June favourites...

Glossy lips have been my go-to this month, and I've completely adored Tanya Burrs lipgloss in First Date (and not just because it smells like milkshake, although that helped). I've also discovered the l'Oreal L'Extrodinaire glosses which are super long lasting, beautifully glossy with just the right amount of colour to wear on their own or over a lipstick. I want to pick up more of these they're just gorgeous. For the face I've rediscovered the famous Benefit High Beam dupe by Me Me Me, Beat The Blues liquid highlighter. It's a super subtle, pale pink highlighter that looks great under foundation for a really subtle glow, or over the top of a liquid foundation for a bit more impact. I've loved wearing it teamed with the Borjois Exlusif cream blush - a really interesting product that adapts to your own skin colour and gives a stunning pink glow to the cheeks. Another re-discovery this month has been my brow tastic Illamasqua Brow Cake in Gaze. Holy Grail brow product without a doubt and, as you can see, very well loved! I've been all about the winged liner and lashes for eyes this month, and have been pairing my Kate Moss for Rimmel mascara with the Maybelline Lasting Drama Black Shock gel liner…another Benefit dupe! And lastly for makeup…Essie Blanc has been firmly on my toes for the entire month. Nothing screams SUMMER to me more than white nails!

I've started a new job this month so I've been all about products that make my life that little bit easier. The Batiste XXL dry shampoo has saved my hair through day two, three, and sometimes even four when I've had no time to wash and dry it. The Body Shop Camomile cleaning oil has been a great quick fix to remove my makeup at night before bed, and to save my tired, stressed out skin I've been applying the Avon Clear Skin pore penetrating black mineral mask. It looks a bit odd as it's black, but leaves my skin looking and feeling fantastic, I get a really great glow when I apply makeup the day after I've used this! Another Avon product I've loved is their overnight foot renewal cream…I'm on my feet all day every day at the moment so they've needed a bit of extra attention. Lastly for June, is f course a tan. Again another quick fix product, the well blogged about Cocoa Brown one hour tan. It says one hour, but to be honest I apply this at night and wash off in the morning and get a beautiful, natural, non smelly, non streaky glowing tan that lasts a week on my skin if I keep up with good skincare between applications.

What has everyone else been loving?

Loves

xxx

The best of The Body Shop...

First up we have skincare - something that I'm quite minimal with as my skin is extremely oily so doesn't need too much fuss and product overload. My most recent purchase is the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. I'd been using cream cleansers previously and found they were a real struggle to take off makeup with. This is an absolute dream; just one pump for eyes, another for skin, massage into dry skin until it turns milky and rinse off. Another night time product I've been loving is the Serum in Oil. I love using both serum AND oil on my face at night time but the combination of the two sometimes freaks my skin out, so finding this really light weight oil that combines the benefits of a serum was a dream! 

My favourite face mask of all time, in the history of face masks, is the Warming Mineral Clay mask. This warms up as you apply it and doesn't dry hard like a lot of clay masks tend to do, so there's non of that dry, tight feeling after you've taken this off. I've been through about 4 tubes of the Vitamin E eye cream (which I have a review on here), I love this stuff! It doesn't try to do everything, it just keeps the area hydrated and makes eye makeup apply so much smoother. Finally, another much re-purchased product is the Mattifying Seaweed Day Cream. Oh lord I love this stuff. I can sometimes even just use this without a primer and my makeup just sits so much better. Any oily skinned girls out there… you need this one in your life!

For makeup, I recently caved in to the hype and bought the Honey Bronzer in shade 03 medium matte. I love it almost as much as Benefit Hoola, and lord knows I'm a big fan of that bad boy! It doesn't have any shimmer, and is a very natural bronze colour - you won't see any nasty orange face streaks with this one! I also love that they come in such light shades, perfect for the paler ones among us! My Nan picked up the Body Shop Shimmer Waves highlighter in Blush for me as a present when I came back from Australia and, whenever I've been sporting a pale to mid toned pink blush, I'm also wearing this without fail. It's a gorgeous subtle shimmery highlighter that can be built up to look quite dramatic, and can even be worn without a blush underneath if you take the colour from the top of the palette. The Body Shop Shimmer Cubes are a bit of a cult product and for very good reason. I mentioned them in my recent shopping my stash post and have used them almost every day since - especially the copper colour all over the lid and underneath the lower lash line. 

Lastly are the Body Shop Lightening Touch pens; an absolute gem of a products and one that I think should be talked about a lot more. I have shade 03 which is perfect as a highlighter anywhere on the face, and my new discover in 01 which is a peach colour that I find counteracts my dark eye circles like a dream. 

What other products should I try from The Body Shop? Any other cult products or underdogs that I need to get my hands on?

Loves

xxx 

Holy Grail Skincare picks...

I don't tend to talk about skincare on here much, mainly because I'm really a budget skincare kind of gal, and I feel like a bad blogger not loving brands like Oskia, Kiehl's and Eve Lom. But realistically my view is that, if something works, why change it? So here's just a quick sneak peak into some of my holy grail skin care items, that I've been repurchasing since the dawn of time in some cases….

Bioderma. Not much needs to be said about this really let's face it; it's a cult favourite for a reason. I do quite like the Garnier offering and when I finish this (which won't be any time soon) I may pick that up again but really, my heart lies with Bioderma. 

The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask. Any mask that warms up on contact with the skin has a place in my heart, and on my bathroom shelf. Clay masks are a firm favourite with me and my oily skin, and this one really draws all the impurities out and makes my skin feel tingly clean. 

Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Wash. Speaking of tingly clean, this is one of those products that you KNOW has worked because you're face tingles and feels cold. I never feel like this is actually doing anything, until I stop using it. And then all facial hell breaks loose. So I've learnt to just keep this in my everyday routine, which is where it's been for about 8 years. 

The Body Shop Vitamin E eye cream. Nothing crazily special but this is light enough to apply makeup on top of, unscented and there fore my eyes don't swell up at the sight of it (which is what usually happens between me and eye creams). 

Nivea Daily Essentials Regenerating Night Cream. It's thick, it's moisturising, it feels like it's doing something. It doesn't smell offensive, it sinks in nicely, and it doesn't break me out. Add to that the fact that it's less than £5 and really….why would I spend upwards of £30 on a night cream that isn't guaranteed to work like this one??

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo +. This is another one of those that doesn't seem to do anything magical when I use it, but when I stop is when I see the true extent to it's fabulousness. This is my third tube of this and it's my absolute dream skincare product. On a side note….I can't see a difference between the original and the + formula. 

What are everyone else's skincare holy grail products?

Loves

xxx

Shopping my stash #1...

I see a lot of these posts going around on blogs from one week to the next and I love the idea that it encourages using products that have long been forgotten and pushed to the back of the draw rather than going out and buying yet MORE new products. I had a rummage in the 'reserve' draws and pulled out these three beauties. 

Sax blusher in Rosy Glow, The Body Shop shimmer cubes palette 06, Topshop lip crayon in Coy.

This blush is a really beautiful rose pink with a lot of gold shimmer running through it. If you don't like any shimmer in your blushers, this isn't for you. I love the fact that it eliminates the need to add a highlighter afterwards….although thats not to say that I don't add one!

I've had this for longer than I can remember, but it really has laid unloved in my collection. The coppery and champagne shade in this palette are the kind of colours I reach for on a daily basis so I can see this becoming my everyday palette now I've bought it out of retirement. 

The Topshop lip crayons are very matte which is just how I like my lip products at the moment. They glide on beautifully (just make sure you exfoliate your lips first….) and have great staying power. This one in Coy is a beautiful peachy pink shade….and who doesn't love a peachy pink?! This will look gorgeous with a sweep of the above blusher and some of the copper shadow on the lids from the Body Shop shimmer cube palette.

Does anyone else do this regularly? What have you rediscovered from your stash?

Loves

xxx

Top 13 of 2013... the beauty edition...

Bioderma was a new discovery for me this year and I know it will forever be part of my skincare routine. I found my dream day cream and night cream this year, the Seaweed mattifying day cream from The Body Shop and the Nivea regenerating night cream.

To treat my skin I found a new love for clay masks, particularly the Body Shop warming mineral mask, which is great for really clearing out congested pores. My favourite cleanser of 2013 was a later discovery but it would be criminal not to include it; Let the Good Times Roll from Lush. For the smell alone this is a winner, but it also really helped me to steer away from harsh scrub cleansers and be a bit more gentle to my skin. 

When it comes to lip balm there could be only one winner...a real love it or hate it product from Nuxe, their Reve de Miel conditioning lip balm. Never again to I want to feel a sticky residue on my lips. 

For body I've been trying to combat pesky mosquito bite scars on my legs and Bio Oil has not only been a saviour for that, but it and will remain one of my life long holy grail products.

I've not done much tanning this year as I've been blessed living in the sunshine of Australia but for those in between days when I feel like I need a bit more colour, I've been loving the St Tropez gradual tanner. Top points for the bearable fake tan smell too! Of course no girl can fake tan on top of flakey skin so I discovered the Organi lychee salt scrub which not only smells delicious, but is an oil free scrub so won't interfere with any tanning products. 

2013 was a year I fell in love with hair products in a big way. I discovered the three products I'd been searching for. First the V05 dry texturising spray which is such a bargain but adds a really nice 'undone' look to straight hair. Then one of Lush's cult products Big shampoo, a sea salt shampoo that really adds some grit to the hair, and my newest discovery the Fudge Root Juice. The strangest product I've ever tried, but if you lust after volumised roots you need this in your life. 

The last hair product is an oil from Shwartzkoft, Daily Oil Elixer. This baby doesn't way down your hair but manages to keep my frizzy mane tamed and soft for the whole day.

What are everyone else's beauty favourites of 2013?

Loves

xxx 

The Body Shop Vitamin E eye cream review...

I always find eye cream to be quite tricky. How do you know if it's working? What makes a good eye cream? Personally I look for something that makes my eye makeup apply smoothly, sinks in easily so I can use it morning and night, and doesn't make my eyes swell up (a problem I've had with many an eye cream in the past). 

I'm a huge lover of The Body Shop Vitamin E range and have used various items of the range on and off for years. I picked this up on a recent speedy shopping trip and am so pleased with it. It's nothing crazy, it doesn't perform miracles, but it's a soft light cream suitable for use morning or night, makes me under eye concealer slightly less prone to creasing, and no swelling!

In my, now less puffy and slightly brighter, eyes this is a winner and will be a future re-purchase for sure.

What eye creams does everyone else use and recommend?

Loves

xxx

My top five foundations...

I'm not really a collector of foundations to be honest, I tend to stick to what I like and not really change my ways, although I have collected some beauties over the past year or two. 

(L - R Body Shop All Over Face Base, Bourjois Health Mix, Revlon Photo Ready, Mac Studio Fix Fluid, Estee Lauder Double Wear)

Body Shop All Over Face Base: The one and only non liquid foundation in my top five, I used this religiously for about three years back when I was around 17/18/19. It does give a very powdery finish but I used to suffer from oily skin so this was the only product that really stayed put. I tend to reserve this if I need to apply makeup at the speed of light, but I'd never be without one in my collection. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix: Well considering I hated this when I first tried it back in the summer, I have eaten my words. I LOVE this, so natural and light, easy to blend, and although I do find I need a powder to set it I think it lasts a good 5/6 hours before I need to powder again (which is really good on my skin!)

Revlon Photo Ready: I can get past the 'shimmer particles' in this foundation because to be honest I can't even tell! This is my current every day go-to foundation, I've got it in a couple of shades (one was passed on by my Mum who wasn't really a fan) and I just reach for this every day. I don't think this necessarily needs a powder (unless I'm expecting an all day wear) and I think it gives a really flawless finish.

Mac Studio Fix Fluid: I used to swear by this and got a few of my friends on the band wagon with me, but I started to crave something a bit lighter on my skin so switched to lighter covering foundations like HM. I do still use this from time to time, and I think it's great to cover up last nights sins if you've had a particularly heavy one. I love that this is a mat foundation but I do tend to favour something a bit fresher these days.

Estee Lauder Double Wear: I don't know where to start with this, I'm officially in love. Yes I know I just said I don't like heavy foundations but a little bit of this goes a long way. I do reserve it for nights out or on days when I need a 7am - 12pm sort of coverage. I don't necessarily need a powder, although something light like Elf HD Powder is perfect with it. It goes on well, blends well, stays on all day, doesn't slip and slide, and most off all, looks gorgeous in my makeup collection.

Are any of these in your top five?

Loves

xxx

Top five blushers....

I have TOO much love for blush! 

Top l-r: Mac Fleur Power, Vivo (colour's rubbed off I don't know the shade!)

Bottom l-r: The BodyShop Petal, MeMeMe Coral, Topshop Head Over Heels

Mac Fleur Power was my first ever Mac blusher and the only one I've hit pan on and had to re-purchase. EVER! MeMeMe in coral is a really summer shade and I only really wear that with a tan but as soon as 'summer' hits us again this will be back in my everyday makeup bag. Everyone knows how amazing Topshop blushers are, no need for me to go into that! If you haven't tried a Vivo baked blush I suggest you do so NOW, one of my best finds of 2011. And The Body Shop blush has a highlighter built in it so need I say more?!?!

Would any of these make it into your top 5? If not, what would??

Loves

xxx

Current obsessions...

I'm so in love with lots of things right now....

Mythic Oil: My hair has grown so much over the last few months, and I think it's probably a combo of not using much heat on it, and using this most days...it makes my hair feel so healthy!

Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in 03: I think I've worn this nearly ever day since I bought it, amazing colour and staying power, a really perfect nude without giving a 'foundation lip' effect.

The Body Shop Eye reviver duo: This is packed full of vitamin c to make your skin really bright and refreshed, I use this every morning (the under eye radiance cream and cooling all round eye roll on) before my makeup to keep my eyes sparkling and make my concealer stay on all day.

Vivo blush: I have NO idea what colour this is as it's worn off the back, but it's a gorgeous subtle shimmery pink that I've been using so much recently to perk up my tired winter skin, I want to get all the shades in these blushes they're so good for the money!

Office boots: I've been looking for some boots like this for AGES and finally found some in Office (of course) a few weeks ago, these have been moulded to my feet ever since!

Multi-coloured nails: I haven't had all my nails the same colour for months, this is much more fun!

T-shirts: This is only a small collection of my t-shirts, I cannot stop buying them! I'm really not a shirt or 'pretty' top sort of girl, if I could live in t-shirts and denim shorts all my life I would!

Estee Lauder Double Wear: This is a bit of a cheat as I've only worn this once, but the obsession part comes from looking at it's beautiful-ness (real word, honest) on my makeup shelf, I can't wait to start using it more!

One Day: I CANNOT put this down, I'm so near the end and am dying to know how it ends. I'm definitely going to have to watch the film as soon as I've read the rest of this!

What are your current obsessions?

Loves

xxx

Twice baked....

I woke up to a lovely surprise this morning, my Body Shop parcel came, which was brilliant considering it only got dispatched yesterday! So first of, YAY for The Body Shop!

Secondly, YAY for their amazing makeup which, until I spent a good ten minutes discussing the merits of a shimmer versus a matt bronzer with the lady in my local store on Thursday, I'd never really been bothered about before. Whilst it's true that I am what could only be described as addicted to their all in one face base (I've been using this for forever and a day!) I only ever walk in, grab it and walk out again. I kind of just wandered into The Body Shop out of boredom on my lunch break and discovered their Baked To Last Range which is just stunning! I didn't actually get any there and then, and instead came home and popped on their website to see if they happened to have any offers on. And let me tell you, oh yes they did!! If you spent over £40, you got £20 off your order, and free delivery on orders over £20, which I had a feeling wouldn't be a problem. This is what I got....

They had two bronzers, this one was the lighter of the two and was actually a lot lighter than I'd ever buy. I think it would be OK as a bit of an extra colour over my face when I have a tan, a bit like a powder, or even a bronzing highlighter. I'd definitely pick up the darker bronzer next time I'm in The Body Shop, it's not too shimmery to be used all over the face, and the colour stays all day! This one was in Warm Glow. 

I'm not very experimental (as you may know) when it comes to eyeshadows, but they had some gorgeous colours in their baked eyeshadows. They have two tones to them, a dark and a light. They are SO pigmented, I haven't actually tried this yet but they look like they'll go on amazingly! This one was in  Moonstone, but I also liked the look of Copper and Starlight. 

This was easily my favourite buy, their baked blusher in Petal. Again like the eyeshadow it has two colours to it, but swirling a big brush across the two of these gives a lovely colour. The pale colour on the right makes a great highlighter, I wore the pink as a blusher with a sweep of the highlighter today and it has stayed put all day, it's such a beautiful pinky colour that really matches my skin tone. 

The last think I bought was one of their cult products, their shimmer cube palettes. Not much needs to be said about these, gorgeous colours, really pigmented, and work well alone or together to create a smokey eye. 

Has anyone else tried anything from the Baked range from The Body Shop? Do you recommend any other colours/shades?

Loves

xxx