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?

New Skincare Favourites

I'm always trying out new products in an attempt to find the perfect skincare routine, and lately I've discovered three new ones that have become daily essentials for me. 

Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream (£23)
I've mentioned before that Origins are one of my favourite skincare brands- the GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser is one of my most loved products, so it was about time I picked up a pot of the eye cream from the same range. I always notice such a big difference when I use this; it brightens up and refreshes my under eye area instantly, making me look like I've had a full nights sleep. It contains ingredients such as caffeine and magnolia extract which combat those pesky dark circles and reduce any puffiness, swelling and signs of fatigue. The cream has a slight shimmer to it too, so it really helps to illuminate and add some radiance to the skin.

REN Clarifying Toning Lotion (£12)
If I had to pick a favourite out of all three products then this would be it; this exfoliating toning lotion works to slough away dead skin cells and unclog dirt and grime from the pores, leaving the complexion looking clearer and smoother. This is the first exfoliating toner I've used and I love how it works wonders on my decongested skin and makes my complexion look more balanced and healthy. It's gentle enough to be used every day, so I've been using it morning and night and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. My skin feels fresher, less oily and my pores have never been clearer thanks to this. 

Avene Cleanence MAT Mattifying Emulsion (£12)
One of the worst things about having oily skin is trying to find a moisturiser that is hydrating and nourishing, but won't feel too heavy or greasy on the skin. This offering from Avene aims to purify and balance the skin, while deep cleansing the pores and regulating oil secretion. I adore this moisturiser as it's so light and absorbs into my skin beautifully, resulting in a healthy looking, shine free complexion. It feels lovely and cooling when applied and feels hydrating enough for the day time, although I do like to mix it with a facial oil at night for a little more nourishment. This also makes an excellent base for my make up and is so affordable!

Have you tried any of these products?

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 Grey Wooly Coat

The colour grey has really taken over my wardrobe in the last few months, it all started with my love for slouchy grey jumpers and t-shirts, and the obsession has continued to grow ever since. It's a colour that might not excite everyone, but in my opinion grey always looks so effortless and chic and goes with pretty much everything in my wardrobe. 

This wooly textured coat from Topshop was a Christmas present from my boyfriend. I'd been looking for a grey winter coat for months, so I was thrilled when I spotted it in store and quickly added it to my Christmas list. I've become a bit of a coat addict in the last year and I've invested in some really great ones, but I was in need of one more suited to the colder weather that could be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. I wish I could of taken more photos of it but the scottish weather was against me and has been all month - I've been trying to blog about my coat since the beginning of January but the weather has been horrific; even when I shot this last week it started raining heavily so I only managed to get one good shot!

I don't think a day has gone by when I haven't worn this, I just love it! It's cosy, warm and comfortable and has made the perfect addition to my wardrobe. It's really good quality too and I just adore the fit.

What do you think of this coat?

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?

Three for Damaged Hair

Just recently, I was going through a bit of a dilemma with my hair - I've mentioned before that my locks are damaged from years of colouring and heat, but it seemed to be even more dry, brittle and unmanageable which was driving me crazy! None of my trusty hair products were making any difference to it's condition, so I decided to switch up my hair care routine in an attempt to restore it back to health. I've been using the following products for the last couple of weeks now and my hair has never looked better. 

Toni & Guy Cleanse Shampoo for Damaged Hair (£6.49)
This is the first shampoo I've tried from Toni & Guy and I must say I'm really impressed. I've been using this along with the conditioner from the same range; it aims to repair weak, damaged hair to leave it strong and revitalised. I love it as it gently cleanses my hair and leaves every strand feeling so nourished. One of the biggest issues I have with my hair is it snapping off at the ends, but since I started using this shampoo I've noticed such a big difference - it's mended my split ends and reduced breakage too. I'm so glad I decided to pick this up!

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Melting Balm (£10.99)
The great thing about hair masks is that they work in no time to restore the hair's condition, and this one is no exception. This intensely nourishing mask comes in the form of a balm that transforms into a silky, sumptuous oil that leaves my thirsty locks feeling deeply conditioned and oh so soft. To use, I scoop out a teaspoon sized amount and rub the balm between my palms until it melts into the oil, then run it evenly through the lengths and ends. After twenty minutes, I thoroughly rinse my hair and shampoo and condition as normal. The formula is made up of a blend of butters and exotic oils which get to work quickly, helping the hair soak up all the nourishment it needs without weighing it down. It's been a life saver for my dry and over styled hair, and at only £10.99 a pot it's a real bargain too. 

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer (£19.00)
Every hair care routine needs a Bumble and bumble product in there somewhere, they're easily my favourite high end haircare brand and I've never been disappointed by any of the products I've tried. This spray does pretty much everything you could ask for; it detangles, protects against breakage, eliminates frizz, tames flyaways, protects against heat styling and UV damage and makes styling a breeze too. It's really easy to use, I just spritz it over towel dried hair before blow drying and style as normal. This spray makes styling effortless and my hair is more manageable and soft; it's really given my hair it's bounce back and it looks full of life. This is a dream product if you have brittle, dry and unmanageable hair like me - keep your eyes peeled for a full review coming soon!

Have you tried any of these products?

My Current Cleansing Duo

Ever since I started reading beauty blogs, double cleansing has become an essential part of my everyday skin care routine. It's something I'd never heard of before and if I'm honest, I thought it sounded pretty pointless and unnecessary at first. But since introducing double cleansing into my skin care routine, I've never looked back. Over time I have noticed such an improvement in the overall look of my complexion - not only does it ensure that my skin is completely cleansed of debris and other impurities, it helps to balance my skin and leaves it feeling purified, resulting in a clearer and healthier looking complexion. Here are the two cleansers that I'm currently using. 

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm  (£22)
This has been a favourite of mine for quite some time now, there's nothing I don't love about it! From it’s beautiful packaging to the way it gently and effectively melts away all traces of make up and other grime, it’s a truly wonderful treat for my skin. This lightweight cleanser transforms from a solid balm to a silky, fluid oil once applied to dry skin. To use, I simply take a small amount and massage over my skin for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. I love how it leaves my skin feeling so soft and impeccably clean, it doesn’t feel greasy or leave a yucky film over my face afterwards, it just feels so fresh and leaves my complexion so healthy looking.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Purifying Cleanser (£18)
Once all my make up has been removed, I move on to a cleanser that meets the needs of my skin type.  My skin is quite oily, congested and prone to blackheads, so this offering from Kiehl's is perfect for me. The mineral rich formula provides gentle exfoliation to slough away dead skin cells, toxins, surface debris and other pore clogging nasties from the skin for a really deep cleanse. It also includes Amazonian White Clay, a wonder ingredient that works to hydrate, remove surface oil, improve skin texture, balance and even out the complexion. This cleanser has so many benefits for every skin type, and the creamy texture feels so lovely and gentle on the skin.

Do you double cleanse?