One drink too many this weekend? - Too Faced Hangover primer review

Ahh, the weekend - nothing like going out for drinks with the girls, wearing jeans and a nice top (the equivalent of cracking a cold one with the boys in case you didn't know). 

Unfortunately, this also means waking up with a bloody headache the next day. If you can stay in bed all day, fair enough but imagine it's auntie Carol's 50th birthday! Cue Too Faced Hangover primer. A primer loaded with probiotics, coconut water and olive oils, to fake a good eight hours of beauty sleep. Of course, it's not limited to those days where you have an actual hangover - whenever my skin is feeling dry, dull or just a bit meh, this is the product I reach for.

It comes in a 40ml tube with a pump, which is my favourite packaging for almost anything as it is the most hygienic option. The primer has a milky white colour and smells divine, it has a light tropical scent which isn't overpowering or artificial at all. The scent also fades quite quickly, for those of you who don't like intensely scented products. The primer feels light yet very smooth on application, although it's silicone-free. I'd say it acts as a primer and moisturiser in one as long as you don't have dry skin, in winter I'd probably use a moisturiser beforehand. I usually put this on top of my serum and SPF and let it sink in for a few minutes before I continue with my makeup.

I wore this during the heat wave we had recently and do have to admit it did not prevent my makeup from melting off my face. Then again I haven't found any other product which does. However, I did notice my makeup sits a lot better on my skin and my skin just looks healthier, which is why I also wear it on no makeup days. Overall I'm really happy with this primer and will repurchase it once I run out.

The Too Faced Hangover primer is available to buy in Selfridges or Debenhams for £27 (although you can get a 20ml travel size for £12 which works out 3 quid cheaper).

Have you tried this already? What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear what your favourite primers are!

Omorovicza - Queen of Hungary face mist

Omorovicza is a brand that has been brought to my attention by Ruth Crilly (A Model Recommends) a couple of years ago. The Hungarian brand launched their first store in Budapest back in 2006. The entire range is made from naturally derived ingredients and is paraben and silicone free. They also give synthetic fragrances, colours and microbeads a miss, which is always a winner in my books. 

I've tried my fair share of trial sizes and sample sachets, but never took the plunge and purchased a fullsize product since they don't come cheap. So when I spotted the much raved about, travel sized, Queen of Hungary face mist around christmas last year I couldn't resist and oh my, it's beautiful. Not only does it come in the most beautiful glass bottle, it also smells divine. The mist is desribed as a toner and hydrating mist in one, making this the perfect allrounder. Whether you're taking this on holiday with you to calm down parched skin or just need some hydration throughout the day, the QOH mist has got you covered. It contains orange blossom, rose and sage waters which probably make for the gorgeous scent and Hungarian mineral-rich water known for its healing properties. The nozzle is super fine and distributes the product evenly, so you don't end up with big droplets all over your face; something a lot of cheaper face mists lack. This is the fifth step in my routine, right after I've double cleansed, put on eyecream and used my Pixi Glow Tonic (or the Nip+Fab glycolic acid pads!). I let it sink in and follow with serum and a moisturising spf in the mornings. The scent is without doubt one of the most amazing I've ever smelled. I also took this on holiday with me when we were in Bali and this, next to my Antipodes mask and spf obviously, was all I needed. It visibly hydrates dry skin and makes it feel plump again. Like I said, it doesn't come cheap at £46 for a 100 ml bottle but it's so worth it. If money wasn't an object, I'd be buying one of each from their skincare range!

Have you tried anything from Omorovicza? What is your favourite face mist?

5 concealers for every skin type and budget

If I had to choose one makeup item and get rid of everything else, it would be concealer. When I'm not tanned (which is like 99% of the time, I'm not good with fake tan) I have ridiculously dark undereye circles and discolouration around my nose and mouth, so concealer has always been a must. I've tried my fair share over the years, so today I'm talking you through five options that stood the test of time.

MAC Pro Longwear concealer £18
Like every MAC product this comes in a wide range of shades to suit every skintone and colour. My skin has yellow undertones and my usual MAC shade is NC25. Since I'm using this to get rid of dark circles, I always go for NW20 because peach coloured products counteract the blue veins which are causing them. I also go a shade lighter to brighten my undereye area. The Pro Longwear concealer has amazing coverage and staying power but can be a tad drying - on the bright side, it hardly creases on me throughout the day. The only downside to this is the pump. One pump would be sufficient to cover your entire face and it's quite hard to dispense the right amount, but four tubes down I finally figured it out.

Coverage: full

Staying power: up to 15 hrs

Shade range: 16 shades (8 NC/yellow toned shades, 8 NW/pink toned shades)

Packaging: glass bottle with pump

17 concealer £4.49

If you found the Collection concealer (my all time favourite) too drying you'll love this one. Same coverage and staying power but not as matte! Also, it's cheap as chips - what's not to love? I'll tell you: it only comes in three shades, extra fair (neutral, almost white), fair (cool/pink toned) and medium (warm/yellow toned). I use fair as an undereye concealer and medium on any blemishes but imagine anyone with a different skintone won't find a matching shade. I know we're used to shoddy shade ranges but three shades is quite meagre.
Coverage: medium to full

Staying power: 8 hrs

Shade range: 3 shades

Packaging: doe-foot

Bourjois Radiance Reveal concealer £7.99

This offering from Bourjois is very creamy and smells delicious. It contains glacier water and hyaluronic acid which makes it very moisturising and great for dry skin types. As an undereye concealer it claims to correct and illuminate which I think it does. It's peach toned (again, great to ban those pesky dark circles!) and has a light to medium coverage. Layered on top of the MAC concealer this gives me some seriously bright peepers! Unfortunately this also comes in a mere three shades, definitely something that should be improved in the future.
Coverage: light to medium

Staying power: 6 hrs

Shade range: 3 shades

Packaging: doe-foot

Maybelline Eraser Eye concealer £7.99

The Maybelline Eraser Eye concealer has been around for ages and it's one of those products I have put off trying for a long time because it comes with the most impractical sponge applicator. A product which is designed to use around the eyes surely shouldn't allow too many bacteria to harbour? Well, that's exactly what this is doing. The concealer itself is amazing, it's creamy, illuminating, has great coverage and staying power, but please, just put it in a squeezy tube, will you Maybelline?
Coverage: medium 

Staying power: 6 hrs

Shade range: 5 shades

Packaging: twist-up sponge tip

NYX HD concealer £5.50

This is basically the same as the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer and it's a concealer I'd repurchase without hesitation. It's £1.50 more but it's that tiny bit less drying and the shade range is a lot better than the Collection one which consists of a mere four shades. It's super creamy and longlasting and a great option if you're one a budget.
Coverage: full

Staying power: 8hrs

Shade range: 9+3 correction shades

Packaging: doe-foot

What's your favourite concealer? Have you tried any of these before?

Bliss skincare - straight from the spa

Another TK Maxx bargain, this Bliss set comes with a full size Fabulous Foaming face wash, a full size Triple Oxygen moisturiser and five Thats's incredi-peel spa-strength glycolic acid pads. I took this on vacation with me to give it a thorough test since I haven't tried anything from Bliss before and never have I fallen in love with any product as quickly as I did with these. They all have a different scent but each product smells divine and very spa-like indeed.

The sky blue, two-in-one cleanser and scrub is a cleanser you want to use in the mornings to wake up dull and tired skin or as a second cleanse rather than a cleanser to take your makeup off with. It's a gel-like texture which ironically doesn't foam and therefore isn't drying, it just feels really light and refreshing on the skin. It has loads of tiny little grains in it so it's exfoliating without being too harsh and I also found my skin isn't as tight after use as it is when using foaming cleansers. Fabulously Foaming contains glycerin, rose hip extract, passion flower and chamomile which all sound great to me. A little goes a very long way which is great, especially when it comes to more expensive skincare. It's not as expensive as Oskia's Rennaissance cleanser but at £19.50 it's not exactly cheap either. Unfortunately, when looking this up I saw that it contains microplastics which dampens my enthusiasm to be honest. I've never been fussy with my skincare or ingredients in general but the older I get the more I seem to care about sustainability and safe products. Anyone else feeling the same? Feel free to let me know of any more eco-friendly brands in the comments!

The Triple Oxygen Energising Vitamin C face cream is a.) a mouthful and b.) really lovely. The light gel texture has a fresh and zesty scent and again, a little goes a long way. It's one of those gel textures which feel luxurious and not too watery on the skin. It reminds me of the Origins GinZing moisturiser which I love, both feel nourishing despite sinking in really quickly. My skin can get really dry and this does a good job at keeping my skin looking fresh during the day. It contains hyaluronic acid and, as the name would suggest, vitamin c to deeply moisturise and brighten the complexion. The moisturiser is £46 for 50ml which is quite expensive and the ingredients aren't the most eco-friendly but it is a lovely moisturiser. In fact it's one of the best I've ever tried!

Now, as an avid reader of Caroline Hirons' blog I'm quite sceptical when a product says "clinical strength" but boy, the Incredi-Peel glycolic acid pads do pack a punch! The square pads are drenched in a gel-like glycolic acid solution which does tingle a lot. They contain glycolic acid (obvs), vitamin e, licorice root extract, calendula flower extract and glycerin and 30 pads are £41. I do have to say with these you get almost instant results as opposed to the Pixi Glow Tonic or Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix for example as the Bliss ones contain a much higher percentage of glycolic acid (although I just can't find how much it is exactly!). Since they're really expensive and my little gift set came with a pack of five pads only, I'm saving these for special occasions.

I'm super impressed with their skincare and would purchase the whole range if it wasn't for the naughty ingredients and the hefty price tag.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Bliss products and eco-(un)friendly products in general!

Real Techniques Bold Metals Brush Set

Can I just say, where has the bloody time gone? It's a mere 9 sleeps until Christmas morning and I'm honestly starting to freak out. Today I realised it's the 16th already so I rushed into town to buy the remaining pressies for my family and friends and got - nothing. Every single thing on my list seemed to have been sold out, which does have me quite worried! Every year I'm trying to convince myself that I'm starting earlier next year but that's just never happening. In terms of blogging it feels like I only posted the other week. Well it's actually three weeks ago. I had a ton of blog posts planned for the festive season which I'm now trying to post in the upcoming two weeks. I still can't get my head around how quickly time goes by the older you get. Who's with me? Anyway, enough of my old lady rambles, that's not what you came for is it?

Like most beauty bloggers I love a good bargain, so TK Maxx is basically my second home. It's also the place I snapped up this Real Techniques Bold Metals brush set. Honestly, nothing beats TK Maxx when it comes to beauty bargains! When these were released last year I liked the look of them but found them quite pricey compared to the basic range which I've been loving and using for years now, so why would I spend double the price on these?! But since everyone kept raving about them I thought I'd give them a go when I spotted this set for £20 (RRP £60).

The set contains three brushes, the gold 103 angled powder brush (a set exclusive), the rose gold 300 tapered blush brush and the silver 200 oval shadow brush, each with a long and pointy handle which does look quite chic but isn't convenient at all. I'm not sure if it's just me being clumsy but I seem to drop these more often than my other brushes. They are not as heavy as I'd like them to be, that's because they're plastic and the brush heads are way heavier than the handles.

Now that I got my complaints out of the way, let's see why these are great brushes nonetheless. First of all, they're SO, SO soft. Probably the softest brushes I've ever had! The bristles are synthetic and have a colour-coordinated gradient design. All of their brushes are of course cruelty free which is definitely another bonus. The angled powder brush is huge which personally I like but if you found their original powder brush too big, you won't like this either. It picks up just enough product so that you don't have to tap off any excess.

The cheek brush is quite pointed and I find it a tad too small to use as a blush brush but if you just want a pop of colour on your cheeks this would be perfect. I've tried using this as a highlighter brush but I've got a Zoeva one which does a much better job (review coming soon!), so I still need to find a use for this one.

The eyeshadow brush is quite stiff. I originally thought it would make a good blending brush but as it's so big I prefer using it to buff in my concealer. It also works great as an all over shading brush.

Overall I'm quite happy with this set especially for twenty quid. The brushes would be £22, £19 and £15 if bought individually, or you could snap up a similar collection from Boots for £40, so this definitely was quite a bargain. However, I wouldn't pay the full price for these as I like my other RT brushes just as much, if not better, and they're much cheaper too.

Have you tried anything from the RT Bold Metals collection? What's your favourite from the range?

Good Things - skincare that smells good enough to eat (but don't!)

If you dislike heavily scented skincare products, read no further. If that's not the case and you're into your nice smelling lotions and potions, read on! 

In case you haven't heard of Good Things, it was founded by beauty journalist Alice Hart-Davis and launched in Boots in 2010. It's also available at Asda by now. The whole range is kept super simple and aims to tackle three different skin concerns. There's the Superfoods range for young/problematic skin, which contains açai berries, blueberries and raspberries to clear skin from excess oils and fight impurities. The Manuka Honey range helps fighting the first signs of aging, whilst the Argan Oil range contains a bunch of anti-oxidants and moisturising components for mature skin. 

The good thing (no pun intended) is that their products are mostly natural, they don't contain mineral oils or parabens and they also don't test on animals. If you're into organic skincare and organic skincare only, they're not for you, but a brand where everything is under a tenner you surely wouldn't expect it to be. Good, now that I got the facts out of the way, let's talk about the products! I've got the micellar water and the detox mask from the Superfoods range, as well as the facial oil from the Argan Oil range. If you're wondering why I picked up a product for mature skin, I'll come to that in a minute.

The Acai Berry Multi-Tasking Micellar Water smells very intense, it has a sweet fruity scent which lingers on your skin for quite some time after use. I for one love it, but I know a lot of people hate heavily scented products, so that's something to keep in mind. It comes in a 250ml bottle and retails at £4.49. I usually only use micellar waters to get rid of waterproof eye makeup before double cleansing with a flannel (there you go Caroline Hirons), and the Good Things one does a good job at this. It does have kind of a "dry" feel to it if you know what I mean, some micellar waters can feel slippery whereas this feels more like the Garnier one. I also like using this as a little pick-me-up in the mornings as I love the scent so much, and I'll be repurchasing this once I run out.

The Five Minute Facial face mask is another great little product. It's a clay mask which dries down (so much so that you can not talk, thank god it just takes five minutes), and you can really see the gunk being drawn out of your skin (gross)! It can be removed either with a damp flannel or rinsed off with warm water. I always use a flannel to get that extra bit of exfoliation. This contains green clay and kaolin to fight impurities, avocado oil to moisturise and goji berry extract to brighten the skin. It's an amazing mask to use before a night out, or when your skin feels a bit dull as you can instantly see the results. I found this left my skin much clearer and brighter after only one use. This doesn't smell as artificial as the micellar water and a 100ml tube retails for £5.99 which is quite a bargain. It should last me ages but I'd repurchase this too should I ever run out.

The Perfecting Facial Oil is actually aimed at mature skin, which obviously I don't have. I was on the lookout for an inexpensive facial oil and came across this one, so I thought I'd give it a try since it's only £6.99 for a 30ml bottle. This has quite a subtle scent to it. I've tried proper anti-aging products before and I'm pleased to confirm, they are too rich for my 20-something skin most of the time. This facial oil is different. You only need a tiny amount, I usually use 3-4 drops, and it makes my skin feel incredibly soft. Although it doesn't sink in straight away, it's not greasy at all. Thanks to sweet almond and olive oils as well as fatty acids, it nourishes and moisturises your skin leaving it super smooth. I'd definitely recommend checking it out if you're in the market for a facial oil that doesn't break the bank! Overall I'm really impressed with all three products and already have my eye on the cleansing oil and serum now.

Have you tried anything from Good Things?

New In - Soap&Glory Makeup

I've actually had these products for a good six months now and only got round to blogging about them today, so let's get straight to the point before they're discontinued...

I can't quite take to these brow gels. I think Benefit were the first to launch a fibre enriched, tinted brow gel, with quite a few high street brands to follow suit. So when Soap&Glory makeup was on 3 for 2 I decided to give it a try. The Archery Volu-Boost gel comes in three different shades like most of their brow products. When I bought it there were only two shades available, so I've got a shade called Mocha up Your Mind, which as been replaced by either Brownie Points or Hot Chocolate. The darkest shades are almost always perfect for me but I can imagine a lot of people having difficulties finding a shade match. The tinted gel has tiny little fibres in it, designed to make your lashes look fuller and keep them look groomed for up to 12 hours. It also claims to be waterproof, which often means the product leaves your brows feeling very crispy, and this is no exception. But then again, show me a brow gel which doesn't! Unfortunately my brows are very sparse and I'm aware that these products won't fill in larger gaps, however, it does make them look fuller. If you're looking for a product to tame your (otherwise perfect) brows and give them a bit of oomph, try this!

Next up is the Sexy Mother Pucker Matte-Lip. These are the cutest little lip crayons! The Mother Pucker Matte-Lip range consists of six shades and comes in sleek, matte, colour-coordinated packaging. It claims to sculpt and volumise, which is a bit exaggerated in my opinion; The shape however allows for precise application, which is great for thin lips like mine. It applies smoothly and doesn't go patchy on the lips at all. It's lightweight and although it's matte, it transfers quite easily. On the bright side, it won't dry out your lips! For £3.50 you really can't go wrong with these. I've got the shade Chocco Berry which is a lovely autumn/winter berry shade.

The powder version of Glow All Out has been my favourite highlighter for years. When I spotted the cream version in Boots I obviously had to get it and boy, I'm glad I did. Unlike the powder version, which is a peachy pink golden shade, the stick has more of a silvery champagne colour, aptly named Ice Shimmer. It's not overly creamy but does pack a punch pigmentation wise. I found the best way to apply this is dabbing it on with my ring finger and blending it with my RT Bold Metals 300 brush. You can build it up to a strong highlight without ruining your foundation, given that you don't apply it straight from the tube.

Same goes for the Love at First Blush cheek stick. If you're anything like me, you're running late most mornings. Any product that serves multiple purposes and lets you hit the snooze button just one more time is a winner in my books. This blush stick isn't for the faint hearted, it's very, very shimmery. It looks lovely when applied though, and I think the pink shade suits all skintones. It'd make a beautiful highlight on darker skintones as well! Much like the highlighter this dries down to a powdery finish which I love, I'm not a fan of cream products which feel heavy on my skin. Overall I'm smitten with the blush sticks and lip crayon and can't recommend their makeup range enough!

Have you tried any of these products or anything else from the S&G makeup range?

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

In the past year I've really come to love my skincare. Ever since discovering Caroline Hirons blog - the skincare goddess in case you didn't know - I've really made an effort to look after my skin properly. Glycolic acids, second cleanse, serums, you name it, I've tried it. One of the products that really stood out to me is the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Before putting in my two cents, can I just say: the Kiehl's custumer service stands above any other. With an in-depth skin consultation and up to three free samples (without purchase, mind you) they really make sure you get the most out of your visit. Take note brands - in most cases their samples made me buy the fullsize product, simply because I'm able to thoroughly try something before splashing out on it. Also, and that's even more important than free samples, their products never fail to deliver. MRC is no exception. They gave me a generously sized sample in store and that's that. I fell in love. But enough rambling, here's the deets! 

The Midnight Recovery Concentrate is an overnight treatment suited for all skin types. It comes in three sizes, 15, 30ml (£37) and 50ml (£49). I've got the purse friendly 15ml size (which I don't think you can get in the UK, but keep your eyes peeled if you're going on holiday abroad!). Considering you literally only need three drops per application, this should last me a while. Now, three drops doesn't sound much, but trust me, it's enough to cover your whole face and part of your neck. It has a lovely, relaxing lavender scent which isn't overpowering at all. Kiehl's recommend putting 2-3 drops onto the palms of your hand (it comes with a dropper) and patting your palms together before applying it to cheeks, chin and forehead. You're then supposed to lightly pat it into your skin with your fingertips and although this sounds like quite a hassle, this technique is actually pretty quick and easy. It doesn't feel overly oily too, which is always a bonus if you ask me! You then just let it work its magic overnight. My skin has been acting up like there's no tomorrow recently but this little gem never failed to perk it up again. It calms down spotty or just generally problematic skin and really does what it says on the tin: Younger-looking skin by morning! Another thing I love about Kiehl's products is that they're mostly natural. MRC for example is made from 99.8% naturally derived ingredients. What's not to love?

Have you tried the Midnight Recovery Concentrate or it's daytime counterpart, the Daily Reviving Concentrate? Have you tried anything else from Kiehl's? I'd love to hear your recommmendations!

Holiday in a compact - Urban Decay Beached Bronzer

I have to admit I couldn't wait to get my hands on this beauty when I saw the first pictures online earlier this year. How stunning is the packaging? I'm in love with the rose gold/palm tree combo! That being said, I also have to admit that I was a bit on the fence with the product itself. But lets start with the facts. This bronzer, which is part of their summer collection, comes in two shades, Sun Kissed and Bronzed. I have the shade Sun Kissed which is more pink toned as opposed to Bronzed, a slightly darker and, as the name would suggest, true bronze colour. For £20 you get a cute little compact with 9 grams of product and a mirror in the lid. The bronzer isn't completely matte but contains the teeniest amount of shimmer, which isn't detectable once applied though. According to the UD website it uses HPP technology, which stands for Highlighter Performing Pigments, whatever that is supposed to mean! Now let me get this out of the way, for those of you who have been wondering - I don't think it's a good one for contouring but, to be fair, it doesn't claim to be. It's not overly pigmented, like the bronzer from their Flushed palettes, which I actually prefer in an all over bronzer as it's difficult to go overboard with it. Also, and this is a huge plus, this is one of the most natural looking bronzers I have ever come across! It's great for pale skins, and having quite pale skin myself I can attest this doesn't go patchy or streaky during the day. This also makes it a great product for those who've always struggled with bronzer. I usually apply my bronzer using the Real Techniques powder brush which is super big and fluffy - a couple of swirls and voilà - sun kissed skin in an instant.

Do I think it's worth the splurge? Well, maybe. Pigmentation wise, there are better bronzers out there, like the Soap&Glory Solar Powder. But if like me you're a sucker for pretty packaging, or if you're in the market for a fuss-free everyday bronzer, go for it!

What's your favourite bronzer? Do share your summer must haves with us!

The Ugly Heroes - Great Products in Disguise

Hiya lovelies, I hope your week's going good so far! I'm really stressed out at the moment to be honest. My boyfriend hasn't been feeling well the last couple of weeks. It got so bad he was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and we only found out the reason for his condition last night. I've been crying non stop on Tuesday because I'm such a worrier, but luckily it turned out to be nothing too serious, thank God! However, I really want to keep up blogging this time, so here we go.

Now lets be honest for a second. How many times have you fallen victim to lovely packaging, only to find that the product inside wasn't all that great? Now imagine it was the other way round - great products with shoddy packaging which is just too ugly to photograph for the blog. Today I thought I would give these products some well deserved praise, because you wouldn't neglect a nice person just because they're ugly, would you? Alright, getting a bit too dramatic here but you get the drift.

I obviously chose a proper bad picture to get my point across - no I didn't, it's just a bad picture - soz!

If you can get your hands on Essence products I suggest you do [check Wilko]. They have some amazing high quality products which cost less than your morning coffee. This blush doesn't seem exciting at all when you look at it but, let me tell you, it packs a punch! It's pigmented, blends effortlessly and lasts longer than your avarge blusher. It has a slight sheen to it, too, which means you can go cray cray with your highlight if you wish - and who doesn't want that?

I'm pretty sure I don't have to go into detail about Wet'nWild products. You lucky people living in the US! They are cheap as chips but deliver some amazing results. Just Peachy is the perfect peachy nude lipstick for my yellow toned skin and Pinkerbelle is an exact dupe for MAC's Viva Glam Nikki lipstick. They do feel dry when applied but they're actually comfortable to wear. I also really like their eyeshadow trios. They were the bee's knees when I started blogging a couple of years ago and everyone was eager to get their hands on Walking on eggshells. The trio contains three neutral (but very shimmery) shades, one for all over the lid, a darker crease colour and a highlighting shade. All of them are very pigmented, especially the two lighter shades.

Rimmel Stay Matte powder has been my go-to face powder for a good eight years now. It's cheap, comes in six shades and keeps shine at bay throughout the day. I've tried a lot of powders in the past but nothing compares to this. It never looks cakey and mattifies for hours. For those of you who love that dewy glow - stay away! I always make sure to have at least one back-up at home as it's a product I always come back to.

Next up we have the MUA Hide&Conceal concealer stick. Now, I've never been a big fan of stick concealers. I always found them hard to blend with their waxy consistency and they usually went patchy on me after an hour. This one however has a lovely creamy consistency and suprisingly lasts the whole day without going patchy. The only downside is that it comes in three shades only - but for £1, you really can't expect more, can you?

Now the next one is kind of a dupe and I've written an in-depth review if you fancy a read. The Garnier Moisture Match is not as unsightly as the other products, and it's definitely a plus that it comes in a tube rather than a jar but still, it's not the moisturiser you'd proudly display on your dressing table. It's a lovely, light moisturiser nonetheless and I really recommend giving this a go if you haven't already!

Last but not least, the Collection Deluxe lipsticks. I was sent these back in 2013 by the lovely Adrienne [The Sunday Girl] and fell in love the first time I've tried them. They're super creamy, pigmented and longlasting, so you don't have to choose between comfort and not needing constant touch ups. They smell quite nice as well which is always a bonus and not something you'd expect from a £4 lipstick. They come in ten lovely nude, pink, and red shades, so there should be a shade for everyone.

Phew, so these are my ugly heroes! What are yours?

The foolproof favourites

Over the last couple of weeks I have been dropping some hints on Twitter and Instagram about how I wanted to get back to blogging. I'm quite positive nobody noticed (or cared for that matter) but, here I am! It's been well over a year and life has been a whirlwind to say the least. I met my boyfriend towards the end of 2014, moved to a new city and have just generally been busy enjoying life. For those who know me, this is a first - I'm not planning on whining or complaining, but me actually loving life, that's new. Naturally, blogging had to take a step back in that process but, now that I've kind of settled into my new life, I'm eager to start blogging again, interact with you lovely lot and swoon over the latest beauty releases - as you do.

For my "first" post I thought I'd do a round up of the things I've been loving over the past year. Being very busy means I needed a foolproof routine, so these are the things that stood the test of time. I hope you enjoy this post and I'd love your feedback in the comments, on Twitter, or Instagram.

Foundation & Powder
I've lost count of how many bottles of Healthy Mix I've been through over the years. This has to be my favourite everyday foundation, it has medium coverage and blends so well. I also love the fruity scent! Although this leans more towards the dewy end of the foundation scale it doesn't make my skin look greasy or patchy. My skin gets really dry in autumn/winter so most days I don't even apply powder on top. However, if I do feel like I need to powder, I've been enjoying the matching powder. It's not as mattifying as the Rimmel Stay Matte powder but does last a good 6-8 hours (depending on your skin type obvs) and never looks cakey!

Concealer
Now this product holds holy grail status, which is rare for me. Of course, as a beauty blogger I love switching things up on a regular basis. I started using this about two years ago when it's been all Jaclyn Hill was raving about and she was so right - amazing coverage and staying power, and a little goes a long way. Even with daily use one little bottle usually lasts me a good 10 months.

Hands up - Who else is still saying collection 2000? Their Lasting Perfection concealer has been a firm favourite for years and I've gone through countless tubes of this. For just over 4 quid you get a concealer with equally amazing coverage and staying power as the mac concealer I just mentioned - although I found the Collection one to be a tad less drying. I use shade 2 on top of the MAC concealer to hide my hideous dark undereye circles, and although I'm trying other concealers here and there, nothing beats this combination.

Bronzer
There's a reason why so many bloggers and YouTubers are considering this their favourite budget bronzer. It has a matte and a shimmery side, the shimmer is hardly detectable once applied though. The matte shade also doubles up as a contour shade. It also doesn't go patchy during the day which is something I'm experiencing with a lot of bronzers. I've really been enjoying using this!

Eyes & Brows
Now I'm not into the bold Delevignesque kind of brows but, one thing I did realise last year is that a defined brow is essential. Due to overplucking my brows in my teenage years (sigh), they are pretty sparse to say the least. Cue this amazing little pencil by Soap&Glory. If you've been reading my blog before you'll know I'm slightly obsessed, and this product doesn't change this fact. It has a brush on one end and the tiniest little nib on the other, which makes faking fuller brows easy peasy. A convenient and foolproof brow product? Yes, please!

Another holy grail item are MAC's Paint Pots - forget what I was just saying about HG products, I do have a couple of them in my stash. Soft Ochre matches my skintone to a T and I've been using this daily to even out my dark eye lids an as a primer for over 2 and a half years now. I'm almost out but to say a little goes a long way would be an understatement. So please don't be fooled by the price - you do get the best bang for your buck here. If I'm particularly lazy I just put something like the shimmery champagne shade that is Bare Study on top and I'm good to go.

I only got the hang of liquid eyeliner last year. Can you believe it took me 25 years to manage a cat flick? I know. The Maybelline gel liner definitely helped, it's creamy, forgiving and stays put until you wash it off. I apply this with the Zoeva liner brush which makes it a breeze. I finish with lashings of my favourite, the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara (this stuff is THE BOMB! It doesn't say waterproof but boy, it does take some elbowgrease to get if off!) and there we have it, a full face of foolproof makeup.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your foolproof favourites?

Zoella Beauty

If you're anything like me, you'll be super excited about today's post. I'm finally putting in my two cents on Zoe's gorgeous new beauty range Zoella Beauty!

Those of you who are following my blog, Twitter or Insta will know I'm such a fan girl it's embarrassing. You're probably sick of people gushing over her, but she's such an inspiration to me. I started following her blog back in 2009 and it's incredible how far she has come..but let's focus on the products, otherwise I'll be sitting here all night. I obviously placed an order right after her line launched on FeelUnique and, different to what I'm used to, my parcel was with me within four days. There have been times I've been waiting just over six weeks, but that's a whole new ball game.. The first thing I noticed about Zoe's range was that everything is really affordable. The makeup bags and body mist are £8 each, the bath soak, fizz bar, body lotion, and candle are a fiver each. I for one could not resist the pink makeup bag, it has polka dots and a nerdy guinea pig on it, which I think is adorable. My order arrived the day before I went on holiday earlier this month, so I've put it to the test already and I can confirm that this little bag holds A LOT of makeup. I managed to squeeze in three foundations, 12 lipsticks, powders, eyeshadows and blushes galore. I never owned a makeup bag which held half of my collection before, so I'm quite chuffed with that. 

                                                   

I also got the Soak Opera bath soak and Blissful Mistful body mist to see whether I liked the scent, and I do really like it, it's a very fresh, slightly floral kind of scent; it just doesn't blow me away. I somehow expected it to become my new favourite scent, which is really silly thinking about it now, haha! The packaging is gorgeous though and it sits nicely on my new dressing table. It's very girly and I love the lace and polka dot design. I'm excited to try the rest of her range now, as I really like the products I got!

Did you get any of her products? What are your thoughts on 'YouTube celebrities' launching their own beauty/clothing ranges?

MAC x Simpsons Blushers - Pink Sprinkles & Sideshow You

I know, I know. Blogging about a product that was limited edition is practically a beauty bloggers crime. But let me explain: I've been a HUGE Simpsons fan for ages now, so naturally I've been waiting for this MAC collection to come out ever since it has been announced. I was at work when it went online and, as it goes with MAC collections, they sell out within a matter of minutes. I was lucky enough to snap up two genuine ones from eBay (bit risky, I know) so I thought you might enjoy some makeup porn today. I know I would!

The texture of these is incredible, they're super soft, easy to blend and very pigmented, which is something I really appreciate about limited edition products, as a tiny little bit goes a long way. The colours are gorgeous as well - Pink Sprinkles is a lovely medium pink "I've just been for a nice autumnal walk" shade, when in fact you've been sitting in front of your computer blogging all day. Sideshow You is even prettier, it's a gorgeous peachy pink shade with a hint of shimmer, think a muted Nars Orgasm kind of shade. I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am to have gotten my hands on both of them!

Did you get anything from the MAC x Simpsons collection?

Mini Reviews #2 - Stila, Estée Lauder & Primark Beauty

Hiya lovelies!

Do you ever find yourself wondering how to find the time to blog about all those products you've got lying around? Don't get me wrong, I feel incredibly blessed to be able to afford a lot of things nowadays, as this hasn't always been the case, I just want to blog about all of them, which is why I came up with the 'mini reviews series'. Three reviews rolled into one because sometimes, there's only so much you can say about a product. Make sure to let me know what you think! Today's reviews include a Stila lip gloss, an Estée Lauder mini eyeshadow palette and a Primark mascara and lash curler.

Stila Lip Glaze in Prism

It's almost been a year since the lovely Adrienne sent me this as part of my secret santa gift. I haven't tried anything from Stila before, despite lusting after their iconic Kitten eyeshadow since the age of 14. One thing I really like about their glosses is the clear twist up packaging, no more searching for the right shade (I'm looking at you, MAC lipsticks) or wondering how much product is left. Prism is a sheer coral shade with multi coloured glitter in it, not something I'd usually go for but since the glitter particles are teeny tiny, it looks lovely on the lips. It's slightly sticky which I don't mind, and I really like the brush applicator. £15 is a bit steep for a gloss in my eyes, but I like this enough to say I'd purchase more shades in the future.

Estée Lauder Pure Colour Mini Eyeshadow Palette

This is the dinkiest little eyeshadow palette I've ever seen! The four shades are the size of my thumbnail each but this doesn't make them less amazing. It comes with two satin shades, a pale pink and a soft brown, a shimmery forest green shade and a matte plum shade, all of which are perfect for this time of year. The quality of these is lovely, they are really pigmented and super soft, comparable to Urban Decay eyeshadows. I'm dying to try some more Estée Lauder products now!

Primark Beauty Mascara & Eyelash Curler

I should have known these were going to be a let down, but who can resist when they're only a quid each? It's not the formula, or the brush that has left me disappointed, it's the fact that the opening of the tube is too wide, so you basically get ALL the product on the brush. Clumpy spider lashes anyone? It's a shame because once you take off the excess product, it's a decent mascara. As for the eyelash curler, I don't know if it's me, but they never seem to do anything for me. To be fair my eyelashes have a slight curl to them anyway, so I never really felt like I needed an eyelash curler. How about you?

Have you tried any of these products or would you like to try any of them? Let me know in the comments!

The Luxe Buy - By Terry Ombre Blackstar

Hiya lovelies!

I hope you're all well? As I tweeted earlier, I'm trying to overcome the bloggers block I've had for the past few months. I went on holiday last week which really helped me relax and take my mind off things, so now I'm snuggled up in bed with a cuppa and a fluffy blanket ready to present to you one of my favourite high end products to date - the By Terry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow stick in Blonde Opal. 

You might know I'm partial to a good eyeshadow stick, they are just so easy to use! I've been blogging for a good four years now and during this time I've tried my fair share of eyeshadow sticks, but none of them compared to this little gem. At £28 a pop these are anything but cheap, but as much as I love my high street makeup, I do believe you get what you pay for. The formula is super smooth and soft, easy to blend and once applied, it doesn't budge. I went for the lightest shade, a silvery champagne, which can be used all over the lid or as a highlight in the inner corners. It blends like a dream and the colour can be built up from sheer to opaque. Now, I know the packaging of a product doesn't really matter but boy, does this look lush. The sleek golden pen makes me want to leave it on my dressing table for everyone to see rather than putting it back in a drawer, it's that chic! Obviously, I already have my eye on three other shades... If they sound right up your street but you can't or don't want to fork out £28, I suggest you check out the Kiko eyeshadow sticks, which are a great high street alternative!

Have you tried the By Terry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadows? Have you tried anything else by By Terry? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The Body Shop - Summer Essentials

Hiya lovelies!

Am I the only one trying to review all the summery products before summer is well and truly over? I am? Alright then.. Tody's post is about two lovely products from The Body Shop, namely the Honey Bronze bronzer and the body sorbet. Both were purchased on a whim, I usually avoid mooching around The Body Shop as I still have a good five or six of their body butters in my stash waiting to be used. However, when their new body sorbets popped up all over Instagram a few months ago, I knew I couldn't resist. Their fruity scents and unusual (but amazing) sorbet texture make them the perfect summer product. I must admit, it feels slightly tacky on appication but it sinks in in a matter of seconds and you're left with super soft skin. Another great thing about these is that your skin feels moisturised without being greasy or slippery in the slightest. I went for the mango sorbet, which has a fruity sweet scent. It's also available in

 strawberry, moringa, satsuma and pink grapefruit. Moringa and satsuma are next on my wishlist! TBS hit the nail on the head with these and I'd recommend giving them a go.

Same goes for the Honey Bronze bronzer. This is a bloggers favourite, and rightly so; I'm obsessed with it and being a pale NC20 in MAC, that really is saying something. I went for shade 2 (fair) as it strangely looked a tad bit lighter than shade 1 (light) when I swatched it in store. In hindsight I wish I got the lightest shade, as shade 2 has a slighty reddish undertone. I managed to make it work though and it's become a staple in my makeup bag already. I've never been a bronzer girl, but this little gem completely changed my mind! It makes contouring super easy and doesn't go patchy during the day, something I've experienced with a lot of bronzers before. I can't recommend this bronzer enough, especially if you have pale skin.

Have you tried these products yet? What's your favourite bronzer for pale skin?