Making your base last | Laura Mercier & L'Oreal

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Having oily skin, making sure my makeup stays in place all day long is a challenge, especially as I don’t like wearing matte foundations. Recently I’ve been using a combination of the Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer under my foundation and the L’Oreal Fixing Mist on top of my makeup. 

The Laura Mercier primer is weightless and creates a smooth canvas for my foundation to be applied on top of and keeps my foundation in place through the slight oiliness which still comes through from wearing more dewy foundations. I love that it isn’t silicone based, as I find silicone primers leave a strange finish on the skin to work on top of.

The L’Oreal Fixing Mist was released in the States last year and I’ve been - not so - patiently waiting for it to be released in the UK as fixing mists hadn’t been seen in the highstreet before. This great for setting your makeup but also if you get a bit heavy handed  with your face products as it de-cakes any heavy concealer situations and stops powders looking overly matte.

How you do you make your foundation last?

~ Jade xx

My Everyday Face | Makeup Routine

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Soap & Glory Archery 2-in-1 Brow Gel - Blonde Ambition  
L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes 
OR/AND 

For my base I like to mix L'Oreal Infallible - review here - and True Match - review here -  as I like the coverage - and need the paleness - of the Infallible but like to add a bit more radiance with the True Match. My new favourite product is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder as it adds such an amazing glow to my fairly dry skin. The shade I have, Luminous Light, has a slight shimmer to it, which allows it to double up as a highlighter too. It doesn't cling to any dry patches and you can touch it up as many times as you like without looking cake-y. I wouldn't recommend this for those with oily skin, as much as it could add to the shine. I also wouldn't recommend to those with very pale skin as it can make my skin look a bit darker than it really is. I'm definitely going to look into trying a different shade as they're totally worth the more luxury price tag.

My eyebrows are definitely not my best friend. I’ve tried more eyebrow products than I can count and suffered many eyebrow disasters. However, I finally feel like I’ve settled with products that work for me. A full eyebrow products test and review post coming soon.

The BY TERRY Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks are possibly my favourite products in my makeup collection. They are so easy to work with and look great with anything. I definitely want to purchase more soon and I highly recommend them to anyone. I really love the way the L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara makes my lashes look. It’s very black and dramatic without being clumpy, although it is quite hard to just apply a small amount for a more natural look.

Recently, I’ve really been enjoying trying and experimenting with new lip products and the matte lip look - although as you can see I still can't keep away from the gloss. My new favourite lip products at the moment are from Charlotte Tilbury. Jade and I had a naughty spree in the store in Covent Garden a few weeks ago on a trip to London, the staff were so lovely and helpful and I'm so pleased with what I came away with. Although these products are matte they are still very creamy and don't dry my lips out as much as other matte lipsticks - full review here. Also, the packaging is beautiful.

What are your go to products at the moment?

~Lucy xx

Autumn/Winter essentials

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Top to bottom: L'Oreal Color Riche 500 Gold Mania
L'Oreal Color Riche 507 Pin Up Pink 
Seventeen Eye Shadow Funfair

Of course as it's nearing the Christmas season - the best time of year in my opinion - it's time to get out the sparkle. I think it's fun to jazz up your makeup at this time of year with some eyeshadow that you wouldn't necessarily be brave enough to wear any other time of year. I like the warm/pinky tones of these eyeshadows and I often wear them mixed together for extra sparkle and shimmer. These are great all over the eye on their own as an everyday look with an extra something; or can be transformed into a smokey look with some dark matte browns and warm colours through the crease and some eyeliner. 

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm 225 Sultry
Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner 063 Eastend Snob

It's no secret that everyone loves a berry lip during the colder months. Recently I have been enjoying matte lips, which is rare as I am definitely a gloss girl! My favourites at the moment are this lip liner to make my lips look a bit fuller while making the colour last a lot longer - mentioned here and here. I have also been a bit late to the party in discovering the Revlon Matte Balms. These are lovely and creamy, easy to apply and wear really nicely on the lips. I picked up a more muted berry colour as I wanted something slightly more subtle. Although this combination can make my lips quite dry as long as you layer up with a lip balm you should be fine - making lip balm another essential!

Garnier Ultimate Blends hair oil
Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance conditioning spray

With the cold weather also comes dry hair. Also, where I have previously used bleach and dye on my hair I need to take extra care of it to keep it in good condition. In the shower my favourite conditioner to use is the Herbal Essence Moisture Balance from the classics collection. Unless I need a more intense condition in which case I use the Tony and Guy Nourish Reconstruction Mask - full post here. After the shower while my hair is wet I spray the Aussie leave in conditioner all over  to lock in the moisture. This product also makes it so much easier to brush through my hair. I then put a couple of pumps of the Garnier oil onto the ends and lengths of my hair to keep them lovely and soft. The combination of these products help to keep my hair from looking damaged and dry. 
I would also like to add dry hair shampoo to my essentials...with wooly hat weather who can tell whether you have 3 or 4 day hair or not?! Am I right?

St Tropez In Shower Gradual Tan 

During the colder months I find using regular fake tan can be slightly too intense - and a lot more obvious that you're wearing it! Where I usually use the Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan mousse, or the Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan - mentioned here - which are both great self tanners;  they can be too dark to look natural in the winter. A great, more natural looking, alternative is the St Tropez in shower tan. This was released during the summer and received very mixed reviews. Many had said that it was a bit of a faff to apply as you have to stop the shower and stand in the cold for 3 minutes. However for me this was not a problem as this time flies if you're listening to music - having a good shower jam. I would recommend this for those of you who are more on the paler side, as I'm not sure it would make much of a difference on tanned skin. I did notice a difference after I had used this a couple of times. It gives a nice natural glow to the skin which is perfect during the dull weather!

What are your Autumn/Winter essentials?
~ Lucy xx

Current Favourites | #12

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Jo Malone Cologne Intense ~ Dark Amber & Ginger Lily* | It’s no secret that I’m a big Jo Malone fan - who isn’t, right? - and recently Dark Amber & Ginger Lily has recently been my favourite fragrance to wear. With a top note of black cardamon, heart note of black orchid and a base of incense this fragrance is all kinds of sexy, dark and mysterious without being overly masculine. To me it paints the fantasy of sitting in a cocktail bar, in a swanky dress waiting for a handsome man to whisk me away into the sunset, a girl can dream. The cologne intense’ are slightly more expensive than the regular 100ml colognes at £105 and don’t come in a handbag size but they do last on the skin longer and use rarer ingredients so are worth the investment if you like deeper, sexy scents. Velvet Rose & Oud is another favourite from the collection as well.

Seventeen Mono Eyeshadow ~ Funfair* | This shadow is all kinds of beautiful. It’s a pink duo-chrome which in some lights will look either pink or iridescent however on the eye it doesn’t look overly pink or unwearable. This is also one of the softest shadows I’ve used from the highstreet and is incredibly budget friendly.

L’Oreal True Match Foundation | The L’Oreal True Match recently went through an update in both formula and packaging. I remember picking this up a couple of years ago and not liking it but I’m enjoying the new formula - full review here.

Fleur de Force x Eylure ~ Fleur Loves | I’m a big eyelash girl however I don’t like any which are hard to put on or incredibly noticeable when wearing them, I just want to look like I’ve naturally got perfect lashes. These lashes from Fleur de Forces range are not only incredibly easy to apply thanks to the clear lash band and the fact that they’re only 3/4 lashes but they’re incurably natural but still give umph. They have a new technology which tapers the tips so they easily blend in with your natural lashes and if you’re a winged liner girl, like me, the shape of these lashes will emphasise that slinky eye look.

Large Hair Grips | I recently picked these up from Boots instead of the normal sized ones and I’m wondering why I never got them before. If you have long or thick hair which doesn’t stay gripped very securely or you have to use about twenty pins at a time then you need these in your life. Pronto.

What are you current favourites?

~ Jade xx

Current Favourites | #9

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Over the past few months I have been feeling much more adventurous with my makeup. Recently I have been enjoying trying different looks, out of my comfort zone, with new products. Here are some of the products that have made the cut of my top 5 favourites:

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner - 063 Eastend Snob | I bought this mainly due to the recent Kylie Jenner 'plumped' lip craze. I personally don’t like to go quite as big as Kylie does but this liner is great to give a natural bigger look to your lips. I like that it isn’t too nude as I have naturally quite dark lips so it blends in well, and it also lasts all day. As it gives a matte finish I think it would go great with the much sought after 'Velvet Teddy' by MAC but if you can't get your hands on Velvet Teddy or would prefer a cheaper alternative, I like to wear this lip liner with either 03 - post here - or 08 from the Kate Moss x Rimmel range.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - SweetTart | I feel like I'm a little late to the game with this one. These lip butters were quite the rage a couple of years ago and I already had one in my collection, although it isn't a colour I grab for so often. 'Sweet Tart' is the perfect pink for me, which will be perfect to wear during the spring/summer months coming up. As the name suggests the formula is lovely and smooth on your lips and is very easy to wear. One layer gives a sheer colour or it can be built up to be more opaque. Although it doesn’t last a long time on the lips, it gives a nice shine and is a product that wears nicely so you don’t have to worry too much about reapplication.

Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer - '220 Perfect Plum' | This is a much unexpected love of mine, I bought this late last year to give an autumnal colour to my eyes. I liked that it wasn’t too purple but it was enough to not look black or too intense. As a lot of the time I have to be ready for work by half 7 in the morning - a big struggle for me - I use this just to add a bit of something to my top lashes rather than spending time trying to create the perfect black line. It smudges easily and is quick to use on days where you don’t have time to do much with your makeup but want it to look like you do! I also find this great to add a bit of colour to my lower lashes for a more smokey look - when I have time to do something more interesting with my make up that is. I will definitely be looking out for more colours when I go to pick up another one of these. I didn’t expect much but have used it so much that it's almost time to buy a new one, although I think the purple has been discontinued which I'm very upset about.

L'Oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim - Intense Black | On the other end of the scale, this is my favourite eye liner to - attempt - a winged liner look. My hooded eyes make this a very difficult task for me but this eyeliner has changed that. I've tried many of these 'felt tip' liners in the past but none of them have worked out too well for me. Jade had always told me how great she thought this liner is so I thought that I would give it a try - thanks Jade! The tip of the liner is very fine so it allows me do small lines to plot out the wing and gradually build it up but is also great to just do a simple thin line. I would definitely recommend this liner for those with hooded eyes.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Concealer - 010 Porcelain | I won't go on too much about this product as Jade has already reviewed it - which can be seen here - but I've also been really enjoying using this concealer. In contrast to Jade I like to put this in the inner corner of my under eyes as it's the only concealer I've found which is light enough to brighten underneath my eyes. That being said I have found it to be a love/hate product as it takes a while to work out how best to use it. As Jade mentions in her post, it is thick in consistency so it is best to warm up the product before use. I also find it works very well if I apply the concealer before my foundation, I never used to like doing this as I used concealer to cover whatever my foundation didn't, but I found that my makeup tended to go patchy throughout the day. This way of application has completely changed the way my makeup looks on my skin. Putting this concealer on first means I use less foundation and it goes on smoother and lasts a lot better on my skin. Also, where the concealer is think and slightly drier in consistency, when putting foundation on over the top, it doesn’t move around and stays in place all day. The dryness also, I have found, helps dry up any spots you have making them go quicker. Which is always a good thing!

What are your go to products at the moment?

~ Lucy xo

Makeup Menu #2 | Spring/Summer

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The weather is slowly beginning to warm up here in England which means it's time to switch up what's in your makeup bag. Heavy, matte foundations are out to be replaced by lighter, dewy-er finishes. Vampy lip colours are to be swapped with soft hues and chiseled cheeks are swapped for an all over bronze. This is how I'll be switching up my makeup bag this spring/summer. 

BASE: Winter is a time for full coverage, matte bases but summer makes way for a lighter base. My pick this summer is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation - review here -, it has a light coverage but can built on and when mixed with medium coverage foundation like the L'Oreal Infallible - review here - it creates a radiant base which still offers coverage. Personally I'm not a big fan of tinted moisturisers but if you're in the market for that kind of base the Bourjois CC Cream is a good option or the Bioderma Photoderm Max Tinted Cream*.

EYES: To add a summer edge to my usual neutral shades I've dug out my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette*, awash with pink toned neutrals it adds a lighter more fresh look to the eye opposed to using browns. If you don't already own the Naked 3 I'd recommend picking up the L'Oreal La Palette Nude in Rose instead as the colour scheme is very similar but the cost is a lot less and actually the shadow quality is better than the Urban Decay palette. I've also been using more cream shadows recently, the Bourjois 24hr shadows are a great cream to powder formulation, the one shown is the shade Petale De Glace but I also love the Maybelline Colour Tattoos, especially the shades Pink Gold and On & On Bronze.

CHEEKS: Recently I've switched out my powder blushes and bronzers for cream versions to add to the summer vibe of lighter skin. The Bourjois Cream Blush in Nude Velvet has been a favourite as its a perfect peachy pink shade which suits a lot of skin tones, it's also a cream to powder formula so it lasts a long time on the skin, Revlon and Max Factor also do some really nice cream blushers too. For bronzer I've been using the Maybelline Fit Me concealer - review here - in the shade 35 to add warmth to the perimeter of my face, there is a lack of cream bronzers on the high street - apart from the Bourjois Bronzing Primer which annoyingly broke me out - so using a concealer a few shades darker than your skin tone is a good option. 

LIPS: For lips I've recently been using the Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in Nude Delight, it's a warmer toned nude to my usual Kate Moss x Rimmel pick - review here - so is a nice change for summer. For a brighter option I love the Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balms especially the shade Vivacious which is a bright fascia pink, these crayons are super pigmented and moisturising - full review here.

What are your picks for this spring/summer? 

~ Jade xx

Photography information

Canon 600D with 18-55mm lens, Canon 24mm lens or Sigma 70-300mm lens. Canon EOS M with 18-55mm lens or Canon 24mm lens. Any edited photos are edited using Photoshop CS6. Picture source is given for any photo used that is not directly ours.