Ok, so to be fair, they’re pretty awesome, high end samples, but still.

This is something I sometimes do if I’m travelling because I like to pack lightly. Travel sizes are great too, but if you pop some samples in your bag they’re even tinier and you’re likely to use the whole thing in the course of a weekend, so you’ll have room in your carry on for duty free items, and you’ll never go over your liquid restrictions.

Plus I like the challenge of creating a whole look around a few items!

Benefit Gimme Brow in 5

This is a cool new item that’s doing the rounds. I love the packaging, and I think Benefit are brilliant. But I’m not a brow obsessive, so this one was one I tried just for you guys. You can’t tell in the pictures too much, for some reason, perhaps because my hair is up, but it’s def too dark. It’s a little fiddly at first, but it’s fairly easy to use once you get the hang of it, and it definitely thickens brows and helps you get the perfectly defined look. But it’s just not for me.

Givenchy Le Rouge Intense Mat Lip Colour in 202 Rose Dressing

I adore this! Givenchy lipsticks are creamy, never drying, long lasting and come in a beautiful range of colours. This one I got free with another purchase, and it’s the cutest little thing ever. The shade is reminds me of the melon/coral shades of the 60’s, think Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Very flattering.  (I used a lip liner for definition, not pictured)

Model Co Black Eye Pencil

This eye pencil is firm but smooth, which means that I could use it to line and define my eyes, and then smudge to make it slightly smokey. I think you could probably use this one as a substitute for liquid liner, because once you’ve got it how you like it, it doesn’t really budge. Lovely.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation SPF 25 in No 20

This is the new one from Chanel’s range of foundation, which I was pretty excited to hear about. It’s renowned for giving a really natural, healthy glow, so I had to try it out. (I use Dior Forever Foundation normally, but have always bought Chanel face powder, they’re really good) This one is I think very slightly too dark, but I can get away with it in photographs. They do shades lighter than this, you’ll be happy to hear if you’re pale. The formula is nice, blends really well, but doesn’t give great coverage so maybe one for the younger girls who want to perfect skin but have less to cover? It looks good, and I do recommend it, but I won’t be changing from my current foundation just yet, this one is too light for my needs. I do like the SPF 25 though!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat in No 1

I used to use this everyday about 4 or 5 years ago, and it’s known all over as a wonder product. It gives subtle highlights to the skin and coverage to give a little concealing. (Again, this one is not the right shade for me, but I can certainly get away with it). Using it this time, I feel like it didn’t give the cover and brightening that I need anymore. But it is still pretty good.

Did you like this post? You might also like this 1920’s vintage look HERE or this unusual Korean lip trend HERE.