Smash Box Try It Kit;

Sample sets are one of my favourite things for higher end brands. You get to try out the products without commiting to spending tens of pounds on the full size. Usually the samples are pretty generous and you usually make a saving when buying the set. I got this one from Smashbox for just £13.50 from my local Cosmetics Company Store. I really suggest checking out The Cosmetics Company Store if you come across one. They're full of higher priced brands for lesser price, of course they're full of odd shades of eyeliner and a most things are at least a season old, but you can find some real bargains.

This Smashbox set contains four of their best-selling products. The first of which is their famous Photo-Finish Primer. This is a silicone based primer but feels a lot smoother and the consistency is lighter than most others that I've tried. It feels moisturising on the skin and a little goes a long way. Before applying foundation it doesn't have much effect, it doesn't mattify or make your pores look smaller. However it does help foundation blend in easily. I found wearing this my base did look freshly applied, whilst looking almost dewy but without any shimmer. This isn't ideal for me as I have oily skin, and although I felt less oily than I do without primer, dewy is a look I stay away for. I think this would be better for people with drier skin, but it is great for flat looking matte bases or foundations that become cakes throughout the day.

There is also Smashbox's 24 Photo-Finish Eye Primer. I've only ever used a liquid primer, and this has the consistency of a cream shadow except squeezed from a tube. This blends into the lids until it feels as though there is nothing there. This primer claims to intensify the colour of shadows, which I was a little dubious of as I've never tried a primer that has done that. However even when applying pigmented eyeshadows this brightens the colour and makes it pop! Not to mention that this makes your eye look last all night, no matter what you're doing there will not be a single crease. This is the thing I am most impressed with and really want the full size of. This sample is 4g which I think is generous for an eye primer.

Next up is a mini Full Exposure Mascara. The wand on this is a super thick brissle wand, which isn't what I usually go for but I find the wand grabs every lash. This mascara really lengthens and seperates your lashes. It gives you really fluttery defined eyelashes. However it's not the best for volume, but makes a great base if you like to layer mascaras. I think it makes an amazing lower lash mascara. It also lasts all day without flaking or smudging.

The last thing in the set is this little eye palette, with 3 neutral matte shadows. I was pretty surprised to see this in a set as they're not usually including in samples. I think it's a great size as you can travel with it easily and I never use full eyeshadow pans. I also love the packaging and the shadows pull out from the side! These shades can make a great look, but I'll probably use it as more of an accompanying palette. The three shades you get are: Vanilla which is a matte creamy colour, Sabel which is a beige-y brown that is great for the grease, and Sumatra which is a dark chocolatey matte shade. All of the shades very pigmented, even vanilla and they last all night especially when paired with the primer. 

All items worn here.

Project 10 Pan Update #1;-

So it's been nearly 2 months since I posted my Project 10 Pan and I've finished up a few of the items so I should probably update you.

 I'm gonna jump straight in and say that I have used up my N-Spa Coconut Body Butter. It's all gone and thank god, this stuff is good but it's thick and takes a long time to dry. I got this in a gift set and I'm glad it's gone as I have a few gift set moisturisers to use up.

As for my Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer, I have used this every time I apply makeup. At first I was using this on blemishes as well as my under eyes but it doesn't have the best coverage for that purpose. I feel as if this should be close to being done, but I literally have no way to tell!

Moving onto eyes I have my Revlon Eyeshadow Primer, well actually I don't anymore. I feel like I'd been using it forever but only a week ago I tried to click up more product and there was none! I'm so happy with myself for this as I'd had it a while, however I loved this up until its last use and I definitely recommend this as a drugstore eye primer.

My Rimmel White Eyeliner has been moving fast, I have sharpened this a lot since my original post. I've been trying to use it to brighten my waterline and tear duct most days, and I think its about an inch shorter than it was. That being said there's a lot of product still left to use.

Another product that is completely gone is the Soap and Glory Supercat Liner. This lasted a surprisingly long time for a felt pen, I also stored this upside down to make it last a little long. But the line is no longer as black as it was and it takes a fair few swipes to be opaque so I'm gonna call it done.

The Benefit High Beam tester is going to be more difficult to use up than I thought. I've found this a little tricky to blend so I've started using it before foundation which gives a nice effect, and I tend to use more than way. This has 1/3rd left, but this will be a challenge as you don't need a lot of this.

Onto lips, up first is my Popcorn Lip Scrub from LUSH, I have used this every single time I apply makeup and there's still about half left. I think this is the thing I will struggle most to finish up.

But I did manage to finish my Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch, this is also the first lip balm I've ever finished. That doesn't mean its my favourite I just wanted it gone! There's still a little left however I can't apply it without scratching my lips so I'm calling it done.

My Topshop Lip Bullet in Tamed has become my new handbag lippy so I can apply and reapply it throughout the day. That tactic has really helped me as I've nearly finished it, and I haven't really forced myself into wearing it everyday.

The last product is also empty, this is or was the Sexy Motherpucker Lipgloss from Soap and Glory. Although there looks like there is still some left, virtually nothing is transferred onto the lips when applied. Although I love this I'm glad to see it go as the applicator had broke and I have a ton of 'free gift' glosses that need using.

I just thought I'd end by telling you how my spending ban is going, which suprizingly is great. Once you get your mind set into asking yourself whether you need something it almost becomes second nature. I know I have more makeup than I need so I just try to remind myself of that. I did struggle at first, but I talked myself out of it. I'm just making sure to delete any e-mails of offers from brands that I'm on the mailing list, as they can really drag you in and I've been tempted on a number of occasions. I did treat myself to a new liquid liner, but I did need that as I used mine up. But I didn't actually spend anything as I had some Boots points saved up!

I hope some of you join me on your own Project 10 Pan.

July Favourites;

Its already the end of July, how did that happen?! This month I haven't shaken up my makeup too much, (and I've been on a makeup spending ban) but I thought I'd keep up my string of favourites and show you the things I've loved this month.

My first and favourite, favourite of this month is my Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 Eyeshadow Palette. I've owned this for at least a year now and its come back out of hibernation, I've worn it almost everyday I've worn makeup. The glittery light pinks are great for summery looks, and I still love this palette as much as when I first bought it. The shadows are really high quality for the price too.

I have not one, but two blush favourites to share with you this month, first up is the Revlon Photoready Blush in Flushed. These blushes have a great consistency as they don't feel greasy on the skin, but they blend really easily. Although it looks bright in the pan, this shade actually gives a really natural pinched look to the cheeks. My second blush favourite is this baked blush from Avon. This is a shimmery bronze with pink baked in sections. I use this high on the cheekbones to add colour, if I'm in a rush it acts as both a blush and a bronze.

I also painted my nails for the first time in a while, mostly to try out a product that I hauled from Primark here but I used Essie's Cute as a Button, its a gorgeous corally pink that is perfect for summer. I think it would look great with a tan (if I could tan that is). I also love the formula of these as they're easy to apply and it lasted 2-3 without a top coat or a base coat which is a feat when you work in a bar.
The rest of my favourites are all from Primark, which is a favourite of my store every month. But this month I've visited Primark nearly every week and come away with a bag full of stuff. First up is this rollerball perfume called Midnight Kiss. This smells floral but grown up and reminds me of Katy Perry's Purr perfume a lot. The smell of this isn't overpowering but I can still smell this throughout the day, which is great for just £2, I really want to buy the spray. I've also been wearing this daisy headband so much this month, I bought it last year. Its a contrast to a floral crown as its not so in your face. I also picked up a pack of midi rings for just £1.50, they have a little detail in them as well as some stones so they're a little more jazzy.
My last favourite, also from Primark is my new bedspread that I've used as a photo background in this post. It has a pattern of NYC, it is mostly monocrome with bright details. This really goes with my room as some of the pops of colour match my walls. The bedspread is really soft and it only cost £14.50.


What have you loved this month?