Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation + FOTD

Today I thought I would share with you a foundation that I have been using for months - Bourjois Healthy Mix. This always gets rave reviews and I have liked it since I began using it but only now that I've nearly finished it am I realising just how good it is. It has a really nice coverage level for me that is light enough to wear in the daytime but also can be built up to wear on a night out too (especially when combined with the other hundred products I pile on).

I have really dry skin and this is one of few foundations I've tried that doesn't cling too badly to dry patches and gives a nice natural skin like finish. If you have normal or oily skin I think this would have a much dewier finish but on me it's very natural looking. I've also tried the Healthy Mix Concealer and I really like that too. It has good coverage but is still very light and has a lovely finish.

I'm wearing Healthy Mix in these photos and hopefully you can see the nice natural finish it gives. I'm also wearing all this:
Face - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Light Beige, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Cool Medium (I couldn't find my Healthy Mix concealer but I love them both), Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel
Brows - Soap & Glory Archery in Blondshell
Eyes - Stila Smudge Pot in Taupe (can't find a link anywhere, sorry!), L'Oreal Super Liner Eye Liner in Black Lacquer, Lancome Grandiose Mascara
Lips - Autograph Ultimate Wear Long Lasting Lip Lacquer in Ruby Red - This is currently on sale for £3 and is amazing! I wore it for the first time yesterday and am so impressed. It has a nice colour and consistency but what amazed me was the lasting power as it stayed on perfectly through a very greasy, messy dinner - incredible! I will definitely be looking at more colours in the range.

Apologies for the frizzy hair btw, you'll quickly learn that a lot more time and effort goes on my makeup than hair.

Since I've very nearly finished my Healthy Mix Foundation I need a replacement but would like to try something new so if you have any recommendations for foundations for dry skin let me know! Thanks for reading :)

Kylie Jenner Lips

Kylie Jenner - the latest member of the Kardashian clan to provide us with endless selfies, major wardrobe envy and her most famous asset that everyone is obsessed with.. the lips. How many times in the last 6 months have you heard the phrase "Kylie Jenner lip," whether it's the title of your favourite YouTuber's latest tutorial, your friend describing the colour of lipstick she's after or the latest Daily Mail headline trying to decipher whether the famous pout is real or fake? It's safe to say we are in the middle of a visibly lined, overdrawn, nude lip obsession in the online beauty community and I am just another victim to the hype.. And I love it. Since I first tried this look a few months ago it has been my favourite combination and I have become so used to seeing myself with a fuller pout that I now feel so naked with just lipstick or gloss.

To achieve this look I start by lining my lips with the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob and filling them in. I love the colour of this as it's pink but has enough brown in it to make it a nude shade and also isn't too pale which, I think, is the key to achieving that Kylie shade. This liner is so creamy and smooth and glides on the lips with no tugging and doesn't highlight dry patches the way other lip liners can. I then take the Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lip Liner in Black Tulip and fill in the corners of my lips and line the edges. I like the difference in colour to be visible but soft so I use my finger to blend the edges to avoid a harsh line. Then to finish the lip I use a really old Mac lipstick (Lady Glam Gaga 2 if you're interested - ancient, I know) which was limited edition but any pale nude will do the trick. I swipe a little bit of this in the centre of my lips and this finishes off the ombre effect. These products leave a matte finish which I like but if you like you can apply a gloss on top to give a shiny look.

I think this lip can be the focus of your look if you want it to be by wearing it with glowy skin, mascara and defined brows but I also love it with dark smoky eyes for a night out because even though it's very heavy, it's still neutral in colour so works perfectly for an ultra glam, "done" makeup look.

Let me know in the comments if you have jumped on the bandwagon with the Kylie Jenner lips and, if you have, what are your favourite products to achieve the look?

Estée Lauder Skin Care Routine

I got given this set of Estée Lauder skincare goodies for Christmas and after using them for well over a month and even finishing one of the products, I thought it was about time I gave you a review. The set is a full routine of cleanser, treatment, eye cream and moisturiser. Let's start with the cleanser, shall we?

It's called their Perfectly Clean Foam Cleanser and I'd say that's a pretty good description. It has a mousse consistency and it lathers up to a nice foam on the skin and note that a little bit goes a long way with this! It wouldn't normally be my first choice as a cleanser as there is a lot of controversy over foaming cleansers and them drying out your skin so as someone with very dry skin I try to avoid them but I must admit I have really liked using this. The foam makes it feel like your skin really is getting a good clean and I haven't noticed it dry out my skin at all. I like using this after I've removed my makeup (I'm still using The Body Shop's Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter if you're curious - review here) or in the morning. One thing I don't like about this cleanser is that it's quite stingy if you get it in your eyes but apart from that I am really enjoying using it.

The next step in the routine is the treatment/serum or whatever you consider the legendary product that is Advanced Night Repair. This stuff is a best seller and very pricey so I had high hopes. It has quite a strange consistency which is like a thick oil but not at all greasy. It's feels lovely on the skin and sinks in within seconds so doesn't interfere with whatever moisturiser you use on top. This is meant to make your skin more youthful, plumped, radiant, strong, even toned... You get the drift, it's apparently some what of a miracle worker. I have noticed that my skin has felt much softer and smoother over the last few weeks and although I can't put it down to this alone, I'm sure it has something to do with it. I think I'll probably notice a difference once I run out and cannot afford a full size bottle -  my student budget doesn't account for £50 face serums unfortunately.

Next up is the eye cream and strangely enough I think this might be my favourite product of the whole process. I say strangely because before getting this set I had never used an eye cream consistently and I've really enjoyed the results. I'm not sure if it's this eye cream in particular or just that using it makes me take extra care in moisturising right around my eyes but since using this I have noticed that my under eye area is SO soft ! Don't ask me why that matters as no one apart from me is aware of how soft my under eye area is but it makes me very happy. It's the little things, eh? Although I'm sure the softness comes from being well moisturised so makeup will sit better and wrinkles will be prevented and all that stuff that's more important than having baby smooth skin. I should also mention that this cream has a slight shimmer to it. It doesn't bother me but it's worth mentioning as in bright light without makeup on it is visible. Also this little pot will last you a lifetime! I've used it most mornings and evenings since Christmas Day and am only about half way through!

Finally, we're on to the moisturiser. I've actually finished this up already and I have to say I'm quite sad as I really liked this! It had such a lovely texture. It was quite balmy but not too thick or sticky. It wasn't anything exceptional, I didn't think, but it kept my skin hydrated, sank it nicely and worked well in the morning or evening - a good basic moisturiser in my opinion.

I hoped you've enjoyed reading my two cents on Estée Lauder skin care. Overall I'm really enjoying these products and would really like to try out more of the Estée Lauder line, maybe some things more targeted towards dry skin rather than anti ageing. Let me know in the comments if you've tried anything from Estée Lauder's skin care line or what your current favourite skincare products are.

 

Red Lips | 3 Ways

I know Christmas is long gone now; the decorations have been packed away for another year and the chocolate is finally eaten up, but one thing that's not going away any time soon are the red lips. I have been loving red lips since before Christmas and I just cannot get enough. I love the way a red gloss makes you look put together in one quick swipe but I also love the intensity of a full on Marilyn Monroe, over drawn, glamourous lip. Today I thought I'd share with you three of my current red lip favourites and would love to hear yours too so feel free to enable me in the comments.

The first option when it comes to trying red is to go glossy. I got this gloss a few months ago in a freebie box from Boots and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. It's the Maxfactor Colour Elixir Lipgloss in Captivating Ruby. As you can see from the swatch it's pretty strongly pigmented and is a nice true red colour. I like wearing this in the day time for a statement lip that isn't too try hard. Also the formula is lovely and smooth, shimmer free and leaves behind a pretty stain.

Another option for a glossy, not too dramatic red is this one from Dior. It's their Dior Addict Extreme in Pandore and it's really lovely. It's slightly sheerer and more of a raspberry pink tone than the Maxfactor one but this also has a really nice consistency. It's so smooth and comfortable to wear and it leaves a nice pink stain behind so no need to worry about touching up throughout the day. Also, can we just take a minute to appreciate the packaging?! It's so sophisticated and luxurious and makes me feel very fancy when putting it on.

The third and final of my choices is the most dramatic and my favourite of the three. When it comes to red lips there is a part of me that thinks, "Go hard or go home!" as there is something so glamourous and timeless about a heavy red lip. My current choice for this look is the Daniel Sandler Luxury Matte Lipstick in Casablanca. My sister bought me this for Christmas and it was love at first site for me. The colour is so perfect, it's not too warm or cool toned so should work on most skin tones and although it's a true red it's a slightly darker shade which just gives some extra depth and intensity to the colour. Can you tell I love it yet?! This lasts really well too; after eating and drinking you might need to slightly touch up the inside of your lips but overall it stays on really well.

Swatches are left to right the Maxfactor, Dior then Daniel Sandler.

An honourable mention also needs to go to the Barry M Lip Liner in 3 which stays on for days!

I hope you've enjoyed this post, let me know your favourite red lip options in the comments below! Have a nice day everyone :)

The Good Life Eatery, Chelsea

On the Sunday I spent in London we took ourselves to Kensington where we had a wander round the shops, spotted a Made in Chelsea star and I tried my first ever Ben's Cookie (delicious by the way).

We then walked to The Good Life Eatery in Chelsea as it is so hyped up online and pictures of the food are constantly popping up on my instagram feed so we thought we would give it a go. Tara and I both went for poached eggs; Skinny Benedict for me and Skinny Royale for Tara.

The eggs were deliciously runny and anything with avocado is usually a winner for me, however, I have to say both of us were rather disappointed. The meals were cold which I found odd and the "hollandaise" sauce was a skinny version made from yoghurt with saffron. I thought it was ok but Tara wasn't a fan. Overall I did enjoy the meal and it was very filling, it just didn't quite live up to expectations. I think some of the salads looked really nice, as well as the juices and desserts so it could just be a case of ordering badly.

Let me know if you've ever been to The Good Life Eatery and what you thought of it if you have.

A Saturday in Kingston

I spent this past weekend in London staying with my sister. She moved to London in September and since I hadn't been to see her yet, I thought a few days with her would be a nice way to finish my uni term and I was right. We had such a lovely weekend exploring new areas of London, doing some Christmas shopping and of course eating lots of food! My original intention was to take lots of photos of our weekend; pretty views of London at Christmas, outfits of the day and show you what we got up to but I'm sorry to say that that didn't happen. We were so busy having fun and catching up that the only thing I managed to photograph was the food but it was rather delicious so I'm going to show you anyway.

We actually avoided central London on Saturday afternoon as two weeks before Christmas we thought it would be unpleasantly busy so we set off for Kingston. For lunch we went to a cute cafe called The Terrace Eatery. We started with some hot drinks to warm up after coming in from the cold and, soon after ordering, our sandwiches arrived.

I went for the Milanese and Tara chose the smoked salmon and cream cheese. (I think I won!)

The Milanese was a dreamy combination of salami, mozzarella, olives, sunblushed tomatoes, pesto and salad leaves.

It was delicious and if you're ever in the area I would highly recommend stopping off for a spot of lunch. I think you'd struggle to find a better sandwich or, if it's something sweet you're after, their cakes and traybakes looked pretty great too.

Feeling nicely full and fuelled for shopping we went on our way and spent the afternoon wandering around the shops and browsing for Christmas presents. I had never been to Kingston before and I have to say I thought it was so lovely! If you're lucky enough to live nearby then I am rather envious as we had such a nice afternoon.

As the shops began to close and our hunger returned we made our way to Ealing for dinner. Tara suggested Turtle Bay, a Caribbean restaurant with a really cool vibe. There were no tables available so we sat at the bar stools which was fine by us. We quickly ordered some cocktails and a starter to share of Pulled Jerk Pork.

This was a nice salad with pulled pork, mango, orange and coconut shavings.

The main was the real treat though. I chose the Trinidad curry chicken and Tara went for the Jerk chicken with the BEST sweet potato fries.

 Tara's Jerk chicken - this was smoky, soft, barbecued heaven.

My curry of chicken in a fruity, coconutty and slightly spicy sauce.















We had such a lovely meal - great food and the loveliest of company!

Again I would highly recommend Turtle Bay. It had such a nice, lively vibe, great music, friendly staff and, of course, delicious food.

We had such a nice day and I cannot thank my sister enough as she thoroughly spoilt me!

On Sunday we ventured to Chelsea and tried out a celeb fave healthy eating spot - can you guess what it is? Post to come soon..

Boots Haul

It started with the eyebrow pencil. My old one was too dark and too warm so obviously a trip to Boots was on the cards to get a new eyebrow pencil and nothing else... But how boring would that be?

I'd heard great things about the Soap and Glory Archery eyebrow pencil from Lily Pebbles and when I found it in store it looked like exactly what I was after - a thin pencil to draw individual hairs. a light grey-ish taupe colour (much better than the warm brown I was previously using) and not to forget the spoolie on the end and the ease of a twist up pencil - what's not to love? I bought the colour "Blondshell" and so far so good. It's much lighter than what I was used to but I think I need to accept that blonde hair and very dark eyebrows isn't the best look. Also I love how thin the tip of the pencil is and that I'll never be lost without a sharpener.

So eyebrow pencil in hand, happy with my choice, mission complete, yeah? Don't be silly, as soon as I saw the 3 for 2 signs covering the stands in Boots it was never going to be a one product shop, was it? So I asked myself what I could justify purchasing because I "needed" it and I decided on an eyeshadow brush. I managed to leave lots of mine at home so my uni makeup application has consisted of a few very well loved brushes doing all the work and lots of finger blending. I chose the No7 Eye Colour Brush and so far I really like it. It's made of synthetic hairs which are very soft and it's nice and dense. I've been using it to pack colour on to the lid and it's doing the job nicely.

The lipstick was not necessary but I got it for free so who cares! If you read this blog post you'll know that I was after a 90's inspired brown lipstick and this one fits the bill quite nicely, It's Seventeen's Stay Pout Lipstick in the shade "Fond Farewell". It's a deep brown with a lot of red in it and a slightly metallic finish. It's not the sort of colour I usually go for but I actually really like it. It's dark enough to be quite vampy and bold but something different to the usual plum and burgundy shades. I've never heard anyone talk about this range and I think they deserve some blogging love! They're nice and creamy, very opaque and last well on the lips. Also, at £4.49 a lipstick, they're an absolute bargain!

You can see the eyebrow pencil and lipstick in action in the pictures above and for good measure I'll tell you what else I'm wearing.

Face - Estee Lauder Perfectionist Foundation in Desert Beige, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 2 Cool Medium and Mac Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul

Eyes - Soap and Glory Archery eyebrow pencil, Urban Decay Naked Palette (Virgin, Sin and Naked), L'Oreal Super Liner Eye Liner in Black Laquer, Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara and Max Factor Masterpiece MAX Mascara

Lips - Seventeen Stay Pout Lipstick in "Fond Farewell"

Today I received a double points Boots coupon in the post so I'm sure it won't be long until I make another sneaky purchase. Let me know your favourite products from the drugstore in the comments below :)