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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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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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! 

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When Your Skin Needs a Pamper.

Since its Easter Sunday tomorrow and most people are off work and can have a more relaxing day I thought I would share a couple of products that I love to use when I want to give my skin a treat and a well deserved rest from all the make-up thats put on it everyday! 

I chosen two masks as I love both, the Balance Me Radiance Face Mask came free with a magazine last month and I couldnt wait to try it out as I have sensitive and dry skin so giving my skin some radiance is always needed. This mask only needs to stay on for 5 minutes so its a great choice if you want to do a mask but dont have alot of time on your hands; it also has a scrub like texture so it buffs away dead skin aswell as bringing out the impurities. 

The Second mask is from the Superdrug own brand range and is the Hydration with Vitamin E Moisture Mask, again I chose this due to my particular skin type but they do a whole range to suit everyone. This mask is meant to be left on for about 15 minutes so its lovely if you want to take a bath with it on or just chill out for abit! 

Lastly my favourite skincare product...this is my all time holy grail, if I could only take one thing to an island item - Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. This stuff is just incredible, I couldnt sing its praise enough even if I tried! It is expensive but it lasts forever and makes such a difference to my skin that its worth it. I found this bottle in a CCO shop so it was quite a bit cheaper than the regular price, I will definitely buy this over and over again; if your skin is in need of some love give this a try!

Let me know any skincare recomendations, I read every comment and will reply to any questions! 

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My Gym Face.

Ok so I am bracing myself for a slap on the wrist for writing this post but I know from going to the gym that I am not the only girl that puts a little something on her face before working out so I figured I would do a post about what I use and what I have found to not cause any breakouts or look like a hot mess (quite literally) when I leave. 

So the main thing I will always wear is a tinted moisturiser, I either use the YSL Skintone Perfector or the Estee Lauder Sheer Tint as they provide light coverage that looks after my skin but evens it out at the same time. I use this as it doesnt really feel like makeup and isn't like wearing Double Wear for instance - it lets the skin breathe while giving that extra bit of confidence. 

Concealer is not something I will always wear, but if I'm having a particularly rough patch with my skin and either have some blemishes that are crazy obvious or dark circles that make me look like I haven't slept in 10 years then I will reach for my Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer, this one is lightweight but great coverage and doesn't look cakey or thick. 

Staying with Bourjois and their Healthy Mix range, their powder is a staple for me everyday no matter what makeup look I am wearing, however all I do when I go to the gym is dust a little over my T-Zone just to keep the base from sliding around and it just keeps it looking fresh. 

This next step is super optional and definitely depends on how good the shape of your brows are but mine are just loving making my life difficult right now so I pretty much rely on the L'Oreal Brow Artiste to keep them looking somewhat reasonable, however if I was blessed with good brows I would skip this step. 

I pretty much always wear mascara, I'm not particularly faithful to just one, I do really love Lancome Hypnose but will try others and at the moment I'm giving the new Maybelline Lash Sensational a go and I do actually really like it, its not my absolute favourite but does lengthen my lashes quite abit which is nice when you want a more natural look - I'm pretty sure you could add a couple of coats for more vampy looks but I haven't tried that yet. 

Lastly is a lip balm of some sort, I've put my Dior Lip Maximiser is the picture as its the one I use pretty much constantly right now. I do however use anything that I know will keep my lips moisturised and comfortable for a decent amount of time without being greasy or sticky. 

So that's it for my 'gym face' products, I know that you really shouldn't wear any make-up when working out and embrace the naked face but if you're not feeling quite so confident I think finding products that will let your skin breathe, keep it moisturised and aren't pore blocking are the best way to go. 

Let me know if you have any products you would recommend, I read every comment and will reply to any questions

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Dermalogica Oily Skin Treatment Kit.

I just wanted to start off by saying that this is not a product I have tried personally as I actually have dry/sensitive skin and so if I do use the Dermalogica range the Ultracalming collection is what I go for. However my partner has been using this since Christmas and has really enjoyed it, he suffered from blemishes and acne when he was in his teens and now although all that has calmed down he likes to keep the oil level down and look after his skin. 

Dermalogica is an expensive brand but these kits are a great way to try out a whole range and get the full works for what essentially is the cost of one full size. The set costs £42 and you get eight different products to try out some of which are really great sizes and will last ages. 

Inside the kit...

1. 50ml Cleansing Gel

2. 22ml Active Moist

3. 22ml Skin Prep Scrub

4. 50ml Multi Active Toner

Not included in the box but given away at the counter were 3 sachets of other products that were from the same range but not featured in the box. I really like it when companies do this as it just adds to your purchase and allows you to try even more. If you have been thinking about trying the brand but not sure, they did give a skin test and talked about your skins needs in depth first before recommending any products so you could go for the skin test and go home and think about it for a while after. 

Please leave any comments below I read every one and will reply to any questions! 

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You Beauty Discovery Box; November

I'm fairly late with this post this month since I've had the box for well over a week however since the winter is barely giving any decent sunlight, taking photos has become a difficult task. Since I managed to grab a good 20 minutes of light the other day I have taken all the photos I've needed for some upcoming posts and reviews. 

As usual the box cost £6.95 inc p&p which is really good value considering the contents is always worth quite abit more. The two items I personally chose were the Bourjois Cream Blush in 03 and the Magnifibres Brush On False Lashes. I have another one of the blush in the same shade and use it when I'm doing minimal make-up as it adds a healthy sheen of pink to the cheeks. The Magnifibres is a product that I have always wanted to try but never actually got round to purchasing, I'm currently giving it a go and will hopefully do a review on it soon. 

In the box were the couple of free samples and this time there were two Merumaya skincare products, I've never tried the brand before so I'll be interested to check these out, the only problem with them being samples is there isnt enough to see if it works before having to buy a full size, from the brand I got the Melting Cleansing Balm and Youth Serum. 

Lastly I got a drink sachet from Baobab which is a health inspired drink and contains lots of vitamins and antioxidents, I haven't tried this yet but it does sound quite nice and I do like vitamin drinks so I should hopefully enjoy this one. 

Okay so that's everything from this months box, please leave any comments below I read everyone and will reply to any questions. 

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Lancome Pro Base Review

This was a bit random for me as I didnt actually buy this, my mom had a bit (understatement of the year) of a splurge on Lancome a couple of months ago and came to the conclusion she wasn't sure what was supposed to do what. Now for me this product was pretty simple, its a primer and an expensive one at that, so I said I would give it a go and see what I thought and since I was testing it on for her I figured why not put a post on it aswell. 

So for £28.50 I have to say I was expecting a miracle of some sort to occur on my face. It didnt happen. This is a very nice primer, leaves a velvet feel to the skin, keeps my make-up in place all day and basically does everything I could possibly want from a primer; so why do I not want to pay nearly £30 for it? Well that would be because they are plenty of primers from the drugstore that do the exact same job for much cheaper. 

Overall this is a great product it just isn't exceptional enough to warrant such a big price tag when there are so many cheaper alternatives. I would like to add though I am dry/sensitive skinned so this may work more effectively for those with normal/combination.

Let me know your favourite primer below, I read every comment and reply to any questions you may have!

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Latest In Beauty Box; Glamour Power List

I've really got into beauty boxes this year and have used You Beauty Discovery boxes since February and really love it. However I had seen this box on blogs and Youtube and had looked at a different box earlier this year but never actually purchased it as with P&P on top this box can be nearly £20 which does put me off a bit, but then I had an email about there being free postage and thought I may aswell give it a go for what is inside. I must say it has not been a dissapointment! 

The box itself is very well presented and I really like that all the products are of a decent size so you can give them a more realistic test before buying the actual thing. The box also comes with an information card with a little introduction to each item so if you are unfamiliar with something it tells you enough for you to get the most out of what you're using. 

Inside the box there is a James Read Sleep Mask Tan, which works as both a facial moisturiser and gradual tanner for your face. It has a Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, this is something I've wanted to try for a while and is a cult favourite skincare brand. The Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray is another item I'm interested in as I love to test anything that may improve the condition of my hair. There is three make up products in the box which are a Maybelline Colour Sensational Nude, a Bourjois Volume 1 Second Mascara which is fast becoming my favourite mascara, and the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer which I haven't yet tried but have heard some really great reviews. Finally some Eyeko Mascara Off Eye Makeup Remover Wipes, these are supposed to make getting eye make up off easier which is a plus for me with sensitive eyes. 

I am really pleased with this box and will definitely buy others from Latest In Beauty in the future as it is really good value for money and has a nice variation of products to try. 

Let me know if you tried this box and what you thought, I read and reply to all comments

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Vaseline Spray & Go Review.

In my last post I showed you guys a big haul I had done before and after my holiday (here), in which I had got the Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturiser in the Cocoa scent. I've now been using the moisturiser for over a week to see if it does work just as well as putting body butter or lotion on. 

As you can see I have also purchased the Aloe version so that pretty much answers the question of do I like this product as I've already bought more. I actually went and got the aloe one as I wanted to try it on my sunburn rather than using cocoa perfume on already sensitive skin. I must admit I was pretty sceptical about this whole concept of aerosol moisturiser however I really love it! I am one of those super lazy people that hates moisturising my whole body, it always feels like a chore and I never keep it up so when something this convenient comes along I just have to try it. 

You do still have to rub this product in a little bit but within 2 minutes you've done your whole body so even lazy people like me have no exscuse! The aloe one did actually soothe my sunburn and stopped any peeling which was a bonus; the cocoa one I like to use on my legs and arms as it smells so nice. I would definitely recommend this product especially for anyone that finds it hard to maintain a body skincare routine or even if you just want to try something abit more convenient. 

Let me know if you've tried any of these and what you thought, I read and reply to all comments! 

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