April Wrap Up

Favourites

-          Wonderlanders Macro Monday (which you can see here), this pretty much never fails to make me chuckle. It’s one of the best parts of Monday.

-          Easter long weekend. Because it’s a public holiday the entire university is closed, means us phD students get time off too! And it was even pretty nice weather, which was awesome.

-          Blogs: Hayley @ Tea Party Beauty, Corrine @ Skinned Cartree, Becky @ Becky Bedbug

-          Daredevil on Netflix was really good, did anyone else watch it? I’m hoping some of Marvel’s other Netflix shows will be good. Speaking of Marvel, Avengers Age of Ultron is blood brilliant! There was one plotline I disliked, and Scarlet Witch’s accent was wobbly but damnit I don’t even care.

-          Tirar A Deguello – I’ve mentioned ASMR on here a couple of times, but this guy is really amazing. He has a great voice and mixes ASMR and paranormal really well, creative but not as “out there” and experimental as Ephemeral Rift (who oftens gets too weird for me).

Dislikes

-          The loud people who appear to have moved into my building, I assume these are also the people who overfill the blooming bins

-          The weather turned! It was so nice and now I’m being hailstoned on. I hope it picks up again, otherwise I will literally freeze my backside off at my conventions. My costume choices have not been the warmest… (Poison Ivy and Zatanna for reference)

Watched

- Banshee Chapter 4/5 really weird and creepy, well made and well written

- Mockingjay 5/5 love these films, Jennifer Lawrence is an amazing actress

- Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 2/5, just sayin’ the new F4 film better be ore impressive than this…

- Kinsey 5/5 I thought it was a fascinating film, and the Kinsey Institute didn’t seem to have anything horrible to say about it being entirely inaccurate so that’s a plus (I don’t know anything really about Alfred Kinsey and only a little about his research). Honestly I really liked it.

- Lucy 4/5 – pretty good, aside from the whole “10% of your brain” fallacy. If you can ignore that it’s a fairly clever action packed film, plus I do love Scarlet Johansson.

Read

- The Ruins – 3/5. I think I liked the film better. This was an audiobook but it felt slow and dragging for quite a while, and the characters were all so annoying and most of them were damn stupid (it made them human, but also annoying). Suddenly things ramped up then everything escalated really quickly and it was over so fast.

- Choose Your Own Autobiography – Neil Patrick Harris 4/5. Again, audiobook (a fair bit was lost because I did it this way, but I’m stuck). It was fun learning a lot more about NPH’s life, but sometimes it just felt super name-droppy.

- The Genesis Effect – 4/5 (Kindle First book) this was actually really good if you’re into mutant - viruses and apocalyptic stories. There were a couple of clever twists that I didn’t expect, though I will make the disclaimer here that I was taking forever to read because I’ve been busy so I can’t 100% guarantee someone reading faster wouldn’t see them either. I think had I just been able to sit down and read for long periods it wouldn’t have taken me too long, but it was good.

I’ve also been reading the DC Convergence run, and a couple of the spin offs (Suicide Squad, Swamp Thing, Harley Quinn). They’re mostly pretty good, the main series is obviously the furthest along and as such has the most story, the others I’ll reserve judgement on until I’ve read both halves but in general I’d been happy.

Awesome Words

panoply, n      

1. a wide-ranging and impressive array or display

2. a complete suit of armor.

obnubilate, v.

trans. To darken, dim, cover, or hide with or as with a cloud; to obscure, render indistinct. Freq. fig.

polyglot, adj.

1. containing, composed of, or written in several languages

2. able to speak or write several languages

galenical, n.

1. an herb or other vegetable drug, distinguished from a mineral or chemical drug.

2. a crude drug, tincture, or decoction, distinguished from a preparation that has been refined.

argot, n.

1. the special vocabulary and idiom of a particular profession or social group 

2. a specialized idiomatic vocabulary peculiar to a particular class or group of people, especially that of an underworld group, devised for private communication and identification

atticism, n

1. concise and elegant expression, diction, or the like. 

2. the style or idiom of Attic Greek occurring in another dialect or language.

vexillology, n.

The study of flags.

simulacrum, n.

1. a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance. 

2. an effigy, image, or representation

veridical, adj.

1. truthful; veracious. 

2. corresponding to facts; not illusory; real; actual; genuine.

April Roundup: Favourites & Empties

A little late to the game but it feels like I was only posting my March favourites yesterday! Time seems to be accelerating at an alarming rate and I can't say I'm a fan, though the warmer weather creeping in is good.

It's rare for skincare to really wow me, mostly because it's rare for me to notice anything different about my face unless a massive spot erupts (as they are want to do) but the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix pads have actually done that. Since using them regularly I've noticed my skin feels a lot smoother, and the KP along my jawline has almost gone. I actually think I'll be repurchasing these when they run out. £12.95 for something that has made such a difference to my face and will last me two months isn't too bad. I have two favourite lip products this month, the first being the NYC Appleicious in Big Apple Red which is a gorgeous red lip balm. I loved this, it smells like apple and leaves a lovely subtle red colour to my lips, it means that I didn't need to worry about removing my lip colour when adding balm to my lips.

The other lip product I loved this month was the Barry M Touch of Magic Lip Paint (swatched here), and not just because it was funny to see people's faces in work when I whipped out a green lipstick! I am easily amused. It gives me a bright pink lip which lasts for hours and hours and means I'm not worrying about odd lip fade during the day. I've also really loved NYX Taupe blush, the blogger favourite, and it's my daily contour shade now. Lovely pale cool tone which seems to work well with my skin. And my eyeshadow pick for the month is Innocent + Twisted Alchemy's Fatal Desire (swatched here) which has been my eyebrow of choice this month, although no one at work seems to have noticed. It's a stunning teal green and aside from apparently being more subtle than I thought, works great with my ever fading hair.

Something which isn't really beauty but I included in the picture (because it was photographable) is my eCigarette. I've been trying to quit smoking for a while and these really helps me stay away from all but the emotional crisis cigarette. I'm on the lowest % nicotine now and will probably move to the nicotine free soon. Plus all the great flavours are fun. A book that really stuck with me this month was Purge by Sarah Litman (which I mentioned in review here ). As I said there it's so well written and really strikes home, and it's rare for a book to still be running through my head so much later. Highlight of the month as far as leaving the house goes was McBusted – they were amazing. Everything the high schooler in me wished that they would be and more. I would relive that night over and over (being locked out of the house until 4am aside). Musically this month the biggest favourite for me has been Bastille's album Bad Blood. I am obsessed. I think I know most of the songs off by heart now and I have so many favourite tracks, namely Flaws, Icarus, Laura Palmer and Daniel In The Den, as well as the two big radio hits Pompeii and Of The Night. The full album is actually on youtube for you to listen to if you search.

Empties

I have a fair few empties this month as well, I seem to be using up quite a few things lately.

First the makeup, quite a lot of my empties are makeup this month. Okay, so, the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Powder and Barry M Nail Paint in Black aren't actually empty, but the powder is hard and won't pick up on my brush any more (it's got that weird 'skin' on it or whatever) and the nail paint is gloopy and done for. So they're both really as good as empty - I won't be using them anyway. I'm not repurchasing either of these, I wasn't a fan of the powder and I just bought Rimmel's Stay Matte to try out, but the Nail Paint wasn't bad at all, I just have a black from Maybelline and the Matte black Espresso from Barry M to replace it with. Then I have three lip products! The NYC Appleicious lip balm which I used almost every day this month and am strongly considering repurchasing and maybe trying some of the other shades too though I do have some other tinted balms on the way from Shiro. Speaking of... the second of my lip empties is Shiro Cosmetics Intertubes in Magnets (swatched here) which got very gritty and uneven towards the end. Caitlin has actually discontinued the intertubes in favour of a new better formulation, though if you wish to snap up any of the colours you loved they're currently on sale until they vanish here as many of the colours haven't been remade in the newer formula. I won't be repurchasing Magnets, it was pretty but gritty and that makes me sad. The final lip empty is a sample from Kiss My Sass of their Sippin Mai Tais Lip Tint (swatched here), I really liked this colour and the flavour of the tint but the wear wasn't great. Another non-repurchase that nevertheless I enjoyed while it lasted. I also used up three eyeshadows, Darling Girl The Mummy (swatch) and Ladyhawke (swatch) and Victorian Disco Mellon (swatch), I really liked all three of these but unfortunatley The Mummy and Mellon are both discontinued (as far as I know) and Ladyhawke was one of the Darling Girl GWPs which are one offs for the week, so they're all gone for good. Mellon was my favourite of the three, but I got a new appreciation for Ladyhawke just as it was running out. Typical! The final empty of the beauty products is Thursday's Child Perfume Oil from State of Grace (review here), I wish I had liked this scent more but lavender is just not my thing. So again not a repurchase. Not many repurchases here are there?

Skincare. First off the Sainsbury's Basics cotton wool pads, these were a desperate buy at the time. Next time I'm investing a little extra in my cotton pads (though I shouldn't need them for more than nails for a while with new skincare purchases) because these scratched and irritated my eyes :(. The Boots Botanics Ultra Calm Serum was a lovely feeling serum, and made my skin feel pleasantly soft but it didn't do much to help my redness which is what I'd picked it up for in the first place. I did really love the pump system, it's one of the airtight ones that flattens the tube as you go along and you get all the product out. I bought this in January I believe, and it lasted until early April with daily use, which is darn good for a £7.99 product, but not a repurchase for me. The other is Asda Mattifying Moisturiser which was cheap and cheerful and did exactly what it said on the tin, but didn't play nice with my foundations and really at 23 I need a better moisturiser that does more to hydrate and protect my skin.

Mostly there's not much to say about this last lot. Nose Pore strips don't really work, the Sure deodorant works and doesn't stain my many many black tops. Plus the new compressed tins are easy to carry if needs be. Sensodyne Repair & Protect is my go to toothpaste, it does go some way towards helping my teeth but honestly there's not much that'll save them barring a miracle. The very final empty of the month is nSpa Shower Scrub in Raspberry, this smells gorgeous - a really lush fruity smell, but it doesn't scrub as much as I want. If you have sensitive skin this would be perfect for you because it's really not harsh. 

March Roundup: Favourites & Empties

Since buying the Barry M Aquarium collection (here), I haven't stopped wanting to wear Mediterranean on my nails. It's a beautiful pink/orange duochrome and by far my favourite from the set. I don't sleep enough so Seventeen Phwoarr Paint has been my go-to concealer for the past month, it really works wonders covering my dark circles and the little mirror in the lid is brilliant. I've been really loving coloured liners of late, especially now the weather has turned towards the warmer end of the thermometer, and rather than having to buy a whole range of colours I've been using the miracle in a bottle that is ELF Lock & Seal to turn my eyeshadows into liners which stay in place all day. It really is a wonderful (and affordable) product! Another newer purchase I've really been in love with this month is the L'Oreal Miss Manga mascara in Violet (though admittedly the purple doesn't really show through). With a change in hair colour has come a change in brow colour, I've been going between Femme Fatale Illusions (brown with a blue sheen here) and Innocent + Twisted Alchemy Contaminated Waste (brown with a green sheen and sparkles here) for my day to day brows. As far as eyeshadow goes, during the week when I just want a quick wash of colour I've been reaching for Darling Girl The Mummy (here) almost every day this month.

And now for some things outside of the beauty world I've really enjoyed this month:

The books of the month for me have been The Little Girl in the Radiator: Mum's Alzheimers and Me by Martin Slevin (on amazon here) which is in equal parts funny and heartbreaking, especially as I'm watching my Grandparents memories deteriorate in much the same way, my Granddad in particular. The other was The Gates by John Connolly (on amazon here) which is a funny, dark, supernatural story. Aimed at the YA audience it's still a brilliant book for older readers too (I'm 23, it's still kind of young adult *ahem*)

Musically the warm weather has had me leaning towards the more chart-pop music end of the scale, and I've had One Republic - Counting Stars and Aviici – Hey Brother on quite often.

And for TV I am head over heels in love with The Musketeers on the BBC, which sadly ended on the 30^th March. It was a fantastic series and I'd rather like an Aramis and one of the fresian horses they've been riding of my own! And of course there's Hannibal on the NBC which was one of my favourite new series of 2013 and has stepped it up a notch, Mads Mikkleson as the totally-not-a-cannibal Hannibal Lecter and Hugh Dancy as poor Will Graham have really stepped it up a notch in tsrms of fantastic acting and exploring dicferent facets of their characters.

 

I seem to have gone through quite a lot of stuff this month, mostly using up the last little dregs of things. I don't often have this many empties!

Skincare

First up there's a set of Clarins Skincare samples (HydraQuench Cream, Water Purify One Step Cleanser, Hand and Nail Cream, Moisture Replenish Lip Balm) my mum got from an aeroplane. She doesn't really use skincare (or makeup or anything else for that matter) so she handed them over to me. Obviously with such small samples I can't get a full picture of what they're like, but I have no complaints. The hand cream and lip balm were both lovely and moisturising, the makeup remover worked well – it was only mascara that was hard to budge, as always. The moisturiser I used at night and some mornings just on my cheeks which tend to be very dry and it felt lovely. These were a great freebie, but I wouldn't go out and purchase them, mostly down to the prices. They were nice but not so WOW that I could justify £20+ a piece. (Full size prices: HydraQuench Cream £35, Water Purify One Step Cleanser £20, Hand and Nail Cream £21, Moisture Replenish Lip Balm £19).

Then there are two lip balms the Nivea Lip Balm in Soft Rose (£1.10) and a Betty Crocker Caramel Frosting lip balm (£1.99) I picked up in Camden a year or so ago. They were both perfectly functional as lip balms, I don't know what else to say! I would repurchase the Betty Crocker Caramel Frosting Lip Balm, just for the scent which was a gorgeous vanilla caramel scent. Almost edible. (And you would not believe the number of times I have typed blam instead of balm trying to write this up!)

Makeup empties for this month are the well known Maybelline Great Lash mascara (£4.99), which I didn't technically finish so much as I have had for as long as I can remember and never really use so I figured it was time to bin it. Honestly I don't love this mascara, it was great when I was a teenager but there are so many better offers out there nowadays and this doesn't do much for my lashes.

Another thing I've had for ages and mostly used up is a Collection 2000 palette that I don't know the name of, can't find the name of and never use. I did love the lighter shades for things like highlight and wash of colour on the lid (I think I did that back in college, oops!) and since it's so old and so unloved it's time to say goodbye.

The last two makeup products I used up are some indie samples, Femme Fatale Desecration (AUS$5.50 for 5, swatch here ) and Victorian Disco Jockey (US$1  swatch here ) both of which I really liked. Desecration made a smashing eyeliner and eyebrow colour and Jockey was a pretty sparkly highlight. I would repurchase both of these, though I won't be doing so any time soon – you'd understand why if you saw my indie sample drawer, I have way over 100! And there are always new colours I want to grab and use, I have a shopping problem where indie shadows are concerned.

This empty reminded me I never shared my latest crazy hair colour! You can see it here. I used the remainder of a pot of Directions Atlantic Blue (£4.50) to cover up a not so awesome attempt at orange and blue 'Portal' hair, which went more yellow and blue. I love Directions hair dye and this shade of blue is a gorgeous one, even if it looks more like teal/turquoise where I shoved it over the yellow! I would definitley repurchase this blue if I intended to dye my hair blue again, and Directions is my go-to coloured hair dye brand.

I also used up a couple of scents this month, The Body Shop Vanilla & Tonka Bean Body & Linen spray (£7.00) (it says body, I can use it on my body haha) which is possibly one of my favourite scents of all time. If I didn't already have another vanilla scent to use I would repurchase this. I also used up one of my Common Brimstone perfume samples (£5.50 for 5), I can't remember which it was as I managed to lose the label (and I lost a couple of my other sample vials :() but I think it was either Cherry Kiss or Absinthe With Faust. I wouldn't have repurchased samples if Common Brimstone hadn't recently changed from the rollerball (which stuck quite often and was a pain to use) to a small bottle format which I prefer.

I also used up some Asda cotton wool pads which are an obvious repurchase for using with micellar water (though the next set I got were from Sainsbury, they're the own brand and much the same to be honest). And finally I worked my way through a pack of Biore pore strips (£7.99 for 6) which were better than the asian pore strips from eBay I had been using before, but not so amazing that I can justify spending £8 on them again so not a repurchase.

Other 2013 Favourites

• Books: Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. I read Snuff and since then I've powered through a whole bunch of them. I'm really in love with Vimes and Sybill's relationship. The other is also by Terry Pratchett, in collaboration with Neil Gaiman, Good Omens. A fantastic story about an angel who did not fall so much as saunter vaguely downwards, an angel who runs an antique bookstore and the coming of the antichrist with all Pratchett's humour and Gaiman's darkness.
• TV: Supernatural [as if you expected anything less!]. And for new shows this year Hannibal and Sleepy Hollow, both incredibly spooky and brilliant.
• Dying my hair crazy colours. Since I've been at my PhD I've gone back to my favourite bright colours and feel so much better for it.
• Perfume oils! I used the same single scent for about a year, then I discovered perfume oils and I'm hooked.They last all day and you can get the most super interesting scents from there

Favourite Blogs of 2013

That should say blogs, not bloggers, but I'm running out of time to write and I only just noticed. Sorry!

• Daisy Chain Dream I have stalked followed Laura's blog for ages and I really love her sense of style, as well as the odd lifestyle posts she does. Her shoe collection makes me wish I could buy them all and her jewellery and style picks often have me drooling. If you like fashion, or sweets, Laura's blog is one to check out.
• Dark Side of Beauty Geekery, beautiful swatches and a brilliant talent for make up? Yep, that pretty much sums up Nancy and Dark Side of Beauty. While I'm often jealous of some of the awesome stuff she swatches that seems to be US only, she's also fuelled my indie obsession with her beautiful swatches of Shiro and Victorian Disco shades especially. 
• Phyrra my first go-to source for swatches from a whole tonne of indie brands, especially Fyrinnae, as well as cruelty free product recommendation and reviews. 
• Midnight Violets is the first place I stop if I'm looking for British high street product reviews, especially if I'm considering anything from MUA. Not only is Hannah thorough with her reviews, she's also totally honest and I love reading her opinion on things. She has some lovely make up looks as well, and good youtube videos to go with them. 
• The Crumpet for lovely nail art and beautiful swatches.
• Manicurity like The Crumpet, Manicurity has some beautiful nail art and polish swatches.
• Zombies Wear Eyeliner my favourite alternative style and beauty site ever. Seriously. Ali posts great reviews, OOTD's that make me jealous and some loveley makeup looks. She also blogs about music at her side blog.
• That Redhead Said I don't follow many lifestyle blogs, but I love Sami's. She has some amazing recipies as well as posts from university and addiction and mental health posts coming from someone who really knows what she's on about.
• Lost and Found I love the nail art Katie does, I also love her posts about mental heath as both informative and from the heart.
  
  
  I really hope you do check these blogs out. They're some of my favourite reads. 

Favourite Looks from 2013

Rainbows

Death

Crowley

Maleficent

Catching Fire

Favourite Products & Brands of 2013

First in my line up of 2013 favourites round ups, my favourite products and brands of the last year. I've provided links to reviews and swatches where I can.

1. Collection 2000 Extreme Liner & Glam Crystals liner. The Extreme 24hr liner in black is my everyday go to liner, it's easy to use and highly pigmented giving a near-perfect black line every time. Great when I'm in a rush, since I think my liquid liner skills need help. Granted it isn't waterproof, but it also doesn't stain like some of its coloured counterparts. The Glam Crystals are my favourite way to add a little, or a lot, of sparkle to a look.  Glam Crystals swatches
   
2. Barry M nail polishes are always a winner for me and this year they've released some utter stunners, especially the Gellys and amazing Crystal Glaze. While I'm not a fan of textured polishes, the swatches I've seen of some of the latest releases, especially Countess, have been slowly luring me in. swatches here
   
3. Indie eyeshadows! I discovered indies this year and since then I've been hooked, well over 100 samples have found their way into my collection. I don't have a problem, honest... Top brands for me this year have been Shiro here, Victorian Disco here & Darling Girl here
   
4. Primers! Favourites for me have been the cult favourite Urban Decay Primer [I have Eden] and from the Indies Kiss My Sass's primer [though I haven't restocked since after the reformulation so this is subject to change]. And not a primer, but a sticky base that I just can't be without the Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy. It really makes colours look amazing, and glitter sticks!
   
5. Layla Holographic polishes. Linear holographic polishes with a really strong holo bend at a reasonable price. Enough said. swatches here
   
6. ELF lock and seal. I owe you all a post singing the praises of this. I was trying to make my own mixing medium so I could use my pigments as liners, but always managed to end up with a lovely transfer line on my eyelid. But with this? None of that mess happens. It sets solid for the whole day, so now I can have hundreds of eyeliner shades! It also sets glitter into place if I'm applying it second whereas my pixie epoxy can lift my eyeshadow colour if I apply a second layer.
   
7. Maybelline Colour Tattoo are a quick fix lifesaver. They really do last for ages, can be used as a base if I haven't got primer to hand [though I am a little bitter the matte beige shade from Autumn in the US never made it over here, perfect base right there!] as well as coming in a range of gorgeous shades for quick lasting eyeshadow if I don't want to mess about with pigments and brushes and such. Seriously a winner for me this year. swatches

April Favourites

How the hell is it May already? Damnit.
First things first: May The Fourth Be With You haha. -Nerd-

1. Simple Day Cream. Perfect day moisturiser for me. SPF 15, which is low but works for not-too hot days, and it's light enough for combo skin.
2. The pastelly Barry M Gelly shades. Perfect spring colours :)
3. Duocrome Eyeshadows. Femme Fatale and Darling Girl make up most of my collection.
4. Caramel Cream lip butter. It works and it smells amazing.
5. Darling Girl Saddle Up & Natural Collection Duo "Mink". My go to highlight shades at the moment, Mink is more matte and Saddle Up is more shimmery :)
6. Glinda Lip pencil. My go to lip shade in April. it is the perfect "my lips but better" shade for me :)

What were your April favourites?

March Favourites

I know, a bit late but oh well. Being on time was never my forte

 

 Beauty

• Maybelline Color Tattoo - I love these, stunning colours, last forever and make perfect bases for eyeshadows too. I just wish they had the beige one over here!
• Barry M Gelly Polishes - I love Barry M polishes in general, but there have been some amazing shades released with the gellys. I even like the pink one!
• Shiro Cosmetics - all my brights are from Shiro so  I've been wearing them loads at the moment!
• MUA Undress Your Skin Foundation - the colour is perfect for me, which is insane in itself (everything looks yellow on me!) and it's so affordable too. I am in love! Review coming soon^TM

Watching

• Fangoria's Blood & Guts with Scott Ian "Celebrating the art and pure awesomeness of monster makeup and gore effects, Fangoria and Scott Ian have teamed up with the Nerdist Channel to bring you the all new show "Blood & Guts". Showcasing a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the greatest FX artists working today pull off their amazing work.". I love special effects work, I still have a VHS of a behind-the-scenes on Ray Harryhausen's work we taped from the telly when I was little. Clash of the Titans was one of my favourites as a kid.
• Lost Girl - in case you didn't guess. I love this show.
• Castle - Nathan Fillion is one of my favourite actors, he's brilliant! Castle is hilarious, gripping, intelligent and dramatic all at the same time. The recent two parter had me laughing, crying, shouting and awwing all within minutes!

Listening

• Biffy Clyro - I've pretty much had their latest album Opposites on repeat since I bought it. I've seen them live a couple of times now and it's always been an amazing experience. They are blooming brilliant! Check out their youtube for some tracks if you haven't heard them already, though you have likely heard a Biffy Clyro song - some bloke called Matt Cardle who I assume won X-Factor or something covered Many Of  Horror, calling it "When We Collide" and I quickly had to give up explaining that he hadn't written it. Favourite tracks of mine are Black Chandelier, Opposite, Born on a Horse, Boom Blast and Ruin, Semi-Mental, Folding Stars and Glitter and Trauma (a few from every album there!)
• Pseudopod weekly horror fiction in audio form straight to your ipod

& The Rest

• Zero Noodes
• Offers - Boots 3 for 2 is particularly dangerous!
• Yogurt covered cranberries
• MakeupBee - amazing for inspiration!

February Favourites

If you've read more than a couple of my FOTD posts you could probably have guessed a few of these February favourites already, some of these I have used in every (or almost every) make up I have done over February! 

The MUA Heaven and Earth Pro Palette. I used this pretty much every day I wasn't going for something dramatic or colourful, and often used the odd shade (especially the highlight shades) as part of more colour-oriented or dramatic looks. This is a really versatile palette and perfect for every day wear.

Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner and Rimmel Kohl Liner in Jet Black have been two of my favourite eyeliners this month. I love the Rimmel for my waterline, it lasts all day - even with watering eyes and other such liner-killing problems. The Collection 24 Hour liners have been my favourite liquid liners for a while now, I've used all the colours pretty regularly this month but picked the black for this as it's my go-to quick liner and blacks are classic. They do last all day as long as they don't get wet, which for my upper lid isn't too much of an issue. My only problem with this liner is that a lot of the colours stain my eyelids, especially the purple :(. Guess that's how it lasts 24 hours!

Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties Lil'Angel (now discontinued). I got this scent as a present ages ago and it became a fast favourite, which oddly made it last longer as I was so worried about running out of the tiny bottle when I realised I couldn't easily find another! haha. I'm terrible at describing fragrances (this is vanilla with a fruity tone to me) so here is a description from Fragrantia: "A citrus vanilla Top: Meyer Lemon, Mandarin, Touch of Blackberry Mid: Pink Rose, Vanilla Orchid, Tropical Sampaquita Blossom Base: Sugared Patchouli, Vanilla Bean, Skin Musk, Golden Amber". I adore vanilla scents.

Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express, this gives me brilliant volume which is what I want in a mascara as I've been blessed with naturally lengthy lashes (thank you Grandad!). Also gives me some decent curl without curlers and the tube is pretty!

Collection Colour Pout Lip Stain in Flirt is a great day to day colour for me and lasts for ages, even with my constant lipbalm application and eating! I love this lip stain range so much and I want to buy more of them. You can read my full review of these here.

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil is my go to eyebrow pencil and I'm gutted that I had to include it in my empties this month! I love that it comes with a little brush on the lid as well.