064 : February Favourites

Gosh, another month down. I can't actually believe we're already a quarter of the way through the year, I turned 26 last week and I'm feeling super old! This month has been ridiculously busy for me, hence the lack of posting, luckily I have a really quiet few weeks coming up so I can catch up with blogging and get back into the swing of things!

Last month there was so many products that I absolutely loved, I always have this issue when posting favourites post. I can never decide between products! I've popped a mixture of a beauty, body and other little bits I've been loving throughout February in for you this month, it's always good to mix things up a little!

Beauty

Bobbi Brown Brightening Brick - Coral/£34
I've been loving the new Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks, I got colour matched at my local Bobbi Brown counter and had my heart set on one of the pinker shades, they matched me up with Coral as my skin is super pale. It gives a really sheer, dewy glow to my skin, I love that these are so versatile and you can sweep it all over your face, I can see this seeing me through the whole of the spring and summer months!

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair - 30ml/£49 & Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum - 15ml/£46
Hi, I'm Heidi and I'm always late to the party. Hypothetical party being the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair range. I've always steered clear of these just because they're so pricey, but they're definitely worth the investment. I pop this little duo on before bed with a little moisturiser and my skin is far softer in the mornings and I look way more awake, even if I feel like I haven't slept, I don't look it, which is always a winner.

Mac Bao Bao Wan Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow - 4g/£33
I've been using this gorgeous Bao Bao Wan shadow palette religiously over the last month or so, the shades are stunning, from soft pink, to gorgeous gold, a dewy brown and a bright blue. They blend together so well and you can create so many different looks. Love, love love!

Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream - 40ml/£29
This is my first ever Jurlique product, I'm not sure why I waited so long to jump on the bandwagon with this one, as I love it. It's a really soft moisturiser which is so incredibly nourishing and keeps my skin hydrated all day long. It's amazing for dry skin, if your skin already has a little natural moisture it would probably be too much, but for those with skin which is really dehydrated, it's a must have!

Mac Lipstick - Lovelorn/£15.50
I first saw this on Milly of the lovely Pearls and Poodles Instagram and fell in love with it, it's one of those things you just know you have to have! It's a really classy, soft pink, which easily transitions from the daytime through to the evening. I don't often wear lipstick but this hasn't budged from my lips just lately!

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation - Shade 2/£34.50
Having been hooked on Nars' Sheer Glow for ages now, I felt it was time to add a new foundation into the mix. I saw this on Tanya Burr recently and just loved how it looked. It's a really dewy foundation which gives the absolute perfect amount of coverage. I like my coverage heavy enough to cover any blemishes, but not so heavy it looks like its been trowelled onto my face!

Estee Lauder Modern Muse Eau De Perfum - 30ml/£45
Another little beaut from Estee Lauder, this fragrance is so pretty. It's really light and floral. I love the scent of anything sweet and this is just so soft and feminine. It's been so perfect for daytime wear.

Soap & Glory Archery DIY Brow Bar - £12
Having been using Anastasias Dipbrow for a while, I felt the shade I'd bought was slightly too dark against my hair colour. As someone who gets their hair lightened fairly frequently, I needed something slightly less harsh. I picked up the DIY Brow Bar in Boots and I've been loving it, it has a clear gel, highlighter and two different shades, so it's a one for all. The teeny brushes are great for getting a good shape to the brows, and plus its so affordable! 

Body/Haircare

Lee Stafford Ubuntu Oils Shampoo & Conditioner - 250ml/£9.99 Each
My hair really lacks moisture and dries out quickly, the Ubuntu Oils range from Lee Stafford has left it so much softer and full of moisture. I've found I do have to wash it more often as it's been getting greasier quicker, but this is the only shampoo/conditioner I've found thats actually put more moisture back into my hair! It contains vitamins A & E, to replenish the hair, I've been using it alongside the Argan Oil hairspray and I absolutely love it.

Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Body Scrub - 300g/£37
I have a thing about soft skin, I love my skin to be softer than a babys butt. This Laura Mercier Body Scrub is absolutely delightful, it comes with the cutest little scoop so you don't have to put your wet hands into it, and it smells just divine. I usually apply this to my skin before shaving and rinse it off afterwards, the scent is sweet, full of fig, apricot and ylang-ylang. It's been a good bathtime buddy for the last month or so.

Decléor Aroma Cleanse Exfoliating Body Cream - 200ml/£31
Another amazing body scrub, I first tried this a few months ago at Center Parcs while I was having a spa day with my mum. I absolutely loved it. It leaves your skin so, so soft. It smells utterly gorgeous too. A lot of cleansers and scrubs have beads in that I find slightly irritating to my skin, they feel almost a little too abrasive. The Decléor Aroma Cleanse is so gentle to use. Perfect on even the most sensitive skin!

Bio-Oil - 200ml/£19.99
Bio-Oil is full of natural vitamins and oils, Vitamins A & E, Calendula Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil & Chamomile Oil. I've been using this on stretch marks for years since having children, but my skins been so dehydrated lately I've been using it to put some much needed moisture back into my skin. It softens and feels amazing. It keeps my skin hydrated for such a long time, if like me, your skin drinks Cocoa Butter like its going out of fashion, Bio-Oil is an amazing alternative.

Life

Love, Tanya - £6.49
Tanya Burr was one of the first YouTubers I ever watched. I've always been a massive fan of hers and it's amazing to see someone you really admire grow, change and become super successful! Tanyas book is so pretty, it has some gorgeous photography. Tanya talks beauty, fashion, food & love. It's so well written and Tanya is so down to earth, plus the recipes are to die for. Someone pass the Smarties Flapjacks!

Daisy Earrings - £3
I've been wearing this little Daisy earrings non stop since I bought them, they're so perfect for spring (and a bit of a steal at three quid!) - they're ear 'jackets' so the stud goes through your ear and then a bar curves around behind your earlobe and hangs underneath. They're really delicate but statement at the same time. Love.

Ferrero Rocher - 24/£6.50
I'm absolutely hooked on these. Whenever I fancy a little chocolatey snack, I reach for the Ferrero's. I've been munching oodles of these, which hasn't been great for the waistline but my taste buds are totally satisfied!

Vita Coco Coconut Oil - 250ml/£5.99
I actually got this in February's Birchbox, coconut oil has SO many different uses, you can use it on your face (apparently Kim Kardashian is a massive fan of using this on her chops - who knew?!), your hair, for cooking... the list goes on. I've been using it in the bath to shave my legs and it's left my skin so nourished and hydrated. I don't particularly like the smell but it's amazing for giving you super soft, supple skin!

Melodie Notebook - £5.59
I'm a self confessed stationary junkie. I love pretty staitionary and spend hours upon hours in Paperchase picking up things I don't need just because they look too pretty not to buy. I actually got this notebook from WH Smith and I love it. I've been using it to write down all my ideas for blog posts. Plus its hardback so it doesn't get all mishapen in your handbag! WH Smith have some really pretty stationary in at the moment, definitely worth a look!

What have you guys been loving this month?!

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051 June Favourites

Hey lovelies, hope you're all having a wonderful week. The last month has been crazy busy for me, with my best friend moving home from Torquay, its been amazing to have her back and spend some time together again. My littlest boy had his big school induction too, growing up way too fast! I've been loving loads of products this month, it was really hard to narrow it down to my absolute favourites!

  (1. Too Faced Blush - Theres Something About Berry / £26 ASOS, 2. L'Oreal Super Liner - Black / £9.99 Boots, 3. Mac Mineralize Moisture Foundation - NC15 / £28 Mac 4. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm / £22 Clinique 5. Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser - £19.25 / 50ml 6. Ralph Lauren Romance - 30ml / £39.50, 7. Toni & Guy Smoothing Lotion - £6.99 / Boots 8. L'Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Shine Blonde Shampoo - £10.99 / Look Fantastic, Mac Studio Fix Plus Powder Plus Foundation - £21.50, 10. Essie - Romper Room / £7.99, 11. Mac Lipstick - Sweet Experience / £15.50)

I picked up this Too Faced blush a while ago after pining after it for ages & ages, I will do a full review on this as I love it so much, the shades all look beautiful blended together and the packaging is absolutely divine. I've definitely got my little eyes on the Candy Glow shade, its a little lighter which I think would suit my skintone a bit better. Besotted. I've been really impressed with this L'Oreal Super Liner, I use it with an angled brush from Mac and its just perfect, its highly pigmented and literally doesn't budge all day. I've had this little pot around three months now and I still have tons left after using it everyday, you definitely get your bang for your buck. I've been a little hit and miss with Mac foundations, I didn't get on well with Studio Fix but I love Mineralize, its so lightweight and gives the perfect amount of coverage with a healthy, dewy glow. To take my make-up off at the end of the day, I've been religiously using Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm by Clinique, so it looks a little like lard but does an amazing job at getting my skin squeaky clean! I follow up with Liz Earle's Skin Repair Moisturiser which is an ultra rich, creamy moisturiser which just feels utterly luxurious to apply. It soaks in amazingly and keeps my skin nice and hydrated all day. For an added bit of luxury I've been absolutely loving Romance by Ralph Lauren, it's such a beautiful scent. I love floral, girly fragrances and this definitely hits the spot!

When it comes to haircare, I have to admit, I'm a little lazy. In the mornings I resemble something out of a horror movie, with hair here, there and everywhere. Toni & Guys smoothing lotion always sorts it out, you only need a tiny amount to smooth through to the ends, for a tamed, sleek barnet. I've been using purple shampoos for years now, to take the yellowy tinge off my blonde hair and I haven't found one that I've been head over heels for until I found this L'oreal beauty. It's pricey but you only need a small amount and I don't wash my hair every day, so a little goes a long way. Unlike other shampoos it doesn't really foam up so much but keeps my blonde locks looking bright and toned. For anyone looking for the perfect purple shampoo, get this one! The smell is to die for too! Back onto skincare, Mac's Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation has really kept me going the last few months, I use it to set my foundation but if you have good skin already, you could use it on its own. On my nails I've been wearing Romper Room by Essie, a shade that was bought out with their recent Spring Collection, it's a really cute baby pink which is kind of similar to Fiji, but just a bit pinker. It's perfect for an added girly touch and looks so good with a bit of a tan! My lips have been adorned with Mac's Sweet Experience lipstick, which I absolutely love, a gorgeous shade of pink which I think is a one shade suits all kind of lipstick. It doesn't feel too drying and it has good staying power too, it's always the one shade I go for if I don't want anything thats too out there and in your face. Classy and elegant!

What products have you guys been loving this month?! I'd love to know!

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007 What's In My Make-Up Bag?

Every girls make-up bag is a messy haven of our essential, everyday, can't-be-without products. Mine is absolutely no different, I tend to take everything I know I'm going to use during the day out of my bigger make-up bag and throw into one small essential one. I love having a little peep in my friends' make-up bags to see which products they just can't be without!
 
Here's what's in mine: 

 

The make-up bag I use for my essentials is from Cath Kidston, I picked it up in the sale for a teeny £7! Before I bought it I was just chucking my make-up loose into my handbag, I'd end up with foundation all over my diary and eyeliner on my keys, blusher over my purse. You get the idea! It was definitely a well needed investment and the print is so beautiful!

 

I don't tend to carry too much around with me, I can't stand my handbag being too heavy. 
Here's a little overview of what I like to have on me:

- Mac Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage - this was a sample sent to me by Mac, it's absolutely amazing, I'd definitely buy the full size, you pop it on after moisturizing and your foundation just slides on beautifully and gives you a really stunning, flawless look. It's definitely become a staple product for me.

- Mac Studio Fix SPF15 (shade NC15) - Mac is the only foundation I've found that really suits my skin, I was blessed with natural English Rose pale skin, I've found it really hard finding a foundation that suits my skintone and doesn't make me look even slightly orange, for me, the palest shade of Studio Fix works amazingly. I've learned to embrace my pale skin over the years, no fake tan for me!

- Bare Minerals Around the Clock eyeliner (shade 1am) - This eyeliner is amazing, it's a really dark beautiful black with little specks of glitter in, it looks so cute when its on and lasts absolutely ages and ages! It came with the 'Scene Stealer' set, which is half price at just £13 from Debenhams/Asos/Bare Minerals - it's a complete bargain and I'd highly recommend it!

- Bare Minerals Buxom Lips (shade Katie) - Katie was a recent purchase, a little pricey at £18 but it looks stunning on, its a pretty coral-y shade, Buxom Lips creates the look of fuller, voluptuous lips. I couldn't decide between Katie and Trixie, Trixie is a little pinker, but I'm definitely going to go back and buy it!

- Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil (shade Dark Brown) - This has become a real staple for me, I never used to use eyebrow pencils because I just didn't see the point, but having tried it out, my eyebrows do look so much neater, I'd heard really good things about this pencil and I don't use many Rimmel products, but its completely amazing, it lasts ages and the cute little brush on the end of the lid is perfect for taming unkempt brows!

- Rimmel Hide The Blemish Concealer (fairest shade) - Concealer is definitely essential if my skin isn't looking as great as it should be, sometimes when it gets to the end of the week and I'm feeling a little tired I suffer with the dreaded under eye circles, this helps massively as well as covering any little blemishes that pop up every now and then! It applies just like lipstick and lasts absolutely ages as you only need a tiny amount, it's definitely been a facesaver!

- Mac Fix+ - I bought this a little while ago, I was a little unsure of fixing sprays to begin with but I couldn't be without it now, it keeps your make-up in place all day and is so refreshing on the skin, it feels cool, calming and energizing, it definitely leaves me feeling refreshed during the day.

- Mac Dazzle Lash Mascara - I adore this mascara, I was blessed with naturally long eyelashes but they're quite fair, this is a gorgeous blacker-than-black shade. It's not quite as amazing as Benefit's They're Real but for the price tag it's definitely worth it!

- Mac Blush (shade Well Dressed) - This was a recent purchase of mine, I tend to get bored of blushers quite quickly and change shades pretty often, I love this shade though, its so pretty, it's a really delicate pink which looks beautiful against my pale skin, without leaving me looking embarrassed or overly warm! I tend to apply it quite often during the day, I hate looking washed out and tired because my skins so pale! 

So there's my everyday essentials! I'd love to hear what yours are! 

Blush & Belle x

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