Product Picks For A Summer Face

When it comes to face makeup I can't get enough. I love trying new primers, bases, bronzers and highlighters. The whole shabang. As it's been absolutely gorgeous weather over here this summer (past few weeks have been sunfilled and hot hot hot - talking 30 degrees) I haven't been wearing much on my face most days, but on makup days the following has been my go-to mix for the face:

To prep and give my face a bit of colour and glow I use Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning and my well loved Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer. If I feel the need for foundation I will go for Chanel Vitalumière Aqua and then go over the under eye area and any spots with my MAC Studio Finish Concealer, some days though I skip the foundation and just go over with some studio finish.

To shape things up I reach for Too Faced Chocolate Soleil for some bronzing and contouring as I find that this product has the perfect colour tone for me for the summertime. For blush I tend to go with MAC Extra Dimension Blush in Seduced at Sea unfortunately this is limited edition from the Alluring Aquatics Collection but I do believe you can still get it online. If not Benefit Rockateur is a good dupe. To finish it all off I use the highlighter in the Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette and I have to say - this is probably my favourite highlighter of all time. 

So that's it, my go-to summer face makeup for the days I feel like putting on a little something something. I'd love to know if you have a few products you reach for more during the warmer months! Let me know in the comments!

Love, Emilie 

'Back to Bases'

Yes, I changed the look of my blog again. Only slightly though, but I have to admit the whole blog design thing is something Ifind hard to get right. It is like I'm never fully satisfied with what it looks like. But enough about that.

As I've already covered my favourite primers I thought I'd move on to what usually comes next; favourite bases. I'm a massive fan of finding nice bases, especially natural looking ones that will still even out my skin and cover what needs to be covered. The following ones range from light to full coverage but if applied right will all look very skin-like, flawless and natural.

Lightest first, the Diorskin Nude BB Cream has been mentioned on here more than a few times so I won't go on too much about it, but for a light, everyday base that evens out the skin and gives it a light glow - this is your best friend. Read a full review here. Available for £30 at Feelunique.

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua is a much loved foundation in the beauty blogging world. A light to medium coverage that stays in place, looks like skin and creates a flawless, glowing complexion. Very light feeling and hydrating but not at all oily. For best result I like to use my fingers to apply it. Available for £33 at Boots.

One I'd never heard of until I had a browse on cultbeauty quite a while ago is Alison Raffaele Reality Base Foundation which has the most appropriate name ever. It looks like skin, feels like skin (actually the product feels a bit like applying water to your face but once it's on it feels like skin), stays all day and  has a buildable medium to full coverage. Only downside is the slightly funny smell but that goes away once its set. The finish is very natural so not overly glow-y or matte but somewhere in between. Available for £35 at BeautyBay.

Last one is my newest addition and also the one I will probably use the least. Not because I don't like it because I really do (it wouldn't be in my 'favourite bases' post if I didn't), but because I just don't tend to go for full coverage products unless it is a special occasion or I'm going out - which is what I bought it for. Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation is another favourite in the world of beauty and it is not without reason. It gives flawless, longlasting, full coverage without looking cakey. I use it mixed with other, lighter foundations or with a damp beautyblender. Available for £34 at SpaceNK.

I know these are all high end products and I'm sorry I didn't include any high street ones, but when it comes to face products I do find that my skin prefers higher quality products. I'm not saying high street ones are bad, just that I haven't found a favourite there yet.

I would love to hear what your favourite face products are so let me know in the comments! Also love finding new blogs to read so pop your link in as well and I'l have a look. If you want to follow my blog you can do that here.

Love,

 Em

  Twitter - Facebook - Bloglovin - Instagram 

The Hair Care Edit

As we speak I am trying not to overthink my uni packing too much and have decided to go for the 'take all you can fit' approach, which seems to be working out..for now at least. After spending too much time selecting clothes I decided to do head to my bathroom for a smack-down of products there instead. It turned out to be a quick 'un and since I now have my staples in front of me I figured I'd do a Hair Care post before I stack them in a corner of the small *erhm-large* beauty section of my suitcase.

I do like to take care of my hair, but I in contrast to my make-up routine I like for it to be quick. Because of that I do most of the 'care-taking' whilst I'm in the shower and leave only one or two products for afterwards. 

For a good old thourough cleanse of my hair I usually opt for Aussie's Mega Shampoo or  Miracle Moist Shampoo both of which smells like heaven in a bottle. I use the latter mainly when my hair is over on the dry side of things and the other for just a nice clean scalp (ugh that sounded gross). For the days when I want to wash my hair as quickly as possible but still have it looking good Aussie 3 Minute Miracle really is a miracle and a life saver. Glossy, soft hair in no time - or at least 3 minutes which gives you just enough time to scrub your body, shave them legs or cleanse your face. For the days when I have a few extra minutes I take my fairly new found love L'oréal's Mythic Oil, a smooth, buttery/oily - but not grasy or heavy- deep conditioner. I apply this from my eras and down, focusing most of the product at the ends. This should be called mystic oil because god knows what they put in this that makes your hair so darn amazing. I haven't seen a dry tip or split end in weeks and that's a rare sight, so mahusive thumbs up for this guy.

As for the pre and post hair care I don't do much but if I'm styling my hair I use the Paul Mitchell Express Style - Heat Off The Press heat protector + style spray. It smells divinge and doesn't leave my hair feeling crispy at all. If my hair looks dull I have recently started doing a bit of pre-shower caring. I use my Kicks Multi-Usage Oil which can be used as a finishing oil but I find it too greasy, so instead I get very generous with it about 20 minutes before I jump in the shower and take it though the lenghts of my hair (sometimes even the roots + scalp, but then you've got to shampoo twice to make sure you rinse it all out). This makes me look like I've put on a wig that's a mix of Severus Snape's greasy hair and Lucifus Malfoy's flatter than flat hair, but regardless - once I've rinsed it all out and washed my hair as normal it's well worth it :) 

By using these products I have managed to get my hair to a state where it's not heavy, über glossy and flat with too much stuff in it but not dry and frizzy either. Just nice and soft with a little shine! Let me know what you use on your hair!

If you liked this post I would really appreciate it if you'd follow me on Bloglovin' HERE.

Love, Em

 Twitter - Facebook - Bloglovin - Instagram 

July Favourites!

For once I don't feel like the past month has gone by super quickly.. to be honest these past two weeks have gone by soooo slowly as I haven't really been doing anything at all. Anyway, a month is over and it has come to the time when every beauty blogger summons her brain cells to remember all the 'most loved' products of the past month. Now, I won't do monthly favourites every month, but whenever I have been loving new or different products that I want to share with you - then I'll do one. And this month just happened to be one of those.

1. Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub Suppose you've all heard of this un' right? Well all the hype is well deserved for a wonder worker like this. Review here.

2. Too Faced Shadow Insurance Lemon Drop A shimmery version of the original. Gorgeous on the eyes but also as a (prepare yourself) cheek highlighter/glow-giver. 

3. TopShop Lip Paint in Yeah Right You've heard me rave about this a thousand times over. It is purely brilliant. Read my review here.

4. MAC Eyeshadow in Cork A brilliant all over the lid, wash of colour. No shimmer, no fuzz, just natural definition in a pot.

5. Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Khol Liner in Noir My go-to black liner for when I want a simple, black, long-lasting rim around my eyes.

6. MAC Eye Pencil in Teddy  Another much loved product by beauty girls all over. The warm, rich chocolatey bronze colour is smooth and easy to apply and suits so to say everyone.

7. Sigma E65 Small Angle Brush How I haven't thought of using this for my brows before now - I don't know. But I do know that I will not go back to the horrible, old brush I used before - ever.

8. Diorskin Nude BB Cream in 002 I now understand why so many people are loving this little guy - because now - so do I. Healthy, flawless glow in a little tube. Read my full review here.

9. Sleek Blush Trio in Pumpkin Who would have thought that it would take me almost a year before I dared try the gorgeous pink in there? Squash is now my everyday blush! 

10. Real Techniques Blush Brush This is the best brush I own together with the MAC 217. Blush, Contour, Powder - it does it better than any other brush I've tried.

Those are my favourites, but I would love to have a peek at yours too, so let me know in the comments or leave a link if you've done a post too :) 

Lots of Love,

Em

FOLLOW ME:

Twitter - Facebook - Bloglovin - Instagram - Polyvore - Keek - Youtube

June Beauty Favourites

Wow this year just flies by doesn't it? I can't believe it is already July! Oh well, I can't say I am complaining, summer is definitely my favourite season. But time and weather aside, as a new month has arrived the best beauty gems from the past one are brought out into light to be shared with the rest of the beauty-obsessed community. And without further or-do, here are mine!

In June I had a bit of a "summer clean-out" of my make-up which led to rediscoveries of long forgotten products. One of them being the Nars Blush and Contour Trio (1.) containing the well known blusher Orgasm, the highlighter Albatros and everyone's favourite bronzer Laguna. I got back into using this and could not for the life of me understand why I'd ever stopped, then the mini spots on my cheeks returned and the dreaded memory returned, reminding me that these are no-no products if I want my skin to be spot-free. Apart from that - with these three on my face I get the best looking healthy, bronzed glow I've ever had, hence it is a fave.

Number 2 is a newbie, brought back from Colombia. The Real Techniques Blush Brush is a big star in my brush collection now a days. Looking for a multitask brush - this is it. Blush, bronzer, contour, setting powder - this bad boy does it all. Number 3 is one of the products Molly sent me (post here) and it is one of her favourites too. Of course I'm talking about the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara - ahh there are nothing but good things to say about this.

4 is a new everyday staple, the Revlon Brow Fantasy in Brunette. Makes doing your brows very quick and easy. Number 5 has been worn almost every day since I got it, Teddy Eye Khol by MAC (haul here). Just like the eye khol, I have been wearing the MAC Eyeshadow Cork more or less on a daily basis. It is a perfect neutral, soft brown for the lid/crease.

Number 7 and 8 have made up my base along with the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser most days, the Rimmel Wake Me Up gives the dewy, glow my face needs for long hours at work and MAC Studio Finish Concealer (another rediscovery) hides any sign of late nights or too much sugar that your skin may be sporting.

All in all this has been a good beauty months - I have gotten a bit of a new routine and I am no longer stuck wearing my same-old same old smokey liner and tinted moisturiser look. High Five for that eh?

Alright, I'll leave you with that, but before I go I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has followed me on bloglovin' lately and also let you know that I now have a Facebook Page you can like!
Click here to get to my Facebook and here for my Bloglovin' !

Lots of love,

Em

FOLLOW ME:

Twitter - Facebook - Bloglovin - Instagram - Polyvore - Keek - Youtube

The "Suits" Look: Rachel Zane

If you follow me on Twitter then it will come as no surprise to you that I have fallen head over heels for the TV series "Suits" (erhm, and vampire diaries....) . If you haven't heard about it then I will not even attempt to describe it as I will fail massively at making it sound interesting, but have a read here and check out this video for an idea of what it is about. I watched both seasons, all 28 episodes in about 72 hours which is for one crazy even for me, but also comes to show how addicting it is. So consider yourself warned, that if you manage to sit through the not "oh-so-amazing" first episode and proceed to watch the next ones, then you will most likely not be able to stop. 

But enough about the series and over to one of the gorgeous cast-members Meghan Markle, better known as the role of Rachel Zane. After watching both seasons, I realised that I wanted to do a make-up look inspired by her glowy, sultry look and well, here it is: my take on the Rachel Zane look. It isn't too different from my usual everyday look, but the liner is black, not brown like I usually go for and the skin is a tiny bit more glowing.

The products I used are shown in the photos below and as for how I did it, here goes: Use a base/foundation that has a dewy finish. Something like Rimmel's Wake Me Up (medium coverage) or L'Oréal's Nude Magique BB Cream (light coverage) works perfectly! I suggest mixing it with your primer, if you use one, to make it appear as natural as possible. Then, on a synthetic angled brush or a kabuki brush, apply the Bronze Universal to the cheeks, tip of the nose, hairline/forehead and anywhere the sun would naturally hit the face. This creates the illusion of a tan similar to Rachel's. For blush, go for a golden toned, warm coral such as the colour P Pie (far left in the blush palette) by Sleek. Apply this with an angled brush slightly below the tops of your cheekbones but not quite as low as a contour. Go over the high-points of your face with the Crescent Moon highlighter to add glow and dimension.

For the eyes, just smudge some of the Cream Shadow Stick along the base of the lashes and then blend it with a small pencil brush. For some extra definition, tight-line with a black liner and lightly line the lower lashline as well. Add some lipstick, I used a pinky- peach combo, and mascara and voila! You are done!

Top Left: Chanel Bronze Universal, Sleek Blush Palette in Pumpkin 363
Bottom Left: TopShop highlighter in Crescent Moon, Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, L'Oréal's Nude Magique BB Cream, The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser

Top to bottom: Max Factor Smokey Eye Effect, Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Noir, Maybeline (MNY) Lipgloss in a peachy pink colour - the name has rubbed off.., ELF Lipstick in Party Pink.

I hope you liked this post! If you have any looks you would like me to do a tutorial on, let me know in the comments and I will get to it! And don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a brush cleanser plus some other secret goodies. You can enter HERE!!

Lots of Love,

Em

FOLLOW ME:

Twitter - Pinterest - Bloglovin - Instagram - Polyvore - Keek - Youtube

Ps: If you fancy watching me do a challenge click HERE

On the Brighter Side of Lippies

Summer is here, well almost at least, which means the make-up is lighter and the lipsticks are brighter, but I find that it can be hard to choose a fresh colour for the warmer months as there are so many out there! Therefore, in order to help you choose yours, I am bringing you my 3 current favourite bright lipsticks.

First one to enter the spotlight is one of the well renowned Revlon Lip Butters, this one is in the bright pink colour called Sweet Tart. I absolutely adore the consistency of this lipstick! It is smooth like butter (duh...), moisturising like a lip balm and slightly glossy - just enough to make your lips look luscious and fresh! Although it is not completely opaque, it is pigmented enough to keep you from having to apply ten layers for it to be true to its colour.

Next up is from the peachy - coral spectre of the colour ring. Let me introduce you to my go-to summer lip, Costa Chic a frosted coral by none other than MAC. Compared to the Revlon lip butter, this little tube contains more than  enough pigmentation. A quick slide over the top and bottom lip and you are left with gorgeous, non glossy, but slightly frosty, coral lips. Although it is not a dry lip product, I do suggest applying a lip balm in advance just to avoid any flakes or dryness. 

Last up on stage is the most "out there" shade of the three as is is an amplified MAC lipstick called Watch Me Simmer. I mentioned this in my april favourites post but did not go into any debts about it. Well then, it is a very vibrant coral colour with a little bit of pink in it. Just imagine a watermelon/strawberry popsicle and you've got it. This little bad boy doesn't have any frost, sparkle, gloss or shimmer in it so it leaves a fairly matte but creamy finish. I do find that without a lip balm under it or a gloss over (which never happens in my "I am not a fan of lip gloss" state of mind) it tends to feel quite dry so do a bit of scrubbing and moisturising before you put it on. Once it is applied it won't go anywhere for a while though, so a top-up isn't needed until a good 3-4 hours or so, unless you eat a big-ass meal..then I'd keep it ready just in case.

Alright, that was my three little babies whom I have now let you meet. I hope this was of some sort of help or at least interest to you. If you have any favourite lip products for the summer months then let me know in the comments as I am always interested in finding new products to love! 

And just a quick note, I will be doing a giveaway during the next couple of weeks as I am about to write my 100th post and want to celebrate! Keep an eye out for that, and if you want to make sure you won't miss it, you can follow me on twitter  and I will announce it there as well :)

Lots of Love,

Em

FOLLOW ME:

Twitter - Pinterest - Bloglovin - Instagram - Polyvore - Keek - Youtube
Ps: If you fancy watching me do a challenge click HERE

The Golden Circle of Hair Care

For the past 6-8 months I have been working on finding hair products that will help me keep my hair as healthy as possible, so that I can wait as long as possible before I have to cut it. Yes, I am trying to grow them locks long and luscious.

After a lot of rummaging through the shop shelves I have finally found myself a little trio that are lifesavers when you don't have time to wash your hair and have a deep conditioning session. Batiste's Tropical Dry Shampoo removes any hint of grease and leaves your hair smelling of coconuts. Aussie Dual Personality provides a barrier that frizz will not be able to cross and Hask's Argan Oil nurtures the dry ends to a silky, glossy, smooth finish.

The combination that these three products provides allows me to go at least one extra day without having to wash my hair. I know to some that might sound gross, but washing your hair too often (I am talking "every day" kind of often) will strip your hair from all its own nourishing which it needs to stay healthy and strong. So my best tip for good looking hair, besides these products, is to try and leave the shampooing to a couple times a week (maximum every other day, every third day is better :). But one thing, washing your hair and showering - not the same thing - dry shampoo won't really allow you to skip cleaning your body... just saying.

Alright so those are my hair care treasures, I recommend checking them out! Batiste and Aussie are to be found in pretty much every drugstore (boots, superdrug..) and Hask is easily accessible at Primark or on Amazon.

If you have any hair care products you swear to, let me know in the comments, as I am always interested in finding some new "add-ons"!

Lots of Love,

Em

FOLLOW ME:

Twitter - Pinterest - Bloglovin - Instagram - Polyvore - Keek - Youtube
Ps: If you fancy watching me do a challenge click HERE

Beauty Gems From April

FT: MAC Watch Me Simmer, MAC Patisserie, MAC Over Indulgence Cremesheen Glass, Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free

FT (excluding lipsticks): MAC Soba Eyeshadow, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzing Powder in Original Chocolate, Revlon Pinched Photoready Cream Blush

It is that time of the month again! No, not that time of the month, but the time when a new month is approaching and all beauty bloggers and vloggers freak because they have to remember their favourite products from the month that is ending. Luckily I have been good this month and kept a list of all the products I wanted to mention! *stop typing to tap my shoulder* I might do a "second half" of this post where I go off on about other beauty products I have been loving such as skincare and haircare if that is something you'd all like?

Anyway, let's dive into this jumble of loveliness! First off: Lip products! For once I have been wearing something on my lips more or less everyday for a long period of time (I used to always get bored of reapplying and carrying around a lipstick...) and wait for it; I have been wearing a lipgloss! Some of you may know that I am not a huge lipgloss fan but this month I have been loving the combo of MAC's Patisserie with Over Indulgence over the top. This neutral, earthy-pink combo (earthy-pink, really? oh well I am awful at describing colours) makes a perfect everyday, sophisticated lip colour and the best part is that it lasts for quite a few hours before it needs any topping up! My other lip favourite has been Watch Me Simmer also by MAC! Super bright, coral/pink-y in colour and perfect for spring and summer! Wearing this makes me happy, and although it is a product that requires precise application it is super long lasting (it is an amplified lipstick) and very pigmented so once again, no need for frequent re-applications. That makes me a happy bunny.

Over to eyes! Only two products made it in this month and those were Clinique's very famous High Impact Curling Mascara and MAC's Soba Eyeshadow! Both are super products, obviously they woulden't be mentioned here if the weren't, and I have been using them both more or less everyday. The mascara is maybe not the best at curling but a coat of it over my Telescopic Waterproof mascara and my lashes look superb with volume, thickness, length and definition! The eyeshadow has been mentioned here on the blog before and there's nothing to say but that this is the best eyeshadow for a quick, all over the lid, wash of colour. 

Face, face, face, face. I have been loving my recent foundation routine and it is down to mainly two products. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzing Powder will give anyone who asks for it a glowy, soft, airbrushed-looking skin. The tinted moisturizer has the consistency of something super silky smooth and the powder has warm, but not orange undertones which can give even me the illusion of a tanned face. Believe me, that's not all that easy. Last but not least, the Revlon Pinched Cream Blush is natural yet fresh and glow-giving with its hint of shimmer and peach tones. I loves it very much.

That was all of my favourite beauty products for the month of April, but I would love to hear about yours so please leave them in the comments or link me to you blogpost/video if you have one of them :) I would love to check it out and discover a few new products!

Lots of love,

Em

FOLLOW ME:

Twitter - Pinterest - Bloglovin - Instagram - Polyvore - Keek - Youtube
Ps: If you fancy watching me do a challenge click HERE