Mac Studio Care Blend Pressed Powder

         If you haven't tried this powder, then I urge you to pick one up the next time you are at  MAC counter or in a MAC store as soon as. I can't recommend this powder enough for people with dry to combination skin, since the formula leaves the skin with a gorgeous healthy glow appearance,as well as creating an incredible air brushed finished look, without looking powdery or chalky. This powder is a sheer-to medium coverage, perfect for setting foundation or even worn on a bare fresh face. What I love most about this powder is that it doesn't feel cakey or heavy on the skin, but feels light and silky. I find that this powder keeps skin shine free for a good 10 hours, which is ideal for someone that has a very busy schedule and doesn't have the time to top up on make-up. 

My favourite winter lipstick

If I had to pick my most worn and favourite lipstick of the winter season, I'd normally say 'Plumful' by  MAC, however this year there is a new winner. 'Plum Dandy'- obviously due to both lipstick names, you can probably tell that I'm a big fan of 'Plum'. I believe that there is nothing more sophisticated and Autumn/wintery than a good berry or plum shade. They are totally wearable colours and suit almost everyone! Although 'Plum Dandy' is still somewhat a plummy colour, it is not the 'typical' plum lipstick. It is a very muted pale plum (if that is even possible), with gorgeous hints of lilac and pink creating the most glowing frosty sheen on the lips. It is a totally flattering colour, and as it is a muted plum shade, it is perfect as an every day stain of colour too. This particular MAC lipstick is a frost formula, which explains the 'frosty sheen'. I'd totally recommend swatching this lipstick when you next pop in to a MAC store.  

My basic skin care routine

Deep Cleanse- The Body Shop's Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser: I can't stress how much of a quick and easy job this does at removing my make up. There is no need to remove any make up off at all with a wipe or flannel, or even wet my face. To apply I simply use 2 or 3 pumps, smoother it all over my face, leave it to soak in to my pores for a good minute or so, then I wash my face with warm water to remove the product and my make up. The formula of the cleanser is really kind to skin, especially those who have combination to oily skin, as this product range is designed to minimize breakouts and blemished areas. 

Polish-The Body Shop's Skin Clearing Toner: After cleansing my skin, I find it essential to polish and tone. As this is the step that really digs deep down into your pores, removing every ounce of dirt and oil. I find that this toner instantly leaves my skin feeling refreshed and super clean, without my skin feeling to tight or dry. To use I pour 2 drops over a cotton pad and sweep across my skin. 

A little gem- The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil: I got this little oil, free in a 3 FOR 2 offer a couple of months ago with the cleanser and toner. I was looking for a quick fix solution for when I have the unfortunate break out, and the lovely assistant in the shop recommended that this little oil treats break outs magically and dries out the problem area, meaning the blemish will rapidly clear up; and the assistant was true to her word. Although it is a very tiny bottle, I find that a little amount goes a long way. I apply one or two drops on my finger, and just dab the oil over my blemished area, and just leave it on over night. 

Current Eye Combo- Using MAC products

MAC Cosmetics Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in 'All that Glitters'

MAC Cosmetics Pro Longerwear Paint Pot in 'Vintage Selection'

This is my favorite eye combo of the moment as personally I'm loving neutrals this season. Both of these products are stunning, with a strong, gorgeous pigment, and the ability to blend perfectly. I use the Paint Pot in 'Vintage selection' as a base for my eyelids to emphasize the colour of the eye shadow that I will dust over my eyelids after. In addition the Paint pot also does the job brilliantly of making my eye make up last a lot longer, whilst still looking as divine as when I first applied it. I chose this particular colour of Paint pot, as I found that it would probably be a lot more wearable on a day to day basis. The eye shadow I'm religiously wearing on top of this base recently is 'All that Glitters', I adore this shade as it compliments my pale skin tone perfectly with it's gorgeous subtle golden gleam. Personally I love this look using just these two shades as I love how effortless it appears, whilst adding that bit of glow and sparkle to the face. However I have experimented blending a few other MAC eye shadows such as 'Embark', which creates the most flawless evening eye look. 

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation

        I'd Say this is probably my holy grail product of this year (wow that's a big statement to make!). I'd consider this liquid foundation probably the best light weight coverage foundation I have discovered so far. The reason why I adore this product so much is that the finish of this foundation is flawless and gives the illusion that you are not wearing any foundation, giving that gorgeous healthy glow and covering any imperfections, without looking cakey or over done. I heard about this particular foundation via YouTube and other bloggers raving about it, so I thought I'd check it out. So after listening and reading to many reviews I popped along to good O'l House of Fraser (UK Department store) and gained myself a little pot sample. Which then allowed me to try this product over a period of time until it ran out. The sample itself was in a teeny tiny pot, so which I was surprised when the sample lasted me a good month. 

       I have combination to dry skin and I find this foundation works brilliantly on my skin, as it does not cling to any dry patches and leaves my skin looking silky soft. However as much as I do love this product and religiously use it on a day to day basis, I do find that it does slightly ware off during the day, and I will often have to powder after a good 5 or so hours since I applied it. I was after a light coverage foundation for a while as I do prefer skin looking fresh, so when I tried and tested this product I was in love as it was just what I was looking for. I have been using this foundation for a good month and a half now and so far I haven't experienced any breakouts or other skin problems, which is also an advantage. It is a little on the pricey side for £28.00, however the price is defiantly worth it as you only need 1 pump which will blend over your whole face, in which case this means it will last you a very reasonable amount of time before you'd use up the bottle. 

my growing MAC lipstick collection

     I currently own 14 MAC lipsticks, all of which I have collected over a period of time. Each and every lipstick is unique and appealing in it's own way. However despite the fact they are each a different colour, they are all highly pigmented. My personal favourite formulas of the MAC lipsticks are Lusture and Creemsheen as they leave the lips feeling nourished and hydrated. The only downside I'd say about the Creemsheen formula; is that because it is so creamy- almost like a lip balm texture on the lips, this does result in having to top up your lipstick throughout the day. My not so favourite formula are the Mattes, my reason for this is that I find that they are quite drying on the lips and I often have to coat my lips with a good lip balm or gloss after I have applied my lipstick. Although if you are on the lookout for a lipstick that will stay put all day without having to touch up, then I'd strongly recommend a Matte formula.
     As far as lipstick shades go I pretty much have a good variety in my own collection. Which is ideal for me as I do tend to change my make up look in the coming seasons. For example in the spring/summer season I love sporting pink and nude lips, whereas in the autumn I go crazy for plum shades (which I personally think suit me better with my pale complexion). In the winter festive season I love to rock a red lip.
     I adore my collection of MAC lipsticks, even if I do wear some shades more than others. I hope to get even more MAC lipsticks in the near future, as it seems every time I have a cheeky browse in MAC I always come across another shade of lipstick I fall in love with.