How to: my pin-point concealing and layering of concealer.

I first came across pin-point concealing via the wonder of Lisa Eldridge and her Youtube channel, since then, one of my most loved makeup videos from her has been her look of creating 'Natural, flawless skin' and can be seen here (totally recommend this!). It's an idea that instead of slathering on lots of concealer over a blemish or redness on the skin, instead you conceal small areas using a technique with a pointed brush - pin point concealing has basically changed the way I apply makeup and how I cover up any spots on my face. I generally tend to use three different concealers for covering dark circles, evening skin tone, and covering blemishes as not only are there different tones to skin, but depending on where the blemish is, can depend on what type of concealer I choose (stick, cream, liquid etc). My three concealers are in three different shades, starting from the lightest (shade) and it's Rimmel's Lasting Finish Concealer (£5.49, here), Rimmel's Wake Me Up Concealer (£5.49, here) and Maybelline's Eraser Eye Concealer (£7.99, here). All three are very different, and I always blend them in different ways, into the skin. 

Pin Point Concealing is what I do after my foundation has been applied and buffed in; then I look at all the extra areas that need a little bit more help, such as my under eyes, redness around my nose and cheeks, as well as any little blemishes I might have. Lisa says to use the thinnest brush possible for pin point concealing, and whilst I do agree with her, I've found that I had to find the right brushes for me, and those are brushes from Ruby & Millie (Pointed Concealer Brush) as well as from Real Techniques (pointed foundation brush). I also tend to blend a little with my fingers, as well as a fluffy eyeshadow brush if I feel like the edges of certain concealer covered blemishes need to be buffed in. For small blemishes like ones on my forehead, I dab the smallest amount of Wake Me Up concealer on my hand, before dipping my Ruby & Millie brush in, and then applying it to the area, before softly blending with my fingertip. Now, my nose tends to get very red, and requires a good amount of concealer to combat the colour - instead of using a brush to apply, I simply apply from the wand of Wake Me Up concealer and then buff into the skin, with a combination of RT's Pointed Foundation Brush and my fingers, as I want everything to be blended seamlessly, and I can never seem to find a clean fluffy eyeshadow brush when I need to do this - so I make do with what I've got. 

If I've got a major spot, one so big that requires its own post code and stylish wardrobe, then I know that my pin point concealing has to be on form (or on fleek, if you will). I seem to be getting a few around my mouth and chin, looking like a spider bite piercing without pain of piercing anything on my actual face. These kind of blemishes take some extra care. This is when I tend to mix a dab of Wake Me Up and Lasting Finish together, in order to get a flawless finish using a fine pointed brush, I tend to dab a bit on and then blend ever so softly with my little finger (I know, I know, we're using basically every finger in these two concealing tricks - see below for more finger blending) as it's small enough to gently buff the edges away, but if I do find a free and unused fluffy eye shadow brush, then that's exactly what I'd use to blend the edges. 

Layering Concealer under my eyes is something I've learnt to do since realising that no matter what, my dark circles just aren't going to budge, no matter what eye creams or skincare companies say; they're hereditary and here for good. So, in the effort to not look permanently exhausted, I've taken to layering concealers and this has totally changed my way of applying under eye makeup. Because the skin is so thin under the eyes, I don't want to heave on lots of makeup, as it'll only crease - which isn't a good look for me. I try and apply thin layers, blending fully before seeing if I need another layer. My first layer of concealer is Rimmel's Wake me up Concealer and is perfect for brightening the under eye area, as well as the inside corner of the eye, which for me, can always benefit from some illumination. As this is a liquid, it can be layered itself to increase coverage, but I like to apply a single layer with my Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush as it gets right into the corners of the eye. After that, I apply a few little dabs of Maybelline's Eraser Eye Concealer to try and disguise the deep purple of my dark circles, as it has a certain peachy tone to it, that I find covers them very well. I tend to blend this out with my fingers, mainly my ring finger as it has the lightest touch and won't stretch the skin. Then, I use Rimmel's Lasting finish Concealer and press that onto the skin very lightly with my middle finger, before once again blending out with my ring finger. It's possible to layer concealer without using any brushes at all, so if you're on the move, and don't have any brushes but have dark circles galore, then no need to fret, clean fingers are as good as any brush. 

I've listed three products that I use everyday but that doesn't mean that a palette isn't going to be an easier option for you. Makeup Revolution's Ultra Cover and Conceal Palette (here), Sleek's Makeup Corrector and Concealer Palette (here) and Mac's Pro Conceal and Correct Palette (here) are all different prices but are all products that I have seen recommended for their concealing benefits, so if you'd rather carry around one palette than a handful of products, I would definitely recommend looking into one of these. Do you pin point and layer concealer? 

Post #beautystoptober and Christmas Wish List

I think there's something so lovely about a wish list. Even the word 'wish' reminds me of when I was younger and it was all about that 'wish upon a star' business. Now, it's roughly the same concept, except the star is someone's bank account, either mine or the unsuspecting victim who's going to buy me something lovely for Christmas, perhaps balking at how much the price is; but you know what? You can't put a price on good skincare, or good eyebrows. That's just the way it is. I wanted to put all my skincare and lifestyle choices together on one list, as we well know, makeup needs its own post, because my gosh there is so much good makeup out there and I want it all *makes grabby hands*. So these were the following items that I feel like I need to have - get ready to have some serious lust going on.

Let's start with the lifestyle/fashion, and who doesn't like something ridiculously cute and cuddly? The cute being the omg it's a sausage god doorstop and draught excluder from Next (£14 and £18, here) because I have a dachshund obsession and I've always trusted Next for good quality items; and for the cuddly option, I also have a nightshirt obsession, so this Red Check Flannel Shirt (£22, here) is ticking all of the boxes - paired with some thick, snuggly socks and that's me sorted. 

Now, let's get down to it. Lookfantastic, Marks & Spencer, Billion Dollar Brows and Jurlique are where all the magic is happening for me in terms of skincare, so if anyone wants to buy me something *cough*boyfriend*cough* then they'll know where to look. I think that was pretty subtle, so let's get talking about these gorgeous products.

From Lookfantastic we've got the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask (£21.99, here) of which I've heard amazing things and am desperate to try. Then we have Trilogy's Rosehip Oil (£11.06, here) and it's a product I already know that I love because I'm virtually in tears because mine has come to a very noble end... it's done so well, and my skin adores it. Finally, we have Real Techniques Nic's Picks (£21.99, here) and these call to me, like all of the RT brushes do. They're amazing quality and value for money - these are something I will go out and by for myself if I don't get it, they're that appealing to me. 

Next up from Jurlique, are three products that stood out to me as I browsed the website, because I wanted to slip into their skincare before going mad and ordering more things, like moisturisers and oils etc. Ahh, the Rosewater Balancing Mist (£16.50, here), it's a product I always see being mentioned in favourite products post, so it's been grabbing my attention for months - it has to be mine, as well as the Lemon Body Oil (£21.50, here); I have such an incredible love for anything lemon or citrus, it's just one of my favourite scents, so fresh and bouncy - so yes, I want to cover myself in it and basically smell like a lemon all day. Living the dream. Lastly from Jurlique is their Essence of Rose Roll-on Fragrance Oil (£16.50, here) because wow, a Rose oil fragrance sounds divine - something to give up smelling like a lemon for.

Three offerings from Marks & Spencer caught my eye - mainly because I was in there today, drooling over all the Nuxe and Ren products *dreamy sigh*. Something I didn't spot in store however, was GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment (£45, here) which is meant to be ridiculously good, I couldn't not add it to my wish list. Then we have Ren's Cleansing Balm (£23, here), a product I swatched on my hand, and was really impressed with, texture wise - I'm loving my hot cloth cleanser from them, so this was a wise addition. Nuxe's Star Set (£20, here) is a duo of their best selling Huile Prodigieuse oil and Prodigieux le Parfum, which I've not yet smelt, but it sounds wonderful.

Lastly, but certainly not at all least, is Billion Dollar Brows' Universal Brow Pencil (£17, here) from some serious brow game, and you know me, my selfies are all about the brows. A good brow is the key to a good day, I feel - a bad brow is something I don't even want to think about; it has the ability to brighten up and give structure to your face, and this product is designed for all skin tones and hair colours. It's a total win. What products are you lusting over for Christmas? Let me know if you fancy any of these. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick

 

 

 

Let's talk about Bourjois. But then again, who doesn't want to talk about Bourjois? It's the brand that all the bloggers seem to be talking about, and why not? With some amazing releases, including these incredible Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks, they're really stepping it up, and giving some of the more expensive brands a run for their money. The shades below are Ole Flamingo!, Pink Pong, Gran Cru, Hot Pepper, Peach Club and Personne ne Rouge! and they're marvellous. So, let's talk about them. They go on glossy, but end up matte and divine, the kind of lipstick you apply and don't have to touch up for most of the day. This is very true to my experiences, aside from a little wear around the centre of the lips, I don't have to deal with them at all throughout the day. Which is my ideal lip product really, especially when I'm working, and don't have time to touch up. 

 

 

Pink is always a good place to start. Pink Pong (the colour above) is a 'smack you right in the face' bright pink; it's fuchsia and by damn, it wants to be noticed. It's not a colour you can overlook, or even look away from, it's a bam! in your face colour, and I love it. I was a little afraid of it at first, because it's so bright, but once I saw Lisa Eldridge use it in one of her videos, I was sold. It's gorgeous, and not in a classic way, it's modern and fun - it makes me feel like it would jazz up any look and instantly give you a zing that a red lip just won't do. Or maybe that's just me and my new found interest in bright pink lipsticks. The formula is amazing, and the colour is so bright and spunky, it just makes me feel like I want to wear it all the time (making me forego all my other lipsticks). Pink Pong has a bite to it, so definitely go test and swatch, if you feel like you're up to the challenge of such a bright lip (I wasn't at first, but I just put it on one day, and I've never looked back).

Below, we have Ole Flamingo! A bright pink, with a hint of something deeper behind it, like a berry of some kind. I think it has an almost Raspberry depth to it, making it more wearable, in a sense, than Pink Pong (i.e. less scary) which takes some guts to wear. It's such a wonderful intense colour (much like all of them) and because of the red-pinkness to it, I'd recommend it to red lipstick wearers that are thinking of branching out in pink lipsticks - I think it would be a relatively easy step, compared to Pink Pong, which sometimes I'm still a bit 'omg, can I pull this off?'. I think wearing any bright or dark lipstick takes some guts, but I feel like this would be the easiest step into the world of pink, without becoming too afraid. With fear comes second guessing, and with that is the 'No, I'll wear something more familiar instead'.

 

 

Next, is Grand Cru. Ugh, this colour. It's a deep, dark red, and it's made of amazingness and wonder. I wore this on a night out, layered over MAC's Burgundy lipliner, and it made me look like one of those mysterious ladies you see at bars, sipping on a cocktail and silently judging everyone. I wasn't doing either of those things, but it just made me feel rather awesome; a feeling I always welcome, especially since I was on a night out with my boyfriend and his friends (gotta impress ;)). The colour is something, I can only really compare to the colour of blood in dark, fantasy movies. The red, almost black blood that vampires would wear and look absolutely fabulous; considering how pale I am, and the amount of black I was wearing on the night, it was quite an unintentional vampire look (funny how that happens). The lipstick stayed on all night, and whilst my shoes gave me trouble (oh dear god the pain) my makeup was on point, and I was so impressed with the liner/lipstick duo, that I'd definitely wear it again.

Oh, Hot Pepper. It's an orange-red that bloggers have been raving about, calling it the 'new bright red lip' and I totally agree with those claims. It's one of the brightest reds that I own, and there's something about the orange undertone that I just love. It's such a modern looking red, which I suppose is down to it's wonderful mix of red and orange, and it just seems like the kind of colour that you could wear toned down, or amped up, depending on where you were going, or what time of day it was. This patted onto the lips, and blended subtlety is a gorgeous look, soft but still bright, and one of the only colours i'd do that with. There's just something lovely about the subtle pop of colour, as well as the pow! bright lip. 

 

 

Last up are Personne ne Rouge! and Peach Club, two colours that just sing. The red. Oh my god, the red above, is the red of dreams. It's that intense red, the red you see movie stars wearing on the (ha) red carpet - it's the type of red that you want, no, need in your life. The ultimate red, and with the staying power that Bourjois have created, makes this an absolute go-to for a night out, or just generally when you feel the need for that classic red lip. It's the slight blue undertone to a classic red that makes me teeth appear whiter, and you like an even more fabulous rendition of yourself. The power of a red lip cannot be under or overstated, and if you find yourself looking for that classic colour, go check and swatch this little beauty. It will not disappoint. It's a timeless colour and very intense on the lip. You'll love it. Believe me. 

Peach is never a colour I was comfortable wearing on the lips, until I decided to give Peach Club a chance, and now, I can just slick it on and not worry. It's such a subtle colour to wear, despite how intense it goes on, as it's bright, but not too bright. It's a very pale, almost orange toned pink that I can wear and not think about; it's not a red lip, so it doesn't require the effort or like a pink lip, so it doesn't have that scare factor. It's soft and subtle, an everyday look that has a certain nod to the 60's about it - it makes me think it'd go perfect with a short shift dress and some eyeliner (sadly, I can't wear shift dresses because my figure doesn't like it, but the liner part of the tale is true). Black winged out liner and this colour, and divine together. A subtle evening out look, that isn't as 'in your face' as red or pink, therefore making this easy and simple to wear. In the day or night, this colour is a winner. Go swatch it. Actually, go swatch them all. You won't be disappointed. Which colours have caught your eye? 

My French Pharmacy Wishlist

If you follow me on Twitter... on or here, really, you'll know that i'm going on holiday soon, (PARIS OMG) and i'm quite excited about it. And if there's one thing that I know all beauty bloggers talk about, it's the City Pharma store on Saint-Germain (26 Rue de Four). It is like, the place to go, and seeing as I really into my art and museums the last time I went to Paris, this was totally overlooked, as I had no idea it existed. But now, no more! I am prepared, complete with list written on phone and paper (totally prepared) to go into this massive store and spend a good hour having a nose (it's already been agreed upon that I will meet my parents somewhere else... when i'm done, if i'm ever done, haha).

So, let's get right to it and list the products that I am lusting over, and therefore must have. These are pretty much blogger 'essentials', or products that are massively thought of a 'must haves'. La Roche-Posay's Serozinc is a toning spray that I use morning and evening already, and I'm on my last bottle. So you can bet that I'm going to stock up whilst I'm there. Next, is Bioderma Crealine H2O, a product needs no introduction, yet it's something that I've never tried. Gasp. I know. I totally plan on rectifying that. Next we have another product that I use, so much, that I've actually run out and don't know what to do with myself; and that's Caudalie's Beauty Elixr, a spray that refreshes the skin and just makes you look luminous and lovely, sprayed on before moisturiser and used as a moisture boost whenever my skin needs it. Next up, we have Caudalie's Organic Grape Water Mist, I'll admit, this is a bit of something I've had my eye on, and I just like the sound of it. It sounds refreshing and wonderful, hopefully something I'll be spritzing to keep my cool on warm French evenings. The first product from Nuxe is the Reve de Miel hand cream, and I thought, since I love their lip balm so much, this is definitely something that I want to try.

Another product from Nuxe is their Huile Prodigieuse, an oil that can be used on the body, face and hair - it's an all 'rounder, and I love my little mini one, so you can be the large on will be put to good use. Up next, is Embyolisse, which needs no introduction if you watch any Pixiwoo video's, as Sam loves the stuff; but basically, it's an amazing 3 in 1 moisturiser that has a massive cult status, and I cannot wait to try it. And last, but certainly not least, is the Nuxe Unclogging Thermo-Active Mask, which is basically a mask that works with oily/combination skin to deep clean, refine and matte the skin - three things which I am all for.

I am so excited for this little holiday, and cannot wait to do a bit of beauty blogger shopping. Are there any products that I've missed? Let me know what I have to get. 

Lanvin 'Me' Eau De Parfum

Let's talk about this perfume. It's gorgeous. That's the first thing you need to know. The second thing you need to know is, as soon as I sprayed this, it was like Spring and Summer had arrived, and had brought with it this delicious scent of sweetness and blueberries than I cannot get enough of. Seriously, I keep sniffing myself, it smells that good. I do love a sweet scent, but I draw the line when it turns sickly and people start to recoil away from you, not that that's ever happened... *cough* anyway, this Lanvin Me* (£33, here) perfume is divine, and I'm going to tell you exactly why I love it.

First impressions first; the packaging. It's blue and gold, one of those classic combinations that reminds me of Marie Antoinette (the film, not the person) as it always looks so decadent and divine. It's elegant, and I would expect nothing less from Lanvin as after all, as a prominent French Fashion House has to keep up appearances, and this offering is completely Lanvin, in my opinion. This perfume is meant to personify the Lanvin woman; a woman, not pretentious, but confident and unique in herself. I was very excited to try it, so after carefully opening the box (anyone else have a fondness for pristine packaging? who can resist that gold ribbon exterior) I was delighted to find a very lovely little bottle. It's a beautiful bottle, very simple in its design, yet very effective, as it's size and adornment mean that it has that little something else, that je ne sais quoi, as the French would say. It could sit in the window of a Parfumerie and look quite at home next to the gilded bottles for far more expensive concoctions. 

Up next is the scent. This is something that's been on my mind since it first arrived and I promptly sprayed myself with it. It's a scent that I can't really describe; it's blueberry, sweet, fruity, floral and just addictive. It smells so good, that it's hard to find the words (useful, I know). The Top Notes are Blueberry and Mandarin. The Heart Notes are Tuberose and Rose Absolute. The Bottom Notes are Liquorice and Sandalwood.

Blueberry is a definite yes, as are sandalwood and some type of rose, but maybe my palette isn't sophisticated enough to pick up the base notes of liquorice and mandarin, or to distinguish which rose is which. All I can tell you is that this smells sweet and fresh, something that would make you smile as soon as you smelt it. It's fresh and whimsical, but delicate and not too overpowering if you're not a fan of strong perfumes - and i'm generally not. I like a good scent, but nothing too strong like YSL's Opium, which smells fabulous on other women, just not myself. It's just divine and I find myself spraying it, even when I'm just sitting in my room, because it just smells so wonderful, and I cannot get enough of it - the scent of blueberries is just intoxicating and sweet.

The more it lingers, it has a certain sensuality to it, a fruity but spicy background that makes those around you take notice and inquire as to what perfume you're wearing (this has happened to me several times in work). It's not something that I've smelt before, and that's something I love about the science of creating a perfume; how something so divine could be created, and it can trigger a scent memory, but still be completely new. 

Alber Elbaz, the Artistic Director of Lanvin, says that 'LANVIN ME is more than a fragrance. Its composition tells a story that expresses each separate shade. It resembles a partiture of feelings and a motions of a moment, like a fascinating melody of senses' and whilst I do agree with this, I think it should be emphasised that this is more than a fragrance; it's something special, it's a memory of summertime, fruity and floral. Fragrances smell different on different people, and this to me, once it settles on the skin and warms, smells like blueberry and sandalwood, with a dusky hint of rose, and this really works for me. It's soft and sensual, but spicy and understated, making it one of my predicted, go to perfumes for summer.

To learn more about Lanvin, here is a link to the Fashion House's page on the Harvey Nichols website, who graciously offered to send me the perfume for my review. Although this is indeed a product sample, I would never alter my opinion in order to improve my standing with a PR Company/Brand. This review has been a thoughtful reflection on what this perfume means to me, and I hope that this will encourage you to sample the perfume for yourself, as it really is divine for this time of year.

What perfumes have you been adoring recently? Let me know xx

L'oreal True Match Foundation in N1

I am the first to admit, I don't have that much experience with foundations, and although I own about four/five of them, I'm not very adventurous when it comes to base products. I like products that have a medium + coverage, as there is redness and uneven skin tone that needs covering, as well as using the combination of two concealers on top; I like my base to be flawless and well concealed, so imagine the surprise when I took a shine to the sound of L'oreal's True Match Foundation which boats a light to medium coverage, with a glow like property, that's been compared to Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation. I can't say anything about the duplicate like quality of the foundation, (this knowledge can be found on Amelia's blog here) but it's been raved about, and I thought I would give it a go.

And I'm certainly glad that I did! It's sheer, but buildable, for when you want more coverage, and I like a good bit of coverage on my cheeks, but fairly light everywhere else, so this is a really great foundation for that. It gives me this glow, and having oily/combination skin - glow usually means oil, and whilst I may think 'Oh my god, I look so shiny', everyone says 'You look really glowy today'... I'm not sure if it's just my reaction to any type of shine (IT MUST ALL BE MATTE) but this foundation has actually allowed my matte foundation o.c.d to take a back seat, and just let me look all glowy. And I really like it. Now, I do use a primer (Witch's Anti-blemish Skin Clearing Primer), it's pretty much an essential with my skin type, and use Soap & Glory's One Heck of a Blot pressed into the skin to allow the foundation to last longer.

You see that blob of foundation? Well, you see what's to the left of it? Looks like nothing, right? Well, that's the foundation blended to perfection. Looks like skin? I know. Now, my hands are very pale, and this allows the blueness of my veins to really standout (currently there is a very purpley-blue one) on my left hand, but this foundation covered it with no qualms at all. I use the shade N1, and you can find your shade here, although they did tell me I was a N3 on the online shade range; so I wouldn't fully heed their advice, just take it into account, but don't be afraid to swatch in store - you know your colouring better than they do. 

Wear wise, this foundation does last for a good eight hours, with minor touch-up's in between (like a gentle powdering of the nose etc) and the glow it gives, lasts all day - so much so, that I sometimes hate to remove it at the end of the night, as no longer will I have that lovely, even glow. Being very pale, and having that wonderful glow usually associated with having a tan, is a lovely feeling, and it made me feel a bit more confident, as although i'm by far one of the palest people in my place of work, when I stand next to a tanned person, I don't feel like my skin isn't glowing, like theirs do (if that makes any sense). I just look glowy and I like it. Did I mention that my mum has stolen this foundation and claimed it as her own?

Let's talk about another skin type. My mum's. She has mature, dry skin, and this foundation makes her skin look so good. Now, she has really good skin anyway (and she's totally my inspiration for looking after my skin) but this makes her look glowy, and when combined with a Bourjois Cream Blush (also mine) she feels, and looks really good. It's definitely something I would recommend, not only for younger skin, but for mature skin as well, as who doesn't like a bit of glow?

What do you think of this foundation? Is it something that you like the sound of? xx

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

So, I've been using this little beauty for about two weeks now, after finally tracking it down in Asda, and after seeing loads of bloggers swoon over this little product. I take that back. It's not little at all -  it's actually 400ml of goodness and a brilliant size for all of your cleansing needs, whether it's removing makeup as a pre-cleanse or touching up your eye makeup or lips with a cotton bud; this is the product to go to. I like this product. I really do. It's for sensitive skin and doesn't irritate my eyes at all, which is brilliant, as who wants red, bloodshot eyes when you're just trying to go about your day to day life? Certainly not me. 

The cleansing water doesn't really have any discernible smell or look; so much so, it looks like a bottle of water. My mum actually thought that it was one of those fancy, artisan bottles of water. Ahhh, if only. I'd love a bottle of water to look like that. Anyway, the packaging is very sturdy, and you get a lot of product, far more than in the L'oreal offering, which is always a good thing by me. I do really like the L'oreal cleansing water as well, but this has so much more product for the money (unless they're both on offer, then it's more of a personal preference). For me, I have to give the edge to Garnier, as not only does it remove makeup very quickly and without fuss, it takes off all that eyeliner and mascara (although to remove waterproof mascara, you do need to hold in over the eye for a good 20 seconds). It just removes product seamlessly, and is a wonderful addition to the market of Micellar Cleansing Waters. 

It claims to soothe skin whilst it removes makeup, and I do partially agree with that, as although it's not overtly smoothing, it doesn't irritate my skin, which is oily/combination but still sensitive in places (ahhh the joys of facial skincare). I apply this to a cotton pad and run it all over the face, taking extra care around the eyes and the makeup on there. It usually takes me two or cotton pads to remove everything before I go onto the next step of my nightly skincare routine. I follow this with my pre-cleansing oil, then my hot cloth cleanser and then all those fun skincare bits (toner, serums, oil, moisturiser... that never ending list) and it's really working for me. Because it says that it's suitable for even sensitive skin, and I have been using it for the past two weeks or so, I would definitely recommend those looking for a good Micellar water, to give this a go. Especially as it's on offer in Tesco right now.

Is this something that you'd try? Are you a micellar water fan? xx

Clarins Daily Energizer Cream Review

I've taken to referring to this as a little pot of sunshine. My mum and cousin have both gone 'Ooooh' and promptly put it on their faces (to good reviews), and since i've had it, it's been putting a smile on my face each morning. It may be the smell, to me it's citrusy orange, but not too strong as to be overpowering. It's creamy and moisturising, leaving the skin feeling plump and fresh. It's been a brilliant day moisturiser for me, to add that moisture back into my skin after using two Effaclar products, morning and night (Duo + and K).

I stumbled upon this product at the Clarins Counter in Swansea after failing my theory test (sad time, I know) and I thought i'd buy myself something lovely to cheer myself up, and after chatting to the lady at the counter, I decided upon this moisturiser after she smeared it on my hand, and I fell in love with how soft it made the back of my hand feel. Since buying it, I realised that has been on quite a few blogs, and I'm even more impressed with my choice, as everyone seems to adore it. Yay. 

This cheery little product, as well as the miraculous sunshine (sunshiiiiiiiiiiine!) outside, complete with my new sunglasses (a cheeky little purchase from TKMaxx) and some daffodils, I've been in such a wonderful mood. My skin agrees with me, as not only is the sun giving me a good dose of Vitamin D (though i'm still applying my SPF) it's making me glow. My skincare routine is very good recently, and using Trilogy's Rosehip Oil which I reviewed here, my skin hasn't been this good for a long time. I like to think it's a joint effort, by all the products that i'm using, but this Clarins moisturiser, is, in my opinion, gorgeous and it makes my skin look brighter, and feel brighter (if my skin feeling brighter makes sense…).

I bought my little pot of sunshine from Boots where it retails at £21.00 for 30ml, and since i've had mine (three weeks or so), I have barely made a dent, so I think it's well worth the money, and definitely work a look if you find yourself near a Clarins counter anytime soon. Do you think you'll be giving this moisturiser a go?

Five Favourite Eye Products under £5: MUA LUXE Precision Felt Eyeliner Pen

Hello there my lovelies, this is the first in a new series of posts, 'Five favourite __ products under £5' and i'm kicking it all off with the eyes. It's all about the eyes, windows into your soul and such… This, is the MUA LUXE Felt Eyeliner Pen, and ohmygod do I love it! I've gone through my fair share of eyeliners, felt tip and normal, and this one, is the best. I've had this since November and it's still going strong. Whereas others would have dried out (Rimmel Scandaleyes I'm looking at you) or been too watery/not black enough (Bourjois …something, it was so bad, I actually threw it away. I never throw away makeup) but this gorgeousness from MUA, ugh, I adore it. 

This pen is easy to control, and gives a precise line, even if you're a bit unsure when it comes to liquid eyeliner. What I like about the packaging is that fact that it's sturdy, and feels good in your hand when you apply it, which I know is a little bit silly, but if it feels good and is easy to control, it's a winner, yes? Plus, the price is an absolute steal. £3. Yep. £3. I remember seeing this product in Superdrug and thinking 'Why not? It's only £3', with hindsight… I should have bought three of them, because I love it that much. It gives such a precise, very black line, and that's what I want from a liner; none of this wishy-washy not quite black nonsense, what I want is a ridiculously black line, and this MUA offering delivers. I know it doesn't look very spectacular, and quite unassuming with it's sleek and simplistic packaging (black and gold is always a winner) but this product, for me, is pure gold. 

I think the most impressive fact for me, is that it has yet to dry out. I use it on average, three/four times a week, and I've had it since November. It's insane. I just cannot recommend this product enough, and I think it's a fantastic offering to start my little 'Eyes under £5' theme. Don't let my swatches below fool you, it is very easy to do thinner lines, I just get a bit heavy handed when swatches need to be done (and I may have gotten too excited…). 

What do you think of this eyeliner? Are there any others that you'd recommend? What are your favourite eye products under £5? Can I tempt you to try this piece of gorgeousness? Let me know (: xx

ELF Single Eyeshadow in Pebble

This was a cheeky little purchase from the ELF shop in Cardiff (it's amazing! Go there!) and I had been looking for an eyeshadow in this exact colour, so it was a brilliant little find. I think there's something so wonderful about a store filled with ELF products (so much makeup, I was practically drooling) and this little beauty, was an immediate place into basket as who doesn't love that colour? The colour Pebble (yes, it reminds me of Lily) is just gorgeous; a darkened taupe with a hint of rose gold/gold warmth behind it, that when worn, just looks so good. It's soft, blendable and buildable, a colour that everyone must have as it's so diverse, as it could easily be smoked up with some black eyeshadow and some black liner, but it can also be soft, with a nude kohl liner on the waterline, and some mascara (I adore both of these ways to wear it).

In the pan, it does look quite flat, but when swatched, there's a slight sheen to it, making this more of a satin than a matte, and in my opinion, matte would have been lovely, but with a sheen, this eyeshadow has become one of my go-to's for a quick look and a classic eye, when I want a simple, but effective look. The packaging is lovely, as i've always been a fan of ELF's matte black styling, with a good sized mirror, and with a little gap to see the colour, it would be simple to find if you had numerous amounts of these shadows. 

It swatches really well, and when applied with an eyeshadow brush (I use a real techniques domed shadow brush) it can be blended really softly and used as a base, or built up for more of an impact (it usually depends on how dramatic an eye I want for the day ahead). This powder shadow is a good step away from the cream shadows I've been frequenting (Mac's Vintage Selection, Maybelline's Metallic Pomegranate) and although it's a rather muted colour, I find that the depth of colour it brings, suits not only my skin tone (ghostly pale) but also my eye colour (greeny, bluey, grey). It makes me think that this colour would suit any eye colour, as it's a gorgeous neutral, but also any skin tone. The durability for me is a bit less with powder shadows (thanks oily eyelids), but I find that a good eye primer keeps them in place for much longer, so that the colour will last for a good five six hours before any fading. 

What do you think about this colour? Is it something that you'd wear?

Week #1: My week in one picture.

My life has been a mix of craziness, work and sleep recently, so much so, that any form of blogging has taken a rather significant backseat to everything else. December and the start of January, for those of us who work in retail, will be fully aware of how completely insane the shops are… actually, if you're a shopper, then you probably have a pretty good idea as well. Insane. 

Anywho, happy New Year to my lovely readers, and I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday away from the hustle and bustle of work. I enjoyed my few days off, which were primarily spent sleeping and eating (ahhh food) but over the past week, with a lack of internet, I've spent the majority of my free time writing down blog ideas in my blogging journal, taking pictures (this lack of light is so very annoying) and practicing something entirely new: Calligraphy. I follow some fabulous calligraphers on Instagram, and i'm always so envious of their elegant and creative skills, so I decided to give it a go. With one nib, and one pot of ink, I got started. I finished with ink stained fingers but with a massive smile, as I love a bit of creativity. 

Makeup and skincare wise, this week, actually, this entire month has been riddled with dry skin (I'm going to blame the central heating… but turn it off? Goodness no, do you want me to freeze?) so I've been smothering The Body Shop's Shea Body Butter on, and using lots of moisturising serums on my face, but even then, it's still dry. And what's winter without dark circles under your eyes, or is that just me? It's a pale skin and dark circle scenario, so long lasting creamy concealer is the way to go, and Seventeen's offering in the lightest colour is saving me from looking like a zombie, that, combined with a subtle berry matte lip from MUA is my go to look right now, whether in work, or chilling at home. 

This week also brought me a new experience, and that was a first date. A first date in week number one, quite fitting really. It was a lovely day, good food, good film (Anchorman 2) and good conversation, let's not forget that it was a pretty great skin day too, so all in all, successful date. Five days later, with no sign of communication or a second date, I am nonetheless still positive, as after the end of a four year relationship, first dates will come and go, some well, and some probably not so well. But it's something to look forward to, yes?

How has your week been? Anything exciting happen in the first week of January?

xx

Origins Super Spot Remover Review

Ever since I bought this little wonder, I've been in love. I've never known my spots to go down so quickly! It was a blogger favourite, but I'd never really taken much notice of it, that was until I saw it on  Tattooed Tealady, and she gave it a glowing review, so I admit, I was taken in, and I'm very glad that I was. This has become a staple for me, especially when I had very bad breakouts, and angry red blemishes (the worst kind of blemishes really). If you very rarely get blemishes, maybe £15 for a 10ml product may be too much money, but for someone who has oily/combination skin like me, and is prone to the occasional spot or two (or five) then this may be your saviour. I've found that it reduces the size of the spot drastically overnight, and wearing it during the day isn't something i'd suggest, unless you were going makeup free. The gel uses Salicylic Acid to help speed up the 'healing while anti-spot technology helps visibly correct post blemish darkening', whilst Caffeine and Red Algae help to visibly reduce redness of the blemish, and I totally agree with these statements, which can be found here on the Origins website. 

The gel is very soothing when it first goes on, and I don't know if it's just me, but it does sting a little bit on the blemish, which i'm not sure whether this is because of my sensitive skin, or because i've put too much on? I'll have to double check and write back about this... although I do suspect that it's just me being a little heavy handed (or heavy fingered, if that's a thing). I bought this from Boots (yay for points!) when I went to Cardiff with my best friends, and have used it quite a bit since then, I think it's a wonder product, and would definitely be in my monthly favourites (which i'll post at the end of the month). I love this product and cannot recommend it enough. 

Is this something that you'd try? Or have you tried it before? Let me know what you think (: 

xx

La Roche-Posay Serozinc Review

I love this product. What more is there to say? It was held as a blogger must have, and as soon as I saw on of my favourite ladies on Instagram, Rougeout, had purchased these bad boys, I knew I had to have them. I ordered La Roche-Posay's Serozinc from a French/British website called LeGuideSante where they were only £5 or so, per spray can (150ml), which I think is really good for the amount of product that the spray holds. But, let's get into the nitty gritty. I have very oily/combination skin, that is prone to breakouts and imperfections, and this products claims to be made especially for oily skin, with Zinc Sulfate which helps to 'fight against bacterial proliferation', or in english, to stop the increase in oil produced by the skin. It also claims to calm irritations on the skin, which is why it can also be used on babies skin, if it's been irritated by nappy rash.

The spray, is cooling and very soothing, and I use it twice a day when I do my skincare routines, and now that I have a finite skincare routine, I find that this product has really helped clear my skin. Yes, I still have the odd blemish, but this product as well as my other skincare products (which I will talk about in an all about my skincare routine post) have really made a big difference in the texture and appearance of my skin. You don't need a lot of product, just a quick spritz, enough to cover your entire face, I leave it for a few seconds, and then removed with a cotton pad. Even if I think my face is super clean and cleansed, this will always take off that extra extra layer of dirt, which makes a big difference to my skin. This is a holy grail product for me, and I cannot do without it. So much so, I'm going to order more, so that I never run out. I definitely recommend this to those suffering from oily/combination, as not only can it be used as a toner, but can be used to refresh the skin during the day. I think it's a wonder product and it will always be a favourite.

What do you think of Serozinc? Is this something that you'd try? Are spray toners your cup of tea? 

xx

Autumn/Winter lipstick #3 - Calvin Klein - Sinful

Hello my lovelies, here is just a little cheeky A/W lipstick post for you, and what better way to continue on, that to introduce a little Calvin Klein wonder. I purchased this wonderful product from Fragrance Direct (ugh, love that site) after stumbling across them, and loving the colour choices. This colour (of the three I chose) is called sinful, and it is a glorious pinky red. As you can see from the above swatch, it does appear to be quite pink, but I'd say it was a pinch more red than that - although  think it would all depend on the lighting in which you find yourself. In natural light, it does appear slightly pinker on me, whereas with the waning light and the artificial lights now on, it does look more red. All, in all, I would say that it's a very wearable shade, that's very comfortable on the lip, and it's full name, 'Calvin Klein Delicious Luxury Creme Lipstick' is exactly what it says it is. It's creamy and definitely feels more expensive that it is, and at £1.99, if you're anything like me, you'll end up buying one or two (or three). 

What do you think of the colour? Is this what you'd call an Autumn/Winter shade? Let me know what you think (:

xx

Urban Decay Lipstick Giveaway

Well, it's happened! I've hit 100 Bloglovin follows and I'm just so excited and happy about it! So I thought i'd give back to my wonderful followers (: and what better to give away than an amazing Urban Decay lipstick? I swatched these up a storm when I was in Debenhams, and I love the texture, so why not celebrate hitting 100 followers with this fabulous lipstick!? The winner will have the wonderful decision of choosing whatever shade he/she wants, so enter away, and fingers crossed for you (: and here's a little link to the colour swatches. Have fun everyone (:

P.S. I'll ship internationally as well, so no need to worry about that (: xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Body Shop Online Haul Edition

Hellooooo honey goodness! I may have gotten a bit excited when the Body Shop was offering a voucher for 40% off online... as you can clearly see. Now, I will say this, the honeymania isn't necessarily honey esc (as in honey from a jar) but more honeysuckle, which was a surprise for me when they first arrived, but not an unpleasant one. It's still a wonderful scent, but for those who might think it to be proper honey, you might be in for a disappointment. I think it's a sweet scent, quite floral, and for those a bit unsure, I'd recommend smelling it in the shop before hand, so you know whether it'd be a good choice for you. Anywho! On with the chat.

The Shea Body Butter is a firm favourite of mine, and even though it's not as heavily scented as other butters, it's still wonderfully moisturising and is a complete go to moisturiser for me, especially in the colder months as my skin tends to dry out very easily. The Camomile cleansing butter was something that I was very excited about, as I'd read numerous reviews on it, and was determined to try it out (and with 40% off, I thought, why not?!) I do plan on doing a proper review of this, so all I will say for now is, for oily/combination skin, it can be quite heavy on the skin, so I'd recommend using a very good toner afterwards to take away all of the product, as although it is moisturising, you don't want it to clog your pores (it was an issue for me) Up next is the Honeymania shower gel which much like the other Body Shop shower gels, is very good on my skin. The scent is floral and clean, and lasts almost all day, which is a strong selling point for me, and the life of it is prolonged when worn with the Honeymania perfume. It's not for everyone (i'd recommend smelling it first) but for me, it really works. I think it's a lovely scent ( i fancy a little perfume review on the blog soon, so watch this space (; ) and last but not least, is this gorgeous lipstick. Raspberry in love is amazing. It's smooth, creamy and such a good colour for a/w, so much so, that I'm thinking of extending my a/w lipstick list to include this one (and my most recent MAC and NARS purchases, of course) I just love it and think it's gorgeous. Once again, watch this space for some upcoming Body Shop reviews.

Thank you so much for reading, my lovelies. Are there any Body Shop products that have caught your eye?

xx

Stargazer Makeup Review

When the lovely Patricia asked me if I wanted to try some Stargazer products, I jumped at the chance! I've always loved the look of Stargazer's products, as it's always been reviewed by other bloggers as having such good pigmentation and long lasting wear, which I am all about! I was sent a small variety of products to try, and I will admit, I am really, really liking them. I love trying out new products, and being introduced to different brands, so this is a review I love love love writing, and I hope that you'll enjoy reading it.

Let's start with the lipsticks. They're very pigmented, which is a very big thing that I look for in a lipstick, as no one wants to layer, layer, layer with lipsticks, as in my experience, they tend to look quite cakey around the lip line, and aren't all that comfortable to wear. But these lipsticks, which I find to be quite moisturising on the lips, are very true to colour from the bullet and last for a good two to three hours before another application is needed, which I think is standard for lipsticks. I was sent two lipsticks, one matte and one regular. The Matte one, is called 208*, and is woody brown, and does not look good on me. Maybe it's the pale skin, dark hair and dark eyebrows, but brown doesn't suit me. It's lovely for those of you who suit brown shades (lucky you!) and is very creamy, and doesn't drag when applying on the lips. The second lipstick in 118*, is gorgeous. It's a dark raspberry colour and I can see it becoming one of my go to a/w lip colours. It's seriously gorgeous, to the point where the swatch doesn't do it enough justice. I'll have to take a picture of it on the lips. Gorgeous!

From top to bottom: Quick Silver Star Pearl eyeshadow*, Pinky is Perki Baked Duo eye shadow*,  Metallic eye shadow pen in Brown*, Lip stick in 118*, Matte lipstick in 208* and Eye Dust in 1*. 

Now onto the eyeshadows! I do like a good eyeshadow, especially if it's in a fun colour with good pigmentation pay off, and these four eyeshadows do the job so well! First is the Star Pearl eyeshadow in Quick Silver* which is pigmented, and gives the dense colour in two applications, so it's not something that's 'bam! silver eyes' in one swoop. I think this is wonderful as it can be built up to give a more intense appearance, or used subtly for a more highlighted approach. My favourite is using it in the inner corners of my eyes to make them appear more awake, and bright eyed. Next is the Baked duo eyeshadow in Pinky is Perki* which is a very fun name for an eyeshadow in my opinion. It's got a lovely shimmer to it, and very good colour pay off, but like most eyeshadows, the fall down under the eye is something to look out for. It's an almost pearly pink, with a shot of shimmer running through it, and it's so soft and weightless on the eye, so I'd say it was perfect for a soft romantic, english rose pink eye. Now we have the Eye Dust*, and by gosh is this pigmented! I've never really been one for eye dusts, as they seem so messy, but the colour pay off is so good, I might be a convert! The closest relative to this product, is perhaps the Barry M Dazzle Dusts, and sometimes I've found the Barry M ones to not be as pigmented as they look, this colour (in 1*) has proved to me that a little goes a long way, and is perhaps just the right product for someone not entirely taken in by the Barry M dusts. The last eye product is the Metallic Eye Shadow stick in Brown*  and I have to admit, I love this. The bronze coppery colour is just my kind of shade, and applies like a dream. It's soft, creamy and well pigmented with a soft shot of shimmer running through it. It's easy to blend and doesn't budge very much over the course of the day. This is a winner from me, and can give more expensive eye products a run for their money. 

Nail Polish in 110* and 512*. 

Last, but not least, are the two nail polishes. The Blue (110*) is a pearlescent polish, in a lovely, dreamy soft blue. I was looking at this the other day and thinking it's the kind of colour a mermaid would have on her toenails... if she had toes... or feet, or legs for that matter. But anyway, it's a very sea foam related colour for me, but I also have the feeling that something like this can be worn in the dead of winter, to contrast red noses, chilled fingers and dark lips. It seems like such a go to winter colour for me, and teamed with the fact that it'll last for a good few days before any noticeable chipping. It took three coats to get the above look, but I found that the formula dried quickly, so it was not much of a wait. The second colour (512*) is a gorgeous pinky red that reminds me of summer (Oh, summer) and looks gorgeous on my toenails (which are currently covered in very thick, wooly socks) It took two coats for a completely opaque appearance, and much like the other colour, it lasts very well.

I've been very impressed with the quality of these products, especially for the price, as they seem to produce products that go above and beyond what you pay. These products have had a very large thumbs up from me (i'm determined to find another use for the matte brown lipstick!) and I hope that you've liked reading my thoughts on Stargazer. Are there any products that have caught your eye? Let me know (:

xx