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?

February Favourites

I'v been meaning to write this post for over a week now, but I've been so busy that I kept forgetting about it. Now that I've finally got round to it here are my February Favourites. 

I spent way too much money this month, mainly on beauty products which is no surprise, but most of the products that I bought have been well loved, and become staples in my every day makeup.

Co Lab Dry Shampoo in Rio

I've been after a new dry shampoo for a while now. I have quite a sensitive scalp which can be a pain when it comes to products like this. This has been the only one which has refreshed my long,thick hair between washes and not made my scalp itchy. I also love that it comes in different scents and volumising versions. 

L'Oreal Nude Collection in Juliannes Nude

Whilst perusing in Superdrug, I noticed that there was a 3 for 2 offer on L'Oreal. I had been meaning to pick up a new foundation anyway so thought I may as well get the three products. I picked up this lipstick as I had heard really good reviews of them, and it is also a pretty much perfect dupe for MACs Fanfare.

Hugo Boss Ma Vie EDP

As some of you may know, I work in Duty Free so I'm constantly surrounded by hundreds of different scents. This scent is light, fruity, and ever so slightly floral. It's perfect for spring, and has got me so many compliments every time I wear it.

Superdrug BB Eye Cream

This was definitely an impulse buy, but one that I'm glad I made. This is a squeezy tube with a brush applicator, that has a concealer inside. I like to use this under my foundation as it reduces the appearance of fine lines and rids any dark circles. I'm in love with this.

Makeup Revolution Iconic Pro 1 Palette

Makeup Revolution are killing it with all these new releases lately. This has become my ultimate everyday staple. It is perfect for a everyday natural look, or a deep smokey eye. The texture is beautiful, and they blend like a dream. If you don't already have this then you need to get it!

L'Oreal Infallible Matte Foundation

As I mentioned previously, I needed a new foundation and was over at the L'Oreal stand. I noticed this new release and new straight away that it would be perfect for my oily skin. I use this with the new mattifying primer and it stays put all day, without the need to powder my skin every few hours.

What have been your favourites this month?

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The post February Favourites first appeared on the blog RetroLove

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?

Spring Beauty Wishlist

Ahh Spring. The most beautiful of all seasons. I love this time of year when it feels as though we are transitioning from the cold, harsh winters and the light at the end of the tunnel is a pastel hue that just screams spring! Pretty much everything about spring pleases me, from the fashion, to the scenery and of course, the makeup. I thought I would share with you the beauty items that I've been lusting after for the up and coming spring season.

1. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta

I love a bit of blusher and these blogger hyped ones are firmly on my radar. The shade that I'm lusting after the most is Radiant Magenta. I think that this shade will look really lovely throughout spring.

Link: SpaceNK £28.00

2. The New Black Nail Polish set in Cream Puff

Five pretty pastel shades that look deliciously sweet. These will look so pretty throughout spring and will complement any outfit. I know that these will definitely be adorning my manicures in the very near future.

Link: SpaceNK £20.00

3. DKNY Be Delicious City Blossom Urban Violet

Wow. That's a mouthful. I tested this little beauty out in boots a few days ago and ever since I've not been able to stop wanting to smell it. I know that might sound a bit weird, but it really is beautiful. If you've not tested this yet then go your nearest boots asap.

Link: Boots £37.00

4. Eyeko Mascara Wardrobe

In spring/summer, I like to wear a very minimal eye makeup. I prefer to add a neutral shadow, no liner and very defined lashes. I think that it gives a bit more of a wide eyed look, which is one that I favour. I think that this little set of mascaras will fit the bill just perfectly.

Link: Harvey Nichols £21.00

5. Topshop Lipstick in Peach Sundae

How cute is the name of this lipstick? I love to wear deep, vampy shades in the colder months but always look forward to the pastels and coral shades. This is just the prettiest lipstick and I'm pretty sure I don't have anything like it in my collection. This will definitely be my most worn shade once purchased.

Link: Topshop £8.00

6. Moroccan Oil

This is an all year rounder for me, but even more so in spring. I don't know about you, but I tend to do a lot more with my hair in the spring/summer months. After the cold months when my hair is constantly worn down, I like to wear it up in pretty buns and braids which can take its toll on my locks, so this treatment is a must.

Link: Feel Unique £31.85

So there we have my Spring Wishlist. I'm pretty sure that I will be adding some more items in the next few weeks. What are your spring must haves and lust afters?

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Valentines Day with Fragrance Direct

Hands up who loves a good fragrance? Hands up who always sprays the tester bottles on offer? My hand was placed firmly up in the air for both of those. I really enjoy discovering a new fragrances and repurchasing old favourites. So I was extremely delighted when I was contacted by Fragrance Direct to see if I would put together some of my favourite scents for Valentines Day. Here are those scents that I chose to share with you and I'm pretty sure that you won't be disappointed!

First up is the ultra girly Vera Wang Pink Princess*. How could anyone deny that this is the perfect valentines fragrance. Just look at that bottle, it's pink, covered in sequins and heart shaped. If that doesn't scream valentines then I don't know what does. Oh and the little crown on top. Never forget the crown! The scent is pretty typical of the bottle, with a sweet and floral fragrance that is quite common amongst perfume. However, the thing that makes this stand out from the rest is the beautiful inclusion of citrus. I find that this lifts the perfume a bit, making it lighter making it a great all year round scent. Whenever I smell this, I can always picture pink grapefruits and marshmallows. I'm sure this will be one that put a smile on your dates face.

Next is Lady Gagas Fame*. This is not your typical girly looking bottle like the previous scent, but that's one of the main reasons I chose it. not every girl out there loves pink and sparkles, but does favour a sweet and fruity fragrance. The bottle is really interesting with a structured gold lid and black liquid. It certainly is one that will draw your dates attention when you get this out of your bag. Onto the actual scent, it is certainly beautiful and very feminine. I would describe this as fruity, floral and dark. I know that dark seems a bit vague but aside from the colour of the liquid, I can imagine really deep purple flowers been included in this.

Finally, we have one for the men! Joop Homme Wild* is a relatively new fragrance on the market, but boy is it beautiful! It has quite a woody and earthy tone to it which I really like as it smells so manly! It reminds me of the smell of hot rum from my holidays in Mexico with my Fiancé, which is one of the reasons I think me and him love it so much. I was surprised at first, as I thought that it smelt quite feminine and had to look up what the top notes were as I just couldn't put my finger on it. I found out that it does have a top note of pink pepper and white tobacco, which then develops into the woody notes. I would definitely buy this for the man in your life or treat yourself to this, because we all know that there is nothing better than a man who smells good!

So there we have my Valentines Fragrance picks. I hope that there was something there for everyone and that you were inspired to go out an try these fragrances. All of these are available here - from Fragrance Direct all at bargain prices! I would love to know what your favourite scent is?

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*PR Samples

Jimmy Choo Perfume

Eeeekk! I LOVE THIS!! I'm a perfume lover and cant be without any. Unfortunately, I had used up ALL of my perfume before moving and I couldn't afford any new ones. Then my lovely boyfriends mum bought me this for Christmas and I couldn't have been happier!!

So this is the complete set but you can buy each item separately in different sizes if you want. In this set there is a perfumed body lotion and the eau de parfum. The scent for these are both the same, a floral, sweet scent. It has Hear Notes of Tiger Orchard, Top Notes of Pear Nectar and Sweet Italian Orange. Obviously this is perfect for a really girly smell.

The perfumed body lotion is a great alternatively to an actual perfume. I use this in the day time, just a small amount where I would usually spray the perfume, (now I don't use my perfume up as quickly). It really is perfumed and in noway is this diluted like most perfume body lotions and this retails at £21.50 for 100ml/3.3 FLoz

Perfumed Body Lotion 100ml £21.50

On to the actual perfume, and this is definitely at the top of my favourites list. I have the 60ml Eau De Parfum which retails at £48.50 in most places (you might be able to find some online for cheaper). But you really don't need much a little goes along way with this. Overall, this perfume definitely deserves a 10/10, for all of the products and the pretty 3d pink snake print packaging.

Eau De Parfum 60ml £48.50

Have you tried this? Any other perfumes you love? Let me know :)

Hope you enjoy Lovelies.