TOP 5 OF 2013

Can you believe that 2013 is over in less than 24 hours?! Crazy isn't it!

It's fair to say that this year I've trialled and tested A LOT of beauty products this year, but I've managed to cut it down to the top 5 that have stood out from the rest. So in no particular order...

CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURISING LOTION +
Clinique.com | £17-£28.50
Firstly starting off with a skincare love. I hardly mention skincare on my blog, mainly because I'm so lazy with skincare, and I'm only just getting into a proper regime. My skin gets quite dehydrated and this is a perfect pick-me-up.
First mentioned here

RIMMEL MATCH PERFECTION FOUNDATION
Boots.com | £6.99
Being one of my most recent purchases, this is by far one of my favourite products; it's such a lovely foundation and leaves my skin looking so luminescent. You can read more about it in THIS post.
First mentioned here

MAC LIPSTICK IN LADY DANGER
Maccosmetics.com | £15
I bought this lipstick at the beginning of April shortly after my operation (needed a bit of cheering up), and its perfect for daytime, nighttime, summer, winter. It's basically just the perfect lipstick!! The bright orange-red shade is definitely not one for the faint hearted as it is super super bright, which I love. Because of it's matte finish, it stays put all day.
First mentioned here (this is from the time where I was obsessed with over using snapsneed on EVERY picture... apologies)

LADY GAGA FAME EAU DE PARFUM
Boots.com | £31 (for 50ml)
I originally got this fragrance in about March or April and I instantly loved it (that much that I'm on my second bottle). It's the perfect scent for both daytime and evening.
First mentioned here 

MAYBELLINE THE ROCKET VOLUME EXPRESS MASCARA
Boots.com | £7.99
My trusty mascara of the year. I've mentioned this countless times, as you'll know, for reasons that you'll probably know too. It's by far the best mascara I've ever used.
First mentioned here

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My Foundation Wardrobe

I'm slightly obsessed with foundation, let us just say...

The Everyday: RIMMEL BB CREAM

Boots.com | £6.99

For a BB cream, this has great coverage; it gets rid of any imperfections, redness and discolouration. Leaves a nice natural, slightly matte slightly dewy finish with a light coverage.

The In-A-Rush: MAX FACTOR MIRACLE TOUCH FOUNDATION

Boots.com | £12.99

I wear this on college days because I am always getting ready last minute, and this is just so quick and easy to apply because of the formula and packaging. I’d say this is a medium coverage with a dewy healthy finish.

The Special Occasion: NARS SHEER GLOW

Selfridges | £30.50

Rather pricey, but definitely worth it. The name “Sheer Glow” would insinuate that it would be super duper dewy and glowy, however it’s actually more of a satin finish, so slightly matte, but still with a healthy glow to it. This looks really natural, but I class this as my special occasion foundation (generally) because of the price tag.

I’d say this is a medium coverage with a natural glow satin finish.

The Flawless Finish: ILLAMASQUA SKIN BASE

Selfridges | £27

Photographs beautifully and gives a flawless natural finish. This is perfect for going out in the evenings, wearing with a smokey eye. This is a medium to full coverage with a flawless, healthy, natural finish.

The Radiance Boosting: RIMMEL MATCH PERFECTION

Boots.com | £6.99

I’ve loved this foundation from the moment I got it. It is so radiant and glowy, it just leaves the skin looking so healthy and amazing. Works perfectly with the matching Match Perfection Silky Loose Powder also by Rimmel! I’d say this is a medium coverage with a natural, radiant finish.

The No-Makeup Makeup: L’OREAL NUDE MAGIQUE EAU DE TEINT

Boots.com | £9.99

This has definitely grown on me. It’s perfect for those no-makeup makeup days, because it feels like there is nothing on the skin at all. I’d say this is a natural finish with a light coverage.

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Topshop Deception

I picked up Topshop's Lipliner in the shade "Deception" a couple weeks ago as it is a near-match to MAC Currant Lip Pencil, which has been on my wish list for SO long!

This burgundy shade is perfect for autumn/winter, plus the formulation is so nice! They glide on so easily! 

I'm definitely won over by Topshop's lip products!

Want to see how I got this look? Click HERE

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It's Christmas... Almost

It’s that time of year again… So I decided on a bored Sunday afternoon to get my camera out and take some random christmassy shots. 

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Winter Trend Dark(ish) Eye & Dark Lip

I wanted to do a look based on the autumn/winter dark eye dark lip trend, so this is what I've created!

I started with my Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation and Revlon ColourStay Concealer.

I then filled in my brows using the usual brow routine (THIS).

Onto the eyes: I applied the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Metallic Pomegranate all over the lid and under the lower lash line and blended it. I then took my Rimmel Scandaleyes Liner in Black on the lower waterline and upper lash line, and applied a few coats of my Maybelline The Rocket Mascara.

As usual, I contoured my face, using my No7 Duo Bronzer, then to add a bit of colour to my cheeks I used the Stila Convertible Colour Cream Blush in Lillium. I love this because it doesn't dry to a powder finish, it stays glossy as when you have applied it, so there's no need for a highlighter.

Then for the lip... I used Topshop's lip pencil in Deception - I lined all the lip with this and filled it in. Over top I applied NARS Lipstick in Scarlett Empress.

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The Everyday Smokey Eye

I wore this look based on THIS Pixiwoo tutorial for work and to go out in the evening yesterday. I wear this quite a lot because it's a slightly different take on a smokey eye that super long lasting.

So I started off with my Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - this is definitely in my top 5 favourite foundations because it leaves such a nice finish to the skin and is so radiant and healthy-looking.

I followed it by using my Revlon ColourStay Concealer under my eyes to get rid of my dark circles, and around my nose to get rid of any redness.

Moving away from the skin, I then went onto my brows. I used the Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in Hazel, MAC Eyeshadow in Omega and Collection Clear Mascara. I have a more detailed post on my brow routine that you can view here.

Onto the eyes... I started with the Clinique Brush On Cream Liner in the shade Smoke Grey. Using a synthetic brush, I applied this all over the lid up to the crease, then blended it out using my MAC 217 blending brush. I took the same liner under my lower lash line too using my Real Techniques Pixel Point Liner Brush (blended this again with my 217). 

On my top lash line, I applied the Maybelline Chromatics Eyeliner in Turquoise Vibe, 

then blended this out. 

Using another eyeliner, I used the Rimmel Scandaleyes Liner in Black on my waterline, then finished the eyes off with my favourite mascara ever Maybelline The Rocket Volume Express.

Back to the skin, I powdered through the centre of the face using the Rimmel Match Perfection Loose Powder using my Real Techniques Blush Brush. 

I then used the same brush with my No7 Duo Bronzer to contour my face. I also took this bronzer through my socket to deepen it.

On a Real Techniques Stippling Brush, I used the Topshop Cream Blush in 

Head Over Heels.

Then finally for the lips I used the Topshop Lipstick in Innocent followed by Benefit Dandelion Lipgloss.

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Did you see my last face of the day post? Click here to view it!

The Perfect Brow

I’m a little obsessed with eyebrows - I would say it’s actually the first thing I look at on a person’s face (sorry). 

I know my brows certainly aren’t perfect, but they’re generally as perfect as I can get them, so here is a little guide as to how I get my brows as they are.

After doing my foundation and concealer, I’ll take my eyebrow pencil, which is the Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil in Hazel and I will follow the shape of my brows and fill in any sparse areas.

To neaten up the pencil and to set it, I take MAC’s eyeshadow in Omega on a small angled brush and define the edges to make them defined.

To set the brows even further, I comb through my Collection 2000 Colour Lash Mascara in Clear.

Then to define them even more, I outline the top and bottom of the brow with my L’Oreal Lumi Magique Highlighter Pen in Medium and then blend out with my finger.

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December Wish List

For the last wish list of the year, I thought I’d share with you some things that aren’t on my Christmas list!

GIORGIO ARMANI LUMINOUS SILK FOUNDATION

Selfridges | £34.50

I first heard this mentioned by Una from The Saturdays on their Daily Mix interview earlier this year, and since then I have wanted it but only on and off, but I read something about it at the end of November and decided that it’s permanently on my wish list and I really want it again now!

URBAN DECAY NAKED 3 PALETTE

UrbanDecay.com | £36

I honestly could not contain my excitement when I found out Urban Decay were releasing another 12-eyeshadow palette into their ‘Naked’ line. I absolutely fell in love with the original Naked palette after getting it as a gift last Christmas, and since then the Naked Basics is on my Christmas list (fingers crossed!) and the Naked 3 is hopefully going to be my next purchase!

YSL BABYDOLL MASCARA

debenhams.com | £24.50

Sam from Pixiwoo used this one of her tutorials and she recommended it saying it was one of her favourite mascaras. I then actually saw it in Debenhams last week and I thought it looked really nice so I thought it just had to go on my wish list! Plus its on sale at debenhams at the moment!

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The Winter Edit

For the last seasonal edit of the year, 'the winter edit' showcases some beautiful red hues for this season.

ILLAMASQUA NAIL VARNISH IN UNNATURAL
Illamasqua | £14.50

Wine-coloured shades are perfect for winter and autumn: I like this shade particularly as when it is paired with a gold glitter, it looks super Christmassy and so perfect for winter! In the next week or so I'm going to upload a Christmas nail look using this polish!

MAC VIVA GLAM I LIPSTICK

Maccosmetics.co.uk | £15

Red lipstick is perfect for this time of year because of Christmas; this lipstick is the latest red to my collection, and I think it's slight brown tones are great for winter, in comparison to Russian Red which is very blue.

BENEFIT BENETINT LIPBALM

Debenhams | £14.50

For a more wearable red, Benefit's Benetint lip balm is perfect. It gives a sheer amount of colour and glossiness. It's best applied with a brush rather than your finger.

MAC EYESHADOW IN CRANBERRY 

Maccosmetics.co.uk | £10

I was bought this eyeshadow for my birthday from my friend Kirsten, and though it looks rather scary the fact of red eyeshadow, it is actually very wearable and versatile.

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Budget Beauty Edit #1: Top Picks Under £10

So it's coming up to Christmas, the time of year when our wallets are getting a bit tighter,

MAYBELLINE DREAM PURE BB CREAM

Boots.com | £6.99
This BB Cream feels super light on the skin and has a reasonably good coverage, whilst concealing redness and leaving an even, flawless finish.
You can read my full review comparing this to the other Maybelline Dream BB Cream HERE.

BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX CONCEALER

Boots.com | £6.99
I never used to like this concealer, but it has quite a nice finish and is very full coverage. It works on concealer dark circles, blemishes and skin imperfections.

TOPSHOP LIPSTICKS

Topshop.com | £8
I only own two, but I do have to say that these lipsticks are so lovely - the pigmentation is great and doesn't compromise for the formulation which is very creamy and soft.

B. GLOWING SHIMMER BLOCK

Superdrug | £8.99
This shimmer block acts as both a highlight and blush. I love this paired with my Benefit Hoola Bronzer as a contour.

MAYBELLINE VOLUME EXPRESS MASCARAS

Boots.com | £7.99
You know I absolutely love these, I rave about them so much but I don't really use any other mascaras as I haven't found any that I love as much as these!

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Recently Purchased #4

It's that time again... I've been buying things. 

MAC VIVA GLAM I LIPSTICK
Maccosmetics.com | £15

This was an accidental purchase as I only went to the MAC counter to buy brush cleanser, but after browsing the lipstick rack and realising that all the money from these go to charity, I didn't feel bad at all buying it.

CLARINS GLOSS PRODIGE INTENSE COLOUR & SHINE LIPGLOSS IN 05 GRENADINE
Boots.com | £17

Another accidental purchase... I was buying my friend a gift from the Clarins counter and just as I was about to pay, the girl on the counter said that they were doing a free girl special offer instore that day, so when you bought two or more Clarins products you got a free gift which included a large makeup bag filled with full sized body lotion, body scrub and day cream (I think) and a mini body wash. 



The first item that caught my eye when looking for another product was their Gloss Prodige Intense Colour & Shine Lipgloss, and I chose the shade 05 Grenadine, which is a beautiful pinky corally shade. I love it!

RIMMEL MATCH PERFECTION FOUNDATION
Boots.com | £6.99

I decided to buy this foundation as Tanya Burr used it in a tutorial recently and she said how she really liked it, so I thought I would also give it a go! I've used it a couple of times so far and I really really like it! It gives a nice natural finish which makes the skin look healthy and blowy without it being greasy and oily.

RIMMEL MATCH PERFECTION SILKY LOOSE POWDER
Boots.com | £6.99

As I was intending to buy the Match Perfection foundation, I decided to try the powder too, as they clearly will go well together, and I've tried this too with the foundation and it's really nice; I wasn't sure what I'd think as I'd never used a loose powder before but I really like it as it's very long lasting.


COLLECTION WORK THE COLOUR EYESHADOW PENCIL IN VANILLA SKY & HOT CHOCOLATE 
Boots.com | £2.99 each

I saw these eyeshadow pencils used in this Pixiwoo tutorial, and because I loved the makeup look, I decided to buy these to recreate it! I love how inexpensive these are for the quality of them, especially the shade 'Hot Chocolate' (the browny-bronze shade, the left on the swatch).

NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION 
Selfridges.com | £30.50

Another foundation... whoops. I've been wanting this for so long and I actually included this in this wish list post. I love this foundation, it gives such a gorgeous finish!

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The Best Of: Real Techniques

It’s no surprise to you of what a fan I am of the Real Techniques brushes. They are such good quality, easy to wash, quick to dry, multipurpose... I could go on.

I thought I would do a round up, if you will, of the best of the Real Techniques brush range; the ones I love and use the most, as so to speak.

BUFFING BRUSH 

Boots.com | £21.99 (part of the core collection)
The buffing brush is my go-to foundation brush as it applies and blends liquid, cream or powder foundation perfectly, leaving a gorgeous, flawless finish.

EXPERT FACE BRUSH

Boots.com | £9.99
Before using the buffing brush, the expert face brush used to be my go-to, but I use this when I'm using a thicker foundation as it's fibres are a lot denser so it makes it so much easier.

CONTOUR BRUSH 

Boots.com | £21.99 (part of the core collection)
I use the contour brush from the core collection for contouring (obviously...) and for applying setting powder, highlighter and blusher. It's shape makes it perfect for setting concealer under the eyes as well as for getting in the hollows of the cheeks for contouring and the perfect size for applying blush to the apples of the cheeks.

DELUXE CREASE BRUSH 

Boots.com | £21.99 (part of the starter set)
The actual function of this brush is for blending eyeshadow through the crease, however I actually use it for applying and blending concealer, as it is the perfect size and shape to fit underneath the eye area, around the nose and to push onto blemishes.

DUO FIBRE FACE BRUSH 

Boots.com | £23.99 (part of the limited edition duo fibre set)
The duo fibre face brush is perfect for those who over powder, as the fibres don't pick up too much product, so an over-powdered face is now a no-go.

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