Review: Revlon Brilliant Strength Nail Enamel

Hey lovelies!

It feels like FOREVER since my last blog entry and I truly do apologise for neglecting. Work has literally taken over my life recently but I am now here and back and with only a week to go until Christmas... WOOHOO!

It is with a heavy heart to announce that I have sadly removed my acrylics (everyone that knows me will know that I haven't been without fake nails since 2010) and my nails are truly in need of some serious TLC. They hurt, are so short, flaky, weak and just... lifeless! My sister has really got into nail care recently and recommended me this bad boy, Rejuvacoat. Apparently it's meant to be magic for your nails and if my sisters nails are anything to go by, it should defo work! Ill update you on my progress with it.
 

As I really just wanted my nails to look pretty as well as healthy, I got to try this new nail enamel range by Revlon called Brilliant Strength (launching in January 2013) It's practically all your nail care and colour in one bottle. It contains top and base coat in the formula, along with key nail care ingredients such as Pearl Extract for moisturisation, Cameilla Oil to condition and strengthen and Rice Bran Oil with Vitamin E to protect the nails. 

The bottles are totally different to Revlons signature black top and look so pretty! I picked up this colour, Allure, as it was the closest shade I could get to nude without looking too washed out.

The application is great (as with all Revlon polishes) the brush is nice, thick and wide so it really covers all of my short nails.

It's priced £7.99 and will be available at all Boots stores nationwide and Boots Online. My opinion? I'm absolutely in love. Anything which can give me great colour, nail care and a top and base coat in one formula is an absolutely win in my books. Hopefully my nails will be back to good health in no time!

What's in my make-up bag?

Happy December beauty babes! 

As we come into the last month of the year, I thought it would be appropriate to do a 'what's in my make-up bag' post in preparation for a Christmas make-up overhaul - yay!

So, what am I currently using and what do I think of the products that I use in my daily make-up regime? Lets take a look...

1. Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Liquid Pearl For Face / £24.50

This is a product that I absolutely LOVE using but absolutely HATE buying. Why? Look at the price! I have a love/hate relationship with Benefit, I think their products are great but seriously overpriced.

I always use this product on a night out. It gives a great sheer, illumination on my cheeks and has a great consistency.

4/5

2. Dior Lipstick in Casual Beige / £23

This lipstick is one of my favourite day time lips. It has a smooth feeling on my lips and gives a nice, even nude colour that looks really natural. Personally, I dont normally like nude coloured lipsticks but this one is a perfect shade. As well as providing colour, it also gives a great glossy finish. 

The only bad thing about this product is that it definitely needs to be reapplied a fair few times through out the day for good coverage and shine.

3/5

3. Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen / £

Anyone who knows me knows that my signature eye make-up look is a cats eye shape on the eyes - I love a good swish! This eye pen is great, it feels like an actual pen when using it and gives amazing, solid colour on my lids. It doesn't budge either! Just what I love.

5/5

4. Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume Mascara / £10.99

Literally the best mascara er... EVER?! After the first use I have to admit I wasn't completely won over. However, after using it for the past couple of weeks I'm absolutely in love with it! Easy to apply, love the brush and doesn't come out clompy - hurrah!

4/5

5. MAC Powder/Blush Brush / £26

You guys probably don't need an introduction to MAC brushes - they are the best, end of!

5/5

6. Rimmel Kohl Eyeliner Pencil / £2.99 

As well as loving a good liquid eyeliner, I love a good kohl pencil. Ever since I've been able to use make-up I've always used this Rimmel one - defo does the job and the price is right too!

4/5

7. MAC Powder Blush in Peechy Keen / £17.50

This is my favourite blusher. Although I'm a little bit paler than I was a couple of months ago and it may look a tiny bit too bright for me, I still love it. It's a bright red/hot pink with a touch of shimmer. For the winter I apply a small amount to the cheek for a healthy, rosy glow.

5/5

8. Maybelline Colossal Mascara / £7.19

After using the Revlon PhotoReady mascara for my base, I touch over my lashes with this bad boy. I LOVE the brush on it and it works on my bottom lashes better than any other mascara.

3/5

9. Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer in Medium / £7.49

Possibly the best concealer I've ever tried. Literally matches my skin perfectly, keeps blemishes covered all day and is a lovely creamy texture which doesn't make my skin look dry. It also has a cute, brush like texture at the top - what more could a girl ask for from a concealer?!

5/5

10. Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balm + Stain in Passion / £7.99 

I've only just started using this and its a really fun product. I like the fact there are two parts to it - the felt tip pen and the balm. First you apply the colour (the pen) then the balm over the top and... voila! The pink looks really bright but actually comes out a very natural colour. 

Although fun and cool to use, to get at least some colour on your lips you need to go over with the pen a fair few times which is a little bit annoying.

3/5

11. Topshop Loose Powder Blush in Sunsweep

Although this is great blush, I've actually stopped using it as its given me a few spots in my cheek area. Sad times as I actually love using this blush! The thing I like about it is that its a little more glittery than other normal blushes that I've used. I also LOVE the applicator! Its so cute! 

Be careful though, one heavy dab and you may find your whole face (and top) covered in glitter blush.

3/5

12. Benefit PORE Professional Primer / £23.50

Again, this is another product I love but HATE to buy. Although its probably the best primer I've ever used and actually does what it says on the tin, I just cannot get over the price tag for such a small bottle. Meh, the price of beauty ey? 

4/5

13. Rimmel Natural Bronzer in 025 Sun Glow / £5.59

This is the first ever bronzer that I've used and I've never changed! Really love the shade and the size of the product. Always lasts me for what seems like forever and never cracks! Price point is great too.

4/5

Really hope you enjoyed - let me know your thoughts! 

Have you tried any of the products I'm using? 

ENAMOURED: 80 Years of Revlon Exhibition

If you didn't already know, Revlon are celebrating their 80th birthday this year. Yes, 80TH BIRTHDAY and in light of this are opening an exclusive, 3-day exhibition from 30th November - 2nd December. 

The exhibition is being held at the London Film Museum in Covent Garden. From Revlon's raving Twitter and Facebook feed, the exhibition not only promises to give fans a true insight into the past - Revson, present - Revlon and future - Revolutionary of the cosmetic brand, but also to showcase some spectacular artwork made purely from Revlon products - uh amazing or what?! 

For us beauty freaks, this one-off event is truly not to be missed - so if you can, get on down to London and ENAMOUR yourself in this beautiful and iconic cosmetic brand!

Happy Birthday Revlon! 

Do you use Revlon products? 

Entry is free. For more info visit www.facebook.com/revlonuk.

Wah Nails

Over the last few years I have become SO obsessed with nails - going to get them done is literally my favourite time of the month!

As a graduation present, I got treated to an appointment at Wah nails in Topshop Oxford Street - WOOHOO! Wah has always been one of those places that I have ALWAYS wanted to go to, but have just never had the money to, so you can imagine I was over the moon!

I got nude triangles with pyramid studs. They do it ALL by hand and literally never make a mistake! For £55 I got infills and nail art. You can mix up the designs and ask for whatever you want on each nail, it doesn't all have to be the same. 

The Wah girls use Models Own and Essie which have some amazing colours. For the art they either use the Models Own Nail Art Pen (£6) or a Nail Striper. I loved my nails so much, I went back two weeks later to a different design! 

This time, I went for nude leopard print (if you hadn't already noticed, I'm literally obsessed with nude nails at the moment) This time, purely for the art it was £30... yes a little too expensive for me, but I loved it so much before I just didnt' care! 

If you can, I would highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend going into Wah for a nail makeover. They have branches in Oxford Street Topshop and Dalston have 70 designs to choose from.

So what are you waiting for? Get WAH'd!! 

Have you been to Wah nails? What design did you get? Post me a photo of your nails!!

November Skin & Haircare Favs

Having just started my blog, I decided to include a monthly favs post to show you guys what Im using at the moment and what I'm loving each month. 

1. Tangle Teezer / £12.25

As my hairs quite damaged and fine at the moment from colouring OVERKILL I've been trying EVERYTHING to try and make it grow and get its condition back. My friend recommended Tangle Teezer to me and it literally has made such a difference. Who knew that a good comb/brush can honestly help stop split ends and breakage eh?

2. Argan Secret Miracle 10 Leave in Oil / £8.99

I've been using this product for about a month now and can really tell a difference in my hair. It feels a lot smoother and cleaner after being washed. I really love the spray as it gives great coverage and has a lovely texture making hair feel silky smooth and extremely healthy after blow drying.

3. Kerastase Bain Bio-Recharge Shampoo / £15.99

I went to the hairdressers the other day and asked them what will help my hair grow and help its condition. They recommended Kerastase shampoo by L'Oreal, which I'd personally never heard of and as I'm desperate just really didn't care about the price!

I've only used it once and it has literally made my hair feel the softest it has in a ages. The shampoo claims to condition and improve the scalp which the hairdresser told me is the most important thing to concentrate on when growing hair. I usually struggle with good shampoos and find that a lot of them dont even wash my hair properly but this was truly amazing after the first wash and hopefully will make a difference and promote hair growth in the long run (I'll keep you posted)

4. Aussie Miracle Colour Insurance Leave in Conditioner / £4.49

I love Aussie products and have been using this for a while. I think its by far the best leave in conditioner and without fail, always makes my hair feel healthy, extremely shiny and conditioned properly - the price is right too!

5. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Colour Deep Treatment Conditioner / £4.99

Can't really say much about this product apart from that its my favourite wash out conditioner. I love the smell, love the texture and it never lets me down! Most thorough conditioner I've used and actually really does what it says and conditions hair, unlike some other products! 

6. Origins Never a Dull Moment Face Cleanser / £17

This has to be my absolute FAV at the moment. I swear by Origins (as does all the women in my family) and this has to be the best cleanser I've ever used and that is a BIG statement! It literally does what it says on the tin - brightens up my skin. After every single wash my skin instantly looks so much brighter and feels incredibly smooth and clean. It doesn't leave my skin feeling dry at all and it really gets rid of blemishes in one wash. HIGHLY recommend! 

7. Dr Jart+ Up Tighten Serum / £6.50

I've never used Dr.Jart+ skincare and got given this serum to try out. Its AMAZING. The serum is not heavy at all and my skin immediately absorbs it, without feeling sticky or like I've even applied anything on. I'm usually not a fan of serums but I will defo continue to use this, its helped me skin to look and now even feel better. 

8. Dr.Jart+ V7 Turnover Boost / £16

My second favourite product at the moment. It feels just water but with gel like finish (if that makes sense!) I describe it as a drink for my skin. The texture is great and feels like a gel minus the sticky feeling. It instantly sinks into skin, making it feel like nothing has even been applied. As my skins not been great Ive been using this in replacement to moisturiser and its absolutely works a treat. It hydrates and brightens skin with just a few drops and has definitely made an improvement. Its filled with amazing, natural vitamins and I can say from experience defo improves the quality of skin if you struggle from spots. Because of this product, I now officially call myself a 'Dr.Jarter' and consider it one of the best skincare ranges I have ever tried.

Have you tried any of my November favs? Let me know! 

Graduation Outfit

To imagine that this time next week I will be fully graduated is SO weird. University literally flew by. However, graduation calls for one thing... graduation OUTFIT - an excuse to shop again! WHOOP! In the search for an outfit, I've been actually really lucky. I've already got my dress and shoes and am now ready to put on my gown. 

Dress 

Karen Millen £85 on sale!

Shoes

Desire Clothing £29.99

Cannot wait to get up there and finally graduate now! 

Have you graduated? What did you wear on your graduation? 

Halloween Make-Up

Soo I absolutely LOVE Halloween. Its an excuse (not that I need one) to eat lotss of SWEETS and chocolate and most importantly... DRESS UP! But sadly, as I'm no longer at uni and now working full time, I had and have absolutely nothing planned... WAH! So in tribute and memory of my best and most favourite halloween costume and make-up to date, I thought I would share my look from last year with you, just incase your in need for some inspiration this Halloween weekend. 

What I used

Eyes: I used Rimmel Liquid Eyeliner all over the top of the eye to create a cats eyes look with a big swish towards the ends. I also used Rimmel Black Kohl Eyeliner to smudge the ends of the liners of the swish. Finally I used Maybelline Colossal Mascara for extra volume and spiderish clumpyness to my lashes. 

Face: MAC blusher in Peachykeen, its a quite a bright sheer red/pink colour with a touch of shimmer - my favourite! 

Lips: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry. This is literally the BEST dark burgundy lipstick I've ever tried. It applies well, provides great coverage and literally stays on all night! 

Other: The spiders I bought for £1 from Asda and stuck on with eyelash glue. My extra spider legs were from my local fancy dress shop, costing £2 each (I bought 4 in total) and were actually cats tails! I cut holes in my top and stuck them out the sides. I wore plain black leggings and a long sleeved black top with black boots (ALL from Primark!) I put my hair up, slicked back in a simple ponytail. 

Considering I'm quite a long person anyway, this look was probably the easiest and ended up actually suiting me! Its sooo easy, effective and cheap to do, if you want a look thats daring but still keeps it cool I would defo recommend this. 

What look did you go for this Halloween? Whats tips do you have for a great Halloween makeover?

Topshop Nail Varnish in Moonshine

Welcome to my FIRST (of many) beauty review - can I get a WHOOP WHOOP! 

So I've been looking (for what seems like forever) for a new metallic nail colour. My ultimate fav has to be Revlon Nail Enamel in Gold Coin (if you haven't tried it I would seriously recommend that you do!) Gold is my favourite colour and Revlon's is such a perfect metallic gold shade that doesn't come out clumpy looking or tacky at all. However, I've been wanting something a little bit different to gold as I've been wearing Revlon's for the last year or so now.

I've been wanting to try Topshop Nail Enamels for a while but the price has always put me off, £6 - £6.50 just seemed wayy too much for their tiny bottles. However, while I was shopping with my boyfriend the other day I spotted the PERFECT shade that I'd been looking for and in the end just had to try it. 

Apologies for the unclear photos, I've just started and I am currently investing in a new camera :)

101 Moonshine looks like a silvery, metallic colour but is actually a cross between a rose gold/pearl colour. The brush and application of Topshops Polish is sooo much better than I thought it was going to be. It comes out ultra smooth and sleek and looks gorgeous on your nail, even after the first coat! The brush is a great size as well, making it easy to apply. The range of coverage is also great too and looks completely opaque after the second coat. 

As mentioned before, at first glance I thought £6 was a bit too much to spend on a Topshop Nail Varnish. Although the bottles were pretty, I had just never really been convinced as the bottle really isn't that big either. However, after trying this shade I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. 

This definitely has now got to be one of my favourite colours out of my collection and I would highly recommend it if your looking for a chic metallic shade this Winter. Although it may seem flashy, its great for a casual every day look and even perfect for a night out - it literally goes with everything! 

Have you tried Topshop Nail Polishes? What's your favourite shade? 

Topshop Moonshine £6/8ml via Topshop

Car boot sale fun!

So this weekend my mum dragged me into helping her organise and raid the house for a Sunday car boot sale. As much as I ABSOLUTELY hated organising for it and spending my precious two days off doing preparing, it was actually a massive success!!

We set off with 5 filled Ikea bags and came back with only one! As soon as we stepped out of the car we were absolutely SWARMED, people were grabbing stuff out of the boot before we even managed to take it out of the car! As we managed to get it out, we got off to a flying start and were selling and selling and selling - YES! Although it was fun, at times it was difficult to keep up and as this was my first ever car boot sale, it was even harder to instantly put a price on some items. I mean some of them were literally brand new with tags and I was skeptical about letting them go for as little as £1.50 - £2. That being said, it is a car boot sale so I guess it just had to be done. 

All in all we managed to make £100 which was wayyy beyond my expectations. If you want to make a bit of extra cash quickly, I would DEFINITELY recommend it. As they say, one mans rubbish is another mans treasure and this is so true when it comes to car boot sales! If you're thinking about it, go for it! As a little guide and for some help, I've included some tips that I learnt from today for you guys :)

My tips for a successful car boot sale:

1. Dont rule ANYTHING out when trying to find items to sell. As I mentioned before, what you think is rubbish, another person may absolutely treasure. 

2. KNOW your prices before you get there. Car booters already know their price before they get there and if you know you're prices, they know you're certain. It also just makes you look like you know what you're doing... unlike me today!

3. Keep your eyes peeled and bring a member of family or a friend with you. If you've got a lot of stuff and you're on your own, its harder to keep an eye out for your things and become more of a target. 

4. Bring some change. Always good to have a bit of change on you to start with! 

5. Wrap up and bring some TEA!! If you're at an outside car boot sale, this is a great shout! This was literally the best thing we did!! 

6. If you can, get there early - the amount of buyers seemed to really die down towards the afternoon! 

7. Enjoy it! Have some fun with the car booters and dont be scared to start of at a high price. If they really want it, they'll stick around until they are happy with the price. 

Happy Car Booting! 

October Fashion Haul

Seeing as it was my birthday this month (I'm getting old) it was defo an excuse for me to go on a shopping haul YAY! After practically spending all my money this is what I ended up and I think I did pretty well. 

I am absolutely LOVING everything khaki/army, spiked and gold. I feel like this season has a particularly gothic feel with leather, crosses and spikes now being seen ALL over the highstreet. I usually hate and avoid wearing black at all costs but this season I guess I have more of an excuse to wear more black and dark colours. As my make-up obsession grows now day by day, I found myself struggling to find a home for it all so I found this gorgeous Pull & Bear spotted cosmetic bag which I absolutely love! I'm also loving all this cross jewellery around at the moment and picked up this cute cross ring at River Island for £3 and have got soooo many compliments on it already. 

What are your thoughts about this seasons trends? Are you feeling the gothic look? Let me know! 

Oh hi!

Hello and welcome to my new and more professional blog Kaya's Diary.

My names Kaya, I'm a Multimedia Journalism graduate and have luckily just landed myself my ultimate DREAM job working as a PR assistant at an amazing beauty PR agency in London.

I am moving over from my old blog on tumblr to properly pursue and attend to my new found blogger duties. Whoop!

I'll be posting loads about well, everything! I absolutely love beauty and trying out new products so it will mostly be about that but there will also be the odd fashion or life story post too!

Enjoy! ♥