The Princess Tag | Favourite Luxury Beauty Products

So Iv'e decided to do a little bit of a different post today. The Princess Tag (Favourite Luxury Beauty Products) was created by the beautiful Tati from Glam Life Guru. Although Iv'e not actually been tagged to do it, I thought it would be a bit of fun. Lets face it, we all love a good bargain, but theres something exciting about a high end splurge. I know a Lipstick purchase should be based upon pigmentation, shade, ease of application and longevity, but dont you agree when encased within a sleek black MAC bullet, or fancy gold packaging with an embossed YSL logo makes the product all the more special?! So what products leave me feeling like a Princess?! 

Foundation - 

No matter how many times I stray away from Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (heres looking at you Estee Lauder DoubleWear and DiorSkin Nude BB), I always find myself coming back to it. This lightweight, long wearing, 'your skin but better' foundation, to me is the ultimate everyday essential. You can read my full review here.

Concealer - 

For me Collection 2000s Lasting perfection is the creme de la creme of Concealers. However if I were to splurge on a high end concealer it would have to be MAC's Studio Sculpt. This creamy offering applies like a dream, and due to its consistency is perfect for covering those problematic spots. Finish with a setting powder and your good to go. 

Powder - 

As a sufferer of oily/combination skin, I rely heavily upon powder to keep my makeup in tact throughout the day. Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder prevents me from becoming an oily mess. Unlike most powders this velvety soft beauty doesn't leave me looking cakey, infact its so sheer its practically unnoticeable. 

Bronzer - 

For Bronzer I've chosen Tarte's Park Avenue Princess (how ironic). This gorgeous bronzer has a slight hint of sparkle but doesn't leave you looking like a disco ball. Like the blushers, Park Avenue Princess is seriously pigmented, so much so that a little dusting definitely goes a long way. So what makes it the ultimate luxury bronzer for me?! Park Avenue Princess gives a lovely flush of colour without looking orange, or muddy like most (no one wants to look tango'ed right?!) 

Blush - 

Keeping with the Tarte theme, it will come as no suprise that I chose Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy. This beautiful peach shade is seriously pigmented, easy to work with and long lasting (I seriously agree with Tarte's 12 hour claims). The fact that Tarte products are hard to get hold of in the UK makes this blush all the more special. 

Highlighter - 

Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate is the ultimate luxury product. The highlighting shade, leaves a gorgeous sheer glow. Aside from the packaging and gulp worthy price tag, what makes it special is that it brightens the face without being overly shimmery. 

Eyeshadow - 

It will come as no suprise that I opted for the Urban Decay Naked Palette. Urban Decay shadows in general, blow all other competition out of the water. Ridiculously pigmented and buttery soft, whats not to love?!

Eyeliner - 

For me, an eyeliner needs to be jet black, super pigmented, long wearing (my eyes are forever watering) and easy to apply!! I am happy to say that I have found all this in Chanel's Liquid Eyeliner. I literally swatched every high end liquid liner in House Of Fraser before i settled on this.

Mascara - 

If you've read my posts for a while, you will be well aware that Im forever on the look out for the ultimate mascara. Although Iv'e yet to find the one, that holy grail Mascara that creates the perfect false lash effect, I always find myself going back to YSL's Shocking Mascara. With various sized plastic bristles, the wand makes applying the product a doddle, catching all of the lashes, resulting in a "shocking" fluttery effect. If that isn't enough to make you swoon, YSL's Shocking Mascara comes encased in luxurious gold packaging, embossed with the YSL logo. 

Lip Liner - 

My one and only high end Lip Liner RiRi Hearts M.A.C Pro Longwear Pencil (RiRiWoo) is a pigmented matte pencil, and the perfect base for bright reds to stop them migrating. 

Lipstick - 

As a total Lipstick junkie it was really hard to pick just one shade. After much contemplation Kate Spade won. Everything about the designers lipsticks are princess like from the fancy spring loaded gold packaging to the name "Supercalifragilipstick" (oh how whimsical). Fuchsia Fete is a fabulous wearable, sheer bright pink, with a smooth, moisturising formula, and balm like consistency.  

Lipgloss - 

Never before had a lipgloss made the grade, until Chanel's Jalousie's Glossimer came on the scene. Forget poor colour pay off and uber sticky lips. This highly pigmented bright pink is opaque enough to be worn alone or paired alongside Fuchsia Fete.

Brow Product - 

Benefit Brow Zings is the ultimate eyebrow shaping kit. With a small compact mirror, pigmented wax and powder, two brushes and a tweezer, what more could you ask for!

MISC - 

I couldn't talk about my favourite luxury beauty products without mentioning Chanel's Les Beiges Kabuki Brush. I searched high and low for this  brush after reading Claudia's rave reviews. Not only is it a perfect companion to the Les Beiges Powder (definitely a handbag essential for touchups throughout the day) but it is literally the softest brush I have come across. With chic black packaging adorning the iconic double 'C's this little kabuki screams luxury. 

Nail Polish - 

This was such an easy product to pick. Chanel's Peridot is the one and only high end polish in my collection. Peridot is a beautiful green/gold duo chrome shade, which reflects a hint of blue in some light. Because of that, this shade adorns my nails for most of Autumn/Winter.

If you decide to give this Tag a go, please leave your link below so I can check it out

I tag - 

Claudia from Claudia Couture

Erica from EricaWears

Trina from TrinaWears

Ally from MissAllyV

Charlotte from Little Miss C

What are your Favourite Luxury Beauty Products?! 

Summer Staples

So Summer has finally arrived, and the weather has decided to behave itself long enough to put away the Winter woolies (I kid you not that I was wearing my trusty Jack Wills Body Warmer well into May) in favour of floaty Topshop camis, vibrant shorts and bright neon flip flops. Sound familiar?! Its safe to say that this has been my Summer uniform for the past month or so!! Aside from the norm, as a serial beauty junkie, the current British heatwave also calls for a makeup shakeup. For me my summer beauty staples must be fuss free and long lasting. Who wants to spend hours indoors applying copious amounts of makeup when you could be lazing in the garden with a good novel and glass of Pimms in hand, soaking up the sun. 

For base, I have been reaching for Dr Jart's BB Cream. Not only is it fuss free (a flawless look can easily be achieved with fingers) but it also manages to stay in tact throughout the day with a little help from Chanel Les Beiges. Unlike most powders, Les Beiges is completely lightweight, and leaves a 'cake free' matte finish, no matter how many times it is reapplied, making it a perfect everyday setting powder. 

Recently my beloved Nars Orgasm has been pushed aside in favour of Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy. Super pigmented (a little goes a long way), easy to work with, long lasting, and not forgetting the most beautiful peachy pink, its no wonder that its become a firm favorite during the humid weather.  

Supposedly designed for 'extreme conditions' I have well and truly been putting Make Up Forever's Aqua Cream Shadow to the test. Believe me when I say that this beautiful shimmery gold DOES NOT budge (after an afternoon splashing around in the sea, it was still in tact) and stays put until my trusty Bioderma comes out at night!! I have been pairing this with my Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Shadows and Longwear Eyeliner (no matter how cute, no one wants to resemble a Panda now do they?! ha). 

Last, but certainly not least, I have been turning to my Urban Decay De Slick Setting Spray to give my trusty staples a helping hand throughout the day!! 

What are your go to Summer Staples?! 

Dont make me blush

So when the lovely Charlotte took to twitter in search of guest bloggers I jumped at the chance. Sorting through my stash I came to the realisation that I have quite the obsession with those pretty pink powders also know as blusher. After much umming and ahhing over what to write about, I decided that it was only right to share my little collection with Charlottes lovely readers.
Ive mentioned a few of my must haves (a hard task for a blusher junkie like myself), including some cult favorites (Nars & Tarte to name but a few).

I would love it if you took the time to check out the post here!! ..and take a peek at Charlottes lovely blog while your there!!
 I would love to know what you think!
Are you a lover of Blushers?! 

Best of 2012

Raiding through my ever growing makeup drawer whilst trying to decipher what my my most used and loved beauty products have been over the past year, made me realise just how much my tastes have changed. Last January I would have picked MAC Studio Sculpt as my holy grail foundation in a heart beat, whereas today I would firmly chose Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua.

Ive gone from opting for a neutral lip, needless to say creme cup has been replaced with various shades of bright pink (hello show orchid). As for skincare, I am no longer that girl who would lazily use wilkos finest face wipes and the cheapest cleanser on offer. These days I have a range of products that suit my skin, and in return ive noticed a dramatic difference in my complexion. 

So after much consideration, here it is my Best of 2012

Best of Makeup

 Foundation- Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

Concealer- Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer

Highlighter- YSL Touche Eclat

Blush- Nars Orgasm

Bronzer- Mac Refined Golden

Eyeliner- Estee Lauder Doublewear 01 Onyx 

Eyeshadow- Bobbi Brown long-wear cream shadow (velvet plum)

Mascara- Benefit they're real

Lipbalm- Fresh Sugar Lip Balm 

Lipstick- Jack Wills Hot Pink

Nails 

 Barry M- Red Glitter

Chanel- Peridot

Essie- Tart Deco

Best of Skincare

 Toner- Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Cleanser-  Philosophy Purity 3-in-1

Moisturiser- Liz Earle Skin Repair Light 

Eye Cream- Benefit its potent

Face Mask- Elemis Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask

Make up remover- Bioderma

Best of the rest  

Shower Gel- Lush Ponche 

Perfume- Jimmy Choo

Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitiser 

Mulberry locked cosmetic purse 

What were your faviourite Beauty Products of 2012??

Gift Ideas- A little luxury for someone special

Carrying on with the Gift Ideas theme (you can see my post on my handmade gift jars here) this next post is based on more luxurious presents for that extra special person in your life, whether it be your mum, aunt, girlfriend or best friend. 

I absolutely adore the Anya Hindmarch Pouch, a perfect token for your nearest and dearest, I know id certainly love to see this in my stocking Christmas morning (hint hint Santa if your reading). 

These Mulberry stacked rings are a perfect gift for the jewellery obsessed, with bright pink hearts and the iconic Mulberry tree logo whats not to love?? 

A girl can never have enough heels right?? These Vivienne Westwood beauties are a perfect edition to any shoe lovers wardrobe!! 

Finally for the beauty obsessed, These Dior Polishes add a touch of glamour and a splash of colour, as for the eye palette I dont think it needs any justification!!!

Would you be pleased to wake up to these Christmas Morning??  

whats inside my makeup bag

Hello lovelies, i hope your all well. Being a serial snooper i rather enjoy seeing posts on the items you lovely people keep in your bags, makeup bags included, so i thought i would give you guys a little insight into what i use on a daily basis. My makeup bag of choice is of course my beautiful mulberry locked cosmetic purse (if you want to see a post dedicated to the beauty itself click here ;) if your wondering where my makeup brushes are, i keep them separate as i dont want them getting my makeup bag all messy.

 Dr Jart+ Beauty Balm

This is a new addition to my makeup bag, and it is already becoming a firm faviourite. It claims to minimize the need for foundation and concealer and that it does. Although i still adore my studio sculpt foundation i have been using this to let my skin breathe a little as studio sculpt is quite a heavy foundation

Collection 2000 concealer

ive been using Dr Jart+ Beauty balm with my collection 2000 concealer. Ive raved about this concealer many a time, and all i have to say is that it deserves to be hyped about

YSL touche eclat

i apply a little of this as a highlighter under my eyes

Loreal Paris lumi magique primer

this is another new addition but a definite new fave. not only does it prime the skin which in turn helps my foundation stay longer, on my oily prone skin (boo). But it also doubles as a highlighter, it is seriously gorgeous from the rose gold detail on the packaging to the product itself

Benefit Brow Zings 

apologies for the sheer grubbiness of this, i couldnt be without this little duo, anything to keep my unruly eyebrows at bay is a plus in my books. I also love how it includes small tweezers, a perfect makeup bag essential

Bobbi Brown Extreme Party mascara

yep your eyes arent playing tricks with you, im actually mentioning the same mascara more than once, i think there may just be a long lasting relationship with this beauty, it lengthens aswell as thickens my lashes, what more could a girl want 

Bobbi Brown Long wear Gel liner 

a jet black liner that lasts all day on my oily lids, a definite statement in my makeup bag

Urban Decay Naked palette & Bobbi Brown long wear cream shadow in velvet plum (37)

for the past week or so ive been using virgin and sin with velvet plum on a daily basis. Im not usually a fan of cream eyeshadows as they tend to crease but velvet plum seems to last well, and it is such a beautiful shade that the picture just does not give it justice. 

YSL rouge Volupte (10) & Chanel Jalousie 

These two together are a perfect combination, although rather bright shades ive quite enjoyed using them on a daily basis

So there you have it, these are the goodies that i store in my makeup bag!!

whats inside your makeup bag??

If all my makeup disappeared!!

 So whilst reading Laura's recent post not only did it make me chuckle but it got me thinking about the first ten items, if heaven forbid all my makeup disappeared. I don't have a ridiculous amount of makeup but the fair few products that I do have, I will openly admit that I will stick to the same few products on a daily basis and my choices don't tend to vary. As Laura suggested this kinda post really makes you think about the products that are perhaps your holy grail and cant live without items. 

1. MAC studio sculpt foundation- i have raved about this on more than one occasion, a perfect foundation that stays put all day

2. Sleek blush (rose gold)- since I managed to get my paws on this gold dust item (and I can see why so), I have hardly touched any other blush, a gorgeous peach toned shimmery number this can be lightly applied for a subtle look, or can be applied a little heavier to create a more dramatic look. 

3.MAC refined golden bronzer- the perfect shade for contouring or for those days I fancy a change from applying blush. 

4.Bobbi brown long wear gel liner- I purchased this on my recent trip to new York, as I was fed up of liquid liner. a creamy formula, this black as black liner not only makes it easier to create a winged look, but it also doesn't budge all day. 

5. Collection 2000 long lasting concealer- apart from the teensy gripe in that all the writing rubs off the packaging, this is the best concealer I have managed to get my mitts on, with its creamy formula and brilliant coverage this baby beats the likes of MACs studio sculpt concealer hands down, and does so at a fraction of the price. 

6. real techniques stippling brush- this beauty can be used for a multitude of things, from applying foundation and concealer, to blush and bronzer, i along with no doubt alot of others have a soft spot for this brush, super soft, hassle free and easy to clean, what's not to love 

7. urban decay naked palette- I think this choice is pretty self explanatory, eyeshadow palettes have come and gone, but this one has always stayed a firm favourite, which is somewhat evident by the usage shown in the picture above, super soft, super pigmented and with enough matte and shimmer shades to create an abundance of looks. 

8. Bobbi brown extreme party mascara- one thing that has been clear since blogging and by the range that have been shown on my blog is the fickleness I have towards mascaras, this is the current mascara that I would definitely pick up first, this mascara defines my eyes by adding volume and length to my lashes

9. MUA clear mascara- this is perfect for keeping my unruly eyebrows at bay, and for £1 it would definitely be one of the first items id purchase if my beloved makeup were to disappear 

10. Chanel Jalousie Glossimer- lipstick has always been a daily addition to my makeup routine, completing the final touches of my look, however never before has a lip-gloss made the grade, with the idea of poor colour pay off and uber sticky lips. However Chanel's Jalousie has changed all of this, highly pigmented, brilliant colour pay off and completely colour free this baby would be the first lip product that I would purchase.

What items would you repurchase if your makeup disappeared??

http://ahintofsparkle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/new-york-giveaway.html

New York Haul, Part 1 (Duty Free)

So with a three and a bit hour wait in heathrow, and a sea of shops and duty free to drool over, it was pretty predictable that a purchase or two was going to be made. I would love to be telling you that i purchased the whole of mulberry and MAC but a girl can dream right?? ha, however i did purchase some beauties that i had been lusting after for quite some time. 

YSL Rouge Volupte, provocative pink 10 

whats not to love about YSL lippies, from the gorgeous packaging and the amazing formulas, Provocative pink is a creamy vibrant pink that i will definitely get alot of wear out of (even if it just makes evening appearances) 

YSL lippies are usually around £23 and i purchased this for about £19/20, perhaps not the biggest saving, but £3 is £3 right ;) 

Chanel Jalousie Glossimer 

This was actually a little treat from the boyfriend, as i sadly lost my Chanel lipstick to his car around Christmas time, and after several searches, bonheur has sadly never been seen again. Im not usually a fan of lipglosses but something about this Glossimer appealed to me, a gorgeous raspberry colour i intended to use on top of provocative pink, but my word this lipgloss packs a punch and can definitely be used alone as it is pretty much opaque. 

Bobbi Brown long wear eye kit 

sadly this set is only available at airports, which is sad as you really get value for money with this little set. The set includes a long wear cream shadow, long wear gel eyeliner, extreme party mascara, and a double ended eyeshadow/liner brush. This is my first taste of Bobbi Brown and for £30, its a good way of road testing the products without forking out full price for items i may dislike. 

YSL Touche Eclat 

So i finally gave into the hype and purchased this baby, i can definitely say that so far its love ;)

Been on holiday lately?? whats been your faviourite duty free purchase?? http://ahintofsparkle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/new-york-giveaway.html