What I've been loving lately #2

Hello all! (See there's a few new followers, so a special welcome to you, and don't be shy feel free to say hi!)

I know I've been a bit quiet on the blogging front, been back at home and we're packing up the house, looking for furniture, trying to earning some money and I'm attempting to do uni work inbetween that all, so blogging's taking a back seat. Really wanted to get a post out tonight, no matter how late it is! So without further ado, here are some products I've been loving lately.

Nars Orgasm Blush

Really been enjoying this when I want a bit of sheen in the cheeks during the day, for nights out I just build it up a bit more. Great shade with a big following and it really hasn't disappointed! You can see me wearing it on an older post here.

Chanel Pourdre Universelle Libre (Loose Powder) 30 Naturel

I've had this for a while now, and don't know why I haven't mentioned yet, I guess because wear mostly matte foundations I don't wear this all the time. Things have changed since picking up Healthy Mix I needed something to set it and remove the slightly dewy finish. This product is amazing, helps me stay matte, doesn't feel heavy or go cakey, has light reflecting properties that help to blur pores and give a smooth appearance. I also use it with my Illamasqua Rich Liquid for nights out, and I find it photographs quite well.

Bourjois Healthy Mix 53

A great, light weight foundation for days I'm not doing too much. It doesn't last as well as the claims, but it's nice enough and smells amazing. Find it leans a little pink for me, but I dust some Bare Minerals over it just to warm it up a bit.

LUSH Ocean Salt Facial Scrub

This stuff is amazing! It looks really scary in the pot, but once you add a bit of water the salt crystals dissolve as you exfoliate leaving you with quite a creamy scrub, and oooh my days, the way your skin feels afterwards is insane. I've never felt my face feel so soft before. I use it a couple times a week, it's really great. Definitely pick up a sample if you can.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Like so many others, I have totally fallen for this brush. Really makes applying foundation a breeze, and I find it works really well for a variety of foundations, I do find if I want a bit heavier coverage I still opt for my F80.

Laura Mercier Under Eye Perfector Orange/Yellow

See my full review here. Really loving this, and it really does work great when I mix it in with my foundation. 

MAC Pinch O Peach Blush (Sheertone)

Picked this up from Seanna's blog sale towards the end of Feb (she's still got a few bits left so check it out! Quite a few MAC eyeshadows. link), and have really been loving it! The name is really misleading, as I don't detect any peach at all, not even a pinch, but it's a great pink shade that adds dimension and colour to my face. It's really buildable, and despite being a sheertone it's got great pigmentation.

Rimmel Nude Delight Lipstick

A personal fav of Yu, and with simliar skin tones, I thought this would suit me. It comes with me everywhere! Perfect nude lip, can slap it on without too much thought.

MAC Fanfare (Creamsheen)

This has been my go to colour when I want something a little brighter on my lips during the day. You can see the swatch here.

LUSH Big Shampoo (not pictured)

I totally forgot to include a photo, but I've actually only got a sample pot so it's a small black one, not much to see. This honestly is the first shampoo that I've used that makes a noticeable difference to the  volume of my hair. I thought I was seeing things, so switched back to another shampoo and low and behold my hair was sitting flat on my scalp. Definitely going to buy a full size! My sample was quite sizeable so it's lasted me a good few weeks!

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Daily Treatment Conditioner (not pictured)
I looooove this conditioner. It really works for me, and the reasoning it's a current favourite is because I actually left my one at home, so when I was at uni I was finishing up some others, so when I was reunited with it for the last 2 weeks of March I remember how I loved it. The ends of my hair look fresher for longer and smells amazing. I only apply it right to the ends- it's really great and I will definitely be purchasing my 4 bottle soon!

I love seeing favourite posts, and I've really enjoyed writing this! I don't do monthly ones because often it's the same things, so it would be incredibly boring to read. So hopefully you'll enjoy this, although they're a bit more scarce. Happy Belated Easter to all :)

Nic xxx

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What I've been loving lately #1

After multiple attempts at the awkward first post, I've decided to jump straight in and have a bit of a round up (which you might have figured out from the glaringly obvious title).

Face

No 7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

This was an absolute surprise for me- armed with No 7 Vouchers last month I decided to take a gamble. It seemed to promise everything I want from a foundation- shine free, long wearing and full coverage, and it really delivered.

MAC Trace Gold Sheertone Shimmer Blush

I bought this at the beginning of August and have worn it pretty much everyday. On my skin tone (somewhere between at NC25-30) it has a gorgeous subtle colour which really helps to brighten my face. Great for every day use.

NARS Laguna

Do I need to say much about this? I don't really use bronzer during the day, but find this great for contouring in the evenings.

Eyes

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

I use Painterly as a primer- helps my eyeshadow to last all day and is great for neutralising my eyelids which can be slightly red first things in the morning.

MAC Woodwinked E/S

Lately I've been applying this all over my eyelids and smudging some Badgal liner along the lash line and I'm good to go!

Benefit Waterproof Badgal EyeLiner

I usually have a problem with my eyeliner ending up all smudged under my eyes- even when applied to the upper lashline only- but not with this. About 6 months ago I tried out my moms and I was sold. I'm so impressed with it, at £14 it's not the cheapest option but so worth it in my opinion. 

Hair

LUSH Solid Shampoo- Jumping Juniper

Love how much this lathers and really makes my hair and scalp feel super clean.  Perfect!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment

Leaves my hair feeling so soft, and the smell is deeeevine and really lasts all day.

Macadamia Oil- Healing Oil Therapy

Received this as a birthday present in July, it pretty much does the same as all oil treatments which are around at the moment, but I have found I've reached for this over my VO5 one- I love the smell, and the way it makes my hair feels. My ends usually look very dried out on the second day after I've washed my hair, but I've not noticed this much since I've been using it.

Skin Care

Origins Clear Improvements Charcoal Face Mask

I usually suffer from quite a shiny T-Zone, especially during the Summer months but  I've been using this 1-2 times a week and found these has really helped. My skin really does feel great after using- although I haven't noticed that it's helped with decongestion much but worth it for it's mattifying effect. Pricey but I've had it for over 2 months and I can't even notice much missing from the tube.

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask

Smells of blueberries and really has a great calming effect on my skin, perfect for reducing inflammation and redness.

Before I end this mega post, I would like to give Yu from Let's Make Yu Up a big hello. If any one but her ever reads this, and hasn't read her blog they should definitely head on over. She is so lovely and uber friendly and really helped give me a bit of a push in starting this blog as well as  answering a lot of questions! So thanks a lot for all your help Yu.

And just to give you a bit of an insight into my obsession here is a photo of the make up I recently took with me for a three day trip to Vegas (apparently I have an inability to pack lightly).

Photo courtesy of my beautiful friend Olivia.

Nic xx

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