MAC x Fleur De Force

If there's one thing I love, it's a make up collaboration. From MAC x Ariana Grande to Urban Decay's Alice in Wonderland I just can't help picking up the limited addition collections. So when I spotted that one of my favourite Blogger/You Tube personalities Fleur De Force was collaborating with MAC to release a lipstick, I instantly knew I needed to get my hands on.

 

The limited addition lipstick is a take on the classic Cremesheen Lipstick. With a creamy formula the product leave lips feeling soft & moisturised all day without any hint of dryness (perfect for those who aren't a fan of matte).

With a combination of soft pink & beige tones create a beautiful yet natural look that's perfect for any make-up look this summer (think family BBQ's to summer weddings). 

Unfortunately Fleur's lipstick is now sold out online, but click here to view other MAC products recommended by the beauty guru herself.  

Have you tried the MAC x Fleur De Force Lipstick?

What's your favourite make-up collaboration?

xxx

 

Product Review - Brushegg

Whilst every beauty lover knows the importance of cleaning their make-up brushes, it's one of those tasks that is usually pushed to the bottom of the "to-do list". So when I recently spotted a product boasting to make cleaning my brushes "quick, easy & effective" - I knew I needed to try it for myself...

Used to deep clean make-up brushes, the BrushEgg is a small silicone "egg" (surprise, surprise) designed to reduce the need for various cleaning solutions & therefore avoid dry or damages bristles. With one flat edge containing small silicone bobbles &  larger, horizontal strips it quickly lathers soap whilst removing the build up of product & dirt from brushes. 

To use simply pop the BrushEgg under warm water, add a small amount of soap (I usually opt for shampoo to keep my brushes soft) before swirling the brush-of-choice across the silicone until the water runs clean - voila squeaky clean brushes!

Whilst I probably wont start jumping for joy at the thought of cleaning my make-up brushes, at least now I know it's a quick & easy task. Plus at only £2,99 it really is a bargain.

Have you ever tried a BrushEgg or similar product?
Do you have any tips for cleaning make-up brushes?
I'd love to know in the comments

xxx

Soap & Glory Kick Ass "All Is Calm" Concealer

Colour correcting concealer seems to be becoming an increasingly popular product recently. So - whilst picking up a few essentials during a recent trip to Boot - I decided to test one out for myself picked up the "All is Calm" concealer from Soap & Glory (currently retailing at £8.00).

The All is Calm concealer is green in colour & is therefore designed to mask redness.. Perfect for anyone who - like me - suffers from uneven skin-tone & blemishes. It has a creamy consistency that I like to apply with a beauty blend after foundation (just like normal concealer).

Whilst it is a little worrying to see bright green smudges all over your face, once blended it becomes a much paler shade - especially when used alongside foundation & setting powder. Of course, I wouldn't recommend using large amounts of this concealer (or you'll end up resembling a family member of the hulk) but in small amounts & used along other products it really does help tone down redness.

As well as redness control, Soap & Glory also offer two other colour correcting concealers. The Fake Awake (to cover dark circles) & the Just Bright (for tired looking skin) - both of which I'll be picking up soon.

Have you ever tried the All is Calm concealer?

I'd love to know your thoughts.
xxx

Beauty Wishlist - Paul & Joe

Launched in 2002 by Sophie Mechaley, Paul & Joe is a brand that offers both adorable & sophisticated cosmetics with designs including floral patterns, cute cats & even a nostalgic collaboration with a Looney Tunes. Whilst this is a brand that I've only recently discovered (thank-you Instagram) I've quickly built up a large wishlist & couldn't resist sharing my favourites here.

Cheek Colour Pearls - £28.00 [x]

Looney Tunes Tom & Jerry Lipstick Case - £7.00 [x]

Perfect Make-up Primer - £30.00 [x]

"Catamaran" Lipstick Refill - £14.00 [x]

Waterproof Mascara - £19.00 [x]

Make-up Brush Holder - £14.00 [x]

Whilst a little more expensive than high-street brands (especially when you could purchase a Rimmel lipstick for the same price of a Paul & Joe lipstick case), I personally think the designs of these products makes spending little extra completely justifiable.. I mean, what other brand has little cat-shaped pearls in their blush or elements of your childhood on a lipstick case (I'm looking at you Tom & Jerry!). 

I can't wait to purchase a few of these items & see if they live up to their appearances.. watch this space. 

What are your thoughts on the products available from Paul & Joe?
I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments, 

xxx

Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you may have seen me (constantly) posting about recent trip to Paris. One afternoon during the trip - after visiting one of the usual tourist spots - I just happened to wander past a Sephora store. For those who don't know, Sephora isn't something we're lucky enough to have here in the U.K, so (of course) I had to pop inside for a look around.

Whilst I did tell myself that I was only in to only look, it quickly became clear that I needed to pick at  least something up.. a souvenir of sorts. So after wondering around & around (& around) the different stalls I finally decided on one of Sephora's own brand products, - a Rouge Cream Lipstick.

The Rouge Cream Lipsticks come in a selection of gorgeous colours - which made it very difficult to chose just the one shade. However after swatching many, many different shades I finally opted for the shade, R02 Courtisane - a gorgeous deep "brick-red"colour that almost borders a coppery-brown. This is a shade I feel would look great during evenings or as part of a vampy-autumnal look once the colder weather re-appears.

Whilst the colour is gorgeous, Sephora also claims that The Rouge Cream Lipsticks offer a "hydrating formula" with a creamy & soft texture - all very bold claims for a lipstick. However after testing I was pleasantly surprised to find that the product left my lips feeling both soft & moisturised without any hint of drying or cracking skin - a huge pet peeve of mine. It should be noted that I did notice some transfer of product when eating & drinking, however I wouldn't say this is anymore noticeable than from lipsticks available on the high-street here in the U.K.

If you're looking to purchase this or any other shade available from the Rouge Cream selection, they currently retail for around the £10.00 mark which is something I feel is very reasonable for such a great product. *edit: this may be a little off as obviously I paid in Euros so the exchange may vary*.

I honestly love this lipstick & wish I was able to test more of the shades... If only Sephora would come to the U.K so I could test out the other shades in the collection *hint, hint*.

Have you tried any of the Rouge Cream Lipsticks? 

If so I'd love to know your thoughts. 

xxx

June's Birchbox | Paradise Found

If there's one thing that makes me happy, it's new beauty products. So finding the latest Birchbox waiting for me is always the best way to brighten a particularly busy at work. June's Birchbox - Paradise Found - is the perfect summer treat, even if we haven't seen much sun here in the U.K.

Contents:
Absolution Le Nettoyant Purete Cleanser - £26.00 [x]

Percy & Reed Hairspray - £12.00 [x]

James Read Overnight Tan - £25.00 [x]

Eyeko Fat Liquid Eyeliner - £12.00 [x]

Philip Kingsley Body Building Conditioner - £12.00 [x]

With a combination of hair & beauty product I instantly fell in love with the contents of this months Birchbox. I'm particularly excited to test the Eyeko liquid eyeliner & the Philip Kinglsey conditioner. As someone who hasn't quite mastered the cat-eye look & has bleached hair, these products could be the answer to my prayers. I also love the adorable packaging on the Percy & Reed hairspray which has already found a home in my handbag for day-to-day use. 

Have you tried any of the above products? 

If so, what are your thoughts? 

xxx

Simple Spring Make-up

Anyone in the UK will know that warm weather is not something we experience all to often. However now the sun seems to finally made a slight appearance, I'm very excited to dust of my Spring make-up & start creating a few lighter/brighter looks.

Below is a something I put together before heading off for a pub lunch - very stereotypically British, I know - & as it's my first real spring make-up look of 2016 I thought I'd share it here.

For the base of my make-up I decided to go with Rimmel's BB Cream. I love this as an alternative to foundation as it offers good coverage without feeling to heavy on the skin - perfect for the warmer weather. As foundation (or BB Creams) rarely cover all imperfections I opted for Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer - a cult favourite within the beauty world - to cover any remaining blemishes/red marks. I then dusted a light layer of Max Factors Translucent Setting Powder. A loose powder that feels beautifully lightweight on the skin & is a great way to set make-up without leaving the skin feeling at all cakey. 

When it came to bronzer, I decided to opt for Rimmel's Natural Bronzer. A natural looking bronzer that is perfect for adding a little warmth back to my face again. I then complimented this by using Make-up Revolution's Baked Highlighter "Golden Lights". Not only does the slight shimmer in this product make it perfect for highlighting those cheekbones, it also looks gorgeous when the light bounces off of it. The third & final product I used on my skin was a peach-tones blush from Make-up Revolution called Treat. This is a pretty peach-toned blush that creates just the right glow (although this doesn't seem to show too well in photos..oops). 

For brows I opted for a much-loved product of mine - Soap & Glory's Archery. Not only is the tiny-tapered pencil perfect for a creating fine/hair-like strokes, the attached spoolie is also great for blending any excess product (click here to read a full review). To set this I then used Rimmel's Brow This Way in clear - a styling gel designed to keep any unruly hairs in place throughout the day. 

Next - came mascara. Something I wanted to keep relativity natural & therefore opted for Benefit's They're Real Tinted Primer. Although designed to be used underneath the They're Real Mascara, I find this to be a perfect product for a daytime look as it adds length & definition without being too dramatic. 

The last product I used to create this look was an Estee Lauder Lipstick in the shade Wildly Pink A gorgeous shade with a creamy formulae that can either be used lightly to create a subtle pink colour (similar to above) or built up for a more dramatic, statement look. (Side note - the packaging in the link seems to have changed but the shade is still the same). 

I personally love this look & the products used as I find it looks like I've made an effort without feeling to heavy on the skin. Perfect for the warmer Spring months. 

What are your favourite make-up products

to use during Spring? 

xxx

A Little Real Techniques Haul

After recently testing the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (read the full review here) I couldn't resist treating myself to a few more items from the collection. So - after spending at least half an hour browsing - I finally decided on three more brushes to test for myself.

The first brush I chose comes from the collections Flawless/Base collection. Thanks to its soft & light bristles the angled Foundation Brush claims to slowly build coverage to create a high definition & "pixel perfect" effect. If there's one thing I struggle with when applying foundation, it's covering the small & hard-to-reach areas.. So I'm very excited to see if this helps & allows me to finally achieve that perfect base.

Next is a brush that comes from the Finish/Perfected collection.. the Retractable Lip Brush. Described as a brush that "applies colour smoothly & expertly" around the contours & lines of the lip, this is a brush for perfect lipstick application. With an "ultra-firm" & "tapered tip" I'm hoping this will help create that gorgeous highly-defined lip that I often find myself lusting after.. Bonus - the retractable feature makes this perfect for travel.

The third & final brush is another from the Base/Flawless collection - the Real Techniques Powder Brush. According to the website, this brush is perfect for an even application of both mineral foundations & powder. The thing that really stands out to me about this brush is the size of the bristles themselves - something that should allow for applying powders without leaving skin feeling "cakey".

Like all Real Techniques brushes - each of the above is coloured a metallic shade which looks stunning sat on my dressing table. I'll be testing these for myself over the next few weeks - so watch this space for a review or two.

Have you tried any of the above brushes?

If so, what are your thoughts?

xxx

The perfect nude ft. MAC

Whilst on a recent shopping trip in MAC it suddenly dawned on me that my *ever-growing* lipstick collection was missing one crucial element.. the "perfect nude". Of course, this then became my mission of the day.. and after what felt like hours of intense research (aka swatching pretty much every shade available) I was delighted to finally settle on the nude lipstick of my dreams.. MAC's Creme in Your Coffee. 

With a mixture of pinky-brown tones, Creme in Your Coffee is a shade that I find perfect for creating the effortless "your lips but better" effect. This is great for those either looking for a simple yet glamorous look - think quick application whilst running out of the door in the morning -  or for pairing with a dramatic smoky-eye during the evening.

Besides the gorgeous colour, anther element of this product that I instantly fell in love with had to be the beautifully soft consistency. After application I found that the formulae left a slight sheen to my lips whilst leaving my skin feeling moisturised & hydrated (not a dry or chapped lip to be seen - yay!).

The only thing that could be considered a slight downside to this product is the slightly pricey retail cost of £15.50. Of course it goes without saying that this is more expensive than other lipsticks that are available on the high-street.. However, I honestly think the extra pennies are worth it if you're either looking to build your lipstick collection or (like me) are struggling to find that "perfect nude".

If you're interested in picking up this lipstick for yourself, Creme in Your Coffee is currently available both online & in local MAC stores.

What's your favourite nude lipstick?

xxx

Shine Bright Like A Diamond | Birchbox

One of the highlights of my month has to be the arrival of my Birchbox. February's box - Shine Bright Like a Diamond - focused on positive vibes & self love with a combination of beauty, skin & hair products.

Content:

1. Derm Eyes Make-up Remover Wipes - £9.50 [x]

2. Korres 3 in 1 Cleanser - £15.00 [x]

3. Love Of Colour Shadow Stick in Shade "Champagne Problems" - £8.00 [x]

4. The Balm Blush in shade "Frat Boy" - £15.50 [x]

5. Lumiere D'Hiver "Super Comb & Protect" Leave in Conditioner - £20.00 [x]

6. Spectrum Tulip Powder Brush - £8.99 [x]

Although a few of the samples received this month were a little on the small-side, as soon as I spotted Spectrum's Powder Brush I knew no amount of tiny products could ruin February's Birchbox for me. Spectrum is a collection I've had my eye on for a while now, so this an item that I was very excited to receive (if you're interested, click here to read a full review). 

Other products that have caught my eye include the "Super Comb & Protect" Leave in Conditioner (fingers crossed this will help nurse my bleached locks back to health) & LOC Eye-shadow Stick.. which is something that I feel would look stunning for evening looks. 

Have you tried any of the products that were featured in February's Birchbox?

If so, what are your thoughts?

xxx

Spectrum Flawless Finish | Brush Review

Popular for their beautiful & edgy designs, Spectrum is a brand that has received a lot of attention from beauty lovers. Since I first spotted these on an Instagram post some time ago, I knew this was a brand that I needed within my beauty collection. 

So after what felt like hours of staring longingly at all the different brushes on offer, the first to make its way into my collection was the C03 "flawless finish" brush, designed to give flawless precision of both powder & cream products.

Whilst I know it's not right to judge a book by it's cover, the thing that first stood out to me here had to be the stunning design. There's just no denying that the combination of baby pink, blue & purple instantly set this brush aside from other simple (aka slightly boring) designs. I mean, who wouldn't love to look at this on their dressing table?! 

However - don't be fooled! There is a lot more to this brush than simply looking beautiful.. another great design point of the C03 is the gorgeously soft synthetic hairs (which are both vegan & animal friendly - yay!). This - combined with the tapered & medium sized design -  creates an effortless application for blush, bronzer & highlighters alike. 

Retailing at £8.99 I'd highly recommend the Spectrum C03 if you're looking for a brush to help add the finishing touches to any look, whilst still looking gorgeous within your brush collection. 

Have you tried this or any other brushes from the Spectrum range?
What are your thoughts?

xxx

Christmas Party Make-up

Last week I jumped on the train down to London ready to celebrate alongside my colleagues at our annual Christmas Party. Of course, I wanted to look my best so carefully selected my current favourite beauty products to create a festive, party look (as you can see from the list below.. this turned out to be a lot of products!). 

Excuse the slight yellow tint - apparently hotel rooms
aren't the best for photos. 

Foundation - Mac Studio Sculpt [x]
Primer - Benefit "Pore-fessional" [x]

Setting Power - Max Factor Translucent Powder [x]

Bronzer- Sleek Face Contour Kit [x]
Under-eye Concealer - Rimmel Wake Me Up [x]
Blemish Concealer - Collection Lasting Perfection [x]

Highlighter - Benefit "Watts Up" [x]

Mascara - Benefit "They're Real" [x]

Eye-brows - Soap & Glory Archery 2-in-1 Brow Pencil [x]
Setting Spray - MUA Pro Base Fixing Mist [x]

Lipstick - Kate Moss for Rimmel in shade 30 [x]

To start the look I used Benefit's Pore-fessional, which I find perfect for creating a smooth base to the skin. This was followed with Mac's Studio Sculpt Foundation to provide full coverage & ensure my skin was well moisturised throughout the evening. After foundation, I covered any remaining dark circles & blemishes with concealer (Rimmel Wake Me up for Dark Circles & Collection Lasting Perfection for blemishes). This was then all set in place with a layer of Max Factor's Translucent setting powder - which is gorgeously light on the skin.  

Next to create a slight contour (I need all the help I can get when it comes to  giving the effect of cheekbones) I chose the bronzer from Sleek's Contour Kit to sit in the hollows of my cheekbones & a small amount of Benefit's Watt's up to add highlight to the tops of my cheekbones & nose. 

Following this was a mascara.. For this I used a product that I find perfect for adding both length & volume to my lashes - Benefit's "They're Real". This has quickly become one of my favourite products to use for a night out. I then moved onto eyebrows using my trusty Soap & Glory Archery Pencil to add shape & definition.

Next came the product that I really felt pulled this look together - lipstick. I decided to opt for a lipstick form the Kate Moss & Rimmel collaboration in the no.30. This is a deep plum statement shade that tied in perfectly with the deep purple of my dress. 

Last but not least came MUA's fixing mist. I sprizted a layer of this product to ensure the look stayed in place throughout the night.

Have you used any of these products?

What are your thoughts?

xxx

Lipsticks | Winter Favourites

Lipstick is a product that I find myself reaching for on an almost daily basis... so now the colder weather is here & the autumn/winter clothes have been dragged from the back of the wardrobe, I've started to notice a slight pattern in my make-up routine. It seems that I have been repeatedly reaching for a mixture of the same four "autumnal" shades that have quickly become my currently favourite winter lipsticks.

Lipstick from Left to Right: Amethyst Shimmer, Rebel with a cause,
Kate Moss 01, Smitten

Model Co - Smitten

Whilst only a recent addition to my lipstick collection - I was lucky enough to receive Smitten within my December Birchbox - I've found this has quickly become one of my favourites. Not only is this lipstick both moisturising & long lasting, the deep tone of this lipstick offers a great twist to the classic statement red lip.

Rimmel Kate Moss - 01

Rimmel lipsticks will always have a special place in my heart when it comes to high-street beauty -  so I knew instantly that I would love the Kate Moss collection. Shade 01 highly pigmented & moisturising lipstick that works instantly to add a touch of glamour to any look. I personally love to pair this lipstick with a black outfit & other-wise neutral make-up - think Little Black Dress at the Christmas party. 

Make up Revolution - Rebel with a cause

For those of you who don't know, I love the lipsticks from Make-up Revolution. Not only are they extremely budget friendly (retailing at only £1) they're also amazing quality. "Rebel with a cause" is a deep purple shade that is perfect if - like me - you love to experiment with a slightly darker/vampy look throughout the winter. *Bonus* The little colour pot secured to the end of the product pops off to become a perfectly matching lip-liner.

Rimmel - Amethyst Shimmer

Unlike the previous products mentioned in this post, Amethyst Shimmer is the perfect alternative to a statement lip. With subtle pink/purple undertones & a gorgeous sheen, this lipstick offers a slight "your lips but better" & works perfectly a dramatic or smokey-eye. I personally love to wear this as an every-day lipstick to add a touch of glamour to my look. 

Of course there are many lipsticks within my collection that I love, - *unashamed lipstick addict over here* -  but these are the four I've found myself using most regularly. If you've tried any of the above products - or have any favourite winter lipsticks of your own - please let me know in the comments! 

xxx

Max Factor Haul & First Impressions

I know, I know - more beauty items.. but how's a girl to resist?! Max Factor isn't actually a brand I tend to pick up on a regular basic (I'm a loyal Rimmel London girl) but after spotting the Star Wars collaboration sneak peaks a few months back, I knew it was something I needed for myself.

So when Boots released their "The Force Awakens" range this weekend I quickly placed my favourite lipstick into my shopping cart whilst feeling content with my treat. However - it was at this point that I made the ever fatal mistake of "just having a quick browse" at the other products available..which - of course - resulted in my picking up a range of products & somehow entering my payment details *oops*.

Colour Elixir Lipstick in the shade "Scarlet Ghost" - £7.99

Glossfinity Nail Varnish in shade "Just Cheerful" - £5.99 

Translucent Loose Powder - £7.99
Masterpiece Colour Precision Eye-shadow in the shade "Night Sky" - £6.99

Star Wars Lipstick in shade "Dark Berry" - £7.99 

False Lash Effect Mascara - £10.99

As I've just recently picked these items up, I haven't had chance to fully test each out yet. However from as far as first impression go it's safe to say that I'm very happy. Of course my favourite finds have to be both lipsticks as the shades are stunning.. but I'm also very excited to test out the mascara & loose powder (let's see how they match up to my current favourites!).

Have you tried any of these products?

What are your thoughts?

xxx

Your Eye's Enhanced | Real Techniques

As much as I love make-up, I hadn't got around to investing in many brushes until very recently. This was mainly due to the fact that I simply didn't know where to start. With so many brushes to chose from - & not wanting to feel like I'd ultimately wasted money - I couldn't decided which would be the best for me.

So after doing many hours of research & review reading, I finally decided to treat myself to the Real Techniques "Your Eye's Enhanced" starter set... which - since mentioning in my recent haul post - I couldn't wait to write a review on.

Currently retailing at £21.99 the set contains 5 brushes (which roughly works out at around £4 each). This includes; a Brow Brush for easily defining eye-brows, a Deluxe Crease Brush which is oversized for simple contouring, a Fine Liner Brush for applying cream or liquid eye-liner, an Accent Brush for adding detail/highlighting & a Base Shadow Brush which is used for easily applying a base layer of shadow. 

As with most new products, I try not to get my hopes up too high before testing them out as there's nothing worse than being left disappointed. Luckily this wasn't the case here & I'm happy to say that as soon as I tested these brushes I was instantly impressed.

The gorgeous metallic purple looks gorgeous sat on my dressing table, the bristles feel beautifully soft against the skin & - most importantly - they make applying/blending eye-make up effortlessly simple. What more could you ask for from a brush set?!

For anyone who's a little stuck trying to decide which brushes to invest in, I personally couldn't recommend this set enough.

Have you tried the "Your Eye's Enchanted" Set?
What are your thoughts?
xxx

Autumnal Make-up

If you read my recent Autumn Wishlist post, you'll know that I am very excited for Autumn this year.. In fact, I'm now so ready for Autumn that I've even found myself a little annoyed by the warmer weather we've been having here in the UK..  *You had your chance Summer.. now it's time for the cold!*. 

So before heading off on a recent shopping trip, I couldn't resist the opportunity to fully indulge in my latest love & go for a full Autumn make-up look (& write a post all about it too.. of course).

Add a floppy hat for extra autumnal feelings

What I'm Wearing: 

Foundation - MAC Studio Sculpt [x]

Under-eye Concealer - Rimmel Wake Me Up [x]

Blemish Concealer - Collection Lasting Perfection [x]

Setting Powder - Rimmel Stay Matte [x]

Bronzer - Rimmel Natural Bronzer [x]

Mascara - Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express  [x]

Eye-Brows - Soap & Glory Archery [x]

Lipstick - Make-up Revolution "Rebel With A Cause" [x]

(I couldn't find the exact shade, so have linked one similar)

In my opinion nothing screams Autumn/Winter make-up more than a dark lip.. whether it be a deep red, purple or brown. One of my current favourites when wearing a dark lip has to be this deep purple shade from Make-up Revolution. Plus  - at the bargain price of £1.00 - they're the perfect product for experimenting with different shades.

I can't wait for the chillier weather to make an appearance again so I can complete this look by teaming it with cosy jumpers & oversized scarves.

If you have any autumn/winter make-up staples, let me know in the comments.
I'm always looking for an excuse to try new products.
xxx

Soap & Glory: Archery 2-in-1 Eyebrow Pencil

As many beauty lovers know Soap & Glory is a brand that has a lot to offer, including gorgeous bath & make-up products. However despite being a huge fan of the bath products,  I'd never actually sampled anything from their make-up collection 
That is until very recently, when I finally decided to jump on the bandwagon & purchase the Archery 2-in-1 Eyebrow Pencil.

As you can see above, Soap & Glory's Archery 2-in-1 is essentially a double ended eyebrow pencil. With one end containing the pencil itself & the other a spoolie-type brush. The pencil - which is a lot thinner than most eye-brow pencils - is used in light/short strokes to add definition & shape. Then the brush is used to ensure the pencil is fully blended & tame any of those pesky fly-away hairs. 
 As someone who often struggles to create a satisfactory look from regular eye-brow powders or pencils, I find this product allows the precision to create perfectly defined brows. 
Archery currently retails at £8.00 & comes in two shades; "Blondshell" & "Hot Chocolate". As my eyebrows are slightly darker than my hair I use Hot Chocolate & find it matches perfectly. 
After using this product for around a week it's safe to say that I've found a new favourite to add to my collection & I honestly don't know why I didn't invest sooner. 
Have you used Soap & Glory's Archery Pencil? What are your thoughts?

Goodbye Summer - FOTD

Now that we're saying goodbye to summer & heading towards autumn it's the perfect time to start bringing out those darker autumnal shades. 

Don't get me wrong, I think the bright pinks & corals that dominate the summer months are gorgeous.. but there's just something about the wintery dark reds & purples that I love...These shades have definitely started to make an appearance within my make-up routine so whilst I was getting ready a few days back I thought I'd put together a little Face Of The Day showing a slight transition towards an autumn/winter look. 

Products: 
Foundation: Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 Hour Nude [x]  Concealer: Collection Lasting Perfection [x] Setting Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder [x] Bronzer: Rimmel's Natural Bronzer [x] Blusher: Sleek's Face Form Palette (shade: Light) [x] Eye-Shadow: Barry M Natural Glow Palette [x]
Mascara: Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express [x] Eye-Brows: MUA Pro-Brow Kit (shade: Fair-Medium) [x] Lipstick: Rimmel & Kate Moss in shade 08 [x]
As you can tell this look is in no way dramatic as instead I've opted for a slightly dark pink lip along with a faint brown eye look... Although it's safe to say that I can't wait to start bringing out my dark lipsticks ready for the cold months ahead! 
What are your current favourite autumn/winter make-up items?

Weekend Getaway: Make-up Essentials

If there's one thing I'm awful at, it's packing lightly. Even if I'm popping away over night, I will always be the one who brings a tonne of items that simply aren't needed *Yes, it's spa break.. but I'd really better pack my trainers.. just to be on the safe side...*. 

Unfortunately I also struggle to pack lightly when it comes to my make-up bag.. How can anyone be expected to decide in advance which lipsticks to wear or which foundation will be best?

However after a few weekend trips visiting family/friends (& finally realising that I just cannot carry the majority of make-up at all times) I've finally managed to narrow down my choices to - what I think - are the essentials for a few days away.

Moisturiser:

Olay Essentials Complete Care Day Fluid [x]
Base:

Rimmel Lasting Perfection 25 Hour Nude Foundation [x]

Real Techniques Stippling Brush [x]

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer [x]

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder [x]

New Look Kabuki Brush [x]

Bronzer: 

Rimmel Natural Bronzer [x]

Front Cover Cheek Brush [x]

(I can't seem to find this brush online so have linked one similar)

Mascara: 

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara [x]

Eyebrows: 

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil [x]

Lips: 

The Body Shop - Born Lippy Lip Balm [x]

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick in shade 08 [x]

Make-up Revolution Lipstick in shade "Rebel With Cause" [x]

As you can see, I've kept the main base of my choices pretty neutral. This way the products - such as foundation, mascara & bronzer - can easily be used for both day & evening looks. I've also included one neutral day-time lipstick (Rimmel & Kate Moss in shade 08) along with Make-up Revolution's "Rebel With Cause - a deep purple shade - to add a little extra something for any evenings out. 

Obviously if I was going away for longer than a few days I'd include more items - a red/pink lipstick & an eye-shadow pallet for example - but I find this to be the perfect combination of products for a few days away.

What are your make-up essentials for a few days away?

Friday Date Night - FOTD

Anyone who works full time will understand the sheer joy that any annual leave brings.. especially when that annual leave comes on a Friday.

As my boyfriend tends to work over the weekends, I decided to book Friday afternoon off from work to enjoy a "date night" style afternoon together. After getting dolled up for the afternoon - & feeling pretty satisfied with how my make-up turned out - I thought this was the perfect excuse to put together a Face Of The Day style post. 

Products:
(Not used in this order.. obviously)

Moisturiser: Olay Essentials Complete Care Sensitive [x]

Foundation: MAC Studio Sculpt in shade NW15 [x]

Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder [x]

Mascara: Maybelline "The Falsies Volum' Express" [x]

Under-eye Concealer: Rimmel Wake Me Up [x]

Blemish Concealer: Collection Lasting Perfection [x]

Bronzer: Rimmel Natural Bronzer [x]

Eye Brows: Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in shade Hazel [x]

Lipstick: Make-up Revolution in shade "Rebel Without A Cause" [x]

My personal favourite part of this make-up look is the lipstick shade. Although I haven't built it up to the full colour potential, I love the pop of colour it adds to an otherwise neutral look. 

Have you tried any of these products?

If so, what are your thoughts?

xxx