Like most of the blogging world I got really excited when my local Boots recently opened up a HUGE NYX counter. Finally I could get my hands on all the goodies everyone is always raving about. 

But since it opened I've been on a strict saving plan and haven't really been able to splurge on a good Boots Haul. 

On top of that every time I go near that counter is surrounded by 14 year old girls in their Kylie Jenner crop tops and leggings grabbing everything all their favourite Youtubers recommend. Not gonna lie I feel a bit intimidated by the amount of choice there is as well as Nyx offers A LOT of products and it's in very plain packaging so it all looks similar and I can't get close enough because of all the people to have a good look at anything. 

I wanted to share with you the few things I have tried from there so far because I've been really impressed with all of them. 

1. NYX Retractable Lip Liner in Nude - £5.50

I love a lip liner to help get my lipstick applied really evenly and neatly. I cannot be bothered with lip liners that need sharpening and I really like Rimmel's version of these too. Considering the price this gives a really opaque finish that lasts really well. It's also a true nude for me which I haven't previously managed to find from other brands. I love using this on its own with a nude lip gloss on top or under any lipstick. Because its so close to my natural lip colour it works with every shade of lipstick including darker vampy colours. I also use it under lipgloss/lipstain hybrids like the YSL Glossystains and find that it helps create a more even colour throughout the whole lip as they tend to be a bit patchy. Overall I am really pleased with this and I haven't taken it out of my handbag since I bought it. 

2. NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Gleam - £7.00

I picked this up because it looked like it could be an excellent dupe for the NARS Illuminator in Orgasm which I've wanted to try but couldn't really justify spending the money on. Like the NARS one this is a versatile product that can be used as a liquid highlighter or mixed in with your foundation or moisturizer to give a subtle overall glow. This is a really lovely soft rose gold and I don't currently own anything else that is a similar colour. I've mostly been used it mixed in with my foundation for a daytime look that I can wear to work and it definitely adds a little extra to my normally tired looking face. Overall for £7 I'm glad I picked this up because its a fraction of the price of the higher end version.

3. NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown - £8.00

Another product that seems like an excellent dupe but this time for the ABH eyebrow pencils that are around twice the price. This has overtaken my previous favourite eyebrow pencil (the Soap & Glory Brow Archery one) as I think its a better colour for me. Unlike the S&G which only comes in two colours the NYX comes in 8 different shades ranging from pale to auburn to black so there should be something for most people. I have mouse brown hair that I colour to be darker but my eyebrows are naturally paler than my head hair so I need something brown, but not too dark or warm toned. Blonde pencils tend to be too light and not ashy enough so Ash Brown is literally the perfect colour for me. Like the lip liner this is a twist up pencil so you don't have to sharpen it (WIN) and it also has a really good spooley on the end. I have a couple of sparse patches right in the middle of the arch of my brow and I find that this easily masks them without looking too harsh. I like a natural brow and it seems you can be as bold or lighthanded as you like. It also stays put all day without any setting gel on top which is a definite  bonus for morning when I'm in a rush. This is the 3rd one I've purchased and they've lasted around 2 months each of daily use so they're definitely excellent value for money.

Top: NYX Born to Glow Illuminator in Gleam, Middle: NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown, Bottom: NYX retractable lip liner in Nude.

That's my small but well loved collection of NYX products. Let me know if there's something else I should try and elbow the teenage girls out the way to get my hands on!

New Beauty Buys all under £10

So ok I might have gone a little mental in Boots and Superdrug last week. I only went in there to return a nail varnish I wasn't happy with and before I knew it the three for two offer had sucked me in...

Anyway I'm actually really pleased and impressed with all of these products so wanted to share them as I feel they are really good value for money. Just goes to show you need not spend a fortune to get good quality products providing you make an informed choice.

First off I got myself three new Rimmel lipsticks. I am a big fan of their lipsticks (and Maybellines but I've already got most of theirs) as they last a long time and give a great buildable colour. I got two from the Kate Moss range in shades 01 (far right) and 30 (far left) which are a bright red and a berry colour. My favourite though is from the standard line and is shade 016 called Heart Breaker (centre) and is a lovely rose pink.

I always end up with nail varnishes and I am really loving Barry M ones at the moment. I picked up two from their new Speedy Quick Dry range in Pole Position (far right) and In a Heart Beat (far left) as well as an iridescent shade called Pacific (centre). This looks amazing over my Gelly Hi Shine in Blueberry.

As an extra nail varnish I got an Essie one in Bikini So Teeny which I've been waiting all winter to get. Its such a lovely pastel blue and is perfect for Spring. I've had my eye on the Bourjois cream blushes for ages now so got one in Rose Tender and it comes in the cutest little pot! I'm currently wearing it at work and it just gives the most natural looking flush I've ever seen which is perfect for Spring. The second blush I got was the Max Factor Creme Powder blush in Seductive Pink. I am loving this so much and I've worn it to work twice this week.

In addition to make up I also got some more Nivea extra gentle eye make up remover as its such good value for money and a Boots essentials 3 minute clay mask. At only £1.50 this is a bargain for anyone with oily skin. I also decided it was time to lose my waxing virginity to got some wax strips (not pictured) and sweet jesus does it hurt! Won't be doing that again in a hurry.

Thank to a combination of Boots Points and the Three for Two offer I got the Essie Nail Varnish, 1 Barry M Nail Varnish, 1 Rimmel Lipstick, the Make up remover and the wax strips for free. Boots, you really are the best.

I also dropped into Superdrug to pick up some blackhead removing strips after trying one for the first time last week (soooooo satisfying!) and to grab the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer as they had ran out of my shade in Boots. Have you tried any of these products? Do you have any favorites?