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

Happy new year everyone! For the first post of the year I thought I'd do another instalment of 'my current favourites' - previous posts can be seen here and here - of the few new favourites I've discovered over the past couple of months.

Firstly, the Jo Malone fragrance in Amber & Lavender*. I don’t think I’ve ever used a perfume that smells so good or lasts so long. This beauty was waiting for me under the christmas tree this year - thank you Santa - and I haven’t stopped wearing it since. The 30ml bottle is £37 and the much larger 100ml bottle is £78, expensive but so worth it.

I’ve had a love hate relationship with this Super Liner eyeliner from L’oreal since I bought it around sixth months ago. However, I’ve discovered it makes it really easy to do my everyday winged liner and it doesn’t smudge. I originally didn’t like it because I didn’t feel as though it was black enough and when you used it the fluid ran out quickly, but if you shake it well before use it’s absolutely fine. The super liner also doesn’t break the bank - a definite bonus.

I’m a fan of the Maybelline colour tattoos so when Bourjois came out with their own cream like eyeshadow formulas - Colour Edition 24hr - I was intrigued. At first I was apprehensive for they’re a cream to powder formulation however they last a really long time - not quite the twenty four hours like stated, though. Colour pay-off is pretty great to, I have the colour Petale de Glace which is like a lighter version of ‘satin taupe’ by MAC. I’m not overly impressed with the rest of the colours however and I feel that the colour range is what really lets this collection down. 

After using Lucy’s Sleek Face Form palette a few times and falling in love I decided I had to get my own. Lucy’s review of this beautiful palette can be seen here.

I’m a big fan of volumised hair and am no stranger to backcomb. However, backcombing my already damaged hair with a comb isn’t the best thing for it. Enter the L’oreal studio line volume super sizing spray. This stuff is basically backcomb in a bottle. You spray it at the roots of the hair and scrunch until the desired amount of volume has been achieved. It doesn’t make your hair feel sticky at the roots like others I have tried and its very affordable - but word to the wise, don’t use this if there’s a possibility of being rained on as water mixed with stuff creates a paste and its not easy to get out.

What are your current favourites?

~ Jade xx

Products used:

Revlon nearly naked foundation - 103 shell

Maybelline fit me concealer - 20

MAC pro long-wear concealer - NW20

Revlon nearly naked powder - Light

MAC eyeshadow - omega

Maybelline colour tattoo - pink gold

Urban decay eyeshadow* - Toasted

Sleek blush - rose gold

Rimmel natural bronzer - 021 sun light

Topshop lipstick - Brighton rock

Revlon lash potion mascara - Blackened brown

This eyeshadow look has been my go-to for the past month or so if I’m in a rush or don’t have a specific look in mind. It’s really quick and simple with a base of my favourite cream shadow - which makes any shadow used stay put all day - and a swipe of my favourite shade from the naked palette. It’s quite low-key however I have teamed this with ‘hustle’ eyeshadow from the naked palette on the outer corner and added some winged liner to amp it up for a more night-time look.

What’s your go-to look?

~ Jade xxx