May 2017 - this and that....

Hello again fellow beauty lovers! Apologies I have been seriously quiet for a couple of months over here, it's been pretty busy but I have lots of new things to share with you all!

I recently went to Sephora in Vegas (which was SO incredible) and after saving for many months I was able to pick up some pretty amazing products. I've also been really enjoying the Look fantastic beauty box which has included some amazing samples, and I had a really nice makeover at Charlotte Tilbury too in preparation for my friends wedding!
Its been a good couple of months makeup wise and I've really put some products to the test - so I thought I'd share some of my favourites/findings so far as well as talk through my current "go to" makeup look that's a little more amped up than a daily, natural look.  

1. Firstly I wanted to talk about the Tarte "Lights camera Lashes" mascara. This was a little mini from the mother nature collection in Sephora. It is really nice! It adds a lot of length and volume at once and is a really dark black which I love. It's so cute and diddy so perfect for travelling!

2. Natasha Denona Palette #4 OH MY GOD - This palette has blown me away completely. The quality and pigment of these shadows is out of this world and the colours are so beautiful. I need to pick up more next time I am there. It's expensive, but SO worth it in my opinion.

3. Nip + Fab Lip liner in "Fudge"  My new favourite Lip liner that may even be up there with Charlotte Tilbury Pillow talk... I put this on yesterday and it is the most natural looking liner I've ever used. For want of a better saying - it's the perfect "your lips but better colour". I then topped this with the Model Co super lips gloss in "Beige" which I received in this months LF beauty box. I usually HATE lip gloss to be completely honest - but this is so beautiful. It has a nice amount of pigment and goes perfectly with the liner to create an ombre effect. It's not too sticky either. 

4. Care for skin foundation Ormedic lip enhancement complex
I was kindly gifted this by my friend Melie and I haven't stopped using it since! I have never heard of this brand before, so not quite sure what I will do when it runs out (WAH). It's so hydrating/moisturising and adds a nice sheen to the lips. 

5. Charlotte Tilbury eyeliner in "Audrey"  last and by no means least - I am loving this eyeliner so much. I've been going through a phase of not wearing liner at all or going in fully with a liquid liner like the Stila stay all day (which is incredible). When the makeup artist put this on me the other day, it took me back to being about 15! I remember always wearing a brown eyeliner (literally every single day!) but not really applying it very well.... This applied to the outer edges and smudged looks so beautiful. The formula of this is wonderful - it's so creamy and easy to work with, yet lasts well too. I love an off black colour to add a subtle bit of definition to the eyes. 

Finally I had a lot of comments on this makeup look yesterday so thought I'd do a breakdown of products used - some of which are old favourites, some of which were brand new!

Base: Clarins beauty flash balm, Georgio Armani luminous silk foundation. Urban Decay naked concealer. Chanel Soleil tan de Chanel to warm up the face (applied only where the sun would naturally hit the face)

Powders: Bourjois healthy balance powder to set, Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder, Too faced chocolate bronzer, Tarte blush in the shade "Fiesty". Highligher - Becca champagne pop applied to all high points of the face. 

Eyes: Natasha Denona palette #4 - I applied Aura in the inner corner, Cool Bronze in the centre, and darkened the outer corner with Oxide and cool plum. I find these apply even more amazingly if you add them to the lid with your finger. I then applied the Charlotte Tilbury liner mentioned above from the middle of the lid to the outer corner, and a small amount of the Stila stay all day liner just so that my false lashes band wouldn't be too visible. I applied Eyelure texture lashes #117 which I love as they are so wispy and light. 

Eyebrows: I finished my Zoeva brow pencil in Ammos (so affordable - recommend!) initially to fill in and then went over only the outer edges with my Anastasia brow pomade in the shade "Blonde" to define them further. I'm really enjoying this so far - it stays put all day but is definitely more obvious than a pencil so I only tend to wear it if doing a full on makeup look. 

Lips: Finally on the lips I am wearing the Fudge liner mentioned above, and the Model Co lipgloss! I am obsessed with this combo after one use !! The liner is so creamy and they are only £5.95!!

Let me know what else you'd like to hear about xox

Luna

Before I start my rant, don't get me wrong. Sunday Riley is up there with some of my favourite brands in the skincare world. "Good Genes" has changed my life for the better and I honestly don't think I'll ever be without the stuff. I will never forget the moment my friend Pippa and I finally decided to take the £85 plunge and got SO excited when we realised how damn good this stuff really is. 
Good genes is used as a serum and honestly, the results are insane. I am on my second bottle and saw such a change in the glowiness/evenness of my skin even after one use. Pricey as hell but worth it in my opinion. It comes in a pump so ingredients stay fresher for longer which I love. Read about it here: Good genes

 When I first heard about "Luna"- I obviously had to try it, given the incredible results Good Genes had shown me.
This "sleeping night oil" claims to reduce pore size, improve appearance of damaged skin and help fight wrinkles.
This is more of an overnight oil that you apply in the evenings after cleansing and toning. 

On first use, I was again blown away... my skin was smooth, glowy and just felt wonderful. So why am I now breaking up with this product?

1. After a few uses I found that this stuff irritated the crap out of my face. I was noticing that every - single - time I used it, I would break out in one way or another. I heard that this is normal initially, but it didn't change no matter how many times I went back to it.
2. After doing some research, and reading Caroline Hirons thoughts on it - I learnt that it actually contains a fair few ingredients that can irritate your skin, and that the blue colour is synthetic not due to the natural Blue Tansy Oil which I was led to believe. Not only this - but Caroline explains that actually the ingredients are not particularly expensive other than the main Retinol component which is supposed to be good for anti-aging. So why the ridiculous price tag? 
3. I have had this now for over a year, and I've barely gotten through it. It has a dropper, which means that every time it's opened, air gets to the bottle. I'm pretty sure it went off pretty quickly as a result. If only it came in a smaller bottle or with an alternative method of getting the product out. 
4. After the first few uses I did see a change in my skin - but after this literally nothing seemed to be happening. I definitely didn't notice any difference in pore size.
5. The oil doesn't sink in as nicely as other oils I've tried, and although this isn't the biggest issue, you are definitely left with a nice faint blue tinted face once you've applied it!

So there you have it - I am so sad to have to part with it, especially as it's SO expensive! I really wanted to love it - and I have heard of many people who do... but it's just not for me. If it works for you and you love it, I am super jealous!

I do want to try more of the range though despite this, especially the Martian Toner which I hear is great. 

xox

The Silisponge...

There are so many different ways of applying your makeup base these days, it can really become quite overwhelming especially if you are a beginner. In my opinion you certainly don't need any tools for applying foundation - I use my hands a lot of the time which works absolutely fine. I do however find a sponge very useful for applying/blending out concealer seamlessly. 
I personally LOVE and swear by my beauty blender for this. I have used one now for the last few years to blend products out and I honestly can't live without it. 

When I heard about the Silisponge though I was so intrigued. I'd read so many incredible reviews and seen so many YouTube videos... I had to give it a go!

What is it?
A silicone sponge used to apply cream/liquid products. 

It claims to:
1. Make your foundation go a lot further 
2. Be more hygienic
3. Be more affordable 

I got mine on Amazon for £4.99 and immediately gave it a go because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. 

The verdict?         I HATE IT!!!!!!

The first time I tried it, in all fairness, I used FAR too much foundation because I am so used to using my hands/a sponge. I didn't think this was fair so I wiped some product off. This didn't help. All the sponge did was wipe the product around my face, leaving lines and creases everywhere but also wiping away coverage somehow at the same time!! It was so so difficult to get around my nose/blend things out evenly. 
I decided to try a couple more times (on a separate day, when the frustration of the first time had passed!), with less foundation, but still the same problems occurred. I ended up having to take the whole lot off and start again/ or go in with my beauty blender over the top anyway, which takes up even more time, making it a pointless item!


Here a few snaps of the lovely moment I tried it:

 (LOL - look at those lines)

So! Does it live up to it's claims?
1. Make your foundation go a lot further - Yes but only because all it does is wipe it around your face! This doesn't mean that you end up with the flawless result you were hoping for. Not only this, but you have to then correct with a sponge, making it effectively pointless as I said.
2. Be more hygienic - Yes it's easy to clean, but so is the beauty blender with an antibacterial soap so this point is irrelevant to me. I even put my Real Technique sponge in the washing machine and it survived well. 
3. Be more affordable - There are plenty of other great products out there at a similar price if not less, I personally don't recommend this even if it is only a few pounds. 

In my opinion - nothing compares to the following (with Beauty blender being my number one, always):

1. The Beauty blender. A lot of people raving about the Silisponge say that sponges soak up too much product. I disagree, and think that actually they do a great job at soaking up any excess product which means you always have just the right amount on your face. Yes it might use up a tiny bit more foundation, but it's not like the whole bottle is gone! This only works if your sponge is damp enough though so make sure you properly soak it and then wring it out, otherwise it may well soak up more than you want. 
2. The Real Techniques sponge is the closest thing I've found to the beauty blender. It isn't quite as good in that I find it a little firmer to work with and more rubbery so the blending takes a little more effort, but it's a great place to start if you're new to blending with this kind of tool.
3. If you are more of a brush person, I absolutely love this Space NK brush for buffing things in: Flat top brush. The denseness of it means that you don't end up with lines all over your face and you can really push the product into the skin. 

So in summary: 
SILLY sponge in my opinion. 
What do you guys think?!
xox

Part two: Blusher!

I only realised recently that blusher isn't really one of those things that I buy a lot of. I think it's because I have one or two favourites that I just keep going back to time and time again - but also ones that seem to last for ages! 
I like a bit of blush to finish off any look, and will generally apply this to the apples of my cheeks and lightly brush it up into my bronzer so that it all blends in nicely. Here are a few of my current favourites (swatches below): 


1. Too Faced - Baby Love blush. I think it's clear to see that this one is my current go to! I really need to get a new one. I think I love this shade so much because it is SO natural looking & matte, so it's perfect for everyday makeup. These are so pigmented, you literally need the smallest amount. They are really buildable too. I love the heart shaped packaging! 

2. Tarte - Exposed. I got this on a trip to NYC purely as I had heard good things from The Anna Edit & my friend Pips. They were right, it is amazing and I wasn't disappointed. This beautiful, matte, nudey/plum shade is also one I reach for regularly. It is so subtle but can be built up, it never looks too much. The packaging is so cute too. 

3. Milani - Luminoso. Again I found this when I was looking for a more affordable blush on my NYC trip. I am so happy that they now stock it in the UK on Beauty Bay! (Yay). It is a dupe (ish) for Nars Orgasm in my opinion in that it has the same golden shimmery undertone on a lovely peachy blush. Perhaps a little peachier than the Nars one. Definitely give it a go if you are looking for a lovely pink flush of colour, for a lower price tag.

4. Mac - I unfortunately can't find this shade "Hipness" anymore - I think it was limited edition. Honestly though I don't think you can go wrong with any Mac blushes. They are a perfect size for travelling and have a great amount of pigmentation. They blend easily and there are so many shades to choose from! This shade looks scary in the pan but it's actually not that bright on (unless you apply LOADS!) - I tend to grab this for more full on makeup looks/when the rest of my makeup isn't too bright.

5. Soap & Glory - Peach party. This is one to grab if you like a bit of shimmer on your cheeks. It's almost a highlighter and blush combined and really adds a healthy glow to the skin. You could also use the separate colours on the eyes if you wanted! Soap & Glory stuff is such a bargain - they often have deals on in Boots. 


What are your favourites? xox

Part one: Bronzers!

We've talked foundations, concealers and setting your makeup down - but here are a few of my favourite products that help to add a little colour back into the skin!

I usually set my face with powder, go in with a bronzer, highlighter and then my blush. I like to do it in this order purely so that the highlighter doesn't take over the whole look. I like to use powders usually, purely because I get oily throughout the day. We'll talk highlighters another day because there is too much to say about that, but see below for a list and swatches of my current favourite bronzers! (Blush to follow soon...)

Bronzer: 

It's so easy to get over excited and go in a little heavy handed with bronzer, especially when it's rainy and we are missing that sunshine!! It can end up looking a little much if you're not careful with colour choices too. My top tip is to go with a bronzer that is only a few shades darker than your skin tone and avoid those more "orange" toned products if you want it to look natural. Saying that, I have a few on the more orange toned side and going in with a light hand, you can still make them work. I only apply bronzer to the areas that the sun would naturally hit ie: the outer perimeter of the face/features that catch the sun. I then always bring it down my neck too. This way you keep the centre of the face bright which helps to keep you looking fresh, awake and glowy! I personally like to use a big fluffy brush for powders so that there are no harsh lines.

1. Chanel - Soleil Tan De Chanel. This stuff is slightly orangey, but providing you apply it lightly it looks absolutely beautiful on the skin. I LOVE this when I'm on holiday and wanting a more minimal makeup look. It looks GREAT with a tan and I imagine would like amazing on most skin tones. It's a cream bronzer so I apply this with a more dense brush, and buff this in in the same areas I would a powder. It can be used underneath foundation to add some definition, or over to bronze the skin. 

2. Soap & Glory - Solar Powder. This is a great product on more of the budget end. The thing I love is that you get two different shades. You can either swish them together, or use one! The cooler tone one doubles up as a contouring product which is great. Below I've swatched both colours together. 

3. Hourglass - Ambient lighting bronzer. This stuff is CRAZY pigmented. It has a slight shimmer running through it so avoid if you prefer a matte look. I got myself a cute mini when in NYC and I love it. I'm not sure I could bring myself to spend £45 on the larger version quite yet...It is so beautiful though. 

4. Physicians Formula - Butter bronzer. This stuff smells like holidays and sunshine - oh my goodness so good. It gives a beautiful wash of colour and is on the cheaper end too, I'm sad we can't get it in the UK yet. Fingers crossed it will come over soon!

5. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil. If I had to choose just one bronzer for the rest of my life, right now I think this would be it. I wrote about it in my monthly favourites here .... 

What are your favourites? xox

The Sunshine Blogger Award / Leibster Award

Let's face it, blogging is hard work no matter how much you enjoy it. It always takes me ten times longer than I think! It is therefore so rewarding and motivating when people tell you they find your posts useful, or how much they enjoy your content, and especially lovely when you receive a blog-to-blog award! I love these things, not only does it help people link in to your own / other interesting blogs, it provides such a huge boost of encouragement to continue doing what you do. 

I was lucky enough to receive both the Liebster award by my lovely friend HonestBrideGuide and then more recently the Sunshine Blogger award by LaPetiteRose!

The rules for both are as follows: 

1. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you
2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger gave to you
3. Nominate at least 5, but no more than 11 bloggers who deserve the award
4. Tell those bloggers you nominated them!
5. Create 11 original questions for the nominees to answer.

Thank you both so much and here goes with a combined bash at the questions...

My questions from the Leibster Award (which I am very late in answering!): 

1. Where does your heart call home? Epsom but also Putney!
2. If you had £100 to spend in one day, what would you spend it on? Obviously makeup!!! (Most likely a Tom Ford lipstick)
3. What is your happiest memory of 2016? My wedding day!
4. What restaurant would you recommend to your followers? Roxie steakhouse 
5. What are you looking forward to in 2017? Buying our first house, if it ever happens, it is taking forever! And one of my oldest/best friends weddings (HonestBrideGuide) 
6. What 3 films would you tell your readers to watch on a cold January evening? The Holiday (who cares if it isn't christmas), Pretty woman & Trainwreck. Trainwreck might just be my favourite film ever. 
7. Tell me about your favourite holiday destination! Dominican Republic - Dreams La Romana - my husband and I went on our first holiday together and then honeymoon, it is literally heaven. Take me back.
8. What did you have for lunch today? Salad. Zzzzzz!
9. What is your vice? SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY ON MAKEUP!!
10. What is your favourite thing about blogging? Sharing my excitement about particular products, and also when people tell me they have found something useful :-)

My questions from the Sunshine Blogger Award: 

1. What was the best part of today? I had a really rewarding session with a patient on my ward today which made my day! I love my job, but it's also always lovely to come home and see my little family (cats and husband!)
2. Who are you grateful for today? My amazing husband, family and friends
3. Where were you when you last saw a rainbow? I can't actually remember it was so long ago, boo!
4. Where did you see the best sunset you'd ever seen? Down on a ranch in the Grand Canyon with my family. Unbelievable. 
5. Where did you last go on holiday? To Vienna to see Justin Bieber, because I'm cool like that.
6. Where would you go for the rest of today if you could go anywhere in the world and travel was instant? Probably NYC!
7. What was the last good book you read? I don't really read, I try but I have the attention span of a 2 year old.
8. Who is your favourite blogger? The Anna Edit.
9. Marmite, love or hate? HATE
10. Why did you start your blog? To share my passion about makeup and skincare and to hopefully help others with tips and tricks that I've learnt along the way! I also want to start doing more makeup courses and possibly go into some form of makeup job in the future. 
11. Aside from your blog, do you do any other writing? No! Other than my medical notes at work!

I have decided to nominate the following people for the Sunshine Blogger award: 

LaPetiteRose

Feedinstyle

HonestBrideGuide

MorganGreen

TheAnnaEdit

KateLaVie

ItsSabrina

My questions if you would like to take part!

1. What is your all time favourite film?

2. Do you have any holidays planned this year?

3. What's the most expensive makeup or skincare item you've ever purchased?!

4. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

5. How do you unwind in the evenings?

6. What is your guilty pleasure?

7. Do you have a nickname?

8. Who is your idol?

9. What is your favourite song at the moment?

10. If you could invite 3 people (alive or not) to a dinner party, who would they be and why?

11. What is your most used emoji?

xox

February favourites!

February flew by so quickly I barely even noticed it had ended - so I'm a little late here, but late is better than never right? There have been so many different products I've been enjoying in the month of Feb, but here are just a few that made it to the favourite list, a couple of which will be no surprise. 

1. Georgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation: I can't help it. I just love this stuff. WHY do I always fall for the most expensive things!! I've talked about this enough, so I'm not going to ramble on but if you want natural, glowy skin with a good amount of coverage then this is your guy. I am SO excited to try the new version (Power Fabric) ...I must get my hands on it soon. Same glowy-ness, more coverage? Yes please!

2. Urban Decay Naked Colour Correcting Fluid:  I've been reaching for this stuff pretty much every single day. It is so pigmented so you literally need the tiniest amount. I dab this on under the eyes with a beauty blender and I immediately look like I've had a few hours of extra sleep! A great one if you have under eye darkness. 

3. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil: My go to bronzer. I finally got myself the correct shade a little while ago and oh my goodness this stuff just looks beautiful and SMELLS amazing. I also somehow got some in my mouth when dusting this on, and it actually tastes like chocolate. Just sayin'

4. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm: I've had the mask version of this since I went to NYC in August last year and I am absolutely in love. I recently went a little crazy and decided to order this stick version and honestly, I don't regret it. If you're ever in the states - pick this up. It is the most hydrating lip balm I think I've ever used! I've even got the husband into it. 

5. Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eye shadow Palette: Last but by no means least - the Zoeva palette. Words cannot describe how much I love this. My lovely beauty buddy Pippa got me it for Christmas, and I honestly don't think I've used anything since! It has the perfect mixture of shimmers and mattes, and the pigment is out of this world. They blend easily - and you can make SO many different looks with it. An absolute winner - go check it out. 

What products have you been loving this month? xox