Maxfactor Creme Puff Blusher in Nude Mauve

Now, I know these have been posted about a great deal, but I haven't seen a lot of love paid to the above colour 'Nude Mauve' which since I've gotten a bit of tan on my face, has been a gorgeous addition to my makeup routine. It's been compared to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes and although I don't have one (one daaaaay), I love this, not only for the formula but for it's price of £8.99 (here). I think it also looks so divine, sat in it's little pan, showing off its gorgeous colouring, with bolts of almost dark champagne mixed with a golden brown, which for me, is a pretty amazing contour for those who don't want anything too harsh; it's got a gorgeous glow, that I think for Summer, with a tan, is a gorgeous blush for not only a little pinch of colour on the cheeks, but as a contour through the cheekbones. I apply it all over the cheeks lightly, to get the glow, before layering a little more in the hollows of the cheeks - it looks so natural and glowy at the same time, a product that is a perfect multitasker, as if you're in a rush it also looks so so gorgeous washed over the eyelid - luminizing yet defined through the crease if you have a little it more time to build up a bit of intensity; it's like the easiest soft smokey eye ever. I'll blog about this in more depth, as once I discovered it, I've been wearing it more and more (plus pictures of my face... what more could you want right? hehe).

Maxfactor for me, having been crushing it in terms of releases, as this is one of the best powder blushes I've tried in a long-time (I'm more of a cream blush kinda girl) plus the multi-tonal colouring is suitable for most skin tones, as you know those highlighting shots are going to look regardless of what time of year, and whether you're as ghostly pale as I am in Winter, or whether you're considerably darker skinned. I say this is definitely worth a swatch, and I would love to hear whether you'd all consider it an Hourglass dupe - numerous blogs have hailed it as so, but you never know unless you try it yourself, right? Maybe I'll get one for my birthday... or maybe I'll get one for myself, you never know what the future brings in terms of makeup purchases. I think it'll be one of my eventual purchases... I think first perhaps, a trip to Space NK, should I feel the need to travel to my nearest one, which is sadly, in Bristol, whilst I am in West Wales. But oh well, maybe a weekend away is needed, just to visit Space NK?

(It's the first swatch from left, the golden bronzy one. It basically makes me into one of those heart eyed emojis)

Current Skincare Favourites.

Hey there my lovelies! As my skin is in such a good place right now, I wanted to post some skincare favourites that have been aiding my skin in getting that clear, glowy look that I love and always try to amplify with makeup. With the combination of face masks, loooooads of water and some of these beauties mentioned above, my skin is looking better than ever... perhaps it's the slight tan it has, but all in all, it's looking good, and I am very content. It had a bit of a freak out on holiday, and I got some blemishes - maybe it was the food/water/sun... but I had more blemishes than I had in a while. Lucky for me, I couldn't be without some of my trusty skincare, so thankfully, my skin calmed down, soaked in some sun (through SPF 50+) and decided to clear up. Or maybe it was even the constant layered on SPF on my face...as yeah, I would definitely burn without it, and being lobster pink isn't something I can look good in. But, let's get on with the post, right? We all have skin that freaks out, I think it's just trying to figure out what's making it have a bad few days, and then cutting that out; maybe not even cutting it out, just reducing the amount of exposure you have to it. For example, Bioderma's Sebium offering (in the blue packaging) is brilliant at removing makeup, but I have learnt not to put it on my eyelids, as it just makes them sore and red. Something I tend to avoid, as combined with dark circles, it just makes me look ill.

Talking about Bioderma, I have their Sensibo H20 mini bottle, which came with me on holiday, and isn't harsh at all at removing eye makeup, even the stubborn waterproof kind (Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof, I'm looking at you) which was pretty much amazing on holiday, as waterproof mascara was what got me though all the lazy days swimming in the sea/pools and in the heat, where sweat can make mascara run and blur onto lids and under eyes; but back to the Bioderma, I carried it around for little quick fixes, and as it's only 100ml, I could carry it on the plane and not have to worry about it sitting in my suitcase. It was there for makeup emergencies and on holiday, I think we all have those, right? Mine would be matte lipstick smudges and eyeliner that just doesn't want to flick out at the right angle, compared to the other eye. I hate those times. I bought my little bottle from Escentual (here) and it's an essential (haha) for me, as it's travel size is perfect for when you go anywhere, and you can bet I'll be taking it to Silverstone with me at the start of next month. Another product that I'll be taking with me to watch the Formula 1 is Jurlique's Rosewater Balancing Mist* (£24, here) as it's just so refreshing and soothing, and you can bet with all the walking and hopefully lots of sun, then my skin will be in dire need of hydration, and this spray bottle will be keeping my skin happy and healthy whilst I cheer on the drivers. Another favourite from Jurlique is their Herbal Recovery Advanced Eye Serum* (£34, here) which I try to keep as cool as possible, as it depuffs and moisturises my under eyes, as well as soothes if my eyes are irritated (which at this time of year they usually are thanks to hayfever). It was wonderful to use on holiday, and in any hot weather, as it just calms everything down so well - the combination of these do can take me from red and flustered, to well... less red, and decidedly less flustered; I love products that do that. No mediating in sight.

Balance Me Rose Otto Facial Oil (£32, here) is without a doubt, one of my all time favourite facial oils. It's mix of rose and essentials oils leave my skin feeling so nourished and plump, whilst calming the redness in my skin and soothing all the dry spots I may have. Did I mention that it balances out all of the oil in my skin? Yes, facial oils are wonderful for oily skin, and if you don't have you, I recommend you get one - you won't believe the difference an oil will make to your skincare routine. Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask (£21.99, here) smells so divine I cannot even find the words. It's so delicious, you seriously want to start licking your face as soon as you put it on (please don't though) - instead, enjoy the amazing scent of honeyed goodness for 15 minutes, before rinsing off, and discovering your soft, supple skin... seriously, for me, this stuff is wonderful. I didn't really see the point of moisture masks, as I had all my oils and serums, but a hit of moisture for a good 10-15 minutes, before applying all my lotions and potions sets me skin up so well - it leaves it glowing, and ready for the day ahead... or the evening ahead, which is usually full of tea and Netflix.

What are your current skincare favourites? Anything I should be loving too? 

My Estée Lauder Relationship and Skincare & Makeup Favourites.

I've always had a slight obsession with Estée Lauder. My mother used to use their skincare on her face, still does actually, and their amazing Advanced Night Repair (£44, here) was one of my first major skincare purchases - one that I do not regret, and will continue to purchase, as it's just so good. My skin drinks it up and although I don't use it every night, as it is quite rich, I can't imagine my bedside table without it. It sits there, looking regal with its golden top, pipet full of wondrous fluid that soaks into my skin, making it all glowy and radiant. I could go on and on... and on, but I won't. I think you all get how much I adore this product. I've had it for about a year or so, maybe under, but there's still a quarter left, and when it runs out, I'll be heading over to Boots to buy another bottle (only after crying, mourning the loss of my first bottle of liquid gold). I know some may think that at 23, I'm too young to be looking after my skin, or spending too much money on skincare - but I love my skin. I know what affects it, what makes it glow... and sadly, what makes it look dull and grey. I don't see the point of having good makeup if my skin routine isn't up to scratch. Yes, of course, skin texture and evenness comes with time, but I think if you cleanse, tone and moisturise properly, then everything just sits better. My skincare collection probably amounts to a ridiculous amount of money, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Some people buy handbags, some shoes, some cars etc, I buy skincare and makeup. Although if you do buy all of those things, I am jealous because you're living the dream. 

Anywho, back to Estée Lauder. Makeup for me, is a relatively new route that I've taken with them. I've been a skincare lover of theirs for years (yes, that does include stealing a few drops of my mums ANR) as well as their little skincare sets you get when in duty free, but makeup... that's new. My first memories of their makeup are from my Auntie, who always had these dark brown lipsticks in embossed golden cases, and I remember thinking, I'm going to have one of those one day. I used to love playing in her makeup as she put it on - palettes of eyeshadows, mosaics of golden bronzing pearls and so many lipsticks. She may have influenced me without even realising it. I wanted those cylindrical cases of lipstick, in so many dark shades, as a collection of my own and although I don't own a lipstick from them yet (I always get so overwhelmed by choice the times I go look, I simply cannot decide. Seriously, someone should make a decision for me) but I will, one day. The first product that caught my eye, was their Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer (£32, here) as the tortoiseshell casing reminded me of a retro pair of sunglasses my mum had given me from when she was young. Yes, packaging drew me in, but it was the formula and glow that sold me. You know I wasn't a bronzer girl beforehand. I was blush and illuminator, firmly stepping away from anything that brought colour to my face that wasn't pink or coral: but now, as I grow older I think a bit of colour actually makes me look more awake and present (always helping for a 7am start in work). My dark circles don't look as severe, and believe me, they're hidden under foundation and two different types of concealer, but still show through - I think something in the bronzer counteracts the blueish purple hues and makes me look like one of the living. Huzzah! I'm always loving looking like an alive person.

The powder is so finely milled and smooth on the skin, and when dusted over my cheekbones, it takes a few dabs to build up the intensity, which for me is just as it should be. I don't want splotches of bronze and pale skin - I want a natural golden tone, and that's what this Bronze Goddess Bronzer gives me. It's such a wide pan that I can swirl my powder brush in it and still feel like I haven't used too much product as you know, I'm very protective over precious things (My precioussssss). It's a product I seem myself using for years and years, as it's one of those colours that's timeless and fabulous for us pale girls who want a bit of colour. I purchased it in the palest shade (On the back of mine it says 01 Light, but on the website it's listed as 'Cool, Warm, Neutral and Rich Deep', so maybe swatching in store will be best to discover which one is right for you) and it suits me to a tee. Another product that suits me, is their Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara (£23, here) or as I like to call it, their Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof mascara which goes onto the lashes as the blackest of black mascara - and I love that. My lashes look so dark and intense, as well as lengthened. They look so wonderful, that combined with a precise cat eye slick of liquid liner, my eyes can go from natural to va-va voom in a few minutes with very minimal effort. I'm a huuuuge fan of the brush (see here) as it applies the product so well - separating lashes whilst curling them and coating them so they're ridiculously dark. It's a very creamy formula, and not only will it not budge all day, you don't even have to use that much of it to get your desired look. Brilliant, no?

My love for Estée Lauder only seems to be growing with age. From golden eyeshadow palettes given to me by my mum when I was a young teen, to my first purchase of Advanced Night Repair, my love for Estée Lauder is going from strength to strength. Now if only I could get someone to choose me the perfect lipstick from them. Any takers? 

What's in my current Makeup bag.

If you're incredibly nosy I like am, then you like to know what products people are buying, what they think and what they keep in their makeup bags. For me there are many essentials, and these are the ones that are keeping my face looking pleasant and alive... which is all the more difficult when you're as pale as I am. But enough about that, let's talk about all the fabulousness in my makeup bag. To start, I've got my Real Techniques makeup brushes, which are their powder and contour brushes - two brushes that I swear by, as they're so damn good. The powder brush is used to dust on my Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer (£32, here) (which is omg so good, I don't think I can stop talking about it) and the contour brush is for applying my Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow (£17, here), which for pale girls is the ultimate contouring colour. It has that slightly ashy, grey tinge to it, that I find works so well with pale skin - it doesn't make my skin look orange, it just provides a simple contour that blends into the skin without making me looking really weird. All in all, it's the go-to contour for me, pale skin and all. I would definitely recommend it for those who want a subtle but defined contour without wanting to use the darker, more brown colours which can look too harsh when applied with a heavy hand.

Popping back to the tools of the trade, one of my essentials is a brilliant moisturiser, and I struggle to find one better, or more travel friendly than Embryolisse's Lait-Créme Concentre (£13, here) which is a moisturiser, primer and also a makeup remover (who would have known, right?) - triple whammy! I spoke about it last year here and I'm on my second tube right now, as this stuff is perfect for on the go hydration thanks to its super durable packaging. I even took it on holiday with me, and packed it into my flight bag - that's when you know you've got a good'un on your hands. On top of that, I've been leaving out foundation, and instead just applying concealer, as not only do I find it easy to do some mornings, but my skin has been in good shape recently, so I haven't felt like I need a face a foundation, whether light or fuller coverage. I just slick on some of Rimmel's Wake me up concealer  (£5.49, here) followed by Maybelline's Eraser Eye concealer and that's my base done! But most days I can just get away with the concealer from Rimmel, as I'm fond of a light base... just as long as it covers up my dark circles and the redness around my nose.

After calming down the colour in my face, i.e the redness in my cheeks and around my nose, I like to inject a bit of colour back into it, and my blusher of choice is the amazing Clinique Cheek Pop in Peach (£16.50, here) which is basically what I've been using solidly for a month. It has a pretty creamy texture that blends like a dream, and I apply that gently with a stippling brush before dusting on some serious bronzer. Estee Lauder has seriously changed me into a bronzer lover, and that is something I never expected. Continuing on the Clinique route, is their Lip Pop Lipstick and Primer in Melon (£16, here), which is pretty much the colour in my opinion, although I do definitely want to get a few reds, as they're so ridiculously beautiful and last so long. Melon pop is quickly becoming a favourite of mine since I bought it in the duty free, and speaking of duty free, their Chubby Stick Eyeshadow in Bountiful Beige (£17, here) is also becoming a favourite. How did I ever do without it? I just apply it all over the eyelid, blend out the edges slightly and that's it. Not only does it open up the inner eye when applied there, but it makes me look awake - and I know you all know I love it when I look awake (it's doesn't happen as often as I'd like). Sticking on the same route - that being eyes, a quick mention to a mascara that literally doesn't move until I take it off at night, and that's Estee Lauder's Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof Mascara (£21, here); it makes my lashes look so dark and intense, as well as long and luscious - I'm still working on getting the best curl, but ugh, it's so good. It doesn't move an inch all day, and I'm usually one who gets smudge marks under her eyes and on her eyelids but this, naaaa, doesn't go anywhere.

Last, but not least, and let's hear it for the brows! What did I do without the pomade from Anastasia Beverly Hills (£15, here)? Yes, I wasn't sold on it the first few times that I used it, but this stuff is like whipped , creamy goodness and once you get the hang of it, it's simply so amazing to use. I apply it with an angled eyeliner brush and feather in in gradually. It sounds like it might take ages, but I can get my brows done in two minutes, which I think is a big accomplishment for me. What products are in your makeup bag right now? Any amazingness that I should know about?  

The Glow Getters: Three powders that give you that instant glow.

I love a good glow. I may be having a dull skin day, and we all have those; the days where your base is on, and it's flat... there's nothing going on at all... that's when I know the highlighter has to come out, and be applied in a rather sun-flushed fashion. It needs to be brushed over all the areas the sun would hit, should I be out strolling in the sun, seeking out a glow. The tops of the cheekbones, down the nose, the tops of the brows and a dusting by the hairline - I can do this with all three of these powders, with only one being technically a highlighter. Makeup Revolution's Goddess of Love Highlighter is £4.99 (here) and it's glorious. I did a full review of it over here in March and I still cannot get enough of it. It's almost a permanent attachment to my makeup bag, as well as these other two powders. I use it to balance out the dullness of my skin that comes with dark circles - my holiday did improve them slightly, maybe it's a sign that I should be on a lifelong holiday - if only, right? 

Another powder/highlighter/luminizing product is the offering from Soap & Glory, their Glow all Out (£11, here) is a soft pink/coral esc powder that when dusted onto the skin, it lifts and illuminates, giving the cheeks not only a hint of colour which can replace blusher, but it makes me look more alive and that's something I'm a big fan of. For me, this is my first go-to product after my base, as I like to pop this on the apples of the cheeks, cheekbones, chin and forehead as I find that it gives the appearance of 'lift and life', meaning everything is looking lively and bright. Just the kind of look I want at 6:30am on a Monday morning - the look of 'Yeah, I'm ready for you Monday, bring it on' rather than, 'Ugh, Monday, you again' which may be what I'm feeling internally, but as far as other people know, I'm lovin' it. 

The last product in my 'Glow Getters' is one of my newest products, and it's Estée Lauder's Bronze Goddess Bronzer (£32, here) which I apply much the same as the Makeup Revolution Highlighter, I use a big, fluffy powder brush and dust it over the contours of my cheeks, as well as taking it up onto the hairline - it's where the parts of my face would tan naturally when out in the sun. Because pale is usually how I roll, I also take this down the neck and onto my collarbone, just so my face isn't all tan and then the rest of me is stark white. Not a good look. I don't want to look like I've got a rather sun-kissed mask on my face. This bronzer is so finely milled that it doesn't feel like you're applying anything to the skin but when the light hits you, and it picks up on the most subtle shimmer, you'll be glad that you spent an extra two or so minutes applying this. It takes me from glum to glam so quickly that I cannot help but wonder what I did without a bronzer like this in my life. Or even what i did without highlighters and illuminating powders in my makeup bag - it must have been a dull, both literally and figuratively, time in my life and I for one, am so happy that these products are sitting happily in my makeup bag. 

These three products can take my dull skin to brimming with life and glow in a few minutes, perfect for when I'm in a rush or even when I have more time to contour and apply these powders like a pro. What are the glow getters in your makeup wardrobe? 

Post Holiday; Skincare I took and kept in the fridge.

Kept in the fridge? Yes, you read that right. It was really quite warm in Turkey, about 30 degrees or so, which for us Brits, I think is pretty hot so to keep my skincare fresh and cool, I just popped it into the little fridge in our hotel room. There's nothing as refreshing as spritzing myself with La Roche-Posay's Serozinc or Jurlique's Rosewater Spritz after a long, warm day in the sunshine. Or even a midday pick-me-up when we heading back to the room to change after lunch. But enough about that. Skincare for flights/holidays, should be either decanted or be in miniature form, which is why Jurlique and Nourish were my main skincare products, and they looked after me during my week long stay in The Thomson Marmaris Imperial (the post all about it is coming up next week). If you're anything like me, going from pale to somewhat tanned, then a bout of redness is bound to happen at some point, and the products mentioned in this post, not only helped to calm my skin but inject it with all the goodness it needs to turn me from a lobster into a lightly bronzed lady. 

For removal of makeup, I used Bioderma and a hot cloth cleanser that I packed in my boyfriends suitcase (mainly because I packed too much and his cleanser is awesome), it's the one from Superdrug, they own Radiance Hot Cloth Cleanser I think.. but anyway, those two were brilliant at not only removing makeup, but left over SPF, sand and salt from all the swimming I did. I also packed some cheeky face wipes, just to throw in my handbag incase I needed them when chilling by the pool - wiping the chlorine off my eczema patches was a good decision, as nothing flares up my eczema than chlorine - makes it sting horribly. Anyway, back to the skincare. From Jurlique I had my Herbal Recovery Serum and Herbal Eyecream, both of which sat chilled in the fridge, ready to be plucked out and slathered on my skin. From Nourish I had their Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser and Argan Facial Oil - two sets of products that I couldn't have done without. These mini's are ones that I wish I had full sized products of, all the time, because they're just so damn good, that I'll be racing to replace them as soon as they run out. Another little product that I packed, was Origins GinZing eye cream, which is perfect for illuminating the eye area in the morning for a busy day ahead, or even a day lazing on the beach.  

But not all skincare is for the face; Let's not forget the hands and feet. Not only should they be slathered with SPF, but moisturised as much as your face/body - and I try to do it almost daily, especially before I go to sleep. As my feet tend to slide on all the wooden floors in my home, if I moisturise them during the day and then go to walk around my house. My choice of hand creams and foot creams are from Le Couvent Des Minimes, and are so damn good that I had to take them with me. So gentle on the skin, but packed full of moisture - plus, they smell lemon-y, which is always a winner in my book. Lastly, just two little tools that I had to take. My wide toothed comb from The Body Shop as well the facial roller, which helps to release the build up of toxins from the face, by rolling them away from the face, and down the neck. Cannot live without that roller. It is the bees knees. What skincare can you not be without when it comes to holidays? 

Lush's Buffy Body Butter, or Buffy the Backside Slayer.

BUFFY. Not only is there slaying of vampires, but backsides as well! I know mine could use a good scrub now and again (backside that is, not vampire), so this has answered my prayers. I remember this from when I was a teen, not that I had used it then, but because the name had amused me so much. I think it's actually stuck with me through the years, so when I made a trip to Lush, this bar cheekily jumped into my basket. And then it had even more audacity to make its way into the shower with me... the nerve; but do I regret it? Not at all. It buffed away at my dry, flaky skin leaving softness that felt moisturised and not stripped of any goodness. Buffy so far, was ticking all the boxes. A fter my first scrub, I decided to do a bit of research to see what was actually in it, as I'd honestly forgotten. Buffy Body Butter (£6.50 for 90g, here) is full of ground almonds, rice and aduki beans for buffing away at those pesky dead skin cells, whilst shea butter, cocoa butter and lavender oil soothe and replenish moisture in the skin. It sounds like a winner, and by my standards, it is! It softly exfoliates the skin whilst loading it up with a mixture of oils and butters that leaves my skin feeling so silky, it makes me wonder why I can't use it every day... but alas, too much scrubbing is never a good thing.

After my shower, I pat my skin, very lightly with a towel, so all the goodness seeps into the skin, before applying moisturiser on top, just to make everything super supple and lovely. I definitely recommend patting as gently as you can, just so you don't rub away any of the natural oils/butters from the bar, which at only 90g is lasting very well; I've used it twice (greatly anticipating the third) and can see it lasting for ages and ages. Not only is a good for dry skin, but for those with eczema like myself, I find that not only does it not irritate it, the gentle buffing and drench of moisture actually helps to keep the itching at bay. I also think it's fabulous for getting legs Summer ready, as my shins often get quite scaly, but a quick scrub, followed by a few minutes of letting the product sit on the skin, then rinsing leaves my skin looking so gorgeous and glowy. Followed by a rich moisturiser, it leaves my dry shins velvety smooth and ready to show off under a floaty dress or skirt. This is a bar that I'll definitely be repurchasing, as not only does Buffy slay vampires, but she keeps my skin looking amazing with all natural goodness. Good on you, Buffy! What are your go-to Lush products? 

Post Holiday: What I took on the flight and actually used.

I'm not going to start this post by lying to you and saying that I knew exactly what I wanted to take on the flight with me. I really, really didn't. The clear plastic bag was haunting me, and since it had been years since I'd been on a plane - I wasn't quite sure what I'd need, or how I'd look once I arrived in Turkey. But then I thought about it logically. That didn't help. I then scoured the internet for suggestions, and that actually did help me. I wanted a lip balm for dehydrated lips, a do-it-all moisturiser for dehydrated everything else, a lipstick, a powder that would make me look alive and a hand sanitiser, which is just good sense. As well as a few bobby pins incase I wanted to get my hair out of my face.

In the search for help on what to take, I came across numerous pictures of all manners of items/products that people took with them and my first thought was 'Surely you won't use all of that?'.  Why weigh down a bag that you know is going to be full, of magazines/books/your duty free purchases, with products that you won't use? I thought about taking hand cream, eczema cream, eye cream - basically all the creams, just in case I needed them, and the thought occurred to me; I'm not going to be giving myself a facial on a 5 hour flight, so surely I was being ridiculous? Yes, yes I was. I noticed a dry patch on my hand - that was dealt with by Embryolisse Lait-Créme Concentré (£13, here) which is so lovely and thick, I cannot recommend the 30ml enough for flights! Dry elbows, knees or anything? It'll deal with it. Dry lips had to contend with Dr Pawpaw Peachy Pink Balm (£6.95, here) which not only gave a little pinch of colour, but stopped my lips from getting too dry, which I find that they do with the air-con on planes. Lastly for the skincare, is an essential and Carex's Aloe Vera Hand Gel (£1, here) made sure everything was properly sanitised after a trip to the toilet. So far, so essential.

Makeup, whilst not necessarily essential products to have, I felt like I needed a pick-me-up after a long day of travelling, and what better for an instant pop of colour than a lipstick. L'Oreal's Colour Riche Matte lipstick in Erotique (£6.99, here) is perfect so a slick of colour that doesn't budge for a good few hours, so popping some on not long before the plane lands meant that I was presentable right up until we got to our hotel room. Score! Another product which is brilliant for adding colour and glow is Soap & Glory's Glow All Out Luminizing Face Powder (£11, here) - the best peachy, pink powder for perking up my skin. It looks gorgeous on pale and tanned skin, so can be worn travelling to, during and back from your holiday - I certainly wore it almost everyday. So these are my choices, tested and proved, for my inflight handbag and I hope they give you a clear view of what's needed. What are your flight essentials?