Speedy Blush!

I’ve never really used cream based production when applying my makeup… and to be honest, I don’t really know why. For someone who doesn’t particularly wear much foundation, and when I do, it’s generally a liquid based formula, it seems strange that I’ve only reached for powder products for all these years. Whilst they do look nice, I find sometimes they don’t sit too well on the skin and they can often look quite powdery when applied (although I still love the ones I have in my collection).

Recently, I’ve been seeing more and more cream based products hitting the stores; be it bronzers, contour shades, blushers or highlighters. With it being summer and the weather being warmer, I generally go for a lighter base anyway as I like having a dewy and fresh complexion. Having freckles means they become even more prominent once the sun comes out and I like to embrace them as opposed to hiding them under layers of foundation. I just find when it’s hot, a nice dewy fresh faced look is so pretty, and also, using less products means your skin gets to breathe!

A Perfectly Pretty Pink!

I'm not normally a pink person. Pink is, generally, is not a colour I gravitate towards; but for some reason just lately, I've been drawn to simple pale pink colours, specifically in the form of nail varnishes. 

I adore the way they look so chic and delicate on the nails, and can leave you feeling pretty and girly (even if the rest of you doesn't exactly look like that)! Now this particular pink polish is Etheral (210) by Rimmel London, and is a part of their 60 seconds seconds super shine range..... and I just love it! 

A Little LUSH Goodness!

Yesterday Me and Dan popped into Birmingham for a little look around. Well, it was mostly so we could go to the Handmade Burger Kitchen for lunch.... but since we'd driven all the way over there, it was only fair that we had a little wander round a few shops whilst we were in town. Of course for me, LUSH was on the agenda, and from the second I walked in I became super excited about all the new products that were available (sad I know)! 

I got chatting to one of the lovely girls who worked there - I mean, how nice are the people who work in LUSH?! - and she showed me so many products and by the end, I really could have just purchased the whole shop.. but I didn't!

I limited myself to only picking up two new things, but don't you worry LUSH, in the words of the Terminator, 'I'll be back'!

The BEST Highlighter!

To be honest, I was a bit late to jump on the whole 'highlighting' bandwagon; but the more I got into watching beauty Youtubers do gorgeous dewy make up looks which were make even better with the use of a bit of highlighter, I knew it was about time I gave it a try. 

To begin with, I picked up the Make Up Revolution Vivid Baked highlighter in Peach Lights (post here); which I'm not going to lie, was damn good for the price (£3.00 to be exact)! While it did add a pretty and luminous glow to my skin, I found the colour to be a tad too purpley/pink toned for my skin tone, making the product look more like a shimmery blush as opposed to a natural looking highlight. 

I mean, for that price I can't really argue with the quality of the product itself. There were a few different shades to choose from, so I'd definitely be up for giving one of the others ago to see how a different colour fairs with my skin tone. 

Then, The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer landed in my hands. Ok, when I say 'landed' I mean sort after and hunted down by yours truly.... but lets just say it was totally worth it!

My current favourite: Beauty Products!

I've decided to create several posts in the next week or so entitled "My current favourite:...." followed by different categories, be it beauty, fashion, books etc! I think it will be a great way to share things I'm loving at the moment with you all, and maybe even give you some ideas for things you may want to try!

I'm not really the sort of person to excessively use makeup, however I still find it really amazing how much it can enhance a persons natural features and I enjoy experimenting with it when I can! On a day to day basis I generally stick to a very natural - almost "make up free" - look, and then use bolder and more dramatic makeup looks for when I'm going out to events or special occasions.... I feel that doing this makes those time when you dress up and make a effort feel far more special.

At the moment, I have several products which I'd class in the category of "beauty" that I think are really lovely.... and ones I will definitely by purchasing again!

First things first; I bought the Bare Minerals"get started kit" towards the end of August and since then it has certainly proved itself as a worth foundation. I've always had problems with liquid foundations making my skin look to oily and shiny and leading to breakouts (which is never attractive), and I have never been able to find a product that sits well on my skin all day long. After recommendations from my friend, I decided to go and buy it from Debenhams! It wasn't the cheapest purchase, however I would highly recommend it and I personally feel it was worth every penny. Of course you don't have to buy the entire starter kit... I just loved all the products included and thought the combination of them together created a perfect look.

So what do you get?
- The original foundation in your chosen colour (I wear fairly light)
- Warmth all over face colour - while this may look dark in the pot, it just adds a really nice dash of colour over parts of your face (I use it where the sun would naturally hit my face)
- Original mineral veil - this is just a clear mineral powder which helps to set your foundation in place and is also great if you need to dry your face throughout the day.
- Prime time foundation primer
- Full flawless face brush - I use this to apply my foundation and the mineral veil
- Flawless application face brush - use to apply the "warmth all over"
- Maximum coverage concealer brush

As you can see, you get a lot included in the kit which is great! It gives you all the main products needed to start the change over to a more natural and skin friendly type of make up. 

Next is the fragrance "Daisy" by Marc Jacobs. I personally love Marc Jacobs fragrances and have previously had both "Lola" and "Oh Lola". After smelling this beautiful fragrance last may on my trip to Paris, I finally got it for my birthday! It's hard to describe a smell.... but this perfume is fresh, sweet and floral (without being too overpowering) and is one that can be worn day or night! 

Who doesn't love Mac lipsticks?! They go on so easily and last for hours! This is my Mac Cremsheen Lipstick in the shade modesty. This has been my favourite lip product for over a year now, due to its perfectly moisturising finish and natural colour. I can't standing using lipsticks that have a very dry finish and I find they make my lips feel completely unhydrated and don't last as long as a more creamy lipstick. If you haven't tried the Mac Cremsheen range then I definitely suggest that you go out and get yourself one to try and I'm sure you won't regret it! There are so many colours to chose from, one to suit any possible occasion.

Finally, I bought the Garnier Ultimate Blends collection of hair products a few weeks back as my hair is currently really dull and damaged! I chose to by the "nourishing repairer" products which are scented with avocado oil and shea butter (such a relaxing and indulgent smell). I have the shampoo, conditioner and 1 minute treatment in these products and I've found that they've began making my hair feel really nourished once again, and because of their wonderful scents, it feels like your using a more expensive luxurious product.... but at a fraction of the price!

So those of a few of my current favourite beauty products! There are many more I could have talked about... I didn't want to bore you all too much though! Check back soon for my of "my current favourites" posts!

Tanith

xx