NARS/Orgasm Blusher

The infamous, iconic blusher that bloggers love, and I'm no exception. 

I've had my eye on this one for a while now and was pleased to add it to my collection following a recent trip to Space NK in Bristol. 

Orgasm blusher is a peachy pink base with gold shimmer running through it, think of it as a rose gold shade. Although it appears shimmery in the pan the colour transforms into a highlighting sheen on the skin, so don't be put off thinking you'll end up looking like a disco ball. 

I'd say this one is best suited to fair to medium skin tones, if your a porcelain doll then expect a natural dewy like flush of colour, and for the more medium toned beauties expect a bronzey/pinkey flush of  sheen. 

The colour pay off is good and it's buildable so its better to apply a little then add more if you need to. 

I find it wears for around 7 hours on me before starting to fade out round the edges. 

Retailing at £22.50 it is pricey, but the quality of the product makes up for that so in my eyes it's an investment piece that'll take you through every season effortlessly. I cant wait to try this one with a tan! 

If you've never tried NARS before the packaging is a rubbery, matte effect embossed with the NARS logo on the front and a cute compact mirror inside. 

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Sigma/Born To Be Collection Lipglosses

I've been reviewing the Sigma Lip Glosses* from their new 'Born To Be Collection' recently, designed to compliment any make up look. 

If you've never heard of Sigma they are a brand that's exclusive to the UK here through Cocktail Cosmetics. They specialise in providing great tools for application, as well as on trend cosmetics that really deliver results. 

There are three glosses in the latest collection, it launched here on the 10th of February.

The shades are: 

Eleven: Lilac, with a gold glitter shimmer (Radiant Orchid is Pantone's Colour Of the Year Shade)

Sheila: Hottest Pink, really bright and vibrant whilst remaining high gloss, also has golden shimmer throughout.

Get Ready: Bronze/Nude with a golden shimmer throughout, perfect for beach to party looks. 

Personally for me I found these glosses to be really sticky, and quite drying, having said that if your a gloss lover then it's always worth giving them a go, the wear time on them is about an hour so they are pretty long lasting. The fact they contain no parabens is fantastic too. 

They retail at £8.95 each and you can shop the entire 'Born To Be' Collection over on the 

Cocktail Cosmetics Website 

There are 6 yummy shades to choose from. 

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*PR Samples

Clarins Opalescence Spring Collection/Cream Blushers

Clarins Spring Opulesence Collection oozes girly prettiness, and these cream to powder blushes are no exception. I recently featured the eye quartet from this collection and so many of you loved it, I've been really excited to have a play with these cream blushes and share them with you. 

I've never used cream blush before and to be honest it's always scared me a little, surprisingly I found this really nice to use, and very easy. 

The effect is very natural and dewy, natural almost. These would be perfect if you suffer from dry skin, and it doesn't sit on the skin like a traditional powder blush. Each blusher is packed with skincare goodness, rose, sunflower and jojoba all protect from dehydration, whilst vitamin e protects from free radicals. They all contain Clarins light optimising complex to add luminosity to the skin. 

The main difference I've found in using these so far is that the application gives such an even result, I often find with powders it's hard to get both cheeks exactly the same, using just your finger tips a quick sweep of the cream formula dotted on the cheeks and then lightly blended out gives an even and luminous effect to the skin. 

The lovely Jenny at Clarins was kind enough to treat me to all four shades for review, brace yourselves these are so yummy I think you'll want them all....

Each encased in the classic golden packaging they are perfect for your make up bag or your dresser and the mirror in each compact makes it really easy for on the go make up too. 

I've been getting a whole days wear from each application, as the creme blush turns to a powder after setting it prevents slip off too so the colours stay put all day. I've not had any problems wearing them on my oily/combination skin, although I do think if your skin is really oily these may not be for you. You can use them alone on the lips for a matte finish effect, or top them off with a gloss for added shine. 

Check on the swatches on my skin, starting with 04 Rosewood at the top, then 03 Grenadine, then 02 Candy, then 01 Peach at the bottom. 

Here is my skin with the shade 02 Candy on, it's a beautiful pink shade, this along with shade 03 Grenadine are my absolute favourites. 

I've also swatched them on my lips so you can see the shades, they are all matte with no gloss added on top: 

Shade 01 Peach

Shade 02 Candy

Shade 03 Grenadine

Shade 04 Rosewood

Treat yourself to one, or all four! They retail at £18 each and you can shop the collection now at the Clarins Online store.

Are you a fan of cream blusher or do you prefer powder? 

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Wish List/The Spring Edit

I know I've added loads to my make up collection lately, but no matter how much new make up, nothing will ever stop a girl wanting more! 

This is my spring wish list, some more practical than others, however I still NEED all of them.

Top Left: NARS Albatross Blush/Highlighter, this is a really gorgeous multi purpose highlighter retails at £22.50

Top Right:  Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Riviera, orange lips are going to be HUGE this summer, and I tried this little beauty out in Space NK the other day, retails at £23 

Bottom Left: MAC Skinfinish in Perfect Topping, a beautiful swirly pallette of  pinkness, perfect for highlighting and creating a dewy effect £22. 

Bottom Right: NARS Creamy Concealer in Custard, bloggers rave about this and it's meant to live up to the hype, a creamy concealer packed with skincare goodness. Retails at £22. 

There are so many trends up and coming for this spring season, what's on your wish list? 

 

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Bristol Haul/Valentines Buys

I whisked the Mr away last weekend for a little Valentines treat, we stayed right next door to Cabot Circus, so you know what that means, shopping. 

I picked up some amazing buys, I thought it would be easier to do a video to share my haul with you. 

Enjoy!

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Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I'm a huge fan of Real Techniques, I've reviewed so many of the brushes, I swear by them. 

Since I purchased my first ever foundation brush I've never looked twice at a sponge, I personally feel they soak up lots of your expensive liquid foundation. I've just given the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge a whirl and I have to say I'm actually quite impressed. I used the big flat edges in a stippling motion as advised by the lovely RT ladies, and the precision tip makes getting around your eyes and nose really easy. 

I like the finish, and I'd more than likely use the sponge to apply my base for day to day wear as it feels like your not wearing any make up, I find the coverage just isn't as polished and flawless as my Real Technique Brushes though. 

You can use this sponge dry but for best results completely saturate it and then squeeze out all the excess,  I find it helps stop it from retaining so much product, If you have dry skin then you need to invest in this beauty sponge as the gentle stippling motion has a non dragging effect and doesn't exfoliate as it applies your foundation, like the brushes can if you suffer with dryness. The application of your foundation is much better on dry patches as your flattening over the skin rather than brushing it up so it sticks out under your foundation. 

To use the sponge I always pump out one squirt of my foundation and pat the curved edge of the sponge through the product, then I stipple it on to my face starting from my nose and working outwards, If I need any extra coverage I use the precision tip and dab it in my foundation before applying directly over the problem area. 

I have heard lots of people say that after washing the sponge looses it's shape, so I will be interested to see if that's the case. 

This is an equally amazing product from Real Techniques, all their products are great quality, and it's a great dupe of the iconic Beauty Blender Sponge, which retails at three times the price of this little sponge. 

You can pick up the Miracle Complexion Sponge from your local Boots, or at Boots.com for just £5.99. 

Do you prefer beauty sponges or foundation brushes? 

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MAC/In Synch Lip Pencil

 MAC In Synch Lip Pencil is one of the new additions to my Muji. I always find myself applying lipstick and gloss and to be honest on a night out it can be annoying, I hate having bare lips when I'm out and the MUA's in MAC always rave about using a liner on the lips to give it real staying power. 

I've been lusting after this one for a while now, In Synch is a bubblegum shade, almost a peachy pink with a yellow undertone.

 It's quite dry in comparison to some of the other lip pencils and looks matte when it's applied. 

Exfoliation is key prior to applying this to the lips it wont look good if your lips are cracked and scaly, you can team this with a gloss if you want to, I find MAC Fashion Fanatic is a lovely one to pair it up with, as I have here.....

Or you can leave it if you fancy a spring inspired matte lip, with some real staying power.....

MAC Lip Pencils retail at £12 each, and to be honest they will last you so much longer than a lipstick. 

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Clarins Opalescence Spring Collection/Vibrant Light Eye Quartet

If you are looking for an eyeshadow palette that'll provide you with an array of this seasons on trend shades (pastel, silver, orchid, grey) then look no further than Clarins Vibrant Light*, a quad of four beautiful shades, designed to compliment each other, and they can be taken from day to night with the wet/dry formulation, the darker shades and the precision tipped applicator are the perfect eye liner combo.

Clarins always make their products look luxurious, a well known brand that adorns the bathroom shelves and make up bags of women worldwide. 

The gold casing on this palette is no exception, housing the shadows and the applicators inside it's perfect for on the go beauty, especially with it's in lid mirror.
The velvet pouch adds to the real luxury feel of the product, as does the name 'Eye Quartet'

Personally I dont think the shadows have much colour pay off when used dry, however the effect when applied wet is beautiful, it really allows the pigements in the shadows to come through.
Check out the swatches.....


Left is the baby pink shade, it looks almost matte in the palette but it has mild pigmentation and a slight shimmer, it would work well as a highlighter around the eye and under the brow.

2nd shadow from the left is my fave a little disco ball of silver glitter which looks really sparkly and gets even sparklier when wet, would make a fab lash line liner for added wow, perfect for special occasions. 

3rd along is the deep purple orchid shade, you can use this one to smoke out, and also as a darker but not black eye liner around the lash lines, really great effect from this one, and perfect for spring. 

Right shade is the gunmetal grey, you could also use this to line, however if your planning on doing a smokey eye then this would go well in the crease.

Shop now on the Clarins Website this quartet of gorgeousness can be yours for £31.00. 

This palette is limited edition so be sure to grab it quickly, lauched this month as part of the Clarins Opalescence Collection, check out the entire range right here

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*PR Sample

Skincare/My Current Routine

I've always found it hard to get the balance just right when it comes to skin care. I've never suffered with dry skin, just oily/combination skin, the oil side of things is now under control the flare ups that come with the hormone induced tendencies of being a woman however, hmmm not so much. 

I think I've got a few really good products in the mix now and they seem to work well for me, so here are my skincare hero's.....

Body Shop Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub
Priced at £6.50 for 50ml, I'd say I use a tube every 6 weeks, along with my Phillips Visapure Cleansing Brush this leaves my face super clean without leaving it dry. I think this is really good for getting at blackheads too!

Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Toner 
Priced at £5.00  for 250ml this is really good value for money, is say use is 4-5 weeks per bottle, although it seems to have a strange sediment that settles at the bottom, although the sales assistant assures me it doesn't affect the results of the toner to me it doesn't look pretty. This toner is great all year round, and keeps breakouts at bay to a certain extent and helps dry them out when they do erupt.

Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion
I hated the smell of this when I first used it but as soon as the product dries you cant smell it at all, so don't be put off, all the Body Shop Tea Tree products do have a really strong smell but the products do work. I use a pea sized amount of this morning and evening after cleansing and toning, it gives the skin a really matte finish and is a perfect base for your primer to go on top.
Priced at £8 for 50ml, it's really good value for money and helps dry up breakouts when you have them.

Fade Out Eye Cream
I've just recently reviewed this cream, if you missed it catch up HERE. This little tube cost me under £9 and is still going strong I use the tiniest amount day and night and I am continuing to enjoy the lightening and brightening effect its having on my eyes.

Estee Lauder Pore Minimising Skin Refinishing Serum
This is my newest addition to my routine, (my boyfriends mum uses it, always has she tells me and at 61 her skin is amazing) it is pricey but I am so glad I've given this one a shot, it's designed to target those pesky pores, which for me are one of my biggest skin flaws. This is a skin treatment so it must be applied after toning and before moisturiser. It leaves your skin feeling like satin and I no longer have to re powder through the day as it really seems to keep my t zone oil free.
Although it doesn't stop breakouts its helped dramatically even out my skin tone, and reduce my pores so I'm really happy with the results it's given me. Prices start from £41 for 30ml, but one pump is all you need per application.

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion & Drying Lotion
In my battle of the breakouts these products work well as a duo at combating unsightly spots, the buffering lotion must be shaken well and it's a really runny consistency, this stuff is best applied to those 'under the skin' really painful cystic spots, the ones that haven't yet appeared but the ones you know are going to hurt when they do, a couple of nights blasting them with this and they reduce greatly, catch them in time and they don't surface at all. It's pretty pricey at £15ish but the amount you use means this will last you probably a good 12 months. Doesn't dry the skin, and seems to (so far) prevent breakouts.

The drying lotion is a really weird product, its a dual layer liquid which you must not shake, you take a cotton bud and place it in the jar right down to the pink layer, then you dot it on the affected area, this is good for spots that you've already been squeezing or picking (we all do it) as it will dry them out and leave you with a much smaller scab by the morning, smells quite strong and leaves you with pink dots all over your face, but hey beauty means no boundaries right :) Calming calamine lotion and salicylic acid makes the spot almost disappear while you sleep. Expect to pay around £14 for this one, but again a really good product to have if a breakout appears. Great for spots elsewhere on the body too.
Shop the entire Mario Badescu range in the UK at Harvey Nicols

What skincare products cant you live without?

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