The Cream Shadow Post

 My latest buy from Laura Mercier reminded me of my love for cream eyeshadows. Since its been windy and cold my cream shadows have been a little buried under my collection but I have recently brought them back to light and have been wearing them everyday. The first up is Laura Merciers Burnished Copper Metallic Creme Eyeshdow (and take a breath...) This is so gorgeous, I fin it easy to work with as its creamy and easy to blend. Its so pigmented, the smallest amount goes a long way and the colour is beautiful. If you like your brown shadows with a bit of shimmer this is one for you!! It has a slight red undertone to it which I love and it can be worn really pigmented in colour or blended out for a sheer finish for an easy to wear everyday shade. The shimmer running through it is really subtle so can be worn on a night out or just as an everyday colour blended out over the lid-either way you need to check these shadows out if your an eyeshadow fan :)

 

Next up is another of Laura Mercier Metallic creme shadows this time in rose gold. This shade is another gorgeous one and if your a big fan of the colour this sweeps over the lid beautifully. Similarly to burnished copper it can be worn very pigmented or blended out to look more subtle. I cant wait to wear this shade throughout the summer as I think it will look lovely with a tan.

Digging into my makeup collection for more creme shadows I  found Mac's paint pot in the shade constructivist. This is quite a dark brown with a bit of shimmer, like many of the Mac paint pots this lasts forever and doesn't move when it's on the lids. I love to wear this is the crease or all over the lid for a dramatic eye on a night out. It's not as easy to blend as the Laura Mercier ones as it sets quickly but as long as you work with it as soon as applied the effect and pay off is excellent.

 

The final paint pot pictured is Mac groundwork, which is a brilliant everyday neutral colour, really easy to wear and great as a base too. 

I've inserted a photo below wearing Laura Merciers burnished copper over the lids just so you get an idea of the colour pay off.

The next on my cream shadow list to try out is Chanel Ebouli, a gorgeous red shad and Emmerveille, a peachy golden shade. I also think I may have to check out some of the new ones that have just been released by Estee Lauder.

Let me know what your fave cream shadows are :)

Lots of Love xxxxxx

Beating those Dark Eye Circles

Defeating those Dark Circles

I hate under eye circles, mine are incredibly dark and I am constantly on the look out to try new things makeup and skincare wise to lighten, brighten, depuff and do everything possible to improve the appearance of my eye area!

However at the minute I am quite happy with the products I'm using makeup wise and although I am constantly trying different concealers, these are the ones that are currently in my everyday routine.

First up I always apply eye cream, I am currently using the Ren one which is good but I have just purchased one from Algenist which is winging it's way here right now-ooops! This has had good reviews and seems to do everything in one so I will let you know how I get on with and report back!

Bobbi Brown Corrector and Mac Prep and Prime

The next step is to use a colour corrector which has a pink undertone to counteract those stubborn circles, I am currently trying out Bobbi Browns Corrector in the colour bisque, which so far I have been quite impressed with. It's quite creamy, I tend to use my finger to apply this as I fee it warms up the product more and helps it to blend into the delicate eye area. I apply it by tapping lightly with my ring finger working from the inner corners and outwards. 
Another similar product is Macs Prep and Prime highlighter, which is an eye brightening concealer, I sometimes use this as an alternative to the Bobbi Brown. I don't always wear corrector everyday as I feel concealer can usually carry me through but for the heavy notes or stressful work times these are a dream.

Once smooth and blended I go straight in with my concealer, my current favourite is Estee Lauders Double Wear concealer in shade 02 light medium. This stuff is the Queen Bee of concealing that I have come across so far, it's amazing for hiding those dark circles, doesn't feel cakey or heavy and stays put all day. It's easy to blend around the eye area and comes with a wand so application is easy I simply dot it around my eye, in a triangular shape and gently blend with my ring finger.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Bobbi Brown Concealer Kit-Concealer Left, Powder Right

Once I have finished with corrector and concealer, I usually set my makeup using an under eye powder. I am currently trying out Bobbi Browns powder from their Creamy concealer set, which seems to work fine so far but I will report back with a more indepth review soon. Another favourite that I like using are Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage and Benefits Powderflage which is brightening and lifts the eye area that little more. 

I hope thats given you some helpful ideas if you suffer with bad circles or enjoy trying out new concealers. I will do a face of the day soon if you guys would like to see one or may do a makeup look on my youtube channel soon showing how I use them. If you have any holy grail concealers let me know in the comments below.

Lots of Love xxxxx

Mac Improper Copper Creme Colour Base

Mac Improper Copper 


On my last visit to Mac this little beauty caught my eye and as I began to swatch away I wondered why I hadn't noticed this before. It such a lovely colour, as the name suggests there is a slight copper undertone with a very light golden shimmer but what I live is the very slight coral that compliments these other warm tones. 
It's not to shimmery but is very creamy and easy to use, I apply it with my fingers or a Real Techniques stippling brush. I think it would look amazing on tanned skin-this is definitely one that I will be popping into my holiday makeup bag to enhance a summery glow. When in the sun, you can see the beautiful multi tones of this little gem-it's easy to wear and great if you just want a quick healthy glow. 

Lightly swatched!

Hope this helps guys :)

Lots of love x

Mac Stereo Rose MSF

Mac Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish Review

Macs Mineralise Skin Finish in Stereo Rose is known for it's huge hype amongst the beauty community and after reading reviews and lusting at the swatches of it for ages now, I finally jumped on board managed to get my mitts on the gorgeous product and can't say that I'm disappointed. This skinfinish occasionally makes an appearance with different collections and this time it was with the Apres Chic Collection. The other msf available with this collection is Porcelain Pink, a pale pink with the usual complimentary shimmer and thankfully for my bank balance this had sold out however I did swatch it and think of the two colours in the collection, the porcelain pink would definitely be more suited to fairer skin tones.



I was ecstatic though when I managed to get my hands on the last Stereo Rose, the most gorgeous coral flush with a slightly golden undertone, I feel this is not as shimmery as some msfs but this only increases my love for it. With it's golden undertones and vibrancy of the coral colour, I feel would suit many skin tones, especially darker skin tones and would look heavenly on tanned bronzed skin-think Victoria Secret Angels.  If you have darker skin it would serve great as a highlighter lightly swatched as well as a blush. As with many of the Msfs it's really pigmented and you get so much product that it's well worth the investment. If you haven't managed to get your hands on this yet and you love your coral blushes or highlighters then run out to your nearest Mac store as soon as you can as this is sweeping off the counters fast!!!

The Skincare Post

Ahhh skincare my life obsession, I am constantly reading up on the latest miracle moisturiser, saviour serum or debagging/dewrinkling eye cream and I think nows the time for a new change (well it is a new year after a all-a valid excuse right??:/). I am now obsessed with space nk and have a wonderful loaded gift card waiting in my purse for me to splurge and as well as a couple of makeup bits 'n' bobs there is quite a lot of skincare that I keep adding to my ever growing list. I blame viviannadoesmakeup for this obsession I love reading her blog and her space nk updates are always my port of call before a trip there. 

This is my current skincare routine (be warned it's a long one!!) which I am loving which includes a mix of Clarins, Origins and Ren, La Roche Posay warning Alpha H and Origins heavy. If theres anything you guys want to see a full review on just let me know-I may do a video with a more indepth routine :)

Cleansers and Makeup Removers

Origins A Perfect World- I love this it has the most silky texture        and is an antioxident cleanser with white tea-so great for anti aging :) 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish-This already has a huge cult following and is just fab! Enough said.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution-Brilliant makeup remover, so gentle and effective!

Toners

I'm not a fan of strong toners as I feel they can be a little harsh on the skin which is why I love these two from Origins, they smell gorgeous, are really refreshing on the skin and last for ages.

Origins Organics Purifying Tonic-this is great for oily skin and contains the brilliant ingredient salicylic acid-a win from me.

Origins A Perfect World Toner-This range is the white tea range packed full of anti aging :)

Serums

Origins A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian- This is meant to create an invisible protective bubble over your skin to protect it from the hustle and bustle of everyday. I love it I have been using it for a couple of years now and will still continue to repurchase it. Again it feels like silk on application but almost immediately sinks into the skin. It's also packed full of anti aging silver tip white tea.

Eye Cream

Sk:n Anti Aging Brightening and Firming Eye Cream- This is effective and has an amazing tightening effect on application. I saw good results after using this and it lasted a long time.

Ren-Keep Young and Beautiful Anti Ageing Eye Cream- This is very soothing around the eye area and is a much thinner consistency then the sk:n. I feel it smoothes and depuffs the eye area but the results aren't as effective anti aging wise as the sk:n

Day Moisturisers

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo-This is an amazing moisturiser, especially for those who suffer from break outs or oily skin. It sinks into the skin so quickly and leaves a matt effect on the skin so is lovely to apply as a base before makeup. I tend to apply it to my tzone area but feel the rest of my skin could use a little more moisture.

Origins A Perfect World Moisturiser ( Shocker!!! :) ) I have been using this anti aging moisturiser for a couple of years now and I can't rave about it enough. It feels gorgeous is so soft on the skin and after recommending it to all my girls they now can't live without it :) If you haven't tried it pay them a visit, staff are always brilliant too!! They also have a version that contains spf that was my saviour when travelling and it lasts along time. 

Exfoliators

Alpha H Liquid Gold and Serum is a well known fav amongst so many beauty bloggers and I am totally onboard-it's effective, anti aging and with instant results. I alternate between the two with a break two nights of the week with a face mask and intensive night cream.  Origins modern friction and Clarins One-step gentle exfoliating cleanser my choice for daily exfoliation if my skin needs a boost. However I only use these about once a week when using alpha h liquid gold otherwise it becomes exfoliation overload-never good on the skin!!

Night Creams

By Terry Teint De Rose-This is a luxurious pick me up treatment, it can be used as a primer but I use it at night to wake up with a glowing face. It smells divine-If you like the smell of roses as all By Terry products it has that beautiful scent. It has a slight shimmer to the cream-I have inserted a piccie of this just so you can see what it looks like. Looks nice under makeup if you want a fresh faced look.

By Terry Teint De Rose

Clarins Multi-Active Night- I love this very moisturising and in no way has a greasy, heavy feel that some night creams possess. After waking up after using this my skin feels rejuvenated and so soft, it's also a great for dehydration lines :)

Face Masks
Origins drink up intensive-great for an overnight mask-moisturing and smells heavenly.
Origins Charcoal Mask -if you have problematic skin this is great-not however if you need to answer the door to the postie ;) 

On my new wish list is Emma Hardie professional cleansing system which contains her Amazing Face cleanser, Algenist moisturiser, Clarins water purify one-step cleanser, Alpha H rejuvenating cream, Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask, Ren Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask, Alpha H absolute eye complex.

What are your skincare essentials? Whats on your wish lists?

Lots of Love xxxxx

Makeup Haul Dior, Mac and Laura Mercier

Thanks to the well written christmas list and the very generous boy who went traipsing into town with it in hand,  I was able to unwrap with delight some makeup goodies that have been on my list for a while and I couldn't be happier with the choices :)

1st up is Macs Powersurge eye kohl pencil, a gorgeous gold with slight shimmer, I actually use this all over the lid as a base and it's gorgeous. I like to pair it with plum eyeshadow shades, especially trax, twinks or mulch. The two compliment each other so well and look great for a night out. This colour is beautiful on the waterline and is a popular favourites with brides. I would definitely check it out when you next pass your Mac counter.

With Flash

Without Flash

Mac Trax

Powersurge and Trax

Next up on my list was the gorgeous Dior Amberdiamond. I've been thinking about this highlighter for an unhealthy amount of time and I'm pleased to say it does not disappoint :) Although expensive, the luxurious Christian Dior packaging and product do not disappoint with a beautiful array of golden, pinky tones which can be used as highlighters, blush and even individual eyeshadows. The colours are all wearable and would suit any skintone-I'm olive skinned and the colours really compliment my skintone. I'm an obsessive one for blush and highlighters and if you are one too this should definitely be on your list ;)

I will do a makeup look for you guys soon using this as a blush and eyeshadow soon so you can see the full effect of this highlighter.

Next up is Mac Tan Pigment

I do love Mac pigments they have a gorgeous range and they last for ages. This is a gorgeous bronze shade, excellent for summer and can be applied thick extremely metallic or blended out for more subtle shadow. I can't wait to try out an arabic eye makeup with this pigment, I recently wore this out for New Years eve layering it with some dark brown eyeshadows and it did not disappoint.

Mac Prep + Prime Translucent Powder

 I've been looking for a very light translucent powder just to wear through the T zone to mattify the skin as I like a dewy finish from my foundation. This ticks all my boxes, light, loose and not cakey at all. I just dust a light layer of this through my tzone on days when my skin feels particularly oily or I fancy a matt finish. I wanted one that didn't contain spf due to flashback in photographs.

The next two products I will include in a tutorial, Mac harmony which is a beautiful shade, brilliant for contouring and blush and Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. I love this, I purchased this after hearing all the youtube hype and so far I am loving it. It's a medium to heavy coverage and has a lovely flawless finish. I apply mine using a real techniques buffing brush and am the shade cashew beige. It doesn't leave a overly dewy finish but definitely achieves a glow and gorgeous finish. I will report back when I have worn it over a longer period of time with some photographs so you can see the full effect.

Hope you all had an amazing christmas and had an amazing start to the New Year. 

Lots of love xxx