Meroda Cosmetics Velvet Dream Lipstick Review

- AD: This is a paid collaboration with Meroda Cosmetics. -

I'm a firm believer that lipsticks can overhaul a whole makeup look, taking it from day to night in just one application. A lipstick for me has to be nourishing and comfortable to wear, long lasting, but easy to reapply - too much to ask for? I've recently been putting the Meroda Cosmetics Velvet Dream Lipsticks to the test. They have four shades to choose from, perfect for every occasion, here's how I got on. 

Everyone needs a red in their lipstick collection, but finding the right undertone for yourself is super important. Blue toned reds make your teeth appear whiter and usually suit cooler undertones, whereas orange toned reds suit warmer skin tones. Personally I'm the latter and the 'Luscious Red' offers the perfect deep red hue that I think would work perfectly in summer and all the way through until Christmas. When paired with the Meroda Cosmetics Luscious Red Signature Lip Pencil, it has a great long lasting effect, whilst making a striking statement. 

In recent years, I have jumped ship from my trusty nude lip and over to a pink hue for everyday wear. That being said, the Meroda Cosmetics 'Perfect Nude' Velvet Dream Lipstick doesn't disappoint with the name 'Perfect Nude'. It's got a pink tone to it which makes it super wearable and the nourishing formula means that it doesn't disappear into my lip lines. 

Like I said, my love for pink lipsticks has taken over my as of late, so I was excited to give the Velvet Dream 'Pink Peony' a go. It's the shade that looked most like my usual lipstick shade and I loved how moisturising it was on the lips and how much it stayed put even if I didn't use a lip liner. 

Lastly, we have the lipstick 'Grape Galore' which I have very aptly named it - Autumn in a lipstick. The berry tone is absolutely beautiful and whilst I'm usually a little hesitant of wearing darker shades due to the way they fade, this one is easy to top up on the go. The nourishing formula has ginger extract in it which is anti-aging and anti-inflammatory, this means I'm not overly aware that I have this lipstick on and whilst it is hydrating, it doesn't slip around the face, still having a demi-matte texture. 

All of Meroda Cosmetics Velvet Lipsticks are cruelty free and vegan! Use code #LILY15 for 15% off. 

Have you tried the Meroda Cosmetics Velvet Dream Lipsticks? 

Meroda Cosmetics Changing Foundation Review

- AD: This is a paid collaboration with Meroda Cosmetics. -

I can't explain the frustration with how much time, effort and money I've spent going shopping for a foundation, getting matched and then taking it home, only to find out it doesn't match my skin tone. When gaining a tan in this summer, this is something that often happens. I try and avoid buying several different shades of the same foundation, but sometimes you can't help it, so when I was handed the Meroda Cosmetics Changing Foundation to try out I was wondering if it would solve my summer skin woes. 

I've got yellow undertones to my skin, but whenever I get matched to a foundation, I often get matched to pink toned bases which I end up not liking. The Meroda Cosmetics Changing Foundation feels like magic to me, as soon as I start blending it into my skin it changes to the tone of my complexion - fusing effortlessly with my natural skin colour. It starts off white and then will gradually adjust to fairy to medium skin tones. 

Whilst a colour changing foundation is great, does the formula stand up to the test? This foundation has a lightweight feel to it, but with light to medium buildable coverage. My personal favourite way to apply this product is with a damp beauty sponge as I find that it gives off the perfect amount of coverage and natural finish for everyday wear. 

I don't often apply foundation with my fingers as I find it a great way to turn your base streaky, but I tried it with this foundation and was pleasantly surprised. The base looked flawless and covered up any blemishes and redness I wanted, whilst still looking natural. If you wanted a heavier finish to the foundation without layering it up, then I would recommend trying it out with the Meroda Cosmetics 2-in-1 Build and Conceal Brush as this still gives an even finish, but allows you to apply more product to the skin than a beauty sponge or your fingers. 

This foundation does a fantastic job at concealing my blemishes and redness, but still allowing my skin to shine through just with a flawless finish. It's long lasting due to it being waterproof and continues to be kind to my skin as it's suitable for sensitive skin. 

Use code #LILY15 for 15% off. 

Have you tried the Meroda Cosmetics Changing Foundation before? 

The Best Autumn and Halloween Jumpers

- All links in this blog post are affiliate links. For more info head to my disclaimer.- 

Soon it'll be the season of crunchy leaves, pumpkin picking and cosy jumpers and today I am focusing on the latter - finding the best autumn and halloween jumpers! I've grown quite a collection over the years and have several favourite brands I like to check out every year. Today, I have put together a list of my favourite jumpers I have found so far. 

For me, no one quite does jumpers like Kiel James Patrick, their Cozy Pumpkin Sweater being the item that started off my obsession. Now I have a wishlist as long as my arm, the Apple Harvest Sweater and Haunted Patch Sweater being at the top!

Last year I purchased a Halloweentown Sweater and the year before that, a Hocus Pocus themed one. I personally love picking up these jumpers as they're often super cosy and can be worn on a rainy evening in front of a Halloween film! 

Homemade Pasta Recipe (no machine required!)

Homemade pasta has always intimidated me, the pressure in getting the right thickness of the dough and chewiness in texture. I certainty didn't think it would be possible for me to create something delicious without having a machine, but as I didn't want to invest in a machine just yet, I challenged myself anyway. 

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was even with only a rolling pin to hand. I've tweaked this recipe a couple of times and I now think I have created the easiest, tastiest home-made pasta recipe without the need for a machine!

Ingredients (makes 2)

180g 00 Pasta Flour

2 Large eggs

A splash of walk

1 tsp Olive Oil

Method

On a clean surface, tip your flour and make a well in the middle. 

One by one, add the eggs, whisking them slowly as you slowly bring in the flour from the sides. 

The mixture will become crumbly, but continue working it together until it starts to combine. 

If the dough is dry, add a splash of water and your olive oil. 

Continue kneading your dough until a ball forms. From then, knead your dough for 5 minutes until smooth. 

Wrap in cling film and leave in the fridge for 1 hour. 

Sprinkle your surface with flour to stop the dough from sticking. 

Cut your dough into two. 

Place one half of your dough and begin the roll the dough out using a rolling pin. You want your dough to be around 16 inches long and 12 inches wide. The dough should be as thin as possible without breaking - think like a piece of paper. 

Fold the dough into three and cut into individual pieces around 1cm thick. 

Boil a pan of salted water and cook the pasta for 3-4 minutes. 

Top with your favourite pasta sauce and enjoy! 

Summer Skincare Routine

- All links in this post are affiliate links. Products marked with a * are PR samples, but sent under no obligation to post. -

When it comes to summer skincare, I want two things - my skin to feel hydrated and look glowy. In the summer my skin may feels less dehydrated, but hay fever definitely plays a role in it feeling more sensitive. Gone are the days when I could chop and change skincare products, as I feel like my skin really benefits from a consistent and steady routine nowadays. Here are a handful of products that are currently in my summer skincare routine that helps me to achieve my goal of a nourished, radiant complexion. 

I still start off my routine with my trusty Garnier Micellar Water, a product I mentioned back in 2015 and have found a use for it in my routine ever since. For me, it's great at breaking down my mascara and eye makeup, so I tend to focus my drenched cotton pad on those areas, but for summer makeup it can be great for getting the majority of it off before going in with my cleanser. 

For my first cleanse, I have been using the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser which feels gentle on the skin, but still does a great job at removing the majority of my makeup. The second cleanse of choice is the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and I can't tell you how many bottles of this stuff I have been through. It ticks all the boxes for me; it's gentle, yet hydrating whilst being effective at removing any makeup left over from my first cleanse. I feel like the combination of these two cleansers has made my skin extremely happy as I rarely get spots or irritation now. 

When it comes to moisturisers, I actually have a handful of favourites that I like to switch around depending on how my skin feels. The Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream is a long standing favourite of mine as it's lightweight, yet still nourishes my rather parched complexion. I personally like this underneath makeup as it sinks in quickly and doesn't affect my base. 

My love for Farmacy products, specifically their honey range, dates back to 2017 and I was recently topped up on my old favourites and I've had a resurgence of my love for them. The Honey Halo Moisturiser* has a really interesting texture as I would usually only opt for something this thick during the winter months, but here I am talking about it in the summer. It's got a luxurious feel to it that sinks into the skin and doesn't leave any residue, nor does it cause any breakouts on my skin.

I've had the Beauty Pro Retinol Eye Masks hanging around for sometime now as I've been meaning to use them for my tired, hay fever laden eyes, but I haven't got around to it until recently. When I tell you they make a visibly difference straight away, I mean it. They make my under eye area look brighter and smoother. I'm sure if I continue using them in the long term they would have a long lasting effect, but I'll have to report back. 

What products are in your summer skincare routine?