Thursday 30 April 2015

Maybelline Colour Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow Duo |

Maybelline Colour 24 Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows, Pink Gold, On and On Bronze
Maybelline Colour 24 Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows, Pink Gold, On and On Bronze
You know when you go into Boots for one thing, but end up coming away with a bag full? Yeah, I do that whenever Boots has a 3 for 2 offer. Ever since the Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow's came out back in 2012 (Can you believe it's been that long?), everyone has been ranting and raving about the wide variety of shades and their formulas. I can't believe it took me three years to try these out, but I never thought that the formula would work well with my oily lids. Many have compared these to the MAC Paint Pots, which I haven't tried and therefore cannot compare, but for me these not only act as a base for other eyeshadows, but they can be used on their own due to their great colour pay off and pigmentation.  

Pink Gold is a shimmery, pink shade that I like to wear all over my lids as a wash of colour, whilst I use On and On bronze, the shade in which many swear by, in my crease to create a smokey eye. With long lasting, creamy formulas these can be blended out and although I would never want to leave my eyeshadow on for 24 hours, they do last a very long time on the lid without the need to re apply. To increase longevity of these further, I like to apply my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette over the top. For £4.99 they are a great high street addition to my make up bag and they have been on my lids ever since I bought them. 

Have you tried the Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadows? What are your favourite shades?

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Tuesday 28 April 2015

Top High End Lipsticks |

YSL Nude In Private, Charlotte Tilbury Bond Girl, MAC Brave, Chanel Pirate
YSL Nude In Private, Charlotte Tilbury Bond Girl, MAC Brave, Chanel Pirate
YSL Nude In Private, Charlotte Tilbury Bond Girl, MAC Brave, Chanel Pirate
If there's one make up item that I can't seem to get enough of it would be lipsticks. The lipsticks I sought after the most are high end, the luxurious packaging and formulas just get me every time. Although I have collected many from a variety of brands in various shades and finishes, I can't see to give up my addiction, so today I thought I would share with you my top high end lipsticks that I own. 

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick - 09 Nude In Private | £26 | Link | From the moment I swatched this lipstick, I knew that everything about it was luxury. With a highly pigmented, creamy formula this lipstick won't dry out your lips and even though they don't last long on the lips, the gold packaging won't be one you'll be afraid to whip out to reapply. The texture is a gloss-lipstick-balm hybrid, a perfection combination for daily wear and with the fruity scent, after buying one you'll definitely struggle not to buy more. 

MAC - Brave | £15.50 | Link | Can you tell I like nude lips yet? The Kylie Jenner lip has been plastered over the internet, we've all been annoyed by it, recreated and then decided we either hated it or loved it. I'm no different. I wrote a post about it here, which gives you much more of an in depth view, but as an over view, this lipstick is a must have in my collection.  

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick - Bond Girl | £23 | Link | This shade has been featured on my blog and Instagram several times this month. The wearable matte berry shade has been on my lips daily ever since I bought it. With a hydrating, buildable formula, this lipstick helps to create the illusion of bigger, fuller lips. Now who wouldn't want that? 

Chanel Rouge Allure Lip Colour - Pirate | £26 | Link | When my boyfriend bought this for me in France, I'm pretty sure I let out a squeal, tweeted about it a couple of times and told everyone about my new red lip. This creamy, highly pigmented red is a staple within my collection. The 'click click' black and gold packaging looks perfect among my other metallic lipsticks (an excuse to buy more? Maybe) and with a blue- red tone this shade makes my teeth look whiter and adds colour to the plainest looks. 

What are your favourite high end lipsticks?
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Sunday 26 April 2015

Unineed | The Must Have Repurchases

Benefit They're Real, Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm
Since starting a beauty blog, I have spent hours online procrastinating and scrolling through endless beauty websites. As a lover of high end make up, I was pleased when I discovered the Unineed site. After recently unveiling their new website, those hours of online procrastination turned into days and I finally picked up a few of my favourite products that needed repurchasing. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara* | £19.45 | Link | Some people like volumising mascaras, some like lengthening or curling, but for me, I like a mascara that does it all. Cue the Benefit They're Real mascara. The long wearing formula does amazing things to my lashes and since trying out their Roller Lash mascara, I can now conclude that I still prefer this one. As someone who isn't naturally blessed with long eyelashes, I need help in all departments, so with a bit of wiggling and getting used to the wand, I have grown to love this mascara making it repurchase worthy. 

Nuxe Reve De Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm* | £9.50 | Link | The question I asked myself with this one was "Do I really need another one?" *Whilst holding my two other tubs*, but of course the answer was yes. The much hyped about, best selling lip balm made it's way into my collection a couple of months back, but after daily use, I can now officially say that this is my favourite lip balm to date. With ingredients such as honey, shea butter and grapefruit essence, this lip balm instantly repairs, softens and hydrates dry or chapped lips that need some extra TLC. Now who wouldn't want that? 

What products do you swear by? What products do you repurchase?

*PR SAMPLE/GIFTED
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Friday 24 April 2015

Currently Wearing | Stella McCartney, Nars & Rimmel London

Stella McCartney EDT, Nars Luster, Rimmel Lipstick Vintage Pink

As the weather is getting hotter I can now officially say that Spring is finally here, so what comes with a new season? An excuse to buy an excessive amount of make up to match the season of course. I've managed to pick up a few products off my wishlist this month and I thought I'd share with you what I'm currently trying out. 

Stella McCartney Stella EDT | £41.50 | Link | It's not often that I go out my way to sniff a scent that a blogger has been raving about, but after Gh0stparties featured the new Stella McCartney EDT in her New Spring Scents post I knew that I had to head down to my local Boots. The lightweight, fresh scent has a central rose note, which appealed to me instantly as a massive fan of anything rose scented. The freesia, mandarin and green notes all compliment each other perfectly, creating a light floral, everyday scent. 

Nars Blush - Luster | £23 | Link | Recently I have been finding it hard to stay away from Space NK, my most recent purchase being the Nars Blush in Luster, a golden, peach hued shade perfect for spring. The formula is enriched with vitamin e, applies seamlessly and has a buildable colour. I think that this shade will look great paired with a tan and strong contour.

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick - Vintage Pink | £6.49 | Link | After hearing about this lipstick being a dupe for MAC's Plumful, I knew I had to pick it up when Boots did their 3 for 2 offer. I often struggle with lipsticks as the moisturising shades usually lack pigmentation, however Vintage PInk, a purple/pink hybrid is the perfect shade for spring.  

What products have you been trying out recently?
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Wednesday 22 April 2015

Travel Essentials | Giveaway

Sudocrem, Flo, Nuxe, Topshop

Packing lightly has never been my forte, going on a holiday normally results in me shoving everything I own into one bag and hoping it doesn't go over the weight limit. Recently, I have been doing a lot of long drives and long weekends away, so as a result I have managed to narrow down some of my travel essentials for when I'm either flying, driving or just general holidaying. 

Topshop Lexi Round Sunglasses | Link | Sunglasses are my ultimate weakness and if you follow me on Instagram then you would have seen these several times already. The tortoiseshell, gold detailed sunglasses are perfect for sunny destinations or if you want to hide the dark circles you've got from waking up early to catch your flight.

Nuxe RĂŞve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm* | Link |  Whether you're on a long haul flight, short haul flight or just a road trip, lip balm is one of my daily essentials. This thick, hydrating formula prevents your lips from cracking and chapping due to the change in environment when travelling. Not only is this a travel essential, but it remains my go-to lip balm when I feel my lips need repairing. 

Sudocrem Anticeptic Healing Cream | Link | Remember that tub of Sudocrem that seemed to always linger in your medicine cabinet, well now it's coming in handy for more than just nappy rashes. This multitasking, wonder product is perfect for decanting into a pot for easier travel, but is also great at hydrating dry patches and soothing breakouts. Like many, I am somebody who's skin doesn't react well to change, but since using Sudocrem on my targeted, inflamed areas my skin has improved and I no longer feel like a dry, spotty mess mid flight.

Flo Atomizer* | Link | Ever wonder what to do with perfume samples or always lose the tiny bottles? Well I have found the solution to that problem. The Flo atomiser is perfect for spritzing on the go without having to carry around a hefty bottle of perfume with you and with the 100ml maximum limit on flights, travelling has definitely been made easier. 


Flo Accessories kindly sent me the Beauty On-The-Go Kit (Purple Inside) to give away to one of my readers. - Enter Below - 

Terms and Conditions 

  • This giveaway is open to UK Residents only.
  • This giveaway runs from 22nd April to 13th May 2015.
  • The winner must be 18 or over. If you are under 18 you will need your parent/guardians permission before providing me with your address.  
  • I cannot be held responsible in the event of prize being lost. 
  • You must complete all mandatory entries otherwise your entry will be void.
  • The winner will have 72 hours to reply via email before another winner is chosen. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*PR SAMPLE/GIFTED
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Saturday 18 April 2015

An Ode To Charlotte Tilbury |

Charlotte Tilbury, Pillow Talk, Bronze and Glow, Bond Girl
Charlotte Tilbury, Bronze and Glow, Bond Girl, Pillow Talk
I'm sure you've read endless reviews and heard countless raves about Charlotte Tilbury. Being one of the most anticipated release of 2013, I have since accumulated a few products from the make up line. The iconic rose gold packaging can be seen from miles off and even though I'm not done with my Charlotte Tilbury collection yet, I thought I would give you the run down of my favourite products. 

Matte Revolution Lipstick - Bond Girl | £23 | Link | Matte lips have always been my thing, but for years I have battled my way through heavy, chalky mattes that caked and cracked to find a handful of matte lipsticks that worked on my lips. Cue the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipstick in Bond Girl. This natural berry shade is perfect for daily use and the hydrating formula glides onto the lips effortlessly creating a soft, buildable finish. I am somebody who likes a plump, full lip look, so this lipstick formula doesn't disappoint with its array of specialist technologies. The 3D glowing pigments create the illusion of bigger, fuller lips, whilst Triglycerides mixed with a blend of waxes and oils create the long lasting colour formula. I am thoroughly impressed with this lipstick, despite having to wait over three weeks for it.

Filmstar Bronze and Glow | £49 | Link | If you're a regular reader of my blog, you won't be a stranger to the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow. The rose gold packaging has been reviewed, raved about and recommended on pretty much every social media site, including my own. This powder duo is a must have in many make up bags. The universal bronzer shade is perfect for sculpting and defining your cheekbones, whilst the highlighter brightens your complexion, giving your cheeks a subtle glow. If you're looking for a do-it-all contouring compact, then I would 100% recommend this. 

Lip Cheat Lip Liner - Pillow Talk | £16 | Link | Where do I begin with my obsession over lip liners? Nude lip liners have quickly become a staple in my routine as they are an easy way to re-define, re-shape and give the illusion of fuller lips. Now who wouldn't want that? Pillow Talk is a shade that I have been longing after for months after seeing it being regularly featured on several blogs. Being one of my least noticeable lip liners when on the lips, it is perfect for when I want a lip shade to be minimal, natural and have lasting power. 

Have you tried any Charlotte Tilbury products? Which ones are your favourite?
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Wednesday 15 April 2015

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask |

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask | £21.50 | Link

If you're a regular reader of beauty blogs or you follow me on twitter, then you'll be fully aware of the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask by now. The antibacterial, deep cleansing mask has been a staple in many skincare routines over the years and like the face mask fanatic I am, I knew I had to get my hands on it one day. Described as a deeply moisturising, cleansing and anti-oxidising treatment, I had high hopes from the get go. Did it disappoint? Absolutely not. 

The formula of this mask is unlike any other mask that I have tried, the thin, honey-like consistency which tingles slightly is a strange one, but one that I quickly got used to due to it's cooling and hydrating properties. The mask is quickly absorbed through the skin rather than drying, so my skin always feels like it's getting the most out of it. Despite loving it's hydrating qualities, what sold me on this face mask was it's ability to control and treat any spots or blemishes that arise. Manuka Honey is added due to it's antibacterial properties and it's ability to draw moisture to your skin. Is a mask that both fights blemishes and hydrates too good to be true? Apparently not. At first, I wasn't too keen on the scent, but over the weeks I've been using it, the vanilla/mandarin hybrid scent has grown on me and I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms if I don't slather my face at least two times a week. 

I use this mask either before I go to sleep or in the morning before I apply my make up. It leaves my skin feeling bright, hydrated and clear, soothing any redness or blemishes that exist. As my skin suffers during the transition between seasons this has quickly become a staple in my skincare routine and one that I can see myself continuing to use for a very, very long time. 

Have you tried the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask?
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Sunday 12 April 2015

Nars Soft Velvet Loose Powder |

Nars Soft Velvet Loose Powder

Nars Soft Velvet Loose Powder - Flesh| £26.50 | Link

Many people, me included have overlooked the benefits of loose powder. Back in the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse phase, I used to opt for much heavier powders to add coverage to my face classing it as "setting", however over the past couple of years I have become addicted to loose powders and their lightweight, non drying properties that compliment my skin tone and prolong foundation wear. 

The Nars Soft Velvet Loose Powder has been on my wishlist since it's release but due to the price tag it took me a while to cave. Was it the best £26.50 I've spent? Absolutely. It claims to have photochromic technology which diffuses light away from the skin and even though I'm not entirely sure what that means, it works. This loose powder enhances foundation application, whilst sitting seamlessly on the skin creating the perfect base for daily wear and most importantly, photographs. I have combination skin, so I always try and find products that cater for both my oily t zone and dry patches. The finely milled, weightless formula doesn't cling to any of my unwanted dry patches nor does it cake on my skin when I reapply. I tip the tub upside down to release the product into the lid and then I take my Real Techniques Blush Brush to lightly dust my skin. Unlike other loose powders I have tried, the tub doesn't release too much product at the time so you reduce the risk of both over applying and the risk of creating a powder cloud once you open the lid. Not only does it set my foundation, even out my skin tone and blur any imperfections, it also softens the skin creating a irresistible smooth base (which I often find myself touching throughout the day - naughty). 

For £26.50 it may seem a little steep for a loose powder, but for 10g of product and all of the beneficial properties that come along with it, I know it'll remain a go-to product over the summer. 

Have you tried the Nars Soft Velvet Loose Powder? What powder will be your favourite this summer?

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Thursday 9 April 2015

MAC Lip Liners |

MAC Lip Liners, Whirl, Pink Treat, Cherry
MAC lip liners, Whirl, Cherry, Pink Treat
Recently lip liners have become a necessity in many people's make up bags due to everyone lusting after 'Kylie Jenner' lips and trawling the internet for ways to recreate her infamous voluminous lips. Cue a lot of sold out nude lip liners and lip sticks. For me, lip liners were never really seen as an essential, but instead I had visions of myself looking like I'd stepped out of the 90's with pale lips but a well defined, overly done brown lip liner. Over the past couple of months I have caved to the hype and rather than steering away from the skinny looking pencils, I have embraced them and rather to my surprise, I have been loving every minute with them. When on the lookout for the perfect lip liner my first pit stop was MAC, so I thought I would give you the run down of my favourite shades.

MAC - Cherry | Since I've been venturing into red lips, I thought I would add a classic red lip liner to my collection. Cherry has been a shade that has been on my wishlist for many years. This versatile lip liner has quickly become a staple when wearing a red lip, not only can it be used to define your lips making them look fuller, but it can be used on it own to create a matte look.The waxy textured formula remains long lasting on the lips, whilst gliding smoothly along the lips without tugging or pulling and preventing feathering or bleeding. 

MAC - Pink TreatI have been looking for a pink, everyday liner to use all over my lips for a while. The Cremestick formula intrigued me as the highly pigmented, creamy formulas are known for their lasting abilities and due to the retractable aspect, there is no need for a sharpener. Bonus. I tend to look past any products that claim to be long lasting as they always seem to let me down, but not with this one. One application lasts around 6-8 hours on the lips depending on what I've been doing. The deep cool pink shade with mauve undertones is perfect for an everyday lip and has quickly become a staple in my make up bag. 

MAC - Whirl | Where do I start with this one? This neutral toned liner can be worn on it's own with lip balm or paired with a nude lipstick (I like MAC Brave) to create voluminous, well defined lips that could give Kylie Jenner a run for her money. The no budge formula is long wearing and I know I'll be wearing this until it's on its last legs. Possible repurchase? Absolutely.

What are your favourite lip liners? Have you tried any MAC shades?
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Saturday 4 April 2015

Facial Sprays | La Roche Posay & Avène


Facial sprays did the rounds in the beauty industry a couple of years back when everybody and their mum seemed to be talking about the La Roche-Posay Serozinc. A few years down the line and now only a click of a button, rather than a Channel return, the infamous Serozinc is a now readily available in the UK via Escentual.com

Cue facial spray galore. As soon as I got my hands on the blue bottled beauty, I knew I would be lusting after more. After a recent trip to France, I came back with enough bottles of facial sprays to last a lifetime, but the one that stole my heart was the Avène Thermal Spring Water. This multitasking wonder has definitely served its purpose. If you're looking for a post cleansing, pre-moisturiser spray which helps the skin retain moisture and glow similar to the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, but far more suitable for sensitive skin and your bank balance, this will be your best pick. Sold already? I haven't even started yet. This spray has saved me in times of need, if I've got a little bit too happy with powder then I spritz this on and I'm ready to go; cakey face begone! The formula is suitable for sensitive skin, particularly being promoted as having an anti-irritating, soothing formula which helps sooth the skin after shaving and refresh the face on a humid day. 

Even though Avène is very much repurchase worthy, there is still one facial spray that I cannot get enough of. Serozinc is a zinc sulfate solution which is to be used as a toner in your skincare routine. When I'm suffering with redness, irritation or those little bumps under the skin, I always reach for Serozinc to sort my skin out. Due to the formula only containing three ingredients, I find that this is perfect for my easily irritated, sensitive-combination skin (That would have been a mouthful). Even though this is no miracle product, the formula has calmed my skin and prevented many blemishes from occurring. A staple in my skincare routine. 

What facial sprays have you tried? 

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Wednesday 1 April 2015

Crown Brushes |

Crown Brushes
For a long time I was somebody that would rather own a few more lipsticks or powders than invest in a couple of high quality, long lasting brushes. Make up brushes were never my forte nor did they float my boat and even though I knew that to apply make up effectively you needed a good set of tools, it wasn't until around six months ago that I kick-started my make up brush collection into gear. In the end, I had enough Real Techniques and Zoeva brushes to last me a life time, but I always felt like I needed more. Cue Crown Brush, a brand that I have been lusting after for years since they got regularly featured in IMATS hauls way back when (I'm talking 2011). I now feel like I have a complete set of brushes to satisfy my needs- well, for now- so I thought I'd give you the run down of my favourite Crown Brushes. 

C472 Pro Chisel Blush* | £8.99 | Link | I thought I would start with undoubtedly my favourite brush of all time. This brush is described as a perfect applicator for both cream and liquid foundations, however for me, this brush and contour go hand in hand. The natural hair bristles work the product seamlessly into the skin, whilst remaining super soft and densely packed. Even though I haven't tried this brush with my foundation, I am very tempted to buy another one to try it out. Will I part from this contour brush any time soon? Absolutely not. 

C490 Duo Fibre Blush/Blender Brush* | £11.99 | Link | It wasn't that long ago that duo fibre brushes were all the rage, however over time (and due to the hype around buffing brushes), I haven't seen duo fibre brushes being raved about much. Crown decided to combine two of their most popular duo fibre brushes into one duel ended brush, both perfect for travelling and saving space. The synthetic bristles feel slightly more harsher on the skin than natural bristles, however I use the flat top brush to blend concealer and the tapered brush for either cream blush or highlighter. Both brushes blend product effortlessly into the skin. 

Delux Oval Foundation Brush* | £6.09 | Link | Even though I packed away my foundation brush a long time ago and no longer rely nor use them on a daily basis, I was intrigued to give them another go. After a few goes, I still wasn't sold and instead I tried it out with my concealer before a night out. To my surprise, this 'foundation' brush performed to a very high standard when blending in concealer. The bristles aren't as dense as I expected, therefore they move freely across the skin, leaving no lines or patches. 

C491 Duo Fibre Shadow/Crease Brush* | £6.99 | Link | If you look into my brush collection, the first thing you'll notice is how minimal I like to keep my eyeshadow brushes yet when you look into my extensive make up collection you'll be able to see how I don't exactly keep my eye shadow palette to a minimum. I've tried out loads of eyeshadow brushes, but none ever seem to do the job properly. The Duo Fibre Shadow/Crease Brush has quickly become my favourite eyeshadow brush ever (strong statement I know), but each end compliment the other well. You can pack colour on and then blend eyeshadow seamlessly into the crease. Perfect for travelling and now an essential in my make up kit. 

C473 Studio Pro Contour* | £9.99 | Link | This was the brush that both intrigued and excited me the most. How could it not when it has both the words 'contour' and 'pro' in the title? I imagined myself channelling my inner Kimmy K, achieving perfectly chiselled cheekbones with the technique of a professional. Even though that vision didn't quite come true, this brush did apply my contour powder like a dream, leaving no trace of any lines. The flat top is similar to that of the Real Technique Flat Contour brush, which I have been wanting to own since it's release, therefore I couldn't tell you how much they compare. I found that this brush works well with the Pro Chisel brush when I want to achieve thoroughly blended contour that defines my cheekbones. Now who wouldn't want that on a daily basis? 

What Crown Brushes have you tried?

*PR SAMPLE/GIFTED 
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