Barry M Gelly Nail Paint: 'Rose Hip'

If you haven't yet tried any of the Gelly range from Barry M, they have just brought out lots of new stunning colors perfect for this season. On one of my recent trips to Superdrug I came across this little beauty from Barry M. In terms of nail polish, for me I always revert back to Barry M, and especially this Gelly range which is seriously unbeatable stuff; super opaque after two coats, totally non gloopy, excellent shine and staying power. This shade immediately grabbed me as I found it to be incredibly similar to Essie's highly popular 'Figi'. For me, this is the perfect pink pastel neutral shade for spring and summer which I find so sophisticated and classic. It is the kind of shade to put on when you don't quite know which to choose, knowing that this beauty will most likely match anything. Due to the glossy formula, a top coat is not necessary as it provides a super shiny finish which lasts; I have been sporting this for around 4 days now with seriously no chips. I will be wearing this all throughout spring and I'm even considering this to be my holiday nail color. What's more, the name is seriously cute. At just £3.99 for what is essentially, a beautiful color and a top coat, this is seriously purse friendly and I'm already eyeing up the rest of the range which is simply stunning. This season also focuses on matching nails and lips, and this pink neutral shade is easily matched with minimal effort to be seriously on trend.

XO

March Beauty Favourites

1. Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer: 

I'd never bought into the idea of using a primer as I just always presumed it was unnecessary and that a good moisturiser does the job fine, however when I tried a sample of this one from Nivea courtesy of Glamour magazine, I had to buy it. What I really love about it is its ultra-lightweight feel; it isn't heavy like a moisturiser and its almost transparent which makes it absorb onto the skin instantly, so you don't have to wait to apply your make-up. It acts as both a moisturiser and a primer so it nourishes your skin and also makes your make-up stay in place longer. For me personally I've noticed a huge difference in my make-up application since using this as my foundation stays in place all day, and it also manages to control the oil on my skin so I don't have a shine problem. It also smells lovely, and it's really inexpensive too; I got mine when there was an offer on but the normal retail price in Superdrug is £4.99. 

2. Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream:

Also from Nivea is their lip butters which I've only just discovered. This one in caramel cream smells unbelievable, it is literally good enough to eat (it reminds me of cake mix!) which is ideal if your like me and go mad for anything that smells delicious. Besides the smell it is really great for moisturising your lips, I find it a lot better than Vaseline as due to its thick buttery texture, it nourishes your lips for a lot longer. It certainly rivals my much loved Korres lip butter, and is ridiculously inexpensive at just £1.50. They also have a raspberry flavor that I'm yet to try, and a  macadamia one that we don't get in the UK, sob. 

3. Barry M Nail Paint in Blue Moon:

Since spring is upon us, I have been wearing Blue Moon from Barry M pretty much throughout this month. I think It's the most perfect shade for spring as it is a pale pastel blue colour with a very slight metallic shimmer which is so subtle it is barely noticeable. I adore pastel nails this time of year, and this one is really fresh and cute. As always Barry M is amazing for the quality of nail paint, I find it lasts for ages without having to reapply and I love how cheap they are at just £2.99. 

4. Jimmy Choo Perfume:

I got this fragrance at Christmas but pretty much neglected it until now. It is such a pretty, feminine scent that is not heavy or overpowering at all. I started using it a lot this month because I think it really is great for this time of year as it is so subtle and fresh for spring. It's also something really different to anything else I have; usually I quite like scents that are quite heavy and bold but this makes a lovely change, I'd definitely go try it if you haven't yet. 

5. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation:

I had heard so many good things about this foundation from Boujois that when there was a 3-for-2 in Boots I just had to grab it. First of all, this is the foundation and not the serum, they have slightly different packaging which got me real confused but this one is brand new so I thought I would give it a try. I had heard that this is similar to Chanel Vitalumiere foundation which had me sold, and also I loved the sound of opting for a slightly lighter, glowy foundation which is so much nicer for this time of year. I was a bit skeptical about the promise of a healthy glow; seen as I have oily skin I didn't want to be too glowy, however this foundation is really lovely. It does give me a slight radiant, dewy glow, but it is by no means shiny or oily looking. Another problem I thought I would have with this is the coverage, as as it promises a healthy glow I thought this would mean a compromise on coverage which isn't great news for me because I have a bit of hyper-pigmentation which always needs covering. This however still manages to provide full coverage which is great, but at the same time lets your natural skin shine through which I love. I'm not sure what the big difference is between this and the serum, but I think this might be heavier coverage which works better for me anyway. I really would recommend this foundation as it uniquely offers a flawless complexion which stays in place throughout the day, whilst still providing you with a healthy looking glow. You can pick this up at Boots for £10.99. 

6. Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer:

This is another product that I had heard so much about that I just had to give in and get it. Before this I had only ever used stick concealers so I didn't really know what to expect with this, however it did not disappoint. I got the lightest shade as it is really important that you go one or two shades lighter than your foundation as, especially under the eyes, it is good to highlight this area which is only possible if it is a bit lighter. I really love using this under my eyes, I just use the applicator to run right underneath the eye, and I also take it downwards slightly to create a V shape, which is a great technique if you want to brighten this area. This is such an amazing drugstore concealer as is ridiculously inexpensive at around £4 I think. It really makes you look more awake and is great for dark circles and also covers up scarring and blemishes which is great. The only negative thing about this is that the writing on the tube pretty much wiped off as soon as I put it in my make-up bag which was kind of annoying and a common issue, but obviously not a major issue as whats inside the tube is brilliant. I know a lot of people already use it and I can see why, so if you never have and your looking for a great drugstore concealer then this is your answer!

7. Bourjois Bronzing Powder: 

This is yet another product that I brought because of all the recommendations I heard about it on YouTube and on here (one of the reasons I love blogging so much!). I was in need of a bronzing powder as we are getting into spring now finally and especially for the summer, I like to look more tanned but in a natural looking way. First things first, it has to be said that this bronzer smells amazing! It is like chocolate but also like cocoa butter which is so delicious, I have to smell it every time I open it. The packaging is also really cut and reminds me of something Benefit would produce so I think it is really great for a drugstore product. I use this for contouring my cheekbones by just taking it from the top of my ear to the middle of the cheek. I also use this around my temples, hairline and around the jaw to give me that sun-kissed, bronzed glow look which I love because it makes me look so much healthier and radiant. It is also the most natural looking bronzer I have ever used; it is not orange toned at all, and it has a very slight amount of shimmer but it is still mainly matte which I prefer. You can pick this up for £6.99, or get down to Boots like I did whilst the 3-for-2 offer is on.

8. MUA Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter: 

I picked this up from Superdrug on a whim because it was only £2! At that price I would have been stupid not too, and I absolutely adore highlighter, particularly at this time of year as I love that radiant skin appearance. I have been using a little of this just above the apple of my cheeks over my blusher and bronzer, and this highlighter seems to blend all three together into a gorgeous combination. It is surprisingly subtle therefore you don't need much of this at all and it creates such a beautiful radiant glow on the cheeks when it catches the light. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the smell; It smells of some sort of chemicals which isn't very nice, but it's not a major issue when you consider the ridiculously cheap price. 

9. Maybelline The Falsies Mascara:

This purchase was long overdue as I had heard so much about it, but I'd been waiting for my MAC one to run out before I could purchase it. This mascara is really unbelievable. It is by far the best mascara for volume I have ever tried. It really lives up to its name and is so volumising that I have been ditching my false lashes lately because I find that this is enough. I got the ultra-black drama one because I love really black lashes. What I love so much about this mascara is the curved brush which really helps to coat every lash, even the ones in the inner corners which is really quite difficult with a straight wand. It lengthens  thickens and holds a curl well, without looking too clumpy. You also don't need to build it up loads which can turn clumpy; it is enough with two coats max. Buy into the hype because this is really worth it! £7.99.

10. Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie:

I have had this lip butter from Revlon in my make-up bag for ages, but I have been using it all the time this month because it is such a beautiful colour for spring/summer. First of all, I'm pretty sure everyone is aware of how great Revlon lip butters are because they really are such a beautiful formulation. I wish all lipsticks were like this because they are so moisturising and creamy, but they still have amazing pigmentation. I know that some of the lighter shades just provide a sheer coverage, but this shade Raspberry Pie provides the same coverage as a lipstick. It is a gorgeous dark pink colour that almost verges on purple; it is actually quite similar to MAC's rebel, but more on the pink side. I think the formulation of these is also ideal for spring as I tend to prefer not so matte textures during warm weather. I really want to try more of these lip butters so If anyone recommends any shades, let me know in the comments below! 

11. Rimmel Kate Mosse Lasting Finish Lipstick in 107 Wine:

This is yet another product that I brought this month because I felt like I had heard so much about this particular shade that I had to own it myself. 107 is a gorgeous, rich dark red tone with slight purple undertones. It is probably not the most suitable spring shade, I think its actually quite perfect for autumn/winter, but I love this shade nonetheless and have actually worn it quite a few times this month already. The quality of these lipsticks are fantastic, the pigmentation is excellent and actually remind me of MAC lipsticks. The stain does last a long time, but the matte formulation can be a bit drying so its necessary to moisturize your lips beforehand. 

xxx

Cappuccino Nails

Seen as my last post was such a lengthy one, this is just a quick nail look which I have been loving at the moment. I think it is such an ideal shade for this period, whilst we are coming to the end of winter, but not yet ready to sport the bright spring trends. From Barry M, this is in shade 341 entitled 'Cappuccino'. I would describe this unusual, muted shade as a neutral beige coffee colour, but with noticeable taints of lilac. After two coats however, the cappuccino colour really does come through. This makes it a bit different to a typical, somewhat dull beige, giving a bit of life to your fingertips. What I love most about this shade is how it will go with almost anything. I know I can wear this shade and feel free to match it with any outfit- always an added bonus! Barry M are renown for their nail polishes as they are always of such great quality and have such a diverse range of colours. The have excellent staying power and leave your nails chip free for weeks, especially if you add a topcoat over the top to seal it. What's more at £2.99 a bottle, these polishes are super inexpensive, making it incredibly easy to build an extensive collection!

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Black and Gold NYE

So seen as last night was New Year's Eve (Happy New Year!) I thought I would go for a sparkly black and gold theme. I built my make up look and nails around my dress (topshop black and gold velvet glittery) and think it really epitomized the new year theme.

• To get my make up look I began using a primer from Nivea (Express hydration primer). I don't normally use a primer as I find that a good moisturiser does the same job, but I had this one as a sample from Glamour magazine so I thought I would give it a try. It went on so smoothly and had instant absorption as it was very thin, so I could apply my foundation super quick afterwards. 
• For my foundation I used one from No7 which is very high coverage, unfortunately the one I used has recently been discontinued so I won't list it here because there wouldn't be much point, however a new one which is also really great is the Beautifully Matte Foundation from No7. A true match colour service is now available at No7 counters so you can really get that perfect colour match. 
• For concealer I use my Rimmel hide the blemish concealer to go under my eyes to conceal any dark circles, and also on any blemishes. 
• I then lock my foundation into place with my Rimmel Stay Matte powder which is my favourite powder ever, really does the trick to keep you looking shine free throughout the night. Apply liberally particularly in the center of the face where shine is most common.
• Next I used by baked bronzer from Famous by Sue Moxley in shade Hawaii to contour my cheeks to give the appearance of naturally defined cheekbones. I also use this on my temples to give an all round glow to the skin. 
• For blusher I used Rimmel in shade Pink Rose on the apples of my cheeks to blend into the bronzer creating a more natural look. 
• For highlighter I used my Benefit High Beam just above the apple of my cheeks where my blusher finishes to create a luminescent finish and youthful appearance to the skin. 
• To fill in my brows I used my MUA eye shadow using an angled brush to lightly fill in any gaps and strengthen the shape of my brows. 
• Before applying my eye shadow I used my primer from Front Cover Cosmetics which is really an important step especially if you have quite oily eye lids and you find your shadow often creases or doesn't last.  
• When doing a strong eye look like this one, using two colours that don't naturally blend into each other, it is key to apply the darkest colour first. I used my black shade first from a Natural Collection compact, starting slightly more than half way onto the lid. I took this up through the crease and winged it out slightly. I then used a clean brush to tidy up the line and blend thoroughly. 
• Then I used my gold colours which is the same as the other gold look I did the other night, using both colours from Front Cover Cosmetics. Blend as best as possible into the black slightly, but not too much as you will end up with quite a murky colour. I put quite a lot of gold on the tear-duct to open the eye, as opposed to what I usually use which is white. I liberally applied the holographic glitter in the corner of the eye- after all it is NY!
• Then I used my Maybelline gel eye liner to thinly define my lash line, winging it out quite a bit to create that feline appearance. 
• Before applying my false lashes, I used my MAC Opulash Optimum Black mascara on top and bottom lashes, and then used my Cheryl Cole Eylure lashes. The key to applying false lashes is to leave the glue a good minute before applying so they stick better, and also to use tweezers and hold the lash in the center with the tweezers and then gently place in the middle of the lash line. Then simply tuck in the sides with the tweezers and leave to dry. I then apply a final coat of mascara to merge both natural and false lashes together. 
• Use your favourite Kohl eye pencil to line the waterline of your lashes to define if you want that added impact. 

What's on my nails?

 For my nails I took the black and gold theme to the extreme by using, both from Barry M, using shades 'Black' and then using lots and lots of 'Yellow Topaz Glitter' as a top coat. Not only does this create a super sparkly festive look, but as a top coat this will make the nail polish last a lot longer. I really like this look and I got a lot of compliments particularly about the nails, so I hope that you guys have fun experimenting with it too. 

Shake the Glitter

Seen as it's Christmas and New Year is fast approaching, I thought this would be a great make-up look for the festive season. I wore this sparkly gold glitter make up for a party last night, and it was so fun to experiment with. For me, Christmas is the one time of year when its acceptable to wear both a striking eye and a bold lip. This look goes perfect with that classic chic red lip, or even a dark purple which is what I teamed it with. Try out this glamorous make-up look for this season and your bound to sparkle.

To get this eye make up look I used:

• base shadow primer from frontcover cosmetics
• gold eye shadow by frontcover
• holographic glitter by frontcover
• No7 eye shadow in 'Starry Lights'
• Maybelline gel liner
• MAC Opulash Optimum black mascara
• Cheryl Cole lashes by Eylure 

What's on my nails? 

I teamed this glitter look with a classic red from Nails Inc in the colour 'St James' which is my ultimate favourite winter colour- a bold red that's not too dark and serious, slightly pink in tone. I also used Barry M in 'Yellow Topaz Glitter' as a glittery topcoat to add an ultra sparkly festive look. 

Winter Favourites

Champneys citrus body scrub £8.

In the winter season, skin if often a lot drier and therefore needs a lot more attention. This gentle exfoliating scrub is perfect to remove dead skin cells and dry skin to get your skin looking wonderfully smooth and soft. Whats more, it smells absolutely unbelievable of citrus fragrances, and the coarse texture of cardamon, coconut fibres and brown sugar feels so luxurious when putting on the skin. Gently rub into skin twice a week to exfoliate the skin, leaving it beautifully fresh and hydrated. I would then use Champneys citrus body lotion which combines lemon, mandarin and sweet almond oil to really nourish the skin and make it super soft; the pair works really great together and you end up with lovely soft skin that lasts. Particularly good after shaving to remove the dry skin. 

Nails Inc- Victoria & Albert

This is a classic all year round shade, however it is particularly fitting for Christmas!  Nails Inc is also  expertly adept at creating a polish which will not chip, long lasting quality nail polish which will never fail to look classic and sophisticated. I would advise however applying a top coat over to seal completely the polish and make it last all through the season! Each at £11. 

MAC lipstick in 'rebel'

This lipstick is the complete perfect shade for winter! Winter is the one season to rock a dark lip  and neutral eye combo, and this shade gives the traditional red lip to a modern twist. Its rich, intense, plum colour creates an immediate dramatic, brave look which will transform any outfit and make up look instantly. If you don't want to wear this straight from the bullet, blot it onto the lip with a finger and then use balm to create a soft stain, which still has a gorgeous impact suitable for day time. I would pair this lipstick with a strong gel liner and bare lids to allow the lip to take centre stage, bronzed contoured cheeks and layers of mascara to balance out the look. 

Sleek Make up- Pomegranate blush
This blush is so beautiful as its truly unusual deep, borderline purple shade creates a wonderful shimmery, yet deep colour on the skin. However, it is fair to say that this blush is my no means too harsh on the skin, however I would stay clear if you have super pale skin- this suits darker tones much better. Whilst creating rich colour, this blush also provides a highlighter as its shimmery particles reflect against the skin, contouring the cheekbones and drawing light to the skin making the skin appear fresher and more luminous. This is also a great value product at £4.49.

Revlon in 'Vixen'

This is the perfect autumn nail polish shade! Its deep, rich wine colour instantly reminds me of autumn and the winter months. It is also a very wearable classic shade, suitable for every day wear, and a timeless essential that will always bring you instant confidence. 

Barry M in 'Silver Lilac'

Although not conventionally 'wintry', I have just discovered this amazing new shade from Barry M! It looks like a  lilac metallic at first, however glittery iridescent particles appear making it instantly perfect for the winter season. Beneath the lilac surface is also beautiful hints of metallic green, making this shade truly unique and perfect for a Christmas party! At £2.99 per bottle, this really is affordable for the great quality nail polish. Once again Barry M have proven their nail polish is almost bullet-proof- I put mine on two weeks ago for a party, haven't reapplied since and it still remains indestructible! This is definitely my favourite nail colour at the moment!