Paris Haul

In my mind a trip Paris would not be complete without a trip to Sephora and a Pharmacy. So when I went for two nights away both were at the top of my list. I first went to Sephora in the Champs Elysees, their flagship store, there is no other way to put it but that store was packed so be prepared, because you have got to fight for what you want. It is best to know what you want, when going to Sephora as I found the sales assistants to be not that helpful.

 

 

 On to what I got, there were a few brands that I would have like to have got some products from but unfortunately were not there. The first thing I picked up was a palette that I have wanted for ages and it is the Too Faced Chocolate Bar, a palette that for me is quite simply stunning as it offers 16 beautiful shade ranging from matte to shimmer, all of the shadows are highly pigmented, easy to blend and have a good staying power. This palette is also great for chocolate lovers as well as makeup lovers as it looks and smells of chocolate.

I also picked up the Smashbox photo finish primer water, I actually intended to get one of the Urban Decay setting sprays but got this one instead as this one has been talked about more recently. Having get oily throughout the day spraying a water on to my face made me think this might make me more glowly, but having tried this a few times I find that it helps to keep my makeup on longer rather than add a glow.

 

As I needed to get a new mascara I decided to get the highly talked about Better than Sex mascara by Too Faced, a mascara that I have not tried yet, let alone even opened yet but will publish a post soon about it.

One of the products I had to get my hands on was the Makeup Forever Step One Mattifying Primer, a primer that I need to try out more as I was a bit excited about the Smashbox Water Primer.

Next product I got was the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On eye pencil in the shade Roach, a pencil that I can safely say I am in love with as it stays on for ages, as the name suggests, the colour Roach is a beautiful deep brown shade with a slight shimmer to it. The pencil in general is great as it can be used on the waterline, as a primer, or as you would use a gel or liquid eyeliner.

The last two products I got from Sephora were in the dreaded queue whilst waiting to pay for your products. The first is the Sephora smoothing and brightening powder a translucent powder that when used on top of your highlight makes a real difference as it just makes it pop a little more. Last is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Hand Treatment.   

 

 

The next part of my Paris haul are the products I got in the Pharmacies, again it is best to do your research before you enter as it can be quite overwhelming with all of these products staring back at you and you not having a clue. Of course I picked up the Bioderma Micellaire Solution which I believe that once you have tried it once you will never look back. As it removes all traces of makeup in a flash, I got 3 as tow are for me and one is for my Mum as she has not tried it yet.

I then picked up of course the Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentre, a nourishing cream that is perfect for any dry patches or dry skin.

The next purchase was a recommendation from Amelia Liana saying that this has helped clear up her skin, it is the La Roche Posay Serozine, as spray toner that is specially for oily problem skin after just two uses I find that it is very quick to sink in to the skin and that it leaves your skin less oily.

 

Next I picked up the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo +, a cream that I have tried before but decided that I should try it again, as I got drawn in to the excellent reviews again.

My second to last product I got was the Nuxe Reve De Miel lip balm, a product that I quite simply amazing as it is so rich but not sticky at the same time, it also lasts for such as long time and a little goes along way. 

My last product was the Avene Cleanance Solaire SPF 50, a sun cream that is specially designed for oily acne prone skin, I knew this was one of the products I had to get my hands on as the skin type is suited for me and also because it is best to start using sun creams as soon as possible as it can help reduce wrinkles.

 

My last and most exciting product is the Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel, I didn't get it in Sephora but wanted to go to some place special so I decided to get it from Galeries Lafayette. With a sheer stroke of luck I got the last one and I couldn't be more happier with it. As it is the perfect shade of bronze to wear underneath your makeup or over the top. 

 

Best Lippies at the moment

I have never really been a fan of wearing lipstick, lip liner or lip gloss , but recently I have been wearing products on my lips non stop. In this blog post I'm going to show you what I have been loving recently.

My two favourite lip liners have been both from Rimmel who probably have the best lip liners from the high-street, they are both from the exaggerate collection and are in the shade Eastend snob and Addiction. I decided to get Eastend Snob as I found everyone was talking about it to friends at college, to my favourite Youtuber's and I can see why as it is the perfect pink but not too in your face, in a way it reminds me of a Kylie Jenner lip colour. 

The next colour is Addiction as it was a dark-ish brown which is what I was looking in a lip colour, I find both of these lip liners great as they offer a great range of colours, and the colours do stay on for ages due to the waxy ingredients.

 

My next two favourite lippie products are lipsticks from Essence and Mac. the first from Essence is the Long Lasting Lipstick from the Nude collection in the shade Come Naturally. A beautiful mauve shade with a hint of purple, a interesting shade that I find is stunning I find the lipsticks from Essence are amazing quality, a great range of shades, they are very moisturising and don't dry out the lips.  

 

My last favourite lippie product has been quite a talked about lipstick on the internet recently and that has been Velvet Teddy by Mac. It is the perfect beige toned lipstick with its Matte finish that sounds off putting, don't let it put you off as it is the perfect nude that can go with any look and it last for such a long time that it is unreal.

 

Dedicated to Helen !!!

Space NK Haul

One of my birthday gifts was a Space NK voucher and as soon as I set eyes on it I had to go and spend it, so on Friday that it what I did. I had my mind set on getting the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder, the perfect grey toned contour powder to give a natural finish. As I went over the stand I was greeted by a tiny amount of product for such a lot of money.

 After I decided not to get the sculpting powder I went over to the Nars counter, a brand that has so many product I would love to get my hands on.

After a while gazing I decided to get the Multiple in the shade Portofino. A multiple is a saviour for frequent travellers as it is a product that can be used on the eyes, cheeks and lips. The shade Portofino is a beautiful rosy shade with a hint of shimmer, but when blended in to the skin turns in to a slight sheen. The formula of these are lovely as they provide plenty of colour and are also very blendable.

One of the main things I wanted to get from Space NK was a sculpting/contouring powder, but was put off by Kevyn Aucion, so Nars offered the contouring blush where you get a lot more product for your money. I got mine in the shade Paloma, a light brown matte shade perfect for giving your face in the hollows of your cheekbones, the contouring blush also comes with a highlighting powder but one that I prefer to most brands are offering as it is matte !!!! As it is matte it is softly drawing light to the high points of your face. I find the best two brushes to apply this contouring powder is the Real Techniques contour brush and also the Nars ITA brush.

Birthday Haul and other bits

At the start of the month it was my 17th Birthday, and today I thought I would show you some of the makeup presents I received.

 

One of the gifts I received was the Nars ITA brush, a brush that I have swooned over for years but have never wanted to take the plunge, so I thought I would take a chance and ask it for my birthday. All I can say is that it is amazing it is such good quality and helps give you an amazing contour, it fits perfectly under your cheekbones and your jawline, if you are thinking of getting one I would say go for it.

Another brush I received was the Real Techniques Bold Metal eye brush in 200. I series of brushes I wanted to try out when they came out, they are noticeably heavier compared to other brushes. But like the regular Real Techniques brushes they are amazing quality. The 200 brush is perfect for blending eye shadow or a light wash of colour on the lids.

The last makeup bits I got were all from Mac, I received another Face and Body foundation but in the shade C1, because C2 was noticeably darker for my skin tone. For me face and body is a great foundation as you can control the amount of coverage you would like, from very sheer to buildable medium.

My second product I got from Mac is the matte lipstick in the shade Velvet Teddy, a lipstick I have wanted to get my hands on for a while, because this lipstick is a matte finish it looks matte but does not have the drying finish that we expect. The shade is a perfect nude to wear with any looks and I have been wearing it not stop since I got my hands on it.

The two things I got in terms of makeup for my birthday were two of the new Mac times nine eye shadow palettes, in the shades Amber and Burgundy. I personally think this is a great way to try out some of the Mac eye shadows without paying the full price and then finding out you don't like it. All of the palettes can take you from Day to Nights looks. 

 

 

The last two things in my haul were things that I didn't get for my birthday. The first were the Doctor Marten boots in Pascal, not everyone like Doctor Marten boots but I personally love them as this is my third pair, I find they are soo comfy, they go with everything I wear but overall I think they are fantastic.

 

 

The last in this haul is the Topshop boxy tote in Black, I fell in love with this bag as soon as I saw it nearly everyone I know says that it looks quite small but I think it should not be underestimated as I think it is the perfect size, not too big and not too small.

 

Spring Watch: Cream Eyeshadows

Cream Eye shadows, perfect for spring and summer, with their staying power, quick to apply and colours ranges to suit anyone. I thought I would share with you some of my favourites.

 

 

Cream shadows can come in pencil or pot forms, with the more recognizable in pencil for being the NYX jumbo eye pencils. As they are insanely easy to apply and have a great colour range they appeal to makeup lovers and non makeup lovers, who are looking for a quick application of colour to the lids. The jumbo eye pencils have a great pigmentation with milk being the most famous as it can provide a plain base for any look.

 

 

The next cream eye shadow I have in pencil form is the Modelsprefer Infinite Colour Shadow pencil in the shade Oh Fudge. A pencil that I can't fault as it is amazingly pigmented, very creamy so it can provide a sticky base for any look and has great staying power. I feel the colour Oh Fudge can be used as a base to help create a dark smoky eye, or applied all over the eye and blended in the crease.

 

 

The next two products are the most affordable and one of the best products on the high street and that being Maybelline Colour Tattoo in the shades On and On Bronze and Permanent Taupe. They have a great colour range, and one of my favourite colours being On and On Bronze a shade that reminds me of Woodwinked by Mac but in cream form.

 

Next is Smashbox Limitless 15 hour wear cream shadow in the shade Gemstone, a shade that I have in previous posts tried to example but have come to the conclusion of it, being a pink with a slight hint of grey with also a subtle hint of shimmer. Having only one of the Smashbox cream eye shadows I feel like I definitely have to get some more soon, as from what I have seen they have a great range of neutrals.

My last cream eye shadow is one of my favourites by far as it is the Mac Prolong wear paint pot in Constructivist. An amazing deep creamy brown that again as previous cream shadows can be worn alone or as a base to any eye look. 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

When Urban Decay announced they would my bringing out a third instalment of the cult favourite naked palette, no one knew what to expect so when it was released we were met with 12 rose toned eye shadows. When I first saw it took me some time to like it, as it was very different from the previous warm and cool toned palettes. 

Urban Decay have followed previously from the Naked 2 with the tin packaging but this time it is a pinky grey colour. The 12 eye shadows range from matte, shimmer and satin finish shadows, each well pigmented and have great lasting power.

The first four eye shadows are Strange, Dust, Burnout and Limit. Strange is the perfect matt creamy white perfect as a base or a subtle highlight.

Dust is a light shimmery pink that has silver reflexes running throughout it in different lights.

Burnout is very similar to Dust but is a bit more peachy toned rather than pink.

Limit is a matte pinky, purply grey toned shadow perfect to add slight definition to the eyes.

 The next four eye shadows are probably my favourite throughout the palette. They are Buzz, Trick, Nooner and Liar.

Buzz is the perfect shimmery pink that leaves the eyes with a foiled finish, with silver shimmer running through it.

Trick my favourite eye shadow in the palette in some lights this shadow looks rose gold toned and in others it looks much more copper toned.

Nooner another matte shadow however this one is more pinky brown shade, in one quick sweep this one could give you perfect definition in a flash.

Liar to me this shadow in the ban doesn't look much but when swatched and on the eye looks amazing, it is a muted pink with brown undertone to it.

The last four eye shadows in the palette are the darkest, they are Factory, Mugshot, Darkside and Blackheart.

Factory, a rich brown shade with a hint of pinky shimmer.

Mugshot, is a warm brown shade with a metallic silver reflex to it. This is a shade I need to use more often as it would look perfect on its own or in a brown smoky eye.

Darkside a deep purple shade with a hint of shimmer to make it not look to dark and scary.

The last shade is probably the most unusual Blackheart a matte black but with red micro glitter throughout it, perfect to spice up any smoky eye.

 Overall it has taken me some time to love the Naked 3 Palette but I'm glad I do now love it, as I don't have any other pinky toned eye shadows. Out of palettes 2 and 3 I don't think I could choose which one I like the best as both of them offer a great range of colours, and an endless amount of looks to create.

 

 

The bloggers made me do it

As soon as Kylie Jenner told everyone she was using Nip and Fab products, the blogging community went crazy as Nip and Fab products are very affordable and offer a range of products suiting to any skincare need. 
Kylie stated that some of her favourite products were from the Glycolic Fix Range, a range that helps to create a brighter clearer complexion, a range which I needed to try out.

I first started off by trying the exfoliating facial pads, a product that after the first use I loved, as they noticeably made a difference to my skin as it cleared away some on of the marks on my face from previous spots. The pads contain Glycolic Acid which helps to retexture the surface, to make it more smooth, Hyaluronic acid which refreshes and moisturises the skin and blue daisy which helps to calm everything down.

My next product is probably one of my favourites as it is a real multi-tasker, it is the Deep Cleansing Fix. A cream that can be used as an on spot treatment, an overnight mask, to remove makeup, a 10 minute mask. A little amount of the cream goes a long way and after using it seems to leave a slight film on my face, which some my not like but if you have dry skin it would be perfect as it would help to lock in moisture. The cream contains tea tree oil to help cleanse the pores and sweet almond oil to keep the skin nourished.

My last product is the Glycolic Fix Serum, a product that provides that extra boost in my skincare. The serum contains 4% Glycolic which really help to brighten the skin and minimise spots. When I use this product before bed I have to let it sink in to my skin as my skin feels quite tacky from where the product is sinking in to my skin.

Overall since using the Nip and Fab products I feel that my skin has become much clearer and better.