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I recently had a splurge at the beauty counters in John Lewis and picked up a few items that had been on my makeup wishlist for a while. I'm so excited to give these a try, you may see a couple reviews in the near future!



Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder- Universal
I've never actually owned a loose setting powder until now but i'd always wanted to try one and this always gets a lotta' love. I hate to be one that conforms to trends but i've also been eager to try the whole 'baking' malarky. My makeup always finds a way to disappear from my face so anything that might increase the longevity i'm keen to try.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation- Mont Blanc
A repeat purchase of my favourite foundation. It gets a lot of hype but is definitely worth it! 

Nars Copacabana Illuminator
This had been on my wishlist for a long time and i'd never got round to actually buying it. I love cream highlighters and the fact this comes in such a big tube is a huge win! I can't wait to get my glow on.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic
If you've been reading my blog for a while you will know i'm a huge Liz Earle fan. I've had many bottles of this, it just makes a big difference to the appearance of my skin. A definite holy grail!

Being a makeup addict but also a student on a budget, I have a constant wishlist of makeup items i want to add to my collection. Here are my top few products that i don't need but definitely want!

The Balm Hot Mama- Shadow & Blush All in One
           
                 Lord & Berry Vogue Matte                                         Lipstick- Cupid     
                                






Illamasqua Vintage Metallix- Embellish




                                        Revlon BB Cream














Anything here that takes your fancy? I may have to treat myself soon!

The second product to be featured in this series is Nars Nico, a 'blusher' which really isn't a blusher but can be used in a multitude of ways; to set, fix and highlight.





In the pan it's a light beige colour, with very and i mean very, small shimmers in it. I use it when i want a really natural daytime highlight, to just bring a touch of a glow to my cheekbones. It's therefore perfect for anyone just getting into highlighters and scared to go in at the deep end with lets say, theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer. 

In the same way I use it as a highlight on my cheekbones due to the subtle shimmer, I also use it on the under eye area to brighten and set my concealer. If i've applied too much blusher or gone for a heavy look on the cheeks (bronzer, contour, blusher, highlighter) then i'll use this to blend it all together and just give a softer appearance. 

Nars Nico is also great as an eyeshadow, when you want a wash of colour over the lids.
It's definitely not a must buy due to the high price, but if you're like me and are a Nars lover then maybe check this out on your next beauty spree. It might not look exciting in the pan but you won't be disappointed. Check it out on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2K7ttY1


Have you tried Nars Nico? What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

I'm starting a new series on my blog, called 'hidden gems'; those products in your makeup collection that you may not reach for everyday and can often get overshadowed but when you properly think about them, you realise how good they actually are. Time to share the love. 



The first product under the spotlight is the Bourjois BB Bronzing Cream 8 in 1; a versatile, multi-use product for under a tenner. I use this in 3 different ways and I love each one. The first way is the way it's intended to be used, as a BB cream as the name suggests. I only ever do this when i'm having a really good skin day, which is mainly in the summer as it slightly evens the skin tone and adds a bit more colour to your face, perfect for achieving natural, summer skin!

I also use a small pump of this mixed in with my paler foundations so that they match my skin tone when i'm more tanned. This means you don't have to buy your favourite foundations in different colours, saving lots of money!

The final way i use this is as a cream contour. A little goes a long way and it blends really well to give a 'natural' contour. 

So there you have it, the first hidden gem is a great little product that more people should know about. It can be bought from Boots or Superdrug or online at ASOS or Feel Unique for only £9.99, bargain!

Natural, healthy looking makeup has been my go-to recently, partly due to duller looking skin from the colder weather and therefore shown below are the products i've been using to help achieve this, including a couple of creams! Its pretty quick and so is perfect for mornings before school/ college/ work.

Base:
Nars Sheer Glow- Mont Blanc
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer- Fair 1
Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Face:
Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder
Stilla Convertible Colour- Peach Blossom
Benefit High Beam

Eyes and Brows:
Soap & Glory Archery 2 in 1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush- Blondeshell
Urban Decay Naked Palette- Virgin swept all over the lid
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Lips:
Nars Audacious Lipstick- Anita (patted in to give a softer colour)

In the last few months of 2015, I got my skincare down to a few products that really work for me, leaving my skin looking the best it's looked for a long time. I do this morning and night and it also doesn't take too long as generally at night I just want to get straight into bed. I've thrown in a couple of extra products that I use when i'm in the mood to pamper myself and take extra time with my skincare.



First up I use the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, which I must have used for the past 5/6 years showing how good a product it is. It gently removes all traces of makeup and dirt and leaves my skin looking and feeling smooth and i genuinely can't imagine using anything else.

Once I've cleansed, I use the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic on a cotton wool pad all over the skin. It removes any traces of dirt or makeup that the cleanser may have missed and refreshes my skin. I used this with my first bottle of cleanse and polish however once it ran out I didn't repurchase and used alternatives. Fast forward 4 or 5 years later and my skin was looking really dull, lifeless and generally not good. I think this was from using harsh products that were meant to get rid of spots and blemishes. I decided to give the tonic another whirl and I am so glad I did. It made such a difference in only a couple of uses; brightening, calming and evening out my skin and it has been a saviour. 

On an average morning or night, I finish with the Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser which has definitely aided with the Skin Tonic to clear my skin. I generally had quite good skin, getting the odd few spots (mainly on my chin!) every couple of weeks however I went through a stage when my skin was the worst it's ever been. I found myself getting quite a few, big, ugly spots (still mainly on my chin) constantly, becoming quite self conscious about it and nothing would make them any better. I would use products that were designed for targeting spots and blemishes however nothing would change. I then started to use this moisturiser and they gradually started to disappear and my skin was getting better and better. I don't know whether it was something in the harsh 'spot prone skin' type moisturisers that reacted with my skin or Simples' products having no artificial ingredients and chemicals but it has worked wonders and it is only £3.99, what a bargain! I obviously do still get spots every so often but my skin is so much clearer and smoother. 



Normally whens it's that time of the month, is when I break out, so when I do or when I'm feeling a lil' groggy i'll use a face mask, either (another Liz Earle product) the Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask or the Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1 Wash & Mask. Both really good, one on the cheaper side and one more expensive. 

If my skin is behaving badly I also sometimes use the Teoxane Perfect Skin Refiner at night and only on a weekly or twice weekly basis as it is a harsh product however it does work well. 

I throw in some other products every so often but the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, Instant Boost Skin Tonic and the Simple Moisturiser make up my every day skincare routine. Quick, easy and simple!

Every girl seems to have the same obsession with berry/ purple/ plum in Autumn and Winter and it has been no different for me over the last few months. So.. here is my pick of the bunch to help you follow the trend.

We're in to 2016 (on a side note- how?!) and so i thought it was only right that i do another ASOS Wishlist. I've actually only just received an ASOS parcel but my 'saved items' page is ever growing and i might as well make the most of the January sales, right?


                              
               

                             
Can you tell i'm into monochrome? Oops!