May Favourites

Another month down, another favourites post.  May has been a busy month, I've finished university and have been working up in London but it's also been a month for rediscovering old favourites, or perhaps products I once discarded.  

As with April, there's only one skincare product, as I've found a skincare routine I'm pretty happy with and I didn't want to bore you by banging on about the same products.  The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo is another one of those crazily hyped products that almost everyone has heard of and tried.  This product is supposed to correct and unclog pores to eventually leave you with clearer looking skin.  It's also quite mattifying and makes for a great base under foundation.  I use this in the mornings before moisturiser and my skin has definitely been a lot better lately (*touches wood*).  I've had this since the beginning of the year and I'm yet to run out, but if you're looking to buy it, it's currently on 3 for 2 at Boots.  Speaking of Boots, I dug out No7's Essentially Natural Foundation in Calico from my stash and have been setting it with MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural this month for the perfect luminous complexion.  Essentially Natural is a buildable light coverage foundation which leaves a natural finish to the skin. 

Cream products have definitely had a moment in May.  First of all, my new love in the form of the Bourjois Cream Blushers. I have shades Nude Velvet and Rose Tender and they are both beautiful.  I reviewed them earlier this week so I won't bore you with the same details but they are pigmented, smooth to apply and give a gorgeous colour to the skin.  The next cream product is one I have a love hate relationship with.  I've had the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze for a while now and whilst I love the colour (anyone know of a similar powder shade?), I find it always slides off my eyelids too quickly and up until this month I just threw it to the back of my drawer.  Whilst for me it's not the most long lasting colour, I still use it and in conjunction with the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, I find it lasts a little bit longer.  This with a slick of mascara and a nude lip is a quick and easy, good to go look, which is something I've needed whilst working in London.  Another look I've been enjoying comes in the form of the Naked Basics palette.  For an easy everyday look, I've been applying Walk of Shame over the entire lid, whilst using Naked 2 for added definition in the crease.  

So those are my May favourites, but what have you been loving this month?

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? 

Birthday Wishlist

My 21st birthday is fast approaching (25th February) and with it comes the question: What would you like for your birthday?  Initially I wasn't at all excited about the big 2-1 thanks to dissertation blues, but now I've handed the buggar in and made some concrete plans, I've started counting down the days.  So I best answer the question on everyones lips.  

1.  Return to Tiffany's Heart Tag with Key Pendant - As it's such a big birthday, I would like something memorable.  I received a Links bracelet for my 18th, so for my 21st I'm wishing for this Tiffany's necklace with the key charm - synonymous with the birthday.  

2.  Stella by Stella McCartney Eau De Parfum - I'm almost out of the bottle I bought back in June at the airport and as it's my favourite everyday scent, I'd definitely like another bottle for my dresser.  

3.  Tickets to see Viva Forever - I'm a big girl band fan, I'm off to see Girls Aloud at the beginning of March but my first love lies with the Spice Girls.  After hearing so many rave reviews and watching the ITV documentary that was on over Christmas, it's something I would definitely like to go watch.  

4.  Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - It wouldn't be right if I wasn't wishing for something beauty related.  I prefer wearing matte eyeshadows and the original Naked palette lacks in those, so I'm excited to (hopefully) try this out! 

Now I've answered the question, it's back to counting down the days.  

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

I've really been getting into NARS products recently and after hearing only good things about their eyeshadow base, I decided to give it a whirl.  I've only ever tried one other eye make up primer, the infamous Urban Decay Primer Potion, but found it did nothing for me - if anything my eyeshadow slid off faster with it than without.  Needless to say, I was skeptical but I went into Space NK before holiday and caved. 

The product itself looks the same as the UD Primer Potion - it comes with a doe foot (always thought that was spelt dofer) applicator and the product itself is a white, silky base.  While Urban Decay wins on price - Primer Potion retails at £14.50 whereas NARS is £18 - the results from NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base were far better than what I had imagined.  

Whilst on holiday, I used this primer, hoping it would help keep my eye make up in place whilst we were out consuming cocktails.  It held it in place well but it wasn't until I was working the other day that I really noticed how great this product was.  It was a humid British 'Summer' day and I was hot and sticky and for some reason, that morning I decided to wear eyeshadow. At around 2pm, five hours after application, my eye make up hadn't budged at all.  I was absolutely amazed, I was expecting to be a creased mess, and there I stood, looking the same as I did before I left - hurrah! Instantly this became holy grail and something I will now and forever repurchase.  At £18 for 8g some may say this is too pricey, but you only need a small amount to cover your entire eyelid meaning that this product will last a long time.  

Which product do you prefer - Urban Decay Primer Potion or NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base?

Beauty Round Up: 2011

Over the past year I discovered YouTube and several beauty guru's who I follow religiously, including FleurDeForce, ThePersianBabe and Pixi2woo (to name a few).  Thanks to them, 2011 was definitely a year when I went beauty crazy and began trying more and more products, as well as becoming interested in writing more beauty based posts.  I have gone through my collection of hair, make up and skin care products and compiled what I guess will be my 2011 favourites.  

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

1. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish; £12.75 -  No surprises here, I've banged on about this product for months.  I've just passed my first anniversary with using this product and I don't think I'll ever not buy it now.  It had dramatically cleared my skin up and I can't rave enough about it.  

2.  Moroccanoil Light; £12.85 - £30.45 - After hearing so many reviews I decided to give this a go.  I bought the 25ml light version as my hair is extremely blonde at the minute.  It is honestly an extremely good product. You need only a small amount through your mid-lengths and ends which will decrease drying time as well as give it a healthy shine.  I will be re-purchasing this in full size (100ml) when I run out.

3.  MAC Prep and Prime; £18.00 - I've used this primer for years, it's always the one I come back to when trying others, as for me, it's the best.  It smoothes out any fine lines and pores I have before applying foundation and it has never caused any issues for my skin.  

4.  John Frieda Colour Renew Shampoo; £5.49 - After taking the plunge and dying my hair a serious shade of blonde, I invested in a bottle of this shampoo to counteract the brassy tones.  It has worked wonders and leaves my hair feeling soft.  

5. Chanel Nail Lacquer in Particuliere; £17.50 - I got this last Christmas and it has been one of my go to shades ever since.  I wear it a lot more during Autumn/Winter seasons and find it looks very sophisticated.  

6.  Clinique High Impact Mascara; £15.00 - Another product I have used for years.  Originally I'd only ever use the sample sizes of it when my mum, sister or auntie bought from Clinique.  This year I picked myself up a full size and I have never looked back.  I get so many compliments when I wear it, people even ask if they can have my eyelashes! I'm currently trying out Benefit's 'They're Real!' so we'll see if this still stays number 1!

7.  Barry M Nail Colour in Vivid Purple; £2.99 - A cheaper alternative to my Chanel.  This is another shade I wear all the time.  I've re-purchased a gazillion times.  I think it looks lovely on the nails, and even better with a tan! A good colour to wear on a night out.

8. Urban Decay Naked Palette; £35 - This is pretty much the only palette I ever reach for when I want to create a smokey eye or an everyday look.  For everyday I used Naked all over the lid, Buck to deepen my crease and then a liquid liner to create a winged look.  It is definitely a good investment palette and I'm already eyeing up the Naked Palette 2 out this month (anyone know what date?)  

9.  MAC Penultimate Liner; £13.50 - Speaking of liner, I have been using this pen over a year now and it is the best liquid liner I've used.  The felt tip pen application makes it incredibly easy to do even winged liner.  A great product overall!

10. Benefit PowdaWowzer; £19.50 £9.00 - Hoola Bronzer in particular.  This trio was a limited edition set that I picked up as I'd always wanted to try Benefit's boxed blushes/bronzers.  I now used Hoola everyday to contour and bronze my face.  I also use Coralista a lot too.  It is currently £9.00 in the ASOS sale (click link no. 10 above), but be quick as they will be gone!

So that is it for my 2011 favourites! What have been your favourite beauty products of 2011? If you've already done a beauty round up post, leave it below - I'd love to read about new products! 

Let's get Naked.

Not literally, although if your a naturist then go on ahead. I received my gorgeous Urban Decay Naked Palette last night and was dying to get on and use it.  It features 12 full size colours, including four exclusives and is now part of their permanent range due to its popularity, plus a primer potion and brush.  It was £32, which a lot of you may think ouch, but considering a single pot of eyeshadow from UD is £13-15 you are making a saving of around £136-160!

All colours a neutral, allowing you to create looks for the office, day time and night time.  It's a beauty cult product, and is usually out of stock, but out of luck I found it online and both Debenhams and House of Fraser had it in, so I was spoilt for choice.  

I created this look using Virgin, Naked, Buck and Hustle.  I also used Hustle underneath my lower lashes to create a smokey eyeliner effect.  

I really love using different tones of brown and black as I feel it really makes my blue eyes pop.  

This is a product I highly recommend to make up lovers, it has a lot of potential and a million looks to be create.  Have you got the Naked palette?  What are your favourite colours/combinations?

Retail therapy does wonders for the broken hearted.

Blair Waldorf would certainly agree.

Well, my heart isn't broken but my driving license wont be pink anytime soon.  Yeah, you got it, I failed.  AGAIN.  My driving instructor and I decided that it must be the place I'm being tested and I have re-booked (driving tests are a disgusting amount of money these days) in a different centre.  So to ease the tantrums (and believe me I was NOT happy) I decided I'd buy the Naked Palette, which was still in stock.  I asked for next day delivery, as I'm impatient, so it will be with me tomorrow.

On a happier note, if you are American or like to keep up to date with One Tree Hill then you'll have seen the most amazing ending to the episode last night.  Here's a video to job your memory and to make you smile.  There are big spoilers in the video so if you haven't seen it, I wouldn't advise to watch!

Student loans arrived and it's burning a hole through my pocket...

It's that time again, when christmas comes early for students in the form of a gorgeous wad of cash in our bank accounts.  Now, I was due to give most of it to my parents, but I found that I'd pretty much paid off my Macbook Pro, leaving me with a nice little amount in my bank account, to spend until payday next Friday.  Already, I have run up the road and booked myself a cut and blow dry as my hair in in dyer need of a trim.  I'm getting it re-styled, although it wont be anything dramatic.  If you didn't see my hair ideas post then this is what I'm going for:

Let's call it 'The King'

It wont be a drastic change but I love the cut!  

ALSO, check out Mollie's hottie of a boyfriend:

I wont lie, i'm pretty jel.  Anyway, back on topic now girls...

I'm getting my hair feathered (sounds like something dangerous!) next Friday, so I wanted it cut before.  Of course I've been screen shopping (window shopping of the online world for those of you wondering).  I've found this dress on ASOS:

Lipsy; £48.00

How cute is that?! I'm thinking pair it with a denim jacket for a casual day look, and perhaps a biker jacket to switch it up for night.  I love the gorgeous lace detailing and of course, the peter pan collar!

On my travels across the net I also found the Urban Decay Naked Palette, IN STOCK, which I've been wanting for a very long time.  I have agreed with myself (with the aid of my Twitter peeps + loyal best friend), that I will purchase it tomorrow, if I pass my driving test as a treat.  I have to pass tomorrow, it's my fourth test now!  Plus, me and my parents found a really pretty car today which would be perfect.  Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me, if I pass there will be a MAC giveaway - more on that tomorrow (hopefully).  

Also, I know I will buy this palette if I fail, i'm useless like that...

In other events, expect a short haul by the end of the week!  I have purchased a few beauty items and I am testing them out to give a little review on each.  I'm also going to be doing a Tips, Tricks and Cheats post on the Sleek Contour Kit.  

Now, back to staring at that gorgeous man on Mollie's arm.  It's a hard life being a Saturday...

March Favourites and a cry for help.

Here we are again, another month gone.  Here are some pictures that sum up my month, what i've been watching, what i've been reading, what i've been wearing etc. 

Katy Perry feat. Kanye West

Clothing by Victor & Rolf

"absence is to love, what the wind is to fire, when it’s a small fire the wind kills it but when it’s a real fire it intensifies It, you see the thing is that the most important relationship you have in your life is with yourself, because no matter what happens you will always be with yourself” - DVF

I wish this was my make up collection...

Right, my cry for help is pretty much because I've been on the look out for Urban Decays Naked Palette (above).  I'm going shopping tomorrow and wondered if anyone knew of places that sell Urban Decay, apart from Boots and Debenhams.