First Impressions #3: Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance in109Wheat.

First Impressions #3: Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance in109Wheat.

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

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On Sunday I was feeling a bit adventurous with my make up and thought I would test out a new foundation from the Sample Box. Now the Sample Box, as you could've guessed from the name, is an old Ted Baker Beauty box that is filled with all the beauty samples I've collected over the years, and every now and then when feeling particularly bored with my make up I'll go through it and have a little play.  

So whilst I was digging through the Sample Box I came across a sachet of Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance in the shade 109 Wheat and thought I'd give it a try. 

I have to say I love it! The formula is beautiful, it applies so easily, literally melting into the skin. The coverage is amazing, my skin's been really rebellious lately, there have been blackheads and breakouts galore, but this gorgeous formula covers all blemishes and problem areas like it ain't no thing. It's amazing. It lasts ages too and felt so lovely on the skin. Having never used any Clarins make up before (I'm a massive fan of their skin care though) I was so impressed. The only thing I will say is that the shade I used may have been a tad too dark for my skin tone, especially for this time of year so I might have to test out a lighter shade next but I will definitely be adding this to my Christmas list. Please Santa? 

(What's on my face: Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation in 109 Wheat, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Soft Beige, Rimmel Kate Eyeshadow Stick in 100 Rose Gold, Bourjois Volume Glamour Max Holidays, Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 30)

 Have you tried Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation? What did you think? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below (if you do comment I always try to reply so do check back), or dropping me an an email if you really fancy it lolarocknroses@gmail.com.  Also take a sneaky look at my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest if you're interested :)

So that's me for today but I hope everyone has an amazing week and I'll be back on Thursday. 

Until then...

Love love love xxx 

Lola Loves... Halloween

Lola Loves... Halloween

Sunday, 2 November 2014

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So yes Halloween is over for another year but before the imminent celebration of Christmas begins I thought I would share my favourite things about Halloween. Starting with Movies. 

Picture via thisisnotkansasanymore.wordpress.com

It's no secret that I am a complete and utter chicken. I'm not a fan of scary films in the slightest however Halloween is the one day a year where I put all my scaredy cat tendancies aside and ready myself for a good scare, and by good scare I mean a good scare for a 5 year old!

Past Halloweens have seen me try to watch actual scary films and one of two things happens, either it's too scary for me and I'll turn it off OR I'll find it completely ridiculous to the point where it's funny. Strangely this happened with both The Shining and Psycho, arguably 2 of the scariest films ever made. In both cases I found them utterly ridiculous. Weird.

Anyway these are my  favourite Halloween films: 

The Nightmare Before Christmas 

Picture via cindybruchman.wordpress.com

Okay so technically, technically this is a Christmas film but I watch it every Halloween, why? Because it is so creepy that I still get a thrill of fear whenever I watch it. For those who haven't seen it The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop motion animated film produced and written by Tim Burton, hence the creepiness. It tells the story of Pumpkin King Jack Skellington the most frightening skeleton in all of Halloweentown. Who, after another successful and scary Halloween, is left feeling dissatisfied with life. After stumbling across Christmastown Jack tries to take over Christmas and everything goes a bit wrong. It's amazing. 

Hocus Pocus 

Picture via blogs.disney.com

Another childhood favourite that I watch religiously every year. It's just amazing.  After being hanged for witchcraft 300 years previously the Sanderson sisters return on Halloween for one night of madness and mayhem. I have watched this film every Halloween for as long as I can remember and I still think it's excellent. They don't make Disney films like this anymore!

  

Fancy dress & face paint

  

(This is my very talented bestie who painted both our faces! She's an artist, check her out on instagram)

I love dressing up and I love face paint so it makes sense that Halloween is my second favourite holiday (with Christmas taking the top spot obvs!) I had to work late this Halloween so I didn't get the chance to get dressed up in my witchy finest. But after work me and the bestest went back to hers where she painted our faces (see above) before we put on Hocus Pocus and ate sweets. It was a great night! 

This brings me to my final favourite thing about Halloween 

Sweets 

Picture via we-love-sweets.co.uk

Halloween is the only night of the year when eating as many sweets as you can before you're sick is socially acceptable. No further explanation needed. 

What are your favourite things about Halloween? Let me know on twitter, using #LolaLoves, or by commenting below. If you do comment I always try to reply so do check back. Also check me out on facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest. 

So that's me for today have a lovely Sunday and I'll be back on  Tuesday. 

Until then... 

Love love love xxx 

2 Stars & A Wish #12

2 Stars & A Wish #12

Thursday, 30 October 2014

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In the last couple of weeks I've tried out some really fab new make up and I've had quite the job trying to limit my Stars to just the 2 but somehow I've (almost) managed it.

This week I'm gonna do something a little different and start with my wish first as it informs one of my stars. 

My Wish goes to Liplift Peel by Être Belle 

Liplift Peel by Être Belle 

I got this in a subscription box last month and was genuinely quite excited about it. With winter coming, bringing with it chapped and dry lips, I thought this would be ideal in helping to keep my lips smooth and nourished during the winter months. The Liplift Peel promises to replenish and define the lips by gently exfoliating and removing dead skin for 'perfectly soft lips' sounds good right? Wrong! It absolutely wrecked my lips. It completely dried them out and left me with a very attractive (and crusty!) rash across my top lip. I couldn't wear lipstick for 4 days! It was horrendous. I can honestly say I have never seen my lips in a worse state. Now I don't know if I'm allergic to something in it or if my lips are particularly sensitive but I would definitely not recommend it. So not impressed. But this brings me to my first star.

My First Star this week is actually a tie and it goes to Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner and Blistex Intensive Moisturiser. 

Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner and Blistex Intensive Moisturiser

Because the Liplift Peel utterly destroyed my lips I've been using the Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner and Intensive Moisturiser to return my lips to their (less crusty) natural state and they've been amazing. I've been using the Intensive Mosituriser as a base, letting it sink in before slicking on a layer of the Daily Lip Conditioner to seal in all that nourishing, moisturising goodness and the combination of the two has been a total life saver. My lips are almost completely back to normal and it's all thanks to these two. 

My Second Star goes to Revlon Gel Envy Color Stay Longwear Nail Enamel in Up the Ante

Revlon Gel Envy Color Stay Longwear Nail Enamel in Up the Ante

 I came across this a couple of weeks ago in an Essie Button video and it was love at first sight - the nail enamel, not Estée...although I do love her - and I had to get my hands on it. The colour is a ridiculously pretty pinky-purple that is both gorgeous and super wearable. It's also really versatile, it's light enough to be worn in the summer but warm enough that it can be rocked in the winter months too. I've never tried a Revlon nail polish before, the main reason being I really don't need any more nail polishes, but I was so impressed. The formula is kind of amazing, it acts as a base coat as well as a regular polish and gives a really nice gel finish plus it lasts ages. The longevity is amazing, I've had it on my nails for nearly a week now and whilst there's some minor chipping it's nothing too major. I am in love with it and you'd better believe more will be making there merry way into my now frankly ridiculous collection. 

So those were my Stars and Wish for the week? What did you think? Agree? Disagree? Let me know on twitter using #2StarsandaWish or by commenting below, if you do comment I try to reply so check back :) Also check out my facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest. You can also drop me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. 

That's me for today but I'll be back on Sunday. Until then...

Love love love xxx

Review of Barry M's ShowGirl Extra Lengthening & Extra Volume Mascara

Review of Barry M's ShowGirl Extra Lengthening & Extra Volume Mascara

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

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Barry M recently released the ShowGirl Extra Length and Extra Volume Mascaras as part of their new Autumn collection and I was literally chomping at the bit to get my hands on them. 

Now when it comes to mascara I can be a tad fickle. I tend to jump from one to another without batting an eye (if that's a pun it was definitely intended). I don't really have a favourite either, as long as they do what I want them to then they're good with me. Having said that a lot of mascaras don't do what they say they will (I'm looking at you Collection's Big Fat Lashes!) but that's another issue. Anyway my point was that at the moment I don't have an actual favourite mascara but these two are definitely contenders for that illustrious title.

I’ve been using the Extra Length mascara a lot recently and after giving it a thorough testing I have to say I really like it. The brush separates and defines whilst adding some serious length to the lashes. Because the brush is plastic it really grips the lashes and leaves even the tiniest of lashes with an even coating. Winner.

The Extra Volume mascara has a large, natural fibre brush that curls the lashes and enhances the natural shape . It also adds volume and gives the lashes some serious popping power, leaving thicker looking lashes.This mascara promises BIG impact lashes and it more than delivers. 

I have found it really difficult to decide which is my favourite out of the two and I just...can't. I honestly think a coat of each = perfect lashes. A bold statement yes but they are that good. Individually they're great, together they're incredible.

Whilst Barry M is one of my favourite drugstore brands for nail polish and lipsticks, it's not one I would usually go to for make up staples like foundation or mascara. But I saw these and I couldn't resist. The packaging is very chic and looks/feels like a high end product. They're weighted which feels quite strange but in a good way. Weighted packaging is something you get a lot in high end make up, I know YSL and Tom Ford products are weighted, and it makes the mascaras feel really luxe when you use them. Overall they feel and look super fancy with the added bonus of costing only £4.99. Yep, you did read that right these amazing mascaras cost under £5. I can't fault them. 

  

Have you used either/both of the Showgirl mascaras? What did you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter and while you're there check me out on facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest 😁

I'll be back in Tuesdays with 2 Stars & A Wish #12 (eeeep) until then...

Love love love xxx

50 random things about me...

50 random things about me...

Thursday, 23 October 2014

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Something a little different for tonight's post. I saw the 50 Random Things tag on my BlogLovin feed (I forget whose blog it was) and thought it sounded like fun. So here you are 50 Random Things you probably didn't need to know about me. Enjoy.

1. I am obsessed with silly comedy from the late 80’s early 90’s.

2. New York is my favourite place in the world and I want to live there.

3. I love musicals and musical theatre.

4. I really love The Simpsons

5. I'm trying to teach myself guitar - it's not going well!

6. I own nearly 300 nail polishes.

7. Dogs are my favourite animal (I have 4!).

8. I'm terrified of spiders and also of falling down stairs.

9. I love musicals. Wicked is my favourite, I've seen it 5 times.

10. I really love funny men.

11. I think Barbra Streisand is incredible.

12. I'm doing a Masters Degree in English Literature.

13. Bruce Springsteen is my favourite musician.

14. My hair colour is naturally mousy brown/blonde, I've been a redhead for 3 years and it's the best decision I ever made.

15. I can't drive.

16. I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue (not gonna prove it.)

17. My favourite book is The Girl in Times Square by Paullina Simons.

18. I sing talk about 60% of the things I say.

19. I think Jimmy Fallon is a genius.

20. I can recite, word for word, the scripts for both Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.

21. I think passion is one of the best/sexiest qualities in a person.

22. I love comic book movies.

23. I super love youtube and lose hours at a time just surfing.

24. The title of my ultimate celebrity crush is split three ways between Tom Hiddleston, Keanu Reeves and Robert Downey Jr. I just love them!

25. I would love to meet Stephen Fry.

26. I have two nephews and a niece.

27. Music is my favourite thing.

28. I love baking but can't cook.

29. I'm allergic to bananas.

30. I once stepped on the foot of Roger Lloyd Pack (Trigger from Only Fools & Horses) in the Apple Store on Regent Street.

31. I live in Converse.

32. When I'm stressed out I like to be near a body of water. It calms me right down.

33. However nothing angers me more than someone telling me to calm down, that's like a red flag to a bull.

34. I want to travel, everywhere.

35. I'm a city girl through and through. I don't do well in the countryside.

36. I collect Simpsons lego.

37. My favourite tv shows (at the moment) are: Scandal, Brooklyn Nine Nine and Scrubs.

38. I really hated the ending of How I met your Mother.

39. I didn't like school.

40. When I'm sick I do two things to make myself feel better: Eat homemade chicken soup - my mum's is the  best!- and watch Gone with the Wind or Funny Girl.

41. Every year on the anniversary of my Grandma's death I watch My Fair Lady.

42. My friends are so important to me, life is too short to have fake friends so I don't tend to keep them around.

43. I love and hate Made in Chelsea in equal measure.

44. I am the most hopeless of hopeless romantics.

45. I am so ridiculously clumsy and yet I insist on wearing heels.

46. I come from a really big family and I love that.

47. Jennifer Lawrence is my biggest girl crush!

48. I think lipstick is my favourite beauty product...but I'm not sure.

49. I am really, really terrible with money.

50. Autumn and Christmas is my favourite time of year.

    So those were my 50 Random Facts. I know this is a little different for me but I hope you liked this post. I would love to hear some of yours let me know on twitter or by commenting below, if you do comment I do always reply so do check back.   Anyway I will be back on Sunday. Until then check me out on twitter, facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest. Enjoy the rest of your week.

     Love love love xxx

Lola Rocks #1

Lola Rocks #1

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

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Lola Rocks is something of a new feature round these here parts. Last Thursday when I made my long awaited - for me at least - return to blogging (read it here) I told you that 2 Stars & A Wish was being demoted from a weekly feature to bi-weekly and Lola Rocks is here to take it's place, for one of the weeks at least. 

Now some of you will know that I am a music lover, and by lover I mean obsessive. I am constantly on the hunt for new music to sink my teeth into and I find music everywhere. I love music so much that my music collection is spread across 2 ipods and my phone. This is the level of obsession we're talking about here.

Music is such a major (pun intended!) part of my life BUT other than a Song of the Week on Fridays it's not something I talk about a lot on here. In the past I have published the odd music post but I have decided to shake things up a bit and add a regular musical element. Hope you don't mind. I haven't exactly hammered out the details as of yet so I'm not sure if this will be a monthly or bi-weekly post but I would love to know what you guys think. If this is something you'd like to see more of let me know either by commenting below or on twitter (use #LolaRocks). 

The first song I want to talk about is called To The Top by Twin Shadow. There is something kind of magical about this song... it is so heartbreaking that on more than one occasion it has actually reduced me to tears. Listening to this song breaks my heart a little bit, but it's totally worth it. The lyrics are lovely and the melody is just incredibly... moving. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous song. Have a listen for yourself and let me know what you think. 

I first heard this song in the background of an episode of House - yes I'm STILL watching it! - and I was instantly hooked. After a quick Shazam, aka the best app ever, I found out it was Shark in the Water by V.V. Brown and I have had it on repeat pretty much every since. It is so upbeat and awesome and it literally gets me out of bed in the morning.  

Another weepy song. Ever since I heard INeed My Girl in an episode of The Mindy Project I have been a big fan of The National. Start a War is my favourite kind of song being both beautiful and sad. It's wonderful.

I am actually obsessed with Hello My Old Heart by The Oh Hello's. Again it's a sad song (are you really surprised?) and I just love it. It's  about building a wall around your heart to keep it safe and why that may not be the best thing. I think it's beautiful.

Last up is Blue Moon by Beck. I'm not a massive fan of Beck but this song is kind of amazing. It's both happy and sad and it's kind of spacey. It's hard to describe but I like it a lot. Listen to it and let me know what you think.

So those are the 5 songs I've had on repeat for the last week, what do you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter, using #LolaRocks, or by commenting below. If you do comment below I do always reply so check back. Also have a quick look at my facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest. Anywho I will be back on Thursday with another  new feature. 

Until then ...

Love love love xxx

Review of Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Enamel in Turquoise Block

Review of Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Enamel in Turquoise Block

Sunday, 19 October 2014

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 Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Enamel in Turquoise Block 

 Swatches of Turquoise Block 

As a brand I find Bourjois to be a bit hit and miss. Whilst the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation and the Rouge Edition Velvet Lip Stains are firm favourites of mine there are some things, as with most brands, that I’m not so fond of, like the nail enamels for example. BUT after seeing this on the shelves of Boots it was lust at first sight and I had to have it. Sadly it's definitely a miss. 

The formula dries really quickly but I think this is due, at least in part, to how watery it is. It takes 4 coats to be opaque and even then it's streaky. It's got quite a thick,  fan-like brush that is meant to make painting quick and effortless however I found it really clunky and difficult to manoeuvre, which made for messy application. Not only is the formula poor and the brush tricky to use the longevity is pathetic! It doesn't last at all, it started chipping off my nails within hours of application. The colour is so pretty but other than that I was really disappointed. 

Have you tried any of the Bourjois Nail Enamels? What did you think? Let me know on twitter and while you're there feel free to check me out on facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest ;)

Love love love xxx

Where have I been?

Where have I been?

Thursday, 16 October 2014

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Picture via novapopp.com

Well hello there! So it’s been a while since I've shown my face round these here parts. How are we all? Now there is a reason for my absence I haven’t just abandoned my blog. Unfortunately life has gotten in the way of my blogging time. 

So I think I owe you guys an explanation as to my whereabouts for the past three weeks. Well fear not my online friends because here it is. 

Three weeks ago I packed up my laptop, make up, books and the rest of my stuff and moved back to uni where I'm starting a Masters Degree in English Literature. The last three weeks have been crazy busy so I thought I would give you a quick run down of all the things I've been up to in my absence. Be warned it's not THAT interesting, it's just been really busy.

Packing/Unpacking. 

Bonding with my new housemates, they're really lovely.

Navigating the choppy waters of Freshers Week without my friends, drinking way more than advisable and getting no sleep as a result. It's been fun but super weird. 

Reading more than I thought humanly possible. 

Spending way too much time in the library.

Drinking Green Tea like it's going out of fashion.

Watching The Great British Bake Off, and mourning it's ending, and then watching the Masterclasses because I need Paul & Mary in my life. 

Dressing up - so far I've been a lifeguard and a geek, looking forward to Where's Wally!

Travelling between uni and home to go to work - it's a 4 hour round trip, not fun! 

Working (literally nothing interesting in that.) 

Trying to catch up on sleep. 

Spending way more money then I should on make up (nothing new there!) 

Watching Made In Chelsea.

Watching films featuring the talents of the delectable Robert Downey Jr. and Keanu Reeves (hubba hubba) 

Going to lectures. 

So that's where I've been and what I've been doing. It doesn't look like much but I feel like I haven't had a second to breathe let alone anything else, seriously you should see the state of my roots.

It is so strange for me to be back at uni, even though I'm doing my MA at the same uni that I did my undergraduate degree it feels like I've started at a new place. None of my friends are here and it just feels really... weird. It's been an adjustment but I'm getting there. 

I have to say it has been really difficult, trying to balance the massive work load of an MA against a job and a blog. And even though blogging is one of my favourite things it's been placed on the back burner for a bit while I've been trying to adjust to my crazy busy schedule. 

On that note there is gonna be a bit of a shake up over here at Lolarocknroses. Instead of posting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I'll now be posting Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, with the occasional post on Wednesdays or Saturdays. I'm also demoting 2 Stars & A Wish and Friday I'm in Love (which will be renamed Thursday I'm in Love) from weekly features to every other week. There's a reason for this but you'll find out why soon enough. 

Anyway I'm so sorry I've abandoned you for the past 3 weeks, sometimes it's unavoidable you know, but I'm back now ready and raring to go. So I'll be back on Sunday. Until then check me out on twitter, facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest and I'll see you soon. 

Love love love xxx

Fabulous Fuschias

Fabulous Fuschias

Monday, 22 September 2014

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This post has been waiting patiently in the wings, dreaming of stardom and longing for it's moment in the spotlight. So I thought that as the last vestiges of summer slip away to be replaced by the cool, crisp air and falling leaves of Autumn - that was quite poetic! - I would give you the low down on the lipsticks I was  rocking throughout the summer months.

Now red is something of a signature colour of mine being both my hair colour and (usual) lipstick colour of choice, however when the sun is beating down there is only one colour I reach for again and again (and again and again!). Fuschia!

Whilst I'm not a real fan of pink in general I love nothing more than a bold fuschia lip in the summertime. So as we come to the end of Summer (and from the weather we've had recently summer is clearly over!) and the start of my favouritest season I thought these fabulous fuschia lippies deserved their moment of glory before they are unceremoniously dumped in favour of berry tones and autumnal shades. 

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in As You Want Victoria 

Now as far as lipsticks go I am not adverse to a glossy lip but generally I prefer a matte finish to a glossy one. However this lipstick may have converted me, the colour is gorgeous and the formula is really moisturising. I'm a fan.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Olé Flamingo

I love EVERYTHING about this liquid lipstick. The colour is gorgeous, the packaging is adorable and the formula has some serious staying power. I have four of the Rouge Edition Velvets but Olé Flamingo is my favourite, Pink Pong (see below) is a close second.

Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Apocaliptic

The release of the Apocalips Lip Lacquers saw the beginning of my love affair with the shade Apocaliptic. There was a time not so long ago when I didn't leave the house without this slicked on my lips. It is fabulous. The colour is beautiful and the formula whilst not the most long lasting does have a good couple of hours of wear time before needing to reapply. I love it. 

MAC Amplified Crème Lipstick in Girl About Town

The much talked of MAC Amplified Crème Lipstick in Girl About Town could be my absolute favouritest lipstick ever. It is the most gorgeous blue tinted fuchsia with a formula that is as stunning as the colour itself. It is so creamy and moisturising and smells like vanilla, which is amazing. Of  all the lipsticks mentioned in this post MAC's Girl About Town is my favourite.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick Passionee

This has to be my favouritest lip stain ever. Lip stains can be tricky, in my experience they're either really pigmented but have a watery or drying formula OR they are moisturising but have virtually no colour. This is the best of both worlds! It has the texture of a lip balm, so is super nourishing and has the most amazing colour pay off leaving a bright pop of colour on the lips. Gorgeous.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong

This is Olé Flamingo's cooler, funkier younger sister. The formula is good, as I've mentioned and the finish is really matte without being drying and the colour is really sassy. It's like a bad ass barbie pink. 'Nuff said. 

L-R: Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in As You Want Victoria, Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Apocaliptic, Revlon, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong & Olé Flamingo and MAC Amplified Crème Lipstick in Girl About Town

So have you tried any of these fab fuschias? What did you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter or by commenting below or even by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. If you do comment I try to always reply so do check back. Also check out my facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest. 

Until next time lovely people

Love love love xx