Mauve It Over: The Perfect Nude

Nude lipstick has been the one shade I have always shied away from. From past experience it has made me look washed out, pale and dull. This nude however, from Revlon, is the perfect shade for me as it is more brown toned and much less deathly pale. Instead of making you look like your lips completely fade into your complexion, it brightens your look and gives a much warmer quality to your make up. I think this is the perfect kind of every day shade that can be worn with any simple make up look, yet would also pair perfectly with a really smoky eye. The key with nude shades is to be careful and always go with something that suits you skin tone. If you are pale then I would avoid super pale nude shades without hints of pink or peach in them. Mauve it Over is absolutely perfect for fair to medium skin as it adds a hint of colour instead of a standard nude washout shade. Moreover, the formula of Revlon's Super Lustrous lipsticks is great. It is completely matte so it really sticks around, yet doesn't dry out your lips. It is a winner all round and a great staple in your collection.

xox

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss Review

I was delighted to hear when one of the most-loved Youtubers, Tanya Burr, brought out her own products, and I was eager to test them right away. These were the first two shades I could grab hold of due to the range's immense popularity, and they were not my first choice but I really wanted to try them. Nevertheless, I have to say they really are lovely. As lip glosses go, they are not super sticky and any tacky feeling seems to fade, leaving a lovely glossy finish. They have great pigment considering they are light shades, hence I can imagine the darker shades would look incredibly pigmented and vibrant. Moreover, they smell of a delicious strawberry scent, good enough to eat. The applicator is nice and chunky which means they are really quick to apply and only one coat is needed. 

First Date is a beautiful baby pink shade which is really natural. It goes on nice and opaque so you don't need a lipstick underneath which is great as a lot of glosses tend to be more on the transparent side, aimed to be layered on top of a colour to add dimension. This gloss however is the best of both worlds; colour and shine. This shade is ideal for everyday wear, or would look divine with a dark smoky eye.
The other shade I've tried is Smile, Dream, Sparkle which is more of a typical gloss as it doesn't have much colour, instead it is super sparkly as its name suggests. I think this one looks super pretty layered over a pink lipstick, but again it looks beautiful and subtle on its own. This is a great one for summer due to its super glossy, sparkly finish.
You can get hold of these from Superdrug or FeelUnique for £6.99.

Have you guys tried any from Tanya's range? What are your favourite shades?

xox

The Perfect Bronzer: The Body Shop Honey Bronze

This is one of those rare products that I discovered before the hype. I remember buying this in December when I had a serious shopping problem thinking I had too much loan (I didn't). I purchased this on a slight whim after hearing one of my favourite Youtubers, Essie Button, rave about how great this was for pale skin. I loved how much lighter it looked in comparison to most bronzers which made me think it would be super natural, which it certainly is. The best thing about this bronzer is that it is 100% matte and all the shades are relatively light which combined, create the most natural bronzed effect. It is not orange in the slightest and even the darkest of the four shades is a natural deep tan shade. I would recommend getting the shade 3, medium matte unless you have super fair skin. This is the one I use and it consistently gives me a bronzed sun kissed glow which looks like I've been on holiday instead of loading up on the bronzer. I reach for this everyday above any other; it really is the perfect shade and texture which gives the most natural, healthy finish. It is certainly well-loved and I have almost hit pan on it and most of the embossing has been worn over which proves just how great it is as I usually get bored of one product and switch it up relatively quickly. This product is certainly worth the hype it is receiving lately and is well worth it's £13 price tag. Moreover, the embossed honey packaging is lush and gives the product a more luxurious feel which, paired with the amazing formula, it really looks like a high end product akin to the likes of Clarins or Guerlain. It is the best product for a natural, subtle contour and a natural all over finish.

Have you guys tried this product or any other similar bronzer?

xox

February Favourites

Hey guys!

I'm very excited to be doing my first ever monthly favorites post! I know how popular they are on the blogging circuit and enjoy reading them a lot myself; they are a great way of finding out which products are worthy of testing and repurchasing again and again, a great excuse for buying more products because of how amazing they are! This month I have been reaching for the same products over again, some newly purchased ones and others which I have simply rediscovered. These are products which I honestly can't recommend enough and are true staples in my beauty kit. Hope you enjoy this new kind of post!

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine- this has been a firm favorite of mine ever since I tried it a few weeks back, but I have been using it non stop this month. The reason this is better than the average lip balm is due to its consistency, its a butter as opposed to a balm therefore it really moisturizes your lips a lot better, just like a body butter would do to your skin. There are other flavors available but this one is my favorite as it smells incredible. I will definitely have to repurchase this again as mine is quickly running out! You can see my full review on it here. 

Soap & Glory Hand Food- For some reason my hands have been particularly dry lately, so I have been reaching for this all the time. First of all, it smells unbelievable just like all the other products by Soap & Glory- one of the reasons I love them so much! If you haven't smelt it I would strongly advise you do. What's more, it does the job perfectly and helps keep hands permanently smooth if you apply frequently enough.

Urban Decay Naked Palette- I simply could not have a favorites post and not include this. I've used this trusty old palette for literally every party I've been too, especially this month, and the lighter shades are great for creating natural everyday looks. There are so many looks you can create, it is such a versatile investment that I would seriously recommend. I don't know how I coped without this for so long as it instantly became one of my favorite beauty products ever! All my other eye shadows have been seriously neglected ever since this came into my life. Enough said, you can read my in-depth review here. 

No7 Lash & Brow Perfector- Recently I have been trying to grow out my brows slightly, so this brow gel has really been indispensable, particularly in taming those unruly hairs (typically just above the arch). I apply this just after grooming them, and before filling them in with powder. It is great for perfecting your ideal shape, and makes it easy to fill them in as you follow your natural shaping. It keeps them in place, yet it doesn't stiffen them too much that they look unnatural. You can view my brow perfecting guide here. 

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara- This is a product that I forgot I had completely so stopped using it for a while. I rediscovered it the other day, thinking it was used up, but to my surprise it was still usable so I have been using this ever since. I really love the brush to this because it has an anti-clump wiper so you don't get that overdone, clumpy and fake look which can be common with many mascaras. It therefore creates really long, but separated even lashes with an ultra black coating. The brush is also really handy for bottom lashes which is great, the MAC mascara I normally use has a brush which is so big that I have to use a different mascara for the bottom lashes. Great mascara, I would particularly recommend and L'Oreal mascara if your on the hunt for a new one. 

Eylure 'The Chelsea Look'- Before using these lashes putting on false eyelashes was an absolute pain. These ones by Eylure are super easy to apply; they go on really smoothly without pinging up either side which can be so annoying! This particular lash style is probably my favorite lash, I only wear them for going out in the evening because they are quite dramatic, however not so much as to look overpowering or fake. They are my go-to party lash, instantly adding drama to your eyes and making them appear much bigger. 

 Real Techniques Expert Face Brush- This is a brush which I brought last week and ever since, this has truly enhanced my foundation and made application so much quicker and easier. I love the roundness of this brush for applying a flawless base as I previously used an angled brush, however this gives you the chance to really buff the product into the skin in a circular motion, getting into every crevice in the skin thereby giving you better coverage and a more radiant appearance. I think almost every beauty blogger owns these brushes, and I can see why! They really create that flawless base which transforms your whole look. Having the base sorted is what I think is the most crucial stage of make-up application; it just makes your skin look fresher and more radiant if you have your foundation buffed in beautifully. 

Sleek Blush in Pomegranate- This is another product which I rediscovered this month as I had been so used to using my trusty Rimmel Pink Rose. That however, sadly ran out so I found this. The colour looks a little garish and scary straight from the pan, however this creates the most pretty effect on the skin. The rich purple shade is actually quite soft if you only apply a small amount, and it also leaves a slight shimmer to the skin.  New favorite blush for sure, and what's more is that it suits all skin tones so is a great staple blush. 

 (Celestial)

(Waterlily, Rebel, Celestial)

No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Waterlily- This is basically a gorgeous, everyday muted bright pink. It is a really wearable shade so I have been wearing this constantly, it goes with every look so it is a great one to have in your everyday make up bag. 

MAC's Rebel Lipstick- I love this shade so much. You can check out my previous post for a full review, but this is essentially my favorite lipstick ever. It is the most beautiful dark pink, to purple shade with a Satin smooth finish. It creates a great statement for an evening out, instantly drawing attention to you. Furthermore  MAC lipsticks are super great quality with excellent pigmentation meaning they stay put for the entire night, not something every brand can boast about. 

Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial- This is probably my favorite February favorite. I purchased this last week and have been wearing it almost every day since. I had been dying to get my hands on them ever since, because so many beauty bloggers have raved about them. If you haven't heard about them they are are glossy formula, yet they still manage to contain the same pigmentation as a lipstick. This means they have really great staying power which is unusual for a regular gloss. This however is by no means a regular lip product, as it somewhere in between the two best formulas. There is also none of that dreaded hair and gloss sticky mess as these are completely nonstick! Celestial is the perfect shade for me, a gorgeous neutral pink which is perfect for every day. If you haven't tried them, go try them now. 

What products have you been loving this month?

xxxx

Rebel: Dangerous Look

I had been waiting to get my hands on 'Rebel' by MAC for absolutely ages. It is such a popular colour that whenever it is in stock, it seems to sell out, so I was overjoyed yesterday when I finally got it. For me this is my favorite shade imaginable. I always prefer darker toned lipsticks because I think they are much more flattering on my skin tone, so I am always intrinsically drawn towards plum tones like this. It was also my first proper MAC lipstick purchase (gasp). I have always thought that they are rather pricey for lipstick, considering the amount of good dupes on the high street, (I hear Topshop lipstick is almost exactly the same). But I finally gave in because this shade is unlike anything else I have and I know I will wear it all the time.

 Rebel is a deep, rich purple with hints of creamy pink underneath, so it's not too vampy. It is such a statement lipstick and you can't be a wallflower if you have this on so it gives you added confidence. It is one of those rare shades that really makes you feel glamorous and sophisticated. It is such a gorgeous sultry shade, particularly flattering on pale skin tones I think as it really heightens your lip colour. I also tried the matching lip pencil and the lipglass of the same name; I had to stop myself from buying both! I think the matte finish of the lipstick works well on its own, although it did look fabulous with the gloss on top.

 Rebel has a satin formula which makes it quite moisturising on the lips and it leaves a slight shiny appearance. After this was applied on me in the store, It was still looking almost perfect by the time I was ready to apply my make-up for the evening. You don't need to build it up too much like some lipsticks as the colour pigmentation is great, although the satin affect wears off, the vivid purple plum colour stays on all evening, I didn't have to reapply once and that's after eating and drinking too! This almost dangerous colour is right on trend at the moment, its such an amazing shade and has quickly become my favorite ever ever. 

Because this is such a bold, diva like shade, I had to stop myself from going crazy on the eyes too. I wanted the lips to be the main focus of the look, so I simply used the two lightest shades in my Urban Decay Naked palette, Virgin and Sin. I layered these across the lid, with slight contouring in the outer corners for definition. I went for my trusty winged eye liner look, using my favorite Maybelline one. I layered mascara and then applied false lashes to complete the look. 

Have you guys tried Rebel or know any similar shades?
xxx

Urban Decay Naked palette

I know this product has been reviewed to death but seen as I've only just jumped on the bandwagon I'm excited to reveal my thoughts on the cult product that everyone seems to have. Ever since I started blogging which was in November, I have heard an unbelievable amount about the Urban Decay NAKED palette, more than any other product on the blogging scene. This of course, means that surely it must be pretty special if everyone uses it and raves about it, prompting me to finally bite the bullet and invest in it. I have heard the Naked 2 palette is supposedly even better than this, however I thought I may as well start with the original first as this is the one that started the hype.

First of all, the packaging is pretty special as it comes in this gorgeous velvet case. It is an ideal size for carrying around, especially if you travel a lot which is understandably, why a lot of make-up artists class this as a must have for on the go. This palette comes with a shadow karma brush which is really soft and the ideal flat size for layering base colouring on the lids. The sizes of each of the 12 shadows are also ideal; they are large enough to get good use out of them but not too huge a size that you won't get through. 

As a lot of people can guess, given by my abundance of eye make-up posts, eye make-up is my favorite aspect of the face. I am particularly drawn to nude shades and deep browns, therefore this palette is perfect for me. I honestly believe that this is the only palette you will ever properly need; it contains all the basic every day shades, but also several more glamorous shades to give you the possibility to create a variation of different looks, you are not just confined to the same tones in shadow like some palettes. It is an extremely wearable palette that will give your look an extra glamour, yet you can still keep it fairly natural. The majority of the shadows are extremely shimmery which is ideal for me because I love this quality, yet if you don't like the shimmery look it may be a good idea to go with another palette. There are nonetheless, a few matte shadows here to give you the variation to mix it up a bit. As would be expected from Urban Decay, all these shadows are extremely pigmented with intense colour, and they stay on really well all night, although a lot of this is also thanks to a brilliant primer. 

The first half of this palette- 'Virgin' to 'Half Baked'- contains what I would class as the more wearable, neutral shades which are great for day to day wear, but are still looks that will take you through to evening wear.     

The first shade, 'Virgin' is the most beautiful highlighter ever as it is not just a solid white shade which is what I normally wear, it has specks of pale pink shimmer which catch the light and of course, highlight the brow bone and tear-duct. 'Half Baked' is the shad I've probably heard the most buzz about, it is a pale gold colour which is really shimmery but also extremely wearable. Great as acting as a base colour and then contouring the eye with the darker tones (see my previous post). 

These next set of shades- 'Smog' to 'Gunmetal'- are a lot more exciting in colour. These are all really shimmery but still manage to be super pigmented also, often a flaw in some shimmery eye shadows. I absolutely adore 'Gunmetal' because it is not just a block black, it is a really dark almost black navy with hints of silver. This makes it not as heavy, it is a lot more wearable and subtle; glamorous as opposed to dark and quite overpowering. I think this would be absolutely divine in the crease, with 'Hustle' or 'Toasted' underneath to create a different kind of smokey eye.

Overall I adore this palette and can't believe it took me so long to finally buy! From now on this will be a firm staple in my make-up kit as there are so many different looks I can envision already. I can at last see what all the hype is that circulated this product, despite the price tag of £36 which I thought was a little steep, I think this product is ultimately worth it. However I would say only buy it if you know that you will wear all/the vast majority of these shades. I brought this because I always wear browns and nudes, fairly neutral colours but also deeper darker tones. I'm not a huge fan of one-off block colour shades which you can only wear with certain outfits, whereas with this palette I know I will get a lot of use out of it as I adore all the colours. If you think that this palette is too extortionate, you should opt for the MUA 'Heaven and Earth' palette which I also have, and it is actually a pretty good dupe for this. It has a lot of similar nudes, yet not the darker tones yet another of their palettes include these. The colours are also great, yet the Urban Decay shadows do have better staying power I've noticed and are generally better quality, which is no surprise due to the hefty price. Altogether though, with the brush and 12 shadows included I think it is a pretty good investment, it is something that you will have for ages and you'll be surprised by the amount of looks that you can create with this palette alone. 

If you are one of many who have also tried this, what do you think of it?

Have you tried the Naked 2 palette?

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

Glamorous Make-Up Look

Recently I went to a party where I wore this make-up look. I couldn't decide what to wear so I did this simple, yet glamorous make-up first which would fit into any outfit. The key is well defined eyes paired with a neutral, yet sparkly shimmer base, topped off with a stand out bold lip in this luscious fuchsia colour- perfect for next season.

To obtain that perfect feline eye look, I used my new Maybelline gel liner in intense black which is my new make-up staple; a product which has totally transformed the way I wear eye liner. It is also an amazing dupe for the classic Bobbi Brown gel liner for half the price, and the two are practically the same. This product comes with a brush already, however I like to use my own as it is much thinner and thereby makes the line much more precise and controlled. I would recommend the Real Techniques fine liner brush for a super defined line. Start right in the inner corner and carefully take it across the lash line, getting slightly thicker as you do so. What's great about gel liner is it is so easy to work with if you struggle, much easier than liquid eye liner which often takes a few attempts even for the most experienced pros. When you get to the end of the lash line, follow where your bottom lash line curves up and then join the two lines together. Take this as big or as thick as you wish, depending on the look you are going for. As I am wearing a bold lip, I went for a subtle flick to create a look that was both wearable, yet glamorous. I also took this along the bottom waterline and right along the tear duct to extend the eye and create a look that was somewhat edgy. I love this product because it makes my eyes look so much bigger than without it, and makes your lashes appear longer too, win win! 

On my lips I am wearing my new favorite lipstick, Mattene Lipstick by MAC in shade 'Rare Exotic'. I love everything about this product down to the bright daring colour, to the matte texture, but also the durability of this product as it stayed on all night without any need to reapply. What's more, it smells unbelievable which is always a bonus.

Add your favorite cream sparkly pigment on the lids, and finish the look with highlighted cheeks to enhance your cheekbones and create the perfect pretty luminescent finish- my favorite is High Beam from Benefit- pricey but it is a good investment as it lasts for ages. I've had a mini version of mine now for well over 6 months and there is still more than half left, you only need the slightest bit of it so it will last you forever. It leaves a beautiful radiant shimmer on the cheeks, yet manages to appear somewhat natural. One of my beauty favorites of all time I think!

To go with this make-up I opted for my favorite crop top from ASOS, teamed with this printed blue skirt from H&M. 

My 6 Favourite Festive Lipsticks

Not only are these some of my all time favourite excellent quality lipsticks that are great any time of year, but they are the most beautiful colours for the festive season- which isn't over yet! The winter season is perfect for sporting this kind of bold lip, whether you go for deep, sultry purple, or that classic chic bold red.They also all have brilliant staying power because the swatches were really hard to get off my arm afterwards!

 From left to right: 

1. No7 Moisture Drench lipstick in shade 75 'Sugar Plum'

2. Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in shade 500 'Diva Red'

3. Max Factor in shade 830 'Dusky Rose'

4. Sleek Matte lipstick in shade 783 'Mystic'

5. No7 Moisture Drench lipstick in shade 120 'Siren'

6. MAC Mattene lipstick in 'Rare Exotic' 

A top tip for applying this kind of dark lip is to use a fine lip synthetic lip brush for a really precise finish to line the lips and perfect your natural shape. Then use the lipstick straight from the bullet, particularly darkening the center of the bottom lip to make them appear as full as possible. Add a tiny bit of highlighter just above your cupids bow to draw attention to your lips. 

Santa Baby

So Santa was super generous to me this year so I decided to do a Christmas Haul! Bit hard to see everything on this image so i'll just list the main things :)

• Yankee Candle in the scent cinnamon stick
• Christmas stocking Pandora charm
• Jimmy Choo fragrance 
• Next fragrance in scent 'London'
• MUA make-up palette in 'Heaven and Earth'
• Maybelline gel eyeliner 
• Next cashmere body butter
• Little Miss Sunshine mug from Utility
• Life of Pi novel by Yann Martel  
• Eye shadow set and Nail set by Lumiere cosmetics
• No7 illuminating make up mirror
• New look black  jeweled dress
• New look bright pink onesie
• Topshop black and gold sparkly dress
• H&M Lana del Rey jumper and skirt

I would seriously recommend this Yankee Candle as it is the most perfect scent for the festive period. All the candles are seriously strong even without burning, so it leaves such a lovely aroma in the room. This one is super large so it lasts for ages too. The traditional design of Yankee's signature classic jar candle reflects a warm, relaxed sense of style that's always at home. Convenient and easy to use, these large candles provide 110 to 150 hours of true fragrance enjoyment. Note- it is cheaper to buy from Amazon and there many other fragrances by Yankee are also available. Buy Here

The MUA palette is also fantastic as it is a natural palette with all those basic every day shades that are an absolute must all year round. I think these palettes are around £4 too which is such an unbelievable bargain! They are great quality shadows too with excellent staying power.

Finally, in terms of beauty, the Maybelline gel eyeliner is something which I have only just discovered and I would now not be without it. I have used liquid eyeliner for years and love that too, but this gel formula has the appearance of a liquid liner but is so much easier to apply if you find it difficult. It is reasonably priced and includes a brush too, although I use a much thinner one to get a super precise finish. It is practically the same as the famous Bobbi Brown liner too, for about half the price so it is an absolute bargain! 

*Happy Holidays!*

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. 

December Beauty Haul

These are products which I have recently purchased for the Winter season, and some which I have been sampling/use especially for this time of year. Firstly, as I was so impressed with the Rimmel lasting finish foundation (which I reviewed in a previous post), I decided to buy another one from Rimmel but opted for this match perfection one instead, as I was attracted to the innovation of smart tone technology which adapts to the colour and tone of skin. I went for shade 003 In true Ivory, which is somewhat paler than I would usually choose purely because of the Winter season as skin would inevitably be paler in complexion. This tone matches my skin exactly. Previously with foundation, even if it is a shade darker It can be blended into the skin to create a natural, yet more tanned look, whereas as soon as this shade was applied even before blending, it matched my skin exactly. It gave me a flawless finish without leaving my skin too dewy which is ideal for the cold temperatures- a dewy look is most desired in the Summer season. Even though I have oily/combination skin, this foundation kept my skin matte all day, without having to apply powder more than once, which I have found with previous foundations. This skin was not too heavy either, thereby allowing the skin to breathe which is great, however my only criticism is that is was a little less coverage than I would like as I had to use quite a fair bit of concealer to cover blemishes, yet I would still highly recommend this foundation, particularly if you already have flawless skin anyway. What's more, this foundation has an amazing scent which is super fresh, and leaves a beautiful to the skin making it look healthy and radiant. I would rate this 9/10, and at £6.99 this is a bargain for quality.  

***
Next I recently received these gorgeous Cheryl Cole lashes from Eylure and they are so amazingly natural, perfect false lashes for the glamorous party season, designed to enhance the natural beauty of your eyes. Fabulous, flirty and flexible they are suitable for all eye shapes and all occasions, with an ultra- lightweight feel. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of false lashes, I normally just prefer to use lashings of mascara to create that desired intense eye look, however these are so natural that they aren't too obvious your wearing them. These lashes just add thickness, but not enough to look 'fake', they also have a subtle winged out effect on the edges which can match your best mascara, creating a really natural, yet beautiful evening look. As always from this range, they are easy to apply with glue included, and reusable. Just make sure you leave the glue for a few minutes until tacky so they stick better, and then gently place on the lash line with tweezers to make sure they are on securely and correctly. Be sure to place the lash on your lash line to measure before applying the glue, the check it lines up correctly, and trim any excess if need be. I finish by applying a coat of mascara over the top of the false lashes to bind them to the natural ones, creating a seamless natural look. Cheryl herself says: "I love the volume of my lashes. Gorgeous, subtle and versatile they can be worn day or night." I would rate these 10/10 as they are the best, most natural lashes I have ever tried. Priced at £5. 

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Next I have been loving this splendidly silky moisturizing conditioner from Percy & Reed. It is specifically designed for parched hair, which is often a result of the harsh conditions in which winter brings. This conditioner therefore treats your hair spectacularly, giving it the attention it needs to repair itself. I discovered this as a sample in Glamour a while ago, recently started using it regularly the other week and it has already done wonders for my hair. My favorite thing about this product is that it smells unbelievably fantastic, you have to try it if not just for the smell.    

Splendidly Silky Moisturizing Conditioner is packed with moisture infusing marvels;

• Blueberry Extract which helps to neutralise and protect the hair from free radicals.
• Grape Seed Oil which is rich in vitamins, minerals and protein.
• Sweet Almond Oil; rich in Vitamin E and known to help reduce hair fall.
• Lastly Aloe Vera Gel which detangles, moisturizes, heals and smoothes dry and damaged hair.

All these ingredients combine quite beautifully, to hydrate and deeply nourish your hair, creating luscious looks with added shine, to give you that luxurious treatment that your hair is in need of this time of year. I would give this product 9/10, priced at £16, you can buy any product from this range on their website: http://www.percyandreed.com/

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My favorite winter moisturizer this season has to be this one from Clinique, its best-selling dramatically different moisturizing lotion. It helps to duplicate the moisture naturally occuring in the skin to provide comfort and balance to your skin. It is such a hydrating moisturizer that you only need a tiny amount on dry areas only, which naturally occur in the winter season even if you
don't normally have dry skin. I like to put this on before bed so it nourishes and moisturizes my skin throughout the night, so I wake up with refreshed and hydrated glowing skin. Also great as a day cream and acts as a good base for make-up. Winner of the Zest Skin Care Awards for Best Day Cream. I would highly recommend this moisturizer and give it a strong 9/10, the only reason why it is not full marks is due to the price which is a little higher than I would like to pay at
£17, however, it is a highly-rated product unsurprisingly as shown by the results.

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I discovered this Opulash Optimum Black mascara by M.A.C last Christmas as a gift, and I have brought another one since. Whats great about this is the huge and slightly scary brush which is MAC's most bodacious one yet, indicating just how voluminous it makes your lashes. It combines a new formula in a more saturated intense black, with extra voluminization, expansion and curl delivered dramatically. It is perfect for the Christmas party season for all the special occasion events where that desired glamorous and shockingly intense eye look is ideal. If that doesn't persuade you, it lasts 15 hours! This incredible staying power requires quite a strong eye make up remover, as the mascara is literally bullet proof, and most importantly will not flake onto your face throughout the day. I would give this mascara 9/10, and it is £14. This would also make a great gift; I received it last year and loved it, so if you need a stocking filler this is perfect. 

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I have used my Tangle Teezer now for a few months, and I honestly would not be without it! If you haven't heard of it before, it is an innovative, revolutionary hair brush which will literally get out any tangle whatsoever with no pain, no matter what style hair you have. So impressive are the results, that it has taken the beauty industry by storm overnight. It is the original professional detangling brush, containing a unique teeth configuration which flexes upon contact with tangles, thereby making brushing your hair easy and stress free by removing tangles- not your hair! It delivers impressive results on both wet and dry hair, I particularly like using this after washing my hair when it is damp, as it removes all the tangles before blow drying, what's more it is quick too. It also works on extensions and weaves, so it will work on literally anyone. It really is your hair care saviour and a true detangling solution. Tangle Teezer Original is the only brush that is literally changing lives. "Don't change your lifestyle; change your hairbrush". It is also the perfect compact size so ideal for taking with you on the go, and for travelling especially. Available also in several colours, I brought mine on Amazon for £9.99 and would rate it without a doubt 10/10. 

Available here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tangle-Teezer-Professional-Detangling-Hairbrush/dp/B00264NW7G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354809624&sr=8-1