Top Products of 2015

Now that we're almost a full week into 2016, I thought that I would share my favourite products from the past year. There have been so many products that have impressed me throughout the year, but I finally managed to pick my favourites.

Nars Dual Intensity Palette

If I were to only ever have one palette, this would be it. The shade Himalia and Europa are perfect for a soft and delicate everyday look, whilst everything else makes for added drama. I love that you can use it both wet and dry too. 

Revlon Lash Potion Mascara

I first picked this up in the shade Blackened Brown by mistake but I loved the way it made my lashes look. So I picked up the Black version ad loved it even more. I love that I can layer this until I'm happy and it doesn't clump together. The brush is perfect for making even the teeny tiny lashes look amazing.

Bondi Sands Everyday Tanning Milk

2015 was the year I fell in love with tanning, but this was definitely the stand out product for me! The colour is so natural, there are no orange/red tones to it and it applies so nicely. There's none of the standing around like a puppet waiting for it to dry and it makes my skin super soft. Next on my wish list is the dark mousse tan from BS!

MAC Lipstick in Whirl

So I know that everyone has featured this at some point, but how could I not?! I've been loving brown lips this year, and this has been my favourite of them all. I find that on me, it has a slight grey tinge to it which I find really flattering and only adds to the 90s vibe. It seems to sell out everywhere, but if you get the chance to get it then do because you need it in your life.

MAC Fix Plus

I had this a couple of years ago and wasn't all that thrilled with it mainly because I didn't know what to do but now this is a complete game changer. I spray this onto my Real Techniques sponge to blend out my concealer so it makes it look flawless. It's also perfect for dampening my brush befor using the above Nars palette.

NYX Liquid Suede 

I have quite a collection of these and they are perfect for a budget liquid lipstick. Now that they're sold in Boots it makes it even easier to get hold of them. The shades Vamp and Sandstorm are my absolute favourites. The formula is so soft and creamy, yet dries to a matte finish which lasts and lasts.

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2

The slightly cooler tones in this palette were just calling my name. I love to original Naked Basics, but had to get this too. Perfect for a toned down every day look, or a full on smoky eye. Being matte shades, they also make great transition/blending out shades, and of course being from Urban Decay, the formula is buttery soft.

Redken Windblown Blowdry Spray

Having thick hair, it can often look a little fake when it's been styled. This lightweight spray adds just the right amount of texture, and makes it move a lot more freely which I love. I often get asked if I've just had my hair done when I use this, which is always a massive bonus. 

MAC Blush in Mocha

I had been after a blush that I could wear for the winter months and this is it. It's such a beautiful shade that suits everyone. The shade is quite dark, but never looks too much and I find that I use this to sculpt a tiny bit too. Despite being a matte finish, it isn't dry at all but is really soft and blendable.

LA Girl Pro Conceal

I really struggle with under eye concealers that don't crease but I have found my holy grail! This brightens and covers all my dark areas under the eye and blends out like a dream. It lasts all day, and there is such a wide range of shades which means you can buy a couple for contour and highlighting.

Jo Malone Blue Agava and Cacao

Jo Malone had been on my wish list for a while, so I finally picked this one. I think this one is perfect for all year round as it has some slight citrus notes but the cacao adds some warmth and depth to it. I love that it smells totally different as the hours go on

So those are my favourites from the past year. What have been yours? Have you liked any of these products?

January Favourites

Slightly guilty feeling over here, as I can't actually remember the last time that I did a favourites post. In the past few weeks I've had a couple of products that really have stood out for me, So what better time to do a favourites post?

Seventeen Define and Conquer Kit:

I have been trying to get on the contour hype for a while now, but this is definitely the easiest product to use. The contour shade is just the perfect tone to carve out all of my features. The real winner for me in this kit is the matte highlight shade. It is just perfect for brightening all the right areas, and is something that I have been looking for in the drugstore.

Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Potion:

One of my makeup must haves is long fluttery lashes and this mascara gives me what I want! The brush is just perfection for adding the right amount of volume and length for everyday wear. I have th shade Blackest Black which is possibly the darkest and glossiest mascara I own. Holy Grail right here!

Urban Decay Lipstick in Naked:

For everyday wear, I tend to reach for a pinky nude lipstick with my go to often being Creme Cup from MAC. However, with the revival of the 90s nude shades, this has just the perfect mix of pink and brown tones. It goes extremely well with both a minimal or full on makeup look and is pretty much a suit all shade.

MAC Lipstick in Diva:

For days when I want my lips to make a statement, Diva is what I have reached for. A deep, matte berry red, it is perfect for this time of year. I love wearing this as it looks like I have spent loads of time on my makeup, even if I've only spent 10 minutes on it. Extremely long wearing, and again something that I think would suit everyone.

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle:

When I want to fake a soft and healthy glow, this is what I will turn to. In the winter, my skin tend to look a bit flat so with the earlier mentioned contour kit and this, I no longer look half asleep. It provides the perfect amount of glow rather than glitter.

Marc Jacobs Eau So Fresh EDT:

Some of you might know that I work in Duty Free and am forever spraying myself with new scents or whatever takes my fancy on that day, so my perfume wish list is pretty huge. I've always been a fan of Marc Jacobs scents, but this is by far my favourite. With base notes of plum and cedarwood, and top notes of rose, violet and apple blossom, this really is the perfect transition scent. It's been the on scent that I use when I'm ready for a bit of spring, and it smells like favourite sweets. Parma Violets, bonus!

So those are my favourites for the past month. What have you been loving recently?

Current Go To Makeup Look

For the past few weeks or so, I have been wearing this makeup look, or something similar pretty much everyday. I tend to go through phases where I will wear the same look over and over again until a new product changes it all. Well my new lipstick obsession was what started this look off. Deep  reds and berry tones are  constantly on my  lips in the cold weather.

My base has stayed the same as usual, with my current everyday foundation being Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude. I've been adding a touch of bronzer to warm up my face as it tends to look a bit flat during the cold weather.  For my eyes, I have been going a little bit heavier than usual. After primer, I run Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze along the upper lash line. Then I added a deep matte brown from Sleek Storm Palette all  over the lid and blended out the edges. This is much darker than my usual everyday makeup but I have been loving the change. To finish I've been using the Revlon Lash Potion Mascara in Blackest Black to give me full and long lashes. This is the definitely my new holy grail mascara! To finish this off I've been non stop wearing my new addition to my MAC Lipstick collection and what a beauty it is.  Diva is a deep matte berry that just looks stunning whether paired with a simple cat eye or a full on smokey eye. Either way it is just beautiful and right up my street.

I can see this being my go to look for a long time as I'm loving wearing it for pretty much every occasion.

What has been your go to look recently? or do you like to switch things up a bit? 

10 Lip Picks for Spring

Now that March has well and truly graced us with its presence, I've been getting rid of the dark shades of winter and bringing out the bright and pastel ones, ready for spring. I've mentioned before that Spring is my favourite season for a lo of reasons, but especially the makeup. 

One of my favourite ways to wear my makeup throughout spring is really simple eyes and statement lips. Lip products are my weakness, so given the opportunity to wear bright or in an in yer'face shade, then I will. Spring is certainly no exception to this rule. I thought I would share with you my 10 favourites to wear this season.

First up is Rimmel Kate Moss 101 which is a lovely soft pink that makes a statement without being too loud. It's by far my faveourite pink lipstick. 

The second one is the Revlon Lipgloss in Adorned. This is a very, very bright fuchsia with tiny blue and purple shimmer running through it. A very opaque gloss that is so shiny it makes my lips look almost wet.

MAC's All Fired Up is going to be my most warn shade this year. It's a cross between a true red and a bright pink which really packs a punch. Being a retro matte formula it has incredible lasting power too.

Another MAC offering in the shade of Impassioned. A bright pink shade that looks lovely with bronzed skin. 

Next up is MUA's Velvet Lip Lacquer in Funk. A gorgeous muted pink that is extremely bold, whilst still being wearable.

The Revlon Lip Butters are just beautiful but my favourite has to be Tutti Frutti. If you're a fan of orange lips but want something a bit more day time friendly, then pick this up.

Benefits lipgloss in A-Lister is my most wearable of the bunch. A soft coral that makes lip look extremely natural and healthy. This is my pick for minimal makeup days.

No lip selection would be complete without a red. My pick is MAC's Lady Danger which is an almost neon red/orange. It looks perfect as the standout bit of makeup.

Sleek Matte Me in Fandango Purple is quite a daring shade but it reminds me of the beautiful spring flowers so it would not have been right to leave it out.

The final pick is MAC's Morange. The best orange lipstick on the market which makes the loudest statement of any lipstick I own. I love to wear this with bright skin and simple eyes.

So there are my lip picks for spring. I feels so nice to be wearing colour again after the darks of winter which although I love, they can be a little dull after time. 

What are your favourite lip products for spring? 

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Valentines Lip Picks

It's that time of year again. Valentines Day. It's one of those days that I'm not really bothered about personally, although this year it is our first one being engaged so I imagine that we will do something to celebrate. For this post, I've put together five lip products that I think will be perfect for Valentines day, whether it be a dinner date or a night out with your girls!

First up is Rimmel Kate 101. A soft baby pink with a matte formula, it's perfect for those who don't want to wear a statement lip. Despite being matte it doesn't dry out the lips and wears comfortably. It will even last through that romantic meal.

Next is the utterly stunning Revlon Lipgloss in Adorned. A super bright hot pink with blue and pink shimmer in for extra teeth whitening capabilities. You will probably know that I'm not a massive lip gloss fan but this is one that I really don't mind. It's non sticky which means that it sits nicely on the lips.

Anyone for a super bright barbie pink? I thought so. One for the braver ladies out there, is Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivid in Fuschia Flash. A blue toned bubbled gum and neon pink, it certainly does stand out from the crowd! This applies smoothly and wears for a long time which is a bonus!

A cult favourite now is Girl About Town from MAC. A bright yet mid-toned pink which will suit everyone! Being an amplified creme finish, it applies like a dream but packs a punch at the same time. I thin that this is extremely wearable and looks beautiful with a soft bronzed look.

Finally, it's my favourite of the bunch, All Fired Up from MAC. I have a thing for matte lipstick and this retro matte is nothing short of amazing. A cross between coral and red, it really does make a statement whilst lasting all night long. You could go out for a full meal, cocktails and even have some Valentines kisses and this will still be in tact.

So there we have my five favourite lipsticks for Valentines day. I thought that I would steer away from the usual reds and go with something a little different, but if you would like to see my red picks then let me know :). 

What lip colour will you be rocking this Valentines? Do you have any exciting plans?

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Makeup Products for Beginners

I'm sure that most of us beauty bloggers cane remember the day that we first decided that we were in love with makeup and starting stalking the shelves of boots, looking for something that would become our BFF's. I reckon I was in my first year of high school when I really knew that I had a thing for makeup, and I remember that my first eyeshadow was a frosty lilac shade that was really poor quality, but boy did I love it! 

Thanks to growing older and becoming wiser (I think), my makeup choices have changed, so I thought that I would put together a few items that I think are great for those who are just getting into makeup. So here they are...

Base Products:

I would recommend something really light so that you can get used to application and picking the right shade. Something like a tinted moisturiser would be perfect, but the item that  have picked is MUA Undress Your Skin - here £5.00 is perfect. This has a very light dewy finish, that allows your skin to to show through, rather than being full coverage. 

Powder isn't a necessity but I thought that I would include it anyway. The one that I picked is Maybelline Fit Me - here £5.99 as it is one that I continually go back to. I find that a lot of high street powders can ave quite an orange tone to them but this one comes in plenty of different shades so there will be one for everyone. I only wish that this came out years ago, because I was definitely one of those girls who wore powder that made me look tangoed!

For blush, you can't go wrong with Sleek Blushes -  here £4.49 which are buttery soft and always look soft and natural. They have a lovely shade range too all bases are covered.

Eye Products:

If you are just starting out with makeup, I think neutral is the way to go. Using a palette is perfect as it allows you to play around with shades so you will know what works for you. MUA Heaven and Earth Palette - here £4.00  is perfect for creating a range of eye looks, and it includes 12 neutral shades that will be perfect for school or work.

There are thousands of eyeliners on the market, some are good and some not so good. The best ones that I've found are from Rimmel, and they are the Scandaleyes Kohl Liners - here £3.99 . These are great fro beginners as they come in a range of shades, are extremely creamy making them easy to work with, and they are a bargain!

The mascara that I picked was Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - here £4.99 as this was the very first mascara that I used. It gives a natural look to lashes and coats them really nicely.

Lip Products:

My advice to someone who is just getting into makeup would be to start of with tinted balms before going for lipsticks. This way you will know what colours work best for you, and you lips will be in tip top condition too. For a bargain price and really yummy scent I would recommend NYC Applelicious tinted balm - here £2.49. Not only do these make your lips look lovely and healthy, but they are also incredibly cute.

If you wanted something that's longer lasting and has a bigger shade range then you should have a look at the Revlon Lip Butters, here £7.99. These are really stunning and nourishing on the lips, and with lots of different shades to choose from.

So, that is my recommendations for those who are just getting into makeup, or are perhaps thinking about making their first beauty purchases. There is such a great choice out there, it really does make it easier for those who are a little unsure about what to purchase. I know that I wish that I had some recommended products before I was let loose in the makeup aisle, because lets face it, orange bronzer and blue mascara is not a good look.

If you have any other starter tips I'd love to hear them too :)

Shopping my stash #4

This week I have definitely being stuck in a makeup rut. Things needed changing desperately and the only way to do that was to rifle through my collection and pick out some new products.

Here's what I picked this week...

Firstly, my skin has been terrible for the past few weeks after getting really dry skin in Prague. As a result of this I've had a few red patches and my skin has been really uneven so something full coverage is essential. This is why I've chosen MAC's Studio Sculpt foundation and Kiko 3D Lifting Concealer. Both of these will give me the coverage I need to cover up any of the uneven areas. 

I also chose MAC's Fluer Power Powder Blusher. Simply because I'm bored of my taupe shade from the winter and now that the sun has made a small appearance, I think it's time to start cracking out the pinks and corals.

For my eyes, I picked Sleek's i-divine palette in Oh So Special. I really like these soft pinks and browns for a simple but effective eye look. This was one of the first Sleek Palettes that I purchased, so it's about time that it got some loving again.

Finally, put away those winter hues and get out your bright lip colours. The first product I thought of was Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick. This is a beautiful bright pink shade that dries to a near matte finish and lasts for hours and hours on the lips. Perfect for spring.

Have you shopped your stash this week? I'm really looking forward to getting more spring make up out  and ready for the sunshine.

The Best of 2012

2013 is just around the corner and I'm sure every beauty blogger is getting really excited about what new beauty products we will be lusting over for the next 12 months. This year has been an amazing year for everything beauty related, with some amazing products hitting the shelves, and some even better collections being launched. 

There have been many, many products that I have loved this year, some of them were not launched this year but they have been my favourites. so without further ado, here are my favourites of 2012... (Click on each product name to find out more)

Best Foundation:

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation. Full coverage, perfect match, long lasting. What more could you want in a foundation? I've gone through so many tubes of this, and it goes perfectly with the Mineralize Skinfinishes.

Best Lip Product:

This was a really hard category for me because I love lip products. My favourite has to be the Revlon Lip Butters. They're pigmented, creamy and moisturising, perfect for everyday wear. There is a great range of shades which can carry you all through the year.

Best Eyeliner:

Rimmel Glam Eyes liquid liner. I bought this on the way to a friends as I had forgotten my usual one. How pleased am I that this came into my life? Extremely long lasting, super pigmented, and the brush is amazing!

Best Eyelashes:

I love falsies and have so many The ones that Are my favourites are Eylure Hed Kandi: Twisted Disco lashes. They're lovely and full without looking too over the top. Perfect for a smokey eye.

Best Mascara: 

This year I've loved Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara mascara. I've tried tons of mascaras this year but this is the only one that has done what I wanted it too. Thickening, Lengthening, non-drying, just all round beautiful.

Best Eyeshadows:

There was no doubt about this one. It has to be the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette. I've used this everyday since purchase, and although it has seen better days (it's definitely well loved), it's still a staple in my everyday makeup.

Best Hair Products:

I couldn't decide between my Aussie colour protect serum, or the Aussie Heat protection spray so I'm awarding this to Aussie in General as I have so many of their products. My thick, unruly hair takes some serious taming, and Aussie products do this so well.

Best Bath Product:

My bath time would not be complete without a lather of Calm One Calm All from Soap and Glory. I love how soft and luxurious this feels, and how lovely my skin feels after a long soak with this. Oh and it smells divine!

Best Moisturiser:

This has to be Palmer's Cocoa Butter. The smell, the feel, the texture, everything. I have so much love for this product, I've used it all year round, gone through so many bottles but will always return to this. 

So 2012 has been a great year for beauty and all such related products. I just hope 2013 is just as good,but I'm sure it will be just as fabulous. What have been your favourite products?

Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti

The blogging world has been going wild for the Revlon Lip Butters, with almost every beauty blogger and youtuber talking about them.

I've been after one of these for a while but have never been able to decide on a colour, but I eventually settled on Tutti Frutti. This is a bright orange shade with a coral hue, which gives the perfect summer colour to lips.

Revlon Lip Butters are designed to give soft lips at the same time as irresistible colour, and they certainly don't disappoint. I'm definitely going to have to buy more of these colours. They're perfect for the summer because they're not too heavy or cakey on the lips. The soft formula also means that instead of clinging and highlighting any dry patches on your lips, it actually nourishes them, giving you the silky soft lips that every girl deserves.

Overall, I love these so much! I didn't think I'd get the hype to be honest but they really are well worth the money.

Do you have  any of the Revlon lip Butters? Let me know what you think of them :)