September Favourites

The products I've been loving the most this month, alongside old favourites, are all relatively new additions to my stash. For skincare I've been loving IndeedLabs Pepta-Bright, I don't think a single skincare product has ever made more of a difference to my skin. It really is the best product for fading marks and evening out skin tone. Another skincare product I've been loving is the Good Things Manuka Honey Radiance Face Mask, you can see my full review on it here. It's a great 3-in-1, it draws out impurities, exfoliates and hydrates skin and has quickly become my go to mask. I've been using it about twice a week and my skin has been feeling really fresh!

With makeup it's been all about complexion this month. I always think if you get your complexion looking good the rest doesn't really matter too much! I've been using the Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in Bronze Light under foundation to give my skin a bit more of a glow and the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Caramel (full review here) under my eyes and on any blemishes. It's heavy enough in coverage to cover anything but still manages to feel really lightweight on the skin. My new favourite concealer for sure! I've been using the Real Techniques Large Shading Brush to buff it into the skin and I find this works really well, it blends the product right in and looks so natural. 

What have you been loving this month?

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Revlon Photoready Skinlights in Bronze Light

These days I find myself reaching for lightweight, barely there bases more and more. Gone are the days when I used to pile on the heavy coverage foundation on the daily! I tend to go for tinted moisturisers, BB creams and CC creams the most and occasionally, a light coverage foundation if I'm having a bad skin day. I find that in combination with a good full coverage concealer, only where needed, looks a lot more natural. 

In conjunction with these products I've been using the Revlon PhotoReady SkinLights Face Illuminator in the shade Bronze Light. It's a sheer illuminator with very little pigment and a lot of glow that seems to work like magic on the skin. It doesn't necessarily cover imperfections, it doesn't have enough coverage to do that, it just blurs them making skin appear more naturally even rather than looking like makeup has been applied. Perfect for minimal makeup days on it's own or layered under/mixed with your regular base product is gives the skin a fantastic radiance and glow. Great for days when you're feeling tired and sluggish and it's showing on your skin. The third way I like to use it is as a bronzer/highlighter hybrid tapped into skin over the top of makeup. It warms up the skin tone this way and gives even more of a glow. Although this way is probably best avoided if you have naturally very oily skin. 

It comes in a few other shades too, mainly lighter ones in champagne and peach tones that would be best suited to fairer skins. I'm thinking of getting my hands on the shade Bare Light to mix with this one as more of a 'winter shade' for when my skin is a bit lighter as this one is a bit darker than my skintone already. Have you tried any skin illuminating products?

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Empties #9

It's empties time again! Where I talk through the products I've used up, what I thought of them and whether or not I'll be repurchasing them. It's been two months since my last post of this kind so I've gathered rather a lot! 

Sanctuary Spa Mande Lular Body Souffle

A light to medium formula body butter which has a nice spa like scent to it. I do really like it but there are other similar products that I like a lot more, like The Body Shop body butters. Repurchase? Maybe

The Body Shop Sweet Lemon Shower Gel

Oh how I loved using this shower gel, it smelt like fresh lemonade and really made me feel awake first thing in the morning. I wish it wasn't limited edition! Repurchase? Yes, if they ever bring it back!

Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume 

This is such a cult product but if I'm honest I really dislike it, I just hate how it feels thick, gritty and dirty in my hair! I think there are much better dry shampoos on the market and I'll be sticking to those in future! Repurchase? No

Soap & Glory Hand Food

This is probably my favourite hand cream ever, it's very moisturising, sinks in quickly without leaving any oily residue and isn't too expensive. I bought three of these when they were on offer and I've managed to get to the end of them all at once! Full review here. Repurchase? Definitely

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil

This oil is very good for soothing and moisturising very dry skin, I like to slather it on when I get out of the bath. It sinks in well and leaves my skin feeling so soft the next day. I've also been using it on a post surgery scar in the hope that it will help with the heeling progress! Repurchase? Yes

Botanics Ionic Clay Mask

This one's a really great clay mask on a budget. It tackles congested skin and spotty areas helping to bring it back to normality. I used it 2-3 times a week and was really pleased with the results. Repurchase? Yes, but not straight away, there are a few others I want to try!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+

I won't go into this one too much as I did a whole post on my skin's progress after using this up, you can see that here. Suffice to say it's been my favourite skincare find of the year! It takes down spots in record time, keeps blackheads and clogged pores at bay and helps to reduce post blemish scarring! Repurchase? Definitely.

Caudalie Grape Water

I love a good hydrating toner/ facial mist and this is one I've repurchased multiple times. It's definitely not as much of a treat as their Beauty Elixir but it does rehydrate skin and is especially great for very sensitive skin helping to calm it down and feel less sore. Repurchase? Yes

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream

I love this moisturiser, it's another product I've bought time and time again. It's really basic, no-fuss option that doesn't have any wacky claims. It just moisturises your face really well. Sometimes that's all you need! Repurchase? Yes

Nivea Soft Rose Lip Balm

I was very excited to try this lip balm when I first bought it for two reasons, firstly it was supposed to be rose scented and secondly it was supposed to be tinted a flattering soft pink shade. Unfortunately it disappointed on both counts as the scent was pretty much non existent and there was no pigmentation what so ever! Repurchase? No

Revlon ColourStay Concealer 

This is the only high street/drugstore concealer I've ever tried and I really liked it. It had a light to medium coverage that was very buildable and looked so natural on the skin. Great for everyday and worked well on blemishes as well as under the eyes. Repurchase? Yes 

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Summer Makeup Bag

Every season I like to put a post together featuring all the makeup products I've been getting the most use out of. Here's what has been in my makeup bag as of late.

MUA Undressed Palette

I won't go into too much detail on this one as I just did a full review on it, you can see that here. It's a great, versatile palette that can be used to create lots of different looks. I've been using shade 6 (top row, right) and 7 (bottom row, left) the most.

Avon Ideal Flawless CC Cream - Nutmeg

This has been my everyday base for the last couple of months, I don't really need a full on foundation everyday and this feels so much more comfortable on the skin. It's really lightweight and contains SPF 50!

Bobbi Brown Corrector - Dark Peach

I tap this onto my dark circles with my finger as it covers them without feeling too heavy, it also really brightens up my face and makes me look more awake. 

Kiko Glow Touch Lip & Cheeks - 102 Wave Hibiscus

This one is quite a recent purchase but I've not stopped using it since I got it, it's a very flattering peachy pink shade in a cream formula that works well on both lips and cheeks. I do love a good multitasker!

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti

I've been mentioning this lipbalm/lipstick hybrid a lot recently, you can see what it looks like on here. It's been living in my handbag for when I need to add a bit of colour to my look. 

The Body Shop Mango Lip Butter

I love the taste/smell of mangoes so this lip balm was bound to go down well with me. The formula is super moisturising and it doesn't leave a pale cast on the lips.

Benefit Sun Beam

I do love a good highlighter and lately I've been going for liquid formulas over powder. This one sits somewhere in between champagne and gold and manages to bring a bit of life back into the face while still looking subtle. 

What's been in you makeup bag lately?

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July Favourites

I seem to have a huge amount of favourites this month, not sure how that happened! Here's what I've been loving.

Nip+Fab Yoga Blend Body Lotion - Full review here

Smells amazing, sinks in quickly and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. It's very rare that a body lotion makes a difference to my skin as I use them all the time but this one definitely has!

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil - Full review here

I've been using this on my post surgery scars as often as I remember. I'm not sure wether it's helping fade them or not but no harm in trying! Another product that smells good and leaves my skin feeling soft.

Dior Nail Varnish Tie & Dye - See it on my nails here

A bright orangey red that's been on my nails almost non stop. Plus it has a great glossy, long-lasting formula and an easy to use brush. 

The Body Shop Silky Camomile Cleansing Oil - Full review here

This stuff is amazing at removing makeup quickly and easily. It goes on as an oil, breaks down makeup and completely rises of on contact with water. It also leaves my skin feeling nice and soft, I think I'll be repurchasing this one for years to come!

Lee Stafford ARGANOIL from Morocco Nourishing Miracle Oil - Full review here

Having dry and frizz prone hair means hair oils are my number one styling product. This one moisturises hair making it easier to blow-dry, adds shine and controls frizz. It's also much cheaper than a lot of the others, definitely a winner! 

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti - See it on me here

I'm a huge fan of the lip butters and this is the shade I've been reaching for the most recently. It's a moisturising lip balm/lipstick hybrid that adds a tint of colour with one layer and can be built up for a stronger look. 

MUA Undressed Palette

I've had this palette for quite a long time but had completely forgotten about it until I rediscovered it recently. I've been particularly loving shade 6 & 7. I'll be doing a full review of this palette soon so make sure you keep an eye out if you're interested!

Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Night Cream - Full review here

If I had to pick one favourite to rule all favourites this would be it. By far the best night cream I've ever tried, I've been using it for about 6 weeks and my skin feels softer and looks plumper and more even. It's also quite rich but sinks in really easily, a quality I always love in a product!

What have you been loving this month?

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Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush in Flushed

The Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush in Flushed was the first cream blusher I ever tried and it still remains my favourite/most used. It's a great option if you've never tried cream blushers and you're not sure how to use them as this one is foolproof to apply. It has a cream to powder formula so it doesn't look super sheeny on your cheeks and doesn't slide around all over the place. 

There are two ways to apply this that work well for me, firstly with fingers. I use one finger to apply the product and then blend it out with a clean finger. This creates a really natural, seamless finish. The other way is using a Real Techniques Stippling Brush, I usually go for this option if I want to build up the product for a pop of colour on the cheeks. I just dip the brush lightly in the product and use a tapping motion to blend it out. With both methods start with a little and then add more bit by bit, it's a lot easier to add more than to take away! 

That said, although it's got a good amount of colour it's not completely packed with pigment so it's not going to leave you looking like a clown. If you do happen to go a bit overboard you can always fix the situation by dusting a bit of face powder over the top. The shade I have, flushed, is a bright, cool toned fuscia pink. It looks scary in the tub but on the skin it looks natural and very, very flattering. The blue undertones perk up the complexion and leave teeth and whites of eyes looking whiter. 

I've also spotted a coral shade called Coral Reef, it's definitely next on my list to try as I just love the formula! 

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Everyday Coral Makeup

It's been quite a while since I spoke about makeup on the blog, I've been distracted by all the skin and body care products I've been loving! I thought a good way to get back into it would be to share the look I've been going for on a day to day basis. It's really quick and easy and looks pretty natural but with a tiny pop of colour. 

Face 

For everyday I tend to skip foundation in favour of something a little lighter. I've been using the Avon Ideal Flawless CC Cream, it's really light and breathable, evens out my skin tone without masking everything and it has the added bonus of SPF50! I then dab a bit of MAC Studio Finish Concealer on any blemishes and Clinique Even Better Concealer under my eyes to cover dark circles and brighten up the eye area. I've been skipping powder as I prefer a more natural finish. 

I then use my Sleek Face Form Palette in Light, a product I love and have recommended to so many people. I use all three shades, the dark shade to contour under my cheekbones, the blusher just above it to add a bit of colour back into the skin and the highlighter (sparingly) on the tops of cheekbones. 

Eyes

I don't wear eyeshadow everyday but when I do I've been reaching for the Avon True Colour Eyeshadow Quad in Mocha Latte (full review and swatches here). I use shade 1 under my brow bone and in the inner corners of my eyes, shade 3 all over the lid and a bit of shade 4 blended into the socket and in the outer corners. I also use shade 4 to fill in any sparse areas in my brows. I then add a thin line along the lashes using Avon Superextend Liquid Liner in Black and coat my lashes with lashings of Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara.

 

 Lips

On the lips I've been going for Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti, by far one of my favourite shades. Its a great coral shade that is so flattering and just seems to perk up my complexion. I wore it almost all summer last year and I think I will be again. As with all the lip butters, one swipe gives you a sheer wash of colour or they can be built up for a more intense look. I go somewhere in-between and just top up whenever I fancy. 

What do you think of this look?

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Car Boot Sale Haul

Last sunday when the sun was shining we decided to head to our local car boot sale in search of a few bargains. Often with car boot sales I come away feeling like I haven't really found much but this time I really hit the jackpot!

Starting off with homeware, we got this huge mirror for only £10! I thought this was a brilliant bargain as mirrors are usually very expensive. I love the vintage French Country look that the frame has and I think that gold and cream looks lovely together. I've put it on the mantelpiece in the living room and I love the way it looks, it really opens up the room! (Please excuse the bare light in the pictures, the house is still a work in progress!)

Another item I instantly fell for was this vintage metal trolley with removable trays. I really like the gold circular pattern that trims each tray and I thought it might come in handy as I can never have enough storage items! I'll definitely be giving this piece a bit of a makeover, I was thinking of covering the bottom of the trays with some pretty cream or pastel paper. 

When it comes to storage, I love wicker. It keeps everything out of eyesight and looking tidy but in my opinion looks a lot better than having plastic storage everywhere.

I also got a really pretty mint watering can to water my new veg patch with but I've since discovered it leaks! I'm not too disappointed though as I only paid £1 for it and I can always use it to plant some pretty flowers or herbs in.

 

Some packets of seeds! I'm going to attempt growing some carrots in the garden this year as well as some cacti in pots indoors. I also got a wildflower seed mix which you just sprinkle and leave to do it's own thing, leaving you with lovely low maintenance flowers.

I picked up an old, well loved copy of Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie which I've been wanting to read for a very long time. It's been added to my 'to read' pile!

 

I managed to find a girl selling lots of lovely clothes, she was the same size as me and lots of her stuff was brand new with the tags still on! I had a rummage through and found a White Topshop Cami, which I love, some Gap Super Skinny jeans which are lovely but unfortunately a bit big for me, a white River Island shirt and Red Herring print top.

My biggest bargain by far was finding the stall of a manicurist who had tonnes of new high end nail varnishes! It seemed like too good a deal to pass up so I picked up quite a few by Nars, Illamasqua, Dior, Butter London, Nails Inc and Barry M. I'll be featuring them in upcoming NOTD posts so keep your eyes peeled if you fancy seeing them in action. I also got a Revlon Photoready Skinlights in the shade Bronze, a product I've been on the hunt for for a while but could never seem to find!

Do you ever go to Car Boot Sales?

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?

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?

Jen's Sleepover Makeup

There's nothing more fun on a girly sleepover than having a nose through your friend's makeup bag and giving makeovers, apart from  eating an extensive amount of chocolate and watching terrible movies of course!

To start with I smoothed Benefit Porefessional Primer all over Jen's skin with my fingers to create an even base and make the makeup last well (even though we weren't going anywhere) I then worked in MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC15 with my trusty Real Techniques Buffing Brush, which left her skin looking absolutely flawless! We skipped concealer and went straight onto the fun bits, colour!

Using a Real Techniques Contour Brush I used the contour shade from the Sleek Contour Kit in Light to lightly accentuate Jen's cheekbones. This is such a great palette, we both own and love it, amazing really as we have such different skintones! Of course I had to be much more handed with it on Jen than myself. I then used a Real Techniques Stippling Brush to apply Revlon Photoready Cream Blusher in Flushed to the apples of cheeks and Benefit Highbeam to the tops of cheekbones, down the centre of the nose and above the cupid's bow. The light pink, pearlescent tones in this highlighter complemented Jen's skin perfectly! 


The main focus of the look was the eyes, we went for a soft neutral smoky look. I started by filling in Jen's brows with the Benefit Brows a go go kit and then adding the lightest shade (top left hand corner) from the MUA Undressed Palette under the brow bones and in the inner corners of the eyes. I then added the colour next to it all over the lid and blended out the edges with a Sephora Pro Blending Brush 27, next I used the bronze shade (bottom left) and worked that into the crease using the same brush, continuing to blend to make sure there were no harsh lines. I then added a really thin line of Clinique Quickliner for eyes in Black and smudged it across the top and bottom lash line for a softer look. Lashes were then curled and a generous amount of YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara was layered on, leaving Jen's already amazingly long and curly lashes look seriously stunning. This mascara is amazing, It's now been firmly placed onto my wish list!


To finish off the look we went for Clinique Almost Lipstick in Luscious Honey, it complemented the eyes perfectly while still being really subtle. Perfect!