Friday, 15 August 2014

What's In My Makeup Bag: Plane Edition

Finally the time has come for me to fly to New York to start my year abroad! I can't believe it's finally here and after must planning, preparation and packing and last minute panic purchases I'm ready to go. I thought I would do a post on what I'm packing in my makeup bag in my hand luggage as it's a bit different from what I would usually pack in my day to day makeup bag due to liquid restrictions and limited space (which is a huge dilemma for me as I always feel I need at least 3 lipsticks on hand just in case I have some sort of disastrous lipstick emergency). I'm flying from Manchester to Heathrow and then Heathrow to JFK with a 3 hour layover at Heathrow so it's definitely necessary to take some kind of makeup with me for the 12 hour journey. So here is what I have packed in my hand luggage makeup bag.



The Makeup Bag I've decided to take is my Marc by Marc Jacobs Leopard Print Bag that I got in a sale at Harvey Nichols at Christmas. I've not used it that much yet so thought this was the perfect time to break out a relatively new makeup bag. It's a great size for a plane because it's not too small so I can't fit anything in it but it's also not too big, therefore tempting me to pack way more than I need and going over the liquid restrictions.



The Products that I've put in the makeup bag are: MAC eyeshadow quad with shades - Naked Lunch, Charcoal Brown, Twinks and Honesty, Nars Orgasm Blush, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, Benefit The Porefessional Primer, Charlotte Tilbury 5 Star Mascara, Maybelline The Falsies Macara, Rimmel Liquid Eyeliner, Lord and Berry Kohl Eyeliner, Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick in Bitch Perfect, Chanel Coco Rouge in Rebelle, Chanel Coco Rouge in Espirit, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow and REN moisturiser.



The Brushes that I'm taking are: Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, Real Techniques Powder Brush (both new), Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush, MAC 217, MAC 224, MAC 168, Sephora Angled Brush.


This seems like a lot of beauty products for 12 hours but at least I'll be prepared for any kind of beauty emergency. What do you usually pack in your hand luggage makeup bag?

Monday, 4 August 2014

July Favourites



I know I say this every month, but how fast did July just go?! Each month seems to pass more quickly this year. July was a great month as it was both mine and Jess' birthdays and we had nice weather for once. It was also my last whole month in England for a while now as I'm going to be living in America for my year abroad in two weeks time! I also got a new camera which I used for this blog. Here are my favourites from the month of July.

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow



This was a later purchase in July but has still been bumped up to the top of the list. I have been lusting after this bronzer/highlighter duo since Charlotte Tilbury first released her makeup collection. Finally I bought it at her counter in London as a birthday treat for myself. I'm so glad I bought this product, it's beautiful! The shades are really natural yet you can really see a difference when contouring and highlighting. The rose gold luxurious packaging is also gorgeous too, as always with Charlotte Tilbury.

Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush



As well as buying the Filmstar Bronze and Glow, I also purchased the Powder and Sculpt Brush to go with it. Usually I wouldn't spend this much money on a brush (I'm more of a Real Techniques fan), however I thought this brush was so unique to any other brush I own and I've heard great reviews, plus it was the day before my birthday. I love this brush, it is perfect for contouring and highlighting with the Filmstar Bronze and Glow because it is tapered but also could be used for any kind of powder. It's also really soft and I love the colour of the handle too. I can tell I will be getting a lot of use out of this brush.

Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede Perfume



I bought this perfume a few months ago and fell in love with it. However, because it was so expensive and luxurious I was too scared to use it all the time and only spritzed it on special occasions while sticking to my Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh for everyday. During July I decided I was going to try and use it more frequently because it smells so good, and because I'd barely used any of the product yet. This fragrance is the perfect spring/summer fragrance due to all the floral notes. I also find it lasts for a long amount of time throughout the day. I've found myself grabbing for this in the morning a lot more this month.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville



This is a recent discovery of mine despite being quite popular among the beauty world already. I originally intended to buy this last year but accidentally picked up the Sheer Matte Foundation instead which I grew to love. However I got bored of the Sheer Matte as it was quite difficult to blend and I had a shade that was too dark for me so I tried the Sheer Glow instead. I love this foundation, it has just the right amount of coverage which can be build-able if needed and blends so easily into the skin. This shade is also much better for me and matches my skin so well.

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm




This is my new favourite cleanser! I have used this nearly every night to remove my makeup in July and I just can't get enough of it. It melts makeup away with just a small amount in the palm of your hand mixed with water and it feels and smells so luxurious. I've noticed such an improvement in my skin since using it. To find out more read my review here.

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Bitch Perfect



Another one of my favourites once again is from the great Charlotte Tilbury, I seriously had to limit the amount of her makeup products I used on this post because I've used and loved so much of her products this month. This lipstick is the perfect pink-nude shade. It's so easy to apply and I usually don't use a lip liner with it so it's a great quick go-to lipstick in a morning. I also love the gorgeous rose gold packaging of her lipsticks. The formula smells so incredible too, better than any other makeup product scent!

Gossip Girl



As I'm moving to New York State for a year, and therefore will be spending as much time as possible in NYC, I thought I would re-watch Gossip Girl from the beginning, again. Gossip Girl was one of my favourite Tv shows of my teenage years and throughout high school and I've already watched the series a couple of times before. However this time I've watched it to get inspiration for how to spend my time in NYC as the whole series is based around the elite of New York. Also the fashion is to die for! I've really enjoyed re-watching the series again and cramming in at least 3 episodes a day throughout July.



What were your favourites in July?

Tuesday, 22 July 2014

5 Shades of Summer

Following on from my recent post Summer Beauty Buys I thought I would do a series of posts related to summer beauty and fashion, look out for a summer skincare routine, maybe haircare routine, summer lookbook and many other ideas I've been thinking about. This post is going to be all about my five favourite nail polishes I have been wearing this summer and what will probably be on my nails for the rest of summer too!


The first one is from Tanya Burr's cosmetic range which she launched earlier this year, the colour is 'Little Duck' and it is the perfect duck-egg blue. This colour is one of my favourite colours anyway so when I bought it I knew I was going to love it for summer, the colour compliments a tan and the formula is long lasting and chip resistant.

Recently I have been loving a nice nude nail and this Barry M polish delivers the perfect colour- not too yellow and not too pink and I think it would suit all skin tones. The formula is not the best to work with but not as bad as some Barry M polishes I've tried, it is a little thick and gloopy and the brush does leave some streaks but after two generous coats it leaves a fully opaque glossy finish.

This OPI polish I got in my June Birchbox, hence the adorable miniature size, the colour is 'Kiss Me I'm Brazilian' and comes from OPI's Brazil collection that celebrated the World Cup. I am not going to lie, the formula is terrible, I definitely wouldn't buy an OPI polish after experiencing this one, it is so hard to apply and I found it nearly impossible to do without leaving a horrible streaky mess. Why is it in my favourite summer polishes?... I am just in love with the colour, a sort of bright medium pink that would look amazing with a tan, I haven't come across a similar shade by a brand that I know I love like Essie or Jessica - if you have any recommendations, drop me a comment below!

Next is Essie's 'Roarrrange'; the newest one to my nail polish collection, I bought this recently (see it here in my Summer Beauty Buys post) and I already know that it will be on my toes for the majority of the summer! It is a fabulous bold orange, and as with all Essie polishes, it is super easy to apply and chip-resistant too. 

Finally is another Essie one, in the shade 'Mezmerized'. I adore this royal blue colour at the minute; it reminds me of the sea, being on holiday and little Greek islands. It looks great on both fingers and toes and is the perfect shade for summer.



What are your favourite nail shades this summer?


Monday, 21 July 2014

All-Time Top 5 Concealers


5. Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick in Porcelain 

This concealer is perfect for throwing in your handbag and using on-the-go, it is slim and compact but delivers a creamy, full coverage that lasts for hours. It covers imperfections, blemishes and redness and suitable for any skin type. I use it throughout the day to touch up where my foundation may have rubbed off, it comes in 19 shades (my shade is Porcelain) and retails at £20.

4. Benefit Boi-ing in 01 Light

My first ever blog post called 5 Beauty Products I Can't Live Without featured this concealer and although it has been pushed off the concealer top spot since last September I still like it very much. I find it a really good blemish concealer, especially as it has anti-bacterial properties. I apply a small amount to a spot with a traditional concealer brush then buff it out with a fluffy brush. It is long lasting and a little goes a long way. Although it looks quite dark in the picture, my shade is 01 Pale, I have had this one a while and think it has oxidised a bit so after I write this post I think I will have to throw it away. It comes in 5 different shades and costs £17.50.

3. Collection Lasting Perfection in Fair 

I have talked a lot about this concealer and you can read about it in more detail over on this post. This is a really good concealer for it price, at £4.19 you can't really go wrong. I like the coverage of this concealer and its lasting power (although I'm not sure I would agree with the 16 hours Collection claims it has). However, this one does have a couple of drawbacks, firstly the poor colour range means I can only use it as a brightening concealer under my eyes as it is too pale for blemishes but the next shade up is far too dark. Also, my shade (Fair) is such a pain to get hold of I usually end up giving up finding it.

2. Make Up Forever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream in Pink Porcelain 

This is the newest concealer to my collection and featured recently in my June Favourites post. Often used by professional make up artists, it is one of the most full-coverage concealers on the market and can cover pretty much anything from spots and blemishes to scars and tattoos. It is a little more on the pricier side at $32 but you only need a teeny weeny amount and I only use it when i have some serious spots going on. My shade is Pink Porcelain and it can now be bought online in the UK from Sephora.com.

1. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

Finally, my holy grail concealer, the concealer that is so hard to get hold of it literally took me months to repurchase (I was on the waiting list at 3 different SpaceNK's!). For some reason Nars have difficulty making enough of this concealer in my shade 'Vanilla' and there is always a shortage, but fear not - I got hold of one recently when I was down in London so I am ok for a while now. I've talked quite in depth about this concealer on a recent post which I will link here, where I compared the this concealer to the Collection one above. The main differences I find between them are that the Nars colour range is a million times better, I find it more long lasting and finally I find it a bit better at covering blemishes.

Are any of these concealers your favourite? If not, what is your fave? - I am always on the hunt for a good concealer!


Friday, 18 July 2014

Summer Beauty Buys

The sun has finally graced us with its presence this week and that meant I had a desperate urge to inject my beauty collection with bright colours and fresh fragrances. Summer is definitely my favourite time of the year and when the sun shines it makes everything more beautiful, makes me feel happier and generally makes life that little bit better.




The first thing I bought was Essie's new summer collection, 3 wonderfully bright shades which I absolutely love.


The first shade is 'Ruffles and Feathers' which is a vivid teal colour, the second is a gorgeous hot raspberry pink called 'Haute in the Heat' and the final shade is 'Roarrrange' which is a bright bold orange.


Next in my basket went this No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Delicate Pink. I bought this as I had a money off coupon for No7 and I realised apart from my Clinique Chubby Stick I haven't tried any of the other lip crayon varieties on the market. I haven't used it yet so I can't comment on the product but the colour is a just quite a basic, everyday pink colour.


I have heard so many good things about the L'Oreal Colour Riche eye shadows that I finally caved and made the purchase, I did want to try the bronze and brown shades but I have so many similar shades already that instead I tried this shimmery, champagne nude. I think it will look lovely all over the lid for just a simple subtle summer make up look and also look great as a base for a bit more of a smokey look.


Finally I took a little trip to the Soap and Glory counter and picked up the body wash in Orangeasm, words cannot describe how good this smells - when you are next in Boots go and take a sniff. I love the Soap and Glory body washes but have never seen this flavour before, I think it is a relatively new launch. I can't wait to use this in the mornings, the fresh scent is the perfect way to start your day!


Have you bought anything recently to help give you a summer boost? Drop a comment below- we love to read all of your comments! 


Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm Review


After reading a lot of reviews of the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm I was sold and wanted to purchase it so badly! However I already had a cleansing balm by Balance Me which I was using and the Emma Hardie Balm is quite pricey at £34 (especially on a student budget). However a few weeks ago the cleanser was on sale on FeelUnique.com for only £19.80! I had to buy it and try it out for myself.

My First impressions of the product were good. It has nice simple packaging and the cleanser also comes with an Emma Hardie face cloth that has a muslin side and a side that is similar to a usual face cloth. Also you get 100ml in the tub which is quite a decent size. Then when I tried the product out I certainly wasn't disappointed! The balm has such a luxurious (but not overpowering) smell that reminds me of spa products. The balm also has a nice texture to it that isn't too thick or oily. You only need a small amount to cleanse all of your face. I usually use a small scoop of it in my palm and then add some warm water so it turns to a milky thinner liquid consistency. Then I massage all over the face, paying special attention to my eyes to make sure all the mascara and eyeliner is removed (this balm is really gentle on the eyes too). Then I rinse of with warm water and use both sides of the cloth to make sure all my makeup has been removed properly.


This cleansing balm is so good! I've fallen in love with it after only using it for a few weeks. It melts makeup away and leaves skin feeling fresh, clean and moisturized. I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin already. It's great for my oily skin and isn't harsh or dehydrating like most cleansers targeted towards oily skin. The only downside to this cleanser is the price however if you can find a good deal like I did then definitely buy it! I have a feeling I will re-buy this product if it continues to impress me like it has so far.

Have you tried the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm or thinking of trying it? Comment below to tell me your thoughts on this cult cleasner. 

Wednesday, 9 July 2014

July Wishlist

Wow, how fast did June go? I'm happy that it's July now though because it's my Birthday month (and Jess' too!). Seeming as it's my Birthday I thought I'd do a bit of an extended, more miscellaneous wishlist for this month, with more products than usual.



Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner

Everyone in the beauty world has been talking about this new eyeliner release from Benefit. I think eyeliner will always be one of those things that no matter how much a girl practices, she will make mistakes a lot of the time, especially when it comes to the perfect winged eyeliner. Either you end up being a bit heavy handed and putting on too thick of a line or you're never able to match the perfection of the first eye the second time round. However this eyeliner looks like it could solve all our eyeliner problems. Their new unique eyeliner pen with an accuflex tip looks so easy and simple to use. There's been so much hype about this product I can't wait to try it out myself.

Diptyque Candle

I've always wanted a Diptyque Candle. Not only do they smell delicious, but the little pots they come in are so cute and can be used afterwards to store things like makeup brushes and would look great on a dressing table. I really want to sort out my room and makeup storage too and this would be a nice little addition when I've finished. The only issue now is deciding which candle to get! I love Baies, Fressia and Mimosa as well as Roses and Ambre.

A New Camera

I'm going to be living in America for a year starting from mid-August and that means there will be so many photo opportunities and I plan to travel as much as is humanly possible so I feel like I need a new camera. It would also come in really handy for blogging too! I've had a tiny Kodak compact digital camera since I was 14 and mainly use my phone for pictures these days but a nice new, possibly more technical, camera would be so useful for my year abroad.

Muji Storage Drawers

Any beauty addict will know that there comes a point where the many makeup bags filled with products (and counting) just won't do anymore and you need a long term solution to store a growing makeup collection. I think the time has come for me to invest in some clear Muji storage drawers, for my sanity if nothing else! There is nothing more frustrating than rooting through bags of makeup and being unable to find that one product you need in a morning. I also forget about what I actually have if it's not in my everyday makeup bag so I end up using the same products everyday. If my makeup was nicely organized though I would use so much more and I wouldn't waste so much time when getting ready!

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow and Powder and Sculpt Brush

Ever since Charlotte Tilbury released her makeup collection I have lusted over these two products ever since. I've bought a few products from the collection now including the Dolce Vita eyeshadow palette, the Sex on Fire Cheek to Chic Blush, the Rock and Kohl eyeliner as well as two lipsticks in So Marilyn and Bitch Perfect. Now that I'm going to America for a year Charlotte Tilbury won't be as easy to get my hands on so I feel like I need to get them now or I'll have to wait a really long time to buy them (and I don't think I can last that long!) This bronzer/highlighter duo looks incredible and I love the rose gold packaging. Also I've heard good things about the Sculpt Brush, especially when using the Filmstar Bronze and Glow!


Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

Sometimes you just need a change up in your makeup routine. Using the same product every day for a long time can get boring. That's why I've decided I need a new foundation. I currently use Nars Sheer Matte but after going through two bottles of it I'm getting bored and I feel like it doesn't impress me and meet my skin needs like it used to. Also the colour was a shade too dark for me now my tan has faded. So now I want to try the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation. I originally wanted this one and tested it out but when I got to Sephora in New York I picked up the Sheer Matte by accident. I still hear great reviews about Sheer Glow too and it seems more blend-able with a medium coverage but still suitable for oily skin.

Becca Ever Matte Priming Perfector

I've never really classed primers as an essential part of my beauty routine but I feel like I should start using one, especially since I have quite oily skin and after a few hours from application my makeup starts to wear off and my face becomes shinier. Therefore this Becca Matte primer seems perfect for what I need in a primer, one that makes my makeup last and mattifies my skin throughout the day.


Marc Jacobs Pink Honey and Daisy Dream

I love a good Marc Jacobs fragrance, my favourite and signature scent being Daisy Eau So Fresh (which I have repurchased so many times) but I also have Daisy and Dot. I was so excited when Marc revealed he would be releasing a new fragrance this month called Daisy Dream! This one comes in a clear bottle with a light blue liquid inside and of course cute daisies printed all over. It's supposed to be a mixture of fruity and floral notes which sounds amazing to me! I can't wait to try it out. I also really like the Honey scent but haven't gotten round to buying it yet and I tried the limited edition Pink edition at Selfridges and now I really want that too! What can I say? I'm a sucker for all things Marc Jacobs!

What's on your wishlist for this month?

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

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. 



Tuesday, 24 June 2014

Haul #5: London



Last week I went to London to apply for a Visa to study in America from August for a year. My appointment at the US Embassy was at 11:00 and lasted only 2 hours and now I'm officially going to America! I booked my return train a lot later in the day though, which gave me a chance to go on a huge beauty haul (which may have not been the best idea for my bank account!).

Space NK




My first stop was Space NK just off Oxford Street. There was one product I really wanted from there and it was the By Terry Ombre Blackstar. I hadn't quite decided what shade to get but as soon as I tested Misty Rock on the back of my hand I fell in love. It's a gorgeous shimmery taupe purple shade that is great for a day or nighttime look. At first I was reluctant to buy an eyeshadow stick for £28 but I'm glad I did. The texture is really creamy and a little goes a long way. It's also a really easy product to use and you could just simply swipe your lid with this to get a great eye makeup look, perfect for when on holiday or travelling. I'm so happy that I listened to beauty bloggers like Tanya Burr and Vivianna Does Makeup because they are so right about this product! 

Selfridges
Selfridges is one of my favourite shops, ever, especially the London one because it's so huge! I had a few hours to kill but ended up spending nearly all my time there. The beauty department is just to die for! I ended up buying products from three counters in Selfridges, as well as getting a quick Pinkberry as a break from all the shopping.


Charlotte Tilbury





The first counter I purchased from was Charlotte Tilbury. I found it so difficult to limit myself to what I bought. I spent so long testing out the products on my hand, asking the friendly staff on their suggestions and having them try some products out on me. Eventually, after much deliberation and re-testing (I'm the worst decision maker ever!), I finally decided on a K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Bitch Perfect and a Rock 'n' Kohl eyeliner in Bedroom Black. I already have the Lipstick colour in So Marilyn and I love it but it's such a true bold red that I don't get a chance to wear very often therefore I wanted a more of an everyday shade and Bitch Perfect is that perfect shade! I'm so glad I chose this shade as it's just a classic pinky nude that lasts a while, smells delicious and has a great texture to it. I find myself reaching for it all the time for an everyday look. I also decided to go for the Rock 'n' Kohl eyeliner because I've not bought a pencil eyeliner in ages and all the women at the counter recommended it to me. This is such a great eyeliner. It lasts a ridiculously long time without smudging yet it glides on so easily. It's a great one for the waterline too. The black is very bold though so I try to use it more for the evening when I'm going out. 

MAC





My next stop was MAC. I had a slightly clearer idea of what I wanted from there but still spent some time trying to narrow down my options. One thing I definitely knew I wanted was a 4 eyeshadow palette so that I can travel without taking all of my MAC eyeshadows in my 15 palette with me. I also knew I wanted one last eyeshadow to fill my 15 palette. I originally wanted Mulch but when I tested a few shades on my hand I finally decided on Twinks and the lady at the counter said this colour would bring the blue out in my eyes more. It's a beautiful bronze/brown shade with a hint of plum. I also bought a new lipstick as I haven't bought a MAC lipstick in about 3 years (such a long time!). I went with the colour Craving in the end because I'd done some research beforehand. It's a beautiful warm plum colour with a creamy finish and smooth texture. It's also a great shade to wear as a slightly bolder lip look in the day or a nice deep shade for an evening. I haven't got much use out of it yet but I can't wait to try it out more!

Chanel





Finally my last purchase of the day was at the Chanel counter. Last year I'd heard loads about the Summer Collection and luckily I reserved products at John Lewis so they didn't sell out (I ended up choosing some products that sold out immediately). However this year I'd not heard much hype about the collection so decided to ask at the counter when the 2014 collection would be released. I spoke to the nicest woman who told me that they had the products a week early and not many people knew (so if you want any of the collection they should be out everywhere now!) Because they had the products there I decided to buy one thing from the collection and that was the Illusion D'ombre in New Moon. This is such a gorgeous bronze colour and it's so glittery, I'm almost too scared to wear it. The formula is also so creamy and it glides on so easily, I'm looking forward to using it a lot more in the future.


I'm so happy with all my London Haul purchases and I went home on the train feeling both happy but also with sore feet and a sore bank account! I have decided to go on a makeup ban for at least a month now because I bought so much in this haul, let's see how long I can last!

Monday, 9 June 2014

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...