Friday 31 August 2012

How To: Glowing Skin.




If there's one thing I always look for in makeup and skincare, it's a glowing finish! I love the healthy finish to my skin and I always purchase products which help to achieve this. 

Recently I've been trialling this wonder by Caudalie, the Vinexpert Radiance Day Fluid - a new lightweight fluid which helps to hydrate and illuminate the skin. I use this in the morning to give my skin a quick boost, it leaves my skin looking so radiant and helps to hide away blemishes and dull areas. 

Next up, I apply a product I've been using recently which is Chanel's Le Blanc De Chanel, a smooth, liquid primer which gives skin a brilliant glow. It's used as a primer, under makeup or alone, to give a smooth finish to skin and also a lovely soft glow.
I sometimes add it in to my foundation if i'm in a hurry and I really like the even finish it gives. 

Lastly is my all time favourite highlighting product, MACs Soft and Gentle MSF. I use this daily and adore it, it's just the right amount of glow to my cheeks and adds so much to my skin. This smooths over my pores and generally makes my skin look flawless and so radiant. 

I use the Caudalie moisturiser and MAC MSF daily, but save the Chanel base for days when my skin needs a real boost. I don't always use these three products together as it might be overkill, but the moisturiser is more of a healthy glow, rather than a sparkly finish so this goes so well with Soft and Gentle, used as a highlighter. 

What do you think of my glowing skin favourites?

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Video: Clarisonic Mia Review Chat.





After having my Clarisonic Mia since Christmas, I thought it was time to do a little review on it. I did a video in the end which is a bit more chattier than a blog post, but please let me know in the YouTube comments if you have any questions!

Please subscribe to my channel, also!


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Thursday 30 August 2012

Review: Illamasqua Generation Q Collection.

Illamasqua Generation Q, Illamasqua Collection, Illamasqua Nail Polish, Illamasqua palette

I'm always a bit excited when Illamasqua release a new collection, there's always a build up to the final unveiling through emails and Twitter etc. so I was pleased to finally open these goodies (which came in a box with lovely fabric petals) and show you all. 

The Illamasqua palettes are gorgeous, they're never your usual smokey eye shades but rather a more adventurous variation! The Complement palette I received contains Slink, a soft pale powder shimmer, Focus - a liquid metal brown (creme finish), Forgiveness - a rich brown plum and Queen of the Night, a dark purple.
So far I've used Slink as a highlight shade and (although I thought I wouldn't be keen on it) the Liquid Metal shade Focus as an all over lid shadow. Focus is quite like my favourite MAC Groundwork Paint Pot but with a richer finish. 

The nail varnish in Charisma is such a lovely shade which I know will be my go to shade for Autumn and Winter. It's a really rich raspberry red with just the right amount of sheen. I really love the Illamasqua varnishes, they're really easy to wear and are long lasting. 

Finally, the Intense Lipgloss in Opulent isn't a shade I would buy myself as I'm not a fan of anything too sparkly but this rainbow lipgloss is definitely for those who are a bit more daring than myself! It's quite out there, but maybe I'll give it a whirl next time I go out. 

Other pieces from the collection that I need to get my hands on are; this powder blush in S.O.P.H.I.E., the Gleam in Aurora (I'm obsessed with cream highlighters at the moment!) and this gorgeous Empower palette which is definitely on my wishlist! 

What do you think of the latest Illamasqua collection, Generation Q? It will be released fully on 6th September but you can pre-order some of the products now.  


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Wednesday 29 August 2012

Review: New Volumising Hair Products.



I filmed a video a while back which was all about adding volume to fine hair, so I thought I would do a little update on this as recently I've been trialling a few new products that aim to boost fine hair by adding volume and body. 

I picked up these Redken products in the Feelunique sale after reading that they remove product build up (ideal for those who regularly use dry shampoo!) whilst also adding body to fine hair. So far, I love both products - the shampoo leaves my hair so cleansed without adding any product and the conditioner is so lightweight. I usually don't like using conditioner as it just weighs down my fine hair, but Redkens Full Body conditioner helps my dry ends as well as adding body and strengthening hair, without leaving my hair flat and lifeless. 

The next product is by Phyto, a haircare brand I love and have blogged about a few times. I've had this volumising spray on my wishlist for a while so I was so pleased when I received it recently.
I spray this in my roots after washing with the Redken products and after blowdrying my hair feels so big and textured. I absolutely love how full my hair is after using this product and it has quickly become my go to hair product for big hair!

Lastly, for in between washes I use this VO5 Plump Me Up Dry Shampoo - it adds volume whilst also cleansing the hair. My fine hair gets oily quickly so dry shampoo is a must. I find the VO5 ones to be the best and I own quite a few, they don't come out white or make your hair grey and I don't find the product builds up in my hair.

What are your favourite products for adding volume? 

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Sunday 26 August 2012

Review: EsteƩ Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

Estee Lauder, Advanced Night Repair, serum, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, gh0stparties

This is probably one of the most expensive skincare items I own, although I do usually always use high-end products on my skin. I had been thinking about buying this for a while before my boyfriend bought me it as a present (no, he doesn't usually buy me things like this and yes, I was as shocked as you) and I've been using it for the last few months and thought it was about time to give you a proper review. 

ANR is a well known and well-loved serum aimed at anti-ageing and improving the overall appearance of skin. It's won countless awards and is loved by many. I don't have the best skin, it can look dull and feel slightly rough and I have blemishes and scarring on my cheeks and chin and as well as the obvious anti-ageing properties, I was also drawn to the promises of protecting against environmental factors. 

I tend to slap this on at night, before moisturising. Serums deliver a higher concentration of ingredients to the skin, but it's important to always finish with moisturiser. 
Over time, my skin looks a lot healthier and clearer and I find that blemish scars fade quicker. I can't prove that this has been what has helped my skin, but I do know that when I apply this at night, my skin looks and feels so much better in the morning. 

As soon as I feel a spot coming or my skin is looking a bit dull and tired, I apply this at night and wake up looking and feeling a lot better. 
It's a bit pricey but you have to splash out for quality! 

What are your thoughts on ANR? 

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Saturday 25 August 2012

Wishlist #14: Beauty.


A few things I'm lusting over at the moment, most of them from the FeelUnique sale. I don't think there's a time when I don't want anything beauty related, but I've been on FeelUnique a lot more often than usual recently and I've racked up a little (okay, huge) list of wants!

I'm really loving Emma Hardie at the moment, I have a few reviews on the way, but I really would love to try this Cleansing Balm as it sounds so lovely.

Next on the list is another L'Occitane Almond number - I really haven't got enough from L'Occitane but this is definitely next on my list as it sounds beautiful and I bet it smells gorgeous too.

I'm a big fan of Marc Jacobs and I've spied this little deal on the Splash Cranberry and I really want it, despite never smelling it. I have all the Daisy fragrances so I don't see why I wouldn't like it! Has anyone tried it?

I couldn't not include a blush - I am adoring cream blushers at the moment - and a volumising hair product! These are both definitely on my list of things to pick up.

What do you think of my beauty wishlist?

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Friday 24 August 2012

Review: Benefit Sugarbomb Blusher.

Benefit Sugarbomb Blusher


I've had this on my wishlist for a while now, as I'm fond of the Benefit boxed blushers and I love the mosaic pattern of this blusher. I wanted something slightly different than the red/pink shades I'm always reaching for at the moment, so I picked this up on a recent shopping trip. 

Sugarbomb is described as four complementing shades of rose, shimmering pink, soft plum and sumptuous peach -  even the description gets me swooning! I love blushers with a shimmer and this layered on lightly gives me a really lovely flush and highlight at the same time.

I think, whilst Bella Bamba and Coralista are my S/S time blushers, Hervana and Sugarbomb are definitely going to be the Benefit blushers I'll be reaching for in Autumn and Winter. I find the subtle sheen to be so flattering and the rich plum finish to be perfect for the colder months.

What do you think of Sugarbomb? 

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Thursday 23 August 2012

Zara Chain Bag.


ZARA Chain Bag - £25.99

I have a new love in my life, and it was an absolute bargain. I spotted this beautiful bag in the Zara on Oxford St. and had to have it.

I love how sturdy and expensive it looks, it doesn't look like something that will break easily and even when I full it to the brim (every day) it doesn't feel like it will pop open. I tend to have the handle long so it hangs around my hips but doubling up the handles (like on the website) also looks great. 

This is such a sleek, elegant bag and I can't stop using it at the moment. It's from the TRF section (no one ever seems to shop there, but I do!) and it's an absolute steal at £25.99. 
It holds quite a lot, despite what you see in the picture. I tend to carry around absolutely everything with me and I haven't had any problems with it yet. 

What do you think of this simple yet gorgeous bag? 

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Wednesday 22 August 2012

How To: Conceal Blemishes.



I know how difficult it can be to make skin look flawless without slathering on loads of full coverage foundation, so I've put together this post for people who, like me, like to keep makeup natural whilst also camouflaging even the most unsightly blemishes! 

For a good, natural-looking base, prep is the key. When I come out of the shower or I've just cleansed my skin, my blemishes or imperfections look red and more noticeable than usual. The first thing I do is spray a few pumps of Caudalies Beauty Elixir all over my face, this calms the blemishes and takes away redness. It also helps my skin in the long run, too. 
After this, I gently apply a pea sized amount of Origins VitaZing moisturiser to give my skin a glowing finish with just a touch of colour. I find that since I've incorporated VitaZing in to my routine, my skin looks a lot more flawless before I've even touched foundation. 

The next step is to prime, and for this I use and recommend only one product - Clarins Instant Smooth primer. This is the Holy Grail of all primers, no matter what your skin type. It calms and hides blemishes, helps with excess oil and doesn't cling to dry patches. My skin always looks amazing after applying this and I find blemishes are hidden and I'm able to apply a light to medium coverage foundation. 

This next step is when you would apply your foundation, if you wear any. I'm going to skip this step, although personally I do wear foundation but it's not always necessary. If you feel the rest of your skin is overall quite good, then skip foundation or just apply a small amount. 
The key is using a small amount of a good coverage concealer to hide blemishes, rather than layering on foundation. You will find your skin looks so much more flawless and natural, and you don't have to deal with your foundation slipping off or looking caked if you're using less.
I swear by Collections Lasting Perfection concealer, it's amazing coverage without looking caked and it stays all day. I own quite a few high-end concealers but this one is £3.99 and has never failed me. Apply with your fingers or with a lightweight brush and always make sure your concealer matches your skin tone and/or foundation. 

The final step is one that I don't always find to be essential, but for those days when a massive spot has popped up and you desperately need to cover it, then setting your concealer with a powder is a must. I use the Real Techniques Setting Brush to very, very lightly dust on Laura Mercier Foundation Powder. As it's a foundation powder, it's good coverage and it can look cakey if you apply too much. The secret is to apply a small amount to blend in the blemish and set your makeup. 

I think it's important to understand that you can cover blemishes and imperfections without having to layer on heavy coverage foundation and powder, and I think that wearing minimal makeup actually makes my blemishes look a lot less noticeable and helps my skin a lot in the long run too. 

What are your tips for hiding blemishes?


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Tuesday 21 August 2012

Nails: Essie Bikini So Teeny.



Ever since I discovered the Essie diffusion line which has recently gone in to Boots and Superdrug, I haven't even looked at another brand. The colour range is everything you will ever need, and the brush makes even the most sloppy of people look like they've spent hours painting their nails. 

I recently picked up 'Bikini So Teeny' from the newly released Summer '12 shades, it's a lovely soft, shimmery cornflower blue with the lightest touch of lilac that is nothing like any of the other shades I own. It really is such a gorgeous summery colour and I have loved having it on my nails. 

I find the diffusion line shades to be a dream to apply, the brush is incredible and each layer dries so quickly. I like to change my nail shades a lot and the Essie polishes have made this so easy. 
At just £7.99 a bottle, I think they're absolutely worth the money and I am building up quite the collection now. 

What do you think of Bikini So Teeny? I keep giggling at the name because it's so cute!

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Monday 20 August 2012

ASOS Coat.


ASOS Coat - £38
Zara Bag - £19.99
Topshop Top - £16
Topshop Leigh Jeans - £38
New Look Sandals - Sale


I was back with my outfit photographer this weekend so I thought I'd share my outfit from Thursday, including my broken right hand book (look how fat it is!). I got this coat in the ASOS sale after wanting it for absolutely ages.
It's hard to say what the weather will be like, especially as I'm in between Glasgow and London so often so it's good to find a coat which is lightweight and goes with my whole wardrobe!

Blog posts might be a little sporadical over the next couple of weeks whilst I move and get settled in my new life! I will try and film some videos to pop up too so make sure you're a subscriber.
I have scheduled a few posts this week and will be sure to have a post up most days.

Also, I've created a new Tumblr! So if you have one too, feel free to follow for extras.


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Sunday 19 August 2012

Video: Five Favourite Cleansers.






Ah, cleansers - my favourite product to buy! I have a vast collection of cleansers and I do love my skincare, so I've put together this little video on five of my favourite cleansers for all skin types.

As always, please subscribe to my channel and watch the video in youtube to see full list of products etc.


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Friday 17 August 2012

Product of the Month: Clinique High Impact Extra Volume Mascara.




I think this is one of the only times I've blogged about a mascara, can you believe it? The reason being is that I have naturally quite long eyelashes anyway, so I can get away with using cheaper mascaras and still have good results. I don't ever really go shopping for mascaras and just use ones that I get in beauty boxes or have stashed away as they usually produce the same results as any of the higher end ones!

Recently I was sent the new Clinique High Impact Extra Volume mascara, I know the High Impact mascaras always receive good reviews so I was keen to try this but I wasn't overly bothered due to the above. I gave this a whirl and couldn't believe the difference it made, my lashes look fuller and so much longer and stay curled all day.
To go from getting by with cheaper mascaras to using this is quite a big difference, my eyes look so much wider and more awake and I seem to be getting so many compliments on my long lashes.

I don't wear eyeliner so this mascara defines my eyes and completes my look, I really can't stop using this and I think it's such a bargain at just £17!
I had never used a mascara that impressed me much before, but now I can't imagine using anything but this.

Will you be picking this up?

Thursday 16 August 2012

Review: Skincare Update - New Additions.



It's no secret that I am addicted to skincare, so I just had to post about a few new pieces of skincare I have added in to my routine recently. 

I had heard about Eve Lom before and seen it in Space NK but never had the chance to give it a whirl, it's rather pricey but I really believe skincare (along with foundation) is something that's worth spending money on. I've been using the Eve Lom Morning Cleanser recently, it's a lovely lightweight balm which you apply to dry skin, massage in and leave for a couple of minutes in the morning, before wiping off with warm water. I love cleansing balms and this has to be king of them all, it leaves my skin looking so healthy and glowing.

After this, I pop on the Eve Lom Intense Hydration Serum, another pricey number which I'm not sure I could justify purchasing but oooh it's absolutely worth it. My skin seems to adore this (honestly, such expensive taste this face has!), I apply it morning and night for an intense concentration of hydration and my skin feels so soft and looks a lot healthier after use. You only need a small amount so I'm expecting to get a fair amount of use out of this bottle of gold. It used Hyaluronic Acid to leave skin looking plumped and hydrated.

Next up is a product that I've had for a little while now but I've only just come to truly appreciate. RENs AHA Concentrate is a bit like the Alpha H Liquid Gold, but not as harsh. I find myself reaching for the REN version a lot more as it seems to agree with my skin so much more. I try to apply this neat, without moisturiser or anything afterwards as I think these types of products work best like that, I use it at night and in the morning it's like I have the skin of a baby! It's so soft and smooth and looks a lot healthier.
I probably use this three times a week and I love the results it gives. 

Lastly, is of course this new Origins number, the Spot Remover Blemish Pads. I love Origins and my skin is prone to blemishes so I've been sweeping these over my face morning and night. I have seen a noticeable difference in my skin in just the last couple of weeks, mostly with blemishes healing up a lot quicker than usual. Usually blemish pads like this are so drying and stripping, but these are quite gentle and my skin doesn't feel tight afterwards which is a good sign.

What do you think of my new skincare bits?

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Daily Makeup #6: Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight Collection.



Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight Palette - £48 *
Bobbi Brown Blusher/Bronzer Duo - £27 *
Creamy Colour Lip/Cheek in Honeyed Tea - £12.50 *
High Shimmer Lipgloss in Firefly - £17 *

When I recently blogged about this Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight palette, you all went a bit mad for it, so I thought I would show you the rest of the collection. Until recently, I didn't have much from Bobbi Brown as it was a brand I never really felt drawn to. In the last month or two, I've really been loving their products and my collection has really built up. 

I was sent some lovely bits from the Desert Twilight collection, the palette alone does it for me! It's the great range of beautiful shades, suitable for day and night. I haven't put this palette down since I got it, it's quickly become one of my favourites and I'm sure you can see why. It has every shade you will ever need. 

Also within the collection is this lovely blusher bronzer duo, I love how shimmer and bright the shades are, they're not your usual duo shades and I love the blusher especially. You can see in the picture above, it's a lovely pop of shimmery, bright colour to the cheeks. I think it's so nice on my skin tone and it also works well with the bronzer (which I use to create some cheekbones!). 

Lastly, I'm wearing Firefly, a new high shimmer gloss which has grabbed my heart. I'm not one for overly shimmery products (or lipglosses for that matter) but this looks lovely on and it's great to apply a lip product and not have to worry about it drying my lips or smearing. 

Overall, I'm really impressed with this collection! It has some incredible products and has got me loving Bobbi Brown even more. 

What do you think of the look? 

Tuesday 14 August 2012

Video: Current Favourite Wardrobe Picks.






I finally filmed a style video, rather than the beauty ones I'm used to. A lot of people ask me what I wear and to do more outfit posts. I usually get my boyfriend to take my outfit pictures but it's not always possible as we live so far apart.

So in the meantime, you can make do with my videos. I'm going to make this a regular feature I think, if everyone likes them. Please open and watch in YouTube and don't forget to Like and Subscribe to my channel.

Have a lovely day xo.

Monday 13 August 2012

Wishlist #14: Topshop.


So, just a few wants then...! Ah, yes everyones favourite kind of post, the wishlist! I rarely do these as they're time consuming but so fun to do. I think I'll actually snap some of these bits up, I saw a studded bag like this in Zara (link here) and went to buy it but the queue was too long. I do adore it though! 
The Topshop version is a little more pricey but I like that it's suede and has a strap.

I'm definitely going to pick up this grey marl skirt, it's so lovely and a bargain at £20! I find these skirts really easy to wear and so flattering and I've been looking for a grey one for a while. I'm not sure about the waistband thought, I think it would be nicer with just a simple band.

I (still) really want a pair of round sunglasses but I'm not totally sure they suit me. I do think they're lovely though so I might try these on and see what I think. 

Oh and of course, I had to have one beauty item on - I love the Topshop makeup and this lipstick is to die for! It's so bright, but these lip pencils are really easy to wear. I have a couple already as well as a few of their lipsticks and the quality is amazing for what you pay.

What do you think of my Topshop wish list?

Sunday 12 August 2012

Review: Favourite Beauty Oils.



I've posted before about my love of oils, I think they are so beneficial in so many ways and I have quite a few which I incorporate into my routines. I've gathered together my favourites to give you a little introduction and a run down on why I love them.

First up is the famous Moroccanoil which everyone seems to love. It's a luxurious treatment for hair, made from Argan Oil. It's quite rich and so is great for dry ends or frizzy hair. I usually apply a really small amount to the ends of my hair after washing. My hair is quite fine and treatments like this can be quite heavy and tend to weigh my hair down, so I'm careful to only apply a small amount which I rub in the palms of my hands first.
My hair ends are quite dry and need a treatment like this to help to detangle and keep them looking healthy. Moroccanoil isn't the cheapest option, but it's definitely the best in my opinion. I tried the travel sized bottle first and I'd recommend this if you're not sure about the price. 
I know they now do a Light version for fine hair so I will be purchasing this next. 

My favourite body oil is L'Occitanes Almond Shower Oil, which is sort of the middle point between a shower gel and an oil. It's slightly more viscous than an oil but still lathers up like a shower gel. It's the most moisturising product I've ever used on my skin and I can't believe how smoother and softer my skin looks and feels. If you do suffer from dry patches (I get dry areas at the tops of my arms) then I'd definitely recommend this, it's worth every penny! 

Caudalies Divine Oil (full review here) is a product which I've talked about (too much) a lot recently, as it's really impressed me and I use it most days. It's a multi-use only and can be used on hair, nails, skin or in the bath. I've tested all of these methods and have to say, it's one of my favourite oils and has also replaced quite a few I used to love. Divine Oil has a handy spray pump which disperses a small amount of light oil, ideal for quickly applying after the shower to hair and body.
I find it's a lot lighter and easier to apply than Moroccanoil, so I've actually been using this on my hair a lot too. This is a great product to use on skin to lock in moisture after a bath or shower, it's so easy to just spray and rub in. 

Lastly, one of my favourite skincare products is Clarins Lotus Oil, a lightweight facial oil aimed at Combination/Oily skin types. I absolutely adore this product, I have normal/combination skin type which leans towards oily but I stil love to use oils on my skin as they have so many benefits. My cheeks can get quite dry and as I use a lot of skincare for blemish prone skin, I need something to replace what is lost.
This is also great mixed with my night time serum.

A lot of people aren't sure what the advantages of using an oil are, but I think they are so worth the money and definitely improve my skin so much.
Which oils do you use? 

Friday 10 August 2012

How To: Add Volume to Fine Hair with Ojon Volume Advance Range.

Ojon Volume Advance, Ojon shampoo, Ojon conditioner, Ojon Dry Shampoo

Being a girl with too-soft, flat, fine hair, I'm always on the look out for products which add volume without weighing down my hair. The ends of my hair can get quite tangled but I hate using conditioner, especially anything too rich, as it weighs down my hair and no amount of volumising sprays will be able to stop it looking limp and flat. 

I've filmed a YouTube video on how I add volume to my flat hair, which you can see here. Since filming that, I attended a styling session with Ojon and their incredible stylists who had a chat with me about my hair and recommended some products. 
I love volume, but my hair quickly goes flat after I've plumped it up with products and although the ends of my hair need nourishment, conditioner is my worst enemy!

I've been trialling some products from the Ojon Volume Advance range which were given to me at the event. I've never really used a shampoo and conditioner for fine hair and after using these products, I wish I had found them sooner. Both products are lightweight, adding volume without weighing down my fine hair. The shampoo leaves my hair cleansed and shiny with a bit of texture at the roots to give it volume until the next wash. The conditioner is an absolute God-send, definitely the key product from the range if, like me, you find most conditioners too rich and heavy for your hair. I use the Volume Advance conditioner every wash and I love the results it gives. 

On towel-dried hair I apply the Volume Advance Thickening Spray to give my hair some texture and volume. I always use volume sprays in my hair and this has superseded every other spray in my collection. It's incredibly light, it leaves no residue in the hair - it's not greasy and I don't notice product build up or my hair looking dull. It simply gives my hair a bit of grip and volume at the roots. 

Lastly, in between washes I use the Rub Out Dry Cleansing Spray, a lovely and light dry shampoo which smells natural and really cleanses my hair between washes without leaving any residue. There's no white spray or plastery feeling, and my hair looks clean and volumised. I mentioned this product in my "How To Tackle Oily Hair" post, it's my go to dry shampoo! 

I've tried quite a few products from Ojon recently and have loved the results, I really recommend finding a range that works with your hair and really suits your hair type.

What are your product recommendations for fine hair?

Thursday 9 August 2012

Review: Benefit Bella Bamba Lipgloss.




Benefit was one of the first premium brands I tried in my youth, and I'm still a big fan of their products (not to mention the beautiful packaging) so I couldn't wait to find out more about the matching lipglosses to the amazing boxed blushers. 

I love the Benefit boxed blushers and own a few, they're all great shades and look lovely on my dressing table. I've blogged before about my love for Benefits Bella Bamba blusher (post here) and it's a gorgeous, gorgeous shade so I couldn't wait to try out some of the accompanying glosses. 

Bella Bamba blush is a bright 3D pink to give cheekbones some definition, as well as a gorgeous flush. The Lipgloss is described as "sheer bright watermelon" which I think sums it up perfectly. Whereas the blush (I'm wearing this and the lipgloss in the above picture) is quite pink, the lipgloss is a pink/red and goes with the blush perfectly. 
The shades are meant to compliment each other, and I think these work so well together.

Bella Bamba lipgloss isn't a shade I'd usually pick out, but I do love the way it looks on my lips and how well it goes with Bella Bamba. I have quite a few blushers similar to Bella Bamba blusher, so I know I'm going to get a lot of use out of this. 

What do you think of the Benefit blushers and lipglosses? 

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Review: Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Pink Tourmaline.




My main love in life is cheek products, I wear a highlighter daily to give me a subtle glow and it really makes my skin and overall makeup look so flawless.
I've recently been adoring this Laura Mercier number, a mosaic shimmer bloc made up of subtle pinks which give my cheeks an amazing highlight.

I'm a big fan of Laura Mercier products, I find the quality amazing and they're always such a dream to apply. This Shimmer Bloc is no exception and it's the highlighter I've been reaching for constantly lately. You only need a small amount to give a glowing, healthy finish to skin. I usually apply with a stippling brush along my cheek bones. I find this doesn't give much colour, despite it being a pink shade, so I use it with a blusher too, applying the Shimmer Block first and then the blusher.

I'm thinking about getting this in another shade, perhaps something a bit more peachy.
What do you think of Laura Mercier products?

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Review: Clinique Chubby Stick in Pudgy Peony.




I've been wearing this little wonder constantly recently, I own a couple of Chubby Sticks and think they're great - lovely range of colours (definitely more than one shade for everyone!), very pigmented whilst also being like a lip balm in that they glide on and leave the lips moisturised.

I was sent Pudgy Peony to try, a lovely bright but wearable pink. I would have picked this colour out myself as it's very me and something I'm happy to wear most days. I have really dry lips so lipstick doesn't stay on me for very long, which is why I go for products like this.
Chubby Sticks are really moisturising and ideal for dry lips, they provide a glossy finish without being sticky like a gloss and a great amount of colour.

They are ideal for travelling or keeping in your handbag as they're so easy to apply and you don't need to sharpen them, they just wind up. Perfect!

What are your thoughts on Chubby Sticks?