Top Five Mascaras

I feel like a lot of the beauty posts that hit my blog are individual product reviews, stuff I've bought and stuff I have in my stash, but I very rarely show you the products I use the most. So, enter here the Top 5 Series. Over the next few weeks I'm going to show you the products I reach for most, starting with mascaras, since I think I've got all of one mascara review on my blog! 

Maybelline The Mega Plush Volum' Express Mascara: I'm not gonna lie, I bought this because it was new and it looked pretty. The lovely Daniella did a post on this a couple of weeks or so ago which I think really sums up this mascara. It's a good mascara, if you've already got good lashes, or you don't want anything massive. The tapered shape of the brush means that it grabs every lash really well, from inner to outer corner. The formula isn't too thick, so you never end up looking clumpy, and it means you can also use the tapered end for your bottom lashes without getting it all over your face. This has all the makings of a good mascara, but I really wouldn't say it's volumising. Maybe if there were a few more tightly packed bristles, but for now, I reach for this on a more natural day, when I want to define and lengthen my lashes, but I don't want too much going on. I really like the effect, even if it's not too volumising.

£5.99 from Chemist Direct

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara: Normally I'm averse to plastic wands, with one other exception you will see in a minute, but I quite like this one. Now one thing to bear in mind with this mascara, it's really impressive for the first three or four weeks, but after that it just gets a bit meh. But, I really really like the look when you first get it, so for that reason, I will continue to purchase it. It's supposed to contain fibres that attach to your lashes and make them look longer, but you'd never know. The plastic bristles grip your lashes individually really well, seperating and lengthening them. The formula is thicker than the Maybelline offering, meaning you get a lot more volume, and it layers well. My boyfriend always compliments me on my lashes when I wear this mascara, so if he notices it looks good, it must be good! It's on the pricier end of the drugstore, but it goes on offer all the time. Also, I've tried the waterproof version of this mascara, it's shit, don't bother. (EDIT: My mother has just told me off for writing that. I am to tell you instead that it's not even worth a mention. Sorry mum!)

£10.99 from Boots

Yves Saint Laurent Shocking Volume Mascara: The eagle eyed amongst you will notice this is the only high end mascara I've included in this post. The drugstore is filled with incredible mascaras, and I've never been impressed with high end mascaras enough to warrant their equally high price tags. However, a very generous birthday present from my boyfriend last year led to a love affair with this mascara that even an extortionate price tag couldn't break. This mascara does everything right, volume, length, no clumps, holds a curl, stays put all day. This is hands down the best mascara I have ever tried. Spectacular, long thick lashes, perfect for a night out, or a striking daytime look.

£23.50 but on sale for £16.10 from Debenhams

Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara Waterproof: I've tried a fair few mascaras from Max Factor and I've liked them all, but I always come back to this one. It's definitely my favourite after the YSL offering, and definitely the best from the drugstore. The wand is simillar to YSL's Babydoll, but there are more bristles meaning it does more for volume. This is the only waterproof formula that made the cut, I seem to have an aversion to waterproof mascaras, normally because they tend to do little for your lashes when compared to the standard formula, but this one is nice because it does the exact same thing, but lasts longer. A++! 

£9.99 from Boots

NYC Big Bold Mascara: The only mascara that has had a full review grace my blog. The cheapest option of them all, it's pretty good at length and volume, but can flake off if you get hot and sweaty. Can't grumble about the price though! Read my full review here.

£3.99 from Superdrug

So there we go, the lowdown of my favourite mascaras. All of these feature in my daily rotation regularly, and I love them all!

Have you tried any of these mascaras? What is your favourite, holy grail mascara?

The Sunday Five Product Face

Ahhh Sundays. They might just be my favourite day of the week. To me, Sundays are a day of pure indulgence. Luckily for me, my Uni timetable means that I don't have classes on a Monday of Tuesday, meaning that I can do absolutely nothing on a Sunday, leaving all work til the beginning of the week. 

The perfect Sunday to me means a long lie in, followed by tea in bed, and numerous episodes of Man Vs. Food/Don't Tell The Bride/The Big Bang Theory/2 Broke Girls, or anything else that screams self-indulgent trash. Ideally, this would be followed up by a stroll through Hyde Park, or a market, picking up fresh fruit and something for dinner. A few hours cooking in the kitchen, then an evening snuggled up watching Pixar movies, eating something with beef in it, and hopefully a cupcake, whilst popping on a face mask and painting my nails. Bliss.

When it comes to Sundays, I like to embrace the idea of lazy, insert five product face here. The idea of spending hours priming, highlighting, contouring and blending makes my skin reel, so it goes as follows.

A light base goes on the face, ideally this would be some kind of tinted moisturiser or BB cream, but my milk bottle complexion doesn't match any of them out there, so this is where MUA's Undress Me foundation comes in. This is like the lightest foundation ever, barely there coverage that just evens out the skin tone, without looking like you're wearing anything. Pair this with a cream blush, I'm loving the pretty pink of this Topshop blush, in Morning Dew, which gives a gorgeous 'pinch-me-pink' english rose glow. For eyes, a little smudge of cream eyeshadow in the corner does the job, and I love the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze. A little smudge of that in the corner of the eyes is perfect. Match that with a flash of natural but full mascara, such as the L'Oreal Telescopic Lash. Finish off with a pretty pink lipstick, this weeks pick is Viva Glam Gaga.

Right, I'm off to cook a homemade version of a Wagamama dish, and watch the Lorax, enjoy your Sunday!