Beauty ¦ The skincare routine

I'm pretty sure I've never actually done a skincare routine on my blog as I've never really stuck to a routine ever. However in the past couple of months I've been religiously using skincare and I've found it has made a massive difference to my skin. So today I thought I'd show you the products I've really been loving and using religiously.

Cleanser - Una Brennan Vitamin C cleansing oil.

This is my second bottle of this stuff and I am definitely going to buy a new bottle when I am finished with this one. I am a religious wearer of Benefit They're real and this takes it off no problem. I absolutely love the scent however the one thing I hate is the packaging. This is no way travel friendly packaging as it leaks everywhere other than that though I really love it.

Exfoliating - Nip and Fab Glycolic fix daily cleansing pads.

My skin is usually pretty good with everything however it really hates actual physical exfoliators they make my skin red raw. However I do feel that my skin needs a little exfoliation. I am honestly 100% converted to chemical exfoliators these pads make my skin look so glowy and leave it feeling very clean but not stripped. These are also super affordable considering what you can end up paying for chemical exfoliators (I'm looking at you Liquid gold)

Toning - Liz Earle Instant boost skin tonic spritz.

This one is probably a little bit of an unnecessary step in my routine however I just love giving my face a quick spritz. This has a really lovely scent and feels really lovely and cooling on the skin.

Treatment - La roche posay Effaclar duo.

I have no idea why it took me so long to try this. Everyone says how brilliant it is for clearing up acne and acne scaring and I can honestly say that it has worked wonders for me. I had very heavy acne scaring on my cheeks and chin and it has really helped to fade it massively. I've also found that since starting using it I haven't had a proper breakout and overall my skin has just been much clearer.

Moisturiser -  Embroyolisse Lait creme concentrate.

I gave this a go as Pixiwoo are always talking about it and I completely see why. It's an incredibly hydrating moisturiser without being heavy. It works so beautifully under makeup but I also love using it at night. It also doesn't irritate my eczema which a lot of moisturisers do.

Oil - Perricone MD Chia serum.

Oh my lord this little bottle is pricey but so lovely at the same time. I must admit I've had this bottle since way before Christmas and it's still got about 1/3 of the product left. I feel like this is the other product that has made the most obvious difference to my skin. It is such a beautiful oil which has not only helped with my dehydrated skin but I've also found that it has really helped with reducing breakouts.


I'd love to know what skincare products you guys love!



Beauty ¦ High end vs Highstreet - Mac vs Makeup geek

So I'm not a fan of Mac eyeshadows I know shoot me but they are just something I never reach for. Don't get me wrong I don't hate them I just don't think that they are worth the crazy amount of hype that they get so today I thought I would do a little battle between the Mac shadows I have and the Makeup geek shadows I have.

 

 

Round one - Price

 

The Winner - Makeup geek

Makeup geek has to win hands down on this one, their shadows are half the price of Mac coming in at just £4.95 for their basic pan shadows. Even their foiled shadows are only £7.95 which is still £2 cheaper than Mac

 

Round two - Shade selection

 

The Winner - Mac

I cannot deny that Mac's shade range is incredible. Whilst makeup geek's shadows come in a crazy amount of shades Mac's selection is even bigger. Literally you can pick up any shade you could ever dream of from Mac.

 

Round 3 - Pigmentation

 

The Winner - Makeup geek

Now don't get me wrong I've tried a lot more than Makeup geek shadows than I have Mac but I've never been that impressed with Mac's pigmentation. The ones I own are okay and the ones I've swatched in store are okay  however I find that every single shade I've tried from Makeup geek has just a little nicer and a little more pigmented.

 

Round 4 - Blendability

 

The Winner - Makeup geek

One of the main things that I don't like about Mac shadows is how hard they are to blend. Don't get me wrong I have only tried four shades however they are shades that everyone always says how amazing they are an I just find them not very easy to work with.

 

Other notes -

 

One other thing that I will say about Mac shadows is that they seem to develop that weird film that eyeshadows develop sometimes so easily and I seem to have to scrape off the top layer of shadow almost every time I go to use them. I thought at first it might just be me however talking to some of the girls at college their shadows do the same thing.

 

So overall the crown definitely goes to Makeup geek I think unless their is a particular shade that you really want from Mac I'd definitely suggest you try the makeup geek shadows instead.



Beauty ¦ The High end starter kit.

I feel like there are so may drugstore starter kit posts floating about in the blogosphere at the moment. Now don't get me wrong I love those types of posts but today I thought I'd do something a little different and show you my high end starter kit. These are the products that I would recommend if you were looking to start or increase your high end collection.

 

Base

 

Foundation - Nars Sheer glow - If you are a regular reader you will know that I absolutely adore this foundation. I find that on my dry skin it's just hydrating enough that it doesn't emphasise any dry patches yet it still has a really stunning full coverage and a lovely slightly glowy finish. In all honesty I have absolutely no idea why they decided to call it sheer glow but despite the fact that the name is rubbish the product itself is really lovely. However I will say the one gripe I have with it is that it doesn't come with a pump which is a little annoying. I definitely have to give the Bare minerals Complexion rescue a little honourable mention here, if you are into lighter hydrating bases this one is definitely for you. If you want to read a little more about my review is //here//
 

 Concealer - Clarins Instant light concealer - This is possibly the best concealer I have ever tried which is a big claim as I've tried a lot recently. This is so beautiful and lightweight for under the eyes yet it has plenty of coverage and also works really well on any blemishes. The only thing with this is the shade selection is a little limited so if you can't find a shade that works for you my honourable mention has to go to the Urban decay Naked concealer which is a really lovely texture and has a nice amount of coverage.

 
Setting spray - Urban decay All nighter makeup setting spray - I'm going to be honest I thought this stuff was a massive gimmick but curiosity killed the cat and all that. Turns out on this occasion curiosity led to the cat's makeup being completely flawless all day. I have no idea what is in here but it really does make makeup stick to your face and not go anywhere.

Bronzer - Benefit Hoola - Guess who forgot to put my bronzer in the photo (I also forgot to put in the highlighter aswell #fail) I absolutely love Hoola it is the most perfect super natural bronzer which just adds a little bit of shape and shadow to the face without looking muddy. I personally find that I can't really get away with it for a full blown contour as it ends up looking a little muddy on me however I can imagine someone with a skin tone that is a little darker would really get on with it as a contour. In terms of honourable mentions it has to go to the Nars Laguna bronzer and the Smashbox contour kit.

Highlighter - Benefit High beam - Now if you are one for super intense highlights High beam might not be for you but I personally love it on days I don't want to go really intense with my highlight. It is a stunning pinky shimmer which adds the most beautiful natural glow to the face. It is also really lovely mixed into foundation to add a little more glow. If you are looking for a more intense highlight Nars albatross is absolutely stunning however isn't on for people who don't like glitter.

Blushes - Illamasqua blushes - Okay so I couldn't actually narrow down this as I love all three of their blush formulas. Their powder blushes are so stunning, they have incredible pigmentation and come in some absolutely crazy colours however they still blend beautifully and can be sheered out to whatever pigment you want. The cream blushes are quite wet blushes however once on the skin they just look so glowy and natural and finally the velvet blushes which are somewhere between a cream and a mousse and leave a matte finish on the cheeks. My honourable mention here has to go to the Clinique Cheek pops which are just the most beautiful blushes I have ever laid my eyes end.

Brows and Eyes

Brow colour - Smashbox Brow tech matte pencil - One of the reasons I love this pencil so much is how thin the nib is. I find it is so easy to get a really precise brow when using it. I also really love the formula it isn't to waxy so it's hard to work with but it has enough grip to not move around all over the place. I had to mention Anastasia dip brow as my honourable mention however if you are new to makeup I'd definitely say go for a pencil first!

Brow Gel - Benefit Gimme brow - I really wasn't sure if this one would live up to the hype however I am so impressed with it. I have the most untameable brows ever and this stuff manages to keep them glued in place for pretty much all of the day. I really wish they would expand their shade range though as it is currently only available in two shades.

Eye Primer - Urban decay Eyeshadow primer potion - I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this on my blog about a million times however it is one of those holy grail products that I just couldn't be without. I have the oiliest eyelids in the world despite the fact that my skin is drier than the Sahara and this keeps shadows on all day with very very minimal creasing. Honourable mention in this case has to go to my Mac Bare study Paint pot which isn't quite as long lasting however if your eyelids aren't so oily it would probably be absolutely perfect.

Eyeshadow - Urban decay - I mean what else was I going to pick really. I'm personally not a fan of Mac shadows so Urban decay are my go to when it comes to high end eyeshadow. There eyeshadows are all so beautifully formulated and I can honestly say I have never found a dud shade. My two favourite palettes from them are the original naked basics and the Gwen Stefani palette. For my honourable mention here it has to go to the Stila in the light palette.

Mascara - Benefit They're real - I'm going to be honest this is one of the very few high end mascaras I've tried however it's so good I don't want to try anymore. I have a massive problem with mascara smudging under my eyes and this one is the only one I've every used that doesn't do it.

Lips

Gloss - Clarins Instant light natural lip perfector - I am really not a lip gloss person however I really love these. My favourite shade is definitely number one which is a mid-toned pink shade. I love how glossy these are without being super sticky.

Lipstick - Clinique Lip pop - These have the loveliest hydrating formula and are perfect for someone who has really dry lips. I've found that despite the fact they are hydrating they don't slip about on the lips however if you do layer them to much they can bleed a little bit. I really love the colour selection and I will definitely be picking up some more shades in the next couple of months. I have so many more lipsticks that I really love but my honourable mention had to go to the Charlotte tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipsticks.

Lip liner - Charlotte Tilbury lip cheat in Pillow talk - I think this is definitely in the running for worlds most talked about lip liner along with the likes of Mac whirl and soar. I just really love the formula of this liner and the fact that it basically goes with any lipsticks as it is almost the same colour as my natural lip colour. It also has a really lovely texture and isn't drying at all as I find a lot of lip liners can really suck all the moisture out of your lips.

So that's it for todays mammoth post I really hope you guys enjoyed this and I'd love to hear what your favourite high end products are!
 



Beauty ¦ YSL Rouge volupte shine - Beige blouse

 

Ever since starting blogging I've been dreaming of owning one of these stunning lipsticks however I could never quite commit myself to shelling out the £26.00 for one however on my recent visit to the airport I decided to bite the bullet and get one and I am so very glad I did (Unfortunately my bank balance doesn't feel the same as I now want all the shades) I mean I expected to be impressed but this has gone above and beyond what I expected for it.

 

I decided to settle for quite a neutral shade as that's what I have found I've been reaching for a lot lately. In the end I went for Beige blouse (47) which is a beautifully brown-y pink nude which is just the ultimate my lips but better shade (I really hate that phrase but it fits) The finish is glossy and I find it leaves my lips looking a little plumper especially when I pair it with a liner like Charlotte Tilbury pillow talk.

 

 

My lips have been an absolute nightmare recently as they have been so dry and I find that this is one of those lip products that you can wear no matter what state your lips in as the formula is so hydrating. If this lipstick has one downfall it has to be the lasting power however with a formula as hydrating as this one it would be hard for it to last for hours and hours pair that with the fact that the shade is quite light therefore it doesn't leave a stain. I find I can get two - four hours out of it depending on how much I've been talking however it definitely does need topping up after any kind of food or drink.

 

Overall I really love this lipstick and I would say that it is well worth a purchase if you can bear to shell put the cash for it.



Beauty ¦ The brow roundup

I have recently become a little addicted to buying brow products so today I thought I would show you a little roundup of all the brow products I've got in my collection and do some little mini reviews for you. I've actually split the products into two sections so we have pencils and then setting, gels and creams. I really hope you guys enjoy this post and if you have any brow recommendations I'd love for you to leave the in the comments.

Starting off with pencils these are the ones I currently have in my collection.

Mua Power Brow pencil and Highlight £3

This is the cheapest and my least favourite pencil in the line up. It is in no way a bad product however out of the four it is the one I reach for the least. The formula is quite waxy and I find the nib for me personally is a little thick as I like to have lots of control. The colour isn't to bad it's quite a cool toned brown which is something I tend to look for in a brow shade. I don't really get the point of the highlight as it seems to just completely disappear when you even go near it to blend it.

Soap and Glory Brow archery tint and pencil £10

This such a hyped product and I couldn't wait to try it and I have to say I am as impressed as I hoped I would be. The one gripe I do have with this product is the shade. I picked up the shade Brownie points which is the darker of the two and it is no way near a medium-dark brown colour. I feel like people with dark blonde hair might even be able to use this shade, because of this I don't reach for it all the time however it is really lovely for days when I want my brows to look a little more natural and I really am impressed with the formula.

Smashbox Brow tech matte pencil £16.50

This is definitely my favourite pencil out of the bunch which is so typical as it's the most unaffordable. The pencil is so tiny and I find I can get a really precise brow with it which I love. I also find that the colour is pretty much perfect for my brows as it's just dark enough without them looking overly unnatural. The formula isn't waxy at all which is something else I look for in a pencil. I feel like this would be a very similar but easier to get hold of version of the Anastasia brow wiz.

Maybelline Brow satin £5.99

Out of the three drugstore pencils this is my favourite. Like the Smashbox one it has a very fine point. In terms of the shade it is a little lighter than the Smashbox one and just slightly cooler. However I did find that one of these pencils lasts barely anytime at all. I also really don't understand the paint of the powder on the other end as I find it has very little colour payoff and when on the brows it is barely detectable. In terms of shade range this one is also super limited and I'm pretty sure there are
only 3 or 4 shades to choose from.

 Left to Right Mua power brow pencil and highlight, Soap and glory archery tint and pencil, Smashbox brow tech, Maybelline brow satin pencil and powder.

Moving on from pencils I have a little mismatch of all other kinds of brow products.

Nyx eyebrow Gel £5.50

This is a pretty new product to me but one I've really been enjoying. I had heard so many good things about it so the last time I was in Manchester I headed straight to the big boots to have a good swatch at the counter. One thing I will say with this is that the shade range is rubbish (I'm sensing a theme here) There were four shades on the counter three of which were very warm, very dark browns in the end I settled for Brunette which was the coolest toned not black shade. I find it's still a little to warm and just a little to dark so I have to be super careful that my brows don't end up looking like I've taken a sharpie to my face. In terms of formula this stuff isn't going anywhere. I've worn it to the gym and it didn't even budge which I was pretty impressed with.

Anastasia Dip brow - £15.00

Finally one of the products that I have mentioned today that doesn't have a rubbish shade range. I will say however be careful when picking which shade you get. I like my brows dark but I picked up the shade medium brown and I feel like it's still a little dark and also a little warm. Despite this I've been using it a lot (just very carefully) as I absolutely love the formula. It stays put and it's super easy to work with as it isn't stiff as I was expecting it to be. I completely get why people get are so obsessed with this product.

L'Oreal Brow artist plumper - £6.99

This was something that I bought before I got Gimme brow and I do really like it. I find the wand is possibly a little bit but otherwise I think it is a really lovely drugstore product. It does a good job of keeping my brows in place and making sure I don't have any escapee hairs. I also like to use it on the days I am not wearing much makeup just to add a little bit of definition to my brows.

Benefit Gimme brow - £18.50

Now I really like the L'Oreal one but this one is 10x better. The brush is much smaller meaning that application is much neater. I also find in terms of wearing it alone the fibres in this add a lot more to the lashes and the pigment is a little more obvious. I think that the L'Oreal one is a perfectly good alternative however if you are a lover of brows and have the price range then I would definitely say choose this one over the L'Oreal one.

Left to right - Anastasia Dip brow, Nyx Brow gel, L'Oreal brow artist, Benefit Gimme brow.

Beauty ¦ Urban decay x Gwen stefani eye palette

 

 

 

I swear when I opened this on my birthday my heart actually skipped a beat. I know that literally everyone is talking about this collaboration at the moment but look how beautiful it is. Today I thought I would stick my oar in and review this for you guys because I mean I'm sure there needs to be another review of this palette on the internet! So without further ado lets get into it.

 

 

So starting of the packaging one thing I really love is the fact it's so sturdy and also very pretty at the same time. It is quite heavy which I really wasn't expecting however I feel like it's one of those palettes that will be pretty much be indestructible. In terms of quality the shadows are exactly what I would expect from Urban decay they are beautifully pigmented and blend like an absolute dream. A couple of the glitter shades have got some fall out so if that bothers you (it personally doesn't bother me)  then maybe consider that before picking this palette up. So lets move onto the shades.

 

 

Shades from left to right

 

Blondie - This shade is the more subtle highlight shade in the palette, it's a beautiful shimmery gold highlight shade which I have been using under my brow bone and in the inner corner.

 

Bathwater - This one is a super intense pale gold shade which makes for the perfect super dramatic highlight shade as well as a nice pretty shimmery all over the lid shade.

 

Skimp - This one is a almost matte highlight it contains a little bit of shimmer however once on the eyes the shimmer is almost undetectable as it is so fine. I love using this one with the matte shades in the palette for a very almost matte look.

 

Steady - I think this shade is my favourite out of the entire palette. It is the most beautiful light rose gold shade with lots of warm tones. It looks so metallic on the lid and it looks incredible with a darker warm tone in the crease (like makeup geek Cocoa bear) or a burgundy brown shade (like Punk in this palette)

 

Punk - This one is the first matte shade in the palette, it's a beautiful burgundy red-y toned shade which is the most beautiful crease shade for a darker look.

 

Baby - This is a really metallic pin shade with silver shimmer in it. This is one of those perfect super simple shadows which work so nicely just swept over the lid.

 

Anaheim - This is the coolest of the three matte shades in the middle of the palette. It's a very basic shade but one that is really useful as both a transition shade and a subtle crease shade.

 

Stark - This one is a matte peachy light brown, I've been really liking using this one over the lid with either Anaheim or Zone in the crease for a very subtle matte eye look.

 

Zone - This is the final of the three basic matte shades in the palette, it's a really beautiful medium chocolate brown which I've been using a lot as a crease shade as it's perfect for adding lots of definition without making the eye look to dark.

 

Serious - This one for me was one that I wasn't sure i'd love however it is so pretty and I have been using it quite a lot of the very outer parts of the lid. Its a stunning grey shade which has lots of coloured shimmer in it. I haven't had chance to use this in a smokey eye yet however I feel like it's going to be incredible.

 



Pop - This one is the most incredible pressed glitter the swatch above really doesn't do it any justice. It's a stunning light peachy shade that is absolutely packed with silver glitter particles. It looks incredible pressed all over the lid in the centre to add a little glitter to the look.

 

Harajuku - This one is not a shade I think I will ever use, it is a medium bright Barbie pink with silver shimmer in it. This one is definitely for the braver girls out there!

 

Danger - This again was on I didn't think I'd ever touch however I really love it. I've been using it under my lash line for a slight pop of colour. It is an incredible deep blue shade with a metallic finish.

 

1987 - This one is the most insane true gold shade which reminds me of a shadow I got in a magazine when I was about 11. I'm pretty sure I'm probably never going to use it however it is still incredible quality.

 

Blackout - This one is just the typical matte black shade in the palette. I don't really know what to say about this one!

 

 

So that's it for today's post I hope you enjoyed this! 

Beauty ¦ March Makeup

I've never been one to settle into a routine with my makeup however I do find myself reaching for the same products often so I've decided that each month I'm going to show you the products I've been reaching for often when I've been doing makeup. I've picked up so much new makeup in this past month so I've got lots of new favourites so without further ado lets get on with the post!

 

Base wise I've been using the Bare minerals complexion rescue which I am really loving at the moment. My skin has been much better recently and I've found that I really haven't needed as much coverage as I usually feel like I need. This is the most beautiful light coverage, glowy foundation which I have found applies best with my beauty blender. For concealing I've been using the Soap and glory kick ass concealer under my eyes which I've been really enjoying. I've actually been avoiding the powder as I used it once and I found it was far to matte for my already very dry and dehydrated skin however I find that personally on me it's absolutely fine without setting. Finally for any blemishes and redness I've been using the Clarins instant light concealer which I think is my favourite concealer of all time. It sits so beautifully on the skin and has a lovely high coverage without being super cakey and heavy.

 

To add some colour to my face I've been using the Zoeva Rose gold blush palette this is just the prettiest palette ever. I've been using all three shades out of this pretty much everyday. The contour shade is so perfect for pale skin, the highlight is the most beautiful icy gold shade which catches the light so beautifully and the blush is a gorgeous rose gold shade which has a beautiful golden shimmer in it. Moving onto my brows I've been a little bit obsessed with the Smashbox Brow tech matte pencil it has such a fine point and it means that I can be super accurate and I've then been setting it with my Benefit gimme brow which is the best for if you have super untameable brows.

 

Then for eyes as usual I've been using Urban decay primer potion and then I have been using the Gwen Stefani palette which I got for my birthday. My most used shades so far have definitely been steady which I have been using all over my lid, then I've been using punk in the crease and outer V and blondie on the brow bone and inner corner. Then for mascara I've been using Maxfactor False lash effect as my base mascara and then Benefit They're real over the top to give me super defined and lengthened lashes. Finally I've been using Clinique Poppy pop on the lips which is the most beautiful springy orange-y red shade which I am absolutely obsessed with!

 



Beauty ¦ Mac Viva glam Ariana

Is it possible to be in love with a lipstick as I think I might just love this one. I feel like it is such a me colour. Mac lipstick aren't something I often pick up and my collection consists of a measly five including this one however I read one blog post and I was straight on the Mac website to get it ordered. The finish is meant to be matte which I was a little concerned about however I would definitely say that it was more similar to a satin finish than a matte one. It's incredibly creamy and doesn't dry down in the way that I've heard about Mac's matte finishes doing. Lasting wise I do get the dreaded ring with this shade after about four hours of wear but due to how dark it is I can forgive it. Speaking of the shade it's the most gorgeous dark purple shade. When comparing it to the likes of rebel it is a significant amount darker and it has a lot less pink in it.

 

 

Overall I am so in love with this shades and I would highly recommend it to dark lip lovers!

Cole xo



Blog ¦ Cole does youtube and a few updates

So apologies for being a little bit AWOL recently everything has been getting a little bit on top of me and I've just not had the time to take photos and then sit and edit those and then write a post. However I think I'm on top of it and I am hopefully back for good I have however made the decision to cut my posts down to three a week and then on a Wednesday I'll be sharing my most recent video with you all.

 

I don't think I've mentioned properly on my blog that I actually finally got round to launching my youtube channel at the end of last year. So today as a post to settle me in I thought I would just let you know and leave you with my latest video to give a quick watch. I really hope you enjoy the video and if you have any videos you would like to see let me know.

 



Beauty ¦ Illamasqua sale haul and review.

Illamasqua are notorious for their incredible sales and I just couldn't resist making an order. Typically I bought this stuff and then they put absolutely everything in the sale down to 70% off. Never the less I'm super happy with my purchases so today I thought I'd do a quick little rundown and tell you my thoughts.

 

Cream blush in Dixie

This is such a pretty natural pink shade, I already have one of their velvet blushes and I love the formula so I was excited to try another form of their cream blushes. The texture of these blushes is so silky and smooth and they blend like a dream without moving any foundation about. They are actually a completely different texture to the velvet blushes which feel almost whipped. I will say that on first swatch I thought the formula was a little wet however once on the face they don't feel sticky on any way.

 

Powder blush duo in Lover and Hussy

These colours are so in your face and I just love them. When this duo first came out it was all over the blogosphere and when I saw it in the sale I finally decided to see what all the hype was about and I have to say I'm seriously impressed. These blushes are not only super pigmented however easy to sheer out if you want to but they are sticking around I can honestly say that I have never had a powder blush last all day yet these ones managed it. I'd definitely recommend picking up some shades if you are into super bright blushes.

 

Glamoure lipstick in Virgin

As if I needed another red lipstick but I simply couldn't resist this one its a slightly darkened red shade with a slight glossy finish. It's one of those lipsticks that feels so comfortable on the lips that you could forget you were wearing it. I expected due to the glossy formula that the lasting power wouldn't be great however once again I'm really impressed.

 

Lipstick in Corrupt

I thought this was a nude shade so when it turned up as a bright pink I was a little shocked to say the least however I think I may have found a bright pink that actually works for my skin tone. What I will say about this shade however is that it is so drying. I ended up having to wear it over a lip balm as I could barely get any colour to actually transfer onto my lips. I could imagine that when applied properly these last for hours however due to the fact my lips are currently drier than the Sahara I didn't get a chance to try it out without a million layers of lip balm underneath.

 

So that's everything I picked up! Did you manage to get any steals in the Illamasqua sale?

 



Left to right - Cream blush in Dixie, Lipstick in Virgin, Lipstick in corrupt, Powder blush duo in lover and hussy. 

Beauty ¦ Benefit Real cheeky party

I couldn't not do a post about this palette as I literally haven't put it down since I opened it on Christmas day. I know it isn't still available however I know that Benefit brought one of these cheek palettes out last year so it's likely there will be another one for Christmas 2016. All the products can also be bought separately so I decided I would put up a post about it.

 

So the palette contains 4 boxed blushes, there bronzer, a highlight and the They're real liner and mascara. Before receiving this I had only tried the Sugarbomb blush in a little set and I am going to be honest I wasn't overly fussed by it. However I am so impressed with all four of these including Sugarbomb. Out of the four Rockateur is my favourite shade, it's a beautiful deep dusky pink with a stunning gold sheen to it and I absolutely cannot wait to wear it with a tan. Coralista is your basic orangey coral shade with lots of gold sheen in it. Again I feel like this one will be one I reach for a lot in the summer with lots of bronzer. Dandelion is the most perfect natural blush shade, it's a very light baby pink shade with tiny particles of silver shimmer. this is definitely a good one for if the rest of your makeup is quite heavy. Sugarbomb is a peachy shade it has a lot more pink and is significantly lighter than Coralista however I would put them in the same kind of colour family.

 

Hoola is something that I have really been loving it's the perfect all over bronze shade with no shimmer. I also find that it's cool enough to contour with if I use a light hand. However I do definitely prefer it for all over bronzing. Watts up was something that I wasn't sure how I'd feel about however I really do love it. Bar Benefit high beam I tend to avoid cream highlighters as I find they just move my makeup about however I really do love it. It leaves the most gorgeous gold-y sheen on the cheeks and again I think it will look even more stunning when I'm tanned.

 

If you are a regular reader you will know that They're real is my favourite mascara ever so I was so excited to give the liner a go however I'm just not sure about it I feel like the applicator is just a bit of a gimmick. The formula is absolutely brilliant and it managed to hold up whilst I cooked Christmas dinner with my mum but I just can't be doing with how much of a faff it is to apply. I really hope that they bring it out in a pot form!
 



Left to Right - Dandelion, Rockateur, Sugarbomb, Hoola, Coralista and watts up.

 

So that's it for today's post I really hope you enjoyed this review! Have you got one of the Benefit cheek palettes?

 

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Blogmas ¦ Day 31 - 2015 Favourites

So it's that time of year again, 2015 has been an incredible year for makeup and I feel like it's the year that I have discovered some incredible products that I will be using for years to come. I decided this year that I would keep it even and do the same amount of drugstore as high end so without further ado lets get on with it.

 

Nars sheer glow -

I think if I had to pick my absolute favourite product from 2015 it would be this one. I just love the way it looks on my skin and it has the best lasting power I've ever found in a foundation. This is going to be a definite repurchase for me.

 

Maybelline super stay better skin concealer -

I was pretty loyal to my Maybelline fit me concealer until about half way through the year when I decided to give this one a go. This is pretty much just a thicker version of fit me with more coverage. I will say that the one thing I do dislike about is that 

 

Urban decay All nighter setting spray-

I was pretty sceptical about this at first and when I first sprayed it on my face I panicked big time but once I'd managed to control the hysteria (You think i'm joking) I realised in fact that my face had dried and that everything looked as it did before I sprayed it on my face. It really does make foundation last longer and a little goes a very long way.

 

Clinique Cheek pop blusher in Berry pop -

I absolutely love this blush for one the daisy design is just beautiful but more importantly the shade is completely perfect for me. Its a medium pink berry shade which just looks so natural. This is definitely the blush I reach for if I don't know what blush to wear.

 

 

Gosh Velvet touch liner in Black ink -

I think this year I finally found my perfect black liner. This pencil is creamy however that doesn't mean that it ends up half way down my face 3 minutes after I apply it (Avon super shock liner I'm looking at you) This is another one of those products that I now couldn't be without.

 

L'Oreal Brow artist plumper in Medium/Dark -

I have the most unruly brows and this has been the product I've reached for to set them ever since I picked it up (Although I think I like Gimme brow even more watch this space!) This not only sets my brows in place all day but it also has just enough colour to wear it without a brow pencil if I wanted to.

 

Charlotte Tilbury Lip cheat in Pillow talk -

If you'd have told me at the start of the year that I'd be obsessed with lip liners by the time summer rolled up I'd have laughed at you however it happened and I have to say this one is definitely my favourite. I love it for under most lipsticks but I also love using it on it's own. It's also fab for over drawing your lips if that's your thing.

 

Bourjois Rouge edition velvets -

Now I've only had two of these shades for about a week however I've had the bright pink shade called pink pong since the summer and I just absolutely love the formula of them. They are hydrating and non drying yet they set completely like a matte lipstick. My favourite thing about them is that when you rub your lips together they don't feel super tacky like some matte lipsticks can and for £9.00 you really can't complain about the quality.

 

So that's my 2015 favourites, I'd love to know what you guys have been loving this year!

 

Happy new year!

 



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Blogmas ¦ Day 3 - The beauty reward card roundup

 

I love a good beauty reward card so today I thought I'd show you ones I think are worth having.

 

The Body shop love your body club -

 

Up until very recently the body shop card was £5 a year and you received a free gift when you signed up or renewed. This way you received 10% off everything you bought. Recently they have swapped to a point system where you receive 10 points per pound and each point is worth a penny. They also do offers throughout the year that give members special perks. You can get these points in denominations of £5 and you can use then towards a product or just them. I think this is a really fab card to have especially if you do a lot of shopping in the body shop.

 

Superdrug Beauty card -

 

Out of these four cards I would say that this one is the one that I wouldn't tell you to rush out and get. You receive 1 point per pound which is worth a penny so they do build up really slowly. However they do have special points offers on certain products. The good thing about these is that you can use them in denominations of a £1 towards a shop unlike in boots when you have to pay completely in points or completely in money.

 

Space NK N.dulge card -

 

This one is one I don't use to often however it definitely is well worth it for each pound you spend you receive one point and each point is worth 5p. However if you aren't a regular spender at Space NK points do run out after 12 months if you don't use them. This is one of the cards that I would only suggest getting if you are a regular shopper. You can also be upgraded to a level two card where points are worth 10p however it requires you to spend £1000 over the course of the year and if during the year you have the level two card you don't spend £1000 pound again you go back to being a level one member.

 

Boots Advantage card -

 

Saving the best till last in my eyes this one is the bee's knee's of all the reward cards. For each £1 you spend you receive 4 points and each point is worth 1 penny. I think this one is so brilliant as it means that you can pick up all your toiletries and even your lunch whilst earning 4 points for every pound you spend. Boots also send out vouchers quarterly with things like double points and so many points if you spend a certain amount and they have an app which I'm pretty sure gets new E-vouchers monthly which you can upload straight onto your card. The one complaint I do have about this card is that your points must cover the full amount of your purchase so you can't pay half in points and half in cash or anything like that.

 

So that's my roundup I hope you enjoyed it and if their are any reward cards you feel I'm missing out on let me know in the comments.

 



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Beauty ¦ Top 10 high end products

I've been thinking about doing this post for absolutely ages so I thought it was about time that I got on with writing it. The majority of makeup collection is drugstore so I thought I'd share some of my all time favourites which I would recommend if you're wanting to incorporate a few high end bits into your collection or if you're just a high end makeup lover. A lot of these products are big blogger favourites however I thought I'd throw my opinion in the mix anyway.

Nars Sheer Glow - £31.00

This product is sooooo hyped in blogging world and I must say I completely agree with all the hype. It took me ages to purchase it as I was pretty concerned that I wasn't going to like it. I eventually bit the bullet and I am so glad I did. This foundation makes skin look flawless. It doesn't cling to dry patches and it doesn't make the skin look to dewy so that it makes the skin look greasy. Despite the name it's definitely not sheer at all and I would put it at a medium to full coverage however it can be sheered out.

Benefit High Beam - £19.50 for 15ml or £5.00 for 4ml  

I absolutely love this as a subtle highlighter but I also love mixing it into a matte foundation to add a little bit of a subtle glow. This is actually a mini size which I got in a gift set however it has lasted forever. This is something I reach for so often as it is just so easy.

Clinique Cheek Pop Blusher - Berry Pop - £17.00

Can we first just talk about how beautiful this blush is. The gorgeous bright pink colour is perfect for all year round and I could imagine it looking stunning on all skin tones. It has a slight sheen to it however it isn't shimmery which I something I really love about it. The formula of these blushes is fabulous they really stick around and they are super easy to blend into the skin which I love as it's so bright.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow primer potion - £16.00

This product is something I feel like I will never be without. It is incredible and it absolutely saves me from my oily eyelids. This primer means that my eyeshadow lasts all day rather than about an hour. There's not really much more to say about this other than if you have oily eyelids this will be a life saver.

Mac Paint pot - Bare study - £16.00

This is one of my favourite shadow bases as it is such a stunning colour, it's a golden champagne shade which looks lovely under pretty much any shade. This paired with the Urban decay primer potion means that your shadow is going nowhere so if you have really really oily eyelids these two are the perfect pairing.

Urban Decay Naked 1 - £38.00

Could I really do a high end favourites without including this beautiful palette. This palette is just the best for people who love warm toned neutral shadows. I love how there is a mix of gold and pink shades. If you are a avid blog reader you will probably know that the Urban Decay shadows are insanely pigmented and creamy. If you where to buy one thing from this post I think this is probably my favourite high end product!

Urban Decay Naked basics 1 - £23.00

So two of the Naked palettes is probably a little over the top but I just couldn't choose between the two. This is one of my favourite palettes for traveling as it's so tiny and compact. The shades work really nicely together and I really love Faint for in my brows as it's quite an ashy brown shade. This is an amazing palette if you love matte neutral shades.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat - Pillow Talk - £16.00

So if you read my blog regularly you will know that I am on a little bit of a lip liner obsession at the moment. This shade is the perfect my lips but better shade for me (ew I hate that phrase) I love it for making my lips look a little bigger. The formula is creamy but it doesn't slip around.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector - 01 - £18.00

I'm usually not a lip gloss person but I absolutely adore this gloss. It is in no way sticky and it feels very much like a lip balm on the lips. The shade is so very slight that it just evens out any pigmentation on the lips and leaves them with the most beautiful glossy look.

Mac Satin Lipstick - Rebel - £15.50

As with the Naked palette it wouldn't be a high end favourites without a Mac lipstick. Rebel is my favourite Mac lipstick that I own. I love the satin formula as it's not drying but it's super long lasting like a matte formula. The shade is a beautiful pink toned purple which is very autumnal.

Left to Right - Clarins 01 - CT Pillow talk - Mac rebel - Benefit High beam - Mac Bare study - Clinique Berry pop

Beauty ¦ Sunset

As you can probably see my skin isn't in the best way ever but I couldn't resist showing you this gorgeous eye look today. If you saw my autumn makeup post (Here if you didn't) I've been reaching for lots of berry tones but whilst I was having a look through my stash the other day I realised that a shade I'd never even used was the shade sunset from Stila's in the light palette. It's the most beautiful coppery orange shade and I'm absolutely loving wearing it smoked out all over the lid with plenty of black liner in my waterline and smudged out along my top lash line. I've been loving doing this in a morning for college as it takes two minutes. I also really like to pop buck from Naked 1 through the crease to add a little definition.

I also love to pair it with a dark lip for a super autumnal look. I'd love to know what products you've been loving recently!

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Beauty ¦ The everyday face #2

 

It's be a while since I did an everyday makeup post so I thought it was about time I did one as a lot of the products have changed. This past couple if months I've been leaning towards much more minimal makeup as the weather here in the UK has either been very stuffy or very wet, neither of which are ideal conditions for heavy eye makeup and a high coverage base.

 

I've been starting off with the Gosh CC cream in 03 sand as my base as it is beautiful and light however it still adds a little coverage. I can only use this in the summer as it's a lot darker than my winter skin tone (I won it in a giveaway I didn't choose the shade myself.) I find this really helps hydrate my skin while I'm wearing it without making it feel oily or greasy. I've then been reaching for two concealers. For under my eyes I've been using Maybelline Fit me in 15 as it's lighter than my current skin tone so it highlights a little whilst covering up my dark circles. Then for blemishes I've been using Maybelline Super stay better skin concealer as it has a lovely full coverage without being cakey or drying. For the rest of my base I've only been using a tiny but of my trusted Nars laguna bronzer to add a little glow and bronze to my face.

 



For my eyes I've been avoiding shadow as I find my eyes are even oilier than usual in the summer so I've just been applying lots of Benefit They're real mascara to really make my eye pop. For brows I've just recently started using the Maybelline Brow satin pencil in Dark brown which makes filling in my brows super easy. Finally I've been finishing off the look with my Rimmel Exaggerate lip liner in east end snob to add a little bit of colour to the look.

 

Do you simple your makeup down in the summer or is it just me? I'd love for you to let me know in the comments.

 

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Beauty ¦ The King and Queen of the balms

I'm not sure that I have ever repurchased a lip balm in my life but this one has completely changed the game. The minute I hit the bottom of the pot I panicked ordered another tub off feel unique almost straightaway.

 



When I first tried it I just wasn't sure whether it would live up to the hype however a whole pot of the stuff later and I'm hooked. It's a very thick balm which leaves the lips with a semi matte finish rather than that usual glossy look when you've first applied lip balm. This works really nicely under any lipstick however it does tend to make the formula sheerer if you have to much left on the lips when you put your lip product on.

 



One of the things I love about this balm is how nourishing it. It leaves lips feeling smoother and just a teeny bit more plumped. Despite it's thick texture it doesn't feel heavy on the lips and is perfectly comfortable to wear all day on the lips. It doesn't leave a white cast like some heavier lip balms can so it's fab for wearing on it's own on super low key makeup days. Something I do have to mention is the smell which I personally love however some people might not be a fan as it is pretty strong. It smells like chocolate oranges which for me is an absolute dream!

 

 

Overall if you suffer from super dry and flaky lips I would highly recommend this balm. It isn't the cheapest however it is worth every penny!

 



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Beauty ¦ High street vs High end - Nude pairs

At the moment I am absolutely obsessed with nude lips so today I thought I'd show you my favourite High end pairing and my favourite High street pairing and do a little comparison.

 

 

In terms of colour the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow talk lip cheat  and the Rimmel exaggerate liner in east end snob are very similar. East end snob is a little darker and has more mauve-y tones whereas Pillow talk is lighter and on the more peachy side of nude. I really like the formula of both these liners however I do find that Pillow talk is slightly creamier and a little more hydrating. In terms of longevity they are pretty similar, both fade nicely and don't leave patchy colour on the lips after food and drink.

 

Lipstick wise the two shades are completely different, Charlotte Tilbury's K.I.S.S.I.N.G. lipstick in the shade Bitch perfect is a beautiful quite light peachy nude with a slight gloss to it whereas the Bourjois Rouge edition 12 hours in Beige shooting is a very dark mauve-y nude with a more satin-y finish. The formula's are similar both lipsticks apply well and leave the lips well hydrated. I do find that sometimes Beige shooting can emphasise any dry patches on the lips but as long as I use a lip balm underneath this isn't a problem.

 

Overall if you are looking for that Kylie Jenner lip shade then in this instance I'd recommend the drugstore pairing however my heart personally lies with Charlotte Tilbury's offering. I personally prefer the peachy nude on my skin tone and I mean have you seen the packaging?

 

 

 



L-R - Beige shooting, Bitch perfect, East end snob, Pillow talk

 

 

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Beauty ¦ Stila convertible colour - Fuchsia

A couple of years ago everyone was talking about these especially the shade Gerbera, but it has taken me this long to give them a go. I decided I wanted something quite bright so I picked out the shade fuchsia. It's a bright slightly blue toned pink which leaves a slightly rosy look on the cheeks and on the lips it gives a nice hint of brightness which works beautifully with very minimal makeup.

 

 

In terms of formula due to it being a lip and cheek colour its a little wetter than your usual cream blush. On the lips it feels very hydrating but it still blends well into the skin without moving the makeup underneath around. I personally prefer applying it with my fingers as I find the heat helps it blend into the skin seamlessly.

Overall I would recommend these, they are really good quality and well worth the money.

 

Beauty ¦ Shop my stash #3

I've ended up in a bit of a makeup rut at the moment and I've found myself reaching for the same products in a daily basis so I thought do a shop my stash to liven up my routine a little.

 

Miss sporty Morning baby bronze BB cream.

This little bottle of magic is amazing for mixing in to super pale foundations to darken them up and add a beautiful bronzey glow. I also really like it as a primer. The only reason I haven't used this much is because I had no tan at all however now I have some colour I feel like I'm going to get loads of wear out of it.

 

Bourjois Healthy mix foundation

I love the serum version of this so I picked up the original version. I've found this is actually a lot darker than the serum so I haven't been able to get much wear out of it. Hopefully like the bronze cream I will be able to get some more wear out of it now I have a bit of colour.

 

 

Essence xxxl long lasting lip gloss Matte effect - Silky red

This is something I was so desperate to try out but I keep forgetting about it. I love the formula of these as they don't feel dry and gross like some matte lip products can. This is a beautiful true red shade which I cannot wait to get more wear out of.

 

Maxfactor Miracle touch creamy blush - Soft pink

I love this blush but because it's so tiny I tend to overlook it and completely forget about it. The name of the shade is pretty perfect. It's a gorgeous soft pink that looks lovely with most lip and eye looks and leaves a lovely subtle flush on the cheeks.

 





The Balm Balm voyage

Because this is such a massive palette it's right at the bottom of my palette draw meaning I have a habit of forgetting about it. This palette has the most amazing mix of shades and it also contains 3 cheek and lip colours. Some of the shades are not to my taste but the mix of neutral and earthy tones

work really well for me.

 

So that's it for today's post! I'd love to know how often you shop your stash?