Berry Makeup Favourites

I'm not ready for October to end, so to ease myself in I've started to use more of the berry tones in my collection to keep the Autumnal feeling alive. I love pairing a berry lip with a soft wash of gold on the lid or pair of intense plum smokey eye with a nude liquid lipstick for an evening out. Today I'm sharing with you a few of my berry makeup favourites: 

For a quick easy eye look, I always reach for one of the Charlotte Tilbury Quads, Vintage Vamp* being a new favourite of mine for this time of the year. With four shades you can create a simple smokey eye with ease and they look great from Autumn right through til the Christmas party. If I'm not after working with more than one shade, there's a couple of one sweep wonders that I love to use too. The Hourglass Blaze Scattered Eyeshadow* and Colourpop Muse are two that can be applied in one sweep to have a slight wash of colour or a few sweeps to build the intensity up. 

I feel like it's super easy to go overboard on applying blusher especially when it's a dark shade, so I like to keep my berry blushers muted in tone. The Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Strobe Lighting Blusher* is great at it adds just the right amount of colour to the cheeks and makes the skin glow too. If I'm after something even more natural, but can pack a punch if needs be, it's the Glossier Haze Cloud Paint that I reach for as it's got a lightweight, cream formula that can be blended out or built up. 

It'll come as no surprise that lips are my favourite way to wear a berry shade, but I thought I'd add in a couple of my favourite red hues too. For a very subtle tint, I've been using the Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector* in Plum Shimmer for years now and it's great if you want to ease yourself in to the berry life. For a more intense look, it's the Pixi Berry Boost MatteLast Liquid Lip* I'm liking to use at the moment as I've mentioned in previous blog posts and for a budget option, I go for the NYX Copenhagen Soft Matte Lip Cream. 

For a red lip, I've found a few new picks this year and Charlotte Tilbury are killing it again. The Queen* and Legendary Queen* are two to check out and they have you covered whether you're a fan of a true or darker red hue.

What are your favourite berry makeup products? 

All links in this post are affiliate links. If a  product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. 

Halloween Beauty and Makeup

Halloween is on Wednesday and you know I love any excuse to put together a themed post, so I wanted to compile a list of products I love to use around this time of the year. From dark plum lips to the bath bombs I'll be soaking in, here's everything I'm all about this spooky season. 

A new addition to my makeup routine is the Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette* and it couldn't have some at a better time. Although it'll be a little while until my full review goes up, I wanted to include it in this line up nevertheless. The last four shades in the palette is what I will focus on for my Halloween look as they're great at creating a smokey look and the shade Devilish is very fitting. The best part is that this palette will easily be used throughout the year for a variety of different looks, which means it won't go to waste. 

If you've been around here for a while then you'll know that my Clarins Midnight Blue Eyeshadow* always gets pulled out for Halloween as the blue is very intense and can be used easily with a smokey eye look for a quick spooky look. 

For my lips, I'm loving the ombre look where it's a slightly brighter red in the middle, my choice is the Pixi Berry Boost as it's a matte liquid lipstick that's long lasting and smudge proof. For the outer corners, I've gone for the NYX Copenhagen Soft Matte Lipstick as it's darker in tone and looks great with a smokey eye. If I want something more on the brown side, it's Nudestix Joyce Magentic Matte Lip Colour* that I've been using as it's super matte  and very long lasting. 

To help remove my makeup, I've been reaching for the Magnitone WipeOut! Cleansing Cloths* as they've really surprised me and in a good way. For darker, heavier makeup these are great as it helps get rid of every last scrap which means you can say goodbye to panda eyes in the morning. 

Aside from Halloween makeup, I've been using some themed bath products too in the form of the Lush Sparkly Pumpkin and Bewitched bubble bar. I've used them for several years now and they always create a delicious abundance of bubbles to sink yourself into - perfect if you need to take your mind off any scary films you've just watched. 

What makeup are you wearing this Halloween? 

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

Autumn New In Picks

 - This post is in collaboration with Fragrance Direct, but all thoughts are my own - 

Fragrance Direct is a website i always go back to whenever I want to grab a bargain or I'm in need of a new perfume. There's lot of gems on there and the brands they have are amazing - letting you scour your long term favourites and finding new picks too. The New Arrivals Page is perfect for seeing the new releases and what tingles your fancy. 

As you know by now I love switching up my perfume for each season and I'm a sucker for a perfume reminding me of a certain time or event in my life. The Elie Saab Girl of Now Shine EDP is one that I've sniffed the original of before and loved, so I'm super happy to have it in my collection after spotting it on the Fragrance Direct new in page. It's gold casing is honestly so beautiful, but it's what's inside that counts - a delicious combination of orange blossom, patchouli and almond makes for a very Autumnal, comforting scent. It's super long lasting on the skin and I feel like this is becoming my going out, 'want to feel fancy' kind of perfume. 

Another offering that has been added to my collection which has similar notes, yet smells completely different to the perfume above is the Givenchy L'Interdit EDP. It's a lot fresher and sweeter than the other offering, but I can see this being a great everyday perfume when I want to have something on that isn't too overpowering. It's always important to check Fragrance Direct for their perfumes as they often do good deals and around Christmas time it's great to save a little bit of money on presents too. 

I've been experiment ing a lot more with new makeup products, the Clinique Even Better Foundation being one of the first. I've wanted to pick up a new base product for a while and when I saw that they had it in my shade, I knew it was one that I had to pick. It's a natural finish with a medium coverage which leans on more of the matte side of the spectrum. 

The Multiple Stick by Nars has been on my wishlist for some time now as I've heard some amazing things and luckily for me, it hasn't disappointed. The shade I have, Portofino, is a classic pink hue that blends into the skin effortlessly and doesn't look out of place on top of the foundation. I can see this lasting a long time as you only need the smallest amount per application and there's quite a lot of product in it! 

One of the sections I always go to on Fragrance Direct is the nail vanish as they have some amazing brands such as Essie and Nails Inc. It's the Sally Hansen Color Therapy I went for in Chai on Life which is a dreamy nude shade that has a saving on it of £7 making it £1.99! It's formula is super smooth and you could get away with only one coat of this for a simple look. It's long lasting and withstands all the elements from washing up to being on the bike - it's definitely one to check out if you're a nude nail vanish lover. 

What products from Fragrance Direct are you eyeing up? 

This post contains affiliate links. 

An Autumn Beauty Wishlist

I've recently got the beauty bug again after spending some time using up old favourites and new products I'd been kindly sent. There's so many new products on my wishlist and that's even before all the Christmas collections are released, so I thought I'd share them with you today. I apologise if this enables you to go on a serious spending spree because I'm already thinking how early is too early to treat yourself to an early Christmas present.

Although I swore I didn't need one, the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked and now the newly released Volume 4 offering, is making me consider the splurge. They're one of my favourite powder formulas both for setting, bronzing and adding a dose of colour too. I've always got so much use out of their palette I own, yet they last so long nevertheless. It's definitely a purchase I'll have to ponder. 

Kristin Ess is now in the UK and I couldn't be happier after lusting after her Reconstructive Hair Mask for some time now. I've got the admit that it's the packaging that has lured me in, but I want to try some of her well loved products nevertheless. 

Herbivore and Drunk Elephant are another two brands that has come over to us finally. The Coco Rose Lip Polish is something I'm looking to invest in soon as my lips are on the dry side since the weather has got a little colder. Everyone has been going mad for DE and for a very good reason too as I've been using their products since March, I think it's time to purchase a full sized version of the La La Retro Moisturiser which you can get as a better deal in the set linked, so it's slightly justifying the hefty price tag it has. 

Have we all seen the new Too Faced Christmas collection? I can't believe how cute everything is and the Better Than Sex Christmas Cracker Set would be a perfect stocking filler or present for a beauty lover. Don't worry, I won't go into gift guides just yet, but the Charlotte Tilbury Mini Hollywood Lipsticks are two that you should check out too. 

What beauty products are on your wishlist?

This post contains affiliate links. 

Alpha-H Brand Focus

- This post is in collaboration with Cult Beauty - 
All links in this post are affiliate links. All products marked with a * are PR samples. 

Alpha-H is a brand you've probably heard a lot about since it's Liquid Gold solution made it's way onto a lot of beauty bloggers top shelves. I wanted to give them a try for myself and today I'm giving you the run down of three of their products I've been using. They're currently Cult Beauty's brand of the month, so if you fancy treating yourself you'll get free delivery throughout the month of October. 

When my beloved Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel* finished I quickly opened the Essential Cleansing Balm* as it smelt quite similar in my opinion and I thought that would fill the 'rose shaped hole' in my skincare routine. Although the Oskia offering is a gel and Alpha-H is more on the balm side, I find the latter a little lighter in formula, yet they both perform in a similar way. Out of all the Alpha-H products I find this one is the one I've been getting the most use out of especially if I'm wearing heavy makeup or a need a deep cleansing first cleanse. 

The famous Liquid Gold* has been in my routine for some time, but isn't one that I reach for all the time. It has quite a chemically scent which won't be for everybody and unlike it's competitor, the Pixi Glow Tonic*, I don't find it transforms the skin overnight. That being said, I still think it's a great product, but rather than it being targeted for an instant brightening effect, it works over a long period of time to help diminish the appearance of blemish scares and help to tighten pores. 

Lastly is the Beauty Sleep Power Peel*, a concoction of both retinol and glycolic to help regenerate, refine and plump the complexion. It's seriously potent stuff and has taken my skin a little while to get used to. It smells slightly of lavender to give it's spa-like feel to the product and it seriously does a good job as making the skin look brighter and feel smoother. It's certainly one to add to your list if you're a fan of acid treatments like myself as this does help with any of those under the skin spots that you may get. 

What products do you recommend from Alpha- H? 

Halloween Activities To Take Up

Halloween is always the time of the year I can't wait for because it's when it finally feels like Autumn and I get to watch all the scary films and regret them later. I wanted to give you a run down of some of my favourite spooky activities to get up to, so that hopefully they give you a few ideas for the 31st too. 

Pumpkin Patch | I've been going on about pumpkin patches since I went to my first one last year, but honestly they're so good to get you in the mood. Pick out your favourite shaped pumpkins and take them home with you to carve. Have a competition with whoever else is in your house or friendship group and don't forget to make something tasty with the insides too. 

Look Through Netflix | This time of the year is the perfect excuse to look through the horror section on your Netflix, which if you're like me, I tend to avoid all year round unless I'm in the 'right mood'. We've been watching the new The Haunting of Hill House which is a series that has us hooked, although it has me wanting to hide behind a cushion.

Bake Some Halloween Themed Treats | I've been looking at all the creative Halloween recipes online and honestly there's so many amazing creations. I'm looking at making my own pumpkin soup to serve in mini pumpkins too and creating these sausage rolls with my favourite veggie sausages. 

Invite Your Friends Around | Put together a Halloween themed playlist, pull out all your favourite old scary films to watch and order pizza in so you can carve out your pumpkins together. Light candles and decorate your house - plus this vampire cocktail is the perfect addition to the food and drink line up too. 

Go To A Haunted House | I've wanted to go to a live haunted house experience for many years now and although I'm starting to feel nervous for it already, I am looking forward to it nevertheless. I'm sure there's going to be lots of giggles as well, but the fact there's going to be live actors definitely puts me on edge. 


What are you doing this Halloween? 

24 Hours of Clinique Anti Pollution Skincare

 - This post is in collaboration with Boots, but all thoughts are my own - 

Everyday our skin goes through a lot, from being exposed to pollution on our commute to work to letting daily stress takes it's toll on our complexion. For me, over a 24 hour period, my skin starts off dry as I wake up feeling dehydrated, the heating in my office causes it to then dehydrate further and then forgetting to put SPF on even though you'd sworn you would...for the fifth day in a row. Today, I'm sharing with you the importance of protecting your skin, a few of my favourite Clinique from their Anti-Pollution Skincare and a handful of tips too. 

The Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly delivers an intense boost of hydration without feeling heavy on the skin making it the perfect addition to your routine in the morning. On top of it's moisturising properties, it offers a 24 hour protection against pollution and makes your skin look healthier and feel softer. I use this in the morning to ensure that I'm more protected against environmental aggressors that you encounter on your commute to work, whilst you're at your computer and even whilst you're sleeping. 

To help me rid the skin of impurities and dirt that has built up throughout the day of wearing makeup, going through the elements and exercising too, I use the Clinique Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Gel. I like to use this cleanser as my second cleanse in the evening to ensure my complexion looks as clear as possible as the charcoal in the formula helps to combat pollutants that effect us everyday and ensure that my skin feels soothed and refreshed. 

Now that the weather has got colder, the heating has come on and although it means I'm toasty warm, it does have an adverse effect on my skin. I like to make sure I've got a few good moisturisers to hand for both the morning and evening to ensure that my skin is kept moisturised and hydrated throughout the day as the heating can really dry out my skin without realising it. The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+ has been my go-to for the evening in particular as the hyaluronic acid and glycerin helps to absorb water from their air and retain it too. 

Last in this round up is the Clinique City Block Sheer SPF which helps to protect your skin from sun damage all whilst evening out the skin tone. As someone who exercises outside a lot I want to protect my complexion all year around and I tend to not wear makeup due to sweat either, so this is perfect. It's oil-free, doesn't break me out and it's always so important to remember to use SPF no matter to season.  

Skincare is always longer than a 24 commitment and no one should expect to see results overnight, so make sure you're always sticking to a routine both morning and night to help protect your day throughout the day. 

What does your skin go through in 24 hours and how do you protect it? 

Autumn Makeup Bag

I've recently got my makeup mojo back, getting the bug to try out new products and switch up my makeup bag for my favourite season. Of course, I'm all about glowing skin and berry accents at this time of the year and I wanted to give you a sneak peak into my current routine. 

My base currently consists of my Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter* and Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation duo which creates a flawless, medium coverage finish that can be worn day to night. Although I want to try out some new foundations, it's the concealers I've been switching around a lot. The Too Faced Born This Way Sculpting Concealer* is currently the one I'm using underneath my eye to conceal any dark circles and brighten any areas to create a more defined look. If I need to cover any blemishes, it's the NYX HD Concealer I use as it matches my skin tone very well and it's easy on the bank balance too. 

I tend to stay quite loyal to my ABH brow products and just switch up the brow gel I use to set them. The Glossier Boy Brow is a great option if you want to add a little bit of tint to them without flakiness or compromising on hold. 

For my cheeks, I've not been sticking to one blusher as I just love experimenting with the colours I'm wearing at this time of the year. It's the Nars Laguna Bronzer* that I've been reaching for a lot as it's the perfect tone to warm up the complexion without looking too grey or warm. I finish off with a dusting of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter* (which is sadly no longer available!) to the tops of my cheekbones, across my brow bone and in the inner corners of my eyes to help add a dreamy glow all over. 

Talking of eyes, I've been wearing them bare quite a lot lately with only a thin line of eyeliner and a few applications of the Nars Climax Mascara* to make them appear wide awake. When I do want to wear an eyeshadow it's the Hourglass Scattered Eyes Blaze Eyeshadow* I've been using as it can be applied all over for a one sweep wonder or built up with a bronzed brown shade in the crease to define the eyes for a more intense look.

I've been switching out my lip products a lot recently, but it's the NYX Suede Matte Lip Liner in Soft Spoken that's been in my makeup bag a lot. It's a very close match to my lip colour which means I can use to make my lips appear fuller and it works well with a variety of my current favourite nude lip products. 

What's in your Autumn makeup bag? 

All links in this post are affiliate links. Products marked with a * are PR samples. 

A New Diptyque Scent

It's becoming a bit of a tradition to receive or treat myself to a Diptyque fragrance around the time of my birthday and this year's addition is the Philosykos Perfume which was kindly given to me on the big day. It's got a little story behind it and the scent is too good not to go on my blog, so I just had to share my thoughts with you today. 

This fresh fig scent may remind you of Summer from the get-go and don't get me wrong I can see where you'd be coming from, but there's something about this semi-sweet, yet ever so slightly woody fragrance that will see you through Autumn uplifted. It's not as warming as Do Son, so although it doesn't last as long and is not as much of a statement, it does makes a great everyday scent if you want something a little bit more understated. I'm not usually a fan of coconut scents in perfumes as they can be overpowering if you over-spritz, but this mixed with the fig notes is the perfect combination. 

Despite being a fairly subtle scent, it lasts a long time on clothes and lingers around all day too. I've received a lot of lovely compliments on it, which I find is always a mark of a great perfume. The exterior is obviously gorgeous as is all of Diptyque products are and it looks dreamy on display with my other perfumes in my collection. 

I'd definitely recommend having a spritz of this and I can already see myself on the look out for my next addition to my collection - I'm thinking maybe the Diptyque Olene will be my next purchase (possibly as a Christmas present to myself?). 

Have you tried any Diptyque perfumes? 

All links in this post are affiliate links. 

Products For Baby Soft Skin

My skin has gone through a lot recently especially with the change of weather and season. I'm always on the quest to for baby soft skin and I've found a handful of products that help me achieve this. Just on a side note, I don't like to use more than one acid product a day and if something is particularly strong then I like to skip a day or two to let me skin recover. 

Two masks that always leave my complexion feeling a lot cleaner, brighter and softer are the Drunk Elephant Babyfacial and Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Clay Mask*. The latter is great at detoxifying the skin, whilst the DE offering is amazing at giving the skin an at-home facial. They both rid the skin of dry patches and if applied at night during a pamper routine, the next morning my skin looks even better. 

I've spoken about the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow* is a previous post, but it's not classed as a mask more on the side of a serum. It has a similar effect to the masks I spoke about above, but it works overnight instead which means you don't have to think about when to wash it off. It only takes one application to make my complexion look more radiant and it ensures that my foundation goes on smoothly. 

In terms of moisturiser the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré* is great at giving a healthy dose of hydration in one go, however it is a lot thicker than my favourite moisturiser of the Summer which was the Caudalie Vinosource Sorbet* which I'm currently finishing up at the moment. They're both great at making my skin look more nourished and feeling softer. If I feel like I need any extra layer especially if I've been using acids, I go in with the Fresh Peony Serum* before any moisturisers to make that my skin is prepped and looking great. 

What are your favourite products for baby soft skin? 

All links in this post are affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. 

Is This Mascara Worth The Hype?

Every time I get a new mascara, it's like a tradition to talk about it on the blog. I finished my Benefit BadGal Bang* a while back now, so I was using up everything I had left in my collection in the mean time. As a beauty blogger, I love trying out new products and therefore I knew that I wanted to try something different this time around despite loving the Benefit offering. I've been seeing the Nars Climax Mascara* everywhere recently and I wanted to put it to the test to see whether it lived up to it's hype. 

If I'm honest, I wasn't expecting to like this mascara because for some reason I thought it would lengthen rather than add volume which is something I like now and again, but ultimately I want a mascara that offers a bit of both. Luckily, this does exactly that and it's exceeded my expectations. I was expecting something that would flake and a last a few hours, but instead I got a long lasting mascara that doesn't smear or smudge. It's been through the exercise test and come out with 10/10 marks and let me tell you I'm very fussy about mascaras which is why I tend to use the same one until I find a new one I love. 

Despite loving the formula, the wand was something I had to get used to as I'm not used to something as fluffy as this and therefore the bottom lashes were a bit of a task to coat. I'm still getting my head around the fuller brush, but i've got a lot better at controlling it and it definitely makes applying it super fast! 

Have you tried the Nars Climax Mascara?

All links in this post are affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. 

A Concealer Collection

After seeing Simone share her top concealers on her Instagram a few weeks back, I was inspired to start pulling together a few of my favourites too. I've been trying out a couple of new additions, so I thought this would be the perfect time to share some of my go-to concealers.

First up is a long time favourite of mine, the Bourjois Radiance Reveal which is a budget pick perfect for those looking to brighten the under eye up and covering any blemishes without looking cakey on the skin. The lightest shade is the one I use and although it isn't as light as I'd go if the concealer was of a higher, fuller coverage, it works as I tend to use this for a natural makeup look or when I just want to cover redness with no foundation. 

A concealer that works in a similar way is the Glossier Stretch offering which is one of my all time favourites despite being unlike anything in my collection. I tend to use this when I've got little makeup product on and I simply dab this on with a beauty blender over any blemishes that need concealing. It's a hard one to describe the texture and finish off as it offers a good amount of coverage, nothing too heavy nor light, but it never sets on the skin which wouldn't make it a very good pick for those oily days. It's a really no-makeup makeup product as it looks like you're barely wearing anything on the skin, but it's not my favourite when wearing a foundation as it doesn't do much in comparison. 

A new addition to my collection is the Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer* which really reminds me of the Glossier one, but this one does set down on the skin. I was expecting the lighter shades to lean more towards the pinkier sides as most Nars base products do, but this one is fairly neutral. I use the Chantilly which upon deliberation, I should have gone a shade darker as I find this  a little too light, but I'm sure it'll work better once the weather gets even colder and I start to lose my tan. I prefer to use this on blemishes or across redness on my face and if I use a Beauty Blender it has to be quite damp to make sure it blends flawlessly into my complexion. Under the eyes, I'm not so much of a fan  because it separates a little bit under there and can look like it gathers a little once powder is applied. It's nothing a damp beauty sponge can't fix, but it's a tad annoying. 

Back to the more affordable options and one of the concealers I've repurchased many times is the NYX HD offering which delivers a great amount of coverage, but unfortunately I feel like it does run out pretty fast. Saying this at under £6, it's a hard one to complain about as it's on the right side of high coverage and I prefer it to it's regularly high end dupe, the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer*. I would say just be away that towards the end of the tube, the colour will start to oxidise a bit more, so I would say if you're in-between shades, always go down one. 

I had high hopes for the Too Faced Born This Way Sculpting Concealer* as I'm sure you're all away by now just how much I adore their foundation of the same name too and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. I haven't tried the Tarte concealer that this is often compared to, but the doe foot applicator makes it super easy to apply under the eyes and over blemishes with just a quick sweep. Just note that I find one pump into the tube is enough to do both my under eyes, redness and blemishes I have and if you over apply to your face it can be a little hard to blend into the skin, but that's pretty normal with concealers. Their shades tend to sway more towards the yellow undertones, so just be aware of that, but I find Snow is a little on the light side for me, but it'll no doubt match better as the months go on. It really stays put, offers amazing coverage and doesn't look unnatural at all - I feel like this could be a favourite in my makeup bag for the months to come. 

Last up in this round up is the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer* which I have mixed thoughts on as I love the way it looks and feels on the skin, but the packaging needs to be mentioned. I've seen a few people say they prefer it when they've ripped the sponge off the top and I'm thinking I need to do the same as it's driving me nuts. It's one of the most messy products I own, but it really shouldn't put you off what's inside as it's amazing. It's super natural on the skin and despite thinking this would be on the lighter coverage side, it's rather deceiving as it delivers perfected skin in little time. 

What are your favourite concealers? 

All links are affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. 

What I Got For My Birthday

I was kindly given some amazing gifts over my birthday weekend and after putting up a poll on my Instagram about whether or not to do this post, it was a resounding yes. I'm so excited and grateful for everything I recieved and I wanted to share it all with you- but of course it goes without saying that  I'm not bragging in any way- just as a quick disclaimer. 

First up is the Roberts Revival Radio which I've wanted forever and was lucky enough to get this year. We broke our old radio a couple of years back and I've missed having one ever since. Of course it being easy on the eye is what made me want to pick it up, and it's looking particularly lovely next to my bed at the moment whilst I wait to see where it fits perfectly. 

Next is a pair of earrings that I've wanted for ages now. The Missoma Molton Mini Gold Hoops are the perfect size for my ears and as I like the stacked look, I feel like these would be perfect! 

From Hannah I was surprised by two Lush picks which I'm so excited to crumble into the bath and make delicious bubbles with. It was almost like she knew that the Sparkly Pumpkin is my favourite from the Halloween collection, quickly followed by the Bewitched Bubble Bar - thank you! 

I was kindly given a Vince Camuto Crossbody Flap Bag which is in an amazing colour that will no doubt spice up my wardrobe this A/W season. This looks great in contrast with my new Kurt Geiger Mini Purse which is a bright red shade. 

Lastly I also received a few ASOS gift cards which will no doubt be used to fill my wardrobe up with lots of new Autumn pieces. I've got my eye on a pair of Boots, a cosy jumper and maybe a new pair of PJ's too. 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Birthday Makeup

It's my birthday! I turn 22 today and I wanted to share with you my birthday makeup routine as I feel like it's tradition to now. I'm so happy that I can wear makeup again as towards the start of the week I couldn't due to an eye infection. Obviously my birthday is on a Friday this year, which gives me a perfect excuse to go all out and I wanted to share with you just what I'm putting on my face. 

First up is my base of choice, the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation* which creates a medium coverage, flawless finish. I want to make sure my skin is prepped right before my base application, so I slather on a healthy amount of the Fresh Peony Brightening Serum* to boost my lacklustre complexion. I've been trying out new concealers which you'll see on the blog very soon, but one of them is the Too Faced Born This Way Sculpting Concealer which has been on my wishlist for some time now. It's high coverage, but doesn't look cakey on the skin, in fact it just brightens up the area, getting rid of any discolouration I have. 

Next up is what I'm wearing on my cheeks and it was a hard to pick just one. I went with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blusher* as it's super soft on the cheeks meaning I can go heavier on the eyes. I then warm the face up with the Nars Laguna* which I apply to the cheekbones and dust over temples for a slight contoured look. To finish, I sweep the Pixi Highlighting Duo* over my cheeks and anywhere I want to glow for a radiant base. 

For my eyes, I'm going to go with the Hourglass Scattered Eyes Blaze Eyeshadow* which is so easy to create a smoky eye with. I simply run a highlighter through the inner corner, my choice being the Nars Rigel Eyeshadow and then a bronze shade from the Charlotte Tilbury The Vintage Vamp* to add depth. To line the eyes, rather than using a black eyeliner, I will use the Nudestix Rock n Roller Ink* as I think the golden hue will help to add even more sparkle to the look. I finish up with a quick slick of mascara and a pair of my usual Eylure Fleur De Force Lashes. 

Although I'm naturally attracted to a red lip for a special occasion, in the evening I'm going to opt for a neutral pink as I can easily apply it if I need to. The Nars Anita Audacious Lipstick* is just perfect as it makes my lips look fuller, whilst sitting comfortably too.

What do you think of my birthday makeup? 

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

Makeup Tones For Autumn

It's officially Autumn and my favourite season has started. The colder weather and ever changing hues are inspiring my current makeup bag and I've decided to switch out some of my favourite shades in favour of berry, neutral and warm tones. I want to give you the low down of my current go-to's and top picks going into Autumn. 

Berries + Reds | When I think of a berry lipstick, my mind always wanders to Charlotte Tilbury Glastonberry, but it's actually NYX Soft Matte Copenhagen that is my favourite. Darker shades tend to be a little temperamental on me as they tend to fade oddly, sit uncomfortably and crack, but not the NYX offering. It's long lasting, has an opaque hue and is one I'll continue to repurchase. 

A new addition to my makeup bag is the Hourglass Scattered Eyes Blaze Eyeshadow* which is a powder formula that can be applied with your fingers for a soft wash of colour or packed on with a brush for a more intense look. It's just the most gorgeous shade and can be worked into a smokey eye or used on it's own for an easy one sweep wonder look. 

For a red lipstick, I actually go with the Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Queen* as it's a darker red that compliments my skin tone perfectly and goes with a natural makeup look when I'm off out somewhere special or I simply want to spruce up a plain outfit. 

Neutrals + Nudes | The Nudestix Intense Matte Purity Lip Pencil* is honestly one of the best nude lip products I've tried. It's so easy to make my lips look fuller and more plump, but the nude shade is still fitting with this season. 

Secondly, is the Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Blusher* which I always bring out at this time of the year. Despite it being on the berry side, it's still very much neutral and can be worn with a variety of makeup looks without running the risk of the shades clashing. 

Pop of Colour | Although I would consider Nars Orgasm* to be very fitting for the Spring months at first glance, I've been loving it on a natural looking base as it adds a pop of colour. It's a pink hue that sits more on the natural side and can be blended out as much as you'd like to look like you've just stepped out into the crisp, Autumn air. 

What are your favourite Autumn makeup shades? 

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

Two From Umberto Giannini

Whilst I was in Boots the other week buying my usual hair dye, I came across the 3 for 2 offer and things happened. I've had my eye on the new Umberto Giannini products for a while now as I'm a sucker for dreamy packaging and pretty typography. Aside from the exterior, I wanted to give them a try because of their promises of smooth, hydrated locks and today I thought I'd share with you what I picked up. 

The whole smooth range appealed to me, so it was difficult just picking a couple, but I knew I had to pick up the Miracle Styling Milk as soon I saw it. It's so cute and small, but ever so mighty as it kept my hair looking smooth and frizz fee especially as I gave it it's biggest challenge one it's first use. Whenever I dye my hair, my locks tend to look a bit all over the place and super frizzy, so I popped a bit of this on my towel dryer hair through the ends and delicately through the front and let dry. It not only makes my hair look great, it makes it smell great too! 

Hair masks are having their moment in my haircare routine at the moment, but I'm trying to stick to one at a time. As I recently used up the Coco and Eve* offering, I wanted to try a budget pick before indulging in the Kristin Ess Moisture Mask. The 60 Second Smooth is a pre-shampoo treatment that promises to deliver stronger, revitalised hair. For the money, it's very lovely to use and makes my locks feel cleaner and softer too. I've now got a wishlist full of their products to try! 

Have you tried any Umberto Giannini products? 

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

5 Things I've Added To My October To-Do List

Cosy knits, conker collecting and fresh Autumn air are just a few delights that October brings. It's my favourite month not only because of this or pumpkin picking, but because it's my birthday month too making it an extra chance to celebrate. 

Check Out The Christmas Collections | As my birthday is in the first week of October, I don't usually get the chance to check out any of the upcoming Christmas collections until well after, but it seems that all of them have come early this year! Despite the price going up, I still want to pick one or two things from the Lush range and the Zoella Cosmos range is giving me all the bonfire night vibes! 

Have The Ultimate Cosy Night In | Despite loving the time off I had at the end of September, it's definitely been jam packed full of mountain bike riding and late nights and therefore I've actually got a bit run down from it all. I want to have a cosy night in binge watching my favourite TV programmes (Halloween specials!), having a long soak in a steaming hot, bubbly bath and lots of snacks. 

Carry On Taking Fashion Photos | I've been really enjoying taking fashion photographs recently and the new season has definitely inspired me to switch up my outfits and get snapping too. I've got lots planned and I can't wait to show them all to you very soon. 

Pumpkin Picking and Carving | I'm hoping that on my birthday or at least the weekend, I can go to my local pumpkin field and pick out a few pumpkins whilst I am there. I want to experiment with recipes for the Autumn season and of course I want to carve them around the 31st too! 

Pick Up Some New Pieces | I'm in dire need of some new pyjamas and these Chelsea Peers Moon and Star Set are just what I'm looking for - plus the matching dressing gown is dreamy too. Aside from nightwear, I've got my eye on a new pair of boots that aren't black like the rest of my collection. I'm thinking a seasonal brown, a striking red or a leopard print pair. 

What's on your October to-do list? 

- Jumper - 

- Denim Skirt -

- Vans Trainers - 

This post contains affiliate links.