June Favourites

Sorry there have been no posts from me in a little while, June ended up being quite a hectic busy month for me with exams, holidays, moving out of uni and getting a job - all in one month! Anyway, here are the things I have been loving this month:

1. The Body Soft Camomile Cleansing Butter

I have been loving some of the Body Shop's skincare range recently, I think I will do a full blog post about all the things I have been trying in the near future. I have the oil form of this cleanser which I have been using for quite a while but I bought this one to take on holiday as the oil leaks and causes a disastrous mess in your suitcase (as I found out a few months ago). You massage the butter into dry skin then wet your hands slightly and continue to work into the skin then rinse off or use a muslin cloth to remove. It smells really lovely and delicate and leaves my skin feeling super soft.

2. Make Up Forever Full Cover HD Concealer

I bought this at the beginning of the month when I was away in Spain and got a chance to raid Sephora. It is an extremely high coverage, waterproof concealer and covers almost any blemish or imperfection. You only need the tiniest amount which I work into a blemish with my finger before foundation then buff around the edges of the spot with a fluffy brush to blend in the product. I have had a really spotty chin over the last few weeks do this concealer has been extremely useful. 

3. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I have recently switched from using foundation to using a tinted moisturiser and felt like the Stippling Brush I usually use for foundation just wasn't working as well for the tinted moisturiser. I felt I needed a brush with denser hairs but still had lots of movement in the bristles and the Expert Face brush fit the bill perfectly. It leaves a medium coverage but leaves a completely flawless finish. 

4. Bourjois Rouge Velvet Edition in Ole Flamingo

These little guys have been doing the rounds on beauty blogs for a couple of months now and with good reason. They are liquid lipsticks in amazing, vivid colours that stay for hours and hours and leave a lovely matte, velvet finish. The colour I have is a bright shocking pink which is perfect for summer but I do want to get my hands on a couple of other colours too.  

5. Clinique 'Neutral Territory 2' 8 Pan Palette

One thing I definitely didn't need in my make up collection was another neutrals palette, but I bought one anyway! I can get away with this one though as I bought it in America for a great bargain at $20. It has 8 neutral shimmery shades ranging from a sparkling white to a deep warm brown. This palette is perfect for traveling with a slim compact and a great mirror. My favourite shades in the palette are 3rd and 5th from the left.

What have you favourites been this month, drop a comment down below! Also don't forget to check back in the next couple of days to see Sophie's wishlist this month. 

What's In My Holiday Make-Up Bag?

As this post goes live I will be 30000 feet up in the air on my way to Valencia, Spain. I am taking a little 5 day mini break to the city with my sister after a stressful few weeks of exams where we can explore the city, relax on the beach, get some sunshine and of course drink plenty of sangria and eat far too much tapas.

My sister and I only have a suitcase between us which means I need to pack light (FYI, I am really not very good at packing light) and everything that goes into the suitcase is probably going to have a vigorous screening process by my sister followed by a few 'you don't need that', 'you won't use this' and 'we're not taking them'. I think there is going to have to be a little bit of sneaking things in the suitcase when her back his turned as think she will not understand why I need 2 mascaras, 3 concealers and 6 lipsticks for 5 days...

Firstly the make-up bags I am taking is this beautiful deep purple Saffiano leather DKNY bag which will hold all my make-up essentials, I am then taking this New York print white canvas bag also DKNY as my overflow make-up bag which holds my brushes, my Naked palette, perfume, nail varnish and other bits and bobs.

Starting with the purple bag I am taking: my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser in Porcelain and also a sample sized of the shade darker (Nude) to mix in if I tan, Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Fair, MaxFactor Colour Correct stick for under eye circles, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat, MAC blush in Taupe Shape (which I use as bronzer), Nars Deep Throat blusher, Rimmel Stay Matte powder, Laura Mercier Long Lash mascara, Chanel Le Volume De Chanel mascara, Maybelline Gel Liner in black, Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bronze on Bronze, MAC eyeshadow duo of Omega and Concrete which I use for my brows and Natural Collection clear mascara which I also use for my brows.

And finally I am taking the following lipsticks: MAC Patisserie, Topshop Brighton Rock, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 05, Rimmel Apocalips in Across the Universe and L'Oreal Liquid Lipstick in 500 Molto Mauve. 

The white bag will hold my brushes and tools which get too squished in the purple bag, the original Naked palette, my Jo Malone perfume in English Pear and Freesia, the nail varnish on my toes which is Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in 416 Papaya, a few bits of jewelery and some hair accessories. 

For brushes I am taking: Real Techniques Stippling, Expert Face, Deluxe Crease and Base Shadow brushes, MAC 239, 217, 263 and 129, Topshop Large Shadow and Angled Brow brush, Bare Minerals Soft Sweep Cheek brush, Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush, an ELF Spoolie and Charlotte Tilbury Eyelash Curlers. 

That ended up being a long post! Reading back through this post maybe this is a bit excessive for 5 days, I'll let you know when I get back if my bossy sister made me leave anything behind... 

March Favourites

Is it me or do the months keep going by more quickly as the year goes on? I've loved so many things in March but I've selected some of my distinct favourites that I haven't written loads about before. Here are my favourite things from the month of March.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers and The Falsies Mascara

I love this combo of my new Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers and The Falsies Mascara. They work so well together and make my eyelashes look so much better than before. I can really see a difference, my lashes look instantly longer and fuller. Although the eyelash curlers are quite expensive (£20) I think they are worth it because they work so well and I guess it's not so bad when you use a drugstore mascara (that's my excuse anyway). 

Real Techniques Brushes

I've had these for a while now, but they still continue to be my go-to makeup brushes and I've been using a wide range of the collection through March. I have 6 brushes in total (Expert Face, Blush and the Core Collection face set) but my favourites are the Expert Face Brush, the Blush Brush, and the Small Tapered Brush. I use the Expert Face Brush to apply my Nars Sheer Matte Foundation. I think it blends the foundation really well and allows a good, even coverage. I use the Blush Brush for blusher (obviously), but specifically my Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush because it's so big it's great for sweeping colour across the cheeks. I love the Small Tapered Brush for applying highlighter to my cheek bones and to highlight underneath my eyebrows and it can be used for contouring with bronzer too (who doesn't love a good multi-tasking product). Also the brushes are so inexpensive compared to most brushes out there and I think they are just as good. 

Essie Nail Varnish in Over The Edge

I love Essie Nail varnish and I went to Boots recently during their frequent 3 for 2 offers and decided to get this with the other 2 products I had chosen. This is a gorgeous dark silver/grey colour with a very slight sparkle. It applies really easily and is a great metallic colour for any season. It also lasts a long time with minimal chips which is why I love Essie!

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Rose in Tension

I absolutely love this lipstick! I can't get enough of it. It has been my go-to day lipstick nearly every day for the month of March. It's a really nice berry colour that just adds that extra pop to everyday makeup. I love that it's a sheer colour too so can be built up but is also moisturising. The packaging is also so beautiful, with the same colour as the product on the outside. I really want to try the Volupte Shine in some different colours too! 

Juicy Couture Earrings

I purchased these earrings a few months ago in New York and completely forgot I had them. I decided to wear something different as I always tend to wear the same Marc Jacobs studs everyday. These earrings are so cute though, I love the little signature Juicy Couture crown on them. I've worn them almost everyday in March because they are so easy and simple but pretty at the same time. 

Sex and the City

I think this is a favourite for both me and Jess this month. After many recommendations from Jess and us watching the first movie together (and loving it!) I decided to give the actual TV series a go. I can't stop watching Sex and the City! I'm obsessed. After a few weeks of watching it I only have 4 episodes left and I'm devastated that it's nearly over. I love the whole New York aspect of the show, seeing them in real places and restaurants and of course the shoes too! Me and Jess have actually figured out who which character is in our friendship group (I'm a Carrie). If you have some spare time or are struggling to find something good to watch that's easy and fun then definitely give Sex and the City a go!

What were your favourite things last month? 

Jess's Favourite: Make-Up Brushes

Good quality make-up brushes are an essential tool to getting perfect looking make-up, it’s important to try and wash them with shampoo as often as possible so they deliver the best results and last for years (I do not practice what I preach and all my brushes are way overdue a wash!). Here are a few of my favourites which I always use in my make-up routine.

1. MAC 150 Large Powder Brush – I tend to use this brush for bronzer as it’s the perfect size to run along the temples and in the hollows of the cheeks to create that more contoured and defined look. I don’t use it for powder as I use a much smaller brush and just powder the t-zone area as I have really dry skin so don’t really need to powder all over. I have had this brush for a while now and it is still really soft, I was a little disappointed with it when I first bought it as it kept shedding hairs on my face but that stopped after a few uses. It’s not a cheap make-up brush at £33.50, but for me it really is an essential.

 2. Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I use the stippling brush to gently buff liquid or cream foundation into the skin to give a flawless and airbrushed finish. I use it in little circular motions until all the foundation is evenly blended into the skin, I also use it at the end of my make-up routine and buff out and harsh lines I may have from bronzer or blusher. The Real Techniques brushes all have synthetic bristles which makes them quick to clean as they don’t ‘hold on’ to the product and at around £10 the brush is really good value for money.

3. Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush – This is more of a traditional foundation brush and I use it if my skin is very dry (the buffing motion of the Stippling brush can often make my skin flaky if I’m having a very dry day!). I also use it to ‘clean up’ under my eyes if any shadow has dropped down. This brush also builds to a more full coverage foundation look whereas the Stippling brush is creates a sheer to moderate finish. This brush is not cheap at £32.00, however it is very good quality and should last a really long time.

 4. MAC 263 Small Angle Brush – This is the brush I use to fill in my eyebrows on a day to day basis, I gently brush through powder eyeshadow in small soft strokes; the angle in the brush really helps to make the brow as precise as possible. I also use it to line my top lash line with powder and gel eyeliner as I find an angled brush much easier to use than a traditional liner brush. It takes 20 seconds to clean as it’s so thin and can be thoroughly dry in 15 minutes.  The RRP of this brush is £16.50.

5. MAC 217 Blending Brush – If you want to achieve a perfect smokey eye, a good quality blending brush is essential. I use it to brush base eye colours all over the lid then blend darker colours through the crease to add shadow and definition. The bristles are soft and don’t shed and blend colours together effortlessly. I also have another blending brush which isn't MAC (it is a slightly cheaper N⁰7 one) and I can definitely tell the difference in quality, however if you are creating a dramatic smokey eye it is usually best to apply the product with one and blend with the other to make it looks as neat as possible. The MAC 217 is £18.00 and also MAC’s top selling brush. 

What are your favourite make-up brushes?  

Product Review: Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation, £33

This Laura Mercier foundation is definitely not a cheap option at £33 for 35ml, however it does deliver flawless results and I do think you are getting what you pay for. The formula is rich and creamy and is suitable for pretty much any skin type- I have very dry skin and it works perfectly for me and my sister has oily skin and also loves the foundation. It is oil free and according to Laura Mercier it ‘leaves skin hydrated and protected with a radiant, timeless glow’.

The coverage is full and buildable and leaves skin feeling smooth and flawless. Laura Mercier recommends applying the foundation using a sponge or your fingers, however I prefer to use the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and buff the foundation gently into my skin to create an airbrushed finish. The foundation is highly concentrated and pigmented so a little really does go a long way, I’ve had mine for about six months and I’d say there is still over half left. The packaging is great to slip easily into your make up bag and is easy to dispense the correct amount of foundation.

The only criticism I would have about this foundation is the limited colour range, mine is in Soft Ivory which is too pale for me at the minute (I bought it in mid-winter and I've been on a few holidays since then!) so I have to mix with a dark tinted moisturiser when I want to wear it. Other than that I think this foundation is one of my favourites to date and would recommend to anyone wanting a full coverage foundation. 

Products Mentioned: 

Laura Mercier - http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Apply%20Foundation_Silk%20Cr%C3%A8me%20Foundation_prod210057

Where to get in UK:
House of Fraser -http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Laura+Mercier+Silk+Creme+Foundation/D114407,default,pd.html
John Lewis - http://www.johnlewis.com/laura-mercier-silk-cr-me-foundation/p37673
Space NK- http://uk.spacenk.com/silk-creme-foundation/MUK163440553.html

Real Techniques Stippling Brush- http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-finish-perfected/stippling-brush