Lately, I've felt an urge to mix up the beauty routine. To simplify it. I'm very lucky that my skin is usually clear, and I felt confident to go completely bare-faced. Yet still, somehow, every time I wear makeup, I find myself spending time applying layers of products, which is absolutely great on those days I want to spend my time blending eyeshadow and painting my skin and leave the house with the knowledge I've made myself up how I wanted. Sometimes a long-winded, many products makeup routine can be empowering. However, sometimes I want to be able to blitz a beauty routine, embrace my skin as it is, and by just added a few products which make me feel a little fresher, and nothing more.

So I've been cutting out a few products, including Foundation, Contour, Brow Pomade and Eyeshadow and complete a daily beauty look with less. Going for a natural glowy look.


Here are the products I did still use:
Marc Jacobs Concealer (similar linked)
Chanel Bronzer Soleil Tan De Chanel
Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff
Marc Jacobs Glow Stick
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
Lancome Mascara
Surratt Lash Curlers
Glossier The Cherry Balm Dot Com.

I've found myself also empowered knowing I can keep my make up routine simple on a day to day bases, and still feel confident.





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With Christmas coming up, I wanted to do a few more post reviewing products which I think would make great gifts, from beauty to books and everything in between. These will all be things I own and have used and enjoyed myself so the series will create a 'sort of' detailed gift guides for the 20 something female.

First up we have the Kevyn Aucoin Prismagic Highlighting Trio. I got this for my birthday and was chuffed for it. It makes a great gift as it's luxury and a little unusual. It's not necessarily something you'd buy for yourself with the £36 price tag for three shades but if you really want to treat someone I think this highlighting trio is pretty special.

At first glance, the shade all look a sort of off-white colour with some glitter running through, however, once you apply them to the skin, the different colours show through, and, they all have an iridescent, glitter finish, which is just stunning.

The three shades are:

Aura: a beautiful lavender-blue shade
Illusion: a sparkling peach shade
Enchanted: a green with a golden edge to it


I'll admit the blue and green shades are both a little out there for highlighters, despite however beautiful a glowy they are, I'm not particularly drawn to brushing these along my cheekbones, however, they make for stunning eyeshadows.

The formula is ever so slightly crumbly, however, with how I use the shades it doesn't seem too much of an issue. They still blend well and look gorgeous on the skin. Once applied on a brush, it is difficult to see how much product you've got on there, so it takes a little guesswork, but as shades apply quite subtly, only really standing out when you hit the light, too much product doesn't seem an issue. The shadows are buildable, so there is always the option of adding more.

The colours are both subtle and stand out at the same time. They apply quite finely, adding a hint of colour and a stunning glittery glow to the skin, but despite the vibrant shades, they are not too over-powering, they are simply a little more interesting than your average pink/gold-toned highlighter.

The packaging is beautiful and luxurious. There is a little swatch of each colour next to the shades to give some idea of what they look like on the skin and there is also a mirror inside the compact. It's small enough to slip into a handbag although the gold reflective outside is just beginning for fingerprints, it looks beautiful and classy nonetheless.


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I've stripped back my once timely, product full makeup routine. I'm enjoying keeping things simple with more minimal make.  It saves precious time, plus a natural look can be more than enough.

Of course, it helps that I seem to have come across some products which really work for me. I find pleasure in using these quick and easy items, and with the finished result I feel put together and fresh - without using 4 different eyeshadow palettes, and spending a good 20 minutes blending.


IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream: It will come as no surprise this is still my favourite base products, I've raved about it so much. It really lives up to the name 'You Skin but Better'

Maybelline Eye Erase Concealer: I'll be honest, this isn't my favourite concealer, but it's doing the job for now. I find the package a little too messy. Although the shade is perfect, and it looks on application, I find through the day it goes a tad cakey. If you have any concealer recommendations, please send them my way!

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Contour Stick in Medium/Light (discontinued): I really love the formula of this product, it's so creamy and blendable making it quick and easy to apply. I wish there were more shade available as I find the light/medium is a tad orange toned for me. It creates more of a sunkissed look which a bronzer would create, rather than the shadows more of a grey tone would create. It's great as a bronzer/contour hybrid but if you like a more intense contour, this may not be the one for you.


Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk: Again, I've banged on about this so much, that I won't ramble on for too long. I love this as a way to give my cheeks a quick flush of colour. It's easy to apply and just makes you look healthy. I can see a few of the other shades entering my make up bag soon.

Marc Jacobs Glowstick in Spotlight: This cream highlight is so underrated. The shade iridescent shade sits somewhere between a gold and silver-tone, meaning it's suitable for any skin tone and offers a colour which other highlighters don't. It's so creamy and easy to apply and blend out. Your highlight pops while still giving a somewhat natural glow. The shape of the packaging also makes it really easy to apply.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light: I've finally hit pan on this, and I feel like I need to repurchase ASAP. This fine powder is great for setting your make up if you like a glowy look. It's got some glitter in it, but it's subtly beautiful on the skin.

Benefit BrowZing in 2: I've sworn by this brow product since long before it had fancy silver packaging. The combination of the wax and powder products are perfect for filling in brows.

Glossier Boy Brow in Brown: This gives the brows the most incredible texture if you like them too look a little hairy this is the one to go for.

Surratt Eye Lash Curler: They are the most life-changing eyelash curlers ever, it gives my lashes volume I didn't know they had.

IT Cosmetics SuperHero Mascara: The product actually gives a bit of thickness, and length to my fine, unimpressive eyelashes.

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Selfie Last Mascara (discontinued): The mascara grabs each little hair and defines it. It stays in place too which is always a bonus.





I also filmed a full, Get Ready with Me using these products, so if you want to see them in action, and listening to me have a little chat you can find that on my Youtube Channel... or you can watch it below!




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Today, I thought it would be nice to share a makeup look I've been enjoying recently, as it's been a while since I've posted beauty, and I've definitely been enjoying my reflection in the mirror when I've to finish carefully smearing it across my face.

This is a pretty classic look with an orange-red lip and winged liner. It is also very simple and doesn't use too many products.


Products used (all of which are linked!):
IT Cosmetics Your Skin but Better CC Cream in Light
Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer in Light
Hourglass Ambient Light Powder in Luminous Light
Tanya Burr Beautifully Defined Palette Champagne Shimmer Highlight and Caramel Kiss Bronzer (now discontinued, sorry!)
Maybelline Master Brow Pro Palette in Soft Brown
Marc Jacobs Brow Tamer
Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Primer
Becca Champagne Pop as eyeshadow
Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Kiko Lavishly Intense Lip Pencil in 03 (no longer available, sorry!)
Mac Lady Danger
What do you think?

If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know I'm a lover of lipsticks. Red lips, pink lips, nude lips, purple lips - I'm in. I love the way a lipstick can transform your entire look, and there are so many options.

On my Youtube channel today, I decided to share my lipstick collection with you. I originally I filmed a lipstick clear out - after getting rid of 7 of my 47 lipstick, I'd realised I'd filmed it all on a busted memory card, so frustratingly had to refilm, minus the clear out. But I'm glad I did it, just I've to share them all with you, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

I thought I'd write a blog post with the lipstick details and notes on, so you have all the info you need.


The Nudes
- Marc Jacobs Enamoured Hi-Shine Gloss in 316 French Tickler (£22) - I know this is technically a gloss, but it's the only gloss I have so thought it was worth a mention. It's virtually a clear gloss. Not at all sticky, comfortable to wear and minty.
- Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Nudist (£3.50) - Hydrating and Comfortable to Wear. More details in this post.
- Kylie Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lip in Candy K (17usd -it's also worth taking shipping costs into consideration if you're UK based like me) - Would recommend using a liner (I bought the lip kit). A little drying but really long-lasting. More details in this post.
- Estee Lauder Signature Lipstick - 09 Venetian Rose (discontinued sorry!)
- Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate Moss Lipstick in 38 (£5.50) - I wouldn't say it's really got much of a lasting finish
- MAC Matte Velvet Teddy (£16.50) - One of my favourite nudes. Fairly long-lasting without being too drying. Full post here
- Chanel Rouge Coco in 402 Adrienne (£28) - Hydrating and comfortable to wear. One of my favourite nudes.
- Charlotte Tilbury Sexy Sienna (£24)
- MAC Matte Whirl (£16.50) - One of my favourite darker nude shades. Long-lasting and comfortable to wear. Full post here.
-Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme in 230 J'Adore (£25) - This is my favourite lipstick formula - really long-lasting and hydrating - This is also one of my most worn colours.

The Pinks
- MAC Satin Pink Nouveau (£16.50)
- Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet 37 L'Exubérante (£28) - Comfortable to wear and hydrating for a matte finish.
- Chanel Rouge Allure 136 Mélodieuse (£28)
- MAC Amplified Girl About Town (£16.50) - One of my most worn pinks. Full post here.
- Clinique 47 Matte Peony (£19.50) - Full post here.
- Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme in 216 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (£25) - Again that great Marc Jacobs formula
- Soap and Glory Pom Pom (discontinued, sorry) - A really great lasting formula for a high street Lipstick
- Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipstick in Peony (£19)
- NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm (£6)

The Reds
https://shopstyle.it/l/be5Tg (£30)
Nars Heat Wave (£21) - Long Lasting Hydrating Formula. One of my favourite orange toned reds. A full (very old) post here
MAC Matte Lady Danger (£16.50)- Another one of my favourite orange-red lipsticks. Full post here
Kiko Intensely Lavish Lipstick in 03 - Smudges easily - would recommend using a liner with it.
MAC Matte Russian Red (£16.50)
MAC Ruby Woo (£16.50) - Very long-lasting but also quite drying
Bourjois Rouge Velvet 20 Poppy Days (£8.99) - Full post here
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in 08 Tesoro (£16) - It actually stays all day and smells like cakes.
Kylie Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lipstick in Mary Jo K (17usd and be aware of shipping costs) - Really long-lasting and quite drying. A bit of a pain to apply - needs liner really. Also smells very sweet.
Clinique Chubby Stick in 05 Chunky Cherry (£18) - Feels nice, is not long-lasting.
Kiko Vivid Colour Lipstick Pencil in 09 Matta Rossetto
Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme in 200 Oh Miley! (£25) - One of my favourite Reds.
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in 38 La Fascinante (£28)
Clinique 12 Red-y to wear (£19.50)

The Purples
Mac Matte Retro Liquid Lipcolour in High Drama (£17.50) - Very drying, patchy and difficult to apply, but I love the colour
Gosh 171 Twilight (£7.99)
Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Perfection Lipstick in 30 (£5.50)
Chanel Rouge Coco in 21 Rivoli (colour discontinued, sorry!)
Charlotte Tilbury Glastonberry (£24)
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen (£6)


Please let me know which are your favourite shades and make sure you watch the video below for swatches!




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When payday came around I was quick to search around for the new foundation and moisturiser as I was running low and fancied a bit of a change.

I noticed Selfridges have recently started stocking the IT Cosmetics 'Your Skin but Better CC Cream' a product I've been desperate to get my hands on for ages, but living in the UK it was a lot more difficult to get hold of. I, of course, needed to order it immediately when I saw it on the Selfridges website. There's a quite a small shade range in this product, which for once I felt thankful for, it made ordering it online a lot easier to guess the shade I needed. Being on the paler side, it wasn't too difficult to figure out I either needed the shade fair or light. The fair was out of stock, so that was my decision made. Overall, I like the shade Light, it blends nicely and has a fairly neutral undertone. I possibly could have done with slightly lighter, I may try the Fair in the future, although Light is really not far from what I need.

The formula is very creamy, it feels hydrating and the light on the skin. As for how it looks - it does exactly what it says on the bottle. Despite the high coverage, it doesn't look at all heavy, it just looks like your skin, but better. It's also got the added bonus of SPF 50.  On first impressions, I'm really impressed with the product. It got me wanted to try more from IT cosmetics, let me know if you have any recommendations, please!

While I was on the Selfridges website, I thought I'd browse the skincare, as no one wants to spend £5 on delivery for one item. When I noticed they sell the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, I popped it straight into my basket. I've heard so many good things about this product, and as I often have dry, damaged skin, it seemed perfect. I was pleasantly surprised by the price. I'd always thought it was a slightly more expensive product, but at £10 it's a bargain. It's an unscented cream which is fairly thick. It's very non-offensive, which is what I look for in skincare as I know it's less likely to irritate my sensitive skin. I love that this is a multi-use product, I've found myself using it on my hands and elbows as well as the face. It sinks into the skin very fast, and simply feels nice to wears.

Overall, on first impressions, I'm really happy with both products. A very successful mini haul!

After a little trialling, I've found my three most recent beauty buys, have all been very successful ones. I've fallen in love with each of these products, and have I am loving having them incorporated into my everyday routine, so naturally, I thought I'd share them with you.


Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara (£22.50) - I know this did get a mention in my favourites video, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave it out of this post. I'm so happy with this mascara discovery. It does the job, and does not smudge - not even a tiny bit! I find it's pretty lengthening on my lashes and I really like using the small wand, which has surprised me, I always tend to go for a more chunky wand. It's super easy to remove, you simply use a damp cotton wool pad, which I know is pretty bizarre, and it comes off it looked like rubbery chunks, even more bizarre - but it all comes off, I mean, all of it, no more rubbing your eyes sore to get off the stubborn last bit of mascara that will end up on your pillowcase, no matter the amount of makeup remover used. And can I just say once, again, it does not smudge! Plus my lash looks great, not all at clumpy and with plenty of volumes.


Surratt Relevee Lash Curler  - I have had my eyes on these for such a long time. I've heard so many good things about them - in fact, I think they're one of the only pairs of eyelash curlers I've heard anyone talk about. So when I'd come to terms with the fact that mine had had their day, I decided to splash out on the Surratt curlers. Firstly, they came in beautiful packaging - I know that says nothing about how the products work, but it's nice to know you get luxury when you spend on something. And as for the lash curlers, they're great. Firstly they're matte black which just makes them a little sleeker looking, and most importantly, they bloody do a good job. I have very short straight lashes, but I have issue clamping all of my lashes in these, they're comfortable whilst in use, and they really grab every eyelash - unlike many lash curlers which seem to get the outer lashes but leave the rest to do their own thing, this eyelash curler just seems to be the right shape to gently clamp them all and make them look so so much longer and with a great curl.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer (£7.99) - From high end to the high street - when I ran out of concealer I decided to pick up the Bourjois one, mainly because it's inexpensive, the packaging's cute (I know, I know) I wouldn't say I exactly had high hopes, it was just something to get me through until I wanted to spend a little more on a concealer - however, there is no need, I will definitely be repurchasing this one. I love the formula. It's got a medium/high coverage, but it doesn't look at all cakey and isn't drying in the slightest. It's easy to apply, and it's super brightening and does a great job covering blemishes, so it's an all-rounder. I have the shade 51 light, which works for me, but I would say is slightly more yellow than I'd like, but it's nothing too drastic, as long as it's blended properly, that's not too much of an issue. The shade range is quite small but other than that I have a lot of love for this concealer!


Have you tried any of these out?

 Lately, I've found myself admiring Arden Rose's blue eye make up in her Instagram story one day, so I decided to pop some blue eye shadow on myself and see how it looked. Personally, I love how it turned out - I felt great the entire day I wore this, I think this may be a go-to look for when I fancy being a little more colourful with my makeup, especially now Spring is coming around.

Here's everything I slapped on my face to create this looks:

Marc Jacobs Coconut Primer
Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able Foundation in Ivory
Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory
Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able Concealer in Awake (similar linked)
Marc Jacobs #Instamarc in Mirage Filter
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light
Clinique Blush in Pink Love
Maybelline Master Brow Pro Palette in Soft Brown
Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette shades Metamorphosis, Blindsided and Minx 
Tom Ford Eye Defying Pen
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Estée Lauder Lipstick in Venetian Rose (discontinued, sorry!)

This look also features in an upcoming video of mine, so subscribe to my Youtube Chanel if you're interested in seeing that!

What do you think? I love experimenting with different colours in my make up!