Mini Makeup Haul - Treats From me, to me

When I first started my blog, one of the things that I would go on about is the fact that I always managed to get more for less when it comes to makeup. But after just a few months on the blogosphere I can't help but be drawn to the quality of slightly more expensive brands, and I'm getting into the habit of spending that little (lot) bit more to treat myself. 

Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE by budget drugstore brands, I'm currently even trying out the L'Oreal Infallible 24h Matte foundation in a bit to curve my need for MAC Studio Fix Fluid. But, recently I let my excitement get the better of me when I went to the Benefit contouring event in Bristol (you can find my post about it here!). Thankfully though there was a 10% off beauty event at Debenhams that day, so it hurt my purse a little less...

Being a little bit early and seeing the 10% off posters got me way too trigger-happy whilst lurking around the MAC counter, and being the lipstick lover that I am you can tell what I was instantly drawn to. There's a few shades that I've been looking to get for a while now, but with the transition from spring to summer looming I thought it would be nice to go for a lighter, happier colour than all of my deep reds and pinks so that my makeup would look lovely and fresh!

I opted for Patisserie, which is definitely a 'your lips but better' shade. It's actually a lustre lipstick, which is a finish that I tend to avoid because I absolutely hate glittery or shimmery lips, but it really is so subtle that you don't even notice! It just looks lovely and glossy and feels fab too. 

In all honesty, after trying the lipstick on myself at home I do really like it, but as I have fairly dark lips it really is just a shiny version of my own lip colour. It's always nice to put on to finish a neutral face, but it almost looks as if I just have a glossy or creamy finish on. Still love it though!

With the Benefit contouring class being blogging event, I'd already looked in advance to see if there was any goodies that I might want to get, because I don't know about you, but when I go to an event I always feel obliged to buy something? But maybe that's just me. I know that the first one I went to at Lush only gave you a goodie bag once you'd purchased something, so I've probably just taken that as a hint. 

My blusher for the last 2 months or so to keep me going after my Benefit Sugarbomb ran out has been a £1 fab budget buy from MUA, however it's really very bright with an almost fluoro hint to it? So you have to be really sparing when you use it so you don't look like you've been slapped! After loving my last Benefit blush, and also adoring my Hoola, I knew that I wanted to get a new blush from Benefit.

After having my face done for me at the counter I was torn between Dandelion, which is quite a pale blush that Brooke used on my cheeks, and Hervana, which looks like a slightly more berry toned blush. In the end I went for Hervana, partly because it's comprised of four shades rather than one (always more exciting), and also because one of the shades within it is almost identical to dandelion anyway!

Hervana is actually PERFECT for my pale skin as it's a really subtle, natural matte shade when you combine all of them together, and the brush that comes with it is really soft and perfect for a gentle application that finishes your face off really nicely!

The last thing I got was OBVIOUSLY the Roller Lash mascara, which at £19.50 I have no idea why I even considered it, but after (like every other blogger) using my Elle travel size to death, I just knew that I have to have it. Although I do still use my eyelash curlers, the mascara really holds onto my curls and looks so good! The only problem I have with it is that it never seems to fully dry? I don't mean to touch as such, but really that I'm one of those people with the awful habit of picking off mascara, and this one is never hard enough to do that with! My eyelashes will thank me but my bad habit won't!

It may not seem like much, but for me who always gets as much as I can for as little as I can, this is definitely a bit of a splurge for me! At least the 10% off helped to soften the blow. 

Thanks Debenhams!

Do any of you recommend any products for a fresh face for the transition into summer? I'd love to know favourites!

Alice x

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