Autumn Beauty Picks Ft. Cohorted

Many of my readers and fellow bloggers have been raving about the website Cohorted recently. My blog followers may remember that I worked with Cohorted on a giveaway a few months ago. Cohorted is a unique shopping website in which weekly deals reduce in price to a set discount when more people join the cohort, the more everyone wants a product, the better the discount! Cohorted have been killing it recently with amazing products from Urban Decay, Dolce & Gabbana, Too Faced and more! I was kindly sent a couple of items from Cohorted to review from real Techniques and Smashbox. 

I have the *Real Techniques Mini Brush Trio (RRP £9.99, max Cohorted discount will be 25%). I have a lot of Real Techniques brush (two sets of the core collection, two sets of the starter set, the expert face brush and the retractable bronzer brush all of which I love). The mini travel trio is a great idea for touch ups on the go and they are freakin' adorable! The brushes look and feel like the original, full size versions although they don't have the rubber handle. All three brushes are very soft, smooth and work effectively. I have been using the mini face brush for foundation, the mini foundation brush for highlight and the mini shading brush for eyeshadow. Overall, I am impressed with the mini trio, they are just as soft, smooth and effective as the original full size brushes, in my opinion, and they are so cute! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

I have also been using the Real Techniques mini trio with the *Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in 'Baked Stardust' (RRP £25, max Cohorted discount will be 25%) which in my opinion is a bronzer, blush and highlight all in one compact. I can use the lighter creamy shade as a brow bone and cheek highlighter, the pinky shade as a highlighter blush and the two deeper brown shades as a radiant bronzer. Also I have been using all of the shades as eyeshadows. The pigmentation isn't great although I think that is a positive point as it means I don't like like a glitter ball or a clown! The finish of this product is just gorgeous, so radiant and fresh but not glittery or shiny/oily looking. I have mainly been lightly swirling the Real Techniques mini face brush in all of the shades and applying to the top and back of my cheeks for a glowing, 'lit from within' look which is so pretty for dull, grey english autumn/winter days. ★★★★★, 5/5, you will see this product in a few upcoming posts. 

The Real Techniques Mini Brush Trio will be one of tonights deals (along with the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge)!

Have you bought anything from Cohorted? Have you tried either of these products?

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Most Worn Summer Things 2013

Here are my most worn/used summer things of 2013. I took all of these items on holiday with me and I have been using them for the past couple of weeks while I have been back too. Some of the items are fairly long term favourites and others are new buys.

Firstly, my bag. I took this newlook bag with me on holiday and I used it in almost every country - from Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Finland and also Estonia and it is fantastic. I love Newlook bags, they are really durable and they are fairly cheap too.

Now onto makeup, the makeup brushes I have been using the most during the summer have been two from Real Techniques - the Expert Face Brush and the Pointed Foundation Brush. The expert face brush has been a long term favourite brush for me but especially during the summer as I tend to apply my foundations with brushes during the warmer months and a sponge during the colder months when my skin is super dry. I also loved the pointed foundation brush for powder, it is great for pressing on powder under the eyes and on my T zone.

I have been using the Revlon Nearly Naked powder in the shade 'fair' which I adore - as you can see I have hit pan on it a lot! The powder is slightly too dark for me which is the only negative I have about this product. The foundation I have been using with the Revlon powder is the Jemma Kidd Pro Radiance Moisture Tint which has spf which is great for the summer (I don't usually wear any so the fact that it is in my base is great for me). I will have a review of the Jemma Kidd foundation and the Revlon powder in the up coming weeks. The final makeup product I have been loving all summer is the *Loreal Super Liner Brow Artist Pencil in the shade 'brunette' which I was kindly given as part of a set from Loreal and I love this brow pencil. I took it on holiday with me and it is so quick and easy to use.

Now skincare favourites, I have dry/sensitive skin so when I go on holiday I don't try new products, I stick to the products that I know are not going to irritate my skin. For me the cleanser I have been using this summer is the Dead Sea Spa Magik Gentle Cleanser which I received in a beauty box a while ago and I really like the product - it is very basic but it doesn't irritate my skin and it leaves my skin smooth and clean. I have been using the Organic Surge Super Intensive Daily Moisturiser as my night cream, while on holiday, and my day or night cream while at home. I bought it on a whim in the sale because it was reduced to about £2.80 so I bought two tubs and I am so glad I did because this product is incredibly moisturising - love it!

My final most used product of summer is the Kiehls Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. I received this product in my Selfridges beauty advent calendar last Christmas (ps. I would definitely recommend the beauty calendars, I am definitely getting another one this year). I adore this hand cream, it is basic in terms of scent and function but it is very moisturising and I just love using it.

There are my summer favourites, what are yours? 

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My Travel Makeup: Brushes and Tools

Here are the tools and makeup brushes that I have taken on holiday with me, if you want to see the makeup that I have taken then you can just scroll down to my previous posts. 

The brushes I am taking includes: my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (aka. one of the best foundation brushes ever), the RT deluxe Crease Brush, RT Pointed Foundation brush, RT Contour brush, RT Eyeshadow brush, Laura Mercier Flat Eyeshadow brush, an Angled Ecotools brush for liner and brows and a eyebrow brush. I am also taking my trusty Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - although if you are looking for a cheap version, buy the Birch Box Eyelash Curler. Oh and my Makeup bag for my brushes is from MAC. 

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January & February Favourites!

Here are my January favourites first, I know it is very late but I wanted to fit my January and February favourites together. 

1. Laura Mercier Lip Glace (Sweetheart): Firstly a gorgeous lip gloss from Laura Mercier. I am usually a lipstick kind of girl but since I bought an amazing value Laura Mercier set (£12 in the spaceNK sale, link here to my haul). The colour is gorgeous on the lips, it make my lips look fuller and smooth - it glosses over dry areas so well. Love it!

2. Simple Rich Moisturiser: I have been using this moisturiser for years, I have gone through about five bottles of this stuff - I love it although if my skin is dry then I will use another moisturiser but this is great for everyday, especially in the summer. 

3. Kiko Anti-age foundation: I received a Kiko package on Christmas eve and this was one of the things I ordered. I have been using it on and off since then, as I have been trying out other foundations but I do really like this product. I have the shade '01 peach rose' which is not my perfect shade but it is quite good. It is so smooth and silky and it applies really well. If you want a fill review of this product, or any of the products featured, just leave a comment!

4. Clinique Airbrush Concealer: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this concealer! I received this as it was a free gift with purchase and I adore this product. I illuminates and covers really well - although it doesn't cover my dark circles completely (nothing will do that!) but it is a fantastic concealer!

Here are my favourites for the month of February!

1. ELF Tone Correcting Concealer: I have been switching between the Clinique air brush concealer and the ELF concealer this month. I love the clinique concealer and I love this. The elf concealer has very light coverage but it is really moisturising! And the shade is a fantastic match for my paler than pale skin tone!

2. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: I have bee using this brush for my foundations for the past four months or so I love this brush. The paddle shape allows foundation to glide on so quickly and easily and it blends so well.

3. Vichy Eau Thermale: I received this in my Birchbox this month and I have been using it ever since! I have been using this as a toner and as a setting spray. I find that if my makeup looks a bit caky or if it has emphasised some dryness, then a good spray or this onto my makeup and it really help!

4. Illamasqua Blush Brush: I love this brush, it is quite expensive at around £28 but it is worth it! It makes applying contour and bronzer so quick and easy. The bristles are very smooth and soft. It is the perfect shape, thickness and density for contouring.

5. Clinique AirBrush Concealer: Again this is in my favourite for the month of January and February I have been liking this although I do find that if you apply too much then it can look a bit caky.

6. Yves Rocher Sexy Plump Mascara: A favourite mascara of the moment and possible of all time! I love this mascara, I received the sample tube from a beauty box I think and loved it from the first time I used it. It makes my lashes look fuller, longer, black but natural. Love it, I wish they made a waterproof version though, then I could use it daily!

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YSL Touche Eclat Foundation: Initial Impressions

I received this free sample with a Feelunique order last week in the shade BR30 (code for sample: ILOVEYSL). I have used this sample for my foundation for two days now and I still have enough for the next couple of days. The shade does not match my skin tone as it is a bit too dark and I think my shade would be BR10 or BR20. The 'BR' means that the shade is pink toned which is why it is right for me as my skin has pink undertones. 

Application

The application of this foundation is one of the best things about this product! The application is just gorgeous, it glides onto my skin so smoothly and effortlessly. The smooth, silky texture of this product makes it really nice, easy and quick to apply. I have tried applying this foundation with my finger tips (as suggested) and it works fantastically. I have also used this foundation with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (aka. the best foundation brush ever!) and it also works really well with this product. This is one of the very few foundations I have tried that don't streak at all when applied with a foundation brush. Overall, the application is so easy and just amazing! 5/5. 

Results and Finish

This foundation has light to buildable coverage, in my opinion and I do need a bit more coverage but I just use concealer under my eyes and on my minor blemishes. After I have applied this foundation my skin just looks even, fresh, healthy, radiant and luminous without looking greasy at all. The finish of this foundation is gorgeous, it has a satin finish in my opinion and it is not matte and it is not dewy. The gorgeous, skin like finish of this foundation is like nothing I have ever experienced. Overall, this product evens out my skin tone and it makes the texture of my skin look smoother and even. The luminosity created by this foundation makes my skin look very fresh, healthy and radiant without looking oily. The finish of this product is the 'lit from within' finish, in my opinion. Although if you have very oily skin or if you like full coverage foundations this may not be the product for you. 5/5. 

Overall

Amazing application. Gorgeous natural, luminous finish. Feels light and comfortable on the skin and it lasts well throughout the day on me (when set with a small amount of pressed powder). I think I am going to have to buy the full size product in the shade BR20 or BR10 soon. Highly recommened. 

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A week in Photographs!

Yes, I know there are nine photographs but I couldn't not put all of these photographs in this post. My week has been filled with coffee, rain, coffee, rain, magazines, Costco cookies (aka. heaven), magazine freebie hunting and new make up launches!

Firstly, this Topshop mug - the one that looks like a toadstool mushroom...it is adorable! I bought it from Topshop a month or so ago and I love it; the lid can be used to cover the mug or as a coaster. Although the mug is fairly heavy and priced at £9 it is not the cheapest but it is so cute. I have been drinking quite a lot of coffee this week so while in ASDA the other day I saw some latte glasses (top left) and I love them! They look great, in my opinion but they do only just hold 250ml; although they were only £2. 

Another thing I have been loving this week is the tidal wave of new make up launches!

Revlon have released their new kissable balm stains this week (they are now available in boots for £7.99 and Superdrug for £5.99, which is an introductory offer). Revlon have also recently launched their 'PhotoReady' range which includes: a pressed powder, concealer, primer, foundation and blushes. I bought the Revlon PhotoReady concealer stick and I really like it so far. Although on my dry skin it can look a little bit cakey. Also Revlon have released their colorstay eyeshadow quads and I have a quad called 'addiction' and I am not that impressed with it - review coming soon. 

Bourjois have launched their spring/summer collection recently which included new nail polishes, the colorissimo lip palette and the Quintet eyeshadow palette. I have one of the 1 second new nail polishes (the shades are new and the formula is now a gel) and the shade I have is 'beige distinction' which is divine! I love the Bourjois 1 second polishes as they are incredibly easy to use and they dry fairly quickly, although the longevity is not amazing. 

Avon have released a couple of new items recently including the Chromes eyeliners; I have one in the shade 'Mocha Flash' - link here to my review/swatches. 

Real techniques have three new brushes out; the fine liner brush, the setting brush and the expert face brush - I have the expert face brush and I adore it! 

ELF (eyeslipsface) have a couple of new products out too; one of which is the primer eye shadows and I have one in the shade 'Coco Loco' and I really don't like it - review coming soon! 

And most recently YSL have released their new Touche Eclat foundation! I have a sample of it from a recent Feel Unique order (code: ILOVEYSL) and I will have an initial impressions post shortly. phew. 

I have been loving the freebies in magazine recently! Glamour magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Instyle, Red and Marie Claire have freebies in this month. I bought a few and I was a bit disappointed with Instyle as they show that the freebies are the Armani eyes to kill mascara and the Shiseido cleanser but you have to take the magazine to a counter to get the freebies! 

Then the biggest feature of the week: rain! In England it rains a lot (well in Manchester it does) but this week it has been almost non stop rain which has caused major flooding all over the country. I cannot wait for my holiday in August!

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