My First Ever Birchbox!

That's right ladies and gentleman... after all this time being a make-up fanatic and blogger, I have finally taken the plunge and subscribed to Birchbox! For those of you who may not have heard of Birchbox before, it is basically a monthly subscription service where you pay £12.95 per month (including shipping) to receive a box full of wonderful beauty-related goodies. I had always wanted to sign up to a beauty subscription service but up until recently, I did not have the room in my budget - so you can imagine how excited I am to finally be able to do so! I'm really looking forward to discovering new products and brands that I have never tried before. So today, I thought that I would show you all what I received in my first box and my thoughts on Birchbox in general so far. Let's get started!

As some of you may already be aware, Birchbox like to collaborate with other brands quite frequently and January' box is in collabration with Pinterest and this months theme to start off the new year with is the 'Best Year Ever' box - inspiring you to make the most of 2016! I love how visually appealing each box is and so I will definitely be using them for storage and keeping some of them on display once I collect a few.

Upon opening the box, I found all of this months products packaged up in this super cute drawstring bag (which I will definitely be using as a wash bag when I travel!) I love little details like this because it really shows how much thought and attention to detail goes into each months box. After seeing lots of beauty box reviews over the years on various blogs, the Birchbox team seem so creative and fun!

Now onto the products that I received... 

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Leave In Conditioner
This spray seems to be quite the multi-tasker because as well as detangling and conditioning your hair, it can also be used as a heat protectant too. I loveproducts that I have more than one use as they are a great time saver! Although I haven't used tried out anyof the products yet, I did give this one a quick spritz and it smells amazing!

Absolution L'eau Soir et Matin Cleansing Water
I use my Garnier micellar water every day, therefore, it will be interesting how this one compares. I have never heard of the brand Absolution before, so I'm interested to see what its all about. After reading the booklet explaining more about the products inside my  box, this cleansing water seems to have lots of lovely ingredients such as hazelnut oil and aloe vera, which I imagine will feel amazing on my skin.

Benefit They're Real Tinted Lash Primer
I used to absolutely swear by my They're Real mascara, so I'm really interested to see how this lash primer performs. I have really short and straight eyelashes that struggle to hold a curl, so I'm wondering if this lash primer will help me out at all! Benefit claim that this product separates, lengthens and boosts your lashes and preps them for you mascara - I will have to test this out and report back!

Eyeko Fat Liquid Liner
This liquid liner is the full-sized item featured in this months box. If any of you have been following me for a while now, you will know that I do not feel complete unless I am wearing feline flick, so this product is right up my alley. The only thing that I am a little bit apprehensive about is that because the eyeliner is 'fat' aka it has a thick nib, I may not be able to get a super precise line with it but I guess time will tell on that one!

Rituals Foaming Shower Gel
The last item included in this months box is this Ritual shower gel. Although I have most definitely heard of the brand before, I have never used any of their products before. Of course, shower gels will always come in useful but I am really excited to try a higher end brand and see how it compares to a bog standard bottle from Boots or Superdrug. Also, I think that I will really enjoy both the scent and the foaming element of this product too!

As well as the five samples mentioned above, Birchbox also threw in a few little add-ons too. These prints above are actually postcards but I cannot believe how cool they are. I think that they will look awesome in a couple of frames scattered around my bedroom! They also included a #nofilter pink compact mirror (which you can see in the first photo of this post.) As I mentioned earlier, these extra little touches are what make this box really special and exciting in my opinion.

Overall, I am so happy that I finally took the plunge and subscribed to Birchbox. So far, I have absolutely no negatives to report! Not only am I happy with the products that I received in my January box but I am really impressed with how much you get for your money - especially as you get one full-sized item per box too! As you can all probably guess, I am so excited to see what next months box brings and I can really see myself being a loyal Birchbox subscriber from here on out.

I will probably do a blog post about each months box from now on, so be sure to check back for even more in-depth Birchbox reviews in the future! Furthermore, if you're interested in signing up to Brchbox yourself, then click here to find out everything you need to know.

MAC's Grand Galaxy Extra Dimension Eyeshadow

Whilst out picking up the last couple of Christmas gifts that I needed to buy for my friends and family, I decided to treat myself to an eyeshadow from MAC that I had been lusting after for long time! I use my Naked palettes pretty much religiously when I want to create an evening make-up look but to be honest, I am getting a little bored of the same old smokey eye that I always tend to gravitate towards. It's definitely my go-to look simply because I know that it works for me! 

So, on Friday, I picked up the ever so gorgeous 'Grand Galaxy' (£16.00) from MAC's Extra Dimension collection. Although upon first glance it looks like a typical shade that I would go for, it is actually the must beautiful iridescent lilac eyeshadow ever! I love it because it's still incredibly neutral and wearable; however, it's mixture of violet, blue and silver tones makes for the most stunning metallic shift when your eye catches the light. Of course, this was really hard for me to capture in a photo, so be sure to go into your local MAC store to swatch this bad boy for yourself! This shadow can also be applied both wet or dry depending how intense and glittery you want it to appear on your lids.

I'm not too sure how long wearing this shadow is yet because I haven't worn it for long enough but if its anything like MAC's classic eyeshadow range, I'm sure they will last amazingly - especially if you use a primer as well!

I cannot wait to wear this shadow properly on a night out or for a special occasion, especially now that we are well and truly into the festive party season! I'm like a magpie when it comes to sparkly eyeshadows too, so I am glad to have finally added 'Grand Galaxy' to my collection. Do you own any of MAC's Extra Dimension eyeshadows? What is your go to party look? As always, please let me know what you think of this product and my review by leaving a comment down below!

My Latest MAC Purchases

Hey guys! Sorry that I've been a little quiet on the blogging front recently but I have really been struggling both motivation and inspiration-wise lately. However, not to worry because I'm now back and ready to show you all the latest additions to my MAC Cosmetics collection. In the past, I was a lover of bright and bold lip colours but throughout the course of this year, I have been opting for nude shades over colourful ones almost every time! I'm not quite sure whats gotten into me but I am just really into more natural, understated hues right now. So, because I was using 'Velvet Teddy' to death, I thought that I would pick up another new nude shade to add to my ever-growing lipstick collection.

After a lot of swatching and trying on with an assistant in the store, I stumbled upon 'Faux' and instantly fell in love with it! Think of it as a much pinky and slightly paler version of 'Velvet Teddy.' What I love about this lipstick in particular is how well it compliments my eyes and my cool-toned complexion. This is also my first satin finish lipstick from MAC and it feels really creamy and moisturising compared to the matte finish of 'Velvet Teddy.' Of course, a creamier consistency is a much better choice to go with during winter too because it doesn't accentuate any dry patches or flakiness on your lips.

To go with the lipstick, the assistant also suggested purchasing a Pro Longwear lip pencil in the shade 'Cultured' to go with it. She applied both products on my lips to show me what the finished result would look like and I thought that it looked even more amazing than before. Even though in the swatch below the two products look quite different in colour, they go so well together and make my lips look plumper and thicker! As it is a pro product, the lip liner is super soft and glides on perfectly without any dragging or tugging at my lip line.

(Left: Faux Satin Lipstick - Right: Cultured Pro Longwear Lip Pencil)

Overall, I am really pleased with these new purchases and I have been wearing this lip combination almost every day because I just love it so much. I get so excited every time that I get to add another MAC product to my make-up collection and these two items were no exception! After testing them out for a few weeks now, I would highly recommend these shades as they are very wearable and comfortable on the lips. So, next time you are passing by a MAC store, why not pop in and give these products a go? You definitely won't regret it!

My Favourite YouTube Channels For Make-Up Tutorials

I am absolutely addicted to watching make-up tutorials on YouTube! In fact, I am subscribed to so many beauty gurus that I've actually lost count. Sometimes, it's pretty hard to keep up with them all! With that being said, however, there a few gorgeous ladies in particular whose content I watch religiously. I love gaining inspiration from other make-up enthusiasts, picking up tips & tricks, as well as seeing which products are really worth the splurge. Therefore, today, I thought that I would tell you all about my top four favourite YouTube channels are right now...

Shaaanxo 
One of the main reasons that I love watching Shannon's make-up tutorials is the fact that she has the same hair colour and skin tone as me, so she often creates looks that would suit me perfectly! I also love how she experiments with such bright colours too - which makes a change from the amount of neutral looks that a lot of other beauty gurus make.

Kathleen Lights
I discovered Kathleen about 6 months ago and I have been hooked on her videos ever since! Her personality really is what draws me in, as she is so likeable and down to earth. I also love how she creates some really stunning drugstore tutorials - which are great for when you don't want to break the bank to achieve a specific look. Plus, she shares my outrageous obsession for liquid lipsticks too!

Jaclyn Hill
Jaclyn definitely creates some of my favourite glamourous make-up looks ever! I love how bold she is both in her artistic abilities and her on-screen presence (her positive energy really is infectious!) She really knows her stuff when it comes to products and I love getting her recommendations for highlighters and false lashes in particular. 

Mirella Belle
Something that really kept me coming back to Mirella's channel week after work was the amount of colourful tutorials she makes! She always comes up with the most amazing and innovative eyeshadow looks. Also, she is never afraid to pair bright eyes with a bright lip too - which is something that would have scared me away in the past! However, she manages to pull it off so beautifully!

So, those are my favourite channels for watching make-up tutorials on YouTube! They provide me with so much inspiration. Who are your favourite beauty gurus to watch online? Also, if you know of any other channels that I should be subscribed too, please let me know by leaving a comment down below. 

A Post Inspired By Lily Pebbles

This morning whilst browsing through my Bloglovin' feed, I came across this post from the gorgeous Lily Pebbles and I loved the concept of it so much that I have decided to answer the questions myself! Lily's post, 'If You Had To Pick One...,' is all about having to choose your favourite beauty products and whittle them down one brand for each category. I thought this post was a really fun and unique idea and so without any further ado, here is what I could choose if I could only pick one item for each of the following...

Make-up brand to use:
Although I only own a few products from this brand at the moment, I would have to say MAC! Choosing to use only one brand is, of course, a very hard decision but my thoughts are that MAC have a huge range of products to choose from. There is a great variation of bases and eyeshadows for any occasion and the lipstick possibilities are never-ending!

Mascara to wear:
At the moment, the mascara that I reach for on a daily basis is Rimmel's Lash Accelerator Endless in Black. I have really short & straight lashes and I find that this formula is excellent at adding a lot of length too them. It never smudges on me either, not even on my lower lashes, so that's an added bonus too.

Skincare item to use: 
Lush's Ultrabland cleanser has been a staple in my routine for the last year or so. It really is the most amazing balm cleanser; not only does it remove my make-up quickly and efficiently but it makes my skin feel silky smooth too. Also, it feels really good to use a natural product as there are no nasty chemicals in it to strip or break out my skin!

High street store to shop from:
New Look! Forever 21 comes a close second but sometimes their sizing can be a little frustrating (S, M & L just do not cut it sometimes.) I feel that New Look have a great range of basics as well as on-trend items to choose from. I also love their shoes and accessories too, which means that I would easily be able to create an entire outfit in there!

Make-up brush brand: 
I am a loyal fan of Real Techniques brushes. Can you believe that I only have one make-up brush that isn't from them?! Crazy, right! The main reasons why I love these brushes are that they are affordable, great quality and they are very easy to clean! The buffing brush is my favourite of the bunch though.

Lipstick to wear everyday:
Definitely NARS' Audacious Lipstick in Anita! It's such a lovely pinky nude shade that goes with absolutely any make-up look. It's a really creamy formula that feels really comfortable on my lips. Plus, I feel like it suits my complexion really well too!

Eyeshadow palette:
Without a doubt my Naked 2 palette. It's the first higher end palette that I have ever owned and it really sparked my love for eyeshadow, as I was a little afraid of it before then! The cooler tones in the palette suit me perfectly and I love how versatile it is - I can create a number of looks for both daytime and nighttime. 

Hair care band to buy from:
It has to be L'Oréal. I exclusively use their Fibrology shampoo & conditioner to wash my hair and I love the results that it gives me. I naturally have very fine, lacklustre hair and these products give it the volume and thickness that it so desperately needs! Also, of course their Elnett hairspray is very popular too, so I couldn't go wrong with sticking to only this brand to be honest!

So, those are my answers in response to Lily's earlier blog post! What would your answers be? Please let me know by either leaving a comment below or completing the questions yourself in a blog post and sending me the link. I would love to know the items that you would ultimately choose!

NARS' Blusher & Bronzer Duo

For my 21st birthday last month, one of the things that my parents knew was at the top of my wishlist was something from NARS! It was one of the high-end brands that I really wanted to have as part of my ever-growing make-up collection and so in turn, they kindly treated me to a few items that they thought I would enjoy using!

The main item that they bought for me was a brand new NARS gift set called the 'Basic Face Set.' The kit contains three key items; their oil-free primer, a translucent setting powder and a duo compact featuring their 'Orgasm' blusher and 'Laguna' bronzer - two of the most popular and coveted NARS products out there! As you can imagine, I was super excited when I unwrapped my presents that morning and I couldn't wait to try everything out. Of course, my favourite item out of three is the blusher and bronzer duo as the colours are just to die for!

Both of the powders are super pigmented but they are very buildable, which means you can definitely control how sheer or built up you want them to be! They are also very easy to blend - which is especially great if you plan to contour with the bronzer. 

'Orgasm' is the most gorgeous pinky coral colour with gold glitter running through it and that is one of my favourite shades to wear on my cheeks. It is the most perfect blush for spring and summer in my opinion! In regards to 'Laguna,' it is quite a warm-toned bronzer and so I personally would only use it to add some more colour to my face, rather than contour my cheekbones with it. However, it all depends on your skin tone and as I am quite fair, warmer shades of bronzer do tend to look a little muddy on me sometimes.

The only downside to this duo is the size as I find it very hard to swirl my brush around in the product as each pan is rather small (it looks much smaller than in the photograph!) Although, apart from that, this product is pretty much perfect! I can tell that it's going to become a staple in my make-up bag from here on out!

Have you tried Orgasm or Laguna before? What is your favourite NARS product? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment down below!

MAC Cosmetics: My New Additions

A lot of the lovely presents that I received for my birthday a few weeks ago were, of course, make-up products! All of my friends and family know how much I love all things beauty and so a few of them treated me to some high end products - which I am extremely grateful for! One of my best friends Chloe actually works for MAC and so she naturally wanted to buy me a few of their products to add to my collection.

First up, she bought me a few of their eyeshadows that I really wanted to try and put them into this adorable quad palette. The colours included are; Forgery, Wedge, Naked Lunch and Shale. The four shades included are all ones that I've spoken about with her before that I thought would really compliment my complexion! 

Here is a brief overview and description of the four shades in the palette:

Forgery - A pale white shimmery shade with a lustre finish.
Wedge - A matte soft brown/taupe shade.
Naked Lunch - A neutral shimmery pink with a frost finish.
Shale - A satin shimmery mauve shade.

The other item that Chloe chose to get me is the super raved about, cult product which is their Mineralize Skin Finish in 'Soft & Gentle.' I had been lusting after this for a while after Chloe originally used it on me at the end of the last year, when she used me as a model to promote her freelancing that shes does in addition to working at MAC. It is the most gorgeous highlight that makes the tops of your cheekbones glow like no other! 

Although I haven't had a chance to try out these products properly yet, I have swatched them and I already love them ridiculous amounts! So, I can only imagine how amazing they'll look once actually applied onto my face! Have you tried out any of these products before? What is your all-time favourite MAC product? Let me know by popping a comment down below, I would love to hear your recommendations for when I buy more things in the future.

Products That Make Me Feel More Confident

We all have those certain products in our stash that make us feel a lot more confident. I love to incorporate products into my beauty routine that make me feel well put together! Of course, it is very important to love yourself and your flaws underneath all of the cosmetics that we regularly layer onto our skin - but I am all about making myself feel prettier too! So today, I have decided to share with you the three products that I like to use when I feel like I need a little pick-me-up or if I just want to ooze confidence.

Fake tan
I'm sure that many of you would agree with me when I say that there's something about being bronzed and sunkissed that makes you feel so much better! I am still a beginner when it comes to self-tanning and so I usually opt for a lotion like Summer Body from Garnier. I love how it gives me a subtle tan without looking orange or streaky because as it is a lotion, it tends not to cling on to dry patches. Most people I know who use this product apply this using their fingers but I use a mitt for a beautifully even application!

Lipstick
I love a bold lip more than anything else! There's something about having a super colourful pout that makes me feel so much more confident...maybe it's because wearing a pillar-box red or a bright fuchsia is very daring! I also love long-lasting formulas such as the Rouge Edition Velvet range from Bourjois, as I feel even more confident when I know that my lip colour is locked in place and will not accidentally transfer onto my teeth or fade throughout the day.

Perfume
The last product that makes me feel confident is a good fragrance! A spritz of something nice will always uplift me and make me feel much more feminine. I have a few all time favourite perfumes in my collection including Rihanna's Reb'l Fleur, Marc Jacobs' Honey and this lovely scent from Vera Wang called Lovestruck Floral Rush. The light floral but fresh combination of passion flower and cashmere woods is perfect for everyday wear!

So, those are some of the products in my beauty stash that make me feel a lot more confident and comfortable in my own skin. Which products do you use to feel confident too? Please let me know by leaving a comment down below!

Disappointing Product Alert: L'Oreal True Match Foundation

After hearing such amazing reviews about L'Oréal's True Match foundation from multiple beauty bloggers and well-established YouTubers such as Amelia Liana and Lauren Curtis, I finally decided to try it out for myself. This decision was a huge deal for me because I am not a foundation hoarder; I play it pretty safe and I wear the same foundation day in and day out because I know that it is not only the perfect colour match for me, it works well with my combination skin too. That holy grail foundation of mine is Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid foundation (reviewed here.)

So, biting the bullet, I put True Match (£9.99) into my basket and headed straight for the till. I was so excited with my purchase that I then went home and proceeded to apply it to my skin straight away... and I was left rather disappointed. Since then, I have worn the foundation once more and my opinion on it still hasn't changed. Although the shade I picked up (C2 Rose Vanilla) is perfect for me, I am just not getting on with the formula at all! 

It looks lovely and silky smooth on my cheek area but it looks so cakey on my forehead, around my nose and my chin - despite the fact that I thoroughly cleansed, exfoliated and moisturised both times before I applied it. It literally clings to every dry patch and settles into every line imaginable on your face! I also find that because the consistency of the foundation is so watery, I have to use more pumps than I would normally have with my usual foundation of choice.

I am determined to love this foundation just like many of you do as it sounds so great on paper, especially as it claims to improve the condition of your skin over time as well! However, this foundation just doesn't seem like its for me! Maybe I'm doing something wrong? Maybe there is a tip or a technique that might change the way that it sits on my skin? If any of you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them, so please leave any comments or helpful advice below!

My NARS Wish List

Hi guys. Although I did just get some new bits and bobs make-up wise for Christmas, I thought that I would compile a little wish list of some NARS items for you all. NARS are such a coveted and luxurious brand and even though I do not own any of their products yet, I am hoping to do so in the near future! So today, I thought that I would show you some of the products that have caught my eye on their website. Let's get started!

Satin Lip Pencil in Majella - £18.00
This satin lip pencil is the most gorgeous rusty magenta colour, which is one of my favourite shades to wear on my lips!

Sheer Glow Foundation - £31.00
I have heard nothing but great reviews about this foundation and so I know that I will love it. It has a medium but buildable coverage, a great shade range and gives the most flawless finish to the skin.

Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Dione - £21.00
This gorgeous light bronze eyeshadow looks like it would give a gorgeous metallic sheen to the lids and this colour would suit a lot of skin tones too.

Blush in Unlawful - £22.50
I am a huge fan of coral blushes as they add a lot of colour to the cheeks, plus 'Unlawful' has a gorgeous shimmer running through it as well.

ITA Kabuki Brush - £43.00
I have heard a lot of YouTubers rave about this ITA brush as it gives you instant cheekbones, it looks like the perfect brush for defined contouring!

Audacious Lipstick in Natalie - £24.00
The Audacious range has been a very popular release for NARS and this vivid pink/coral colour is so striking. I can imagine that it would look lovely with a tan! Also, I love how each lipstick in the range is named after a woman - it's a great concept!

So, those are the six wonderful NARS products that caught my eye on their website. Do you own any NARS products? What is your favourite item from my wish list? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!

A Christmas Lip & Nail Combo

Hi guys. The other day, I picked up a few new products from Boots in order to update my make-up collection for the festive period. I was seriously lacking both a long-lasting and reliable red lip, as well as a cute metallic and glittery nail polish. So, I picked up these two absolute beauties!

After trying the shade 'Frambourjoise' from Bourjois' Rouge Edition Velvet (£8.99) range when it was first released, I had been meaning to pick up another shade for quite some time. So, this time I have opted for the shade 'Personne Ne Rouge' which is a classic, vivid red colour. The main reason that I love this particular product is that even though it gives a matte finish, it does not dry out my lips too much unlike other brands do. Plus, the formulation of this liquid lipstick is so lightweight that it barely feels like I am wearing anything at all! The fact that this product is a long-lasting stain also means that it is perfect for this time of year, where you tend to be out eating, drinking and partying the night away! Most of the time, I do not have to reapply this product at all so it is perfect for creating a fuss-free yet glamorous make-up look for around Christmas time.

To go with my red lip, I wanted to buy a glitzy and metallic nail polish to go alongside it. I do not wear glitter nail varnishes that often but of course, Christmas is the perfect time to do so. You can never have too much sparkle at this time of year. So, I picked up Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure (£6.99) in 'Shoot To The Moon,' which is strangely not available on the Boots website but it is definitely available in store! I have owned a few Sally Hansen polished in the past and I have loved all of them. They go on evenly, dry relatively fast and the flat, wide brush makes application an absolute breeze. This striking silver shade is perfect for this time of year which has a lovely metallic finish with fine particles of glitter running through it, so you get the best of both worlds in that respect!

I think that these two product combined make the perfect lip & nail combo for this time of year. What do you guys think? What make-up you will be wearing over the festive period? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!

A Soft & Smokey Eye Look

Hi guys. Unfortunately I have come down with an awful stomach bug this week but whilst I had some energy, I wanted to write up a quick post for you all. On Monday, my very talented friend and make-up artist Chloe (otherwise known as Glam By Coco on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) used me as a model to promote her freelancing! We decided to take me out of my comfort zone and start experimenting with eyeshadows because I usually stick to winged liner and not much else on my lids. Eyeshadow is something that I have struggled with in the past but now that I am growing to love it, I am even getting the Naked 2 palette for Christmas! Chloe did an absolutely amazing job and so I though that I would quickly share with you the products that she used to achieve this soft and smokey look!

Here is a list of products that were used:

MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow
MAC Embark Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
Clinique Quickliner in Intense Charcoal
MAC Coffee Eye Pencil
Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Holy Smokes!
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara
Tanya Burr Girls Night Out Eyelashes

Albeit rather short, I hope that you liked this post and I will hopefully be doing some more make-up looks or tutorials in the future. I am hoping to be on the mend as soon as possible, so that I can back to blogging properly once again. As always, please let me know what you think of this look by leaving a comment down below. Thank you!

My Top 3 Autumn Lip Colours

Ever since I can remember, I have been a huge fan of bold lip colours. I really believe that a statement lip can really take your make-up look to the next level. My make-up always feels incomplete and bland unless I have a pop of colour on my pout! Now that we are now into autumn and winter, one of the most obvious and popular trends out there is berry lips. So today, I thought that I would share my top three favourite autumn lip colours with you all. I hope you enjoy! 

Rimmel Provocalips Lip Colour in Kiss Fatal - £6.99
First up is the newest addition to my lip product collection. I went out and bought this product on the very first day that it was released because I was really intrigued about the claims Rimmel were making. The whole Provocalips range claims to be kiss proof and transfer proof, which I completely agree with - this stuff does not budge! It's two steps of applying the colour and then the top coat is a genius idea and it really locks everything into place. 'Kiss Fatal' is a gorgeous purple/mauve shade with brown undertones and is even more intense than my swatch shows below! This is one of my favourite products to wear at the moment due to its unique shade and impressive longevity. You have to give it a try!

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Dark Night Waterl-oops! - £6.49
Next on my list is this stunning lipstick, again from Rimmel London. 'Dark Night Water-loops!' is a super dark and intense plum colour that is one step up from one of the most talked about Moisture Renew lipsticks, 'Sloane's Plum.' The formulation of this product is one of the other main reasons as to why I love it so much, it is so creamy and moistursing! In addition, this product will not make any dry or flaky patches look obvious, which can often happen when you opt for bold lips. I highly recommend 'Dark Night Water-loops!' to anyone who is a fan of rich and almost gothic looking shades, as this one certainly packs a punch!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - £7.99
Last but not least is the product that first got me into berry coloured lips, Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. This beautiful lip crayon allows you to get the same effect of a statement lip whilst being a little bit sheerer than the lip stain and lipstick that I have mentioned above. 'Crush' is a great product for beginners who are just venturing out into the world of darker lip colours. It is a classic berry shade that suits every skin tone and is incredibly easy to apply! Another great factor to this product is that it is also a balm, which means that it is moistursing and does not dry out your lips in anyway. This crayon will always be a firm favourite of mine (I've already gotten through almost two,) so I highly recommend it to all of you as well!

(Shades from top to bottom: Kiss Fatal, Dark Night Water-loops!, Crush)

So, those are my top three favourite lip colours for autumn. Berry shades are bang on trend at this time every year and I absolutely love them! Which out of the three products above do you like the look of most? Have you used any of them before? What is your go to autumn lip colour? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!

Maybelline 3 for 2 Boots Haul

Last Monday, I popped into my local Boots whilst out shopping with my parents. I was determined to purchase one of Maybelline's new Color Elixirs but when I saw it was also 3 for 2 on all Maybelline products, I couldn't resist having a little spend up! That's the typical thing us beauty bloggers do when we go into Boots, right? We come out with way more than we originally needed! Due the the 2 for 2 deal, I have discovered two new products that I would have otherwise ignored, so I guess I can justify my spending more than I wanted to! After my splurge, I though it was only right that I shared what I bought with you guys on my blog. Let's get started!

Maybelline Color Elixir Creamy Lip Lacquer in Rose Redefined - £6.99
First up is the product that I actually wanted to purchase, one of the new Color Elixir lip lacquers. I have a lot of lipsticks and lip crayons in my make-up collection, so I thought it was about time that I bought a few more glossy formulas to add to my stash. I had heard nothing but good reviews about this product and I can confirm that everything I heard is true. The consistency of the lacquer is very smooth and not at all sticky or uncomfortable to wear. The doe foot applicator makes applying this product a breeze and not only this but the colour pay off is brilliant. It definitely has more pigmentation than a normal gloss does. The colour I chose is 'Rose Redefined,' which is gorgeous yet natural pink shade with a slight peachy tone to it too. I just love it and I definitely want to pick up another shade soon!

(Top: Maybelline Color Elixir in Rose Redefined - Bottom: Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick in Minimalist)

Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Colour in Deep Red - £4.99
Next up is a nail varnish that I have often overlooked because I do not tend to buy drugstore nail polishes anymore. This is because since I did my nail course last year, I have been buliding up my kit with more professional bands such as China Glaze. However, as I was doing the 3 for 2, I thought that I would give this gorgeous aptly named deep red colour a go. It's the perfect shade for autumn! The wide brush makes application incredibly easy and the colour comes out extremely opaque, it is definitely a two coat job. The only thing that I would say is that this formula does take quite a while to dry, so you need to make sure that you have enough time to sit around and wait for them to completely dry. However, once dried, this polish is incredible. I forgot to put on a top coat and it took 5 days for chips to appear (and they were only very small.) It gives you a glossy, gel-like finish that makes it look like you have been to the salon too. This is a must-have product!

Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick in Minimalist - £4.99
Last but not least, I spotted this lip pencil on a fellow beauty bloggers page recently in a berry colour and I knew I had to have it, but that shade is sold out in all of my local stores. So, I decided to try out the shade 'Minimalist' instead which is a neutral pink shade with lots of glitter running through it. I must admit that I am not a huge fan of the amount of glitter in it but it does look very pretty on the lips. It is a great daytime colour for when you don't want to go too overboard. When I first used this pencil, it was a little hard and was dragging my lips as I tried to apply it. However, I just rubbed the pencils tip between my hands a little to soften it and that worked a charm. I wouldn't say that this product is worth buying for the reasons I have stated above but it is pretty nonetheless and I will still wear it from time to time.

I hope that you have all enjoyed reading my Maybelline 3 for 2 Boots Haul. Overall, I am extremely happy with the Color Elixir lacquer and the Super Stay polish but I am slightly disappointed with the Color Drama lipstick pencil, although that was my free item. Without the 2 for 2 deal, I would have spent £16.97 but instead I was only £11.98 out of pocket! Have you tried one of the product above? Which one is your favourite? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!

MUA's Hall of Fame Eyeshadow Palette

I have never been a big lover of eyeshadow before as I have never felt like it suits me but recently, I have been thinking about broadening out my make-up horizons and attempting some eyeshadow looks once again. Due to the fact that I am not too sure whether I am going to get on well with doing this or not, I decided that I wanted to buy an inexpensive palette at first so that I didn't waste my money if it didn't work out. I had always heard a lot about the MUA palettes on various beauty blogs and so I headed into my local Superdrug to see what was on offer.

The palette that immediately caught my was the Hall of Fame Palette (RRP £4.00,) which contains twelve of MUA's most popular eyeshadow shades. The reason why I was drawn to this palette in particular is because of how neutral it is. As I am an eyeshadow newbie, I think that creating subtle and natural looks to start with is a good idea. Not only this but there are some slightly darker blue, grey and black shades too for when I gain some confidence and start to experiment with some smokier night time looks as well.

The twelves shades included in the Hall of Fame palette are as follows;

Top Row:
Rose Ash - a shimmery pink
Bare - a matte light peach
Lion - a shimmery gold
Reveal - a shimmery champagne
Tectonite - a shimmery mocha
Hydra - a shimmery blue

Bottom Row:
Shy - a shimmery cream
Catacomb - a shimmery light bronze
Chino - a matte ashy brown
Hustle - a shimmery warm brown
Cool Grey - a shimmery medium grey
Titan - glittery black

Considering how cheap this palette is, the formula of the eyeshadows are surprisingly blendable! The only thing that I would say is that the pigmentation of each shadow within the palette varies a lot. The darker shades are very strong and pigmented whereas the lighter shades need to be built up a lot on the lid for the true colour to be achieved. As for the longevity of the shadows, they aren't the mot long-wearing but they do stay a reasonable amount of time on my eyelids without creasing (as long as I use an eyeshadow primer beforehand.)

Overall, the MUA Hall of Fame palette is a great and affordable product for beginners such as myself. Although it's not of the greatest quality, it is good starting point to enable you to experiment with different looks and shadow combinations without breaking the bank! After I get the hang of eyeshadow application a little more and get used to myself with it on, I will definitely be buying a more high end product like the Urban Decay Naked palette!

Forever Repurchased: Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder

Hi guys, today I just wanted to do a quick post talking about a product that I simply could not live without in my make-up bag. The infamous Stay Matte Powder (£3.99) from Rimmel is definitely a firm favourite amongst thousands of beauty bloggers, myself included. As soon as I heard about this powder last year, I went out and bought it immediately after reading tons of good reviews and promising claims about it on other peoples blogs. I have loved this product ever since and I have gotten through about three of them already!

Due to the fact that I have oily/combination skin, I have always struggled with excess shine throughout the day and it used to drive me around the bend! However, this product definitely does the trick. I still do suffer from the odd bit of shininess here and there, but it is no where near as bad as before when I used to use Seventeen's Pressed Powder instead. Another great thing about this powder apart from it combating oiliness is that it looks really natural on the skin. When I applied with my Real Techniques Powder Brush, the product is almost undetectable and does not look at all cake-y. Plus, this powder lasts me for roughly four months and it takes absolutely ages to hit pan, it is incredibly long lasting and a little goes a long way!

I buy the shade Transparent (001) as it suitable for all skin tones, however, there are five more shades in the range; Pink Blossom, Peach Glow, Sandstorm, Silky Beige and Warm Beige. As the other shades have a slight colour to them, they will therefore add some extra coverage if you need it. I am thinking about buying another shade to do just this for when I go out at night time for clubbing, parties and so on. The only bad thing I have to say about this product is that its packaging leaves a lot to be desired. It is incredibly flimsy and can break quite easily but for £3.99, this can be easily overlooked and you get what you pay for really.

Here is a quick synopsis of Stay Matte's main pros and cons:

Pros
- Controls oiliness and shine through the day
- It is virtually undetectable on the skin
- Good range of shades to choose from
- It is long lasting and extremely affordable

Cons
- The packaging is flimsy and can break easily

Overall, this product really does keep shine at bay, even for those with super oily skin and this is why I will keep continuing to repurchase it. Have you ever tried Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder before? What do you think of this absolute bargain of a product? Please let e know by leaving a comment below. Thank you!

Boots 3 For 2 | Bourjois and Maybelline

Hi guys. Today, whilst running a few errands in town, I found myself caving in once again to the infamous Boots 3 for 2 offer. After finding out that this deal was back on last week, I tried to resist but I have finally given in and bought myself some new beauty goodies! There are so many products that are currently on my wish list, so it was very hard for me to whittle it down to just three - I could have spent an absolute fortune! With that being said, I settled on two Bourjois products and one Maybelline product; so here is what I think of them so far!

Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Polish in 06 Rose Cupcake - £5.99
First up is this really lovely nail polish from Bourjois. I have loved the 1 Seconde range for a long time now after having owned a few other colours in the past. Not only do these polishes dry relatively fast but they leave you with quite an opaque colour after just one coat as well, (although I still like to apply two!) Another great thing about this product is its flattened 'fan effect brush' which makes painting your nails a breeze, as you need just one swipe on each nail and you're done. Not only this but the gorgeous rosey pink colour is perfect for spring time too. Overall, I love this polish and I can see myself reaching for it a lot in the up and coming months!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 10 Light - £5.99
Next, I was in dire need of a new concealer that was not brightening or highlighting, as of course you do not want to use those types of formulas on blemishes or things that you want to conceal. So, after hearing lots of great things about Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer, I decided to give it a go. I went for the shade 10 'Light' as opposed to 15 'Fair' because it was too pink-toned and my skin is more yellow-toned. After trying the product out on a few blemished earlier, I am a little undecided as to whether I like it or not. The consistency was not as creamy as I was expecting and although it was not difficult to blend, it looked quite obvious on the skin and clung to dry patches. However, I am determined to continue using it to see if I start to enjoy the product more.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in 02 Frambourjoise - £8.99
Last but not least is a product that has been creating a lot of buzz around the beauty blogging community lately and I must say, they definitely live up to expectation! The Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks are, in my opinion, amazing. The shade I opted for is Frambourjoise, a bright and vibrant berry pink which looks lovely on. The formulation is very lightweight and they feel very smooth and buttery the lips - aka not sticky at all! This lipstick does give a beautiful matte finish but when you first apply the product, it is glossy and it does take around 5 to 10 minutes to fully dry. So far, I have had this product on all day and it is very long wearing; it hasn't budged at all, even after I have eaten. I only have two minor problems with this product. Firstly, it is quite hard to get a precise line using the doe foot applicator. So, I think that I am going to buy a new lip liner soon to accompany it and make the application process easier. Secondly, when you initially apply the product, it has a slightly odd smell to it. However, it is not too offensive and it fades pretty quickly, so I can easily overlook this. I am in love with this product so far that I am already eyeing up which shade I want to buy next, I'm thinking either Hot Pepper or Pink Pong! 

So, those are the three products that I purchased as part of the Boots 3 for 2 offer today. I absolutely love the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick, I think I'm addicted after just half a day! Have you tried any of these products out before? What did you think of them? Please let me know by leaving a comment below. Thank you :)

Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid Foundation Review

Hi guys. I think it takes a lot of time and experimentation to find a foundation that suits you perfectly. There is so much to consider when finding your perfect base; finish, coverage, colour and so on. So, when you finally find the right one for you, your foundation becomes your ultimate staple. This foundation for me is Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid Foundation (£7.99.) 

Ever since I discovered and started using this product a few years ago, I have fallen in love with it's formula! Maybelline claim that this foundation has the lightness of a mousse but in a liquid form, which automatically intrigued me, as I cannot stand products that feel really thick and cake-y on the skin. Due to the fact that the foundation is air-whipped, it glides on to the skin seamlessly and as its name suggests, it leaves you with a gorgeous satin finish. Although this is a medium coverage foundation, it is extremely buildable and if you use a tad more product for a night out, you can build it up to a fuller coverage and your skin looks flawless with absolutely no imperfections in sight!

As the formulation gives a satin finish, this means that it also gives your skin a subtle luminous glow too. This is not something that I would have automatically gone for due to my oily/combination skin, as most people with this skin type tend to opt for more matte products. However, when buffed in to my skin using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush (which is part of their Core Collection,) this formula has great staying power! I also set my foundation with Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder (£3.99) to ensure that it is locked into place. Of course, I still do have trouble with oiliness on my T-zone as the day goes on but that is easily fixed by using blotting sheets or re-powdering. 

The colour I use is Ivory (010,) the second lightest out of the eight shades available, and this matches my skin perfectly. Although in the swatch above the foundation looks very yellow-toned compared to my pink-toned hand, I can assure you that it is my perfect match! However, as we go into the summer months and I hopefully catch a tan (the UK weather is pretty unpredictable,) I will probably buy the next shade down, Cameo, instead. Each bottle lasts me around three or four months and for just £7.99 a time, I do not see myself changing foundations any time soon!

Overall, this product is great for those who need a medium coverage that is buildable which has a natural, yet slightly luminous finish. It is definitely one of my absolute staples make-up wise and I do not see enough reviews or hype about this product in the blogging world. Have you ever used this foundation before? What do you think of it Please let me know in the comments below. Thank you!

The Best Of: Soap & Glory

Hi guys. Ever since I can remember, I have always been in love with Soap & Glory as a brand. Their bath, body and skincare products, as well as their make-up range, are such high quality and are very popular due to being available in thousands of Boots stores nationwide. Regardless of their age or skin type, every person I have spoken to about the brand (and myself) have all found multiple products that work really well for them and are now permanent in their everyday beauty routines. So, with that in mind, I have whittled down my five firm favourites from the ever-so raved about brand. Enjoy!

Peaches & Clean 4-in-1 Deep Cleansing Milk - £8.00
First up is a new addition to my skincare regime, Peaches & Clean. My Mum was given a huge Soap & Glory hamper as a gift a while back, so she gave me the products that she knew she wouldn't use herself - she isn't into skincare that much and is a pretty low maintenance woman, unlike myself! This cleanser is absolutely brilliant, so I am very glad that she handed it over to me. It breaks down and removes make-up so well, as well as leaving my skin amazingly soft. It's peach and menthol scent is really refreshing, which means this product is a great pick-me-up in the mornings too. Ever since I have been using Peaches &Clean in conjunction with the Garnier Micellar Water (review here) and my Nivea Rich Moistursing Day Cream (review here,) my skin has cleared up almost entirely and I rarely ever get blemishes. I cannot recommend this cleanser enough!

Heel Genius Amazing Foot Cream - £5.50
I feel that this product is something that Soap & Glory are particularly famous for. This foot cream is absolutely amazing and even after one application. It leaves your feet ten times softer and it gets rid of a lot of dry skin from the soles too. I usually apply this liberally in the evening and then wear some thick cotton socks to allow the product to really sink in overnight. Heel Genius has that typical menthol, minty smell like most foot-related products as it is really refreshing and cooling - especially if you have been on your feet all day. Plus, at £5.50 it is pretty inexpensive considering how high quality it is and how much product you get in the tube too!

Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream - £5.00
I tend to get really dry hands near the end of the day for some reason and so I always apply some hand cream before bed to revive my hands and leave them feeling as good as new. Hand Food is excellent for this as it is extremely hydrating, (as the name suggests,) plus it sinks in really fast and doesn't leave an oily residue on the hands, like some other brands do. With shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow as the main ingredients; it's not hard to imagine how nourishing and rich this product is. It's a definite favourite of mine!

Butter Yourself Five Fruits Super Rich Moisturising Body Cream - £10.50
I first reviewed this product on my blog back in my December Favourites, after being bought this body butter as a Christmas present from my aunt and uncle. Up until that point I had only tried the brands infamous Righteous Butter but I can now say that I much prefer the Five Fruits version. As a lover of fresh and fruity scents as opposed to richer ones, this moisturiser is right up my street. It is very nourishing without being sticky, which means that you do need to wait ages to get dressed after application (which is something that I despise!) Any of the Soap & Glory body butters are a good investment but this one is my personal favourite!

Glow All Out Luminizing Face Powder - £11.00
Last but not least, I first bought this product all the way back in August and even after one application, I fell in love with this highlighter! Glow All Out leaves a lovely, subtle glow when applied to the top of your cheekbones without being too over-powering or glittery. This product is great for achieving just a subtle shimmer, adding dimension to face even during the day time. I really believe that using a highlighter really takes your make-up to the next level, as well as it making your skin look luminous and healthy. A little goes a long way with this product and so it is definitely worth it's £11 price tag. I do not think that I could live without this product now, it's a winner!

I hope you all enjoyed reading about my five favourite Soap & Glory products. Which ones are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below! Also, I am planning on doing some more 'The Best Of' posts, so please let me know which brands you would like to see me talk about in the future. Thank you!