Best of 2013 | Makeup

Its crazy how much tastes change within a year. When I wrote my 'Best of 2012' post way back in January, my go to products included EOS Lip Balms, a Jack Wills Lipstick and the infamous Nars Orgasm. Fast forward 12 months and the sea of bright pinks have been replaced with daring reds and blushers have been pushed aside for bronzers (hello Tarte's Park Avenue Princess). With this being the case it will come as no suprise that only one product from last years post has made the cut. 

YSL Shocking Mascara (review here)

2013 saw me purchase a fair few mascaras (what can I say Im anything but loyal to them). Yet I find myself going back to YSLs Shocking Mascara time and time again (typical its the most expensive eh). This luxurious, long lasting, lengthening mascara may not be 'the one' but it comes pretty darn close.

Runner Up: Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara 

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers (review here)

Hailed as dupes for several high end lip products during its release, its hardly suprising that the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers went down a storm with beauty addicts. Apocalyptic a pigmented bright pink shade has regularly made its way into my day to day makeup routine since I purchased it back in January.                                      Runner Up: Chanel Jalousie 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (review here)

Iv'e said it before and Il say it again, no matter how many times I stray away from Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (DoubleWear is the usual suspect), I always find myself coming back to it. I cant rave enough about this light weight and long wearing gem. 

Runner Up: Estee Lauder DoubleWear 

Barry M Nail Art Pens (review here)

In the summer I went gaga over Barry M's Nail Art Pens (these are ideal for nail art novices). These fuss free pens will help to create quite simply the perfect manicure. Here's hoping they release more shades in the New Year.

Viva La Juicy La Fleur (review here)

Viva La Juicy La Fleur has been my go to scent this year. Each time I spritz this on my wrist im instantly transported back to my week in Paris with Tim. This beautiful feminine fragrance is the perfect floral yet fruity scent suitable for both day and night. 

Runner Up: Viva La Juicy Noir 

Maybelline Baby Lips (review here)

The hype over Maybelline Baby Lips may have died down, but personally I still cant get enough of these super moisturising and buttery soft balms. I wont ramble much more about these as I may have gone just a little overboard when they were finally released back in July. 

Runner Up: Fresh Sugar Lip Balms 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (review here)

December saw every blogger and their friend adding the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette to they're Christmas Wishlist's (myself included). This Palette really is perfect from the sleek rose gold packaging down to the seriously pigmented shades. This beauty may be a newcomer but considering it was love at first swatch, it well and truly deserves a spot in my 2013 faves. 

Runner Up: Nars & God Created Woman Palette

What were your favourite beauty products of 2013?

#BigBlogmasProject RoundUp

First thoughts on the Urban Decay Naked Palette | OPI Mariah Carey Set | M.A.C Lipstick Collection

Vaseline Paint The Town Red | My Mulberry Lily | YSL Rouge In Danger

The Lipstick Tag | A TkMaxx Bargain | Perfect McQ Gift

A Peek Into Several fabulous Bloggers Handbags | Festive Nail Art 

Christmas Party Beauty Picks | A Wishlist | Gift Guide For Him

 A Haul | Several Tags | A Giveaway

The Christmas Tag

It would have to be a toss up between Miracle on 34th Street and the Grinch. Another film I used to love was The Greatest Store In The World, not a Christmas eve would go by that I wouldn't watch it. Im a sucker for a good Christmas film, especially those with a hidden meaning. 

Im sure it will come as no suprise when I say gold. 

Christmas morning, although as a child I would sit and shake the presents under the tree to guess what they were.

When it comes to perfume I am a Juicy Couture girl through and through, so tend to stick to what I know and love all year round. So I will cheat a little and say Lush's Ponche. If you could put Christmas in a bottle, this to me would definitely be the outcome. 

Without a doubt anything Cinnamon, Ginger or Almond scented.

I would have to say Starbucks Gingerbread Latte, a close second would be Mulled Wine... ah it just makes me think of Christmas markets and wrapping presents. 

Oh definitely gingerbread men, infact I consumed several last night, oops. 

Aww it would have to be The Pogues Fairytale Of New York, and Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas. 

I certainly have. Last years creation was Pilky the snowman, aptly named after Karl Pilkington.

Spending quality time with loved ones. My Nanna passed away a few days after Christmas two years ago, so Christmas is a bittersweet day for me. Im thankful that the last day I had with her was filled with joy, fun, games and love. So being with my family and boyfriend is the most important thing to me at Christmas!! Without a doubt the best gift a girl could have. 

I tag you!!!!

FOTN | The Christmas Party Picks

So last week I attended the boyfriends annual Christmas do, and its safe to say that I dressed to impress. Unlike my own Christmas Parties (the last one consisted of me and my beautiful chum making fools of ourselves, and cutting the night short after consuming one too many glasses bottles of wine), where I will happily waltz out the door in my favourite LBD and an everyday makeup look (its safe to say its no sophisticated soiree), I felt it was only right to dress for the occasion, starting with the all important Christmas Party beauty picks.  

I went for products that I knew would stand the test of time, ie something that would survive several glasses of bubbly, far too many shots and countless hours of dancing. Apologies in advance for the poor quality, half cut iPhone selfies, but hopefully you will get the jist.

I went for the classic bold red lip and fluttery long lashes (Eylure's double lashes are incredible) so I kept everything pretty natural. For base I used Estee lauders DoubleWear, a foundation that lasts all night, whist also covering a multitude of sins, and my trusty Collection 2000 Lasting perfection Concealer for those pesky spots and Tarte's Park Avenue Princess for contouring/bronzer. Finally for eyes I used the Nars and God Created Woman Palette, more specifically Belissima (a light taupe with a slight hint of shimmer) across the lid and Galapagos (a medium to light brown with serious gold glitter) in the crease. I then applied my Eylure lashes and a flick of L'Oreal's Super Liner Ultra Precision. 

Outfit wise I wore this beautiful dress from Little Mistress, my trusty Vivienne Westwood heels (seriously comfy for a night on the tiles) and my Mulberry Lily (review here). 

Christmas Nail Art Ideas

With Christmas fast approaching (is it really a mere four days away) I decided to create three basic, fun, effective yet completely unoriginal nail art designs perfect for the upcoming festivities. I may have a certificate in shellac, but when it comes to nail art my skills are basic to say the least (one of my New Years Resolutions will definitely be to attend a Pro Nails, Nail Art Course) so the above ideas are simple and fuss free to re create. The only tool needed is a steady hand, or the perfect nail art cheats, que a novices best friends, the Models Own and Barry M Pens.

First up we have Snowflakes. For the base I used two coats of Sephora's Jacuzzi, a beautiful pale blue. I then went on to use the Barry M Pen to create the flakes (similarly you could use a thin brush) finally I applied a coat of Ciate's Halo, a fabulous holographic top coat. With hints of pink, purple and blue this really creates the perfect finish. 

Next up we have the customary sparkly candy canes (without a doubt my favourite of the three). For the base I applied two coats of Ciate's Mistress, a vibrant tomato red (one coat would be sufficient) and two coats of Ciate's enchanted rose (cant beat a hint of sparkle). It will come as no suprise that I simply used the Models own Pen to create the stripes. I can guarantee that this design will adorn my nails Christmas day (remember an outfit is not complete without a mani). 

Finally, last but certainly not least we have some Christmas puddings. For this design I used three coats of Nails Inc's Upper Regent Street (its sadly a rather streaky polish) a gorgeous chocolate brown shade, I then used the Models Own Pen to re create the icing and Ciate's Mojito and Mistress to create the holly. 

Have you attempted any Christmas Nail Art?

I would love to see your ideas if you have!! 

YSL Rouge In Danger

Dressing up on Christmas Day has been a tradition in my family for aslong as I can remember. Even as a child I would parade around the house in an oversized velour number, drowning in a sea of dress up jewels (those were the days when the latest 'it' bag was a LaLa rucksack). Fast forward over 15 years and I still like to adorn some serious sparkle (this year I have a little Zara number). Im sure your wondering where im going with this, so I shall stop digressing and get to the point. No Christmas outfit is complete without new beauty goodies, more specifically a beautiful red lipstick. 

So what im trying to say is, well I shamefully used Christmas day as the perfect excuse to indulge in a beautiful YSL lipstick in the form of Rouge in Danger, a vibrant yet wearable bright red. I know I know im a shopaholic. This seriously glossy lipstick is super pigmented, long lasting and easy to apply (it really does glide on effortlessly) making it the perfect accompaniment to any Christmas look. 

Unlike most reds  Rouge In Danger doesn't stick to, or emphasise dry patches. Infact I find it to be not only hydrating but quite flattering even with my current bout of seriously chapped lips (as you can probably gather from the swatch above, its unnoticeable). Unlike the generic vanilla scent of most high end lip products (dont get me wrong I cant fault it) this YSL beauty has a pleasantly refreshing fruity scent. 

Like all YSL packaging, this is seriously luxurious and visually appealing, thanks to the beautiful gold packaging finished off with the brands logo. I love how the band around the packaging is colour co ordinated to the shade inside, making it easy to identify (not that I have a drawer of YSL lipsticks to rummage through). 

The YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in Rouge In Danger costs £24 and can be purchased from the likes of Debenhams, Selfridges and Feel Unique.

What are your Christmas beauty traditions?!

All I Want For Christmas Is...

...Several high end beauty products 

Christmas; a time for giving, spending time with family, attending endless party's with friends, consuming one too many mince pies, and lusting after the many limited edition gift sets Selfridges, Space NK and Boots have to offer (just me?) Seeing as though I've been oh so good this year (il just keep telling myself that) I've put together a list of luxurious Christmas presents, I would be thrilled to see under my tree. So without further ado, here's my dream Christmas Wishlist. 

Lets face it this YSL case is the creme de la creme of beauty gift sets, the ultimate present for any nail polish obsessives even if it does come with a whopping price tag. Theres no harm in dreaming though, right?

When it comes to perfume I am a Juicy Couture girl through and through. So its no suprise that I find myself swooning over the limited edition Viva La Juicy Luxe Parfum (just look at that bottle), however that being said I would be one happy bunny if a bottle of Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir in its iconic cream and black box somehow found its way into my stocking on Christmas morning. 

How fabulous is this Charlotte Tilbury Future Vintage, Collectors Edition Set containing a Luxury Eyeshadow Palette, the sought after Bar Of Gold, Mini Charlotte's Magic Cream, Filmstar Bronze & Glow, Lip Lustre in Bardot beige, K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick in Penelope Pink and Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillowtalk ... and breath. Now does anyone have a spare £250 floating around? 

Finally, I cant help but lust over the Ombres Matelassees De Chanel Eyeshadow Palette (what can I say im a neutral eye gal through and through), and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette.  

What would you love to see in your stocking Christmas morning?!

Purple Mulberry Lilly

Meet my new arm candy, the beautiful Mulberry Lily. This girl should not be allowed to step foot in Bicester Village. When I paid the Mulberry outlet a visit back in October, I had no intentions of making any grand purchases, however when I saw this gorgeous purple Lily sitting pretty for half the RRP I couldn't resist waltzing out with it.

Il be honest all my senses went out the window (I definitely went with my heart rather than my head), what can I say a bag can do crazy things to a girl. Do I feel guilty for purchasing it?! Oh so guilty, but do I regret it?! Hells no. I would happily live off bread and water for this beauty haha. In all honesty the Lily is not a bag that ever really caught my attention. In my head I always imagined a Bayswater being my first purchase, but there was something about the shade of purple and texture of the leather that caught me hook, line and sinker. What can I say im smitten.

Its not the biggest bag, but theres enough room for the essentials. To give you an idea of size, I can easily fit my Anya Hindmarch Coin Purse and Tory Burch Card Holder (I find my Mulberry Postman Lock Purse to be a little bulky, however it does fit), an Anya Hindmarch Music Pouch (an iPod must), the handbag musts including several lip products (the Dior Creme De Rose balm is a true lip saviour), a customary Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitiser in Smart Cookie, a Louis Vuitton Diary and herbalife Vitamins. For the girl who lugs everything bar the kitchen sink in her Mary Poppins'esque Michael Kors Tote, I suppose the downsize is a good thing.

The craftsmanship of this bag is superb, and the little details are dreamy, from the suede inner lining and Mulberry tree charm on zip, to the little horseshoe keyring and classic Mulberry Lock. It really is a work of art. The Lily has a long intertwined leather chain which makes it a versatile piece. It can be worn slouchy, or doubled up for a shorter style.

I understand that the price tag is a little eye watering, but considering that this is a classic, timeless piece, I am happy (some may say crazy enough) to make the investment. In summary I am in love with this beautiful beautiful bag. If you have any questions about the bag, or my experience at the Mulberry outlet, please let me know in the comments below!!

Seventeen Brow's That! | Brow Kit

 If im totally honest, Seventeen is a brand that I often tend to ignore (shame on me I know). Dont get me wrong there's nothing wrong with the products, just, other brands/products tend to steal the limelight. However during my trip to Boots the other week, there was only one thing catching my attention, que the Seventeen Brow's That Brow Kit. After a thorough browse of the stand, I knew I had to make this little kit mine, along with a few other items (what can I say they have some fab releases). 

The packaging of the Brow's That, Brow Kit is a little large in comparison to most (twice the size of Benefits Brow Zings), however its sleek and sturdy none the less. Its a practical compact with a good quality mirror, making it perfect for touch ups on the go, miniature brown pencil, soft wax, setting powder and highlighter. All in all, this really is a perfect kit for keeping those unruly brows at bay. The only thing missing is a pair of tweezers, but for £6 I cant grumble. 

I really like how step by step tips were included within the palette, making it the perfect kit for brow shading newbies. The only downside?! Is that the Brow Kit only comes in one shade. Personally i feel like this would suit those with medium to light brows, however Im not sure how well it would work for those with darker brows. 

The Seventeen Brow's That, Brow Kit is currently £6, or free when you spend £8 or more across the Seventeen line. But be quick, as I can guarantee this limited edition gem will fly off the shelves fast. 

Have you picked up the Seventeen Brow's That Kit?

The Lipstick Tag

Keeping with the Lipstick theme, I thought I would have a go at the Lipstick Tag. It will come as no suprise that I have a total weakness for a good lippy. Im that girl that goes gaga over the infamous sleek black M.A.C packaging, the girl who spends countless hours in Boots swatching every lipstick in sight (I jest), and makes the most of 3 for 2 offers for the sole purpose of owning a limited edition Maybelline Baby Lips. So it only seemed right to dedicate a post to all things lipstick. 

How many lipsticks do you own?!

With only one pair of lips I would love to say 5 (a nude, light pink, vibrant pink, red and mauve), however in reality I have around 40.

What was your first ever lipstick?!

Im not sure on the exact shade as the name has worn away over time. But it was a pretty frosty pink from Maybelline. I still actually have the lipstick to this day (pictured above in purple packaging), I no longer use it, but I cant bare to part with it.

What is your favourite lipstick brand?!

So cliche, but I would have to say M.A.C. With such a vast range of shades and formulas (and lets not forget those sought after limited edition beauties) there really is a lipstick for everyone (you can read my collection post here).

What is your most worn lipstick?!

It would have to be Creme Cup from M.A.C, the ultimate every day light pink.

What is your favourite finish?!

I find creamy formulations to be the post wearable, fuss free and easy to apply. 

What was the last lipstick you brought?!

Chanel Bondi, a sheer peach coral which I managed to pick up in a blogsale for the grand total of £5

How many lip products do you currently have in your bag?!

As im currently using my Mulberry Lily, I only have room for three, Chanel's Bondi, M.A.Cs RiRiWoo and M.A.Cs Dish It Up. However I usually carry way too many. Please tell me im not alone?

What lipstick do you use to rock a red lip?!

Recently I cant get enough of M.A.Cs RiRiWoo. This beautiful matte red is seriously pigmented and long lasting (it survived a three course meal), making it the ultimate party perfect lipstick. 

How do you store your lipstick?!

Although I would love to have them all on display, its more practical to have them stored away in an acrylic box within one of the many malm drawers. 

What lip products are you currently lusting after?!

I would love to see Hourglass' Liquid Lipstick in Icon at the bottom of my stocking. 

I tag:

Jennie from Sail Boat

Trina from TrinaWears 

Victoria from Victoria Earls