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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044 : Spring Beauty Haul

Hey Lovelies! Hope everyone is enjoying this amazing sunshine, I have to admit, I do find it really hard to get motivated when it's so beautiful outside! So, over the last five months I've been collecting various products ready for the Spring/Summer season, like a lot of beauty bloggers, I like to switch up my shades and products as the weather changes, for lighter, more delicate options.. please note, I didn't buy all of this at once and some of it was birthday gifts!

 (The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil - £12)

 I bought this on a bit of a whim around a month ago and I'm so glad I did. Before bed I tend to cleanse, tone and moisturise but my skin looked tired and felt dry in the mornings. I heard amazing things about this serum-in-oil and really wanted to try it out. Applying just a few drops before bed, my skin looks and feels refreshed in the morning. I look more awake and my skin feels hydrated and fresh, this is definitely a product I can see myself purchasing again and again! 

 (Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh - £52 / 75ml)

Being a lover of the original Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrance, I couldn't wait to get my little mitts on this, I did buy it with birthday money as it is quite pricey, but its one of the most beautiful fragrances I've ever whiffed. Fruity, light & floral, its perfect for daytime & in the evenings if you don't like anything too heavy. It has a really soft, feminine scent and the bottle is just to die for! A staple for every girls dressing table, no?

 (Lady Gaga Fame - £32 / 50ml)

Another naughty perfume buy, I bought this in Superdrug a while ago when it was only £10. I'm not a massive fan of celebrity fragrances but this is one of those perfumes that gets a lot of compliments and people are always pretty surprised to hear its Gaga's. Of course, it wouldn't be Lady Gaga if the fragrance fluid itself wasn't black, which turns clear when sprayed. The bottle has had a little controversy but I quite like the gold claw! It has a fairly light, floral fragrance which smells quite sweet. Its not one I'd use religiously but its definitely a nice option for the daytime!

 (Essie Spring Collection - £7.99 each)

I always get really excited for the new Essie collections, as a devout Essie collector, I'm always anxious to see whats coming next. I picked up three of these shades in the Boots 3-for-2 deal. I opted for Style Hunter, a bright pinky-red shade, Romper Room, a baby pink, Spin the Bottle, a nude and Fashion Playground which is a duck-egg minty shade. I decided not to go for the two blue shades as I never really use blue polishes. I have to say I was kind of disappointed at the consistency of these shades, with Romper Room and Fashion Playground its really hard to get a nice, even coat. Although when Fashion Playground is on, its a beautiful shade, I think it makes a perfect alternative to Mint Candy Apple. I love Style Hunter and Spin the Bottle, Style Hunter is a vibrant magenta shade, the perfect mix of red and pink and makes for a pretty, bold nail. I was a little skeptical of Spin the Bottle as it looks like quite a strange colour in the bottle, but its actually beautiful when its worn on, its the perfect nude, its classy and elegant and gorgeous for daytime wear.

  (Essie Madison Ave-Hue - £7.99)

Another Boots 3-for-2 buy, Madison Ave-Hue is a shade I've been pining after for such a long time, but always seems to be sold out at my local Boots. I'm so glad I managed to pick this up, its a stunning shade of pink and looks gorgeous on. A really girly, flirty pink which is different to all of the other pink polishes I have. I think its really underrated as its so utterly gorgeous, perfect pink shade for summer!

 (House of Holland Elegant Touch Nails / Sweet Tooth - £8.99)

Another 3-for-2 Boots buy (am I the only one who'd have to be physically restrained to stay away?!), I saw these House of Holland Nails and fell in love, they're so utterly adorable. House of Holland have really outdone themselves on the nail front this year and have some really stunning designs out. I'm yet to use them, but can't wait to try them out. I'm a sucker for anything remotely cute, I'd have loved to have seen some House of Holland Cupcake nails!

 (Sleek Blush by 3 / Pink Lemonade - £9.99)

Over the last year or so, Sleek has become one of my favourite brands, I love their eyeshadow palettes and their products are so affordable. I'd seen amazing things said about this little palette on Twitter and really wanted to give it a go. It has three shades, Icing Sugar (left), Macaroon - a cream blush (centre) and Pink Mint (right). I really like Icing Sugar, its a rose-gold, light, delicate pink which looks really pretty against my pale skin. I found Macaroon a little hard to blend in, but its a gorgeous, brighter pink shade. Pink Mint is more of a coral based blush, which I find is a little harsh on my skintone. All of the shades are really long lasting and have amazing pigmentation like their eye-palette sisters!

(Mac Mineralize Fantasy of Flowers / Azalea In The Afternoon - £20)

This was another birthday buy, I really love the Mac Mineralize blushes as they're always so shimmery, Azalea in The Afternoon is no exception, a pretty blue-toned pink shade with a hint of shimmer. This is a really gorgeous shade for the spring, it suits my pale skin perfectly but I think its such a versatile shade it would suit all skin shades, I have to say though, I don't feel as though as I've got much bang for my buck, £20 makes this little blush on the pricier end of the blush scale and the longevity isn't that great, I do find myself having to re-apply every few hours. For a limited edition blush, its pretty but definitely hasn't lived up to the hype!

 (Soap & Glory Love At First Blush - £11)

I picked up this pretty little compact on a recent trip to Boots (they need to start charging me rent, seriously..!) Its so, so beautiful. Its a blush I've received loads of compliments on, it has shades of blush, highlighter and bronzer, when they're all swirled together on your brush it looks gorgeous. Its so shimmery and light, I can definitely see this blush being my spring/summer staple, its long-lasting too and well priced for what you get. Soap & Glory cosmetics are ones that I'm finding myself opting for more and more frequently, they've never seemed to fail to impress me lately!

  (L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick Shade 500/Molto Mauve - £8.99)

I picked this up after seeing it on Fleur's instagram feed, it looked gorgeous on Fleur so I figured I had to have it. Described as having the colour intensity of a lipstick, magnifying shine of a gloss and softness of a balm & being available in a total of 9 different shades, its a really gorgeous lipstick, it doesn't feel at all sticky, my lips feel beautifully soft and hydrated, it definitely lives up to the hype and was a good investment, however... I just don't like the shade on me, it looks so dark on me, being a fan of lighter lipsticks I wish I'd opted for a lighter, pinker shade!

 (Mac Lipstick/Sunny Seoul - £15)

I picked up this little beauty on a trip to Cambridge months and months ago and I really wish I'd blogged about it sooner. It's gorgeous. I usually opt for the Mineralize lipsticks as I find them less drying, but over a good lip balm this lipstick is perfect. A beautiful coral shade, which works perfectly for both daytime and evening wear and one that I find to be really flattering, I think its one of those shades that absolutely anyone can get away with! Its become my staple lip colour over the last few weeks and I don't see it changing anytime soon, it is a little pricey but I think its definitely worth the price tag!

  (Mac Mineralize Lipstick/Divine Choice - £20)

(Models Own Speckled Egg/Dove & Duck - £5 each) 

Divine Choice was another birthday purchase, its a gorgeous hot pink shade which I've had tons of compliments on. I love the softness and richness of the Mineralize lipsticks, it glides on really well and lasts all day. I always find the Mineralize lipsticks way more moisturising, non-sticky and easy to apply, this was no exception. I have my little peepers on Dreaminess - a gorgeous pale pink! The Models Own polishes were a couple that I picked up over easter and are yet to use, I saw them all over instagram and thought they were a great alternative to a texture polish or nail wrap. I love how these look on & their a definite cheaper option to the Illamasqua alternative!

  (Soap & Glory Hocus Focus Highlighter - £13)

Another Soap & Glory product I wish I'd blogged about sooner, I've had this gorgeous highlighter over a month now and have fallen head over heels for it. I had been looking for a liquid highlighter for ages and had failed to find one anywhere, I'm so glad I stumbled across this little beauty. I started using it just on my cheekbones to give my skin some definition and a little shimmer, to make my face look less 'flat' so to say! I mix a little in with my foundation now and it gives me a perfect dewy glow. I absolutely, love, love, love this. Cannot rave about it enough!

 (Soap & Glory Trick & Treatment Under Eye Corrector - £9)

(Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack - £12.50) 

I'm really loving Soap & Glory products at the moment, I've been using them on a daily basis. My eyes are a really problematic area for me, no matter how much sleep I get I always suffer with dark circles in the morning, its something I feel really self conscious about and having tried a multitude of products I still haven't managed to solve the issue. Trick & Treatment is a light concealer, its yellow pigmented which claims to neutralise purple tones under the eyes. For me, this just didn't work. It added a little coverage but not enough, I find it works much better for covering imperfections! I think it was a little bit of a letdown considering the price! Puffy Eye Attack is a gel cream, which is applied at night and in the mornings, I pop it on under my eyes and brow bone before bed and before applying make-up, I've definitely noticed that my eyes look less tired, but again it hasn't done much for my dark circles, I've used this daily for around a month now and not noticed much difference at all. Bit of a let down!

 (Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - £22)

(L'oreal Paris Super Line Gel Intenza/Pure Black - £8.50) 

Drink Up Intensive has been a product I was pining after for a really long time, having heard amazing things about it flying around the bloggersphere and on twitter, I finally picked it up a few months back and I don't know how I've lived without it! It's a beautifully creamy mask, which you just pop on before bedtime and bobs your uncle! I tend to use this after a hot bath when my skin feels dry and during the summer months when I feel like a need a moisture boost. In the mornings my skin feels beautifully hydrated and absolutely loves me for it. I love Origins products, and being all natural, you know that whats going on your face is all good! No nasty chemicals needed! I bought the L'Oreal Gel Liner on a bit of a whim, having used the Rimmel one for a really long time and absolutely loved it, I felt like I wanted to change it up a little. The L'Oreal Liner has really impressed me, its long lasting and super pigmented, it never needs touching up during the day at all and stays put. I was a little skeptical about the brush that came with it as I never find them to be that good, but the one with this liner was actually pretty decent, I apply mine using an angled brush from Mac for a perfect cat-eye flick! A definite keeper!

So that wraps it up! Sorry for such a long post today! What have you guys been investing in lately?

Lots of Love!

Heidi 

xxxx 

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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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