Currently Trying

 I've been a bit naughty and bought a couple of new beauty bits recently, and I've been trying them out over the past month or so. I haven't really bought any beauty product for a while, but after running out of a few bits I decided to try something a bit different. Some of which I'm loving, and some of which I'm not completely sold on. 

            

After months (possibly even years) of deliberation, I finally took the plunge and purchased the Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm. At £9.50 a pop, I had to find out whether it was worth the price before I picked it up. I really wish I'd bought it earlier as it is hands down the best lip balm I've ever used. It feels so luxurious to apply, and isn't at all sticky. I like to apply it when I do my skincare routine before I go to bed, and by morning, my lips are like new. I'll will definitely not be switching back to cheapy chapsticks! Speaking of not cheap, I had a bit of a skin crisis and went browsing the internet for anything, and I mean anything. I found a couple of blog posts about the Estée Lauder Clear Difference Advanced Blemish Serum, with people noting that it has completely altered their skin. On a whim, I bought it and to be completely honest, I won't be repurchasing it when mine runs out. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting it to work miracles, but I hoped it would do something. I'm used just over half of it, and I really don't think it has done anything for my skin. It feels nice to use, but if there are no visible benefits I don't see the point. 

Another product I'm not too sure on is the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist. I bought this after Viviannadoesmakeup mentioned it on her Youtube channel, and I was sure I would love it. But I don't think I do. I'm not too keen on the smell - it's very 'botanical'. As long as a product doesn't smell like vomit, I don't usually mind what it smells like - but I really do not like this particular scent. Similar to the Estée Lauder serum, I'm not sure it actually does anything. I'll keep trying it, but again, I don't think I'll be repurchasing. Something I will most definitely be repurchasing is the NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder. This is the first loose powder I've ever tried, and my oh my I love it. Besides being one of the messiest products I own (seriously it gets everywhere) it wears well and looks flawless. It minimises shine in the most natural of ways, and most importantly keeps things exactly where they should be. 

Have you tried anything I've mentioned? What are your thoughts?

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Current Faves: Nyx

I've been a fan of Nyx for years, long before I'd even tried anything from the brand. Years ago I received a set of Nyx nail polishes as a gift and I was left highly disappointed. People were still raving about the brand, so I wasn't sure if I just received a faulty product. With this in mind, I was a bit skeptical about buying anything else from the brand, but early on this year I decided to give them another chance. I was right to give them a second chance, because I have fallen in love with their products. I love how affordable and high quality they are! 

First up is the gem that is the HD Studio Finishing Powder. As I mentioned in Sunday's post, I've never tried a loose powder before, but this one caught my eye whilst roaming the aisles of Boots. As soon as I opened it, powder flew everywhere (and I mean everywhere). Once the cloud of powder had settled, I applied my usual foundation and concealer, and then used this in place of my usual powder. Words cannot describe how much I loved this powder! I literally could not stop staring at my face once I'd applied it - my makeup looked so smooth! A few hours went by and my makeup still looked fresh, and everything was still in place. By the end of the night, I could probably have done with a touch up, but my makeup still looked decent. So it clearly has longevity! 

Secondly are the Soft Matte Lip Creams. I've mentioned these a couple of times, but I think they really deserve being written about. I have the shades Prague (dark raspberry) and Antwerp (mid-toned pink) and they are both extrememly wearable. They are not as matte as some of the other matte lipsticks out there, they have a softer appearance and texture. They don't dry out your lips, and are so creamy. The doe foot applicator is tapered and cushioned, making it quick and easy to apply - leaving a crisp, clean finish. There are tons of different shades to choose from and I only have these two as I found the selection quite overwhelming! I've been eying up Stockholm and Copenhagen, amongst a few others, so I may have to take a little trip to Boots sometime soon!

Have you tried anything from Nyx? What are your thoughts?

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My Makeup Collection: The Setting Powders

I've been putting off this post in the series as I think powders are soooooo boring. Although I use them on a daily basis I don't tend to bother splashing out so they are pretty similar, and aren't really too interesting to write about - but I thought I can't not include them as they occupy a whole drawer in my collection. Plus, some of you may be in the market for a new powder so this post is mainly here for you to browse. I have a couple of powders as I keep one in my handbag, one in my car and then have the ones I apply at home when I'm getting ready. I've used various different powders for years, one of the first makeup items I started wearing as a teen was a little powder compact from Boots to keep that shine at bay. Despite having used a ton of powders of the years, I only really repurchase the ones in this post as I deem them the best for my skin type at this moment in time. From illuminating powders, to mattifying marvels, I have a couple to show you - and here we are...

For a quick fix I like to use the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, I have a couple of these in slightly different shades and these are the ones I generally take out on the go. They aren't really practical as they don't have a mirror or anything, but I like this for touching up throughout the day. I've been using it for nearly six years so it has to have something good about it right? If I'm going somewhere and want a mirror in my bag as well, I use the Soap and Glory One Heck Of A Blot powder. I freakin' love this powder! It is one of my all time favourites. Nowadays I tend to sway towards more translucent powders as in my opinion they give a much better finish and look less cakey on the skin. Plus it's super lightweight so your skin can breath making it a perfect fit when wearing makeup over the summer.

If my skin is looking a little lack-lustre, I like to use the Sleek Luminous Powder as it has a slight shimmer running through it. Nothing major - it won't leave you looking like a unicorn or Edward Cullen, but it does give you a little glow that can be well appreciated in the winter months! And as for my everyday go-to face powder, the Maybelline Matte Maker powder is my all time favourite. It used to me known as the Dream Matte Powder, but they changed the name and packaging last year. I find it gives the perfect amount of mattifyingness (yes I know that's not a real word), without looking cakey or unnatural.

What is your favourite powder at the moment?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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February Faves

How is it that time of the month again already? It seems only two minutes since I was writing my last favourites post! But without further a due, here are my favourite beauty products this month!

There have been a couple of new purchases this month that have really bowled me over and made such a fantastic first impression! One of those has been the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Coded Eyeshadow Quad in Dolce Vita which was a very 'in the moment' impulse buy. I have been eyeing this up for absolutely ages and I finally caved and bought it whilst in Harvey Nichols at the beginning of the month. I was so amazed with the quality of the shadows. I know that Charlotte Tilbury always has the highest, most sought after quality - and these were no exception! They are so creamy, almost like a cream eyeshadow. Being this creamy means you get very minimal fallout (yaaaaay!) and they are super easy to blend (and I mean ridiculously easy!). Even without all those fancy blending brushes. I have once even used my finger when desperate and the final outcome still looks great!

Another new purchase was the NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anna. I have been wearing this shade pretty much every day and it has received many compliments! I was singing its praises to one of my friends who, when realising that I loved it so much, decided to try and scratch the NARS logo off the side of the bullet. Luckily they were joking and I came immediately to its rescue!

This friend also happened to be the one who bought me the nail varnish that has been featuring heaving on my toes this month! The Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail polish in 'Rosy Outlook' has been constantly on my toes this month as we slowly start to see signs of spring. It is such an adorable shade and I love it so much!

And finally, the star of the show has been the Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot powder which I have worn every makeup wearing day of the month! I have been recently opting for a more natural bases, mainly using bb creams and sheer foundations, and this powder has been perfect for finishing off my looks! It isn't too cakey which is perfect for those 'no makeup, makeup' days.

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x
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