My Everyday Make-up #1

You know you love make-up when you actually look forward to putting on your face every morning. There was a time when I used to do half my face at a time just so I could see the difference the products made (I was late to everything at that time!). I like to experiment with lots of different products, especially foundation, but lately i've been sort of sticking to the same natural-ish look and just switching up my lipstick depending on what i'm wearing. 

So here is my everyday make-up. I usually put it all in a little basket with a small mirror and do my make-up in bed whilst watching an episode or two of Friends (US Netflix is possibly the best thing that's ever happened to me). I love a natural smoky eye, with a little bit smudged underneath. Strong eyebrows, purely because I love them, and cheeks with a natural looking flush. 

There are some products that i'd like to do more in-depth review on, but they'll come later on. I just feel that i've got myself a bit of a routine and found a lovely combination of products that really work with my skin, so thought i'd share it with you. 

Here are the products I use below:

Products

Maybelline Dream Smooth Primer

Benefit Erase Paste in 'No.1 Fair'

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation in '010 Light Porcelain'

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 'Fair'

Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in 'White'

Max Factor Creme Puff Pressed Powder in 'Translucent'

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in 'Medium Brown'

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in 'Chocolate'

Benefit Stay Don't Stray Stay-Put Primer in 'Light Medium'

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in '65 - Pink Gold' and '35 - On and on bronze'

Benefit They're Real Mascara

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in '02 Fair Matte'

MAC Archie's Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder in 'Veronica's Blush'

MAC Lustre Drops in 'Pink Rebel' 

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in '01 Nude Beige'

What do you use for your everyday make-up? Is there anything I should be trying? Let me know below.

Happy Sunday! x 

Favourite 5 | Dark Lip Colours for Fair Skin

Hello!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekends, I know I am. I really enjoyed showcasing my favourite red lipsticks so I thought i'd do the same for dark lipsticks. I'll keep this intro short and sweet, but I love how a dark lip can add some drama to a look with minimal effort. Having pale skin I think you tend to stick to lighter colours that blend well, but sometimes its nice to mix things up! Whether its sheer, mate or extra glossy, i've picked my favourite five dark lipsticks that I reach to when I want to add some extra warmth to my everyday make-up.

(This background is so drab - i've somehow lost my fairylights! :( ) 

'Fling Thing' Hyrda-Smooth Lip Colour - Benefit

Oh I love this lipstick! I've been such a huge fan of their Hyrda-Smooth range since I worked there, and this shade is by far my favourite. It's described as a 'very berry', and certainly looks darker on the bullet than it does on your lips. It sounds weird, but this lipstick is one that I wore at a certain time in my life that I will always remember, so this will always be a shade that I love. It's really moisturising and you can build up the coverage without it looking cakey and fake. I really love the double-slanted bullet, which makes it really easy to apply. I think this a really great universal shade that's perfect for day or night.

'Wicked' Lipstick - Topshop

This is actually the newest lipstick I own. Absolutely terrifying in the tube as it's so dark, but applies as a rich burgundy and glides onto the lips effortlessly. Topshop lipsticks are a cult favourite amongst British beauty bloggers and I am certainly a fan. I love how creamy the texture is and doesn't need reapplication after eating which is a definite plus. I haven't found a shade anywhere else like this, so I would definitely recommend if you want a deep wine or oxblood shade that lasts.

'Aura' Rouge Coco Shine - Chanel 

This is a different sort of lipstick than the others in this collection as it's really sheer. I know it looks a little odd and I did think so too, but its nice if you want to pat on a little bit of colour but not go overboard with a dark lip. I'm not a fan of the bullet because its rounded making it slightly before difficult to apply straight from the bullet. It's lovely and glossy and hydrating and is ideal if you want a slick of dark colour without all the drama.

Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss in Shade 30 - Rimmel London

I'm so impressed with Kate Moss' range of lipsticks. The shades are incredible, the finish is flawless and its so affordable at just £5.49 a tube. This is a lovely plum shade with slight pinky tones peeking through. The colour is really rich and probably the truest shade to the bullet. I feel that this would be a shade that suits everyone and its really easy to apply so I have no issues applying it without a mirror or slicking on a bit while i'm on the train.

'Vicious Velvet' Ultra Moisturising Lip Paint - Barry M 

This was the first dark lipstick i'd ever bought. Costing just £4.49, I thought it would be perfect to experiment, as I would only lose a few pounds if I decided it wasn't for me. I love this colour; it's a really gorgeous berry shade that's really long-lasting. My one flaw is that it is really drying on the lips. Barry M lipsticks are supposedly designed to be moisturising, but that's not really the case. The colour pay-off is great though, making it a pretty decent drugstore lipstick if you want to experiment without breaking the bank.

I hope you enjoyed, have a lovely rest of the day!

x

My Foundation Collection

It's been a while since i've done a collections post, so I thought there is no time like the present to write a post containing one of my favourite beauty staples - foundation. I go through lots of different phases with my skin so i've catagorised them to make it slightly easier to navigate.. enjoy!

 Natural/Low Coverage Foundations

Bourjois Paris BB Bronzing 8 In 1 Cream - Full review here. - £9.99
I've never really jumped on the BB Cream bandwagon, so I bought this through sheer curiosity. As much as it is a terrible bronzer, this has just enough coverage to cover up any unnecessary blemishes - but nothing more. I must admit I don't use this often because my skin has never been great enough to get away with it, but its ideal if you're blessed with perfect skin.

Benefit You Rebel Lite Tinted Moisturiser - £24.50
The packaging looks pretty shabby because this is the foundation I used throughout summer. I always like to switch to a tinted moisturiser in the warmer months so my skin doesn't feel so heavy. Packed with SPF 15, its perfect for those who don't like going completely bare-faced in the sun. I would say the lighter version of the two (This product is designed to adapt to your skin-tone) has a yellow tinge to it, so if you're pale skinned try not to be too liberal with the application.

Revlon Nearly Naked in 180 Shell - £8.99
This is a beautifully designed product that gives an airbrush feel with added SPF20. However, as much as I enjoy using it its not something i'd pick up when I need to be up and out in a hurry. It doesn't come with a pump, almost as if its designed to be put onto the hand and mixed with another shade. It's light in consistency and blends well, but I did find I needed to touch up around areas prone to redness.

Matte Foundations

Rimmel Stay Matte in Ivory - £5.99
This has to be the worst foundation out of the collection. It has a strange perfume smell and it makes me look orange however sparingly I apply it. It has a runny consistency, and I found it didn't provide any coverage unless I built it up, making my face shiny as opposed to matte. The shine control element is practically non-existent, but the inclusion of cotton, chamomile and cucumber did make my skin feel slightly softer.
 
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in Ivory - £7.69
This is the newest addition to my collection, as I was searching for a mattifying foundation that provided great coverage without feeling cakey. Using a mousse makes application a breeze - i'm not usually a fan of applying with my fingers but i've found its the best way with this product. It's inexpensive and I don't need to reapply throughout the day.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid with SPF15 in NC15 - £21.50
As many of you will probably already know,  MAC provide heavy coverage. I use this foundation for nights out because it provides little shine that will come from that dreaded flash photography (Although any foundation with SPF in it will provide shine to a certain extent!) . However, it is quite orange (I have the lightest shade too!) so I need to mix it with my lightest foundation to create a suitable blend.

Brightening Foundations

No 7 Instant Radiance in Calico - £12.50
This inexpensive foundation is great when my skin needs a little pick-me-up. It's still reasonably lightweight so I like to use it when i've had a late night and my skin looks tired in the morning. Overall i'm a massive fan of No7 due to their unique foundation matching service and their wide selection of foundations.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup - £25.50
What first drew me to this foundation was its added SPF25, along with its oil-free formula and hydrating benefits. Although I love the overall look of this foundation (It doesn't really cover blemishes but gives your skin a great glow!), i've found that even the lightest shade makes my skin look bright yellow! I've had to mix it with a bit of my No7 foundation, which sort of defeats the object.

Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat- £29.00
This is my dream foundation. Coming in 16 different shades, it eliminates blemishes and brightens shadowy areas. This is my second bottle of this, but i've chosen to use it more sparingly as it is the priciest product I own. My skin looks flawless when teamed with the YSL Touche Eclat Touch Highlighting Pen. It has a light consistency, allow my skin to breathe and giving just enough coverage to even out your skin tone. Love this!

Aswell as this, i've also started using my tester pot of Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (£28.50) - which is certainly the most heavy coverage foundation i've used. So far I haven't found it very breathable, but a tiny amount lasts all day so is ideal for a special occasion when there isn't much time to touch-up.

I'm always on the look-out for the 'perfect' foundation, so let me know what your favourite foundation is below! :)

Everyday Makeup #1

As a beauty blogger, popping to Boots for a new product is just as common as a dash to the corner shop for a pint of milk. However, as our makeup collections rapidly accumulate, how much of it is actually used on a regular basis? I see so many blog sales consisting of blushers and eyeshadows that have been swatched once, which is why I tend to look to 'everyday makeup' posts to really see what is considered a staple.

So, today i'm going to start a series of everyday makeup posts .. showcasing my favourite looks and go-to products!

 

Base: Smashbox Photo Finish primer, Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat in 'BR10', Bourjois Paris Healthy Balance unifying powder in '52 Vanilla' (Not photographed)

Cheeks: Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Nars 'Deep Throat' blush

Eyes: Rimmel Exaggerate eyeshadow primer, 'Virgin' and 'Naked' from the Urban Decay Naked Palette, Benefit's 'They're Real!' mascara, Rimmel Khol & Contour eyeliner

Brows: 'Medium brown' from the Foxy HD Brow Kit, MAC Brow Set in 'Clear'

Lips: Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Loreal Glam Shine Reflexion lip gloss in '174 Sheer Peach'

As you can see, I like to keep things pretty natural looking (which is strange with the amount of products I use!). I'm all about groomed brows, so as long as they are filled in and arched I don't mind what goes on with the rest of my face! This is what I would usually wear to work, or in today's case going out for sushi. I usually go for a lot of highlighting and contouring, but I think 13 products is enough for a 'simple' look. 

On a more personal note, i've finally started my Easter holidays, meaning I have about 5 weeks off from university! Yes, that does sound amazing until I tell you I have 5 assignments to do. Easter break over. 

Inside my suitcase - Skincare & Makeup!

Hello everyone! I apologise for the lack of posting, i've been really trying to relax this past couple of weeks, and suddenly realised that I do infact have work to be doing so I have been getting on with that. However, I wanted to do a post about my skincare and makeup that i'll be taking with me to Turkey on Monday.  I love seeing what's inside peoples makeup bags, their skincare routines etc., it's a great way to discover new products or learn new ways of applying particular products, so I thought i'd do one :) Here's a picture of the skincare i'll be taking with me:

Clockwise from top

 (1) MAC Fix +. Not only is it a finishing mist, but it's also a skin refresher that absorbs into the skin really quickly. Far more effective then splashing water on your face, in my opinion!

(2) It's Potent! Eye Cream from Benefit. A hydrating and brightening skin cream that reduces the appearance of eye bags. Perfect for a 4am drive to Gatwick on 3 hours sleep!

(3) Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion. A light, creamy cleanser bursting with vitamins.

(4) Enzymion facial moisturiser. My all-time favourite moisturiser. Read why here.

(5) Moisture Prep Toning Lotion from Lush. A refreshing toner that includes extracts of Aloe leaf and vitamin E acetate to ensure total moisture and soft and supple skin. A full review coming soon!

Clockwise from top

(1) Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 from MAC. A light matte foundation that promises even coverage without looking too orange or cakey. The SPF 15 is essential in protecting your skin from the dangers of the sun's rays. It's also oil-free which is always a bonus!

(2) Cherry Carmex Lip Balm. Includes an SPF 15 sunscreen so it protects you from sunburn and replaces moisture lost during sun exposure. Spells super sweet and is world-famous as the ultimate moisturising lip balm.
(3) Posie Tint Lip & Cheek Stain from Benefit. A poppy-pink stain that gives you an all-day colour so you don't have to worry about lipgloss or lipstick.
(4) Sugarbomb Blusher from Benefit. A blush that has four complimentary shades of peach, soft plum, pink and rose. I swirl my brush around all four and sweep across my face, then just use two complimentary shades on my cheeks. It is essential for a warm glow if you don't really tan, like me!
(5) 'Linger' Brow Pencil from MAC. I'm taking this for the evenings, as i've just had my eyebrows tinted so I don't need to apply during the day. An easy-to-use defining pen that allows you to shape perfect brows.
(6) Mineralize Skinfinish Natural from MAC. A silky matte power that I use to set my foundation. Really light and i'll definitely be using this throughout the day, and accompany it with my liquid foundation in the evenings.
(7) Khol & Contour Eyeliner Pencil from Bourjois Paris. This goes with me everywhere. Unfortunately it isn't waterproof, which means I won't be using it throughout the day. But for a more natural look, jet black eyeliner isn't really beach appropriate. Will certainly be used for nights out though!
(8) Big Beautiful Eyes eye palette from Benefit. A small eye contouring kit that features a concealer and three shadows. I use the alabaster pink base shadow for during the day, and will layer it with the cocoa brown shadow for a natural look that isn't too try-hard.
(9) Diorshow Black Out waterproof mascara from Dior. Get gorgeously thick and glamorous looking lashes in seconds. Layering is easy for the evening, but one thin coat is perfect for long lashes at the beach.

I forgot to include my primer (featured here) but this is generally what i'll be taking with me. I can't say i'll go out with a full face of makeup everyday, but the advantages of lip and cheek stains and waterproof mascara is that it's so beach appropriate.

Hope you've enjoyed, and i'll be sure to upload some holiday snaps when I get back on the 23rd!

x

Review: Fix & Perfect Pro Primer from Rimmel London

For anyone who knows me well, they will tell you that regardless of my student status I don't skimp on the finer things that I enjoy, such as makeup and Topshop clothing! However, ever since running out of my Benefit Porefessional primer, i've been on the hunt for a less expensive alternative, as I wanted to know if there was such a primer that would exceed my high expectations without the price tag.

I don't really know what attracted me to Rimmel London's Fix & Perfect Primer. Maybe it was that it only cost £6, or that it was the only bright one bottle on a shelf of liquid foundation bottles. Either way, I bought it!

The foundation promises to pro-long foundation, as well as 5-in-1 results, all in a small 30ml bottle. Seems a bit much, doesn't it?

This primer had a creamier consistency, and blended really easily into my skin. You only need the small amount pictured to cover your face, which means the 30ml bottle is definitely enough to last a long time! As critical as I was about the promises it makes, this really is a great foundation. Although it doesn't say that it's suitable for a particular skin type, it's great for oily skin as it gives just the right amount of moisture to the face. The skin is smooth, and looks brighter and healthier. It feels like your putting a protective layer between your skin and your foundation, and makes it stick so there's no need to touch up throughout the day!

As much as I am a lover of all things Benefit, I definitely prefer this primer to Porefessional. It's only a fraction of the price, and this feels like it's actually helping my skin, as oppose to just putting another layer of makeup onto it before the foundation. I do love them both, but this is going to be my go-to foundation from now on!

You can purchase the Fix & Perfect Pro Primer from your local Rimmel counter (Boots and Superdrug are definite sellers of Rimmel London!), or online here.

Review: Rimmel 'I <3 Long Lasting' Nail Polish in '270 Hot Shot'

What you will learn from me soon, is that I have a serious addiction to nail polish. I can't go a week without buying at least one new colour to add to my collection. And when I saw the brightest matt pink polish on the bottom shelf of the Rimmel section in Boots, I knew I had to have it.

People refer to this colour as 'Barbie pink', and usually I would object from wearing pink nail varnish and being stereotyped as a girlie girl with pretty pink nails, but to be honest I love the boldness of this colour. The brush isn't anything special, just your standard shape so it takes a couple of strokes to cover the whole nail. However, because it is so bright you only need one coat.

This colour is perfect if you like people taking a second look, and to add extra glam you could add a coat of Bourjois' 1 second Innovation glitter! Just make sure your nails are the same length and well kept, people will see everything with this statement shade.