I haven’t really felt the need to run out and haul a load of beauty products for a while, honestly it’s probably because I’m lucky to be sent a lot of from brands and PR agencies. But something happened over Christmas, maybe it was to do with the videos I was watching, I don’t know, but I came into the new year with a huge list of beauty products that I just had to get.

I filmed a haul video and first impressions, which you can watch at the bottom of this post, but I thought I’d pick out my top five purchases and break it down and highlight why these stood out to me.

Smashbox Primerizer – link 

This product (as well as the next one) was completely enabled by Allana who raves about this primer. For me, it sits somewhere between a hydrating serum and a silicone primer, which is perfect. It hydrates the skin using the hyaluronic acid in the formula but at the same time smoothes it out getting it ready for your base makeup. I hate a primer that feels greasy and this one doesn’t at all, so I can see it becoming a staple favourite of mine.

Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara – link

I love trying out new mascaras, so this was next on my list and I was really impressed by it. For some reason, the first time I used it I wasn’t obsessed, it seemed to make my lashes look a bit thing but from the second time using it, I started to really love it. The large brush adds a lot of volume and length to my lashes but not in a clumpy way. It’s definitely a mascara worth checking out!

Fresh Fresh Face Luminizer – link 

I wasn’t sure which shade to pick this up in as it comes in a silver and gold, but I went for Starlight (the more silver shade) hoping it would look more natural. I love it! It’s a cream highlight that feels like a moisturiser and you can use it in so many ways. I sometimes tap it onto my cheekbones for a more concentrated highlight or rub it between my fingers and press it all over my face for a dewy glow. You can also mix it with your foundation for something all over but subtle. It’s great and now has a permanent place in my makeup set up.

Charlotte Tilbury ‘English Beauty’ Matte Revolution Lipstick – link 

I’ve always been in love with the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipsticks, her Red Carpet Red in my go-to red lip and Pillow Talk is my everyday nude. So when I saw that she’d brought out another nude called ‘English Rose’, I had to have it. It’s very similar to Pillow Talk, both matte of course, but English Beauty is slightly warmer with a peachy undertone compared to Pillow Talk which is cooler and more pink. Both are gorgeous.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr’ Soft Matte Longwear Foundation – link

It took me a while to jump on the Fenty bandwagon, and as you’ll see in the video not every product I bought blew me away. But this foundation was just how I imagined it to be and it’s definitely one I’ll keep wearing. It’s not totally matte, it has enough glow to it that dry skin girls can still wear it, but it does dry fast so I have to quickly blend it using a damp beauty sponge. It leaves a medium coverage that is seriously long wearing so it’s great for days where I’m out all day on filming/having photos taken. Sometimes I mix it with my IT Cosmetics CC cream for an in-between glow but long lasting finish.  

photos by Lauren Shipley

If you saw yesterday’s video you’d know that I decided quite last minute to film a 2017 beauty favourites after enjoying watching everyone else’s online. It wasn’t difficult to pick my top products because unlike my past self, in 2017 I used a lot less product, focusing on the things that really work for me.

For this post I thought I’d set myself the task of picking out the top five from my list of favourites, really highlighting the top products I can’t live without.

Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream – link

I discovered this moisturiser whilst in Sephora last year and I’m not on the third tube! It’s the perfect consistency for a daily moisturiser whilst still being thick enough for those of us with dry skin. It’s so gentle that even my friend who’s allergic to most beauty products can use it, so that’s a massive win! I love the packaging, it’s great for travel and I’ll continue to repurchase this time and time again.

IT Cosmetics CC Cream – link

You’ve heard me bang on about this product for years now, but it’s still a firm favourite. Don’t be fooled by the name, this product is basically a light/medium coverage foundation with a gorgeous glowy finish. I find it so easy to blend out with a damp sponge, it lasts well on my skin and it really brings to life my quiet dull looking skin. This is my all-time favourite foundation and it really has zero competition!

NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer – link

Everyone and their mum has mentioned this as a favourite this year and for good reason too. This was a massive launch for NARS and I really don’t know anyone who doesn’t love it. Despite the name, it’s not a drying, heavy concealer, it’s so easy to dab with your fingers in the places you need coverage and it blends out like a dream. A concealer that works on spots and under your eyes?? Win.

MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush – link

If I had to pick one highlighter that I used the most in 2017, this would be it. It’s incredibly easy to use, I swirl my finger around the pot and dab onto my cheekbones and it gives a really pretty, slightly pearly pink highlight. I always get compliments when I wear this and because of the creamy formula it doesn’t sit on top of the skin like some powder highlights, it blends beautifully into it.

Glossier Balm Dot Com – link

This is one that took me a little while to fall in love with but now I can’t live without it. The Balm Dot Com is like a matte lip balm, so it’s perfect for lipstick free days where you just want a bit of moisture but it’s also great for layering underneath lipsticks. My favourites are the original and the coconut, but if you want something a bit plumping and special, the birthday balm has a slight shimmer in it and it’s super sweet.

So there you have it, my top five products of 2017. Just call me the enabler…

photos by Lauren Shipley. 

Chanel has always smashed it out of the park when it comes to their Christmas collections, but there was one thing about the Collection Libre ‘Numeros Rouges’ this year that really stood out to me. Ever since Lucia Pica came on board as Global Creative Designer, the Chanel collections seem to have real purpose as well as just being gorgeous. This year I am totally in love with her red lip edit, a collection of four red lipsticks to chose from depending on your preference. Genius! 

Everyone loves a red lip at this time of year and now Chanel have made it easier than ever to pick out your perfect shade.

Rouge Allure No.1 – A true red in an intense, luminous finish.

Rouge Allure Velvet No.2 – A raspberry red in a matte finish.

Rouge Allure Velvet No. 3 – A brown red in a matte finish.

Rouge Allure No.4 – An orange red in an intense, luminous finish.

If you’ve never tried a Chanel lipstick before it’s worth noting that the ‘velvet’ finish is not a pure matte, it’s got a noticeable luminosity to it which means it’s not drying on your lips but also isn’t at all glossy. The ‘luminous intense’ finish is just that, it’s not super glossy but it has a visible luminosity and slight shine. The shades all have a subtle difference and I would happily wear them all, although I do prefer a more matte finish to my red lipsticks. No.3 would be my winner if I had to chose one, but if you’re into orangey red, no.4 is also beautiful!

So if you’re after a new red lip, check out Chanel’s 4-part edit here.

Photos by Lydia Collins.

Illustrations by me.

If you haven’t heard of Glossier, seriously where have you been? Emily Weiss, the founder & CEO of beauty editorial site Into The Gloss started Glossier as the effortlessly cool beauty brand for the girl who likes to keep things simple. Glossier found a niche a ran with it and after visiting the New York show room a few times I now know what all the fuss is about.

Glossier strips back all the fluff of the beauty industry and delivers simple, easy-to-use products that can be purchased as easily as groceries using their tick list service in the show room. If you’re ever in New York it’s really worth a visit, the girls in-store wear cute pink boiler suits and once you make your way up to the top of an unassuming office block you’ll find yourself perusing amongst all the other beauty lovers. It feels like you’ve been let into an exclusive club, oh and don’t forget to ask about the merchandise when you get to the till!

Glossier is finally making it’s way to the UK in October, so to get you guys excited I’ve compiled my own guide to Glossier based on the products I’ve tried and tested.

THE MUST-TRY SKINCARE LIST // 

I was not convinced that I’d like the Milky Jelly Cleanser at all, especially as I’m so besotted with my Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel but I don’t mind being proven wrong and in this case I definitely was. It’s not milky at all, it’s a gel cleanser that feels really gentle on the skin and works perfectly as a single cleanse on minimal makeup or a second cleanse on heavy makeup. I’ve been using this every day and loving it! I first tried the Balm Dot Com when it first came out and wasn’t that fussed but after hearing Anna describe it as a matte lip balm made me want to give it another go and she was right! It’s the perfect “I’m not wearing lip balm” lip balm and my favourite scent is the coconut. I haven’t tried all the serums as they’re not all suitable for my skin but I’ve really been enjoying the Super Bounce as a hyaluronic, hydrating base before my moisturiser. It’s similar to the one from The Ordinary, my only frustration is at how small it is, I’m already onto my second bottle!

The Invisible Shield SPF 35 is one of their more recent launches and unlike other facial SPFs this isn’t a cream, it’s more of a lightweight gel. It’s very easy to spread over the face and feels light enough to apply makeup on top.  I tried both the masks but the one I would say is worth picking up is the Mega Greens Galaxy Pack, which is an exfoliating, detoxing green mask. I find it best applied with fingers, working it into the skin before rinsing off with a cloth. It’s full of anti oxidants and you can really feel the difference on your skin after using it. Finally for skincare, the Priming Moisturiser Rich is a brilliant night cream. At first when I used it I got a little red around my nose but my skin quickly got used to it and now feels great when I apply it. It’s a very thick cream, a bit similar to Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream and so I only use this one at night.

THE MUST-TRY MAKEUP LIST // 

The Cloud Paints are a really cute take on cream blushers and after recently meeting Emily she inspired me to start mixing colours, literally like paint – genius! They’re very creamy and blend out beautifully onto the skin, but be warned they are very sheer. The colours seem a bit strange at first but I mix Beam and Dusk to make a pretty everyday pink. Generation G is Glossier’s answer to lipstick, they’re matte and lightweight and come in the most wearable shades. I own Cake, Like and Zip! The Stretch Concealer is a funny one and it’s taken me a while to get used to it. At first I thought no this isn’t for me, it’s way too sheer and greasy for my dark circles. I kept going back to it though as the finish is so light and dewy it’s almost anti-ageing! Now I like to use it on my chin, around my nose and under my eyes but I simply top up my under eye area with a fuller coverage concealer. It works really well as a base but I’ve definitely realised that on it’s own this concealer is for those with very little blemishes to cover. Finally, the Lip Gloss, another product I hadn’t considered using until Emily recommended it. I haven’t worn clear lip gloss for years but there’s something so sexy about minimal makeup and just a swipe of clear lip gloss and seeing as this is completely non-sticky I have been enjoying using it every now and again.

THE ONES TO GIVE A MISS //

Personally I found a few products to be a bit of a miss when I tried them. The Perfecting Skin Tint is a lovely idea, a sheer coverage foundation but it literally had zero coverage when I used it and felt completely pointless. There’s sheer and then there’s sheer. I like the idea of the Haloscope highlighters and the formula is nice too but as it stands the shades available don’t really work for me. Topaz is too warm, Quartz is too pink and although I like the idea of Moonstone (an almost sheer white), there’s just a bit too much glitter in it for me. I’ll be waiting for a non-glittery champagne! I tried the Soothing Face Mist when Glossier first launched and it just didn’t impress me because of it’s simplicity. It didn’t work as a makeup setter so I didn’t really see the point of a very simple rose face mist. The Priming Moisturiser is the lighter version of the rich one but for me it just didn’t sit right so I would say skip straight to the rich version. I wasn’t sure where to put the Moisturising Moon Mask, as I’m still not sure how I feel about it. I feel like you can get a similar result from something like the Origins Drink Up Intensive mask, it doesn’t feel like anything unique, but it does hydrate my skin nicely so it depends if you already have something similar in your skincare collection.

THE ONES I HAVEN’T TRIED //

They’ve just released the Wowder, a powder that is supposedly glow and airy, I can’t wait to try it. The Boy Brow isn’t something I picked up as the brush looks too small for my huge brows and I also skipped the Super Pure and Super Glow serums as they’re not right for my skin and I haven’t heard great things about them.

As a sidenote, I also have the Glossier jumper and pin, can anyone say FAN GIRL?! If it’s a brand you’ve heard about but haven’t yet dabbled in, get ready for October because trust me you’ll want to get involved! I’m excited to see their plans for the UK – bring it on!

SHOP MY FAVOURITES

Photos by Lydia Collins

Oh, I do love a good beauty hype, it’s so nostalgic to me, and the best hypes come in the form of an Urban Decay palette! I was in my first year of blogging when the original palette launched so it feels almost like a tradition to me to jump on the bandwagon. I was always a huge fan of the Naked 1, I wasn’t into Naked 2, number 3 was quite nice and then the rest sort of went over my head. But when I first saw teasers of the Naked Heat palette I knew this would be my favourite of them all. I couldn’t wait for the UK launch so when I was in New York I asked in every Sephora until I found one.

Unlike some of the previous palettes, this one come in a plastic casing that makes it a little more bulkier but also more durable and easier to keep clean. The design is quite 80s and it probably stands out the most out of all the palettes so far. It also comes with a brush although I never end up using it as it’s a bit too dense and I prefer something fluffier.

So let me tell you why I think this Naked palette is the best one so far. It has 12 shadows, 5 of which are shimmer and the rest are matte. The overall colour scheme for the palette is a warm amber hue which I think is really flattering on all eye colours, especially green but I have brown eyes and love it too. The quality of the shadows, like all Urban Decay palettes are amazing, very pigmented and easy to blend together.

There are 4 shades that stand out to me, Sauced, Low Blow, He Devil and Cayenne which are all matte. There are some deeper plum tones too which work great in the crease. I could definitely have lived without the shimmer shades, although adding a touch on the centre of the lid does bring it to life and add dimension. It’s all about the mattes though and even the lighter shades pack a punch so you can use the individual shades on their own all over the lid. It’s definitely a palette for those willing to rock a bolder eye look, but if you’ve previously been scared on warm toned shadows I say give it a go! You might be surprised…

I’ve used this palette almost every day since I got it, pairing a reddish brown eye with just lip balm on the lips. I’m obsessed and would highly recommend it!

SHOP THIS POST

January is the month for change and if you’ve been stuck in a rut whether it’s fashion, beauty or fitness, now is the time to do something about it. To help inspire and give us some encouragement lookfantastic have created “The Beauty Revolution”, sharing tips and advice throughout the month for giving your makeup bag a makeover or refreshing your skincare stash. Lookfantastic is the original British online beauty boutique and with a huge selection of products, great customer service and free UK shipping it’s a website I find myself regularly recommending. In today’s post I’m throwing my thoughts into the mix and sharing 5 ways you can change and improve your current beauty routine. I’ve spent the last 5 to 6 years experimenting with beauty, trying lots of products and I think I’ve come to some helpful conclusions along the way.

SWITCH TO SULPHATE FREE
If like me you have quite dry and damaged hair, that regularly gets damaged by heat and is coloured… well it’s a no brainer. Switching to a sulphate free shampoo and conditioner was one the best things I did for my hair. It helps to protect my colour, it’s gentle on my scalp and my hair just feels better quality for it. At first it’s a bit strange getting used to a shampoo that doesn’t lather as much but you do get used to it and now even when I go to the hairdresser I opt for sulphate free. Pureology is a brand created especially for professional colourists to use on clients, it’s 100% vegan and I’ve used them on and off for years, I’m always really impressed!

SAVE TIME EPILATING
I feel like I’m always trying to convert people to epilating but when my friend Keisha convinced me to try it years ago I was terrified and not convinced. I eventually plucked up the courage (see what I did there!) and gave it a go… I’ve epilated my legs and arms ever since and seen such a massive difference! I do see the positives in shaving, it’s painless, great for travelling and can instantly give you smooth skin but for me the pros of epilating are long-term and therefore worth investing time in. Most people find epilating quite painful, like very fast plucking but I promise it’s a pain you definitely get used to. I find if I put on loud music it distracts me! I only need to epilate a couple of times a month and the hairs grow back thinner and less frequent. When I used to shave the hairs would grow back daily and thicker than before, so although I sometimes shave, it’s something I try to avoid. The Braun epilators are my favourite and if you buy a wet and dry one you can also epilate in the shower (although I personally prefer it on dry skin). Give it a go, switch up your routine and you’ll see the longterm benefits.

DITCH THE FOUNDATION BRUSH
Now this is one I really didn’t think I’d ever be saying. When makeup sponges first made their comeback I was very against the idea, until I tried the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge. I run this under the tap until it’s drenched in water, I squeeze it out and then use it to apply my tinted moisturiser or foundation. I find that with my dehydrated skin this really helps the product to mesh into the skin and avoids any dry, “cakey” patches on the skin. I’m left with glowy, hydrated looking skin and now when I use a brush it never feels as good.

MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR KNOTS 
Why anyone would use any other hairbrush, I have no idea. I was converted to the Wet Brush a few years ago and I’ve never looked back. You won’t understand until you try this magic, it just looks like a normal brush but this brand knows knots and how to get through them. Some brushes get so tangled in my hair whereas the Wet Brush always glides through my knots so easily, it’s incredible. Don’t waste any more time fighting with your hair… get yourself one of these babies!

CHANGE THE WAY YOU SEE YOUR SKIN
When we think of our skin we think it’s dry, or maybe oily… some of us are more blemish prone, but how often do we look at our skin not as a whole but as separate sections? It’s so common to have different skin concerns on different areas of your face and this is why multi-masking is actually very clever. Your t-zone and chin might be a bit spotty whilst your cheeks are dehydrated. The area around your eyes in incredibly sensitive as the skin is thinner so lighter products are recommended here. Using a different mask on different areas of your skin is not only fun but it can target specific skincare concerns more efficiently. For my t-zone I’ve used the Origins Clear Improvement mask to draw out any impurities, for my cheeks I’ve used the First Aid Beauty Oatmeal Mask to hydrate and exfoliate and finally under my eyes I’ve used the Estee Lauder Stress Relief Eye Masks which are refreshing and really easy to use.