April Favourites

Since I've been making a conscious effort to use up more makeup, I feel like my monthly favourites are becoming more and more boring, but I never want to include things that I haven't consistently used all month. 

This month its a bit of a mixture of old favourites and new discoveries. 

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel 

Ahh the infamous Bronze Universel, one of those cult beauty blogger items. This is a cream bronzer which is notoriously tricky to work with. Half the battle is finding the right brush to use with it. Personally I really like the Real Techniques Blush Brush, its synthetic so perfect for cream products and   not too dense. Applied right, this gives such a beautiful, healthy bronzed glow. 

MAC Mineralize Blush in New Romance

From a rediscovery to a new discovery. I really do love the MAC Mineralize blushes, as they act as a blusher and a highlight in one. New Romance is a pretty peach colour, perfect for Summer. 

Word of caution with these blushers though, a little goes a long way. 

Essie Nail Polish in Stones 'n Roses

I mentioned this polish in my last post, so I won't bore you all again but safe to say I have been loving this 60's style peach colour.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

A trip to Boots these days is becoming more and more dangerous. They have started stocking more new and cult brands, that its now almost impossible to just go in for one thing. I have heard a lot about this moisturiser, so when I spotted it in Boots I decided to try it. 

When it comes to moisturisers I tend to be very picky, as I hate anything that feels too heavy. This feels light but hydrating on the skin and isn't at all greasy. I can't say I have noticed any skincare benefits yet, but at the moment I am just enjoying using this.

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Champagne Diamonds

I have a bit of an obsession with cream eyeshadow sticks and out of all the ones I've tries, these Charlotte Tilbury ones are easily the most glittery. Champagne Diamonds is a gold colour with actual visible chunks of glitter. I prefer the By Terry Ombre Blackstar's to these but I do love how sparkly these look on the eyes.

Pretty in Peach

There is a definite peachy theme going on in my makeup bag right now. I don't know if its the warmer weather or the fact I ended up in a YouTube black hole and found myself watching JLo music videos from 2000….'think I wanna drive your Benz I don't' ;)

I thought I would share some of my current favourite peach shades, just in case you are having a JLo moment too.

Blushers

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Milani is an American brand but you can buy it on Amazon if you live in the UK like me. You don't need much of this as its super shimmery but paired with a tan I love it. I am wearing it in this FOTD post if you want to see it 'in action'.

MAC Mineralize Blush in New Romance

This blush was the result of going into MAC on my lunch break #sorrynotsorry

These Mineralize blushes are so pretty because they act as a highlight and a blush in one. New Romance is a beautiful shimmery peach, pure Jlo right there! Its very similar to Luminoso but I actually prefer this as it has a little more pink it. 

MAC Powder Blush in Peaches

An oldie but a goodie, unlike New Romance, Peaches is completely matte. You can see it in my FOTD post here but this has long been one of my all time favourite blushers.

MAC Cremeblend Blush in Something Special

MAC cream blushes are perfect for people that don't really like cream blushes. They aren't really wet or sticky and dry down to an almost powder finish. If you want to try a cream blush but are a bit scared, I would recommend these. Something Special is such an easy shade to wear everyday, goes with anything. I have it on, in this post.

Left to right: Luminoso, New Romance, Peaches and Something Special

Left to right Stones 'n Roses and Not Just a Pretty Face

Nails

Essie Stones 'n Roses and Essie Not Just a Pretty Face

I've become a bit boring with my nail polish choices recently and have been just sticking to these two colours.

 Stones 'n Roses is a really pretty soft coral, it's a real 60s colour but I just love it.

Not Just a Pretty Face is my favourite 'nude' colour. Slightly peachy but just gives your nails a real healthy glow. I have already got through almost half the bottle!

Lips

Clinique Pop Lip Colour and Primer in Melon Pop

I love these new Pop lipsticks by Clinique. They are really creamy, richly pigmented and come in an amazing wearable selection of colours. Melon Pop is a peachy nude, which is really flattering. I think this will be my go to summer colour.

MAC Lipstick in Kinda Sexy

This was my other sneaky MAC purchase and its actually a repurchase. I am a matte lipstick fiend and Kinda Sexy is a matte peach toned nude. I have got a Face of the Day post coming with this, so you can see what it looks like on. 

BareMinerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil-Balm in Peach Passion

I am obsessed with this lip balm. It feels so nice on the lips, really nourishing and moisturising. This is a big statement but this may just be the best tinted lip balm I have tried! 

Buxom True Nude Lip Foundation in Au Naturel

This is very similar to Kinda Sexy, just a bit darker. These are only available from Sephora but I'm planning on picking some more up when I go back to the States at the end of the year. I love matte lips and these are like the perfect matte nude wardrobe…I need every shade.

Left to right: Melon Pop, Kinda Sexy, Peach Passion and Au Naturel

Eyes

NARS Outer Limits Shimmer Eyeshadow

This eyeshadow is all my makeup dreams bought to life. It is genuinely the most beautiful eyeshadow I have ever seen. A peach with pink glitter, although I am slightly concerned that the glitter is an overspray (why do makeup companies do that!) This is part of NARS Christopher Kane collection, so grab it while you can!

Bourjois Colorband 2-in-1 Eyeshadow and Liner in Rose Fauviste

You know how much I love a cream shadow stick but I can't say I am a massive fan of these Bourjois ones. These are a little dry for me and I don't love how this colour looks on its own, but with the NARS eyeshadow layered over the top I love it! 

Outer Limits 

Rose Fauviste

Rose Fauviste with Outer Limits over the top

February Favourites

Its a short but sweet favourites post this month. 

As you know, I have been making a conscious effort to use up some of my makeup. Which means I have been wearing the same lipstick, foundation, concealer etc for weeks on end. 

I only ever want to include true favourites in these posts, so its a very select edit this month.

Mad Men - The Final Season Part 1

There are so many things I love about Mad Men. Having watched it from the beginning, I have loved the subtle changes each season with the sets and costumes, taking us from the 50's to the late 60's where this season is set. I also love that each season is very reflective of the current affairs at that time. This season addresses gay rights, the Moon landing, the introduction of computers. I just find it fascinating, the late 60's and 70's were such an exciting time which Mad Men portrays so well. 

If like me you often feel disillusioned with our generation, Mad Men is a welcome escape.

£15.00 Amazon

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

I have to give it to Benefit, they make good mascaras (except Badgal lash!) 

I was super impressed by Roller Lash, it really gave a curl to my lashes and I love the doe eyed effect it leaves. Although this does seem to be a very polarising mascara, you either love it like me, or hate it!

£19.50 (full size) Boots

Essie Not Just a  Pretty Face Nail Polish

You know you're getting old when you start gravitating towards natural coloured nail polish. I haven't reached for a bright nail polish in months, I don't know if this is just a phase or whether I should just collect my free bus pass and Max Factor pancake makeup now and be done with it. 

'Not Just a Pretty Face' is my latest nail colour obsession and I've already got a pretty big dip in the bottle from using it all month long. This is such a pretty but flattering nude colour. I love that its slightly peachy toned, which is much more flattering colour for me than baby pinks. I apply two coats and although its not completely opaque, this just gives me really healthy looking natural nails.

£7.99 Boots

MAC Cremeblend Blush in Something Special

This was a rediscovery which I dug out my drawers at the beginning of the month and its been on my cheeks ever since. This peachy pink just gives the prettiest glow to my cheeks without screaming BLUSHER! If you know what I mean ;) I'm so happy that MAC reformulated their cream blushes a few years ago. They used to be very sticky and would leave a horrible tacky finish on your skin but now they are lovely and smooth with no stickiness!

£18.00 MAC

Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel Puddles

Aka middle class crack. Sorcery for your tongue, these puddles are truly addictive. I'm salivating just thinking about them...of course this bag is long gone! Salted caramel really should be made a class A drug #justsayin'

£5.50 Hotel Chocolat

November Favourites

My favourites were really easy to pick this month because I have worn the same two makeup looks pretty much all month long. I really want to experiment with some darker, vampier lipsticks but I need to leave my bed earlier in the morning in order to do that! 

MAC Blush in 'The Perfect Cheek'

Without a doubt my favourite MAC blush and possibly my favourite blush ever......

If I have a slightly darker eye, or a neutral lip, I always reach for this because it just gives your cheeks a little something. 

Typical MAC discontinued this colour but I hear the shade Cubic is very similar, if you want an alternative.

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in 'Natural'

Also known as the blush with the longest name ever! I am a sucker for these blushers, I cant help it, its the hearts and the promise of happiness! I have two of these Happy Booster blushers and I honestly use  them way more often than any of my NARS blushers. These are just so easy to wear, they distribute just the right amount of colour, so they are easy to apply and you don't end up looking like a clown. I also love the hint of shimmer because it saves you using a separate highlight. 

If you are going to America anytime soon, put one of these on your shopping list!

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in 'Misty Rock'

I am finding it impossible to get up in the mornings at the moment. I'm surprised I haven't developed RSI from hitting the snooze button on my phone. This laziness means I don't have a lot of time for my makeup, which makes cream eyeshadows my BFF. I cannot turn down a good cream, metallic eyeshadow. It takes literally seconds to slap it on with your finger and looks like you put in a lot more effort than you actually did. If I had to pick a favourite it would be Misty Rock. Its hideously expensive yes, but it lasts all day, looks amazing and I always have at least one person ask me what my eyeshadow is when I wear this.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in '13'

My mum went to New York in November and unluckily for her, she left with a massive Sephora list from me! I have a post planned to share all the Sephora delights and this cream shadow was one of them. I love the gold colour and its perfect for this time of year. Since I got it, its barely left my lids!

L'oreal Colour Riche Nail Polish in '104 Beige Countess'

My friend Nat got me hooked on these L'oreal polishes and they have to be one of my favourite discoveries of 2014. I love the mini size, because who actually uses up a whole bottle of nail polish and the shade range is really, really good. They have the best nude shade range and I think I pretty much have every single colour! My nails are in crappy condition at the moment so this nude colour has been on them pretty much non stop.

Essie Nail Polish in 'Summit of Style'

This is the only time of year where I am prepared to go through the ordeal which is removing glitter nail polish. Men you have no idea! 

These Essie luxe polishes seem to be sold out everywhere but if you can get your hands on Summit of Style, its a beauty. 

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black

This smells what I imagine its like to be an Olsen twin, amazing (except for the really old boyfriend, we will leave him out!) If you like warm, masculine scents you will love this. Its perfect for this time of year and its a scent you could wear everyday, unlike Tom Ford's Black Orchid which can get a bit overkill. Every time I smell this, I feel like I am hugging a man shaped pillow <3

Sephora Kiss Me Balm in 'Candy Apple'

You know I love my EOS lip balms, well this Sephora version has answered my prayers because its tinted! Tinted lip balms are my saviour and the fact they have a sheer red shade, even better! This gives you that instant relief from that horrible dry lip feeling, plus it also gives you a hint of colour to make you look a bit more alive.

Game of Thrones Books

I thought I would include one non beauty favourite this month and that is the amazing Game of Thrones book series. I am a huge fan of the TV series but just never got round to reading the books. Now I commute everyday I spend my entire journey to and from work with my head in one of these, I am hooked! I am currently on the third book, not bad going for 3 months! 

I was worried that having watched the TV series, I would find the books boring with a lot of duplication but there's so much detail that's not included in the show and you get such an insight into each character. Its also helped me understand some of the houses and history to each house. If you were putting off reading these like me, don't waste another minute you won't regret it!

Face of the Day for Afternoon Tea at the Savoy

To celebrate milestone birthdays for both my Nans, we went to the Savoy in London for Afternoon Tea. I have never had the experience of afternoon tea before, probably due to the fact I don't drink tea or coffee!

The Savoy is beautiful and for me the best thing about the afternoon was admiring the architecture and interiors. I took a few pictures which I thought were too beautiful not to share.

I fell in love with these pop art paintings of various famous guests who have stayed at the Savoy, including Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock, Ava Gardner, Katharine Hepburn and Frank Sinatra.

From one form of art appreciation to another, makeup! I was in a mood to experiment slightly with my eye makeup but as I knew there was bound to be a family picture or two taken, I wasn't about to do anything too crazy!

Face

Foundation

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet in B30

A fail safe, I love that this provides a good level of coverage but doesn't look or feel heavy on your skin.

Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

I really have tried with this concealer but I just don't get the hype. The coverage is ok but not great, the lasting power is so so and the annoying applicator drags my skin. I just think there are better performing and cheaper concealers out there.

Bronzer

MAC Extra Dimension Bronzer in Aphrodite's Shell

This is lovely but no longer available. If you are looking for a new bronzer though I highly recommend Jouer, which you can buy from Cult Beauty.

Contour

MAC Sculpting Powder in Sculpt

This is available online as a MAC Pro product. I like to use a tiny bit to try and add some definition to my chubby cheeks.

Blush

MAC Cheeky Bugger Blush

Full review here

Powder

MAC Prep & Prime CC Colour Correcting Compact in Neutralize

Full review here

Eyes

Eyeshadow Primer

Nars Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base

My favourite eyeshadow primer

Eyeshadow

Too Faced Chocolate Eyeshadow Palette

Now is the time I have to try and remember what shades I used! All over the lid I used Marzipan with Salted Caramel and Milk Chocolate in the crease. I posted a more in depth review of this palette here.

Eyeliner

MAC Teddy and Powersurge Eye Kohl

Not one but two eyeliners, can you tell I was feeling wild?! I used Teddy, which is a metallic brown, smudged out on my upper lash line. I then used Powersurge which is a metallic gold in my waterline. I always forget I own this liner but its perfect for bronzey summer makeup looks.

Mascara

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash

A repurchase, one of the best lengthening mascaras I have tried. It also lasts all day without flaking or smudging.

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brown Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette and Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

As always!

Lips

Lipstick

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Bangkok

As I did a slightly heavier eye makeup, I wanted to keep my lips pretty neutral so this matte lipstick by NARS was perfect.

When it comes to hair I am pretty boring and if I am going out there is only hair style I do, which is my Game of Thrones Hair. There are two tricks to this, number one my Babyliss Waving Wand, which makes curling your hair idiot proof and number two brushing your curls out. This is the key to getting those loose, big waves! 

I am also currently loving the Lee Stafford Argan Oil Flexible Hold Hairspray. Smells amazing and not a single strand of crispy hair in sight. The hold is quite light though, so bear that in mind.

For nails I went with my current favourite polish, Essie's Lilacism <3

I also just wanted to share my earrings as I think they are pretty cool ;) Jules Smith has some amazing, unique jewellery designs and I loved these art deco inspired Sunburst earrings. You can drool over her pieces on Shop Bop.

New In

Time for a round up of a few new products I have acquired recently, all in the name of research of course!

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in New Moon

This was a complete impulse purchase. I was absent mindedly browsing the Chanel counter and just happened to stick my finger in this little pot of joy. When I saw the amazing sparkle that occurred, I knew it was fate and our paths had always been destined to cross ;) Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre's are cream eyeshadows with a mousse like consistency. They have great lasting power and pack some serious sparkle, in fact this swatch really doesn't do New Moon justice. This was my eyeshadow of choice for my Sister's hen do last weekend and I think I need to arrange another night out, just so I can wear it again! Side note, the name New Moon stuck a chord with me, by far the best film in the Twilight Saga, don't you agree ;)

Maybelline Electro Baby Lips

I love me some Baby Lips and when I saw these in Superdrug I did a little squeal of excitement. I first discovered these electro shades when I was in America last year but for one reason or another I didn't pick one up and now they have finally made their way across the pond.

I have the shades Strike a Rose and Pink Shock. They are the exact same formula as the regular Baby Lips, but the colours are much brighter and stronger. If you are a tinted lip balm fan like myself, you gon' need these!

Left to right: Strike a Rose, Pink Shock

Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Formentera

For some reason I have a bit of a magpie tendency with any makeup product that is labelled multi-use, so of course my ears pricked up when I heard about Charlotte Tilbury's new beach sticks.

Similar to the NARS Multiples, these sticks can be used all over the face/body, lips, eyes, wherever the hell you want. I was going to skip these but this shade, Formentera is the perfect summer colour. 

A natural tan is not orange, its much more red based (think sunburn), Formentera is a reddy brown which when swiped across your nose, cheeks and forehead, will make you look like you have just come back from a week's holiday. I am so excited to use this! 

Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint (shade Clair)

I have my Sister to blame for this purchase. She bought this foundation and has been raving about it ever since. My Sister is pretty hard to please when it comes to makeup, so I knew it must be good. 

Guerlain promise that this foundation will give you a sun kissed healthy glow whilst not looking like you are wearing makeup, sounds like the perfect foundation for Summer!

I have been using this for a few days now and was initially quite surprised at the light coverage. I was originally applying this with my usual foundation brush, however I think this foundation looks and works so much better when you apply it with your fingers. Like I said, this is quite a light coverage and a separate concealer is needed but I have to say that once applied with my fingers, it really does give my skin a healthy tanned glow but looks incredibly natural. 

Maybelline Colour Show Bleached Neons Nail Polish in Tropink

Summer is the time of year when neon nail polish is fully acceptable. From the months of May to September my toe nails are painted neon yellow and I have no shame in that. However I love the idea of these more pastel toned neons by Maybelline. I opted for the Barbie pink colour, depending how I get on with this I might have to go back and get the coral colour too!

Essie Nail Polish Lilacism

This is a classic Essie shade and I don't know whats taken me so long to try it, but it is officially my favourite pastel purple colour out there. When compared to similar lilac shades by Barry M and Topshop, this is more blue toned and personally I think a little more unique looking. I painted my nails with this straight away and its definitely up there in my top 10 all time nail polishes (I feel a blog post coming on!)

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Bangkok

If you have read any of my recent blog posts, you might know I have developed an obsession with the NARS matte lipstick in Montego Bay. As that hasn't left my lips for the last month, I figured it was time to try a different shade. After a bit of googling, I opted for Bangkok. The fact that Christina Hendricks has worn this shade, may have been a key factor in my decision! Bangkok is much lighter than Montego Bay and is more of a blue toned pink. Its very natural looking and would look amazing with a smoky eye. I have a Face of the Day with this coming up next!

Now repeat after me, I wont buy anymore makeup, I wont buy anymore makeup.......