Summer Handbag Essentials: Lips

My handbag always has about ten lip products floating around- hey a girl needs options! I always have a lipbalm in there, as well as lipsticks and tinted lipbalms. These are some of my favourite lip products for summer. 

Mac Wash and Dry Lustre Lipstick in "Tumble Dry"

Not only is the packaging of this lipstick beyond beautiful but this is a gorgeous coral. Like all Mac lipsticks it applies like a dream and lasts for ages with only minimal reapplications. For days when I want to go for slightly stronger eyes, this is my version of a nude. I can't go too pale nude because I'm deathly pale so I need something with a bit of colour. This particular shade is sold out but I'm sure you could find a similar colour. 

Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in "Strawberry Shortcake"

I think this is the cutest name for a lipstick ever. These have the payoff of a lipstick but are more moisturising and leave a slight stain on the lips when they rub off. I find I can whack this on like lipbalm without a mirror, whilst a lipstick I need to have a mirror with me. These are also currently on offer in Boots so I may have to grab a few more. 

Max Factor Lipstick in "Star Dust Pink" 

I accidentally "borrowed" this from my Mum's cupboard...sorry Mum! I own very few Max Factor products, but this lipstick has made me want to try more. It's a gorgeous nude with strong pink undertones that is great for everyday and goes with literally any look. I love the packaging, especially how the colour is at the bottom of the lipstick so you can easily find the one you want. Highly recommend! 

Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Pink Grapefruit 

I love Burt's Bees so much, I find the products really work for me. This smells divine and moisturises lips amazingly and is a great base for lipstick. A lip balm in summer is essential for me because my lips get so dry and dehydrated, so every bag I own has a lip balm in! I also love the Mango version of this. 

What lip products are always in your handbag? 

xxx 

ps- sorry I've been absent for quite a while, more posts coming soon! 

Latest Beauty Favourites

Whilst I'm at uni I rarely buy new make up as my weekly  budget doesn't stretch that far/I just don't go shopping that much! However since being at home I've picked up some real beauties so I thought I'd share some favourites!

The first two products are from MAC and are from the Cosmetic Company at Bicester Village. These products are discontinued but this means you get genuine MAC items for a discounted price. Fab!

The first is the Kelly Osbourne blush in "Cheeky Bugger" which was a summer 2014 collection. This blush is so gorgeous, perfect for everyday and really picks my cheeks up. The packaging is super cute as well, and this is really great quality, just as you would expect from MAC!

The second product is my first MAC lipstick. Oooh. This is a Mineralize lipstick in "Love Temple" and it's a really pretty coral pink with some shimmer. It applies like a dream and has amazing lasting power. I think this is going to be my go to lipstick for a night out. 

Next is some Rimmel purchases. Rimmel is by far my favourite make up brand, if you said I could only use Rimmel for the rest of my life and no other make up brand I actually think I could manage. 

First is an Oh My Gloss lipgloss in Glossaholic. I got Snog in a Latest in Beauty box and I thought it was fab, not too sticky and long lasting with great colour payoff. Also the major difference between this and the Provocalips is that these smell really sweet and yummy as opposed to smelling like paint. This is a really pretty pink that I use as my everyday lip colour. 

Next is a Rita Ora nail polish in "Peachella". This is a beautiful peachy pink which is going to be perfect for Summer- I much prefer bright colours on my nails but these don't really suit grey, gloomy weather so bring on the warmer weather and brighter nails! 

Finally is the Superdrug own brand facemasks. At 99p and with 3 for 2 offers these are an absolute bargain and honestly are really great facemasks. They have so many different types so no matter what problem your skin is having there will be one to help! I love peel off masks because they clear your skin so well, in particular the Cucumber one pictured above because it clears and refreshes your skin brilliantly. 

Those are my latest beauty favourites, let me know if you share any of these favourites or if you have any recommendations! 

Alex

xxx

Updated Everyday Make Up

If you had asked me a five/six months ago what my everyday make up routine was I would have given you a long detailed description of concealer, foundation, blusher, contour, highlighter, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, powder and lips. Getting ready in the morning was a mammoth task and I used to have to build in extra time in my morning routine for my make up.

Without turning this post into a psychoanalysis about my inherent self-confidence issues and how this led to me piling make up on my face in order to believe I was "pretty" it's not just simply a case of "oh I don't wear as much make up anymore". It's a different girl, someone who sees make-up for what it should be, something fun to make your eyes look even more beautiful on a night out or for rocking a bold lip to let people know you mean business. It's no longer something to hide behind.

But anyway! My make-up has turned into a five minute affair, and some day I don't bother at all if I don't feel like I need it or if I'm just hanging out with a few friends. This isn't just for day to day uni life either, even on nights out now I don't feel the need to go all out and spend 40 minutes in front of my bathroom mirror getting ready.

Side note- Ironically my make up now resembles very closely what I used to wear when I first started wearing make up at age 15ish!

(Terrible photo I know but bear with)

Benefit POREfessional

I never used to bother with primers, and although I don't think the hype about this is totally deserved, it does a great job at making my face nice and soft before concealer. 

Mac Studio Fix in NW18

This powder is just great. Do I see a major difference between this and some powders (like the Rimmel Stay Matte) for a much cheaper price? No not really. But I have this and so I'll use it, keeps your face nice and matte for ages and keeps all your concealer/foundation in place so I'm a happy bunny. 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory

I had one of these ages ago but it was too orange for me, and I only recently brought one that actually matches my skintone. I love this, blends flawlessly, brightens and conceals and doesn't cause me to break out like some concealers! 

Benefit Lollibalm and Chachabalm

These are fab for giving a hint of colour as well as moisturising your lips on these cold winter days. I prefer a tinted lipbalm over a lipstick that drys out your lips and smudges anyday and these although pricey really are great. However, Body Shop tinted lipbalms are pretty much identical and also brilliant if you're on a budget. 

Soap&Glory Love at First Blush

My mum brought this ages ago and never used it. It's similar to a Mac Mineralized blush I have, and has become a firm favourite for giving a hint of colour on days I look a bit dull. I never used to like shimmer on my cheeks, but I think a blush with a bit of shimmer can do amazing things for your cheekbones, which is always good! 

Brushes- Real Techniques

I use the powder brush, expert face brush and duo fibre face brush whenever I apply make up. The expert face brush I've had forever and is still looking brilliant and hasn't diminished in quality at all. It blends concealer in within seconds and creates a flawless finish. The powder brush I use when I want to get my powder on my face as quickly as possible, whilst I use the duo fibre one for touching up powder throughout the day as it prevents you looking too cakey. Would recommend these brushes to anyone!

That's it, that's my updated everyday make up! 

Monthly Favourites: November

My first post since October..uni has just been so busy I really haven't had a chance to put fingers to keyboard to construct anything much that isn't an essay! However term finishes a week yesterday and things are slowly winding down- plus both essays are DONE (until the next one!) so I thought I'd do a quick monthly favourites post.

Zara Knitted Hat in "Ecru"

This hat is perfect for days when my hair is looking terrible or just to keep warm in the winter months. It goes with everything and is so comfy. I always get compliments when I wear this hat and the bobble makes me feel adorable. A winner in my eyes! 

Benefit Tinted Lipbalms in "Chacha Balm" and "Lollibalm"

I got Chacha balm free back in summer with a Benefit order and absolutely loved it- so moisturising and gives the perfect coral tint to your lips. Lollibalm is now the newest addition to my collection, which gives such a pretty pink gloss. Love these and highly recommend. 

Mac Conceal and Correct Pro Palette (Light)

This concealer palette I was initially unsure about due to the heavy thick texture of the concealers. However, the salmon pink shade counteracts my dark circles better than anything else I've tried and I think the thick nature of the concealers covers up a multitude of sins! I can also see the range of shades coming in very useful in Spring/Summer when my skin becomes slightly tanned.

Lush Bubblegum Lipscrub 

I've been using this for over a year and it's come back into my life in a big way now that it's winter. This makes my lips so smooth and gets rid of any dry skin- plus it tastes amazingly yummy. My pot is finally starting to run out so I might need to pick up a new one in the new year! 

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

This is a brush that needs no introduction. I've had this for months but have really been using it since I got to uni- (my make up routine has been minimalized to a bit of concealer, blusher, lipbalm and powder then out the door) so this is perfect for buffing in all my concealer in the morning. Such good quality and is now totally invaluable to me! 

Make Up Bag from Primark 

Finally, this make up bag that my Mum gave me when she came to see me during my fourth week. Minnie Mouse and Paris- what else could you want?! This is such a cute design and perfect for chucking all my toiletries and make up in for days away from uni or overnight trips. Most likely no longer avaliable but check out Primark if you want a good make up bag!

Let me know if you've used any of these products or have any recommendations!

Enjoy the last month of 2014 (how crazy is that?!) 

xxx 

America shopping: beauty favourites

This is a very long overdue post considering I was back from America about three weeks ago..oops. But I wanted to use all the products I had brought and develop a genuine opinion as opposed to "I think this product I've used twice is really good!"

So here goes- my favourite beauty products that I brought in America!

First off, Wet N Wild lipsticks. I was in Walmart and was browsing all the American brands. I had heard of Wet N Wild a few times, but I was blown away by the prices. I brought two lipsticks for about a dollar each, and I honestly wish I had brought more :( They are really pigmented, give your lips an amazing finish and last for a pretty long time, I normally only have to touch up once or twice a day! 

The colour shown below is "Pink Ice" which is a pale pink with the slightest shimmer.

Whilst in America, I was keen to buy some MAC products as I knew it would be slightly cheaper (not by a lot but still) when I came across a shop called "Cosmetics Company" which is an outlet store that stocks MAC, Estee Lauder, and Bobbi Brown. I was so tempted by the other brands, but I knew I would end up spending way too much so I vowed only to stick to MAC. (However my Mum did buy herself some Estee Lauder goodie bags which I got some things she didn't want from- yay!) 

They had several beautiful mineralized eye shadows, which I just couldn't choose between, so I ended up buying two. Pictured below is "Tropica" and I also got "Dare to Bare". Tropica is such a lovely subtle purple colour. It is hard to get the blue to show up but I think with a more precise brush it could happen. It's so pigmented and stays on all day, and I am so pleased I got this! 

I also picked up a Mineralized Skinfinish in "Perfect Topping" after spending about an hour trying to decide which Skinfinish to pick. I am really pleased with this, and I tend to use it as a highlighter all over my face, and it gives a really soft peachy glow which is great for when you don't want really obvious highlighter all over your face. I also use this if I want a more subtle blush as it has really pretty pinky tones in it for your cheeks. 

Okay. I have completely fallen in love with Bath and Body Works, and I've already looked up overseas shipping costs. The entire shop smelled amazing and if it wasn't for the fact that I thought they would smash in my suitcase, I definitely would have brought some of their perfume and candles. Next time though! 

They had a deal on lip products, so I picked up the JellyPop in Watermelon, which I loved, until the lid came off in my bag and it went everywhere, leaving me to scrape the remnants into a small pot. Cries. I also brought this, which is a beautiful Marshmallow lipgloss. It smells SO GOOD. Like, I actually want to eat it. It smells like sweet, melted marshmallow mush. When you apply it to your lips it gives a nude shimmer with a glittery finish. It leaves your lips feeling so soft and I really want a Watermelon one of these. (I'm obsessed with anything Watermelon...) 

Finally, I brought a nail file. This probably doesn't sound very exciting but it is one of the best quality nail files ever, and it was only a few dollars from Walgreens. (also a store I fell in love with). As you can see it has a file, buff, shine and smooth, and I used this so much to get my nails back into perfect condition. It makes it super easy to get your nails filed to perfection and smooth. 

That's all my beauty faves from my America shopping, let me know if you have an similar favourites or if you've used any of these products!

xxx 

London haul!

Last Saturday I took a break from revision and headed into London to spend some time with family to celebrate my younger cousin's 13th. This meant Mum and I could grab a quick hour browsing in Covent Garden.

The first place we headed to was Mac. I've never been to the Mac in Covent Garden before, and I'm not going to lie, it was quite an experience. It was a small shop space, but everyone in there was brutal! I think I saw fisty cuffs occurring near the blushers...no I'm kidding. But it was cramped and scary, and I knew what I wanted so I quickly asked a shop assistant and then we got the hell out. I picked up some of their brush cleaner, because I don't own anything to spot clean my brushes with, and I thought that on days I don't feel like deep cleaning and waiting for them to dry, this would be perfect! Also, at £10 it's not toooo expensive. 

Next was The Body Shop. I've been doing soo much online shopping recently with the Body Shop, and I wanted to check out some of the products in person. I picked up the concealer in number 2, which I actually really like! It looks quite orange (see swatch) but it blends really well. The only thing that puts me off is the lipstick-type way it comes. I would much prefer a wand because I feel like it's easier to apply! But I love this so I'll be quiet now. I also got a blush brush because it was right in front of me and it is sooo soft. You can never have too many of these brushes because they can be used for contouring, highlighting and blush! 

Finally, I went into Boots because I feel like all the foundations I have are much too orange. Maybe I've gotten more pale in the last two weeks, but I wanted something a little bit lighter so I headed to the Rimmel counter. 

I picked up the "Match Perfection" foundation in number 10 which is "light porcelain". It's much more liquidy that most my foundations, but it blends really nicely and I think I'm going to like it! I also picked up the Rimmel Sweetie Crush in Violet Swizzle because I love these nail varnishes sooo much! 

This isn't really beauty related, but look what Mum brought me in the Disney Store!!! 

 I think these are so cute and I just couldn't leave them there :( Look at their little smiley faces. I just want to squish them.

(From Toy Story 3 for all you non-Disney nutters out there)



So that's what I brought in London! If you've used or brought any of these products let me know what you thought of them in the comments!
xxx