A Birthday Wishlist

With my birthday under a week away now, I've been thinking about what I would like to treat myself to. My beauty wishlist is as long as my arm at the moment, but with the new season upon us, I'm looking to update my wardrobe as well as my makeup routine. Here are my top wishlist picks: 

Beauty | I've been lusting after quite a few new beauty releases recently, which has expanded my wishlist quite a lot. The new Hourglass Ambient Edit Volume 3 has caught my eye, but I'm deciding if i actually need another one to add to my collection. I've also been undecided about whether to treat myself to a new perfume, preferably the Diptyque Do Son EDT, a fragrance which I hunted down in Paris, but couldn't bring myself to buy. 

Now that Cult Beauty is stocking Glow Recipe (Hurrray!), I'm very tempted by the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, a much coveted product, of mine purely because I haven't heard a bad word about it, but £40 for a mask is very steep, so maybe it'll be a birthday present to myself. 

Fenty Beauty has been on my wishlist since it's release and I've spotted a fair few bits that I'd like to try, including the Match Stix Trio. Although I've heard mixed reviews, I can't pass up on the opportunity to get my hands on some bits - time will tell. 

I'm planning to go a little bit mad with Herbivore soon as I've been seeing them all over my Pinterest and Instagram. I've got to admit that the simple aesthetic has really drawn me into the brand, plus so many of the product sound dreamy including the Rose Hibiscus Face Mist. 

Fashion | Buying a few new wardrobe pieces is high up on my priority list as I feel like I haven't treated myself to many new items and I'm in dire need of a bit of a wardrobe update. I adored my jumpers I got last year and as I picked wisely, they look like they'll do me well for this year too. I wanted to pick up a few new Autumn staples like this ASOS Oversized Square Scarf and a pair of simple black boots like the ASOS Emmie's (or these Topshop one's if I'm feeling adventurous). 

Are you lusting after anything at the moment? 

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Old Favourites and What I Think Of Them Now

Looking back through my blog archives, I realised there are quite a few products that I was once smitten with, but are now gathering dust at the back of a drawer, whilst others are products that I haven't put down since. 

The first product is Nars Sheer Glow, a foundation that I treated myself to way back when I started this blog. Back then I had combination skin which was slightly on the oily side and I was far more into concealing every blemish or mark. I still have it rolling around in my collection as it's quite a nostalgic product for me, but as soon as my complexion went into a dehydrated phase, I could no longer get any wear out of it, which meant that it's stayed stagnant for a while now. 

Another base that has been around for some time now is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Foundation, a long serving favourite of mine. It's dewy and it matches my skin tone perfectly, but I don't bring it out into my makeup bag enough. It's a forever repurchase of mine, so no doubt it'll be around for several years more. 

Although I've always loved Topshop makeup, I feel like it's still very much underrated. In 2014, I was using the Glow Highlighter in Polish and in 2017, I'm still using it. It remains one of my favourite creamy, blendable illuminators that adds just the right amount of radiance to the complexion without looking too glittery or shiny. 

The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder was a much hyped product several years ago, it seemed like everybody owned it and- at the time- it was for very good reason too. It used to be my go-to as it was the perfect cool toned hue, but since then they've come out with a lighter shade which I feel would be much more suited to my pale skin tone. Saying that, there are a lot more products now on the market that do a similar job at a fraction of the price. 

The Kevyn Aucoin powder changed how I saw contouring, but it was the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow that had me smitten. Although I've had a few times when this never left my makeup storage for weeks on end, it still remains one of my all round favourite contouring kits. The highlighter is dreamy, blendable and sits lovely on the skin, whilst the bronzing powder is the perfect shade for both warming up the skin or chiselling the cheekbones too. 

MAC used to get all the hype back in the day. Before I had this blog, I used to write a few others and I remember picking up a limited edition MAC lipstick called Playing Koi (10 points if you remember it) and it was the most coveted item around the time that concealer lips were all the rage. Now? Not so much. 

I'm pretty flexible when it comes to skincare, I tend to have lots of back ups or my favourites, but am always open to trying whatever is new or on offer. The Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask was a hyped up product, but it continues to be one of my favourite masks whenever my skin needs calming and soothing. 

What products have you always loved? 

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TV Shows For The New Season

When there's a slight chill in the air I always hear my pyjamas calling to me. I love nothing more than having a lazy Sunday, walking or cycling in the woods and then coming back to binge watch my favourite TV shows. Now that it's Autumn, I'm allowing myself to re-watch some of my old favourites and discovering new one's too. 

Gossip Girl | I can't believe it's taken me this long to watch it because I'm obsessed - In fact I've only got one more season to go! If you enjoy an easy watch then look no further as this is perfect, but it can get a little frustrating at times... or maybe that's just because I've gotten so into it. 

Gilmore Girls | I'm currently on a mission to re-watch Gilmore Girls as it's the ultimate autumnal fix - It's such a pick me up, good-time feel watch. Don't forget to grab your snacks though because there is always talk of great food throughout, which no doubt will make your tummy rumble. 

Peep Show | Peep Show is a new find of mine (yes I know it's quite old), but when we were on holiday we managed to binge watch all nine series and now I'm tempted to re-watch them again. Yet another easy to watch programme that also makes you giggle too. At first I wasn't too sure, but it gets quite addictive as it goes on. 

My Family | I think I manage to talk about My Family in every TV show post I do, but it's seriously one of my favourite feel-good picks. It never fails to cheer me up and make me smile, but it's their seasonal episodes that puts me in the best mood. The halloween one and Christmas specials are definitely on my to-watch list for October. 

Honourable Mentions | Although not necessarily a TV show, a film on Netflix that i would definitely recommend would be What Happened To Monday; a sci-fi thriller that will have you at the edge of your seat all the way through. 

I love a good drama at this time of the year too, especially anything crime related. If you haven't already you should definitely watch Line of Duty and Luther, Doctor Foster being another honourable mention too. 

What are you watching at the moment? 

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5 Products On Trial

I've fallen back in love with makeup and skincare at the moment, which means I've been more open to trying out new products and switching them into my makeup routine too. I've got a lot on my to-try list, but I wanted to give you a little sneak peak into the products that are currently on trial. 

The Glossier Birthday Balm Dotcom has been on my wishlist for some time, but I wasn't too sure how I felt about the added shimmers and the fact that there is petroleum in the formula, as I thought it'd just be a lavish vaseline. On first application, the texture was smooth and the consistency was thicker than I had anticipated, but it felt amazing on my lips and the extra shimmer actually made my lips look healthier and 'juicier'. So far, this one has a thumbs up from me as I've worn it every day since I got it, but I still need to give it a good try before I give you my final verdict. 

I've got to admit that I'd never heard of Odacite before, but when these turned up in a parcel I was intrigued by not only their skin benefits, but how tiny the serum 5ml bottles were. I got the Pomegranate and Rose Geranium* and the Peach Cypress* offering, both of which smell fresh and natural. They both are used to target different problems and skin types, so during my holiday I put these to the test on my problematic, dry skin that was looking worse for wear due to the rain, wind and a reaction to a mask I'd used. It soothed and hydrated perfectly, so much so that I felt the difference when I came to apply them a couple of days later. As I've used them I realised that they're probably small because you only need the tiniest amount, as they can be used on their own for an intense fix or mixed in with your moisturiser for added skincare benefits.

I'm sure my love for The Ordinary hasn't gone unnoticed, but I've never tried anything from their other brands. On initial use I didn't understand what the Hylamide Pore Flush* was meant for, but after a read online it sounded like the perfect product for me at the moment, as someone who uses products aimed at reducing enlarged pores and decongesting the skin. I've been using this day and night for a few days now and I haven't noticed any difference yet, but the spray did cause some issues to begin with as it's quite forceful and can easily wet your whole face, hair and clothes. I've began using it on a cotton pad now and it works a dream, plus the scent is fruity which makes it a treat to use. 

I received quite a fair bit from 3ina in the post last week, but unfortunately only the Brow Kit* made it into my makeup bag as the lid gloss, blue eyeliner and eyeshadow wasn't quite for me. Nevertheless, I was excited as I am someone who has used pretty much the same brow products for the last couple of years. I've been using it daily since I got it and I've got to admit it's pretty damn good in my opinion. The powder is ashier than I'd usually opt for, but it works for me perfectly and the wax is harder than other kits, which I actually prefer more as you don't get any shiny patches. 

Have you been trying any products out recently? 

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Ten Autumn Favourites

Friday marked the first day of Autumn, the most hotly anticipated season of mine. Not only does it mean that we're slowly getting closer to Christmas, it also means that the next three months will be filled with Halloween, Bonfire Night and lots of exiting events. Crisp, fallen leaves and the pitter-patter of rain drops as you sit up in bed reading is just a couple of things I love about Autumn, so I thought I'd share the rest: 

Jumpers Galore | I'm at my most comfortable when I'm snuggled under a duvet or blanket in a pair of PJ's, but as I can't really head outside like that, jumpers are the next best thing. They're super easy to wear with a variety of outfits and this Bershka Striped Jumper will look great underneath large coats too. 

Harry Potter | The magic of Harry Potter is the epitome of Autumn to me, I want to get out my wand and twirl it around daily. It becomes slightly more acceptable to re-watch the Harry Potter films as many times as you can before they appear on to your screens again in December for the Christmas period. 

Feeling More Inspired | If you're a regular reader of my blog then you'll know that the Summertime in one of the hardest times for me when it comes to motivation, especially nearing the end as I'm anticipating the colder weather and new releases. Now that it's officially a new season, I can get super motivated for brand new content and fresh ideas. 

Candles Everywhere | Autumn is the perfect excuse to have at least one candle in every room - Am I right or is that just me? As someone who works from home, there's something quite comforting about a candle being lit as you're working away. 

Hunting For Conkers and Pinecones | I tend to go a little mad when it comes to pumpkins, conkers and pinecones this time of year, especially since having a fireplace and making the most out of displaying them. 

New Makeup Releases | I get so excited for new Autumn releases and the anticipation of Christmas ones too. They tend to be some of my favourites as the lipsticks are darker, the skin is glowier and it's more focused towards my sort of shades. 

Everything Feels Magical | As the Christmas chocolates begin trickling their way into stores, the Halloween decoration stands are being put out and the nights are drawing in, I can't help but think about all the magical times ahead. The ability to watch fireworks light up the sky in a rainbow of colours and looking forward to the Christmas lights being switched on in a couple months time. 

Crisp Morning Air | One of the smallest things about Autumn, but easily one of my favourites is the cold, fresh morning air that perks me up for the day and makes me feel refreshed. I also enjoy the windy days and still nights that Autumn has to offer too.  

Being A Homebody | I love nothing more than walking or cycling, getting slightly muddy and then coming back home to take a dip into bubble-filled Lush bath to warm myself up. Being a homebody is great at this time of the year as it means I have an excuse to do all of my favourite activities like taking up a new hobby, reading a book and pampering myself more. 

Clothes Shopping Is Easier | As I previously touched upon, jumpers are a favourite of mine in the Autumn, but in general I find clothes shopping a lot easier. Do I need another striped top? Probably not, but I'm going to buy one anyway. Here are a few of my top Autumnal picks at the moment: 

What do you love about Autumn? 

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An Autumn Reading List

For me, Autumn is the season for reading and if you're like me and have barely picked up a book over the last couple of months, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things. I recently made a book order and they came in the nick of time before my holiday. I want to share the books I'm hoping to delve into over the upcoming months. 

My Not So Perfect Life | I wanted a light hearted book to read and after enjoying Sophie Kinsella's Can You Keep A Secret?, I thought I would go for another one of her books. Sometimes all I want to do is read something a little funny and read a few chapters at night, so I think this will be perfect. 

The Muse | Jessie Burton is an author I've been meaning to try for a long time now and when I spotted The Muse in my local supermarket, I couldn't resist picking it up. The cover definitely was the reason I was attracted to it, but the story, which is far more classic in style than I would usually read, sounds absolutely lovely. 

A Court Of Thorns and Roses | This has been on my to-buy list for months now and I finally picked it up. I've heard so many great things about this one and have been seeing it everywhere, so I can't wait to delve in. 

The Couple Next Door | This is another book that's been on my reading list for a while and as I like nothing more than a gripping thriller at this time of the year, I knew I had to pick it up. I've seen a lot of people reading this recently and I'm sure it's going to be one that I'll finish in one sitting. 

What books are on your reading list?

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The Urban Decay Naked Palettes

The Urban Decay Naked Palettes* are renowned in the beauty industry, being labelled as one of the most used, loved and purchase palettes of all time. This is for a very good reason too as I've been collecting them for several years now, Urban Decay sending over the first Naked Palette to complete my collection. I wanted to share my thoughts on all of them, telling you which ones are my favourite and the ones best for different looks. 

First up is the Naked Smokey offering, a palette I haven't got much use out of recently. The shades are darker, more blue in tone and can create very intense looks which is something I no longer reach for in a palette. When I first got my hands on this I was smitten, but over time it's sort of gathered dust at the back of my drawer - Maybe I should pull it back out? 

Next is another palette I don't reach for much anymore and that's the Naked 2 pick. I never bought the first palette because of the packaging, so instead went straight into number two, now that I own the first one I regret that decision as the original suits my complexion far more. The Naked 2 does have a broad range of shades and all of the Urban Decay palette cannot be faulted in terms of formula, finish and pigmentation, it's just one that I don't reach for often. 

Now we're getting into the good stuff, the three palettes I would recommend to everybody. Starting with a long serving favourite of mine, the Naked 3 Palette. It's pink in tone, extremely pretty and actually more suitable for day time wear than you may think. If you're not ready to go all in with warm tone eyeshadow then this one is great as the mauve shades and shimmery hues can be worn with ease. On a side note, the packaging which is a tin, is great as it's not flat like the Naked 2, so it shows less of the scuffs, scratches and dents.  

Next is another favourite, the Naked Heat Palette, the newest release, but one that has had me smitten. There's no denying that it's different to the other picks, but the deep browns, soft matte browns and deep reds are so gorgeous. I know it's difficult to pick which one is your favourite, but this and the original Naked has been in my makeup bag constantly recently, so I'd definitely say it was between these two. 

What is your favourite Urban Decay Naked Palettes? 

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Drifting Off Quicker: My Sleep Favourites

For years I struggled with sleep and getting into a routine was one of the best things I did for my insomnia and I've started to use products I can associate with my bedtime routine as a way to drift off quicker. 

If there's one product you need to try in this line up is the Lush Sleepy Body Lotion, a body cream that not only nourishes the skin, but I find it encourages me to drift off quicker. I'm not sure if I've associated the scent of this to sleep, but it makes me feel super cosy and magical (I think it's because I was reading Harry Potter when I first fell in love with it).

A bath full of bubbles or one fizzing away a bath bomb in it is one of my favourite ways to relax especially if the tub is surrounded by my go-to candles. Dimming the lights so I can just about see the pages of my book always calms me and ensures that I head off to bed in a dazed state.  

Sleepy is great paired with the Twilight Shower Gel is the dream team as I instantly want to slip into some new pyjamas and fresh sheets to visit the land of the nod. The shower gel is great at delicately scenting the skin as well as cleansing it too, making you feel clean without stripping the body of it's natural oils. I'm already hoping that Twilight Shower Gel will become permanent like Sleepy did - Keep your fingers crossed! 

The This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray has been a long serving favourite of mine for some time as it always calms me and sends me off to sleep. Although I love using this just before my head hits the pillow, I do like spritzing a few pumps of this when I'm in the bath too for extra relaxation. The lavender scent is super calming and works great in conjunction with the other products. I really want to try some of the other products from their Deep Sleep range including their candle which sounds super lovely to use when I'm having a bath full of bubbles. 

What are your favourite products to send you to sleep? 

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Five Product Face | The Super Natural Edition

As I've started to get back into makeup a bit more, it's been either medium coverage, long wearing base or a natural, glowy makeup look on the menu. I've been reaching for radiance inducing, lightweight products to transform my skin whenever I need a quick application and today I thought I'd share my five product face. A great look who when you want to pop out to the shops or you just want to add a little cover to your skin. 

Although the Kat Von D Lock It Concealer has the reputation of being super heavy and full coverage on the skin, when used on it's own and blended in with your fingers or beauty blender it actually creates a seamless, natural finish that remains undetectable on the skin. I don't always use concealer when I'm going for a minimal makeup look, but when I have any dark patches or blemishes to cover then I like dotting a little bit over them to create a flawless finish. 

The star of the show is the Glossier Quartz Haloscope, a glossy highlighter that perks up the complexion and adds a sheen all without adding any big chunks of glitter to the skin. I adore it over foundation, but when used on bare skin, it blends beautifully into my cheeks, lasts a long time and makes my lacklustre skin look more alive. 

For brows, I've been wearing less product in them recently especially when I want to head out the door quite quickly. Despite this, I always want them looking set in place and fuller in look, so the Benefit Gimme Brow* is my go-to. I think I'm going to try out the Glossier Boy Brow when it comes over to the UK, but for now the micro sized brush does the job perfectly. 

This look wouldn't be complete with a lengthening and voluminisng mascara. The Clarins Mascara Supre Volume* offering has been a favourite of mine for some time now as it doesn't flake, smudge and makes my lashes look better than ever. 

To finish off this natural makeup look, I reach for another Clarins product, the Instant Light Lip Comfort*. This gold flecked lipgloss/balm hybrid not only nourishes the lips, it stays on for several hours, doesn't feel overly sticky and makes my lips look healthier. 

What products do you use for a super natural face? 

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5 Ways To Take Time Out For Yourself

I always struggle to take proper time out for myself; indulge in bubble baths, chocolate and watch Netflix for so long it asks me if I'm still there. Self care is one of my biggest passions, so I thought I'd share some ideas on how to take time out for yourself. 

Cook Yourself A Childhood Favourite | I've really got into comforting food recently especially all of my beige childhood favourites. I've been baking potatoes with cheese, helping myself to a plateful of cheesy chips and delving into a sharing size bag full of tortilla crisps. I want to get back into baking more and whipping up some sweet treats ready for Halloween - Fiendish Fancies anyone? 

A Bath With Candles | As you're reading this post I'm currently on holiday in Scotland in a gorgeous cottage, and guess what I bought with me? Candles. That's right candles. Oh and a dressing gown. Sometimes the little luxuries can't be left at home and for me there's nothing like a bath filled with bubbles surrounded by candles after a day out in the rain and cold -  The perks of Autumn! 

A New TV Series or Book | This is a simple one, but finding a new page turner or TV series you can binge watch is a great way to switch off from your phone or laptop if you want to. I've got a blog post scheduled for later this week all about what's on my Autumn reading list, but I'm looking forward to spending the afternoon reading a gripping thriller! 

Learn Something New | I'm always Googling and researching new beauty products and the pieces to add to my wardrobe, but you can learn a lot on there about a new skill or fact. One of my favourite ways to spend some time is learning about the full moon or the healing properties of certain herbs - It's a great way to immerse yourself in something. 

Turn Your Hand To A New Hobby | Similarly to learning something new, you can easily lose yourself for an hour or two picking up a new hobby. Whether it's a craft like cross stitch or baking along to the Great British Bake Off, turning your hand to a new hobby can be a great way to take time out for yourself. 

How do you like to relax and switch off? 

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A September Base

The temperamental weather has caused havoc upon my skin, so I have been reaching for nourishing, yet long wearing and medium coverage bases to help conceal any blemishes I may have. I've really been loving these products and I thought it was time I updated you on my base makeup. 

Starting with a primer, the Glossier Priming Moisturiser has been a must have whenever my skin needs calming and feels dehydrated. Although I originally thought this wouldn't be very suitable for my dry complexion, it's been an absolute savour and looks great under a variety of foundations. Another primer I have been pairing this with is the NYX Pore Filler* offering which is great at disguising enlarged pores and makes my foundation go on smoother over my cheeks. 

The Too Faced Born This Way Foundation is all I've been wearing this month as it's got more coverage that I'm used to, but still remains natural and undetectable on the skin - The perfect shade match definitely makes a difference too! I apply it using a beauty blender for an even finish and I've actually found that it's a base that looks better as the day goes on. Going from a satin finish to a more dewy one, something that I think would steer oily skin suffers away from this. 

For concealer, I have been reaching for the Kat Von D Lock It Concealer and I can't recommend it enough. If you're looking for a super long wearing, high coverage concealer that doesn't cake and can be used to illuminator or cover up blemishes, then this is your guy. It's fault less, doesn't oxidise in the slightest and has me excited to try more bits on from her line. 

What base makeup have you been wearing recently? 

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A Lush Halloween Haul

The colder weather and cosier nights have tempted me to start the Autumn and Halloween posts slightly earlier this year. After seeing the new Lush Halloween and Christmas ranges on their website, I was quick to snap a few bits up (one of many hauls no doubt!). 

There's a common theme running through this post and that's Pumpkins. I'm obsessed this year and the collection is starting earlier than ever. Sparkly Pumpkin is always a Halloween essential of mine and the glittery exterior always gets me feeling super magical. The scent is lovely and fresh too, but I do hope that Lush come out with some pumpkin spice scented products soon. 

With the original Sparkly Pumpkin being a yearly favourite of mine, I was skeptical about trying the Pink Pumpkin as the scent sounded more uplifting and floral than I usually go for when it comes to the Halloween collection. I'm not sure if it's the Jasmine, but it smells very similar to the Christmas Eve bubble bar. I had to instantly use Pink Pumpkin when it arrived and it created a delicious amount of bubbles that you can just dive into with only a small piece. 

When I first set eyes on the Bewitched Bubble Bar I knew I had to have, it purely because it turns your water black and glittery, something that's a little bit different to your usual bath product. It smells of blackberry, which gives me all of The Comforter feels and I'm so glad that's it's part of their Halloween collection now. 

Ahhh Pumpkin, the must have bath bomb that makes it's way into my basket every year. The vanillary, comforting scent just wraps me up in a blanket of cosiness and as it fizzles away, you get hit with the delicate vanilla and cinnamon scent. This bath bomb smells like the perfect combination of both warming and sweet - I end up getting a good handful of these every year and I don't think this year will be any different. 

Not Halloween related, but I held back on the Christmas releases (including Rose Jam, a purchase I now regret not making). The only item I picked up was the Twilight Shower Gel as I thought it would be a lovely addition to my lavender scented products that help me fall asleep. The purple colour and name gives me Halloween vibes, so I thought I'd treat myself and I'm so glad I did as this is a dream.  It's hands down my favourite scent as the lavender makes me feel relaxed and, when paired with Sleepy Body Lotion, it's a perfect treat for the skin. 

Are you planning on picking anything up from Lush's Halloween range? 

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Makeup That Needs No Tools

I often use makeup which needs no tools when I'm in a rush or I want a simple, natural makeup look. These tend to be the creamy formula products of my makeup bag that can completely feel like finger painting with makeup, and there's no denying that they can create a luminous, easy to blend finish with ease. It was Thirteen Thoughts who inspired this blog post, so I thought I would share with you my top makeup products that can be applied with no tools. 

Liquid highlighters are one of the easiest products to apply without tools and although I love an intense powder highlighter, for a more ethereal glow there's nothing quite like the NYX Sunbeam Liquid Illuminator. It can be blended into the base before your foundation or concealer and can be applied afterwards too. 

Talking of concealer, there aren't many that you can get away with creating a flawless finish with just your fingers, but the Kat Von D Lock It Concealer does just that. It's high coverage, yet natural looking and is great to carry around with you for touch ups. 

Glossier is the epitome of easy to use, natural makeup and they hit the nail on the head every time. I can't wait for them to officially launch in the UK, but whilst we wait, I think you should add the Dusk Cloud Paint and Quartz Haloscope to your wishlist. The latter is great at adding a glossy sheen to the skin, can be used as a base for a more intense highlighter, or just left alone. I personally adore this either over a lightweight foundation or on it's own to really perk up my lacklustre skin. The Cloud Paint is a great product too and as you don't need to use any tools with it, you can feel like you're finger painting with it. Dab a little bit on your cheeks and you get a seamless colour once blended. 

I've got quite a few cream eyeshadows that I rate in my collection and no one does it better than Charlotte Tilbury in my opinion. The Bronzed Garnet Colour Chameleon is great when you want a soft smokey eye with one flick of the wrist. It's a perfect coppery brown hue that can be easily be blended with your finger and can be used in conjunction with other cream products. The other Charlotte Tilbury product I love is the Bette Eyes To Mesmerise, a burnt amber shade that has extreme longevity and intense pigmentation. 

Two other eye products I love to use when I have no tools are the By Terry Ombre Blackstars, as they super easy to use and the 3ina Cream Eyeshadow* is similar in that it's comfortable and non-drying on the eyes. 

What are your favourite tool-less beauty products? 

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A NYX Professional Makeup Brand Focus

- This post is in collaboration with Debenhams. This post contains affiliates - 

It was only a few years that NYX Professional Makeup wasn't a brand that you could get hold of very easily, but now that they're being release in Debenhams from Monday 11th September, I think we're going to see a lot more from them. There's no denying that they're one of my favourite high street brands as the quality and affordability cannot be beaten. Here are a few of my favourites and some of NYX Professional Makeup's best sellers: 

If there's one product everyone needs to own from NYX Professional Makeup, it's the Soft Matte Lip Creams. Not only do they smell of delicious vanilla buttercream, they are super comfortable, long wearing and highly pigmented. We're going into my favourite season now and this is when I bring out all of my collection. I always joke that I have at least one soft matte lip cream in every handbag, makeup bag and coat pocket because I'm that smitten. Budapest is a new addition to my collection but one that has been welcomed with open arms - Seriously this shade is Autumn in a lipstick! My other recommendations would be Madrid, Copenhagen, London and Madrid. 

Talking of lip products, I have to give a mention to their other ranges as everything they do lip wise is always so impressive, no wonder they're all best sellers. The Butter Glosses are great if you get dry lips and aren't fond of the lip glosses that make your lips sticky. I have the shade Strawberry Parfait which I initially thought was going to be too girly for me, but it looks great on my dark lips. The Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipsticks are a great range for those who love long wearing, matte offerings which come in a wide range of nude shades. Exotic, Push Up and Bedtime Flirt are definitely three that are worth a swatch. 

For a few months now, I've been made more aware of my enlarged pores and I've been using several ways to try and reduce their size. I initially wasn't too sure if the Pore Filler Primer would work as I have dry skin, but when paired with the Shine Killer Primer (saying both of their names is super satisfying) these are super lovely. I've only been using them for a little while, but they really help with smoothing out your base and making any foundation go on more evenly. 

When it comes to highlighters, I am not opposed to mixing and matching them to suit my look of the day. The Strobe of Genius palette has a range of seven illuminators ranging from a lavender with shimmer to golden pink, but my favourite is the true champagne gold paired with the light gold hue.

If you're looking for a good allrounder palette then the Contour Intuitive offering is perfect. It's new and exclusive to Debenhams so I definitely think they're going to go quickly so be fast. The two highlighters in the palette are comparable to some of the high end ones I own and the blusher is a perfect peachy pink great for perking up the complexion. Blushers always look great paired with the Sunbeam Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator to create a glowy, radiant base.  

When I first copped eyes on the Cool Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette I was intrigued how well the shades would work with the colour of my hair and eyes. I'm usually prepared to have to spend a little bit more time blending when working with budget eyeshadows, but I was so impressed with how pigmented and creamy they were. My favourite shades to work with are the two mauve shades on right of the second row, the darker complimentary shade second left on the third row and finally the brown on the right of that row too. All of the dark shades are dreamy to work with and so many of the hues are complimentary to each other. I definitely need to pick up the Warm Neutrals Palette next as the shades in it are absolutely beautiful. 

What are your NYX Professional Makeup favourites? 

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Current Lifestyle Favourites

There's been some exciting things happening behind the scenes around these areas and I'm so happy that slowly but surely some of my projects are being revealed. I wanted to do a blog post all about my current lifestyle favourites as I feel like I haven't talked about anything lifestyle related in a little while. 

First up, I have to give a quick mention to Blogosphere Magazine, a magazine I have been beauty editor for over the last three editions. I got to mention five of my favourite bloggers at the moment, Like Neon Love, The Makeup Directory, Lelore, Beauty By Kelsey and Hannah Hearts. It's being super lovely working with them and I hope I get to work with them again in the future. 

Another favourite of mine is candles; more specifically Bath and Body Works Candles. I've got a bit into cosy Autumn mode at the moment, so have been purchasing some off the internet to add to my collection - I've even bought a pumpkin magnet! I've already got my eye on the Camp Winter collection and I'm sure that the space in which they sit on my fireplace will become much more crowded soon. 

The biggest thing I've been looking forward to when it comes to the weather getting colder is the layers and the excuses to buy more jumpers. After purchasing this ASOS Ribbed Ruffle Jumper and falling head over heels with it, I then picked up the New Look Funday Jumper as they both have that lightweight material that can be easily layered under coats. 

I'm going away this weekend to Scotland which I'm really looking forward to as it means we get to ride our bikes and chill out in our cottage (which has a wood stove!). I'm planning on spending the day outside in the cold and coming back to a steaming hot bath and a book. I've been feeling anxious for the past week, so I think it'll be nice to unwind and relax. 

What are your current lifestyle favourites?

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

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Five Fail Safe Scents

Just like lipstick shades or foundation formulas, I'm always drawn to certain scents when it comes to beauty products. If I don't like a fragrance, I'm often put off using the product, but when I love it, you'll often find me coming back for more. Here are five of my failsafe scents I always reach for. 

Rose | If there's one scent I wish I could have in candle form, perfume and any skincare I own, it's rose. In fact, now that Lush's Christmas range has come out early, I'm planning on stockpiling all of the bottles of Rose Jam as back-up for the year. The Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, Oskia Renaissance Cleasning Gel and Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner are three of my rose skincare favourites and I can't get enough of how well they not only perform on my skin, but how dreamy they smell too. 

Lavender | Lavender is a scent I can always rely on to help me sleep and relax. It's found in my This Works Pillow Spray and Lush Sleepy Lotion, a perfect pairing when I want to visit the land of nod. 

Floral | Similar to rose scents, I tend to reach for floral fragrances when picking up a new perfume. I'm naturally drawn to those softer, more subtle floral scents as they settle and wear well on my skin throughout the day. Similarly, I've been loving the And Other Stories Floral Memento Hand Lotion a lot recently because the scent truly lingers for hours and is a real treat for the hands. 

Fruity | I've got to admit that not many of my products have true berry scents; only the one's found in Lush The Comforter, which has now been discontinued was one of my favourites. Fruity scents are usually found in haircare products, you know the one's where you quickly swish your hair and get a good ol' waft of it. 

Vanilla | I feel like the Laura Mercier Creme Brûlée Body Souffle actually deserves a whole category on it's own as if you've been around these parts for a while then you'll know it's one of, if not my absolute favourite Christmassy, Autumnal scent. It's sweet, smells of vanilla and is everything a body cream should be. Another vanilla scented product I adore are the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, in fact I've built up quite the collection now. They smell good enough to eat as the vanilla buttercream scented just always gets me coming back for more. 

What are your favourite scents? 

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

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A Transitional Makeup Round Up

The first day of September marks the start of Autumn for me, or at least that's when I allow myself to get excited over the idea of crisp leaves, deep berries and the upcoming exciting events that my favourite season brings. I'm slowly entering the transitional period between seasons when I start to reach for warm toned eyeshadows, deep reds and soft champagnes to help illuminate my complexion. 

Primer is something I've been getting more and more into over the past few months, the Glossier Priming Moisturiser being one I reach for daily. It's helps to keep my skin supple and glowy, whilst looking utterly dreamy underneath any foundation I layer on top of it. Talking of foundation; after being after a more medium to full coverage foundation, I picked up the Too Faced Born This Way offering to help create a flawless base. This does just that, giving me enough coverage to only need a little amount of concealer on a day to day basis, but it remains undetectable and lightweight on the skin - A perfect Autumn foundation in my opinion! 

For eyes, I have been loving either an easy to blend eye look, courtesy of the 3ina Cream Eyeshadow*, or a  warm smokey eye made up from shadows from the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette*. The latter is currently my go-to eyeshadow palette as it works great either for an intense, evening look or for more of an easy to wear day time option too. Just a note that I'm giving away a Naked 2 palette on my Instagram if you're interested. 

Lips have been the hardest part to pick for my transitional makeup as I feel like it's a tad too early to whip out NYX Copenhagen Soft Matte Lip Cream, but I want something a little bit darker on a daily basis. The Sephora Marvellous Mauve Cream Lip Stain and Colourpop Lumiere Lippe Stix are two that are currently in my makeup bag as they are the perfect mauve nudes to wear on a day to day basis.  

Are you changing your makeup up for the transitional period? 

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

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