In the past few months I’ve finally conquered which products work best for my skin to create a perfect base for my makeup. These products help to keep my skin hydrated throughout the day and prevent it from feeling dry and looking dull. It refreshes me in the morning and helps my makeup blend and set without looking patchy.

“Full, natural-looking coverage with unexpectedly weightless, 16-hour wear. Highly pigmented and perfectly balanced, this breakthrough formula builds and blends effortlessly with just one drop—the result of exclusive innovation uniquely designed to deliver long-wearing full coverage, weightlessly. Shake, pump and blend in sections for complete coverage that's completely natural looking.”

Left to right: smarty pants, rebel, fire cracker, funny girl

I’m usually a high-waisted, ultra-skinny, black jean type of girl and I have been for years. Although my love for skinny jeans will never fade, despite what I’m told is in style or not, I recently wanted to find a good summer jean. Mainly because black skinny jeans in heat aren’t particularly comfortable and it feels like your legs are on fire. Cue, the Topshop Mom jean in light bleach. The Mom jean is still high-waisted and fitted but has a lot more room compared to a skinny jean. Think Monica from FRIENDS, that ass still looks good but you don’t have to worry about undoing your top button after a big meal. The light bleach denim is also great for summer and I’ve been living in these jeans as of late. I need to get my hands on another pair pronto.

Do you have a new summer staple?

~ Jade xx

Leather Jacket ~ Zara

Grey tee ~ ASOS

Skirt ~ ASOS

Trainers ~ Nike

Watch ~ Daniel Wellington

After all the rain in April comes green fields and the first of the summer blooms. Living in the countryside means theres lots of national trust parks around and this on called Badbury Wood is a short drive from my home town. In May its filled with bluebells and having made a recent ASOS order and getting a new camera lens a trip was necessary. I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I’m not very good at casual style but the mixture of a laid back v-neck tee with a chiffon pleated skirt is a nice way to dress down a statement piece especially when paired with trainers and a leather jacket. For evening or an event this could easily be dressed up with some heals.

~ Jade xx

I recently picked up a few bits from Tom Ford, a brand I had never tried before but have always wanted to because not only are the products - apparently fantastic - that packaging is enough to make any beauty lover swoon. To start out with I grabbed an eyeshadow quad because I’ve heard a lot about the quality of the shadows, a cream colour for eyes as I’m a total sucker for cream eyeshadows and a lipstick which I don’t think I need to justify.

Tom Ford Lip colour ~ Sable Smoke | Tom Ford lipsticks are creamy, opaque and non-drying. Everything you expect from a luxury beauty brand. The shade sable smoke is beautiful warm nude shade which compliments my warm complexion and is perfect for a bronzed, summer look.

Tom Ford Cream Colour for Eyes ~ Opale | I’m a sucker for a good cream eyeshadow. The Cream Colour for Eyes is more of a mouse and a little bit goes a long way. The shade Opale gives an almost wet look to the eye, like the kind of thing you see in editorials, but because the product sets it doesn’t crease or fade but still retains that eye-catching iridescence. This is great on its own for a quick look or makes a great base for other shadows too.

Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad ~ Golden Mink | As you would expect, the shadows in this palette are like butter. They’re the softest, and most pigmented, shadows I’ve ever come across. They blend with only the lightest touch and wear all day without fading or creasing. The two pressed glitters in this palette are great for adding something extra and don’t drop down. The only thing I’m not so keen onion this palette is that the warm brown shade shows up quite cool-toned on my eye even though it swatches like a beautiful chocolate colour. It’s probably just my colouring which makes it look not 100% true but something to bare in mind if you have an olive skin tone like me.

All in all I was very impressed with my first bout of Tom Ford beauty and its a line I’ll definitely be looking to branch more into in the future.

Have you tried any Tom Ford products?

~ Jade xx

Back row: Charlotte Tilbury ~ Glastonberry, Kate Moss x Rimmel ~ 30, Charlotte Tilbury ~ Bond Girl

Front Row: L’Oreal Reds Collection ~ Eva, L’Oreal Reds Collection ~ Liya, Revlon Ultra HD ~ Poppy

If I’m not wearing nude lipstick then I’m either wearing a striking red or a deep berry, I’m far from a pink kinda gal. There’s just something very classic about a red lip which I can’t stay away from and something very effortlessly cool about a berry. A few weeks ago I collected all of my favourite nude lipsticks into post which can be seen here. Today I thought I would do the same thing, but this time with my favourite reds and berries.

Charlotte Tilbury ~ Glastonberry | As the name would suggest this beaut from Charlotte Tilbury is a deep-plum, berry shade. The lipstick itself is from Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution line making it super comfortable to wear despite being a matte and I love the play on words and a nod to Glastonbury.

Kate Moss x Rimmel ~ 30 | Similar in shade to Glastonberry with a slight red hue, however it isn’t matte. I don’t think I need to talk about how much I love the Kate Moss x Rimmel lipstick formula’s anymore than I already have in the past. They’re dreamy. I think that just about sums it up.

Charlotte Tilbury ~ Bond Girl | Another favourite from the Matte Revolution line. This shade is a great sophisticated berry if you don’t want to go all out grunge nor go for a red.

L’Oreal ~ Eva’s Red | This red shade is great for anyone with a warm skin tone like me. It’s a slightly muted, more terracotta red shade which compliments a warm skin tone rather than washing them out like some reds can.

L’Oreal ~ Liya’s Red | Another great red for warm skin tones but brighter than Eva’s Red. The formula of these lipsticks can become a bit drying over time but the staying power is fantastic considering the price tag.

Revlon Ultra HD ~ Poppy | What I like to call my ‘summer red’. Personally, I don’t like to wear this shade on its own because I find the formula to be a bit slippy, which with a bright colour causes a bit of a mess. However, I love it for adding more pout to my matte red lipsticks previously mentioned by adding a small amount to the middle of my lips.

What’re your favourite statement lipsticks?

~ Jade xx

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

Recently, I’ve been on a bit of a foundation binge. Normally foundation isn’t something I like to change up a lot, instead sticking to the same thing until I’ve been through four or five bottles - *cough* L’Oreal Infallible *cough*. As mentioned in my recent Beauty Haul post I picked up the Nars Sheer Glow foundation which probably makes me the last person in the world to try it. I also recently picked up the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation, again another cult product in which I’m the last to the party. As they are such hyped and cult loved products I thought I’d review them at the same time for anyone else who hasn’t tried them and wants to know what the deal is.

“A glowing, natural radiant finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone.”

Sheer Glow is my current everyday, go-to foundation. Although I have oily skin I like to my skin to still look radiant and slightly dewy rather than matte and this does the job perfectly. I like to apply this foundation with my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, dampened, as I find its the easiest way to blend it into my skin. Two pumps achieves a medium coverage but is easily buildable. I find by the end of the day I’m looking a bit oily but it’s nothing a quick powder doesn’t fix, earning it a spot in my most-loved foundations list.

“15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and 
looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. Won't change colour, smudge or come off on clothes. Feels lightweight and comfortable.”

Double Wear is my ‘long-day’ or evening foundation. It has a tacky consistency so is best applied with a brush - I like the Zoeva Silk Finish - and lasts all day without needing a powder top up. The finish is more matte than the Nars but doesn’t look flat or dry. I have the shade 1N2 Ecru which matches me but is slightly too neutral in tone for me so I’ll be picking up 1W2 soon. I wouldn’t recommend this foundation for everyday wear however because it’s so full coverage and long lasting it could easily block pores if worn regularly. However, despite the longevity and full coverage it doesn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable on the skin, giving it an A* in my book.

What’re your favourite foundations?

~ Jade xx

Back row: Charlotte Tilbury ~ Penelope Pink, Charlotte Tilbury ~ Stoned Rose, Rimmel Moisture Renew ~ 700, Nude Delight

Front row: Kate Moss Nudes x Rimmel ~ 43, Kate Moss x Rimmel ~ 08, MAC Matte ~ Velvet Teddy

Of late I’ve been all about nude lipstick. A few years ago nude lipstick meant brushing your foundation or concealer over your lips to make your lips blend into the rest of your face, not a good look. Now though, the nude lip has had a revamp with shades of brown or pink to compliment your skin tone and create the perfect pout. Today I’ve gathered a few of my favourites both high end and from the highstreet.

Charlotte Tilbury ~ Penelope Pink | Penelope Pink is the perfect everyday nude for any skin tone. The K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick’s from Charlotte Tilbury are incredible comfortable to wear with a slight sheen but still last all day, they smell great too.

Charlotte Tilbury ~ Stoned Rose | Darker and more brown in tone than Penelope Pink Stoned Rose is my more ‘evening’ nude. You can definitely wear it during the day but for when I want something a bit different for evening without wearing a red Stoned Rose is my go-to.

Rimmel Moisture Renew ~ 700, Nude Delight | My ‘summer nude’. Much warmer than any other nude in my arsenal. Without a lipliner this can look slightly concealer-lips-esque unless you have a bit of a tan to counterbalance it. Full review of the Moisture Renew lipsticks here.

Kate Moss x Rimmel Nude Collection ~ 43 | Similar to the last nude but slightly darker making it easier to wear during the colder months as a tan isn’t needed. Full review of the Kate Moss x Rimmel lipsticks here.

Kate Moss x Rimmel ~ 08 | A more pink version of Stoned Rose, another great one for when you want something different from the traditional nude but not an outlandish colour.

MAC Matte ~ Velvet Teddy | The newest addition to my collection and my only matte nude. Long lasting but not overly drying, a brown-nude which perfectly suits warmer skin tones. 

What’re your favourite nude shades?

~ Jade xx

Jo Malone Body Crème ~ Nectarine Blossom & Honey | In the winter my skin becomes very dry, especially my legs and arms. To combat this I’ve been using this product from Jo Malone. Made with almond oil, jojoba oil and cocoa butter it moisturises my skin but doesn’t leave a sticky feeling afterwards where you can’t get dressed for half an hour or everything will cling to you like most body moisturisers, especially those with a thick consistency.

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator | Of late this has been my favourite skincare product to use. It’s gentle enough that it doesn’t irritate my skin but still sloughs off dead skin cells and cleanses the skin. Full review here.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter ~ Champagne Pop | Highlighting was never something I was that into before I picked up this product. If you have a warm skin tone, this shade will be perfect for you as It’s a beautiful golden shade with iridescent particles which perfectly reflect light without things looking oily or greasy.

Neom Intensive Deep Sleep Treatment* | As someone who struggles with sleep ~ full post here ~ I love any kind of sleep oil. Currently this one from Neom is my favourite as its slightly stronger than anything else I’ve tried so the scent lasts much longer. It’s also really great if you’re stressed and need to unwind and relax.

MAC Matte Lipstick ~ Velvet Teddy* | I’m currently going through a nude lipstick phase, mainly brought on by not being able to wear bright or dark shades at work. Velvet Teddy is a shade I’ve wanted to try for a while but with a lack of MAC stores around me, I haven’t had chance to pick up. It’s a beautiful brown-y nude which really compliments my skin tone. Despite being matte, it doesn’t look flat on the lips and also doesn’t dry them out too much either.

What are your current favourites?

~ Jade xx

L'Oreal Infallible - Porcelain

L'Oreal True Match - 1N Ivory

Collection Lasting Perfection concealer - 1 Fair

NYX Wonder Stick - Light/Medium

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - Luminous Light

Revolution Ultra Contour Palette

MAC Eyebrow Pencil - Accentuated

L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper - Light/Medium

BY TERRY Ombre Black Star - Misty Rock

OR  Bronze Moon

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat - Pillow Talk

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipstick - Very Victoria

OR/AND 

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish lipstick - 03

Maybelline Colorsensational Shine Gloss - 610 Naked Star

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

Recently I’ve been on a bit of a mission with my skin. I have dull, congested, oily skin - gross, right? - and like all of us, complain about it but never really actively did anything to fix it. That doesn’t mean I didn’t cleanse, exfoliate and all that jazz I just didn’t put too much effort into choosing products that would really work for skin. For the beginning of my mission I decided to start with Liz Earle as the famous Cleanse & Polish is a product everybody raves about, but I had yet to try. I also like that Liz Earle skin care is fuss free, cruelty free and uses natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals. 

“Our original, multi award-winning hot cloth cleanser quickly removes 

daily grime and make up to leave skin clean, soft and radiant”

Cleanse & Polish | The Cleanse & Polish hot cloth cleanser is a cult classic and multi-award winning product. To use this product, you massage it into dry skin and rinse off using a muslin cloth and warm water. Firstly, this product is amazing at removing makeup and really does leave your skin soft, as the muslin cloth is slightly abrasive and helps to remove any dead skin. It’s a good all-round cleanser but personally for my congested skin, isn’t quite cleansing enough to shift my stubborn blocked pores. If you have normal skin of any skin type this product would be amazing, and I do enjoy using it I just need something a bit more intense.

“Buffs away dead skin cells and impurities to reveal smoother, radiant skin”

Gentle Face Exfoliator | My favourite product of all three is the Gentle Face Exfoliator. At first I was sceptical as I’m used to using very gritty exfoliators, and although this does have a gritty texture it isn’t as intense as I’m used too. However, it leaves my skin feeling baby soft and radiant and my pores and congested skin look reduced. I also really love the smell of this product. As Liz Earle use natural ingredients in their products they have a very potent, herbal fragrance to them which doesn’t bother me but it isn’t the nicest however the smell of this product is different to the Cleanse & Polish and is actually quite relaxing.

“Wake up and refresh tired, puffy eyes with this gentle, soothing herbal 

lotion which can also be used to remove light eye make up”

Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion | Out of the three products I’ve tried from Liz Earle so far, this is the only one I’ve been left disappointed by. To me, it’s bit of a nothing product. It describes itself as a ‘light’ makeup remover, a soothing lotion and also an eye brightener. For me it didn’t do much in the makeup removing department, even the remnants of makeup after using a different cleanser first. It also didn’t do much in the way of refreshing. Personally, this wouldn’t be a product that I’d repurchase.

What skincare products would you recommend?

~ Jade xx

The L’Oreal True Match Foundation recently had a face lift with a reformulation and new packaging. I’ve been on a bit of a foundation binge recently and this is my current favourite  offering from the high-street. Years ago I tried the original formulation of this foundation but it didn’t agree with my oily skin however the reformulation is another story. 

The colour match for this foundation is one of the best I’ve ever had for any foundation - I wear shade 1W - and the formula is ultra blend-able with a gel-like texture. Coverage is medium, but it can be sheered out with a makeup sponge or built up with two layers without looking cake-y. My favourite thing about this foundation is the finish. It’s luminous without being overly dewy, so it still lasts all day but doesn’t attract to my already oily skin. I do still have to power once or twice throughout the day but that isn't unusual for me and if you have normal/dry skin you wouldn't need to touch up at all. My only problem with the reformulation is that it oxidises slightly however if you got a shade lighter than you would need it wouldn’t be a problem. 

What foundations are you currently loving?

~ Jade xx

Unfortunately for my bank account Space NK, Boots and a Department Store Beauty Hall are all just a few steps from where I work, meaning that sometimes its hard to resist a trip in, ’just to look’. Somehow though I didn’t ‘just look’ and ended up acquiring a few new beauty purchases which I thought I’d share with you all with a mini review of each, though some of these products will have a more in-depth post coming soon. 

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation ~ Deauville | I’m very late to the party with this one, I think everyone and their mum loves this foundation so I decided to pick it up - with the pump, which is a must - to try it out for myself. Despite it having a dewy finish it lasts on my oily skin all day and makes my skin look healthy which earns the approval from me.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer ~ Oil Free | I’ve been on the hunt for a good primer for a while and after hearing lots of good things I decided to pick up this one from Laura Mercier. Whilst my skin still becomes slightly oily throughout the day, my makeup doesn’t slip around like it normally would and a quick blot and powder has my face looking fresh again.

By Terry Ombre Blackstar ~ Bronze Moon* | Having previously picked up Blond Opal and Misty Rock, Bronze Moon is another shade to add to the collection. Washed all over the lid and blended out with lashings of mascara and a red lip, is the perfect effortless glam look for any evening out.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour ~ Rose Gold | I love eyeshadow sticks, they’re so easy and convenient to use and on a recent visit to Space NK I discovered the Laura Mercier version, having not heard much previously. The colour range is extensive but for my first dip I decided on this subtle rose gold shade. Perfect for a bit of something on the lid, or as a base for more intense shimmer, this shade is the perfect rose gold as it isn’t overly pink but is pink enough that it isn’t just gold.

Bobbi Brown Rich Caramel Eye Palette* | Every year around the festive season I pick up a new neutral eyeshadow palette - not that I actually need another. Last year my choice was the Stila In The Light Palette - full post here. This Bobbi Brown palette is great for evening makeup with the shimmer shadow adding the perfect amount of sparkle but can also be used for an everyday wash of light shadow with a warm brown in the crease for a little something extra. Bobbi Brown shadows are beautifully pigmented and bendable too.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser | I most likely need not mention this but recently I’ve wanted to step up my skincare game as having good skin means any makeup you wear will last longer and sit nicer on the skin. Having oily, congested skin I wanted to start of my skincare venture with something simple and something that works. As everyone swears by the Cleanse and Polish, I  thought that would be a good starting point. So far I’m really enjoying this cleanser. My skin is very dull and lacklustre despite being oily and this product is beginning to inject some life back into my skin.

What have you picked up recently?

~ Jade xx