A Glossier Solution Review

I feel like recently, glycolic acids are having their moment and everyone seems to be releasing them, but I know it can be difficult to choose which one to go with and to understand what the hell they actually do. Now I'm going to be transparent and say that I don't know the ins and outs of ingredients, but I wanted to share some of my thoughts on the Glossier Solution nevertheless. 

There's been quite a lot of discussion around the latest Glossier product and if you read my blog regularly or follow my Twitter, then you'll know that I haven't been too sure on it from the beginning. I'm going to be honest and say that after the first few applications my skin did feel super soft, but it did sting upon application which made me wary. I had quite a few blemishes when I first used this and as other glyoclic acids tend to help my problematic skin, I thought this offering would help too, however it didn't do anything. After using it every other day due to the stinging affect, my skin just kept getting redder and redder after each use and after a few weeks of use, I noticed that I was slowly not using this one at all. It made skin feel tight and uncomfortable, didn't do much for my blemishes and rather than making my skin feel smooth like it once had done, it was now making it feel dehydrated. 

The formula isn't great and I wouldn't recommend it, but the packaging is top notch and I feel like more brands need to take note as I love the pump application and sleek feeling! I'm definitely staying put with my beloved Pixi Glow Tonic*, in fact since Glossier-gate, I've noticed just how well Glow Tonic works for my skin type. 

There are many other Glossier products that are very much worth the hype (I've done a whole post on my thoughts here), so I would definitely say that this product shouldn't put you off and definitely look into the Milky Jelly Cleanser, Cloud Paints and Wowder Powder. 

Have you tried the Glossier Solution? What did you think of it? 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Simple Flatlay Tips I Follow Every Time

One blog post that is frequently requested of me is blog photography, especially flatlays. Over the years, I slowly feel like I've developed and improved my own style, continuing to hone my photography and editing skills as I go. Even looking back a year, I can see how much I've improved and how I feel far more settled in my style now, so I thought it was fitting that I shared with you a handful of my flatlay tips that I always follow. 

Lower Your Saturation and Colour Correct | I get asked about my editing process a lot and I've actually done a whole post on it previously here. Although the process is pretty much the same, I've got a lot more heavy-handed when it comes to saturation, the reason being that I like the way it looks when counteracting blueness or overexposure. If you're using photoshop, I colour correct on there using a -10 towards yellow, +5 towards red, so colour saturation is now near the -28 in order to get my photographs the way I would like them. 

Balance Your Products | If I had to name the most important element of a flatlay, I would have to say it's composition. Now, when I'm talking about balancing your products, I'm not suggesting stacking them all up and hoping for the best, I'm talking about finding a way for them to compliment each other in a flatlay. I always start with the longest/largest products at the top, scattering a few medium products as I go down and then placing the littlest one in the spare spaces. 

If like the photograph above, you want to feature several large items, then I like to keep them a few inches apart, maybe even featuring half of it or keeping it at a different angle. Removing lids of products and placing them around and putting various props in spots that are looking a little bare can all make a flatlay look more aesthetically pleasing. 

Fill The Corners | If in doubt, fill them out. Honestly, I'm envious of those bloggers who can pile a bunch of products in a middle of a white background and make it look A*, but I'm not one of them. I use tissue paper, flowers, props found in stationery shops or even homeware pieces like trinket dishes, candles and books to help fill out a photograph. If you have a nearly-transparent product to photograph or one that doesn't contrast well with your background, then I would definitely say that putting a blanket behind it can be a godsend. 

Products That Are Level Are Easier To Photograph | Now I worried I'd struggle to word this top tip correctly, but here goes and try to bear with me. When I have tubes of products (a hand cream or the Glossier cloud paints for example) I often struggle to photograph these, as the writing on them can go out of focus when the tube gets slimmer. To counteract this I simply open up a paperclip to form a V and rest the lower end of the tube on it - Viola! A level product to photograph. 

What flatlay photography tips do you follow? 

Natural World Coconut Water Range

- This post is in collaboration with Natural World -  

If you've been reading my blog since the New Year, then you'll know that one of my goals for 2018 was to try out some more hair care that works for my hair. The Natural World Coconut Water Range sounded right up my street; thirst quenching, affordable and shine boosting. 

The Coconut Water Shampoo was the product I was most excited for- yet the most anxious about -as my hair is ultra fussy and I always worry shampoo will leave it feeling slightly sticky and weighed down. The fact this contains 95% naturally derived ingredients really enticed me in and from the get-go I was honestly smitten; it cleaned right to the roots, making my hair feel swishy, yet not dehydrated in the slightest. It makes your hair smells incredible too, not so overpowering that it'll interfere with your perfume, but it's still there whenever you catch a whiff of your hair. 

As someone who dyes their hair often, I like to give it some extra TLC when it comes to conditioner, leaving it on for a minute or two and always following up with a treatment post-hair wash too. I suffer with fairly dry, lacklustre hair especially towards the ends, so the Coconut Water Conditioner has fulfilled my needs. I've tried it as part of my reverse hair washing method, using conditioner before shampoo and it's worked a treat and keeps my hair looking great for longer (and not needing a wash as often!). 

I put the Weightless Hair Oil through the ends of my hair after shampooing and conditioner, but before I left it to dry. As someone with curly hair, my locks can feel a little bit flyaway and frizzy, so this has really helped to keep them as sleek as possible ready for drying. I've actually used it through the front of my hair too and I haven't got that annoying 'greasy look' that you can sometimes get with hair oils. 

You can buy all Natural World Products from Tesco and Natural World here.  

Have you tried any Natural World haircare ranges? 

A Transitional Makeup Routine

I've got to admit that I'm feeling more and more excited about the prospect of Spring; the fresh blooming flowers, the lambs bouncing in the fields and the sun shining enough to remove a few of my Winter layers. Although, it seems like the cold weather is due to be around for longer than I might like (it's the UK, what's new?), I have been getting ready for dewier, glowier skin and perky peach hues. 

As I've got a pretty good skincare routine in place at the moment, my skin is reaping the benefits and it's looking much clearer, smoother and more hydrated as of late. Two foundation bases that are fit for Spring are the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder and Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation; two natural, easy to wear options which perfect the complexion as they go. At the moment, I could simply dab a little bit of the Glossier Stretch Concealer over any scarring I have or in the inner corners of my eyes to brighten the whole face and I'd be good to go. 

This transitional period is when I go a little bit lighter on the powder front, starting with setting powders. Luckily these two foundations aren't so dewy that I feel like I need to mattify. I've been reaching for the Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand to add a warmth to my face as it's super natural and blends seamlessly into the skin with a Beauty Blender. If I want a warmer look, especially to go with my fake tan, then I apply the Too Faced Chocolate Bronzer* to my temples and across my neck. 

Blusher is having a bit of a popular moment when it comes to my routine recently, there's just so many to choose from. The Glossier Cloud Paints are an obvious choice for myself as they have a lightweight, cream formula which adds a pop of colour and can be sheered out as much as you'd like (Dusk is currently my favourite!). The Bobbi Brown Powder Pink Pot Rouge is another top pick of mine as it's super easy to use and the perky pink shade is just perfect for everyday wear. I've also gone on a mission to make more use out of my highlighter collection so the Illamasqua OMG offering and Becca Rose Quartz Illuminator* have been a firm fixture in my makeup routine in order to use it more often. 

You're probably sick of me banging on about the Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette* by now, but I can't sing it's praises enough. The array of shades can be used in a variety of ways to create various looks for all occasions - I can't see this leaving my makeup bag for a long time. 

I'm so happy that I have some new Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments in my life, Dream* being a go-to of mine as of late. They smell delicious, are super nourishing to wear and deliver a tint of colour to the lips. 

What's part of your transitional makeup routine?

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

A SBC Round Up

This post is in collaboration with SBC. 

There's something quite satisfying about finding a brand that you haven't seen many people talk about, yet you know will no doubt be popular soon. SBC is a new find for me and one that I'm so happy to have in my skincare collection. The majority of their products are aimed towards dehydrated, dull looking skin, so it instantly spoke to me and I couldn't wait to get my hands on some of their best selling products. 

The SBC Day and Night Cream is supposed to help soothe and nourish dry, mature skin and obviously although my skin is certainly not mature, it's very dry, so I wanted to put it to the test to see what it did for my dehydrated complexion. Although I want all of the hydration, my skin tends to suffer when it comes to richer formulas like this one, but honestly I've not had a single problem with breaking me out at all. It's beautiful underneath makeup as once it's applied it smoothes and blurs amazingly, so that my foundation can sit comfortably on top and when applied at night, it makes my skin super soft when I wake up. I've got to mention the scent too because it's oh so delicious and very spa-like - I honestly 

As a self-confessed cleanser connoisseur, the 3 in 1 Cleanser had a lot to live up to and spoiler, it definitely has. I just love when I find a cleanser that just works and this works as a eye makeup remover without stinging, a makeup remover without turning my face red and it exfoliates too as an extra bonus. I use this whenever I quickly want to get off my makeup from the day and as the thicker formula is super nourishing, my skin doesn't feel too tight or irritated afterwards. It comes with a facial shammy too which is handy especially when I want to remove any light makeup from my face with ease. 

Have you tried the brand SBC Gels yet? 

Post-Winter Body Care Picks

After reading Beauty By Kelsey's body care post, it made me realise that I don't talk about what products I'm using on my body enough. Although we're a long way off from the bare legs of Summer, I do like to keep my skin feeling soft, smooth and looking healthy throughout the year. From fake tan to hand cream, here are my top body care picks. 

For a luxe bath treat I use a little bit of the Laura Mercier Creme Brûlée Honey Bath to make a delicious amount of bubbles that I can dive into! The Jo Malone Bath Oils are another luxurious option that make my skin feel amazing whenever I use it, but be careful at it's easy to overdo it. 

I've started to fake tan a bit more recently as I like giving my complexion a little bit of colour, especially when it hasn't seen sun in months. I start off by prepping my body with the St. Moriz Exfoliating Skin Primer* as this gets rid of any old tan I have without leaving it flakey, meaning I can go straight in with another dose of fake tan afterwards. Although the Bondi Sands Liquid Gold is my go-to fake tan as it never fails to give me an even tan (when I apply it right with a mitt!), I have been reaching for the Benefit Hoola Zero Tanlines* when I need a top up or an instant tan when going out. 

I'm not that fussy when it comes shower gels, but there are a few now that I'm smitten with, like the Glossier Body Hero Oil Wash which is great when you shave your legs as it keeps them soft and supple. The Bilou Creamy Shower Foams* and Zoella Shake are also great to use when shaving and I'm glad that these two offer more than just cleansing, they also nourish your skin. 

I've got to admit that I tend to neglect my hands and nails more than I should as they, along with my face, are two parts of my body that are exposed to the elements the most. The L'Occitane Rifle Paper Co Hand Cream* is a handbag favourite of mine at the moment as it's thick enough to be nourishing, but sinks in quick enough that you don't get awkwardly sticky hands. The And Other Stories Hand Lotion is one that I keep at the side of my sink, so I can easily use it after I wash my hands. 

What are your body care top picks?

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

Overnight Travel Makeup Bag

We're off on a spontaneous night away to Brighton and I can't wait to take some photographs, go out for some delicious food and roam around the shops. I wanted to share with you what I've put into my travel makeup and skincare bag as I always find these types of posts interesting and- although I'm not usually a light packer- I feel I've really improved this time around. 

I tend to put myself on a powder ban when taking makeup away with me unless it's already loose. This means that I avoid the dreaded moment when you find your favourite product smashed. Alongside my Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, a great all rounder that creates a flawless finish, I have packed the Glossier Wowder Powder, a loose offering that works at mattifying the skin and prolonging the wear of my base too.

For eyebrows, I want something super long lasting and that won't mind rain and wind, so I've dug out my ABH Dip Brow Pomade as I haven't used this in the longest time and I wanted something that could offer me a full, thicker look. I'll still take my Glossier Boy Brow as I can't be without it, but I'm hoping they will stay in place all day. 

I've intentionally gone for all the smaller products in my collection for skincare aside from cleanser, which I always struggle with. I've been using a dreamy cleanser that I can't quite talk about yet as a first cleanse (blog post coming soon!) and using the Kate Somerville ExfoliKATE Cleanser* as my second. It's great at removing every last trace of makeup from my skin, whilst making my complexion appear clearer, feel smoother and look fresher. 

I've packed my Pixi Rose Tonic* as it'll be a little less detrimental to spill than my Fresh Rose Toner would be, plus it's mini so that's super handy for saving space too! I would usually skip toner if I'm wanting a concise routine with no hassle, but I think it'll be what my skin will need after a long day wearing makeup. 

I predict that I will be needing a hydrating mask if I'm spending a couple of days by the sea, so I've packed my mini Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask meaning I can avoid my skin having a meltdown over having to battle all the elements. I've also packed my Clinique Turnaround Renewal Serum* so I can apply it underneath my moisturiser sand have an extra boost of hydration, as I'll be taking the same moisturiser to be used both in the morning and at night. 

What do you usually pack when you go away? 

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

A Peachy Everyday Makeup Look

I feel a little bit in limbo when it comes to my makeup at the moment, I'm clinging on to the berries of Autumn and Winter, but as we're going towards the transitional period in to Spring, I've been switching up my makeup to include perky pinks and fresh, glowy skin too. I wanted to share with you my current makeup routine. 

I start off my doing my usual pre-foundation routine; if you haven't see it already, you can view it here. Now that my skin is looking and feeling better with a skincare routine that I love, I'm able to wear the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation with ease lately. Due to the runnier formula, I apply this with my fingers and it blends seamlessly into the skin to deliver a soft matte, luminous finish. I then go in with my Kat Von D Lock It Concealer over any scarring or dark circles I have as this freshens up the skin and makes it look flawless. I set this using my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder as it keeps my base makeup in place, adds to it's longevity and mattifies without looking cakey too. 

Blusher has really helped to perk up my post-Winter skin, the Bobbi Brown Powder Pink Pot Rouge being a go-to for me as it's cream to powder formula sits perfectly on the skin and goes with a variety of makeup looks. I've been contouring with the Charlotte Tilbury Contour and Highlighter Wands for a natural, yet defined look that gives off a dreamy glow and fakes the appearance of cheekbones. 

For eyes, I've been attached to my Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette* as it delivers both wearable day time looks and nigh time ones too. The variety of matte and shimmer shades makes them easy to mix and match, plus each shadow is blendable and perfectly pigmented too. My current go-to combination is Puree in the crease, Peach Pit to define, Luscious in the inner part of my lid and Caramelised to add a smokey feel. 

I've been using my two new lip products, the Dream and Punch shades of the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments*. They add just the right amount of colour on my lips for everyday wear, can easily be topped up and they make my lips look healthy too - All whilst adding hydration due to the array of moisturising properties in the ingredients. If I want something a little more nude and long lasting then I reach for the Huda Beauty Liquid Lipsticks* which will come as no surprise as I can't be without them! 

What's your current favourite makeup look?

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

A Glossier Round Up

I've been meaning to do a Glossier collection post for some time now, but every time I go to do it, I either get sucked into doing another haul or a new product is released that I want to try out first. Although I'm far from owning everything they've bought out, I definitely have my fair share, so today I thought I'd share with you my favourites and my thoughts on the Glossier brand. 

I feel like I'm going to struggle to keep my favourites concise because there's a lot to get through. I can't narrow my favourites down to just one, so instead I'm going to start off with my top three. The Milky Jelly Cleanser is amazing if you're looking for a simple, gentle cleanse that does the job of removing makeup perfectly while keeping the skin from feeling tight too. My other go-to is the Wowder Powder, a finely milled offering that mattifies the complexion whilst looking super natural and setting my base to last all day long - A very underrated product in my opinion! The Cloud Paints are another favourite of mine as they're unlike anything in my collection; creamy in formula and very natural to wear, these blend into my cheeks seamlessly and deliver a pop of colour instantly. 

When I first got the Balm Dot Com I wasn't expecting much, but I have barely used any other lip balm since. They make my lips look healthy, not dehydrated and sit perfectly underneath liquid lipsticks too - Making them feel super comfortable! Another product that surprised me was the Boy Brow as when I first got it I struggled with how wet the formula felt, but after giving it a chance I haven't put it down. It tames my unruly brows, making them look fuller and thicker instantly. I like using this after using brow pomade, but I have been using this on it's own when I want a natural look. 

I've used so much of my Stretch Concealer that the writing has rubbed off the lid and I'm nearly out, the hydrating formula is comfortable to wear, yet covers any redness and blemishes I have. This paired with a Beauty Blender is the perfect combination and is great when I want to wear a natural makeup look. I've got to admit this probably wouldn't work with oily skin, but if you've got a dehydrated complexion like myself then it's worth a shot. 

The two moisturisers I have are the original Priming Moisturiser and the Rich version too. Both offer a healthy amount of hydration, whilst not irritating my skin. The former is great underneath makeup for a plump base, whereas the latter is perfect to use in the evening when I was an extra boost of moisture. A new addition to my routine is the Super Pure Serum which I apply before my moisturiser for under the skin spots that I get, and you know what? It actually works. At first I didn't notice a massive difference, but I've been consistently using it which definitely says something. 

I'm so glad that I tried the Mask Duo as I discovered the Mega Greens Galaxy Mask through it, which is probably one of- if not my favourite- clarifying mask of late. If you've got sensitive skin and often suffer with the dreaded red face after using a clay-based mask, then this will be right up your street. It calms my blemishes, makes my skin look healthy and is great paired with the Moisturising Moon Mask too. These two together make my skin feel super soft, clean and moisturised - A great evening treat! 

I'm really looking forward to using the Body Hero Daily Oil Wash come the Summer, as it's great when you shave or when you can't really be bothered to moisturise after the bath (bad I know!). I know the scent for some people isn't the best, but for me it's the perfect balance between fresh and fruity, making you feel super clean afterwards too. 

One of the first products released when Glossier came to the UK was the You Perfume, a mix of warm, familiar scents that reminded me of when you used to sniff someone's cardigan to find out who it belonged to in primary school. I always keep this in my handbag to spritz on the go and despite using this regularly, I've not even used half of it up yet - I would definitely recommend getting a sample of this with your order. 

There really isn't a product of theirs which I don't like if I'm honest, but there are a few that you can miss. The Quartz Haloscope is a lovely product that I've got quite a lot of use out of, so I didn't think it'd be in this list, but on reflection it is a completely marmite product. Although it adds a glow, it's in a more natural way and whilst it lasts on my skin type, I can imagine if you've not got a dry complexion then you'd struggle with this. Luckily, you barely make a dent in this product every time you use it, so this isn't going to run out any time soon to decide whether I want to repurchase it or not. 

Another product that I enjoy, but isn't something I'd repurchase, is the Jam Generation G Lipstick. When I first got this, I didn't really get it. The colour was nice in the tube, but it barely gave off any colour on the lips, smelt a bit funky and generally had a drier formula than I was expecting. After getting the first few layers of product off, the lipstick started to look better on and I pick this up semi-regularly now. The main reason why this made it into the misses category is because there are similar products on the market that work in a similar way but are better, like the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments for one. Saying this, I am tempted to pick up a nude shade anyway as I've heard great things about their lighter shades. 

Last in this category is the Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector, a new release of theirs which I've been trying out for the last four weeks. It does something to my skin in terms of softness, but my problem with it is that it's not 'amazing'. If you already use the Pixi Glow Tonic and enjoy using it then there's probably isn't much use to owning this one too, but if you're in the market for a new glycolic toner or you want to try something new, then it's definitely worth a shot. It doesn't miraculously get rid of blemishes, but it smoothes the skin almost instantly. Keep it away from your lips though.

- If you'd like to get 10% off your first Glossier order you can use my link here - 

What Glossier products would you recommend?

This post contains affiliate links.

The Perfect Pre-Foundation Base

Prepping and priming your skin for foundation can honestly make the world of difference. I can't tell you how many times I've not thought a lot about a foundation until I exfoliated and moisturised, for it to reveal a glowing, flawless base. Here is my current perfect pre-foundation base: 

Exfoliating is something I swear by, whether it's a daily chemical exfoliator like the Pixi Glow Tonic* or a mask like the Drunk Elephant Baby Facial, they can dramatically change the way your skin looks, feels and the way foundation sits too. It tends to make my moisturiser work a little better at nourishing my complexion and it makes my skin feel super smooth, meaning I don't get any pesky dry patches. 

For moisturiser, the Clinique Moisture Surge* has been a go-to of mine and I seriously get the hype around this product now. It smoothes and blurs without making my skin feel that oddly dry texture, but plumps and nourishes too - It's basically heaven in a jar and I'm here for it.

I then go in with a primer and I've been reaching for the Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow which I have a dozen or so samples of, but I need to purchase a full-sized soon as it's just dreamy. It doesn't highlight pores, but instead blurs them, making them look almost invisible. When you layer foundation over the top it gives off a glow, rather than a sparkle. 

The Becca Backlight Primer* works in a similar way and I do find this one a little bit more hydrating than the Charlotte Tilbury offering, but nevertheless they both deliver a gorgeous amount of luminosity which makes my complexion sing. 

What's your perfect pre-foundation base?

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

Transitional Wardrobe Wishlist

With us being hit by snowy, extremely cold weather, I know I'm getting ahead of myself talking about the transitional period between Winter and Spring. But with it inevitably getting nearer, I've put myself on a ban of buying any more thick coats and knitted layers - In my head Spring is getting nearer, so I've selected a few of my top wardrobe picks to share with you today. 

As an advocate and wearer of anything monochrome, it's quite surprising seeing how many  of the items on my wishlist actually have colour on. I've honestly smitten with these Lost Ink Flower Trim Flat Shoes as I think they would be great paired with a slim pair of jeans or even with a floaty dress in the Summer too. 

Cardigans are one of my must-have essentials for this transitional period as they can be layered up over knits, added under a lightweight coat or just worn simply with a t-shirt when the weather gets a little warmer. The Monki Ribbed Longline Cardigan, a mustard offering, would work great in my wardrobe. 

I've been loving all of the wrap front tops that are currently on the high street, but I am yet to find one that suits me down to a tee yet, so I'm still on a mission. This Motel Ruffle Star Print offering, the very popular ASOS Spot Tie Front pick and the Pretty Little Thing Black Polka Dot Wrap Blouse are three of my favourites. 

What's on your transitional wardrobe wishlist?

This post contains affiliate links. 

Pink Beauty Favourites

As it's Valentine's Day today, I thought it was fitting to share with you my favourite pink products. I did one of these posts at the start of last year, so I thought it was about time to update it.

Blushers are on of my favourite tools to incorporate pink into my routine and I'm very glad that I've found an array of formulas which allow me to do so in different ways. The Glossier Puff Cloud Paint is a creamy formula that is great for a natural look, the Bobbi Brown Powder Pink Pot Rouge is a cream to powder formula which sits beautifully on the skin and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushers are more of a traditional formula that adds just the right amount of colour. I think the stand out shade from the photograph above has to be the Milani Rose Blusher and I can't tell you how many times I've been asked about this. It's not only gorgeous on the outside, but the matte finish and perfectly pink hue is great for everyday wear. 

Lipsticks are another way I love to incorporate pink shades into my makeup. I've got so many in my collection I couldn't possibly feature them all, but I thought I'd share some of my stand out favourites including the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick and Sephora Marvellous Mauve. I think you're probably sick of me raving about the Huda Beauty Liquid Lipsticks* but they're honestly one of the longest-lasting formulas I've tried, while the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments* (I got two new shades the other day which I'm trialling!) stand out as a great long serving nourishing favourite. Petal being the perfect pinky hue for everyday wear. 

I'm not usually a huge fan of pink toned highlighters, but there are still several go-to's in my collection, including the Becca Rose Quartz Light Chaser Highlighter* and Fenty's Starstruck Match Stix. The first is great if you're looking for something a bit different to wear, whereas the latter has a cream to powder formula that just gives off the most beautiful shimmer. 

The Glow Recipe Watermelon Mask* is the epitome of the perfect pink product; delicious in smell and delivering soft, hydrated skin in 20 minutes. I know it's on the luxe side, but if you're ever looking to treat yourself to a mask that'll quench your skin and have it looking glowy then this is the one for you. 

Okay, so there isn't anything pink about this product other than it's packaging, but I thought I'd get it into this post anyway. The Drunk Elephant Baby Facial has been a complete game changer for me. If my skin is looking dull or my foundation isn't sitting right, then I pop this on every week or two for 15 minutes, wash off, and my skin feels brand new. I'm going to 100% be buying a full sized bottle of this when it comes to the UK. 

What are your pink favourites?

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

Valentine's Day Makeup

There's something about Valentine's Day that makes me want to play around with all the makeup, pulling out my dainty pink hues and my vibrant reds. If you read my post last week, you'll know that I've already shared a glowy skin and dark lip look on the blog, so today I wanted to share with you the makeup I'll actually be wearing on the night. 

For my base, I am so torn for either my Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder or my Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, both of which are great, but they offer different properties. The first one is great for perking up the skin whilst offering light coverage that looks ultra natural, yet the latter delivers a long-lasting and flawless finish. I'll probably decide tomorrow depending on what my skin looks and feels like, but at the moment the Charlotte Tilbury offering is winning. 

I've been toying between the idea of doing a powder or a liquid contour and I've finally made the decision. I'll be opting for the Filmstar Bronze and Glow for a soft focus contour which defines the cheekbones, then the Fenty Beauty Starstruck Match Stix to highlight. This highlighter illuminates the skin in more of a shimmery way that makes my skin looks super pretty. 

I was going to opt for a super glittery eye look in the form of the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter and Glow Eyeshadow* in Diamond Dust and Kitten Karma to add an intense glitter to the lids. I was going to keep it just to these, but with my love for the Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette* rife, I'm going to do a smokey eye look too with the shades Caramelised, Bellini and Peach Pit. I'll then finish off the look with a pair of eyelashes - The Eylure Fleur Loves Lashes are my favourites. 

For my lips, I'm torn between a classic red like Mellow's Madness Lipstick or a nude like the Nars Bahama Lip Pencil. I'm sure throughout the day and evening I will switch the colours up, opting for a Huda Beauty Liquid Lipstick* before I eat and one of the deep reds on offer after I've devoured it. 

On my nails, I'm going to re-do my heart nails that you may have seen in my Instagram post here, then give myself a pastel pink pedicure refresh too. Essie's Bubbles Only makes the deep red tips and I opt for a bare nail underneath. 

What makeup will you be wearing this Valentine's Day?

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

Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette

Full disclosure; I've wanted the Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette* for the longest time, so when Cult Beauty sent one over to me, I've got to admit that I squealed. I've been putting off buying this palette for myself due to the premise of owning too many similar palettes already, but here we are and today, I wanted to share with you my first impressions. 

I'm pretty late to the game, but I couldn't help but share some of my thoughts and feelings on this very well loved and hyped product. With an array of 18 shades ranging from a shimmering copper to a matte warm brown hue, I'm glad that this palette offers a range of both shimmers and mattes, with each eyeshadow being equally as creamy and easy to blend as the next. Luscious is one of the shades that surprised me the most, as on first glance it looks like the perfect highlighter shade, but when applied it has a peach shift underneath it which makes it look gorgeous all over the lid when wearing a smokey eye. 

My favourite combination is Georgia, Bellini and Peach Pit for a smokey eye that is unlike anything else I usually wear. If I was to pick a favourite shade it would be Caramelised as, when blended out in the crease, this compliments my eye colour perfectly and gives off the most indescribable effect in an eye look. 

Charmed I'm Sure and Summer Yum are two variants on the typical matte brown shade and I'm very impressed with their pigment and ease to blend. Charmed I'm Sure is more of a cool-toned use, whilst the latter offers a slight warmth to your look. The two more traditional peach shades are Just Peachy and Candied Peach, whose names probably give it away. The first is a more of a pink hue, whilst the latter is more of an intense orange shade. 

I've used this palette with and without eyeshadow primer and although they naturally perform better with it, they still don't lack longevity, which is great when you're skipping the smokey eye look and you just want an everyday offering. Talking of everyday makeup, this can easily be adapted, whether you want a soft shimmer, a day time wash of colour or a full on glam look - this has you covered! 

Although I find it smells good enough to eat, I know that people with sensitive eyes may be put off by the fragrance. The tin casing is perfect for keeping the eyeshadow intact, although I sort of wish that the magnet to fasten it was a little stronger just to put my mind as ease. I still adore all of my other palettes so I can't say that you definitely need this; however if the shades are speaking to you, then I definitely think it's worth a shot. 

Have you tried the Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette?

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

The Benefit BADgal Bang Mascara

This post is in collaboration with Debenhams. This post contains affiliate links.

When it comes to mascaras, I know pretty much from the first application whether it'll work for me or it won't. Although I don't have too many complaints when it comes to my lashes, a boost of volume or an added bit of length wouldn't go amiss. The Benefit BADgal Bang Mascara* is the newest high-end mascara to hit the shelves and I'm excited to be giving it a good try. 

At first glance, the brush looked great; streamlined without feeling too harsh to apply. The formula is ultra black, which may seem like I'm stating the obvious, but you'd be surprised by how many mascara give a wish-wash of colour rather than the intense black I look for. The wand is specially designed to coat every single lash; with a light hand and just one layer, my lashes are looking more volumised without feeling heavy either- a huge bonus! Talking of the wand, I've got to admit that I normally struggle with short, spikier offerings as they tend to feel a little harsh on my eyes, but this one hasn't irritated me at all. 

As for longevity, this is where the real test comes for me as if it doesn't last on my lashes, I would barely reach for the mascara again. Luckily this lasts and not only that, but it really lasts; through wet, rain and cold in fact (it's had the exercise test!). I have fairly curly lashes, but if a mascara weighs them down they tend to go straight, this keeps them up and fluttery all day long. It's actually hard to find anything wrong with this mascara at all; of course, with an overly heavy hand you can make this mascara clump, but I don't tend to use it like that. 

Overall, this is a great new mascara release and I can't wait to give more of a test over the next few weeks. As a bit of a self-confessed fussy mascara wearer, this already get the thumbs up from me. You can now get the Benefit BADgal Bang Mascara at Debenhams  and get £5 worth of Debenhams Beauty Card points with the purchase too. 

Have you tried this mascara out yet? 

Valentine's Day Glowy Skin and Dark Lips

As Valentine's Day is fast approaching, I thought it would be fitting to share with you some of my sparkle favourites, reached for reds and lipsticks that I rely on for a long-lasting finish. 

I've had a bit of a love/hate relationship with cream highlighters as, although I love the finish they give, there are quite a few on the market which are harder to  blend seamlessly in the skin. The Topshop Glow Highlighter is a long serving favourite of mine as it gives off a dreamy glow to the cheeks without being too overpowering. The Glossier Quartz Haloscope is a great pick for those who want a subtle sheen, whereas the Fenty Starstruck Match Stix is perfect if you like something a little more intense and shimmery. 

I tend to resort back to a powder highlighter if I want something to offer longevity, although if you're looking for a liquid illuminator which can do that, I would 100% recommend the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops. The Too Faced Love Lights offering is very fitting for the occasion considering it's heart shaped, whilst The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer is a perfect champagne pick for adding a healthy glow to the skin. 

Shimmer doesn't have to be kept to just the cheeks as I like to add a little sparkle to my eyelids too. The Stila Liquid Eye Glitter* is a favourite of mine as it can be easily worked into your usual smokey eye look - Perfect for a date night!

Highlighters are great paired with a statement lipstick either in the form of a berry, red or a dark pink hue. I've had the Chanel Pirate Rouge Allure Lipstick for some time now, but it's one I bring out whenever I want a luxe feeling option. I just had to add the Sephora Marvellous Mauve Cream Lip Stain to this line up as although it's a nude shade, it's perfect when you want something that'll last through eating... and kissing. 

What highlighters are you loving at the moment? 

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