Sun Kissed Nails

Peach nails are undoubtedly my favourite for summer. Its bright and fun without being too vibrant, and it also goes great with most colours to wear and looks beautiful and healthy with a tan. My go-to colour this season is Maybelline's Super Stay 7 days gel nail colour in 'Sun Kissed'. I had never tried this formula before, but it has definitely superseded 7 days and my nails have remained practically chip free. It goes on really opaquely, and I really like the brush too as it is quite thick meaning you can do your nails in no time at all. I also really like how you can reapply this formula on top if there was a slight mark, (I always end up scratching my nails on something whilst drying!), yet when you reapply it doesn't get too thick and gloopy meaning you have to take it off and start all over. If your looking for a really nice bright summer shade that is built to last, then look no further. 

What are your favourite summer nail shades?

xox

The Brow Edit #2

 

One of my very first and most popular posts to date was a guide to perfecting brows, which is still available to view here. A lot has changed since then as brows take time to get right and are the one feature that I really feel can make the biggest difference. Brows are probably my most prominent feature as they are naturally quite strong and dark, and need regular maintenance. If my brows are undone my whole face looks different and I feel completely naked. I love a naturally strong brow that has not been overworked. I think it is important that brows still look like brows, i.e with hair intact, as opposed to appearing as if they have been completely drawn on from scratch. Of course, if you do not have super strong brows already you can still create the illusion with some practice. 

Eyebrows frame your eyes and enhance them further, so it is something important to get absolutely right as it can really transform your appearance. Defined brows just make everything appear neater and more polished. I think well-groomed brows can also make you look older in a more mature kind of way, a great way to look more sophisticated. Personally, I have always dealt with mine myself which has been a long process to get them to the stage where I am happy with. I dealt with mine myself because back in the day I had no clue what I was doing and then over-plucked. I also was not aware of things like threading/waxing. However, If you have never messed about with your brows before and would like them shaped, I would advise visiting a professional to get a good shape initially, which you can then try and maintain. I have heard great things about threading, but have never tried it myself although I am intrigued. I stick to tweezing now that I am happy with my natural shape, but waxing and threading is a good way to start. The most important thing is to avoid the temptation of over-plucking as your brows may never grow back in the same way. Take it from me, thick brows are a blessing but do require some maintenance. 

Here is how I fill in my brows on the regular basis. I usually move on to brows after my base make-up is in place as I instantly feel more ready with my brows complete. I start by brushing them upwards and then across to find their natural shape. In doing so, you can also see any pesky hairs underneath the brow that need tweezing. (Note: don't pluck above the brow!) 

For ages now I have been using Beauty UK's High Brow kit. This is the perfect all in one brow kit, complete with an array of 3 powder shades ranging from light brown to almost black, a wax, and also tweezers and a duo-sided applicator. I found this in Superdrug and it instantly struck me as a bit of a dupe for the likes of that from Sleek, a popular favourite among here. What is absolutely amazing is that this kit is only £3.99, which is unbelievable value for money. This Beauty UK kit is great if you are on a budget. I find powder is best suited to me because I have a lot of brow hair already so only really need a touch up, whereas pencils are great to give the illusion of more hair. First, I use the wax to set the brows in their natural shape. I then go in with the lightest shade and use this throughout with an angled brush from Real Techniques. You want to go in light, feathery upward strokes, gently filling in any sparse areas . I then use the darker brown shade more on the underneath of the brow to add definition. I take the brow up to its arched point, and then extend this down to the tail end to create a defined arch. Finally I set my brows with Maybelline's Brow Mascara to add texture to the hair and to ultimately keep the brows intact. I find that my brows do not budge whatsoever by using both the wax and this gel. When I go on to do my eyes, I highlight under the brow  with a light cream shade, something akin to Foxy from the Naked 2 palette. This will simply raise the brow and emphasize the arch. 

In terms of upkeep, once you are happy with your shape it's easy to maintain. Tweezerman tweezers are the best by a long shot. They are super precise and manage to get hairs that are so tiny that they have only just come through, and almost never miss. If you ever have really long, wild hairs that simply get in the way, instead of plucking, carefully go in with nail scissors, cutting at an angle to tidy things up. 

Here's some browspiration to leave you with!

I hope you found this post useful/interesting, what are your brow savior products?

xox

What's In My Summer Make-Up Bag?

Base:
In summer a primer for me is essential to make things last as long as possible in the summer heat. I have been using Maybelline's Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser for a while now and, although I don't find it as good as Benefit's Porefessional, it does a fairly good job of evening out my skin. It has a lovely silky texture and does provide a nice base for foundation, but as for making the make up last a super long time I'm not as convinced. My foundation of choice this season is L'Oreal True Match which is just wonderful, my favourite foundation as of yet. I find the texture perfect, it goes over dry patches and lasts a long time, and what's more they have a great colour range. Of course, I do get oily throughout the day but I keep this under control with Maybelline's The Matte Maker which is a really nice solid translucent pressed powder. As for concealer, I use Collection Lasting Perfection no matter what season as it is my all time favourite. I use the lightest shade for concealing under my eye area, and the medium shade works brilliantly at covering blemishes and scars. 



Face:
For bronzer, I've tried to switch things up from my usual Body Shop Honey bronzer (which is unbelievable!) and I have found a new love with L'Oreal Glam Bronze. Although the picture above looks slightly orange, that is due to slight editing in saturation it is actually a really natural tan colour. I love using this all around my face for a tanned glow. I use the lightest shade in 00 Blond Sun which I think would be a great shade for pale-medium skin tones as it looks most natural. A long with this I like to switch up to cream blush in summer for a nice dewy and long lasting finish. Max Factor Miracle Touch cream blush in the shade Soft Pink is divine. It blends out really easily and creates a nice sheen on the skin. I finish this combination off with a dash of Soap & Glory's Glow All Out Luminizing Radiance Face Powder for a soft, really gentle highlight.

Eyes:
For summer, Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette is simply gorgeous. It has all the bronze shades you could possibly want, and I have not used another palette at all this season, even Naked 3 has been neglected. I have been particularly obsessed with the beautiful golden shade,everyone's favourite, Half Baked,as well as Bootycall for an inner corner highlight, and Foxy across the browbone. The staying power and pigment of these shadows is brilliant but I still use a base to last all day, using either my fail safe Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and on Bronze, or Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadowstick in 002 Bulletproof Beige. For eyeliner I've been enjoying using Eyeko's Skinny liquid liner which I received in Glamour magazine. It is super intense in colour and I find the felt tip applicator really easy to use. As for mascara, I need waterproof in the summer and I particularly love using Max Factor's Clump Defy, and then Maybelline's The Rocket to create super volumised lashes that will last all day. 

Brows:
For brows, my routine has stayed the same for a while now and I'm planning a new brow guide as I am really happy with this High Brow kit from Beauty UK. This kit has everything needed to achieve a perfect brow, wax to shape and then three shadows. I follow this up with Maybelline's Brow Drama Mascara to keep everything in place and find that this lasts all day and creates a perfectly shaped brow.

Lips:
For lips I have been loving red this summer. I think it looks great with bronzed skin and golden eye make-up, which is pretty much been my standard look. For a casual day I will wear Maybelline Baby Lips in the shade Cherry Me for a natural tint, or Revlon's Lip Butter in the shade Wild Watermelon. Both leave a lovely hint of colour in a slightly pinky red shade, with a nice glossy effect which I adore for summer. For an evening look I will pair Max Factor's gloss in the shade 30 Captivating Ruby. This is seriously pigmented alone but when paired a colour underneath it gives a lovely rich effect with lasting colour. 

Hope your all having a wonderful summer!

xox

Summer Lipstick Picks

Now I am a fan of a bold lip pretty much all year round, but summer is certainly the best time to try a more adventurous bright lip as it is always on trend. These are my pick of the best daring shades to really make you stand out this season. The Revlon colorburst lip butters are pretty much a firm favourite with most beauty junkies. They are the perfect combination of a lipstick and balm; good enough colour pay off yet still moisturizing which is why they are perfect for summer. My favourite summer shade is 063 Wild Watermelon, a really nice muted red that borderlines the pink shade of things. It is really easy to apply, just like a balm and has fairly good staying power too, leaving your lips with a glossy finish which I love for summer. Another winner from Revlon is a firm love of mine, Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in the shade 020 Lovesick. This is one of the best staying lip products I have ever came across,(there is still a mark on my arm where I struggled to get all this swatch off). I wore this non stop on holiday of an evening and didn't even have to take it out with me to top up. The bright fuchsia is just perfect for this season, not to mention how great it compliments a tan. Next is a shade that I am only brave enough to wear this season, Maybelline's colorsensational in 902 Fuchsia Flash. It is the brightest of pinks, much more Barbie than lovesick which is why I find it less wearable. It is super pigmented however and lasts a long time too, not to mention how amazing these lipsticks smell! Another favourite again comes from Revlon, and it is their lip gloss in the shade 046 Sizzle, a great orange shade which is still quite wearable as it verges on the red side of things. I love wearing this over the top of a bright coral or red shade to really make it stand out. These lip glosses from Revlon have amazing pigment for a lip gloss, albeit they are slightly sticky. Next is Max Factor in the shade 830 Dusky Rose, a muted pink with shimmer which again, looks wonderful with tanned skin. I adore Max Factor lipsticks because they are extremely creamy in formula, not at all drying and they last a long time with a finish that is not at all matte which I quite like for summer. Finally is a super bold shade from Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate, in the shade 110. This is a shockingly bright coral red, which again I find looks at its best with a tanned glow. I wore this non stop on my holiday as I feel it brightens up any look, even if you have fairly downplayed makeup this will make you stand out. These matte lipsticks also have unbelievable staying power which i find to be one of the most important factors of a summer lipstick. This shade looks beautiful paired with the lip gloss in Sizzle. 

xox

Bronze Smoky Eye

One of my favourite looks from the Naked 3 palette is a golden bronze smoky eye. I think this look is particularly gorgeous because it is quite different to the more pinky toned shades in the palette, yet is still just as soft and pretty. To begin I used one of my favourite eye products ever, everyone's favourite Maybelline's colour tattoo in 'On and On Bronze'. I then swept the shade 'factory' all over the lid and up to the crease. I then used 'darkside' to blend into the crease and paying attention to the outer corner to create an extended effect. Then just clean everything up with a cotton bud to even out and make sure there are no harsh lines or fall out. I then went in with 'mugshot' blending this into the centre of the lid. On a small brush I mixed shades 'factory' and 'darkside' gently under the lower lashline to balance everything out. As a highlight, instead of using something cream toned as I usually opt, I went for the copper gold shade 'trick' to still draw attention to this part of the eye and make the eye look wider. As these shadows can produce some fall out, especially 'trick' which is super glittery, I would advise following up with concealer after the eye make-up as opposed to doing it before so you don't ruin your face make-up. As standard I went in with two trusty favourites, my collection liquid liner and Maybelline The Rocket mascara.

Hope you like the look, and what are your favourite looks from the Naked 3 palette?

xox

My Go-To Evening Make-up Look Using Urban Decay NAKED 3 Palette

To create this evening look using the Naked 3 palette, I started by using a cream shadow base to make sure everything stayed in place all night. I used my Maybelline Color Tattoo in the shade 'Pink Gold', which I am absolutely loving at the moment as it works beautifully on its own for a natural effect, but also acts brilliantly as a base, giving the eye shadow something to cling onto. Next, using the palette, I took the shade 'Limit' using the flat shader brush from the palette, swiping this across the lid up to the crease. I then swept 'Nooner' through the crease to add definition. Then I took one of my favourite shades, 'Dust', and swept this over 'limit', paying particular attention to the center and inner part of the eye to create a brightening effect. I then used the darkest shade in the palette, 'Blackheart', using the fluffy side of the brush and swept this across the crease for added definition, paying particular attention to the outer corner of the eye to create an eye-opening, winged effect. I then blended the edges with a clean brush and repeated to build up the pigment for intensity. Next, I cleaned up the edges using a cotton bud to make sure everything was even and clean looking. I then went in with the highlighting shade, 'Strange', and applied this to the tear duct and brow bone for extra brightness, balancing out the smoky eye. 

All that was left for the eyes was for me to use my trusty liquid liner from Collection, and lashings of mascara- my choice for this look was The Rocket Volum' Express from Maybelline, which is great for creating that false lash effect. I would advise getting the waterproof version as this prevents any smudging whatsoever and is super long lasting. On my waterline I used a new product which I am trying out from Too Faced, their waterproof eyeliner in 'Perfect Peacock', a beautiful turquoise shade to add something a bit different to the look instead of classic black kohl which would create a harsher effect. Hope you like the look and I will be bringing you my everyday make-up look using this palette soon!

Lucy

xox

Current 'Holy Grail' Products

So seen as I have been M.I.A for a seriously long time, I feel like a post on my current favorites is more than overdue. Instead of doing an explicit favorites post, these are a select few items which I literally could not be without in my make-up bag; all items which I would repurchase over and over again, so-called 'holy grail' products if you like. I have been using all of these for at least 3 months, hence I have thoroughly tested them and can honestly vouch for them.

Let's start with the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. I got this at Christmas as a gift and I was literally so overjoyed. I was desperate to do a post on it and share my love but without a camera or a phone with a flash, that was pretty difficult. I am sure by this point everybody is sick and tired of hearing how amazing the much anticipated Naked 3 palette is and I'm fairly confident that the majority of bloggers/YouTubers out there own this thing and already know how wonderful it is, but if you haven't got your hands on it yet, what are you waiting for?! The quality of these shadows is unparalleled which I am sure goes without saying, one swipe offers super strong pigmentation and incredible staying power, which for £37 for 12 shadows, in comparison with around £12 for just one MAC shade, is a no brainer. It truly is as good as people say and I must have used it more or less every day I've worn make-up since I got it, evening or daytime. It is simply the most stunning palette ever, and my favorite out of the three of them by a country mile. Shortly after Christmas I brought the Naked 2 to complete my set as I heard that it was many people's favorite out of the three, but for me this is my perfect palette. Literally if I had to customize my own palette, i'm pretty sure it would look something like this, pink and sparkly, yet surprisingly wearable. Out of the 12 shades, all but 3 are shimmery, but the 3 matte shades are all you need to create the perfect smoky eye. Although the pinkness of the palette might put some people off, the shades are so muted and neutral that they are extremely wearable, yet they add such a unique element to your make-up look which makes you look refined and polished, with an edge. I find this is a really sophisticated day-time look; my favorite day-to-day is to use limit across the lid, then blend nooner into the crease, finished with strange in the inner corner and brow bone. It is by no means overpowering or too heavy, yet it seriously adds something to the everyday face with such minimal effort. As for the evening, my favorite is to do pretty much the same but with blackheart blended into the crease for a more dramatic and glamorous look. I will be doing posts soon featuring my favorite looks from this palette, so stay peeled for that! 

Before I forget that this post is not just about the Naked 3 palette, I'll move on to the best bronzer ever. This is the Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder from The Body Shop, and it is seriously the best one I've ever tried, so much so that I find it impossible to go back to anything else. The thing that makes this so wonderful is how incredibly natural it makes you look, literally giving you the feeling of having just been in the natural sun. It comes in 4 shades, and I have the third one, yet even the fourth shade is not too dark. This bronzer is completely matte which is perfect for contouring, and literally a beautiful tan color which never looks orange. Unless you have super fair skin, I would recommend going for shade 3 which isn't too dark at all; no matter how much you apply, it still just looks like that perfect after-holiday tanned glow. I've almost hit pan on mine now which is exciting because I never normally love bronzers as much as this, and at £13 I think this is totally worth it. 

My favorite blush these days is the Rose Gold blush from Sleek, which as you can see in the image above, is super beautiful. To me, this just screams spring/summer. It is a pinky peach tone with golden flecks of shimmer, a shade which I only whip out normally this time of year. The pigmentation of Sleek blushers is unreal, the best I have tried from the drugstore for sure. Due to the highlighting effect which is super pretty in the daylight, highlighter is not necessary, yet unlike a lot of blushers that have shimmer, this still retains that pop of color which makes it an absolute steal at just £4.49. 

My favorite lipstick not only right now, but possibly ever (big claim I know), is the Collection Deluxe lipstick in 02 Talullah. I wear this literally every day. It is the perfect every day pink, your lips but better shade. I whack this on no matter what make-up I have on purely because I know it will go beautifully. Not only in the day, this goes stunningly with a dramatic smoky eye, I particularly love wearing this with my nighttime take on the Naked 3 palette. The formula of these lipsticks is seriously a winner, another favorite of mine during the winter holidays was prohibition from the same line, they are super nourishing and smooth, creamy and pigmented which is a rare combination which reminds me very much of MAC cremesheen lipsticks. At £3.99, this is an absolute gem. And they smell wonderful which always makes me happy!

Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer is the best concealer ever. I'm actually convinced, and I don't want to even try others which are undoubtedly much more expensive, purely because this works so well, and at just £4.19 it is seriously under priced! I have been using this for so long now, I have the lightest shade for under my eyes which is so good at brightening and concealing dark circles, and then I have the second shade for any redness/blemishes/scars and all that nasty stuff. If you haven't tried this yet go for it, I swear you won't need to use another concealer again. 

I am also pretty sure that I have found my favorite mascara. This is a big deal because I must change my mascara every time one runs out. It is Max Factor's Masterpiece Max High Volume & Definition Mascara. The length this gives my lashes is seriously unbeatable, so much so that numerous people think they are false, totally worth it for £9.99. This tube is running out and I will be repurchasing it for sure. 

Another great discovery is Maybelline's Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara. I always used to just use clear mascara to shape and keep my brows intact, but this is so much better because not only does it do this, but it adds a tiny bit of color to make them more defined and set my powder in place. Such a winner at £4.99 as well!

Finally, I went back to my old favorite liquid eyeliner. I had been using gel for a while but I found it more smudgy and messy to work with, whereas I find liquid liner more slick and sophisticated, with better staying power. My all time favorite is Collection's Fast Stroke eyeliner. Wow, Collection are seriously on it because this stuff is insane. It is blacker than black, thick and totally opaque. You don't have to keep building it for intensity, just a few swipes and you have the perfect cat eye. This is actually what helped me learn how to perfect liquid liner due to the super precise nib which is the perfect thickness and really easy to control. If you are a beginner at liner or if you just find it tricky, seriously grab your hands on this! At £2.99, I will be buying this for life.

XO

My Top Five Beauty Tips for Vacation

Courtesy of Pinterest

Hey guys! 

Seen as I've just got back from holiday I thought it would be a wise idea to share with you some of my ultimate holiday make-up tips to try and make your vacation less stressful! I'm lucky enough to be going on holiday again next week so these are definitely tips I will be keeping in mind during the blazing heat which just doesn't go hand in hand with make-up!

1. On holiday, less is more...

It just does not make sense to me to be wearing a ton of make-up on the beach. Personally it is just too much hassle to maintain combined with oiliness, sweat, sunscreen, and make-up? Wearing make-up in the daytime on holiday is a recipe for disaster for my oily complexion. I'm all up for wearing make-up to go out in the evenings when you want to look your best but whilst lying under the sun, is it really necessary to wear foundation and the like? I don't know about you but mine would just melt off completely hence, a complete waste. On holiday make-up should enhance your fabulous tan and natural glow, not mask it, hence less is definitely more in my opinion. Of an evening I tend to stick with a BB cream, concealer, powder (non-negotiable), blush, bronzer, mascara and lipstick. Ditch the gel liner and the lashes- who has time for this on vacation? To me there is something ultra sexy about a natural face with just a sweep of mascara for intensity and a bold lip to add something exciting to your look.

2. Powder Powder Powder...

Even if you aren't cursed with the hindrance that is oily skin, your skin will naturally go slightly oilier on holiday due to sweating, hence powder is your new best friend. Dust gently all over your face, paying particular attention to your T-zone (forehead and nose) where you sweat most, and also your chin and upper lip. If you do have oily skin, the trick is to layer your make-up to help prevent it sweating off, e.g. apply cream blush, then layer powder, then bronzer and then a dust more powder if you wish to lock your make-up tightly in place. I recommend two powders in particular; my trusty Rimmel Stay Matte, and Soap and Glory One Heck of A Blot. These will help keep you looking matte, but of course they aren't going to make you look matte forever realistically if you have oily skin, so always make sure to take your compact out with you.  

3. Opt for Cream Products...

As opposed to powder, choose cream based products instead as these have longer staying powder and will not sweat off which powder can do in the heat. This rule particularly applies for blush, for me cream blush is so much nicer in the summer instead of powder and will have much longer staying power, whilst also helping you look extra glowy and more natural looking. My favorite at the moment is Revlon's Pinched, I wore this incessantly in Zante for its natural, healthy glow to create the classic 'no make-up look'. Cream eye products are also a lot better for holiday as these will crease less and keep your make-up looking fresher for longer. I couldn't recommend Maybelline's Colour Tattoo's for staying power any higher, particularly the cult shade on-and-on bronze which is all I wore on my eyes on holiday. It is such a beautiful colour that goes with literally every outfit under the sun to create a very put together look that actually took no effort at all. Despite my excessively oily lids, these stay on my eyes all night with minimal creasing. 

4. Whip out your Brow Gel...

Especially if you fill in your brows using powder for a natural look, powder may melt down your face in the heat revealing not so natural looking brows...hence brow gel is your savior! This will keep your brows looking perfectly natural and groomed at the same time- best.invention.ever. If you don't have brow gel or forget to take one with you, a top tip is to spray a brow groomer brush with hairspray and then use this to comb through your brows. This will have the same effect of keeping your brows perfectly intact throughout the night, whilst also holding your brow product tightly in place.

5. Rock a Bold Lip...

If you can't rock a bold lip in summer then when can you? Of course you can rock a bold lip any time of year, but for summer something about a bright, daring lip adds such character and fun to a seemingly boring make-up look. If, like me, you go fairly natural on your make-up on holiday, rocking a statement lip will transform your look completely. If you rock a bright orange lip in winter I salute you, but in the summer and especially on vacation you will look bang on trend and super fun. A few of my favorite bright bold lips at the moment include Revlon's lip butter in Wild Watermelon, Rimmel's Kate Moss 110 Vibrant Coral, and Maybelline Color-sensational Vivid in 902 Fuchsia Flash. Something about glossy lips in summer is also so gorgeous that I cannot resist layering a bold gloss on top for a sultry finish, my favorite at the moment is Revlon's Sizzle, a bold orange colour that looks like a match made in heaven with wild watermelon. 

xox

My Summer Make-Up Essentials

So seen as it is summer I thought I would create a post on all my summer beauty must haves, especially products that are bullet proof/heatproof as there is absolutely nothing worse than heavy make-up slipping and sliding all over your face in the heat. I personally love wearing less make-up in summer as I prefer the more natural look and usually with a tan, I don't feel the need to wear nothing more than the basics. But at the same time, a lot of people still like to wear their usual make-up but just change to products which are much more long lasting and will keep your make-up looking fresh all day long. 

Base:

In the summertime I usually still like to wear a foundation, purely because I have a bit of hyper-pigmentation from acne scarring which I prefer to cover up, but if your have near enough perfect skin I would totally skip wearing foundation; a bit of concealer will have you set perfectly. I like to switch to something that is quite light in texture so it doesn't feel like I have make-up on, but at the same time, something that gives me decent coverage and generally makes my skin look better. I love wearing my good old trusty Rimmel Match Perfection foundation; this is my go-to foundation and I wear this on a daily basis purely because I trust that it will look good without being heavy. This is perfect for the summer too because it is light and can be applied sparingly using a buffing brush for an almost sheer, tinted moisturiser finish, but is also very build-able and provides a good amount of coverage. What makes it ideal for summer is that is has SPF in it of 18 which is perfect; it means you can skip the sunscreen step on your face which is a lot more convenient. 

An alternative to wearing foundation is a BB cream; I have recently started testing this one from Rimmel which is better if you have near-perfect skin as it doesn't provide a great amount of coverage, which is why I prefer the foundation. This is perfect for holidays though when I don't like to wear a lot of make-up; it has SPF 30 which is fantastic, and is super lightweight so it doesn't feel like you have anything on your skin other than moisturiser. This product claims that it has 9 steps in one, including primer, concealer etc, which makes it the perfect one step product for holidays to stop you carrying around heaps of make-up. 

On top of this I've also been testing the Wake Me Up concealer, also from Rimmel, which I have seriously been loving. I think this is the best concealer for summer because it is super light yet still covers dark circles and blemishes, without creasing which makes this an essential in my summer make-up bag.

Also, If you are going on holiday and you know that your skin will most definitely change colour, I would advise getting hold of your foundation/BB cream one/two shades darker depending on how much you tan, that you can mix into your regular shade in order to adjust to your new skin tone. 

Bronzer:

In the summer I would absolutely not be without bronzer. It accentuates your already fabulous tan and if you haven't got a tan, it is all the more believable that your bronzed glow is real purely because it is summertime! My favourite one at the moment is the one from Bourjois; I have used this for a few months now and I think it is the most natural looking one I have used. Dust the bronzer on anywhere on your face that you would usually tan the most; the bridge of the nose, the temples, and highest points of your cheeks. Then blend down into the jawline and neck in order to match and create a flawless finish. Not only does this bronzer smell unbelievable, but it is perfect for me because it is matte, with a very slight soft shimmer which makes it more natural looking. When I am tanned on holiday, one of my favourite looks is to just wear bronzer all over for a tanned glow, with a bright coral lip to bring some fun and colour to the face.

As well as bronzer, powder and highlighter are also essential for summer. For me, there is only one powder I turn to all year round, but for summer especially I use none other than Rimmel Stay Matte powder. There is a reason that this powder is a firm favourite in so many beauty guru's kits; it is fantastic. For somebody who has oily skin, I can vouch that this powder will keep your make-up in place and keep you looking matte and shine free all day! 

For highlighter I have been drifting between my all time favourite Benefit High Beam which is amazing as it provides such a pigmented glow to the cheeks, perfect for summer as it makes you look radiant and luminous. I have also been trying out MUA's Undress Your Skin shimmer highlighter, which is great for the price and I absolutely love the marble effect finish of the packaging. It is not as long lasting as Benefit's High Beam, and at times it can be somewhat chalky, but it does have strong pigmentation and if you apply just a little bit, it gives a lovely shimmery finish which is perfect for summer.

In the summertime, although I still wear powder blush most of the time, there is something about cream blush which makes them perfect and much more suitable for summer. Lately I got hold of Revlon's Photoready cream blush in the shade Pinched, which is a beautiful peach, natural toned blush. It has a lovely texture and finish on the skin, and if you set this with powder it will stay put for ages! A much more natural, 'barely there' make-up look for summer.

Eyes:
Like with the cream blush, cream shadow is so much better for summertime because it has stronger staying power; powder has a greater tendency to melt off the skin, especially if you have oily eyelids like me! I have therefore been gravitating towards my favourite shades of Maybelline Color 24HR Tattoo cream shadows, in 'On and on Bronze' and 'Pink Gold'. The pigmentation in these is unbelievable and they look amazing on the eyes alone, or you can use these underneath eye shadow which will really help keep it in place all day long. Another I have been loving is the Rimmel Scandaleyes eye shadow stick in 'Bulletproof Beige'. This colour is so gorgeous because it is a super subtle beige, gold colour with soft shimmer, which makes this perfect for a natural look and also as a base for shadow. These are really easy to blend out with your fingers, and once in place they set and stay place for absolutely ages.
Another essential for summer in my opinion is waterproof mascara. This will ensure if you are swimming or just in the heat and you find that your eye make-up smudges, that this will stay put.  Although I absolutely adore Maybelline's The Falsies, I couldn't find a waterproof formula, but I have been loving Max Factor's Clump Defy waterproof version. This is super bulletproof, but it also gives a natural looking effect and is true to its name as being non clumpy which I think is perfect for summer because it doesn't actually look like you have loads of mascara on; just that you have lovely long lashes. 

Lips:

Bold lips is probably my favourite  trend for summer because I think it can transform a look and make it fun and edgy which is perfect for the laid-back style summer look which I love. I don't like super matte lips in the summer because it can be quite drying; I much prefer lips that are soft and moisturized with colour, hence Revlon's Lip Butters are perfect. They are super moisturising so you don't need balm, but I would advise wearing a lip balm with SPF because burning your lips is horrible. My favourite shades of the lip butters are 'Wild Watermelon' which is a beautiful red, coral tone with bright pink undertones, and 'Raspberry Pie' which is a pink fuchsia with a hint of purple if you build it up. What I love about these is that you can apply only a  bit and blend it out with your fingers to create a soft stain and hint of colour, or you can build them up to create the same effect as a bold lipstick, but with these you have the benefit of having soft, hydrated lips too. 

Summer is probably the only time of year when I wear lip gloss  I'm much more of a lipstick girl, but in summer I think gloss is beautiful. I have been using this gorgeous pink gloss with hints of gold shimmer from Model co, courtesy of Glamour magazine this month, so get your hands on it because it is such a steal! It is not too sticky; one of the reasons I dislike gloss most of the time is because of the glossy texture that always sticks to my hair!

What have your been loving for summer?

xox

Sparkling for Spring

Hey guys! Firstly, I'm sorry I've been away for a whole month now! I haven't abandoned the blog I've just been ridiculously busy with coursework and the rest, but lots more new posts are coming this way! Secondly, I went to an 18th last night and thought I'd share my make-up look; its very spring appropriate because it's such a pretty look, quite unlike the normal evening make-up I wear. 

These are the products I used to get this look..

Face:

Nivea Express Hydration Primer

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Boujois Bronzing Powder

No7 Blush in 'Coral Flush'

MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter

Eyes:

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Pink Gold'

Urban Decay Naked Palette- (Virgin, Sin, Toasted, Hustle)

Maybelline Gel Liner

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Lips:

MAC Rebel Lipstick

Collection 2000 Hotlights Lipgloss in 'Glow'

Nails:

No7 Stay Perfect in 'Milan'

Hope you all like the look and have a great Easter weekend!

xxx

Maybelline Colour Tattoo: Review

This post is far too long overdue as I've had these little beauties sitting right on my desk waiting to be reviewed for weeks now. I discovered Maybelline's Colour Tattoo eye creams after hearing a lot of hype about them recently, particularly on YouTube and the whole blogging scene. I don't normally go for eye creams as I have so many powder shadows that work great, teamed with a bullet-proof primer of course! I have quite oily eye lids so I bought these with slight skepticism, thinking they might just crease and literally fall off my lids as some cream based shadows have done previously, yet I was really happy with this product. First of all, they glide onto the lids really smoothly, and can even act as a great base for shadow if you want to really layer colour on top. You can apply these with your finger quite simply, or use a spare concealer/ cream shadow brush as long as it is synthetic. These have really unique staying powder which is unusual for cream shadows; I didn't even need a primer with these which is great. They stayed on all night, literally until I decided to take it off. Super saturated colour with excellent pigmentation that will not fade. 

I went for the shadows 'On and on bronze' and 'Pink Gold'. I much prefer the bronze colour as brown shades are my absolute favorite for my eyes; I think they really make blue eyes pop. The pink however, is a much softer, more subtle every day shade which I'm sure will come in handy. You can pick these up for £4.99 each, so if you haven't tried these yet I seriously recommend them. It is such an easy, quick and effortless way to create a dramatic look, literally just one sweep across the lid and your eyes appear transformed. 

(above, 'On and on bronze', then 'Pink Gold'. Also check out the amazing first set of lashes- Eylure 'The Chelsea Look)

xxx

Last Night's Make-Up

Last night I went to an 18th party and thought it would be a good opportunity to use my brand new Urban Decay Naked original palette. I had been lusting after this cult product for months but finally decided to 'invest' in it (review coming soon). I love this palette simply because it has all the shades that I  personally would ever need. I much prefer muted nude and brown tones as opposed to bright colours, all though of course they are always fun to try out too. 

I decided to use three of the colours which instantly stood out for me: 

'Half Baked'

'Smog'

'Dark Horse'

Over lashings of primer I applied 'Half Baked' across the entire lid, taking it quite high above the crease. I then took the colour 'Smog' and applied this through the crease, and winging out slightly. I then blended this thoroughly as to avoid any harsh lines, and then took the darkest shade of the three 'Dark Horse' to darken the crease further, thus creating more depth to the eye, thus making them appear slighting larger. I then blended 'Smog' and 'Dark Horse' together and took this under the eye slightly, making sure to join this with the slight winged out shadow from the crease. An almost sideways triangle is created but it is key to blend this so it fades out and is not as harsh. I blended all three colours seamlessly, and then took the shade 'Virgin' which is the lightest in the palette and thus makes the most beautiful highlighter ever. It is an off-white shade, with flecks of pale pink sparkle which really creates a strong highlight- perfect for the brown bone. I dusted this across the brow bone and then blended one last time so it faded into the darkest colour. I then added a slight bit of 'Virgin' across the tear-duct to open and enhance the eye. I then of course, applied a subtle stroke of my trusty Maybelline gel liner across the top lash line, layered on a thick coat of my Opulash Optimum Black Mascara by MAC, and then used some ultra-thick false lashes by Eylure to top of this look.

I know many of you have the Naked palette so would be interested to know if you love it as much as I do even after one use! I know there are so many looks that can be created with it which is really exciting!

xxx

Brown Smokey Eye Look

Hey guys!

So last night I went to a friend's 18th party, and I thought it was a great opportunity to wear my favorite evening make up look ever- a classic brown smokey eye. I think this look is a brilliant take on the smokey eye because it is a lot less intense than the conventional black, a lot more subtle and glamorous, very much in the style of Kim Kardashian I think!

This look is all centered around the eye, complemented with flawless skin, bronzed sculpted cheeks and a paired nude lip.

To get this look I used the following products (In order of applying):

• No7 mousse foundation (discontinued- sorry!)
• Lacura concealer pen and Rimmel hide the blemish concealer 
• No7 translucent powder and Rimmel stay matte powder 
• MUA brown shadow in shade 19 for brows
• Frontcover eye primer
• MUA palette in 'Heaven and Earth'- (third shade bottom row), (first shade top row)
• No7 palette brown metallic shade
• Maybelline gel liner
• Max Factor liquid effect eye pencil in 'Brown Blaze'
• MAC Opulash mascara
• No7 mini mascara for bottom lashes
• Sleek blusher in 'Sahara'
• Sleek blusher in 'Pixie Pink'
• Benefit High Beam
• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in shade 'Sky Line Pink'
• Soap and Glory 'Sexy Mother Pucker' clear lipgloss

OR///

• Rimmel lipstick in 'Diva Red'

For the eyes, the first step for any eye make up look using a lot of shadow, is to prime. This is a really important step to stop your eye shadow from slipping and creasing, especially if you have oily eyelids. I would like to point out that my eye make up stayed on all night right up until I took it off, still looking perfect thanks to the primer. I also think the MUA shadows are really good for staying put, and the price is insane at £4 for a palette of 12 shadows! After you've done this with your favorite primer (mine is from Frontcover cosmetics), layer the lightest colour of shadow all across the lid, taking it onto the tear duct, into the crease, and faintly up to the brow bone. Next, taking your dark brown shade, take this through the crease and out slightly. Then take a clean brush to blend so there is no harsh lines. Then apply a light shimmery colour on the brow bone, and blend again into the dark shadow to create a seamless effect. Taking this highlighter onto the tear duct will really bring out your eyes too. 

For bronzer, (I used a Sleek blusher), find the hollow of your cheeks- just below your cheekbone- and using light, circular motions blend onto the skin, taking care to not extend this line too much. Then pop a pretty light pink blusher (Pixie Pink is perfect for this) and put this on the apple of your cheeks, (the easiest way to find this is to smile, and its the most raised part) so you get a more natural combination of bronzer and colour.

I used a light lipstick for this look as I wanted the eyes to be the main focus, however it also suits a really chic bold red lip if you dare to do so, just make sure you wear it with confidence!

What's on my nails?

I applied this black nail varnish with this 'Yellow Topaz Glitter' as a top coat from Barry M, on New Years Eve. And it is still on! I think that's pretty impressive, it hasn't even chipped! This just goes to show that if you apply a top coat it really helps keep your polish intact for much longer. A pretty sparkly one like this also adds a new dimension to the nails, much more exciting than a clear one whilst still bringing the same glossy finish. 

 What is your favorite glamorous evening make up look?

xxx