Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush Perfume

When it comes to perfume I am a sweet fruity/floral kinda girl, all the way. So when I noticed the words 'floral rush' on the prequel of the original Lovestruck perfume (a favourite of mine) I instantly knew that this would be for me.

Vera Wang Lovestuck Floral Rush has a champagne scent which is accompanied by notes of pink passion flower and apricot blossom, followed by base notes of cashmere woods. For those of us who this means nothing too *raises hand* it is a sweet floral scented perfume that has a hint of musk making it not too sickly to wear - always a bonus! This perfume has good lasting power, you may need to top it up if your are going from day to night but for your usual day either working or shopping  it will stick around.

Now onto the main attraction: the bottle. Let's face it, this is probably one of the nicest perfume bottles out there. The purple tinted glass with large plastic flowers as the lid, paired with a floral bow... perfection! This is definitely one of those 'dressing table' perfumes.

Have you tried Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush? What's your favourite perfume?

Benefit Rockateur Blush

After finding out that Benefit were having a flash sale for their new boxed blush Rockateur, six weeks before it's release date,  I knew I had to alter my plans for the next day in order to pick this up - to the extent that I was the first person in my area to purchase it.. it was a proud moment. 

Benefit's boxed blushes are one of my all time favourite products and I am working my way through collecting them all. Aside from the high quality of the actual product, the super cute packaging always gets my attention and makes for a standout piece in my Muji drawers. Rockateur goes beyond the normal expectations of a Benefit blush as not only is the packaging gorgeous and the product amazing... the embossing of the blush makes it that extra bit special. 

Rockateur is a rose gold shade, which in the pan looks overly shimmery, but once applied you are left with a healthy glow rather than a streak of glitter. Initially, this product comes off quite sheer which is great for us paler girls. However, it is easy to build up to your desired intensity. As always with Benefit, the finish of Rockateur is flawless and the blush has a really nice scent too! 

This has made it's way to the position of my favourite blush of the moment - a natural dusty pink that gives a gorgeous glow and accompanies a smokey eye or natural makeup look perfectly. There is a downside though - it is only 5g of product for the same price of £23.50 as their other larger blushes which is a bit naughty but shouldn't make too much difference as blushes never seem to run out. Oh and it is now not available until September. 

What do you this of this? Did you manage to get hold of Rockateur? 

Origins GinZing Moisturizer

We all know Origins GinZing as an eye cream, but make way for GinZing the moisturizer. The illuminating properties that eye cream is known for have been toned down and the formula has been made into a more gel-like cream for this all over the face moisturizer.

The packaging doesn't lie when it comes to this product as the first thing you will notice is the distinctive orange scent that comes from this moisturizer. This citrus scent helps with energizing the skin in the morning to give you a refreshing boost, for an extra boost - pop this in the fridge over night! The light-weight formula means that it quickly sinks in to the skin so for those busy mornings you do not need to wait around before applying your makeup. Even though it is light-weight this moisturizer packs a punch when it comes to hydration and my skin is left feeling plump and nourished in seconds. For an extra little something, this product contains coffee bean for kick starting that healthy glow me all lust after.

So this moisturizer is hydrating, energy boosting and has a sweet citrus scent but to add the icing to the cake, making this possibly the perfect summer moisturizer is the price. At only £23, I'll be seeing you down at the Origins counter...

Lusting After Mulberry

Mulberry is one of those brands that we all dream of owning a huge collection of their most iconic pieces. You probably have one item that you look at everyday just wishing it would make it's way into your arms - non, just me? Today I thought I would share with you my most lusted after bits from Mulberry...

At the top of my list is the Lily bag in Oak. I have been pinning multiple pictures of this bag lately and just cannot get it out of my mind, or off of my screen. To me this is the perfect everyday bag for nipping out to lunch but it will also work well for going out in the evenings. During the colder months I am never seen with out a scarf and this one from Mulberry in Oatmeal may be 'the one' for this upcoming autumn and winter. Something unnecessary, but necessary at the same time is the Locked Cosmetic Purse in Dark Blush. A pricey make up bag, but there is something so appealing and classic about this design that has meant it is nearing the top of my wish list. Finally, probably the most iconic bag from Mulberry - the Bayswater. An item you cannot leave your house with out seeing, yet it is still not overdone and lets face it, we all want one.

There is just something about Mulberry, isn't there?

My MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Collection

MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes are a guilty pleasure of mine. Although MAC collections do not get my heart racing like they used to, I still always check out what skinfinishes they have to offer - some of which I find to be a bit meh, but the good ones soon become some of my favourite products to use. With that in mind I thought I would give you a quick run-down of my collection...

First up are the Mineralize Skinfinishes that I use as blushes. Stereo Rose is one of the more popular skinfinishes and it is definitely my favourite of the bunch. A gorgeous burnt orange, coral shade with subtle shimmer running though it making for a glowing finish on the skin which in turn has made it my everyday shade. Next up are two from the Heavenly Creature collection; Light Year and Star Wonder. Light Year is very much a peach shade with a hint of pink and a lotta gold shimmer, Star Wonder is a plummy pink shade, more suited to darker skin tones, again, with a lotta shimmer. For me, the shimmer is a little OTT, meaning that these go over to the unloved list.

Next are the ones that I mostly use as a highlighter. Blonde is a super shimmery pink that makes a perfect highlighter when the rest of the make up is simple, however on lazy days I like to use this as a blush as it can act as both for time-effective make up application. Lightscapade is my second favourite skinfinish in my collection and is one that I reach for any type of make up look whether it be a dramatic smokey eye or a 'no make up' make look. The almost silver shade compliments most skin tones and works as an all over highlighter for your cheekbones, brow bones, cupids bow, down your nose - just about anywhere!

The MAC MSF's have pretty good staying power for day long wear, however if you want it to last from morning till late at night it will need a quick reapplication. If like me, your a little obssessed with these skinfinishes I would recommend getting your hands on Stereo Rose and Lightscapade... they make a great team!

GUEST POST: Dolled Up London - Favourite MAC Products

Hey Lovelies,

Some of you might know me from my blog Dolled Up London .  And if you read my blog, you’ll also know that I’m pretty obsessed with MAC Cosmetics. It’s a brand I’ve loved for many years, but it was only last year when things got a little out of hand and I acquired enough make up to open my very own MAC counter. No, I didn’t win the lottery, but I did complete a make up course at the London College of Fashion. As part of that course we were given a MAC pro discount for one evening. If I remember rightly the discount was 35%, so needless to say I went a bit nuts with it. I ended up buying a ton of stuff so today I thought I would share with you some of my very favourite MAC products!

Eyeshadows

I love MAC eyeshadows and would even go as far as saying they are the best ones out on the market. The colour range is second to none. MAC eyeshadows are very pigmented and easy to blend. Even though I own all 3 Urban Decay Naked pallets, it’s my MAC eyeshadows I reach for on a daily basis. I’ve got 2 15-pan pallets, a quad as well as a few loose shadows. I know that’s slightly OTT but MAC shadows really are a bit like Pringles. Once you shop, you can’t stop! Must-have colours for me include All That Glitters, Woodwinked and Satin Taupe, so if you don’t already have them in your collection write them down and check them out next time you’re at MAC!

MAC Paint Pots

MAC paint pots work as an eyeshadow base that make the colours pop and stay on all day long. They come in various lovely shades and are also great if you can’t be bothered to apply a lot of eye make up. You can either wear them on their own or as an eyeshadow base. I always apply my MAC paint pots using my fingers. They are very long wearing and highly pigmented. If you’ve got any MAC paint pots in your collection, make sure you store them upside down because it helps to prevent them from drying out.

MAC Brushes

One of my all time favourite MAC products would have to be their 217 brush. It’s a fluffy blending brush that can not only be used to apply eyeshadow, but also concealer or highlighter. I actually own 2 of these, one to apply the eyeshadow and another one to blend it with. It’s a brush I use on a daily basis and I could not be without it. I know MAC brushes can be a bit on the pricey side, but they are a worthwhile investment. I’ve owned my MAC brushes for many years and they are still in excellent condition. Even though I am also a big fan of Reach Techniques brushes, I definitely prefer MAC brushes for powder products. I only use my Real Techniques ones for foundation and concealer.

MAC Lipsticks

Right some people are crazy about MAC lipsticks. They are often the first product bloggers purchase when they are just starting out with MAC and I can see why. Most MAC lipsticks are very pigmented and long wearing.  Like MAC eyeshadows, their lipsticks have a huge colour and finish selection. Personally I very rarely buy MAC lipsticks though because if you return 6 MAC empties to the MAC counter you can actually exchange them for a free full size MAC lipstick. Yes you’ve heard right, a free MAC lipstick, so make sure you never throw out any of your MAC empties!

MAC Concealers

I love MAC concealers because they are great for covering up scars, blemishes, hyperpigmentation and all sorts of other nasties which can sometimes pop up on our face. A personal favourite of mine is their Pro Longwear concealer. As the name suggests, it’s long wearing. The pigmentation is also great. I use the Pro Longwear concealer to cover the dark circles under my eyes. It works great and doesn’t crease or budge all day long! If you are looking for a MAC undereye concealer, always go for an NW shade rather than an NC shade. NW shades are pink based, NC shades are yellow based.  Pink tones are more effective for concealing dark shadows under your eyes.

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural

MAC MSFs (Mineralise Skinfinish Natural) are a really lovely product. If you’ve got amazing skin, you can use them instead of foundation because the coverage is very light. This product gives a lovely dewy finish to the skin. Sadly for me, my skin isn’t great so I do need to wear foundation. I usually set my foundation using my MSF natural. You can also buy this product several shades darker than your skin tone and use it to contour your face or as a bronzer.

Well, these are just some of my MAC favourites! What’s your favourite MAC product?

Thank you for reading and thank you to Emma for letting my guest post on your lovely blog!

Nuala xxx

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Until earlier this year, Laura Mercier was a brand that I had never ventured into. That was until one of their foundations caused a huge stir in the beauty community, you might have heard of it - the  Silk Creme Foundation. Ring a bell? A foundation raved about for being full coverage, yet having a completely natural looking finish. I know what you're thinking, I thought it was too good to be true as well. 

But the truth is in the pudding. After having tried and tested this foundation for a good few months now, I am finally ready to report back and I can say that everything you have heard is true. It does have amazing coverage and it does have a lovely natural finish to it, but only if you use it right. First of all, you need a buffing brush (the Real Techniques Buffing Brush/Expert Face Brush will do the job), this is pretty essential as it helps to eliminate a cakey finish. Which leads nicely onto my second tip - do not go OTT with this foundation. Being so highly pigmented means that a little goes a long, therefore too much will just sit on the skin (I learnt this the hard way). Start with a pea sized amount, if you need more then add more. Remember... it is easier to add, than to take away. Third and final tip? Only use powder if you really, really need to. I know it can be easy to get carried away when applying powder because the brush just feels so soft against your skin, but try to resist. In the colder months, I don't use any. In the warmer months? Just a little down the center of face to keep that pesky T-zone oil free.

So to round this up, all you need to know is... this is a beautiful foundation - my favourite by far. It truly does offer a natural looking finish whilst still covering blemishes, dark circles and redness which is perfect for a full coverage kinda girl, like me. The only down side? They do not offer a very wide shade range. I would suggest getting a couple different shade samples to test at home so you can decide before you buy, because at £33 a tube it's not exactly the cheapest of the bunch...

Life Lately #1

1. Heading off to a BBQ in the biggest sunglasses I could find 2. Enjoying a pub lunch in the sunshine with my boyfriend 3. Waking up to Bella wrapped up in the blanket 4. Willow cuddling his best friend after getting his vaccinations. 5. Creating some make-up mayhem whilst getting reading for a meal 6. Going a bit crazy for Sinful Colours nail polish 7. Finding a home for some new beauty products 8. Taking an afternoon stroll across an empty beach and paddling in the sea. 9. A visit to my mum's is not the same with out having a cuddle with this cat.

Find me on Instagram: @adayinbeauty

Post Hair Wash Routine

One thing that I have been on top of lately is having a good hair care routine. Over the years I have tried  and tested multiple products from oils to mouses to waxes. Yes, waxes. So after much trial and error I have finally found a post-wash, hair care routine that works perfectly for me.

After towel drying my hair and brushing it through, I spray the Herbal Essences Bee Strong Strengthening Cream on my hair, from roots to ends. This has quickly become one of my favourite products as it leaves my hair feeling softer and more nourished than ever. I follow this by applying the L'Oreal Mythic Oil Rich Oil to the ends of my hair, I use this to help tame the ends of my hair as they tend to be quite unruly. After these steps, I blow dry my hair. Not in any particular way, just roughly - and as quickly as possible. Following this I spritz the REDKEN Iron Shape 11 Styling Spray throughout my hair and brush it through. This helps to keep my hair style in place for longer. I usually straighten my hair on a day-to-day basis, and when using this I do not need to use heat on it again until my next wash - bonus! Once my hair has been styled, for which I either use the Enrapture Totem Styler or GHDs, I let it cool down before applying the Bed Head Glaze Haze Serum to the ends of my hair. This again helps in controlling my fly away ends and adds a glossy shine.

This combination of products has been my go-to routine for about a couple of months now and my hair has quickly become very manageable and frizzy ends have been kept at bay. Along with this routine I use certain shampoo and conditioners for certain days and/or events, but I will save that for another post...

Summer Blushing

If you asked me to name my favourite make up product to buy, blushes would win by a mile. In my opinion there is no such thing as 'too many' blushes as although some may go unloved from season to season there is always such excitement when you discover and old favourite. So today I have whittled down my collection to show you some of my top picks for the summer months.

We all know that summer is dominated by shades of coral, so this first pick is a bit of an obvious one, but boy is it a good one. Benefit's CORALista is the ultimate summer shade; a perfect coral with slight pink undertones and a shimmer that gives you that post-holiday glow. Oh, and not to mention the gorgeous packing it comes in... all boxes ticked? I thought so. Next up is the newest blush to my collection, Clarin's Spring 2013 blush. Although no longer easy to get a hold of, this is the bee knees when it comes to a matte peach shade. A quick sweep of this over your cheeks and your good to go with a natural peach flush. Another offering from Benefit in the line up is their Bella Bamba blush, and not just for the cute name. A shimmering pink with peach undertones gives a warmer pop of colour to your cheeks but with added glow. Finally, probably the most eye catching one of them all - MAC's Ripe Peach. There is just something about the ombre effect, isn't there? Still a peach shade but definitely more on the orange side, this blush definitely adds a pop of colour to any make up look. Another limited edition shade, but fear not as Estee Lauder have a pretty similar offering in Peach Nuance if you can find one at your local counter...

So there is a whole lot of peachy pink goodness for you to feast your eyes on, but in my opinion Benefit's CORALista wins first place.

The Everyday Face

We all have one... a set of products that we get into a routine of using because those 6am alarms just do not make way for making good product choices or trying out new things. We just need a handful of products that we can apply with no fuss while still half asleep and trying to think if really  need to be up at this time.

Now the picture above does seem to be a little excessive on the product front for a quick everyday routine, but it makes me appear human and I can do it in about twenty minuets.

Let's start with the base. I am a full coverage kind girl so I like a base that is going to give me flawless looking skin and last all day. Firstly I apply my Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Coverage foundation  in 11 'Very Light' under my eyes, as I have inherited some lovely dark circles, and to a birth mark that I have as this is the only thing that covers it. I then use my hand as a palette to mix the Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation in Rose Ivory and Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation in 51 Vanille Clair together. I then apply this with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush to give me a lovely dewy base while still getting good coverage. I then go over my dark circles and any blemishes that I have with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 3 'Medium' and the Real Techniques Contour Brush.

I like to keep it pretty simple when it comes to the eyes. For my brows I like to use MAC's Charcoal Brown which gives me a nice, strong and defined brow with out looking like they have been coloured in with a sharpie. I then go on to use my beloved Maybelline The Falsies mascara which is my go to mascara that I have been using for years. I then apply a slick of Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner. I keep this line as close to the lash line as possible and do a tiny flick at the end for that semi cat eye effect.

So now on to the finishing touches which again I tend to keep pretty simple for day to day activities. I apply some NARS Laguna bronzer under my cheekbones and down the sides of my nose to add a bit of definition to face and follow this with the CHANEL Spring 2013 Highlighter along the tops of my cheekbones, down the centre of my nose and under my brows. I then lightly apply some of the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Plus down the center of my face to keep everything in place throughout the day. Lastly I put on my all time favourite lipstick that is MAC Creme Cup - the most perfect natural pink shade.

Although I hate those 6am starts, I love applying make up - hence the amount of products I use for my 'simple' face... maybe I should start adding some eyes hadow into the mix?

Herbal Essences Bee Strong

Herbal Essences is my go-to drugstore hair care range, because as much as I love high-end hair care - using it for every wash just isn't very purse friendly. So when I saw this new Bee Strong range released, and on offer I should add, I quickly put one of each of the products in my basket before my boyfriend could see and I was on my way.

Smelling deliciously sweet, I couldn't wait to use them in my next hair wash - which ended up being an unscheduled one that night. Both the shampoo and conditioner are made with honey and apricot extracts, but the conditioner is extra special as it is serum-infused - fancy! I did as instructed and shampooed, rinsed, repeated and then conditioned. I was left with super soft, healthy feeling hair. Results that rival some of my high-end products and for just a fraction of the price... now that is something to write home about! The best bit? I can easily skip a wash (a hair wash that is) if I use these as they keep the hair clean whilst still being nourished. They even got the seal of approval from my boyfriend - which meant that we had to repurchase pretty quickly!

The Bee Strong range is aimed at damaged hair, but I would highly recommended this to anyone and all hair types! They are quite often on offer as well, so keep an eye out and definitely stock up!

June 2013 Favourites

Another month has passed which means there is a new little group of favourite products on the block. Each month I change up my products, either in-stash or by buying new ones. Some times they can be a bit naff but others they can be gems that will remain in my collection for years to come and this month I have a mix of both new and old products that have made it into my favourites.

An oldie but a goodie; MAC Hue lipstick. I think this is one of those staple products that I will never be with out and this has certainly been the case this month - I actually cannot remember a day where I have not worn this shade. Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation is one that has made it's way from my stash to my everyday routine. Now reaching the end of it's life, this product has given me the dewy glow that I have been after just by mixing it in with the chosen foundation for that day. Seche Vite is classic product in the beauty but a newbie to me. Nails dry super quick and last for week - what more could you want? Seche Vite, welcome to the holy grail club. Another newbie to me is the Sinful Colours nail polish which went straight to the monthly favourites list. At only £1.99 these are a bargain to be had; great formula, great lasting power and great shade range. I am ready and waiting to pick up some more. The warmer weather calls for a brighter blush and MAC Stereo Rose has been ticking all the boxes this month. A warm coral shade with pink under tones and a subtle shimmer to add some extra glow? Check! New to my make up stash is false lashes. Only a month ago did I try my first pair and I now have three sets, with a wish list of many more. What can I say, it was love at first sight wear.

July is already bringing me some products that are 'favourite' worthy so I will have to try and whittle them down to a smaller selection. Same time next month? See you then.

The Double Toner

Since Caroline Hirons (aka The Skin Care Goddess) spoke about doubling up on the toner front, everyone has been going a little crazy for acidic exfoliating toners. Which does sound a little extreme, but they are not as lethal as they sound.

The reasoning behind double toning is to take away a little something and add a little something. The exfoliating toner comes first and is used to lower you skin's pH levels and to smooth and prep the skin for the coming stages. For the second toner, Caroline recommends a hydrating one - specifically La Roche-Posay's Serozinc. This is used to draw moisture to the top layers of the skin, so that you have a perfect base to continue your routine.

Now for the exfoliating toner, there are three that were spoke about. I went for the mid-price range option which is the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, which comes in a 125ml bottle for £25. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first began using this - would it tingle, would it burn, would I be left red-faced? None of the above, is the answer! You simply pop a small amount on a cotton pad, sweep over your skin and your done. It actually feels quite soothing and I wasn't left with a tingling sensation or any redness, which is always a plus! As I mentioned before, it is suggested that the second be one of the hydrating variety. But being an oily skinned girl, with some dry patches I swapped this for a balancing toner in the form of the Origins United State Balancing Tonic. More refreshing, than soothing but it does the job and it does it well! My only gripe with this product is the over-powering scent, which doesn't linger but is definitely noticeable when you open the bottle.

I have been a 'Double Toner' now, for a few weeks, and the difference in the appearance of my skin is amazing. It is looking much more plump and brighter and my troublesome oily/dry patches have come together to give me pretty normal skin - no more mid-day makeup top-up for me! I should mention that I only double tone in the evening, the mornings are just for the balancing toner.

Will you be joining the Double Toner club, or are you already a member?

A New Beginning...

I have been blogging on and off now for almost two years over at Belles Avenue and it has become my second favourite hobby, shopping is first. Shopping is always first. But since starting a new chapter in my life recently I have decided to have a complete overhaul and start again - from scratch.

A Day in Beauty is going to be a beauty journal of all my favourite products and reviews with some lifestyle, fashion and food posts thrown in for good measure.

If you would like me to check out your blog/website leave it in the comment section below as I love to discover new blogs! Also if you have any requests for posts, do not hesitate to let me know :)

New Start, New Haul

To coincide with  the launch of my new blog, I thought it would show you some of the products I have been buying recently. You can probably expect quite a few hauls on A Day in Beauty - I like to shop.

Firstly I picked up some new skin care and body bits. I have been looking for a simple balm cleanser for a while now and the REN No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm seemed to fit the bill. The Origins Drink Up-Intensive over night mask has been my wish list for a very long time now, so I bit the bullet and finally purchased this well-loved beauty product. I also picked up the Origins Out of Trouble mask. My skin has been playing up lately so I needed something to help return it back to its normal state. For body products I always head straight to Soap & Glory - great smelling products and cute packaging, what more could you want? I bought the Clean On Me shower gel, I have gone through countless amounts of this stuff and I will always repurchase it. I also picked up the Whipped Clean Shower Butter, I haven't tried this before but the scent reminded me of cookie dough so it must be good. One of my favourite shower products is an exfoliating scrub, having tried the Flake Away scrub from Soap & Glory before so I thought I would give the Sugar Crush Body Scrub a go. 

As always, I bought some make up but surprisingly it is all drug store items. One thing I definitely knew I wanted to try was the well raved about Bourjois Cream Blushes and to use with this I picked up the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. I also purchased the new Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation as I was intrigued by the radiance properties. I repurchased the Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner as it is a favourite of mine, and the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Kohl Liner in Nude. One thing that I have been loving lately is the Sinful Colours nail polishes that have recently hit Boots so I picked up this shade in Sugar rush. Oh, and six others. Finally, a little present from my boyfriend - Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush perfume.

Lastly I picked up some Yankee Candle treats for my bedroom. I have been wanting an tart burner for a while now so I picked up this pastel yellow burner and three tarts to go with it; Sicilian Lemon, Fireside Treats and Vanilla Cupcake. I was immediately drawn to the new 'Cool Pops' range from Yankee Candle, mainly due to the cute pastel shades and the sweet scents so I bought Banana Blueberry and Mango Nectarine to fill my room with these scents over summer. 

So that is another months pay spent with in days, now just to wait until the next one...