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.

Deep Cleaning Brushes With Dr Bronner's Magic Soap

Cleaning your makeup brushes is something that all girls must do, even though it's not very pleasant and leaves you with not the best looking hands. But my secret to washing brushes well and speedy comes with just one product. Dr Bronner's Magic Soap can do so many things but I use it to deep clean makeup brushes. It works a treat, with all of its important oils in to keep your brushes in good condition and to help them last longer. It lathers up quite well depending on the brush and with a rinse of water the makeup build up has gone. This is definitely the best brush cleaner I have found and lasts for ages too! What more could you want?

Clarins Fix' Make-Up

Now I am all for long-lasting make-up when it comes to a special occasion or a long day ahead and a setting spray is the way forward. Whilst wandering around the counters in boots I spotted this on the clarins stand. A refreshing mist that sets your make-up while prolonging its hold. It also provides an instant cooling effect once on the skin and makes you feel fresh and clean after a hot day. Not only does it refresh and hold it also moisturises and hydrates your skin without making your foundation look dewy which I know is what people don't like in these sorts of sprays and altogether puts them off form buying it.

The smell is the classic clarins smell but fresher, so it shouldn't irritate the skin with a strong fragrance as it very subtle. This product is a real luxury as the price suggests, but what your getting inside the bottle is worth every penny, and who doesn't like the chic, matte and slim look it has to offer.

Will I buy it again? I'd only buy it if I couldn't find anything else better, but if I were you I would go with MAC's Fix+ as its cheaper and probably works just as well.

Have you tried any make-up setting sprays?

Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Brush Set

I am a massive fan of the Real Techniques brushes but when this set came out I wasn't set on buying them. After a long time debating I finally splurged on the white handled duo-fiber brushes. Having these brushes for some time now I've realised that I use them a lot more then I thought I would.

The 3 piece set is amazing quality and they do really well to distribute the product without going on too thick and cakey. If you're looking for a lightweight application then you're reading the right post.

First in the set is the Duo-Fiber Face Brush (T). This is reasonably sized brush as it fits into all of those tricky spaces on the face such as under the eyes. I like to use this for powder as it brushes a light even layer of powder onto the face. You could use this brush for all powdered products and even liquids and creams for an airbrushed finish.

In the middle we have the Duo-Fiber Eye Brush. This is handy for blending, I sometimes use this for blending eye shadows together or for buffing in my concealer under the eyes or on blemishes. Again the duo-fiber bristles give an airbrush finish so I especially love using this for concealer.

Lastly is the Duo-Fiber Contour Brush (B), I use this for pretty much the same things as the face brush but the smaller size means more accuracy in those harder to get places, and like the name suggests it is very good for that all important contour. The thin small bristles fit perfectly under the cheekbones and blend for a natural look.

Have you tried the Duo-Fiber brushes for Real Techniques?

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.

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.

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!

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.

Makeup Bag Essentials

Makeup is a must have to have in your purse if your a girl who likes to touch up now and then during the day. Being me I find it hard to regularly keep whats in it updated on a daily basis but I find myself always chucking in these basics to get me through any day.

To start off with I make sure I take a light/ medium coverage foundation out with me. The Bourjois Happy Light foundation is a lightweight yet build-able coverage making it the perfect one for those girls who go from day to night. For those night girls this is a good choice as it doesn't have SPF in so you'll look the same colour in any kind of photos. Having a brush is also handy I really like the Real Techniques buffing brush as it makes your skin look flawless.

Next is a rather new purchase of mine, Soap & Glory kick ass concealer. I am head over heals for this concealer as it comes with two different coloured concealers, one pink toned to cancel out any blue/ purple under eye circles, and the other green toned to cancel out any red blemishes. This handy little compact not only comes with two concealers but a small version of Soap & Glory's one heck of a blot foundation which is a translucent powder that sets your makeup without making you look cakey. Seriously this stuff makes your makeup last!

Lastly, lips. To start I must have a lip balm. My lips suffer so much but Blistex MedPlus keeps everything in check. Every girl must have options especially me, my picks are Mac's glaze lipstick in hue. A very pretty pinky/ nude to suit every skin tone. I love the finish of this lipstick because it doesn't show every crack and flake off and its moisturising on the lips too! Last but certainly not least is another new purchase. Ive wanted a lipgloss that isn't sticky and one that stays on the lips. Maybelline's Colour sensational shine gloss in Glorious Grapefruit is a gorgeous natural pink that gives you a fresh natural look.

What are your makeup bag essentials?