Summer Make-up Bag

So it's not news I haven't written a post in a while. Okay, I haven't since February.

Since then there's been so many things I've found and have loved that I could write about. Rather than writing lots of reviews I thought I'd give you a peak into my make-up bag from the last couple of months.

Lots of things I've found and loved bundled into one!

The Base

So I've never spoken about the Dr.Jart BB cream before but it's incredible. It feels like it does wonders for your skin, it has a beautiful glow to it with a dewy finish and it's SPF 25. It just makes you look instantly healthy. Annoyingly it only comes in one shade so it's more of a summer product for me as I'm usually super duper pale. But don't get me wrong, it's not dark and will work for most people, I'm just the whitest person ever. It's often on offer so I'd suggest waiting to get the best price.

I've been wearing this just with the Collection concealer and sometimes a dusting of MAC Mineralize SkinFinish (which I couldn't find to photograph).

As for the All Nighter Setting Spray, you need this in summer. My skin used to eat make-up.

Cheeks

Mary-Lou Manizer is a bit of a full on highlighter. You need the smallest amount but it's stunning.

NARS Laguna is just, well, a classic bronzer. Love it.

Eyes

I was looking for a highstreet eye primer and came across the Soap and Glory one which definitely makes a difference. I put my most used MAC shades in quad and recently the look I go for is Naked Lunch all over, Charcoal Brown and Soba in the crease and Mulch for a smokey look in the evenings.

Lips

The YSL in Peach Passion is my go to summer shade. I think it's definitely worth the money. Recently I've found Macaroon by Topshop which is a pink shade with a bit of peach to it which I think is lovely too!

Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Soap & Glory It's About Prime

NARS Laguna Bronzer

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Waterproof

Topshop Macaroon Lipstick

YSL Rouge Volupte Peach Passion

MAC Quad inc. Charcoal Brown, Naked Lunch, Soba & Mulch

Real Techniques Blusher Brush

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Zoeva 104 Buffer

Zoeva 227 Soft Definer (x2)

Zoeva 231 Petit Crease

MAC 266

xox

Face Masks

Skincare add-ons

So a couple of weeks ago I did a post on my basic skincare routine and it was exactly that, basic. It featured the five products I use every single day but on other days I add to my routine. So I decided it might be a good idea to do one or two add-ons to that post with treatment products, starting with masks.  

I chose to write about the two masks I reach for the most. One is perfect for when your skin is feeling dry and needs some life put back into it, the other great to really clean the skin and stop breakouts.

The moisturise boost

Origins Drink Up Intensive, Overnight mask. - 100ml, £22
I have dry skin and had my eye on this for so long. It's a little bit on the pricey side but it's been lasting me really well. It's called a 'mask' but I literally just slap it on at night and wash off in the morning so it's a great no fuss product. I use this probably once a week or more if my skin is looking a bit dull.
This is something you can really see the benefits of instantly. The next morning after using it my skin is so hydrated and looks more plump, it really is wonderful.
The big bonus is that it smells amazing. Apricots and Mango. Delicious.

On a side note: If this is a little too pricey for you the Soap and Glory Beauty Sleep Accelerator isn't the exact same but I do find it very similar. It also has the same wonderful texture and smell.

The Deep Clean

Super Facialist by Una Brennan, Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask what a mouthful - £8.99
I think it's always good to use a clay mask regularly and this is the one I always go to. Does the job at a wonderful price, what's not to love? It leaves your skin really clean and feeling fresh without drying it out. I use it once a week too and leave it on for five minutes before washing off. Absolutely love it, reduces breakouts as well as clearing any.

Two products that do exactly what I want from masks. However that won't stop me. Next to try on my wish list is the REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask and of course the famous Aesop Parsley Seed Masque!

Getting NARSissist

For those that don't know the NARSissist Palette was released in stores yesterday (to John Lewis and NARS counters excluding Space NK). The largest eyeshadow palette they've released containing 15 of their best-selling shades. It was a big deal, to say the least.

 However, I left London on the Friday and left the task of getting one to my sister. Ahhh my sister, 

what a hero.

 I spent my morning sat in a dark corner, biting my nails, shaking, awaiting a phone call to say it was mine.

 At 1.58 disaster struck...

"They told the lady at the front of the queue that they're sold out, but John Lewis has 50 left! I'M RUNNING NOW"

Imagine the emotions that ran through me. When my phone rang again I was unsure whether to answer. I let it ring thinking "What if she was unsuccessful, would I be able to handle the news?".  I had to be strong.

I answered.

"I just got the last one they had in the cupboard".

Haha, so maybe that was a bit of an extreme introduction but it's true. To me this is the biggest make-up release in a really long time and I'm not surprised everybody went crazy for it. 

If you travel as much as I do you'll also love this for its size and packaging. For 15 shades it's incredibly sleek and they waste no space. In most palettes they include a brush and I'm so glad this doesn't. I think 9/10 brushes that come with a palette are awful and even then I'll always have one I prefer. All it means is I have a bulky palette but only need 70% of it.
For £50 it's a splurge item for me but I'm really happy with it. Each pan has just less than 1g of eyeshadow so it has a worth of about £91. So not bad at all.

I've seen mixed reviews on the quality of the shadows in this palette but I have no problems with mine. The colours transfer beautifully. I'm already crazy in love with Fez and I've only owned it for a day. Other shades I've been using are Bellissima, Nepal and Coconut Grove. There's also not a single shade I don't like. I think the range of colours is absolutely perfect, you can really achieve any look. I used it last night when I went to a Strictly Come Dancing themed party and today for a casual look. 

If this is out of your price range then I wouldn't worry - I still love my Urban Decay palettes just as much and they do achieve similar looks! I just simply couldn't help myself!

If you've tried any other eyeshadow palettes you love, please share and let me know!

January Favourites

Why have I always felt the need to write an intro for these?
It's my favourite beauty items from January.. 

MAC Lipstick in Chatterbox (Amplified) - £15

This was in my stocking at Christmas (thanks Santa!) and although I'd seen the colour in pictures and wanted to try it, I had no idea how beautiful it really was. It might even be my favourite lipstick ever, it's definitely up there. It's creamy and a fantastic lipstick, as always from MAC, but oh my the colour! It's a bright colour but I think incredibly wearable even for the day.

I am sorry, but you need this.

Zoeva Brushes Starting at around £5

So these are a German brand and because they were so cheap I didn't mind getting them direct and paying for the shipping. Seriously they're worth it and arrived so quick! They're such good quality for the price and I'm so impressed with them. They don't shed any hairs and withhold their shape (and I'm talking seriously, I clean my brushes in IPA). They've just released new sets so worth checking those out. I personally love 104 Buffer (as you can tell by the colour of it, gross), the 227 Soft Definer and the 102 Silk Finish.

Clinique City Block Sheer SPF 25 - £17

Yes, I moved to London and immediately bought this. And yes, I'm a complete sucker and the beauty industry makes a fortune from me. I'd heard good things and was looking for a daily SPF to put under foundation. I'm a really pale skin and should always wear an SPF despite the weather, which I never used to do. This also comes in SPF 40 and it's beautifully lightweight. It has a sheer tint, but it's honestly sheer that even men could use this. However for very dark skins I'd say to try it first as it may give a grey look. I love it and think it actually works well as a primer or by itself to brighten the face.

Jessica Quick Dry Oil - £9.55 

Bought this on a whim because I hate waiting for my nails to dry and now I can't paint them without it. There's other products out there that claim the same thing but this is the first I've tried. It's revolutionary.  Well, it dries your nails super quick. I don't know how I lived without it.

All new finds this month and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Have you tried any new products that you've loved?

New Home

 No, I haven't disappeared off the face of the world. I temporarily disappeared off the blogosphere.

Why? Because I've just moved to London. 

So I've left home for the first time and moved to the capital city. As a country girl I can tell you it takes a little time to adapt to this (see picture above). I can actually walk to shops, mind blowing I know. 

I've also started studying at Greasepaint and I'm currently on the TV, Film & Theatre course. Which is something I've wanted to do since I was 15 and here I am doing it. It's impossible not to love every second of it.

So adapting to London life and starting an intense course is a good enough excuse for the lack of blog posts, SURELY? Ahh if only that was the reason.

 I've actually had no internet until now and a slight case of writers block.

I don't know where to start and I don't know what to write about.

However this is the most exciting part of my life so far and so I'm going to share it.

Here's some things I've been up to:

Seeing people remove Christmas trees the "london way".

Going to great coffee shops.

Lots...

And wearing beards. You know, the usual.

So I'm a little rusty at blogging, so what?

Back soon!

Basic Skincare Routine

For the past 6 months I've been investing more money into my skincare and finding a good routine (which used to be a make-up wipe and slapping on nivea). Without a doubt it's worth the time and money because looking after your skin in the long run, will pay off big time. There's only so much make-up can do, a good base is so important.

Here's my basic routine at the moment and the products I'm currently in love with:

Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm - £21

For £21 it's not cheap but it's certainly not as expensive as other cleansing balms that do the same thing. Also because it's a balm a little goes a long way, personally I think this is a very good price for what you get.

 This will take ALL your make-up off and it will do it effortlessly. It's for all skin types and even works for those with sensitive skin as it's not fragranced. I literally rub it into my eyelashes and it does not irritate even slightly. 

To use: Take a small amount, and massage into face (dry) over all make-up. Use a flannel or muslin cloth to wash away. I keep mine with a stack of cloths so I have a clean one for every day. 

After cleansing I go to:

Pixi Glow Tonic - £16

This is my go to toner, it's amazing, it's so cheap and I'm really sorry it's a bitch to get hold of!

This sorts out any of my dry and flaking patches of skin, it will really help if you're prone to break outs, it's just an amazing exfolliator. 

However, I also use the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfolliant (it lives at my boyfriends place) and I LOVE it! Little bit more expensive than pixi glow at £17 for 150ml but much easier to get your hands on.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Agent - £17 for 100ml

I have a tiny 50ml bottle that I got from the skincare starter set (worth a buy if you haven't used Aveda before) that seems to be lasting me ages. This is a toner I use on days when I'm taking a break from Pixi glow, or over Pixi glow. I can't really explain why I love it so much, but I really do. 

I love that it's a spray?! But honestly it's a great product that makes a difference. Lovely for dry skin. 

Hydraluron - £24.99

A hideous price but a great product, make sure you look out for when it's on offer at Boots. It's a serum you put on before moisturising and it absorbs instantly and absorbs your moisturiser. Works great with my dry skin, gives my skin a lovely plump appearance!

Origins Make A Difference + - £34

This is a new addition to my collection so I won't go into it too much. So far so good, feels lovely on the skin and really moisturising. I don't think you can go wrong with Origins when looking for a moisturiser.

I use it morning and night!

So that's it, my basic daily skincare routine! I think the most important part of skincare is that it is a routine, you need to stick to it. Even when you're tired or a make-up wipe is nearer! Do any of these ring a bell? Let me know what products you are using, I'd love to get some recommendations!