My 15 Makeup Favourites of 2015

Happy New Year! I hope you all rung in the New Year in style. I spent it with my friends, Chilli Heatwave Doritos and Matthew McConaughey….. 

If like me you aren't ready to leave your sofa, let alone your house and the idea of making life plans for the year ahead makes you want to have a nervous poo, don't worry you are not alone.

As is tradition, I wanted to share my makeup favourites from the past year. I love reading/watching these yearly favourite posts…anything that keeps me procrastinating.

1. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation (2.5, Warm Sand)

The first Bobbi Brown foundation I've tried and it definitely won't be the last. This is my ideal foundation, it's lightweight, provides a medium coverage and looks natural on the skin. It might be strange to say but I also love the colour of this foundation, Bobbi's foundation's are quite yellow based and I love the warmth this gives to my skin.

2. Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in 'Candlelight'

Still my favourite highlighter, even though I've used it all up *sob sob* 

It's just the perfect highlighter, it goes with everything but is subtle enough that it doesn't look obvious. I want my highlighter to look natural, not like I've got huge chunks of glitter on my face.

 I am dying to repurchase this, and once I've got a through a few more highlighters I definitely will.

3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

When someone who works in the beauty industry raves about a product, you listen. My friend Lucy loves this palette (I think she is on her second) and now I know why. 

This is a powder for people who hate powders, it sets my makeup and gives me a glow. 

4. Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'n' Kohl in 'Barbarella Brown'

I'm not much of an eyeliner person anymore, but every time I go 'out out' this eyeliner makes an appearance. The dark brown colour is much more flattering on my blue eyes than black, it blends beautifully and lasts all night. Truly the only eyeliner I need.

5. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in 'Amazing Grace' and 'Walk of Shame'

My favourite of my favourites, no other lipstick comes close. I love everything about Charlotte's Matte Revolution lipsticks, the square tip is the perfect shape and makes application easy, the matte finish is non drying and makes my lips look fuller and the shade range is my perfect lipstick wardrobe. 

I wore 'Walk of Shame' for my entire 2 week holiday and 'Amazing Grace' is the most beautiful pink. Shout out to Bond Girl, which only wasn't included as I haven't had it as long. 

6. Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder

I used up 4 powders this year, all of them were more expensive than this powder but none of them were half as good. Besides my beloved Charlotte Tilbury powder, this is hands down the best setting powder and it costs less than a fiver. 

7. Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in 'Formentera'

My makeup favourites are Charlotte Tilbury heavy this year, but I really have fallen in love with her range and it's easily become my favourite makeup brand.

I wore this Beach Stick for most of the summer as it was the perfect russet bronze shade for that 'I've caught the sun over the weekend' look. These cream blushes are ideal if you have oily skin as they are non greasy and dry to an almost powder finish.

8. Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer

This concealer is an absolute delight. Ridiculously creamy and you can use it both under the eyes and to cover spots/redness. My favourite thing though has to be the doe foot applicator. I know that might sound ridiculous but it has a little dip in it, so it dispenses the perfect amount of product with no dragging. As you can tell, I love everything about this.

9. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

After all these years this is still my favourite eyeshadow primer. It does exactly what you want an eyeshadow primer to do, stop your shadow creasing and increase the wear time, plus it's lightweight so it doesn't interfere with whatever shadow you put on top.

10. L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper in 'Dark Brunette'

The only brow gel I used all year. It sets and tints and is so much better than the ridiculously overpriced Benefit Gimme Brow.

11. Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara

A very late addition to this years favourites but easily the best mascara I have found this year, possibly ever. This mascara does it all and gives me amazing length, volume and curl, which lasts all day. Obsessed with this.

12. Anastasia Brow Wiz

Anyone who reads my blog will know how loyal I am to the Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil, but it has finally been eclipsed by the Anastasia Brow Wiz. I did try this eyebrow pencil a few years ago but didn't like it as I felt it was too harsh and I went back to my Hourglass, but I've realised the key is getting the right shade. I am now using the shade Caramel and I love how this makes my eyebrows look full but still defined.

13. Bobbi Brown Corrector

If you struggle with dark under eye circles, forget concealer this is the stuff you need. It honestly makes dark circles disappear.

14. Ciaté Precious Metal Eyeshadow in "Lincoln Road'

As eyeshadow is the one makeup product I change the most often, I always find it hard to pick a favourite but this loose pigment by Ciaté really was a standout for me. Most loose pigments are a messy nightmare, but this has to be the easiest one I've used. It comes with a primer in the lid, which actually works really well and stops you getting eyeshadow all over your cheeks. 

This bronzy shade, paired with my Charlotte Tilbury Amazing Grace lipstick is still one of my favourite looks.

15. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Last but not least, bronzer. I cannot do without bronzer, even in Winter and this Too Faced bronzer quickly became my go to for warming up my complexion. Anyone who knows me will know I'm all about the warm tones and I just love the colour of this bronzer. Not only that but it also makes a great eyeshadow for those of you with baby blues.

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August Favourites

So, I'm being a bit crap with this blogging malarky at the moment but lets ignore the fact we're midway through September and I am just posting my August Favourites….ok, cool.

Fleur de Force Lashes by Eylure "Fleur Loves"

Eylure are my go to brand for false lashes and apart from Kandee Johnson, Fleur is the YouTuber that I have been watching the longest, so needless to say I was excited about this collaboration.

 I tested out the entire range on the Cosmopolitan website (link!) and was genuinely impressed. This is definitely not something Fleur has just slapped her name on.

Out of the range, the Fleur Loves lashes are definitely my favourites. These are 3/4 length lashes which look very natural but give a beautiful cat eyed, Angelina Jolie effect. I found these really easy to apply because you don't get that annoying thing of them pinging up in the corners, plus this is the first time I have come across these kind of lashes on the high street. Love.

Boots £5.25

Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It

Believe it or not although I'm obsessed with all things beauty, I don't actually own a hair dryer. 

I never, ever dry my hair, I wash it at night and sleep on it wet and in the morning its dry, ta daaaaa. The main reason is that I'm lazy when it comes to hair, but also I have very straight hair naturally and when I use a hair dryer my hair goes so straight and flat, I hate it. I like my hair to have a natural Olsen twin wave, in a completely effortless 'I woke up like this' way, so this new release from Bumble and Bumble is basically my dream hair product.

Normally I spray a sea salt spray in my hair to achieve that look but what I love about this, is it gives me the messy waves, without the feeling or texture of sea salt spray. Just rub a blob of this through the length and ends of your hair and leave to dry. You can't feel this in your hair, but you can see the results. Since getting this, I haven't used a sea salt spray at all. 

Bumble and Bumble £23.00

No7 Instant Radiance Foundation

No7 aren't a brand that excite me, but this is still one of my favourite foundations. This genuinely does what it says on the tin, gives a radiance boost to tired and stressed skin. This feels really light on the skin and gives a beautiful glow. The coverage and lasting power aren't amazing admittedly, but if you need an instant pick me up, this will do the job.

Boots £12.50

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

I won't lie to you, I definitely bought this foundation because its what Kim Kardashians makeup artist claimed he used on her, on her (3rd) wedding day (stop it, I can feel you judging me!)

Whether Kimmy actually used it or not, I still use it and love it. 

I use this foundation a lot on other people when I do wedding makeup, as it photographs really well, is quite undetectable on the skin and doesn't have any SPF. This has a very runny consistency (which I love) and provides a decent amount of coverage, whilst still looking really natural. This also a great foundation for mixing. 

The No7 foundation is a bit too dark for my, I haven't been on holiday all year skin, but works really well when mixed with this. 

If you like natural looking and feeling foundation try this.

Debenhams £27.00

OPI Nail Envy Strength in Colour Collection "Hawaiian Orchid"

2015, the year I turned into a nail polish bore. This dusky, rose colour is all I've worn on my nails this month and I won't apologise because I love it. 

Nail Envy is a nail strengthener, you apply two coats and then one coat every day for the next 5 days, before removing it and starting the process again. OPI had the genius idea of tinting their Nail Envy's, because who wants to wear clear nail varnish in 2015 (probably me soon). 

I will say that I am far too lazy to go through that rigmarole though and have just been wearing this like a normal nail polish. Either way, I am obsessed with this colour.

Debenhams £19.50

Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick "Las Salinas"

Its not secret that I am a teeny, tiny bit obsessed with Charlotte Tilbury's line and these Beach Sticks aren't helping matters. I already had the colour 'Formentera' which I love and 'Las Salinas' is my latest addition. You can see what it looks like on in this post but its basically a more subtle, cream version of NARS Orgasm. Finally a cream blush that doesn't put a hole in your foundation.

Charlotte Tilbury £30.00

Zoeva Silk Finish Face Brush

I love my rose gold Zoeva brush set and they are definitely my go to brand for makeup brushes now. They are really high quality, soft, don't shed and they apply makeup beautifully. 

I started to notice that my foundation was looking a bit streaky with my beloved Real Techniques Buffing Brush so switched to this. This blended my foundation in seconds, with zero streaks.

Beauty Bay £11.50

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick "Amazing Grace"

I banged on about this lipstick in my last post, so without repeating myself, its amazing, favourite lipstick discovery of the year and I feel like Miranda Kerr whenever I wear it. BUY IT

Charlotte Tilbury £23.00

Ciate Precious Metal Eyeshadow "Lincoln Road"

Nail brands venturing into makeup makes me nervous, but after trying this eyeshadow I'm all for it. Definitely the best loose pigment eyeshadow I have tried (better than MAC pigments)

Ciate I'm sorry for doubting you! 

If you want to see what this looks like on, I am wearing it in my last post as well.

Ciate £18.00

Face of the Day with Charlotte Tilbury Amazing Grace Lipstick

I go through stages of having different makeup muses and at the moment, Miranda Kerr is my muse. I love her bronzey eyes and bright pink, just bitten (not by Orlando any more) lips. I like to find makeup muses with a similar colouring to me because its much easier to copy their makeup.

Sadly colouring, is the only similarity me and Miranda have in common (oh hey Orlando).

Face

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water

I'm going to be honest and say I'm not entirely convinced this isn't just regular water from a tap. 

I spray this all over my face before I apply my makeup, and it leaves my face very wet, just like water from a tap would. I then have to frantically fan my face with my hands in an attempt to dry it, so I can put my makeup on and I haven't noticed any improvement in the wear time of my makeup since using it.

Honestly? I don't think it does anything.

Cover FX Illuminating Primer

Another meh product, again I just don't think it does much. Its not particularly illuminating and it doesn't extend the wear of my makeup, which is what I want it to do!

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

I went from hating this foundation, to loving it. 

As its a gel, its slightly thicker in consistency, but it gives the skin a beautiful glow. This would be a lovely foundation to use in Winter when your skin is dryer and looking a bit blah.

MAC Prep & Prime Highlighter's in "Bright Forecast" and Light Boost"

I really love these highlighter pens by MAC. Bright Forecast is a peachy colour which I use first to correct any darkness under my eyes. I apply Light Boost over the top because the pale yellow colour is the perfect under eye highlight.

Chanel Soleil tan de Chanel

This cream bronzer is perfect for warming up your entire complexion. Definitely one for the summer months though.

Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in "Las Salinas"

I love Charlotte Tilbury's Beach Sticks and I am obsessed with this colour. Its a pink with gold shimmer, think NARS Orgasm but less in your face. I hate cream blushers that move your foundation, but these Beach Sticks dry down to an almost powder finish so they don't move your makeup. 

MAC Blot Powder

After reading some amazing reviews about this powder on Makeup Alley, I really thought this powder would be life changing, turns out it wasn't and life is still shit. This powder was so hard that my brush hardly picked any of it up. It did an OK job at oil control but nothing amazing, I was still oily by the end of the day as per usual. I have now used this up and I wouldn't bother buying it again.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in "Champagne Pop"

AKA the most intense highlight ever! I'm still obsessed with this, although do be careful how much you apply, because this baby ain't subtle.

Eyes

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in "Soft Brunette" 

Of course! Although, spoiler I am currently trying a new brow pencil which I love. I know I said I wouldn't stray from my beloved Hourglass again, but we will be reunited soon enough.

L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper in "Dark Brunette"

Love this stuff, although I'm starting to wonder if I should buy a new one as this is over a year old!

Ciate Precious Metal Eyeshadow in "Lincoln Road"

When I heard that Ciate had released a makeup line I had zero interest in trying it TBH but this eyeshadow is my favourite makeup discovery in a while. In the top there is an eyeshadow primer, which actually works really well and I have oily eyelids. Then you unscrew the bottom to get to the loose pigment. This colour, "Lincoln Road" is a beautiful bronzed brown, perfect for my whole Miranda Kerr vibe. It lasts all day, there is minimal fall out, which is amazing for a loose pigment and yes I want every colour now!

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara

I love me some Bobbi but until recently I would have never in a million years tried a mascara by her. Yet again I have been proved wrong, because this mascara is the bomb dot com. It gives amazing volume and length, zero clumping and it doesn't smudge or flake. NOT EVEN ON MY BOTTOM LASHES. I haven't even been using my beloved Clinique Bottom Lash, because with this guy I don't need to.

Lips

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in "Amazing Grace"

I am in love with this lipstick, its definitely in my top 3 lipsticks of all time #justsaying and when Charlotte Tilbury did Miranda Kerr's makeup, this is the lipstick she used. You don't have to tell me I'm a creep…I know ;)

I got to interview Charlotte Tilbury for work and I managed to keep the fan girling to a minimum, apart from telling her that I was a) wearing this lipstick and b) how obsessed I am with it

Its just perfect, everything from the colour, to the matte finish. I would happily throw out all my other lipsticks and just keep this (of course I would never throw away my children!)

June Favourites

Oh my poor, neglected blog how I've missed you! I'm ashamed to say I haven't posted anything in over a month, but I have just been so busy with work.

 I have been getting to write more at work, which makes me so happy, but it just means when I finally get home there's not much time for anything else but showering and bed. 

I have missed blogging and raving about my latest lipstick obsession, so I am going to really try and get back on it this month.

I thought I would ease myself back in with a favourites posts because these are my favourite to write.

Ciate Olivia Palermo "Sundays"

I am officially old, I know that because I now like boring nude nail colours. Those pale pink, natural shades, which young me would have scoffed at in favour of a bright neon. Instead of fighting it, I'm embracing my sophisticated (aka boring) side and this new colour by Ciate has been my favourite this past month. 

The Olivia Palermo collection consists of three basic colours, a red, coral and nude. "Sundays is Olivia's off duty nude and its a pretty sheer pink, which makes your nails look healthy and polished. 

As much as I love this colour, at £17.00 this isn't cheap and its definitely not a unique colour. Nice to have but not an essential. 

Ciate £17.00

NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye Colour Pencil in "Angel"

My name is Laura and I have a cream eyeshadow pencil addiction, there I said it. I just can't help myself, they are so much easier and quicker than powder shadows, just colour your entire eyelid in and blend the edges. "Angel" is the perfect Victoria's Secret Angel colour, that shimmery highlighted peach, which makes your eyes look much more awake than they actually are.

Space NK £24.00

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "Redhead"

Before I start, let me apologise because this was limited edition and is no longer available, but if you own it and have it lying in a drawer somewhere, dig it out!

I have already mentioned it so you might be able to tell, but I have been a bit obsessed with that whole Victoria's Secret bronzed and glowing makeup look this month.

Redhead is just the prettiest pinky/peach highlight which gives the most beautiful warm glow to your face. If I could melt this down and pour it over my whole body I would! 

Look Good Feel Better Blush Brush and Angled Contour Brush

I reviewed these brushes for work and loved them so much they made it into my everyday makeup bag.  Look Good Feel Better is a cancer support charity, helping women with the visible side effects of cancer treatment. My Mum had breast cancer last year, so this is something quite close to my heart. When she lost her hair she paid for the most amazing wig and I would pencil in her eyebrows and use eyeshadow to make it look like she still had eyelashes. Little tips and tricks like these might seem like nothing but they make a big difference to people's confidence.

These brushes are so, so soft, trust me I wouldn't use them if they were scratchy and because they are synthetic they blend cream products beautifully. I have been using the angled contour brush to apply my foundation and the blush brush to apply my cream bronzer.

If you are in the market for some new makeup brushes, I highly recommend checking these out.

Feel Unique £11.99 each

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Body

I am not a fake tanner, ain't nobody got time for that. But I do want to look like I've just stepped off a beach 24/7 ala Jennifer Aniston. 

Bridget, the Digital Beauty Editor at Cosmo was raving about these drops and I didn't even realise she fake tanned, so when I spotted these in the beauty sale at work, I grabbed them. 

These drops are a revelation, you just mix a few in with whatever body moisturiser you are using and slap on. There is zero fake tan smell, the results are very subtle but buildable and it just leaves your skin looking a lot healthier (goodbye corned beef arms). 

I am addicted.

Boots £26.00

Bobbi Brown Beach Perfume

There is a recurring theme here, not only do I want to look like I've just stepped off a beach, I want to smell like I have as well. This would all be much easier if I lived in California, but I live in Croydon so we gotta improvise.

Bobbi Brown Almost Bare is my signature scent, yes, I have a signature scent ;) but Beach is my signature summer scent. As someone said, this smells like suncream. Suncream and the beach, I sit at my desk smelling like a Thomas Cook package holiday and I bloody love it.

Bobbi Brown £50.00

Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick in "Liar"

Believe it or not, this is my first Urban Decay lipstick and I can tell you now it won't be my last. This tiny nub is all I have left off this baby, I have gone through the entire bullet in just over a month! 

"Liar" is the perfect MLBB colour, and if you don't know what MLBB is we can't be friends (My lips but better). Its glossy but not in a, OMG my hair is stuck to my lips way, more in a my lips look so naturally full and plump way.

Debenhams £15.50

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

I used to hate this foundation and when I say hate, I really mean it. I tried it once and it looked so awful on me that I never used it again. I tried to sell it on eBay but the person who bought it never paid and I was so disgusted by it that I refused to let it sit with my other foundations and instead kept it in a drawer in the spare room. 

What changed my mind? Well my friend was doing a photoshoot for Cosmo and I came down to see her and her makeup looked amazing. Of course being the makeup obsessed freak that I am, I asked the artist what she used and there it was, my arch nemesis Studio Sculpt. So I begrudgingly tried it again and you know what, I love it.

Studio Sculpt has a medium to high coverage and because its a gel formula, it leaves the skin looking very dewy. If you have oily skin, avoid this like the plague because it will just sit on top of your skin, but if you have normal to dry skin this will give you a real luminous glow.

MAC £25.50

Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in "Formentera"

Yes, another beach related item but this is an essential part of my "this isn't makeup, I just stepped off the beach" look. 

I love how creamy these beach sticks are, they blend really easy but most importantly they don't disrupt your foundation. I can buff this into my cheeks and my foundation doesn't budge. But what I love most about this is the colour. This reddy brown gives the perfect sun kissed look, as the red tinge is a much more natural tan colour than orange. You can pretty much guarantee this will be on my cheeks, and temples for the rest of the summer.

Charlotte Tilbury £30.00

Wild

Deep down, underneath the 106 lipsticks I like to think I'm a bit of a hippy and love anything which involves anyone "finding themselves."  

Wild is based on the true story of Cheryl Strayed, who walked the Pacific Crest Trail from California to Washington alone, over 94 days.

One of the things I loved about the film was that Cheryl didn't just do the walk because of her recent break up, she did the walk for herself, to find herself again. If you identify with that feeling of losing your way in life, then I would really recommend giving this a watch.

Amazon £10.00

As I'm feeling in the mood to tap away on my keyboard, I thought I would include some of my favourite experiences this past month, because you know its not all about material things.

We celebrated my friend Chloe's birthday in Earlham Street Clubhouse in Covent Garden, with giant pizzas and red cups. A Yankophiles wet dream! Just take a look at their menu and tell me you're not drooling. 

Happy Birthday Cain :)

Can we just talk about Chris Pratt in Jurassic World. OMFG its like the man was built from my dreams and I can say this with no shame at all, I loved the film. Yes there are plot holes galore, but the nostalgia,  oh the nostalgia. Hearing that music again, I haven't been that excited in the cinema for a long time.

We said goodbye to my little brother who is football coaching in New Jersey for 6 months, living my dream life. 

And saving the best till last, I went to the Magic Mike XXL Premier and it was fucking epic.

Having loved Joe Manganiello since his True Blood days, I cannot tell you what a boner it gave me to see him in the flesh. 

In case you were in any doubt, the film has no plot line, its probably equally degrading to men and women alike but I fucking loved every minute. In that 1 hour and 55 minutes I got more sex than I'll probably get all year and I am happy about that.

Jada! All I could think about was her character in Scream 2.

The Cheeto sex god himself

Amber Heard giving me some serious hair envy

And before you think that I live this charmed life comprised of Channing Tatum feeding me pizza, I thought I should let you know that this month I also drove my car into a wall, cracked my laptop screen, shut my finger in a drawer and sweated A LOT in the heat wave.

Because social media doesn't tell the whole story ;)