My Top Nail Polish Picks for Autumn

My Top Nail Polish Picks for Autumn

Thursday, 20 October 2016

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It's safe to say that Autumn is really upon us now, with Summer  long since over. Gone are the pastel shades, bronzed goddess skin  (HA!) and no make up make up looks, now the fun can really begin. I'm talking deep berry lips, golden bronze eyeshadows and, most importantly, the autumnal nail polish. Here's a run down of just a few of my faves. 

Eve Snow London Nail Lacquer in Skyler - £14 from Net-a-Porter

Despite sharing a name with my least favourite character from Breaking Bad - seriously does anyone like Skyler?! - Eve Snow's Skyler is one of my all time favourite polishes. I can never resist a blue polish, so much so that I'll take any excuse to wear it year round. This is why Skyler is perfect, the cool icy blue shade has a touch of grey in it, that makes me think of the sky just before it snows, making it really appropriate for this time of year. The formulation is lovely; creamy, opaque after only two coats and it lasts about a week without chipping. Nice.

Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy in Up the Ante - £7.99 from Boots

The Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy formulation is the best on the high street and my absolute favourite formula out there. It has an amazing consistency, applying smoothly and evenly, it also acts as a base coat, meaning it lasts a really long time before needing to be re-applied. The colour is beautiful too, a warm pinky purple that looks good all year round but especially good in the Autumn.  

Butter London Nail Lacquer in Poole - £12 from lookfantastic

Like Skyler Butter London's Poole is a nail polish that would normally be considered more of a summer colour, a duck egg blue-green, (incidentally my absolute favourite nail polish shade), it has just a hint of grey in it that makes it more seasonally appropriate. It doesn't have the best formula, I've found that without a top coat it is prone to chip within a day or two, with a top coat the longevity lasts about a week, so fairly standard, but the colour more than makes up for the crappy wear time. It's worth reapplying.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Watermelon, Blackberry & Chilli - £3.99 from Boots

I've been a fan girl of Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint for ages, they make up more than half of my nail polish collection. They last really well and they leave a beautiful, plumped and glossy finish after only two coats, one for the darker colours, not to mention the incredibly cheap price point. Watermelon is a deep forest green, Blackberry a navy blue that reminds me of the Berol Handwriting Pens we had to use in primary school and Chilli a deep rusty orange red. All of them are stunning, but Blackberry is my favourite, even though I have no idea why it's called that when it's blue... weird.

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint in Sprint Finish - £3.99 from Boots

Autumn is the time for deep berry shades and this raspberry pink is stunning. The Speedy Quick Dry nail paints are amazing, almost as good as the Gelly Hi-Shine's, with a cuticle hugging brush that makes application a breeze and a formula that lasts reasonably well and dries in seconds. Blink and you'll miss it.

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Tinsel Town - £4.99 from Amazon

I am not a fan of glitter nail polishes, because generally they're a nightmare to remove and really ain't nobody got time for that. This might be the exception to the rule because it comes off so easily. I only have a few China Glaze polishes but they're really good quality. Tinsel Town is a gun metal grey with fine hexagonal flecks of silver glitter running through it.  It looks really pretty as an accent nail or layered on over another colour as a full on glitter mani. It actually lasts quite well and doesn't chip or flake too badly. I like it a lot, for a glitter polish.

What will be gracing your nails this Autumn? 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 Top 8 Lip Products from the High Street

My Top 8 Lip Products from the High Street

Sunday, 28 August 2016

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l - r: L'Oréal Privee Color Riche Lipstick in Julianne's Perfect Nude, Revlon Color Burst Balm Stain in Honey, Primark PS... Velvet Matte Lipstick Crayon in Nude, Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipstick in Pommie Girl, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Olé Flamingo and Hot Pepper, Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Red Essential 

I love lipstick! So much so that I couldn't limit myself to just the 5, instead you're being treated to a Top 8 you lucky things! When it comes to lipstick I prefer my finishes matte, the formulas liquid and the pigmentation bold, on point and long lasting to boot. Every now and then, however, I like to shake things up a bit with more sheer formulas or pinky nude tones. So this is more of a comprehensive lip wardrobe from the high street, with everything from the sheerest nudes to the deepest berry shades. Enjoy!

L'Oréal Privee Color Riche Lipstick in Julianne's Perfect Nude - £6.99 from Superdrug

This isn't just Julianne's perfect nude, it's mine too! I'm not normally one for nude lipstick, bright matte bolds are way more my thing,  but this is dreamy!  It's not a nude nude, it's a really pretty, rosy pink with a moisturising formula and a sheer finish. It has decent colour pay off and it smells amazing, just like parma violets. It isn't the most long wearing of beasts, and it doesn't tend to stick around for long if food or drink is involved, but it is the most beautiful nude pink that I've come across. I'm on my third tube of the stuff and I completely love it.

Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain in Honey - £7.99 from Boots

Revlon's ColorBurst Balm Stains are perfect for low maintenance glossy lips, as they're a hybrid between a lip gloss and a super moisturising lip balm. Personally I think they're the perfect lip crayon to chuck in your bag for easy on the go application. I have quite a few from the range but Honey is my absolute favourite for everyday. The colour is a lovely mauve toned dusky pink and it has nice pigmentation, so it can be worn really sheer for something quite subtle or can be built up for more of a medium coverage. It also smells like peppermint and feels really cooling on the lips. It's always in my handbag.

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

At just £2.00, from good ol' Primark,  this lip crayon is the cheapest offering on the table. Normally I would find such a low price tag off putting but this is really good. Like really, really good. It's a  lovely peachy nude with a matte finish and a good formula. It's buttery, reasonably long lasting and applies like an absolute dream. Primark's make up line is a bit hit and a miss but there are definitely some gems hidden away in there, and this one of them.

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipstick in Pommie Girl - £9.00 from Boots

One of my absolute favourite lipsticks is Soap & Glory's Super Colour Fabulipstick Matte Lipstick in Pom Pom which was, annoyingly, discontinued a while back... luckily S&G have since released Pommie Girl, which is identical. It's a deep pink with plummy undertones that looks absolutely stunning on. It's matte in finish,  and does tend towards the drier side of things, however I've found that applying lip balm about 15 minutes beforehand solves this problem. It lasts ages, it's beautiful and that dreamy packaging though! I'm so glad they didn't get rid of it completely. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Olé Flamingo! and Hot Pepper - £8.99 from Boots

I've sung the praises of the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets time and time again. They are the best liquid lipsticks on the high street, and my liquid lip of choice for a night on the town. They're pigmented, super comfortable to wear and last hours. They rarely need touching up and, though I've never tested it I definitely think they could last a full 24 hours, although I don't why you'd ever need them too. I love these lipsticks.

Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Red Essential - £4.99 from Boots

Maybelline's Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils are right up there with some of my very favourite lipsticks. A pretty spot on dupe for Nars' Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, the formula is matte yet creamy and comfortable to wear and it is insanely long lasting. Red Essential is a classic blue toned red - every lip wardrobe needs one! - and it's beautiful.

Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in #107 - £5.49 from Boots

Rimmel's #107 is a high street classic! It looks intimidating in the bullet but it's actually a super wearable deep purple with just a hint of red in it. It has a matte finish and seriously incredible longevity. It lasts hours! It rarely needs touching up, only after eating and barely even then. When autumn, my favourite season, rolls around this is the only lipstick to grace my lips because it's the perfect autumnal berry shade and one of my absolute favourite lipsticks.

What's your favourite high street lipstick? 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

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

Love love love xxx

FOTD: A Summer Wedding

FOTD: A Summer Wedding

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

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First of all let me apologise for the giant pictures of my face, secondly I know I've been laying the wedding stuff on pretty thick these past two weeks but I thought I'd share this pretty, summer look (that is both ridiculously easy and super long wearing) with you lovelies. 

I started off by prepping the skin and for that I used L'Oreal's Infallible Mattifying Primer (read more about that here) to make my skin nice and smooth and to lock in my make up so it  lasted all day. In a move that was most unlike me I actually got a spray tan for my brother's wedding. Tanning isn't usually my thing, pasty and proud, but I wore an ivory dress to the wedding and when I tried it on sans tan I looked dead. Like actually dead. The corpse like pallor had to go and honestly I really liked having a golden glow for a change, but it did mean that all of my foundations were too light against my newly bronzed skin. 

To get the perfect shade I mixed together 2 pumps of  L'Oreal True Match Foundation in Vanilla Rose with 2 pumps of Revlon Photoready in Nude and it worked really well. It gave me really nice coverage without being cakey but was still quite glowy. To cover any blemishes and redness I used Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory and Seventeen Phwoaaar Paint Under Eye Concealer to brighten up my bags.

When I finished my base I used the contour shade from the Sleek Face Form Pallet in fair to lightly contour my non-existent cheek bones and to add a bit of warmth to my face. I then used MAC blush in Dame, which is my absolutely favourite blusher, it is such a pretty rose pink and gives such a lovely flush of colour LOVE IT! For highlighter I popped some of the Kryolan for Glossy Box Cream Highlighter in Cashmere down the centre of my nose, on the tops of my cheekbones, on my cupids bow, in the inner corners of my eyes and beneath the arches of my brows before filling them in with Anastasia Beverly Hill's Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown. 

For my eyes I used the W7 In The Buff: Lightly Toasted Pallet, a spectacular dupe for the Naked Pallet just fyi, using the shade Happy (a light taupey bronze) all over the lid before blending Magic (a rich purple toned brown) and It's A Dream (an ashy purple & grey toned brown) into the crease and under the lash line. I then tightlined and filled in my waterline with MAC eyeliner in Feline and added lashings of L'Oreal's Miss Manga Mega Volume Waterproof Mascara. I finished the look with a slick of Bourjois' Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong because it is the prettiest, fuschia pink that looks gorgeous and as an added bonus stayed in place all day!

So what do you guys think? Would you wear this to a wedding? 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 and pinterest. 

Love love love xxx

2014 Beauty Favourites Part 1: Make Up & Nails

2014 Beauty Favourites Part 1: Make Up & Nails

Friday, 9 January 2015

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Top L - R: Nail Paint by Barry M in Vintage Violet, Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint by Barry M in Sugar Apple, Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Powder, Real Techniques Buffing Brush, Seventeen Phwoaar Paint in Fair, MUA eyeshadow palette in Heaven & Earth, Real Techniques Setting Brush & Benefit's They're Real Push-Up Liner.  Bottom L - R: Mac Blush in Dame, L'Oreal True Match Foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla, Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in #310 Berry Much, Mac Amplified Crème Lipstick in Girl About Town & Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Olé Flamingo. 

Top L-R: Soap & Glory Solar Powder, Revlon Color Stay Gel Envy in Dealer's Choice, Estée Lauder Modern Muse Eau De Parfum, Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil, Witch Blemish Stick, L'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in #200 Soft Beige. Bottom L-R: No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream, Model Co More Brows in Fair & Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté 24HRs Soothing & Rehydrating Fresh Mask. 

Top L-R: Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Base Coat, Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Up the Ante, Frizz Ease Daily Miracle Leave in Conditioner, Frizz Ease Extra Strength 6 Effects Serum, The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. Bottom L-R: Quick Fix Facials Purifying Charcoal Mask, Tom Ford Black Orchid, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper & Soigné Botanique in Bleu Vodka.

2014 was a great year for me make up wise. It was the year I started using bronzer and realised the true potential of make up, which only made me love it more. First up make up and nails, you might want to grab yourself a cup of tea... maybe a snack of some kind, because it's gonna be a long one :)

Base:

L'Oreal True Match Foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla

I recently crowned L’Oreal True Match my favourite foundation and I stand by that sentiment.  With decent, buildable coverage, a beautiful dewy yet matte finish (I don't understand how that works either) and a formula that sticks around it's no wonder it's my favourite. 

Seventeen Phwoaar Paint Heavy Duty Under Eye Concealer in Fair & Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Soft Beige. 

My skin wasn't at it's best in 2014. There were breakouts, blackheads, blemishes, great big giant spots... the lot! For those days when my skin was at it's worst I reached for Seventeen's Phwoaar Paint to save the day. With a thick and creamy consistency it's perfect for covering any particularly juicy blemishes and because it's yellow toned it neutralises any redness/hyper pigmentation. It also lasts really well, particularly considering how creamy it is. I've found that it works best when applied BEFORE foundation as it blends in better this way. Unorthodox? Maybe. Does it work? Definitely. 

The other concealer I was reaching for throughout 2014 was Rimmel's Wake Me Up concealer in Soft Beige. I don't have the best sleeping habits and have some serious under eye baggage going on. But this covers bags and brightens the under eye area like it ain't no thing, making me look bright eyed and bushey tailed when really I've been up all night watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The overall coverage it gives is really good, as it covers redness, hyper pigmentation and blemishes. It's a good all rounder. 

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Powder

Before 2014 I never really got powders, I had one it was okay, good, not great, but then I tried One Heck of a Blot and then I got it. One Heck of a Blot is a really light weight, finely milled  translucent powder that really locks in my make up and leaves my face with a velvety smooth finish. I love it, which you could probably tell from the picture. 

Bronzer/Blush:

Soap & Glory Solar Powder

I was always a bit wary of bronzer, being paler than the moon and all, but Solar Powder is fabulous. Especially for all us pale chicks. I prefer the lighter honey shade, as the warmer brown is just a tad too dark for me, but works really well when I swirl the two together. It really warms up my otherwise colourless complexion. Love it. 

Mac Blush in Dame

You'd never know it but I've had this blusher for over two years and have worn it nearly every day since. I'm not even close to hitting pan yet. I've played with a lot of new blushers this year but Dame will always be my favourite. It's the prettiest, rosy pink that transforms my complexion from Casper the Friendly Ghost to that of an english rose. It's beautiful. 

Eyes:

Benefit They're Real Real Push Up Liner 

Long lasting gel liner with a blacker than black formula that is both crease proof and incredibly easy to apply. The rubber tip makes for one of the easiest cat eye flicks ever (stamp and glide). I think it's amazing. 

MUA Eyeshadow Palette in Heaven & Earth

This is the eyeshadow palette I probably got the most use out of in 2014 and 2013 for that matter. This is my second one so that should tell you all you need to know. Made up of neutral shimmers this is my go to palette for a neutral yet smokey eye make up look. The shadows are reasonably long lasting, soft in texture and pigmented with a decent colour pay off. I'll be honest it isn't perfect, there are some fall out issues when applying and the shadows are slightly on the chalky side, but for £4 it's really good. 

L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara 

AKA the best mascara on the highstreet. It just does everything I could ever want from a mascara. Like a really great bra it lifts and separates, unlike a  great bra it curls and volumises. The formula is fantastic, super black, doesn't smudge or flake and just gives me the best lashes. It's a staple every girl needs: a good bra and this mascara. 

Model Co More Brow gel in Fair 

Model Co More Brow is a light weight, tinted brow gel, that shapes my brows and sets them in place, without leaving them crispy. The colour is a medium ashy brown that is the perfect colour match for me and the application is really easy with the tiny but effective spoolie taming my brows and distributing the product evenly. I really like it. 

Lips:

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Girl About Town

For a while this lipstick was the only thing I could talk about and for good reason, it is, simply put, the most beautiful lipstick I own. The colour is a beautiful blue toned fuschia with a formula that is long lasting, although it does need to be reapplied after eating/drinking. Due to it's delightfully creamy consistency it's really moisturising and feels so comfortable on the lips. It get's bonus points for smelling like vanilla! In my expansive lipstick collection this is my absolute favourite. It's all kinds of heart eyed emoji!  

 Image via

Bourjois Rouge EditionVelvets in Olé Flamingo and Hot Pepper 

I've been utterly obsessed with the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets since they were released last summer. The colours are lovely and the formulas are equally so: bouncy, lightweight and only slightly drying, but the very best part is the longevity. Once it's on, it is on! It ain't going nowhere for no one. You can eat, drink, be merry and look fabulous all at the same time. No longer will I have to choose between the two, food wins hands down everytime. They're incredible. 

Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in #310 Berry Much

I love this lip pencil. I know I've talked about it so much recently but it's because I love it so much. I won't bore you by listing it's many virtues because at this point I'll be repeating myself. It's amazing. Trust. 

Nails:

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamel in Up the Ante & Dealer's Choice.

Okay I know I have ranted and raved about the fabulousness of the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamels until the cows came home, went to bed and told me to shut up already but in my defence they are my absolute favourite beauty discovery of 2014. The formulation is as close to perfect as a nail enamel can possibly be. I am obsessed with them! And I promise this is the last time I will mention them... for now. 

Sally Hansen Maximum GrowthBase Coat 

At first glance the Sally Hansen Maximum Growth appears to be just another base coat but you can actually see it working and that just blows my mind. It's incredible. As a recovering nail biter with incredibly weakened nails this has made such a difference. My nails are stronger and are growing quicker because of it. It's amazing.

Soigné Botanique in Bleu Vodka

It's just so pretty! The colour is the most beautiful turquoise. But the formula is the real star! It's lovely, longlasting and creamy but easily workable and the brush is easy to use making for smooth and easy application. This is the only Soigné polish I own at the moment but I will definitely be adding more to my collection. 

Barry M Nail Paint in Vintage Violet & Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Sugar Apple.

I'm a huge fan of Barry M's Nail Paint, they make up at least 40% of my 300 strong nail polish collection, but these two were my absolute favourites of last year. I had Sugar Apple on my nails constantly throughout the summer because it's such a lovely colour. Then when Autumn rolled around I switched to Vintage Violet. It's such an unusual, smokey purple but it looks so pretty on the nails. Like all Barry M Nail Paints they have a great formula that is reasonably long lasting, workable and easy to apply. All that for under a fiver... bargain. 

If you stuck with this post until the end then thank you :) I'm aware that it's on the longer and ramblier side of things. I had a lot of make up favourites in 2014. But what I want to know is what were your 2014 faves? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or even by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest. 

That was the tip of the iceberg for my 2014 Beauty Faves, Part 2 will be up over the weekend. Then of course there's always the matter of my 2014 Non Beauty Faves, of which there are many, which will be up soon. 

Until then

Love love love xxx

My Top 5 (ish) Drug Store Beauty Finds of 2014

My Top 5 (ish) Drug Store Beauty Finds of 2014

Sunday, 4 January 2015

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Top L - R: Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets in Hot Pepper &  Olé Flamingo,  Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner.

Bottom L-R: L'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara, Revlon Color Stay Gel Envy Nail Lacquer in Up the Ante & Rimmel Glam Eyes HD eyeshadow palette in Brixton Brown.

Before we get settled into 2015 I have some loose ends from 2014 to tie up. One of which being my Favourites but before they go up - later in the week - I thought I would give you a round up of  my Top 5 (ish) Drug Store Beauty Finds of 2014. I have to say it's been a fantastic year :)

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets in Hot Pepper &  Olé Flamingo 

In my humble opinion Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet is the best liquid lipstick on the high street. It's wonderful, with a rather lovely matte finish and a formula that is both longlasting and only slightly drying - nothing a quick slick of lipbalm before application can't fix. It has an almost bouncy, gel like consistency that feels reasonably comfortable on the lips and stays in place for hours and the colours are beautiful. They're just all kinds of heart eyed emoji. 

Revlon Color Stay Gel Envy Nail Lacquer in Up the Ante & Dealer's Choice

 Up the Ante

Dealer's Choice

If you're a regular reader you know my thoughts on this practically perfect nail lacquer. The formula is so good that I kinda want to eat it... I won't though because that's weird and almost certainly dangerous. The formula is long lasting, with a shiny, gel like finish and applies like an absolute dream. Add to that a beautiful colour range, particularly those two stunners pictured, and I am one happy camper... except I don't like camping. 

Benefit They're Real Push UpLiner

I fell hard and fast for this eyeliner when it was first released this summer before promptly forgetting all about it and then I rediscovered it and loved it all over again. It's amazing. The rubber nib is a stroke (if that's a pun it was definitely unintentional) of genius, admittedly it does take some getting used to but once you're used to it application becomes redonkulously easy and it's the easiest cat eye flick ever. Just stamp and glide people, stamp and glide. Love it. 

 L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara 

2014 for me has been all about mascara... and eyeshadow palettes, nail polish, foundation, eyeliner... just make up in general really. Anyway I tried loads of new mascaras in 2014 andL'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara was  my favourite! It's magical, and I do not say that lightly. It does everything you could want from a mascara and more. With a long lasting blacker than black formula that doesn't smudge nor flake and a brush that lengthens, curls, volumises and separates whilst coating even the hard to reach lashes in the corner of the eye. It's amazing. Seriously amazing. 

Rimmel Glam Eyes HDeyeshadow palette in Brixton Brown

Rumour has it that Brixton Brown is an excellent and far more affordable dupe of Charlotte Tilbury's Dolce Vita quad, and as far as I can tell, not actually owning it...yet, the only real difference is the extra purpley shade and the absence of the copper glitter. The shadows themselves are buttery soft, long lasting and don't crease. Winner.

Bonus favourite:

Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in #310 Berry Much 

I'm not gonna lie I'm not a massive fan of Maybelline in general, I just find them to be a bit hit and miss and a bit more miss than hit BUT this little gem of a lip pencil may have turned it all around for me. It is beautiful! The formula is super pigmented and really creamy but so long lasting and oh so comfortable on the lips that 9 times out of 10 I forget it's there. It's gorgeous. 

Have you tried any my top finds? What do you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also head over to my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest if you like pictures of cake or dogs :)

Love love love xx