5 lip products in 2 days | Haul

I think it's time to admit that I have a problem, I'm a lip product addict. I was having a rather emotional week as I passed my second year or uni with a 2:1 hoorah! and I was going through phases of feeling high and low, and what's the best way to conquer a low? retail therapy!

I was looking at the boots website and noticed that the bourjois rouge edition velvet line had been extended and two new shades were added and they looked gorgeous and considering it was 3 for 2 I just couldn't refuse, right? the two new shades are nude-ist which is a pinky nude shade that I couldn't refuse as it's the only nude in the line and grand cru which is a deep burgundy which I'm looking forward to wearing during autumn and on nights out. I also picked up personne ne rouge which is a glamorous true red which I have had my eye on for a while. I also managed to buy these products during the offer where you get a free pair of sunglasses which are actually really lovely, so I only paid for two products and got a lipstick and a pair of sunglasses free!

I was guildford which is the closest mac store to where I live and I don't get to go there too often, so I popped in and picked up the lipstick in 'please me' which has been on my wish list forever and it's a beautiful mid toned pink. I also found a shop that stocked korres in guildford and i've been in love with my jasmine lip butter recently so I got the shade 'quince' which is also a mid-tone sheer pink.

Have you picked up any new lip products recently?

Four products to help boost radiance

Summer is the time where everyone wants a lighter base and glowing skin, myself included. I like to use the body shop's vitamin C skin reviver as a base for my makeup as it's really smoothes out the skin and makes it soft to touch as well as giving the skin an instant radiance boost which is perfect for the summer months, this can be worn on it's own or under foundation and it still gives the same effect. In the cheek department I use Mac well dressed blush as it's a pale baby pink with a slight shimmer running through the really brightens up my complexion and makes me look more awake. well dressed was the first product I purchased for mac two years ago and I find that my skin always look really healthy when I use it. a light dusting of mac's soft and gentle highlighter is the main contributor when it comes to achieving that summer glow, the peachy-gold tone compliments a lot of skin tones and gives the skin a gorgeous sheen. finally, I like to set everything in place using the mac fix + as it makes everything look less matte and a lot more glowy. all of these products can be switched out for other products that do a similar job but for me these four standout among all of my other products.

Mac MSF Soft and gentle

 

Ladies and possibly gentlemen I would like to introduce you to the worlds most gorgeous highlighter, the mac mineralise skin finish in soft and gentle. this little black compact of sparkly goodness has taken it's rightful place in my everyday makeup bag as I have completely neglected my other highlighters since I got this radiant little beauty. Mac make two different types of mineralise skin finish (MSF) powders, the first being the mineralise skin finish natural which is an all over setting powder used to mattify the skin and secondly in the mineralise skin which which is the product i'm writing about in the shade soft and gentle, which is a baked mineral powder with a metallic frost finish which is used for highlighting the high points of your face so cheekbones, cupids bow and down the bridge of your nose, basically anywhere that you want to add a little bit of oomph and radiance wether it be on your face or body. I had been lusting over this for well over a year and I finally decided to pick it up near the beginning of 2014 and i'm so over the moon with it, although it cost a pricey £22 I can see that it's going to be worth the money as even after months of use I haven't even made a dent in it.

Mac describe soft and gentle as a 'gilded peach bronze' and whilst I can recognise the pink tones I do think it's more of a champagne colour as shown in the swatch above. please note that is a heavy fingered swatch so there's a lot of product and that's not what it will look like on your skin! I think that the colour is extremely universal and would suit all skin tones as I've heard fairer skinned ladies say they love it and the same on the other end of the scale with darker beauties. although if the shade soft and gentle doesn't take your fancy it also comes in two other shades being lightscapade which is a "soft candlelit beige with multidimensional shimmer" and gold deposit which is a "soft reflective golden bronze" which I have heard looks gorgeous on darker, tanned skin tones.

I use it every single day to finish off my makeup makeup, I love that it is pigmented but not so pigmented that I'm scared to dip my brush into the product and end up looking like I have been dunked into a tub of glitter, instead this product catches the light and makes me look radiant and healthy. I have heard a lot of people complain that it's 'too much' or contained a lot of glitter for everyday wear and how it's only appropriate for evening time but personally I don't think it is, the powder is so finely milled with no major chunks of glitter I mean sure it has a metallic finish but not glitter, it doesn't look over the top as long as you don't go overboard with it!

Even with the heavy price tag I will repurchase this product when it's finished, which I can tell won't be for a long while yet! I'm far too in love with it to let it go as it's my new favourite mac product that I own. definitely worth the splurge.

My MAC lipsticks

When I first started watching youtube videos and reading beauty blogs a couple of years back I noticed that pretty much everyone in the beauty community owned a mac lipstick or two...hundred, and I didn't understand what was so special about these lipsticks compared to the others, so one day I took the £15 plunge and brought Shy girl, my first ever mac lipstick and that was when I really started to notice why people loved them so much, there's a colour/finish out there for everyone, you don't like matte lipstick? perfect! there's a nice cremesheem there for you! oh, that's not what you're looking for? why not try a lustre finish! it's quite overwhelming when you go into a mac store and see the choice that they have and more than often i've walked out empty handed because there was too much choice.

Since I brought shy girl, I've brought another 4 of the little black bullets of beauty and I still want more.

Shy girl / RiRi Woo / Plumful / All fired up / Flat out fabulous

Shy girl, All fired up, Plumful, Flat out fabulous, RiRi Woo

Shy Girl: Mac describe it as a Creamy neutral coral beige, I think it's more of a peachy nude as opposed to a brown which suits my complexion nicely. It's a cremesheen formula which means it glides onto the lips easily and is moisturising I do find that if i don't scrub my lips before using this it settles into the cracks of my lips slightly and it lasts for about 2-3 hours on me. 

Plumful: A muted down plum colour with a lustre finish, this means that it's more sheer than the other lipsticks and this is actually my favorite mac lipstick that I own! It's the perfect autumn/winter colour and it's also moisturising on the lips. it's not too bright on the lips so it's perfect to wear everyday! I'm blaming Essiebutton for this purchase because it looked so gorgeous on her and she kept going on about it... that girl has the power to make me buy anything she raves about. 

RiRi Woo: I brought this back in May when Rihannas collection first launched by releasing this lipstick alone, it's a blue toned 'retro matte' lipstick which leaves your teeth looking extremely white! although it's a matte formula, I don't find that this is uncomfortable to wear on the lips and this lasts for up to 4/5 hours on me! I wore this on a night out and may have consumed a fair bit of alcohol and didn't touch up at any point during the night and when I got home it still looked perfect! this colour is extremely similar if not the same as ruby woo from the permanent collection if you're not able to get your hands on this lipstick.

All fired up: This lipstick is described as a bright fuchsia matte, After I brought RiRi Woo and fell in love I knew I had to get my hands on another retro matte formula... and then mac released a retro matte collection? they answered my prayers! one thing I will say about this lipstick is that it's a lot more drying that RiRi woo, I exfoliated my lips before applying and then after about 3 hours or wearing it I found that my lips looked flakey and when the lipstick faded it clung to those dry patches. it's such a beautiful colour and it's so long lasting I'm not going to complain about it.

Flat out fabulous: Mac say that this lipstick is a bright plum matte and I agree, yet it's more pinky purple in my opinion (I'm clearly great at describing colours). This is my least worn mac lipstick because it's so bright I can only wear this on a night out or a special occasion. this is also a retro matte formula and I brought it at the same time as All fired up and once again, I find this extremely drying in comparison to RiRi Woo.

The next mac lipstick I want to get are Girl about town as I have been obsessing over it for months... maybe a payday treat to myself? I'm going to steer away from the matte formulas and try out some others. 

Do you have any recommendations for me? I would love to know

MAC Bare study paint pot

Bare study paint pot £15 is described as a soft beige with gold pearl cream eyeshadow that dries to a powder finish. Paint pots can be worn on their own or as a base under other eyeshadows to make them more vibrant and less prone to creasing if you have oily eyelids.

I personally brought this because I get really watery eyes and often find that the eyeshadow in the inner third of my eye comes off extremely easily, I was hoping that by using the paint pot as an eyeshadow primer that the product would stay on longer, and I wasn't left disappointed! I have noticed that my eyeshadow does actually stay on longer when I use this as a base and the colour is gorgeous and brilliant for everyday wear. The product is quick drying so you're not waiting around for a long time waiting for the eyeshadow to set so it's great if you're in a rush and don't want to be fussing around with lots of different eyeshadows, you just slap it on and go! I really love using this under matte eyeshadows as I feel that the gold pearl in the paint pot gives it a little more depth and not quite so... matte? I know that sounds silly but it really make a beautiful combination! I really like this paint pot and I'm already looking at buying other colours!

The one and only tag

The Question: If you could only have one ______ what would it be? And, in a few words, why?

Primer 

Benefit's The POREfessional Primer - This is my all time favorite primer, smoothes out my pores, it makes my makeup go on like a dream and It lasts forever

Base Product

Nars sheer glow foundation - I don't think I've ever tried a foundation that I love more than this, perfect colour match and coverage! although it's pricey I would rather pay extra on a product that will make my skin look good over anything else! 

Concealer

Collection lasting perfection concealer - Cheap, brilliant coverage and I can use it under my eyes and on pesky blemishes.

Powder

Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder - I like that the transparent version of this powder has absolutely no colour to it and it keeps me matte all day!

Blush (cream or powder)

Benefit Bella Bamba - this is the only blush colour that I can hands down say that I really like on my face, most blushes make my face look weird but this is a beautiful warm mid tone pink that gives me the perfect flush of colour!

Bronzer

Benefit Hoola - I like that this bronzer has no shimmer to it at all and it's not too dark on my skintone, perfect for contouring and bronzing! I've had mine since may last year and i've only hit pan last month and I use it nearly every single day! 

Highlighter

Soap and glory Glow all out - I like that this highlighter gives you a nice sheen to your face and it has no large chunks of glitter in it, it's also a nice pinky gold colour instead of white / cream so it's a bit of a warmer tone.

Make-Up Brush (single)

The Real Techniques Buffing Brush - This was an obvious choice for me, I can't live without this brush now and I hate the times that i've had to apply my foundation with my hands when i've left it at home. it applies my foundation like a dream and blends everything together nicely.

Eyebrow Product

MAC charcoal brown eyeshadow - well, I know this is an eyeshadow but this it hands down the best product I've used on my brows, it makes them look well defined without being over the top, and did I mention it's a great colour match?

Eye shadow (single)

MAC all that glitters - A perfect all over the lid colour, it's a beige champagne with shimmer that makes your eyes pop. 

Eyeliner

Maybelline lasting drama gel liner - I've used this product for over a year now and it's the best eyeliner I have ever tried, makes doing my winged eyeliner a piece of cake and it doesn't budge all day! 

Mascara

Benefit they're real! - This mascara just gives you lashes that are full of volume and length, the brush is able to coat every hair so you're not left with clumpy lashes, although it's a pricey product I would definitely repurchase this product again and again. 

Lipstick, Lip Gloss or Lip Stain

Revlon just bitten kissable balm stain in lovesick - My favorite lip product ever, I love how it makes my lips look and it lasts for hours! it's a very wearable bright pink that I often wear during the day

Lip Liner

I don't use lip liners, apart from one from max factor in "red rush" which I hardly use, I need to branch out more in this department, any cheap suggestions?

Lip Balm

Blistex intensive moisturiser - whenever I feel that my lips are in really bad condition I use this and by the next day I see results, moisturisers brilliantly but I wouldn't wear it during the day as it leaves a white cast on your lips.

Nail Polish

Essie ladylike - this is a polish I always go back to, I have to wear neutral colours for work anyway, but I adore this colour so much, very classic and natural looking! also, did I mention that with a top coat I can make this last a week? extra points for you there Essie! 

I tag everyone to do this! Don't forget to link me to your 'one and only' tag post so I can check out yours! 

Review | MAC Fix +

Throughout the beauty community I have heard wonderful things about the makeup finishing spray MAC Fix + and thought I would give my 2 cents on the product.
I have found this spray to be wonderful when you've accidentally applied too much powder and start looking like someones chucked you into a pack of flour, rolled you into dough and baked you in the oven for 10 minutes. A couple of spritz's on your face and it makes your skin look dewy and fresh and not cakey at all. People have claimed that it has prolonged the staying power of their makeup but I don't feel that this is true, I haven't noticed that my makeup has stayed on longer than usual. I would say that do not spray more than 3 spritz's as i've noticed it can make my face look greasy. This product is lovely on those hot days where you just need something to cool your face down, without ruining your makeup! Overall, I really like this product because it makes my base makeup look more natural, but I don't think I'll be repurchasing it straight away.

Have you tried this product? what are your thoughts on it?

Haul | MAC, Superdrug, Yankee candle and more

This month has been a good shopping month for me, I saved up money from last months wages and I ended up having a lot of extra money this month to treat myself with, I haven't brought everything myself, the Yankee candles were presents from my parents and were at a heavily discounted price!
All of these products weren't purchased at the same time, but over the space of a month.
A bulk of the products are repurchases, as it always seems I ran out of my essentials at the same time... never a good thing.

MAC
208 angled eyebrow brush
Charcoal brown eyeshadow
Pro palette quad
I've been wanting to try out new products for my eyebrows, I love my benefit browzings but I thought having my everyday eyeshadow colours (All that glitters & Satin taupe) and an eyebrow colour in one quad would just make life that little bit easier, and charcoal brown will also be a snazzy crease colour!

NYX
Two soft matte lip creams in Milan and San Paulo
As soon as I saw Kassia from styleofbeautyduo rave on about these products I've wanted them, I'm a matte lip colour kind of girl and I don't like the feeling of heavy gloss on my lips.

BOOTS & SUPERDRUG
Collection cream puff in fairy cake
Maybelline lasting drama gel liner
Rimmel stay matte powder
Collection lasting perfection concealer
Rimmel salon pro nail polish in "Soul session"
Rimmel Wake me up foundation
La roche-posay effaclar mat
Pamlers cocoa butter dark chocolate and peppermint lip butter

CANDLES
Two large Yankee candles in black coconut and summer scoop
Three Kringle candle wax melts in Pancake breakfast, lemon rind and splash

I also brought the cutest pair of tweezers for £1.95 and they're so sharp and great for getting out hairs, with a cath kidston like print on them!

What's your favorite product from this haul?

Recent beauty buys | MAC & Clarins

So... I was naughty and made a few online purchases over the past week and both parcels

arrived on the same day, I came home from work an extremely happy chappy to say the least!These beauty products are my birthday present to myself... because why the hell not? A girl can never have too many lipsticks or eyeshadows!

Mac store online

First of all I was having a little look on the mac website and noticed that RiRi Woo

was launched an hour before and I was in two minds if I should buy it or not... in the end, obviously I caved. I also brought All that glitters and Satin taupe eye shadows in pan form, along with the pro palette duo (why I was originally on the mac website) I've been absolutley dying to see why people love these two colours so much the closest Mac store to me is still quite far and I don't go there often, the last time I went there was my birthday last year where I purchased my one and only Mac blush "Well dressed" which doesn't suit my complexion much and was kind of a waste of money. After swatching the two colours, my first thought was that they are gorgeous and would compliment eachother extremely well, i'm looking forward to wearing these two colours on saturday! 

Debenhams

Next stop, debenhams! I have been wanting to try mac fix + for quite a while now but couldn't justify spending £13.50 on a squirty bottle filled with... vitamin/mineral water, with lots of other good stuff in? I'll be doing a full review on all the products included after I've trialed them for a while, so you never know... fix + could be worth the hype that was around it in my opinion. the next thing I popped into my (now expensive) online basket was Clarins pure melt cleansing gel, genuinely brought this because of Lily melrose hyping this product up so much, and my current skincare routine isn't perfect and I get extremely dry eyes, so the fact that this melts into an oil, then into a milk sounded perfect to me.

I'm going to be using all of these products on saturday night, for my birthday night out (woo!) I might be posting a "make up/outfit of the night" post hopefully sunday please tell me if that's something you would like to see? I also have a christening on sunday and then it's my birthday on monday, busy bee I am! 

Do you love any of these products?

My first MAC lipstick | Thoughts and review

  MAC lipstick - 'Shy Girl' £14.00
  In January, I decided to pluck up the courage and buy my first mac lipstick! I brought it in the shade 
  Shy Girl because I thought the peachy tone to the nude would compliment my skin tone better
  First of all, can I just point out that these smell amazing? Vanilla is my all time favorite scent and these
  Lipsticks smell like sugary sweet vanilla, mmmm... although if you're not a fan of lipsticks that have
  a smell to them, the scent doesn't linger on your lips for more than a minute or so!
  The application is creamy and soft so there's no uncomfortable tugging and streaky lipstick!
  On myself, the lipstick lasts around 3 hours before I have to reapply and it doesn't wear off patchy

  This is now my go to lipstick when I want to just chuck a colour on my lips, because it's simple and
  doesn't wash me out and would I purchase more? most definitely! Although next time I'm going to be
  much braver in my colour choice. 

 

What are your thoughts on mac lipsticks?

Any recommendations for a mac lipstick noobie like myself?