MAKETHEMAKE* Brand Review

When this parcel arrived from Skincity I could not believe the generosity. So many products all housed inside a large makeup bag! Literally the dream. I am so grateful to get the opportunity to try MaketheMake as their philosophy is totally me. They have been created by skincare therapists and this is what makes them unique. They are all about ensuring their products support and care for the skin whilst providing natural coverage. Which I’m completely here for. Each product is packed with ingredients that serve a purpose by improving the condition and appearance of the skin with every application. Ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Peptides and Vitamin E. These are found in their range of makeup bag essentials (concealers, foundations, bronzers etc).

In addition to the makeup I was also sent a large collection of their own brand brushes which are made with a synthetic vegan fibre and Taklon bristles. Designed to provide flawless and easy application. They couldn’t have come at a more perfect time as my brushes have had their time and should probably be replenished! I’m not even going to admit how old they are. I’ve chucked most of my old ones and have been using these constantly since I received them. The results they give are so so good. Makeup blends quickly like a dream and they are super soft on the skin. The shapes of the brushes are quite unique, and they actually work. I would never have thought to try a flat bronzing brush, but it works amazingly! I seriously could not be happier that I have these, I will look after them and hold them dear.

Now onto the makeup. I am going to break it down by doing micro reviews of each one as I think that would be easier to digest! In no particular order…

Vitamin C Tinted Moisturiser - £22

This smells pretty bad, not going to lie. A little like hotdogs (something that you might expect if you are familiar with Vitamin C) and it comes out quite orange in colour. I didn’t think it would be the right match for me but surprisingly it blends imperceptibly into the skin! It’s a little darker than my natural skin tone but I can get away with it without looking like I’ve consumed too much sunny D!

It leaves skin feeling quite moisturised, isn’t greasy and settles down to a satin kind of finish. It’s one of those products you can pop on with your hands quickly. There isn’t much coverage, but it gives a lovely healthy look to skin and makes it look less drab. Unfortunately the smell has meant I haven’t been reaching for this as much and I have to make a conscious effort to reach for this which is a shame because it is a great product!

Niacinamide Setting Powder - £22

This loose powder is an everyday staple for me. As the name suggests it contains niacinamide and is fantastic at blurring pores and settling oiliness. I use under my eyes and on my T-zone using a small setting brush. It doesn’t crease or dry out the skin. Even though it is white in colour there is no cast or chalkiness and it blends beautifully with my skin tone. I wish they did this in a solid powder compact so I could pop in my bag!

Squalane Melting Foundation SPF30 - £22

This is a great base for when you want to add a little bit of coverage or if you want to build it up to something a bit heavier. It doesn’t cake, goes on effortlessly and isn’t a drying powder. I like to use the MaketheMake foundation brush to buff this in. It’s so quick and easy and more often than not I like to apply over tinted moisturiser for a bit more coverage. An issue I tend to have with loose foundations is that they settle into pores and look cakey but not with this. With it being infused with squalane this is what makes the difference I think as it gives a very smooth finish to the skin.

Ceramide Elastic Concealer - £18

This has been my go-to since I got it. Fantastic under the eyes and all over, it’s hydrating but doesn’t slip and slide everywhere. I find it has medium coverage and is very lightweight, I can barely feel it on the skin. It can be built up easily, a little goes a long way with this. It somehow brightens under the eyes but when applied to the face it doesn’t look glowy, more of a natural affinity with the skin. Just melts in.

Niacinamide Soft Focus Primer - £18

I’m a bit on the fence with primers, I rarely like any and most of the time I will skip this step. Not since I’ve received this one though. Seriously it’s probably the best one I’ve tried. It comes as a lightweight gel with pearl light reflecting pigments, it doesn’t feel silicone heavy and it doesn’t just sit on top of skin. It smooths and blurs pores whilst absorbing sebum and leaves a natural finish. Matte but not flat, hydrated but not greasy. It’s wonderful! The addition of niacinamide ensures it cares for skin more than a standard primer would, and rather than increasing the likelihood of a breakout this helps prevent them from happening. Would recommend this for most skins.

Vitamin E Illuminating Balm and Hyaluronic Gloss Pot - £22.50

This is a double ended little wonder. The illuminating balm is perfect as a dewy highlighter, it sits beautifully on top of skin and is what I use when I want to give my skin a little lift. A beautiful product, if you are a highlighter fan you must try this one. And it would be even more perfect for someone with dry skin as it melts in and infuses moisture. The gloss pot is such a cool product. If you love the ‘wet’ look then this will be right up your street. I personally use this on my eyelids to give a glossy sheen that is on trend right now, but you could use it as a highlighter giving you more of powerwatt sheen than what the balm would. It isn’t sticky in the slightest. This duo is the ideal travel companion.

Vitamin C Soft Compact Bronzer - £26

When I first looked at this bronzer I honestly did not think it would be the right shade match for me. It looks so much darker in the pan than on the skin. I have SB1 and it works with my skin tone perfectly, I use the bronzer brush to apply and the pay off is fantastic. I only need a small amount to give me a natural glow to the skin. It isn’orange and it doesn’t contain any glitter or shimmer. A perfect matte bronzer. There is something so attractive about the large packaging with a mirror. It's partly the reason why I wanted the Marc Jacobs O!Mega one so now I have this I'm content! 

Oil Absorbing Sheets - £9

These are a great thing to keep in your handbag, I’ve been opting to use these instead of powder to touch up my oily t-zone as they take up less space in my bag and they work. Makeup isn’t disturbed and they genuinely work at absorbing shine without drying out the skin. I’ve never used a product like this before so cannot compare to other brands but these are a great price and do the job! Highly recommend!

As you can see I’m absolutely loving MaketheMake. It is rare to try a collection and enjoy every single one! I am totally surprised and grateful to have been gifted so many products. I still want to try more though! The Melon Moisture Mist sounds gorgeous and I’ve seen people wearing the Vitamin B Flawless Filter Foundation so that’s one I want to try. The finish looks beautiful. The Bisabolol Hydrating Oil Primer looks like a must have for winter so I may have to put that on the Christmas list!

You can purchase this brand from Skincity here

*PR/Gifted

Thank you for reading!xx

All about the glow...Beached Rays for Days*

I’d been stalking Beached for a while before they contacted me, a few of my fellow IG mates had been raving about their products so I jumped at the chance to try this Bronzing Serum.

Beached are a UK ‘earth-friendly’ brand founded by Meg who wanted to bottle the laid back Aussie vibe/glow she discovered whilst there in 2017. She wanted to create products that were unfussy and natural, bringing out beach beauty wherever you are! Whether you are sat in a gloomy office or sat on a beach lapping up the waves (I wish) gorgeous glowing skin can be yours!

What is it?

Rays for Days is a bronzing serum that can cleverly be used on its own or mixed into whatever you fancy. Moisturiser, foundation or as a stand-alone base/highlighter. Light-reflecting particles make even the dullest of skin look alive again. 

What is in it?

This is no bog-standard bronzing product. It is most definitely skincare with a bang. It’s all about the plums... Kakadu Plum is the highest known natural source of Vitamin C while Illawarra and Burdekin plums help protect the skin from free radicals.

Evodia fruit whilst sounding exotic has a job to do, it improves skin texture and brightens the skin. Grape juice is included to help fight wrinkles and is a great ingredient for aging skin. 

Full Ingredients

This product is 99% organic, natural or naturally-derived

Aqua (Water), Polyglyceryl-4 Oleyl Ether Olivate, Glycerin, Soybean Glycerides, C15-19 Alkane, Caramel, Mica, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Unsaponifiables, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum), Pleigynium Timorense (Burdekin Plum) Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus (Illawara Plum), Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe vera) Leaf Juice, Benzyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sorbitan Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides)

My thoughts

This product from the moment I got it has been a daily staple. I primarily mix it into my foundation or I use as a highlighter (or both!)

The molten bronze lava appearance is quite scary and I was concerned my Casper like appearance would transform into someone who looked like I’d spent too long on the sunbed. Luckily I couldn’t have been more wrong. This highly pigmented serum is rather deceiving. I mix 2 drops into my foundation and boom glowy skin is guaranteed. No dodgy tan over here.

It does the most wonderful thing of brightening up your skin and giving it a flush of bronze without completely changing the colour of it. It leaves your face looking juicy and dewy like you’ve had a restful health break somewhere tropical. Here you can see how it looks on the skin... I also dabbed a little bit on the tops of my cheekbones to give extra va va voom. I like to use a stippling brush to get the best finish. 

The texture isn’t too runny and has the perfect consistency for blending in. It doesn’t take much effort at all which is exactly what the brand stands for. Easy and effortless beauty. 

It feels kind of cooling on the skin and I like that I feel I’m not just covering myself in makeup. This is a product that not only makes you look better but feeds your skin some goodness at the same time.

Would I purchase this with my own moola, absolutely! I want this glow in my life for the foreseeable! You can buy this super versatile multitasker here for £22.95.

*PR/Gifted

Thanks for reading xx

My 10 Minute 'Mum' Makeup Routine...

This is a breakdown of the products I use on a daily basis. Sometimes I use less than this, sometimes more but this is the makeup I apply when I’m having a normal day. Breakfast or lunch date, shopping, going up the park, etc. If I’m at home for the day then usually I won’t use anything. Maybe just a brightening primer. 

Primer

Most days it’s Lumene Instant Glow UV Primer or the travel size I have of the Barbara Sturm Glow Drops. Both give that ‘lit from within’ glow that my tired skin needs. I’ve just bought Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (since I took this pic) and I’ll be using that as a base on good skin days which will eliminate the need to use a brightening primer. 

CC Cream

I’ve been using the Erborian CC cream a lot. It’s so easy to blend with fingers and give the amount of coverage I enjoy. So quick and convenient! If I want quick makeup this is what I use. Now I’ve discovered CT Flawless filter that will be the base I alternate with. 

Concealer

Becca Undereye Brightening Corrector is a must have for when those sleepless nights show and you have bags that drag on the floor!! It is the product that transforms my face. It conceals dark circles like nothing else I’ve tried. I tap on with my fingers. Sometimes I’ll use YSL Touché Eclat instead. Depends on the size of my bags! After that, I’ll use Revolution Conceal and Define over the top which is a fantastic budget option. I also use on any blemishes/pigmentation to add a bit more coverage. I tend to blend this in with a Real Techniques Setting Brush which gives a more softer look.

Powder

Always Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish. It sets everything perfectly without cakiness and works well under eyes and on the face. If I’m wanting any more glow or if I haven’t used the CT Flawless filter I’ll brush on a bit of my new discovery...Revolution Pro Skin Finish powder in Luminescence. It does what I wanted Laura Mercier Translucent Glow to do! Gives skin a brighter finish, natural with no glitter or patchiness

Eyebrows

I’m very low maintenance with my brows. Just a quick application of brow pencil to fill in any gaps, brushed through with a spooly and that’s me done. Sometimes I’ll use a brow gel if I need long wear. I found this cheap as chips CYO Brow Sculpting Pencil for £4! It’s really good. Stays put as is a great colour match for me. My other favourite is L’Oréal Artist Brow Xpert. 

Eyeshadow

Now, this is the flexible step in my routine. If I am limited on time then I won’t apply any but if I do then cream is the way forward for quickness. A finger swipe of MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork gives a lovely natural brown hue to the lids. I use a blending brush on the outer edges just to pull it all together. Other favourites are the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks. I apply straight onto the eye not being particularly careful and then I use a blending brush all over the lid to ensure coverage and that it’s blended. I have them in Burnished Bronze and Amethyst. 

Another great option is the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow. I have it in Beach Bronze which is a lovely shimmery warm golden bronze.

Bronzer

My preference nowadays and especially with the warmer weather is cream products. Apply with fingers and blended with a Real Techniques Stippling Brush is what gives me the best soft and natural effect. 

I have been loyal to RMS Buriti Bronzer for a while now as it is so blendable, easy to apply and works with my pale skin. It also doubles up as a good eyeshadow! But there is a new kid on the block thanks to an Instagram pal who sent me the Chanel Soleil Tan. It didn’t work for her and she knew I’d been eyeing it up. This universal shade works for so many but it also doesn’t work for many... Really hit and miss in terms of what skin tones it works for. With me being pale and the bronzer looking almost orangey I was doubting that it would work for me. But I’m really enjoying it! Soft, creamy and does what I want it to do. No Oompa Loompa in sight!

Blusher

I have 2 that I alternate between...Becca Beach Beach Tint in Guava which is more of a pinky coral (you can't seem to buy online anymore) and Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink which is more of a natural flush. Like with the bronzer I apply with my fingers first and then blend with the RT stippling brush.

Lips

My current favourite choice for lips is a tinted balm. So easy to apply if you don’t have a mirror to hand and they give a lovely natural look. No effort required. I alternate between Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint in Bare Nude, Bare Pink and Bare Melon. I love these for summer. Also By Terry Hyaluronic Sheer Rouge in Zest Shot which is an orangey coral. So bright and perks up the face! I don't think you can get that colour anymore but 'Mango Tango' looks similar!

So there you go...10 mins at most, normally around 5-8 mins if I’m lucky! Easy peasy. 

I hope this helps bring together a quick basic routine to work from in case you need any tips! Do you have any quick makeup tips? Please share!

Thanks for reading! xx

Lightweight Bases...

Seeing as we seem to be into the summer season good and proper here in the UK I thought I would talk you through some of the lightweight bases which I will be alternating throughout the warmer weather. As I have got older heavier foundations are becoming less and less appealing to me. I find myself wanting coverage but in the lightest and quickest way possible, especially during the day. Comfort is key and these 3 below fit that category. 

Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30

This has been a long-standing favourite of mine but I have been particularly loving this recently. I know I am the same as many but I fall in and out of love for foundations/bases quite often and this one had been sat neglected for a while (since beginning of the year) till last month when I dusted it off and started using it daily.

When I first bought this I was sceptical to say the least as there had been quite a lot of hype surrounding it, but I can see why it is so popular. This is the most hydrating base out of the bunch but not in the sense that it will leave skin looking greasy. It is a thick cream but once applied on the skin it immediately transforms into a lightweight gel texture, hence the name. It feels very refreshing and soothing on the skin.

I find this is best applied with your fingers like a moisturiser. It is instantly blends into the skin leaving it looking healthier. Perfect for when you look knackered and need to look better! It is easily buildable and although you can achieve a good amount of coverage with this I always need concealer to cover any dark circles or blemishes. It just isn’t heavy duty enough for that. I set it with a powder and I am good to go. It lasts all day and doesn’t oxide, but I do have to top up with powder every few hours. I personally like using a small amount and building it gradually. I made the mistake initially of applying too much in one go and it just wouldn’t settle on my skin causing the product to slip and slide all over my face. I have also tried it with a buffing brush but again the results aren’t as good for me.  

A stand out factor of this base is that it contains some skin loving ingredients such as olive derived squalane, marine botanicals and humectants, all of which hydrate and nourish the skin. It is also fragrance, silicone, paraben and oil free which is pretty impressive. It is supposedly a best of a BB, CC and any other letter of the alphabet! I would agree that is multitasking, not only does it contain SPF 30 but it has enough hydration to potentially be used in place of a moisturiser for oily/dehydrated/combination skinned individuals. The claims say that when a clinical study took place on 62 people it was reported it increases hydration by 215% in one week. I personally cannot vouch for this, but I might experiment with it and see how it fares!

Surprisingly this base has worked well for me during the recent heatwave, usually its one I’d turn to in winter when my skin needs a little extra loving that my other bases can’t provide. There are 16 shades to choose from which I think is excellent, it originally started with 10 but due to popular demand they added more. I am shade 02 Vanilla which I think is perfect for my skin tone (lucky guess thanks to A Model Recommends blog post).

I already have a back up of this so that tells you how much I like it! It's currently on offer here at Escentual for £22.95

IT Cosmetics CC Cream SPF50

Firstly, excuse the horrid packaging, it’s been in all kinds of weathers as you can see! This base has already appeared in my beauty favourites a couple of months ago, it didn’t take me long to figure I loved it! Again, this has been hugely hyped in the blogging world but I believe for good reason.

I have been alternating this and the Bareminerals over the past few months. It gives more coverage than the Complexion Rescue and is better suited to oilier skins. The texture is thick and a little goes a long way. I use 1 small pump and that’s enough for my whole face as it is highly pigmented. This does an excellent job of evening out skin tone (as you would expect with a CC!) and concealing any redness and small blemishes, I still use concealer but if I am having a good skin day then sometimes I can go without as it gives a uniform look. I personally wouldn’t say it’s ‘high coverage’ as such, but gives more than most BB, CC creams. It leaves a non-greasy almost matte but not flat effect; I still use powder with this as I want to prevent my oily t-zone from appearing too quickly! I end up having to reapply powder every few hours but that isn’t an issue for me, and completely expected when using these kinds of bases, despite this the staying power is fantastic.

I find the best way to apply this is again with the fingers, when I purchased this through QVC it came with a brush but it applies better without it. I’ve found the product sort of disappears when used with a brush whereas the warmth of your fingers helps spread the product and provide seamless coverage using a lesser amount.

The most appealing factor for me is that it has SPF 50, this does not mean I go without sunscreen it just means my skin is better protected in the first place. It is another ‘do it all’ base with the addition of collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid and vitamins A, B, C and E. I personally don’t see the benefit of these but it’s nice to know they are there. I haven’t seen a difference in brightening, skin texture or hydration with this as the claims state. To me this isn’t a replacement for a moisturiser or a sun cream, just a foundation/base with benefits.

I have the colour 'Fair' and this works very well for my skin, maybe a touch too pale but nothing that a bit of bronzer can’t fix. There is a downside, this cream only comes in 5 shades which proves quite limiting but I am sure that selection covers most bases. I would recommend using shade adapting drops if you do want to try this but can’t find an exact match. It’s worth the extra effort.

You can buy here at QVC with the Heavenly Brush for £35

(Left Bareminerals, Centre IT Cosmetics, Right Estee Lauder)

Estee Lauder Double Wear All Day Glow BB Moisture Makeup SPF30

Out of all 3 this is the one where the colour match isn’t great, I have Intensity 1.0 which is a little too peachy and light for my skin tone. It doesn’t look bad and with bronzer it’s fine. The big point to mention about this before I go any further is that since I purchased this over 6 months ago I have noticed that it has started to be phased out across most of the beauty retailers. I had a look around and most of the lighter shades are out of stock, I contacted Estee Lauder and they have confirmed that it has indeed been discontinued due to advancement in technology. They told me the Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick is apparently the closest match to this giving sheer to medium coverage whilst promoting natural radiance and a "no makeup" look that lasts all day (up to 8 hours).

Either way I will tell you my thoughts on this as it has been one I’ve been using on and off over the past few months especially during Spring…

The oil free formula is thick as you would expect from the Double Wear range. The foundation is one of my favourites so I thought this could be a good alternative for the warmer months. Despite the texture it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. I think I was expecting this to be more pigmented and heavier coverage than it is to be honest, it’s very lightweight and gives sheer – light coverage. It applies smoothly and blends into the skin easily, drying down quickly, leaving skin perky and fresh. I wouldn’t say it covers blemishes but it imparts an overall glow and healthiness to the skin.  

Although the description says ‘all day glow’ I was a little concerned I would end up a greaseball by the end of the day, but not so. It mirrors the same fantastic long lasting qualities that the foundation does and when set with powder my t-zone can stay oil free for quite some time! In fact, I would say this is better suited to oilier combination complexions like myself as opposed to drier skin types as I feel it has the potential to cling to dry patches and look patchy.

Even though this has been discontinued I’ll enjoy this tube while I have it and may look to try some other EL offerings in the form of the Daywear Makeup range going forward.

What are your favourite bases for Spring/Summer?

Thanks for reading xx

May Beauty Favourites...

Better late than never…this month has been all about new discoveries for me. I’ve been using quite a few new things all of which I’ve loved! Instead of listing them all and rambling I have cherry picked a few loves and then I will be doing upcoming detailed posts about them all individually plus the ones I’ve missed out…

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk

This is my first ever CT lipstick! I have been eyeing them up for ages so decided to bite the bullet. I went with this shade as it looked like a natural easily wearable colour. I am pleased to confirm I have been reaching for this all month! It is quite unusual for me to love a lip product so much. Usually I put them in my bag and forget all about them but with this I have been constantly reapplying. It leaves lips so comfortable and the staying power is excellent, even without a lipliner. The colour is perfect for me, a nude which enhances the natural colour of my lips. I love it!

Foreo Luna Play

I decided to purchase this as I had been wanting a ‘gadget’ for my skin and I didn’t want to spend huge amounts of money or buy a clarisonic. This little device is the size of a cotton pad and fits perfectly into your hand. I have been using it every other morning with the Oskia Renaissance cleanser, and have found it’s done an excellent job of bringing any congestion to the surface and leaving my skin much more radiant. I will be doing a full review of this shortly.

Jordan Samuel etOILe with Retinol

This is Jordan’s latest release which I managed to pick up when I met him and Jane Scrivner at the recent event they did in London last month. Aside from the fact I adore the man this product is seriously good. I’ve been using 4 drops every other day and I wake up with soft glowing skin. This is the first retinol I have been consistent with (I had used Sunday Riley Luna on and off previously) and I can definitely see the results from the ‘little and often’ mantra. Again, a full blog post is coming up on this…

Leahlani Mermaid Mask

Over the last month I have fallen in love with this mask. I apply to damp skin at least twice a week and leave for about 20-30 minutes. It’s truly gorgeous. My skin feels so calm and soft afterwards, it’s become my favourite weekly treat. I already have a backup of this ready and waiting so that tells you how much I like it! Packed with beautiful ingredients it really is superfood for your skin! I am looking forward to doing a review soon of all the Leahlani products I picked up during my trip to Hawaii, (hint I’ve been loving everything!!)

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder

This is not a new product for me but it’s been a firm favourite this month. With the warmer weather approaching (although as I write this its pouring with rain and blowing a gale :/) it has done an excellent job of preventing makeup melt down. I only use this for touch ups during the day as I keep it in my bag. It instantly mattifies without leaving skin flat and looks natural on the skin. I have recently hit the pan as you can see! I am not sure if I would repurchase as I love trying new things but I would definitely consider it. Plus all CT packaging is just beautiful!

What have you been loving this month?

Thanks for reading xx

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara - My New Favourite

I picked up this mascara from Sephora when in the US. Actually, I lie. My husband picked up this mascara when in the US! This was not on my ‘list’ but when he saw the name of it he wanted me to get it. Such typical male behaviour! He bought it for me, so of course I went along with it!

This mascara has been full of hype in the blogger world so naturally it wasn’t something I was eager to try, but I am so glad I did! It takes quite a lot for me to love a mascara fully, usually I find ones that tick a few boxes but not all. It has to be volumizing, lengthening, smudgeproof, clump free and work well on the top and bottom lashes. Not much to ask I know. The usual problem I have is that the brush works great on my top lashes but I can’t use it easily on the bottom tiny lashes. So, I always end up using 2 mascaras!

As you can see by the packaging Too Faced make some bold claims so I was fully expecting to be let down, but fortunately it was quite the opposite! I mean it’s not better than sex but we won’t go down that route...

The hourglass shaped brush which is supposed to mimic the bust-waist-hip ratio of a silver screen blonde bombshell is apparently the perfect silhouette to create voluptuous lashes. And I have to agree. When I saw the size of the brush I was certain I wouldn’t get on with it but I’ve been using this every day for the last month or so and I am on the love train. A few coats of this very intense black mascara lifts and lengthens my lashes to new heights. I couldn’t believe it when I looked in the mirror. The formula is quite thick but extremely buildable with no clumps. It gives a real nice curl and volume. In fact, I look like I have more lashes than I actually do! If that makes sense!

1 coat lifts, lengthens and separates, 2 coats adds more volume and curl, 3 coats and my lashes are pumped! I’ve ashamedly only worn false lashes twice in my whole life but this is as good as for me without the faff of glue and mess. The application is flawless despite the big brush and it is extremely easy to apply an even coverage. I start with the outside lashes and work my way into the corner of my eyes.  The brush is perfect for bottom lashes as the curve fits so nicely over them and one coat is enough to make them stand out.

So, there you have it, I love love love this mascara. It creates gorgeous blacker than black lashes and make my eyes stand out. I haven’t got any complaints with it! I want to say it ticks all the boxes, I am trying to find something wrong with it but I don’t think I can!

You can find this mascara here for £19 which I think is a fantastic price compared to some of the others I love (particularly the Lancome Hypnose range).

What is your favourite mascara? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for reading xx

Current Beauty Favourites...

I’ve been lacking in posting my beauty favourites and I totally missed the boat on posting my March Favourites as intended because I went on holiday and everything was a rush. So I thought I would do a roundup now of what I have been enjoying the last couple of months!

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel

This gel to oil cleanser has been a firm favourite for morning, it replaced my beloved Jordan Samuel Plie when that ran out. It is very similar in texture and results, but smells like soft roses and Turkish delight! I will be doing a full blog post on the 2 products I have been using from the Renaissance range as I have really enjoyed them. This has left my skin feeling smooth and plump, plus it rinses off beautifully without the need for a cloth.

IT Cosmetics CC Cream

Another new discovery for me the last couple of months is this makeup hybrid. After seeing so many positive reviews I quickly jumped at the chance to purchase when QVC were selling it recently. It isn’t as heavy as I was expecting but is highly pigmented, and leaves a smooth polished look to the skin, hiding redness and fatigue well. You will need something more to conceal any blemishes or scars, but it is perfect for spring/summer when lighter bases are desired. The thing I love about it is a little goes a long way (half a pump for me) and it blends beautifully into the skin leaving it glowing. I have the shade Light which I think is a pretty good match for my skin tone! Buying without testing is always a risk but this paid off well!  I will be doing a full review on this shortly…

La Roche Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF 50 Mist

I purchased this to take away on a short trip to Barcelona knowing full well the sun would most likely be shining more than here in the UK! It has become a must have for me and I will be taking this away with me whenever I travel. It is a super fine mist which layers easily and is undetectable on the skin. I applied this after makeup and then took this handy sized bottle in my bag so I could re-apply throughout the day. There was no build up and the rays didn’t get me. I will be doing an upcoming post comparing spray SPF’s as I really think they are such a great way to keep your SPF topped up!

Revlon ColourBurst Balm Stain in Rendezvous

This lightweight lip stain has been in my bag for a few weeks now, the bright orange tint brightens up my eyes and complexion hiding any forms of tiredness! It was an everyday staple when I was in on holiday. When the sun comes out I always feel the need to wear coral! It just works for me, especially with my blonde hair. This gave moisture but was long lasting and I could apply so easily. A spring/summer must have!

Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion SPF 30

This is a new addition I bought from CVS at the very start of my trip to Hawaii and have used it every day since. It is a super runny lightweight fluid and leaves no white cast. I love that it doesn’t clog my pores and provides an excellent base for makeup, leaving a demi-matte finish. It isn’t hydrating enough to be used in place of a moisturiser but I can confidently say it has worked over the top of any moisturiser or oil. Now I need to find a way of getting it from the UK :/

OGX Renewing Argan Weightless Reviving Dry Oil

Again another product which I took on holiday. This saved my hair, preventing dryness, leaving it silky smooth and frizz free. It seemed to help detangle my locks and didn’t feel heavy or greasy. I have never managed to find a product with Argan oil that I actually liked but I think this will be a repurchase. It also added a nice shine bringing out my blonde highlights!

La Roche Posay Respectimissie Volume Mascara

This purchase was completely enabled by ‘Alex Steinherr’. I saw this on her Instagram stories and immediately wanted it! It was £10 from Feel Unique at the time so I was a happy bunny. I love everything about this mascara, the sleek packaging, the brush and the effect it has on my lashes. There is no smudging and only a few coats of this and lashes look so much longer and plumped! It doesn’t go clumpy either. This definitely isn’t waterproof (I realised this when I had a laughing fit and tears ran down my face. Along with the mascara :/) but that doesn’t bother me as it isn’t designed to be WP. 100% repurchase.

What have you been loving this month?

Thanks for reading xx

Current Concealer Collection...

Concealers are one of my favourite makeup items and I like to use different ones for each concern. My main ones are covering dark circles and blemishes. Sometimes I use them as my only base and then just add a little powder, this is usually enough coverage for me when having ‘good skin days’. I’ve tried so many over the years and I am always on the hunt for something better than I’ve used before! I have made many repurchases but can’t say I have found my ‘holy grail’. Below are the ones I am currently using…

Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer - £7.99

As you can see I have nearly finished this, apologies for the messy packaging, not very photogenic! I think it’s an excellent budget concealer that does a great job at covering dark circles without creasing. Its enriched with Goji Berry to hydrate skin and contains Haloxyl which is an active formula to reduce the appearance of puffiness and shadows. The sponge applicator is gentle to the eye area and allows for flawless seamless coverage. I find it blends very easily and is a good match for my pale skin. This will be a repurchase I’m sure as its one of the best under eye concealers I’ve found and I’ve tried many!

Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher - £25.00

This was an expensive purchase which I felt very guilty for buying at the time as I would never consider paying this much for a concealer especially as there are so many good budget options available. But there was a reason for this. The makeup artist for my wedding used this in my trial and it did an amazing job at covering everything that needed covering! Dark circles, blemishes, redness around my nose etc. So obviously the very next day I purchased it! I wanted it on hand for my wedding day so that I could re-apply if needed.

I have to say that although it does what it says it does, I have experienced creasing with this, so have to use a good setting powder afterwards. I also find it doesn’t cover big blemishes, you know the really red ones, so for those reasons I probably wouldn’t repurchase. But I do like the fact it’s an all in one concealer and if you are having a ‘good skin day’ then this would be sufficient and all you need. It is also very buildable and doesn’t look cakey so big thumbs up there as well!

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Stick - £15.00

This is probably my most used concealer at the moment, I have nearly finished this one and have a backup ready! It is just excellent for covering redness and blemishes without looking cakey or ‘overdone’. I can sometimes get away with using this as my only base as it’s so good at disguising everything without looking like I’m wearing a mask!

I love that it provides high coverage whilst still feeling lightweight on the skin leaving a satin finish that is neither matte or dewy. I find this is best applied lightly (a little goes a long way) and in small areas at a time using a buffing brush. It is densely pigmented to target and conceal severe skin imperfections and whilst I am lucky enough not to have any of those I still find it a necessity in my makeup bag as it is a one stick wonder for all concerns! I prefer to use this on blemishes, scarring and redness and not for under my eyes as I prefer a softer applicator for that area. But for the price I think this is worth a shot if you haven’t tried already! I love the packaging and being able to throw this little tube in my bag for when emergencies pop up!

Collecton 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer - £4.19

The message here is simple, for the price buy it! It’s a high coverage concealer which is excellent at disguising blemishes! It can be a bit drying so wouldn’t use it on areas that are dry and I certainly wouldn’t use it under my eyes but for spots this stuff is the nuts! For oily skins this works brilliantly. It stays put all day and it’s as cheap as chips! The colour selection isn’t great as there are only 4 shades available but shade 2 ‘Cool Medium’ works for me. I like to apply with a concealer brush and use this to really get pinpointed coverage, you have to be carefully not to use too much at once as it can look cakey, so blending layers lightly is key.

What are your favourite concealers at the moment?

Thanks for reading xx

Stila Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Illuminating Beauty Balm SPF 30 Review...

Usually products like this put me off straight away because of the huge claims, but the name of this led me to want to purchase to see if it performs! A beauty balm that professes to do 10 things plus providing skin with a glow intrigued me! I also like the packaging, a chunky sized squeezy bottle that has a rose gold shimmer colour!  

As far as primers go I never seem to find one I ‘love’ but there are many I like. Having used this product consistently for a few months now I can say that this will be a definite repurchase. I love it! 

The 10 features/benefits it claims to have are the following (pulled directly from the Stila website):

• Contains innovative micro spheres, which have been shown to hide skin imperfections and  reduce wrinkle depth by up to 84%
•  Infused with natural, skin-protecting emollients which have been shown to  increase antioxidant activity by up to 89.7% 
• Enriched with a proprietary blend which has been shown to reduce skin inflammation,  improve texture, stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to  67%
• Broad-spectrum SPF 30 protects the skin
• Hydrates and nourishes the skin
• Helps reduce pore size and provides oil and blemish control
• Features an exclusive complex, which helps reduce redness and skin irritation
• Uses the smallest particle size of coated pigments for seamless, smooth coverage
• Illuminates and primes the skin for a lit-from-within glow
• Oil-free, paraben-free, dermatologist tested and ideal for all skin types

 I’m not going to go through each individual claim but will just give my general thoughts. The peachy coloured tint really brightens up skin and hides signs of tiredness/dullness, I cannot vouch for its abilities to reduce wrinkles but it certainly does blur imperfections. The formula is quite thick but it glides onto skin easily and is blendable. It feels beautifully lightweight and overall creates a much more uniform look to the skin. I imagine this would work for all skin types but perhaps not the excessively oily or the excessively dry. FYI the colour adapts to your skin tone very well, I am quite pale and it doesn't look orange on me even though the swatch looks very dark! 

I like that it provides a nice amount of hydration without overloading my already combination/oily skin and preps the skin very well for makeup. When purchasing this I was a little hesitant as I do suffer with oily skin but I also like to look glowy/dewy without being an oil slick if that makes sense?! This claims to provide oil control whilst giving a 'lit from within glow' so it seemed exactly what I was looking for! I find that during the day I am not needing to touch up my makeup nearly as much as usual so the oil controlling properties seem to do its job! Usually I am an oily mess as the day goes on!

I love everything about this primer and am so pleased I have found one that works so well for my skin without feeling like its clogging my pores or causing aggravation. The SPF is an added bonus and means I don’t have to use 2 separate products to achieve the base I want. Happy days!

Ingredients List:

Butylphenyl Methyl Propional, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Decarboxy Carnosine HCl, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer , Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance/Parfum, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hexyl Cinnamic Aldehyde, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxypropylcocoate PEG-8 Dimethicone, Isododecane , Isopentyldiol, Limonene, Linalool, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Physalis Angulata Extract , Phytic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water. May contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Stilla’s range is fantastic, have you tried this or anything else of theirs?

You can purchase this from here http://www.lookfantastic.com/stila-stay-all-day-10-in-1-illuminating-beauty-balm-spf30/10804250.html - £26.00 for 40ml

Thanks for reading xx