Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner: Eastend Snob

Before discovering this liner several months ago, I was never much of a lip liner gal. Now, it is essentially the only thing I wear on my lips. Every. Single. Day. I heard one of my favourite YouTubers and bloggers, Amelia Liana, rave about this and compare it to one from Charlotte Tilbury, and I have to say it did not disappoint. Everything about it is fantastic; from the perfect shade of natural pink, to the long-lasting formula, to how it transforms my relatively normal sized lips into something very Kylie Jenner-esque. I use this all over the lip instead of lipstick as it is my perfect everyday colour; it is pink without being garish as it has a nude undertone. This colour makes it really easy to overdraw your lips *slightly*, whilst still looking natural, creating a really full pout. It looks great with a smoky eye to pair things down, yet this colour is so wearable that I'm yet to find an eye look that it doesn't work with. The texture is matte which means it lasts a really long time, yet it is far from drying. However do make sure your lips are exfoliated and smooth before applying as it isn't forgiving on chapped lips.

I have gone through two of these already in the space of a few months, and they are always sold out whenever I need to restock so if you can get your hands on one, its worth checking out. This is definitely a game changer in my opinion for lips that look fuller, pretty and still natural, all for £3.99.

Thanks for reading guys,

xox

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lip Gloss: Captivating Ruby

I received this gloss in a free gift package a few months back and have lately been putting it to the test. It is essentially a vivid gloss with strong colour pigment that leaves a stain after the gloss wears off, which it does after a few hours. First of all, I love this red colour as it is as bright as reds come which I find most flattering and vibrant. One can not be a wallflower and wear a shade like this, which is great as it really makes you stand out which inspires confidence. It goes on really smoothly, but due to the bright shade it takes a careful application; sadly it is not one of those glosses that can be just thrown on without looking. Once it is on however, it is a great statement lip and does last a solid couple of hours. Word of warning though, if you are eating/drinking the gloss holds up for less time. Once the gloss has faded, a more subtle red shade is left which is nice if you want a more natural look. It is not akin to Rimmel Apocalips in the sense that it stays on forever without having to apply it again, but it gets my thumbs up in terms of how it looks. I think this is a lovely statement summer look combining a beaut red shade with a super glossy finish which is perfect for tanned, sun kissed skin. As for longevity, I have tried better staying glosses but having to apply it a few more times throughout the night is worth the lustrous look it gives. What's more, it isn't at all sticky which is always a winner in my opinion as there is nothing worse than a lip gloss hair situation. I will be wearing this non stop throughout my holiday this week, and you can get your hands on it for £7.99, a fairly standard price for this type of product; I couldn't be happier receiving it for free and I probably would purchase it regardless of that.

Have you guys tried any glosses from this range?

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

The Lip Product Addict Tag

If there is one beauty product I just cannot resist, it is lipstick, and when I saw Amelia Liana and Essie Button's tag video, it was right up my street. I have two embarrassingly full vanity cases full and yet continue to hoard. I adore lipstick because it is a fun way to completely switch up your make-up without changing things that are more difficult to get right. I change what lip products are in my make-up bag weekly as I find it fun to alternate and make sure I get use out of all of them, instead of buying more. However, I have tried enough to know what are permanent winners in my collection and which ones will never leave my make-up bag, so here we go!

1. Favourite balm/treatment
Nivea lip butter in Raspberry Rose. I love this lip butter because it is super buttery and thick which means it really moisturizes your lips. I use this all the time, especially before bed as it really nourishes and my lips never feel dry or chapped. I have gone through a few tins now and keep repurchasing as it works well for me. Other flavours are lovely too, but the smell of this is my favourite. 

2. Best eye-catching red
I don't often wear bright pillar-box red unless it is the festive season, but I love wearing dark shades of red veering on the purple side, such as the much loved Kate Moss 107. My favourite however is Prohibition from Collection's Deluxe range. This shade is a deep, red wine shade which really compliments my skin tone for a great dramatic look. Moreover, the formula of these Deluxe lipsticks are incredible, and are one of my favourite from the drugstore by far. They are super moisturising so would be great if your lips get chapped easily. They are also really pigmented, ridiculously inexpensive and they smell unbelievable. Not to mention the packaging is also super chic and looks a lot more expensive than its £3.99 price tag. 

3. Best luxury and best drugstore
My favourite luxury lipstick is my all-time favourite 'holy grail' lipstick (big claim for a lipstick hoarder I know!) It is Bobbi Brown's Wild Rose which is a mauve style pink. It is a really natural shade but is the nicest pink colour which really livens up a simple, everyday make-up look. I wear this all the time and it never veers too far from my make-up bag. I have to stop myself from using it too often as it is quickly running out. This is the kind of shade which if in doubt of what to wear, I will go to this as it fail-safe. The rich formula is wonderful as it lasts a long time and is incredibly pigmented. I think this kind of tone looks gorgeous with pale skin, although it is the kind of mid-pink which will look amazing on any skin type as it is not too pale. I often dab this on for a soft effect, but it builds up easily to a really nice deep pink which looks great for evening. Every time I wear this I just feel sophisticated, it is that type of elegant shade and is worth it's more expensive price tag.
As from the drugstore, it is another shade from Collection's Deluxe range. This shade Tallulah is a really soft, baby pink without looking too 'Barbie'. The creamy formula and beautiful shade is a winning combination. Again, this is another shade which you can slap on without thinking about as it always looks lovely. It looks great everyday or especially gorgeous paired with a really smoky eye to balance things out.

4. Best MAC lipstick
I only own one MAC lipstick so far but it is the most beautiful and unique shade, and that is Rebel. This is my favourite autumn/winter shade as it such a stand out one. It stays put for a stupidly long time- literally without budging until you decide it is coming off. It wins the award for most long lasting lipstick hands down, you can read my full post here. 

5. The most disappointing
In my opinion it has to be the Lancome Juicy Tubes. These are by far the stickiest gloss I have ever encountered. Granted, lip glosses are often slightly tacky that is just their formula, but these are a new level as it is literally like glue. If you smack your lips together they will pull apart with difficulty- yes that is how bad we are talking. It does leave a super glossy finish but the formula is not worth the hassle, and certainly not the price.

6. Liner- yes/no?
I don't wear liner on the regular but when I want my lipstick to last for a really long time, or if I am going for a super bold shade such as red, I will line my whole lips with this Illusion Nude Lip Liner from Model co. It is the perfect nude which looks great alone, but can be layered underneath any shade to really lock things in place. But for everyday, I would say if the lipstick has great staying power anyway, liner is non-essential. 

7. Best Gloss
My favourite comes from Revlon in the shade Bellini, a lovely peach toned nude which has a really subtle shimmer running through. It looks great alone to create a really natural, glamorous look a la Kim K. This is my favourite to wear with a really smoky evening eye as it really softens things and ties the look together. The formula is slightly sticky but is one of the better ones I have found- more than bearable put it that way and nothing akin to Lancome's juicy tubes.

8. Something Extra
Finally, I couldn't do a lip product post without mentioning that of Revlon Lip Butters- a great moisturising formula that remains pigmented and adds a subtle pop of colour- a perfect way to get into more adventurous shades without being too dramatic. They have a great colour range too to experiment with, and is the perfect easy option which can be thrown on like a balm. My favourite shade is Raspberry Pie, fairly similar to MAC's Rebel if you really build it up. What's great is that they are surprisingly pigmented which allows you to achieve that full lipstick effect with a slightly glossy finish, or else you can softly dab it on to create a really pretty and natural flush. 

Hope you guys enjoyed this tag, be sure to link me if you have done it too!

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

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

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

Smashbox Treats!

So recently I went to Cheshire Oaks Outlet Mall and of course I checked out The Cosmetics Company store- filled with all the best high-end make-up brands with huge discounts- impossible to resist! As usual I had to tear myself away from buying everything in store, but above all, I was drawn to the Smashbox stand; a brand that I had heard fantastic things about but never actually tried myself. Smashbox is also a brand that I have never been able to get hold of here in the UK, although I do believe Boots now stock it and you can order online. So anyway, the first thing which alluded me was this Eye Enhancing Shadow Palette especially for blue eyes. I absolutely adore neutral based eye-shadows; I live by my trusty Urban Decay Naked palette and basically anything with neutral tones, which I find to really accentuate blue eyes, hence this palette had me written all over it. What I love about this handy little palette is that it consists of six shades, three mild shades to create a soft, wearable everyday look, and then three darker shadows to create that perfect smokey eye. This looks like the perfect ingredients for an extremely captivating smokey eye; I much prefer to do this using brown tones as opposed to heavy black shadow which can be a little overbearing- with this palette you can look sexy and sultry yet still subtle. 

As you can see, the top row consists of shimmery light shadows. The first is a gorgeous off-white shadow which is perfect for highlighting the inner corner of the eye and brow bone. I love the bottom trio most, particularly the middle brown shadow which I have found to be a perfect match for my brows to create a soft brow look which shows how versatile this palette can be. The dark brown is also a great brow colour if you have much darker brows like me; it does have a slight shimmer however which is not desirable for brows as obviously it isn't natural looking, but this is actually barely distinguishable, hence it is passable if you mix the two together which create a perfect brow colour.

(Soft Trio)

(Smoky Trio)

Another great thing about this palette is how it includes these easy to understand application tips, perfect for girls who are only just starting to explore make-up. It has the easiest tips for creating the perfect eye look, guiding you on where to apply the highlight and crease etc.

The other item I reluctantly picked up from Smashbox was this cream shadow in Amethyst- which is the most beautiful deep purple with vivid shimmer and pink undertones. Initially I  resisted buying this item, I swatched it on my hand, loved it, and then somehow found the willpower to walk away. It wasn't until after a few hours when I realised that the swatch on my hand hadn't budged at all- this was after washing my hands a few times and trying to rub it off- yet this beut refused to budge AT ALL. All the many other swatches on my hands had vanished throughout the day, yet this baby stayed and for that, I obviously couldn't resist a product with such unbelievable staying power as the pigmentation is incredible. As I have often said, I have seriously oily eyelids which often results in unsightly creasing and smudging which means I tend to struggle finding eye products that stay put, which meant that this gem would be perfect for me. It claims to have limitless 15 hour wear which makes is the best cream shadow I have ever come across in terms of longevity, and what's more the colour is absolutely divine and will make any eyes pop instantly. This stuff is literally bullet-proof, so get your hands on one if you are looking for a great cream shadow which will actually stay put all day, especially perfect for the summer heat!

Seen as I purchased these products at a discount store, I got these considerably cheaper, but if these catch your eye you can purchase these on the Smashbox website or Boots:

http://www.smashbox.co.uk/product/6029/23643/Eyes/Eye-Shadow/PHOTO-OP-EYE-ENHANCING-PALETTE-BLUE-EYES/index.tmpl

http://www.smashbox.co.uk/products/6029/Eyes/Eye-Shadow/index.tmpl

Have you guys tried any products from Smashbox recently?

ps. I'm sure everybody has heard the rumors about GFC shutting down, so please follow me on Bloglovin'!

xxxx 

My Three Favourite Foundations: Best For Each Skin Type

These three foundations all from the drugstore are my tried and tested favourite foundations possibly ever. I go through phases of using each one depending on how my skin is feeling and what look I am going for. I have absolute confidence in recommending all three to you depending on your skin type, and it just goes to show that you don't have to spend an extortion to achieve great looking skin!

My pick for combination skin:

How do I know if I have combination skin?

If your skin is combination, you have fairly normal skin which means that you may have normal skin with an oily t-zone which is most common, or maybe you have dryness around your cheeks but not all over. Your skin will have a comfortable feeling with a smooth, even texture with small pores. You may experience moderate shine and larger pores on the forehead, nose or chin, but not excessively so.

If this sounds like you, you are lucky in the sense that any formula of foundation will probably suit your skin. A favourite of mine is Rimmel's Match Perfection liquid foundation. This is a great stock foundation; it is perfect for normal skin as it provides good light to medium coverage and evens out your skin tone without masking your skin or leaving your skin feeling cakey or heavy. This can be shiny on my skin without powder, but on combination skin this would be perfect to control the skins oil and also provide a natural glow. It is not overtly dewy or mattifying which makes it the perfect middle ground for foundation. This foundation is also incredibly pocket-friendly at £6.99. Rimmel also has a fairly good shade range of 12 shades so you can be sure to find a suitable match for your skin tone; my shade is 103 'True Ivory' which is probably a little light for me this time of year but has still been a great colour match nonetheless. It also has a great SPF of 18 so you can forget about applying sunscreen; this beauty has it built in which is one less hassle to worry about which makes it a great summer foundation. All in all I find this product to be something of an ideal everyday foundation and certainly one I will be repurchasing in the future. It leaves me with a radiant finish but still manages to cover near enough all of my imperfections. It also smells lovely which makes its application all the more nicer, whats not to like?

Oily skin:

How do I know if I have oily skin?

Having oily skin can be a complete nuisance sometimes, I find that I get needlessly oily throughout the day and have to carry a compact powder around with me all the time to stop 'the shine' from occurring. If like me, you have oily skin, your skin will be shiny, especially through the T-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin); it is a condition caused by overactive sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands. You may find you have large, visible pores, especially on the nose and forehead, and are also prone to frequent breakouts as these are caused by the excess oil on your face.

The best foundation for oily skin for me personally, is foundation Revlon Colourstay especially for oily/combination skin. If you have dry skin I would completely stay away from this foundation as it would do nothing to hydrate your skin, although there is another formula of this that you can use. This foundation is oil-free and quite heavy, but not heavy enough to feel like your skin is blocked and cakey. I personally find the texture of this foundation to be just right for me because it is not too liquidy as it is quite thick, but this is great for concealing blemishes, acne scarring, hyper-pigmentation and all the rest that oil-skinned people often have. The only thing about this foundation that can be annoying is that, for one it has no pump which I really hate because it means that you can't always control how much you get out. But also, as soon as you put some on your skin you must work it into the skin right away with a buffing brush; I recommend using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush for a flawless, airbrushed finish. If you dot some around your face all over and then expect to blend it at the end, this will make it extremely difficult to blend as it starts to set into the skin which makes it hard to move. If you start blending each section right away though, It is not a problem. As much of an annoyance that this technique can be, It is also probably the best thing about this foundation as once it is in place, it will not budge at all until you take it off. It is completely bullet-proof which means that no amount of heat or oil will cause this to melt off your face which makes it the perfect foundation for oily skin. I don't wear this on an everyday basis unless my skin is really unclear or I'm having particularly troublesome oily skin, but I always wear this for a night out because longevity is key and I trust that it will keep my face looking matte and fresh all night. The real test for this foundation was my prom in which I had this on from 4pm-4am, and it was still firmly in place at the end of the night; a true testament to how great this foundation is. You can get this foundation for a very reasonable £12.49.

Dry skin:

How do I know if I have dry skin?

If you have dry skin, your skin will feel tight after washing and may look dry or flaky. Pores will be small, almost invisible and the texture may be rough and uneven; dehydrated.

Liquid foundation is therefore necessary for dry skin in order to hydrate it and smooth your skin out. I have tried using Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, but I have found this slightly oily for me due to my skin type, yet this would be perfect for dry skin. I can however, get away with this when I use a fair bit of powder, purely because I love the radiant effect on my skin which is beautifully fresh for summer. It is super hydrating and makes your skin look luminous and dewy, not shiny. I do like to use this when my skin is less oily as it creates such a radiant glow, but it is not mattifying which I rather prefer. I have heard so much about Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, but I think the foundation gives more coverage. I would say this gives medium coverage, but it can be applied quite lightly. In a similar way to the Revlon foundation, I find you have to blend this into the skin quickly and then it sets and looks great. It does not hold up on me as long as the Colourstay foundation, but this is due to my skin type most probably and for dry skin it would last a lot longer. Whether or not it lasts the supposed 16 hours is debatable, but this depends on how you prime your skin and your skin type. It does smell gorgeous however which I love, it has a super fruity scent which is beautiful for summer and it feels like it does a lot of good for my skin. It contains crystalline pigments for an even complexion and a healthy glow and also contains apricot for radiance, melon for hydration and apple to protect your youth. You can get hold of this for £9.99. 

I hope some of you guys found this post helpful; I was wearing the wrong type of product on my skin until I realised I had oily skin! The important thing is that you find the best foundation that works for you, for your own skin type.
xox

My Summer Skincare Essentials

1. Neutrogena Visibly Clear oil-free moisturiser

Oil-free moisturiser is an absolute necessity for me in the summer due to my oily skin which becomes even more of an annoyance in the summertime; I therefore do everything I can to keep excess oil and bay and keep my skin looking matte. This one from Neutrogena is hands down my favourite one; it keeps my skin clear and feeling fresh and it smells unbelievably like grapefruit which is perfect for summer. It isn't heavy on the skin and absorbs quickly leaving me free to apply my make-up instantly. The best thing about this moisturiser is how it leaves a tingly feeling on the skin; you can feel that this product is doing your skin wonders as soon as you apply it which I love. It does not clog pores due to how it is oil-free, thereby leaving your skin blemish free for summer. This lightweight formula has a delicate hint of pink grapefruit to not only uplift your senses and make you feel fresh and fabulous, it leaves your skin feeling invigorated and fresh. 

This moisturiser is available at around £5 and you can get hold of it here: 

http://www.boots.com/en/Neutrogena-Visibly-Clear-Pink-Grapefruit-Oil-Free-Moisturiser-50ml_1253356/

2. Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer

Another summer necessity for me is primer. I tend to wear a primer most days anyway because I feel it keeps your make-up looking fresh and in place for much longer, but in summer I regard it as essential due to the excess heat, (if your lucky to get some sun this summer!) This primer from Nivea is absolutely fantastic. I could not feel more confident in recommending a better primer to you guys as I have tried and tested this for months now and I still absolutely love it. I love everything about it from the fragrant fresh smell, to the smooth appearance it gives to my skin, to how it hold my make-up in place all day. Foundation goes on so much better when I apply this as it creates such a smooth canvas for make-up. I feel like pores are minimized and any imperfections are smoothed out; make-up will no longer cling to stubborn blemishes or dry patches of skin if you use this. I think this is an all round great, reliable primer for everyday wear for all skin types, if your oily like me, or if you have dry skin. This product also functions as a moisturiser as it hydrates and replenishes your skin whilst also priming your skin. It is instant absorption so there is no waiting for make-up application which, for me, makes this a fantastic, no-fuss product. This is perfect for summer as you can be assured that your make-up will hold up in the heat. This is available at £4.99 here: 

http://www.superdrug.com/nivea/nivea-daily-essentials-hydration-primer-normalcomb/invt/556851

3. Garnier Simply Essentials Soothing toner

I love using this toner after I have cleansed my face in order to remove any excess oil on before make-up application. This one is my favourite toner because it is incredibly soothing and thereby perfect for even sensitive skin. It refreshes and cleanses impurities which makes it perfect for removing any residue of make-up whilst also controlling the oils on your skin. It combines water lily extract and pro-vitamin B5 in a gentle, non-irritant formula to provide an intense fresh sensation on the skin. Skin is therefore left feeling soothed, supple and fresh. This is perfect for the summer when skin is most oily, perfect to cleanse your face after you have been out in the heat and keep your oil production under control and shine at bay. This is available for £3.99 here:

http://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10052&productId=1160762

4. Dove Summer Glow Gradual Self Tan

Before trying out this tan myself I had heard so many recommendations from friends and fellow bloggers that this tan was the best around. I finally decided to try it out a few weeks before my prom to see if it really lived up to the hype. Before this my experience with false tan had never been fuss-free; it had always resulted in a streaky tan that was obviously false and stained hands. This is without a doubt the best gradual tan I have ever tried, and I have tried a lot of them now. It applies just like a body lotion and it has a very distinct smell which is fruity and exotic and I actually really like it. It builds a natural looking tan gradually without looking at all streaky. What I found most remarkable about this tan was how it didn't erode completely in the shower, something all the previous tans always seemed to do which kind of defeated the point of building up a tan gradually. This one remained just as dark but more natural looking, and didn't start to peel/flake away to leave that fake tan residue. I therefore built up a nice tan for my prom which left me with a subtle tanned glow. I used the medium to dark formula to get a more intense tan, but the colour was by no means orange, it was the colour of how I usually tan in the sun which makes this my favorite tan for a natural glow. I also stopped reapplying this after my prom, and even though I tried to exfoliate it off afterwards, I was still left with a nice subtle tan for at least a week after applying. You can get hold of the tan that is voted No.1 gradual self-tan body lotion in the UK for just £2.50 at Boots:

http://www.boots.com/en/Dove-Summer-Glow-Medium-to-Dark-Skin-250ml_1329537/

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

Seche Vite Topcoat

Until just the other week, I had no idea what 'Seche Vite' was. When I discovered that it was allegedly the worlds best top coat, I knew I had to have it. I absolutely love wearing nail polish and I love taking care of my nails, but until now I had never given much thought into using a top coat. What attracted me to this was the claim that it dries pretty much instantly, which I think any nail polish lover would jump at because one of the worst things is waiting for them to dry, which can sometimes be ages. If your like me and find it hard to keep still, you will have to buy this. We've all been there were you apply the most perfect nail polish coating ever; no clumps, marks, mess whatsoever until bam, you go and touch it to see if its dry and mess it up completely. Or worse, start using your hands and get the entire set ruined. The worst for me was painting my nails perfectly late at night, waiting a bit, going to bed, and waking up with completely imprinted nails.. SO I had to have this top coat when it promised to dry instantly. 

It is acknowledged widely as the worlds finest top coat as its formula allows it to penetrate through the polish right through to the base coat, forming a single solid coating over the nail plate for a much more durable finish which is guaranteed not to yellow. It promises that your nails will absolutely not chip, feel silky and stronger, and create a high gloss shine that is longer lasting than any product on the market today. It also says you can use it straight away after putting nail varnish on without letting it dry which, If I'm honest, was quite skeptical about. 

I let my nail polish dry for a few seconds whilst moving onto the other hand, then came back instantly to apply the top coat. The nail varnish I'm wearing by the way if from No7 Stay Perfect Nail colour. It is a gorgeous rich purple pink colour which is an exact match to MAC Rebel lipstick. I applied a thick coat of Seche Vite over this colour and was surprised to see that it glided over the tacky nail without dragging or streaking the underneath coat. What's more, it instantly gave my nails a super glossy, professional finish which is still shining. As regards to chipping, It has certainly stopped them from chipping and kept my coat lasting a lot longer. What I think is best about this top coat is definitely the shine, it really does make a difference to enhance the quality of the finished manicure.

I purchased Seche Vite topcoat on Amazon for £6. It is also available on feel unique but it is £10 there so definitely check it out on Amazon if your looking for an incredible, long lasting and super glossy top coat; you can check it out here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seche-Vite-Professional-Coat-14ml/dp/B00150LT40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365869140&sr=8-1&keywords=seche+vite