Weekly Make-Up Bag;

If you wanna check my first post on there, go here

My first change in my make up bag, is my base. This week I've decided to go with NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Finland. This is a great light base, and gives a very natural look. I always put my bases in these little pots. They're great for travel, and if you always grab your make up out your make up bag, rather than have it displayed on a desk.

Next up is the blusher. This Dainty Doll blush in 'You are my Sunshine,' is a perfect dupe to NARS Orgasm (better even than Sleek Rose Gold). This can be found on Ebay for less than £5!

This week I'm trying Rimmel Accelerator Endless Lashes in Brown. I'm not really fond of this. I like using a mascara with flatter bristles (Benefit Bad Gal Lash, Urban Decay Big Fatty). I do like the packaging of it though!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Asia (077) This is one shade darker than my lip colour, and it's perfect for spring time. I know I'll be wearing this A LOT! It's a great everyday colour.

Basic Lipcote - My lipstick never lasts very long, which explains my love for the L'Oreal Glam Shine Splash Lip Stains, or YSL Glossy Stains. I'm testing this out. I cancelled my GlossyBox just before everyone got this, and I only just decided to buy it. Hopefully it'll keep my lipstick there for longer.

-C xo

Weekly Make-up Bag;

When looking through my make up collection, I realized I don't need anymore things in it, especially when I'm not using half the products I own. There are certain products that I'll keep using throughout I.E eyebrow pencil, eyebrow gel...Well, that's pretty much it. Each keep I'll use the same products for a week (my foundation, blushes, highlight, mascara, lip balm, an eyeliner or eye colour and lip colour) and then change it up for the next week.

This week the product that I'm using (and will change next week) is:-

Rimmel's Match Perfection Foundation in Light Porcelain

Clarin's  Instant Lip Perfector in 01 Rose Shimmer

NARS Cream Blush in Penny Lane

(I did use the 'Just Clear mascara for my 'lashes, but that's always in my bag and I'll use a different one next week)

The products I always use and keep in my bag:-

Origins Planscription Concealer

Mac Teddy Eye Khol ('brows)

Miss Sporty Just Clear Mascara ('brows)

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Light (Just used under eyes to set concealer)  

Sephora Ultra Shine LipGloss - Vintage Pink Review;

Sephora Ultra Shine Lipgloss in Vintage pink - $14 (£9.30)

This lovely product has been hidden away in the back on my lip draw, until he launch of the Rimmel Lacqures, I thought I would pull this out and give it a try.

I can't believe I overlooked it. Much like Rimmel, you only need a small amount on your lips, making the product last forever. The wear of it is roughly 5hrs. The colour is a gorgeous natural muted pink, think n07 Shine in Beehive, but in Lipgloss format. 

The applicator is a hour glass shaped sponge, which is a perfect lip shape, but this makes you over apply the product and leaves you with far too much. I dot this on my lips and blend it in to get a lovely flush of colour. The product is thick, and sticky, which I'm not really fond of, though I can look past that.

The packaging is a plastic tube that is clear so you can see the colour inside, and a black screw on top that has sephora written around it. This packaging is the type I love as it is lightweight and long lasting. It fits nicely into your purse, or make up bag.

Overall I think I will be wearing this a lot during the spring and summer months. When I go back to the US I will buy the product again.



What do you think of this product?

This Week in Pictures;

Click on images to enlarge.

Eau Thermale Avene Antirougeurs moisturiser - Product I am road testing atm.

Brownie in a mug- So yummy!

Buying bits and bobs for moving out (again)

Morocco Mint and Spice Tea - I love this stuff!

Baby Cam' - Our new Camera Baby Monitor.

My Filofax's and Organizer.

Buying 4+ Months baby food for Alec - Only two weeks left!

L'oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash Swatches/Review;

Hey all! Today I bring you the L'oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash.

These little beauties are lip stains/glosses, and are a dupe of the YSL Glossy Stain (Did you know L'oreal own YSL?) 

All the colours are very wearable, and would suit almost anyone. I was so excited to see these come out, as I was on my way to buy a YSL Glossy Stain when I saw they were in the UK.

I love the packaging - It's sleek and lightweight. The applicator is a sponge one, in the shape of a tear, yes, just like the glossy stain! It makes these so easy to apply nicely over your lips.

The colour I love the most is Lolita, and the only one I'm not really fond of is Eve as it doesn't really show up. They come in a range of colours  - I have seven to show you;

Lolita (101) - A nude dark plumy pink - The most natural colour.

Romy (102) - A natural pink

Princess (200) - A deep orangey coral red

Bonnie (501) - A dark orangey coral

Juliet (300) - A deep red

Eve (400) - A light Lilac purple

 Milady (402) - A dark purple

Here are the swatches to slow the lovely colours!

(From left to right) 101, 102, 200, 501, 300, 400 and 402 (For the names please see list above)

All the images are in this order.

(Bonnie, Milady and Eve) From top to bottom

(Princess and Juliet) From top to bottom

(Romy and Lolita) From top to bottom

Top Picks for Spring/Summer '13;

I am currently writing this as it is snowing outside, wishing the weather would be brighter. Here are my top picks for the spring and summer season

1:- Bobbi Brown Tinted Balm - This is a lovely light balm which gives your skin a healthy glow and allows it to breathe. The colour is perfect for my skin now, so maybe nearing the middle to end of summer, the colours may be too light for me, but I hope not.

2:- Clarins Instant Lip Perfector (01) - I'm not someone who likes lip glosses at all, and this really is the perfect gloss for gloss haters! The colour is a beautiful natural pink, which is a lovely day time shade. All the lip perfector colours are very wearable and suit anyone. This is a holy product for me.

3:- Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - You can use this lovely product under foundation, or as a face mask. I use this more as a mask than anything. It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth, and on the occasion I use it as a pre foundation base, it leaves my skin glowing. I love how wide awake it makes my skin look even after a bad night. This is good to use in winter or summer.

4:- L'oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash - Eeek! I love these. I was literally on my way to pick up YSL's Glossy Stain, while reading Fleur's blog, and she said these were a dupe. I have these in 3 colours, and I have ordered the other 4. I will be using these a lot. I love Loltia and Romy. Check them out.

5:- NARS Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer - This is my go to tinted moisturizer. It is light and very natural, just like the Bobbi Brown Balm, but the colour should last all through the summer. It has an SPF as well like the balm Can you tell I like the fresh natural look yet?

What do you think your spring/Summer staples will be?

Bobbi Brown Tinted Balm Review;

Bobbi Brown Tinted balm in Alabaster - £34

 I've been road testing Bobbi Browns tinted balm for a few weeks now, and it's about time I do a full review on this product. This tinted balm is marketed for people with dry skin, and I fully agree with that. If you have oily skin, stay away! 

When first applied it does need time to settle into the skin. When I first used this, it made my skin red, but after it settled in, it did leave a natural tint to my skin. It is very light coverage, so if you want anything more, this isn't for you. I wouldn't advise applying this in layer, because it does feel greasy before it sinks in.

It is a lovely soft balm, that applies nicely over the skin. I do have redness on my cheeks, and sensitive skin - the fragrance of this product may be why my skin gets a bit red after initial application. It has a really plant like smell, so if you aren't fond of smells, I would advise you go smelling first. It does have an SPF 25 which some people love, and some hate. The packaging I'd rather thick and bulky, which I'm not fond of. The glass is thick and feels expensive, but I would rather something more compact and travel friendly. 

As you can see from the picture below, Alabaster is a pretty perfect colour for anyone with a pale complexion. They have a good colour range that would suit most skin types. 

Being marketed as a balm for dry skin, it also says you can use this without using your moisturizer. I find using both is far too much for my skin, so I use one or the other, but I wouldn't use this as my go to skin base, as I need more moisture than the balm gives my skin. It is good to use on ancient off, I do use it a few times in the week, but using it too much doesn't do my skin any good.

Overall, I do really like this product's. It has pros and cons, like any product. I don't think it's worth the expensive price tag. I wouldn't buy this again, though I can see myself using this a lot in spring and summer because of how light it is.