Recent Purchases

Hey petals, so today i thought i would write a post about some things i have picked up recently.These are just some bits and bobs i have accumulated over the month. I hope you enjoy! x

The first thing i picked up is this mac lipstick in 'Please Me', im not usually drawn to pinks and nudes, i tend to opt for outgoing bold colours on the lip, However, i was looking for something wearable for everyday use and this is perfect. It is a matte shade which i adore as i find it lasts well on the lips. (make sure you moisturise the lips before application to prevent drying) I think this is a really great pink for lighter skin tones as it is a dusky pink which means it wont give me the 'washed out' appearance. However, it is also very flattering on olive skin tones.

The next item i picked up is this small jar of 'Merry Marshmallow' by Yankee candle, i wanted to pick up a large jar of 'Christmas Cookie' but the shop where i purchase mine are still waiting for them to come in, so i grabbed this for now, but i am in love with it. It smells sweet but its not super sickly, i will definitely be purchasing a large jar of this scent (i really want to eat it as it makes my bedroom smell like a bakery)  Retailing at £7.99-8.99 for a small jar, this may seem a little pricey for a candle, but it is so worth it as they last for ages and the small jars burn for up to 40 hours. 

This next item is by Botanics (boots brand) it is a facial brush, ive always wanted to try one but ive been slightly apprehensive as i have combination and acne prone skin, i didnt want to irritate it. The famous 'Clarisonic' has been said to work wonders, however, it has been said to cause alot of irritation to the skin. So i thought id opt for the basic facial brush rather than spend more money than needed.  I know the bristles look super harsh in the picture, but they are so soft i promise. So far i love this product, i wet my face, wet the brush and then put a small amount of cleanser directly onto the brush, Then using circular motions i scrub away (gentle though) this is said to exfoliate the face so be careful when using it. I have to say my skin feels amazing after using this, it is immediately soft and supple. Retailing at £6 id say it is worth the investment (i also really like the wooden handle and the 'organic' feel to the product) Even if you cant find this exact facial brush, i definitely recommend one!

This next product is just a repurchase of my Heat Defence spray, recently i have been loving to straighten my hair. I always let my hair dry naturally (this massively increases softness for me) then when it is dry, sectioning my hair, and spraying some of this to the section. Brushing through with my tangle teaser and then start to straighten. I really like this Heat Defence spray as it leaves my hair feeling healthy and protects my hair very well. 

This next product is super boring,  but i picked these up as i needed some new ones. I  use micellar water and cotton pads to remove my makeup and i go through normal sized cotton pads like crazy. So i thought i would pick up some extra large ones. My friend Olivia recommended the ''Johnsons' ones, but i couldnt find any so i just went with these. I really like them as they are soft and i only need one pad to remove all of my makeup. (sorry if my hand looks a little odd in the second picture, i wanted to show how large they are)

I hope you enjoyed! thank you for reading! lots of love em x

Autumn Essentials

Hey petals, Autumn is here,my favourite season of the year (no rhyming intended)  Today i thought i would write a post on my 'Autumn Essentials'. I hope you enjoy x


My first Autumn Essential are dark lipsticks, i have chosen two the first being my new favourite;

 Mac's 'Cyber' this is a dark purple, almost looks black  (i promise its not) this colour looks amazing on dark skin and lighter skin, it is also sheer to build able coverage and has a satin finish which helps reduce the lips looking dry.  

The next is Rimmel's '107' from the Kate Moss Collection, this is a berry red colour, this suits a variety of skin tones (i think anyone can pull this off) it also looks great with a dark lip liner to create a gradient effect giving the lips more depth. One great thing about the Kate Moss line is the formula, '107' is a matte shade, however, its creamy and feels like velvet rather than drying the lips. Id say the coverage is similar to 'Cyber', as it is build able.







































My Second Autumn Essential are candles: Any type really, but i recommend the well loved 'Yankee' Candles, i only own one at the moment which is called 'Vanilla Cupcake' the name says it all really, i have had plenty of other Yankee Candles before, however, Vanilla is my favourite scent so would explain as to why this is my favourite. 'Vanilla Cupcake' smells so fantastic as it doesn't smell artificial at all, and is just so sweet and yummy. When i have it burning the whole house smells like a bakery (i love it). The price is a little high for a candle, but it is so worth it as they last ages!

My third Autumn Essential is a good powder: Normally i hate powders, however, as it is getting colder i have been obsessed with my Mac 'Studio Fix Powder' this is a powder foundation which would explain the amazing coverage. The reason i love this powder so much is due to its high coverage, yet it still allows my natural oils to come through. This is perfect for Autumn/Winter as it helps my skin to look flawless, yet also 'breathe', as it gets colder i tend to prefer a more heavy coverage foundation/powder and this is perfect for that. It retails for £21.50, which may seem a bit pricey but for someone who desires a good coverage, it is worth the money.

My fourth Autumn Essential are woolly jumpers: (these should be everyone's essentials) i absolutely love woolly jumpers for Autumn/Winter as they are such a classic and can be styled in so many ways. Mine is from Topshop, i picked this one up and wore it to death last year, but i have re-discovered it and my love for this jumper is flourishing once again. You can pretty much find woolly jumpers anywhere, i definitely recommend them to anyone!

My fifth Autumn Essential is lip balm: I wear lip balm everyday all year round, however, my favourite is this 'Nivea Essential Care' one, this is from the drugstore and costs just over a pound. I adore this as it moisturises my lips so well, its light and not scented. i also find it is a great base for lipstick.



                                     Thank you for reading, lots of love em x

OOTD: Summer is ending

Hey Petals,
Today i thought i would do a different kind of post than usual, as August is over and Autum is on its way i thought i should do an outfit post on what i wore before i need wellies and my parka,  was a bit apprehensive posting this but i should stay open minded, enjoy

Hope you enjoyed! lots of love em x

Recent Purchases

Hey Petals! Today i thought id share a few recent items i have purchased over the last month, mainly for my shopping splurge with Olivia, i have been on a few shopping trips and picked up bits that i love, i guess this is more of a haul but hey-ho, lets get started i hope you enjoy! (don't forget money doesn't grow on trees, some items were gifts and others i bought with my own money)


Mineralise

The first product i purchased was this Mineralise skinfinish from the 'Tropical Taboo' Collection by Mac. Its  called 'Adored' as soon as i saw it i fell in love and i had to get my hands on it! Retailing at £22 this may seem a bit pricey , however, they last ages and are very flattering on the skin when reflected by light. This shade is beige with Pink flecks, (very versatile) pop some on the tops of the cheek bones, temples, down the nose and cupids bow for a beautiful glow (love love love)

The next Product i picked up was the very well loved 'Nars Laugna Bronzer' this product is always raved about an ive always wanted to try it (i basically live on a desert island lol) i traveled an hour for this baby! This Bronzer is matte with a few flecks of shimmer (hardly noticeable if you like your matte shades as i do) its very versatile and i think would suite many skin tones. Retailing at £26 i would say it is worth the money, it has great longevity and pigmentation, also the packing is super sturdy so will help prevent breakage.

Mac mineralise skinfinish 'Adored' on the left and Nars 'Laguna' on the right

 Next i picked up Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara, this is one product i will forever re-purchase, after getting a free sample in an 'Elle' Magazine a few months ago i new i couldn't go without it. Retailing at £19.50 seems ridiculous for a mascara (mascara's mascara right? apparently not) this makes such a dramatic difference, it volumises and separates the lashes. The wand is plastic (i normally go for natural hair bristles with mascara but this is amazing) i definitely recommend this to anyone, besides the packaging is adorable and it lasts ages, (ive been using a travel sized one for months and only recently ran out)   

Next i picked up two lipsticks from Mac

The first (above) is called 'Lady Danger' this is an orange toned matte red, i love this shade with a neutral eye. Id say this colour is pretty versatile with many skin tones and lasts well on the lips with a lip liner or by itself (it can be drying so i recommend applying a lip balm before)

The second (above) is called 'Candy Yum Yum  this is a neon pink with a magenta under tone (the picture does not do this colour any justice so i recommend swatching it.) This colour is matte with a velvet finish (perfect, there is no colour like this) In my opinion this colour suites a wide range of people, if you want to be bold this is one colour for your collection. 

'Lady Danger' below and 'Candy Yum Yum' above, 

both retailing for £15 (a little pricey, but fantastic for a high end lip product) 

You may not wear these bold shades every day, so they will last a long time.

Next i picked up a Hollister body spray called 'Cresent bay' and a body lotion called 'Malibu Beach' Personally i don't wear Hollister clothing,however, i always re-purchase something from the body care line. The 'Cresent bay' body spray is always in my hand bag as it smells so amazing (like skittles and rainbows) i always get complimented when i wear this, as i like to have it with me so i can feel refreshed throughout the day. The 'Malibu beach' body lotion is also amazing, it smells of Almonds (just like marzipan), it feels very creamy on the skin and absorbs well. Both products last all day, retailing for £12, id say its totally worth the money as they last so long (i re-purchase one spray a year and use it on a weekly basis) these are products i always re-purchase.

Last of all, my lovely Mum bought me this super cute Nemo mug from the Disney Store, (Finding Nemo being my favourite film of course) Now i can enjoy a nice coffee with Nemo!

Thank you so much for reading, i hope you enjoyed! (in no way was i trying to brag about any items, it took me months to save up and be able to purchase these items) 

lots of love em x

face of the day

Hiya guys! Just thought i would do a little post letting you all know what makeup products i used today!
I went for a flawless face with a neutral eye and a pink lip.(my attempt to look summery) I just went out for lunch and went window shopping (unfortunately i had to resist the temptation of shopping as im saving up, painful for a shopaholic) However, really enjoyed using these products today, they were very wearable and perfect for an everyday look. Hope you enjoy!



Foundation

The first product i used today was Estee Lauder's Double Wear foundation (stay in place makeup). Retailing at £27.50, Id definitely say it is worth the money. The foundation is full coverage and buildable (you dont even need a concealer, but feel free to use one! i still do). For someone who has suffered with acne i would say this product is suitable for oily/combination skin. The finish is more matte to satin than dewy on the skin, so might flake on dry skin. However, if you have normal skin and love a full coverage foundation this is one to try!  The consistency is quite runny, but drys quickly. It doesn't come with a pump so can be quite inconvenient, and hard to control the amount of product you want to use. (But to be honest im not too fussed). The foundation comes in a range of shades so is available for most people to purchase. The longevity of the product is superb in my opinion, I would say it lasts a good 10-14 hours, You may need to blot the skin throughout the day if you don't set the foundation with a powder or setting spray after application (this is quite common with most foundations anyway).  I haven't found that the foundation oxidises throughout the day, and it also contains SPF 10 which is a bonus and shouldn't be to harsh in pictures using flash photography. The product would be suitable for a weddings or big events to create a flawless look. I also think the packaging of the product is luxurious and looks expensive (it also looks very pretty in my makeup collection too)  Overall, I would say this is a great product that I enjoy using on an everyday basis.
 You can find this product online if you click  here or instore from an Estée Lauder counter. 

Bronzer 

Today I skipped blush and rocked the bronzer. I used benefits well loved Hoola bronzing face powder. This product is great for all year round and suits a variety of skin colours

. I just applied a small amount in the hollows of my checks and onto my temples, it creates a defined yet natural look to the skin, it is also build able for a more Intense look). 

This product is a matte shade, which means it has no shimmer (so for all of you matte gals and guys this is the one for you) 
This product has great pigmentation, its not too powdery either and has a longevity of 5-6 hours depending on how much product is used.

 This product retails for £21.50, overall I would recommend trying this bronzer (besides if its not your cup of tea there are plenty others to try) The packaging is also super cute
This product is available at a Benefit counter In store at Debenhams (for us UK&European guys and gals) and also Sephora (for you US guys and gals) or click here to purchase online. 

Highlight

For my highlight i used Mac's famous mineralise skin finish in 'soft and gentle', another well loved product on the market. Im crazy about this product as i think it gives a beautiful finish to the skin. It has a subtle shimmer to it with slight gold flecks to it. I just apply on top of the cheek bones, down the centre of the nose, tops of the temples and the Cupid's bow. (The Areas where the sun would hit my face) It's very natural, 'healthy glow'  on the skin that us guys and gals dream of. I would say it is suitable for a wide range of skin types. This product retails at £21.50 and is available at Mac in store or click here to purchase online. I would definitely recommend this product as you only have to used a small amount to get a subtle glow to the skin, its a lovely piece to have in your collection/makeup bag. 

Shadow 

The next product I used was the hyped-up naked palette by Urban Decay. (Its definitely worth the hype) I love this palette as it comes with a wide range of shades for creating everyday neutrals to an evening look. (My favourite looks super easy!) It comes with twelve shades, two matte shades and the rest shimmer shades. Shimmers are great for the centre of the lid and matte are perfect for a defined crease colour) The pigmentation is excellent, along with the longevity lasting 9-10 hours ( If prepped with an eye lid primer) It's a great palette for travelling as it has every colour you would need to create a neutral eye, or even something more daring. 

(Smokey eye perhaps) 
Today I used the colour 'Sin' in the inner corner, then 'Side Car' in the centre of the eye, 'Hustle' in the crease of my eye lid and Then 'Virgin' as a highlight underneath the brow bone. I love the combination of these colours, it looks so pretty (it looks like I spend hours on my eye makeup when it took 2 minutes)
With this product retailing at £36 I would definitely recommend purchasing this palette (I know you will love it as much as I do) it's a lovely palette to if you are starting a makeup collection and just want a 'go to palette' for everyday. (or even if you just experiment with basic shadows its very handy) this product is available online at an Urban Decay counter at sephora or debenhams, or click here to purchase online.

Mascara 

The mascara i used was 17's 'VA VA VOOM'. This is a recent purchase of mine from my local drugstore 'Boots'. So far i have been enjoying this product as the thick wand adds volume and also helps too provide more length to the lashes. Im not a big fan of the packaging but hey-ho! (its just a mascara)  I would recommend using a brown mascara if you want a subtle look on the eyes (more natural) and a black mascara if you want to achieve a more dramatic look.

This products retails for under £10,You can pick this product up online here

Lipstick 

The last product i used today was this Moisture drench lipstick by No7. This is a great lip product, as it is very moisturizing and would suit many different skin tones. There are also a good range of colours to choose from. I picked up the colour 'Mulberry' as it's more of a red toned pink than blue (i tend to use this product when im not daring enough to wear my red lipstick, I also blot my lips with tissue, so theres not much product on the lips, i find it looks more flattering) This lip product has great pigmentation for a drug store lip product, and i would say its longevity lasts up to 4 hours (depending how much product is applied, and if you eat etc). Lastly, the packaging is lovely, it feels really expensive, its sleek and a great lipstick to have in your makeup bag for everyday use. 

You can purchase this product here online. (sorry US) 

Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed! 

Look forward to the weekend!

love from em x