Sunday 31 July 2016

Sleek Make Up Haul with Reviews & Swatches

Sleek Make Up Haul with Reviews & Swatches
Sunday 31 July 2016
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l-r: Equinox, Subsolar, Hemisphere & Ecliptic




l-r: Purple Fandango, Bittersweet & Backstage


I don't think us UK based beauty lovers really appreciate how lucky we are to have easy access to Sleek Make Up. I certainly don't. In the beauty stakes I think us Brits do high street/drug store products better, and everywhere else has Sephora, so they definitely win in the high end stakes. Anyway my point was Sleek Make Up is awesome and we are really lucky to have easy access to it. So when I found myself in front of a beautiful Sleek display in Superdrug with some spare cash, purchases were inevitable. Let's take a look at what I bought.

Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette - £9.99 from Superdrug

Okay let's all just take a moment to marvel in the absolute beauty of this palette. Give me a second I'm not done revelling..... and I'm back. I picked this up a few weeks ago after being mesmerised by it and I do not regret it. The palette is made up of four cool toned highlighter shades; a cream, two baked powders and a shimmer powder, for use on different areas of the face.  The shades are: Ecliptic - a cool rose gold-y champagne cream, Hemisphere - a frosty lilac shimmer powder, Subsolar - a light pale gold and Equinox - a shimmery peachy gold, that rumour has it is a pretty spot on dupe for Becca x Jaclyn Hill's Champagne Pop. The packaging suggests that you use Ecliptic to highlight the brow bone, Hemisphere on the cheekbones, Subsolar down the bridge of the nose and Equinox on the cupid's bow, however I've found myself dabbing Ecliptic on my cheek bones for a more radiant glow. I think the whole palette is pretty stunning but Ecliptic is my favourite, it's beautiful in every sense! Colour, texture and application. It's well pigmented and packs a real punch in the shimmer stakes without being over the top. Having said that the overall quality of the palette is amazing. And that packaging though! Housed in a warm, gold, plastic compact, with a good sized mirror, the packaging feels strong and secure and totally luxurious! It looks way more high end than high street. I love it, it's so beautiful.

Sleek Make Up Cream Contouring Kit in Light - £10.99 from Superdrug

A couple of months back I wrote a post about L'Oreal's Infallible Sculpt Contouring Palette where I lamented the lack of good quality cream contour products on the high street - although the L'Oreal one is amazing, just fyi - and then Sleek added their offering in to the mix...and it is so good. No scratch that it is so awesome. The Contouring Kit is available in three different tones: Light, Medium and Dark, so they do cater to a number of different skin tones, which will always get a huge thumbs up from me. I picked up the light palette as I have really pale skin, and the shades in the lighter palette are cooler and more ashy toned, making them ideal for us pasty skinned guys and girls. So let's talk about the formulation, which, by the way, is really good! It's light and creamy, applies really easily and blends beautifully. It also has decent wear time, which is great, because my contour is always the first thing to wear off. The palette is made up of six shades: two highlighters, a concealer and three contouring shades, and it comes in a sturdy, matte black compact, with a really good sized mirror. It also comes with a contouring guide, which outlines the best way to use the palette for more dramatic contouring. Personally I prefer something a little more subtle and have been using the first two shades on the bottom row to create definition under my non-existent cheek bones. It's a lovely palette and is so versatile. It has everything for super dramatic Kardashian-esque contouring to more subtle definition. I like it a lot.

Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in Fandango Purple & Bittersweet - £4.99 from Superdrug

Matte liquid lipsticks are my jam! They're my favourite type of formulations and I'll take any excuse to play with lipstick, so when I saw these it was obvious that a couple would be coming home with me. After spending a really, really long time deliberating I chose Bittersweet: a rosy pink with a hint of brown and Fandango Purple: a vibrant, electric purple. I have to say I'm a bit mixed when it comes to these lip creams, so let's get the Negative Nancy bit out of the way first. The formula is not great, it's okay, there are definitely worse out there - I'm looking at you MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquers -  but it does feel quite dry on the lips and isn't the most comfortable to wear. Having said that it's not a deal breaker, and nothing a slick of lip balm beforehand can't fix. Other than that they are creamy and smooth, have really nice colour pay off and apply nicely. They dry down almost instantly to an even matte stain and have some serious lasting. Bittersweet comes with a standard doe foot applicator but Purple Fandango has a longer, flatter applicator which makes for less precise and messy application. I'm not too sure why the applicators aren't standard across the whole range... weird. Other than that they are quite nice, BUT if you're looking for a matte liquid lipstick that is not drying, sticks around and has dreamy pigmentation than really look no further than Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets, that stuff is incredible.

Sleek Lip V.I.P in Back Stage - £5.49 from Superdrug

Corals aren't usually my thing, when it comes to lipstick I like them either red or pink, usually long lasting and with a matte finish BUT after swatching this on the back of my hand I completely fell in love with it and I had to have it. The formula is stunning! Creamy, beautifully pigmented, soft and smooth to apply, with a semi-matte, velvety sheen finish that is just dreamy. I've worn it a few times and I love it. It lasts well, is so comfy to wear and the colour is stunning. I've got my eye on some of the others in the collection and will definitely be picking them up soon. Gorgeous!

Have you tried any Sleek Make Up? 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 instagramfacebookbloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx


Tuesday 12 July 2016

High End Beauty Wish List

High End Beauty Wish List
Tuesday 12 July 2016
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High End Make Up Wish List


Taste Tartelette In Bloom Clay Palette - £33.00 from Tarte Cosmetics

If I'm being really honest then I don't need another neutral palette, I don't. I have loads, I have way more than enough. BUT I can't resist them so this beaut of a palette from Tarte will be making it's way into my collection very soon. It is gorgeous and that packaging though! The palette is made up of 12 neutral shades, with 9 matte shadows and 3 lustres, and has everything from really cool tones to warmer shades. From what I've seen online it is a beautiful and incredibly wearable palette and I need it. Now I haven't tried any Tarte products before so I can't vouch for the quality but the reviews of the Tartelette palette, and Tarte in general, are universally good. 

Lancôme Grandiose Eyeliner in Carbon Black- £23.00 from Lancôme

Designed with Lisa Eldridge Lancôme's Grandiose eyeliner is something pretty special indeed. The handle is ergonomically designed with a pivot that tilts at 35 degrees to create the perfect wing. Apparently the formula is incredible too, matte black, opaque and long lasting. I need to try this.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in 2 Fair - £29.50 from Charlotte Tilbury

Oh the things I have heard about this foundation! I saw a video of it in action on Charlotte Tilbury's youtube channel (watch it here) last year and was immediately blown away. It's incredible! Covering but not in a heavy way. Perfected by the legend that is Ms Tilbury herself, the Magic Foundation has a satin finish that looks so beautiful and natural on the skin, whilst still covering all sorts of imperfections; redness, scarring, acne, wrinkles, the list goes on and on and on. Now I have acne prone skin, although *touches wood* it's behaving at the moment, and I'm always on the lookout for foundations that will give me the coverage I need without being cakey or causing further breakouts. I think this might be the one... I need it. I NEED IT!

MAC Lustre Lipstick in Syrup - £15.50 from MAC

MAC Syrup has become a cult classic for a reason! And that reason is because it is fricking beautiful. An incredibly wearable soft berry shade. It's a lustre finish so is very comfortable to wear. It applies very sheer making it appropriate for everyday whilst still adding a little somethin' somethin' to the lips, and can be built up for something a bit more dramatic. This will definitely be the next MAC lipstick to find it's way into my basket. 

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick - $20.00/£15.44 from Sephora

The beauty world is OBSESSED with Kat Von D's make up line, and I really don't blame them. I have lost many hours browsing the Sephora website and trying not to get drool on my keyboard. Whilst there are so many things that I am dying to try, the contour palette and tattoo liquid liner are calling my name... loudly, but the Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks are top of my list. Universally renowned for their long lasting, comfortable, food and kiss proof formula, they are the beauty lovers bold liquid lip of choice. Lovesick is a surprisingly wearable cool toned pinky mauve hat's made it's way to the top of my hitlist, because there is nothing like this in my lipstick collection and it's so pretty! I want it so bad.

What's on your high end wish list? 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 instagramfacebookbloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx





Sunday 10 July 2016

Nivea Men's Cooling Sensitive Post Shave Balm as a primer...worth the hype?

Nivea Men's Cooling Sensitive Post Shave Balm as a primer...worth the hype?
Sunday 10 July 2016
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There has been a ton of hype surrounding Nivea Men's Cooling Post Shave Balm. Ever since Nikkie, from Nikkietutorials, brought it to the world's attention, it's become one of the most highly sort after primers on the high street. Even being dubbed 'the world's best primer', by the Daily Mail so let's not get too excited. After testing it out for the past 5 weeks I thought that the time was ripe to throw my 2 pence into the mix. With the hope of answering the question, with all this hype surrounding it, is it really worth it? 

In a word... Yes! It's so worth the hype! This stuff is amazing. It's a light weight, non-greasy, liquid balm that is quickly absorbed into the skin. The balm is alcohol free and enriched with Seaweed and Chamomile to gently calm redness and relieve irritation. It doesn't contain any silicon so it doesn't have that plastic-y, silicon feel to it. In fact it feels really nice on the skin, really cooling and soothing, and it dries down almost instantly to a smooth, matte base that's perfect for make up. It has a very masculine scent to it, like a lot of scented products I can see this being a bit of a love/hate thing. Personally I love the way it smells, it's kind of a generic sexy man scent, but I really like it. For those who don't thought, it doesn't stick around very long once it's been rubbed into the skin.

One of the primary ingredients used is glycerine, an ingredient found in most primers. Glycerine makes the skin tacky, but not sticky, so that any make up applied is going to stick around for a while. Since using it I have seen a noticeable increase in my make up's wear time. It keeps everything in place and looking good for ages. All day and well into the night. I've really enjoyed using this product, the only teeny tiny niggle I have with it is the packaging. It's housed in a rather hefty porcelain bottle, which is really not ideal, for travelling or if you're especially clumsy like me. It also doesn't have a pump which means that wastage is a problem, especially when you end up accidentally  spilling half of it all down yourself and onto the floor. Not that I'm speaking from experience...

Now I've read some rave reviews and I've read some really bad reviews of this product and I just think, like everything, this will work or not work for you depending on your skin type. I have very sensitive, sometimes acne prone skin that errs on the drier side of things, so it works really well for me. But for any oily skinned lads or lasses I can't see this working for you. However if you have skin like me, sensitive or normal to dry,  then it will work really well for you. I'm such a big fan of it, it really does work wonders as a primer. Nivea Men's Cooling Post Shave Balm is only £5.35 for 100ml (a fricking steal) from Boots

Have you tried Nivea Men's Cooling Post Shave Balm as a primer? 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 instagramfacebookbloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx


Thursday 7 July 2016

June Favourites 2016

June Favourites 2016
Thursday 7 July 2016
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We're now more than halfway through the year. How on Earth has that happened? I know, I know I do this every month, but seriously though! Anyway let's talk June Favourites shall we? Be warned I had a lot, so things will be getting long and rambly.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - £13.00 from Boots

I'm so glad this eyeliner came into my life, via the box of joy that was Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty Box, because it's incredible. It has a fine nib that makes for really clean and precise application. Plus it has an amazing formula. Oh. Em. Gee! This stuff is seriously good: blacker than black, waterproof, long lasting and not a pain in the ass to remove! It's a fantastic all rounder, that makes winging my eyeliner an absolute breeze. I'm obsessed with it.

Primark PS Velvet Matte Lipstick Crayon in Nude - £2.00 from Primark

I've said it before, and I'll probably/definitely say it again, Primark's make up range is super impressive for such a low price point. This lip crayon is another gem in their collection. The formulation is creamy and buttery soft, it applies effortlessly and it doesn't dry out the lips at all. It also has really good colour pay off and the colour itself is so nice! It's a tawny, pinky nude that's similar in tone to MAC's Mehr, which is a firm favourite of mine, and at only £2.00 it's a total bargain.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation - £5.99 from Boots

I'll be doing drugstore/high street week on my blog in the next couple of weeks or so, and have been testing out a ton of new foundations from the high street to prepare. This one has really stood out for me. I've been reaching for it on an every other daily basis, because it's a really nice foundation, with great coverage and a nice finish, matte but with a fresh, lit from within radiance to it. I like it a lot.

Simple Micellar Water - £3.00 for 200ml from Tesco

For a long time I was an avid user of Garnier's Micellar Water, but I was really put off after noticing that it had a nasty chemical smell to it. I'd heard universally good things about Simple's offering so I thought it was definitely worth a try. It was, because it's the best micellar water that I've come across. It leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed and removes all traces of make up absolutely effortlessly. Love. It.

Real Techniques Multi-Task Brush - part of the Travel Essentials Kit £11.51 from Amazon

Most of my make up brushes are Real Techniques because they're amazing quality, affordable and stand the test of time. Thinking about it I might have pretty much the entire core collection, although don't quote me on it. The Multi-Task brush is one I've had for a while but only recently used, and of course I love it. It's a large fluffy brush designed specifically to be used with powder products. Personally I love using it for blusher, as it is just the right size for my chubby cheeks, but it's also really good for setting powder or bronzer. Like all RT brushes it washes really nicely, is cruelty free, super soft, and like all the RT brushes I've tried before it, I love it.

Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain in 001 Honey - £7.99 from Boots

I've been loving nude lips this month, I always tend towards nudes in the summer time because they're so effortless to wear but still give your lips a little somethin' somethin'. This is a repurchase, I first had it a couple of years ago, used it all up, and then forgot all about it. Then I got it in an awesome free gift with purchase from Revlon, and fell completely back in love with it. It applies beautifully, is nicely pigmented, smells like peppermint and feels lovely on the lips, really moisturising, it also has really good staying power. Despite the fact that it's a balm, it doesn't have a lot of slip to it. Despit

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Ultra-Light Fluid - £12.37 from Boots

I raved about La Roche Posay's Anthelios facial sunscreen in a recent blog post (read more about it here) and I have become completely obsessed with it. I've been using it religiously, slapping it on my face and neck before putting my make up on to protect my pasty english skin from the sun. It feels lovely to apply, it is actually quite cooling on the skin and ties down to a really matte finish, making it a perfect base for make up

Bullet Journaling

I'm the type of person who can't keep a diary. I love the idea of having a diary to organise my life in, and I always start off really well, but then I get distracted and don't stick to it. Honestly I'm not really organised enough for one. Bullet Journaling is kind of like organisation for the disorganised. Like most of my obsessions this one started on youtube. After watching a ton of BuJo videos, heads up they're super addictive and really satisfying to watch,  I really wanted to start one for myself. What I love about it is how versatile it is. I've been getting down all the things I need to do and I've also been trying to keep track of all my good and bad habits and my finances and stuff like that. It's very much like a diary but better, unlike a diary if there's something else I want to add into my journal all I have to do is the turn the page and make a note of it in the index. I think it's a brilliant system, especially for people like me. Since setting mine up I've found myself being more organised in my day to day life and more motivated to work through my to do list. Plus I'm really enjoying decorating it, that's the best bit.

Boho Berry - on youtube here

This is the youtube channel that got me into Bullet Journaling. Kara's bullet journals are planning and organisational works of art. I can sit and watch her videos for hours, like I said they are so addictive and really satisfying to watch. I've also been really enjoying Carrie Crista's videos for the same reason. Definitely check them out.

Orange is the New Black streaming on Netflix

Okay can we talk about how incredibly sad and current this series was? It was intense but mind blowing and I sobbed, real tears, throughout the the last two episodes, and then for like an hour after. Season 4 was funny, sweet, heartwarming/heartbreaking, devastating and completely addictive. I watched it in 3 days. If you haven't watched this season, or any seasons, of OINTB then you need to get on it now! You won't regret it. Seriously, go!

Absolutely Fabulous streaming on Netflix

I can't wait to see the Ab Fab movie, I'm so excited that I've been re-watching the entire series on Netflix. I haven't watched it in so long that it's like I'm watching it with fresh eyes. I forgot how hysterically funny and ridiculous it is, and how much I love it, and I really do love it. In the words of Edina Monsoon it's fabulous! Sweetie darling! 

Tina Turner - Tina Live Tour CD/DVD £9.99 from Amazon

When it comes to female solo artists Tina Turner is simply the best (tehehe). Seriously though she is amazing. I bought my Dad the CD/DVD of her 2009 Tina Live concert in Holland for Father's Day, and it is so good that after watching it with him, I had to buy it for myself. I love Tina T for 3 reasons. 1. She doesn't have any songs I don't like. 2. She's just amazing in general and 3.  She was in her late 60's when she did the Tina Live tour and she was incredible! She was singing and dancing and throwing herself round the stage like a woman half her age, and she was 68! If that isn't life goals then I don't know what is! I've been listening to the cd pretty much on repeat for the entire month because it is so good! So good! My favourite songs, if you're interested, are: What You Get is What You See, Be Tender with Me Baby, We Don't Need Another Hero & obvs I love the classics like Simply the Best, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits & all the others that make me dance around, singing along and thinking YAAAS QUEEN!

What are your June Favourites? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagramfacebookbloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx
Tuesday 5 July 2016

MAC Eyeshadow Palettes Review

MAC Eyeshadow Palettes Review
Tuesday 5 July 2016
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From top left: Hey, Warm Breeze, Gingersnap, Dark Brew, Dance in the Dark, Brule, Vanilla Extract, Honey Lust, Amber Lights, Saddle, Lemon Tart, Creative Copper, Butterfudge, Divine Decadence & Unwind. 

From top left: Honey Lust, Poppy Seed, Quarry, Antiqued, Embark, Noir, Haux, Star Violet & Sketch

From Left - Right: Lemon Tart, Butterfudge, Amber Lights, Honey Lust & Gingersnap. 

From Left to Right: Sketch,  Antiqued, Quarry, Heux, Star Violet.

I was feeling a bit spendy on the MAC website and accidentally bought 2 eyeshadow palettes in one hit (read more about it here). I have no regrets, especially as they were reduced, and a bit of a bargain. Well I've been using both palettes for a while now, and I'm ready to share some of my thoughts with you lot.

First up The MAC Warm Neutral palette. Neutral palettes are my jam! I can't get enough of them, a girl can never have too many neutral palettes... especially this girl,  and this beaut is the latest addition to my ever growing collection. It's also become one of my favourites and most used because it is straight up beautiful! The colour selection is gorgeous, with everything from deep chocolate browns to rich bronzes and pale pink nudes, making it oh so versatile. It has everything for every look, one wash wonders, super smokey eyes and everything in between. Plus it does this weird thing where it turns my eyes into hearts... weird. 

The MAC Times Nine Burgundy palette has become my go to for evening looks, the sultry, plummy tones create the most beautiful smokey eyes. It is the diddiest, most adorable little palette. The shadows themselves are dinky but they pack a serious punch in the pigmentation department, they're also super blend-able and have a creamy, buttery soft texture. This is the same for the Warm Neutrals palette, the quality of both palettes is insane!

What are your favourite eyeshadow palettes? 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 instagramfacebookbloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.


Love love love xxx



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