kroma Lipgloss. The reason I don't love the Kardashian Kroma Honey Stick Lipgloss is purely because it smells so strongly of honey (hence the name Honey Stick Lipgloss) that it gives me a headache. The scent is so strong that my friends have told me that they can smell it when I'm wearing it, which I find a bit weird. Despite the smell it's a very nice lip gloss in a beautiful baby pink colour which would suit almost every skin tone, so if you can stand the smell then I'd really recommend it.  

I don't know whether any of you have noticed but I'm 5 followers away from 400 on bloglovin but I've decided that once I reach 400 on bloglovin I am going to do a giveaway to thank you for your support. I was thinking an ASOS voucher because they sell beauty and fashion and this is a beauty and fashion blog, what do you think?

Eleanor xx

January Rate Or Hate

It's nearly been a whole month of 2014 but I'm still writing 2013 every time I write the date! It appears that I'm stuck in the past, especially as in this post I'm talking about products I've been using for a while but lets just go with it...

 This months rate or hate -

Quick Fix Facials Anti-Blemish Mask and V05 Plump It Up Dry Backcomb Spray

Rate - 

When I bought this face mask I'd never heard of the brand Quick Fix Facials but I thought I'd give it a try as I was looking for a face mask. The Anti-Blemish Mud Mask is designed for oily and spot prone skin, something I have and it claims to help absorb and control oil production, draw out impurities and tighten pores and treat spots and prevent future blemishes. While it does absorb and control oils and tighten my pores it doesn't do anything to help or prevent my spots but I wasn't expecting it too as I haven't ever found a drugstore product that has!

I leave the mask on until it nearly disappears and then wash it off with some warm water, and it leaves me skin feeling very soft and clean. I'm not sure how many times I've used it so I can't confirm if it lasts for 10 facials but it's lasting me a very long time unlike the face masks from lush which have to kept in the fridge and used within 3 weeks. For just under £5 I'd recommend it if your looking for a budget face mask but don't expect it to work miracles with acne!

Hate - 

As with a lot of my 'Hates' I don't hate this product I just don't love it either and the V05 Dry Backcomb Spray is a prime example of that. This product is designed to give the same volume that you'd get if you backcombed your hair but without the damage that backcombing does. Sadly this product does nothing for my hair and leaves it flat as a pancake, so I end up having to backcomb it anyway. Sad times.

Have you tried any amazing or disappointing products this month?

Eleanor xx

November Rate Or Hate

I know I say this every month but wow November has gone fast! I feel like I've been slacking this month with my blog but my studies have got to come first and A Levels are pretty demanding! But unlike previous months, this month I haven't struggled thinking of my rate and hate for this month. 

So here it is this months Rate Or Hate...

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Spray and the Balance me Pure Skin Face Wash

Rate -

Ever since I bleached my hair I've been worried about the blonde fading. That's because if the blonde fades I'll have to re-bleach it, which I fear will end in a disaster in which all my hair will fall out. So to avoid that I bought the John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Spray to try maintain my ombré. 

I use the spray once a week after I've washed my hair, spraying it through the ends of my hair and combing it through. I always feel my hair looks blonder after I've used it and definetly more tonal. It's a great way to maintain blonde and it's worked really well on my hair, so all in all I'd really recommend it! Also my friend (who has naturally blonde hair) used it during the summer and it worked really well on her hair as well, so it should work on all types of blondes.

Hate -

I got this as a sample free in a magazine back in the summer and never used it until I ran out of my usual cleanser at the start of this month and found this at the back of my drawers. The first thing I noticed about the Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash as soon as I opened the bottle was the smell. The scent of the face wash is intensly overpowering and hideous. I'm not very good at describing scents but all I can say is that this smells like old ladies, lavender and musk.

The strong scent not only irritated my nose but my skin, inflaming my spots leaving my skin red and sore. Nasty. So unless you like the smell of old people and red puffy spots I wouldn't really recommend it! Of course it may not react to everyone's skin but if strong fragrances often irritate your skin you were warned!

I hope you've enjoyed this post but I was just wondering that next month instead of a rate or hate you'd like to see a post about my favourite products this year? Seeing as it will be the end of the year and all that! 

Eleanor xx

October Rate Or Hate

I'm late, I'm late, I'm very very late! Okay, I know we're already well in November and this post is very overdue but I thought I'd post my October Rate or Hate anyway because I would've felt guilty not doing some sort of favourite post for two months on the trot. 

Rate -

This month I've really been loving the look of dark eyes and dark lips but surprisingly I don't own many dark lipsticks apart from one: 2True Colour Drench Lipstick in no. 2. I cannot tell you how many compliments I've had on this lipstick this month and people asking me what lipstick I'm wearing. So when I tell them that I'm wearing a 2True lipstick they're often very surprised, as 2True is a very cheap brand that not many people think of buying makeup from. 

This lipstick is the perfect shade of brown, not too dark and with a slight plum undertone. It's quite moisturizing and glossy for a cheap lipstick and for the price I'm very impressed with it, even if the packaging isn't that pretty.

Hate - 

If you often read my Sunday Nails posts then you'll have heard me mention this nail varnish before. All I can really say about it, is how disappointed I am that is 'matte' nail varnish isn't actually very matte at all, which is why I bought it. It's just so annoying because for £6 I expect the nail varnish to be good and worth the money, where as the matte nail varnish I bought by Barry M is actually matte and it was nearly half the price of the Topshop one. How. Annoying.

Have you tried either of these products? Or maybe have some recommendations of products you've loved this month? If so you know what to do;)

Eleanor xx

August Rate Or Hate

First off let's pretend that this post is not three or four days late (I won't tell anyone if you don't) okay? Few, now that's out of the way we can get onto what I've been rating and hating this month and may I add that this month's post is very lippy. Not lippy as in I will be talking like a gobby brat who needs an attitude adjustment but I will talking a lot about a couple of luscious (and not so luscious) lip products. 

This months Rate and Hate -

Topshop Lip Paint and Maybelline Baby Lips

Rate -
I think it's fair to say that I was not the only person who was extremely excited about the launch of the Maybelline Baby Lips at the beginning of the month so the first chance I had I was straight into Boots to buy some of them. When I was in Boots they were on 3 for 2 so I did contemplate getting all of them but I resisted in case I didn't like them but I really wish I'd bought them all as I love them. Luckily I received another one for my birthday so now I only have two more to get them all, the colours I have are Mint Fresh, Cherry Me, Pink Punch and Peach Kiss.

My favourite lip balm used to be Carmex but these have replaced that as my favourite lip balm. The coloured lip balms leave a sheer wash over colour over the lips and the clear lip balms contain SPF 20 to protect your lips from the sun and they all leave my lips moisturized to perfection. They claim to leave your lips moisturized for 8 hours which I can't quite agree with but they are still pretty good.

Hate - 
I love Topshop for their clothes but I've never really used their makeup. I own one lipstick from the Topshop makeup range and nothing else has ever caught my eye but when I saw this bright orange Lip Paint in the sale for £1 I thought it was worth a try.

I expected the Lip Paint to be like the Sleek Pout Paints or the Hourglass Liquid Lipsticks but I really got it wrong. The Topshop Lip Paint applies unevenly and sits in the wrinkles in lips, it also isn't that pigmented and doesn't stain your lips which I personally was looking for. The colour of the product when it's in the tube is an amazing bright orange but when just looks like I've got tomato soup all over my mouth, it's fair to say I'm a bit disappointed so I'm glad I only spent £1 for it.

Tomorrow is my first official day of Sixth Form and I know my Baby Lips will be coming with me in my bag and I will not be wearing the Lip Paint in my school photo's! Good luck everyone else who is going back to school and let me know in the comments how you first day goes!

Eleanor xx 

June Rate Or Hate

How is it July already? I don't understand where the time has gone, at least I can remember the important moments from the last 6 months as I've been writing them down in my 'Jar Of Happiness' which I'll open on New Years Eve. But in the meantime I need to stop being so reminiscent and focus on what I've been rating and hating this month.

Yet again I have struggled to think of something I hate (I did find this product lurking in the back of my mind and cupboard, which is where I put it after being so disappointed when I first used it), but whether there will be a July 'Rate or Hate' or just 'July Rates' is yet to be decided.

This months rate and hate- 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette and Sally Hansen Nail Varnish in Shell We Dance

Rate - 

I actually got the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette for Prom but I couldn't resist using it as soon as I got it. The Urban Decay Naked Basics palette is filled with 5 matte eyeshaddows and 1 shimmer highlight shade, making it significantly different to the other Naked eyeshaddow palettes which are double the size and filled with few matte shades. 

I love this palette because it has the perfect combination of everyday natural eyeshaddows and the perfect size if you travel a lot. Venus is a great inner corner or brow bone highlight, Foxy and W.O.S are perfect all over lid colours, suiting people with both pink or yellow undertones, Naked 2 is a great crease colour and faint looks lovely in the outer corner but I also like to use them to fill in my eyebrows, and Crave is one of the most pigmented blacks I have ever seen so I love to use it to line my eyes when I don't want to use eyeliner.

I also found that there isn't as much fall out with these eyeshaddows are there is with those in the other Naked palettes but that may just be because of their matte finish so I'm definitely going to be taking this baby on holiday with me!

Hate -

I'm always on the lookout for a new pink/nude nail varnish so when I saw this Sally Hansen in Superdrug I thought I'd give it a go. I'd never tried Sally Hansen nail varnishes before but it's just one of those brands that is so exposed that you presume they're products will work wonders, sadly not. 

This nail varnish is so sheer that you would need at least 10 coats to even get it to become slightly opaque which ruled it out as a normal nail varnish straight away. I then tried using it when doing a french manicure as a base colour but it didn't suit me, resulting in my hands resembling those of a skeletons. Attractive. 

The only good thing I could say about this nail varnish is that the brush is a good size, allowing you to paint your whole nail with one stroke of the brush, and the bottle looks pretty. I don't know if all Sally Hansen polishes are like this so I'd love to know if you've tried any of their other nail polishes and if they are all as sheer!

Eleanor xx

May Rate Or Hate

I have to admit that this month I did struggle to come up with two products for this post, especially a product that I didn't like. I think this is because I am becoming less willing to try new products as I get closer and closer to prom, as with my incredibly temperamental skin trying new products is very risky as they often break me out and nobody wants a face full of acne on their prom day.

But I managed so here are this months rate and hate -

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder and Original Source Shower Gels

Rate - 
Shower gels are not often talked about in the beauty world but I could no longer contain my love for the Original Source showers gels. These smell AMAZING! I mean like heaven in a bottle! Most shower gels have the same old boring scent of musty, soapy old ladies, but the Original Source showers gels are fresh and exhilarating. When you open the bottle you get a strong blast of limes, mint or whatever it says on the bottle (yes, they actually smells like what it says on the bottle!) and the scent lingers on you throughout the day.

I cannot explain how awake and fresh I feel after using this shower gel especially in the morning, and the best thing is they're not expensive. At the moment I am using the Pure Lime scent but I would recommend the whole range as they are all equally great, also at the moment they're half price in Boots, instead of £2.30 they are £1.15 for 250ml, so next time I'm in Boots I will definitely be picking up more of them!

Hate - 
Okay I've kind of cheated here as this isn't really a hate, it's more of a meh. I bought the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder when I ran out of my usual powder and after hearing all the hype surrounding it I just presumed it would be great. Let's just say it's not great but then it's not awful either.  A few good things about it are that it's cheap, not orange and I would happily say that it makes my makeup last a bit longer, but it sits in my large pores horrendously, makes my makeup look dry and cakey and I'm constantly having to re-apply 
it.

My shiny skin is a bit like an annoying dirty pigeon, attacking you when you least expect it, and this powder is the equivalent to me throwing a McDonald's chip at the pigeon. The pigeon is initially satisfied, but then it keeps coming back for more, becoming increasingly annoying and aggressive. I throw more and more chips at the pigeon until I run out of chips but in the end I'm left hungry and the pigeon is still annoying me. 

Not the best metaphor but you get the drift. 

I'm sure the Rimmel Stay Matte powder isn't like this for everyone it's probably just my skin type, but if you have any recommendations or advice I'd love to know. But on another note I'd just like to say a HUMONGOUS THANK YOU as the other day my blog reached over 10,000 PAGE VIEWS, LIKE OMG! I still cannot believe it and I just want to say an extra thank you to the people who read every post as without you I'd have probably given up by now! 

Thank you.

Also do you like my new 'about me' photo? Technically it's an old photo as its when I had a fringe but I couldn't stand the last one any longer!

Eleanor xx

April Rate Or Hate

I'd just like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who wished me good luck for my art exam in my last post, you guys gave me confidence and helped me when I was incredibly nervous on Monday morning, so thanks again. Oh and in case you were wondering it went fine!

Even though I've got my drama exam tomorrow and I am becoming quite busy, I knew I had to make time to blog about my April rate and hates.

This months rate or hate -

V05 Mega Hold Gel Spray and Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Rate -

I bought the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer at the beginning of the month but I wish I'd bought it sooner as it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It doesn't cost a lot but doesn't feel like a cheap, rubbish product and it is good enough to be sold by high end brands such as Estee Lauder or Mac. 

This is a medium to high coverage concealer and unlike other concealers it isn't cakey but easily blended with a fluffy brush such as the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush.

The only bad points are the packaging, as all the writing rubs off onto your hands which can be quite irritating, the shade range (it only comes in 4 shades) and also I wouldn't recommend this as an under eye concealer because it does crease but considering this concealer is only £4.19 you can't expect it be to a miracle worker!

Hate -  

The V05 mega hold gel spray is one of the most hideous products I have ever put on my head. I don't really know what I was expecting it to be like when I tried it so it somewhat surprised me - but not in a good way. I sprayed it on my hair and ran it through to the ends of my hair as instructed but when it dried on my hair it when hard and crunchy, which is not a good look.

To be fair it did smell really nice but I'm not going to spray a product on my hair if it doesn't hold my hair and makes it crunchy, but it smells nice.

I hope my hairdresser doesn't use any similar products to the V05 gel spray, as on Thursday I'm having a trial run for my Prom hair, I'm so excited! 

Eleanor xx

March Rate or Hate

Starting off a blog post is one of the most difficult things about blogging. I must re-write the beginning of each of my posts at least 2-4 times before I am satisfied, and it has come to the point with my monthly posts that I can no longer continue to write about the weather or how fast this year is flying by. 

So before I get onto the post I'd just like to remind you how interesting Star Fish are; Star Fish can have up to eight eye's, one on every leg. 

This months Rate or Hate -

Bare Minerals SPF 20 Concealer and MUA Eye Shadows
(Not just the shade pictured but all of the shades!)

Rate - 

MUA is a British makeup brand sold only in Superdrug (as far as I know), for incredibly low prices ranging from £1- £7. I own a range of MUA eyeshaddows including some singles and a palette and that is because I love them!

Heaven and Earth Palette - £4

The single eyeshaddows are only £1 and the palettes are £4 and come in lots of highly pigmented shades. This includes matte eyeshaddows as well as shimmers which I find are incredibly difficult to find on to high street.  

From left to right: Shade 30, Shade 11, Shade 1, Shade 20, Shade 19 and Shade 17

At some point I think I will buy a cheap palette off ebay and depot all of my single eyeshaddows as the main down point to these products is that the packaging is poor, especially for the singles. But then again for £1 what do you expect?

I would really recommend these eyeshaddows if you are just staring out in makeup and want to build your collection but do not have the money to spend £10 on an eyeshaddow from MAC!

Hate - 

As you can tell for my recent posts I have not been getting on with concealers lately as my hate is yet again a concealer and what is even worse is that it is from Bare Minerals as well. 

Bare Minerals Concealer SPF 20

Don't get me wrong I love Bare Minerals as a brand and love lots of their products, that is why I am so gutted when a product of their's disappoints me and boy did this disappoint! 

Concealers are meant to conceal right? That is why they are called concealers, so why did this product do nothing but accentuate the flaws and imperfections I am trying to hide?! Even though I bought the lightest shade it is also still too dark for me making my face look patchy and discolored in some areas.

It was also very messy to apply.

Maybe if my skin was perfect this product would work for me, but then if I had perfect skin why would I need a concealer?

It's looking like I am having a concealer crisis, any suggestions?

Remember to nominate me in the Company Blog Awards here and follow me via Bloglovin here.

Eleanor xx

February Rate or Hate

February has been such a weird month weather wise,is it too much to ask for it to be summer already so I can buy and wear pretty floral summer dresses and denim shorts? obviously yes as its cold and I'm ill, ew. 

I'm really looking forward to March as on Saturday (2nd of March) me and my friends are going to Cardiff to see *One Direction! Later in the month its my sister's 18th birthday so I'll be going shopping to buy her lots of nice presents, I might do a post showing you what she got if she let's me and if you'd like to see that kind of post?

*Note - I know lots of people do not like One Direction, but I do so if you don't get over it!

This months Rate or Hate -

Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NW15 and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm 

Rate - 

You may have seen the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm on many blogs as I know it is a favourite among many beauty bloggers but I've had this little tester for a while as my mum was given this at a Clarins counter when buying a lot of makeup and she gave it to me. 

My skin has been hideous this month because I've been ill so I've been using Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation. It gives a very matte finish which I personally don't like, but this balm has been my savior as it brightens my skin and makes my foundation have a more natural finish. 

It doesn't make your skin look to dewy or feel greasy it just leaves your skin looking bright and glowing. It does claim to 'Tighten' your skin but I don't really see these effects, that could be because I am quite young and my skin doesn't need tightening or just because it doesn't tighten your skin, I don't know. When I finish this tester I will be buying the full size version for sure!

The full size version is £29 for 50ml

Hate -

I feel bad saying that I hate any Mac product especially one that so many people love but I can't stand this concealer. I bought it under a year again when I was looking for a full coverage concealer that wasn't orange and covered my spots, so after hearing lots of good things about this I decided to pop down to Mac and buy this, something that I really regret doing now. 

This concealer claims to cover everything even tattoo's but didn't cover my spots, it covered a few little marks but not the big red spots that you don't want anyone to see. On my skin it highlights dry matches and makes my skin look cakey, I also tried using it under my eyes but it creased like nothing I've ever used before.

It also slides around my face and doesn't last even a couple of hours! I thought this was because I have slightly oily skin but then on my dry patches it looks hideous, so unless you have perfect normal skin this will not suit you.

For £14.50 from a high end brand I would expect a lot better! But I'm going to use it up anyway as I hate wasting money.

Have you ever used any of these products? Do you think the Mac Studio Finish Concealer is a horrible product or maybe I'm just using it wrong!

Eleanor xx

January Rate or Hate

I can't believe that January is nearly over, I have a feeling this year is going to go by very  quickly.

At the end of ever month lots of beauty and fashion bloggers will do their monthly favorites, I love these posts but wanted to do something slightly different. Each month I'm going to tell you 2 products that I either rate or hate that month (see what I did with the rhyming then!) This way I don't bore you with a long list and give you a balance of opinions by telling you something I wouldn't recommend you try. 

This months Rate and Hate - 

Tresemmé Protect Leave In Conditioner and Bare Minerals Flawless Face Brush

Rate -

Over the summer my hair got in extremely bad conditioner because I was curling my fine hair nearly everyday, it became very dry and frizzy due to all of the split ends I had. But this product has helped my hair on the way to recovery. 

I use the Tresemmé Protect Leave In Conditioner once every week and leave it on for about 5 minutes before washing it out and drying my hair. It leaves my hair incredibly soft, reduces the frizz and I'm sure that after a few trips to the hair dresser and use of this, my hair will be in better condition in a few months.

Hate - 

This miniature version of the Flawless Face Brush came in the Get Started kit by Bare Minerals that my parents got me for Christmas last year. It was intended to be used with the Bare Minerals Foundation but I personally prefer to use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush as I feel it gives a better coverage and finish. 

But I have been reaching for a bit of blusher to brighten my face in these dull winter months and thought this would be the perfect brush to apply my blush. How wrong can you be? 

For a high end brand I expected this brush to be amazing but all of the bristles keep falling out, and its the same with all the other brushes that came in the set. I don't know if mine are just faulty but its so annoying when all the little bristles stick to my face as they are incredibly difficult to get off.

I can't stress enough how much I am disappointed with not only this brush but all of my Bare Minerals brushes and I would really not recommend them.

What are your rates or hates this month? Leave them in the comments as I'd love to know!

Eleanor x