Review | Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24-Hour Eyeshadow in Pink Gold

Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24-Hour Eyeshadow in Pink Gold

If I'm honest, I never thought much of the Colour Tattoo's when they first launched. I picked up On and On Bronze when they first launched, which is a beautiful bronze shade that looks gorgeous on the lid but I found no matter how I primed and prepped my eyes, it creased like a bitch within a hour or so. I'm happy to report that I'm now eating my words as I am aboslutely obsessed with one of the newer shades 'Pink Gold' - so much so, I'm wondering if I got a dodgy batch with On and On Bronze and am reconsidering a repurchase.

As the name would suggest, it's a champagne pink colour. The cream formula helps colour to swipe on with ease - I use my ring finger on initial application before going back in with a Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush to buff out. On it's own it looks pretty and with a slick of mascara you had a ready-to-go, low maintenance everyday look. If I want to amp it up a touch, I use a purpley-taupe colour in the crease to smoke it out with ease. 

The formula is a good consistency, it's creamy enough to blend easily, but it also has enough stick that when it sets in place it's not budging for a long time. It claims to last 24 hours, but who really wears their makeup for that long? I always prime with my trusty NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and I can usually get a good five or so hours before I might need to go back in with a brush and buff out any creasing. 

Overall I'm pretty happy with the product - it still creases on me but for some reason this shade less so. At £4.99 it's a great price point if your just starting with cream products and the shade range is fantastic too. Have you tried the Colour Tattoos?

Review | Clinique All About Shadow 8-Pan Palette in Neutral Territory 2

I'm a bit of an eyeshadow floozie. I can take or leave them, often going through phases with various palettes or singular shades, but 2014 was the year I upped my eyeshadow game. When Clinique launched their Neutral Territory 2 Palette last January, I was all over it. The eight pan beauty had a mixture of matte, satin and glittery numbers, sure to see you easily from day to night, but most importantly it had the shade Black Honey, a colour I'd been coveting for months but never got around to buying.

Since purchasing, this has been undoubtedly my go-to palette (the original Naked Palette following at a close second). It's extremely versatile - if I just want to perk up my everyday look, I swipe the fifth shade across my lid and add mascara before I'm ready to go. If I'm looking for something smokier, I use the three last shades, including Black Honey, which is a red toned bronze shade that really makes the blue in my eyes pop. The shadows themselves are highly pigmented and buttery soft in texture, blending easily and seamlessly onto the lid and into one another - not one is chalky or patchy once applied. When used in conjunction with my favourite NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, nothing budges for a good eight-ten hours. The packaging is also great, it's slim and compact making it perfect for travel as it really takes up no space at all in a make up bag.

At £32, this isn't the most expensive palette when you consider the quality and has been a worthwhile investment given how much I have used it in the past year. Do you have a favourite eyeshadow palette? 

Review | Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot

Setting liquid foundation will help to lock product into place and if you find the right powder, it can also keep oily skin at bay for a lot longer than without. I recently picked up Soap & Glory's 'One Heck of a Blot' after seeing it in my local Boots. I have never really explored the S&G makeup range but have heard only good things. My usual powder preference is MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, which serves its purpose just fine, but with an affinity for beauty products, I'm always looking for the game changer. 

One Heck of a Blot is a blotting powder by nature - it's main purpose is to absorb excess oil, control shine and mattify skin. The powder comes in a handy compact with mirror and a puff for on the go touch ups and is translucent making it suitable for all skin tones. I like a natural luminosity to my base, so I usually sweep this powder on with my Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Face Brush (available in the Nic's Picks brush set), which picks up just enough product to hold everything into place, without things getting too cakey. The wear time of my makeup is definitely increased when I use this product, only needing to touch up once during the day, usually just in my t-zone. 

Overall it's a nice powder that gets the job done in all the right places. Game changing? No, but it will definitely be in rotation with my MAC powder. 

Have you tried any of the Soap & Glory makeup range?

The Dream Team

Working full time has really made me appreciate bedtime. I've never really had much of a problem getting to sleep *touches wood*, but sometimes, if I've had a busy week or stressful day at work, I can find it hard to shut down for the day. I also find Sunday nights extremely hard to navigate - the imminent morning alarm seems to taunt me. I'd heard a lot about This Works Sleep range but was a bit dubious as to whether these kind of products actually work. 

I found myself in Space NK on one of my lunch breaks and decided to pick up the Deep Sleep Night Time kit, as I had a £5 N.centive. The kit comes with a full size Deep Sleep Pillow Spray and Sleep Balm. The pillow spray does what it says on the tin, you simply spray above your pillow before getting into bed and the Lavender and Vetiver helps you to unwind and fall asleep. The Sleep Balm is a 100% natural, multi purpose balm that can be rubbed onto temples and pulse points to help sleep and also ease nerves. 

So does it actually work? The first night I used both products, I felt extremely relaxed and sleepy, but I was also watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy and found it a little difficult to switch off when it was finally time to sleep. Having said that, I woke up the next morning less groggy than usual and I found I wasn't battling with my eyelids on the commute into work. The next evening I decided to skip Grey's (sorry McDreamy) and go ahead with the pillow spray and balm. I can't remember much else past my head hitting the pillow. Some might argue it's the placebo effect, but I have been sleeping much more deeply than I have in the past and I'm starting to feel a bit better come morning on work days. 

At £22 for this kit, it's not a a necessity but if you find it hard to drift off to sleep, this range might be worth investing in. My only problem now is I don't think I'll ever not be able to have these products by my bedside... 

BEAUTY TECH | Babyliss Boutique Italian AC Dryer

I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate drying my hair, so much so that I have been known to let my hair air dry overnight, leaving me with a frizzy and hard to manage mane. For Christmas, I asked for a new hairdryer, my old one was tired and when I could be bothered to use it, it made my hair smell like toast - not ideal. After some online research, one particular model kept cropping up on Google - the Babyliss Boutique Italian AC Dryer (£74.99). Nine out of ten Grazia readers claimed it was the best  and fastest hair dryer they'd ever used - Grazia approved and claims to be fast? Sold. Low and behold I must have been a good girl in 2013 as Santa not only delivered McDreamy and McSteamy in boxset form but the aforementioned hair dryer too, and ladies after using it for almost a month I can confirm it is the best hair dryer I have ever used. 

Let's begin with size. The Babyliss Boutique is smaller than your average hairdryer but oh so mighty. It's compact size makes it extremely easy to handle and will be perfect for future travelling. It has two speed settings and three heat settings, including my personal favourite the "True Cold" setting. This machine packs a real powerful punch and can get my sopping wet hair dry in 10 minutes max. I start off using the highest speed and heat setting and rough dry my hair until it's about 90% dry, before using the included Thermal Brush to smooth out ends and style my bangs. I then blast my hair with the True Cold setting, which unlike most other hair dryers, blasts cold air rather than luke warm, allowing it to seal hair cuticles and leave hair so soft and beautifully shiny every time. I've also come to notice that my hair stays a lot straighter after use, another plus point of the True Cold setting, as the cold air 'locks' in your style.

This particular dryer is Italian made and has a 2400W motor, which is why it dries hair so quickly. In the box you get a thermal brush and ultra-slim nozzle for straight blowdrying, alongside a 5-year guarantee. The dryer features a 2.7m salon length power cable, ionic technology for smoothness and shine, as well as hanging loop and a removable filter. At £74.99 it might not be the most affordable appliance on the market, but if like me you hate blowdrying your hair or are in a rush, this hairdryer really will change your life. It's often on offer in Boots or on Amazon too - I know my Mum and Dad picked it up for around £50. 

What part of your beauty routine do you loathe?

Perfume Review | Giorgio Armani Si

When it comes to perfume, I very rarely change up my scent. I wear my beloved Stella by Stella McCartney almost everyday and up until now, Chloe was my "special occasion" perfume - you know the one you reserve for when you're going somewhere other than work or to the shops. Whilst purchasing my Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara, the sales assistant told me about their new perfume before spritzing 3-4 pumps onto my Selfridges bag. I walked out of there not really batting an eyelid and then all of a sudden this gorgeous scent caught my attention and from then on I developed a mildly worrying obsession, whiffing the bag at every opportunity and even going as far as keeping said bag because it smelt too good to bin. Needless to say, a month later I purchased a 50ml bottle of Si by Giorgio Armani. 

Si is quite sweet and citrussy in scent, featuring notes of Mandarin Oil, Liquer de Cassis (blackcurrant to you and I), Amber and Vanilla. I usually opt for something more floral, but I've found myself prefering fruitier scents of late, proving that preference changes as you get older. It's potent formula lingers from the moment you apply to the next morning when you wash it off in the shower. When I purchased it, the perfume came with a shower gel and body lotion. I don't usually rate perfume lotions and potions but unlike most, these actually smell like the fragrance and so they make for an extra special in-shower treat every now and then. 

It's not the cheapest perfume, coming in at £62.50 for 50ml, but you only need one or two sprays per application and when you really can't stop thinking about it, it's a worthwhile investment (that's how I'm justifying it to myself anyway). I purchased my bottle during the pre-Christmas sale at Debenhams, taking the price down to just over £50, so it's worth keeping an eye out for those deals. Next time you're browsing the perfume concessions, I recommend you give this a whiff, although I can't be held responsible for what comes next, it really is that good.

What's your favourite perfume?

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blusher in Tipsy

It's been a while, crocodiles! Hope you're all well? I've been so busy working 6 day weeks that blogging has felt impossible lately. The last time I posted, we were in the midst of a beautiful summer and now we have all of a sudden been plunged into autumn. I for one, am a big fan of Autumn - I much prefer the deep and rich berry shades for lips and cheeks but one product I am finding hard to put down is my Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Tipsy. 

My best friend recently picked this up in Sephora whilst she was in the states (she's a keeper!) and I have never been so excited by a product. Admittedly, after hearing several of my favourite guru's talking about this blush I had joined the bandwagon and I could not stop lusting after the blush. 

Tipsy is a corally orange blush that's perfect for summer, but whilst the colour is amazing, what really drew me in was the claims for lasting power as I find blush can be one of the first things to fade. The blush is extremely pigmented, so a light hand is necessary during application. Every time I apply this I feel instantly 'perky' - the colour really brightens the complexion giving you a healthy glow. As for longevity, this blush does not budge. After wearing a full face of make up for over 12 hours, I can still see the blush exactly where I left it. 

The packaging is compact and hand for travel with a mirror inside. Like most brands now, Tarte use the same colour as the product for the packaging, making it easier to find in amongst my other blushers (yes, I have that many). These blushers will set you back $26 in the states but I'm completely head over heels in love with the formula and would definitely consider stocking up on more shades.

Have you tried the infamous Tarte blusher?

June Favourites

It's time for this months beauty favourites post, with a random chucked in for good measure.  June 2013 has been one of those months I wont forget for a long time to come.  Just this past week I graduated from university with a 2:1 in Fashion Journalism, which I am beyond proud of and I'm now on to the next chapter of my life  - one that doesn't involve education for the first time in 16 years.  More of that in an upcoming post, now let's get onto my favourites for the month of June.  

I've begun running out of some of my favourite skincare products and as I don't have the cash to splurge on repurchases just yet, I've been pulling out products that have started to gather dust.  I've had the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Cleanser since January, but have only really gotten into it this month. It smells like peaches and has a peppermint twist which is cooling on the skin.  It's great at getting make up off and leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed.  I've also been using Origins Drink Up Intensive in place of a moisturiser two times a week to give my skin a moisture boost.  This is a popular face mask in the bloggersphere - it's one you pop on and leave overnight.  It can be quite tacky so it's definitely one to put on 30 minutes or so before you get into bed, but by morning you're left with soft, plumped up skin that's ready for make up.  I also rediscovered an old favourite in the form of perfume this month.  I've had CK IN 2 U for a few years now and I love the smell around this time of year.  It has notes of Amber, Vanilla and Cedar.  

As I mentioned earlier, I graduated this week and so wanted to give myself a summer glow to take the edge of my extremely pale skin.  I've tried out a couple of different mousse tans but St Tropez is by far the best. If you're afraid of tanning, like I once was, the guide colour really helps to blend out any streaks and leave you with a flawless finish.  The product dries quickly and takes up to four hours to develop, so I usually pop this one before bed and let it do it's thing overnight.  I've also been enjoying Essie's Tart Deco, which turned out to be a great match for my graduation dress.  The formula is creamy and opaque, needed only two coats for maximum colour.  A lip product I've been reaching for all month is Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in 'Boy', for a quick and easy swipe of colour that's easy to reapply during the day.  These lipsticks are extremely moisturising and have that iconic Chanel scent to them.   

A non-beauty related favourite this month is in the form of a TV series.  I've been bitten by the Grey's Anatomy bug, after my sister-in-law insisted I would love it.  I love American drama's, my favourite being One Tree Hill and I've fallen head over heels for Grey's.  If you've never watched it, it's set in a hospital and follows Meredith Grey who begins life as a surgical intern.  It features the likes of Katherine Heigl, Eric Dane and my newest crush Patrick Dempsey.  

So that's it, another month of 2013 done and dusted.  

What are you're favourites this month?

Magnifibres Brush-On False Lashes

Magnifibres* - £20; available online and at Selfridges

I don't know about you, but false eyelashes is one of those beauty things I suck at.  I find application quite difficult and usually have one side sticking up, not exactly the look I was going for.   I was a little more than intrigued when I heard about Magnifibres, a product that at first looks like one of those white mascaras but on closer inspection is in fact so much more.  As you can see above, the wand has natural fibres, which you brush on top of mascara to create extra length and volume.  You can apply up to three coats of the fibres, depending on how dramatic a look you're going for. 

The product claims that it can be used in conjunction with any mascara and after road testing with a couple of different mascaras, I've found it's definitely better to use with a more wet formulation so that the fibres can really grip to the lash.  Below, I have used Magnifibres with one of my favourite high street mascaras, Rimmel's Scandaleyes.  To use, simply apply a coat of your chosen mascara, followed immediately by a coat of Magnifibres, allow 30 seconds for the fibres to stick before applying a further coat of mascara. The amount of fibres you apply is up to you - you can achieve a more natural false lash look with one swipe, or build it up for something more dramatic.  I've played around with several coats of the Magnifibres but my favourite look is using just one coat (see below) as I have reasonably full lashes and need help with length over volume. 

Before

One coat of mascara with one coat of Magnifibres.

After - one coat of Magnifibres with two coats of mascara. 

As you can see, there's a dramatic difference between the before and after pictures.  As previously mentioned, you could build up one or two more layers to really make your lashes pop and give off the dramatic false lash effect.  The product's also long lasting, I put it through the ringer on Saturday, wearing it from 8.30am - 10.30pm and found there was no smudging or flaking at all during that time.  At £20, this is reasonably priced when you consider that most false lashes range from £5-£15 and only have one or two applications, whereas Magnifibres will last as long as your favourite mascara, with endless applications.  

Could you ditch the falsies in favour of the fibres?

Living Proof Prime Style Extender

Primers have become big business for the cosmetics industry over the last two years, with a boom in popularity and the high street market tackling the popular trend, so it was only a matter of time before a primer for your hair was invented.  A primer is essentially the glue that holds everything together - first helping to keep make up in place and now hair products and styles.  When I first heard about the Living Proof Prime Style Extender, I was initially skeptical but nonetheless intrigued.  

Living Proof claims that this will lock in your style for longer, that it's weightless, weather proofing and time saving.  When I first started using this product I wasn't sure what it was actually doing but as time went on I found that my hair was lasting better between washes, that I didn't have to apply so much heat to my hair, as it usually remained quite straight and that my hair didn't feel at all weighed down by the extra product in its routine.  The big test came when I curled my hair.  I, like many of you no doubt, struggle to keep my curls in place all day.  It seems the bigger the curling iron I use, the harder it is for them not to drop.  Using this and then spraying my hair with a curling product, I've found that my hair lasted a lot longer than it would have without.  

The product itself is a creamy gel, which can be used from root to tip and has a fresh, fruity scent - not dissimilar to Kerastase Ciment Thermique.  I use about a walnuts sized blob, warm in the palms of my hands before running through my hair and adding any other products I need and blow drying.  This is a product that needs to be used on wet hair, to help lock in those products and give you the longevity you require. 

At £17.00, it's an expensive extra to add to your hair care routine and by no means a necessity, but if you find that your hair needs to be washed every other day or your sick of your styles not lasting, I would say it's worth getting a sample and trying it for yourself. 

Have you tried any of the Living Proof range?

Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush in 01 Nude Velvet vs. Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera

A peachy blush has become a go to favourite of mine, it gives you a healthy flush of colour, helps your skin to look brighter and looks great during the summer (haha) months.  Cream blush formulations have also become a strong favourite, giving more of a dewy and glowy appearance and they seem to be everywhere at the moment.  One in particular thats been talked about a lot is Stila's Convertible Color in the covetable 'Gerbera'.  Described as a non-greasy, creamy blush that gives a sheer wash of colour, Gerbera actually packs quite the punch, only needing the smallest amount and the lightest of hands to get the perfect peachy glow. The Convertible Color's come in a sleek compact packaging, with shades easily distinguishable by the colour of the compact, but at £16 these are not always the most accessible to those counting the pennies.  

If you're feeling the pinch but not on your cheeks, Bourjois have recently launched their take on the cream blush trend.  Their are currently four different shades in the Little Round Pot Cream Blush range, including Nude Velvet, which is very similar to that of Gerbera.  The formula, although creamy, is slightly dryer than that of Stila's Convertible Color because of its cream to powder formula, which gives it a matte finish, rather than dewy making it a great match for those who have oily skin and are wanting to dry out cream blushers.  Again, the similarities continue through to the packaging, which has used the shade colour to make the product easily identifiable in your collection.  The Convertible Color's are multi-tasking products, meaning they can be used on both cheeks and lips, whereas Bourjois is marketed soley as a cream blush.  After a little experiement, I found that the Bourjois can be worn on the lips, although you should put a clear gloss or balm over the top to stop your lips from drying out. The most significant and difference between the two products is the price.  The Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blushers are £7.99 (currently £6.99 at Boots), whilst Stila is £16.  

If you're looking for a peachy blush that eliminates the need for two products, has a dewy long lasting finish and you can afford the splurge, I really recommend the Stila Covertable Color in Gerbera, but if you're looking for a purse friendly option and that brightens the skin with a peachy glow, then Bourjois' Little Round Pot Cream Blush in Nude Velvet is the one for you.  

What's your favourite cream blusher?

Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush

It seems like cream blushers are having a moment in the beauty blogger world and I've definitely embraced them with open arms.  The latest to hit the market are from Bourjois, famous for their Little Round Pot blushers, they've reinvented them, giving them a creamy twist.  There are four colours in total, including the two pictured above, Nude Velvet and Rose Tender.  Nude Velvet (01) is a true peach shade, not dissimilar to the infamous Stila Covertible Color in Gerbera (comparison post coming soon), whilst Rose Tender (03) is a gorgeous rosy colour with a slight shimmer.  

These are supposed to be a cream to powder formulation, which normally I steer clear from as they usually come off quite cakey, but that's not the case with these products.  They pick up on the brush easily and buff out into a gorgeous satin finish on the cheeks.  The colour pay off is great, only needing the tiniest amount for a natural flush and as for lasting power, on my skin at least, these don't budge for a good six hours.  Thinner than the original Little Round Pot compact, these blushers come with a nifty magnetic closure and a mirror, perfect for on the go touch ups.  They also have the same rosey scent as their sister product - I know some aren't a huge fan of this scent but I'm not bothered by it.  At £7.99, these are definitely a steal and I hope that Bourjois will introduce more shades in the coming future.  

Have you jumped on the cream blush bandwagon?

P.S. Happy Bank Holiday - hope you're all enjoying your extra day off!

Summer 2013 | The Bold Edit

With summer nearly upon us (ha ha) it's time to whack out those lipsticks that really pack a punch. The season cries out for fuchsia, coral and orange shades a like and I've ploughed through my overflowing collection of lipsticks and picked my eight most summer worthy shades (most of them coral...).  Starting from the top and working round clockwise we have:

Jemma Kidd Hi-Shine Hydrating Glosstick in Hibiscus; £13.00 - I've had this product for almost a year and I use it time and time again during the spring and summer months.  It does what it says on the tin with a creamy, highly pigmented, moisturising formulation that leaves a gloss like finish on the lips without any of the stickiness.  You can use this as a sheer wash of colour or pile it on for a real pop of coral, plus it has a gorgeous vanilla scent.  As it's a glossy product, touch ups throughout the day are required, but for such a beautiful product its no chore. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in 17; £7.99 - More true to form when it comes to lipstick formulations, the latest lip products from Bourjois are easy to apply with a creamy and highly pigmented finish. Number 17 is a gorgeous coral which is slightly darker than Jemma Kidd and less glossy. These last a while on the lips but touch ups are needed after food and drink or perhaps after a few hours.  

MAC Viva Glam Nicki; £14.00 - Another gorgeous coral shade (are you noticing a pattern?) that leans towards the barbie pink rather than blood orange of the previous products.  Viva Glam Nicki is thick and highly pigmented and really adds a pop of vibrant colour to any look.  I like to describe this as "highlighter for your lips" as it really is very bright.  The thick formulation makes for long lasting colour, and a great colour to have on you to take a look from day to night.  

Maybelline Colour Sensation The Vivids in Shocking Coral; £7.19 - I only bought this last week but it's a definite must for any who love a bold pinky coral lip.  The product is cream, extremely pigmented and applies like a treat, with a slightly sheeny finish.  Use sparingly and rub into the lips for a more toned down look or go all the way to give your pout a lil something, something.  

Topshop Lipstick in Legend; £10.00 - Unfortunately, this was a limited edition shade but I just had to include it. Legend is a true blue-toned fuchsia in the typical Topshop formulation.  Pigmented, smooth to apply and with that gorgeous berry smell, this is one of my favourite summer shades.  It lasts a while, but touch ups are needed throughout the day.  It feels comfortable on the lips and the blue tones help to make teeth look whiter.  A good alternative would be something like Sleek's True Colour lippy in Fuchsia.  

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse in Rebel Red; £8.19 - Something for the faint hearted.  If you're not confident going (p)out and proud with a bold lip, these balm type lipsticks are great for a slick wash of glossy, moisturising colour.  Rebel Red is great for lazy days as you can apply and go, without having to use a lip brush or faffing about.  Needless to say, the staying power is minimal but its so easy to use that touch ups are not  a problem.  

Rimmel Apocalips in Stella; £4.99 - These need no introduction as they swept the beauty blogosphere back at the beginning of the year but they are fab for blod lip days. Stella in particular is for the brave. A bright red-pink colour that leaves a gorgeous glossy lacquer to the lips, I absolutely love these products. These are beyond super pigmented, the colour pay off is incredible and they sit comfortably on the lips.  The only problem is they don't as long as I'd like and they are a nightmare in the wind (hair + lip lacquer = no go). Apply one coat, blot and apply a second for maximum impact and staying power.  

L'Oreal GlamShine Stain Splash; £7.99 - This is a lip lacquer and stain in one.  It applies like a lacquer, creamy and pigmented and sticks like a stain.  If you're going on holiday, these are great as once in place, they just don't budge.  They can be slightly sticky to begin with but once they dry, they leave behind a gorgeous glossy (almost wet looking) stain to the lips.  These do have great lasting power but I find I need a touch up around 4-5 hours into the day/night.  Like the Apocalips, apply one coat, blog and apply a second to make the most out of this product.  

So those are my favourite lip products for summer, but what are yours? 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

When it comes to eyeshadow palettes, theres only one brand on everyone's lips and that's Urban Decay.  They have a fantastic range of extremely pigmented, soft, creamy eyeshadows but their best known kits are the Naked series.  They launched the original Naked palette a few years ago now and since then it's become a beauty must have.  Following the success, they introduced the Naked two, featuring cool toned shades and then finally the Naked Basics was born.  The palette features six neutral shades, five of them completely matte - something that customers felt was lacking in the last two palettes.  From left to right we have:

Venus - The only shadow with some shimmer to it, it makes a great brow highlight or inner tear duct colour for brightening up the eye area.  

Foxy - A yellow toned cream matte shade, great for covering up redness on the lids. 

Walk of Shame (W.O.S) - A true cream colour and my personal favourite for all over the lid, it gives a subtle wash of colour.  

Naked 2 - A darker brown/beige colour that can be used in the crease to define an everyday eye look, or used all over the lids as a smoky eye base.  

Faint - A warm toned brown which works well as a crease colour or for filling in brows.  

Crave - A true matte black that can be used as a softer eyeliner alternative, or used to create maximum impact with a smoky eye. 

The Naked Basics is the perfect beginners palette, as it has everything you need to create both day and night looks.  My favourite combination is W.O.S swept across the lids with Naked 2 blended into the crease, finished off with Venus in the inner corner of the eye and also the center of the lid to brighten the look.  It's a compact palette, no bigger than an iPhone 5 in size and comes with a mirror, making it a good travel choice.  The shadows are great quality, they are soft and creamy, making them easy to blend across the lids and they're extremely pigmented, so you never need much on your brush.  They're long lasting when used with a primer (I never wear eyeshadow without).  At £20 (currently £17.80 at Beauty Bay), this is the cheapest of the three in the Naked family and it's a definite must if you're just getting into the world of eyeshadow or if like me, you're just looking to add to the family.  

Which is your favourite in the Naked series? 

Inside: Travel Make Up Bag

When I'm out and about, like most girls, I like to have the daily face essentials on hand, ready to combat any oily sheen or lipstick malfunction.  I try not to carry around too much with me, just the bare necessities.  Powder is always the first thing to be thrown into the pouch and right now I'm between two powders, MAC's MSF Natural in Light and Rimmel's Stay Matte in Translucent.  This is to help keep my make up in place for longer, without threat of slipping as the day wears on.  I've been using the Real Techniques Contour Brush for powder, as I like to apply it where it's needed, rather than slather it on all over the place.  The next thing to make the cut is concealer and of course it's Collection Lasting Perfection - I think I'm on my fifth or sixth tube of the stuff but it really is as good as they say.  As it's quite a heavy coverage its great for on the go foundation touch ups as well as concealing.  I bring along the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush for this job, it's great at creating a seamless finish no matter the heavy duty product.  

I also carry a rather grubby looking Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude, for times when my peepers need to look more awake.  The gel like formula means that this liner hardly budges but sometimes it's nice to have it with you, for touch up peace of mind.  My mascara of the day also comes along for the ride, as I find that sometimes it can end up under the eyes leaving you looking like a panda - never a good look no matter how cute they are.  I try to keep both a nude and a bright lipstick on me at all times so that I have options for whatever occasion might pop up during the day.  When I'm in a rush however, only the lipstick I'm wearing will get slung into the mix.  With the warmer weather finally arriving, I've been reaching for the Jemma Kidd Hi-Shine Hydrating Gloss Stick in Hibiscus, which as the name suggests is moisturising, glossy and pigmented as hell.  The perfect coral lipstick? I think so.  Other necessities that make the cut are a compact mirror - for on the go touch ups, lip balm as well as a hair tie and bobby pin, because you never know in this country whether rain will frazzle your 'do' or not.  

What are your travel essentials?

April Favourites

So let's begin the post with a cliche.  I can't believe it's May already, it feels like it was Christmas only yesterday, but alas summer is slowly creeping up on us and it's time for a monthly favourites post.  As you may know, I've been a busy bee with university work this month, but that could never stop a girl from indulging in a little beauty every now and again.  Needless to say, my make up has been very minimal this month, needing the extra minutes in bed over a perfect eyeliner flick.  

Lets start with my only skincare item to make the cut.  The Emma Hardie Amazing Face became a saviour this month after I began running low on my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish.  I had thrown this to the back of my stash but after pulling it out, it has reigned supreme as my go to cleanser this month. The product is a balm that requires a little water to make it slightly less thick, before massaging into the skin.  It melts away every trace of make up whilst thoroughly cleansing the skin and leaving it feeling fresh and hydrated.  

Moving onto make up and onto the blushers, you know I've been loving the Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera, which I talked about earlier this week.  It's the perfect spring/summer shade and is so easy to apply.  When I'm not feeling the dewy look as much, I've been turning to NARS Douceur blush.  Douceur is perfect for fair skinned girls, it's a gorgeous peachy brown shade which gives off a subtle flush of colour and can even be used as a soft contour. I'm definitely finding myself falling more and more in love with the NARS blushers every time I use them. They are soft and pigmented and apply seamlessly onto the skin, without leaving you looking like you've been running around in the cold.  

For the eyes, again I've been keeping it simple.  If I chose to wear eyeshadow, I just dusted the darker, purple-taupe shade from the NARS Tokyo duo across my lids for a soft wash of colour.  Other days I've gone straight in with the mascara.  A recent discovery is the Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara which I got free in Superdrug when it was on offer.  Admittedly, I hadn't had high hopes for this mascara but yet again Rimmel pulled it out of the bag.  The formula gives volume without leaving clumped up spider legs behind and the wand is tappered, allowing you to really get hold of every single lash. Another Rimmel product that's got the seal of approval is the Kate for Salon Pro nail colour in Soul Session. I spoke more in depth yesterday about the range and mentioned that this particular shade has taken the top spot in my nail colour preference (sorry Models Own Pink Beige, you're still number 2).  

I've been into my MAC lipsticks again this month, in particular Myth and Hue.  Both nude shades, I usually wear them together as I find Myth gives too much of a concealer lip look.  Together they create the perfect nude but sometimes I will just pop Hue on.  Myth is a matte formula, whilst Hue is a glaze. 

These are my monthly favourites, but what are yours?  

Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Colour: The Kate Collection

Rimmel are currently the high street brand to beat when it comes to product launches.  Earlier this year they launched their popular Apocalips, not to mention their Scandaleyes Waterproof Khol Kajal liners, Kate Collection Matte lipsticks and now the new Salon Pro by Kate range.  The collection features 10 new shades, all picked by Mossy and there are some really gorgeous colours.  These had been on my radar for a while and I'd always look out for them whenever I popped into Boots or Superdrug.  I picked up Soul Session and Jazz Funk, although I have since gone back and purchased Rhythm & Blues and will probably buy some more in the near future.  

Rimmel claim that you can get up to 10 days chip free, thanks to the added Lycra in the formula. Whilst these polishes definitely last longer than some of my more expensive picks (I'm looking at you Chanel), I find they last around 4-6 days before chipping, depending on what I'm doing.  This is still pretty impressive for me, as I usually change up my nails quite often.  The Salon Pro Nail Colours also come with a wide brush, making application super easy, usually only needing one swipe per nail.  The product is pretty opaque and I very rarely go back in for a second coat, which is great if you're as impatient as I am when it comes to waiting for your talons to dry.  

As I previously mentioned, there are some great colour choices including gorgeous nudes (Soul Session has now replaced my beloved Models Own Pink Beige), Summer brights (Jazz Funk, Brit Pop and Hip Hop), a classic red (Classical Red) as well as some darker colours which would be perfect for the autumn (Rhythm & Blues and Punk Rock).  At £4.49 these aren't going to break the bank and with such amazing quality and colours, I'm not sure if I will be tempted by other brands for a while. Another triumphant launch, Rimmel.  

Have you bought any of the Kate Moss Salon Pro Nail Colours?