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! 

Prepping The Skin For Summer Sun

I've never really gotten into a tanning routine before as it's something I found very tedious and extremely dull - eventhough I love the effect of being bronzed I just can't bring myself to sit and bake for an entire day. As I haven't been in the sun since christmas time this year I thought I would try something new to prepare my skin for seeing the sun... the tan promoters as I like to call them.

First up, my body. For this I've been reaching for Institut Esthederm Uv inCellium Spray. It's a water spray which contains ingredients that helps skin adapt to it's environment by preparing your skin for sun exposure by boosting its natural defences. It also encourages melanin production so my skin hopefully won't have a panic attack and burn when I lay in the Ibiza sun. I've been using it all over my body morning and evening as it's actually surprisingly moisturising! The scent reminds me of summer too which just adds to the anticipation! 

For my face I've been using By Terry Serum Terrybly Sun Booster, which doesn't include DHA (the fake tan ingredient) but instead claims to use the skins mechanisms to develop natural pigmentation and create a glowing, natural tan. It acts as a great base for makeup as it's a gel texture and dries matt, as well as smelling amazing!

Having sensitive skin, especially when in the sun I've also been reaching for some A84 Peptide-6 Pro-Melanin by a great brand,  Etat Pur. It's made for preparing sensitive skin for exposure to the sun as well as helping the skin protect itself against harmful UV rays. It's really moisturising, unscented and very lightweight. Being unscented and non-sticky it's perfect before leaving the house as I can just slap it on without waiting to get dressed or the scent interfering with my perfume.

If I feel like this all needs a bit of a top up I've grabbed some Guerlain Terracotta Serum Tan Prolonging Serum which is more if you've already got a tan so I'll be saving that one for the actual holiday.

Does this stuff work miracles? The jury is still out on that one...only time will tell!

Have you ever used tan promoters?

Top Beauty Picks From Summer 2012 Collections!

I have a teeny problem when it comes to limited edition makeup, I want it all. I guess it's kind of like having, what my friends call - FOMO (abbreviation for - fear of missing out) but with cosmetics. I know limited edition items sell out pretty quickly and
1. Don't want to be frantically searching round ebay and amazon for sold out limited edition products
2. I'm too scared of missing out on what could be a fantastic item!  
I do end up hoarding a few pieces but after testing the summer collection releases for a while, I've decided on what can be given away to friends and what is staying in my cabinet. Here are my top pics from the summer collections...

 

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel in 917 Sable Rose - link to post

This is VERY much loved. Such a great one of taking a big brush and dabbing it on my cheeks as it's a highlighter, blush and bronzer in one! The shades are all really warm and when used together have the ability to brighten up my face in one sweep.

Lily Cole For The Body Shop Puff On Radiance - link to post

With such cute packaging how could I not pick this?! Apart from that it's a fantastic body highlighter - looks lovely down the centre of legs and on collar bones for some elegant shine and shimmer.

Guerlain Pucci Meteorites Perles D'Azur - link to post

Similar to the Body Shop Puffy On Radiance but much less shimmery and adds more of a glow. I've been using this as a face powder for days where my skin is looking a bit bla, it provides instant radiance and makes me appear to have a really bright complexion - love!

Estee Lauder Bronze Sands Eyeshadow Palette - link to post

I absolutely LOVE this palette! Being a different formula to the usual powder, they are described as Gelée Powders and are so pigmented and blend like a dream. Haven't found a use for the blue shade yet but the rest are lovely. Will definitely be looking out for Estee Lauder's other palettes!

Burberry Sheer Summer Glow Palette - link to post

I love the Burberry collections, they are a brand I've really gotten into recently for their love of neutral, very wearable shades, and this Sheer Summer Glow Palette is right up my street! It's the perfect highlighter for adding some life to my face as well as being really understated and subtle - perfect for daytime! 

No7 Nourishing Lip Shine - link to post

I wrote about these here and mentioned them being a great dupe for the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors, as they are both a really lovely texture, not sticky yet glossy.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 617 Holiday (left)

The perfect summer red!

You can see the rest of the summer collections here. There are my top picks from the summer collections! What are yours?

My Makeup: Peach Cheeks & Lips

I definitely go through phases with makeup, one that remains pretty constant is my love for neutrals but right now it's peach shades, especially as it helps me look a tad more bronzed without actually piling on the bronzer. With the sun out and Summer around the corner I feel it's time to take makeup back to basics and get more minimal during the day time which means focusing more on my skin that eye makeup. Although I'm tempted to try this look with a bronze smokey eye! To top it all off I've been wearing a lip colour that's more peachy toned to as a way of bringing everything together.

Skin
- To smooth out my skin I've been using Dr Brant Pores No More Primer, which is a lovely semi matt primer that just fills in any lumps
- For foundation I've gone back to Nars Sheer Glow as it's been very heavy rain in London this week so no need to apply anything lighter (review of foundation here)
- As always I have been covering up my under eye circles using By Terry Touche Veloutee Concealer. I seriously don't see myself being without this stuff! Very high coverage and so light on the skin (link to post here)
- For some peach cheeks I dabbled in a bit of Mac Peaches Blush and Liz Earle Blush in 05 Coral followed with some matt bronzer, Guerlain four Seasons in 01 Blondes being my one of choice

Eyes
- Starting off with the Mac Painterly Paint Pot primer (link to post here)
- Followed by getting out my Urban Decay Naked Palette and using the lightest shade Virgin all over the lid with Buck and Naked in the crease for some definition and Darkhorse along the lash line
- To enhance my lashes I used Dior DiorShow Lash Serum & Primer (link to post here) followed by L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black (link to post here)

Lips
- A lovely coating of No7 Nourishing Lip Shine in Peach

What have you been loving? Do you like using peach shades?

Loves Of The Month: May

I've discovered and rediscovered so many great items this month! So I'll talk briefly about each one I've been loving...

Firstly I know it's a bit over dramatic to say a hair mask has changed your life but that's the love I'm feeling for Fekkai Advanced Technician Colour Care Mask - works in three minutes and leaves hair SO soft and manageable, smelling amazing and prolongs colour! Full review here

Chanel Summer 2012 Collection Nail Polish in 617 Holiday & 607 Delight. I love these colours they are the perfect combination for summer, especially putting Delight on my ring fingers! You can see the whole Chanel range here

L'Occitane Almond Range - Using the body oil and shower gel have really made me a happy bunny this month, both smell divine, leave my skin so hydrated, smooth and moisturised! Read more here 

As it's exam time I've had a fair few blemishes due to stress so out come the stop zappers! I've discovered two great ones, Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti Blemish Mask which I just pop over the blemish overnight and during the day I apply Dr Nick Lowe Spot Gel four times (and even over makeup!) full post here

As well as blemish stress exam time brings about dry lips for me too! I've rediscovered my Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm which I apply before bed and it's still on my lips the next morning! Smells lovely too...you can read a more in-depth review here

Something that has made changing polish a lot easier, the Bourjois 1 Second Nail Polish Remover which is a pot of sponge infused nail polish remover. Just swish your finger around the hole in the sponge and your polish comes off! This isn't a new invention but compared to others it isn't so drying and leaves nails really moisturised, also smells lovely.

In this heat my bottom lash mascara tends to slide around and transfer onto my skin but not anymore thanks to Anastasia Lash Genius which is basically a coat of clear mascara that makes it waterproof! See how here

The eyeshadow I've been reaching for most is Burberry Pale Barley Sheer Eyeshadow which is the most gorgeous colour ever! I'm totally obsessed with Burberry eyeshadows, they are really blendable, very well colour pigmented and so creamy!

I've tried out a couple of new fake tans this month and all they did was remind my how much I love my Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe and I should not have strayed from it! They others just didn't compare! Full post all about it here

After recently recommending Oribe Dry Texturising Spray to a friend and getting her addicted to it too my love for it was reinforced! Its literally like backcombing in a bottle...perfect for girls with heavy hair that want some volume! Trish McEvoy told me it was her hair volume secret a couple of months ago too!  Full post about here

An entire range I love... the Guerlain and Pucci Collaboration! Some of the most beautifully packaged bronzers I've ever seem! As well as amazing products including a blue lipgloss. This is definitely going to sell out soon! Full post about the range here

New In: Guerlain & Emilio Pucci Collection - Terra Azzurra

Guerlain and Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Collection

Probably one of the most anticipated collections this year is the Guerlain and Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Collection. Seeing as their previous one from 2007 was such a success I was SO excited to get my hands on these goodies. The collection features a Bronzing Powder & Blush, the famous Guerlain Meteorites, an Eyeshadow Palette, Mascara, 3 Lip Glosses (one blue!) and two Nail Polishes. Everything is perfected down to detail...even the inside of the packaging is Pucci design! 

I managed to pick up three items from the collection, the Terracotta Gloss in Porto Azzuro which is an indigo blue, the Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder & Blush and the Meteorites Perles D'Azur. 

Guerlain Pucci Terra Azzura Bronzing Powder & Blush

Guerlain Pucci Terra Azzura Bronzing Powder & Blush Swatch

Guerlain bronzers are hands down my favourite, especially their matt ones, amazingly smooth texture, so lightweight and comes in so many shades matched down to hair and skin colour. The star of the show, the Terra Azzura Bronzing Powder & Blush covers both Guerlains amazing bronzer and the Pucci prints bringing us one of those 'do it all' products that you can just slap on and leave the house! I absolutely love the universal shades in this palette - great for all skin colours!

Guerlain Pucci Terracotta Gloss in Porto Azzuro

Guerlain Pucci Terracotta Gloss in Porto Azzuro Swatch

Next up, the Terracotta Gloss in Porto Azzuro (yes I did purchase a blue lipgloss!) Whenever I'm on a lipstick hunt I search for ones with blue, cool undertones as they help enhance teeth looking more white. This gloss is pretty transparent when applied but leaves a blue tint to the lips. I found it worked best over a lipstick, the formula is very light and isn't sticky too - always a plus! Above is pictured alone and over a pink lipstick, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy. 

Guerlain Pucci Meteorites Perles D'Azur 

Guerlain Pucci Meteorites Perles D'Azur Swatch 

Finally Guerlain Meteorites Perles D'Azur, described as a 'must-have' powder by many, made for complexion enhancing. The small balls of powder include 6 shades, some shimmer and some semi-matt. Each pearl is designed to enhance for example pink to counteract any yellowness in the skin. Swirled together the colours give a lovely light tint that I loved dusting this all over my face, especially under my eyes for some extra brightening. Another way that works a treat is with a big fluffy brush over the chest and collar bones or down the centre of legs for some enhancing ;)

Wearing the Guerlain Terra Azzura Bronzing Power & Blush and the Guerlain Terracotta Gloss in Porto Azzura 

The whole range is heavily scented and smells like summer which is amazing but could be something to watch out for if you're got sensitive skin that doesn't agree with scented products. Overall I absolutely love this collaboration & am super excited to get my hands on it - especially as it's limited edition! I don't think I'll be able to throw away the packaging for a while too! I'm very impressed with the whole Guerlain Pucci range - its beautifully packaged, elegant and contains some gorgeous colours - I love it! Would you pick up anything from this range?