FOTD: Bronzed & YSL Touche Eclat Foundation

sorry, I'm lacking a plain wall with good enough lighting!

Despite my ridiculously bad hair day, I decided today I would stop hiding from the camera and do a FOTD. This has pretty much been my go to look during the day, I do like changing up my bronzer, but I've not parted way with my bronzed lids. Please excuse my tired eyes, I'm still getting used to getting up at 7.30 every morning! I'm also testing out the new YSL Foundation, which I am really enjoying, but as you can probably tell it's not quite warm enough for me. I should really learn to be more forceful when getting samples, neutral undertones don't work for me!

What's On My Face

Base

Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation (B50)

applied with Sigma F80

Bare Minerals Original (Golden Medium)

not pictured, applied lightly with MAC 188

Chanel Loose Powder (Poudre Universelle Libre)

I did find the foundation left me a little too shiney for my liking, so a light dusting was needed.

Undereyes

Laura Mercier Undereye Rerfector (review here)

Dior Diorskin Sculpt Concealor (002)

YSL Touche Eclate (1)

Eyes

Maybelline Colour Tattoo On & On Bronze

Empro Felt Liner

Lancome Hypnose (waterproof)

Cheeks

NARS Luster

Lips

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Pinky Beige

which I layered over:

MAC Creme d'Nude 

Let's hope taking photos of myself becomes easier, and a little less awkward!

Any of your favourites amongst the products I used?

Nic xxx

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Mini MAC & Drugstore Haul

I don't know why but I seem to think birthday's are an excused to 'treat myself'. So I've spent quite a bit of money over the last few weeks, probably didn't help that my birthday also meant the end of my eyeshadow ban, and I've gone a little over the top, buying another 4 eyeshadows after treating myself to Burberry's Midnight Brown. But I could justify it, as 3 of them have survived a long wish list that has been whittled away.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo On & On Bronze

When these were released I knew I had to get my hands on this shade, so I waited patiently until my eyeshadow ban was over, and then immediately purchased it. I definitely haven't been let down. It's a gorgeous bronze (duh) that is beautifully pigmented and has been the perfect product to slap on, and blends well using just my fingers. Ideal when you need to get ready for work in a rush, especially when you tend to sleep through your alarm like I do!

Urban Decay All Nighter XL

 This was a complete spur of the moment purchase, and with my fix+ nearly run out I decided to pick one of these up, and managed to let the sales girl convince me to buy the bigger one. I have read great things about this setting spray so I'm hoping it impresses me. I keep forgetting to use it though, so once I've given it a proper test I will review it!

MAC Studio Fix Powder NC35

The liquid version has been a dear companion to me for many years now, and after Yu telling me how much she liked it, I decided to just go for it. The coverage is probably a little to light for me when I apply it using a normal powder brush, but I am looking forward to playing around with it, which I haven't had the chance to yet. Bear in mind, the colours of the powder don't correspond to the liquid version, so you you might have to go up a shade or three!!

MAC Club Eyeshadow

These two MAC shades have been carefully selected to fill my final two remaining spaces in my palettes (I have one neutral and one colour). I absolutely looove Club, and can't believe it's taken me so long to buy it. It's an amazing duochrome colour, that changes depending what light it's in. It's got great depth to it, and it looks great paired with goldy/brown shades as a base. Can't wait to experiment a bit more with it.

MAC Patina Eyeshadow

This is also a unique colour, although it has a fairly neutral browny base, it's got hints of pink, gold and purple to it. I think this is the sort of colour that will change depending on who is wearing it, which makes it a lot more complex and special that it might initially seems in the pan.

Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow Eternal Sunshine

My local Boots has a pretty small selection of these pressed eyeshadows, and I sort of grabbed this on a post-ban high, and then wished I had gone for the silvery one. But I am glad that I got this, it's super pigmented so you need to be careful it doesn't come out too yellow. But when you blend this softly and pair it with a bronze you get a beautiful golden/bronze smokey eye. 

Maybelline Ceramic Blue Nail Varnish

This was definitely influenced by Essie Button, and I'm a sucker for pastel shades any. Really love it, it's even got the most subtle shimmer/irridenscence running through it. Definitely one to look out for! I got so many compliments when I wore it. aOnce I soak off my gel I'll be doing a NOTD, it's such a beautiful colour and I think it would suit a lot of different skin tones.

I should really put down my debit card, but payday is so soon! Arghhh.

Any recent new purchases you're loving? 

Please so send me your links, as I'm looking for some new blogs to read. :)

Nic xxx

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Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow: Midnight Brown

Hellooo!

Wow, a full time job has really left me little time to get my blog on. I feel really annoyed at myself, yet I'm not ready to give up. I am going make sure I dedicated time to get at least a couple posts up a week. So starting off my new commitment is a very special birthday purchase, which also marks the end of my 6 month eyeshadow ban. Yaaay!

This has been on my lust list for months, I've read so many reviews, watched videos, looked at countless photos.. .call it an obsession if you must. Pale Barley and Midnight Brown were in tough competition, and I decided to go for the brown instead, as it stood out a little more to me when I was at the counter. I had a mini-make over and just loved the effect. I was a little let down by Pale Barley, and it wasn't until I was outside in the normal light that I really appreciated how beautiful it was, and what a great pair the two made. So I will definitely be going back for it!

Despite being labelled as 'sheer' eyeshadows, I can tell you there is absolutely nothing sheer about this range. Midnight Brown is beautifully pigmented, buttery smooth with a slight shimmer shimmer and blends like a dream. This hands down, is the most impressed I've been with an eyeshadow. It's everything you want and more. I honestly feel like rushing out and buying the whole collection.. and there are some more gorgeous options coming out with the autumn collection! Although at £23 each, this could be a very silly decision (although totally worth it!!).

                            

Everything about this product is beautiful; the feel of the sturdy, adorned casing, the embedded patterns, its velour case, the magnetic clip. I could honestly go on and on about this.. over a freakin' eyeshadow!! To summarise, I am in love. And I urge you all to go find your nearest counter, (selected John Lewis & Harrods) and have a swatch, get a make over, and fall in love like I did. They really are as good as everyone says they are.

Nic xxx

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My Holiday Make Up

I've been back from Barcelona for two weeks now, I had such a lovely time and am seriously missing the food. We ate like crazy people, you can find some of the photos from my trip on instagram (@nic704) if you fancy having a nosey.

This post isn't a full on 'whats in my travel make-up bag' because it would be far too long, and I've planned some full reviews for the other items I haven't included. There's a few new products included as well which I haven't used long enough to review individually.

MAC Fix+

Honestly, I don't think this helps extend the length of your make-up,  but it's refreshing, helps you to stop looking too powdery, and helps your make up look more natural. I  use it set my eye make-up, or when I need to foil any eyeshadows. 

NARS Luster

 I am absolutely loving this blusher, adds the perfect bit of colour to your cheeks, leaving a slightly sun kissed glow. Only problem I have with it, is that there is a lot of fall out, which upsets me as I feel like I'm blowing half my product away with each brush swipe. I have two other NARS blushers, and not had this problem, so either it's just Luster, or I've got a dodgy one.

Paco Rabanne Lady Million

I am obsessed with this scent, it's fresh, feminine, lasts ages, & makes me feel so summery. 

Korres Milk Bar Soap (for stressed skin).

 This little bar actually does a pretty good job of removing my foundation, it's completely paraben and chemical free and I feel good using it. As of the last two weeks, I haven't really used anything else to cleanse and my skin seems to be reacting really well to it, ie. it's clearing up.

Korres Lip Butter Quince

I don't know why it took me so long to pick up one of these up, love the way it feels on my lips, the colour pay off is pretty impressive too. Especially great on holiday, when you can't be bothered with lipstick, and just want something to slap on!

YSL Volupté Sheer Candy No10 Tangy Mandrine

I bought this just after Christmas, (not sure why I've not blogged about it yet). While it may just be an overpriced, non-moisturizing tinted balm (it's not drying though), the packaging is beautiful, the smell is amazing and I am in love with the orange stain is leaves behind. It goes on glossy, but that doesn't last too long, but the colour sticks around for ages, and on me that is impressive stuff. It's so light weight as well, it's like you're not wearing anything. It's the perfect thing to slap on while on holiday, or even on nights out when you can quickly apply it and forget about it. I don't think all the other colours from this range have a good colour pay off, so it's worth swatching or trying on in store.

L'oreal Telescopic Mascara (Waterproof)

This is hands down the best waterproof mascara I've found, it's also my every day mascara, and while I'm not 100% sold on the way it makes me lashes look, long but lacking body/thickness,  it hold a curl like crazy, and there is zero smudging, or flaking.

Garnier Caffiene Roll-On

While I don't really thinking anything will 100% take away my dark circles, this was on special just after I finished my exams, and I thought I might as well pick it up and try it out. I love how good the roller ball feels first thing in the morning, and I think it's worth it for just the cooling effect, especially seeing as I paid just over £5 for it.

MAC Cream Colour Base Hush

I have become a little obsessed with highlighters lately, and Hush is my most recent addition. This purchase was influenced by Kelly's (a blog of vain pleasures) post on her highlighter collection (which I am majorly envious of). So after my last exam I popped to MAC with a £5 on my Debenham's card and picked it up. I really love it, and am looking forward to getting a tan as think it will look even better when I have one. You can see a great swatch of it on Kelly's post here.

Chanel Tan de Soliel/ Bronze Universel

I didn't end up using this, but my love is still going strong for it over a year. I think it's because I don't use it too often, so when I do I really enjoy it. I sometimes use it as an over all base under my foundation, or use it lightly to contour when I've got a bit of a tan.


Phew, sorry that was a long one! In other news, I've started work today, as in full time, job for life. So scary knowing I'm not going back to Uni in September. But more importantly it's my birthday in two days and I'm sooo excited!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. And as usual if you wanna know any more detail on anything mentioned feel free to ask away.

Nic xxx

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Review: Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil

I am ridiculously happy I took Yu's advise and bought this. As you can see it's been well used, and I do use it pretty much every night. I honestly started to see and feel results with the first week of using it.  Not only does it help to fade red pigmentation, but it also helps to calm my skin if I do I have any any flare ups. I use this at night only, as although it does sink in pretty well, I do still find it a bit heavy under my make up in the morning. 

I probably started off using too many drops, as I felt like because it does sink in, I almost felt like it wasn't doing it's job. But even when I use it as Clarin's direct, which is on a face still damp from toner, using 3-4 drops (which I put onto my palm and then press them together) and then dab it onto your skin, the results are just as good. (If I have a particularly dry patch, I tend to use a teeny bit extra oil and rub it gently into that area.) The applicator is a pipette, so it's really easy to control how many drops you need.

I wake up in the morning with plump, healthy feeling skin. My skin tone looks more even, angry bits have calmed down and the texture of my skin feels smoother with pores looking tightened. This is actually miracle stuff. My mom borrowed some one night, and could't get over how much better it make her skin feel. 

What Clarins say: This best-selling oil contains extracts of Rosewood, Patchouli, and Blue Orchid to tone, revitalise and restore radiance to moisture-depleted skin. Hazelnut oil helps to prevent moisture loss and the formation of find lines.

I 110% recommend this to anyone (no matter what your skin issues are, or aren't!), there are three different choices so you can find one to suit your skin type.  If you're wary about committing, try asking for a little sample pot of the oil from your local counter. If you're unsure which one may be best for you, they are usually pretty happy to chat about the products and which options are best for your skin.

£29 for 30ml

Can't imagine not having this as part of my skincare routine, but I think I'm going to try and not use it every night, otherwise I'm going to go through the bottle far too quickly. The results are so addictive though!

Any other fans of the face oil? Or any other brand recommendations?

Nic xxx

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