Highlighters

Swatches from left to right

Topshop prism, Nars albatross, sleek contour kit highlight and technic highlights

I do love a good highlighter, they just add that extra sparkle to your make up and on nights out and in pictures it really catches the light and makes your make up look really fresh and glowy!

Even though they are all highlighters, they are all quite different. Topshop's prism (which I'm not sure is sold anymore), is a more bronzey toned highlighter and is a cream product. I find, due to it's bronze shimmer, that it blends really well with a bronzer, especially benefits holla. 

Nars albatross is probably the prettiest highlighter, but it's the most difficult to work with! I find that it's very easy to go a little over the top with this product. It's a very golden shimmery product, which it certainly doesn't look like in the pan! Applied gently and with a shimmery blush such as Nars orgasm it's beautiful! Perfect for summer!

My most used highlighter is definitely the one in sleeks light contour kit! Like topshop's prism it's a  bronzey shade, but this time a powder product and more pearly! It's just a really easy everyday, not so in your face highlighter! It goes perfectly with the bronzer sat next to it too, which is great for travelling!

Last but not least is technic's highlights, probably the cheapest out of the bunch! It's been compared by other bloggers to benefits high beam, but I haven't tried this myself to be able to comment! It's a liquid highlighter, so I like to apply this using a real techniques stippling brush. Out of all of them this one is the most shimmery and is more sliver toned, but still lovely!

What's your favourite highlighter?

♥

Berry shades for autumn with Revlon & competition

Revlon's lip butter in raspberry pie* & berry smoothie*

I've always been a huge fan of Revlon lip butters, in fact, they are my favourite lipsticks! I own three other shades, which I posted about here! What makes them my favourite lipsticks is the quality of them, the lovely creamy formula and the colour pay off (as well as having a great shade range!).

As we all know dark red and berry lips are all the rage this autumn and winter, brightening up any miserable day! I think raspberry pie is the perfect shade for people who may not want to go full out with the whole 'vampy' red shades this autumn, but still want a flush of deep colour! It's perfect for me, I'm yet to feel fully confident wearing a very dark lip, so this lipstick is the perfect inbetween for me! This particular shade lasts really well on the lips, as it sightly stains the lips also, so top up's aren't needed as often compared to if you were wearing a lighter shade.

Berry smoothie has the perfect shade name as it really describes the colour of the product, just like a berry smoothie. This isn't as bold as raspberry pie, but it's still a lovely shade to wear this autumn winter! It's a great everyday colour and it's really moisturising too!

Now for the competition! Revlon's sweet boutique will be back on their facebook page starting from today and until the 4th of December, which will give you a chance to win a lip butter everyday! 

One hundred will be given away in total each day! 

So make sure you enter!

Good luck!

♥

Recently

Over the past couple of weeks I have really been enjoying life. No idea why, but you know when you just start to feel really content. I think it's blogging, it's given me so much confidence and something to spend some time on other than my uni work, and I talk to so many lovely people too. Not forgetting the lovely people who actually take time to read my posts! Plus my hair has been nice and grown!

I also am extremely happy that I now own a naked 2 palette, enrapture totem styler and ysl touche eclat foundation! It wouldn't be an understatement if I was to say that my life is now complete (until I discover something else I want!) That reminds me, my ipad mini still hasn't been sent to me (I'll be even happier when that arrives!)

Also, my little gerbils peanut and pickles have bought me lots of happiness! Most people may think they are a pet for children and that's fair enough. But they are so funny and really hyperactive. One of them, whenever I open the cage, crawls up my arm and sits on my shoulder and they both sit at the top of their tank begging to be played with and fed seeds like two little dogs!

A little bit of a random post, but in summary, I'm one happy lady :)

♥

Moroccanoil

Moroccanoil £30.45

I can't even remember how many months I thought about getting this and changed my mind again. But I took the plunge! (an expensive plunge indeed). But my hair, as you can see is curly and normally quite dry and frizzy, so I'm willing to spend quite a bit on my hair because of this.

You have probably read quite a few reviews of this product so I won't rabble on for too long. But I do really, really like this product. I bought it back in april, so have given it a proper run for it's money and it's only just starting to run out and I use it a couple times a day. It does add a lot of moisture to my hair, without it feeling greasy and helps to control frizz, even through humidity.

However, it does contain silicones (booo!) I'm not anti silicones or anything, but long term they can cause more damage then good to your hair. You can buy 100% pure argan oil for a fraction of the price, which I'm sure would be much better for your hair, that's what ill be doing when this runs out. I make sure I clarify my hair about once a week in order to remove any build up of silicones.

Overall, it's a good product for a quick fix on a bad hair day or for a special occasion. I do love it, it's amazing, but I need to put my sensible hat on and realise that long term it may not be the best option for my hair.

What do you think about this product?

♥

If it wasn't for beauty boxes...

I've been subscribed to beauty boxes for just under a year now.

But recently I unsubscribed due to no longer feeling like I was getting my monies worth.

However, I have found some lovely products which I would happily repurchase and wouldn't have discovered if it wasn't for beauty boxes!

Skin care products

These were probably my favourite items to receive in a beauty box!

Caudalie sos thirst quenching serum

This is just the perfect product for dehydrated skin!

Admittedly my skin doesn't get that dehydrated but when it does this sort it out!

It's so light too, perfect for my oily skin!

Balance me rose otto lip salve

This has become my perfect on the go lip product!

It's really hydrating, sorts out chapped lips and smells heavenly.

Murad time release acne cleanser

I don't know how this does it but it just clears breakouts so fast!

I normally use this after my liz earle cleanse and polish on certain areas of my face.

Ginvera green tea marvel gel

Hands down the best exfoliator ever.

It has no beads, no grains, nothing. Yet it clears every pore!

Figs and rouge lip balms

Pretty packaging, hydrating and smells lovely!

I really like the formula too, it's very light on the lips.

Make up

To be honest I haven't found that many make up items in beauty boxes that I've been excited about

However, I do really like these two products!

Collection 2000 primed and ready

This leaves my face feeling super soft and makes my make up go on really smoothly.

It also helps a little with the appearance of my pores!

Yves rocher sexy plump mascara 

This was a great find!

It gives me such defined, voluminous, long lashes without any clumps!

Hair products

I have quite difficult hair to manage, so I'm always hunting for hair products to make my life easier!

Redken colour extend radiant 10

Quite possibly my favourite beauty box item ever!

This little beauty controls frizz, adds shine, moisture and makes my hair look so healthy!

Paul mitchell awapuhi styling treatment oil

Possibly the nicest smelling hair product ever!

I really like how soft and manageable this makes my hair feel!

It's a shame it's difficult to get hold of!

Uniq one all in one hair treatment

This has so many benefits for your hair and it really shows!

It protects from heat damage, de-tangles, adds shine and controls frizz (and more!)

What's been your favourite beauty box finds?

♥

Wednesday wishlist 016

Topshop jumper, Benefit sexy little stowaways, clarins odyssey eye palette, topshop nail polish in panther

It's been far too long since I posted a wishlist and because of that this wishlist could have been ten pages long. But because I don't have unlimited money (boo) I've stuck to just a couple of items I've been wanting recently.

I've realised that my wardrobe isn't winter ready in the slightest so I need to stock up on the jumpers. There's something that I really like about this one, it just looks super cosy. How perfect is that Benefit kit to try out some of their products? That would make an awesome christmas present. I would love the clarins odyssey palette, mainly because it's super pretty, I hope it's still available! Last but not least that topshop nail polish caught my eye simply because I don't own any black glitter nail polishes!

What have you been wishing for?

♥

October favourites

Just a couple favourites for this month, well for last month. But these products are and have become firm favourites of mine and products I can certainly imagine having in my collection for a very long time.

YSl touche eclat foundation - I think I've found my holy grail foundation. The coverage is perfect for me, the colour is perfect, it actually lasts for hours and just makes my skin so fresh and radiant looking.

Elf tickled pink blush - I posted about my love for this here. It's just such a lovely blusher which adds a light flush of colour to the cheeks, it's really natural and pretty. 

Technic highlights - I've recently really gotten into highlighters, I'll be doing a post about them soon and this one is one of my favourites. Admittedly the liquid application isn't my favourite but I just love the colour. It's a really shimmery sliver toned highlighter, which really defines my cheek bones and it's super cheap!

Eco tools blusher brush - I never used to wear that much blusher so I never invested in a decent blusher brush. But since buying this I completely regret that! This applies blusher so easily, leaving it look really natural with no harsh lines.

Technic carnival nail polish - I've wanted opi rainbow connection for a very long time, but the price just isn't what i'm prepared to pay for a nail polish! Even though I haven't tried it technic's carnival makes a pretty good dupe (as you probably all know) and it looks great paired with any nail polish!

What have you been loving recently?

♥

Happy birthday dear blog & giveaway!

Image source

So if you haven't guessed from the title it's my little blog's first birthday! I can't believe it's been a year since I sat down and (nervously) posted a post to zero followers, with no clue if I was ever going to post on here again!

But here I am, a year later, with what is possibly one of the best thing's I have ever done (and there's the bucket of cheese). But honestly I've met so many lovely people, even if not in person and loved and appreciated every new follower or comment I receive more than anything! So I just wanted to say a huge thank you for reading my little space on the internet!

Giveaway

To celebrate my blog's first birthday and to say a huge thank you I've decided to give you guys the chance to win some make up goodies :)

Rules:

1. Uk and Ireland only

2. You must be a follower of my blog through GFC

3. The giveaway will run for two weeks!

4. Fill out the rafflecopter form below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

♥

Elf studio blushers

Peachy keen & tickled pink

(sorry the swatches aren't too clear)

Now I do love a good Nars blusher, but my student bank account doesn't! So I like to keep my blushers cheap and cheerful. After falling out with an elf studio blusher in the past, I wanted to give them a second chance so I bought peachy keen, a peach toned blusher with a small amount of golden shimmer and tickled pink, a light pink matte shade.

Now both blushes are lovely! But tickled pink has become one of my all time favourite blushers (yes even over Nars orgasm!) It's just the perfect natural looking blush which gives the skin such a lovely delicate flush of colour. I honestly can't describe how much I love this shade!

Both blushes have pretty good wear time, are fab value for money, come in sturdy packaging with a mirror and aren't chalky in the slightest! My faith has been restored in elf studio blushers!

Have you tried these?

♥

Empties 002

Hair care

Inecto pure coconut hair repair treatment

This has to be one of my all time favourite deep conditioners!

It just makes my hair so manageable, especially when it's super knotty!

It smells lovely and adds so much shine!

Repurchase - already have!

Aussie take the heat deep treatment

Another amazing deep conditioner!

This is just so thick and super nourishing for my hair!

It leaves my hair so soft and healthy looking!

Repurchase - definitely!

Boots build up removal shampoo

This does exactly what it says on the bottle!

It removes all the nasties from your hair!

Leaving it super clean and greasy free!

Repurchase - yes

Batiste dry shampoo, dark brown

Sometimes this did still leave a grey colour to my hair, despite it being dark brown coloured.

However, it takes significantly less time to rub this product in compared to the 'white' versions.

I will never buy a 'white' dry shampoo again!

Repurchase - yup!

Skin care

Liz earle cleanse and polish

Do I even need to comment on how amazing this product is?

Probably not, I rabble on about it enough!

Repurchase - forever and always!

Simple eye make up remover

One of my favourite eye make up removers ever!

It literally removes every trace and leaves my eye area so soft!

Repurchase - definitely! 

Body shop satsuma body polish

This smells beautiful, just so fruity and fresh!

It's very gentle, so great for every day use!

Repurchase - probably!

Balance me wonder eye cream

This eye cream works wonders!

It brightens, moisturises and tightens!

When this ran out my eyes became so sore and dry!

Repurchase - yes Kelly, you need it! (even if it is £20)

♥

Jergens cherry almond beauty lotion & competition!

Jerens original beauty lotion*

 Jergens has always been a brand I've heard of but never tried before!

So I was delighted to be given the opportunity to try their new re-launched original body moisturiser! 

This beauty lotion is famous for it's classic cherry almond scent!

Which I must admit is beautiful, it smells just like cherry bakewells! 

And this smell doesn't fade off the skin either!

The moisturiser is very light weight and non-greasy! So no sticky feeling is left on the skin!

It claims to moisturise the skin for 24hrs and I can definitely say it lives up to these claims!

Not only has it improved my dry skin it's made my skin much softer and smoother!

I love it!

Competition

To celebrate the launch of this product Jergens are giving people a chance to win....

a designer handbag by Michael Kors, a scarf by Mulberry, a pair of designer shoes and the complete range of Jergens moisturisers!

Runners up could also win the full range of Jergens moisturisers and a year subscription to Marie-Claire.

To be in for a change of winning like the Jergens facebook page and fill out the form!

Good luck!

♥

Favourite skin care samples

Murad time release acne cleanser

Breakout? No problem! This little beauty solves that problem straight away!

It dramatically reduces the size of spots and clears up breakouts so fast it's crazy!

I can imagine that with continued use it will prevent breakouts from occurring.

Repurchase full size - maybe, it's quite expensive.

Monu extra rich night cream

I love this product!

It feels and smells so luxurious and intensively moisturises the skin overnight!

It leaves my skin feeling softer and firmer by morning.

Repurchase full size - I wish, too expensive.

Caudalie s.o.s thirst quenching serum

I can get quite dehydrated skin, which isn't dry but feels tight and looks dull.

This sorts out that problem!

It's such a light weight/non-greasy serum and it sinks in so fast leaving no residue.

Repurchase full size - yes!

Ginvera green tea marvel gel

Probably my favourite skin care sample yet!

I've never experienced anything like it!

It's an exfoliator, that contains no beads whatsoever. 

It leaves my skin so fresh and radiant, the results are amazing!

Repurchase full size - yes, yes, yes, yes!

DHC deep cleansing oil

With having oily skin oils were always avoided by me.

But I was brave and tried this product out and I'm glad I did.

This product effortlessly removes my make up without making my skin feel greasy.

Repurchase full size - probably!

What's your favourite skin care sample/product?

♥

Fantasy shopper

For those of you who already don't know Fantasy Shopper is an online virtual shopper where you get paid virtual money every hour which can be used to purchase virtual items from real shops such as Topshop and Newlook.

The site is a great way to discover new trends, gain outfit inspiration and discover new brands!

Outfits

Now my favourite thing, and the most addictive thing about Fantasy Shopper is creating outfits with the items you have purchased!

These are just some of many outfits that I have created on the site! 

I can imagine this would be useful for someone who wanted to plan an outfit for a special occasion such as a birthday! If you really like the outfit you can purchase each individual item by visiting the stores website, through fantasy shopper.There may even be discounts on the items! 

Your outfits can be shared with friends on facebook, twitter or even on pinterest! 

Events

Each day Fantasy Shopper hold an event where you can create an outfit based on a particular theme.

When you enter you can be in for a chance of winning a real prize such as a gift card or an item of clothing!

So will you be joining fantasy shopper?

Trust me it's addictive!

♥

*I was asked to write this post.

Elf mineral lipsticks

Elf mineral lipsticks 

nicely nude & runway pink

Elf mineral lipsticks come in beautifully sleek packaging, making them look a lot more expensive than they actually are and at £5 each, they are definitely a bargain. When applied they glide onto the lips really smoothly giving great colour pay off. They feel really smooth and creamy, which hydrates the lips. However, after a good hour or two's wear they do start to feel a little dry. But baring in mind I do have naturally dry lips anyway.

As for the colours, nicely nude, certainly isn't nude at all. It's a lovely baby pink with gold shimmer running through it. Whereas runway pink is a darker pink colour with sliver shimmer running through it.  The shimmer is barely noticeable so your lips don't look like they have been dipped in glitter.

Overall I'm impressed, I will certainly be buying more shades! The price is fab, the colours are lovely, along with the formula and they last quite well!

Have you tried these?

♥

'That lip balm'

After much lusting I finally gave into the nuxe reve de miel lip balm hype.

I constantly have dry lips and in winter they can get really chapped.

So I could justify the price tag of this product as it would get it's use.

And trust me it does!

The lip balm contains some lovely nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, plant oils and honey.

However, the texture is a little odd.

It's not like a normal lip product, it's applies quite thick and dries matte.

So is virtually invisible and doesn't budge or feel sticky.

 I tend to use this product at night, applying a thick layer and by morning it's still in place.

One thing I really like about this product is the scent.

To me it smells like chocolate orange, which is just delicious! (it's a little christmasy too)

Now does this product actually work?

Yes!

With continued use I can keep my lips hydrated, soft and prevent them becoming chapped!

I'm so glad I bought it!

♥