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

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

Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty Box

Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty Box

Sunday, 29 May 2016

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When Anna and Lily announced their collaboration with Cult Beauty I was excited, like really excited. I've been a fan of theirs for a couple of years now, they were the first youtubers I really fangirled over, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a box. Anna and Lily personally picked the products to go inside and even had a hand in the design of the box, which explains the marble and gold.  So, to answer the question on everyone's lips, what's in the box?! 

The Wet Brush I was a bit dubious when it came to The Wet Brush. It takes a very special brush to get through my tangled curls without bringing a tear to my eye, cramp to my hand and the thought that dreadlocks are a great idea. This, ladies and gentlemen, is that very special brush. It glides through  my knotty hair, without pulling at all, it's so gentle and is the only brush I've come across that actually manages to tame my mad mane of curls. It's so good, I'm gonna get one for my 5 year old niece, who has been cursed with my hair, poor thing. 

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black Liquid eyeliner is a make up bag essential. Personally I think there's nothing better than a really good liquid eyeliner and Stila's waterproof offering is awesome. It really does stay in place all day. It has a long, impossibly thin, firm brush that makes for really easy application and is perfect for creating anything from dramatic feline flicks to more subtle looks. I'm so impressed with it. 

Yu Ling Jade Facial Roller This one came as a bit of a shock to me, because I like it so much more than I was expecting too. The roller is made of pure jade, and is very cooling on the skin, especially if it's kept in the fridge, AND it has a laundry list of skincare benefits when used regularly, just some of which are: firming/plumping the skin, toning muscle, increasing blood flow, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and decreasing puffiness/bloating. Apparently it can even be used to soothe sore hay fever eyes - which I get ALL the time - ease migraines and tension headaches, plus it feels AMAZING on the skin. 

Becca Backlight Priming Filter This is one of the travel sizes, and is adorable, who doesn't love travel minis?! I've used this a few times and boy does it pack a punch in the glow department. It has a really nice and light, non-greasy texture, it's absorbed really quickly into the skin leaving a lit from within glow. I've used this a few times and I really love the finish of it. I think a purchase of the full size might be in order...

Sunday Riley Luna Oil This was my favourite thing in the box, the cutest half size miniature of Sunday Riley's Luna Oil, a product so awesome that it's reached the dizzying heights of cult status since its release. I'd been dying to try this for ages, but at an eye watering £85 I just couldn't justify it. Now that I've tried it, I'm smitten! - and dreading the day when I run out of the stuff! £85... ouch! - Luna is a blue tinted Vitamin A night time treatment with retinol and blue tansy. It claims to fight signs of ageing, repair damaged skin, reduce the size/appearance of pores and protect the skin from environmental factors. It feels incredible when massaged into the skin, is so hydrating and the fact that it's blue, my favourite colour, is awesome!  I've been using it every other night and have definitely noticed an improvement in the condition of my skin. The one thing I don't like is the scent, it smells like porridge and lavender, which is a weird combination, but other than that I really, really love it! Damn! 

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel So I may have jumped the gun a bit when I said Luna was my favourite thing in the box, because I bloody love this! I'd heard a ton of good things about Oskia's Renaissance Cleansing Gel, mostly from Anna and Lily, but I can totally see what all the fuss is about. It's amazing! It's a pale pink gel-to-oil cleanser with a light, refreshing rosy scent to it. When the gel is applied it breaks down in to an oil that just melts into the skin, removing make up and dirt really quickly and gently, leaving my skin feeling clean, soft and radiant looking. It's suitable for all skin types but claims to be really good for dry, sensitive and damaged skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of acne, scarring and pigmentation, due to pumpkin enzymes and MSM that calm and soothe inflamed skin. Personally I love it. It's been my go to cleanser and my skin is really thanking me for it. 

Pixi by Petra Hydrating Mist Another favourite, after spotting this in the box I've been using it pretty much everyday and always have it in my bag.  Pixi's skincare has been creating a bit of a splash in the beauty world lately, and if this facial mist is anything to go by, I can totally see why. This stuff is really, really good. It offers a fine, feather light layer of moisture that gives my skin a much needed burst of hydration. It can be used in place of a toner and feels really refreshing and cooling on the skin. It's such a lovely little product. Love it. 

I have to say that I was so impressed with the contents of this box, I've got a bit of a love/hate relationship with beauty boxes,  I think everyone does, normally I'll only like one or two products in the box and that's it, but this is so not the case with Anna & Lily's one. I genuinely loved everything in there, especially all the lovely skincare bits. 

The box retails for £85, now initially the price really put me off, £85 is a LOT of money. BUT when you consider the quality of the box, and the fact that you save a staggering 43%, it's actually amazing value for money. Unfortunately the waitlist is now closed and the boxes are no longer available to buy. But you can register on the Cult Beauty website here to be in with the chance of winning 1 of 5 boxes. I definitely would if I were you. 

Did you manage to get your hands on Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty Box yet? 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