MUA Skin Define Hydro Primer

Hi Ladies,
I hope you all had a great weekend, the weeks are just flying by! Today I'm back with a super affordable budget buy that will put a smile back on your face, especially in the run up to Christmas.
I was over to visit my brother a few week's ago in Liverpool, so as per usual when I visit the UK, I popped into Superdrug. Don't get me wrong, I love Boots, but I love Superdrug for the brand's that you can only order online here in Ireland, them mostly being MUA and Make Up Revolution. In the two stores I went to, both Make Up Revolution stands were crowded, so I stuck with good old MUA. I've tried a good few products from MUA, and for the most part I've been impressed, (until I picked up an under eye radiance concealer that's just made up of glitter, not a good look). So when I saw the new Skin Define Hydro range from the brand, I'd no bother in picking up a few bit's to try. I picked up the setting powder, which so far I've no complaint's about, but the thing that's really impressed me is the Hydro Primer. I've only been using it for a week so far, but let me tell you, it's love!

From the website and the packaging itself MUA say the primer is

A fresh and hydrating primer in a lightweight gel formula. The soothing aqua base leaves skin refreshed and smooth allowing for even makeup application. The hydro primer has a self-repairing system, designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and prime your face for a smooth complexion. 

So first off, the packaging. It comes in a neat plastic tub, which is fine. Packaging as I've said before isn't a huge issue for me as long as the product inside lives up to it's claims. So I'll just skip right ahead on to the product itself. 
It's the most unusual consistency that I've ever used in a primer. I'm mostly used to silicone based primers, and some that are cream but yet still feel like silicone, but this one is just like jelly. To be honest it remind me very much of an extremely high end primer that people raved about on the blogging scene a while back, but I never tried it so I can't compare the two. It's just such an unusual texture! Even when I put my finger in it makes a little dent in the product, but it's not too long before the primer smooths over again! 
When I apply it to my skin it has a very cooling hydrating effect. It dries in fairly quickly too, which is a big thumbs up for me, because I'm always rushing in the mornings! 
But, the big thing is, does it work? I think so.
It definitely does hydrate the skin, as for reducing the appearance of fine lines, I can't say as I thankfully don't have too many yet, but it definitely does a good job of priming the skin. And although it's not marketed as a primer that makes your base last longer, I find it does. My nose is  the first place that my make up disappears from, thanks to a combination of having a very shiney red nose, along with very very obvious pores. But this primer seems to hold it a bit longer than usual! 
Overall I'm very impressed with this primer. I've tried quite a few of them, and I do have a particular favourite from No 7, but it's just so expensive for the amount you get that I can't justify repurchasing it just yet. 
This one was just 5 pounds, I'm not sure what exactly that is in euro, but obviously it's no that expensive, and I only use a little at a time so I think it will last a fair while! :)

You can pick up MUA product's online HERE, or from Superdrug stores. 

Do any of you lovely ladies have any favourite primers?
Thanks for reading,
Alisha xxx

November Favourites!

Here we are again, the end of another month! Am I the only one that feels like time is going way too fast and it should just slow down a biteen? I mean this time 4 weeks Christmas will have been and gone!
This month I'm back with another quick round up of things I've been loving and reaching for on most days.. So here we go!!

So there isn't really a whole lot of favourites this month, as generally I just keep reaching for the same thing over and over until it runs out and my hand is forced to try something else! 

Benefit The Porefessional: I did a brief post on this earlier this week, and I won't dwell on it again too much, but I can't believe how good this stuff is! It minimises the overly large pores on my nose instantly, and it has a really soft and smooth texture that you wouldn't even know you're putting it on your face! 

Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara: I have mentioned before that I'm not really that fussy on mascara, mainly because to me mascara is much of a muchness. But for some reason this one is a game changer for me! I got it in one of the sets Soap And Glory released at Christmas time last year, and finally I got around to using it, and so far I'm loving it! It just seems to coat my lashes really well, without getting excess mascara all over my face or in my eye, and it doesn't clump up either! 

Superdrug Face Masks: I picked up some of these little face mask sachets a few months back when I was in Birmingham for my cousins wedding, and I absolutely loved them! So much so when I ran out, I got my brother to pick me up some in Superdrug in Preston before he came home from college for the Summer! There's something for everyone in the range, depending on what type of skin you have. The two I've pictured here are the deep cleansing mask, and the berry exfoliating mask, but recently I've used up the yogurt smoothie mask for dry skin, and my skin is so soft after using it! 

Roger and Gallet Cedrat Fragrance: Roger and Gallet do some absolutely gorgeous fragrances, and if you haven't checked them out by now you seriously should! This particular Cedrat fragrance is not your typically citrus cent, as it has a slight musk to it also, which in my opinion makes it easy to wear in either Summer or Winter! 

Nivea Lip Butter: I'm kind of cheating with these, considering I only bought it like a week ago! But after using them I couldn't but mention them! They smell divine, which isn't really important when talking about a lip butter, but it helps doesn't it? But the formula of these is just as nice, as its so soft and supple on the lips, and it contains shea butter among many other ingredients to keep the dry lips that the dreaded Winter brings at bay! 

MUA Undress Me Too Palette: For such a long time I was dead set against trying the Naked Palettes from Urban Decay, mainly because of the price, (that has changed since seeing pictures and swatches of Naked 3, I need/want/must have that Palette). Then I found out that UK brand MUA had probably the most close dupes to the Naked Palettes, so I gave them a go, and I'm so so glad I did! This is the dupe for the Naked 2 palette, but I've been reaching for this every single morning this month without fail, because the colours in it are practical for every day wear, but at the same time could create a perfect smokey eye for a night out! 

Yankee Candle Wax Tarts: Ok this one is a bit random, but over the last few months I've developed a bit of an obsession with these little guys! When I'm getting ready for work or bed, I light my burner by my bed and melt which ever tart I fancy at the time, and the smell just fills up the room! They are so handy if you're not really into candles, because these pack just as much of a punch as the large jars from Yankee Candles do. I'm currently burning a vanilla scented one, (can't remember the exact name), but I'm dying to light Merry Marshmallow and Fireside Treats! 

So that's it for this month ladies! Not much in it, but as I said, I've generally been reaching for the same things time and time again so I don't want to bore you all! 

What have you been loving for November? 

Thanks for reading, 

Alisha xxx

MUA (Make Up Academy)

So any serious beauty junkie knows the difference between her high-end and drugstore beauty brands.

Well this my dear ladies (and lads possibly) is probably the least expensive brand you could possibly find in the drugstore, (or chemist or pharmacy as we Irish gals like to call it.)

Now its not readily available in stores in Ireland, I do believe its available in Superdrug stores in Ireland, as that's where its sold in the U.K, but seen as there's no Superdrug in my area, I cant confirm or deny that.

I do know for certain though, (after a couple of sneaky purchases), that they do ship to Ireland from their website! Hurray!! 

The brand in question, is fairly obvious, as its the title of this post. Make Up Academy, or MUA as its more commonly known, is one of my favourite make up brands. Not only has it such a selection of cosmetic products, but the prices of them are ridiculously cheap! This does not mean in any way that the products are of a lesser quality, because believe me they aren't! 

I think the product they are most well know for is the infamous eye shadow palettes, especially the aptly named 'Undressed and Undress Me Too' palettes, which you may be able to tell from the names are dupes of the Urban Decay Naked palettes! Now I personally don't own either of the Naked palettes as I'm not sure how i feel about paying 40 euro for an eye shadow palette, when I can get the MUA ones for just over 4 euro! Here's the Undress Me Too palette:

Another great thing with this palette is that on the back it has names for all the colours, just like the Urban Decay ones, and it even gives tips on looks you can create with the colours! I cant compare it to the Naked palette, but from my own usage, and my own opinion I can safely say I love these palettes! Its my go to for my every day make up and its fantastic! I use some eyeshadow primer and pop on what ever colours I'm using that day, and no exaggeration, they do not budge for the day! For the price of them they're worth a try at least! 

Some more personal favourites of mine are this highlighter and foundation from the Undress Your Skin range. Again this would be something similar to the Naked line being offered from Urban Decay. The MUA line also offers a face primer, an eyeshadow primer, a make up setting spray among many other bits and bobs. So far the highlighter and foundation are all I've tried. But that's not to say I wont pick up a few more bits! ;)

Apologies for the poor quality pictures, it may take me a while to get the hang of it! Practice makes perfect! The foundation is an illuminating foundation, which offers medium to full coverage, so depending on your preference, this would suit a lot of ladies! Its available in 3 shades, Porcelain, Beige and Golden, and me being the typical Irish lady that I am, with red hair and freckles, I chose the lightest shade, Porcelain. However, it is a little bit too light for me, but with a lot of blending I make it work. I would be interested in trying the next shade to see is it much darker though. Its a nice foundation, but I didn't find it to illuminate my skin, but again that could be because I chose the wrong shade and it washed me out. For the price (5.86 euro for 35mls of product), its not bad!

However my personal favourite has to be the highlighter! Its amazing! Its only 3.52, (yes you read that right), and it gives such a beautiful glow to the skin, you would genuinely think its a much more expensive product! I did try to take swatches but the pictures did not do the highlighter justice whatsoever!

It does look very shimmery in the pan, but when its on the face its much more subtle. I apply a light dusting on my cheeks over my blusher, and then set it all with some powder, and I also often use it as a highlighter on my brow bone. There is so much to choose from with this brand, they're constantly coming up with new products! Most recently they introduced the Power Pout, which is something similar to the Clinique Chubby Sticks,which only cost 3.52, the Colour Blast Eyeshadow Tints, (again similar to the Clinique Chubby Sticks for the Eyes, and there's more in the pipeline! 

If you're interested in trying some of the products then click here

:http://www.muastore.co.uk/store

They also have two Facebook pages where you can find out all about new product releases and find out about special offers and discounts! 

https://www.facebook.com/MUAmakeupacademy?fref=ts

and 

https://www.facebook.com/MrMUAmakeupacademy?fref=ts

However, if you end up ordering quite a lot, its not my fault really!! :) 

Thanks for reading,

Alisha xxx