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!

Jet-Lagged Face

I popped back to England or easter and while I was there I couldn't help but pick up a few bits and pieces - make up is damn expensive down under! Along with the obligatory collection lasting perfection concealer - I'm not going to talk about it since you're probably fed up of hearing about it's amazingness, I got the accompanying foundation, Super Liner Brow Artist from L'Oreal and Master Precise liquid liner, all of which I'm wearing today.

 I'm sure I'm not the only one who is completely impatient when it comes to trying out new make up, as soon as I buy it I can't wait to wear it!

 Excuse my terribly battered hoola bronzer - I've had this stuff for absolutely years and I've finally hit pan. But here's everything I was sporting today

I've been opting for the tinted moisturiser&mascara combo most days, with the occasional lick of concealer but today, inspired by collection's lasting perfection foundation I slapped on a full face, including the beautiful Soft and Gentle MSF from mac, I'd completely forgotten how this erases any hint of dull, tired looking skin (long-haul flights just make my skin look dead)

 Relvon's Tutti Frutti, Soft and Gentle, The Balm Bahama Mama, Hoola, Urban Decay Sin and Twice Baked eyeshadows

 I have a distinct love-hate relationship with Tutti Frutti, it's much brighter, and much more orange, than I'm usually comfortable with but sometimes you just need that injection of colour to give your fact a bit of a lift!

I kept my eyes pretty simply by digging out my old faithfuls of Urban decay's sin and Twice baked, I'm always surprised at the butteriness of sin and how stunning it looks swept all over the lid

My Make Up Bag

Jack Wills Make Up Bag

Recently I've had a couple of emails asking me about what I carry in my 'every day make up bag' so, here's what you can normally find in my bag. I should quickly mention the make up bag itself  - it's not too big or too small, with a little compartment inside and a small zipped pocket on the front. It was a little pricey as it's Jack Wills and a limited edition print but I got it in the sale so its all good!

Dream Matte Powder - Maybelline

First up is my trusted Maybelline Dream Matte Powder. I'm sure you've already heard about this as it's got a loyal following but in short if you've oily skin this is amazing. I only use this to touch up and oiliness on my nose but it just absorbs oil like crazy! If you ever suffer with oiliness I can't recommend this enough and it's only £7.19 from Boots.

Cotton Candy Lip Butter - Revlon

This is another one you're probably fed up of hearing about as there are hundreds of revlon lip butter reviews out there. But this is super pretty and perfect for touching up on the go as you don't really need a mirror and it feels just like a lip balm.

Snow Fairy Lip Tint - Lush

This is lovely. If you get chance to buy it at christmas, it's limited edition, definitely try to pick it up. It smells divine, it adds a beautiful pink tint to your lips and it's not greasy on the lips. What more can you ask for? 

Peaches and Cream Blush - Vivo

Adding colour to my cheeks isn't something I usually need to worry about (naturally rosy cheeks) but sometimes after a long day my skin is just looking a little dull and I find a quick sweep of this on my apple makes the biggest difference! I'll review this separately as I could ramble on and on about this

Witch Stick

Kind of self explanatory really - If I get a blemish during the day I just pop some of this on it and it sorts it out. Simple. I don't carry this with me every day as I like to keep it with the rest of my skin care but it's a frequent visitor to my make up bag :) This is another one I'd recommend as for £2.89 you can't go too far wrong.

Witch Concealer Stick 01 & Mineral Cover Concealer 03 - Maybelline
Last up are the two concealers I cart about with me. The witch concealer is great for concealing spots - especially as it won't make them worse as it's got witch hazel in it. And then my mineral cover concealer I use solely for my under eyes as 03 it quite pink toned so it works amazingly a cancelling out any blue tones :) (There's talk of both being discontinued, which I hope isn't true. But I've seen both in stores so you should be able to find them)

After writing this I feel like I carry loads with me but I do genuinely use everything and it barely takes up any room. Let me know what you carry around with you on a daily basis!

Hope you've enjoyed!! xx

February Favourites 2011

I know I don’t do favourites every month but I discovered (and rediscovered) some really lovely products this month and I wanted to share with you how much I loved them!

Calvin Klein lipgloss in 212 Bella
I think I’ve mentioned this one before as I keep meaning to do a whole post on this lipgloss as I really love it. But put simply this is a gorgeous colour that isn’t too strong to wear during the day with a really creamy texture that makes your lips look really pretty!

Bobbi Brown long-Wear Gel Liner in Black ink
This is one of those products everyone seems to have tried and loved and I’ve got to say I haven’t been disappointed. I wear this near enough every day, and have been for the past 4 months and I have barely made a dint in this little tub!!

Trilogy energising face lotion
There will be a review on this and Trilogy’s face wash within the next month, however this has become my favourite moisturiser – my skin feels hydrated but not greasy and I swear it’s been a large reason for why my skin hasn’t been feeling dry despite the harsh weather!

Dior Skin sculpt concealer
For a concealer this is a little pricey but you only need 3 little dots under each eye and your under eyes are concealed and kept hydrated all day – again I’m planning to do a full review on this little tube I love it that much!

Smashbox blush in Famous
I’ve been eager for spring this past month and really wanted to be adding some warmth into my skin tone and this is the perfect everyday blush that compliments most skin tones! This was the first smashbox product I tried and at first I didn’t see what the fuss was about after a few months of trying it out though this really is a great staple item – the sort of thing I’ll repurchase time and time again because I know it’ll work for any look!

Hope you’ve enjoyed!! x