Spring Time Beauty Products

Spring and Summer are my favourite seasons. I love being able to go out wearing bright colours, warm bronzers and rosy pink cheeks without looking too washed out. The cosmetic stores are full to the brim with pretty feminine colours to help you enjoy every part of the warmer weather. I admit I can be quite bland when it comes to my makeup. During the winter I wake up first thing in the morning and generally settle for cat flick eyeliner and a nude lipstick because I am too tired. When the spring and summer comes around, I tend to have a new lease of life and the urge to experiment. Out with the dull, boring Miss Vanity and hello to colourful, vibrant and confident Miss Vanity. I also think it helps that I can use fake tan when it is warm without it streaming down my body. To help get me out of a style rut and ready for the sunshine, I was gifted several items from the company Fragrance Direct. Fragrance Direct specialise in all the best high street brands at affordable prices. If you think you cannot afford Ciate nail varnish to treat yourself to Elizabeth Arden, think again. This website has all of products for a lot cheaper than other retailers.

The first item I received in my package was the Maybelline 070 Orange Crush lipstick (link). I really like the moisturising sensation of this lipstick and the dewy effect it gives upon application. The lipstick tastes like oranges and looks subtle, yet summery. 

I am a massive fan of Ciate polishes and I have done product reviews on them countless of times. This yellow colour is from the Corrupted Neon Manicure set by Ciate (link). The polish applies really well, dries fast and gives a wonderful finish. This picture does not have the top coat added as I could not find it when writing this review, however once the top coat is added, it really does look like a professional manicure. It sparkles, shines and gives your nails a bold statement colour. 

In the past I have never got a long with any of the Maybelline volumising mascaras, they often leave my eyelashes looking clumpy, flat and unattractive. However the Maybelline Colossal Volume Express (link) was a delight to use. Yes it still comes out a little bit clumpy, but it does in fact add quite a lot of volume to my tiny little lashes.

Next is the Glo-Minerals Precise Micro Lipliner (link). Shamefully, I am one of those people that do not use lipliners as much as they should do. As a blogger, I should know better. Lipliners are fab for defining the natural curves of your lips and giving your lipstick a fuller effect. I really like this lipliner because it is easy to apply and looks great once filled in and used as an actual block lip colour, as well as a lipliner.

I have always wanted to try the L'oreal 24hr Super gel eyeliner (link) and to be completely honest I was not blown away by the quality of this product. This is good for a gel eyeliner, but it does not beat my favourite Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner. If you are on a budget this may be a good product for you, but at usual retail price of £16, it is a little steep. Thanks to Fragrance Direct, you can buy this gel eyeliner for £6 and try it for yourself.

Finally, here is my new Elizabeth Arden (link) cream blusher. I am a big fan of cream blushers because they are easy to apply, perfect for contouring and they leave a natural finish. This cream blusher is perfect for my complexion and is a beautiful spring time colour.

Are you ready for the spring/ summer seasons?

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Benefit The Fine One One

A few weeks ago I wrote about my mini Benefit haul which included the Porefessional and the Fine One One, however at the time I wrote that review, I had actually misplaced this product. If anyone could see the extent of my makeup collection, you would understand how easy it is to buy and a product and it literally vanish in thin air. As I write this post, I feel like I'm suddenly going in the direction of an AA meeting - Yes, my name is Jessica and I'm a shopaholic. I often buy products and forget I even have them, it's shocking - I know. I need to reign in my addiction at some point, but it consumes me. The pretty nail polishes I can buy, the various shades of lipsticks even though I probably have the same pink colour replicated four times. As I've been packing my things to move house, I've been waiting for the words from partner: "Honey, it's me or the makeup." Surprising he hasn't said anything, which could only mean he's a keeper. He accepts me and all my makeup glory.

The Benefit Fine One One is a product that I've wanted to try for quite some time now and I have finally got round to buying it. If you haven't heard of the Benefit Fine One One, it is brightening cheek and lip trio which costs around £23. This product is perfect for any beauty emergency with its versatility to be used on different areas of the face and it has a fabulous compact size. There's no need to carry around highlighters, blushers and lipsticks when this product is around, it will do all that for you.

The product has three colours that can be swiped across the cheeks in one easy move and the button on the side enables you to switch the colours around to get various different effects. The product blends easily and the colours are gorgeous, with the pinks and corals included in this product, it makes a perfect makeup item for spring. Unfortunately the staying power for me isn't that great. I like colour on my cheeks that stays bright and lasts as long as my foundation, but this seems to disappear quite quickly. However, it's a great little product if you are looking for a softer and more subtle cheek glow and if anything, the packaging is absolutely stunning.

Have you tried the Benefit Fine One One?

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Red Lace and Blush: Shopping Haul

I don't know what it is about shopping that excites me. Whenever I go to town, I cannot resist a sneak peek in my favourite high street stores or looking in the pretty boutiques. I seem to get an adrenaline rush every time I leave with shopping bags in hand and my new favourite goodies. Heck I admit it, I'm a shoppaholic, but so far I'm handling my money really well and still contributing to the wedding fund. Therefore it's only fair that I grab myself some weekly treats every now and then...usually meaning every couple of days. In this short, but sweet blog post, I thought I'd summarise todays little findings.

When I woke up and applied my makeup this morning, I had a craving for cream blusher. I say that like it's some kind of food, but no, I looked in the mirror and realised how pale I looked. I wanted a little bit of colour to bring me alive and make me look less sleepy. 

I've always loved the Topshop cosmetic range and years ago I purchased the exact same cream blusher and it lasted me forever. Today for the second time, I picked up my trusty old favourite, Topshop's 'Afternoon Tea' cream blusher. The consistency of this product is heavenly. It applies with a simple finger slide and looks fantastic in this highly pigmented shade. Afternoon Tea reminds me of vintage products and anything that resembles old school beauty is definitely a winner for me. 

The second item I bought is this cute little skirt from Dorothy Perkins. You know when you go into a shop, get to the till and it's cheaper than the tag price? Bingo, it happened to me today. This skirt was originally £12 down from £22, which I originally thought was a steal. Imagine my delight when I got to the till and was told it was £7 - an extra £5 saving. This skirt will be great for my casual, yet smart work experience outfits. Teamed up with a little white blouse, I have a feeling this outfit will be a winner.

Finally, I went to be measured at La Senza today. A lot of people I know have very mixed opinions on La Senza, but personally I've always loved the brand. Their bras seem to fit me really well and I've always liked the styles. My friends are more Ann Summers girls, but it's all down to personal preference. I remember going for my first ever bra fitting and feeling insanely nervous about what was going to happen. Would she judge my boobs? What if she saw my stretch marks on my tummy? Gosh, is she going to be some kind of lesbian? These days its off with the top and let it all hang out. For those who have never had a bra fitting - do it. It's somewhat liberating and the feeling when you wear a bra that actually fits is amazing. Of course you're going to be hesitant, it's not every day that someone is clinging a tape measure round boobs, but I've left the store today with two bras that have made the world of difference to my outfits and even notched me up a few cup sizes.

I love the vibrant colour of the above bra and the pretty lace detailing. The bra has removable straps and a cute little bow detail in the centre. This is one of their 4x cleavage enhancement bras that dramatically pushes your boobs up to give the illusion of them being two cup sizes bigger. It's not like I want to be Katie Price or anything, but when you have small B cups like mine, it's a delight to look down and see a fuller cleavage. The second bra I bought was also a push up bra, but instead it's in plain black. It fits comfortably and I'm really happy with my purchase.

 What have you been buying lately?

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MeMeMe Naturally Nude Giftset

When I choose my makeup, I always look for something that will give me a natural glow. As much as I love wearing fake eyelashes sometimes and hair extensions, I have always envied people who have natural beauty. When I saw the MeMeMe 'Naturally Nude' giftset, I knew it was something I needed to try. I love subtle pinks, creamy browns and tangy orange blush and to top it off, the kit also comes with a beautiful little makeup bag. 

The set comes with two dew pots, a lipstick, nail polish and blusher. These little dew pots in Coral Blossom and Willow Whisper are absolutely delightful to work with. They blend in effortlessly and add a beautiful frosted shimmering effect, perfect for the autumn weather. 

China Rose is a fabulous winter lipstick as it offers moisture with a long lasting satin finish. The lipstick is a beautiful baby pink, making it the ultimate cosmetic tool on those days where you're wanting to feel  'naturally nude.' 

The coral Blush Me box is great for conturing those cheek bones and adds a naturally blushed finish to your face. Admittedly, I'm not so keen on the little brush that comes with the set but since it's free, there's nothing really to moan about. 

MeMeMe's long lasting nail gloss in shade 'Ambitious' is the final item to appear in this boxset. I love the fact that it has a wide brush, making the application process quick and easy. I've been wearing the nail polish for the last few days (a little neater than my demonstration below) and I can happily say it still hasn't chipped. Working in a hotel means I knock my nails continuously  so having a nail polish that doesn't chip is a revelation. 

This giftset can be purchased  £26.99 and available to buy from http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/

What do you think of the Naturally Nude Giftset?

♥♥♥

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Blusher Bricks

Blusher Bricks are the latest products launched from Miners cosmetics and you're definitely in for a treat. Pastel pinks and soft tan colours are perfect for our current weather, fulfilling all your contouring   and summer blushing needs. These blusher sets are highly pigmented and blend so well on my light skin tone. 

This first set is known as 'the Browns' colour palette. It has an eclectic mix of soft terracotta, a creamy pastel pink and a fabulous nude biege.A gentle sweep of all these colours across your checks creates the perfect mix, with each colour highlighting key areas of your facial features. The browns set has to be my favourite as it adds a subtle glow to my face and I haven't stopped using it.

The 'Pinks' palette is perfect for those seeking doll like features, wearing charming summer dresses and favour the natural look rather than tan. Unfortunately this blusher brick recently exploded in my make-up cabinet, but nevertheless, at £4.49, I still count this as one of my favourite bargain price blushers.

Miners 'Blusher Bricks' are available to purchase from www.minerscosmetics.co.uk at £4.49. 

Here is my overall make-up before I ventured out for a night in town, what do you think? Have you tried the Blusher Bricks?

♥♥♥

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