Mac Haul | Lipsticks, Eye Kohl & 'Turquatic'

Oh deary me. Look what happened. Beth walks into Mac and yet again comes away with more than one 'little treat'. Ok, so I didn't buy all of this stuff in one go - that would be rather extravagant of me to say the least, but I have indulged in a bit of cosmetic related retail therapy just recently. I decided to grab a few more lipsticks - Mac are without a doubt my favourite brand to go for if I wish to treat myself to a new lippie or two... I just can't resist them and there's something rather fulfilling about building up my collection and seeing them all in my lipstick drawer stacked neatly next to one another.. (just me, no?) Anyway, I thought it was about time I shared my purchases with you all...

Mac Red | Satin | I actually went in with the intention of buying Russian Red - but I much preferred this shade as it's ever so slightly brighter.  I also don't find Satin as drying as the matte finishes.

Creme d' Nude | Cremesheen | I've been after a pale nude for a while now and it was a toss up between this one and Myth. Myth was just a little bit too much for me so I settled on this one - much more wearable for me and a shade that is a must-have in my collection. Perfect for pairing with smokey eyes or 'understated' days.

Half n Half | Amplified | I've wanted a muted brown toned nude for a while now. I actually bought Velvet Teddy a while back but it's just far too dark for me at the moment (you can view it in my Mac Lipstick Collection post here)- Half n Half is just that touch lighter and looks much more 'me'.

Up The Amp | Amplified | Definitely an impulse buy! I've wanted it for ages as I don't have many purple shades. This one is perfect as it's vibrant but isn't too dark for my skin tone - it's quite a quirky, fun shade!

Chatterbox | Amplified | I've wanted this for donkeys! This lipstick was made for me - from the vibrant pink tone even down to the name (if I was a Mr Men character I would most definitely be Little Miss Chatterbox...) I actually picked this up in a blog sale and I was so chuffed to bits to get my hands on it!

Mac Eye Kohl in 'Smolder' | I've never actually tried any of Mac's pencil liners! Shocking I know but I just think a smokey black liner is a staple item in any make-up bag and this one is renowned for it's staying power.

Mac Perfume in 'Turquatic' | Me and my perfumes.. honestly. I think I have some sort of strange obsession with buying scents! This one is gorgeous and it's the definition of a summer perfume! I cannot wait to spritz this as soon as the sunshine comes out!

...woops. What can I say.. these pesky little items just took a leap into my hands, dragged me to the till and forced me to pay for them.. I think I shall have to be doing an updated Mac Lipstick Collection post pretty soonish at this rate! Eek! Next on my wish list is 'Morange', 'Milan Mode' and 'Blankety'... and I wouldn't say no to 'Fanfare' either.. Goodness me there's no hope for my bank account is there?

What's on your Mac wishlist right now?

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Polishes

Barry M 'Gelly Hi Shine' nail polishes | £3.99 each

When it comes to nail polishes, Barry M have to be unbeatable for getting quality and price bang on the mark. Being a complete sucker for anything that has the word 'new' on the packaging, I treated myself to some of Barry M's Gel polishes a while back now. I remember wishing they would bring out more colours as I was instantly sold on the glossy finish and faultless application and really fancied adding a few more to my collection. Well, I can tell you it was a very exciting day when I heard of the Spring Collection being released and I dashed into Superdrug at the next given opportunity.  I just couldn't decide on which one I liked best.. so i adopted the whole 'buy it in every colour' motto and ended up with a my hands full of all four colours, doing a little balancing act at the till with all my other beauty-related goods before almost tipping them over the poor lady about to zap them through. Standard shopping trip for me. She did have a little giggle with me at my 'forgot to pick up a basket but I shall battle on through' skills though..

As you can probably tell, I love a good pastel polish, me. Don't get me wrong, I adore my reds and classy darker colours, but pastels always look nice and fresh on the nails and cover up all matter of nail sins.  With Spring coming up, I will definitely be bringing out the brighter colours in my collection and I can't wait until I can pair these beauties with my summery outfits! 

The Spring Collection consists of 4 colours - 
'Lychee' being a lovely classic nude shade which is perfect for those understated days or for work/job interviews, and also not dissimilar to Models Own 'Utopia' (which I've wanted for ages!).
'Papaya' is a gorgeous bright peachy orange - which I'm saving until the sun comes out as I can only imagine how amazing it will look with a tan!  
'Dragon' is an adorable pastel pink that is a must-have for any polish collection - it looks lovely any time of the year and I've been wearing this quite a bit recently as it's so versatile!
'Greenberry' - Last but not least is my favourite of the Spring collection,  a beautiful pastel sea-green with a certain brightness to it that just looks so amazing when on the nails (if you liked Topshop's 'Green Room' then you need this in your collection!)

Application is faultless, and they apply smoothly and evenly from the first coat - they only require 2 coats for full opaque colour and don't show up any 'gritty bits'.  They also dry amazingly shiny - the swatches on the nail wheel above were left without a top coat just so you can see how perfect these polishes apply! I personally add a top coat afterwards just because I like to seal in the colour for prolonged wear time.. but if you're a bit of a lazy nail-painter, these will be right up your street!

Superdrug currently have a little offer on these polishes so if you have your eye on any of them I suggest you head on over to grab yourself a deal ASAP..

Have you tried the Gel polishes by Barry M? Love them as much as me? What's your favourite shade?

Benefit 'Go Tropicoral' | Thoughts & Swatches

Benefit | Go Tropicoral | £24.50

A few weeks back now, I left my job of 4 years and decided it was time to move on to pastures new.  My wonderful fellow colleagues decided to suprise me on my last day with some lovely beauty goodies, Benefit's 'Go Tropicoral' being one of them, and needless to say I felt rather spoilt and very, very teary to say the least! As you can imagine, since then, I've been having a great deal of fun trying out the 4 products in the set - none of which i've tried before - a beauty blogger's dream I'm sure you'll all agree! Anyway.. I thought it was about time I took some photographs, and told you all what I think. It would be silly not to!

Go Tropicoral is a wonderfully packaged little set of 4 Benefit products all of which compliment one another, giving you a travel-sized set of all the must-have items for a 'coralista' themed look. The items are all 'miniture' sized, but you still get lots of product to use, and it makes for a perfect gift! Benefit also do the similar sets in different shades and tones - offering up 'Feeling Dandy' (based around their 'Dandelion' blush) and 'Surgarlicous' (including the 'Sugarbomb' blush) - so if coral doesn't float your boat, fear not...

High Beam | 'Luminescent Complexion Enhancer' | This is perfect for highlighting areas of the face, and I use this dotted along my cheek bones and on my brow bone. It brings a certain 'light' to the face that is both subtle, yet very flattering and natural - and it blends effortlessly well into the skin. The pink-y undertones work very well with my wintery complexion, and help to brighten any dull areas. I've also used this mixed in with my daily moisturiser for all over brightening goodness! I used their 'Sun Beam' highlighter throughout summer last year, so this has been a lovely little addition to my collection that is just a really nice all-rounder and one that will compliment most make-up looks and skin tones.

Cha Cha Tint | Mango Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain |  Cha Cha Tint is such a lovely strong peach shade that has a similar texture to that of High Beam. The only thing I'm not keen on with this is the fact that you have to work very quickly with it in order to get an even finish. I think I prefer it as a lip stain - it looks lovely on the cheeks too but I much prefer a cream or powder blush as opposed to a stain on my cheeks. I might change my mind in summer once my skin feels a bit more moisturised and smooth though, and I'm still very pleased to have it in my collection. Definitely will be saving this little beauty for summer..

Coralista Powder Blush | Oh my goodness. I'm so chuffed to bits that I've discovered this blush and it has to be my favourite of the bunch. I adore it. I've been wearing it almost every day and it provides such a lovely flush of colour to the cheeks. The texture and finish reminds me very much of Nars' 'Orgasm' blush - as it is fairly sheer and has a slight shimmer to it.  It's just beautiful.  When swatched, you don't get the full force of it - but it applies amazingly well with a fluffy blush brush - and sweeps on to the cheeks with ease, creating amazing definition and a beautiful coral flush to the cheeks that instantly brightens your skin. When this runs out, I think I'll be buying the full version. It really is a must-have in my collection as I'm a massive fan of coral/peach shades, and I really think this will look amazing on tanned skin in summer (all we need is a big fat dose of sun now please!)

Coralista Ultra Plush Lip Gloss | Lip gloss, I'll admit, is usually a dodgy area with me. It's very rare I find one that I can happily keep on my lips for longer than 5 minutes. This one, I can bare. Obviously, it still feels like you have gloss on your lips but it doesn't feel sticky or uncomfortable at all and it provides a lovely sheer wash of glossy coral colour.  I suspect this will look amazing paired with Cha Cha Tint in Summer once I manage to work up a bit of a tan. That said, it looks lovely worn on it's own even now, and I've taken to wearing it over Mac's Lady Danger for an extra bit of 'oomph'. A really versatile little lip gloss and one that's just my kind of colour! It also smells really fruity and yummy... 


Overall, I'm as happy as larry to have this little box set in my cosmetics collection! It really brightens up these long winter days and adds a little bit of fruity punch to my everyday makeup - what more could a girl ask for?! I love how it comes with a little 'Tips & Tricks' booklet, showing you how to use the products in different ways - it adds a nice little finishing touch to the set - it opens up to reveal a pretty decent sized mirror too. I really cannot wait to get some use out of this in the summer months, and I'll definitely be taking it away on holiday with me, that's for sure!

Have you tried any of these products? What's your favourite Benefit product right now?
♥

Chanel Rouge Coco | 20 - Rose Comete

Chanel Rouge Coco | Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in 20 'Rose Comete' | £24.00

Forgive me for the photographical overload here girls, but my first ever Chanel lipstick deserved some camera time.  After becoming a huge fan of Chanel's ever popular 'Bronze Universal' a few months back now, I decided that for Christmas, I'd ask Santa for one of their lipsticks - being a complete and utter lipstick-a-holic, i simply had to own one. I decided on the shade 'Rose Comete' after much debating. As much as I'd adore a classic red shade, I wanted to own a neutral shade that I could wear on a day to day basis and one that would compliment all kinds of makeup and outfits - after all, if I'm going to whip out a Chanel lipstick on my travels, I want to be able to whip it out on a regular basis don't I?! Rose Comete is a lilac, pink shade with a frosted finish. It has beautiful little flecks of 'seashell' pink shimmer running through it and has a gorgeous cool-lilac undertone to it that is both flattering on my skin tone and unbelievably wearable. It's also unlike any other lipstick I own.

Colour aside, the packaging is just what dreams are made of (slightly poetic I know, but it really is!). It feels weighty. It looks classy. And it applies so smoothly from the bullet. The gold accents to the lipstick casing and the ever-so delicate 'Chanel' writing inscribed in the side is just the perfect finishing touch (and I must admit I'm slightly uneasy about the fact that one day, I shall undoubtedly wear the lipstick down to this point - *sobs*) 

The application is really lovely - the dome shape of the lipstick itself makes it very easy to achieve a smooth, even line around the edges of the lips, as the tip is very thin and easy to work with. The frosted finish is very noticeable, so it's not for everyone - I find I do sometimes have to apply a gloss over the top if I'm having a 'dry lips' day as it does have a tendency to settle in lines slightly.. Aside from this, the colour is just stunning, and is perfect for those days when you want a little bit of glam in your life but don't want to overdo it on the colour.  Wear time is also impressive - for a lighter, sheerer wash of colour, I've not had any problems with having to over-apply.  I really want to try some of their moisturising lip colours now, as well as their Rouge Allure's - I definitely need a Chanel red in my life.. who doesn't?!

Have you tried any Chanel lip products? Which colour shall I invest in next?

♥

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Tremble'

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Tremble' | £18.00 |

Illamasqua's blushes have to be among some of my ultimate beauty 'must-haves'. I think it's fair to say that I have fallen completely, head over heels in love with them ever since I first bought their 'Lover' blush around 2 years or so ago now (seen in this post) - in fact, I cherish their very existence. Massively-over-the-top statement there, but I kid you not - I'd be lost without my little collection.  The newest addition to my Illamasqua 'blush-crew' is Tremble - a beautiful warm toned soft pink. I've had my eyes on this one for ages - its such a pretty colour and one that compliments my paler skin throughout the winter - it brightens up my complexion and wakes up dull skin in a flash.

I've found that their powder blushes on the whole are very pigmented and provide impressive colour pay off - they can be sheered out for a subtle wash of colour or built up to provide a more intense 'doll-like' finish. I apply them with my Real Techniques powder brush (seen in my collection post here) and they sweep onto the cheeks so smoothly and effortlessly - they don't feel chalky at all and are incredibly soft and smooth. I genuinely think my skin looks instantly brighter and smoother when I've applied these blushes - and they also stay put all day, providing the perfect finishing touch to your makeup. Also, they last an AGE, let me tell you! I've had the 'Lover' blush for quite some time now and I've barely made a dent in the surface - and that's with daily use over the course of a good year or so! 

Tremble gives a matte/slightly satin finish to the cheeks - there's no shimmer in there at all which I personally prefer - I believe this helps to even out the skin and also gives a natural finish. The colour is also really girly and fresh - I often opt for peach tones on my cheeks so this one fills the gap in my collection for a really flattering warm-pink. There is no doubt that I'll be buying more of these blushes - if you're after some top notch colour pay-off for your cheeks then they are really worth investing in - they're worth every penny and the shade range is just fabulous - there's some really beautiful colours and tones available. Actually, I defy you all not to have a little nosey! - you can find the range here at Debenhams Online.

If you wish to see a 'face of the day' with this blush - then it's the one I wore in my photograph for my '50 facts about me tag' here.

Have you tried Illamasqua blushes? Love them as much as me? What are you favourite shades?

♥

Kate Moss | The Infamous '107' Lipstick

Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss - £5.49

Kate Moss for Rimmel lipsticks have been huge in the blogging world the past couple of months or so, and I was lucky enough to win one in the lovely Sophia's giveaway (you can find her fabulous blog here) before Christmas - the perfect time to experiment with wine and berry colours on the lips.  The shade '107' has been a sell out in most Boots stores, and is has proven rather difficult to find online just recently too, so I was excited to discover what all of the hype has been about and felt rather lucky indeed to add this little beauty in my collection.

Matte lipsticks don't usually float my boat, if I'm honest. I don't have particularly dry lips but I struggle to find a suitable one because I'm so fussy about how they feel and I usually opt for a 'buttery' finish. This is just not the case with this lipstick - it's just spot on for a matte finish and one that is so unbelievably wearable. It doesn't feel drying, it doesn't drag when applied and it has a velvety feel to it that just makes it an absolute dream to wear. So much so, I cannot wait to head out to Boots and grab myself a few more shades from the range. It even smells beautiful - almost like watermelons.. which is a lovely fruity bonus if I don't say so myself!

I've used a Barry M lip liner to get the defined look in the photographs above, but to be honest you could probably get away without using one if you're very careful with application (i have a post on the lipliners here).  It smooths on effortlessly and just one coat provides opaque colour - It really defines the lips and creates an intense, 'vampy' look that's right on trend for the current season. It definitely glams up my every day makeup and almost makes my lips appear fuller than they are (Angelina Jolie I am not!) Usually with dark colours I find they bleed or smudge off slightly, but this one has impressive staying power. Needless to say, I've fallen in love with this lipstick and I cannot wait to hop in the car and get myself to Boots so I can hunt down some more from the range! If you're like me and tend to be put off with matte finishes, I urge you to give these a whirl.. they might just change your mind.

What's your favourite Kate Moss Rimmel lipstick?

♥ 

50 Random Facts About Me | Tag

Hiddely-ho folks! So. I've seen this '50 random facts about me' thing going on just recently and I thought it was about time I got my teeth into a little personal/life related post! I really struggled thinking of 25 let alone 50! But nevertheless I persevered, racked my little brain and I got there in the end.. You may have also seen on Twitter that I got to the end of this post and accidentally deleted every single word of it like the complete clumsy little elf I am.. So I've had to think of 50 facts about me, twice over! A task and a half I'm sure you can imagine..

1.  My hair is naturally poker straight.

2. I've always had fairly light hair and I had white 'barbie' hair up until the age of about 10/11.

3. I love watching prison documentaries. Or anything with Louie Theroux in. If a programme has a title containing something along the lines of  'the world's worst prisons' then the record button is most certainly pressed. And well, if Louie Theroux is presenting said programme then Oh My Goodness it's a dream come true.

4. I have a teeny-tiny mole underneath the ridge of my bottom lip that always gets mistaken for a biro mark. 

5.  I used to really want to be an air hostess. Up until the age of 11 when i decided half-way to Florida that I was actually scared of flying.

6. Which brings me on to my next point... I'm fascinated by all things travel related. If I hadn't gone to uni to study graphic design I would have probably pursued a career in travel & tourism. There's just something that's really captured me about travel from a very young age - I even went to great lengths to get a work placement in a travel agent at 15! I think working abroad would be an amazing experience.

7. My favourite colour is blue.

8. I love ice hockey. Watching it. Not playing it.

9. I'm an only child. Although I wouldn't describe myself as a 'typical only child'.

10. My lucky number is 4.

11.  I made my best friend watch 'Bend It Like Beckham' with me over and over again when we were younger simply because Jonathon Rhys Meyer's accent made me swoon.

12.  I love elephants. I adore them. I think they're beautiful. I'd have a pet one if it was physically possible.

13. When I was a very young child I used to carry a toy hoover around with me everywhere. (wahhh strange..) I used to love my wooden toy farm and Polly Pockets were the best thing since sliced bread!

14. My first crush was on Leonardo Di Caprio and me and one of my school friends used to sit and watch 'The Beach' everytime we had a sleepover. What a dish.

15.  I'm terrified of cockroaches. The way they move, the way their little whisker things flail around in the dark and how evil they look. They disgust me.

16.  I hate it when people speak in overly posh accents like they're the queen or something. It's almost like they put it on and it really annoys me. Unless of course they are actually the Queen. That's fine...

17. I love cats. All of them. Even the grumpy ones.

18. I have a weakness for Chinese takeaways.

19. I have a massive sombrero hat underneath my bed. I bought one thinking it was hilarious when on holiday. I obviously didn't think about the practicality of bringing it home again..

20.  I love cheesecake. Any kind but vanilla is best! The Cheesecake Shop is my favourite sweet treat.

21. I could watch the TV series 'Benidorm' on repeat. I don't know why I love it so much. I guess it's because it's easy watching!

22. I can't wait to have my own place to decorate. Going to IKEA is my idea of a smashing day out.. even if it is for the free pencils and a hot dog at the end.

23. I love airports. When i was little I remember my parents taking me to the airport cafe so I could sit and listen to the 'airplane' noises for a little while.

24. I kept a diary every day when I was in year 8. I still have it and sometimes have a read back through it for jokes and giggles. Every single page is either about boys or my hatred of PE lessons as I was completely useless at it (i once twisted my arm attempting to do a 'vault' over a tiny little stool and I knocked down the entire high jump and landed in a heap on the gym floor - PE was definitely not my forte!) Funny how not being able to hit the ball in rounders was the only thing I had to worry about back then...

25.  I'm a bit of an art geek. I could happily spend a whole afternoon trawling round art galleries and having arty-farty conversations with strangers...

26. I really want to get into Graphic Design or Illustration when I finish uni. I want a job I enjoy doing for a living.

27. I don't drink a lot of alcohol. It just doesn't agree with me. I stop drinking once I feel tipsy and move onto soft drinks! I just can't take my drink very well... who says you can't have a good night out on Sprite!?

28. I hate mayonnaise. I cant eat anything with it on. Even if it's just a little droplet of the stuff.

29.  I collect children's books as I love the illustrations in them. My favourites being 'Where The Wild Things Are' and 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea'. 'The Rainbow Fish' doesn't go a miss either...

30. I hate people listening to me on the telephone if I'm having a full blown conversation!

31. I hate horror movies. Or anything overly 'jumpy' - they bring on my panic attacks! Give me a rom-com any day...

32. I loved English Language at school and I used to look forward to any creative writing lessons. Actual Swot.

33. I once dyed my hair black on a whim because I love Mila Kunis' hair. It looked effing awful and I kept it for all of 12 hours. It took ages to get it back to a half decent colour.  One of the worst beauty mistakes I ever made.

34. My car's name is Mirabelle. Whenever I go anywhere I tap her on the steering wheel before I get out as if to say 'thankyou' for being such a good car! Ahaha.. weirdo..

35. I love crisps. I'd eat them over chocolate anyday and will happily sit and scoff packets one after the other.

36. I am so forgetful. I forget everything and anything. I have post-it notes all over my bathroom mirror and I even have to put them on the back of my iPhone so I remember things.  I almost always still forget. I've heard it gets worse as you get older.. so at 22 I have no hope!

37. If something annoys me I find it very difficult not to speak up. I'm not a confrontational person at all.. in fact - I hate arguments. But if I'm really against something or if I have something to say I like to speak up for myself.

38.  I'm addicted to buying bikinis! I buy ridiculous amounts of them and as a result now have to dedicate a whole drawer in my bedroom to them.  It's silly really seeing as I only ever wear them when i'm abroad.. but they're something I enjoy buying and I have one for every single mood and 'level of tan' possible!

39. I used to ask Santa Claus for a donkey every year when I was little. Never got one.

40. I love summer and sunny days put me in a reet good mood in an instant!

41. I hate coffee. I hate the smell of it on people's breaths and I find the taste awful! I like the smell of it when it's in the mug though..

42.  I love perfumes. I have a drawer full of them!! and yes.. i use them all!!

43.  I struggle to say the word 'squirrel'

44. I am the biggest home bird you will ever meet.  I love being cosy at home and it's very rare I will venture out of my house once the pyjamas have gone on. I much prefer nights in to nights out!

45. I've become a secret fan of watching Question Time. But it often gets my back up!

46.  I love Greece. I love it's simplicity and the whole culture surrounding it. I think it's very endearing and it holds a special place in my heart.

47.  I have a fascination with abandoned places. There's an abandoned theme park near me and I used to go there when I was a child. There's not much left of it now - it's being built on in the near future but there's something a bit spooky about places that used to be full of people that are now completely deserted. I'm still yet to find someone who wants to go with me. Suppose it is a bit strange though .. 'oh hey.. fancy taking a trip to that huge expanse of un-used land with me?' hmmm..

48. I'm crap at maths. But i'm pretty snappy with percentages! I must have been very selective with what I learnt in Maths lessons.. I'm a whizz when it comes to working out how much discount i'll get off something in Topshop. Sod algebra! 

49.  I love reading books about crime and grisly stuff! I think I secretly want to be a member of CSI...

50.   I love wearing heels. I wear them most days.. even if it's just a little one... I lack in the height department so an extra bit of tall-ness allows me to feel like I mean business!

A massive pat on the back to you if you actually made it to the end! Do i share any of these random things in common with any of you?!

 ♥ 

January Favourites

Swatches | L - R | Chanel Tan De Soleil - Bronze Universal / Mac 'Blushbaby' / Revlon 'Red Lacquer' / Mac 'Lady Danger' / Rimmel Apocalips in 'Galaxy, Luna & Big Bang

January is a strange month, isn't it? All the excitement of Christmas is over, the Quality Street tins that once adorned our coffee tables are replaced with credit card bills , and the bank balance looks a little sorry for itself to say the least. It's safe to say I'm ready for Summer to come around the corner now!  Here's this months picks of my favourite and most used beauty items of January...

The Body Shop | Indian Night Jasmine Fragrance Mist | £7.50 - This scent is the most glorious aroma to ever pass my nostrils, let me tell you! It's one of those fragrances that you find yourself walking past on your dressing table and spritzing the air around you just for the sake of it! Now, I'm not a massive fan of floral scents, so don't let the name put you off - it has a certain spice to it that hints towards more oriental notes. It is both refreshing and light, and smells just as 'expensive' as any perfume would, just with a little less staying power! The next time you pass The Body Shop, give this a spray - I bet you'll be as addicted as me!

Soap & Glory | Girligo - Spray On Body Moisturising Mist | £6.50 - I have a review coming up on this little beauty, so I won't say too much about it.  It's fabulous for lazy days when you step out the shower and just want to get ready and go! It saves the need for body butters and also acts as a regular body spray with moisturising benefits - and it smells amazing.

Soap & Glory | Clean on Me Shower Gel (mini) | £2.50 - How did I ever live without this little bottle of yummy-ness sitting on my shower shelf?!  Definitely going to purchase the full size once I've used up the rest of my stash.  Lathers like a dream, smells good enough to eat and is really creamy and luxurious. Perfection.

Liz Earle | Cleanse & Polish | Hot Cloth Cleanser (Starter Kit) | £14.25 - I have a review of this little beauty here. It's been a little skincare saviour for me and it's such a good little cleanser. I really recommend it.  I have sensitive skin and I've had no problems whatsoever - in fact, I'm yet to read a negative review!

Nivea Essentials | Rich Regenerating Night Cream | £4.07 - My skin has been really, really dry just recently. My usual nighttime moisturiser just wasn't cutting the mustard to be honest, so I bought this on a whim.  It's quite heavy, so I don't use a lot of it - just where I feel I need it.  When I wake up in the morning my skin feels really soft.  It's not for everyone - if you struggle with shine I'd stay away from this - but I've got on with it very well and it's solved my temporary skin woes!

Chanel | Tan De Soleil Bronze Universal | £30 - I love this so much I actually cannot explain in words... I'm thinking of doing an in-depth review on it soon.  I use it for contouring every day and I just can't imagine my life without it now! I've used it every day since Christmas and I've barely touched the surface.. suits my winter skin perfectly and looks natural and light.

Mac | Sheertone blush in 'Blushbaby' | £17.50 - This blush is excellent for those days when you aren't sure what to wear as it's a fairly understated colour. It's fabulous for effortless contouring, as using this alone defines the cheekbone area and makes your face appear more structured.  

Rimmel | Apocalips | £5.99 each - Ohhhh how I love these little beauties! The perfect mix of a lipstick, lip gloss and a lip stain.  I cannot wait to pick up some more shades - I'm addicted. You can read my full review and see swatches of them on the lips here.

Mac | Lipstick in 'Lady Danger' | £14.00 - This lipstick is perfect for nights out when you really want to make a statement with your lips.  I've had a couple of nights out just recently and have worn this countless times - even in the day! It's the most perfect coral red, is beautifully bright and just oozes sex appeal! Oof ;)

Revlon | Super Lustrous Lipstick in 'Red Lacquer' | £7.49 - I wore this on Christmas day (you can see my FOTD here) and it's just the perfect understated red for when you want a pop of colour without going 'OTT'. Perfect for day wear, moisturising and has impressive staying power. It has the same sort of undertones as Mac's Lady Danger but is slightly more sheer in finish - if you're not a fan of matte, opaque reds, then this is a good one to opt for.

Have you tried any of these products? What have been your favourites this month?

 ♥ 

Meet My Advertisers | February

Hi girlies! Today I thought I would share with you all my fabulous advertisers of the month of February! Hopefully you will find yourself a few new blogs to add to your ever-growing reading lists and discover a little more of what our lovely little bloggosphere has to offer. You can also head on over to my sidebar for some more amazing offerings - including an array of beauty bloggers, fashion bloggers and even a jewellery shop this month! Grab yourselves a cuppa, get cosy and pop on over to say hello... :)

My Exclusive Advertiser this month is Lucy from LucyRose

I'm a 20 year old obsessed with anything beautiful! After being hooked on YouTube videos and blogs for over a year I took the plunge in 2012 and set up lucyrosex. My blog is all about beauty, fashion and occasional lifestyle posts. You will find hauls, OOTD's, reviews, empties and tags! I have loved the past few months watching my little corner of the blogging world grow and have really enjoyed getting to know lots of lovely fellow bloggers - this community is the best and I hope to stick around for a very long time! So if you like the sound so far, come and say hello!

Lots of love 

xxx

Blog - www.lucyrosex.blogspot.co.uk

Twitter - @lucyrosegreen

Instagram - @lucyrosegreen

 Emily from Love-X-Beauty

 Love Beauty -x- is a blog written by a student living in the midlands. It will feature regular updates and honest reviews about beauty products, exciting trends and general chat. Follow my journey!!

Blog - love-x-beauty.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter - @LovexBeauty91 

Bloglovin - LovexBeauty 

Rendee from Beauty By Ren
 

 Hello my name is Rendee. My love for makeup, and all things girly started as a little girl. Something about all my mom's pretty lipsticks fascinated me.  After years of following blogs I finally got the courage to start Beauty by Ren in May 2012. My blog mainly consists of reviews, hauls, favorites, wishlists, & FOTD/OOTD posts. Occasionally I try to post more personal posts so you can get to know the girl behind the keyboard a little more! I'm currently finishing my last year in a Bachelors degree nursing program, planning a wedding, & starting my fantastic 6 year old in sports.

I love interacting with my followers, so be sure to pop over and say hi.

My blog: beautybyren.blogspot.com

Twitter: @BeautyByRen

Bloglovin: BeautyByRen

Email: beautybyren@gmail.com

Charlie from Eat Play Shop Love

 Hello I'm Charlie, Eat Play Shop Love is my little corner of the web which I use to talk about anything and everything. Originally set up in April 2012 to convey my love for cosmetics, it has quickly developed into my online journal.  I love to write product reviews, show you my recent splurges and talk about what i've generally been getting up to and taking pretty pictures along the way.  I'm no make up artist or fashion guru and I can't tell you the secrets to life but if you have a love for cosmetics and are a complete foodie then my blog is for you.

I love going out for meals, curling my hair and painting my nails to suit my mood.  Skincare is my weakness; I'm constantly on a mission to find products which will give me flawless skin.  I wish I was a little bit smaller so I could get away with wearing sky high hells without looking like a giant.

I absolutely love blgging and the community that comes with it so if you love to chat here's where to find me:

Blog - eatplayshopove.blogspot.co.uk

Twitter - @eatplayshopBlog

Instagram - misscharlieb_xx

Bloglovin - eatplayshoplove

Hello Cotton - eatplayshoplove

She Said Beauty - charlie_epsl
Email - Charlie_epsl@hotmail.co.uk

Katie from KatieLewLa

I'm Katie, a little blogger with big ambitions :) Currently studying an MA to be a Dramatherapist at University of Derby which will hopefully fund my beauty addiction better! Blogging is a lovely little hobby for me to share with you my nails and anything else which is interesting me. Meeting and chatting with all my readers is a great added bonus so please say hello.

Blog - www.katielewla.co.uk

Twitter - @katielewla 

YouTube -  KatieLew90

Bloggers -  KatieLewLa

Hello Cotton - katielewla

Pinterest - katielewla

Instagram - katielewla

I hope you've managed to find some new blogs to read - pop on over to my sidebar and say hello to these fabulous ladies and do let me know if you've found yourself a new favourite! If you'd like to be featured here next month then you can view my advertising packages here. All you need to do is send me a little email and I shall reply as soon as possibley!

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Nars Eyeshadow Duo in 'Kuala Lumpur'

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in 'Kuala Lumpur' | £23.50

A gold star to those of you who can guess my favourite brand at the moment! My Nars collection has grown considerably the past year or so, and I'm a massive fan of their infamous Laguna bronzer, blushes and highlighting powders. After a sneaky purchase of Nars 'Mekong' eyeshadow late last year (seen here), I decided to take advantage of a recent 25% discount on ASOS and ordered myself one of their duos. After a great deal of pondering, I decided on 'Kuala Lumpur' - a beautiful duo containing a warm-ish toned purple with teeny-tiny flecks of golden shimmer, and a light pinky-gold shade that has a slight iridescence to it.  I have green eyes and so I tend to find any purple shades bring out the colour of my eyes a little more, and make a nice change from the usual taupes and golds I usually opt for. 

The pigmentation of Nars eyeshadows is undoubtedly very good, but I must admit I find the darker shades provide more colour pay-off. There is a noticeable difference with these shadows compared to 'Mekong' - an intense, rich dark brown. The lighter colour in this palette requires a bit of building up as it is quite sheer - but it's still a beautiful shade nonetheless and one that I would wear on it's own for a simple daytime look. This is my only niggle with the palette, and the purple shade I find applies really well and swatches pretty much true to pan. I haven't tried any other of their lighter shadows, but i've heard that there is a slight inconsistency with pigmentation of the lighter shadows.  What I love about 'Kuala Lumpur' is that it can be worn day or night, for either a subtle daytime wash of colour, or a more dramatic nighttime look.  I recently wore this duo on a night out, and as you can see, the colour makes a nice alternative to my usual neutral shadows but is still fairly soft in appearance. It adds a pop of colour without looking overdone. The two colours compliment one another perfectly, and add a little bit of warmth to the eyes.

I will definitely be investing in some more of the Nars duos although I was slightly disappointed that the unique lighter colour in the palette didn't show up how I imagined it would - I must admit it makes for a lovely highlight or blending shade, and when applied with a flatter blending brush I find I can get a bit more colour from it. It's a palette I know I will get a lot of use out of and it's a must-have for my fellow green-eyed ladies out there as it really enhances your peepers!

What are your thoughts on the Nars eyeshadows? Any other shades you could recommend to me?

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