A Fresh Glow For Fall

Beauty in the Photo: Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation, Urban Decay Naked Weightless Concealer, Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette, Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (Original), MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Global Glow, MAC Cherry Lip Liner and MAC Ruby Woo

Summer has come to an end in the West but the beach season is kicking off in Dubai!

The Sun can seriously dry out my skin and I've been on the hunt for a glowy, natural and easy-to-wear foundation for a while now.

Burberry is a brand that I have never invested in before. Fashion or Beauty. The Burberry Beauty counters didn't seem overly accessible when I was living in Manchester and so I was never tempted to swatch or buy.

On my way to Bahrain for a mini break, I stumbled across a counter that was well stocked and it was 20% off Duty Free. It would have been rude not to buy anything. A single Eyeshadow or Lipstick is always my go to when I'm new to a brand, but as I was looking for a new base to trial and test - I decided to pick up the Fresh Glow - Luminous Fluid Foundation in Camel No.42 - for 100AED (£22) cheaper than the Retail Price may I add!

The packaging is heavy and luxurious. The lid can get quite grubby when it rolls around in your make up bag but such is the case for all product regardless of packaging.

Burberry describes this foundation as a buildable medium coverage that provides a flawless and dewy glow whilst also giving a natural-looking finish without hiding the skin... I agree!

After almost two months of wearing it, I really really love this product. I love foundation's that are easy to wear and this bottle of joy allows you to wear the formula as opposed to the formula wearing you. It feels moisturising and is anything but distressing on the skin.

I admire how it doesn't cover absolutely everything. You can still see your beauty spots or freckles through the base however it provides you with an even tone and adds a beautiful luminosity to the skin. And one thing it hasn't done on me this far is cling on to any dry patches which is something that I really struggle with in a lot of foundations.

The heat is still in the air and I've found my perfect base companion to see me through the rest of the year, day and night.

What are your thoughts on the Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation and what do I need to try next?

My Go To Breakfast Smoothie

This is something quite different for me. I am by no means a health expert or qualified nutritionist, but I am starting to care more about what I eat these days and learning about the benefits of doing so. Basically, I've been heavily influenced by The Body Coach. As have most people in the UK at the moment.

I've recently written in a previous post that I decided to purchase a NutriBullet and that it was the best decision I have ever made. That wasn't the post Christmas/New Years blues talking. This claim still stands!

Breakfast has never been my thing. I find it really difficult to stomach anything in the mornings. I'm even more rubbish at waking up at an hour that gives me enough time to consume anything before I have to run out of the door for university. There's also nothing worse than being stuck in a 2 hour morning lecture on an empty stomach. Not to mention bloody embarrassing when your stomach constantly lets off loud roars of hunger.

My Boyfriend, Ed, has been trying to get me into breakfast shakes for ages. I wouldn't say that I'm a  fussy eater, but I initially had zero interest. It was the same scenario with Sushi. But over time they have both gradually grown on me. I can be a very stubborn individual and can get 'stuck in my ways'. (Ha). 

I finally gave in and I'm so pleased that these shakes have been introduced into my morning routine. It's an easy and quick way to get something healthy and nutritious down in the mornings. They're light, refreshing and delicious. And as an added bonus, they don't blend into a vile green colour!

Here are my very unprofessional measurements:

1. 1/2 Handful of Black Forest Frozen Fruits.

2. 1/2 Handful of Frozen Blueberries and Strawberries.

3. Half a Banana, chopped.

4. 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter. (I use the MyProtein UK Smooth Peanut Butter)

5. 2 Tbsp Greek Yoghurt

6. 1 Scoop of Whey Vanilla Protein Powder 

7. 150ml Almond Milk

8. 150ml Water

And Bob's your uncle! I wouldn't say that the protein stage is obligatory. I use it as I know that I don't have enough protein throughout the day. The Vanilla does add a difference to the flavour though.

Any blender will work for this but the NutriBullet is super quick and easy to clean.

Although I have found something that I really enjoy, I'm determined to 'unstick' my ways and try out more recipes.

What's in your favourite morning smoothie?

The Japanese Camellia Cream By The Body Shop

Before I commence with this post, I have to say that I hardly ever moisturise after a shower. Not all the time, but most of the time I can never be bothered. I live in Manchester. It's between 2-4 degrees right now and getting out of the shower can be painful! I feel slightly shameful for admitting that but I can't be the only one. 

The only part of my body that I have the time to moisturise in the Winter is my face because that is an impossible body part to hide.

Thankfully, I'm still quite soft and the elephant skin has yet to invade. I blame the genes. But of course by the Summer I will be moisturising religiously, because lets be real nobody wants to see crusty knees or elbows.

The Body Shop recently launched their premium Spa Of The World range which sparks joy in every aspect of the phrase. I received the Japanese Camellia Cream (£23.00) as a Christmas gift this year. Before I tore the paper off I assumed that it was a Bath and Body Works candle. However I was pleasantly surprised to unveil this beauty. And it has given me all the more reason to moisturise!

As the name would suggest, the product contains Camellia oil which The Body Shop claim has been used since the 8th Century in Japan in order to gently soften and moisturise the skin. 

Everyone loves a Body Shop body butter. I sometimes find them a little too thick and hard to work with. But they are undoubtedly the peoples choice when it comes down to high-street body creams. This on the other hand is still rich but has a smooth and weightless texture that is a dream to rub into the skin. The Body Shop describe it to have a light and velvety texture and I have to agree.

I am terrible at describing scents. So I'm going to go with 'It's bloody gorgeous'. I've recently tweeted about this product making me feel and smell irresistible. And It's true! I'm never usually a fan of floral scents but this is anything but empowering and It's beautifully subtle. Spa like if you will. The whole range have the same (but different) calming and tranquil scents that you would want your nose to inhale if you were in a spa environment. 

I also have the Polynesian Monoi Radiance oil which has rapidly become my go to holiday MUST have product. But that's a whole different blog post. 

The Dead Sea Salt Scrub is next on my list.

You can find the Spa Of The World range here.

What are your thoughts on the range? :)

  

Let's talk #HMBEAUTY

It's a New Year. But not a 'New Me'. I still love make-up and will continue to buy it no matter what my boyfriend says! 

I won't bore you with my life goals as I don't think anybody cares! Apart from declare that I have purchased a NutriBullet and it was the best decision I have ever made. Fact.

Welcome to a very image heavy post all about the recent re-launch of H&M Beauty.

The brand have recently changed from having very little (and unimpressive) make-up on offer to having the full lot! And It's good. The H&M concept of supplying affordable and quality products is definitely portrayed through their beauty department.

On my outing to Dubai Mall, I came across the large fittings filled with testers in store and was amazed at the selection of both Beauty and Haircare products.

I obviously picked up a few make-up goodies. However, I didn't bother with the haircare as I have thick, curly, frizzy and pain in the a*** hair. I doubt the selection of quirky packaged hair products would have been entirely fit for purpose.

Instead, an eyeshadow in every form came home with me.

1. An Eye Colour Palette - £9.99
2. A Single - Ginger Snap £4.99
3. And a Cream - Colour Essence Eye Cream in Gentlewoman -£4.99

I like the simplicity of the packaging. The black, white and gold theme exceeds expectations that you have for a high-street/drugstore beauty range.

The eyeshadow palette comes with nine eyeshadows and a large mirror. Perfect for throwing into your on the go make-up bag. I gravitated towards the deep greens in this palette. The shadows are relatively sheer but you can build them to your desired density. With patience you can create a lovely sultry smokey eye with this.

Interestingly enough I found the pigment of the single shadows to be a lot more intense than those in the palettes. Hence the name 'High Impact Eye Colour'. These shadows are amazing quality for a price point of £4.99. I love a shadow that can only be described as buttery. I want more! I want more!

Cream eyeshadows are my thing. They're a lazy bitch eye product that every lady, make-up lover or not, needs in their life.

As with most shadows that come in cream form, this H&M eye cream works and builds best when applied with your ring finger and blended out with a fluffy brush. One eye at a time though, these cream to powder shadows don't have too much play time!

Browse H&M Beauty here.

An order of more singles may be on the cards after rounding this post up.

What are your thoughts on H&M Beauty? :)

Cranberry Festive Face Mask by Lush

Even though each individual has a very different skin type, one thing that most of us have in common is the struggle to keep our skin moisturised and nourished throughout the cold and frosty months of Winter. An oily t-zone is something I battle with daily, but the Winter annoyingly welcomes flakey and dry cheeks which are quite frankly a pain in the bum!

In order to combat this, I've been using the new Cranberry Festive Face Mask by Lush. £6.75.

I'll begin by pointing out the least most important aspect of this product. It is pink! There is something great about layering a baby pink product all over the face. It smells lovely too!

Moving away from pretty colours and scents, this face mask has a bitty and cool consistency that soothes the skin and gently exfoliates. The product description highlights that the mask contains a mixture of argan oil and rose clay, which creates an almost matte finish upon removal, and I have to agree. It looks as though you have applied a mattifying primer but the skin feels like silk.

The face mask also has brightening, nourishing and moisturising capabilities. The product has the ability to brighten your complexion and brings the skin to life. 

As a student, I spend a lot of time on public transport on my way to university and walking along busy roads. The antioxidant cranberries and argan oil protects your skin from the environment and puts the moisture back into the skin that tends to be taken away throughout the season.

Have you tried the Lush Cranberry mask? I'm sure you'll enjoy it too!

Impressive Bargain Beauty

I've come to the realisation that I am a student. And as much as it pains me to say it, I can't always afford to buy beauty from the higher end of the spectrum. *sigh*. I have also come to realise that it costs a lot of money to be clean! Goodbye £44.50, I hope Superdrug treats you well.

But in terms of saving the pennies on cheaper beauty brands, that's OK! Because here in the UK we have amazing beauty products from the drugstore that are fantastic dupes for some of the luxury products on the market.

Sleek is a brand that I have never shown too much interest in and I am not entirely sure why. For a drugstore brand, Sleek have an impressive colour palette, which is a significant quality to have in the beauty industry. Furthermore, the product range is great and almost everyone has a good thing to say about it. Especially with regards to the eyeshadow, blush and contour palettes. As someone who loves a bit of contour, the latter appealed to me and I decided to purchase the Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette in Medium - £9.99. 

I am so impressed with this in more ways than one. Firstly, the packaging is 'sleek', efficient and petite enough to carry around in your bag and most importantly contains a huge mirror. 

Secondly, the content of the palette is extremely impressive. It comes with a matte sculpting shade, a luminous highlighter and a 'bronzey' shimmery blush shade. I am yet to try the blush, but the blend ability of the contour powder was lovely and the highlighter added a subtle luminosity to my cheeks. Both powder's complimented my tanned skin-tone beautifully. I think my mum may be receiving the Light version in her stocking this year.

It is safe to say that my contour was on point last night for the fireworks!

The second product that managed to weave it's way into my basket was the Matte Me - Ultra Smooth Matte Lip Cream in Fandango Purple - £4.99. The fact that it is a liquid lipstick may have had something to do with it.

I am completely obsessed with the colour of this product. This fuchsia purple is so pretty and complimentary. Pinky tones almost always never suit me, but I have finally found one that does. 

Starting with the Negative Nancy verdict, the only major downfall about the Matte Me lip creams is the applicator. It made it quite difficult and uncomfortable to apply because it has a lack of softness. Furthermore, it has a rather odd and unnecessarily long shape.

I didn't find the formula of the product too drying. I could feel it slightly after the application but it wasn't a significant amount. Additionally, I found the staying power to be pretty damn good, but I did have to top up once throughout the night. But in the grand scheme of things, that is not a huge burden. I find myself doing that with almost every lip product that I use. And you cannot argue with £4.99!

Here is a cheeky selfie of me with my new purchases on:

See what I mean about the colour?

Is there anything that you are loving from Sleek at the moment that I may want to know about?

The Estée Lauder Haul

Welcome to my first Estée Lauder Haul and a very image heavy post!

It has been a long time coming but i've finally purchased Estée Lauder's Double Wear foundation, and conveniently from Boots as you have got to keep wracking up those points! Christmas is very much just around the corner after all.

I've never purchased anything from Estée Lauder before and the service was wonderful. It's always nice to hear that you have lovely skin and that the foundation and lipstick looks gorgeous on you. It makes it much easier to hand over your cash and say to yourself 'Go on then, take my money.' I was also given a very generous gift bag at the check out as a reward for spending. *Happy dance*

When it comes to Winter beauty I think, flawless base and dark bold lips. And I think that I've hit the nail on the head with these two.

Here's the haul:

1. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Make Up SPF 10 in Cashew 

This product definitely does what it says on the tin. Stays-in-place! I almost have to do a triple cleanse to make sure that my face is free of it at the end of the day. Regardless of the effort you have to put in to take it off, it's a fabulous product. Initially, I was reluctant to buy this because of how full coverage it is. I'm not into the whole cake face thing, or even worse feeling like your base is wearing you. But I have been pleasantly surprised and so far, so good. 

2. Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick Matte in Desirous

The launch of these lipsticks have sparked a lot of joy for me. I've always known that Estée Lauder have some of the best skincare on the market and some great make-up products. But I've also had the impression that their target market is aimed more towards the mature side. Until the gorgeous Kendall Jenner became the new face and they came out with these beautiful matte lipsticks. I think that I could happily spend a lot of money on all of them. The shade Desirous is my new favourite Autumn/Winter shade. The sales advisor on the counter at Boots claimed that these lipstick's don't require a lip liner. Because Desirous is an extremely dark shade, I prefer to pair it with a lip liner but there is a substantial amount of staying power there and The Pure Color Envy's are an extremely comfortable wear. 

My purchases were rewarded with a gift bag filled with cute little miniatures, decent sized samples and a lipstick:

1. Take It Away Make-up Remover Lotion
2. Daywear (Love) 
3. Modern Muse Perfume
4. Doublewear Foundation
5. Advanced Night Repair
6. Pure Color Lasting Lipstick CREME 17 Rose Tea

Best gift bag ever!

I can't wait to experiment with all the goodies. Do you have any Estée Lauder favourites?

For The Khaki Lovers

My love for Khaki doesn't stop at clothing. I had been on the look out for the perfect army green eyeliner for a while and the hunt came to an end when I walked into MAC the other day and discovered Forever Green. I'm a brown-eyed girl, therefore technically I should be reaching for the purples to flatter my eye colour (Permaplum, a gorgeous purple Powerpoint Eye Pencil is on my wish-list.), but i'm counting on this gem to spice up my make-up throughout the winter.

Coloured eye pencils can be quite frightening, but this is such a wearable shade and not at all offensive so i've been wearing it daily. On Nights out, to lectures, out shopping and even to the gym. (Come on girls, I know at least some of you wear make-up to the gym!) The description claims this product to have a metallic shimmer with a matte finish, which it 100% does but it looks flattering.

I'm a big fan of the formula when it comes to the MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil's. They have a buttery and easy to blend texture, meaning minimal tugging of the eye. So far I have been wearing this sultry green on my waterline to dare I say it, add a 'pop' of colour to my make-up. However, my next experiment is to apply it all over the lid, which I can imagine to look rather beautiful.

Colour doesn't just have to be for the warmer months of the year.

Have you been Forever Green-ed? 

New In For The Lips

I won a giveaway, I never win anything! 

The lovely beauty blogger Stacey from Expat Make-up Addict held a giveaway a few weeks ago and I won six MAC lipsticks of my choice. Yes, of my choice! Of course I was jumping for joy and ridiculously excited. But when it came down to choosing, I found it quite overwhelming. There is so much choice at MAC and I found myself wanting to indulge in way more than six. However, after much deliberation I finally came to my decision, and I couldn't be more pleased.

Just as my boyfriend said 'Ella, you don't need anymore lipsticks', these babies came in the mail. 

L-R: Stone Matte, Blankety Amplified , Ruby Woo Retro Matte , Morange Amplified, Coral Bliss Cremesheen and Mehr Matte.

Here goes the breakdown:

Stone is a medium-dark taupe brown with greyish undertones. When I first applied this I was quite shocked, but it grew on me. The shade is unusual and quirky which I quite like. It has a matte finish but doesn't cling to any dryness which is always admirable. Although as with all MAC Matte lipsticks, I wouldn't brand the finish moisturising. I can't wait to wear this one throughout the fall back in the UK. 

Blankety, a beautifully creamy slap and dash pinky nude lip colour that will go with any make-up look. I have a thing for lip products that don't need much effort to apply and that you can wear everyday. Plus, it looks good with my tanned skin tone. Winning.

Ruby Woo is a best seller from MAC and a product that has been on my wish list for yonks. I think that this has to be the most talked about red that I have ever come across. Spread across the celebrity and social media world, this is hands down a red for everyone. Ruby Woo is extremely matte and highly pigmented. I honestly feel as though I have many lipsticks more or less the same shade. But who cares, this is definitely a new favourite of mine.

Morange is such a feel good lipstick. Vibrant, striking and oozes confidence. The colour is immensley opaque and I love it so much that I will be inappropriately wearing it throughout the winter. 

Like Blankety, Coral Bliss is a slap and dash shade. I found it to be quite moisturising on the lips and is one for my 'no make-up, make-up' days. I also have a thing for corals these days and I find the sheen of this product to be very flattering.

Mehr has yet another matte finish. (If you haven't already noticed, i'm a matte kind of gal). Lily Pebbles wears this all of the time in her vlogs paired with MAC lip liner in Soar. I was drawn to the dusky pink shade and it looked very easy wearing. 

To say that i'm happy with my choices would be an understatement. I have adopted a few new favourites as well as pushed the boundaries and started wearing a colour that I wouldn't usually go for.

Which lipsticks are you loving at the moment?

Skincare of the moment

So i'm having a major skincare moment.

Up until recently, I bought across The Body Shop Vitamin E range and used it every morning and every night. The face wash, exfoliator, cleanser, toner, the lot! And they are undoubtedly lovely products. But while reading Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes, she pointed out that it isn't necessary to buy across one particular brand or range, which made me want to experiment a little bit more with skincare.

Morning Routine

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Cleansing Water/Make Up Remover

Having already used the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, i'm a big fan of these solutions. After seeing this listed in Vogue's Top 10 Best Micellar Waters, I was keen to give it a try. It's quite a gentle product and refreshing on the skin in the mornings.  But as convenient as these products are to use, I wouldn't solely rely on it as my main cleanser. Especially when it comes to removing a full face of make up. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate

The Drops of Youth range is a new favourite of mine from The Body Shop. I apply two-three drops of this concentrate every morning and every night to encourage smooth and hydrated skin. My face needs all the help it can get after being exposed to the harsh Middle Eastern sun! Plus, I know i'm only 21 but youthful is a word I would like to cling on to for as long as possible.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser

I can't say too much about this product as I have only been using it for the past couple of weeks. But it's the perfect morning moisturiser. From the smell to the texture. I've recently compared it to dipping your face into a sea of cool, fresh oranges. That is exactly how I can imagine it to feel like when applying this product. I wouldn't compare my skin to being dull, tired or grumpy as it would suggest on the packaging. But I do believe it prevents these things in the mornings.  Loving it.

Evening Routine

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

Here she is, the cult skincare favourite of many! I was late to the party (as usual) with this one after receiving some of the range as a gift for my birthday back in May. Where had this product been all my life? It's super gentle, smells like a spa and removes make up and any other unwanted gunk in seconds. I'm even obsessing over the Liz Earle Muslin Cloths. My skin never fails to feel fresh, clean and exfoliated after using this and will continue to be my go to cleanser until something better comes along. I use this every evening and on the 'morning afters' if i've worn a lot of make up the previous day/night.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner

To be completely honest, I don't know how necessary toner is. It sort of has similarities to Micellar Waters. They feel the same when applied and feel like they do the same thing. Then again I could be completely wrong. It's one of those products that I don't need, doesn't particularly do much apart from   remove that tiny last trace of make up, but one that I use anyway. Plus it smells lovely. I like it.

Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser - Combination/Oily

I appreciate how Liz Earle breaks it down for you when it comes to their moisturisers. Whatever your skin type, they have the cream for you. One pump of this product goes a really long way so it's a great one for bringing down to the neck area. The formula is extremely light and sinks into the skin beautifully and the scent is so fresh and spa like. I'll definitely be dishing out another £20 for a new one.

Face Mask Of The Moment

The Body Shop - Drops Of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

Ok. Firstly, I can't wrap my head around the texture of this. It's like jelly and manages to set back to a smooth flat surface after using it in the packaging. When I first used this I wasn't a fan. On application it made my face look extremely shiny. And after a few minutes very sticky, which almost made it uncomfortable to get to sleep. Having said that, it's cooling and the results the next day are lovely. The product really soaks into the skin over night, leaving you with a replenished and moisturised face. I use this once or twice a week when my skin needs a good kick.

I'm enjoying experimenting with skincare. I've always looked after my skin but I've usually been too scared or uninterested to branch out and try new products. So here's to hoarding new skincare and finding new goodies!

Which skincare products are you using at the moment?

The Dolce Vita Is My Life

Say hello to my new favourite 'holy grail' palette. The Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita Color-coded Eyeshadow Palette. (Once again, extremely late to the party).

This the first and sadly the only Charlotte Tilbury product that I own and i'm super impressed. It's everything I want and need when it comes to shadows. Since it was kindly gifted to me for my 21st birthday early in May it has been a struggle not to use it every day. The price tag being one of the main reasons why. 

Before writing this post I wanted to photograph it untouched, which failed miserably. But I just couldn't help myself.

Packaging

There's not much to say about this apart from stating the obvious - bloody gorgeous. A dark chocolatey burgundy brown with rose gold detailing. It screams luxury whilst being petite and light. The perfect palette for travelling, which makes a nice change as most of the eyeshadow palettes in my collection are annoyingly clumpy and heavy. 10/10

Eyeshadows

As with all of the Charlotte Tilbury palettes, you get a Prime, Enhance, Smoke and Pop shade. And i'm obsessed with them all. 

With my skin tone I find it so difficult to find a pretty champagne shade that doesn't look ashy on my eyelids. The top left prime shade, however, is beautiful and looks so pretty and pearlescent on the eyes. 

The top right enhance shade is a personal favourite. Coppery, warm and an overall stunning crease shade that i have no qualms with using every single day.

The smoke shade on the bottom right of the palette is what brings your look from day to night. I use it on the outer corner of my crease or along the bottom and lower lash line. 

POP! This shade is what really sold the palette to me. Although it looks intimidating in the palette, when positioned in the middle of the eyelid it looks phenomenal. There is a tad bit of fall out and is best applied with your finger, but it still undoubtedly sparks joy.

I could have purchased everything on the counter in Selfridges when the lovely make up artist was putting my face on for me. It's pretty dangerous territory when you're surrounded by gorgeous (and expensive) products and a very helpful assistant. And after being extremely impressed and mesmerised by this product, i've already put together a Charlotte Tilbury wish list:

• Light Wonder Foundation
• Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadow...(all of them)
• K.i.s.s.i.n.g Lipstick in Coachella Coral

Lastly, I'm so happy to have finally found an eyeshadow palette that I can get full use out of. Not a shadow is wasted, or untouched. And I should bloody well hope so considering the price tag.

Have you tried out any Charlotte Tilbury products?

New In: Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

I always tell myself that i'm not going to splurge on expensive mascaras because I go through them too quickly. And with regards to Benefit, the They're Real! mascara wasn't doing it for me. It wasn't a horrendous product, but my lashes were a little clumpy and lacked length after I used it. When the Roller Lash Mascara came out there was a lot of hype around it, similar to that of the They're Real! and I convinced myself that it was something I could live without and save myself the £19.50. That was the case until I went into Sephora and saw the pretty pink, black and silver packaging on the shelf. Benefit always gets me with the outside packaging detail! 

My Thoughts

I love it! This mascara gives your lashes such a flattering curl. Voluminous and thick without the clumpy texture, and it gives the lashes a great length. This product is buildable, but two coats is more than enough to do the job. The longevity is to a good standard, leaving you with luscious long lashes throughout the day.The packaging is dainty and cute with a bit of a vintage feel to it. The wand curves in the right places and lifts and curls the lashes beautifully. 

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Here are some before and after pictures for you to enjoy, featuring my lovely mug... LOL.

x

In The Nude This Spring/Summer

I never realise how much I have of something until I either have a gander into my make up collection or go to photograph things for a blog post. So when I was choosing which products to include and photograph it was then that I realised how many nude lipsticks or glosses I actually have. I like to think of myself as a bit of a nude hoarder. They're a safe buy and worth the money as nude shades are more often than not my go to lip colour, especially in the day time. There's something about wearing a bold block colour in the day time that makes me feel a little uneasy. I always think, 'is the colour bleeding' or 'has the colour rubbed off'. But don't get me wrong, on a night out I love wearing a statement lip.

The nudes i'm loving:

1. Marc Jacobs New Nudes Sheer Gel in Moody Margot - I've spoken about this two or three posts ago. It's a new addition to my lip collection and i'm really enjoying wearing it. I love the sheer simplicity of it.

2. Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 02 - It's no secret that i'm a huge fan of the formula when it comes to these Cream Lip Stains. They leave you with a matte finish that is extremely long lasting, but not at all drying. The shade 02 is a muted peachy brown nude.

3. Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick in Nude Perfection - Peachy, cheap, cheerful and an overall slap and dash product.

4. MAC Velvet Teddy - It's difficult to find a nude lip colour that suits all skin types. MAC's famous Matte lipstick 'Velvet Teddy' is one for all complexions.

5. MAC Spice Lip Pencil  - This '90's lip pencil looks great paired with Velvet Teddy or all over the lips on its own. Whatever takes your fancy.

My style and go to make up looks are always changing, but my instinctive reach for a nude on a daily basis will always stay the same. Is that boring?

What are your go to lip products this Spring/Summer?

The Sephora Haul, Face and a Ramble

WARNING: Ramble on the way.

The excuse went a little something like... 'I have a loyalty card, I should probably go and buy some things to wrack up the points', and it seemed fair enough to me! 

The damage:

1. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

2. Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer - Medium Neutral

3. Original Beauty Blender (I just fancied getting another one)

4. Marc Jacobs Sheer Lip Gel - New Nudes - 106 Moody Margot

5. Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick - Melted Fig

6. Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water (Impulse buy)

7. Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette

8. Sample: Sephora Smoothing Primer which i'm kind of loving!

I won't bore you with all the details but here are my thoughts.

Let us start with Marc Jacobs, an exclusive brand to Sephora. The only thing i've tried from Marc Jacobs Beauty is the Highliner Gel Eye Crayon's, it's a product I love and highly recommend. In all honesty the packaging is what caught my eye the most. The lid is magnetic making it OK to literally chuck into your bag and i'm a bit of a sucker for nudes. The colour itself is a muted sheer peachy nude that is great for everyday and accommodates any make up look. The formula is smooth and comfortable to wear but most definitely isn't forgiving on dry lips. Exfoliation and moisturising are a crucial step to take before application.

After binge watching Lily Pebbles YouTube videos, I was so eager to try out the Urban Decay Naked Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer (longest name ever). I find this concealer to be quite moisturising and a little smidgen definitely goes a long way. This product is a joy from the design and size of the container to the applicator. Many bloggers have compared it to the Nars Creamy Concealer, and pointed out the similarities between the two, but that is a product that i'm still yet to try. When experimenting with concealers I either think: too light, too orange, too thick or too drying. But I was pleasantly surprised by this so overall, a bloody good buy.

I'm going to be brutally honest here when I say that the Benefit They're Real! Mascara did absolutely nothing for me. But it's just one of those things whereby you either love it or you hate it. Anyway, I was reluctant to purchase the Roller Lash Mascara purely for that reason. However, I had done a bit of research on it (reading 90% positive reviews) and the packaging is pink, cute and just rather lovely. The pink lid has a rubbery texture which makes it quite the delight to apply and the product itself leaves my lashes long and separated with a fluttery and flattering curl.

DUPE ALERT: SEVENTEEN Falsifeye HD Mascara (£6.99)

I've been meaning to try the Too Faced Melted Lipsticks for a while and after picking up Melted Fig I can't really fault them. In fact, I need about another 10 shades. The formula is soft, not at all sticky and pretty long lasting. The oval shape of the spongey applicator makes it easy to follow the natural shape of your lip and encourages seamless application. Plus the colour is gawjus! (See picture below). 

I'm loving it, loving it, loving it.

Practicing to achieve perfection with eyeshadows over the last year has encouraged me to want to wear subtle washes of colour on my lids on a daily basis and I thought that this Naked Basics 2 palette suited the criteria. This small and petite case includes 6 matte eyeshadows that are appropriate for everyday day-to-night looks. The pay-off of Urban Decay eyeshadows is something that i've always been a fan of, however they can sometimes seem a little too powdery when I dust my 217 into them.

The Rest:

• Beauty Blender -  I just fancied another one.
• Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water - I recalled reading about this somewhere, so I picked up a mini tester. There was also a lady in front of me who seemed to be buying everything in the shop (good on her!), so it was a bit of an impulse buy. Oops.
• Sephora Smoothing Primer - The lady assisting me kindly popped lots of testers into my little striped monochrome bag, and I really like it! Moisturising, smoothing...'blah blah blah'... you know the drill. 

And breathe... I love a good ramble about all things make up!

Do you enjoy going mental in a beauty shop/department beauty hall like I do?