Beauty On Location: Breast Cancer Awareness Party

For a pink lover like myself it's extremely exciting seeing an array of pink products appear onto the beauty counters, especially when they are in aid of a cause like Breast Cancer Awareness. At a Breast Cancer Awareness party last week I decided instead of dressing in an entirely pink outfit I would wear products that helped support Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Clinique Chubby Stick, which I'm a huge fan of already (post here) is currently in limited edition shade, Plumped Up Pink, of which £2 of every sale will be going to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  On my pinkie was the shade by Nails Inc called, Pinkie Pink which £1 of every bottle sold will be donated to Breast Cancer Campaign. By painting your Pinkie Pink you are supporting the cause and helping raise awareness!

Skin

- I kept my skin looking fresh and glowing with YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat with a sweeping of my latest powder love, Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder and as always, By Terry Touche Veloutee covering my under eye circles.

- On my cheeks I swept some of Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine and used the darker shade from the Sleek Contour Kit to contour.

Eyes

- I swept some of Natural Collection Eyeshadow in Milk Chocolate all over the lid with Mac Carbon Eyeshadow along the lash line followed by Pixi Lash Line Ink. I then applied lashings of Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara.

Lips & Nails

- As mentioned above, lips were coated in Clinique Chubby Stick in Plumped Up Pink and my pinkie was painted in Nails Inc Pinky Pink to show my support!

Have any Breast Cancer Awareness products caught your eye this month? You can visit the Breast Cancer Awareness page & learn a little more here

Loves Of The Month: September

Contrast to relaxation August, September was hectic, with London Fashion Week, a new job and other bits and pieces left little time for trailing new things as I just relied on my loves, namely Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara and L'Oreal Super Liner. I did however dabble in plenty of skincare...

Clinique Chubby Stick in Mighty Mimosa

These sticks are totally foolproof and easy to use, they are the perfect combination between a balm and a gloss and one coat provides a glossy sheen to the lips. My favourite shade is this baby peach, Mighty Mimosa. 

Pixi Lash Line Ink

Super black, extremely easy tapered felt nib and last all day without budging! Now to decide which one I prefer most, L'Oreal or Pixi...

Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask 

An overnight mask that saved my dehydrated skin over the last month, leaving me waking up to a brighter more even skin tone. Applied before bed, exactly like a moisturiser, massage in it's thick formula and peachy scent and wash off in the morning. 

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone

Applied as a base before foundation provides the most natural but visible glow, that doesn't look like I've dipped my face in a bowl of glitter. It adds a juicy boost, as if I've been on holiday the past week or been on a detox!

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Cocoa Body Scrub

When a body scrub smells this good, you'll want to get buffing everyday! It leaves skin soft and gleaming after it sloughs away every trace of dead skin. Love!

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Another overnight skin treat! A nourishing elixir that I apply after toning, pressed into the skin that doesn't feel too oily or greasy, it hydrates dry patches overnight, balances everything out and I found my foundation lasting longer on my skin after use.

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm

Not only does this smell amazing, it also removes makeup with such ease without irritating the eyes. Applied as a balm all over my face and massaged in then removed with a warm cloth, leaves skin feeling smooth without an oily film. 

What have you been loving this month?

Beauty On Location: Formal Lunch

Formal lunches can be a two to three hour affair, iPhones are left unattended, emails get disguarded and running to the bathroom for a touch up isn't an option. In terms of makeup, of course lunch means little lip action going on, there's nothing worse than a ring of pink lipstick on your glass. I kept my makeup pretty simple, my routine when-in-doubt face with nothing too fancy going on. Same goes for my hair, no poofy volume or ringlet curls, just good old simple blow-dry.

Skin

- I wanted my skin to look as natural as possible so started of with Estee Lauder Matte Perfecting Primer as a base to ensure shine stayed at bay. I then followed with Dior DiorSkin Airflash Foundation for a luminous finish that provides coverage.
- Under my eyes I used a combination of L'Oreal Lumi Magique with Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
- To define my cheeks I used the Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder and a touch of Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine

Eyes

- The shade Pale Barley by Burberry is the perfect all over the lid shade that doesn't crease, is really pigmented and lasts throughout the day. I added a little colour to my socket with Mac Cork and smudged some of the darker shade Mac Carbon along my lash line.

- Pixi Lash Line Ink added some extra definition as I lined my eyes and finished off with Origins Ginesing Brightening Mascara

Lips

- I left my lips pretty nude throughout the lunch but before I arrived swept a coat of Benefit Ultra Plush Gloss in Dandelion as it doesnt last long on the lips and isn't sticky at all

What's your routine face?

Beauty On Location: Sunday Brunch

As I'm sure you can imagine, after previously having one too many glasses of wine the night before, tearing myself away from my duvet for an early brunch was quite the task. Let alone appearing semi -presentable when last nights mascara was still remnant on my eyelashes. Enter the reason why I love Micellar Waters - just a couple of sweeps with a cotton pad and all is gone (post here).

Lifeless sunday morning skin calls for the big guns - glowy foundation, glowy concealer, glowy you-name-it. All the early morning saviours (post here) were used in full glory for some extra luminosity and faking that extra couple of hours sleep. In terms of clothing jumpsuits are a life saviour, something great to just throw on without having to think through an outfit.

Skin

- My current foundation of choice, YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat (post here) mixed in with some Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (post here) is one amazingly glowy skin combination!

- To conceal the tremendous bag the previous late night had given me I relied on By Terry Touche Veloutee Concealer (post here) followed by a touch of Mac Style blush which does a great job at awakening skin

Eyes

- I swept some of Stila Eyeshadow in Kitten all over my lid, applied some Pixi Lash Line Ink and Maxfactor False Lash Effect Mascara.

Lips

- A coating of my latest lip love, Clinique Chubby Stick in Mighty Mimosa (post here)

It was an extremely sunny day - hence the closed eyes!

The Contents: Work To Post Work Makeup Bag

Following this Beauty On Location here's the bag I've been filling up that includes everything I use to carry out a post work touch up. It's more of a re-face really as in the evenings I like to add a little more drama to my eyes, some darker eyeshadow and liquid eyeliner. Followed by touching up my skin, which more often than not isn't looking its best by 7pm. This bag only gets taken around when post work commitments are arising.

To touch up foundation Dior Airflash Spray Foundation (post here) gets a quick spritz over my skin followed by a dusting Becca Mineral Pressed Powder down my t-zone. If my tremendous under eye bags start to come on show By Terry Touche Veloutee (post here) is what conceals them. Lastly Topshop Bronzer in Break Of Day gets swept over my cheekbones to provide some colour and glow. 

For adding definition to my eyes I rely on a handy little compact like Chanel Eyeshadow Duo in 37 Sable Emouvant. The colour combination is perfect for adding a quick smokey eye. Next up is Pixi Lash Line Ink which gets drawn as close to my lashes as possible for added definition. If mascara is in need of a touch up, I'll throw in a mini sample - here its Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Excess. 

The lip combination varies daily but currently Revlon Super lustrous Lipstick in 001 Nude Attitude with Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector that has been gracing my lips. Another item that's thrown into the mix is a Travalo which contains my favourite perfume, Laura Mercier Fresh Fig.

Do you have a routine for post work touch ups?

Early Morning Saviours

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Lotion, Pixi Glow Tinkerbell Fairy Dust & Givenchy Magic Kajal Nude

Late nights and early starts, I'm sure you've all been there before! It's not a routine I tend to favour however should that situation occur I rely on a couple of items to help me fake looking as though I've had that extra couple of hours in bed. All about bringing light to the eyes, highlighting them and making everything appear wider and more doll like. 

First up, As I wake up I'll reach over to my bedside table, soak a couple of cotton pads in Liz Earle Eye Brightener and leave them on my eyes for a good 5 minutes. They are really cooling, soothing and reduce puffiness by miles. My eyes thank me immensely for dousing them with this stuff in the mornings - it's lovely!

A couple of simple steps I like to add to my routine, just to aid my face in looking a little less drained are simply dabbing a light shimmery eyeshadow into the tear duct of my eyes. Pixi Fairy Dust being my favourite product to do this thanks to the sponge applicator that allows a simple dot to be placed and blended with ease. This is usually followed by lining my lower water line with some sort of nude liner. Givenchy Magic Kajal Nude is basically just a fancier less pigmented version of Pixi Eye Bright Liner (post here), which I also adore. Nude liners help cancel out any redness in the eyes, help them appear wider and all in all help make me look more alive!

What do you use in the early mornings?

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

My Makeup: Going Lighter For Summer

Being June and technically Summer that means it's a time where I go a little lighter with my hair colour! Nothing too drastic just a few extra highlights here and there       

As well as going lighter with my hair I also go lighter with my makeup! The tinted moisturisers have come out and I've been giving them all a throughout test. My favourite so far has been the Becca Luminous Skin Colour Ultra-Sheer Foundation SPF 25, expect a review soon but for now it's very light in coverage and does need a little sweep of powder over the top. Being such light coverage does mean I'm cracking out a bit more concealer than usual too. Apart from that I'm still madly in love with the Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel 917 Sable Rose from their summer collection (link to post here) that I think I may need to go into crazy backup buying mode and stock up as they are limited edition!

Skin

- As a bronzing base I've been using This Works Perfect Look Skin Miracle which is basically the face version of what I wrote about here minus a bit of shimmer. Just takes the skin a shade darker without needing to apply a darker foundation

- Like I mentioned the Becca Luminous Skin Colour has been my tinted moisturiser of choice recently, very watery in texture and providing minimal coverage but feeling very weightless on the skin. I think it will be a great one when the sun comes out! For extra staying power I do sweep over a layer of translucent powder with a big fluffy brush. I do have to slap on an extra bit of By Terry Touche Veloutee Concealer (review here) for some extra coverage

- Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel in 917 Sable Rose has been my latest product love, I think I could rave about this forever! A little item from their Summer collection, Summertime De Chanel (post here) and is the perfect combination of bronzer, blusher and highlighter that you can just slap on the cheeks with a fluffy brush and looks perfect - no effort required

Eyes
- Applying two matt shades, Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Porcelain No.03 over the lid with Almond No.06 in the crease for a bit of definition. Burberry eyeshadows are definitely ones that I would repurchase as they come close to the top of my favourite eyeshadows as well as having the more gorgeous neutral colours. Full post about them here
- A fine line of Hourglass Script Eyeliner which possibly has the finest nib ever making eyeliner application so easy! Review here
- I've been dotting Pixi Glow Tinker Bell Fairy Dust in my tearduct just to open up the eyes and have a pop of shimmer and for mascara just the usual combination of Dior Lash Primer & Serum (post here) and  Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill (post here)

Do you apply lighter foundation in Summer too?

How To: Tired/Pick-Me-Up Beauty

There are often those nights where time in bed is very limited and I wake up feeling and looking very drained. I'm sure you've all been there too! Whenever I need a pick-me-up, makeup is definitely the thing thats gonna do it by helping me look a lot better!

Firstly I start with applying a primer, in this situation I would choose a really moisturising one like Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer (link to review here) then onto foundation, which I choose depending on what time of day it is and how long I'll be going out for. In this situation probably a medium-full coverage like my lovely Dior Nude NudeSkin Foundation. To make myself look a lot more glowing and a lot less bla I mix my foundation with an liquid illuminator, my favourite has got to be Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer Skin Illuminator as its very thin and subtle. Mixing the one pump illuminator two pumps foundation on the back of my hand and slapping that on with a foundation brush for maximum coverage.

Next up, the concealer - it's got to be the big guns for these tired eye bags! Just as I like to mix my foundation with an illuminator I do the same with concealer, using Dior Skinflash in 02 followed by Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer which I love as it's super creamy but very full coverage. Onto the cheeks, there's really only one colour I'll use on a day like this and that's pink, it just has the effect of lifting the skin helping me look less tired! My pink of choice is very appropriately named Dior Rosy Glow Awakening Blush. 

For the eyes I'll even out my eyelid colour with Mac Painterly Paint Pot (link to review here) followed by mascara but only applied to top lashes to give the effect of lifted eyes. To brighten and widen my eyes I'll apply Pixi Eye Bright Liner along my waterline. I'll finish with a really moisturising non sticky gloss, like the By Terry Laque De Rose SPF 15. 

What are the products you rely on to help you look more awake?

Budget Buy: Pixi Eye Bright Liner

This little item from Pixi, their Eye Bright Liner, has popped up quite a few times in my 'My Makeup' and 'Beauty On Location' posts purely because I use it...a lot. A flesh toned pencil that, when applied along the water line, helps make eyes look brighter, as it counteracts any redness, and also bigger! (see how here) Much more realistic than using a white pencil and much more subtle, yet effective. Really soft and creamy so won't pull against your eye but not the most long lasting of eye pencils. Doesn't bother me though - that just means I touch up throughout the day ;) Apologies for the messy top but at least you can see it's well loved! So well loved in fact this is it twisted all the way up - thats all thats left over!

The colour is the perfect peachy pink for me, doesn't look too obvious but obvious enough that it makes a difference. A total early morning saviour! To see this liner in action click here, or watch the tutorial below! 

Pixi Eye Bright Liner is £10.50 from Boots here, Asos here or the Pixi website here

Beauty On Location: Engagement Brunch Party

Aloha Wedding Season! Summer is (hopefully!) here and there have been quite a few wedding invitations popping through my door recently which is all very exciting. Before the weddings come the engagement parties, most likely Sunday brunches. I think getting the balance for brunch makeup right is quite important, especially in the summer. Being a brunch in the sun makes wearing makeup quite a task as the sunlight instantly picks up on whatever makeup on your face. For example, you don't want any shimmery highlighter as the sun will immediately make it very visible on the skin, as well as making foundation very obvious. This also means making sure everything is well blended as you don't want any harsh bronzer lines. Another thing that I thought of and actually noticed at the party was the hangover puffy eyes. A couple of people actually wore  their sunglasses indoors to hide them. On top of thinking about all of this is the photo proof makeup aspect, as there will definitely be some photos so makeup has to be photo appropriate (aka no SPF in foundation or light reflective particles in concealer) This long ramble here is all that occurred to me at around 3am the night before. So heres what I decided to apply the next day...

As soon as I woke up I doused two cotton Pads in Liz Earle Eye Bright Soothing Eye Bright Lotion and placed them on my closed eye lids to help decrease any puffiness for about 10 minutes 

Skin

- I prepped my skin with Givenchy Mister Matt for a smooth poreless base whilst making sure I stayed matt throughout the day

- My Photoproof foundation of choice is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk which I absolutely adore. I raved about it fully here if you fancy a meaty foundation post** wink with my Hourglass Hidden  Concealer

- For my cheeks I applied a matt bronzer from the Sleek Contour Kit, post here, followed by my Burberry Light Glow Blossom Blush in Number 5, post here

- I pressed some of Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder on to my t-zone with my Real Techniques Multitask brush to set my foundation

Eyes

- As always I started off with my Mac Painterly Paint Pot to help increase the staying power of eyeshadows and even out my lid colour, review here

One word for the eyeshadows- Burberry!

- I used three different Burberry Eyeshadows, first I applied Porcelain No.03 all over the lid, continued to apply Pale Barley No. 22 to the outer half of my lid, swatches and review here

- I then lined my upper lash line using Chanel Automatic Liquid Liner in brown and blended out the line with a Louise Young Ly13 brush and Burberry Midnight Brown Eyeshadow No. 21 and took whatever was left on the brush along my bottom lash line, swatches and review here

- As it was a very special occasion I curled my lashes with the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers (I don't like doing this on a daily basis as I don't want to ruin my lashes!)

- For Mascara I used a combination of the Dior DiorShow Lash Serum and Primer which I raved about here followed by the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill

- To brighten and generally help my eyes look more awake I used the Pixi Eye Bright Liner along the lower water line. This is a total life saviour as the flesh toned colour will counteract the redness in eyes and looks much more natural than a white liner

Lips 

- Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Lucky... My favourite lipgloss ever!

So there you have it, my rambly thoughts about makeup the evening before and what I actually applied the next day! What would you use? 

Currently Loving: My Custom Colour

I don't know about you, but when I was younger I was obsessed with mood rings! I loved the way they changed colour to give you your own personal shade. I've recently picked up a few makeup items that basically do the same - adjust to your PH levels in your skin to give you your own personal colour! Here's what I've been loving...

Lips

Dior Lip Glow and L'Oreal Lip Glow - Both very similar lipsticks, I prefer the Dior but L'Oreal is a great budget option also the stick is a transparent neon colour! Full post here

Pixi Magic Tink Tint - My favourite out of the bunch- easiest to apply, feels the most moisturising and has such gorgeous packaging! You can see the rest of the Pixi Tinkerbell collection *here*

JK Jemma Kidd colour adapt gloss - Perfect for an overlay of glossy glow over a lipstick

Skin

Collection Colour Adapt Foundation - My favourite high street foundation at the moment, leaves a lovely semi-dewy finish and is perfect for a day time look. Full review *here*

Cheeks

Dior Rosy Glow Awakening Blush - A new release from Dior this year and I can't put it down! My favourite blush at the moment - read more here!

Stila Custom Colour Blush - Quite chalky when in the pan but once applied gives a very matt colour. Not the most natural of blushes but the vibrant colour is lovely!