MAC Ravishing

A couple of weeks ago I added to my MAC lippy collection with the gorgeous Ravishing from the Cremesheen family. Ravishing is a clean, light peachy coral shade with excellent pigmentation and has a milky texture on the lips. This shade looks lovely co-ordinated with a peach toned blusher, keeping the rest of the face minimalistic. 

MAC Ravishing

At first I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to pull this colour off as I'm quite pale (NC15) but I adore this colour, it's the perfect understated coral shade. I've been wearing this most days with a light dusting of my Body Shop bronzer and a little eyeliner and mascara and it lifts my complexion.

MAC Creme Cup Lipstick Review

Being a huge lover of pink lipsticks I couldn't resist making Creme Cup part of my (vast) lipstick collection. 

Creme Cup is a light, blue-toned pink from the Cremesheen line of MAC's permanent collection. This subtle shade isn't overly opaque and is very build able, it leaves a gorgeous sheen on the lips.

Creme Cup is a gorgeous dusky pink that every girl should have in her collection, perfect for day or night. Since purchasing this has been my top choice for lippy for work, it's just the right amount of colour and sheen for a polished look.

MAC Snob Lipstick Review

Another addition made to my MAC lipstick collection last week was Snob, a light neutral pink. Like all other MAC lipsticks Snob has a vanilla scent but is taste-free and comes in their signature sleek packaging.

Snob is a cool-toned medium pink with ever-so-slight grey undertones and is part of the Satin finish line in MAC's permanent collection. The finish is quite opaque and I did find it a little dryer than any of the other Satin finish lipsticks I've tried from them but nothing that can't be solved with a little lip balm prior to use.

I absolutely adore this shade, it's slightly bubblegum pink which I think is a really fun colour for and girls lipstick collection. This shade wears for around 4 hours on me before the need to reapply and as it's a light shade doesn't stain at all.

MAC Morange Swatches And Review

A bit of a late post on one of the latest editions to my MAC lipstick collection but here's a quick post on Morange. I purchased this little beauty from the social shopping site Cohorted for £12, a nice little £3 discount compared to the regular rrp. 

Morange is a vibrant amplified creme finish that's very opaque. This glistening shade of lippy is a medium-dark orange with a subtle sheen, not for the faint hearted with it's vibrant coral and orange hues. 

I am blessed (annoyingly) with naturally dark pink lips so Morange doesn't pop on me as brightly as it seems in the tube, which if I'm honest I'm quite happy with as it may have looked a bit too much on my fair (NC15) skin. Another great lipstick from MAC which will get plenty of use over the summer!

MAC Flamingo Review

A couple of weeks ago, much to my delight, I spotted on MAC's website that they had brought back a few limited edition items that will now be back in stock permanently. I hastily purchased Flamingo, a milky-neon peach/coral shade from the lustre range that I had foolishly not purchased the last time round.

(Unfortunately) I was blessed with naturally dark pink lips so some of the lighter shades of lipsticks don't always 'pop' on me, Flamingo comes out as more of a salmon pink on me which I absolutely love! The Lustre range are my favourites from MAC, they leave lips with a gorgeous sheen and you can either have just a slick for a more toned down look or you can easily build intensity.

As always a great investment from MAC...

Jodie

xoxo

Urban Decay

Yesterday morning I received my Urban Decay All Nighter rrp £9 setting spray from Cohorted for the bargainous price of £6.52! I really only bought it as I already use MAC's Fix-It Spray and I have been wanting to compare the two for a little while.The packaging is practical and the pump dispenses just the right amount, sometimes I feel that MAC's Fix-it can dispense a bit too much and you can end up looking a little slick in area's...something that after using for a while you can master avoiding. I used the UD setting spray yesterday morning, the weather was vile outside so it's arrival was perfect timing! The spray feels pretty weightless and doesn't affect your make-up underneath the only thing I will say is that it made my skin feel a little tight, the sensation subsided after a few hours though. I found that the UD didn't give as much of a dewy finish as MAC Fix-It but as much as it pains me to say this as I adore MAC products...it does keep my make-up in place a lot better!All Nighter features temperature control technology which lowers the temperature of your make-up keeping you looking flawless in even hot or humid situations. Suitable for all skin-types, even oily and combination this is the perfect setting spray for summer.Jodiexo

May Favourites

I really wanted to keep my May Favourite's list to a bare minimum, I didn't want to be all like 'Look how much I've bought this month!' and just share with you the products I've used everyday without fail and not just list every beauty product I have bought (and there was a lot!). I've kinda gone back to basics this month, concentrating more on skincare and maintenance, here's some of my favourite purchases...

First up is MAC's Angel lipstick rrp £15 from Cohorted, I did a post about a week ago on this gorgeous lipstick, I've worn it pretty much everyday as it's the perfect subtle pink for daytime looks.

Next up we have L'Occitane Immortelle Divine Lotion rrp £42, I discovered this wonderful product through Latest In Beauty with their British Beauty Blogger beauty box collaboration. When I saw the Divine Lotion listed in the box contents I just thought t was going to be some naff body lotion...how wrong was I?! Divine Lotion helps cellular renewal giving you a more radiant, younger looking complexion. I've been applying this lotion after cleansing and toning but before my serum/night cream and my skin feels so soft and it really does leave your face glowing. I will definitely be purchasing the full-size product when my sample runs out.

Toni and Guy's  Prep Heat Protection Spray rrp £6.39 is one of the best heat protection products I've ever used. It protects my hair without leaving any sticky or greasy residue as some other products do and the scent is a really clean, refreshing smell. It doesn't dry my hair out or make it stiff, instead it aids the blowdrying and straightening process leaving me with shinier hair. This has definitely become one of my haircare staples.

Balmi Mint Cube Lip Balm rrp £4.99 has become my current favourite lip balm. It comes in cool, convenient packaging and the formula is lovely. The main reason I went for Balmi was that I was looking for an un-tinted, conditioning balm for work that meant I didn't need to stick my fingers in the product (germ-a-phobe!). I have used the little Vaseline tin's for years and love them as they are multi functioning and last forever but after a recent bought of illness I just got really paranoid about spreading germs! Balmi is a great balm, the packaging is kitsch and the formula has a rich blend of natural ingredients including Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter so it leaves your lips really conditioned. On top of that it has SPF15 and UVA protection so it's perfect for outdoorsy types!

Jodie

xoxo

MAC See Sheer Lipstick Review

I picked up MAC's See Sheer rrp £15 lipstick last week when Debenham's were running a 10% off beauty offer, not a massive discount I know but I'd had my eye on it for a while and the discount swayed me a little more!
See Sheer is part of MAC's Lustre collection, described as a muted-orange coral colour it actually comes out a darker more raspberry colour, with ever so slight brown undertones on me as I already have quite dark pink lips. I love the finish of this lipstick, it has a creamy, glossy kind of finish to it, but not sticky like most glosses. It's very moisturising and lasts very well, I got around 3-4 hours between application.

MAC See Sheer Lipstick

Although a little disappointed it didn't come out as light on me as I's expected, this can't be helped due to my natural lip colour and will definitely get loads of wear from me. I'm looking forward to buying some more shades from the Lustre range as the finish is gorgeous! 

Jodie

xoxo

MAC Angel Lipstick Review

I received this little beauty last friday from Cohorted with a very reasonable discount of £3, I probably didn't need another lippie but seeing as it's MAC, it only cost me £12 and I received free postage...who's going to say no?!
MAC's lipstick Angel is part of their 'Frost' collection so as the title implies it has and ever so slight micro-shimmer and delivers a gorgeous warm-pink. Like most other MAC lipstick's I have tried it does have a faint Vanilla scent to it but it doesn't taste of anything. I got around 3-4 hours wear from this colour, I do find lighter shades tend to fade just a bit quicker. 

MAC Angel Lipstick

My lips are quite pink naturally so it looks more of a bubblegum pink on me, I found applying  bit of balm before the lipstick stopped the drying sensation I get with frosted lipsticks. I absolutely love this colour, it will be a perfect nude-pink for those days when I can't, or don't have time to decide on what lipstick to wear.

If you haven't already visited Cohorted then you should definitely check them out! The cohorts start at 6pm on Monday night's, I've already picked up some fab high-end bargains and their service is great!

Jodie

xoxo

April's Beauty Favourites

Wow, where did April go? Yet again it was quite difficult to chose, as I have tried some fabulous products this month, so I thought I would go with the ones that I'm reaching for everyday. Here's a quick run-through of my favorite beauty and skincare products from April...

Astalift Light Analyzing Moisture Foundation  £29 30ml

I absolutely adore this foundation, it's the first medium to full coverage foundation I have found with a dewy, luminous finish. I chose the shade Sunny Beige after much deliberation, there are hardly any reviews on this foundation online...which shocks me as it's amazing! Here's a link if you want to read my full review on this foundation.

MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance Primer  £29 50ml

A fabulous illuminating primer which creates a flawless base for foundation and leaves skin looking healthy and renewed. Here's a link to my full review of this primer, trust me it's fabulous...a make-up bag must have for me now!

Molton Brown Rhubarb & Rose Hand Cream £10 40ml

 This hand cream literally smells good enough to eat! I first tried this after receiving a sample of it in my March Birchbox and I'm now hooked! It leaves hands moisturized without feeling greasy and lightly fragranced with the scent of rhubarb and rose...divine! Other than the cream itself I love the packaging Molton Brown products come in, cute enough to brighten up any handbag.

Premae Lab Definitive Eye Creme £17.50 30ml

I received a generous sample of this specialist eye creme in my April Premae Donna Box and I can honestly say I've not even looked at my Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream since! What I love about this eye creme is that it's lightweight, yet very moisturizing and acts as a fabulous primer for my eye concealer.  I've ordered a full size for my May Premae Donna box...post to follow!

Triumph Creme Balm £49 50ml

Another pick from my April Premae Donna Box is this fabulous anti-aging creme. I've been using this for a little over 3 weeks and my skin is already looking and feeling more renewed. This creme is packed full of antioxidants and vitamins, I apply before bed and it makes my skin so soft when I wake. Here's a link to my full review and product description. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato £17

I have a real thing for red lipstick's, they are my go-to lip colour when I can't decide what to wear on my lips. Now we're moving into warmer weather I like to switch up my lipsticks for tinted balms or stains and Clinique's Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato is fabulous for this. Its a sheer tinted balm which can be built up to a medium intensity. Not only do they look great on your lips but they look great in your make-up bag!

Jodie

xoxo

MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance Primer in Radiant Yellow Review

I've been dying to get my hands on this primer since it came out...anything that claims to have radiance inducing properties has to be mine!

MAC Prep+Prime Radiance Primer is priced at £29 which I think is totally worth it, for a few reasons...I use MAC's Prep+Prime Skin which is priced at £20.50 for 30ml, whereas Prep+Prime Natural Radiance is a generous sized 50ml bottle. Much like the Prep+Prime Skin this has a gel-like formula that glides onto skin so just one pump will do my entire face...my 30ml bottle of Prep+Prime Skin has been going strong for around six months now...with daily use!

I went for the Radiant Yellow as I have quite alot of red on my face so I thought this would double up as a primer to counteract that issue. MAC claim that this primer is especially effective on fair skin tones as the formula disappears upon application, resulting in a beautiful glow...I couldn't have said it better myself! I use MAC'S Studio Fix Fluid Foundation which isn't a completely matte finish but wearing this primer underneath gives me a gorgeous dewy glow, like skin only healthier!

As well as aiding an easy application of your foundation and a luminous finish this primer has vitamins E and C as well as caffeine to calm skin. Prep+Prep Natural Radiance has definitely won me over from my current Prep+Prime Skin...I'm hooked!

Jodie

xoxo

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation Review and Swatches

 I adore my current foundation, the colour match is perfect and the formula gives me a healthy, matte finish but as the weather is getting warmer I have been looking for something a little more long lasting and non-transferable, my current foundation is great for around 8 hours but by the afternoon it often starts to get a little blotchy looking around my nose and mouth. After reading some great reviews I decided to purchase MAC Pro Longwear Foundation £25. The foundation claims to give up to 15 hours of wear even in hot and humid conditions, controls oil to keep skin flawless and contains SPF 10.

Left Pro Longwear NC15
Right Studio Fix Fluid NC15

I purchased this foundation two weeks ago (online) and when I pulled it out of the box my first reaction was that the shade was far too warm for me. I purchased MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in the shade NC15 as this is my usual shade in the Studio Fix Fluid that I wear, in comparison to the Studio Fix it is less yellow toned and I thought it just would not be wearable but after a couple of plays around with the type of application it is actually quite a good colour match.

Left Studio Fix Fluid NC15
Right Pro Longwear NC15

 Now when I initially tried to apply the Pro Longwear I used my Real Techniques Expert Face brush, as this brush gives me flawless results when using Studio Fix but I found the Pro Longwear to initially come out of the bottle quite thick and oily and the brush was just moving the foundation around my face and not buffing it in to my skin. After reading some more reviews about how people get the best application results it seemed the general consensus was to use a damp beauty blender. I purchased the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge £5.99 and the application was so much easier!

This foundation is a sheer to medium formula, I did find it quite difficult to build up layers as before it sets to a natural matte finish it is quite an oily feeling texture but if you work in small areas quickly the results are quite flawless! What I did like about this foundation is that you have no need for concealer as you can just spot apply with a detailing brush where needed. The finish as I've said is a natural matte looking finish, like skin only better! This foundation definitely lives up to it's claims of being long-wearing, I took the photo above after roughly 8 hours of wear and it was showing no signs of budging. 

So, if you're looking for a long-wearing foundation I would definitely recommend this one after mastering my techniques for application.

Jodie

xoxo

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

Another MAC plunge I've taken this week is the Pro Longwear concealer (NC15). At the moment I am currently using Studio Fix Fluid foundation (NC15) and the Studio concealer (NC15). Whilst the foundation is almost perfect the Studio concealer, in my opinion, is rubbish! The colour is nearly a perfect match but it is a cream concealer and I find it sits in the creases of my eyes and is a bit of work to blend. So, I thought I would give the Pro Longwear concealer a go after reading so many glowing reviews.

Now, if you read my blog you would know that I live around 50 miles aways from the nearest MAC counter, I rely solely on other blogs and google images to match my colours up. I did have a chat with a MAC artist online for the colour match on this concealer and I will say it is a pretty good match.

(L) Studio NC15 (R) Pro Longwear NC15

As you can see the Studio concealer on the left appears to be more warm toned than the Pro Longwear, ironic really as all NC shades are supposed to be cool toned, but when it comes to concealers under my eyes I like something with a bit more warmth.

I really wish I could say that I love the Pro Longwear concealer, maybe we just need a bit more bonding time together. The concealer comes in a glass bottle so be weary of it rattling around in your make-up bag, it also comes with a pump which dispenses way too much of the product each time you use it, very wasteful and hard to control. The formula is fluid, which is not unpleasant but I do find I need to layer it up a little. As for the claims that it lasts for up to 15 hours...not for me it doesn't! It makes my eyes look a bit dry and crepey, I look more tired with the concealer on! 

For now I can't say I'm a fan, but maybe we will learn to love each other...

Jodie

xoxo

MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red

I just had to share the gorgeous bargain that came in the post this morning from Cohorted.  When I saw that MAC's Matte lipstick in Russian Red was featuring in this week's cohort I just knew it had to be mine and at the bargainous price of £10.50 I'm over the moon!

I'm a sucker for a red lippy and well MAC products in general really! This shade is a glamourous, classic red and would look fabulous on most skin tones. Although it is a matte lipstick I didn't find it at all drying on my lips as most matte lipsticks are. The pigment in this lipstick is amazing and you don't need to ply loads of it on to get the desired effect.

The cohort is now closed but I would recommend anyone looking for a staple red lippy to try this one!

Jodie

xoxo

MAC Strobe Cream Review

MAC Strobe Cream

Now I know MAC Strobe Cream isn't new on the market but it's a new-ish part of my make-up bag and I love reviving a product that has been on the scene for a while with some fresh reviews. 

I have been using this under my foundation for the last couple of weeks, I thought it only fair to give it a good trial before reviewing it...and I must say I love it! Retailing at £23.50 for 50ml I think it's excellent value for money as a little bit of the product goes far and it should be a multitasking staple of any girls make-up bag!

Described as "The ultimate quick fix for skin, super-powedred with potent botanicals, de-snoozes, de-stresses, moistens, freshens and boosts the look of dull, flat or tired looking skin with a fully loaded vitamin zap and a mega dose of green tea." I couldn't say they were wrong at all with this description! Its absorbs into your skin quickly, leaving it feeling fresh and looking glowy.  You can wear alone as 

a moisturiser or under foundation for that lit-up effect in any lighting condition.

Unfortunately I do not have perfect skin, I make no attempt at denying this, so I haven't tried it without foundation but I love the lit-up effect it gives me...even through a couple of layers of foundation! I have quite oily skin, this doesn't leave me feeling oily initially...however after about 4/5 hours my face does start to look a little on the glassy side. This hasn't put me off at all though!

I can't comment on how it applies over foundation, I know some ladies use it to highlight their cheek bones etc but as I do have to layer up my foundation I tend to only apply powder highlighters so not to remove the foundation underneath. 

I absolutely love it, as all other MAC products I've tried...if it doesn't make me break-out then that usually sways me even more!

Jodie

xoxo

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Review

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

If you follow my blog you will know I don't have perfect skin. Having PCOS I am prone to the occasional acne flare-up and I keep to a strict cleansing, toning and moisturising routine (Premae's Immaculate Collection) morning and evening to try and keep the oil build-up at bay and prevent those yucky little white pimples from rearing their ugly heads! So, as I don't have the best skin I am constantly searching for products to give me the effect of perfect skin. 

Before being diagnosed with PCOS I hadn't been so particular about what I put on my face, although I've always had quite wide pores on my cheeks and I had oily skin to battle with, I never sought the aid of a primer to help the finish or longevity of foundation as I never wore it! It's only since the acne flare-up's in the last couple of years and the subsequent scarring that I have been on the look out for that little bit of extra help. 

For the last year or so I have been using Mac Prep+Prime Skin. Its a more of a fluid primer that aids the lay down of your foundation and powder by calming and soothing the skin, thus evening out skin redness. I enjoy using this primer, it's very easy to apply, it really does help my foundation to blend and it causes no irritation to my skin whatsoever. As much as I love it, it does nothing in the way of disguising the large pores on my cheeks. 

A couple of weeks ago, after searching the internet for alternative primers I came across Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. Now I know it's been out there for a while, I had seen it in department stores and online myself but as I said I am new-ish to primers and had never really been on a quest for one as I am now. Reading the reviews I was so excited to order it! Girls were referring to it as "Polyfiller for your face" a "Cult classic for a reason" and that they just couldn't live without it. I've found it, I've found what I've been searching for I thought and quickly added it to my basket and checked-out. The next couple of days were torture waiting for it to arrive in the post! I dreamt me and this "Polyfiller" primer would have a whirlwind affair, pore-less and totally flawless. I imagined sitting at my desk at work on Monday morning looking completely flawless even under the harsh artificial lighting. You can imagine my disappointment when this is not what I achieved....

The primer itself is easy and smooth to apply to the skin, it has a silicone feel like my Mac Prep+Prime. My foundation blended well over the top of it, there really was no trace of the primer being on. I can't say that it aided the longevity of my foundation nor did it keep me oil-free, after 4-5 hours I still needed to blot my face, the same as any other day. Unfortunately it did not give me a flawless look, nor was it Polyfiller to my lines or pores...instead after 2 days of using it I had an awful flare-up of nasty, sore spots over my chin and jawline. So into the drawer this primer goes....

I'm not giving this primer a bad review as you can quite clearly see from the tons of reviews it is a "Cult classic for a reason"...lots of girls love it. So while the dream of a whirlwind affair may have frazzled my quest for perfection continues....

Jodie 

xoxo

How much is my face worth?

How much is my face worth? Tag

Ok so after being tagged in Cloe Anne's blog on "How much is my face worth" I was excited but now shocked to list the basic products I use on my day-to-day look. So here goes...

Premae Balance Rescue Face Wash £22.50

Premae Balance Rescue Face Tonique £19.50

Premae Harmony Multi-Vit Serum £22.50

Premae Harmony Creme Balm £35

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream £35

Mac Prep+Prime Skin £20.50

Mac Studio Fix Foundation NC15 £21.50

Bobbi Brown Corrector Light Bisque £18.50

Bobbi Brown Concealer Ivory £18.50

E.L.F HD Powder Corrective Yellow £6.95

HD Brows Eyebrow Palette £19.96

Maybelline Brow Drama Medium Brown £4.99

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Lightscapade £22

Illamasque Eyeliner Cake £15.50

Illamasque Sealing Gel £7

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara £22

Bobbi Brown Blusher £19

Mac Fix-It Spray £14.50

I've not included eye primer, eyeshadows or lipsticks/balms/gloss as these will vary day-to-day...I've also not included the Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener £19.50 that I keep in my bag for touch-up's! So this gives us a grand total of...

£341.40

I am horrified at how much my daily routine costs...and just how many products I use! I have definitely earned my stripes as a skincare and make-up junkie! 

But I may add that I am secretly smug that I can shower, have breakfast, do the above make-up routine and my hair all in an hour before work in the morning...not bad going!

Looking forward to seeing your totals!

Jodie 

xox