MY EVERYDAY MAKEUP IN JULY | NATURAL + GLOW-Y

Hello everyone! Seeing as the weather has been super hot recently (hot for the UK anyway), i have been all about still looking put together when it comes down to my everyday makeup routine in July but i have tried to keep the products down to the minimum. If you saw my recent things i'm loving from Superdrug right now post then you will have read me talking about how i haven't really picked up anything new recently, except for the few new items in that post and a lot of the products i have been using everyday are ones from my collection already, with the addition of a couple of newer products of course...

maybelline fit me matte + poreless foundation in the shade 220

So once i have completed my morning skincare routine and spritzed on some facial spray, i go straight in with foundation as the facial spray i use can be used as both a primer and a setting spray. If you have read my posts for a while you will already know that this foundation is a favourite of mine, as it is one of those foundations that would survive pretty much anything and ticks all of the boxes (sweat-proof, waterproof, long-wearing, great coverage and lightweight).

ps my perfect colour liquid concealer in the shade nude beige

This concealer has been a favourite of mine for the last few months and it is actually pretty similar to the Maybelline Fit Me concealer, except this one is even more affordable. The main thing for me when it comes to choosing/liking a concealer, is that they always have to be hydrating under the eyes and this one is just that. I actually prefer this concealer to a lot of the more high-end concealers i have tried and used over the years, which is insane as this concealer is only £2.

bareMinerals invisible light powder duo

So the only powder form product i have been using on those quick/everyday makeup days is my bareMinerals powder duo, i always like to use a mixture of the matte and glow side to set/brighten my under-eye area. As i do have a normal to mainly dry skin type, i am super lucky when it comes to not having to use too many powder products to set things into place. So when it comes to summer i can pick or choose if i want to use just powder or just cream/liquid products.

clinique chubby stick sculpting contour

For adding some shape and bronzing up my face recently, i have been loving reaching for the Clinique Chubby Stick again. This stick is actually perfect for summer as it is slightly deeper yet warmer in tone, so it give the illusion of a natural bronzed look to the face. What i love about this stick also is how easy it is to blend out, i like to use a damp beauty blender for a flawless finish and it also lasts all day long without fading away.

ps bronze dewy glow gold face + body butter
Another product from Primark i have been obsessed with reaching for on a regular basis, is this golden/bronze face and body butter and i like to use this on those quick makeup days for a more natural looking highlighted look, rather than something super glow-y. I like to apply some of this straight to a damp beauty blender before bouncing/blending it on the areas where you would normally place your highlighter and it also smells amazing like summer as it has a beautiful coconut scent.

revolution pro brow pomade in the shade dark brown + 
mac cosmetics pro long-wear waterproof brow set in the shade brown/ebony
For brows as i mentioned in my recent Superdrug post, i have been trying to not use the Revolution brow tint more than once a week so in-between i have been filling my brows in with the Revolution Pro brow pomade. Then of course to set things into place, i like to use my trusty favourite waterproof brow set from MAC and when you use this, you know you are good for the whole day.

urban decay naked heat palette + ps pro hd mascara
So for eyes i like to keep things super quick and simple, by using a single shade which is usually a warm almost orange/brick toned brown shade and i just apply that one shade and blend it out. Recently i have been reaching for the shade Sauced or Low Blow from the Urban Decay Naked Heat eyeshadow palette and then i simply finish that off by curling my lashes, before applying some mascara to both my top and bottom lashes.

mac cosmetics lip liner pencil in the shade stripdown +

l'Oréal les chocolats matte liquid lipstick in the shade sweet tooth

Finally for lips i have been obsessed with this warm nude lip combination, which is perfect for summer in both shade and with how long the combination lasts on the lips. Stripdown liner by MAC is one of those lip liners that goes with pretty much any nude applied on top, especially the new Chocolate Matte liquid lipsticks from L'Oréal. I have the shade Sweet Tooth which like i mentioned recently is the most beautiful light peachy-nude shade, making it perfect for summer.

Catch up with a suggested makeup routine related post HERE...

xo.

JULY MUST-BUYS: CLOTHING, BEAUTY, ACCESSORIES ETC.

Hello everyone! Seeing as now we are a few days into July, i just couldn't not keep up with my new monthly tradition this year of my monthly must-buys post. Just in-case you didn't know what i mean by must-buys, it is basically all of the things i have either purchased or want to purchased towards the end of the previous month/the upcoming month from clothes to homeware and even books...

1. l'Oréal chocolats matte liquid lipstick in the shade sweet tooth | £7.99 |

So i had actually spotted these on Instagram last month and as soon as i saw the shades i was like, yep those are for me (once a nude lipstick hoarder, always a nude lipstick hoarder ha ha). I actually placed an order yesterday on Superdrug and picked myself one up in the shade sweet tooth, which is the most beautiful shade.

2. missguided pink pom pom and tassel wicker shopper bag | £20 |

I have mentioned in a few other fashion related posts how much i am living for the whole straw/wicker style bags and i think i found the one that i love the most, out of all the others i have laid eyes on. This bag from Missguided to me literally screams summer/beach bag, as well as being slightly different and also £20 is such a bargain!

3. worth the risk by k.bromberg (kindle) | £2.99 |

So if you caught my goodreads summer/beach holiday romance must-reads post, then you will have read me talking about this specific book by K.Bromberg (aka one of my new favourite authors). I am completely obsessed with the Driven series, which i have completely binge-read as it was that gripping and addictive. So this is book by the same author, which is her latest release is definitely at the top of my next book purchase list.

4. yankee candle sandalwood vanilla large candle jar | £23.99 |

Yankee Candles are by far my favourite brand of candle, so naturally i am going to be intrigued by their latest launch/limited edition candles. This particular candle Sandalwood Vanilla, is that perfect summers evening scented candle as it has all the notes that scream beach days, mixed with the vanilla notes that throw off a warming scent.

5. asos cami tops (upto 70% off sale) | from £2 |

So for a couple of weeks now ASOS have had a upto 70% off sale on selected items, with new items being added daily and i of course decided to take advantage of that by picking up some new cami style tops for summer. I picked up a total of 6 tops all ranging from a sale price of £7-£15 each (majority out of stock now). I definitely recommend visiting the site, because you could bag yourself some bargains.

6. dyefor personalised marble iphone case | £9 |

I was in desperate need of a new phone case and i wasn't feeling any on the Skinnydip site, so i decided to look else where and i came across the dyefor site and what sold me was how much variety they had, as well as being able to personalise your case. This is the particular case i went with, i love the mixture of marble and light pink design and obviously i had Katie written on it because that is my name ha!

7. shein kimono tops | from £5.99 |

Another one of my favourite clothing pieces for summer and also holiday are kimono's, as they can not only easily change the way a plain outfit looks but they are great just to cover up if you don't want to burn your shoulders yet they are still super lightweight and not hot in the slightest. You can get so many different styles from so many different brands but this year Shein have so many beautiful ones, that are super affordable.

8. shein gold plated buckled open bracelet | £2.25 |

Finally also when i placed an order recently on Shein, i had a quick look at their accessories section and i noticed how many great affordable versions of high-end bracelets they had. I am all about simple jewellery and i love different gold bracelets, that are simple but i don't want to break the bank doing it. So Shein is a must-look place if you are looking for something similar to this, as well you must look at their bag section.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

AMAZON'S CHOICE MUST-TRY BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Hello everyone! So Amazon is that place you can go to and pretty much find anything/everything, from books/dvd's, homeware, DIY, electronic products and of course beauty products. Amazon have a bunch of different makeup/beauty items which are sold directly from them and not other seller's, so you know you aren't going to be getting someone's already opened or over-priced unwanted purchases. Amazon also have a wide range of "Amazon's Choice" products, which are all products that come highly recommended. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my personal favourite must-try beauty products, that are available under Amazon's Choice with free delivery on orders over £20 and selected subscribe and save items... 

l'Oréal paris infallible pro-glow foundation

So first up we have one of my favourite foundations of the year, which is in-fact an Amazon exclusive in the UK and it is the only official site that stocks the product. I did a first impression/review post which you can find all about the foundation in detail here.

maybelline fit me matte + poreless foundation

Sticking with the foundation theme and another favourite of mine, this time my all time favourite foundation. I always used to pick mine up from either Boots or Superdrug, but that was until i realised it was well over £1 cheaper on Amazon...so now i bulk buy and i always have some in stock!

sleek makeup highlighting palette

If you are an avid YouTube watcher, then you will probably already know how these Sleek highlighter palettes are always highly spoken about. Not only do they have super luxurious metal packaging, they are also super pigmented and come with a mixture or super lightweight powder and cream highlighters.  

rimmel london 60 seconds super shine nail polish

So Amazon's choice for nail polish is also a huge favourite of mine and i always opt for these colours when i am not in the mood to wait for over an hour for my polish to dry, as they are the only "quick dry" polishes that i actually think work as they say they should. Not only are they quick to apply, they are super affordable, come in a wide shade range and are long-lasting without chipping. My personal favourite is the shade Let's Get Nude.

l'Oréal sublime bronze self-tan summer glow lotion

I am one of those people that much prefers to opt for gradual tan lotions when it comes to my tanning routine, as it is super easy and quick to do. I definitely have tried my fair share of gradual tan from different brands and this one is definitely in my top three, along side the st moriz gradual tan which you can also pick up on Amazon.

palmer's coconut oil formula leave-in conditioner

I am obsessed with anything with a coconut fragrance and i have used this particular leave-in conditioner summer after summer, as it not only helps keep frizz at bay but it also leaves your hair smelling like summer holiday's. Leave-in conditioners are perfect if you are in a rush, or if you simply struggle with tangled hair once you have washed it. You can also pick up other item's from the range, as well as other drugstore brands.

real techniques miracle complexion sponge x2

This particular Amazon's choice selection is not only an accurate choice but also a complete bargain, as they stock a two pack of the sponge for just £6.66 rather than £10.99 or more. I use this sponge pretty much every time i do my makeup and i couldn't be without it, as you get a flawless and even finish. 

prodigueux by Nuxe Shower Oil with Golden Shimmer

So for the final item that is definitely more of a splurge but definitely a must-try product, is this shower gel from Nuxe. My go-to facial oil is the multi dry oil from the brand, which i use every single day both morning and night. That being said i had only tried that one thing from the brand and wanted to give something else a try. This shower oil has the same scent as the oil, that leaves you with a slight golden shimmer but nothing too major and is perfect for summer. The fact that you can also pick up higher end brands from Amazon, makes ordering so much easier.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

xo.

TRAVEL BEAUTY | TEN PRODUCT WEEKEND MAKEUP BAG

Hello everyone! I know i only shared a "what's in my travel makeup bag" post just last month, but i am going away for the weekend and i didn't want to take too many products with me (literally just the bare essentials). So as i was thinking of what products i could pack, as well as knowing what products would be compact/used for multiple things and i managed to get it down to a ten product makeup bag which for me is quite a challenge, as half of the time i love to over-pack and bring about five too many lip products that i don't end up reaching for...

Seeing as i was only taking a small amount of products and i didn't need a huge wash/makeup bag, i decided to go with one of the smaller sized skinnydip makeup bags and you can get them from the skinnydip site/stores, ASOS, topshop and now beautybay.com too. I personally always use these makeup bags, as they always come in cute patterns yet are still see-through and you can not only see what you are looking for but also you can fit so much inside of them. Another thing i did to cut down on the amount of products i needed to take, by doing my eyebrows the night before using the revolution brow tint in the shade dark brown leaving it on for the full two hours and this way i know my brows are going to be good for the whole weekend.

nuxe huile prodigeiuse (sample/travel size)
So something that i use every single day is this dry oil by Nuxe and i love to apply it right before i do my makeup, so this is an essential for me. The only downside was when i was to travel with it, it is huge as it comes in a 50ml glass bottle and i was always scared it was going to smash. That being said i recently received a bag full of mini Nuxe products, including a mini version of this perfect for taking away with me.

l'oréal infallible pro-glow foundation in the shade 205
My foundation of choice for the weekend is the pro-glow by L'Oréal, not only because it comes in a squeeze-y plastic compact tuble, rather than a glass bottle but also because i know it is going to look good/last all day.

ps my perfect colour concealer in the shade nude beige
This concealer is pretty much my everyday go-to concealer, so i know that it is going look good and last all day long without creasing etc. This concealer is also super slim and compact.

bareMinerals invisible light powder duo
So my powder of choice is probably not the most travel friendly size-wise but by taking other things that are more compact, does make for some room and i know this powder is going to do what i need it to do. As this is a powder duo, it has one side that is a matte powder perfect for the t-zone area to control shine and a glow powder side on the other for other areas of the face.

bareMinerals gold obsession chandelight glow illuminator
This is actually a product that i mentioned in my previous post, which is also a good one for travelling with as it is a cream to powder product and there is no need to pack two individual products.

bronze bronze queen bronzer in the shade sunset
This bronzer has pretty much been my go-to everyday bronzer for both warming up the face and used on my eyes, for a quick bronzed eye look ever since i picked it up last month. Skipping on the hefty eyeshadow palettes and just using bronzer is perfect for travelling, as you are multi using products and cutting down on space.

ps pro hd mascara in the shade black
Another everyday favourite from Primark is this ps pro HD mascara and i have mentioned before how it is a great dupe for my favourite KIKO 30 day lash treatment mascara, yet this one is only £3. I would normally take a sample sized mascara i have from MAC but i seem to have miss-placed them so this one has to be packed.

mac pro longwear waterproof brow set in the shade brown/ebony
Talking of products from MAC, the only thing when doing my makeup to my brows is to brush through them with some brow gel once my makeup is all done. This has become my favourite brow gel i have ever used, it also happens to be super travel friendly sized.

mac lip pencil in the shade stripdown
So for the final two items, they were probably the two hardest items to choose and know what to pack and this is probably why i usually end up packing way too many. That being said when i reached a decision i decided to go with stripdown liner, as it looks good on its own as well as with pretty much any other lip product applied on-top because of its creamy beige/brown colour.

charlotte tilbury hot lips lipstick in the shade KKW
Finally for lipstick i decided to go with a trusty handbag favourite of mine, which happens to be a perfect shade of nude for the time of year. Another reason why i decided to go with this lipstick is because i know it is super pigmented, creamy/hydrating on the lips and of course long-wearing. I also love the way it looks paired with stripdown liner, as it adds a touch of pink to the beige/brown liner creating a beautiful nude.

Catch up on my travel wishlist #4 summer edition HERE...

xo.

APRIL FAVOURITES | BEAUTY

Hello everyone! Here we are yet again at the end of another month, about to say hello to another as well as keeping our fingers crossed and saying goodbye to April showers. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my favourite beauty items from this month...

1. revolution brow tint in the shade dark brown

First up, earlier this month i shared a five makeup favourites for £5 and under post and i mentioned how i after giving it a go for the first time, i was left wondering why i hadn't tried it before. This brow tint is literally a brow time saver/game changer for me, as you literally paint it on like you are filling in your brows, leave it on for up to two hours before peeling off and you are left with perfectly done brows for up to three days!

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

This is actually another item from that same post i mentioned above, which is an eyeshadow that has become an everyday favourite of mine and is the perfect dupe for a favourite warm matte brown eyeshadow of mine that i have almost ran out of. This brand is new to the UK and you can pick them up in most Boots stores and online, this eyeshadow was a bargain at just £3.50 and it is super pigmented, easy to blend out without any fall-out.

3. essie nail colour in the shade spin the bottle + next rose gold glitter polish

Next up is two nail polishes that have definitely been my nails and toe nails combination of choice this month, especially now we have had a handful of opportunities to wear sandals this month. I have mentioned in so many posts through the years on how Spin The Bottle from Essie is my favourite nail polish, as nude nails are my thing. That being said i have been loving switching things up by adding in a couple of accent nails using this Rose Gold Glitter polish from Next, which just adds a new level of sass to your manicure. 

4. maybelline master chrome highlighter in the shade molten gold

This favourite is actually one that i forgot to mention in last months monthly favourites post, that being said i did mention it in my affordable/drugstore go-to flawless/glow-y base makeup post. Sometimes drugstore highlighters can be hit and miss, some are good and some are not as good but this one is definitely high-end level. If you are into the whole glowing from space highlighted look, then this highlighter is for you. It actually really reminds me of the ever so famous Laura Geller Gilded Honey highlighter but half the price, twice as big and actually more pigmented, which is crazy because that is pigmented!

5. l'oréal elvive dream lengths restoring shampoo

Finally i have really been enjoying reaching for this shampoo this month, which i decided to try-out since i know how much i love the No Haircut cream and i use that religiously whenever i have washed my hair. Since using this shampoo/conditioner and then the No Haircut cream, i have noticed a huge difference in my hair as it is stays cleaner looking longer, super silky soft and a lot healthier. I would of never of said that a product would be able to help prevent split ends but this one does just that. 

Catch up on my books i want to read in 2018 part two post HERE...

xo.

L'ORÉAL PRO GLOW FOUNDATION | UK FIRST IMPRESSION

Hello everyone! For today's post i am bringing to you a first impression/review on a foundation that i have been wanting to try for the longest time now, ever since i first saw people in the U.S raving about how amazing it was and i needed to give a try for myself. Months and months later, finally if you are from the UK you can get your hands on it via Amazon UK (as it is currently only available exclusive to them) but hopefully it will be in Boots and Superdrug at some point in the not too distant future...

So of course the foundation i am talking about is the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation, a foundation finished aimed for those with normal/dry skin as the Pro-Matte is designed for those with normal/oily skin. Something that is super rare when it comes to drugstore foundations in the U.S to in the U.K, is that the packaging is usually different but this is the exact same. I actually love how this foundation is in a squeeze-y tube rather than a bottle with a pump, as just like my favourite Maybelline Fit Me Foundation you can get most/all of the product out of it and none is going to get wasted. This foundation is available in 12 different shades (classic ivory, creamy natural, nude beige, natural buff, natural beige, buff beige, sand beige, sun beige, caramel beige, classic tan, creme cafe and cocoa) and retails for £11.99.

The shade i picked up was 205 natural beige, as it was a match with my Maybelline Fit Me in the shade 220 on Findation and at first i thought it wasn't going to be a perfect match as it looked a little light in the tube next to that foundation but it ended up matching me perfect. The reason for that being is i found once you blended it out it almost changed to match your skin-tone more, well either that or it oxidises to match perfectly by chance. When i first tried it out i applied it the exact same as i would any other liquid foundation, by dotting some all over my face before blending out with a damp beauty blender. This foundation claims to be a light weight, medium coverage foundation with a flawless glowing finish and in all honesty it is every single one of those things. One normal light layer will give you the most beautiful medium coverage base, with a healthy yet still natural skin-like finish but it can built up easily for more coverage. So overall after waiting so long to try it out, i wasn't left disappointed at all and i didn't expect to be as i love every foundation from L'Oréal already that i have tried. Hopefully this year we have a bunch of new different foundation releases both drugstore (especially) and high-end to try out, i am also wondering if i will try out a foundation and not like it?

Shop the foundation exclusively to Amazon UK HERE...

xo.

EVERYDAY GO-TO SPRING-ISH MAKEUP

Hello everyone! If you read my recent affordable makeup up | march lust list post, then you will probably remember me mentioning how obsessed i am with drugstore/affordable makeup at the moment (one product in-particular). With that in mind for today's post i thought i would give you an updated version of my everyday makeup products, which actually includes a bunch of different affordable makeup products that i can't seem to put down and that are perfect for this up-coming spring...

makeup revolution fast base stick foundation in the shade F8

Kicking things off with my foundation of choice at the moment, which i happened to do a first impression/review post on recently. I mentioned in the review post how i honestly never thought i would end up liking this foundation, but i can't seem to put it down and i love every single thing about it. This foundation is perfect for the spring as it leaves you with the most beautiful yet natural dewy finish, that lasts all day long.

makeup revolution fast base foundation stick in the shade F6 + F12

Sticking with the same product but in a couple of different shades, i have been really loving doing the whole "Kim K" thing using the sticks to contour and highlight also. First i go in with the shade F6 to highlight as it is lighter than the foundation shade, which i will place a small amount under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose and chin. Then i will take the shade F12, which is obviously a deeper shade perfect for contouring the face and i will apply that to my cheek bones, jaw, sides of my nose and forehead before blending it all.

bareMinerals invisible light translucent duo + invisible bronze bronzer

Next up i set everywhere i placed the other stick products, starting with the matte shade in the invisible light duo to set the highlighted areas and then i go in with the invisible bronze bronzer in the shade medium to set/warm up my face where i placed the contoured areas. I am completely obsessed with using these two bareMinerals products at the moment, as they do everything i want them two and look super flawless/freshly applied all day long without needing touch-ups, which a lot of the time you need to do during the day. 

laura geller baked gelato swirl illuminator

Last of all for the base and probably my favourite part, yes you guessed it highlighter time and to be honest i do switch this bit up more than anything else simply because i have so many different ones that i am obsessed with. That being said just recently i have been reaching for this Gilded Honey highlighter quite a lot, as it is the most beautiful/stunning gold shade perfect for adding a spring glow like finish to the skin.

anastasia beverly hills diprbow pomade + mac pro longwear waterproof brow set

For brows i am currently back to using my dipbrow to fill in my brows, as i dropped and broke my new favourite brow pencil from Primark. To top it off the Primark near me hasn't had my shade, so i need to pick one up from a different one and hopefully they have it. To set my brows i am still using my pro longwear brow set in the shade brown/ebony, i love how the small brush is the perfect size to brush through your brows to set.

l'oréal volume million lashes mascara

When it comes to eyes recently i have been all about keeping things simple and i have actually ditched any form of eyeliner, whether that be winged liner or in my water line. So to keep things simple all i do is apply either a little of my bronzer blended through the crease or a warm neutral shadow shade, such as the shade outdoorsy from the Dose of Colors Baked Browns palette or the shade sauced from the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette. Then for mascara on both my top and bottom lashes, i have been reaching for an recently re-purchased old favourite by L'Oréal. I love how quickly you can achieve a voluminous false lash super black lash with this mascara, which is also clump free! When it comes to drugstore/affordable mascaras you really can't go wrong with either L'Oréal or Maybelline mascaras.

 rimmel kate moss lipstick in the shade 42

Finally for lips i have actually switched things up slightly and when i say slightly i mean i have swapped the beige/brown toned nudes for a more pinky nude shade of lipstick. I think this Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick is perfect for spring time, as it adds something a little different. I really like the finish of these lipsticks, as they are pigmented, long-lasting and feel super hydrating on the lips. 

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

AFFORDABLE MAKEUP | MARCH LUST LIST

Hello everyone! I have mentioned this before in a different post, how i feel as if drugstore/affordable makeup brands are absolutely killing the product quality game at the moment and i actually prefer i a lot of those type of products over some high-end brands. Last month and this month so far has seen so many great new product launches, which have left me lusting after needing them in my collection. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you my current affordable makeup lust list, consisting of a mixture of makeup and skincare products from either the drugstore or affordable brands...

1. maybelline total temptation palette | £11.99

Years ago now when Maybelline launched their "the nudes" eyeshadow palettes, i became obsessed with how amazing the quality was for drugstore. They recently released this new total temptation eyeshadow and highlight palette, which is filled with such a variety of different shades/tones and of course i am itching to get my hands on the warm toned shadows in the palette. 

2. morphe fairy dust lip liner pencil | £4.50

I love a bunch of different makeup products from Morphe and every single thing i have is amazing quality for the price point. They recently released a huge selection of lip liner pencils, which i particularly want to try this shade called fairy dust because i think it will be the perfect shade to pair with peachstock lipstick from MAC. 

3. superdrug vitamin e facial serum | £3.99

I have seen/heard quite a few people rave about how good using Vitamin E is for your skin, especially for helping with keeping the signs of ageing in check amongst other great skin benefits. That being said i researched and so many people recommended the Superdrug own brand version, which if it is good is a complete skincare bargain. 

4. makeup revolution créme highlight + contour kit in medium | £15

Recently Makeup Revolution have released a bunch of new amazing products, including the Fast Base foundation which i am living for and can't seem to put down. Another stick form product they have released are these creme highlight/contour kits, which come with a dual ended brush and it is giving me complete KKW dupe vibes. 

5. wet n wild photo focus foundation | $5.99

So this particular foundation has been on my lust list for a while now, as so many people have raved about it repeatedly but it is such a struggle to get a hold of in the UK (unless you want to pay over the extras on Amazon). If anyone knows a good site to get a hold of this from the UK, please tweet me because i really want to try it out. 

6. l'oréal glow mon amour champagne highlighting drops | £9.99

As well as Makeup Revolution, L'Oréal have also recently released a bunch of new products which are also very much about that glowing radiant skin and i am all about that look. Starting with these liquid highlighting drops, which i am really into using at the moment and this particular champagne shade looks simply stunning.

  

7. l'oréal back to bronze matte bronzing powder | £8.99

Another release from L'Oréal is this matte bronzing powder, which to me screams summer vibes (especially as it is infused with coconut). I love how this bronzer is matte rather than shimmery, for a natural sun kissed glow which looks like the perfect tone not too warm or too cool. They also have a new blush/s in the similar concept. 

8. makeup revolution nudes collection matte in the shade buff | £3

Yet another launch from Makeup Revolution, which is fitting in with this whole nude vibe that i am of course living for. The new nudes collection is full of both matte and gloss finish nude lip colours and i am particularly drawn to this shade called buff, also £3 for a lip product is a complete bargain.

9. bleach london illuminati illuminating liquid | £6

Another liquid highlighter that i have my eye on is this one from Bleach London, which i have never tried anything from the brand before but i have heard such good things. This illuminating liquid looks like such a simply stunning golden dewy shade, the only issue is that this product seems to be forever out of stock.

10. l'oréal smooth sugar glow mask | £9.99

So finally last on my current lust list is this new release in the line of face masks from L'Oréal, which i was obsessed with the glow clay mask from the original line of products. As i have more of the dry skin type, i need all the help i can get when it comes to getting radiant/glowing looking skin.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

BEAUTY FAVOURITES: JANUARY

Hello everyone! First of all can you honestly believe that today is the last day of January already? Even though this month is always seems to be the most depressing, i have still had a pretty great January for a change. Getting to the point seeing as tomorrow is the first day of a new month, i thought there would be no better way to end the current month by talking about my beauty favourites from the month of January.

mua luxe light lustre liquid highlight

Over the past year or so i have grew to become the biggest fan of liquid highlighters, as they can be used in so many different ways. You can apply them to the face as a base, add a drop or two into your foundation or simply apply a small amount to the highest points of the face and blend out with your finger or a beauty blender. Earlier in the month i did a full first impressions/review post on the newest MUA launch in their luxe range, this product might sound like a mouthful once said out loud but it is one that is a must-try and did i mention for such a stunning product it will only set you back £5? (currently on offer at Superdrug for £4). My go-to/favourite shade is the shade marvel, which is a really beautiful bronze-ish almost rose-golden shade. 

mario badescu drying lotion

This is a product that i have been using religiously when needed since just before Christmas, yet it is something i am yet to mention in a post until now. Back in December i had found my skin breaking out a little more than the odd one and i think it was down to all the festive food during that month. When i get a breakout it tends to stick around for longer than it is welcome, which is beyond annoying and it was time i did something about it. After hearing so many great reviews about this specific drying lotion by Mario Badescu, i finally decided to give it a whirl and i can now see what all the fuss is about as it is so effective and works quickly. All you do is first of don't be tempted to shake the bottle, dip a cotton bud into the solution then apply the to breakout and leave it over night to work its magic. The only down-side to this product is it absolutely stinks of a quite strong chemically smell, but you can't smell it for long and it does dry fairly fast.

l'Oréal elvive dream lengths no haircut cream

Unlike the drying lotion, this is actually a product that i have already mentioned a couple of times in two separate posts. This is something i have really been enjoying using on my hair whenever i wash it and i also noticed an instant result from after the first use, as my hair looked more healthy, shiny and reduced the appearance of any breakages i had. I also love how this is such a quick and easy product to use, as you don't have to wash it out unlike a lot of hair treatments. I highly recommend this to anyone who has long hair, as i do!  

rimmel 60 seconds nail polish in the shade lets get nude

Finally a nail polish that i have been wearing on my nails repeatedly this month and one that i talked about in a nail polishes i couldn't be without post. These nail polishes from Rimmel are perfect if you are feeling lazy or don't have time to wait for them to dry, as they dry in 60 seconds and come in this super shine finish which leaves you with that salon gel nail finish. The shade lets get nude is the post beautiful light pale-creamy beige nude colour, which is perfect for me as 95% of the time i always opt for a nude nail colour and i never get bored of this one. A similar alternative to this nail polish is essie's spin the bottle, which is my most worn nail polish.

Have a lovely weekend...

xo.

BEAUTY HACKS I SWEAR BY | PART TWO: HAIR + NAILS

Hello everyone and welcome back to another instalment of beauty hacks i swear by! The previous instalment was all about the makeup and skin beauty hacks i swear by, which if you didn't read it already you can catch it here. Beauty hacks go so much further than just makeup and skincare, there are also a ton of different hacks that work and don't work for your hair and nails. With that in mind i thought i would share with you my favourite hacks for your hair and nails, that i use on a regular basis...

1. HOW TO FAKE A SALON BLOW-DRY AT HOME

Who doesn't love have a bouncy blow-dry just like from the hairdressers? but you just don't feel like spending a ton of money going every week for a blow-dry. You can achieve one at home yourself super easily and two different ways, you also only need a couple of products to do so. Either way you are going to do this, the way to achieve the best results is to pre-treat your hair with a nourishing hair masque. Then once washed you can either blow-dry your hair using an attachment on your hairdryer and a round brush, or you can blow-dry and straighten as normal then flick small pieces at the end with the straightener, by doing this it creates that bouncy finish to your hair. You can also check out the GHD website or hairstyle inspiration here. 

2. HOW TO AVOID SPLIT-ENDS

There are quite a few hacks that i swear by when it comes to avoid getting split-ends, especially if you have long hairs just as i do. The first hack is to always use heat spray before using any hot tool on your hair, whether that be a straightener, curling wand or hairdryer. The next hack is to always be gentle when brushing your hair, never pull at it and always brush your hair straight after washing. The final hack is to apply a hair oil or leave-in conditioner when you have washed it, i am obsessed with the new l'oréal elvive dream lengths no haircut cream at the moment and i noticed an instant result after using this on my hair. 

3. HOW TO KEEP YOUR HAIR FRESHER WITHOUT WASHING IT

I am pretty sure it is scientifically proven that it is better for your hair in the long run, if you wash it less therefore i only wash mine 2-3 times a week and there are so many great hacks to keep your hair fresher for longer without washing, that are perfect for when you are feeling lazy. First of all dry shampoo can be a girls best friend, but it can be annoying (especially if you have dark hair) if your dry shampoo is overly powdery and leaves your hair looking white. A simple way to fix this is to dry shampoo your roots, rub in and then go in with your hairdryer to blow away the leftover powder leaving you with fresh looking hair. More tips for fresher looking hair are to never apply anything other than shampoo to your roots, go easy on the conditioner, change your pillowcases often and wash your hair brushes as dirt/product can build up there.

4. HOW TO REVIVE YOUR MANICURE

Over the years i have discovered so many different hacks on how to either revive or make your manicure last that little bit longer, especially if you want to leave it longer in-between salon visits. The first tip is to make your mani last longer and that is to never skip on the top coat or base coat before and after polish, also you can apply top coat every couple of days to prevent chipping. My favourite hack is to add the shine back into your gel manicure by simply rubbing some oil onto your nails and cuticles, i love using the NUXE huile prodigieuse multi-purpose dry oil as it is one of those oils for everything, nails, face and even your hair.

5. PROTECT SKIN AROUND NAILS FROM NAIL POLISH
If you are not the neatest nail painter there are a few different household items you can use to place a protective barrier around your nails, such as vaseline, washable glue (which you can peel off) or nail polish remover on a cotton bud. Apply vaseline or washable glue before you begin to paint your nails, then wash off once nails are dry and you will be left with a perfectly neat looking manicure! If you are using the nail polish remover soaked cotton bud, wait until the nails are dry before going in very gently around the areas needed.

6. USE HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS TO DIY NAIL ART PATTERNS
Who said you had to visit a nail salon or be good at creating nail art patterns free hand? There are so many items laying around your house, that you wouldn't think they would make great tools to create nail art patterns. If you want to create stripes or lines, you can use cut down to size pieces of easy peel tape into whatever pattern you want and once dry simply remove carefully. To create dots you can add a small amount of nail polish to the end of an unwanted bobby pin (hair grip) and dot onto nails, in whatever placing you want. This could also work with applying glitter to the nails, just remember to always allow time to dry and apply a top coat to make nails appear shiny and make your manicure last longer.

Coming up on the blog.... Beauty Favourites: January

xo.

MY GO-TO HAIR PRODUCTS FOR SLEEK STRAIGHT HAIR | 2018

Hello everyone! For the past couple of months i have noticed that my current hair-care routine/product combination seems to be working in my favour, when it comes to achieving and maintaining sleek straight hair (as i naturally have frizzy/wavy hair). With that in mind and seeing has it has been about a year since i last did a hair routine post, i thought it was about time for an updated post.

1. ultimate blends coconut water dry hair shampoo + conditioner

So i first started using this shampoo/conditioner duo back in the summer time and i must admit i have switched up my shampoo from time to time, but i just keep going back to this combination as it works so well for my hair. As my hair type is frizzy/wavy it tends to get dry quite quickly so i often need all the help i can get for keeping both situations under control. Check out my first impression/review post on the Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo and conditioner here. Whilst on the subject of shampoo i do only wash my hair between 2-3 times a week, as i find by not over washing it your hair benefits for it in the long run and looks healthier for longer.

2. l'Oréal professionel mythic oil masque
Every once in a while i like to go in with a hair masque or treatment, just to really nourish my hair and give it an extra shine. What i will do is apply to the ends of my hair, leave it in for about an hour before rinsing in the shower and then going in with my shampoo duo. By doing a hair masque every now and again can also simply cheer you up, by making you feel a little pampered. This particular one is a favourite of mine, as it really works well for my hair and out of every hair masque i have tried this one definitely has that "salon" quality finish to it.

3. ogx renewing moroccan argan oil

This product has been a hair saviour for me for so many years now, as it is truly that one product that will always protect and control the frizz. Just by adding a small amount of this and running it through the ends of my hair once towel dried, helps keep my hair soft yet manageable as well as protecting my hair against UV damage. Even though this product is an oil it doesn't leave your hair feeling full of product or "greasy" looking in the slightest, hence why it is always best to only apply leave-in products and conditioners to the lengths of your hair and not the root. The only thing i ever apply to my roots is shampoo or dry-shampoo on a non-hair washing day.

4. l'Oréal elvive dream lengths no haircut cream

This is actually a new product that i have been reaching for this month and one that i am really enjoying using, as i have noticed an instant change in my hair and it looks so much more healthy and has literally reduced the appearance of any hair breakage. Just like the argan oil i also apply a small amount of this to the ends of my hair before blow drying, which is where a lot of damage can come from not only from the heat but also from any breakage hair brushes can cause.

5. ultimate blends oat milk heat protection spray

Protecting your hair from heat is such an important step to keeping your hair looking and feeling healthy, as heat can be the worst thing when it comes to hair damage. This is a step i never skip before either straightening or curling my hair, at the moment this is my go-to heat protection spray as i picked it up whilst Ultimate Blends products were on offer for 3 for 2. I also figure that if oat milk tastes amazing in coffee then surely it is going to be good for your hair right? I also find ever since using this/the other combination of products together, my hair stays straighter for longer and i don't have to use as much heat on it as i would of had to before.

6. mark hill miracOILous nourishing hairspray
The final step to my sleek straight hair is always a small amount of hairspray, just to help tame any fly away hairs as well as adding more of a shine. I used to be super fussy with my hairspray but now i just tend to pick up which ever is on offer at the time, that being said this particular one from Mark Hill is a favourite of mine because it always tends to give a better finish to the hair and it doesn't leave any crunch/crisp to the hair like some brands of hairsprays can yet it still does the job.

the hair tools i use for blow-drying + straightening my hair:
| tangle teezer original pink fizz | ghd air hairdryer set | tangle teezer blow styling smoothing tool half paddle | ghd pink blush platinum styler |

xo.

BUDGET BEAUTY WEEK: THE BUDGET FOUNDATION/CONCEALER I WANT TO TRY

Hello everyone and welcome to another instalment of "budget beauty" week! As i mentioned in yesterdays post, being the complete makeup addict/collector and hoarder that i am, i am always looking at new and existing makeup and lusting after so many things. I always like to share the particular things in posts that i am lusting after, so with that in mind i thought why not switch things up and rather than just do your standard "wishlist post" i thought i would share the budget foundations/concealers i want to try. For me the most important stages of makeup is foundation and concealer, because without the perfect base there is pretty much no point and i am always looking for new contenders to overtake my love for the fit me combination by Maybelline.

1. wet n wild photo focus concealer

If you are from the UK like i am, then you will probably know it is super difficult to get your hands on wet n wild products. That being said i have seen so many US bloggers/vloggers talk about how amazing this concealer is and how it is super similar to the maybelline fit me concealer and also the nars radiant creamy concealer, which are also two of my favourite concealers. This concealer retails for the bargain price of $3.99, which is around £3 and it is available in 6 different shades. 

2. l'oréal infallible pro-glow foundation

Another product this time a foundation, that is currently not available in the UK (dear l'oréal please hurry up and launch already) and another product that is also talked so highly of/looks absolutely beautiful on everyone i have seen it on. I am a huge fan of l'oréal base products in general, so i am pretty sure i will be obsessed with this and even more so as i am obsessed with anything to give me a glow. This foundation retails for $12.99, which is around the £10 mark and is available in 12 different shades.

3. wet n wild photo focus foundation

To follow up with the photo focus concealer, i also want to try the foundation from the same range. I have seen a couple of these foundations for sale on amazon but the sellers have placed them on there for such ridiculous prices, considering the foundation only retails for $5.99 so around £4.50. I have seen a lot of reviews stating that this concealer is similar in ways to the estée lauder double-wear foundation, yet a lot more comfortable to wear.

4. kiko dark circle concealer

This concealer to me seems to be a similar concept and a much more affordable version of the pro longwear concealer by mac, although it seems the texture of this concealer is a little more lightweight (which is probably a bonus). This concealer retails for £8.90 in-store and online at kiko and is available in 8 different shades.  

5. maybelline superstay 24h foundation

Ok so i have tried pretty much every single maybelline foundation, but i don't think i have ever tried this particular one. I am not 100% sure whether they have recently just changed the packaging or whether they have re-formulated the foundation also, but once i figure out what shade i need i will definitely put it to the test. This foundation retails for £9.99 and is available in 12 different shades. 

6. sleek corrector and concealer palette

Something that always comes in handy from time to time is a heavy duty concealer palette, with more of a cream like texture and i am looking to give a new one a go. I have tried a wide range of sleek products out before but never their face/base products. This concealer palette retails for £7.99 and is available in 3 different shades.

7. nyx total control drop foundation

This foundation has had so many different reviews from good ones and bad ones, that being said this still makes me want to give one a try. Although the thing i am most unsure about is what shade to go for, as a selection of them look super similar and not so different but then there is the small part where people have said it does oxidize slightly. This foundation retails for £14 and is available in 24 different shades. 

8. l'oréal true match concealer

Finally l'oréal re-launched their true match foundation and now they have re-launched their concealer as well, so of course i need to give this a go again. This time around they have so many more shades of a wide variety, that can be used for multiple purposes. This concealer retails for £7.99 and is available in 14 shades, which is super rare when it comes to concealers. 

Catch up on yesterdays budget beauty week post HERE...

xo.

END OF SUMMER BEAUTY FAVOURITES

Hello everyone! Seeing as the end of August is near and summer is already drawing to a close, i thought why not do a little summer recap of all the beauty related products i have been loving over the summer. I have mixed feelings about summer being over so soon, as on one hand i love summer but i also love autumn equally as much, so it is very bitter-sweet. That being said i am super excited to start buying all the fall scented candles ha.

bareMinerals gen nude lip gloss in the shade far out

Kicking things off with the lip gloss i have been obsessed with through-out the whole of summer, it is literally one of those glosses you can pair a little amount with pretty much any nude lip. The shade is the most beautiful pink/beige toned nude with gold shimmer throughout, the formula is also super hydrating non-sticky and long lasting on the lips. The gen nude range from bareMinerals comes fully stocked in a huge variety of shades/finishes retailing for around the £17 mark.

dose of colors baked browns eyeshadow palette

So i actually did a full first impression/review post on this particular palette, which you can catch up on here if you haven't done so already. Ever since i first tried this palette out, i have not been able to put it down and even though i finally got my hands on the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette, i still keep going back to this one and even more so the shade deserted (sandy caramel beige), as it is literally the most perfect crease/all over lid shade for everyday. The texture/pigmentation of these shadows are insanely beautiful, soft and like to dream to blend out. Even though this palette is slightly pricey at £28 for only five eyeshadows, i personally think it is worth every penny and you can create so many different types of matte looks from the diversity of the palette.

l'oréal paradise extatic mascara in the shade black
When it comes down to mascara i have made it no secret that i am all for drugstore mascaras, especially if we are talking L'Oréal or Maybelline and in this case for the majority of the summer it has been L'Oréal's latest mascara launch. The think i am most obsessed with about this mascara is how it lengthens and adds volume to your lashes at the same time, which is quite rare as you usually get one or the other. I also did a full first impression/review post on this mascara, if you didn't catch it first time round catch it here.

garnier ultimate blends coconut water shampoo and conditioner
I am that girl who's hair goes all Monica from Friends frizzy when they go to Barbados in summer/if i don't use hair products designed to keep frizz at bay. This particular shampoo and conditioner duo from Garnier has been such a hair saviour for me, as it not only keeps my hair frizz free but it also keeps it super hydrated without being weighed down. I also love how this combination seems to keep my hair looking fresher for longer, than many others have done in the past.

l'oréal sublime bronze medium gradual self-tan

Summer isn't summer without something than/bronze related and towards the end of summer i decided to switch up my self-tanner from the regular one i use. I love how golden yet natural this tan looks on my skin, as well as giving that healthy looking glow from within and how it gradually gets darker over the days, for a longer looking tan. I first talked about this product in a recent new drugstore favourites, where i also talked about the #insta range by Rimmel and how much i have been loving pretty much the whole range, especially the medium duo contour stick and the translucent pressed powder. The L'Oréal sublime bronzer gradual self-tan retails for £6.99 and the Rimmer #Insta range products start from £4.99.

♥