High End Discoveries

Until very recently, the only high end product I owned was a Porefessional sample from a beauty box. That's changed a little bit now, and I've started dipping my toes into some higher end brands to see what they have to offer. It took a fairly long time for me to get to know what sort of products I like, those I'm less keen on and to figure out exactly what works for me - hence sticking with high street stuff exclusively for so long. Knowing the sort of things that I enjoy using now, though, and having a curiosity level akin to that which killed the cat, I decided to make a few purchases.

I know some people consider all the brands above to be more "mid range" than high end, considering the likes of Chanel, YSL, Dior etc to be truly high end (they're pure luxury to me, to be honest), but these are the things I was most curious about. Particularly the Primer Potion and the MAC Lipstick (Ruby Woo, if you're wondering) - I wanted to see if the higher price tag really was justified. The verdict? So much yes. My prior eye primer had been creasing on me like nobody's business. Granted, it was only £2.50 (compared to UDPP £8 for the travel size of 6ml), but it just wasn't doing what it was supposed to, rendering it useless in my book. I can now get through 10-12 hour days with only the slightest of creasing using this, I have a primer from Milani winging its way to me, but I think the UD one may still come out on top, and if it does, it's that I'll be sticking to for the foreseeable. Ruby Woo I was rather pleased with, also. It lasted through an entire cinema and dinner date with my boyfriend, wherein copious amounts of popcorn was eaten, drinks were drunk, dinner was demolished and cheeks were kissed. By the end of the night, with a grand total of 0 reapplications, my lipstick remained intact. I was pretty darn shocked, and I still think £15 is pricey for a lipstick, but I think I'll be adding a few more of these to my collection. I'm interested to know if the quality is consistent throughout their range of different finishes.

The Stila Paint/Colour Me Pretty palette is something I was surprised I was able to get my hands on. I was under the impression it was limited edition for Christmas, but I saw it floating around the Stila site (entirely incidentally, I was looking at smudge sticks) and snapped it up as soon as I saw it was in stock. I'm so glad I did! My favourite shade in there is definitely Gerbera, and it's one I'll be purchasing the full size of before long for SURE. I haven't had enough use out of the other shades to decide whether or not I want them forever yet, except for Kitten which is sadly exclusive to this palette - but I'll more than likely want a couple of those too. My poor bank... haha.
I've also picked up MAC's Painterly Paint Pot, something which I was curious about again. I like this as a base - it's nothing revolutionary if I'm honest but I do really like it, I've taken to using it almost daily as it really improves the look of my eyeshadow. The formula is nice, and I think I'll be looking in to some more colours come payday. I also got theBalm's Mary Lou-Manizer - possibly the most hyped highlighter in the blogosphere? Probably. It's way more intense than I expected, so I think this compact may last me a lifetime, but I'm not complaining! Move aside other highlighters, you've been outglimmered.

I have a sample of the Instain Blush in Swiss Dot from theBalm also - I've yet to try it because it's just so adorable, but my curiosity about the formula will win out eventually and my brush will be a'dippin!

So, what's on my wishlist now? A few more things than my bank is happy with... oh dear.