The Holiday Make Up Edit

Ain't gonna lie, I love being tanned. Most of the time I have to fake it, (with my beloved St. Tropez), but there's no doubt I definitely like to glow 24/7/365. So when Fragrance Direct recently hit me up to pick my fave products for a holiday make-up look, I was all over it before you could say 'Can you see my highlighter on the moon hun?'. Call me naive, but I had no clue that Fragrance Direct actually did make-up, I thought they just carried a super-huge selection of bargainous perfume. (Not even sure if bargainous is  a word but let's roll with it). But no! They do a gigantic choice of make-up too, including one of my fave brands Nars. If like me, you're cray for contouring til the cows come home, the Nars Multiple Bronzer should be your go-to. You can use it to do your regular Kim K Kontour, or you can also use it to do a tanned-all-over kinda face. To get your glow extra-luminous, whether you're on hols, returning from vacay or if you just like to shine bright like a diamond on the regs, you should deffo try the Nars Dual Intensity Blush. This product 100% does what it says on the tin. Fragrance Direct were also kind enough to send me a scent too- the beautiful Chloe Signature which I'm absolutely obsessed with. How's your glowy holiday face going? Let me know your faves for contouring and highlighting. Catch you soon x

SHOP THE LOOK

Nars Products- Fragrance Direct // Chloe Perfume- Fragrance Direct

Tee- H&M // Black Jeans- Topshop // More Black Jeans- Here

Black Mules- H&M // Cream Cords- H&M //Necklace- ByAlona

Kate Moss x Rimmel Nudes Collection

My avarice knows no bounds when it comes to buying make-up at the moment, so I leapt straight in when I spotted the new Nudes collection from the on-going collab between Mossy and Rimmel. There's five lippies and five nail varnishes to choose from and they are all completely wantable and wearable. I'm not one for shimmer or bold colours, so these are right up my strada. The shades of lipstick I went for are #40 #42 and #43 (but even the darkest shade #48 ain't that dark- although it looks it in the bullet). The texture is semi-matte and not drying (a massive bonus given that the shades err on the side of Bardotesque and could leave you looking a touch 'papyrus lip' within an hour). It's buy-one-get one half price in Boots and Superdrug right now, so- to paraphrase Gwen Stefani- whatcha waiting for?

All Lipsticks from the Kate Moss x Rimmel Nudes Collection #daretogobare

I've Joined The Revolution

For the longest time I've wanted to try Makeup Revolution. But because I'm not supposed to be wearing make-up (due to my eye problems) I've resisted jumping on the hype thus far. However, a couple of weeks ago I found myself in Superdrug on Oxford Street and the unbelievable array of products therein was all too tempting, so I leapt. My whole haul came to seventeen pounds. Seventeen! I know! Normally I'd happily splash that on one product, (and er, possibly even double that). So what did I get? I went for two foundations, two powders, a concealer and two of their infamous palettes. Anddd, the judges scores are in:

The Foundations

These are probably the most disappointing products in my haul. The consistency is thin and watery and there's just not much doing with them at all. Next!

The Powders

These are wayyy more successful a purchase. I bought the translucent shade for my all-over base colour, and it leaves a good matte finish. I then use the 'Bronzer Kiss' shade to warm things up again (across the cheeks and forehead) and it's definitely a nice medium hue with no shimmer. Winning.

The Concealer

This I have to confess I found quite difficult to use. The blendability just isn't there, and the shade I went for (MC 02 Fair) just doesn't work for my skin. It deffo feels like a £1 product, but I am keen to try a concealer palette though as they look ace.

The Palettes

Moving onto the big guns- I scooped up the Essential Matte one that everyone raves about. And yep, the hype is real. You literally cannot go wrong. There's just something so heavenly about these. And it's such a huge range, honestly and truly if I could wear eye make-up I'd get every single one. Swear down. I also tried a blusher palette (in Hot Spice). Again, the product is properly pigmented and looks and feels so nice to use. I literally can't wait to buy some more. See you in Superdrug :)) *Soz about my swatching skillz.

All make-up by MakeUp Revolution from Superdrug

L'Oréal Infallible Foundation Review

For quite a while now I've been hopelessly devoted to Max Factor's Face Finity foundation, as well as loving my bit-on-the-side Topshop's base. (I'm all about that bass). But since I got diagnosed with blepharitis I've- annoyingly- had to change my whole make-up and skincare routine. Whilst I can't wear any eye make-up (coz it hurts, a lot) I'm still wearing foundation, concealer and powder. (Basically, I need all the help I can get). A big part of bleph is having acne rosacea too- and Holy Redface- that stuff needs covering. What I've found since I can't wear mazzy or liner (how I miss those beautiful inky lifesavers) is that my face is now resembling something akin to that of an albino-lashed tangerine- the base is popping, the eyes receding. (Ain't nobody got time for that). So I decided to try something new. Something paler. I tend to browse in Boots even more these days, oddly enough, longingly looking at every mascara, wishing I didn't have to spend a life condemned to being Bozza Johnson's doppelganger. During one of these tormenting window-shops I happened upon this new-ish launch from L'Oréal, the Infallible 24 Hour Matte Foundation. 

I was lured in by the following:- a) the relatively cheap price, b) the matte factor and c) the paleness of the pale colours in the range. Now, the fact that this is billed as having the remarkable ability to keep you non-shiny for a whole twenty four hours is slightly disturbing- in as much as- if you are wearing foundation for a whole day you need to have a word with yourself. And possibly get cleansing at around hours 13-15. So,  what's the product actually like? Wellll, I reckon it's priddy freakin' good. It deffo has strong coverage but doesn't feel heavy-duty on the skin. If you're looking for a moisturising, slightly dewy base, this is not your baby. (Although you might like to try the original sister Infallible foundation). I don't go all shiny face with it, and it mostly masks my redness. Double tick. (That's all I needed it to do really). If you've tried this out let me know your thoughts, or if you have any other matte foundations to recommend hit me up :) xx

PS Swatch Alert!- these are my first ever swatches- man this shit ain't as easy as it looks. Props to all the beauty bloggers out there. And sincere apologies for my skanky, hairy (half fake-tanned) arm.

PPS This probably isn't the place to say it but- why Zayn WHY? Was it really that bad? £10 million quid buy-out-clause bad? Where do broken hearts go? Tell me coz I'm ten feet down :((

The Product That's Changed My Life (And My Hair)

My hair is dry. Drier than the Sahara. Drier than a mouthful of Cream Crackers. Drier than...well, you get the idea. It's frizzy, unruly, prone to breaking and just generally an all round pain in the...well, you get the idea. I'm constantly searching for something, anything to tame it and make it shiny. My bathroom cupboard is deffo testament to that (it's heaving with every hair oil ever made. You'll understand my frustration when I tell you that even Moroccan Oil soaks into my locks in two seconds and pretty much does nowt). So when I gave the new Kerastase Discipline line a whirl I didn't have very high hopes. 

I tried the shampoo and conditioner first (simply because my sis had bought them and I was keen to know if they were my next favourite thing evah). I've always been a bit of a Kerastase fangirl- using Oleo Relax for the last few years- but sadly lots of this range is being phased out (I particularly loved the blow-dry spray) so the search for replacements has been ongoing for a while. However, the Discipline Duo I wasn't really feeling. They just weren't moisturizing enough for the dreadful coconut shy that lives on my bonce. And they are very fragranced. In a way that just didn't appeal. So, why did I go ahead and buy the Keratin Thermique Taming Milk? Well, actually, my mum wanted it. (This whole venture is very family-orientated, you may have noticed. Thing is though- Kerastatse ain't cheap, so us girls take the 'share and share alike' approach- you share and I like). Again, I tried without high hopes. But- whoah there- this stuff is incred. It really is properly uh-maze-ing. My hair is sooooo much better when I use it. It's controlled and smooth and it has a texture to it that I love and is quite hard to describe. But here goes- you know when hairdressers go on about giving 'guts' to your hair? I'm always thinking 'Well, that's the last thing I want. Gimmie smooth ultra-straight hair like a freaking pair of curtains please'. But this gives guts in a way I never knew I wanted. It's kinda gutsy and smooth all at the same time. If that makes any sense (which it probably doesn't). If you have dry hair that frizzes like you've just stuck your finger in a plug socket I can 100% recommend it. Are you a Kerastase fan? What are your fave haircare products? If you've got any hair recommendations too, please lemmie know :) xx

Topshop Foundation Review

I've been trialling a lot of foundations recently. Not coz I don't heart my current base of choice (Max Factor Face Finity), but...coz...well, you never know what might change your life until you try. Life-changing? Bitch please. Don't be so freaking dramatic, I hear you thinking. But if you're not blessed with good skin, like me, and have to wear a base every sodding day, then a good 'un can deffo make life 3000% easier (if not transform it). And to be brutally honest- my skin is shockingly bad. It's dry and oily. I've got spots and acne scars, as well as a ruddy pallor that makes the average farmer look like Gisele Bundchen. So I need a foundation to do the work of a pack horse. (Rural ref overload!). So I'm very happy, nay buzzing to report that Topshop's new foundation is the bomb dot com. 

Recently I've tried YSL Fusion, Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder, Chanel Aqua Vitalumiere Velvet and Bare Minerals Bare Skin. Chanel foundations are so perfumed they make me gag (as does Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation), whilst the Charlotte Tilbury base left my face shinier than a metallic clutch bag by the end of the day. The texture of the YSL Fusion is incred (it's got that sort of gel-thing going on) and the Bare Minerals new launch is so nearly very good- but again- oil-slick face was happening by the end of the day. All of these products would doubtless be amaze if you already have beaut skin that's a little on the dry side. But I need more. So when I took home a sample of the Topshop foundation I didn't have particularly high hopes. What a silly auld sceptical div I am. This stuff is sick. Whilst the glass bottle isn't massively practical- it does make it feel like a quality product. There's a pipette dropper so you can (in theory) get every last bit of foundation out the bottle, and the price point is pretty good at £16. (Although I did expect it to be a bit more 'drugstorey' and come in at around the £12-14 mark). Anyroad, let's get to the actual product. It's got a serumesque quality (which I like) and gives a light-medium coverage. Despite not being 'heavy-duty' it was enough to cover all my many and varied issues. (NB I always buff on with a Real Techniques- don't we all?). Best of all though- I wasn't all Shiny McShiny at the end of the day. I now deffo can't wait to try the primer and concealers in the range too. Have you tried any Toppers make-up? What's your base of choice? Hit me up, would love to hear :)

Foundation- Topshop//Rings- Topshop

Lost In Space

I have a little problem with Space NK. In as much as....I want everything in the goddamn joint. I try not to go in there too often as it's just too alluring. I've tried desperately to curb my urge for a little Diptyque treat for a while now. I even tried to tell myself that my sale candle from Zara Home would have to suffice in my bathroom. (So brave! So noble!) And actually, for £7, it's done a job. But, it's just not Diptyque, is it? So, last weekend I was browsing away, and the addictive headiness of my fave scent tuberose drew me in as per. So, I thought, sod it, and bought this heavenly candle. If you feel the urge to indulge similarly, get your rocks off here.

I also decided to give this Nars stick concealer a whirl. I'm normally quite happy with No.7, but having recently repurchased, I've got a sneaky suspicion they might've reformulated (dontcha just hate it when that happens?), so the hunt has started for a replacement. This one, so far, seems to have a good buildable coverage, although my colour choice 'Chantilly' may actually be a touch pale. See all the shades here.

I've also started a-gathering my sunglasses collection for 2014. I'm trying very hard not to buy any Karen Walkers or Celines so I've staved off my urge for the minute with this pair. Not sure it's working :)

Have you made any indulgent purchases recently? Lemmie know what you've been buying xx

Smoother Operator

About twelve weeks ago I decided to give Inhibitif a whirl. I'd already completed a course of laser treatments on my underarms and bikini line, but I ran out of money *Standard Face* when it came to continuing onto my legs. So, it was this vast (and extremely flabby, not to say hair-ridden) area that needed this much-vaunted spray to do its work on. Now, I have to confess that I soon gave up applying this stuff twice a day (mainly coz I'm supremely lazy); but I have otherwise been super-diligent dousing myself with it every night without fail. 

I'm guessing I should just cut to the chase here and tell you all whether it actually works or not? The answer, for me, is a resounding no. Not one teeny tiny bit of diminished hair growth have I experienced. I should probably point out (in a slightly cringe way) that I am actually shockingly hirsute. Like, Armenian hirsute. Kardashian hirsute. (No offence to any Armenians reading this, or indeed any Kardashians). I mean, this poor bastard of a spray had its work cut out. So I'm a little bit gutted to say the least. But that's not to say that this couldn't work for you. From my forays into laser hair removal it became apparant that everyone's results vary wildly. You can be extremely lucky and have your hair virtually stop growing in five treatments, or you can plough on for at least ten treatments and still only see a bit less regrowth. Strangely, I came to enjoy using Inhibitif. I even got to like it's weird smell. And hope, for whatever reason, always sprang eternal. Plus, it got me into the habit of shaving my legs every night (so I had a nice clean surface on which to spray)- no bad thing for a lazy sod such as I. But I'm now back to my using my regular body moisturiser, and hoping, nay praying, that Santa might get me a Tria for Christmas :) x

Ready Steady Glow

You've probably read lots about Dior's Nail Glow. It's quickly established itself as a beauty editors favourite, cornering the market in 'natural' looking nails. And as much as metallic foils, gel wraps, caviar beads, lace overlays and concrete finishes are exciting and enticing, sometimes a pared-down polish can look just as pretty as nail art. If you haven't tried any Dior nail products before than the you won't have experienced probably the best brush in the business. It's wide (like an Essie from Boots) but it's also slightly dome-shaped making it super-easy to use. The product dries almost straight away, so it's perfect if you're in between mani's, are only allowed 'plain' nails for work, or you just are mega-impatient :) 

I found the finished colour after two coats lovely and fresh, but maybe just a teeny bit too 'barely-there' for my taste. It deffo has a hint of whitening lustre though- but I reckon that Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat (just from having seen demo's on QVC) may well deliver a stronger 'healthy' effect, as well as having nail-strengthening properties too. Once again, apologies about my skanky armadillo hands...hope they aren't distracting from the subtleness and prettiness of the mani too much :) Have a gorge sunny weekend....Bring.On.The.Magnums. Yay! Catch you soon xx