Making Your Eyeshadow Last Longer Without Primer

Eyeshadow not lasting the whole day is one of the most irritating things about makeup, in my opinion.
I hate it when I spend ages getting the shadows to look nice and then it either fades or creases (the worst). Eye primers work wonders, but the good ones like Urban Decay or Nars are rather pricey, so here are a few ways to make your eyeshadow look great all day without using primers.

• If you can't afford an eye primer using your normal face primer will also work, I do this sometimes with the Revlon Photo Ready primer and it does help my eyeshadow to last a lot longer than normal.
• Apply a cream eyeshadow before powder. The powder will stick to the cream shadow and therefore last longer, and if it does start to fade it will do so naturally and shouldn't crease.
• Use your foundation or concealer, apply it all over the lid and blend, then put some of your face powder over the top and go ahead to apply your eyeshadow. This will be a great base for your eyeshadow and help it to last all day.
• Layer your eyeshadow! So many people just go straight in really heavily with eyeshadow and only do one layer, doing so will mean your eyeshadow will crease during the day. Instead apply your shadow to the brush, tap off any excess product and apply to the eye, then repeat - the more you layer up the product the longer it should last. Make sure you blend your eyeshadows in well!

With these tips your eyeshadow should last a lot longer, and not crease!

Hope you found these tips helpful.

x

2 weeks left to ENTER my MAKEUP GIVEAWAY!

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer | Review

Concealer is a makeup product I cannot live without. When you have the right one it will make you look more awake by hiding those under eye circles and will hide your blemishes to make your skin look more flawless than it actually is.
Normally I stick to my Collection Lasting Perfection concealer - it's cheap, it has amazing coverage, lasts a long time and conceals anything I want it to, however recently I've been finding it quite drying on my skin, so I picked up the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer to try.

I'm not the biggest fan of the Wake Me Up foundation, purely because it clings to dry patches and has glitter particles in it, so if you're in the sun you'll end up with that Edward Cullen effect. I didn't expect the concealer to have the same sparkly bits in it, I mean why would you put glitter in a product that's supposed to hide blemishes? That'll just draw attention to them! But I was wrong, the concealer does contain the same glitter particles, so it can't be used on blemishes…annoying!
I could rant on and on about the glitter particles, but I shall just say that they're pointless, make you look kinda weird in the sunlight and the Wake Me Up products would be a lot better without them.
Sparkles aside I do like the concealer - I adore the texture, it feels light, not at all dry and blends without any problems. The coverage isn't as high as the Collection concealer but it's still good, concealing under eye circles well. Rimmel claim this has an 'anti-fatigue effect', which I suppose it does, it does make me look more awake. They also say it illumines, which is achieved by those glitter particles….I don't want a concealer/highlighter hybrid, especially for blemishes, thankyou very much.

Without concealer (left) With Concealer (right)

So, I have a definite love/hate relationship with this concealer. I love that it's so non-drying and really covers those circles you get after a not so great nights sleep, but the glitter in it ruins it for me. For the price of £5.49 you can get better.

ENTER MY MAKEUP GIVEAWAY HERE

Bronzer & Highlighter As Eyeshadow

One of the big makeup trends for Spring is shimmery, golden, warm eyes, one of my favourite eye makeup looks! There are loads of shadows out there that will do an amazing job creating this look, but the easier option is to use your bronzer and highlighter.

I love a multi purpose product, it makes doing your makeup that much quicker, easier and if you're carrying your makeup around with you it means there's less to carry.
To create gorgeous golden eyes first apply your bronzer all over your eyelid, making sure to layer it up so there's less chance of creasing. I'm using the Nars Laguna Bronzer, which is lovely because it's so warm and matte. Bring it down along your lower lash line as well.
After you've applied the bronzer then go in with your powder highlighter over the top, this will create that gorgeous shimmer and sparkle to your eyes. I'm using the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle, this is perfect as it's got a beautiful metallic finish.
There you have it, golden shimmery eyes - right on trend for Spring 2014!

Will you be giving this a go?

x

MY MAKEUP GIVEAWAY

The Lipstick I'm Currently Loving

Lipstick's are my favourite of all makeup products. I love wearing different shades, trying out new brands, and I like how a look can be completely made just by what colour you're wearing on your lips.
My all time favourite lipsticks from the high-street/drugstore are the Kate Moss for Rimmel ones, and lately I've rediscovered my love for shade 19.

Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in Shade 19 (£5.49) (damn I wish they gave them proper names!) is a kind of deep, warm pink colour, with nudey undertones and it's slightly berry like, in my opinion. I do find this a difficult colour to describe, thank goodness for pictures! Anyway, whatever colour you call it it's gorgeous. It's quite neutral but adds a lovely colour to the lips, which I love. I especially like how the shade looks on my skin tone, I think it suits me well and I always get compliments when I wear it. So if you're quite a pale girl this lipstick might be worth checking out, actually check it out whatever your skin tone -  I think it'll suit everyone!

This lipstick is from the Spring collection of the Kate Moss lipsticks. I don't know if the formulation is slightly different but it definitely isn't quite the same as the original line. Firstly the smell is different - I can't put my finger on what it smells like, it's not unpleasant it's just different. The pigmentation is still amazing, undeniably great, and the colour payoff is outstanding.
I find this lipstick to be a touch more drying than the other Kate Moss lipsticks I have, it's not super drying but with the other lipsticks I kind of forget I have anything on my lips, whereas with 19 I can definitely feel something there. I also found it didn't last quite as long as the others - still a good 3 hours but if you're eating or drink it fades quite fast. It applies easily and smoothly and doesn't go weird if you have slightly flaky or chapped lips.
I completely love this lipstick all in all, I think it's brilliant quality for the price and I highly recommend it to anybody.

Have you tried the Kate Moss

lipsticks?

x

Have you ENTERED my GIVEAWAY yet? :)

My Current Skincare Wishlist

Although I adore makeup, and it's definitely the more glamourous side of beauty products, I think skincare is so important. Using the right products for your skin can make your skin look and feel so much healthier which will then result in a confidence boost, and it's definitely a case of you get what you pay for….cheap skincare is a big no no!
I always have an endless list of products I want to try, so I thought I'd share some with you.

Clarins Exfoliating Toner (£25) This is absolutely top of my wish list! I've heard many beauty bloggers and skincare expects rave about this product. It's an acidic exfoliator that you use a couple of times a week, it really helps to illuminate impurities and regenerate the skin. It's meant to be amazing for any skin type, any person, and really help with blemishes.
Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins night cream (£34). This is the most expensive item on my wishlist, and definitely something that won't be making itself into my skincare routine anytime soon because of it, but I can dream! I find it so difficult to find great night creams that aren't for older women and aren't ridiculously expensive and as I suffer from dry skin it's very annoying! Any suggestions?
Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Face Mask (£22) is a face mask to help unclog pores and really clear your skin from any nastiness. Charcoal is incredible for purifying the skin, and I've heard many rave reviews about this mask.
Michael Todd Blue-Green Algae Toner (£11). I used to use this toner and adored it (review here) but they've put the postage up to an insane amount and as it's an American brand it's difficult to get hold of here in the UK. But this toner is really great, it leaves the skin feeling so clean and it's hydrating too.
Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm (£14.50). I'm running low on my current cleanser, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, and I want to try something new. This is the same price as the C&P but it's supposed to be better. Caroline Hirons and Ruth Crilly both recommended this and I trust them on skincare advice! It's not the cheapest cleanser around but it's definitely not expensive, think of the Emma Hardie cleansing balm…£34!.
The Body Shop Facial Massager (£6). The only tool in my wish list and again recommended by Caroline Hirons. This is a tool you gentle roll over your face, it helps products sink in better and improves circulation. It's meant to good for helping clear up hormonal acne too, which I can get around my jawline. This is a must buy for me!
Lastly, Hydraluron (£24.99). This is a serum you apply post-toner and pre-moisturiser, and the basic idea of it is it increases hydration in the skin. It has ingredients in it that will help your moisturiser really sink in deeper - namely Hyaluronic Acid that has the ability to hold 1000 times it's weight in water! As I said earlier my skin is dry, so I need this! I'd also love to try their Hyrdaluron Boosting Masks (£19.99) - these are moisturising face masks that help your skin to feel healthier, look plumper and more glowing. They've been raved about a lot!

I could go on and on with lots more amazing skincare products, but those are top of my wish list!

Have you tried any of the products mentioned?

x

HAVE YOU ENTERED MY

MAKEUP AND BODYCARE

GIVEAWAY? 

Makeup Trends Spring 2014

London Fashion Week has been in full force, and with it brought the makeup trends for Spring 2014.
It may still only be February but soon it'll be March, Spring is creeping up on us!

Bright Orange Lips - I'm super happy about this trend because I adore orange lips - Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous is my favourite. Lots of designers opted for orange lips, including DKNY, Rag & Bone, Nanette Lepore, and more.  At the DKNY show makeup artist Charlotte Willer brushed Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick in Electric Orange and Neon Red onto the lips and dapped away any excess. Orange lips looks great on more or less any skin tone too, it's definitely a trend worth giving a go this year.

Natural Makeup - The 'no makeup' makeup look was everywhere on the catwalks this year with Alexander Wang, Balmain and Christopher Kane all going for the look that was achieved by just a bit of primer to even out the skin and a touch of concealer.

Cat Eyes - This is another trend I'm really happy about, I love a good cat eye flick! Dennis Basso and Tracey Reese both went for this look for their models.

White Iridescent Eyeshadow and White Eyeliner - this look is really clean and fresh and was used by Jenny Packham, Alice & Olivia and Tibi. Makeup artists used Stila shimmer liquid luminizer on the lids to create a gorgeous shimmer and glow. White eyeliner is used on the waterline to really open up the eyes and make them look more awake.

Pastel Eyes - Pastel is always something that's very in when it gets to Spring, but not normally in makeup. This year Burberry, Dolce & Gobbana and Rochas all went for this look, while Emilio Pucci and Ruffian went for more nude pastel shades. Pastel blue is meant to be very in this Spring too…I'm not brave enough for that one!

Golden Eyes - Brown eyeshadow with golden shimmer is really big for spring, Lancome makeup artists applied it to their models. I'll be doing a post on how to get this look very soon!

Glowing Skin - Always a big one for Spring! Welcome in the sunnier weather with healthy, glowing skin. At Philip Lim the models were given this look by using Nars Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturiser and Copacabana Liquid Illuminator.

Which looks will you be trying out this

Spring?

x

Have you entered my GIVEAWAY yet? :)

100 Followers GIVEAWAY!

Recently I reached 100 followers on Bloglovin'! Which I am so happy about, and so grateful to anyone who follows me and reads my posts, it means a lot!
To say a big thankyou I thought I would do a giveaway!

This giveaway includes the new MUA Eyeshadow Palette in Glamour Days - which is a really gorgeous palette that includes some brights and beautiful natural shades too, great for any look! I did a review of the palettes here. The much raved about MUA Power Pout lip crayon in Broken Hearted - these products are amazing, so lovely to wear and this colour is amazing. And finally a travel bag with vanilla & honey bathing products and body polisher.

The giveaway is open internationally. The winner will receive ALL NEW AND UNOPENED products - MUA eyeshadow palette in Glamour Days, MUA Power Pout in Broken Hearted and Vanilla and Honey wash bag with contents.
I cannot be held responsibly for the loss or any damage that may occur to the item through postage.
If you're under 18 make sure you've got permission from a parent or guardian before entering this competition.
The winner will be chosen at random via the rafflecopter and announced between 16-18th March.
Competition runs from 15th February - 15th March 2013.
The winner will have 48 hours to get their address to be, otherwise I hold the right to pick another winner.

Enter through the rafflecopter below and follow the instructions.
GOOD LUCK! x
a Rafflecopter giveaway

MUA Undress Me Too Palette

Today I bring to you a cheap as chips eyeshadow palette that's a dupe, colour wise, for the cult classic Urban Decay Naked 2 palette.

The MUA Undress Me Too (see what they did there with the name?) is a clear obvious attempt by MUA at creating a dupe for the Naked 2 palette. The colours of the eyeshadows are practically identical and even in the same order in the palettes, just with the MUA having 2 rows and Urban Decay being all on one strip. They've even called one of the shades Naked!

But enough of the comparisons, let's just get on with reviewing this bargain palette.
I'd heard a great deal about Undress Me Too from different bloggers, the majority singing it's praises, but I was still skeptical..I mean how pigmented can a 12 eyeshadow palette be when it's priced at £4?! Well, I shall tell you that to my shock they are brilliantly pigmented! Okay, they're not as pigmented as Urban Decay, but you definitely don't have to work hard to get good colour payoff from these shadows.

Top row of the palette
(2 of the shades are very light - hardly show up
in the photo)

Bottom row of the palette

As you can see from the swatches the shades with shimmer are definitely a lot more pigmented than the matte shades, which is often the case, and you do have to apply a few layers with the matte's to get the colour payoff that there is in the pan..but that's okay, I always layer up my shadows anyway.
All the eyeshadows are really wearable, great for everyday looks and you can easily create a smokey eye from them too.
With a primer these shadows last a good amount of time, without they will crease after a while - but I expected nothing else from a £4 palette so I'm not complaining!

All in all I totally recommend this little gem, especially if you can't afford the Naked 2 palette which is £30 more expensive! The quality isn't going to beat high-end brands, but the for the price it's unbeatable and a truly brilliant high-street/drugstore palette.

I'll be holding a GIVEAWAY including

one of the MUA palettes on my blog

very soon so make sure you're

following me on Bloglovin' so you

don't miss out!

x

Choosing Your Foundation

As foundation is the base to your makeup it's important you find the right one for you. There are lots of things to consider when buying a foundation, here are some things to help you.

The Right Formula For You

When you choose a foundation you should consider your skin type. If you have oily skin you might be best going for a matte finish foundation, or one that is oil free. Whereas if you have dry skin it's best to go for something more dewy. Also, if you have sensitive skin it's best to stay clear of fragranced foundations, mineral foundations might be a good bet.
If you have combination skin it shouldn't matter too much which finish you go for, it's down to personal preference.

Coverage

Decide what sort of coverage you'd like your foundation to have. Consider what state your skin is in, if you have blemish-free skin then you won't need full coverage, if you are blemish-prone you'll probably want medium-full coverage. Another thing to consider is the season, in winter skin tends to be in worse condition so you may want a heavy coverage, but make sure it's creamy for that dehydrated skin! In the warmer months it's a lot more pleasant to be wearing a lighter coverage foundation, and something that'll last a long time in the heat.

Finding Your Perfect Colour Match

Normally I find it quite easy to colour match myself - applying on your hand isn't really a good way to judge a foundation shade, your hands tend not to be the same shade as your face. Apply a little tester amount to your neck, blend down and if the colour disappears it's a good match for you.
At highend makeup counters it may be more difficult to colour match yourself, sometimes they don't have samples out, perhaps there's much more choice so you can't decide, or maybe you're in MAC and are confused with the N's and C's (N means warm - best for pinkish skin, C means cool - best for yellow or olive toned skin) - If this is the case then ask for help. There'll be someone who works in the store to help colour match you perfectly. Something important to consider is a lot of foundations will oxidate, which means they can get darker after they've been on the skin for a while, so it's best to go away for a bit and see if this happens before purchasing your product.

SPF or No SPF

For an everyday foundation SPF is always a good idea, most foundations will have an SPF in them but it's always good to check. If they don't then make sure your moisturiser does!
However, if you're looking for a foundation for nighttime use only (going to clubs, parties, dinners) then an SPF free foundation will photograph better - you won't get that ghostly white face SPF gives you with flash photography.

I hope you found this post helpful!

Happy foundation shopping!

x

MAC Stereo Rose - Re-release!

MAC, as they so often do, are re-releasing one of their most popular limited edition products into a new limited edition collection, and it's the much talked about Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose.

If you've been an avid beauty blog follower for a while you'll have no doubt heard about this product before. It was first released years ago, then re-released last year, and will again be rereleased this year into the forthcoming Fantasy Of Flowers collection - which will be available 6th March (write it in your diary).

Stereo Rose is a gorgeous coral blush, with hints of pink and golden shimmer running through it - much like Nars Orgasm blush, and there are many other dupes out there. The shade itself looks very much like it would suit and compliment any skin tone. The golden shimmer running through will help highlight, so if you're in a rush there's no need to do both, and the colour will really help warm up your complexion.
Mineralize Skinfinishe's are really soft powders with a metallic finish to them, they're great for giving a healthy glow and a gorgeous sheen to the skin.

Stereo Rose will be ready for you to buy on 6th March this year, priced at £22.
Be quick, this will undoubtably sell out fast!

Best Bargain Eyeshadow Palette

One of the most asked questions I get is 'What's the best highstreet/drugstore eyeshadow?'. It seems most eyeshadows are either not good quality, have a rubbish shade range or are overpriced.
My favourite eyeshadow palettes you can get in high street shops are the Sleek palettes.

The Sleek eyeshadow palettes consist of 12 eyeshadows and are priced at £7.99 - BARGAIN!
My favourite of the selection is Storm (pictured). I use it often as most of the shades are natural and neutral, but there are some more daring shades in there like dark green or pink, and there's so many different looks you can get out of it. There's a mixture of light and dark colours, shimmery and matte. For the price I really don't think you can beat the quality of these shadows, they're so pigmented and you can really built them up to an intense colour. The wear of them isn't as long as high end shadows, that's expected, but they still last all day with a primer, without a primer they would last a good time still but just may crease a little - it's best to try and build them up to avoid this.

TOP ROW SWATCHES

BOTTOM ROW SWATCHES

Other than Storm there are 14 other palettes to choose from, so there'll be something to please everyone. There's some really bright and intense coloured palettes, some naturals palettes, matte palettes and of course palettes with a mixture.
The packaging is very sleek (yep) and doesn't feel too cheap. The lid on my palette has broken because I dropped it, but I think they're quite durable.

Sleek, in my opinion, do the best eyeshadows for such a barginous price. You can buy Sleek eyeshadow palettes on their website anywhere in the world and in Superdrug in the UK.
I've got my eye on the Oh So Special and the Au Naturals palettes next!

How To De-puff And Brighten Your Eyes

We all have those days when we wake up after a not so great sleep and our eyes look tired, puffy and not how we'd like them to be, but fear not, I have some tips on how to prevent those under eye circles and some tricks on how to make them go away!

Prevention

I'm sure we'd all just prefer to never have puffy eyes again, unfortunately that's not likely, but there are some things we
can do to prevent it from happening so often.
1. Get a good nights sleep! Sounds obvious, and well…it is, but it's really effective. Go to bed early, make sure you're relaxed and have that 8 + hours you need. If you're not sleeping enough your eyes will most probably look dull, red and tired. Another tip is to sleep with your head slightly elevated, this prevents puffiness.
2. Eat well! What you eat and drink really does effect your body, including your eyes. Food that is high in sodium (cheese, marmite, popcorn, salt, etc), carbs (pasta, bread, cakes, etc) and fat can make you retain water, which causes your eyes to become puffy. But protein like fish and tofu is really good.
3. Stay hydrated! Eyes tend to become puffy due to water retention, which is caused by excess salt in and around the eye (this is why when you cry your eyes go puffy). Making sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day is good for reducing eye swelling and will keep you hydrating, but downing a huge glass of water before bed might cause the opposite effect as your body will retain that water until you wake up. Try drinking a green tea after your evening meal, it's good for your skin and good for your eyes, and keep away from drinks that dehydrate you (caffeine and alcohol) and salt!
4. Exercise! This improves circulation around your body.

De-puff

1. Cold cucumber slices! Apply the cold cucumber slices to your eye, leave for 3 minutes and then repeat with fresh slices a few times. The coolness will soothe the eye and help to de-puff. Cucumber also contains several vitamins and acids that will help reduce water retention.
2. Cold, raw potato slices! If you can't stand the smell of cucumber (like me) then potato is a good alternative, it will do the same job as the cucumber.
3. Frozen spoon! Place a spoon in the freezer the night before, then when you wake up simply apply the cold spoon under your eye for 30 seconds each.
4. Raw egg whites! Separate the egg white from the yolk of one egg and apply the egg white directly under the eye using some tissue or cotton wool, leave it to dry for a couple of minutes - under your eyes will start to feel quite tight, then rinse off the egg white. Your eyes will look less puffy and the nutrition in the egg will also help reduce water retention. You can also use cold milk!
5. Cold tea bags! You can use either caffeinated tea bags - caffeine helps reduce the swelling, or you can use herbal/green tea bags - these contain anti-inflamitary and anti-irritants that will really soothe your eyes. Soak the tea bags in hot water the night before, then place them in the fridge overnight, in the morning make sure you squeeze out any excess water and then place them on your eyes for 3-5 minutes.

Make-up

Using the right makeup can really help you to look more wide awake and diminish those pesky dark circles.
1. A good concealer will become your best friend! Opt for a concealer that has a peachy or yellow tone to at, this will cancel out the purple or blue hues and brighten the area. Make sure your concealer is nice and creamy, you don't want anything drying!
2. Don't go heavy with eyeshadow, dark eyeshadows can make you look more tired, go for light, brightening colours, but by all means go in with lots of mascara to widen your eyes.
3. Create an illusion of bigger eyes, just like you can highlight your cheekbones, you can highlight the right areas of your eyes to make them stand out, appear wider and more awake. Use a lighter colour eyeshadow with shimmer and apply it to the middle of your eyelid and the inner corner of your eye - this will really make your eyes look more awake and alert. Using a white eyeliner on the bottom lash line will also help.


If you follow those tips you'll have beautifully awake, de-puffed, bright eyes in no time!

Hope this helped you!

x

Beauty Bloggers Tag!

I've seen a few bloggers doing this 'Beauty Bloggers Tag' and always find reading them very interesting, so I thought I'd do it myself! I hope you enjoy this sort of post.

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogger for?

I started blogging about a year ago, but started putting posts up regularly about 5 months ago. I started blogging for a few reasons - I had been reading beauty blogs for a while and was inspired by other bloggers to start, I was really starting to get into makeup, skincare, etc and wanted a way of sharing my experiences with everyone and getting to know other bloggers who had the same interests as me!

Who's blog did you fall in love with first?

Honestly? I can't remember. I'd say Zoella's was probably the first I found and read every single post, but Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup and Hannah from A Little Beauty Spot (who's new blog is here) were two of the others I remember reading at the beginning of discovering the beauty blogging world!

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product that you bought?

Was it worth the hype?

That would be Nars Luguna bronzer! Every blogger these is seems to adore this product, and I was so intrigued so I bought it and yes, it's definitely worth the hype. I love it and use it all the time! 

What are you five favourite things about blogging and being a beauty blogger?

1. Having my own little space on the internet to share my thoughts and views on different products.

2. Other bloggers! I love discovering new blogs, reading reviews, favourites, wish lists, etc (I could spend hours going through Bloglovin' looking at the new posts from that day), and getting to know people. I've actually made a good few friends from doing this!

3. Discovering products. I find that unless you read beauty blogs really amazing products can pass you by! I'm also someone who does research before I buy anything, so finding out how people got on with things is great before I go out and buy it myself.

4. The creative side. I feel like since I left school I don't do anything creative, but having this blog enables me to take photographs, decide how to lay things out and also experiment with different products, which I find a great way be creative. 

5. Comments! I love getting comments on my blog posts from all of you, it really makes my day.

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger?

When I first started blogging I didn't realise that writing blog posts can be quite hard work, a lot of thought goes into every part of a post and also design and layout of the website itself. I learnt never to compare yourself to other bloggers…if I did that I'd feel like a failure, because I don't have the largest amount of followers, but that doesn't matter! It's all about enjoying what you do.

What have you changed since becoming a beauty blogger?

Makeup storage…I've got a lot more makeup now, so I had to invest in some proper storage. I've also changed the way I do my makeup - I've picked up a lot of tips and tricks along the way.

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger starting out?

Don't do this just to get free products! That won't happen straight away, if ever, and you need to put a lot of work in before so. Also, if you don't have a passion for what you're doing it will come across in the posts. Don't write unless you really want to - again, it comes across in the posts, I've read a lot of blogposts that lack so much because the blogger obviously 'couldn't be bothered' on that day. Make good use of social media - twitter, Facebook, instagram, etc - it will really help your blog to grow.

What are your top 5 makeup brands?

This is no particular order!  MAC - I think I had to say that, it's surely in every beauty bloggers top 5, I just wish they were a tad cheaper. Rimmel - I think they're the best high street makeup brand, they do great and affordable foundations, lipsticks (especially the Kate Moss range), blushes, eyeshadows, eyeliners (the best), concealer, etc. Revlon - mainly for their lip products. Nars - ohhh their packaging and pigmentation makes me adore them. Soap & Glory - I haven't tried many things from their makeup range yet, but what I have tried, swatched and looked at has been amazing quality.

Recommend your top 5 beauty products

(reviews linked)

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipsticks - I think these are the best highstreet/drugstore lipsticks out there, the price is so affordable, the colour range is fantastic, the lasting power is long, the packaging is great and the feel and finish is up there with the high end brands.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - A night time oil that you apply post toner and pre moisturiser, it adds moisture to the skin, doesn't break me out, and helps fight against imperfections.

Collection's Lasting Perfection concealer - beauty blogger favourite and lives up to the hype - high coverage, non-drying, cheap and lasts all day.

MAC Mineralize Skinfish in Soft & Gentle - the most beautiful highlighter there is. 

Sleek Contour/Face Form Palette -  the contour palette consists of bronzer and highlighter, and the face form has a blush included as well. All highly pigmented, well packaged, and very affordable. A really great product if you're just getting into makeup. 

A Pretty Pink Pairing

I've never really delved into the world of lip product pairing, I always just stick to one product on my lips at one time, but recently I tried pairing a lipstick and a lipgloss together and to my surprise I really liked it!

Whilst looking through my draw of lipsticks recently I came across one of the first lipsticks I got that had been shoved to the back of the draw and forgotten about, it's a lipstick by Avon called Pout.
Pout is a really pretty cool toned pale pink, it's a gorgeous creamy texture and I really love the packaging. Although I do like the lipstick I have found that I much prefer the look of it paired with a lipgloss, and my lipgloss of choice is from the Revlon Colorburst range, the shade is Pink Ice. 

Lipstick only

Lipstick and gloss together

 SWATCHES TOP TO BOTTOM -
Avon lipstick in Pout
Revlon lipgloss in Pink Ice
Both products together

Pink Ice is a a very pale pink with silver shimmer particles running through it, I find it makes the lipstick look a bit lighter but also adds dimension and more shine. I'm glad I've found a lipstick to wear with this lipgloss because on it's on I'm not too fond of it, purely because on pale skin like mine it can make me look a bit washed out.

Both products feel nice on the lips, the Revlon lipgloss isn't sticky and isn't gloopy like some glosses can be, they're not the longest wearing products in the world, I'd say a 2-3 hours, but I can overlook that.
The two products work together really well and I really love this combination for a pretty and subtle lip look.