MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo - £14

Since trying the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic, I have been a lot braver about wearing a red lip.  My boyfriend kindly gifted me this gorgeous lipstick as part of my Christmas present after hearing me mention it, and now I'm further in love with red lips than ever!

Ruby Woo is a matte blue-toned red lipstick.  The matte finish does mean it's a little drying, but nothing that a little lip scrub and balm can't fix.  The colour pay-off is gorgeous and the staying power is excellent - it lasted a good six hours with eating and drinking.  A lip liner isn't necessary with this lipstick, but I do tend to use the Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in Red Diva more out of habit than anything else.  This has quickly become my all-time favourite lipstick, I love the colour, formula, staying power and trademark vanilla scent.  I would definitely recommend Ruby Woo to anyone on the look out fr a bright red lipstick!

Whats your favourite lipstick? Are you a fan of red lips?

Current Skincare Routine

Tesco 100% cotton pads, Simple purifying cleansing lotion, Simple soothing facial toner, Simple nourishing eye make-up remover cream, No 7 purifying mask, No 7 night cream, No 7 day cream.

Over the last few months I have changed my skincare routine quite a lot.  I have oily skin, and I suffered from acne when I was younger, which has left scars on my face.  I also have occasional breakouts, which I guess is pretty normal for a 19-year-old girl.  I have brought my skincare back to basics to accommodate for how my skin acts, but I have got my eye on a few bits and bobs.

I use the Simple eye makeup remover on a cotton pad to remove my eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner every day.  It doesn't sting or irritate my eyes, and it effectively removes my eye makeup easily.  I use the Simple cleansing lotion with a cotton pad to cleanse my face each morning, and to take the rest of my makeup off in the evening.  This is the only cleanser I have ever tried which doesn't break me out, and doesn't irritate my skin.  It effectively removes all traces of makeup with about three or four cotton pads.  After using the cleanser, I always sweep the Simple facial toner over my skin on a cotton pad to remove any missed makeup and soothe my face.

I use the No 7 Beautiful Skin purifying mask for normal to oily skin once a week, which is a thermal face mask, which means it heats up when you apply it to a wet face.  You can definitely notice the warming sensation, but it isn't at all uncomfortable.  It leaves my face feeling soft and extra clean after use.  Each morning, I apply No 7 Beautiful Skin day cream for normal to oily skin.  This is absorbed quickly, and leaves a matte base to apply makeup on to.  It almost has the consistency of a butter, being quite a thick product.  In the evenings, I apply the No 7 Beautiful Skin night cream for normal to oily skin.  This is more liquidy than the day cream, but still sinks in quickly.  I occasionally apply a thick layer over my face while I lay in a bath (with added Lush bath bomb of course), and allow it to all soak into my skin and give it an extra boost.  My favourite thing about this No 7 Beautiful Skin range is the smell - it's amazing!  I love it!

I also have my eye on the Origins Clear Improvement mask to tackle my oily skin, and the Origins Super Spot remover to fight breakouts.

What products to you use on your skin? I'd love to hear your recommendations.

2012 Beauty Favourites

Unfortunately this post it a little late, I've been so busy with New Year celebrations then saying goodbye to my friends and family then moving back to university for this term and getting settled it, but I finally have a chance to Look at my favourite products of the last year.  Can you believe how fast 2012 went?!  I can't get my head around the fact that twelve months have passed in the blink of an eye! It's a little daunting that this year I turn 20, and begin my third and final year of my degree - it feels like I've only just stared university!  I've had an amazing past year, and am looking forward to an even better 2013!  Through 2012 I was able to try out a load of beauty products, and here are my favourite picks:

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

This has been my holy grain concealer for as long as i remember, I currently have six of them dotted around the place! Although there isnt really a wide range of colours, I use a mix of shade 1 and 2 and that seems to work for me.  It has amazing staying power, covers all inperfections easily and blends beautifully with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

17 Miracle Matte Pressed Powder
Another long-term love of mine, this powder keeps shine at bay longer than any other I've tried, and for under four pound, how can I complain?! I have repurchased this countless times and can't see me trying anything else anytime soon!  I apply this with the Real Techniques Powder Brush.

Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation
I've been using this religiously since last spring and I still love it.  It has just the right amount of coverage to not have to wear concealer if I'm in a rush, but I don't look caked in make-up.  Shade 51 is a pretty good winter match for me, and I used shade 52 during the summer months.  I have repurchased this twice so far, and will continue to in the future.  The repurchases don't break the bank either - only £10.99 a bottle!  I either use my Sigma F80 or Real Techniques Buffing Brush to buff this into my skin.

Benefit Hoola
This is my absolute perfect contour.  Paired with the Real Techniques Contour Brush (can you tell I like Real Techniques brushes yet?!) this helps to make my head look a little less football-shaped, and a little more human.  I apply it under my cheekbones and up to my temples during the winter when I'm a little paler, and during the summer I tend to dust it across the areas where I naturally tan - the tops of my cheeks, nose and forhead.  This has now lasted me over a year, and although I have hit pan, it stil has a bit of life in it.

MAC Pinch O' Peach
The first MAC cosmetic I ever owned and one I still use it regularly, this is the perfect day to day shade for me.  The formula is silky smooth and really easy to blend, and the colour is gorgeous, making it my favourite blusher over the last year.  I apply this to the apples of my cheeks using the Lauren Luke Flat Contour Brush.  I have to admit, the Look Beauty Make Me Blush in Flirt was a close runner up for my favourite blusher of 2012 - gorgeous!

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
This little glass pbot of black gel is without a doubt the best eyeliner I've ever used.  It can be work on your lashline and waterline, stays put all day long and is easy to apply.  Without a doubt worth the eight pounds!

Urban Decay Naked Palette
Since I had this palette last Christmas, I haven't worn a single other eyeshadow! I have used this so much that I've ended up reaching pan on a few shades.! This is a palette of twelve neutral shades with shimmer, frost and matte finishes, and I love it! I had the Naked2 for Christmas and I love it just as much already.

GOSH Long Lasting Brow Pen
Who'd have thought I'd be using what is essentially a felt tip to fill in my eyebrows?! This brow pen quickly and easily fills them in without looking too harsh, and dries slowly enough to be blended straight after application so you arent left with tip strokes.  I have the shade 001 Dark Brown, and I use it every singe day!

Blistex Medplus
This little blue pot is a serious miracle worker.  It has transformed my lips from a dry, flaky mess to a smooth and moisturised canvas for lipstick application.  It's less than £3 and one pot lasts absolutely months, I always have a few of these lying around.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains
I now have four of these little beauties (post here) and I always have one on. I love the packaging, the formula, the scent and the stain, I think they're so impressive for high street products - I just adore them!

Tangle Teaser
I bought this at the beginning of the year and haven't used a different brush since.  It quickly and easily detangles my hair, leaving it knot-free and shiny.  I love the design and how original it looks, and it's so easy to use! I'd definitely recommend it.

Batiste Dry Shampoo
Early mornings at university and placement mean that I just can't be bothered to get up even earlier to wash, dry and style my hair, so Batiste is a little life saver for me! It is cheap (under a fiver), easy to use, adds volume and smells lovely.  It does leave your hair feeling a bit weird but I can deal with that for all the benefits it has.  A staple in my haircare, and I always have a bottle or two in my room.

Real Techniques Make-up Brushes
I didn't jump on the Real Techniques bandwagon as early as lots of people, waiting a few months after they were released to purchase any, but I now own the Core Collection, Starter Set and Powder brush and I adore them! They are so soft, easily and flawlessly they apply my makeup and wash really easily.  Without a doubt my favourite brand of makeup brush, and I plan to buy more during 2013.

VO5 Miracle Concentrate
I didn't hold out much hope for a hair oil in my hair - I have generally oily hair so I just thought the situation would be made worse, but a few drops through the lengths makes my hair shiny, smooth and bouncy, and prolonged use leaves it in excellent condition.  A small bottle has lasted me a long time, and it is without a doubt worth the £5.19.

OPI Nail Envy
Another miracle worker in my eyes - although it's a little pricey (£18.65), using this as a base coat every time I paint my nails has really changed the condition of them.  They've stopped breaking at every opportunity, I no longer experience them flaking through the cooler months, they grow a lot quicker and they're much stronger in general.  Used this way means that my nails aren't stained by darker polishes either.

What are your favourite products of 2012? Do you agree with any of my choices?

Marc Jacobs Dot Perfume

 

  

Marc Jacobs Dot Giftset - £47.00

Isn't this the most beautiful perfume bottle ever?! I was lucky enough to have the gift set from my lovely boyfriend for Christmas, among a bunch of other gorgeous presents (thanks Rob :)!).  The set included the 50ml eau de parfum, 75ml body lotion and 75ml shower gel.  I love having the gift sets of perfumes, I always keep the moisturisers and shower gels for special occassions so I don't waste them!

As with all Marc Jacobs fragrances, the bottle is adorable, inspried by Marc Jacobs' love of polka dots it is mostly red and black to represent a ladybird.  The perfume itself smells amazing; it has fruity top notes of dragon fruit and red berries, andsettles to a floral scent of orange blossom and jasmine.  As it is an eau de parfum, the fragrance lasts quite a while on the skin, which is prolonged by the use of the shower gel and moisturiser.  The shower gel lathers easily and, as expected, smells beautiful.  The moisturiser is quickly absorbed into my skin, and a little goes a long way, so this bottle will last me a while.

This is a perfect year-round fragrance, a cheery pick-me-up during the dreary winter months, and the fruity-floral scent makes it ideal for spring/summer.  This has quickly become one of my favourite fragrances - I'm always on the look out for a scent with fruity and floral notes, a gorgeous bottle (I'm a sucker for a cute perfume bottle), and serious staying power. 

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013! I hope you all had a lovely festive holiday and a happy new year, mine was filled with family, friends and boyfriend, delicious food and too much alcohol - perfect!  I've had a wonderful few weeks home from university, but it's back to Bristol for me on Sunday.  I don't really tend to make resolutions, because I'm so rubbish at sticking to them, but this year I'm having an alcohol-free January for the cancer research Dryathlon, trying to drink more water, and making efforts to eat healthier.  Hopefully I'll be able to carry it on for a while, but knowing me I'll be lucky to get to a few weeks!

Here's my new years eve makeup, sorry about the blurry iPhone photo - I'm having camera issues at the moment!

Face

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (1 Light)

Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation (51)

Benefit Hoola

17 Miracle Matte Powder

MAC Pinch O Peach

Eyebrows

GOSH Eyebrow Pen

Eyes

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Naked 2 Palette (Foxy, Half Baked, Chopper)

Naked Palette (Dark Horse)

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner (Black)

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara (Carbon Black)

Katy Perry Cool Kitty Eyelashes

Lips

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain (Romantic)

Here a few photos from my New Years Eve in my boyfriend's house with my friends, I wore a New Look maroon lace dress, a TopShop black belt and New Look stocking-look tights.

Have a fantastic 2013!