TRAVEL BEAUTY: NEW-IN FOR SUMMER

Hello everyone! So it is coming up to that time of year that a lot of us love (me included), that time being summer/summer holiday time. When it comes to this time of year there are always a bunch of new products available from makeup to skincare and also body products, which are perfect for those summer months. With that in mind i thought i would share a selection of my personal favourite new-in products for this summer... 

1. maybelline dream urban cover foundation | click to shop |

So i have always been a huge fan of Maybelline foundations, especially my all time favourite foundation the Fit Me and naturally when they launch a new foundation, i am going to want to try it asap. This foundation is an all new concept where makeup meets skincare, as the foundation is full coverage yet lightweight and has SPF50 which couldn't be more perfect for summer or whilst travelling to a hot climate. 

2. mario badescu summer shine body lotion | click to shop |

It is not just the winter months that tend to dry your skin out, the summer months can be just as bad if not worse as your body is more likely to become dehydrated quicker. That being said it is super important to keep your skin super moisturised and hydrated, this Mario Badescu body lotion is the perfect candidate for not only ticking those boxes but will also leave you with a beautiful summer glow.

3. mac cosmetics x aladdin friend like me lipstick | click to shop |

First of all i literally can't contain my excited for going to see the new Aladdin movie at the cinema this coming weekend, second of all this new limited edition lipstick by MAC couldn't be any more perfect if it tried. I am obsessed with nude lip shades in general but when it is the most perfect almost cool neutral beige toned nude, i was sold immediately and the packaging is also beautiful.

4. revolution glow revolution timeless bronze | click to shop |

If you have beauty products on your radar regularly, then you will have probably seen the ever so Instagram famous Iconic London glow spray and you might also know that it isn't the most affordable spray out there. That being said Revolution to the rescue once again, launching a dupe style product which will leave you with the most beautiful glowing skin, bronze finish and with money left in the bank as it costs just £10.

5. fenty beauty pro filt'r instant retouch primer | click to shop |

I have been wanting to try something from Fenty Beauty for a while now, so the fact you can now get your hands on the entire range at Boots now is great. Out of all of the products this is the thing that catches my eye the most, as if you can suffer from shine (and not the good kind) during the summer months then this primer claims to have your back but still leaves your skin looking radiant. Also how stunning is the packaging?

6. charlotte tilbury glowgasm face palette | click to shop |

I know i mentioned before about having a product that didn't break the bank, this new-in face palette by Charlotte Tilbury is the complete opposite but it doesn't stop it from being anything but beautiful. Unlike a spray i feel like powder palettes last a lot longer and give you more value for money, this palette is filled with four equally stunning shades and of course they are encased by the most stunning signature Charlotte Tilbury packaging.

7. rimmel candy queen jelly highlighter | click to shop |

Finally we have another highlighting/glow related product (you can't have enough glow during the summer) this time a jelly formulated highlighter, which is new-in by Rimmel. I already have a jelly formula highlight from Revolution which i love the formula of, so i also think this stunning almost rose gold shade called candy queen. I am hoping this product will be another summer favourite, that will leave me with a lovely natural summer glow.

Want to know what some of the makeup products that i like to travel with? Then you can catch up on some of my previous travel beauty posts for more...

what's in my travel makeup bag #1 

travel beauty: my ten product makeup bag

my three go-to travel highlight palettes

what's in my travel makeup bag #2

xo.

MY FOUR NAIL POLISH FAVOURITES FOR AUTUMN/WINTER

Hello everyone! If you have read my posts previously or you know me, then you will know already that i am such a neutrals girl at heart from anything neutral toned to nude lip products and of course when it comes to nail colours also. For me there is just something about autumn/winter time that always makes me want to bring out the darker nail polish shades, whether that be red tones or berry tones. That being said for today's instalment i thought i would share four of my personal favourite nail polishes for autumn/winter this year...

essie nail lacquer in the shade russian roulette | click to buy |

First up we have two of my favourite non-nude nail polishes by Essie, starting with the shade Russian Roulette which is the most beautiful bright red with almost a creamy orange under-tone to do and a glossy finish. This nail polish is that perfect Christmas party or even Christmas day shade of red, as it is such a classic and easy to wear colour. The thing i always have to say about Essie nail polishes is even though they are the "more expensive" side when it comes to drugstore nail polishes, they are definitely worth spending that little bit more on.

essie nail lacquer in the shade bordeaux | click to buy |

The next nail polish also by Essie this time a shade called Bordeaux which is definitely more on the dark side when it comes to nail colour, as it is this dark wine/burgundy shade also with a glossy finish. Unlike Russian Roulette which is more on the fun side of things when it comes to choosing a nail colour, i always feel like Bordeaux definitely gives off more of a sexy vibe. Even though this shade is super dark in tone it is in no way hard to apply, as dark shades formula's can be fairly thick and harder to apply but with Essie's darker shades that is not the case at all. As this shade is dark, you definitely only need to apply two coats unlike when you were to apply a much light shade of polish.

barry m gelly high shine nail polish in the shade blackerry | click to buy |

Next up ironically we have two shades from Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine collection, which is a selection of different shades with a gel-like finish. First up is the last dark nail polish of the post called Blackberry, Blackberry is a very dark purple shade with a blue tone to it. The thing i will say about the darker shades from the Gelly collection can have that thicker almost gloopy texture to them, so make sure you shade the bottle well and don't overload the brush with product. This is a polish that you could get away with just applying one coat, but i personally always like to opt for two.

barry m gelly high shine nail polish in the shade peanut butter | click to buy |
Finally i am finishing this post up with an all year round favourite of mine now, also from the Barry M Gelly collection and of course i had to sneak a nude in there somewhere. This particular shade is called Peanut Butter (which lets face it sells you just with it's name), Peanut Butter is the most beautiful caramel/peach-y nude shade of nail polish. Unlike some nudes this particular one is definitely slightly on the darker scale of nude, which is what makes is perfect to wear on your nails all year round.

Catch up on my neutral nail polishes i couldn't be without post: here

xo.

MAY MUST-TRY'S | MAKEUP I WANT TO TRY THIS MONTH

Hello everyone! So last week just like at the beginning of every month i like to share my must-buy items for the month, which usually contains a couple of beauty related items. That being said this month there is quite a lot of beauty products (mainly makeup) that are on my must-try list, so rather than cramming everything into one post i thought i would split things up and share the makeup bits separately. If you didn't catch the clothing, homeware and accessories post, then you can catch up on that here...

1. becca glow gloss in the shade champagne | £22 |

So i went through a stage where i completely went off gloss and glossy lips but now i am completely obsessed with the way it looks now, it also always seems to finish a nude lip off perfectly. When it comes to gloss i love almost gold-like finish glosses in fact Gilded by ABH is one of my favourites but it is almost finished and this Becca gloss looks almost identical, so it would be good to switch things up/compare the two products.

2. st.tropez tinted everyday moisturiser + primer | was £18 now £12 |

Fun fact i never fake tan my face i would much rather just match it up when i pop on foundation, to save on getting blocked pores or breakouts. That being said i thought maybe trying a tan tinted moisturiser would be a good option for those warm summer days, when i don't necessarily want to wear foundation but i still want my face to match my body. 

3. cover fx gold bar palette | £34 |

It is no secret that i am a complete highlighter hoarder and i have so many favourites, yet i still always have room for more and i have a feeling this is going to be the next one on my list. Cover FX already have a stunning range of custom highlighter drops, so of course this highlighter palette is bound to be up to those standards and i especially have my eye on the very first shade on the left of the palette, as it looks stunning!

4. sleek makeup copperplate highlighting palette | £9.99 |

Sticking with the highlighter palette theme, this palette i came across all google-y eyed over when i was browsing the Boots website for a face tan (which i mentioned above). I already have the other two highlighting palettes like this from Sleek but i never knew they released a third, which looks as equally as beautiful as the others and you can bet next time i pop into a Boots store i will be picking one of these up.

5. bareMinerals gen nude matte liquid lip colour | £17 |

I already have a couple of these matte liquid lipsticks from the Gen Nude range by bareMinerals, which i am obsessed with and reach for all the time because the quality along with the lasting power of the liquid lipsticks is so good. That being said i really want to pick up a couple more shades, especially the shade Smooch (faded lilac nude) and the shade Wink (perfect pink nude).

6. la girl pro matte hd longwear matte foundation | £10 |

Finally even though i am a glow-y skin kind of girl, one of my favourite foundations is the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless and i have heard this foundation kind of has a similar vibe about it. So many people have been talking about how good this foundation is, so now that we can get it in the UK i will definitely be giving it a go. I already have the other LA Girl HD foundation in my collection, which i love so i definitely think i will more than likely end up loving this one too and £10 is such a good price.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

FIVE MAKEUP FAVOURITES FOR £5 + UNDER

Hello everyone! So i have mentioned before how i feel like more and more drugstore/affordable makeup brands are simply slaying the product game as of late, which has made me save some money on opting for the affordable version over the high-end version. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my current makeup favourites, which all come in at £5 and under per item...

1. revolution brow tint in the shade dark brown

You might have seen last year that Maybelline launched their "tattoo brow tint" product, where you basically paint it on, wait and peel off then your brows are all done. That being said i never got around to giving it a go, until Revolution recently launched their own brow tint coming in at just £5 and claiming to last for 3 days when left to develop for up to 2 hours. This is one of those products where i am left after giving it a go thinking why have i never used a product like this before? As before i was simply tinting my brows with brow dye and then still filling them in, this product does both jobs in one and does last as long if not a little bit longer than it states. You can either apply this product straight from the wand painting it on or with a brush, personally i have tried both and i prefer/think you get a better result by applying it with the wand.

2. primark my perfect colour concealer in the shade nude beige

Next up is a bargain concealer that is better than a bunch of different high-end/more expensive concealers and i can't seem to put it down, so much so i mentioned it in my recent everyday go-to affordable flawless base makeup post. This concealer is super hydrating as it is infused with vitamin e and aloe, has medium coverage and is crease-proof (which is something i struggle with when it comes to concealer) and the best part about it is that it retails for just £2 from Primark. This concealer reminds me of my much loved Maybelline Fit Me concealer, which i have gone through so many tubes of but in the future i think i will just opt for this concealer.

3. primark ps pro hd mascara in the shade black

When it comes to mascara i am super fussy and i only ever tend to end up liking something from Maybelline, L'Oréal or my favourite KIKO lash treatment mascara. That being said i picked up this one from Primark recently just to try it out and funny enough it is another one of those products i have picked up, expecting not to like but i end up loving. This mascara actually reminds me a lot of the KIKO last treatment mascara, especially as the wands are super similar and it allows you to coat every individual lash without being clumpy. It not only lengthens, it lifts, gives a voluminous finish and is also super black. For just £3 this is definitely one to pick up the next time you find yourself in or near a Primark store.

4. primark ps nude metallic lip gloss lip kit

The last of the bunch from Primark honestly, but i am just loving so many things from their beauty range at the moment and i feel like they are one of the brands slaying the makeup game for such affordable prices. I have wanted to give the lip kits a try for a while and i finally got my hands on one, which now i have thrown the box away i can't remember the shade name (it's the nude bronze one) and it doesn't say anywhere on the gloss or liner packaging. This gloss is honestly the perfect spring/summer gloss, as it is metallic but it isn't too metallic or opaque it is quite sheer which i like. The lip combination i am loving at the moment is the Morphe lip pencil in the shade Bamboo, MAC lipstick in the shade Peachstock and then this gloss on top. These lip kits come in a wide range of both matte and metallic glosses, that retail for £3 per kit.

5. c.y.o matte an eyelid matte eyeshadow in the shade deep thought

Finally we have an eyeshadow from a brand which is new to Boots in the UK and this eyeshadow is the first thing that i have tried from them, but i am obsessed with it so much so it is my everyday eyeshadow. My reason for picking this shade up is because i thought it was super similar to my favourite shade in the Dose of Colors palette, which i reach for on an everyday basis. When it comes to eyeshadow more often than not i just reach for one warm brown matte shade and blend it out, as it is super quick/easy and suits my eye colour so well, making them pop. The brand in general is super affordable, these single shadows retail for just £3.50.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

NEUTRAL NAILS | THE NAIL POLISHES I COULDN'T BE WITHOUT

Hello everyone! The title of this post probably will not come as a surprise to some, especially if you already know how obsessed i am with nude/neutral shades, whether that be neutral clothing, nude lipsticks and of course nail polishes. We all having those moments i am sure when we either think about it or are asked what products we couldn't be without, if everything was to go except for a select few. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you the nail polishes i couldn't be without, which are basically my go-to polishes.

barrym gelly hi-shine nail paint in the shade peanut butter

I am a huge fan of Barry M nail polishes in general and i have an overly obsessive amount in my collection, but of course it is the nudes that are my favourites. This is actually the shade i have been wearing on my nails recently and it is the most beautiful caramel/peachy-y nude shade perfectly named Peanut Butter, this is a shade i mentioned in a limited edition products i wish were permanent post as this polish is almost identical to the shade i mentioned i love called Beachy Keen, also by Barry M in collaboration with Boots. 

barrym coconut infusion nail paint in the shade surfboard

Another ultimate favourite of mine from Barry M is one from their coconut infusion finish collection, this time in the shade surfboard (which always makes me want to sing drunk in love by beyoncé). Surfboard is more on the light pink side rather than a true neutral shade but it is still a very wearable shade. What i love about this particular formula is that it is super hydrating/nourishing on your nails, as it is infused with a mixture of coconut water and coconut oil, with a gel-like glossy finish.

essie nail colour in the shade spin the bottle

Ok, so this is probably the nail polish i have re-purchased the most over the years, as it is such a classic/staple nude or neutral polish to have in your collection. Spin The Bottle is the most perfect pale creamy-beige nude and is one i always reach for, if i am lacking inspiration or can't decide on a colour. The thing i love the most about Essie, is that they are the polishes that probably last the longest on my nails without chipping.

essie nail colour in the shade ballet slippers

Talking of classic nail polish shades this particular shade is another classic, in fact so much so it is the Queen's polish of choice (how cool is that?). Ballet Slippers is more on the sheer side when it comes to the finish of the polish, but it can be built up to be the most beautiful super pale pink shade and just like the shade Spin The Bottle is super long-wearing on my nails. If you are looking for the perfect bridal/wedding nail colour, i would highly recommend opting for a shade like this one.

rimmel rita ora 60 seconds super shine nail polish in the shade too cool
Finally i have two nail polishes from Rimmel and both are perfect for achieving that super quick manicure, as they dry in 60 seconds (per coat). The first shade is from the Rita Ora collection, named Too Cool and it is the most gorgeous pale creamy baby blue shade. What makes me love this shade so much, is how amazing it looks with a tan and it is always handy to keep some quick dry polishes for the times you need to paint them in a rush.

rimmel 60 seconds nail polish in the shade let's get nude
Another dry in 60 seconds polish from Rimmel but this time just like the Spin The Bottle polish by Essie, we have another true nude shade and one that would be perfect for any occasion. The only difference between the two polishes is that this one is a slightly paler nude, but still has a warm undertone to it. Rimmel nail polishes are such a steal for the quality, as they retail for only £2.99 and more often than not, Superdrug/Boots have them on a "buy one, get one half off" or "3 for 2" offer.

xo.

MAKEUP BRUSH COLLECTION | DE-CLUTTER + NEW BRUSHES | PART ONE

Hello everyone! If you read one of my recent posts talking about my january must-buys, then you will probably know that i talked a little bit about being inspired to have a good makeup brush de-clutter after picking up a new brush set in the sales and receiving one for Christmas also. With that in mind i thought why not document and share with you all of the new brushes i have to replace old brushes (which lets face it, who hasn't held onto/hoarded too many brushes?) and also the brushes i still wanted to keep in my collection. As i do still have quite a large amount of brushes, i thought i would split this post into two parts starting with face brushes.

ps...insta girl perfecting powder brush 
For the longest time i have used the Real Techniques blush brush as a powder brush, but i decided as it was well overdue being thrown in the bin, why not just try a different one out. I picked this one up in Primark for £6 recently and i was so amazed, as the bristles are super soft and it is really well made as it feels weighty rather than plastic-y. I definitely want to pick some more up soon.

real techniques fresh faced favourites set
So this is the brush set that i received for Christmas from one of my sisters, which was perfect timing because some of the brushes inside this set i already owned and they were also ready for being replaced. This set contains a bb/cc brush, contour brush (one of my faves), a detailer brush and some of the exclusive set wedge sponges all for £19.99 from Superdrug in selected stores and online.

real techniques filtered face set
This was the particular brush set i was talking about that i picked up in the sales for £40 instead of £80, which is such a bargain for what you get inside of the set and a lot of the brushes are everyday favourites of mine. This set contains the following face brushes, buffing brush, contour brush, setting brush (which i now own three of but it is probably my all time favourite brush from the brand) and a stippling brush.

real techniques bold metals 301 flat contour brush
So the final Real Techniques brush of the bunch (can you tell by now that they are my favourite?) and the most expensive brush i own now, but probably one of my top favourites to apply and blend cream contour out with. As the bristles on this brush are quite dense you can be a lot more precise with the product you are apply and to where, especially when it comes to contouring your jaw or nose. If you were to buy this brush individually it would set you back £22, although Boots currently have a Bold Metals set available containing six brushes and two sponges for £50 (half price).

freedom ff104 powder and bronzer brush 
If i am ever asked on what really affordable but great quality brushes to try out, i always recommend Freedom brushes and more specifically their face brushes. I first tried these particular brushes out last year for the first time and i was/still am honestly shook on how great in quality they are for under £2 each, i love using one for applying bronzer and the other for blush.

freedom ff103 stippling brush
Another freedom face brush that i probably couldn't be without now actually, is the stippling brush. A lot of people tend to use a stippling brush for applying foundations/bb-creams, but i actually love using mine to apply highlighter with as it applies the right amount of product and blends it out flawlessly. To do this i don't pick up the product head on, i use the side of the brush to apply and blend out on an angle. This brush is also under £2.

mua f11 highlighting brush
Fun fact when i first started out with experimenting with makeup MUA is actually the brand of brushes i first owned and i loved them, obviously over time i have replaced them until recently when i picked up a few new ones to try again. The brushes i particularly picked up were highlighting brushes, the f11 (ABH highlighting brush dupe), f7 small fan brush and the f8 fan brush. Just like Freedom brushes, MUA brushes are also perfect if you are on a budget but still want a great quality product. 

shop the brushes sold separately...
| ps...insta girl perfecting powder brush (in-store only) | real techniques setting brush | real techniques stippling brush | real techniques flawless base makeup brush set (contour + buffing brush) | mua f7 brush | mua f8 brush | freedom ff104 brush | freedom ff103 brush |

xo.

BACK TO SCHOOL/UNI BEAUTY EMERGENCY KIT ESSENTIALS

Hello everyone! In a week or so the majority will be heading back to school, uni or work in the UK from summer (if you haven't started back already). Last year i shared with you all a super quick and easy back to school drugstore makeup look, so this year i wanted to switch things up and do something a little different. Being female can be a struggle at times, as we tend to need a few beauty products in an emergency situation. The best way to be prepared for any situation is to carry around a small "bag of tricks" filled with the emergency essentials that you might need during the school/uni/work day, so i thought why not share with you/those who might be wondering how to put a "bag of tricks" together and what to products to include.

skinnydip coco makeup bag
I have mentioned these particular makeup bags from Skinnydip so many times and they are the ones i always opt for, whether that be for travel makeup or a beauty essentials kit as you can fit so many things into that one place and it is a super compact bag. Also i love how these bags are a mixture of cool prints but also slightly transparent, so you can still see what is where in the bag.

mini/travel sized deodorant
Carrying mini sized deodorants/sprays can come in handy for those moments when you need them, whether that be to refresh after sports/gym etc or even some hairspray/dry-shampoo to refresh your hair. You can pick mini/travel sized items up for very little money and more often than not, you can get them either 3 for 2 or 3 for £3 at most drugstores/supermarkets.

pocketbac/anti-bacterial hand gel
If you are anything like me and a complete germaphobe, then this item will be on you at all times as you never know when you might need some. If you hate the boring clinical smelling ones, you can pick up so many different scented ones from bath & body works, merci handy and also the body shop for very little money and they will last you quite a while as you only need a tiny amount.

tampons/slim panty-liners
Quite a straight forward no-brainer thing to have in an emergency and something i always carry around with me in my bag, as you just never know when that situation could occur for either yourself or a friend and just throwing a couple of spares inside an emergency kit could make all the difference.

multi-pack hair ties/hair grips
Carrying around hair ties and hair grips always comes in handy because you just never know, you could get caught in the rain/wind or be having a bad hair day and that can be fixed by tying it up or pinning it into place.

compact mirror/retractable makeup brush/compact tangle teezer
Of course if you are going to want to fix your hair, you will probably need a hair brush and these compact tangle teezers are super handy as they are not only small but also have a lid to protect the bristles from becoming damaged or getting hair etc on anything else in your bag. Also i find carrying a pocket mirror and a travel friendly makeup brush come in handy for those touch-up moments, unless you prefer to stick to the trusty front camera on your phone (we all do it right?)

concealer/pressed powder/lip balm
Sticking with the makeup touch up theme and another set of products that come in handy through-out the day, whether you sweat your makeup off, have to control shine or simply need a refresh these three items are a must. If you are at school you might not be allowed to wear makeup or not a lot, but keeping it a minimum with concealer, powder and lip balm might be for you.

pain relief tablets/anti-blister stick/mints
These three items are also those "you never know when you might be in need of" things, whether you or a friend gets a headache or a rubbing shoe issue or you both decided to opt for a garlic-y option for lunch ha ha! Also these anti-blister sticks are so handy as you simply rub it on the area before putting your shoes on, or when you feel like it is going to rub and you are set, no ugly looking plasters or blister bandages.

mini makeup removing wipes/pocket tissues
Carrying makeup wipes come in handy for if you are needing to do makeup touch ups, have something sticky on your hands etc and picking these mini packs of wipes up are so handy, rather than lugging around your typical 25 pack of wipes and the same with the tissues these pocket sized come in handy. Very often they come in multi packs so you can just pop one back in its place inside your emergency kit when you have ran out.

♥

NEW FAVOURITES FROM THE DRUGSTORE

Hello everyone! A few posts back as part of my july beauty favourites i mentioned that i had been trying out some newer products towards the end of the month, but i wanted to test them out more before talking about them. That being said out of those products i have some hits and misses, so for today's post i thought i would talk about the hits and they all happen to be from the drugstore, which is an added bonus.

rimmel #insta fix & go 2-in-1 primer/setting spray

I have actually featured this in my recent current everyday quick and easy makeup post and i mentioned how much i was loving this particular product, as i am all for the quick and easy spray primers and this has a bonus feature as it also sets your makeup in place as well. I love how quickly this sinks into the skin, as well as leaving your skin feeling super fresh and hydrated. Another product from the Rimmel #insta range i have already spoken about my love for, is the #insta fix & matte translucent powder as part of my all time favourite setting powders post. In-fact i have been really enjoying using a few new product releases from Rimmel, that being said if i am being completely honest i was not a fan of the new matte liquid lipsticks.

rimmel #insta contour stick in the shade medium

As i mentioned above how much i am loving the new releases from Rimmel, even more specifically the new #insta range and that includes the cream contour sticks. When i first saw these i thought how much they look like the KKW ones, as they are dual ended one side a contour shade and the other a highlight shade which has a slight shimmer to it rather than being matte - personally i love that! These contour sticks are super creamy yet easy to apply and blend out with either a brush or a damp beauty blender. In these sticks i have the shades light and then also medium, but i tend to reach for medium a lot more and i love how it isn't too cool toned or too warm toned, it is a perfect mix between the two which is rare to come by.

maybelline vivid hot lacquer in the shade tease

I have actually had a couple of shades from the Vivid Hot Lacquer range for a while now, but i was never able to get my hands on this particular shade called tease, as it was either always OFS in-store and online or the testers had been used/opened in-store. Finally i managed to get my hands on this shade and it was so worth the wait, as it is honestly the most beautiful pale nude gloss i have come across since i found my love for the bareMinerals far out nude gloss. As these are more of a pigmented gloss you can pair them simply with a nude lip liner or you could apply a tiny amount to the centre of the lips for a glossy effect, to a more matte lip colour.

l'oréal sublime bronze medium gradual self-tan
Over the years i have tried so many different tans and i always like to opt for a gradual self-tan, as it just works better for me and is more hydrating on my skin. It is quick to apply with a mitt just like you would normal tan and i leave it to develop over night. Two of my favourite tans have always been St. Moriz and then the one by Dove, but whilst in Boots i decided to give this one a try and i have become obsessed so much so it is my new favourite. I love the particular shade this tan goes on my skin as it is super golden looking, it also applies evenly leaving you streak-free and i find it lasts longer on the skin than others do.

♥

TAKE ME TO PARADISE: L'ORÉAL PARADISE EXTATIC MASCARA

Hello everyone! I have never made secret of the fact that when it comes to mascaras, i am all about the drugstore mascaras and i always favour Maybelline or L'Oréal. So when L'Oréal said that they were launching a new mascara called "lash paradise", naturally i was going to be excited about trying it.

So the L'Oréal Lash Paradise mascara has been out for a good few months in the states and it finally launched in the UK, that being said the UK version is slightly different as a lot of them tend to be (packaging wise). Unlike the US version the UK version has more of a rose gold style packaging, rather than being pink and it is called "paradise extatic" and not "lash paradise". This particular mascara has been branded the drugstore equivalent to the ever so famous Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced. The two products are super similar in packaging and the shaping of the wand, so i can see quite clearly where the dupe vibe comes from. This mascara is not a one or the other mascara, as it gives your lashes both volume and length in one and has a flake free formula that allows you to build it up to your desired effect, without clumping.

If you are curious about the other two new mascara releases by L'Oréal this year, then i did a full in-depth post talking all about lights, camera, lashes: drugstore mascaras and in this post i compare the two other releases to each other. Each of the three mascaras all cover different areas of what you might want in a mascara, such as curl/lift, spidery length or a multi-purpose volume and length. Yet again this is another down to personal preference situation, but for me personally i am really enjoying the new Paradise Extatic mascara as it does do both and is great for both top and bottom lashes and i am obsessed with how quick you can achieve the type of lash look you want. This mascara retails for £9.99 (usually £11.99) and is available at both boots in-store and online, as well as superdrug in-store and online.

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HIGH-END VS DRUGSTORE: NO MAKEUP, MAKEUP PRODUCTS

Hello everyone! Ever since Kim Kardashian posted a tutorial of her doing her "no makeup makeup" look using her KKW contour stick, along side a couple of people re-creating her look. Watching these types of videos made me feel super inspired to try something similar out for myself, which is odd because it is a look without using foundation but is still something you can achieve by using foundation if you want to. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some products great for achieving that "no makeup makeup" look and even better, in the form of a high-end vs drugstore and comparing the cost.

mac cosmetics studio moisture cream vs. nip+fab primer water

Whether you decide to opt for foundation or no foundation for a no makeup makeup look, you are going to want to prime/hydrate your skin to prep it for the other products you are going to apply on top. Both of these products are super similar even though one is a cream and the other is a spray, both sink into the skin quickly and leave your skin hydrated/moisturised. (price difference 5p).

estée lauder double wear bb brush-on glow vs. collection lemon lasting perfection

If you are skipping foundation then concealer is going to be the next step, using a brightening concealer like one of these two are great for making you look super awake, i just like to apply this to the areas where i would usually highlight with concealer such as my under-eye area, bridge of my nose, centre of my forehead and chin area. I must say if you want a super full coverage than actually out of the two go for the collection lasting perfection concealer. (price difference £20.81).

clinique curvy contour chubby stick vs. nyx almond/light face sculpt & highlight duo

Moving onto the products that are going to be the key thing to re-create a Kim K "no makeup, makeup look" and that is cream contour. Both of these products are favourites of mine and both are going to add colour, coverage and dimension to the face, it just comes down to personal preference over a cream or liquid formula. You could also save on concealer and use the highlight side of the NYX duo, as it has amazing coverage and is light-weight/crease-proof. (price difference £10).

laura mercier translucent setting powder vs. rimmel insta fix & matte translucent powder

Once you have applied both highlight and contour products, the next step you are going to want to do naturally is set them in place, first up with powder. As i have normal to dry skin i can get away with not setting all of my face, instead i just set the areas i applied concealer. Both of these powders are go to's for me at the moment, so i couldn't actually pick one over the other they are that good. This yet again comes down to price/loose/pressed preference. (price difference £24.01).

 artdeco limited edition beach bag bronzer vs. nyc sun 2 sun bronzer

So next once you have set the highlighted areas, you are going to want to set the areas you contoured using a powder also. I always opt for a bronzer and both of these are perfect for summer, as they are going to add some warmth/natural tan-look to the face. (price difference £30.50).

mac cosmetics peaches powder blush vs. makeup revolution the matte blush

If you are doing a no makeup makeup look you could quite simply skip on the blush, but sometimes it is nice and natural looking to add a flush of colour to the cheeks. These two particular blushes are super similar in both shade and super pigmented yet soft in texture. (price difference £18).

topshop gleam glow pot vs. elf highlighting dewy drops

Makeup or no makeup, it would simply be a crime in my opinion to skip on some form of highlighter. Using a cream highlight or liquid highlight (yet again all depending on your personal preference), will give a natural/healthy looking glow to the skin. I am completely obsessed with both of these products at the moment, the Topshop glow pot gives you that wow in your face glow and the ELF dewy drops give you a healthy sheen-like glow, both products are super easy to blend out either with a beauty blender or your fingers. (price difference £5).

anastasia beverly hills dipbrow pomade vs. freedom duo eyebrow powder

One of the key products that i am never going to skip out on as well as highlight, is brows as simply filling in your brows a little shape the way your whole face looks. I have been giving this Freedom duo brow powder a go recently and i am really enjoying using it, it looks super natural so perfect for no makeup makeup days. That being said with a light hand brow pomade can look just as natural, Freedom also do an amazing dupe for the ABH one and not to mention a third of the price. (price difference £12).

mac cosmetics extended play mascara vs. l'oréal miss baby roll mascara

If you aren't going for anything on the eyes, it is still always good to apply a light coating of your favourite mascara just to open up your eyes and look a little more awake. If i wear makeup and don't apply mascara, i always feel like my eyes go all pea sized ha. High-end mascaras aren't usually my thing, i would much rather opt for a drugstore mascara over anything (L'Oréal and Maybelline are my favourites) but if i am going for a high-end one it would either be this one by MAC or the false lash extreme also by MAC. (price difference £7.71).

anastasia beverly hills naked liquid lipstick vs. mua luxe harmony lip lacquer

Finally this step can be one missed completely and replaced with a simple lip balm, but still i like to be a little extra and feel myself. These particular liquid lipsticks are complete dupes for each other, i even put it to the test and applied one to one half of my lips and one to the other. Picking a classic nude colour, looks more natural and gives you that "your lips but better look". (price difference £17).

high-end look price total: £195.50 vs. drugstore look price total: £50.62 

LIMITED EDITION PRODUCTS I WISH WERE PERMANENT

Hello everyone! So i know i am not the only person that gets super excited whenever a brand brings out a new limited edition product for a season, whether that be for the holiday or a summer line. The only downside to this is buying the product, falling in love and then scared to use it all up because you know it isn't replaceable. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you all my favourite limited edition products, that i wish would be made a permanent line/product and then i could talk about them more often.

kiko dessert dunes trio baked blush in the shade lust coral

This particular blush from Kiko was part of their limited edition summer collection last year, they even have a 2.0 version this summer in the shade coral bay. I just love every single thing about the brands blushes but this one is a particular favourite, i also love how amazing and chocolate-y it smells.

kiko beam of light highlighter in the shade cream

Sticking with another limited edition Kiko product but this time a highlighter, that i have loved for so long now and i believe it was a part of their travel or everyday essentials collection. This particular highlighter has such a beautiful lightweight texture yet it has a pigmented creamy formula, in a stunning golden pearl shade.

mac cosmetics wash & dry blush in the shade crisp whites

I have mentioned this particular blush in so many posts previously, as it is my favourite blush shade of all time from the brand. MAC are probably the worst culprits for making you fall in love with something from one of their limited edition collections, just like they did oh darling! but thank god they added that to their permanent line after a while. The good thing that doesn't make you too sad that it was limited edition is that you literally only ever need the tiniest amount, as they are super pigmented.

mac cosmetics x mariah carey lipglass in the shade dreamlover

I never really used to like the lipglass formula but i have done a complete 360 and i love it now, i also know this is the case with quite a few people the formula is a love or hate thing. I have a couple of different ones but this one is definitely my favourite, typical seeing as it was from the limited edition Mariah Carey collection. This is just the perfect shade of gloss to not necessarily to add any colour, but to add a sheen to any lip colour applied underneath. Another thing is i also wish all of the packaging from MAC was this sassy and beautiful.

mac cosmetics nutcracker sweet bronze pigment in the shade stardream

The final and probably my favourite out of all the limited edition MAC products, this pigment from last years holiday collection. If you have read my posts in the past then you will probably already know that i am a huge fan of the pigments, but there is just something about this one that makes it my favourite and yet again typical of me with it being limited edition. Just like the blush though these pigments will last forever.

anastasia beverly hills self made eyeshadow palette

Moving onto this limited edition eyeshadow palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills and unlike the modern renaissance palette, this particular palette was a limited edition one. I have two particular favourite go-to shadows in this palette (hot & cold and sherbet), which i am so scared to use up because unlike some palettes/shades from ABH you can't get them in their single pan form and that sucks. If they bought the shadows out individually i would buy them just like that, they are literally my perfect shades/tones in an eyeshadow.   

barryM boots limited edition nail paints in the shades beachy keen and golden sands

Finally if you are from the UK, then you will probably be familiar with the fact that both Boots and Superdrug quite often do limited edition nail polish shades with barryM. This particular duo is from the Boots limited edition collection last summer, which i literally live for both shades as i am such a nude-y/neutral nail girl now. The only up-side to this is the barryM nail polish in the shade peanut butter is quite similar to the shade beachy keen, but there is nothing similar to shade golden sands which kind of sucks. 

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MY FAVOURITE PLACES TO SHOP ONLINE

Hello everyone! I know i am not on my own for online shopping more than actually going out shopping, it is just so much easier as you don't have to put up with other shoppers, queues and you can do it in your pyjamas if you want to. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you all, some of my favourite places to online shop, from makeup to miscellaneous items, clothing and even candles.

1. superdrug.com

It is very rare that i actually pop into a Superdrug store these days, as i would much rather order it all online especially if i am needing dry shampoo, face wipes, hairspray or anything heavy i want to stock up on (as well as makeup items obviously). That isn't the only reason, the other reason being that they have so many more offers online than they do in-store and if you have a beautycard you can get free delivery, as well as extra offers on-top of other offers. Thursdays are a good day to shop if you are a beautycard holder, as they have a "treat thursday" section of offers for members, for example 10% off a brand/product or triple points.

2. beautybay.com

Another place i love to shop on for more high-end and some affordable makeup is Beautybay, as they sell so many amazing brands and some of my favourites such as Anastasia Beverly Hills, Makeup Geek, LA Girl, LA Splash, Morphe and Milani. More often than not they will have offers such as upto 30% off, 3 for 2 on certain brands and delivery is free on orders over £15. The shipping is also crazy fast which i love because i am such an impatient person, i am literally that meme of the cat sat waiting at the window for the delivery guy ha! Another store similar to Beautybay that i love to shop on is cultbeauty.co.uk.

3. lookfantasic.com

It was a toss up between Look Fantastic and Feel Unique, as they are similar sellers but i would say that i order a lot more frequently from Look Fantastic now. I like to get my L'Oréal Professionnel hair products from there, as well as bareMinerals, NARS and it's where i get my brow tint from. I love how they constantly have great discounts on so many different brands, discount codes such as 10% and 20% off, free and fast delivery.

4. missguided.co.uk

Moving on-to clothing and shoes, i get quite a lot of things from missguided because there is always something that i see and love on there. The quality of the clothing and everything is amazing for the price-tag and the sizing of products are accurate, they don't run small or big. The site is also another place where there is always some form of discount going off, such as free next day delivery, 20% off everything and 30% off when you sign up to their newsletter. Every time i go on i always find myself lusting after something new, even just getting the link for the site i got distracted and ending up placing an order! Other places i get clothing from quite frequently are asos.com, prettylittlething.com and boohoo.com.

5. candlesdirect.com

Being the complete candle addict that i am, Candles Direct is a site that i order from quite a lot as it is were i usually get my Yankee Candles from. They also sell so many other brands such as Village Candles, Burts Bees, Baylis & Harding and Bomb Cosmetics. The great thing about this site is there is always some form of discount on candles, as well as fragrance of the month discounts and they stock everything from tea lights, pillar candles and small/medium/large jars. 

6. amazon.co.uk

Finally moving onto probably one of the best places to online shop for so many different things in the same place and such reliable/quick delivery and customer service response. I buy everything from makeup brushes, makeup, books, dvd's, gadgets and pretty much everything basically. Also if you have amazon prime you can watch tv shows, movies, listen to music and get your online orders the next day. Something i do a lot on Amazon is pre-order pre-released things such as dvd's and books, that way you won't forget when they are released and you will get them on the day of the release without having to leave the house.

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CONQUERING CREAM CONTOURING

Hello everyone! So when it comes down to makeup application at some point we have all had some form of fear when it comes to applying a certain type of product, whether that is doing a wing liner or applying false lashes. In my case that fear was always cream contouring, as i always had these visions that my face would be left looking like a muddy/patchy mess but how i was wrong and now i have conquered that fear and cream contouring has now become a part of my everyday makeup routine.

nyx sculpt & highlight face duo in the shade almond/light

If you are looking for a super hydrating formula product to cream contour with, if you are like me and have a dry/normal skin-type then this product is going to work for you, over something thick and creamy in pan form. The great thing about this product is that it is a multi-purpose product with it being double-ended, one side a contour shade and the other a highlight shade. This particular shade almond is perfect for me as it isn't too warm or too cool toned, it is that perfect in-between and the highlight shade is a beautiful slightly yellow/brightening shade. My favourite way to apply this product is simply straight from the applicator, blending the contour shade with the real techniques bold metals 301 flat contour brush and to blend the highlight shade i always go in with a damp beautyblender. (RRP £9.50)

l.a girl pro conceal hd concealer in the shade toast
So this is the specific cream contour product, well concealer that i mentioned in my most recent everyday base makeup favourites post and one i have been using quite frequently just lately. I had mentioned how i had seen quite a few people use a darker shade in this concealer to contour with, so i just had to give it a try for myself because i knew i love the concealer in my usual shade for my under-eyes. As it suggests this product is a super "hd" full coverage concealer, so for contouring i have learnt a little goes a long way. Just like the nyx sculpt and highlight product, i like to go straight in with the applicator on my face but i like to use a beauty blender to blend this one out over a brush. (RRP £5)

clinique chubby stick sculpting contour in the shade curvy contour
Finally we have the product that finally sold me on cream contouring and one that is great for those who are scared of the process just like me, because it is literally foolproof. The product comes in stick form that can be twisted up, either allowing you to apply straight to the face or how i like to do and apply some product to the brush, blending as you apply and to do that i always opt for the freedom pro strobe brush that came with a palette but i ended up loving the brush more than the palette. The actual formula of the contour stick is super creamy yet easy to work with, allowing you to blend the product out effortlessly. (RRP £19.50)

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