September Favourites

Hiya lovelies!

Here are my September favourites, in all their glory, for you to see :)

Left to right, top to bottom:

• Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - although it does take longer than '1 second' as advertised, I do really like removing my nail polish using this! It does get the polish off quicker than using cotton wool and normal remover, and leaves my fingers smelling nice :) I know there's a Poundland dupe for this, so will be on the lookout for that!
• Estee Lauder 'Pleasures Bloom' perfume - More of a Summery fragrance, but I've really been enjoying this one this month! It's really light, floral and feminine and is perfect for everyday wear.
• Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Eternal Gold'
• Real Techniques Buffing Brush (Core Collection) - my new favourite foundation brush! Ever since I got this, I've been using it everyday and love it! It applies both my Revlon Colorstay and my Garnier BB cream amazingly :)
• Real Techniques Base Shadow and Deluxe Crease Brush (Starter Set) - I love all the brushes in the Starter Set but these are my favourite, they work so well together and I've been using them everyday since I got them!
• Maybelline Mono Eyeshadow in 'Chocolate Chic' - a rediscovered product that has become my go-to crease colour for any neutral eye look! I even reach for this over some of the shades in my Coastal Scents palettes! It's soft, pigmented and easy to blend and doesn't crease when using a primer or cream base (it does on its own though, like most eyeshadows!)
• Estee Lauder Lash Primer Plus - I got this sample size when I bought my moisturiser and I've been loving this! It creates an excellent base for my mascara and allows me to create the same volume as I usually do with just normal mascara but using less of the product. If it wasn't so expensive I would probably buy the full size, so I just need to use this sparingly and wait for Christmas!
• Estee Lauder Lipgloss in 'Simply Pink' - another sample I got when I bought my moisturiser and this is the cutest lipgloss ever! It's got no shimmers in (which I think makes it more wearable), and is just the perfect everyday shiny pink - love it :)

Thanks for reading! What are your favourite products this month?
xoxo

Not a sponsored post.

My Cream/Gel Eyeshadows: Collection & Review

Hi lovelies :)

I've recently started to get into cream eyeshadows and build up a collection so thought I would show you guys which ones I have and share my thoughts on them!

L-R, Top to Bottom: Dior 'Glam and Glitz Black', Estee Lauder 'Buttercream', Maybelline Color Tattoos in 'On and On Bronze' and 'Eternal Gold'.

L-R, Dior 'Glam and Glitz Black', Maybelline Color Tattoos 'On and On Bronze', 'Eternal Gold', Estee Lauder 'Buttercream'

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Shadow Creme in Buttercream - £17.50 (here)

This shade is being discontinued, however there are other similar shades you can buy! I was lucky, I got this for half price in my local Pearsons (smallish department store) which I thought was a bargain however to buy this at full price is expensive and overpriced as the Maybelline Colour Tattoos are very similar in consistency and staying power the only difference is the shades available.

Buttercream is a shimmery peachy pink colour, which makes a lovely everyday colour to wear on its own or as a base for other neutral shadows which is what I usually do. The staying power is great, it doesn't crease or move around which makes it a great base for eye shadows!

Dior Eye Show Eyeshadow in 092 'Glam & Glitz Black' - Can't find online, may be discontinued.

Again, I was lucky to get this as my Aunt was clearing out her makeup and nearly threw this as she doesn't use it any more so I snapped it up! As you can see a fair bit of this has been used, however I would only ever use this on nights out when I want dramatic dark makeup so it doesn't matter that it's not full of product.

As the name suggests, Glam & Glitz Black is a black/dark grey shade with silver glitter in. I haven't worn this on my eyes yet but the swatches are gorgeous and fairly opaque and take a bit of time to remove so I'd say staying power will be good. I can't wait to use this and see how it looks on the eyes and how it performs on it's own and as a base for other dark shadows (probably just a glittery black on top to intensify!).

Maybelline 24Hr Colour Tattoo in 'On and On Bronze' - £4.99 (here)

Yay for drugstore makeup! This is a great neutral bronze shade to use as a base and on it's own, it has great pigmentation and staying power and doesn't crease throughout the day! Amazing quality for the price, especially compared to the Estee Lauder one which performs almost exactly the same! The only thing I criticise about these is the lack of shades available in the UK compared to the US :(

Maybelline 24Hr Colour Tattoo in 'Eternal Gold' - £4.99 (here)

This is a lovely glittery gold shade which looks as pretty on it's own as it does as a base for other neutral shadows! Again, great pigmentation and staying power. I'm not going to go into much detail with this as I'll just end up repeating myself :)

Thanks for reading - do you own any cream/gel eyeshadows? Which are your favourite?
xoxo

Bought with my own money except the Dior eyeshadow which was given to me by a family member.

August Favourites

Hello lovelies!

Here are some products I've been loving in August :)

Top to bottom; left to right:

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Moisturising Conditioner - Got this as a treat for myself (and my hair!) a couple of weeks back and now I remember why I love the Sheer Blonde range from John Frieda! I try not to use it every time I wash my hair as I want to use it for as long as possible however when I do use it, my hair feels softer, shinier and moisturised. I love it!

Garnier Oil Free BB Cream - This is rapidly becoming my most worn foundation, it's amazing! It's lightweight but gives amazing coverage. I've written a full review on it here so check that out if you want to see what I think in more detail :)

Lily by Stella McCartney eau de parfum - I recently got this while on holiday with my family and I love it! The scent is so light, fresh and easy to wear day or night.

Estee Lauder Lip Gloss in Rock Candy - Also recently hauled this, my aunt gave this to me as she got it as a freebie (she spends a lot at Estee Lauder!!) and didn't want it. I haven't been into gloss much recently but I absolutely love wearing this over MAC Hue and Estee Lauder Crystal Baby! It's such a pretty gloss, and it smells so nice too. The formula is great, it's non sticky and lasts for ages!

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait - recently rediscovered this and have been loving it recently. It's a great natural dark peachy colour that just looks so pretty on the lips!

MaxFactor Creme Puff Powder in Translucent - another rediscovered product! My Rimmel Stay Matte powder is currently too light for me as I've been on holiday so started using this one again and love it. The colour matches me perfectly and the formula is great and keeps my skin from looking oily for hours!

Essie 'Cute As A Button' Nail Lacquer - only bought this this month too but have been wearing it non stop! It's such a perfect summer colour and the formula is amazing. I won't go on about it too much as I have a full review here so check that out if you want to know more!

Thanks for reading! What have you been loving this month?
xoxo

How I Deal With Spot Breakouts

Hiya lovelies!

Recently, I've had breakouts of spots around my mouth and chin so I thought I would share with you guys my tips & tricks for getting rid of spots!

• Always take off your makeup before bed - I know some people won't bother but it's such a crucial step to keep your skin clear. You don't have to repeat your entire morning face routine, just take off your makeup with a makeup wipe so it doesn't clog your skin. My current favourite makeup wipes are the oil balancing ones from Simple as they also help control excess oil on my skin :) These wipes are currently on offer in Superdrug, found here.

• Drink lots of water - everyone knows this one! Drinking water is not only good for your body but will keep your skin hydrated, healthy and glowing.

• Exfoliate the skin regularly - By regularly, I don't mean everyday, but fairly often. Exfoliating clears off the dead skin cells from you face and allows new cells to be made. If you use a good exfoliator, your skin should be left soft and glowing after using it. One of my staple favourites is the Garnier Pure 3 in 1 Wash/Scrub/Mask which I usually only use as a scrub. It exfoliates my skin well and has salicylic acid in for an added spot treatment. 

• Have 'no makeup' days - I love my makeup (both wearing and applying it), but when I'm not going out or doing much there's not much point in putting on a full face of makeup that will clog your pores. If you leave your skin alone once you've carried out your skincare routine and just let your skin breathe once in a while you'll notice a difference.

• Try BB creams or tinted moisturisers rather than foundation - Foundations can be thick and can clog pores and make spots worse. By using a BB cream or tinted moisturiser, you can add a little bit of coverage, but your skin can still breathe :) my current favourite is the Garnier BB cream for oily skin.

• Try face masks - I love face masks! And what's great is that you don't need to spend loads of money on them (although some may be worth the money). The ones I recently been using are from Superdrug's own line, and they've recently released loads more formulas so check them out if you haven't! My favourite one is a dead sea clay mask that's great for oily and spot prone skin :)

• Invest in a night cream - I don't always use night creams, but recently I've started using one that I've had for a while and I already see a difference in my skin! Applying a night cream will keep your skin hydrated throughout the night and should leave your skin soft and radiant when you wake up. All night creams are formulated to be worn for hours on end, so don't worry if it doesn't absorb into your skin as quickly as your day moisturiser. My current night cream is Angelique Aromatic Balm by Decleor however I think this particular formula has been discontinued. You can find what else Decleor have to offer here, there's lots of similar products :) 

• Keep your skin moisturised - I try my best to stick to my morning skincare routine and if I don't manage to tone, put serum and eye cream on etc the one thing I do always put on is my face moisturiser. My solid favourite for years now has been Estee Lauder DayWear, both the normal and oil free formulas are great. Keeping your skin moisturised helps to keep it looking and feeling healthy and can help calm and prevent future breakouts.

Thanks for reading! What tips do you have for spot breakouts?
xoxo

FOTD: Clean, Fresh & Simple!

Lol at my dopey smile!

Hiya lovelies! Another FOTD post - sorry! Let me know if you're getting sick of seeing my face ;)

Anyway, I'm off round the boyfriend's tonight and he likes natural looking makeup which I think I've achieved here (aside from my lashes but I'm a mascara addict!).

FACE:

• Benefit POREfessional primer
• Revlon Colourstay foundation in Buff
• MaxFactor powder in Translucent
• Estee Lauder bronzer in Bronze Goddess
• Rimmel blusher in Pink Rose

EYES:

• Maybelline Coverstick as primer
• MUA Heaven & Earth Palette
• MUA Undressed Palette
• L'oreal Volume Million Lashes in Extra Black

LIPS:

• MAC Lipstick in Hue
• Estee Lauder lipgloss in Rock Candy

Recently I've been mixing the MUA palettes for eye looks and I love the results I've gotten so far, definitely worth having both of them!

Thanks for reading! Have a nice evening :)

xoxo

FOTN: Results Celebration!

lol I promise my face matches my body!

Hellooooo! 

So yesterday I woke up ridiculously early to get my A level results and was over the moon with them, and got accepted into my first choice uni! So obviously celebrations were needed, and this is the makeup look I ended up going out with!

FACE:

• Benefit POREfessional primer
• Revlon Colourstay in Buff (a little too light for me atm because of my tan!)
• Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
• Max Factor Pressed Powder in Translucent
• Estee Lauder Bronzer in Bronze Goddess
• Rimmel Blush in Smoked Oyster

EYES:

• Maybelline Coverstick concealer (used as primer)
• MUA Heaven & Earth Palette (all over lid & inner corner highlight)
• MUA Undressed Palette (crease & brow highlight)
• Rimmel Brow Pencil in Hazel
• Maybelline Gel Eyeliner in Black
• L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara in Extra Black

LIPS:

• MAC Lipstick in Hue

Thanks for reading! Hope everyone got the results & uni places they wanted :)

xoxo

FOTN: Girly Night!

Last Friday I had a girly night with my Aunt which consisted of food at Prezzo then watching films and drinking fizzy wine! But anyway, this is what I did to my face. I'm sorry if this is too similar to my previous FOTD look, I'm a sucker for neutral eye shadows, but I think this is slightly more smokey, not sure the camera really picked it up though :/

FACE:

• Benefit POREfessional Primer
• Garnier BB Cream for Oily Skin in Light
• Collection (2000) Lasting Perfection Concealer
• Max Factor Translucent Powder
• Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer
• Rimmel Blush in Pink Rose

EYES:

• Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette
• Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel
• L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara in Extra Black

LIPS:

• MAC Lipstick in Hue

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Recent Buys/Gifts

Just some things I've picked up lately from Superdrug and Tesco, with some Estee Lauder goodies thrown in which my Aunt gave me as she didn't want them!

Picked up these two face masks from Superdrug for 99p each, they're both aimed at oily skin and include many of the same ingrediants however I did want to compare them! I've used the second one and really liked it, will use the other one next week I think :)

Bit boring, but needed a new conditioner as I'm nearly out of my Tres Emme colour protect one so decided to give Herbal Essences a try again as I love the way their shampoos and conditioners smell!

Bless my mum, she picked up a copy of Glamour for me without realising I already had it (twice, actually, for the freebies!) but got a different freebie from the Balance Me range, so excited to try this out as I've nearly used up my Estee Lauder face wash.

When I saw the Impulse body sprays on offer in Superdrug, I decided to pick one up mainly because in the summer, I love freshening up by spraying a scent and I'm nearly all out of my day to day perfume so figured this would be a cheaper option for the summer and so far I really like it :)

Another boring buy, but I needed a new shower wash and thought this looked nice :) It smells lovely, I can't wait to use it!

This was on my beauty wishlist and when I was in Superdrug I had to pick it up and so far, I like it! I got it in the lightest shade which seems to match me fine and it just makes a nice change from foundation. Expect a full review soon :) 

This is the first Estee Lauder goodie and I'll admit now, I absolutely love it! It's one of their Pure Color lipglosses in the shade Rock Candy and it's lovely. I love the scent, and the formula is not too sticky which is good :)

The only lip pencil I have in a bright pink so I was happy to accept this nudey brown lip pencil in Spice! It's a Double Wear formula product so should have decent staying power - will keep you posted on how I get on with this!

Swatches of the lip pencil and the lip gloss :)

My Aunt also gave me this eyeshadow palette from Estee Lauder which is not available for sale so it doesn't have a name or anything and I haven't tried it yet but I really like the look of some of the eye shadows mainly the more neutral colours!

Thanks for reading! What have you been buying lately?

xoxo

All items purchased by me except the Estee Lauder products which were given as a sample to a family member then passed on to me.

FOTD: Coral Lips

FACE:

• Benefit POREfessional Primer
• Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Buff
• Max Factor Translucent Powder
• Estee Lauder Bronzer in Bronze Goddess
• Rimmel Blush in Pink Rose

EYES:

• Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette (lid & crease)
• MUA Heaven & Earth Palette (highlight)
• Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel
• L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara

LIPS:

• L'oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Dating Coral

Thanks for reading - hope you're enjoying the weather!!

xoxo

Skincare Routine

Seeing as one of my tips in my acne post (see here) was establishing a skincare routine, I figured I might aswell share with you my skincare routine!

NOTE: I'm aware Estee Lauder skincare is pricey, however as I've had issues with my skin when I was younger, I'm happy to invest money into my skincare if it works for me which it does! If you have a cheap moisturiser that works for you, great :) I'm not telling you what to buy, I'm telling you what works for me.

L-R: Garnier Pure 3in1 Wash, Scrub & Mask / Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Cleanser / Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Toner / Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skin-tone Illuminator / Estee Lauder Daywear Oil Free Moisturiser / Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes.

These products are what I have been using recently, however, most of them have been in my routine for years!

Garnier Pure 3in1 Wash, Scrub & Mask - I mentioned this in my June favourites and figured I may aswell mention it now! I love this stuff, it makes a great scrub and mask and I just love it! I always try to have a scrub and mask in my routine so this product is great as it does both!

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Cleanser - I got this for my birthday, but I admit I'm not too keen on it, I'm just using it up now. It gets off my makeup fine, however it stings like a b*tch when it gets in my eyes! Personally, I think what's the point in a face wash if it hurts so much when you get it in your eyes?! Anyway, I always have a face wash in my routine so this is just what I'm currently using :)

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Toner - I've only recently added this to my routine but I love it! I never used to see the point in a toner however my skin loves this, it feels so cool and nice on my skin.

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skin-tone Illuminator - I'm aware this product is expensive, and to be completely honest, it probably isn't worth the amount of money that you pay, but I do love this stuff. My skin becomes instantly even toned and all red patches disappear, it's amazing! But I understand how some people don't think it's worth the money and to be honest, I could live without it. However, it does feel amazing and look pretty good on the skin though! I usually get this for Christmas or my birthday as a treat, don't judge me haha!

Estee Lauder DayWear Oil Free Moisturiser - I love love love this moisturiser, it's been a staple in my skincare routine for years (I originally used the normal DayWear, now I use the oil free formula) and even when I try new moisturisers, they never live up to this! I love the fresh scent, the cool, creamy texture and how moisturised it leaves my skin!

Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes - I love Simple face wipes, but these specific kind are new to me and I really like them. I have honestly noticed a difference in my skin, it's definitely less oily. My boyfriend even uses these when he's round mine as they help his skin too!

So that's my skincare routine! Any questions or suggestions for any other posts leave a comment or tweet me!

Thanks for reading!!

xoxo

Everyday Make-up Products

Hiya :) thought I'd share with you my go-to everyday makeup products! My inspiration for posts is starting to run low so any requested would be appreciated!

FACE:

L-R; Blush/Contour Brush; Estee Lauder Blush/Bronzer/Highlight trio; Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (fair); L'oreal True Match Foundation (rose ivory); Revlon Colorstay Foundation (buff); Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (transparent); Powder Brush

I tend to switch between the foundations, which is why I included both :) I have also recently purchased a foundation brush which I will now be using everyday, I just didn't want to include it as it hasn't been in my routine that long.

EYES:

L-R; Maybelline Coverstick (ivory); Estee Lauder Eyeshadow (mocha); L'oreal Volume Million Lashes (extra black); Eyeshadow Brush; Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette

I use the Maybelline coverstick as an eyelid primer, which I find works well. I do use eyeliner, but rarely, which is why I didn't include it!

LIPS:

L-R; Vaseline with Aloe Vera; Estee Lauder Pure Crystal Color Lipstick (Crystal Baby); Revlon Lip Butter (Cotton Candy); L'oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick (Tempting Lilac)

Top to Bottom; L'oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick (Tempting Lilac); Revlon Lip Butter (Cotton Candy); Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick (Crystal Baby)

I tend to change my lip colours depending on what I'm wearing but these 3 are my most worn (especially Crystal Baby)! I also always apply Vaseline before my lipstick and during the day to keep my lips soft :)

Thanks for reading!

xoxo


DISLAIMER - all products were purchased with my own money apart from some items which were given as samples to me by Estee Lauder following buying their skincare products.


Just another little note - I'd really appreciate it if anyone could take the time to vote for my look in the Bbloggers Unite Red Carpet Makeup Challenge! You can vote HERE! by 'liking' the photo of my entry (the last one), or any other if you think it's better! Thanks :)

BBLOGGERS UNITE: Red Carpet Makeup Challenge!

Hiya!

Bbloggers Unite are holding a competition to see who can create the best red carpet look, and this is my entry! Although I had fun creating this look anyway, to make it better there is a prize for the winner! See their blog post here to find out more and be sure to follow them to join the beauty blogger community!

I decided to go for a dewy natural face with a neutral slightly smokey eye with a bright pink lip! :)

With flash.

Sorry for the lighting! My camera wouldn't pick up the shadow at all with the flash on :(

FACE:

• L'oreal True Match Foundation in Rose Ivory
• Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair
• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent
• Estee Lauder Bronzer in Bronze Goddess (middle of trio at the back!)
• Rimmel Powder Blush in Pink Rose

EYES:

• Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette
• L'oreal Contour Khol eye-liner in Iced Chestnut
• L'oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara in Extra black

LIPS:

• Revlon Colorstay lip-liner in Pink
• Estee Lauder Pure Color lipstick in Blushing Creme

Thanks for reading!!

xoxo

FOTN: Pub with the Family :)

Off to the pub this evening with my family, thought I'd show you my makeup :)
P

Hadn't done my hair yet sorry!

Face:

• Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer
• Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Buff
• Garnier Anti Dark Circle Eye Roll On in Light
• Rimmel Stay Matte Transparent Powder
• Rimmel Blusher in Pink Rose
• Estee Lauder Bronzer in Bronze Goddess
• Estee Lauder Shimmer Powder in Gold Pearl

Eyes:

• Coastal Scents 88 Warm Pallette
• Estee Lauder Eyeshadow in Mocha
• L'oreal Eyeliner Pencil in Iced Chesnut
• L'oreal Voume Million Lashes in Extra Black

Lips:

• Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Haul: Mostly drug-store!

Hi guys :)
Got a small cosmetics haul to show you, as well as some first impressions of the products! Most of these products are drug-store and are all available in the UK.

1) Rimmel's Fix & Perfect Pro Face Primer; £6.99



Having never tried a foundation primer before, I opted for the cheapest one I could find in my local Superdrug to see if it worked. It claims to smooth, resurface, brighten, mattify and protect your skin as well as prolong foundation wear. Just so you know, it comes out the tube white in colour but rubs in clear :) Having only used this twice, I can only say my first impressions but will continue to use this in order to review it properly. From the times I have used this, I have noticed some difference in the staying power of my foundation, but not as much as I would have hoped. If anyone has any suggestions of a primer that is worth the money and works, please let me know!

2) Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Transparent; £3.99

I was in need of a translucent powder as my previous one was not translucent at all! For my skin tone, this one is :) It claims to mattify your face for up to 5 hours which it doesn't, so reapplication is needed, but at first my face appears matte and clean after applying it. The only downside is that you don't get much product, however the price is reasonable so repurchasing isn't that much of an issue.

3) The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain in 01 Rose Pink; £10

I actually got this free with a magazine this month, which is good as I would not have spent £10 on it! It's a really pretty colour, lovely rose pink shade which is relatively build-able but the staying power on the lips is not as good as I would have thought a stain to be. It needs frequent reapplication, but does look very pretty under a gloss. I've only used it once as a cheek stain and it was okay, I just prefer powder or cream blushes. 

4) Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 025 Peach Parfait; £7.99

 I absolutely love this! I've been wanting to try one of these for ages and it's so worth it! I got a fairly wearable colour which just looks gorgeous on mainly because I wanted to spend the money on something I would actually wear rather than a bright colour that I wouldn't wear. The formula is so soft and buttery (duh!) and it just feels so lovely on the lips. The only down side is the staying power, which is pretty poor but I don't mind reapplying it as it's so easy, you don't even need a mirror!

5) L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara in Extra Black; £10.99

This is my favourite mascara EVER! I've been using it for years now, so this was a re purchase but just thought I'd mention it :) I'll probably do a full review on it though cos it's so amazing! It has the ability to do natural day to day lashes and massive night time ones too which look fake (in a good way!). Absolutely love it and definitely worth the money :)

6) L'oreal Contour Khol Eyeliner Pencil in 135 Iced Chesnut; £4.20

I had been wanting a brown pencil eyeliner for a while, but not just a cheap one, one that is soft around my eyes and easy to blend out. This one is definitely easy to blend, I did hope the colour would be a little darker brown but it's fairly buildable and the colour can be set with a darker eye shadow. It's a nice change from black eyeliner :)

7) Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Creme Lipstick in 01 Crystal Baby; £18.50

This is my only high end product I have to show, but isn't it gorgeous?! Yeah, it's a lot of money but for me it's the perfect 'my lips but better' shade and it's so creamy and glossy and I love it! Staying power is good, it doesn't dry out my lips and it looks great. The only down side is the price, which is why I tend to ask for it at Christmas or for my birthday!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo