My All Time Favourite Concealers...

One thing that can make a huge difference to your makeup look is concealing. If you have a good concealer at your finger tips some serious brightening wonder can be added to the scene. If your looking for some serious concealing overdose I suggest you take a look at The Best Concealers post by In To The Gloss a fabulous post dedicated to a range of some of the best concealers in the market! Here are some of my most adored high end and drugstore concealers that work marvellously well. As well as tips and tricks on the best application method...

Maybelline Instant Anti- Age perfect and cover concealer:

This is probably my most recent purchase when it comes to concealers. And I must say, I do really like it. Its super brightening under the eyes and works well at giving the Kim Kardashian bright eyed look! Its moisturising does not look cakey at all although its a medium to full coverage and goes on ever so smoothly. I love the fact that it has an easy to apply sponge applicator which helps to soak up some of the product and saves us from making too much of a mess! I honestly feel like this concealer can give some high end concealers a run for their money!

(Available at Boots £7.99)

Nars Creamy Concealer:

I literally used this day after day when I first got, It is that good! I love using it for blemishes, under eye bags or even on a no makeup day just on its own. It covers up darkness within seconds and makes me look as though I have just woken up from a nourishing eight hours sleep, which rarely ever happens! I prefer doing a triangle underneath the eyes then blending in with a beauty blender. It also contains skincare ingredients such as vitamin E and grape seed extract which help to repair the skin as well as conceal any darkness or blemishes. The texture is super creamy, hydrating and easy to apply. I have the shade custard which is more yellow toned and blends in perfectly with my skin tone.

(Available at Space Nk £19.00)

Lasting Rimmel Finish:

At first I had been under estimating this dingy little pot. It really is a full coverage concealer and does last all day with the help of a translucent powder. The texture is slightly sticky and has to be warmed with fingers and then simply dab on for the for the most easiest application. It works wonders at covering any spots or blemishes or even as a corrector.

(Available at Boots £5.49)

Hourglass:

Hourglass is great at creating some of the most unique products, I love the fact that its shaped like a lipstick which makes it dead simple to apply. It has a dewy finish and looks super moisturising and gives an almost airbrushed finish. Coverage wise its probably more of a medium to full coverage and easily buildable. If your in to contouring this could be great for highlighting the nose, forehead and under eyes. Lastly dust a small amount of translucent powder on top for an extra long wear.

(Available at Space Nk £23.00)

Bobbi Brown Corrector:

Finally, I get to throw in a corrector too. After all a concealing post will be incomplete without a good corrector to even things out right? I prefer using a corrector when things are getting out of control, too many blemishes, break outs and dark eye bags. It works amazingly as the first layer to correct any imperfections and sometimes I end up applying less concealer as the corrector has done 70% of the job already.. It has a balm like texture and takes a few dabs in order to blend.

(Available at John Lewis £19.00)

So that's a few of my most go to concealers what are your favourite concealers?

Luxury Skincare Must Haves!

Happy New Year everyone! I still cant believe that 2015 has come to an end (where the hell did the year go... Yikes!) I hope you all had a lovely festive season indulging in lots chocolatey treats as I always do at this time of the year! I have carefully selected a few of my favourite luxury skincare products that work BIG on getting your skin back to normal after a hectic period. All of these products can be used on normal to dry skin types. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin get your hands on some samples first as I always say the feeling of a product not working out for you can be the worst feeling ever! Especially if its a luxury skincare item.

 

Omorivicza Hydra Melting Cleanser:

 

So I recently treated myself to an Omorovicza facial and it was the most pampering, beautiful and effective facial I have ever had in my LIFE! No joke people it was just the most relaxing facial ever with fantastic results. That being said I then got to redeem money on products of my choice and of course I went for a few products that felt amazing whilst having the facial. I believe the Hydra Melting Cleanser is a fairly new product but can I just say I have not come across anything else like this! Its a gel like cleanser that melts into an oil once it touches the skin, thankfully its great at taking of all of my makeup even the pesky little bits of mascara. If you have dry or oily skin don't be scared because one great thing about this product is that it does not strip the skin off its moisture nor does it leave any form of residue behind. After I cleanse using this invigorating cleanser I notice that my skin feels smooth, clean and well balanced. Another plus point is that no muslin cloth is needed whilst using this which is probably the main reason why I opted for this. If your like me and really cant be bothered with the muslin clothes this may be for you! (Available at Cult Beauty 100ml £65.00)

 

Caudalie Overnight Detox Oil:

 

Sometimes our skin can undergo various symptoms. The cause of these symptoms can be down to many reasons. Weather change, stress, pollution or maybe even a poor diet the list is endless. Sometimes a good face oil with properties of detoxifying the skin can help to reduce inflammation, calm the skin down from any redness and bring it back to its usual self. The Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Overnight Detox Oil consists of grapeseed oil (a great anti oxidant) as well as essential oils with detoxifying properties such as white santal, carrot, neroli and lavender oils. Sweet almond and rosehip oil help to regenerate and sooth the skin. You only need a few drops, massage it in to the skin and you will notice that it just absorbs in to the skin almost immediately. In the morning I cant help but notice how glowy and hydrated my skin looks after using this! (Available at Cult Beauty 30ml £29.00)

 

Refining Facial Polisher:

 

Another Omorovicza product that I absolutely adore! When it comes to exfoliators I need something very gentle anything too harsh causes my skin to break out and by the end of it my face seriously looks like a war zone! Thankfully with omoroviczas facial polisher I can now exfoliate twice a week without getting any breakouts. The refining polisher consists of marine micro- algea and natural pumice to exfoliate dead skin cells. At first the exfoliator is a dark green colour and once you start to exfoliate it turns in to a light green colour with more of a thicker texture. Overall its great at detoxifying, smoothing and adding radiance to the skin.  (Available at Cult Beauty 100ml £65.00)

 

What are your luxury skincare must haves? Let me know in the comments below :-)

Review: Quick Fix Facials Masks

It was about time that I got myself in to the habit of using a face mask more frequently. Quick Fix Facials is a brand that I had never heard of before, so I was super excited to try them out. Each mask is very different from the other, some that I got on incredibly well with and the odd one that I just didn't like at all. They are fairly reasonably priced and can be found in the skincare aisles of boots.

One of my favourites from the brand is the Mega Moisture Mask which is aimed at dry skin, my skin is usually normal to combination but there are odd days where my skin is feeling quenched and thirstier than usual and applying makeup on dry skin is hard to get right (things can sometimes get messy!) Using this mask 10 minutes before makeup helps to unleash happier and less thirsty looking skin. It just smooth's the surface and makes the dry patches look slightly less noticeable. Next up is a mask that I reach for when ever my skin is feeling dull and congested, its the Purifying Charcoal Mask Charcoal masks are known to detox and get rid of all the nasty's, but what I love about this one is that Its not too harsh on the skin. Although its effective and helps to rebalance unhealthy looking skin it wont leave your skin feeling like its been stripped off its moisture. The Anti Blemish Mud Mask is aimed at oily and spot prone skin, It is a little drying so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who suffers from dry or sensitive skin I haven't been using this one as much because at this time of the year hydration is all I need! Do not be fooled by the name Calming Clay Mask this mask honestly speaking is a nightmare! Whilst applying it I noticed a cooling sensation but after a few minutes my skin started to feel slightly heated and upon washing the mask off I noticed that my face resembled a tomato.. Seriously, my face was SO red and looked irritated what a disaster. I would love to know if anyone else had the same experience with this one or was it just me?

 

 What are your favourite go to masks? Let me Know in the comments below.

P.S.I hope your all having a fab weekend! :-)



A Lip Duo Thats So Worth It!

 

If there's one lip colour that I can wear all the time, whenever, and wherever it would have to be a nude. It may be drizzling outside or a hot summers day but a glossy or matte nude never loses its charm. My most adored nude lipstick at the moment is Charlotte Tilburys ultra creamy and moisturising K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in the shade Hepburn Honey. It enhances the shape and structure of the lips beautifully and would look flattering on any skin tone. Smoky eyes or a no makeup look this gloriously honey toned, pinky nude would be the perfect finishing touch to any look. It smells like sweet vanilla and feels super comforting on the lips. (Available at Charlotte Tilbury £23.00)

 

 Next up I like to apply a thick pinky toned gloss over my lipstick to give a plumping 3D look. Whilst lurking in the aisles of the drugstore and swatching and testing the different types of glosses I finally settled on Barry M's lip gloss in coral number 11. Its a perfectly pigmented nude-y pink that works and looks like a lip laquer but without the stickiness, It feels cushiony on the lips instead and looks ultra glamorous. And the best bit about it is that it smells like fruit salad candy! (Available at Superdrug £4.49)

 

What is your favourite nude lipstick or gloss? Let me know in the comments below! :-)

May Faves!

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner East End Snob

Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque 01

 

I cant believe we are stepping in to June already that's almost half the year gone by ever so quickly! I have definitely ventured out and experimented more with some much loved drugstore products as well as a higher end foundation which I am super excited to talk about!



Collection Lengthening mascara:

I was after a waterproof mascara as I've heard that they tend to hold up the lashes for longer. And I must declare that it works its not just any old myth! I love the fact that I can wear this mascara the whole day and no fall out is guaranteed. The plastic wand itself is covered in tiny bristles which really gets in to the root of the lashes, separates and defines them wonderfully. (Available at Boots £3.99)

Rimmel Lasting Finish Concealer- Corrector:

My first ever full coverage drugstore concealer and I totally love it! It can be used on dark eye bags, blemishes and any pesky spots hanging around. It does a mighty good job at covering more or less anything if warmed up with the fingers first. One thing that I noticed was that after around seven hours it does start to slowly fade out so a touch up is required. (Available at Boots £5.49)

Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation:

The most exciting product of the month has been Burberrys Fresh Glow Foundation. Real talk this foundation gives such a youthful and fresh glow it is unbelievable. Its like a second layer of skin without looking like too much has been covered. Its around a medium coverage which is perfect as it just perfects the skin and lets my freckles on my nose peek through. I have the shade Rosy Nude which has the perfect yellow undertones to match my skin tone. This has been my star product of the month! (Available at Boots £35.00)

Bourjois Blush in Rose D'or:

Rose D'or is a rosy blush with hints of gold I like to use it as a highlighter and blush two in one. Once it hits the light the cheeks look so plump and healthy, such a pretty blush. The good thing about this is that you can never apply too much. (Available at Boots £7.99)

Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob:

East End Snob is a natural pinky undertone lip liner, it enhances the shape and structure of the lips. I love using it to slightly over line my lips as its such a neutral colour. It goes with most of my nude lipsticks and wearing it in combination with them always makes my lipstick last longer. (Available at Boots £3.99)

Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque 01:

The formula of these are really cooling and feel slightly watery on the lips. Its not like the typical glosses, its non sticky and feels really comfortable and light once applied. I have the shade 01 Appechissant which is a gorgeous peachy pink. I love using it over lipsticks too for a pumping 3D effect. (Available at Boots £8.99)


What have been your much loved May products? Let me know in the comments below! :-)

Just can't get enough of this Laughing Buddha range!

 

Rituals always do some of the most authentic smelling bath and body stuff. Its not only the fragrance that I am so head over heals mad about its also the quality of their products and the way they leave me feeling so energized and refreshed with a lingering fragrance in the air. The Laughing Buddha range has the most relaxing, warm and almost spicy aroma.

 

A good scrub is always a necessity and rituals know how to get it right with their scrubs. The Good Luck Sugar Scrub is not too gentle or harsh its right enough to scrub off those dead skin cells and unleash polished up skin. What I love the most is the sweet orange and cedar wood fragrance which creates a Zen like feeling. Next up is the Happy Buddha Body Wash this is pretty cool because it has a gel formula but then turns in to a thick, rich, luxurious foam. What I like about it the most is that even though its super foaming it leaves you feeling thoroughly cleansed without stripping the skin of its moisture. I had never used a showering body oil before the Fortune Oil so this was a good surprise, It smells slightly bitter in comparison to the rest of the products. A few pumps add some water and it turns in to a light silky foam. Something about this feels much more concentrated and nourishing maybe because its in an oil form. The Touch of Happiness moisturiser is probably one of my favourite products within this range. Its a rich hydrating texture but melts in to the skin instantly and smells incredible!

(Available at Debenhams RRP £28.50 Now: £21.50)

 

What are your favourite Rituals products? Let me know in the comments below! :-)



April Raves!

I have been mixing up my beauty routine for the better this month as the weather has taken a gloriously beautiful turn. I prefer working with creamy formulas and using a bb cream instead of a foundation in the warmer months, and a golden glow is definitely on the cards for this season...

Lingerie De Peau Beauty Booster Cream:

I am all for bb creams, their hydrating even out the skin tone and add perfection all in the form of a tinted cream (how amazing is that?) This was my first time trying out a bb cream from Guerlain and unsurprisingly as with most Guerlain products I love it! It does everything that I want it to do, it looks quite luminous on the skin and gives that juicy healthy skin glow. I wouldn't recommend it for oily skin types but its a great one for dry skin (like mine) or even normal to combination. Its about a medium coverage cream so problematic areas are easily perfected (without looking dry or cakey!) And I especially love it for this time of the year because it has spf 30 and of course feels weightless on the skin. The only down side is that its only available in three shades light, medium and nude I have the medium shade which is slightly warmer but I don't mind that at this time of the year as I do tend to go slightly darker in the summer months. (Available at John Lewis 40ml £34.50- £35.50)

Soap And Glory Archery Brow Pen:

Here we have a pen with two formulas to define the brows pretty cool if you ask me, how often do we get to see a pen with two formulas? The pencil side is great for shaping whilst the marker end is a good alternative for filling in the areas where too much product is not needed. I had wanted to try Archery for ages before I finally got it. And since my happy purchase I have been using it every day non stop. What I really like about it is that its simply a 'no brainer' you can't really create a mess. If your on the high street for a new brow pen to give you natural looking brows I highly recommend this. (Available at Boots £10.00)

Hourglass Mechanical Gel Eyeliner:

Quite a snazzy gel formulated pen, the best thing about this is undoubtedly the fact that its so easy to use. The gel formula runs along like silk and if left for a while becomes budge proof. I would still recommend using a primer base on the eyes before hand if your eye lids tend to get oily during the day.  On the other hand its great for applying and smoking out quickly before it sets for more of an effortless smudge (my way of using it!) (Available at Liberty £36.00)

Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit Barry M:

Barry M's contour kit includes three shades of which two are for contouring and one for highlighting. The first time I used this it was a messy scene. After constant practise and being light handed I must say I do like it. Using a touch of the dark shade and more of the warm biscuity shade is the way to go! I also love using some of the dark shade in the crease to add more of a sculpted look. (Available at Boots £6.49)

No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter:

I usually opt for powder highlights, so when I came across No7's cream highlighter I needed it in my life! I love the way it adds a creamy golden glow to the complexion, a dab on the bridge of the nose, cheek bones, brow bones and a touch on the forehead and blend, blend, blend (that's it your good to go, literally.) Another discovery that I have made is to dab some of this highlight on top of the lips and cupids bow for a metallic liberating glow, I cannot even begin to explain how much of a difference this makes, a lit from with in look and fuller looking lips (doesn't sound too bad does it?)

(Available at Boots £9.95)

 Have you tried any of these or anything similar? What are your up and coming staples for the warmer months?  Let me know in the comments below! :-)

A Futuristic Lipstick...

As much as I love vibrant lip colours I cant deny that I love nudes equally as much. Nudes have for long been my preferred whack on lipsticks paired with a feline flick and some bronzer its the ultimate keeping it safe option.

A new edition to my sash is Guerlains Rouge G lipstick. Guerlain always have the most luxe looking packaging with any product they make. It may be anything as small as an eye liner but still looking as gorgeous as ever. Unsurprisingly the Rouge G lipsticks are the same, they look pretty fascinating with two mirrors displayed upon the lipsticks release. Something about it looks super futuristic wouldn't you agree? I have the shade 15 Galiane its not on the pale or dark side of the scale, Its more of a pinky nude but slightly more deeper which I think would look great on all skin tones. Tiger grass, wild mango butter, gugul resin (used in Ayurvedic medicine) are some of the key ingredients that go in to this hydrating lipstick. Out of all things I love the formula, its creamy and has a balm like consistency and goes on like a dream. I cant help but notice how plump, smooth and soft my lips feel upon application.  It does have a slight shine to it without being at all sticky and still feeling as comfortable as ever. I wouldn't put it down as being a long lasting lipstick, but its a great one for perfecting and enhancing the lips. (Available at Debenhams £31.50)

What's your favourite nude lipstick? Let me know in the comments below! :-)

Looking Tired? Not Anymore!

I can never usually sleep throughout the whole eight hours which results in a very tired looking me the following morning. Here's a few tips to look wide awake even when your feeling tired...

Step 1:

A Calming Eye Lotion

Liz Earle's Eye Bright Soothing Eye Lotion  is the most gentle eye lotion I have ever come across, I usually soak a couple of cotton pads in to the solution and gently press them on and leave them for up to 3- 5 mins.  It feels so soothing, cooling and refreshing perfect for those mornings when my eyes are looking a bit too angry.It also gets rid of any light makeup hanging around. (Available at Liz Earle 150ml £13.25)

Step 2:

A Cool Toned Eyeshadow

Whenever I'm looking super tired I always opt for cooler tones on my eyes only because they seem to brighten everything up and of course make me look less exhausted. I have been using Kiko's cream eyeshadow from their Colour Shock range which is unfortunately a limited edition. Its a gleaming frosty lime shade which combats darkness, stays put the whole day long and has an easy to work with formula.


I would love to know your favourite tips and tricks to look less tired. Do let me know in the comments below!

The Glow Factor...

 

My most enjoyable step whilst doing makeup is creating the base and getting it right with the right primers, concealers and foundation shades etc. Who doesn't want juicy- flawless looking skin? Two hands in the air from me! I haven't been a huge fan of primers in the past but seeing all of the rather alluring and luxuriously shimmering formulas has made me want to own a collection. They can be mixed in to foundation to brighten things up or worn typically as a primer for longer lasting dewy skin.

 

Glow Maximiser- Dior:

 

It all started with Dior's Glow Maximiser which I have almost finished, can you tell how much I love this? I started out by trying it in a variety of different ways my preferred method is to mix a pump or two in to my foundation for a radiating, lustrous glow... I must admit I could not get myself to put this down, It really is a threat to lacklustre skin. The fascinating thing about this is that it looks like a pearly pink shade but once blended out it has more of a golden sheen. (Available at Boots 30ml £28.50)

 

 Instant Glow Skin Wow- Seventeen:

 

We now come to an affordable alternative which isn't very different from the Glow Maximiser. The only difference noted is that Seventeen's Instant Glow Skin Wow is a warmer shade and it does add a slight tan to the look. I have been mixing a pump in to my foundation most mornings and so far its looking good... The Instant Glow Skin Wow comes in two shades, a pearly pink and a Tan colour. I have the Tan shade for more of a sun kissed glow, Its almost like the shimmer is barely noticeable once mixed in to the foundation but it still seems to add a good amount of radiance without looking like a disco ball. (Available at Boots 30ml £5.99)

 

What are your favourite glow infused products?

A Divine Smelling Hair Oil Treatment....

I have this thing for hair oils, they are so nourishing and concentrated that I can often notice the difference in the texture of my hair instantly. This was my first time trying anything from the Morrocanoil brand and I am glad to report that I am rather impressed. There's more to this treatment oil than just smelling good that's for sure. One thing that I was surprised about was that it has more of a gloopy- serum like consistency instead of the typical oily texture that most oils seem to have. I don't mind that at all only because it absorbs within the hair in a matter of minutes without leaving an overly oily trail. It does a great job at hydrating dull and dry hair, I like warming up a few drops between my hands and going in to massage it evenly throughout for a soft voluminous touch..

(Available at feelunique 25ml £13.45)

Hair oils are amazing stuff and I'm always on the look out to experiment, if you have any favourites that you would like to recommend please do let me know in the comments below :-)

A Drugstore Base

Bourjois Paris Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer:

I don't really like the overly smooth feeling that comes along with applying a primer. I prefer a primer that sinks in to the skin straight away leaving the skin protected but still feeling like itself. This pink bourjois serum primer does all those things. If feels like more of a light weight skincare product which I quite like. I am more in to the whole dewy look thing as opposed to matte so I went for the illuminating version and for all you matte lovers they do have a matte version in this too. What I like about this the most is that it contains no shimmer or glitter but still seems to give a boost of radiance. Two pumps are good enough to cover my whole face. (Available at Boots 15ml £10.99)

Bourjois 123 Perfect Colour Correcting Cream:

Its been way too long since I last tried a foundation or in this case a cc cream from the drugstore. Mainly because the shade range in the drugstore isn't very big. Cc and bb creams are so my thing a great combination of skincare and foundation added together. Which makes people like me feel slightly less guilty for wearing a cc cream instead of a full coverage foundation. Bourjois colour correcting cream is a lightweight fluid that still covers minor breakouts at the stroke of a brush. Its hydrating and gives the complexion a fresh glow, I have the shade rose beige which is slightly darker for me at the moment but once blended out it looks really natural, light beige which is the shade lighter was a bit too ashy looking on me so I stuck to rose beige as its the closest shade to my skin tone. Another great thing about this is that it contains SPF 15. By no means does this match up to my favourite Dior Hydra Life bb cream only because I find that its not as long lasting. But its a great alternative if your not looking to splash out and just want something at a budget price that does the job. (Available at Boots 30ml £9.99)

YSL VS BURBERRY

Complexion pens are a great way to blur out any imperfections and leave you with a flawless canvass. Needless to say, they are practical and easy to use which is why I love them!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat:

The much acclaimed complexion pen  is said to banish darkness, signs of fatigue and add instant radiance. The light weight formula provides a flash of brightness within seconds and its highlighting properties are rather impressive. If you are someone who does not suffer from dark circles it would work wonders acting as a highlight under the eyes. I initially bought this because I thought it would work as a concealer under the eyes too. To my surprise,  I was wrong I wouldn't recommend using this on dark circles as it can start to look messy after a few hours and you are promised a day full of touch ups! (Available at John Lewis 2.5 ml £22.50-£25.00)

Sheer Concealer Burberry:

I was slightly hesitant to try out the Burberry cosmetics line as to me it has always been a brand well known for its luxury fashion and clothing. A consultation at the Burberry store had quickly changed my views on their cosmetics line. I have been totally loving the sheer concealer in shade 2. This definitely is an all rounder it can be used as a highlighter or a concealer including dark circles. The light reflecting formula is slightly more rich, creamy and matte in comparison to the Touche Éclat. I would describe it as being of a medium coverage it provides more coverage than the Touche Éclat for sure. The sheer concealer is moisturising, illuminating and contains wild rose which guarantees continuous hydration for the skin. Another reason why I love this so much is because the lasting power is incredible no touch ups are needed! (Available at John Lewis 2.5 ml £26.00)

My favourite out of the two would hands down have to be the Burberry Sheer Concealer.

I would love to know your thoughts on these. What are your favourite concealers?