Mini MAC Haul

A very, very "mini" MAC haul of a couple of things I ordered online recently! I do love it when they do their free delivery periods and I only wanted to pick up some small things.

So I guess you're wondering why there is a picture of my beloved Estee Lauder Double Wear in this post? No, I don't love it so much that I feel the need to mention it everywhere (although I do), but the black pump is actually from MAC!

I had read online in loads of different places that the MAC foundation pumps that fit the Studio Fix Fluid also fit perfectly with the Double Wear bottle. I originally thought that I didn't mind having to pour the foundation out, but it's just so fiddly and I always poured too much, which is such a waste of product. I picked this one up from MAC for £3.50 and it works a treat! I now do a pump or two of foundation straight onto my Beauty Blender instead of pouring it out and getting in a flap. I really, really recommend this pump if you use Double Wear, I don't know if the pump would fit other bottles, but it's always worth a little research online! The pump has a great 'locking' feature which allows you to twist the bottle right and left to lock and unlock the pump, meaning no messiness in your make-up bag and no waste of product. 

The pumps working for both brands does make sense as MAC is owned by Estee Lauder, although they probably didn't mean for people to catch on! For anyone who has struggled with the 'DW no pump situation', I hope this helps! 

I also picked up another Pro Palette, but a 2-shadow one this time. I got Carbon eyeshadow to go in one pan and I am thinking about getting a neutral 'all over the lid' colour to pair with it. This will be such a handy little palette as the black shadow is great for adding definition to the lash line, adding over gel liner or creating a smokey eye. The neutral colour will be great for all over the lid and blending out shadow as a transition colour. The palette is lovely and small and has earned a place in my 'everyday make-up bag' as when I've added another colour, it will be a great 'basics' palette to have.

Carbon is nicely pigmented, not chalky and a great intense black shade. I think a black eyeshadow is essential for everyone as it's so versatile and handy to have!

So that's my little MAC haul - I have also recently ordered the large Pro Palette after it being out of stock since the beginning of time (no exaggeration) so I am looking forward to filling it with lots of lovely eyeshadows and maybe blushes! 

I'll do a review on the palette once I get it so you all know what it's like and how many eyeshadows I think it can hold.

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The 2-shadow Pro Palette is £6.50 and the eyeshadow refill pans are £10.00.

Have you bought anything from MAC recently?

Boots Haul: Hydraluron and Haircare

So I popped into Boots today when I was supposed to be banking in town - whoops! It never ends well for my bank balance when I enter Boots, especially now my local is stocking Hydraluron *screams*!!!

I have been squeeeeeeeezing my tube of Hydraluron to death for a while now so it was about time that I picked up a new tube. I stopped using it for a little while when I noticed it was running out, wanting to save it for when I really needed it. Truth is, I need this stuff everyday. When I started to get extremely dry skin last week due to the weather, this little bad boy was slathered on before bed and when I woke up my skin was so soft, supple and plump - really plump. I think sometimes it takes going without a product for a while to really appreciate and know for certain that it works - and this stuff WORKS! I cannot sing it's praises enough, *sings*.

Then I picked up some much needed haircare products as my hair has not been behaving itself what so ever for the last few days, it's been really dry on the ends and fluffy - ergh! The 3 for 2 promotions in Boots always suck me in so I ended up getting six items. 

I picked up the Lee Stafford Blinding Brunette Conditioner for natural or coloured brunette hair, as I dye it to keep it glossy and bright, so I thought this conditioner will help to keep it really chocolatey.

I also picked up the James Brown Rich Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner as I need some hydration in my hair, desperately!

I also picked up two Umberto Giannini products - The Glam Hair Backcomb in a Bottle and the Glam Hair Princess Purrfect Hot Styler Spray. I got these because both my heat defence spray and texturising spray are on their way out. I also got my favourite leave-in cream that I use for styling my hair - the Toni & Guy Prep Leave In Conditioner, this really makes a difference to how smooth and sleek my hair is when I'm blowdrying and straightening it. It's nice to be able to keep the hair moisturised and hydrated without having to wash the product out. 

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What are your recent beauty buys?

Mini MUA (Make-Up Academy) Haul - Heaven & Earth Palette & Lipsticks

I posted this picture to Instagram a few evenings ago showing a few bits I picked up from make-up brand MUA. Make-Up Academy is a drugstore make-up brand here in the UK and you can purchase their products in Superdrug.

I decided to pick up the 'Heaven and Earth' palette as I've heard good things about it and it's also comparable to the Naked palettes by Urban Decay with it's neutral and natural colours. I picked up two lipsticks also in Shade 16 - Nectar and Shade 4.  At £6 all in for a palette and two lipsticks I couldn't see a reason not to give these bits a try.

I have a few eyeshadows from MUA already and was impressed with the quality for the price of £1.

This Heaven and Earth palette is of the same great quality in my opinion - the packaging is nice, not the best and quite tricky to open but still nice for a cheaper brand. 

This palette has a great selection of colours from the light champagne colours, to deep red-toned browns.

My only criticism of the formula is that it does cause quite bad fall-out on application, but if applied with a tissue underneath the eye, you can avoid most of this glitter! I would have liked to see some matte shades in this palette, but for the price I think it's great!

(Swatches are from left to right in the palette)

My favourite two shades is are the end two - beautiful mink browns!

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MUA Lipsticks - (Left to right) Shade 16 - Nectar & Shade 4

Shade 16 - Nectar

Nectar looks shocking in the tube but is a lovely peach sheen on the lips. This is such a wearable shade and is so comparable to my new favourite lip gloss - Mac's Cremesheen Glass in Richer, Lusher.

Swatch with flash - Shade 16

Both of the lipsticks are extremely sheer and almost like a lip balm or Revlon lip butter. You can build up the colour however, and I really like the glossy finish as it makes the lips look bigger!

Shade 4

Shade 4 is a bubblegum pink and also has a sheen like Shade 16. I really love this shade on the lips. It's such a natural 'slap-on-and-go' colour, I think it could definitely suit most skin tones!

Swatches with flash - Shade 4 (top) and  Shade 16 (bottom)

Heres a few snaps of me wearing a few shades from the 'Heaven and Earth' palette and Shade 16 - Nectar on my lips! 

Close ups of eye make-up

Ignore the flake of orange on the right hand side of my upper lip - haha!
Close-up of me wearing Shade 16 - Nectar

I Instagrammed this pic of me wearing Shade 4 - the shade is
slightly over exaggerated because of the filter, but it is such a
lovely lipstick!

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So there you have it! A few make-up bargains that are great quality for the price. You can purchase all MUA products from Superdrug - the 'Heaven and Earth' palette retails at £4.00 and the Lipsticks are £1.00 each - £1.00!!!!! If you are new to make-up and want to dabble here and there, I really recommend buying some MUA products to play around with and try!

Hope you enjoyed :-)