Contouring 101

Everybody seems to be getting into contouring these days, and every brand has a different contouring product on offer, that it can be hard to know which ones to go for. I have chosen a few of my favourite contouring pieces to hopefully help your decision making process. 

Most of my products are powder, but I do have one creme bronzer I like to use for a natural contour in the summer time and that is the CHANEL Soleil de Tan. For me this contours as well as bronzes as I have fair skin, but I definitely need to be as light handed as possible when using this, but it is great for a natural looking bronze and contour. A highlighting product I like to use with this is the MAC Prep and Prime in the shade Light Boost. I don't only use this product when contouring, but it definitely brings out any contouring done. This is a yellow based highlighter and is great to use on the under eye area.

One of the first contouring products I bought was the Daniel Sandler Sculpt and Slim. This is another natural looking product, and I do find the contour shade to be more of a bronzer shade. I do really like this product, but it has definitely been neglected since I upgraded to the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow. This is a very similar product but the finish is just like nothing else I have used. I cannot get enough of the highlight shade in the palette, and the contour shade is perfect for fair skinned girls like myself. 

Another much raved about contouring powder is one that left me a little disappointed when I first started using it. It is the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder. This is formulated with brown, grey and red pigments so is definitely more of a contour shade than a bronzer shade. This creates natural looking shadows and looks great in photos, but I do find it a little harder to blend compared to other products.

The final product is the most recent in my collection and it is the Anastasia Beverley Hills Contour Kit in the shade light. I have been really enjoying this palette, but I have to say that the contour shades are much better than the highlight shades. I don't know if the highlight shades show enough on fair skin, but the contour shades are perfect. I mostly use the middle shade and the shade on the left side to build on top of this. The shades are really natural looking and blend perfectly. I apply this with the new Real Techniques Bold Metals 301 Flat Contour Brush, and then blend it in with the Real Techniques Contour Brush. 

My Favourite Eyeshadows

I know what I like when it comes to eyeshadows, so all in my collection are pretty similar. I like browns and neutral shades and love golds. I never really venture outside of these shades I know I like. I have dark blue eyes so golds really compliment them. My first favourite is the B-E-A-utiful Charlotte Tilbury Golden Goddess Palette. I adore this palette for so many reasons. Firstly, in true Charlotte Tilbury form, the packaging is sleek, and also perfect for travel. All four shades are beautiful, and you can find a highlight shade and a crease shade as well as a neutral shade and a glittery gold. The quality of these are also amazing. They blend perfectly, there is no fall out and they stay put all night. What more could you ask for?

Another palette I love is the Make Up Revolution Iconic II Palette. This is a great dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette but for a fraction of the price. Although there is a teeny tiny bit of fall out, the general quality of these is really good and they stay put. You get twelve great shades for just £4! 

The last powder shadow I love is from MAC and it is the shade Honey Lust. I don't have too much to say about this other than it is another great shimmery golden bronzed shade, but we all know how great MAC eyeshadows are anyway don't we.

One of my favourite cream shadows is the CHANEL Illusion D'Ombre in the shade Initiation. This isn't as dark as some of the other shades in my bronzed collection, and it is slightly more sparkly and really brings out blue eyes. I love the consistency of this shadow and I really really love the shade. I had never really looked at CHANEL eyeshadows before purchasing this one but I am now definitely keen to try some more. 

Next is another Charlotte Tilbury shade, but this time in pencil form and it is the Colour Chameleon in the shade Champagne Diamonds. This is another gold rather than bronze shimmery shade. It feels really smooth and doesn't drag or scratch your skin at all. My one and only bugbear with this product is that it seems to run out really quickly. You can see how tiny my one is now, and I just find this getting smaller and smaller rather quickly.

Last is one of my most used shadows, the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in the shade Bronze Moon. This also goes on so smoothly and blends really nicely. It is slightly darker than the other eyeshadows mentioned but stays put all night long. These are pretty pricy but well worth it I think.

February Favourites

Okay so I just have to start this post of by saying, where the hell is this year going, how are we in March already?! Crazy. Anyway, time is running away and it is already time for my February favourites. I have definitely been loving make up products this month, probably because I was so unable to enjoy them last month!

First up is something I fiiiiiinally managed to get my hands on after being on Cult Beauty's waiting list for what felt like forever. Obviously I am talking about the Anastasia Beverley Hills Contour Kit. I have only used this a handful of times as I don't see it is an every day wear-to-work kind of product, but when I am going out I have been reaching for this every time. I definitely prefer the contour shades to the highlight shades, as I do have individual highlighters I prefer, but I do like the banana shade for setting my under eye concealer. The middle contour shade is my favourite, and then I use the one on the left to build my contour a little more. The best thing about this is how buildable and blendable the product is. I was worried I would be covered in harsh lines but that is just not the case with this. I think it is definitely worth the splurge. My only criticism is that the highlight shades are a little light for mega pale girls.

Next are two eyeshadows I have re-discovered in my stash and they are the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon, and CHANEL Illusion D'Ombre in the shade Initiation. Both of these shades are quite similar, but I would say the By Terry is a little darker and less shimmery. I have actually been enjoying wearing them both alone or blended together. Everyone raves about the By Terry Ombre Blackstar's, and I know they are eye wateringly expensive but I really think they are worth it. They go on so smoothly, blend perfectly and stay put all night long. I find the same with the Chanel shadow, but I do love the ease of the pen applicator you have with the By Terry.

A lipstick I have been loving this month is the Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in the shade Bitch Perfect. This is the perfect pinky nude which is the kind of shade I love. I also really love the formula of these, and of course the rose gold packaging is to die for. I already have a few more shades from this range on my wish list.

Finally I have another rediscovery, but this time a hair product. I have been loving the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray. I went off this for a while, as it does leave my hair a little crunchy and knotty. However, the volume and oomph this gives my hair is worth the crunch. When my hair is looking a little flat and lucklustre (which is most of the time) this is my go to product to bring it back to life. I have never tried the Oribe version, the price tag just puts me off massively, but I have heard through the grapevine that this is a pretty great dupe for that but at a fraction of the price.

My Most Used Highlighters

One of my most used beauty products and also one of my absolute favourite things to use is highlighter. I definitely have way more than I need but I love the effect I get when I use it and different ones give such different finishes. Here are my most used.

Chanel Blanc is a great multi purpose product as this can be used as a normal highlighter on top of make up, or underneath as a primer and makes a brilliant illuminator. This is my favourite way of using this as it just gives a really natural dewiness and glow through your foundation. The Topshop All Over Glow is a cheaper alternative for this.

An old favourite of mine is Benefit's High Beam. When I worked for Benefit this was my holy grail product. I still love this, although I do now prefer more bronzed highlighters compared to pinks. This is another great multipurpose product though, as I have sometimes mixed this with powder eyeshadows to make a cream one and I have also mixed it with lipgloss to cheat plumper looking lips. If you prefer more of a cream highlighter to liquid, then the No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter is a great dupe and half the price of High Beam. 

When I am after more of a bronzed glow I go for Benefits Hollywood Glo. Now it might be a bit unfair talking about this one because I am not sure if Benefit still do it which is such a shame. This liquid highlighter is the perfect colour for a natural sun kissed glow with just the right amount of shimmer to it. However a great dupe for this is the Topshop Glow pot which is another cream highlighter. This is slightly more pigmented so a little goes a long way.

There are three powder highlighters I love and I probably tend to use these on more of a day to day basis as I find them a bit more natural looking. My most used is the Mary-Lou Manizer from The Balm. This looks beautiful in the light and I always get compliments from people when wearing this. I like to use it every day on my cheek bones and down my nose. Another similar product to this is Benefits Miss Popularity. This is the same shade as the Mary Lou Manizer with a bit more shimmer and is a loose powder rather than pressed. It has a small applicator with it so I find it really great for using on my brow bone and the inner corner of my eye.

Last but not least is my favourite highlighter of them all and it comes in the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow Palette. This is definitely a high end product so I tend to try and save this for when I am going out or really making an effort with my make up. I cannot rave about this product enough it is so natural but makes such a difference. I love both the bronzer and the highlighter and it is definitely worth the splurge.

L-R Charlotte Tilbury, The Balm, Miss Popularity, All Over Glow, Chanel, Hollywood Glo, Glow, No7, High Beam

The Winter Face

In the winter time I like to disguise redness caused by the cold and make the most out of my make up staying put and not sliding off my face like it tends to in Summer. My every day routine tends not to change very much, but here is a break down of my current make up routine.

Firstly, I like to use a primer. I know its not for everyone but I think it really helps my make up go on better and does help it last a lot longer. For every day wear I just like to keep it cheap and cheerful and use the Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser. This is good because only a tiny amount is needed and it helps make up sit better on the skin.

For my base I have recently gone back to the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. This is perfect for day time wear as it is so buildable. If I want a light natural base I can achieve it, and if I want to build it up to conceal a little more I can also do that. It keeps my skin looking flawless but natural and gives me a natural glow even in the colder months.

I use two concealers which may seem a little excessive but I like to use a lighter one under my eyes and a slightly thicker one for any redness or blemishes. My favourite under eye concealer is the Maybelline Eraser Eye. I love this stuff - it conceals but doesn't sit or crease in any fine lines. It also lasts me all day. For redness and blemishes I love the Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer. This is great because you only need a small amount to get a great coverage. 

I always set my base with a powder and I am currently loving the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder. This is so finely milled that is doesn't make your skin look cakey or flat but just really helps prevent shine and helps set your make up.

On my eyes I use the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze. This is a lovely bronze eyeshadow with just the right amount of shimmer and it lasts all day. I much prefer a cream shadow for the day time as it is much longer lasting. I always use my Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner as I feel naked without this and then I like to use my Loreal Telescopic Mascara on my top lashes. I finish of with Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara. This stuff is brilliant because it does not cause any fall out or smudging underneath the eye even by the end of the day.

My favourite brow product at the moment is the Soap and Glory Brow Archery and I use a bit of both shades Blondeshell and Hot Chocolate. I am somewhere in between these so I tend to use mostly Blondeshell and then a little bit of Hot Chocolate for the ends. I set these with a £1 clear mascara from Miss Sporty and I love it.

Finally I use a bit of the Body Shop Honey Bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks, and some Mary-Lou Manizer from The Balm on the tops of my cheek bones and down my nose. My all time favourite blusher is Dallas by Benefit and my current one has so far lasted me three and a half years and I haven't even hit pan despite using this every day! 

Finally on my lips I always go for a nude and I am currently loving Shy Girl from MAC with some of Tanya Burr's lipgloss in Chic. I always set my make up with Avon's Setting Spray which gives my skin a more dewy finish and helps keep my make up lasting that little bit longer.

January Favourites

Monthly favourites are easily one of my favourite posts to read so writing my first one of the year is very exciting. Unfortunately, I have been battling with Perioral Dermatitis recently so have actually been having to avoid both skin care and make up as much as possible so most of my favourites this month are actually non beauty favourites. 

My first favourite of the month is actually a cook book and it comes from blogger Deliciously Ella. I have been reading and using recipes from her blog for quite some time now and they are honestly all amazing. Her book was released this month and I just love it. All of her recipes are free from refined sugar, meat, gluten and dairy. One of my new years resolutions was the same as it is every year, to be healthier and watch what I eat. I usually fail some time near the beginning of the month but since using recipes from this book I have not been struggling at all and have really been embracing a sugar and dairy free lifestyle. My favourite recipes are definitely her raw brownies, and sweet potato and spinach salad. I highly recommend checking this out! The book itself is also beautiful and I find myself just flicking through looking at all of the drool worthy beautiful pictures.

A beauty related product is the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Moisturiser. I re-discovered this after running out of my regular No7 moisturiser and forgot how much I love it. It is oil free but feels so hydrating when you put it on, without leaving a greasy film on your skin. A little goes a long way and my skin just loves this stuff. As with all Clinique products it is great for sensitive skin and fragrance free so with my skin being a nightmare at the moment, this moisturiser has been a life saver!

A face mask I have been using this month is cult favourite Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Mask. What I love most about this is how gentle on the skin this is despite being a clay mask. As I have mentioned, I have been extra careful with my skin recently, and once this has set and needs to washed off it melts away so easily meaning I don't have to rub my skin until it is red raw. It has also worked brilliantly on all of the little pimples I had on my forehead. I now understand the hype around this product and prefer it to other popular clay masks out there. 

A fashion favourite has been my beautiful Daniel Wellington Classic York Lady Watch my boyfriend got me for christmas. I had my eye on this watch for so long but could not justify spending the money on it at the time and I was lucky enough to be given this after so much longing. It's a classic and need I say more - I love it!

My final favourite is another christmas present and it is my One Line A Day Memory Book. I am very sentimental and keep things from most places I go. I used to keep a diary but haven't done for years due to laziness but this I have been writing in daily. It is a really cute gold lined note book dated for five years that you can write daily memories or things you are thankful for. I love the idea of this and think it would also make a great gift. I personally love reading over things like this and think it is just such a cute keepsake. 

Top 5 Foundations

Foundation has definitely got to be one of my favourite beauty products, and I am constantly looking out for products to give me flawless, oil free but dewy looking skin. Not too much to ask for right? Here are my five favourite foundations for different occasions.

Estee Lauder Double Wear is an old favourite of mine and for years was my every day foundation. This is great for oily skinned girls like myself because it provides a lovely matte but not flat finish. This product is also without a doubt the longest lasting foundation I have ever used. Although I now find this a little heavy for every day wear, I will always reach for this on occasions I need my foundation to last a whole day. It's also great for occasions you know you're either going to be crying or sweating or getting into a situation likely to remove your make up, trust me this foundation will not let you down. There is also an amazing shade range for this foundation so I am sure there is one to suit everyone.

Next is Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. When I first got this it took a bit of getting used to because I find this to be pretty high coverage. I like to use this for nights out when I am after a higher coverage and flawless but natural looking skin. The consistency of this is quite a thick creme but it blends in beautifully on the skin. Plus only a tiny bit is needed so this lasts for ages.

I have two every day wear foundations I go between, and the first one is a cult favourite, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I love the finish this gives my skin, it really is dewy skin in a bottle. It provides enough coverage but not too much, it just gives that 'your skin but better' look. I thought I wouldn't get on with this at first because everyone talks about it being great for girls with dry skin, which it definitely would be, but I thought I would end up an oily mess at the end of the day. However, as long as I set this with a good powder then it does the job perfectly and lasts me the whole day.

My other daily foundation is the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet. This is very similar to the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk but with a bit less coverage and a more matte finish. I personally love the finish of this more so than the Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua foundation as it gives a bit more coverage, and I need the slightly more matte finish. 

Lastly, I wanted to include a powder foundation and my favourite is the MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation. Although I only bring this one out occasionally, I think it is great to have a powder foundation either to wear on top on foundation for extra coverage or staying power, or to wear alone on top of moisturiser for a more natural finish. Sometimes when I am on holiday and I don't want to be caked in make up but I also want my skin to look a little better and less greasy I reach for this. When worn alone it looks really natural but can also be used to provide great coverage over a regular foundation. 

NYE 2014

I love getting ready on New Years Eve. It is the perfect time to use all of the new beauty bits you got for Christmas and really go all out. If you want a sparkly eye and a bright lip, New Years is the time to do it. Although I didn't go out this year, I did have a lovely dinner party style night in with my closest friends and it was my best New Years yet. We all still made just as much effort to dress up as we would if we went out.

I wore a green sparkly low back dress from Topshop that I bought in the Boxing Day Sale and I got so many compliments on it. Its the kind of thing I love wearing out and I am so glad I bought it. On my nails I had one of my favourites from the year, Revlon's Vixen which is a burgendy maroony kind of shade.

I had a couple of new Charlotte Tilbury bits to try. I love Charlotte Tilbury herself and her make up line. All of her products feel so luxurious and so many people always seem to comment when I am wearing them. I used her much raved about Filmstar Bronze and Glow which I bagged in this years Selfridges sale, and also her Golden Goddess Luxury Palette which I mentioned in my 2014 Make Up Favourites. Although I have only had these products since Christmas, they have quickly become two of my favourite products. I've never met a Charlotte Tilbury product that I didn't like. 

For an extra glow I used The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer, another cult favourite. This is my favourite highlighter of all time as it is so natural looking yet gives your complexion the most perfect glow without being glittery. It is a beautiful champagne gold colour, and almost a powder version of Benefits Watts Up. I use this on my cheekbones, my brow bone, down the centre of my nose and on my cupids bow. For a night like New Years I also use this in the inner corner of my eye to help brighten them. 

As it was a special occasion I stepped outside of my comfort zone and went for a bold lip. I used Topshop's Matte Lip Bullet in the shade Get Me Bodied. This is a deep purple berry shade, far from my much loved nudes. Despite my concerns, everyone seemed to love this shade and I am glad I tried it out. This lasted so long on my lips, and even after eating it still left a nice stained colour on my lips, but was very easily removed with the rest of my make up. Maybe now I will have to start being a little more adventurous and trying some new lip colours so I am definitely open to any recommendations.

Finally, my fragrance of the night was my all time favourite Chanel Chance Eau Tendre. This is a fruity-floral fragrance which is my personal favourite kind anyway. It has notes of grapefruit, jasmine and white musk and this scent lasts all night on me. I have used Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche before and also really like that, but Eau Tendre is definitely my favourite. 

2014 Haircare Favourites

You may notice a trend in my haircare products and that is that I like to use a product that promises volume and texture as my hair is pretty fine and pretty flat. Here is a round up of the products I have been turning to and loving this year.

I have used countless shampoos and conditioners throughout the year but my favourite has to be the Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo and Conditioner. These leave my hair feeling really soft but not at all flat or greasy. My hair gets greasy very quickly, but I felt as though my hair was much cleaner than usual a day after using this, and a few times I have not had to use any dry shampoo on my day two hair (which is unheard of for me). 

For styling I have been loving the Got2B 2 Sexy Volumizing Mousse. I spray a small amount of this at the roots of my hair when wet, and I really notice a difference. This stuff also smells amazing. As I loved this so much I tried to the Got2B Rise 'N Shine Hairspray. Again, this also smells amazing, and also gives my hair so much volume and texture as well as keeping any style in place.

Two texturising sprays I have enjoyed using this year are the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray and the Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Finish. The Bumble and Bumble spray definitely comes with a larger price tag, but does not leave your hair feeling stiff or crispy in the same way that the Charles Worthington one does. However, both do seriously deliver great results. Not a day has gone by when I have not reached for either of these products as they just give my hair some much needed oomph.

Finally, my favourite dry shampoo of the year is from Colab. This brand launched this year from Beauty Blogger and Vlogger Ruth Crilly. I have tried nearly every brand of dry shampoo this year and could not find one I loved. They either left my hair white and chalky or stiff and knotty and some even left my hair feeling greasier than before. I tried the Colab range and finally found a product I was happy with. It does leave a little grey residue in my hair, however, it is much easier to work into your hair than other products, and it helps give my hair some much needed volume. I have tried the scents London, Paris and New York and love them all but I think New York is probably my favourite so far. 

2014 Skincare Favourites

This year I have loved experimenting with different skin care products and really learning what works best for me. I have learnt what my skin type is (thank you Sali Hughes) and have made a conscious effort to take better care of my skin and I now love nothing more than taking my make up off at the end of the day and starting my evening skin care routine. 

I have experimented with a few cleansers this year, and although I have enjoyed each of them for different reasons, none compare to the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. This gel to oil cleanser really is a delight to use. It smells amazing and removes all traces of make up in one go. I like to use one pump in the morning and two in the evening and enjoy massaging it into my skin and washing away with warm water. The smell is reason enough to go out and try this (trust me).

As far as moisturisers are concerned, I have never fallen in love with any particular brand before and have found them all a much of a muchness. However, this year I started using the No7 Beautiful Skin Oil Free Daytime Moisturiser. I was obviously drawn to this as it is oil free, but you get so much for your money with this product and it sits beautifully under your make up. I haven't used any other moisturiser since March because of this.

I started using Estee Lauder's Idealist Pore Minimising Serum earlier this year and I can't be sure, but I do think that my pores look smaller than before I started using this. Aside from visible results, I just love the way this serum makes my skin feel before I apply my make up.

Overnight I like to use a facial oil, and I thought I should mention two as although I have a favourite, I have only been using it since Christmas. First is the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. This product does not come cheap but it really does make your skin appear more plump and healthy the next day. For christmas, I got the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial and I am amazed with the results. After just a week of using this, my skin appears calmer, clearer and plumper. Small pimples that had appeared on my forehead (I blame the christmas parties and chocolate) disappeared almost overnight and patches of dry skin I had, began to appear calmer and smaller. I cannot rave about this product enough and will definitely be trying out some more Sarah Chapman products in the new year. 

Another overnight product I have loved this year is the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. I like to use this a couple of times a week as my skin seems to love it and gets a great glow the morning after. Again, another amazing smelling product.

Another mask I have been loving is the Glam Glow Youth Mud Tingle Exfoliate Mask. This is a classic, apply to skin, let it set and wash off mask. However, this is not a mask you use a few days before an event but instead the night of an event. I can't describe how smooth this makes your skin and just how wonderfully this mask preps your skin for make up but trust me, it is worth the hefty price tag. 

Finally (sorry another long, long ramble) is the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. This tiny pot has lasted me almost a whole year despite regular use. I dab a tiny amount onto any spots I get and this just helps to reduce the size and redness overnight. It is particularly great to use on any spot you can sense appearing before it actually does, as it prevents it reaching its full unwanted potential. This product does smell incredibly clinical and unpleasant but if you can get past that it really is great and does exactly as it promises. 

2014 Make Up Favourites

It has taken me a long, long time to try and whittle this post down to just ten products but finally I have made this as short as humanly possible. Of course I could talk about umpteen make up products I have used and loved this year, but I tried to think about products I have not only enjoyed using but now consider necessities in my make up routine. 

First up is a primer. Although I have spent most of the year using Kiehls Micro-Blur Skin Perfector, I recently discovered the Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer and it has replaced my beloved Kiehls. Aside from the fact you get more for your money, I find that this leaves my skin so smooth and my make up glides on perfectly. I changed primers because I wanted to use something oil free and it makes such a difference for an oily skinned gal like myself. 

The next product was the easiest choice for this post as I have used it literally every day since May and that is the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet. I have no complaints whatsoever with this foundation. I use it in the day time and it looks so natural on the skin, but it is also really buildable to take your look from day to night time in a matter of seconds. 

My favourite concealer of 2014 is the Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer in the shade light. This concealer is so light and creamy but just covers dark circles amazingly. It does not sit in any fine lines and can also be re-applied throughout the day without going cakey.

When my under eye circles are particularly bad, or if I just want to add a highlighted glow I have been reaching for the MAC Prep and Prime Pen in the shade Light Boost. I love this and definitely want to try out the other shades next year!

I discovered a new eyebrow pencil this year and that was the Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil. I have both shades of this as I prefer Blondshell for the day and Hot Chocolate for night. The brush on the end of the pencil is brilliant and this product is a great dupe for the Anastasia Brow Wizz but for a fraction of the price.

2014 was the year I had a love affair with gold and bronze eyeshadows and also Charlotte Tilbury, so it comes as no surprise I had to mention two eyeshadow products from the lady herself. First is the Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil in the shade Champagne Diamonds. This eyeshadow is so versatile and so so quick and easy to use. It can be used as a liner or smudged all across the lid and below the eye. The next product is the Golden Goddess Luxury Palette. This product is so lavish and luxurious and really makes your eyes pop. I love all of the shades in this, and the size makes it perfect to carry around. Charlotte Tilbury's online tutorials are also great at showing you how to make the most of the palette.

My final eye product is the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara. After months of moaning about my eye make up smudging under my eye, I caved and bought this and am so glad I did. The brush is so cute and tiny and makes it so easy to get into the corner and coat every lash without looking too heavy or doll like. It does not smudge or cause that horrible flakiness under your eye and I have already recommended this mascara to everyone I know.

Finally (sorry for the rambling) is a lip product. I have been really enjoying getting into lip products this year but if I had to choose only one to mention here it would have to be MAC Patisserie. A perfect 'your lips but better' colour, I have been wearing this almost every day since summer this year. If you're into nudes, then there is no doubt you would love this lipstick.

AM Skincare Routine

In the mornings I like to keep things quick and simple when it comes to my skincare routine. I have usually snoozed my alarm one too many times and therefore don't have the time to faff around with all sorts of lotions and potions. I keep my usual, every day routine down to four items.

First, I cleanse using my Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. I have tried quite a few cleansers over the years but this one is definitely my favourite. It starts as a gel and then turns into an oil as you massage it into your skin and gets rid of any remaining make up or grime. It also smells amaaaaazing. Kind of like turkish delight mixed with roses (which is much nicer than it sounds). I love this stuff and cannot see myself using another cleanser for quite some time. The only down side to this is that because of the packaging, you don't know when you're close to running out, and I always find myself having to pay for next day delivery for this as I can't possibly be without it. 

Next I use my serum. At the moment I am using Estee Lauder Idealist Serum and I really like it. It is quite thick and I feel like it really sets a good base for my make up. I think that serum is one of the most important steps of a make up routine especially as it is what targets your skin concerns. If I ever stop using serum for a while that's when I notice a difference in my skin.

I then moisturise. I am not overly fussy when it comes to moisturisers but for the last few months I have really been loving the No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Normal/Oily skin. This is great because it is oil free and really sinks nicely into my skin without being greasy at all. I also think this is a great moisturiser to use underneath make up.

Finally I like to use an eye cream as my under eye area is where I am slightly dehydrated. Again, I am not that fussy with these but I have been using the No7 Lift & Luminate Eye Cream. I can't say that I have noticed any difference under my eyes since using this, but it is a nice eye cream to use for hydration, and again it isn't at all greasy so is nice to wear under my under eye concealer. 

5 Favourites

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I did my October favourites post, however, there are some other products I have also been loving that previously didn't quite get the mention they deserve. First is one of the most amazing books I honestly think I have ever read. Think of it as a beauty bible/beauty manual that all girls need. It is Sali Hughes Pretty Honest. I can't believe just how much Sali has managed to fit into this book, and without spoiling anything all I can say is that everyone should have a copy of this. 

Next is the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. I don't use this everyday, but tend to save it for special occasions but it just glides over your skin and helps your make up go on so much more smoothly. The lady on the Clarins counter compared it to poly-filler, which doesn't sound so appealing at first but after using it I now see what she means, and it is definitely a good thing (trust me). 

The next product is the Clinique High Impact Mascara. I have been a Loreal only Mascara girl for about seven years, but after using a sample I had of this, my head has been turned. I still love my Loreal Telescopic, but this mascara from Clinique is perfect for length in a more natural way. 

Another new product for me is The Body Shop Honey Bronzer. I have seen other bloggers talk about this, and I fancied trying something new. This is a great bronzer, because it is so natural and easy to wear. It doesn't look too dark or create any harsh lines even on my fair skin. 

Finally, the last product I have been loving is the Colab Dry Shampoo in the New York scent. As someone who is incredibly reliant on dry shampoo, and also someone who has tried almost every other brand of dry shampoo, I needed to give this a go. I really like this dry shampoo, it is not white or chalky in the hair, and does not feel sticky or greasy like some other brands do (i'm looking at you Herbal Essences and Aussie). It's not the best for creating volume, but the main thing I look for in a dry shampoo is not the volume it gives, but how much oil it absorbs from my hair. I have also tried the London scent but my fave so far is this New York one. This is a great product with a great price tag - kudos Ruth Crilly. 

Sunday Night Pamper Routine

Sunday is a day of rest, relaxation and bubble baths! I love having a little pamper time on a Sunday evening, and I thought I would share a few of my favourite steps from my pamper routine.

The first I do is run a warm bubble bath and really unwind. When I have my bath, I like to sit my I-pad up at the end and watch youtube videos, while also reading through a few blog posts on my phone. I'm not the kind of person who can just lay and soak, I need to be reading or watching something. I love to use a Lush Bath Bomb, particularly Butterball, but this weekend I had none available so used some Marks and Spencers bath crystals. While I am in the bath I also like to use a face mask. Recently I have been using an old favourite, Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask. 

When out of the bath I like to paint my nails ready for the week. Tonight I used Topshop's Lacquered. Another thing I love to do for the week is tan. An overnight tan is so quick and easy to do on a Sunday evening, and my tan of choice is Xen Tan Deep Bronze Luxe in the shade Dark. 

Finally, I like to unwind before bed with a bit of reading. I have been loving and re-reading Lauren Conrad's Beauty. I love to use books like this for a bit of blogging inspiration and this is one of my personal faves. It is also great at helping you understand different reasons as to why your skin may be acting a certain way, and as mine has been playing up a bit lately I love referring back to this for help. 

October Favourites

So another month has flown by, and it is once again time for a monthly favourites. I have been venturing outside of my normal routine in recent months, and experimenting with different eye and lip products as you will soon see.

My first favourite is skincare product from one of my favourite brands Estee Lauder. It is their Idealist Pore Minimising Serum. I think that serum is a really important part of any skincare routine, and it is always the product I see noticeable results with. This serum is quite thick, but glides onto skin really smoothly when used underneath your normal moisturiser. I find that it reduces the appearance of fine lines and pores and helps my make up go on more smoothly. I see it almost as more of a treatment version of my beloved Kiehls Microskin Blur. 

Onto make up, first up are two eye products. I have been loving Make up Revolution Redemption Palette Iconic 2. This is a pretty infamous product in the beauty blogging world due to its uncanny resemblance to the much loved Naked 2 Palette but for a fraction of the price. I love the quality of the shadows and the warm golden neutral tones which are right up my street. All of the shades are so wearble and can all be easily taken from day to night. This has no fall down below the eye and is just a great affordable palette. Need I say more? The other product is more high end and is the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil in the shade Champagne Diamonds. I remember my mum telling me at a young age that gold shadows suit blue eyes and help make them really pop and clearly my mum was right. This shimmery gold pencil is the one suggested for blue eyes and I have received so many compliments every time I have worn it. It is great on its own especially due to its speed and ease of application, but it is also great worn with the Make up Revolution Palette (this is how I have been using it mostly!). It is also perfect to use below your bottom lash line as it is not too harsh but much more subtle which is how I prefer my waterline shadow to be. 

Finally are two new lip products. I have mentioned before that I am not a massive lover of any lip products but lately I have really been experimenting and am surprised at how much I am enjoying the new looks. Okay, so I may not be fronting a bold red lip just yet, but I am definitely preferring something on my lips, whether it just be a sheer pink gloss or a sleek nude lippy to really complete my make up look. The two products I have been reaching for are the MAC Lip Lustre in Patisserie and the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk. Patisserie is a perfect 'my lips but better' pinky nude shade, but when used with Pillow Talk it really comes alive. This lip liner makes your lips appear more plump but in such a natural way. I have been using it either all over my lips, or as a liner along with Patisserie and I am really loving the results. Perhaps now I have conquered my fear of lip colours I will become slightly more adventurous so watch this space. 

Haulin'

Most of my recent purchases have been bits I have had to replace, but a couple of bits are shiny newbies. I firstly got my trusty Kiehls Micro-Blur Skin Perfector. I cannot rave about this stuff enough, it keeps my make up in place, minimises the appearance of pores and gives my skin a smooth velvety feeling. I use a pea sized blob before my make up, after my moisturiser and I highly recommend this! Especially if you have larger pores like myself. 

Next were two MAC products I recently ran out of, the brow pencil in Lingering and Prep and Prime Highlighter in Light Boost. This is the most natural looking eyebrow product I have ever used, and it also doesn't smudge off or wear away throughout the day. The prep and prime highlighter is great to use over foundation and concealer to not only brighten the under eye area, but also highlight other areas of the face. 

I purchased the Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder in the shade 101. I like to set my make up with a light powder, that doesn't provide extra coverage but prevents shine and oiliness coming through. I have used this before and loved it, but I don't know why I didn't buy it again sooner. This is a great powder if you want to set your make up but not have your skin turn flat and cakey. 

I also purchased a Laura Mercier Nail Varnish in the shade Bare Espresso which is a deep dark brown shade and perfect for Autumn. I love brown nails anyway, and this shade is so shiny and perfect for the seasonal change. I really like the formula and it applies really nicely. I used it a few days ago and haven't had any chipping yet so fingers crossed!

I also recently stocked up on some hair products. I got the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce shampoo and conditioner. This is ok, but I found that I didn't feel like I had given my hair a good wash after using it. My hair felt a little heavy and got greasy quite quickly, but to be fair my hair does that anyway. It isn't the worst I have used but I don't think I will be buying it again.

Finally, I also got the Toni & Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray. I haven't used this too much as the main reason I got it was for travelling, but the times I have used it I have enjoyed it. It leaves my hair a little crispy, but it it is a great cheaper alternative to the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray.

A Short but Sweet August Favourites

I only have a few favourites this month, not because these are the only products I am currently loving, because they're not. They are just the ones that I am reaching for on a daily basis and have been doing so for the last month. 

First is my most favouritestest favourite of the bunch. It is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. This cleanser is so light on the skin, I look forward to using it at the end of the day. It is an oily balm that turns milky when mixed with water. Oily girls, fear not, it does not make oily skin any oilier (trust me, i'm an oily skinned gal myself), it just makes your skin feel so smooth and soft. It aims to deeply cleanse pores and remove make up but this is not all. It also supposedly protects the skin and improves elasticity and firmness. What's not to love? The final great thing about this product is the smell. Chamomile and Rose. Need I say more?

Another product I have been loving this month is the Avon Make Up Setting Spray. I have been using this every day on top of my make up as the final step in my make up routine and I have definitely noticed a difference by the end of the day. Anything that helps to keep my make up in place, and save me having to top up through the day instantly becomes a favourite of mine. It is also non sticky and contains vitamins A, C and E. I know there are other popular alternatives such as the Urban Decay Setting spray, but this Avon spray only costs £6, but is on offer for £3 at the moment so grab it  here while you can! 

Onto make up, first is the No. 7 Instant Radiance Highlighter. I love a natural looking highlighter, and at first I wasn't too keen on this but now I love it. It gives you a really natural looking pinky glow with the perfect amount of shimmer. I have been using this on top of my cheekbones every day. I love the chubby stick style of this highlighter, even though I don't rub it directly onto my face, instead I rub it on my finger and then dab it onto my skin. It is only £9.95 from Boots, but they are always giving out £5 vouchers, so I only paid £4.95 for this which is a bargain.

My final monthly favourite is the Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder Oil Free. As I have mentioned a gazillion times, I have oily skin. Therefore, I cannot get away with being completely powder free. I have to at least powder my T Zone, but I really hate that cakey built up product look that so many powders cause. Enter the Clinique Sheer Pressed Powder. This is so light that it is undetectable on the skin, it just gives your skin a silky finish and removes excess oil without disturbing your make up. There are eight shades to choose from, I was matched by someone on the counter in store, and the match is so close to my skin tone. One thing I did not want was a powder with too much coverage, as I always intended to use this on top of foundation. This has definitely pipped my Laura Mercier Pressed Powder to the top spot, and it is cheaper which is an added bonus. It is not as cheap as high street brands, but at £23 I think this product is well worth it. 

Finished Products

Recently I seem to have come to the end of quite a few products, so I thought it would be fun to do a blog post on a few bits I have finished. First is the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray. I purchased this after reading a few rave reviews about it and I definitely think I will be repurchasing this. It is really great at giving your hair some added texture but also va va voom volume. As I have said before, I have really flat hair, so for me sprays like this are an everyday necessity and this did exactly what I had hoped it would do. It gave me a choppy texture and thicker looking hair in seconds. My only problem with this spray is that it does feel quite stiff in your hair, and I find makes it quite knotty. However, for the way it makes my hair look and also smell (oh the smell) it is well worth it. 

Next is my Bioderma Micellar Water. This one was only a mini because I used it when I went to Paris and Glastonbury which was so so handy. I am keeping the bottle to refill for times I go away as it is the perfect size. I don't need to go on about this because i'm sure you all know how good this is at removing make up and how gentle on the skin it is, so i'll save you another ramble about the stuff. 

I have also used up all of my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum and I have not taken the loss well. I can't justify spending £69 on skincare at the moment as I have so many other outgoings at the moment (how expensive are driving lessons can I point out here), but I am hating being without this stuff until pay day. I find that this really calms redness in my skin, and a spot has actually appeared this week - coincidence? I think not. 

Onto make up, firstly I ran out of my CHANEL Perfection Lumiere Velvet foundation in B20, but I have already repurchased this. I do have a bottle of B10 but I'm not quite ready to embrace the paleness in August, and I like to always have a B20 to hand. This stuff is great at making my skin look naturally good which is always great. I have recommended this to so many friends who now love it and cannot imagine using anything else. I prefer this to the much loved Vitalumiere Aqua, mainly because I have oily skin so need the slightly more matte effect this gives. 

I ran out of two MAC products this week, one being something I didn't mind waiting a few days to repurchase and have delivered to me, another that left me going slightly insane waiting for its arrival. First was the MAC Prep and Prime Highlighter in Light Boost. I love this stuff, and use it most days because it just makes me look so much more awake. It is also great to use if contouring and highlighting and I am planning on trying out a few of the other shades soon. The other MAC product to bite the dust this week was my Brow Pencil in the shade Lingering. I have tried so many different products to make my naturally skinny non existent brows look thicker but also natural and this is definitely my favourite. It is so soft so does not look harsh at all, and lasts all day. It has also lasted me so long but is so reasonably priced at only £13.50. My replacement for this did actually arrive this morning so my Saturday just got a whole lot better.

I have replaced a few of these products, and also made a few other sneaky purchases so will doing a haul soon!

Current Favourites

Okay, I have been out of the blogging world for a shamefully long time now. This post was originally meant to be a July favourites, but time has just flown by and now August is nearly over (what the hell!). Hopefully there won't be such a huge gap between this post and my next one, so i'll go ahead and talk about my July favourites now anyway. 

First is Lee Stafford's Big Fat Root Boost Mousse Spray. I'm a self confessed sucker for a hair product that promises volume and a little added oomph to my flat lacklustre locks, and I am also a massive Lee Stafford fan. When I therefore saw Lee Stafford haircare on a 3 for 2 in boots, I was certainly not going to walk away from the offer. One new thing I grabbed was this root boost and I am in love. A little goes a long way, and I do think that if not rubbed into the roots properly, it can go a little stiff in your hair, but this really does add a bit of va va voom to your hair. I have already purchased another bottle for when this one runs out.

Next is the St Tropez Self Tan Express Bronze Mousse. This has made its way to the top of my tanning list, and replaced my beloved Xen Tan. This tan applies so nicely and does not streak at all. It also lasts ages, I have so far found that it easily lasts me a week. It also fades so nicely, none of that streaky patchy fading with this stuff. It is pricy at £33 but so worth it!

Another haircare product is the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo. As well as being prone to flatness, my hair gets greasy very quickly. I wash it every other day, but I also have to dry shampoo it on the days I don't wash it. I do also use a lot of products on my hair throughout the week, such as the root boost, dry shampoo, texturising spray, salt spray…the list goes on. It is therefore so nice once a week (usually sunday) to use a great clarifying shampoo. This stuff really throughly cleans my hair. It isn't one to go for if you're looking for volume or shine etc, but if you just want really clean hair, this stuff is great.

Next is a rediscovered product, and it is Chanel Le Blanc. I stopped using this for a while, but lately I have been mixing it in with my moisturiser and it has been leaving a natural looking glow and dewy finish under my make up. It is also great to mix with a foundation that may be a bit too dark for you to make it a better match, or using on top of make up as a highlighter. 

Another Chanel product is the Illusion D'Ombre Eyeshadow in the shade Mirage. This is a bronze/brown shade that looks great all over the lid or in the crease. It has some shimmer to it which I like for a made up look. It's creamy, long lasting and comes with a cute little brush to apply it on the go!

Last is the Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Varnish in the shade Hip Hop. This has been my go to summer shade, and is somewhere in between a red/orange shade. These nail varnishes are really long lasting and do not chip at all which I love, because I find so few are like this for me! The brush is also great as it is as wide as your nail, so application is so quick and easy. 

T'is the season to be tanning

Okay I have to admit this is a slightly misleading blog title, because for me every season is the season to be tanning. I am naturally paler than Casper, and a little faux glow makes me feel a whole lot better about myself. However, for most of you who only need a bit of tan in the summer months, here are some recommendations of my personal faves. I consider myself a bit of a pro when it comes to tanning as its something I do at least once a week, and I have tried most of the ones out there, but I have whittled it down to a few of my favourites. 

First up is the St Tropez Self Tan Express Bronze Mousse. This tan is being raved about in the beauty blogging world at the moment and after using it I see why. Mousse's are my personal favourite choice of tanners because I find them easier to work into the skin, and they are usually coloured meaning it is much easier to see how much and where you are applying your tan. I leave this on for 3 hours which is said to give a dark tan. I don't find it that dark more medium, and I don't think that leaving it on for an hour leaves much colour at all. After washing it off, it continues to develop for 8 hours, so I like to use the day before an event, and it tends to last me 3-4 days, and fades very naturally. This is definitely more of a high end tan as it costs £33 so I tend to save this one for special occasions. 

A cheaper alternative to the Express Bronze Mousse is the Cocoa Brown One Hour Tan Mousse. This product works exactly the same way as the St Tropez, again with three different shades developing depending on whether you leave it on for 1, 2 or 3 hours. Again I also leave this one on for 3. This is a much cheaper alternative as it only costs £7.99 from feel unique. It doesn't last quite as long as the St Tropez but gives you the same great results. 

The most expensive and also the most long lasting tan I am going to mention is the Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe. This costs a whopping £40 which is a lot of money for a fake tan, but it really does last ages. I save this for if I am going away on holiday, or to a festival or something, and don't want to take tan with me so need something that will last me about a week. This is a gel like lotion formula that is meant to be applied before going to bed and then washed off in the morning, so that it is left on for around 8 hours. Don't let the word dark put you off if you are fair skinned, it leaves a much more olive tone than dark or orange. I do however have a few small complaints about this product. Firstly, for some reason it does always seem to make my hands a little orange for the first two days, so I always apply it a couple of days before going away. Secondly, it is my least favourite tan to be sitting around in as I find it to be quite greasy and tacky. Despite that though, this tan really does last longer than any other I have used, usually for about 6-7 days and fades really naturally also.

If I haven't bothered to tan properly for something, and I just want some instant colour, I always use the Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan Matte in the shade light. This costs £6.99, lasts ages, and is water resistant. I have sometimes showered quickly and this has actually stayed on so it's great for times when you haven't gone all out on your tan. Only a small amount of this is needed, and I recommend the shade light as this can come out quite dark. 

Finally, is another instant tan the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in Light Glow, which is a spray on tan. This tan is make up for your legs, but I actually sometimes use it all over. It conceals bruises, cellulite, veins, pores and any other leg imperfections you may have going on. It leaves your legs looking so smooth and gives them a beautiful shimmery glow. Again I use the shade light as it can be quite dark. This is also great to use on top of tan on your legs if you have your legs out and really want them to look perfect. This does need to be quite fiercely scrubbed off in the shower if you want to remove it though as it stays on pretty well and is also water resistant. This only costs £9.99 which I think is so much less than it is worth.