Hand Cream Round Up

I have kids, I have 3 kids, one is only 3; therefore I spend A LOT of time cleaning, so my hands are dreadful.  I know I should wear gloves while cleaning, but I should also not snack between meals, or drive above the speed limit, but I still do.

So... I am always on the lookout for any cream that stops my hands looking like a Somali riverbed in a drought.

I have tried many, many wonderful potions from hemp cream to Clarins.  Not many are really up to the job, but here is my humble opinion on all of the ones I have tried.

• Flexitol Hand Balm £5.10- This contains Urea (which is the main chemical in urine. nice!) it is really good but smells dreadful, reminiscent of old ladies in a care home. 5/5 for efficacy, 1/5 for usability because of the pong.
• E45 Cream £2.39 - Everyone with kids has some of these supposed wonder cream lurking around, I can't see it's appeal, maybe if you have super sensitive skin. 2/5
• Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector £5.00 - This stuff is amazing, it is so good at repairing chapped hands that even my Dad uses it.  Again the smell isn't it's strong point, but at least it's better than Flexitol. 4/5
• Body Shop Wild Rose Hand Cream £5.00 - Royally pants, this stuff has a pleasant old fashioned scent but it is so watery, it even slides off my hand whilst I am replacing the cap, and does nothing for your hands. 1/5 (just because it has SPF 15
• Nivea Cream £1.49  the stuff in a blue tub - Again I really dislike this, it is in no way moisturising enough, I can not ever imagine putting this on my face! 0/5
• Neutrogena norwegian formula, concentrated £3.68 - This is almost impossible to rub in, it takes some serious elbow grease, and on the subject of grease leaves an unpleasant film on your skin.  I does do what it says it does though so 3/5
• Clarins Hand and Nail Cream £21.00 - I really like this, it smells great, moisturises well and has a lovely texture that sinks in fast.  The only downside is obviously it's price £21 seriously!!! 4/5
• Soap and Glory Hand Food £5.00 - I have several bottles of this easy to apply, great smelling hand cream.  It sinks in quickly and does a good job but it doesn't last past the next hand wash and is more of a quick fix 3.5/5
• Molton Brown Hand Lotion Naran Ji - £20 - I absolutely love the smell of this and it absorbs super quick but like the soap and glory it is more of a quick fix, the smell is divine though (and has been renamed Orange and Bergamot) 3/5 due to price
• Derma Guard Skin Protector £5.99 - The main function of this is a barrier cream which means you apply it before doing tasks that would damage your hands (gardening washing up etc...) it works great at what it is designed for but only survives about 2 or 3 hand washes (which equates to about 30 mins for me) I always have it in though for when I am doing things that would really attack my hands. 4/5
• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - £26 - this is too greasy for use on my hands as they remain slippy after application, but I love this for my cuticles, elbows, heels and lips, it reminds me of Kiehls lip balm. 3.5/5
• Sanctuary Hand Cream - £3 - Again I love the smell, and always have this around as a nice pick me up in my handbag but it is quite a bog standard formula nothing special 3.5/5
• La Roche Posay Cicaplast  -£6 - My new Hold Grail Hand Cream.  I apply this after cleansing my face both morning and night and the benefits last a good few hours.  It is easily absorbed has no smell and really sorts your hands out.  If it had a gorgeous smell it would get a 5/5 but for now a 4.5/5 will have to do

See, I told you I have tried a lot, I have had even more hand creams than buggies, and I have had 6 of them.

It may sound like I do nothing but wash my hands but I love to cook so I have to wash my hands all the time when doing that and with a dog, 3 kids, a large house and garden, I am kept pretty busy with housework.

I can only honestly recommend 2 of them for efficacy, the rest may smell nice, have cute packaging or feel nice to put on, but they are intended for people who work in offices not people who limescale remove showers and clean up after mini people.  If you have ever have the joy of washing and sterilizing bottles, only you can understand the utter ruin it can reek on your hands.

The conclusion has to be La Roche Posay Cicaplast or The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector.

Has anyone else tried as many hand creams and have some recommendations?

Travel Beauty Kit

Yeah! nearly the weekend. I have a Christening to attend this weekend, which means travel and therefore travel beauty.

I have meant to do one of these posts in ages, but couldn't figure out how to get a photo of the copious amount of beauty paraphernalia I take, without it looking like clear-out day at the Cats Protection League Charity Shop.

Unfortunately I have not actually fixed the previous issue I was having and so you will be treated to me and my most cack-handed attempts at photographing my kit.

I spent a good hour fiddling around in my bedroom figuring out what to take (whilst watching Youtube videos) and I reckon this should cover most eventualities.

My new Travel Wash Bag is packed to overflowing with travel sized goodies, and rather than list them all out and bore you to tears, I will let you have a visual scrabble around and see what I have taken.  A lot of these things are my second best items or ones that are nearly finished, very few of them are must haves.

This photo is so poor, none of the labels are even facing up!  Obviously there are boring things like cotton pads and buds, earplugs, eye mask, shower cap (gotta love a bit of granny chic) deodorant, brush, razor, toothbrush etc...

I have stolen the MUA palette in Undress Me Too from my £30 Bargain Make Up look along with the foundation, powder and mascara.  This is because the products are really that good and I am enjoying using them so much that I refuse to leave them behind at the moment.  In addition I have taken;-

• Urban Decay De-slick - I always take this when my makeup has to last, I don't know if it works but the placebo effect reassures me.  
• Clinique Pore Minimiser - this is slightly tinted and siliconey, but it gives a smooth base for foundation application
• Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Flush - this is really long lasting and such a pretty colour 
• Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe - great base for my eye look and can be used on brows too
• Benefit High Beam - got in a set, just the right size for a travelling highlighter
• Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya - still obsessed, sorry

I only really need 5 brushes to achieve most looks (see this post for more info) so I just added on an eyebrow comb, black eyeliner and my new La-tweez tweezers.  The tweezers are seriously good for the £5 I paid in TK Maxx.  My last 2 pairs were Space NK  and Tweezerman (both £20 a go), but when one of my little darling lost them for me, I decided to give a cheaper pair a go.  These have lovely handles too, they came with a travel case and are great for detail work!

So there you have it.  I have also taken my ladybird paddle brush too but it doesn't fit in either of my cosmetics bags, so is just dumped un-ceremoniously in with my undies.

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What's In My Bag?

I adore reading other people's "What's in my Bag" posts.  It's like looking through someones bathroom or bookshelves, you can tell a lot about them from what they consider essential.

• Mulberry Bayswater in Chocolate - goes with everything (or so I tell myself to justify the cost.)I have had this for 5 years so this is actually a good picture to show what happens when you use them.
• Michael Kors Tech Wallet - birthday present (see this post.)
• iPhone 4S - probably one of my favourite things in the whole world (bar immediate family.)
• Sunglasses £12 from Accessorise as I always loose or break them so I just buy cheapies.
• Paperchase MP3 wallet that actually contains, plasters, ibuprofen, calpol, blister plasters etc..
• Tissues - boring.
• Sweetners -can't abide non-sweetened tea, and I don't want to loose my teeth so the only option.
• Keys- far too many, includes a mini swiss army knife that I end up using all the time.
• Radley Reusable Bag - I hate plastic bags as they hurt your hands and you can't put them over your shoulder when you need to go hands-free.
• Makeup Case - clear so I can find things quickly, cost 75p from the stationers.

Inside My Makeup Case

I must say that unlike all the other beauty bloggers who keep there must-have items in their handbag , I am the opposite, I keep all the stuff I don't like much so that at least it doesn't get wasted.  So here are my meh... products

• Clinique Almost Powder Makeup - Medium, looks cakey on but is fine for a quick touch up or to remove shine.  I loathe this packaging, I'm sure my Nan would love it though.
• Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain in Honey - like the colour HATE the smell, smells like musty mint, not nice.
• Clinique Colour Surge Impossibly Glossy in Azalea - I actually really like this, I bought 5 sample sized ones on ebay for £2 each (there's one on my keys in the main picture too.) see picture below for colour on.
• Maybelline Falsies Mascara - this is actually my go-to mascara but after using my mascara for 3 months I buy a new one (good girl), then I transfer the old one to my handbag (naughty girl.)
• Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream - Love what it does, really dislike the smell.
• Paname Mini Glass Nail File - Birthday present from husband. He bought me the full size Leighton Denny one, so he also got me this when he saw it.
• Bobbi Brown Double Ended Brush - too small for normal use but fine for emergencies.
• No7 Brown eyeliner- works for brows and for eyes, I use powder on my eyebrows usually but fine for a touch up.
• Hairbrush - stolen from the girls after they broke my fold up one.
• L'Occitane Eau des Vanilliers Solid Perfume - I love this smell but it's sadly discontinued.
• Benfit Eyeshadow in "It's not you it's me" - not pigmented enough for me, so in the handbag it goes.
• Bodyshop Travel Sized Blush Brush - terrible blush brush, great for blending eyeshadow on the go.

Items I did not photographs for "artistic" reasons

• Lady products (cough cough.)
• Baby wipes (packet was a state.)
• Bright Orange Tape measure that my son adores.
• 2 winning scratch cards totalling...wait for it ...£7!!!
• Non-working lightbulb, so I can get the right replacement when I go to the shop.

So there you have it, my bag laid bare!

What do you keep in your bag? Feel free to post links below, I love looking at what other people keep in their bags, even if it does make me feel super-disorganised.

Makeup Brushes - Best Brushes on a Budget

I can't believe it is eventually Spring! I m so excited that I have cracked open the the coral nail polishes and the inappropriate footwear already.

I thought I would try photograph my brushes outside for a change, so please excuse the bizarre choice of backdrop, but I couldn't help myself.

Here are my favourites.  As you know I love a bargain so a lot of them are the best quality you can get a reasonable price point.  I consider £6-8 per brush to be my sweet spot but I will spend extra for a specific brush if needed.

Please excuse the slight snipped away bits on some of my brushes, this was not an attempt to hone each brush to perfection, rather my son just got busy with my hairdressing scissors one day, Thanks Little Man!

Face

Ecotools Powder Brush - I got this in TK Maxx for £5,  It is really soft and great for applying a dusting of powder to set your foundation.  This stops you getting that cakey look that powder puffs give you.

Real Techniques Blush Brush - £7.19 Amazon - I just got this as a gift for my birthday I like the size of it and that it is great at giving me a soft blush or bronzer finish, I wouldn't recommend it for contouring though as the head it just too big for me, but then I'm hopeless at contouring so I'm not sure I should be doling out advice on that!

Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I paid about £10 for this but they are cheaper on Amazon at the moment - I bought this to apply foundation with, as everyone was raving about it, but it sucks up all your foundation and leaves a streaky finish...not good.  However, I love it as a smoother after I have applied my foundation with my fingertips.  I just buff this in circles over my face and it gives it a very even streak free finish, it is ideal to ensure there are no lines or uneven patches.

Eyes

Sephora Pro Crease - I bought this in Vegas and it cost about £16 after conversion from USD.  This is an amazing brush, you can use it to blend all the different shadows together at the end of application and it leaves such a professional finish.  I also like using it to apply face powder in small areas like to set concealer.  Now that Sephora ships to the UK there's no need to wait till a friend goes there.

Laura Mercier Smudge - Another splurge brush, this cost me £20 from Space NK (UK equivalent of Sephora) - this is my all time favourite brush because it is such a specific tool but it works perfectly.  I love the smoky eye look and this brush is ideal to push a dark eye shadow into your lash line and then you can blend it out.  I have had this a few years now and it was well worth the money.

MAC 213 SE Fluff Brush - Free in a palette - currently 10% off at Debenhams - My brother kindly bought me a gorgeous MAC eyeshadow palette when he visited New York and this was in it, I have had it for about 10 years and I use it everyday unfortunately this brush suffered the brunt of the scissor attack and so I have had to replace it, it is still usable but nowhere near as good :(

Real Techniques Shading Brush - I paid about £6 for this - I have only had this about a week and was bought to replace my beloved MAC brush.  I like it so far, it applies your eyeshadow with more precision than the MAC but only by about 20% more.  I like that it is really soft and it blends much better than my old brush.

Ruby and Millie Eye Brushes - I have 2 of these both came free in makeup sets I was bought as Christmas gifts - I really like these brushes.  I use one for shading my eyebrows (it has a navy band round it in the picture, which I did with nail varnish.)  The other I use for eyeliner, it is so good at getting right into the lash line but still sift enough to use on your waterline.  The brand has been sadly discontinued but this is supposed to be very similar and at $10 (about £7) I would say is surprisingly good value.

Maybelline Liner Brush - this came free with their gel liner that was only about £8 - It is great for detail work but I wish it had a longer handle.  I use this on the waterline and for cats eye liner.

Body Shop Blending Brush - I have had this since University so about 15 years it cost about £6 - They no longer make it (God knows why?) but it is a really good brush for putting on your base colour of eyeshadow as it is so broad it is really quick.  Here is something similar though the price is nowhere near as good.

Concealing

Body Shop Eyeshadow Brush - Again it cost about £6 and I have had it for years - It is a truly terrible eyeshadow brush as it is too thin and the bristles are too firm BUT.. it is a very good concealer brush for applying concealer over blemishes (spots.) It is great at depositing cream concealers without taking it back off again. This has now been discontinued as well.

Body Shop Lip Brush - ditto cost, age and discontinuege (not a real word) - I never use lip brushes so I have no idea whether this is good as a lip brush but like it's sister above, it is great at concealing.  I use this for detail concealer work.  This has now been discontinued and not replaced by anything remotely similar.

Last but not least

Disposable Mascara Wand - I got these on Ebay they were about £1 for 10 - I use these to brush through my brows after applying my foundation to ensure there is none hanging around there waiting to look all grubby.

Hopefully this gives a good overview of my prices, I have a couple of kabuki's that I occasionally crack out for blush but other than that this pretty much sums up my everyday tools.

Is there anything else I'm missing?  What are your Must-Have brushes?

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My Top 3 Affordable Foundations

I don't know about you, but I alternate between 3 foundations based on the needs of my skin and the length of time I will be needing to wear it for without touch ups. These are the three I swap between and regularly repurchase.

Bourjois Healthy Mix. Foundation - No SPF £9.99 here 

This is recommended by Lisa Eldridge and is a great everyday foundation.  It gives medium coverage and a lovely glow.  I need to set this foundation on the t-zone though to avoid greasy looking skin within the hour, but this is not a deal breaker.  It has a pump (that can fail if the product isn't stored upright) It smells delicious and is smooth to apply, it stays liquid for a decent time giving you time to work it in. It apparently has no SPF so should not give you a greyish colour but the ingredients contain titanium dioxide which a common ingredient used to give sun protection.  This a great foundation for days when your skin feels dry and you want to look more radiant. On normal to dry skin (instead of my oily face) I imagine it is an amazing foundation apart from the lack of SPF. I looks incredibly natural. Note - it has changed it packaging recently.

Revlon Colorstay Oily/Combination foundation - SPF 6 - £12.49 here

I use this when my makeup has to stay all day , so lazy days or for "events". It dries quickly and so you have to work fast to blend this.  You need to do one area at a time so that the first blob hasn't dried before you have chance to blend.  It has a feeble SPF of 6 and no pump on the bottle but it is still a "must have" due to the fact I can go all day without a hint of oil. This foundation is great if you like the flawless look for your skin, I feel it can look a bit unnatural in it's perfection as it is full coverage, but sometimes it is nice to have a completely even base, particularly for statement make up. It doesn't feel heavy on at all and if I could only have one foundation this would be the one. It comes in a great range of colours and is good it toning down pinkish skin. It is also good at masking redness if blushing is a problem for you. I solve the pump problem by repurposing an old Lancome foundation bottle.

Rimmel Match Perfection - SPF 18 - £6.99 on offer here for £5
This is an easy to apply foundation with medium coverage and staying power it, stays longer than the Healthy Mix yet is more dewy than the Revlon, it is a good in-between and regularly can be picked up for just £6 a bottle. Other plus points are that it has an spf of 18 which is highly appreciated when on holiday and even better it has a pump, though I doubt whether anyone would need a whole pump to cover their face. I bought this as a cheapy foundation to cover me for the month or so in summer where my skin is most tanned, but it has ended up being a foundation i like to have on hand at all times. Again I would set this over the t-zone with powder is it has a "wet" finish.

Honourable Mention

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation SPF 15 - £8.99 here 
This is recommended by Tanya Burr and. I think it gives good coverage and a really natural looking finish.  the price is good and it smells lovely.  it has an SPF of 15 and a pump top.  The only issue i have is that the colour is slightly orange on, though this can be corrected with powder.  I wish this was stocked in a wider variety of shades as it is a good foundation.  It doesn't wear as well as the others, but can blended more easily, This is my least favourite of the 4 but I would still buy it if my usual colour was not available in the others as it does the job.

NB.  apply all my foundations with my finger tips, as i don't find that you can get such an even finish with a brush or sponge, they always seem to leave streaks.  I also prefer my fingers for hygiene reasons as i don't have to keep washing brushes, just my hands which I always do before applying my make up anyway. Another reason for using my hands is that brushes and sponges waste at least 50% of the product, so I have to re-buy more regularly and waste money.

May Loving.. Seche Vite and St Moriz review also Coralista dupe

I have been loving...

Seche Vite
Every beauty bloggers go-to top coat.   This stuff is absolutely amazing.  It give miror like shine along with amazing durability (5 days so far.) You need to apply it when the colour coat is still wet so that it bonds with it. Some bloggers report shrinkage (not a problem here)  but I love this stuff, makes even a mediocre nail varnish look expensive.

St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse  £4 ish
Another Beauty blogger favourite with the worlds poorest attempt at a rip off name.  If you have never heard of this, as many of my freinds hadn't, then let me introduce you. Since my holiday I have been using this every forth day and have stayed tanned.  The colour is lovely,  I use medium.  This self tan doesn't suffer with the same problem many others do, namely it looks okay even before yoiu have showered off the coloured top coat which you use to help you achieve an even application.  I apply it using good old latex gloves and give the bottle a good rinse down afterwards to keep it clean (some others had noted it gets a bit grubby looking).  I can't believe how cheap this stuff is compared to a spray tan and I don't need to get naked in front of a stranger.  The only bad point is that I can't do my own back.

Coralista Dupe (UK only sorry)
I have had Benefit's Coralista on my beauty products to buy last since Christmas after my Dad bought it for me as a gift, the price however has put me off until... I was in Superdrug the other day and they had 3 for 2 on all make up and I saw an amazing Coral blusher with gold flecks from Beauty UK (yep, never heard of them either) it was only £2.99 so worth a shot.  I believe the colour is called Rustic Peach and it is lovely on, a little goes a long way and really brightens up your face.

My Style Role Models

When I am lacking in inspiration for getting dressed I check out some of my favourite celebrities.  I love Olivia Palermo and Miranda Kerr's looks, but I will NEVER be that slim, I wouldn't have the endless self control required. I like women who have curves, it looks so glamorous and decadent and is actually acheivable.

Clemence Posey aged 29 
Better known as Fleur Delacoeur in Harry Potter or Eva in Gossip Girl. She is not a conventional beauty but I think that actually adds to her charm.



Marion Cotillard aged 37 
Oscar Winner , best known as Miranda in the Dark Knight Rising, Mal in Inception and Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. She has such a natural style and an intelligent face.



Kate Winslet - I'm not sure there is any point introducing her.  She is another Oscar winner who lends more to her roles than just her beauty.

Holly Willoughby - She is a British daytime TV presenter who has a very classic style and always looks pulled together even though she is a mother of two.

Kelly Brook - What she lacks in brains she makes up for in a beautiful feminine body.  She has good style too. she knows what works on her and sticks with it.

Have I missed anyone who's got curves and great style? Who inspires you?

xo

These Are a Few of My Favourite Things...

I have had such an inspirational (yet also lazy) week so I thought I would share some of the great things I have found this week.

Beauty

- Essie The Main Collection Mademoiselle #384- this is not new, in fact it is the colour Kate Middleton wore for her wedding, it is beautiful though.  It wears well, goes on so quickly and is a lovely delicate colour, just perfect for naturally elegant nails.

- RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, 1-Ounce - I have just ordered this as I am getting more fine lines and wrinkles.  I am hoping this will help me by preventing them getting worse.  The reviews look great but only if you have have normal-oily skin. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

- MUA Blush Perfection in Dolly - I won this on another Blog! I was so happy to actually win something, as I rarely enter competitions.  I got 2 blushers and the Dolly one is so pretty on.  It isn't as long lasting as the Daniel Sandler Watercolour that I usually use, but the colour is so cute.  Here is the original review on Dutchess Roz's great site.
http://www.dutchessroz.com/2012/11/mua-blush-perfection-cream-blush.html

Books

- Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl
I have just received my copy of and started reading it last night in the bath. I love it so far, it is nicely written but not too heavy, I am hoping to be able to dip in and out of it over the next week.  My favourite quote so far.

"Engage in real, in-the-moment pleasure, not mindless entertainment.  Feed your mind" 

- Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life As It Should Be - I love this book, I have just gone back to it for inspiration for my dressing room.  He is undoubtedly one of the most OCD people I have ever read about, but he knows what it takes to live a chic life (just not the relaxed part)

- Wolf Hall - I am still reading this, it is over 600 pages, and I am thoroughly enjoying savouring the great characters that Hilary has brought to life.  Must read for fans of the Tudors.


Recipe Books

- Food of France (Food Of Series) - This book is great, I have owned it for about 10 years but with my renewed interest in cooking rich French food, it has been used lots recently. My favourite recipes include;
Pate en Croute - pate in a pastry case
Oeufs en Croustade - eggs in bread with hollandaise
Chicken Liver Pate - so good, and easy.

- French Delicious Classic Cuisine Made Easy - This is an all-time favourite, the stuffed cabbage (weird sounding I know!) is one of my husbands most asked for dishes.  My other favourites include;
Twice Baked Cheese Souffle - easy dinner party dish, and uses up bits of cheese from the fridge
Chicken Veronique - chicken with a cream, white wine and grape sauce
Pork with Camembert - this is amazing, we tend to add green or pink peppercorns to it too.

- New British Classics - By Gary Rhodes - another classic in our house.  He is a complete perfectionist and it always makes me laugh how exact the instructions in his recipes are, but if you want Michelin quality meals, then he's your guy. My best recipes include;
Rack on Black -loin of lamb with black pudding
Smoked Haddock Welsh Rarebit - smoked haddock with a cheese topping served on a tomato salad.
Sticky Toffee Pudding Ice Cream - no explanation needed.

As you can probably see my spending less resolution is still failing miserably.

Has anyone else read any of these books or tried the Essie Polish?

xo

Best Shoes for the Festive Party Season 2012

Shoe Porn for this years Party Season

Top Left to Bottom Right

1. Giuseppe Zanotti Jewel-Embellished Sandal £810 
2. Jimmy Choo Melvin £590
3. Jimmy Choo Kani  £1,295 ouch!
4. Carvela Antibes Glitter Court Shoe £120
5. Kurt Geiger Elinda from 220 down to £120 at harrods
6. Aldente  Nine West £105
7. Glitter Almond Toe Court Shoes £26
8. Schuh Loop Sculpt Glitter wedge £70
9. Dune  Heather Snake Print from £85 down to £59

anything take your fancy?

Best Products for Fine Hair

If, like me, you have fine lank hair, you will know how frustrating it is to try and get some volume going on. Endless articles advising you to backcomb (the backcombing just shows through), apply mousse (goes crispy) and other stupid ideas just serve to frustrate me further.

This is my hair at it's most volumicious, rubbish, I know! but still better than it would be otherwise.

I also have hair that looks greasy if not washed everyday, and again, advice just to wash it less and it will adjust, must be written by those with dry hair!

Here are my life savers-

1. Big Hair Styler

I love this product, makes getting the blowdryed hair look effortless. Even for someone as impatient as me, this works a treat. Tip - hair must be almost dry before using.

2. Samy Icing

This is a great pick me up half way through the day when your hair has lost whatever oomph it had somehow managed to garner. You just spray it onto your fingertips and rub into the roots where you need volume. Feels a little crunchy, but brushes out and you can still run your fingers through most of your hair without them getting stuck.

3. Getting your hair highlighted

This sounds like overkill, but the roughed up hair cuticle that is produced from bleaching your hair means that your hair will look thicker. This obviously only works on those who like their hair to be lighter than their natural colour.

4. Dry Shampoo
I think most everyone in the world knows about this by now, but for those who don't this is a godsend for those of us who need to wash our hair everyday, the powder absorbs grease and also bulks up roots. I have taken to using loose face powder on my hair, i buy it in a translucent colour from a cheap brand then rub a small amount through my roots. I find the aerosol cans leave a white residue and also cost a lot for minimal product.

What are your favourite products?

Xx

My Make Up Kit

Eyeshadows

• MAC eyeshadows in Nylon, era, vex, club, shale, embark
• Urban Decay eyeshadows in Virgin, sin, naked, sidecar, buck, half baked, smog, darkhorse, toasted, hustle, creep, gunmetal
• Barry M dazzle dust in 27
• Bourjois eyeshadow powder 7
• Benefit It's not you it's me
• 17 eyeshadow in Regal & Mardi Gras
• Bourjois Intense 04
• Bobbi Brown eye shadow peach, baby pink & lilac
• Barry M supersoft eye crayon no 2
• Maybelline eyestudio mono 750 chocolate chic

Mascaras

1. L'Oreal Million Lashes Mascara extra black
2. As above waterproof
3. Bourjois elastic mascara 
4. Maybelline lash stiletto in black

Eyeliners

• Beauty UK glitter eyeliner
• Collection 2000 fast stroke eyeliner brown
• Maybelline eyestudio lasting drama gel eyeliner in black
• MAC fluidline dipdown
• Bourjois black & violet reflection eyeliner 46
• Maybelline linermatic black & kohl express brown gleam
• Barry M eyeliner pen in gold
• Mac eye pencil in black
• Avon Arabian glow in emerald
• 17 perfect definition eye liner in soft black
• Lancome le crayon kohl in chataigne
• L'Oreal infallible indefectible retractable eyeliner in shimmering black & Chocolate Addiction

Brows

• Benefit Brow Zings in medium
• Lancome Le crayon sourcils in brown

Face Correctors

• Clinique Pore Minimiser
• Urban Decay 24/7 concealer pencil DEA
• Lancome Flash Retouche 03
• Lancome LA base pro
• Make up forever 5 camouflage cream palette no 1
• No 7 high lights illuminating lotion
• Urban Decay de-slick
• Bourjois pen corrector in 32 clare
• Benefit high beam

Lip Glosses & Lip Sticks

• Body Shop born lippy raspberry
• Benefit lip plump
• Bourjois 3D effect gloss nudes Rose mythic 20
• Clinique ling last glosswear 15 whisper and 09 Juicy Apple
• Clinique Superbalm moisturising gloss grapefruit
• Clinique colour surge impossibly glossy 21 Azalea
• Clinique lipstick in 33 raspberry and 43 Glazed Berry
• Maybelline superstay 24 Color 611 creme caramel
• L'Oreal glam shine fresh 183 Aqua Pomegranate
• Revlon Matte 003 Mauve it over
• Chanel Rouge Allure 14 Passion
• Bobbi brown lip sheer in baby pink, clear pink & tangerine
• Bobbi brown lip Color warm pink

Foundations & Powder

• L'Oreal true match foundation W3
• Bourjois healthy mix foundation 54
• Benefit foundation stick in hide & seek
• ID bare minerals foundation in fairly beige
• ID bare minerals veil & warmth
• Bobbi Brown pressed powder in warm natural
• Clinique Almost Powder makeup in 05 medium

Blush

• Benefit Hoola
• Make Up Academy Shade 2 blush
• Bourjois delice de poudre no 51 bronzer
• Bourjois blush in 16 Rose coup de foudre & 74 Rose ambre
• MAC pinch o peach
• Benefit benetint
• Maybelline dream mousse blush in 04 mauve and 06

Lipliners

• Body shop lipliner in beech
• Rimmel lasting finish 1000 kisses lipliner in wine 061, tiramisu 050 and spice 011 also Rimmel Exaggerate in addiction 18
• No 7 perfect lips pencil 30 Caramel

Brushes etc...

• Tweezerman angled tweezers
• Space NK angled tweezers
• Clinique foundation brush & bronzer/blender brush
• M&S Kabuki
• Bare escentuals kabuki, flawless face & concealer brushes
• MAC 213SE
• Ruby & Millie eye, slanted eyeliner, eye m short, and face
• Urban Decay shadow brush
• Bodyshop eye blender brush, brow colour, eyeshadow & lip/concealer brushes
• Laura Mercier smudge brush
• Maybelline gel eyeliner brush
• Artists brush fine head

5 products I would not be without

These are the products I buy again and again and again.... they work and they don't break the bank.

1. Herbal Essences Conditioners

I have used these for years and nothing beats them for being able to comb your hair through when wet. I have long highlighted hair and these help keep it in acceptable condition. Also super cheap! For those of you who don't like Silicones in your hair products look away now, as the reason these make hair so manageable is the use of Dimethacone

2. Boots Simply Sensitive Foaming Cleansing Wash

Originally called boots expert gentle cleanser. I bought this after reading Paula Begoun's books, they advised using gentler cleansers so I switched to this and was surprised how cheap and effective it was. I have one of these next to my hand basin and one in the shower. You can usually pick these up on Boots 3 for 2 skincare offers so they work out about £2 each. They remove make up easily and the foaming pump makes it easy to use. I use this with my Clarisonic.

3. Bare Escentuals Mineral Make Up

I bought this for my wedding back in 2009 with the hope it would give me the perfect beautiful bridal skin. I can't say my skin looked perfect, but it looked better than it ever had before. I still use this now as I have oily skin and this helps keep the oil under control. The coverage is just perfect and it gives a lovely sheen. The main complaint about mineral foundations is the mess they create, the best way to help avert the constant dust created by the usual method of application is to decant the powder into salt pot (as pretty as you can find) and then pour the right amount into the palm if your hand and use the kabuki to swirl it on. I also use Revlon Colour Stay when I need super long lasting coverage and Bourjois Healthy Mix when I want some moisturising too.  

4. L'Oreal Million Lashes

I used Lancome Hypnose for years then one day forgot my make up bag and so had to go buy a cheap mascara just to last the weekend. I took a chance on this after hearing so many positive reviews and loved it. The separation and lengthening is perfect. 

5. Clinique Superbalm Moisturising Gloss

Very wearable shades, especially Grapefruit. Not too gloopy, feels very moisturising.

xo