Autumn/Winter Makeup Ft. Save On Makeup

Autumn is my favourite time of the year for makeup looks, trends and new releases! I love darker autumnal eyeshadow, polishes and dewy foundations. I was kindly allowed to pick a range of products up to the value of £20 from the website Save On Makeup which I have bought from before. Save On Makeup offers huge discounts on makeup and fragrance featuring brands such as Too Faced, Clinique, Maybelline, Pixi, Elisabeth Arden, Urban Decay and many, many more! You can find Save On Makeup on Twitter and Facebook. 

I picked the following products to create an everyday autumnal makeup look: *Clinique All About Eyeshadow Quad in the shade 'On Safari' (RRP £28, Save On Makeup price £2.99), *Too Faced Better Than Sex Mini Mascara (Black, RRP £9.99, Save On Makeup price £2.99), *Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Smoother Skin Primer (RRP £7.99, Save On Makeup price £4.49), *Pixi Lacquer Lipgloss in the shade 'bebe' (RRP 8.50, Save On Makeup price £1.00), *Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lift And Firm Concealer in the shade '01 ivory' (not currently available).

Starting with the Maybelline primer, I applied a small amount over the skin, it creates an instantly smooth base for makeup but it doesn't feel very greasy or noticeable. Next up, the Elizabeth Arden concealer, I applied it under my eyes and on redness/pores as it works well on both. The concealer is a fantastic match for my pale skin, it blends easily, it has medium coverage and the concealer doesn't look heavy or caky even on my dry skin type. 

Now onto the eyes, I used the Maybelline face primer as an eye primer also, I then used the creamy shimmery shade from the Clinique Quad (lighter shade from the '07 buttered toast' duo) in the inner corner and brow bone as a highlight - the shade works well as a cheek bone highlight too. Using a small brush I lightly applied the darkest green shade (05 on safari single shade) on the outer corner and blended to create green haze. Then with a small angled brush I lined my upper lash line with the bronze shade for definition. I love the combination of forest green and bronze during the autumn/winter months and I think it brings out the green in my eyes.

To finish off the eyes I used the new Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara mini which I have heard so many bloggers rave about! I love the packaging, the mascara formula is very black and it lengthens the lashes well but I don't think it is amazing - although a mini mascara is a great way of trying out the product without forking out for the full size. 

Finally, the lips. During the colder months my lips can be even more dry than they usually are so sometimes wearing lipsticks, stains and lip pencils is not an opinion. I picked the Pixi Lip Lacquer which is glossy enough to virtually hide dryness but it is fairly long lasting and gives a slight berry tint to the lips - perfect for the horrible english autumnal weather. 

Overall, I am so happy with all of the products on the whole and they are all bargains! The Maybelline primer, Clinique quad and Elizabeth Arden concealer have all made it into my daily makeup routine already! If you want to pick up some amazing beauty and fragrance bargains (they have the new Urban Decay perversion mascara on the site) then definitely check out Save On Makeup! 

Have you bought anything from Save On Makeup? What do you think of my autumnal makeup look? 

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Oysho Wish List

While in Cadiz, Spain on holiday a couple of months ago I came across this store Oysho and I cannot believe I have only just found out about it! The store is all about incredibly amazing pyjamas, underwear, gym wear and accessories such as blankets, bags and hair accessories. I bought one pair of pyjama bottoms while in Cadiz and they have umbrellas/stars on and they glow in the dark!

I have already purchased two items from this brand (you can buy Oysho on asos via the Mallzee app) - I cannot get enough, I need to own everything! Here is my shortened Oysho wish list:

1. Straight Cut Robe With Zip Fastening (£25.99): I currently have a grey short dressing gown that I 'borrowed' from my mum which I adore so I think it is time for one of my own. This dressing gown/robe looks so cosy and soft! I love the light grey shade and the zip fastening rather than those annoying fabric belt things. 

2. Bear Blanket (£27.99): I need to take a moment to awww over the cuteness of this blanket....Ok, how freakin' cute is this bear blanket! It is just adorable and it looks very soft, cosy and warm - perfect for the upcoming colder months. 

3. Cashmere Print Pants (£19.99): This is the first pair of cashmere print pants, although these are a gorgeous light blue shade that instantly makes me think of the sea and calming scenes. The print is so cute but very wearable even in the day as lounge wear. They are made of viscous, not cashmere. I love the cuff as the hem of the pyjama bottoms which is great for me as I have very short legs so they won't trail on the floor as much!

4. Shiny Star Top (£17.99): The first of two star print items from Oysho. I love the look of this pyjama/lounge wear top, it looks cosy but light weight and soft! Oysho items are a little expensive, in my opinion but they are so cute, the design are amazing and the items are very well made. 

5. Star Slippers (£18.99): How cute are these little slippers! I am a bit obsessed with stars, I have star tattoos on my wrist. There are a very products with this design and I think it is quite unique, as star print items go. I have incredibly tiny feet so I don't think these will fit me but they are adorable. 

6. Amoeba Cashmere Print Pants (£19.99): I saw these in store, in Cadiz and I was going to get them until I saw the ones that I purchased. The print is so cute, you could almost wear them out! They seems very high quality, as all Oysho products are. They looks so comfy but light weight. 

There is my wish list! Everything looks so cute and wintry, I want it all - this brand is going to be on my christmas wish list!

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Review: Bodhi + Birch Skincare

I was recently sent a few samples of the new Rosa Rosa range from the brand Bodhi and Birch, I haven't tried any products from them until now. As I have sensitive skin which can also be very dry I find that a good skincare range can be a bit tricky to find, however the past year or so I have been lucky enough to discover a few that I love, including this range. Bodhi and Birch have released a Rosa Rosa set in which all profits from the set go to a breast cancer care charity, here is a link to the special edition set. 

I have the *Bodhi and Birch Rosa Rosa Clarifying Cleanser, *Hydrating Toner and *Daily Moisturiser as well as the *Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil and the *Neroli Luce Revitalising Face Oil. I have been using the samples for two weeks now and I am in love almost every single product, especially the Rosa Rosa Moisturiser and Desert Rose Facial Oil. 

The Rosa Rosa Cleanser (£32, 150ml) is a creamy cleanser that feels very luxe on the skin and it has a gorgeous light rose scent, as all of the Rosa Rosa range does, but it isn't too strong and the products do not irritate my eczema prone skin at all! The cleanser manages to make my skin feel clean and refreshed without stripping it or drying out the skin. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Next up is the Rosa Rosa Hydrating Toner (£28, 100ml) I have been using this product as a toner and as a refreshing facial spray, both ways work really well especially after all of the halloween looks I have been created recently. The toner has the same rose scent as the cleanser and it also doesn't irritate my skin. My only negative point about this toner is that I seem to use up a lot of it after each use which isn't fantastic although it is a nice toner for dry and or sensitive skin. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

The last product from the new range is the Rosa Rosa Daily Moisturiser (£35, 50ml) which is my favourite product out of the three. Most moisturisers for my skin type are not hydrating enough and I have to use numerous layers of moisturiser but this one is so hydrating I only need one pump for my face and neck, or less than that when I use the facial oils first! The moisturiser really hydrates, smoothes and soothes my skin without feeling greasy or heavy. Makeup applies beautifully over the top and the hydration lasts all day. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5!

I also have two trial sizes of the Bodhi and Birch Facial Oils which you can buy online - they are 5ml each. My favourite oil out of the two is the Desert Rose Rejuvenating Facial Oil (£14, 5ml trial size) which works so well with the similarly rose scent Rosa Rosa range. The Desert Rose Oil feels light weight and as non greasy as oils can be but it leaves my skin feeling smooth, nourished and moisturised. The second oil is the Neroli Luce Revitalising Facial Oil (£12, 5ml trial size) which smells gorgeous, I have been using it in the mornings as it is musky but it has sweet refreshing citrus notes to it. Both oils are fantastic in my opinion and I will be getting so much use out of them in the upcoming colder months, although I do prefer the Desert Rose Oil. They would make great little beauty stocking fillers! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Overall, I am so impressed with the Rosa Rosa range and both facial oils from Bodhi and Birch! My favourite products have to be the Rosa Rosa Daily Moisturiser and the Desert Rose Facial Oil, which are just heavenly to use and they work so well for my dry, sensitive skin! From the products I have used, I would definitely recommend Bodhi and Birch skincare!

Have you tried anything from Bodhi and Birch before? 

Also why not check out my breast cancer awareness post and beauty giveaway

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Review: Clarins Ombre Matte Shadows + Base

I have tried so many eyeshadows, with a primer and without, all of which crease and move around on me throughout the day, it is a nightmare! When I saw Clarins were launching a range of cream to powder eyeshadows and an eye perfecting base I was instantly intrigued. I have three of the new Clarins eyeshadows and perfecting eyeshadow base from the gorgeous autumn winter 2014 collection. 

I have the new *Clarins Instant Light Eye Perfecting Base (£22) which is a skin tone eyeshadow base that I have been using underneath the Ombre Matte Shadows as well as other eyeshadows. The base evens out my skin tone, smoothes the skin and provides a perfect base for eyeshadows. I find the primer does make my eyeshadow last longer, fade less and it reduces creasing, which is a major problem for me. A little goes a long way, it is so quick/easy to use and the packaging makes it very travel friendly. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

I also have three of the *Clarins Ombre Matte Cream to Powder Shadows (£19) in the shades: 01 nude beige, 05 sparkle grey and 06 earth all of which are gorgeous natural shades, right up my street! Firstly, I love the packaging, it looks and feel very luxe. The shadows feel incredibly smooth and buttery soft, they blend like a dream and are so pigmented, a little goes a long way! I have been using the '01 nude beige' shade pretty much everyday in my makeup routine as it provides a great plain canvas for other eyeshadows and liner. Both 05 and 06 shades are gorgeous for day and evening wear, they blend well together and look gorgeous on the eyes. I will be getting even more use out of these shadows during the upcoming party season. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5!

Overall, I am so happy with the ombre shadows and perfecting base, they are perfect companions. I also love the colour range and packaging, it is typical Clarins - classic and elegant but the products have a modern, simple twist. I would definitely recommend both products! 

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of the new Clarins autumn winter 2014 collection?

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Makeup Revolution All Day + Night Liners

A few weeks ago I was kindly sent some items from the brand Makeup Revolution, which is a brand many of you will have read about as it is taking over blogs and the beauty world right now! I have some new products from Makeup Revolution to show you over the next two weeks, the first post is all about their new smudge proof, long wear eyeliners!

I have all six of the new *Makeup Revolution All Day & Night Eyeliners (£1.99 each) which come in a good range of shades. They are as follows (top to bottom): Channelling My Inner (rich bronze brown), The Last Laugh (deep metallic gold), Dangerous Games (violet based gunmetal), Lustful Ways (Vibrant green), Stars Come Out (deep black with silver shimmer) and finally One Sin Too Many? (intense matte black). 

The eyeliner packaging is great although they are not twist up pencils as far as I can see so you will have to sharpen them. The formula is intense, very pigmented and surprisingly smooth considering that all but one of the shades contains shimmer. They stay on the skin all day and all night, they are not as pigmented or as long wearing on the waterline though but for the price I am not expecting miracles! You can smudge them but when they set they do not move at all which is fantastic! I have been using the shade 'channeling my inner' and 'the last laugh' often for everyday looks but I have been using the darker shades more for my upcoming halloween looks - I used the matte black in my upcoming Lichtenstein inspired look (sneak peek of the look on my instagram and twitter). I wish there were more mattes in the range and a skin tone shade too. 

Overall, I am very happy with the eyeliners! They are very pigmented, smooth even with shimmer in them and the longevity is fantastic. I would definitely recommend them, especially as they are so affordable as all their products are - quality without a steep price tag. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried these eyeliners from Makeup Revolution? What are your favourite Makeup Revolution products? 

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Review: In The Buff Mineral Foundation

A couple of weeks ago I was kindly sent a foundation from the mineral makeup brand In The Buff which is a 100% pure, natural, vegan makeup brand! I am always happy to support cruelty free, vegan brands! As well as foundation, the brand also offers eyeshadow, blush, eyeliner and brushes. 

I have the *In The Buff Buttercream Foundation (£22.50, 7g) which is the full size foundation but there is a sample size available priced at £2.50. I love the option of sample sizes as mineral makeup is not main stream and you may not know what shade you need. Firstly, I love the packaging as mineral loose powder foundation is usually quite messy but this packaging makes using the foundation far less messy and more portable. 

The foundation shade I have is 'buttercream' which is a fantastic pale shade but it is slightly too yellow toned for my pink toned skin although it does help cancel out some of the redness but that means I have to apply it down my neck to match. I have been tapping the foundation into the lid and swirling a fluffy buffing brush into the foundation and tapping off the excess. The foundation applies fairly evenly to the skin, it offers light to medium coverage. It doesn't look very matte or luminous - it has a very skin like finish. The foundation helps cover redness, it evens out my skin tone and conceals small pores/pigmentation very well. However it does not cover blemishes, dark circles or significant pigmentation but I do love this foundation for normal-good skin days or days when I want a skin like, natural, lighter finish. 

My favourite thing about this foundation is skin like finish as well as the invisible look of the product, you cannot see it on the skin, it doesn't look caky and it blends well. It doesn't irritate my skin or highlight dryness even though it is a powder foundation, although I obviously haven't tried it when my skin is very dry during winter. 

Overall, I am very happy with this foundation! It looks almost invisible on the skin, it matches my very pale skin well and the packaging makes it far easier to use than other mineral/loose makeup I have used! The foundation also lasts well on my skin. The only negatives about this product, in my opinion, is that it doesn't cover bigger pores or dark circles but I just use concealer underneath. I would definitely recommend this foundation especially if you have sensitive skin and if you want lighter, invisible coverage! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5!

Have you tried anything from this brand? Have you tried mineral foundations? 

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