MAKEUP WISHLIST | BASE MAKEUP I WANT TO TRY

Hello everyone! I mentioned a few posts back now that i haven't really been spending any money on new makeup, as it hasn't really been a priority at the moment. That being said, it doesn't mean that i don't have my eye on a good list full of products that i can't wait to try out at some point. So for today's post i thought why not share with you the products that i am currently lusting after, which happen to be all base makeup products (which in my opinion is the best part about makeup).

1. dior diorskin nude luminizer in the shade nude glow

When it comes to base makeup, i think we all know that highlighter is the best part and as soon as i laid eyes on this new release from Dior's new collection i fell in love. You can pick these beautiful beautiful highlighters up in six different shades but the shade nude glow is definitely my personal favourite and they retail for £34 each.

2. clinique dramatically different hydrating jelly

As i have normal to dry skin, i am always looking for skincare products that are going to give my skin the most hydration/moisture and there is something about this hydrating jelly that really appeals to me. As this is a jelly compared to your regular cream or serum, i feel like this would be really refreshing on the skin.

3. smashbox + vlada petal metal shimmer drops

Of course there was going to be multiple highlighting/illuminating products through-out this post, next up is in a shimmer drop form. These shimmer drops available in two different shades are part of Smashbox's recent stunning limited edition collection, which i definitely want to pick up one of these soon as they look stunning and perfect for those lightweight yet glow-y less makeup days. 

4. revolution fast base concealer

Next up is a more affordable product that i can't wait to give a go, i also hope that i end up loving it as much if not more than the previous conceal and define concealer released by Revolution earlier in the year. The concept of this concealer really reminds me of the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer, which has been loved by many including me for years now. Next time i pop into Superdrug, i will definitely pick one of these up.

5. benefit hello happy soft blur foundation

To me during the summer months or even just those days where you want to wear makeup but nothing too much or heavy, it is always good to have one of those sheer/light-medium coverage foundations in your collection and this new release by Benefit is said to be just that. I really want to pick one of these up to give a go, as the reviews so far are really good and i am hoping i would like it more than the hello flawless foundation, which i wasn't a fan of.

6. bareMinerals claymates mask duo

bareMinerals is hands down one of my favourite brands, as everything just seems to suit my skin so well and i must admit i got a little excited when i saw this new face mask duo release. This mask is said to both purify and hydrate, leaving you with cleansed dewy looking skin. You can pick these new claymates mask duos up in two different types, the be pure and be dewy as well as the be bright and be firm finish.

7. iconic london luminous powder

Finally we have another illuminating product, this time from the brand that produced the ever so Instagram famous highlighting drops, that allow you to glow from space. This powder is said to be beautiful used either by each individual shade in the pan or mixed all together for an all over radiant look and who doesn't want to look radiant right? The packaging on this product is also super sleek and luxurious, i happen to be a sucker for gold metallic packaging ha! 

Missed Monday's post? Catch up HERE...

xo.

FIFTEEN FOODS/OILS FOR HEALTHY SKIN + HAIR

Hello everyone! There are so many great different skin/hair products available that you can spend a lot of money on to help your skin and hair look/stay healthy looking, when it doesn't always have to be that way. Of course i am not saying ditch all of your products, but there are actually so many foods/oils you can be eating/using that are naturally good for your skin, hair and even nails. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would share with you twenty of my favourite foods/oils which are great for achieving glowing skin and hair naturally...

1. oats

Oats are a filled with a great source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants and great for repairing any breakage to your hair. Oats also have a lot of health benefits to, such as aiding weight loss, lowering blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

2. walnuts

Walnuts are filled with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which helps keep in moisture, giving your hair that healthy looking shine. The protein helps boost the follicles of the hair allowing your hair to look fuller and stronger. Walnuts are also a great source of brain food and also just like oats are said to help with weight loss.

3. spinach

Spinach is not only a great source of iron to give your strength, it is also a great natural anti-ageing as it is packed full of vitamin A. Spinach is also another great food for helping with the skins moisture.

4. red peppers

A fun fact (something i didn't know until recently) that red peppers actually contain more vitamin C than oranges do, who would of thought that? Vitamin C is a great antioxidant, aiding your skin to look more radiant and glowing.

5. kale

Just like spinach, kale is also the perfect anti-ageing/wrinkle reducing food but fun fact, kale is actually filled with more antioxidants than most greens. Kale is most definitely a win-win vegetable, as it has so many health benefits for both the inside and outside of your body. I also think it tastes delicious.

6. pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds not only taste delicious, they are also packed full of zinc for helping with your skins natural oils which help to protect and repair your skin. It is also said that pumpkin seeds can aid the natural growth process in your hair, as well as fighting against acne and boost your immune system.

7. lentils

Lentils are a great source of getting protein and iron into your system, especially if you aren't a meat eater. By eating lentils you can also boost the thickness and fullness in your hair, as well as being packed full of vitamins perfect for aiding with producing collagen in the skin.

8. coconut oil

Coconut is not only the perfect ingredient for adding/keeping moisture in your hair and skin, it is also a natural antibacterial. Coconut oil can be used for so many different things from dry ends of your hair, dry hands, a natural cleanser to break down makeup and you can even use it to shave your legs with.

9. macadamia oil

Macadamia oil just like coconut oil is a great way to keep your skin/hair looking and feeling moisturised, but it is also said that macadamia oil is also a great natural ingredient proved to help sooth and reduce inflammation.

10. jasmine oil

Jasmine oil can be used in so many different ways, either as a calming remedy or to give an instant shot of moisture to dehydrated skin. Jasmine oil is also proven to help fade any scars/imperfections to the skin such as stretch marks and acne scars.

11. garlic

Garlic is apparently one of natures best medicines, to help keep cholesterol and blood pressure low as well has helping with preventing brain diseases. That being said for the beauty side of things, garlic has been proven to help prevent breakouts and maintain clearer looking skin. 

12. eggs

Which ever way you prefer to eat your eggs, you are going to be helping your hair, skin and nails out tremendously. The nutrients that is jam packed into one small egg, is going to help not only reduce the size of pores, it is going to tighten the skin, add shine to your hair and strength to your nails.    

13. berries

Berries are a strong antioxidant and are jam packed with vitamin C, by eating berries they are not only going to help hydrate your skin/hair, they are also going to give you a healthy glow, boost collagen and they are also a natural anti-inflammatory.

14. tea

Tea is not only one of those things that taste good, it is also giving your skin a helping hand at the same time. Green, black and red teas are not only like berries rich in antioxidants and anti-ageing, they are also a great way of helping you to get a clear your complexion. By drinking tea it is also said to help reduce puffy eyes, dark circles and help prevent blackheads.

15. dark chocolate

Last but not least probably one of the most surprising foods, as usually anything containing dairy is said to be bad for your skin. Although it is said by just having a small amount of dark chocolate can help your skin fight against sun damage, anti-ageing and skin discoloration. Chocolate also releases brain endorphins making you feel happy, so naturally when you feel happy you'll look good.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

BEAUTY HACKS I SWEAR BY | PART ONE: MAKEUP + SKIN

Hello everyone! Through-out the years we have all discovered a hack or two that comes in handy and we have also learnt the hard way, that some don't work as well if not at all. That being said, after trying so many different hacks/tricks myself, i have found the ones that work well for me personally and i swear by using them on an everyday basis because they actually can make a huge difference. So for today's post i thought i would share part one to a little "beauty hacks i swear by" series, kicking things off with makeup and skin...

1. LINE UPPER LASH LINE TO MAKE LASHES APPEAR THICKER

If you are having one of those days where you either can't be bothered, don't have the time or don't want to wear false lashes but you still want your lashes to stand out. You can still achieve this quick and easily by simply applying some eyeliner or eyeshadow with an angled brush close to your upper lash line, it not only makes the lashes appear thicker but also makes your eyes pop more.

2. USE POWDER FOR A FAUX LASH EFFECT
Another great tip for creating that false lash look without actually wearing falsies, is to firstly curl your lashes before applying one coat of mascara. Next you are going to want to apply some translucent powder to your lashes before going in with another coat of mascara, by doing this is creates  thicker, fuller and longer looking lashes. I don't know how but i just know that this works so well!

3. DO YOUR EYESHADOW BEFORE YOUR CONCEALER

I have always done my makeup in a specific order, i like to do my foundation first before i do my eyeshadow, rather than going straight in with concealer and finishing my base before moving onto my eyes. By doing this you have created an even base but you can still go in with concealer to fix any mistakes or fall-out that might of occurred, as you haven't placed any powder yet on your face and therefore your makeup won't appear cake-y from placing a liquid on-top of a powder.

4. USE BRONZER FOR A QUICK EYESHADOW LOOK
Talking of eyeshadow a great alternative to applying eyeshadow, especially if you want a quick and easy eye look is to use your bronzer what you plan on using as part of your base makeup. I do this all the time, even more so if i am travelling that way you don't have to pack a ton of products. I always tend to take a bronze, blush and highlighter palette, this way everything is in one place and a lot more compact.

5. HOW TO GET GLOWING SKIN
Towards the end of last year i posted a similar type of post in the form of a beauty tricks that actually make a difference and in that post i touched on how to fake glowing skin. Through out the years we have probably all needed a helping hand with this now and again, me included and liquid highlighters, facial oils and strobe creams will definitely be your best friends. That being said you can also achieve glowing skin naturally, by following a few easy steps that i swear has helped for me. First of all make sure you are drinking 2+ litres of water a day, if you aren't a huge fan of plain water switch things up and add a little non sugar squash to the water. Next of all getting vitamins into your system is key, whether that be in tablet form, from fruits and vegetables. You could even kill two birds with one stone by getting your water intake and vitamins in one, in the form of a berocca which is full of b vitamins and folic acid.

6. CREATE A THERMAL FACE MASK IN SECONDS

Always heard that the benefits for your skin from a thermal face mask are amazing? but don't have a thermal designed mask in your collection or price range. You can create your own in seconds with one you already have, simply place the amount of product you would normally use into a microwave proof bowl and heat for 20-30 seconds making sure it doesn't over-heat or dry-out. Apply the now thermal face mask with an old yet clean foundation brush, sit back/relax and feel like you have taken a trip to the spa from home. 

Catch up on my previous blog post HERE...

xo.

KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE: CURRENT SKINCARE ROUTINE

Hello everyone! So it has been a good few months (April to be precise) since i last did any form of skincare routine post and since then, i have switched up a fair few products in my daily routine. Now that we are into the autumn/winter months our skin needs just as much TLC, as it would during the summer months if not more sometimes. As the weather is obviously colder, the coolness tends to dry out our skin a lot quicker than it would when the weather is warmer. That being said seeing as my skin type is normal/dry, i need all the help i can get when it comes to keeping my skin looking and feeling hydrated.

nivea daily essentials 3-in-1 deep cleansing exfoliating wipes

Kicking things off with how i start by removing my makeup and that is with these face wipes by Nivea, which have been favourites of mine for so long now and i don't reach for any other face wipes now as nothing compares to them for me. Even though they are exfoliating wipes they aren't harsh in the slightest on the skin, i simply like to take one of these to remove as much surface makeup as i can before going in with my cleanser.

simple water boost micellar facial gel wash

So i have been using this particular face wash for a few weeks now and i am really enjoying reaching for so far, because it honestly just ticks all of the boxes for what my skin needs at this time of year. I love how gentle, yet effective this face wash is and removes every single bit of makeup from your face, as well as leaving it feeling super soft/hydrated. I have never really reached for all that many Simple products ever, but after giving this a try i am intrigued to try more from this particular "water boost micellar" range.

t-zone charcoal & bamboo nose pore strips

I first mentioned these nose pore strips in my five october favourites from superdrug under £5 post and how effective i have found them to be, for unblocking my pores/getting rid of any blackheads on my nose. Strips like these are really great just to pop one on once a week, to remove any build up which is mainly caused from wearing makeup every single day like i pretty much do.

kiehl's rare earth deep pore cleansing masque 

This particular face mask was recommended to me by my sister, as it is really great for eliminating impurities (aka blemishes) and helps draw out any oil build up from the problem areas. I really love "clay" type face masks, as i find they work well for my skin and even though it is more of a dry texture face mask, it doesn't dry out my skin in the slightest. I will usually only use this face mask either once or twice a week.

garnier moisture bomb tissue mask

So this particular sheet mask has been a favourite of mine ever since they launched and i usually always have a handful of them in-stock, for when i might need one. The reason for that is because this particular sheet mask is amazing for that instant boost of hydration, that your skin might be lacking and you can literally go from dry skin to hydrated skin in 10-15 minutes. As this is a sheet mask as well there is no washing off needed to be done, all that you simply do is remove the sheet from your face and massage in the remanding product.

the ordinary salicylic acid 2% solution

I have tried out so many different skincare products from The Ordinary brand by Deciem, but i have honestly never tried one as effective as this particular solution is. If i have a huge/angry visitor on my face, all i will do is apply a small amount of this solution to the problem area, right before going to bed and in the morning it will have reduced the size of the blemish/problem area. I also still can't believe how affordable yet effective these products are, especially because the majority of them are under £5 each. 

manuka doctor apirefine targeted wrinkle filler

This product is one that i was using during my previous skincare routine post and still continues to be my eye cream of choice now. I love how ever since using this wrinkle filler, the lines under my eyes appear smaller, as well as keeping the under-eye super hydrated. As this particular product contains bee venom, it really helps to keep the skin feeling/looking firmer as well as hydrated. 

nuxe huile prodiguese multi-usage dry oil

Last of all we have the final step, which is "moisture" and rather than using a cream formulated moisturiser, i have been simply using this oil by NUXE and is one that i have raved about for months now. I have been obsessed with using facial oils this year, as i find them so much more hydrating/effective for my skin than a regular moisturiser would. I actually did a full first impression/review post, talking all about the multi-usage dry oil which you can catch up on here if you want to know more about the product.

Check out my affordable dupes for high end skincare products post HERE...

xo.

BEDSIDE BEAUTY: CURRENT GO-TO PRODUCTS

Hello everyone! So i don't know about you but i always like to keep a selection of beauty products on my bedside table, for two reasons. One you can use these skincare/bodycare products whilst sat or laid in bed watching your favourite tv show or movie and two because they are mainly products that are best applied right before lights-out. Some of these products are always the same and some i like to switch up from time to time, with that in mind i thought for today's post, why not share with you all my current go-to bedside beauty products.

lush cosmetics sleepy body lotion

I usually always use the Palmer's Coconut Oil Body Lotion, which i still do from time to time but for the past month or so i have been re-reaching for this Sleepy Body Lotion from Lush instead. Sleepy was originally just part of the Christmas line last year (which is when i first tried it) and obviously since then they have made it permanent. This body lotion is perfect in every single way for bedtime, as it will put you out in a light, help free any built up anxiety with the help of its lavender oil infusion.

the ordinary salicylic acid 2% solution

I have talked about a selection of products by Deciem (The Ordinary) in quite a few posts this year, as it has been a skincare brand i have been reaching for a lot. This particular product has replaced another product i was using for the same purpose, as i now prefer to just apply a small amount of something more effective to the problem area (aka a blemish). If i don't think a blemish is all that bad or it is almost healed i will sometimes reach for a little amount of ever so trusty Sudocrem.  

doctor manuka replenishing facial oil or 

the ordinary 100% organic cold-pressed moroccan argan oil

Again like i said above i sometimes switch between two different products and because i do have more normal/dry skin, i do love nothing better than to basically smother my face in facial oil before bed and then it keeps the dryness at bay. These two particular products are favourites of mine, both are some hydrating, brightening but that being said The Ordinary one is a great multi-purpose products as it can be applied to the ends of the hair also. As well as these facial oils being bedtime favourites, i am also obsessed with they way they prep your skin for makeup in the morning time, either underneath or mixed into your foundation.

the body shop coconut lip butter

Finally we have one of the products that i can never go to bed without applying and that is lip balm, i also never use any other kind now except for the Coconut Lip Butter from The Body Shop. This lip balm is just so effective, as it instantly hydrates your lips keeping them hydrated for longer and chap-free. Also if i am feeling as if my lips are that extra bit dry and in need of some TLC, i will apply a mixture of the Lip Scrub by Lush and this.

♥