Beauty Wish List

With snow days and having to get back into a routine if doing university work I haven't had much time do any shopping. One of my new year resolutions was to buy quality instead of quantity. So I am currently trying to save up and buy things I truly want and not simply buy for the sake of shopping. Here is my current beauty wish list, the ten face mask and urban decay eye primer potions will hopefully be my need of month treat....

                                                    Bumble & Bumble Seaweed Conditioner £17.00

                                                    Ren Radiance Renewal Mash £30.00

                                                   Benefit Hervana Blusher £23.50

                                                   Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer £14.50

                                                   Topshop Lipstick In Hazard £8.00

Mac- Quartz Fusion Eyeshadow

I have read mixed reviews about Macs Quartz Fusion eye shadow, but I was just instantly drawn to its lovely pink rose gold marble effect. Plus, I bought it from the Make-up Company outlet at Bicester Village so was cheaper then it originally retailed for.

I love the Quartz Fusion colour I think it is so pretty, however it is very light and powdery when I applied it but easy to build up a nice colour. The glitter to it is also really lovely.

Caudalie Beauty Elixer

I know, I know not another review of what I swear is the most hyped product of the year. But this month I caved and bought in to the buzz of the beauty elixir.

I personally really like the Caudalie beauty elixir. I use it as quick face mist before I put my make-up on and when I just want to quickly refresh my make-up. I find it quick and easy to use, the tea trea smelling scent is strong but I don't mind that. I think its great to use when travelling on coaches and especially in hot weather its nice to have a lovely fresh feeling to your skin.

However the price I find ridiculous. I got this mini bottle for £11, which is far more then I would normally spend on something so small. However I do love the concept of the elixir. But The Body Shop do a Vitamin E mist which will probably be a lot cheaper.

New Blog Name And Header

As you can see, I have changed my blog name and header. Previously having been called 'The Shopping Diary' I would document my purchases from clothes, scarves, dvds and so on. I just felt that this was no longer what my blog was about and it needed a new name.

This blog originally started of as a uni project but now a couple of months on with the project over I started trying out different styles of posts. I got sucked into all the different beauty blogs and their youtube channels (such as Essie Button, Dizzy Brunette, Fleur De Force and Sprinkle of Glitter). My blog became more then a uni project but a past time that I actually enjoyed.

Since then my blog has become very much a beauty based blog. I chose to call my blog 'Bow Bentley' as I just wanted something sweet and simple. Bentley is my surname and well, I love bows and have lots of jewellery and clothes with them on. I thought it would look pretty and decorative and would fit perfectly. My lovely friend Gabby (who also has a blog http://justdesignit44.blogspot.co.uk/) designed the header with me as she is a design student so is amazing and all things like that!

Anyway I just thought I should explain why I changed the name and I hope you all like it! :)

Benefit- Girl Meets Pearl

When I first got this liquid highlighter for £24.50 I wasn't that sure on how to use it. I haven't used anything like it before so it took a week or two to get the gist of the product. I do adore the bottle it looks lovely on my dressing table with it's tall pink tinted shiny bottle. Plus it smells really lovely!

I think this product is great for a '5 minute face', when your in a rush you can just quickly apply it to add a healthy glow to your complexion. To apply you twist the bottom section of the bottle and it comes out of all these tiny little circles, if that makes sense? You can either apply it directly to your face, or use your finger to wipe up the liquid to apply to specific areas.

I personally use it as a base for my eyeshadow and on top of my blusher as a slight rosy tint to it, so compliments my blusher well.

I really like this product as I am a bit of fan of the dewy healthy look. I think I may prefer there high beam highlighter but the packaging and smell of girl meets pearl is a lot nicer then high beams.

Urban Decay Brow Box

I bought the Urban Decay brow box from a Debenhams beauty evening a few weeks ago for £17 which I actually think is a pretty good price for the brand. It comes in a cool purple and black patterned little box and contains; a mirror, two powder colour shades, mini tweezers, a mini angled brush and wax to keep the brows in place. 

You can but it in tow different colour shades I opted for Brown Sugar which is the darkest shade and matches my brows perfectly! I love this product it is very easy to use and sculpts brows brilliantly. The wax I find a little hard to use it often is a bit clumpy and you can see it on my eye brows so I use Vaseline instead to keep them in the same place. But overall this is my favourite eye brow product!

Liebster Award

 

I was nominated for this award by the lovely Becca (http://wearetakingthiswaytooslow.blogspot.co.uk/)

                                                   These are the rules for the award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves
 2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've   tagged to answer.
 3. Choose 11 people and tag them in your post.
 4. Go to their page and tell them.
 5. No tag backs!


                                                          11 facts about me

1. I am currently writing this post in London as I am doing a 2 week internship at Reveal Magazine doing fashion and beauty.
2. My favourite coffee is a vanilla latte
3. At the moment I love shopping at Zara and Primark.
4. I prefer twitter to Facebook
5. I am really excited for the new Batman film to be released
6. I have a tattoo of a Bow on the back of my neck
7. I am going on holiday to Verona in September with my boyfriend.
8. I really appreciate politeness
9. The last film I watched was Breakfast at Tiffanys
10. My favourite beauty brand at the moment is Pixi
11. I love French designers such as The Kooples and Sandro 

                                                           Questions asked

1. Favourite Brand of Make-up?- I go through phases at the moment it's Benefit or Pixi and I do always like Bourjois. 
2. Favourite takeaway?- Fish and Chips without a doubt!
3. Skin product you can't live without?-A cleanser just a witch hazel boots own brand one would do just fine!
4. Preferred brand of nail polish?- Nails Inc
5. Do you have any phobias?- I have lots of little phobias such as spiders.
6. Where do you buy most of your clothes? -A mixture but over all River Island
7. What expensive product would you buy if you could afford too?- The no no hair removal and an Alexander Wang handbag
8. Last Book I bought?- An Education by Lynn Barber  
9. Favourite think to cook?- Salmon and potato salad
10. What made you chose your blog name?- It was originally part of my uni course and I wanted my blog to be about keeping track of what I buy and spend my money on.
11. Cinema or watching films at home?- Cinema, always!   

                                                     My questions

1. Who is your style icon?
2. What is the last book you read?
3. What is your favourite film?
4. What are your bad habits?
5. What is your favourite make-up product?
6. What is your most expensive beauty product?
7. Who is your favourite blogger?
8. What made you want to start blogging?
9. Where is your favourite place to shop?
10. What do you find most difficult about blogging?
11. What is your best Summer beauty buy?         

                                                  My nominations

1. http://www.hellomissniki.com/
2. http://www.dizzybrunette3.com/ 
3. http://megancatherinenorris.blogspot.co.uk/
4. http://emily--charlotte.blogspot.co.uk/
5. http://makemeupkia.blogspot.co.uk/
6. http://emi-doll.blogspot.co.uk/
7. http://freedomofpeachk.blogspot.co.uk/
8. http://escaping-emma.blogspot.co.uk/
9. http://sleepandwater.blogspot.co.uk/
10. http://amplecurvature.blogspot.co.uk/
11. http://farewell-tothefairground.blogspot.co.uk/

Dirty Works- Bye Bye Dark Cirlces

This was very much an impulse buy but I am so pleased that I picked it up! It is from a brand called 'Dirty Works' which I don't really know much about it, the style of the brand reminded me very much of Soap and Glory which I love. Dirty Works is sold exclusively in supermarket Sainsburys. The brand also sells body scrubs and lotions again similar to Soap and Glory.....  

I chose to get Dirty Works dark circles concealer for £4.99. It comes in a sweet square compact perfect to carry around in your bag. Inside each side of the cube contains a creamy concealer in two different shades one a pale beige and the other a has a slight pinky tone. This mean it will work for most skin tones and you can blend the two colours together to create the perfect match for your skin. I dab the concealer under my eyes for an instant cover up.

It also contains aloe vera and vitamin E so is soothing and moisturising on the skin. Even though its meant to be just for under eyes I also use it on blemishes and works nicely. But it does have a shiny finish to it.

Overall I am very impressed with Dirty Works Bye Bye Dark Circles, its easy to apply and works well. Not bad at all for a product that you only get from a supermarket!

(Also apologies that the product is a bit grubby in the photos, but that just shows how much i've used it!)

Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Eyeliner

This eyeliner retails for £14.50 but I won it as part of a hamper at a Debenhams beauty giveaway. After trying out many Benefit products one of my favourite things about them is the intensity of their colours. This jet black liner backs that up with its strong dark colour. It is also pretty easy to use, the brush is just the right size of not being too thin nor too thick. It creates a strong sleek line nice in one quick stroke. It is quite wet when you apply so takes a few minutes to dry.

I prefer it on my upper lash line then my lower. As I thought it looked a bit too gothic and didn't really emphasise my eyes, just made me look like I was wearing lots of eyeliner!

But overall I do like this liner its easy and is long lasting.

Benefit High Beam

This dewy pearly pink highlighter is a really lovely product, it feels nice and light on my skin and gives it a healthy reflective glow. I received this in a beauty hamper that I won but it retails at £18.50 , which is pretty expensive but it comes a good sized bottle and you only need a few drops of the product so will last you a long time.

I like to use this benefit highlighter on my cheek bones, brow bone and sometimes under my eyes. I apply it in the mornings to perk up my tired complexion to brighten it up and make it look more hydrated. I love how subtle the product so it creates a natural look. 

I am desperate to try the Sun Beam version of this. Even though i'm a very pale person I would of quite liked it to have more of a tint to it to add some colour to my face, which the Sun Beam appears to have. 

It's Potent! Benefit Eye Cream

I am not a big believer in eye creams, especially ones that claim to reduce dark circles. After trying countless eye creams surrounded by hype I always end up disappointed. But finally I may have found one that works.

I received Benefit, it's potent eye cream in the hamper I won at a Debenhams beauty evening. It retails for £23.50 which in my opinion is a little steep but, i'm starting to be convinced its worth the money. It comes in gorgeous glass pot, it feels soothing and leaves your under eyes feeling refreshed. It absorbs in to the skin leaving it feeing fresh all day. It moisturises but isn't greasy even though you may not see a difference with dark circles straight away I can see a difference after  a week. My under eyes look a lot brighter feel nicer. It is also meant to help wrinkles and I guess its never to early to prevent them. I apply it before my make-up and as it absorbs quickly so makes a great base for make-up.

I will most definitely repurchase this when its finishes.

What I bought, Clinique, Urban Decay, Dior and Benefit

I went to the Debenhams beauty evening with 3 things in mind already that I wanted to buy. The first one was Benefits POREfessional which was £23 but I got a £5 off voucher which I used so it was a bit cheaper. I wanted to get some eye brow grooming products as I haven't got anything like that and the high street selection is very limited. My friend Emma recommend Urban Decays Brow Box. It's a really cool purple and black compact containing a mirror, 2 brow colours, tweezers, brush and a wax to keep the brows neat. To go with it I bought Urbanbrow which is styling brush and setting brush.

Of course there was very little chance of me coming away with only the things I intended. I picked up the new 'must have' lip product, Clinique's Chubby Stick. Which has been heavily featured in magazines and beauty blog. I also got the Clinque cleansing milk 'take the day off' and Dior pink lip serum. I will most likely be posting more detailed reviews in the next few weeks... 

I think its fair to say I bought more then I can afford but I'm happy with my purchases!

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