May Empties! [The Body Shop, Avéne, Body Shop, etc.]

Has anyone actually ever published one of these monthly posts on time? I'm either way too early or way too late. Anyway, I'm sure you know the drill with this post format - the lovely lot above are the products of mine that have run dry this month.

MOR Body Butter in Cucumber and Casaba
I have no idea how this came into my hands - I think it was a Space NK post-Christmas sale purchase, but according to their website they don't stock MOR cosmetics anymore. Maybe this was the last of the batch. Anyway, MOR don't make this offering themselves anymore either which is a real pity as I adored the scent! The formula was thick (imagine the consistency of a Pritt stick when slathered on paper a little too eagerly) but not suffocating or sticky. The scent lasts all day too which was a lovely surprise as my perfumes never seem to last the morning!
Would I repurchase? Yes! But they've stopped making them so I can't which is a bit of a bummer.

Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Water Spray
Yes, yes, I know, what a bourgeoisie product. But if you ever have a spare £3 burning a hole in your pocket then I'd seriously consider an investment in this! In case you weren't aware, it is literally just French thermal spring water in a purse-friendly spray can. I bought it on a whim but it has been indispensable during the sparse summery days of this month just finished. It's cooling and refreshing but it's remarkably soothing for razor burn, sun burn, dry skin, etc. It's incredibly moisturising too for just water!
Would I repurchase? Yes, and I plan to.

The Body Shop Raspberry Shower Gel 
When the Body Shop had unveiled their new ranges of raspberry and passion fruit products, I jumped on the introductory discount of both this and the other scent. Both are nice, but the scents aren't refreshing enough for me - both are very sweet and flat. If I'm being pretentiously picky, I'd also mention that I prefer my shower gels a tad foamier. No real complaints, just not a favourite.
Would I repurchase? No, just because there are nicer, cheaper ones available.

Garnier Moisture Match Moisturiser for Dull Skin 
I used to like this a lot. But then I discovered La Roche-Posay. Need I elaborate?
Would I repurchase? Probably not unless Vichy, La Roche-Posay and Avene all suddenly went bankrupt.

Lavera All-Round Cream
This is a seriously thick and intense moisturiser and nothing is better for my dry elbows! I'm really impressed with how quickly this sinks in and I can't wait to try this out in winter when my nose decides to go all flakey Rudolph on me.
Would I repurchase? Yes, but not until after summer.

Have you tried any of the above? What did you think?

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Post-Election Day: The Lookbook

Being easily embarrassed, I can only imagine that if I were an MP I'd be mortified at the results of an election if they were not in my favour. Inspired by the sudden empathy stirred inside me, I created a lookbook for the disheartened female politician or political devotee. 

Day look: Oscar De La Renta dress (£2,270), Gianvito Rossi heels (£425), Mulberry Bayswater bag in Oak (£895), Tom Ford Josephine Sunglasses in Black-Dark Havana (£171), H&M beige straw hat (£7.99)

There's something gorgeously vicious about this dress - feminine yet with a biting undertone. Upon further inspection, the crimson floral-from-afar print mimics blood splatters. Sporting this merlot speckled cotton-blend dress would mark the perfect end to a battle embarrassingly lost - surrendering in white whilst showing off the bloody wounds to your ego and your faith in the general populace. 

I am of opinion that it is very difficult to go wrong with glossy patent-leather heels. I'm smitten with these Gianvito Rossi offerings and am unfortunately lacking in wine hued heels. Every girl needs a black pair, a nude pair and a burgundy pair - and I'm sadly minus the burgundy ones. If only I could afford to drop £425 on shoes. Maybe one day. 

Ah, the Mulberry Bayswater bag. Classic, iconic, etc. The oak version with brass hardware blends seamlessly with any outfit and is an obvious choice for a long-term day bag. 

Tom Ford makes some beautiful sunglasses, the Josephine style being a constant wishlist presence of mine. These will merrily mask the evidence of your late night waiting for the results, violently F5-ing the BBC News election page and swigging liquor neat out of stress while jiggling your leg irritably. A swipe of Touche Éclait might not hurt either. 

And, of course, the big sun hat of dealing with the current circumstances while embarrassed. Don't let them see how you feel. Intimidate them by appearing emotionless despite that you are emotionally mutilated and just want to go home. 

Night look: Roland Mouret crepe dress (£1,450), Gucci T-Bar pump heels (£430), Arme De L'Amour chevron necklace (£230), Louboutin metallic suede clutch (£695), Arme De L'Amour chevron ring (£105)

Treat yourself, go out and try to forget that everyone in the country thinks you're wrong. Start with this lopside-necked Roland Mouret crepe dress. For a show-stopping silhouette, this dress will answer your prayers. Sculpt an alluring hourglass shape and remind yourself that you could pull it off far better than

any your rivals (Most of which men... Still totally counts though.) 

I've had an aversion to T-bar shoes for the longest time but I think this new season SS 2014 beneficence has turned me. Ruthless yet dainty, firm but fair. Etc. clichés. 

Black dress, black shoes, we all know what's missing here - gold. After all, you may be upset but you don't want to draw too much attention away from yourself - it's not a funeral, nobody has died except for your self esteem. Team a slender gold plated chevron necklace and matching ring as your battle armour. And a pretty metallic Louboutin suede clutch with signature blood red faille lining, just because every night look needs a matching clutch. 

I can't say I ever hope I will experience crushing political defeat, but at least I know what I'll wear just in case. 

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Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black Review (New Holy Grail mascara?!)

Oh my days, it has been ages since I've blogged. Apologies readers, I've been drowning in college work and it's been sunny and I just haven't bought much makeup recently so I haven't felt motivated to blog about it.
However, Superdrug's 3 for 2 was too much for me to resist and I needed a reward for skipping lunch to do college work for the third time!
Everyone's seen the iconic Maybelline Great Lash mascara and I had been meaning to try it for ages but never quite got round to it - mainly as I'd read some awful reviews online. This really seems to be a Marmite mascara - either you love it or you hate it... I have more clichés if you'd like to hear them :')
Anyway, I'm very picky about my mascaras as I have short, thick, very curly lashes and I need long lasting length. For £4.99, my curiosity got the better of me.

I was pleasantly surprised! This mascara creates lashes that dance somewhere between glamourous and natural - exactly what I like. I find natural look mascaras end up fading or falling down my face throughout the day, and volumising ones make me look overly made up. This is the perfect every day mascara, the best of both worlds and a decent handbag friendly size, too. (I swear mascara tubes are getting bigger and bigger. No? Just me who thinks that? Ok..)

As for the apparent clumping that others have reported, I've seen none of it! I have sparse eyelashes so I'm extremely susceptible to clumping and I'm delighted to note that this caused so such effects.

As you can see, the wand is very short and - more importantly - tightly woven. I developed a taste for tight, short bristle brushes after experiencing the glory that is Mac's Extended Play Gigablack Lash mascara for an upsetting £15. In my experience, they are the best for lengthening lashes as it extends them from the base. While I'd never hesitate to repurchase my Mac favourite (and Holy Grail mascara), it's very expensive and it's always nice to know that there's a cheaper alternative in case of sudden cash flow issues.

This is definitely a new favourite. Maybe not Holy Grail status, but wow, definitely up there. For £4.99 I have no complaints at all!

Also, one of my best friends has recently started blogging and she's a total babe so give her a follow please? #subtle :') Her blog is called Dandelion Ashes and it's well worth a look!

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