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?

The Mid Toned Pink;

For the past year I have been a woman on a mission, a mission to find the perfect mid-toned pink lip. I've tried and tested a lot and today I thought I'd show you the best of the bunch.

I have to start with my baby, Mac's Pink Plaid. This is my only Mac lipstick to date and out of all the lipsticks they had to offer, this was the shade I chose. This is a blue-toned medium, matte pink with greyish undertones, that sounds really strange but if you want an everyday pink with a twist this is gorgeous. This is the one that started this lip colour love affair for me as the mid-pink really suits my pale complexion.

Another matte option is the Revlon Matte Balm in Elusive. This is a more warm-toned middle of the range pink, with a slight peachy undertone, which makes this a gorgeous everyday colour. The formula of the Matte Balms are also amazing as they're comfortable on the lips and last a long time, though I would still recommend putting a lip balm on first. If the blue undertones of Pink Plaid aren't for you this is a great alternative!

I also have one of the original Revlon Balm Stains in Honey Douce. Honey Douce is completely different to the rest, the shade is a little darker and slightly brown toned. On me this is a real 'your lips but better shade' as its pretty similar to my lips, but perks them up if they're looking dull and adds a sheen. This is as the Revlon Balm Stains are a glossy, sheer wash of colour that stains your lips all day. I had to include this as its my handbag shade, I always keep this on me incase I forget my daily shade as its a fail safe colour that goes with any makeup look.

The next medium pink is actually a liner from Essence in the shade Wish Me a Rose. This is pretty much everything I wanted in a pink, just in pencil form: it's not too peachy or warm toned, but neither is it blue toned. It's just an everyday pink. This looks great under all of the other colours to make them last all day. Or it can be worn alone for a matte finish or under a gloss. These also don't bleed at all, and it's only £1!

A newer option to my extensive pink lip collection is the Makeup Revolution Lip Hug in Good Fun. The shade of is slightly lighter than the rest, and although I love it on myself I'd be wary if you have a darker skintone. This is a great, glossy pink that feels really moisturising on the lips.

One before last is from Collection's Deluxe Lipstick line and is in the shade Talulah. This is a slightly peachy medium pink which can be great for warmer skin tones. This feels quite moisturising when applied. It's not matte but also contains no shimmer. This is the first lipstick I ever bought from Collection and I really quite like it.

I thought I'd leave the the best until last the lippie that is 'the one' to satisfy my mid-tone pink needs is Pink Mallow by Natural Collection. This is quite simply your lips, but better and rosier. It's not cool toned but doesn't have any peach undertones either. Although this keeps your lips feeling soft it lasts for quite while. Not as long as a matte lipstick, but for £1.99 its impressive. This is actually the cheapest of all of the lipsticks, which goes to show you shouldn't overlook budget brands. If you want to end your search for the perfect medium pink, the one I recommend over the rest is this.

Just a little note to say, sorry I didn't post at the beginning of the week, sometimes real life overtakes blog life. But thank you for being patient (and for reading this) and I'm trying to get things up and running again. I also started up a Twitter for my blog so follow me over there @GirlAboutVill
Big hugs x

My Current Fashion Favourites;

When I started this blog I intended for it to be about fashion as well as beauty. I have since discovered that taking OOTDs alone is rather a feat, so while I work on that I thought I'd share my super summery current fashion faves. Beware there are some really awkward poses throughout.

I thought I'd start on top. Crop tops are must have at this time of year, this one is from Topshop. I love the high 90's-esque neckline, the stripes and monochrome make it really easy to style especially with block coloured bright pieces. Another shirt style that I love is off the shoulder, I'm so glad to see these everywhere. I think they're a great way of baring some flesh without being too risqué. This one is from Primark, the pattern is amazing! A trend I've loved this year is the 70's. And I found this shirt which I think is prefect from New Look. The sleeves and bottom are lovely and flowy but with a little bit of off the shoulder action. This is pretty just-ish and perfect for festival wear.

Up next of course is the playsuit, a complete summer staple. My newest addition is this long sleeved number from Boohoo. I love the flowy-ness and tribal (is this tribal) print and the colour. Play suits are the perfect no effort outfits! Something else I love is flowy, non form-fitting little summer dresses like this floral one from H&M. They keep you lovely and cool and look really girly. They're also great to chuck on over a bikini on a beach day.

I thought I'd also pick out a couple of oldies but goodies that I always reach for at this time of year. As for summer coverups the denim jacket is always my go-to when it's warm. Because I'm not wearing jeans I like to wear denim on top. They're keep your warm during cooler nights but not to warm. This is an old favourite from New Look that has lasted me about two years.  I have to say that when I first saw stores selling dungarees again I literally ran to them. I have a few pairs but I thought I'd show you these slightly quirkier ones. These are from Primark and are pretty much styled on the deck chair, but I think they're cute. Dungarees may be my favourite clothing item ever. They're great for summer layering and look great with crop tops or oversized t-shirts. And the nostalgia factor is the icing on the cherry bake well.