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Ishga Rejuvenating Eye Balm*

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Considering I’ve been pretty much obsessed with skincare since I could walk, it’s probably no surprise that I’ve tried a few eye creams in my time. By the time I was about 14 I slathered the stuff on nightly (much to my mother’s amusement) and I’ve kept up my routine ever since. Recently though, I’ve started to apply eye cream in the mornings, a little massaged in prior to foundation and concealer leaves my skin hydrated all day, and it keeps my makeup in place too!

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My current favourite for day use is Ishga’s Rejuvenating Eye Balm. The Scottish skincare brand, which uses Hebridean seaweed as the basis of all of their products, is so gentle on delicate skin, and I have just fallen in love with their products! The Rejuvenating Eye Balm is a new release for Ishga, and it’s perfect if you’re in need of a little hydration! I use a single pump of the formula, and massage it into my under eye area. Then, I’m good to go – I apply my makeup as normal, and I can’t even tell you how smoothly it applies! Even well into the afternoon, when I normally require a bit of a touch up to  feel human, but after using Ishga, my eye make up still looks freshly applied.

Ishga’s Rejuvenating Eye Balm will be released soon!

Urban Decay XX Vice Reloaded*

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Whenever Urban Decay release a new palette, it’s almost as if you can hear the world’s intake of breath. There have been a couple lately, and I got my hands on the brand new XX Vice Reloaded Palette, and spoiler alert – it’s a good one!

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Packaged in a slick black compact, complete with jewelled logo, XX Vice Reloaded is something special to behold. It’s big, weighty thing, with a push button which releases the spring-loaded lid. I just love it, and it looks incredible. There’s no doubt about it, this palette is all about celebrating the best of Urban Decay!

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Inside there are 20 shades (to celebrate 20 years of the brand), some new, some classic, and some re-releases, as well as a double ended brush, and a huge mirror. At first I was a little daunted by the shades selection – there are some true jewel colours in there – particularly ones like Acid Rain and Asphyxia which are just breathtaking. But there is also a great selection of neutrals in there too! Perfect for using on a more regular basis.

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The beauty of XX Vice Reloaded is in it’s adaptability. Day looks revolve around the colours Suspend, Shallow and Midnight Cowboy. They’re a mix of matte and satin finish shades, which provide a subtle wash of definition without looking too dramatic.

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In the evenings, I’ve been smoking everything out with shades like Oil Slick, Smog, and Twice Baked. As we’ve come to expect from the brand, Urban Decay’s XX Vice Reloaded’s shadows are buttery smooth and apply like a dream. I’ve noticed that the matte shades do seem to have the very best colour payoff, whilst the shimmers and glitters are a touch sheerer, so when I want a really vivid look, I apply using a dampened brush.

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Like most of the brand’s palette, this one comes with a double-ended brush which is surprisingly useful. I just love that Urban Decay include real tools in their kits, rather than the usual sponge applicators which I throw out immediately!

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Since both ends have quite long and fluffy bristles, it’s a good tool for creating subtle blended looks – and what more can I ask for in the mornings?!

Urban Decay XX Vice Reloaded is priced at £43 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

Lancome Grandiose Liner*

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If there is one makeup trend which I would kill to master, it’s the cat eye. No matter how big or subtle it is, a quick flick of black immediately makes you look seriously pulled together, as well as giving you some of that French je ne sais pas which I’m sure we’re all after!

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So when I caught sight of Lancome’s brand new Grandiose Liner, I knew I had to get my hands on it, to finally perfect my feline flick. Thankfully, Lancome have made it so easy with their brand new Grandiose Eye Liner. Available in a range of three colours (there is also a navy and a brown) the cap of the liner bends and twists to allow you to feel as comfortable as possible using it.

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I like to crick the cap a little to the right so that it nestle snugly into my hands, and then I get to work. Although I love a dramatic eye look, I have quite mastered mine yet. Instead, I focus the super thin brush along the lash line, finishing in a tiny little flick upwards – a kitten, if you will!

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The formula itself is silky smooth and incredibly black. It just glides onto lids, meaning your lines can stay beautifully sharp. It also dries incredibly fast, meaning I don’t need to worry about smearing or smudging before applying a flick of mascara. It dries down to a perfectly matte finish, and it stays in place for hours!

Lancome Grandiose Eye Liner is priced at £23 and is available here

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)

Esqido Big City Nights Lashes*

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So I’m not sure that there is anything quite as luxurious sounding as mink eyelashes. And if you’re in the market for a pair, I would highly recommend checking out US brand ESQIDO false eyelashes. They’ve glamorised everyone from Victoria’s Secret Angels to J-Lo, and they give you lashes like you’ve only dreamed of.

Esqido Big City Lights

One of my newest sets from the brand are the Big City Lights style. Like all the brand’s lashes, they’re made entirely from ethically sourced mink. That means nothing fluffy was hurt in the making of them – the fur is just gathered after being naturally shed, then fashioned into lashes. The use of mink (as well as sounding wonderfully decadent) means that the lashes are so lightweight and comfortable to wear.

Esqido Lashes Big City Nights

Big City Nights are beautiful, fluffy lashes which are perfect for evenings where I want to look more done. I apply a little tinted moisturiser, bronzer and highlight like normal, then sweep a shimmery bronze shadow over my lids. I smudge a chocolate-y shade into my lash line, then add my Big City Nights. Using a little of the ESQIDO eyelash glue, I pop them into place and I’m good to go. The Big City Nights lashes give my makeup a real dose of glamour to an easy makeup look, and they can be reused for up to 10 wears.

Esqido Big City Nights Lashes are priced at $35 and are available here.

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