Spectrum Makeup Brushes

Thanks to Instagram I've been introduced to Spectrum Collections makeup brushes and I can honestly say I'm a tad obsessed with them. Being a huge Real Techniques fan, I've never really tried any other makeup brushes as I never thought anything could come close to RT, but I'm so pleased I decided to give Spectrum brushes a try as they are my new everyday tool of choice for applying my makeup.

I actually found it quite difficult to get my hands of any of these brushes as they sell out so quickly, that's why I was SO excited to discover that they were attending The Clothes Show, where I managed to pick myself up a few of the brushes I'd been wanting to try. 

First up is the Siren Sculpt Collection, which is Spectrum's newest release and comes with this amazing teal oil slick design - I'll admit, the way these brushes look was initially why I wanted to try them! This collection features five brushes all with the aim to help with sculpting and contouring the face; the Flat Top Buffer, Flat Top Contour, Angled Powder, Precision Blush and Large Powder. 

At first I didn't want to use these brushes due to how pretty (and clean) they looked but I quickly got over that and they are now the best brushes I've ever used I think. They are super soft and dense so perfect for the purpose of contouring and highlighting and the Flat Top Contour is a particular favourite for applying my cream contour products before buffing them in with the Flat Top Buffer. 

After picking up this set, I knew I also wanted some key core brushes and so I picked up the Dome Contour and both the Small and Large Fan brushes. The dome contour brush is described as being for the face and that's exactly what I use it for, just for for contouring. Instead I like to use this brush for blending in my concealer as it's the perfect size and shape and the brushes so soft, it doesn't budge my foundation while blending over the top. The two fan brushes I bought after discovering a love for highlighting and this highlighter in particular, I've been using the smaller size for the cupids bow and nose and the larger size for the cheekbones as I find this shape brush gives a much more natural look. 

I would highly recommend these brushes and despite them not being as readily available as brands like Real Techniques; if you can get your hands on them before they sell out, they are definitely worth it. These have replaced a lot of my older, much loved brushes and I just can't believe it took me this long to find this brand!

Have you ever tried Spectrum makeup brushes? What is your favourite brush brand?

The Perfect Barbie Manicure

When it comes to painting my nails, I like them to look perfect and the second a chip occurs, I feel like I have to change the entire thing. Of all the colours I could choose from though, pinks are definitely my favourite and I've been on the hunt for the perfect Barbie pink for some time now; most are either too pastel, too dark or just not pink enough. I have however, now found the perfect Barbie-inspired manicure for me and it's from the Nicole by OPI, Carrie Underwood collection in the shade 'Color Me Country'.

I'm a huge fan of Carrie Underwood so that is what initially drew me to this polish (and a few more from the collection), but having tried it and worn it for a week now, I can start by saying that it is nothing like it appears in the bottle. It's much more of a Barbie pink, as apposed to the deeper hue it appears in the bottle - that I am happy about though! Moving onto the formula itself, as expected with anything from OPI, including it's cheaper offering of Nicole by OPI, the formula is incredibly creamy and two coats are more than enough to achieve an opaque finish.  

As for wear time, as expected, I wore this polish for a week and found that it didn't wear or chip at all, which could have been down to the polish itself or the new (and cult favourite) top coat I'm trying out, more on that soon. I'm so happy to have finally found the perfect pink shade for me, despite seeing some reviews and it looking much more peach than pink!

I believe you can pick up these polishes at Boots/Superdrug, but I actually got mine from a local beauty outlet. Have you tried any of the polishes from the Carrie Underwood Nicole by OPI collection? Let me know your favourites!

Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' Mascara

When it comes to mascara, I’d consider myself to be very difficult to please. I’m looking for a super black formula with the ability to both add volume and length to my lashes; and surprisingly this is not easy to come by. I often find mascaras that tick several boxes but never all, so on my never-ending mascara mission, I thought I’d finally give in and buy the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and I’m so glad I did!

This is actually my first Too Faced purchase – along with another that will feature soon – and having heard mixed reviews, mostly raving ones, I was sceptical that I would finally find my holy grail mascara.

This mascara claims that it separates coats and curls each lash to voluptuous perfection and with its collagen addition, this is definitely expected. I’ve tried and tested this mascara solidly for a month and I can wholeheartedly say that it is the best mascara I’ve ever used, even rivalling my drugstore favourite, Maybelline’s Lash Sensational. It gives exactly what it claims; incredible volume and length.

The wand itself is shaped like an hourglass and the idea is that it distributes just the right amount of product evenly onto the lashes, eliminating clumping and spider lashes. The brush is on the larger side and initially this put me off as I was worried it would end up all over my lids but it’s actually super easy to apply and the shape does significantly help with this. It also has no fall out throughout the day, which is an added bonus for me. The formula is quite thick and dry, which could be off-putting but it actually helps to make the lashes appear thicker.

Now it wouldn’t be a beauty review without mentioning the packaging and, as with all too Faced products, they really have put a lot of effort into it and personally, I really like the metal tube. I know some people have complained at the weight and size but this isn’t really an issue for me and I actually think the weight helps to make application easier. And the tube is pink so what isn’t to like?

Overall, this mascara does everything that I would want and more. It lasts all day, doesn’t have any fall out and it leaves my lashes looking lengthened, defined and blacker than black. I can now declare this my holy grail mascara. That is until I find another that I love even more!

Have you tried the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara? What are your thoughts?

Dr Bronner's 18-in-1 Pure Castile Magic Soap

Of all the things to write about on a fashion and beauty blog, liquid soap is probably the most random and seemingly uninteresting of the lot but with that in mind, here I am about to rave to you about soap. Let's go...

Dr Bronner's 18-in-1 Pure Castile Magic Soap gained some serious popularity in the beauty community a while back for it's almost magical brush cleaning abilities but I never gave it a go as my scepticism set in and I didn't really believe it could be all that. Oh how I was wrong. Currently this soap is my go-to brush cleaner for when I want to give them a real deep clean and it works fantastically on all my brushes and even make-up sponges and it returns them to their (almost) original condition. 

The soap is super gentle while still being very effective and with its ingredient being pretty great and organic - coconut, hemp oil jojoba - it's an all round good'un. I will say that having smelt a few of the scents in my local T K Maxx store (it is super cheap if you can find it in yours!), I opted for the unscented baby-mild formula as I felt like the others, such as lavender and orange, may linger on my brushes and could cause irritation. 

Overall, I'm super impressed with how this soap cleans my brushes and I can definitely understand all of the rave reviews I've read. I'm yet to try it for any other purpose such as a facial cleanser or shower gel, but I'm more than happy to simply buy this for brush cleaning purposes alone! 

Have you tried any of the Dr Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soaps? What are your thoughts?

Doll White 14 Day Teeth Whitening Strips

So when it comes to teeth, I would consider my teeth to be quite straight after having braces for 3 years but I hate how discoloured (to me) they look. I think most of it is just in my head and my longing for a hollywood smile is real, despite knowing this can only be achieved through serious cosmetic procedures. That being said, I was kindly sent the 14 Day Teeth Whitening Strips from Doll White and having tried similar strip whitening products in the past, I was keen to give them a go and see what results I could achieve, especially as these are non-peroxide, so are less damaging to you teeth and gums. 

The white strips in general are pretty simple and easy to use and you are provided with 14 packets that each contain an upper and a lower strip. You are advised to brush your teeth beforehand, apply the strips and leave them on for 30 minutes without eating or drinking. Now the obvious con for me is the time and though the strips are fairly untraceable, after a while you can start to taste the gel on the strips and then do become more noticeable so I found this to be annoying at times. That being said, once the 30 minutes is up you simply peel off the strips, rinse your mouth and that's it.

I started to notice a difference at around day three and by the time the 14 days were up, my teeth were definitely the desired few shades whiter, though I do feel like the strips simply work to remove the surface stains, rather than actually whitening the teeth themselves. Now I went into this totally aware that I would never be left with a Hollywood smile but a few shades whiter was what I was looking for and I definitely achieved that with the Doll White strips. Would I recommend them? I would if your teeth just need a slight brightening but if you have serious discolouration, I'm not sure these would make a great deal of difference. *I haven't included actual images of my teeth simply because the difference wasn't really picking up on camera. 

The Doll White 14 Day Teeth Whitening Strips cost £19.99 and are available here. 

St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse

When it comes to fake tan, I'm pretty much a novice. I've dabbled in gradual tanners and tanning moisturisers but when it comes to the longer lasting tanners, usually those you have to wash off, I'm a total beginner but after craving a long lasting summer glow I finally decided to give in and give some of them a go. First up is the St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse in dark. I opted for the dark shade because if you're going to tan, why not just get the best tan shade you can - I also heard that there really isn't much difference between the medium and dark. 

So I began with the usual steps of showering, exfoliating and moisturising and then after a few hours I applied the tan using a mitt (Primark does a few cheap and cheerful options). This tan actually comes with a colour guard, which is super helpful as it makes it obvious if you've missed any spots and you can see what the tan is going to look like pretty much the second you apply it. Now when I first applied this I was a little bit shocked just how dark it actually was and this only developed over time to an even more defined tan that left me feeling slightly oompa loompa-ish. However, after the recommended 6 hours came along I washed off the top layer of tan and was left with a much more natural looking glow that looked like I've just come home from a two week beach holiday!

As for the lasting power, I applied this on a Sunday and after each shower it did start to fade slightly but overall it lasted the whole week before I noticed as slight patches around my wrists and knees. For me, applying a tan once a week isn't really an issue and if you moisturise daily and look after it you could probably even get a few more days out of it. Now as you can see from the photos, I was quite pale beforehand so anything would have been a great result but I'm actually over the moon with how this tan turned out and I think I'm forever going to be choosing tanning mousses over anything else now. Goodbye gradual tanners.

A few points to note with this tanner; it does have that slight biscuit tanning smell and although that doesn't bother me at all, I know some people find it really annoying so maybe steer clear of this if that is the case. Also, when doing your hands and feet, I'd suggest that you use the product still left on the mitt rather than another pump of product as this will help to avoid the dreaded orange knuckles and patches. If you're going to buy this tan I'd suggest avoid the usual Boots and Superdrug as it tends to be more expensive there at around £4.99, whereas on Amazon or in Primark etc it's around £2.99.

Overall I am so pleased with the results this self tanner gave me and even for a novice like myself, it was super easy to apply and left me with a natural but noticeable bronzed tan afterwards. I would highly recommend this tanner and for the price, it is such a good product and well worth a try. Have you tried any of the St Moriz tanners? 

Clinique Pop Lip & Primer

Over the past few months I've seen the Clinique Pop Lip and Primer popping up everywhere, so obviously I was keen to try them out for myself. I decided to pick up one of the most wearable shades in my opinion, Melon Pop, as it seemed like the perfect summer peachy shade. I'm still not exactly sure on the primer part of these lip products as that is somewhat unclear but overall they do not disappoint. 

Now initially I expected them to be a very sheer almost lip balm product, similar to that of the Revlon Lip Butters, but they are in fact quite the opposite. They can be applied as a subtle wash of colour, like a balm, or built to a full coverage lipstick that is both pigmented and hydrating; they are essentially a super creamy lipstick. They are really comfortable once on the lips and I found the lasting power to be reasonable for this type of creamy formula. 

I'm keen to try Beige Pop next as this just seems like the ideal nude and is definitely right up my street. As for the other shades, I'm not sure these really appeal to me as I much prefer matte formulas when it comes to bolder lip choices. That being said, I would highly recommend these if you're looking for an easy to wear, everyday lipstick.

Have you tried the Clinique Pop Lips?  

Not Quite A Beauty Blender...But Just As Good?!

When it comes to applying my base make-up I'm definitely one for using a buffing brush of sorts as using my fingers just doesn't seem very hygienic and those flat 'foundation brushes' just don't do it for me. I have been on the hunt for something to rival my much loved Real Techniques Buffing Brush and I think I may have found just that in the form of the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. It's basically a more affordable - and slightly differently shaped - Beauty Blender and that is something I've wanted to try for a long time but with it not exactly being the cheapest of make-up sponges around, I put off buying it. The Miracle Complexion sponge however is a mere £5.99 and from what I can gather, it isn't all that dissimilar providing exactly the same results, if not better. 

I've been using the RT sponge to blend out my under-eye concealer as it's perfect for getting into the corners and packing down that coverage with the pointed end. I've also tried it for foundation application and though this isn't my preferred method, it did do the job well and I've since just been using it after my buffing brush as a way of blending out any areas I got a tad to heavy-handed with  foundation. The sponge has the usual pointed end and then unlike the Beauty Blender, it has a flat surface at the other end making it easier to use; it also expands to almost double its size when wet so that helps if you are going to use it to apply your foundation. If you have oily skin I'd say this sponge is best used dry to bring down any shine in the face, but if you're after that added glow trying dampening it for a more flawless finish.

So although I am keen to try out the Beauty Blender to really compare the two (I'll do a comparison post if I do), for the moment I'm happy with how the Real Techniques version finishes my skin and I may just have become a beauty sponge convert. I'm not sure I'll be retiring my buffing brushes just yet but they definitely have some serious competition.

Have you tried the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge? What are your thoughts on it?

It's Basically Parma Violets in a Jar! | Flamingo Candles

I used to hate the thought of burning a candle, I never really understood the point in wasting your money on something that just sits there and melts away. Recently though I've been really enjoying getting home at night, lighting a candle and just winding down after a long day. 

I discovered Flamingo Candles back in December when I attended the Clothes Show Live and with the vast array of scents they do, there's definitely something everyone will love. Each candle is totally organic, hand poured in the UK and donned with a quirky acrylic flamingo on the outside of the jar just for that added bit of something. I love how each candle is a different colour and they would make great gifts I'm sure! I actually picked up three of the brands tart melts and one larger jar candle and I chose the scent Parma Violets (£12). 

Parma Violets is the perfect mix of violets and roses making it smell exactly like the sweets (my favourites)! It's made with soybeans and a natural cotton wick, meaning it has up to 50 hours of burn time and afterwards, you can keep the jar on display.

I've been loving burning this candle recently and I'm definitely keen to try more scents; I have my eye on the Cheesecake Crunch and Pink Lemonade next! Have you tried anything from Flamingo Candles? 

A Beauty Gimmick...That Works?!

I'm normally not one for gimmicks. If it sounds like it won't work or is too good to be true I usually steer clear but for some reason I decided to buy into one gimmick all in the pursuit of longer looking lashes. While at The Clothes Show Live back in December I picked up a heated eyelash curler after seeing a demonstration and being intrigued; it didn't break the bank so I thought what is there to lose. 

I'll admit, I used it once and then lost interest after having to stand there waiting for it to heat up, which in hindsight doesn't take that long at all. I then revisited the idea a few weeks ago and have really been enjoying the results it gives. I'm an avid Shu Uemura curler fan and I thought nothing would beat them but this little battery operated device comes pretty close.

To use the heated curler you apply your mascara first, this point is key as the heat is essentially melting and shaping the mascara, not your actual eyelashes. While doing this you just let the curler heat up for around a minute and then place it under your lashes and slowly move it from the roots to the ends. Now you can do this as little or as many times as you like until you get the desired effect but I usually find twice works a charm. Then that's it, you are left with super curled lashes that for me, stayed curled all day.

The plus points I'd say of using a heated eyelash curler is that you are left with a very natural looking curl, rather than an almost 90 degree kink. Now this didn't bother me before but having seen my lashes curled by heat, it really does make a huge difference to how they look. The downside of course is that it does take slightly longer than with standard eyelash curlers and I'm not certain how good the heat is for around your eye area. I don't use my heated curler everyday because of this. 

Have you tried a heated eyelash curler before?

Barry M Need For Speed

Another nail post, another Barry M Speedy Quick Dry polish to show you. I picked up a few shades from this range so I've been gradually trying them in between my other many shades and this one probably has to be the most unlike me colour ever. Need For Speed is a mid-toned true purple that looks absolutely stunning on the nails, though I can tell this won't be one that suits all skin tones. 

Once again this is a really great spring shade and it certainly draws attention to your nails when I wear it. Funnily enough, unlike the previous 'speedy' polish I tried, this one I actually did find dried quicker than average and it had a lot more of a glossy finish so I will disregard my previous review of 'Eat My Dust' as a one off experience. 

I think I'm going to be adding many more shades from this range to my collection soon as I just love the spring colours and the names are just fab! This is not a colour I'd usually choose but I took a chance and I happen to really love how it looks. 

Five Under £5

Beauty products are one of the things I will quite happily spend quite a bit of money on to find what works for me but there are some key make-up bits in my stash that I use on a daily basis which are at the more affordable end of the scale, they are the drugstore at it's finest and so I thought I'd give you a little run down on five of the best for under £5 - I may have slightly cheated on one!

I have quite oily skin and even with a mattifying foundation, I still find my t-zone tends to get shiny throughout the day unless I use a powder to set it. I go from one extreme to the other with my powder choices, opting for Chanel on some days and the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent on others. Obviously the budget option is from Rimmel and this is a great all-round powder that doesn't leave that dreaded cake appearance. I opt for the transparent shade so it doesn't interfere with my foundation and I just love the overall finish when using this. And for £3.99, you can't really complain.

This is a relatively new addition to my makeup collection but it is one I've found myself reaching for most days since buying it and that's the Maybelline Brow Drama in Medium Brown. This is perfect if you have relatively fuller brows already (like myself) but just want to tame them and add a slight tint as it sets your brows in place for the whole day and leaves them looking much more defined. I have blonde hair and I use the medium brown shade in this, though I am keen to get my hands on the deep blonde as I think this will be a better match for me and for £4.99, it isn't exactly a splurge!

Now for the cult favourite and the one product that has probably been mentioned more times than any other across the blogasphere, the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and I'm in the shade Warm Medium. This is one of those cheap and cheerful products that just works. It's great for concealing blemishes, redness and under eye circles and it only costs £4.19. 

When it comes to eyeshadow, I'm all for the all over the lid kind of product as I find it way too much on a day-to-day basis to worry about blending etc and that's where the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in On and On Bronze comes in. These are great to blend all over the lids for a subtle or smokey eye look that takes no effort at all and they stick around all day so no worries about creasing. They cost £4.99 and there's a good colour selection available.

Okay so this is the one that I cheated on, it is affordable but it comes in at slightly over £5 but I really wanted to include a lip product I love so I thought I'd mention it anyway. I'm all for a matte lip and the Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in 107 is the perfect formula and shade if you are looking for a comfortable wear lipstick that lasts all day. I have this berry toned shade but there are also some lovely reds and neutrals depending on what you are looking for. It is priced at £5.49 but I have seen it less than that in some stores! 

What are you best drugstore finds for under £5? 

A Nip + Fab Duo

I have a confession to make; I am a shameless celeb-aholic. I watch too much reality TV, dream of one day living a Kardashian lifestyle and I buy into almost every celebrity endorsed product. Now onto this post where I'll begin with an admission, initially I bought both of these products because apparently Kylie Jenner uses (and loves) them. Kylie became the Nip + Fab brand ambassador a few months ago and since then, I've gone from having zero products by the brand to a rather extensive collection and I have no regrets whatsoever. 

The two that I have been using and loving the most though have to be this little cleanser/serum duo, which I use almost twice daily and they have made a huge difference to my skins overall appearance. I begin with washing my face with the Glycolic Fix Cleanse, a foaming cleanser that I apply to a damp face and wash off with warm water. This is great for in the morning to give a fresh base for makeup or for the evening to remove all traces of makeup from the day; it's gentle, fresh and contains glycolic acid, which is great for a daily exfoliation.  

I follow up with the Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum, which is nearly as scary as it sounds, applying this all over my face before any moisturisers or sprays. This serum contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and refine the skins texture and dragon's blood to apply an invisible film over the skins surface to protect. The real difference I've found from using this product though is the redness around my chin and nose has reduced significantly and it's left my skin looking overall more hydrated. 

I haven't tried using these products separately but together, they have become a staple in my daily skincare routines and I'm yet to find anything my skin loves more. I'm keen to try the other two Dragon's Blood steps, as well as a few of the snake venom products - could these ingredients actually sound anymore sinister?! 

Have you tried anything from Nip + Fab? What are your favourite products? 

The Underrated Shower Gel | Original Source

When it comes to the age-old question of shower or bath, I'm definitely more of a shower kind of person. I like how convenient they are because who really has time to sit in a bath every evening?! So with having a shower comes a vast array of body products and though I'm ever faithful to my favourite Soap & Glory products, I do like to branch out every now and again and my favourite brand for shower products has to be Original Source. They are so underrated and I never hear anyone mention them but there's an excessive amount of scents to choose from at such a budget friendly  price ranging from £1-£3 depending on where you buy them - I usually pick mine up from Home Bargains or Superdrug. 

 I've tried so many of the different variations and they are some of the best smelling body products I've ever tried. The two that I currently have are Vanilla & Raspberry and Lime and both of these smell divine without being too overpowering and best of all, the scent sticks around for a long time after you've got out of the shower! They are made with 100% national fragrance and each has a little anecdote telling you just how many ingredients went into them and for those of you who are vegans, they are complete vegan friendly so there's a plus!

Though they are branded as shower products, for those of you who are partial to baths, I have tried them and they work just as well in baths and leave you with a good amount of bubbles, because who doesn't love bubbles! It's not often that I feel the need to write about a body product such as a shower gel but these really are my absolute favourites and for some reason, no one ever mentions them!

Have you tried any of the Original Source shower gels?

Barry M Eat My Dust

I've never been a huge fan of darker blue shades (that's my mums domain) but give me a pastel duck egg blue polish and I'm all over it. Eat My Dust is part of Barry M's new Speedy quick dry polish range and it rivals some of my all-time favourite nail shades, being the most perfect cool pastel blue. It's such a fun shade for spring and one of those that you can't take your eyes off - I've had so many compliments wearing this polish! 

The only negative I have about this polish is that I didn't really find it to be all that quick drying. I applied two coats, as with all my other polishes, and it took just as long to dry as regular formulas do, with the first coat applying quite streaky. That was a slight disappointment but once applied, it doesn't chip for at least a week and that's really all that I look for. 

I've always been a fan of Barry M nail polish and while this one isn't quite what it claims to be, the shade and lasting power makes up for that in a huge way. I'll definitely be buying more colours from this range, though I think this one may have become my favourite spring polish; bold statement I know! 

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze

When it comes to fake tanning, I'm usually the one too scared to try out heavy duty wash off tans and too uncoordinated to get gradual tans to look not streaky. That being said, I received the Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze tan in a goodie bag from a blogger event a few weeks ago and thought I'd give it a try, what's the worst that could have happened?

A Garnier Combination

If, like me, you like to wear some makeup but then can't really be bothered to go through a huge removal process at the end of the day then keep reading. I have a totally fuss-free routine that even removes those stubborn waterproof, curl holding mascaras that a face wipe just won't. And it's only two products! I have found Micellar water to do the job fantastically and though Bioderma will always be my holy grail, I have been using the Garnier combination that works just as well. Though micellar water alone is great for removing face make-up, you don't really want to be scrubbing at your eyes all that much so I've been pairing the cleansing water with the Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Make-up Remover that is non-greasy and removes even waterproof mascaras. 

Now there are several of these types of products on the market from the real high-end ones to the drugstore alternatives that work just as well - it isn't always the more you pay the better. These Garnier products are definitely my top choices after Bioderma and the duo-solution products seem to work great and by shaking up he two solutions, you are left with a really effective cleanser and eye make-up remover in one. I usually go in with the cleanser first all over my face using one cotton pad, then I'll use a separate one for both eyes and all you need is to hold the cotton pad on your eye for around 30 seconds and then a gentle swipe and the make-up is gone.

The smell on both is pretty light and non-perfumed, which is especially great for those who get easily irritated skin. The formula is also nice and non-greasy so there's no worry about it leaving an awful film over your face afterwards. I follow up these with my daily toner/moisturiser and that's my routine pretty much done. On occasion I will use an extra step of a balm cleanser (I use the Clinique one) if I feel my skin is look particularly bad but on most occasions these suffice. 

Have you tried the Garnier Cleansing Water and Eye Make-up remover? What are your go-to cleansing products? 

A Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat

Despite wearing lipstick on almost a daily basis, there are some days when I just don’t feel like wearing anything on my lips – mostly when I’m having a lazy, no-makeup kind of day or if I know I’m about to delve into a hefty burger for lunch and don’t want to have to worry about my lipstick smearing.

Unfortunately, I’ve not been blessed with perfectly even or shaped lips and so this often leaves me feeling rather bare-faced (or lipped!). I have however found a way to cheat your way to fuller, even looking lips and it's through the combination of a lip balm and liner. Specifically, the NUXE Reve de Miel and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk or Pink Venus – depending on your lips shade. This pairing is perfect for a simple touch of colour for everyday wear and almost creates that ever sought after ‘my lips but better’ look – plus both products are matte so it follows the natural lip texture perfectly - and I personally prefer a matte lip so much more! 

I've found this combination great for creating perfect lips but it also looks near identical to the much sought after Kylie Jenner lips. I believe she uses the MAC lip liner in 'Soar' but I've found Pillow Talk to be just as similar and with a touch of the CT 'Nude Kate' lipstick over the top, it's become my everyday go-to shade. 

The Best Drugstore Foundation Ever?!

I think I may have found my holy grail of all drugstore foundations and the praises that have been sung of the L'Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Matte foundation are much deserved. My skin is super oily in the t-zone area and fairly normal everywhere else so I usually have a hate/hate relationship with foundations. They are often either too dewy and just make my face look like a shiny mess, or they are too matte and leave dry patches around my face. This foundation however is the perfect in-between and I'm so happy it's nope a part of my make-up stash. 

This L'Oreal foundation provides a good medium to full coverage depending on how much you build it up and despite it being matte, it does have a surprisingly luminous finish while not being shiny or drying in the slightest - my skin has found its perfect foundation! I use the shade Vanilla, which is a near-perfect match to my skin tone and in all honesty, despite me never actually wearing a foundation for 24 hours as that's crazy, this does last all day (nine-ten hours) without a primer so I'm pretty sure the long-lasting claims are correct! 

Have you tried this foundation? What is your holy grail drugstore foundation?

Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo - £18 (boots)

Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo is essentially like pressing the reset button on your hair each week. Not strictly for weekend use, it basically acts as a once-weekly detox for your hair, getting rid of all the product build-up and dirt that gathers during the week. It is especially good for those unfortunate greasy-haired girls like myself meaning less bad hair days and less washes throughout the week. Win win. 

Now this shampoo is aimed at all hair types though in my opinion I'd definitely say it would be more suited to more oily, thicker locks as those with dry or brittle hair may find the stripping properties this has too damaging and it could actually leave your hair looking worse. That's not to say you can' use it and if you apply lots of conditioner afterwards it should be fine. I don't actually use conditioner after using this product as for me, that just seems like I'm counteracting what the shampoo is trying to do. I just use the tiniest amount and you're left with squeaky clean and unbelievably soft hair. I actually did a little 'experiment' to see how long my hair would last before it went greasy and it lasted a solid three/four days, which isn't bad considering I can only usually go one day without washing my hair again. Now I wouldn't recommend not washing your hair this long but I just wanted to see out of curiosity. 

The price of this shampoo is a rather eye-watering £18 and normally this would have put me off but having tried it now for two weeks, I would happily repurchase several times over if it meant my hair stayed grease-free. 

Have you tried this Sunday Shampoo or any other Bumble and Bumble hair products?