Brands I Want To Try in 2017

Long time, no see! I have been essentially buried under uni deadlines so I do apologise for leaving this place rather abandoned but hopefully I should be back posting again more regularly *fingers crossed* Anyway we may be in March already but I am still talking about the fact that it is 2017! Being a beauty hoarder enthusiast, I am always looking at new products and brands to try. Despite trying so many products, there is still plenty of brands that I am desperate to try out so I thought I would share what is next on my wishlist…

Estee Lauder 

Estee Lauder is such a classic beauty brand yet their makeup line has always seemed to be under my radar. They have so many classic cult products including the ever so popular Double Wear foundation, yet I am still yet to delve into the brand. I have actually already made a purchase, being the Double Wear Brush-On Glow BB Highlighter so this brand will quickly be ticked off my list. However, there is still many products I would love to get my hands on!

Products to try: Double Wear Light Foundation, Pure Colour Envy Sculpting Lipstick, Pure Colour Envy Blush (ooo that ombre!) and DayWear BB creme.

Tom Ford 

If there is one beauty brand I’ve been desperate to try for far too long it is Tom Ford. I mean who wouldn’t want one of those luxurious products in their stash!? The entire range from packaging to colour range is stunning although does come with a very steep price tag which is the main reason I haven’t caved yet! However, there is just far too many positive reviews on the brand and a tube of TF lippy would really look the part on my dressing table…

Products to try: Matte Lip Colour, Eye Colour Quad (Nude Dip looks gorgeous!) and Nail Lacquer (African Violet is top of the wishlist!)

Giorgio Armani 

Another luxurious brand that I have heard so much about is Armani. Again the range simply looks the part as you would expect from the luxury brand. They also have a great range of unique products that could certainly be welcomed into my makeup collection. Again their products are pricey but the brand always appear to have nailed it on quality!

Products to try: Eye Tint, Lip Magnet, Lip Maestro, and Power Fabric foundation.

Dior

There seems to be a luxury theme to this list, apologies, I really am the worst influence on my bank account! Again I’ve heard so much about the amazing Dior makeup range yet I still have not managed to try anything out! Their products are also gorgeous to look at which is always nice! From their bases to their lip collection, there is so many hyped cult products that I just need to get my hands on!

Products to try: Addict Lip Glow, Creme De Rose Lip Balm, Nude BB Cream and Star Fluid foundation.

What brands would you like to try?

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December Favourites

2016 may be so last year but before we get too focused on the excitement of the new year, it is time to go back and look at my favourites from the month of December. From a month of constant festivities, expect a lot of glitter…

Starting with the more sparkly additions in my stash lately that have been the front of my makeup routine in December, Mac pigments are always my favourite products to bring out for any sort of party season! I am always super excited about the limited edition Mac holiday pigment sets that are released each year and this year was no different. this time around I picked up the Bronze set. The set includes three pigments and one glitter in a range of gorgeous bronze-y shades. They create such an impact on the eyes and have such a gorgeous finish. My favourites are Stardream, and Handsome Prince. For Christmas, I also I added to my pigment collection with the addition of Kitschmas which is totally different to anything else I own. It is a gorgeous pearly shimmering pink! Only a recent addition but still one I am already loving!

Continuing with eye makeup, there has also been a new mascara love recently! To help achieve thick voluminous lashes perfect for the party season, Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes has proved to be a winner. This mascara is responsible for creating a full on look of thickened and lengthened lashes! The only issue with this mascara is that as the formula is pretty wet it does smudge easy which is a pain but the impact it creates makes it worth it!

To create the ultimate party look, I can’t be without a good highlight. Becca is my go-to highlighter brand and I knew before trying the Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector that I would love it and of course I did! I love liquid highlighters as they create such a gorgeous natural but glowy look. This shade works perfectly too with my pale skin!

On to lip products, I was super excited to see that Jeffree Star is now stocked on Beauty Bay making it really accessible in the UK! I picked up two of the liquid lipsticks in the shades Doll Parts and Gemini. The two shades are so gorgeous and super wearable, Doll Parts in particular is a shade I’ve wanted for so long. The formula is also easy and comfortable to wear! The shade range for the collection is impressive so these definitely won’t be my last liquid lipsticks from the brand!

Lastly, I mentioned this in my Beauty discoveries from 2016 post here, which already says a lot about this product! It is of course the By Terry Baume De Rose Lip Gloss. I wanted to try this for the longest time and I am now so happy I have. It is such a lovely moisturising balm with a pretty light pink sheen. The perfect no-makeup makeup!

What beauty products have you been loving lately?

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The Best Beauty Discoveries of 2016: Part 2

Being a lipstick hoarder, naturally I had to have a separate 2016 favourites post dedicated just to lip products. This is part two of my yearly favourites, so if you missed my first part then you can catch up here on all my other beauty favourites. Back to the the topic of lipstick however, my favourite, there is a few different products I want to discuss from liquid lipsticks, lipsticks and lip balms which have made my year. Honestly, I could’ve maybe added more options to this post but I thought I would keep it streamlined to mention my top ultimate lip products from the year so here we go..

Starting with liquid lipsticks, 2016 has officially been the year of liquid lipstick. It seems like every brand has their own version of a liquid lipstick with so many to choose from now. There were quite a few I tried this year and particularly ones I hadn’t previously tried out. Kat Von D finally came to the UK this year (finally!) and of course I had to nab a couple of her ever popular everlasting liquid lipsticks. I have a few shades from the range including both Lovesick and Mother (pictured) and they are so gorgeous. Lovesick in particular is such a great everyday shade but also super unique too as well as having a great wearable formula.

Another liquid lipstick that won me over is from the Mac Retro Matte range, in particular Lady Be Good. I heard a lot of mixed reviews regarding these matte liquid lipsticks however I am obsessed with this one. The formula is super comfortable as well as having an amazing doe foot applicator which is spongy and shaped perfectly to fit the lips. The colour is a beautiful peachy nude shade, perfect for everyday wear. With new shades of these being released, I definitely need to try more!

In terms of lipsticks, I fell in love with two new formulas. Firstly, lipstick queen Charlotte Tilbury when I finally tried her KISSING range out, in particular the shade Bitch Perfect. This is my perfect nude, a beautiful light peachy pink and the most comfortable creamy formula. Major Love! A new release this year came from Urban Decay when they revamped their lipstick range, introducing the vice collection of 100 lipsticks. With so many to choose from, I settled for the shade Backtalk which I am so glad I did. It is definitely one of my favourite lipstick shades, a beautiful cool toned rosy mauve shade in a comfortable matte formula. Definitely one I recommend!

Lastly, moving on to lip balm/glosses. I found a lip balm this year that I truly do not know what I would do without in my beauty stash! It is the Instant Light Lip Perfecting Base from Clarins. This works as a treat as my go-to lipstick base as it helps hydrate my lips before layering on the heavy liquid lipsticks. I honestly don’t find matte lipsticks uncomfortable at all, yes even the Mac Retro Matte range as this seems to work so well as if I am wearing nothing on my lips. A truly ground-breaking product in my stash!

Lastly, a newer product in my stash but still one I am already obsessed with. A lip gloss/balm hybrid. the By Terry Baume De Rose Lip Gloss. A special holiday release, this is essentially a pearly lip glossy version of their cult balm, except with a texture much like a balm in that it isn’t overly sticky like a gloss which I love. I always wanted to try the original so I am super excited to be able to try this and since I’ve been loving it, I desperately want the original in my stash! It is such a great minimal makeup option, a beautiful glossy nude pink shade.

What are your top lip products from 2016?

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The Best Beauty Discoveries of 2016: Part 1

The final fortnight of 2016 is upon us! So what better way to end the year than to discuss all of my favourite new beauty discoveries from the year. As of course there is many products to discuss, I have split this post into two so a lip product favourites will also follow this blog post on Friday!

Firstly, starting with face products I’ve been loving this year. The Mac Prep + Prime Highlighter in Light Boost has been my go-to for under eye concealing for its brightening properties. The twist pen style pen highlighter is super easy and convenient. In terms of bronzing and highlighting, I’ve found two products that I know will be long term favourites of mine! The first is the Too Faced Sweethearts bronzer which is only a fairly new addition to my stash but I am already obsessed with its glowy effect and pigmentation. Of course I also had to mention a Becca highlighter as they truly are incredible products. I love all the shades I’ve tried but in particular I am obsessed with Champagne Pop, the ultimate pigmented gold-y peachy glow.

In terms of tools, I had to mention the beauty blender. By far one of the best discoveries for me this year! I have became such a convert to the beauty blender and it is now my go-to for applying my base products. It creates the most flawless fresh base and makes even some of my poorer foundations sit better.

Moving on to eyes, for the brows there have been two products that I’ve been loving. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pomade has been a long year favourite of mine, it is super easy to use whilst creating defined and long lasting brows. More recently, I’ve been enjoying the newer release of the Goof Proof Brow Pencil from Benefit. The twist up pencil is super easy to use and creates a minimal soft brow.

Other eye product shout-outs go to the Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara which has became a big favourite of mine this year. It has been my go-to mascara for creating voluminous and lengthened lashes. I’ve also got back into rocking eyeliner recently since I discovered the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner which is worth all the praise and hype it gets! It is incredibly pigmented and the fine nib makes it super easy to use. Lastly, the Too Faced Sweet Peach palette (which is back in stock!!) also deserves a lot of love. The Too Faced shadows are amazing quality but this palette also offers a dreamy and unique shade range!

What are your top products from 2016?

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Winter Skincare Essentials

Skincare is something I adore as much as my makeup collection yet I’ve not spoke so much about it on the blog. However with Winter making a strong appearance lately, I thought it was appropriate to share some of the products I’ve been relying on recently to help give my skin the moisture and hydration much needed in the cold weather!

Moisturiser – Origins GinZing and Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins

Moisturiser is obviously a must have at this time of year! However there is a few that have been particularly floating my boat recently! Both from Origins who fyi have amazing moisturisers, for day time, I have been loving their GinZing option as it is incredibly hydrating. Appropriately names ‘Energy boosting’, it essential is a boost of life with its coffee bean formulation. For night, I have been loving their night cream which is again refreshing on the skin without being too heavy.

Toner – Pixi Glow Tonic

To help ex-foliate my skin to get rid of any dry patches and to also help brighten my skin, I love this cult Pixi product. It is feels refreshing on the skin whilst doing its job of clearing and evening out of the skin.

Eye Cream – Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream 

My under eyes can get pretty dry and to combat it, I love this Kiehl’s eye cream. It is incredibly rich and creamy and offers an amazing boost of hydration for under the eyes. I couldn’t be without this, great for those who have dryness!

Facial Mist – The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist

With the heating on full blast, my skin can feel super parched and I just need something to quickly refresh my skin. That is where a good facial mist can come into play! There is so many available on the market but one of my favourites is this budget friendly option from the Body Shop which gives my skin a quick re-boost and spray of hydration!

Lip Balm/Oil – Clarins Lip Oil 

Lip Balm/oil is such a must at this time of year as I always seem to ger dry lips in the Winter time. I am obsessed with the Clarins Lip Oils as they are super hydrating on the lips without being overly sticky!

What are your Winter essentials?

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The Christmas Party Makeup

It’s the season of red lips and glitter, my favourite! I had a Christmas party last weekend so thought I was the perfect excuse to show some of my top picks for the party season. Expect the standard cliché red lips, glitter and lots of highlighter!

In terms of base, I like to go for something I can trust to be long wearing and provide the coverage! Of course I opted for my trusty Nars Sheer Glow along with my usual concealer combo of the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and Mac Prep + Prime highlighter in Light Boost. To top it off, I applied a light layer of the Chanel Les Beiges powder to keep things in place!

To add more warmth to my skin, I bronzed up with the Too Faced Sweethearts bronzer which I love! I then added more definition with the Kevin Aucoin sculpting powder and topped it off with a lot of the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed highlighter in Pearl because if you can’t have go overboard with highlighter at Christmas, when can you!?

For eyes, the Mac pigments came out to play! I picked up the Bronze set from holiday collection, using the a combination of both Stardream and Handsome Prince. Of course I added some liner using my favourite Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. I finished my eyes with the Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant mascara.

Finally, I obviously finished with some red lips for the ultimate Christmas party look using Mac Russian Red.

What are your party picks?

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Nars Sarah Moon Holiday 2016 Collection

Nars is without a doubt one of, if not, my favourite makeup brand. Everything I try from the brand excels in quality with a great shade range and selection to chose from as well as the uber sleek packaging. When it comes round to Christmas, Nars are always on top form with their amazing holiday collections and this year was no exception. This year’s collection was based around Sarah Moon, a French photographer with packaging inspired by her work. Instead of the usual gift sets that I am always going for, this year the colour collection appealed to me again.

I picked up two products from the colour collection, an eyeshadow duo and a lipstick. Starting with the eyeshadow pick, I have always had my eye on some of the Nars eyeshadow duos but never picked one up. When I caught my eye on Quai Des Brumes, I just had to pick it up, isn’t limited edition products such a great marketing trick! The duo features two grey toned shades, one a silvery mauve lilac shimmer shade and the other a charcoal grey with specks of gold shimmer. The shades are super unique, particularly the shimmer shade and they both work so beautifully together. They are both amazingly pigmented too however one problem I have with the duo is the longevity. These shadows seem to disappear in no time on my lids! I may have to try out a few different primers because the shades are too beautiful to not use!

The other product I picked up was a lipstick (of course!). The collection features a selection of the slim Nars lipsticks which I had not previously tried. Named the Moon Matte lipsticks, I picked up the nude shade Indecent Proposal. The colour is my perfect shade, a gorgeous warm rosy nude brown which a matte finish. What I love the most about this lipstick however is the incredible formula. For being a matte lipstick, it is incredibly creamy and comfortable. Probably one of the best matte formulas I’ve came across!

Are you a fan of this collection?

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November Favourites

I have been in such a routine with my beauty products recently that I haven’t been trying too many new products or changing much up. However with Winter making an appearance lately I have been changing a couple of products in my skincare routine that I have been enjoying. So here is what I’ve been loving this month…

Starting briefly with makeup which surprisingly is in the minority this time around! I only have two makeup picks, although really one… If you follow me on Instagram then you may have seen my recent Too Faced purchase. I had some Debenhams points to use up and I had wanted to get my hands on the Too Faced Sweethearts bronzer for far too long so felt like the perfect opportunity! Shaped like a heart, Too Faced standard pretty packaging, it has two halves of a lighter and darker bronze-y shade in a shimmery baked formula. It reminds me slightly of the Hourglass bronzers but a fraction of the price and a much lighter shade. The shimmer is also not too over the top and just the right amount. It has great pigmentation and creates such a lovely sculpting effect on the skin which I love.

To apply my Too Faced Bronzer,  I have been enjoying using my new Eco Tools Blending and Bronzing brush. I picked this up from Love Me Beauty as part of their subscription service. This is actually the first time I’ve tried Eco Tools brushes but I am already loving this brush. It works perfectly with the bronzer in that it is the perfect size and works great when applying.

Moving on to skin-body care products, my skin has felt so dehydrated lately that I’ve been looking to nourish and hydrate my skin so I have changed up a couple of products in my routine. Now and again, I’ve been opting for the Emma Hardie Cleansing balm as my second cleanse as it is super nourishing on the skin. It is such a great option for Winter skin and now I am desperate to get my hands on more cleansing balms! Another skincare product I’ve changed up is my moisturiser, again there has been times when my skin has been craving more hydration and the Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser is the perfect product for dehydrated skin. I mentioned this on my repurchase list post, it is such a great moisturiser and I definitely need to pick up the full size!

Lastly, I have been loving the Snow Fairy body conditioner from Lush which I mentioned in my post here. I am such a fan of the original Snow Fairy scent that I knew I would love this. It is much more subtle but has such a gorgeous luxurious texture that is just perfect for this time of year!

Have you tried any of these products?

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The Holiday Beauty Wishlist

Whilst this time of year is super exciting for buying gifts for your close ones and all the festive treats, it is also nice to give yourself a little treat! Being a beauty lover, I get so hyped for the holiday season as all the holiday Christmas collections and gift sets are released! That means little sets which can help save extra pennies in your pocket and also new limited edition collections. Of course you can’t beat festive beauty with sparkly gold eye-shadows and red lip products! With loads of new releases and gift sets available, I thought I would share what is on my list to pick up this year which may also give you a little hint for yourself or if you are picking up a gift for a makeup enthusiast!

Last year, I picked up a mini set from Becca containing two of their popular highlighters in the Opal shade. This year they have brought it back in the same format with a mini liquid highlighter and mini powder version however this time around it is in the Moonstone shade which I have never tried. As you may know I am a huge fan of the Becca highlighters so this little set retailing for £20 is such a steal and I can’t wait to try out this beautiful shade!

I’ve always wanted to try the cult By Terry Baume De Rose lip balm but it is a pricey purchase! However luckily they have released a special festive edition in a lip gloss form. Retailing at £20 it is pricey but still a fraction of the original price and gives you a little trial of the ever so popular balm!

Moving on to Nars, one of my favourite beauty brands who always deliver such a great range over the festive period. This year was no different! The collection this year focuses around Sarah Moon and her photography work which features on the packaging. Whilst there is a great set of gift sets available, I am all about the colour collection. I have two products on my list, the first being this gorgeous matte nude lipstick which looks like my perfect shade! The other is an eyeshadow duo in the shade Quai Des Brumes which features two gorgeous shades with a shimmery lavender-grey and a charcoal grey with specks of shimmer. The two duos available are both gorgeous although I do prefer this one for its smoky look!

Lastly, Jouer have released a trio of their popular liquid lipsticks in three winter appropriate shades! Retailing at £31.50, this trio is near enough buy one get one free and offers three beautiful colours! There is a gorgeous cranberry red, a pink-y nude and an intense shimmery burgundy which I would love to try out! This set will have your winter lip wardrobe sorted and for that reason I may just have to pick this up!

What’s on your holiday beauty wishlist?

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