These are a few of my favourite things..

Hello all! Hope you're having a fab new year. Any New Years Resolutions? Mine, as usual, have gone to pot (don't know why i bother!). I'm just going to focus on being happy and passing these bloody exams.

I was so undecided on whether to do a 2012 Favourites, i love reading them myself but, i'm not one to constantly use something. I swap and change my products every two seconds so trying to find favourites for the majority of a year was too hard. So here a just a few things i have been loving (some for longer than others)..

Makeup

MAC Eyeshadow Palette - i first started this last christmas and continued building it up in 2012 until i finally finished it! I absolutely adore this little collection of eyeshadows, there is a wide range of colours (all of which i love). I love grabbing it and having lots of lovely, good quality eyeshadows all in one place. And despite there being 15 eyeshadows it isn't too bad for travelling.

Real Techniques Brushes - I have only pictured the Stippling Brush here but i also have the Core Collection which i absolutely adore. I rarely use any other brushes since i got these. Affordable, amazing quality, easy to wash, easy to use, the list goes on..

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil - this has been the only thing i have used on my brows throughout 2012, i think i have found a new favourite now but nevertheless this is the perfect colour, easy to carry around and easy to apply. I simply use it in little stoke motions to fill in my brows and they instantly look miles better. It lasts all day too.

Nars 'Casino' Bronzer - This must be the darkest bronzer i've ever used, which personally is great for my tanned skin as it makes the most perfect contour. I regularly reach for this despite having other bronzers i cant help myself. It just does everything it's supposed to do.

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Powder - A favourite for years. I did neglect this for quite a while but i can't help but love the way it sets my makeup without adding lots of coverage or looking cakey. It simply mattes the skin whilst still looking very natural. You could apply lots of this without it going cakey so i usually always have this in my handbag for touch ups.

Avon SuperShock Eyeliner - i love the SuperShock mascara for Avon so i obviously had to try this, it has the most amazing pigmentation (i have never used an eyeliner so black!) This is perfect for a night out and smokey eyes. Its so soft and creamy its perfect for smudging.

Beauty

Tresemme Hairspray - This is literally all i have used for years. Definitely a firm favourite for me. It sets the hair without leaving my hair feeling rock hard - love it.

The Body Shop Body Butter - i've pictured the Almond one here (probably my absolute favourite ever) but i also adore the Coconut and Mango ones. They're so luxurious and creamy, such a delight to put on. I find them amazing for dry skin without being too sticky and the scent is so strong to leave me feeling fab. I apply these every single day.

Juicy Couture Perfume - The scent of 2012 for me and i've had it once before. I find it's such a lovely, strong but not overpowering scent. It's not very floral or fruity like the ones i usually go for it's a bit more mature and i love giving myself a good few spritz of this before i go anywhere.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel - If i had to recommend any moisturiser for combination/oily skin, this would be it. Its so light and cooling yet gives enough moisture without being too much. Perfect, enough said.

Natural Collection Body Spray - Definitely a little bargain at £2 and definitely something i have been reaching for a lot last year. They're perfect on a day-to-day basis for making you smell gorgeous in a subtle way.

MAC Fix+ - Not something i use everyday but definitely comes in very handy for nights out or more dramatic makeup looks. I use this on my eyeshadow brush to make my eyeshadows appear more pigmented and bright, it also makes the shimmer/glitter stand out more. I also spray it onto my face when i've done all my makeup to help it look less full/cakey and more natural.



Well, that was a pretty long post. Just a few of the things i grab for the most and definitely all things that i have been reaching for regularly for quite a long time.

What are you're favourite items that you reach for often?

What's in my: Holiday Makeup Bag!

Hello! The time has come and i'm finally jetting off on holiday tomorrow! I'm not flying until 11.30pm at night and i know the whole day will absolutely drag. But, i can't wait to just get away from everything for one week and relax in the sun (and do lots of shopping of course).

Makeup wise, i don't really wear it that much on my holiday! Only at nights and i end up giving up by the end of the week hahaa. It probably looks like i'm taking quite a lot of stuff but, my skin colour changes so much - i tan so easily. So at the start of the holiday i'll be pretty pale (on my face) and by the end it'll be like 5 shades darker. So a variety of shades is needed because a ghost face just isn't attractive!

All my makeup is stored in this cute little MAC makeup case from the Hello Kitty collection.

I'm trying to keep brushes to a minimal. My Real Techniques Buffing Brush is perfect for everything base wise - foundation, powder, concealer. And the Contour Brush works for bronzer and blusher and even highlighter. For eyeshadow i just have the basics an eyeshadow brush and pencil brush both from MAC, a Muji Angled Brush and a Sigma Tapered Blending brush.

For foundation i am taking three in sample size containers as i won't need a full bottle of foundation and this way i can take a few different ones. I have my Stila Tinted Moisturiser in Medium 03 which is my 'now colour', MAC MatchMaster foundation in Shade 6.0 as it's slightly to dark for my 'in-between colour' and Revlon Colorstay foundation in 330 Natural Tan as my darkest colour. I'm taking two shades of concealer - my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer in Medium for my paler nights and MAC's Pro Longwear Concealer in NW35 which is was too dark and only looks right when i'm tanned. Benefit's Hello Flawess powder in Hazelnut which is also slightly too dark. And two MUA bronzers, the new Bronzed Perfection and the original bronzer in Shade 2.

Just in case i'm in the mood for eyeshadow i'm taking my MAC 15 Palette and my MAC 'Groundwork' Paint Pot as a base! Being multi functional i'm taking my Avon Black & Brown Kajal Stick so i can choose whichever eyeliner colour i like and the brown side is perfect for my brows. The Une Skin-glow Pencil in 2.0 really brightens up the eyes and can be used as highlighter. And last but not least, a must for me, mascara. I'm taking my N.Y.C Waterproof Mascara so i can wear it in the daytime if i want but at least at night the staying power will be even better.

I've tried to keep lipsticks to a minimum (which was very, very hard!) but, i can't be bothered with topping up on holiday! So i chose my two favourite lip colours NYX 'Tea Rose' and MAC's 'Twig'. Then two colourful lipsticks which are nice, hydrating and easy to wear - Revlon Lip Butter in 'Tutti Frutti' and a MAC Lip balm in 'Popster' Hello Kitty collection 

So, this is all i'm taking, i don't think i need anymore to be honest. I think i've done pretty well with my multi-tasking, versatile products. But who knows, i might chuck some more in my hand luggage or treat myself out there ;)

Do you guys think i've done a good job at keeping things to a minimum? What are your holiday makeup essentials?! 

Makeup Monday: Lush Event!

Hello, as always on a Monday i'm showing you a FOTD! Please let me know if you like these every Monday. I'm hoping these help - i may tempt you into buying a new product or show you how to use a product you already own!

Anyway, i did a post on the Lush 'Emotional Brilliance' event i attended here it was such a good night. I love the makeup i wore this evening it's probably becoming my go-to makeup whenever i go anywhere half decent. It lasts all night long and i love the way it looks!

Face

17 Miracle Matte Primer (t-zone)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (applied with Real Technique's Pointed Foundation brush on 'problem area's - under-eye, nose, spots and blended)

Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation Powder (applied with Real Technique's Buffing brush all over the face)

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (under the eyes)

Nars 'Casino' bronzer (contour - cheekbones, nose and jawline)

No7 'Peach' Skin Illuminator (blended onto tops of cheeks and centre of nose)

Natural Collection 'Peach Melba' Blusher

Eyes

Une Skin Glow Pencil - shade G02 (applied on waterline, inner tear-duct and around eyebrows to define)

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil (colour in eyebrows)

Avon Supershock mascara & George X-tend mascara (post here)

Lips

MAC 'Please Me' lipstick.

Now i've wrote that down it does look like a lot of products.

What do you think? Do you use any of these products? What's your secret to long-lasting makeup?

Real Techniques Core Collection.

So i've succumb to the hype. I've gone and purchased some Real Techniques brushes! No surprise really considering all you beauty bloggers were tempting me with the amazing reviews.

It took me a while to purchase these, partly because of money and partly because i'd just got some Sigma brushes at christmas so, i wasn't sure if i wanted to buy anymore. But i couldn't resist. I went for the Core Collection mainly for the contour brush to be honest (i really needed a precise brush for contour). But i'll say it now, before i go into detail - I LOVE THEM ALL.

So i'm sure you've all seen them before, but they come in this little brush holder which can also be used as a stand so it's going to be perfect for travelling. The Core Collection has bright orange handles, so they stand apart from the rest! And each brush has the name printed on. Now onto the individual brushes.. 

l-r   Buffing brush, Contour brush, Detailer brush and Pointed Foundation brush.

Buffing brush - This brush is so popular and i can see why. People who have the Sigma Flat Top Kabuki (like i do) now prefer to use this one (as do i). It's such a soft, fluffy brush which just feels like a dream on the skin. I literally haven't felt a brush so smooth! It doesn't hold excess product, so you don't waste any and can be used with liquid and powder products. I use this to blend in liquid foundations, apply setting powder and buff in my Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation. It's such an all-round brush for base products and makes everything look even and flawless. 

Contour brush - Like i said i mainly bought this set for this brush. It's a small domed shape brush which makes it perfect for contouring. I use this with my Nars Casino bronzer to contour my cheekbones, under my jawline, nose and temples. It's got a pretty precise application (due to the size) but it's also perfect for blending so there are no harsh lines. A lot of people also use this to apply highlighter so it's another multi-tasking brush!

Those two brushes above are my most used brushes from the collection - i use them every single day! Now onto my least used (but still loved) brushes.. 

Pointed Foundation brush - This brush is a lot smaller than i expected it to be, its really quite precise. I use this to apply foundation in the area's i most need it (under eyes, nose, any blemishes) and then blend, before using the Buffing brush to apply Mac Mineralise Skin Finish or Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation on top. This brush applies Estee Lauder Double Wear so well and it's great for those days where you only want to cover any problem area's rather than the whole face. It's also great for applying under eye concealer. This is the only 'traditional foundation brush' i reach for nowadays. 

Last but not least the Detailer brush - This is also really tiny and precise. It's great for applying concealer to blemishes and around the nose area's as it's so small and sturdy so you can really apply it to the exact spot you need it. I don't reach for this much but it is good for precise concealer application before blending with the finger. It can also be used for precise lipstick application, especially if you're using a bold colour ,this will make it look so neat and tidy!

Anyhow, if you couldn't already tell i really do like these brushes. They are all so soft and i haven't experienced any fall out what so every (which is good as even Mac brushes shed a little!).

 So for £21.99 they are a great little purchase available from Boots.

London Haul!

So, considering i went to London for 3 days you probably think i bought loads, right? Wrong. I didn't buy masses of stuff i didn't need. On our main shopping day where we had a wonder all the way down Oxford Street, my boyfriend did the most shopping - he loved it! Whereas i didn't see too much that i liked and didn't see the point in spending all my money on rubbish i didn't really want or need.

I'd really wanted a leather jacket for absolutely ages so i knew that was definitely on my 'to by list'. Also on my list was the Real Techniques Core Collection, 17 Miracle Matte Primer and Body Shop Hand Cream. All of which made it's way to my basket! But, here is what i got...

Here are my beauty purchases (not much i'm impressed). I've already been loving the Real Techniques brushes and 17 primer with my Laura Mercier Mineral Powder and Nars bronzer (which you can see here).

Here are the jewellery purchases. The collar is from H&M - i can't take it off! Nor can i take off the silver bangle from Monki, it was a mere £3 and it slides on the wrist to look like two thin metal bangles! The other bits are from Camden Markets.

Now here are two purchases from my favourite shops in London, it was the first time i've been to either or these shops and i loved them! The lace peplum top was another Monki item, £8 in the sale which i thought was amazing as it looks great on a night out or in the day with a black vest top underneath. The grey top is from Bershka - another £8 sale item! I love the studs on the shoulders.

The playsuit is from New Look (another sale item). I was surprised this playsuit suited me as they normally don't but this looks great and i can imagine me wearing it a lot - day, night, holiday!! Jeans - boring huh? These are from New Look, similar to ones i liked from Topshop but with a cheaper price tag so i couldn't resist. I also couldn't resist these floral pants from Zara again, pants don't normally suit me (i'm more of a jean, tights and leggins girl) but these looks amazing and definitely make a statement!


Last but not least, two more Zara purchases. Zara really impressed me, i'm sure the ones in Manchester aren't as good :( I literally squealed with excitement when i found this leather jacket, it feels so soft (like real leather apparently) and the best part is.. it was only £40! Cheaper than the ones in Topshop/Miss Selfridge which don't feel as nice and cost more. I also picked up this bag for £10, i'm unsure whether to keep this as i wanted a handbag as opposed to a shoulder bag. But i do like this as it's pretty big.


So yes, that is everything i bought. I wouldn't say it was a lot but it's not exactly little either ahaa (and i did by gifts too!) I don't know, shopping wise i loved the shops we don't get in Manchester like Monki, Bershka, Liberty. I weren't that impressed with though Forever 21 unfortunately.

What do you think of shopping in London? And what are your favourite shops (i like being nosey)?