Tom Ford Lipsticks - A Touch of Luxury.

Sometimes a girl needs a bit of luxury in her life, and for me that comes in the shape of a Tom Ford lipstick. They are definitely the most expensive lip product I have ever owned but the formula just makes it worth every penny - they are super creamy and pigmented giving them great lasting power.
I originally splurged on Spanish Pink which is from the original collection and is a lovely everyday pink that goes with basically every makeup look.
I then got into the Lips & Boys collection and found the summer pink shade in Patrick, its a coral pink that is great with a tan and glowy skin. I now own the shade Jay aswell which is a sultry dark purple with a hint of shimmer. 

If you are looking into spoiling yourself then I would definitely give these a try! 

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Sheer Nude Nails.

Now if I'm being honest I am actually a huge fan of dark nails, I always gravitate to those sultry smokey shades when I'm perusing the beauty isles - however I HATE the way they look when they chip, they are the most obvious colours when they have seen their best days so I decided to go well outside of my comfort zone, and I must say I have been pleasantly surprised. 

I first shade I tried like this was Dior's Lili which is a sheer pinky nude that has a very glossy finish and just looks like perfected nails, the brush makes it easy and quick to apply so I've been loving being able to having a quick manicure with this one.
The closest highstreet buy to this one that I have found so far is Essie's Birthday Suit, a cult favourite for all the right reasons, I would say this one is slightly more sheer but I actually have been preferring that look recently.
For a more opaque polish Essie's Urban Jungle is a more grey/white tone that gives a more intense finish - I like this one instead of a clean white as it is more complimentary on my skintone when I'm more pale. 

I've seen lots of these types of shades from different brands so if you have any recommendations then please them in the comments below -
Thanks for reading!

X

Loving the Brand - Chanel.

Continuing on with my 'Loving the Brand' series I have gone or a brand that I have accumulated bits of when I have felt like a real treat. Chanel is one of those brands that gives an experience whenever you go to the counter, everything feels special which adds to the purchase and to my love for their products.

Recently I did a post about a repurchase of the Tan de Soleil (here) which is a complete holy grail product for me as it gives the perfect amount of warmth to the skin and can be built up so even when I'm my ghostly pale self it looks natural.
In terms of mascara I will normally reach for natural bristle brushes as they suit my lashes better, but after hearing reviews I decided to give the Inimitable Intense mascara a try, it claims to give volume, length, curl and separation which all sounds rather amazing. I have been impressed with how this mascara makes my lashes look long and fluttery which I find hard to get from silicone bristles - this was definitely a special purchase for its expense but I like to keep it for special occasions when I want those false looking lashes,
Now for a purchase that wouldn't shock anyone, I had to invest a nude pink lipstick so when I saw the shade Boy from the Rouge Coco Shine range it was love at first sight. As the formula is more hydration based it doesn't last as long as matte shades however I always get dry lips so this is super comfortable for me to wear and is easy to top up during the day. I would recommend this shade to anyone as I feel like its one of those that would go with any makeup look and is perfect to be kept in a handbag.
Lastly is abit of a mad purchase that I have come to love and now will start considering shades from their permanent line. I picked up one the Long Lasting Eyeliners from the Spring collection in the shade Fervent Blue which is the most beautiful deep blue shade I have ever seen! I felt like a moth being drawn to a metallic blue super creamy flame - this could seem a completely mental shade to some but I have worn it with a simple black cat eye on the lid with this on the bottom lashline, I think its an effective way to add a pop of colour to your look without going for a bold smokey eye.


If you have any Chanel favourites please let me know in the comments below -
Thanks for reading!

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Lancome Juicy Shakers - Cocktails for the Lips.

I was insanely excited for this Lancome release! I mean how cute are these!! I'm sure you have already heard about these Juicy Shakers but I had to do this post as I have been really enjoying them and wanted to share my thoughts.

So these contain sweet almond oil, omega 3 and cranberry oil, which nourish the lips making them feel super hydrated and plump and a pigment that will give a wash of colour to the lips. When left to settle the product will separate into half oil and half pigment so all you do is give it a little shake (hence the cocktail shaker packaging - still too cute!) and it will create your lip colour.

There are 13 shades to choose from along with a limited edition which is the blue shade I have in my picture above - this is the shade Mint to Be and looks completely bonkers when your sat applying this to your lips in public, yet it has a secret talent of simply adding what seems a clear layer to your lips but as it has the blue tone creates the look of whiter teeth and boasts a minty fresh scent. While I was looking at the shades online I couldn't just buy one so I found the shade Vanilla Pop which comes out a dusky rose shade, I have started to apply this over other lipsticks to create more comfort on the lips.

I'm really impressed with these Juicy Shakers and already want more in my collection (I need help) I think they are a fantastic idea for holiday to keep the lips hydrated and are so easy to pop in your handbag. If you can get your hands the limited Mint shade then I would highly recommend it - who doesn't want a baby blue lip oil? ..


Thanks for reading!

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My Mac Palette.

Mac is one of those brands that I will use consistently for ages then will just stop and forget about it for a while but always fall back in love when I go back to it - I really love the eyeshadow range as there really is every colour you can think of so I decided to build my own palette over a year ago and it has now become the palette I take on holiday as it has everything I need.

First Row L- R 

Shroom - Soft Beige with Shimmer
Brule - Creamy Beige
Naked Lunch - Minimal Pink with Shimmer

Kid - Neutral beige

Expensive Pink - Pink with Duochrome
Mythology - Copper

Second Row L-R

Brown Down - Warm Deep Brown

Brown Script - Warm Chesnut Brown
Antiqued - Ash Brown with Bronze

Rule - Vivid Orange

Coppering - Orange Copper

Paradisco - Bright Pink/Coral with Pearl

Third Row L-R

Woodwinked - Warm Antiqued Gold
Satin Taupe - Taupe with Silver Shimmer

Brun - Muted Blackish Brown

Sketch - Burgundy with Red Shimmer
Fig.1 - Eggplant Purple

Cranberry - Red Plum with Pink Shimmer

Fourth Row L-R

Green Smoke - Tarnished Olive
Beautiful Iris - Lavender with Sheen
Star Violet - Pinky/Brown Plum

Let me know your favourite Mac shade - Thanks for reading!

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Loving the Brand - Nars.

So today I am starting a new series on my blog where I will pick my favourite few products from one brand and talk about why I love them, I'm hoping this will be helpful for anyone who is looking into trying a new brand but isn't sure what to try first!

Although I have a few foundations that I really love, Nars Sheer Glow has to be my holy grail, I always go back to it as it gives me that natural finish with a luminosity that I crave with my dry skin. The coverage I would say is medium and can be built up on me, I mainly apply it with a brush as I get higher coverage but with a damp beauty blender it works like a dream and gives the most skin-like finish. 

Now onto the cult favourite; the Creamy Concealer - well this little guy lives up to his high coverage name and blends effortlessly. I am always on the hunt for a good concealer as I was 'blessed' with dark circles that no matter how much water I drink and sleep I get do not budge on bit; I decided to pick this up as there was so much hype around it I wanted to judge it for myself, and I am well and truly on the bandwagon. I would recommend blending this in with a damp sponge as it is quite a thick formula and just looks more flawless with that application. 

Nars do the best highlighters for me as the liquid illuminators give a natural glow that hits the light perfectly without that glittery look. I do use powder highlights but can find that they show off my drier areas on my skin which is not something I want to achieve so the formula of these is perfect and they are so quick to apply. I have two shades, Hot Sands which is a more gold/rose gold that looks gorgeous with more tanned skin and Copacabana which is a lilac/opal finish that I use ALOT in the winter with a grey or taupe smokey eye .

The final shoutout is for the Velvet lip pencils, I have the shade Cruella and it is the best red lipstick I own - I find it goes on so easily and really does not budge on me. However I will say you need a balm underneath if your lips get dry in any sort of way, I use a dab of Nuxe's Reve De Miel and that does the job.


Let me know if you have any favourites from Nars in the comments below -
Thanks for reading!

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Soap & Glory - Highlight & Sculpt Sticks

Recently I decided to go for a quick wander round the beauty section of Boots to see if there were any new releases that were worth a try and whilst scanning the Soap & Glory counter I came across these new Highlight & Sculpt Sticks; there are three in the collection but one was sold out. 

Now without even swatching these I was hoping they would be a dupe for the Nars Multiple Sticks and they definitly are! These are sheerer than the Nars ones but the shades and blendability is just as smooth, the one that was sold out was very similar to Copacabana, a pretty lilac highlight that is stunning on paler skintones. The blush shade with its pink and gold glow just screams Nars Orgasm, I would say this one has abit more glitter than sheen but for the price point its completely worth it - and lastly is the bronze this is more of a blush tone to me than a bronzer but still super pretty, I think this would look amazing in the summer with a bronze smokey eye and a nude glossy lip! 

If you have been looking into the Nars sticks and arent sure about the price tag these would be a great way to try the shades and product type out without the splurge - I will always love the Nars versions but these are the best dupes I've seen! 

Thanks for reading! 

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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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Current Faves.

So although around now I should be doing my January favourites, I haven't really got any products that I have just started loving so I thought I would do a post on some staples that I have been picking up alot over the recent couple of months. 

For makeup I have two products that I have become obsessed with recently and the first is the Tom Ford lipstick in Spanish Pink - now I am a sucker for a nude pink, I probably own enough to set up my own store, so why buy another one? Honestly, I was intrigued by the price tag as I couldnt understand how a lipstick could be worth £38 it seemed completely insane to me so I wanted to see what the fuss was all about, and well... I get it. The lipstick is super creamy and pigmented and the shade I have is my everyday shade that I can put on with any makeup look - my advice would be to buy a shade you will get a lot of wear out of as although a vibrant red might look beautiful but you dont want nearly £40 worth of lipstick being put away in a drawer from not being used very often. My next favourite is a foundation and this is a weird one for me as I really did not get on with this when I first tried it 4 years ago however I wanted to try a full coverage foundation and figured I might aswell give it another try and I am so glad I did. If you have very dry skin I really would stay clear of this foundation as that was my problem when I first tried it however my skin has now balanced much more and I find this wears beautifully throughout the day, I can go a day at work and not need to touch up my base (round of applause!) which is completely new to me - im super impressed with this and will be doing a full review on it soon. 

I now have a fragrance favourite and this is certainly not new to me however I have rekindled my love for it over the Christmas months. Jo Malone's signature scent in Pomegranate Noir is such a distinct perfume, it has a comforting warmth that I absolutely love, the first time I wore it was on my 21st birthday so its become abit nostalgic aswell now. 

And finally for my life changer! And no im not being over dramatic this lip balm is completely amazing. I know I am pretty late to the party on this one but I am converted - Nuxe's Reve De Miel Balm is like a mask for your lips. I suffer from cracked dry lips all year round so when I want to wear a bold lipstick I tend to just give up as it never looks very nice however if I apply this balm in the morning and when I go to bed at night my lips stay hydrated and comfortable all day. I cannot rave about this one enough - if you suffer from dry lips and have tried pretty much everything, check this one out!! 

So thats it for this post, thanks for reading, please leave any comments or questions below!

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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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Current Loves.

Each month I like to try and mix up my make-up routine and this month I have decided to give a couple of newer products in my collection a go. The Dior BB Creme has been a favourite base of mine for a while, and is one I often reach for on days off, as it's so lightweight but gives great coverage. I have tried out one of the new Eyes to Hypnotise by Charlotte Tilbury, I got it in The Huntress which is the bronzey shade that works beautifully with the Dolce Vita palette- it also came with a liner in the shade Amber Haze which again is a bronze, lovely for the winter season. Another newbie to my collection is the Kiko Moon Dust face powder in Mysterious Pink which is my perfect blush, it's a neutral/warm toned pink marbled with a subtle gold glow, this looks gorgeous when it hits the light and saves time in your routine as you dont have to use a highlighter on top! Lastly, it has to be a berry lip and these Lip Pops from Clinique are perfect as the primer infused formula allows them to wear longer and more evenly which is great with darker shades, my favourite at the moment is Berry Pop however Rebel Pop is on my list next!

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

X

Hourglass - The Edit.

I was truly excited when I heard about the release of this palette earlier this year, I've always wanted to try Hourglass and this palette was the perfect opportunity to try six of their different powders at the same time. Firstly the packaging is just beautiful and really does add to the luxury of the product, its rose gold with a huge mirror inside which is great for travel. 

The palette features: 

Iridescent Strobe Light - This is the only new shade in the palette and is a rose pearl powder that gives a subtle glow. 

Dim Light - is a peach shade that blurs the skin leaving it looking perfected

Diffused Light - a pale yellow toned powder, helps brighten and reduce any redness in the skin

Luminous Flush - rose blush with a marbled highlight within the give a healthy glow

Mood Exposure - neutral plum again marbled with highlight

Luminous Bronze Light - a mid tan shade infused with light to give a gentle warmth

All of these powders are beautiful and really enhance the skins natural glow - they have a subtle effect and go with every makeup look. These are perfect for any makeup lover as they are so versatile and would definitely make a lovely Christmas present! 

Thanks for reading! 

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! 

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! 

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Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish - Hot or Not?

Finally getting back to blogging, after finishing uni and settling into a new job I'm able to get back to what I love. Over the past year my skin has gone through what only can be described as a rough patch so I decided to update my skincare and try something new. 

I know basically the world of bloggers have already reviewed this product with rave reviews however I wanted to see if it really was worth all the hype. I've been using the cleanser for a couple of weeks now and it is fast becoming a staple for me in my daily routine and heres why... 

*It removes makeup at the same time as cleansing which for me is an absolute bonus and even gets that pesky mascara off without having to scrub at your eyes.

*It's very gentle which was a concern for me as I have sensitive skin so trying new skincare is something I tend to avoid and this has left my skin feeling comfortable and cleansed. 

*The scent is one I really enjoy, I could imagine some not loving it but I finding it relaxing and a more natural scent rather than chemically.

I would definitely say the Cleanse and Polish is worth the hype, its great for anyone that wants their routine to be quick and easy whilst still feeling cleansed. 

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

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Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

It takes alot for a new product to gain a place in my everyday routine but this summer release from Bare Minerals has become an absolute saviour for me. I have dry and sensitive skin, and have pretty much tried every BB/CC cream going from the bargain buys to the high end splurges yet this one has something completely new about it that I'm really excited about! 

The formula is gel based and you dont need much to cover your whole face so the tube will last longer (always a bonus!) its coverage, I would say, is medium, which compared to many other products in its catergory is quite high. It blends nicely, I just use my fingers to apply it with and will sometimes just go over it with my beauty blender. There are also quite a few shades which is again different as usually it is either, light, medium or dark so it is more likely to suit your specific skintone and actually give the natural look. 

I recently went to Florida and wore this everyday, it didn't melt off my face or move around, it was really impressive and kept my skin hydrated even in the sun. It does have an spf 30 aswell which adds to its benefits and is a bonus if you're going to be in the sun.

I love this product for my skin type, its super hyrdating and gives great coverage for a tinted moisturiser, however I dont know if it would work well on oily skin as it may move around during the day - but thats something I'm not sure of. 

If you have tried any new products that you're loving let me know, I read every comment and will reply to any questions! 

X

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eyeshadow Palette.

Summer collections in the beauty world have to be my favourites, and the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess release is always perfection to me. This year I got my hands on the eyeshadow palette and it has lived up to all my expectations. The palette consists of eight shades, 5 of which are satin finish warm neutral shades while there are three shimmer shades that can really change the looks you can achieve. 

For anyone that loves a neutral eye this palette is definitely worth a look at, the shades are super blendable and easy to work with. There is the dark brown shimmer if you want to go from day to night aswell as an olive green which im loving putting on the lower lashline to change up an everyday look. 

If you're thinking about trying a new eyeshadow palette this season I would highly recommend giving this one a go, its got such versatile shades and has a lovely formula. 

Let me know what your favourite summer collection is this year, I read every comment and will reply to any questions! 

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Clinique Lip Pop & Primers

For a girl that has an obsession with lip products these new releases from Clinique were definitely on my list, it just came down to choosing a shade, or in this case two. This new range are not only super hydrating but with the primer within it helps smooth out your lips and gives them an even surface for a wash of colour that are perfect for the summer months. Within the range there is a colour to suit everyone but for typical me I chose a nude and a coral, both of which have been used constantly since I got my hands on them. 

The two shades I picked up are Melon Pop and Nude Pop, the melon shade shows up more pink on camera but is a true coral, this would be perfect with a bronze toned look and brightens up the face. The nude is a mauve/pink tone and is a true 'your lips but better' shade, I've used this over Charlotte Tilbury's Pillowtalk lip liner, it keeps my lips hydrated and enhances the longevity. 

I would recommend these to anyone, they are a sheer formula so they are great for just a hint of colour on their own or look great when layered on something else. They make matte formulas more comfortable for anyone with dry lips but dont make them look super glossy. These are well worth a try especially for a quick and easy makeup look. 

Please leave any comments below, I will reply to any questions! 

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