Wednesday 29 July 2015

Freedom| Budget Makeup Picks

Well isn't this a bit of a bright and electrifying post for a dull and dreary Wednesday evening (the so called "summer weather" here in England is currently terrible at the moment). But there's nothing stopping us Brits from splashing a bit of summer all over our faces. Now it is no hidden secret that when you look into my makeup bag that I am a complete MAC lover. Yes when I was younger I used to use Forever 21 and Miss Sporty makeup, but there's nothing to say that budget makeup is a bad thing to have in your makeup collection. Makeup from high end brands like MAC and Charlotte Tilbury tend to be very pigmented and rich in colour whereas, budget brands tend to be less pigmented which doesn't last as long on the skin (well, so it is said). Recently I have been asking a lot of makeup artists on whether they use budget makeup in their collections and all of them have said that they did. Whilst it is nice to use pigmented products, sometimes it is easier to add colour and blend with less pigmented products (especially when trying to create a natural look). But yes, sometimes really cheap makeup can be really nasty which almost looks dust, but some well reputable  and affordable brands can be extremely vital in any makeup kit.

If you have been an Eltoria reader for some time now, you will know that I am always inclined to a great budget buy. Not too long ago I reviewed some makeup products by Elf Cosmetics, and I have to say that I was really impressed with its quality and durability (click here to see that post). So when I received these gorgeous eye shadow palettes from Freedom, I was extremely excited to give them a good go (I mean take a good look at those colours!). For a good palette at MAC it will set you back around £50.00 and it is usually costs around £12.50 for one, but these mono eyeshadows above will only spare you £1.00 each and £6.00 for a palette like the one below. And yes you did read that correctly. As you can see from the image above, these mono eyeshadows in Smoulder 211 and Brights 299 are really well pigmented for their price. They apply onto the eyes really well and their colour intensity does not fade after being blended with other eye shadows, and nor does they fade easily over a long period of time. I have been combining these colours with my other MAC eyeshadows to create some really effective smokey looks (they are great for adding colour... especially the purple above) So take a look at some more colours by clicking here as there are loads to choose from. 

Above: Pro Decadence Palette
 I wear lipstick every single day and as you can probably imagine I am rather picky when it comes to wearing one. Not only does the colour have to be right but also its texture, durability and richness are equally as important. I'm one of those people who unfortunately suffers from very dry and sore lips...I know, even in the summer and I still have a problem. So finding lipsticks that are equally as hydrating as Moisture Renew lipsticks by Rimmel London are unfortunately quite difficult. As you can see in the images below (especially the swatch on my hand) these lipsticks are again quite pigmented. I wouldn't say that they are as pigmented and last as long as MAC lipsticks, but they certainly make a great day lipstick if you don't mind topping up at least once or twice a day. Some lipsticks can end up being quite drying on my lips which can make my skin a little flaky, sore and very uncomfortable. And not going to lie it does make me a little concious. However these lipsticks were not drying at all and managed to hydrate my lips comfortably throughout the day. These lipsticks only cost £1.00 each and I must say that they are very useful for travelling.

Above starting from the left: Pro Bare, Pro Pink, Pro Now
Some of you will remember that I compared high end blushers with budget ones (click here to see that) and I concluded that the differences between the two can be marginally similar all but the price. However I have to say that this blusher isn't as pigmented as some other budget brands, but it still gives off a rather pretty light pink finish to the cheeks. I personally think that budget blushers tend to be better if they are entwined with a highlighter, that way they appear a little more pigmented and stay on the skin for much longer. You can pick up this blusher for £1.00.

Above: True Loved Blusher
Overall I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with this brand- I was expecting their products to be a little more expensive! Do you have a good budget beauty brand that you can recommend? What do you think of the products above?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Sunday 26 July 2015

July Beauty Favourites| Veet, Roger & Gallet & Much More

Are we seriously at the end of July already? I don't know about you guys but I reckon this year is flying by, soon it will be Christmas (eeek). Anways, this July has been a pretty hectic one for me- lots of weddings, parties, BBQ's, and a few things have been getting rather busy here on this blog (so keep you eyes open for that). I have also been trying lots of new products and like my last June favourites (click here), I really couldn't wait to share it with you all. If some of you didn't know, like most of us, I used to be pretty scared trying out new products, it wasn't like I was 'scared scared' but I used to stick to what I knew. So starting this blog up in 2013 (ahhh I'm almost at my second birthday) I have learnt to reach out of the comfort zone and try out a lot more new things. So let's get talking about favourites. I have been using Veet for years and in a recent hair removal documentary (click here) I said that creams were my favourite form of hair removal (and nothing has changed since then). Natural Inspirations by Veet is one of their newest products and it is hair removal cream which gives you long lasting smoothness that lasts up to twice as long as shaving. What I love about this product is its scent- it's grape 'twang' let my skin feeling extra soft, more softer than their other removal creams. This product really does work on short hair so you can have soft legs all of the time (oooh la la). I almost want to completely de-veet my boyfriends legs in a YouTube video (he's yet to know about this), so do comment below if you want to see that! You can pick up a tube for £6.99.

This SASS Soothe and Smoothe Shave Gel sure does leave your legs feeling all sassy like (see what I did there). SASS is slightly different to your normal shaving gel because it is designed to allow smoother shaving in your most intimate areas. The purifying Salicylic Acid and the exfoliating fruit enzymes help to protect against ingrown hairs and razor bumps, while the crystal clear formulation enables you to shave more precisely. I have been using this product for a few weeks now and I have to say that my skin, especially under my arms, are free from razor bumps and they feel less irritable after shaving. I have also been shaving my legs with this gel and again, no irritation and it has allowed the razor to shave short hairs. You can pick up a tube for £10.00 (click here). 

Like you guys and most of my friends know, I like a bit of fake tan. You probably would think that I was lying if I said that I used to hate it (quite evidently I must have been using the wrong tanning products at the time). For me, how good a tanning product is how it looks, develops, lasts and feels on the skin. And as you can see in the comparison below (tan being on the right leg), this tan is very natural and has given a gorgeous light brown colour. This tan is a mousse and as most of you probably know that I prefer a lotion for a many of reasons. For instance, whilst I thought that I applied this tan everywhere with a mit, there's is in fact a slight streak in the inside of my calf. I feel that with lotions you are able to see where you are putting it whereas it is quite difficult with mousses. Overall this tan did not dry out my skin and it lasted on my skin for around 4 days. You can pick up a bottle of this No More White Bits tan for only £2.66 by clicking here... it's a perfect bargain tan!

Little shot of all of my July favourites together
I first fell in love with Treacle Moon shower gels back when I compared Warm Cinnamon Nights and Honeycomb Secret against expensive ones from LUSH (click here), Raspberry Kiss is just utterly divine, there are no words for it other than it smells like raspberries and leaves your skin mighty hydrated (and not to mention lasts ages in this huge bottle). What I also love about Treacle Moon is that they are partnered with the charity Bully's Out who help to provide information about bullying to individuals, schools, workplaces and the community. They also like to donate money to the charity each month too, so this buy will also be a charitable one too. You can pick up a bottle for £2.99 by clicking here.

Oh my good goodness, hang on a minute I need to sit down. This Fleur de Figui perfume is just mighty fine, and I really do mean 'fine' in the sexy kind. Some of you will know that I really have fallen head over heels for Roger & Gallet products because all of the their products smell great and last on the skin for a very long time. Talking of the lasting effect on the skin, I would have to say that they mirror and last as long as LUSH products (and that takes a lot for me to say that). This Fleur de Figui perfume reveals the fresh tones of delightful fruit- initially you are enveloped by fig leaves and fresh mandarin flowers, then the milk and notes of wood create a warm and creamy background. I have to say that this perfume isn't light, it is in fact quite strong, so I would say you would like this perfume if you like the strength of Chanel perfumes for example. This perfume smells so good to me that I have also been spraying it around the house as air freshener... it stays in the air for ages! You can pick up a bottle for £17.00 by clicking here.

This liquid eye-liner from Artdeco has made creating 'cat flicks' and putting eyeliner on the (dreaded) top lid much easier. I would say that the texture of this eyeliner is slightly loose and watery which in my opinion makes it a lot easier to apply. This product contains carbon black pigments for an intensive deep black line, and as you can see from the images below, that this is quite evident. The brush is also made out of the finest fibres which makes it a precise and flexible tip upon application (I have even created sharp edges in the middle line below). This liner is fragrance free and is suitable for all contact lens wearers. Artdeco advise to apply along the lashes from the inner corner of the eye to the outer one. You can pick one up for £20.50 by clicking here.

I have also been entered into a Wedding Outfit Inspiration competition with Bon Prix and I would be entirely grateful if you could all vote for me by clicking here.

What's been on your July favourites list?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Wednesday 22 July 2015

BooHoo Petite Sara Cut Away Neckline Skater Dress & The Glow Brand

Now I have been looking for a bright electric blue dress for months and as you can probably all imagine, I did the ‘happy dance’ when I actually found one on Boohoo for just £20.00 (click here). For months I have been disheartened by Miss Guided’s flush collection of electric blue dresses but only to find that every time they did not have any in my size, and just to crush many more hearts, they had no sizes whatsoever *sob*.  Now I really meant what I said in my Summer Lookbook post (click here) Boohoo really ought to win an Oscar for being the most versatile and well stocked brand because their range has really been on point this summer. And to make things even more tempting, I ordered this dress just before 5pm on the Tuesday afternoon and it arrived by 9am the next day (just in time for my sister’s graduation which started at 12pm that day… I know what a risky game to play). Also, it only cost £1.99 for next day delivery *insert shocked emoji here*. So with that all said, I thought that this dress was perfect for my sister’s graduation because its VIP edge offered sophistication, whilst its bold and beautiful colour made it a right summer head turner.

As you have probably already observed, these orange The Glow Brand Shoes are fabulously striking and clash with this dress in a fun and positive way. Not only are these heels hot enough to trot in, they are also an inspirational and charitable buy. The colour of these shoes (orange) represents the Starfish Greathearts Foundation which is a charity that brings life, hope and opportunity to children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. AIDS has killed around 30 million people and a further 34 million are living with HIV. This has left a generation of children to grow up without mothers and fathers and the foundation seeks to work from the ground up, facilitating local partners to make a difference in their community. The foundation’s work ranges from crisis intervention (like food parcels), education and training, mentorship, support with income and helping to obtain identity documentation. The Glow Brand have many other colours available and they all represent different charities, so go and take a look by clicking here.

The shoes themselves are made out of rubbery material and I must admit I have never owned a pair like it. I wasn't sure at first because the box really did smell quite rubbery, but they look amazing to wear. I almost think the material of the shoes makes them look extra punchy however, I must say that wearing them is another story. When you walk in them they squeak really loudly and they almost remind me of the noise that comes from rubbing two balloons together. Despite that being said, they are so comfy to wear and they would definitely be ideal for occasions like a rave, foam or a glow in the dark party (they would be ever so durable as they are waterproof!). The shoes themselves are £106.57 each which I think is a extremely dear however, in a charitable sense, I think they're worth it. 

I have also been entered into a Wedding Outfit Inspiration competition with Bon Prix and I would be entirely grateful if you could all vote for me by clicking here.

What do you make of this dress and shoe combo?
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Saturday 18 July 2015

African Safari| Episode 2

Click here to watch my YouTube video
Ahhhh it's finally here and I know that a few of you have been waiting for this but it's now time to show you guys what I got up to on my African Safari! Going on a Safari has featured on my bucket list since I can remember and actually going out and doing it has only given me the bug for more travelling and bucket list crossing (I am really hoping to go to New York in December to live my Home Alone dream ha). After the wedding (click here to read about that), myself and Joe went back to Justin's and Simone's for one night where we went out for dinner and had pizza by the coast, and then we all decided to take an early night because we were ever so tired from the night before. The next day we took a 2 hour drive into land where we went to a 5* Safari reserve called Aquila. We had champagne on arrival and then we managed to get ourselves bumped up to the premium suites because Simone and Justin had only just got married (yep we pulled out that cliche card). The rooms almost looked like little tree houses but inside was incredibly spacious and extremely well decorated- we even had a shower on the balcony overlooking the wildlife (heaven). Joe and I had been extremely lucky with hotel rooms this holiday and I have to say that this Safari really topped off a fantastic holiday. If you haven't yet read my Episode One post, you may want to catch up on that by clicking here before moving on.

I honestly cannot believe that we were able to see pretty much everything on out Safari- hippos, elephants, lions, you name it, we pretty much saw it. Unfortunately we were not able to see any leopards or cheaters on our trip because we had to miss our morning Safari as we had to fly back home to the UK (sad face). Now I must say that health and safety laws in South Africa either do not exist or they are not highly regulated as they are in the UK. Half way through our Safari we were able to get out and share a glass of champagne and nibbles with the rest of our group and no joke, we were foot away from some wildebeest and rhinos (errr yeah scary). You must check out my YouTube video (click here) to see that. As you can also tell from the YouTube video we got scarily close to all of the animals, to the point where the elephants were walking by our truck and the rhinos were getting ready to charge (there were already some holes in the cars… eek). I think that we particularly got frightened in the lion’s den where someone accidently dropped their blanket out of the truck and a lioness jumped down inches away from Simone (yeah we were shouting to the driver to drive at this point).  It was thoroughly an amazing experience and I would urge anyone to go and do the same if they can. To get my full experience of my Safari, I have included many images in this post and I have created a YouTube video for you all to see (click here). So instead of me waffling on, I'll let my pictures and video do the talking.

Us all having a glass of champagne in the wild... scary!

The Milky Way we caught on our final night 
 Have you been on a Safari before? What's your favourite picture above?
Be sure to check out my YouTube video by clicking here.
Much Love
Eltoria x

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Friday 17 July 2015

Batiste| Ella Henderson's Limited Edition Dry Shampoo

As mentioned in my previous post (click here), it is no secret that I like to use dry shampoo when I've overslept, lived it rough camping or when I simply cannot be bothered to wash my hair. Whatever the situation, we've all depended on the can of the ol’ white stuff to get us out of a greasy spot of bother. Not only do I use Batiste dry shampoo to spray away all of my hair troubles, but it is also fantastic for styling because it makes the texture of the hair so much easier to handle (I use it every time I put my hair up or after I have just washed it). Now I will not mention again as to why dry shampoo is good for your hair (you can read that in my last Batiste post by clicking here) but I will talk about how amazing this new Ella Henderson limited edition dry shampoo is. Whilst Ella was an elite contester in the Xfactor, her own dry shampoo mirrors this eliteness because it is so damn mighty fine. So with her voluptuous hair and and sweet smile, I'm sure your next visit to Boots and Superdrug will end up with one of these beauties in your shopping baskets.

I personally love how sweet smelling this shampoo is and I can almost detect a bit f coconut in it (yum). My personal tip would be to use this product at the root of the hair and rub it in well with your hands or gently with a tangle teazer (trust me this works a treat). I would also use this product even once I had washed and dried my hair because that way, my hair is much more manageable (and using dry shampoo on a daily basis won't make it greasy). Whilst Batiste's top tip is to keep a can in your handbags everyday because you never know when you need it (agreed), Ella's is to spray on mid lengths to ends for an instant texture boost. So whatever colour or type of hair you have, this can of delight is the ultimate go to product. You can pick one up in Boots or Superdrug for £3.29-£2.19 (currently cheaper in Boots). Ella also says:“Batiste is my number 1 hit; I’m either in the studio or on stage, in a car or on a plane - often with little time to get ready. I can always count on Batiste to refresh and restyle my hair in one go; I know I’ll always be ready for wherever the day takes me.”



You can check out my other Batiste post by clicking here
Which is your favourite Batiste product? Would you use Ella Henderson's?
Much Love
Eltoria x


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