Review: YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara in Radical Noir

As a much raved about mascara, I was curious about YSL Faux Cils. A month or so ago, curiosity got the better of my wallet and I purchased it in the shade Radical Noir. 

10 Music Videos Worth Watching

Music videos used to be inspiring, emotive and sometimes artistic. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I don't see so much at the moment. If Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines is what we've got to go by, the days of imaginative videos is ending.

Here is my playlist of 10 memorable tracks with great accompanying visuals:

Outkast- Hey ya!

A fun, vibrant vid which celebrates the excitement of bands performing to live audiences like those on the Ed Sullivan Show in the 50s and 60s. 

Review: Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks

The Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks are marketed as creamy, pigmented and nourishing. This was enough to make me want to try them, along with the great shade range. Knowing that I wanted to get my money's worth, I bought three wearable shades rather than branching out this time and opting for red or corals. 

Left to right: Lovelight, Rush, Native

Lovelight

Lovelight: described by Urban Decay as a 'pale peachy-pink shimmer'; described by me as Nars' Orgasm for the lips. This subtle, pretty shade is great for everyday wear and adds a little something to the lips without screaming 'hey! Look at me, I'm wearing lipstick!'. It is shimmery, not glittery and does not feel gritty on the lips.

Review: Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

The Naked Basics palette is by far my most-used out of three palettes by Urban Decay that I own, so much so that I can imagine that one day I may even need to purchase another one(very rare when you own as many eyeshadows as me)! This little wonder is perfect for everyday, quick makeup and it is ideal for travelling.

These are a few of my favourite things... (March 2014)

Currently wearing

Silver and rose gold necklace by Urban Outfitters

This cute little necklace goes with anything. I wear it more than any other piece of jewellery at the moment. I picked it up last year for about £10 in Brighton.

Currently playing

Once I had a Sweetheart by Pentangle

I got listening to Pentangle last year after hearing Jacqui Mcshee's beautiful voice when they were on a folk music documentary. They are a late 60s-70s band featuring the legendary Bert Jansch. For Christmas I received Light Flight: the Anthology and this has to be a favourite. I love the sitar on this track.

Currently applyling

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Having been ill recently, my lips resembled dried up slugs. They weren't comfortable. They were barely human. This stuff saved them. Some people think this is glorified vaseline, but it does seem to heal poorly skin very nicely. 

Currently spritzing

Viktor and Rolf, Flowerbomb

This is a popular scent, but for good reason.  Its notes include rose, orchid and jasmine. It can be worn day or night and is just the right balance of sweet and classy. 

Currently reading

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

I have actually just finished this and knew its reputation of being a dark novel. Some people may find it a bit too twisted to be a comfortable read as it is told from the perspective of a sadistic (yet thoroughly fascinating) mind. Perhaps surprisingly, it is a novel that I know has been taught at A Level. I'm not sure how I would have reacted to the content at that age (probably, knowing me, I'd have been intrigued!). About half way through I thought I'd worked out what was going to happen, but Banks surprised me!

Currently admiring

GHD IV Lavender Straighteners

Just look at these beautiful pastel straighteners! They will be mine, oh yes, they will be mine...one day!

Purchase them here

Matt Berry and the Maypoles, Tunbridge Wells April 4th

Having been a lover of Matt Berry's music since his first album, Opium, I had tickets to see him live a few years back on his Witchazel tour. Unfortunately, the show at Heaven Under the Arches was cancelled. I resigned myself to not being able to see him live, until a few months ago I came across the announcement that he was playing on a Friday night in Tunbridge Wells in Kent! It couldn't have been more perfect, as my family live in Tonbridge (Wells' not-so-popular sister town, situated nearby). I booked there and then!

Mac Lipstick Collection

It was about five years ago that I started collecting Mac lipsticks and, as with many people who get into makeup as a hobby, curiousity for trying other brands soon got the better of me! Nevertheless, Mac undeniably make an amazing spectrum of colours and I'm sure I will be adding to the collection at some point in the future.

I also own some limited addition packaging lipsticks in my collection, which I may post separately about one day.

Left to right (clockwise): Creme d'nude, Politely Pink, Plink, Angel, Modesty, Madly Creative, Speed Dial, Snob

The London Eye

I was lucky enough to get to go on the London Eye recently and it was a fantastic experience. Living in the UK, we pretty much say goodbye to the sun in August and then spend all of the Autumn, Winter and often Spring facing week upon week of cold and uninspiring weather. It has been particularly rainy this year. My home town in Kent was terribly flooded in December, and I still believe most of the sportsground is underwater. My heart goes out to those that spent Christmas evacuating their homes and are still coping with water damage, even now as we approach Spring. Thankfully my family were the lucky ones and didn't have any major problems.

Review: DiorBlush Rose Libertine No. 939

Rose Libertine (shade 939) was my pick of the Vibrant Colour Powder Blush range by Dior. For me, this was an investment blush, so I therefore researched it a lot before I finally purchased it. Ideally we would all visit counters before we part with our money, but if you live outside London, that is not always possible for some brands. My research told me that it would be a good shade for my fair skin and I was right! This blush is now the pride of my ever-growing collection. Here's why:

Benefit They're Real Mascara Review

I tried this mascara after Christmas for the first time and I was not as bedazzled as I thought I'd be. The box screams statistics at you such as: '94%  saw dramatic length and volume' and '100% saw long-lasting results'. With those consumer panel results as well as before and after pictures which look almost too good to be true, this mascara certainly became one I had to try, even with the ludicrous £18.50 price tag.