TRANSITIONAL LIPSTICKS

I'm not quite ready for spring peaches and pinks yet, or to let go of plums, berries and reds but I have slowly started to add a few brighter tones to my lipsticks ready for spring.

I love wearing berry shades throughout winter and Revlon Balm Stain in Crush is great to wear as a pretty stain on your lips. I like dab a small amount of this on before rubbing it in with my finger to leave a subtle stain. This way it lets me hold on to berry shades without it looking too bold and autumnal.  

I'm still reaching for wintry reds and I think L'Oreal Color Riche Exclusives Lipstick in Blake will continue to make an appearance on my lips all throughout the year as I love it so much. This lipstick is a flattering matte pure red that contains jojoba oil to keep lips feeling soft, it works so well with shimmery brown lids and lasts well on the lips. 

Bright fuchsia pinks are slowly creeping their way back into my make up bag, Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop and Revlon Balm Stain in Lovesick are great for brightening the gloomy winter days and for transitioning into spring. Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop is a bright fuchsia pink and Revlon Balm Stain in Lovesick is a slightly softer pink with a hint of purple.

Lastly I've been gravitating towards softer pinks and MAC Please Me has been the perfect muted pink for the transition into spring. It's great to wear as a girly matte pink when you want to wear a bolder eye look.

What lipsticks are you currently wearing?

CHAMPAGNE PLEASE

Champagne eyeshadow is my absolute favourite colour of eyeshadow to wear. I like to use a flat shader brush to pat on a shimmery wash of colour all over my lids before adding winged liner and plenty of mascara for my everyday make up look. These are some of my favourite champagne eyeshadows:

MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralize SkinFinish: After highlighting, I like to dust this light golden champagne highlighter over my lids for a pretty, natural shimmer. I love to use this if i'm in a hurry as I just use any excess product on my brush after I've finished highlighting to sweep over my lids. See swatches here.

Loreal 206 Little beige dress: This buttery pressed pigment is a beautiful light champagne with a hint of peachy pink shimmer running through it. It's long lasting on my eyes and looks great in the inner corners and as a brow bone highlight as well as applied over the lids. See swatches here.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadow in Champagne: This is a really sheer eyeshadow that leaves a light shimmery champagne wash of colour over your eyes. It's very sheer and so is great for days when you want a more natural make up look. 

Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyeshadow in Champagne Quartz: This beautiful eyeshadow is a lot more pigmented than the shimmer wash eyeshadows and feels more buttery in texture. It's a beautiful peach champagne eyeshadow and one of my favourite eyeshadows.  

MAC Bare Study Paint Pot: This cream eyeshadow is so easy to apply with your ring finger and gives a long lasting, light golden pink champagne wash of colour over your eyes. It brings a lot of light to the eye area and lasts all day on me without smudging or creasing. 

MAC Naked Pigment: This beige, champagne colour pigment is actually really similar to my skintone and so I love wearing it to bring another dimension and a hint of shimmer to my eyes. MAC pigments last absolutely ages as you only need such a small amount and although it's quite a neutral colour the iridescent gold shimmer gives it a lovely glow. See me wearing it here.

Which are your favourite champagne eyeshadows? Any I should add to my wishlist?

CHRISTMAS DAY MAKE UP

I can't believe it's Christmas tomorrow!

Every Christmas Eve, Alex drops me off at my mum's and me and my brother have a little tradition of watching Christmas films and eating festive treats. I've brought with me a festive collection of make up to wear tomorrow, my nails are already freshly painted with Essie Bordeaux but I have packed Essie rock at the top - a gold glitter as an option to add on top later.

I'm planning on priming my skin with Seventeen Skin Wow highlighting primer which is a shimmery iridescent pearl/pink primer to help to give my skin and foundation a dewy glow. For my eyes, I've opted for L'Oreal Color Riche Mono Eyeshadow in 205 Sable lamé (swatched here), as it has light gold glitter running through it to make my eyes look shimmery and sparkly on Christmas day.

For my cheeks, I've packed thebalm Mary Lou Manizer highligter which is a pigmented shimmery champagne highlighter. It works so well on the top of your cheekbones, under the brow bone and in the inner corners of your eyes. For blusher, I've chosen Nars Orgasm to give me warm golden peachy pink cheeks.

I'm keeping my lips simple with just a swipe of lip balm. I would brave a red lip but with all the chocolate and veggie roast dinner I plan on eating tomorrow, I'm not sure it would last! 

What are your plans for Christmas day?

FESTIVE EYESHADOWS

During the festive season I love to wear shimmery, sparkly eyeshadows. Its the only time of year that I feel like I can get away with being a bit heavier on the glitter and so I love to add a touch of sparkle to my eyes. These are my favourite glittery shades to wear:

MAC pressed pigment in Daygleam: One of the most sparkly shades that I own, MAC daygleam is creamy in texture with a pretty gold/beige base and quite large silver glitter particles. I love wearing this dabbed onto the centre of my eyelids.

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Furore: Illamasqua pure pigments are some of the prettiest eyeshadows in my collection. Furore is a highly pigmented shimmery peach champagne that's slightly metallic and great for sophisticated Christmas parties when you don't want too much glitter. 

Topshop Chameleon Glow in Shuffle The Cards: A beautiful multi-toned rose gold eyeshadow that adds such a pretty sparkle to the eyes. This eyeshadow is iridescent, buttery in texture and really pigmented. 

L'Oreal Color Riche Mono Eyeshadow in 205 Sable lamé: This is a stunning light gold eyeshadow that has flecks of glitter running through it. The formula of these eyeshadows are so buttery and easy to apply with a flat shader brush or your finger. This looks so pretty swept over the eyes with a bold red lip like MAC Ruby Woo.

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Static: A beautiful iridescent pearl eyeshadow with violet and pink micro glitter running through it. It looks great all over the eyes or can be used as a highlighter. 

What are your favourite glittery eyeshadows to wear over Christmas?

FESTIVE REDS

I love wearing red in December, there's something so festive about painting your nails with a sparkly red nail polish or wearing a bold red lipstick. Here's a few of my favourites:

Lips

L'Oreal Color Riche Exclusives Lipstick in Blake: I love Blake Lively, she has such amazing taste and this sophisticated matte cool toned red fits in perfectly with her style. The formula feels slightly more powdery than I normally like in a lipstick but it contains jojoba oil and so keeps lips soft. It's long lasting and a stunning pure matte red.

Sleek Matte Me in Rioja Red*: Supposedly a dupe for the Hourglass Opaque Rouge lipsticks this liquid lipstick is long lasting, super pigmented and really affordable. It dries to a pretty, velvet matte finish and is a beautiful true red. This can be tricky to apply but once dry on the lips it stays put for hours. It's one of longest lasting lipstick's that I've tried and so it is perfect for Christmas parties.

Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang: This is a creamy, bold red that leaves a satin sheen finish on the lips. I have to prep my lips well before using this as it shows up any imperfections but then it looks so pretty on the lips, is long lasting and fades to a stain. I've written a full review here.

Nails

Nails Inc Tate: A beautiful sophisticated cherry red nail polish which is great if you want something festive without the glitter. Opaque in 1-2 coats Nails Inc nail polish has a great formula that lasts well on my nails.

Barry M Ruby Slippers Red Glitter: Great for fingers or toes this classic glittery red nail polish is a staple for me at Christmas. This is my favourite ruby glittery red nail polish to wear on Christmas day.

Essie Leading Lady: This is a deep red nail polish with flecks of raspberry micro glitter running through it. It's a stunning nail polish and great to wear for the lead up to Christmas.

Which are your favourites?

A FESTIVE TOUCH

After seeing the Coca Cola advert on tv last weekend I've decided to completely embrace the fact that its now nearly Christmas. Michael Buble has been playing in the background whilst I've been baking festive treats and slowly adding festive touches to my make up routine. Heres a few things that Ive added to my make up bag:

thebalm Mary Lou Manizer: This highly pigmented champagne highlighter adds a beautiful glow to your skin. You only need such a small amount brushed over your cheekbones, on your brow bone and on the inner corners of your eye to give a beautiful shimmer that's so lovely for the festive season.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadow in Champagne: I bought this eyeshadow a while ago as I read that the Make-up artist used this on Katherine in the Vampire Diaries. I'm already so in love with season 6 and so pulled this out to wear. This eyeshadow is a pretty shimmery champagne colour which is quite sheer so I like to wear this as part of a brown smokey eye, or just on its own for a shimmery wash of colour over the lids if I'm wearing a bold red lip.

Mac RiRiwoo lipstick: Very similar to MAC Ruby Woo, this cool toned matte red is the perfect winter lipstick. I wore this last year in my festive decorating video, it's long lasting and gets me so excited for Christmas when I wear it!

L'Oreal Mono eyeshadow in 205 Sable Lame. This stunning shimmery light gold eyeshadow gives a touch of festiveness to my make up and lasts well on my eyes. These L'Oreal eyeshadows are so buttery and pigmented, see a full review and swatches here.

MAC Mineralize Blush in Gleeful: Aptly named, this wine coloured blush is perfect for the colder months. You only need such a small amount for it to add a long lasting beautiful rosy red glow to your cheeks.

Nails inc Chelsea Square: I'm already breaking out the glitter nail polish and Nails Inc Chelsea square is such a pretty rose gold glitter that is great for the run up to Christmas.

Are you excited about Christmas already?

AUTUMN/WINTER MAKE UP TRENDS

As mentioned in my Spring/Summer make up trends post, I love to see the make up that is on trend and then try to incorporate a more wearable version into my make up routine. Some of the trends are going to be perfect for the festive season and I've been really enjoying wearing them throughout autumn.

Ethereal Gold & Silver metallics: A metallic eye with golds, silvers and winged liner was the focus of the Chanel A/W 2014 look and a strip of silver liner was applied in Dior to the upper lids. I think that shimmery gold or silver eyeshadows look great applied lightly all over the lids and then blended out before adding winged liner. I love the Maybelline colour tattoo in eternal gold and eternal silver as they are easy to apply with your finger as a base or as a subtle shimmer to the eyes, they blend out really easily and add a festive touch to your make up. They also look pretty blended under the eye.

Berry stained lips: Although eyes and skin were the main focus in A/W 2014 make up, berry stained lips also featured. MAC rebel is perfect for this look as you can pat the colour onto your lips and then blend in with your finger. This gives a pretty, stained effect that lasts ages on the lips.

Contouring and highlighting: Skin was cleverly contoured and sculpted to give an almost mannequin effect to the skin on the catwalk. The Sleek Face Contour Kit* is perfect to lightly sculpt and contour your face for everyday make up. The contour side is matte and the perfect shade of brown which isn't muddy or orange. Both the contour and highlighter are pigmented and easy to blend, you only need a small amount of product to really make your cheekbones stand out.

Metallic Olive greens: Pat McGrath created a stunning make up look for Dior using liquid latex with pigment pressed on top in blue or green. Natural Collection eyeshadow in Moss Shimmer is a beautiful shimmery olive green with slightly golden tones which looks beautiful blended all over and under the eye. You can see me wearing this look here.

Long lashes: Eyelure have some top and bottom lashes which are great to wear for this look or layering up on your favourite mascara (Mine is still the L'Oreal Miss Manga mascara) will give you a more natural, fluttery long lashes look.

Which is your favourite trend?

JULY'S CORAL FAVOURITES

Following the colour theme, these are my summery coral favourites!

Essie Cute As A Button: This is such a pretty coral pink nail polish and one of my all time favourites from Essie.

Benefit Coralista: I only own the small version of this in the Powda Wowza box but I love it. Coralista is a warm peach pink coral that gives a lovely summery flush of colour to your cheeks. I love wearing this in the summer as really makes my skin look radiant and glowing, it can be built up to intensify the colour or worn as a pretty sheer hint of colour to your cheeks.

Mac Melon Pigment: This is actually a rose gold peach colour but it can look like a light coral on the eyes. It's a stunning colour and one of the prettiest eyeshadows that I own. It blends so easily and would suit any eye colour, you can see swatches of it under my lower lash line here and on my lids here.

Loreal Dating Coral: I remember buying this after hearing so much hype around this shade, its quite a natural peach pink that has a glossy finish, you can layer it up or just have a sheer wash of colour, both look really pretty on the lips.

Revlon colorburst lipgloss in Peony: This is a lovely peachy pink lipgloss that doesn't feel sticky on the lips and has a pretty golden shimmer running through it. Perfect for subtle glossy lips and great if you want to wear bright colours on your eyes!

JUNES GREEN FAVOURITES/MAYS GOLD FAVOURITES/APRILS BLUE FAVOURITES/MARCH MINT FAVOURITES/FEBRUARYS ORANGE FAVOURITES/JANUARYS PINK FAVOURITES

SPRING/SUMMER MAKE UP TRENDS

I love researching and adapting the latest make up trends to try and make them a bit more wearable, these are some of my favourite S/S 2014 Make up trends:

1. False lashes top and bottom - I love having fluttery, long lashes. Top and bottom false lashes on a day to day basis aren't always practical or that comfortable and so I've been wearing L'oreal Miss Manga mascara layered up on both my top and bottom lashes. 

2. Aqua blue eyes - Blue liner in the waterline can look really pretty, especially paired with a peach/gold eyeshadow. I've been wearing the Barry M kohl pencil in 19 kingfisher blue. See my version of this look here.

3. Lavender - Lilac and lavender are really in this season, Natural collection eyeshadow in lilac shimmer is a really pretty soft lavender colour that looks subtle on the lids and really brings out brown eyes. I wear this either all over my eyelids or smudged under my lower lashes. 

4. Graphic eyeliner - Adding angular lines and straight flicks to your winged liner can help to create a more wearable version of this look, I've been using the collection fast stroke liquid liner and straightening the edges to my winged liner to give it a sharp, angled look.

5. Bold orange lips - For bright, matte lips as seen in New york fashion week, Revlon color burst matte balm crayon in Audacious is the perfect bold, bright orange.

Which is your favourite trend?

L'OREAL COLOR RICHE L'OMBRE PURE EYESHADOWS

L'Oreal Color Riche L'ombre Pure Eyeshadows L-R - 201, 206, 205

I've seen the L'Oreal Colour Riche L'ombre pure eyeshadows circling the blogosphere and so I thought I would have a swatch in boots. I don't normally buy mono eyeshadows unless they're Mac as I find palettes normally are better value and work well in my make up kit.

I'm already in love with these, they have a buttery texture (as they are gel infused) and are extremely pigmented, especially in the darker shades. I've just done a light swatch above, but they can be built up and are a lot more pigmented than the photo shows. The colour selections are beautiful and they are long lasting on the eyes. 

There are so many different shades to choose from in the range - mattes, shimmers, chameleon/two toned colours, warm tones and cool tones. I swatched nearly all of them and couldn't find a shade that I didn't like. They are best applied to the eyes with your finger or I like to use a flat shader brush to pack on the colour and blend out with my finger.

I prefer to wear light shimmery colours on my eyes and so I chose colours from the 'nude' selection. I picked 201 'Cafe Saint Germain' because it reminded me of a lighter version of By Terry Misty Rock. It's a beautiful shimmery purple taupe that looks beautiful all over and under the eye. 206 'Little beige dress' reminded me of my all time favourite eyeshadow Naked lunch, its lighter but when swatched has the same peachy pink running through it. It's such a pretty colour for all over the lid or as an inner corner highlight and under the brow bone. 205 'Sable lamé' is a stunning light gold with glitter running through it. I love light shimmery golds and I couldn't resist getting this shade to wear with Mac RiRi Woo at Christmas (early I know, but its just so pretty!)

Although they are quite expensive at £5.49 for a mono eyeshadow, you do get a lot of product and they are currently on offer 3 for 2 in Superdrug. I really recommend having a swatch next time you're in store as these really are worth the hype!

MAY'S GOLD FAVOURITES

Following the monthly colour theme, these are May's Gold favourites. Golden hues are perfect leading up to summer, I've especially been loving wearing gold tones on my eyes and nails.

Shu Uemura eyelash curlers: I got these a couple of christmasses ago and have used them practically every day since. They are the best eyelash curlers i've ever tried. They give me the perfect lasting curl while fanning my lashes out making them look long and fluttery and I love to use them on no make up days or when I want to give my lashes a lift. I hold them at the base of my lashes squeezing gently and then squeeze three times at the base, middle and top of my lashes before applying mascara.

Orly Nail polish in Rage: This has beautiful tiny particles of rose gold glitter, it lasts really well on my nails and can be opaque in just one swipe. It's one of my favourite colours to wear as it looks so pretty on the nails and is great to wear throughout the year.

Mac eyeshadow in Goldmine: I bought this after seeing a picture of Kim Kardashian wearing it with strong winged liner. Its a lovely true gold colour and looks great with winged liner and bronzed skin.

Maybelline New york colour tattoo in Eternal Gold: I like to sweep a thin layer of this over my lids and then really blend it out with my ring finger. I love wearing cream eyeshadows blended out to give a subtle shimmer of colour. It's a pretty, light gold that I can wear as an everyday colour.

Loreal EverRiche Shampoo for dry and fine hair: This is my 4th bottle of this shampoo. It's a really rich shampoo that conditions my hair as well as leaving it clean. I only need a tiny amount to lather through my hair, it leaves my hair feeling soft and silky smooth and it doesn't contain sulphates. One of the best things about this shampoo is that it smells amazing - like vanilla, apricots and coconuts, the scent lingers on my hair and leaves it feeling so lovely!

xx

Aprils Blue Favourites        

March's Mint Favourites

Februarys Orange Favourites    

Januarys Pink Favourites

Valentines day make-up

I went for bright lips, a high messy pony and golden shimmery eyes for this Valentines day make up look! Not your typical red lip and smokey eye Valentines Make up but it's fun, flirty and perfect if like me you don't spend Valentines day doing too much!

I don't really have any plans for Valentines day yet, me and Alex will probably just watch a film and I'll cook a nice meal!

What I'm wearing:

Face -

Rimmel Wake me up Foundation, Rimmel wake me up concealer

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer to highlight

Benefit Bella Bamba Blusher

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Eyes - 

Mac Naked pigment all over the lid

Mac Woodwinked blended in the crease and on lower lashes

Mac eyeshadow in Day Gleam in the centre of the lid for shimmer

Loreal Super liner in Vinyl

Ardell Demi Wispi lashes

Fahionista white eyeliner in waterline

Lips -

Revlon Wild Orchid (A great alternative to MAC Show Orchid)

Let me know if you try this valentines day make up look! 

Autumn Make up

I've been wearing this look all throughout September and October and only now am I finally starting to change up my make up! As Halloween, Bonfire night and my Birthday have now all passed, I'm getting pretty excited for Christmas! As I've loved wearing this Make up so much I thought I would share what I've been loving and constantly wearing.

Face - Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

        - Collection Lasting perfection concealer

        - Sleek Blush in Pixie Pink

        - Mac Soft & Gentle Highlighter

Eyes - Eyeshadow - MAC Naked lunch all over eye, Mac Satin Taupe in crease and Mac Nocturnelle blended under the eye.

        - Loreal Superliner in Black Vinyl

        - Fashionista white eyeliner

        - Revlon Lash Potion Mascara

Lips - Maybelline Babylips in Cherry Me

Nails - My Halloween nails

Autumn Copper and Red Make up

I'm so excited, Autumn is finally here! Theres nothing I love more than a crisp autumn day, crunchy autumn leaves and cosying up with a good book and hot chocolate! I've been burning my vanilla chai and salted caramel yankee candles and wearing fluffy socks and I love it!

Products used:

Face -
MAC Pro longwear Foundation NC30
Collection lasting perfection concealer
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
Bourjois Bronzer
Mac Ladyblush
MAC Soft & Gentle highlighter

Eyes -
MAC Naked Lunch, Mac Quarry
L'oreal Superliner in Black Vinyl
Clinique Superfine liner for brows in dark brown
Mac Melon pigment and 17 Enraged Trio copper colour for lower lash line


Lips -

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Crush

Pink lips & Black Liner

I'm loving bright pink lips at the moment and Maybelline vivids fuchsia flash is the perfect shade of pink! Paired with bold black liner and a mauve shadow through the crease I think works well for a summer night out.

Face - 
MAC Pro longwear Foundation NC30
Collection lasting perfection concealer
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
Nars Orgasm Blush 
Benefit Hoola Bronzer to contour
MAC Soft and Gentle

Eyes -
Clinique supefine liner for brows
MUA undress me too palette
Fashionista white eyeliner pencil
l'oreal super liner in black vinyl
Maybelline the falsies mascara
Boots Get lashes eyelashes in 'Get pretty lashes'

Lips -
Maybelline colour sensational vivids in fuchsia flash

xx

May Favourites

These have actually been my favourites for a few months now, they are all pretty basic but staples for me at the moment. I've been loving a fresh faced, natural but glowy look for spring and these have all helped me acheieve this look!

Loreal Lumi Magic Primer - I've wanted this for a while but the price put me off. This is £9.99 for 20ml however I picked this up as my freebie when boots had 3 for 2 on make up. I love to use this on my upper cheeks and all around and under my eyes before foundation. It really lightens the area and gives a pretty glow to your skin. The only problem I've found with this is that it separates in the bottle, you need to give it a good shake before use but then it really delivers for me on illuminated, fresh skin.

Mac Paint pot in Bare study - So easy for a quick sweep of colour over the eye, its such a pretty champagne colour and great for no fuss, quick and long lasting make up. This has been a favourite of mine for quite a while now.

Sally Hansen Double Duty strengthening base & top coat. I've worn this alone on my nails most week days and then I will wear this under one of my current favourite Nail varnishes on the weekends. My nails have been growing so quickly recently and I'm pretty sure it's thanks to this, a good cuticle oil and not wearing nail varnish during the week.

La Roche Posay Effclar Duo - This has really cleared up my skin, whenever I'm having a bad skin day I use this as my morning moisturiser until my skin clears up. I bought this from boots on a 2 for £15 deal, I'm so glad I stocked up as it really works for me and has become a staple in my skincare routine!

The Body Shop born lippy in pomegranate - I love this colour! Its a pretty sheer orange red balm, great for simple Make-up and gives you just a hint of colour on the lips whilst moisturising. I've had this in my Make-up Bag for a good few months now and I definitely want to try more of the colours. 

My non beauty favourites are - Season 4 Of the Vampire Diaries (I think this has been my favourite season yet!) I can't wait for 'The Originals' spin off series and for Season 5! 
I have also just started knitting and I love it! I've also loved the Beautiful mess app and eating lots and lots of Raspberries.

xx

Loreal Haul

For the past year, my Staple eyeliner has been Loreal Carbon Gloss Liquid eyeliner. I wear liquid eyeliner everyday and so Loreal Carbon gloss ticks all the right boxes for me as it's long lasting, the wand is a good size and the pigmentation is strong. Recently, everytime I go into Boots or superdrug they have been sold out! I know Loreal have brought out a new line of eyeliners so I hope they're not discontinuing Carbon gloss, I can't find it anywhere!

In the end I gave up looking for it and bought the next closest thing, Loreal Super Liner in Black. It's very similar to Carbon Gloss, the wand looks exactly the same, the pigmentation is dare I say, even better than carbon gloss and its also quite matte which I actually prefer. The only downside is I don't think its as smudge resistant as carbon gloss, it is long lasting, but seems to rub off easier. 

While I was at the Loreal counter, I thought I would try out a couple more of Loreals products that Fleur mentioned in her March monthly favourites. I picked up Loreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in 'Tempting Lilac' and Loreal colour Infallible eyeshadow in Sahara treasure.

I really like the colour of the Rouge Caresse lipstick, its a gorgeous pinky lilac colour and looks really pretty together with the Infallible eyeshadow. A lot of people actually prefer the Caresse lipsticks to the Revlon lip butters and although I love the colour and glossiness that the Caresse has, it feels more like a lipstick and the moisturising benefits don't seem to sink in to my lips. It also doesn't last as long on my lips as the Revlon lip butters do for me.

Loreal Infallible eyeshadow is by far my favourite product I picked up. It is a gorgeous taupe colour which works best applied with a fluffy brush swept all over the eye. It's such a pretty everyday colour and is fast becoming my new favourite eyeshadow! Fleur also mentioned in her video that Giorgio Armani are owned by the same company as Loreal and that this eyeshadow is similar to the Giorgio Armani eye shadows which is a bonus!

Whats your favourite Loreal product?