A Natural Quick & Easy MOTD and Tutorial

A quick and simple makeup tutorial that is perfect for those who are looking for something pretty but easy to wear to work or school. Hope you enjoy!

Products used:

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in Porcelain
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder
MAC Pro Longwear Blush in Baby Don't Go
Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown
Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Brunette
Makeup Forever Aqua Cream Eyeshadow in 13
The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Purely Naked
MAC Eyeshadow in Nylon
Kiko Khol Liner in Nude
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Candy Glow
Sleek Highlighting Palette in Diamond in the Rough
Dior Lipgloss in Venus

Hope you like it and let me know what you think!

'In The Nude' Makeup Tutorial

If you like the look of my 'makeup of the day' that I based on the Balm Nude-Tude Palette and paired with a Kylie Jenner lip kit, please head on all over to my YouTube Channel to check out how I achieved it.

Products used:
YSL Le Teint Touche Élclat Foundation in B30
Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade
MAC Pro Longwear blush in Baby Don't Go
Rimmel Brow This Way Gel
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Concealer in Fair
MAC Prep and Prime in Light Boost
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in 1 Fair
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light/ Incandescent Light/ Radiant Light
theBalm Batter Up Eyeshadow Primer in Moonshot
theBalm 'Nude-Tude' Palette
Kiko Colour Definition Eyeliner in 01
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper
FairyDrops Scandal Queen Mascara
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle
Kylie Jenner Lip Kit in Koko K

Let me know what you think!

What are some of your favourite 'nude' pieces in your collection? 

The Battle of the Highlighters

It is no secret that highlighters are very much the in  thing right now. Highlighters are the perfect way to fake a healthy glow on dull days and personally, my face does not feel complete without a dousing of highlight on my cheeks bones and the tip of my nose. It seems like everybody and their nan are on the ultimate expedition to find that ultimate glow so look no further as I am about to give you a full rundown on some of my favourite highlighters that I have been loving over the past year. So let's get straight into it as I have a feeling we could be here for a while...

For starters, I had to mention the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle as this was actually my first proper powder highlighter and the culprit for my ongoing glow obsession. I always recommend this powder to anyone that hasn't ventured into the highlight sphere before as it is a subtle champagne-peach shade and cannot be overly done yet it is still achievable to gain that ultimate glow. It isn't exactly cheap (£24 to be exact) but it definitely is not on the higher end of the market when it comes to price and this pan will last you a good year. As you can see, I actually have mine in the old packaging as it has lasted me that long and obviously there is the fact that I am highlighter whore and I never stay loyal to one which is probably pretty obvious due to this post. 

Next up is the Mary-Lou Manizer from theBalm. This is a much coveted highlight that has previously sat neatly in between high street and high end price tag as it could be purchased in both Debenhams and Superdrug however it now costs £17.49 which I'm pretty sure has increased, most likely because Mary's popularity has grown dramatically in the past couple of years thanks to the blogging industry. Mary-Lou boasts a gold gleam with a subtle shimmer that breaks into a champagne gold when applied onto the cheeks. I recommend this to a lot of highlighter lovers as it seriously adds a bit of oomph to the complexion plus it looks beautiful on a variety of skin tones - trust me. I have used this during the midst of winter when my face is so pale, I'd give Snow White a run for her money, as well during the peak of Summer when I transition from deathly pale to just pale. If you are looking for a champagne highlight that makes those cheek bones pop - check this out!

This next one is probably my all time favourite highlighter to the point that you can see in the picture above that I have almost hit pan. The BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed in Moonstone is probably the most talked about highlighter of 2016 alongside its sister Champagne Pop, and it isn't difficult to understand why. The colour is of course a beautiful pale gold with cool-silvery undertones that looks literally like liquid gold on the skin. However, it is the formula and finish of this highlight that sets it above its competitors. The formula of this powder is so finely milled it quite honestly feels like liquid and takes on a similar appearance when on the skin, to the point that your cheeks actually glisten when adorned with this BECCA beauty and seriously, I cannot get enough. I find whenever I wear this I seriously get addicted to the glow to the point that I am low-key applying this everywhere  on my face and I have no shame. It costs a hefty £32 but seriously I would not even hesitate to purchase this again - this is desert island stuff people! 

The Charlotte Tilbury Bar of Gold Highlighter looks gimmicky but still offers the incredible quality that parallels all of her other products - seriously can Tilbury do any wrong? I purchased this originally as I love how small and compact the product is and felt that this would be the perfect travel sized highlighter and I was not wrong. The swatches of this do not do the gold justice, I honestly feel like a goddess when I wear this and I am never going to complain about that. The only downside is that the product costs £32 (gulp) for a pitiful 4.5g however if you are a regular shopper of Charlotte Tilbury products, this would come at no surprise. I wouldn't recommend this as a first time highlighter but if you are highlighter obsessed like me and are on the hunt for a true gold sheen - this is your gal. 

Finally, do not kill me as I am about to mention a product that costs an arm and leg to ship to the UK but it was soo worth it. The ColourPop Pearlized Highlighter in Wisp appears seemingly inexpensive as it technically costs under £7, although it actually costs a bomb when you add in the shipment charge from the US as well as the tax and all those nitty gritty details. I wish nothing more that ColourPop would create a decent stockists in the UK but do look around if you are wanting to purchase this as some UK sites do sell it but maybe with a slightly increased price. However, despite it's actual inexpensive status, the glow from this little while pot is incredible and the shade is seriously stunning as it offers a beautiful gold with a subtle peach undertone that only adds to the glow on the skin. The consistency of all ColourPop products is seriously odd as they look like a powder yet apply like a cream therefore I would recommend to use a synthetic brush when using any of their products to achieve the ultimate colour pay off. ColourPop offer a wide variety of highlighters that are all seriously beautiful so do go and check them out and pray along with me that they become even more accessible in the UK.

...and breathe. If you read all of that, I love you and will add you to my 2017 Christmas card lists.

I hope you enjoyed this run down of my favourite highlighters and please leave a comment below!

What is your favourite highligher?

April Favourites

April is over and again, I cannot believe how fast it flew by. It finally bought us a slight bit of warmer weather in the UK, meaning more of the S/S products could resurface. I only have a few to tell you about today but all of which are firm favourites in my collection. 

So first up is the Soap & Glory Lid Stuff palette (£10) in What's Nude. The look of this palette reminds me a lot of the MAC Pro Palette Quad's and the shadows contained are almost at an equal quality for MAC shadows, also. The palette contains 4 shades: Vanilla, Pink T, Mudhoney and Aubersheen, three of which are mattes and one slight iridescent shade. If you are after a neutral palette on a budget, I would seriously recommend this one. The formula is very buttery and reminds me a lot of the Urban Decay shadows. The pigmentation is very decent and are easily build-able. I love how easily each shadow blends and is everything you could require for an all matte eye with an added iridescent pop. 

Next up is a product a lot of you will recognise as it's very much talked about in the beauty world. The MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle (£23) is one of my most favourite highlighters, if not my absolute favourite. It has a subtle champagne-gold hue with a slight peachy twist that looks beautiful dusted on the cheeks no matter your skin tone. There is a stream of glitter running through the baked powder but that really is incredibly subtle once applied to the skin so don't let that put you off. If you love to add a bit of something special to your makeup, I would seriously suggest picking this up! 

Some of you may have seen my recent post all about my favourite fragrances for S/S. If you have then you will already be familiar with the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess fragrance that is an absolute staple for the warmer months. I won't go on too much about this as you can already read about my opinion on this product in both my fragrance post and the product review here but seriously, the scent is addictive and it's limited edition. Can it get any better? 

Next is another product that I have recently written a review on. The Benefit Roller Lash is the next big thing that has taken the beauty world by storm. Everybody has tried it and the majority have loved it. I find it perfect for both lengthening and separation with the added bonus of good volume. The only slight downside I have discovered after weeks of wearing it is that it doesn't hold a curl as well as some of my other mascaras but that's nothing a good set of curlers can't fix. 

Finally, is a firm staple in my collection and a product I would go as far as saying that is holds a holy grail status in my opinion. The Balm Schwing Eyeliner has an ultra fine nib that is excellent for precise eyeliner application. The colour pay off is excellent with a blacker than black finish that last all day. The liquid formula is easy to remove so is perfect for any liner newbies who need a little bit of working time when trying to perfect a winged liner look. I seriously cannot get enough of this liner and only wished I have discovered it sooner. I'm currently working through my second one and am already planning a repurchase. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this post!

Please let me know in the comments some of your favourite products from the month of April!

My Top 5 Lip Products From The High Street

As the posts on my blog often full a little 'high end' heavy, I thought I would share with you my Top 5 Lip Product picks which you can usually find it your local drugstore. It's very easy sometimes to buy into the hype that a lot of high end brands create but quite often there is a just as good product quality wise, for almost a fraction of a price that can give its more expensive rival a run for its money. 

First up, is the Super-Colour Fabu-Lipstick from Soap & Glory in the shade The Missing Pink. Any lipstick that makes reference to Mary Poppin's will find its way into my hands. I have written a full  (really, really old) review on this little wonder on my blog in the past (here) and still love wearing it for a natural, everyday pink with a satin formula. Priced at £9, it's definitely situated at the steeper end when it comes to high street lipsticks but I definitely think it's worth it. 

Plot twist! - This is not the Rimmel Kate Lipstick in 107, instead it's her much less talked about sister,  The Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 30. You can see this lipstick in action in my Autumn Red Lip Menu but basically it's a deep red with a raspberry twist that brings a little more to the table. This is a perfect dupe for MAC's Flat Out Fabulous and is seriously so, so gorgeous and only costs £5.49. 

Next up are my all time favourite lip glosses from the High Street. Tanya Burr's own make up collection offers a wide range of colours in a perfect, pigmented formula that also smell amazing! I personally love the shade Chic and find myself reaching for it when I'm after a simple but pretty nude. This is basically MAC's Patisserie in gloss form. Priced at £6.99 from Superdrug or Feel Unique, I strongly urge you to try any colour! 

Okay, I know KIKO isn't readily available from your local drugstore but it is still definitely on the high street and there seems to be a lot of KIKO stores popping up in towns and cities and their products are seriously good. I picked up the 3D Instant Volume Plumping and Refreshing Lipgloss in the shade 216 Pearly Hazelnut on a whim as I was drawn to the deep nude, or dare I say 'Kylie Jenner lip' and the 'instant volume' attribute was an added bonus. This is comparable with products such as the Dior Lip Maximizer and priced at £6.90, it is almost a third of the price!

Finally, it is another Soap & Glory product and probably one of my favourites. The A Great Kisser Juicy Peach Lip Balm is formulated with Mango Butter and adds a ton of moisture to those lips. It's strongly scented with (you guessed it) Peach which honestly was the main reason I bought it. This does create a slightly pinky, glossy tint to the lips which is perfect for those 'no makeup' make up days. This isn't on the Boots website for unknown reason but I did purchase it in store for around the £7 mark so check out your local Soap & Glory stand for this little peachy, pink tin!  

Let me know what you think in the comments!

What are you favourite high street lip products? 

February Beauty Favourites

I know this is slightly late considering we are a week into March but I really wanted to do a post focusing on my favourites from the past month as the products it features are ones that have only just been introduced to me and already I love them. So first all of all, The Balm Cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer which, unless you have been living under a rock, you will have probably heard of as it is raved about all over the blogging world. This is a perfect champagne gold hue that diffuses light thus adding a soft highlight to the skin. If you're someone who prefers to avoid shimmer, then steer clear of this as it's definitely one of my more 'sparkly' highlighting products but applied with a light hand, the shimmer adds to the beautiful glow on the skin. Another great attribute of this product is the multi-use feature it contains. Applied with a damp shadow brush, this creates a gorgeous, pigmented cream-gold eyeshadow that acts as a perfect base colour. I seriously recommend giving that  a go! Next up is the Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita quad which I won't go on too much about as I have already written a full review on this palette here. If you're after a product from Charlotte Tilbury but are unsure on which one to get, I seriously recommend picking up this one. You will not regret it. Next is the Shu Umera Eyelash Curlers. I have never been one to really use eyelash curlers as my eyelashes have a natural curl that can be easily accentuated with a decent mascara. Well so I thought, until I purchased these eyelash curlers on a whim and after one use - I was hooked. This adds an immense curl which I didn't even know existed, you need to try them! Finally, I have a fragrance favourite which again I am sure most of you have heard of. The Eccentric Molecules 01 fragrance is created from a traditional base note that adds allure to any scent. This fragrance is unique as it smells different on everyone who wears it and is seriously addictive. I have worn this pretty much everyday through-out February as I seriously cannot get enough.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

What are some of your favourite products from the last month?

My Everyday Makeup Look

A quick run down of my current favourite, go-to make up look. I personally prefer to opt for dewey skin, a subtle smokey eye and of course winged liner! I used the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge for my liquid face products and Zoeva brushes for my eyes which I highly recommend! I am aware that my everyday make up may be a little full on for some of you but I genuinely enjoy playing around with different products and looks which I may as well wear somewhere! 

Face

Hourglass Veil  Mineral Primer

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc

Nars Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

(For a full post of all my base products click here)

Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 02

Topshop Bronzing Illuminator in Illuminated 

MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty 

Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Candlelight

Eyes

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown (review here)

The Balm Cosmetics Mary Lou-manizer over the lid.

The Balm Nude-tude Palette: Sultry through the crease

and Sophisticated blended through the outer third. 

MAC Nylon in inner corner. 

The Balm Schwing Liquid Eyeliner (review here)

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye-Pencil in Perversion 

Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara 

Lips

Dior Addict Lips Maximiser Gloss 

Let me know what you think!

What products do you wear everyday?

Barmy about theBalm

So we're back with another cringey title so please excuse my latest excessive use of puns. TheBalm Cosmetics, for me, is a new brand in my collection and one that has a lot of 'talked about' products (*ahem* Mary-Lou Manizer) that are completely deserving of the hype. I have tried a selection of their products be it lip glosses, eyeshadows, blushers and highlighters - all of which have had great results. Yet, the Schwing Black Liquid Eyeliner has easily been the most outstanding. I'm a liquid liner fanatic so I rarely go a day without lining my upper lash line to the point that I actually look 'incomplete' if I go without. So, because of this, I am always on the hunt for an easy breezy liquid liner that doesn't take my upmost concentration to apply. I recently wrote a raving review of the Benefit Push Up Liner (here) and have in the past confessed my love for the Lancôme Artliner (here) - both times claiming that these are the best eyeliners I have ever used. So clearly, I am not very faithful, but I am going to throw it out there and say now that THIS eyeliner is the best I have used! I picked this up on a whim, partly because I was overwhelmed to find a stockist for theBalm products in an actual shop and not online (easily pleased I know!) and partly because I never experiment too much with my liner likes so I felt like pushing the boat out slightly. I am now very glad that I did. TheBalm Schwing liner is blacker then black with incredibly staying power and an ultra fine nib that allows to you do a flick with no major casualties. The liquid formula allows for smudging time if this is the look you are wishing to achieve but also sets quick enough to avoid that black-on-upper-lid look that sometimes occurs with other products and is the bane of my life! With a bit of pressure the flexible nib caters for all your liner needs so if you like a thin line purely to accentuate the lashes or something a little thicker - this liner is the one for you! Priced out only £13.49, the quality is an equal match to its higher end predecessors or even slightly exceeds them in some cases. I strongly recommend you check this out and find out for yourselves! If you would like to this in action check out my Instagram (here)!

Let me know what you think.

What's your favourite fool-proof liner?

Cosmetics Collection: Soap and Glory Make Up

I'm back again with another Cosmetics Collection for you! This time it's about another favourite drugstore Make Up brand of mine, Soap and Glory. With it's stand out packaging that's cute, quirky and slightly pin-up, this really is a great brand that takes quality and appearance into a lot of consideration. I thought I would focus this post mainly on the make up side of S&G even though I know they're best known for their incredible bath and body products as well as their excellent skincare but don't worry I will be doing another post all about the products I own from their other collections too because I love it all. 

1. Lid Stuff Flawless Finish Eyeshadow in What's Nude £10 

For the incredible price, this beautiful eyeshadow quad is an absolute steal. I love the fact that it's made up mainly of mattes with only one shimmer shade as pretty much everyone other palette I own is glitter galore. The shadows are creamy and apply beautifully with an acclaimed eight hour wear which I don't think I could argue with. This is a great nudes palette which would be perfect for travel considering it has the four main neutral shades you'd ideally want. 

2. Kick Ass Concealer in Light £10 (full review here) 

A lovely concealer made up of three combat shades that are great for concealing those under eye circles and pesky blemishes. With a salmon pink cream that works a treat for brightening up dark under eyes, a yellow toned complexion concealer that covers up spots completely along with counteracting redness and a translucent powder that works great when setting the creams to ensure they won't budge. All of this is then efficiently fitted into a nifty looking compact that you could throw into your bag and be ready to face the day. 

3. Archery Eyebrow Pencil in Brownie Points £10 (full review here)

One of S&G most talked about Cosmetic products. This intuitive product combines both a wax crayon and a subtle coloured tint that are the perfect pair for creating either the natural brow or big bold bushy show stoppers that even Cara Delevigne would be jealous of. The felt-tip end means you can effectively brush on tiny little hairs to both add volume but still ensure your brows still look like, well brows. Then this is when the crayon comes in. A great consistency and excellent pigmentation which fills in the brows perfectly so you're all good to go! 

4. Peach Party Multi-Colour Blush Brick £11

A brilliant and beautiful product. A mix of bronze, peach and gold hues that when swirled together on a fluffy brush creates the most gorgeous illuminated, pretty in peach colour that's perfect for Summer. The different segments look pretty in the pan and even prettier on the skin and you have the power to create any look you want. You decide what shades you'd like to be more predominant by focusing your brush on individual segments to achieve either a more bronzed, blushed or highlighted effect or if you'd prefer the wild card, like myself, just go to town on the colour wheel and see what gorgeous, pearlescent shade comes up. 

5. A Great Kisser Juicy Peach Lip Balm  £5

A lovely, moisturising lip balm that smells so much like peaches, I'm tempted to eat it. This literally melts on your mouth during application and is so nourishing once on thanks to the Mango Butter in the ingredients. The main thing I love about this balm is the sheer add of peachy colour that although is simple, acts as a gorgeous shade for an everyday Make Up look. 

6. Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick  in Nudist £8

A super glossy, lip lacquer in a stick form that gives Clinique's Chubby Sticks a run for their money. This is moisturising, perfectly pigmented and lasts well on the lips. Not to mention the gorgeous shade Nudist that although appears slightly brown in the bullet, is actually a beige-toned peach when applied. Think MAC's Shy Girl but glossier. I feel like everyone should have this in their collection so go and get it!

7. Super-Colour FabuLipstick in The Missing Pink £9 (full review here)

The perfect pinky-nude that plumps up the lips as well as giving a lovely finish. This really is a gorgeous colour which, along with the great limp pumping technology, nourishing Shea Butter and ultra-shine qualities, makes the perfect pout in one easy swipe. 

So that's a full run down of my Soap and Glory Collection! Hope you enjoyed it.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

What's your favourite Soap and Glory product?

Skincare| Clinique 'take the day off' Cleansing Balm

A good cleanser is exactly what the skin needs on a day-to-day basis to thoroughly clean the skin and make it appear refreshed and renewed. I have tried my fair share of cleansers from waters, gels, hot cloth creams and milks but this has definitely taken the lead as the most effective and luxurious cleanser I've probably ever had. The Clinique 'take the day off' Cleansing Balm has made a massive impact in the Beauty World and I believe it's been sold out in many stores across the country. (I, myself have had no problems locating this which I suppose is the one positive of living in a small town.) This fact comes at no surprise when considering the quality of this miracle product. 

It's a light-weight cleansing balm that appears to be a hard, solid texture in the pot but once on the fingers melts to a silky, oil-like consistency and glides onto the skin beautifully. You can see it removing skin make up instantly as well as the fact that it breaks down tough eye makeup efficiently including most waterproof Mascaras! Once washed off, the skin is left feeling soft and smooth after just the one use.

I usually apply this with my fingertips and massage it onto my dry skin using circular motions. I start with my face make-up and then work into that of the eyes breaking it down until I'm left looking slightly like a Panda - not a great look! I then rinse it off with warm water, I prefer to use a clean muslin cloth to help with this step but it works just as well with your hands but does take slightly longer. Once my face has dried I then go on to use my typical toner or moisturiser to complete my skincare routine. 

Although the consistency of this balm does feel slightly oily, it still works beautifully for oily skin with a non-greasy as well as non-drying effect. This benefit makes it appropriate for all skin types which probably explains why it is so popular.  Priced at £21, it's expensive but because of the balm-like formula, a little bit does go a long way making it quite cost effective. I can definitely see myself repurchasing this once this tub is empty as I really do think this has cleared my skin impeccably, improved scarring and tamed red patches, maybe not a certified benefit but has definitely worked its wonders for me! 

Let me know what you think in the comments.

What's your favourite cleanser?