The Four Lipsticks I'll Be Wearing All Autumn

As soon as the seasons change, so do the colours on my lips. One of my favourite things about Autumn is getting to wear my most loved lipsticks again that really complement the season. I have always favoured bolder lip colours over nudes as they make such a statement and look so flattering against my dark hair and pale skin. With that being said, I thought I would share with you all my favourite lipsticks that I'll be wearing over the next few months.

MAC Lipstick in Heroine (£15.50)

This is a very adventurous and eye catching shade that won't appeal to everyone, but I think it's really wearable and pretty as it has the slightest hint of pink, just with a little more edge. This is the only matte formula I own from the brand, it glides on to the lips effortlessly without any tugging and has a lovely creamy consistency which surprised me. I always keep my outfit quite plain and the rest of my make up minimal when I wear this so that the lipstick is the main focus of my look. It's such a unique colour and I just love how it brings out my brown eyes too.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl (£19.00)

You can't beat a classic red lip, it's sexy, glamorous and looks good all year round. I got Dragon Girl as a birthday present back in April and it's been my most worn lip product ever since. The lip pencil formula is designed to allow the precision of a lip pencil and applies effortlessly over the lips, leaving a matte and long wearing finish. I like to apply some lip balm over the top just to keep my lips moisturised because my lips get so dry and chapped this time of year. It's the perfect shade of red for me and I love how it instantly boosts my complexion! I'd actually like to get my hands on a few more of these as this is the only one I have currently.

MAC Lipstick in Rebel (£15.50)

Even though this is not my most worn shade, it's definitely my absolute favourite to wear at this time of year. It's pretty daring and for someone that prefers a more natural look, but if you love bold shades that make a statement, Rebel is the one for you. I first purchased Rebel around this time last year when I was looking for the perfect A/W shade and I've been obsessed with it ever since. It's a gorgeous deep purple shade with hints of berry, which really stands out against my fair skin. The formula is very creamy so it does tend to fade fairly quickly, especially if you are eating or drinking, but I still love it and the finish is just beautiful. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose (£17)

I really like these crayon style lip products and this one from Clinique is a firm favourite. Roomiest Rose is a super lovely and wearable bright pinky-red shade that is perfect for every day wear. It's definitely the least striking of the bunch, which makes it perfect for days when I'm going for a more natural look but still want my lips to stand out.  I love how moisturised these Chubby Sticks leave my lips; they make them look and feel so soft and nourished. 

What do you think of these shades?

Date Night Make Up

Date nights are my favourite kind of nights to get all dressed up for and experiment with different make up looks. At the moment this look is my absolute favourite and I can't see myself getting bored of it anytime soon. I usually keep my eye make up pretty minimal, but I've finally mastered the feline flick after months of practise and I just love how it looks with red lips - it's such a classic look. I've listed all the products I used to create this look below, let me know what you think in the comments!

FACE :

- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light (£25)

- Jouer Matte Moisture Tint in the shade Porcelain (£30)

- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Chantilly (£22)

- Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot (£12)

- MAC Pro Longwear Blush in the shade Rosey Outlook (£20)

EYES :

- Benefit They're Real! Mascara (£19.50)

- Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen Carbon Black Extreme (£6)

- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in the shade Ebony (£17)

- Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (£20)

LIPS :

- NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl

What make up do you love to wear on a date night?

Make Up For Oily Skin

After clearing out my muji drawers recently, I realised I've gathered quite the collection of make up aimed at controlling my oily skin. Here are a few of my favourites...

Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Make Up Setting Spray (£21)

This is the only setting spray I have tried so I can't compare it to any others, but it's become a staple in my make up routine. The formula aims to prevent make up from fading over the course of the day, while controlling oil and shine. I spray this all over my face in a criss cross style three or four times after applying my make up; it feels really light and refreshing on the skin and only takes a few seconds to dry. My make up still looks freshly applied, even after hours of wear and in warm weather too. I've had this bottle for almost a year and it's still going strong, I highly recommend investing in a bottle of this if you have oily skin.

Jouer Cosmetics Matte Moisture Tint (£30)

This has to be one of my most loved and talked about products, it really is perfect skin in a tube! I'm a big fan of light formulas that offer buildable coverage when it comes to my choice of base, it blends seamlessly into the skin to even out imperfections, resulting in a dewy matte finish that lets my actual skin show through. The oil free formula keeps my complexion shine free and contains antioxidants that allow my congested skin to breathe. I have just purchased my fourth tube of this, no other moisture tint has impressed me as much as this one!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Make Up (£29.50)

If you prefer a bit more coverage but without the cakeyness, you can't wrong with this foundation. The long wearing formula offers medium to full coverage that looks natural and stays fresh all day - I don't have to touch up my make up as often when I'm wearing this. When I really need my base to last this is what I always reach for as it let's my skin breathe while managing to keep my complexion looking fresh all day. The formula is oil free and non-comedogenic too so it won't clog your pores. 

NARS Radient Creamy Concealer  (£22)

Even though I mainly use this to cover the dark circles under my eyes, I also use this to mask any imperfections such as redness. I didn't give in to the hype when this was first released, but it really is as incredible as everyone says. The coverage is second to none but doesn't look heavy on the skin and lasts all day on my oily complexion. The doe applicator make touch ups effortless too, so it's a perfect handbag essential. 

Benefit POREfesional  (£9.99)
I got really excited when I spotted the mini version of this in Boots - not only is it super cute but the smaller tube makes it more handbag friendly and much more affordable to repurchase. This is my favourite primer for minimising the appearance of my pores; the pores on my nose are my biggest skin complaint, but a few dabs of this completely diminishes their appearance and smooths out my skin, whilst controlling oil and making my skin look flawless. It's a product I never leave the house without and is perfect for touch ups throughout the day. 

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light (£25)
This offering from Smashbox is the answer to all my primer needs! I've tried and tested several primers, but this is the one I always come back to. It's incredibly smoothing and only a pea sized amount is needed to create a smooth matte finish that lasts all day. The gel like texture feels cooling when applied and my complexion looks balanced and perfected. This is one of the best primers I've come across in terms of oil control and it keeps my make up looking fresher for longer.

Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot (£12)
An oil controlling powder is one of my most essential products and my make up never feels complete without a dusting of powder. This oil free powder works to remove excess oil and shine, leaving the skin looking beautifully matte and fresh. It's so light and feels weightless on the skin, so you don't have to worry about a chalky finish with this powder as it gives a smooth, natural finish. The price tag is also equally pleasing. 

Have you tried any of these products? What are your top make up picks for oily skin?

Disapointing Products

It's not often that I come across make up and skin care that I really don't like- mainly because I do a lot of research into products before buying them and read lots of reviews, so most of the time I'm left more than happy with my beauty purchases. Everyone is different though and not every product is going to please every person that uses it, so while I was having a clear out recently and came across this handful of products, I thought it would be a good idea to share with you all why they left me feeling unimpressed.

The first of two primers that have left me disappointed is the MAC Prep+Prime Skin (£21). I bought this online as I thought it would be similar to the brands Prep+Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment, which works incredibly well to smooth out the texture of my skin and keep my complexion shine free for hours. I was expecting the same results (if not better) from this primer, but what I didn't know is that it leaves your skin looking glittery and shimmery, which just looked ridiculous on me! When it comes to my base I love a natural looking finish, so even though it smoothed over my skin and provided a good base for my make up, the glittery-ness (is that a word?) of this product ruined it for me.

I was similarly let down by the Jouer Essential Matte Touch (£18), a colourless balm-like skin perfecter that aims to degrease the skin and diminish the appearance of pores. I am always on the look out for products that will control shine and give my skin a natural looking matte appearance, so the idea of a balm intrigued me. Unfortunately though this is such a difficult product to use - because it's a balm it's such an effort to apply to the skin and it barely did a thing for my pores. I would say this works in the same way as oil blotting paper, it does absorb oil but that's about it- there are so many other products out there that work so much better than this. 

Despite Origins being one of my favourite skin care brands, I wasn't that keen on their Clear Improvement Mask (£23) - I swear I think I'm the only person out there that doesn't like this! Even though the product description sounds perfect for my congested skin, I never seen much of a difference to my complexion at all - my pores still looked clogged and overall my skin didn't look any healthier either. I've used this mask several times as I really wanted to love it, but it just doesn't work nearly as well as other face masks I've used where I see results instantly. 

Another product that didn't agree with my skin is the The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion (£12). As someone with oily skin, I can be very picky when it comes to moisturisers and sadly this one just didn't impress me. It sounded perfect for me, but I didn't like the texture or the scent of this at all. I found the texture quite thick for a moisturiser that claims to be lightweight, and it didn't absorb well into my skin either. It's not often that skin care from The Body Shop disappoints me, but this is one product I won't be purchasing again. 

Lastly, as much as I love Topshop nail polishes and have quite the collection of them, I thought the Matte Nails in Prince Blue Blood (£6) was just terrible. It didn't apply properly and I had to apply quite a few coats of this for the colour to show up on my nails. To top it off, the finish looked horrible and cheap- it looked like I had painted my nails with blue tipp-ex! I didn't even give this a second chance because I hated the results so much the first time round.  I don't think matte nails are for me. 

Have you been disappointed by any of these products? Or have you tried any of them and loved them?

My Current Base

I've been loving my current base at the moment, it's fuss-free and perfect for every day, so I thought it would be a great idea to share with you all the products I've been using. I love a natural looking base which lets my actual skin show through, and these products help me achieve the complexion I've always dreamed of. 

I start by prepping my skin with the L'Oreal Infallible Mattifying Primer (£7.99), a new release from the brand that I'm really impressed with! I find it very similar to the Smashbox photo finish primer, the only difference is that it's so much more affordable. It's incredibly smoothing and really helps to even out my skin before I apply make up, leaving my complexion with a velvety, matte finish that lasts all day, while keeping my make up looking fresher for longer. This is one to check out if you have an oily skin type, I promise you won't be disappointed.

I must admit I've been struggling to use anything but the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£30) for months now, it's just perfect skin in a tube! It's everything I need from a base- it's really creamy and blends seamlessly into the skin, covering all imperfections, pores and redness without looking cakey. I wear the shade 'Porcelain' which is a perfect match for my fair skin, but they have a good range of shades to suit darker skin tones too. If you've been following my blog for a while you're probably getting bored of me talking about it, but this is one of my most loved products and I can't stop raving about it. 

To cover my dark circles and any other imperfections, it's a job for the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22). I didn't give in to the hype around this concealer until recently, but it really is as incredible as everyone says. I use this on my under eye area and to mask any redness around my nose - the coverage is second to none but doesn't look heavy or obvious on the skin, it blends seamlessly and becomes one with the rest of my make up. The doe applicator makes touch ups a doddle too, so it's a perfect hand bag staple. 


I finish off my base with a dusting of an old favourite of mine, the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder (£23). My make up never feels complete without a dusting of powder to set everything in place, I actually forgot I had this until I recently found it hiding in my Muji drawers! I use a big fluffy brush to apply this all over my face, it's not chalky like some powders, so leaves a lovely matte finish that is so natural looking. 

What products make up your base? Have you tried any of these products?

Benefit They're Real! Mascara

My make up never feels complete without lashings and lashings of mascara; I just love big fluttery lashes, it really completes my look and draws so much attention to my eyes. I've always been a big fan of Benefit mascaras, the brands BADgal Lash was the first high end mascara I ever tried and I always remember being so amazed at the difference it made to my lashes. The beauty blogging world  seems to be obsessed with the brands new release at the moment - Roller Lash, and I was tempted to give it a go too but I've wanted to try They're Real (£19.50) for the longest time, so I went with my instincts and picked this one up instead. 

It's easy to see why this mascara has been the number one selling mascara in the UK for the last two years, it's pretty impressive! It's incredibly easy to use, the bristles on the specially designed brush lengthen, curl, separate and pump up the the lashes resulting in a wide eyed look - it really does do it all. The brush grabs every lash, even the tricky ones at the corners of the eye, making lash building quick and effortless. I like to apply quite a few coats of this to create the look I want, taking my time to apply the mascara in a zig zag motion. The long wearing formula doesn't smudge or flake, and I can apply as many coats as I wish to make my lashes look more bold without any clumping. 

This mascara is truly amazing, I couldn't believe the difference it made to my lashes, they look so much longer and fuller and stay curled all day. There's not a clump in sight and gives my lashes this incredible 'doll eyed' effect which I just adore. They look so pretty and fluttery, it's given my lashes such a boost! Most days mascara is the only make up I use on my eyes , and this one really defines them, making them look so much bigger and more awake.

Have you tried this mascara?

A Cult Beauty Haul

One of my favourite places to shop for beauty products and discover new ones is Cult Beauty - if you haven't heard of it, it's a website that stocks high end beauty brands where the products have been tested and recommended by industry experts. I've never been disappointed by anything I've purchased from this site and I've found products that have simply amazed me. I had to make an order after a  couple of my trusty products started to run low, it ended up being quite a small but pricey order!

The first thing I added to my basket was the Odacite Clogged Pores Booster Serum (£22), a product I've had my eye on for a while. Don't be put off by the expensive price tag for this teeny tiny bottle, you don't need much and oils last forever! It basically works by binding to sebum blockages and embedded skin impurities to help minimise blackheads and blemishes, while flushing out all those skin toxins. I've been using this at night along with my night cream, and a few times a week as a more intensive treatment by massaging it directly into my skin. It smells beautiful and contains natural ingredients such as lavender, which has anti-bacterial properties to help combat the nasties that contribute towards skin imperfections, and jojoba oil which help to balance the skin and prevents excess oil production. My skin has been looking so much clearer since I introduced this into my evening skin care routine, it's one to check out if you have far from perfect skin.

The next product I added was the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£30), which is hands down my favourite ever base. This is my third tube of this lovely stuff and I can't get enough of it! The oil free formula contains antioxidants that allow congested skin to breathe, and it blends seamlessly into the skin to even out imperfections giving a dewy, matte finish that let’s my actual skin show through. This is seriously dream skin in a tube, the finish is just beautiful and gives me the complexion I've always dreamed of. I have a combination/oily skin type so my make up does tend to slide off after a few hours and my skin can feel quite greasy too, but this keeps my skin feeling fresh and comfortable all day, while keeping my complexion looking matte and shine free.

Lastly, another repurchase was the Anastasia Berverly Hills Brow Powder Duo (£17) as I finished my first one last week and I honestly can't live without it! Powder is definitely my preferred method of eyebrow application, I find it looks much more natural and is really easy to work with. I get so many compliments on my brows and it's all thanks to this duo -my natural brows aren't my best feature, but this transforms them into beautifully natural looking defined brows. I apply the powder using an angled brush to fill in any gaps and enhance my natural shape to make them look fuller and more defined. There are eleven colour ways available, I use the shade Ebony and the two complimentary colours blended together create the perfect match for me. 

What do you think of my latest purchases? Have you tried any of these?

New Make up Additions

A few new products have made their way into my make up collection recently, so I thought I would share my latest purchases with you all.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara (£19.50)
I managed to get this for only £10 as I had built up quite a lot of points on my Debenhams Beauty card which I was really chuffed about! Benefit can do no wrong in my eyes and I knew I was going to love this mascara even before I tried it. This mascara creates volume, length and beautiful fluttery eyelashes in an instant, without a clump in sight. I'll be reviewing this mascara in full very soon so keep your eyes peeled.

MAC Eye Shadow in Jest (£13)
This isn't technically new as I bought this eye shadow when I was in Paris a few months ago (you can read about my trip here), but I've only just started using it so I thought I would include it in this post.  I've never been a big fan of eye shadows, I don't really like wearing too much eye make up as I always feel too done up, but this shade is so wearable and pretty! It looks darker in the pan, but once applied it creates the most beautiful and subtle shimmer. It's a shade that I can't imagine not suiting anyone, it's definitely one to add to your make up collection.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22)
My favourite purchase out of all my new make up  has to be this concealer; the lightweight formula hides dark circles and other imperfections like a dream, and the creamy texture blends seamlessly into the skin becoming one with the rest of my make up.  The clever formula is very hydrating and also has light diffusing technology, which reflects light and makes my eyes look bright and beautiful. It creates such a gorgeous, flawless finish, I don't have a bad thing to say about it!

Bobbi Brown Blush in Apricot (£19)
This one I'm not too sure about; when I tried it in store I loved it, but when I got home it looked completely different! It's a gorgeous colour and the formula is incredible, but I just don't think it compliments my pale complexion. It's a fairly dark pinky/red so I think it would look more flattering on darker skin tones. I'm going to California over the summer and I know once my tan develops this will look lovely on. 

Have you tried any of these?

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Say hello to a new favourite of mine, the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22). I'm a bit late to the party with this one- mainly because I've been loyal to my Clinique Airbrush concealer for the best part of a year and more than pleased with the results, so I didn't see the need to try this one, even though I wanted to. So when my Clinique concealer ran out a few weeks ago, it gave me the perfect excuse to introduce the NARS concealer to my make up collection. There's been a lot of hype surrounding this in the beauty blogging community and I've read some incredible reviews , so my expectations were pretty high.

This light reflecting, long wearing concealer aims to hide shadows and even out the complexion, resulting in a beautiful flawless finish. It comes with a doe foot applicator which makes application effortless, I just dab on a small amount and the creamy texture blends seamlessly into the skin and doesn't cake or crease one bit. In terms of coverage it's really impressive, I often have to use a colour correcting product along with a concealer to hide my dark circles, but not with this. I was matched to the shade Chantilly which is the lightest shade available, and as well as using it under my eyes, I use it to cover any redness and other imperfections too. The lightweight formula feels hydrating and also has light diffusing technology, which really helps to transform my tired looking eyes, making them look brighter and more awake. Perfect for when you want to look like you've had eight hours sleep! 

This concealer is pretty much perfect in every way, there's nothing I don't love about it and I'm so happy it lived up to my expectations! Have you tried this?

MAC Lipstick in Heroine

I was really excited when MAC announced they would be collaborating with Lorde to create a limited edition lipstick - Pure Heroine. She is the only artist they have joined forces with in recent years that has made me want to rush out and buy the product. Since it's release though I've not managed to get my hands on one, it seems to be sold out everywhere I look! On my last attempt to find one in my local MAC store I was unlucky again, but ended up picking up the shade Heroine - the best selling shade in which Pure Heroine takes inspiration from. 

Heroine (£15.50) is an eye catching, bright purple with a matte finish. As adventurous as it looks, I think it's really wearable and feminine as it has the slightest hint of pink, but with a little more edge. This is the first matte formula I've tried from the brand, I was so impressed from first use how it glides onto the lips effortlessly without any tugging, or makes my lips look or feel dry and parched. It actually has a surprisingly creamy consistency and leaves my lips feeling wonderfully soft. I love the way this colour brings out my brown eyes and compliments my fair skin, but I think this shade would also look great on a variety of people. 

The thing to remember when wearing a shade as bold as this is to keep the rest of your make up minimal, then you can't go wrong. I also make sure when I wear this that my outfit is quite plain and simple too so that the lipstick is the main focus. This certainly isn't a shade that will appeal to everyone, but if you love a lipstick that makes a statement this is one for you. 

What do you think of Heroine?

The Perfect Priming Duo for Oily Skin

Nothing makes your complexion look more flawless and perfected than a good primer. In the past few years I've tried and tested my fair share of them, but I've never found the perfect one that gives me the result I'm looking for. My skin type is combination/oily, so I need a primer that will control oil and shine, blur the appearance of my enlarged pores and even out the texture of my skin. I've read numerous blog posts about using more than one primer to get the most out of your make up  and achieve your desired result, and lately I have discovered two that work really well together to give me the complexion I've alway dreamed of.

I start by applying the MAC Prep+Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment (£16), a light oil free primer which works to control excess sebum and shine, while also minimising the appearance of pores. This is a product I've not read much about in the beauty blogging world, which is surprising as this is the only primer I've come across that controls oil and shine all day. My make up always seems to slide off my nose and forehead after a few hours, but this really helps my foundation stay on for longer and keeps my make up looking fresh. Most oil controlling primers I've used only manage to keep shine at bay for a few hours and my skin starts to feel yucky, but this keeps my t-zone shine free and my skin feeling comfortable all day. A pea sized amount is all that's needed; I love how cooling it feels once applied and it instantly creates a natural looking matte finish.

I then follow this with the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfect Touch (£26) which aims to perfect the complexion and prolong make up wear. I always remember how impressed I was the first time I used this; it glides onto the skin beautifully and instantly makes a noticeable difference to my complexion, blurring all imperfections and oversized pores. On a good skin day I could easily wear this alone with a touch of concealer to cover my dark circles as it leaves my skin looking incredibly smooth and so flawless. I apply a small amount of this all over my face; it has a very natural, mattifying finish but doesn't look chalky. It works really well to neutralise redness too which is never really an issue I have with my skin, but if I have a breakout I feel comfortable knowing that I have a pot of this in my make up stash for emergencies.

Do you use primers?

Jouer Anti-Blemish Matte Primer

Can you believe that up until a year ago I never used primers? I had actually never heard of them before I started reading beauty blogs- it's hard to believe now that I went so long without using one as priming is an essential step in my make up routine. I have quite the collection now but I couldn't resist adding the Jouer Anti-Blemish Matte Primer (£29) to my shopping basket while I was repurchasing a few things from Cult Beauty. 

This primer is quite different to any other primer I've used before. As well as instantly blurring imperfections and controlling oil, it aims to improve the skin over time so that your complexion gradually becomes naturally flawless. The clever oil-free formula is lightweight and contains Salicylic Acid, which works to alleviate congested skin and unclogs blocked pores while fighting any existing spots and stopping new ones from popping up. Now I don't suffer from too many blemishes, but I do have enlarged pores on my nose and my t-zone is very oily. It also contains skin friendly ingredients such as Vitamin E which provides anti-oxidant protection, and Aloe which works to soothe and calm the skin. 

To use, I squeeze a pearl sized amount out of the tube and smooth it all over my face, paying particular attention to my t-zone. It has a gel like texture which smoothes over the skin and dries in seconds to create a natural looking, semi matte finish. I've been using this every morning after moisturising for the past few weeks to prep my skin before applying my make up; I have to say I haven't noticed a huge difference in my skin, but it does help my make up last longer and my skin looks so flawless once I've applied foundation over the top.

As much as I do like this primer, it's not impressed me as much as other products I've tried from Jouer. It is a really good primer and it's lovely to use, but it's just not as good as other primers I've used in terms of oil control (nothing beats MAC's Prep and Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment in my opinion) and I think it's a little over priced. Saying that, when I first started using this primer I had a few spots on my forehead and they cleared up in a few days, and my skin has been looking really clear too. If you suffer from blemishes and other imperfections I'd highly recommend this though.

Have you tried this?

My Autumn Make Up Look

As the seasons change, so do the contents of my makeup bag- the pretty pink blushers, understated lip colours and tinted moisturisers I've been wearing all summer are replaced with warmer, bolder shades and heavier bases more suited to the Autumn months. This look will most likely be my standard Autumn make up look over the next few months. I've been wearing these products for the past few weeks and I just love them, many of them have been stored away my in Muji drawers for months and there's nothing I love more than rediscovering old make up favourites and getting the chance to wear them again. I've listed below all the make up I'm wearing to create this look, let me know what you think in the comments!

Face

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch  (£26)

Clinique Stay-Matte Oil Free Make Up in Fair (£22.50)

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly (£22)

Estee Lauder Invisible Powder Makeup in Spice Sand (£29)

MAC Pro Longwear Blush in Rosey Outlook (£20)

Eyes

LOreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara in Magnetic Black (£10.99)

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (£20)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Ebony (£17)

Lips

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturing Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose (£17)

Make Up I Couldn't Live Without

All the beauty fanatics out there will agree that no matter how much make up you own, there will always be those few products that you repurchase time and time again and simply cannot live without. Here are some of my favourites. 

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£29)
This product really is perfect in every way, I don't have a bad thing to say about it! When it comes to bases, a matte finish is always top of my list and I'm a big fan of light formulas which offer buildable, natural looking coverage. This moisture tint blends seamlessly into my skin to even out imperfections, giving a dewy matte finish that lets my actual skin show through. The oil free formula contains antioxidants that allows my congested skin to breathe and keeps my complexion shine free and fresh looking all day. This really does give me the skin I've always dreamed of, my complexion has never looked so perfected and flawless!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo (£17)
Ever since purchasing this in the States last summer I’ve been hooked. I use this along with the Anastasia angled brush, the duo consists of a pair of complimentary shades that you can blend together to create the perfect match for your brows. Up until I purchased this brow powder I had always used a pencil to fill in my brows, but I sometimes found that using a pencil could leave my brows looking quite harsh and unnatural. This powder however helps me create beautiful natural looking and defined brows with minimal effort.

Benefit POREfessional (£24.50)
This is the one product I never leave the house without. I always remember the first time I tried this primer, I received a sample of it along with a Benefit product I had purchased and I couldn’t believe how well it worked to minimise the appearance of my pores. I was so impressed that I rushed to my nearest Benefit counter the next day and picked up the full size tube. This is definitely the best primer I’ve come across in terms of blurring the appearance of pores and controlling shine; the finish is so natural and makes my skin look 
so flawless. It’s perfect for touch ups and you only need a tiny amount, so the tube lasts 
ages.

NARS Blush in Desire (£22.50)
In my opinion, NARS blushers are the best in the business- the formulas are incredible and their staying power is second to none. My all time favorite is the shade Desire, a striking, bright pink powder blush with a matte finish. NARS are famous for their bold and intense shades and this one is no exception, it’s very attention grabbing but still manages to look so flattering and pretty against my fair skin. I love how it really lifts my complexion and gives a fresh look to my cheeks, it creates an almost doll-like look which I just adore. I hardly ever need to touch up when I wear this, the colour never seems to fade even after hours of wear, it still looks so bright and fresh. A word of warning though, you really need the lightest hand possible so you don't go overboard as it’s very pigmented!

MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom (£15.50)
This has been my most worn lipstick in the past few months, it’s the perfect everyday lipstick as it’s so understated and wearable. It’s a very pretty, pinky nude shade and always seems to go with whatever other make up I’m wearing – perfect for days when I’m rushing about in the morning and don’t have time to think about what lipstick to wear. It’s always in my bag, and the formula is super creamy so it keeps my lips feeling soft and nourished.

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (£18)
I never feel that my make up is complete without a few coats of mascara, it transforms my whole look and makes my eyes stand out. This mascara is truly amazing, the bristles on the curved brush grab every lash, even the tricky ones at the corners of the eye, making lash building quick and effortless.  There's not a clump in sight and gives my lashes this incredible 'doll eyed' effect which I just adore. They look so long, pretty and fluttery-  it gives my lashes such a boost! I also love the packaging, the squeezey tube meaning there’s no waste and you get every last drop of mascara out of it.

What products can you not live without? Have you tried any of these?

Urban Decay De-Slick Make Up Setting Spray

I think it’s safe to say when you use a product every single day from the day you purchased it, you’re onto a winner. I’m talking about the incredible Urban Decay De-Slick Make Up Setting Spray  (£20), a product I’ve been using for a few months now and one that’s become a staple in my make up routine.

If you're a regular reader of my blog you’ll know I have oily skin, so this product really stood out to me. This is the first setting spray I’ve used, I have always relied on primers and powder to prolong make up wear and keep my skin looking matte, but as I love trying and testing new products that claim to control oil and shine, I had to have it. The clever formula contains ingredients that put a stop to make up fading or sliding through the day, so your complexion stays looking fresh and matte for longer. As well as that, it also works to lower the temperature of your make up to extend wear - something I have never heard of a product doing before!

To use, I spritz over my face three or four times in a criss cross style after I’ve applied my make up, paying particular attention to my t-zone. I love how cooling and refreshing it feels on my skin, I was actually expecting it to feel a little sticky but it’s so light and weightless. You don’t feel it on the skin at all and it dries in seconds, which I’m so impressed with.This product has been my savior over the summer, it really does work and I don’t have to touch up my make up as often when I use this. I still look fresh faced hours after I’ve applied my make up and my complexion stays beautifully matte and shine free. I’ll definitely be continuing to use this even through the colder months as it gives me peace of mind that my make up still looks great, especially when I’m having a  busy day and don’t have time to check my make up.

Have you tried this? What do you think of setting sprays? 

A Few Favourites from MAC

When it comes to make up, MAC have always been one of my most loved brands. They were the first high end brand I ever purchased make up from during my late teens, I even remember my first ever purchase which was the Studio Fix foundation. Since then I've tried and tested many of their incredible products, so I thought I would put together a list of my favourites. 

MAC Pro Long Wear Blush in Rosey Outlook (£20) 

I was organising my make up a few weeks ago when I came across this old favourite of mine. This blush is a pretty rosey pink shade that manages to add some much needed warmth to my pale complexion. When I sweep this on, it creates the most subtle and natural looking  finish that looks so flattering against my skin. As with all MAC blushers, the formula is long lasting and depending on the look you want to go for, you can easily build up the colour without going overboard. It’s the perfect shade for the colder months ahead too, so I’m pleased I’ve discovered this again.

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment (£16)

I absolutely adore this primer, it’s lightweight formula aims to minimise the look of visible pores and smoothes the texture of the skin, while controlling oil and shine. This is one of the best primers I own in terms of smoothing over the skin, I don’t notice much of a difference in my pores when I first apply this, but once I apply my foundation  over the top my skin looks incredibly perfected and flawless. My make up always seems to slide off my nose after a few hours, but this really helps my foundation stay on for longer and keeps my make up looking matte. It’s been one of my essential make up products over the summer, there’s not been a day where I’ve not used it.

MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom (£15.50)

This is easily my most worn lipstick at the moment and it's a shade I can see myself purchasing again and again. This is the most perfect pinky nude colour and looks very understated on the lips - almost like I'm wearing nothing at all. It goes with whatever other make up I'm wearing and is perfect for every day wear. Cremesheen's are by far my favourite out of all the lipstick formulas MAC has to offer, they're really creamy and leave my lips feeling nourished and oh so soft.

What are your favourites from MAC?

The Perfect Flawless Base

Over the past few months I've introduced a few new make up bits to my everyday routine, and I've been sticking with all of them ever since. I love lightweight bases that make my complexion look beautifully flawless, so here are the products that make up this dreamy base combo...

MAC Prep+Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment (£16)
I never skip on using primer, it's one of my most essential products as my skin is oily and I have visible pores. This leaves my skin looking really perfected, I dab a small amount over my t-zone to keep shine at bay and blur the appearance of pores on my nose. It makes the texture of my skin look so much smoother and creates a natural looking matte finish that's really long lasting. It feels nice and cooling on application too, which I just love. Apart from their blushers and lipsticks, I thought I was over MAC but this is such a great little product!

Bobbi Brown Corrector (£19)
No concealer has ever been able to mask my dark circles completely, so it's this little pot to the rescue. It works by neutralising discolouration and brightening the under eye area, and does all this without creasing or fading. This genius product has been designed to use before foundation and concealer - for a smoother application I use an eye cream first, then take a small amount and warm it up between my fingers and blend in to cover shadows. This is definitely one to check out of you need a little help with hiding pesky dark circles; it really makes all the difference.

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£29)
I love a perfected and flawless looking finish, and this does just that and so much more! It does everything that you would expect form a tinted moisturiser; it provides great coverage, evens out skin tone and imperfections and provides continuos moisture throughout the day, while keeping the complexion matte and shine free. It blends seamlessly into the skin to give a skin like finish which I just love, and the long wearing formula means it lasts all day and keeps your skin feeling fresh. If your skin is on the oily side I urge you to try this, you won't be disappointed!

Clinique Airbrush Concealer (£19)
This is one product that certainly lives up to it's name. Not only does it hide shadows, it illuminates and perfects the complexion too. I tend to apply this to my under eye area and the corners of my nose, the creamy texture makes application effortless and the light formula means I can build coverage without it looking cakey. This is one of the best concealers I've come across for hiding imperfections and transforming my tired looking eyes, I never leave the house without it. 

Dior Matte and Luminous Hydrating Loose Powder (£33.50)
My make up never feels complete without a dusting of powder to set everything in place. This powder is super dreamy, it leaves my complexion looking so flawless with such a beautiful glow. I use a big fluffy brush to apply, it feels weightless and comfortable on the skin and doesn't look chalky like some powders, it just gives my complexion a natural looking matte finish. The price is a little off putting, but you only need a small amount and I can see this lasting me forever. 

Urban Decay De-Slick Make Up Setting Spray (£20)
I didn't really have any expectations of this setting spray, but I have to say I'm really impressed! The formula aims to prevent make up from fading so you don't have to touch up as often, while controlling oil and shine keeping the complexion beautifully matte. I spray this over my face in a criss cross style three or four times once all my make up has been applied; it feels really light and refreshing on the skin and only takes a few seconds to dry. My make up doesn't budge when I use this, it still looks really fresh after hours of wear, even in warm weather. Look out for a full review of this coming soon!

Have you tried any of these?