Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushers

Over the past year I have been lucky enough to try a fair amount of Tarte products. From the amazonian clay lipsticks and bronzers, to the liquid eyeshadows and illuminating serums. But theres one item that stands out amongst the plethora of pigmented, long lasting and beautifully packaged goodies. A product that causes many a beauty obsessive to get a little hot under the collar (and with good reason). Que the Amazonian Clay blushers. With Tarte finally launching in the UK (well QVC.uk) and the US Sephora now shipping around the world (the makeup gods have finally listened) I thought it was about time I gave my two cents on the highly sought after blushers.
Described as a long wearing, supremely soft blush, infused with amazonian clay, harvested from the banks of the amazonian river and naturally basked by the sun, its fair to say that these blushers are really quite special. Seriously pigmented, yet still buildable enough to create both a subtle and shocking finish. Long lasting, cruelty free, encased within shade appropriate packaging embossed with the amazonian river and available in a range of shades and finishes suitable for every skin tone, whats not to love?! 
I currently have four shades, although there's always room for more right? 1 full size in Tipsy, a beautiful matte coral and three miniatures from the Tarte Fantastic Foursome Holiday set (my friend has the fourth) in Fantastic, a soft Fuchsia. Magic, a pink coral and Stellar, a shimmering nude that also doubles as a bronzer. Although a different range of finishes, all four are seriously pigmented and very smooth, making them seriously worth the £20+ price tag.  What are your thoughts on the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushers? 

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!! 

Sephora Haul

Being the dutiful makeup maniac that I am (should I admit that) It would have been rude not to visit two out of the three Sephora's 'aka Beauty Mecca', Paris had to offer during my recent city break (FYI I sadly never found the third one, sigh). After hearing good things about the Sephora in Champs Elysees I couldn't wait to get my beauty geek on, and I am happy to report that it exceeded my expectations. 

Unlike the American Sephora's, a lot of the brands that were on offer are readily available here in the UK (and a lot cheaper I may add), so I set my sights on the Sephora own products and Exclusive sets. That being said I did fall in love with the Two Faced Teddy Bear Brushes (aaaah so soft and so pretty). 

Enough of my ramblings im sure you would rather know what I bought?! 

I have heard so many good things about the Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover and the Sephora Micellar Water so these were the first products on my radar (with all the other french skincare goodies I picked up, I have guiltily pushed them to one side). 

After forgetting to pack nail polish, I decided that it was the perfect excuse to purchase a new one (someone get me help haha). I couldn't resist Sephora Jacuzzi, a beautiful pastel blue!! Whilst perusing the endless display of nail polish, I sneakily popped the Express Nail Polish Remover into my basket!! 

My boyfriend actually convinced me to pick up the Sephora Targeted Eye Remover Swabs. A big fan of the DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs, I cant wait to see how they compare. 

Sephora Exclusives 

One of the best things about Sephora would have to be the exclusive sets/collections. If my euros would have allowed it, I would have quite happily cleared the shelves. 

Lee Lee's Beauty Secrets...

Unsurprisingly the clutch/bag like packaging of Benefits Lee Lee's Beauty Secrets got me hook, line and sinker. Packaging aside the contents of the the set seriously impressed me with a full sized They're Real Mascara, full size That Gal Brightening Face Primer, a deluxe mini sample of Porefessional and a 10ml sample of the Laugh With Me Lee Lee Perfume (expect a review soon!!) 

Nails Inc Ice Cream Sprinkles Collection... 

Finally last, but certainly not least I picked up this ridiculously cute trio of Nails Inc Polishes. Your not gonna ask a serial nail polish hoarder to justify her purchase are you?! haha. The set includes Charing Cross (a beautiful baby pink), Upper Regent Street (a chocolate brown shade) and the piece de resistance Ladbroke Square (a mint based glitter polish). 

Anyone who has visited a Sephora before, will be aware of the tempting goodies that are stocked by the till!! Waiting in the que I popped in a mini deodorant spray and these lovely gold Eyelash Curlers.

So there we have it, my goodies from Sephora. Personally, I think I was restrained (I seriously could have spent a small fortune) but I will let you decide on that ha.

Have you gone a little crazy in Sephora lately?!

A Hint of Paris..

Hello lovelies, I hope your all well!! If you follow me on twitter then you may be aware that I have spent the past few days in beautiful Paris.

I have been infatuated with Paris since I was a little girl, when I would be glued to the TV watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame, dreaming of one day visiting this wonderful city, whilst clutching my beloved Esmerelda Barbie. Now in my twenties Paris congers up thoughts of romance and beautiful architecture (aswell as a deeper meaning as I always joked about going with my Nana in a convertible Mini Cooper). Its the home of Macaroons (there even available in McDonalds, say whaa?!) huge Sephora's, french pharmacies a plenty and well dressed people (some serious bag envy went on). After our mini city break its safe to say that Paris certainly lived up to my expectations!! 

We went for three days (the boyfriend and I) which was enough time to cram in some serious sightseeing. We arrived late monday evening, so after a little wander we decided to settle in for the night, and enjoyed a cheeky beverage whilst admiring the breathtaking scenery from the comfort of our balcony.

Our first full day started off in style with a trip to Laduree for a spot of Macaroons and Vanilla Tea (post to come).We then made our way to the Eiffel Tower, making a detour through the Arc De Triomphe which just so happened to be situated by a huge Sephora (its a hard life). In all honesty the Eiffel Tower was a little smaller than I imagined but magnificent nonetheless. After spending a while chilling in the park we took the metro back to Champs Elysees for a spot of shopping (it would have been rude not to.) 

Our third and final day consisted of yet more macaroons (when in Paris, right?!) adding our padlock to the bridge behind Notre Dame (it may be cheesy, but ridiculously romantic nonetheless) and a stroll through the breathtaking Parisian streets to the Louvre. We then took a final trip on the Metro to Champs Elysees  for dessert at the Haagen Daz House, before heading back to the airport to enjoy a spot of duty free shopping with our last remaining euros!! 

Its been an amazing few days, although I now feel like I could sleep for a week. 

Paris is everything I imagined, a romantic city brimming with breathtaking architecture and scrumptious food. As for the skincare fanatics amongst us there are french pharmacies a plenty!! 

Have you been to Paris?!