February Favourites

It's that time of the month again. February has come to an end and hopefully the end to all of the bad weather. Bring on March and Spring. Anyhow I thought I would include some of the things I have been loving for the past month. 

Make Up

Anastasia Contour Kit 

If you haven't heard about this, the chance is that you have been living under a rock for the past two months. This is certainly the most hyped product around right now with all of the Kardashians loving it. I am no stranger and for the past month... maybe longer have been loving it. I have the light/medium and its the perfect colouring for my skin tone. My favourite highlight is Banana while my favourite bronzer is Java. Couldn't recommend this product enough. 

Benefit - Roller Lash Mascara

Like above this is another product everybody has been after for the past month. The new Benefit mascara is nothing short of amazing. I have actually done a review of it which can be found here. This mascara extends and opens up your eyes to give you fuller looking lashes. I would never usually recommend spending for than £10 on mascara but I really think that this one is worth it. 

Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lipliner

Since losing my beloved Mac Soar lipliner (still mourning over this) I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to spend so much on a lipliner considering I would probably lose it again however I was in need of a new nude one. I had heard a lot of good things about Tiramisu and decided to check it out. At only £2.99 I thought I might as well give it a go and even it was no good it wasn't expensive. While its not as good as any of the Mac ones it does the job well. It is honestly the perfect colour to go under Mac Velvet Teddy which was more of the purpose. I would recommend picking up Rimmel lipliners because for what they cost they are amazing. 

Beauty

Tangle Teezer

I am so late to the hype of these since I only picked one up last month although I can honestly say this has actually changed my hair routine. The only thing that me off it was the price tag, I mean paying over £10 for a hairbrush seemed kind of ridiculous to me. Although I had to do something because my hair was so knotty and it was actually falling out every time I put a normal brush through it. This goes through my hair so easily and with no trouble... life saver. 

Una Brennan - Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil 

This was something I tried out at the start of the month and the review I did of it can be found here. I needed something which was going to help my skin because it was so prone to breakouts. I had heard so many people with oily skin talk about this so I decided to give it a try. It really is amazing all you need is a little tiny bit on your hands. It makes the skin feel super soft and clean. I would definitely recommend for those whose skin has them oily tendencies. 

Clothing

H&M Wool Coat

I actually got this coat for Christmas but for this past month I seem to have been wearing it more than anything. This coat is honestly so flattering. I was looking for a camel coloured coat and after searching high and low I finally saw this one. I love this because it makes any outfit look immediately smart and as though you put a lot of effort into it. The link for it can be found here (although only size 14 is left) 

TV

Gossip Girl

I'm really not one for TV shows but one I have been really getting into recently is Gossip Girl. I feel as though I am so far behind on the hype of this. While I am still only on Season 1 I cannot believe how hooked I am already. I can see myself getting through the series in the next month. If you haven't seen it yet I would recommend because it is so good and if you are anything like me and love New York then it will definitely be for you.

How Much Is My Night Out Face Worth?

FOTN

Mac Studio Fix Foundation - £21.50

Wake Me Up Concealer - £5.49

Mac Studio Finish Concealer - £15.50

Mac Studio Fix Powder - £21.50

Nars Virtual Domination Palette - £45

Anastasia Contour Kit - £39

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish - £23

Anastasia Brow Wiz - £15.50

Maybelline Brow Draw - £4.99

L'oreal Super Liner - £6.49

Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Mascara - £17.76

Benefit Roller Lash (I only have the mini version but full size is) £19.50

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner - £3.99

Mac Lipstick - £15.50

Total: £254.22

When I saw how much it came to I was honestly pretty shocked. Whilst I know that I use mostly high end products and there are certainly cheaper alternatives that may be just as good if not in some cases better however I trust these products and know that they work for me. I think that this is probably more important than finding a cheap alternative just because it could mean saving a couple of pounds. 

The only thing that really justifies the amount of money is the fact that this is my 'night out' make up and therefore I wouldn't use this many products every day. While I product use similar products and maybe some of the same, I just wouldn't use as many. 

Whilst on this list I have included two face palettes, this is because I use a couple of products from each of them. It is easier than mentioning them separately and also quite possibly cheaper. From The Nars Virtual Domination palette I use Laguna and Sex Fantasy while in the Anastasia Contour Kit I use Banana, Java and Fawn. 

I think by looking at this it is clear that I have quite the obsession with MAC. As you can tell they are my favourite make up brand. 

I'm interested to see how much your face costs, let me know? 

5 Product Face Tag

On some lazy days, I'm just not in the mood for a full face of make up, therefore I thought I would combine my lazy day make up routine with the five product face tag. 

No matter what I'm doing I will always pick Mac Studio Fix Foundation, this foundation gives a matte full coverage finish and it is great for when the skin isn't looking that great. With this foundation because its full coverage there isn't always the need for concealer therefore taking one product out of consideration. 

The next product is for multi use which is the Hoola Bronzer, I'm including this because it can be used to bronze up the face but also for eyeshadow. I am loving bronzer for eyeshadow right now because of how matte it is. The bronzer adds depth to the eyes whilst still looking minimal. Next we have a new favourite which is Benefit's Roller Lash mascara (review can be found here) - I am so in love with this thing it gives thick full lashes within a couple of layers. I have the mini version however I will soon be buying the full sized version because this is honestly the best mascara I have ever used. Another product that I couldn't live without is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Ebony, this is my holy grail and I couldn't be without it. It is the best brow product I have ever used. 

Finally my favourite lipstick ever which is Mac Velvet Teddy, I use this lipstick every single day and I absolutely love it. I makes me lips look bigger than they actually are and finishes off the minimal look in the best way.

What are the 5 products you couldn't live without? 

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara Review

Wearing Roller Lash. 

Yesterday, (12/02/15) saw the release of Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara. I picked up my mini version last month in March' issue of Elle.

This is the first Benefit mascara that I have tried out, surprisingly I have never used BADgal Lash or They're Real however I am aware of how highly regarded they are among beauty fanatics. Once seeing how anticipated everyone was over this reveal, I just knew I had to get my hands on it. The first thing I noticed with this mascara was how absolutely stunning the package is; black and pink is so incredibly simplistic that it just works so well.

Benefit claim that this mascara is super curling and lifting and for once I agree. First of all I think that it's the smallest applicator for a mascara I have ever seen. I think that this might be the secret behind its fantastic application. A smaller applicator means its a lot easier to apply into those horrible corners of the eye. Another thing I noticed was the plastic applicator and I think Benefit must be the only ones that can make a plastic applicator work. I'm not the biggest fan of them because I do find it harder to get them through my lashes although this is definitely an exception.

With Roller Lash I like to brush down my lashes and then brush upwards while adding a couple more coats. Whilst I think it is most certainly super curling, I also think that this mascara is great for the bottom lashes. With the applicator it is so easy to get underneath the bottom lashes without getting any of the product underneath the eye.

Before using Roller Lash I had never really been big on higher end mascara however I think Benefit have managed to convert me with this. I will certainly be picking up the full size.

What are your thoughts on this mascara, do you believe its worth the hype.

Bronzers and Highlighters

There was once a time when I wouldn't go anywhere near Bronzers or Highlighters but fast forward a couple of years a seem to have gathered a little collection.

One of my favourites has to be the Sleek Contouring and Blush Palette as you can see from above this palette has certainly been well loved. This was the first bronzer I got and I can honestly I must have worn it everyday for about 6 months. I do see occassionally go back to this when I'm feeling a not so heavy make up look. If you are looking for a high street bronze and highlight this is the one get.

Another high street product is the Bourjois Délice de Poudre. I only actually bought this not too long ago when Boots had a 3 for 2 offer on and after seeing everyone go on about it I decided to jump on the bandwagon. I must say it smells amazing but I'm not too keen on the actual product at the moment purely due to how pale I am. I have it in shade 55 as I'm pretty sure this one only comes in one shade. I think this product is certainly a lot better when you have a tan. I'm definitely going to be using this in the summer.

If you've been reading my blog for a while you will know a lot about my next product which is Benefit - Hoola Bronzer. Which was featured in my Everyday Make Up (here) I honestly can't recommend this bronzer enough, it is by far the best bronzer I have ever used. It is perfect for every skin tone and as someone who is pretty pale it is perfect as it doesn't make me look orange in the slightest which is a must for me.  This bronzer is perfect whether you want an all over bronze or just something to contour your face. 

I've got to include a Mac product somewhere haven't I. I have the Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade. This is my favourite highligher at the moment and I have been using this everyday for quite some while. This is perfect for my pastly skin, it gives the tops of your cheeks the subtle glow that you need. The highlighter does look a bit strange which blue, orange and pink running through it however I just swirl this around on my brush and lightly dust it onto my face. 

Finally two new palettes that have come into my hands recently are of course Nars Virtual Domination and Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit. The Nars palette has the very famous Laguna Bronzer which I absolutely love I find it very similar to the Benefit one where I can either use it for an all over bronze or just to contour. The highlight in the Nars palette is Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush Powder, this hightlighter is absolutely stunning with gorgeous sparkles running through it, amazing for a glow. The Anastasia Contour Kit is something I haven't actually had the chance to try yet however once I do there will be a review on it. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow. 

What are your favourite bronzers and highlights, let me know?

Everyday Makeup Routine

This is my third daily make up routine I have done since starting this blog 18 months ago. My two previous looks are here and here. I have to admit I absolutely love this make up. From day to day I do sometimes mix up but this is what I will usually wear to college and work.

Make Up Favourites. 

I think the first thing I need to mention is the change in my make up brushes. I got the Zoeva Rose Gold Brushes for Christmas and I absolutely love them. While from time to time I still do use my real technique ones these are what I reach for on a daily basis. My favourite brush has got to be the 102 silk finish, this brush makes it so easy to apply foundation as the foundation soaks into the brush it makes applying an absolute dream.

For just everyday I don't usually bother using a primer as its a bit unnecessary although if I do use it I will use the Benefit Porefessional. For base I use MAC Studio Fix in the shade NW13 with my two concealers Collection Lasting Perfection in Light & Studio Finish concealer in NC15. The Collection one is great for redness while the MAC is very bright so I use it under my eyes.

For the rest of my face I use a MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC20. This is a new product that I only bought a couple of weeks ago in New York but I have to admit its my favourite powder ever as it gives your make up such a flawless finish. To contour I use my favourite ever bronzer which is Hoola by Benefit.  It such a great colour and so easy to blend. While for blush I have used the same blusher for the past 18 months which is Nars Orgasm. This product is defintely my holy grail and I've only just hit pan which shows you just how long its lasted me for. Finally I like to finish off with my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade which is the perfect highlight. 

For eyes I have switched from my Naked 2 palette that I still love to my Lorac Pro. I have been lusting after this product like every other blogger and their mother but since it's pretty pricey and hard to get hold of I kindly asked my brother to get it for me for Christmas, If anyone is intrested in buying it Amazon sell it but make sure you buy it on the American Amazon as its a lot cheaper. I love this palette because it has the same amount of matte and shimmer shades. I have to admit I am more of a matte lover myself so eight matte shades is amazing. My two favourite shades are Mauve and Pewter.  

My favourite part of my make up to do is my brows I just need to make sure that they look perfect (or as close to perfect eyebrows can be) I recently bought Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, I got it in shade Ebony and its a perfect match. I am so late to this Brow Wiz hype but its so good better than anything I've used before. On to eyeliner and it's something I don't wear everyday but sometimes I will just use it by itself and for these occasions I will use my L'oreal liner which is so easy to apply and looks great. For mascara I still stick to my trusty L'oreal Miss Manga although I have bought a Tarte mascara which I will start using once I finish using this one. 

Finally onto lipstick and back to MAC again. I have been wearing Sour lipliner and the Velvet Teddy lipstick most days since November. Although lipstick is one thing I will change up quite a lot especially for college. If I do change it i'll go for something a little bit more daring like MAC's Russian Red or Rebel. However for work I will always wear Velvet Teddy because its something neutral and truthfully its the only lipstick that will last the entire shift.

I would love for you to recommend some of your make up favourites that I should try.