Mavala nail polish

Mavala is a Swiss brand of nail polishes, and quite cute in their 5ml pots. To me, as I've mentioned before, 5ml is the perfect size for nail polishes to prevent drying up.

They retail at £4-4.50 or around $8-10. Today I used a line from their matte varnishes ( no.113- Ballerina). The best way to describe this is the colour of a ballerina's shoes; a sort of dusky pink. The matte finish is nice, but can come across as slightly streaky if only one layer is applied.

I applied one layer of the Ballerina & coated with another Mavala polish - their glitter & super shine polish (141- Magic Snow). Magic snow is a clear varnish with thin strands of silver. It's long lasting, as I've spent 5 days without any chipped nails. If you frequently use glitter nail polishes, you'll appreciate how easy it is to chip them, so 5 days is a feat in my eyes.

Each Christmas period, Mavala releases glitter nail polishes, and they are undoubtedly my favourite. Both highly glossy & glittery, they're perfect to add seasonal sparkle. Magic Snow is unfortunately from last year's Christmas collection, this year their glitters are much more eye catching in jewel colours.

 

Repurchase: I would not hesitate to buy the glitter or even glossy Mavala polishes, but the matte edition has been a miss with its streakiness & easy chipping. 
Yes & 7/10 for Magic Snow
No & 4/10 for Matte Ballerina

L'oreal Color Riche Nail Polish

L'oreal Color Riche - I like the fact these bottles are 5ml, a lot of my 10ml nail varnishes tend to dry up before I use the whole bottle - subsequently I throw it away, essentially money down the drain.

So chic pink-I bought this around 2 months ago & I only have one or two coats left before the bottle runs out. It's a quick dry & glossy nail polish, with the only downside being its quite translucent. This shade is a coral-neon pink colour. I like its look against my skin tone.

I was so impressed with this little pot of polish, I bought another one - femme fatale. This is a dark red, with hints of burgundy. Also quick drying, and two coats are more than enough.

Both polishes were of a runny consistency - which is nice on application & helps to reduce streaks. As for resistance, without a top coat mine chipped after 3-4 days, but in my profession, I use my hands a lot. With top coat, it lasts 5+ days.

Repurchase : Most definitely, I love the consistency & finish & lasting power of these polishes. Affordable too

Cadbury Double Chocolate Amaze Bites

Yes, I know I concentrate on make up etc, but I tried these and my soul wept a little.

I've always been on the lookout for the perfect brownie - currently it was Thornton's brownies, but after a 5 year reign, the Thornton brownies have been unceremoniously dethroned by Cadbury.

I bought them for 'Halloween', and originally read it as 'Amaze balls'. Got home to realize it's amaze bites. Then I tried one, then two...now I need to buy a new pack :|

The brownies are really generous in size, and avoid the sickly sweetness that some brownies tend to have, if anything they taste cocoa-y . They're very dense, and have a layer of chocolate covering each bite, as well as a few chocolate chips scattered inside the brownie.  If it makes sense, it tastes like Cadbury's chocolate without tasting like a Dairy Milk bar. It's quite confusing, but very oh so delicious. 

Also a major difference, is they're not sticky -making it easier to eat, I like their plastic tub too, meaning you're not tempted into eating them all in one go,(though if you're like me, you will anyway...)

 Repurchase : 100% yes

New Make-up & Empties-June

My first new piece of make up is Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in Ivory (shade 100). Its the most yellow toned of the line that I could find, and even then its a little peach hued. I like the fact that its a pump top, squirts out the right amount so its both hygenic & economic, and so far so good. Coverage is medium, and it does need some time to blend in, I usually mix mine with a little moisturiser, as it can occassionally stick to dry patches, looking cakey around those parts. On the positive side, it is long lasting (i think it claims up to 25 hour wear, but I don't plan on testing whether this is true), and as well as this it leaves a dewy look. You can easily powder if you prefer a matte finish. More importantly, it packs SPF 20, protecting your skin from sun damage. 

 

Repurchase: maybe, the reluctance only because the hue doesn't quite match my skin, though it would suit more peach/pink skin tones. 

Secondly to replace my finished mascara, I bought yet another Rimmel Mascara ( I should really stop falling for the 3 for 2 offers!). Its the Volume Flash Scandaleyes Mascara. This one has a fibre brush rather than a comb of its predecessor. Its texture is a lot more runny, and it looks natural once worn, but sadly lacks the 'volume' factor.

Repurchase: no, the overall effect isn't what I'd hoped for, at least its waterproof, and its perfect for the 'no makeup look'.

Sadly, I've also had to depart with a dearly beloved moisturiser - Nivea Pure & Natural Day Cream. Its light, easily absorbed & moisturising. The smell is very refreshing too. Has an almost gel-like texture, so perfect for warmer weather. May leave a film on skin, and I'm not entirely sure of its anti-wrinkle properties, as anti-wrinkle was not a factor into its purchase. 

 

Repurchase: Yes, very purse friendly & didn't exacerbate my skin

Mako May Empties

First empty is Jergens Naturals mosturising cream. The texture is more gel like then creamy, and it has a hint of berry scent. The overpowering scent however is wheat-like, a dedication to its natural ingredients I guess. Its nice to moisturise with, though probably not so suitable for winter months.

Repurchase: no, there's more effective creams available, with nicer scents, the idea is nice, especially if you're into the whole natural idea.

Second empty is the Scandaleyes show off mascara by Rimmel. I'm going to miss this. A plastic comb brush that doesn't clump my lashes together. Doesn't smudge or flake below my eyes either. A complete nightmare to take off, but the thick consistency really makes my eyelashes stand out. Suitable for work, though lacks a little power for more glamorous occassions. 

 

Repurchase: why not, suitable for day to day wear

Ahleen

I'm finally starting a beauty blog, because I keep forgetting the good products I've tried vs the bad. Personal reviews to remind myself not to get carried away with colourful packaging and celebrity filled adverts promising me glamour. 

Also, I'm so tired of not finding correct shades, I'm not settling for orange hued skin, and crazy eyeshadows anymore. :))