September 13, 2015

Summer to Autumn Lipsticks

As we have entered autumn and will be fast approaching winter, if like me, you like to whip out those darker toned lipsticks, here are a few of my favourite picks for A/W. T-B.

L'oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in 'Julianne's Pure Red'
My perfect Christmas Red. When I look at this one, I think Christmas parties and pub gatherings. It is an orange toned red so looks lovely on those with a bit of a tan, but pretty much anyone can pull it off. A pure matte red, so ex-foliation of your lips before application is essential. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate Moss Lipstick in '31'
A real dark berry colour with a smell of sweeties. Wear it lightly for a lovely wash of berry colour or layer it to create a real deep plum colour ideal for those autumnal evenings.

MAC 'Rebel'
The autumn/winter must have lipstick. Looks amazing on everyone. Wear it lightly for a lovely pinky shade or built it up to create an amazing purple berry lip. Super long lasting so ideal for nights out and being a satin finish, it doesn't dry out your lips.

MAC 'Patisserie'
The nude that can take you from season to season with it's light hint of peachy pink colour and subtle glitter, ideal for wear any time of the year. Definitely a 'your lips but better shade'.

MAC 'See Sheer'
The 'I want to wear red but I'm not brave enough' lipstick. A red lipstick with a lustre finish, which gives you a lovely wash of red but not too intense if you're not brave enough to pull of a true matte red just yet. Another super long lasting lipstick, so great for nights out when no re-applying is needed.




September 07, 2015

Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette





I came across Smashbox's Full Exposure Travel Size Palette accidentally when I was browsing the Boots website recently. I'd never seen the travel version of the full exposure palette before so I thought I'd try it out and add it to my basket. Surprisingly, I haven't ever really tried anything from Smashbox cosmetics before besides their Photofinish Primer, so when I spotted this gorgeous travel sized eyeshadow palette I was intrigued. Reviews online were few and far between so I was excited to get it home to try out. Knowing how amazingly pigmented other Smashbox eyeshadows are, I had high exceptions for the palette and I wasn't disappointed. At first glance the palette boasts eight square eyeshadows, four shimmer and four matte shades. They range from brown's and bronzes to a dark grey/purple. Swatching these shadows, they feel extremely velvety when applied to your skin and they have great lasting power. They have every colour you'd need in a travel palette including a crease and highlight colour. I love the design of this palette - black, glossy and sleek packaging. It is super thin making it exceptionally travel friendly without losing eyeshadow. I would definitely recommend this palette if you are a fan of your bronze colours and need a palette which is travel friendly. I just wish I had discovered it sooner!




July 20, 2015

Summer Holiday Skincare Sorted




During summer your skin is subject to UV rays even when the sunshine shining and your skin faces a lot of harmful elements everyday so it is vital you take good care of it, especially when you are on holiday. I have picked a few of my favourite holiday skincare products which I swear by and will be using to ensure my skin is safe and moisturised whilst tanning in the sunshine.

Piz Buin is one of my favourite brands for sun cream. They have such a huge range of different products which are all aimed at doing different things but they are range from light sprays to oils and creamy sun creams. I have chosen to take away their Moisturising Sun Lotion with SPF 15 and their Ultra Light Hydrating sun spray with SPF 30.

I also love Hawaiian Tropic skincare products which is also a well known brand and cater for all skin types. I have chosen to take away with me, their Protective Dry Oil Spray SPF 10. This spray helps create a lovely tan whilst protecting your skin from harmful sun rays. Sometimes you can overdo it in the sunshine and when this happens I lather on the after sun. I swear by Hawaiian Tropic's After Sun Cool Aloe Gel which has a calming, cool affect on sunburn.

I also like to ensure my face is refreshed and moisturised so I will be taking The Body Shop's Vitamin C's Glow Boosting Moisturiser. I love the feel of this moisturiser on my skin and it soaks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue behind.

What skincare products are you taking away with you this year? Let me know!




Review | Oral B Pro 600 Toothbrush - Floss Action


I would have never of thought to write a post reviewing a toothbrush on my blog but when I bought this Oral B toothbrush, I knew I had to write about it. I recently bought Oral B's Pro 600 Toothbrush with Floss Action by Braun. It claims to penetrate and clean deep between teeth removing up to 100% more plaque. The toothbrush is rechargeable and comes with a chargeable station which plugs into the wall and charges in-between brushing. It claims the battery lasts 7 days but I have kept mine on charge in-between uses just because it looks tidy standing up.

The toothbrush itself has a number of features which make brushing your teeth so easy. The round head (which is changeable and compatible with a number of heads), pulsates, rotates and oscillates cleaning every tooth exceptionally well. The toothbrush has a waterproof handle and a charge level display so you know when it is running low. You turn the toothbrush on with a small button on the front. 

One of the main things I noticed when using this toothbrush is how clean my mouth felt compared to using a manual toothbrush. The freshness lasted a lot longer than brushing with a standard toothbrush. I don't think I will ever revert back to a regular toothbrush now I have discovered how fresh my mouth can feel.

You can buy Oral B Pro 600 Floss Action toothbrush from Boots at a discounted price of £24.99 from £49.99.



June 26, 2015

How to get Soft Summer Skin in 2 Easy Steps

Everyone likes to look their best during summer when clothes are less and legs are out. Getting soft, glowing skin ready for summer is easy with these 2 simple steps:

Step 1: Exfoliate - This step is essential to having soft skin. There is no point slathering the moisturiser on without exfoliating as this will most likely be moisturising dead skin which sounds disgusting, but is true. My top picks for exfoliators are Soap and Glory's Sugar Body Scrub or The Body Shop's Virgin Mojito Body Scrub. Pick something with sugar as this will remove dead skin without aggravating the skin. It's also nice to use scented scrubs so they leave your skin smelling extra lovely.

Step 2: Moisturise - After exfoliating, it's time to moisturise your skin. It's up to you how you go about this, whether you use a light cream, a thick lotion or a fruity body butter. One of my favourites is Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion from Soap and Glory. Their Righteous Butter is also a fantastic alternative as it's so buttery which moisturises your skin to leave it feel soft and hydrated ready for the summer months. It also smells amazing! I also love the Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter and Dove's Body Lotions from the drug store are also excellent and really affordable. 

What are your favourite products to use to get soft summer skin?




June 23, 2015

NEW | BELL COSMETICS

I was recently contacted to review some new products by 'Bell Cosmetics'* to test out and review. I am always excited to explore new products on the market so when these landed on my doorstep I was excited to give them a try. 'Bell Cosmetics' is a Polish make up company with over 30 years of experience in the beauty industry. They have recently launched a new hypo-allergenic range for sensitive skin exclusively in BeautyCrowd in the UK. The brand can be found in Beauty Crowd, (previously E.L.F store) in the Royal Arcade in Cardiff and at www.beautycrowd.com.

I was sent a number of products including foundation, pressed powder, concealer, primer and mascara to test out. My first impression of the products were pleasing. The packaging was aesthetically pleasing - boxes are white and clean looking with clear writing stating what each product was. They all stated that they were hypo-allergenic and dermatologist approved so are ideal for sensitive skin types.

Bell Hypo-allergenic Matte and Smooth Make up Base - £7.95
This is essentially a primer which aims to smooth finish to your face in preparation to apply foundation. It also aims to create a smoother finish to your make up and improves durability of your make up. The product itself leaves a matte effect so you don't look oily. It is unscented and is suitable for all skin types. I really enjoy using primers especially if I know I have a long day ahead and I want my foundation to last. This primer seems to have a pink glowy look to it which makes your skin look radiant and glowing under foundation which is lovely for summertime.

Bell Hypo-allergenic Matte and Soft Make up - £7.95
Next up is the foundation. I was sent this in the shade '02 Natural', which is a really good shade for me - it's not too light so matches me when I have a tan but it's not too dark making it difficult to blend. The foundation's consistency is creamy and light so ideal for summer because it's not too heavy. It provides a smooth finish to the skin and isn't too dewy but also isn't totally matte which is what I look for in a foundation. You can use it like a light BB cream or build it up to create a more flawless full coverage look. 

Bell Hypo-allergenic Matte Powder - £4.95
The powder - delivered in a black compact case with a fluffy pad.The compact includes a mirror which is handy if you're taking it on the go. The compact opens up to reveal a fairly light powder - I think I have the shade '02' and it is embossed with the words 'Hypo-allergenic' which is a nice added detail. The powder is a lovely silky texture and feels velvety when applied to the face. Powders for me are quite hit and miss because I feel that they can cause your foundation to look patchy if not applied well or aren't high quality. However, this powder by Bell Cosmetics provides a matte finish all day without the need to touch up every hour throughout the day whilst making my skin look flawless!

Bell Hypo-allergenic Liquid Eye Concealer - £3.95
I usually like a heavy duty concealer to cover up my blemishes or dark circles and this one is fantastic. The consistency is quite thick so you don't need much. It is presented in a clear bottle with a doe foot applicator. The concealer aims to adapt to your skin tone which I'm not entirely sure it does, but coverage-wise this concealer is ideal for those who love a flawless base. However, it isn't overly heavy that it looks cakey. It provides a radiant layer of make up to cover up any imperfections.

Bell Hypo-allergenic Thickening Mascara in 'Black' - £4.95
I'm not one for changing up my mascara so when I find a good one I stick with it. However, this could possibly be my new favourite. I really liked this mascara mainly due to it's applicator as its quite thin so its easily to apply without getting it all over my eyelids, which often happens when the brush is too big. It builds up product to make your eyelashes look fuller without looking clumpy. It creates just the right amount of volume and length whilst separating your lashes. This mascara also helped lessen the irritation I sometimes experience with my eyes at the end of the day when I've had mascara on a long time which was a lovely plus. 

All these wonderful products are are available at www.beautycrowd.com and if you're near Cardiff any time soon, pop into BeautyCrowd in Royal Arcade (previously E.L.F) to check out Bell Cosmetics and lots of other new and exciting make-up brands.




June 21, 2015

The Sunday Post | Spa Day & Afternoon Tea at The Newbridge on USK

Last Thursday I turned the grand old age of 22 and this year I decided to spend my birthday being pampered. My friend Katy booked us both in for a luxury spa day at the Celtic Manor Hotel. The Re-energiser spa deal included two treatments of your choice - we chose the Jessica GELeration express pedicure and signature back, neck and shoulder massage. It also included full use of all the facilities including the pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi which we used to our full advantage as well as complimentary use of slippers and robes. We were booked in for our treatments at 2.00pm so we decided to have a swim before and then arrived ready for our treatments 5 minutes prior. I had my pedicure first whereby I chose a pink glitter colour to be painted on my toes. I then enjoyed a massage, which was my first ever and it was wonderful. I felt so relaxed and sleepy afterwards. Each treatment lasted 25 minutes. The deal is running from the 1st-30th June, costing only £39.00 Monday to Thursday which is a great price considering it includes use of all facilities and two lovely treatments.

After we'd been pampered for few hours at the spa, we had booked ourselves in for afternoon tea at the New Bridge on USK - a quaint pub which overlooks the river USK. We enjoyed a spot of afternoon tea as we sat outside on the riverside and admired the beautiful view. The afternoon tea costs £10.00 each and included a pot of tea of your choice and a selection of cakes, which included welsh cakes, walnut cakes, mini Victoria sponges, chocolate cones and a scone with jam and clotted cream. We enjoyed our cakes and tea whilst we watched the salmon jumping about in the river and soaked up the glorious sunshine. A perfect way to spend my 22nd Birthday!

What I wore:
Blue Floral Kimono - New Look (Not longer Available)
Sunglasses - Primark 
Pandora June Birth Stone Ring - Pandora
Pandora Bracelet with charms - Pandora
Marc Jacobs Watch - Marc Jacobs




June 19, 2015

Why Every Woman Needs MAC Rebel

It's not often that I state that a product is a 'need'. However MAC lipstick in 'Rebel' is an exception. 
For those who own Rebel will understand how amazing it is, for those who don't, listen up!
Rebel is one of those lipsticks that suits everyone. You may be wondering how it that possible? Well Rebel is a satin finish so it provides the right amount of moisture but with amazing pigmentation. It looks pretty scary in the bullet as it looks extremely dark, quite 'vampy', which is definitely not my sort of shade. However when it's applied to the lips it provides a beautiful purple berry colour. It has the right amount of blue toned pink to purple and so it suits almost all skin tones. It is such a versatile lipstick as you can apply it straight from the bullet making it a dark berry colour when layered or with a brush to make it a sort of stain on the lips. Onto the lasting power...I can't comprehend the longevity of this lipstick. Applied mid evening, I still wake up with it on my lips the next morning even after removing my make up. Definitely a good lippy for a night out seen as there is no need to keep re-applying. An absolute favourite of mine. If you don't own it already, get yourself to MAC asap and swatch it!!



June 09, 2015

New Release | The Body Shop Vitamin C Line



I'd seen some reviews online about the new Vitamin C line recently launched in The Body Shop and after reading about their new Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser, I really fancied giving it a try. The moisturiser is aimed at fighting the look of fatigued, dull skin and boosting radiance. It aims to moisturise the skin and give dull, tired skin a new glow. I often find that after wearing weeks of make-up to work my face can feel dull and unhappy so I thought this would be a great product to try and see whether my skin felt and looked more radiant. I suffer from oily skin and so when I tested this product in the shop I was happy to find than rather it being a heavy lotion formula, it was very much a lightweight gel/serum which wouldn't leave a greasy residue when applied. It smells faintly of mandarin which is a nice added touch and the packaging is very aesthetically pleasing - very similar to the famous Origins Gin Zing Moisturiser packaging but for half the price.

In addition to the Moisturiser (£16), I picked up their Energising Face Spritz, also from the same line. This was reduced down for some reason and I got it for the bargain price of just £5. I mainly picked this up due to the fact I am going abroad in the coming months and I thought it would be an ideal product to spritz on my face in the hot weather and make my skin feel refreshed after being in the sun.

Have you tried any of the products from The Body Shop's Vitamin C Line? If so, let me know what you thought below.



What I've been buying lately | New Purchases

In this post I thought I'd share a few things that I have been after for a few months and eventually given in and purchased as well as some essentials and others are just treats.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion
It's no shock that I have repurchased another product from The Body Shops' Tea Tree line after I have fallen in love with their foaming cleanser and Pore Minimiser I thought it was about time I tried another product from their line. This product is dispensed by pump and is a sort of serum/gel product. You are encouraged to apply it to your face and neck every evening before bed primarily on the areas which are prone to blemishes. The gel is aimed at fading/minimising the appearance of post-blemish marks and discolouration of the skin to give you clearer looking skin. I have yet to try this product but if its anything like the other products in the line I am going to love it.

Rimmel Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit in 'Medium Brown'
I'd been using Maybelline's Brow Satin for a while but got sick of it snapping after a few uses so when I went to Boots to look for something else, I came across this Wax and Powder combination. The little set it so handy and small. It contains a little square of wax and another of brown powder. It also contains two little brushes, one for defining the brows and another to blend. It's something a little bit different for me as I am used to pencils so hopefully I'll fall in love with powder brows.

MAC Lip liner in 'Soar'
Also known as 'The Kylie Jenner Lip', MAC's Lip liner in 'Soar'  has been one of this year's most popular products and has constantly been out of stock but luckily just by chance it had just been re-stocked in Bath. I knew it was time to purchase it before it sold out again. I can see why this is such a sort-after liner. It's a lovely soft rose/nude colour and like I have said before, MAC lip liners are very creamy which makes them a dream to apply and they don't dry out your lips. This liner would be an ideal shade for a matte look applied over the entire lip or as a base colour for another lipstick.

MAC Lipstick in 'Crosswires'
I have previously wrote a blog post specifically about this lipstick so I won't go into much detail. However, it is a beautiful pink/orange colour lipstick (it's hard to describe), and it is a cremesheen formula so it isn't too glossy but provides great colour pay off and like all MAC lipsticks last a heck of a long time. Definitely a must have if your flying off on holiday this summer and need a new lippy for those warm summer evenings.

 MAC x4 Eyeshadow Pro Palette and pan Eyeshadow in 'Naked Lunch'
I had previously bought a pro pan eyeshadow in the 'All That Glitters' with the intention of building up my own eyeshadow quad, so when I popped into MAC in Bath last weekend I took the opportunity to buy the palette which fits 4 eyeshadows inside. I also wanted to buy a shade that was similar to Naked 2 Palette's 'Bootycall' shade - a shade I have nearly used up as I love it for an all over the lid shade. The lovely girl in MAC showed me a few colours and recommended a lovely light beige shimmer shade called 'Naked Lunch'. I have been absolutely loving this shade since I bought it and I aim to buy a browny, taupe colour next to add to my palette.




June 07, 2015

The Perfect Holiday Scent | Estee Lauder

It was a few weeks ago that I passed the Estee Lauder counter in House of Fraser and just by chance picked up a tester of Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess eau Fraiche Skinscent. After a spritz I was in love. I picked up another tester in Debenhams the following week and knew I needed it for summer. I can only describe this scent as smelling of holidays. It has an underlying scent of coconut and fruitiness (if that is a word). I'd say it reminds me of pina coladas and mandarin. It's a summery and sensual scent which perfect for warm summer evenings. I was pleasantly surprised at the scent's lasting power considering it is a skin scent and not a parfum. The scent isn't overpowering but has that lovely undertone of coconut that people smell when they pass you. The packaging also adds to the holiday feel. This year's bottle is a yellow-orange ombre colour with glitter and the lid is gold. I can't believe I haven't purchased this scent before as it is the perfect scent for summer holidays. Go and get it before it sells out as it will be this summer's hottest scent!



May 30, 2015

The Perfect Holiday Lipstick

You can never have enough lipsticks right? That's what I say to myself when I spot a new lipstick that I want. I picked this beauty up on the weekend when I popped into MAC with a friend. While she was on the hunt for a new foundation, I swatched my way though the lipstick stand and came across this lovely orangey, red, lipstick called 'Crosswires'. (As you can tell I'm not the best in describing colours). I have been after a coral-red lipstick for my holiday as I think it will look lovely against a tan and so when I swatched 'Crosswires' I fell in love. It is the perfect red-orange colour without being too in your face. I originally thought it was a lustre finish because it has such a lovely sheen, but later found out it was cremesheen which is why it has such great colour payoff. I think MAC lipsticks are such fantastic quality and are definitely worth price tag of £15.50. I think next on my list is Vegas Volt - a beautiful coral lippy also ideal for a summer holiday.

What is your current favourite MAC lipstick?



May 29, 2015

Bloggers Beauty A-Z with Vouchercodespro

A few months ago I teamed up with a website called Vouchercodespro. The website is a money saving site with money off vouchers, handy tips and helpful blog posts. Alongside a number of other bloggers I helped create an A-Z Beauty Glossary for the website. The glossary provides a comprehensive list from A-Z of numerous beauty tips and tricks and helpful beauty recommendations. The Glossary finally went live on the 20th May! I am so proud of the work that has gone into the glossary and would love for you to check out my contribution along with all the other wonderful bloggers who took the time to contribute their great ideas.

You can check out the A-Z Glossary HERE to read up on all the amazing tips and tricks from the bloggers. You can find my post under the letter 'U' which talks about one of my favourite eyeshadow pallettes of all time.

Hope you enjoy reading the glossary as much as I enjoyed writing for it.

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The Ultimate Luxury Lipstick

Can we all just take a minute to appreciate how beautiful this lipstick is? I honestly don't think I have ever owned such a luxurious product. A few months ago I entered Sophia Meola's 3000 followers give-away competition and was lucky to win a Tom Ford lipstick of my choice. It was a difficult choice choosing between so many beautiful colours but in the end I decided to choose a colour which was easy to wear but still so pretty. After um'ing and arr'ing, I finally chose '04 Indian Rose' - a pretty, soft rosy pink colour. When I received it in the post, I opened it and was overwhelmed by how luxurious and expensive looking the packaging was. The lipstick felt heavy and the bullet itself smells of sweets. The lipstick's formula is creamy yet extremely long lasting and provides a sei matte finish which isn't drying on the lips. The added 'TF' embossed lettering in the top of the bullet just adds to the luxurious look and feel of the lipstick. Definitely a lipstick to splurge on, costing £37.00 it certainly isn't cheap but well worth the high end price tag.

What is the most luxurious lipstick you own? I'd love to know. 



May 24, 2015

5 Products Fast Approaching Holy Grail Status

Many of us have products which we constantly reach for without noticing. We do this usually because they have performed so well for us in the past that we couldn't bear to use anything else. Here is a post of all the products which I am constantly reaching for because they are all just so wonderful. They are all fast becoming my 'holy-grail' favourites.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Foaming Cleanser 
I have mentioned this product from the body shop countless times on my blog as I adore it. It's such an easy product to use, applying a few pumps all over my face whilst in the shower makes cleansing my face super easy and quick. It is from The Body Shop's Tea Tree line and so is great for blemished skin which I can suffer from. At £5 it has fast become one of my all time favourite skincare must haves!

MAC Lustre Lipstick in 'Patisserie'
This lipstick has also been previously mentioned as I was lucky enough to receive this gorgeous lipstick as a Christmas gift and I have been in love ever since. It's a 'your lips but better' shade with a hint of shimmer. It is the perfect lipstick for all occasions and is my go-to work lipstick.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
I was over the moon when I received the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette as an early Valentines Day gift a few years back. The palette is so versatile and with 12 shades of varying finish from matte to satin and shimmer, you are able to create numerous looks ideal for every occasion. I reach for this palette every day making it my holy grail eye-shadow palette without a doubt.

Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion
I never would of thought this as a holy grail product of mine but when I really gave it some thought I realised this is a product I use a lot. I reach for it on every night out to give me a lovely natural looking tan and I use it lightly day to day to give my skin a natural bronzed glow. At only £4.99, it's affordable and great quality as I have never had a bad experience with it, (streaks, patchiness etc). Definitely a must have if your a fake tan lover like myself.

Rimmel Stay Matte Face Powder in '001 Transparent'
A drug store favourite of mine and probably the best face powder I have ever used. After I apply it in the morning it keeps my face shine free for going on 8 hours. It's so affordable and even though the packaging looks a bit on the cheap side, the product outdoes itself making it my holy grail face powder.





April 21, 2015

My Festival Beauty Survival Kit

Summer brings about sunshine, cocktails, floaty dresses, great music and festivals. Festival season will soon be upon us and us girls want to look good whilst rocking out in our shorts and face paint! Festivals can have the tendency to be a bit dirty (I don't even want to think about the festival toilets I have seen in the past), so I have compiled my ultimate beauty survival kit for the girls who want to look and feet great when you're slumming it in a tent but having the best weekend with your friends.

1. Dove Summer Glow Tanning Lotion - Tan yourself up and get those pins out
2. NIVEA Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose - Smother your lips with lip butter to get them looking and feeling soft ready for your bright lippy
3. Garnier BB cream for oily skin - Give your skin a glowing look with a BB cream whilst providing great coverage for the summer months 
4. Sure Mineral Roll-on Deodorant - Small and compact providing freshness without taking up too much space reserved for alcohol
5. Packed Tissues - When you forget your toilet roll on the way to the loo in the middle of the night.
6. Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick - A bright lippy that stays on from night to day
7. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lippy in 'In Love With Ginger' - When isn't it more appropriate to wear a bright red lipstick?
8. L'oreal Texturising Spray - Give your hair an instant refresh and lift with this non-sticky texturisng spray/dry shampoo
9. Maybelline 24h colour Tattoo - Make eyeshadow application super easy with this cream eyeshadow in On and On Bronze
10. Soap and Glory Off Your Face Facewipes - Use on your face and body to make you feel fresher (3 days without a shower is torture)
11. Vera Wang Lovestruck Perfume - Make yourself smell great with a quick spritz of perfume before you hit up the fields
12. Rimmel Lasting Finish Nail Polish in 504 It's a Scorcher! and 500 Glitter Ball - Everyone loves a bright nail and some glitter at festivals right?!

What are your favourite beauty products to take to festivals?



April 17, 2015

How to create a flawless face

Most of us have suffered from spots at some point in our life. Now that I'm a little older, I'm lucky that my skin has really cleared up and I feel confident in wearing no make-up. However, when I'm going out I like the 'flawless face' look where I have a sort of blank canvas to build up a look. In order to create a flawless face, I like to conceal blemishes and use a light or yellow based concealer under the my eyes to hide any dark circles I may have. These are the few products I use to create a flawless look ready to apply the rest of my make-up.

First off I like to apply a moisturiser all over my face to make my foundation glide across my skin more easily and provide a base for my foundation. I then use The Body Shop's Pore Minimiser to close/fill any open pores to make my foundation look even more flawless.

As I suffer from oily skin, I usually stick to matte foundations which have a medium to full coverage such as Revlon's Colourstay Foundation for oily/combination skin (I use shade 'Sand Beige'). I use a stippling or buffing brush to blend my foundation such as Real Techniques Stippling Brush. 

I then apply a light or yellow based concealer under my eyes to high any dark circles. If the dark circles won't cover, I'll apply YSL Touche eclat in 1.5 over the top as it is a very yellow based concealer it will counteract the darkness under my eyes. I often blend my concealer with a beauty blender or my fingers depending on how I'm feeling that day. I will then apply concealer to any blemishes I may have. I often find using a concealer which is the same colour as my foundation works best to hide blemishes. I use Maybelline's FIT ME concealer in '10' and I will blend with my finger or the pointed end of a beauty blender.

I will then finish off by using a big fluffy brush to sweep a powder over my face. I use Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 'Transparent' as it sets my foundation and keeps my face matte all day. I also find it helps reduce the transfer of my foundation to clothes. 

What products are your favourite to use to create a 'flawless face'?



April 13, 2015

Three Spring Favourites


When spring arrives I like to change up my make-up products to softer pastels, peaches and pinks. When I popped into Boots the other week Max Factor's new launch caught my eye. I picked up their new Creme Puff Blush in '15 Seductive Pink'. I'd heard it was a budget dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush but since I'm not prepared to spend £30 odd pound on a blush at the moment, I can't pass comment. However, this blush has a marbled effect which is combined with a lovely soft pink colour and a light helping of glitter to help make your cheeks glow when applied. You can also use this blush as a highlight if used with a light hand. For a fraction of the price (£8.99) of the Hourglass blush, this blush provides a beautiful soft look for springtime.

Since the launch of Maybelline's Colour Drama Velvet Lip Pencils, they have been one of my favourite lip products as they are so versatile and easy to use.  They are creamy and apply to the lips so easily. As a result of them being in pencil form, I have found the application of bright/darker red colours in the collection much easier to apply than a lipstick. My favourites are 'Minimalist' and 'Red Essential'. They are £4.99 each and an absolute steal compared to their supposed high-end dupes - The NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils which are more than double the price. 

Last but not least as it's genuinely my favourite product at the moment. Bourjois recently launched some new, more pinky toned additions to their famous Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick range which are amazing. They released 3 new shades and I picked up 'So Hap' Pink' - a beautiful soft rose colour. At first I was a bit taken aback by their formula. They looked like a lipgloss but didn't even feel like a lipstick, but had the lasting power of a stain. They're very hard to describe, however I have come to adore these. My favourite thing about these lipsticks is the fact you can wear as much or as little as you like and build up the lipstick from a stain to create a full on matte lip. These retail at £8.99 currently.

What are some of your favourite spring products?




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