L'Oréal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation Review #ad

L'Oréal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation Review #ad

Sunday 26 June 2016

Read post

*Sponsered post*

Cushion products, particularly foundations, are having a bit of a moment in the beauty world. It started with Lancôme's Miracle Cushion, and it seems that, once again, L'Oréal was the first on the high street to throw their hat into the ring.

The whole idea of cushion products is that it is a sponge saturated in the product. This sponge is housed in a light pink compact with a contrasting metallic lid, the compact also plays host to a (fairly useless) application sponge and a decent sized mirror. I really like the packaging, I think it's really cute and so handy for popping in your bag, as the top layer acts as a seal to the sponge to prevent leaks and to stop it from drying out. 

The foundation itself is amazing, I've been using it for the past couple of weeks and I really, really like it. I've found that the best way to apply it is with a damp beauty blender, because it applies so quickly, and absolutely beautifully. It also feels really soft and light against the skin. It has decent coverage, t's more medium but can be built up for something more full, and easily covers redness and minor blemishes. It also has a lovely finish, glowy, but in a lit from within kind of way and lasts reasonably well on the skin. 

I only have three teeny tiny niggles about this foundation, these are: 

1. The shade colour/number is not on the packaging, so things can and will get a little confusing.

2. Mine has already started to dry out 

3. The foundation claims to hold 30 ml, roughly the size of an average bottle,  but I  don't think this would last as long as regular bottle of foundation. 

I would also say that this is not the best for oily skinned lads and lasses, due to it's finish. However these are only minor concerns. Overall the foundation performs really well, it is an excellent colour match for me, I have the shade 03. Also due to the way it's dispensed you do tend to waste less product, so I do think it does balance out. I really like it a lot.

Have you tried L'Oréal's Nude Magique Cushion foundation? What did you think? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

*Disclaimer* I was fortunate enough to receive this as a free sample to review, this is no way impacts my review of the product. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own

What Happens in New York Book Review

What Happens in New York Book Review

Saturday 25 June 2016

Read post

*Sponsered post*

Nearly a year after finishing my Masters Degree in English Literature I'm finally, FINALLY, getting back into reading. So when Kristina got in touch and asked me to review her new book, What Happens in New York, I was eager to get stuck in.

What Happens in New York is about best friends Hollie and Fayth. Hollie, an aspiring designer, is stuck in a dead end job she hates and Fayth, working behind the bar at her family pub, is struggling to cope with the loss of her mum and sister and her estranged cheating husband. Fed up with their current situations they decide to go to New York for a couple of days. On their first night in New York the girls meet Astin Mack, a former model turned stuntman and Liam York, a floppy-haired movie star. It's your typical, lighthearted, girls go to New York, find love and friendship kinda story, very Sex and the City-esque, but it does touch on more important issues like loss and anxiety. 

The book gets off to a shaky start, I had to read quite a few chapters to get into it, and there are a few technical writing choices that I'm not keen on, I blame my MA! I analyse everything like I'm writing an essay on it, but overall it's easy to read and a nice story. It's a good holiday read, that will make you want to jump on the next plane to New York. If you're a fan of Lindsey Kelk's I Heart series then chances are you'll like What Happens in New York. 

What Happens in New York  is available on Amazon 

Are you gonna read What Happens in New York? Have you already read it? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

*Disclaimer* This is a sponsored post. An ebook version was sent to me for free, to review. This in no way changes my opinion of the product. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own, 

Alice in Wonderland Tea & Pyjama Party Photo Diary

Alice in Wonderland Tea & Pyjama Party Photo Diary

Thursday 23 June 2016

Read post

If you've been following me for any amount of time you'll know that I love Alice in Wonderland! A lot! And we all know how much I love cake! I particularly love when those two things combine, especially after the Alice in Wonderland themed afternoon tea I went to back in March (read more about that here). It was amazing and I was eager to recreate the experience, luckily a couple of my friends were too!  

A couple of weeks back we had an Alice in Wonderland themed tea/pyjama party. Needless to say it was amazing! We wore our comfiest jim jams, ate loads of delicious food all made by my crazy talented friend Charlotte, watched the film (the Tim Burton one, not the original) and then ended the night by playing Cards Against Humanity, which is not Alice themed but loads of fun! We had a really good night. The food and decorations looked amazing, all made by Charlotte, so I thought I had to share some of the pictures with you lot.

What have you guys been up to lately? Also what do  you think of my Photo Diary posts, are they something you want to see more of? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

What's In Their Make Up Bag? #1: Gemma

What's In Their Make Up Bag? #1: Gemma

Tuesday 21 June 2016

Read post

As part of a new series I've been having a peek in to the make up bags of my nearest and dearest and sharing what I found there with you lovely lot. So I thought the best person to start with was my cousin/mate and fellow beauty addict Gemma. Me and Gemma are only 9 months apart, but we're completely different. She's a new mum to one of the most beautiful babies to ever exist, I'm so immature I might as well be a baby myself. One thing we do have in common though is a pretty serious, and spendy, beauty habit and a complete inability to say no when it comes to eyeshadow palettes. And seriously though her make up collection puts mine to shame, she has more eyeshadow palettes than you could shake a stick at. Speaking of...

MAC Warm Neutral x 15 Eyeshadow Palette - £49.50 from MAC

 I love eyeshadow palettes, my newest one is always my favourite until I get another one. This is my current favourite. It has everything I need to create a bold, warm smokey eye and something more subtle. The shadows are soft and have really nice colour pay off. There isn't a lot of fall out and the shade range is perfect. It's gorgeous. 


Lauren: I recently bought this palette and I agree it's A-MAY-Zing! Read more about it here

MAC Prep & Prime Fix + - £17.00 for 100ml from MAC

I rarely use the Prep & Prime spray to set my face, but it is awesome for setting eye make up! I like to spray it on to my brush, before dipping into eyeshadow, because it makes the colours brighter and more vibrant, and makes my eyeshadow last ages. 

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Box Painterly - £16.00 from MAC

Another MAC product, I love MAC, - Lauren: She really does! - Painterly is the best eyeshadow primer. Seriously, it is the best thing to prime the lids with, I use it everytime I go out. I still use Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion but only if doing my eyes for the fun of it. If I'm going out I always use Painterly, a swipe of this across my eyelids and my smokey eye isn't going anywhere.

George Precision Felt Tip Liner £2.00 in-store from Asda

I picked this up on a whim in Asda, and I was really impressed. It has a fine felt tip and a decent formula. It's really pigmented and it lasts a really long time. 

Natural Collection Pressed Powder Warm £1.99 from Boots

For years I used Rimmel's Lasting Finish  Powder, but I ran out and when I went to get more in Boots and, they had run out. I picked this one up instead. I actually prefer it to Rimmel Lasting Finish powder, it's a lovely colour match and has a light, soft texture, and it's really cheap. 

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara - £7.99 from Boots

I have very long eyelashes - Lauren: She does! I'm so jealous - and I love Maybelline's Lash Sensational to add volume to my lashes. It has a really good formula, and the rubber brush does a bit of everything; lengthens, defines and volumises. It's really good. 

What's in your make up bag? Any recommendations for me? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

The Weekly Round Up #15: Funny Girl & A Weekend by the Sea Photo Diary

The Weekly Round Up #15: Funny Girl & A Weekend by the Sea Photo Diary

Sunday 19 June 2016

Read post

The last couple of weeks have been manic! Really manic, but so much fun. So I thought I'd sit down and tell you about all the things I've been up to for the past couple of weeks

Last weekend me, my mum, sister and aunty went into London to see Funny Girl at The Savoy Theatre. It was amazing! We had dinner in Kasper's, The Savoy Hotel's fish restaurant, beforehand. It was an incredible experience. I was not fancy enough to be in that restaurant. I kept putting my elbows on the table and I asked for ketchup... which they didn't bring me. Anyway the food was really good and the show was wonderful! I'd been so excited to see it, Funny Girl is my absolute favourite musical, and I enjoyed it so much. I was a little disappointed when I found out that Sheridan Smith is still on leave, but her understudy Natasha J. Barnes is excellent. The whole experience was amazing.

So onto this weekend, when me, my sister, niece, nephew, two of my aunties, two of my cousins and my second cousin - I'm from a HUGE, close knit family - headed to Great Yarmouth for a weekend of sunshine, sea and sand. There was definitely sea and sand, but not a whole lot of sunshine. We were there for three days and it rained for most of it, but we still had a great time. I ate so many hot donuts!  We played on the 2p machines in the arcades, went on fairground rides, walked along the pleasure beach and ate all the food. It was a lovely way to spend the weekend.

What have you been up to lately? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

La Roche Posay 50+ Antihelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid Review

La Roche Posay 50+ Antihelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid Review

Tuesday 14 June 2016

Read post

Now that I'm the wrong side of 25 (Gulp!) I'm super conscious of premature ageing. I've already got a couple of grey hairs going on, and I do not want my skin to look old before it's time, thank you very much. It's so important to protect your skin from the sun, not only to prevent photo-ageing (premature ageing caused by the sun) but, more importantly, to reduce the risk of skin cancer. This is something that never really occurred to me when I was younger. I thought that because I didn't really catch the sun it wouldn't have an impact, WRONG!, and it's something that I've become so much more aware of as I've got older. Being a lighter shade of pale, as well, my skin is very sensitive to the sun and it's damaging effects.

BUT here we reach a catch 22. A lot of sunscreens, even facial sunscreens, can block pores, causing spots and blackheads to form. I suffer with acne, I don't need to give my skin the excuse to breakout, because believe me it will take it. Enter La Roche Posay Anthelios XL 50 + Ultra-Light Fluid. This sunscreen is the bee's knees! Designed specifically for the face, it has a light, non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula that forms an invisible, protective barrier between the skin and the sun, protecting the skin from UVA and UVB rays, and preventing signs of early ageing.  And the best part, it does all this without clogging pores and causing breakouts. Plus it dries down really quickly, leaving a barely there, matte finish, making it a perfect base for make up.

I've been slapping this stuff on to my chops whenever we've had some sunshine and I've noticed that my skin doesn't go red, I haven't been burning across my nose and cheeks AND there have been no breakouts. Yay! It's so good.

Any sunscreen recommendations for me? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

FEARLESS: Taking Baby Steps

FEARLESS: Taking Baby Steps

Thursday 9 June 2016

Read post

Another 2 months have just flown by and it's time to report back how I'm getting on with my Fearless challenge. Let's get the bad news out of the way first, so we can get to the good stuff, because there is some good stuff.

I'm not currently learning to drive. I'm waiting for my replacement provisional license to arrive, but once it does I'll be booking some lessons, and getting out on the open road. The prospect is scary, but it's time. I need to drive, it would make life so much easier. 

I'm also not attending the gym regularly, it's on my to do list, but I am doing something far more scary! I'm taking a class with a friend from work, not just any class. A pole fitness class, and I'm really bad at it. I've got no upper body strength, the core strength of a bowl of jelly, I'm really not very good at keeping my balance and I need extra help from the teacher. BUT I'm still going. And I'm really enjoying it. I ache so bad for a couple of days afterwards and I'm covered in bruises, but they feel like an accomplishment. Like I'm doing something good. The course is only for 4 weeks and I'm already half way through but me and my friend have both said that we would like to carry on after, and I feel like this is something I want to pursue. I'd like to be good at it. So I'm trying.

This was me attempting to do a forearm stand in my first lesson. It was so scary!

Now on to my next good thing. I've recently decided to go part time at work so I can focus solely on my blog. My mum did want me to quit cold turkey, so I dedicate all my time to blogging, which  would love to do in the near future, but at the moment I feel like I need the security of regular pay behind me. That does mean that I'll be making some changes to my blog and will be posting more regularly. I'm also hoping to get my first youtube video filmed and uploaded soon, but you guys will be the first people to know about that.

So that's what I've been up to, there's been some progress in some places and not as much in others, but I've realised that I need to change the way I approach my Fearless challenges. I think my main problem is I bite off more than I can chew, I take on more than I can actually handle, and then find it really intimidating. From now on I'll be taking baby steps until I feel more confident in myself. Obviously I'll be keeping you lot posted. I'm not going to be setting a challenge for myself for June & July, although I would like to go back to Slimming World this month, instead I'm going to focus on adding more to my pile of good things, and see where I go from there.

Wish me luck!

Love love love xxx

P.S If you want to read my first two FEARLESS posts you can here and here. Let me know what you've  been up to by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

May Favourites 2016

May Favourites 2016

Tuesday 7 June 2016

Read post

Another month has flown by, it's actually getting scary now how quickly time goes. But hey ho! Can't change it! So instead of moaning about it, like I always do, let's talk about the very many favourites I've had over the last 4 weeks instead. (Side note: this one's gonna get long and rambly so you may wanna grab yourself a drink and some snacks)

Primark PS Love Lip Liners - £1 each from Primark

For me lip liner is one of those meh products, I appreciate that sometimes they're necessary when rocking a bold lip, to keep it on your lips longer, but I'm not a massive fan of forking out loads on them. On my list of make up priorities lip liner doesn't really feature. Having said that, when I spotted these in Primark I thought they'd be worth a try. They were. They are so good. They have excellent pigmentation, a decent colour pay off and last really well on the lips. They also give my lipstick some serious staying power. The one negative I have is that the pink one did start balling up on my lips after a while, I haven't noticed this with either of the others though, so it could've just been a dodgy formula. They're still ridiculously good for the price point. Well done Primark! Well done!

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - £12.50 from Beautybay

Another skin care fave, a lot of my favourites this month are skincare, and this stuff is seriously incredible. I first heard Allana Davison raving about this in her April Favourites video (watch it here) and I just had to see if it was good as she said it was. It is. It's an overnight spot treatment that actually works! For someone who has been seduced, and later disappointed, by nearly every miracle spot cream going, this is a revelation. It's formulated from calamine lotion, salicylic acid and zinc oxide, ingredients known for their skin clearing properties, and has two layers. You dip a cotton bud into both layers and dab it directly on to any spots. Initially it does sting a bit, but it wears off after about 30 seconds. Now it doesn't magically rid my face of all spots, I'm starting to think nothing can do that, but it does significantly reduce the appearance of blemishes, and dries down any particularly juicy spots. I've been using it loads and my skin is looking so much better for it. I love it so much.

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot All Day Liquid-To-Powder Foundation - £12 from Boots

I've had this for about a week but I love it so much that it had to be a favourite. The One Heck of a Blot range is aimed at oily skin, which I don't have. Despite being prone to break outs and spots, my skin is actually quite sensitive and tends towards the drier side of things. I bought this purely to test it out for an upcoming blog post, I wasn't expecting it to do much for me, but I was oh so wrong. It has a beautiful finish, it's mattifying but not in a blocky, solid kinda way. It looks very fresh on the skin. It gives excellent coverage, but isn't heavy or cakey like a lot of high coverage foundations tend to be, and it really sticks around. I like to stipple it on with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and then blend it in with a damp Beauty Blender, to really press it in to the skin for a flawless base. I love it, I think it's a great foundation.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs & Rose Water - £12 from Liberty

I recently raved about this in a Weekly Round Up post (read it here) and it all still stands. It's such a nifty little spray. First of all it smells incredible! Normally I avoid rose scents like the plague, but this smells really fresh and doesn't have that sickly, headiness that most rose scents have. More importantly it makes my skin feel amazing. It really hydrates and refreshes the skin and makes me look all fresh and dewy. Win! I like to use it first thing in the morning to wake my skin and then to set my make up. It's awesome. 

Malin & Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser - £37 from SpaceNK

I got this in a latest in beauty box back in April and I've been using it ever since. It's just a really nice moisturiser, that agrees with my uber sensitive skin. It contains Vitamin E to fight signs of ageing and replenish the skin and fatty acids so that it absorbs quickly. It leaves my skin feeling soft and really well hydrated. My skin loves the stuff and laps it up. It's also a great base for make up because of it's non-greasy texture.

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel - £29.50 from Cult Beauty

After getting this in Anna and Lily's Cult Beauty Box (read more about here) I haven't been able to stop using it. It is the best cleanser I've ever come across. It's a really thick, rose scented gel that breaks down into an oil when worked into the skin. It gets rid of even the most waterproof of mascaras in seconds and leaves my skin feeling refreshed and squeaky clean. My skin has improved dramatically since I started using it. I can't even tell you how much I love it, but it's a lot. 

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil - £85 from Cult Beauty

Another gem from Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty Box, this stuff is incredible. It's formulated with blue tansy, the source of it's funky blue colour, Vitamin A and retinol to fight off signs of ageing, reduce the appearance of pores and protect from environmental factors. I've been massaging 1 - 2 into my face once a week to give my skin some much needed pampering. It feels so luxurious and makes my skin look and feel amazing the next morning. It is magical. Magical! 

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Palette £43 from Urban Decay, completely sold out online, but may be available in store, find your nearest store here

This is a bit of a departure from my beloved neutral palettes but that's because it's just about the most beautiful palette to ever exist. Ever.  I put up a full review last week (read it here) so I won't bore you with the details, let me just say that the packaging is a work of art! That pop up butterfly though! The eyeshadows themselves are lovely. They're pigmented, with a soft, smooth texture. They blend beautifully and the colours are amazing. My favourites are Kingdom, - a pink-y, taupe-y bronze shimmer, and Salazen Grum - a rusty red glitter. I like to use Kingdom all over the lid and blend Salazen Grum into the crease for a warm, bronze smokey eye. Beautiful.

Barry M Gelły Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Guava - £3.99 from Boots

You guys must know by know how much I love a blue nail polish, they're kinda my thing. You guys should also know that I love Barry M nail paints, they're fabulous. They haven't released a formula I don't like, but my favourites are the Gelly Hi-Shines. They leave a plumped, glossy finish and have great longevity. Guava is a bright, electric turquoise, and an old favourite, that I've been showing a lot of love lately. The formula is awesome, as I've said, and the colour is gorgeous. It doesn't really get much better than that. 

What were you loving in May? Any recommendations for me? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx