Winter Makeup Picks

I can't believe we're nearly in February and I haven't shared my Winter makeup yet. It's a seasonal tradition of mine to share what I've been wearing and here are my top picks: 

I've been trying out the Clinique Moisture Surge* recently, which was kindly sent to me by the girls at World Duty Free. Although it's too soon to say what I think about it in terms of skincare, underneath my makeup it performs amazingly. It leaves my skin feeling super smooth almost instantly (something dry skin suffers will rejoice along with me) and therefore my foundation goes on much more effectively.  It works great in conjunction with the Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow; a product I desperately need in a full sized version soon and the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation; a demi-matte pick that has great longevity and makes my skin look flawless. 

Although, I remain faithful to my Glossier Wowder, I have reintroduced my Hourglass Powder Trio Palette back into my routine. It makes my pores almost invisible, whilst my complexion appears matte without being flat. 

I've not been very loyal to blusher recently, swapping between Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Blusher* and the Bobbi Brown Powder Pink Pot Rouge as they're both fairly neutral, whilst still adding a dreamy pop of colour to the cheeks. 

Contouring is something I used to save for special occasions or weekends, but as I've got my hands on a couple of easy to use, cheek defining products recently, I have been embracing it on more of a regular basis. The Fenty Beauty Amber Match Stix is a great pick if you want a cool option that gives off the illusion of a shadow and this looks great paired with the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wand because this highlighter is dreamy. 

I've been loving using my Maybelline Brow Tattoo and Glossier Boy Brow together so I don't have to spend too long doing my eyebrows on a daily basis. They look more defined and full, something I never thought I would describe my brows as. 

I have still been enjoying using the Huda Nude Liquid Lipsticks* and the Kat Von D Magique Lipstick has been in my handbag all season too. I've been reaching for nourishing, yet long lasting picks that are easy to wear on a day to day basis. 

What are your top Winter makeup picks? 

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

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Four Floral Fragrances

Floral scents have always been a go-to of mine as I love how uplifting and fresh the fragrances sit on my skin. Over the years I've had my fair share and lately I've been collecting a few new favourites too. I wanted to showcase some of my top picks today as they're what I've been wearing lately. 

The newest addition is Maison Margiela Replica Flower Market*, one that has been on my wishlist for so long and after getting gifted this one from World Duty Free, I now want them all (Lazy Sunday Afternoon is next) - If you're looking to invest then definitely check them out as it's reduced by £19! When I say this is the epitome of floral scents, I mean it. It smells as though you've just walked past rows and rows of beautiful blooming flowers, yet when worn it doesn't come off as too overpowering, but instead changes slightly to sit more naturally with your own personal scent. Unlike other floral scents which tend to be muskier, this one is fresher making it great for everyday wear - I'm smitten! 

Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede is quite a few people's favourite and if you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll remember I reviewed it a couple of years back now. I recently got another new bottle and I'm so glad I did as I've rekindled the love. It's a perfume I always get a compliment on whenever I wear it and it's strong scent lasts all day without fail. It's such a favourite with many and it's easy to see why. 

If you're a fan of a floral, musky scents then the Diptyque Do Son EDT will be right up your street. It's unique in fragrance as it's slightly spicy for a perfume, so it makes for a slightly more 'grown up' take on the traditional floral scent. 

The best way to describe Giorgio Armani Si is deliciously rosy; like you're falling into a bath filled with Lush's Rose Bubbleroom. You can liberally spritz all over without running the risk of giving yourself a perfume headache. It's sweet, yet it doesn't resemble any of those scents you used to wear as an early teen, making it a great pick for those looking for an uplifting pick. 

What are your favourite floral fragrances? 

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

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5 Beauty Habits I Want To Adopt

I've seen quite a few bloggers do their own 2018 beauty resolutions including Nettle and Blackberry and Beauty By Kelsey, so I thought I would do my own, as it seemed like such a great idea to share the habits I want to adopt this year. 

If I know I Won't Use It, Give It Away | As much as my skin is rather temperamental, so I often like to use a variety of products to banish blemishes and nourish my skin, it's unnecessary to have products that I'm not going to use. If I know a shade of foundation just isn't my match, rather than keeping it I want to give it away to someone who would get use out of it. I've been doing this a lot recently and I find pleasure in making people smile when they receive it. 

Using A Separate SPF | I am the worst person at using a separate SPF underneath my makeup and although we're a long way from the Spring and Summer months, I want to get into the habit now. It's always important to use SPF to protect your skin and although I've relied on foundation and moisturiser to give me my protection, I would like to invest in an invisible offering like the Glossier Invisible Shield.

Find A Good Hair Care Routine | When it comes to hair care, I have my favourite products, but overall as long as it doesn't make my hair unnecessarily greasy or dry, I'm not all the fussed about what shampoo, conditioner or styling products I use. A few of my favourites are running out and I want to repurchase them to get into a proper routine again. 

Get To Know My Skin Better | As I previously mentioned, my skin is rather temperamental and although I've got much better at knowing which products my skin loves for which skin concern I have, I want to get even better at this in 2018. When I have dry patches, I want to reach for the products I know will fix it as soon as I can and when i feel like I'm getting a blemish, I want to try and catch it early. 

Get An LVL Lash Lift | I've been meaning to get an LVL lash lift for some time and I want to treat myself to a few salon treatments in 2018 including a manicure, possibly a pedicure and maybe an eyebrow wax/tint too! I always worry people won't do as good as job as I do (I know!), so this year I want to hand over the task to someone else once or twice. 

What beauty habits would you like to adopt? 

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Skincare I'm Currently Trialling

After having an abundance of new skincare arrive, I have given my routine a bit of an overhaul and I'm super excited to try out some new bits. Although I've only been trialling these for just a week, I wanted to share my first impressions and my thoughts so far. 

Pixi kindly sent over a package full of their products, and in it was the Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse* which has been on my wishlist for the longest time. The oil side of it is perfect; it removes my makeup with minimal effort without stinging my eyes or leaving my skin feeling oily. The cleansing cream side is lovely too, as it works in sync with the oil to get rid of any traces of makeup, grime and dirt left on the skin. It's too soon to say, but it may be love. 

Another Pixi product that I had high hopes for- yet has exceeded them already- is the Rose Tonic*, a new release of theirs that had me intrigued simply by the smell. When I say this exceeded my expectations, I thought that I'd like to scent, but I wasn't certain it'd actually do anything. So far I've been using this underneath my makeup to hydrate my skin and keep it looking bright and calm. It's nothing groundbreaking, but if you enjoy using the Fresh Rose Toner then this will be a great alternative as they work in similar ways. 

The Pixi mists have all been on my wishlist for some time and when the Glow Mist* showed up I was so pleased that I could try it. This oil-enriched mist can be spritzed underneath your makeup for a subtle glow or over the top to refresh your makeup through the day. I even found out it can be used to smooth down your hair and on the ends for a sleek look. If your skin is sensitive or prone to breakouts I would say be careful around this as it can feel a little rich on the skin, so I like to use it sparingly as I'm not sure if it's the cause of my breakouts at the moment. 

I've been sitting patiently for the new Glossier product to drop, so when the Solution finally went online I quickly snapped it up. This daily facial exfoliator has an array of acids in it which supposedly reduce the appearance of dark spots, blemishes and pores. Although I have quite a few acid toners which work wonders on my skin, I knew I'd be jealous of others if I didn't try the Glossier offering for myself. I wasn't expecting it to differ that much to my other favourites, but to my surprise it does. Within 24 hours my skin felt soft - like super soft- but it hasn't done anything for my blemishes as yet. The solution is quite harsh on the skin, so it does turn your face red, and there is a small amount of stinging too. I'm currently using this every other day until I get to use to it, especially as I've experienced some peeling. 

I took the chance to get the Glossier Super Pure Serum when I was making my order, as it's something I've been meaning to try for quite a long time. I've got to admit that, as my skin is feeling quite problematic at the moment, I've been using this in favour over my new Pixi Jasmine Oil Blend*, which is lovely and nourishing, but not what I need to focus on at the moment. Although my skin is dry, I've got a few post-illness blemishes to clear and the Super Pure serum is what I've been using because it's lightweight, watery formula is so easy to use. My blemishes are decreasing and I'm almost sure it's because of this - I'm hoping over time it'll mean my complexion feels better. 

Have you been trying out any new skincare recently? 

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

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What I've Been Reading, Watching and Doing Lately

It's been a while since I've done one of these posts, so I wanted to update you all on what I've been reading, watching and doing lately. I've recently got back into Netflix after taking some time off with the flu, so I've got quite a few recommendations, plus I wanted to update you on the friend situation too. 

I've finally got back into reading after taking a bit of a hiatus over the hectic Christmas period. I picked up the My Not So Perfect Life after having it on my bookshelf for a while and I'm so glad I did as I've devoured it. It's slow starting, but it's well worth it in the end and I struggled to put this down. It's a light read that is both funny and warming too; I always enjoy Sophie Kinsella's book when I want an easy read and I think I'm going to pick up some more soon.

I decided to change my usual 'listening' section of this post to 'doing' as although I've been poorly last week, I have been doing some pretty exciting things. I met up with Michelle from Daisy Butter for a coffee and cake, it was amazing to finally meet her and she's just as lovely as I imagined. Talking of going out, I've been making a conscious effort to make friends with people who I thought I'd get along with and I'm so glad it's paying off *must stay calm and cool*. The 'making friends in your 20's' blog post the other week went down great too, which I'm pleased with. 

Although it's been pretty chilly and rainy outside, I've managed to get back on my bike several times a week too. I've also been performing my favourite kettle bell routine almost daily to get myself moving again, as I find exercise the perfect way to motivate myself in the midst of the January lull. 

When I was poorly, I was pretty much attached to any trash TV programme in any form including plenty of Netflix too. I've made my way through four series of Ru Paul's Drag Race (not in order I've got to admit!), I'm loving watching One Night With My Ex and I'm just finishing a re-watch of Gilmore Girls too. I mentioned watching the new series of Black Mirror and it's definitely worth a watch, much better than the last series in my opinion. 

What have you been reading, watching and doing lately?

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Most Worn Jewellery Pieces

I've got to admit I've got a bit of a love-hate relationship with jewellery, I'll either wear it non-stop for weeks or I won't wear any at all for months. It's not that I don't love the pieces that I've got, it's just that I am rather clumsy, so get them caught on door handles or my hair all the time. Saying this, I have been wearing a fair few pieces of mine at the moment and thought I'd share with you my favourites. 

I got given a pair of Missoma Tiny Orb Hinged Hoops for Christmas and they've all I've been wearing. They're super simple and dainty, but that's what I love about them as they go with pretty much anything and despite having lots of piercings in my ears, they don't look cluttered at all. In my second holes, I've been wearing the ASOS 9mm Hoop Earrings as they look great paired together and they sit snug on my lobes too. 

Topshop is one of my favourite places to pick up gorgeous jewellery pieces at affordable prices. I'm currently eyeing up the Disc and Curve Multirow Necklace as it looks so chic and it'd go with a variety of my outfits. H&M is another place I go when I want to pick up some gems including tassel statement earrings and simple, stackable rings. 

As much as I have great intentions of wearing watches, I rarely do, but I have a dreamy pick that I love, an Olivia Burton Watch that has been in my collection for several years now. I feel like sometimes rose gold watches don't wear well, but mine is still in good condition. 

Rings and bracelets tend to be something I wear once in a while because they usually get in the way which annoys me, but I do have a variety of slim bangles and midi rings that look so pretty when paired with an all black outfit. 

What are your top jewellery picks? 

This post contains affiliate links. 

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Three New Bases

Even as someone who has a handful of foundations that I adore, I will always be on the never-ending quest of finding the perfect foundation. Unfortunately my skin has been much drier than usual, so I've found that lately I've really been putting my makeup to the test and although I'm sure that it'll return to it's 'dry, but not dry like the sahara' state, I wanted to share my three new bases and my thoughts. 

First up is the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation, a base product I've been meaning to try for years now but have never got around to doing so. When I first swatched this on the back of my hand in the shop, I just thought it'd be lovely for everyday wear, but I was unsure about the runny texture and formula that I've never tried before. When I got it home, I struggled for days to work how to apply it, as my go-to- the beauty blender- just wasn't cutting it. I got so frustrated that I even contemplated giving it to someone else, but I persevered with it. One morning, I decided to apply it using my fingers and that's where everything changed. It looked luminous, applied evenly and no longer looked as if it just clung to all dry patches! 

Another foundation I've been applying with my fingers is the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder, and as someone who never got on with applying base products without a beauty blender because it'd turn into a streaky, patchy mess, finding two foundations in such a short amount of time was amazing. They're both super easy to apply, but the Charlotte Tilbury offering is much thicker in texture and gives more of a luminous, light to medium finish, whereas the Bobbi Brown pick is lightweight, but offers more of a buildable coverage. 

Last up is The Ordinary Serum Foundation*, a product I've been interested in trying for some time now and was super pleased when a few arrived at my door. I was a little confused about their colour matching, but I settled on the shade 1.0N pretty quickly. It's got a similar formula to the Bobbi Brown one as it's more runny, but this one works well with my sponge applicator more than the other two. Despite my skin looking and feeling rubbish due to dehydration, this blends perfectly into the skin, only needing extra buffing around my nose and chin area if it starts to gather. 

What foundations have you been wearing lately? 

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

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How My Skincare Has Evolved

Although I'm in my early twenties, I've improved in leaps and bounds with my skincare over the past years. Going from somebody who would use makeup wipes as my one and only cleanse, to somebody with a full blown routine. I'm sure that even in a year's time, my skincare will have evolved again, so I wanted to share with you how it's changed over the years. 

Even if you take a look back to when I started this blog over three years ago, you'll see that my skincare has changed and this is due to my change in skin type. When I was in my early to mid teens, my skin was oily and I struggled to keep blemishes under control. It was the scarring that I wanted to get rid of and I always battled with various lotions and potions to keep my oily skin at bay. I luckily knew from my teens that if I was going to wear makeup on a daily basis, then I'd need a skincare routine to match, so I used to spend hours scouring the aisles of Boots for the best deals. Clean and Clear, Neutrogena (who remembers the grapefruit scrub?) and Witch were all staples of mine, but I used to love treating myself to some No7 pieces when I had one of those £5 off vouchers.  

The Boots Botanics own range used to be one of my go-to's and it quickly moved to Soap and Glory too, in fact I still highly rate them and have been tempted to try out their ranges again now I'm older. I moved onto The Body Shop and Lush skincare quite quickly as I found their ranges to be super effective on my oily, blemish-prone skin. Both of their tea tree products are really good and although they may not be as affordable as brands found in Boots, they really did wonders for my teenage skin. 

In my late teens, my skin started to change to combination and I struggled with my new found dry patches. Don't get me wrong; I've always had fairly sensitive skin, but the dry areas continued to get worse and worse as I grew older. Something I'd always relied heavily on was face scrubs, from when my skin was oily to when my skin is super dry. As I previously mentioned I used to use the infamous grapefruit scrub, moved onto the St.Ives Apricot offering, but now I think I've got much better taste with the Pixi Peel and Polish* and the likes of more glycolic acids! 

I had blemishes fairly regularly as a teenager due to a variety of reasons, but as I've grown up, they've got less and less. Looking back, there's a few new ranges especially from T-Zone, The Ordinary and Garnier that I would recommend to my teenage self. 

Here are my current skincare favourites: 

How has your skincare evolved? 

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

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Sick Day Makeup

I haven't been on my blog much this week as I've been bundled up in bed feeling sorry for myself, but I wanted to put together a sick-day makeup routine as, although I love the idea of staying inside for days on end, I do like to get a bit of fresh air when I'm feeling poorly and putting on makeup always perks me up too. 

After thoroughly cleansing my face and using a face scrub to rid my skin of any dry patches I may have, I go in with my moisturiser of choice; the Glossier Priming Moisturiser. The reason I reach for this is because it's cooling, lightweight and plumps my lacklustre complexion up. I then go in with the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation, which is a light base that offers a small amount of coverage and gives my skin a little bit of a boost too - Perfect for days when you don't want to wear anything too heavy. It's great that you can quickly apply both with just fingers if needs be. 

Concealer is a must, especially for red noses or when you need to cover any of those pesky eye bags from sleep deprivation. The Kat Von D Lock It Concealer is amazing when you want to brighten and cover without looking too unnatural, and this concealer goes on great even on bare skin or over a light coverage foundation too. 

Brows take a lot of concentration for me and when I'm suffering with a headache the last thing I want to do is concentrate on any part of my makeup for too long. I can't get enough of the Maybelline Tattoo Brow, a product I was skeptical about when I first got it a few months ago, but one that I've been using non-stop. I simply apply it using an angled brush, leave on for 30 minutes and then peel it off. It means that I only have to brush my brows through with Glossier's Boy Brow for a few days after application - Great for sick days! 

I don't like to wear too much on my cheeks, but after perfecting my base using a concealer and foundation, I feel like I need to add a little colour. The NYX Mauve Me Ombre Blush is perfect as it's matte, which means it's not too overpowering and is the perfect shade for when you want something understated. I then go in with the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Highlighter Wand to the tops of my cheekbones, brow bone and down my nose to really perk up my complexion and make it glow.

Lastly, I don't like to wear anything too much on my lips, especially when you're ill and you feel like you may wipe lipstick on everything. I simply go in with a slick of lip balm in the form of Glossier Coconut Balm Dot Com, as it can easily be reapplied and keeps my lips feeling nourished - A must have when you can't breathe through your nose and your lips feel chapped because of this. 

Have you used any of the products mentioned?

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

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35 Blog Post Ideas For When You're Feeling Uninspired

For me, I find it a bit of a struggle to get motivated when it comes to my blog at this time of year due to the post-Christmas lull. The poor lighting, the darker days and just feeling like I've used up all my ideas, have caused me to take a few days off here and there. The Winter time is always a struggle, so I've decided to serve you some of my favourite blog post ideas for January:

- Winter Skincare Routine 
- Valentine's Day Wishlist 
- Cold Weather Essentials 
- Netflix Favourites 
- A Warming Winter Recipe
- Monthly Goals 
- Beating The Post-Christmas Blues
- Top Winter Beauty Picks 
- A Cosy Pamper Routine
- Favourite Activities For A Homebody
- Dry Skin Saviours 
- An ASOS Wardrobe Wishlist 
- A Winter Makeup Switch Up
- Collective Haul 
- Homeware Tour 
- Favourite Bloggers To Follow 
- Most Used High Street Products 
- New In: Beauty 
- 5 Books To Read On A Sunday 
- How To Unwind On Your Day Off 
- A Skin Detox 
- My Go-To Perfumes 
- Cosy Candles To Light This Winter
- Everyday Jewellery Favourites
- Five Instagrams To Follow
- A New Product I'm Trying 
- Products That Didn't Work For You
- Foundations Worth The Hype
- Best Places To Buy PJ's 
- A City/Town Tour
- 5 Things I'd Tell My Past Self 
- Everyday Winter Makeup
- Old Favourites You've Started Using Again
- A 2018 To-Do List
- 10 Things To Do This Winter 

Do you struggle with blog post ideas in the Winter? 

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Natural, Easy To Wear Makeup

Natural, easy to wear makeup is a look I don on a regular basis as it can look glowy, be long lasting and can be worn with great versatility. I've been trialling several new products and reaching for old favourites too, so here are my top picks: 

I've been absolutely smitten with the Farmacy Honey Drop Moisturiser* as it's lightweight enough to wear underneath the makeup and it just makes my lacklustre skin look somewhat alive again. I've been feeling struggling with dry skin lately, so I've been layering up the moisturisers, making sure that they sink in and nourish my complexion too. 

For foundation, I've been trying some new picks including The Ordinary Serum Foundation, I've only used this a few times so far, but the demi-matte finish is definitely something I'm trying to get used to and therefore it's the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder base I've been reaching for more (Although watch this space with The Ordinary offering, as it's super skin like and I'm getting obsessed!). It's applied best with your fingers, which makes for a fast application and it makes my skin look luminous without being dewy - In fact it simply looks like my skin, but better. 

Glossier is just perfect if you love natural, easy to wear makeup and the stretch concealer is great if you get dry under-eye areas like myself. Although I find I do have to set it, it stops highlighting any dry patches around my blemishes or eyes I might have. The Boy Brow is perfect for fluffy brows that stay put and is ideal for when you want to add a little colour too. I have to admit I do go in with another eyebrow product just to fill in any sparse areas. 

The Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge has been my go-to for both my cheeks and when I want something super easy on my lips, which isn't what I expected that I'd love about this product when I first tried it. On the cheeks it gives a perfect subtle colour and on the lips it does the same without being tacky or too dewy. 

Highlighter isn't something my mind usually goes to when I think of natural makeup, but I can't go a day without wearing it and the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Highlighter is the ideal pick for this. It's so hard to describe as it's so beautiful, but it's unlike any highlighter in my collection as it gives a glow rather than an intense streak of shimmer. 

What are your favourite natural makeup picks? 

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

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10 Bloggers + 5 Instagrams To Follow Today

There are so many amazing bloggers around and I don't feel like I get to share the love as much as I want to, especially on my blog. Starting now, I want to make this a regular thing on my blog as I love supporting fellow creatives. Here are my current top ten blog reads and five Instagram's you should be following.  

Blogs 

Caked To The Nines | I've been reading Nida's blog for some time now, not only for her dreamy photographs, but for her great content too. She's one of the main reasons why I covet so many amazing looking US beauty products. 

From Roses | There's not a post of Rebecca's that I miss, I absolutely love her range of blog post topics and I trust her 100% too. I really enjoy her lifestyle posts, especially the one's about being a homebody like myself. 

Sharm Toaster | Sharmili's blog is a fairly recent find of mine, but I'm so glad it was recommended to me as it's just what I need - A skincare blog that is full to the brim of information. One again she's got amazing content and photographs that keeps me coming back for more - A definite follow on Instagram is needed also!  

Hannah Hearts | I may be biased because Hannah is a friend of mine, but her blog is pretty fab too. I love that she does in-depth individual reviews as I get to know a little bit more about the product before I buy, but she is one of my main enablers, so my bank balance isn't so keen. 

Makeup Sessions | If you love individual reviews and information of new, upcoming releases then look no further, as Beti's blog is just to die for. Honestly, her imagery is perfection and she makes me lust after everything she features.

Daisy Butter | I seriously cannot wait to meet Michelle as I've been a fan of Daisy Butter for some time. It's a fab little lifestyle blog that has so many amazing posts to get your teeth stuck into for the afternoon. 

Amelia Says This | I'm sure Amelia is sick of me swooning over her by now, but seriously this girl not only cracks me up on Insta stories, she runs a great blog too. Her monochrome style is dreamy and I love the way she writes as it feels like I'm talking to a friend every time I read it. 

Francisca May | I really wish I had photographs half as good as Francisca's because seriously, they're so dreamy. The detail of them mixed with the great lighting and composition just makes them a treat for the eye and her posts are always written in both Portuguese and English too! 

Sartorial Scot | I'm so glad I fell in love with Lynnsay's blog when I did because I've had the pleasure of watching her blog grow so much. Her interior posts are just perfect and if you follow her blog already, I'd definitely recommend a peak at her Instagram too. 

Makeup Savvy | I never miss one of Fee's posts - There I said it. I'm a fan girl and it definitely helps that she's super lovely too. Her blog posts are always in-depth and well put together, making for a thorough and interesting read. 

Instagram 

Sort of Obsessed | The pink hues of Adri's Instagram feed are gorgeous and they're jam packed full of amazing skincare products. I love that in most of her captions she does mini reviews and mentions all of the products featured too - Super helpful when you spot one that catches your eye. 

Cynthialions | Once again, if you love makeup and skincare then look no further as Cindy's Instagram is just amazing. I follow her blog too, but I'm so glad she updates her feed as much as she does because it always keeps me coming back. 

Polly.Florence | Ahh, Polly features so many amazing books and each one of her photographs look immensely cosy - I just want to climb in. It's such an amazing feed to follow and I'm so glad I found her. 

Healthy Food Hug | Be careful not to go on Christie-Anne's food blog if you're hungry because it'll have you running out to the shops to pick up ingredients to make a yummy brunch in no time. I'd really like some pancakes or eggs on toast right about now! 

One Pleasant Day | If my Instagram feed ever changed to more lifestyle based, I'd want it to look as good as Carrie's does. Seriously, she's got it spot on. The wooden tones and cosy feels are just a couple of the reasons why I always like her photographs as soon as they come up.

What blogs and Instagram's have you been loving? 

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The Two Glossier Priming Moisturisers

As someone who suffers from dehydrated skin, I would probably label myself as something of a moisturiser connoisseur. I use them both day and night, so I've definitely got my favourites and today, I wanted to share a comparison between two of Glossier's moisturisers, the Priming Moisturiser and Priming Moisturiser Rich. 

I originally got the Priming Moisturiser back in July and fell in love with it pretty much instantly. I wasn't too sure if it'd be hydrating enough on my parched skin, but once I applied it, it made my skin look 'bouncy', radiant and just perfectly prepped for makeup application too. I then picked up the rich version in November due to a few recommendations, but I was skeptical about the lavender oil ingredient as I've heard it breaks some people out. Luckily this didn't happen to me and instead my skin began to drink it up.

The main difference between the two -aside from their inevitable thickness difference- is that the original makes my skin look plump and radiant, whereas I find the Rich version makes my skin look matte, which isn't what I've heard it does on most people. They both can be used easily underneath makeup (and that's where I use them the most) as they're hydrating; in fact I only really use these underneath my makeup as I need something with a little bit more nourishment for the evening. 

In conclusion, I like them both, but the original Priming Moisturiser just has my heart and is the one I reach for every morning without fail. If I want to layer up, then I always put the rich on too, but it's the OG that I'll be repurchasing when it runs out. 

Have you tried either of these two? 

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The Charlotte Tilbury Contour and Highlight Wand Duo

I've been lusting after both the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Contour and Highlighter Wand duo for some time now and to my surprise, I was treated to a few bits from them whilst we were out. I have been wearing them daily, so I thought it was about time that I shared my thoughts on them with you all. 

The contour wand was the one I was most interested in after the success of the Fenty Beauty Amber Match Stix, and I'm so glad to report back that it is amazing. It's easy to blend and, unlike other cream products which run the risk of slipping and sliding on the skin, once set this stays put. I simply sweep this in to the hollows of my cheekbones and across my temples, so it gives my complexion an overall warmth and lightly sculpts too. If you like natural makeup then this will be perfect for you. 

To pair with the contour, I got the Beauty Light Highlighter, and I'm not joking when I say this has quickly become my favourite liquid illuminator, if not my top highlighter pick ever! It's dewy, gives off an ethereal glow and perks up my complexion instantly. It's hard to describe and no photograph will ever be able to do it justice, only a swatch will do. I apply this on the tops of my cheekbones, on my brow bone and down the centre of my nose for an overall radiance, but if I want to ensure it stays put I do have to add a little powder even if it's a translucent offering. Saying that, it still lasts a good amount of time on it's own, especially if you have dry skin like myself. 

Have you tried this Charlotte Tilbury duo? 

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Winter Skin Saviours

Although I always anticipate having dehydrated skin in the Winter season, the way my complexion is feeling and looking at the moment is probably the worst it's been. It's not just my face, but my whole body, from head to toe, feels dehydrated and chapped from the various Winter elements, so I wanted to share some of my hydration favourites. 

I tend to neglect my body all year around, despite my love for having lotions and potions around the house, but I've still got my favourites that I reach for often. The Glossier Body Hero Oil Wash is a must of mine as it helps with my dry skin without getting it irritated, plus it lightly scents my skin beautifully. For an extra boost of hydration outside the shower, I like to slather on Lush Sleepy, as the lavender scent helps me drift off quicker and the array of moisturising ingredients keeps my skin looking in tip-top condition. 

For my nails and hands, I like to treat them using the Lush Lemony Flutter as it can be massaged into the cuticles or any intensely dry patches. To finish, I apply the Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm* as it smells delicious and makes my hands super soft. 

Masks are one of my favourite ways to inject some hydration into my skin and there's so many on my list that I reach for. I'm very glad to have the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask back in my skincare routine as it's a long-time favourite of mine. The Glow Recipe Watermelon pick is another one I really rate too.  

Before applying my moisturiser, I like to go in with the Pixi Skin Caviar Essence* as it gives a lovely feeling to my skin and makes it feel softer, look smoother and appear more radiant too - A triple whammy! 

For my face, I've been using various moisturisers depending on the level of dehydration I have. The Farmacy Honey Drop* offering is great for underneath makeup as it's lightweight, but still delivers enough hydration. The Fresh Rose Moisturiser* and Glossier PMR pick are two of my favourites for the evening. They are thicker in texture, meaning they're great for overnight treatments which makes my lacklustre complexion look radiant and hydrated. Not that I need anymore moisturisers in this line up, but the The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors* is one of my favourite budget options as it's simple, yet effective. 

What are your favourite Winter picks?  

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

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A Dreamy Floral Fragrance

I can't tell you how long I've been meaning to treat myself to the Giorgio Armani Si Perfume, but if you've read any of my previous posts then you'll know that I often leave it years before taking the plunge. I was lucky enough to receive Si as a gift over Christmas, so I was thrilled to finally add it to my collection. 

This floral scent had me smitten from the get go because, although it has strong rose notes to it, the musky vanilla undertones makes for a more sophisticated wear.  It can easily be worn everyday because it combines fantastic longevity with not being too overpowering. With a few spritzes, I can still smell it on me as the day ends (plus if it makes its way onto my clothing, it can linger for a few days afterwards too!). 

I have the hefty 100ml bottle- which I'm certainly not complaining about- but I've barely made a dent despite using this quite liberally over the past couple of weeks. I feel like I'm going to get the most wear out of this over the Spring season as it's light, yet deliciously floral at the same time. 

This fits great with the other perfumes in my collection as although it's quite a typical scent of mine to wear, it's still different as it can easily be transitioned from day to night, from Winter to Summer. 

Have you tried Giorgio Armani Si? 

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New In: Makeup Additions

With generous PR's, Christmas and then a sudden Charlotte Tilbury splurge, I have added quite a few pieces to my makeup bag recently. I've been trying them out, so I wanted to share my first impressions of them as well as what I've been loving wearing them with. 

I picked up the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation as I wanted another base option, but I ended up getting the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder offering too. Luckily for me they're quite different, but I already have my first impressions of them both. The Bobbi Brown pick is on the watery side, and when first applying it with a beauty blender, I really didn't get on with it, but once I switched to blending with my fingers it looked a dream on my skin! It's super natural, lightweight and skin-like, so I feel like this will be perfect for the Spring and Summer seasons. The Charlotte Tilbury foundation surprised me as I didn't think it'd be one that I'd be lusting after, but the way it blurs and adds radiance to my skin is just beautiful. It's not got a huge amount of coverage, but more than enough to help even out my skin tone and disguise my redness. 

For blusher, I have been loving this look with a Glossier Cloud Paint because it blends seamlessly into the cheeks, adding a dose of colour and looking super natural too. The Bobbi Brown Powder Pink Pot Rouge is a new addition which looks amazing on the cheeks, but it's on the lips that I've been wearing it a lot recently. It's nothing groundbreaking, but there's something about it that looks fab when worn with a natural base and minimal eye makeup. 

Other lipsticks I've been loving are the Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lip*, I chose to keep two shades- Matte Beige and Pastel Petal- as they're both great for everyday wear and the lightweight formula means they're comfortable too. They smell exactly like chocolate orange in my opinion which is definitely a plus. 

Two products I've also been testing out are the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light and Contour Wand duo and I've got to admit I'm smitten. The highlighter adds this gorgeous glow to the skin that isn't chunky glitter, but is a easily blended skin illuminator - Seriously I can't rave about it enough as it's been perking up my post-festive skin like a dream. The contour wand is a great addition to my routine too, as it can be blended with either my Beauty Blender or fingers for chiselled cheekbones while also adding warmth to my complexion. 

Have you tried any of these products before?

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

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New Year Self Care + Netflix Recommendations

One of my many goals for 2018 was to take more time out for myself and indulge in self-care activities more often. I wanted to share my self-care routine for the New Year and my recommendations for Netflix, so I thought I'd put the two together in one.

A Clean Space | There's nothing quite like a clean space after Christmas- free of any wrapping paper, left over packaging and no Christmas tree in sight. Although I love the festivities, I feel so much better putting away the decorations once they're over and I feel like I can not only relax, but be much more productive too.

Unplug + Unwind | Although the Christmas break offered me some time off that I don't usually take, I still feel like it's important to take time off during January and the months that follow without feeling guilty. I actually want to take some more moments away just for myself; having a bath, pamper and relax. 

Sleep Better | I've been really struggling with my sleep lately, I think it's due to the stress excitement of Christmas and then not being able to settle due to the sudden storm outside. I've been spritzing my pillow with the This Works Deep Sleep Spray and slathering myself up with the Lush Sleepy Body Lotion to help settle me more at night and so far it's slowly getting better again. 

Cook Yourself Something Tasty | I'm currently making my way through my Christmas chocolate, but it's actually meals that I'm more excited to devour. Sweet potato and chickpea burgers, vegetarian toad in the whole (yum!) and Wagamama's replicas. 

Netflix Recommendations | One of my favourite ways to unwind is by either reading a book (I'm currently reading My Not So Perfect Life) or by switching on Netflix. I've taken to putting on a pair of clean PJ's, pulling out a bundle of blankets and gathering my snacks to sit down to watch a new series. Here are my favourites: 

- Mindhunter 
- The Sinner 
- Marcella
- Santa Clarita Diet
- Black Mirror (The new series is out now!) 
- The Returned
- What Happened To Monday
- Gilmore Girls 

How do you practice self-care? 

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

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