Friction Free Shaving

If you're anything like me, you won't put much thought into your body hair removal tools or process. I jump in the bath once a week and do a big blitz then just keep on top of my underarms every other day. I really just don't have the patience, or money to be so hung up about it. I class myself as above average when it comes to body hair production, being mixed race and having polycystic ovaries doesn't bode well for me unfortunately, and I've found the easiest pain free method of dealing with this is shaving.

Known for trying to keep the same razor head going for about 4 months, when I heard about Friction Free Shaving, it sounded like a bit of me. A subscription service where you pick from one of their 3 sizes of razor - Faye (£3), Frankie (£5) or Samantha (£7). They then send you a monthly supply of razor head replacements to allow you to change your razor every week. If like me you don't need to change your blades so often, you can opt for the bi-monthly service where they send you a box every other month instead.

Should you find you a pile up of blades you're just not making your way through, you can choose to postpone your service for a month where you won't be charged or receive more blades. You are also free to cancel your subscription or change the size of blades you are receiving at any time. After ordering my razor I received my first box about 3-4 days later. Packaged in cardboard with little excess makes cutting through tough plastic a thing of the past. The box is completely recyclable and compact too. The blades are super easy to attach to the razor, just click them on at the head of the razor and tug away from the holding tray.

I may be a little bias but the first time I used my razor completely sold me on the concept. They aren't snazzy and over fiddly like the generic blade heads you get with moisture stripes that disintegrate after the first few uses, but they are super sharp. In fact, I had to teach myself to be less heavy handed after using blunt razors for years (I may have made a few cuts on the first attempt with such a sharp new razor). But I'm not sure if it was the placebo effect, but the closeness of the shave meant that my hairs didn't grow back as quick, which is always a huge bonus!

Overall, I'm a little on the fence about these razors. I do love the concept and the price is fabulous for the service you receive. But after using these for 2 months I've found the quality is quite poor compared its overpriced competitors, a lot of my razors have started to rust after only a few days of use. Even though I use shaving foam and exfoliate well beforehand, these razors can be pretty rough on sensitive skin and I'm often left with a razor rash or flaky bits of skin (not attractive). I do really like the idea, but I think Friction Free Shaving could possibly look at the quality and offer more pricier sensitive-friendly options to their range.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

If you haven't heard of Nars Sheer Glow you've probably been hiding under a beauty rock somewhere. But if you've stumbled across this researching if it's worth shelling out your cash for or just because it's popped up in your notifications. I'm ready to tell you, the good, the bad and the ugly on the little bottle.

I'm quite fussy when it comes to foundations, I'll find one that really works for me (which is a miracle) and I'll just stick to using that for year, in fear anything else will break me out or simply look rubbish. I have quite oily skin, although a lot clearer in terms on blemishes compared to earlier years, I still need somewhat of a decent coverage to fix up my uneven complexion and tired face. Nars Sheer Glow promises a glowing, natural radiant finish with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone. It is recommended normal to dry skin types due to it's hydrating properties.

I researched up a lot on this beforehand, and most people claimed it was suitable for everyone, even recommending it for oily skin types over the matte version. After using the matching tool on Findation it matched me to the colour Mont Blanc (although this is a little too light for me, and next time I'll go a shade darker). As it comes in a screw top glass bottle, I also brought a foundation pump, although it's £3 extra, it's well worth it in the amount of product save by dispensing it more economically.

It is a water-based foundation meaning it is very thin and runny in consistency, however a little of this goes a very long way and the medium coverage can be built up for a heavier coverage. I apply the foundation with a Sigma F80 Kabuki Brush, two pumps is enough for a moderate coverage and three for a more fuller coverage. The formula does require a fair amount of time and effort with blending but the results look great. The pay off is a slightly dewy, natural finish. It looks great on it's own but can also be teamed up with a setting powder for us oily skin types.

The foundation wears nicely on the skin throughout the day and doesn't leave me looking greasy. However, because the formula is so thin, it doesn't sit quite right around my eye area and can crease, but this isn't a deal breaker for me. In fact, it sits on drier patches and blemishes a lot better than heavy coverage foundations due to it's hydrating properties. It covers the redness around my nose and chin area well and provides a natural looking base.

I've included some before and after pictures showing my bare face and then a moderate application of the foundation (apologies for my bug eyes and redness).

I can go up to 4 hours before it requires any blotting or powder from me which is rare from even foundations targeted to oily skin types. Although it's £31 a bottle, after almost 3 months I am around a third through my first bottle so price per wear is relatively low. Overall, I'm really pleased I took the plunge in trying this after so many years. I can honestly recommend it to anyone of any skin type, looking for a light-above moderate coverage wanting a natural looking finish.

My only downside with this is that I'm not the biggest fan of glass bottles as I travel a lot, but it's pretty thick and durable and I haven't experienced any breakages yet. Also the fact it doesn't come with a pump for the price is pretty rubbish too, but if you purchase one, you can reuse it with each new bottle, so it isn't all doom and gloom. Apart from this, there aren't any quibbles from me!

Tom Ford Orchid Soleil

On the hunt for a new perfume to dabble in after my beloved Marc Jacobs Decadence (amazing, amazing fragrance) is coming to an end, I stumbled across something I thought I'd never try. Tom Ford perfumes are something I've never been the biggest fan of, the men's offerings are pretty good but I find the women's are very dark, musky and overpowering at times. However in July 2016 this little rose gold beauty hit the shelves and promises to bring a more floral, girly and summery addition to the current collection.

The bottle is gorgeous and would sit beautifully on any dressing table with pride. Simple but eye catching, the rose gold bottle with matching topper is accompanied by the classic Tom Ford branding taking centre position in a gold finish. The older I get the more I'm drawn to simple more classic perfume bottles, as much as I love Marc Jacobs huge toppers and details, they just aren't practical and take up a lot more space, especially when it comes to throwing it in your handbag.

I'll be honest, on first spritz I really wasn't too keen on this. I actually sprayed it onto a card and went for a walk around House of Fraser hoping it'd mute down a little. It is very strong, the sillage is heavy to say the least. It's spicy notes include pink pepper, bitter orange, cypress. It's heart notes include red spider lily and tuberose and finally it's base notes are chestnut cream, vanilla patchouli and orchid. I love that Tom Ford always go the extra mile to create something slightly different to the generic offerings by designers on the perfume market, picking more unique notes, and although very floral and sweet, Orchid Soleil is no exception to this.

Once it had settled down, I thought I'd just give it a go. The longevity of this perfume is incredible and although the price tag is a little more on the expensive side, a little of this goes a long way. I can usually still smell this on me at the end of the day and I rarely find myself having to top up throughout the day either. I decided to purchase the smallest bottle first, in case I fell out of love with it quickly, but it's probably earned a repurchase. I've had so many compliments on this and although classed as a summer fragrance, I definitely find it wearable throughout the colder seasons too.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I guess it's time to talk about what's happening, rather than hiding from the obvious. So things haven't really gone to plan this year, and if I'm honest, I think I would have needed a miracle to them to do so in the first place. So I've just found out I may not be able to continue onto the last year of my degree, and considering it's been an emotional rocky road for the past 3 years, to say I'm devastated would be an understatement.

So here I am seeing the positives rather than the negatives of the situation, and seeing it as an opportunity to do what I love most, which is of course social media marketing. I plan on continuing with my degree and retaking a few things but it's really opened my eyes to where I am right now and what I really want to be doing. With that in mind, every year I say I'm going to focus on my channel and blog, and I never ever do. Well, this is the end of those days, if you've all noticed I've started posting on my YouTube channel again which you can find here. I've also been posting a little bit more on my blog, bare with me on that one though, I've been suffering with serious bloggers block lately.

There's been some huge changes in my life recently, and I'll probably be writing some more specific posts on those soon so watch out for them! If there's anything else you really want to see, leave me a comment or drop me an email, I get round to replying to all of those eventually. But on the whole, things are 'okay' right now. It's time to embrace some changes and move along with things. Here's to the future!

Soap And Glory Wonderbronze

I'm been using Benefit Hoola religiously for bronzing on contouring everyday for over a year now, and I've finally come to the end. Although I love that bronzer (like serious, it's incredible) I'm always happy to try something else. Soap & Glory have been my go to drugstore brand of choice over the past year, and after loving Solar Powder, I decided to give it's more shimmery counterpart a whirl. It retails at £11 which is over half the price of my Hoola, bonus.

Let's start with the packaging; unlike Solar Powder, Wonderbronze is a plastic compact. Inside it has a large mirror which is handy for people like me who don't ever carry mirrors in their handbag. The compact clicks shut easily and seems to take a good battering being bumped about in my bag on a daily basis. The bronzer itself is incredibly shimmery, which usually is the opposite of what I'd go for. However, it does have a multi wheel of shimmery tones from more deeper bronzers to the brightest of highlighting tones.

So how does it apply then? I expected this to be strongly pigmented and glittery when applied but it's actually surprised me. It quite sheer although you can build it up obviously, but I wouldn't recommend it for contouring if you like a stronger contour like myself. When the colours are mixed together on a brush, it leaves you with a golden toned bronze which is perfect for adding some glow and sun kissed colour onto the face. It doesn't look over shiny or have large shimmer partials, making it quite natural and very wearable. Overall, I really like this bronzer, but just as that, I think Hoola will have to get a repurchase to satisfy my contouring needs.

Top Tips For Achieving The Perfect Nails

Working on a bar can be pretty tedious on your hands, especially nails. So I've been making an extra effort to get my talons back in tip top condition. With colder weather and gloves out of the question, your hands are pretty much on show all the time. I know how crappy I feel looking down at my over bitten nails and scratched/cut hands so summer is the perfect motivation to making them look pretty and presentable again. 

Here are my top tips for achieving and maintaining healthy and presentable nails over summer:

Keeping your hands and nails well moisturised. I'm constantly in contact with cleaning chemicals and will wash my hands on average about 10 times a day if not more at work. I have sensitive skin so this just dries out and irritates my hands and nails. By keeping a small bottle of hand and nail lotion in your hand bag and popping it on every time you wash your hands will dramatically improve the condition of your skin and nails.

Filing them to a realistic shape and length. As a lover of acrylic nails, I know it can be tempting to keep on growing your nails to as long as possible. But we all know how this ends, breakages. The best well to maintain a full hand of nails at the same length is to keep them to a reasonable short length. I've also found that rounding them off as opposing to keeping them square causes less splits and peeling on the edges.

Drink plenty of water and keep calcium levels high. I find when I'm going through periods of drinking more water and eating better foods such as fish, white meat and eggs. My nails seem to be stronger and healthier and therefore are easier to maintain and suffer less breakages.

Use a good quality nail varnish remover. As tempting as it can be to pick off and peel nail varnish or use any old remover you can find, it really is important to remove traces of polish properly. I use the Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover, it leaves my nails feeling moisturised and healthy and removes every scrap of polish.

Use a good quality polish. I used to love Barry M polishes and could pick up 3 for under £10. But after using more expensive brands such as Essie, I've noticed a massive difference in the quality of the polish; it lasts longer, dries quicker and therefore looks better.

Use a quick drying nail spray. When you've finished painting your nails, invest in a quick drying spray and spray it over your nails after every coat you apply. Your nails can still smudge if you press them against texture but it initially dries them much quicker than leaving them to dry out.

Don't leave the same polish on for weeks. I hate chipped nail polish so I usually remove my polish every 3-5 days anyway. But if you're not like me, try and remove your polish once a week, and give your nails bare a day or two to breathe which will prevent them from yellowing and staining.

The Fitness Journey So Far

I think this post has been a little bit of a long time coming sort of thing. I didn't make any resolutions at the beginning of 2016; I'd just come out of a relationship, I'd recently been promoted, I was half way through my second year of university and I just felt like I deserved some me time, no rules apply. I've always been petite but I can't put it down to hard work, a naturally high metabolism and self control over not overeating has served me well over the years. But I know I'm not fit, climbing a flight of stairs or running anything over 30 seconds left me tired and struggling to breathe.

I'd been great at going to the gym when my friends were at university, it's easier to train amongst over people, you all motivate each other and get a little competitive. But being on my own most of the time during second year has left me lazy and unmotivated. I decided to start join the gym again in January like most people do, but I've actually stuck to it. In fact, I've became quite the gym junkie. I even learnt to enjoy cardio, I know, insane lady!

The journey so far has been a bumpy one, some weeks I'll be super motivated, eat as clean as possible and train 3-4 times a week, or weeks I do nothing. I've found the biggest obstacle to conquer is the barrier you create yourself through lack of motivation. It's easy to snooze your alarm until the last minute for work or get back from work and collapse on the sofa and not move the whole night. The nights I push myself out of a post work nap to go for a 5k run are becoming more common, shocking. It's going to take me a little longer to maintain any sort of motivation with weights though.

I don't find it easy to stay so thin these days though, my yo-yo eating habits have left me with an un-flat stomach that refuses to show any abs and a dominant quads which wobble when I walk. My self image probably isn't very favourable and therefore I never weigh myself or measure myself because I'd just go to extreme lengths which wouldn't be healthy. Instead I measure my progress by my general wellbeing. When I'm on top of things, I find it easier to sleep, wake up, I feel better within myself, I feel happier and I tend to maintain higher levels of energy throughout the day.

I guess the main reason for me putting this post out is to give myself a bit more motivation to carry on with this all. I've fallen off the horse many times this past 5 months and I'd really like to make some solid progress throughout the rest of the year. So expect a few more fitness related posts, tips, foodie diaries etc. And don't hesitate to drop me any questions you may have, I'd be happy to answer them.

Keeping Things Simple...

I'm not one to dabble in skincare that doesn't grace a high end counter; with trying to be more money savvy and going through an absolute mare with my skin the past few weeks, I'm willing to give anything a try. Going through my teens with horrendous skin taught me a lesson that less is more, especially if you have super sensitive skin like mine. I've found that the more natural and less harsh, the better my skin will react to it. Simple was a massive part of my skincare years ago, with it's basic and natural ingredients I thought I'd give it another go in a bid to clear my skin up.

I picked up the Refreshing Facial Wash Gel, Soothing Facial Toner and Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30. With hotter weather making a comeback, I wanted to keep my skincare as refreshing yet hydrating enough to keep me protected through the sunny days. Simple says no to  harsh, artificial perfumes and colours that can upset your skin, which means it'll be gentle enough for the most sensitive of skin types. It's early days using the products but I thought I'd give you a mini review on my thoughts so far...

Simple Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash: Being a classic, I'm sure most of you will already know the stich on this one. A light refreshing gel wash used with warm water twice a day, doesn't contain any soap but foams up nicely leaving you feeling squeaky clean without stripping the skin of it's natural oils. Perfect for those of you with oily/combination skin. Doesn't irritate or break me out, top trumps for this one!

Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner: I never see toner as an essential but I'm gonna try and stick out all 3 steps religiously. This will always remain the only toner I can use without breaking me out or causing irritation to my skin. Extremely gentle, applied onto a cotton pad and swept over my face after cleansing twice a day. I don't feel it does a whole lot and cold water splashed over your face after cleansing does as good a job at closing the pores. But does feel lovely and refreshing and catches pesky bits of make-up missed by cleansing alone.

Simple Kind To Skin Protecting Moisture Cream: Having been a fan of the Hydrating Light Moisturiser before, I decided to give this more revamped version a try. Getting older, I am becoming more conscious of using SPF on my face, and although I use a high end moisturiser now, it doesn't contain any. For a cheaper product to contain SPF 30 is fab. I expected it to be thick and heavy on my skin but it sinks in an absolute dream and doesn't leave me looking like an oily mess, it provides the perfect base for make-up.

I'm super pleased with the products, always makes me wonder why I bother spending a fortune on high end things when I can get the same results if not better with much cheaper ones. I'll always recommend Simple products from those just starting out with skincare to those who just want to keep things minimal and basic. And it's perfect for those of you with sensitive skin which is always difficult to try out products for in case of inflicting more damage! Simple products are currently on 3 for 2 in all Boots stall so what better time to stock up?

Marc Jacobs Decadence

My love affair with BonBon came to an end and rather than replacing it, I decided to make a big purchase on the other fragrance I'd had my eye on, Decadence. Marc Jacobs are known for their sweet, fruity and floral scents so when this hit the fragrance stands last year, it was a little unexpected. Gone were the girly, light scents and floral designed rounded bottles and in was this grown up game changer.

The changes are apparently even from design of the bottle. Known for their classic handbag designs, Marc Jacobs have brought this icon through onto the design of the Decadence bottle. Although I went for the 100ml bottle, this is by far one of the largest bottles of perfume I've ever owned. Half is a hunter green glass bottle, the other is a snakeskin pattern lid which has a gold chain and black tassel accent attached to it. Although very beautiful and sits ascetically pleasing on my perfume shelf, it isn't the most travel friendly design. I usually ditch the lid or fill up my Travalo.

For the scent itself, it's very sultry, sexy and feminine. It comes across as quite woody and crisp with a few light floral tones. Top notes include Italian Plum, Iris and Saffron. Heart notes are Jasmine and Bulgarian Rose and to round it off, base notes compliment with Papyrus, Vetiver and Liquid Amber. I don't think I've ever smelt another fragrance quite like this so I can't really compare it to another but it is incredible. It sticks around a long time too and I can still smell it on my hair in the morning after a night out. It's rich scent and longevity makes it all worth the large price tag.

Marc Jacobs Decadence Eau de Parfum from £48.50 - £86.00 via Boots - link.

REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser

If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll remember back year ago when I suffered horribly from acne. No matter how much I spent, what I ate, what I did; it just wouldn't shift. Over the couple of years it's really cleared up a treat, but I still have to be careful what products I use. I've finally knuckled down a regime which I'll do a post on soon, but for now I want to have a little rave about this product; the REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser.

 

 

Having tried Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and not seeing any noticeable results, I was a little sceptical about this. With it's £18 a bottle price tag, it isn't the cheapest of cleansers. The 150ml bottle tends to last me around a month which can become costly. Also the packaging has it's pros and cons. First of all, the product is inside clear squeezy bag inside a plastic bottle. When you pump the product the bag itself inside becomes tighter to move the product upwards. This means at the end of it's life, there is always some product inside which you just can't get out which seems wasteful. However it does allow you to see when you are running out which is a massive bonus to you can stock up beforehand.

 

I apply one pump of the cleanser and massage it into dry skin; I always use a make-up remover before cleansing to double cleanse so I can't comment on how well it measures up in terms of that. I tend to leave it on my face for a minute before washing away with a warm, damp flannel. It has a very creamy consistency and a little goes a long way. It smells very natural, you can definitely pick up on the clay scent. It also contains camomile water, sage and lactic acid. These ingredients kill surface bacteria, absorb oil and help tone the pores. It is targeted towards those of us with problem skin, having oily skin I have definitely noticed a slow down in the oil production of my skin too which is a massive bonus.

 

 

I'm currently on my third bottle of the cleanser. Every time I run out I try and switch to a cheaper alternative and my skin just goes crazy and breaks out again. It really does calm the skin down in a completely natural manner which is great for people with sensitive skin like myself. It leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated, not tight and stripped like most cleansers targeted to my skin type. The only downside is how quickly I get through it, but it's definitely worth every penny; I wouldn't dare switch to anything else now, my skin adores this stuff.

 

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

I could not live without powder. Being an oily skin gal, even after putting my foundation on I look like an over dewy mess. I'm all about the matte look with my face. However, I always struggle to find the right balance between cakey mess and too light of a dusting. I've tried everything from high end powders to the drug store offerings and I think I've found my perfect balance for the price, quality and look on the skin.

 

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder has been super popular for years, I've used it on and off myself since I was about 14. I always lean towards pressed powders as opposed to loose powders as they're far less messy for on the go application and you don't waste much product when applying. At just £3.99 it's super affordable and lasts a long time too making it less of a heart attack to replace. There are 6 shades with one being transparent which is suitable for all skin colours.

I use a huge fluffy powder brush, giving it a swirl in the pan then knocking off any excess before applying. A light dusting on the face usually keep my super oily face matte for a few hours but it's compact enough to keep in your handbag to top up throughout the day. The only downside to this powder is how prone it is to breaking in the pan if it's dropped. Overall this is a fab powder and will always make it's way back into my collection when one runs out.
 

OUTFIT | Checkered Shirt & Knee High Boots

Outfit Details:

T Shirt | H&M

Shirt | Topshop Petite

Jeans | Topshop Petite

Boots | River Island

Jacket | River Island

Bag | Ted Baker
Gloves | Topshop

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concerntrate

Since facial oils became a big thing on the beauty market, I've always stayed well away from them. Having skin that produces ridiculous amounts of excess oil leading to clogged pores and pesky blemishes, adding more oil to my skin was the last thing I wanted to do. However, on my quest to try different products lately, I decided to give Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate a whirl. It claims to replenish the skin with moisture and help recover radiance by the morning. I've never really trusted the hype around 'overnight difference' products but after reading so many positive reviews I had high hopes for the little blue bottle.

Housed in a teeny blue glass bottle with a pipette inside the lid. You push down on the lid which in turn contracts the product into the pipette, and another push releases the product; pretty nifty. Although it's £36 price tag can seem a little scary, you only need to use the smallest amount. I find 2-3 drops is enough for my whole face. I'm on my first bottle so I can't estimate how long this will last, but with everyday use over the past month it's hardly gone down at all, fab. The oil contains ingredients such as squalane, omega-6 fatty acids, evening primrose oil and lavender. Kiehl's are well known for their use of natural ingredients in their products making them suitable for even the most sensitive of skin.

I apply mine every evening after make-up removal and a thorough cleanse. I dispense the product onto my finger tips and then press it into the skin. The oil is extremely runny and thin which makes it great for all skin types as it won't sit too heavy on your skin and clog your pores. It appears super shiny and oily when first applied but shortly after it skins into the skin well and by the morning it's pretty much invisible. Using a moisturiser after is completely optional, I find I don't need to use one as I already have very oily skin so the product alone is hydrating enough for me.

I've noticed a huge difference in my skin over the past month. In the mornings, my skin appears more even, less oily and I wake up with less break outs. I love it when I find a product that actually works. It's made my night time routine a lot more quicker too and this is always a massive bonus when I come back after a night shift and just want to take my make-up off and hop into bed. My skin overall has become more radiant and calmer, it tends to react less to harsh weather conditions, stressful periods and lazy times when I just don't keep my skincare regime up to scratch. I swear by this stuff, really is a miracle worker, If you're new to the facial oils, give this one a try first, you won't be disappointed!

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer

Foundation is one of those products I don't like to switch up a lot and try new things. If I find something I like and it works for me, if it's not broken why fix it right? However about 6 months ago when my beloved Anti Blemish Solutions Make-Up Foundation had come to an end, I fancied a change. At the time Clinique had just released a new product into its family of foundations: Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer. As my skin has cleared up fantastic amounts over the past couple of years I decided it was time to focus on a more flawless complexion as opposed to a high coverage. On recommendation I decided to give it and try, and I've never looked back since.

Beyond Perfecting is targeted to all skin types and leaves the skin feeling well moisturised throughout the day. It provides a moderate-full coverage and a little bit goes a very long way, it's taken me 6 months to almost come to the end of my first bottle, I don't think I've ever had a foundation last this long! It comes in 22 different shades, the selection was fewer before but upon request they have expanded it, which is a blessing for paler girls who struggle with the lightest shades on offer at times.

It comes in a glass bottle with a plastic screw lid, inside said lid is a doe foot sponge applicator. This makes it super easy to spot apply to areas of your face or the back of your hand so that you can then apply to the face. This means you save a hell of a lot of foundation compared to pump or pour bottles where you end up wasting half the product. I use my Clinique Foundation Brush to apply, it comes in a slow-dry formula which means you have plenty of time to work with the product to create a seamless coverage. It leaves you with a natural-matte finish so you only need to powder in your oily areas to leave a natural finish to the face.

I do still use concealer on pesky blemishes and under my eyes but if I'm in a rush, I can get away with missing it out and my face still looks pretty flawless so top trumps on the whole purpose of the foundation there Clinique! It's one of the only foundations I've used which still looks great after a long shift at work even under the test of my super oily skin. It doesn't dry cakey and feels light and hydrating on the skin. Being oil-free, it keeps my complexion nice and clear too which is a massive bonus. It doesn't oxidise like most foundations, the colour stays true throughout the day.

You don't just have to use this as a full coverage foundation either, the applicator makes it easy to spot conceal instead on those good skin days (if you're brave enough!)  I really do love this foundation and I've just purchased my second bottle, it's just gone up to £25 but with how long my last bottle lived for, I really can't complain about the price tag. It's going to take a wonder product to knock this out of my make-up bag any time soon.

Viktor & Rolf Bonbon

You all know how much I love Flowerbomb right? When that hit the perfume market, every girl and her best friend went nuts for it, and rightly so, it's incredible! When I found out Viktor & Rolf were launching a second fragrance, I can't deny that I got a bit excited. Excuse me for being a bit late to the party, but when an expensive pretty bottle hits the market, I had to make choices and last year My Burberry won. However this year it was Bonbon's time to shine.

The bottle itself is designed on a bow (pretty obviously) however the colour is a gorgeous fuchsia pink with a pale rose gold lid. It's definitely one that'll sit pretty on your dressing table and stand out from your other perfumes. At £69 for 50ml, it isn't on the cheap side, but being a eau de parfum it does tend to linger around a little longer meaning you'll use a little less than it's eau de toilette counterparts.

 

As for the scent; it is super sweet, but I didn't expect any less. If you're a fan of floral or spiced scents then you probably won't like this, but if you're like me and love anything borderline sickly, then this ticks all the right boxes. The density hits on you the first spray with top notes of mandarin, orange and peach; as it begins to settle it's heart notes of caramel, jasmine and orange blossom become apparent. To even out the mixture of sweet notes, the base notes include a combination of cedarwood, guaiac wood, sandalwood and amber.

 

Sweeter perfumes tend to remind me of cheaper scents, however this one is up there on my top spot right now, I actually can't get quite enough sniffs! The only downfall is that I find it doesn't tend to linger quite as much as I hoped it would so I find myself constantly respraying meaning my bottle is taking quite a battering. For something quite pricey that can be a disappointing factor. In true Viktor & Rolf spirit, the price tag will never be enough to stop be repurchasing as usual. The scent will carry through nicely to warmer months as well as being completely wearable throughout winner. My only regret is not getting this sooner.



Face Of The Day #02

I'm very much a basics girl when it comes to make-up, give me a neutral eye and a nude lip any day and I'm good to go. However, over the past few months I've been branching out into deeper tones with my palettes. In the colder seasons, purples become more popular. I've never been one to pull off colour, but having a play around, I came up with this. It's been my go to face of an evening throughout winter and it's dead simple yet make it look like you've put in a bit of effort!

Products That I Used: Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer in 02 Alabaster*, Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in Light*, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent, Benefit Hoola Bronzer, MAC Burgundy Times Nine Palette, Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil, L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Feline Mascara, L'oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim Liquid Eye Liner, MAC Rebel Lipstick.

*Colour used will vary due to skin tones and hair colour

I began by applying Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer to my face using the Clinique Foundation Brush. I then went in with my Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer around my nose and under my eyes and buff this in lightly using a Real Techniques Setting Brush. To set this I used the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, applied with the Real Techniques Bold Metals 100 Arched Powder Brush. I then went on to contour my face using Benefit Hoola Bronzer just around the edges of my forehead and under my cheek bones using a Real Techniques Sculpting Brush. For my brows, I followed the natural shape of my brows and then evened them out using a Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil.

For my eyes, I used my MAC Burgundy Times Nine Palette. Taking the colour Honey Lust I applied it opaquely over my lids using a Real Techniques Bold Metals 200 Oval Shadow brush to pack on the pigment. Then I took the colour Star Violet with the Real Techniques Bold Metals 201 Pointed creased brush and applied this to the crease of my lids. With the same brush I took some of the Sketch colour and put this in the outer corner of my lids. I then blended all of this to smooth out any edges with the Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush. I then lined my eyes and created a cat flick effect using the L'oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim Liquid Eye Liner. I finished the look off by using two coats of L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Feline Mascara on my top and bottom lashes; and a sweep of MAC Rebel Lipstick on my lips.