Thursday 28 November 2013

November Beauty Favourites!

Before I start rambling on about all things beauty related I just want to say sorry for the lack of posts recently. I normally keep on top of things but i've had so much work on at Uni with doing a dissertation and getting 3 essays done at the same time. To top it all off we had a water leak where part of the ceiling in the living room fell through. I know, great timing! As I type this i've just done my presentation on my Final Year Project and things seem to be slowing down a bit so I thought I would share my beauty favourites this month with you all. Luckily none of my skincare was damaged (priorities) in the water leak! 
Beauty Favourites
First up I have an old favourite from last Winter in the Botanics Rejuvenating Bath Elixir Rebalance. This is the perfect Winter bubble bath as it has a lovely spicey, warm scent to it. You only need a small amount, and it is so relaxing whilst not breaking the bank. I've been using a new conditioner this month which is the Dove Damage Solutions Colour Radiance Conditioner. This not only smells like peaches but makes my hair feel lovely and nourished without being weighed down.
Beauty Favourites
Onto skincare, first being the Pai Rosehip Biogenerate Oil, this has been making my skin feel lovely and balanced whilst improving the appearance and texture of my skin. The only downside is it is not the greatest smelling product but it is definitely worth it for the great result. Next is the Super Facialist By Una Brennan Vitamin C+ Gentle Daily Micro Polish Wash. This has a lovely citrus scent to it which is uplifting when used it the morning, it is also gentle on the skin but exfoliates really well. I use this about 3 times a week when my skin is looking a bit tired in the morning and it really makes a difference. 
One of the stand out products from my recent ELF order has been the ELF Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky, this adds a lovely peachy highlight to the cheeks that makes the skin look healthy, perfect for perking up a tired complexion. I've dug out the Milani Baked Blush in Berry Amore this month which I picked up last time I was in the US. This is the perfect berry colour which has a slight bronzey shimmer to it. Perfect applied as a contour blush. I've been testing out some new concealers this month and a stand out has been the 17 Stay Time 18 Hour Concealer, basically this is like the infamous Collection concealer but without that drying feeling.
A nail polish favourite this month has been Essie A Cut Above from their recent glitter collection. This is the perfect rose gold glitter which is a mix of fine and chunky glitter that looks perfect over a pale polish. A new discover i've been loving is the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge, this makes the perfect flawless base out of any foundation as well as being perfect for blending concealer. 
The final product I have is another new ELF favourite in the ELF 50 Piece Makeup Artist Palette. The pigmentation in the blushes and eyeshadows in this palette is top notch and it would be perfect for travel as it comes with a big mirror or as a gift for someone just starting out in makeup. For £15 you can't really go wrong.

So that's this month favourites. Hopefully December will be a little less crazy and I will finally be able to start my Christmas shopping, it is safe to say i've been watching a lot of gift guides in prep for a much needed shopping trip. What have been you're favourites this month?

Saturday 16 November 2013

Sweater Weather TAG

I have since this TAG floating around a lot recently and I knew I had to do it, I am normally rubbish at remembering to do TAG's so for once i'm actually doing one and best of all it is based around my favourite season. 
1. Favourite candle scent?
 I'm a big candle lover so this was hard, I picked up one from Waitrose by Shear Candles called Orange Blossom which was so lovely. I also love the Leaves candle and Yankee Candle Cranberry Ice and Black Cherry. For a cheap option Glade do so lovely candles this time of year especially.
2. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?
I like all of these but I especially enjoy hot chocolate this time of year. If i'm out I tend to get a vanilla latte or from Starbucks I stick to my classic Skinny Caramel Macchiato.
3. What is your best fall memory?
 I always remember going on long walks in the woods when I was little with my Grandparents. Also going to look at the Christmas lights around our area as well as visit London.
4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?
I like both but I am rubbish at applying eyeliner so I will have to say dark lips. Some of my favourites at the moment are the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Glam Plum Fulhum and for special occasions Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Cambon is a lovely pinky red.
5.Best fall fragrance?
I dug out an old Next perfume called Just Red recently which is lovely and spicey. I also love The Body Shop Room Spray in Pomegranate and Raspberry. I am in need of a new Winter scent so would love to know your favourites. 
6.Hats or scarves?
Definitely scarves, I really don't suit hats! My favourite at the moment is a tartan one with stars on it which I got from Sainsbury's, it is so warm and cosy. 
7.Most worn sweater?
I've been lovely H&M jumpers recently, I have a grey and burgundy one which I well all the time as well as a cream and black zig zag print one. All of them and so comfy and were very affordable.
8.Favourite fall nail polish? 
A favourite I had last year was Essie Bahama Mama which is the perfect plum shade, I also love the Rimmel Salon Pro in Rhythm & Blues. I dug out Nails Inc Victoria recently which is a very dark, almost black pink which I love on my toes this time of year. 
10.Football games of jumping in leaves?
I don't think i've ever been to a football game so jumping in leaves. There is lots of leaves in the woods at the moment which i've loved walking through on dog walks.
11.Skinny jeans or leggings?
I like both but probably skinny jeans. They go with everything, i've been especially loving the New Look navy and black jeggings recently though which are so comfy, perfect for University days. 
12.Combat boots or Uggs?
I would probably say combat boots, my favourite boots at the moment are some brown Chelsea boots I got from Topshop. They're so comfy and and help make an outfit look more put together. 
13.What's your favourite thing about fall?
I love relaxing on an evening this time of year, a hot drink, bath, candle and my favourite TV shows in bed are a must after a long day in the cold. I've also been loving taking my dog for walks in the woods although it's been a bit wet and muddy recently!
14.What is Autumn weather like where you live?
I live in West Yorkshire so it tends to be cold, rainy and windy! Although this week it's just been cold and sunny which is nice. No doubt it will start getting frosty and snowy soon. 
15.Favourite fall TV show?
American Horror Story! I just started Coven and I am obsessed already! I love the whole cast on this show as well as the fact that the story and characters change each season. I may have developed a bit of a thing for Evan Peters as well as a girl crush on Jessica Lange thanks to the show! I also love New Girl and Impractical Jokers if I fancy something funny.
16.What song really gets you in the fall spirit?
I can't do this tag without mentioning The Neighbourhood Sweater Weather, i've been in love with their album recently. I also love The 1975 Girls and Menswear, I'm so excited about seeing both of these bands together in February. A recently started listening the Foals and their song My Number has been stuck in my head along with Albert Hammond Jr St Justice.
So that's the Sweater Weather TAG, I really enjoyed doing this and I tag everyone to do it as well! If you do this tag feel free to send me a link to your answer because i've loved watching and reading them.
 

Wednesday 13 November 2013

ELF Haul + Mini Reviews

Like most people it seems I could not resist taking advantage of ELF having 50% off everything recently. I hadn't placed an order in a while even though I used to be an avid ELF fan, one of the reasons was when I went to order most of the things I wanted were out of stock however I was happy to see everything I had my eye on was available this time. 
Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky £3.75 - I've wanted to try these baked blushes for so long, so was happy to see them in stock. The shade Peachy Cheeky is a lovely peachy pink colour that is subtle but adds a lovely glow to the cheeks. I definitely want to pick some more shades of these baked blushes soon.
Maximum Coverage Concealer Oil Free in Porcelain £3.75 - Another product i've had my eye on for a while. I would say this is high coverage myself but it does seem to cover redness and blemishes pretty well without feeling heavy. The shade Porcelain is a good match for my skintone too. 
Lip Balm Tint in Grapefruit £2.50 - Do I need anymore lip balms? No, but I just couldn't pass this one up! It's the perfect size for my handbag and the shade adds a lovely pinky red tint to the lips. It feels really moisturising too and smells like vanilla and taste good too!
Eyelash & Brow Wand £1.50 - A pretty boring purchase but I was in need of a new brow wand. I use these to brush through my brows before I use a pencil to fill them in. I like the ELF ones because they feel sturdy and are cheap. 
Jumbo Eyeshadow Stick in Rock Out and Forest Nymph - £2.50 - I'm really into eyeshdaow sticks at the moment so I wanted to give the ELF version a go. I haven't actually tried these yet but I plan on doing a full review once I have. 
Waterproof Eyeliner Crayon in Brown - £3.75 - This was an impulse purchase, the shade is an almost matallic brown which I thought would be nice used on the tight line. I've only used this ones and it seemed to last okay but some more testing is needed. 
50p Makeup Artist Palette - £15.00 - Saving the best till last, I saw this palette on the homepage and knew I had to have it. It comes with 5 blushes and 5 bronzers which are all well pigmented, I can see myself wearing all of these. Then underneath there are 40 eyeshadows which are a mix of neutrals and some brighter shades, all well pigmented and easy to blend. 

So that is everything I bought from ELF during their 50% sale. I'm really happy with everything I ordered and i'm already planning on picking up a few more bits next time they have a good discount code. Have you ordered anything from ELF recently?

Monday 11 November 2013

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara - Reviewed!

I haven't been using a brow gel for a while because i've not felt the need since i've been using brow pencils more than powders. However when I spotted the new product from Maybelline during one of my lunch break wonders through Boots (always dangerous) I felt like I needed to try it. 
Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara
Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara
The packaging isn't anything excited, just a black style mascara tube. The brush is where things get interesting. Instead of being like your average wand this one has a ball on the end which is perfect for defining the thicker parts of the brows. I picked the shade Dark Blond as it seemed to be the best suited to my brow and hair colour. There are 3 shades available, the others being Medium Brown and Dark Brown. 
Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara
It is claimed that this will leave no streaks or clumps and I have to agree with that. Even though it is a tinted brow gel it isn't too obvious, instead it add a slight bit of colour and helps to keep everything in place. I tend to fill in my brows with a pencil where needed; mostly the ends, and then pop this over top to keep them in place. I like that it doesn't make my brows feel crispy and leave any white marks in them.

All in all this has become a staple in my daily makeup routine because it keeps my brows looking tidy whilst looking natural. I would definitely recommend this is you're on the hunt for something to tame your brows whilst adding a little colour to them.


Have you tried this product? What do you use to fill in and keep your brows in place?

Thursday 7 November 2013

Skincare On A Budget

It is safe to say i'm a skincare addict and I believe it is definitely worth shelling out a few extra pounds on skincare if the products are going to be more effective. However i've come across a few affordable product that I love. I did one of these affordable skincare post last year which you can read here.
Starting with cleansers I have the Amie Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash, I think Amie is a great affordable skincare brand and this cream cleanser is so lovely. It feels moisturising on the skin whilst leaving the face feeling clean. There are no SLS or parabens in it and is even vegan friendly. The other one I have is the Organic Surge Daily Care Facial Wash, this one is a great basic face wash which you could use both morning and night. Again it has no nasties in it, isn't drying and can even be used on sensitive skin.
I've been really into The Body Shop skincare products recently. One of my favourites has been the Seaweed Clarifying Toner. This is a great alcohol free toner which leaves the skin feeling refreshed; perfect for people with combination skin. The other product is the Vitamin E Eye Cream, this is a lovely light eye cream which leaves the skin feeling soft and helps with puffyness and fine lines. 
A product that was a savior to my skin last year is the La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Masque, this is a moisturising mask perfect to use and dehydrated combination skin because it doesn't feel too heavy but is nourishing to the skin. Another Amie product I love is the Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturiser, this mattifies the skin whilst being moisturising. A great cheap everyday moisturiser that is perfect for dehydrated skin. 
Finally some masks, the first being the Dr Organic Manuka Honey Face Mask, this is a clay mask which not only deeply cleanses the skin but is also nourishing. The manuka honey is also perfect for getting rid of any blemishes. A new favourite which I can't get enough of is the Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Deap Clean Pore Purrifying Clay Mask, this is definitely the best affordable clay mask i've found. It feels the skin feeling so clean without be drying, it also helps with any pesky blemishes. Finally I have the Garnier Pure Self Heating Sauna Mask, this one heats up as you apply it and after being washed off leaves the skin feeling so refreshed. Perfect as a quick fix to oily, spotty skin. 

So those are some of my favourite affordable skincare products at the moment, I hope this was helpful to anyone who is on a budget. Feel free to leave some of your favourites in the comments section. 

Tuesday 5 November 2013

The Autumn Blush Line Up

Blushers are definitely something I change depending on the season. Today I thought I would share with you my top 5 that will be gracing my cheeks in these colder months. 
Starting off with cream blushes; a cream blush is perfect for this time of year because they can add a lovely glow to the skin without making shiny. The first one is the Stila Convertible Color in Lilium (review), this is the perfect dusky pink shade which looks so natural on the skin and gives the perfect healthy glow. The formula of this is great too as it lasts all day on the skin and can even be used on the lips. The next is the Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Dixie, this one is more of a peachy pink shade which is especially good for waking up dull skin. This shade looks good all year round and the wear time is great too. 
Onto powder blushers, the first being a great cheap option in the ELF Studio Blush in Mellow Mauve, this is a lovely berry shade which has a slight shimmer to it which adds a slight glow to the skin. The formula of these blushes is top notch and for the price you can't go wrong, they have a great shade range too. Next is a more expensive option in MAC Matte Powder Blush in Desert Rose, this one is very pigmented so you don't need a lot. For me this is the perfect option for achieving that 'just been out in the snow' rosey glow to the cheeks. Finally I couldn't do this post without mentioning NARS Douceur (review), or as i've renamed it 'model cheekbones in a pan'. When i'm at my palest this is a great alternative to bronzer. I would definitely recommend this if you have fair skin; a cheaper option is the NYX blush in Taupe although that one is a little more purple toned.
L-R, Lilium, Dixie, Mellow Mauve, Desert Rose, Douceur
So those are my Autumn blush picks, I think all of these are perfect for adding some colour and glow to dull skin. What are your favourite blushers to wear in the colder months?

Saturday 2 November 2013

Bourjois Happy Light Matte Serum Primer - Reviewed!

Primers are something I use everyday in the hope of keeping my makeup in place and stopping my t-zone looking like an oil slick. I've come to realise i'm a bit fussy when it comes to primers because I don't like slicone feeling primers, and most ones designed for oil control tend to be that way. So when Bourjois released a new primer that claimed to be a matte serum formula I had to try it. 
The packaging is sleek and comes with a pump making dispensing the right amount of product easy. Which is good because you only need a pea sized amount to cover your whole face; with primers i've found it is best not to apply too much and to let it dry before applying your base product to make it most effective. The product itself is a serum as the name would suggest; it doesn't leave the skin looking overly matte, instead it takes the shine out of the skin.
When using this I find that my base products last longer, i've tried this under both foundations and BB Creams and I saw better wear time with both. It isn't going to stop you getting slightly oily on a warm day but on a everyday basis it definitely helps with shine control.

My favourite thing about this is definitely the texture, it is the best feeling matte primer I have tried, for now it is definitely my new favourite primer. This marks yet another one of Bourjois new releases that i've fallen in love with; they've also brought out a Luminous version which i'm definitely tempted to try.


Have you tried this primer? What is your favourite primer for oil control?