THE MATTE LIPS LOVE

I confess, I am a sucker for a matte lip. The glossy, shiny, even a slight sheen in a lip in enough to leave me looking weary eyed.

What's not to love? They are easy, smudge-proof, stick around through burger or beer and add statement to an unfinished face. Yes, yes sometimes they can be a bit drying, even the most expensive matte lipstick in my stash can leave my lips without the moisture they desire, but that's what balm was invented for. Above are just a few of my top picks, my favourite being Nars Cruella which I very kindly received in the lip set that everyone coveted over the Christmas period (thank you, Mike - I am eternally grateful).

Generally I'm a drugstore girl for lip products - don't get me wrong I have a couple of YSL, MAC and Clarins residing in my collection, but I don't find there are that many matte formulas out there in the high end world that really take my fancy. If you have any recommendations, leave some in the comments because I'm definitely in the market. The products I reach for the most are definitely the Bourjois Rouge Velvet ones. The isn't a dud shade in the line up and the formula is on point, it feels SO weird on the lips, it's very thin and barely there but the pigment is unbeatable. They're so comfortable and I definitely reach for them on a daily basis. My favourite shade is Nude-ist, it's not the one pictured above as I couldn't find it at the time (low and behold it was in my handbag - no surprise there) but if I'm ever stuck in a rut, not sure of what's going to look good, this is always a good bet.

Leave me your recommendations below! And if you have a non-matte lipstick that you think could convert me then I'll give it a go.

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MAKEUP FOR GLASSES

Yes girls, the struggle is real. As a daily glasses wearer I don't care what the heck gets put on my face - it's all very slap, dash and go. But for the evening drinks or times when I want to look a little more put together, the specs have to be taken into consideration.

I love doing a good eye shadow look, a fancy crease look or a smoky eye, and whilst for some people the glasses may make it look better, I find it suits much better to keep it simple on the lids and a sleek winged liner. Touch wood, I'm not bad at doing a wing, but more on that another day. I find it all just frames the eyes without them being too over bearing, after all, having black framed glasses already have a big impact so don't overdo it.

The worst part of wearing glasses is all the foundation rubbing off the side of your nose wear they sit - it just looks disgusting. I don't think anything can stop this at all, but a good setting powder around the area definitely holds it in place a touch longer.

When the glasses are out, I like to stick to a nice lip colour for the main event. Any boldish colour will do, but in particular I've been loving this Revlon Moisture stain lately. I hate glossy lips, it really just doesn't suit me, so I like to stick to satin/matte shades. I like to rub this colour into my lips for ages, and I mean ages, until it creates a lovely stain that stains all day long. Yeah it gets a bit patchy through the day but that's to be expected, but a quick top up leaves it looking fresh again.

What are your top tips? I'm in dire need of a hand...

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POWDER DOWN

Quite often, we're all in need of a little powder, whether it's to reduce an oily t-zone or set the under eye concealer. I've been there, tried them all and I've made my mind that the top spot is shared by these two...

Nobody wants a "cakey" or heavy looking finish and with these you'll get neither. The Nars Light Reflecting Loose Powder is best used post-make up application. It sets everything down nicely - it's mattifying without making features look flat but hangs in there to ensure oil is kicked back and foundation stays in place. Chanel Les Beige is a long standing favourite with many, but there is no way I would set my face with it. I save this exclusively for touch ups throughout the day or for a little brightening before going out for a few drinks. It gives my face that little bit more life that it loses throughout the hours and perks my complexion.
With both of these powders you need only dip them in slightly as a little goes a long way. I remember being a teen and packing powder on my face (I would probably use the same amount that is in the Nars lid!) and overall it just looks worse. Embrace the glow and let your natural oils shine through.



They are both so different but winners in my eyes, and yes, I definitely need them both.

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FIRST REACH FAVOURITES

Over these past few months, I've still loved playing about with my make up - blog or no blog. When Christmas was around and I moved back home there were a few items in my stash that I took with me everywhere I travelled.

My absolute obsession was the Burberry Quad in Gold No.2 that I think could have been Limited Edition, but check out your nearest counters. It was insanely easy to make any eye look out of this quad and I even found myself doing a quick five minute smoky eye on a friend minutes before having to leave on New Years Eve! Not the best quality eye shadow I've used - there's some fall out - but very pigmented and luxurious.

Another eye love is the Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Pearl Grey No.17. Yes, not Pale Barley! I'm not entirely sure on the Pale Barley obsession, but maybe you have to try it to love it? Pearl Grey is an easy shade to just sweep all over the lid for an easy but defined lid. Pair it with lashings of mascara and a nude lip for an pared down but classy look.

Everyone's favourite, Chanel Les Beige has been a staple handbag item, a quick dusting on the face leaves you matted down yet glowy - what more could you want? My boyfriend even said the smell reminded him of me. No complaints there!

Nars Sheer Glow fell off my radar for a bit. I never bothered buying a pump and hated the faff of getting the liquid out. It is absolutely worth the effort though and it is again a firm favourite of mine. It blends in so effortlessly and makes my skin look absolutely flawless. I used to always blend this with the Real Techniques buffing brush, but have recently been converted to getting hands on with it, creating a lighter finish.


What have been your latest loves? I'm definitely in the market for some good beauty knowledge...

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NARS MATA HARI

When I found out I had £5 on my Space.NK Incentive Card, I was straight down there. I've been needing to expand my blush collection seeing as all my current shades are all very similar, and being a Nars blush lover already it seemed a no brainer. Mata Hari was not the shade I intended on buying - when does that ever happen? I had Gina and Douceur on my to buy list, but I was swayed by the pretty pink Mata Hari.

As with all Nars offerings, you all know that the product is 'finely milled' and extremely pigmented, but this shade gives so much more. I think it's lack of shimmer that gives this pop of colour a certain edge as it brightens yet sculpts in all the right places.

I am literally obsessed with this rosy flush, but what have you guys been loving lately?

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NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION

I've always been quite happy with most foundations that I buy, I don't usually jump straight in there, I'll try them out first and make sure I'm 100%. Nars Sheer Glow however, I bought on a bit of a whim having not tried it before and guess what? I've never loved a foundation like I love this one.

It applies so, so seamlessly that even when I do the good ol' Lisa Eldridge trick - giving my skin a proper inspection in a magnified mirror - it looks so flawless and gives a satin, second-skin like finish. Like many people I was put off by the name, but don't fear! This foundation is neither sheer, nor too glowy. When applied with my buffing brush I get a decent medium coverage that very easily covers and conceals any redness and blemishes, although I do like to apply a litttttle bit of concealer just to be sure. The finish of it is just stunning - it's luminous, but not so much that you look sweaty or oily, more like you've had a decent nights sleep and been guzzling water!

I applied this around 9am, had a full day and evening out and didn't find myself needing to touch it up at all. In fact, I was extremely bad that night and was so exhausted I didn't remove my makeup. 10am the next morning I came to remove it and my skin still looked healthy and flawless.

Like everyone I do find it really annoying that there's no pump, especially for the price (£30.50) as there's always waste, but I do think I've got the hang of getting the right amount out now.
The shade I have is Mont Blanc which is a bit too light for me, but is easily warmed up with a bit of bronzer!
You hardly need any, so I can see this lasting me a while. Even then, I'd repurchase it without a second thought!

Let's see how it stands throughout winter... Have you tried this? Or is it on your wishlist?

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PRETTY IN PINK

If you told me six months ago that I'd do a post all about our rose shaded sticks and fuchsia flushes, I'd have laughed in your face and sworn that a pink blush and lip would be the last thing to enter my collection. Lately my inner Barbie has been released and I've been dipping my toes into the pink lagoon...

The newest and fast favourite of mine is the Clarins Illuminating Cheek Colour in Miami Pink which gives a subtle, skin like blush to the cheeks. It looks incredibly natural and blends so perfectly. NARS Orgasm, as infamous as it is, is one that doesn't get applied nearly as often as it should. Perfect for summer as it reduces the need to use a highlighter but still gives a sunkissed glow thanks to the golden infused shimmer. A very, very pink shade that slightly gives be the heebejeebies is Body Shop's All In One Blusher in Guava*. You need not worry though, as pink as it looks, a bit of blending ensures a sheer, incredibly natural wash of colour to your cheeks. It's shimmer free, so those of you who prefer a matte look, this one is for you. It holds skincare benefits as it includes Vitamin E and Marula Oil however I'm yet to see the effects - nevertheless, this has been a staple these past few weeks. Love love love.

Pink lips is probably my biggest fear, it genuinely scares me! I find the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Roomiest Rose to be SO stunning though, faultless to apply in it's crayon form and after about 3 hours of wear it fades beautifully to a natural lip colour - go to. The Revlon Lip Butters are perfect for trying out new shades, and my favourite pinky, shimmery shade from the lot is Berry Smoothie. Sometimes I find it difficult to wear, but when it suits, it suits.

Are you a pink lover, or a bit scared like me? Let me know what your favourite rose shades are!

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beauty wishlist

So Christmas and New Year have passed, it's my sisters 21st in a couple of weeks, and I'm left money-less and wanting more things than ever. Typical. So now I'm sat here with the face on compiling a list of my most wanted beauty products right now!


1. Benefit High Beam Highlighter
I am a complete highlighter virgin. I've never used one and since this is a product so many people rave about, I'm really wanting to try it out and see what kind of difference it makes to my face.
I looked at the different ones they had such as Sun Beam, but I think this one would be so much more suited to my skin, but like I said, I've noooo idea!


2. Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder
I don't think I need to say anything about this product. If you've not heard of it, I'll assume you've been living under a rock! Contouring my face is an everyday thing for me, but my bronzer at the moment is just too shimmery. This is perfect - apart from the price! But I've been told it lasts a verrrry long time. Worth it?


3. Clinique Chubby Stick Intense 
I'm SO desperate for this. I've seen people say that Revlon is a good dupe, but lately I've had the mentality that rather than spending a little money on a lot of products, spend a lot on a little. I definitely think spending more pays off and I've got my heart set on this. For £16, I don't think it's too expensive. The shade I'd love to try is 06 Roomiest Rose. I think it's a lovely shade, not too in your face and I think it would look quite natural. I want this so baaaaad :(


4. Kate Spade Supercalifragilipstick 
I've noticed this in the Space NK sale for just £10! Unfortunately, it's out of stock in the shade that I am absolutely loving. It's called Popart Pink and is a lovely coral-pink shade. I don't have a colour like it in my make up case and I would love to pop this cute bullet in there.


5. Escentric Molecules - Molecule 01
This was at the top of my Christmas list, with many asterisks next to it and unfortunately I didn't get it. Super sad. Alas, it remains on my wishlist, the beauty secret, Molecule 01 and I'm still to try it. I would love to see whether the reactions I've read happen to me!