July Favourites

What a beautiful month July turned out to be, we had several heat waves, one of our own won Wimbledon and a new Prince was born (didn't Kate look amazing?!). I've been a busy bee this month, I began a trial/training period at a new job as a Junior Account Executive at a small beauty PR agency in Wimbledon. I'm about to start my 6th week and I'm really enjoying myself and thriving off the new challenges being thrown my way. With the sunshine and early mornings this month has been all about light coverage foundations and bronzed skin. 

I've been constantly reaching for my NARS The Happening Eyes and Cheek palette, which was a limited edition product from the beginning of the year. I've been using Gstaad, the bronze shade as a wash of colour over my lids to give my eyes a little something extra and using the dark matte brown Coconut Grove to smoke out Gstaad for a nighttime appropriate look. To warm up my complexion I've been switching between Laguna and Chanel's Bronze Universal to give me that summertime glow, perfect in the weather we've been having recently. 

I've been a complete floozie when it comes to foundation this month, there has been no rhyme or reason, I've just been using different products in hope of finding "the one". The results? Well I'm not sure I've found the love of my foundation life but I've really been enjoying MACs Matchmaster. It gives a good amount of coverage with a tiny amount, meaning your not caking up your pores in the heat and it's the only base from my collection that seems to last longest on my skin in the heat (damn you oily skin). To take off all my make up in the evenings, I've been using a new to me brand, Tri-Dosha. Tri-Dosha is an ayurvedic brand which sources natural ingredients. The Tri-Dosha Cleanser from the Essentials collection features palmarosa and grapefruit so as you can imagine - it smells amazing. A creamy gel like consistency, this glides onto the skin and rids of the make up and grime from the day. As always I double cleanse to make sure I get rid of everything. 

The Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File has been a favourite for months, I've just failed to mention it on the blog. It's pricey but oh so worth it, if like me you rake at your nails with a file back and forth - with any other nail file thats a no no, but with LD you can rake away. It leaves the nail smooth and perfectly shaped in a few swipes. My go to everyday fragrance is Stella McCartney Stella. It's an easy to wear scent that is suitable year round and I often get comments on my scent in the office, which is an added bonus. 

As for my non beauty favourits of the month, I'm still loving Grey's Anatomy - I'm currently on season 7 and it never fails to make me laugh so hard one minute to balling my eyes out the next. My favourite character is Lexi and I love Meredith and Christina's relationship. I've also really gotten back into my Kindle. I've always been a bookworm and now my commute gives me an excuse to get nose deep into a good book. I'm currently reading The Game Changer by Jenn Sterling, a ridiculously addictive romantic novel about a couple adjusting to a new life in the spotlight (it's the second in a series, I'm hoping there will be a third).

There you have it, my monthly round up. What are your favourites this month?

NARS "The Happening" Palette

Your eyes do not deceive you, I have written a new blog post.  I've been a busy bee the past couple of weeks organising and going to photo shoots for my Final Major Project, which left me both uninspired and with no time to blog.  While I can't promise that my usual blogging routine will be back up and running as I have a lot of work still left to do, I will try and pop the odd post here and there. Apologies over, today I want to talk to you about one of my new favourite palettes, 'The Happening' by NARS. 

I first spied this back at the beginning of February and put it to the top of my lust list.  I then got an email from ASOS who kindly gave me free next day delivery and 25% (I believe) discount for my birthday.   Obviously, I took the opportunity and bought this without a second though, as NARS' limited edition palettes often sell out quite quickly (still kicking myself that I never purchased the Danmari palette).  The Happening contains two of NARS most infamous products, Orgasm and Laguna, as well as four eyeshadows. 

Night Star is a gorgeous creamy beige with chunks of golden shimmer, which makes for a great base to an everyday eye or as a highlight for a more dramatic, smokey eye.  

Gstaad is the next shade, a slightly darker taupe with golden shimmer to it.  Great on its own as an all over lid colour or in the crease for a bit more definition to the eye.  Gstaad is exclusive to the palette.

Kuala Lumpur is described as a shimmery berry shade and was the colour that drew me to the palette in the first place.  Again this shadow has shimmer to it so would be best as a lid colour.  

Coconut Grove is the only matte eyeshadow, great for crease work for an intense smokey eye or as a softer alternative to liquid eyeliner.  

I was dubious to try Laguna, although hearing so many good reviews about it, I thought it looked too dark for my pale complexion.  I am so happy to be proven wrong, it's the perfect shade to give a natural glow and it buildable depending on how strong you want your contour.  It's already on my 'to-buy' list when I hit pan on it.  I haven't used the Orgasm blush in this palette as I received a full size of the blush for my birthday, but I do love the colour.  It's a peachy pink blush with golden shimmer and seems to be pretty versatile, looking good on any complexion.  It's a blush I plan on using a lot over the summer, but I seem to gravitate towards it whenever I want to brighten up my look.  

At £45.00, some might argue this is slightly overpriced but if you think about it, it's actually a bargain.  NARS blushers are £21.50, Laguna is £26 and NARS eyeshadow duos are £25.00.  It's a good way to try some of NARS' most popular products, as well as some new and limited edition colours.  It's also perfect for travel too.  

Do you own any of the NARS palettes?