FLEUR DE FORCE BEAUTY REVIEW

I have been watching/on youtube for a good couple of years now, and one of the first 'beauty gurus' I ever subscribed to was Fleur de Force. I feel like throughout the years she has only been getting better, so when she announced the release of her makeup range it's safe to say I was excited. Here are some swatches of the items I decided to try from her range.

Eyeshadow Quad in Cosmic Bronze (£7.99)

The two colors she released for her eyeshadow quads looked lovely, but I opted to go for the more bronzey one as that's what I use on a daily basis. I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth the eyeshadows were, especially the matte dark brown color. None of them are chalky at all, and the shimmers don't have too much chunk in them. I'm not the biggest fan of the top right medium brown color, but that's just because it's quite close to my coloring, so it hardly looks like theres something there. It makes a good transition color, but would be perfect if it was a tad darker. My favorite has to be the bottom left shimmery bronze/taupe. It's so beautiful all over the eyelids, and with my favorite Nars primer it stays on all day. The highlight color is also beautiful in the inner corners. I'd definitely recommend this if you are a beginner that wants to start wearing eyeshadow as the formula is easy to work with, or if you're looking for a good everyday quad.

Lipgloss in Starry Starry Night and Written in the Stars (£6.99)

I am usually not the biggest lipgloss person, but I have to say that I absolutely LOVE these. The colors are super duper pigmented, and last surprisingly well. I wore Starry Starry Night (which is a GORGEOUS color, btw) for 4-5 hours before having lunch and needing to top it up, and even then there was still some color left behind. The formula is quite thick, but in a good way, and leave your lips feeling well moisturized rather than gross and sticky. Written in the Stars is more of an everyday dusky rose than it looks in the photo above, the lighting makes it look quite peach but it's definitely not. If you were to only try out one thing from the range, I'd go for the lip-glosses for sure. 

Side note: I also got the makeup bag, which I forgot to photograph. It's also gorgeous and very well made, and I love the rose gold details and lilac interior of it.

Let me know if you've tried anything from the range, and what you're hoping to see more of. I'd love to see her expand into more variety of products such as blushes and lipsticks in the future!

GLOW YOUR OWN WAY

      If asked about my favorite beauty slogan, I'd probably say "skin first, makeup second, smile always"; good job on that Glossier. Just like them, I believe that skincare should always come first, and you'll always be beautiful if you're rocking a smile. If you're using makeup to hide your imperfections rather than enhance your beauty, something is going wrong there. I understand that almost no one has perfect skin, I'm definitely far from it, but here are some of the ways I try to keep my skin healthy and glowing, and some sheer makeup products I use on the daily.

PREP

Glow Mud Cleanser (£18.00), Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (£26.00), First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy (£22.10), Makeup Fixing Mist (£16.00)

      It's no secret that if you don't take care of your skin and prep it well, then makeup won't sit right. One of the first steps to taking care of yourself and your skin is to drink lots of water. Cliche? Maybe. But it's so so true. If your skin looks tired and sallow, or you're having more breakouts than usual, it could just be a case of dehydration. I feel like people in general are good at remembering to drink water when it's warm outside, but forget to in the colder months. Just get into the habit of taking a bottle with you everywhere you go; if it's constantly in front of you, you are much more likely to rehydrate more often.

      When it comes to skincare, when I think of glow enhancing products I immediately think of Pixi. I think that they do an amazing job with their skintreats range, and as you saw from my previous haul I picked up many things to try. I have been using their mud cleanser since that day and my skin loves it, as well as (of course) their Glow Tonic that I can't go without. I'm also really enjoying their makeup fixing mist either before and/or after I apply my makeup, as it sets everything in place while still leaving my skin looking hydrated.

      Other areas I like to prep are my lips with the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, both before bed and in the mornings. My lips chap like no other, so this heavy duty lip balm is fantastic. I also like to keep an eye cream at the ready incase I didn't get enough sleep, or I'm having particularly puffy under-eyes. This one by FAB is indeed fab as it decreases puffiness and it's color adds a brightening effect under the eyes.

CREAMS

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream (£26.00), Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer (£34.00), Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil Duo ($16.00), & Other Stories' True Bias Fuschia (£12.00), Kiko Contouring Pencil Set (£9.90)

      I have been going baseless a lot lately as I find my skin has been quite good, and having a tan blurs imperfections quite well. Little things that are always there, like acne scars, don't bother me too much. However, on days when I want some more evenness to my skin, I've been opting for the sheerest of the lot. My Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in Fawn is a good color for when I'm tanned, so it's my go-to at the moment. Despite having the oil-free version, my oily skin can still look a bit greasy a few hours into the day. For that reason, I don't think I would repurchase this, but if you are someone who has drier skin I'd recommend checking it out. I've also been loving the Complexion Rescue by Bare Minerals in 06 Ginger, as the shade has the perfect amount of yellowness for my skin, and the texture is great. I do find it can sometimes cling to dry patches around my hairline though, so a good moisturizer is always needed underneath.

      Regardless of whether I wear a base or not, I also like to add color to my face to enhance the healthy glow. & Other Stories do fantastic blushes in general, and this cream one I have blends beautifully without any effort. I've also been experimenting with this Josie Maran lip and cheek oil, and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet as it's not so easy to work with. It can be a bit sticky at first, but once it dries down a bit it looks lovely, so I'll keep using it and see.

      I've also been pretty obsessed with this stick contour and highlight duo from KIKO. I have the lighter set of the two, and they blend into the skin so well. I was a bit scared to use a non-powder contour at first, but now that I have I might even prefer it. It gives the most natural shadow as long as you don't over draw it in, and even then you can blend it out so easily. I am definitely a fan.

POWDERS

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish (£33.00), Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow (£49.00), Hourglass Ambient Blush Palette (£56.00) 

      Now I know what you're thinking, powders and glowing skin don't usually go together, but that's not always the case. Here are some of my favorites for when I'm not feeling the fuss of cream products. Firstly, this Charlotte Tilbury setting powder is basically magic. It's great with or without anything underneath, and removes the grease without taking away the glow. I don't know what magic is in it, but I swear it's like airbrush in a compact. As with every other beauty blogger, I also adore the filmstar bronze and glow. Even though the bronzer is a bit on the warmer side, it still looks great as a contour for me, and since it's a bit shimmery it gives an inner glow and definition all at once. The highlighter in the set is also one of my favorites.

     The final product I have is the Hourglass blush trio which I have been addicted to since it's purchase. I definitely reach for it more than any of my other blushes, and the swirl of their ambient lighting powders with the blush pigment means it's give you healthy looking cheeks all day long. I love all the colors equally, and if you haven't tried out any hourglass products before, I'd definitely recommend a look at this one.

So those are all my tips, tricks and recommendations for healthy glowing skin on the daily, and I'd love to hear what your thoughts and recommendations are. 

BEACH BAG BEAUTY

I know, I know. Who does a post on the beach the second Autumn begins? Me for two reasons. First is I live in Dubai and Autumn doesn't exist here. It's beach weather until December, so pretty much all year round. Second, I'm going to the Seychelles for 5 days so this is as much as a reminder to myself as ya'll reading this. So here are a few of my beauty related essentials I like to take with me.

Hair & Face

I do laser hair removal treatments on my face, so It's important to protect the area as much as humanly possible, hence the SPF 100. Sunblock is an essential for me on a day to day basis, and I've found that this one from Bioderma is great as it's waterproof and doesn't break me out. I'll use this all over my face and neck before heading out, and pop it in my beach bag for reapplication. I also like to take a hat and pair of sunglasses with me because I'm the squintiest person alive and can't handle having sun in my eyes, and shade is sometimes hard to find. Another item that I think could be useful is the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (£26.00) because as well as a lip balm, it can be used to soothe any pesky sunburns that you might get. The last item in this bunch is hair-related, and although this is more of a precautionary item, I think a good leave in conditioner in spray form can be very useful if sea water dries out your hair a lot. I'm going to be using this It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product ($18.00) after showers, but i'll also take it to the beach with me incase I feel like my hair needs a refresh. I'm not exactly sure if it's going to work that way, but we shall see.

Body

For body protection, I have two kinds of products depending on what I am doing. If I'm going to be doing water sports or something quite active, I'll probably use the Nivea Sun Protect & Refresh SPF 30 (£8.50) all over my body. I love that it's in spray form as I HATE applying cream sunblock, and it also makes it easier to reapply. I also have the Bioderma Photoderm Bronz SPF 50 (£21.90) for more of a lazy beach day, as it claims to protect yet still enhance a tan.

For post-beach care, I'm taking this Nivea Sun Moisturizing After Sun Lotion (£5.00) to soothe and Rehydrate, and my Pink Wild and Breezy Body Spray (£8.00) so I can smell a bit nicer and less lotion-y.

Other

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. This is probably the most important thing to remember when going to the beach so you don't pass out of dehydration. Believe me, your body and even your skin will thank you for it. I usually like to pop a few bottles in the freezer the night before, and only take them out the second before heading out. That way they won't be boiling hot a few hours after you are at the beach. The worst feeling is being hot, sweaty and thirsty and only finding a bottle of hot water. I also do this for juice or any other kinds of drinks, it makes the perfect treat. 

The final thing I have is not an essential, but it's definitely a lot of fun. I'm a huge accessory gal, and I love wearing rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets all the time. Of course, this can't really happen at the beach, so I though Flash Tattoos ($22.00) would make a great alternative as they give the same sort of effect. I'm basically planning on covering myself with as many of them as possible.

I hope you liked reading about some of my beach essentials, and I'd love to hear what yours are in the comments below. I'm sorry to those who already have cold weather and hate me, except not really because I'm jealous and Autumn is my favorite season.

SHORT CURLY HAIR STORY + ROUTINE

Ever since I cut my hair into a bob/lob, I've had to change up the way I style my hair quite a lot. I'm going to take you through the last 7ish months of my hair, and what I finally found to work for me now.

When I first got my hair cut back in early March, I LOVED it, but quickly found that the cut was NOT for curly hair. I tried going about styling it the way I usually did when it was longer, but it stuck up in weird places and just did not work. So, for a few months I stuck to heat styling it with a curler or straightener. This was actually a nice change, but after a while I got bored of having to do that every time I washed it, and I missed having my curly hair. I looked for specialized curly hair salons in Dubai, but did not find any (if anyone has suggestions, please let me know!), so I waited for the Summer when I knew I was going to be in London and could get it fixed there.

After a bit of research, I decided to try out Unruly Curls in West London, as it was not too far from where I was staying. The place wasn't the easiest to find, but it was definitely worth it. I got my hair cut by Emma, who was lovely and understood exactly what I wanted to change, and what needed fixing in my hair. After she fixed the cut and talked me through styling it, off I went with my new curly bob. Now, I'm not going to lie, at first I was shocked/scared at how CURLY it was. That may seem silly, but it sprang up so much more than I was used to, and although I didn't exactly hate it, I didn't love it either and felt uneasy on the way home. As Emma had reassured me though, it calmed down within an hour or so, and the more I got used to it, the more I loved it.

After that very long and rambley intro, here is my current washing, styling and drying routine for short and curly hair:

1. Shampoo + Conditioner

Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Smoothing Shampoo (£18.50), Curl Conscious Smoothing Conditioner (£20.50) 

Honestly, I am not too picky about this step. I like to use products that are specifically formulated for curly hair, but other than that I'm fine so I change up the brand quite a lot. I don't find that sulphate free ones particularly effect anything, so I usually peruse Boots and see what new things I can find. I'm currently trying out the Bumble and Bumble duo above, and I really love them. They smell fantastic, leave my hair soft, and don't cause any additional frizz. I apply the shampoo focusing on my scalp, rinse it off, then apply the conditioner all over my hair. I used to only apply conditioner mid to ends, but since it's quite short I found that quite useless, and this conditioner isn't heavy at all so it doesn't weigh down my fine hair.

2. Curl Defining Cream

Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Defining Creme (£23.50), TIGI Curls Rock Amplifier (£16.00)

This is the step that I find can make or break my curls. I find the best time to apply this product is in the shower the second you are done. I will usually comb out my hair, give it one more rinse, then flip my head over and run the product through all of my hair. I used to get out of the shower, wrap my hair in a towel until it's damp, then apply the product - but I find that way leaves me hair a lot more frizzy and not as nicely curled. Applying it when the hair is dripping wet is definitely the way to go.

Since I picked up the B&B shampoo and conditioner, I thought it right to get the curl defining cream in one go and see how they all work together. After a few weeks of usage I can say that I like it and will use it all up, however it's nothing special. It gives me pretty good definition and tames the frizz, however after a day or so the curls start to flatten or frizz up. I also picked up the TIGI Curls Rock Amplifier (Currently on sale for £11.55 on Feelunique) as that's what was used on my in the salon, and I absolutely love it. It smells amazing, and defines my curls perfectly without making them crispy at all. It also leaves my hair nice and curly for a good 2-3 days before it needs a wash again. This has definitely become one of my favorite curly hair styling products, easy. I apply both of these in the way mentioned above.

3. Diffuse

Remington D8700 PROtect Hair Dryer (£29.99)

Before getting my hair cut, I barely ever diffused. Holding a blow dryer up to my head until the dripping wet curls dried seemed like it took WAY too long and I had no patience for it. However, since I got it cut I found that it looks best when I do it this way. I let it air dry sometimes too, but when I do I don't get as much volume. I usually set it to high heat and medium strength, flip my head over and do it in three sections, then flip it back and do half/half. This takes about 7-10 minutes if I want my hair to be completely dry, so I do it while watching a video of some sort on youtube. I picked up this hairdryer from boots because it was a great price, included a diffuser, and had three heat and two strength settings.

So there you go, that is my very long hair story and styling routine. Let me know if you have any recommendations, and I hope that this was somewhat helpful for those struggling with their curly hair.

PIXI SKINCARE HAUL

It really is no secret by now how much I love the Pixi Glow Tonic, so when I found out that they were expanding their skincare range, it's safe to say I was pretty excited. They have added a range of items from cleansers, serums, moisturizers, sprays and cleansing cloths. I finally got a chance to pop into the shop earlier this week, so here are a few of the goodies from the range that I picked up. 

Left to Right: Nourishing Cleansing Balm (£18.00), Glow Tonic (£18.00), Glow Mud Cleanser (£18.00), Hydrating Milky Mist (£18.00), Makeup Fixing Mist (£16.00)

The first thing I got was some more Glow Tonic for myself and as gifts, as mine was running out and I have a few friends who would love it. I then opted for the Cleansing Balm, as I love using this kind of product to remove my makeup at the end of the day. I've tried the Emma Hardy one, which I like-not-love, so I'm hoping this one will be what I've been looking for. It also came with a free cleansing cloth which is great. Next I picked up the Glow Mud Cleanser because I always double cleanse at night, so this could be used with the balm at night, or as my single cleanse in the morning. I'm generally a fan of mud masks, but i've never tried a mud cleanser, so hopefully this will be good for my combo/oily skin. The last two things I got were mists, one for myself and one for my friend. I got the Makeup Fixing Mist since I've been in need of a makeup setting spray, and sometimes no amount of primer or powder can get you through a hot and sweaty day. Finally, the Hydrating Milky Mist I got for my friend who has very dry skin, as she could use it as a hydrating toner step in her routine, or throughout the day to keep her skin refreshed.

I don't think I've ever been this excited to try out new skincare products, and I'm not exactly sure if that is a good or bad thing. I will let you guys know how I get on with the products once I've used them for a few weeks to help you figure out which ones are worth trying out.

BUTTER LONDON & NAILS INC REVIEW

I LOVE having painted nails. On the hands I think they make all rings and accessories look better, and on the feet they DEFINITELY make sandals look cuter. However, I hate painting my nails. I'm not great at it, my cuticles are always dry, and things just chip too fast. That is until I found these lovely two formulas below.

I've always loved Essie polishes for the color selection and ease of application, however they don't have the best lasting power. They usually chip in 3-4 days for me, which can be annoying as I end up picking at them for a few more days until I can't take it anymore and take it off. A while ago while taking a look around Boots, I decided to pick up two nail polishes from brands I hadn't tried before: Butter London and Nails Inc.

For Butter London I got the shade Molly Coddled (£12.00), which is a beautiful light purple. This is definitely my favorite shade to wear on the nails, and I can never get enough of it. I'm for sure guilty of having too many a similar kind. I found the wear on this great as it didn't chip until around the 6th day (and very little too, on the corners of my thumb/index finger), and it was fine on my toes until I took it off. 

From Nails Inc. I got the shade Uptown (£15.00) in the Gel Effect Formula. This is probably my favorite subtle nudey-pink shade from the polishes I own, and opted to wear this for my graduation. It was very hard to photograph on my nails though as it just looked off in every picture, so you have to just trust me. I took it off after 7 or 8 days and there was not one chip, scratch, or problem in it at all. This has definitely made it's way up to my favorite formula ever. That being said, there aren't THAT many colors in the range, and one polish is quite expensive. I have already purchased two more for myself and one for a friend, though, so..oops?

What are some of your favorite polishes and formulas? I'd love to know.

EMPTIES #1

I love trying out new products all the time; however, that usually comes with the cost of having a lot of half finished products. Being a relatively new blogger, I sometimes forget and throw something out before thinking about whether to save it for a post or not. That being said, here are a few empties I've remembered to keep, and what I thought about them.

1. BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX FOUNDATION (£9.99) 

This is EASILY my favorite drugstore foundation ever. It's basically been the foundation I've worn 90% of the time since buying it, and rivals many of my other high-end bases. I love that it has medium coverage, but still looks like skin and wears really well throughout the day. It would be my no.1 base if it weren't for these two things: I got the color 54 Beige, which is a close match but a tad dark and on the pinky side, I wish they made more yellow based shades; and although I love the finish, after a few hours I can look greasy even when I use a primer and powder. It's an easy fix, but I wish it came in slightly less dewy finish. I would definitely repurchase this again though, maybe try shade 53?

2. MAYBELLINE ERASER EYE CONCEALER (£7.99) 

Once again, a favorite. This alone with the foundation above has been by base of choice over the past year or so. It doesn't crease, lasts pretty much all day, and I love the twisting mechanism and applicator. It comes as a close second to my beloved Nars creamy concealer, but doesn't quite make it. The downfall is that I can only use this concealer for under the eyes and not for blemishes, so it's not very multi-purpose, but I'd still repurchase it nevertheless.

3. ANASTASIA BROW WIZ (£15.50) 

I know, I know, everyone and their mother has raved about this so I'm not going to go on about it for too long. Tiny nib to draw in hair-like strokes? Check. Range of colors? Check (I use Brunette). Spoolie? Check (and the best spoolie i've ever had, btw). There's not much else I need from a brow pencil. I will say that before repurchasing, I will be testing out Soap & Glory's version as many people say they're pretty much identical.

4. FIRST AID BEAUTY DEEP CLEANSER WITH RED CLAY (£18.00) 

This will be the only product in this post that I don't rave about. Did I like it? Yes. But did I love it? No. I think it did a pretty good job at cleansing my face, it didn't dry it out in any way and left my skin feeling clean. However, it didn't do anything special. My pores and oiliness remained the same throughout using it, and I found it a little difficult to wash off after massaging it into my skin (I'm still not on board with the whole use a flannel thing on the daily). If you have very oily skin it may be worth checking out I suppose, but I'd definitely recommend the mask from this range over the cleanser. Verdict? No repurchase.

I hope my opinions were somewhat helpful, and I'd love to know what you think of these products or what products you always repurchase. Leave a comment below!

KHIELS ACNE BLEMISH TREATMENT REVIEW

I used to have a lot of acne as a teenager. Over the past few years, however, I've found a routine that works for me and thus my skin has improved greatly. I do get spots every now and again, but it's definitely not something I worry about on the daily as I did before. For those times when my skin isn't being great, or it's that time of the month, I usually resort face masks and some stronger anti-blemish treatment. 

Over the past year or so I've been in love with La Rosche Posay's Effeclar Duo treatment, as using it daily helps prevent spots and fade any scars I have leftover. When the off blemish does peep through, I just plop on Effeclar Duo on top and it's gone within a few days. A few months ago I ran out of my beloved tube, but instead of running out to buy another I decided to try out Khiel's Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin Clearing Treatment ($30.00) (Phew, what a mouthful). I found the this does pretty much the same thing as La Rosche Posay's, with a bit more kick. I started off using it only on blemishes, but now I use it over the general areas where I usually breakout. It is quite drying though, so I tend to avoid any areas on my face where I have dry patches. It doesn't have a horrible smell and sinks into my skin quite fast. 

Although it's been doing a good job, I don't think it's good enough to replace my Effeclar Duo quite yet. I do however would recommend giving it a go if La Rosche Posay doesn't work for you/it's not so easy to find, or if you want something with the same effect just a bit stronger. I think people with sensitive skin need to be careful though as I don't think it's the most gentle product. Let me know if you've tried this out, and if you would like me to try out any other similar products.

SUMMER DAYTIME MOISTURIZERS

After an impromptu 2-month hiatus, I'm back! I was so busy with my last semester of Uni that I needed a little break from blogging to focus on work. Hopefully no unplanned disappearances will happen again, at least not anytime soon.

Whenever the seasons change, I have to adjust my skincare a teeny bit to account for the changes in weather. Granted, the weather in Dubai is almost always summer, with a week of 'winter' sometimes in January. Two weeks if we're lucky. But jokes aside, once June hits, it's scorching hot and beauty products have to be adjusted accordingly. Today's post features two daily moisturizers that I found are super lightweight, but still moisturizing enough for the hotter months.

The first of the two is & Other Stories' Tulle Day Cream (£15 £7). It's called a gel cream, and is targeted toward combination-oily skin, which is what I have. I don't particularly love this product, but there's nothing I hate about it either. It has a light powdery scent that I'm not a fan of but it's hardly noticeable, and a little definitely goes a long way (which I learned the hard way as it's very easy to squeeze out too much). It's lightweight enough to wear under makeup, and it doesn't bother me that it has no SPF as I like to use a separate product for that, or just get it from my makeup. I don't find that it helps reduce the shine on my T-zone at all, but it definitely doesn't increase my oiliness in any way. I definitely don't recommend this for anyone who has slightly dry skin as I don't think it will bw moisturizing enough for them. Overall, I think this is a good inexpensive product, but not a great one.

The second product I've been testing out is Kiko's Mat Fluid (£11.90). I picked this up on a whim when I was in Spain in January because I tested it out on the back of my hand and it felt amazing. I'm glad to say that after proper use this didn't disappoint me in any way. It has a fragrant scent which I love, and is so smooth to apply on the skin without being too heavy. I find it a bit more moisturizing than the & Other Stories one, while still being nice and lightweight, and giving my skin the perfect amount of moisture with or without makeup. I also like the packaging, and find that one pump gives me the exact amount I need for my whole face, so I never use too much product by mistake. Although I don't find it ultra-matifying, I do think it helps prolong the inevitable appearance of shine on my nose a little. 

Out of the two, I definitely think the Kiko moisturizer is the winner, and will probably repurchase it when I run out.

Let me know what some of your summertime skincare essentials are, I'd love to read!

5 PRODUCT FACE

Although I love having my me time and applying makeup in the morning, sometimes I want a more minimal look that doesn't call for a lot of products or time. On a day where I'm rushing, don't feel like having stuff on my face, this is what I usually go for:

1. Undereye concealer

I'm not the kind of person that stays up late at all. I'm usually in bed by 10/11 and asleep by 12. For some reason though, I have really dark under eyes that no amount of sleep or hydration can fix. This can easily make me look tired/sick when I'm not so i usually like to cover those babies up. My current favorite product for this is the Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer (£7.99). It's light, doesn't crease, and has good coverage - all the things I look for. I also dot it between/around my eyebrows and down my nose as that's where I get redness. Another favorite of mine is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22.00), but I've run out and I'm trying to use up other ones I have around to justify my repurchase.

2. Brows

I feel (as a lot of people do) that my face looks odd if I have any kind of makeup on with no brows. Mine aren't super sparse or thin or anything, but they're quite patchy so when I'm going for a natural look I like to fill them in with a light powder to make them full but natural. This means I go for non other than my Anastasia Brow Duo (£17.00). I find a powder to work best for this as pencils or pomades can look too strong and drawn on.

3. Mascara

I love me some mascara. After lipstick, this is probably my favorite makeup product. It can seriously make you look a lot more awake and alert than you really are - something we all need in the morning. I don't have any I'm really loving right now, just alternating between what I have open to finish them up.

4. Blush

I never thought this would be in my minimal look, as although it's something I use everyday, I didn't think it essential. However, I find that a nice blush can really perk up your skin and add diminution, especially if you're looking a bit tired. With a minimal look I like to use a one with a shimmer running through it to add a nice glow to the cheeks. My go-to is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette (£56.00) as the three colors are all lovely, easy to blend and stay put.

5. Tinted balm/Sheer Lipstick/Lipgloss

My final step is always lips. No matter how minimal the look I like to have a sheer color on my lips be it from a gloss, balm or lipstick. Nothing too bright or bold though, as it can look imbalanced if the look is very minimal. Something like the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments ($22.50), Jouer Sheer Lipsticks (£18.00), or Maybelline Color Elixirs (£6.99) are great for this, but the options are endless really.

I also usually do a quick translucent powder down my T-zone to decrease oiliness throughout the day, but that's totally optional if you don't usually powder, or don't live in a super hot country like me. Let me know what some of your 5 product face essentials are, I'd love to hear.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

I'm never usually one to layer my mascaras. Most of the time I find it unnecessary as there are lots of great mascaras in the market that can give you whatever lash look you're going for, and I'm usually too lazy to add that one extra step. That being said, I have found a combo recently that I've been loving, and even thought it takes a teeny bit longer than usual, it gives me amazing lashes.

The duo I'm talking about is Max Factor's False Lash Effect Fusion Mascara (£11.99) and Soap and Glory's Thick and Fast Collagen Coat (£10.50). Both of these are very affordable drugstore mascaras that are nice on their own, but nothing special. I usually go for the max factor one when I want natural looking lashes as it's good at separation and lengthening, whereas I find the S&G one better for thick lashes. Like I said, both are good on their own but very forgettable. That is until I decided to try putting them together. I applied the Max factor one first, followed by S&G, and was I amazed. Since they both give different effects on their own, I was afraid they'd clump up together, but the complete opposite happened. One filled the 'weak spots' of the other mascara, and I had full, long, fluttery, non-clumpy lashes that didn't feel heavy on my eyes. They don't flake or smudge on me, stay put all day, and are still easy to remove with a cleanser at the end of the night.

Even if layering mascaras is not your thing, it's still not mine, I'd recommend trying out two in your stash that you think might work well together. You know what they say, sometimes two is better than one.

RECENT NON-BEAUTY FAVS

I've been loving a lot of non-beauty related things lately, so I thought I'd share some of my recent favorites with ya'll.

1. The Following and Stalker

I have always been a huge fan of the TV show The Following. When Season 3 finally started I was so excited, and I'm happy to say it's been great so far. However, with only one episode coming out each week it definitely didn't satisfy my crime/thriller/drama bug so I decided to start a new show as per the recommendation of my sister.
Stalker has one season out with 17 episodes. I started it exactly a week ago and I'm already almost done (oops). Each episode brings an creepy new case but still develops the back story in a very interesting way. I won't mention anything else as to not accidentally spoil anything, but for sure it's worth checking out.

2. Cinderella

I have never been a HUGE Cinderella fan. Yes, I watched it loads of times when I was little, but she was never my favorite disney princess. That being said, when I saw the trailer for the new live action Cinderella I may have gotten a little emotional so I knew I had to watch it. My best friend and I went earlier this week and I'm pretty sure we were more excited than all of the kids there - for the movie AND the little Frozen feature thing at the beginning. I thought Lily James did a lovely job as Cinderella. I wasn't sure about Richard Madden as the Prince first, but he definitely won me over as the movie went on, and the chemistry between them both was great. I also thought the evil step sisters did a great job and were hilarious. The one thing I didn't like though was how tight their corsets were. The moment I noticed I couldn't unsee it, they all looked so uncomfortable breathing and I'm sure the movie wouldn't have suffered if they just loosened them a bit.

3. Monument

I have a love hate issue with this app. The graphics are gorgeous and the little puzzle worlds are great, but it's over way (way way) too fast. I could've easily finished it in one sitting so it was a bit disappointing given that it's a paid app. I really hope they release some new levels (for free) soon as it really is beautiful and I'd really like to play some more.

4. Playing the piano and Singing (Separately)

Ever since I've devoted more time to music I've basically become addicted and can't not practice, play or sing something at least once a day. I always used to play around on the piano before but I never took lessons until this semester. Although it's only been a few weeks I can definitely see a huge improvement in my skills and sight reading, which of course I'm very happy about.
I also decided to step out of my comfort zone and taking private voice lessons this semester. It is very scary and different for me but I'm so glad I did. I've been in love with being part of a choir for the past year and a bit, but didn't think I had it in me to go for solo lessons. Although it's hard and definitely takes practice, I'm giving it all I have and hopefully I'll be more confident with it after a few more months.

This post was a little ramblier than I anticipated but I hope you guys found it somewhat interesting. I'd love to know things you've been loving lately, anything from shows to moments, let me know down below!

TOP 5 SPRING LIPSTICKS

Lip products, by far, are my favorite makeup items to buy and wear. There are so many options, with colors and finishes, I can never get enough. As we leave Winter and enter Spring, I tend to shift from deep berries and reds into all kinds of pinks. Here are some of my favorite picks for the upcoming months.

First, I have the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (£7.99) in the shade 10 Darling (Which may have been renamed to Cherish). Revlon do some of my favorite lip crayon formulas in all kinds of finishes, thoughI like the original ones best. This is a beautiful pinky lilac color that's a little unusual, but still very flattering to wear. If you're scared of purple lipstick but want to give it a go, I think this is a great one to start with.

Next up is another Revlon product. Their Lip Butters (£7.99) are definitely in my top five favorite lipstick formulas, as they are very comfortable and hydrating, yet pack a punch of color. I love Wild Watermelon for the Spring, and it's perfectly named as I can't find any other way to describe the color than Watermelon.

For my only more expensive option, I've chosen Mac's See Sheer (£15.50). I usually find peaches and colors a bit difficult to wear as they can wash me out, but this one lovely and compliments my skin tone well. I picked this shade up through their back to Mac program which I wrote about here.

Back to drugstore, I have this Burt's Bees lip crayon ($9.00) in Hawaiian Smolder. I got this when I was in the US because I love their lip balms, but have never seen or tried any colored ones. I'm not sure if they've made their way over to the UK yet or not, but if they have they're definitely worth a try. It feels exactly like applying one of their lip balms, but you get a nice wash of color that can be layered up to quite an opaque finish, or swept on to stay sheer. Of course, the one I picked up is a nice everyday pink, but i definitely need to get my hands on some more colors.

Finally I have a gorgeous bright pink Maybelline Color Elixir (£6.99) in the color Hibiscus Haven. I'm not the biggest lipgloss fan, but recently I've been loving this formula. It's super pigmented and hydrating, and leaves behind a wash of color once the gloss has faded. It's quite thick, which I don't mind as it increases the longevity, and has a really nice doe foot applicator. I definitely recommend picking up one of these colors even if you're not a lipgloss lover.

Let me know what some of you're favorite lip products are for Spring in the comments below!

ONE WASH WONDER

         I think eyeshadows are slightly addictive. I mean, who am I kidding, makeup in general is addictive - but there's something about eyeshadow and when you start wearing it on a regular basis, you kind of don't want to go without it. That being said, I've managed to keep my eyeshadow collection in check and I don't have TOO many lying around, and those that I do have are in palette form. I only own two single eyeshadows, and they're both from Rimmel. I'm generally not a huge fan of drugstore eyeshadows as the formulas can be very chalky and hard to work with, especially if you're a n00b like me, however I find the Rimmel ones to be quite good, especially if you're just starting out.

         Rimmel's Smokey Quartz (£4.49) was one of the first eyeshadows I ever bought, and it's still one I use regularly. It's a beautiful bronze with a taupe shimmer running through it that's perfect for everyday. The shimmer isn't too chunky, and I think the color will look great on both warmer and cooler skin tones. I also find that it's one of those eyeshadows that kind changes color a bit as you blend it, so I don't need to add anything in the crease as it defines itself. I love using this when I don't want to think too much about my eyeshadow but still want something there. I can't wear any eyeshadows (at all) without a primer since my eyelids are an oily mess, so I can't attest to it's wear time without, but with a primer it lasts all day on me. I also like to layer it over the Maybelline 24hr color tattoo in Bad to the Bronze/On and On Bronze to add a bit more oomph to the color. Just blend some brown eyeliner into the lashes, add tons of mascara, and there you go a quick and easy eye look.

Let me know what some of your favorite one wash wonders are, or what your favorite drugstore brands are for eyeshadow :)

LOVING LATELY #1

So I realize I haven't done any favorites on my blog so far, but given that I'm only posting once a week at the moment I don't think monthly favorites will be a thing. That being said, I do want to share some of the things i've been loving over the past few months.

BEAUTY

I have been obsessed with the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (£9.99). I have the shade 54 Beige and I think it's a good match for me, but maybe a teeny bit too dark. I  wanted to pick up 53 Light Beige, but they didn't have it in stock, so next time I'll see if I can get that and hopefully it'll be a better match. I've also been liking the Kiko foundation I mentioned in my last post. I do get a bit shiny when I wear it, but I think it's because I've been using a very hydrating moisturizer in the mornings, so I'm going to switch to a less intense one and see how it goes.

Ever since I started really using my Lorac Pro ($42.00) palette 3 weeks ago, I haven't picked up any other eyeshadow since. The colors are neutral, but still so beautiful and diverse that you can create many different looks with it. They blend like a dream and I just can't get enough. Some of my favorite combos are Pewter all over the lid with Mauve in the crease, or Lt. Bornze all over with Taupe in the crease - both with Nude as an inner corner highlight - beautiful! I definitely understand the hype around this palette.

Next we have brows. I'm never exclusively a powder/pencil/pomade kind of gal as I rotate between them frequently, and will switch it up depending on the kind of look I'm going for. Over the past few weeks I have definitely been reaching for my Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown (£17.00) over the others as it's so quick and easy to use, especially when you're overdue for an eyebrow threading.

The final makeup product I've been reaching for a lot is the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Berry ($22.50). It's very nourishing and comfortable to wear, and gives enough color to make it look like you have something on. It's definitely going to be a handbag staple for a while.
The last two beauty related items I've been obsessed with are the Kiko Nail Lacquer in 511 Metallic Mercury Purple (£3.90) which lasts a good week with minimal chipping (score!) and the It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product ($18.00) which tames frizz and keeps my curly hair super soft.

NON BEAUTY

This may seem very random, but my two non beauty items that I've been obsessed with lately are a pair of sport leggings, and some Quay sunglasses. I got these leggings from adidas a couple of months ago (can't find a link to them online) but I love the bright colors and they're super comfortable. Also, the print doesn't stretch out when you wear them which is a big plus in my book. They also came in a blue/green color which I want to keep an eye out for because the fit is just so nice.

Finally, my last favorite are these White Quay Invador Cat-Eye Sunglasses (£27.00). They're so cute and funky without being over the top, and I get compliments whenever I wear them. They're also quite inexpensive for relatively good quality, and in general I think Quay make awesome sunglasses.

Let me know some of the things you've been loving lately in the comments below, I'd love to hear. x

KIKO HAUL + REVIEW

While I was in Barcelona last week, I stumbled across a Kiko store. And of course being my makeup obsessed self, along with four other girls, we had to stop and take a look around (twice). I tried my best to resist the urge to swatch and buy everything, but still came out with a good range of products.

The main thing I wanted to look at going in was their Universal Fit Hydrating Foundation (£6.90). After hearing Lily Pebbles rave about it so much I wanted to try it out myself. I'm glad to say I was not disappointed. I usually have trouble finding foundations with the right undertones in the drug store (I'm quite yellow/olive), but I tried the color 06 Creamy Beige which turned out to be a perfect match for me. I have been wearing it everyday since and I can't get enough. It's light, but covers enough, and doesn't over greasify my combination skin. All of that AND it's inexpensive price? I don't know what could be better.

After perusing around the store I found a few more bits and bobs I wanted to try out. I REALLY wanted their Ace of Diamonds lipstick in the shade 27, but they didn't carry that line, so I opted for their Luscious Cream Creamy Lipstick (£6.90) in 515 Orchid instead. It's a lovely purply pink mauve shade that's very comfortable to wear. Next I got two of their Generation Next Crystal Eyeliners (£6.90) in 02 Technological Brown and 05 Hefty Sapphire. They swatched so vibrantly and all the colors were so beautiful I had to restrain myself to two only. I also took a look at their skincare range and was intrigued by their Mat Fluid Moisturiser (£11.90) so I picked one up to give it a go.

The next day we went into the store again as some of my friends wanted a few more things, so although I wasn't planning it I made a few more purchases. What caught my eye was something I'd missed the first time around - their colored mascaras range. They looked SO vibrant, and I've been on the hunt for a blue one after seeing a specific makeup look, so I got one Super Color Mascara (£5.90) in 07 Sky Blue. It's one of the only mascaras i've tried that's actually true to color once applied - so if you have dark hair like me and want a color that shows up, I definitely suggest giving these a go. And finally, I picked up two of their Nail Lacquers (3.90). I've been like a magpie to shiny things recently, especially when it comes to nailpolishes, so naturally the two I picked up are 511 Metallic Mercury Purple, and 530 Pearly Blue Peacock. I have yet to try them, but my friend has and she says they last a good week without chipping.

Let me know what you've tried from Kiko, and your opinions on their products in general, I'd love to read.

NINETIES NUDE LIP

Maybelline Lip Liner in Velvet Beige (£3.99)
Wet'n'Wild Lipstick in Think Pink (£2.30)

As you all may have noticed, the whole 90s nude lip has been a big thing lately thanks to celebs like Kylie Jenner. If you've been trying to find your perfect shade but have had no luck, or don't want to splurge on a Mac lippy, I may have found the solution for you. Ultimately, nude's can be more on the pink, brown, or concealer-y side depending on personal preference and what you think suits your skin tone more. 

I found my perfect 90s combo by mixing a more browny nude lip liner, with a pale pink lipstick. I wasn't trying to find this combo in particular, but on my last trip to the US I bought this Wet'n'Wild lipstick thinking it would be a nice light pink shade, but it ended up looking WAY too pale and weird on me. Instead of throwing it away, I rummaged through my stash to see what I could mix it with to tone down the pale-ness, when I saw that Maybelline lip liner and thought I'd give it a go. Lo and behold I found my perfect nude lip. 

I usually fill in my whole lip with the liner, then go on top with the lipstick, and then blend it out with my fingers a bit. Both formulas are quite matte, but still quite creamy to apply and comfortable to wear. What I love about this is it's totally customizable. You can apply more of the browny lip liner, or more of the pinky lipstick depending on what you're feeling that day.

I'd love to know if any of you guys try out this combo, or if you've found another color or combo that works for you.

WHAT'S IN MY TRAVEL MAKEUP BAG

I'm heading off to Spain for 5 nights with my Uni, so I thought I'd show you guys what I'll be packing in my travel makeup bag in the hopes that I won't overpack. These are some of my favorites blog posts/videos to read/watch probably because I'm just a little nosy. But anyway, here's what I'm taking.

BASE

As Spain is quite cold at the moment, and my combo skin tends to get more dry bits in the winter, I'm taking one of my favorite hydrating-but-not-greasy bases with me - the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (£9.99). I have the shade 54 as 53 was sold out, so it's a tad darker than my color, but with some blending it looks fine. To go along with that, I'm taking my Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer for under my eyes (£7.99), and the MUFE Full Cover Concealer (£21.00) incase any pesky spots come up. To set all of that down, I'm taking my favorite Soap & Glory's One Heck of a Blot powder (£12.00). I also popped in my mini Benefit Porefessional sample for a primer.

FACE 

I don't wear any bronzer on a daily basis, so I skipped that product, however I do like to give my face some shape with a bit of contour. For that I'm taking the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow (£49.00) which I'm still 'borrowing' from my mom (She hasn't asked for it back yet - shhh). The contour and highlight shades are both gorgeous, as I'm sure you've already heard from every other blogger who's raved about it since it's release. For blush I was going to take my beloved Sleek Pomegranate, but it is quite a strong color, so I opted for a more my more natural Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Blushing Bride (£17.00), which I've only bought recently and need to start using some more. 

EYES

For eyes I wanted to take a thin palette that I can use for any type of look, so of course i opted for the Lorac Pro Palette (£28.00). I've only used it a few times since purchasing it in December, but the colors are so blendable and lovely I'm sure i'll be addicted to it after this trip. Along with eyeshadow, I'm taking my Kat Von D  Tattoo liner (£13.00) which is a dream to work with, a black Topshop Kohl for tight lining (£4.00), and the Tarte Gifted Mascara (£14.00). And of course not to forget my beloved Anastasia Brow Wiz (£15.50) to fill in those sparse areas. It's so skinny and perfect for travel. 

LIPS

My favorite category. I always find this impossibly hard to narrow down and end up taking WAY too many options, but I got it down to 3 this time. First my Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey (£7.99) which is a lovely everyday shade. Second, another Revlon Balm Stain in the Matte formula in the shade Shameless for a dark lip option, and finally Topshop's appropriately named Red Lippy (£8.00) for, you guessed it, a red option. I also popped in the Mac lip liner in Cherry (£12.50) as the Topshop lipstick can be a bit slippy and hard to apply neatly. 

I'm sorry a lot of these products can only be found in the US, but I picked up a lot of new stuff when I was on holiday and I'm still excited to be using them all. I hope you enjoyed having a look through my makeup bag, I'd love to know what are some of your essential travel makeup items.

CREAM ON

I'm not usually one to go for glow enhancing products, as I have combo skin and things can sometimes look a bit TOO shiny. However, I do have a few cream products that I love but don't get enough use out of, so I thought I'd share them with you as I try to include them into my makeup routine more.

1. Cream Blushes

To be honest, before trying out cream blushes, I thought I'd HATE them. In my mind they were these slippery products that wouldn't last more than an hour or two on my skin. However, after making my first purchase I'm glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The two I love are: Topshop's Head Over Heels (£7.00), a lovely coral color that has a cream to powder finish (I know that can sound like a weird concept, but believe me if you swatch this you'll understand; and & Other Stories' True Bias Fuschia (£12.00), a gorgeous bright pink that instantly wakes up your face without having any glitter in it - although this one is definitely more of a true cream finish. Both are swatched below, both full on and blended out.

Left to Right: Watt's Up, Head Over Heels, True Bias Fuschia 

2. Cream Highlighters

I never used any kind of highlighters before this past year, let alone CREAM highlighters. However, ever since getting into them I often find that my makeup look is missing that last step without some sheen on my (non existent) cheekbones. While I was in the US I used some Sephora points on a mini sample size of Benefit's Watt's Up (£24.50) to see what all the hype is about, and I'm am so glad that i did. It blends out beautifully and gives such a glow to the face, i caught myself doing a double take at the mirror to admire the effect it gave. If you haven't tried any cream highlighters before, i'd definitely recommend checking this out, and since you only need a tiny bit at a time it's well worth the price.

I'd love to hear what are some of your favorite glow enhancing products for your skin types, and whether you think I should check anything out.

MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE

I LOVE skincare. If I went back in time and told my 13 year-old self this, she'd laugh at me. I used to dread doing a skincare routine when i was younger. I had pretty bad acne and wanted it gone, but didn't want to put in the effort of actually sticking to a routine for more than a few days. That all changed when i started using Murad products and they completely saved my skin. That, and starting to actually use makeup on a regular basis made me feel like I should actually put more effort into taking care of my skin. 

Flash forward to now and my skin has been pretty well behaved for the past year or two, mainly because i love having a routine now. I literally can not go to bed without doing all my steps, even if I'm falling asleep while doing them, they will be done. Today, however, I will be sharing my morning skincare routine. My night one is not all that different, but there are some extra steps and a few different products, so let me know if you'd like to see that too.

1. Cleanse

I like to use a gel cleanser in the morning as my skin loves gels, and I feel like it's really refreshing. I am currently using this Clean & Clear deep Action Gel Cleanser (£7.22) which I don't LOVE, but it's doing the job. I think i prefer there Morning Energy Shine Control wash though.

2. Tone

Surprise, surprise, this step features nothing other than my beloved Pixi toner. This has seriously done wonders to my skin, I can't go a day without it (probably from paranoia, but shh). I'm not going to go on about it too much as this already has a whole post dedicated to it which you can check out here.

3. Serum/Cream/Treatment

I don't think I've had anything as effective at keeping my spots at bay than La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (£15.50). It basically stops me from getting any major breakout, and helps heal the little hormonal ones that slip through. I also think it helps reduce my oily t-zone and reduce scarring, while remaining totally non-drying. It's basically a miracle working product, and if you only want to use one treatment, you should go for this.

PS. I used to use Peptabright as a step before this to help fade acne scars, but most of my old ones have gone now, and with La Roche I haven't gotten any new major scars that I need to take care of. And my skin scars easily.

4. Moisturize

My final step is of course, to moisturize. I'm currently using Lush Vanishing Cream (£18.75) and I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand it smells amazing, and sinks into my skin REALLY fast, which I love for a morning moisturizer. However, since i have combo skin i don't feel like it's enough for my dry bits, and it doesn't seem to help with preventing my oily nose from appearing a few hours into the day. I'm almost done using it up now, and will switch to trying the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, although i'm not sure if it'll be too rich to use as a daytime moisturizer. I shall see and let you know how i get on with it.

Of course, i also add SPF if i'm not going to be wearing a foundation that has one. Gotta keep the skin protected from the sun!

Let me know what your routine is like, and if you recommend any products for combo skin x