My Beauty Must Haves

These are a collection of products I have kept repurchasing more times that I can keep track of, plus a new favourite must have from Kevin Aucoin.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, in the shade Fair 1 This is one of those products that I will keep repurchasing and going back to no matter what concealer I try. I have tried concealers from Bobbi Brown, Nars, Makeup Forever and so many more but nothing can beat this one, and for £4.19 that is a winner in my books.

La Rouche Posay Effeclair Duo Plus I first started using this when my skin was not in the best way acne wise and I haven't stopped using it since. I don't know if this was the product that changed my skin but it certainly contributed as this was the only think I haven't changed in my skincare routine and its still going strong! I use this all over my face as a moisturiser type product then apply Aveeno Moisturising Cream to the drier areas.

Burts Bees Lip Balm This really does what it says on the tin, just a lip balm but a damn good one! This is super moisturising but the thing that wins me is I have to apply it once throughout the day and never again until bed. I have used this for at least four years and don't think I will ever stop.

Kevin Aucoin Sculpting Powder, in the shade Medium This is a new edition to my bronzer/contour products and boy do I love it. It may not look like it but I have had this for long but it has been quite a few months and it looks like I've barely touched the pan. This is a beautiful contour shade that is not orange or muddy and gives a perfect grey shadow-esque contour on the face.    

Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder Hands down the best hair product if you have hair that lacks a bit of life sometimes. After I style my hair whether it is straight or wavy I will sprinkle this on the roots and it gives a perfect 'oomph'. This is also one of this products that you can transform slept on second day hair to make it look freshly washed, I really can't say anything bad about this. 

Summer Beauty Guide

For messy, relaxed beachy waves

In the summer, its all about messy, wavy hair for me. Something I can wear for a few days with a little extra help from some dry shampoo, because I think everyone can agree that washing hair is such an effort. 

If you are blessed with naturally wavy hair...

~ Towel dry your hair until damp.

~ Apply a texture gel or cream from roots to ends // Bumble and Bumble Texture Creme

~ Spray sea salt spray throughout the hair focusing on the ends // Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray or Toni and Guy Sea Salt Spray

~ After applying the products blow dry the hair upside down and scrunch the ends while blow drying, use a diffuser to create even more volume and waves. 

~ Once hair is dry, depending on how wavy your hair is naturally and how wavy you want the end result you can add a few more waves throughout your hair with a 1-1 1/2 inch curling iron. 

~ Then spritz a little more sea salt spray in the ends and scrunch. 

If you have straight hair...

~ Go through the same steps above but you will need to curl your whole head. When curling your hair use a 1- 1 1/12 inch curling iron and leave around 2 inches uncurled at the end. When curling swap directions for every curl you do, this will result in a more natural, messy look and won't look too overdone. 

~ Spritz a little hairspray at the roots and ends // Tresemme Volume & Lift Firm Hold Hairspray  

To make this style last for a few days, in the morning lightly brush through the hair then add some dry shampoo and a little sea salt spray for more texture. People with naturally straight hair may need to add a few more curls in the morning after two days.

For glowy, bronzed skin

~ Use a tinted moisturiser or a BB Cream with SPF instead of a heavy foundation. This will give you a healthy, natural glow and feels light on the skin in the hot summer weather // Origins Vita Zing or Dr Jart+ Water Fuse BB Cream

~ Add a matt bronzer on under the cheekbones and temples and using the rest to dust over your nose and forehead. This will contour and add colour to your face // Nars Bronzing Powder or Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder

~ Use a peachy cream blush and apply with your fingers onto the apples of your cheeks and work the rest up to your temples // Maybelline Dream Soft Blush

For natural, bronzed eyes

~ Dust a bronzed, champagne colour over the lids and work into the crease // MAC All That Glitters

~ Use a lighter colour to highlight the inner corners and brow bone // MAC Naked Lunch or Urban Decay Virgin

~ Curl your lashes and use a waterproof mascara on the top and bottom lashes to make sure the mascara doesn't budge // Maybelline Volume Express The Colossal Waterproof Mascara

xoxo 

Left image // Found via Pinterest

Right image // Found via Pinterest  

Loose Curls Tutorial for Long Hair

When I get bored of my usual straight, flat hair I always go for big, loose curls. These will last all day on my hair and you can refresh it the next day with some dry shampoo plus a few more curls to finish it off.

Step 1 

After getting out of the shower I towel dry my hair until it's still damp. Then I grab my Bumble and bumble surf spray and scrunch and spritz all throughout my hair (from the roots to the ends). This gives me some texture and makes the curls last longer.

Step 2 

I then blast the hairdryer through my hair so it's 100% dry (I dry it upside down for some extra volume). The surf spray will add a gritty texture to your hair which you will feel when it's dried. 

Step 3

Now I get my tangle teezer and brush out any knots before I get to curling. This will ensure the curls are smooth and bouncy later. 

Step 4

Time for the fun part. I use my Remington Pearl CI9532 Pro Curl Hair Styler (32 mm barrel) which gives me loose, soft waves. I go for the top heat of 210c which I know is certainly not the best for my hair, but it's hard enough trying to get it to hold a curl because of it's length! If you prefer tighter curls go for a smaller barrel and larger curls go for a bigger barrel. This is by far my favourite hair curler and I have tried a lot, possibly too much for one girl! 

Top tip

For longer lasting curls, I hold my hair on the barrel for about 15-20 seconds. Then when it's done I hold it in my hand until the curl has cooled down. 

Step 5
It usually takes my about 15 minutes to curl from start to finish. In this time I pop on an episode of Netflix or blast on my favourite songs, and depending if anyone is in the house I will sing at the top of my lungs! That's just what I do to pass the time anyway. So back to the hair.... After curling I will spray the Tigi Bed Head Masterpiece Massive Shine Hairspray through my curls. This hairspray literally smells like apples and is never sticky or crunchy on my hair, so this is the one I usually go for.

Step 6
To add a bit more somethin-somthin to the hairstyle I spray some Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb In a Bottle in the roots and work it in with my fingers. Then I will give my hair a shake, mess it up with my fingers a bit and voila- loose curls for long hair.


xoxo

Wishlist #1

I like to think of this 'Wishlist' series as a 'window shop lineup'. Everyone has heard of window shopping I gather? Admiring the things you can't buy but wish you could, or rather just making a mental note of them the next time you finding yourself deserving a bit of a treat or some retail therapy.

This wishlist is here to give you some ideas of things you might want to try out or if you are simply just bored of an evening and browsing the internet because there's nothing else better to do.

1. Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish

It's time my hair has a bit of 'omph' to it.

2. YSL Forever Youth Liberator Foundation

My skin definitely needs a bit of a pick me up and I have heard very good things about this one, however I don't think I can bring myself to spend a small fortune on my face.

3. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

I am a big lover of the Urban Decay Naked palettes and my addiction doesn't stop at this one. 

4. Living Proof Prime Style Extender

A primer for your hair to make the style last longer?! Yes please. 

5. Essie After School Boy Blazer

First, how cute is the name?! Second, this colour is just too amazing.

6. Imitation Leather Trousers

I may be ordering these as I type, just maybe.

What's on your wishlist?

xoxo