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.

Keeping Your Lips Soft This Winter

Winter brings cold temperatures, strong winds and other harsh weather that is not great for our skin.
Chapped lips are a problem most of us experience during this time, due to the skin on our lips being much thinner and more sensitive than the rest of the skin on our face, and they can be rather sore, annoying and let's face it, not attractive at all.
Here are some tips on how to avoid those dry lips!

Lip Balms
Every lip balm out there will promise you soft lips, but not all of them will give you that.
Here are some things to watch out for! When buying a lip balm have a look at the ingredients, you need to AVOID menthol, camphor and phenol - all of these will give your lips that cooling sensation and they will feel soothed, but in the end all it'll do is dry your lips out even more. Artificial fragrance is bad too, they just suck the moisture right out of the lips, same with salicylic acid. Instead of these LOOK OUT FOR hemp oil and jojoba oil, these too oils will will treat your lips and absorb moisture, so will coconut oil. Beeswax and cocoa butter are two ingredients that will give your lips the moisture your after, without causing any unwanted longterm dryness. Lanoline is another great ingredient!
PRODUCTS TO AVOID - Carmex has a great reputation, I used to use it all the time and loved it for a while but after a few months I noticed it was doing nothing for me and was drying my lips out. I looked at the ingredients and bam….I see menthol and camphor, as mentioned before, these ingredients give your lips that amazing cooling sensation but actually it does them no good. Vaseline is one of the other big sellers that is no good, it contains petroleum which acts as another layer over the skin…you think this is good but it isn't. It slows cellar renewable, meaning your lips can't repair themselves as well, it also traps toxins under the skin, and your lips will become dependant on it, so as soon as you stop using the product your lips will become unbearably dry.
AMAZING PRODUCTS - My favourite lip balm, and definitely a great bargain buy is Burt's Bees - I use the mango one because it smells lovely. Burt's Bees contains coconut oil and beeswax to help absorb moisture, lots of vitamins and other ingredients that are great for keeping your lips soft. Kiehl's lip balm is another good option! Clarin's moisture replenishing lip balm is great but pricey, although not as pricey as ByTerry Baume de Rose (£35) but another excellent product, going by the ingredients.

Exfoliate
Exfoliating your lips a few times a week, either with an old toothbrush (make it slightly damp and massage onto the lips) or with a lip scrub (like from Lush) helps to buff away old, dead skin cells.

Makeup
Instead of using normal lipsticks opt for extra moisturising products like Revlon lip butters - they'll give you a nice colour, but won't dry out your lips. Or use a gloss which will help to protect your lips against the cold weather.

Don't lick
Licking your dry or chapped lips will just make them worse! Salvia contains enzymes that will break the skin, also salvia evaporates which will just cause the skin to become more dehydrated.

My two last tips are to take vitamin supplements, and quit smoking. Yep, smoking dries out the lips massively and can cause the skin to break. Yucky!

Hope you found these tips

helpful!

What's your favourite lip balm?

x

My Top 5 Autumn Lip Products!

Ahhhh October, when real Autumn starts to kick in. Colder weather, brown leaves covering the ground, jumpers and boots start to appear and it's time to change over from the summery makeup and go for more season appropriate choices, so I'm going to share with you my top 5 Autumn lip products!

L-R Rimmel Kate Moss 19, Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie,
Rimmel Kate Moss 01, Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial

(note - the colours look VERY similar in that photo but check the swatches below)

Lets get the boring, but essential, product out the way first - Carmex. Best lip balm I have used so far.

There, done. Now onto the pretty ones -

Autumn is the time for darker lip colours, berry tones and of course reds! 

It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of the Kate Moss for Rimmel lipsticks, and surprise surprise 2 of them have made it into my top 5 Autumn lip products! The first being number 19, I ADORE this shade - it's actually a lot more natural than it may look, it's a dark pinky brown and so perfect for a natural Autumnal shade, I often wear this dabbed in gently to my lips for a nice nude colour.

The other Kate Moss lipstick is 01, which is a true red. I've only worn this a few times (I'm not brave enough to wear it for an everyday look) but I love it a lot. It's a lot brighter than it looks in the tube, quite glossy and the lasting power is phenomenal. Reds are definitely are brilliant choice for Autumn and Winter!

Next is the Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie. I wear these lip butters all the time, they're the perfect thing if you're not into wearing heavy lipsticks or want something with nice colour payoff but still looks very natural. Berry Smoothie is a pinky purple with no shimmer in it but it's lovely and glossy.

Last but by no means least is Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial, I wore this to death last Autumn! It's a deep pinky purple, it applies like a dream and dries fairly matte and lasts a lot longer than you may 

think. 

Top to bottom - Rimmel Kate Moss 19, Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie,Rimmel Kate Moss 01, Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial

All these products can be purchased HERE!

What are your Autumn must-have lip products?

On My Face Today

Today I went for Clinique Even Better Foundation, I really love this foundation - it gives such good coverage and it's so gentle on my skin, and as my skin is feeling a bit sensitive at the moment I couldn't not wear it today. I applied it with the Real Techniques buffing brush from the core collection, I normally use my expert face brush but I find the buffing brush better with the even better foundation.
I then used the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, oops forgot to photograph it.
I filled in my brows with the Fashionista brow kit, which is currently half price in superdrug! Go get it, it's great.
I put a bit of Kitten eyeshadow from the Stila In The Light Palette and then used Maybelline Gel Eyeliner and drew a slight flick. I then used my favourite mascara which is Maybelline The Falsies.

On to my cheeks, I contoured with Nars Luguna Bronzer, put some Rose Gold blush on from Sleek (I have this in the Face Form palette but you can get it individually here) - it's by far my favourite blush at the moment - such a gorgeous peachy shade with shimmer - it's a dupe for the famous Nars Orgasm blush. Then highlighted from the same palette.
Lastly, and the best part in my opinion, is lips - Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Kiss Me Coral.

What's on your face today?

x

My Summer Beauty Essentials

As it was the first official day of summer yesterday, I thought I would share you with some products I think are essential for summer!

1. A light coverage foundation with an SPF, if it has no SPF then make sure you get a moisturiser with an SPF in it, BUT don't wear both an SPF foundation and an SPF moisturiser, as layering them cancels them out. My foundation of choice is Rimmel Wake Me Up (surprise surprise). I love this foundation a lot, when applied with fingers you can create such a lovely light coverage but it still makes your skin look really great, and as it creates radiance it is perfect for summer. You can buy it here for £8.99.

2. A cream blush. Cream blushes make the skin look a lot more radiant and glowy than powder blushes do, and I've found they feel lighter as well. My favourite is NYX cream blush in Natural. I did a more in depth review of this blush here in my May Favourites, and you can buy it cheapest from Amazon here for £4.99.

3. A bronzer, I think in the summer if you look pale it is more noticeable, so a bronzer to create a 'bronzed' look is essential for me. The bronzer I love most is Nars Luguna, it's amazing. I love it both for conturing, as it's only got a very very slight shimmer that doesn't really show on the face, and also just to bring a bit of colour to my complexion as the colour isn't orange at all and it lasts a long time. This is quite pricey at £26 but if you want to treat yourself then you can buy it here!

4. A brown eyeliner. I think in the summer a black eyeliner can look way too harsh, dark and wintery, so I like to use a brown, I used to hate brown eyeliner but now I think it looks so pretty - especially darker browns - it just gives a much more subtle look. The one I am currently using is Stila Smudge Stick in Damsel, which you can buy here.

5. A lighter, glossier lip colour. I don't know about you, but sometimes I find a proper lipstick too much in summer as they can often look matte or feel heavy, so I opt for either the Revlon lip butters (the one in the photo is strawberry shortcake, but I adore them all) or a lipgloss, this one is Revlon colour burst in Pink Ice which is a lovely light pink with shimmer. You can buy these both from here.

6. A summer colour nail varnish, summer is not the time for dark colours on the nails like black, dark blue or purple, etc. Although I HATE Barry M nail varnish this colour has to be one of my favourite summer shades, it's a lovely light, kind of duck egg, blue called Blue Moon, which you can buy here for £2.99.

7. My last summer beauty essential is a summery scented body moisturiser. I love this spray on one from Soap & Glory, it is called Girligo Body Moisturising Mist, it smells so lovely, of peach, strawberry, jasmine, mandarin and musk. It is such a summery, light scent and it works so well at making the skin softer, it also feels really refreshing when you spray it on and sinks in so fast. You can buy that here for £6.50.

That's it for my summer essentials!

What are your summer beauty must haves?

x

Today's Makeup!

Today's Makeup

I'm one of those people who likes to change around what makeup they wear daily, I don't have a staple daily makeup routine or anything - however the past couple of weeks I have stuck to practically the same things, and I thought I'd share it with you!

I use my RImmel Wake Me Up Foundation, I know so many love this and I'm one of them. Best high street/drugstore foundation. 

My Fashionista Brow Kit, I got this from Superdrug for about £4, so cheap and works so well.

Collection Lasting Perfection concealer

Sleek Face Form palette in Light - I love this so much, £10 for an amazing bronzer, highlighter and blush - bargain.

Sleek Storm Eyeshadow palette I love Sleek a lot, these eyeshadows are great! I've been using a shimmery one (second along, top row) and a medium brown for the outer corner and crease (second from last, bottom row).

Stila Smudge Stick waterproof eyeliner in Damsel I got this free with a Stila eyeshadow palette and I really like it, it's a dark brown so it's more subtle than black, I like to blend it in to the eyeshadow at the lash line so it's not a harsh line.

Maybelline Falsies Mascara - love it. 

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya I featured this in my May Favourites which you can read and see swatches of here, I love it a lot. Such a pretty colour.

What makeup have you been wearing daily recently?

x

May Favourites 2013!

HELLO, HI, HEY

It is the beginning of June, which means May has just passed (obviously) so I thought I would tell you about the things I have been loving a lot through the month of May.

I actually already have done a YouTube video this that you can watch here if you wish, as there are more things featured on there.

I shall start with skincare. I have been absolutely loving the Garnier Moisture Match for Dull Skin.

I love Garnier skincare because I have quite sensitive skin and garnier never makes my skin dry, never breaks me out and it's also so affordable.

Moisture Match is a range of moisturisers garnier have brought out for all different skin types, they have one for oily skin, one for dry skin, for combination skin, etc. I got the Dull skin one because I do sometimes feel as if my skin needs a bit of a 'wake me up'....which this moisturiser does SO well.

It is gel formula, that glides onto the skin and makes me feel all refreshed, it also sinks in quickly which is handy if you're then going on to apply make-up (for which this makes a great base).

If you haven't already then do go and look at the whole range, that can be found here.

They all retail for £5.99, which I think is brilliant for the quality of them.

Couldn't recommend them more!

My next 2 favourites are both blushes from NYX, the first being a powder blush in the colour Peach....I have absolutely NO idea why they called it Peach as it's a pink blush.

This blush is a lovely matte, baby pink colour that I think works best on pale skin like mine, as it quite light, however I'm sure the colour can be built up more if you wish. It's extremely pigmented and so easy to blend, it doesn't break apart on my skin like I find a lot of blushes seem to.

This blush literally lasts all day on my cheeks as well, it fades ever so slightly by the end of the day but the colour will still be here. 

The next blush I got from NYX was a cream blush in the colour Natural.

This is the first cream blush I used, I'd never delved into it before because I thought a cream cheek product would be hard to work with and may look greasy. But I was so wrong.

This blush is amazing, the colour is gorgeous, really natural, so perfect for those 'no makeup' makeup days or if you just want a little wash of colour. It also makes you look so healthy, as it's cream it creates a really lovely dewy/glowy look - but not at all greasy, watery or oily. It's much easier to apply than I thought as well, it's extremely easy to blend - I do this with a Real Techniques contour brush.

I definitely want to purchase more of these, I love them. The only downside is they don't last especially long because it is cream, however, if you were to find a powder blush in the same sort of colour and apply a tiny bit of that over the top it would stay put a lot longer.

I purchased both of these NYX blushes from Amazon, you can get the powder one here and the cream one here.

My last favourite's are the Revlon lip butters. Oh my gosh, they are the best lip products. My favourite.

I have these in the colours Peach Parfait, Juicy Papaya, Strawberry Shortcake and Berry Smoothie (Left to Right). I just love these so much. (Amazing names aren't they!....AND the packaging makes me love them even more)

My favourite thing about these is the fact they feel so light on the lips. In the summer I find lipsticks can feel too heavy, and look too heavy but these don't at all. They are a cross between lip sticks and lip balms, they have amazing colour payoff but feel super light and look glossy on the lips - absolutely perfect for summer. The colours are amazing too, they do SUCH a range, so they'll be something for everyone. My personal favourite is Juicy Papaya, which is a gorgeous orange/coral colour.

(top to bottom - Peach Parfait, Juicy Papaya,
Strawberry Shortcake, Berry Smoothie)

They don't last an amazingly long time, a couple of hours, but I didn't really expect them to...when everything else is that great you have to compromise somewhere. These retail for £7.99 and you can buy them here.

There ya go, a few things I have been loving throughout May!

I'm a nosey parker, so leave me a comment telling me what you've been loving the last month :)

xxx