My Make Up Staples

My Make Up Staples

Wednesday, 15 April 2020

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When I decamped to my mum's a month ago, I knew that I'd  probably be here a while, at least three months, and also that I'd be limited in what I could bring with me in terms of make up and skincare. That's not to say that I didn't shamelessly overpack because of course I did, more is more after all. 

Festive Reds: A Guide to Christmas Lipsticks

Festive Reds: A Guide to Christmas Lipsticks

Wednesday, 27 November 2019

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Guys, it's nearly Christmas. Skipping past the how, why and when of the matter, we all know that time moves super fast, there are few things I love more at Christmas - other than the food, the presents, the quality time with loved ones... in that order - than getting a bit jazzy with my make up. A glitter shadow here, a winged liner there, highlighters giving you the reflective appearance of a bauble... it's the most wonderful time of the year for us make up lovers, and you know all the other Christmas celebrating folk out there.

My Favourite MAC Eyeshadows

My Favourite MAC Eyeshadows

Sunday, 23 October 2016

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After quite a heavy post yesterday, today I thought I would keep things light and tell you guys about my favourite MAC eyeshadows.  Be warned this post is gonna be a little on the long side, I tried to narrow down my favourites but I couldn't get lower than 10. I couldn't do it, I wasn't up to that challenge. Now everyone knows that when it comes to eyeshadow MAC is the undisputed king. Their colour selection is incredible, they have so many different finishes, and generally the overall quality is amazing. Buttery soft, blendable and pigmented to boot. Whenever I'm by a MAC counter I'm like a kid in a sweet shop, I can't keep my greedy hands to myself, I want to swatch everything!

Creative Copper has a lustre finish and is actually more of a metallic golden brown than a copper shade. The pigmentation is incredible and it applies smoothly and evenly with really good colour pay off. The texture is soft and smooth and it blends beautifully. I particularly like to use Creative Copper when I'm doing a bronze smokey eye and pack it onto the first two thirds of the lid with a flat brush.

Gingersnap is a deep rose gold shade with a frost finish. Again it's highly pigmented and applies really nicely. I've found that it can look a bit much when washed all over the lid but looks awesome when blended into the crease.

Honey Lust is one of my most used eyeshadows. I have Honey Lust in both my Warm Neutral and Burgundy Times Nine palettes and it is the most used in both palettes. A golden peachy bronze with a lustre finish, Honey Lust is glittery but not in a tacky in your face kind of way. It looks amazing with a tan, but works well on us paler peeps too. My favourite way to wear it is washed over the lid with winged eyeliner. There is a slight issue with fall out but it's nothing major and Honey Lust, in my opinion, is more than worth it.

Satin Taupe is one of the first MAC eyeshadows I ever bought and it still holds a very special place in my heart. Why? Because it is so dang versatile. Satin Taupe is a dark purple-grey taupe with a silver shimmer running through it, it has a frost finish and can be packed onto the lid for something super smokey, blended into the crease to add definition or simply patted on for something far more subtle. It's a MAC classic for a reason people.

Woodwinked is actually the first ever MAC eyeshadow I bought, in the MAC store in Times Square, and it is still my favourite. You can see from the dent I've made in it that I've used it an absolute ton. Woodwinked is an absolute babe of an eyeshadow, an antique golden bronze with a veluxe pearl finish, it looks amazing simply washed over the lid and when blended into the crease makes for one of the simplest smokey eyes ever. Personally I love to pack it on for something a bit more intense. It's my favourite MAC eyeshade ever. Yeah I said it.

Patina is another firm favourite of mine, a pale taupey bronze with a frost finish - can you tell that I have a thing for bronzes? - Patina is a good one to wear in the day time as it adds a really nice and subtle pop of colour to the lid.

All That Glitters is quite similar to Honey Lust as they're both peachy gold bronzes, however All That Glitters has a veluxe pearl finish so is more of a pearly shimmer than an actual glitter, it's also slightly more pink toned. Like Honey Lust it's a one wash wonder and works best blended all over the lid. It's super wearable and one I find myself reaching for when I want to make an effort but also really can't bothered. It's really effortless and adds a pretty pinky gold sheen to the lid. Lovely.

Haux - Damnit! I just realised I spelt this wrong in the photos, face palm!- anyway Haux is a muted dusky pink with a satin finish and is a fairly new favourite of mine. I've found myself reaching for it more and more lately, particularly on days when I want really natural looking make up. It's really good for adding a little something something to my lids when I'm not in the mood to go all out on my eyeshadow.

Quarry is another really pretty neutral shade and is quite similar to Haux. Like Haux, Quarry is a  pinky taupe, unlike Haux, it's more purple toned and has a matte finish. It is beautifully soft and pigmented with excellent colour pay off and, due to the buttery soft texture, blends in seamlessly. It's one that I like to use all over the lid on no make up make up days but it also works really well as a transition shade for super smokey eyes.

Poppy Seed is a mauve-y pink toned nude with a satin finish, and it seems to be exclusive to the MAC Burgundy Times 9 palette. It's in a similar vein to both Quarry and Haux, which makes sense as they all came in the same palette, and I love using them all together for a matte smokey eye, think Adele's eye make up on the 25 album cover.

MAC eyeshadows range from £10 for the Pro-Pan refills or £13 for the individual Eyeshadow pans and are available from MAC link

What are your favourite MAC eyeshadows? Let me know by commenting below - I always reply so check back -, 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

September Favourites 2016 & September Goals Update

September Favourites 2016 & September Goals Update

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

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l-r: MAC Powder Blush in Dame, MAC Warm Neutrals Palette: Creative Copper, Amber Lights, Honey Lust & Ginger Snap, Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Matte Revolution Lipstick in Secret Salma & Benefit's They're Real Push-Up Liner in Beyond Black

Another month, another favourites post. I don't have a ton of favourites this month, with me going to the gym so much - I know! I never thought I would be typing that sentence either! - I've been wearing considerably less make up than usual, although I do still wear make up at the gym... like who does that?! Well I do. I know it's ridiculous, but it's self preservation, it's a giant room full of mirrors! Anyway I don't have a ton of beauty favourites, so I thought that now would be a good time to catch you up on my September Goals and let you know how I got on. This post might get long and rambly, so if you want to make a cup of tea and grab some food I will wait for you. First things first though favourites!

O.P.I Nail Lacquer in The I's Have It - £9.50 from Beauty Bay

I'm so excited for Autumn to properly set in. I'm so ready for it. In the meantime I've been making the most of the last couple of days of sunshine with this soft powder blue nail polish. My nails are really weak and bitten down at the moment so I haven't been painting them much, but I have been using this on my toes pretty much constantly for the past 5 weeks. The I's Have It is part of O.P.I's Alice Through The Looking Glass collection and it's so pretty. You guys know I can never resist a blue nail polish and this one has a really nice formula. It's creamy, it applies easily, it has a glossy, plumped finish and really nice pigmentation. I like it a lot, and it will probably be my last chance to wear it this year. Sob! But also yay!

MAC Powder Blush in Dame - £18.50 from MAC

I hadn't used this beaut of a blusher in a really long time, my original pan got wet so I couldn't use it anymore, I then repurchased it a couple of weeks ago and have completely fallen back in love with it. It's a blue toned, ballerina pink, it matches my skin tone perfectly and adds a really pretty, natural flush of colour to my Caspar-like complexion. I can't believe I've gone so long without using it because I used it every single day for well over three years and I love it so much! It's beautiful! 

MAC Warm Neutrals Palette - £49.50 from MAC

I've been showing this palette a whole lot of love lately because it's really nice, especially for Autumnal smokey eye looks. I love it because the shadows themselves are amazing! They're pigmented, they blend beautifully and the shade range is on point. My favourite shadows in the palette are Honey Lust - a pale peachy bronze, Creative Copper - a yellow toned gold, Amber Lights - an orange toned bronze, and Ginger Snap - a rose gold, but I love the whole palette. I especially love that it's warm toned, my skin tone is very cool (read pale) so I don't use a lot of warm tones, except for on my eyes, warm toned neutrals work really well with lighter eyes. I have blue eyes and using warmer tones really makes them pop. It's a beautiful palette. 

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Matte Revolution Lipstick in Secret Salma - £23 from Charlotte Tilbury

Secret Salma is a really recent purchase, I only bought it two weeks ago, but it's already scored major favourites points by being an absolute dream of a lipstick. It's a really, really beautiful plum colour,  which is my go to lipstick shade for Autumn, and the formulation is amazing. It's completely matte but not powdery or drying, it lasts a long time and due to the unique design of the bullet, it's so easy to apply. I've already used it a ton and I can definitely see that this will be making it's permanent home in my handbag and becoming my everyday lipstick. It's beautiful and the packaging is incredible! 

Benefit They're Real Mascara - £19.50 from Boots

Until recently I've never really been a massive fan of this mascara, despite it achieving cult status in the beauty community. But after running out of my favourite Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara I started using this and I actually really like it.  The rubber wand - despite the fact that it looks like a medieval torture device- really helps to define, lengthen and volumise the lashes, but the brush was never the problem. The problem I had was always with the formula, which felt really dry, it flaked and it made my lashes feel rubbery and almost like you could peel them off. Blerrgh!  It doesn't seem to have that problem anymore, maybe it's got better because it's dried out a bit, I don't know why it suddenly works for me but it does so I'm not gonna question it. 

Benefit They're Real Push-Up Liner in Beyond Black - £18.50 from Boots

I'm no slouch when it comes to winging my eyeliner, it took years of practice and trying every type of formulation that I could get my hands on, but I've pretty much nailed my technique now. When I'm feeling lazy with my wings - which is basically everyday... I want them but quickly! -  this is the eyeliner I reach for. It's the simplest eyeliner in the world to use, even if you're not a seasoned pro like myself. The slanted silicone tip is designed specifically for fuss free flicks and it works! You just stamp the nib on the outer edge of the lash line and then glide. Stamp and glide. That's it! It has a good formula too, pigmented and budge proof, it ain't going no where for no one until you want it too. The only downfall is that it's a twist up pen, which is definitely a good thing, but there's a bit of a knack to getting the right amount of product out, and things can get a bit messy. Other than that I have no complaints. 

Let's talk about my September Goals. We'll start with the negatives first because there are some, but luckily there are more positives. I'll admit I didn't quite live up to the challenge I set myself this month. To refresh your memory if you haven't read my September Goals post (you can here) my goals were to: 

1. Post all content on time

2. Learn to play a complete song on the guitar

3. Change stone bracket

4. Do interval training on the treadmill

5. Post my first youtube video

Now I haven't managed to post all my content on time, nor have I posted my first youtube video, although that is definitely in the pipeline. This past month has been really manic and my blog has had to take a bit of a back seat to everything else unfortunately, hopefully things will calm down a bit so I can make it my top priority again. It was a bit of a different story when it came to youtubing, I actually have spent a couple of days filming and I was really unhappy with the results. I think I filmed about 6 versions of the same video and I was really not happy to upload it, so I didn't. I've realised that there is so much I need to learn about making videos before I feel that I can actually post anything. I will work on it though and you guys will be the first people to know when that happens. I'm hoping that that will be before the end of this year. 

So that was the bad news now on to the good bit, everything else that I wanted to do in September, I have done and I'm over the moon. I'm so happy. Firstly guitar, I can actually play quite a few songs on my no longer neglected guitar, Maggie, but the first one I could play start to finish (and it actually sound like it!!!) is a song called Last Train Home by Ryan Star, which is a song I've loved since I was 16. Just to clarify I said I wanted to be able to play a song, I didn't say I had to be good at it. But I'm slowly getting there. Speaking of getting there I have changed my stone bracket. I now see a completely different number whenever I get on the scales. I've also gone down a dress size and, last time I checked I am due to check again, I have lost a total of 4.5 inches from all over my body. I'm so happy and feeling super motivated to stay on track. Last but not least interval training, this was the thing I was most worried about. I was convinced I wouldn't be able to do it, but I actually managed to achieve it quite early on in the month, and I now do it 3-4 times a week. I realised that my main problem was the way I approached it. I was so convinced that I couldn't do it that I couldn't do it. But once I started thinking that I could do it and I was gonna smash it that's when I did. The annoying thing is I'd tried to do it a few times previously, and I'd managed to do about 8 minutes of it, what I didn't know is that after 9 minutes it gets easy. So I'd already done the hard bit, I just didn't know. Even though I didn't achieve everything I wanted to I'm still really happy with my progress. I worked hard and it has paid off.  

What were your September Favourites? What were your September Goals and how did you get on? Let me know by commenting below - I always reply so check back -, 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

The Ride or Die Beauty Tag

The Ride or Die Beauty Tag

Thursday, 29 September 2016

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The Ride or Die Beauty Tag has been making the rounds on the internet for the past couple of weeks now and I figured it was high time I joined the conversation. If I lost all my make up and skin care in a freak make up catastrophe, admittedly it's unlikely, but if I did then my debit card would take a walloping, because there are just some things that would need to be replaced immediately! These are the true beauty loves of my life, the things I cannot, nay refuse, to live without. We're not messing around here.

MAC Matte Lipstick in Mehr £15.50 from MAC

Mehr is my ultimate favourite lipstick. A rosy nude with plummy undertones, it's very flattering, it looks good on everyone and it's really low maintenance, due to the amazing formula and the long lasting matte finish. It's the best lipstick ever.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - £13 from Cult Beauty

For a long time I stopped wearing liquid eyeliner, I'm not really sure why, but then I fell in love with this incredible long lasting, pigmented, waterproof babe of an eyeliner. It's perfect! It has an impossibly fine nib that makes for really clean and precise lines so it applies beautifully. It doesn't drag the lid, it doesn't skip or smudge or flake or crumble, it stays in place all day. I love it!

MAC Powder Blush in Dame - £18.50 from MAC

Dame is the first MAC product I ever bought. I got it in the MAC store in Times Square 4 years ago, and to this day I've never found a blusher I like as much. It is stunning! A cool toned pink with a satin finish, it adds a subtle, but noticeable, healthy rosy glow to the skin, and is especially flattering on pale complexions. It's pigmented, it has amazing colour pay off, it's buttery soft and smooth and it applies like a dream. It's the perfect everyday blush, and I can say that as a fact because I did wear it everyday for 3 and a half years, and now I have a new one I'll probably do it again.

L'Oréal True Match Foundation in Rose Ivory - £9.99 from Boots

I haven't found a foundation, high end or high street, to match this one. Even after it's reformulation last year it's still my favourite and has been for nearly 10 years. It gives excellent coverage, has a natural skin-like finish and is basically a good skin day in a bottle. 'Nuff said.

Urban Decay's The Naked Palette - £38.50 from Urban Decay

I love a neutral eyeshadow palette, I have a lot of them, but nothing beats the original Naked palette. It's my most used eyeshadow palette ever,  I've used it pretty much everyday for the past year and it's still going strong. I really love it, it has an amazing shade range and the shadows themselves are really blendable and buttery soft, aside from a small amount of fall out and the hideous fuzzy packaging, I really can't fault it. It is gorgeous!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara - £7.99 from Boots

After years and years of searching I've finally found the perfect mascara, and the best part is that it's only £7.99, well that and it is amazing! The formula is a true black, it's really long lasting but not a nightmare to remove, it doesn't flake or smudge and the curved rubber wand does everything. It lengthens, defines, volumises, separates, lifts and gives me lashes for days. You put this on and it's like BOOM! Lashes!

Beauty Blender - £16.00 from Beauty Blender

If I had to sacrifice all my make up brushes and keep only one tool for applying make up, this would be it. This humble, egg shaped sponge is a make up game changer and I would be lost without it. I have tried a ton of Beauty Blender dupes but they just don't compare. I've found them to be a lot denser and heavier, and no where near as soft or effective. The Beauty Blender is amazing, I use it every single day because it does everything. I use it for foundation, concealer, blusher, contouring, bronzer... the list goes on and on, but I particularly like it for sheering out make up where I've been a bit heavy handed and it's amazing for making everything look really natural and dewy.

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel - £29.50 from Cult Beauty

Before this miracle bottle of epicness entered my life my skin was in a sorry state indeed. From the moment I started using this my skin has been on the upswing and the acne I was suffering from, for nearly two years, has all but disappeared. If I don't use this for a couple of days I instantly see the difference in my skin. My skin doesn't feel as clean, it feels really dry and a break out is inevitable. This just seems to keep my skin really balanced so I don't break out and it feels really nice. It also removes make up quickly and easily, with minimal effort. I love it, I love it so much.

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

Another skin care item that has helped to dramatically improve the appearance of my skin. It's a retinol oil so is excellent for treating acne and signs of ageing. I don't use Luna everyday, because another bottle will set me back £85, so I live in fear of the day I run out. But, again, if this was taken from me the first thing I would do is drop the best part of £100 on another bottle, because it is that darn good! Luna is reserved for days when my skin is congested, or breaking out, and needs a little love. I apply 2 drops of this to my face before going to sleep and wake up with a guaranteed good skin day. Obsessed!

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - £13 from Beauty Bay

I forgot to put this in the photo! Argh! Anyway... let's get past it. I love Mario Badescu's skincare in general, the Rosewater Facial Spray is another firm favourite of mine, but this is definitely one a hero product and my favourite item of skin care ever! Because it actually works! When my skin was at its very worst I was using this every night to reduce the appearance of spots and cystic acne. You pop this on any spots before you go to sleep and then in the morning it's worked it's magic, and the appearance of spots is significantly reduced, if not gone completely. It's amazing.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown - £15 from Cult Beauty

We all have one eyebrow that is perfect and one that's letting the team down, and we all have a favourite brow product to fix this. ABH's Dipbrow Pomade is mine, it's brilliant. It's a waxy mousse that shapes and defines my brows and covers any sparseness while still looking really natural. I use it every single day and you only need the tiniest little bit to get perfect brows, so it lasts ages too. Love it.

So there were definitely a few more products than I thought, I've added it all up and I would need a spare £261.98 just in case all my faves go missing... eeep.

What are your Ride or Die Beauty favourites? Let me know by commenting below - I always reply so check back -, 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

My High End Lipstick Collection

My High End Lipstick Collection

Saturday, 24 September 2016

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L-R: MAC Mehr, Estée Lauder Restless, MAC D for Danger, YSL Corail A Porter, MAC Girl About Town, Charlotte Tilbury Secret Salma, MAC Brave Red

Before we get into the nitty gritty of my high end lipstick collection I just wanted to quickly apologise for the lack of posts over the past week. Life's been really hectic, I feel like I haven't had the chance to stop and catch my breath lately, but I also can't tell you what I've achieved because it feels like nothing. I'm also really irritated that I've failed one of my September Goals. Grrrr! Anyway now that that's off my chest lets chat about some fancy pants lippie.

So my lipstick collection is spread out between two drawers and an empty Glossy Box - I wish I was joking - but most of them can be found in Boots and Superdrug for less than a tenner. In fact I only have 7 high end lipsticks, which yeah does sound like a lot, but not when you consider the sheer size of the rest of my lipstick collection. I haven't counted, I'm not up to the challenge. Anyway...

MAC Matte Lipstick in Mehr - £15.50 from MAC

AKA my favourite lipstick. As a life long bold, usually red, lipstick lover I'm as shocked as anyone that my actual favourite lipstick is this plummy nude. It's my go to everyday lipstick and I've worn it so much that there's really no competition. The formulation is incredible. It's long lasting, creamy, comfortable to wear and vanilla scented, which is pretty much everything I want in a matte lipstick. It isn't particularly drying, but can be if you haven't prepped properly. Lip balm, and lots of it, about 15 minutes before applying is key. Other than that it's amazing.

Estée Lauder Kendall J Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick in Restless - no longer available, Estée Lauder's Volatile is very similar and available here

This neon red orange hybrid is probably my least used lipstick ever. I've worn it once while I took photos for a blog post (read it here). It was an online exclusive so I couldn't swatch it to see whether it would suit me, I decided to risk it anyway and it didn't pay off. It doesn't suit me at all. Still, I can't bring myself to part with it because it was so expensive and it is gorgeous. Just not on me. Restless is very yellow toned whereas my complexion is cool toned, blue tones suit my skin type much better, yellow tones tend to make my skin look sallow and my teeth look yellow. That's really not a good look for anyone. It does have an incredible formulation, it's creamy and pigmented with really good wear time. It's also not drying and it smells incredible. It was a complete waste of money though, because I don't use it. At all.

MAC Matte Lipstick in D for Danger - £15.50 from MAC

D for Danger is one seriously beautiful berry lipstick, you guys know how much I love a berry lip! The formula for this is very similar to Mehr, but it's not quite as long lasting, as it's a little bit creamier, it also has the slightest tendency to bleed into the lip line. Nothing a bit of lip liner can't fix. It still lasts ages and smells incredible. But it's the colour that makes this really special. It's a deep, autumnal berry that looks stunning on, while being surprisingly wearable. It makes me feel like a total bad ass when I wear it. I love it.

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in 41 Corail Á Porter - £26 from YSL

This is the prettiest lipstick in all the land. Let's all just take a moment to gaze lovingly at that dreamy gold and pink enamel packaging... okay I'm back. This is the most expensive lipstick I own, the price tag is eye watering! So much so that I closed my eyes when I bought it and then pretended it didn't happen. If we're talking about cost per wear then its been worth it because I've worn it a ton, but £26 for a lipstick is ridiculous. Are you listening YSL? Ridiculous! But it is beautiful! It's a shimmery, peach scented, pinky coral with a glossy finish. It has amazing pigmentation, the colour pay off is on point and it's very moisturising, with a texture closer to that of a lip balm than a lipstick. This does mean that it has a lot of slip to it, so it doesn't stick around when your eating/drinking, but it's lovely, especially in the summertime.

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Girl About Town - £15.50 from MAC

Girl About Town holds a special place in my heart as it's the first MAC lipstick that made it's way into my heart and then my basket. A bright and bold raspberry pink, the colour is intense and ridiculously beautiful. It's an Amplified Creme finish, so isn't the most long lasting as it's really creamy, but it does have excellent wear time for a non-matte lipstick, it's incredibly pigmented and fades into an even stain. I really love this lipstick.

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Matte Revolution Lipstick in Secret Salma - £23 from Charlotte Tilbury

I haven't really had time to form an opinion on the actual performance of this lipstick because I bought it on Wednesday. Me and my bestie were in Covent Garden and went into Charlotte Tilbury specifically so I could get Liv It Up. But after swatching Secret Salma I had a change of heart. Secret Salma is named for Salma Hayek as part of Tilbury's Hot Lips charity collection. Hot Lips is a range of 16 lipsticks: 4 best sellers and 12 brand new shades, named for the famous women who inspired them, with a percentage of the proceeds being donated to Women for Women. Secret Salma is one of the darker shades, a very autumn appropriate rosy plum. The colour is absolutely beautiful, and I can attest. from swatching, that the wear time is good. I swatched it on my arm two days ago and  it's still visible! And that rose gold packaging though! Droolworthy!

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Brave Red - £15.50 from MAC

No lip wardrobe is complete without a classic red, and that's exactly what MAC's Brave Red is. A bold pillar box red with a highly moisturising, cremesheen finish. The wear time on this isn't great, so lip liner is a must if you're wanting it to last, but it's so comfortable to wear and feels really nourishing. Brave Red is yellow toned but is surprisingly flattering against my skin type, *cough* unlike some other expensive lipsticks I could mention.

What are your favourite high end lippies? Any recommendations? Let me know by commenting below - I always reply so check back -, 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

August Favourites 2016

August Favourites 2016

Sunday, 4 September 2016

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This month I will not be freaking out that there are only 3 months left of 2016, what would be the point? I do the weird freak out thing every month, it's getting kind of old. Instead I'll tell you that August has been a really good month. I've been learning to play guitar, which I am loving! I saw my friends a lot, I went to Bulgaria, which was so fun and I've been going to the gym regularly, which, shockingly, I don't hate... I'm just as surprised as you are. It's been a really good month! On that note it's time to talk favourites. 

Nails Inc Gel Effect Polish in Soho Place - £14 from Nails Inc

This nail polish is an old favourite of mine, you guys know how much I love a good blue-y green polish, and like I said this is a firm favourite. I actually used it to paint my toes and tips with before I jetted off to Sunny Beach. The colour is gorgeous, a vivid aqua, and the formula is pretty lush too! Easily workable yet creamy and thick and the finish is dreamy - ultra glossy, plump and long lasting. It's marvellous. 

Pixi by Petra Hydrating Milky Mist - £18.00 from Cultbeauty

I ranted and raved about this stuff in my In Flight Beauty post so I won't bore you with the details for fear of repeating myself and boring you all to death. Instead I'm just gonna say that this super moisturising, light weight spritz is amazing, and an absolute life saver for those of us with drier complexions or to use when your travelling. I used it pretty much constantly on the flights, to and from Bulgaria, and the whole time while I was out there, and the difference it has made to my skin is amazing. I love this stuff, and I've nearly run out.... NOOOOOOO!

MAC Burgundy Times Nine Palette - £25.00 from MAC

Again I have sung the praises of this teeny little palette in previous posts (read them here, here & here) so I'll let you read those rather than bang on about it here. It's an excellent little palette for travelling because it is really tiny but has nine shadows in there, that really pack a punch in the pigment stakes, and is super versatile. I am obsessed with it and have been using it pretty much constantly. I love it so much.

The Wet Brush - £8.99 from lookfantastic

I got this in Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty box back in April and it's the only brush I've used on my mad, tangly hair since then, but I've never mentioned it on here, which isn't really like me. Anyway I love it. It has really flexible bristles that glide effortlessly through the hair, detangling any knots without pulling. Now I don't brush my hair everyday, because it's so curly that brushing only makes it frizz out uncontrollably. So I only brush before and after I wash it and that's it. It used to be an absolute nightmare brushing my hair, even with a Tangle Teezer or an Easy Tease (read more about that here), and I hated doing it because it really did hurt. The Wet Brush is so gentle yet effective, it has just solved all my hair brushing problems. I refuse to be without it, that's how much I love it!

Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Leave-in Treatment -  £3.50 (on offer, usually £6.00) from Avon

This stuff is haircare heaven! If I was stranded on a desert island and could only have one hair care product this would be it! It's incredible! One pump, run through the mid lengths and ends, intensely nourishes and protects the hair (from heat, chlorine, etc.), calms frizz and adds definition to curls without weighing them down. It's non-greasy, very light weight and leaves no residue in the hair whatsoever. I used this every day on holiday to protect my hair, and it worked an absolute treat. No sun dried ends and chlorine damage for me! It does come in a glass bottle, which I agree isn't the best for travel, although I didn't have any problems with it. But seriously this stuff is magical! I would be lost without it and I'm not joking. 

La Roche Posay 50+ Antihelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid - £16.50 from Boots

There's nothing really knew in this month's favourites, pretty much all of them have been talked about before, including this one (read more about it here). I'm a recent convert to La Roche Posay's Antihelios XL sunscreen but it is amazing. It absorbs into the skin really quickly without leaving a white cast on the skin and gives my pasty skin the protection I need, from both UVA and UVB rays. And unlike a lot of sunscreens it's non-comedogenic, so it doesn't block the pores or cause break outs, which my skin will do at the slightest provocation. It's awesome stuff. 

Rimmel Kate Sculpting Palette in 002 Coral Glow - £6.99 from Boots

This is kind of a forgotten favourite because I have used it so much in the last couple of months but keep forgetting to put it in my favourites. I actually have this in both shades, 002 Coral Glow and 003 Golden Bronze, and I like and use both a lot, but I have used Coral Glow more this month because I took it on holiday with me (read more about that here). It's such a handy little palette as it comes with a blush, contour and highlight and, despite the fairly naff packaging, it is really, really good quality. The powders are creamy and smooth, they apply beautifully and they have really nice pigmentation. They're really lovely. 

Becca Backlight Priming Filter - £32 from SpaceNK

Again this is something I have talked about recently, (read it here) I feel like I'm a broken record today, just saying the same thing over and over again... I'm sorry. I have used this so much in the past couple of weeks, in fact I've nearly used it all up and will have to get a new one soon. It adds such a beautiful, beautiful radiance to the skin. I have fairly dull, pale skin but this gives me a glow that would put JLo to shame. It is stunning! And expensive, but worth it. 

Walk Off The Earth - watch them on youtube here

My bad ass friend Charlotte, who is actually teaching me to play guitar and is the coolest person I know,  introduced me to Walk Off The Earth during our first lesson, and I have been listening to them ever since. You may have come across WOTE before as quite a few of their videos have gone viral, they're the band who covered Gotye's Somebody that I Used to Know with all 5 members playing the same guitar! (Watch it here it's amazing!) Their videos are insane, they are so talented and so, so clever. I've downloaded a load of their songs but Gang of Rhythm and Hold On (The Break) are my favourites. I am also obsessed with their cover of Cheerleader! Watch some of their videos, you will not be sorry.

Working Out 

So this is a surprising favourite for all of us, especially me, but I am really, really enjoying working out. I've been working out everyday during the week and the sense of achievement it gives me is incredible. Do I still hate cardio? Absolutely, yes I do! BUT I can do it, which is amazing because up until recently I definitely couldn't. I'm feeling very proud of myself for that.

What are your August Favourites? 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

High End Beauty Wish List

High End Beauty Wish List

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

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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 instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

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 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

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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.