An Ode To Pink Blush

It feels wrong writing this post at this point in the year, when pink toned blushers were made for the spring and summer months. I've been reaching for blushers a little more recently. With the cold weather setting in, I've found my skin looking a little dull and blush has added a little glow to my complexion. So today I thought I'd share my top picks with you!

Taking a peek inside my blush drawer, the majority of my blushers are pink toned. Some of those edge more towards the berry side of things, but they are pink toned nonetheless. My current favourite pick is the Charlotte Tilbury Chic To Chic Blush in 'Love Glow'. This two toned blush provides a variety of looks from just one tiny (but actually quite big) compact. You are supposed to 'swish and pop', but you can use one shade or the other, or a combination of the two! 4 looks in one product makes the price a little more bearable. If your budget doesn't quite stretch to Charlotte Tilbury, then the No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in 'Soft Damson' is perfect. This was my first ever blush and I've lost count of the number of pans I've gone through over the years as I wear it almost every day. 

If you're looking for something with more of a berry tone, I cannot recommend the NARS Powder Blush in 'Sin' enough. The pigmentation, the formula, the shade range. BEAUTIFUL. And maybe a slightly better option for this time of year? Maybe. Another longstanding favourite is the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in 'Cherub'. I just love the formula! I should probably wear this so much more than I actually do, but I've been reaching for it a lot more recently as it is perfect for when my skin edges more towards the drier side. Another one that's perfect for when my skin gets a little drier is the Clinique Cheek Pop in 'Berry Pop'.  It has a cream to powder formula making it absolutely perfect for the winter weather, and although this particular shade doesn't scream 'winter' I just can't help but reach for it when I'm missing the summer sun. 

And finally, the most recent addition to my collection, the Japonesque Velvet Touch Blush in 'Shade 3' is a current favourite of mine. I remember being so shocked the first time I applied this as it is SO pigmented! It's probably one of the most pigmented blushers I own! Plus the packaging is completely gorgeous so obviously it appealed to me on an aesthetic level! 

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September/October Favourites

Hi Friends! The last two months worth of favourites are all rather pink themed (not intentional I swear!), as I clutched onto the end of my summer holidays before going back to university. Maybe throughout November I'll start bringing back all the berry shades, but how gorgeous are all the colours in this photo though? Such beautiful shades of pink! I'm envious of my own things! I didn't do a separate September favourites post because there would have been about 2 things featured in it and I thought that a bit pointless. Instead I decided to pop the products in with my October favourites as I have continued to use them throughout the last month!

Again, I have been loving The Comforter Shower Cream from Lush - because how could I not! I have  probably had about a dozen baths out of the bottle so far and hardly any of it seems to have gone! Just showing how good the value for money is! When I talked about it in my Lush haul, I mentioned it was rather pricey but clearly you get a lot out of it! I've been using it for just around a month (?) and it took me until yesterday to realise that it has teeny tiny specs of glitter in it! Basically, if you have never smelt The Comforter range from Lush, it smells really fruity like Ribena! Mmmm! I took this photo a few weeks ago as I knew I would be super busy, and now I have used well over 60% the bottle because I am addicted to it! 

Next up is the drop dead gorgeous Prada Candy Florale perfume. OH MY GOD how obsessed am I with this??? I love EVERYTHING about it! The packaging is just beautiful, it looks so luxurious! And the smell. Oh my goodness the smell. I am rubbish when it comes to describing smells, but it smells soooo good! According to the product description it has top notes of limoncello, heart notes (what the heck is a heart note?!) of peony and base notes of musks, caramel and benzoin! It smells so fresh and clean and girly but not too girly at the same time!

For blush I have been mixing it up using the Clinique Cheek Pop in Berry Pop at the start of the month. And moving onto the NARS Powder Blush in Sin towards the end of the month. The Clinique Cheek Pop has a cream-powder finish that I have been loving as my skin has started to change with the new cold weather. It glides over skin and I can myself using it when my skin turns drier over the winter. The NARS blush is my all time favourite at the moment. It is so lightweight and buildable, and the shade is perfect for this time of year! 

I have also been mixing up what I wear on my lips. I've been loving wearing lipstick on more of an everyday basis recently - popping one on for uni or a trip out into town. The Burberry Kisses Lipstick in Sepia has to be my favourite over the last couple of months. It is so hydrating with the cold weather, plus the shade is so easy to wear in the daytime! Last but not least, I have been enjoying mixing it up by wearing the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Vintage Pink. It is so subtle and perfect for everyday and I love that it has berry undertones making it a great alternative for a nude! 

Are there any products you've been loving recently?
Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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Best Of The Berry Blushes

Berry toned products are always a staple amongst my collection and when it gets to autumn/winter every brand seems to latch onto the trend, releasing products and various other things at the same time every year. I don't mind, of course, as I find berry tones flattering on my skin and I do really love wearing them whatever they are. I was having a sort through my collection and realised I have quite a few berry/dusty toned blushes, so here's my top picks! 

First up, is a blush that I have been using for an extremely long time. I even dare say that it was the first blush I ever used and I dread to think how many I have got through in my lifetime. The Boots No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in 'Soft Damson' is one of my absolute favourites! The pigmentation is fabulous and it is a cult product for me. I love how soft and blendable the formulation is. They look so smooth and natural rather than looking cakey and I will probably be using this until I am too old to lift a makeup brush to my face. 

Next is a bit of a cult classic in the form of the NARS Blush in 'Sin', which is one of their most popular shades alongside 'Orgasm' and 'Deepthroat'. I love NARS, from the packaging to the formula I can't really fault them. It's the perfect pink-berry shade and doesn't make skin look muddy, like some berry toned products can. 

When the Clinique Cheek Pops were released last year, I wasn't so convinced by all the hype surrounding them. From the photos and videos I saw of them, they appeared to be so small and not worth the money. But then on one of my trips into Leeds late last year, I decided to have a look at the Clinique counter in Boots and I was surprised how big they actually were! I jumped on the bandwagon (a little late I know) and purchased the shade 'Berry Pop'. They have a sort of cream-powder finish leaving a very natural looking cheek colour that looks almost powerless. They have a very silky finish, and although there aren't too many shades, Clinique claim that there is one for every skin tone. 

Finally! The cherry on the top (or should I say berry ha!) of the cake is the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in 'Cherub'. This product is so different from anything I've ever used before. They are super fast to apply and give the most gorgeously natural finish! I love using it with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush to achieve perfect results! 

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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Building A Lipstick Wardrobe

I buy lipsticks impulsively (and without any regret) on a regular (almost weekly) basis, which has left me with a large collection which makes those early morning decisions incredibly hard. So whether you’re building up your wardrobe, or having a clear out, today’s post has all the lipstick inspiration you need.

RED CARPET RED

If you only own one lipstick, then I swear to God it has to be red. Whether you wear it on a daily basis or save it for special occasions – there’s no denying that Taylor Swift is your spirit animal. 

Recommendations: MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in 'Ruby Woo'

THE POP OF COLOUR

Whether you opt for colour, you have to go all out. Straight in at the deep end. Bright, bold, and brilliant are the only requirements on the agenda. For the ultimate colour boost, choose a richly pigmented creamy formula which applies opaque in just one coat.

Recommendations: MAC Amplified Lipstick in 'Red Balloon'

THE 'BARELY THERE' NUDE

Are you on the hunt for a warm nude lipstick that provides lots of shine and moisture? Look no further than Rimmel’s Nude Delight. This super smooth lipstick glides easily, applies evenly and won’t wash out cool skin tones! This creamy and smooth lipstick is perfect for daily wear when you want to look polished and put together!

Recommendations: Rimmel Moisture Match Lipstick in 'Nude Delight'

MY LIPS BUT BETTER 

The one that every woman and their dog is looking for. The best shades will be a little warmer and a little darker than your natural lip colour, not too matte, and not too glossy. The kind of lipstick which you can apply without a mirror, and which doesn’t leave a noticeable line as it wears off. 

Recommendations: No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in 'Chic'

THE DAY-TO-NIGHT 

Choose a colour which presents a subtle take on a bold shade, and a formula which allows for either a sheer finish with one application, or a more defined look with additional layers.

Recommendations: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in 'Amazing Grace'

THE HANDBAG ESSENTIAL

When a lip product serves as both lip liner and lipstick then you know you’re onto a winner. If you’re a frequent commuter, or regularly reapply your lipstick throughout the day then a lipstick in pencil form will add ease and speed to your on-the-go makeup routine - just make sure you have a mirror in your bag along with it!

Recommendations: Nars Satin Lip Pencil in 'Mandore'

THE LOW-MAINTENANCE

A tinted lip balm or a lip butter will tempt even those who avoid lipstick. It’s 2-in-1 capabilities, ease of use, and subtlety of appearance are failsafe. The best are long-lasting, wear off discreetly, and can be reapplied with ease - especially when there is no mirror to hand!

Recommendations: Revlon Colourstay Lipbutter in 'Sweet Tart'

THE PERFECT PINK 

Somewhere on the spectrum between ‘my lips but better’ and ‘pop of colour’ sits the pink. For me, this sits somewhere in the middle – a muted take on a vibrant shade. The kind of colour which can be worn day or night and doesn’t distract from a bold eye look.

Recommendations: Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in 'Matte Beauty'

What are your essentials in your lipstick wardrobe?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x
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Where To Splurge, Where To Save

One of the most well argued debates in the makeup industry is the "is high end better?" debate. Now I have briefly touched on this subject before (in my 10 things I've learnt from beauty bloggers post) and mentioned that many high end brands also own drugstore/highstreet brands and therefore the products are made using similar formulations. 
But, I'm sure there are still people out there that want to have just a little touch of luxury in the lives. Soooooo, if this seems to describe you, keep on reading to hear my thoughts on which products you could splash out on and which you should save your pennies for something else. 

The general rule I tend to follow is 'how often will I use the product?'. Things like foundation usually get used up the fastest meaning that you have to repurchase it more frequently. Now I don't know about you, but I'd rather repurchase something that costs £6.99 rather than something that costs £36.99. So I try and avoid buying expensive foundations, concealers and powders now matter how amazing they sound. They could cure colds and I'd probably like to save my hard earned money for something else (waves goodbye to NARS Sheerglow and Dior Airflash foundations). 

Products I use less of or less frequently like lipstick, highlighter, blush and bronzer are the products I see the potential for spending more on. You often use less of these types of products so for the money you spend on them, the more you will get out of them. Money well spent!

Another rule I try to follow is 'will I still want to wear this in six months time?'. Theres no point splashing out on something when it's just a short lived trend. I want products that are classic and versatile. Many products have a good use-by date on them so will last you a long time if its something you really like and not something thats going to be sat in the back of a drawer gathering dust. 

What are your thoughts on this? Do you prefer to spend or save?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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Fragrance Favourites

At the start of the year I had a little clear out of my perfume collection as I had no real reason to justify keeping hundreds (not really) of empty or near empty bottles other than because they "look pretty". 

Since clearing out my collection, I have been able to buy more or repurchase ones that I simply haven't had room for (as the empty bottle collection was getting rather out of hand). 

Now as well as buying a few others, I have also 'shopped my stash' - rediscovering perfumes that I haven't used in a long time. As I store my perfumes properly (in the dark = sunlight ruins them), they are able to last for quite some time, which means I can get the most money out of them. 

On a day to day basis, I tend to wear Daisy by Marc Jacobs, buy have been loving wearing Candy by Prada as it is so light and fresh - trying to mix up what I wear as we begin to transition into spring!

What scents have you been wearing recently?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

January Beauty Favourites

Hello! Heres my favourites for the first month the year. I hope you have all started off 2015 well and are making the best of the new start it has offered. 

Quite early on in December my skin had a major crisis. I don't tend to have the best skin anyway but I just broke out with dozens (no overstatement there) of those massive under the skin spots that hurt like crazy! Anyway, I decided to strip right back to basis using a cleanser, a toner and a moisturiser. And it was the toner that I feel really helped calm my skin down. I used the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic which I had owned for quite a while but it had been sat in the back of a drawer gathering dust. I was looking through the ingredients in pretty much every product I own watching out for things that would help soothe my poor skin. This one seemed to check all the boxes being made up of natural ingredients such as cucumber and aloe vera. Along with the toner, I also decided to give into the hype around the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo  and give that a whirl. I mean, I was getting pretty desperate at this point and would have done absolutely anything. I really liked this and wish I had tried it earlier. I just helped protect against scars and felt nice and soothing upon application. 

I have been really trying to mix up what makeup I use and try to step out of my comfort zone. I've been opting for a nude lip over the trusty old Vaseline and one of my recent go to lipsticks has been the Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Beauty. It is a gorgeous rosy pink colour and I think it would look great on almost any skin tone. For a matte lipstick it is so creamy and hydrating and feels just like you're wearing a lip balm. 
I like to pair it with the No7 Skin Illuminator Radiance Boosting Beauty Fluid as the gold tones in it compliment the undertones of the lipstick perfectly! These two products combined make the perfect recipe for glowing complexion.

Finally, I've been loving the little bottle of Chanel No5 Eau de Premiere that I treated myself to at the start of the month. It smells so light and fresh yet musky at the same time. It is the perfect scent and I can see why Marylin Monroe wore it to bed!

What are your current favourites?
Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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