Products on Trial #3

 

I've come to the conclusion that this series of blog posts is my favourite to photograph and write; I have so many products sat in my drawers waiting to be tried out, its nice to finally talk about them! I'm typing this post up in Starbucks with a white chocolate mocha (if you haven't had one, do it, this is an order), and life is feeling pretty good. Gotta love Sundays - although I think this is going up on Wednesday, so you gotta love them too.

 

Amika 'The Shield Style Extending Spray'

The first product I want to discuss I am SO excited about. In my Birchbox last month I received a small bottle of the Amika heat protectant, and I think I'm in love. You guys know that I have to adore a non-makeup item to write about it over here. First of all, the design of this bottle is so beautiful (some might say, groovy), and the design means that it sprays evenly, a fine mist. I subject my hair to a lot of heat, which means that I'm always on the lookout for a good protection mist - this one smells out of this world delicious, with notes of Sea Buckthorn and Berry, and can be used on dry or damp hair. When I used this for the first time I ran into my sister's bedroom so that she could feel the softness of my hair, I am literally obsessed with this. The full size is £20, but I would definitely be prepared to pay that for the results of this product.

 

Soap&Glory Mother Pucker Lip Gloss in 'Spun Sugar'

I've wanted to try this for a while now, since I heard that its a non-tacky formula and that this shade in particular, is a gem. This set me back £9 (but Boots always has some sort of deal running), and I have to say that this took me by surprise with how much I liked it. I've never tried a plumping gloss before, and it takes a while to get used to the feeling, but this is a beautiful sheer, shimmery gloss that makes your lips look super-kissable - just saying.

 



Benefit 'They're Real' Double the Lip in 'Lusty Rose'

These new lipsticks from Benefit are usually £16.50, but I received a smaller sample in my Birchbox to try, and for me, this isn't really up my alley. The lipstick claims to be a lipstick and liner all in one, but I feel like it just acts as a two toned lipstick. The shade is pretty, and I will wear it, its just that the liner isn't as 'liner-like' as a good old pencil, and I would struggle to justify paying so much for this had I been out to buy this myself. Maybe if I play around with this a little more I'll learn to love it, but it lacks the initial wow factor that I had set my expectations for.

 

Balance Me, Instant Lift Primer - £22

If you like the look of dewy skin, then this is 100% a primer that you're destined to like. It claims to be blemish and pore minimising, which I did notice to an extent, but the main thing I have to say about it is how anti-drying it is. I tend to go for the matte look with my foundation, so I'll most likely pass this along to my sister, but I won't pretend that this isn't a great product. My skin looked brighter and it kept my foundation in place all day, so I'd consider that a win. If you have super dry skin and want your skin to have a dewy finish, I'm pretty sure you'd do well with this product.

 

Sephora Blush in 'Heated'

I remember hauling this last year (or the year before, I can't for the life of me recall the exact date), but it hasn't been until recently that I've rediscovered it and given it a fair shot. I now remember why I adored this so much when I first picked it up - this blush shade is so similar to Orgasm by Nars, but without the overly chunky glitter look that I'm not the biggest fan of. Its a beautiful shimmer pink-peach that would look amazing in summer, and it takes a lot for me to admit that I like a blush considering my deep-rooted fear of clown blush syndrome (that I just made up, not a real thing.) This cost £11, and for Sephora I think that that is pretty great.