Aussome Volume

I have never really been big into hair, normally just wearing my hair up or down, so as you could imagine my hair product 'collection' is limited. So I thought it was about time to take better care of my hair by treating it to some products. My hair is very fine so I was looking for something that would give my hair volume and a bounce, so that I would feel more confident and happy when trying new styles or just letting my hair loose. I've heard a lot about Aussie products before so I was interested in finding out myself whether the hype was worth it or not, and it truly was! This particular product does more than the job. You spray it all over your hair either damp or dry then brush it through and it'll leave you with the most fabulous bounce to your hair. I truly love this hair and recommend it to anyone :) 

L'Oreal Paris triple active fresh ultra-hydrating gel-cream

           I purchased this moisturizer just 2 weeks ago and I have already seen such a big difference in my skin. Firstly I have currently been using lotions and potions equipped to combination to oily skin as I wanted to prevent and spots and blemishes that would've appeared however the problem is, is that I have quite dry and dehydrated skin, so these products have been drying my skin out completely and making my skin almost UN-bearable to wear any foundation. So I' decided to take the plunge and treat my skin with the correct products I should be feeding it. At the time I bought this moisturizer, I was in Boots (English drugstore) for about 30 mins deciding which moisturizer would have the best qualities I was looking for, but because there are thousands of brands and types to choose from I found it very hard knowing which was the best one to get. This L'Oreal diamond caught my eye; claiming to 'consist of the vitamins C.E and B5 and to leave the skin feeling fresh and hydrated throughout the day '  and this described perfectly exactly what I was looking for. 
         I have worn this moisturizer every day since I bought this and so far I can honestly say it does the job rather fantastically! It gives my skin instant hydration and prepares my skin for any make up I apply to my skin after. Unlike other moisturizes I have tried in the past, this sinks into my skin instantly and doesn't leave my skin feeling wet and tacky but leaving it fresh and smooth. Another point, I also really favor the packaging- the fact it is a tub/pot rather than a tube, as I find that when a product comes in a tube you can never get the last of the product left when you you hit nearly empty. Considering that it is only around £6 or so, it's deffo worth the buy if you have dry-normal skin like myself. 

You can find this product in almost any drugstore and supermarket :) 

The Naked Basics eye palette

My sister very kindly brought me this exquisite little palette for Christmas, as she most likely saw that I eyed it up possibly every time I browsed the Urban Decay stand in the department stores. To which I am very grateful indeed. This palette is very true to it's name 'The Basics'-  you get six all matte shades ranging from light to dark, which are all very wearable day to day 'basic' shades. I would personally wear all six of these colors, however the shades that I tend to wear the most are; 'Venus'- as an inner corner & brow highlight,  'Foxy and WOS' as all over lid base colors as they are very similar to my foundation shade so it just creates a really even, clean and pretty eye look, I also use 'Crave' to give my eyeliner a smoked edgy effect. I will definitely plan to experiment with 'Naked 2' and 'Faint' soon. I find that the formula of these eye shadows are perfect, they apply so creamy and effortlessly to the lid and are very blend-able too. The packaging of this product is very travel efficient, as the outside palette material is rubber like so it feels pleasant to hold and it will also be very durable being bashed about in handbags and so on. The size of the palette is just right, able to fit in make-up bags, handbags and is also very light too- which is a bonus. Inside the palette opposite the eye-shadows you get a large high quality mirror- which is perfect for those times you are doing your make-up on the go. For £20.00 I believe this product is well worth it, for six high quality shadows for a reasonable price. 

Dior Skin Forever Flawless Foundation

I've been using this foundation for a good year or so now, so I feel I am able to write a complete honest review on this product. Firstly the texture of this foundation works a treat with my skin type (normal-dry), it gives my skin a flawless, full coverage look without appearing or feeling heavy or cakey. The finish of this product claims to be a 'Matte finish', however I don't personally find it particularly 'matte' nor 'dewy' either- which actually makes the skin look more natural. This foundation tends to last on my skin type for a good 8 or so hours, although I personally like to powder once or twice just to keep all my make- up set and looking flawless. To apply this foundation I favor my 'Real Techniques Expert face brush' as the two combined leave my skin with an all round even and blended finish. I do also recommend simply using your hands to blend if you are after a more natural light finish to the skin. In contrast to these pro's- I do have one con that really sticks out like a sore thumb- which is how incredibly fast it oxidizes. I use shade (010), which is in fact the lightest shade they provide, so when I first apply the foundation it matches my color perfectly, but then 10-15 minutes later, the shade of the foundation has dramatically darkened and turned quite orangery. This does bug me tremendously as I do prefer my foundation to exactly match my bare skin color, so consequently you do have to super blend in the foundation all the way onto your neck- to make sure you avoid the 'tell tale' line. To summarize I do like this product but not enough to repurchase again, due to the oxidizing fault, also because for £35.00 (30ml) you expect the best of the best . 

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.