Beauty Haul!

It's been a while since I shared my beauty purchases here on the blog and over the last couple of months I seem to have accumulated quite a few new things so I thought I'd do a haul post. Here's what I got!

After hearing a lot about the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets I decided to give a tester a try, it lasted all day long without fading so I decided to go back and pick up 3 shades, Ole Flamingo, a warm toned fuscia, hot pepper, a bright, true red and Grand Cru a burgundy shade. They're a matte liquid lipstick formula and I'm completely blown away by them. A full review is in the works! 

I also got a blue and white stripy makeup bag which was only £8 from Boots, I love the stripes and the way they contrast with the bright coral zip, plus it's the perfect size to throw into my handbag for on the go touch ups.

I'm not a huge powder wearer, I only ever have one on the go so when my MAC Studio Fix finished I wanted to get something to replace it. I found Studio Fix far too heavy for my liking so decided to get Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder as I heard it's super lightweight and very finely milled. 

I got a set of mini Estee Lauder fragrances as a gift a while ago and the one that I was instantly drawn to was Beyond Paradise, it's just so different to any fragrances I'd smelt before. I really missed using it when it was finished so it wasn't long before I picked myself up a full sized bottle. 

I've always loved aromatherapy products and had trouble sleeping so I thought I'd finally give a couple of products from This Works a go. This duo contains a mini Deep Calm Pillow Spray and Breathe In rollerball. 

I'd been coveting the Smashbox Full Exposer Palette for the longest time so I finally caved and decided to get it, I thought it was the perfect time of year for it as it contains lots of party friendly shimmery shades as well as a good range of mattes. I also got the Estee Lauder Pure Colour Shadow Paint in Chained, it's a great, easy to use, wear everyday kind of shade. As you can see I've used it quite a bit already and I love it!

I was in need of a new mascara so I decided to give the Smashbox Full Exposer Mascara a go, purely  because I liked the look of the brush and I was already at the counter getting the palette!

I also invested in a couple of new haircare tools, I finally got round to getting a Tangle Teezer and I'm so glad I did, I have no idea why it took me so long to jump onto that bandwagon! My old round blowdrying brush had seen better days, I'd used it for so long that most of the bristles had flattened down and when the handle broke off I knew it was time for a new one! I went for the Remington brush because it seemed to have the firmest bristles of all the brushes in boots. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing my new purchases! I'll be sure to do full reviews once I've been using them a bit longer. Have you bought any new beauty products recently? 

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Beauty Wishlist

Stila - In the Light Palette

Chanel - Les Beiges Powder

Nars - Radiant Creamy Concealer

Indeedlabs - Peptabright

Ecotools - Fresh and Flawless Brush Set 

Bourjois - Rouge Edition Velvet

Nars - Bronzer

Alpha H - Liquid Gold 

A few products that are currently topping my beauty wishlist! What's on yours?  

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Spring Makeup Bag

When it comes to makeup, spring is definitely one of my favourite seasons, although I do feel a bit like I say that every season. The fresh dewy skin, which in my case is usually achieved with a combination of foundation, concealer and highlighter, the sheer washes of juicy colour on the lips and cheeks and barely there eyes seem to get me all excited, is it just me?

For the aforementioned barely there eyes I'll be reaching for Natural Collection Solo Eyeshadow in Barley and Nars Single eyeshadow in Night Star. The Natural Collection one is super pigmented and leaves a glistening champagne sheen on the lids, the Nars is a sheerer formula that contains specks of golden champagne glitter. They're both beautiful individually but layered together they are even more stunning!

For cheeks I be reaching for either Benefit Cha Cha Tint or Nars Multiple in Orgasm, depending on what I'm wearing on my lips. The iconic Nars wear with everything shade is a perfect peachy pink with a hint of gold shimmer that just seems to work on every skin tone. The Benefit on the other hand I reserve for when I'm wearing orange or a slick of clear balm on the lips. Don't let the orange shade scare you, it applies really sheer and blends into the skin amazingly well. 

For lips I have 3 options, all of which can pretty much be slicked on mirror free. The first is Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Peach on the Beach, it sits it just the right spot between orange and pink and does something amazing for the complexion. The second is Dior Addict Lip Glow, a product I will buy again and again. It's a super moisturising lip balm that adapts to your lip most natural and flattering shade of pink, no makeup makeup at it's best. Lastly, for when I'm feeling a tad braver, it will be Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti, and orangey red shade that can applied sheer in one coat or built up to a full on statement lip.

What makeup products will you be reaching for this spring?

Spring Nail Edit

When it comes to nails, I love sticking to seasonal shades and pastels in the spring are a no brainer. As always nude shades are a staple for me, regardless of the season, but aside from those here are a few I've been loving.

Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Enamel in Melon 

A pastel yet bright coraly orange that makes me feel positive when I wear it, the formula and brush of these polishes are spot on. They're so easy to apply neatly, even for the most clumsy of nail painters. See it in action here.

Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Pink Raindrops

I usually tend to go for cream finishes but for this one I make an exception. It's not your average shimmer finish as the particles are chunkier, giving the pale pink shade a more modern finish. See it here.

Avon Nailwear Pro in Sea Breeze

What would spring be without a pastel turquoise nail shade? This one is a not too blue, not too green version that just the right balance between pastel and bright.

Nails Inc Covent Garden Ballet

This one is a real favourite, it's the one I'm sporting at the moment. It sits somewhere between lilac and a light grey (just like Porchester Square) but with a pretty hint of shimmer running through it. 

Models Own Nail Polish in Buff Pink

Another favourite, this one is a subtle pale pink that looks really good applied sheer. I stick to just one coat or two at the max. See it here.

What are your favourite Spring Nail shades?

New In - Highstreet/Drugstore

Revlon ColourBurst Lacquer Balms & Matte Balms

Maybelline Big Eyes Eyeshadow

Maybelline Baby Skin Primer

L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara Black

Revlon Highlighting Palette

Tanya Burr Nail Polish

Bourjois Mega Liner Dark Black

Tanya Burr Lipgloss

I was wondering around boots the other day and saw so many great new launches! The Maybelline Big Eyes Palette in particular caught my attention because when I swatched them on the back of my hand I just couldn't believe how soft they were, and they come in 5 different colour ways! Have you tred any of these products yet? What do you think of them?

Highstreet/Drugstore Beauty Wishlist

Bourjois - Mineral Radiance Powder in 07 Hale

Botanics - Organic Facial Oil

Maybelline - Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Black

Sleek - Lip 4 Palette in Tease 

Una Brennan - Superfacialist Tea Flower Purifying Clay Mask

Real Techniques - Duo Fibre Collection

Yardley London - Peony Eau De Toilette 

Bourjois - Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 58

October Favourites

I hate to start a favourites post with a cliche, but I really can't believe october is over already! Christmas will be here before we know it and I am in no way prepared! But then, that's what november is for! Anyway, on with the favourites!

The first thing I've been loving and using no end of this month is the Palmers Coco Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil (Full review here). When the weather turns colder, my skin really starts to suffer, so I've been slathering this on post bath/shower to keep skin soft and hydrated. 

Next is Yardley London Peony Body Spray, if you're thinking, Isn't Yardley for grannies? I'll forgive you, because I thought the same. Then I spotted this and because I love the scent of peonies, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did because I love it. I believe they make an Eau De Toilette as well which I'm planning on tracking down.

My Avon 8 in 1 Eye Palette in In the Nudes has been used non stop this month, I did a full review with swatches earlier on in the month which you can see here. It contains a selection of matte and shimmery neutral shades housed in a compact the same size as my iPhone, perfect for traveling. The formula is really good too, very pigmented and buttery soft!

Next is the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder which I've been using constantly since my beloved (and discontinued) Chanel bronzer breathed it's last. It's the perfect shade, brown enough to add definition and ever so slightly orangey, just enough to warm up your face without leaving you looking like an Oompa Lumpa.

I've been being rather brave recently and rocking a dark berry lip, see it in action here. My lipstick of choice has been Avon Mega Impact Lipstick in Divine Wine, which suits my skin tone really well, looking autumnal rather that gothic. It has a smooth formula which lasts really well on the lips.

Last but not least I've been piling on The Body Shop Mango Lip Butter during the evenings and at night, the extremely nourishing formula helps to counteract the dryness which often goes hand in hand with wearing dark, long lasting lip colours. 

What products have you been loving this month?

What's in my Makeup Bag?

I've recently changed up what's in my everyday makeup bag so I thought I'd share what I've been using. Base starts with L'Oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer and MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC45, both of which I mentioned in my Project Use Up post. The foundation is a bit on the matte and heavy side for my liking at the moment so I've been mixing it with a bit of my daily moisturiser. 

To bring a bit of warmth to the skin I dust on Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder, and pat in a bit of Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Flushed. I've also been reaching for Benefit Sun Beam, my favourite highlighter at the moment which gives skin a soft glow. 

For eyes I've mostly been keeping things pretty simple, a swipe of Avon SuperShock Eyeliner in Black, which is completely foolproof, and a quick curl and swipe of mascara on the lashes. For days when I want to put in a bit more effort, I've been using my Avon 8 in 1 eye palette in In The Nudes, which has some lovely neutral shades that I've been experimenting with. 

For lips I've been using Clinique Almost Lipstick in Luscious Honey, which is a tinted balm that leaves lips with a subtle stain or Avon Ultra Colour Rich Mega Impact Lipstick in Divine Wine (see it in action here) for when I want full on colour!

Also in my makeup bag I have Avon Glimmersticks Brow Definer in Soft Black, Sephora Eyelash Curlers and Avon SuperExtend Extreme Mascara. 

What's in your Makeup Bag?

NOTD #10

When I hear Bourjois, I automatically think of their blushers and eyeshadows, housed in their iconic little round pots. I guess for me they are a bit of a nostalgia brand, wandering around Boots with school friends in my early teens, it was a brand I was automatically drawn too, back in the days when I was just discovering makeup. I always loved their lip glosses too, remember the clear one that made your lips tingle and had what I can only describe as that lovely 'Bourjois lipgloss smell', well I had one in my school pencil case! 

Although my makeup tastes have changed and I've swapped wet look glosses for bold matte lipsticks, I still love Bourjois, they seem to have so many great products and their new editions are just getting better and better. Saying that, in all my years of Bourjois lovin' I've never tried a single one of their nail varnishes! 

Luckily enough the lovely Emily from the blog British Beauty Addict came to my rescue! She recently held a giveaway to celebrate reaching 100 followers (Congratulations!) and I was lucky enough to win it! I was so pleased when she emailed me and I couldn't quite believe it. All my lovely Bourjois products arrived soon after, along with a really sweet note congratulating me on winning! 

The nail varnish was on my nails within about 15 minutes, and I absolutely love it! It's a lovely coral colour called 25 Melon that somehow manages to look pastely and bright at the same time, it's from the Bourjois 1 Seconde Gel Nail Varnish range. This stuff applies like a dream, the brush is brilliant as it's wide and flat (as you can see on the front of the bottle) and gives a even coverage in one quick swipe. The formula is pretty darn good too, it applies opaque in one coat and doesn't streak at all! So it's definitely an all round winner. I'll definitely be picking up more shades of this nail varnish so if you have any recommendations then please let me know in the comments below! 

A huge thank you and congratulations once again to Emily and make sure you check out her blog if you haven't already!