Winter Favourites

 

What better time to write this post than when the first hints of spring are starting to show; the plants are starting to grow, days are getting longer and the promise of the Easter Bunny is looming. 

 

This collection of favourites has a definite neutral theme to it that is for sure. In my opinion there is nothing better than 'no make up' make up look that pulls you together when the dark days are getting to you. Classic and timeless. All of these items have seen sufficient use over the last few months in a bid to banish me of my winter blues!

From left to right

This perfect nude nail polish has been gracing my tips almost constantly since Christmas and my desire to wear all things red and/or glittery had run its course. Aptly named shade 372 in 'Nude'. Ever since I discovered KIKO I have loved their nail varnishes. Easy application, a great range of colours, long lasting and a bargain too boot!

I am lucky enough to have a International Santa and one of the things top of my cross-Atlantic wish list was the L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in the US only shade of 'Amber Rush'. Many a UK beauty blogger has raved about this and I can tell why. This is without a doubt the perfect rose gold eye shadow and I know that is a bold statement. I cannot tell you how many people have commented on it when I am wearing it and I have to admit a little bit of me delights in telling them it can only be found in the US.

The swatch below is literally a small press into the pigment and a swipe which shows you just how intense it is. Use a primer underneath and it lasts and lasts and lasts!

Onto some skincare and a desperate need to pep up the moisture levels in my severely winter dehydrated skin! Hydraluron is a sticky gel that you put on your face before your full moisturiser and eye cream. There is lots of science behind it - I'll leave that for you to find out for yourself - but it definitely keeps things the right side of moisturised on those cold and windy days. 

Continuing on the KIKO theme this was more of an impulse purchase whilst standing in their packed Westfield Stratford store on the 27th December. The Crystal Sheer Glossy Lipstick in 'Coral Pink' won me over with the packaging. A push down top and iridescent finish *swoons*.

Luckily the product itself is just as awesome. It looks like a bullet of highly pigmented colour but what you are left with is exactly what it says on the tin - a sheer glossy coverage - that leaves enough moisturing colour to perk up that dull winter skin. Its' lasting power is in the same realm as a lip gloss but it is certainly easy to re-apply and even easier to wear.

More eyes and another drug store winner in my opinion. The Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Paint in Rich Russet also gives a great intense shimmer to the lids. Can anyone tell that I love a good shimmer finish! This stuff is a great neutral bronze colour that stays and stays and stays. Blended with a fluffy brush and a slick of mascara your eyes are good to go!

Last but by no means least is the piece de resistance in this group of seasonal favourites, the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. I literally squealed like a child when I opened this on Christmas Day and it has had a special place in my heart ever since. 

Any type of look needed is easy with this beauty. Paired down neutral, sparkly date night or full on smoky this does not disappoint. I definitely now want the Naked 2. 

Enough said...this is all over the blogosphere with rave review after rave review and much better swatch photos than I would ever achieve so instead I will just leave you with some photos so that you can salivate to yourselves. 

All the will power in the world...

If there is one thing that is seriously testing my will power during this 100 day spending ban it is the Uber Pink Collection from Bobbi Brown!

Everything about this makes me happy. To start with it is pink and from Bobbi Brown *swoon*. Those colours are just so vibrant and pretty and you know that as it is Bobbi the quality will be just as amazing.

The perfect Valentine gift for that someone special (hint hint) or special treat to yourself of course.

The stand out items for me are definitely the lip gloss in Baby Pink, the nail polish in Pink Peony, the lip colour in Pink Kiss and the piece de resistance the illuminating bronzer in Pink Peony.

It is going to take every last ounce of self-control to not purchase these on my first jaunt around the shops this Saturday with Mum in tow.

Autumn Beauty Favourites

It seems like only a few weeks ago I was singing the praises of Bourjois summer hits and now I am looking out of our study window on a rather chilly, rainy November afternoon with Autumn in full swing.

It did not take long to delve head first into the Autumnal tones when it comes to make up and these are a few of the things that I have been turning to day after day.

From left to right: Nars Laguna Bronzer, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Beige, Revlon Nail Colour in Vixen, Benefit Sexiest Nudes Ever...Eye Shadow Kit and MAC Eye Shadow in Divine Decadence.

The Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation was a replacement for my Rimmel Wake Me Up. The every day foundation that gives a good coverage and the dewy complexion that I prefer. I personally don't think that there is much between them and I would probably just pick up which ever one was on offer in Boots...that said the next purchase will be the Happy Light foundation...why? Just because.

My first foray into Revlon nail polishes. I can't say I am surprised by the quality of this product, all of the items I have picked up from them in the last year have been great. Great packaging, great formula and great colour. 2 coats give you that deep berry red perfect for these Autumn months.

Long time favourite of many a beauty blogger the NARS Laguna Bronzer has been on my shopping list for quite some time.  I am a huge fan of the Bobbi Bronzer but this gives a little more of an understated glow which adds a little colour as the weather turns cold. This does have a feint shimmer running through it unlike the matte colour in the Bobbi version but you are not going to turn into a glitter ball it just adds a little dimension.

MAC Divine Decadence is a limited edition eye shadow colour from the Indulge Collection. MAC describe it as a soft warm bronze. The colour itself is glittery Autumn in a tub. I use this in the crease for a day time neutral eye but have also used this all over to create a great shimmery smokey eye. 

The last is this great palette from Benefit. There are 3 of these in the collection but I just couldn't resist this cool purple offering. The palette contains 4 powder eye shadows; the white 'milk it!', the deep violet 'raincheck?', the lilac wash 'pause for applause' and the shimmery silver 'blingo!'. All 4 of these have great colour pay off and I've managed to create both day and night time looks. I was always a little wary of purple tones but I am absolutely loving these and the colours certainly do work for the green eyed girls.

Also included are the 2 mini creaseless cream eyeshadows in holy smokes, a dark shimmer laden grey, and bikini-tini, a nude gloss. Bikini-tini is a little 'meh' I don't think it adds much at all but I love love love holy smoke. It is a great shade and I have been using it as an eye liner for when I don't want something quite as harsh.

I think this little lot will keep me busy until the Christmas offerings start attracting my glittery magpie eye.

Nailing It

For me O.P.I was always in the realms of salon only manicures and I only recently realised you could buy these in places like John Lewis (my spiritual home)...where have I been all this time!

Anyway in the States the O.P.I range is available in make up heaven Ulta which is where I picked these up on a 3 for 2. I got one FREE!!!!

I didn't stray too far from the normal here with a nude, pink and red/orange and then went on and painted my nails every day as I couldn't decide which one I loved more.

The first that I picked up was 'Cajun Shrimp'. A vivid red with hint of coral this has livened up my summer fingers and toes. I know that loads of bloggers have swooned over this colour and I am not surprised. I'm in love and I can see this taking me straight through Autumn and Winter by providing me with that much needed pop of colour.

As with all reds it is hard work; the slightest chip will take you from perfectly groomed to scraggy nailed but for me it is worth the maintenance.

 

The perfect nude nail is illusive as far as I'm concerned but this does come close. 'Mimosas for Mr & Mrs' is surprisingly that perfect shade for when you don't want to your nails to clash with your couture like at a wedding. 2 coats will mean your own nail tip shows through but with a creamy and classic finish.

 Last is the baby pink which comes from the OPI Minnie Mouse collection called 'Chic from Ear to Ear'. This plays to my inner child and those days when the only colour that would do was Barbie pink and this is exactly what it is. 

It takes 3 coats to get to the opacity that I prefer and it has a feint fine glitter running through it. This is a frivolous colour if you will and has lasted well through the summer days. I'm not sure it will get quite so many outings as we head into the winter months but I look forward to pulling it out of my nail collection again as Spring starts to show in March.

 

Is this not the most perfect colour collection ever? I could last the rest of my life with just these 3 colours...but what fun would that be!

Summer Boots Haul

I have an addiction and seem to only be posting haul posts recently but there is so much on the wish list and so little time! This is simply the outcome of my last little walk around Boots in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.

First the not quite such exciting stuff; deodorant (I will only use Sure - guaranteed to work), double face pads and Batiste, which as far as I'm concerned is now an essential.

I like to have my 'everyday' make up which doesn't always include the high end products as they are often expensive to keep replacing. As a result I picked up these 2 Rimmel products; the Stay Matte powder in number 1 'Transparent' is raved about by almost everyone and I have had a few comments about it on my own posts when I've written about more high end powder products and the Wake Me Up concealer.

I really do like both products. The stay matte powder provides a gentle coverage and if buffed on with a slight hand avoids looking too chalky. It is not as long lasting as the Benefit Stay Flawless but topped up during the day keeps the oil at bay. I brought the concealer as day time alternative to the YSL touche eclat and actually think that it provides better coverage but of course isn't quite as easy to apply or as long lasting. It is certainly much needed by Friday of every week. 

There was a 3 for 2 on Bourjois so I chanced on the Healthy Mix foundation rather than repurchase the Rimmel Wake Me Up. I genuinely really do like this and can't tell much difference between the 2 drugstore products. It certainly provides good coverage and the finish is as you would expect from any foundation promising a radiant finish. 

It is here I must admit that the full reason for my trip to Boots was to pick up this simple lip crayon after reading rave review after rave review. I am loving the burst of bright glossy colour that 'Peach on the Beach' leaves me with and had lots of compliments from friends when I wore it on a recent night out.

I have been wanting to wear a white nail varnish for a while and think that they can look great on their own as well as provide perfect base coats for those brights. I wasn't so lucky with this one and the Maybelline option is the only drugstore white I could find. It is very thin and took 3 or 4 coats to get totally opaque.

The micellar solution from L'Oreal is an attempt at replacing the irreplaceable Bioderma which is now finished! This does not remove waterproof masacara and is a little more drying around the eye area than its French competitor but I am enjoying using it as part of my evening skin care routine, and first thing in the morning to refresh my eyes.

Please link up any drugstore hauls you have been posted about recently.

Duty Free Pick Ups

One of the best things about going on holiday (obviously discounting the holiday itself) is the possibility of picking up a few treats in duty free. Terminal 5 at London Heathrow does not disappoint and has one of the best beauty halls ever!

First stop was my beloved Bobbi Brown to pick up a couple of staples...and one extra treat.

I have written about the pressed powder before so it's no surprise that I was keen to pick this up minus VAT.

My favourite foundation of all time is the Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturising Foundation. This was originally purchased as part of my 'wedding face'. I don't use it every day because it is expensive but it has been in my foundation collection ever since. It smells of lavender and as a result feels quite calming and the skin matching is always great. My colour varies between 3 (Beige) and 3.25 (Cool Beige) and this gives great dewy coverage particularly when applied using the Real Techniques buffing brush. 

The only negative about this foundation is that it doesn't have a pump, however a quick check on the website shows that the revamped packaging now includes one - so it is practically perfect in every way!

The treat I picked up was the Shimmer Nail Polish in Pink Pearl which I had seen on a counter as part of the 'Summer Beach' collection. It has a real rose gold tint and provides a more elegant nude nail than your traditional french. Bobbi really does do natural with a twist so well.

  
The other luxurious staples that I managed to sneak into my basket were some wonderful creams from Clinque. These were fully appreciated after a long 8 hour dehydrating flight. 

These work wonders for my sensitive dry skin. I have been thoroughly enjoying using the deep comfort body butter and my skin has been thanking me for it. I've noticed the most difference around my eye area after using the all about eyes cream in rich. It certainly is that, a very thick pale cream that I use morning and night to stave off the appearance of those pesky fine lines.

A few more treats were in store and I sighed lustfully at the Jo Malone counter but couldn't make any decisions under the time pressure. 

A blogger favourite and an item long added to my wish list was the Rouge Volupte Shine in Number 8 'Pink In Confidence'. The packaging of this is enough to illicit a large sigh from me but the formula is just divine;  mositurising and long lasting glossy colour in the perfect nude pink.

The picture above shows the colour after 1 slick on the top and 2 slicks on the bottom - buildable and without shimmer just the perfect gloss, that once gone leaves a muted elegant pink.

The last thing I managed to sneak in my basket before making my way to our flight was the MAC Lipglass Dazzleglass in 'Date Night'. This is a little out of my comfort zone as it looks a bright purple in the tube.

A quick swatch reveals a pale purple with blue shimmer which once thinly layered over the lips provides a striking depth of shimmer and colour that I think really flatters. It is a little deeper than your usual nude or pink gloss so I do tend to save this for nights out as the name suggests.

I'm afraid there is one negative to this product and that is the quite sickly vanilla flavouring of the gloss that reminds me of the clear natural collection lip gloss I used to rock in my teens.

 

Is there anything here that will be making it onto your wish lists?