The Festive Face

Personally I'm the type that wears some kind of glorified pyjama set for the majority of Christmas day - but I love doing my make up in the morning, particularly when I may have a few new bits to test out. I have been loving Cranberry tones this winter, and Sable by MAC is a gorgeous reddish brown that really brings out Green eyes.  It is beautiful blended all over the lid for a smokier effect, or in the crease with a pale lid to contrast. The festive season brings with it a lot of eating and drinking, so you really a lip colour that won't leave you worrying that its half way down your face! I am definitely a lover of matte lip colours, and particularly the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. The shade Train Bleu might not be best if your shy of a bold lip, but the deep berry shade is perfect for dark lip lovers like me! When it comes to nails, I don't often go for a glitter as I just can't stand the hassle of removing them, but this year I will be braving it for the sake of Beyond Cozy by Essie. Somewhere between Silver and Gold, this polish is solid glitter particles, and is opaque in two coats. 

I hope you have a lovely Christmas, I will be back with a post on my favourite discoveries of 2014 in the new year! 

♥

Weekend Away Make up Bag

My boyfriend and I have just gotten back from spending the weekend in London, and I thought I would share the 'capsule' make up items that I chose to bring. I love reading these types of posts, its so interesting to see which products really make the cut when you have limited space.

My current make up bag is this Flat Scuba and leather pouch from & Other Stories. I would normally be one to bring a massive make up bag and then fill it with six lip options (for a three day trip) but this time I set myself the challenge of actually packing light. I really like the simple design of this pouch, and the easily cleanable scuba fabric.

Base wise, it has to be the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. This product just ticks all the boxes, its easily buildable, offers flawless coverage and a radiant finish... and it stays that way for a really long time.  The only issue with this one is the packaging isn't exactly travel friendly, so I de-potted enough for the trip into a old tester container. For concealer, my favourite all rounder is the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. Creamy enough for under the eyes and covering enough to deal with any blemishes that may pop up.

The powder I took is the Rimmel London Stay Matte - cheap, cheerful and keeps any shine at bay.

For the eyes, the Illamasqua Neutral Palette really has it covered. It contains three matte neutrals for the daytime, while the fourth shade is a beautiful metallic bronze. All of the shades are soft and pigmented, and I also doubled up and used the black as a liner. 

The Lancome Hypnose Mascara has always been a favourite of mine as it delivers long, fluttery lashes, but can also be built up to get a really intense look.

The Contour and Highlight I chose to bring were both from Kevin Aucoin. The Sculpting Powder is a soft brown shade that somehow adds some shape to my face, and The Celestial Powder in Candlelight leaves the prettiest glow across the cheekbones. One of my most used blushes is the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Exposed, a dusky rose shade that works with any lip or eye colour. These blushes last really well on the skin and Exposed is such a versatile shade, so its perfect for a weekend away.

I love using lip pencils, they define your lip shape and are really long lasting. MAC's Spice is a dark, brownish nude that gives you that whole Kylie Jenner thing going on. I wore this alone in the day time, but it also works really well as a base for lots of other lip colours. The shade I packed for the weekend is a new purchace, Amorous by MAC. Its a gorgeous cranberry shade, that I found to be really wearable, so I know this is one I'll be getting a lot of use out of.

Christmas Wish List

I always love the Christmas season, but for some reason I'm feeling extra excited this year. I still live very close to home, but I'm really looking forward to going home for Christmas and getting in some much needed relaxation, eating olives and cheese and drinking lots of wine... healthy.  
I thought I would put together a little post about some of the things I'm lusting after this year, although this is only a fraction of the items I would love to find under the tree.

I have been absolutely loving lip pencils for a while now, they are great for defining your lip shape and I love to use them all over for long lasting, matte colour. Pillow Talk Lip Cheat by Charlotte Tilbury looks like a perfect every day, pinky nude.

Jo Malone is one of my favourite brands, and their English Pear and Freesia Candle is gorgeous. Its a fresh, fruity scent that would be a perfect bedroom candle as its not at all overpowering.

The Caudalie Divine Oil is my all time favourite body oil, mostly because of the beautiful fragrance. So obviously when I saw that Caudalie was releasing the Parfum Divine De Caudalie, it went straight on my wish list. Its a lovely woody, spa like scent without being too much.

I already own the original Glam Glow face mask, but my skin has not been on top form recently and I have heard great things about the skin clearing effects of the Glam Glow Super Mud. Not sure I can quite justify buying this before I have used up the original, but if its a gift then its ok... right!?

I received a Whistles clutch as a gift last year, and it has honestly come with me everywhere ever since. I keep mine in my handbag filled with my phone, money, keys and other essentials and its a great way to keep everything together. Then for nights out or just a trip to the shops I can just grab it knowing it has everything I need. As a result mine is looking quite beaten up, and this White Small Stingray Clutch looks like it could be a beautiful replacement.

The By Terry Cellularose Blush Glace is one of my favourite blush formulas, they may be pricey but nothing gives a more natural, lit from within colour. Frozen Petal is a bright reddish pink that looks like it could deliver the perfect winter flush.

Whats on your Christmas list this year? Let me know in the comments!

November

This month has seen some much colder weather, dreary rainy days, and the worst break out my skin has had ever.

I normally have pretty clear skin, maybe the odd blemish here and there but have always counted myself lucky I don't really have to be aware which products I'm using on my face in case one causes a break out. Well about halfway through the month, my skin turned a little bit crazy. I'm not too sure if it was caused by a product (was it you L'Oreal True Match?!) or if it is hormonal or stress related but the product that has been really helping to clear up my skin is the La Roche Posay Effeclar Duo [+].  I'm sure you've heard of this product as its had a lot of online attention, and I have owned a tube before, but until now I've never quite understood how amazing this treatment is. Its a really light
cream/serum texture and feels cooling and refreshing on the skin. I have been using this both morning and night and have found it actually makes a lovely base for make up. After the first few days of use, my skin felt calmer, clearer and all my blemishes were significantly reduced. My skin is now returning to normal, so i'm one very happy and relieved girl!

As much as I love my balm cleansers, my skin felt so congested that I wanted something more refreshing. I dug out my old tube of Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, a cleanser that was much loved by pretty much everyone in the beauty community a few years ago. I used this for years before I got hooked on balm cleansers, and I've now really remembered why. The texture is creamy and feels moisturising on your skin, but leaves your skin feeling so clean and really soothed. It also contains Eucalyptus which is anti bacterial, great for when your skins playing up. 

Although this blog is fairly new, I think I've made it pretty clear that I love a highlighted, dewy looking completion. MAC Soft and Gentle Mineralise Skinfinish is a highlight powder I've used for years, and seems to have a pan that just keeps on giving. It's the most perfect champagne colour that is neither too peach or pink, and while there are no big chunks of glitter, its not too subtle either. I've been reaching for it loads this month as because of its neutral tone it looks amazing paired with any blush shade. 

The lip product that I have been reaching for all month is the Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Canvas.  When I have the time I love to define my lip shape with liner, and due to the thick matte texture and flexible applicator, this product allows you to create that sharp, defined look without having to use a pencil. It really is the perfect slap on and go product for me, as the matte formula also has great staying power. I have the shade Canvas, a rosy nude that naturally accentuates your lips. 

Current Nail Picks

Apart from a good old Coral or Orangey red shade, I much prefer Autumn/Winters colour palette. I've noticed there are some lovely nail colours around in the drugstore at the moment and the formulas are pretty great too. Starting off with the Maybelline Super Stay 7 days Gel Colour in Nude Rose. 

The Super Stay Polishes are one of my all time favourite nail colours, they really do last a week and have a great range of pretty, wearable colours. This shade in particular is a gorgeous muted rose shade, perfect if you want to wear colour but are not a fan of brights.

 Next up is the Rimmel Lasting Finish Nail Polish in Get in While its Hot. I applied this when I had just done my weekly tan routine, and fell in love. It really is a 'tan' beige colour so it looks like the perfect nude on a tanned complexion. I think this is a really original shade as it is a much darker nude than many you see available. I know it is as long lasting as its name suggests, as it was still my nails at the end of the week when my tan was fading away. I did remove it at this point though as this shade is not nearly as flattering when your pale!

 The Maybelline Colour Show Polishes really are a steal at just £2.99. They have loads of lovely shades including 'Downtown Red' which is a pretty darkened red that I have been wearing non stop recently!

 And finally, the most expensive of these offerings is 'Sole Mate' by Essie. A gorgeous deep Plum, I love the vampy, wintery look this creates. This varnish also has an amazing shine to it, so you could go without a top coat if you wanted. 

October

The second the clocks go back I suddenly start feeling all autumnal and that definitely shows in the products I've been reaching for this month. Once the weather gets colder I immediately notice a change in my skin and really have to step up the moisture if I want to stop things getting chapped and dry. Every winter I end up reaching for the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. This multi purpose balm has you pretty much sorted for lips, elbows, cuticles and any other dry bits you can think of. After just one use it already begins to restore sore lips, and this tube has lasted me forever! 

As for my hair, it needs extra moisture and attention all year round, due to the excessive straightening I put it through daily... I know its bad. A product I've been loving recently is the Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair. Containing Quinoa protein, its aimed to prevent damage and work towards getting your hair in a better condition. I rub a pea size amount through the ends of my hair when wet, and I've seen an improvement in the amount of breakage going on. It also smells all lovely and spa like, so feels like a treat to use. 

I love a dark lip in winter, and I've gone straight back to a favourite from last year; Starry Eyed Lasting Finish Lipstick by Rimmel. I find it sits in the middle of being purple and red toned, which makes it a flattering shade on a lot of skin tones. I also love to dab this on lightly for daytime which creates a really pretty berry stain that lasts for hours. The formula of this lipstick is great, creamy and almost matte (my favourite) but not drying on the lips at all. 

To warm up my skin tone I've been reaching for a M.A.C Mineralise Blush in Warm Soul. A gorgeous golden peach shade, I have been blending this down my cheekbones and onto the apples for a subtle bronzy glow. The Mineralise Blushers are great as there isn't really any need for a highlight, but this also looks lovely in the evening with a bit of M.A.C Soft and Gentle for extra sheen. 

Lastly this month I've been getting use out of a gift I received a while ago, the Aromatherapy Associates Relax Eye Mask. Not going to lie I do feel like the price of this mask is slightly ridiculous, but I have a serious curtain problem at the moment and this has been helping me get my weekend 

lie ins! The lavender inside the mask smells great, and with the tie strap and soft velvety fabric this is definitely the most comfortable (and luxurious) eye mask I've ever used! 

The Winter Glow Givers

Winter is coming and for me I know that means saying hello to a dull, grey, ghoulish complexion. I love dewy skin all year round, I feel a glow can really make you look so much more alive, even if your wearing barely any make up. So I thought I would share some of my favourite products for helping your skin to look radiant through the colder months. Two of these products are more of a primer type thing, where as the other two I would call a typical cream highlighter formula. Though personally, I would use most of these products over or under make up. 

The first is the M.A.C Strobe Cream. This is a product which used to be talked about frequently online, but I haven't really heard anyone mention it in years. It has always remained one of my favourites, a creamy formula which feels moisturising on the skin and leaves an amazing dewy glow. This product really is a multi-tasker, you can use it under, over or mixed in to your base and it never fails to inject some life into your skin! A great cheaper alternative is Hocus Focus by Soap and Glory. Personally I find this a more subtle illuminator, which makes it great for day time. I can imagine this would look lovely on darker skins, as it has a more golden tone to the highlight. Soap and Glory products are reasonably priced and really easy to get hold of in Boots stores too. 

Next up is the NARS Multiple in Copacabana. This is a cream highlighter which is really pretty dabbed onto the tops of the cheekbones, it has a slight shimmer to it that makes it the perfect highlighter for evenings. This product is the only one out of the four that I wouldn't recommend using under your base, as you don't want any shimmer to travel to unwanted parts of your face whilst applying your foundation! 

I have repurchaced the M.A.C Cream Colour Base in Pearl so many times, it is such a perfect all round highlighter for my skin tone. I use this in so many ways... under or over my foundation, mixed with cream blushers, or even as an eye base. The formula is creamy and easily blended, and I find the end finish I get much more natural than a powder highlight.