A Very Overdue Catchup ...

Hello my lovely lot, firstly apologies for an overly long absence! This past month has been craziness for me, starting a new job  and trying to sort through all of the new work load! 

So I just wanted to do a little post on the last few weeks, what I've been loving and any new goings on. 

One thing I've really fallen back in love with is LUSH! I love lush products and this month I really have had a craze for them again! Some all time favourites include Twilight bath ballistic and Rose Argen body conditioner but this month for me it's been all about Dream Wash Shower Smoothie! This is the most beautiful product to grace my skin in a while and it makes those early mornings more bearable, it really is the small things! 

Its described as 'Designed to be incredibly gentle but actively soothing. Take the heat out of troubled, sensitive skin. Perfect for every day of the year - but essential after sun burn.

Dreamwash is a soft blend of soap, with added soothing aloe vera gel and skin calming calamine powder.  Together they give a soft texture and a soft cleanse that will leave your body smooth and nourished.' I'm in love :)

Smash Box have a new launch coming to stores this month! Including their new Liquid Halo HD Foundation which I was lucky enough to pick up a few weeks early! Testing this has been one of my favourite things this month, I've really been enjoying it! I picked up shade 2 after being matched up by their lovely mua. The only criticism I have is the majority of shade are very yellow based so matching my pinker skin tone proved tricky! However I love the medium to buildable coverage and the finish is dewy and glowing, once blended the colour also adapts and looks absolutely fine! 

I've still been enjoying finishing products through out the month, and keep setting the challenge of using up my hefty perfume collection! Nominating one particular fragrance and making my way down the bottle ... This months choice was L'Occitane Rose which is a beautiful floral scent that I have loved wearing! And have received many compliments on but as it is coming closer to the autumn months this scent is more for spring season so I'm glad to have finally finished it!! 

Another thing I've been loving recently is Lancôme, I've never used anything from the brand before apart from their hypnose mascara! But, like many others I became hooked by their newest launch Dream Tone! Oh my goodness it is beautiful and the packaging swoon* I was also very lucky as I purchased whilst they were on gift with one other item and got some fabulous freebies to try :) bonus! It's basically a serum which helps to minimise the appearance of unevenness to the skin tone and leave skin super smooth! As I really struggle with redness from blemish scarring I really wanted to give this product a try and so far after using it for about two weeks I'm really impressed! 

As it's now September and getting very chilly I have started to get into the Autumn spirit :) I love this time of year purchasing a few new jumpers, shoes and pyjamas to keep me cosy!! 

The next few items I'm eyeing up will be ankle boots, a winter coat and the orange and cinnamon Yankee candle eeeep :)

Moving onto random things I've finally got into Game of Thrones which I have been meaning to do for so long and I am hooked! It's been so nice to get back from work, curl up and watch a box set! Hehe! 

Walnut Whips just putting it out there I have never tried a walnut whip until recently but I am oh so obsessed with them now they are amazing mallowy goodness! NOM! 

Lastly I am super excited for the next few weeks with Birthdays to celebrate and I go on holiday finally* on the 5th of October to Lanzerote, which I'm literally giddy about I can't wait to be on a beach with a cocktail or two!! 

Ok well I shall wrap up here, hope you are all well!! Steph xxx

July Favourites

A bit of a late monthly favourites, but better late than never ...

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm - I thought that I'd never be using another Clinique product again yet alone loving it so much that it would appear in my monthly favourites post. But this balm is so  gentle, it has no nasties in it and removes make up like a dream. I rub it into the skin on an evening, it melts away all make up including all eye makeup then I remove it with a hot flannel. This has been a firm staple in my routine this month and I can not see it going anywhere :) 

Vaseline Spray and Go Cocoa Radiance Moisturising Spray - a moisturiser in a spray formula that sinks into the skin quickly, hydrates and smells lovely! This has been absolutely perfect as the weathers been so so hot I haven't wanted anything too heavy or greasy on the skin. Although now it's cooled down a little I've changed to a slightly heavier moisturiser as my skin gets on the slightly thirsty side. 

Benefit Dallas Blusher - this blusher is a beautiful rose tone Bronzer which I have been using lightly to contour under the cheek bones. I've loved this to create a slightly warmer look this summer as its natural and doesn't go muddy on my fair skin! 

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Hydrating Toner - this month I reverted back to an old favourite! I love this toner so much :) it gives my skin a dose of extra moisture whilst also helping remove any excess product of grime from my skin after cleansing! It's so gentle and really soothing on the skin. 

Benefits Lady's Choice Lipstick - this lipstick sadly has been discontinued now :( but it really is the perfect nude shade for my skin tone. I've been obsessed with wearing this through out this month. 

Lastly Lovestruck Floralrush by Vera Wang - I've worn this fragrance all through out the month of July! I'm trying to finish up some of my fragrance because I really do have way too much. This is nice and light yet floral with a hint of musk so it's also great for evening! 

These really are products I've truly been loving through out the month! What are your monthly favourites? Xxx 

Empty Products #3

This Empties Post is quite a hefty one, so I'm going to tackle it a little differently! 

Firstly naming the three products I enjoyed using the most ...

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser. A soothing hot cloth cleanser, gentle enough to use to remove stubborn eye make up. Which leaves the skin feeling refreshed and soft! Doesn't irritate or dry out the skin, I'd repurchase :) 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir. I used this as a hydrating toner after my original toner to put moister back into the skin and calm any stresses from the day. Although I'm unsure of a visible difference I loved using this before bed for its pure calming aspect and the fact I love the smell! I repurchase as a luxury item so maybe birthday list appropriate as its a little pricey. 

The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 scrub mask. I've raved about this on numerous occasions, but I love this mask. It smells amazing! Cleanses and exfoliates the skin whilst still leaving it hydrated! It tingles slightly so you can feel its working but in a really pleasant way! :) I'd repurchase for sure! 

For hair I finished up Head and Shoulders smooth & silky shampoo for dry or damaged hair! This stuff really is the best at keeping any pesky flakes at bay I like using it every other time I wash my hair just to keep my scalp happy! :) 

Next the Loreal Ever Pure Reinforcing Intense Mask - with botanical oils rosemary and mint. This mask is lightweight enough so it doesn't weigh down the hair but still really hydrating! A good all rounder for brittle and dry hair! 

For body I finished up two Soap & Glory body scrubs. Sugar Crush and Scrub 'em and leave 'em. Both equally amazing. Sugar Crush has brown sugar, sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains. It smells citrusy but very sweet. Whilst Scrub 'em and leave 'em contains babassu oil seat salt, jojoba and mandarin oils its very fresh yet quite a strong scent that's more musky! Both of these I'd use again and they left my skin so soft and hydrated! 

Palmers Cocoa Butter. An all round firm favourite! It's hydrating yet sinks in quickly. Smells like chocolate and helps to reduce any marks or scars. This must be my eighth bottle of this, I always come back to it! 

For the face I finished up the Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover. All Bright! I know a lot of people don't like this as it is an oil based remover but I think it's one of the best eye make up removers. It doesn't sting my eyes and removes every last trace of make up. 

Then Elizabeth Arden's Gentle Hydrating Cream and Cleanser. Both really lovely products for dry skin types. The cleanser contains oats to soften the skin, I used this as my morning cleanser for the shower and it would prep my skin perfectly. The moisturiser is heavy but leaves no residue on the skin and sinks in with in seconds. 

Lastly two make up items. 

Urban Decay's all nighter setting spray. I have repurchased a new one of these all ready as on nights out or in hot weather this keeps my make up in tact perfectly. 

And lastly another product I've already purchased Benefits Boiing concealer in 02. This full coverage concealer hides imperfections brilliantly without looking too caked on the skin. With green tea oil it helps to treat blemishes whilst masking them! Another firm favourite! 

Well there we have it, a very large empties post for you all! :) 

Have you tried any of the products I've used up? What are your favourites? Xx

Some Favourite Recently Purchased! :)

Hi everyone :) hope you're all well! I thought that today I'd share a few products that I've picked up on recent shopping trips that I've really been loving! 

Benefits Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer! Ok I think I have actually found a product I cannot live without. This stuff if awesome! It's hydrating so it doesn't dry out my skin but it really does keep my makeup in place all day long. I recently went to see Olly Murs in concert and was catching trains and rushing around all over the place, it was such a warm day that on checking my makeup I expected to have none left but I was pleasantly surprised! My make up looked exactly as It did when I'd left the house, all thanks to a quick application of this bad boy. The only down side is on application because of its texture I find it easier to use my fingers not my trusty real techniques expert face brush. But that can be overlooked as once applied it dries beautifully and can no longer be felt! :) 

Dior's BB eye Creme in 01 Luminous Beige. What will they think of next hey! But honestly this product is so light weight under the eyes, it doesn't crease on me and gives just the right amount of coverage to hide pesky darkness. It's illuminating properties are so pretty that you instantly look more awake. And with SPF 20 pa ++ you are getting high quality protection for your peepers :) 

Max's lipstick in Crosswires, I am a little obsessed with this lipstick! It's so beautiful and perfect for this time of year. It's a deep coral/red tone which is quite muted. As I normally go for quite bright lipsticks this has been a welcomed change. I absolutely love the formula it's a cremesheen finish so the colour is opaque but feels really hydrating! I have found that compliments most outfits and make up looks but looks particularly flattering with a bronze eye. 

Lastly is another product from Dior the Diorshow brow styler in 001 universal brown. This fine brow liner is perfect for a natural looking brow. As I have so many sparse areas through my brows this helps to fill them in without them looking too drawn on. The colour, although my brows are very dark balances out perfectly and looks really natural. The only down side is I can see myself getting through this quite quickly but I'll keep you posted on its lasting ability. 

Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned, would you like to? 

June Favourites

I really enjoy doing monthly favourites. I love sitting down and sorting through products that I have loved through out the month and sharing them with you. 

So this month seems to have been a brilliant month for all things beauty related, not so much for my bank balance however! I've been overwhelmed with the amount of things catching my eye. 

First of all I will start with Bourjois healthy mix serum in the shade 52 vanilla. Now I know this foundation has been talked into the ground so I will keep it short and sweet. But I just wanted to comment as I have a very dry skin type I like foundations to be light weight and feel hydrating. This appears to tick all the boxes, leaving a radiant dewy finish on the skin and it smells lovely too. 

The Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Glosses in Kiss Me Coral and Pinkissimo! For the longest time I have sworn I am not a lipgloss person so to have two in my monthly favourites is quite a big thing for me haha! But I absolutely love the formula to these! When I think of gloss I immediately think of walking along on a windy day having to drag my hair away from my lips urgh* I hate stickiness!! But these Revlon glosses are so soft on the lips they're not sticky at all. I've been wearing them over the tops of some of my favourite lipsticks but alone they're so pigmented and leave such a beautiful finish. 

On to skin care I have chosen the No7 beautiful skin hot cloth cleanser for all skin types. I have used the Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser previously and loved it but as there is not a store near me that stocks Liz' miracle cleanser some times you can't wait for online delivery!! I have been reaching for the No7 alternative and I must admit I have found a use for the numerous No7 £5 vouchers that accumulate at the bottom of my handbag. It's a really gentle cleanser that does a a pretty fab job of getting off all my makeup! All I do is pump about two pumps worth on to the back of my hand and then massage all over my face and eyes. Then remove with a warm flannel and jobs a good'n you're done! :) 

Next up is Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner I purchased this probably about a month ago now and have been using it continuously since. I have sensitive skin and have found this really lovely to use, it's gentle but really helps to leave the skin looking bright and since using this the condition of my skin has been clearer and smoother. It contains an alpha hydroxy acid and I was a little dubious at first to whether or not my skin would react badly with the intensity of the product but it has been absolutely fine! 

Lastly is a palette that I have lusted after for a while now. I purposely have brought this for my holidays later on in the year as I think from a traveling aspect this will be perfect because its so compact with pretty much all you'll need. It's the Early Bird Palette from Pixi. It contains 3 blushers 2 bronzers a highlight powder 4 eye base powders and 16 colour shadows all for just £16 :) bargain! & it folds down so tiny! All the powders are so pigmented and the colour choice is brilliant being able to create just about any look you'll desire after! I'd really recommend it if any of you are off on your jollies :) 

Have you tried anything from my favourites? I'd love to read about yours so leave a link  :) xxx

Sunday Face of the Day

I wanted to do a post on a more relaxed face of the day, as that's definitely what I sported on Sunday!

I kept everything quite natural as I'd had such a pamper before hand, but that's an entirely different post! :) 

So for base I used Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in shade 52. I love the coverage of this foundation it's so lightweight and evens out the skin tone perfectly. For blemishes and darkness under the eyes I used Benefits Boiing concealer in shade 02. It's a full coverage concealer with green tea oil so it's perfect to keep pesky blemishes at bay. 

On the cheeks I opted for a cream blush, the weather on Sunday was beautiful so I wanted a natural finish on the skin. I used a Dainty Doll cream blush in the shade 02 which is a beautiful pink/coral colour with hints of gold. I love this blusher as its not too liquidy and drys as a cream not a powder. 

I set the make up with Soap & Glory's One Heck of a Blot Powder which I'm currently still testing. 

For my brows I always use Benefits Browzings Pallette in the colour Dark. I swear by this for my brows, as the wax will keep the long hairs in place and the powder creates the fullness. It's waterproof and last blooming ages, what more could you need! 

For eyes I used a mix of colours from my Stillia In the Light Pallette, I used the matte cream shade for base, with a dark matte brown in the crease. Then I used Stilla's Kitten in the tear duct, it's a gorgeous shimmery pink colour and really opens up the eye area. On the lashes I used Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, which acts as I white primer for the lashes before you apply your mascara. And I have been using the new Diorshow Extase mascara in black! Both of these products together work like a dream to create long voluminous lashes! Addicted! 

Then to finish the look I mixed to lipsticks together Barry M's lipstick in shade 151, which is a matte red toned coral. Then i applied Loreal's colour riche lipstick in sensual rosé 379 on top to give a softer tone. I love the finish of this lipstick so much! 

So that's about it for my FOTD :) I love this look it's so natural and pretty! Have you used any of he products I mentioned? What are your favourite natural products? 

May Favourites

Firstly I am apologising for the lack of bloggyness through out the end of May! I feel like the last three weeks have just flown on by and now I can't believe it's June! But still, I thought I'd do a little monthly favourites post to show you all what I've been loving.

I'll start with skin care. During May I introduced a night cream to my skin care routine which is something that I haven't really done before. My skin type is generally on the dry side so heavy duty moisturisers are my best friends. The one I chose is the Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Gentle Hydrating Night Cream for dry skin. And ohmygoodness I love this stuff! Not only is it purple which is one of my favourite colours but it has lavender essential oils in it so it smells amazing! The morning after first using this product I woke up to skin that looked soothed and calm and felt amazing! I also think its helped with blemish scarring which is an even bigger bonus! I'm officially addicted to this product! & would definitely recommend!

Make up wise I have three products from Dior, who have been killing it for me recently!

I have mentioned the DiorSkin Nude BB Creme in a previous favourites post so I won't go into too much detail but this stuff is truly amazing! And as soon as I finish up my bottle (I'm about half way through and really don't want it to end) I'll definitely be repurchasing this! It gives such a lovely coverage on the skin leaving an effortless finish which looks flawless swooooon*

Then these two products I have been using together and that's the Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, which acts as I white primer for the lashes before you apply your mascara. And I have been using the new Diorshow Extase mascara in black! Oh my god! I had my make up done by one of Diors MUA's and as soon as she popped this combination on my lashes I was blown away! Naturally my lashes are short and lack volume but these pair make them look so long and full I urge every short lashed lady to go try these bad boys out!!!

And finally a bit of a boring favourite but it's my Tweezerman for Benefit slant tweezers. I've had these for about two months now and they've changed everything. They really are the best tweezers I've ever tried and I know some people will just think tweezers are tweezers why buy an expensive pair, but these save me so much time compared to my old ones that were so useless it'd take me ages to dee fuzz my brows between services.

So there we have it a few products that I have reached for constantly through out May! :) I'd love to hear about what you've been loving so please leave me a link to your monthly favourites or leave a comment below xxx