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?

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Today I bring you an extremely long overdue post. I've had this saved in my drafts, unwritten, for weeks now and thought it was about time I shared my thoughts on what has quickly become my new favourite bronzer.

Now Nars Laguna Bronzer isn't a new product; you've probably all heard of it/used it before but I hadn't really joined in the hype until recently after rediscovering it in my makeup stash, unused and unloved. I bought this early last year with the hopes of becoming a bronzed goddess (one can dream eh?) but after trying it once and deeming it a fail, I stored it away and didn't use it again until December. Yes, a whole year later!

Having used it solidly for just over a month now though, I've found it has quickly become a staple in my everyday makeup routine as a way of warming up my face during the paler winter months. It's the perfect cool-toned bronzer that doesn't leave that unsightly muddy look to your face, but instead, a natural glow and shadow. I do find you need quite a light hand when applying this bronzer as a little goes a long way, especially if you are using it for contouring. Don't make the same mistake I did on first use!

On first glance at this product, there is some very minimal shimmer running through it but once applied to the face, this becomes invisible and it looks pretty much matte. I like to use this in a 'C' shape around my forehead and cheeks to bring back some warmth that my foundation often takes away. I can see that this will definitely be a favourite product for some time now, I just can't believe it took me this long to try it!

Have you tried Nars Laguna Bronzer? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

Contour 2 by Contour Cosmetics | Beauty

I've been wanting to try countering for such a long time now but finding the right products has been a real struggle. I've had my eye on the Anastasia Beverley Hills Contour Kit for some time now but it's not the easiest to get hold of so I thought I'd look a little closer home and find a UK brand. 

Contour Cosmetics wasn't a brand I'd really heard of before but I came across their Instagram and Twitter pages and sawdust how popular their contour kits were so I wanted to try one for myself. I opted for Contour 2 as the shades, though slightly darker, are much cooler than Contour 1 and I definitely prefer that over a more orange, warmer look. 

Now my initial impression of the palette was the there seemed to be a wide range of shades, definitely one to suit most skin tones and that the formula upon first use was far creamier than I had expected, making blending so easy and seamless. As mentioned, there is a varied range of shades in this palette and for me, I've been trying out the top row and the first, lighter shade from the bottom. The other two darker shades are definitely scary looking for me personally, but I'm sure on darker skin, or those who use fake tan, they'd be perfect. 

I'm still far from an expert at contouring but this palette just makes it so easy to learn; I use it with a flat top Spectrum brush and a Beauty Blender sponge and it's the perfect combination. If you'd like to me do a tutorial on my Youtube channel then leave a comment and I'll try to film that so you can see just how well this palette works. I'm definitely a contour convert now. 

2015 Beauty Favourites | Video

Woah, so it's 2016 already and I can't actually believe it! I thought rather than my December favourites, I'd do a round up of all the beauty products I've loved throughout the entire past year!

I hope you enjoy and don't forget to subscribe to see more videos!

Jaclyn Hill x Becca Champagne Pop Highlighter

I have to admit, I've only been watching Jaclyn Hill's videos for a few months now but I can happily confirm that I am a fully subscribed viewer now - her makeup is just always flawless! So, as soon as I heard of her collaboration with Becca, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to finally try one of the much raved about highlighters; sadly it sold out fast on Sephora so I waited. And waited. It finally became available on Space N K last month so I jumped on it and finally the famous Champagne Pop was mine.

This collaboration couldn't be more perfect. Jaclyn practically invented the term '#highlightonfleek', so what better way than to bring out one, insanely good product that is completely her. After all, her highlight really is ON FLEEK! Champagne Pop has now become a staple in my everyday makeup routine and it is my absolute favourite highlighter and I very much doubt anything will beat it. It's the perfect golden toned, champagne highlight that shows up beautifully on the skin once applied. The overall texture is very creamy, despite it being a powder, and you only need the tiniest amount to get that incredible highlighted effect.

This does steer more towards an evening highlighter, but if you use a lighter hand, it's perfect for the day also and layered over a cream highlight, it's gives an even more intense glow. I would highly recommend this to everyone and if you can get your hands on it, do!

Have you tried Champagne Pop yet? What are you thoughts?

What I Got For Christmas | Video

Last year's What I Got For Christmas video was one of my most popular so I thought I'd film another this year! I was extremely lucky this year and I am so grateful for everything that I received; I love watching these kinds of videos so I thought hopefully, you would too!

Don't forget to thumbs up the video and subscribe if you want to see more!

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?

Currently Coveting | Beauty

I love a good wishlist. Despite the fact it's a wishlist and that these products remain solely in my future (hopefully), I just love having the motivation in front of me to save for what I want - and of course I lie to indulge in my favourite pastime of being an enabler to all of your lovely people. this is a currently covet list of all the beauty bits I've had my eye on for the past month or so.

Starting off with the most luxurious and in turn expensive item, the Sunday Riley LUNA Night Oil. At a whopping £85, this is definitely a Christmas gift idea as I can't see myself blowing that much on a facial oil. that being said, having ready the copious raving reviews, I do really want to try this and see if it really is worth the price. Following the skincare line, I've been wanting to try a good charcoal mask for a while now and this Origins Clear Improvement Clay Mask just keeps cropping up, it's not too pricey either for a mask so this may be my next skincare purchase. The same can be said for the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - a cult classic that needs no explanation.

Moving on to base products and a foundation that everyone and their dog has mentioned since it was released, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I almost bought this at the weekend but the price made me flinch slightly and instead I opted to try out a Bourjois option instead (which I'm loving by the way!), that being said, I will add this to my beauty stash hopefully sooner rather than later. A concealer that I've wanted ever since I watched Sarah Ashcroft's makeup video, is the MAC Pro Longwear concealer and this is one I'd like to use to up my contour and highlight game immensely.

The final few products are ones that have received countless praise and hype and yet here I am, yet to try both of them. First is the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, which looks like the most beautiful highlighter ever and definitely one I need to add to my collection. they are quite pricey but considering how much you would used and the size, they look well worth the splurge. The Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade is another cult favourite and I am still torn between this of the Brow Wiz. either way, both look great and my brows definitely need them! Finally we have the Beauty Blender, something I don't need as I already own the Real Techniques version but by all accounts, the original is definitely better, though that's usually the case.

Are any of these products on your current wishlist? Or, have you tried any of them before?

The Cleanser Edit

Cleansers come in various shapes, sizes and of course the most obvious, formula's. I’m currently using three different cleansers, which conveniently all come in different forms so I thought I’d give you a little run down and tell you my absolute favourite! 

When it comes to day-to-day cleansing, I’ll more often than not, reach for my fail-safe option, the cult Bioderma Crealine H2O Micellar water. This one needs no introductions and you've all probably either used it or read about it but it's basically the simplest cleanser I have, but one that I find to be just as effective as the others I'm going to mention. I used this everyday more so because of ease as I simply apply a bit onto two cotton pads and sweep it over my face to remove all my makeup. I usually do this in the morning too to ensure my skin is still clean. I wouldn't say this is the one to use if you want a real deep cleanse it is essentially just water but I like it and if you're looking for convenience then this is the obvious choice. 

If I want slightly more of a deep cleanse but I'm still pressed for time, I'll usually opt for the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleanser. This is a super lightweight, foaming facial cleanser that contains glycolic acid, which is great for everyday use to gently exfoliate the skin. I’d say this is the least oily of the three cleansers I use and that’s one of the main reasons why I use it on a daily basis as my skin can get quite oily and I don’t like the idea of adding more oils to it than necessary. After applying to damp skin (I just throw a bit of water over my face beforehand), I gently massage it into the skin causing it to foam up and breakdown all makeup. 

If I’ve had a heavy make-up day and I’m after a good deep cleanse I’ll usually reach for a thicker, balm cleanser. The Clinique Take the Day Off Balm Cleanser is the most unusual formula of the bunch but also the most effective in my opinion. I tend to scoop out a small amount and massage it into my skin, which causes the thick balm to turn into a rather oily texture that essentially breaks down your makeup. Due to how oily this cleanser is, I try to only use it once or twice a week as although it gives a real deep cleanse, I feel like it does pile in the extra oils that I personally, don’t need a lot of! 

So there you go, when it comes to my daily cleansing routine, these are the three cleansers I tend to gravitate towards the most. As mentioned, all have pros and cons and so I try to use them to suit how my skin is currently looking, the amount of makeup I have on and also the time of day – mornings a light cleanse, evenings a deeper cleanse. 

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?

A Mascara For All Occasions

There's certain beauty products out there that lend themselves to serious OCD tendencies and for me, that's both foundation and mascara. For this post let's address mascara, more specifically those three fail-safe options that I've kept in my make-up stash for their own special reasons. Now on the grand scheme of things, mascaras don't really differ all that much from tube to tube but there are ever so slight differences that I like to think lend themselves to different 'occasions' or make-up looks. I do tend to switch up mascaras depending on what I'm doing, so I wouldn't usually wear my 'everyday' mascara for going out in the evening and visa versa. 

For everyday swipe-and-go purposes, I use my trusty Eyeko Black Magic Mascara as despite the rather misleading name, it isn't all that dramatic and lends itself far more to a natural, daytime look. This is a super black formula and so is perfect for when there's not much else going on in the eye area and I like to wiggle it through my lashes to get a good coating, leaving me with lengthened and somewhat volumes lashes that still look natural. This is a good'un, but don't be fooled by the dramatic name connotations...

For the evening or occasions that demand a more dramatic look, I reach for the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (I'm keen to try the waterproof version of this!) as it is the most build able mascara I own. I tend to apply two coats of this and it gives both volume and length, which is basically all I want from a mascara. That and the ability to hold a curl which this does too - I can't really fault this mascara and it's definitely my go-to option for the evening.

And finally, for those in-between moments that require both length and volume but not such a dramatic look, I opt for YSL's Baby Doll Mascara. This is a mascara that for a long time I didn't like but I have since grown to love it for its lengthening abilities - it really does give you that doll-like look without being crazy dramatic for the daytime. As well as length, it does hold a curl well and adds some lift to the lashes, plus the formula is blacker than black so that's an added bonus! 

Do you have favourite mascaras for different occasions? Let me know what you use! 

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?

Controlling Oily Skin

Generally I have quite oily skin around my t-zone and especially with summer on its way, I'm always looking for products that will help stop my makeup completely sliding off my face mid-way through the day. After searching for some time and trying out a a lot of things I think I've finally got my oily skin under control using just two (or sometimes three) products!

If you have oily skin you generally want to stay away from dewy foundations as these tend to just slide right off the face and with having oily skin to begin with, you shouldn't really find the need to add more dewiness anyway. I find that mattifying foundations work best and I'm currently using the L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Matte as this gives my skin a nice coverage but because it's matte, it doesn't make my skin look oily throughout the day. With this particular foundation I don't ever feel the need to use a powder over the top but if I'm using a slightly less matte foundation then I will apply a dusting of Rimmel's Stay Matte powder to keep my base in place without making my skins look cakey. 

To finish up my make-upend keep everything in place all day, I like to use Mac Fix+ as a makeup setting spray. This helps my makeup settle and gives a natural glow without the excess oils that I don't want. I like to use this spray pretty much everyday and with a good skincare routine underneath, my make-up stays put pretty much all day.

Do you have oily skin? What products do you use to help your make-up stay in place?

Wishlist | Birthday Edition

In just over a week I'm going to be turning the grand old age of 22 and as my main birthday present from my parents I'm actually going to see Idina Menzel live. I'm so excited as I loved her music even before she become widely known for her Frozen performance of 'Let It Go' - I'm clearly an old school fan. Anyway, despite that being my present I obviously have  huge list of things I'd love to receive but I thought I'd put this together in case any of you have a birthday in June also and are wanting a little bit of gift inspiration. 

The main things I have my eye on are this beaut River Island suede biker jacket, which would make the perfect spring/summer lightweight jacket - the cut and details are just fab - and the new Nike Huarache's in Pearl White. I've been coveting a pair of these for ages but none of the colour combinations really stood out to me until these appeared on my instagram timeline last week. The only drawback is that they are stark white so not the best in UK weather!

A controversial one is Kim Kardashian's book release, Selfish, which is essential an entire book dedicated to her selfies but I think it would make a great addition to my ever-growing book shelf. Then there's a lipstick I've had my eye on for some time and it's the Tom Ford Matte Lipstick in First Time that comes with beautiful packaging and an eye-watering price tag. 

The final few bits are this Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone 6 case, a pink fringed bag from Zara and gem drop earrings from Topshop and a Cosmopolitan subscription as I've found myself picking up this magazine for a good few months now. 

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?

Rupaul's Drag Race & Twizzlers?

So I'm rather late to the party with pretty much everything in this weeks round-up but better late than never I suppose. I finally bought myself one of the Clinique Pop Lip's in Melon Pop. I wanted a nude shade rather than a bright and it was a toss up between this and Nude Pop (which I may still go back and buy), but for now I'm loving wearing this lipstick everyday, the formula to super creamy but not too sheer like a lip balm and the packaging is lovely too. Look out for a post next week on Melon Pop! 

I also started watching RuPaul's Drag Race after stumbling upon it on YouTube at the weekend. I needed up watching an entire season in two days and now that I hear it's on UK tv, I'll definitely be adding that to my Sky planner! It almost reminds me of America's Next Top Model but with drag queens, I mean I even think RuPaul looks like Tyra Banks a bit! 

I'm not sure if I've mentioned Pinterest on here before but if I haven't I should have! I never really cared for it in the beginning and I didn't see the point and while I still don't, I've been throughly enjoying pinning away until my hearts content these past few weeks. It's a great source of inspiration but it's also made my wishlist sky rocket through the roof... You can see all of my boards here. 

Random but definitely worth a mention, Twizzlers! Where have these cherry sweets been all my life, they are the tastier snack ever and remind me of a cheese string in sweet form. I also discovered Minion Haribo and that was certainly an experience, I really need to keep up to date more on the latest sweets! Or not...

Confessions of a Fashion & Beauty Blogger

There are so many myths that surround beauty and fashion bloggers. One that I constantly hear is that all bloggers are obsessed with beauty products, to the extent that we can't wait to get our hands on the latest and greatest serums that prove to banish ten years off your face, infused with various crazy ingredients like dragons blood and snake venom. Now admittedly I do love my Nip + Fab Dragon's Blood serum but that's about as far as it goes and I am in no way a skincare or beauty expert. I love what transformative power make-up has but I'm not totally consumed by the latest releases. In fact, I'm a bit of a beauty slob if I'm honest.

I'm not really a step-by-step skincare routine kind of girl. I do have somewhat of a skincare routine but it isn't at all regimented, I basically just grab whatever I think I need at that moment and go from there. I sometimes even just use a face wipe and with a quick swipe, my make-up is removed. Though I've heard that this is a huge no no among the beauty elite so maybe I should just a. Find myself a proper skincare routine or b. Stop listening to the beauty elite. I'm thinking option b...

TMI alert. I get that satisfied feeling after squeezing any spots I may get. I've heard it's actually better for you to get all the gross stuff out of the spot anyway. Maybe the whole clawing your face part isn't so great for you though.

I don't do anything to my eyebrows. Yep, not even fill them in or comb them. I think this one stems more from the fear of ending up with stick thin or worse, no eyebrows and even though I know I'd be going to a trained professional (I'd never attempt this myself) it just terrifies me that they will mess up my currently okay looking eyebrows.

I wear the same make-up practically everyday. My beauty stash is probably larger than your average, though I find myself reaching for the same products day in and day out, never really being all that adventurous with my choices. So don't be expecting any fancy make-up tutorials over on my YouTube channel, as these would get boring very quickly.

I buy products because they look good. I'm a sucker for fancy packaging or extravagant claims and I'll buy into almost every miracle lotion and potion. A rather expensive confession...

So I think from this we can conclude that when it comes to beauty, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. I have no set routine, no sense of adventure and I'm clearly a sucker for a good bit of advertising. Can you confess to any of these cardinal beauty sins?

Ultimate Summer Pink Lipsticks

When it comes to Spring/Summer, I do love wearing my favourite nude lip products but it's also a great opportunity to bring out the brighter pinks and corals and rock them during the day. There's two products in particular that I always find myself reaching for when I'm looking for that pop of colour and they are to me, the ultimate lipsticks. 

This was one of the first bold lipsticks I ever bought and it was one that I bought because I thought the shade was pretty but I never actually thought I'd wear it. That being said, I have gotten quite a bit of wear out of it this year in particular and it is the shade Flat Out Fabulous by Mac. This is a retro matte shade and it's basically a super intense bright with probably one of the most matte formulas I've ever come across, without being too unbelievably drying on the lips. I do always like to apply a lip balm beforehand with this one as it can become slightly uncomfortable throughout the day because it is so matte but it definitely doesn't come anywhere near as drying as the likes of Ruby Woo. 

A lip product that is practically the same shade as Flat Out Fabulous but a completely different formula is Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong. Now though this is also a matte, it applies super glossy and almost like a lip gloss. It does however then dry extremely matte and provides the same sort of finish, minus any of the dryness you get from a full matte lipstick. This is probably the most long lasting of the two in terms of the colour, it stays vibrant and matte for practically the whole day and then you're left with a nice wearable stain afterwards, whereas the Mac lipstick does begin to settle into the lines of the lips and can sometimes look questionable mid-way through the day.

If you are looking for a bold shade for the season then I'd definitely recommend you pick up one (or both) of these products. Both are super matte, so very long wearing and the formulas feel super comfortable to wear. They are also cool toned pinks so they make your teeth look exceptionally whiter and will suit pretty much all skinniness in my opinion.