The Pink Nudes

It's a rare occasion for me to make a bold lip choice. As a result of this fear I have collected a range of pink nudes; the my lips but better kinda shades.

The Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in the shade 114 is the luxury number - thank you to my friends who know me well and gave it as my 21st present! Whilst it's not as dark as it looks from the bullet, it's definitely the darkest pink in my little collection. However, this makes it perfect for the colder months: it makes your lips wonderfully, yet subtly, stand out when your face is a little paler.

I was all about the Revlon Colourstay Ultimate Suede when they first came out. One of my favourite shades is Socialite, a rich nudey-pink that seems to make lips look fuller.

The Estee Lauder Pure Color in Crystal Nude has made a regular appearance on this blog - it is a trusted favourite. It's the creamiest lipstick of this lot, and almost looks like a gloss when I apply as it has so much shine. I rarely leave the house without this in my handbag.

MAC Patisserie is a lipstick classic. It has a lovely hint of shimmer to it making it the perfect M.L.B.B shade. As Vivianna Does Makeup says, 'When in doubt, reach for patisserie.'

Who doesn't love the Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss?! This is shade 101. Despite this being a matte formula I don't find it drying, in fact it's very velvety. If you like to do an Instagram pout every once in a while then I think this might be your new shade.

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The brushes

Over the years of my makeup hoarding it is only inevitable that I have also grown quite a brush collection. Whilst I perhaps should have titled this post my 'Real Techniques and Mac favourites' there are in fact a few others that feature. So, without further ado, here are a few of my brush essentials. 

From left to right (second picture) we have what I call the 'face gamers.' An old and, sadly, discontinued favourite is the Jemma Kidd Flat Top Foundation Brush. Whilst this was initially an applicator for foundation I have since used this for cream blush. The flat top makes it easy to pick up the product whilst the soft bristles make it really nice to blend in. If you're in search I think there are a few about on Ebay. Next is my recent favourite Real Techniques Bold Metals Tapered Blush Brush. As you will have read in a previous post this is one of my favourite brushes. Whilst these are a little pricey I believe they are worth it! Then it is the trusty Mac 168. Known as the 'large contouring brush' I use this for bronzer. Its angled head makes it so easy to do this step. Lastly we have the Real Techniques Blush Brush. This brush is always in my makeup bag. When I'm not fussed with bronzer its just such an easy, big brush to help slap on the blush. 

Then its all about my eye brushes. I never read much about the Body Shop brushes but their Blending Brush is a great friend when it comes to eyeshadow blending. The quality of the bristles is much different to the likes of the Mac blending brush but it is equally as good, if not better, at blending. Again, a Real Techniques Bold Metals Pointed Crease Brush.  Finally the Mac 217, do I even need to say anything?! This brush is holy grail in a beauty bloggers bag and I own 2. You know, one for applying and one for blending…definitely essential. 

What are your favourite brushes?

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February Favourites

It will come as no surprise that I have been loving the Max Factor Clump Defy Volumizing Mascara. Wow. Ah-mazing. Length, natural, no clumps, need I say anymore. Big thumbs up and I highly, highly recommend.

I had a slight haul with the new Real Techniques Bold Metals collection. My favourite has been the Tapered Blush Brush. It picks up the product so well and the angled effect helps for application. And of course what's not to love about the colour and shape of these brushes?! I can't wait to burn down my diptique and display them.

Now I have to apologise about this one. I have been using the Rimmel Finishing Touch Top Coat for a while now and have been rather silent on the wonders of it. If you're an avid beauty blog reader then I'm sure you will have heard the famous sec he viche top coat. Admittedly it is one heck of a good top coat but my experience saw quiet a few clumpy incidents which meant it chipped easily and was easy -and addictive- to pull off. However, I would have to say that I prefer the Rimmel. It's price and the effect it gives makes me one happy nail painter…! It provides an amazing shine and has helped my manicures last for a good seven days! I can't rave enough about this top coat. Bravo Rimmel.

Continuing on with the manicure theme I have been praising the Mavala Mavadry spray. In my opinion its genius: spray, speed, go. The past few weeks has seen me go from one nail polish to another and I've loved having to not sit around and wait till they're dry.

This month has seen me return to an old Mac favourite: the Pro Longwear Blush in Rosy Outlook. This is such a lovely light pink colour that I've really enjoyed using as an everyday, natural blush.

What have been your favourites this month?

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November Favourites

The majority of November has seen me hidden away in the library researching and writing essays. As a result my blog has had a bit of a neglect and my favourites this month are somewhat limited.

The skin savour of November has to be the Omorovicza Queen of Hungry Mist. As the cold weather has taken its drying tolls on my skin this has just become an everyday essential. It is a hydrating toner enriched with rather fancy (and expensive) minerals that really do help give my skin that extra moisture. Cleanse, spritz, serum, done.

The issue of "dryness" continues on with the lips. Who doesn't suffer with dry, chapped lips this time of the year?! Of course I have to reach for the number one lip balm: Nuxe Rieve de Miel. This stuff, I think, works as an exfoliator and a moisturiser. It works so quickly that using this multiple times a day has seriously solved the lip pains. A handbag hero.  

There's rarely a talk about hair on this blog. I have to admit when it comes to hair I am not a pro, but that's another story. After an embarrassing trip to the hair dressers in october I decided to take better care of my dry locks. The Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Balm has seriously left me noticing results. A hard balm in the tub, rub between your fingers to create an oil, smooth through the locks, leave for 20 minutes and then wash with shampoo and conditioner. My hair has looked shiner and felt so much healthier and stronger.

After a lovely care package from home I received a special request of MAC lipstick in Plumful. Desire after watching Lily Pebbles' vlogs this has been no disappointment. As a lustre formula it leaves a subtle amount of colour and sheen. I have loved wearing this when I've gone for a natural-barely there make up look with a splash of plum on the lips. Seriously recommend this if you're a brunette like me. 

Last on the list is a return to an old favourite: the Chanel Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in 14 Mystic Eyes. The bottom right shade is my favourite kinda brown, shimmery and subtle and is such a dream to apply. I don't bother with anything complicated, just a swish of this all of the eye and job done.

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The Brow Diaries

A large chunk of my life has been dedicated to maintaing my brows. Sad but true. I've had some waxing incidents and some mono-brow horrors, but most importantly, I've never over plucked. My brow obsession led me last year to having a picture of the ultimate Delevigne brow pinned on my uni bedroom wall...but perhaps I shouldn't have admitted that. Anyhow, the point I'm getting at is I've got quiet a few products in my makeup bag dedicated to getting these brows in grooming perfection.

A trusty boy, and the first member to begin the collection was Benefit Brow Zings. This is the ultimate handy brow tool, with wax one side a powder the other, and some mini brushes and tweezers so your brows can be looked after on the go. I now prefer to powder through (obviously with the brow brush of Mac 266) and then apply the wax just a little at the front.

My favourite, or everyday go to I should say, is the Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil. With a spooley one end and a lovely creamy wax pencil the other this one is so quick and easy to use. I always get a thick, bold brow with this one. Recently however, my friends bought me the Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift Pencil and I have to say not only is the colour the perfect match to my brows but it creates an equal if not better brow than the Hourglass...expect big things from this!

The final pencil comes in the shame of Soap and Glory's 2-in-1 Archery Brown Pencil. This is a much smaller pencil and at the moment takes a bit more time for me to use this so I can my brows nice and even and not too scary. However, for the price this is seriously a firm contender with the luxury items of my collection.

And last, but not least, is my Benefit gimme Brow. I blooming love this and thing Benefit should be awarded a brow crown for its creating. Just a simple little mascara like wand that you sweep through the brows to shape and colour. I like to apply this on top on my Hourglass to keep the place nice in shape or on a more natural makeup day when I don't want too much colour in my brows. 

Its a long story when it comes to brows I'm afraid. What are your brow go to's?

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Finding Twinks

After a clean out and re-organisation of my makeup bag a few weeks ago (my favourite hobby) I cam across this little one. I purchased Mac Twinks a whileeee back. I do believe it was after watching all those back in the day youtube videos of 'my MAC eyeshadow collection.' After a few hours, and I mean a good 2 or 3 hours, spent watching those I think I was then compelled to purchase this brown/reddish tinge shadow. It doesn't take much to persuade me. 

However, this has not seen the wear as my Mac All That Glitters, I'm sorry Twinks. Feeling in the autumnal mood recently I've been more "experimental" in my everyday eyeshadow wardrobe and have been reaching for this one a lot more. 

I've never read any appreciation for this shadow but after loving its brown shimmery tones I'm surprised to not find more love.  Applied with a trusty Mac 217 its the perfect everyday brown staple and I seriously recommend it for green eyes.  

What are your MAC everyday favourites?

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Gold Essentials

I realised that I haven't yet shared with you my everyday staple eyeshadows. If you're a regular reader then perhaps it won't come as a surprise that I do have a yearning for them golds. (I was trying to sound  Piratey there, hope it was appreciated!) I don't know if it's because I'm a brunette or because Im a neutral lover, but there's something about a gold eye shadow that makes me reach for that 217 blending brush and apply. In my makeup life so far there have only been three wonder shades that have stayed by my side. 

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Gold Trench. I will admit, when I first purchased this it was mainly for the packaging and the Burberry label. Even more horrific is the fact I did not use this shadow for a good four months after its purchase. It was just too pretty and expensive to use...Anyway, enough of that. I now LOVE this shadow.  It's a lovely, simple plain gold without any hint of shimmer. It's always my go to 'I  don't know what eyeshadow to use today' kinda-shade. 

Sometimes I wonder where would I be without my Mac in  All that Glitters - one of my many questions of life! It is the perfect champagne gold colour and, if I'm going to have favourites, will always be my number one. I think I wear this shade a good 4 days of the week. It always perks my eyes up which is a bonus for these final student days!

The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear cream shadow stick in Golden Pink is my oily lid saviour. This one does not budge at all. It is very shimmery but It also like to partner this up with Golden Trench and apply it over the top, inner corners and on the lash line. 

What are your go-to shades? 

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What I wore #5

Nearly everyday now I have been reaching for the Diorskin Nude BB cream. Stupidly I forgot to include the base in the photo. This is has been my summer favourite. It's light texture makes it easy to blend into the skin and it gives my complexion that much needed oommph. It is the perfect companion to the application of Nars Deep Throat on my cheeks!

A new favourite is the new Soap and Glory Archery 2-in-1 pencil. It's a serious dupe for the Hourglass pencil with the spooley one end and a creamy wax stick the other. So far I think it may be better...

I'm guilty to say that I haven't shared my thoughts on the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette on here yet, mainly cause every other bblog raves about it. However, I have been using it so much recently. My current go-to shades at the moment are Mooner, as a base, and then the shimmer of Liar over the top. Of course an application of the L'Oreal Telescopic mascara is never amiss. 

If you're a regular over here then you will know my love for the Barry M Blink liquid eyeliner. I wont say much as I feel like I talk about it every other post. But seriously, try it. Along with my hero product, the Nars Creamy Concealer in Vanilla. I think I'd be lost without it. 

And finally a small pop of colour with Mac lipstick in Girl About Town. 

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Favourite products of 2012

 I know we have a few days of 2012 left to go, but with exams looming I wanted to write this before I was overwhelmed by pre-exam stress! As my friends know I am cosmetic obsessed. I could talk about makeup and beauty related products for hours, so it is no surprise that the majority of the post is makeup related!

So in no order I will start off with Real Techniques brushes. I only own two myself but they really are well worth the beauty-blogging hype! Whether you believe it or not, whatever branded product you have, you will only achieve an effect and long-lasting look by the application from the right tools! These brushes not only provide that excellent application, but are affordable!
I know my friends and I will preach that the 'stippling' and 'buffing' brush are essential if you are trying to achieve a flawless foundation look.


Next is my Nars Laguna bronzer...

Nars Bronzer in shade 'Laguna' 

This really is a one-pan wonder! On first glance it looks quite shimmery and orangey, but if you are looking for a natural, healthy glow then look no further than this bronzer. It's a classic that a makeup bag CANNOT be without. It is no surprise that it's Nars' best selling product. For £25 I promise this is not a regretful purchase.

Mac Cremeblend Blush 'Something Special' £17.50

Now yes I know you will be thinking how awful this product looks. Unfortunately the brush I use for likes to leave its bristles behind! However, this is normally the beautiful cream blush in 'Something Special' by MAC. I believe that it is essential to NOT slap your face in foundation every day if you want clean, blemish free skin. If you are still looking for a nice colour on your cheeks then make sure you use a cream blush. For me, my go to product will always be this! Although it looks quite dark, indeed when I received this I though what the hell have I ordered, but once applied on to the skin it creates a lovely natural pink colour.

Mac eyeshadow in 'Woodwinked' £14

My next favourite product (another MAC) is their eyeshadow in the shade 'Woodwinked'. A brilliantly, pigmented colour, it really is gold in a tin! This shadow blends really well and so it works well as just one shade for a day time event, or blended into a darker brown for a smouldering smokey eye evening look!

Then we have the Marrakesh High Tide Conditioner. When the Morrocan oil hype came about, my student budget would unfortunately not stretch. When researching for an alternative I eventually decided to try this. If you have long hair, enjoy heated styling and thus suffer from dry hair then this really should be your go-to conditioner. It smells wonderful and its thick consistency really gets to work on those slip ends, resulting in a shiny, healthy hair look...what better result could you want?!

Apologies again for another MAC product, but here is their eyeliner in coffe.

Mac Eye pencil in Coffe £13.50

 I have always had quite pale skin and have come to the decision that black eyeliner just doesn't suit me. It is far too dark and I end up looking ill or gothic...both of which are not looks I'm trying to achieve. So for me I will NEVER look no further than coffe. A pencil which achieves a dark-brown shadow and is just (without sounding big-headed) perfect!

Here we have the Yves Saint Laurent .Now I'm sure there are other products that achieve exactly the same effect for half the price. But if you are like me and love slick packaging and want to feel like Bardot and Hepburn when applying your eyeliner then this is the product! This was the first liquid eyeliner I bought. I remember being so nervous when trying to create the famous flick, but this product seems to make it so easy! The liquid is not heavily black like maybelline and it is not fidley like a pot gel liner.

Finally, though (apologies) my photo doesn't show it clearly, is the Benefit brow zing kit. For 2012 Cara Delveigne took the modelling world by storm. Who hasn't fallen in love with her and her beautiful eyebrows?! Now I have never been one for colouring in my brows and I cannot stand seeing someone who has coloured them in so much that they achieve a sharpie-like style! No, if you are looking for a natural way to just make your eyebrows look thicker then this clever kit will help you achieve that. One side is a power to help you colour in, the other a wax to help you set. With brush and guide provided you will not be having an eyebrow disaster!

Now I know that was a long post but I love recommending products, and these really have become my every-day makeup bag essentials! I promise you they are worth the hype. I would love to know what have been your 2012 loves so as to discover some hidden gems!!

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The dark side

Think of burgendy, plum and deep red. Intense, dark, perhaps even seductive. These are the jolly Season colours which are definitely set to get us in, if the perhaps not the Christmas, the fashionable winter moods.
I have never been one to brave the bold, lip-colours. However, I believe it is time for those of us who have been previously reluctant to man up and pucker up! A dramatic lip can be the key accessory to an everyday look or the final touch to an evening out.

So, who wins for producing such product to get us bang on trend? Without a doubt it has to go to the wonderful Chanel. Their Christmas Collection 2012 really sets the mark. So if you would like some extra treats for christmas, make sure you take a look at the Chanel stand!
My favourite out of their collection, especially to gain this bold, dark lip look has to be their Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick in L'Impatiente. With a name like that how can one refuse?! It really is a delightful product which is sure to sit lovely in your makeup bag, and on your lips!

However, for those of us students who have the limited budget I have managed to find some less-extravagent numbers which will still give us the desired Parisian look.

As you might know from my previous posts I love Topshop lipsticks! For only £8 they really do achieve as great a finish as a high end product.
For the dark effect then head no further than the shade 'beguiled'. Indeed on first look it looks a shade to scary, but please believe me in that it does not look like a terracotta brick colour!

If you are willing to extend your budget just slightly then undoubtedly there is the ever-so brilliant mac. Instead however of choosing one of their plummy colours I have chosen to show you my favourite shade of 'Dare you'. It is a tempting red: a mixture of plum, red and gold.

So without sounding cheesy, I would say brave up, be confident, and go to the dark side!

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