Too Faced: Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar

Did I really need another neutral palette? Yes is the answer! I have always been interested in the Too Faced Chocolate bars as they have a colour pop theme in each one - the original has a wine/purple theme to it whilst the semi-sweet has a beautiful bold blue that is stunning mixed with the warm caramels. 

The palette is made up of a mix of mattes and shimmers all of which are amazingly pigmented and blend really well, I have been using this for about 2 weeks and have done daytime barely there looks to a full on birthday smokey eye. I do have a favourite shade that basically made me buy the palette and that is Peanut Butter; I cannot get over how perfect this shadow is for the crease, I have been using Coconut Creme all over the lid from lash to brow, then Mousse in the crease, with LOTS of Peanut Butter on top with Bon Bon placed on the inner two thirds of the lid to add abit of sparkle for my go-to daytime look. 

I will be doing a few looks from this palette to show its diversity in a future post and how if you're in the market for that one palette that you can create a load of looks and not lack inspiration! 

Thanks for reading! 

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Holy Grail Repurchase.

So I'm welcoming the new year with not a new love but a repurchase of an old one - the Soleil Tan De Chanel has featured on my blog before and for good reason! As a beauty addict I tend to change up my routine quite often but this is the one product I use every day without fail. 

This is a cream bronzer that blends beautifully on the skin and gives a sunkissed natural tan - I use this when I am my natural ghostly self or even when I have tan on and it suits me both ways as you can build it up without it going orange or cakey! I have also been impressed with how long it takes to get through one of these, I have had mine for about 18 months and have only just needed to get a backup. If you are in the market for a new bronzer but struggle to find one that doesnt make you orange then I would definitely give this one a go - although it is pricey the time it takes to get through one of these with daily use is worth the price tag. 

I will always be looking for a more affordable dupe but so far I have had no luck! 

Hope you all are having a great start to 2016, I read every comment and will answer any questions, 

thanks for reading! 

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Quick and Easy Smokey Eye.

I am a major fan of an intense smokey eye look however I'm not so fond of the time it takes to achieve, so when I found this quick and easy way of creating a similar look I figured I may aswell share it - so here goes! 

For any smokey eye I use an eye primer and for this look I used the Urban Decay Primer Potion as it locks the shadows in place for long wear! I then reached for my Clinique gel liner in Black Honey but you can use any shade of gel liner which is the main thing I love about this look, the same steps can be used in any colour, a black gel can create a gorgeous smokey eye in the same way as I have done this look and is great for the holiday season. However the Black Honey shade is this beautiful purple toned brown with gold running through it - I pat this on and keep adding layers to create as much intensity as I want I then blend the edges with a fluffy brush so theres no harsh lines. 

For the second step I used a similar toned shadow and placed this over the top, this helps set the gel liner and again add more intensity. For my look I used the mid brown shade in the Morning Java palette from Clinique which has that similar purple undertone running through. To add abit more depth I then picked up a small amount of the darkest shade in the palette and placed this on the outer corner and blended the excess into the crease. I then took the same two colour on a small shader brush and took it under the eye to bring it all together! 

To finish I used lots of mascara and right now I keep reaching for the Max Factor Velvet Volume mascara which does exactly what it says on the tin, I have also found it really extends my lashes whilst leaving them feeling soft rather than others that can feel stiff and uncomfortable on the eyes. 

I'm really enjoying wearing this look at the moment and will definitely be trying it in different colours to see how many different looks I can achieve (stay tuned!) I hope you enjoyed this post - I read every comment and will reply to any questions! 

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Complexion Perfection!

So the party season is upon us again, and the full coverage foundations, glittery eyeshadows and red lipsticks are being dusted off for their return. I have been looking for a flawless complexion duo for a while now and although I do have other foundations and concealers that I enjoy using these two new additions are my bit of luxury for when I need that perfected face.

Tom Ford is a brand I have always lusted after and really just signifies luxury to me, the packaging is always sleek and everything just feels special - which of course it should for its hefty price tag! Now for the foundation I chose to try the Traceless Perfecting Foundation which once applied gives a luminous glow to the skin, and although it feels lightweight the coverage is exactly how I like it - covers everything whilst still looking like your own skin. I have tried applying this base with a brush and RT sponge and it works well with  both, the brush gives a higher coverage but the sponge creates a seamless finish, so for the most perfected look I tend to use both.
Then onto concealer which if you're blessed with good skin you can skip however my genetic dark circles (thanks mom!) mean I have to keep one in my routine, so I figured why not try the Concealing Pen which is a twist up and a sponge top applicator which I am really liking for when I need to do touch ups during the day. Similar to the foundation the formula is lightweight yet pigmented and has no problem brightening my undereye area so definitely one to try if you have the same concerns.

Often with luxury beauty products I have some speculation about if its going to be worth the bruise to my bank card but these have been totally worth it to me. I certainly wont be wearing them everyday but im finding being able to reach for them when I have somewhere more special to go or if I'm having a bad time with my skin to be a great option and I would really recommend them for anyone that doesn't mind the splurge!

Thanks for reading, I read every comment and will reply to any questions!

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Dior Addict Lipstick - Im obsessed!

Although I love my makeup, lip products are always my favourite things to try and these from Dior have not let me down! I now have three shades, the one in the image is shade '881 Fashion Night' which is a fuscia toned purple that is great for anyone that loves a berry lip but isn't ready to rock anything too intense. I have now picked up a coral shade in '437 Charmante' which is gorgeous with a bronze toned eye look, and finally my most recent purchase is a neutral pink tone that I wear for my everyday look in the shade '260 Rose Deshabille'.

I've found these lipsticks to be very versatile, depending on the look I am going for I have worn them on their own, over just a lipliner, or on top of another lipstick - all of which wear beautifully and make even the dryest of formulas comfortable. 

I would recommend these to anyone and they would make a lovely Christmas present or a nice little treat to yourself as there is a shade for everyone's style! 

Thanks for reading! Please leave any comments below, I read every one!

X 

Clinique Chubby Eyeshadow Sticks: Review.

For a girl that is makeup obsessed I can often be in the mood for getting out several palettes and 10 blending brushes to achieve a new eye look however I also have a bit of a lazy side that calls for something with less maitenance yet still gives a polished look and I think I have found the answer. 

Every brand these days seems to have come out with eyeshadow sticks and I have tried a fair few yet there is one brand that really stood out in terms of the ease of application and blendability and they are the Chubby Sticks for Eyes from Clinique. What I love about these is the way you can go from a sheer wash of colour to a much bolder statement without taking half an hour and arm ache from all the blending. These also prove to be great bases for pigments or for sheerer eyeshadows if you want to add more depth. 

L-R: Biggest Blossom..Ample Amber..Whopping Willow..Fuller Fudge..Oversized Orchid..Lavish Lilac.

Out of the six shades I own, Biggest Blossom and Ample Amber are my favourite shades both leaning towards the rose gold/copper tone that I love. Whopping Willow would be great for anyone who loves Sumptuous Olive by Mac as it has similar tones within it and is a perfect shade for the Autumn season. Fuller Fudge is one I had to pick up - a rich brown with hints of barely there gold, I've used this on its own for a quick smokey eye. Finally the purples, I find myself reaching for purples alot so it seemed logical to try these out, Lavish Lilac is more of a mauve tone and would look lovely with greys while Oversized Orchid is more vibrant and a shade I lean more towards in the summer months. 

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to play around with eyeshadows I would definitely recommend giving these a go - there is a decent range of shades all of which have great pigmentation, I do think they could do with adding a matte black as I think alot of people would get use out of that shade. 

Thanks for reading, I read all the comments and will reply to any questions! 

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The Berry Lip Trend.

On a day to day basis I am a nude lip kinda girl however when it comes to the colder months and richer colours come back into season I cant help but delve into my collection and grab those plummy shades. I have a couple that are my holy grail Autumnal lip shades that I reach for every year and also some more recent purchases. 

In terms of finish I do tend to prefer a matte or satin as I find the darker shades wear better in those formulas, although I often suffer from dry lips so I just place some Elizabeth Arden 8 hour lip balm on before to keep them hydrated. I also tend to use lipliners with most of these shades to get a cleaner line and to stop any colour bleeding. 

L-R: Charlotte Tilbury; Night Crimson..Rimmel; 107..Revlon; Fiery Flamboyante..Mac; Dark Side..Nars; Cruella. 

*Charlotte Tilbury in Night Crimson - I LOVE this lipstick, the colour, the formula, the packaging, it's just perfection! The longevity of this product is very impressive and wears off evenly so none of that patchy lip situation going on! Although these lipsticks are at the higher end of the price scale they are worth the hype if you're looking for that one perfect lipstick. 

*Rimmel Kate Moss in 107 - I dont think there will ever be an Autumn lip edit without this one featured. The quality of this lipstick for the price is outstanding and delivers everything you need for Fall. I am now on my third purchase of this shade and will continue to repurchase as it is such a great buy!

*Revlon Matte Balm in Fiery Flamboyante - A very new purchase for me, I'm pretty sure this is a new shade as I had never seen it before. I have a couple of these already and adore the consistency, they are perfect for quick and easy application aswell as being comfortable to wear and give great pigmentation. 

*Mac in Dark Side - I had to include a Mac shade, although I have quite a collection I dont reach for them as often as I used to, yet I do love the colour range that they do. Dark Side is the newest to my collection and is one I have been reaching for, contrary to its name this is wearable shade and isn't quite as scary as it sounds, I've found patting it down to more of a stain with a balm on top looks really pretty if you want something more subtle.

*Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella - The perfect red. There is no better way to explain this shade, it is definitely a bold statement and is not for the faint hearted if you're nervous of trying a bolder shade however if you're looking for that classic red then you can stop right here because everything you need is in this lip pencil. My only criticism would be it is slightly drying on the lips and therefore does need a balm underneath, but I tend to wear one anyway so its not really a problem. 

Thanks for reading, as always I read all comments and answer any questions - let me know any autumn favourites you have so I can check them out!

X

Skincare Update.

In the past couple of months I have completely updated my skincare regime, as mentioned in my previous post about the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (here) I have had a bit of a rough patch with my skin so although I tend to stay away from trying new products as I have sensitive skin and often get a reaction I decided to take the chance and try something new. 

As I have sensitive skin I decided to try brands that are more gentle on the skin, I changed my cleanser to LE Clease & Polish which also duos as my makeup remover. I then tried the Origins GinZing moisturizer which smells amazing, like fresh oranges - which I love first thing in the morning. The formula is lightweight and has a gel-like texture that I prefer to the thicker creams, it sinks into the skin quickly and provides a hydrated base for makeup. 

For under the eyes I do prefer a more intense moistuizer so I decided to try the Clinique All About Eyes Rich. This is a thicker cream that does take a little longer to sink in but is completely worth it if you get drier skin around the eyes - I've also found this to help my concealer blend more evenly and wear longer throughout the day. 

Let me know of any skincare favourites you would recommend in the comments, I read every one and will answer any questions - Thanks for reading! 

X

The Autumn Edit.

For my second post of the day it's just a quick one! I recently realised that I had subconciously changed my everyday makeup due to the new season without even really noticing, these are products that aren't the classic bold berrys but are the more soft warm tones that brighten the skin up. 

As I have a large Mac palette and a quad I tend to swap the quad round with whichever are my most used shades at the current time and recently those have been Paradisco, Mythology, Coppering and Antiqued all of which fall into the orange/rust kind of tones which are perfect for this time of year. 

In terms of face products I tend to change up my blush shades and in this case I have been picking up Clinique's blush in Ginger Pop which again is a rich deep orange/bronze shade, I also used this in the summer with golds so this is a all year round kind of colour. On top of that if im feeling like I want more of a glow I use the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar - again the orange shade but with more pink that adds a natural glow to the skin. 

Finally for lips and for this I tend to change up on a daily basis but I have been putting the Charlotte Tilbury lipgloss in Ibiza Nights over basically everything aswell as on its own, the gloss adds a sheer wash of nude with gold that enhances the lips when the lights hits them - absolutely stunning! 

Let me know of any Autumn staples that are worth picking up in the comments below, I read every one and will reply to any questions - Thanks for reading! 

X

Stocking Fillers: Christmas Candles

As a bit of a candle hoarder I could have done a full post on every scent from Yankee Candle however I wanted to done one on alternatives for people who dont want to spend that much on a candle or just want an alternative. All four scents are ones I've bought in the last month so if you are looking to get any of these for yourself or a present they should still be available. 

The best value candle and the biggest one I have bought is also the cheapest at £1.99 from Home Bargains and although doesn't have that room filling in 5 seconds scent it does warm up nicely and add a subtle sweetness thats really nice if like me you just like to have candles on for the light and atmosphere, plus burning this one for longer periods of time isnt so bad since its such a good buy! 

The second cheaper choice a little beauty from Primark, for £1.50 this cute candle comes in a red metallic tin and once opened the top of the candle is a red glitter snowflake. The scent in this one is actually really nice and does fill the room, it is a sweet christmas scent as these are my favourites so if you dont like the sugary sweet smells this one probably wont be the one for you. 

The last of the bargains is this Glade scent in Roasted Chestnut and Macaroon, this was on offer for £2 instead of £5 and smells sooooo good! I would really recommend this one, it leaves the whole room smelling amazing and it even spreads into the rest of the house. There were about 4/5 in their Christmas range so I'm sure there is something to suit everyones taste. 

Now for my favourite! Christmas Pudding by Lily Flame Candles is the most delicious smelling candle I have ever owned and have now tried a couple from the brand and I am slowly converting from Yankee as these seem to last longer and the scents are all so lovely. Another one from their festive line called Jack Frost smells like lemon pudding and gives a beautiful citrus, sweet, warm scent that makes a great change. 

Let me know if there is any Christmas candles you would recommend, I read every comment and reply to any questions! 

X

A Bit Of Sparkle.

Okay so abit of a confession, I am quite a bit of a magpie and love anything with glitter, sparkle or shine so this time of year when it becomes abit more acceptable to go full glitter I always go full force, so when I saw these little treasures I had to pick a couple up. I have always liked the Colour Show collection from Maybelline as they are super affordable and have a really great selection of colours and finishes. 

The Be Brilliant selection are limited edition for the festive season and are £3.99 apposed to the usual £2.99 of their regular shades. My only let down was there wasnt a rose gold or light gold shade which is my favourite however the two I chose are super pretty and look amazing over lots of different colours. 

The silver/multi - coloured shade is called Light It Up and has small silver glitter pieces with larger multi - coloured sparkles aswell, I'm currently loving this one over black as it really stands out. The purple one is called Purple Dazzle and has the purple glitter with large sparkles in blue, green and pink this one looks great over obviously purple but also white or blue-grey. 

My favourite thing about these is the consistency, it is so hard to find a decent glitter nail varnish that applies an even coat across your nails, these do a great job and dry quickly aswell. If you wanted a bit of sparkle this year or even just for one day and didnt want to break the bank these are a great choice and in my opinion better than alot of the more expensive brands. 

So whats your favourite sparkley nail polish? Please leave any comments below, I read every one and will reply to any questions. 

X

Red Lips.

By now most of us have put our corals and pinks to the back of our make up drawers and have been favouring those berry tones for Autumn/Winter. I know I have been wearing Mac's Rebel pretty much constantly this month and loving that plummy wine colour; however I have noticed a certain colour going unworn that I have so many beautiful variations of and I couldnt think of a reason as to why I have been neglecting it. 

Red is most definitely a bold statement and for those that are shy of bright make up, red lips can often be really intimidating. Personally I love a red lip and think it can really brighten up your complexion and even when you're not wearing much else it can give you a very polished look. 

L-R: Revlon 'Candy Apple'... Bourjois 'Red Island'...Mac 'True Loves Kiss'...L'Oreal 'Juliannes Red'... Rimmel 'Red Diva'

So I'll start off with the two most sheer and buildable shades in the collection, Revlon's Candy Apple and Bourjois' Red Island. Both of these shades start with a sheer wash of red which is great for anyone that  wants to try a red lip but doesn't want to go too full on straight away. These are also very moisturising and wear off evenly, I find Candy Apple to be more orange-red which I do prefer but Red Island is also really pretty. 

Now for the two lipsticks. Yes I know the Maleficent shade is LE but there are many mac reds that are just beautiful like Ruby Woo and Russian Red, I've included True Loves Kiss to represent the brand just as much as the actual shade as it is just a clean bright red that wouldn't be hard to dupe. Secondly my new absolute love! I fell for the L'Oreal Nudes collection when they came out and now the reds have just stolen my heart. The formula is incredible, the colour is beautiful and the packaging is sleek and compact which basically ticks all my boxes. 

Lastly is a liner, Rimmel's Red Diva is part of their Exaggerate range, it's a blue toned red but blends really nicely with any of the shades previously mentioned. It has a creamy formula and even with just this on my lips they dont feel dry or go patchy which is a huge plus for me! 

Let me know any of your favourite red shades below, I read and reply to everyone 

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Jo Malone: Nutmeg & Ginger.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love varying my fragrance and don't really have a loyal favourite, I tend to find ones that I like and use them at random. However what I do tend to do is change up my scents depending on the season, which brings me to this little delight. 

My first Jo Malone scent was Pomegranate Noir which I love! In fairness there isn't many of the whole Jo Malone collection that I dont like, but when I saw this particular scent I just knew I had to have it. The best way for me to describe this perfume is basically winter in a bottle; it is warm with spice, yet has a bit of vanilla that gives it a sweetness. The longevity of this one I feel is longer than quite a few of the others which I prefer as I dont like having to reapply constantly throughout the day. 

If you are a heavy floral or candy shop sweet smellin' kinda girl this probably isn't going to be the scent for you however if you like warmth and spice then give this a go! 

Let me know what your favourite Jo Malone fragrance is :) 

X

Hello Autumn

So September is here and I am so excited to start my favourite season, I love autumn and all its colours it's such a beautiful time of year. One of my absolute favourite things about autumn however is getting all my berry tones and warm coloured make up out of their drawers and really having a play with different looks. 

The Mac palette in the photo above is my newest palette and has four colours that I really enjoy using this time of year. I got a light lilac tone in the shade Beautiful Iris, a deep warm purple in Fig.1, a dark green with sparkle called Green Smoke and also a orange/pink/gold in Expensive Pink. All the colours in this palette are so pretty but I do love a purple smoked eye and as Fig.1 is a matte shade it definitely is my favourite. 

I have featured two Mac lipsticks however I wear lots of different branded lipsticks these were more to represent the tones that I wear. The two in the picture are Full Fuchsia and Rebel, I also really like Rimmel's Kate lipstick in 05 which is a berry pink. 

My fragrance is the one thing that I tend to change seasonally, although I have enough to wear a different one each day of the week! Rogue by Rihanna is one I was really unsure about but after it warms on my skin I really like it and it stays on for hours which I love. The notes that stand out on me are Amber, Patchouli and Vanilla which create a sweet but warm scent, really nice for the colder months. 

Let me know what your favourite thing about autumn is in the comments below!

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