Battle of the brows: Benefit vs Makeup Revolution

For almost two years now I have been using benefit brow zings to define my eyebrows, it's been the only brow kit that I have ever used. Benefit is at the high end of the drug store market and when I received the Makeup revolution brow kit in the makeup hamper that I won I thought it would be a good idea to compare both of the kits and to see if the benefit set priced a lot higher is actually any better than the Makeup Revolution one. Having statement brows is at the foresight of many girls minds and it doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming to do so!

At a glance you can see that you get a lot more for your money with the Makeup revolution set on the right, there are more colours of powder to choose from and it still includes a mirror, tweezers and a brow brush. The benefit set includes the powder and the pigmented wax, the only difference is that I already know this is the colour most suited for my brows. Apart from that they both offer the same type of powders and wax for my brows.

Benefit Browzings Medium - £24.50

The benefit set is available in three different shades, I opted for medium and the colour suits my hair perfectly. The set contains pigmented wax, powder, tweezers, hard angle brush a blending brush and a little instruction booklet on how to use the product which is incredibly useful. I have never used the tweezers in the set as I find them too fiddly but it's a great set for holiday which means you don't have to carry any extras with you. I usually use the powder and the pigmented wax together and first brush it backwards into my brows and then forwards to finish shaping my brows. There is nothing difficult about using this product at all and it really does help to achieve those power brows. To finish them off I use highlighter just below my brows to make them stand out even more. Baring in mind that I got this set for Christmas two years ago, it looks like I have barely touched the surface of it despite using it almost every day, so it definitely is value for money.

Makeup Revolution Medium brow kit - £3.99

I have been using this set for the past week now, it really doesn't differ much from the benefit set except that there is a few different colours of powder available and the wax is not pigmented. I have been using the darkest colour powder on my brows in the same way as the benefit set, I then go other it with the wax on top. I find that the wax holds the shape much better but it is also quite greasy which only becomes a problem if I rub my brows and the excess goes on my face, I don't fancy getting anymore spots! But for now it is fine and the set has really impressed me for a mere £3.99. I can assume that it will last just as long as the benefit set too so it really is a no brainer if you are purchasing a brow set for the first time which one to pick.

These are the swatches of the makeup Revolution set, what I do like is how the medium set contains three different colours as not everyone has the same coloured brows which makes this a much more versatile set. Nothing is worse than having darker brows than your natural colour.

The benefit set is slightly different as the wax is pigmented which makes it quite a dark colour overall. Luckily it does match my brows perfectly. The powder is also very similar to the lightest of the Makeup Revoution powders.

I think both sets are equally just as good, they do the exact same job and the lasting power once on the brows is brilliant. Of course it really is a no brainer as to what one i would pick in the future, the Makeup revolution set is a huge fraction of the price of the benefit brow zings. Regardless to the fact that the benefit set has lasted two years there really is no difference in the product or quality so its fair to say that makeup revolution wins this round and it can definitely be named the dupe of the benefit brow zings!

What products do you use for your brows? What do you think of these two sets and which would you choose? Would you like to see more makeup comparison posts?

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October Degustabox review

It's that time of the month again when I get to share with you the October Degustabox*! If anything can cheer me up half way through the week, its food! For those of you who aren't familiar with Degustabox it is a monthly food box which contains 9-14 surprise products, and generously priced at only £12.99 makes it a bargain not to be missed!

Let's have a look at what goodies I received this month...

Blue dragon sweet chilli sauce - £1.39 for two

I'm personally not a fan of sweet chilli sauce but my dad loves it so it's definitely going to go to good use. He particularly likes having it with fish but I can imagine it would make anything more flavoursome and tasty!

Kents Kitchen - £2.50

This product is such a great concept and it is a three step kit which will provide you with an easy, authentic and tasty meal within 20 minutes. All you need to do is add the three pots to some fresh ingredients and you will create a restaurant quality meal. Again, I would have loved to have discovered a product like this at university, but this will help ease me back into cooking by myself again. It's a great thing to pick up and use when time isn't on your side too whilst still creating a healthy meal for yourself.

Special K cracker crisps - £1.89

I have been wanting to try these since they were released earlier this year. As a big fan of Special K I was expecting good things, I also naively thought they would be like the cereal...(they aren't). They are so tasty and they make such a great and healthy,low fat snack, they aren't quite crisps but I would say they are in between the size of that and snack a jacks. They come in a few different flavours so I am definitely going to try the sea salt and balsamic vinegar ones out next. I think they are also really reasonably priced for such a big bag too.

Solo marshmallow creme - £1.99

This months Degustabox has a joint offer on for all Degustabox users with American Soda which has a huge range of all types of American food! I could seriously spend all day browsing through their website. This delicious looking marshmallow creme being one of their products. I think it will be so perfect as s'mores sandwiched between digestive biscuits and chocolate mm, less messier than using melted marshmallows too. I'm particularly looking forward to testing it out in some baking, it could be a delicious addition to cakes and biscuits! I was also surprised how cheap this pot was as the American shop I have in my town charge ridiculous prices for imported items.

Alpha bites - £2.69 for the full size

Aww I just adore this little box, if anything I'm already in love with the product. I am yet to try these but I'm looking forward to testing these out as a little snack. They look like they might taste quite plain but nevertheless they look very cute and I wont judge them on their appearance!

Get buzzing flapjack - £1.30

I do love a good flapjack! They aren't known for being the healthiest snacks but this one is targeted at providing a good release of energy. It is full of 100% natural ingredients and this one in particular had nuts and cranberries in it. I found that it was really tasty but maybe a bit too sweet, but as it states I can see why it is perfect for providing energy to the body for slow release throughout the day.

Bioche Pasquier pain au lait with choc chips - £1.60

Brioche Pasquier sliced brioche loaf - £1.69

I previously reviewed some Brioche Pasquier products in the August Degustabox which were delicious so I knew these would be no different. The chocolate chip pain au laits are heavenly, I'm already swiftly working my way through the bag, they make such a nice snack or a treat for breakfast. The sliced brioche loaf again makes such a nice change from standard bread, it has a slightly sweeter taste to it and it's perfect with all types of jams.

Jelly belly beans - £2.50

So we all know what Jelly Belly is! The boxes usually contain chocolate of some kind so it was nice to spot these in the box. I love jelly beans, maybe not all the flavours but it's a fun sweet trying to guess which flavour you're having!

Dr Oetker extra dark chocolate - £2.49

Dr Oetker fine dark cocoa powder - £1.89

These could not have come at a better time, I seem to be slacking in the cake baking department lately so I will be putting these two to very good use this weekend, there may even be my first recipe on the blog if anyone is interested in that? Dark chocolate also happens to be my favourite, it's technically good for you too, right?

Enhance drinks - £2.49

Again, I have seen this type of product popping up in the shops in the last year but have yet to test it out. I think it is such a great product for adding to your water, it is perfect for taking with you on days out and on holidays. You only need one squeeze of this into water which transforms it into a tasty drink. Enhance drinks come in 4 different tasty flavours too.

Bear paws - £0.55

Firstly, I absolutely love the packaging of this fruit snack pack, pink wins me over every time! You get five paw prints inside which contain no added sugar, they are the closest you will get to sweets but being healthy at the same time. They are the perfect size for lunchboxes too and definitely not just for children!

Benecol Greek Style - £2.40

This month they included the Degustabox fridge again which offers a voucher for a free full price chiller cabinet product. I had been unable to buy the last one they had as my store did not stock the item so I was thrilled that I was able to pick these up! I eat greek yoghurt most days anyway because it's such a good probiotic for my stomach. These ones in particular have a unique cholesterol lowering ingredient in them. The pack comes in 4 different flavours including raspberry,strawberry,apricot and cherry.

This months recipe card is one of my favourites too. I'm definitely going to attempt a go at making the easy chocolate creme mousse, I can't guarantee mine will look as good though...

Okay, so I know I say this every month but this really is my favourite box that I have reviewed so far! Degustabox just seem to out do themselves each month. The October box has every different type of food product that I could want, from the sweet to the savoury. With Christmas coming up too now I think it would make the perfect surprise gift for someone in your life, and for only £12.99 you really can't go wrong! 

If you want to see my previous reviews on their boxes just use the search box and enter Degustabox on the right hand side of my blog! You can also follow Degustabox on Facebook and Twitter for more information on their boxes.

They have also kindly offered all of my readers a £3.00 discount, just enter this code when registering: J2WIL

What do you think of this months box? Have you tried a Degustabox before? Would you like to receive a box like this each month?

*Products marked with an asterix (*) have been sent to me for review. However, all opinions in this post are 100% my own

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OOTD | Ready for graduation

Dress* - Vesper Dresses

Clutch - New Look

Heels* - Peacocks

When I finished university it felt like it would be months until graduation and now I can't believe its only 2 weeks until the big day! Of course, being a fashion blogger and all careful precision has gone into the planning of the perfect outfit. I always wanted something that was not too bright or garish and something very sophisticated! Vesper Dresses came to the rescue with this dress and what I would say is the most perfect kind of dress for me, the fit is so flattering and the high neck will work perfectly with the robes. I decided to opt for minimal accessories and in black too, I already had these heels which are the perfect height as I can actually walk in them, yey! I had much deliberation over purchasing a fluffy pair but I think it would have been a bit over the top. Finishing off the look is the most perfect roll up furry clutch from New Look, needless to say I will be abusing this bag for the next few months as its just the perfect winter accessory, I also need to attend to the spare plastic on the zip which would not come off!! 

The lighting of these pictures was worse than I intended after work so I had to darken some of the photos which is why it looks like I have ginger hair hehe! I thought I would give you all a little taster of my outfit beforehand and to see what you think of my choices, as I do still have time to change! I am just yet to decide on the hair and makeup so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You can expect a big graduation post in the next few weeks too, so keep your eyes peeled!

What do you think of this dress? Do you think this is a suitable outfit for graduation? What would you wear or what have you worn to graduation? I would love to know!

*Products marked with an asterix (*) have been sent to me for review. However, all opinions in this post are 100% my own

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OOTD | Beetlejuice

Top - Zara

Gilet - Bershka

Jeans - Topshop

Shoes - Primark

I hope you all had a lovely weekend, it's been so nice to have a relaxed weekend catching up with my blog as November is such a busy and exciting month for me! Last weekend I headed for some shopping in Exeter which is always going to be good as they have a Zara, I have serious Zara deprivation living down in Plymouth! I was surprised there wasn't much that caught my eye but I fell in love with this striped almost smock like top, it's no secret that I love stripes, I own way too many items of this nature. I love the high neck of it too and it will be a staple for my winter wardrobe. I also picked up another pair of ripped jeans in oxblood colour from Topshop which again I can see being worn to death this winter! I originally bought a pair from Prettylittlething but their sizes were tiny and only one knee had a rip, needless to say I won't be purchasing from there again... 

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like ripped jeans and striped tops? What do you think of my Halloween nails?

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