Naughty Naughty! Copycat products

So yesterday, in my ELF haul I mentioned the uncanny resemblance of the Studio blush to a NARS blusher.  

Can you see the similarities?

Same clasp opening, same outer packaging, same inner packaging. The only difference is that ELF is shiny plastic and NARS is rubbery and matte. Also, the ELF blush has a window below the mirror. 

Even more so, take a look at the bottom of the blushers, they both have the raised bottoms in the same shape AND as you can see on the right, they are the exact same size.

Needless to say, the product isn't comparable in the slightest. Full review of that to come.

Still not convinced? Look at the film inserts in the blushers.

 Also on my naughty list for today are the MeMeMe benefit dupes. I only own Benefit Poppy Tint (how old is my bottle? I''m pretty sure I bought this when it first came out ugh! But I do know that MeMeMe stock a range of tints/highlights that are all too comparable in name and packaging. Below is the only one I own from MeMeMe, the Pussy Cat tint (Reviewed here).

Here is the full range that they sell:

L-R Pussy Cat (Benetint), Poppy Tint (Posie Tint), Sun Beam (Moon Beam), Beat the Blues (High Beam)

Source

Have any of you tried these? Are they benefit-comparable or is it just in the packaging/product/name?

Honestly I love dupes and I get quite a buzz from finding them, however in these two instances I think it's a step too far.

I would love to hear your opinion..

H xoxo

Hello Mr.Postman!

So, if you follow me on Twitter, you will know that I am super excited to have gotten a PayPal account..finally! If any of you were wondering, I got a 3V card which you can top up and then use online as a Visa card. I topped up mine by €50 to try it out and I may have spent it all already. Oops!

Anyway here are some goodies that got delivered today:

 The Carmex isn't very exciting, but I bought it as on ASOS my transaction had to come to £20 to use my Diet Coke code for a fiver off. I love the cherry flavour, although I wish I had been more adventurous and gone for the mint.

Next I got my very first Benefit lipstick in the shade 'Nice Knickers'. I have managed to cut off the top of the picture here but it is a sheer raspberry red. There will definitely be a Lipstick Lover Review about this very soon!

Next was another 'first', my first purchase from Illamasqua. I have heard quite a lot about this brand lately, especially their Lipglosses. It is an Intense Lipgloss in 'Indulge'. These look incredibly pigmented from my pre-purchase research and I honestly don't have a neon pink like this in my slightly extensive lip gloss collection. I really think this is going to be a winner! I love it already.

That is all that I bought from ASOS, just thought I'd let you all know that you can use your Diet Coke vouchers on sale items. It was a pleasant surprise for me when I was checking out!

Today I also got a very exciting package from the lovely Karen from Band of Blushers (check out her blog, it's fabbo!). It is a NARS lipgloss in 'Orgasm', I am really hoping that it will match my much loved Orgasm blusher. 

 Also I must mention the extremely exciting package that I received from Aussie on Friday!

As I am an honorary Aussie Angel, I was asked to take part in their Lusciously Lighter challenge- I chose 'Style' which will involve me trying out some potential hairstyles for a style overhaul! They also gave me a bottle of their Luscious Long Conditioner which I will be trying out very soon.

What do you think of my  purchases?

H xoxo

PS. What do you think of my Blog layout change? I love it!

PPS. I am thinking of starting a continuous Blog sale page featuring make up and some clothing, let me know if that is something you may be interested in.

FOTD using NARS Orgasm blush

I hauled NARS's cult blush 'Orgasm' in my ASOS Groupon collective haul, and since Mr. Postie delivered it it has been used every day.

                              

♡ 

No7 Intelligent Balance Mousse Foundation 'Tan'

 ♡ Isa Dora Bronzer 'Teracotta Glow' (to contour) 

♡ NARS 'Orgasm' Blush  

♡ MAC PaintPot 'Rubenesque' 

♡

Benefit Eyeshadow in  'Moody' (highlight) and 'Soft Shoulder' (lid)

♡ 

L'Oreal 

Telescopic Mascara 

                    ♡

 Barry M Eyeliner 'Navy Blue'

 

                    ♡

NARS lipstick 'Catfight' 

                    ♡ Barry M Gloss 'Toffee' 

 

Orgasm blusher is described as a 'peachy pink with shimmer', honestly I have nothing quite like this in my collection. Shimmery blushers never appealed to me as I always thought that it would enlarge my pores and look like I had dunked my head in glitter, as is the case with many cheaper blushers. However, this blush is so finely milled that the golden shimmer is subtle yet effective. The application honestly is foolproof. I would say that this is of better quality than any MAC blusher that I have used. I am a NARS convert!

 

Have you tried this?

Do you love it? 

Love H xoxo

What I bought with my ASOS Groupon Vouchers!

Oh yes, the ASOS Groupon! I will be surprised if any of you didn't take up this incredible offer (£9 for a £20 voucher at ASOS.com). I did take up the offer, in fact I purchased no less than three vouchers! I decided that I would use it to buy items that I wouldn't usually be able to afford, and as ASOS have started stocking NARS cosmetics, it seemed the perfect opportunity to try this brand.

In order to use the voucher, your order must total £21 or more. To reach this total, I purchased some Models Own nail polishes.

L-R Beths Blue (NOTD here), Champagne, Cement Mixer

Nars Lipsticks...

L-R Catfight (Semi Matte), Roman Holiday (Sheer) - Review Here

And swatched....  (click to enlarge!)

Finally, the item that I am most excited about. This is the cult make up product that is NARS Orgasm blusher. I can tell already that this is my HG busher, the gold shimmer in it gives a sort of 'lit from within' look. Anyway, I am not going to give too much away, believe me a full post on this is coming to a blogesphere near YOU soon! :o)

Did you avail of this offer? What did you buy?

Let me know and link me up if you decide to do a post like this!

Happy Friday!

H xoxox

 <3 

Lipstick Lover Review: NARS 'Roman Holiday'

I was feeling a little disheartened today, as payday is Thursday I won't be able to go on a shopping trip (even a little one) this week. So, I am going to take this opportunity to review some different lipsticks that I haven't got round to blogging about! I am considering making this a mini series called 'Lipstick Lover' because as you all know, lip stick is my guilty pleasure!

NARS Sheer Lipstick 'Roman Holiday'

 Colour/Scent? A muted rose colour. No scent.

Longevity? As it is sheer, 1-2 hours (if you are lucky)

Consistency? Almost that of a balm, very moisturizing and it glides on lips nicely.

Pigmentation? Very pigmented, especially for this type of consistency! It is a very build-able colour too, one swipe gives a pinkish glow but it can be built up to become completely opaque (3 swipes).

 Packaging? Matte black box. The bullet itself is comparable to that of a Barry M lipstick, you know, with the almost velvet feel to it?

Price? £17.50 or €22.96 for 3.4g of product = £5.15/€6.75 per gram.

Other shades? ASOS currently stocks 19 other shades of lipstick in this finish. Plenty of choice!

The Verdict... Yes, I love this! It is my first dabble into NARS, and I am impressed. They are very pricey, even more expensive than MAC. However, I think this price is justified as it is an iconic lip product and a nice addition to my collection. The only problem with this is that it is super wearable and because of this I find myself reaching for it almost every day. This is bad because it is so expensive and I don't want to use it all up! 

Available from ASOS and NARS counters worldwide.