Tuesday 12 January 2016

Face of December with Burberry Lip Mist in Rosy Red


I can be a bit obsessive (that's the Scorpio in me), but sometimes I just get hooked on a certain makeup look and wear it all month long.

This was Decembers face.

Before Makeup
MAC Fix +

I like to spray some of this all over my face before I apply any makeup as I find it gives my foundation a more glowy finish.

Face

Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light

This doesn't do anything amazing for your skin. It doesn't give it any extra glow, or fill in any pores but it has to be the best primer I have found for keeping your makeup on your face, which is all you really need from a primer.

Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation mixed with NARS Illuminator in Copacabana

Magic is a full coverage foundation, definitely not something I would want to wear in Summer, but good for these winter months. It's more coverage than I usually like but I like the flawless finish and the fact that it stays put all day. I mix a blob of the NARS Illuminator to bring back some glow.

Corrector and Concealer
Bobbi Brown Corrector in 'Bisque' and Clarins Instant Concealer

I'm a bit addicted to the Bobbi Brown Corrector now, its just the bomb at covering under eye circles. This Clarins concealer is equally wonderful, I love the light consistency especially when you're using a heavy concealer. A little goes a long way and you could wear it alone for that #nomakeup look.

Powder
Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder

This and Charlotte Tilbury's powder are my two favourites, but this costs £3.99.

Bronzer
Too Faced Dark Chocolate Soleil

Looks like chocolate, smells like chocolate, but it's a bronzer. I'm not complaining though as it's one of my favourites. Rich colour and a smooth formula, also works as the perfect warm toned brown eyeshadow.

Highlight
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "Red Head"

The worst two words in a makeup lovers vocabulary, limited edition. This highlight is a blush and highlight in one and I just love the warm peachy colour. It reminds me of Bobbi Browns Shimmer Bricks but less obnoxious, sadly it was a limited edition release from many moons ago.

Setting Spray
Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist

Completely unnecessary step, but c'mon who can say no to that packaging?

Eyes

Brows
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel and Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium

I love this Anastasia Brow Wiz, it's been a game changer for me and replaced my beloved Hourglass pencil. The Gimme Brow I'm just trying to use up.

Eyeshadow Primer
NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base

The.best.eyeshadow.primer.the.end

Eyeshadow
MAC All That Glitters

Can you tell this is my all time favourite eyeshadow? The perfect everyday, all over lid colour. It's going to take all my might not to repurchase this when I finally finish it.

Mascara
Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara

Amazing, length, curl and volume, you need to try this.

Lips

Lipstick
Burberry Lip Mist in Rosy Red

I am particularly fond of a sheer red lipstick because it makes me feel like Liv Tyler. This is my favourite sheer red, so of course Burberry have discontinued it (hold me). These Lip Mists have now been replaced by the Sheer Kisses line, I haven't tried so can't compare. 
Nothing lasts forever hey.


Saturday 2 January 2016

My 15 Beauty Favourites of 2015

Whenever I do this post, I always miscount and forget a product and of course this year was no exception. It was only when I started typing this, that I realised I only had 14 products and had forgotten to photograph my beloved Colab dry shampoo…..fml

Yesterday I shared my Makeup Favourites for the year and today its the turn of my beauty favourites, because there is no way I could edit it down to 15 out of both categories.

1. Unite 7 Seconds Shampoo and Conditioner
I think I only tried this shampoo and conditioner for the first time in November but I instantly loved this combo. First of all it smells divine and the smell lingers in your hair, but more importantly it seems to give my hair that elusive Kate Middleton bounce. 

2. RapidLash
I have used RapidLash before so I knew it worked, but I got lazy and didn't repurchase. Earlier this year I kept getting serious eyelash envy from my friend Chloe. She had kept using RapidLash and her eyelashes were ridiculously long (bitch) so in September I purchased a new tube and started again.
I apply RapidLash once a day at night before I go to bed and after 6 weeks you start to notice a massive difference in the length of your lashes. My lashes now touch my eyebrows and I've had so many people asking me if I'm wearing eyelash extensions. I am vowing to keep using this now.
If you are thinking of buying RapidLash make sure you buy it from Amazon, it's less than £20.00, whereas in Boots it's sold for about £40.00!)

Before RapiLash


 After using RapidLash for 4 months


3. Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for body
I don't fake tan, mainly because I am too lazy but also because I have had one too many fake tanning disasters. When we were discussing potential nominations for the beauty awards at work, my colleague Bridget recommended these. Bridget is one of those people that you can't help but bask in their beauty so of course I had to try them.
Rather than having to apply a separate fake tan, all you do is mix a few drops of this in with your normal body moisturiser. There's no fake tan smell, no streaks and no extra steps to your routine and I love the subtle colour this gives my skin. If you are a die hard tan fan this probably won't be enough for you, but if you just want to add a bit of colour to your corned beef arms, meet your new best friend. I have almost finished my second bottle and will definitely be repurchasing. 

4. Bobbi Brown Beach Perfume
If you want to know what I smelt like all year, this is it. From January to December I literally smelt like a summer holiday and I loved it.

5. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
I love this little orange sponge so much that I have somehow accumulated 4 of them! I much prefer this to the Beautyblender because of the flat side, in fact the flat side is the only side I use. I use this sponge to blend in my concealer and go over my foundation to get rid of any streaks of patchiness. 

6. Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It Air Styler
I am notoriously lazy when it comes to my hair. I wash it at night, sleep on it wet and in the morning its dry. As I rarely heat style my hair I don't use that many hair products, but if ever a hair product was tailor made for me, this is it. 
This is designed to give air dried hair, texture and body without feeling like there is anything in it, and that's exactly what it does. After brushing my hair and applying Moroccanoil, I rub a blob of this throughout my whole hair and it just gives me exactly what I want, a natural 'wave'. 

7. Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly
I think I have gone through three pots of this moisturiser this year, so that has to be a good sign. I actually use this as a pre-moisturiser before my serum and main moisturiser. I just find it keeps my skin hydrated, I rarely suffer from dry patches and touch wood, so far my forehead is staying pretty line free. 

8. Eylure Fleur Loves Lashes
If you asked me to pick a favourite YouTuber/Beauty Blogger I would always say Fleur. I actually reviewed her entire Eylure collection on Cosmopolitan and can safely say, this is not a case of someone just slapping their name on a product. From the designs, to the packaging, everything about these lashes  is original. The Fleur Loves (closely followed by the individuals) are by far my favourite. I just love how three quarter lashes really give you that feline look and there really is nothing similar that's available in Boots or Superdrug.
 I always know if a product is good if I can convince my 'real life' friends to use it and I have now got my friend Chloe swearing by these too.

9. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo +
I don't think I will ever not have this in my skincare regime. I swear that this saved my skin from some seriously spotty outbreaks and even though I don't need to use it religiously everyday, I always use it at least 3 times a week to keep those suckers at bay for good.

10. Zoeva Makeup Brushes
2015 was the year I tried Zoeva makeup brushes for the first time and they have easily become my favourite makeup brushes. My beloved Real Techniques Buffing Brush has now been replaced with the Zoeva Silk Finish Face Brush and the Petit Crease Brush was a revelation. The best brush sets in terms of quality and value. Plus who can say no to those copper handles.

11. Moroccanoil
Ahh Moroccanoil, the only product that has stayed in my yearly favourites since 2013. I have tried other oils and I know this has silicone in it, but I don't care because it really is the only oil that smooths the ends of my hair without leaving them feeling or looking greasy.

12. The Wet Brush
I never thought I'd see the day where I turned my back on my Tangle Teezer but I have, and it's so nice to use a hairbrush that doesn't fly out your hands every time you brush your hair. The Wet Brush just brushes my hair so much better than the Tangle Teezer. It gets to all that knots at the back of my head, whereas the Tangle Teezer only ever really brushed the surface. 

13. OPI Strength in Colour Tinted Nail Envy in 'Hawaiian Orchid'
2015 was the year that I officially fell out of love with nail polish. I used to love painting my nails bright colours and would paint my nails 4 times a week just for the pure joy of it. Now I hate bright colours on my nails and I'm sitting here with chipped nails that are in desperate need of painting. All those neutral colours that I used to think were so boring are now my new BFF's and this colour in particular by OPI has been a favourite. I just find the colour flattering on my skin tone and I love that its an opaque neutral, because there is nothing worse than streaky nail polish.

14. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
I genuinely don't understand why people still fork out for Bioderma when this micellar water costs about £4.00 and lasts forever. I also don't understand people who still use makeup wipes, but there you go!

15. Colab Dry Shampoo
Luckily I rave about this dry shampoo enough that I knew I would have a photo somewhere in my iPhoto. This is the dry shampoo that stopped me hating dry shampoo. It genuinely is sheer and invisible, and sometimes I even think my hair looks better with this in it. The only problem is that I end up using half a can every time. Oh and make sure you get the Sheer and Invisible version, because the Extreme Volume version is NOT THE ONE.


Friday 1 January 2016

My 15 Makeup Favourites of 2015

Happy New Year! I hope you all rung in the New Year in style. I spent it with my friends, Chilli Heatwave Doritos and Matthew McConaughey….. 
If like me you aren't ready to leave your sofa, let alone your house and the idea of making life plans for the year ahead makes you want to have a nervous poo, don't worry you are not alone.

As is tradition, I wanted to share my makeup favourites from the past year. I love reading/watching these yearly favourite posts…anything that keeps me procrastinating.

1. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation (2.5, Warm Sand)
The first Bobbi Brown foundation I've tried and it definitely won't be the last. This is my ideal foundation, it's lightweight, provides a medium coverage and looks natural on the skin. It might be strange to say but I also love the colour of this foundation, Bobbi's foundation's are quite yellow based and I love the warmth this gives to my skin.

2. Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in 'Candlelight'
Still my favourite highlighter, even though I've used it all up *sob sob* 
It's just the perfect highlighter, it goes with everything but is subtle enough that it doesn't look obvious. I want my highlighter to look natural, not like I've got huge chunks of glitter on my face.
 I am dying to repurchase this, and once I've got a through a few more highlighters I definitely will.


3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
When someone who works in the beauty industry raves about a product, you listen. My friend Lucy loves this palette (I think she is on her second) and now I know why. 
This is a powder for people who hate powders, it sets my makeup and gives me a glow. 

4. Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'n' Kohl in 'Barbarella Brown'
I'm not much of an eyeliner person anymore, but every time I go 'out out' this eyeliner makes an appearance. The dark brown colour is much more flattering on my blue eyes than black, it blends beautifully and lasts all night. Truly the only eyeliner I need.


5. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in 'Amazing Grace' and 'Walk of Shame'
My favourite of my favourites, no other lipstick comes close. I love everything about Charlotte's Matte Revolution lipsticks, the square tip is the perfect shape and makes application easy, the matte finish is non drying and makes my lips look fuller and the shade range is my perfect lipstick wardrobe. 
I wore 'Walk of Shame' for my entire 2 week holiday and 'Amazing Grace' is the most beautiful pink. Shout out to Bond Girl, which only wasn't included as I haven't had it as long. 

6. Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder
I used up 4 powders this year, all of them were more expensive than this powder but none of them were half as good. Besides my beloved Charlotte Tilbury powder, this is hands down the best setting powder and it costs less than a fiver. 

7. Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in 'Formentera'
My makeup favourites are Charlotte Tilbury heavy this year, but I really have fallen in love with her range and it's easily become my favourite makeup brand.
I wore this Beach Stick for most of the summer as it was the perfect russet bronze shade for that 'I've caught the sun over the weekend' look. These cream blushes are ideal if you have oily skin as they are non greasy and dry to an almost powder finish.

8. Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer
This concealer is an absolute delight. Ridiculously creamy and you can use it both under the eyes and to cover spots/redness. My favourite thing though has to be the doe foot applicator. I know that might sound ridiculous but it has a little dip in it, so it dispenses the perfect amount of product with no dragging. As you can tell, I love everything about this.

9. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
After all these years this is still my favourite eyeshadow primer. It does exactly what you want an eyeshadow primer to do, stop your shadow creasing and increase the wear time, plus it's lightweight so it doesn't interfere with whatever shadow you put on top.

10. L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper in 'Dark Brunette'
The only brow gel I used all year. It sets and tints and is so much better than the ridiculously overpriced Benefit Gimme Brow.

11. Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara
A very late addition to this years favourites but easily the best mascara I have found this year, possibly ever. This mascara does it all and gives me amazing length, volume and curl, which lasts all day. Obsessed with this.

12. Anastasia Brow Wiz
Anyone who reads my blog will know how loyal I am to the Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil, but it has finally been eclipsed by the Anastasia Brow Wiz. I did try this eyebrow pencil a few years ago but didn't like it as I felt it was too harsh and I went back to my Hourglass, but I've realised the key is getting the right shade. I am now using the shade Caramel and I love how this makes my eyebrows look full but still defined.

13. Bobbi Brown Corrector
If you struggle with dark under eye circles, forget concealer this is the stuff you need. It honestly makes dark circles disappear.

14. Ciaté Precious Metal Eyeshadow in "Lincoln Road'
As eyeshadow is the one makeup product I change the most often, I always find it hard to pick a favourite but this loose pigment by Ciaté really was a standout for me. Most loose pigments are a messy nightmare, but this has to be the easiest one I've used. It comes with a primer in the lid, which actually works really well and stops you getting eyeshadow all over your cheeks. 
This bronzy shade, paired with my Charlotte Tilbury Amazing Grace lipstick is still one of my favourite looks.

15. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
Last but not least, bronzer. I cannot do without bronzer, even in Winter and this Too Faced bronzer quickly became my go to for warming up my complexion. Anyone who knows me will know I'm all about the warm tones and I just love the colour of this bronzer. Not only that but it also makes a great eyeshadow for those of you with baby blues.