Mini Supermarket Beauty Haul

Mini Supermarket Beauty Haul

Wednesday, 25 July 2018

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On a recent trip round Sainsburys I was shocked to discover that their beauty offering was looking really rather good, it looked better than I'd seen it look in ages as a matter of face, and there was a whole host of brands, that I'd never normally associate with Sanos, that I was desperate to try. Naturally, I couldn't stop myself from having a rummage and before I knew it I was at the self-checkout, debit and nectar cards in hand, shouting IT IS IN THE BAGGING AREA, YOU BELLIGERENT BITCH! Anyway, here's what I bought.

Mane 'n Tail The Original Body Shampoo and The Original Moisturiser Conditioner - £5/£5

Originally developed for horses, no I'm not joking, Mane 'n Tail promises longer, stronger, thicker and fuller hair. And I want all of those things! It also smells lovely. Now, I'd  been wanting to try these for a while, I've heard very good things about the leave-in conditioner, which they didn't have, so when I saw the range in Sainsburys - I went in for Gyoza and came out having spent £60 on beauty products and haribo! - I snapped them up. BUT after having a quick peruse of the ingredients I'm slightly concerned as the shampoo contains 'high lathering cleansing agents' which means that it definitely isn't SLS-free, so might actually be quite drying, which I really don't want. However, the 'micro-enriched protein formula', whatever that means, also contains moisturisers and emulsifiers, so I'll just have to try it out and report back. The conditioner claims to leave the hair looking visibly thicker and healthier after just one use and contains natural oils to nourish the hair and scalp, as well as moisturisers to prevent drying and protect the hair from sun damage. Honestly, it all sounds great but I'm a bit dubious, blame it on the SLS-es, but have you ever seen a horse with bad hair? Apart from the one on the internet who was given a really dodgy haircut, obvs. Poor thing.

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Gentle Daily Micro Polish Wash - £10

I've been looking for a new everyday face wash, after finishing my Skin Regimen Anti-Pollution Facial Wash, which I loved, when I spotted this jaunty, orange offering from Super Facialist. Designed to brighten the skin and boost radiance whilst gently cleansing the skin, this daily facial wash is formulated with vitamin C, antioxidant-rich ferulic acid and plant-based micro beads to remove dead skin cells, as well as dirt and impurities to reveal 'a fresh, glowing complexion'. It has a light gel-like texture, which I really like, and an absolutely incredible citrus-orange scent, which smells almost exactly like the Mandarin soap from The Body Shop. Very excited to try this, which I will be first thing tomorrow morning!  

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil - £11

As a beauty journalist by day and a beauty blogger by night I'm in the very lucky position where I sometimes get sent beauty products. So its very rare for me to repurchase things, because I have a lot of unused skincare, just waiting for its moment in the sun. I think that says a lot about how much I like this facial oil, because I did repurchase it and I bloody love it.  Part of Super Facialist's Vitamin C+ Brighten range, so it has that amazing orange scent, Skin Renew is formulated with vitamin C (duh), olive, grapeseed and rosehip oils, as well as vitamin E and passionflower and cucumber oils to gently cleanse the skin. Once worked into the skin it transforms into a milky emulsion which leaves the skin feeling smooth and hydrated, but most importantly, clear of any make up, dirt or impurities. I strongly recommend this if you like cleansing oils because its one of the best I've come across. Second only to the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, which will always have a very special place in my heart. 

What have you been buying lately? xxx

Sleek Make Up Haul with Reviews & Swatches

Sleek Make Up Haul with Reviews & Swatches

Sunday, 31 July 2016

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l-r: Equinox, Subsolar, Hemisphere & Ecliptic

l-r: Purple Fandango, Bittersweet & Backstage

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

Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette - £9.99 from Superdrug

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you tried any Sleek Make Up? What did you think? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

T.K. Maxx Skincare Haul

T.K. Maxx Skincare Haul

Thursday, 12 May 2016

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Ahh the beauty aisle of T.K. Maxx a place where all my bargain beauty hunter dreams come true! It's become a bit of a hobby of mine, browsing the beauty aisle to see what high end products I can find for high street prices. Admittedly it does take some patience. It's bit like rummaging through a car boot, sometimes there's nothing but crap, but it's always worth it when you find something amazing for a ridiculously low price. Here are some of the lastest skincare bits I've picked up.

Good Things Acai Berry Muti-Tasking Micellar Water - £2.99 in store at T.K. Maxx

I love micellar waters. Until recently Garnier's Micellar Water held my heart, but lately I've noticed a really strong chemical, almost plasticky, smell when I use it. Which is really off putting. So I was on the market for a new one when I spotted this paraben and cruelty free offering from the good people at Good Things in T.K. Maxx.  It's formulated with blueberries, mango and acai berry, super fruits known for their anti-oxidant properties, and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated. I've found it to be really gentle on the skin and it removes my make up so quickly, leaving my skin feeling so clean and refreshed. And it smells amazing, really fruity and sweet. I love it. Plus, added bonus, it's really affordable, retailing at only £4.99 for 250ml in boots... Bargain!

Good Things Deep Pore Anti-Blemish Cleanser & Toner with Fig & Wild Strawberry - £2.99 in store at T.K. Max

Like their micellar water Good Things Deep Pore Cleanser & Toner is formulated with a ton of natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin, whilst yielding some pretty decent results. This time it's wild strawberry extract to add radiance to the face and willow bark and liquorice extract to fight spot causing bacteria. Aimed at acne prone skin - which I have. Sob! - it claims to unclog pores and clear the skin of excess sebum to prevent new sports forming, without stripping the skin of its natural oils. I've been using it for a couple of weeks and have noticed an improvement in my skin. I don't know if it's this or my tablets have started working, either way I'm a big fan of my clearer skin. Again it's really affordable - £4.99 for 200ml from boots -  and smells really sweet. I've really liked using it.


Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Blemish Control Daily Skin Clearing Treatment - £12.99 in store at T.K. Maxx

And now onto the real star of the show Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment. Now I haven't actually got round to using this yet because I'm scared it'll work and I'll get addicted to it and then have to pay full price for it. But it sounded so amazing that I couldn't really resist. The oil free formula promises to clear blemishes, prevent new spots forming and reduce the appearance of acne scarring.  I'll have to keep you posted on whether it actually works or not but I've got a good feeling about it.

What are your favourite skincare bits? 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

Another Massive Avon Haul

Another Massive Avon Haul

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

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L-R: Fast Time Teal, Turquoise Pop, Sea Breeze, Parfait Pink, Roses are Red

L - R: Adoring Love, Splendidly Fuchsia & Ravishing Rose

To be honest with you I can see these posts becoming a regular thing, well I've already made another order so...  Stop spending! Bad Lauren! For me, in my limited experience, Avon has 3 stand out products: the Moroccan Argan Oil Leave-in Treatment, the Gel Finish Nail Enamels and the Perfectly Matte Lipsticks. So when the catalogue came through my door another order was inevitable. Although I must admit I did get a bit carried away, even by my spendy standards. Really the only good thing that comes out of it, apart from all the make up, is the haul post I get to share with you lovely people. So let's get to it.

Avon Moroccan Argan Oil Leave-in Treatment  £3.30 for 30ml

I have yelled my undying love for Avon's Argan Oil Leave-in Treatment from all the rooftops, because it's awesome. I use it for absolutely everything. I use it after just washing my hair as a leave in conditioner. I use it to tame my hair on particularly frizzy days. I use it as a hair mask the night before I wash my hair. Seriously it is bottled magic. It is so nourishing, giving my dry, bedraggled ends the moisture boost they desperately need and leaves my hair shiny, soft and frizz free (mostly). It's also impossible to use too much, it leaves no residue in the hair and never makes my hair look greasy or crispy as so many serums are won't to do. I. LOVE. IT!

Avon Gel Finish Nail Enamels £7.00

I am a BIG fan of these nail polishes, after my first order it was pretty much love at first paint and I've since added a ton more to my collection. The formula is so good. I mean seriously good. It lasts such a long time, is opaque within 1-2 coats and has a beautiful, shiny gel finish. I'm pretty much obsessed.

Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick - £ 5.00 (on offer, usually £8.00)

With the rather bold claim that they are 'more Matte than Mac' I couldn't resist picking up Avon's Perfectly Matte Lipsticks. The formula is very matte - I haven't done a direct comparison with Mac yet but it's definitely in the pipeline - but also quite creamy, which means it does have quite a lot of slip to it and doesn't have the longevity that I would usually expect from a matte lipstick, it's also quite drying on the lips (nothing that a slick of lip balm before applying can't fix.) That being said they are really nice lipsticks and the colours I picked up are beautiful.

Like I said last time I've been really impressed by the things I've tried. To be honest I didn't really think Avon was even a contender in the beauty market anymore, I was definitely wrong. Anyway if you feel like shopping Avon the old school way and want to pick up a catalogue (and are in the Stevenage area) then definitely get in touch with  Carly, my avon lady, she is an angel!  You can find her on instagram &  facebook, her online store here, or give her a ring on 07584901032.

What are your favourite Avon products? 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.

Primark PS Make Up Haul

Primark PS Make Up Haul

Sunday, 10 April 2016

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Primark's PS Make Up Line is kinda awesome. It is surprisingly good quality, especially when considering how ridiculously cheap it is. Honestly I haven't tried much, but what I have tried I've really liked.  So when I was in there last week and saw all the make up I hadn't tried yet, well a haul was almost inevitable.

PS... Foundation Stick in Ivory - £2.00

This is the first thing I picked up, after hearing Becky from Talk Becky Talk rave about it ages ago on youtube, I figured it was definitely worth trying it out. I really like it. It has a really thick and creamy consistency. As a foundation it's too heavy on the skin, but as a concealer it is awesome. It gives excellent coverage, has a good wear time to it and blends nicely. It's a really good concealer.

PS... Liquid Foundation in Porcelain & Ivory - £2.50 each

I was really feeling bases, can you tell? So far this is the product that I've been least impressed with and I'll tell you why. The shade range is quite limited, although this is to be expected for such a cheap brand.  I'm quite pale so I chose the two lightest shades and neither of them work for me. Porcelain is very light and Ivory is quite dark for a lighter shade. I think if I mixed them together they might work better,  but to be honest I've found them to a bit of a meh product overall. The foundation promises a semi-matte finish and a medium coverage but I didn't get that. It feels quite greasy on the skin when you apply it and the coverage isn't there, it also oxidises really badly and can look quite orange-y, which is not a good look for anyone. I'm really not a fan. But I only lost a fiver so it's fine.

PS... Eyeliner - £1.00

I wasn't sure about this eyeliner,  normally I don't like to use really cheap eyeliner because I've had bad experiences in the past where I've got eye infections or sore eyes. But I decided to risk it for a chocolate biscuit and give it a try, and it isn't bad. It's not the best liquid liner I've ever come across but it's okay. It has a very fine brush nib and the formula is alright. It seems quite watery at first, but the colour can be built up and once it dries down it is locked in place. It was definitely worth the risking it.

PS... Nail Polish Twist Pot - £1.00

I've been a fan of the Twist Pots for a long time, I know it's a much cheaper dupe of Boujois' Magic Nail Polish Remover, I just think they're super handy because it takes all the mess out of taking your nail polish off. The one thing I will say about these is that the sponge inside gets worn out quite quickly and the remover itself has a really strong smell, but I still think that they're amazing, and so handy.

Have you tried any of Primark's make up line?  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.

High End Haul

High End Haul

Thursday, 17 March 2016

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Another haul post?! I hear you cry out in barely contained disbelief! The only excuse I have is that lately I've been feeling kinda spendy, way more than usual, which is really bad because I'm trying so hard to save up to go travelling. I was doing okay but then I went online and my bank card took a bit of a walloping. So do you guys wanna see what I got? Silly question OF COURSE YOU DO!

MAC Matte Lipstick in Mehr - £15.50 from MAC

Or what is now known as my new favourite lipstick. Mehr has become a highly sought after Mac classic recently and I can see why. It turns my eyes into hearts because it is glorious! A plummy, tawny pink that is beautiful AND incredibly versatile. It's one of the most neutral shades I own, it's a my lips but better kinda colour, but I've been really feeling neutrals lately and I'm obsessed with Mehr. The formulation is good; creamy with a matte finish that has some serious staying power. It's slightly drying on the lips, nothing a slick oflipbalm  beforehand can't fix, but not at all uncomfortable to wear. Oh I just love it so much!

MAC Lip Pencil in Soar - £12.50 from MAC

Soar might actually be the most sought after lip liner on the market right now, and I really don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that. It's something to do with one of the Jenners. Anyway there has been a HUGE amount of hype surrounding this particular lip pencil. Now I'm not normally a lip liner kinda girl but I can totally see what all the fuss is about. Soar is a rosy, plummy nude that is not too drying on the lips and applies beautifully. It makes an excellent base for any neutral lip but it matches Mehr perfectly, the two have become my go to everyday lip combination. Together they have some serious lasting power and quite honestly they were made for each other.

 Urban Decay Naked Pallet - £38.50 from Urban Decay

I finally, FINALLY, picked up the original Naked Pallet. Over the years I've been making do with some pretty spot on dupes, I'm looking at you W7 In The Buff: Lightly Toasted pallet,  but I've been showing my Naked 2 a lot of love lately and thought it was really about time that the original made it's way into my collection. The shadows are stunning! Buttery soft, easily blendable, well pigmented with no fall out whatsoever. I'm only annoyed it took me so long to buy it, the hype around it is there for a reason. My only teeny tiny bugbear is the fuzzy packaging which, we can all agree, is a bit pants and is going to get dirty, and stay dirty, super quickly.

Gwen Stefani x Urban Decay Blush Pallet - £35.00 from Urban Decay

The beauty blogging community has been going mad for Gwen Stefani's latest collection with Urban Decay and I can totally see why. Obviously it's because Gwen Stefani is a total Icon and Queen of Everything, but also because the entire range is stunning! After spending a ridiculous amount of time on the UD website I knew I had to have this pallet, so into my basket it went. The pallet is made up of 6 shades, with a nice mix of peachy and pink tones, all housed in seriously gorgeous packaging (#thatpackagingthough). It is amazingly versatile with 2 of the shades doubling up as bronzers and 3 of them as highlighters. The shade range is beautiful but the powders themselves are just as lovely; finely milled, smooth, blendable and SUPER pigmented. I can't actually fault them.
Although I will say that this pallet was definitely made with paler skinned peeps in mind, so if you're one of the lucky ones blessed with an olive complexion, or a skin tone darker than pale, then you may want to give this a miss. I, however, am the palest of them all so this pallet really works for me. I've used it so much already.

What have been splurging your pennies on lately? Let me know in the comments 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

A Massive Avon Haul

A Massive Avon Haul

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

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L-R: Avon Gel Shine in Moondust, Avon Gel Finish in Alaska, Avon Gel Shine in Lavendar Sky & Avon Nailwear Pro + in Lavished Blue

Swatches L-R: Raspberry Rush, Splendidly Fuchsia, Ravishing Rose, Adoring Love

If you're anything like me then you'll have a ton of misconceptions about Avon, and you won't be too good at keeping your balance either. I was kinda under the impression that Avon was a bit old and well... irrelevant. Now I don't need to tell you how stupid that was! For someone who loves make up as much as I do you'd think I would've learned to never judge a product by it's brand by now but apparently not. Anywho after having a flick through a catalogue I stumbled across at home I was suitably impressed, and then a haul happened. Because obviously, this is a haul post. So do you wanna see what I got? 

Avon Gel Finish & Nail Prowear + Nail Enamel - £7.00/£6.00 from Avon

I may have gone a little bit overboard on the nail polish, but in my defence they were on offer,  so they were ridiculously cheap and they're lovely. I picked up the shades Moondust -  a pale grey, Alaska - a muted mint green, Lavender Sky - a blue toned lilac and Lavished Blue - a metallic navy blue and they make me go all heart eyed. The formulation is really good: thick, creamy but easily workable, with a reasonable wear time and opaque in just one coat. I like them a lot.

Avon Ultra Colour Lip Crayon in Raspberry Rush & Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in Ravishing Rose, Adoring Love & Splendidly Fuchsia (sample size) - £5.75/£5.00 (on offer, full size) from Avon

The Lip Crayon is my absolute favourite purchase! Simply put it is gorgeous and was an absolute bargain. The colour is stunning - right in my berry pink loving wheelhouse - with a satin finish. It's nicely pigmented, lasts nicely and feels really nourishing on the lips, it even fades into a nice even stain. It's a great lipstick. The Avon Perfectly Matte Lipsticks are a new release so I picked up 3 of the sample sizes for £1, but I will definitely be getting the full size versions on my next order. The finish is super matte and really long lasting but they are so comfortable to wear and not at all drying. My favourite is Ravishing Rose which is somewhere between a fuchsia and a red but is completely gorgeous. But seriously I love them all. 

Advance Techniques 360 Morrocan Argan Oil Shampoo, Conditoner & Serum - £1.60 /£2.99 (on offer) from Avon

These are all repurchases as I've tried them before and I loved them. The serum is the best serum I've ever come across. It is amazing! It's a nourishing, conditioning, frizz taming wonder in a bottle. The shampoo and conditioner are also good. They leave my hair feeling really soft and smooth and give my dry, frazzled ends a much needed hydration boost. But like I said the serum is the real star.

Clearskin Range - from £2.10 (on offer) from Avon

Normally I avoid skincare specifically designed for blackhead prone skin, I know this doesn't make a lot of sense for someone who's main issue is blackheads, but the majority are designed for oily skin, which I don't have (... it's weird I know), and are really stripping on my skin, which tends towards the drier more sensitive side of things. But after a quick google search and a load of very positive reviews and testimonials I was convinced and decided to give most of the Clearskin line a go. I haven't given everything a proper test so I'll hold out on giving my opinion just yet. But so far so good.

Everything I've tried so far has really impressed me, so I really recommend having a flick through the next catalogue that comes through your door. If you're in the Stevenage area and fancy picking up a few bargains then Carly, my avon lady, - yeah we're on a first name basis! - is an absolute babe.  You can find her on instagram &  facebook, her online store here, or give her a ring on 07584901032.

What are your favourite Avon products? Let me know in the comments 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.

NYX Mini Lip Haul & Review

NYX Mini Lip Haul & Review

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

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A couple of weeks ago I was feeling really spendy - nothing new there - and found myself on the boots website, gazing lovingly at all the make up, when I stumbled across NYX. NYX is a brand I've heard a ton about but never tried, and as the reviews were universally positive, I figured it was definitely worth picking up a few bits. Before I knew it I was checking out with one of the Butter Lipsticks in the shade Moonlit Night and one of the Jumbo Lip Pencils in the shade Hera in my basket.

Moonlit Night is a deep, dark burgundy that looks way scarier in the bullet than it actually is. On the lips it's a vampy but wearable, red toned, berry shade. I'm totally in love with it. The formulation is lovely, very creamy and smooth, it applies well and the pigmentation is really good. The only downside is that I generally prefer my finishes matte because they last longer and this is a satin finish which means there is quite a bit of slip to it. It lasts reasonably well but doesn't really stick around for the long haul and it does need to be re-applied after eating or drinking. Another teeny tiny niggle I have is with the packaging, which I think is so cute BUT, and I don't know if this is just my one, but it's not very well made. When you twist the bullet up mine has the tendency to fall back down, which isn't great but not a deal breaker. Other than that I'm obsessed.

Hera is another kettle of fish entirely. A bright fuchsia with a blue toned shimmer running through it, it's way more sheer and doesn't apply as evenly as the lipstick. Even so it's really pretty and has a lovely smooth formula that makes application a breeze. On the upside I love the packaging, the design is really cute and great for just chucking in your bag. I like it a lot.

Apart from a few little bugbears I am super impressed, especially at such a low price point - the Butter Lipsticks retail at £5.50 & the Jumbo Lip Pencils at £5.00 - and I will definitely be picking up a few more come pay day.

Have you tried anything from NYX? What did you think? Any recommendations? 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

Mini Skincare Haul

Mini Skincare Haul

Thursday, 21 January 2016

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You've all heard about my problem skin by now, if you haven't then, to cut a really long story short, it's pants, my skin is pants (that means bad for any non english people reading this). I've recently taken to browsing the aisles of boots, and the sephora website and basically anywhere that sells skin care, to try and find the miracle product that will turn my skin around. Here are some of the bits I've picked up on my travels.

La Roche-Posay Serozinc - £8.50 for 150ml from boots.com

Serozinc is essentially a water spray containing Zinc Sulfate, an active ingredient in a lot of acne treatments. The spray dispenses a fine mist, which can be sprayed directly onto the face, although this does take some getting used to, or applied to a cotton pad and swept across the skin. There is a lot of hype surrounding this particular product, like A LOT a lot, but for very good reason. It. Is. Awesome.  I really do struggle with my skin, I get breakouts, blackheads, big juicy blemishes galore - oh for the days when it was just the occasional blackhead and sensitivity -  and I have tried everything, and I really mean everything, and this is one of the first things that has made a real, noticeable difference to my skin. I've been using it in place of a toner for the past week or so and it's incredible.  It reduces redness, calms particularly aggressive spots and clears smaller spots. It is seriously amazing. Just a quick warning though ALWAYS cover your eyes when spraying on your face. I got some in my eyes and I swear I've never known pain like it. Other than it's awesome and I'm sure I'll be adding the Effaclar System to my basket at some point in the very near future. 

Soap & Glory No Clogs Allowed Super Self Heating Mask Deep Pore Detox Mask - £11.50 for 100ml from boots.com

Okay so this mask is amazing. I've only used it once but I already love it. It's a self-heating mask that begins to heat up as soon as it's applied to the skin. It gives the skin a real deep clean, really getting into the pores and getting rid of dirt and bacteria to prevent new spots forming. It also reduces the appearance of spots and pores and leaves the skin looking, and feeling clearer. It works wonders on congested skin. The best part is that the mask turns blue once it's been activated which is SO COOL! I love it. 

Superdrug Naturally Radiant 2 in 1 Moisturiser & Serum - £5.99 for 50ml from superdrug.com

This 2 in 1 Serum is a seriously lovely offering from Superdrug's own skincare line. I'm actually super impressed with what I've tried so far. It's really nice quality but also really cheap which is always a bonus. This serum has a lovely silky smooth texture that just melts into the skin. Normally I'm not a massive fan of serums, some I've tried have felt really sticky on the skin, but this applies really smoothly and just feels so nice on the skin, it's also really nourishing. My skin gets really dull and grey, particularly in the winter time, and this serum has done a lot to restore some radiance, and general glowiness to my skin and make me look more alive. It's very nice. 

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream - £5.99 for 15ml from superdrug.com

The skin under my eyes is really sensitive, to the point where if I don't moisturise regularly then it becomes dry and sore and starts to look and feel like tissue paper. The worst thing is it really doesn't take much to irritate it, so I have to be super careful with what I use. It's a bit of a vicious circle really. Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream is really nice, and one of the few eye creams I've come across that doesn't have any adverse affects on me. It's quite rich but also lightweight and fast absorbing. It's really moisturising and oh so gentle on the skin. It doesn't irritate me at all but leaves my under eye area feeling nourished and looking refreshed and awake. I almost can't believe how good it is. Especially when considering how cheap it is. It is so good. 

What skin care bits have you been loving lately? Any recommendations? Let me know on twitter by commenting below, 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

Pay Day Beauty Hauling #4: The T.K. Maxx Edition

Pay Day Beauty Hauling #4: The T.K. Maxx Edition

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

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Those of you who follow me on twitter and instagram will know that I've been seriously loving the beauty aisles at T.K. Maxx (or T.J. Maxx in the US) lately. There are 2 very simple reasons for this: 1. It's awesome. 2. It's one of the best place to get genuine high end make up for bargain prices. Seriously what's not to love?! Having said that, the best thing about T.K. Maxx is also the worst thing about T.K. Maxx, it's a double edged sword guys! Yes, you can find some seriously amazing stuff in there for really cheap BUT the stock isn't standardised, it's for this reason that I haven't been able to link anything up. Sorry. Anyway here's what I've been hauling. 

Notebook - £4.99 from T.K. Maxx

Now I am a girl who loves her stationery, particularly pretty stationery, specifically notebooks. There's just something about a brand new notebook. So when I saw this ridiculously pretty, and inspiring, notebook how could I resist?! The gold against lilac is gorgeous, and I love the message on the front, it's so cute! I can't wait to scribble down all my blog ideas in it. In my very best handwriting, of course.

Essie Spring Collection - £7.00

Essie The Lace is On & Strut Your Stuff - £3.99 all from T.K. Maxx

I've been having a bit of a moment with Essie lately, I've since added Truth or Flare to my growing collection, and it started with this year's Spring Collection which is gorgeous AND cost a bargainous £7! The Spring Collection is so pretty, with four 5 ml pastel polishes. Flowerista - A gorgeous purple-y pink, Blossom Dandy - A muted, but lovely, mint green that is right in my mint nail polish loving wheelhouse, Petal Pushers - A blue-y grey that is both incredibly chic and incredibly pretty and Perennial Chic - A peachy nude that, honestly, is not really my thing, but I can still appreciate it's prettiness. I also picked up The Lace is On - Another purple-y pink, this one a metallic with a very subtle sheen of gold glitter running through it. It is so pretty and so festive, perfect for this time of year. The last polish I picked up was Strut Your Stuff, which has been on my Nail Polish list (yep, I have a Nail Polish list, are you really surprised?) for ages. So when I saw it in T.K. Maxx, for half it's normal price, well obviously I had to have it. My blue nail polish obsession is well documented, and this is a welcome addition to my army of blue polishes. It's a beautiful turquoise that makes me smiley all over my face. Essie's formulation is generally good, with reasonable wear time and an average of 2 coats to achieve opacity. Lovely. 

Dermactin-TS Intensive Skin Care Intense Acne Treatment Pore Refining Facial Sheet Masks - £4.99 for 4 from T.K. Maxx

I have real issues with my skin. Blackheads are my biggest problem, it seems that everytime I get rid of one, ten really angry blackheads arrive to avenge it. It's a constant, and fruitless, battle and I am losing. So when I saw these sheet masks I figured at the very least they were worth a try. I'd never tried sheet masks before and I thought it was amazing, but also really weird. This mask promises to 'penetrate deeply' (that seems unnecessarily sexual, but it's what it says on the packaging), to unclog and clear the pores of dirt and oil, to prevent new blemishes and blackheads forming. It also moisturises and rejuvenates the skin. I actually really liked the mask, although it was really difficult to a) put it on and b) keep it on.  

Also there is literally no escaping the fact that you look like Hannibal Lecter when wearing it. Embrace it, because it is hilarious. Despite all that I could see a noticeable improvement in the condition of my skin after just one use. 

Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse Enrichie Anti-Fatigue Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin - £6.99 from T.K. Maxx

I am so in love with Nuxe, it's one of my absolute favourite skin care brands and for good reason. The lip balm is fabled for it's sheer amazingness amongst the beauty community. Personally I am a huge fan of their Masque Crème Fraîche de Beauté because it's incredible. The only teeny tiny, but still somewhat fatal, flaw is that it's not exactly the cheapest of beasts; so finding this day cream for just £6.99, when it usually retails for £21, actually made my day. It has quickly become my favourite moisturiser. It is so rich and hydrating and smells beautiful. My mum is also a fan because she keeps 'borrowing' it and if she carries on then there will be blood. Seriously though it is amazing. My skin has been particularly dry lately and this has just made it so much better. Expect a full review soon, if I have any left that is...

The Balm: The Balm Voyage Pallette Vol II - £19.99 from T.K. Maxx

And finally the last product in this never ending haul. This I actually got a few weeks back but it was such a great find that I just had to include it. This pallet is awesome! Not only does it have everything, from lip tints to eyeshadows, all of which are incredibly wearable, but the formulations are amazing! Smooth, buttery soft and almost creamy in texture, whilst also being highly pigmented and easily blendable. It is such a handy pallet for travelling because the packaging is very light and compact and also plays host to a decent sized mirror. I'm so glad I found it. 

So that was longer, and ramblier, than usual but thanks for sticking around 'til the end. I definitely recommend checking out the beauty aisle of T.K. Maxx for any beauty lovers, I always find such good stuff in mine. What have you guys been hauling lately? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for updates.

Love love love xxx

Pay Day Beauty Hauling #1

Pay Day Beauty Hauling #1

Sunday, 12 July 2015

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Hey Guys! I hope everyone has had a fab weekend! Personally I've been holed up in my room doing some uni work and watching netflix, mostly I've been watching netflix but I certainly thought about doing uni work. Anyway I got paid on Friday and went on a bit of a shopping spree, clothes and make up, and I thought I'd share all the beauty bits and pieces I picked up with you lovely lot! 

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche in Julianne's Nude

Usually I'm not a fan of nude lipsticks, I like my lipstick bright and bold, but after my mum got this and I saw how good it looked I just had to get my hands on it. It is the most gorgeous blue toned pinky-nude and I am actually in love with it! It's nude without being too nude, a classic 'my lips but better shade' suited to us english rose types. Whilst it's not the most long lasting of formulas, it is super moisturising and the colour is incredible, it also smells lovely, like parma violets. I can see this becoming my go to lipstick, Me? Rocking nudes? Who'd have thunk it?!

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Sky Blue and Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint in Eat My Dust

I love me some blue nail polishes (read more about that here) and these two were irresistible. Sky Blue is a really beautiful sky blue, funnily enough, it has that whole is it blue? is it green? it doesn't matter because it's so gorgeous thing going on and I love it.  Eat My Dust is a very pretty pale lilac-y cornflower blue shade. Eat My Dust has actually been on my list for ages but it's always out of stock, so when I finally spotted this bottle hiding away in the shampoo aisle of my local boots I snapped it up. I really love both of the Hi-Shine Gelly and Speedy Quick Dry formulas; the Hi-Shine Gelly formula is really thick and creamy yet easily workable and has a gorgeous shiny, gel-like finish. Whereas the Speedy Quick Dry formula does exactly what it says on the tin, dries super quickly and has an amazing rounded brush that hugs the cuticles and makes painting your nails a breeze. I am so happy with these purchases, Barry M is my absolutely fave for high street/drug store nails.

Essence The Gel Polish in Electriiiiiic

Yes another blue nail polish, I may have a bit of a blue nail polish problem, Electriiiiiic is currently adorning my nails and I have to say it is gorgeous! It's a beautiful royal blue that really pops against tanned skin, not that I'd know anything about that #palegirlproblems. I'd never actually tried any of the essence polishes but they are really good, with a thick, gel-like formula that applies easily and lasts really well on the nails. It was also a total bargain, setting me back a mere £1.90.Yep you read that right, this tiny bottle of bright blue joy cost less than £2! I'll definitely be adding more to my collection.

Superdrug Vitamin E Skincare Facial Oil

Ever since I ran out of the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil there has been a noticeable difference in the condition of my skin, it's been drier and more blackhead prone than ever, so whilst I'm waiting for a new bottle of that to arrive I thought I'd give this facial oil a try to see if it would give my skin a much needed moisture boost. I haven't actually tested it out on anything other than the back of my hand yet but from that I can tell you it smells gorgeous, like coconut, and is both fast absorbing and super moisturising. I'll let you know how I get on.

Witch Naturally Clear Blemish Stick

The Witch Naturally Clear Blemish Stick has long been a favourite of mine for drying out big, juicy spots and blemishes, so when I ran out I had to get a new one. It's one of the best on the spot spot treatments that I've come across as it gets to work instantly on breaking down any excess oil and fighting spot-causing bacteria. I have quite dry, sensitive skin but witch hazel is a natural astringent that clears up spots without being too harsh on my skin. Having said that I would advise those with particularly dry skin to steer clear as it does dry out spots and the surrounding skin but for me it's a life saver. 

What have you guys been spending your hard earned pennies on? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - and pinterest for regular updates. Also let me know if you'd be interested in seeing a post about the clothes and fashiony bits I picked up. 

Love love love xxx