Simple and Glossy

I had to go and get some passport/ID photos done the other day, and I thought the make up I threw on was worth sharing as it really is one of those looks you can wear just about anywhere! 

(it's my go-to look for when I need to look really polished without making a statement)

I used Lioele BB Cream, which you might have noticed I've worn in the past few posts, that's not because I love it though, in fact now I've come back to after dabbling with so many other BB Creams and Tinted Moisturisers it actually falls rather flat. But the tube is almost up so I just want to finish it off! Usually I'd substitute it for Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser (as I truly love that stuff)

I decided to keep my eyes matte, something I never, ever do, but I was feeling a little inspired! I just used Mac Brule and Urban Decay Twice Baked over Mac Painterly. Some careful eyeliner and my new mascara finished the look! I usually swipe on some eyeliner in 10 seconds flat but I definitely took my time today making sure they were completely even - to be completely honest the extra time spent fixating on minuscule bumps didn't really make much difference!

A little bit of Hoola so I don't look dead, and then I finished it all off with a generous about of my all time favourite lip gloss - Buxom in Sugar. The slight tingling slightly plumps us your lips, the colour is perfectly natural, and I really think it's the gloss that makes this look something worth putting on here!

Old And New

This weekend I've been 'shopping my stash' as the blogger phrase goes! Since being back and organising my make up I've been loving playing around with some forgotten gems and the make up I ended up wearing yesterday was all about combining some old loves with some new favourites

Lioeli Waterdrop BB Cream
I'd actualy forgotten I still had this! After checking it was still in date, I instantly threw it on as I remember adoring this one summer and I think I wore it every single day for almost two months. Wearing it again I don't love it as much as I once did, but I still adore the dewy finish it delivers

Mac Creme Colour Base in Shell
After buying this I spent weeks trying to figure out a way I could wear it, as my original intention of using it as an eyeshadow base went down the drain since it creases after 5 minutes. I wore it as a cheek highlight today as I wanted a cream product to keep the dewy finish of the BB Cream and Cream blush. and it just looked beautiful and wore surprisingly well!

No7 Nude Lip Liner with ELF Runway Pink
I'm not really a lipstick person, and I can probably count on my fingers the number of times I've actually bothered with a lip liner. But these two trusty old products found their way onto my lips today and I was pleasantly surprised at the result! Both are creamy and the matte lipliner paired with a semi-matte lipstick created a great finish that I think was pretty modern despite being such a classic shade

Bare Minerals Hiking Trail
Everytime I've cleaned out my products this one has been in the 'maybe' pile, and yet has somehow ended up staying. The reason being it's a stunning colour. But I detest loose shadows, or any loose powders actually - they're just a faff. Today I used a tiny amount to lighten up my khaki shadow and it was such a pretty look I'm thinking about whipping Hiking Trail out more often.

Revlon Color Stay Eyeshadow Link in Kahki
A Beautiful colour that I loved playing with. But a corner smashed as soon as I took it out of the bag, and after it sitting in my make up drawer for 2 days it's somehow completely shattered!

LOreal Super Liner Perfect Slim
Loving it - it's just so easy to work with. I'm just waiting to see exactly how long it'll last since pen liners are notorious for drying out and the lid isn't as tight as I'd like.

I finished it all off with Mac Lady Blush, a dab of collection lasting perfection concealer and lots of Benefit They're Real Mascara!

Do Tell

Since this is my last few weeks of winter for a while (yay) I've fully embraced the darker palette winter offers - including this beauty of lipstick from Benefit

What I've been loving is that if I liberally apply it (as above) I get a great darker colour that's still very wearable but adds a little extra something! It's been great for days I can't be bothered to do anything fancy with my eyes, simple eye+beautiful lipstick is always a winter in my book.

But I can just pat some on the centre and blend it out to get a much more 'natural' look for days I'm just not feeling up to braving it. 

And I couldn't resist this oh-so-cringey photo showing off the lipstick and my current favourite nail polish - OPI Navy. It's so gorgeous on, it's very nearly black but it's got just enough blue for it not to look too gothic when I'm pale skinned. Also, I thought this photo showed my eye make up quire well too. So just ignore the cringey-ness of the photo and focus on the good bits!

Colder Weather

While all you lucky people in the northern hemisphere are embracing the warmer weather, winter is steady creeping in down under. So I'm doing the only logical thing, and piling on the layers - clothes and make up! I just use the changing seasons as an excuse to mix up my make up

I've loved experimenting with Collection's Lasting Perfection Foundation, it reminds me a lot of revlon colorstay as it dries pretty quickly leaving a relatively matte finish but with 100% better packaging, a thicker consistency and minus the smell.

 L'Oreal Brow Artist, Mac Woodwinked Eyeshadow, Bobbi Brown Eyeliner, Benefit They're Real, Benefit Hoola, Collection Concealer, Mac Painterly Paint Pot, Mac Craving Lipstick

The packaging is great - it's literally all you can ask for a foundation container, glass bottle, simple design, and a pump! I don't ask for much in my foundation packaging - looking at you Mac and Nars and every other brand that still sells plastic bottles bottles without pumps!

As far as shades go, it's a little hard. There's only a handful of shades, and they all look the exact same in the frosted glass bottles. The names are also a bit misleading. Mine is 'cool beige' but I'm not entirely sure what's meant be 'cool' since it's definitely got a warm undertone… Anyway I just picked up the number that corresponded to the concealer shade that suits me and I got a pretty good match

I should also say it definitely oxidises a fair bit once it's fully dried, for my shade that works quite well, however it's something you should be aware of when trying to find your shade in store.

 I'm still clinging to the idea of summer and resisting swapping my bronzer for blush - although I have toned down the amount of shimmery bronzers - sadly. I adore Mac Craving Lipstick - although I'm probably going to feature this in another post as I can't wait to ramble about it

Along the theme of transitioning to winter - I always know when winter has come when my breakfasts turn warm. I just can't stand starting the day with something cold when it's freezing outside. My absolute favourite at the moment is this delicious, filling and oh so easy Apple Cinnamon Oats.

It's just some oats, popped into the microwave with water for a few minutes and some yummy slightly cooked apples! I just chop up half an apple, liberally sprinkled it with cinnamon, add a splash of water and cook. I've cooked the apples in the microwave (when I was in a crazy rush) and also in the oven, honestly they taste about the same but using the microwave means less washing up! Oh and I also throw in some extra cinnamon into the oats, but that's just because I love cinnamon

Let me know if you like these posts with a jumble of things in them, I personally love reading longer posts with lots of different elements!

21st Birthday Make Up

So it was my birthday last week.. and it's technically not over since I'll be celebrating my Birthday in LA, and then again when I get to England and finally see my family - so my Birthday is sort of being stretched out over 4 months. And I'm completely fine with that!

As far as make up goes it's just an excuse to wear all my favourite things without worrying about them being limited edition, or hard to get hold of etc. I'm never adventurous when it comes to what I put on my face on my Birthday - I have a tried and tested look that just makes me feel 'pretty' on the day!

My hair was a little bit crazy but I rolled with it, I had a test (exams on your birthday are utter rubbish in case you couldn't tell) so I popped it up for my exam and just left it down in its unruly madness for cocktails in the evening 

Skin was Benefit's Porefessional Primer - I still can't tell if this actually does anything or is just another useless product, I slapped it on regardless. Laura Mercier's Tinted moisturiser, I've found this only really looks amazing when you have the time to truly work it into the skin otherwise it always goes patchy, but I spent a luxurious amount of time applying my make up on my birthday! 

Every single year I've worn the same eye look on my birthday, the liner and mascara have changed but the eyeshadows stay the same - Mac Allthatglitters over the lid and Mac Satin Taupe through the outer corner and crease, the mixture of colours is gorgeous, the warm shimmer of allthatglitters brings our the silvery tones of satin taupe

I saw Tanya Burr do this for her birthday make up years ago and ever since it's just been my 'birthday look' I can't wear this combination any other day without it just feeling strange!

(when I was searching for the video to link I couldn't believe it was back in 2011 that I first saw this)

I finished everything off by lightly filling in my brows, plenty of hoola bronzer, a touch of Mac Stereo Rose (limited edition and so used sparingly) and Lush Snow Fairy Lip Tint, which is just such a beautiful colour on the lips, and best of all it really feels like you're not wearing anything!

 I'm not entirely sure how I feel about turning 21, I don't get to do anything exciting (except drink when I go to the States) so the only thing I get by turning 21 is older - and that's just boring. But regardless of getting, sort of, old, the day was beautiful - the sun well and truly came out and I spent the evening drinking margaritas while the sun set over the lake with some amazing friends in New Zealand, all in all, can't really complain!

Piling it on for Autumn

Winter is definitely creeping in but last week we had a lovely warm spell so I celebrated by throwing my foundations in the corner and whipping out my tinted moisturisers. I'm a little (a lot) obsessed with Laura Mercier's tinted moisturiser, to the point that when it came to going out with som friends for a meal I couldn't bring myself to putting a foundation on despite craving so full coverage. So for one of the first times I layered up.

I'm not a fan of building up foundations, or tinted moisturisers, I apply one layer, buff it in really well and I'm good. If it's not enough coverage then I just accept that's the way that foundation works and smother my face in concealer. (for the most part LM tinted moisturiser gives the perfect daily coverage)

So I put an awful lot of LM's Tinted moisturiser on, and despite being doubtful of the finish, I've fallen even more in love with it. You really can get it to a solid medium, verging on full-ish coverage! And the best bit is the finish doesn't vary - it's still the lovely blend of dewy-satin finish!

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eye Eraser, Benefit they're real, Maybelline liner, Mac Camomile & Patina, Smashbox Avant/Garde, Benefit hula, L'Oreal BrowArtist
and, not pictured here, but lots of Baptiste XXL Volume dry shampoo to make my hair a little crazy

I kept the restt of my make up super simple for the evening, neutral lightly shimmer shadows, a lighter concealer than normal for under my eyes, and I didn't go for a lipstick, as when I'm going out for dinner I just can't bare to put some on when I don't its going to come right off.. and probably into my mouth while eating - not a pleasant thought. 

3 Mini Revelations

Today was a day of trying some new things - powder foundation, side buns and pale pink lips being three things I disregarded as not being very 'me' but I may, dare i say it, be a bit of a convert!

Sometimes I just can't be bothered to wash my hair, I know you have those days too so don't judge! And my usual coping mechanism is to throw it up in a top knot, and although I think they're pretty I don't think they necessarily suit my face - they always just look a little too harsh. 

So today, having been inspired by a random video from Meghan, I attempted a messy side bun thing - and I really like it! It keeps everything off my face without looking too sloppy, and I feel like its channelling the whole 'effortlessly stylish' look (I wish)

All the stuff I popped on my face: Vie One-Step-Face-Base in ivory, Maybelline master precise liquid liner, Maybelline fit concealer, Benefit they're real mascara, L'Oreal super liner brow artist, Mac viva glam gaga, Mac tempting, Mac brule, Urban Decay twice baked, Lancome tropiques minerale orche doree.

I've been interesting in giving powder foundations a whirl for a while now, and recently there's been a bit of a rise in my favourite bloggers recommending them, namely laura mercier's. But I just couldn't take the plunge since part of me was always convinced they'd just feel and look horrible not he skin, I had this image of dry flaky skin, probably because I've only ever used powder sparingly

 But while I was home I rummaged through some make up I left and rediscovered a powder by Vie which used to be my favourite for dusting over my foundation for nights out. Since I needed a powder for New Zealand I threw it in my suitcase, and yesterday I tried it all over with just a touch of concealer for some extra coverage under my eyes. And oh my gosh - it looks so natural! I don't think the vie powder itself is amazing, although I'll definitely use it up, but my interest in trying another powder foundation is well and truly renewed. It didn't sink into any pores, accentuate dry spots of make my face feel dry, was truly a doddle to apply with my ecotools kabuki, so I simply can't wait to branch into powder foundations

I picked up Mac's GaGa along with the powder while I was home hoping I'd manage to find a use for it. I pick it up when it first came up after hearing endless hype without considering the fact I rarely, if ever wear pink lipsticks. Spurred on by the successful powder foundation venture I gave it a whirl and I can't say I love it but I am definitely more of a fan now my skin is a little darker as it just suits my complexion a lot more.

Ignore the goosebumps, it's getting chilly down here. Tempting and Lancome's Tropiques Minerale.

Throwing in an honorary mention to Mac's tempting eyeshadow, this all over the lid with a little brule to blend it out and a touch of urban decays twice baked in the very outer corner is one of my favourite looks right now, which is surprising as prior to this week I think I'd actually used Tempting twice, possibly three times. I think it's been so neglected as it swatches quite poorly and it's a glittery mess in the crease. Tempting needs to be the centre piece of the look to work for me, the coppery tones and gold reflexes create a beautifully balanced look.

Do you ever have that, where you disregard a product only to use is again months down the line and have no idea why you weren't head over heels in love with it from the start? 

Standard FOTD

This is another little fotd I wore while going to the cinema with some friends (this time we saw Horrible Bosses.. it was OK, didn’t love it though)It's pretty much my standard 'go to' make up which i fall back on whenever I'm stuck for inspiraiton!
(click the pictures if you want to enlarge) (I wasn't going to include the picture on the left as I took it by accident but it shows the texture of the products so well and is truer to colour so I thought i'd use it anyway)
Face
BB cream
MAC studio sculpt concealer nc20
MAC MSF in Pearl (I missed the two colours together for a blush – review here)
A light dusting of Lancôme setting powder in translucent
Eyes
Smashbox duo in avante grande (great little combo)
Urban Decay twice baked in outer corner to darken it up a little
Maybelline Lash stiletto mascara

Lips
I popped some of E.LFs baby lips liquid lipstick on as I running out the door
Hair
& I didn’t do anything with my hair, I let it dry naturally and just had it down

Hope you’ve enjoyed!! x

P.S let me know if you like these FOTDs or you prefer my usual reviews and nail posts!

Nude Rose FOTD

Another little FOTD :)
I went to the cinema with some friends to see Hangover 2 (Loved it) and I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures!
Face:
Skin 79 BB cream (I finally get why BB creams are raved about!)
Diorskin Sculpt concealer in 01
Lancôme Tropiques Minerale in Ochre Doree & E.L.F Tickled pink
Eyes:
Urban decay Foxy cream shadow (this is the same colour as my skin with a bit of sparkle)
Bobbi Brown Gel liner in Black ink (love it)
Avon supershock mascara
Lips:
E.L.F first date lip stain (review here)
Hair:
I just threw it up in a messy bun as I’m still on my 40 heatless days challenge and I couldn’t really be bothered messing with it :)
But my favourite thing was this gorgeous scarf from Urban Outfitters, designed by Pins and Needles. I completely love it :)
I wore it with the rosy cardigan (which you can see) also from Pins and Needles at urban Outfitters and then a simple black dress from H&M
(I attempted an ootd but getting a decent picture is a nightmare–noidea how you fashion bloggers do it!)
Hope you’ve enjoyed!! x

Prom FOTN

I haven’t done any FOTN or FOTD in months, but I really liked my make up for prom and I thought I’d share because it’s ridiculously simple.
(ignore the weird facial expression going on here)
Face:
Eyeko’s tinted cream
Lancôme Silky matte foundation
Benefit Boi-ing concealer in 02
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
(no blush)
(this is a terrible photo but my camera just doesn’t like artifical lighting – I’ll redo + update!)
Eyes:
Revlon Colorstay eyeliner
Mac Indianwood paintpot
Bobbi brown black gel liner
Rimmel Sexy curves mascara & Collection 2000 false lash effect
And some half false lashes
Lips:
Benefit Benetint
(I’m pretty sure I single-handedly created another hole in the ozone with the amount of hairspray I used for this :/)
Hair:
I just curled it all to one side with a bit of a bouffant going on!
(this is the best picture of what colour my dress was)
Nails:
I got them to match my dress by mixing a few different polishes and then I just put Barry M pink iridescence over my ring fingers.

(and some random pictures of the prom itself before we went out afterwards)

Hope you’ve enjoyed!! x

Bronze-Golden FOTD

(I know I need to work on the title of these posts.. I'm working on it!)
I wasn’t planning on posting any more EOTD or FOTD unless I was going out or decided to do something a little bit different but a friend actually commented on this look so when I got home I decided to take a few pictures for you :)
I used..
Mac Honey Lust (I used this little eyeshadow trick) all over the lid
Urban decay Honey in the centre of the lid for some dimension
Urban decay Twice Baked and Shag through the crease
And as always Urban Decay Yeyo as a highlight!

For eyeliner I used my Bobbi brown gel liner in black
(I can’t say enough good things about this!)
Rimmel’s sexy curves mascara :)
(I didn't do anything with my brows, I just left them natural)

If you’re curious about what I wore this with well..
I wore Clinique redness solutions foundation 01
Diorskin sculpt concealer 01
Benefit sugarbomb blush
Prestige 03 pure shimmer highlighter
& I just put some burts bees lip balm on my lips.

Hope you’ve enjoyed!! x

Summer FOTD

I’m getting back into posting more than once every so often, a few times a week from now on – promise :D

So to ease myself back into it :P here’s a little FOTD

Face
Benefit’s You Rebel Lite (I’m still not keen on this but.. I’m trying to figure out a way I can wear it!)
Stay don’t stray concealer & primer from benefit
Benefit’s benitint
Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer (Why did I not own this before? I finally know why people rave about it :p)

Lips
Benefit’s benitint – anything that’s duo purpose is an instant favourite with me :)

Eyes
Maxfactor false lash effect mascara – I always forget how much I like this
Pink Slate eyeshadow duo


(I know i got a bit carried away with the swirly things.... but they're so pretty :D)

La La Land

Look what I got in the post today!!



I’d forgotten all about winning a benefit lipstick through the flake competiton, it seems like it was ages ago!

Any way this is my second benefit lipstick, and it’s just as smooth and creamy, meaning it goes on effortlessly but with iffy staying power…



I got it in la la land (I love the names that benefit comes up with!)

It's a little darker than it appears in the pictures, with a more plum undertone :)