October

It seems October literally went by in a flash and now the run up to Christmas has truly started (in my eyes anyway). For me this means favouring browny, autumnal looks this month and there are some nourishing skin care bits that I have completely fallen in love with. 

Starting with a new lip combination that I think I've worn all month long, MAC's Etcetera Liner & Naturally Transformed Lipstick. I find Naturally Transformed to be a tad too yellowy on my fairly pale skin tone, but paired with the slightly pinker hue of Etcetera they create the perfect beige nude. As much as I love MAC's Matte Lipsticks they tend to be pretty unforgiving, so definitely prep your lips with a balm! 

On the lids this month I've been loving Burberry's Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley. A light, cool toned brown, this is one of those sweep and go shadows thats perfect for every day wear but also looks great for evenings - especially when paired with a orangey red lip! 

On dreary grey days my skin really benefits from some extra glow and theBalm's Mary-Loumanizer definitely delivers. This super pigmented, champagne toned highlight is definitely not as subtle as some others, but dusted lightly over the high points of your face it's still really wearable for daytime and is my favourite highlight for nights out! 

Aesop is one of my most loved skincare brands - if not only for their beautiful, apothecary style packaging, but also for the wonders that their products do for my skin. I've been a fan of the Parsley Seed Mask for years so it comes as no surprise that I love the Serum from the same line. The Serum is packed full of antioxidants, resulting in smooth, plump and nourished skin. When the first ingredient on the list is super moisturising and soothing Aloe Vera, you know it's going to be good! I've been using this morning and night and found a little goes a long way, although you get a huge 100ml of product for £45.00. 

The Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask is unlike others of its kind, claiming it 'Lifts, smoothes, brightens and tightens for baby skin'. I was definitely skeptical (especially for the price) but have to say this is unlike any other clay mask I own. My skin feels hydrated, super soft and plump, yet soothed and cleansed at the same time. Its a lovely quick fix for happier skin and a really welcome addition to my routine. 

Finally this month I've been loving a fragrance from Caudalíe. With notes of Rose, Grapefruit, Pink Peppercorn, Vanilla and Musks, Divin de Caudalíe is a warming, woody fragrance which is very relaxing in a spa like way. It shares the same scent as the Divine Oil and Candle, so if you love either of those then this is for you! 

What are your favourites this month? 

Maybelline Colour Tattoos - Creamy Mattes

I feel like I have been waiting forever for this release! If your not already familiar with the Maybelline Colour Tattoo's, they are long wearing cream shadows that are in my opinion the best drugstore option out there. The range includes some very pretty shades such as On and On Bronze,  but has always lacked a matte, skin toned shade that can be used to even out the lid or as a base for shadow.

 Finally Maybelline have released Crème de Nude and Crème de Rose -  Crème de Nude a yellowy tone and Crème de Rose being a pale pink (surprise surprise). Think, MAC Soft Ochre and Painterly! They offer the same creamy pigmentation as the original shades, work great as an eyeshadow base and do a really good job at evening out my veiny lids. Crème de Nude has to be my favourite of the two as I prefer a yellow toned base, but I think the rosier option would work better for someone slightly darker than me.

Compared to MAC's Paint Pots, I would say the formula is far less drying and can be built up without looking cakey. As a religious user of Soft Ochre, this is a big claim from me but I can really say these are just as good, if not better than their high end equivalent. There seems to be a little confusion about the shade names, as I have also seen these talked about under the names 'Just Beige' and 'Nude Pink', so I think the name of the shade could depend on which country you live in. I believe these have been available in America for a while now and have just been released in the UK - so I strongly suggest you go buy these eyelid essentials!

Have you tried Maybelline's latest additions? Let me know!

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Smashbox 'Shape Matters' Palette

While wandering the aisles of Boots (a pretty standard post uni ritual) I came across this gorgeous Shape Matters Palette from Smashbox. A new release for Autumn 2015, this palette is currently on an amazing introductory promotion meaning I picked this up for just £30.00! This is really such a great deal, as it contains all three shades from the Contour Kit (which alone retails for £35.00), along with a second highlight shade, nine powder eye shadows, two brow shades and a wax.

This is a wonderful all round face palette, especially for Make up Artists like myself or anyone that travels frequently. The Contour Kit in particular is something I've been lusting after for a long time and the shades really lived up to my expectations. There is a bronzer, contour shade and two highlight shades: one matte, aptly named Highlight and one sheeny called Glow. The bronzer is very warming which I find to be a nice contrast to the cool undertones of the contour shade making it really easy to sculpt the face without leaving the skin looking dull. Highlight works perfectly to set cream highlighters and under eye concealer, or to just add brightness to the face, while Glow imparts a lovely subtle sheen which after running out of my Kevin Aucoin By Candlelight is something I've been lacking in my collection.

The two brow powders included would be wearable for most people and I've found them to mix together well to create the perfect shade. I would say the palest of blondes may even find Taupe (the lightest shade) a little too dark for them, but thankfully for me this isn't a problem. The one thing I'm yet to try is the brow wax as I find they never usually work on me, but its a good inclusion for people with unruly brows or to use as part of a kit.

The eye shades are very well pigmented and creamy in feel and although the shimmery shades are prone to a teeny bit of fallout, this is no problem for me as I prefer my shadows to have an easily blend able texture. Another thing I really like is selection of colours chosen, ranging from pale lid colours such as Vanilla to contrasting mattes like Sumatra to run through the crease, along with pretty purples Posh & Aubergine to keep things a little interesting. Platinum definitely deserves a special mention - its a stunning browny gold shade (that definitely does not do it justice) that I have found myself gravitating towards every day.

This palette is currently out of stock on the Boots website but there were loads on the shelf in my local store so its definitely worth checking out. I believe it retails at full price for £60.00 which I know is pricey, but if you are a fan of all the products inside or looking for a convenient addition to your make up kit, it still works out far cheaper than buying the products individually.

September Wants/Needs

September Want List by laynaduggan featuring H&M

As Summer turns into Autumn I seem to find myself wanting to buy everything... so here is a very condensed version of my current wants!

1. Tom Ford has to be one of the most luxurious cosmetic lines out there and if you can stomach the price, his products are absolutely beautiful. I saw Suzie from hellooctober use this Cream and Powder eye colour in Naked Bronze in a get ready with me video and fell in love. The bronze cream shadow looks so silky and pigmented, then becoming wonderfully sheeny once you add the gold powder. If only it wasn't £46.00 and sold out! 

2. I've been looking for the perfect Silk Shirt for months now and have possibly found it in this pale grey Topshop offering. I particularily love the oversized fit, front pockets and cropped sleeves. 

3. I realise this is the second cream eyeshadow mentioned in this post but there always seems to be a shade in the By Terry Ombre Blackstar formula that I'm after. I've been wearing a lot more shimmery eye looks lately and find myself needing a Champagne coloured cream shadow to use as a base. Blond Opal looks the perfect shade and I love the longevity of this formula. 

4. Baies is apparently Diptyque's best selling Candle which means obviously I'm keen to try. With notes of Rose and Blackcurrant, the description reminds me slightly of my favourite Cassis scent by the White Company, so I'm pretty sure I would love this one.

5. I'm still not over the whole Marble thing and luckily for me H&M home has just released some very pretty bits including bowls, plates and even a chopping board. Dangerously close to when I move into my new flat. My favourite piece has to be this rectangular dish which would be perfect for keeping jewellery. 

6. My obsession with hammered silver continues and I'm still mourning the loss of the sold out Whistles earrings that I had my heart set on. Very similar are these Nest Teardrop Earrings, although they are far, far out of my price range. If anyone knows of any cheaper alternatives please let me know! 

7. I'm pretty sure Topshop did a cardigan identical to this one last A/W, which I loved but never got round to purchasing. Sadly this one is now completely sold out, but I'm hoping they restock soon as its not quite Coat weather yet but its definitely not Summer anymore either!

8. Lastly these amazing cut out Zara Boots. I very nearly bought these in store about a month ago, but  talked myself out of it as the heel is to high to be practical for every day (for me anyway) and last years heeled Chelsea Boots are doing me fine for now. Although I'm sure when my loan comes in in a few weeks it will be a different story entirely...

Indeed Labs Sampler Kit

I discovered Indeed Labs through their wonder product hydraluron - A pure Hyaluronic acid serum that never fails to deliver plumped up, hydrated skin. Apply this in the evenings, as the last step before your moisturiser/face oil and this will supercharge whatever you put over the top. When you wake up your skin should look glowing and feel plump! I've been using hydraluron for over a year now, so when I saw this sampler kit on offer in Boots, I thought it would be a great chance to try a couple of other products from their range. 

nanoblur is a 'make up finisher', designed to 'Soften the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores'. While most products that target these things are of the primer variety, nanoblur is actually designed to be used on top of make up. My favourite way to use this is as instructed, patted on top of my base and I find it does a really good job at creating a soft focus finish on the face and blurring away any noticeable pores. The only issue I have with this is you have to be slightly careful how you apply it, so you don't end up removing any of your foundation (patting it on with a fingertip is what I found best). 

The last tester in the kit is snoxin - an anti ageing serum containing peptides to 'combat all aspects of skin ageing'. I didn't actually realise this was an anti ageing serum when I picked up the kit, it was more of a grab and go before I realise how much money I'm spending situation. At the age of 20 I can't say I'm showing any signs of ageing so I gave this one to my Mum to test out. She used the serum over the course of a week, applying under her eyes, on her forehead and crows feet. She was actually very happy with the effect of the serum as she had noticed some softening on her forehead lines in particular, but also some slight fading in the other two areas. She is not one to spend a lot on skincare and beauty products therefore is unsure wether she would pay £29.99 for the full size (30ml) but was really impressed with the results.

I think this kit is a great way to get started with Indeed Labs if you haven't tried any of the products before, and particularly if you are over the age of 30 so you can get full use out of all of the samples. If not I would still recommend it, I will continue to repurchase the hydraluron serum as I love it so much - and although I won't be picking up the full size of nanoblur (as I don't have enough of an issue with my pores to justify spending the money) I think its a great product that really lives up to its claims.

Budget Cosmetic Haul

As a lover of everything luxurious when it comes to cosmetics, I don't have much experience with cosmetics from budget brands. The way I see drugstore brands is they have the upper tier (price wise) of the likes of L'Oreal, Soap and Glory, Rimmel, Maybelline, Bourjois & Revlon followed by Collection, 17, Barry M, Miss Sporty and so on. At the cheapest price point what I think of as the super budget brands - MUA, Essence and Natural Collection. Seriously, MUA eyeshadows are a pound. One pound! 

I picked up two shades, Fudge which is a nude/bone shade and Chestnut, a darkened antiqued gold. Both shadows have very thick, pigmented textures (with a little fallout) but never the less I was really impressed.
Next up from MUA is a cream blush in Bittersweet. This bright, barbie-ish pink looks daunting in the pan but once blended onto the cheeks gives a glowy and youthful appearance.
From Essence I chose two of their long lasting eye pencils in Hot Chocolate - a chocolate brown, and Hot Scorch - a sparkly copper. The formula of these is soft, blend able and once they set down I get a good days wear out of them.
I also picked up the lipliner in Soft Berry which really impressed me. It is a very soft, creamy liner, which I use all over my lips as a long lasting alternative to lipstick.
Lastly, I wanted to mention some Natural Collection shadows that I've loved for a while, but failed to mention until now! Milk Chocolate is a light brown that works perfectly in the crease, or as a transition shade for darker shadows such as Crushed Walnut which is a deep, chocolatey brown. Both shades have great pigmentation for such cheaply priced products! There are plenty of gems to be found in these budget beauty ranges, so I will probably feature another little haul/round up on here soon!

The White Company Cassis Room Spray

The White Company has to be one of my favourite shops to have a look round, be it for the Candles, Diffusers or scarily expensive White towelling Dressing gowns (that one day I will own). A recent find of mine has been this Cassis scented room spray -  a fresh, unique, berry scent with a distinctive sharpness that is never overpowering, making it perfect for any room in the house. The scent lingers for a decent amount of time, and settles into any fabrics you have (making it perfect for bedsheets) and I've even found myself spritzing it on fresh laundry. There is a great selection of scents in the store, most of which are available in both Candle and Spray form and although not the cheapest, are far more affordable than the likes of Diptique and Jo Malone without sacrificing on quality.

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan Dark

I'm a huge fan of the original Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan, so when I saw that there was now a Dark shade I was naturally very excited to try. For those that are unfamiliar the original tan, I have a post where I talk about it in more detail here. This product is every bit as good as the original but your left with a really nice, deep tan after you rinse off which I definitely prefer. The colour lasts about 5 days on my skin which as far as tans go on my skin is pretty much as good as it gets! The mousse doesn't dry my skin out at all, and the lovely dark guide colour makes it easy to apply without any streaks. The one problem with the Dark formulation is I have found it not to be as readily available as the original, neither of my local Superdrug stores stocked it. I got mine from Amazon which is a great alternative, they also do two packs which I will definitely be purchasing next time. 100 percent the best budget tanning option out there!

Handbag Heroes

First of all, please excuse the beaten up look of most of these products. As you can see from the title, these trusty essentials spend a lot of time knocking around in the depths of my normally huge handbags. I do usually try to keep what I fill those bags with to a minimum, which doesn't involve bringing my whole make up bag with me so here are the the products that I nearly always have a place for, be it for their multitasking abilities or wearable colour.
Starting with one of my most used lip products ever - a M.A.C Lipstick in the shade Honey Love. I can't remember if this has been mentioned on here before, but its a slightly warm toned, matte nude. Which really doesn't sound all that special, but it is. The thick creaminess of the formula seems to have the ability to make your lips look full and flawless, and the shade has proven wearable with any make up look.
Annoyingly, all my favourite foundations seem to be housed in beautiful, but impractical glass packaging. For this reason I don't often bring them out with me, so this Maybelline The Eraser Concealer fills in when I'm on the go. The medium, radiant coverage is just enough to top up those dark circles throughout the day or to take the edge off a bright red blemish.
The By Terry Cellularose Blush Glacé's are beautiful, glowing gel blushers that I find also work well on the lips. The shade Frozen Petal is the best at perking up tired, dull looking skin when your out and about and creating a moisturised sheen of colour for the lips.
I always carry perfume with me, as I like to smell the fragrance on myself so I do tend to top up through the day. Stella by Stella McCartney is a floral scent with a top note of Rose, but still smells really fresh and light. I love this tiny little 30ml as its perfect to throw in your handbag.

The Repurchase Register

 As much as I love trying new things, there are some products that I just cannot go without. Even if I've got something else on the go at the same time, It seems these trusty long term favourites just keep getting repurchased as I think I would feel a little uneasy if they weren't around.
Starting off with a very quick mention to the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation which I feel like I have already mentioned on here 1000 times. All with good reason though as this has it all, medium but buildable coverage, staying power and that glowy from within thing happens without the need to be dewy. Best night out foundation ever.
Next is the product that changed my eyebrows... the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade. I've touched on this in a post before, but essentially it is a gel liner type affair but for your brows. No pencil/gel/powder has ever been able to transform my sparse, pathetic little hairs into a naturally full looking set of eyebrows that stay all night but after a bit of practice with this and an angled brush - I promise you will never look back.
Before writing this post, I had never really thought about this mascara as an essential but I've come to realise that I must be on my fourth tube by now. I love long, fluttery lashes but I also love thick dramatic lashes and Benefit's They're Real has the ability to achieve both. The formula is wonderfully long lasting for a non waterproof mascara, and the brush... the brush! I'm not usually a fan of plastic wands but I even find myself cleaning this one down once the product is empty and keeping it on hand as a spoolie.
I'm incredibly picky with lip balms, a slick of Vaseline just will not cut it for me and always seems to dry my lips out more. I'm on my second tub of the Nuxe Réve De Miel, which is protective, nourishing, matte + smells of sherbet lemons (huge bonus).
Lastly, Queen of all balm cleansers and one of the most talked about products ever - is the Emma Hardy Moringa Cleansing Balm. Nothing else takes off my make up quite as easily (even my beloved Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel stings my eyes a little!) or leaves my skin feeling quite as soft, calm and nourished.

March Wish List

March Wish List by laynamariee

1. It seems the world has gone crazy recently for delicate, lacy underwear and I am definitely no different. I'm in love with this gorgeous white lace bra from journelle. 

2. The Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation has been high on my wish list for ages, but it was after seeing some of my favourite bloggers rave about it - throwing around enticing words like dewy, radiant and flawless that it has definitely reached need status. 

3. My love for Silver jewellery has suddenly returned, Its so classic and I love the way it looks with a tan. I'm in the market for a simple, silver watch and I've fallen for this lovely one by Skagen. I really like how simplistic the design is with the numberless white face, and delicate strap.

4. Again with the Silver, I think this Celine Knot Bangle is absolutely gorgeous. A little out of my price bracket, yes... but I can dream. 

5. I love house plants, particularly when displayed in Terrariums but unfortunately where I'm living at the moment just doesn't have the space. When we move into our new flat next year I will 100 percent be making a purchase, I love this beauty from a seller on Etsy. 

6. Occasionally product names just seriously snare me in, which was the case with the REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Serum Oil. After reading a glowing review from the skincare genius that is Caroline Hirons, saying that this helps strengthen your skins natural barriers and gives an injection of moisture, I'm more tempted than ever. 

7. Cult Beauty states that 'Caudalies Polyphenol C15 Overnight Detox Oil effectively hits the re-set button', well that sounds like something I need. With benefits such as eliminating impurities, delivering a dose of radiance into tired skin and aiding repair, all I can think is that this could be my hungover skins true saviour. 

8. As strange as it sounds, the smell of ripe, fresh Tomatoes has to be one of my all time favourite scents. Not one you would think would ever be made into a Candle, but the ever amazing Jo Malone has done it. I've been repeatedly smelling this every time I go past my local counter, and its everything I expected it to be - summery, fresh and addictive. 

9. I promise in Summer I will make more effort with my nails, but for now I just love the ease and the polished finish that a nice nude nail varnish gives. Essie's Sand Tropez is a creamy, universally flattering nude that I will surely be purchasing at some point soon. 

Mini Escentual Haul

Escentual.com were offering a 20% off everything code last weekend, which I kindly took advantage of and ordered a few bits that I've been meaning to try. I remember being excited when I heard that La Roche Posay's much raved about Serozinc was coming to the UK, but it then sort of slipped off my radar and I forgot to make a purchase. Now, seeing as my skin has decided to start giving me grief at the age of 19 (why start now!?) ... I was enticed by this supposedly blemish busting toner. Containing Zinc Sulphate + Sodium Chloride to target breakouts, on first impressions I can say that the mist feels refreshing on the skin, and the few pesky blemishes I had hanging around have been greatly reduced.
Also from La Roche Posay is the Cicaplast Levres - a 'Barrier Repairing Balm'. I hate shiny balm so this get a big tick for being lovely and mattefying on the lips, so far so good on the repairing front too!
Lastly, I know I'm hugely late to jump on the bandwagon with this next purchase but I finally got around to picking up one of the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blushes. These liquid blushers create a sheer wash of water resistant colour - I chose the shade So Pretty which is a mid toned, bright pink that once stippled on to the cheeks gives you that gorgeous, natural looking, post workout glow.

February

I know its only February and definitely not spring yet, but the few beautiful days of sun have made me hopeful that some warmer weather will come our way soon! I'm such a Summer person, I love winter for the Christmas/New Year build up and then I'm 100% done. This was a hard month to find favourites for if I'm honest, as I haven't really switched up any Skincare or body products and have been keeping my Make Up pretty simple.
The thing thats definitely new is foundation, I normally love a glowy, dewy finish but I've been using the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation all month long and have been really enjoying using something more matte. I think its because my skin has been feeling quite oily recently, but I love the flawless, medium coverage this gives that is perfect for nights out or photography.
You can really see that I've been loving a matte finish this month as the next product is a Powder by Bobbi Brown. The only area I usually powder is my T Zone and the Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in Pale Yellow is the perfect shade to brighten and subtly highlight the area while helping to keep my make up in place. It does a great job at preventing any concealer creasing under my eyes or on my lid, and keeps any unwanted shine at bay.
The brush I've been using for my powder is the Real Techniques Setting Brush, its small size is great for applying just a light dusting across the nose and forehead.
As I've been keeping my base really matte, obviously I've been amping up the highlighter to get that healthy looking glow. The Soap and Glory Love at First Blush is a gorgeous highlighting blush in a rosy pink shade. I've been dusting this across my apples and up the cheekbones as a blush and highlight all in one, before sweeping a little across my forehead to warm up the whole face.
I've never really been a hand cream addict before, its one of those products for me thats nice to use but usually gets seriously neglected in my routine. I got a little set of miniature L'Occitaine hand creams as a stocking filler at Christmas and have fallen in love with the Delightful Rose scent in particular. I find the hands is the place my tan starts to fade from the fastest, but using this has been helping to prolong the colour so I think a purchase of the full size is on the cards!

Disappointing Products

I'll start this post off by saying that I am definitely not an impulse buyer.  I spend so much time reading blog reviews to make sure that what I'm buying is worth the money/right for me etc etc that it actually really surprises me when I end up not liking something. That said, it is other bloggers 'Disappointing products' or 'Product Regret' posts that have most likely saved me from too many let downs, so I thought that I should share a few of mine. Obviously this is very much down to personal preference and these products aren't necessarily bad products as I most likely purchased them after hearing someone give them a glowing review - I'm just sharing why they haven't worked for me.
If there is one thing I hate, its spending money on expensive tanning products that aren't good quality. I'd heard so many good things about the he-shi Express Liquid Tan, but after application I found the 'Medium' shade to be very, very pale in colour. After one use it looked almost as though I had just used a gradual tanner! I added another coat the next day and was more satisfied with the colour, but for a tan that doesn't wow me this is just far too much hassle. On top of that, I found this product extremely drying on my skin, and noticed that when it started to fade I was left looking very patchy and strange. This might work better for someone who's after a much paler look, or who doesn't have skin that leans towards the dry side.
Normally I love Bourjois as a brand, but I really didn't get on with their Healthy Mix Foundation or Concealer. I had tried the original version of the foundation and I remember really liking it, so I picked it up again recently in the new packaging. I think the product must have been re formulated as although I like the initial finish, the foundation didn't hold up for two seconds on my skin (which is not oily).  I do on the other hand really like their Healthy Mix Serum foundation so would 100 percent recommend that over the original. As far as the concealer goes, I like the light, glowy coverage it gives but it made the skin around my eyes very red and sore. I did enjoy using it before my reaction, but I wouldn't class myself as someone with very sensitive skin and I have never reacted to a product in that way before so I would say if you ever have any sensitivity issues definitely give this one a miss!
Next up is a product I'm not quite ready to write off just yet, partly due to the price and partly because  I just think it could look so, so pretty if I could only make it work for me! I'm speaking about the much internet loved ByTerry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock. When swatched, this sheeny, pinky brown shade looks stunning but once I put it on my lid, something just doesn't work. It seems that when I try to blend it out, the product sheers out a lot and I end up with shimmer everywhere. I'm open to any suggestions about these because as I said, its a beautiful shade so please let me know in the comments if you have any tips!
The last product is another of those sad ones that you really like using but your skin just doesn't get along well with. I've only ever had good experiences with Origins skincare in the past, but every time I try to use their VitaZing, its followed by a breakout. VitaZing is one of those interesting 'adapts to your skin tone' moisturisers, it really is great for giving just a hint of glow on no make up days, or as a morning moisturiser as it contains SPF. This is one I would definitely try for yourself, I wish I could love this but I think after the fourth desperate attempt to use this resulting in a break out its time to give it away.

Current Fake Tan Routine

To say I am a regular fake tanner would be an understatement, to the point that I'm actually unsure what my natural skin colour looks like anymore. (Joking, sort of...) Nothing against pale skin here, which I think can look beautiful with some colourings, but just on me I always think it looks wrong against my very dark hair and I feel much happier and more confident with a healthy looking glow to my skin. After years of experimenting with different tans and a lot of laughter and teasing from my friends when it goes anything less than perfectly, I like to think I've gotten pretty good at it. 

Theres a couple of tans I love to use including the Xen Tan ones that I've mentioned here before, but recently I've been favouring a budget alternative in the form of Cocoa Brown Tan 1 Hour Tan Mousse. I have pretty dry skin and in the past haven't got on so well with other mousse formulas (those St Moritz days...) but Cocoa Brown doesn't feel drying at all and fades really naturally. I love the fact it has a guide colour so you can see where you are applying the product but then slowly develops into a medium, natural tan over time. As far as the 1 hour claims, I have only tested this once due to the fact I always leave my tan on overnight, but if rinsed off after an hour you are left with a very natural glow. If your after a tanned effect I would recommend leaving the product on overnight or at least for the full 3 hours. I always apply any fake tanning product with a mitt, I saved you the pleasure of looking at my used one but really I find them very similar so I always go for the cheap Superdrug/Primark option. 

As far as facial tanning goes, I never stray far from the Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning Lotion. Think naturally glowy colour with a foolproof, buildable formula that leaves skin looking even and moisturised the day after use. I'd say I use this twice a week, just to keep my face and body looking a uniform colour. 

Something I've learned over the years is that prep is important. Your tan will never look flawless if its clinging to any dry patches so scrub thoroughly and moisturise any body parts it might stick to. Thats not just hands, elbows and feet - in between the fingers, wrists, ankles, knees, inner elbow + underarms are all places that tan likes to build up. The scrub and moisturiser I use vary but at the moment I'm enjoying The Sanctuary Spa Salt Scrub which smells gorgeous, and combined with a Superdrug Exfoliating Glove is definitely powerful enough to remove any stubborn old tan. The Antipodes Joyful Hand and Body Cream is much pricier than what I would usually use for this purpose but I've found myself totally addicted to the beautiful scent of Hibiscus flower which combined with the super hydrating formula means that I can't quite bring myself to stop using it. 

The link I've left above for the Clarins Liquid Bronze is to Escentual.com who I noticed have a very tempting 20% off everything discount code running over the weekend! 

Just a heads up...

The Perfect Jo Malone Pairing

 I'm obsessed with Jo Malone, I love the branding, the boxes and most of all the beautiful, natural fragrances in which their Candles, Scent Diffusers and Colognes are available. There is something lovely about the brands ethos of taking simple scents, and layering them to create a bespoke combination that is original to you. My absolute favourite pairing recently has to be the English Pear and Freesia, layered over one of the newer releases Wood Sage and Sea Salt.
Now describing fragrances is never easy, so I'll lead with the brands scent descriptions in case I completely fail to put into words how delicious these smell.
'The essence of autumn. The sensuous freshness of just ripe pears is wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias, and mellowed by amber, patchouli and woods. Luscious and golden.'
To phrase in a much less dramatic way, I would describe this perfume as femenine, tart and almost bubbly (not sure that counts as a scent description). The unique scent of ripe Pear really comes through, bringing warmth to the fragrance along with its woody bottom notes of patchouli. It has shot straight to being one of my all time favourite scents and find myself reaching for this everyday as it is never too overwhelming or sweet.
The perfect companion comes in the form of Wood, Sage and Sea Salt which I will admit does sound a little strange. Jo Malone's description is 'Escape the everyday along the windswept shore. Waves breaking white, the air fresh with sea salt and spray. Alive with the mineral scent of the rugged cliffs. Mingling with the woody earthiness of sage. Lively, spirited and totally joyful.' I adore these scent descriptions by the way, I love the fact that Jo really wants to evoke memories and emotion through her fragrances. This Cologne truly fits the description, and I find that once settled on the skin it is barely detectable as a fragrance, almost as though you naturally just smell amazing. The scent reminds me of the summery, salty smell you are left with after a day at the beach and due to the natural, not overly feminine notes I think this could also be worn by a Man.
Together these just create the ultimate pairing for me, with a gorgeous salty sharpness, balanced out by the ripe fruit and woody notes. These scents are long lasting on the skin and versatile enough to work all year round - meaning I will always have to have a bottle of each in my collection!

5 things to buy at the Drugstore

While I love my high end products, my bank balance most certainly does not so its great when I find affordable products that I really, really love. Some cosmetics, such as Mascara make far more sense to get cheaply, especially as they dry out within a couple of weeks. I love Maybelline's Mascara offerings, they have such a huge range now and while I'm not one for excessive marketing and brightly coloured, garish packaging - they really do get the job done. My pick would be the Volum' Express The Collossal Mascara, although targeted at volumizing the lashes this formula is a great all rounder, lenghening lashes and holding curl. I currently have the waterproof version, which really doesn't budge until it meets a balm cleanser or oil based make up remover.

The Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation has been a solid favourite of mine since its release years ago, I love a glowy finish and the light reflecting particles in this base lift your complexion creating the look of really healthy skin. I find this quite comparable to my much loved Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer, it offers the same sort of finish but with a little more coverage.
One thing that I hate spending money on is expensive hair styling products especially as I get through them so quickly. The Charles Worthington Texturising Spray is a pretty good dupe for the renowned Oribe Dry Texturising Spray, but for a fraction of the price. This adds volume and texture to freshly washed, uncooperative hair and helps to keep your style in place as well.
I love my Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils but the Maybelline Colour Drama Lip Pencils are a great alternative. These pencils are creamy, pigmented and long lasting and come in some lovely shades. I can't live without Fab Orange - a bright orange red, or Nude Perfection which is a Tawny Nude shade.
Great skincare can be difficult to find on a budget, but one brand that has always impressed me has been the Superfacialist by Una Brennan range at boots. I have been using the Vitamin C+ Glow Boost Serum every morning for the last few months and my skin looks noticeably brighter and happier. I've tried a few other bits from the range as well like the Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil which is a lovely first cleanse, and my Mum swears by the Super Lift Night Cream.

January

 January is such a dull month, its cold, Christmas is over and getting up in the mornings is a constant challenge until the weather starts warming up. Luckily, there have been some amazing products this month to help perk me up and make me actually look forward to doing my make up each morning!

Starting with the one skincare item this month, the Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair. I have been using this light, refreshing serum every night for the last month and have noticed an unbelievable change in my skin. It looks clear, bright and even in tone. I suffer with a lot of redness around my cheeks and nose this serum has really changed that. Can't see this leaving my skincare routine any time soon!

I love the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light, but its its Bronzy sibling Radiant Light that had my attention this month. With the same glowy, photogenic finish as Diffused Light, Radiant Light looks gorgeous to warm up your skin for a night out. What I love about it is that its subtle enough to use everywhere for an all over glow, or just on the cheekbones as a natural highlight. 

I've been experimenting with wearing slightly smokier eye looks recently, which has led me to completely fall in love with the M.A.C Pro Longwear Eyeshadow in Uninterrupted. A warm, mid brown shade - this is absolutely perfect for blending out darker colours, creating the perfect transition shade and giving the impression you have flawless blending skills... (I don't). This is also a really pretty shade worn in the crease or all over the lid for an easy day look that looks particularly lovely with Green eyes. 

A favourite I didn't expect to love quite as much as I do is the Nars Audacious Lipstick in Anna. A muted, mauve pink that is super brightening and suits me both when I'm tanned and pale. Theres just something about this shade that is so wearable but yet delivers the perfect pop of colour. The formula of the Audacious Lipsticks is also beautiful, really pigmented and they feel so creamy and nourishing!

And finally, this month I tried out the Benefit Gimme Brow - a product I was totally sure I didn't need. I use this over my Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, I have to alter my brow shape far to much to ever be able to just use a Gel. Never the less, this product is addictive... I have the shade Blonde which sets my brows perfectly, keeping the hairs and colour in place for hours and just makes me feel done. This may be an unnecessary step to my routine, but definitely one I now can't live without. 

Skin Saving Face Masks

 The majority of my skin care routine is pretty set in stone - as far as cleansing, moisturising and toning,  I use the same products every day. I use various different masks to target specific problems my skin may be having, like feeling extra dehydrated, or breaking out.
Starting with the Aesop Parsley Seed Mask, this is the one I turn to when my skin is looking spotty and horrible, or just really congested and like it could break out any moment. I find this manages to calm down any current breakouts, and neutralise any oiliness or under the skin blemishes. I really like the fact that although this is a clay mask, it doesn't feel too heavy and clogging or dry my skin out at all.
The changing seasons often leave my skin really dehydrated, and as a result its starts to look dull. The Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask is the one I turn to in these situations, and overnight it restores the moisture into my lifeless skin and leaves it with a nice glow. This mask feels like a really heavy duty moisturiser, and smells gorgeous - peaches I think? I just apply a nice thick layer before going to bed, and I do find my skin really does 'Drink it up' as once I wake up its been fully absorbed.
I do suffer from some black heads on my nose and find them really tricky to get rid of. I recently discovered the Glam Glow Super Mud Clearing Treatment, and it is the first product I've tried that has made a noticeable difference. Once the mask has dried you can actually see the little black dots where the blackhead was which I must say is very satisfying but disgusting at the same time! After one use my pores look so much clearer, and my blackheads are pretty much gone. Miracle worker? I think so. 
And finally, my favourite all rounder has to be the Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask. Manuka Honey has amazing antiseptic and moisturising properties, and this amazing mask treats blemishes whilst leaving your skin feeling really soothed and hydrated. The Vanilla Pod and Mandarin scent is also beautiful!

Bath Time Favourites

I love a good bath, and until I had to live without one most of the time I don't think I fully aprecciated how nice it is to be able to lie back and relax with a candle burning and take some time to yourself. The scent of the Caudalie Divine Oil is one of my favourites, and the Candle is no exception. The scent is has notes of Rose, White Musk and Sandalwood, creating a really warm, woody fragrance that reminds me of a Spa. Another favourite is The L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil. Despite it being named a 'Shower Oil', I think it is much better suited for use in the bath as you can really take time to massage the oil into your skin before it washes away. Starting off as a nourishing Oil, this product develops into a smooth milky consistency once it comes into contact with water. It so lovely and moisturising on the skin, this is one I like to save for times when my skin is feeling super dry. To make the bath smell heavenly, there is nothing better than using Essential Oils. My favourites come from Aromatherapy Associates, although fairly pricey their blends just smell incredible. I have the Miniature Bath Oil Collection and I think that its a great way to test out the different oils, and work out which you like the best. I love the Support Breathe for when I'm feeling groggy and ill and need to be brought back to life, and the De Stress Mind to help me relax. A great alternative is the Sanctuary Spa Concentrated Bath Relaxer. This shares the same calming, oriental fragrance as the rest of the Sanctuary's products, and is really affordable. I find the oil in the bath really nourishes your skin as well as smelling amazing which is never a bad thing!