Colour Focus: Peach

Thanks to a recent impulse purchase, I've absolutely fallen head over heels for peach shades. It's like I've had a magnet installed in me to attract anything peach. From dresses, to nails and even fruit. Totally out of my usual greige family comfort zone - madness I know.

First up is what started it all - Mac Style Blush. A lot of love has to be given to this blush, it's absolutely stunning on the skin. The golden finely milled shimmer running through it helps fake that 'lit from within' glow that aids to enhancing a tan.

Since finding Mac Style Blush, I've been on a desperate quest to find the lipgloss equivalent, so much so I applied the blush on my lips! On one of my many Sephora trips this summer, I came across Make Up For Ever S6, which is a pretty close match! A light peach shade with a gorgeous golden shimmer  with a formula that isn't too sticky or drying.

As for my nails it's still a love affair with Essie Tart Deco which I spoke about in more detail here for being the perfect tan enhancing bright nail shade.

If I had to choose a drink that made me think of summer it would be Iced Tea Peach. Surely I'm not the only one that can't put this down? There hasn't been a day where I haven't gone without my daily fix. It's so refreshing and really hits the spot when I need to cool down. 

Speaking of food and drink, flat peaches are my new food obsession. Mainly because they aren't readily available in London - grass is always greener on the other side and all that jazz. If you're a fruit eater, I definitely recommend checking them out - much more flavour than your average peach.

One of my most used skirts this summer is of course, peach! It's perfect for humid days as it's totally weightless so I don't find myself getting too flustered in it. It has one of those Angie leg slits too - great for allowing a little breeze!

What's your favourite peach item?

My Makeup: Summertime Smoke

When it comes to an evening makeup look smokey eyes are what I favour. No surprises here, but in holiday time where I'm cutting back on makeup I tend to apply something a little lighter and more summer appropriate, nothing like this makeup here. I do like to have a little eye makeup on, especially for the evenings and this look is perfect for something a little natural yet smokey at the same time.

For my skin I've been loving some added glow curtsey of Mac Style blush and a recent Sephora purchase, Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Baked Starburst. The combination of the two makes it look as though I've been in the sun for days when really I've been hiding behind a hat and factor 30-50.      

Skin

- Sprayed on a light layer of Dior DiorSkin Airflash Foundation which I've proclaimed my summer saviour (review here) followed by Mac Style Blush and Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Bakes Starburst

Eyes

- Chanel eyeshadow duo in 37 Sable - Emouvant, which is from their summer collection and is just a simple easy set perfect for creating a smokey eye. I then lined my upper lash line with Eyeko Skinny Liner and applied another recent purchase of mine, Make Up For Ever Smokey Lash Mascara, which I don't think does anything too spectacular. Just lengthens and adds a touch of volume, nothing as much as Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill or Max Factor Mascaras. 

Lips

- Of course, what did you expect, Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Lucky! I'm almost out of this stuff which would mean a huge record for me, the first lip gloss I've ever finished!

Hope you're having a great week!

Beauty On Location: The Beach!

It's not often I venture out to the beach, I'm more partial to sitting in the comfort of my own home totally sunscreened up looking all white and greasy      
Minimal products only here, of course going to the beach means sunglasses are on which rules out eye makeup, and knowing me they are massively oversized which also rules out quite a bit of face products causing me to only reach for concealer!

When I'm not applying too much on my face I like to apply something really lovely to my nails to make myself feel a little more polished. Beachy makeup isn't really my thing, it gets sweated off (lovely) or washed away by the sea water, this 'On Location' post is a little more than what's included on my face, it includes hair nails and body too! 

Nails

- Essie Tart Deco - a gorgeous bright peach that really enhances a tan

Body

- For some sun protection I've been using Institut Estederm Adapta sun (post here) which doesn't work like a typical sun protection with SPF but instead uses ingredients to help your skin adapt to its environment. I've still got a little left in my UV InCellium Spray which I'm using as a refresher whilst tanning (post here)

Face

- Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50 PA+++ o (post here) for some sun protection as it leaves absolutely no white residue on my face and leaves a lovely matte finish. Followed by Make Up For Ever Waterproof Concealer on any blemishes or redness (post here) 

Hair

- Alright so my hair is a little on the frizzy side in this humidity and to combat that I use Fekkai Silky Straight Ironless Serum and a little bit of Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray to enhance beachy waves and add some texture and volume. If the wind causes some out of control knots a little spritz of Klorane Leave In Detangler will sort that out. 

The dress I'm wearing was a market find from Ibiza and I'm in love with it! It's probably my most worn item this summer, something that's so easy to throw on and will go with anything      

What do you wear to the beach?

My Makeup: Waterproof Face

Makeup in the heat is not something that goes down well with me, it almost always ends up slipping and sliding around which as you can imagine, is not the look I'm going for. This summer I've really been on the hunt for sweat and waterproof products that I don't need to constantly be checking up if they are still on my face or not! My Top 10 products that survive the heat are all here, some of which feature on my face above. Of course during my holiday I'm much too relaxed to apply this all everyday, but should I need to I know these products don't fail me!

Skin

- Just a bit of skin tone evening with a mixture of Estee Lauder Long Wear Concealer under my eyes and Make Up For Ever Waterproof Concealer on any blemishes

- Hourglass Waterproof Bronzer to bronze up my face a little and along my cheeks

Eyes

- Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow in 4 Sandy Gold all over my lid with Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in 2L patted into my crease with MaxFactor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara

Do you still apply some makeup on holiday or are you brave enough to go bare faced?

Beauty On Location: Beachy Drinks In Cannes

Please tell me I'm not the only one that becomes unbelievably lazy on holiday?! Suddenly my usual excitement of applying a smokey eye becomes somewhat of a drag to the point where I wish I could come off the beach and look semi-decent in a matter of minutes, which is, of course, not the case. Out come the lazy girl products that consist of:

1) a spray foundation which allows me to apply my base in a matter of seconds

2) cream eyeshadows that hardly require a mirror let alone a brush

3) that blush/bronzer/highligher product I've been raving about for a while. Yes, you guessed it, Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel is Sable Rose

Baggy dresses also become my clothing of choice as they require no thought of putting something together while looking summery! This one, from Parker at Shop Bop is very light and weightless - great for hot summer evenings      

Skin

- My lazy girl holiday face has even caused me to ditch the primer, madness I know, but the Dior DiorShow Airflash Foundation will last around 6 hours on my skin before it needs a bit of powdering, perfect for one evening!

- For concealer the usual By Terry Touche Veloutee (post here) followed by Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel in Sable Rose (post here)

Eyes

- Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow in Sandy Gold (post here) with Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in 15 (post here) along my crease and Avon SuperShock Gel Eyeliner in Blackberry (post here) along my lash line

- Coated my lashes in Lancome Hypnose Star (post here)

Lips

- Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Lucky (post here)

Top 10: Products That Survive The Heat

I'm definitely not alone when it comes to the quest for makeup that survives the heat, it's something I always struggle with and only really learn from trial and error. This summer I've managed to find some excellent products I'll be using throughout that actually don't slip and slide in the heat, last with some sweat (loverly!), and some of them are even waterproof!

1) Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow (post here)

Not the most pigmented of formulas but lovely none the less. Very creamy but dry as a powder and last all day without creasing or sliding! My favourite shade is 4 Sandy Gold

2) Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer (post here)

As far as I'm aware this isn't waterproof but it actually could be! I've already raved about how much I liked it here, but it wasn't until I went for a walk along the coast at about midday (when the sun was at its strongest) and the concealer under my eyes didn't budge. No creasing, no smudging! Needless to say I was very impressed - it also contains SPF 35, perfect for sunny days!

3) Maxfactor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara

My favourite low end Mascaras have got to be Maxfactor (post here) every single one I've tried is amazing, lengthening, thickening and volumizing. The waterproof version is no exception as well as being very black!

4. Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner

To add some definition to my eyes I've been reaching for this waterproof eyeliner pencil by Make Up For Ever. It's easily blendable, doesn't smudge and has a gorgeous creamy texture that doesn't tug against my eyes

5. Make Up For Ever Cream Blush

For adding some colour to my cheeks, I've been opting for a cream formula as it looks more natural in daylight as opposed to powder. 7 from Make Up For Ever is a lovely shade that looks like the colour is coming from within. Being a cream formula a little goes a long way and I don't find it going patchy throughout the day

6. Hourglass Superficial Waterproof Bronzer

This has been a summer saviour for me! Feels weightless on the skin, doesn't go blotchy or clump in the heat, and gives the skin a lovely glow.

7. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Concealer

HOW have I only discovered this recently?! Very high coverage, doesn't even alter the slightest in the heat and isn't cakey! Massive thumbs up from me!

8. Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow (post here)

A more pigmented alternative to Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow, which are waterproof too! My favourite shade is 2L, a warm brown with a touch of shimmer

9. Make Up For Ever Waterproof Concealer

If I have a blemish I've been dabbing a bit of Make Up For Ever Waterproof Concealer over the top with a fluffy brush to hide the redness and ensure the concealer lasts all day without needing to powder over the top. In terms of actually swimming with it I wouldn't advise it as it did separate on me but never the less - a saviour in the sun! 

10. Estee Lauder Matte Perfecting Primer (post here)

If I do opt for foundation I'll be sure to pair it with a mattifying primer to ensure increased longevity and making sure I stay shine-free. Matte Perfecting Primer acts as a great base for makeup ensuring everything blends easily over the top!

What are your summer staples?

Beauty On Location: Seeing Swedish House Mafia in Ibiza

Last night we all ventured out of our villa to see Swedish House Mafia at an open air party in Ushuaia, Ibiza and I am feeling slightly delicate this morning but it was well worth it & was absolutely incredible!

Like I mentioned it was an open air party that we attended after lunch at around 8 and went on till the early hours of the morning. Luckily we were on a secluded table so avoided the sweaty mosh pits but nevertheless my makeup ended being sweated off anyway -lurverly! I did have my trusty fan which I purchased two hours previously to save me from the heat which came in very handy.

Having all these late nights means there are no heels involved (yes!) and as the clubs are very hot so clothing is as minimal as is acceptable      
Here I chose to wear my one piece swimming costume with some plain black shorts and keep my makeup pretty simple as being in a house with 15 people means minimal time to get ready!

This was the only shot I was able to get so apologies for that but here's what I slapped on in tiny mirror previous to last nights shenanigans... 

Skin

- As my body tends to tan a lot faster than my face I firstly slapped on my bronzing makeup base by Chantecaille. The Radiance Gel Bronzer to make sure my skin tone on my face and body matched

- I then slapped on some Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser with some Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Concealer which never moves!

- For blush and bronzer I grabbed Burberry Sheer Summer Glow as a natural yet effective highlighter - link to post here with a little of Hourglass Waterproof Bronzer that doesn't come off in the heat...or sweat. 

Eyes

- With minimal time to get read it's goodbye brushes and hello fingers so I've been reaching for some cream eyeshadows. Firstly I applied Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in 4 Sandy Gold all over my lid with Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in 2L in my crease
- To line my top and bottom lash lines I grabbed my Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Pointe-Noir and blended it with my fingers
- As I expected it to be pretty hot I slapped on some waterproof mascara by MaxFactor

Lips

- Just a quick layer of Topshop Lipstick in Pillow Talk as I was leaving!

What do you use when you have to get ready in a rush? Do you like Swedish House Mafia?

Make Up For Ever HD Cream Blush

Something I picked up at IMATS a couple of months ago was the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Cream Blush in number 7. Having combination skin made me shy away from cream blushers until I came across this gorgeous neutral peachy pink shade. What I was most impressed by was the lasting power of these! Seriously all day without fading is a major pro! Of course for extreme long wearability I pair with a powder blush on top just to set the cream in place. The second impressive factor was the high pigment, I expected these to be quite watery but as you can see in the swatch below they really are full coverage colour compared to powder blush where I really have to build to get a lot of colour.  The shade I own, number 7, is demi matt with absolutely no shimmer so it really looks like skin. The combination of having a highly pigmented blush while also having the ability to look so natural is really something that I don't come across often. You can add a teeny touch on the cheeks for a natural flush or easily build the colour up or something less subtle.

Being a bit of a skin hygiene freak I really liked the pump that dispenses product as it means there's no dipping a dirty brush back into a pot and then back on your face again. However, this pump dispenses waaaay too much product, you literally only need to touch it to get out the amount you want, probably smaller than a pea size as one whole pump is going to be enough to cover your whole face and that's not what you want. When applying I used my Real Techniques Contour Brush as its synthetic and synthetic brushes work best when paired with cream products, you can also apply with fingers but I prefer a brush for even application. If there are any harsh edges just blend out with whatever's left on your foundation brush. Obviously being a cream blush this works best when paired with a cream or liquid foundation, especially the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Foundation, if you use a powder foundation I wouldn't recommend this as their formulas just wont work together!

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Cream Blush is Available here along with tons of other shades! 

If you're in the UK a great place to pick up Make Up For Ever is the Guru Makeup Emporium. Shop here.