MUA Gel Eyeliner in Underground

 (available from Superdrug & MUA online for £3)

As I've previously mentioned, I am a huge fan of the MUA range. They are a brand that have high quality products at a low price that are affordable for even the most budget of beauty shoppers! They have lots of new additions including this Gel Liner.

This particular eyeliner comes in 4 shades: Underground (black), Fairground (grey), On the Move (brown) and Tribe (blue). This makes a change from the typical just black which makes a change, however I plumped for Underground as it's a colour that goes with how I've been doing my make-up lately.

Finding the brush was a little mission at first. I had no idea where on earth to find it and thought I may have to use my own brush. But there is a small indent on the bottle (on the large picture it is just below the sticker showing the colour of the gel liner) which I think they should perhaps make a slight bit more obvious. This makes it handy for on the go applications to whip out your make-up bag and use whenever, wherever.

The brush itself is wonderful. Its bristles are stiff but relax onto the eye making the gel smooth to apply whilst still retaining its shape. This not only makes application a lot easier but its a dream to hold without feeling too flimsy or a pain to put on. 

Previous gel liners I've tried are very stiff and take a little warming up to take the liner out of the pot. The MUA gel eyeliner is perfect though - only a little is needed to build up an eyeliner effect which stands out. The formula itself is smooth and blends perfectly on my eyelid without creasing or losing pigmentation.

The colour itself is bold and vibrant - a lot of other liners can be glittery. This feels like a mix of both liquid and pencil eyeliner - taking the softness of the pencil and the pigmentation/boldness of liquid without taking forever to dry or looking chalky. It takes the best of both worlds.

Having used this eyeliner several times I am very impressed at its staying power and refusal to smudge. As you can see creating different lines and textures is easy and versatile looks can be made in an instant. Another 5* for MUA - very impressive! 

MUA Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette

  

 (available from superdrug or MUA online for £1)

Recently retailers such as the likes of AVON and MUA now have eyebrow pencils with brushes included - this makes application so much more easy as you can shape your brows ready for the pencil at the other end. Perfect for someone on the go!

 

The design of the pencil itself is very simple and plain with sleek silver highlights that make it look classy. Having a seal around each end to protect it from getting all over my make-up bag or spreading bacteria is brilliant as it ensures that my make-up is well looked after. 

The MUA range is one I love with prices ranging from £1 - £4 throughout the whole collection which is brilliant for someone on a budget, like myself, without compromising on quality. The brush itself is soft, unlike those that are structured with a bristles wrapped around a metal wire which can hurt a little. This means that it doesn't tug on my eyebrows but lightly brushes them into a nice shape perfect for before pencil application.

The pencil only comes in brunette or blonde although both come out a lot darker than expected. This is definitely for those that want a stand-out 'brow rather than something more subtle/natural. I've found that using the flat side of the brush (holding it slightly sideways) makes it more easy to blend as using it front-on makes it come out too dark.

Hardly any pressure is needed to obtain a good looking result without going overboard. Obviously if you have darker hair then more may be needed. Yet again, an issue I've had with several eyebrow pencils, is that I'd much prefer a twist-up style rather than hunting around for a sharpener.

I can't fault any of the MUA range (so far - although I doubt my impression will change)! It's a beautiful collection with prices that are perfect for those on a budget. For £1 you cannot go wrong. Well done MUA!

(bottom picture shows how easy it is to blend without losing too much pigmentation)

Inecto Pure Coconut Moisture Creme

(purchased mine here for £3.52/275ml)

I would just like to point out that buying this was my own error as I read the product completely wrong and thought it was coconut oil for hair which I read was really nourishing. Imagine my surprise as I opened it in preparation for my mum's birthday and realised I'd bought body cream. Oops!

I am however very, very impressed with this product so thought I'd write a little review about it.

The product itself is made by Inecto which is a brand whose products are made with 100% pure coconut oil and aims to instantly hydrate and nourish dry skin. I'd say this isn't a very well established brand but judging from this product it should have a lot more coverage.

The pot itself is absolutely huge and I feel as though for the price I paid this is brilliant as it will last me a long time. It is rare that I ever see a product that's worth more than the money I've paid for it. Upon opening the tub the scent was prominent straight away - it has a gorgeous, light coconut smell. Rather than the usual synthetic smell that can sometimes come with coconut scented products it's very natural.

It is applied on the skin and comes across very smooth. It doesn't feel like it's layering up too much or has a thick/gritty consistency. It's very easy to blend and soaks in quickly so I don't feel as though I have to wait ages after moisturising before doing anything. A little also goes along way without feeling greasy or shiny. The scent lingers for a while without interrupting my routine and I get the odd whiff of it which is absolutely gorgeous.

As you can see the product dries on my skin quite quickly and doesn't feel sticky but my skin feels better and more hydrated since using the creme. This is a wonderful product that I stumbled across and was so glad I 'accidentally' bought it. I'm definitely looking into more of the Inecto range.

10 day 'you' challenge - TEN

10 day you challenge

#10 secrets // #09 loves // #08 fears // #07 wants // #06 places // #05 foods // #04 books // #03 films // #02 songs // #01 picture of yourself.

1 picture of yourself



this is me & my friend aimee on my (probable) last night out in essex. she's been an absolute rock for me over the past 9 years that i've known her and i love her to pieces.
hollaaah.

Theatre Review: Starlight Express

Starlight Express follows the story of a group of railway trains who come to life inside the mind of a young boy. They race to become the fastest engine in the world and it is portrayed on stage with the actors on roller-skates throughout the whole performance. With music and creatives by Andrew Lloyd Webber and choreography by Arlene Phillips it's an all-singing, all-dancing, all-skating affair for the whole family.

Just a little 'back story' for my specific performance - this show is currently touring the UK (tickets/dates of which can be purchased here) and my mum bought herself tickets a while back. I was rather jealous and so, on the day of the performance, there was a special deal at my local theatre where £39.50 tickets were going for £10 - so I obviously snapped them up!

Upon arrival I was given 3D glasses. I'd heard the show was 3D but I wasn't too sure how so waiting for that section to unfold was exciting. A screen came down with a warning to put on your glasses came on and the 3D action happens over the course of the 'races'. You get to see the 'trains' race on a 3D screen - I suppose this is to ensure that the right train wins (imagine if an actor that was supposed to win fell down!) plus there are extra bits that 'pop out' which made the audience scream and 'ooh'. 

The problem with this production touring the UK was that, as a show predominantly revolved around skating, the ramps were not as good as those that were in the London performances. Having seen the bigger stage and a ramp running around the whole of the theatre (picture below) I felt disappointed and the 'closed in' appearance of the stage I went to see. It followed the structure of two little ramps which is such a shame. With such a built up production I had the attitude of do it properly or don't do it all because I feel as though it was so much more enclosed. If it didn't stay true to the gorgeous staging of below I feel slightly as though a tour perhaps shouldn't've gone ahead. But hey ho, each to their own.

My main issue with Starlight Express was the plot. It was just very all over the place and the idea that these toys were controlled by a young boy wasn't too obvious. Some songs I didn't feel flowed into each other - it dipped in and out from humerous to slow to being cut off and back onto a high end. It was very chaotic and a big mish mash. I overheard someone comment on something similar as we were walking out. At times it just felt very, very 'weird'. 

Having said that the singing, dancing, stamina and energy of the performers cannot be faulted at all. It had a high impact but I think it's very 'Andrew Lloyd Webber' in the sense that you can tell it's him by his somewhat strange imaginative creation but I feel sometimes his plots are very hit or miss. This is a good show and it's worth watching, despite how I may make it sound, but I'd definitely say to catch it on a bigger stage as I think the staging would be more beneficial. 

Hell, if I could do that on skates I'd want to show it off in staging as beautiful as the London show!

10 day 'you' challenge - NINE

10 day you challenge

#10 secrets // #09 loves // #08 fears // #07 wants // #06 places // #05 foods // #04 books // #03 films // #02 songs // #01 picture of yourself.

2 songs

1. mcfly - the heart never lies/shine a light

both these songs resonate so much with me. so many memories between the releases of these and so many memories have come from this. these are both beautiful, beautiful songs. the above video (top) is from the wembley concert. i was there and to hear the crowd this loud singing a song that was relatively old considering gives me absolute chills every time. the second video (bottom) is from the shepherds bush gig that i was at again and this song hadn't even been released. hearing a crowd sing along to a song they've barely heard just shows the strength of galaxy defenders (the mcfly fanbase).

2. olly murs - hold on

this was a difficult one for me but i can always see him dancing to it in concert in my head. this isn't one of my ultimate, ultimate favourite songs but the lyrics (despite being a little bit cheesy in a way he can get away with) mean a lot to me!

10 day 'you' challenge - EIGHT

10 day you challenge

#10 secrets // #09 loves // #08 fears // #07 wants // #06 places // #05 foods // #04 books // #03 films // #02 songs // #01 picture of yourself.

3 films

1. deja vu. i will always, always rave about how amazing this film is. denzhel washington is amazing in himself but this has a plot whereby when i watch it i'll always pick up on something new. (i'd also like to mention inception which came close but unfortunately isn't as amazing as deja vu)

2. crazy, stupid, love. a very recent viewing of mine but it has 3 of my favourite actors in; emma stone, steve carrell and ryan gosling. i don't believe it has any lagging in plot and it's the perfect mixture of comedy and romance. plus there's a certain moment (well quite a few) where i wish i were emma stone.

3. mean girls. the ultimate classic and i believe it always will be. i'd be shocked if i ever came across someone that hadn't seen it. YOU GO GLEN COCO! 

INSTAWEEK #1

My first instagram post! Yes, I'm officially an instageek.

Instagram: raechellexo

lay ins & rainy days || bacon roll treat || nights in with goodwin, vino & towie

unsuccessful shopping trips || midnight quiche after work || best yoghurt 

ollie looking pretty || new juice discovery. thanks aldi || grumpy alfie

how i woke up || beautiful buffet food with katherine || boogie nights

hangover food is the best || sabrina the teenage witch || uni plans!

10 day 'you' challenge - SEVEN

10 day you challenge

#10 secrets // #09 loves // #08 fears // #07 wants // #06 places // #05 foods // #04 books // #03 films // #02 songs // #01 picture of yourself.

4 books

1. harry potter. i think this is either a 'love' or 'hate' for most people but this was one of the first series i've ever properly gotten into and liked as a whole franchise. most of the time there's something missing from it but i can say these books are as close to something that i'd call excellence as i can find. 

2. jill mansell. i know this is an author rather than a book but i find it so hard to whittle down books that i'm so passionate about. her books give me a little happy buzz and i think that's very important when you're trying to connect with something.

3. jane costello. yet again an author but her books grasp me from the very first page and i don't feel forced into reading them. they're funny and something i both want to be a part of and wish i'd written myself.

4. this one was so difficult because i love books and choosing the last one out of my whole (massive) collection is hard but the 'i heart' series is brilliant. lindsey kelk really connects with her readers and the 'average/normal' woman. which is wonderful. yet another book i wish i'd written.

10 day 'you' challenge - SIX

10 day you challenge

#10 secrets // #09 loves // #08 fears // #07 wants // #06 places // #05 foods // #04 books // #03 films // #02 songs // #01 picture of yourself.

7 foods

1. chicken. (i'm into a lot of 'ch' words!) i love chicken. i love it any which way and think it's possibly the best food ever. you can put it in anything and eat it with everything... plus it's a bonus that you can tell if it's cooked or not. perfect!

2. potato. channelling my inner keith lemon. yet again, something else i can have any way - although jackets are my favourite. i always crave potato. 

3. chocolate. who doesn't love chocolate?! i do get shocked when people don't like chocolate. usually i'd choose savoury over sweet... unless it's chocolate. 

4. cheese. this was a bit of a random one. i generally like meals but when i think about food, cheese is something i can have with anything. it's such a 'vital' ingredient to make anything taste better.

5. chinese. my favourite takeaway. i may order the same thing but that's because it's just so beautiful.