Shopping the Stash.

This is a totally unintentional "Shopping the Stash" but since starting my new job and uni, I've fallen back in love with makeup! I've been able to wear eyeshadow and try different looks with all kinds of lipsticks from my collection- it's been so lovely! I've found that there's a few things I've been reaching for recently and they're all old favourites.

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in 120 Vanilla- I can't believe I forgot about this foundation, it's amazing! It gives great coverage without being heavy on the skin and it gives a natural but flawless finish. I still hate that it hasn't got a pump applicator though!

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel- I've found my skin has felt a bit saturated recently and my L'oreal Skin Perfection Moisturiser has felt a little heavy since the warm September weather crept in. This Clinique moisturiser is nice and light but still hydrating. Win.

Urban Decay NAKED Basics Palette- this has been my go-to everyday palette as I love the matte neutral shades. I'm super excited about the October launch of the NAKED Basics 2 which I will deffo be buying!

Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in 145 Rayonnante- this is quite simply the most luxurious, moisturising lipstick with the best colour payoff I own. The raspberry shade is stunning and compliments my skin tone really well. 

Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in 59 Dedicace- this lives in my 'handbag essentials' bag as it's the perfect 'go with everything' pink shade. Again, it's got the quality and luxury of any Chanel lipstick but this is the perfect light pink for me- not too blue tone or too chalky, just right for me! 

Thanks for reading- I hope you're all OK, thanks for stopping by x

Makeup Haul featuring Urban Decay, Revlon, Rimmel & more!

Topshop Powder Blusher in Good Girl; Maybelline the Matte Maker in Classic Ivory; Rimmel Matte BB Cream in Very Light; Urban Decay Shattered Face Case; Revlon Colorbursts in Flirtatious and Showy; Rita Ora for Rimmel Colour Rush in Viva Violette; Barry M Brow Pen in Dark Brown.

Urban Decay Shattered Face Case (same one as above); 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil in Native; Revolution Lipstick in Native; NAKED Skin Foundation in 01; NAKED Skin Beauty Balm.

This is my makeup haul from last week. I spent wayyyyy too much money and it's left me a bit on my arse money-wise but at least I'll look good right? It's a bit of a mix between bargain high street and everything else is Urban Decay after having my makeup done. My love for the Revlon Colorbursts is still going strong so I picked up another two- one Lacquer and one Matte both in stunning bright pink shades. I also bought one of the Rita Ora for Rimmel Colour Rush lip crayons in a nice plum shade. I love how easy these products are to apply and think they last a lot better than some lipsticks I own! 

I finally got my hands on the Rimmel Matte BB Cream in Very Light after loving it in Light but it being a bit dark for my skin tone. I also picked up the Maybelline Matte Maker for a bargain £3.99- it's a product I've not even heard of but seems right up my street. I thought this Barry M Brow Pen was a great time saving idea as it creates instant definition. I've seen loads of bloggers talk about the Topshop Powder blushers and I fell for the baby pink Good Girl, it's perfect for Spring!

I've gone Urban Decay obsessed! I found the Shattered Face Case by chance when my chum Dany was buying the NAKED3 palette. According to the lovely makeup artist, it was limited edition for Christmas in America and they've sent all the unsold products over to the UK. I fell in love- it contains five eyeshadows, two blushers, a highlighter, eyeliner and lip product all in one nifty case! When I had my makeup done, she used the NAKED Skin Beauty Balm and Foundation and my skin looked f-l-a-w-l-e-s-s! I'm so impressed with the products I cannot tell you! I also bought a beauty baby pink lipstick and lip liner in shade Native. Wowsers, so there you have it! My mega self indulgent haul. I hope you're all OK, thanks for stopping by x

February Favourites.

I can't believe that it's already time for my February Favourites- I know it's a short month but gosh it's gone quick! I've been loving loads of products this month but some of them I've been reaching for pretty much every day. 

Revlon Colorburst Matte and Lacquer Balms- I've pretty much worn one of these every day off I've had this month. I love both formulas and find them super smooth and long lasting. My number one fave shade is Shameless (matte dark purple) but it does require a fair bit of touching up throughout the day, as do most dark shades as you notice fading more. I also love Provocateur (lacquer bright red) and I've been clashing it with pastel and monochrome outfits. 

Dainty Doll Cream Blusher in 001- after doing my Shopping The Stash post recently, I fell in love all over again with this blusher. It's the most beautiful pastel pink and it lasts all day long. I think it's perfect for Spring/Summer especially as I've been wearing brighter and bold lip clouds recently. 

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin- this has been on my face pretty much everyday this month. I've been super impressed with it's staying power so it's perfect for wearing for work. I also love the flawless matte finish it gives but I HATE the packaging. It gets really messy without a pump and it's super annoying putting it on when you're half asleep getting ready for work at 5.30am (ew).

L'oreal Studioline Txt Volume Supersizing Spray- never have I loved a hair product as much as I love this. I've literally used it on all of my days off since I bought it. It makes my hair look super beschy and messy without making it hard or stiff. It give a matte finish which I love and you can just scrunch your hair up through the day and it holds. No more back combing for me!

So there are my February Faves, let me know what you've been loving this month and leave links to your blogs below! Thanks for stopping by x

(It's Another) Haul.

Smokey Eyeshadow Palette (£3.99) and Tweezers (£1.99) both H&M; Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balms in Provocateur and Demure (£7.99 each) Boots; Victoria Secrets Body Mists minis in Noir Tease and Dream Angels Heavenly (from a set); MAC Amplified Lipstick in Up The Amp (£15).

So I went shopping with my friend tother day and guess what, I spent money again! The H&M buys were both total till purchases as I was buying a pair of boots. I've had a Nudes eyeshadow palette from H&M before and liked it but what made me get this one is the second shade which is super bronzy and bright. I finally got my hands on the Revlon Lacquer Balm in Demure as it had sold out when I bought my other shades. My friend went for Provocateur and I got one too as they're still on 3for2 in Boots. I had some money left on my Selfridges voucher from Christmas so I went for this MAC lipstick as it's super purple and lovely. 

Me and my friend Helen bought some Victoria Secrets body mists minis when we went to London last year and wanted to replace them as we've both run out! However, we could only find full szed ones which were about £22 each eek. On our way out of the shop though we spied a Valentines set with four minis in so we decided to split the set between us. When I say minis, they're 75ml and last ages! I love that they're plastic but look like proper perfume bottles. I'm thinking of asking for a perfume set from Victoria Secrets off my boyfriend but chance would be a fine thing! I also bought a pair of boots which I'm unsure about whether to keep or not and a new hair styler to make my hair wavey. Hope you're all OK, thanks for stopping by x

Revlon Colorburst Matte and Lacquer Balms.

Revlon Colorburst Matte in Elusive and Shameless and Lacquer Balms in Whimsical, Provocateur and Demure (£7.99 each, Boots). 

So the world and his wife have been raving about the launch of the Revlon Colorburst Balms, available in Matte and Lacquer finishes. There's an extensive shade range available in both formulas but I thought I'd share with you the ones I own. I first bought Shameless, Elusive (both matte) and Whimsical when the products first launched on 3for2 in Boots. I really wanted Demure but it had sold out. However, I managed to get my mitts on it last week as well as Provocateur. 

I love the packaging of these products- the chubby crayon style makes them super easy to apply and I love that the packaging matches the colour of the product making them easy to identify. I was most interested in the Matte finish as it's my fave finish but most high street brands can make their formulas very drying and chalky. The Revlon Matte balms are super creamy, pigmented and smooth on the lips and I don't find them at all drying, hurrah! On the opposite end of the scale, there is the Lacquer finish which is super glossy and high shine. I was worried this would mean that these versions wouldn't be as pigmented but they totally are! They all smell really minty and fresh which I personally like but I know won't be to everyone's taste! My favourite shade by far is Shameless, I feel like it was made for me! Demure unfortunately doesn't show up so well on my pigmented lips but I love love Whimsical- it's a super pretty berry shade with silver glitter subtly running through. But I feel like I've got a nice shade range here for all occasions. 

I've put some swatches below, let me know what you think. Have you tried any of the new Revlon Colorburst Balms? If so, let me know your fave shade below. Thanks for stopping by x

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin in 150 Buff (£12.49, currently £9.49 in Superdrug).

I've recently been watching YouTube videos about the 'best foundations for oily skin' and every time this product has come up. Luckily for little me it was on offer in Superdrug with £3 off so that deffo sealed the deal! Revlon Colorstay Foundation is available in two formulas- one for Dry/Normal skin with a dewy finish and this one for Oily/Combination skin with a matte finish. There are around 9 shades available in this foundation which it's super impressive for a high street brand! Normally I buy the palest shade but 100 Ivory was too pale for me but will be perfect for fair skinned girls. As you can see from the swatch, 120 Buff is the perfect shade for me and not a hint of orange in sight!

This foundation is really thick so when applying I try to put a light layer all over my face first then I build up coverage on my problem areas, using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. It blends flawlessly over pores, redness and blemishes.i can't tell you how impressed I am at the staying power of this foundation. After doing 12hr night shifts (so around 14/15hr wear time), it hasn't budged an inch and I haven't got any shine coming through whatsoever without any touch ups!!! I think some people may find this foundation too thick and potentially 'cakey' but for my oily skin it's perfect. This definitely provides full coverage so probs won't be great in the summer (if we ever have one) but despite that this is definitely a Holy Grail product for me, and I don't use that term lightly! 

BUT, and that's a big but, I hate hate hate the packaging. Why in God's name would you make a foundation this thick without a pump?!?!? It's not so bad on products like the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation because that's runny and comes out really easily; but the Colorstay Oily/Combination foundation is super thick and just doesn't move. Like I can literally hold the bottle upside down with no lid on and it doesn't come out! I either have to scoop some out or whack it on the end like a ketchup bottle ANNOYING! However, it doesn't stop me from loving this product, I just wish I could get to it more easily!

Have you tried the Colorstay foundations? I'd 100% recommend this for oily skinned ladies! Let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by x

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya.

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya (£7.99 from Boots). 

My initial thoughts on the Revlon Lip Butters were that they provided minimal colour with an initially moisturising formula that soon dried out my already dry lips (you can see my original review here). I honestly didn't get what all the hype was about, I thought they were massively overrated. I went a real long time without even thinking about giving them another go, but then my fella's mam bought one and loved it and my curiosity was reignited. I decided that maybe my expectations of the Lip Butters was all wrong- I was looking for high intensity colour with a lasting finish. But this product has never claimed to do such a thing- they claim to be a lightly pigmented moisturising lip balm/lipstick hybrid. Once I'd got this into my head, me and the Lip Butters got a long just fine.

Juicy Papaya gives a pretty coral finish to the lips whilst being super moisturising and softening. I still, however, stand by my original observation that you do have to reapply this product throughout the day for both colour and moisture top-ups. Having said all that, I do find myself reaching for this product because it's super easy to wear, whatever condition my lips are in. Overall, I really like this product, despite my initial disliking and this has become a handbag favourite of mine.

In a nutshell: this Lip Butter is a super summery coral shade but will need reapplying throughout the day.

My Foundation Collection.

(L-R in order of swatches): MAC Pro Longwear in NC15; Chanel Mat Lumiere in 20 Clair (discontinued); Bourjois 123 Perfect in Light Vanilla; Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Light Vanilla; No7 Beautifully Matte in Callico; Avon Ideal Flawless in Ivory; Revlon Nearly Naked in Vanilla; M&S Limited Collection in Ivory. 

Until I found out that my beloved Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation was being discontinued, I never bothered trying out different foundations- I thought I had found the one. Chanel kind of did me a favour in the end because I've since discovered a cornucopia of foundations- some that I love and some that I didn't like and have got rid of! So what do I look for in a foundation? Well, I'm an oily skinned girl so I typically look for a medium-full coverage matte finish foundation. I'm definitely on the paler end of the scale, usually being either the lightest or second lightest shade a brand sells. I hate cakey, chalky foundations- I want them to look after my skin with as high a SPF as possible please! So, here's my collection.

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation is definitely a fail-safe, reliable foundation. It's not got the matte-est of finishes but it definitely covers any redness or blemishes and lasts all day long. I'm not going to go on about Chanel Mat Lumiere as it's sadly no longer with us and I personally dislike its replacement, Pro Lumiere. I really like both of my Bourjois foundations but they are different. 123 Perfect is the ultimate matte, pale buttery finish foundation which covers all of my problem areas; whereas Healthy Mix Foundation gives a healthy glow and leaves the skin feeling nourished and hydrated after use. 

My everyday foundation is No7 Beautifully Matte which gives me the most stunning airbrushed, flawless matte finish of all my foundations. It's probably got the best coverage of them all whilst not being cakey, thick or clumpy. It also outlasts all the others and is definitely the best colour match for me. I've not used the Avon foundation for ageeeeessss as it's a little too light for me. It has a light air-whipped feel to it but it still provides good coverage and finish. My current favourite foundation is Revlon Nearly Naked which is totally out of my comfort zone for foundations- it's got a light-medium coverage, it's got a more natural dewy finish and it's a great colour match for my skin tone. The final foundation in my collection is a super bargain buy from M&S Limited Collection. It's alright for what it is, but it's nothing magical. It provides OK coverage and lasts for a fairly average amount of time.

So there you have it, my little foundation collection. Please leave me any recommendations for your favourite foundations!

February Favourites.

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in 120 Vanilla; Maybelline Color Whispers in Lust For Blush and Pin Up Peach; Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Fracas; Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Peach Glow; Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquer in Nude Eclipse, Celestial, Apocaliptic and Big Bang.

My February Favourites are all makeup items as I've been trying out so many different products with new year/season launches coming thick and fast. Ever since I bought it I've not stopped wearing the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation. In principle, this shouldn't be a foundation I'd like with it's light/medium coverage and natural finish (I'm typically a matte full coverage kind of girl) but I just love it. It's so easy and natural and the colour is stunning. I've also been loving my American Maybelline Color Whispers, they're so moisturising and easy to wear- they're perfect for every day wear. I fell inlove with the new Chanel nail varnish as soon as I saw it; I love the bright coral pink and I love Chanel in general so it was a win win for me. 

Rimmel Stay Matte has made a home inside my handbag, it's great for touch ups on the go. Finally, my Rimmel Apocalips; since my original review post, I've purchased Nude Eclipse which is just the most wearable nude lip product I've ever owned. I love how long lasting, pigmented and bright they all are- my personal fave is the hot pink Apocaliptic, I've definitely been getting my wear out of that one! Please link me to your February Favourites posts so I can have a nosy x

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation.

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in 120 Vanilla (£8.99; currently £6.99 on offer in Superdrug). 

There are two products in the Nearly Naked guise, including the Nearly Naked Foundation which is available in an extensive 10 shades; and the Nearly Naked Pressed Powder available in 5 shades. I went for shade 120 Vanilla which is the second lightest shade in the range, which surprised me as I'm normally the pastiest of them all. 

Aesthetically, I like the packaging- the glass bottle makes the foundation look and feel much more expensive than it actually is. I also like the sleek silver text and the simple white lid. However, I hate that there is no pump; there's no control over how much product you're dispensing and I hate wasting foundation!! The foundation itself it quite runny and melts into the skin like a dream. I'd say it was light/medium coverage but I've found that it covers redness and blurs my pores really well. Now many a blogger has said that this gives a natural dewy finish, which initially put me off, but I don't think it does at all! I think its a natural matte without being chalky, cakey or powdery looking. I know it's a massive cliché but it literally is like your skin, only better. Not in a BB cream kind of way, but in a way that you always dream every foundation will be, but it never quite is. 

The colour match is spot-on for me and I reckon their shade range will cater for most skin tones. This foundation has staying power my friends. I've been wearing this from day through to night and it's needed only one powder touch-up on my nose, which is a massive feat as most foundations require continuous touch ups after about 6 hours. There's not much more that I can say about this foundation other than that I love it and I really enjoy wearing it. It really doesn't feel like you're wearing anything as it isn't at all heavy on your skin and doesn't clog up your pores. My skin actually feels soft, clean and clear when I remove the foundation even before cleansing. I actually fancy trying out the powder now I know how good the liquid is- watch this space!

In a nutshell: Beautifully smooth, blendable, natural-looking with light/medium coverage and a great shade range. Go get it, you're sure to fall in love!

American Woman.

[images from Google]

So I had a couple of days off in the week last week (not sick, I work shifts so Saturday/Sunday weekends don't exist for me) and I spent most of it trawling the internet, lusting after products from across the pond. It really annoys me how brands sold in both UK and USA sell completely different products, or when products come out 6months earlier in US than in UK and then we don't get all the shades in the end anyway (Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balmstains I'm looking at you). So here's my mini wishlist from the land of the brave. 

1. Revlon Colorstay Seude Lipstick- I've not seen anything about these on the blogosphere and I do follow a fair few American bloggers. But I like the look of these- they're meant to be balm-infused lipsticks for strong colour pay-off with lip care built in. I'd like to think of them as grown-up lip butters as I find them a bit shimmery and wishy-washy for my tastes. From the swatches I've seen, these Colorstay Suede Lipsticks look like they're super wearable with great colour pay-off. These retail for $8.49 in Target. 

2. Kat Von D Everlasting Blush- Kat Von D makeup in general is the main thing I wish was sold in UK. I do own two of the eyeshadow palettes and some of the lipsticks but I want it all man! I've just seen that she's launched some blushers and me-oh-my the shades look stunning. I love the packaging of all of Kat's makeup but this blusher looks particularly amazing. If anyone fancies buying me the shade Por Vida, then you go right ahead. This blush costs $25 from Sephora.

3. e.l.f Long Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow- This is another case in point of a brand sold in the UK but with different products available in the US. This looks like it could be a dupe for the amazing Chanel Illusion D'ombre eyeshadows. I'm loving the look of shades Gala and Soiree in particular. Hopefully these will be available in UK soon! These are a bargainous $3 from e.l.f. 

4. Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick- These are Maybelline's answer to the Revlon Lip Butters and L'oreal Rouge Caresses. I've actually just ordered two of these off ebay (UK from an American seller). From reviews I've seen online, these look amazing and they seem to have the best colour pay-off of the lot! If and when these hit the UK, I can assure you I will be buying most, if not all, of the shades. I love that they're not shimmery or glittery like the Lip Butters seem to be. They retail at $5.49 in Target.

5. Maybelline Baby Lips- Every UK blogger I know wants to get a load of these bad boys. I've searched on UK ebay and I've found Thai sellers and American sellers but the shade/flavour range seems to be different but very similar (the Thai sellers are cheaper for anyone interested). Essentially, these are flavoured lip balms with a hint of colour and SPF20. I'd love to try Peach Kiss (love the lilac packaging) and Grape Vine. They retail for $2.97 in Walmart.

6. Benefit World Famous Neutrals Palettes- I've already posted about these because I'm super mesmerised by them already! I sincerely hope these come out in UK because I can't wait to get my hands on them. I'm actually bidding for one of them on ebay atm so fingers crossed! I'm most excited about the Easiest Nudes Ever and Sexiest Nudes Ever palettes (I could take or leave the Most Glamorous Nudes palette). I love the packaging, the combo of cream and powder shadows and the shade range. Perfect. These cost $30 from Sephora.

What are your American beauty lust-haves? 

January Favourites.

Ed Hardy Born Wild EdP; Bepanthen Nappy Rash Cream; Soap & Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream; Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter; Urban Decay NAKED Basics Palette; Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balmstains in Sweetheart/Valentine.

It's a very pink January Favourites here isn't it! Ed Hardy Born Wild has been my everyday perfume for about a year now- I've never actually bought a bottle myself because my family have bought it me for my birthday and Christmas, I've got a few bottles tucked away for when I finish my current bottle. Bepanthen might seem like a funny choice but it has been a wonder product for my dry lips! I typically purchase Bepanthen for when I get a new tattoo to help with the healing process but the soothing balm leaves my lips feeling soft, smooth and flake free!

I've been using Heel Genius to sooth my tired feets and I love how cooling and softening it is on my toots. Whipped Clean is without doubt my favourite body product of all times. Its a shower gel and body butter all in one, which is perfect for me cause I'm super lazy when it comes to moisturising my body so this wonder product saves me so much time. It also has the most amazing smell in the world which I want to bottle up and make into a perfume. 

I imagine this is in a lot of bloggers' favourites this month- it's the Urban Decay NAKED Basics Palette. Believe the hype ladies, it's matte neutrals at their absolute best. It's perfect for everyday glamour and super smoky evening eyes. I also love how compact it is, especially compared with the original NAKED palette. Finally, the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balmstain in Sweetheart/Valentine- I still love it, I still wear it and it's still the best formula, colour pay-off and long lasting lip product I've ever used. Unfortunately, this shade isn't available in the UK but I bought mine off ebay from a lovely American seller. So there you have it, my January faves. Please link me to your favourites posts or let me know what your favourites are in a comment below!