Currently Loving: Pink Cheeks & Gold Lips

Two new items have weaved their way into my everyday makeup routine, both fantastic wake-me-up tools that add some glow and colour to my skin and work perfectly together. On my cheeks it's  Guerlain Rose Aux Joues Blusher in Chic Pink and gracing my lips has been Melvita Honey Lips 2 in 1 Gloss Balm. 

First up is the Guerlain Blush, which has quickly risen to the top of my list for most worn blush. The two shades in the palette work together to create a multitude of looks. I either use them separately, apply the darker colour in the centre and blend out with the lighter, or my favourite would be to swirl them together and apply a mixture of both. Out of the two shades one is matt and one has more of a frosty finish so you're getting the best of both worlds. The pink shade is awakening but still has a hint of peach in there that provides a perfect glow.

I've been pairing this with Melvita Honey Lips 2 in 1 Gloss Balm which smells good enough to eat! It's really moisturising on the lips, feels really protecting as its quite thick and provides a glossy golden glow. 

I absolutely love how the two compliment each other - they are now firmly in my daily routine! 

Currently Loving: Origins Make A Difference & Peace Of Mind

I'm loving seeing brands getting involved in Breast Cancer Awareness, helping raise awareness, donate to charity and seeing everything pink! My latest favourite has got to be this duo from Origins, Make A Difference & Peace Of Mind Set, which has secured its place in the depth of my handbag as an on-the-go essential. 

The limited edition set, available throughout October, includes a mini bottle of Make A Difference rejuvenating hand cream and Peace Of Mind a stress relieving treatment. Both of which are absolute lovely, the hand cream is nourishing yet not sticky and I've fallen in love with the Peace Of Mind treatment. I'll massage a dot on my temples and on my neck when travelling or before sleeping and the calming minty scent will linger for the majority of twenty minutes. They are both handily attached on a carabiner - perfect for attaching to the inside of my handbag for easy access! 

This retails for £10, £2 of which goes to Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the UK. Will you be picking it up?

Currently Loving: Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara

Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara £17 here

The latest mascara to grace my lashes is Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara described to lengthen and lift. Coming from Origins natural skincare brand I was interested to see how this would preform - it's formulated without any parabens or synthetic fragrances but includes vitamins that help condition the lash and promote hydration. I'm happy to report it actually feels nourishing on my lashes as opposed to crunchy but haven't been using it long enough to see the difference in the condition but if it does anything spectacular I'll be sure to let you ladies know... 

Let's get one thing straight - it does what it says on the tin, exactly what I desire in all my products. It lengthens and lifts, which being someone that doesnt curl their lashes, is right up my street. It provides very natural, unclumpy fluttery lashes but one aspect that it lacks is providing volume.

One thing to note is the ginourmous wand! It's absolutely whoppingly huge, which at first glace I gathered would end up smudging all over my eyes as well as poking myself in the eye but I'm pleased to report it surprisingly induced neither and instead coats each lash brilliantly.

For the evening I tend to favour a more dramatic look as my mascara is often paired with a smokey eye, causing lashes to get lost with all the eyeshadow so Origins GinZing will remain a day time mascara for me which is excellent as it doesn't smudge one bit!

Have you tried any Origins Makeup?

Currently Loving: Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm £34 Feel Unique here

After getting onto my third tub of the Emma Hardie I thought it was about time I told you why it's been a constant repurchase for me. Being a cleansing balm addict (this post here would've given that away)  one of the cult balms I was yet to try was the Emma Hardie Amazing face Moringa Cleansing Balm. 

From first use I knew it was one of those perfect cleansers - it was an absolute pleasure to use as it left my skin feeling soft but without an oily film, not tight or dry and smells absolutely incredible. I'm not too much of an ingredient junkie but it seems that it's only lovely ingredients here as it doesn't irritate my skin in any way - vitamin E, moringa seed and wild sea fennel but minus mineral oil which does have a tendency to break me out.

The packaging is where I become picky. Firstly it's in a pot which I don't find too sanitary as I much prefer a squeezy tube and secondly there seems to be a fault with all 3 tubs I've owned leaking as the lid isn't secure. Negativity aside, the actual balm is divine, so soothing and relaxing to massage into the skin. A small amount warmed up in my hands is perfect, I apply it all over my face and was off with a warm muslin cloth. I've even been using it on my lashes and lids to remove intense eye makeup without any irritation or stinging - massive thumbs up from me! The texture is absolutely incredible, it feels so nourishing and luxurious on the skin. I've finally found my favourite balm cleanser.....5th time's a charm      

Currently Loving: Clinique Chubby Sticks

Clinique Chubby Sticks £16

The balms that started the lip pencil trend - Clinique Chubby Sticks. The perfect combination between a balm and a lipgloss providing a glossy sheen to the lips. These have been floating around my handbag for quite some time as they don't require a mirror hence are perfect for applying on the go. Being twist up pencils make them extremely easy to use too!

The formula of these gets a huge thumbs up from me, smooth texture, very moisturising and not sticky. In terms of lasting power it's around a couple of hours so not the longest lasting formula out there but I'll forgive that due to the incredibly hydrating balm. 

Graped Up, Woppin' Watermelon, Mighty Mimosa, Voluptuous Violet (left to right)

Clinique Chubby Stick in Mighty Mimosa

There are 16 shades to choose from but the four that grace my lips are Woppin' Watermelon, Mighty Mimosa, Voluptuous Violet and Graped Up. My most loved shade, as you can probably tell is Woppin' Watermelon but Mighty Mimosa is knocking it off the top spot at the moment as it's a lovely peachy pink with a golden shimmer running through it. The darker shades look a tad scary in the bullet but on the lips provide a beautiful hint of colour that's really soft on the lips - perfect for natural lip lovers. 

Woppin' Watermelon, Mighty Mimosa, Voluptuous Violet, Graped Up (from left to right)

Clinique Chubby Sticks are £16 and available here

Currently Loving: Smashbox Soft Lights

Smashbox Baked Fusion Soft Lights in Starburst £23 Boots

There's always that quest for me to achieve some glow. The perfect amount, without looking like a disco ball/grease ball/shimmer brick or all the above. There have been times I've left the house thinking I look fresh and glowing only to return home to highlighted pores and a shimmery face. One of my more recent purchases, Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights ensures a subtle glow, without looking oily, greasy or overly made up.

The shade I own is Baked Starburst, which is the perfect shade when I have a tan and am looking a little more bronze than usual. It's a mix of bronzer, blusher and highlighter all in one with such fine particles of shimmer that are so subtle on the skin.

Dust it over the top of my cheeks for a heavier application with my Hakuhodo Brush or if I want a little more subtly my Real Techniques Blush Brush. It reminds me of a more bronzy Burberry Sheer Summer Glow (post here) but with more pigment. Something I can just slap on the cheeks alone and looks great!

Wearing Smashbox Baked Fusion Soft Lights in Starburst

Have you ever tried anything from Smashbox?

Currently Loving: Yes To Carrots Body Butter

Yes To Carrots Nourishing Super Rich Body Butter £10.99 Feel Unique 

Due to Lierac changing the formula of their after sun range, I no longer enjoy using it, I've now turned to a most recent repurchase for post tanning moisture, the Yes To Carrots Body Butter. This wasn't a new item for me, it was something I discovered in their On-The-Go essentials kit (post here) but it's so fantastic it deserves its praises sung a little more. 

Firstly, I'm not a body butter person. In fact I don't even like the words - they remind me of creams that leave your skin feeling greasy for hours, are thick and hard to work into the skin. Yuk! The overall task of moisturising my body is something I find very laborious - in particular that awkward time waiting for the cream to dry before getting dressed. 

Yes To Carrots Body Butter has changed my previous dislike of body butters for the following reasons:

1) The Formula: Really moisturising yet dries matte almost instantly

2) The Texture: Not sticky. AT ALL

3) The Scent: Not too overpowering that it interferes with perfume as well as not being something I see myself getting sick of in the near future

All round so amazing it actually makes me enjoy the task of moisturising! If only it came in a pump bottle! 

Currently Loving: Lash Fibres

Model Co Lash Fibres (£35 in a set) Paola P Lash Fibres (£24)

Having only recently gotten into false eyelashes, something that provides similar results, but without the application and worry of false eyelashes was obviously going to attract my attention. Lash fibres are something completely new to me, they are basically little nylon particles that cling to the mascara making lashes appear longer and thicker.

I will admit I am one for loving spidery lashes - long, defined and 'in yer face', which is why lash fibres are right up my street! After not being too keen on the Model Co mascara that came with the lash fibres I started to play around with different others, my lashes were noticeably longer, thicker and much more defined.

Model Co & Paola P Lash Fibres

Here's how to use them: 

1. Apply mascara (as you normally would)

2. Immediately brush lash fibres over the first coat of mascara

3. Follow by re-applying mascara 

1, Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara applied 2. Model Co Lash Fibres applied 3. Lancome Hypnose Star applied over top

The process is definitely buildable, in this picture here I applied three layers for a major falsie, spider lashes effect and don't even get me started on how long my lashes were when I primed them with Dior DiorShow Lash Serum & Primer! (post here)

All in all - my new favourite must haves! 

Currently Loving: Enrapture Encode Totem Styler

I love my hair curly, ringlets, waves, you name it. Just gives a little oomph to my hair making it look 'done' without actually doing too much. Something thats reached holy grail status for me is the Enrapture Encode Totem Styler!

What makes it special is the wand that's split into three independent heat zones each of which heats up to whichever setting you choose on the changeable dial. From 1 to 3, 1 being the coolest and 3 being the hottest. I've had a little play on a variety of settings to create different curls and different looks.

In the above pictures I've noted below the combination I used to create the look, my favourite has got to be 1 - 2 - 3 for a loose to tight curl.

If I want my curls to all look the same like in the picture below, I'll make sure to curl away from my face all in  the same direction but if I want them to look a little messier like in picture two below I'll alternate between curling towards and away from my face, like in this tutorial here. 

1 - 2 - 3

The more horizontal I hold the wand the tighter the curls are. I'll do a couple more tutorials on the multiple different ways I use this in future but for now I'm loving the numerous looks I can create as the Totem Styler is such a unique tool!

1 - 3 - 3

I've done a tutorial of how I use it on a day to day basis here, if you fancy a read of that. My usual routine normally starts with some sort of volumising mousse, TresEmme Heat Protector (post here) and finishes off with another volumizing spray, usually the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray (post here) or Ojon Volume Advance Volumizing Styling Spray (post here) and hold with a little hairspray.

It's normally £79.00 but until mid August there's a 1/3 off Enrapture products making it a bargain at £49.99. Available here !

Do you ever curl your hair? Have you tried anything from Enrapture?

Currently Loving: Ojon Dry Recovery Conditioner

Whenever I go on holiday there are always those products I wish I brought along and those tend to be the ones I'm more than happy to return home to. Last week after washing my hair daily from being on the beach and in the sun there was one product I wish I packed, Ojon Dry Recovery Conditioner. Ojon is a brand I've recently become familiar with since I was on the hunt for a natural haircare brand and purchased their Volume Advance Volumising Styling Spray, which I had great success with! (link to post here) 

Be prepared for a major rave as my separation from this conditioner has caused my love to grow massively. Conditioners are one of those products that make a world of difference, especially on long tangly hair like mine. It's one of those products where I have to induce a little self control as I just want to smother it all over my hair - it's that nice. 

Unlike any other conditioner I've tried, and believe me I've done my rounds, this stuff works serious miracles in detangling, making hair feel smooth as well as smell amazing (I could inhale the stuff all day) making an overall massive difference and giving my hair the SOS it needs. I even leave a bit in my hair after shampooing for extra softness. 

For application I'm not shy at all, apart from avoiding my roots, I apply the conditioner ears down and slather it on. I don't think I'll be using another conditioner for a while and it's a rare thing for me to stay loyal to a haircare product but I would definitely repurchase! Saying that it is in the higher price range at £19.50 but haircare is one of those items I'll always splurge on. 

Ojon is £19.50 and available from Ojon here

Have you ever tried any Ojon haircare? Any products you recommend?

Currently Loving: Eylure Katy Perry Oh Honey Lashes

It's only recently I've gotten into false lashes, I usually find them a bit hit and miss. Sometimes they can be a breeze to apply and other times I end up with some eyelashes glued to my eyebrow (seriously). The only pair I somehow manage to apply decently are the Ardell Demi Wispies - link to post here - but after Boots being sold out I opted for something a little similar - Katy Perry for Eylure lashes in Oh Honey. 

There are four lashes in the range and I opted for the most natural looking, which add a little length, thickness and volume. Just what I look for in some false lashes! The thin band makes them much easier to apply than others like Shu Uemura and I've been loving the overall effect. In fact, so much so that I've stocked up on a couple more pairs!

Kate Perry for Eylure Oh Honey lashes are £5.95 and available at Boots here and Superdrug here

Have you ever tried false lashes? Which ones are your favourite?

Currently Loving: Some Inner Eye Shimmer

Recently with these early starts I've devised a 5 minute makeup routine for the early morning where I only do what I feel is necessary, foundation concealer, blush and some mascara. Something really quick and easy is adding a dot of shimmer to my inner tear duct.

It makes the world of difference at brightening up my tired eyes and making me look much more awake. I've been reaching for this one by Pixi, as the little sponge applicator is the perfect tool for being really precise and dotting some in my inner tearduct and blending with my finger.

The shade is really pearly white with tiny flecks of gold shimmer so is a perfect shade for opening up my eyes! The packaging is gorgeous too - it's from the Pixi Glow Collection with Tinkerbell which I wrote about here.

Have you tried anything from the Pixi Glow range?

Pixi Glow Tinker Bell Fairy Dust is £10 and available on ASOS here

Currently Loving: Inglot Eyeshadows

At the moment I would say Burberry & Dior are my top picks for best quality eyeshadows although they are pretty high end & pricey. Back in January at the IMATS I picked up an empty Inglot palette and filled it with 5 Eyeshadows, not expecting much even though I had heard Makeup Artist Lisa Eldridge mention them a couple of times. 

I've finally got round to giving them a little whirl and wow - they. are. amazing. Just as buttery soft & creamy as Burberry, just and blendable and even more pigmented. They are really giving the Burberry eyeshadows a run for their money! The shade range absolutely fantastic too- they literally have every shade available under the sun! I will make a pretty bold statement and say I prefer these to Burberry eyeshadows especially at the really affordable price of £4.50 per eyeshadow as opposed to £23.  There are also over 200 shades to choose from      

I picked up the 5 piece palette and filled it with... (from left to right)

- A shimmery cream, AMC Eyeshadow Shine 11

- A brown - Eyeshadow Pearl 422

- A grey - Eyeshadow Pearl 444

- A black, AMC Eyeshadow Shine 63 

- A mix of 3 matt shades,  Rainbow Eyeshadow 107R. 

The palettes are what Inglot name a 'freedom system' where you can choose the size palette you would like, from 3 to 10 eyeshadows and magnetically attach the eyeshadows of your choice. Unfortunately in the UK at the moment they are only available online or have a store at Westfields. Below is an image from some of the many shades that were available at IMATS in January. 

Have you ever tried an Inglot eyeshadow?