Meeting Internet Friends

The internet has its downfalls but being able to connected with people with similar music tastes or views from across the globe, all from the comfort of your bed has to be the best thing. My very first internet friend was my current best friend Roni, who I started speaking to via twitter back in 2012 and it just happened that we were at the same high school but had never crossed paths.

When meeting internet friends, it is best to get to know them inside out first. Perhaps exchange numbers once you are comfortable with each other and text frequently, if you both have apple devices Facetime? or even Skype? Getting to know internet friends really well is the foundation to building a strong friendship before planning the big meet up. Make sure you meet in a public area and that your parents, guardians, boyfriend, girlfriend or whom ever you live with are aware of your whereabouts and send regular updates when you are travelling to and from the meeting place. Both for safety reasons and in case the person is a catfish. 

This summer, I did just that. After almost a year of speaking to Dalal Tahira from Monochrome Daisies, we finally arranged to meet up. I live in Luton whilst Dalal lives in London, which are 20-30 minutes apart via train and tube so it was not too far to travel. We decided to meet in central London, visited some touristy areas, grabbed some pizza and just enjoyed each other's company from beyond the computer screen.

Have you made internet friends? If so, how long have you been speaking and have you or are you planning to meet in real life?

Fran

Surviving A levels

Hello, it has been a while since I last posted on here but after a very (very) prolonged hiatus, I am glad to announce that I am mentally ready to start blogging again. I would explain the reasons for my absence but there is simply nothing to say, except since I last posted when I received my banging GCSE results, life has been going at 100 mph. I now have a provisional license, have booked my theory test and my first driving lesson and in 24 days I will be turning 17, how bizarre. Only 6 months ago, I was confined to wearing uniform and calling teachers Sir and Miss. 

I am now in Year 12 studying Geography, Economics, Applied Science, English Literature and Core Maths. The jump from GCSE to A Levels is REAL, the meme's you see plastered around the internet are accurate representations of how you will be feeling after a few months. Regardless of how much preparation and extra work you put in, you are doomed to always feeling behind, tired and emotional. I feel as though I have had enough experience now to share some wisdom with current Year 11's who are at the stage of deciding their future career paths. I would hundred percent recommend sixth form, if you are planning on continuing into further education, I am aware that not everyone who goes to sixth form has to or wants to go to university but most of your teachers will assume that you have come to sixth form with university being your end goal.

When deciding which subjects to pick, if you plan on going to university and know what you would like to do then pick subjects which will give you a jump start, for example, if you would like to do a sport related degree then physical education would be a good shout but for someone wanting to be an Accountant, Maths and other research and numerical based subjects would be best suited. If you are like me and are still undecided as to which career path you would like to take then it is best to pick a range of facilitating subjects which can lead you onto pretty much any degree. The facilitating subjects include: English Literature, History, Modern Languages, Classical Languages, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Geography. Try to pick subjects that you think you will enjoy and are prepared to study for over 2 years. Remember, there is no such thing as an "easy" A level so do not be fooled by what you hear and read online. 

Take it from me, make sure to use your study periods for studying. Ok, so once in a while, you may want to pop down to your local Nandos or Costa and treat yourself but this is not necessary every study period. I had not quite grasped this concept at the beginning of the academic year and spent £40 on food within the first 3 days. Please do not make the same mistakes. You have been warned, take packed lunch, leave your debit card at home and thank me later. 

Before I sign off, just a quick notice that  I will be posting fortnightly on a Monday at 6PM GMT! 

Fran

So... What Next?

Eleven days ago I collected my GCSE results, I officially have nine qualifications grade A-C. As you can see from the image above, I was extremely overwhelmed by the results I achieved and the months of constant revision and little communication with the outside world were completely worth it! 

So… What next? Next week I will be entering the first of two years at sixth form, Year 12. I will be studying Geography, Economics, Applied Science, English Literature and Maths for the next two years. I am quite nervous to be starting A levels but I am also quite excited as I love the subjects that I have chosen and I am now one year closer to university.

After sixth form I would like to pursue a career in either Nursing or Marketing. Hopefully at the end of my two years at sixth form, I will have come to final decision. I plan on going to either Kings College, Edinburgh, Leeds or Manchester university and over the next few months to a year, I will be attending open days.

Life over the next months is going to be really hectic whilst I get back into the routine of waking up early, balancing work, blogging and revision so bear with me on the blogging front whilst I sort myself out.

Good luck to everyone starting high school, college or university!

Fran

LIFE UPDATE

Good evening everyone, summer is almost over and autumn is fast approaching!

My Last Two Weeks: The last two weeks have been extremely busy. From completing the last few days of NCS to getting a new job and working everyday. 

I would like to apologise for the lack of posts on my blog as of late. I have not abandoned you guys; sometimes life gets a ittle bit hectic. Whilst I have been away, I completed four weeks of NCS as you would have seen in my previous post and started a new job. Life at the moment has been a continuous cycle of eat, sleep, work, repeat.

I started at my new job last Tuesday (9^th) and I am no longer a shop assistant at the Olde Sweet Shoppe and now work at a restaurant which I will not disclose for privacy reasons. I had my first shift on Sunday, it went really well and I look forward to getting to know my team.

In 25 days, I will be boarding the bus on the way to my first day of sixth form. I cannot believe how fast 5 years has gone by, I could have sworn I started high school yesterday and now I am off to endure the first of two years at sixth form. I will be studying: Geography, Economics, Applied Science and English Literature, providing that I get the grades next week Thursday on results day. Wish me luck! 

The Blog: WHY I SAID YES TO NCS  

Hope you’re all having a great week so far! And let’s hope the weather remains bright for last few weeks of summer in the UK! 

Fran

WHY I SAID YES TO NCS

And that’s a wrap, I have completed 4 weeks of NCS.

So NCS stands for National Citizen Service, which is a programme for 15-17 year olds ran in England and Northern Ireland. It takes place in the Spring, Autumn and Summer but the most popular wave is obviously the summer one.

I signed up to NCS without any of my close friends, most of the people I knew doing the programme were going with at least someone they knew. However, NCS is about making new friends, and in your team there will be some people you do not know, but you can write down the names of friends you would like to be with in the signing up process.

The first week we spent at an outdoor activity centre in North Wales. There we did activities like Rock Climbing, Hiking, Canoeing and just facing our fears in general. This is a great time to get to know your team mates and just have fun. 

Week two, we spent a week at a local university, we learnt how to cook, budget, did team building exercises and attended skill related lectures. The main agenda of week two is to become more independent. 

The third week you stay at home and travel to the university every day. You and your team mates have to come up with a Social Action Project which will benefit your community. We had a week to plan a fundraiser to support an organisation that as a group we felt needed our help to gain further exposure in our community. And on week four, we delivered our social action projects. My team did a 5 km walk/run for the charity Happy Days which provide vital respite breaks for individuals, families and groups who support children with additional needs. 

I said Yes to NCS, are you going to?

Fran

Urban Decay Naked Skin | Worth The Hype?

RRP - £17.50 (5 ml)

Confession, I am a self diagnosed concealer addict. With the new releases from Too Faced, Urban Decay and new discoveries from Nars and LA Girl, I had accumulated quite a list of concealers to try out. Last month alone I purchased four new concealers, you can never have too many right?

A variety of shades of concealers are essential for my everyday makeup routine. I need a concealer that is warm toned and one or two shades lighter than my skin tone to brighten my under eye area and a concealer that is an exact match for my skin tone to cover blemishes and to clean up my eyebrows after filling them in.

Out of all the concealers I have tried so far, this is definitely the crème de la crème of them all. This concealer is full coverage and covers virtually everything, I am not usually one for full coverage products as I have clear skin and I find that sometimes a full coverage can make my face look cakey but with this concealer that is not the case. It does exactly what it says on the tin, provides a full coverage whilst being non drying and weightless. The formula is incredibly light, easy to blend and does not settle into fine lines which is always a plus.

The Naked Skin concealer comes in a wide variety of shades and tones, so there is a concealer for everyone whether you are warm, neutral or cool toned, I use the shade Dark Golden and it matches me perfectly. Although it is a bit more pricey than the average concealer, the coverage and formula combined make it worth every penny. I would highly recommend this product anyone on the hunt for a new concealer to add to their makeup collection!

Fran

My Everyday Makeup Look

Recently I have been wearing the products in the photo above to create a natural glowy everyday makeup look. I’m going to tell you a bit about why I love each product and how I use it.

Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation – Before I apply my foundation, I moisturise my face using E45 as I have dry skin, followed by a thin layer of Nivea Shaving Balm as a primer. I have clear skin so I usually go for foundations with a light coverage and a glowy finish as my skin can sometimes look a bit dull early in the morning.

LA Girl Pro Conceal – Next I apply this concealer under my eyes to brighten them and around my nose and chin as I have a few blemishes here. For the price, I think this concealer is amazing and the formula is much smoother and lighter than other concealers I have tried and it gives incredible coverage.

Sacha Buttercup Setting Powder – I watch a lot of American Youtubers and they are always raving about this setting powder so when I found out that they had it on Amazon for just £20 including shipping, I thought it was worth the try. I dip my beauty blender into the powder and I do a light dusting underneath my eyes, on my chin and over my eyelids. The powder is finely milled and has a yellow undertone and unlike the Ben Nye Banana powder, it does not give flashback when taking photos!

ABH Dipbrow Pomade – Ladies, if you are a brow fanatic like myself then put down whatever product you are currently using and go onto BeautyBay and order this product immediately along with the ABH number 12 brush. This product has a lot of hype and I must say it is worth the hype. The formula is creamy and waterproof (so you do not have to worry about your eyebrows sliding away if he decides to take you swimming on the first date) I would 100% recommend this to anyone with sparse, faint eyebrows who is unable to find a product that works for them. ABH has a wide variety of shades and undertones so there is a pomade for everyone!

theBalm Betty-Lou Manizer – I have only had this highlighter for 3 weeks and already I have fallen in love. If you are a WOC and you are looking for an affordable highlighter for your skin tone, I recommend this. It’s a bronzy copper highlighter with golden shimmer and although it is a powder highlighter it is not at all drying. Previously, I used to use the MAC mineralise skin finish in Global Glow but since purchasing this, it has been demoted to the back of my Muji drawers.

Benefit They’re Real Mascara – I am sure every beauty blogger has this lying around somewhere in their makeup collection. Without a doubt, this is my all time favourite high end mascara, I have tried a variety of drugstore mascaras and none of them compare to this one. It lengthens, curls and adds volume to your lashes, what more could you want?

Mac Whirl Matte Lipstick - Last but not least, my current favourite lip prouduct, Whirl. This is another very popular product amongst the beauty community and I purchased this a few weeks ago as I thought it was about time I got a MAC lipstick. Whirl is a pinkish-brown nude which looks amazing paired with the MAC chestnut lip liner, a great combo for an everyday look!

Fran

After a Prolonged Hiatus

If you are a regular reader of Fran & Co, then you may have noticed that I have been absent from my blog for almost four months, all for good reason. For the past four months, I have been concentrating on my studies and doing intense revision day and night leading up to my final exams. Well now they are over, I have a thirteen-week summer holiday to make up for the four months I have been away.

Some of you may be wondering how my exams went, I would say they went pretty well, my hard work most definitely paid off and hopefully my results will show the amount of effort I put in. Enough about school, exams and breaks, I am officially back and ready to dive in and share new and exciting content!

Whilst I have been away, I decided to create a blogging schedule to guarantee new content every week. As of today, I will be posting fortnightly on Monday’s at 6pm GMT and every Thursday at 5pm GMT. I will tweet a reminder an hour before upload, @franciscarockey, so you do not miss out!

I have a lot of exciting adventures planned for the next thirteen weeks and will be sure to document each and every one, here’s to a reformed Fran & Co. See you on Thursday!

Fran

Unboxing | February Birchbox 2016

In my previous Birchbox unboxing, I mentioned that I had unsubscribed to Birchbox as I did not think the products were suited to me very well but I later thought that I had given them a harsh judgement and resubscribed for the month of February and was greatly impressed.

The first sample was one that I could not wait to get when I saw it was in this month’s box and it was the Spectrum Tapered Powder Brush. I recently brought the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow and needed a brush specifically for highlighter, this one does the job perfectly as small head means you can get super precise!

Next was the beauty bonus, L Erickson Grab & Go Ponytail Holder , whether you’re sweeping hair off your face to apply your makeup, heading to the gym after work or just want to switch up your ‘do halfway through the day, you will never be caught short with this handy snag free hair band.

I have been umming and arring about the By Terry OmbreBlackStar eyeshadow sticks, so I was excited to give a cheaper alternative a try. LOC One and Done Shadow Stick claims to be 11 hours of creaseless, waterproof colour in one handy stick. I  do not know how far I agree with all of their claims but it is indeed waterproof, took a few cotton pads with micellar water to remove just the first layer. Although it is very pigmented when you swatch it on your hand, the colour is a lot more sheer on your eyelid and quite shimmery but on top of a dark base colour, it works really well. If you are an eyeshadow beginner or someone who would like to try a high end shadow stick but cannot justify taking the plunge just yet then I would recommend trying this out!

Currently I use the Chanel Le Lift Creme after cleansing at the end of the day but I cannot justify spending £89 for a full size and was on the hunt for a cheaper alternative. Delarom Crème Acquaconfort is meant to really soften your skin which I agree it does, very well if not better than the Chanel Crème. The smell is strong without being overpowering and sickly, a great addition to your skincare routine if you are looking for a cheaper alternative to a high-end moisturiser.

I have 3C/4C hair which requires a lot and I repeat a lot of detangling on a daily basis. After receiving the Beauty Protector Detangling Spray last month, I was left a little disappointed with Birchbox’s hair product range. This month though, the hair product I receive was pretty impressive. The Number 4 Lumiere d’Hiver Super Comb Prep & Protect was great at detangling and the smell was great. Would I replace it with my homemade detangler? No. But it was still a great product.

Last but not least, theBalm cosmetics Frat Boy Blush/Shadow. I have dark brown skin with golden undertones and of all the sample possibilities for last month’s box this was the one item I did not want to get and was disappointed to have recieved. However, my best friend has a fair complexion so I gave it away to her and she said: “The pigment is great and it is very natural looking, I will probably buy a full size when the sample has finished.”

The Final Verdict. After receiving my first Birchbox back in January, I had decided to unsubscribe as I did not think the products they were offering were suited to me very well but I decided to give it a second chance and was greatly impressed. With Birchbox you can resubscribe at any time, so if I like what they are offering in a specific month’s box, you can quickly resubscribe and order a box without a fuss.

If you like receiving samples and are trying to expand your collection, I would recommend subscribing to a beauty box. If you are thinking of subscribing to Birchbox, use my referral code: https://www.birchbox.co.uk/invite/8d794 to receive 50 points (worth £5) to spend in the Birchbox e-shop. In the upcoming months, I will be trialling the  GlossyBox and CoHorted beauty boxes, keep your eyes peeled for a review of the two.

Products mentioned:

Spectrum Collections Tapered Powder Brush – £7.99 | LOC One and Done Shadow Stick in Perfect Cents – £8.00 | Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Super Comb Prep & Protect – £20.00 | Delarom Creme Acquaconfort - £34.00 | theBalm Cosmetics – £15.50| L.Erickson Grab & Go Ponytail Holder – £11.50* for set of 15

What was your favourite sample from last month’s Birchbox? 

Fran

Current Fragrance Favourites

The newest one to my fragrance collection comes from Chanel. The Chance EDT (£55.00) is probably most fruity scent that I have owned, and possibly my all time favourite one too. It is slightly floral and has a touch of jasmine but the main body of the scent comes from a refreshing grapefruit. My auntie recently brought herself a bottle of this and after just one sniff I fell madly in love with it, so this went straight to the top of birthday wishlist last year. Although Chanel fragrances are very pricey, the notes are very strong so your money is certainly not wasted.

Something that is sweet, but not as sweet as the previous scent, is my go-to evening scent, YSL Black Opium EDP (£38.50). It comes in sparkly bottle that's bound to look stunning on anyone's dresser and has much more of a muskier scent, with a mix of black coffee and woody notes from patchouli. It's a sharp, sophisticated scent that really stands out on the skin. A really powerful scent, that makes me feel badass whenever I wear it

Finally, something completely different Thierry Mugler Angel EDP (£65). Although it has notes of vanilla and a few other sweet things such as red fruits and honey, it's not as sharp as the previous two but more delicate. With added essences of soft caramel, praline and the captivating power of patchouli, it really wakes you up and is strong scented, in a good way.

What are your current fragrance favourites?

Fran

Unboxing | Birchbox January 2016

After month’s of umming and arring I decided to subscribe to Birchbox. Last month’s Birchbox was a collaboration with Pinterest and I was very pleased with the look of the products inside however, I was not completely satifised so unsubscribed immediately after recieveing the box and trying out the products but I will go into further detail later on.

The first sample was one that I could not wait to get when I saw it was in this month’s box and it was the Benefit They’re Real Lash Primer. A lot of beauty bloggers have been raving about it but I could not justify spending £19.50 on a lash primer which I may not like or use often. I have tried this a couple of times already and I am really enjoying it, the formula is thick without being heavy on your lashes and can be used alone if you are going for a more natural makeup look. I would recommend using it in conjunction with the Benefit They’re Real Mascara to get the full dramatic lash effect.

Next was the bonus item,  Birchbox #NoFilter Mirror, everyone needs a little mirror in pop into their handbag and no better time to get a new one as my old handbag mirror had just recently smashed.

Finding the perfect eyeliner to create the perfect wing can be difficult but suffer no more with the Eyeko Fat Liquid Liner. If you are a eyeliner beginner or simply someone who prefers a thicker wing, I would recommend trying this out. They also do a skinny liquid liner which I have just recently run out off and will also be repurchasing along with the Fat Liquid Liner.

I am not the biggest fan of micellar water as I have extremely sensitive skin and have found almost every micellar water to irritate my eyes.  I have been using the Absolution L’eau Soir et Matin a few days a week, since receiving it, to remove my makeup and cleanse at the end of a long day. This is meant to really soften your skin which I agree it does but the smell is very sharp and almost sickly. I believe that, this product is organic so if you are looking for an environmentally friendly cleanser, this is for you.

I have 3C/4C hair which requires a lot and I repeat a lot of detangling on a daily basis. The Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle was a little disappointing. Every morning I spritz my hair with a mixture of conditioner and water to detangle my curls before styling. I swapped my usual homemade detangler to this for a few days and my hair became extremely dry and flaky. The smell of the product is beautiful but for someone with curly hair I do not think this product was very effective and will be sticking to my usual detangler. 

Last but not least, Rituals Foaming Shower Gel. I am aware that £8.50 is a lot for a shower gel but this product gets a HUGE seal of approval. I have been using it as a shaving gel and the results are outstanding. The smell is earthy and fresh, perfect for using on your legs and underarms as a shaving gel. Since receiving this product at the end of January, I have purchased another bottle in the Cherry Blossom scent. Out of all the drugstore shaving gels I have tried this is by far the best, well it isn't a shaving gel but you guys know what I mean.

Also in last month's box, each person recieved a set of motivational postcards. I am yet to put them up as I am on the hunt for a corkboard to put above my desk but as soon as I find the perfect one these will be the first things to go up. 

The Final Verdict. Being a WOC, finding products which work for my skin tone can be very difficult. I like that with Birchbox you can fill out a beauty profile, so you receive products which they believe are suited to you. However, after receiving my first Birchbox last month, I decided to unsubscribe as I did not think the products they were offering were suited to me very well. I like that you can resubscribe at any time, so if I like what they are offering in further months, I can quickly resubscribe and order a box without a fuss.

If you like receiving samples and are trying to expand your collection, I would recommend subscribing to a beauty box. If you are thinking of subscribing to Birchbox, use my referral code: https://www.birchbox.co.uk/invite/8d794 to receive 50 points (worth £5) to spend in the Birchbox e-shop. I would like to try the GlossyBox and CoHorted beauty boxes, if any of you have tried either of these please leave me a link to your review down below.

Products mention:

Birchbox #NoFilter Mirror – £4.00 | Benefit They’re Real Tinted Lash Primer – £18.50 | Eyeko Fat Liquid Liner – £12.00 | Rituals Foaming Shower Gel - £8.50 | Absolution L’eau Soir et Matin – £27.00| Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle – £14.00

What was your favourite sample from last month’s Birchbox? 

Fran

Buy. Try. Review. | Fleur's Lashes

'Your lashes are incredible, are they real?' - Up until recently I would have been able to say yes but since discovering false lashes my natural lash days are well and truly over.

Fleur, commonly known as FleurdeForce is a youtuber and beauty blogger, who last year released a line of false eyelashes with the well-known brand Eylure. Prior to the release of her range, I had no interest in lashes whatsoever but since the release of her range I had a change of mind and thought I would try out a simple pair to see what the hype was about.

The first lashes I tried were the Simply Fleur which retail at £5.95. These immediately stood out to me, as I loved the natural look. I think they are great for beginners or for those who find the whole lash application process a bit fiddly, they do not go all the way to the inner corner of the eye and are very light and comfortable to wear.  Unlike other lashes I have seen, these are not glued to the packet but on adhesive circles; meaning you can remove them from the packaging with ease, without bending or ruining them. If you are like me and you are not typically a lash kinda gal or if you would like an everyday pair of lashes, these are definitely worth a try!

I am yet to try the individual lashes in fleur’s range as they look like they require a lot of time and patience but if you would like to see a how to apply lashes post then do let me know and I can pencil it in for one of the upcoming weeks.

What are your thoughts on false lashes? Do you prefer individuals or stripes?

Fran

Advantage Cards | Are They Worth It?

Are you a coffee lover, beauty addict or a struggling university student? There's an advantage card for everyone. A lot of you probably already have an advantage or beauty card but if you haven't you seriously are missing out. Advantage and beauty cards are completely free of cost. Simply, buy whatever you want, hand over your card to the cashier and there you go, points earned.  The more points you have the greater, the amount you can spend in store. Who doesn't love reaping a reward for a trip to the shops?

With the Boots advantage card, you earn 4 points for every £1 you spend. So, if you spend £40, that is £1.60 back on your card to spend on absolutely anything. One hundred points equates to £1 in both Boots and Superdrug. With the Superdrug beauty card, you only earn 1 point for every £1, however you can use your points to part pay, whereas with the Boots advantage card you can only use points to make a full purchase. I would say the Boots advantage card is more worthwhile as you can build points quicker than with the Superdrug beauty card. Also, Boots offers deals available to only card holders every couple of months. For further deals and offers you can download the Boots app which syncs with your advantage card, giving you personalised offers and deals. 

For any coffee lovers, Costa Coffee have also jumped on the advantage card bandwagon. Pick up a card in store or download the app. Then swipe or scan each time you visit their store and you will earn 5 points for every £1 you spend. Each point is worth 1p. To spend your points, protect your balance and earn 100 bonus points you have to register your card. Be sure to regularly check your balance and once you have enough points you can enjoy free treats.

Students, at Nandos, earn chillies each time you tuck into their PERI-PERI chicken, chillies bring rewards.Collect 3 chillies and get a 1/4 chicken or appetiser, 6 chillies equals a 1/2 chicken or any single wrap, burger or pitta. Collect 10 chillies and get a whole chicken or single combo meal. Once you have filled the wheel for the first time, you just continue to go around, you won't lose any of your chillies. Rewards can be claimed whenever you want!

For those of you who enjoy a hearty meal at the Beefeaters, they now offer a reward card. Simply pick one up on your next trip and you will be given 300 complimentary points. You receive 5 points for every £1 spent, on your birthday you will receive a free meal AND every 500 points you will be given a £5 voucher to either use at the bar or to take off your overall bill! 

Which advantage cards do you use and would recommend? 

Fran

Mini Beauty Haul

Last year I spent a lot of money trying a lot of beauty products, both high end and drug store. I now have a small large collection of beauty products but I am still eager to try more. At the end of last year I tackled Oxford street on Boxing day and brought a few a lot of new beauty products, I couldn't show them all but you will get the chance to see them all over the course of the year, as I have a lot of makeup looks and reviews going up in the next few weeks. 

The first item I purchased was the Real Techniques miracle complexion sponge | Usually they are £5.99 but Boots had an offer so I got it for £3.99. I originally wanted the beauty blender but I was not willing to pay £20 for a sponge so I decided to go for the next best thing. I have read many reviews about this sponge and I expect good things, I will be sure to let you know how I get on with it.

After running out of my EYEKO skinny liquid liner, I was on the hunt for a new eye liner to replace it. Previously, I had only tried liquid and pencil liners, it was time to try something new. A lot of beauty bloggers have raved about the Maybelline gel liner and I can say what you hear is true. Quick, easy and smooth application using the detailer brush that comes with the liner. - full review coming soon

For just over a year I was using the Collection lengthening mascara, it wasn't great but it did the job. Finding the right mascara can be difficult as there as so many to chose from. I was yet to try a high end mascara so I went for the infamous Benefit they’re real mascara | £19.50 - So I could get a good judgement on whether high end mascara's were better than drug store mascara's, I also purchased the Maybelline lash sensation | £7.99, which is apparently the best drug store mascara on the market. - If you would like to see a post comparing the two, leave a comment down below 

Last but not least, whilst in Selfridge's I caught sight of the MAC counter and could not resist purchasing a lip pencil. I picked up a lip pencil (top) in Spice | £12.50 and a pro long wear lip pencil (bottom) in Morning Coffee | £15.50. Both are every day, nudey pink colours and I am very excited to try them out.

Have you tried any of these products? What were your thoughts?  

Fran