Whats in My Makeup Bag

Every so often I like to sit down and switch up my makeup bag. To me my makeup bag houses my most reached for, every day products. Once I have a look  I am happy with then it will usually stick around for sometime before new products are added to the mix.  I try to edge towards the more natural look for everyday proceedings, stepping away from the flicked cat eye and focusing on the base, with a pop of colour on the cheeks, a natural lip and super curled lashes. Let me introduce you to the current line up...

Base wise I have been slapping on the Dior BB Creme in shade 02. Not to be mistaken with your average BB cream. Aside from a few added skincare benefits, I would happily place this into the 'tinted moisturiser' category. A light, dewy consistency, which gives a light/medium coverage that can be layered to achieve a fuller coverage. For contouring, my beloved Nars Laguna has taken a backseat, and I finally picked up Kevin Aucoin's Sculpting Powder in a rather mad Space NK dash a few weeks back. The receipt is still safely hidden from the boyf's eyes to save my sanity. I like to dust this lightly under my non existent cheek bones, and blend in circular motions a la Lisa Eldridge style for a natural hint of cheek bones. It does come with a small brush applicator however on a side note I would disregard this and opt for another. Like most 'free applicators' in my opinion they rarely compliment the product and often get thrown to one side. I then sweep Mac Melba Blush across the apples of my cheeks - a subtle light peach shade which was sitting unloved at the back of a drawer (I really should sort out my stash more often). Rounding up the base is another new addition -  Hourglass Ambient Light Powder. Probably my most sought after purchase which I had been eyeing up in Space NK for sometime since it landed in the UK earlier this year. Available in 6 shades, I opted for Dim Light - a neutral beige with a slight peach hue designed to blur imperfections and highlight a radiant complexion. Unlike conventional powders these use 'Photoluminescent Technology' to refract light and create a transparent coverage. No more cakiness? I'm sold! I like to dust this all over my face using a RT powder brush to set everything in place, and I can report that this is absolutely undetectable on the skin and really does leave a radiant glow about the complexion. 

With complexion complete, lets talk eyes and for me its simple and natural all the way. A quick sweep of Naked 2 from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette* - a straight up light tan brown does the job. It gives my eyes a little depth without looking like I am wearing any shadow - think contour for eyes. For top lashes, its a quick curl using my Shu Uemera curlers and couple of coats of L'Oreal Telescopic Waterproof mascara on my top lashes. I have heard on the grapevine that this has been or is to be discontinued so if you guys know of anything similar then please let me know. For my bottom lashes its a single coat of Clinique bottom lash mascara - a solely enabled purchsed by Ysis but one I now don't know how I lived without it. For brows I have been testing out the Esteé Lauder Brow Duo which actually featured on a wish list some time ago. I am still on the fence with this so watch this space for a full report. Finally, for lips I have been slicking on some Benefit Coralista Lipgloss*. Not to be confused with generic sticky glosses, this falls more into the 'sheen' category, think Clarins lip perfectors. Coralista is a sheer peachy shade which just adds a subtle hue of colour, with absolutely no stickyness whatsoever. Probably one of the few lipglosses which gets the thumbs up from me. 

Sounds like a fair amount of products for a work week right? But trust me when I say I have perfected this down to at least 10 minutes tops, which leaves time for one extra press of the snooze button...is it really Sunday already...

*PR Samples

Eye Brighteners

Late nights and early starts have gradually started to take their toll on my peepers. Gone are the days when I could party until the early hours and run out the house bright eyed and bushy tailed first thing in the morning. I now find myself needing to add an extra 5 minutes in the morning to get my eyes looking relatively like I have had a standard eight hours. So I gathered up a few of my favourite awakening products that allow me to leave the house when the birds are singing without looking like a zombie...

Supergoop Anti-ageing eye cream*  - First up on the menu is prepping. After cleansing I like to dab a  tiny amount of this under my eyes, use the cooling metal applicator to give a gentle rub and then use my ring finger to pat the rest in. This is a real treat for eyes, brightens them instantly, leaves them protected with its rather high SPF37 yet leaves absolutely no residue meaning its the ultimate primer for under eye makeup. Ridiculously pricey? Yes, this will set you back £42 but is probably one of the few eye creams I have genuinely fallen in love with. 

YSL Touche Eclat -  The ultimate eye brightener. Yes its an oldie, but its a goodie. I have touched base on a few dupes however always come back to the original. On particular mornings when I have been particular naughty and failed to get a good nights kip this has been my saviour. I like to use a couple of clicks per eye and then blend to instantly look more awake. The best thing about this product is that you can build it up without looking one bit cakey. 

MAC Pro-long wear concealer NW20 - This was purchased on the rec of Ysis (Le Beauty Girl) and boy was she right, this little gem does not budge all day. You only need the tiniest amount, I like to warm between my finger and pat over the former Touche Eclat for a little extra coverage. Word of warning though this can get a tad cakey if you build it up too much, less is most certainly more. 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl in Nude - This was one of those supermarket moment purchases. You know the drill you just happen to casually walk past the makeup aisle and out of nowhere a few items have made it into your trolley. I like to sweep this under my water line to eliminate any redness. It has not got the best longevity yet sees me through to lunchtime when my eyes are relatively back to normal. 

Shu Uemura eyelash curler - Finally, I always think eyes look more awake when your lashes are curled. Whilst I don't have relatively short lashes, without a quick curl they can be non existent. I use the Shu Uemura ones, a rather pricey Buya Powa purchase on the recommendation of fellow bloggers. Yet, I don't think you need to purchase these, and a cheaper drugstore version would do just the same job. So if you don't have curlers yet, then get yourself down to Boots sharpish...

*PR Sample

Nails Inc & Cocktails? Im In!

Limited Edition Mali-Woo Woo*

Aside from food, wine and all things makeup related -  my ultimate weakness has to be cocktails and nail polishes. Despite the nail polish inn verging on full, when I heard that there was a collaboration going down with Malibu and Nails Inc I was in. Yes, thats right, Malibu have teamed up with Nails Inc and have created a Limited Edition nail polish based on their infamous Mali Woo Woo Cocktail! A hot pink number this is the perfect shade for the summer on both nails and toes, I am donning it on both. All I need now is a cocktail... 

A quick heads up, Mali-woo-woo will be available from Malibutiques only which are touring the country right now. So if you fancy getting some styling advice from none other than ASOS, grabbing a quick mani with Nails Inc, or just getting your hair primped via Toni and Guy then pop these dates in your diary!

Birmingham Bullring (25th-28th July)

Manchester Exchange Square (23rd-26th August)

All entry is FREE however you must be 18 or over. Can't get to one of the above? Then you could always grab yourself some Malibu, Vodka and Cranberry and knock up a Mali-woo-woo in your own home! 

*PR Sample

KMS California - Frizz Fighter Kit

For those that suffer with a slightly frizzy mane, then you will understand the anguish that comes with constantly having to avoid the rain, unavoidable changing temperatures and serum and straighteners are your best friend. Whilst my hair isn't your classic frizz case, and a far cry from being a Monica in Barbados, it can be flyaway and a quick wash and go is a big fat no no without a good blow dry, copious amounts of straightening serum and my trusted GHD's. So when the new Tame Frizz range* by KMS California planted itself on my doormat, I scheduled some me time in the shower and put these beauty's to use. A brand new to me, I was intrigued, the Frizz Fighter Kit has been formed as part of the Tame Frizz range and offers a selection of hair care products specifically designed to target the symptoms of frizz. 

After trotting off to the bathroom with 2 hefty bottles, I got to work. Undressing, wetting hair aside, I started with a 50p dollop into the palm of my hand and began massaging into my scalp (word of warning ladies, you only need half. Lesson learnt). After satisfying my sweet craving with its rather addictive, fruity yet subtle scent I was pleasantly surprised that this produced a really good lather, and removed tangles. Yes tangles literally fell out, albeit a quick brush before hand undoubtably aided this, but it definitely felt like it was doing a good job. My hair felt clean, I mean super clean yet not stripped at all. Next up I slapped on some conditioner, used the anti-static comb to rid any tangles and left to work for a few minutes whilst getting on with other in shower activities i.e washing, shaving etc and then finally rinsed, and rinsed again. Although the rather pleasant scent failed to linger as much as I would have liked, my hair did feel super clean and soft and as someone that suffers from a dry scalp I am happy to report that this did not irritate at all. A quick single pump of the non greasy de-frizz oil and I was good to go. Well good to move onto blow-drying that is. Now I won't say that this range is one of those instant gratification products, I have been using them a few weeks now before noticing a change. Yes, I was actually able to leave the house after a quick blow dry and bypass the trusty GHD's. Yes, you heard that right...is it time to ditch the GHD's? Not quite, but if you do suffer from barnet of the frizzy variety, or even slightly flyaway then these are definitely worth a try. 

The Frizz Fighter kit is available from June onwards from selected KMS salons and will be £29.50. You can find your nearest salon by clicking here. However after a quick peruse of both Beauty Bay and Feel Unique, whilst not offering the Tame Frizz range they do offer a selection of KMS products. 

*PR Sample

Weekend Wishlist #10

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 

I think its safe to say that after my card got rather a battering this weekend that these items shall remain firmly on this post.  However I hold no promises and with summer approaching and a beach wedding/holiday on the horizon its about time I started thinking about my summer essentials. 

1. MAC Face and Body foundation 50ml - I have always had my eye on the F&B foundation but the mahusive bottle always put me off. Although MAC have now released the smaller 50ml bottles which are much more travel friendly for the everyday beauty obsessive. 

2. Glamorous Kimono - Love love love this kimono from Glamorous and after seeing Milly rocking it on her blog it has been firmly planted on my 'need/want' list. Shame that this is sold out, but its so pretty you can kind of understand why. This would be perfect to dress up or just throw over a bikini with some denim shorts to rock around the pool. 

3. Zara Neon Bag - I thought its about time I added a spruce of colour to my handbag collection and a solid black bag isn't going to cut it on holiday. Trust Zara to come up with yet another gooden', and this bright  number is big enough for all my airport essentials. Love. 

4. Disney Couture Bangle - I have mentioned before, bar a watch I am not really a jewellery person. However this bangle really caught my eye and I love the inscription 'Have Faith in Your Dreams' which is very apt as I am a big believer in following dreams whatever others may say. Apologies for getting a little deep...

5. Chantecaille SPF50 - When I saw the price of this I had to take a deep breath. I mean what makes a grown relatively sane woman throw down the best part of 100 notes on a sun cream right? I am yet to find a face sun cream that isn't greasy and the reviews on this have been nothing but praise. Not one to be seen bare faced on holiday this could be the ultimate primer whilst protecting our most valuable asset. I have said it before and will say it again, you only get one face so if you are going to splurge on anything then ensure that it is skincare. 

Mont Bleu - Handbag Essentials

Some time ago I was sent a couple of items from Mont Bleu*. A brand which I was not familiar with, they are based in the Czech Republic and specialise in decorative beauty tools, all handmade. Not one to turn my nose up at an embellished tool I quickly welcomed these items to my handbag and thats where they have remained firmly since. First up is a compact mirror, silver, with a cute array of Swarovski crystals this is bound to gather a few admiring glances on the train. Next up is something I was most looking forward to trying - the crystal nail file. I am always looking for a good quality nail file and generally stick to cheap ones from Boots but they never last. This files my nails like a dream, plus comes with a rather handy little pouch so you dont have to worry about it scratching other items in your bag. I highly recommend getting your hands on a crystal nail file if you have not already. You can check out the range from Mont Bleu here. Its definitely worth a peruse if you are on the lookout for gifts.

*PR Samples