The Repurchase| Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

 

Aaaah Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. Blogger cult product, like Marmite, people either love you or hate you.

If you saw my first encounter of CLPC- read it here now- you will know that I wasn't particularly impressed. When mine ran out, I honestly didn't intend on repurchasing it. I was browsing Superdrug swatching away, when I realised there really aren't many drugstore concealers that offer as much coverage as CLPC. A lot looked quite pigmented until you started to blend them in, where they blended away to nothing! The 17 Hide Away concealer- which I reviewed here- is a perfect example! It disappeared to tint of colour with no coverage at all. And these products are meant to be hiding our spots?!

As you can see, I did cave and repurchase the loved blogger product. To be perfectly honest, I still don't love it. I think it's really good for the price coverage wise. The shade selection has been extended meaning I can now get a better match for my skin tone. This is great as that is a downfall of a lot of drugstore items (I've gone from medium 3 to dark 4). The packaging has got even cheaper however. Whereas with my last one, with extended use, the writing rubbed off, even the warmth of my fingers can cause the ink to transfer to them. Not ideal when you then use the same finger to blend the concealer in!

To wrap it up, I really really like CLPC but I know you can get better if you're willing to spend more. It's perfect if you don't though and for the price I can accept its flaws!

What do you think of this product? I'd love to know your opinion!

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FOTD featuring Clinique Chubby Stick in Pudgy Peony

I do not know what possessed me to take a picture on my less than becoming moss green carpet?! I was obviously having a moment of madness! As said in this post, FOTDs have never been my forte. I just don't know how to take a good picture of myself. I also like to tilt my head to an almost 90 degree angle, what's up with that?!

My craziness aside, I really like this look. I think it really reflects my style. Very simple and quick and easy to do. I filled in my brows on this day with the MUA Undress Me Too palette (a mixture of the brown and he black) which I never normally do. Everyone goes on about brows all the time but I just don't know if I like it on myself. What do you think? It does shape them and pull together a look but I feel too done, somehow. Maybe it's the colour; slightly;too dark?

My lip colour of choice has been my go-to recently. It's the Clinique Chubby Stick in Pudgy Peony and definitely the star of this FOTD. I'm still loving the chubby stick/ pencil lip colour thaaang. They're just so easy to glide on for an effortless lip colour. If you haven't realised, I like my make up as low maintenance as possible!

The rest of the products are nothing that you haven't seen on AG before.

Base
17 Photo Ready Primer in the T-zone to reduce shine. Rimmel Lasting Finish foundation with a little bit of Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer for concealing. Finally a light dusting of Rimmel Match Perfection powder (this is the powder I mentioned in this post!)

Eyes
Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze swiped across the lids. A thin line of Soap and Glory SuperCat Liner to define the eyes and thicken the lash line. A swiping of Bourjois Paris Volume Glamour Max Holidays Mascara (what a random mix of words!)
MUA Undress Me Too palette for brows

Lips 
Clinique Chubby Stick in Pudgy Peony
(the link is to Boots Chubby Stick stocking as I can't find a direct link- sorry!)

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Superdrug Haul!

I said I had a few hauls coming up in my recent post (currently two but there may be more...) and this is the first set of things I bought. I'm trying to split them up a bit as variety is the spice of life, or so they say.

Superdrug is my go to place. I could honestly spend hours in there. I secretly want them to hire me but my saying loudly about how much they should hire is obviously not being received *cough cough Superdrug Norwich*. Anyway as well as helping an old lady with her make up puchases, I managed to pick up:

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint- Greenberry

I was actually looking for the pastel green nail polish but it wasn't in stock at the time (I found it later however) but this caught my eye. It's a neon aqua which I think would set off a tan amazingly

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer- Dark 4

This was a repurchase but I wasn't initially enamoured with it. It was only when I started comparing it to other drugstore offerings that I realised this high coverage beauty was pretty good. It still creases like a bitch and I know in my heart of hearts there must be something better (but probably more expensive- sigh) out there but for now, I really really like you, CLPC.

Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Concealer

The concealer junkie that I am had to pick this up. The sponge applicator just intrigued me. I've been really liking it so far, either for prepping my eyes (cancelling out the purple tones) before going in with the above concealer or just alone when my bags aren't that bad for a more natural look.

Maybelline Fit Me powder

I used a powder from my stash recently for a bit of shine control and really liked it. It added a bit more coverage but was a bit light for my current (slightly tanned) face. Not wanting to pick up the same powder (I do like to experiment!), I got this one. It's not adding as much coverage as I expected but maybe it just needs more building. I'll report back soon!

Have you been shopping recently or have/want anything that I've bought? In my defence, it's the end of exams so that obviously means I should have to buy the whole of Superdrug...

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Sick Day/ Hayfever/ Summer Makeup

I've had this post planned for ages but (obviously) when I wrote it, I was ill. Then exams came around and it got a bit stuck in the pipeline. The reason I'm posting it now is, I feel it's still relevant and omg, hayfever this year. I don't know about anyone else but I've been hit hard. Sneezing attacks, itchy eyes, nose and throat, the works! Tell me this isn't just me?!

Anyway, I like to wear similar makeup when I'm ill and in the summer time. This may sound a bit strange but I'm talking minimal, light, quick and easy application. In the summer, I like to let my skin breathe and not be weighed down by heave makeup in the heat (although I sometimes go to the effort of a BB cream) and when I'm ill, I don't have the time, patience or effort for a full face of make up. Am I making any sense? Probably not.

The above picture is more an indication of the products I like to wear.

Mascara- any old one that comes to hand but when thinking hayfever wise best to play it on the safe side with a waterproof version. One of my favourites is Maybelline The Falsies (Waterproof).

Concealer- I wasn't bothering with a base when I was ill. Instead I was reaching for an illuminating concealer, in this case the Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer, to wake up my face and hide my unsightly under eye bags. This is quite a sheer concealer meaning that it was easily blended into my naked skin.

Balmy lips- Some times it was just Cocoa Butter Vaseline, other times I wanted a swipe of colour. When the urge was upon me, I looked to MUA's Power Pout in Broken Hearted. A sheer, balmy pink that brightened up my face without being high maintenance. Perfect.

Olbas Oil/ hayfever medication- Obviously didn't wear these products but nice to have in the house, just in case. Olbas Oil is a life saver for a blocked nose (take a sniff) and aches and pains (massage in).

Usually I'd go with nothing if I was feeling really ill but on the days I had to look semi decent, this is what I was reaching for. What do you wear when you are sick? Have you been suffering from hayfever?

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Empties #1

 

This is a post that has been in the pipeline for a while and in all honesty I thought I'd already posted it! If you don't know what an Empties post is, it's where I show you all the products I've completely used up and what I thought of them. This may seem hoarder like and weird (I do eventually throw them away. Promise!) but I like watching and reading these videos/posts as it means that someone has completely used the product up and can give their opinion properly. Sometimes bloggers use things a few times and then give their verdict when there may be long term advantages or disadvantages about the product. You'll find that out in an empties! So here is what I used up!

Simple Age Resisting Moisturiser

I hauled this moisturiser in this post and really did like it. It was quite heavy, definitely not a light moisturiser, but I prefer this as my skin is so dry. It really felt as it was working. There has been many an anti-ageing product on this blog but I use them only as a preventative measure so I can't really comment on how it helped my non-existent fine lines etc. If you're wondering, anti-ageing product usually have a higher SPF and as I don't use a daily SPF I like this side of those products. Sun can cause hyper pigmentation which I already have enough of, thank you! The only thing I didn't like was the packaging. Being a pump and in such plastic casing meant that I couldn't cut into it and get the last bits out. It also meant one day I just ran out and didn't even know it had been running out! Not ideal.

Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze

Will be repurchasing until they discontinue. Enough said. Check out my holy grail post of it here

Sainsbury's Cotton Pads

I'm not particularly fussy about these. I'll buy any that are on offer. As long as they're not the super cheap ones that tend to scratch across the skin, I'm happy. Used up for nail varnish remover, toners and make up removal.

Montagne Jeunesse Wild Strawberry Peel Off Mask

See full review here. I liked this mask, it's not one of MJ's best. Just a basic mask really.

Good Things Deep Pore Toner

Shows how old this post really has been coming as I haven't had this for at least 3 months. Oops! It was a basic toner that didn't drag or sting the eyes. It was part of a blemishes range and I did feel as if it was calming and cool on the skin. It also smelt like delicious fruity water so thumbs up in my books. I wouldn't repurchase it for the pure fact that I like to try different ones but I did repurchase it twice before so it is good!

As I thought I'd already posted this, I threw away the only make-up related items! Anyway they were:

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

I wasn't overly enamoured with this concealer (see my full review here) until I started comparing it to other drugstore ones. Nothing compares to the coverage for the price! When it ran out, I immediately picked up another one. I believe they have a few new shades as I was able to pick up Dark 4 this time. I'm going to do a full new review on it as I've fallen in love (if not a little late) and it matches even better with my skin tone now. Result.

Tesco Baby Wipes

I've never been a fan of wipes because they tend to drag and dry out my skin. However they are handy to have in for make up spillages and mistakes and the odd lazy night. I only had a few left and in an experimental phase where I put on a full face of make up for the fun of it, I used them up. Bog standard wipes

A lot of "basics" used up this time! Hope you enjoyed this post or it was of some use to you. What have you used up recently?

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The Budget Concealer Trio

Now I'm not sure if you've noticed but this blog is primarily a budget beauty one (by primarily, I mean one high end Christmas gift has made it onto here). This is because I'm a student and I can practically hear my mum scolding me if I even venture to the more expensive end of Boots, let alone to the counters. I'm going to capitalise on this and explore the drugstore for you in the hopes of finding some gems. And believe me there are plenty!

What I'm sharing with you today is my concealer routine. These are the three products I use to hide my colossal bags, my 'one too many drinks' spots and all the rest of it!

First up is Collection Illuminating Concealer. What drew me to this is the illuminating part of it. I've got quite purple dark circles and they needed something more than just covering. This is a light concealer that brightens under the eye perfectly. It also has a peachy tone to it that cancels out my bags. I tend to use this as more of a correcter so will apply this lightly and then go in with a second concealer. The one I'm currently using is the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. Depending on the heaviness of my make up, I'll either dab this in my inner eye for a little bit more coverage or go all out with the classic highlighting triangle below my eye. Plenty has been said about this concealer but it is quite heavy so do be careful of that. I like to put it on the back of my hand and then dab it under my eyes for a less cakey look. Finally I finish with my Rimmel Stay Matte Power in Transparent and Real Techniques Contour Brush (it fits perfectly under the eye!) to set it all and ensure no movement!

I'd love to hear your favourite concealers. I'm a bit of a concealer junkie. I'm looking at the Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer next! Looks amazing with the little sponge on the end.

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Face of the Day| Drugstore

Berry smoothie to go with my berry lips!

I thought I'd share another FOTD with you today, if not simply to prove that I do wear other make up other than brown matte shadows (not that I stray too far..)

Recently my skin has been on the verge of a break out so most days I've gone without a base to give my skin a chance to recover and rebalance. I've realised that I have a real liking for concealer and am constantly flitting in between. The one I'm currently using is the Collection Illuminating Touch concealer for under my eyes. I've got quite bad dark circles and this has a peachy tone that cancels that out. I use my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent to set it as it does have a tendency to crease if I over do it.

For eyes, I kept it simple and used my MUA Undress Me Too palette. I've been trying to experiment with this palette and try and get some more every day looks out of it. The shimmer shades are definitely the better pigmented ones though and sometimes I feel as if I've over done it and look like I'm  going on a night out instead of just to university.

On this day, I used Reveal on the lid and Obsessed (my favourite crease colour) and I think I acheived the every day look! I then put a little bit of eye liner to thicken my lashline and mascara.

To finish the look, I did the teeniest weeniest bit of contouring (I'm trying to get back into it) and slicked on some Bourjois Colour Boost in Plum Russian. I still love this for an every day not too vampy lip.

What have you worn today? I've had a bit of bloggers block recently so any recommended tags or post requests would be most welcome!

(P.S. Please excuse my hair! It just wasn't doing what I wanted so I eventually gave in battling it and left it)

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October Favourites!

This post is a little bit later than I'd like but I really wanted to make sure I got a favourites up this month sooo...better late than never right?

So here they are! This month has been a month of rediscoveries (read: nothing that hasn't appeared on the blog before). University is really stepping up its game so I haven't had any free time to be perusing Superdrug (as I like to do on a far more than normal basis).

First is Soap and Glory's Mist You Madly body spray. This is a lovely light, floral spray that I've been spritzing like mad this month! This is down to the fact that I now ride my bike to university and I'm more than a little paranoid that I smell like  a monkey's armpit by the time I get there. That got not-so-nice very quickly!

I'm loving white nails this season. They could be more reserved for the summer months when you have a tan and the contrast looks amazing but I love it all year round. I think it gives such a sophisticated look and with a glitter top coat, oooh Christmassy! I've been using Barry M Matt White for my white nails and it's the best I've found. Applies opaque and not streaky after two coats, which is great as I've tried many a white polish which are milky looking on application. Not ideal!
You may have seen this polish featured recently in THIS post

Real Techniques buffing brush. Need I say more? I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said about this brush but it's been lovely for buffing in my liquid foundation for a really flawless look this month.



Finally it's the lip products! These two are very similar in colour, I obviously have my favourites!
First is Topshop Beatnik lipstick. This lipstick is relatively new to my collection, I picked it up around two weeks ago. Check the dent I've made in it already! It's a dusky pink colour and the feeling it leaves on the lips is....well wow! It is so creamy, I've never felt anything like it!
See full review and swatches HERE

Lastly, is Collection Cream Puff in Cotton Candy. Very similar in colour to the Topshop offering, just a tad pinker. This dries matt but doesn't make your lips look like the moisture has been completely sucked out of them. The feeling on the lips isn't amazing, it makes it hard to rub them together but for the price and the smell, it smells of FLUMP (!!), it's definitely worth it!
See full review and swatches HERE

What products have you been loving this month?

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FOTD featuring Topshop's Beatnik lipstick

This was my Face of the Day today. I was only going into university for a few hours so I kept it very simple. I wouldn't usually wear eye shadow for uni, just a slick of eye liner and mascara but I had some extra time on my hands this morning so decided to add some neutrals into the mix

To achieve this look, I started off with my Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour foundation, mine is in 400 Natural Beige and my Real Techniques buffing brush. I find that this foundation can look a little orange for my taste so I will usually mix it with a little moisturiser to tone this down. I also find this helps the foundation to be more moisturising and not stick to dry patches as much.

Next I went in with my Collection (2000) Concealer in Medium 3. I applied this under my eyes with my fingers, I find it goes on best patted on. I also patted on a bit more foundation on any blemishes I had for a higher coverage.

For my eyes, I first put on a base of MUA's Colour Boost Eyeshadow Tint in A Girl Like Me. I wasn't keen on this product to start with as it seemed to have very little colour pay off on the eyes, despite looking lovely when swatched. I think it worked well as a base for this look though. On top of that, I put a sweep of Reveal from the MUA Undress Me Too palette, followed by Exposed in the outer corner. These shadows are quite light but I didn't want anything to heavy for today. I finished my eyes with a thin liquid liner (Soap and Glory Supercat) and W7 Lashtastic mascara.

I finished this look with Rimmel Natural Bronzer in 02 Sun Bronze all over the face and a swipe of Topshop's Beatnik on the lips (see review HERE)

I really liked this simple look! What make up did you wear today?

The Autumn Nail post

Painting my nails for this post was a real surprise. I had in my mind what polish I would like the best and then I fell in love with all the others!

First up on the pinky we have an L&B polish

This is a gorgeous dark teal colour with a silver shimmer running through it. I've had this polish for a while and can you believe it's never graced my nails before. Sacrilege for such a lovely polish. Applied beautifully, opaque in two coats, I can't fault it (apart from the fact I can't find where to buy it, grr!)

On the ring finger we have, another L&B polish

This is a dark metallic grey again with silver shimmer running through it. Another one to never have made it onto my nails, I'm disappointed I don't know a good polish when I see it. Opaque in two coats and looks lovely on shorter nails

On the middle finger we have Collection 2000's 12 Blue My Mind

A polish that has been on my nails before finally! I can't believe I haven't worn it in so long though. This is a beautiful dark navy and for the price it's excellent. Opaque in one coat, and despite my habit to add two, I just never had to with this one. Will definitely be looking to buy more of these!

On the index finger we have Avon's Golden Wine

This polish screams Christmas to me. A burgundy with golden shimmer? I'm getting my stocking out! I was a bit worried about this polish, it's quite a watery formula but after two coats, it looked great and I like that the shimmer isn't too in your face, just shows up in certain lights. Like a selective disco ball...

And finally the thumb, NYC's Fine Red Wine

This is the polish I thought would be THE Autumn colour. I bought this in the summer when the colour was less than seasonal so this is the first time I've worn it. A lot more red than it appears in the bottle; I thought it was more of an Oxblood red but definitely more of a true red (or man eater red as I like to call it!!). Bit too festive for the Autumn nail for my liking but will be getting its use throughout December. It's one fault is the brush. It has a tendency to flood the nail bed so be careful of that

I loves how my nails looked with all the colours on! Back to the childhood days of never committing to one colour!

(P.S. L&B polishes: I've been a bit naughty here and can't seem to track down where to buy them. Sorry!)

Woah! Bit of a long and photo heavy post today but hope you liked it. What's your favourite Autumn polish?

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Collection Cream Puff in Cotton Candy

Seems like I'm going through phases with products. Nail varnishes last week, lip products this week...

Let's address the elephant in the room. This lip cream smells of Flump!! I was impressed when THIS MUA product smelt of liquorice but this smell is the next level! Anyway about the actual product..

I think the name of this is deceiving, when I think of Cotton Candy, I think baby pink. This is more of 'your lips but more pink in a good way' purple undertoned pink (if that makes any sense to anyone but me!). It's been floating around the blogosphere that this is a dupe for something from Mac. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is what pushed me to pick it up. I haven't actually tried anything from Mac (shock horror) but a drugstore dupe for such an esteemed brand, I was intrigued. 

As you can see, it's described to have a matt finish. This tends to discourage me as I hate the fact matt products make it hard to rub your lips together. When I first applied this, I hated it for just that reason. The colour (I'm in love) however made me persevere and I'm glad I did. There's no need for me to rub my lips together so I don't. Problem solved! The wear time on this is good, which I would put down to it being a matt product. Even after a couple of hours, with eating and drinking, there was still remants of it there. Extra bonus points in my book for the fact it wore evenly. I cannot stand how a bad wearing lipstick looks!



Rant over! Have you tried any of these lip creams? I'm tempted to get another but I'm unsure of the shade selection?

 

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Collection Lasting Perfection Creamy Concealer

Hey!

Any blogger worth their salt will have tried this concealer! I think all that could be said on it, has been said but thought I would just do quick post on what I thought of it.

This concealer can be used for both under eye circles and blemishes as it is very creamy and high coverage. This would be something I would look for in a concealer as I have quite bad under eye circles a lot of the time and blemishes on my cheeks. You don't need a lot of it as a little goes a long way so it lasts well. I find that applying it with the doe foot applicator and then blending it in with my finger works best for me, application wise. I don't have a bad thing to say about it really!

The packaging is good for the price you're paying and I like the doe foot applicator. However the packaging tends to get grubby quite quickly, I've had mine for a little while now but as you can see most of the writing has come off and it looks worse for wear. However for what you are paying I think that the packaging is something that can be looked past!

I like this concealer and would recommend it but am looking forward to trying a new one when this one runs out. If anyone was wondering, the shade I have in this is Medium 3. I bought mine from Superdrug or you can order it HERE

What's your favourite concealer? How do you like to apply it?

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