MARCH FAVOURITES

Another month, another batch of favourite products that I've been using a lot over this month!

Tresemmé Extra Hold Hairspray | MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural 'Light' | Urban Decay Naked Basics | Sleek Correct and Conceal Kit | Garnier BB Cream | Garnier Roll On | Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine 'Lychee' | Rimmel 60 Seconds '805 Grey Matter' | Topshop Lipstick 'Rumour Has It'

I picked up the Sleek Correct and Conceal kit about a month ago. I've never seen any reviews or anything of it so I took the plunge. I think it was around £7. I actually picked up the palette in shade 2 because they didn't seem to stock any shade 1 so I foolishly thought 2 must be the lightest shade. It only means that the concealer (the middle one) is a touch too dark for me. I've been using the corrector (the first one) under my eyes before foundation and also around some really red blemishes but I've also been using my concealer as normal after foundation. I've found it does seem to reduce the darkness under my eyes a little doing this. My favourite part of the palette is the powder (the third one). It's great for setting all the make up under the eye and I've not had any issues with major creasing.

Two nail varnishes this month. I know the Barry M Gelly nail paints have been over-raved in the blogging world but they are totally worth it. I picked up the shade "Prickly Pear" when they were first launched a few months back and I love it. Then I kept seeing reviews popping up this months, especially for the nude shade 'Lychee' and I ended up buying it. I love a good nude polish! The finish of this is lovely and is the perfect shade of nude.
I've never tried the 60 Seconds polishes from Rimmel but I'm very impressed. Realising I didn't own a grey polish I bought this. Super impressed! The brush is quite small but thick so application is easy and it really does dry very quick. 60 seconds may be pushing it but it's quick enough for my liking.

The MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural is probably my favourite thing I've bought all year! Oh my god! I've been eyeing it up for some time and I took the plunge and I find myself reaching for this more often than my Rimmel Stay Matte powder. My make up looks so much better with it and I feel it stays in place so much longer. My skin also feels really soft and lovely wearing this. Definitely worth the price tag (that I can't totally remember but I think it's £20ish.)

I reviewed the Garnier BB Cream here so I won't repeat all that again but I'm so impressed with it. A good matte finish, good coverage and cheap! What's not to like? I bought the Garnier Roll On a few months back but I've only really started to like it. I have the one with a bit of a tint to it but it's not for coverage at all, in my case anyway. If I don't use the Sleek Correct and Conceal kit, I put this under my eyes after foundation and then go over with a concealer too. It seems to have made a much better difference than when I go with just concealer alone.

I did it. I jumped on the Urban Decay Naked bandwagon. My friend bought the Naked 2 palette and then I wanted it and I saw the Basics palette had 10% off at Debenhams so I went for it. The shades are perfect for me. The black shade 'Crave' is lovely for lining the lash line when you don't want to wear liquid liner and all the shadows are super pigmented and so easy to blend. So very happy with it. I will say that I find it quite difficult to open the palette. I don't know if it's just me and I got a bit of a dud one or if everyone has that problem?

I do love a Topshop lipstick. I already have a couple and over the last couple of months I've been wanting to brave the world of nude lips. I had a Topshop gift card so it only ended up costing me £3 so I picked up the shade Rumour Has It. It's definitely more of a darker nude but I prefer that with being pale. I don't really want to get the "foundation lips" look. Topshop lipsticks are so moisturising too so with the horribly cold weather my lips have got dry so wearing this has actually helped!

Finally, a bit random but hairspray! I have always used Tresemmé hairspray whenever I've needed it (which was never very often.) I can't remember which one my last one was but it definitely wasn't this one and I had it easily for 3 years before I used it all. Since getting a fringe I've been having to use hairspray everyday to keep it tamed. This bad boy is brill! It keeps my hair in place, it's not sticky and it doesn't make my hair all hard. I can't remember the price now but it was on offer in Bodycare for the giant can that I got.

So quite a few favourites this month. Hope you've all had a good month and you all enjoy Easter weekend. Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow (and I did today, boo!) but I'm at a Christening on Easter Sunday and I get Monday off. Which I most excited for because I will be able to watch Game of Thrones as soon as I wake up!!

HOLY GRAIL PRODUCTS

Holy grail products in the beauty world means the products that you love and repurchase over and over again. I don't have all that much, to be honest, because for a lot of certain make up items I am yet to find a product that makes me want to repurchase it.

L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara | No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation | Rimmel Stay Matte Powder | Benefit Brow-zings | Kate Moss x Rimmel Matte Lipstick | Real Techniques Buffing Brush | Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

For mascara, I would have put Maybelline Falsies in Black Drama in this post. However, I don't have any left and since buying Telescopic, I haven't been inclined to repurchase it this time. I had been using Falsies for a good 4 or so years though and I would definitely recommend it. But for now, I can't see my straying far from L'Oréal for a while.

This foundation has been my lifesaver. I've not even been using it a year but before it I was a total foundation noob. I didn't know what colour I needed or know anything about finishes etc. This is the perfect colour and the perfect finish for me and it's lasting me a pretty decent length of time considering I wear it practically everyday. I had the match service done in Boots and I wear the shade Cool Vanilla.

I've been buying the Stay Matte powder since I was at least 16, maybe even before then. I used to wear it just on it's own but as I've got older I have learnt more about makeup and prefer a higher coverage. This powder is amazing for setting make up and gives a lovely finish. I feel like it's only recently been hyped up in the blogging world but like I said, I've been buying this for a good 5 years.

Brow-zings is another recent-ish addition to my collection and I've nowhere near used it all but I know for a fact I will repurchase it.  was having total eyebrow wars before I discovered this baby. I use the shade Dark because my natural brows are really very dark, they're almost black but putting black on eyebrows is a little harsh, I think.

The Kate Moss lipstick is also something else I probably won't have to repurchase for a while but I definitely would do. It's my go to lipstick if I don't know which one to wear on a particular day. I have the majorly popular 107 shade. It lasts forever and matte lipsticks are my favourite.

Putting the Buffing Brush in this is a bit odd with it not being make up but before this brush came into my life I don't even know how I managed to apply foundation. I wish this brush was sold separately (it comes as part of the Core Collection set) because I'd probably buy at least one more just to have spares and so I can wash them more often. I would definitely recommend getting the Core Collection for this brush alone!

Finally, the insanely hyped up Lasting Perfection Concealer. I've also been buying this for a good few years but over the last few months as mine ran out I didn't repurchase it because I felt it started to feel cakey on me and I tried different ones. However, I recently bought it after seeing more reviews pop up again about it and I have fallen back in love with it. It's so cheap and great for under eyes and on blemishes.

I am still hunting for a holy grail eyeliner. I have recently bought a Bourjois one and I'm really liking it but it's a bit difficult for creating the wing at the end. The shape of my eyes doesn't help either, though. And as for blush and eyeshadow, I do love wearing them but if the ones I have now were discontinued, I don't think it would bother me and I'd just buy a different shade or brand. The items I've mentioned, without being dramatic, I don't think I could live without.

REVIEW: GARNIER MIRACLE SKIN PERFECTOR BB CREAM

I've been wanting to find a BB cream for a while but I am very picky with what I want it to do for my skin. I have said numerous times that I like a matte finish to my make up, I want the B cream to obviously be a good match to my skin colour and I want a decent coverage.
When BB creams first got hyped up over here a year or two back, I tried a different Garnier one but the coverage was very light and I just didn't get on with it at all.
I've been after finding a different one for those days when I'm being a bit more lazy and can't be bothered putting a load of make up on but I still want to look like I've tried to make an effort.

I saw a review of the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector which said that the BB cream dried with a matte finish, which is what initially pricked my ears up, so I looked more into it.
This BB cream is for combination to oily skin, as it's oil free. My skin is usually quite normal but recently I have been getting some oily patches, annoyingly. It also has an SPF of 20 and some people don't like foundations with SPF in them but I prefer that because (although we get very little in England) weirdly, sun damage is something that quite frightens me. Probably because I turn into a lobster at even the smallest ray of light.
When I bought this a few weeks ago it was on offer in Superdrug and it still appears to be according to the website (it's at £7.49).

I've been using it every few days and it does give just the matte finish I like, it gives the amount of coverage I like and it's just about right for my skin colour. It may be a teeny bit too dark but, as the majority of the drugstore brand BB creams are, the colour range is as simple as light, medium, dark. So, a bit vague to say the least. I, obviously, wear light and once I have my powder over the top it looks no different to the way my usual foundation looks but it feels so light on my face. I really like it.
My main problem with it is that the formula is very runny and so it comes out of the tube quite fast and gets pretty messy around the nozzle. Just a minor problem though!


(Excuse my serious face. My face was being more un-photogenic than usual and I was getting fed up of constant bad photos!)

Nivea Express Hydration Primer
GOSH Velvet Touch Primer
Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream 'Light'
Sleek Conceal and Correct 'Palette 2'
Garnier Roll On
ELF Maximum Coverage Concealer 'Porcelain'
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer 'Fair'
MAC Mineralised Skin Finish Natural 'Light'
Benefit Brow-zings 'Dark'
Maybelline Colour Tattoo 'Permanent Taupe'
Bourjois Liner Clubbing 'Ultra Black'
L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara 'Black'
Topshop Lipstick 'All About Me'

I realise I said that I use the BB cream for lazier make up days but now I've listed all that it doesn't seem that lazy!
BUT... When I use foundation I spend a lot longer with blending and I only put the Colour Tattoo on my eyes rather than spending ages blending different shadows together. Also, no contour, blush or highlighting going on.
I think what I mean by "lazy make up" is spending 15 minutes rather than 40..!

DRESS LIKE... JAMEELA JAMIL

I love Jameela Jamil, especially for her entire wardrobe. She always looks amazing and always has the cutest accessories. I recently bought my first piece from her Very collection (which you can see here) so I thought it only makes sense to do my next 'Dress Like...' post on her.


BY DAY

Shirt; New Look

Dungarees; New Look

Satchel; Boohoo

Shorts; Topshop

Blazer; H&M

Hat; Topshop

Bracelets; Topshop

Bag; ASOS

Lip Crayon; Topshop

Lipstick; Topshop

Shoes; ASOS

BY NIGHT

Shirt; Topshop

Boots; ASOS

Tie; New Look

Bag; ASOS

Lipstick; Topshop

Dress; Topshop

Hat; eBay

Shoes; Matalan

Socks; Topshop

Ring; Topshop

Skirt; H&M

Nails; Topshop

It was so hard to just pick 4 different outfits Jameela has worn! I love how everything is very simple with colour; a lot of black and white and neutral colours and then just one thing will be neon and it all really works. She looks amazing.
On a side note; I have serious leg envy after doing this post!



You can see all the previous 'Dress Like...' posts by clicking here. Contains the likes of Cara Delevingne, Emma Stone and Kat Dennings.

CURRENT SKINCARE ROUTINE

I really like reading skincare posts and watching the YouTube videos but the products used are often so beyond my price range so I thought I'd show you my affordable routine which I'm sure works just as well! At the very least, my skin likes it. I know everyone's skin is different though.

This is everything that I put on my face. Obviously, not all at once. Everything is available in Superdrug and Boots (and LUSH!).

So, here goes..!

Garnier 2 in 1 Make-Up Remover | No7 Cleansing Water | B.Pure Micellar Water

The first thing I do is remove my make up. I have just started using the Garnier remover to take off my eye make up. I was previously using a Nivea one which works in the same way as this but I started to dislike it a bit. It works by having the oil in to remove the make up and a cleansing water so you don't get oily residue and you have to give it a good shake to mix it all together. I've only used this one a couple of times but it feels a lot more soothing on my eyes than the Nivea. It does say make up remover for the whole face too but I've not tried it for that. 

I use the No7 Cleansing Water to remove the rest of my make up. I LOVE this stuff! I only have a tiny bit left but you only need a couple of squirts on to some cotton wool and it takes everything off. I'll definitely be repurchasing it.

The Micellar Water is from the B. range that recently launched in Superdrug. I've heard people banging on about micellar water for a while but to be honest I don't really know how they differ from cleansing water? It was on offer so I thought I'd see how it was different. I have only used it a couple of times because I thought I'd use it after the No7 ran out. It seems to work just as well as that for removing my make up. I don't like the teeny nozzle in this though. The pump on the No7 is much better!

Botanics Gentle Cleansing Cream | Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser

Once I take my make up off I go shower and then do the rest of my skincare. So, cleanser! I am aware I use cleanser to remove my make up and I know that a lot of people use cream cleansers to actually take their make up off but I really hate doing that. I feel like it doesn't take my make up off properly and I'm just dragging it around my face. So I like waters for taking it off and then after I go in with a cream cleanser.
I kind of alternate between using these two. The Botanics one is from Boots own range. It says it brightens to the skin but I can't say I've noticed that however I do really like it. It's light and soothing and it isn't overly scented. The hot cloth cleanser is from Superdrug's range and I absolute adore this. It's a dupe (I presume, I've never tried this one) of the Liz Earle one but much more affordable. It comes with a muslin cloth too. The cleanser itself is lovely and creamy and leaves your skin so soft. I use this one about 2-3 times a week and the Botanics the rest of the time.

Simple Soothing Facial Toner | Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Cleansing & Toning Lotion

Then it's on to toner. I've been using the Simple one for months and it's great for leaving your skin refreshed and it takes up the last traces of make up that the cleanser left or that managed to get into any pores. The Tea Tree one is quite a recent purchase from Boots own range. I bloody love the smell of tea tree and just putting it on my face. I definitely prefer this to the Simple one but I'm trying to hold off using it until the other runs out. I've had some breakouts recently so the tea tree one seems to be calming it a little. I do love toner though. So refreshing on the skin. Please do recommend me others!

Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Exfoliating Face Scrub | Garnier Deep Pore Wash

Ooh, I do love scrubbing these things into my face. I featured the Tea Tree one in my last favourites. Again, tea tree... just love it so much! I can never stop touching my skin after I've used this. So so soft! It really has helped to reduce my pores too, I think anyway.
I've had the Garnier one a while now and I bought it cos I used to have a few blackheads on my nose but I don't seem to have that probably anymore. Guess it worked then..! I really like scrubs and just rubbing the little beads into my skin. (I'm weird, I know.)

I don't exfoliate everyday because that would be over-scrubbing and I'd end up ripping my face off but I do it about 3 times a week. If I'm not being lazy.

Simple Light Moisturiser | Vitamin E Night Cream | Sudocrem

Then it's moisturising time. I do all my skincare at night after I shower. After I've done the previous steps sometimes I put the Simple moisturiser on, depending on how dry my skin feels, and I always put it on after I've exfoliated. It is so light and refreshing. It is my day moisturiser, if I'm not using the Nivea Express Primer, but I just love it. I thought it'd had been discontinued when I wen to repurchase recently but they've changed the packaging and put it in a box, so watch out for that!
Then I'm usually just chilling around my room for a couple of hours before I go to bed and I just whack a load of Sudocrem on all my spots. I get quite a few on my chin and cheeks, unfortunately. I don't rub it in either, I just leave it as blobs all over my skin so it looks like I have some kind of disease. I know it's nappy rash cream but it does say acne on the label, too. It is an absolute miracle and I have a huge tub and it cost like £3 and that'll last years! Before I go to bed, I rub in whatever Sudocrem is left on my face (cos it does start sinking into the skin) and, for me anyway, my spots already seem to have shrunk. Then I put a rather generous amount of the night cream all over my face. I love this stuff! So soothing and my skin feels great in a morning. I really need to try other things from the Vitamin E range because I love the products I have.

The night cream is probably one of my favourite products I use and I have just re-bought that too.

LUSH Bubblegum Lip Scrub | Vaseline

Before I go to bed I also like using these products. I don't use the lip scrub everyday because, just as with the rest of the face, I don't want to rip all the skin off! This smells INCREDIBLE. I use quite a bit when I do use it because it's too hard not too and then I throw on a load of Vaseline and I get the smoothest lips. I use Vaseline every night before I sleep though and it definitely helps. Especially because I wear lipstick everyday and some lipsticks are drying.

And that is everything that gets thrown all over my face!

Hope you like this post and let me know of any other drugstore brands you use for skincare that I should try out.

WISHLIST #3

Just a small wishlist today as I was browsing online for a dress for an upcoming Christening. I failed to find what I wanted but of course now I'm wanting to spend even more money!

Topshop sweatshirt | Topshop liquid liner | ASOS shoes | Urban Decay Naked Basics palette

The sweatshirt isn't my usual taste but this is just awesome for a lazy, casual day to throw on with my disco pants or some denim shorts.

I am forever after the perfect liquid eyeliner. I'm using a Sleek one at the moment and I really like it but I still don't feel it's exactly what I want. I quite like the look of the wand of this one and the Topshop makeup I've tried before, I've been really pleased with. Let me know if any of you have tried it.

Also after some decent flat shoes that will go with everything for Spring/Summer. I was trying to avoid suede because of the English weather but I just fell in love with these. The detailing on the toe is gold elephants! They're £22 which I think is pretty decent too.

Finally, the Urban Decay Basics palette. I've wanted this for SO long and then my friend bought the Naked 2 palette and it's beautiful and I keep watching YouTube videos with this palette being used. My finger just accidentally slipped on to the 'add to basket' button so I may just have to slip on the 'buy' button now. It's also down to £18 on the Debenhams website at the moment. That means £3 per shadow! Bargain!

POLKA DOTS + BOWLER HATS

Today is my only day off this week and I've spent it baking cookies and watching Disney films with one of my best friends. The best kind of day, if you ask me.

Dungaree dress; Jameela Jamil for Very | Shirt; Primark | Bowler hat; eBay 

Nails; Maybelline Color Show 'Latte', Barry M Gelly Hi Shine 'Prickly Pear', Barry M 'Black'

I've been ogling this dress from the Jameela Jamil Very collection since it was released. I decided to just buy it last week and so glad I did. It fits so well and it's so different to my usual outfits. It fits in nice with the current monochrome trend but giving it a little twist too. The shape of the bottom of the dress gives a nice 60's feel and the dungaree/pinafore dress seems to be everywhere at the moment!
I bought the shirt yesterday from Primark for £9! They had a few other colours. Been after a white shirt for a while and I knew I'd definitely need one for this dress. I guess when it's hotter (hopefully!) I'll be able to wear it without...
The hat... ah, I'm in love. My friend was wearing a lovely one a few weeks back and then I knew I wanted one. I love hats but I don't feel I can pull them off. Now I have my fringe I feel I can a bit more. Topshop and the likes bowler hats are all around the £20 mark which is quite frankly ridiculous. My friend said she got hers on eBay so I had a nosey and with postage it was around £5! Bargain!

 Decided to get a bit creative with my nails last night and I'm very impressed with myself. Only got a few little smudges but I think a decent first attempt. I've ordered some dotting tools from eBay too which will (I hope) make me get better at doing nail art seeing as that seems to be the thing at the minute.