Ride or Die Makeup Tag

I've seen a new tag on YouTube doing the rounds lately and thought I'd give it a try! I first saw it on makeup maestro Jaclyn Hill's channel and was intrigued to hear what everyone's ride or die products are. I think it's a great tag because it seems like every month there is a new 'must have' product to try which can be quite daunting for beginners and hard for makeup lovers like me to decide what to splash my cash on. I decided to skip on choosing a favourite gloss, eyeshadow palette and lashes because these aren't products I wear on a daily basis so don't feel I could commit to one and call it my ride or die. What are your absolute ride or die products? Here are mine...

1. Primer - Benefit Porefessional 
2. Foundation - Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation Stick
3. Concealer - Urban Decay Naked Skin
4. Face powder - Mac Mineralised Skin Finish
5. Under eye setting powder - W3LL PEOPLE Bio Brightener Invisible Powder
6. Bronzer - Benefit Hoola Bronzer
7. Blush - Mac Eternal Sun 
8. Highlight - Anastasia Beverly Hills "That Glow" Highlight Palette 
9. Mascara - Too Faced Better Than Sex 
10. Eyebrows - Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pomade
11. Lipstick - Mac Velvet Teddy
12. Liquid lipstick - Stila Patina
13. Setting spray - Urban Decay Chill Setting Spray
14. Scent - Chloe - Signature 

Sephora Haul

A few days away in Paris only means one thing - a trip to Sephora! The best way to describe most of us beauty junkies in Sephora is like an unrestricted child in a sweetie shop. Some of these products have been on my wishlist for a while and others were just impulse buys because, well, they were just too pretty to wait for!

The first thing on my wishlist was the Too Faced Born This Way foundation. I love trying out new foundations but have been stuck on using my Make Up Forever Ultra HD Stick for a few months now so decided to try something new. I bought it in the shade nude which I wasn't too sure about at first but the it matches me well. So far I've only worn it twice but I'm impressed with the coverage it gives me and it is very buildable and lasts all day. 

I bought a few staple items like a new beauty blender and a new tube of the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara which is one of my all time favourites. I finally got round to buying the Nars blush in orgasm, the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer and the Giorgio Armani face powder which I've heard great things about. I also managed to get my hands on three new liquid lipsticks and two new shades of the Urban Decay Vice Lipsticks. 

The first liquid lipstick I picked up was this gorgeous Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in shade 406 Orient. I'm a consumer that is so easy to sell to (especially when it comes to makeup) and I saw the sales assistant wearing this shade and had to get my hands on it! 

I'm also really excited to try my two liquid lipsticks from Too Faced. I picked up the shades chocolate milkshake (which smells exactly like a chocolate milkshake!) and nude. Both are perfect for everyday wear and I think these will be my go to lipsticks for work. My local Debenhams don't have a huge range of Too Faced products so I wanted to grab as many goodies as I could from one of my favourite brands. 

I've wanted to try the new Vice lipsticks from Urban Decay for a while now and picked up two in the shades Wonderland and 1993. Urban Decay is a great brand but these are the first lip products I've purchased from them so I'm excited to try these out. And, as expected, the packaging is gorgeous! 

Another Too Faced product that I'm excited to try out is the Chocolate Bar eyeshadow palette. I don't own many eyeshadow palettes as I usually only wear mascara to work but I couldn't resist purchasing this. It's become a cult product for many because of the mix of matte and shimmer shades in natural browns, delicate pinks and plums. 

My final purchase was the Peter Thomas Roth Mini Mask Magic Kit. It includes a cooling cucumber gel masks which helps soothe and hydrate, a rose stem cell bio-repair gel mask to help rejuvenate tired skin and a pumpkin enzyme mask for exfoliating. I love anything mini and I'm looking forward to finding out which mask works best for my skin so I can purchase it in full size. These are all 15ml. 

So that was my Sephora haul! It really was a case of damage limitation as I could've spent hours in there. I love trying out new products and hopefully finding hidden gems as well as trying cult favourites. What new purchases have you bought recently? Do you have any products that you couldn't live without and would highly recommend? If so, I'd love to hear about them!

My Highlighter Collection

Okay so who doesn't love a good highlight? I'm a little bit obsessed with highlighters (I mean I want my highlight to be seen from space!) and although my collection isn't huge, I thought I'd share it with you here and tell you a little bit about what I love about each of them.

Benefit Sun Beam Liquid Highlighter - This is liquid sunshine in a bottle! A beautiful golden bronze highlight that leaves my skin looking sunkissed and radiant. I dot and blend this over my makeup on the tops of my cheeks and brow bone for a lovely bronzed glow. This looks just as stunning when wearing it alone, especially on holiday. For a more intense glow, I apply this and go over the top with a powder highlight.

Sleek Highlighter Solstice Palette - For a drugstore product, this is amazing! It consists of one cream highlight and three powder shades although I only use the powder shades. A little bit goes a long way and it doubles up as an eye shadow palette too. The packaging is beautiful and the pigmentation is insane for such a low priced product. It comes with a little compact brush which I don't use but overall this is a great product that I would highly recommend.

 

Laura Geller Gilded Honey - So I feel like everyone and their mum owns this highlight! This is a beautiful subtle copper bronze highlight that is so beautiful to work with because of it's buttery consistency that almost makes it feel like a cream. This is my everyday highlight because it gives me such a beautiful glow and stays on all day.

 

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer - This is a beautiful honey-hued lumanizer that I wear on my "no make up make up days". It gives a beautiful, youthful glow without being too intense. I'm not sure how well this would show up if you have very pale skin, but I have an olive skin tone and I love the soft glow it gives me.

 

Becca Champagne Pop - A new cult favourite, this Becca formula collaboration with YouTuber Jaclyn Hill is a stunning highlight. A beautiful buttery powder that is finely milled gives you the most beautiful lit-from-within glow. Again, a little bit goes a long way and it lasts all day on me. It is a lovely golden apricot shade that will transform anyone into a glowing, golden goddess.

 

Mac Soft and Gentle - This is definitely more glittery than any of the other highlighters but it is still a lovely product. It isn't as pigmented so is perfect if you're looking for a natural glow. I wouldn't say this is my go-to highlight but it is still a welcome addition to my collection if ever I want a little something but nothing too intense.

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Palette - So I think I've probably saved the best till last. A quartet of exquisite highlights, this palette will transform and elevate any look. This has been a much raved product within the beauty community for it's amazing colour pay-off and blendability. The palette contains the following shades:

 

Sunburst - A bright gold with champagne undertones (I love to use this as my inner corner highlight or mixed with Dripping in gold)

 

Golden Bronze - Golden brown shade with a bronzed shimmer finish

 

Bubbly - A beautiful rose pink with golden undertones

 

Dripping in Gold - Reflective gold with nude undertones

 

Have you tried these highlights? Or maybe you have one that you would highly recommend that I haven't mentioned. If so, I'd love to hear in the comments below

 

 

Dermalogica Facial

I recently talked about this facial in my skincare in your 20’s post. I don’t get a facial done regularly but recently I’ve been determined to take my skincare routine a lot more seriously. After all, I get my hair done every 6 weeks so why not my skin?

This facial is great because rather than analysing your skin on a general basis, the skin therapist divides the facial landscape into fourteen zones. Each zone is thoroughly examined inch-by-inch through touch and sight, and findings are noted on a prescription sheet. This sheet is used as a customised guide for you so you can see areas of your face where conditions such as breakouts, hyper-pigmentation and dehydration are present.

Face mapping maintains an accurate record of your skin which allows you and your therapist an objective view into the results of any products that have been recommended. I love this treatment because it is unique to each client because of the use of professional customisation products. My facial also included a choice of scalp, hand or foot massage. The treatment costs £45 and mines lasted for over an hour (that’s a guess as I was so zoned out and relaxed during it, I lost track of time!) My skin felt thoroughly cleansed and refreshed afterwards and my skin looked far more vibrant and brighter the next day. It is advised to arrive 5 minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment time in order to fill out a card stating what concerns you have and what you’re expectations are. I was given a number of samples to try afterwards before committing to buying any of the products. 

I would highly recommend this facial to anyone who wants a clearer and better understanding of their skin. Quite often, I’ve bought skin care products that are not compatible with my skin type and often the amount of products available on the market can make it daunting when it comes to choosing the right one for you.

The Dermalogica facial is only available from Dermalogica skin care professionals at authorised skin treatment centres. You can find your nearest one here http://www.dermalogica.co.uk/uk/buy/index.html

July Favourites

 

I know I say this every month - but seriously now, where is the year going? I haven't tried a lot of new products this month but here I'll share some of my favourite new discoveries. 

Volcano Foot Mask by Lush - I've been on the hunt for a good foot care product for a while now, especially given the nicer weather and I want my peeps to look pretty for my mini break to Paris next week. Step forward the Volcano foot mask - the perfect pick me up for your feet. This cooling foot mask contains pumice which works as a foot scrub and deodorising ingredients as well as brightening papaya. Simply smear your feet in the foot mask, cover them with a plastic bag (I like to wrap mine in cling film) and put your feet up for 20 minutes.

Morphe G5 Pointed Powder Brush - Morphe produce some of the best makeup brushes out there in my opinion and their prices are reasonable. I've been using this G5 powder brush (as you can tell from the photo!) almost every day this month. With silky synthetic bristles, this brush picks up just the right amount of product and blends everything in seamlessly and comfortably.

NYX Intense Tres Leches Butter Gloss - I am so excited that Boots has now started stocking NYX products. These glosses are so comfortable to wear and are super pigmented. I love wearing this shade over my all time favourite lipstick - Mac Velvet Teddy - for a sultry and glossy nude/brown lip. 

Stila Patina Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick - This is the first Stila product I've ever bought and I'm obsessed! Patina is a beautiful muted petal pink shade and the formula contains nourishing Vitamin E and avocado oil which hydrates and softens the lips. The colour pay off is great and it lasts on my lips for around 5-6 hours. 

Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil - I was getting random break outs for a while and had no idea why until I swapped makeup removing wipes for this oil. I find using an oil to remove my makeup is a lot gentler on my face. This oil dissolves all types of make-up and is suitable for those with sensitive skin. Leaving your face feeling cleansed and moisturised but not greasy. 

ABH "That Glow" Highlighting Palette - I feel like everyone and their mum has been raving about the new highlighters from ABH - and no wonder! I've been using mine for a few months now and it's fast becoming my ultimate favourite. I'm a highlighter junkie and this palette is a must-have for makeup lovers. Containing four highlighters, these insanely gorgeous colours glide onto the skin beautifully leaving you with a radiant glow that lasts. 

What have been your favourites this month? Please leave any suggestions down below as I'm always looking to try out new beauty products. I hope you had a great July! 

Skin Care In Your 20's

When I was younger I always thought that my skin would magically transform in my 20’s. Still too young to worry about wrinkles, but old enough to be past the teenage break out stage. Unfortunately, your 20’s can be just as confusing for your skin as it is for everything else in your life. I’m battling very early signs of ageing and fatigued-looking skin alongside those occasional breakouts. Your 20’s is the perfect time to start taking your skin care routine seriously (and I don’t just mean taking a quick baby wipe to your face). Here I share my do’s and don’ts for skin care in your 20’s.

Don’t sleep with your makeup on – Okay so this is a pretty obvious one and I’ve been a guilty culprit for a very long time. I used to work in bars and clubs during my time at uni and was always too tired to remove my makeup thoroughly. The problem with leaving your makeup on overnight is that not only do you feel gross in the morning, but it could be damaging your skin in more ways than you think. For example, sleeping with eye shadow on can clog the little hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids which may lead to infections like styes.

Do get plenty of sleep – Getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night is essential for beautiful and radiant looking skin. Sleep gives our body time to repair and recover and leads to a long list of benefits for your skin. When we sleep our skin produces new collagen which leads to plumper looking skin and fewer wrinkles. Quality sleep regularly will also help prevent dark circles and sagging underneath your eyes.

Don’t stay away from sunscreen – Living in the north of Scotland, I don’t see the sun that often but sun rays can be just as damaging during winter months are they are in the summer. Investing in a good sunscreen will help slow down the development of wrinkles and premature ageing as well as reducing the appearance of blotchiness and helping to prevent facial brown spots.

Do invest in a good eye cream - I personally think that the best investment for your skin in your 20’s is finding a good eye cream that works for you. There are a lot out there but as you become more aware of what type of skin you have and what your problem areas are, you’re sure to find one that works perfectly for you. I’ve heard great reviews about the Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream  which is anti-aging and collagen boosting. I also highly recommend the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Eye. I recently posted about my experience with botox for fine lines underneath your eyes which is said to help delay signs of more intense wrinkles later on in life.

Don’t think you’re too young for facials – So facials are expensive and it’s not always easy to find time in your week to visit your salon regularly but there are things that you can’t DIY. Not only is a beautician or dermatologist probably going to give you better skin care advice than at a beauty counter, but if you’re having issues with your skin then it can help find out why. For £45 my local salon offers The Dermalogica Skin Treatment which is customised at every step by the skin therapist, based on your skin mapping analysis. Each treatment is unique and they can offer products that best suit your skin needs.

Do stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Staying hydrated promotes skin circulation at its base so that skin repair doesn’t decrease. If you feel that you are overloading with lotions and potions but not seeing any results, make sure you’re drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day. I know that sounds hard and I really struggled with it but I downloaded the Plant Nanny (available free on the App Store) which is a great way to keep track of how much water you are drinking.

Don’t stick to the £1 face masks – During my late teens, I used to love the cheap face masks that are available in most supermarkets but now is the right time to find a quality face mask that works for your skin. Part of this is finding out what skin type you have and tailoring your routine around that. I have dry skin, especially under my eyes and my favourite masks to use are the Glamglow THIRSTYMUD Hydrating Treatment which I use around 3 times a week and the Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask. If you’re unsure what type of skin you have, simply ask your skin therapist at your salon or a staff member in the body shop who are always happy to help.

My Botox Experience

Three months after my 25^th birthday, I booked in for my first botox treatment at the skin clinic in Aberdeen. It was something I’d thought long and hard about for the 6 months prior to me going. I know wrinkles and fine lines are all part of the aging process and I’m not somebody who is afraid of getting older. In fact, I’m enjoying the wisdom and sense of peace that getting more mature seems to be bringing me. But my under eye fine lines were something that irritated me and I felt like I had tried every available eye cream and concealer out there. I know people might think that 25 is still far too young to even think about botox but this was my decision and I think that given all the things that you can do at 25, I’m definitely mature enough to come to my own decisions regarding my appearance. I researched a lot beforehand and knew that I wanted only the tiniest amount injected first to see if I noticed any visible difference. If I liked it - great! And if I didn’t, well at least it wasn’t anything permanent. I definitely didn’t feel pressurised by anyone into getting botox done. I’m single so wasn’t doing it to please a partner and I hardly read any celebrity magazines that put a dent in my self esteem. This was something I wanted to do for me – and nobody was going to stop me!

I’d been to the skin clinic a few years before and had a great experience there. I knew the clinical director personally as I work in the NHS and trusted him fully. He is the lead consultant dermatologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary so this guy knew what he was doing! I would only ever recommend going to a dermatologist. I know some people less qualified might be just as good at giving it, but for me personally I wanted a doctor to administer it especially given that it was around such a sensitive area. I had my initial consultation with a nurse who went through exactly what to expect both pre and post treatment. She referred me on to the consultant as only he can administer botox around the eye area. The following week I had my consultation with the specialist and had my first treatment there and then. Of course I was apprehensive, but after doing my research I knew the pain would be nippy but nothing excruciating. I was given an anaesthetic wipe to clean off my makeup under my eye area but was allowed to leave my contacts in. He only administered a tiny amount and told me that if I didn’t notice a visible difference, I could come back for more free of charge. The needle was so fine that I hardly felt a thing. The best way I can describe it is like having your skin pinched with a tweezer for a second. It really isn’t sore at all and I was out the clinic within 5 minutes. I was told to expect some bruising or redness after but this was completely normal and would subside within a few hours but I didn’t experience any of that. Botox isn’t instant and it will take a few days (about 5-7 days) before you begin to see results. At my follow up appointment two weeks later, I decided to have some more injected as I wasn’t completely satisfied with the results. After my second visit, I began to see a much more dramatic result. My whole eye area looked more awake and my fine lines were much less visible. Botox doesn’t make wrinkles disappear but it does reduce their appearance.  My concealer doesn’t sink into my lines like it did before and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I didn’t look plastic and nobody could even tell I had it done! How long botox lasts varies from person to person but because the younger you are, the faster your metabolism, my results were expected to last for around 3-4 months. I’m planning on going in again sometime in August.

If you’re considering having botox done I would highly recommend researching thoroughly first. Make sure that you are having it done for you and nobody else. Some people might think I’m just vain (which most people are let’s face it!) but I also know that a person is made up of so much more than the way they look. I had a great experience with it but botox can never disguise poor self esteem or a lack of confidence. Our looks are only temporary so as much as I love makeup, remember that the person you are will last a lot longer than your appearance.