Benefit They're Real Trio

I first heard about Benefit's new release on Instagram long before it was announced what it actually was, but I was already excited! With promises to revolutionise the way you do you make up I couldn't wait to find it what it was and how long go before I could get my hands on it.

Released to stores in June, I patiently (not) waited but after begrudging paying almost £20 for an eyeliner I waited to grab a bargain in the beloved duty free.

Last month when I went on holiday, there it was in the stand waiting for me! I'm not sure if this is an airport exclusive as it was labelled as a 'travel set' but for £28.50 you could get both the infamous They're Real Mascara and the hyped They're Real Push Up Liner. Also, for an extra £12 or something there was the They're Real Remover that was dubbed as a 'must' for when it comes to removing to stubborn liner and mascara.

I've been trying this duo out for a good six weeks now and I have to say, unlike every other review you've read, it's not the most positive.

First we'll start with the eyeliner. The eyeliner itself is amazing: it's solid black and it doesn't budge. What more could you want?

When the campaign was announced the Benefit professionals said you could apply this with one hand, on public transport no matter how bumpy it is and I even heard that it could be applied while doing a one-handed push up - I'm definitely not believing that final one.

Perhaps I don't have the knack to it but I've tried countless ways and I can't seem to get the line as perfect as it was hyped up to be. It seems to drag along the lash line and it's quite difficult to get it smooth so I've been using a stamping sort-of technique!

Although I'll continue to use it, I don't think I'll be purchasing another one when it's finished. After the years put into producing the perfect accuflex tip and a liquid-gel formula, I regret to say that I'm not as impressed as everyone else.

That's not to mention that I didn't love the other products though. I've previously used Benefit's Bad Gal Lash Mascara, it's good with a VERY fat brush, perhaps too fat so I was hoping I'd prefer this one and I have to say, I love it. I'm a fully They're Real convert when it comes to mascara now!

I have nothing else to say other than the fact it is absolutely amazing, it grips the lash from root to tip and leaves you with solid black, full lashes. Also, even after a month and a half, the mascara is still very 'wet', do you know what I mean? I have loads of trouble with mascaras drying out after a couple of weeks, but with this one it's all go go go!

Finally of the Benefit trio is the They're Real Remover. Released alongside the Push Up Liner, Benefit realised that their mascara was too good and it just wasn't budging with any ordinary make up remover!

Although I slated the eyeliner, I have to admit that one day at work I was changing a barrel of Fosters (I work on a bar if you hadn't guessed!) and it popped in my face leaving me soaked in beer. My make up was a gonner and my hair was left smelling erm, lovely (questionable!) - apart from my eye make up! Even after a good soaking, the mascara and eyeliner was still fully intact!

I suppose that's one good thing: if you job means you might get a little wet sometimes then I'd recommend They're Real for some staying power when it comes to your make up!

What do you think of the They're Real collection?

Cheeky Boots Haul

Typical, eh? I went into Boots looking for a new blusher and walked out with a bag full of goodies and my purse feeling significantly lighter.

I'll admit I was slightly hating myself for spending so much money and put myself on a swift, strict spending ban. But who can be unhappy with lots of new 'toys' to play with?

Not me, that's for sure. I could barely wait to get home to try out all my new buys.

I'm that person that easily gets sucked in by offers, vouchers and promotions - hence why I went in looking for a blusher and came out with pretty much one of everything.

So, first up is Bourjois. Oh, spend £12 and get a free blusher you say? Well I wanted the blusher in the first place, I might aswell buy something else and get the blusher for free! Does your mind work like that, or is it just me?

Healthy Mix Foundation | Bronzing Powder | Little Round Pot Blush

I'll do a full review on all the products once I've given them the full whirl, but first impressions - this foundation is more than I could ever want and need in a foundation! As a BB cream girl, foundation scares me a little bit for a day-to-day basis and I prefer something a little lighter on my skin so it still has room to breathe. Now though, I've seen the light and I've been brought into a whole new world. Foundations are my new thing, and I want (read: need) more.

Cleansing Balm | Dry Skin Rescue | BB Cream

Normally, I would describe my skin as pretty normal but recently I've been suffering from dry patches that no matter what I use, I can't seem to shift. So after consulting a lovely woman at the No7 counter, she pointed me in the direction of their Beautiful Skin range that caters for every skin type. I used to use the cleansing balm from the Normal to Dry range and there is definitely a difference between the two.

This whole range worked wonders on my face and within a matter of days, my skin was back to it's usual self and the dry patches were gone. A full review will be coming on these products shortly, but the way the woman re-did my make up in store gave me such a glow I couldn't not purchase everything she used.

Good job they usually have a 3 for 2 offer on skin care is all I can say!

High Shine Lip Crayon | Instant Radiance Concealer

Just as I was about to pay up and leave, I spotted a sign offering a free box of goodies if you buy two make up items. Well, after running out of my last beloved No7 concealer stick I should probably replace it, right? Turns out, the whole range has had a revamp and I chose a creamy concealer instead which has plenty of similarities to my all time favourite concealer and highlighter, YSL Touche E'clat!

Then it came to choosing a second item, a tough one - however, summer is coming up and this coral lip crayon is exactly what I needed! Gorgeous.

And here it is, last but not least the little freebie I got. I've not given this much of a test out yet but I'll tell you that the lip crayon, along with the coral one, is quickly becoming a favourite of mine!

Just a little haul for you all to take a look into the newest products in my make up bag. Full reviews of each thing I got will follow shortly after I've given them the proper testings. It's safe to say, No7 is definitely a firm favourite in my skin care at the moment!

Long Lashes with Lash Boutique False Eyelashes

Since the Clothes Show Live 2012 I've been hooked on Lash Boutique eyelashes! The quality of them is without a doubt the best I've ever used, possibly due to the fact they are sterilised human hair or maybe it's just great work put into them?

I picked up three pairs from the Clothes Show: Lou Lou, Chloe and Melanie, and since then I've bought four more pairs: two more Lou Lou, Jenny and Lydia. Can you tell which ones are my favourite?

As you can see, they're all quite similar, but so different at the same time. Lou Lou is my favourite for a night out, they give great volume but a really long, natural look. Whereas for daytime I'd wear Melanie which provides the lashes with a soft natural looking flutter, while these lashes are quite thin but the strip is dense which gives a full look to the eye. 

The lashes come with a black glue which is something I'd never heard of until then - I'd never look back now, it really is the best eyelash glue I've ever used and blends really well with eyeliner and the lash line! What's even better is that at the end of a night when I take off my lashes it's so easy to pick off the glue with tweezers leaving the lashes good as new and ready for their next wear. I've had plenty of wears out of each pair, probably around 10 times if you're careful when removing the glue.

In this photo I'm wearing Lou Lou lashes. You can see that they are there, but they aren't too 'in your face' and off-putting which is what I was always scared about when it came to false eyelashes. After using these lashes I can honestly say I'd never swap to another brand - amazing.

The lashes are priced at £6.99 each but what's better is the fact they are on offer - two for £10!

I Need...Make Up

A wishlist this time, I can dream - can't I? So yeah if anybody has a few spare coins lying around I honestly wouldn't mind if you fancied buying me a little summit summit off this list of beautiful things!

Left to right: YSL Teint Touche Eclat Foundation - Real Techniques Limited Edition Duo-Fibre Collection - 

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy - MAC Cremesheen + Pearl - MAC Lady Danger - Benefit They're Real Mascara - 

Nars Orgasm Blusher - Naked 2 Palette - Dior Vernis Pink Kimono

One day my make up collection will be blessed with beauties such as these, to name a few. I've literally just read about the Real Techniques brushes less than 24 hours ago and how could I not include them? I have you seen them! Perfection in a box.

As for the three lipsticks, three different shades for three different occasions. One bright red, one subtler pink and one almost nude. In fact I couldn't think of another colour needed....well I could, in fact I'd like to own every colour possible but that's a different subject.

Next comes the They're Real mascara from Benefit, something I'd like to try in hope to bring a bit of length and depth to my own eyelashes without the aid of trusty false eyelashes!

And of course, the Naked 2 palette from Urban Decay, I was hooked from the moment I dipped my brush into Steph's! It's like little magical colours dancing over my eyelids, beautiful!

Finally we've got a popping pink nail varnish from Dior and the infamous Nars Orgasm blusher. As for nails, who doesn't like to stand out? You might as well and there's no better way than with this neon pink. Perfect for 'jazzing' up a plainer outfit without too much effort. The blusher however is something I've read so many review on but never been able to justify spending over 20 smackers for..one day my purse will allow this. Please.

My Make Up

Face: Benefit Porefessional - 17 BB cream - Nivea Hydration Primer - YSL Touche Eclat - 

bareMinerals Powder - Estee Lauder Blush Trio - Real Techniques Core Collection, Blush Brush, Stippling Brush

Eyes & Lips: Soap + Glory MotherPucker - Natural Collection Lipstick - Carmex Lip Balm - 

Blink and Go Mascara - Gosh Eye Primer - Sleek iDivine - MUA Heaven and Earth - Look Beauty Nude Eyeliner -

HD Brows kit - ELF Gel Eyeliner - Elizabeth Arden Skin Protectant

Extensive collection? Probably. Trust me, you don't want to see the rest of it.

There is a collage of the make up I use on a regular basis, more often than not. The 'not' being when I get out of bed 10 minutes before a lecture begins and only have time to slap on some mascara, a swipe of blusher and a bit of trusty carmex!

My make up bag includes some brands available in high street shops such as Boots or Superdrug, and some more high-end brands such as YSL or Estee Lauder. It's just about testing what works best for you.

I'll always prep my face with Nivea Express Hydration Primer and once it's sunk in I'll begin with the make up, usually Benefit Porefessional if my skin could do with a tiny bit extra coverage. I always use BB cream rather than foundation as I find it to be too heavy on my sensitive skin. YSL Touche Eclat is an absolute lifesaver for those bags under my eyes that reflect a few too many late nights, but as a student I'd say that's nothing unusual? On top of all my base make up I'll set it with a bareMinerals powder and a stippling brush. I swear by Real Techniques brushes that's for sure. I'm hooked!

On my cheeks I like to contour and highlight, this Estee Lauder palette has the perfect bronzer and blush colours to create the 'cheekbone effect'. Although I'll say now - the middle pink colour is only for the very daring!

For my eyes on a normal day to day basis I prefer a quick sweep of neutral creams and browns but for a night time I'll take it a step further and add in a few darker colours to create a smokey look. On top of all that is a winged black eyeliner with gel liner from ELF, a tiny bit of nude liner in the waterline for a brighter eye and a few coatings of mascara.

Eyebrows is the last, but probably the most important thing I do. They frame the face and without the HD powder mine are pretty much non-exsistent!

Finally a bit of lipstick over a coat of carmex, or if I really want a glossy look, a slick of Elizabeth Arden Skin Protectant. I really could write a whole post on Elizabeth Arden, it is AMAZING.