Benefit They're Real Mascara Review with before and after pictures

This is my favourite mascara hands down as I have tried others but they don't compare.
I got this mascara with my She's So Jetset kit but when It runs out in will definitely buy the full size.
It's brush is nice and sturdy but flexible too, it is made of rubber and works better at separating the lashes compared with a bristled fibre one.
In the before and after pictures I have no eyeliner on so you can see the lashes better and I for the after picture I put on 3 coats of the mascara.

What do you think? What is your favourite mascara ladies?

My Summer Wish List

Here are my favourite items that are currently on my wishlist :

Ted Baker Lingar Handbag - Nude Pink
I love everything about this it is the perfect size to carry what I would want it to, the colour of it is gorgeous and it would be perfect for summer.
I currently have the Mardun bag which I adore but the handles don't fit over my shoulder so I have to carry it by hand and it can often be heavy, so in the summer I don't want to be lugging this around. I would like a across the body bag to keep my hands free and to keep me more comfortable when it's hot.

New Look Aztec Print Voile Maxi Skirt - Black
So the Aztec is back in fashion this summer and I quite like the more subtle Aztec looks. All are too bright and crazy for me but this is just right. I also love the fact that it's a maxi skirt as I am not a fan of short skirts this summer. Maxi skirts are perfect for keeping cool and are far more comfortable than skinny jeans bring them on. I could happily wear these all the year through. They look. Look great with some sandals or Converse.

Too Faced Summer Eye Pallette
I can't wait to own this as the colours are gorgeous! This pallette is a remake of the 2012 version with one shadow different and new packaging. So if you bought it last year you probably wouldn't buy it this year but luckily for me i didn't so this is definitely next on my list to buy. I love anything coral at the moment so this will be perfect to wear over the summer.

Converse Hi Ness Wedge Shoe - White
I went to the Trafford Centre last night and saw these, needless to say it was love at first sight! I love how they are not too high so they will be comfortable as well as chic.

Benefit Stay Flawless Primer
I feel like I have to try everything new by Benefit as they can do no wrong in my eyes. This is to keep all make up in place for a whole day. A lot of people complain about their makeup doing a disappearing act in summer when it's hot so this is to stop that. It will lock it in place and help to keep it matte for 15 hours. So bring on looking flawless for a whole day in the beer garden.

So what's on your wishlist ladies please share :-)

My 3 favourite Benefit make up bags and why I use them all

Can you manage with just one make up bag? I know I can't. I like to be organised not crazy alphabetical organised but not far off?
So why do I need 3 makeup bags I hear you ask, greed? Yes maybe but they really do all have a purpose i promise. 

Small: Benefit Bermuda Betty, I got this little square one to carry around daily in my handbag. I don't want to be lugging around any extra weight than I have to, my handbag weighs a tonne anyway. Inside here I keep all my basic essential like lip gloss, concealer, eye bright and also it has a mirror inside.

Medium: Benefit Glamorous Gabbi, I love the style of this as you can just dump everything in and it's easy to find it again. It has pockets for your individual brushes on one side and a big deep pocket on the other side. But as this is my secondary make up bag which I don't keep my brushes in anyway I use it for storing any makeup that isn't Benefit. I also got this to store my glossy box goodies than I plan to use. I have only recently got this one so it does look a bit on the empty side at the minute but I have big plans for it.

Large: Benefit Beauty bag travel size, this is my pride and joy as it is full of all my Benefit favourites. It is nice and big so it fits the kits in, I like to keep them all neatly stacked together and then all the tube items stood up to the other side of the bag. It has a zip clear pocket to the back which I keep some small items in and my brushes.

Please share you make up bag with me, how many do you have and what size do you use?
Please leave a comment with a link to your blog and I will check it out :-)
X

Benefit Some Kind a Gorgeous - Lite

I hardly use foundation because I don't like my make up to look to built up and fake. I have the Benefit Hello Flawless powder but it has recently crumbled into a million pieces which sucks as I don't remember dropping it. Anyway I bought this a few months ago as it marketed as a foundation faker so it should make my completion look good but feel lightweight on my skin and not give a cakey make up look.

First thoughts: the packaging as always is divine! I am a sucker for something pretty and this is no exception as it is the shape of a record.

I got the shade lite which is the lightest that they make and it is perfect for my skin. It has a separate compartment underneath with a sponge for application. I prefer to use a foundation brush with this as the sponge feels a bit flimsy and cheap.

How does it fair: I do like the look of this is on my skin as it gives good coverage and I like the colour, but it does have a light scent which isn't to appealing. It smells a bit plasticy. Also it looks a bit shiny when on so overall this isn't my favourite complexation product.
I really want to try the Benefit playstick next. I won't use liquid foundation as it's not my thing and it feels like too much faffing about getting ready.

Verdict: 3/5 this is nothing special in my eyes.

Too Faced eye shadow 3 brush set

So I am a novice with make up brushes as I only have the eye shadow brushes that have come with palettes in the past and a mini Body Shop brush set. I have a Lancome foundation brush which is my only decent one.

With my Benefit Jetset kit it came with a small double sided sponge applicator which is absolutely rubbish and since I have bought some eye shadow palettes that don't come with brushes I've been keeping a eye open for a decent brush set. There are some good ones around but very pricey at £15-£20 per brush.

I saw some good reviews of this set and at £30 for 3 brushes it isn't the cheapest but they are good quality.
They are made from teddy bear hair which is very soft and gives a professional application.
They are pretty to look at to in dusty pink and go with my vintage make up theme. These are full size and come with a instruction leaflet as how to use them.

The brushes are:

Blender brush - this is the biggest one and is used for contouring powder in the crease of the eye.

Powder brush - for applying powder to the whole lid of the eye and can be used to get the best smokey eye effect.

Liner brush - used for lining the eyelid and also doubles up as a smudger.

These are great brushes to start off my collection but Too Faced do make a bigger brush collection that will definitely be on my Christmas list.
What brushes do you use?

In a rush, running late? Check out my 5 minute makeup routine

If I'm running late and need to be out of the house quick here are my go to products to get a flawless look that will get me out of the door quick:

Step 1: Benefit Porefessional - 30 seconds
I squeeze a small pea sized amounts of this on the back of my hand and apply by pressing it into the skin. I use this at the sides of my nose and on top of my nose where I find my pores to be at their most visible.

Step 2: Benefit Fake Up concealer - 30 seconds
I do one swoop under each eye and pay let gently with my fingers to blend.

Step 3: Benefit Peek a Bright Eye's kit - 2 minutes
With the fluff brush apply the base shadow, then dab in the contour shadow and blend into the crease of the eyes concentrating on the outer corner. Then dab in the pearly pink shadow and apply to the centre of the eyelid.
Now use the liner brush and the dark contour shadow to line the top eyelids.
With your first finger apply the eye bright creme on the inner and outer corners of each eye and blend well. Then swipe across your brow bone and blend you will now look nice and awake.

Step 4: Benefit Fine One One - 1 minute
Swipe the stick from the apple of your cheeks up towards your temple do this 2-3 times on each cheek to build up colour, lightly blend with finger. Now swipe across the lips and gently blend to give the lips some colour.

Step 5: Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara - 1 minute
Apply a couple of coats to each eye to build up to the desired length and volume.

5 minutes gone and you are ready to leave the house gorgeous. X

Benefit World Famous Neutrals - Most Glamorous Nudes Ever

I'm a sucker for any of the Benefit kits they are always gorgeous and are a great way of testing out the products before buying any full size ones.
Most of them have a how to guide as well which show you how to use the make up step by step to get your desired look.
I decided to go for this eyeshadow pallette over the other 2 available as the colours of the shadows are great for everyday. You can easily go from day to night within this one pallette. Also with them being neutral shades I can wear them to work. The sexy pallette that they do is gorgeous too but I wouldn't get as much use of it as I do this one. I have had it a few months now and It is my go to eye pallette on a daily basis. Also you wouldn't think it from looking at it as it still looks new. This will last for ages!

My first impression of it was that it was smaller than I thought it is tiny, but as we know good things come in small packages ;-)
It is designed to look like a book and it has a magnetic closure. You don't get any brushes with it which was a bit of a negative for me but overall i love it!
Inside you get 2 creaseless creme shadows and 4 longwear powder shadows which are:
Creme shadows - Birthday Suit & My Two Cents
Powder shadows - Call My Buff, Glit-y Pleasure, It's Complicated and Kiss Me, I'm Tipsy.

They all complement each other perfect of course and you get a make up lesson inside which shows you how to achieve the most  glamorous daytime and night time looks using the shadows. My favourite is probably the daytime one as I love the highlight shadows as they really help me to look awake.

In the swatches the colours from L to R are: birthday suit, my two cents, call my buff, it's complicated, gilt-y pleasure and kiss me, I'm tipsy. All the colours are nice and pigmented and last all day. You can even use the darker one to line the eyes if you don't have a liner handy. This kit is very light and would be perfect for travelling or everyday use.
What is your favourite pallette in any brand?