Top 5 Products for Glowing Winter Skin

Ack, doesn't Winter really take it out of your skin?! It seems that, every year, as soon as the air gets colder and the wind picks up a bit, my skin begins to turn to stone. Dull, rough skin isn't a good look in any weather and I refuse to spend the festive party season looking and feeling like sandpaper so I've done something about it. Next week I'll be sharing with you my ultimate winter skincare picks, but today I'm feeling all festive so I thought I'd share with you 5 favourite products of mine for a glowing winter complexion, for face and body. 

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads

Words cannot express my everlasting love for this product. I've been using it since it first launched. This is an exfoliating product designed to even out the skin's texture as well as brighten skin tone. I tend to pair it with my Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant a couple of times a week to really smooth things over but, after cleansing, I always swoosh one of these badboys around my face before toning, moisturising and applying makeup. Makes for a super smooth base. 

Superdrug Vitamin E Sugar & Oil Scrub

Superdrug's own branded products are regular in my routine now, and have been ever since I became vegan (almost) 2 years ago. Their Vitamin E range is a particular favourite of mine. In the past I've stuck religiously to Soap & Glory scrubs, and I still do use them, but this is a fantastic budget option. It's grainy, silky and really gets the job done. My skin feels glorious after I've used it and it really helps buff away that nasty, dull layer to make way for...

Tan Organic Self Tanning Oil*

New favourite fake tan alert! Confession; I've had this product for ages, but never actually got around to using it regularly until the last couple of months, due to a seriously busy year of exams, graduations and moving house. This product just refuses to streak... ever. It's an oil so it smooths on really easily and gets into all those awkward bits with little effort. It's also really quick to sink in. It's made up of a blend of organic, eco-certified oils and gives a wonderful subtle glow after a single application. Totally buildable though, if you desire a deeper colour. For me, it just takes off that pasty winter tinge. Usually I'd prefer a more olive toned product, while this one is more gold, but I find that nowadays I don't desire such a deep colour. Perhaps I'm getting old. 

GOSH Cosmetics Giant Sun Powder

I'd be nothing without this huge compact. Can you believe that I've managed to use one up already? My favourite way to use it is to dust it over my shoulders, chest and legs (if I've dared to expose my pins, that is) ready for a night out. Great for when you haven't had time to tan and gives off a lovely, subtle shimmer. I also like to use it on my cheeks if I'm going for a more bronzed look (which is usually the case for me, I love my gold and brown tones). On darker skintones it would also make a brilliant highlight. 

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

I'm sooooo late to the Too Faced party. I've heard cruelty-free bloggers across the board rave about this bronzer so I gave in a purchased it a couple of weeks ago. No word of a lie, I've used it almost every day since (well, the days I've dared brave the weather and venture outside, that is). It's the most amazing, blendable contour shade but it's also great for dusting over foundation and powder for a deeper colour. Because it's matte, its lovely for daytime wear, when you don't really want too much of a shimmer. My guess is I'm preaching to the converted here so I'll leave it there. 

For a more thorough round-up of my Winter skincare essentials, stay tuned for next week's post. With everyone gearing up for the Christmas party season, I thought we could all use some extra glow this week. I also wanted to officially give the finger to this nasty stormy weather we're currently having in the UK. Desmond can officially do one. My skin is armed and ready! 

What are your top products for the perfect winter glow? Do you reach for the bronze when the weather gets rough?

Review: theBalm Betty-Lou Maniser

First post of my Summer Hols! It feels amazing to not have assignment deadlines and revision clogging up every waking minute of my time (at least for a couple of months) so I'm going to attempt to do as much blogging as possible over the Summer months. Today's post was a bit of a mishap, if I'm honest. Not that the product itself isn't STUNNING, but the purchase itself should not have happened. 

Here's the story... I'm struggling like hell to source cruelty free cosmetics that also don't contain any animal ingredients (carmine, fish scales, beeswax, tallow and the like) and discovered the cutECOsmetics website via a recommendation. They only stock cruelty free brands and list which items are suitable for vegans. One of those items was theBalm Betty-Lou Manizer....

As it was listed on the website under the Vegan category, and I was desperate for a new bronzer for Summer, I snapped this up. Unfortunately, when it arrived, I looked at the ingredients and was extremely disappointed to find carmine listed there. Obviously, I've informed cutECOsmetics and they have promised to re-list the item to avoid any future confusion. 

The saving grace of this situation, of course, is that the product is GORGEOUS. This is my first experience of theBalm. I've always admired their products from afar. Their packaging is ridiculously cute and I've heard amazing reviews of their Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter so was excited to receive this (until the bug-powder disappointment). I know not all of you are as bothered about such things as I am so I decided that it is still a product worth sharing. Supporting brands such as theBalm, who refuse to test on animals is so important. 

If you're looking for a seriously glowy bronzer this Summer then this product is for you! You only need the slightest sweep of product to produce an amazing, illuminated golden sheen. I've tried it in most of the ways you would use a bronzer; swept over the cheekbones or to highlight over the temples, bridge of the nose etc.  If you're planning to jet off anywhere exotic in search of a tan over the Summer then this would set it off like a dream! The texture is soft and buttery and a little goes a VERY long way. You might also try using a big kabuki style brush and sweep it over your shoulders and decolletage. 

Whilst I'm sad to admit that this will probably never be my go-to product, I will still be keeping a watchful (but slightly cautious) eye on cutECOsmetics.co.uk for other similar products. They also stock a range of OCC, Sugarpill and Limecrime products including Lip Tar (more to come on these very soon on this blog) and the famous Velvetines. 

What's your perfect Summer bronzer?? Have you ever tried theBalm products?? Are cruelty free cosmetics important to you?? 

Half Price Look Beauty HAUL!!

Good morning my lovelies!!

My Instagram followers reading this will already know that i went a bit NUTS when i heard that Look Beauty were having a 50% off Sale in Superdrug this month. And my local one in Streatham just happens to stock it! Needless to say, i was off up there faster than a greased weasel.... and i actually went back TWICE more in the last week! Naughty naughty... Anyhoo i thought i'd do a little post to let you all see what i got.

Okay so it's not a MASSIVE haul... but for me this is the most drugstore makeup i've bought over a short period of time in quite a while! Especially from just one brand. In fact, these are my first ever Look Beauty purchases (apart from a single lipstick which i reviewed HERE) and i wanted to get my money's worth while everything was such a great price!! 

Nail Pop - £5 Each (I paid £2.50)

To be honest it was only really these that i first went in for. I've heard quite a lot about these polishes and i knew i had to get some while they were such a low price. The shades are as follows...

(L-R)

Kimono

Bling

Petticoat

Dorothy

The only one i have reviewed so far is Dorothy (post can be found HERE) but expect to see all featured on this blog during the course of the next few weeks.

Make me Blush Powder Blusher: Pinch £8 (I paid £4)

This is a bit of a different colour choice for me. It's a lot cooler in tone than i would usually go for. I expected to go straight for 'Rosy', which i do still want but i was admiring this colour so much and i find it so much easier to try new things when they're on offer. I haven't really had much opportunity to play around with it yet, but from a preliminary swatch the pigmentation looks really promising! I will report back.

Holiday Glow Bronzer: Rio £8 (I paid £4)

I grabbed this because i've been looking for a slightly darker bronzer for a little while now. I can't really afford to repurchase my shattered NARS Laguna yet (seriously upset with myself for managing to destroy something so beautiful) and wanted something that i could put in my travel bag as a bronzer/contour multitasking product. I'm hoping this might be it!!

Airbrush Base: Medium £12 (I paid £6)

I've heard amazing things about this foundation and i'm so excited to try it out. There will definitely be a review popping up on this at some point. It's a medium coverage, which is my preferred kind, and the shade match is great. I've had a little feel of it on the back on my hand and can't wait to play with it properly. I have really high hopes so i hope it doesn't let me down! 

Eye Brightener £4 (I paid £2)

Hmmm... I already have the BeneFit eye bright, but this nude shade really appealed to me as a more subtle tone as the BeneFit one (although i love it) is quite pale and pinky toned. It's also quite chunky, while this pencil is the same as a regular eyeliner. Hoping i will be able to use both to create different effects.

Loud Lips Liner: Rock Candy £4 (I paid £2)

There is a lipstick of the same name to go along with this product but it just looked so RAWR that i couldn't bring myself to buy it. I have fuchsia lipsticks already that i hardly wear. I bought this liner specifically to go with my MAC Quick Sizzle lipstick but i'm going to try it with other pinks such as my Viva Glam Nicki and Chatterbox and see what looks i can create.

Double Hit Lip: Berry Blast £8 (I paid £4)

I'm still on a mission to find a shade of purple lipstick that will suit me. I have green eyes so, in theory, it should be a match made in heaven, but my warm skintone is seriously hindering me!! I love that this one has a gloss with it that i can use on its own for a more subtle in situations colour when the lipstick is too daring. Can't wait to play with this badboy!! Expect swatches soon. 

As far as i know, Look Beauty is still half price in Superdrug (the last time i went in was Monday of this week), but the half price offer seems to have disappeared on their website. There are still markdowns to be had though! The blusher and bronzer featured in this post are both currently reduced to £5 as well as some other offers (including their Brow Kit - OMG how gorgeous is that) so do check the site out! In case you don't know it's

www.lookbeauty.co.uk

Do you rate Look Beauty Products?? What are your favourites?? Did you rush out to take advantage of the January Sale??

TanOrganic Launches in the UK!

Hello beauty seekers!

Thought i'd pop in an extra post tonight seen as i have been slacking this week (to be honest i needed the rest). I'm mega excited to be able to tell you that TanOrganic, the Irish-based natural tanning brand, has launched in the UK today on Debenhams Online! 

Tan Organic is now the only tanning brand which is Eco Certified Organic and is 84% Aloe Vera based. It's designed to give a beautifully natural glow as well as being a real treat to the skin and also has anti-ageing properties. Safe for all skin types and for mums-to-be. It's a must for the current season as we all want that 'Glow' but we don't want to be as dark as we do in the Summer months. This product is designed to naturally build up your colour. 

I've heard this product praised by bloggers and now Tan Organic has recently been endorsed by Grazia magazine. It has come from small beginnings, to being a Dragon's Den success, to now being available in 8 countries. I can't wait to try it! I'm unsure on pricing at this time but i hope to get hold of some to review for you after Xmas. I love to feel confident about what i'm putting on my skin! 

My Summer Essentials Pt3: Makeup

Not really summer any more is it??

BUT, as i can't leave this series unfinished and because lots of us will be heading to sunnier destinations in the coming months, i will crack on with the last instalment which is MAKE UP!! To be honest, I'm not sure if you guys are liking this series at all because i haven't really heard any feedback from any of you, but i'm enjoying writing it so will continue on regardless. 

As i mentioned, this is the last of my 3 posts about my favourite summer products (see my last 2 posts for Skincare, Tanning and Haircare picks), and today i'm going to show you my favourite summer makeup shades and products. 

Gonna kick off with bronzers cos that seems the most obvious thing...

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish: Goldstone

I got this as part of the Semi-Precious collection last year and it really is just like INSTANT summer on the face. Great multi use product as it can be used all in one, the darker area for a deeper bronze and also the middle area as a gorgeous highlight. I tend to use a sweep of this all over on top of my base. It gives am amazing glow to the skin. I'm trying to resist Gold Deposit as well as i'm trying to ration this and I'll be so sad when it does finally run out. 

VIVO Baked Bronzer

This is my ULTIMATE everyday bronzer and it is ALWAYS in my makeup bag. I'm sure you've heard all about it on this blog before so i'll not bore you with it again but i ADORE the finish (not too matte, not too much shimmer) and i apply this over the apples of my cheeks, nose, chin and wherever i want a bit of colour. I don't tend to use it for contour but thats not to say it couldn't be used for that too. Bargain product that looks expensive and lasts forever!! I've had this ages and i've barely made a dent in it!

Onto my two favourite summer blush products....

Sleek Blush By 3: Pumpkin

This is going to be my holiday blush saviour! It's just so perfect and you have 3 beautiful, summery shades to choose from. Extremely handy when you don't want to be taking loads of bulky blush compacts away with you and you get a choice of 3! These palettes come in other shade ranges too but this one just screams summer to me. I'm especially in love with the pink at the moment. Read my full review with swatches HERE!

BeneFit Coralista

BeneFit Coralista is one of my top 3 blushes of all time so far. I really can't fault it. Its the most beautiful coral/pink shade that can be as subtle or built up as you like. I love the packaging, although it isn't the most travel friendly in my opinion which is a shame. I will be doing a new post on this blush in the very near future as my previous post on it was published when i was very new to blogging and doesn't do it justice in my opinion! 

So here are my Top 3 Summer MAC lip shades!!

Viva Glam Nicki (Satin)

Such a fun yellow-toned pink shade which looks great with a tan. Great thing about this shade is it seems to suit most skintones! 

Vegas Volt (Amplified)

The original MAC coral shade. I suppose recent additions such as 'Watch me Simmer' and 'Reel Sexy' may have put VV in the shadow somewhat but it is such a great all round shade. Especially in the summer months.

Morange (Amplified)

This was the first MAC lippy i ever bought!! I think it was last June and the weather was starting to get nice and it just spoke to me. It's a totally tropical (slightly reddish) orange shade which looks much more orange on the lips than it looks in photographs. 

TOP TIP: If you are a bit scared of choosing a bold summer lip colour, make sure you invest in MAC Myth. A layer of this under any of the above shades makes them even more wearable! 

For a great, purse-friendly, daytime summer lip i'd highly recommend...

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

Not too heavy in formula or colour, conditioning on the lips and available in a great range of shades! The shades i have are Lollipop, Cupcake and Creme Brulee and i have been wearing them soooo much! I'm going to have to go and buy a backup of Cupcake very soon as it's nearly gone! 

Some of the Lip Butter shades, so i'm told, contain quite a lot of glitter. This is NOT my thing at all but i can see how they would appeal over the summer months. None of the 3 i own contain any though and for more info and swatches check out my review of them HERE!

Onto my eye choices

17 Peep Show Mascara

This is a recent addition to my collection and i LOVE it!! It's a lengthening mascara with a great sized wand and it makes my lashes look so long!! As i don't tend to wear much other eye makeup other than mascara when its hot outside i will be turning to this for daytime and evening wear when i go away this summer. Great, affordable product that i will be doing a full review on very soon. Just wish they did a waterproof version!

Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner

Speaking of waterproof... Eyeliner isn't always the first thing i think about over summer as there aren't many i've come across that stay put for long enough to endure the heat, sweat and water. But this one doesn't shift!! When i first got it and tried it on my hand it didn't wash off for DAYS! Can't wait to put it to the test, although i think this will be more for evening wear than anything else. 

MUA Heaven & Earth Palette

This is going to be my go-to holiday palette i think. It's got everything you need to create subtle or dramatic looks and it has a gorgeous shimmer. I suppose it would be a toss up between this and my Urban Decay Naked palette but this palette is such great value for money. 

So those are my shades of choice for summer! I haven't included foundation or any base products in this post but, if you would like to see them, let me know and i will include them in a future post! 

What are your colour choices for summer?? What makeup items can't you live without when the weather heats up??

February Faves 2012

Good afternoon my beautiful followers!!

Today has been a total fail for me. I failed to wake up to go to university this morning and then, when i finally did surface it became very evident that i'm brewing a lovely throat infection so i have retreated back to my bed to blog and catch up on uni assignments. However, the sun is shining and it seemed like the perfect excuse to do a few blog photos. I haven't done a favourites post in ages so i thought i'd put one together for February.

MAC Mineralise Blush in Dainty

I bought this, slightly dishevelled, blush from a blog sale a little while ago. It's previous owner had tried, and failed, to depot it and it was sold to me as you see it here. No big deal for me, i just keep it in its box with the little plastic protector over it. But i LOVE this shade (i think it has now been discontinued). It's like a pinkier version on my BeneFit Coralista and IDEAL for the new Spring season!!

VIVO Baked Bronze

I've mentioned this product a couple of times before. Most notably during my 2011 favourites post. I just could not be without this now. For £6 you get a big fat load of product that lasts AGES (I've barely made a dent in mine and i use it most days) and it is the most gorgeous shade, which is natural but with just the right hint of shimmer. I am gasping to get my hands on the VIVO Baked Blushers but, alas, i have no Tesco near me. I usually just dust this over my cheeks and temples with a big fluffy powder brush. 

Paul Mitchell 'Super Skinny' Relaxing Balm

This was out of my last Glossybox and i was so excited to find it in there!! I used to swear by the Super Skinny Serum in my younger days when the only way was STRAIGHT hair. I don't live near a Paul Mitchell salon any more so have kind of forgotten about these products but i am really enjoying using this again! My hair feels so smooth and manageable after using this and definitely stays straighter for longer. Great product that i am likely to repurchase.

Batiste Dry Shampoo for Brunettes

I had to buy this when i saw it because, as much as i loved my Batiste Tropical, i did find it a bit chalky on my darker hair. This fares a little better and is my go to product on those in-between hair days. I don't like to wash my hair too often (and definitely not every day) as i find it strips my hair and the resulting AFRO is not a good look. I'd definitely recommend this for darker haired ladies and i'm contemplating doing a full review of this product in the near future. 

BeneFit Creaseless Cream Shadowliners

These are just the best thing EVER to happen for my everyday makeup!! I bought three of these babies from a blogsale and have used one of them every day since they arrived! They are not only a great base for other shadows, but they do not crease one bit and i rarely leave the house nowadays without having applied one of these all over my lid, followed by a sweep of whatever eyeliner i fancy. That is my new go-to every day eye makeup (occasionally i will pop a shade from my Naked or Heaven&Earth palette in my crease with a fluffy brush as well). Couldn't recommend these enough. The shades shown here are 'Sippin 'n' Dippin' (left) and R.S.V.P (right).

Murad Skin Perfecting Primer

Another Glossybox find is this AMAZING primer from Murad. Sadly, this is not one that i am going to be able to repurchase any time soon without selling a kidney, but i ADORE this product!! I love how silky and smooth my skin feels when i use it and it makes my skin look flawless under my foundation. As this is a teeny sample size i really have had to try and ration it (using my BeneFit PoreFessional in between). If you have the budget for these products i would suggest you snap this up!! 

Shop MAC, Cook MAC Lipstick in 'Naughty Saute' (Cremesheen)

I had to include this in my favourites for this month, even though i only got it a week or so ago. This shade has been making me so happy and i've worn it several times since i got it which, considering it is a BRIGHT pepto pink lipstick, is pretty good going for me!! I find it can work for daytime as well as evenings and it's really helping get me into the mood for Spring/Summer!! 

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in 'Pinky Beige'

I had looked for this for AGES after seeing it on Zara's Blog (i always seem to want every lippy she posts) and, as this is a relatively old line it's not the easiest to find. Thankfully the lovely Nic managed to find me one when she was browsing her local Boots (check out Nic's Blog if you haven't already, she's super nice and has great taste in products) and snapped me one up. You can also find it on the Boots Website. I guess its just another nude pink lipstick for some people but it's slightly darker than i would normally go for and i love it for that!! The formula feels gorgeous on the lips as well.

BeneFit Realness of Concealness Kit

Last up is another BeneFit product (2 in one post - not bad going). I don't tend to go for this initially when putting my makeup on for the day. I tend to favour my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection for that. HOWEVER, i find this little 'Fake-it' kit so handy for popping in my bag just in case i need a little touuch up during the day. It contains their Boi-Ing concealer, the 'Lemon-Aid' corrector and mini versions of the Ooh La Lift (now discontinued in the full size - Waaaaaaah), Lip Plump and High Beam. If i have this with me i usually find myself covered for every possible eventuality. Totally worth having. 

So those are my favourite bits for last month. Seems i'm starting to get in the spirit for Spring!! Next month i have a suspicion that a lot of my favourites will involve skincare, as i have been trying out some new products this week. 

What products are you loving lately?? Has Spring sprung in your makeup bag yet?? 

BrunetteBeautyBanter 2011 Product Awards!!

Good afternoon lovelies!!

After my quiet spell over Xmas and New Year I am now BACK and i have been thinking very hard about what products I have loved the most over the last year. I started my blog in April 2011 and at that time i did not own half of the makeup and beauty products i own now and tended to stick to products i knew. I credit my lovely Twitter buddies and fellow bloggers with pointing me in the right direction and some of their recommendations, along with a few little gems i have discovered on my own, have become well loved in my collection. So i decided to put together a little post to tell you about the best of the BEST in my make up bag over the last year. Please note that a YEARS' worth of favourites = PICTURE HEAVY POST!!

And here they are!!

Foundation of the Year Goes Toooooo......

MAC Matchmaster in Shade 4.0!!

I have been through a few foundations in my time, even before i started blogging. I used to lean towards Maybelline foundations, however, i feel like they have changed their formulas/colours a little of late and i switched to Max Factor Xperience, which remains my go-to drugstore foundation. On my birthday i took a little trip to Meadowhall and a lovely lad on the Debenhams MAC counter took it upon himself to match me to a foundation. We tried a couple but Matchmaster really did jump out at me! The demi-matte finish is perfect for my normal/combunation skin and it covers flaws brilliantly! It doesn't leap back at you in photographs either! I really couldn't be without this now and just bought a replacement. For my full review click HERE!

Bronzer of the Year Goes Tooooo.....

VIVO Cosmetics Baked Bronzer!!

This was a relatively late edition to my collection. I picked this up at the TOWIB event in October. This is a range that is sold exclusively in Tesco and, as i live at least an hour away from the nearest Tesco, I was so lucky to receive this. And i have used it almost every day since. It is just a perfect bronzer for every day and is neither matte nor overly-shimmery. I don't contour with it but a spot of this over the cheeks, nose and temples produces the most lovely, natural glow. It also lasts AGES! I took this photo this morning and you can hardly see any wear on it at all! Major value for a budget brand! For some reason i have failed to do a full review on this yet so i will certainly pop one up in the near future. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

Blusher of The Year Goes Tooooo.....

Well i couldn't pick just one could i!! However, i did identify TWO that were worthy of the joint honours...

1) BeneFit Coralista

This has been my best friend ever since i got it. I just adore the shade and it can be as subtle or vibrant as you like. Its a very pinky coral and it has the most gorgeous sheen to it without being over the top. I have worn this shade EVERYWHERE from work to a night out and it has been admired. I find BeneFit blushers rather pricey but the packaging looks beautiful on any dressing table or vanity. It even SMELLS nice!! I can see this working for most skintones so its definitely worth a swatch at LEAST!

2) MAC Melba

I'd been recommended this by so many people when i was on the hunt for the perfect peach blush. I like that it isn't an orangy peach as i already own one (Sleek Life's a Peach). This leans more pink and gives a gorgeous glow to the cheeks. Again, i'd say that it is very versatile and could be worn for any occasion. MAC blushes as a whole are hard to fault and are more affordable than BeneFit or NARS. I can't wait to pick up more of them in 2012!

Lip Product(s) of The Year Goes Tooooo.....

Lipsticks...

Again, i can't pick just one. It's impossible. My go-to shade of the summer was undoubtedly MAC Vegas Volt (Amplified) The most beautiful bright coral i have ever seen! It's not so much a daytime shade for me, although it could certainly be worn as such with neutral eyes (and it works, i've tried it) but it dazzles on a summers evening. The amplified formula is very creamy and i do not find it drying on my lips. When i think back to last summer i always see this colour. 

MAC Hue (Glaze) is my lipstick saviour. It is always in my bag, nomatter what the occasion. It's just the most beautiful, subtle, nude pink shade out there. When i bought it i worried it would be too pale on my medium skintone but it has proved to be perfect for me in every way. I would not be without it and will be buying a back up very soon as i'd hate to lose it. 

My drugstore lipstick choice is definitely Rimmel Nude Delight (Moisture Renew). This isn't the longest lasting lippy in the world: In my opinion Rimmel's lipsticks rarely are. But I love the colour and it makes my lips feel gorgeous!! I'm not the best at spotting tones in colours but i'd say this was a peach/beige kind of nude. Definitely a warm toned nude anyway (I might be totally wrong). 

Lip Glosses...

I'm not a lipgloss freak. Never have been. I think it makes my lips feel like ive been sucking on a candle. But, when MUA brought out their Out There Plumping Lip Glosses, the pigmentation of them had me suckered in and, at £2 each i bought 4 of them!! The two i have featured here are Buff (a brown toned nude) and Pin Up Pink (a bold pink/red). These are such good value for money and do not feel at all sticky or heavy on the lips. The pigmentation is almost akin to a lipstick and i, personally, love the tingliness of the MaxiLip ingredient. They have changed my view on lipglosses. Read my full review HERE!!

Nail Polish of The Year Goes Toooooo....

1) OPI: Barefoot in Barcelona

I love the warmth of this shade. It's been my favourite for the Autumn and Winter months. I just love the terracotta/brown tones in it. OPI formulas in general i find are very good and i have no complaints whatsoever on this polish. I just love it! 

2) China Glaze: For Audrey

This has been a constant favourite throughout the year. The colour is just so striking and goes with almost anything! I suppose i'd describe it as turquoise/aqua but its been lovely for both summer and winter. Definitely worthy of award status!! The China Glaze formula is possibly my favourite of all the brands ive tried. You could even get away with a single coat of this polish and it lasts a long time before chipping (even for a pot washer like me).

Eye Product of The Year Goes Tooooo.....

Well, of course it was going to go to my Urban Decay Naked Palette!! I haven't loved any other palette anywhere NEAR as much as i have loved this one. There are other contenders of course. Sleek and MUA both produce wonderful palettes which i adore but there was only going to be one winner here. It is just the most PERFECT collection of neutrals which can be so easily worn for day but then vamped up for night. I am willing to accept the little issue of some fallout with a couple of the shades, just because it is so FABULOUS!! I would love to get my paws on the new Naked2 palette which has emerged this year, but i do not feel like i NEED it because i have this one. Maybe when my bank balance has recovered from Xmas i might see about investing. 

Other Honourable Mentions.....

Fragrance of the Year: Diesel Fuel for Life

Body/Tanning Product of the Year: Xen Tan Dark Lotion

Hair Product of the Year: Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

I really hope you ladies enjoyed reading through my product TRIUMPHS of 2011. Over Xmas and New Year i have discovered even MORE fabulous things which i can't wait to share with you. I am really looking forward to improving my blog in 2012 and i would love to hear any suggestions you may have or posts you'd like to see. I will be getting back to my Sunday Salon series and playing with new looks to share with you. AND i swear i will revive my much-neglected YouTube channel. I look forward to sharing it all with you.

What were YOUR product winners of 2011?? 

Sleek: The 'Highlight' of my Week!!

Evening ladies! 

This is a late one tonight, mainly because i've been beavering away at my mounting pile of uni assignments and rooting through ebook libraries at my parents house all night. However, my brain has started to protest and has instructed me that it needs to do something FUN for a little while, so i thought this would be a great opportunity to show you a product that has really made my day today! 

That is the Sleek Makeup GLO 'Bronze Baby' Face and Body Highlighting Kit which i picked up as part of the goodie bag i snagged at Salon International this year. I have to say i wasn't actually in the market for another bronzer/highlighter but, as this was included in the price, i skipped home with it in my haul. 

No pun intended here AT ALL but how sleek is this packaging?? It really reminds me of similar Bobbi Brown products without the pricetag! The brush isn't my favourite, i have to say, but i used this with my angled blush/contour brush on the cheekbones, nose and temples.

Salon international was actually 2 weeks ago and i only decided to get this out to play with for the first time this morning and WOWZER! I was actually blown away by it. I've never owned a bronze product with quite the same GLOW factor. The sheen on it really is like nothing i've ever seen before. It actually gives an AMAZING golden bronze colour as well as acting as a highlighter. No need for two separate products here!! 

The consistency and pigmentation of the product is faultless. It took no effort or building up for a swatch and applies and blends VERY well on the face. I'm over the moon that this adds a visible hint of colour as well as being a highlight as, having been rather poorly of late i am feeling VERY washed out at the moment. A little also goes a long way so its well worth the price of £6.49 for 9g of product.

The swatch almost reminds me of gold leaf! This swatch is all the different stripes of the product mixed together but you could just as easily use them seperately and if you would like to see them swatched individually do let me know and i will be more than happy to oblige. I had taken a photo of the product on my face today but, having uploaded it to my computer i quickly realised that, as a result of being plague-ridden for the best part of a fortnight i still look like death warmed up. Not to mention brow-ZILLA  (also a result of illness and inability to give a damn about eyebrow-plucking). 

Therefore the 'on-the-face' photo will be added (hopefully) tomorrow if i can get myself looking de-fuzzed and human in time.  This product can also be swept over the shoulders, back or chest for a more all over glow. Anywhere the light hits. I haven't tried this option yet as its very rare i get my skin out for the viewing public haha.

This product is currently coming up as 'Out of Stock' on the Sleek Website. That goes for the 'Peach Shimmer' variant as well (which i now feel i MUST also have). Typical. But if you happen to spot this instore at Superdrug i highly recommend you grab it and RUN to the checkout as fast as you can because it is a full on GORGEOUS product and I'm so glad i own it.

What are your favourite highlighters? What do you make of Sleek's Contour and Highlight kits? 

MUA Cosmetics: Mosaic Bronzer

I'm being super organised today and churning out a few posts. Can't have a repeat of last week where i posted ONCE!! That has NEVER happened!! 

Another thing i have aquired recently is another item from the MUA Professional range. This time it's their Mosaic Bronzer that caught my eye. I picked the bronzer over the blush because i was trying to resist splashing out on Bourjois Delice de Soleil that day and thought that this might dull the ache for it slightly....

And it's working so far. The texture of this is a lovely and soft as the shadows and, apart from a teensy bit of fallout it applies a treat too! 

It has more of a sheen to it than my current favourite bronzing product which is BeneFit Dallas, which is matte, but its not 'too much'. It gives a lovely glow, without being too orangey. This isn't a bronzer i would contour with but i have been applying a light dusting of it on the apples of my cheeks, temples, the bridge of my nose and my chin and it just gives a lovely bronzy glow. Its definitely a medium kinda shade so i can imagine it would work for most skin tones. You could also experiment with using different areas of the product for highlighting effects. I haven't got that far with it just yet but its definitely do-able. 

This swatch is the overall colour, combining all the different colours of the bronzer. For £2.50 this is a STEAL of a product and great quality as well as good value (as I've come to expect from MUA). It's a great product for everyday use. I really can't fault this brand for their products, their service and their approachablility (is that a word??). If you ever get the chance to natter with them on twitter, do. They also regularly get involved in the #Bbloggers chats.

What are your MUA favourites?? What other products do you own and what would you like to try next??

Lil MAC Haul (Small but Perfect)

Hello gorgeous ladies!
So I couldn't let the last week go by without ordering from the new MAC Semi-Precious collection.
My budget is virtually PEANUTS so i had to think long and hard about which item(s) would really benefit me and get me all excited.
Eventually i plumped for the Mineralise SkinFinish in Goldstone. This has been my only SP purchase so far (probably not the last but i need to pace myself and my bank account for more haha). However, I did manage to stretch a little further by ordering something i have wanted for a little while now.... Vegas Volt lippy (amplified).

And it appeared on my mat this morning!! Woohoo!!
So after my initial ripping open of the box and tryin not to squeal when i took out the MSF which is the most BEAUTIFUL thing I've ever seen EVER (maybe an exaggeration but I'm soooooo chuffed that i have it), I decided to start putting it on my face!

I must apologise because, in my giddy excitement i forgot to swatch Goldstone BUT I will add a swatch photo as soon as the sun comes out tomorrow. **NOW ADDED**

Seriously now, no exaggerations, I applied this like i would a bronzer (as that seemed the most obvious way to apply for starters - I'm an MSF virgin and need more time to experiment) and it honestly made me look like i'd just come back from a fortnight in Spain! My face just lit up like a lightbulb and it gives the loveliest bronzey sheen!
I'd say this can be as subtle or as BRONZE as you like depending on your skintone and how much you can build it. The central colour is just a gorgeous, pale highlight shade with glints of rosey pink and light beige while the main, darker part of the pan is the prettiest bronze i have put on my face so far this year (or any year for that matter). Blended they give a subtle bronze with HIGH shimmer factor that just makes your face GLOW!

Vegas Volt has had me so excited for a while now. I saw it and i wanted it. I'm totally in LOVE with my MAC Morange so its kind of inevitable that i would lust after Vegas Volt.

A few people commented that maybe i didn't need VV if i had Morange, as the two appear so similar. I did feel, however, that VV would be the more wearable sister to Morange. I have swatched them next to each other so that you can see the subtle differences. The differences are more apparent when it is applied to the lip but VV is definitely more pinkish in tone as a coral and not heavily orange like Morange. It is also much more subtle on the lip than i expected it to be which i LOVE because it means i can wear it LOTS!!

Left: Vegas Volt, Right: Morange

So here's the finished result using both new items.... They actually go really well together for a summer look with a little gold on the eyes. Instant holiday effect!!

What products did you ladies purchase from the Semi-Precious Collection? Whats your favourite shade of lippy for summer?