AUTUMN BERRIES FROM THE DRUGSTORE

When it comes to Autumn, I'm all about the berry lips. I went through my collection and picked out five of my favourites which in all honesty, are fairly similar in shade but vary in application and finish. You may not need all of these, but I would definitely recommend at least one.

• Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Berry Much (£4.99) - I reviewed this little pencil when I first purchased it here and not much has changed. I'm still loving how easy it is to apply. I thought that a chubby pencil may be more difficult to get a perfect lip outline but it's actually quick and easy. The formula is so soft and creamy and there's no tugging on the lips. I don't often wear this alone but it works perfectly as a base for pretty much any of the other lip products in this post.
• Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 30 (£5.49) - This was a recent Essiebutton inspired purchase, and it is essentially a non-matte version of the 107 classic with maybe a tiny bit more purple. The Lasting Finish formula is gorgeous - I pretty much love every Rimmel lip formula. This one is quick and easy to apply.
• No7 High Shine Lipgloss in Plum Blush (£9) - I thought I'd include a glossy option which is slightly more sheer and perfect if you want to effortlessly transition back into darker lips. This is a little less in your face but still has those gorgeous berry tones that encapsulate every thing autumn. It has a slightly tacky finish but isn't sticky. They're giving out the £3 off coupons at the moment, so now would be a perfect time to grab this for £6!
• Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in 107 (£5.49)  - the classic. I love how affordable Rimmel lipsticks are and this is one of the best. I did a little review here. This was the original lipstick which made me fall in love with the darker wine berry shade and pretty led me to every other purchase here.
• Rimmel Apocalips Matte Lip Velvet in Meteoric Matte (£6.49) - As I wasn't a fan of the original Apocalips lip lacquers, it was surprising to me how much I loved this. I already wrote a review here, and I'm still enjoying using this. I'm not sure about the "matte" title as this never fully dries down to be matte and is prone to transferring (so, be careful!), but I actually really love the slightly glossy finish and the fullness effect it gives to my lips. 

You can probably tell from this post that I found the tone of darker lips that works for me and I just ran with it. I would recommend any of these lippies and they'll definitely be the ones I'll be reaching for most in the next few months. I chose the No7 gloss today - transitioning and all that.

Hope you enjoyed this! What's your autumn lip go-to? 

Tina xx

A THREE STEP MASCARA ROUTINE

We've all heard about 3-step programs in skincare but what about a 3-step mascara program? I sort of have a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with my lashes but I have entered into a pretty solid routine of using three different mascaras daily, all for different purposes. This definitely isn't for everyone but my lashes need some serious encouragement so I'm going to break down the three mascaras I'm using at the moment and reasons for each.

L'Oreal Miss Manga Waterproof Mascara (£7.99) - If you have straight, droopy lashes then my first tip would be a lash curler, swiftly followed by a coat of waterproof mascara. This step is essential in my routine - it sets the base for everything else. If I skip this my lashes drop immediately - well that might be exaggerating, give them a minute. Usually one coat is enough to keep them curled all day. Of course my favourite is Maybelline The Rocket but I've been trying the L'Oreal Miss Manga mascara for a few weeks to mix things up. I wasn't completely convinced by it on first use, but I think I'm coming around to it - it's definitely one of those formulas that benefits from drying out a little. I like the tapered applicator shape but the whole bendy 360-wand thing is a bit strange and gimmicky. Thankfully it doesn't bother me too much and I still have enough control to apply where I need to.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator (£8.99) - I use a non-waterproof mascara for the next coat for two different reasons. Firstly, there are a lot of great mascaras out there that don't have a corresponding waterproof version and I want to try them out just as much as the next person! Also, it's easier to remove. You know how if you put fresh nail polish on top of old nail polish it comes off easier? This is kind of like that. I find layering a non-waterproof formula over a waterproof one means that at the end of the day, it all comes off a little easier. You will still need a decent cleansing oil or balm but you can be a little less aggressive on the lashes and hopefully not lose any! Lash Accelerator was a Nicole Guerriero inspired purchase and is now one of my favourite mascaras for separating lashes. I love the thin, long wand; it makes for a perfect second coat of mascara and doesn't clump.

No7 Stay Perfect Mascara (£12.95) - I've made it no secret that this is my favourite mascara to use on my lower lashes and I recently bought a new one (accidentally in black/brown but it still works). The tiny wand is perfect for getting into those lower lashes. The formula never smudges as it has completely different technology to other mascaras (watch their video here to learn more). It creates "tubes" around each lash so you need to move quite quickly before it dries. You only need one coat and the tubes stay put until you remove them with water or make-up remover. It's a little pricier than your average drugstore mascara, but totally worth it and often on offer!

There was a point in my life, where mascara just felt useless and ineffective but this three step process has finally taken me to a place where I'm content with them. I'd recommend something like this especially for Asian lashes like mine and I think it just goes to show that different mascaras work for everyone. You have to search to find yours - Let me know if you have any mascara recommendations!

Tina xx

FOTD: BROW POWDER FOR EYESHADOW?

Today's look is a pretty simple one. I started off by priming with Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner and Maybelline Dream Smooth Primer. These two are going to get a lot of love in the next month if I'm going to complete my Over by October challenge. I'm still holding on to the last few drops of my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 53 Light Beige. I am amazed that there is any product left. I have run this bottle dry. My concealers of choice were Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 2 just in the places where I needed some extra coverage and then Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 15 to brighten under the eyes.

To set everything I used my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Silky Beige. A new favourite of mine; the Bourjois Délice de Poudre Bronzing and Highlighter Duo was used to warm up the face and add a subtle highlight to the high points. I then added a little natural flush with Essence Silky Touch Blush in 4 Natural Beauty. 

For the eyes I did something a little different using my Sigma brow powders sample I received as a free gift. I previously have only been using one powder in my brows but thought I would give the others a try as an eyeshadow. The warmer powder in the Auburn duo is a gorgeous warm brown that is perfect for the crease when blended out. Another free gift was put to use, as I took a shadow from my Estee Lauder quad in Tempting Mocha which is a gorgeous bronze shade perfect for sweeping across the lid. The usual liners and mascaras were used: Rimmel Scandaleyes in Black, Urban Decay in Demolition, Maybelline The Rocket Waterproof Mascara and No7 Stay Perfect Mascara.

Finally for my lips I went with my new MakeUp Revolution The One Lipstick topped with Maybelline Colorsensational Gloss in Cashmere Rose.

THE MAKEUP TIMER TEST TAG

As soon as I saw this over on Lily Pebbles' blog, I knew I had to do it. The tag involves timing yourself putting on your make-up and I took Lily's advice to not feel rushed and took my time (ha). My time ended up being quite a bit longer than hers. I did however include the time it took to choose a product, and then the time added on when I changed my mind.

I'm a bit of a professional when it comes to fairly natural looks using about a gazillon products. Just the average day in my world of make-up. Here's what I used:

Primer/Foundation: No7 Beautifully Matte Make Up Base / Benefit the Porefessional / Rimmel Match Perfection in Ivory & Soft Beige
Concealer: Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 2 / MAC Prolongwear in NC20
Bronzer/Blush: Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer / Sleek Face and Contour Kit in Fair / Rimmel Powder Blush in Santa Rose
Brows/Eyes: Rimmel Brow Pencil in Black/Brown / Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette / Cargo Vintage Escape Palette / Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara / Maybelline The Rocket Waterproof Mascara / Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal in Black & Brown / No7 Stay Perfect Mascara
Lips: Modelco Lipstick in Get Naked / NARS Pirée Lipgloss

Just a few bits then. Part of me wants to see how quickly I could do a full face of make-up if I tried. Maybe another day. Clearly, I take my eyeshadow blending oh so very seriously. I feel like I should throw in a few disclaimers for certain times but I'll just leave that to your imagination (aren't you lucky?).

Have you tried this tag? I tag you if you haven't done it yet!

FREE GIFT FIND: No7 BB LIPS

If you're anything like me, then when it comes to beauty (or food in Tesco for that matter), then you're a sucker for special offers. We're talking Clinique bonus time, "3 for 2"s in Boots, even beauty box subscriptions. In this case it was a free gift when purchasing 2 items from the Boots brand, No7. (If you want to see the other items that came in the free gift, I hauled them here.) I always use the free gifts as a perfect opportunity to purchase things from a brand I've been eye-ing up for a while and then I get to go home with a bag full of extra goodies to try too. Win-win.

Apart from the fact that it's a free gift, I love the prospect of trying out products which are usually things I never would have thought to pick up on my own. It's even better when you find a gem. This lip balm is one in a long line of loves found in a free gift.

The No7 "BB Lips Beauty Balm" claims to be an all-in-one lip balm with three benefits of beautiful colour, soothing nourishment and UV protection. So far, it's lived up to those claims.

Firstly, the shade is right up my alley. Blink Pink is a light natural looking pink that is slightly reminiscent of MAC Creme Cup. Beautiful colour - check. I'm in love with the opaque and creamy formula which feels comfortable on the lips. Soothing nourishment - yeah, I'm happy with that. Check. I'm just going to have to trust them on the UV protection. So that gets a check too. Also, the sample size is perfect for any handbag and I'm already tempted to check out some more shades. Although, I might wait for another free gift. And the cycle continues...

No7 BB Lips Beauty Balm here, £9