Packing make up in your hand luggage?

It's less than 8 weeks to go until I head off on holidays. So what random thoughts enter my head… how am I going to do my makeup on the morning I head off? We have quite an early morning flight. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid to go make up free but if I want to look a little bit more awake while travelling I might like the option of having some make up to hand!

So do I get up even earlier the morning of my travels, apply my make up before I leave the house, pack my make up in my suitcase and then leave? Or do I pack make up in my hand luggage so I can put my make up on en route to the airport?

If I choose the second option, it got me thinking what actually is considered "liquids" with regard to make up? It's liquids and gels that have to be put in the clear plastic bags, right? So do you think cream eyeshadows fall into that category? How about the Chanel cream bronzer? Or the sticky waxy stuff in the Sleek eyebrow kit?

Maybe a silly thought, but one that perhaps requires careful consideration when packing!

Models Own Pear Drops Scented Polish

I saw this in Superdrug one day and thought it looked very cute! I can't even describe the colour, it's almost a watermelon type shade. It has a really lovely shimmer to it as well!

It's the first Models Own nail polish I have ever tried, and I am impressed with how nice it applies. I only used 2 coats here, I found the less coats used the better it looks. I am on the third day of wearing this polish and there are some crazy chips in it already, I guess that is because I have been in work but I have used nail polishes that last longer than this.

As for the scent, when first applied it does have a nice but subtle scent. It doesn't really smell like pear drops to me and fades after a couple of hours anyway! But I suppose it is a cute gimmicky touch.

Summer Make Up Edit

I think I've made the complete transition to Summer make up. Actually my entire taste in make up has changed. I am  loving a light, glowy base, a clean eye, just keeping it more natural really. I've been wearing this exact make up on weekends or if I have somewhere to go. It just fits every occasion. Also I think it looks best if I have some tan on! Still loving my Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze in the tanning department.

I'll start off with my Clarins Instant Light Complexion Base, Chanel Vitalumiere foundation, Clarins Instant Concealer, Clarins Bronzing Compact, Clarins Blush Prodige and a tiny bit of Clarins Loose Mineral Powder. (wow, that's a lot of Clarins!)

For my eyes, I start off with MAC Paint Pot (Painterly) and I have been absolutely loving the Clarins The Essentials eyeshadow palette. I am learning to tight line my eyes using the Clarins Waterproof Eye Pencil, then finish off with the YSL Baby Doll mascara. Oh and for brows I use the Sleek Eyebrow Kit and a tiny bit of Maybelline Brow Drama.

My favourite Summery lip colour is the Clarins Jolie Rouge lipstick called "Coral Dahlia". It is such a beautiful colour and is such a silky, glossy lip product. Plus it smells amazing! Like strawberry sweeties!

Hope you like this make up look! I'm currently trying to find something to do with my hair that is a little less maintenance as well. I've been looking into getting a Loreal Steam Pod, it's a bit of an investment but they are absolutely amazing and I think would be a lot better for your hair overall. Anyway! enough rambling!  Thanks for reading!

The Dream Team…. dry skin is no more!

I had never suffered with dry skin in my life up until last Winter. It was just a constant battle for me, exfoliating, moisturising, mask and repeat. Make up looked awful and just emphasised the problem. I was going crazy, because it was something I never had to deal with before and couldn't quite find the cause or the solution to dry skin.

I felt like I had shelled out enough for products designed for hydration and dry flakey skin. I really needed a better skincare routine and I took to Twitter for some advice! Aisling and Lisa suggested I try a serum and chemical exfoliating pads. My local Superdrug has just gotten in some Nip & Fab products so the Glycolic Fix pads were the first things I got. Then for the serum. I was looking for Hydraluron as Aisling had suggested but after trying three Boots branches with no sign of it, I went with Vichy Aqualia Thermal instead as I had also heard great things about it.

I am still afraid to try any other products other than La Roche Posay Toleraine, as my skin has also been looking a little red and irritated and times and Toleraine is the only thing that doesn't aggravate it! So I repurchased the Toleraine cleanser and moisturiser, which I adore, and I also picked up the eye cream on a whim. Is it only new out? My local pharmacy said they had just got it in and I had never seen it before.

So, I will cleanse my face then give it a wipe over with one of the Nip & Fab pads (I'll only use the pads every other night). I'll then apply the serum, then my moisturiser and eye cream. I've been doing this morning and night now for about 3 or 4 weeks and the difference is unbelievable. I still have some little dry scaly patches on my nose, but nothing like it was before. My skin is I would say 90% improved and it feels plumper and full of moisture. The thing that I really hated was the dryness and the scaly patches, so I wanted to focus on getting rid of them, which is definitely working. I can see my skin improving in so many other ways too. I just wish I had discovered this dream team sooner! I never knew how a serum could work wonders, I always thought they were pretty much a waste of money. And I will never use another scrubby exfoliating product on my face again. These exfoliating pads are just a miracle for me!

My first ever MAC lipstick!

I know, I know, where have I been! I have always been meaning to try MAC lipsticks but just never have. I don't live near a MAC counter and I have always found selecting a colour online rather intimidating, there are just so many to choose from! 

With all the hype surrounding the Kylie Jenner make up look I decided to take a chance and order online, and I chose "Velvet Teddy". It's not anything I would normally choose, for one thing it's matte, for another it's just not a colour I usually wear. But still, I went ahead and ordered it. I had a voucher to spend and guessed that it would be easier to pick a "me" colour next time I am at a counter. 

Well, it arrived and I was mighty impressed! The packaging is so small and neat. I didn't realise that MAC lipsticks smelled so nice either! The actual lipstick is a beautiful shade, it's more of a mauve toned nude I would say. It is exceptionally creamy for a matte lipstick so I needn't have worried about that aspect of it. It isn't drying on me at all. It applies really well and wears amazingly too. The only thing I am not sure about is if I actually suit a colour like this! Or maybe it's just because I am so used to seeing myself wearing peachy-pinky colours. 

Overall I am really impressed with this lipstick and am happy to have it in my collection. It's always good to try new things, right? I would love to know if there are any other "must have" MAC lipsticks that I should get! I have my eye on Peach Blossom! 

Angelica Cashmere Matte Nail Polish

Recently I was sent this gorgeous little package from Angelia Nail Colour! I have used their nail polishes in the past and am a huge fan (especially of their glitters!). These polishes are something different and completely out of my comfort zone. The Cashmere Matte collection is new from Angelica for Spring/Summer. Which in itself is unusual as the colours are more what I would associate with Autumn/Winter! They are matte polishes but they have shimmer in as well. Here is a closer look!

 "Merino"

 "Mohair"

 "Pashmina" 

 "Feather"

I think Pashmina is my personal favourite! I am so into neutrals right now and it is the perfect beige/taupe colour. I was not too fond of Feather, I know white polishes are all the rage right now but I just can't get on with them. All I can think of is when I was in primary school and everyone put Tipp-Ex on their nails! Mohair and Marino are such gorgeous colours but I think I will save them for Autumn/Winter. You can really see the shimmer in the darker colours.

These nail polishes applied exceptionally well and as with all Angelica polishes lasted a good few days on me without chipping. They really are fantastic for the price!

I like the colours in this collection a lot, I love how amazingly smooth they applied and the wear time was good. I just am not keen on the matte finish as I personally prefer shiny, glossy nail polishes. For me, Pashmina is the star of this collection!

Do you like the look of these polishes? They are priced at £2.75 each and are available from Primark/Penneys or you can order online at http://angelica-nails.myshopify.com

Clarins Aquatic Treasures collection for Summer 2015

Hooray for outdoor photos! Isn't this lovely sunny weather just the perfect tonic? That means it is almost time for Summer make up, and who does Summer make up better than Clarins? I have been so obsessed with their Summer collections the last couple of years, so I am so delighted to be able to try out some bits from the new Aquatic Treasures collection!

Aquatic Treasures Summer Bronzing Compact £30

Every year Clarins release a knockout bronzing compact. This one really is a stunner! The exterior of the compact is just beautiful, I could stare at it all day! Inside is a wonderful matte bronzer, with four segments of different shades. I love the embossed design on the powder. I just swirl my brush around the entire compact and I have been using it pretty much all over my face to bronze up my make up. The powder is extremely soft, and is very pigmented so a light hand is needed. Gorgeous!

Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base £26

The Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base is a permanent fixture in the Clarins make up range,  though they are bringing out 2 limited edition shades for summer. I have the shade "04 Apricot" and there will also be a shade "05 Golden Bronze". This can be worn alone or as a base for your make up. I have tried it both ways, and love it! I love how the tube has a pump and it dispenses the perfect amount to apply all over your face and neck. It's not shimmery but just gives an incredible "glow" - I am not one to use base products like this but I have to say there is a noticeable difference in my complexion when I wear this! Although the shade Apricot looks rather dark in my swatch here, it blends in beautifully and looks perfect on me, especially if I am tanned. It doesn't particularly give any coverage if you did decide to wear it on it's own, but I think it would be the perfect face product to wear on a holiday. It has a gorgeous scent and just feels so fresh and light on the skin.

Clarins Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil £17

Next up I have been trying the double ended eye liner pencil, which I have been loving very much! The pencil has a gel/cream texture and is so easy to apply and smudge with the little rubber end. It's great for a quick smokey eye! It stays on your eyes all day long and because it is waterproof it will be great for summer heat, or at the pool!

Clarins Ombre Iridescente £19

Last up, we have a gorgeous little eyeshadow pot in the shade "01 Aquatic Rose", which is a beautiful neutral, rose gold shade. I can imagine this colour suiting everybody. I got on a lot better with this eyeshadow than I did with the Ombre Mattes which were released last Autumn. I think probably because these are a little more shimmery, there is more "stick" to them and this has been lasting on me all day without creasing. Anyway, these are definitely a powder formula and I guess you could apply with an eyeshadow brush but I just prefer to use my ring finger and really pack it on all over the lid, much the same as if it were a cream eyeshadow. I have really been loving this eyeshadow, after the heavy eye make ups of the Winter season it is just so nice to pare it all back with beautiful, simple neutrals like this. And I do love a pearly, iridescent shade! There is also a darker shade available, "Aquatic Grey" if that is more your style! They are absolutely brilliant and hassle-free to apply.

Another close up of the bronzer, I just think this is the most beautiful piece of make up I have seen in a long time!

Wearing all of the products….I have the Complexion Base on under my foundation (Clarins Everlasting+ - love this stuff!), the bronzer all over my face, Ombre Iridescente all over my eyelids with the bronzer as a crease colour, the waterproof eyeliner pencil on the lash line smudged out, Clarins Blush Prodige 02 Soft Peach, Clarins Jolie Rouge lipstick in "Coral Dahlia".


What do you think of this collection? Isn't it just gorgeous and perfect for Summer? I must admit I was looking forward to a Clarins summer eyeshadow palette like the last couple of years, but I guess because they brought out a palette in the Spring collection, they didn't do one for summer. I feel like this collection is all about very understated make up, glowing bronzed complexions. I am so into that right now!

The Clarins Aquatic Treasures collection is available in May 2015.



Products provided for review. All opinions my own.