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If you've read my blog for a while you'll know that Nars is one of, if not my fave, makeup brand. I love the whole look and feel of the packaging, it doesn't feel as luxurious or lavish as YSL or Charlotte Tilburry, but it's just got something about it. And, most importantly I love the products ha! I'm yet to find a product I dislike or am even unsure of. I don't have a huge Nars collection but what I do have I use all the time!

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
This is my fave Nars product and my fave foundation. It's not sheer and it's not that glowy (despite the name) but it gives a beautiful skin-like finish to the skin, whilst still giving medium to full, and definitely buildable, coverage! The shade Mont Blanc is also the best match to my natural, untanned skin that i've found. A must try if you haven't already.

Nars Bronzer- Laguna
What a classic! I remember back in the old YouTube and Blogging days this was talked about so much. Pretty much everyone had it. I dreamt of trying it for years but I couldn't justify spending that much on a bronzer when I was a teenager- it still makes me squirm, hence the reason i'm running desperately low on it! With just a hint of shimmer, it gives a lovely tanned finish without being too orange or too brown. I also love to use it as an eyeshadow (shown in my first makeup YT vid aahh!) for an easy, everyday look.

Nars Blusher- Orgasm
Another absolute classic here! Easy to wear everyday and the rose gold-ish reflection means it gives a glowy, rosy flush to the cheeks. It's very pigmented, so a little definitely goes a long way.

Nars Highlighting Blush Powder- Albatross
I don't know why this is called a blush powder, because it's definitely not. I recently wrote a blog post about this >> The Summer Highlighter << so check it out if you want a more detailed post. As the post name suggests, I particularly love this for the summer, since despite looking white in the pan, it has a serious gold undertone to it, making it look amazing with a tan. 

Nars Blush- Nico
This is another one that isn't really a blusher. I've also done a blog post on this >> Nars Nico << as part of my Hidden Gem series in 2016. I don't use it as a blusher, but instead as a multi-use powder; to fix, set and lightly highlight. Being a light beige with a hint of shimmer, it can set the under eyes, soften a heavy hand with blusher or bronzer or as a very subtle highlight. I class it not a must-buy but a maybe for Nars or makeup lovers.

Nars Illuminator- Copacabana
Another one i've wrote a longer blog post on >> The Liquid Highlighters <<. This actually comes close as my fave highlighter. I absolutely love the glowy finish it gives and how being liquid, it's so versatile. A little side note: I find that Copacabana blends the best and looks the best when i'm wearing the Sheer Glow foundation. 

Nars Audacious Lipstick- Anita
The only product that's not for the face in my collection. A classic rose shade- it is perfect for everyday. It's pigmented, so you only need a couple of swipes and creamy, but doesn't slide off. 

For years, I've applied my foundation with either a buffing brush, AKA the Real Techniques buffing brush / expert face brush, or a beauty blender. I've generally always preferred how quick these options blend my foundation seamlessly, and give a nice finish. A couple of weeks ago, when doing my makeup, I decided to shake things up a little and use something different- wild I know! 

I was sifting through my brushes and came across the Inglot 27TG, basically a large stippling brush. I'd not used this for a good couple of years. Stippling brushes had been all the rage in the early blogging days, however I'd always found that they didn't give me as much coverage and that's not what a gal with problematic skin wants. Nevertheless when I tried this, I was shook! It was blending quickly, giving me such good coverage and leaving a lovely finish. Since then, it's been the only brush I've been applying my foundation with, so definitely a new favourite for July! My only gripe with it is that it sometimes sheds and leaves little black hairs on my face. Other than that, i'm loving the stippling brush life. I feel so 2012. 

If you've read my blog for a while, you'll probably know that Nars is one of, if not my favourite makeup brand. Whether its foundation, bronzer, eyeshadow or lipstick, they just nail it again and again. I recently wrote a post about liquid highlighters, which featured the gorgeous Nars Copacabana Illuminator. I still love that, but in the summer I like wearing a slightly more 'gold' highlighter to compliment my *fake* tan. And my favourite summer highlighter is? Nars Albatross. Is there any surprises its another Nars product?

In the pan, it looks kind of white, however once swatched it's got a serious gold undertone. I don't think it suits my pale skin tone in the winter, but with tanned skin it just looks stunning. It's got that summer holiday going out for an evening meal kinda vibe. It's a super lightweight powder that melts into the skin and you only need to dip your brush in it to look like you've been dripping in gold. Like most Nars products, it lasts pretty well too, around 6/7 hours. Pretty good for someone whose makeup always disappears from their skin. It retails for £24 and can be bought from my all time favourite shop, ASOS! http://tidd.ly/c2fc97c6

• Hourglass Ambient Lightning Palette- Most definitely a splurge item and not an essential but just look at it!?

When i was sifting through my makeup collection the other day, i realised how much of a fan I am of liquid and cream highlighters. More often than not, when doing my makeup i reach for them over a powder highlighter. Liquids and cream highlighters give much more of a glow and luminosity, almost from within the skin, that you just can't get with a powder. 

When looking at my liquid highlighters, two stood out; Nars Copacabana Illuminator and Benefit High Beam. Both are beautiful, quite similar in fact, and blend out really well whether you use your fingers, a brush or a beauty blender. I find that you only need the tiniest amount, so especially for Copacabana where it comes in a big tube, it will last ages. I also like the versatility of liquid highlighters. You can mix a little in with your foundation or moisturiser for a more glowy finish or even apply it like a primer.
The only downside to liquid highlighters? I find they can be a little time consuming and sometimes messy to apply.

I still love to use powder highlighters, such as the Balm Mary LouManizer or Nars Albatross, that give a kind of dazzling effect to the cheeks, but for general every day makeup, a liquid or cream is my preferred choice. 

Which do you prefer? Liquid or powder?

Where do I start? I haven't written a blog post in such a long time. *Edit- I wrote this a few months ago then forgot to post, doh!* I've been so busy with life and working that this little space went to the back of my brain and just wasn't a priority. I want to get back into the swing of things though and that starts now! So i'm going to ease myself back into it with an updated everyday makeup routine. This is the makeup I've generally been wearing everyday for work, so it needs to be quick and easy! I don't have the time (or effort) to be spending ages on my makeup at 7 in the morning!

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!

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!

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)

As much as i wish i could, i cant go out with zero makeup on; my brows just need some attention! and besides, doing my makeup is something i really enjoy. However there are days when i can't be bothered to slap on a load of makeup, especially in the summer. Recently, my skin has been behaving quite well and with inspiration from Lisa Eldridge, i've stripped back my makeup and i love the results!




 Much to my surprise i've been loving the look of my skin with no foundation, opting first for primer (Rimmel Lasting Finish Primer) to slightly even my skin tone and help everything last and then concealer (Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer- Fair 1) on any blemishes, redness and under my eyes. I also like to add another concealer (Rimmel Wake Me Up Anti- Fatigue Effect + Radiant Glow Concealer) under my eyes to add extra coverage to my awfully blue under eyes and brighten things up there, especially due to skipping foundation. I recently bought the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and i've been liking blending in my concealer with this. Got to powder to set this in place (Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder - 001 Transparent) and that is base done in under two minutes!