Monday, 17 June 2013

Products I Can't Stop Buying....


I think everyone has products that they always go back to and repurchase as soon as or before they run out of them, I have quite a few! It can sometimes be really hard to find products that work for you as everyone is different, so when I find something that gives me the results I want and does the job I need, it's more than likely I'll end up repurchasing it again at some point in the future!


First of all is my Lancome Tonique Doucer which I always, always use - most of the time twice a day. It's a lovely hydrating toner that smells divine and leaves my skin feeling supple and hydrated, ready for moisturiser on top. It contains Papaya extracts which eat away dead skin - perfect for smoothing and refining your skin before make-up. I have already repurchased this once and no doubt will buy my 3rd when this one runs out too!

Lush's Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask is my ALL TIME FAVOURITE! Yes that needed capitals. I can't count how many of these I have bought, and I usually buy a new one every month - they need using up before the expiry date due to the natural and fresh ingredients. It's a mask for 'tired' skin and it just tackles everything for me really. I have a whole review of it's own on this little bad boy which you can read here. I've tried probably 3 other masks from Lush and nothing compares to this one - highly, highly recommend! 

My moisturiser of choice when the weather gets a bit hotter and if I'm going out for the evening, La Roche Posay's Effaclar Mat does a fantastic job at keeping my skin oil free and my pores tight. Again, you can read my review on it here.

V05 Miracle Concentrate is something that the ends of my hair just adore. I put it on my hairline and the ends of my hair either while it's still damp or after it's been styled. It hydrates my hair a lot which is important as I suffer from quite dry hair that breaks easily. This oil is lightweight and not greasy, I also love the little pipette as it make's sure you never waste any by applying too much. If you have dry hair, I really recommend this as it also contains Argan Oil and is less than a fiver! Result. I have bought this little pot of oil many times, couldn't be without it!


Two more hair favourites, my beloved V05 Give Me Texture Dry Texturising Spray is something I purchase again and again and again. It's amazing shaken up and sprayed into the roots of my hair for root lift or in the lengths to give it body and texture. It doesn't leave any white residue and doesn't build up in my hair so I can use it every day. It's a great one to have in your handbag if your hair tends to go flat throughout the day.  

My hair colour of choice Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Colour in 5.0 Brown is something I've stuck with since I tried it. It's true what they say - this hair dye is amazing, really. It leaves my hair feeling more silky and smooth than before I dye it and the colour always looks vibrant and gorgeous. I use it around every 6 weeks to top up my roots and top up colour every where else. The conditioner that comes with it is also really good, and I have had no problems with the kit whatsoever. It smells divine too, which is such a lovely change from that awful hair dye smell you usually get left with. Highly recommend if you dye your hair at home yourself and like a permanent colour. Look out for a quick post on it soon where I show you my hair before and after dying it with Olia.


Another hair gem, the Toni & Guy Nourish Reconstruction Mask needs no introduction. It's amazing. If you have dry and damaged hair then I would be hot footing down to Boots right now if I was you. My hair is not the same if I don't use this, very noticeably not the same. And to me, that's quite something! I have fully reviewed it here for your reading pleasure *thank me later*...

The little silver pot out of focus is my old faithful Emu Oil Well Moisturising Eye Cream that I love so much as it hydrates the eye area like a dream and is cheap too! I have reviewed this one also here, and I'm on my second pot! Love the stuff.


Last but not least, two favourites of mine that I have repurchased time and time again. Obviously, L'Oreal Elnett Satin Normal Strength Hairspray, such a classic and a great hairspray at that. Every time I spray it, it reminds me of my dear Nannie - she has used it since I can remember and swears by it's powers! Theres no denying what Nannie Olive thinks about this hairspray, I trust her indefinitely :-P I always buy the mini ones as they're perfect for my handbag and travelling.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir is something that is multi-purpose and works great as a toner and a make-up setting spray. I probably use it for setting my make-up the most and I find it better then MAC Fix+ if I'm honest too. I love this spray for setting make-up, taking away any heaviness and making over-powdery make-up look seamless and glowing if you've accidentally overdone it with the powder (we've all been there). It's nice for hot days too when your make-up needs a quick refresh or if you're feeling hot and sweaty. The smell of this is minty and divine and makes you feel really calm and relaxed when you smell it, to me anyway. It's filled with lots of natural ingredients that are great for the skin and is a favourite of Victoria Beckham *ooooooh*.


So there you have a few products that I have been loving enough to keep on buying them and that I really recommend! I hope this post was interesting and helpful, as it's one thing raving about a product on your blog the minute you get it saying it's amazing, and another thing actually loving it long-term, enough to buy it again.

What are your favourite products that you keep repurchasing?

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

MAC Lipstick in Morange


My urge for an orange lipstick has been fulfilled with the purchase of MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Morange, a beautiful orange/red shade perfect for summer and bang on trend. 



MAC have recently launched their 'All About Orange' collection, however this lipstick is not part of it. I also ordered MAC's Neon Orange lipstick which is from this collection, but it looks too similar to Morange so I am going to return it. 

Promo photograph from MAC's All About Orange Collection.
(Photograph: maccosmetics.co.uk)


Morange is an 'amplified creme' finish which I have not yet had before from MAC. The colour is intense and the texture is creamy. I tend to blot my lipsticks with tissue if I am doing a bold lip shade, and I made sure I did so with this shade too. Blotting the lipstick mattified it more, and made it more wearable for me. 





Due to it being an 'amplified creme' as opposed to a 'matte' finish, it didn't wear for as long and was not a popular choice with my boyfriend - oops! He was sporting orange lips in the car on the way there! LOL



Swatches on my hand (With flash).
Me wearing MAC Morange lipstick.

I wore this shade on Saturday night when me and my boyfriend went out for some dinner and drinks. I teamed it with my new aqua/teal coloured mini dress from Zara which I am completely in love with, and my pointed nude heels, also from Zara. I loved clashing both the colours together and I felt nice and summery!

In the car on the way to the restaurant.

My dress!

All in all I love this shade, and I'm sure I will be wearing it a lot for summer and pairing it with bright colours in my wardrobe. I think it's a great statement lipstick and orange is quite flattering on the lips despite seeming quite outrageous!


Have you been sporting any crazy lip colours lately?







Monday, 10 June 2013

Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink



I recently picked up Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink and have been wearing it non-stop at work and as an everyday pop of colour. One thing about Estee Lauder's products is that they are always packaged beautifully. The gold toned casing with the navy blue cardboard box are so iconic and look beautiful in any make-up bag. The Pure Color Blush's come in quite large packaging, featuring a small brush with gold hardware and a large mirror. They aren't the most travel friendly blushes, but they look gorgeous nonetheless. 



This beautiful blush has fast become one of my favourites, the colour is just beautiful and something that is very versatile. Electric Pink is a very bright candy pink shade and one of Lauder's most daring blush colours. I was so attracted to this shade as I don't have anything like it in my collection already. I tend to go for quite peachy toned blush shades, my favourites being Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Peach Whisper, MAC Powder Blush in Melba and MAC Cremeblend Blush in Something Special. It reminds me of Dior's Rosy Glow blush and gives the same brightening effect.


It was really difficult to photograph the blush in a way that captured it's true colour, in real life it looks very vibrant and bright in the pan. This blush is very pigmented and applies like a dream. I use a light hand with this blush as it is quite shocking if you use too much, which means it will last forever as you don't need a lot!


Electric Pink has a beautiful satin finish and lasts on me all day. I don't know if this blush would work on women of colour, I haven't tried it on my Mum yet! It is quite bright so it might fare well, having said that a lot of pink shades can look quite ashy. I'd love to know if you've tried this before and you have a deep complexion!

Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink (No flash, no editing).

Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink (With flash, no editing).

Me wearing Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink

When I wear this blush it really brightens up my face and makes me look alive - I feel like it does what blush is supposed to do as it gives a lovely natural flush of colour. This blush goes nicely with bronzer as the bronzer contours and sculpts my face while this blush brings out my cheeks and gives me some colour.

A very firm favourite from me, and I will definitely be sporting this blush a lot this summer!

What is your favourite blush at the moment?


Thursday, 6 June 2013

Face of the Day - 04/06/13






A cheeky little face of the day from Wednesday and a very firm affirmation that I am indeed in love with bronzer. My Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Deep 4 infact (review here). I urge every girl to try it when you're next near a Bobbi Brown counter, it's such a great quality product. The shades are perfect for bronzing, I feel like mine is quite red toned, which keeps me from looking 'orange' and like I'm 'tango-ed' LOL! The texture is very blendable and not heavy what-so-ever which makes this bronzer so easy to use. 

My favourite bronzing brush is my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, traditionally used for foundation. It provides precision bronzing with the perfect shape and soft synthetic brush hairs that buff out the product to look natural and perfect.

In the photos, I have contoured my nose also which I had never done before. Again I achieved it with the BB Bronzing Powder and my Eco Tools Airbrush Concealer brush which worked really well. I kept the rest of my makeup simple with only mascara on my eyes, some brows and a lipstick.



Heres what I wore:


Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Cashew
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium No2
Estee Lauder Ideal Light in Medium
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Natural Tan
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Deep 4
Estee Lauder Automatic Brow Duo in Soft Brown
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara
MAC Lipstick in Kinda Sexy

I clipped my hair back as it needed a wash and my top is from Zara! I hope you enjoyed the post! Please let me know of other things you'd like to see on the blog - and I may have an outfit of the day post ready for next week of my outfit for this Saturday night!

Remember to check out my blog sale here!

What make-up have you been sporting recently?








Wednesday, 5 June 2013

Rimmel Powder Blush in 012 Coral Rose (Discontinued)

Rimmel Powder Blush in 012 Coral Rose - eBay - £2.99

Ever find a product you really love, then when you go back to repurchase, you come to find that it has been discontinued? Well, thats what happened after I finished my first pan of Rimmel Powder Blush in 012 Coral Rose a few years back after stumbling across it while "food shopping" in Asda. I went back to the same place to buy it again, but to my surprise it was no where to be seen. 'Sold out?' I thought, but when I visited other places that stocked Rimmel, the story was the same.


I did give in and try one of their other shades at one point, but it didn't compare to my beloved Coral Rose. It's a beautiful peachy coral shade with a lovely sheen to it that looks gorgeous on the skin - like a blush and highlight in one.


My friend and I were talking about how much we used to love it and how annoyed we were that it had been discontinued. I suddenly thought 'Could it be on eBay?!', as I know a lot of discontinued make-up products can be found on there. Surprise surprise, it was there, and at £2.99 I clicked 'Buy Now' immediately!

(Un-edited photo)
Swatch (with flash)
I was really chuffed that I found one of my favourite blushes again, I really recommend a look on eBay if you're partial to a coral or peach blush!

Is there a product that you love that has been discontinued? 
I'd love to know!


Tuesday, 4 June 2013

Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Maverick

Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Maverick - £16.00
 (*Sample size shown in photographs)
 Marvelous Moxie is the new range of glosses, lipsticks and lipliners released from Bare Minerals designed to make your lips look 'fuller' and more 'voluptuous'. The shade Maverick is described as a 'rosewood shimmer' and is a beautiful brown-toned neutral gloss. 


When I first tried this formula on my lips I was really, really surprised at how it applied. It looked completely smooth and glided on beautifully. It's not sticky and has a refreshing minty smell and taste, it also made my lips feel a bit tingly. The colour can easily be built up without the need to blot, which is great as some glosses need a bit of extra care when applying. The angled doe foot applicator is very smooth and well made also, and the angle helps to apply the gloss easier too.


The gloss wore really well on me and I only had to re-apply a few times throughout the day, which is quite impressive for a lipgloss. The glosses contain Shea, Avocado and Murumuru butters to help moisturise the lips and an "an encapsulated vitamin A, C and E complex helps to deliver antioxidant defense" which is a nice touch as they rule out the need for a lip balm during the day.


I liked this shade on me, although it's not one I typically tend to go for and might not work for everyone as it's very brown-based. They have a nice selection of shades, however, and all of the shades contain shimmer. The shimmer is quite predominant in the photo above due to the flash, but when they are on, the shimmer is very subtle and only seen if you are looking for it. 

Marvelous Moxie is available online now here and in store from this Thursday (6th June).


What do you think about the new Marvelous Moxie collection?


Face of the Day - 28/05/13



Hello all!
The 28th was my last day off after a lovely and long Bank Holiday weekend. I went to see one of my best friends Michaela as it was her Birthday which was really nice and chilled. She has a lovely blog which you can visit here! My make-up was simple and features my new favourite blush Estée Lauder Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink - it's gorgeous!

I'm still in love with my Double Wear foundation - you can read my ode to it here. He's been faithful so far and I think it might be getting serious....


What I wore:

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation in 3W2 Cashew
Estée Lauder Double Wear Flawless Wear Concealer in Warm Medium
Estée Lauder Ideal Light Brush-On Illuminator in Medium
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent
Estée Lauder Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink
Estée Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Tempting Mocha
Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Black
Estée Lauder Automatic Brow Pencil in Soft Brown
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 02 Apricot Shimmer


So there you go! I hope you are enjoying my FOTD posts, I always enjoy looking at other people's!


What make-up are you wearing today?



Monday, 3 June 2013

'The Estée Lauder Face'




Just a quick snap of the make-up I did for my first day on Estée Lauder. I didn't have any Lauder blushes when I started, but have bought one since which will feature in one of my next posts! So the make-up here is pretty clean and simple and I applied blush once I got there before the store opened.



I was going for a clean and flawless look rather than a smokey eye or anything, as I think Lauder's image is quite sophisticated and understated. The eyeshadow I wore, Pure Color Eyeshadow in Tempting Mocha completely stole the show and I got so many compliments on it!

Double Wear Flawless Wear Concealer in
Warm Medium
and Ideal Light Brush-On
Illuminator in Medium

For concealer I went for Double Wear Flawless Wear Concealer in Warm Medium to help conceal any redness. I then mixed this concealer with Advanced Night Repair Eye to create something hydrating enough for under the eye as the DW Concealer on it's own is quite drying for that area. At Lauder we call this the 'Fatigue Fighter' and it's used to help hydrate and conceal the eye to give a more flawless and awake look, hiding bags and dark circles.

I then used Ideal Light in Medium as it is a brush-on illuminator that reflects light and helps to brighten under the eye further. It's a correcting salmon type shade which is perfect for dark circles. The texture is great for the under-eye area as it is light and not drying. 



For brows I used my Automatic Brow Pencil in Soft Brown which has a dry/waxy texture which is great for natural looking brows that stay all day. I have used this non-stop since I got it - a great product.


Pure Color Eyeshadow in Tempting Mocha

Now for the hero - Pure Color Eyeshadow in Tempting Mocha, a shade that sometimes looks Taupe, sometimes looks Purple and sometimes looks Blue. Underwhelming in the pan, this shadow looks amazing on, and can be worn lightly swept on or more heavily with other darker shadows depending on what look you are going for. 



A slick of mascara and gloss and I was done. I used Sumptuous Extreme mascara and Pure Color Gloss in Rock Candy. 

Pure Color Gloss in Rock Candy



It's going really well at Lauder, I have a lot to learn still but I am really enjoying it and getting to grips with it all as quick as I can :-) My favourite part has been doing the iMatch (foundation matching) and getting to grips with all the foundation shades and the application.

I am really missing my other make-up as it feels like I am only using my Lauder products *cries*, but it's nice to explore the brand and see what make-up they have to offer, as everything I've tried has been of amazing quality and I've really been enjoying using them. 

I will update again on how I'm getting on soon - feel free to ask me any questions that you may have, I'd love to read them!

Ta ta for now!