NARS HAUL

So when I was in London I decided to take a tiny trip into Liberty's and visit the Nars counter with the intention of having a little look as there isn't a Nars in my local shopping centre. But anyway that did not happen at all and I ended up spending quite a lot!

 Light Reflecting Pressed Powder, £25

The first thing I noticed was something that was new in at the time. It's a light reflecting setting powder which is designed to enhance the look of your foundation and also prolong the wear of it. 

The powder has a really silky consistency and is infused with Photochromic Technology which helps your foundation adjust to new sources of light throughout the day. I have really enjoyed wearing this over my foundation for long periods of time because I find that it helps a lot with combating shine and also the vitamin E in the powder helps guard against dry areas on my face making this the perfect product for my combination skin. This powder is now a must to take out in my make-up bag as its perfect for touch ups and instantly absorbs shine! Also its really handy with the large mirror inside the case.  

Orgasm, Blush £21.50

I have heard so many good things about this blush, Nars even call it one of there 'Cult Classic' products so I obviously had to give it a try and I must say I do absolutely love it! Its instantly become the blush I reach too every day over my 'MAC Fleur Power'. I really love the shimmery shade and how easy it is to blend. It's pink shade mixed with flecks of gold and coral, the colour is also so buildable making it perfect for everyday and for a night out. I apply this blush to the apples of me cheeks and then using whats left on the brush I then sweep down the bridge of my nose and across my hairline. 
A BEAUTIFUL Blush!!

Orgasm, Lipgloss £17.50

It would of just been rude of me to try the blush and not the lipgloss wouldn't it?... Sooo I thought I may as well buy them both! I'm very glad I did as well because my 'Channel' lipgloss in shade '161' is coming to an end and i've been looking for something similar to replace it. This Nars lipgloss offers serious shine and a beautiful girly colour in a easy to apply, creamy formula. When you first apply the lipgloss onto your lips theres none of the stickyness that can really put me off lipgloss's and after wearing for a few hours my lips felt supple and hydrated from the Vitamin E infused formula. I've worn this gloss alone and built up over a variation of different coloured lipsticks, its extremely wearable and everyday can look different.

Dragon Girl, Velvet Matte Lip Pencil £17.50

Next up, a lip product combining the easiness of a lip pencil mixed with the colour and definition of a lipstick...

I loved this as soon as I applied the colour over my lips, they were instantly covered in a rich, colourful pigment paired with a matte finish. This lip product is extremely long lasting, it lasted me over 9 hours at work and even though usually a long lasting lip product means it is going to leave your lips dry with this chubby pencil I didn't notice that at all. It's also great used a base under other lipsticks to help colours last. This chubby pencil glides on super easy and really does stay put!

Damage, Lipstick £18.50

The last of my purchases was this sheer muted grape lipstick, this is the only one of my purchases that im not totally satisfied with as it comes out nothing like it did when I sampled it on the back of my hand. On my lips it appears a lot more purpley than I thought it would and in my opinion if I was too apply a lot of this colour all over my lip I would probably just look as if I was maybe really cold, with my lips on the way to turning blue? as you can imagine not really the look I was going for when I picked out the colour. So i'm now only going to be able to wear this lipstick mixed in with other pinks which is a shame. However I can't deny that colour aside it is a lovely lipstick and feels conditioning on the lips. But next time i'll have to be more careful with my colour selecting.

Is there any Nars products you can recommend for me?

All products available to purchase here

Thank You!

 

NEXT HOME

NEXT, FLORENCE, Luxury Reed Diffuser £14

A slightly different review today on this Diffuser I picked up in Next. I was in the home store looking for a dressing table and couldn't help but notice how lovely the shop smelt and how it didn't smell like the usual scent of popuri, then I spotted all these cute little bottles stood by the till. They come in a range of five different scents but after smelling all of them one by one (about five times) I finally went with the 'Florence' one. The box says there meant to last 10 weeks which I think is amazing. I do always try and light candles but I find that im never there enough to enjoy the smell  however with this all you have to do is turn the reeds around once every other week and your away. They smell so pretty and fresh without being over powering. I also just love the way it looks in my room as I think the bottle reminds me of the little 'Jo Malone' fragrances which just look so classsy! 

Available to purchase here

LUSH HAUL

So on Saturday I decided to have a little look around in Lush (even though I know that I can never leave without buying something). I went in with the intentions of just replacing my favourite body lotion but I obviously ended up coming out with a few more things. The assistant also handed me one of the 'Lush Times' and I have already noticed even more things I want to try!

 

Vanilla Dee-Lite, Body Lotion £11.95

Firstly I picked up a bottle of the 'Vanilla Dee-Lite' as I absolutely loved this the first time I tried it. It's a lovely light lotion that's perfect for when my skin needs a little moisture boost. It's great to wear during the day as its not too greasy so I can get dressed soon after applying. The lotion is built up of butters, oils and kiwi which all help to nourish and treat the skin. 

The main reason why I have re-purchased this product though is because of the smell, the vanillary fragrance lasts all day and a few people have actually asked what im wearing when i've used this. So if your after a light body lotion, that will soften and leave your skin fragranced all day I highly recommend this. 

Jasmine and Henna, Fluff-Eaze  £11.95

The next product I picked up was this 'Pre-Wash Hair Treatment' which is designed for controlling fluffy and untamed hair. I don't usually have hair like this at all but last week I decided to have some lighter highlights put through my dark brown hair, at first I loved the way this looked but after a few days I noticed the condition of my hair had become quite bad and in my opinion I thought the back of my hair just looked frizzy. 

This mask is built up of a collection of oils all designed to improve the strength of your hair and then the Henna is used for added shine. So I decided to give it a go!

You apply it before you shampoo and condition your hair so basically straight onto dry hair which I found very strange as I've never used a product like this before. You need to pile a generous amount of this product onto your hair and then leave it to soak for about 30 minutes. I used it whilst in the bath as Lush recommend that the steam from the bah helps to open up the hair cuticles and allow the product to sink in. After that I just washed it off with shampoo and then conditioned as normal. The next day I really did notice that my hair appeared a lot less frizzy and was easier to style. I would recommend this product to anyone with either frizzy, damaged or curly hair.

Bubblegum, Lip Scrub  £5.25

I've been using this Lip Product for ages now and even though I still haven't ran out of it (they last literally forever) I have somehow managed to loose it, I have no idea how I have or where it is. So I just decided I may as well buy a new one because I love it too much to not have it in my life.

This product is designed to clear dead skin from the lips and to leave them all soft and smooth. It also provides a really good lipstick base because when using bright lip colours they always look better on smooth and prepared lips. 

To use this I just rub it all over my lips and then you can either lick it off or wash it off. The choice is yours. It's quick and easy to do and has really noticeable effects.

Tea Tree- Toner Tab £1.00

The last item I brought was just on a whim really, I've seen these little tabs in Lush before but never really noticed what they were for. But as there only a pound I thought I may as well add one to my purchases and see what its like. 

It's designed to give your skin a much needed lift in times of trouble. The tab delivers tea tree and other essential oils to your face in the correct concentration. 

All you need to do is boil a kettle and then pour hot water into a bowl after that drop this Tab into the water and watch it fizz. The steam will then begin to lift along with all the oils to steam your face. After the water has cooled and the steam has stopped you can then use the water on a cotton wool pad to wipe over your face to wash away any traces of dirt.

I was really impressed with how this worked even though I couldn't quite last with my face over the bowl all the time the tab was steaming because it does get a bit much. However my skin did feel clean and refreshed afterwards so I shall definitely be re-purchasing one of the Lush Tabs. Maybe i'll try 'Dream Steam' next.

Can you recommend any Lush products for me to try?

All available to purchase online here

MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

Recently I have become a lot more obsessed with skincare products, in the past I thought a face wipe and a bit of soap would do the trick but I was very wrong! I have now discovered that it doesn't matter how much I spend on foundations and concealers if my skin isn't the best it can be underneath then none of them would look how I wanted. With this in mind I then went on a mad skincare shopping spree (over a few months not all in one day can I add!) and I tried both expensive and affordable products to get a good idea of what works best on my skin type. 

My skin type can change a lot, I can be oily around my t-zone however I can also suffer with dry skin all over my face, so i've found a selection of products that in my opinion I can use everyday and my skin can enjoy. I admit I do have a rather large selection of skincare products baring in mind these are only my 'favourites' but I love all these products and I obviously don't use all of these everyday and night but I think that mixing my skincare products can keep my skin from becoming tired of repetitively using the same product.

I've just noticed after taking the photo above that I appear to have some sort of colour scheme going on with my skincare products, this was not intended. Promise!

1) MAke-up Removers

ESTEE LAUDER- Take It Away, Total Make-up Remover £21

Lets start with the basic Step 1- Make-up Remover, I used to be an avid face wipe user and I would rely on them to remove all of my make-up until I noticed just how much was still on my face after I had apparently "cleansed" it. I wont lie I still will reach out for a pack of face wipes after a night out, but I much more prefer my skin after i've removed my make-up properly.

 I sometimes wear Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation and when I purchased this the sales assistant recommended that I try there make-up remover as Double Wear is a long wearing foundation and this makes it a lot harder to remove. So I obviously purchased it (i'm a sucker for buying whatever assistants recommend) and I've got to say I was SO happy with the results. You don't need to use a lot, I just add a small amount onto some cotton wool or you can apply it straight onto your face however you prefer. Then I can just wipe away all of my make-up including any stubborn eye make-up. 

This product is made up of a unique water based creme-gel that refreshes your skin whilst leaving a fresh citrus scent and your skin feeling soft and smooth without the greasy residue that can remain after some make-up removers. All in all a very impressive remover that is completely worth the price!

2) Facial Wash

THE BODY SHOP- Seaweed Cleansing Facial Wash £8.00

Next is Step 2- Facial Wash, some people may rely on the remover to completely cleanse there skin, but even after i've removed all of my make-up I then still use a face wash just so that my skin is feeling super refreshed, this face wash does this perfectly. It's a mild cleansing gel that is oil and soap-free, the gel helps to rebalance moisture and excess oil levels in the skin as it cleanses to ensure all impurities are removed. This has a really fresh scent and I love how it leaves my skin looking and feeling clean. I use my Facial Brush with this product (pictured below) this is a round brush which can be used with cleansers, washers or exfoliators. I feel it just enhances the face wash and I can really tell the difference when i've used it.

THE BODY SHOP- Face Brush £4.00

3) TONERS

LA ROCHE-POSAY- Physiological Micellar Solution £11.50      

THE BODY SHOP- Seaweed Clarifying Toner £3.00 

I then proceed with Step 3- Toners, I'm not sure whether this is the order that everyone else does this but I think everyones skin is different and this is just what I find suits me. I understand that the LA ROCHE-POSAY- Physiological Micellar Solution isn't specifically a toner and it is designed to be used as a make-up remover but I love using it as the final cleaning step just to be totally sure my skin is make-up free. I apply this using a cotton wool pad all over my face eyes and lips and I think it works so well as the 'Final Step'. I use this on the days when my skin is feeling slightly more sensitive and dry as this product is aimed towards sensitive skin types.

The Body Shop Toner I only purchased because of how much I enjoyed using the facial wash. Now this is the product I use when my skin is feeling more oily because this toner is great for rebalancing combination skin. The alcohol free solution is refreshing and purifying and is great for preparing my skin for moisturiser. I was amazed at how good this product actually was for the price, I highly recommend this and I will definitely be repurchasing! 

 4) MOISTURISERS

ORIGINS- High-Potency Night-A-Mins Cream £33.00 

LA ROCHE-POSAY- Effaclar Duo £13.00 

...Step 4- Moisturise, this is my favourite step, I just love when my skin is all clean and then I can smooth over some moisturiser. I've struggled to find a day and a night moisturiser that I really like to use, until i found these two.

I received a free sample of the 'Origins' night cream and absolutely fell in love with it after just one night. Every Morning I use this I wake up with radiant and refreshed skin . This formula is created using a system of time released moisture-rich replenishers plus various vitamins including C, E and H. It also has a lovely relaxing smell which is amazing. I cannot fault this product at all, it is quite pricey but you only need to use a really small amount and it goes a long way.

Secondly for the daytime I don't like using anything to thick under my make-up as I feel it just makes it slip off. So the LaRoche product is perfect for me as it is a great make-up base which helps keep my make-up stay put whilst also reducing the appearance of imperfections and purifying the pores. Pretty much perfect, yeah? I have seen this product mentioned on a lot on blogs and i'm so glad I decided to try it as I now wouldn't chose any other make-up base. 

 Special treatments

 ALPHA H- Liquid Gold £31.50

DR JART+- Most Moist Water Max Sleeping Max £26.00

 Every other night or so I like to give my skin a little treat by using either one of these products before I go to sleep.

The 'Liquid Gold' I was introduced to by reading Model Recommends Blog and she made it sound so different to anything else i'd ever tried before, I new I had to try this. I attempted to get a sample size from 'Whats in My Handbag' however they had sold out so I just decided to go for it and purchase the big bottle! I can honestly say I am so glad I did. The formula is enriched with silk proteins and licorice extracts. It works by jump starting your skins metabolism and in doing so it tightens your pores giving an all round brighter and clearer complexion. I must admit it is a bit strange when you first apply it, it tingles all over your face but then after a few minutes this stops and you dont even realise it's there. 

I apply it just like toner, with a cotton wool pad all over my face avoiding my eyes and lips. 

The 'Moisturise Mask' I picked up when it was on offer at Boots. The packaging says that it's an overnight beauty treatment designed to strengthen skin barrier functions. After using this every other night for a week I did really notice a difference with my skin and how it looked overall. It makes my skin just look glowing, awake and of course moisturised. I love using this when i've had a really long day at work and I want something to stop my skin from looking dull and tired. To apply I just smooth it all over my face after toning and then wait for about 10 minutes before I go to bed. Then in the morning I wake up with pampered and smooth skin.

So there you have it, My Skincare Routine. No doubt i'll still probably try new things but at the moment I am very satisfied with every product I use.

 Do you have any favourite Skincare Products you can recommend? 

Thank You.

SLEEK

REVIEW- SLEEK PRODUCTS

 Recently there has been something drawing me to Sleek products, I don't know whether it was the amazing prices, the bold colours, or maybe even the packaging? Whatever it was I new that I had to venture into the world of Sleek. I started off by ordering some products from the online shop not knowing that it was available in Superdrug! So during one of my lunch breaks I popped in and went a little bit crazy.

 Eyeshadow Palette

SLEEK- Eye Shadow Palette (Storm 578) £7.99

My first purchase was this i-Divine palette, it's packed with 12 shades of VERY pigmented, high quality eye shadows. This eye catching palette is built up of a combination of neutral shades mixed with blues, greens and warm pinky reds making the looks you can create with this palette pretty much endless. The colours all compliment each other perfectly, So far I have only really used the neutral shades and i've had really good results as they blend together so well. 

In the make-up look below I used the second pale shade as a tear duct highlight and then blended the first bronze shade all across my lid with a touch of the plain brown running through my crease.

 I think this combination is great for everyday as the colours are soft and for an evening it would look lovely using the same colours blended in with some of the darker browns and reds for a more daring look. 

L V S M T H's rating: 8/10

 Blusher

SLEEK- Blush (Pixie Pink) £4.49

SLEEK- Blush by 3 Palette (Lace 367) £10.00

I was also drawn in by the intensely pigmented Blushers. I dont usually opt for pink blush and I have always stuck to coral shades, but I was very intrigued with this bright pink blush by Sleek and I had to give it a go. This colour is so bright and girly and so looks very pretty worn with a pearly highlighter, I only apply a very small amount of this product as Sleek weren't joking when they said the colours were ultra pigmented.

I then noticed the 'Blush by 3' product and loved the range of colours inside, these shades are more like what I usually wear and I have already picked a favourite... 'Guipure' the centre shimmer blush which I love due to the glow that it leaves on the apples of my cheeks again I only use a small amount, however it can be built up to create a more dramatic look. The colours can also be blended together to achieve different shades and intensities. 
The only down side to this product is the colour on the far right as it is just too bright and in my opinion I dont think I will ever really use this colour which is disappointing.

L V S M T H's rating: 6/10 

lip pRODUCT

SLEEK- Pout Polish (Electro Peach 946) £4.49

My final Sleek purchase was this lip product 'Pout Polish', I swatched a few colours whilst I was in the shop and noticed that as you first apply the Polish they come out quite pale and then build up intensity to become extremely bright! I opted for this bright coral shade as I don't have many orange lipsticks and I think another reason I purchased this was in hope for the summer to hurry up. These pots are filled with lip conditioning product that nourishes your lips whilst giving a pop of colour and subtle gloss. All in all this is a lovely lip product.

L V S M T H's rating: 8/10

Have you tried any of the Sleek Products? Can you recommend anything?

All available to purchase online here

WHATS IN MY MAKE-UP BAG

TED BAKER- TWINKLE Glitter Bow small wash bag £25

I work full time in a jewellery shop and because of this carrying a make-up bag around with me is essential, so I can touch up after working all day under spotlights! I love this cosmetic bag, my boyfriends parents brought it for me and I already have a strong love for everything Ted Baker so this was a great addition to my always-growing collection of purses and bags. The glittery bow is very glamorous which I love and it's the perfect size to fit everything I need in.

My everyday essentials

Foundation and concealers

 BENEFIT Erase Paste (No 2 Medium) £19.50 & COLLECTION 2000 Lasting Perfection (No 2 Light) £4.19

 DIOR- Forever (023) £31

Concealer and Foundation is a must in my every day make-up bag. Concealer, mainly for emergencies because a little blemish could just pop up or my eyes could all of sudden look tired, so these concealers are my absolute favourites for these situations.

BENEFIT Erase Paste - "Brightening camouflage for eyes and face" This is my favourite product for targeting dark circles that can just appear near the end of a long day at work. This creamy concealer has brightening melon undertones to suit every complexion. It's so easy to apply and to blend under the eyes. I apply this with either a fluffy concealer brush or sometimes if I'm in a rush I just dab it with my fingers around my eyes.

COLLECTION 2000 Lasting Perfection - This product is an absolute bargain, I'd seen it mentioned on other blogs and for the price I thought I'd give it a try and I'm SO glad that I did as it's amazing for covering those pesky little blemishes. It says on the packaging that it's transfer resistant and lasts up to 16 hours. I can't say I've ever really worn this for 16 hours but it lasts me all day at work and then into the evening which is so impressive! I've brought some really expensive long wearing concealers in the past for example the Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer which doesn't even compare at all and just left my skin looking cakey.

DIOR Forever - "Forever Fluid Foundation" This is a flawless, perfecting foundation with a medium build-able coverage, it's long lasting which is great for me. This liquid foundation is infused with made-to-measure perfecting skin care ingredients that just melt into the skin and blends perfectly with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. It also has a satin finish which looks lovely built up with a highlighter to create a glowing complexion. I really rate this foundation as I have tried A LOT of others and still find this suits my skin type the best. It keeps control of my oily t-zone without making the rest of my face look powdery or dry which a lot of long wear foundations can do.

Bronzer, Highlighter AND Blusher

 NARS- Bronzer (Laguna) £25, MAC- Blush (Fleur Power) £17.50 & MAC- Mineralize Skinfinish (Soft and Gentle) £21.50

These items aren't as important as my concealer but I still find that sometimes I need to re-highlight my face or add a bit more colour to my cheekbones as the colour can loose its intensity after being at work. So I take out my favourite products that go well with any make-up look that I have chosen.

HIGHLIGHTER- Mineralize Skinfinish from Mac is one of my favourite highlighters. It's a velvet powder that delivers a high-frost metallic finish to highlight cheeks or brow bones. I apply this using my MAC 129 brush.

BLUSH- Powder Blush with a Satin finish... This blush is very pigmented and so I only need a very small amount blended into the apples of my cheeks. It leaves a feminine pink flush of colour that sits really well next to my NARS bronzer.

Eyeshadow and Eyebrow pencil

 DIOR- 5 Shade Palette (Amber Design) £41

 RIMMEL- Professional Eyebrow Pencil (002 Hazel) £2.99

EYESHADOW - I use a very wide range of eyeshadows however this is my most compact palette and so this is usually the one I am drawn to for taking out with me for touch ups. This palette has a combination of five different textured shadows to create a wide variation of looks through layering and blending. My favourite colour is the top left iridescent eyeshadow I love how this looks blended with a variation of eyeshadows. It has a pearlised finish which appears glittery and adds a beautiful finish to any look. I love using this colour alone with a flick of black eyeliner for an everyday glamorous look.

EYEBROW PENCIL - I picked this up on a whim as the usual pencil I used was sold out and I'm so glad I did, it's such a bargain and it's great for filling in my brows and adding shape. The brow groomer at the end is also handy for touch ups during the day.

LIP PRODUCTS

CLINIQUE- Chubby Stick Intense (06 Roomiest Rose) £16, BURTS BEES- Mango lip balm £2.95 & VASELINE- Pink Bubbly £2.49

I do carry quite a few lip products around with me this time of year as I like to make sure I never have dry lips. So keeping myself stocked up with lip conditioning products is a must. I have only recently purchased my Clinique Chubby Stick but I really do love it, its easy to apply, highly pigmented and also it's infused with a moisturizing balm that leaves my lips coated with a soft glossy finish. What more could I need out of a product?

The other two are just a couple of my large collection of lip balms (I think I have a problem with having to buy a new one every time I go into Boots!) The Burt's Bees is extremely conditioning and has a lovely scent and then the Vaseline leaves a glossy finish with a subtle tint of pale pink.

Retractable Powder bruSh

GUERLAIN- Terracotta Retractable Bronzing Kabuki Brush £25

 I usually use Real Technique and Mac brushes to apply my bronzer and blusher products when I'm at home. However when I am out and about I always take this with me as its retractable so fits nicely into my make-up bag and also the bristles don't get damaged as they are protected with the little lid. This is a very high quality brush which is extremely soft and fluffy. The bristles are built up of goat hair which helps to pick up the perfect amount of product and ensures that it's distributed evenly.

So there it is. My everyday make-up bag, some of the pieces I swap and change to suit my look like the lipstick but the rest stays pretty much the same as they are all trusty products I can rely on to freshen up my look, whether its just during my lunch break or if I'm going out somewhere straight from work I know I'll have the products I need! 

Let me know what's in your make-up bag @Liv_SmithX!

GUERLAIN

REVIEW- ROUGE G L'EXTRAIT 

GUERLAIN Rouge G L'Extrait £31 in shade Gourmandise (M71)

I was an extremely lucky girl for my birthday and managed to talk my boyfriend into buying me this amazing lip product. I fell in love with the packaging straight away, but who wouldn't it just feels so luxury to use. You simply just pull and click and the double mirror opens up perfectly sized to focus on your lips making it the best lip product to take on a night out. I chose a bright, vivid pink which is ultra-pigmented and delivers a really sophisticated colour which is buildable so can be worn however you prefer. As soon as the colour is applied it instantly becomes matt making it last really well without drying your lips. The formula also comes with rejuvenating and smoothing benefits making it an all round perfect lip product. I really want to try another colour in the Rouge G L'Extrait range maybe the orangey red for summer.

L V S M T H's rating: 9/10