May Beauty Haul

Hi and welcome back to my blog!

This month I focused on some beauty purchases some of which took a load of YouTube videos, google searches and review reading to work out what I preferred. I will right a blog post about this at a later date rather than ramble on.

So anyway... these are the things I tried out this month! :-)

Garnier Pure Active Anti-imperfection Daily Moisturiser
I bought this after getting a sample in my magazine. I loved the matte finish it gave but it didn't feel very kind to my skin as it did burn a little if I had an imperfection. Also it didn't feel very moisturising even though I have oily skin. I can't say it did anything to keep pimples at bay either as I still got the odd one. All in all I won't be buying this one again, it was worth a try but it just didn't work for me.

Mary-Lou Manizer - The Luminizer
Oh my, where have you been in my life Mary-Lou!! This is a gorgeous highlighter that I had seen on someone's face and had to find out what they were using. It was this wonderful little product! Now it's a champagne finish and is very shimmery so a little goes a long way. After not getting on with the No7 highlighter or the NYX highlighter and then my Dior highlighter breaking (cue tears!) I was still after a new one. This one was half the price of the Dior one and is just as stunning! It's just... oh wow! It transforms my makeup into a gorgeous glow after just one stroke of this on my cheek bones! I cannot express how much I love this one! Well done Mary-Lou, well done! (and thank you!!!!).

Loreal Infallible 24h Foundation in Porcelain 015
I had to find a new foundation as my previous one had started not to last on my skin as well now the warmer months are here. I wanted something that was longlasting, a little dewy but mainly mattified (tough one I know!). Also I had a limited budget as I wanted to get a few of these other goodies as listed in this post. I finally settled on this foundation and I love the finish of this! I had read it was good but I wasn't sure how it would finish. This stuff covers really well (medium coverage, but is buildable if you would like a heavier coverage) and is also lightweight. It finishes off making my makeup look natural yet more even and covers any redness! My only disappointment is the shade range, I'm not a 015, nor am I the shade above as it's too dark I'm somewhere in-between. At the moment to get over this I will be using a little bronzer or mixing with a darker foundation to make it a little more 'me'. I'm not convinced my search for the perfect foundation is over as yet, just due to the colour not matching at all and I would like something that I can use all year round that matches me.

Elf Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky
I wanted to try a nice peachy blush with a slight highlighter in it to see if it would save time when doing my makeup. I do love this blusher however I feel that the shade is just too pale for me. I love an obvious blush to get that 'English Rose' glow but on it's own this doesn't quite cut it. I'm mixing it with my NYX Blusher in Pinched (Nars Orgasm dupe) and it's perfect - just the finish I needed. If this was a little darker or even a little more pigmented I would purchase again but right now I will just use this up and instead stick with NYX :)

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Polish in I've Been Pinkin & Topcoat
Oh wow - I couldn't wait to try these! These are brand new out from Barry M and they are pretty magical! Now I will be honest, I love the fact that the sun (or even a lamp) will make this dry in seconds (I'm a Mum, I need this!), but I don't feel that it lasted any longer than my Essie polishes do. After day 3/4 I started getting chips, so that was a little upsetting but I do love that Barry M tried to do something new and at least it does dry quicker than most polishes! I would buy this again but don't expect it to last as long as a shellac or gel polish would, after all this is only £4.99 so I can't complain too much! ;)

H&M Lipgloss in Lotus Flower
And finally I bought this randomly when getting our little one some clothes. It was one of those 99p products in the bins next to the tills in H&M and wasn't sure what I would expect from it. For 99p it's a pretty little gloss! I've used this a few times when out and about and it just gives me a nice nude shimmer on my lips which is lovely for this time of year. Plus it smells of sweets (you know me - such a sweet tooth!). It is a little sticky but it's such a great little gloss for everyday use! I may see what other shades they do and get another one soon! :)

My favourite purchase of the month? Well that would have to be the Mary-Lou Manizer - The Luminizer! It's just amazing!

Thanks again for reading! Is there anything you tried this month that you would recommend? Or do you have any of these products?

Jess xox

Maybelline Babylips vs Barry M Corbalmy Lipbalms

Hi there and welcome back to my blog!

This week I'm comparing two popular lipbalms on the market to see how each weigh up and which in my opinion is the better of the two.

First up we have the Maybelline Babylips. These are very popular in both the US and the UK and so when they came out on the market I bought one straight away. This lipbalm is nicely tinted and gives your lips that extra glow of colour and I also love how moisturising it is too. My only issue with this is the formula... For some reason when I use this lipbalm about 2 days later I get little spots or blemishes around my mouth. When I don't use it or use another brand I don't seem  to have this issue and so I've had to stop using it. It's a bit of a shame but it's not worth getting spots over for sure.

Now due to this issue I went out to look for another alternative and saw the Barry M, Corbalmy. This I LOVE!! Firstly the colour in my opinion is a lot nicer, a red hint on the lips which is a brighter and bolder colour than that from Babylips. The red isn't too overpowering either, it's a great in between. I love how moisturising this one is too - it's just so rich and makes my lips feel super soft. Finally the scent is much nicer too - sort of a cherry sweet scent. This is my tinted lipbalm of choice now!!

Do you guys have a tinted lipbalm? If so, what is your favourite?

Thanks for reading!
Jess xox

My Current Haircare Routine

Hi again and welcome back to my blog!

This week I thought I would do something a little different and show you everyday haircare routine.

Now I don't use these products every day and in fact I actually wash my hair every 2/3 days as it doesn't need washing too often. I have fine/normal hair and this is the routine that works for me and in fact since I've started using these products my hair has gotten stronger and longer.

First I start with my Label M Honey & Oat Shampoo & Conditioner.  I've mentioned these on my blog before but they really are amazing! Not only do they smell gorgeous (sweet honey/syrup) but they leave my hair fresh, weightless and smelling yummy! I'm sure that switching to this shampoo and conditioner has made a huge difference in the strength of my hair too and allowed it to grow much longer.

Once I've washed my hair I use my beloved Tangle Teaser to get through any knots and straighten out my hair ready to dry or put product in. If you haven't invested in one of these, please do! They are amazing! With soft bristles on the brush it doesn't snag your hair, which means less breakages = healthy hair! Worth. Every. Penny!!

To follow I protect and strengthen my hair with Kerastase Nectar Thermique. Now this stuff is a touch pricy for serum (£17.99) but it is amazing!! You only use a small 20p size amount and run it through the ends of your hair. The heat activates it's power, so use a hairdryer to finish and you're left with soft and manageable hair that looks very healthy (even if you dye your hair!). If you want something to help your dry ends on your hair then look no further. Seriously, I've had this about a year and am almost needing another - I won't use anything else!! LOVE!!

If I feel like styling my hair I use the Tigi S Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray. This stuff is fabulous. Now I can't say for sure how much it protects your hair from the heat but I can say I have noticed less split ends after using this. The other plus on this product is the scent, it smells of strawberries!!! I love using it for that reason alone to be honest! My only issue with this product is use sparingly as if you use a little too much it can weigh down your hair and it looks a little greasy (boo!). So yep, if you're after a nice heat protector that smells amazing and does seem to help keep your hair safe from the heat then yep, this is a good one!

Finally if my hair is looking like it needs a little tlc I use my beloved Loreal Elvive Full Restore Hair Mask. I've used many of these pots over the years. Simply add to wet hair and leave in for a few miniutes (I leave it on in the bath) and then wash out. I definitly see a different in my hair after I've used this. It helps it stay strong and feels silkier too. For the price tag of £3.99 it's an absolute bargain too!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my current hair routine. What is your routine, is there anything you would recommend for me to try?

Jess xox

My Current Everyday Spring Makeup Routine

Hello again and welcome back to my blog!

This week I'm showing you my current makeup routine for Spring.

Now some of these products are well loved and so look a little tatty and may not even be sold anymore but this is an honest post on my everyday products for Spring and so here we go...

First I start with my eye makeup. I know this may seem odd but I hate any fallout from my eye shadow going on my face and so to avoid that I do my eyes first. I'm currently using the Collection Eye Uncovered Pallet in Nude Bronze and am loving it. I use the lightest shade in the corners of my eyes to make them look wide awake and then the gold/bronze shade for the rest of my lid. To finish I add a little eyeliner across my lashline using the No7 Stay Perfect Eyeliner. This eyeliner I've used for years and it's so soft and longlasting that I haven't needed to try anything else.

Next I apply my foundation; I'm currently using Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in Shade 51. I love, love, love this foundation. It's a great formula and just glides over my skin giving me a nice medium coverage - not too heavy and not too light either. My only issue is that the lightest shade (51), is a little too dark for me still and so am hoping they will bring out another light shade for me to try one day. I apply this foundation with my real techniques buffing brush and also apply my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer on any blemishes and blend that in also. To set this base I use my beloved Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent.

I then fill my eyebrows with an Eyebrow pencil from Primark. Now I have no idea what this is called as the text has rubbed off and since trying to buy another they've stopped selling it. They look like they have another version which may be similar but I have yet to try it. The pencil I have though is great, I use shade dark brown and lightly fill my brows then use the brush at the end to blend a little so it appears more natural.

I will then add a little blush, I'm currently using my Bourjois Blush in 16 Rose Coup De Foudre. This blusher is lovely but as I love a slightly heavier blush than most I would say needs to be applied 'heavily' compared to some other blushers. I love the natural pink/peach glow that this gives you.

The finished look is this...

 

 




 

Thanks for reading! Stay happy! Jess xox

My April Haul

Hey there!

I cannot believe that Springtime is here and bringing along this gorgeous weather! It's making me very excited for Summer and Summer makeup and scents.

This month I purchased only a few items, but they were on my wishlist for sometime now so they've been a long time coming!

First up I needed to get a new purfume, my favouite purfume (Miss Dior) had run out a few months back and since I've been looking for a new purfume to try. I'm very fussy as I like a signature purfume that I can wear all year round. Finally I decided on the beautiful Vikor and Rolf Flowerbomb parfam. It's lovely! I love the cute little packaging too, a little edgier for my dressing table and the scent is just perfect for my taste.

Now onto another purchase I've been waiting for is the Laura Mercier Body & Bath Scrub and Body Creme. I bought these in the scent Ambre Vanille and it is gorgeous! Think holiday in a jar - vanilla scent from your sunscreen while laying by the pool and a large cocktail in your hand, perhaps a pina colada for it's sweet scent. It truly is a scrummy scent and makes me feel so fancy.

Laura Mercier Body & Bath Scrub - The scrub is fabulous, a little goes so far and I haven't even made an indent and I have used this a few times already. The finish it gives my skin is gorgeous too - it just looks like new, fresh skin and gives me that 'glow' that I have wanted from all my previous body scrubs.

Laura Mercier Body & Bath Body Creme - The body creme doesn't go as far but it the scent stays on your skin - not too strong but a lovely little bit stays all day. I also love how rich and moisturising it is; any red bumps or dry areas are fixed after using this!

I have fallen in love with these two! The only problem is the price of them so I'm going to use these when I feel like an extra little pamper - it really does makes all the difference.

Finally the No7 Instant Radiance Bronzing Highlighter Stick. I was told that this is a dupe for the Benefit Highlighter, Watt's Up and so I thought I would save a few pennies and try this instead. I love the finish it gives, it's a beautiful natural glow which is perfect for this time of year, however there is one problem for me. Now I don't know whether it's because I'm used to powder highlighters or if I'm just using the wrong technique to apply this but when putting it on my skin over my foundation it sometimes moves around my foundation. This is a horrible look at it makes it all patchy and uneven. I'm so gutted as I love everything else about the product but the finish over my makeup just isn't what I was hoping for. If anyone knows of a way I can apply this without ruining my makeup please help me!! :-)

Anyway, thanks again for reading! I hope you all had a fabulous April and treated yourself to a few new items too! Is there anything you would suggest I try for May?

Jess xox

Old vs New Favourite - Maybelline Falsies and Lash Sensational Mascara

Hello again and welcome back to my blog!

This week I'm talking about my latest favourite mascara. I have been using these two mascaras for a while now so I feel I'm in a good place to tell you my thoughts and which comes out top for me at the moment.

Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express Mascara
This mascara I tried after seeing Tanya Burr get amazing results with it. I have gone through a lot of these, in fact this is a spare in case my current one runs out!
I love the finish this mascara gives, it's full and big lashes and makes them longer too!!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Well this is very similar to the Falsies, however I do think this doesn't give as much volume. Instead it focuses on a more natural finish and gives longer looking lashes than the Falsies. I also prefer the packaging of this mascara, it's cute muted pink is much prettier than the purple packaging on the Falsies.

My final verdict is that I'm in love with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. I just think the natural finish is more 'me' and I love how it makes my lashes so, so long!!

Have you guys tried these, if so what do you think?

Thanks for reading!
Jess xox

My March Favourite's

Hello again everyone!

This week I thought I would share my March favourites with you. I have included in here a few new items as well as some old faithful items. I hope you enjoy! :-)

First up I have the, Garnier Olia Hair Colour Treatment in 4.15 Iced Chocolate. Now this stuff is fab and I'm not sure why I haven't mentioned it before. I tend to dye my hair every 3 or so months as I dye it close to my natural shade so don't really show any roots (well I hope anyway, ha!). I have used this dye for about a year or so and I actually used it again last night to give me a refresh on the product itself. Now this dye has no ammonia in it so it's really kind to your hair, and it shows too! Every time I use this it leaves my hair glossy and healthy looking (weirdly, but I'm not complaining!). I also like the fact that due to having no ammonia it doesn't have that horrid strong hair colour scent either. It's really easy to apply and after 30 minutes (if you dye it every 3 months or so) you wash it out and apply a conditioner that's also in the pack. I love this, it's kind to my hair, leaves a colour that is true to the box and is easy to do at home, wahoo!

Now this is a new product that I purchased a week ago and sadly it hasn't lived up to my hopes and dreams. It's the Bourjois CC Eye Cream Concealer. Now perhaps the clue is in the name and I should have tried another concealer, however the formula of his is way too creamy for my liking. Even after letting it set into my skin it leaves creases and when I apply a setting powder it looks really cakey. Sadly I will not be repurchasing this one, it was nice to try something new but this just doesn't perform for my skin. Ps I have no idea why I put this in a favourites - perhaps because I'd hoped it would be?! (blame my baby brain!!)

The next new product I tried this month was Bourjois Blush in 16 Rose Coup De Foudre. Now this blusher is stunning. It's a peachy shade with a hint of shimmer in it and it's just perfect for Spring time. The shade itself actually reminds me of Nars Orgasm Blusher but it's a little less pink and more peach. For a 1/3 of the price defiantly worth a try. This has overtaken my love of the NYX Blusher Pinched (a dupe of the Nars Blusher Orgasm) as it's just that much softer of a shade.

Another new beauty product I tried this month is the Collection Eye Uncovered Pallet in Nude Bronze. Now firstly this pallet in my opinion is great for traveling as well as for everyday use. The shades are stunning and this bronze pallet has shimmery eye shadows in it which I thought would be perfect for this time of the year. This is a bargain purchase at only £2.99 as it has everything you need for your eyeshadow, including a highlighter and a darker shade for your crease. My only wish for this is that there be a nice brush and a mirror, but for £2.99 you can't really complain can you?! :-)

My last beauty product favourite for this month is the Essie Nail Polish in Sunday Funday. I bought this last year but I applied it again recently and several people thought I had been to a salon to get my nails done. Now I'm not sure whether this was because of the shade or the finish, but as always with Essie polishes they're great and my absolute favourite brand. They're a little more expensive than the standard highstreet brand but they last and give a high quality professional finish too. This shade is just gorgeous, it's a peachy pink with a hint of shimmer - this will match my new blusher perfectly!

Now onto a couple of random favourites for the month... firstly my new iPhone case by New Look. This was £5.99 in New Look and as I keep finding myself being more busy in my daily routine I have also become more clumsy. To try and protect my phone from damage I thought a cute little case would help. This one is very girly. It has a nude pink shade to it and little diamontee's all over - just very me and it goes with most things so doesn't tend to clash with my outfits.

Lastly this random favourite was a naughty treat to myself, my Ted Baker Purse. This purse is also very me... it's pink with rose gold detail and it has a bow as the clasp! If I were to design a purse this would be it! I treated myself after becoming a new Mommy. This is just perfect, every time I open my handbag this lovely gem just picks up my mood.

I hope you enjoyed my monthly favourites for March. If this is the type of blog post you would like to see more of please let me know and I will try and do them monthly for you all :-)

Thanks for reading! Jess xox