Beauty products I'm loving

 Even though I'm on a bit of a budget while I'm hunting for a job I've purchased a few items as I needed them for events and general usage. I love all of these products but I will give you my full honest opinion about them all as I always do. 

 These two products are my go-to items for my daily eye makeup. I needed a new mascara and the recently launched Maybelline Colossal Volume- Smoky eyes looked interesting so I tried it and it's my new favourite mascara as it adds volume without clumping. Maybelline's Colour Tattoo creamy eye shadow in the shade On-and-on bronze is perfect for day or evening wear and brings out my blue/green eye colour; it doesn't last for 24hours but it has good staying power and does not stay in the creases of your eyelid. 

 Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in the shade Lovesick is the perfect colour to brighten your look, I wore it to my boyfriend's graduation ceremony with a black and cream outfit. You can wear it sheer or darker for a really bold splash of colour but as it's a stain you do have to keep reapplying it. It smells like menthol too but only when you first apply it which was a little surprise. 

 I also purchased this moisturiser from ASOS called Steam Cream which smells like lavender but as a natural cream it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, and it comes in a variety of collectible tins, I just love this Big Ben tin! 

 I'm tempted to get some more Revlon Lip Butters too as they're my favourite lipstick to wear and I might need certain shades for a halloween look soon. What lipstick do you recommend or advise against?

XOXO

What I got for my 21st birthday & haul

 As promised here are a few of the main presents I received for my 21st birthday, there are also things I got with my birthday money and some items I bought in general.

 So I don't have a photo of my birthday cake to share with you (which had candles with multi-coloured flames!) but here is a random item I bought recently. I love the sweet vanilla scent of this Yankee candle and it's just so relaxing and instantly makes me happy.

 My collection of rings were spilling everywhere so I bought myself this ultra cool zodiac/ palmistry hand ring holder and I also got an owl print trinket dish to hold my most worn earrings- both were from Urban Outfitters US online store. For my birthday I also had a Pandora bracelet which you can see closer here:

 From left to right: 1) My stack of books charm with the owl on the cover was a gift for graduating university. 2) The heart-shaped lock with dangling key was a present from my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary. 3) The butterfly charm was a 21st birthday present. 4) The Gemini cameo was a 21st birthday present (yes I'm a Gemini). 5) I adore all things related to owls and this was a 21st birthday present. 6) I bought a Canon 600d camera with my birthday money and this camera charm so it would remind me of my 21st.

I'd wanted a studded bag for a while so I got this one with mixed studs from the US Urban Outfitters online store and the matching purse from Topshop.

 I got an Iphone 4 for my birthday and after a bit of searching for the perfect case I found this cute little sketched owl case on etsy.com!

 These are my most recent beauty purchases. I wear the Garnier BB Cream over moisturiser for extra hydration and blend with my fingers, it smells lovely and acts as a good primer. I then use my new foundation brush (the black one) and then the (orange) Barry M one which I got in Superdrug to apply foundation as the BB Cream doesn't give you very good coverage. 

 Soap and Glory's Extreme Plump lip gloss sure does work! The first time I used it my lips stayed plumper for hours afterwards but now it has a less noticeable effect after it initially tingles. I'd still use this on it's own or over another lip product for fuller lips as it works really well.

 I got this Umberto Giannini gloss mist to obviously add gloss to my hair which it doesn't really do but it does smell really nice and it makes my hair softer so it's still lovely to use. 

I got the Benefit Porefessional and Badgal Lash Mascara with Glamour magazine and while I'm still not too sure how to use the pore minimiser to its full effect the mascara is great for a quick application.

 The Beauty UK eye shadow palette was needed for costume makeup as I was going to some themed parties and I wanted bright colours. Although you have to apply the shadow heavily it really isn't bad for the price which I think was just under £4:

I also caved in to the pressure and finally bought an orange lipstick and a Revlon Lip Butter in one go! It isn't too harsh once you apply it and although it is hydrating I still wear the lip butter over lip balm:

 For my birthday I wore this triangular owl print blouse from ASOS:

 I also got a black crop top from ASOS and a soft t-shirt from Topshop:

 Hopefully you've enjoyed a look at what I've been buying and maybe have some ideas about what to get someone for their birthday if you need any! 

XOXO

My Favourite Things Right Now

 This is just a little post to show you what I'm loving at the moment. First up is my amazing, shiny, glittery, camera-shaped bag that I got from ASOS:

 I also got a beauty product after finally giving in to temptation (it must have been the chocolate)! It is of course the Bourjois- Delice De Poudre, Bronzing Powder in shade 52 that smells sweet too. It's meant to be chocolate scented and instead of containing shimmer like a lot of bronzing powders this one is matte:

 These are my favourite things right now but I will be posting very soon about the contents of my Christmas Glossybox which I'm sure will contain some awesome beauty products so look out for that! Let me know what you're up to over Christmas or if there's anything you'd like me to do a post on.


Lauren Loves ♥: Sparkles and chocolate



XOXO

What to buy now

 Yesterday I passed my driving test first time! During the days before my test I decided to go shopping to relieve some stress without spending too much money.

 I got some autumnal, burgundy coloured jeans from Topshop which cost £40 (without including any discounts) and some gold studded, black boots from Primark for only £15. Bargain.

 Recently I ran out of liquid eyeliner so I went to Boots and there was a 3 for 2 offer across selected ranges, and my Bourjois Liner Feutre was included so of course I had to buy 2 other items.

 For a while I've wanted to try Maybelline's Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner; I finally gave in after Boots seduced me with their offer and got it in the shade 01 Intense Black.

 The other product I chose was a Kate Moss lipstick from Rimmel, she's launched this collection to celebrate 10 years as a Rimmel London Spokesmodel. I decided on shade number 12 which I think is a duller, classic red with a very slight hint of coral.

 As we know, Primark is always good when shopping on a budget but if you're in need of some new make up then take advantage of the 3 for 2 offer at Boots while it lasts!


Lauren Loves ♥: Make up offers!




XOXO