NARS Sheer Glow

There's a lot of hype around the NARS Sheer Glow foundation, so I finally took the plunge to buy it not too long ago. Before I bought this I was a little worried about the luminous finish it had to it as I have oily/combination skin and I know that a lot of others think this and puts them off for buying/trying it but it's not at all luminous, all it does is gives the skin a healthier more glowing appearance and makes you look more radiant.

Since I've been using this I have noticed a massive difference between this and other foundations. The thing that makes this so special is that its super light on the skin but is buildable to suit what you like weather its light-medium coverage or full coverage it really can never look cakey. Its added bonus is that it has a complexion brightening formula that hydrates, smooths and makes the skin feel softer. It doesn't just stop when you take it off at night either, over time when used daily can improve your complexion to appear brighter and improve the texture of the skin.

Now I know it says its typically for normal to dry skin types but honestly it doesn't really matter, if you find your self looking a little too shiny throughout the day, its nothing like a little powder won't fix. The overall result is still the same no matter what skin type you have!
The only bad thing I can say about this product is that it doesn't come with a pump and is always sold out, but it just means sticking to pouring out the product which sucks but the foundation is worth it in the end. A word of warning, if you try and put a MAC studio fix fluid pump on it, it won't work because the top doesn't screw on and you just end up wasting product which isn't good!
Sheer glow is fast becoming my holy grail foundation that I'm picking up more and more often so I'd say its worth the purchase.

Eyeliner Made Easy

If you struggle using a felt tip eyeliner or just haven't mastered the skill than look this way because I think I've found the answer to your problems. Here is loreal's Perfect Slim Super Liner, a liner that will help you to create a perfect look with just one swipe. This would be great for beginners as the pen does all the hard work for you!

This liner does what it says, as in it does help you to create that perfect cat eye in seconds. The formula isn't think and wet neither drying and flaky, it has just the right formula to make it easy to apply. Its pen like body gives you maximum control and means less mistakes. A thin nib also makes it easier to get into those tricky places like the inner corner.

I found that the wear throughout the day is great, stays in its place and doesn't transfer on to the lid, unfortunately it isn't waterproof, making it easy to take off at the end of the day but it means that if you have watery eyes, it will come off very easily. For a drugstore eyeliner though I think its amazing for the price!

Urban Decay Naked On The Run

Urban Decay released their 'Naked On The Run' palette early December last year. When I saw a picture of this before it hit the shelves I was so excited and amazed at the stunner they had created. This little box of treasures is perfect for almost any girl who does their makeup on the go or goes traveling because everything is in one place. It includes nearly everything you need on a day to day basis like eyeshadow, bronzer, blusher, lipgloss, eyeliner and mascara. Also what urban decay have done is put never seen before shades in to make it all that little bit more irresistible. The colours are very natural to suit different skin types and is easy to wear everyday.

To start with eyeshadows, six new shades that are all different and are build able. (L-R)

5050 - (The colour you can hardly see in the swatch but anyway) This is a light peachy-beige shade with a pearly sheen to it. I found that this shade is very sheer hence why you can't see it in the picture but is nice for a natural brow bone highlight.

Dive - a sparkly medium rosy-coppery shade with a frosty finish.

Fix - a medium-dark warm toned brown thats a matte finish. I found that this shadow was quite powdery but with a little more effort can be blended.

Resist - a warm, golden taupe with a metallic sheen to it.

Dare - a muted, dark brown with subtle warm undertones and is a matte finish but feels satiny so easy to blend.

Stun - a rich, chocolate brown with warm undertones and a golden micro-glitter running through it. You have to be careful with this one as you do get a little fall out as it is glitter.

The lipgloss has to be one of my favourites out of the palette. Sesso is a beautiful warm-toned pink/plum shade that has a pearlescent finish to it. The formula was slightly sticky which is good because this means that it has longer lasting power. It feels really comfortable on the lips and ultra moisturising. This is also full-sized so you get more product which is a bonus!

Moving on to the bronzer, on me this medium yellowish matte tone is just about right, however on pale skin tones it might be a little orange and dark. I found that a little goes a long way with the bronzer and blush as they a super pigmented. The blush is a bright pink with strong, blue undertones and is a satin finish.

Next is this travel-size 24/7 glide on eyeliner in the colour Stag. This is a dark brown shade with subtle cooler undertones. The finish is satin so is very easy to apply and comfortable to wear and once put on stays for the rest of the day. These are very opaque with just one stroke and can built up for a strong look. 

Lastly is their perversion mascara, this is also travel-sized so is easy to carry around in your bag. In my opinion I prefer waterproof mascaras but for touching up on the go this one is perfect for giving your lashes a little help when needed.

Would you buy the Naked On The Run palette?

Soap&Glory's Archery Brow Pencils

I love a good defined but natural brow when it comes to it, but I don't think that I need to splurge on expensive products because my eyebrows are naturally full. Having said that I use these two products from Soap & Glory just to make them a little bit neater.

I purchased the first archery pencil to put life back into those brows, this has an ashy coloured wax pencil (T) and suits the colour of mine perfectly. I use this one if I'm in a rush and just need to fill them in quickly as it has a big nib, making it look more natural. The bottom one is Soap & Glory's new addition, this has a much thinner nib than the first and can be a dupe for the Anastasia brow wiz. The nib being so thin means that it takes more time but you can make a more defined and perfect brow with this one. As the first is an ashy colour this has a warmer tone to it and is darker.

The other ends have the same purpose but the these two ends are completely different making them more individual and fitting to peoples needs. The first one (B) has a thin felt tip nib that creates hair like strokes, mimicking actual hairs. The colour is way more warmed toned than the waxy pencil but nothing to crazy! The second one (T) has a spooly on the end which makes it easier to travel with and is so handy not having to have a separate brush to comb through. Overall I think that they are both amazing for different reasons as they have different qualities about them. 

Have you tried the Archery brow pencils yet?

Baby Lips Electro

When I recently went into Superdrug I realised that the Baby Lips Electro range had finally come to England. I know long time coming! But unfortunately we haven't got all of the colours. Anyway I managed to quickly snap up these two as they tend to sell out fast. The ones I picked up were Pink Shock (L) and Strike a Rose (R). However they do sell two more shades 'Berry Bomb' which is purple and 'Oh Orange' which you can guess is orange.

They are sheer when first applied but can quickly be built up for a super pigmented look. Pink Shock (L) has a raspberry tint to it while Strike a Rose (R) has more of a barbie pink feel to it. As well as the colour these lip balms are super moisturising and are great for topping up or adding gloss to any lipstick or matte balm. I keep these in my handbag as they are a balm with a tint and are purse size friendly, perfect for on the go.

Have you seen the electro range yet? - click here

Stay Matte All Day

Recently my skin has become a bit of an oily mess and I was in desperate need to find a product that would help keep my makeup looking matte and on all day. In comes Rimmel Stay Matte duo. When these launched I didn't really look into them but when wondering the isles of boots I found these gems. I was intrigued of the matte properties they had and I liked that it came in a primer and also a foundation to match.

First lets start off with the primer. When it comes out of the tube it is not so different from a moisturiser, it is white and has a creamy texture to it. Then when rubbed into the skin it sinks down to leave a velvety finish thats not greasy. I prefer these types of primers to the silicone ones as it doesn't make my skin feel greasy hence more oily.

Moving on to the foundation I didn't think I would like this as much as I do now. This is a light-weight shine control mousse foundation that gives the skin an even completion and covers any blemishes and imperfections. What I love about it is that it doesn't look cakey on the skin and doesn't feel thick as some mousses can sometimes tend to do. It sits well on the skin and as it being matte the lasting power is very good.

Alone the products work well with other primers and foundations but when used together your skin really does stay matte all day. Will you be trying these matte goods from Rimmel?

3 in 1 Cheek Palette

For the past month I have grabbed nothing but this sleek palette for everything to do with cheeks. This tiny compact palette has all you need on a daily basis. With a light matte bronzer to contour (great for you pale gals out there), a gold shimmery pink for a natural glow and a nice highlight to combine and finish everything off. All three colours used together make the perfect everyday healthy look that pretty much lasts all day and doesn't seep into the skin and disappear after an hour or two.

This handy little thing is a must have for on the go as it has all you need in it, is super thin so won't take up much room and has a great big mirror to see whats going on. It doesn't just stop there it is also super cheap at only £9.99 and can be found in the isles of superdrug.

I think that this would be perfect for travelling as it would be all you needed to take and is very compact so it will fit anywhere!

The one shown here is the light one but it also comes in a darker shade. Click here to purchase.

Brush Cleaning Made Easy

Cleaning make-up brushes can be a strenuous task, especially when you have quite a few. What I used to do was wet the Bristles in hot water then squeeze a pea-sized dot of baby shampoo onto my hand  and swirl the brush till all of the make-up was gone then rinse it under water to get rid of the bubbles.

I hated that routine since it took me forever to do, and I'm not really the patient type. So I opted to try something different, And I found No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser. Using it for the first time was quick and simple and I was amazed at how clean it got my brushes. I basically do the same routine but I use this instead of baby shampoo. It's so much more easier to wash out as it hardly creates any bubbles. As well as being a time saver it also leaves the brushes in good condition and doesn't leave an oily residue over them if you hadn't washed it out properly.

Another reason why I love this, is because its fragrance free. So if your skin is sensitive to smells then this is the product for you. And it also doesn't make your brushes smell funny either.

Do your make-up brushes need cleaning? Treat them with No7 Brush Cleanser.

Best Mascara Ever?

Can this be the best mascara ever? Bold statement I know but recently I bought the Benefit They're Real mascara and I have fallen completely in love with it! I've tried this mascara a couple of times and don't recall it being this good. The main reason why is because I think mine were slightly dried out. However a brand spanking new one is a long, volume packed false lash effect in a bottle. I always have trouble trying to find the perfect mascara that does everything but I think this might be the one.

 Naturally my lashes are long and straight but the wand is plastic and packed full of short stubby bristles that grab every lash right at the root giving you mega lashes and ones that are separated evenly with no clumps to give a natural look, although it can be built up to a much more dramatic look. The end however is a little different as it allows you to poke the lashes that are drooping down upwards to give them the extra lift they need. 

The formula is something special, lasts all day and does not budge meaning its hard to remove but well worth it for not getting mascara transfer under your eyes throughout the day.

To finish off, lets talk packaging. When it comes down to it, Benefit seem to have it pretty much covered.

Will this be your perfect mascara? Click here to find out.

Perfect Matte Lip Ft. Bourjois

Ever since these came out I've been intrigued into why people loved liquid lipsticks so much; well now I understand. Bourjois bought out six different shades, two nudes, two reds and two fuchsias.

The first one I purchased was Frambourjoise 02. This is a lovely raspberry colour that transforms your whole makeup look without being a bold red or bright fuchsia.
Staying in the nude section we have Peach Club 04. A 'your lips but better' colour with a slight hint of orange making it the perfect everyday colour.

One of my favourites defiantly has to be Olé flamingo 05. A bright pink that just looks good with no eye makeup on to make your lips standout and be the main focus. If your scared of wearing bold colours and don't want to have the worry of is it on my teeth or smeared half way down my face then opt for this one.

Finally, Hot Pepper 03. This is a true red that transforms your makeup for a night out. Because its matte it means that these little guys are super long lasting and theres no need for you to touch it up. Seriously this stuff is hard to budge!

I think I might be addicted to these tubes of joy. Want to try them click here.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I have to admit I wasn't the sort of girl who was into skincare at all apart from face wash. Recently I've become a bit of a crazy person and buying more than I need. When this product was first raved about and had the title of being the Bioderma dupe I just had to get my hands on it. Boy am I glad I did! This water like liquid is amazing at just about removing anything you want it too.

I just pop enough on a cotton pad or two and swipe everything away. What I love about this is that once the makeup is removed it doesn't then leave an oily residue over the skin it just feels damp and drys normally.

Another thing that is handy about this product is that it is so easy to get, being available at Boots and being cheap it's an absolute steal!

Bare Faced

Need a flawless base for summer? Loreal's light-weight foundation is just the thing you need. I think it gives my skin an airbrush finish which is unexpected of a light coverage foundation. But this really does give the skin a natural looking glow without looking dewy. At the same time it leaves a velvet feel to the skin which I really like.

The only problem with this foundation is that it doesn't come with a pump, it's a poor a bit on the back of your hand foundation. Some people might find this annoying but well worth it for the product thats inside.

Because the foundation is light-weight it can be build able, however how I like doing it is just giving the skin what it needs then covering any red patches I have with concealer. I prefer doing it this way because it means that I'm not drowning 'ok' skin in foundation and clogging it up.

Overall, I think that this foundation is well priced at only £9.99. If you haven't given this a go, I highly recommend it!

Scrub-a-dub-dub

If I'm going for a bold lip or something matte, I dig around for these babies first. Usually my lips are in really bad condition so if I'm going to pull of a look whether it's a daring red lip and a sultry matte look I will hunt around for these Lush Lip Scrubs and give my lips a good exfoliating session before hand to make sure the lipstick doesn't stick to the uneven surface and flake away.

I have the flavours Bubblegum and Mint Julips. I prefer the Mint Jilips one as it tastes like mint chocolate (which is my favourite chocolate).

The idea of these little scrubs is amazing. The scrub doesn't harm your lips and once the sugar is all licked off, it leaves your lips feeling super soft and not cracked!

A must have if you love those bold colours!

The Cleanser That Gets Rid Of Gunk

I bought this cleanser a while back now and have only recently reintroduced it back into my skincare routine. When I first started using this I noticed a difference in my skin straight away. It made my skin more firm and look a lot brighter. I love using this on days where my skin needs a little pick me up.

As well as making you look visibly better, it also completely gets rid of all the gunk that sits deep in theses pesky pores, and brings it all to the surface ready to be washed away.

The formula is white and when wet turns to a milk like consistency. I use this on damp skin and place a bit bigger pea sized dot on the palm of my hands (make sure hands are dry). Then I rub my hands together warming the cleanser then press it in to my face, till my face is covered. Then I rub slowly in circular motions. To finish I splash my face with warm water making sure I get rid of all the product.

Afterwards my skin feels refreshed and more radiant. It doesn't leave an oily film on my skin which I really like and is a dream to use. If you have sensitive skin this is a good cleanser as it is only lightly fragranced and won't bother the skin.

I have the combination to oily one but for those of you which have dry to normal skin they also sell one. Look here - Clarins Cleansing Milk

March Favourites

This months favourites are a mixture. I've really stepped out of my comfort zone this month and I wanted to share what i've been loving. First up is Victoria's Secret Love Spell. This is a light fruity, floral scent that freshens you up without smelling too sweet and sickly. It has notes of cherry blossom and peach so a very summery scent.

Hand cream is an essential for me, but recently i've been getting cracked and very dry hands. When I came across The Body Shop's Hemp Hand Protector I was unsure because of the smell, which to me smells like mold however some days the smell doesn't bother me. Anyways this works wonders for my hands as it's constancy is thick and very hydrating.

Rimmel's Moisture Renew Oxford Street Fuchsia is the perfect bright pink. It has cool tones in so it doesn't make your teeth look yellow, which is a bonus. The formula of this lipstick is very moisturising and doesn't dry out on the lips. What I really like is that it doesn't flake, it fades after a while but still looks stunning on the lips. 

Moving on to eyes, I chose Rimmel's Scandeleyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Bronze. Can we just take a second… this is the first eyeliner that actually stays put and doesn't smudge. The colour is the best bit as it is very smokey and has just the right amount of glitter in. I have loved using this on my lower lash line then smoking it out to give a grungy effect. 

Finding a mascara for my eyelashes is hard, but Maybelline's the Colossal Volume Express Smokey eyes mascara just fits the bill. The brush is off-putting but after a bit of getting used to the formula is perfect. It doesn't clump and to my surprise looks really natural. 

I was always a little skeptical about blush for some reason but after trying out Topshop's cream blushers I just fell in love. Topshop's Cream Blush in Morning Dew is a bright natural pop of colour that makes you look healthy and glowing. I apply this with the real techniques expert face brush and stipple it on the tops of my cheeks to give a flush of colour.

Lastly, is Rimmel's Exaggerate Lip Liner in 063 Eastend Snob. When applied is matt but gives a velvet look to the lips. The colour is a dusky pink that looks very subtle if used to line the lips. I have been applying it all over the lips to create a velvet pink look that stands out. 

What are your march favourites? 

Make Me Blush

Now I never used to be a fan of blusher, but since my trip to america where I bought two I decided to give what the drugstore had to offer a try. I already had the HD Brows and the Look blushers and didn't really use them because I have a natural rosy complexion to start of with and was a bit afraid of how they looked in the pan. Like I said I am now addicted and can't stop buying up the little prizes in boots.

On the left is the Rimmel London blush in 050 Live Pink. This is a lovely bright pink with a small gold shimmer running through it. Although it may look bright it comes up on the skin as a very pale pink that gives you a healthy rosy flush.

In the middle is Look Beauty's blush in the shade Flush. If your looking for a very shimmery but sheer blush then look no further. The colours coral and a hint of gold make you feel like a glowing goddess. Perfect for medium to darker skin tones.

On the right we have the HD Brows blush the shade Blusher 2. Now I have to admit I am a little scared of this blush as it is on the darker side, however it transfers onto the skin as very sheer (depending how much you put on) with a gold shimmery pink thats not rosy. Perfect for the Autumnal season.

Top left corner is Seventeen's blush. This is a rather new launch from seventeen and an odd looking one at that. But this blush is suitable for any girl on the go. Its an all in one product that has a stamp like applicator (hence the name cheek stamp) that distributes just the right amount of product. For the colour, its a sheer coral that can also be worn as a bronzer too!

Bottom left corner is Mac's blush in Stereo Rose. I was lucky enough to get my hands on this blusher as it is a limited addition favourite. This has to be my favourite out of all the blushers. Even though it looks quite dark it doesn't however on the cheeks, its a subtle light pink that gives you a glowing look with just a dusting.

Lastly, in the top right corner is Hourglass Ambient lighting blush in Luminous Flush. Can we just admire this beauty for just a second... not only is the packaging absolutely stunning but the colour is extra special. A light baby pink goes on a dream and doesn't have any shimmer in it. Perfect for an english rose look.

What are your favourite blushers?

Lulu Guinness Birchbox March 2014

I was really excited when I heard that Birchbox were teaming up with Lulu Guinness for their March 2014 box. If you don't want any spoilers of whats in the box, look away now!

All of the products are sample sized, here is whats inside the box:

Benefits Stay Don't Stray primer. This is meant to make your concealer and eyeshadows stay in place all day and night. The shade is in light/ medium.

Dr Brandt Pores No More. This is a mattifying pore refiner that is a light shade. The consistency isn't silicone based but isn't a heavy duty cream either, it's light and disappears into the skin in seconds.

English Laundry No.7 For Her. This perfume is a sweet (but not sickly sweet), floral sent that just reminds you of spring and summer. This beautiful fragrance is defiantly one to buy.

Korres Citrus Body Milk. I adore this product because if your like me and hate moisturising than this is the one for you. The formula is light that soaks right into to your skin, so don't worry about having to wait for it to dry. Scent wise is a fresh citrus smell, not to overpowering but on me it doesn't last, which is unfortunate.

Molten Brown rhubarb and rose replenishing hand cream. When I first tried this product I was in love. Not only does it protect and nourish my hands, it smells so heavenly and lasts for a really long time.

Lastly a sweet treat that is wrapped in a Lulu Guinness spring/ summer' 14 collection wrapper!

You can purchase the Lulu Guinness March box -here

Save or Splurge? Bronzer

Now lets be honest here, we all love to save a little bit of money here and there whenever we can but is buying the cheapest always best? Here I have two products one from the drugstore and the other a higher end product. I have compared these two bronzers to see if I can help save those few from splurging out on just one product.

First up is the drugstore bronzer. NYC's Smooth Skin bronzer is a bargain if you want a light, sheer tint on the cheeks. All for just £1.99! Now because it is so inexpensive it means that the packaging is cheap and flimsy. (Especially the lid attachment!) Ive noticed from testing this bronzer that the lasting power isn't all that great either. Throughout the day it begins to go patchy and not look so attractive.

On the higher end of the scale is the cult product NARS Laguna. Before I bought this, I was convinced that it wasn't all that special because of it's hefty price tag of £26. But since I was in america I decided to brave the price and buy this beauty. I have never been more wrong! Laguna is a beautiful bronzer that lasts all day and even through the night without going patchy. The packaging is sleek and attractive and will not break in the first two weeks of using it.

So is it a save or a splurge? In my opinion I would splurge and buy the NARS Laguna because it is a long lasting product that will satisfy your every need, whether its a golden glow or a heavy contour, this bronzer can do it all.