Face Faves - 2

Products:

Laura Mercier - Loose setting powder in Translucent // Clarins - Beauty Flash Balm // L'oreal True Match in Golden Beige // Clarins Instant Concealer in - 01 // No7 Intelligent Colour Bronzer // Mac Mineralise Skin Finish - Lightscapade // Benefit Tinted Eye lash Primer // L'oreal Le Blush in 160 Peach // Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil in shade 6 // Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker in Cinnamon Beige

I'm baccccccccck!

Before I jump into this post, I really should explain where i've been hiding out these past months. And the reason i've been away is nothing truly exciting, I decided to take a few weeks off whilst I finished my course and then a few weeks turned into a few months. 

I'm sure anyone else who has taken a break from blogging can relate. As the break gets longer and longer, it can be quite hard to just slide back to posting. I cannot tell you the amount of times that i've thought about writing a post, but never actually got round to it!

My Instagram has still been going strong ('cause i'm slightly obsessed with it), but it has made me miss this space of the internet. And I am so happy to be back with regular content!

So, if you remember, a few months ago I uploaded my 'Face Faves' post. Make up is something I love, maybe not as much as fashion, but it's a pretty close second. I love trying new items and finding new products to obsess over. One such product is the Sexy Mother Pucker lipsticks. They are so amazing, I already own two!

 In my extended break away from blogging, I have binge watched countless of youtube tutorials and a couple of products have came up time and time again:

Laura Mercier - Loose setting powder in Translucent - 

Such a gorgeous and versatile product. Perfect for baking and sculpting out a flawless contour. Or as i've used here, a light dusting all over the face to set your foundation. I am definitely converted!

L'oreal True Match Foundation - 

Never have I seen so many different foundation colours.. Ever! I was quite impressed when I went to pick this up, it was almost overwhelming to have so many options. With such a vast array of different colours, there's something for everyone and you will find your 'true match'. This foundation gives that your skin, but better look.

Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil -

I'm already a die hard Benefit Cosmetics fan, I live for their brow products. For years I have sworn by Brow Zings and Gimme Brow, so any other brow product they bring out.. Give it to me!

I have managed to horde a huge stock pile of new goodies, which I have been testing out, so stayed tuned for more looks..

It's good to be back!

Smoky eye.

Eyeshadow palette: Urban Decay Vice 3

I'm not very experimental when it comes to make-up, i've found what works for me and I stick to it. For the most part, I am quite happy with that.

Then I scroll through instagram..

I'm constantly in awe of what people are able to achieve with make-up and I want to do it too. I've bought so many different tools and palettes over the years, that just in the cupboard gathering dust.

Well, that was until recently.

I've started experimenting, constantly pausing youtube tutorials and trying to move out of my neutral colour palette a lot more.

I may not be very good at it, but i'm enjoying learning and trying something new.

Face Faves.

Products:

MAC - Studio Fix Powder // MAC - Mineralise Skin Finish - Lightscapade // MAC - Paint Pot - Painterly // Clarins Instant Concealer - 01 // The Body Shop - Honey Bronzing Powder - 03 // Soap & Glory - Kick Ass Pressed Powder // Clinique - Anti Blemish Foundation - 04 Fresh Vanilla //  Benefit - Gimme Brow - Medium/Deep // Benefit - Brow Zings - Dark // MAC - Lipstick - Velvet Teddy // Topshop - Blusher - Dream Phone //

I thought it was about time I introduced a few more beauty related posts onto the blog, as it's something I have huge passion for.

Now, when it comes to day to day beauty, I have finally found a combination of products that work for me. And when you find something that works.. Stick with it.

As a general rule for the day, I tend to lean towards the no make up, make up look.

The Clinique foundation is one of my all time favourites. The colour is such a gorgeous match with a medium but build-able coverage. I do have other foundations that I adore, but for everyday wear, this one wins.

When it comes to brows.. The only think I have to say is.. Benefit Cosmetics.

I'm sure when I say velvet teddy, you all know what i'm talking about. This lipstick has been on everyone's instagrams and favourites line-ups. When I first got my hands on it, I could totally see why. This shade is something of a 'Your-lips-but-better'. And I LOVE it.

What are your favourite go-to products?

Braid.

Hello strangers!

How the blinking hell are you doing?

It's been quite sometime hasn't it?! And for that I duly apologise.

Sometimes life just gets slightly hectic and it can be quite hard to juggle every aspect of it with ease.

*sigh*

Whilst i've been AWOL, i've come to love the side-braid. Once mastered it's easy to do and you look like you've made quite an effort.. Woohoo! 

Of course, my trusty old top knot (also known as the fun bun) will grace my head on a daily basis, but it's always nice to have a bit of change.

Right?

Vitamin C.

Vitamin C Range - The Body Shop.

I adore pretty much anything The Body Shop has to offer and when I discovered the vitamin c range..   I fell in love.

Here's a few of my favourite products from the range:

Skin Reviver:

My new love affair all started off with this product, which is a true treat. It can be used as a primer underneath make-up, or simply used alone. I tend to use it after the microdermabrasion, as I think they pair together perfectly! 

It makes my skin feel revived, healthy and glowy.. And who wouldn't want that?

Microdermabrasion:

I'm a sucker for an exfoliator. 

I use this product once or twice a week, for a deeper cleanse. This is more of a harsher exfoliator than others I have tried, but leaves your skin feeling sparkly and throughly cleansed. 

Glow Boosting Moisturiser:

A product for dull, tired and grumpy skin (They should've just labelled it.. 'A product for Vanessa!'). This moisturiser has a gel like consistency, and with only a small amount, you have more than enough to cover your face in its entirety.

Instant Glow Enhancer:

The actual product is a lovely peachy shade, which can be used as a primer underneath make-up, or just on its own. As with most, a little goes a long way and I tend to use this on its own, just for when my skin needs a little pick me up.

There are various other products in this range and I truly can't wait to try them out!

Have you tried any of the products in this range?

Current skincare routine.

Clinique Sonic System Cleansing Brush

Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam

Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Solution

Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Moisturiser

All About Eyes Cream

Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Gel

So, let's talk skin care shall we?

I won't lie to you, it took a good long time for me to get any sort of skin care routine together. But when I did, I can't express how much of a difference it made to my skin.

For a little bit of background, I'll tell you that my skin has always been blemish and acne prone. As a teenager my skin was bad, and I mean baaaaaad. A complete knock to my confidence and something I  struggled to get on top of. The amount of different products/medicines/treatments I have tried are endless.

However, I was introduced to the 'Anti-Blemish' solutions range by Clinique and the difference is incredible. Truly.

Buying all of the products together, including the cleansing brush in one fell swoop, was quite expensive, but seeing the results.. I can't put a price on that.

Although this is my current routine, I feel like my skin is now pretty much blemish free and I will be moving onto a new routine and it'll probably be Clinique products.

I would like to stress, that not only do I believe these products have played there part in changing my skin, but focusing on what I put into my body is key. More on that later!

Valentines gift ideas, just for you.

Hey - I'll happily put it out there that i'm a single pringle and as much as I would like to convince myself that Ralph (my chihuahua) will be getting me a valentines gift, I doubt that will happen, harrumph. This is a holiday which is about love and I do believe that to welcome love into your life, you first need to love yourself (cheesy but true!). Now, I am working on that, it's a struggle as i'm sure you're aware. Valentines is a day renowned for showing your friends, family, partners and pets that you love them, but there's nothing wrong with treating yourself to. Here's a selection of what's currently on my wish list and what I believe are perfect little gifts to oneself.

1. Tom Ford - Velvet Orchid Eau de Parfum.

2. Happy Jackson - 'Love me, love my dangerously expensive shopping habit' shopper bag.

3. UGG - Coquette leopard slippers in charcoal.

4. Flamingo Candles - Love Potion Jar Candle.

5. 'Dellciously Ella' Cookbook by Ella Woodward.

6. Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Palette.

7. Benefit - 'How to look the best at everything!'

8. NARS - Semi-Matte Lipstick in Funny Face.

1. Tom Ford - Velvet Orchid Eau De Parfum - £72.00

I have been on the hunt for a new perfume for quite some time and having read a few reviews, I think this may be my next scent of choice. This perfume is said to have beautiful floral notes but with a seductive, 'sexy' finish. Sounds like my kind of scent!

2. Happy Jackson - 'Love me, love my dangerously expensive shopping habit' shopper bag - £4

Not going to lie, I bloody love a good slogan, especially one that seems to be written about me.. Ha!

3. UGG - Coquette leopard slippers in charcoal - £100

I've never really been a fan of the classic style UGG boots, they're not really me. I do rather like the other style of shoes that they do. However, the slippers - my word! Little pairs of heaven, i'm telling you. I unfortunately do not own a pair myself (yet!), but I have tried on some.. it was a truly beautiful experience.

4. Flamingo Candles - Love Potion Jar Candles - £12

I have a thing for candles.. What blogger doesn't?!

5. 'Deliciously Ella' Cookbook by Ella Woodward £7.99

As is standard procedure, the time for a health kick rears its cheeky head every now and again. Lasts for a stupidly short amount of time usually, however, a few months ago I discovered 'Deliciously Ella'. So many amazing recipes and I regularly head over to her website for cooking/health inspiration. Cookbooks are one of my favourite types of book, so it would make sense to add this to the growing collection.

6. Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Palette - £40.00

This palette seriously looks like crushed pearls. Amazing! I have heard so many good things about the Hourglass range, and this palette in particular. It would be a bit of a splurge, but hey! If you're treating yourself, then you can't put a limit on the price.. Fact :D

7. Benefit - 'How to look the best at everything' £25.50

Since discovering Benefit's 'Rockateur' blush, my Benefit collection has grown quite extensively. I simply adore the small sets that they put together. The sets are great because you get the opportunity to sample different smaller versions of their products and see how you get on.

8. NARS - Semi matte lipstick in Funny Face - £20

Lipstick doesn't get much prettier than this. Enough said!