YSL Shocking Mascara Review

I’ve been hearing rather mixed reviews about this mascara so wanted to give it a go for myself. I took the opportunity to buy it at the airport so got a small discount through not having to pay VAT. On first impressions how cool is that packaging?! All solid and gold with the black scrawly writing. Quite badass! It’s definitely one to keep out and not lurk in the dark depths of my makeup bag.

The mascara claims to add instant volume to your lashes with the helix-cut brush to give a false lash effect. I’m not quite sure what a helix-cut brush means but if I’m honest I wouldn’t say it looks all that different to a bog standard mascara wand! Anyhow, I find myself wearing false lashes more and more these days so thought I could be killing two birds with one stone here.

On first application I liked it. A lot of reviews I’ve read mentioned that the mascara was very clumpy, probably due to the very short bristles but I did my usual technique where I swirl the brush around the tube as I pull it out then sort of wiggle the brush as I apply the mascara and pull it upwards (am I making any sense here?!?) and that seemed to do the trick. I applied 3 coats in all and my lashes certainly have a lot more volume but I’m not sure if I would say a false lash effect. I bought this thinking I would mostly be using it for evening looks but really I would have no problem using it in the day.

Something I would say is that the mascara seems to have a rather odd smell. I didn't notice it at first but then I began to get whiffs of it as I was applying the mascara. I'd guess the idea is that it is perfumed to make the whole thing more pleasant but if I'm honest, I just thought that was quite strange! If you're not into perfumed products then I'd probably give this one a miss.

All in all I do like this mascara and I am prepared to pay more for one that I love but I’m just not sure that this is really worth the money when I have tried drug store mascaras that I would say give the same effect. If I’m passing through duty free again and need a new mascara I may repurchase but probably not fully price.

Have you tried this mascara? What did you think?

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Pinspiration

My longing for Summer is growing so this month I have been obsessed with big poofy skirts. I love all the prints and textures, pleats and gathers. The bigger and poofier the better! I love how they are so versatile and can be dressed up with heels, a crop top and a blazer or dressed down with a tucked in t-shirt and Converse or a pair of ballet pumps. For the colder weather though, I have been pairing mine with a cropped woolly jumper, thick tights and Chelsea boots.

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January Faves

Well hello! Long time no see! January/February is such a busy time for me work wise because it's fashion season so I'm travelling a lot for meetings, going to shows and at exhibitions. It's all nearly over until summer though so soon i'll be back to posting more regularly!

Anyway, lets get back to what we came here for shall we! 

MUA blusher

I've bought quite a few of these blushers in the past but they have always slowly made their way to the bottom of my makeup bag never to see the light again. Recently my beloved Mac Springsheen Blusher ran out so I was looking for a temporary replacement and found this bad boy! The colour I bought is called Bon Bon and it gives a lovely pink flushed colour to my cheeks. The colour lasts just as long as a Mac blusher and would suit most skin tones.

Sadly I had a little accident and dropped mine and it shattered inside the case but for just £1 I will definitely be repurchasing this. Hell I might even purchase the whole collection!

 You can find the full range of colours here

Ugg Boots

I just had to include these as the UK weather has been absolutely hideous for the last few weeks with temperatures reaching the minus figures. I have been pretty much living in my Uggs! I bought them at the end of last year but hadn't really worn them much until now.

Their not the most pretty of shoes but they are so rediculously comfy and warm and perfect for the cold weather! Their not cheap but if you live in the UK you will definitely get a great cost per wear!

They don't seem to do my colour anymore but there are lots of lovely colours here

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

Recently I had a break out. A reeeeeally bad one. I don't know if it was due to stress at work, tiredness or a change in my PCOS medication but I needed to find a solution fast!

This concealer is actually meant for hiding dark eye circles but I thought hey, why not give it a go on the blemishes! And it worked a treat. Its got quite a thick constancy so stayed put and once I added a little powder on top it didn't budge the whole day.

Find Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer here

Burial Rites

As an avid reader I wanted to add in a book this month!

Based on a true story and set in Iceland in 1829, a woman named Agnes is condemned to death for the murder of her lover. Agnes is sent to live and work on the district commissioners farm for her final months. Horrified to be living with a murderer, the family avoid any contact with her for the first few months until they are forced to work together and Agnes' story begins to unfold.

I love a good true story so found this book fascinating and actually found myself feeling a bit sorry for Agnes! The book was also shortlisted for both the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction and the Guardian First Book Award so its definitely worth a read.

Buy or download Burial Rites here

L'oreal Casting Creme Gloss Hair Dye

I pretty much never get my hair coloured at the hairdressers. I just think why pay £100+ for something I can do myself! I have tried the L'Oreal Casting Creme Gloss hair dyes in the past but wasn't really a fan. I didn't like the colour selection and I found them a bit messy to use. They were on offer in Boots so I decided to give it another whirl and I was rather pleased with the results!

I could be very behind on this but L'Oreal seem to have thickened up the consistency of the dye so this time it actually stayed on my head and not on the floor! I chose the colour 535 Chocolate and they recommend leaving the dye on for 30 minutes but all in all mine was on for around 45 to an hour as I made dinner during and it took a lot longer than I thought!

Here are the results:

Check out the full colour range here

What have you been loving this month?

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