What's in my travel makeup bag?

Tomorrow I'm heading down south as I'm flying to Prague on monday, for two days, with my Boyfriends mum. I'll be honest, I'm a nightmare when it comes to packing. I hate doing it and I never know what to take with me. This time around has been my biggest challenge because I've never packed for the cold weather before. One thing that I am fine with packing, is my makeup. 

Here is what I'll be taking with me on this trip. Oh, also I should point out that although I'll only be n Prague for two days, I am staying in Kent for two extra days, so I have had to take that into account when parking.

My makeup bag is from H&M. It is quite large but is just the right size for some of the bigger products out there. It also means that I have the space just incase when I do buy more makeup whilst I'm away.

In my makeup bag, I do have quite alot, but  have prepared for all occasions. 

For my base I have the Sleek corrector and concealer palette. This is perfect for my under eye circles and blemishes. I do have issues with creasing under my eyes but this stays put all day and all night.

The foundation I'm taking with me is the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation in shade 52. I love this because it's lightweight and the colour correctors in it help to even out my skin tone. It's also really light weight so it wont make my skin dry in the cold weather.

The powder I'm taking it the Maybelline Ft me Foundation in 125. I could probably get away with using a darker shade of this but I just love how this sets my makeup and I also find that it gives a nice brightening effect to my face.

Finally, for blusher I have picked the Sleek Blush by 3 in Sugar. Simply because the shades are perfect for warming up my face.

For the eyes I have the infamous Urban Decay Primer Potion and Naked 2 palette. I'm a neutrals girl at heart and these give me everything I need for a simple look during the day or a smokey look for the night time.

For liner I'm taking Rimmel scandaleyes liner in Nude and Rimmel Glam Eyes liquid liner in Black Glamour. Both of these just finish of any look and essentials for my makeup bag.

Mascara choice has to be Benefit's They're Real mascara. This is the ultimate in mascara and makes even the shortest of lashes look amazing!

I like to wear falsies on an evening, so the choice for my trip are the Katy Perry "Oh Honey" lashes, for Eylure. These are just simple and fluttery lashes that look lovely with a smokey eye.

For the lips, I've chosen to pack my Rimmel Apocolips in Celestial for a simple pink lip that isn't too over powering. I also chose MAC's Creme Cup for my daytime lipstick as I simply the love the shade for everyday wear. 

For my brows, I normally use Look Beauty Brow Perfect, but for travel purposes I'm using MUA shade 19 matte.

I have also packed a lip balm. I wouldnt normally bother packing one but because the weather is so cold out there I know my lips will suffer, so the chosen lip balm is Balmi.

Finally, I normally use Bioderma as my makeup remover but I can;t take this away with me so I am taking the Nivea Daily Cleansing wipes.

Phew! That was more than I thought. I didn't photograph my primer because I need to decant that into a small pot so I don't have to take the whole pot away with me. 

I know I'll just end up buying more whilst I'm out there! I have a problem! 

How to: use the new Sleek Aqua Palette

Yesterday, I posted about the beautiful new palette from Sleek's Aqua Collection , which you can read here. I knew as soon as I saw the press release for this collection I knew that the Lagoon palette would be mine! When I bought it a few days ago, I didn't even think about how I would wear it. The shades aren't particularly what you would call wearable, so today I have come up with a look that I created super quickly that I think is quite wearable. 

*on a sidenote, because the colours are quite shimmery so they are quite hard to photography but this is the best one I could get* 

The colours that I used for this look were Sassea and Emerald on the lid and Deep Water blended into the crease. Then on the lower lashline I applied a mixture of Sand Dollar and Seashell, with a tiny, tiny bit of Oyster placed in the inner corner. The first time I tried this look the pigmentation was amazing, but wasn't as bright as I would have liked. To combat this, I applied a little of NYX jumbo eye pencil in Milk and the shadows applied so much brighter.

I really liked this look with no liner and just mascara, but I felt strange not having any liner on so I just popped on a slick of my favourite liquid liner which is Rimmel Glam Eyes in Black Glamour.

I think that this is a really wearable way to add a splash of colour to your makeup look. Especially if you're like me and are stuck in a neutrals rut. This is definitely going to be my go to look throughout spring and summer.

I'd love to see the looks that you're going to be rocking this spring/summer :)

Sleek Aqua Collection : Lagoon i-Divine Palette

I finally handed in my dissertation today, so I can get back into blogging! I've missed it so much and I apologise that I've been missing from action lately, but I promise that blog posts are firmly back on the agenda!

Prepare yourself for beautiful colours overload! This week saw the release of the Aqua Collection from Sleek, who are most well known for their amazing eyeshadow palettes. I have far too many of these palettes than any normal person should have but I just can't stop myself buying these every time a new one is released.

The aqua collection consists of a 12 pan eyeshadow palette, a beautiful pink blush and a set of 4 nail polishes. The blush is a very pretty shimmery pink called Mirrored Pink, and the nail polishes are named Deep Waves, consisting of a pink, blue, yellow and red.

This i-Divine palette includes colours inspired by the shades you would find underwater, and around the picturesque settings of lagoons. With a multitude of soft blues, purples, greens and golds, there is something for everyone, every look, and will take you right through the spring and summer.

Sassea is a lovely hybrid between blue and green with golden shimmer.

Deep Water a deep matte purple that blends like a dream

Reflection is a shimmer based lilac shade that has a slight frost finish

Emerald an emerald green shade that fits in with the pantone colour of the year. It's not quite as bright as I would like but it's still a pretty colour nonetheless.

Oyster Just as the name suggests, an ultra shimmery white, almost verging on silver. Perfect for highlighting

Black Pearl. A beautiful black shade with just the right amount of shimmer 

Pink Jewel a pale magenta shade with golden shimmer, So, so pretty

Sand Dollar a yellow toned gold that doesn't look too brassy but has just the right amount of shimmer to it

Underworld another hybrid between green and blue but is more blue toned than sassea.

Sea Shell a bronze shade that looks beautiful all over the lid. Can be built up to full intensity but does blend so effortlessly.

Night Sky a light dusky purple shade that does lean slightly blue. This has a matte finish.

Ariel this is the shade I was most looking forward to. I guess the inspiration comes from Ariel's hair, but this pretty coral shade can also be used a blush :)

I have so much love for this palette, I can see it being my go to palette throughout the spring and summer. 

Unfortunately, this is limited edition so if you want this I would recommend that you buy it quickly because I predict that it is going to sell out quickly! 

This retails for £7.99 in Superdrugs and on Sleek's website.

You can also buy the full collection for £19.99 here :)

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Blog Birthday Giveaway

On Monday it was my Blog's first birthday! As a thankyou for helping me get  here I wanted to host a giveaway. I did want to stick with the birthday theme and give back to you a present. As everyone knows the essence of a present is the surprise element, so I'm hosting a Mystery Box Giveaway! The contents of this box have already been purchased and are waiting for that lucky winner to be announced!

Here are the rules to the giveaway:

Unfortunately, this is not an international giveaway

If you are under 16, please get permission from the adult responsible for you before you enter.

All entries will be moderated, so please be truthful so its fair for everyone who enters.

Good Luck :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Birthday RL!

Today is my blogs first birthday, and like an excited mother I've been looking forward to this day for ages! When I started blogging, I never thought I would stick to it, I thought I would run out of things to say or that it wouldn't be for me, but I was wrong. I have loved every second of it and cannot wait for many more blog birthdays to come! I have made so many wonderful friends through blogging and couldn't have asked for a better experience! Most importantly I want to thank my readers, I really appreciate the fact that so many of you read my blog, I never even thought that one person would even read it.

Image Courtesy of weheartit

Keep an eye out for a Thankyou giveaway to you all, coming in the next week!

Here's to many more blog birthdays!

Mothers Day Gift Guide

I'm not sure about you, but I find Mother's Day one of the hardest ocassions to shop for. I know the sort of things that my mum likes but everything is either tacky or novelty in aid of this "holiday". I also find that a lot of the presents are aimed at young children to gift their mother, so it can be hard for those of us who want to give something that will be the perfect gift. Below are a few ideas that I've found that will be perfect to give to your mum...

1. Red Heart Charm : Pandora £55

2. Molton Brown Langour Piccolo Scented Candle Collection £42

3. Multi Aperture Photo Frame £35

4. Flash Eau De Parfum £32-£56

5. Spa Break £50 Onwards

6. Roses £10 Onwards

That's just a few ideas that I think most mums would appreciate, or provide a basis of an idea for another gift. Some of these are a little on the expensive side, but you can find similar items for a lower price. All of the names above are linked to the site where they can be found and purchased. 

What will you be buying your mum for Mothers Day? Will you be getting a gift yourself?

Shopping My Stash #3

My "Shopping the stash" posts have been a little MIA recently, simply because I've been enjoying wearing certain items that have become my go to products. Howerver, I am determined to keep sifting through my collection and rediscovered old favourites. Here's what I've picked this week...

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation:

I normally favour a matte finish as my base, but lately I've been enjoying wearing a more dewy finish and this foundation is perfect for that.

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle:

I bought this back in the autumn and loved it for a while, then it just got pushed to the back of my drawers and I forgot about it. I will probably wear this on days when I wont wear the previous foundation, otherwise it will be like glitterball city!

Kiko Lipstick in shade 96:

Not the most imaginative name but a beautiful nude shade nonetheless. I have quite a few presentations coming up at uni this week which require business dress so this will be the perfect lip colour.

Sleek Blush in Rose Gold:

I tried and tried to find this in superdrugs and when I finally did I was in love, but much like Soft and Gentle this was just left to gather dust. I love the rosy colour this gives my cheeks and despite the shimmer it actually goes really well with the Rimmel foundation.

17 Wild Curls Mascara:

This has been sat in my collection for a long time but has never been opened, so I thought it was about time that I gave this a good test.

MUA Eyeshadow Trio in Pink Sorbet:

I do love wearing a nude eye, but also like to inject a bit of colour into my look. The cool tones in this trio help to make my eyes look wide and awake. When applied lightly and blended they give a lovely subtle look.

So that's what I want to use from my stash, and hopefully they will create a look that I stick to all week.

Have you shopped your stash?