Hello lovelies, I hope everyone is well and had a lovely long Bank Holiday weekend off work, I was working (boo!) and it was extremely busy so I thought I'd share with you today the products I reached for most last week to mask my fatigue in the office.

When I'm feeling tired the last thing I want to to is spend 30 minutes on my base and strangely enough I find the more foundation I'm wearing the worse my skin looks so I start with Topshop Beauty Airbrush Primer to help shrink the appearance of pores and just smooth everything out and then I apply the seriously impressive Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, this stuff does an amazing job of covering imperfections, evening out skin tone and leaving a healthy dewy glow. For my tired eyes I start with my holy grail eye product Bobbi Brown Corrector to counteract any darkness and then I use a light dabbing of Clarins Instant Concealer I also like to apply a little to my chin, nose and cupids bow as it leaves a gorgeous glow to your skin and brightens my face up. For cheeks I'm loving an old favourite which I dug out from my collection Bourjois Cream Blush 02 Healthy Glow, this colour blends seamlessly and lifts my whole complexion.

When I'm feeling/looking tired I like to keep my eye makeup quite fresh so I start with Lancome Base Paupières Pro to keep my eyeshadow in place and then apply a light sweep of the lightest shade from L'Oreals Color Riche La Palette Nude Beige being sure to apply in the inner corners of my eyes. I then like to apply a thin line of Illamasqua Precision Gel Liner to my lash line and the instantly brightening Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl in the shade nude to my waterline, this instantly makes me look more awake. For lashes I am loving Clinique Lash Building Primer to really add body and volume to my lashes and then finish with a sweep of my favourite mascara Lancome Hypnose. For brows I am loving Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade as it has everything I need to quickly fill in sparse brows and stay put all day. To set everything in place I'm absolutely loving NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder as it sets everything in place but doesn't take away the glow of my base and enhances the glow of my skin.

Phew it seems like a lot of products but we're actually talking about 20 minutes in the morning from looking half dead to healthy! Do you see any of your favourites here or anything you'd want to try?

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan Mousse Light | Before & After

Rimmel London Sunshimmer Instant Tan Mousse Light | rrp £7.99

As soon as the sun makes an appearance I start deliberating over which tanning product I'm going to use to help me fake that 'week away on holiday' glow - I mean who wants to bare legs so white they look purple on that first opportunity to wear a dress - after reading a feature on this product in this month's Glamour mag I thought I'd give this a shot.

Ok so what's it all about? It's a lightweight mousse formula which dries in 2 minutes and develops in an hour. This tanner gives an instant tan which means it's great for last minute nights out and makes it easier for application as you can see where it's going and after showering you are left with a golden glow which lasts up to 7 days. As I was so pale I decided to go for the shade Light to be on the safe side and I love the results.

The colour is very natural and golden, when I initially applied it the mousse had a red undertone to it and I was a little concerned that I would look a little orange but I think it looks great. What I love about this tanner is that if you feel the colour isn't deep enough after an hour of developing you can add another layer without looking streaky or patchy. 

Rimmel's Sunshimmer Tan Mousse has pleasantly surprised me, I have bought tanning products in the past for four times the price which haven't performed as well as this. If you're not a fan of that biscuity fake tan smell you get from tanners then you'll love this because it has a really fresh kinda baby wipe smell to it. If you're looking for a purse friendly self tan then check this one out, I got it on offer from Boots for £4.99 but the regular price of £7.99 for 150ml bottle still makes it a beauty bargain.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush | Santa Rose

Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono Blush | Santa Rose | RRP £3.99

I do love it when you discover a product that leaves you wondering how you managed without it. Rimmel is a brand that I loved when I was growing up, with their vast range of products at affordable prices it was always a stand I would visit on payday. With social media expanding and becoming easier for me to be swept up with the media hype of high-end products I tend to forget about those trusted brands I grew up loving. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Mono blush delivers stay true colour from a soft, buttery powder formula that could really rival those high-end offerings I tend to favour. This shade, Santa Rose, is the perfect amount of peach and pink with a hint of shimmer that leaves cheeks with a healthy flush of colour that lasts all day. What I love about this shade, so much that I have worn it everyday since purchasing, is that it just goes with everything!

Most Worn | This Weeks Makeup Bag

After an 8 day week at work last week I was left needing as much help to fake the glow of 8 hours sleep as I could get and although I felt like the walking dead inside these little treasures ensured it didn't show on the outside!

MAC Strobe Cream | RRP £24.50 50ml

This product is my ultimate quick fix for tired skin, it's loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, green tea and iridescent particles to enhance the effects of light on the skin under all lighting conditions. I like to apply a small amount after moisturising and it really leaves my skin with a glow.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush | Santa Rose | RRP £3.99

I love it when you discover a fantastic product from an old brand, this blusher is just that. I will admit that in the last couple of years I have got swept up in the media hype of high-end products and have dismissed a lot of the drugstore brand releases, how wrong have I been?! Whilst browsing the aisles of my local Boots this little gem really jumped out at me, it's the perfect combination of peach and pink that goes with everything and leaves cheeks with a healthy flush of colour.

Bobbi Brown Corrector | Porcelain Bisque | RRP £19

This is my wonder product for tired eyes. I'm quite pale so I use the fairest shade Porcelain Bisque, I'm yet to discover another product that rivals the ability of this one to lighten and brighten the eye area. 

Makeup Revolution Radiant Light | Exhale | RRP £5

Out of all of the powder highlighters I own, including some high-end brands like MAC and Urban Decay, this highlighter is my all-time favourite! The formula is so finely milled that your skin is left with the perfect amount of glow and not looking like a disco-ball!

Lancome Hypnose Mascara | RRP £22.50

Since purchasing this mascara I have been completely converted from my usual brand and won't consider anything else! This mascara does an amazing job of separating and lengthening lashes and doesn't dry and flake like some brands.

The Glamour Spring Beauty Edit

The Glamour Spring Beauty Edit | Latest In Beauty | £16.99 free p&p

You'll always hear a shriek of excitement from me when I see that Latest In Beauty have collaborated with Glamour magazines Beauty Director Alessandra Steinherr to create another beauty box. Not only are the boxes fantastic value for money (the Spring Beauty Edit has a combined product value of £99!) but they are full of items that I either already love or products that I have gone on to love. My Spring Beauty Edit box arrived yesterday and here's more detail on the contents...

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel | rrp £6.99

An innovative colour+base gel finish nail polish that's available in 30 shades! I received the shade Pocket Aces which is a gorgeous pinky-coral shade that will get a lot of wear from me in the summer.

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Diamond Topcoat | rrp £6.99

The finishing touch in the 2-step Gel Envy system. The topcoat was developed to compliment the Gel Envy shades, providing a protective coating and a lasting gel finish.

Morroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask 75ml | rrp £7.65

I use Argan oil all the time and I was excited to see  Morroccanoil featured in this box. A rich, creamy formula that when smoothed on to the mid lengths and ends of your hair and left for just five minutes will leave you with shinier, more manageable hair.

Beauty High Brow All-in-one Brow Definition Kit | rrp £3.99

A kit that contains colour-matching powders, clear wax and tweezers for any strays.

Rimmel Oh My Gloss! Lip Gloss | rrp £5.49

Launching soon are these gorgeous non-sticky lip glosses. Enriched with Argan Oil and delivering a super glossy 6 hour wear, I received the shade My Eternity which is a berry toned shade with fine sliver shimmer.

KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow | rrp £6.90

This was one product I was excited to see featured in the box. I received the shade 06 Golden Brown which couldn't have been a better shade for me! These long wearing eyeshadows have hundreds of gleaming reviews and I can't wait to try it!

NUXE Creme Fraiche 24hr Moisturizing Mask 50ml | rrp £18.50

Another product I'm excited to try, a mask that promises to deliver instant relief from redness and leaves skin fresh and comforted.

Model Co Creme Rouge Cheek And Lips

A product that I can't actually find anywhere online, I'm not sure if it just hasn't been launched yet so haven't a clue on the value but it promises to deliver a healthy flush of colour through a super blendable, buildable formula.

The box also includes a sample of Ellie Saab's L'Eau Couture, 12 print issues plus 12 smart phone and tablet issues of Glamour magazine and some exclusive discount codes for KIKO, Beauty UK, NUXE and MODEL CO. I think the selection of products really covers all aspects of spring beauty and every product will get used by me! The box officially launches today so grab yours before it sells out!

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in Ivory Swatch and Review

After seeing the glowing complexion of one of my favourite Instagrammers and asking which foundation she was wearing I rushed out and purchased Rimmel's Match Perfection foundation rrp £6.99 and I have to say it's a pretty good foundation!

Match Perfection is a medium buildable foundation that leaves you with a luminous, glowy finish. I went for the shade Ivory which I will say isn't as pale as I thought it would be, not a great match for me being as it's the winter but come spring when the tanning products come back out it will be a great match.

I did find I had to powder my nose and chin a little but I have quite oily skin so that was a given. I like the fact it contains an SPF of 18 and the bottle contains a pump making dispensing it so much easier. The formula is quite fluid and doesn't set really quickly which means you have time to apply and blend. I found the best results came from using my Beauty Blender, it really did leave a lovely finish. If like me you suffer from blemishes and scars you will need a touch of concealer but the foundation does a surprisingly good job on its own.

Rimmel Stay Blushed! Liquid Cheek Tint in Sunkissed Cherry

I've been meaning to write a little post up on Rimmel's Stay Blushed ever since I bought it a few month's ago...but you know how it is! I bought this blusher after seeing Lisa Eldridge's make-up tutorial video with Alexa Chung, it looked gorgeous on her and being an Alexa fan I just had to make it mine!

Sunkissed Cherry creates a natural, slightly reddened apricot glow on the cheeks. Although they are described as a liquid blusher the formula is more cream which is great as it makes it a little easier to work with than a liquid. Be wary if you are a fan of heavy coverage foundation as you may find you'll move your base around whilst trying to blend, I favor this blush over a lighter foundation or a tinted moisturizer. You need to use such a small amount of product that the rrp of £4.49 makes it an absolute bargain!

March Favourites..

It was really hard to pick just a handful of products to choose as my favourite beauty products of March as I had purchased and discovered some fabulous products last month...even though I was on a beauty product ban! So here's some products I just can't put down...


Premae Mild Pro Dermabrasion  £17.50

I've made no secret of my love for Premae's products and this has now become a firm favourite in my skincare regime. This is a mild exfoliant with gently ground Olive pumice in it, helping to lift away dead skin cells and leave a more radiant complexion. I like to leave it on my face for 5-10 minutes before gently buffing into my skin, I then rinse off and follow with Premae's cleansing Balance Rescue Face Wash...my skin feels so soft and deeply cleansed afterwards.

Barry M Gelly Nails in Sugar Apple £3.99

I literally can't stop wearing this colour since I bought it! I love the transition of Winter to Spring and all of the fresh colours that come with it. Sugar Apple is a gorgeous pastel mint colour, I find 3 coats give a total opacity, glossy and long wearing this nail polish will get a hell of a lot of wear from me!

Benefit Stay Don't Stray £20.50

I've never really been blown away by Benefit products but I now couldn't live without this primer! I have terrible dark circles so I use a concoction of colour correctors and concealers to disguise them but I find at times creamy concealers can slide about a bit...queue Benefit's Stay Don't Stray! I bought it in Light/Medium and it is perfect for my skin tone, not only does it keep my concealer in place but it's a perfect concealer in itself!

Models Own HyperGel Polish in White Light £5

Nothing more chic than a white mani in the spring...other than all the gorgeous pastel shades that are popping up this is another favourite of mine. I have read blog's where its been claimed you only require one coat, even though this polish is quite thick I personally find I need 3 coats to give full opacity. It wears really well, very glossy and chip resistant for at least 3 days (if I can keep the same colour on for that long!).

No7 Pop and Glow Cream Blush in Mango Sorbet £9.95

Another product that I have worn everyday since I bought it...I have a really addiction to blushers, especially cream versions! This blush is a gorgeous peach shade in a convenient stick, great for when your on the go. The results are a very fresh, healthy pop of colour and it lasts a good 6 hours on me before it needs touching up.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in In Love With Ginger £6.49

Another product I am addicted to...red and red/orange lipsticks! I haven't bought a lipstick by Rimmel for years but after reading a few good reviews and it's purse-friendly price I thought I'd pick it up to add to my collection...I'm pleased to say it doesn't disappoint. The formula is very nourishing and moisturising and the colour is a gorgeous, bright coral

Bobbi Brown Rouge Pot in Hibiscus  £19

Bobbi Brown's products take up a huge amount of space in my make-up collection...her blushers are divine...when I saw a limited edition Rouge Pot was coming out I knew I had to snap one up! This is an excellent multi-tasking product for your make-up bag. Hibiscus is a gorgeous bright red coral and looks great both on your lips and cheeks. Another firm BB favourite for me!

No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter £9.95

I'm usually quite wary of cream highlighters as I find that they can lift my quite heavy foundation, so I usually just use a powder version such as MAC Mineralize...but this cream highlighter is fab! I've been wearing this most days alongside the Pop and Glow blusher, applied on cheekbones and below the brow it gives just the right amount of glow without looking like a disco ball! I apply straight form the convenient stick and blend using my Real Techniques Expert Face brush and it blends seamlessly with my foundation.

Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Mask £5

There's nothing I love more than a nice relaxing face mask on a Sunday night to prepare me for the week ahead. This is a fab, deep cleansing yet non-drying formula in a super convenient squeezey bottle.

I'm super excited about spring and all of the new beauty offerings that come with it!

Jodie

xoxo

Spring colour pop!

 

Spring colour pop trend

With February over and us seeing in a (hopefully) warmer and dryer March (ok, I'm being far too optimistic!) I am being drawn away from all of those nudes and vampy reds I have been wearing over the last few months of Autumn and Winter and towards the gorgeous pastels and popping brights out there. My main obsession this month has been bright pinks, oranges and orange reds...here are some of my favorite buys (and there have been many, to my bank balance's dismay!) of February...

Topshop lipstick in Innocent £8

This is a really easy to wear pink, I have been wearing this alot in the daytime since I purchased it 2 weeks ago. I would say they are correct in their description of "a velvet finish lipstick to smooth and moisturize lips" as its a creamy, non-drying formula that you can really build the colour in a couple of slicks.




Bourjois Rouge Edition lipstick in 09 Orange Pop-up £7.99

I was really excited to purchase this lipstick as I have a real thing for orange and orange red lipsticks, I swatched it on my hand and the colour was a nice bright orange, however, on my lips it comes out more pink! It's still a very nice colour, just not as bright orange as I was hoping it would be. I didn't find it had the glossy finish it claimed to had, it definitely is more matte, but definitely not drying.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Audacious £7.99

This is going to get alot of wear from me! I already have all of Revlon's ColorBurst Balm Stain's (as well as most other lip crayons from various other brands!) and the colour is always vivid and true to the description. This new matte version is no different, it has a lovely velvet matte texture and the colour is a fab bright orange!


 
Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in In Love With Ginger £6.49

Another colour that is going to get alot of wear from me! This is the first lipstick I have purchased from Rimmel since I was a teenager and I really feel like I have been missing out! This is a gorgeous, bright orange red. It's very moisturizing and the colour is very vivid with just one slick! I usually prefer matte lipsticks so I did end up blotting off the shine...this will be a staple part of my make-up bag over the next few months!

Ciate polish in Red Hot Chilli £9

I adore this orange red shade! It goes perfectly with the Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick...I had been wearing it for 3 days when I took this photo, still glossy and no chips...another winner for me from Ciate!

So despite the weather being dreary outside, my make-up bag is certainly lifting my spirits and I now can't wait until I have a tan to sport with my new favorites!

Jodie 

xoxo