September 2013 Favourites

September has been a good month product wise, meaning that picking my monthly favourites was super easy. Most of these products are some of my more recent purchases that have stood out, wowed me and have had me reaching for them every day.

First up is Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation which I have been reaching for day in, day out, over September. I went almost a year with out using this but with work being more hetic with Christmas coming up I needed something to stay put all day - and this foundation is the one  that will stay in place for a sixteen hour day. Something that I have repurchased lately is the REN ClearCalm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, a mouthful - yes, but it also an oily/blemish prone girls best friend. This is my go to morning cleanser to reduce oiliness throughout the day. The product that has stood out to me most over September is the Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me. A perfect pink/plum shade that has a glossy finish and hydrating properties to see you through the day. You will need to top this up through the day but I find it to last through a four hour shift at work. This has been adorning my lips every single day and I absolutely love it!

Something else that has stood out to me is the CHANEL Creme Blush in Affinite. A super hot pink shade that I like to use with a more simpler makeup look to add a pop of colour. The finish of this is a gorgeous velvet texture which is bang on trend for the autumn/winter seasons. A cult favourite in the beauty community, which has now become a favourite of mine is the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. A lovely nourishing cleansing balm that removes every last scrap of makeup. I picked up the Revlon Grow Luscious on a bit of a whim when I saw it on offer in Boots, however I have to say that I am loving it! If you want long, thick lashes then I definitely recommend that you pick this up!

I don't think I will be putting down these product any time soon but I am looking forward to seeing what October brings me beauty wise... It is my birthday month so I am hoping for some good'uns.

REDKEN Extreme SOS Pack

In my early teens I went through a stage (well, about three years) where I would continuously change my hair colour and wash, blow dry and straighten my hair every single day. Thankfully I am now way past this stage and I have grown to learn to look after my hair by mainly using high end hair products.

REDKEN are a professional salon brand that gives you glorious hair at home. Although they are not the cheapest option on the market they are definitely worth every penny, in particular the Extreme range. I picked up this REDKEN Extreme SOS Pack to try from FeelUnique.com and these products have become my best friend when my hair is in need of a treat.

I tend to use these once a week, usually during the Sunday night pamper. However, if my hair is feeling a bit lack-luster during the week I will give it another dose. I squeeze out some of the shampoo and apply it the roots of my hair, massaging as I go to stimulate my hair follicles which promotes growth. After rinsing I grab a dollop of the strength building mask and, again, massage it in but concentrating of the ends of hair instead. I like to leave this on for fifteen minuets, giving it plenty on time to do it's thing. Once rinsed out I follow up by using my post-wash hair care routine which you can see here. My hair is left feeling incredibly soft and smooth, but also healthy - it is hard one to explain, your hair just feels full and strong... try it for yourself you'll know what I mean (and maybe you can describe it for me too?). 

I haven't tried much from REDKEN but from what I have tried, and immediately fallen in love with, I can say they are now one of my favourite hair care brands. Their new Diamond Oil range has definitely caught my attention...

The Repurchases #1

If you're reading this blog then I am sure you can relate to me when I say something has to be pretty special to get repurchased. Being a beauty blogger/junkie I love to try out new products, but when something fits, it fits and it will remain in my collection for the rest of time... or until something better comes along. 

The REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser is my morning cleanser of choice. This clay based cleanser helps to deep clean my skin in the morning, getting rid of anything left over from my evening skin care routine. The clay in this cleanser also helps to keep any oiliness at bay and prevents future breakouts. Origins GinZing Moisturizer created a little bit of a frenzy in the blogging world when it was released earlier this year, and with good reason. This moisturizer is perfect for the morning as the citrus scent helps to give that extra boost and with hydrating properties it makes for the perfect base to apply your makeup on (see my full review here). The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is pretty famous in the beauty world, and it is a product that I have been repurchasing for years now. I use this as the second stage of removing my makeup but when I am being a little bit lazy I also use to completely remove my makeup. Sometimes I even use this as my morning cleanser. The LE Cleanse & Polish is a great all round cleanser, perfect for all skin types and is something that I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a cleanser, what ever it may be for.

These have become staples in my skin care routine and are products that I would truly recommend as they have worked wonders for me and my skin. What have you been repurchasing lately?

My MAC Eye Shadow Palette & Swatches

It was a very proud moment when I popped in the very last eye shadow in to complete my first MAC palette. It has taken me almost a year to fill as I wanted to make sure that I had the perfect combination of shades to suit my needs, shades to create a soft smokey eye for the day and a more dramatic version for the night time. 

My favourites? For the day time I like to do a slightly smokey eye, nothing too over the top but so it still gives you that little some thing extra and for this I use All That Glitters and Mulch. This gives me just the right amount of drama for what ever I'm doing may it be just heading to work or going shopping for a few hours. For the night time I like a more dramatic smokey eye, some thing with depth and that stands out, but that doesn't look to harsh. To create this I use; Nylon on the inner corners, Naked Lunch all over the lid, Satin Taupe over the outer half of my lid and Mystery through the crease. 

The shades mentioned above are my top picks from my MAC palette for the obvious reason of them being my go-to colours and knowing that they work great together. My other favourites?(All of them) Are Quarry- a great crease shade for a natural eye along side the likes of naked lunch, Smut - a grungy shade that works well to deepen the crease and add a bit more drama to smokey eye, Woodwinked - gorgeous for when you are tanned (otherwise it can look a little weird) for a shimmery bronze sweep across the lid. 

The only trouble with owning a MAC palette? I want more! I am planning on creating a blush palette, or three , but having written this post I am also lusting after some other shades so maybe another palette is on the cards? I would love to hear what your top MAC shades are? 

P.S.- I also own Omega and Charcoal Brown is a separate two palette as these are purely used for my brows. 

Real Techniques Duo Fibre Brush Set

Real Techniques are the  brushes to have. Not only are these brushes made by fellow beauty junkie, Samantha Chapman aka Pixiwoo, the quality of them rivals that of higher end brands such as MAC. Although I am partial to a MAC 217, you can't beat a RT brush when it comes to price, quality and cute brush design. I am currently working on owning all of the Real Techniques brushes...

Now there are already sets of Real Techniques brushes out there... but these are limited edition (avaliable until around April 2014 I think - don't quote me on that) duo-fibre brushes. In this set you get a Face Brush, Contour Brush and Eye Brush but with the limited edition, sleek white handles. At first touch these brushes seem impossibly soft, but after having a play around with them I find this to be true of all but one of them. To me, the Eye Brush a little scratchy to use on your eyes - especially for applying highlight to the inner corners. However, after going unloved in my bush collection for a few weeks it now has a permanent position of applying highlight to my brow bone and down my nose. 

As for the other brushes, I prefer my Real Techniques Powder Brush to apply powder all over my face so I use this duo-fibre face brush for apply blush. It picks up just the right amount of product for a gorgeous flush across the cheeks. The contour brush makes for the perfect highlight brush. Apply your favourite highlighter to this brush and gently sweep across your cheekbones. Again I find this to apply just the right amount of product but it is also easy to build with if you so wish! 

The Real Techniques Limited Edition Duo-Fibre Brush Set is well worth the purchase if you are looking to expand your makeup brush stash. I wonder what Real Techniques will come out with next? I am currently eyeing up the Miracle Complexion Sponge...

Laura Mercier Radiance Primer

Laura Mercier have recently stolen my heart when it comes to bases. Their Silk Creme Foundation has become a true love of mine and is something I will continue to repurchase, time and time again. So when I found myself reading review after review of the Radiance Primer I knew that this would again, be something to find it's way into my heart.

Pre-2013 I was very skeptical of primers. What did they actual do? Would they actually do anything for me? Is it just a gimmick? Well all my questions have now been answered and I am proud to say that I am now a primer-lover.

Laura Mercier has quite a few primer variations on offer of which, I opted for the Radiance version as I was looking for something to give my skin a glowing boost over summer. This product comes out in a pale gold shade with a huge amount of shimmer running through it, hence the radiance title. Once applied, you're not left with a gold face , what you are left with is a complexion that is brightened and glowing. Having a glowing base helps in having a glowy foundation, Laura Mercier Silk Creme being my top choice. Not only does this primer give you radiance like it says on the tin, it also does what a primer is supposed to by getting your makeup to say put for longer. Usually I need a mid-day makeup top up, but when using this primer my makeup is the same 6am as it is at 6pm (as long as I haven't had an afternoon nap that is).

So what is there not to love? Well... the price. At £28 the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer is not the cheapest on the market but in my opinion it is truly worth it, not just for the radiance but for the staying powder. What's your opinion on primers? Are you a primer-lover?

My Birthday Wishlist

It is four weeks today until my birthday, which for me, means that I have carefully thought about the items that are at the top of my wishlist and have put together a list of things I would like to pass onto my boyfriend and family. This list includes: the exact name of the product, the price and where it is from .

MAC Frankly Scarlet blush has been something I have adored for a while. A super bright pink/red shade that I think would look gorgeous when applied with a light hand. This Pandora Princess Tiara Ring has something that has been popping up all over the place on Instagram and I just think it is one of the cutest pieces of jewellery I have seen in a while. I am having a little love affair with fragrance at the minuet and I can't seem to stop buying them but CHANEL Chance Eau Tendre has been one I have been eyeing up for a while. These Prada Sunglasses are something I began lusting after at the beginning of summer, but having just booked a holiday for next year I cannot stop thinking about them. Having only tried this on the other day it has been rushed to the top of my winter must haves. This knitted Zara Duffle Coat is one of the softest things I have ever felt, ever . The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder has been in my basket for months now but the price has been putting me off so I thought what better time to ask for this as a gift? The newly released Estee Lauder ANR Synchronized Recovery Complex II has been on my mind non-stop. With every review I read, I want this a little bit more but again the price is a little steep - so on my birthday list it goes! I am a huge candle fan, Yankee Candles in particular. Strawberry Buttercream is a scent that is right up my street as it really sweet, and I love sweet scents. Finally, maybe the most coveted of them all: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. I haven't quite narrowed down the shade yet but Dim Light and Lumious Light have my attention.. maybe both?

Obviously there are many, many things that I have on my birthday list and wishlist in generally but these are my favourites and the ones I am most lusting after... What's on your wishlist?

Pay Day Haul

My favourite type of posts are hauls. I'm a little bit nosey and love seeing what everyone else is buying so that I can add some items to my already excessive wish list. This month I have picked up some bits from both the drugstore and higher end makeup brands and I had done so with in a couple hours of seeing that I actually had money in my bank - thank god for online shopping hey!

I'll start with the bits that I ordered immediately... Firsts things that were added to my basket were the CHANEL Creme Blushes. Some thing that I have been coveting for weeks, maybe even months and they have finally arrived here in the UK. I picked up the shades Inspiration and Affinite, both gorgeous shades but I now find myself lusting after Presage - a peachy shade. Next thing, again something I have been wanting for a very long time, the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. This was actually a necessary pucrhase as I had run out of balm cleanser, but I managed to get this in the FeelUnique sale, bonus! I'm still yet to give this a run for it money, but I can tell you that it smells amazing. When I found out that these were going to be sold in Boots I couldn't wait to get my hands on them. I quickly added three of the Maybelline Baby Lips to my basket and I haven't looked back since. Along with this order I added the Clarins Graphic Expression Face and Blush Powder, I knew this would live up to my expectation and it it not only gorgeous in the pan but also applied to your cheeks - a review will be on it's way soon.

Now onto the more spontaneous purchases... The Indeed Labs Pepta-Bright Serum has been something I have ummed and ahhed over many times but once I saw that there was a third off Indeed Labs at Boots I knew that this was my chance and it quickly came with me to browse the makeup stands. And this is where I ended up picking up the Revlon Grow Luscious and Lash Potion Mascara. I had looked at this every now again when I have been in Boots but they had never caught my eye until I saw the Lash Potion with a shiny pink top, superficial I know. These were two for £10 so I thought why the hell not? So off I was heading over to pay when I passed Britney Spears Fanatasy Island Perfume (50ml) for £15, thinking it would be rude not to, I grabbed one and kept my head down until I managed to get to the till.

Last but not least I nipped up the city a few days ago to repurchase the once very loved Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation to see if it is as great as I remember it to be and it is!

I hope you have enjoyed this little story behind how I managed to purchase all of these wonderful products. If you have popped a haul post up lately let me know, I would love to have a read of it!

Origins Drink Up-Intensive Overnight Mask

Not so long ago I declared my love for the Origins Out of Trouble mask, a product that has helped clear up my unwanted blemishes. Today I am talking to you about another  Origins product that has joined the force to give me lovely, manageable skin; the Drink Up-Intensive Overnight Mask.

Gone, are the days where I had trouble with super oily skin that no product could help and I am welcoming a more 'normal' skin type that even has some dry patches. I had read countless reviews urging me to go purchase this mask, but what really tipped me over the edge was the scent. Booming with apricot and ever so slightly detectable notes of mango, it was like no other skin care product I had tried before. Even writing this post - I can't help but give it a sniff!

My dry patches are located at my brows and forehead but this doesn't stop me massaging this mask all over my face. Using a relatively small amount, sometimes a little more if my skin needs it, I apply it all over my face and down my neck a couple of  hours before I am planning to put head to pillow, allowing it some extra time to absorb so it concentrates on my skin, not my bedding. Initially this product appears cream in colour but once applied it becomes transparent.

Filled with Plant Glycerin, Apricot Kernel Oil, Hyaluronic Acid (I love that stuff), Mango Butter and Avocado Oil the Drink Up-Intensive Mask will become your best friend if you like an extra dose of hydration to your skin. After working it's magic over night, you wake up to nourished and plump skin - use this regularly and it will help to keep your skin hydrated throughout the coming days. This is due to the added Japanese Seaweed which helps to reduce future moisture loss. I like to use this twice a week; Sunday evenings to prep my skin for the week ahead and Wednesday evenings as a mid-week moisture top up.

This stuff will be perfect for the up and coming winter months so pick yours up now. P.S - they have a mini version on their website for if you travel a lot or just fancy giving it a try!

20 Facts About Me!

1. I love Friends. I can (and have) watch and re-watch every single Friends episode and never get bored of it.

2. I am list maker. I have a list for anything and everything, including a list of lists that I need to make.

3. My name isn't actually 'Emma-Louise', I just wish it was. Emma is my first name, Louise is my middle name - but call me Emma-Louise as I much prefer it! I actually used to tell people that this was name.

4. I hate spiders. I may even cry if one comes a little too close.

5. I love 'crime drama' programmes. Criminal Minds, Law & Order SVU, CSI, Luther, NCIS... just to name a few.

6. I don't drink alcohol, nor do I go clubbing. The whole idea kinda bores me - plus my money would be much better spent on makeup.

7. I have been in a relationship since I was fifteen.

8. I love pasta, cheese, bread and chocolate.

9. I get way more excited over stationary than I should.

10. Autumn and winter are my favourite seasons. Berry colours, knits and cosy nights - perfect!

11. I have no idea what I want to be when I'm older. I'm just taking opportunites and seeing where they take me.

12. My decision to buy something is easily swayed if it is pink.

13. Blush is my favourite makeup product. In my opinion you can never have too many.

14. I used to be a 'tom boy'. It lasted about six months.

15. The Notebook makes me cry every, every single time.

16. During my early teens I would change my hair colour all of the time... pink, black, purple, blonde, ginger, brown, red...

17. I don't have a lucky anything. Although I wish I did.

18. I used to be the biggest horror movie fanatic but now I have turned into the biggest wimp.

19. I can't wait to start having babies.

20. The reason that I love makeup and beauty so much is that I truly believe everyone should be able to feel the best that they can, to have confidence. Beauty; makeup, skin care, hair care, body products and all other beauty related products and procedures help people to do this.

August 2013 Favourites

It is that time again, where beauty bloggers unite in gathering a small collection of products that they have been loving for the past month to share with one another and this is normally the time that wish lists grow. You will probably hear/read 'I can't believe it is September already' more times than you would like but seriously... September? Already?  So who would I be to break tradition? This month has been super busy for me so I only have a handful of products to show you, but it is okay because they are little beauty gems.

The main thing I have been using throughout the whole of August is my MAC palette. Although I have a couple slots to fill, I have been loving creating different looks especially ones using my newer shades featured in this MAC haul. As smokey eyes are a favourite of mine, I need a strong brow to go accompany it. Benefit Brow Zings in Medium has been giving me full, Cara Delevingne esk, brows - something that I am a huge fan of! Another Benefit product that has caught my fancy lately is the Rockateur boxed blush. This mauve, rose gold shade goes perfectly with any makeup look giving you a warm flush to the cheeks. To go with the smokey eye, strong brow and flushed cheeks I have been faking my way to brighter, more glowing skin by using the Laura Mercier Illuminating Primer. This has been apart of my routine for a quite a few weeks now and I just can't get enough! Not only does it give you a glowing complexion it also helps to keep my makeup in place throughout the day.

What have you been loving lately? I am much more of a autumn/winter kinda girl so I am looking forward to the next few months, or if you are in the UK like me - eight months...