My Mac Lipstick Collection ♥

Hello lovelies, LONG time no blogging I know, and this post has been a very long time coming, I think I actually wrote it back in february and it's been just sitting here unloved for months!

Left to Right: Hue, Modesty, Faux, Snob, Lovelorn, Speed Dial, Plumful

I think every beauty blogger out there owns and loves at least one Mac lipstick and my collection is always growing. I love Mac cosmetics but I think their lipsticks especially offer a quality that not a lot of others do. I have 7 in my collection now and my oldest are are Faux and Speed dial, although it's obvious that my most used a Faux and Hue. These are definitely the most wearable shades as I think a nude or a brown go with everything and I tend to just quickly apply on the days when I'm in a rush but need something to finish off my make up. Modesty is my newest addition as I got it off Santa Claus and it's a lot like Faux but it's a Cremesheen so it's a bit more subtle.

Snob was a bought on a bit of a whim as my boyfriend was living in Hamburg for 4 months and there was a store near him, so I gave him a little list full of shades that I'd seen on other people or other blogs. I hadn't ever swatched it for myself but I really like it, I think of it more as a summer colour as it's a pastel-y shade and I like that it adds a cute girly touch to a plain outfit and looks a bit different to a normal pink.

Next up - Speed dial and Lovelorn are my little gems of the collection. I love these for a day to day pink as I think they're just both so pretty and feminine. Speed dial is a Cremesheen lipstick which I love because it feels so creamy on the lips and doesn't dry them out at all. These are definitely the ones I'm reaching for at the moment.

Finally, Plumful was an autumn/winter purchase as I wanted to add a darker shade for the colder months and I love it. It applies quite sheer but can be built up to a stronger colour when necessary, which is perfect for a day to night transition lipstick. Although I don't wear it much in these warmer, summer months it was definitely a staple towards the end of last year and it's just as loved as all the rest.

For pigmentation and staying power my favourites are definitely the Satin finish lipsticks, which are Faux and Snob; I think they just provide thicker, all over colour and are the best at staying put. My least favourite, if I had to choose, would be the Glaze finish lipsticks as they're so sheer and on dry lips, they can look terrible. With a nude colour like Hue it's not really a problem and I do like this lipstick, but I can't say that I'd be queuing up to get another colour for a while.

Do you own any Mac lipsticks? Which are your favourites?

Love 

x

Dior Nudeskin Foundation: Review ♥

Hey guys,

Another cheeky little review as I recently bought myself a new foundation and when I say recently I mean the end of October - I needed some more foundation for my Graduation.I have to admit I did go into the store with the intention of re-purchasing my trusty Estee Lauder Double Wear Light, but as a result of inattentive staff just talking to each other and not bothering to check if I wanted anything, the lovely lady from Dior spotted her chance and stole me away from Estee Lauder, and I'm actually really glad.

My Double Wear Light is still a favourite of mine but this new Dior foundation is a definite contender for the top spot. The foundation literally glides over the skin, and provides a medium coverage which is enough to cover any blemishes but not too much to look thick or cakey. I apply it with my Real Techniques buffing brush after prepping my skin with either my Mac primer or my Benefit Porefessional and then apply my Bobbi Brown concealer and corrector on top (post coming soon on that).

Face in different lights...

 Finished day to day make up look...(will do a post on my 'daily face' too soon)

The foundation isn't the cheapest on the market and will set you back around £31 and I would say that some 'drugstore' foundations are up there with this one (Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation I'm looking at you) but I have been impressed with it and a little really does go a long way - thankfully, because I wouldn't like to have to keep buying it every month at £30. Its staying power is brilliant and it will easily last a full day at work and there's only the odd occasion if my skin is particularly bad that I'd need a little concealer help throughout the day.

I initially bought the foundation with my graduation pictures in mind as I wanted my skin to look flawless, especially as I was having them taken at 7:30am, and that's exactly what it did, it definitely brightens up morning skin and I love my grad pictures. I would buy this foundation again and would recommend it to anyone looking for a high end foundation that adds a medium coverage whilst being light enough to look like you aren't wearing much make up at all...oh and it smells nice too. Winner.

Have you ever tried this foundation? What do you think to spending £30 on a foundation? Would you buy it?

Love 

x

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation: Review ♥

Hello lovelies,

I bought the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation a few months ago as an alternative to my Estée Lauder Double Wear Light, as I wanted something that was a little bit more lightweight (as well as being cheaper) for the good skin days when I didn't need too much coverage or when I was only going to lectures or other day to day things that didn't require a full face of make up.

After it being recommended to me by my housemate and around 40 minutes in Superdrug swatching about a million other foundations I took the plunge and bought it. I was sceptical at first as I didn't think anything would  be comparable to the coverage or finish my Estée Lauder gives, but I was surprised at how natural and blend-able the make up was, whilst still offering a good medium coverage. I chose the shade 103, True Ivory as the closest match to my skin and I found that it applied really easily to my skin and didn't make me look caked in make up at all. I really like the dewy finish as it does make you look more awake and fresh-faced, it's also perfect for my skin which is sometimes prone to dryness and gives it a glow, so maybe those with oily skin wouldn't find it as good because of the dewy and anti-fatigue properties.

The smell is also lovely as it's quite fruity and refreshing for applying in the morning, and I find that it's pretty long lasting as well, which is a massive bonus for me, as I hate when I get half way through the day to find my make up has rubbed off. I sometimes set it with my MAC mineralize skin finish if I know that I need my make up to stay in place longer or I don't want the dewy effect as much and it stays put for the day. Overall a great high street alternative to my Double Wear Light :) and considering I wear it most days and I bought it a few months back, I've still got quite a lot left which is great because a little goes a long way.

This foundation retails at £8.99, and here's some pictures of how it looks on the skin with no powders or blushers on top :) *these pictures had to be taken inside because of the weather, but it will probably feature in most OOTD's which are taken outside*

Have you ever tried this foundation? What is your go-to high street foundation? 

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara ♥

Hey beauts,

I'm sure I'm not the only one who jumped at the chance to get some benefit goodies with the Glamour mag this month, I loved that they were giving away freebies and I even treated myself to two of the same magazine to get two goodies! I got the Bad Gal Lash mascara and the Porefessional primer. I have already got the primer (mentioned here) but thought getting a little tester sized tube would be perfect for travelling or as a back up for when mine has ran out so I snapped it up.

I was expecting good things with the mascara as I had a Benefit mascara years ago and loved it, I just never bought it again, not sure why. I naturally tried it out as soon as I bought it and haven't stopped using it since, it really separates the lashes whilst lengthening them as well. I already have quite long lashes so length isn't a main priority of mine but I do look for something that separates them as I don't like it when my lashes look clumpy and recently I feel like my eyelashes are getting quite sparse so I want something that doesn't give this impression and makes my lashes look full and beautiful! This is definitely the mascara for the job. This little tester size has convinced me to buy the full size when this has run out and it definitely beats my L'oreal mascaras hands down.

Have you ever tried this mascara? Did you snap up the Glamour freebies? 

x

Mid-Week Treats ♥

Hey lovelies,

Today I was a little bit naughty and went to buy a present but ended up buying some things for myself! I couldn't resist and as we're only half way through the week, I thought I'd treat myself to get me through the next two days of hard work before the weekend. I cleaned out my bedroom a couple of weeks ago and threw away a lot of old jewellery and I'm slowly starting to build up my collection again with lots of beautiful staple pieces. I only went into Outfit for a quick look this afternoon, after lunch with a friend, but when I discovered that Dorothy Perkins had a 'buy one get the other half price' deal on and also an amazing Topshop jewellery sale I couldn't walk out empty handed! I treated myself to a gorgeous ring from Dorothy Perkins which was half price at £3.75 with the necklace I bought as a gift, and a gorge necklace from Topshop at an absolute steal, reduced from £14.50 to £1!!!! It would have definitely been rude not to!

I also snuck the little Barry M eye and lip crayon on there too, even though I actually treated myself to that on saturday from Topshop in London. But I thought I'd give it a little mention as I quite like it so far. I got it to wear as an alternative to my day-to-day brown eyeliner pencil that I wear for my everyday make up, as I heard that wearing a pale colour underneath your eye can make you look more awake and so far so good! It's quite shimmery which was a little weird at first but it actually stays on all day and makes a lovely change to my brown. It's not too harsh either and requires a few layers to build it up, which I like as I can build up the shade as much as I like. You can also wear it as a lip crayon, but I personally don't think I'll be using it for that! (P.S. Sorry the swatch isn't great, it's a really light colour)

Barry M - Shimmering Eye and Lip Crayon -£4.59 with 10% student discount in Topshop - another good price! So I wasn't too naughty and didn't spend too much I suppose :)

What do you think of my treats? Have you treated yourselves to anything new this week?

x

Saturday Spree ♥

Hey lovelies,

Just wanted to share with you a couple of the lovely things I got from my little Trafford Centre visit this weekend. My boyfriend and I went to spend some christmas giftcards of mine and after 5 and a half hours (much to Dan's pain and disappointment) I came away with a few goodies. My first fave is my Urban Decay 'Naked' palette - I was actually buying this for myself on behalf of my sisters who wanted to get it me for my birthday but didn't get chance, so told me to go buy it at the weekend and I was so torn as to whether to get the original or get the #2 but I just love the gold shades so it was an easy choice in the end. I love the eyeshadow primer it's perfect for big girl nights out when you need your eyeshadow to stay put!

I also got some lovely studded slipper-style shoes from Topshop and a lovely cream lace top which is going to be so wearable, with jeans, leggings and dressed up or down. I also managed to spot a gorgeous coral colour jumper in the sale from £50 to £25 and it's beautiful and so soft I just had to buy it...
I obviously treated myself to another MAC lipstick (no will power) and got the shade 'Hue' just for everyday wear as it's really natural looking.

A few of my goodies minus the tops (they will be featured soon)

Finally I also got treated to a cute little present from Dan who snuck off to Selfridges when I was trying something on in Miss Selfridge even though I was taking all day. He's such a cutie...

I hope you all had lovely weekends and I'll definitely post updates about my new Urban Decay and my new Tops when I start wearing them :)

x

P.S. you may notice I've just added a bloglovin' button to my sidebar so feel free to give me a follow and send me your links too :) 

Macy's Goodies ♥

Heyy girls,
Just thought I'd do a quick post whilst I'm having a lazy day! Whilst in New York, I visited Macy's (mentioned in my last post here) and as I said I was totally in love with the huge beauty section so I obviously had to treat myself. I needed a few things from Mac so I headed there and thought I'd treat myself to a new lipstick too! I bought the lipstick in 'Speed Dial' after a long decision on which shade! It's so creamy and applies really well to give a neutrally- pink shade on your lips that's perfect for day or night as it's not too bright and like many other Mac lip products it smells delicious! (Sorry about the picture quality - the lighting isn't very good in my Uni room)

 

                                         

Mac - Cremesheen 'Speed Dial'

I was also tempted over to the Benefit stand and was treated to a mini makeover by the lovely sales assistant! I haven't used Benefit in years so I thought I'd take a look at what they were offering. She used the Watt's Up highlighter around my cheek bones and just underneath my eyebrow which looked lovely and finished off my make up, although I controlled myself and didn't buy this as I still have a highlighter to finish before I buy another. She then showed me what I now consider to be a 'miracle' balm called the 'Porefessional' it can be applied under or over make up and it makes your skin feel so SMOOTH and visibly reduces the appearance of pores! I love it! I've used it every day since buying it and it really makes a difference to the look and feel of your skin. :) It's slightly tinted too so you can wear it without make up if you really want to...

Have you ever tried the Benefit Porefessional, and what are your favourite lipsticks? 

x