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DKNY Crystallised Eau de Toilette*

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When it comes to bringing out gorgeous fragrances which are only available as limited editions, I don’t think anyone comes close to DKNY. One of their newest releases is the brand-new Crystallised Eau de Toilette.

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The packaging for the perfume is absolutely adorable – it’s definitely the sparkliest bottle in my collection, and every time I use it it, it makes me smile. The lilac glitter is just so fun and girly, this would make such a fun gift!

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As for the fragrance itself, it’s a real crowd-pleasing mix of oriental notes with a hint of fruit. I’ve been loving it as a transition scent, as the yummy fruit keeps it feeling summery, whilst the deeper notes feel right for the cooler temperatures and darker nights we’re having.

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When I first spritz it on, I love the whoosh of raspberry and cassis, which are almost mouth-watering! Then, as the fragrance settles, the elements of Bergamot and Mandarin become stronger, keeping the scent feeling beautifully clean. It’s a perfect daytime scent!

DKNY Crystallised is currently on special for £19.99 (Normally £42) exclusively here.

 

Essie It’s a Celebration!*

Essie It's a Celebration!

When it comes to Essie polishes, it can feel like there are hundreds of shades to choose from. Every time I pop into Boots, it feels like there are new shades calling my name, and it’s not unsurprising – It’s a Celebration is the brand’s 1000th shade!

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Packaged in one of the brands signature bottles, complete with golden confetti cap (the gold came off mine when I was removing some spilled polish), It’s a Celebration! is a bright, true yellow shade which is unlikely to already be in your collection.

Essie It's a Celebration! Swatch

The formula for It’s a Celebration! was a big surprise. It was easy to work with, and completely opaque in two coats – the micro shimmer caught the light, and my fingers looked like they had been dipped in gold! It’s such a fun and unusual shade, and when the light catches it, it’s so beautiful!

 

Maybelline Master Precise Curvy*

Maybelline Master Precise Curvy

On a day-to-day basis, I have a pretty standard makeup routine that involves a little foundation, some concealer, bronze mascara and some shadow. If I’m feeling fancy I’ll add a lipstick, but for the most part, I grab a balm or gloss to go. But, on mornings when I’ve woken up that little earlier, or if I’m headed out somewhere fun, I do rather like mixing it up a little.

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So, instead of mixing up my lip colours like I normally do when I’m after a change, I’ve been playing with eyeliners. Usually I’m a die-hard pencil kind of a girl. I like the way I can smudge it into my waterline, creating a soft, smoky effect, but sometimes you’ve got to have something a little cleaner and more graphic. Which is where Maybelline’s Master Precise Curvy comes in. It’s a dinky little liner with a felt-pen like tip which makes creating the most graphic of eye looks an absolute breeze!

Maybelline Master Precise Curve Swatch

On days where I want a subtle, clean, line, the side of the Master Precise Curvy provides a sharp line which looks super cute. When I want something that’s a little more ‘out-there’ the flat of the tip provides a thick, far more graphic look, which is perfect if you’re after something a little more ’60s inspired. The felt tip makes application so easy, and the colour applies so cleanly and evenly, you don’t have to go over a line to darken it. Instead, you just get the perfect black line, no matter how thick or thin you want it!

Maybelline Master Precise Curvy is priced at £6.99 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

Essie Gel Couture Polishes – Bubbles Only & Take Me to Thread*

Essie Gel Couture

When it comes to gel manicures, I’m not going to lie – I’m not the biggest fan. I have nails that bend in the breeze, and coupled with my short attention span for colours, I think I’m better suited regular polishes. What I do love about gels though, is the super shiny finish. So, when Essie sent over their brand new Gel Couture range, I got rather excited. (Evidently the post office did too, as a rather fetching coral shade had exploded in the envelope, so excuse any smudges or polish on the bottles!)

Essie Bubbles Only

The whole concept behind the Gel Couture line is fashion-forward colours with 14 days of shiny, chip-free wear. Applied to clean, bare nails, Essie recommends two coats of colour with one of the new Top Coat. Everything about the line is new – the bottles are twisted (inspired by the line of couture dresses) and the brushes are even remodelled. The new line contains 42 brand new shades, and I’ve already picked out a few to order!

Essie Bubbles Only Swatch

The first polish I tried was Bubbles Only – a stunningly rich red which verges on burgundy. It’s such a rich shade – it looks so chic on short nails, or as a pedicure. The formula was an absolute dream to work with – it applied perfectly smoothly and was nearly opaque in a single coat. There was no streaking or smudging, just really beautiful shiny colour, which stayed glossy well after the top coat had dried. Admittedly I did pop a base coat on my nails (they’re already a little stained, and I’m trying to prevent further damage) and I got three days of chip-free wear.

Essie Take Me To Thread

Take Me to Thread is a stunning neutral shade which hovers somewhere between grey and purple. Unlike a lot of similar shades in my collection, this one is a true one-coat-wonder, although, being the stickler for the instructions I went with two. The formula of the polish is creamy perfection, and self levels, meaning your left with beautifully even nails.

Essie Take me to Thread Swatch

Depending on the light, the colour veers between lavender and grey, so it’s a great choice if you’re rotating through a summer wardrobe of neutrals. It feels like a nice alternative to my usual baby pink polishes, and I love how fresh it looks paired with a white shirt and jeans. Again, I got about three days of chip free wear with the polish.

Essie Gel Couture Top Coat

The Gel Couture Top Coat comes in a white version of the new twisted bottles. It looks really fun (although mine got a little chipped when I was removing the coral polish) and it feels very Instagram-worthy.

Essie Gel Couture Brush

The brush, like the polishes, has had a bit of makeover. It means you only need a single sweep to cover the entire nail, and it doesn’t pull or drag on polish. I absolutely love how quickly it dries, and I didn’t get a single bubble or smear. I’m more than a little obsessed with these new takes on Essie, and I can’t wait to collect a few more shades!

Essie Gel Couture Top Coat and polishes are priced at £9.99 each, and they’re available here.

Maybelline Baby Lips Glosses*

Maybelline Baby Lips Glosses

I’m not sure about you, but by the time it gets around to being a Friday, I’m always in the mood to treat myself. I usually find myself wandering around SpaceNK or Harvey Nichols, desperate to find something that’s not too expensive but is still a nice little find. Now though, Boots has been my port of call, as I have fallen completely in love with Maybelline’s new Baby Lips lip glosses – the proof? I may have bought myself three new colours since these two popped through the door!

Maybelline Baby Lips Gloss - A Wink of pink gloss

The packaging for glosses is pretty standard – the white cap is emblazoned with the Maybelline Baby Lips logo, and the gloss itself is in a clear tube which means selecting a colour from my makeup bag couldn’t be easier. Wink of Pink is a stunning, warm toned pink gloss which is shot through with golden shimmer. On the lips, the gloss feels surprising rich and balmy (these aren’t in any way sticky) and they give a sheer hint of shimmer with a flattering sheen of gloss. As you might imagine, since the glosses are part of the Baby Lips collection, they promise to moisturize, which, now we’re in the middle of summer, is much needed!

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The formula of the gloss really feels surprisingly luxe. Everything from the doe foot applicator to the fruity scent feels well thought out, and I’ve been reaching for them more regularly than my normal Chanel or Dior choices. The wear-time might not be hours long, but the glosses are so cute and affordable, I don’t really mind topping them up!

Maybelline Baby Lips Gloss - Fab & Fuchsia

Possibly my most reached-for shade this week has been Fab and Fuchsia. In the tube it looks like a neon-Barbie dream of a gloss, but it’s far more subtle on the lips. It just gives a super sheer wash of shine with a subtle pink tint. Again, it has the brand’s signature fruity sweet scent, but I kind of love it, and the non-sticky formula is just so comfortable to wear, I’ve actually picked myself up a backup!

Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Glosses are priced at £4.99 each and are available here.

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