Review: W7 Eyeshadow Palettes

A & C: we picked up these W7 nude palettes (UD wannabes!) for a bargain £5 a couple of weeks ago. We both love eye shadow palettes and nude colours are always a winner. So what did we think?

 C: I bought the “In The Buff” palette which contains 12 brown/black/highlighting shades, with two being matte and the rest contain a small amount of shimmer. I would have preferred a better mix of matte and shimmery shades, but to be honest I use shimmer eye shadow most of the time anyway. The packaging is okay considering the price and it contains a double ended brush/applicator so it is perfect for taking away with you or for doing your make up on the go.

 Here are my swatches – apologies for the view over my balcony, but its the only way I could get the right light to show off the colours. As you can see they are all very pigmented and show up well – this is with just one swipe of each colour. They are also quite long lasting – about 5/6 hours on their own but have lasted all day on me when I have used my eyeshadow primer (I use Benefit, Stay Don’t Stray).

Annie will be posting swatches and a review of this later in the week, so make sure you keep an eye out!!
What do you guys think of Chloe’s palette? Overall she would recommend them for the price, especially if you are just starting your make up collection or are looking for a bargain! #twolittleowls

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Review: FAB First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser

C: now, as I have sensitive skin I don’t often mix up my skincare routine as I’m too scared of a break out/reaction to any new products. However, I saw this brand mentioned on Essie Buttons blog, and obvs trusted her recommendation/googled it and had a read about the company. FAB are a company  that specifically designs their skincare around sensitive skin/problems such as eczema, aging and acne – which sounds absolutely perfect for me! As a bonus their packaging is lovely, and makes you feel like although you have sensitive skin/eczema you are still allowed to use luxurious, lovely products (a nice change from the chemical looking tubs most eczema skincare comes in!). So obviously I was sold and needed to try it, and Annie also wanted to so I got us both a sample (Annie got hers in the little beauty box I made up for her for Christmas, me being such a good friend and all).

C: First impressions (after the packaging which I have already raved/moaned about lots) is that as a cream cleanser it is lovely and thick/nourishing to use, and the formula is slightly glittery?! I don’t know why that makes a difference, but I enjoy washing my face in glitter (its more of a shimmer and doesn’t make your face all shimmery, don’t panic). I used this with my Magnitone Lucid to really give my skin a deep cleanse and blimey. I loved it. No allergic reaction just soft, clear skin. I now use this twice a day, and it is not too much for my skin (it might be too much in Summer, but then I can just use it in the evening!). This is now my go to cleanser, and I will be repurchasing ASAP!

A: now as far as cleansers go, I was 100% sold on my hg from Lush; Ultrabland (check out my skincare routine including Ultrabland here). But I was really excited to get this as part of my Christmas present from Chloe because of its reviews on the blogosphere; and I wasn’t disappointed when I came to use it. It’s a lovely texture, creamy and rich without being too heavy. It dissolves my make up easily – even my mascara which is amazing cause I wear crazy amounts on account of my super ginger/pale lashes. Like Chloe, it leaves my skin feeling super soft and luxurious with very little residue – which Ultrabland doesn’t. I’m still waiting to see how it affects my spot prone skin – I haven’t been using it long enough to get a real reaction, but I will be keeping you all updated in our soon-to-come Magnitone Lucid Review.

If you guys fancy trying this batboy the FAB website is here and the Face Cleanser costs £14. However, if like me you have super sensitive skin and would like to try it out before you commit yourself to £14 then you can add a sample from Amazon (click here) for £3 if you are spending over £10! Bargain! Let us know what you think #twolittleowlsblog

Februarys Empties 2015

C: After a mixture of beauty related Christmas presents and January sales shopping, I decided it was finally time to sort through my stash. This has resulted in me throwing away several items because they have been opened too long, and in using up the many samples I have floating about from subscription boxes etc. All in all, this has resulted in a lot of empties this month! So here we go!

1. Lush Ultrabland Cleanser – one of my current skincare essentials! I won’t talk too much about this as we reviewed it here, but I absolutely loved it. If you have sensitive or problem skin then you need to check it out!

Repurchase? Yes once I have used up some of my stash!

2. Merumaya Iconic Youth Serum & Melting Cleansing Balm – two samples from one of my You Beauty boxes I believe. I only got one use out of each sample, so I cannot really comment on its skincare effects. However, both smelt amazing and I did not react badly to them (I have sensitive skin).

Repurchase? I shall definitely be doing a little research into the brand.

3. Yardley Uplifting Daisy Body Lotion – another You Beauty sample. I wasn’t that eager to try this out, and to me Yardley is an old person brand that my nan uses! However, I am happy to admit when I am wrong! This smelt amazing and did a super job of moisturising my stupidly dry skin.

Repurchase? Yes if I didn’t have about 20 body butters/lotions to use up first!

4. Mac Prep + Prime – another product we have previously reviewed here

Repurchase? Hella yeah.

5. Rimmel Nail Polish 500 Disco Ball – I bloody love this nail polish but it has gone gloopy. I have had it for well over two years though so I cannot complain! It is super glittery, easy to apply (but not remove unfortunately) and lasts a long time. Perfect.

Repurchase? If they still do it, I would happily repurchase.

6. Avon Glimmerstick Eye Liner in Blackened Night – I bought this ages ago and then kind of forgot about it, but now I love these! They aren’t too glittery so you can get away with wearing them every day, they are super black and easy to apply. For the price you can’t complain!

Repurchase? I already have another!

7. Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel – now I received this in my first Birchbox, and even though I love the smell I still don’t understand what the point of it is. Like seriously, it says apply to problem areas such as thighs, feet etc but doesn’t actually say what for. So now its going in the bin. So if anyone knows what its for please do tell me!

Repurchase? Nah!

Well, that was a long empties post today! What do you think to the products I have mentioned? Have you tried any of them? Let us know! #twolittleowls

The Starting Over Tag

C: now I didn’t actually get tagged to do this, but saw this on Katies Blog (Plus+Beauty), and thought it was a great idea! Basically, you have to pick 16 products that you would first re-buy if you lost all of your make up collection – the perfect post for someone that is new to make up and wants to start a capsule collection of the essentials! I have tried to include a mixture of drugstore and higher end products, and haven’t included brushes etc just make up, so lets get started:

1. Rimmel BB Cream in Matte – a bb cream is an essential in my make up bag now, for those days when a full face of make up isn’t necessary. For the drugstore price, this is perfect! It covers imperfections and doesn’t irritate my skin. Perfect for any bb cream/foundation newbie (it does need a setting powder though!) (Check out my previous review here)

2. Mac Matchmaster Foundation – my current favourite foundation that is one of the only ones I have ever repurchased. Although expensive compared to some, this lasts absolutely ages and I love using it.

3. Benefit boi-ing Concealer – another repurchase here for me. This is too thick for me all the time, but when I am having a break out I cannot cope without this. It literally covers anything and everything, and lasts all day.

4. Benefit Professional Primer – probably not an essential for other people who do not have problem pores, but it is for me on a night out/occasion. I don’t use this every day, but it really does help create a flawless base and make up lasts much longer. (For a full review click here)

5. ELF High Definition Powder – I wasn’t sure on this when I first bought it, as if you use too much you end up with a white moon face. But now I have got the hang of it I love it. Seriously. Love. It sets my foundations perfectly and keeps shine/make up slip at bay all day!

6. ELF Eyebrow Kit – now I will be honest, this is the only eyebrow product I have ever tried, but it works so well I have never felt inclined to try any others. Sister in law assures me it is comparable to Benefits Browzings at a fraction of the price, perfect.

7. Benefits Hoola Bronzer – another blogger favourite, that is perfect for pale skin. Easy to blend, not orange and gives a lovely contour. I have been using the sample size in the photo for about a year now, and still haven’t hit pan, so it is well worth the investment!

8. The Balms Mary Lou Manizer Highlighter – another cult beauty product that I also love! Gives a beauty glow that lasts all day – review here if you are interested!

9. Mac Blusher in Stay Pretty – it was hard to pick a blusher, but I love all the ones I have tried from Mac and I think this is my favourite colour. It is so girly and pink, but looks super natural if blended well.

10. Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Eyeshadow Primer – never thought I would be the type of person to have an eyeshadow primer on my essentials list! But seriously, this is some good stuff. It enhances the colour/pigmentation of your eyeshadow, reduces creasing and makes it last longer.

11. Rimmel Eyeliner – I don’t have a favourite eyeliner, but I always have a black one to hand, and normally buy them from Rimmel, Cheap and do the job.

12. Rimmel Glameyes Liquid Eyeliner – super black, easy to apply and I am not allergic like I am to most other liquid liners. This is a constant repurchase for me, and I am not sure what I would do if they discontinued it!

13. Urban Decay, Naked Basics Palettes – its UD and a neutral palette. Enough said when compiling an essentials list.

14. Benefit They’re Real Mascara – another product I have previously reviewed and love. Click here if you want to have a read!

15. Model Co Lipstick in Kitty – my favourite every day lipstick. It is super comfortable on the lips, lasts a long time and is perfect for any occasion. This lipstick sparked off my love of lipsticks!

16. MUA lipstick in Shade 01 – a capsule make up collection is not complete until you have a nice red lipstick in there. This costs £1 and is the biggest bargain ever for such a beautiful lip colour.

So there are my essentials! Any you agree/disagree with? Would love to hear! #twolittleowls

A Mini Rimmel Haul

A: I was having a wander around my local B & M shop last weekend when I found the most amazing bargains ever, I had to buy some for both Chloe and I – even though its is a little embarrassing that I got them from there, but you won’t believe how much they were!

Four Rimmel lip products; two Apocolips Lip Lacquers and two Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balms.
I went for Drive Me Nude and All You Need is Pink in the balms, and Shooting Star and Lunar in the lacquers. Chloe and I are going to share them out between us and we already can’t wait to review them for you because these products have created a lot of talk in the blogging world.

They were just £1.49 each, which is amazing for Rimmel products which are available on the high street at £6.49 for the lacquers and £5.99 for the balms. Sometimes it pays off to shop around a little!

Have you tried these products or shades from Rimmel? What do you think to then? #twolittleowlsblog

Annie’s Perfume Collection

A: I thought it was time to share my perfume collection with you, it’s something I use everyday and it’s taken me a while to put together but I never think of mentioning it on here – so now I’ve got it organised here goes, in no particular order…

Chanel No. 5: a classic; rich, deep musk with iconic floral undertones

Chanel Coco: a fresh version of the classic

Marc Jacobs Lola: floral and summery, perfect for warm evenings

Marc Jacobs Daisy: this was my first Marc Jacobs scent, it’s fresh and sunny and warm. So sad it’s nearly finished!

Mark Jacobs Honey: fruity and fresh, and you really can smell the honey!

Jimmy Choo Original: tea rose and tiger orchid give this perfume such a beautiful sultry scent, another one I have loved using which is almost empty!

Jimmy Choo Flash: with strawberry and tangerine scents, this was a perfume I used when I went on holiday to Jamiaca so it now reminds me of the most amazing holiday ever – one of my favourite perfumes

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh: a summer edition of the original, it has a similar scent but is slightly fresher and better for Spring

What’re you’re favourite perfumes? Have you tried any of these, or do you have any recommendations? #twolittleowls

#Loveis A Valentine’s OOTD ft. M&Co

A & C: With Valentine’s Day on it’s way, we’ve put together a V day look using this beautiful Wave Heart Print Cardigan from M&Co.

This is priced at £26.00, and has such a cute heart print with gorgeous red buttons – we love it. It’s made from a lovely lightweight knit too so it’s super wearable. Because of this, we are both going to style it in our own way to give you some inspo.

A: I love easy to wear cardigans like this, they can so easily be dressed up or down – but if I was off out for the evening I would team this with my favourite black swing dress, black tights and black chelsea boots. I’d go for a simple gold necklace and small gold hoop earrings – and of course winged eyeliner and red lips using my Sleek Matte Lip Cream. If you can’t wear red lipstick on Valentine’s Day, when can you!

C: normally I prefer a chunkier knit than this (my style isn’t very girly!) but who can say no to such a cute cardi! I would style this with a bright red loose vest top, my black super skinny jeans and my burgundy lace up heeled boots! Perfect for date night at the cinema/out for a meal!

You can find this cardigan by clicking here, and heading to the M and Co site.
We’d like to say a massive thank you to M and Co for this opportunity too, we really enjoyed putting these looks together! If you’d like to head to their blog, just click here!

What do you think to our Valentine’s Day looks? #twolittleowlsblog

A FOTD from Annie

A: My boyfriend and I were away a few weeks ago visiting his family, and we were having a party on the Saturday night – I got the rare chance to spend some time on my make up which is always a treat and I was quite pleased with the outcome, I’m still playing with eyeshadows (click here for my last eyeshadow look) so please bear with me! Here’s the finished look…

So here’s the products I used, in the order I used them;

Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Base in Rose (click here for a review!)

Model co BB Cream in Light

Bella Pierre eyeshadow primer

Kiko Colour Sphere Shadow in 26

Avon Mega Effects Liquid Liner in Black

The Balm Cosmetics Bodybuilder Mascara

Make up Revolution Triple Baked Blusher in Peachy Keen

Avon Classic Neutral palette (brows!)

Bare Minerals Powder Foundation in Fair

ELF Matte Lip Colour in Praline

Elizabeth Arden Lipgloss in Caramel

This is a super easy look to create, and other than my usual daily make up, I didn’t have much packing space so didn’t have room for a massive eyeshadow palette. But this Kiko shadow is perfect for building up colour and definition as it can be used dry or wet to create different looks. It’s the only shadow I packed but proved to work very well! I’m also really getting into lip glosses – a year ago, I only wore matte lipsticks – but since finding an old gloss which has a beautiful gold shimmer, I’ve been applying it on top of every lipstick and I think it looks so lovely! Plus it’s makes the upkeep of pigmented lip colours so much easier! And here’s a photo of me and my beautiful niece to show you how well my make up lasted!

What do you guys think to this look? Would love some ideas on more eyeshadow looks to try! #twolittleowlsblog

A Sunday Sale Haul

A: Today, I went on a shopping trip with my Aunty – we were hunting for outfits and gifts for some events we both have coming up soon, but both got distracted by the sales and ended up having a lovely time. Our local department store had an amazing sale on and I got some real bargains.

Firstly, this navy patterned dress. It’s from N & Willow – not a brand I’ve heard of before but it’s a simple jersey, beautifully cut dress and will be perfect for work. Although I don’t have a strict dress code for work, I do like to look fairly smart. It’s a lovely thin and comfortable fabric too so I will be able to wear it most of the year, but I think it’ll look best with boots and tights in the winter. This was originally £50 but reduced to £11.50.
This black top is from a brand called ‘Girls On Film’. This looks a lot better on, I promise. The lace trim on the hem dresses up the simple black shift shape and I think it’ll look best with a black tube skirt and some statement jewels (to follow!). Originally £28, reduced to £7.50!

I then spotted this amazing/slightly horrendous kimono. I really do love it though, it has sequins, velvet and tassels – what more could you want!! This is from Quiz clothing and I cannot wait to wear it. £35 reduced to £10 – and my aunty got one too! She’s off to a wedding next week during the evening and has a black jumpsuit to wear so this will finish it off perfectly.

This blouse is from one of my favourite brands; Vila. I loved going to the shop we got all of these from because they’ve stocked Vila for a while now – but this was the last of their stock as they are discontinuing the line! Sadly I didn’t get there quick enough to make the most of the reduced stock, but this blouse makes up for is because it really is beautiful. Admittedly, it doesn’t look much on the hanger or from the front – but the back is made from a huge pleated voile type fabric and it looks so pretty! I had to have it, and it was reduced to £10.50 from £35 – even better! Another purchase I can’t wait to wear.

Lastly, some jewellery. I can never say no to some new jewels but chokers are a first for me. I really like the idea of them but I think they might make my neck look a bit fat?! I thought I’d take the plunge though because these ones from Miss Selfridge were only £2.50 each, both reduced from £9. They’re really pretty too and both have two parts for them so I actually got four necklaces for £5!
My aunty then found this amazing statement piece from Wallis. This was originally £20 but I got it for just £5! And it’s so pretty too! I wear these sort of colours all the time so it will slot in perfectly to my collection.
Finally, three sets of gold coloured hoops from Miss Selfridge, originally £8 but £2 in the sale. Some perfect staple earrings to wear every day.

So that’s all of my haul for today – I haven’t been shopping in a while, and neither Chloe or I went at all during the sales because we are both trying to save – but I thought I did pretty well today with these bargains so didn’t feel so bad!

What have you been buying in the sales? #twolittleowlsblog

Review: February Pink Parcel

A: It’s Pink Parcel time again – it always comes around so quickly, but now thanks to the Pink Parcel brand I don’t dread my period every month! And this months Parcel is the best yet.
Pink Parcel provide a discrete package delivered to your doorstep every month, with all of the things you need to keep you going through your ‘ladies time’. A bag of towels or tampons to pop into your bag for now, some for later and also some for bedtime.

The most exciting box though is the ‘for you’ box. This contains a selection of treats, which are chosen each month by the lovely team at Pink Parcel. This month, I got seven extras which is amazing!

Firstly, an Organic Surge Skin Perfecting face polish. I’ve never tried anything from this brand before, but I’ve heard a lot about them and this is designed to ‘exfoliate and stimulate to soften, smooth and brighten the skin’ with rosemary and lemon essential oils – it sounds dreamy so I can’t wait to give this a go!
A Pop Heart lip balm, which is perfect to pop in my handbag. Another brand I haven’t heard of – or used before, but I know this will come in handy with this super chilly weather we are having!
Now onto the most exciting product, the MUA Romantic Efflorescence eyeshadow palette. This really is beautiful and I’ve been after a new palette for a while now.

This has 12 shades in total; 6 matte and 6 shimmered. The colours range from taupe, to bronze, to copper and plum. There’s also a black – which for me is an essential in a palette. It does come with an applicator but it’s one with the sponge ends and I’m really not a fan of these. These are £4 on the MUA website, click here to take a look – and I promise I will be posting a review with swatches soon!
I also received a Bella Pierre Cosmetics eyeshadow brush – which I am really excited to use. I have a few brushes from this company which I bought in an eyeshadow set and I was really impressed with them. The cheapest I have found these for is £14.99 (here), but like the MUA palette – I will be posting a review of the Bella Pierre Brushes soon.
Lastly, a nail file – always handy! And a Divine Chocolate white chocolate bar – which I may have eaten before I even took any photos. Sorry about that but I can assure you that it was delicious!

My last Pink Parcel review can be found here, and if you’d like to know more about the company just click here! Pink Parcels have a monthly subscription fee of £10 – but your first one is just £5, a real bargain!

Have any of you tried Pink Parcel? We’d love to know what you think! #twolittleowls