Autumn face featuring MAC, Too Faced, Illamasqua & more

Hi guys, long time no see right? I took a little blogging hiatus for a couple of weeks. Just finding it really difficult to blog at the moment! I just haven't been struck with inspiration by anything in a while. But lately the nice Autumn weather we are having has made me think more about my make up and what fits this season. Everything I used is pictured above, and I will list them for you too.

MAC Prep & Prime Skin Base Visage

Clarins Instant Smooth Line Correcting Concentrate

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation (NW15)

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (NW15)

MAC Paint Pot (Painterly)

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette (shades Creme Brûlée, Haute Chocolate, Semi Sweet, White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate)

MAC Blacktrack gel eyeliner

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara

Maybelline Brow Drama

Illamasqua Cream Blush (shade Dixie)

MAC lipstick (Velvet Teddy)

I am really loving the MAC Pro Longwear foundation. I think it was the beginning of Spring when I got it, and I couldn't really wear it because my skin at the time was so dry, and it really emphasised any dry patches. Also at that time of year I would wear a bit of fake tan and NW15 was just way too pale. But I am finding that my skin is a lot better, and it is just the right shade for me for when I am rocking my au natural paler skin! 

Also the Pro Longwear concealer is just freakin' amazing, it covers absolutely everything and it isn't too heavy for wearing under your eyes. Though I will say the NW15 in this concealer is really very white, naturally concealers come up lighter than foundation shades but it's something to bear in mind if you were looking into buying this.

I whipped out Velvet Teddy lipstick again, even though I am not sure brown toned nudes suit me but I just adore the matte lipsticks from MAC, they are perfect and I think really great to wear at this time of year.

OK I won't bore you with more talk of the Chocolate Bar palette (aka the palette that changed my life!) but lately I have been loving creating just very simple looks with this, I went for a golden bronze look today and I really love how it turned out.

What make up are you wearing this autumn? 

Quick Six Product Face

In the mornings when I am going to work, the last thing I want to be doing is spending ages doing fancy make ups. I'd sooner have the extra time in bed! I work in an office so I don't really see anybody, and frankly I just can't be bothered in the mornings. But I still feel like I need to wear something!

Sometimes if I am running late I will bring my make up with me and apply it when I am stuck in traffic on the way to work! So I prefer to use products that I don't have to use make up brushes.

First up, I will put on a bit of foundation. Pictured is MAC Face & Body which honestly I don't really like anymore, but for work I don't like using any of my "good" foundations so I am just trying to use up this big bottle!

Then I need something for under my eyes. I started using the Urban Decay Naked concealer this week and I am still not entirely sure about it. The formula is quite good and I do like the finish of it. But there is just something a little "off" with it. I think it is because I accidentally bought a shade which is a bit too white for me.

I use my NYX Eyebrow Pencil, which is fabulous. It's dead handy for on the go as it is a twist up crayon. It works brilliantly for me!

I am using Lancome Grandiose Mascara, which I really do love. The wand is really quite precise and it just really works well for me. I do love all Lancome mascaras though. This is the one which just happens to be in my make up bag.

I use YSL Babydoll Kiss & Blush for my cheeks. It's really easy to apply with the wand and then I just tap it in with my fingers.

For my lips I am obsessed with Clarins Instant Light Lip Balms! This is the shade Rosewood which is just a really neutral colour and perfect for everyday wear. They are so soft and comfortable and just gift a subtle hint of colour. Just what I want!



What are your every day essential make up products?

Fresh Spring Make Up!

Spring is definitely well on the way and as such, I always  feel the need to change up my make up slightly. Winter is a time for heavier make up and I like to go a bit "lighter" when Spring comes along. I have some new products to play with today, and decided to show you what I am using.
Just yesterday I treated myself to a new foundation, I got Chanel Vitalumiere. I heard it is quite good for dry skin and so far today it looks great and has lasted a good few hours without emphasising any dry patches! MAC Cinderella is also making an appearance, as is the Clarins The Essentials palette which I won in the amazing Make Up Monster's blog giveaway! Thank so you much again!

Here are the products I used with shade names:

Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation - 10 Limpide

Sleek Eyebrow Kit - Light

Clarins Instant Concealer - 01

MAC Paint Pot - Painterly

Clarins The Essentials Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Grandiose Mascara

YSL Babydoll  Kiss & Blush - 10 Nude Insolent

MAC Cinderella Iridescent Powder - Coup d'Chic

Clarins Jolie Rouge Lipstick - Coral Dahlia

I decided to go quite light on the eyes and I have ditched the eyeliner, instead I am favouring just using a dark eyeshadow and blending it up from my lash line. The Chanel foundation is lovely and so lightweight, I am really happy with it so far. Maybe I will do a full review of the foundation when I get to grips with it.
The MAC Cinderella powder I use as a highlight. It is way too sheer to use as a blush and it just adds a little luminosity to the face. It is lovely to use, perhaps not the best highlighting product out there, but it looks cute!

Hope you all have a great Sunday!

Lancome French Innocence Collection for Spring 2015!

I cannot get over how beautiful Lancome's Spring collection is! "French Innocence" is all about pretty nudes with a pop of colour. So I think there will be something for everyone! I have my eye on the eyeshadow palette in particular…. I love the packaging and the image on the front of the palette. So here is a closer look at the collection…

My French Palette €55.00

Vernis in Love €19.00

Kohl Hypnose Waterproof €23.00

I've got to say, I am really taken with the My French Palette, and I shall be taking a closer look at it next time I am at a Lancome counter. Maybe it will even be coming home with me…. 

Do you like the look of this collection?

My Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year! I love giving (and receiving!) presents, and I have picked a few things that are a safe bet to buy, for your sisters, friends or work colleagues.

1. A Yankee Candle. I am a huge lover of Yankee Candles, and I do not know who wouldn't want to receive one as a gift! Their Christmas candles are a family favourite at Christmas time, and I really don't think Christmas would be the same without a lovely Yankee Candle!

2. A nice perfume! A perfume will always be well appreciated. I think most people tend to lean more towards more musky, woody scents in Winter. I have pictured Thierry Mugler Angel, which I did a review of here ! It is a lovely smokey scent, and the bottle also looks pretty festive!

3. A Lancome Mascara Set! If you want to buy a present of the cosmetic variety, a mascara is a great choice as you can't really go wrong. The Lancome sets are brilliant, as you get a little Crayon Kohl and Bi-Facil eye make up remover and are a great introduction to Lancome eye make up. I have pictured Doll Eyes, a fantastic mascara! But all of the Lancome mascaras are absolutely phenomenal in my opinion!

4. Make your own hamper! This is something that I like to do each year as I have a big family, it's nice to make up a hamper instead and there will be something in there for everybody. I love picking up bits and pieces from Marks and Spencers, they have brilliant things around Christmas and great offers too. I pick up a selection of sweets, mints, biscuits etc. and then I have fun wrapping them all up in a hamper!


I hope this post has maybe provided some inspiration! Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

Festive Make Up!

It's that time of year again! Christmas parties will soon be coming up and I happened to take some photos one day when I was playing around with make up, and I thought it might be an appropriate look for a Christmas do.

I used some old favourites as well as new products - I was really dying to try out the Tanya Burr eyelashes and I got a gold Stargazer glitter too that I wanted to play around with!

Firstly I put Half Baked from the Naked palette all over the lid with a bit of Darkhorse in the crease.

I added some of the glitter on top of the eyeshadow and some lashes - I am a fake lash novice so I only put on a couple of individuals on the outside of my lashes.

I used the Clarins Extra Comfort foundation (I love this foundation!) subtle contouring with the Chanel bronzer and golden highlight with the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick (Apricot). Clarins Soft Peach blush and a Clarins Lip Balm Crayon in Sweet Cherry - I didn't want too much lip action since the eyes are so glittery!

It's a lot more make up than I would usually wear but I thought I would try something different! I had been wanting to experiment with glitters for a while and the festive season is the perfect time to do so!

Hope you liked this look! Tell me what make up you like to wear around Christmas!

Lancome Winter 2014 Parisian Lights Collection

I absolutely love a good Christmas make up collection, and Lancome have released the most exquisite collection this year. I want all of it!
There is nothing better than a bit of glitz and glamour around Christmas time, and Lancome's Parisian Lights captures everything that I love about Christmas make up.

Poudre de Lumiere - €45 / £35 

An ultra soft texture and fine gold formula. This iridescent loose powder will softly bring glow and radiance to any complexion. A subtle hint of sparkle for the season. 

Hypnose Drama Eyes Parisian Lights - €48 / £37

Create an ultra luxurious shimmery smoky eye with this exclusive and glamorous palette. Five new shades inspired by the opulent gold and the precious jewels of Place Vendôme. 

Vernis in Love - €19 / £13

Wear alone or in duos. Dark red and white gold are the definitive colours for this season. A collection of three, including special effect nail polish ; Vernis In Love Illumination. A textured matte finish for all nails or feature nail. 

Isn't this the most beautiful collection? All of these products would be just perfect to wear to a Christmas party! Is there anything you have your eye on?

Bin Hoking…. Empties post #1

Here is my very first empties post. Now, I have been collecting these empty packages for a few months now. It actually is quite rare for me to finish something! Most of these are "consumables" anyway, or things I have had for a very long time.

Nuxe Creme Prodigieuse Nuit - I absolutely loved this as a moisturiser although I think I prefer the Creme Fraiche which I got last Christmas. I love the smell of the Prodigieuse though.

Clarins Eye Contour Balm - This was also a Christmas gift from last year, it certainly has served me well! It is a lovely eye cream although to be honest I don't think I would buy it again. I think I will try the Origins GinZing next.

Clarins Truly Waterproof Mascara - This is the mascara I have been wearing all summer! The lid doesn't even close properly on it now, I made sure that I used every last drop of it! Absolutely loved this, would definitely get it again! It's the best waterproof mascara I've ever used, it can survive anything!

Schwarzkopf Color Freeze Thermo-Protect Cream - I thought this tube was going to last me forever! I bought it from Feelunique I think over a year and a half ago! It smelled fantastic and worked really well for me. I think I might try the Mythic Oil heat protection the next time but I would definitely buy the Schwarzkopf again in the future.

Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover - This is probably my most repurchased beauty product! I have just purchased my fifth bottle. I adore this and I cannot go without it!

Lancome Visionnaire Cream - I was genuinely devastated when I used up all of this! Near the end I tried my best to ration it out but now the jar is completely empty. This cream is absolutely fantastic, it really brightens up your complexion, and I loved the elegant jar.

L'Occitane Body Cream Zesty Lime - I got this when I was on holiday in Paris and honestly, it only lasted me at the most 3 weeks. I didn't even use huge amounts of it, just the regular amount every night! It just seemed to run out very quickly. Unfortunately it's a tad on the expensive side to order here so I don't think I can afford to purchase this again any time soon. I will say though that it is the best body cream I have ever used, nothing has ever come close to this!

Mane n'Tail Color Protect Shampoo - This is my 2nd bottle of this, I have already repurchased by 3rd. It's a great shampoo, my hair feels great and it is far more reasonably priced than the Kerastase shampoos i had been using before I discovered Mane n'Tail!

Autumn Weekend Makeup (and playing with new products)

 I love weekends because I have a lot more time to sit and do a proper face of makeup. During the week for work I only really wear foundation, mascara and blush. So it's nice to really play around, especially with eyeshadows!

Yesterday I treated myself to 2 new Clarins products - Extra Comfort Foundation and Blush Prodige (02 Soft Peach). I absolutely adore them both and thought they would be great products for Autumn and Winter especially.

So for the base I used Clarins Extra Comfort  (103 Ivory), I contoured a tiny bit with the Chanel Soleil de Tan, and used the Clarins blush on the apples of my cheeks. I also used a bit of Touche Eclat under my eyes.

For the eyes, I started by using the new Clarins Instant Light Eye Perfecting Base with my old reliable Naked palette eyeshadows of course! A flick of Lancome Grandiose mascara, and I brushed this Maybelline Brow Drama through my brows (I still don't know what to make of this product!)

And to finish off I used my favourite lip product from the summer which is the Clarins Lip Balm Crayon in Creamy Pink.

 I shall do a full review of both my new Clarins foundation and blush once I have used and worn them for a good couple of weeks, but so far so good I love them!

Six Products for Autumn!

I am so excited for Autumn, i can't even describe it. Without a doubt it is my favourite season, and I look forward to it every year! I have already re-jigged my wardrobe, and boots and chunky cardigans are already making an appearance. But it is natural that we shake up our beauty products too. Here are six things which will be a staple part of my beauty routine this Autumn!

Lancome La Vie est Belle Perfume - Gone are my summery, fruity perfumes. It is time for this classic beauty. This is the most gorgeous, elegant perfume. It is not something I associate with summer, for me it is the ultimate Autumn/Winter perfume. I try not to use it too much, as it is my "good" perfume but damn it smells so good!

Lancome Teint Idole Foundation - Over Summer I used CC Cream and tinted moisturiser a lot for my base. Lancome Teint Idole is my ultimate foundation, of course I used it over Summer too when I needed a bit more coverage. I really missed using it every day though! It's my holy grail foundation.

Urban Decay Naked Palette - To me, this is Autumn in a palette. Beautiful warm eyeshadows. There is nothing about this palette that I don't like. My favourite combination for Autumn is Half Baked all over the lid, which is a beautiful gold and Dark Horse in the crease and lower lid.

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze - I have to admit that I have got a little bit addicted to tanning over the last year. For the new season however I am trying to wean myself off it (it's amazing seeing my natural skin tone again!). Gentle Bronze is the most fabulous gradual tanner, EVER! It gives me a beautiful light colour, just a little bit of "glow" to take the edge off my pale skin.

Cocoa Brown Lovely Legs Spray - I have been reaching for this a lot lately as well! I am a bit of a lazy tanner, and quite often I only use Gentle Bronze on my top half. I whip out the Lovely Legs depending on what I am wearing that day. It is dead handy to apply to your legs and the tops of your feet if you are wearing pumps and have forgotten to tan your legs! It has great staying power too.

L'Occitane Hand Cream - I got this when I was on holiday in Paris and absolutely love it. I use it several times daily! I hate when my hands feel dry and tight and this is perfect to combat that. Plus I love that the tube is absolutely enormous! Hopefully it will last me a long long time! It has a beautiful scent too. It is a very luxurious thick cream but it absorbs well and does not feel greasy or sticky. Brilliant!

What products do you like to use in Autumn?

Lancome Vernis in Love - "Nuit d'Azur" Nail polish

Lancome released some new nail polishes for Summer 2014 and this one absolutely stole my heart! I had to have it. Such a beautiful blue creme polish, the best kind!
I have to say that Lancome nail polishes are probably one of the best in terms of packaging and the brush is perfect for application. The nail polish formula was just a dream to apply (I used 2 coats) . It was the perfect consistency too!

It is such a beautiful, rich colour for Summer. I would never have thought of wearing a blue nail polish, but I have never seen a blue shade quite like this. My only problem with it is that it started chipping incredibly quickly! I would have expected a longer wear time from such an expensive nail polish.

I paired it up with another Lancome polish from their Summer collection, the beautiful "Golden Riviera". The blue and gold look amazing together! Apologies for the bad photo, it was taken on my phone.

So although Summer seems to be leaving us rather prematurely, I really am enjoying these Summery nail polishes! And I do think the beautiful blue "Nuit d'Azure" will look amazing in Winter too!

First Impressions of Lancome Grandiose Mascara!

Lancome can do no wrong in my eyes. Every time I try any of their products, I am amazed at the superior quality, especially of their makeup. Lancome mascaras are in fact the best I have ever tried, and I was delighted when their new offering arrived through my letterbox to try out.

Firstly what struck me was the incredible beauty of the packaging. I love the Lancome rose encased in the lid, for some reason it reminds me of Beauty and the Beast! It is certainly a fine looking mascara tube, so glamorous!

 And now, behold the fabulous "swan neck" wand! I must admit I was a little apprehensive about this, I wondered if it was just a gimmick? It claims to reach each lash from top to bottom, and apply to your "other eye" with ease.  After admiring the beauty of this mascara, I was ready to try it out!

I am used to mascara wands with a much bigger brush than this, however I really loved the smaller, more precise brush of Grandiose. It really did reach into the very corners and even the tiniest lashes. As well as the wand itself being bent at a 25 degree angle, the actual brush is flexible too.

In the above photos, I am applying it to my "other eye". I am right handed, and always with my regular mascara the lashes on my left eye never look as good as my right. The Grandiose wand gives exceptional control, and I was astounded how different it was, applying mascara to my left eye with perfect ease! For the outside lashes, as I held the wand I bent my wrist to the right, and as I moved my way to the inner lashes I put the wand across my nose. It was amazing doing this and not getting mascara all over my face!  Lancome have got this spot on! It is a perfect art, the size and shape of this wand for perfect application.

Here is a little before and after comparison…. My lashes are already quite long but I think this mascara does give decent length and fullness.

So, first impressions of this mascara are that I am very impressed with the design of the wand for application. My lashes do look great, I suppose it is a similar effect to Lancome Hypnose which is my regular mascara. The formula is excellent, the perfect consistency.
I did fear that the design of this mascara wand was a gimmick but I couldn't have been more wrong! Never has applying mascara been so easy for me.
Perhaps this will tak over Hypnose as my favourite mascara….

My top picks of Summer 2014 (so far!)

Here we are in the midst of summer, and what a glorious one it is too! I am just back from a wonderful holiday in Disneyland Paris and as I write this, I am in my back garden enjoying every minute of this beautiful weather. 

It has been a great summer for some new make up too. I am particularly fond of the Clarins Colours of Brazil collection but I have tried out loads of new things this summer. Here is a small collection of what I have been wearing the most!

1. Skechers Flex Appeal Memory Foam - Not a make up item I know, but I bought these for going on holiday and I have been wearing them every day since! They are extremely comfortable, with a memory foam insole! It is quite literally like walking on air. I love these!

2. La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50 - I have been using this quite liberally, and despite the intense mid-30 degree heat in Paris and our beautiful weather here, it has not let me down so I would say this is  definitely one of my top picks for summer!

3. Escada Born in Paradise Perfume - This scent is just summer in a bottle for me! It is so fruity and tropical. I have been spraying this every single day and it has fast become my favourite perfume for summer. My only problem is, it is only available in eau de toilette so the beautiful scent does fade very quickly! :( But this perfume will forever remind me of this summer!

4. Clarins Lip Balm Crayon - These are the best things I have ever put near my lips! This shade is "Sweet Cherry", a beautiful but not too striking colour, which is very suitable for everyday wear. They feel so creamy and smell delicious! I recently tried a Clinique Chubby Stick for the first time and I can honestly say the Clarins Lip Balm Crayons are 100 times better! Please Clarins make these part of your permanent line!!

5. Clarins Colours of Brazil Eyeshadow Palette - I am still very fond of this palette and I wear it a lot! My favourite shades are the two brown shades, and I like to blend out with a little of the orange colour. The blue liner is really something! I never thought I would get much use out of the liner but it turns out I was wrong! I always line my lower lashes with it now, and it looks beautiful and lovely contrast with it and the orange eyeshadow!

6. Lancome City Miracle CC Cream - This is what I have been wearing on my face every day since I got it. It has such beautiful consistency and applies beautifully. It has that lovely elegant Lancome scent too (which I love) and of course has been providing some much required protection to my face with the SPF 50. I wish I had got it in the lighter shade though, as I constantly have to wear fake tan to make sure this matches my skin!

I would love to know what your top picks are for summer! And I hope you are all enjoying the nice weather! :) 

Lancome Golden Riviera Bronzer - Summer 2014 Collection

Three Lancome posts in a row - I am sorry folks! It really wasn't intentional, I have been trying a few new bits from Lancome lately though. It is one of my favourite brands! And just yesterday I treated myself to the new bronzer from their Golden Summer collection. I couldn't resist, it is absolutely beautiful and really caught my attention. Normally I would try out a product for a while before blogging about it, but this one is so gorgeous I was dying to post about it anyway!

The compact is absolutely huge with a massive 30g of product in there. It feels extremely sturdy and I think looks so elegant and glamorous. Open it up and it absolutely takes your breath away! Gorgeous bronzer with a touch of gold overspray in the middle.

The bronzer is the most heavenly shade. It is very warm toned, with just a subtle gold shimmer throughout. I was well aware that the gold overspray was going to disappear with just a swipe of a brush, try as I might to avoid it, I had to swirl my brush in the compact to get enough product for my face! Below is how my bronzer looks now. Admittedly, it is probably more wearable now although there still is a hint of that gold shimmer.

I absolutely loved wearing this today! It really isn't a "glitter ball" effect but provides a lovely highlight as well as that bronzed glow. I just kind of dusted this all over my face, neck & chest. Lancome has never let me down, and I certainly was not disappointed with this bronzer! In fact the entire Golden Summer collection is astounding, beautiful golds and blues. I am so excited to use this bronzer, it is so perfect for summer!