Style Speaks Louder

Nude make-up is always a beauty favourite. It looks effortless, timeless and suits all complexions as it is in essence a way to emphasise your own natural beauty. For me when it comes to make-up, less is definitely more, and that isn't to say that I don't use minimal products, its more about creating a minimal look. There is no dramatic eye needed here. I've had my day with over the top eye-shadow and I'm even pulling back on my black eye-liner obsession (I'm not wearing any eye-liner in these pics! rare for me!) .
Two products that I have helped me create this nude make up look are the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Matte Lip Tar, both of which were much desired Christmas presents from the hubbie. Thanks Sweetie x
I absolutely love the Naked 3 palette, which is all about rich rose golds and blush pinks. It includes a mixture of matte and shimmer shades to choose from so you can easily build up a deep and rich looking natural eye. I must admit I was dubious about the shimmer/glitter shades but when applied in small quantities to the middle of the eyelid they really add a pop of light and complement the matte colours.

My favourites so far are the matte shades in Limit, which is a beautiful dusty pink and Nooner which is a dark blush colour, I love putting Nooner in the socket of my eye to shade and add dimension. I like to then add dabs the glitter shades in Burnout or Buzz to the centre of my lid to add a flash of light.

The lip colour I have used is from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, who are a 100% vegan and cruelty free company, and of which I knew little of until I opened my presents on Christmas day, the husband had been doing his homework and knowing my crusade to only use products that are cruelty free had found this beauty brand from the U.S.

The Lip Tar comes with a little applicator brush which is crucial in applying the product. The product starts off as a gloss which later dries to a long lasting matte colour. A lot of reviews I read about this product say that it can be tricky to apply the product so that it sets evenly, but I haven't experienced this problem but I did notice that the Lip Tar is very thick and if you don't spread it out evenly in the corners of your mouth it can clump a little.



I was given the shade Hush which is a beautiful nude shade and after it sets it looks like a natural lip colour. Like your own lips but better!



I love that OCC is 100% vegan and has so many other exciting products, you can also purchase OCC in Selfridge's both in store and online.

Have you have tried any of these products or like this make-up look? If so please leave me a comment below, I'd love to know what you think. x

Finding the right foundation is never easy, especially if you have difficult skin and are looking for something ethical. So I'm excited when I say I've not only found one foundation, but two! And both are cruelty free.

bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation

After having several bad experiences with liquid foundations of various brands I switched to powder foundation a few years ago and found the bareMinerals foundation to be perfect for my skin, however it never quite gave the flawless finish I wanted. So when bareMinerals released their liquid bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation I was eager to try it.

As its a serum it is light weight and has a very fluid liquid consistency, so you have to make sure you shake it well to ensure all the pigment and particles come together.  As its a mineral serum foundation you are advised not to use a primer so that the serum can soak into your skin.

I was initially really pleased with this foundation it gave light coverage and didn't make my skin feel itchy, however on the one occasion I had forgot to moisturise beforehand I did get a tight, mask like feeling to my skin.

After using this foundation for about two months now I have found that it gives a lightweight dewy finish to the skin but not a flawless finish. I have found that it sticks to the dry areas of my skin and seems to enhance imperfections regardless of how thick or thinly it is applied and I can only use this if I'm having a good skin day. I think once my skin has calmed down I would use this foundation for days when I don't want to look too made up, but for an everyday foundation this doesn't work for me, at least not in winter.

B.Youthful Anti-Aging Foundation

The second foundation I have added to my beauty collection is the B.Youthful Anti-Aging Foundation from vegan make up brand B. which is exclusively stocked in Superdrug.

I found the B. Youthful foundation really easily to wear and it seems to glide on. It doesn't irritate my skin either and feels hydrating while wearing it, thanks to the hyaluronic acid , I never experienced the 'mask effect' like I have in the past with other foundations. The consistency of this foundation is  also considerably thicker than the bareMinerals and is more cream like, so you can easily create that flawless finish.

B. claim that with everyday use you should be able to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 18% percent, I'm not sure I can claim to have noticed that but I am definitely happy with the effects of this foundation and its wear-ability.

I have found that it gives great coverage and sinks into the skin. I have been using a Real Techniques make up blender to apply both foundations and I am able to create an excellent finish with this foundation. I find that I am reaching for this foundation time and again when I want to use a liquid base as it ticks all the boxes for me and doesn't irritate my skin.

Comment below if you have tried either of these foundations and let me know what you thought of them.

Thanks x

“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles.”  Audrey Hepburn

I agree with Audrey, I also believe in in lipstick, which is why I'm showing you my beauty essentials. Beauty may only be skin deep but every girl has something that she goes back to over and again and these are mine.

SKIN

L-R: Centrum Advanced, Clinique all about eyes, Clinique dramatically different moisturising lotion, Nivea lip balm, Clinique make-up remover, Clinique clarifying lotion, Biore pore strips, bareMinerals skin rev-er upper and Clinique pore minimizer.

I have a bit of a Clinique obsession as you can see, but the reason behind this is that I have very sensitive skin and the dramatically different moisturising lotion is the only moisturiser that does not irritate my skin and moisturises effectively, I seriously suffer without this yellow magic. My routine at night night involves taking off all my make-up with the Clinique make up remover, which takes off every last scrap, followed by the clarifying lotion to ex-foliate and cleanse and then the moisturiser. I have also started wearing eye cream at night (the joy of getting older) and this eye cream sinks wonderfully into the skin.

I have very very sensitive skin on my nose and as a result I can't touch it with anything, not even moisturiser. These pore strips are the only product that touches it and does what it says on the box.

I can't be without a lip balm - its an absolute essential for me and this Nivea lip balm moisturises my lips without being sticky.

The bareMinerals skin rev-er upper is a multi vitamin complex with boosts my skin, I use it as a base on top of moisturiser or sometimes on its own to perk up my skin when I'm not wearing foundation.
I wear the Clinique pore minimiser on my cheeks occasionally to help reduce the look of pores and of course the Centrum Advanced keeps me and and my skin healthy. The only thing missing from this picture is drinking water, lots and lots of water.

 FACE - BASE

L-R: YSL Touche Eclat concealer, MAC Sheertone Blush - Breath of Plum, Maybelline Fit Me concealer, Garnier BB Cream, Shu Uemura face powder, bareMinerals All over face powder - Warmth, bareMinerals Mineral veil.

The YSL Touche Eclat (number 2) has been a beauty staple of mine for a while, it brightens and conceals in one swift swoop, however it is quite expensive so I don't wear it everyday and so I swap it with Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Light 10, which is a great match for my skin.

The MAC blush has been my favourite blush for a while, as you can see. A lot of blushes have glitter in them and I dont want to look sparkly on a daily basis, this blush adds colour without the shimmer. I am however looking for a peach blush for spring so that will be my replacement.
The BB cream was a quick buy when I ran out of my foundation as I wanted a tinted moisturiser, this BB cream maybe low price but it adds a great base and a touch of warmth without being oily.



L-R - MAC blusher, Shu Uemura face powder, bareMinerals face bronzer and bareMinerals mineral veil.

The Shu Uemura face powder is pure magic, it sets my make up off perfectly by taking away shine and leaving a velvety texture to my skin and its so light like it is not even there.

The bareMinerals powders are my beauty heroes, I use the bareMinerals foundation but have currently run out, but it is the only foundation that I will use. As my skin is sensitive liquid foundation leaves my face dry and gives me a rash so I was so grateful when I discovered bareMinerals. The foundation give the best coverage but doesn't feel like you are wearing a mask, its so light and your skin can breath. Its made without chemical dyes and parabens and has mineral elements so it actually improves your skin as you wear it.
Above is the face bronzer which you only need a tiny amount to give a wondrous glow and the mineral veil which leaves the skin with a matt healthy finish.

 MAKE-UP

Back L-R: Clinique mascara, Lancome Hypnose Star waterproof mascara ,Clinique Chubby Stick,  Benefit Smokin' Eyes, Barry M lipstick, MAC Matte Ruby Woo, Benefit Browzings.
Front L-R: MAC eye-shadows in  Concrete and Chorme Yellow, Calvin Klein eye-shadow in pink slip, Calvin Klein white eyeliner and Rimmel waterproof eyeliner.

I received the mini Clinique mascara as a gift when buying my moisturiser and I actually like that its so tiny as it fits in my bag easily and it really defines my lashes however for extra volume I use the Lancome Hypnose Star waterproof mascara.

The Clinique chubby stick is my favourite lip colour product because its not sticky like a lipstick and I can build up the intensity of the colour, I've had this one a little while and the labelling has all worn off so its clearly time to get a new one (yay!)



I love the little Benefit Smoking Eyes palette, it includes a great black and grey shadow for creating smoky eyes and even eyebrow wax and I also have the Benefit Browzings product which is great for setting and finishing my eyebrows.

The MAC lipstick is great for consistent powerful colour, I have a red one for when I'm feeling sophisticated and the Barry M lipstick is a great low price lip colour for instant colour pop.

I love the MAC eye-shadows as the colour you see is exactly what you get on the skin and this little Calvin Klein shadow is a cute shimmery pink which is easy to wear during the day.

And finally I can not be without my eyeliners. A lined eye has been my signature look since I was 15 and my eyes just don't look the same without a slick of eyeliner. I use black waterproof eyeliner by Rimmel to line my eyes and white to line the rims and brighten my eyes.

So those are my beauty essentials - let me know what yours are.

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