Caution Extreme Lash, Hourglass
Brand description: Defy gravity with the Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara, an all-in-one mascara that delivers incredible length, volume and lift for lashes that will dazzle.
Tube & Wand: The brush totally sold this mascara to me — two single brushes, twisting together to form one, thick brush. I found the tube itself to be a little to chunky and therefore difficult to hold.
Verdict: After giving it a whirl for a couple of weeks, this has to be the least favourite of all the ones I’ve tried out. I found the formula dried up very quickly, and it was very flaky, which meant that by the end of the day, some of it had transferred to under my eyes. Not a fan of this one, clearly!
Available at: Space NK
Available at: Space NK
Little Black Primer, Estee Lauder
Brand description: Think of it as the little black dress for lashes. Unlike traditional lash primers that are white, this primer is tinted black, so you can use it on its own. Colours and lifts bare lashes so they stay silky black throughout the day and even overnight. As a primer, it's the optimal mascara base for volume, lift and length. No well-dressed lashes should be without it
Tube &Wand: Pretty standard when it comes to the tube. The brush is classic, not a silicone one. It’s quite thin and curved and it really grips the eyelash roots to curl and lift them.
Verdict: This product is one that I apply before mascara, but you can also use it on its own, giving a subtle definition. The formula is light, non-moving and has become an instant addition to my everyday makeup bag.
Available at: John Lewis (and most department stores)
Available at: John Lewis (and most department stores)
Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils The Curler , YSL Beauty
Brand Description: YSL’s new mascara with our 2-in-1 wand offers stunning curl and beautifully defined volume. Curl: The black rounded fibre wand to curl lashes. Define: The pink elastomer comb to add a look of instant lift and definition. Get a curl for a new signature eye look. A mascara that matches wand technology with a curl formula, offering a breath taking lash curling effect that lifts and volumises lashes.
Tube &Wand: The tube is a soft, metallic pink exterior - very pretty! The hot pink wand made of silicone and fibres weaved together. It's curled (to help curl the lashes—duh) but has a flat side that adds lift and definition. The brush itself is brilliant, helping you catch each and every lash—you'll have heard that before, but this really delivers on that promise.
Plus, it’s not a bitch to remove at the end of the day, unlike some of the other YSL mascaras I’ve tried in the past!
Verdict: As someone who has straight, short lashes, you can imagine that I was very quickly sold on the name of this mascara. I’ve used YSL mascaras in the past, and they’ve always been great so I was excited to try this one out.
KUSH Mascara, Milk
Brand Description: According to Milk Makeup’s website, Kush High Volume Mascara uses "conditioning hemp-derived, CBD-infused cannabis oil that fuses heart-shaped fibers to lashes for thickness without the fallout.” Like its name, the mascara formula is supposed to give you high volume, while still managing to hydrate your lashes (they won’t dry you out).
Tube &Wand: This is, by far, the heaviest mascara I’ve ever held! It’s stainless steel tube feels so solid to hold and the wand has a good amount of balance in the hand, without feeling weirdly heavy. The brush is a tapered, tree-shaped brush with criss-cross bristles coats and lifts every single lash from root to tip for a defined, clump-free effect.
Verdict: CBD….anyone bored of hearing about it yet?! It is everywhere at the moment, from food products, skincare, tampons, you name it! I was a little bit skeptical when reading the packaging in Sephora, but after trying it out, it actually seems to work! It definitely gave my lashes length, and there was no smudging or flaking plus, my lashes did feel quite nourished even after removing the mascara at the end of the day.
Available at Cult Beauty
Available at Cult Beauty
High Impact Mascara, Clinique
Brand Description: High Impact Mascara is a multi-benefit mascara that adds maximum volume with definition and length. Specially developed brush and formula work together to dramatically thicken lashes while separating.
Tube &Wand: Standard tube and wand - standard wand. None of this spiky ball or rubbery wand nonsense. Just a good ol’ mascara wand. It isn’t big like the Diorshow wand, but I like that, because I use it on my top and bottom lashes, so it gives me control at the bottom lashes since the wand is smaller.
Verdict: This became an everyday mascara for me. Easy to apply, super buildable, gave my lashes enough definition. What’s not to like?
Available at Boots (and most department stores)
Available at Boots (and most department stores)
Lash Slick, Glossier
Brand Description: The perfect everyday mascara. Lash Slick curls and sculpts as it lengthens, enhancing the look of your natural lashes instead of clumping them together or spackling them in product. Teeny-tiny fibers coat lashes from root to tip to create a lengthened baby-extension, while flexible film-forming polymers lift and lock each fiber into place. And it’s water-resistant (not waterproof), so Lash Slick washes off easy with warm water at the end of your day.
Tube &Wand: Standard, lightweight pink tube. The brush is a tapered comb brush, given you an even and natural-looking application.
Verdict: Now, this probably isn't the mascara for you if you're looking for something that practically cakes your lashes in product. For me, it's the mascara I'll reach for when I want just a little something-something to perk up my face.
Available at: Glossier.com
Available at: Glossier.com
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Whilst in D.C, I stayed in not one, not two, but THREE hotels! That may sound a tad extreme, but one was for work, and the other two had both been on my radar since I knew I was heading to the city, so we decided to stay in both - one night in each, as we wanted to explore both of the areas they were located in.
The Avery is set in the Georgetown area of Washington, 700 metres from The Capitol. It is the perfect place to stay if you want to be close to everything, yet have a homely, cosy feel. The inn is nestled on a cute, quiet residential street, moments away from Georgetown’s restaurants, shops and attractions. We used it as our base for our first night and day of exploring, and after I’d already been in the city for 6 nights, it was a great place to stay after a full on work trip.
The Avery offers 15 guest rooms and suites, with huge, comfortable beds - the perfect antidote to rest in after a busy day soaking up the city. You’ll find complimentary toiletries by L’Occitane, complimentary bottled water, soft drinks and snacks in the mini-fridge and there’s even complimentary happy hour (beer and wine) in the hotel bar/lobby area, and a continental breakfast each morning.
The perfect home away from home, and a great start to our two-day adventure in Washington.
The Avery Georgetown
2616 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
+1 202-827-4390
Finishing a product is always a bit of an achievement for me. Over the last year I would say, I’ve really got to know what my favourite products are, what works well for my skin in terms of skincare, and what makeup I use the most. My beauty drawers had a huge clearout at the end of last year - it was all getting a bit too ridiculous in terms of how many products I had and hardly used. You may have seen my recent Sephora spree on here, but I am trying my hardest to use up as much of my beauty stash as possible this year so everything can be a bit more streamline in terms of everyday products.
I thought I’d share my empty products from the last 6-8 months, and if I’ve repurchased or not.
Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water (travel size 100ml)
I packed this every time I was going on a work trip so I had something to take my makeup off with at the end of the day. At home, I use the Bioderma Micellar Cleansing Water - I have done for years! But, I can never be bothered to decant, or hunt down a travel-sized version of it. This one from Caudalie works just as well.
Repurchased? No - I’ve actually found a travel sized version of my Bioderma one, so I’ll stick with that.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
We all know by know I love the Drunk Elephant brand and their products. HOWEVER, I’m going to have a little moan, and this doesn’t just apply to them!
A lot of beauty products come in packaging that doesn’t make it clear when you’re about to run out of it, so you only find out when it’s too late, and if like me you don’t tend to buy backups beforehand, then it can screw you over a little bit…
That’s exactly what happened here - I went to pump the tub, and only a little bit came out - it had basically run out! Bit of a nightmare on a Wednesday morning when you’re trying to get yourself ready for the day, but I got over it pretty quickly!
Repurchased? I haven’t repurchased this (yet) as I bought a new moisturiser in Sephora that I want to try out, but I loved this product, so I’m sure I will when I need a new one.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
As above - I was gutted when I went to put this on, and realised it had run out! I use this daily, and so I felt quite lost without it!
Repurchased? Hell yes, and on my way to work that same morning!
Eve Lom Cleansing Balm
I get through pots of this stuff, and have been using it for a good few years. The one in the photo is the travel-sized version, which I finished on my recent trip to the states. I have a large version sitting in my bathroom, which is nearly finished.
Repurchased? WELL. I actually made the decision to purchase a new and different cleansing balm whilst in Sephora. I’ve decided to try a new one out, and the one I bought (Farmacy Green Clean, FYI) felt so good on my face when I had my facial with it, that I can’t wait for my large Eve Lom balm to run out so I can have a play with this one.
Youth To The People Maqui + Acai Prickly Pear Goji Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil
I absolutely love this oil. I use it twice a day, everyday and I have literally just finished the bottle even though I bought it last Summer when I was in the US - a little really does go a long way with this product.
Repurchased? Yep! It was the first thing to go in my shopping basket when I was in Sephora last month.
Glossier boy Brow in Brown
I use this daily, and whilst I’m starting to think that I may try a new brow product, I still love this one. It does its job, and has been a permanent fixture in my makeup bag since I was introduced to it about 2.5 years ago!
Repurchased? It was rude not to when I visited their store in New York last month!
NARS Climax Mascara
I have a mascara post planned for WLDN, so won’t got into this one too much here. But, for someone who struggles with short, straight lashes, this mascara did work for me.
Repurchased? No, but I would consider doing so once I need a new mascara.
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer (Porcelain) and Corrector (Light Bisque)
Not the first time I’ve used this dynamic duo - I tend to use them in the Winter months more than Summer, when I need that little bit more coverage under the eyes, etc.
Repurchased? No. I have another concealer-style product I’m using at the moment, which I’m becoming a huge fan of (watch this space on that!)
Jo Malone Cologne - English Pear and Freesia / Blackberry & Bay / Peony & Blush Suede
My three go-to fragrances, all ran out within a month of each other! I love all these scents, but for me, the English Pear and Freesia will always be my favourite of all - I wore it on my wedding day!
Repurchased? Yes - I picked up a bottle of the English Pear and Freesia at the airport, along with one of their new ones from the Wild Flowers and Weeds collection.
There you have it! If you have any questions on any of the products above, feel free to DM me on Instagram.
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