My Foundation Wardrobe

As a blogger, one thing I do enjoy testing and trailing is foundation. My makeup drawers house a rather sizeable collection of different bottles and I often go through phases where I'll use a certain one before moving swiftly on to my next obsession. However, I've come to realise that I have a little 'dream team' of four different foundations/base products that I always seem to come back to.  Depending on what my skin needs, what season we're in or what sort of occasion it is, I'll chop and change which of the four I use throughout the year - each one serves a different purpose and I never feel at a loss as to what to reach for...I think I've managed to tick every box when it comes to my foundation needs! Since I posted my 'Autumn/Winter Blush Wardrobe' not so long ago (you can find that here), I had the bright idea of putting together a post all about my foundation wardrobe - in other words, my selection of truly trustworthy base products I have on hand for every event or occasion... If you're looking for something new to try, hopefully this post might give you a bit of inspiration!

Nars // Sheer Glow Foundation // £31.00 // Link

This product features quite heavily on my blog as it's probably my most used foundation.  Out of the four, it offers the most coverage so I opt for this one whenever I'm craving a super flawless base or if I need something for a special event or occasion.  However, I also use it as a daily foundation throughout the winter months (personally I find it a little too much for daily wear in summer) so it's very versatile and isn't overly heavy.  I find it quite buildable too - depending on how much you use, you can go for a very subtle glowy look, or build it up for a full coverage, flawless appearance. It contains no SPF so it's my go-to for whenever I'm off on a night out or any event where I'll be taking photographs - it pictures really nicely and blurs out imperfections in an instant.  Whilst it's not a dewy foundation as the name would suggest, I love the subtle glow it gives to my skin - it provides that much coveted airbrush finish whilst not appearing too matte or one-dimensional. I have a full review of it here.

Yves Saint Laurent // Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation //  £30.50 // Link

This was the first high-end foundation I truly fell in love with.  In fact, I have an ancient review of it from over 2 years ago (you can find it here) and I'm still head over heels in love with it now.  This really is my perfect everyday, any time of year foundation and the fact I've never been without a bottle since I first bought it speaks volumes.   It's perfect for dull skin days as it instantly awakens your complexion and gives you such a healthy, radiant 'lit from within' appearance.  A lot of people comment on the wear time with this foundation but I actually find it quite long-lasting...provided you apply a good primer beforehand (it works very well with Loreal's Studio Secrets Primer which I have a review of here) you're good to go and I've never had any issues with it.  It looks fresh all day.  It blends seamlessly into the skin so its perfect if you want the natural look, and it also contains SPF so it's great for use through summertime. It feels almost weightless on the skin due to the moisturising, light consistency (very good for dry skin days) and has a truly buildable finish.  I also love the packaging - it's very weighty, feels expensive and just screams luxury.  

Benefit // Big Easy BB Cream // £27.50* // Link

I'll admit that this one wasn't an instant winner for me.  I have a full review from a while back (link) and although I liked it, it's obvious in my review that I wasn't completely sold.  However, as soon as the height of summer rolled around and I jetted away to hotter climates - my opinion of it soared.  I actually featured this is my 'summer saviours' post here, and it's definitely my go-to base for warmer months.  It's so easy to use as you just apply with your fingers and it melts into the skin, blending easily and providing a matte finish. It might not for you if you have dry skin as it can cling if you haven't had time to moisturise properly beforehand, however, if you're looking for something to balance the skin and control oil - this is a complete winner.  I wore this in Greece when I went on a day trip as I was aware I'd be in a few photographs and didn't want to go completely bare skinned - and even though it was super hot outside, my skin looked near perfect all day without feeling weighed down whatsoever - it definitely does a top job at controlling shine and the high SPF factor came in very handy.  This is a good one if you're rushing about travelling or have a long day at work ahead, but for me it has to be my suitcase essential and it will certainly be my partner in crime for next summer. It served me well this year!

Bourjois // 123 Perfect CC Cream // £7.69 // Link

Again, this is a product that's featured a few times on my blog - I have a review of it in my recent 'Drugstore Gems' post here and also featured it in a Bourjois Releases post here if you want to read up more about it.  This product seriously wowed me.  It's very similar to the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation in terms of consistency and even smells similar.  I've been using this quite a bit just recently as I find it provides me with a good coverage at the same time as keeping any dry areas feeling moisturised - it covers blemishes surprisingly well and works amazingly at covering dark circles.  If I want a good coverage but don't fancy spending time applying my Nars Sheer Glow - I always opt for this as it's just a little easier and quicker.  There's just something about it that works wonders for my skin and it gives me such a dewy yet flawless coverage.  I always apply a touch of powder to ensure it stays put but again, provided I've prepped my skin properly - the wear-time is really impressive.

There's definitely a few more foundations I'll be testing in the new year.  I have Armani's Luminious Silk right at the top of my wish list, as well as Laura Mercier's Silk Creme and BareMinerals' Original Powder foundation.  I'll be sure to do an updated post if these manage to make it into my foundation favourites in 2015...

What are your favourite foundations?

8 High End Products I Can't Live Without...

Why is it that all of your more expensive make-up must-haves always run out at the same time? Seriously - it happens to me every single bloomin' time and this month has been particularly cruel to me to say the least.  As I'm currently on a bit of a budget and am trying to curb my beauty product-spend-age, it's been difficult to justify splurging on high-end replacements. For some, I've managed to find good cheaper alternatives (see my recent 'drugstore gems' post here), but I've come to realise that there's a few high-end products in my collection I simply cannot live without.  Of course, as a blogger, I often end up treating myself to the odd luxury or two but there's only a small handful of them that I'd say hold the 'cannot live without' status.  I thought it was about time that I dedicate a post to my high-end 'holy grail' must-haves...

Nars / Sheer Glow Foundation / Link

Ever since I first purchased this foundation, it's never been out of my makeup collection.   It's a medium to full coverage foundation (in my opinion, more on the 'full' side) and always provides me with such flawless results.  It stays put all day and the formula is so easy to apply and blend out with a buffing brush. It's not dewy but provides a gorgeous subtle glow to the skin.  I particularly like this for nights out and events because it contains no SPF (no ghost face!) and I've also taken this away on holiday for use in the evenings and it's never let me down - it's so long-lasting. I have a full review here.

Mac / Mineralise Skinfinish Natural / Link

This powder has featured so many times on my blog - but for good reason! I'm still yet to find another powder that quite matches up.  It looks so natural and gives the skin such a smoothed out, 'soft focus' sort of finish. It controls oil and shine without looking cakey (even if you over-apply of a morning...) and doesn't cling to dry patches - it also doesn't darken or adjust the colour of your foundation underneath.  As well as controlling shine, it also sets your makeup and keeps your base locked in place for much longer - I notice such a difference when I don't use this (which isn't very often as it's a daily must-have for me!)  I can be out all day and after a few hours my makeup looks pretty much freshly applied - If i ever need to 'touch-up' it's very minimal.  I have a review here.

Estee Lauder / Double Wear Concealer / Link

I doubt I will ever find a concealer as good as this one!  It's expensive but lasts such a long time so it's price tag is perfectly justified to me considering I'd probably go through about 4 or 5 drugstore versions for just one tube of this.  It instantly covers dark circles, pigmentation and blemishes with a tiny dab - the full coverage is amazing yet it never looks caked or over-applied. It has a beautiful creamy consistency which is a dream to blend and it never sticks to dry patches.  This really is an unsung hero of the beauty world...

Nars / Matte Multiple in 'Altai' / Link

My contouring dreams came true when Nars released their Matte Multiples.  I much prefer contouring with cream products (and then add a dash of powder product to strengthen the effect afterwards once it's set) - i just find it gives a much more natural, sculpted finish as it's blended into your foundation as opposed to sitting on top of it. 'Altai' is a lovely colour for contouring as it adds a touch of warmth to the face without looking too bronzed.  My cheeks always look so defined after I've used this and the fact it's so long lasting means I can have perfectly contoured cheekbones all day long. I have a full review here.

Benefit / 'Hoola' Bronzer / Link

This is such an all-rounder which is why I love it so much.  It works as an all over bronzer if applied with a fluffy brush but also works perfectly as a contour shade.  As mentioned previously, I apply some of my Nars Multiple and then, once I've set with Mac's MSF, I'll dust a small amount of this along the contour line with the brush that comes in the compact. It intensifies the effect but still looks super natural.  I love the fact that it's matte too. I have a full review here.

Clinique / Bottom Lash Mascara / Link

Ever since I first started wearing makeup I've struggled with my mascara smudging below my bottom lash line. However, that all changed when I began purchasing Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara and I haven't used anything else since. I swear by it.  I never get panda eyes anymore and my bottom lashes always look so defined and separated thanks to the tiny little wand. It coats every single lash with ease, doesn't flake or smudge (even if there's a few tears - tried and tested ;)) I talk a little more about it in this favourites post.

Shu Uemura / Art of Hair Essence Absolue Oil / Link

If you've been reading my blog for a while, I bet you're sick of hearing about this product by now - but seriously, I adore everything about it and I definitely think it's helped towards hair growth.  My hair has never felt in such good condition since I started using this and I use it every time I wash my hair.  It doesn't weigh the hair down at all yet provides such intense moisture. I sometimes apply it to dry hair to revive my style if it's gone a little bit frizzy (perfect for rainy days) and I've also used it on extensions to help them stay soft and shiny for longer.  SUCH a wonder product. I have a full review here.

Harley Street Skincare / Spot Buster Solution / Link

As far as spot treatments go - this is by far the best I've ever used.  Again, i've spoken about it quite a bit on my blog but I really do think it's the bees knees and it's worth every single penny. If I ever have a breakout, it clears it within a couple of days and helps to prevent scarring/marking after the blemish has gone.  Unlike other spot treatments, this one doesn't leave a residue so it's perfect if you're applying makeup afterwards - you can't tell it's been applied at all.  Because it's a spray, you can apply it easily over larger areas too. Without a doubt the best anti-blemish solution I've ever tried. It featured in my skincare routine post here.

What are your 'can't live without' products?

My Autumn/Winter Blush Wardrobe

I must confess that I'm a bit of a blush hoarder.  If there's anything I tend to experiment with aside from my lip shade - it's the colour I dust on my cheeks of a morning!  I love that something so simple and quick can completely bring together a make-up look in an instant and brighten up your entire complexion.  I've had a bit of a make-up overhaul recently and thought I'd introduce you to my Autumn/Winter 'blush wardrobe' - because for a beauty blogger, it doesn't stop at swapping your cami tops for polo-necks does it?! Ohh no - I've swapped around my entire cosmetic collection and placed some of my more wintery shades within grabbing distance.  It's time to put the bright corals to bed! Without further ado, here's 7 of my 'go to' shades for the autumn/winter season and why I'll be reaching for them over the next few months...

Illamasqua | 'Tremble' // The Winter Bright //

I must admit, I'm really not a big fan of pinks - I find that I need a bit of warmth in my blush colour due to my skin-tone but Illamasqua's 'Tremble' is probably one of the only bright pink shades I can get away with. It's showing up a little more cool toned on camera but this is seriously bright - it's not for the faint hearted but when applied lightly it gives such a lovely flush of colour to the cheeks. If you're a fan of Illamasqua's 'Lover' blush (it's one of my all time summer favourites) this is like its pink, wintery cousin... it still has the same brightness to it but looks a little more natural and flattering on dull, winter skin.  I love Illamasqua's blushes - they always look so immaculate and flawless on the skin and are incredibly long lasting. If you're looking for pigmentation - look no further.  I have an ancient review of Tremble here.

Deborah Milano | 'Spicy' // The 'Any Season' Coral //

I know I said I've put my corals to bed but this is the only one I find myself reaching for all year round.  Trust me when I say that this little compact is well loved! If you're looking for a versatile, year-round colour then this shade will be right up your street.  It looks just as flattering on my winter skin as it does when I have a tan - it looks so natural. It's the perfect coral because it isn't too orange or bright - it works whatever the weather, whatever your skin tone and whatever make-up you've applied.  I love the texture of the powder too - it applies so smoothly and effortlessy and it's really nicely pigmented - I've used this to death for around a year and I've barely worn down the surface - well worth the money! I have a full review of it here.

Nars | 'Orgasm' // The Perfect Healthy Glow //

Ooo Beauty blogger classic alert (just look how battered mine is - the poor thing!) Although I can't say this blush is one of my all-time favourites, it's one that I find myself reaching for through the winter months.  It's got a bit of shimmer running through it so it's perfect for those days when you just can't be bothered to highlight as it brings a healthy, natural glow to the face - killing 2 birds with one stone, as they say! I like to use this colour when I'm feeling a little bit under the weather - rosy pink blushes are actually proven to help counteract dull tones and dark shadows under your eyes, and 'Orgasm' does a fabulous job of making me look bright eyed and bushy tailed even when I'm far from it. Its rosy appearance does a fabulous job of brightening the skin and gives a naturally 'blushed' appearance. It's definitely one of my more understated blushes (despite the shimmer) - it's the type of blush I'd pop on for a quick flush of colour if I'm off for a winter walk somewhere.

Nars | 'Deep Throat' // The 'Everyday' Winter Staple //

Oh crikey me - Nars and their naughty names make me blush even before I've swept them on to my cheeks! Despite it's 'out there' name, this blush really is such a great everyday staple. It's like a slightly lighter, less shimmery version of 'Orgasm' with a hint of peachy pink.  I must admit I was never sold on this until I had it applied on me by an MUA in Space NK - it looks completely different once you have it on your cheeks and gives such a healthy flush of peachy-pink to the cheeks. If, like me, you lean towards corals and oranges and want something suitable for the season, I really recommend you check this one out.  It's a lovely 'in-between' sort of shade - I can wear this all year round because it has a good bit of warmth running through it.  It's a good option for paler skin too as it's not overly pigmented - it's very buildable.  I have a full review and photographs here.

Benefit | 'Rockateur' // The Subtle Touch //

I really didn't expect this to become one of my autumn staples, but it has! I actually find this to be quite similar to Nars' 'Deep Throat' blush - just a slightly lighter version.  Again, it's peachy-pink hints work really well on winter skin and the satin finish is really flattering.  It has a subtle hint of shimmer which gives such a healthy glow - another fabulous option if dull skin is your main concern. I find this blush works well for layering becuase it's quite subtle. It's formula is very buildable and if you wish to achieve the colour in the pan, you can, but I actually really enjoy using this alongside Benefit's 'Majorette' - layering this on top of a bright coral works really well. I have a full review here.

Mac | 'Blushbaby' // The 'Depths of Winter' Flush //

Again, this isn't one of my all-time favourites but I really enjoy using this shade in the winter months.  It's a gorgeous, natural shade with a slight hint of mauve - a little more cool-toned than what I usually reach for but with the right make-up it looks so beautiful. I always pop this on if I'm wearing a darker lip colour or if I've opted for a mauve/purple toned lip. It swatches a little warmer than it looks in the pan - it's definitely got a hint of 'brick' running through it (have a nosey at the swatches, you'll see what I mean!) Think bobble hats, cosy knits and hot chocolates - this shade really is my 'depths of winter' blush - perfect for snowy days. I love the matte finish - it works really well with a flawless base and a teeny fleck of highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones.

Mac | 'Harmony' // The Sculpting Shade //

I adore this shade.  It's so multi-functional as it works as a contour shade as well as a blush. It's a cool toned 'brick' sort of colour - very difficult to explain but one that works incredibly well at softly sculpting the cheeks. If you're new to contouring, I really recommend this - all you need to do is sweep some of this onto your cheeks and et voila - instant cheekbones. If I'm in a rush, I'll quickly dust some of this on using a blush brush, but i find that it works really nicely if you use a slightly smaller tapered or 'domed' brush and place the colour on your natural contour line.With 'Harmony', it's so easy to achieve that sculpted appearance without the fuss.  As with most Mac blushes, it's really soft and easy to blend - but isn't so overly pigmented it's difficult to work with. Definitely a staple shade in my collection. I have a full review here.

Swatches L-R | Illamasqua 'Tremble' / Deborah Milano 'Spicy' / Nars 'Orgasm' / Nars 'Deep Throat' / Benefit 'Rockateur' / Mac 'Blushbaby' / Mac 'Harmony'

So there we have it - my Autumn/Winter blush wardrobe. I also love Benefit's 'Majorette' and Illamasqua's 'Lover' blush - but the shades I've featured are definitely the ones I'll be reaching for when the weather really does take a turn for the worst!  My ultimate favourites have to be Deborah Milano's 'Spicy' and Nars' 'Deep Throat' - and Mac's 'Harmony' really is a winter contouring must-have if you're a fan of a sculpted cheek like me.

What's in your autumn/winter blush wardrobe this season?

Monthly Favourites | April

Nothing like a favourites post to highlight the fact that you have a serious beauty product obsession, is there girls? We're such a fickle bunch, us bloggers - never satisfied - constantly on the hunt for new products to get our mitts into because the substantial collection we already have simply won't suffice! Once you start blogging - there's no such thing as a fixed makeup routine and your bathroom cabinets and dressing tables become over-run with lotions and potions. April saw the weather brighten up a notch or two (although I can't say much for it now - it's raining cats, dogs and goodness knows what else outside my window) - I've found myself reaching for lighter bases, bronzing products and summery-scented goodies the past 3 weeks. Without further ado, I shall give you the run-down on what I've been loving for the month of April...

Barry M | Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in 'Rosehip' | £3.99

April saw me give in to the new spring shades of Gelly Hi-Shine polishes. Like the indecisive, impulsive little tinker I am, of course, I bought all 3. I adore these polishes. The glossy finish, smooth application and amazing pigmentation tick all my boxes for what makes a good nail polish. Admittedly, these spring shades can be a little streaky to apply and I do have to adorn my 'concentration face' in order to get a perfect application, but that I can overlook for the beautiful pastel, milky tones that these provide. My favourite is 'Rosehip' - a gorgeous white-pink shade. I won't harp on about it too much as I have a post on the full spring range here. (I also have a post on the rest of my collection here if you fancy having a read...although I have to say it's considerably grown since...)

YSL Touche Eclat in 'Luminous Ivory' | RRP £25.00*

I'm a massive fan of YSL's Touche Eclat foundation (it's my summer favourite!) and I love the dewy, flawless finish it provides - that's why I had high hopes for the ever-famous Touche Eclat highlighting pen. I was sent this product a while back and I must admit it didn't blow me away like I thought it would.  However, I've been using it quite a bit just recently to highlight my under-eye area and I've found that I've been reaching for it a great deal.  A lot of people believe this product is used for concealing dark circles and are disappointed with the light, sheer coverage it provides. It's actually more of a highlighting pen as opposed to a concealer and works a treat in bringing light and radiance to certain areas of your face. If you use it in the right way, it really is such a wonder-worker! I apply my concealer as normal before dabbing a few dots of this underneath the eyes, near to the tops of my cheekbones before blending out.  It gives such a lovely finish and the peachy tone helps to counteract any darkness that my concealer didn't quite cover. I also use this around my nose and on the centre of my forehead to highlight those areas. Will I purchase again once this one has had its day? I have to say I probably wouldn't considering that the foundation is only a few pounds more than this and there are now many fabulous dupes for it on the high street for a fraction of the price. However, I've been enjoying using it nonetheless and I can see why it receives the praise it does. It makes for a lovely treat now and again if you fancy something luxurious. I have a review of the foundation here.

Guerlain 'Terracotta' Bronzer | £31.00*

Ok. Let's just take a moment to appreciate just how beautiful this packaging is. The camera really doesn't show it up to its best potential but it is without a doubt one of the most luxurious bronzing compacts I've ever laid eyes on. The tortoiseshell-y domed lid, the way it fits so snugly in the hand and the way it clasps shut with a small 'click' of perfection... oh I could go on, I really could.  I'm now choking back tears because a week after I took these photographs, I opened the lid a little too hastily in my half-asleep slumber and it's now broken into two. I could have shed tears...  This bronzer is just divine.  I didn't expect to enjoy using it as much as I have.  The slight warm tone it has and the subtle shimmer would usually equal a bronzing nightmare for me but I have to say - Guerlain have got it just right with this.  The shimmer doesn't transfer onto the face - it just provides a touch of radiance and a slight sheen that awakens the complexion without turning you into a disco ball.  It looks incredibly natural and applies and blends like a dream (I use my Real Techniques Blush Brush with it).  It's perfect for bringing warmth to the face and giving your features that lovely 'sunkissed' look - it's almost impossible to apply too much because it's so light and subtle - but it's also easy to build up. To top it off, it even smells beautiful - it has a slightly perfumed, fresh sort of scent that only adds to the luxurious feel of this bronzer. I'm not sure if it quite overtakes my beloved Nars 'Laguna' in the 'holy grail bronzer' stakes but it is definitely a close second - whereas I'd use my Nars one for contouring and a stronger bronze finish, this Guerlain offering is much better for all over bronzing and 'general dusting' and it really does refresh and awaken the skin for a natural, sunkissed finish.

Bourjois | 123 Perfect CC Cream | £9.99*

Again, another product I didn't really expect to enjoy using as much as I have done. This CC Cream really is as good as everybody says it is. Yep - i'm sorry to say it but I simply must agree with the blogger hype around this one!  It blurs imperfections, smooths out the skin's appearance and feels nice and moisturising to apply.  It actually provides pretty decent coverage to say it's a CC Cream - it's definitely got the consistency and coverage of a light foundation as opposed to a sheer wash of colour. I have to apply a primer or powder over the top to get it to last all day but it's perfect for those days where you don't want to go all out with your base. It's easy to apply with fingers if you're in a rush but it also works really well with my buffing brushes - it gives a subtle, smoothed out effect to the skin without looking and feeling heavy or cakey. It gives a gorgeous dewy effect which I really like as it brightens the complexion and although I do have to use a few dabs of concealer alongside it, it does do a very good job of masking imperfections and counteracting dark circles/signs of fatigue. It also smells really fresh and lovely.  I'll definitely be getting another tube once this one runs out - it's going to be perfect for summer. I speak about this product a little more in this recent post.

Nars Matte Multiple in 'Altai' | £30.00

I won't say too much about this one as I have a full post on it here - i feel as if all I've done all month is harp on about this product. Broken record or what?! All I will say is that it's my new baby. I love it. For me, it really is worth every single penny! It's so versatile and I use it for all over bronzing as well as contouring.  It blends so nicely into the skin and looks so natural - providing that much desired airbrush finish. If you're a fan of contouring products, it is well worth checking out the new range of Nars Multiples. Have a read of my full post if you're thinking of treating yourself to one.

Barry M Lip Liner | £2.99

And the award for 'worst example of sharpening a cosmetic pencil' goes to.... me. Oh goodness - it looks as if I've tortured this poor little pencil within an inch of its life doesn't it?! Somebody needs to invest in a new sharpening tool for their makeup bag... clearly! Slightly wonky appearance aside, this pencil works a charm. I'm not entirely sure what the shade is called because it doesn't seem to have a label, but it's a lovely natural colour that is perfect for everyday wear. It literally goes with anything.  I've quite taken to just filling my lips in with this and popping a little gloss on the top - it's also perfect for outlining the lips and smudging slightly for a very natural 'just bitten' sort of look.  I love these lip liners - for £2.99 they're some of the best high street liners I've ever tried. They stay put and do a really good job of making your lipstick look more perfected as well as helping it to last through the day without bleeding or smudging.

Organic Surge | Moisturising 'Tropical Bergamot' Shower Gel | £4.35*

Organic Surge has fast become one of my go-to brands for all things skin and body care! I really like their range of shower gels as they last forever and lather up really nicely. This one is perfect for this time of year - it smells like Solero ice lollies (yummy!) and is really zingy and fresh. Nothing more I can really say about a shower gel aside from the fact it's stood at the front of my shower shelf all month... always a good sign.

Have you tried and loved any of these products as much as me?!

New Favourite | Nars Matte Multiple in 'Altai'

 Nars Matte Multiple in 'Altai' | £30.00 | Link

As soon as I heard of the new Nars Multiples, I knew it was going to be a challenge and a half to resist them.  Nars have to be one of, if not my actual favourite brand. Oh yes that's right - I went there - a  BIG statement to make for a beauty blogger who's favourites change like the wind - but there's something about Nars that really appeals to me and I'm yet to be disappointed with any of their products.  I strolled into SpaceNK with the ever so innocent intention of just having a look at the newbie multiples and, lo and behold, I waltzed out 10 minutes later with a new cosmetic treat, a rather guilty grin on my face and a whole £30 lighter. Was it worth it though? Of course it was! Undoubtedly, there's been a few mixed reviews and I have to hold my hands up and admit I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with their 'Copacabana' highlighting multiple, however, this little beauty has completely shaken up my makeup routine and it really was love at first swatch.

Now then, I'll get my little bug-bear out of the way first and tell you that Nars have been very naughty with their new multiples. The matte range is exactly the same price as the originals, however, you get considerably less for your money.  They're notably smaller in size, and contain 7.5g of product compared with the originals which contain 14g - quite a whopping bit of difference there if I don't say so myself. This being said,  I actually find the smaller size works in the product's favour and I find it easier to apply straight from the bullet as it's a little more dainty. I also find the matte ones to be incredibly pigmented - much more than the original ones - so you could also argue that you're using less. Although slightly annoying, I can let the crafty little downsize slide...

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know I'm a big fan of contouring and bronzing/sculpting products are often tip-top of my wish list! I've used this product every day since I got it and I'm addicted to the effect it gives - I adore it! I've used it for both subtle bronzing and for contouring purposes and I love the finish it provides - it's matte but it doesn't look powdery or flat at all (the reason i usually stay away from matte products).  I use Nars' Sheer Glow foundation and I have to say it makes for a lovely combination - the products mesh so well together and give such a flawless, airbrushed finish. There's no shimmer whatsoever so it's perfect for getting a good bit of 'sculpt' going on around your cheekbones, and it's also amazingly buildable. It's very pigmented, but don't let that scare you off - you can go as sheer or as strong as you like with this beauty! Colour wise, 'Altai' is perfect for my skin tone. It might be a touch too dark for those with very pale skin tones but for me, it works a treat.  It warms up my complexion and gives my skin a healthy appearance that I struggle to get from powder products - it really is quite hard to describe.

There are a number of ways you can apply the product.  After speaking with the sales assistant about the best application, she showed me a variety of ways to use it and applied it to my cheekbones using a flat foundation brush.  This method is one that I haven't used before with my previous multiples but it's a lovely way to get an airbrushed finish - I would never have thought of trying it this way if she hadn't showed me.  You can dampen the brush so it's easier to sheer out, or you can just 'dab' the brush onto the stick and apply in sweeps to the cheekbones - I personally prefer a dry brush. If you want a stronger contour or flush of colour, it's actually quite easy to apply straight from the bullet (before or after your foundation!) and although it's scary at first to essentially draw the colour onto your face, it's very very easy to get a professional, perfectly blended finish. I've taken to applying my foundation, and then placing a small amount directly from the bullet to the very tops of my cheekbones and blending out, before taking some on the flat brush and sweeping gently down the face where I don't want the contour to be as strong. This method works a charm! The brush I use is by Lola (pictured below) - it's lovely and soft and is such a lovely size for working with the cheekbones (I featured it in my recent haul and speak more about it here - it's fab!)

So, as you can see, it is more of a bronzer as opposed to a true contour colour but there is no reason why you can't use this for scultping (the assistant in SpaceNK recommended it for contouring and I personally think it's lovely for this purpose). I've used grey toned contour colours in the past and I've found that they can make me look a little 'dead' if I'm not careful - so the fact that this has some warmth to it really is a plus point for me and it isn't orange or overly red toned either. It's such a nice shade for the upcoming warmer weather.

SO, needless to say, the new Nars Multiples get a massive thumbs up from me! I'm definitely in the love it camp... In fact, it's made me fall back in love with my highlighting multiple in and the two look amazing paired together.  I'm not sure if I'm drawn to the blush shades as much but with sunnier weather (hopefully) on the cards for summer, I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of use out of this beautiful matte bronze. It's definitely going to be packed away in my suitcase should I actually manage to get away this year... (one can but hope)  You can find the Nars Matte Multiples on the SpaceNK website here.

Have you tried the Nars Matte Multiples? What did you reckon?

HUGE Beauty Haul | Drugstore & High-End Products

Oh dear. Look what happened.  Once again, I strolled past the beauty counters one too many times and came home with more than I anticipated. #StoryOfMyLife.  Fear not, I didn't go completely bonkers and buy all of this stuff in one go - (jeez I'm not that impulsive ;)) but I do seem to have accumulated a rather sizeable amount of stuff over the past 3 weeks.  Of course, being a blogger - I can't use anything properly until I've photographed it so I figured I'd swiftly put together a haul post. Who doesn't love a haul? I know I certainly do! I have a mixture of high-end and drugstore products so I've tried to categorise this post as best I could - feel free to skip on through and pick and choose the bits you're interested in til your heart's content. Expect to see a few of these beauty treats popping up on my blog over the next month or so - I'll be individually reviewing some of them so do let me know if there's anything you'd particularly like to hear more about.  Anyway, I guess I should quit my rambling and actually get cracking. Grab a cuppa, this certainly won't be a post of the 'short and snappy' variety...

Tanya Burr | Lipgloss in 'Chic' | £6.99 | Link

I've had my beady eyes on Tanya's range for quite some time now.  Admittedly, I'm really not a lipgloss person, but after seeing them on so many blogs and, of course, being a fan of the lovely lady herself, it would have been a crime not to give them a whirl! After a bit of umming and arring and some rather in-depth swatch-googling sessions, I settled on 'Chic', a beautiful brown-y nude shade with a hint of peachiness - perfect for everyday wear and for applying over the top of my neutral lipsticks. First impressions are really good - it's ever so slightly a little too sticky for my liking but I'm happy to overlook it for the gorgeous pigmentation and beautiful scent (I adore the sweet, strawberry smell!).  It applies really smoothly and easily too. I'm definitely going to be picking up some of the brighter shades in the near future.

Nyx | Xtreme Lip Cream in 'Peach Fuzz' | £7 | Link

When I discovered that Next stocked Nyx, I was over the moon! If you've always wanted to try the brand but prefer to swatch in-store rather than taking your chances online, it's the perfect excuse to give them a go.  I've been a big fan of their cream blushes in the past so I had high expectations for their lip products. I've always wanted to try one of their ever-famous Lip Creams so that's exactly what I came away with. 'Peach Fuzz' is one of the most talked about shades and it's easy to see why.  It's a stunning peachy pink with intense pigmentation and a slight glossy finish.  I'm planning on a full review of this soon.

Barry M | Lip Liners | £2.99 each (unsure of shade names!) | Link

Barry M had one of their offers on so I picked up a couple of bits.  I got one of these lip liners free - which in hind-sight is a very good thing because I picked the two most similar shades I could have possibly picked! My beloved Estee Lauder double-wear lip pencil in 'Spice' is running low so I wanted to see if I could find a cheaper option for the time being (i reckon my Estee favourite will be a birthday present.) Barry M had these 2 nude shades so I picked up both.  One is slightly darker and more reddish in tone - very much a 'brick' sort of shade, and the other is a little more neutral and leans more towards a brown, mid-toned natural shade.  I really like the Barry M lip liners - I must have the majority of their shades now and I really recommend them if you're after a cheapy!

Sinful Colors | Nail Polish in 'Snow Me White' | £1.99 | Link

If you've never checked out the Sinful Colors range in Boots, then you need to re-evaluate your life. Ok, maybe not that drastic, but you seriously need to go and have a nosey.  They have to be one of my favourite nail polish brands ever and I seem to be building up quite the collection! This one is a gorgeous glossy white - nothing overly special about it but I'm loving white nails at the minute and this one applies really smoothly and evenly and is also amazingly opaque. A lot of white polishes take forever to build up but this one is perfect.

Barry M | Gelly Hi-Shine Polishes in 'Passionfruit' and 'Blue Grape' | £3.99 | Link

Ohhhh do I have a story behind this purchase... *face palm* I did the whole 'walk into Superdrug for one thing and end up waltzing around balancing a sizeable tower of stuff in just one hand' jobby. I seem to have really perfected this technique over the years (who needs baskets? Not me, apparently!) and I felt quite confident in my abilities to skillfully shuffle my way to the till. I almost had it nailed, however, it seems that I must have gotten a little bit cocky - because with an accidental nudge on the edge of the Rimmel stand and a little wobble of the elbows, my nail polish bottle had taken a dramatic tumble and promptly smashed all over Superdug's newly refurbished, perfectly polished floor.  Yep. I was that girl. It wasn't just a little drop of it either - ohhh no - it was the full works... a complete swirly mess all over the new dark wood flooring complete with massive dollop in the middle. Some might say I'd dropped it so amazingly well that it created a beautiful spiral effect to rival the likes of Van Gough but all I could think of was how long it was going to take to get it to come off. Everybody around me turned to stare... and then edged away pretty sharpishly whilst dodging the sea of bright coral nail polish that seemed to be spreading across the floorboards at my feet. You couldn't have scraped any more polish out of that bottle if you'd tried. I proceeded to shout over the sales assistant, my skyscraper-beauty-product tower still half in-tact and perched delicately in hand as she stared for a few seconds at what a mess I'd made. Somebody should have got a basket. It all turned out fine though - Superdrug's floor was restored to 'good as new' status after a few wet wipes and half a bottle of nail polish remover - nobody would ever know about my mishap and all traces of bright coral were successfully removed. I was lucky enough that the sales assistant was absolutely lovely about it (although she wouldn't let me help clear it up no matter how many times I asked - awkward - try standing there for a good 5 minutes whilst somebody else works up a sweat trying to scrub your nail-polish spillage off the floor...) She thanked me for being so honest and we had a bit of banter about customers who spill stuff - apparently it happens all the time with nail polish and people just walk off and leave it?! Needless to say, after working in retail for 5 years that fact doesn't shock me one bit. I've had to scrub all sorts off shop floors, let me tell you. Gregg's sausage rolls ain't so appealing when you've had to scrape them away piece by piece from carpet fibres...

Anyway, storytime over.  I don't have any of the darker shades in the Gelly polishes so I figured I'd grab a couple.  Passionfruit is a gorgeous sunset coral/red shade (which will look so much nicer on my nails than on Superdrug's floor) and 'Blue Grape' is a gorgeous deep royal blue.  It reminds me very much of Topshop's 'AWOL' polish... except a few quid cheaper (every little helps don't you know?!) I can imagine these will look amazing with a tan!

B. | Flawless Long-Lasting Concealer | £5.99 £2.99 | Link

I went into Superdrug specifically to look at their 'B.' range of beauty products.  I've never ever tried anything from there so I really wanted to have a good browse.  I was over the moon to discover they had a 50% offer on all of their products (they still do if you're interested so hop to it!)  I decided to try their Flawless Concealer - I adore my Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer but wanted a shade or two lighter to use on those days where I need a decent bit of brightening up and I didn't fancy shedding out another £20. I usually hate the twist up 'stick' form concealers, but I was blown away at just how creamy this one was.  I haven't tried it under the eyes yet so I'm reserving judgement but I really was impressed at how creamy, pigmented and easy to blend it was.  It seems like it has amazing coverage too so watch this space!

B. | Rich Intense Colour Lipstick in 'Toffee' | £7.99 £3.99 | Link

Wow. These lipsticks certainly aren't telling porkies - they really are rich and intense in colour! I'm obsessed with browns at the minute (not for everyone but if you find the right shade, believe me they work a treat at whitening your teeth!) so I settled on 'Toffee', a mid-browny nude. It has a hint of shimmer in the tube but it doesn't transfer to the lips - it just gives the lipstick a lot of dimension.  It's so creamy and smooth - quite similar to Mac's Amplified finishes. It isn't glossy, it isn't completely matte - just a lovely in-between 'satin' like finish that feels comfortable to wear. Again, I won't say too much as I've used it once but so far, so good.

Rimmel | Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in 'Black' | £3.99 | Link
Whyyyy on earth have I never tried these liners? I don't often wear a liner in my waterline but if I'm going out somewhere special I do like some extra definition.  I'm not sure if it's my eyes but I seem to be put off applying liner in my waterline because it smudges almost instantly and looks ridiculous within an hour or so - so I'm holding out hope that this one stays put a little better.  I heard Tanya Burr raving about these in a few of her tutorials so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Loreal | Superliner Perfect Slim | £7.99 | Link
My favourite liner of all time.  I will forever re-purchase this beauty and it's featured in so many of my posts now.  Easy to use, long-lasting and one pen lasts me months. Well worth every single penny! I urge you to try it if you haven't already!

Dove | Purely Pampering Body Cream in Shea Butter and Vanilla | £4.99 £2.49 | Link

My new favourite body butter was on offer for £2.49!? Amazing! This tub is huge and lasts me quite some time. I promptly picked up a back-up for when my current one runs out as it was too good to miss out on the offer.  I spoke about this in my recent favourites post which you can read here, if you're interested! 

Arran Aromatics | Lavender Tea Tree Facial Wash | Link

I bought this off AllBeauty a while back for a fabulous bargainous price - but it's not on there now for some reason. Well worth shopping around for as it seems to vary in price quite a bit! I received this a while back in one of my first Love Me Beauty boxes and I've loved it ever since.  I speak about it a little more in one my 'Best of 2013' post here. It's such a lovely gel-like consistency and it's really soothing to use.  It has a very gentle exfoliating effect due to the little beads in it and always leaves my skin feeling really refreshed and clean.  

Arran Aromatics | 'After the Rain' Eye Gel | £5.50 | Link

I like the brand so much, I decided to pop their eye gel into my basket too.  I adore their range of facial washes and their body butter has to be one of my favourites too, so i figured I couldn't go wrong with their eye cream.  It's really lightweight and has a cooling, soothing effect on the skin.  It smells really fresh too. 

Shu Uemura | Art of Hair Essence Absolue Oil | £29.60 | Link

My most favourite hair oil of all time - EVER.  I've used all kinds of hair oil brands and this one tops all of them by a mile.  I have a full review of it on my blog here if you want to read more about it, but it really has revolutionised my hair routine!  I use it every single time I wash my hair without fail, and have also used it on dry-hair through the day to revive my style.  It's not heavy in the slightest but it's incredibly moisturising - if you find Moroccan Oil far too greasy or heavy then I really do recommend Shu Uemura's offering.  I actually find this more moisturising and it doesn't weigh my hair down half as much.  A bottle lasts absolutely ages too because all you need is 1-2 pumps per use.  You can also use it on hair extensions if they're feeling a little worse for wear - little tip for you there!

Nars | Sheer Glow Foundation in 'Fiji' | £31.00 | Link
Another repurchase for me. I've had 3 bottles of this foundation now and it's still my favourite - it's going to be a tough one to beat! It is, without a doubt, a little on the pricey side but it's well worth every penny.  I have a full review on my blog so I won't say too much about this one but I really do recommend checking out the Nars stand if you're after a long-lasting, medium-full coverage foundation with a satin finish.

Nars | Matte Multiple in 'Altai' | £30.00 | Link 
The star of the whole post! If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that I made an impulse purchase on one of the new matte multiples! As soon as I heard about them I knew I'd end up buying one - I'm such a sucker for contouring products and when I saw the matte brown/bronze shades I was instantly sold.  I was sold even more once the assistant had applied it to my face - WOW. I was speechless.  She made a very quick, easy sale there! I'll hold off from saying too much about this as I have a full review planned very, very soon! I also haven't swatched it for the purpose of this post as I wanted to keep it pristine for my full review... (sorry ;))

Lola | Foundation Brush | £14.00 £11.20 | Link

And finally, my newest addition to my brush collection - this foundation brush by the brand 'Lola'. I was so excited when I heard that Marks and Spencers were going to stock the brand in store. A while back, I discovered 'Lola' on a trip to Lanzarote and was so sad when I found out I couldn't get my mitts on it here in the UK (I have a post on one of their blushes here - amazing pigmentation!). Honestly, I really hope the brand becomes more well-known in the blogging community as it really is such an unsung hero of the cosmetic world! I bought this because the assistant in SpaceNK applied the Nars Multiple with a flat foundation brush and I loved the finish it provided - I don't really own one like this so I promptly took it to the till. It's one of the softest brushes I own and it seems really good quality for the price (it was on offer at the time) - definitely one of the more luxurious brushes I've come across!  I'll definitely be checking out more of their things in future now that they're more accessible. The brand is definitely more mid-high end and their products aren't the cheapest, but they're well worth getting to know.

And there we have it.  I must apologise for this rather meaty post! But I really wanted to feature everything together rather than splitting it up into two halves and I haven't done a haul in a good while. I will be doing full reviews on some of the products featured in this post so keep your eyes peeled! 

Anything here that tickles your fancy? Is there anything you'd like to hear more about?