Holy grail skin products

Introducing my most repurchased skin/body items. Definitely a signal of holy grail status.

First up is a vanilla body butter from The Body Shop. Despite loving the strawberry and shea butter versions, I seem to always have the vanilla one in my stash. I adore the scent, it is luxuriously thick in consistency, it melts into the skin instantly and makes the skin so bloody soft.

Tea tree water by bath-bomb mavericks Lush is a holy grail skincare product of mine. It is classified as a toner and is targeted towards oily or blemish prone skin. I am the latter and I can 100% vouch for this product and claim it has helped clear and improve my skin. I spritz a little onto a cotton pad each morning and evening and it is incredibly cooling and refreshing, does not leave any tacky residue and most importantly it does not irritate or break me out. Hallelujah!

Lastly is a rather pricy moisturiser in the form of Clinique moisture surge. This little pot of goodness is perfect at hydrating dry skin. On the average day I would say I have combination skin - by midday my t-zone gets a little shiny with the rest of my face staying relatively matte. Recently, however, my skin has done a complete u-turn and has become incredibly dry and flakey (not easy to work with!) and this moisturiser has helped so much. I am going through these like there is no tomorrow, but I am partial to slather layers on before bed which is not cost effective. I blame the English weather.

I am definitely getting better at making my reviews more concise and less rambly. After all, I prefer short and to the point reviews. Have a great week - and I hope everyone effected by the flooding is safe.

Clinique Discolorations Superprimer review

When Clinique launched their new range of Superprimers I was super excited. I adore Clinique skincare so I wasn't sceptical at all with trying them. Released in six variations, each primer is targeted towards a specific skin concern. From covering redness to brightening the skin there is a primer for every skin need.

In all honesty, I could have bought any of the variations (perhaps not the one for deeper skin tones!) and they would have helped. However for trial purpose, I opted for the Discolouration version. It is designed to even out the skin tone whilst helping cover up any blemish or acne scars. And so far I am really happy. I find this primer does help cover up any current spots or old acne scarring marks by evening the skins overall colour. It also makes the skin feel extremely soft making foundation application much quicker and smoother. The product is a bright orange, yet doesn't transfer orange onto the skin. It quickly blends and feels super lightweight. 

My only criticism…it contains a lot of silicone ingredients. My skin is extremely sensitive to silicones, yet I wanted to try the product as I read many reviews of people with a similar skin tone as myself having found no problems. But, for me, I'm not so sure. I have broken out recently but this could be due to hormones, so I will report back. 

If you are lucky enough to be okay with silicones, then this primer is absoultely amazing. If you are sensitive to silica properties, I would suggest you stay clear.

Benefit Hello Flawless! Oxygen Wow Foundation in Ivory (I'm Pure 4 Sure) Review

It seems as though I have gone on a foundation purchasing spree. First I bought (and have already reviewed) the Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation, then in the same outing I picked up both NARS Sheer Glow and Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow. Today I'll be reviewing the Benefit offering and will most likely follow up with a review of the Sheer Glow.

First and foremost, I huge Benefit fan and I use their face products on an everyday basis - Hoola bronzer is my absolute must have and I am never without a tube of They're Real mascara. So I was excited to try out their first liquid foundation.

And so far I really do like it. The formula is super light-weight - more so than L'Oreal True Match which is very thin in consistency - which makes application so easy as it just blends into the skin. In my opinion the coverage is fairly light, but you can layer it up for a medium coverage and just use a little extra concealer on any imperfections. Hello Flawless evens out the skin and reduces redness all whilst creating a luminous and healthy looking complexion - and thankfully it does not cling to any dry patches, making it the perfect winter/spring foundation. I love to use it with either a Sigma F80 or Real Techniques buffing brush as it gives slightly more coverage, or if I want a light coverage using your fingers or a sponge makes it look super natural.

The foundation does contain an SPF of 25 so I would avoid using it in the evenings in case of major flashback. Also, it is only available in 9 shades - I have mine in the shade Ivory (I'm Pure 4 Sure) and, currently, it is way too light for me.

Overall, I really do recommend this foundation if you're in the market for something that is lightweight, provides light to medium coverage and creates a luminous, light-reflecting glow. I can see this being my go-to foundation during the summer, as well.

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in A-Lister Review

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2014 be the best year yet!

Benefit are definitely becoming one of my favourite brands. The packaging of each item is always fun and I adore their products just as much. I have tried their foundations, mascaras, blushers and Hoola bronzer is my absolute must have and love and use them all religiously. Surprisingly I have never tried any Benefit lip products, so I thought I would start my journey with a lipgloss - 'cause a girl can never enough...

The colour I opted for is called "A Lister" and is a part of the Ultra Plush Lipgloss collection. The range features six shades: Lollipop (a bright) hot pink, Kiss You (a deep fuchsia), Icebreaker (clear), Fauxmance (soft berry red), A Lister (bubblegum pink) and Poutrageous! (a bright pink/coral). First of all, I love the names! And secondly, I love the product. The one I have, A Lister, is described as a bubblegum pink and is most definitely that. The shade is an opaque light pink and, for a lipgloss, is surprisingly pigmented. What I love the most is that it isn't at all sticky. On it's own I find it lasts around 2-3 hours before I feel the need to reapply. I also enjoy layering it on top of a boring nude lipstick as it seems to bring it to life and give it a pink glossy finish. Overall, I am super impressed with these and I think I will be picking up some other shades. They cost £14.50 each, which, I have to be honest, is a little expensive for a lipgloss, but as you can see from the photo above, you do get a lot of product and you only need a little bit for a great colour payoff. I do recommend :)

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige Review

I was in the market for a new high end foundation; one for those special occasions and one that I can always count on to make my skin look amazing. As I do before buying any new product (high end or drugstore for that matter) I took to Google and began searching for the best high end foundations that fit my ideal criteria of having high coverage that is not matte. I narrowed it down to two popular choices - NARS Sheer Glow and Laura Mercier Silk Creme. I went with the latter for the reason that the Laura Mercier offering has a much higher coverage. Sold!

After getting colour matched I happily walked out of Space NK desperate to go home and try it. I picked up the shade "Bamboo Beige" which is described as a warm golden beige for light to medium skin tones and it matches perfectly. For reference, I typically wear Mac NC25 or Esteé Lauder Double Wear in Desert Beige. I looked online and saw that it is the fourth darkest shade. For a high end foundation they only offer ten shades which isn't that impressive.

I have been trialing this foundation over the past two weeks and I really am mixed about what I think of it. The coverage is great - near enough full coverage that literally creates a flawless canvas - and you only need a little to cover the entire face. As it is a cream formula, hence the name, it does make the texture extremely thick and, in a way, uncomfortable. I would say that is it slightly heavier that Double Wear by Esteé Lauder (...and that is saying something!) Fuller coverage foundations have more pigments than lower coverage foundations so I can understand the reason why it feels heavier on the skin. So let's dismiss the thickness of the foundation and move onto finish.

One of the USP's that encouraged me to choose this foundation over the Sheer Glow offering was for the luminous finish it apparently gives. And it is really pretty and for a high coverage foundation it is impressive how much light it gives to the complexion. Unfortunately, it clings to dry skin like crazy. Like I said before, I research into new products and read the foundation suits people with combination to oily skin. I have combination skin and, despite moisturising and using Hydraluron before application, I still found this foundation so drying on areas where I suffer from blemishes. Around the blemishes it was extremely drying - almost flakey! - and just did not look pretty. I was a little confused as full coverage foundations are *primarily* targeted towards those who want to cover up imperfections and, in my experience, the extreme thick texture of this foundation, highlighted any dry areas on the face, thus making any blemishes more obvious.

Thankfully, the product did not break me out which tends to happen when I switch up my foundations. I do think this is one of those products I will completely adore in a few months and one that needs a little more persevering and trial and error. Perhaps due to the weather I am not a fan and in the summer it may be a joy to use. I'll probably do a follow up post in a few months! Currently I am browsing the Space NK website, hovering over the "add to basket" on the NARS Sheer Glow...

PS. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and successfully braved the Boxing Day sales if you did go. Have a great new year!

Winter Lip Care

I love the winter season. Wearing thick wooly jumpers with a hundred layers, the white hot chocolates at Starbucks in the classic red cups, opening the advent calendar every morning and all the prep leading up to the big day. One thing I don't like, however, is the weather. The cold seriously takes it's toll on my skin during the December month whereby no amount of moisturiser or specially formulated moisture-increasing treatment will keep my skin hydrated. And with someone who generally deals with combination skin, it is a little disconcerting! For skin, I use Hydraluron followed by Clinique Dramatically Different moisturising lotion and Garnier moisture renew. For lips, I have several favourite products that work absolute wonders during the winter.

Lip scrubs are a must in the winter to get rid of all the nasty dead skin cells collected. Afterwards your lips feel so much softer and make any further lipstick application appear more even and, well, nicer. My favourite for the job is by Lush and tastes like strawberry candy. I have a few favourite lip treatments. During the day I love to apply the Nivea Lip Butter in caramel cream as it just tastes so nice. I also carry around the original Carmex and for a little bit of colour I adore the vast selection of Baby Lips by Maybelline. For a lip balm they are fairly pigmented and give a wash of colour. Pictured is my favourite out of the punch, pink punch. During the evenings and before I go to bed, I always apply a thick layer of Blistex Intense Moisturiser. I have to be honest here; it tastes really bad - almost clinical, if you know what I mean - and feels slightly weird on. However, it is possibly the most hydrating and moisturising lip treatment I have tried and works wonders over night. It does leave a white cast to the lips as it is so thick, so I wouldn't suggest wearing this during the day! 

So there we have it. This will probably be my last post before Christmas so I hope you all have a wonderful day. I can't wait to stay inside, watch Christmassy films and eat loads of yummy foods. Enjoy your day, stay safe and merry Christmas! :)

Topshop Lip Crayon in Coy

Whilst in Topshop the other day I thought I'd go over and check out their makeup range. I have never tried of the products before, but I have read many reviews in which most people highly rate the products they've tried. After a little research, I decided I would try one of the lip crayons. I went for the most popular shade "coy" - a vivid coral based pink.

It is incredibly bright. Personally I adore the colour - it literally reminds me of summer. In my opinion it definitely is not an everyday winter shade as it does look a little neon once applied (no joke), but for a night out and particularly for in summer, it will look amazing.

However, I hate the formula. I did read on some blogs that said it was drying. But not that drying. Even though I exfoliated and moisturised my lips before, it still looked incredibly drying and cakey. It felt so uncomfortable to wear I had to remove it instantly which is such a shame because the colour is so unique.

Thumbs down.

November Beauty Favourites

A slightly late monthly favourites, but it's better late than never, right?

Starting of with the beauty favourites, I have been using the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot powder every single day. I purchased it a while back but found it way too matte. But now, paired with a light reflecting foundation, it keeps oils at bay for the majority of the day and I really do like it. As drugstore powders go, it is definitely one of my favourites. On my eyes I have been lining my waterline using Facinating Eye Kohl by Mac. It is basically just a white eyeliner, but it lasts all day and really opens up the eyes giving a more awake appearance. Rubenesque paint pot also by Mac is another favourite this month. On skin with a slight tan, the bronze undertones accentuate the colour and just looks amazing. Paint pots act as a great base by increasing the longevity of eyeshadows. 

Ever since I bought the Flair for Finery cremesheen lipglass I have been using it religiously on top of one of my favourite lipsticks, Angel. Both by Mac, both super wearable. Together they make the perfect pink based nude lip combination.

The primer I have been using everyday has been the L'Oreal Lumi Magique pure light primer which has become undoubtably my favourite primer to date. It is incredibly lightweight, feels amazing on the skin and literally brings the skin to life by creating a light reflecting radiance. I love pairing the primer with a matte foundation as it completely transforms the look - read this! It is just as good as the Laura Mercier offering.

My two skincare favourites this month have been Hydraluron (no surprise there) and a rediscovery in the La Roche Effaclar Mat moisturiser. I have dedicated a whole blog post on why I adore Hydraluron and why I think everyone should own it, so check that out. The La Roche Posay Effeclar Mat offering is a product I purchased a long time ago but when I first tried it, I was not a fan. Fast forward several months and I really do believe this helps control oils throughout the day and reduces sebum production - I only use this on my t-zone and use my Clinique moisturiser all over the face. I've really been enjoying pairing them together.

So there we have it. Normally in my monthly favourites post I include music, fashion and general favourites, yet it is already the 6th of December and I have other things to post. My December favourites will be jam packed though...

Lush Tea Tree Water Toner Water Review

I am not quite sure as to why I bought this product. I was in the Lush store in Bluewater picking up a new bubblegum lip scrub, saw this on the display and waltzed over to the checkout with it in hand. Tea tree is known for it's antibacterial nature and spot fighting properties. Even though it sounds like a wonder product for me who fights blemishes on a regular occurrence, I have certainly not had the best experience with other products using the same ingredient. Additionally, I have never been one for raving on about using toners in your skincare routine - honestly I have probably only ever tried one toner in my entire life. Evidently that didn't phase me and I bought the smallest 100g bottle to try out.

Without sounding too dramatic, I am so glad I bought this stuff. I normally use a skincare product for at least a couple months before reviewing it, but I have only been using this toner for just over a week and I can already see a difference in my skin. It has really helped clear up those pesky under the surface spots to an extent in which I can wear a tinted moisturiser and be content with how my skin looks. No concealer (except under the eyes, obviously). The ingredient of antiseptic acid has prevented my skin from gaining extra spots whilst also cleaning the skin after cleansing.

To use, I simply spray a little onto a cotton pad and apply it all over my face (avoiding the eye area). It feels super refreshing and gives a slight tingly sensation which, in my opinion, means something is actually happening! If you have active breakouts - ones you have recently aggravated - then it may sting, but not to the extent of pain. It does make the skin appear extremely red afterwards, but after a few minutes it should fade and you'll be left with perfectly clean skin.

After using this product I have realised how much of a necessity toner, in general, is in my skincare routine. Despite double cleansing in the evening, I still manage to remove scraps of makeup with the toner which just shows that cleansing does not clean everything. If you suffer from breakouts and are looking for a toner or a product that may help you out, I totally recommend this Lush tea tree toner.

Like I previously mentioned, as I have only been using it for just over a week, if anything changes or I have noticed anything, I will add to the end of this post. Have a great day and week x

L'Oreal Ever Riche Nourishing & Flowing Review

I find it really hard to discover shampoo and conditioner that doesn't aggravate my scalp. At one point, the only brand I could even attempt to use was Head & Shoulders which is possibly the least glamorous hair brand ever. Yes, it cleaned my hair which is the main purpose, yet nowadays hair products do and offer so much more than that. Since my hair has become a little more resilient to other brands, I've been using the TRESemme brand. I love all their shampoos and conditioners with my favourite being the salon silk line - they not only clean my hair but make it super soft and manageable for styling. Recently I have read so many reviews on the L'Oreal hair care line. I have never tried L'Oreal haircare, but as a huge fan of their skincare and makeup I thought I'd give the most blogged about L'Oreal Ever Riche a whirl.

So far I am really loving both the shampoo and conditioner. First of all I must address the scent. To me they both smell like vanilla with hints of macadamia and I absolutely love it. They are definitely the best smelling hair care products I have tried. Out of the different versions I opted for the "nourishing and flowing" duo and I am super happy with my choice. Not only do they make my hair feeling super soft to the touch but also tame a lot of the frizz I struggle with as well as making it easier for me to straighten and style in the morning. Thankfully they haven't aggravated my scalp so far *touch wood*!

Overall if you're looking for an affordable shampoo and conditioner that actually works, give the L'Oreal offerings a go. Both are normally £5.99, but you can always find them in special 3 for 2 offers! xo

REN Clarity Restoring Mask Review

Ever since I can remember REN skincare has been such a staple brand in my skincare routine. I religiously use the Clarifying Clay Cleanser every morning and evening and have done so for the past six months. When I first bought the cleanser I also picked up Clarity Restoring Mask from the same range and never actually got round to sharing my thoughts.

Marketed as an anti-blemish treatment and targeted at those with problem skin, the mask is said to combat the three key causes of breakouts and blemishes: excess sebum, the build up of dead skin cells and bacteria. It is said to visibly reduce blemishes and leave the skin looking clear, calm and even-toned by lightening the appearance of pigmented scars and reducing pore size and redness.

I've been using this for the past few months, twice a week, and it is really comfortable and refreshing to apply and wear. It isn't like your typical face mask whereby it dries and goes dry. Instead you just leave it on for 15 minutes and it is still the same as when you first applied it. Even though it is like I said more comfortable to wear on the skin, I do prefer masks where I can visibly see it removing dirt and actually clearing the skin. However, after the 15 minuets my skin does feel much cleaner without that "tight" feeling you get after some masks. I cannot comment on whether it lightens the appearance of pigmented scars, yet I do find it does reduce a little redness especially around my nose. The mask definitely does make your skin feel clean and refreshed, but honestly I don't think it has done anything to help with preventing breakouts which is unfortunate. Nevertheless I still enjoy using it and will continue to do so, I just follow it up with my favourite mask which does make a difference to my skin.

So, is it worth the £30? If you're on the hunt for a mask that will cure your blemish prone skin then this isn't for you. But if you are looking for a mask that will thoroughly clean and reduce a little redness, then this REN offering may be what you need. Skincare is tough to recommend so I hope this helped :)

Full Coverage, Luminous Foundation Routine

In foundations I tend to look for ones with medium to full coverage. But the problem I find is that I normally hate the finish of majority of them; way too matte, normally cling to dry areas and just don't look as nice as a lighter coverage, dewy finish foundation. And that's where specially formulated primers come into action.

Pairing a matte foundation with a dewy skin primer will give you the coverage of the foundation yet the appearance of luminous and fresh skin. My favourite for this is the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light primer. It's a white lotion with small light reflecting particles that instantly make the skin appear more awake. It absorbs really quickly and feels so lightweight and cooling on the skin, I love it. I do prefer it to the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer - this L'Oreal dupe is cheaper and just as effective.

The foundation that I love to pair the primer with is Esteé Lauder Double Wear. It is medium coverage that can be built up to a full coverage. The reason why I particularly love this pairing is because the Esteé Lauder foundation can be a little drying and, especially if you have dry skin, a radiant primer will help make any foundation in fact more comfortable to wear.

I suggest you give this primer a go, in particular if you love the Laura Mercier one and may want a cheaper alternative that's equally as good. You can pick it up for £9.99 at most stores x x x

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara Review

Brows are one of those features that complete any look. I use charcoal brown eyeshadow by Mac on an everyday basis as it's the perfect shade for dark brown hair and I set it with a clear brow gel also by Mac. I have never tried a coloured brow gel before so I thought I'd try the new Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara - it comes in three shades, I went for the darkest which is dark brown.

And I'm afraid to report there isn't a single aspect I can rave about for this product.

First of all the wand is a ridiculous shape. The majority of people have thicker eyebrows that lead into a thinner tail, right? Yet the bizarre circular wand tip of this mascara certainly is not suitable for this. As it is a dark colour - it really is hard to cover all the hairs, especially on the thinner areas, without getting it all on the skin! Regardless of the colour, I just don't think that it's a good brow mascara in general. Granted the majority of gels do make the eyebrows feel "crispy", but none are as a extreme as this. It seems to take a while to dry and the colour seems easily transferable if you don't wait for it to set.

I can most definitely see where Maybelline are coming from in terms of design with this product, but I just think the practicality of the wand just isn't there. All in all, I think I shall be sticking to my trusty clear Mac brow gel in the future. If you are interested in trying this, it costs £4.99 x x x

MAC Divine Night Flair For Finery lipstick and cremesheen lipglass

I was debating whether to post this as I believe both are already sold out on the Mac cosmetics website, but I have just checked other websites such as Debenhams, House of Fraser and Selfridges and they still have some of the products available. Hurry though, as they are limited edition!

By the way, I must start by saying the lipstick swatches on the website for this collection are horrifically wrong. On the website, the lipstick Flair for Finery appears as a medium, rose toned pink which is totally the opposite of what it is. Just make sure you research the shades before you buy online :)

Flair for Finery is the name of both the lipstick and cremesheen glass in the new Mac holiday collection called Divine Night. I would describe both as a light pink-based nude (just think of a hybrid of Creme D'Nude and Creme Cup). Basically, my idea of the perfect lip colour. The lipstick has really good colour payoff and, for a cremesheen formula, lasts a decent amount of time. And the cremesheen glass is really surprisingly pigmented and I absolutely adore the milky pink shade. Together they make a perfect nude lip.

I also love the packaging of the collection with gold accents instead of the regular silver. I'm not really a fan of completely revamped packaging (anyone remember the outrageous Hello Kitty collection?) so the simple addition of gold detailing this year looks really nice. My only criticism is not about the product itself but about the price! As they are limited edition the prices seem to rocket with the lipstick being £16.50 and the cremesheen glass at a crazy £19. Bit annoying, but all is redeemed by the shades.

Definitely check to see if they are still available online and in stores x

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub Review

It's nearing the winter season which means cold mornings, hideous weather and, unfortunately, dry skin and dry lips. Although I do love this time of year (bonfire night, Christmas and the new year), I am not particularly a fan of the weather. Today I thought I'd share my favourite lip treatment that will definitely come in handy during these next few months. Warning: you may get slightly addicted to the taste and just start eating it randomly and not actually use it for it's true purpose...

Lush have a range of lip scrubs that I think are amazing. They come in four amazing flavours including one that tastes like mint chocolate chip and one of actual popcorn. My favourite is the the bubblegum lip scrub which tastes like a hybrid of bubblegum (obviously) and candy floss. It's so tasty, I can't even describe.

What I love the most about these however are the fact they are edible and, once you've applied it, you literally get to eat it. They are obviously beneficial for your lips - by clearing dead skin and flakiness whilst leaving them moisturised and smooth - but, come on, skincare you can eat?!

They have just released a special limited edition flavour named Santa's Lip Scrub which apparently tastes just like coca-cola. A little random for a christmas scent, but I'm not complaining! You can pick these up for £5.50 at Lush stores and online x x x

Why you need Hydraluron in your routine

Everyones skincare routine is tailored to suit specific needs and requirements. Some may include a skin renewing serum whilst someone else may religiously use an acne treatment gel. There are some products, however, that I believe everyone should use, regardless of skin type and condition. Including this.

Hydraluron is a facial moisturise boosting serum used to increase skin hydration. Simple as that. The geniuses behind this product, Indeed Labs, are the first to produce a product containing a pure form of hyaluronic acid, the star ingredient that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The hyaluronic acid reaches deep skin layers to boost the skin's ability to moisturise itself whilst also minimising the appearance of deep wrinkles and improving skin's elasticity. The other key ingredient is red marine algae. Sounds gross, I know, but incredibly important as it increases cell turnover (when dead skin cells are replaced with younger, new ones), firmness, elasticity and smoothness. 

Applying the product couldn't be any easier. Simply apply a small amount of the serum onto clean skin before using any other creams, lotions and your moisturiser both in the morning morning and at evening. 

When I first tried it I was surprised at how non-sticky and how easily the product sinks into the skin. Marketed as a serum, and having used Esteé Lauder ANR, I assumed it would leave a slight greasy feel. Not the case. It dissolves instantly after working it in which is perfect for mornings if in a rush and perhaps don't have the time to wait. It has no scent which is what I love in skincare products and great for those with sensitive skin. Every time I use the product, especially at night, I can 100% see the improvement in my skin. For me, the main difference I notice is the change in texture and how much smoother and softer my skin is. It makes my skin look more awake, like I've had a caffeine kick.

The result? Hydrated, nourished and plumped up skin.

So far, I absolutely love this product and highly recommend to everyone. It's such a simple to use product that has insane, and noticeable, benefits. Check out Indeed Labs other products, too x x x

October favourites: Beauty, fashion, music

Happy first of the month!

It's favourites time yet again! October is definitely of one of my favourite months and I'm sad to see it ending, but it also signifies and brings into realisation that christmas is just around the corner (8 weeks, precisely). I have a wide array of favourite this month in all categories; beauty, fashion, music and, of course, randoms.

Starting with beauty favourites, I've been using Laura Mercier's oil free tinted moisturiser on a near enough everyday basis. I love how lightweight the product feels on the skin and yet still covers the majority of imperfections. I would class it as medium coverage with definitely the power to create fuller coverage. It's super easy to apply and helps to keep oils at bay for the whole day. Laura Mercier definitely know how to create perfect bases and this tinted moisturiser is one of my all time favourites in general.

Near enough all the rest of my beauty faves fit in the eye category. For my most used eyeshadow combo this month I have been loving applying Mac eyeshadow All That Glitters on the lid with Quarry quite heavily packed through the crease using a 217 brush. The 217 is the perfect tool for effortlessly applying colour to the crease and I can't live without it; I'm almost contemplating purchasing another. I have found myself reaching for L'Oreal's False Lash Telescopic more than my favourite American duo.  It lengthens the lashes like you would not believe and looks exceptionally amazing on the bottom lashes.

I've been wearing this Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade Tokyo and I really like it. The colour is a gorgeous rose pink and looks super pretty on. My only criticism is that, as they are so creamy, they don't have the best staying power and I find myself reapplying every hour or so. Annoying, but the colour is great.

- Urban Outfitters ecote motocross drape jacket, £68
- Zara checked shirt with contrasting collar, £25.99
- American Apparel corduroy circle skirt, £44
- Miss Selfridge gold trim faux leather biker jacket, £52
- American Apparel disco pants, £74

Autumn fashion basically involves layers. Now that we are transitioning into winter however I've been wearing tights with pretty much every outfit - yes, even with jeans. I get that cold. I love wearing tights with high waisted skirts, especially the American Apparel circle skirts (my favourites are burgundy and navy blue) - they come in very autumnal appropriate colours and go with almost anything. Collared shirts, in particular, look so cute tucked into skirts and very put together. This one by Zara, a tartan inspired checked shirt with contrasting white collar, is my absolute favourite. It can be simply dressed down by pairing it with dark skinny jeans or dressed up by adding leather shorts, black heels and statement jewellery.

Another go-to piece for autumn/winter has to be disco pants. For the best quality and colour range check out American Apparel (loving the cranberry colour)! Jackets are also a autumn into winter staple - not as warm as a fully lined coat, but still something for the cold weather. I love this Urban Outfitters ecote motocross drape jacket, it just looks amazing. For more warmth, faux leather jackets are a must. Pictured is a gorgeous biker jacket by Miss Selfridge which will go with almost every outfit and looks super stylish.

Music favourites!

I have been loving Miley Cyrus' album Bangerz which came out at the start of the month and especially the songs Maybe Your Right and Adore You. She has certainly received a negative reputation over the past few weeks, namely for her two recent music videos (you know the ones), but nevertheless the songs on her album are really well produced and executed. Definitely check my two favourites out, even if you're not particularly a fan of her. Haim's The Wire has been on repeat for this month. It's way too catchy and will get in your head and stay there for the whole day. I still love it regardless!

One of my closest friends has an obsession with the band Fall Out Boy. I never understood their obsession and wasn't a fan of their rock-esque music. Now after listening to their new album Save Rock and Roll I've completely my opinion. My favourite songs on the album are Young Volancoes and Just One Yesterday. Check out the full album here! Now it cannot be a proper music favourites without a One Direction song. Just yesterday they released Story Of My Life on iTunes and I have already played it over ten times. I'm so excited for their new album out at the end of November - hurry up!

Ok. I'll be honest. My "random" favourites this month hands down beat my fashion, beauty AND music favourites. And the collage above possibly is one of the most bizzare and unusual group of photos ever.

The first picture is of the cast of my new favourite show The Walking Dead. Quick synopsis: a group of Americans try to survive by killing zombies. Now I personally am not a fan of gore, and yes they didn't rate the show an 18 (or R in America) for no reason, but I thoroughly recommend watching an episode or two. I watched series 1, 2 and 3 in around two weeks, and now that season four has just started, I'm hooked again. I love the storyline, the characters are amazing with a good amount of British actors - Rick, the lead character, was in Love Actually, and it's so gripping. Definitely start from the first series though and I promise you'll be hooked in no time. Season four is on every Friday at 10pm on Fox.

Next is a book, The Fault In Our Stars, that I haven't been able to put down since I started reading it. I have yet to finish, but I am nearing the end, but I still think it deserves a mention in my favourites post. John Green, the author, perfectly depicts the life of a young girl suffering from cancer with heart and emotion yet with small doses of static humour and, of course, a beautiful love story intertwined. I've already cried, laughed and smiled like an absolute idiot at the pages, and I highly suggest you give it a read.

If you don't know who the boy in the third picture is then what is your life. I'm kidding, but still, Luke Friend from the current series of The X Factor is, in my opinion, the best contestant who I sincerely hope will win. He's so unique and has such an amazing voice. I'm no Simon Cowell, but it's a "yes" from me :P

Another favourites post complete, another month finished! I'm not particularly looking forward to November, but at least it means that December is getting closer. And we all love December, adios x x x

Review: Rimmel Stay Blushed! Liquid Cheek Tint in Sunkissed Cherry and Pop of Pink

First of all, I must apologise for the sh!t photo quality. I have no idea what happened. I have two cameras; one for blogging and one for photography and I think it may be time to use my Canon for blogging purposes now. My trusty Nikon has passed it's sell by date. In my opinion, however, the swatches are pretty accurate.

Now for the review. I saw these Stay Blushed! Liquid Cheek Tints in Superdrug the other day and, with Rimmel being hands down by favourite drugstore makeup brand, and the fact you can never have enough blush products, I swiftly put them in my hypothetical basket. I have been using them on and off for the past three weeks and can safety say they are really great little products.

On offer are two shades, Sunkissed Cherry which is a vibrant coral, and Pop of Pink, a bright neutral light pink. You only need a little product (I'm talking less than a pea size) for both cheeks as the pigmentation, of both, is extremely high. The consistency is a little thick but blends out easily making it a swift, and non-messy, application. I recommend applying a little with your finger before thoroughly blending it out using a dense brush like the Real Techniques expert face brush. My favourite has to be Sunkissed Cherry. It's certainly the most unique offering and by far the most versatile and wearable for all occasions.

They are just £4.49 and can be found in Boots and Superdrug x x x

Brand Focus: Maybelline

Another brand focus post for you. I previously done of one of these focusing on MAC cosmetics and this time, I'll be running through my favourite and most-loved Maybelline beauty products.

Face
Maybelline are my favourite for under-eye concealers and highlighters. I use the Anti-Age Eye Eraser religiously followed by the Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer pen on top. Both diminish any dark circles whilst brightening up the eye area. No cakey-ness whatsoever!

Eyes
Drugstore mascaras are so much more worth it when it comes to price. I own practically all Maybelline mascaras but my favourite and most used has to be The Rocket Volum' Express. The synthetic brush is perfect for adding length without any clumps. Despite the size of the wand, I love using it on my bottom lashes as it doesn't transfer (even though it isn't waterproof!). All of the Maybelline mascaras are great though including One by One, another favourite of mine. The Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner is my favourite drugstore liner. The applicator looks like a felt tip pen which makes it super easy to get a thick or thin line. It doesn't smudge, is super black and all day.

Lips
Honestly, the only lip products I love by Maybelline are the Baby Lips. I have a whole review dedicated to them with swatches but they are really great products. The majority include SPF and decent colour pay off. Not the best at moisturising, but still nice to use.

Have a great week, and halloween! x x x

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer Review

I think primers are a must have - regardless of what skin type you have. There is a primer for literally every skin need. I saw this Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer in Boots and, as I was in need of a new primer, I thought I'd try it. It was only around £6.99 and definitely beats spending £28 on the Laura Mercier one.

The product has a lot of positive claims. It says it smoothes, resurfaces, brightens, mattifies and protects the skin. A primer that mattifies yet also brightens is definitely a key unique selling point for girls with combination or oily skin. I had high hopes. And so far, I do like it. It does seem to keep my makeup in place for the same duration as the LM one, and does noticeably mattify the skin. It doesn't seem to brighten the skin however which is a disappointment. As for the smoothing and resurfacing, I think that's a load of rubbish - this primer isn't a miracle worker. But it does have some redeeming attributes such as the longevity is gives. It is a scented product so may cause some irritation if you are sensitive to fragranced products.

I do believe that you pay for quality and it is noticeable that the Laura Mercier is a better primer than this one. However it cannot be dismissed that, for the price of £6.99, this primer does the job well. Definitely give it a try!