My Favourite Products of 2012

Hi Everyone! So I realise I'm a little bit late jumping on this bandwagon as it's now the 6th of January but I've been so busy that I haven't had time to take photos of my 2012 favourites.   Like most beauty bloggers out there, I've been excited to sit down and share my top products of the past year. To be honest, it was a hard choice as I've tried SO many great products but a few were obvious and easy choices. I've reviewed the majority of these products individually in previous blog posts so if you want to have a read of them I will link them in the title of each product underneath. Just click and it will take you there, yey!

So without further ado, here are my star products of twenty twelve!

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

This has to be the most hyped drugstore foundation of 2012 and I can 100% see why. It gives great coverage, brightens and 'wakes' my skin up in the morning and it also smells delicious. I have gone through a few of these bottles since I discovered it at the start of last year and its still a firm favourite to this day. At only £6.99 too, I have no complaints.

Topshop Lipsticks

Oh Topshop, thank you for creating such beautifully pigmented and moisturising lipsticks. In 2012 I went a bit Topshop crazy, buying everything from their lipsticks, nail polishes and highlighters. Although I love all the products they have to offer, the lipsticks are a stand out favourite. I currently own seven of them (yes I know, extreme!) but I think they are worth every penny. At £8.00 a pop they are more affordable then MAC and in my opinion, are just as good. If you haven't tried these, get to your local Topshop NOW!

Real Techniques Brushes

Okay, need I say much about these? I'm sure every blogger out there owns these brushes as they are so god damn amazing. Not only are the ridiculously soft and apply makeup like a dream but they are also some of the most affordable brushes I own. I began my collection at the start of 2012 with the 'Core Collection' which retails for only £20.99. That's just over £5.00 per brush and they are that lovely I'd probably be willing to pay double that. I've since added the powder and blush brush to my collection and hope to expand it even further in 2013.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

As far as powders go, this is one of the best I've tried. After hearing so many reviews about it, I decided to give it a go and at only £3.99, what did I have to lose? Since buying it a few months ago, I havne't used another powder. Its perfect for dusting over my face after I've applied foundation to control any shine and the staying powder is pretty decent too. The only thing I don't like is the packaging but for less that four pounds, I can't expect too much.

Joico Moisture Recovery Leave-In Moisturizer

I bought this product on a whim while out in Australia last summer and it has since become one of my favourite hair products, EVER. It smells amazing and leaves my hair super soft. As it's in a spray bottle its so convenient to spritz on whenever my hair is feeling a bit dry and I also love that I can apply it to both wet or dry hair so I can make the most of it even on those days I don't wash my hair. The bottle is huge too so it has lasted ages, a great investment.

St.Moriz Tan

I just had to include this as every single year, this is the tan I turn to most often. I've dabbled in other tans and enjoyed them but for the £2.99 price tag, St.Moriz is a clear winner. I love the mousse formula as its so quick and easy to apply and it instantly gives me a deep tan. I've also found it fades lovely too leaving no hideous 'snakeskin' type patches as it wares off.

Caudalie Cleansing Water

This product is an absolute dream. I use this every morning and night to remove my makeup and I'm in love with it. Its refreshing, gentle on my sensitive skin, smells amazing and does its job - removes every last bit of my makeup (including eye makeup). I've tried Bioderma to see how it compares and although I liked it to begin with, I found it burnt my skin and left it feeling sore, not good. Caudalie however does the complete opposite and leaves my skin feeling soothed, clean and soft. If you haven't tried it, you must. I've even got my boyfriend hooked on it.

Benefit Brow Zings

Since discovering this handy little kit of powder and wax, I haven't used another product on my brows. I love that this product comes with everything I need to keep my brows looking their best and it looks much more natural than eyebrow pencils. When I look back at photos of myself when I used a pencil I think 'what was I thinking?'. It is also so quick and easy to use and although I use it every single day, I have barely made a dint in it. Its definitely worth its high price tag.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara

While I was in Australia I had a bit of what I like to call, 'eyelash drama'. Basically, I got some eyelash extensions, hated them, attempted to pull them off and ended up pulling out and snapping the majority of my real eyelashes. I know it was my own fault but the extensions looked ridiculous and were irritating my eyes. I was completely mortified at how ridiculous my eyelashes looked so I attempted to find a quick fix. Most websites told me it would take weeks, even months for my lashes to grow back but as soon as I started using this mascara, I noticed a difference in the length and thickness of my lashes. Not only does it make them appear longer and thicker but it actually does help them to grow. My little stumpy lashes were back to being long and full within two weeks which was pretty incredible considering they were so damaged. I've been using this mascara ever since I bought it and it's one of the best I have ever tried.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

I discovered this while over in Australia too and I have to say, it's a miracle-worker. Before I bought it I never thought it would actually dry my nails instantly as often companies make 'claims' that a product works wonders and it rarely does. However, this does exactly what it says on the bottle; it dries my nails almost instantly after applying it. Okay it might not be 'instant' but within a couple of minutes, I'm good to go. One thing I used to hate about painting my nails was waiting for what seemed like a decade for them to dry and STILL managing to smudge them. This little gem of a product has solved all those problems for me and it also makes my nails super shiny too, bonus!

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

This is the best exfoliator I have tried to date. Firstly, I love the cute pink packaging and secondly, this stuff smells of brown sugar and lime, ah-maz-ing. This has to be the best scented product I own and I could sit and sniff it all day. It also removes dry skin, leaves my skin soft and prepares my skin for applying false tan.

Revlon Lip Butters

Another product that was massively hyped in 2012 is the Revlon Lip Butters. I currently own four of them and they are one of my favourite go-to lip products. They are soft, creamy, moisturising and exceptionally pigmented. They are great for day or night time wear and I love the cute quilted packaging. My favourite shade is 'Lollipop' and I wear it all the time, day or night. I'm hoping to add a few more shades to my collection in 2013.

Babyliss Pro Argan Oil

I bought this product from the duty free service on the plane on my way to Australia. I bought it after hair oils became popular in 2012 and since using it, the condition of my hair has drastically improved. When I was in Oz I embarked on a bit of a 'no heat' mission where I barely used heat for the whole five months I was there. That combined with this hair oil made the perfect combination for getting my hair into tip top condition. It doesn't leave any greasy residue on my hair and it smells amazing too. Big thumbs up!

NARS Laguna Bronzer

Okay, this is my ultimate Holy Grail product. This is my favourite product of 2012 by a country mile and I would be very surprised if I ever find a bronzer I prefer to this one. Its the perfect natural tan colour, not too shimmery but not matte and amazing for contouring. I use this every day and have gone through about five or six of them. Yes its an expensive product at £25.00 a pop but my goodness, its so worth it.

So there we have it, my most loved and used products of the past year. I hope you enjoyed reading and potentially discovered some new products to try out.

What are your 2012 favourites?

Lots of Love,

Monthly Favourites | November

Hi beauties! Oh my goodness, as if it's December?! This makes me super duper happy as I now have a little chocolate to look forward to every morning, my christmas tree has taken pride of place in my living room, pay day has arrived and I only have three weeks left at work before Christmas festivities well and truly begin. WOO! So after that upbeat little intro, let me tell you about the lovely products I've been loving in November...

Lee Stafford 'Hair that Never Grows Past a Certain Length' Treatment

I recently bought this on a 3 for £12 deal at Boots and considering this product is supposed to be £7.99 alone I picked up two of them and one other Lee Stafford product. Now I'm sure you've all heard of this hair growth treatment by now as it seems every man and his dog has been using it in the hope that their hair might grow a few inches. To be honest, I have absolutely no expectations for my hair to grow although I did want to try it after reading many a review say it nourishes and conditions the hair excellently. As a blonde my hair is partial to getting dry and I must say this has been working a treat so far in regards to making it feel soft and silky. As far as my hair growing is concerned, time will tell. I will be doing a full review on this product when I've worked my way through both tubs.

Elemis Freshskin Softly Softly daily moisturiser* & Dreamy Sleep night time moisturiser

I bought the freshskin night time moisturiser while I was over in Australia and for a while it was a little bit neglected. I seemed to have so many moisturisers and skincare products to work my way through that this was just another on my 'to try' list. However, I've been trying to stick to a proper routine at the moment so when Elemis kindly got in touch to see if I wanted to try the accompanying freshskin face wash and daytime moisturiser, I was over the moon. I've been using all three in conjunction with each other for a couple of weeks now and absolutely love them. The moisturisers are so lovely and sink into my skin within seconds of application. I won't say too much more as I will be reviewing the range in full soon.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 'Crush'

This is one of those products I didn't really need but clearly had to have after hearing lots of other bloggers raving about them. I opted for 'Crush' which is a deep berry shade and perfect for this time of the year. I've worn it a few times now and really love the colour and moisturising formula. I like how its not quite as intense as a lipstick but not as sheer as a lipgloss. It's has the perfect balance of things I look for in a lip product. Again, I will be reviewing this in full soon with swatches.

MAC 'Lady Danger' Lipstick

I recently reviewed this lipstick here after winning it in a giveaway. It has instantly become one of my favourite lipsticks and I find it perfect for both summer and winter wear. I will definitely be slicking this on over Christmas. Is it just me that has to wear red lips over the festive season?

Caudalie Cleansing Water

I reviewed this product a while ago here and as you can see, I have used every last drop. I have already ordered the bigger 200ml version from Feel Unique as I absolutely adore this product for removing my makeup. It is quick, efficient and the refreshing grape scent is a nice bonus too, ahhh! I actually bought the massively hyped Bioderma not too long ago and reviewed it here comparing it to the Caudalie cleansing water. On first impressions I thought Bioderma had been more effective at removing my makeup and although that might still be the case I 100% prefer the cleansing water. After continued use of Bioderma I found it was stinging my skin after use whereas Caudalie is very gentle and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed. I know everyone loves Bioderma but if you have sensitive skin like me I would recommend giving this a try too.

NARS 'Kalahari' Eyeshadow Duo

I've developed a little love affair with these pigmented, creamy and generally amazing duos ever since receiving 'Isolde' for my birthday back in July so when my lovely boyfriend asked me if I'd like anything from Sephora on his recent trip to Vegas, I said I'd love to try 'Kalahari'. I'd had my eye on this shade for a while as it's the perfect duo for every day wear. I will review it in full soon including swatches and photos of it on my eyes. 

Murad Active Radiance Serum*

I was recently sent one of Murad's Christmas sets after being unable to make it to their event in London. I was gutted I couldn't make the event so it was really lovely of them to send me one of their new sets. The set, which I will be reviewing soon, came with three mini products and this serum was one of them. I love all three of the products but this one in particular has stood out to me as it really does give my skin 'radiance'. I've been applying it in the morning before my makeup and it does a great job at giving my skin a much needed wake up boost. It also smells like Terry's Chocolate Orange, what's not to love?

I hope you enjoyed reading about my November favourites. Have you tried any of them? Which products have you been loving lately?

Lots of Love,

Oh no, It's All Gone! | Empties #1

Hey Ladies! I hope you are all well. Today I am going to share with you a few products I have completely used up lately. I always enjoy reading these empty posts as I like to see that someone has actually used the whole product up instead of using it once and then reviewing it. In my opinion, you don't get a real feel for a product or see many benefits after one or two uses so I always try to use my products for a while before I review them.

With this being said, this little lot above are a few of the products I have really loved using over the past couple of months and I am very sad they have come to an end. *sobs*. So without me blabbering on too much, let me tell you why I loved and used every last drop of these products -

Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel

I reviewed the Daily Energizer range from Clarins here when I first got bought the set as a gift. On first impressions I said I really liked this gel cleanser and that hasn't changed. I found that it foamed up perfectly, felt very gentle on my skin and smelt amazing. I also loved that it took my makeup off with ease. Although the bottle is relatively small, I only needed a teeny bit of product each time I used it so it lasted for around 4 months and I used it every time I had a shower. I would definitely recommend this cleanser, it made my skin feel awake, clean and fresh. It's not too expensive either. You can get it from Boots here for £11.00.

Joico K-PAK Colour Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner

I got this shampoo and conditioner as part of a set for my birthday back in July. I have really enjoyed using them for the past couple of months and found they lasted so much longer than regular shampoo and conditioner. I used them almost every other day for nearly two months before they ran out which is very impressive considering I have long hair. I found I didn't need to use as much as I normally would when washing my hair with cheaper products. I really liked this as I felt I wasn't weighing my hair down with unnecessary extra product. If your after a good quality shampoo and conditioner that foams up nicely, cleans hair well and leaves it soft and shiny then this range is for you. I have reviewed these and the rest of the Colour Therapy range here.

Yes to Carrots Nourishing Exfoliating Cleanser

Again, as with most of the products in this post I have reviewed this in full here. As I have already reviewed it I won't go into too much detail but basically it's a great cleanser full of natural ingredients. It left my skin feeling moisturised instead of tight like some cleansers can and I love that it has bamboo particles for exfoliating too. A cleanser and an exfoliator in one? Yes please.

St.Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub

I'm pretty sure you have all heard of this face scrub as it is a classic product among beauty lovers. I don't have much to say about this other than it is a great exfoliator for those days your skin feels like it needs a little bit of a radiance boost. It removes dry skin perfectly, doesn't dry skin out and the exfoliating particles are the perfect size to provide a deep exfoliation. Oh and it smells good too, bonus!

Blink & Go Mascara

I received this product at the start of this year in a Glossybox and I absolutely fell in love with it. I'd never heard of the brand until I tried this mascara and I was so impressed with the quality. It instantly made my lashes look longer and thicker and I loved the huge tube. This mascara seemed to last forever taking around 3 months to completely run out with every day use. I have reviewed it in full here along with pictures wearing it if you fancy a more in depth read. When I finally have some money I hope to repurchase one of these.

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara

After running out of my Blink & Go mascara in Oz, I went on the search for a new one. I would of replaced the Blink & Go but unfortunately it wasn't available to buy in Australia. However, I managed to find myself a little gem in this Revlon mascara. Much like the Blink & Go this made my lashes longer and thicker. I'm pretty convinced it helped them to grow too after some dodgy eyelash extensions left me with horrendous stumps for eyelashes. I have actually reviewed this in full here with some pretty impressive before and after pictures if you fancy a read.

KORA Organics Recovery Eye Cream Gel

This eye cream gel is from Miranda Kerr's KORA Organics range and I absolutely loved using it. I got this as a birthday gift from my dad and step mum after ranting and raving to them about wanting to start using eye cream. Someone told me it prevents crows feet so I instantly wanted to get myself one. Crows feet? No thanks. This one created by Miranda Kerr has all natural ingredients which I always love to see in a product and lets face it, who doesn't want to take skincare advice from a Victoria's Secret model? I found that this made my under eye area feel very tight a couple of seconds after application but I really liked that as it did a great job at reducing the bags/puffiness under my eyes. Even my boyfriend loved this and kept pinching it off me. Theres no wonder it ran out so quickly - I think he needs to buy me a new one ;).

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

I have had this product for what seems like forever, seriously this stuff lasts such a long time.  I love this concealer for a few reasons but mainly because it is so moisturising and blends like a dream. I mainly use this under my eyes to brighten them up and I find it works perfectly. It has quite a wet, almost watery consistency but I find that works well for under my eyes as caky concealer is never a good look. The only thing I dislike about this is the unhygienic doe foot applicator. I could just be being fussy but I don't like the idea of popping this onto a spot and then back into the tube. I know it's fine for under my eyes but for covering pimples, it's not very hygienic. I guess I could put it on my hand first but the effect isn't the same. However, after that little rant I do still love this and I'm sad it has come to an end. 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Now I realise this product doesn't look completely empty in the photos above but I assure you, it's totally gone now. I wanted to include this as I have gone through so many of these I have lost count. This is by far my favourite setting powder as it creates a flawless finish without being too heavy. I lightly dust this all over my face with a fluffy powder brush and it helps to control shine without making my face look completely matte. Love.

MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow

This is my favourite eyeshadow of all time, it is perfect. This was one of the first things I ever tried from MAC around two and a half years ago when my mum bought me my first MAC items as part of my christmas present. I had really wanted to get my hands on Woodwinked after hearing so many girls on Youtube rave about it. (I hadn't discovered blogs at this stage). Lots of them were saying it really complimented blue eyes so being a blue eyed girl, I knew this was the shade I wanted to get. I have to say they weren't wrong and the beautiful bronze/gold tones worked perfectly with my eyes. I find it really makes them stand out and the quality of the shadow is second to none. It is so pigmented, creamy, easy to blend - the list goes on. Now heres the part that is crazy, this eyeshadow that has now come to an end (still a little bit left around the sides) is the same eyeshadow my mum bought me two and a half years ago. I still can't believe how long this has lasted myself as I wear it ALL the time and almost every time I go on a night out. If you are looking for a beautiful new eyeshadow, I urge you to give this a try. Okay, ramble over. Apologies.


So there we have it, a little selection of products that are unfortunately empty. Boo. I will definitely be repurchasing a few of these as I really enjoyed using them all.
I also have another little collection of empties building up so look out for another one of these posts soon. I hope you enjoyed it.

Have you used any products up this month?

Lots of Love,

Monthly Favourites | August

Hey Ladies. I know I say this every time a new month comes around but oh my goodness, is it really September already? It seriously feels like two minutes ago I was writing my July favourites. I hate how time just seems to pass us by each month and I especially hate it at the moment as I leave Australia on Wednesday. I have been here for five months now and I just can't believe how quick the time has gone. I'm trying to cherish every minute I have here as I don't know when I will next get the chance to visit. How depressing. Anyway, enough of me being down in the dumps, here are the products I can't get enough of this month.

Benefit Brow Zings - I bought this product with some birthday money after hearing nothing but rave reviews about it and it has since become my go-to brow product. I really love the little compact and I find the powder/wax combo looks more natural than a standard eye pencil. I will be reviewing this in full when I get the chance to take some before and after brow snaps.

Garnier Fructis Pure Volume Dry Shampoo - A slightly boring product to include in my favourites but great none the less. I bought this recently after feeling like my hair needed washing far too often. I'm a big believer in not washing hair every day so this product has been a life saver for those days where it needs a bit of a boost. It is also great for adding volume and making my roots appear lighter. Again, I will be reviewing this in full soon.

Illamasqua 'Euridyce' Lipstick - This was a birthday present from my mum and I absolutely love it. This is my first Illamasqua lipstick and although the formula is a little drying, the colour is just amazing. It is the most gorgeous vivid pink I have ever seen and the blue undertones help to brighten up my smile.

Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil - I got this product a fair few months ago now in a Glossybox but have only started using it properly in the last month. I'd never heard of this particular hair care brand before but this hair oil is really lovely. It smells of ginger which I personally love and it helps to keep my hair soft and shiny. I have been using this in rotation with my Babyliss Argan oil and have loved the results it has given my hair. Also, this small bottle seems to be never ending so I imagine the full size bottle would last a life time.

Caudalie Cleansing Water - I recently reviewed this product in full after really enjoying using it so if you want to know why I love it so much you can have a read here. To put it simply though, this is a fantastic product for removing my makeup quickly, easily and efficiently. Oh and it smells great too which is always a nice bonus. 

Avene Thermal Spring Water - This is my most recent purchase and I love it already. I bought this mini bottle to try after reading great things about it on a few blogs. With all the hype surrounding beauty sprays at the minute I wanted to try one for myself and I'm so glad I opted for Avene. This spray sets my makeup perfectly, adding a nice dewy finish to my skin and it also works as a toner after I have cleansed. I will be reviewing it in more detail soon but overall it is a great product that leaves my skin feeling soothed and fresh.

KORA Recovery Eye Gel Cream - This was another birthday present and I have recently used the entire tube. I had been after an eye cream for quite some time but never knew which one to go for. As I'm in Australia, my Step-Mum decided to get me this one from KORA which is Miranda Kerr's skin care range. I was excited to try it as all of her products use natural ingredients which is great for someone with sensitive skin like me. The first few times I used it I was slightly alarmed by how tight it made my under eye area feel but I soon realised that was a good thing as it dramatically reduced any bags or puffiness a few minutes after application. I would definitely repurchase this product if it wasn't so damn expensive. Boo.

OPI 'Mauving to Manitoba' - I recently reviewed this nail polish here so if you want to see swatches you can go and have a read. I think the swatches speak for themselves when it comes to this product. Beautiful colour, beautiful formula and just generally gorgeous. It has been on my nails for a good two weeks now and I am still admiring the pretty colour every time it catches the light.

Revlon 'Berry Haute' Lipstick - I bought this lipstick at the same time as the OPI nail polish and I'm so glad I did as I have been wearing it none stop lately and it has fast become one of my favourite lipsticks. It is a gorgeous deep pink/purple shade and the formula is just beautiful. It feels so moisturising on my lips and I love how the colour is a little unusual. I recently wrote a post about it here including swatches if you want to see it in more detail.

What are your favourite products this month?

Lots of Love,

My Everyday Face | 10 Minute Makeup

Products Used -

Face

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation - Soft Beige 

Maybelline Cover Stick - Ivory

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium

NARS Laguna Bronzer 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - Gold Deposit 

Eyes

Benefit Brow Zings - Dark

NARS Duo Eyeshadow - Isolde 

MAC Feline Eye Liner - Black 

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara - Brown Black

Lips

Revlon Lollipop Lip Butter

Hey Ladies! I have been wanting to do an 'every day' makeup post for a while now but after a few failed attempts at taking blog worthy pictures with my point and shoot camera, I decided to wait until I got my DSLR as the quality is a million times better. I recently got the Canon EOS 600D and I am in love with it. The quality is out of this world and I am so happy I can finally do more face of the day type posts. I love how it shows up every detail of my makeup and doesn't blur anything out or mesh the colours together like a lot of cheaper cameras tend to.

The reason I have been wanting to to do an every day makeup post is because I love seeing other bloggers everyday looks and over the years I have watched tonnes of 'every day makeup' videos on youtube. I often think we see bloggers doing glam makeup looks and the  more natural, simple makeup looks can often be forgotten about. As much as I love falsies and heavy smokey eyes on a night out, I also like to embrace the natural look when I'm not going anywhere too fancy and love to see what other girls wear on a day to day basis.  

With this being said, I am going to talk you through how I created the above look. I have been wearing the same look on a day to day basis for a couple of months now and I love how it looks natural but still has a pop of colour to brighten my face up. It is very quick and easy to create to, on average it takes me around 10/15 minutes from start to finish and I think it would suit most skin tones.

Step 1 - First I apply the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation in shade 'Soft Beige' all over my face using a Real Techniques buffing brush. I tend to use two pumps to cover my whole face and I make sure it is completely buffed into my skin to avoid any unwanted tide lines. I love this foundation for day to day wear as it really brightens up my complexion and isn't too heavy. 

Step 2 - I then apply an under eye concealer. In these photos above I used the Maybelline Cover Stick in the shade 'Ivory' as the super light shade helps to cover any dark circles and brighten up my eyes. I dab this under my eyes and the inner corners and blend it out with my ring finger. I have also been using Benefit Erase paste so I will normally just use the one I grab first.

Step 3 - I then powder my whole face using the Real Techniques powder brush with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish natural in the shade 'Medium'. This gives the skin a light coverage but just enough to control any shine.

Step 4 - I then apply NARS Laguna bronzer under my cheekbones, on my temples and down my nose. I usually use a MAC kabuki brush but if I want to take more time on contouring I will use the Real Techniques contour brush.

Step 5 - I then apply MAC MSF in the shade 'Gold Deposit' along the top of my cheekbones to give my skin a bronze glow.

Step 6 - I then move on to my eyes where I start with my eyebrows. I try to keep them fairly natural looking so I dust a teeny bit of Benefit Brow Zings dark powder through mid to end section. I tend to concentrate on the mid to outer sections of my brow as I'm not keen on them looking too heavy during the day.

Step 7 - I then move on to eyeshadow and lately I have been reaching for the NARS duo 'Isolde'. I find this little duo so handy as it is all I need to create a whole look. I apply the light gold shade all over my lid using a MAC 239 brush and the darker shade in my crease using the Sigma E35 brush. I then buff both shades together to blend them and remove any harsh lines.

Step 8 - I then apply MAC 'Feline' eye pencil to my waterline as I find the deep black shade looks great against my light blue eyes. I only apply a small amount for a day to day look but I would apply more for a night out along with a liquid liner for my upper lash line.

Step 9 - The next step is mascara. I have been loving the Revlon Grow Luscious mascara lately so I curl my lashes and apply two coats of this to my top and bottom lashes to open up my eyes.

Step 10 - I then apply a quick coat of lipstick depending on which one takes my fancy. In the photo above I am wearing Revlon Lollipop lip butter as it is vibrant without being too over the top. As you all probably know by now, I love a bright lip so I always tend to wear a berry pink or orange day or night.

So there we have it, my everyday makeup routine. I know you may think it seems a lot of steps for ten minutes but it really doesn't take as long as it may sound. This morning I got out of bed at 7.15, had a shower, applied my makeup and was still ready by 7.30. Maybe I'm just super quick at getting ready? 8) How long does it take you to do your every day face?

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I wear my makeup on an everyday basis and let me know if you would like to see any more of these step by step type posts.

I hope you are all well!

Lots of Love,

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick | Berry Haute

Hey Girls! I recently picked up this Revlon lipstick and as it is so bloomin lovely, I just have to share it with you all. If you read my blog regularly you may know I'm loving Revlon products at the moment as I think they have really upped their game lately. My growing obsession probably begin with the lip butters but I'm glad as they have opened my eyes to the wonders of Revlon and their beautiful products. From mascara to nail polish and lip gloss, I haven't been disappointed by any of the products I have bought in the past few months and this lipstick is no exception.

If you read my OPI nail post you will know that I was having a rummage around in a discount health and beauty store when I came across a few bargains. Well, this Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick was among those bargains. I paid around 5.00 for this which isn't bad for a revlon product. Especially in Australia as makeup is crazily expensive here. Definitely not good for a beauty lover like myself.

I had been after a deep berry/purple lipstick for quite some time after seeing a few celebrities and bloggers wearing it. I love how it's a bit different and I thought it would really stand out against my blonde hair. As soon as I swatched this one by Revlon, it was exactly what I had been looking for. It is a deep berry pink shade with hints of purple. It isn't quite as dramatic as I initially had in mind but I thought it would be better to get something a little more subtle to start off with. I can always progress with a darker shade if this one goes down well 8).

As well as loving the colour of this lipstick, the formula is absolutely lovely. It is creamy, pigmented and feels moisturising on my lips. I would say it has a 'satin' finish if you were to compare this with the MAC lipstick finishes. It isn't matte but it isn't sheer or too glossy. It gives my lips an opaque coverage after one swipe and adds a lovely subtle sheen. It is also really long lasting and I had to give my lips a good scrub to get the colour completely off.

What do you think of the purple lip trend? Have you tried any Revlon lipsticks?

Lots of Love,

Lash Saviour | Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara - £9.99 - Link

Hey Ladies! My second Revlon review in two days, can you tell I'm a fan? ;) I bought this product a couple of months ago after running out of my beloved Blink & Go mascara and have only recently come to the end of the tube. I had a voucher to get a free product from Revlon so I decided that since I needed one, I would buy a new mascara. I had never tried a Revlon mascara before but the packaging and name of this product really appealed to me. I love the green and silver exterior and the brush looked big and fluffy which is what I look for as I find they create more volume.

If you follow me on Instagram (@kayleighjcouture), you will know that I recently got semi-permanent eyelash extensions and although I loved them at first, they began to really irritate my eyes and in the end I hated them. With this being said, I would sit and pick at my lashes in the hope the false ones would come off. BAD MOVE Kayleigh, bad move. I ended up pulling half of my natural eyelashes out and was left with bald patches (see 'before' picture). I was absolutely gutted I hadn't just waited to get them taken off professionally but I can't even begin to tell you how much they were irritating my eyes. The glue felt clumpy, the lashes were pointing in five thousand different directions and I hated the fact I couldn't wear mascara. I really like the look of mascara on lashes as it opens and defines the eyes so the fact I couldn't wear it bugged me. Anyway, lesson learnt and I shall not be getting lash extensions ever again.

Anyway, as my lashes were looking far from attractive I needed a mascara that really lengthened and separated the lashes I did have left. This is when I realised how amazing this mascara is. As you can see from the before and after photos above, my lashes were totally transformed after applying this product. The brush is the perfect size to cover all of my lashes, they instantly looked thicker, longer and the bald patches seemed to dissapear. I was pretty amazed to see what a difference this made to my eyes and it certainly helped disguise my mangled lashes. I feel ten times more confident when wearing this on my eyes and it stays put all day. The shade I bought was 'Blackened Brown' but when I was buying it I thought I'd picked up the standard black. I wasn't too bothered though as this shade made my lashes look super dark. 

Thankfully, since I took the above pictures a couple of weeks ago, my lashes have almost grown back. However, as I have lost lashes when I was younger, I have noticed they have grown much quicker whilst using this mascara. As it is called 'grow luscious', I am presuming there is an ingredients in there that helps stimulate growth? I have seen a visible improvement in my lashes whilst using this but that could just be my mind playing tricks on me. 

The only bad thing I would say about this mascara is that it is quite flaky and will crumble off the lashes pretty easily. However, this is something I am willing to deal with as my lashes look long, volumised and defined when wearing this mascara. If you don't like big brushes, thick mascara and lashes then this probably isn't for you but I officially love it. Nothing makes me feel better than huge glamorous eyelashes! Yey!

P.S - Sorry for the bad quality before and after photos. It was too difficult to take a picture of my own eye with a huge SLR so these are from my Iphone. Apologies.

Have you tried this mascara or any others from Revlon?

What do you think of eyelash extensions?

Lots of Love,

Revlon NOTD | Classy Sparkles

Revlon Nail Polishes - Classy & Sparkling

Hey Ladies! I spotted these two nail polishes whilst out shopping recently and thought they were such pretty neutrals that I just had to buy them. Now I'm not the most adventurous person when it comes to nails, I usually stick with bog standard plain polishes and haven't the foggiest how to do nail art. I really wish I could do that pretty Kath Kidston floral look on my mitts but unless I go to a professional, it's just not going to happen. With that being said, something like a glitter polish is my best friend in the nail department as they instantly spruce up a basic polish. The fact I'm partial to a bit of glitter from time to time meant I just couldn't resist this bottle of gorgeous pink glitteryness. As glitter can be quite in your face, I like to keep it fairly subtle hence the neutral colours and as soon as I bought these my plan was to paint my nails with 'classy' the pale peachy pink shade and layer 'sparkling' the glitter over the top to add a more interesting twist. 

To be honest, Revlon is never a brand I would normally look at for nail polishes but since being in Australia I have got more and more into them as they seem to be a lot more popular out here than they are in the UK. I am glad I have found a new love for them though as the packaging and product itself is absolutely lovely. I think the packaging makes the product look more expensive than it actually is with the sleek black lids and gold revlon branding. They are also fairly large bottles with 14ml of product inside so you get a good amount of product for your money.

The formula of these polishes is lovely, I'd describe them as being quite 'wet' but I like that in a nail polish. Theres nothing worse than trying to apply a polish that is really thick and gloopy. I did need to do two coats to achieve an opaque finish but I find this is pretty standard with most nail polishes and didn't mind at all. As you can see from the photos above, the finished result turned out cute and glittery yet still subtle at the same time. I love the pale peach shade and I think it would look even better if I was a bit more tanned. I also like how the glitter has bigger chunks which catch the light nicely. I only applied one coat of the glitter but it could be built up with a few more coats. I also think this combination would look perfect on toe nails.

As I said, I bought these in Australia but they are widely available the high street and online and retail for £6.49. Both of these shades are available on the Boots website here.

I hope you enjoyed this post as nail posts aren't something I do very often. As I said, I'm a bit poop with nails but I would highly recommend giving the Revlon range a try.

Have you ever tried any Revlon nail polishes?

Lots of Love,