Happy National Lipstick Day.

What? You didn't know there was a day dedicated to Lipstick!? To be honest neither did I until this morning and let's face it, there's pretty much a 'National Day' for everything these days.  But, as a lover of lipstick I'm not going to let this one pass me by.

Today is actually my Birthday, wow, yes, I'm writing a blog post on my birthday...now that's dedication! Today is a day to feel special and nothing makes me feel more fabulous than Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in 104 'Passion'.

To me this Chanel lipstick oozes glamour and sophistication, even the packaging is dreamy. The lipstick itself is highly pigmented, satiny with a smooth texture, a pleasure to wear.

What is your favourite lipstick?

L x

Manicure Monday #3

Good afternoon! Another week and another manicure...however, this one is a little bit different. If you didn't know already I have been wearing acrylic nails for a little while now. I love having long nails but as you know they tend to play havoc with your natural nails. So to try and minimise the damage every other time my nails need 'filling in', I remove the acrylic entirely to let me nails rest and grow for as long as I feel they need to.

Unfortunately though, they look pretty gross: they're short, flaky and in need of some TLC. Well, this is my little routine to help them get ship-shape in no time.

First up, I need a good nail repair treatment and I absolutely love 'Save The Nail'. It's a treatment that you just paint on once a day for 7 days as a treatment, then after that you can just wear it underneath your nail varnish. This stuff has really saved my nails, it's really easy to apply, slightly thinner than a nail varnish and dries super quick.

After my intensive seven day treatment I then go on to paint my nails. For this I need to use something that's not highly pigmented, and is kind to the nails, as I don't want to be too harsh or abrasive when it comes to removing my nail polish.  Also as a rule of thumb, dark colours will always accentuate a short nail. I tend to opt for a nude, or a sheer colour, but I absolutely love 'Barry M Hi-Shine Gelly nail paint' in 'Lychee'

How do you recover from damaged nails?

L x

L'Oreal Casting Creme Gloss Sunkiss Jelly Review.

I've wanted some Caramel, Lighter Brown multi-tonal highlights in my hair for years. I have no desire to sit in a hairdressers chair for hours on end every 4-6 weeks, probably less as my hair grows extremely quickly which is a pain for colouring hair, but perfect for haircut disasters!

Anyway, I saw recently that L'Oreal had brought out their Sunkiss Jelly: think a more up-to-date 'Sun In Hair Lightener' for all those old enough to remember. Or, those of us that used Lemon juice before going out to bake our hair in the sun, in the vain attempt to lighten our locks...anyway...I digress. The Sunkiss Jelly is basically a gentle yet effective gradual hair lightener. You can apply it all over or apply to individual hair strands for a highlight effect, then use your hair dryer to activate the product.

There are three shades covering Light Brown to Very Light Blonde. No option for those with Medium to Dark Brown hair like me but I knew this and at only £5.99 I was willing to take the risk of it not working.

The results were amazing! After only one application my hair looked lighter and in a really natural way, looked a more exaggerated version of my 'holiday hair'.  After a few more applications I can honestly say that I'm really happy with the results. It looks very, subtly lightened and highlighted. A real bargain for £5.99!

Have you tried this product? would you?

L x

Skin79 BB Cream Review.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a review for another BB cream and explained the eternal problems I  have finding one with a perfect fit to my pale skin. But I recently discovered a brand called Skin79, after testing it out I thought I'd let you know the results.

Pro's:

• Skin79 offers 8 different BB creams depending on your skin type.
• Smells pleasant despite the name.
• Offers shades that are very suitable for my pale skin.
• Really adapted to my skin tone, once it settles in.
• I only needed less than One pump of product to cover my entire face.
• It had a really good coverage, wasn't watery thin.
• It contained an SPF45 and protects against UV A and B rays, perfect for the Summer weather.

Cons:

• Be prepared to wait a while for your product to arrive or spend quite a lot on shipping. 
• It's so difficult to tell which BB cream to get, there are no swatches on the website or indication of colour on the bottle, i.e. Light, Medium, Dark, etc...
• Just after I applied the product, my skin looked very oily, although after it dried (around 20 mins) it looked amazing and wasn't oily at all. 
• There are a lot of imitations out there so be careful where you purchase from.

Straight out of the pump.

Colour swatch.

Blended before dried.

What do you think? Have you tried any Skin79 range?

L x

Manicure Monday #2

Happy Monday! What a beautiful day it is. Let's start the week with another gorgeous manicure.

Today I've chosen Maybelline Colour Show Nail Polish in 93 Peach Smoothie and 220 Knitted Gold - £2.99 each.

I think this creates a really pretty Summer look that's very easy to wear.

The Peach Smoothie is a little streaky, the colour that you see is after 2 coats. The Knitted Gold however depends on how sparkly you want the look to be. I used 2 coats, but you could easily use more or less.

What's your favourite Maybelline Colour Show Polish?

L x

How to rock an on trend bright lip

If you're like me, the thought of a statement lip both excites and terrifies you...so where do I start?!

Ok, let's break this down...

1. Choose a product that you feel comfortable with.
If you're trying out a bold colour for the first time, you might want to choose something like a lip stain or a gloss, just so it doesn't look TOO scary. That way you can work your way up to that bright statement colour. If you're a pro then dive right on in with your favourite lipstick.

2. Choose the right colour for your complexion.
 If you have fair skin with pink undertones, pick warm orangey pinks, or brick reds. Medium and olive complexions can pull-off blue-based reds. Dark skin will suit shades such as rich plums. Almost any skin tone is flattered by fuchsias and a perfect pink-red. Having said all that, remember it's just a guideline: if you find a shade that YOU are comfortable with...wear it!

3. Prep and prime those lips.
You can buy the most expensive lipstick in the world but if you have dry flaky lips then it wont look good. Use a lip scrub and a lip balm every night before bed to ensure your lips are ready for that colour.

4. Apply it.
You have two options here, you can use the lipstick directly onto the lips, or you can use a brush. If you're a novice I suggest just using it straight from the stick, really looking at the shape of your lips to ensure that you don't go over the natural lip-line. If you're after a less dramatic look, apply a super thin layer of product with your finger, working the product into the lip to achieve a more subtle look.

5. Making it last.
After you've applied the lipstick, take a tissue and blot your lips. Then apply a second layer - this will help it to last a little longer.

L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche in 201 Rose Symphony

Maybelline Superstay 14 Hour in 430 Stay with me Coral.

MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Laquer in 'Criminal'

Do you like a bold lip?

L x

 

I hit 100 followers!

I wasn't really sure how to start this post, or whether writing it at all would appear a little OTT. However, last night I hit 102 followers on Bloglovin' and to me this is a huge milestone! So I really just wanted to say thank you to each and every one of you that has taken time out of their day to read my blog.

 

Blogging has taught me so many things in such a short amount of time and, honestly, when I first started out I felt so overwhelmed! I had so many questions: how do I start? what should I write about? what style? what blogging platform should I use? does anyone care what I have to say? and, what if no one reads it!?!? And...don't even get me started on Blogger - what was the difference between a Post and a Page? And I certainly didn't know about #bbloggers.

However, slowly but surely I learned to figure it out, mostly through the help of the blogging community - which in itself far surpassed my expectations. I also love reading everyone else's blogs! It's not only given me some handy make up tips (thank you), but it's helped me develop my own, unique writing style. I've always had a creative side to my personality, have spent time drawing, painting and even writing a cookery book. However, I feel that blogging really brings together the best of all of those things and allows me to be as creative as I want, everyday.

I really could go on, however this post was supposed to be short (yeah right)! So, just to sum up, THANK YOU; and I cant wait for you to accompany me on my journey to the next 100 followers.

L x

Sleek Eyebrow Stylist Review.

I've been loving Sleek products lately, so it wasn't a surprise that I found myself browsing their products on my last trip to Boots, which is when I came across the Eyebrow Stylist. I have been using the Sleek MakeUp Brow Kit for a while now which I love, but I still just wanted a pencil that was easy to pop in my handbag or travel with.

The problem I have with most eyebrow pencils is that the product is too hard, it's difficult to apply and the colour match is terrible...way too light. This product is a velvety matte, has an almost waxy texture and comes in 3 shades. The tip is angled to make application really easy, you can use the flat edge to fit in brows and the point to define. Not only all of that, but on the other end you get a spoolie
brush to shape and blend the product: all this for £5.99, perfect!

 

 

 

Highlighting and Contouring - A basic guide.

Thanks to Kim Kardashian, contouring has become more and more popular lately. I've put together a really easy guide on how to achieve that chiselled look.

What can I use to contour? The answer really is anything you want, powders, foundations, separate bronzers and highlighters, there are loads of contouring kits on the market. I really like the 'Sleek Contour Kit', it's a real bargain at just £6.49. Just ensure the darker shade is matte and the lighter shade has light reflecting elements.

What colour should I use? Well a good rule of thumb is two shades darker and two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. However...if you're super pale like yours truly, then stick to one shade darker and one lighter anymore and the effect will be more dramatic.

What brushes should I use? For me personally the brushes doesn't matter TOO much. I say that because as long as they're relatively small and narrow, it'll get the job done. My favourite is 'Real Techniques Expert Face Brush' - I actually have a couple of these brushes I use for both the contour and the highlight. It's really great for both liquid and powder.

 

Ok, now onto the application. It's really simple - 'E' for contour and 'C' for highlight. Starting at the top of your forehead by your hairline, draw an 'E' shape going down the side of the temple, under your cheekbone stopping about an inch from the corner of your mouth, then under your jawline. Now for the 'C' you want to highlight just above your eyebrow around to just on the top of your cheekbone.

Next for a 'Y' shape, with your highlight, from the forehead and down the bridge of the nose, either side you'll want to put your darker colour, this will give you the illusion of a slimmer, more contoured nose.

Do you contour and highlight as part of your daily routine?

 

Radiant Summer skin - Highlighters.

I absolutely love skin highlighters they're a good, easy way to give you a beautiful glow for that simple Summer look. I've been trying out 5 products and I thought I'd let you know how I got on...

No7 Instant Radiance Bronzing Highlighter - at £9.95. I managed to get this for £4.95 with the typical £5 off No7 voucher that I'm forever accumulating and doing nothing with. That aside its a gorgeous little twist-up chubby stick that contains a gorgeous golden shimmer. It's really easy to use, just draw on top of cheekbones or wherever you wish, easy to blend. The only thing I'd say - less is
more with this one.

Sleek Faceform - £9.99. I have already done a review on this product, however I am in love with the highlighter...it's a really pretty, highly pigmented powder. Contained within a little palette with an equally gorgeous bronzer and blush, you really are getting a lot for your money. Available in 4 shades, mine is in 'Light'.

Revlon highlighting palette - £8.99. Available in two shades 'Rose Glow' and, 'Bronze Glow'...which is the one that I chose. I love this for a couple of reasons! Firstly because it's a really nice bronzer - for those that are going for a more Summery look as opposed to the usual solid colour Matte bronzer. The second reason I love this is because you can use it as a eye shadow palette! I often do, the colours are really pretty on the eyes, its a take on the Urban Decay Naked Palette for a fraction of the price.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pearl Powder - £8.99. Also available in two shades 'Rose Boudoir' and 'Rose Raidieux' - I have Rose Boudoir and it's definitely the most natural of the bunch. It contains a highlighter and two light diffusing foundations. I was quite surprised at first, as once you swirl the brush in it exposes the 2 colours beneath. I still loved it though, it's so lovely and natural, more of an
everyday product.

Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights Face Illuminator - £11.99. It's the most expensive of my selection but I actually used to use this when it came out originally...many years ago - now I feel old! It comes in a liquid in 4 shades, I chose mine in 'Bare Light'. As I said it's a little more pricey than the others but you really don't have to use much at all and you can use it wherever you want to highlight. It's perfect for me as my cheek area is really quite dry at times, so sometimes a liquid works better for me. It also says that you can mix it into your foundation - although I haven't tried this - I'm not sure how it would look.

  These are swatches from the highlighters. I wasn't able to photograph the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pearl Powder.

These are swatches from the Revlon highlighting palette.

 

What's your favourite summer highlight?

L x

Benefit Fakeup Concealer review

Recently I found myself on a mission to find a great concealer. Now I don't know about you, but the problem I have with most concealers is that I have acne prone skin. Naturally I want to cover these blemishes but the product ends up sitting in the deep cracks & crevices and makes it more pronounced....great!

After feeling a little overwhelmed with the usual department store choices, I met a lovely smiley face at the Benefit counter. I explained my problematic skin and she thought Fakeup concealer would be perfect for me - she wasn't wrong!

Fakeup is available in 3 shades and is housed in this gorgeous lipstick sized tube, surrounded by a hydrating formula which is wonderful for covering blemishes and applying under the eyes. This product easily stayed on my skin all day...I couldn't ask for more.

Have you tried fakeup? what's your favourite benefit concealer?

L x 

My first Birchbox review

After seeing posts from other bloggers on various subscription boxes, I thought it was a really great way to discover new brands that I wouldn't have necessarily known about, and more luxurious brands that I wouldn't justify buying until I tried them out.

I started researching 'subscription boxes' and was surprised to see just how many there were to choose from. Some dedicated to nail polishes, or healthy food, organic skincare and beauty products. I knew I wanted to choose beauty products, but which one!? The market has lots of companies offering various packages to choose from.

As the title would suggest I went with Birchbox. The process really was quite simple, I just logged onto their website and signed up to the 'Monthly Recurring Package'. They offer two other types of package but that would've meant committing for 6 or 12 months...although signing up to those can get you a discounted price. The Monthly package however means less commitment and you can cancel at any time - which personally works better for me.

Boxes are shipped between the 10th and 20th of every month I ordered on the 5th, I received mine today, which meant super fast delivery in 5 days including the weekend.

Anyway, onto the box. There is something really exciting about getting a package with no idea what's inside - it's like a true surprise gift every month. This is what I received in my first package...

I was so impressed, ALL of this for just £10!

1. Balance me Wonder eye cream, I've been looking for an eye cream for a while and it smells amazing, very similar to the REN eye gel scent.

2. Philip Kingsley, One More Day Dry Shampoo. This stuff smells great too, I used it this afternoon and I must say it feels pretty great.  You don't need to use a lot of product to refresh your hair.

 

3. Benefit Porefessional.  This is the product I was most excited to discover. I toyed with buying the full size product only a few days ago, although having never used it before I was pretty hesitant. I'm   looking forward to trying it out.

4. Laqa & Co Lip Lube: This is an American brand that I'd never actually heard of, its a brand new product. It's a twist up pen (a lot like the Clinique chubby stick)  and it has the feel of a lip balm with a sheer coral colour - so cute!

5. Whish body butter. Oh my goodness this stuff smells SO good. It contains Organic Aloe, Organic Raspberry Butter, and Organic Shea Butter, and mine came in the Lavender scent.

6. This one is a bit random but I was quite excited to see it as I am quite a big fan of coconut water.   However...this one really wasn't for me and the lemon tasted quite artificial.

You also get a card that gives you details of the products and their full size price.

Have you ordered a Birchbox before? what was your favourite product?

L x