My top 15 'forever repurchased' beauty heroes

I have a lot of beauty products. And I'm not saying that to brag...I'm saying it to confess. I buy far too much makeup, and too many skincare, bodycare and haircare items, and am lucky enough to be able to try the occasional new release for my job too. But there are some bits that I literally feel I couldn't live without, and are my all time staples. When trying to put this list together (it was initially meant to be made up of 10 items...) I decided by asking myself what I would run to the shops to repurchase the second I knew I had ran out of it. The above 15 products are what I finally decided on. I would recommend them all whole-heartedly, and they will forever be my beauty heroes! 
1. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray for perfectly tousled waves.   2. Real Techniques Buffing Brush for flawlessly finished foundation. 
3. Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche perfume for a fresh and citrusy aroma. 
4. Xen Tan Moroccan Tan fake tan for those rare occasions when I fake tan- this is the only thing I trust! 
5. Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow palette for totally perfect bronzing, highlighting and contouring.
6. Bioderma Micellar Water for cleanly cleansed skin before a balm cleanser at night. 
7. & Other Stories Fig Fiction body souffle for deliciously unique smelling and soft skin. 
8. Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot powder for a shine-free face. 
9. Mac All that Glitters eyeshadow for a beautiful sheeny all-over eye shade. 
10. Makeup Forever HD foundation for absolutely spot on coverage all day. 
11. Makeup Forever Full Cover concealer for especially stubborn spots, scars and everything in-between. 
12. NARS Creamy Concealer for erasing under-eye circles completely. 
13. Pixi Glow Tonic for exfoliated and toned skin. 
14. Seche Vite top coat for making painting your nails 10,0000x easier. 
15. Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in perversion for the most seductively dark pencilled eyes (I've never found an eyeliner like it!)

What are your top beauty heroes? 

5 of the best 'alternative' lipstick shades

Bored of your nudes and your reds? Don't worry, I (or rather my frankly out of hand lipstick collection) has got you covered...

1. The pinky purpley one: Ultimately the lipstick which encouraged me to write this post, NARS audacious lipstick in 'Dominique' has a beautiful purpley hue which looks pretty terrifying at first but is one of the most unique colours I've ever seen. The lipstick is exclusive to Selfridges so don't run over like a desperate mess to Liberty's like I did! It's become my go to lipstick and I can't think of any other lip product on the market that gives the same enviably gorg smackers. 
2. The super dark one: Do not be afraid my friends, this one isn't as scary as it looks. Darker than a berry shade but lighter than an 'oh em gee I look like a goth' hue, this option from Lipstick Queen's Bette Noir collection is super good. This specific shade, Possessed Intense, is the darkest of the three in the collection, which also offers a metallic or a sheer option. Reserve this one for the evening and remember to keep reapplying!
3. The peachy pink one: Firmly within the sphere of my comfort zone, a peachy pink lipstick is a little more colourful than a nude without being too vibrant or bold. One of my favourites is this YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in Peach Passion. It's a lovely spring colour and the finish is a lovely combination of matte AND sheeny (just how DO those YSL geniuses do it?!)
4. The hot hot pink one: Wondering whether my repetition of the word 'hot' was a typo? Well, it totally wasn't. Because although a 'hot pink' lipstick is exciting, a 'hot hot pink' lipstick is off the charts on the coolness scale. One of my favourite lipsticks of all time is Mac's Show Orchid [not available in UK, only US], which is literally the most bold shade you could possibly go for. With a touch of shimmer and a Barbie pink colour, it's the ultimate girly girl's dream. 
5. The warm berry one: If you're too much of a wimp to try out number 2 (and let's be honest, it does look pretty menacing) what about giving the humble dark purpley-toned berry red a shot? Much more diverse than the bright red lipstick in my eyes, the Rimmel Kate Moss 107 is a firm fave of vloggers such as Zoella. Perfect for warm autumnal looks and full-on night time glam, I'd say it's a bit of a winner all round. 

The Christmas Wishlist

Canon SX500 IS camera. 

Honeydew Underwear. 

Alexa Chung 'It' and 14,000 things to be happy about books.

We're the Millers and The Great Gatsby DVDS. 

Makeup and Candles: Malin and Goetz Dark Rum candle, Dipytique Baies candle, Clinique eye and lip chubby sticks in ample amber and grandest grape, By Terry Baume de Rose, UD naked 3 palette, Nars cruella lip pencil, Aesop parsley seed cleansing mask, nails inc porchester sq polish, Clarins exfoliating toner. 

Now, stupidly, I handed out my Christmas list far too early this year. The problem with being such an eager beaver is that when you go shopping for other people you see things you wish you'd put on your own list. Because of this, I'll probably end up buying much of this for myself come loan time (naughtyyy). I already picked up my Naked 3 palette last week and am SO excited to get my hands on it properly come Christmas day. As I am now back from uni I am feeling extra Christmassy and am planning lots of outfit posts in the next couple of weeks, so keep eyes pealed for those! 

What do you guys have on your lists this year?

B.

On my beauty wishlist this month...

1. Jo Malone 'Pomegranate Noir' Candle 
2. NARS Sheer Glow foundation 
3. Illamasqua speckled 'I' mperfection nail polish in' Fragile'
4. Smashbox primer
5. Xen-Tan Deep Luxe Bronze Dark Lotion 
6. Mac quartet of eyeshadows 
7. L'oreal professional techni art super dust
8. Yankee candle in Vanilla Satin 
9. Chanel Rouge coco shine lipstick
10. YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick 
11. Soap and Glory Sugar crush body wash 
12. Clarins Liquid Bronze Self tan 
13. Urban Decay Naked 'Flushed' palette
14. NARS the multiple stick 
15. Lush Snow fairy body wash 
16. Mac studio sculpt foundation 
17. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir perfume
18. Dior Nail glow 
19. Benefit triple emulsion moisturiser 

Favourite January Products: The Monthly Gems

As we are already half way (nearly) through February…a little late to the party…I know.

 But as I’ve only just started blogging I decided this would be a good start.

Last month served up some real goodies for me. After receiving Christmas treats and a few bob to spend, there was only one thing on my mind. GET ME TO THE BEAUTY COUNTER. What follows is a list of products I have therefore discovered and completely fallen for.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in 307 L'impatiente, Barry M Lip Paint in 54. 

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine. 

Swatches of Barry M, Chanel, and apocalips in Apocaliptic and Nude Eclipse. 

Firstly, I have gone a little lip product mad since Christmas. My brother kindly bought me Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick in 307 ‘L’impatiente’ from their Christmas range. It is a beautiful dark purple colour (I STILL haven’t gotten over last seasons goth-themed trend) and has a matte finish, perfect for night-time glamour. Next up is Barry M’s lip paint in 54: a vibrant creamy orange colour which would suit any skin tone. Korres Jasmine Lip Butter has also been on my radar, giving my lips a smooth feel and pretty nude sheen. Lastly, I’ve been loving Rimmel ‘Apocalips’ (I picked them up in apocaliptic and nude eclipse). I know everyone has been raving about these beauties, and I can honestly say they are a PERFECT substitute for the YSL glossy stains. I wore the hot pink colour (apocaliptic) on a night out recently, and it stayed on ALL night and didn’t feel overly sticky at all.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint in Blueberry. 

NARS blush in Deep Throat. 

Another couple of make-up bits I’ve been loving include Barry M’s Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint. I purchased the colour ‘Blueberry’, and it is fair to say I have been impressed! I am a bit of a nail polish snob and so I was pleasantly surprised how good Barry M’s polishes actually were. The gelly formula gives a shiny, glossy finish to the nail, and lasts around an impressive 5 days chip free. I am also really liking NARS’ ‘Deep throat’ blush. It is so SO pretty pink on the cheeks, and I have just always been in love with the minimalistic packaging.

Clarins Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask. 

Bumble and Bumble BB Sunday Shampoo. 

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Soap. 

 Lastly, some face and body products. A product I’ve been raving about to anyone who will listen is Bumble and Bumble’s ‘BB Sunday Shampoo’…makes my hair just amazing. It’s a clarifying shampoo, so it’s best to avoid using it more than once or twice a week (perhaps alternating with your usual shampoo), ESPECIALLY if you have coloured hair. And now that bumble and bumble is available in boots, it is a hell of a lot easier to get your hands on the stuff, hurrah! Clarins' ‘Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask’ has also caught my attention. As a huge fan of face masks, I am very picky when it comes to what I use on my face. But this mask smooths on easily, doesn’t dry uncomfortably and smells pretty nice too. Go try it! And finally, Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir soap has been a favourite. The smell is just divine, admittedly it is an acquired scent, but if you like it you will grow to LOVE it. Also lasts a really, really long time, and the ladies at the Jo Malone stand will package it beautifully for you.

Thanks for reading!

B.