Boots Rant - Bad Experiences at the NYX Stand

NYX Cosmetics are a brand that are fairly new to me. I'd heard of them but alas, thought getting them anywhere in the UK other than Boots horrific website was a no go(which I wasn't about to risk my sanity trying to order from there. Trust me, its not good for cosmetics puchases!). So when I wandered into their St Enoch store looking for my lunch one overtime shift at work and was suddenly greated by a huge NYX dislpay I was one happy bunny.

Well I say happy bunny, what I mean is surprised, then happy, then annoyed at having to fight for my lipstick, then annoyed at the queue. Once I got home my anger subsided though as, for being one of the lower end lipsticks you can get in the UK (I think they're £5.50) so similar to Rimmel maybe. I dont know how much brands like Rimmel and Maybeline cost anymore, as they're not cruelty free I tried to avoid buying from them. 

 On my first trip I found two colurs I absolutely loved. Number 11 - Licorice and 17 - Pops.

 Pops was sold out though... Boooo. Hissss.

Next time I was in Boots I decided to check if they had Pops back in. They did. One was snapped in the tube, break clearly visable through the panel, and the other had been opened by someone and rubbed all over god only knows what. Yuck. Use the tester, people!

I did pick up another couple of colours, cute pink shades called Fizzies and Cotton Cady. I was in a very girly mood that day.

Trip three, also called the time I almost lost it at a member of Boots staff.

Nipped into Boots for lunch and a new eyeliner, decide to swatch all the things. You know how it goes. Check up on Pops. I feel like this lipstick is becoming my Moby Dick and I'm wondering why bother, is it really worth it?

I round the corner, I check the display, they have two in stock. I'm reaching for them, they're in my hand....

 I quickly realise that both of them have been torn open, and rubbed all over things, by some discusting human being hellbent on ruining my day. A quick survey of the NYX display tells me that this is not an isolated incident. Pops isn't being  targeted, people are just being shit and ripping things open despite they're being plenty of testers for everything.

As this is my third trip I decide to find a member of staff and ask if they have any more, and also point out the state of the display, cause its disgusting and its right at the front of the store. I'd have got my arse booted if I left a display stand like that when I used to work in retail.

Locating a member of staff takes some time as there is no-one around and I'm beginning to see why the displays look so messy and gross. I eventually find someone and am like "Hey, I want to buy this lipstick but you only have these two ripped up ones out, do you have any more?"

She looks at me like I have about three nipples growing out my face, before telling me they don't. NYX gets stocked daily in the morning but they don't hold anything in reserve in the shop. I then ask what she wants me to do with the ripped up, nasty, open ones.

She tells me to "just put them back on the shelf".

Wait. What? You want me to put unsanitary, broken products you're not allowed to sell for hygeine reasons back in a huge display at the front of the store?

I couldn't deal with it. I sat them down solemnly on the shelf next to her and walked back to the makeup section to find my eyeliner. I then see her sticking them back in amoungst the lipsticks for sale. Thinking about it makes my brain hurt.

I didnt go in for a while after that as I couldn't cope with the display and the disappointment.

Last Saturday I was in town and between saying goodbye to a friend and meeting more and had to stock up on some bits. So headed to an uncharacteristicly quiet Boots, as I also wanted to grab some food and their sandwiches are (usually) nicer that Superdrugs.

My plan was to ignore all the make up, just get what was on the list and leave. Just keep walking, you don't need it. Just keep walking, just keep walking. You get where I'm going with this.

 Anyway, theres not a route through the store that involves me not going near any of the makeup however I pick the route that goes straight up the centre as then all I have to tempt me is the end displays. In the summer thought they're full of bronzer anyway and thats of about as much interest to me as having e-coli again. And I'm walking, and I'm walking, and its going well. And I walk past the NYX end and... the pull is too strong. I can't beat it. I need to look.

And they have it in stock. Two of them in stock. And neither of them are all funked up. I had to take a moment to catch my breath. What was happening to my life?

I bought that lipstick then and there. Best thing that happened for at least a couple of hours. I then went for a late lunch and drinks with some friends and quickly forgot about my victory against the cosmetic gods.

 

Was it worth that crazy level of effort though for a semi-sheer nude coloured lipstick?

Oh hell yeah it was. I got it three weeks ago today (boyfriend was a Glastonbury festival, only reason I know the dates) and I'd say I've probably worn it between 12 and 14 times, and I dont always do my makeup at the weekend so more than two thirds of the time.  It is my favourite lipstick for work and is really easy to not screw up first thing in the morning. Seeing as for the next few weeks I'll be starting work at 7am is something I need in my life.

The other Butter lipsticks I own are nice. I dont think they wear as well, but that might be because they are more out distinct colours (baby and bright pink, berry and purply brown) so it more obvious when they've rubbed off. Also it might be because I'm more concious of my makeup when I wear them, so naturally I check up more than nude tones, so I dont realise the nudes have worn off so much.

Had a bad NYX stand experience? Let me know in the comments.

xo Scruffy

Primark Beauty Haul - First Impressions

So on Sunday, which is now three days ago and I started typing this up the day I bought it. I've been busy trying to sell half my wardrobe on eBay and lumbered with technical problems. Anyway thats changing the subject. I discovered something amazing. All of Primarks PS. range is completely cruelty free, and it is cheap as chips.

 So heres what I got.

 

Nothing I bought cost more £2.50, which I though was great, however I couldn't get everything I wanted as the displays were nothing short of disgusting. Full of busted packaging and smashed powder over everything. It took me maybe 5 minutes to find 2 lipliners in the very large display that weren't opened. I wanted a couple of the lipsticks but I couldn't find any I liked that hadn't been opened and rubbed all over who knows what *boke*

 9 Shade Eyeshadow Palette £2.50

This really didn't impress me. The packaging was nice and chic however the pigmentation was pretty crap and they were so chalky and powdery. Also most of them look the same. Can't see me ever using it.

 Bronze 3pk Nail Polish £2.50

There's are really pretty. I've been rocking the copper tone on the left for 3 days now and its just beginning to chip. It doesn't dry hard as quickly as I'd like but for under £1 a bottle and colours that are this gorgeous, I can deal with it.

 Liquid Foundation in Ivory £2.50

Yicks, I hate full foundation. Hardly ever wear it. Maybe I should as my skin is constantly crapy, but I can't do it. I hate things that feel heavy and sticky and hot on my skin. I walk over a mile in my newly applied makeup to work before anyone even sees me in it. I've not put it on my face yet as my skin has been really sore and aggrivated lately and I don't want to risk making it worse. The colour looks like it would be the one closest to my skin and I will definetly give it a shot and let you know what I think .

Lipliners in Light Pink and Nude £1 each

I'd heard great things about these so I was annoyed when I could only get two that werent all funked up and ruined. I was needing more wearable lipliner colours so these were a good shout. They are really pretty good and I will be looking into getting some more of these. The nude one goes really well with my favourite work lipstick (NYX Butter lipstick in Pops). Winner.

Smudge Liner in Black £1

I haven't played with this much yet but it seems very nice. Very black, can make a sharp line but when smudged it can be softened to a nice smokey glow. Will use this some more and report back in.

Two Pack Eyeliner in White and Natural £1

Two eyeliners for £1, yes please. I was really unsure about these but once I swatched them on my hand I was sold. The white is super bright and the natural one is different to anything I already own. Not waterline tested them yet but again will test some more and file my report with you.

Items I didnt photograph

Loose face powder £2.00

It's loose powder, didn't know how to photograph it, didn't know why you would want me to. Its nice enough, rivals some drug store stuff. Holes are a bit big in the packaging but nothing disasterous.

Perfume stick in Fuchsia £2.00

Solid perfume in a pencil stick. It smells nice, not super strong but thats not bad. The pencil means you don't need to get it all over your fingers and the clear wax is great as you don't end up with a coloured streak on your neck or arms if it doesn't get rubbed in right. Now it lives in my handbag.

Texture Spray £2 (or £2.50, I can't remember)

They make haircare so I might as well try it.  It smells nice and helps beachify my hair. Like it

All in all I'm impressed, even if the displays were gross. I'm probably not going to rush back for more anytime soon (although they are launching a "pro" range which I might need to checkout).

Tried any Primark Beauty, let me know what you think.

xo Scruffy

Project Bathroom Declutter - Starting Point

I'm a hoarder, and a bargain hunter. My skin flip flops from spotty and oily to dry and sore and back again. I like moisturisers, but don't like it when the feel heavy, or doesn't absorb right and I get bored using things that smell the same every single day. My hair is thick, and kinda curly, and my scalp can be really sensitive and irrated sometimes. I like Lush products and often get huge bath sets as gifts.

My bathroom is a disaster!

Please keep in mind when looking at the photos, this is my bathroom. Not the bathroom of a family of four or even a couple, its just me. That level of clutter is all mine. (I also pulled a couple of hand creams and and wipes from my bedroom and handbag so I could give a more accurate report on my hoarding).

My goal for the past couple of months has been to use up as many of everything as I can without buying anything new if at all possible. And for the most part I've done pretty well. I have had to go out and by some face products as I was using things for more spot prone "teenage skin" but my skin began to get dry and sensitive so I had to shake it up a little.

I recently started keeping a count and I'm now at six bottles, a sample and an empty packet of wipes. Before that I was just kind of winging it but that wasn't making for a lot of progress so I thought a clear way to track would be better. I'm hoping to get it down to a lever where everything on the side fits the two pink plastic baskets you can barely see in the background (with the exception of a single shampoo, conditioner, scrub and body wash that can live on the bath). I also want to get rid of the clear plastic box full of Lush stuff and all the other loose bars and bits kicking about, then swap this out with something smaller and most visually pleasing.

Wish me luck guys, also if you have any tips on how to not get tempted and buy more stuff would be much appreciated.

xo Scruffy

June 2016 Favourites

Well what a month June was. A lot of work, a lot of makeup and a new blog. A couple of meetups with friends and a lot of quiet nights in. 

This is just a rundown of some of my favourite things from the month. If you follow me on instagram or found this through instagram them you've probably already seen some of these but I'm going to go into some more depth here and explain why I love what I love.

Shearer Candles Tin Candle in Cranachan

OK, I've been in love and working on this candle for a while. I have it in the bathroom and light it when I'm having a proper pamper night. I was going to descibe the smell but Cranachan itself is a Scottish dessert of raspberries, cream, whisky, honey and oats and it smells like if you imagine that being a candle. Love it

 

 

Orange Lipstick

Up until the middle of last year (when I started getting into liquid to matte lipsticks) I only owned 3 lipsticks. There were two nudey pink kind of shades and a red one. I had a couple of lipglosses as well I would sometimes wear, but I really hate lipgloss so those were more if I needed something to finish my face with. Orange is not a colour you would have ever caught me in, and if you askes me if I thought it would look good on me, I would have told you hell no. Now, as much as I wear mostly a nude or a rose pink to work most days, I have a total love for a tangerine lip. And it looks surprisingly good seeing as my hair is an weak reddy brown colour and my face is usually the same colour as a tomato.

The one in the pic is the MUA Luxe velvet laquere in the colour Zest. 

 Superdrug Gentle Creamy Cleanser and Nip+Fab Glycolic Instant Fix Mask

(Please ignore the pore strips, I'm typing this late at night and didn't have the lighting for new pics)

The cleanser is as described. Its gentle, its creamy, it cleanses, it doesn't irrated or sting my skin in any way. Win. My only critisism is that it has "moisturising beads" in it, you know those little ball things that burst when you work them into your skin. I've never been a fan of these, even in my teeange years when I first started using cleansers I didnt see the appeal. I just dont understand why you couldn't just mix some extra moisturiser (or whatever) into the wash itself

The mask was something new to me. Up until earlier this year almost every mask I used was designed to calm down breakouts or unclog pores. Its only since I hit my quarter century I even began to consider maybe my skin needed something else. My focus changed from OMG my pores are blocked to OMG my pores are huge and I realised how dull and dehydrated my skin could look.

Its a little weird to use as its a clear gel, and it doesn't reallydry or set on the skin, so I have to guess when it needs washed off. I've used it three times since I got it and definetely leaves my skin feeling smoother and brighter and my pores looking more refined and reduced. I cant really speak for its wrinke reducing properties as thats not a concern for me...yet.

I'll definetly be looking into more Nip+Fab stuff once I've got my bathroom decluttereds. Look out for a post about that project in the next couple of days.

NYX Butter Lipstick in POPS (BL17)

So this took me way too long to get. It was a whole thing we wont get into right now. All you need to know is I think it took five trips to NYX counter in the St Enoch centre to get one that hadn't been ripped open already by someone else (boke). However it was worth the wait. I've used this almost every day since I got it. Its just a really nice nudey pink colour. Its not drying but I do feel like the formula dries down a little on my lips. It also doesnt seen to transfer nearly as easily as some of the other shades I have in this like Ripe Berry and Fizzies.

And lastly... My New Bedspread

Yeah soak in that tackiness. 

Thats all for now duckies.

xo Scruffy

Thrift Haul - June 2016

Another month, another thift shop finds post....

I wasn't even curious, not even a little till the Charity Shop "Boutique" oppposite my work suddenly went from ornate mannequins in the window to huge posters screamming "All Clothing 99p or less" and "All books 4 for £1". Then I had to have a rummage.

Inside the shop didn't most the amazing display of weird, wacky and wonderful I had hoped for. Largely it was just rails of Primark and Asda from the past two years. Oh and the trousers from 80's ladies power suits. Bright green polyester anyone? Even I draw a line somewhere.

That doesn't mean I left empty handed though. After a really good rummage I came across two items I wanted.

Later on in the month I got a craving to go and rummage again (I was waiting to meet a friend in town, sue me) and picked up a couple of other things for reasons I'm still not sure on.

June's (somewhat tiny) Haul

 

The grey tshirt. 99p

Its Mantaray, its soft, it'll make a nice lounging top and look a bit more classy than my Minions tshirt. Thats about it. Job well done

The two long beaded necklaces £1.49 each

I got these for one reason and one reason only. To relive the phase I went through when I used to wrap long necklaces round my wrist mulitple times to make a gorgeous (cough) and classy (cough) looking chunky bracelet.

OK. I know when I do it it looks neither of those things but it makes a funny noise when I move and gives me something for my hands to fidget with when I feel uncomfortable in a situation or feel stressed and need a distraction. I'm currently pretty stressed out due to a couple of things so these seemed like a good shout. The more stressed I get the more I withdraw from society and as my social life is actually a thing right now, I dont want to kill it... again.

And finally, that awesome, sexy, velvety, mini, off the shoulder, baggy, top, thing (a steal at a mere 99 shiny pennies).

Here's a better photo so you can basque in the awesome with me,

This is amazing.

A true classic and an example of why we need to wipe the 80's and 90's from everyones memories.

I think I'm going to try and wear it to my cousins 21st in August, maybe with some shiny, leather look leggings and blue eyeshadow. Unless I find something better, its way too hot to wear it (this thing is thiccck) or someone pays me not to. You have all been warned in advance.

xo Scruffy

Makeup Revolution Haul June 2016

I buy quite a lot of make up (no more till after my hollibobs in September though) and if I can trust the company I will do it online, because places like Boots and Superdrug (and if I'm feeling sassy and rich Debenhams) are not fun at lunchtimes. Big crowds stress me out and waiting in line is annoying. Also if I get there and they have several of what I want but they're all funked up as people have chosen to open them rather than use a designated tester. No, just no. Why do that? It's just gross and unnecessary.

I fell in love with Makeup Revolution a while ago, however the bay in Superdrug is always heaving with people and out of what I want or they never even stocked it in the first place. So I was over the moon when I trial ordered off their website and it went well. Shipping can be a little (or in the case of my last order, a lot) slow however they are a small UK based company so I'll let them off.

I've now ordered from them four times, and never had any kind of problem except maybe some slow shipping. Everything arrives in a kind of magical bubble-wrap burrito and emerges item by item as you unwrap it. Its like an amazing, infuriating Christmas present that you've ordered yourself.

June's Haul

Top: I <3 Makeup Naked Chocolate Palette, Middle: Unicorns are Real and Mermaids vs Unicorns Palettes, Bottom: 1 Salvation Velvet Lacquer, 2 Ultra Velour Lip Creams and Two Matte Lipsticks

OK so June's haul maybe wasn't the biggest on record (not even close) and that's down to me owning most of what I want already and trying to save money. I set myself a strict budget and took so much out the shopping cart, its amazing how quickly an eyeshadow palette and a couple of £3 lipsticks becomes well over £40 and that was more than I had to play with.

Here's a breakdown of what I got.

I <3 Makeup - Naked Chocolate Palette

This palette is the reason I ended up on the website in the first place and had it been available when I placed my previous order (where I got the original I <3 Chocolate and Chocolate Vice palettes) , I probably wouldn't have even checked the website again. This palette is a glorious collection of nude shades. It is slightly on the satin/shimmery side of things however I find those shades are generally better than the the mattes so I'm totally fine with that.

I know own all the palettes in the I <3 Chocolate range and plan on doing a full post about them in the near future so if eyeshadow is your thing, look out for that.

Unicorns are Real and Mermaids Vs Unicorns Palettes

OK so I may have actually crept on to buy these anyway, even if I already had the Naked palette. A co-worker who I like to talk all things makeup with came in to work wearing one of the shades from Unicorns are Real and it looked so pretty I had to buy them.

 I've never tried the long thin pan type palettes from them before however, I love the salvation eyeshadow palettes which I have in Unicorns Unite and Dia de los Muertos (although the strange neon yellow matte in that one is beyond questionable). These only cost £4 each when I ordered, and I've paid more than that for an eyeshadow single in the past so even if only 3 colours are usable its still fine by me.

Salvation Velvet Lip Lacquer - Keep Lying For You

When it comes to liquid lipsticks I want something with the longevity of LA Splash and the feel of NYX Soft Matte lip cream. In other words I want a the unicorn of liquid lippy and that ain't happening any time soon. I've tried a couple of the velvet lip lacquers before though and honestly they're not bad. They do come off on cups and food and need reapplied more than a higher end brand would. That being said though, they don't dry my lips out anywhere near as much, and they don't seem to peel or flake the way some liquid to matte formulas do so they're a nice compromise.

Keep lying for you just looked like a really pretty muted rose colour. Its a little like Rose Garden by LA Splash (which is one of my favourite lipsticks of all time) however slightly brighter and with a hint of purple to it.

Ultra Velour Lip Cream - Their Eyes Can't Find Us and All I Think About is You

I've never tried the lip creams before but I was curious so I thought I'd try a couple. Inside the box the packaging definitely looks and feel a bit cheaper than the Velvet Lip Lacquers. The font is more basic and the tube just doesn't feel or look as nice. They are actually cheap though, and anyway the packaging isn't such a big deal in the long haul.

Their Eyes Can't Find Us is a nice light "honey nude" kind of shade. I feel some people might describe it as their lips only better, however mine are very rosy red and will probably shine right through. Will keep you posted on how this goes.

All I Think About is You is basically a more pink Keep Lying For You. I also have the Velvet Lacquer in Rebel and all three of them are very similar colours. Definitely don't think I need all three of them but oh well.

When I was swatching these I noticed they have a sweet, artificial, cupcakey (vanilla maybe?) kind of smell. Its not unpleasant but if you're sensitive of lip products with a scent these maybe aren't for you. From memory the Velvet Lacquers don't have a noticeable or at least noteworthy smell so these might be better.

Matte Lipsticks - Duel and Propaganda

A while ago I tried one of their matte lipsticks in the colour Liberty (for the record its bright purple, I love really intense lip colours) and I was so impressed I figured I would try a couple more.

Swatches, Propoganda on the top and Duel on the bottom

I got Propaganda and Duel, both are reds and look virtually the same in the packaging, but when swatched (which I conveniently photographed when I got them, sorry about my raggedy nails) Propaganda shows up as a gorgeous pinky red where as Duel is more of a true red. Also they smell so good, and not that nasty fake watermelon smell you get with some drug store products. I can't describe it but there's something really nice about it. Makes me kind of want to lick them, don't worry though, I haven't given in and tried that yet. Will keep you posted if I do though.

I also got sent the three Iconic Bronze, Blush and Brighten trio palettes they were promoting recently as I spent (pennies) over £25. I'm not sure what I think about these yet. I barely highlight and do not bronze however as they were free, I'll have a play with them and let you know my thoughts.

Tried any of the Makeup Revolution products I bought. Let me know what you think.

XOXO Scruffy

Makeup Revolution - Solo Blush Review

So lets have a little chat about Makeup Revolution.

Makeup Revolution are a UK based brand that have a reputation for making fantastic quality products that rival and often dupe high end brands such as Urban Decay and Too Faced. Their products aren't tested on animals either, which is awesome.

I've been using there stuff for a few months now and I largely find the quality to be amazing with their eye and lip products. Their eyeshadows are usually amazing, nicely pigmented and easy to work with. Sometimes you come across one or two in a palette that aren't as good as the others, but, seeing as I paid under a tenner for 20 shades, I'm not going to loose sleep or claim to be ripped off if one or two are a bit pants.

The only area they have ever disappointed me in was their blush palettes. I own two and just found the quality to be no where near as good, also out of 8 pans you get maybe 3 or 4 that are unique colours and the rest are all very, very similar to each other. Not a fan.

A while ago, in a moment of madness, I picked up one of their single colours in the colour Treat. I say moment of madness as it looks a stunning shade of orange in the pan. I don't know if I genuinely picked up the wrong thing, it looked different in Superdrugs insane lighting or I just spaced and thought pumpkin-chic was in this season.

However, this little guy is the business.

Now, buyer beware, as its orange. When on my face it just gives me a warm peachy glow though. I don't know if this would look good on anyone else. I have really rosy red cheeks so it might be mixing with my skin tone, or it might just be an awesome colour. I don't know but I love it.

I love it so much I went and bought another one. I got Now!. A soft pinky shade that reminds me of Dandelion by Benefit. Its really nice as well. Really, really nice.

Yesterday I went out and bought the other four shades they do so I have them all.

Top Row (ltr) Love & Treat, Middle Row (ltr) Now! and Hot!, Bottom Row (ltr) Sugar and Wow!

As you can see some of the shades are kind of similar and I'm honestly a little scared of putting Hot! anywhere as its so pink. This photo isnt the best colourwise though as its made Love and Sugar look far more similar than they actually are. Love is far more cool and brown and Sugar is more like a warm muted pink.

The only thing I'm really not crazy about is the packaging. It looks and feels really cheap and nasty. The white plastic does nothing for the products (and the only other brand I can think of that used white plastic is Natural Collection, Boots budget line). Honestly, even if all they changed was the white for another colour, I think it would do wonders. MUA (Superdrugs own brand) has it blush in similar packaging but in black, and it looks so much better. Makeup Reveloution's own eyeshadow singles come in the exact same packaging as these but in black as well, and again, so much less cheap and nasty looking.

Also I'd have preferred it if the pans were either round or square as its hard to swirl a big brush into a rectangle, but that's just me moaning.

I'll keep you updated on how I get on with these, especially Hot! and if you want a post with swatches or me to do one about the blush palettes, let me know.

Makeup Revolution is available at Superdrug in the UK and also you can buy it direct from their website (I know they ship to America, Canada and New Zealand but can't be sure about anywhere else). Also I think some of their products are available in Ulta stores, but from watching American Youtubers I think the selection is pretty limited.

XOXO Scruffy