America Haul #4 Sephora Nano Eyeliners

These dinky little eyeliners were part of the Sephora's own make-up range, which was pretty good actually and reasonably priced. These cost something ridiculous like $5 so I had to grab a few, and went for these pretty colours, in electric blue and grey.

They are perfect for the waterline, creating a base for a smokey eye, etc. And because they are tiny they are good to travel with!!
If any Americans are reading - whats the general opinion on Sephoras own range? Is it seen as cheap and nasty or generally good for a bargain?

America Haul #3 Anastasia Brow Wiz

IF, like me you are a massive Pixiwoo fan, you will no doubt have heard them rave about this product and use it in every other video. That must be why, I made sure to put it in my basket in Sephora.

and, I LOVE IT.

You can get this product in the UK, but not readily, and mainly online - and for me an eyebrow pencil is not the sort of thing I would buy without trying first. I got the colour Medium Ash, which is a perfect match for me. The consistency is not that of a pencil but more like a soft, waxy stick that makes neat, precise lines without looking drawn on. Usually eyebrow pencils have too much of a red tone to them, and while I do have a reddish tone in my hair, I don't want it on my eyebrows!! I am soooo pleased with this product, and would be happy to now order it again and again.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo - Pink Gold

I was excited to find this on a promotional Maybelline stand in Boots this week! Either this wasn't out with the original launch of the colour tattoo eyeshadows or it completely passed me by!! (I'm sure it wasn't!)

This gorgeous pink shimmer will be perfect for the winter / party season, and with the formulation of these little pots already a firm favourite amongst beauty addicts everywhere - I'm sure I won't be the only one excited to use this!! These are perfect for a bit of shimmer and glam for nights out - and they do not budge.

I already have one of the original shades in 'On and on Bronze'. They are so similar to Mac paint pots, they stay true to the claim of having 24 hour wear and 'tattoo'like longevity, and are perfect to use as a base,

Samantha's Secret | Lime Crime Magic Dust

Another great cheap purchase from the Space NK sale: I picked up this beauty for £2 - but unlike the Laura Mercier shadow that I found very lacking, this 'magic dust' from Lime Crime is a great little number.

As you can see it is a loose shimmer shadow, in a very unusual colour: Dragon Scales. I can see why it didn't exactly fly off the shelves - but then I think its a gorgeous shade! Full price these shadows cost £12 which I think is a reasonable price for the quality and in comparison to other high end loose shadows.
This may be a difficult colour to wear but I have green eyes so copper/orange tones suit me, and I think this would look great over a black base.

 It's so difficult to capture a beautiful colour in a photo, but the shade has many dimensions. When first applied it appears as a brown shimmer with a green tinge but when blended has more of a reddish tone. Definitley alike to dragon scales! The powder is soft and blendable and for £2 I am so impressed. I've never heard of Lime Crime before has anyone else tryed any of their products?

P.s Do you think that all the bloggers have maybe been sponsored by Boss Pour Nuit Femme this week??

 
 

Samantha's Secret | Gosh Intense Eyeliner - A Competition Win!

I was lucky enough recently to win one of these Gosh Intense Eyeliner Pens from the lovely May from Smooch. Thanks May!

I thought I would do a quick review on it anyway since I have really enjoyed using this pen! I recieved 02 Grey which is a slightly blueish grey.

I'm very much a gel liner girl so I had forgotten how simple and quick liquid pen applicators can be! I love the soft colour of this and it made me want to revert back to my old black liner pens. The nib is long and pointed, moist not scratchy and yuk like some can be, and in general I really enjoyed using it! The nature of the nib means that you can draw fine, delicate lines or use the edge for a thicker effect. The result is not fully opaque but a soft colour. I would recommend this pen for eyeliner users or first timers due to the easy application.

I was going to put a link here for May's original review of the Gosh pens but it appears to no longer be on her blog, so here is a link to her blog so you can have a read!

Samantha's Secret | Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colour

This is my first purchase from Laura Mercier, and I was lucky enough to pick up one of these Sequin Eye Colour individual eyeshadows for a ridiculous £2 in the Space NK sale.

 

The packaging is sturdy, expensive and sleek; exactly what I expected from the brand. I ordered a lovely pink shade: Brilliant Rose.

 

I was so massively disappointed by this product. I don't know what I expected, having snapped it up for a mere £2, but still this shadow was just pathetic. As you can see I've included a swatch photo on my finger, where the colour looks gorgeous (I was very excited at this point) but when I went to apply to the back of my hand, the colour literally did not transfer at all and I was just pushing around a couple of specks of glitter. The same thing happened when I used a brush.

I can't comment on texture, how it blends, durability or even colour payoff since this product has not yet made it onto my face. I'm so sad :( but not overly suprised now that it was selling at such a low price.

Has anyone tryed any other LM eye products? I haven't written off the brand at all, as I know they make some great products, but it's still a disappointment as I was so excited to recieve it!!

 

Samantha's Secret | Accessorize Lovely Day Palette

I cannot tell you HOW long I have waited to get my hands on this palette - ever since seeing the preview photos and blogs, and it became an absolute impossibility of a mission to find it!

Eventually after dashing into what felt like every Superdrug on the planet (WHY do Accessorize stores not stock their own full brand of cosmetics?!) I have one and here he is.

The shadows are in 32 gorgeous wearable shades, perfect for day-wear but equally buildable for the evening. The palette also, I think, contains shades that you would not normally opt for for a daily look, so gives you the opportunity to shake up your routine and perhaps try some different colours.

For the price, the pigmentation of the shadows is great, they blend nicely and stayed put. They are not as bright as what I would normally expect from a baked shadow (I assume it is the same formula as in their individual baked shadows) but am still impressed with the price.

This palette sells for £8.99 in Superdrug. I can't find it online for the life of me (would have made my search for it a lot easier.) Has anyone else got this palette and find it useful? I think its cute, fun and fills in the gaps of all the crazy eyeshadow shades that I probably don't need!!

Samantha's Secret | MUA Heaven and Earth Palette

Another one of our super-cheap faves, this new palette from MUA 'Heaven and Earth' is hailed as the bargain Naked palette- and at £4 or something ridiculous, is really surprising in quality. The palette has 12 perfect nude and smoky shades.

It comes with one of those yukky sponge applicators which I will definitely be chucking, but apart from that negative I am really surprised by the quality and texture of the shades. They are all shimmery which makes the pigmentation great.

First row of shades, L-R

Second Row of shades, L-R

 As you can see they are pretty, wearable shades. They blend nicely and will go perfectly in anyone's daily make-up routine in place of the horrendously priced Urban Decay palettes. (Not that I don't love mine!!)

Does anyone recommend any other MUA products? I love a bargain as much as anyone but I hate wasting money on crapola products!!