A Glossier Haul

After the news that Glossier was finally coming to the UK, I made it my mission to track down some of their most coveted items to add to my collection. I knew that I wanted to try some of their cult favourites, so today I am sharing with you my Glossier haul. 

First up is the Milky Jelly Cleanser, a purchase I made on a whim, but one I definitely don't regret. With a slight rose scent and delicate formula, it's gentle on my skin whilst still being effective at removing my makeup and making my skin feel super clean. Despite having a creamy-gel formula, this doesn't lather up at all; instead it feels similar to more of a cleansing balm when massaged in. Although it's not super -ourishing on my dehydrated skin, you can't fault how gentle it feels on your eyes. I can't wait to give this a proper try out and come back to you with with the results. 

If there's one product you need to try from this haul it's the Dusk Cloud Paint, a cream blush that has a lightweight, buildable formula that is super easy to use, is flattering on the cheeks and gives off the most perfect peachy bronzed hue. You could price this at twice the price and I still think I'd repurchase it, even though I'm pretty sure that this tub (despite being quite tiny on appearance) will last me a very long time. This paired with an illuminating base is perfect for an easy, natural dewy finish. 

When I first picked the Priming Moisturiser up, I wasn't too sure if I would like it as I've heard others say that it's a little too light for dehydrated skin, but as soon as I applied it, I knew it was love. There hasn't been a day since I got it that I haven't applied it underneath my makeup because the way it makes my skin look is amazing. My complexion appears calm and dewier, creating the perfect moisturised base for my makeup that glows through your foundation and actually makes a difference to the way my skin looks. 

The Haloscope Quartz Face Highlighter purchase was completely influenced by other bloggers and their love for this glow inducing offering. It's a natural highlighter unlike any other one in my collection and it works well with any cream products. The only way I could describe it is as a "sweaty look" highlighter that adds the dreamiest, natural glow. I was worried as it doesn't dry down like other cream products, but on me, it doesn't stay sticky so I can't complain. Although I can see why some wouldn't like it, I'm looking forward to wearing this over the upcoming weeks.  

Have you tried Glossier? What would you recommend I try next? 

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Banishing Blemishes With T-Zone

- This content is sponsored by T-Zone, but all my thoughts are my own - 

When I first set eyes on the T-Zone Charcoal and Bamboo range, I think my inner teenage self screamed with delight because this was a brand I relied on for years to help banish blemishes. An an avid skincare hoarder and tester, I was excited to see how this range would compare to what I was used to trying from budget ranges, plus how it could deliver clearer, spot free skin. 

One of the biggest tests was trying the Ultra Purifying Face Wash and Deep Cleansing Face Scrub whilst on my period. I knew that this would be the ultimate test as I always get quite a few painful spots around my chin. Despite a few spots rearing their ugly heads throughout the week, the Face Scrub was great at keeping my skin smooth and clear. Sometimes a physical exfoliator was exactly what I needed before makeup application and to make sure my skin was left feeling smooth and soft. 

The Face Wash was a great alternative to my usual cleanser in my morning routine as the scent is super fresh (please give it a sniff - it's divine!) and it wasn't so nourishing that my makeup then slips off, nor was it too stripping for my skin either. 

Nose Pore Strips are another nostalgic product for me, I remember spending my time peeling off the strips from my nose and investigating what was left on there (Yuk!). I haven't used any in years and I can confirm that what came off my nose wasn't a pleasant sight, but it definitely did the job. I've used these quite a few times now and with every use, I've seen an improvement with how many blackheads are on my nose.

The Black Peel Off Mask works in a similar way to Pore Strips, but the satisfaction of pulling this off is even better. It leaves the skin a little red and tight after you've removed it, but it's nothing that can't be solved with a little bit of a hydrating moisturiser or serum. It makes my skin feel super soft and squeaky clean; perfect for when I want to refresh my complexion after a long day in the sun. 

I feel like face wipes have got a bit of bad press in recent years, but I always like to keep a packet to hand for makeup mistakes or when I've gone makeup free and I just want a quick refresh during the day - perfect for when it's hot and sweaty outside in the Summer. Although the No Shine Papers take some beating, I'd have to say the Black Cleansing Wipes are my favourite of the whole range. 

Talking of the No Shine Papers, these are little black papers that you can press on the skin throughout the day to help keep oil at bay without removing your makeup or having to apply any more powder. I've got dehydrated skin, so I don't tend to get too oily, but I've already made my way through these due to the weather being so hot and muggy. 

The only product I really didn't get along with in this range is the Self Heating Mask and I think that's purely down to the fact that my skin is quite sensitive. It's supposed to draw out impurities and unclog pores, which I've heard from other people that it does exactly that, but for me it was a little to harsh to use on my cheek area. 

Have you tried the T-Zone Charcoal and Bamboo Range? 

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Rediscovering Old Style Favourites and Finding New Additions

As someone who never has that much of a personal attachment to an item of clothing, I tend to be pretty good when it comes to sorting items out. Saying this, I've let my wardrobe become a bit of a mess recently, so I decided to have a rummage through to see if I can find any old gems. To my surprise, there were items in there that I've now fallen back in love with. I've done a bit of shopping already, so I thought today I could share with your my top tips on re-discoveirng old style favourites and working them in with new pieces.

Monochrome | I've been wearing this ASOS Black Ruffle Jumper non-stop recently, so much so that I'm thinking of getting a back up whilst they're still in the sale. Paired with a pair of jeans and boots, this is the perfect outfit when you want to look like you've made a bit of an effort without doing anything whatsoever. Then I re-discovered this ASOS Mono Jacquard A-Line Skirt that I think I must have bought way back when and by a miracle it's still in stock in one size on ASOS. It's great tucked into the jumper, but I think it'll look lovely paired with tights, dainty pumps and a plain black cami come Autumn. 

Monochrome items and everyday pieces if still in good condition are always handy to keep as they can be easy basics to wear with other statement items like this Warehouse Leather Look Pink Biker Jacket which I need in my wardrobe (it's the jacket of dreams!). 

Spruce Up Old Jeans | I'm an avid black jean wearer, but a few ways you can spruce up on old outfit is by adding in colour, whether it's getting creative with iron on patches or slightly bleached for an even more worn in effect. Ripping old worn out jeans at the knees is a great way to save pennies buying them in store and you can tailor them to where you want the slits to sit. 

Embroidery | Embroidery is a new addition to my wardrobe and my favourite way of incorporating it into the outfits I already wear is by wearing embroidered bags or shoes, as they can easily add colour without looking too OTT. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I got these ASOS June Embroidered Espadrilles the other day and I'm so happy with them as they look great paired with a variety of outfits. My embroidered bag is a firm favourite of mine and one that I've worn pretty much daily throughout the Spring and Summer months too. 

Going For Basics | As I previously mentioned, I love keeping basics in my wardrobe for pairing with statement pieces, but ultimately it's because monochrome items are where I feel the most comfortable, so therefore I get the most wear out of them. At the moment, pink is a colour that has been trickling into my wardrobe along with Burgundy and Plums. I'm also trying to stop myself buying anything that I know I will only wear a few times, instead opting for items that can easily be transitioned from one season to the next or one's that I know I will continue to wear the following year. 


Here are a few of the items I'm currently lusting after: 

Do you ever fall back in love with old style favourites? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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A Makeup Mess

As much as I love themed makeup posts and new beauty round ups, sometimes I just want to sit down and have a chat about the makeup I've been wearing and trying out. With the new Urban Decay palette release being a hot topic, I wanted to give my initial thoughts, along with a sneak peak at my Glossier haul. 

First up is Glossier, who's it's release in the Autumn is highly anticipated for all of us UK residents. I managed to get my hands on a few of their cult favourites including the Quartz Haloscope, Milky Jelly Cleanser and the Priming Moisturiser. Although it's too soon to know whether I like some of them, so far so good, in fact I'd probably say I'm on my way to being a Glossier convert. 

If you've been reading my blog for a little while, then you'll probably know just how much I'm smitten with Essie nail vanish, in fact it's hard to use anything else once you start. I've been spoilt for choice with what shade to pick ever since my Essie haul at the end of Spring. Russian Roulette, a true red and Ladylike, a muted mauve have been two of my most worn shades as I'm trying to steer clear of the Autumnal hues.. for now. 

The Becca Rose Quartz Light Chaser Highlighter* mixed with the Illamasqua OMG Beyond Powder are my top two picks for dewy, highlighted skin, but my recent discovery is if I apply these on top of the Haloscope it makes the most dreamy ethereal glow. This isn't the only dream team I've been pairing up lately as I've taken to mixing primers, blushers and even lipsticks to find the perfect new shades. 

I feel like everybody is talking about the new Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette* and don't worry I'll be putting my pennies worth in with a blog post soon enough, but I just wanted to share with you my initial thoughts. Each shade, including the lighter hues, are all pigmented, buttery and easy to blend. Despite being known as a Summer palette, I can see myself getting lots of use out of it come Autumn (it could even become my favourite Naked palette!) as the warm shades compliment my skin tone perfectly. 

What makeup have you been wearing lately? 

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The Lipsticks I've Been Regularly Reaching For

Alongside blushers, I've been having a bit of a moment lately with lipsticks. From soft corals to everyday nudes, I've been re-discovering old favourites and wearing new discoveries. Here are the lipsticks I've been reaching for regularly: 

If there was a lipstick that summed up the Spring and Summer it would have to be Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk; although not a typical coral or pink pick, the nude hue looks great on my complexion and never fails to match any makeup look I'm going for. It's matte formula means that it sticks on the lips for hours and it always makes my lips look fuller even without the use of a lip pencil. 

As I previously mentioned, I usually reach for corals come Summer because they compliment my dewy (sometimes sweaty) complexion, the Nars Lodhi Satin Lip Pencil being one of my go-to's at the moment. It's bright, it's bold, but the comfortable finish means it can be worn with ease. 

The newest discovery of mine is the Colourpop Lippie Stix, but more importantly the shade Aquarius. This subtle nude shade is comfortable, pigmented and long wearing too; three properties that don't often work together. Despite putting it through it's paces with eating popcorn at the cinema and wearing it for hours on end, this does stick around and only needs to be topped up semi-regularly, which for a lipstick that is so nourishing is good going. 

The L'Oreal Eva's Nude is another neutral shade I am loving as it's so easy to put on and go. It's a consistent resident in my handbag as it looks juicy, perks up my complexion with it's pinkish hue and can be worn over the top of any lipsticks you've previously worn. 

For a bold look, I have been reaching for the NYX Ibiza Soft Matte Lip Cream, a vivid pink that makes a statement instantly, but still can be worn on a daily basis. I've been particularly liking this in the evenings with an all black outfit, but I loved wearing this with a simple, floaty dress in the heatwave we had. 

Lastly, the Jouer Creme Brûlée Lip Creme* needed a mention as other than the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams these have been my most loved liquid lipsticks. In the Summer time I tend to steer clear of anything too matte as I love easy to wear, nourishing picks, but the Jouer offering is so comfortable that you can't really feel its there. 

What are your favourite lipsticks at the moment? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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Summer Peach Favourites

When I think of Summer, my mind always wanders to the peach and coral hues of my makeup collection. Blushers and lipsticks are the perfect way to get these shades into my routine with ease, so here are a handful of my top picks. 

The Hourglass Strobe Lighting Palette -or more specifically the shade Incandescent Eletra (the shade on the left)- is one of my current favourites as, although it's pigmented, it still looks natural upon the skin, perks up the cheeks and adds a subtle glow at the same time. 

Although the Tarte True Love Amazonian Clay Blush is a pink at first glance, it' has coral undertones so adds a peachy hue to the cheeks when applied. It's matte, long wearing and very suitable for a Summer makeup look.

When I first saw swatches of the Glossier Dusk Cloud Paint online, in some lights it looked like a true brown whereas in other photographs it looked like a soft mauve, but once I got my hands on it, I would label as more of a rosy pink/brown with undertones of peach running through it. Although it's not a Beam sort of a coral which is intense, this still has a slight pay off of peach (The Beauty Look Book's swatch of it is pretty spot on). The almost-mousse cream formula makes this super easy to wear with or without foundation, as it blends effortlessly into the skin and there's never a harsh line in sight. 

Every year, I always bring the Nars Lodhi Lip Pencil out once the weather starts to get warmer; it looks great paired with tanned skin and the formula makes it super easy to apply due to it's creaminess. 

If you're looking for a bright coral then look no further, as the Clarins Joli Rouge Bright Coral* has been a long serving favourite of mine come Summer. It's vivid, it's pigmented, but it's still comfortable to wear on a day to day basis. If you want something a little more toned down that still adds a bit of colour then the Fresh Coral Sugar Lip Treatment is a great alternative. 

Another peachy favourite of mine is the Clinique Melon Pop Lip Colour, a nourishing pick that has been in my collection for several Summers now. If you're new to coral lipsticks then this is a great one to begin with as it can easily be worn every day with ease. 

What are your top coral and peachy picks? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates.

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What I've Been Reading, Watching and Listening To Lately

I feel like these posts are becoming a monthly thing; a time where I get to tell you what I've been reading, watching and listening to over the past few weeks. Although I'm trying my hardest not to re-watch Gilmore Girls or Harry Potter until it gets a little bit cooler, I have been planning to delve into a new book or two ready for my Summer holiday. 

Listening | Lana Del Rey's album has been hugely anticipated and I'm so excited that it's now been released. Summer Bummer has already been on repeat throughout the day, but White Mustang, In My Feelings and Cherry are just a few of my favourites too.  

One of my favourite podcasts ever is My Dad Wrote A Porno and I have been saving up the new episodes to listen to on a chilled Saturday morning when we both just want a little giggle.

Reading | I really want to get back in reading, but as I haven't had a spare minute, I feel like many pages of my book haven't been turned. I'm thinking of making a huge Amazon order including some of the Penguin Clothbound Classics and Rifle Paper Co covers as there are a few that I've been meaning to delve into for ages and it doesn't hurt to have a cute cover too!

The news that there will be two new Harry Potter books come October is exciting news too and I'm already moving books around to make room in my collection. 

Watching | We've been to the cinema quite a lot recently, but the stand out film I've seen would have to be Spiderman: Homecoming. It was funny, light hearted and genuinely kept me entertained for a few hours without my mind drifting off. 

As for TV, I've been really into Orphan Black lately, a TV show I've been meaning to watch for some time now. I won't spoil the plot, but it's definitely worth a watch as it has lots of twists and turns. (Alison is my favourite for those who already watch it). 

What have you been reading, watching and listening to lately? 

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The Ordinary Round Up

The Ordinary is a hot new budget skincare range that I feel like everybody is talking about at the moment. Although they're now launching makeup, it was some of their skincare pieces that I wanted to focus on today, sharing with you my current top picks and the one's I'm not too sure on. 

When I first tried the Caffiene Solution 5% + EGCG*, I wasn't sure if it would do anything; yes the slight cola bottle scent was nice, but I wasn't sure how it would target my puffy eyes and reduce redness. Despite having a thicker than oil, but lighter than serum formula, it is still lightweight and easy to massage into the skin. I can't say I've seen much different in terms of the darkness around my eyes, but this stuff seriously tightens your eye area, visibly lifting within seconds after drying. If you pop it in the fridge, it's also great at making you feel awake and refreshed. 

I won't go on about the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution as I've already done a full review on it before (here), but this toner helps to gently exfoliate your skin, brighten the complexion and help fight blemishes too. It's a firm favourite in my routine and one that I would repurchase in a heartbeat. 

I've got to admit that I'm a little bit of a snob when it comes to moisturisers. I don't mean to be, but I tend to gravitate to those on the high end, luxe side because they tend to work better with my skin. The Natural Moisturising Factors + HA* intrigued me from the get-go as it promises to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin with a variety of magic amino acids. At under £5 you really can't fault this and I'd go far as saying it's up there with my favourite ever moisturisers. 

When I first tested out the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%* I wasn't too sure; the texture was a cream/gel hybrid, the formula was thicker than I anticipated and I didn't know how my skin would react to the new type of acid I was trying. I'm not sure if it's meant to act as a primer, but the slight silky texture certainly feels like one and when applied underneath your base, it does create a lovely canvas for your foundation to be applied over. 

The AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution isn't as scary as the colour, description and name might suggest. In short, it's meant to target blemished, dull and lacklustre skin, but without causing irritation. Although it can feel a little harsh on the skin on your first and second application, after a while (and I only use this once a week, twice if my skin is particularly bad) you get used to it and this really helps to draw out all the impurities - In fact I could actually see all my spots that had come to a head the morning after using this. 

After being smitten with some of my new skincare products that have Salicylic Acid in, I knew that I wanted to try the Salicylic Acid Solution* by The Ordinary. It sounded like it could banish blemishes at a fraction of a price than my other spot treatments, so I was willing to give it a go. If you follow me on Twitter, then you'll know this has been a success and for the price tag, this is up there will some of my favourite spot treatments. I've had some pretty bad spots recently, but within two days this cleared them up.  

Have you tried anything from The Ordinary?

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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Zoella Beauty Jelly and Gelato

As soon as I set eyes on the new Zoella Jelly and Gelato range, I knew I had to have it. The aesthetic, the description of scent and the fact that I've been in the market for some new bath products all lead to me doing a little haul. Here are my first impressions: 

I instantly reached for the Shower Shake as soon as I opened my parcel because the moisturising body wash sounded right up my street. It's lighter than the Lush body conditioners, but it still delivers an intense boost of hydration - great for when you don't have time to moisturise. This definitely didn't disappoint and of course I have to give a mention to the scent. It's so dreamy, with notes of Elderflower and Pomegranate, it's a sweet, yet very fresh fragrance that I can only describe as a "perfect Summer morning scent". 

I didn't expect much from the Shower Sauce as it pretty much does want it says on the tin, but this does lather up well and leave the skin lightly scented (it lasts on the body too!). This has really tempted me to try out their body spray as I feel like I want to just bathe in this scent as much as I can. 

I wasn't too sure how I'd get on with the Bath Frosting as I wasn't clear what it was meant for in the beginning, and as someone who suffers with pretty sensitive skin, I'm always skeptical about anything bath related. Luckily, so far so good and although I've only used this a couple of times, one sachet does two baths, so you can make these last if you're careful. 

Have you tried the new Zoella Jelly and Gelato range? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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A Colourpop Haul

Colourpop is a brand which I've always wanted to try, but as it's pretty much impossible to get it over in the UK, I thought I would scour Depop to see if anyone was selling any items. Luckily, I came across a girl who was selling genuine, brand new products, so I decided to snap up a few and I thought I would share my initial thoughts and a haul with you today. 

The Super Shock Eyeshadows have been on my wishlist for a long time now, but with such a broad range of shades, it was always hard to narrow it down. As I've been lusting after the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance and Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette I thought I'd pick the shades that looked similar to ones in those palettes. In the end I settled on La La, Muse and Brady, three hues that work in sync with each other to create a pink smokey eye (It isn't as scary as it sounds). On reflection, I would have liked a darker colour, but as I've already decided to make another order, I'm sure one will slip into my basket. 

All three of them are incredibly pigmented, but Brady is a little harder to blend than the other two and I think that's because it's a matte finish. Muse is a beautiful dark pink/burgundy hue, whilst La La is a copper that can be blended out for a soft wash of colour or built up to contrast perfectly with a smokey eye. 

I wasn't too sure what Lippie Stix shades I wanted to try, but ended up going for the Lumiere and Aquarius. On the first swatch, I wasn't too sure if I would like them as they both seem to be a little drying in formula, but as soon as I applied them to my lips the colour pay off was dreamy and the finish was super comfortable too. Both of these are easy everyday nudes, Lumiere being more suited for Autumn as it's got a mauve/purple undertone and Aquarius being a juicy nude hue that looks lovely all year round. 

What would you recommend trying from Colourpop? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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5 Habits I'm Trying To Adopt

After having had a very busy few weeks, I started to look back at the routines I've fallen into, the habits I've developed and the changes I want to make in the future. I've been trying to practice self care more, drink two litres of water a day and make purchases that are more thought out. Here are five other habits I've been trying to adopt recently: 

Vary My Weekly Menu More | I've been feeling impressed with myself on how often I've been trying out new recipes and not sticking to the same meals through the month. I've got soups, stews and curries to try once the weather starts getting colder, but for now, it's all about vegetarian paella and noodle recipes. 

Get A Daily Working Routine Again | I've always been pretty good when it comes to working from home as I get up early, but recently I've slipped into old habits of working well into the evening and running myself into the ground a little. I want to get back into the habit of splitting up my days into categories, including blogging and freelance work, as well as starting my day at 8am and finishing at 5pm. 

At Home Workout | As I previously mentioned, I've been working through all of my breaks and lunches, meaning I've had little time to myself. Although I workout quite a lot after work- usually for two hours at a time, several times a week- I really miss doing a light yoga session in the morning or quick fifteen minute kettlebell routine on my lunch break.

Give Myself A Break | This is a general one, but I think that it probably speaks to a lot of people. As someone who works from home, I usually feel guilty if I want to give myself a few days off or to pencil in watching Harry Potter in the afternoon as not everyone else gets that luxury. I usually do end up working outside of my usual hours (as I have been recently) so I'm really trying to adopt the habit of stopping giving myself a hard time. This also relates to not being able to juggle work life, a social life and house life all the time and letting one slip from time to time. 

Read A Book A Week | I've really fallen off the reading bandwagon at the moment, I seem to be going to bed late meaning I don't have time to spend my usual half an hour flicking through the pages of my current read and at the weekends, I've been prioritising other activities over an afternoon in. I really want to get back into the habitat of getting through a book a week if it's gripping, but genuinely just reading a little bit every day without fail. 

What habits do you want to adopt? 

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The Makeup I Reach For When I Want To Make A Statement

As someone who has stayed loyal to my subtle pinks and everyday nudes, statement lipsticks haven't had much of a look in lately. During the cold months, I do tend to reach for the berries and reds, but I've been trying to incorporate more of those brighter, bolder shades into my Summer routine too. 

The NYX Ibiza Soft Matte Lip Cream, a vivid pink shade, wasn't one that I thought I'd get that much wear out of because not only is it bright, but it's extremely pink too. It works perfectly with a nude eye look and a minimal base - The formula is super creamy and comfortable as well. 

You probably wouldn't expect to see a nude offering in this line up, but the Charlotte Tilbury Bond Girl is the perfect example of a dark red/brown lip that can make a statement on pale skin. It's looks perfect paired with a simple eye look and bare cheeks. 

A classic red never goes amiss when you want to add a statement colour to your makeup, the Nars Cruella Lip Pencil is divine, not only with it's intense pigmentation, but with it's long wearing formula and finish too. 

Eyeshadows are one of my favourite ways to make a statement as they're super easy to wash over the lids for instant colour. The MAC Tan Pigment is great at adding not only sparkle, but a healthy dose of copper to the eyes; perfect when paired with a soft, brown smokey eye. The Zoeva Rose Gold Palette* is a great way of creating a striking eye look without having to go heavy on the black eyeshadow, instead swapping it for rose golds, matte browns and burnt orange hues. 

A strong, bold cheek colour isn't something I wear very often, but a dreamy highlighter is always a good choice. A statement doesn't have to include colour and the Becca Procesco Pop is great at adding that pop of sheen to your cheekbones with ease. 

What are your favourite statement colours? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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Rotating My Makeup For Summer

To try and snap me out of lusting after Autumn, I decided to clear out my makeup collection, sell any makeup that doesn't get used anymore, rekindle the love with old favourites and purchase some new pieces to try out. I'm sure you're all aware by now how much I love to rotate my makeup and switch it up depending on the season, so I thought I'd share with you what I'm reshuffling. 

I've got a really bad habit of hoarding duplicate products, so I've decided to sell any that I know I won't get through. It's a great way of not only decluttering, but also making a few extra pennies to spend on new products. As I previously mentioned, I'm rekindling the love with many of my products, the Hourglass Surreal Light Palette being one of them, as it has been put it back in my makeup bag, making it easier to reach for on a daily basis. 

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, then you'll know that I recently went and bought a few new things from Colourpop. After spending the last two months not really lusting after anything, I decided I wanted to treat myself. I spent Friday testing out my new things and so far so good - In fact I am tempted to make another order.

When I moved house, many of you will know by now that a few Essie nail vanishes got ruined. So over the past couple of months, I have been slowly replacing some of my favourites and building up my collection once again. I've finally got around to throwing out the shades that I desperately didn't want to part with and I've moved the Summery shades to the front to ensure I get lots of use out of them in the last six weeks of Summer. 

It isn't just makeup that I've been rotating, I've been reaching for more lightweight moisturisers, nourishing serums and cleansers that promote clearer, dewier skin. I've been sent quite a few pieces from the new The Body Shop Spa At Home range* including a body oil and exfoliator, which are both ideal for the warmer days when I want to prep my legs a little bit more. 

The Nourish Skin Renew Cleanser* is a new favourite of mine, I've been using it everyday without fail (although I've got a few new ones to try now!) as it's just perfect for melting away my makeup, making my skin feel super smooth and nourishing my complexion too. 

Do you rotate your makeup depending on the season? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. this post contains affiliates. 

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Dreamy Scented Products

After spotting a similar post on From Roses' blog, I thought I would do one of my own, showing some of my top picks too (although I tried hard not to pick any perfumes, bath bombs or candles in this line up). From my Lush staples to a yummy fragranced face mask, here are my favourites: 

There aren't many makeup products which smell nice that I can use; I have to steer clear due to them being a little bit too harsh for my skin. Saying this, Too Faced always hits the nail on the head with their scents. The Chocolate Soleil Bronzer* is a new pick that I'm currently trying out, and although it's too soon to give the final verdict, I couldn't leave this chocolate scented product out of this line up - I heard that their peach range smells lovely too! 

The Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments smell good enough to eat, as the vanilla/sugary fragrance makes my mouth water every time. The YSL Rouge Volute Shine is not only juicy in finish, but with a watermelon scent, these are almost good enough to eat.  

Hand cream is one of the easiest way to get great smelling products into your routine, but I've recently been using the Patisserie De Bain Sugared Violet Hand Cream*, a sweet scented offering that makes your hands smell like parma violets. Although I wasn't sure how moisturising it would be at first, it's a lovely pick to throw into your handbag and is especially great at masking the scent of hand sanitiser if you use it. 

As for skincare, Origins do some of the best scented products including the Ginzing Moisturiser and Drink Up Intensive Mask which both work together to tackle dehydrated, lacklustre skin.

The Laura Mercier Creme Brûlée range has to be one of the the dreamiest smelling products ever and they will be a forever re-pruchase of mine. The Honey Bath is perfect for creating an abundance of bubbles, whilst the Souffle Body Creme is great for nourishing the body. Speaking of bath products, this line up wouldn't be complete without a quick mention to Lush, a brand that I keep coming back to purely for their divine formulas and lovely scents. 

The Dove Derma Spa Goodness3 Body Oil* smells like an actual spa and is always so beautiful to use too. I swear I could go on about how dreamy this applies and how great it is for anyone who fake tans and wants to perk up their pins with a little natural shimmer. 

What products do you think smell good? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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New Base Additions

I've been trialling and testing out a variety of new products (with some more base makeup on the way!), so I thought it was about time that I shared with you some of the picks I've been wearing and my first impressions. 

I don't believe that The Ordinary's Azelaic Acid Suspension* was designed to be a primer, but for me it has the texture and finish of one. I haven't been using this for very long, but I wanted to mention it because it is a new base addition of mine. The gel-cream hybrid is a little thicker than I had anticipated, but it does sink in quickly. It is supposed to deliver radiance and target acne scars- both of which I need- but I would say this mattifies the face rather than add a dewy glow. I reckon this will be great for high coverage, long lasting finish or for oily skin. 

The Becca Backlight Primer* is another primer I'm trialling and I've been testing this out for a good few weeks now. This is the perfect glowy, radiant pick that never fails to perk up my complexion and make my foundation look flawless. It's a cult favourite for a reason because I'm smitten - plus I'm pretty sure the bottle will last for ages because you only need a small bit of product with each application. 

A repurchase of mine is the L'Oreal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation, a dewy, natural base that conceals any imperfections, whilst still allowing your skin to show through. It's absolutely perfect for everyday wear and as you can tell by my empty five tubs of it, it's a forever favourite of mine too. 

Most of the bronzers I use at the moment have got some form of shimmer in them and I think that's because this Summer, my dehydrated skin just works better with a radiance boosting formula. Saying this, I wanted a new matte one and when I set eyes on the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer*, I knew that I was in for a treat. It's buttery formula blends the colour in seamlessly and the shade is perfect for my fair skin. The matte hue has had me smitten as it allows me to go for a shimmery blusher without running the risk of turning into a disco ball. 

Another repurchase of mine is the Sleek Rose Gold Blusher and although I think it is probably pushing it to call this a base product, I couldn't not mention it in this line up. This offering looks like a great dupe for Nars Orgasm as it is a soft pink with gold undertones which perks up the skin and adds a subtle wash of colour. 

What makeup are you trying out at the moment? 

If a product is marked with * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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Summer Makeup Picks

The weather is always temperamental in the UK, but on the whole I think it's safe to say that it's now officially Summer. I've been switching up my makeup, bringing out the bright lipsticks, dewy bases and creamy eyeshadows. I've been discovering lots of new makeup and today, I wanted to share with you my current Summer makeup picks. 

Primers are having a bit of a feature in my makeup routine at the moment. The Becca Backlight Priming Filter* and the Nars Radiance Primer are currently battling it out for top illuminating base, as they both make my skin appear brighter and prolong the wear of my foundation. 

Although I love dewy skin and a dreamy highlighter for Summer, I find myself reaching for more matte blushers to counteract the shimmer. The Milani Romantic Rose Blusher is a long term favourite of mine as it adds just the right amount of colour to my cheeks and goes with a variety of Summer looks. 

For eyeshadow, I've been trying to shop within my stash a little more rather than picking up new picks that have caught my eye. The Urban Decay Naked 3 palette still remains one of my most used, and during the warmer months, it's great at adding a subtle wash of colour to the lid or for creating a soft, smoky eye. Another palette I reach for a lot is the Tanya Burr Birthday Suit offering, a quad that has all the colours you need for an easy eye look. 

Cream eyeshadows have been a regular in my routine recently, the Sigma Brilliant Shimmer Cream* being an absolute dream to wear as the pink champagne shade looks great all over the lid, blended with the Charlotte Tilbury Bette Davis offering and then set with a slightly shimmery eyeshadow to make it last all day. 

I decided that I wanted to pick up a few more NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream because I was seriously lacking in Summery shades. Ibiza is a top pick of mine, which came as a surprise as it's quite a vivid pink hue, but the strong shade compliments my complexion perfectly. It's got a slight coral undertone to it when worn on the lips which makes it quite easy to wear with a soft champagne eye and fluttery lashes. 

There have been many other lipsticks that have been on the Summer menu recently too, including the Clinique Pop Lip Colours, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments and L'Oreal Eva's Nude, all of these being super hydrating, comfortable lipsticks that add a slight, natural colour to the lips. 

What are your favourite Summer products? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliates. 

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