Si

Isn't it the best feeling ever when you treat yourself to something that you have been saving up for for ages!? And ever better when you manage to grab it on sale! Perfume and scent is something that I have been getting for and more into as I get older. And I've definitely come along way since the days of Charlie Red body spray!

I do know I am quite fussy with scents though, and I can't perfume shop for very long as I get a head ache and everything starts to smell the same. But I had a little sniff of this over a year ago now and fell in love. And since then it has been playing on my mind as something I wanted to save up my boots points for. So once I had enough points and the gift set came into sale after Christmas I treated myself. And boy, is this luxurious perfume a treat!

I'm not going to pretend that I know the first thing about scents and how to describe them. And as much as I would love to, I am definietly not one of those people who can pick out ingredients from a single sniff. However, I have done a little bit of research which I thought that I would share with you.

Si is described under the family of chypre scents, which are warm and dry. These scents are often built around a woody, mossy base with stronger hints of flowers or fruit. This one is more floral with notes of neroli, jasmine and rose. To me this is more of a warm Winter scent, it's inviting and uplifting and is beautiful and feminine without being too sickly sweet.

And if you're an expert here are the notes below...

Top notes: Sicilian Bergamot, Mandarin Oil, Liquer de Cassis
Heart notes: Rose de Mai Absolute, Neroli Absolute, Egyptian Jasmine Absolute
Base notes: Patchouli Oil, Blond Woods, Amber, Orcanoxâ„¢, Vanille Absolute

Sometimes it's nice to save up and treat yourself to a little bit of luxury. And I would definietly recommend saving up all of your Boots points for something special rather than spending it on little bits and pieces here and there. I've already started saving up for something else, although I have no idea what it will be yet. Possibly a Chanel lipstick!

Speak soon xx

Clinique Skincare

Clinique Skincare

This is another post that I have been meaning to write for so long! But I guess the fact that it is probably nearly two months after I took these photos, and I still want to talk about these products means they really are that good!

Sadly, unlike a lot of my friends, I was not one of those people who was blessed with the genetics of perfect skin. My skin is something that I have had issues with ever since I started Secondary School and I still have some problems with now. I can't even being to imagine how many skincare products I have tried from so many different brands, all claiming to left my skin perfectly clear, and most leaving me pretty disappointed.

Clinique is a brand pretty well known for their skincare, with products that a lot of people (including some of my "perfect skin" friends) swear by. I first came across the Clinique anti-blemish solution over a year ago now after it was recommended by my doctor. At £20 for a little bottle of gel, it seems a little expensive. I thought the same when I first look the plunge and bought it. But this is one of the few products in my skincare routine that I use almost everyday and have continued to repurchase ever since.

Thankfully for my purse, a little bit of this really does go a long way. Particularly if you have fairly sensitive skin like I do, you don't want to be using too much of this stuff. When I first used it I thought I needed it on every single spot I had, so I literally slathered it all over my face, which just left my face feeling very tight! I have found that the best way to use this is after my cleanser and toner, morning and night on specific spots. And then if I have a particularly nasty one I will reapply this a couple of times throughout the day too. What I really love about this is as soon as I start to feel a spot coming I can apply this a few times during the day and often the spot will disappear without ever coming to the surface!

The Clinique dramatically different moisturiser is something that is slightly newer to my skincare routine. Not long ago while I was really trying to get rid of my acne I was using a moisturiser for spot prone skin that wasn't actually particularly moisturising. I thought that the best way to get rid of my spots was to dry my skin out. And to some extent that does work, to get rid of a spot you want to dry it out, you just don't want to dry your whole face out in the process! Especially if you have dry/combination skin like myself.

One of my best friends who I am currently living with swears by this moisturiser (and most things from Clinique). So when last Winter I was complaining about my skin feeling really dry she let me use her bottle of this for a few days. And it only took a few days for me to be completely sold and go and buy myself  a bottle. This is just the nicest moisturiser than I have used. It doesn't smell weird, its so easy to apply and feels really lovely. It sinks into my skin quickly and feels moisturising without being greasy. And on top of all that I also find that it is the perfect base moisturiser underneath makeup.

Let me know if you have tried either of these products or if you have any other favourite products from Clinique.

Speak soon xx

Olivia Palermo for Ciaté London

Olivia Palermo for Ciaté London

   

 

I have officially finished my January exams! It's so good to be back home and have such a huge weight off my shoulders, and I can't wait to get back into blogging again. 

 

This morning mum and I got I quite early and took a trip to a shopping park. I needed to get some plain bedding for Homesense, but we also had a look in TK Maxx. Whenever I go to TK Maxx I always have a look at their beauty section. They often have some great brands, and if you can find one that hasn't yet been opened it is a really great deal! 

 

 

If you were to ask me who my style icon would be Olivia Palermo would probably be my first answer. She manages to look effortless, yet so put together at the same time, and her makeup and hair are always beautiful. So when I heard that she was collaborating with Ciaté London I was very excited. 

I was so amazed to spot this gorgeous Olivia Palermo lipstick in TK Maxx, especially as the collection is still fairly recent.This browny nude lipstick in the shade Praline is right up my street and I think this will be perfect for everyday and matching with a smokey eye. The gold packaging is gorgeous and I'm sure that the quality will be just as lovely. 

I also spotted the most beautiful Olivia Palermo nail polishes in white boxes with gold writing. They were properly sealed in cellophane so I knew they were new and unopened. TK Maxx had three different shades, all about half price. 

In the end I went for Hutch, Olivia's go to red and Sunday's, her off duty nude. Olivia is often wearing an amazing red nail polish and I can't wait to try this one. It looks like the perfect true red. This baby pink also looks so pretty and perfect for just a simple natural colour. 

 

I haven't yet tried either of these, need to decide which colour I am going to go for first! Although I have opened them both up and they both have the tall brush handle but also a nice thick brush, so I am already very impressed. 

I think these Olivia Palermo x Ciaté London deserve to go on display somewhere in my bedroom as they are just so beautiful. Olivia's style has yet again left me in owe.

 

I am off to meet by best friend soon and brave the typical English rain for a dog walk! But I think I will treat myself to a nice manicure this evening.

Speak soon xx

Olivia Palermo for Ciaté London

Olivia Palermo for Ciaté London

I have officially finished my January exams! It's so good to be back home and have such a huge weight off my shoulders, and I can't wait to get back into blogging again. 

This morning mum and I got I quite early and took a trip to a shopping park. I needed to get some plain bedding for Homesense, but we also had a look in TK Maxx. Whenever I go to TK Maxx I always have a look at their beauty section. They often have some great brands, and if you can find one that hasn't yet been opened it is a really great deal! 

If you were to ask me who my style icon would be Olivia Palermo would probably be my first answer. She manages to look effortless, yet so put together at the same time, and her makeup and hair are always beautiful. So when I heard that she was collaborating with Ciaté London I was very excited. 

I was so amazed to spot this gorgeous Olivia Palermo lipstick in TK Maxx, especially as the collection is still fairly recent.This browny nude lipstick in the shade Praline is right up my street and I think this will be perfect for everyday and matching with a smokey eye. The gold packaging is gorgeous and I'm sure that the quality will be just as lovely. 

I also spotted the most beautiful Olivia Palermo nail polishes in white boxes with gold writing. They were properly sealed in cellophane so I knew they were new and unopened. TK Maxx had three different shades, all about half price. 

In the end I went for Hutch, Olivia's go to red and Sunday's, her off duty nude. Olivia is often wearing an amazing red nail polish and I can't wait to try this one. It looks like the perfect true red. This baby pink also looks so pretty and perfect for just a simple natural colour. 

I haven't yet tried either of these, need to decide which colour I am going to go for first! Although I have opened them both up and they both have the tall brush handle but also a nice thick brush, so I am already very impressed. 

I think these Olivia Palermo x Ciaté London deserve to go on display somewhere in my bedroom as they are just so beautiful. Olivia's style has yet again left me in owe.

I am off to meet by best friend soon and brave the typical English rain for a dog walk! But I think I will treat myself to a nice manicure this evening.

Speak soon xx

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

So I may have found my perfect foundation. And it is beautiful.

I had read so many blogposts raving about this product, but is is hard to know just from some pictures whether something is going to work for you. But when a close friend told me how amazing it was and I could see it in person it gave me the final push to make the purchase. Thankfully I did have some gift vouchers left over from my birthday. I am a student after all! 

Buying a nice foundation, or any expensive makeup is not really something you want to rush into. You need to be sure that the texture and colour are right so that you don't end up wasting money on something that looks beautiful on the dressing table but serves no purpose in your makeup bag. 

Once I had decided that I wanted to try out the foundation I went to a YSL counter in House of Fraser where I was colour matched by a professional. I was then given a little sample bottle of my shade free of charge to test out over the next few days. As it turns out my summer holiday tan faded quicker that I had hoped and less than two weeks later the sample shade was slightly too dark. So I went back to the counter where I was colour matched again to my perfect shade, Beige Rose BR30. 

Being able to try the foundation out and make sure I was picking my perfect shade made finally handing over my card a whole lot easier. I knew I was buying something that I loved and would use. 

The foundation itself is a lovely light texture that looks so natural. I love that it covers blemishes and makes my skin look clear and healthy but you can still see my little freckles on my nose! Its dewy is so easy to blend with a brush or a beauty blender. This is also the first foundation that I own that I have properly been colour matched too. Having the perfect shade for my skin really does make sure a difference in the final appearance of the foundation. 

And I have use this a lot. Nearly everyday probably. And it is the only thing I will use for the evening or a night out. 

I don't usually wear foundations or anything too heavy on my skin during the daytime as I like to let my skin breathe as much as possible. But I have been reaching for this foundation on days where my skin is playing up a bit or I just need that extra confidence boost. It looks so light and natural, you can't really tell I am wearing anything. And for the evenings I apply a bit more and after a whole night of dancing it will still look perfect! 

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

So I may have found my perfect foundation. And it is beautiful.

I had read so many blogposts raving about this product, but is is hard to know just from some pictures whether something is going to work for you. But when a close friend told me how amazing it was and I could see it in person it gave me the final push to make the purchase. Thankfully I did have some gift vouchers left over from my birthday. I am a student after all! 

Buying a nice foundation, or any expensive makeup is not really something you want to rush into. You need to be sure that the texture and colour are right so that you don't end up wasting money on something that looks beautiful on the dressing table but serves no purpose in your makeup bag. 

Once I had decided that I wanted to try out the foundation I went to a YSL counter in House of Fraser where I was colour matched by a professional. I was then given a little sample bottle of my shade free of charge to test out over the next few days. As it turns out my summer holiday tan faded quicker that I had hoped and less than two weeks later the sample shade was slightly too dark. So I went back to the counter where I was colour matched again to my perfect shade, Beige Rose BR30. 

Being able to try the foundation out and make sure I was picking my perfect shade made finally handing over my card a whole lot easier. I knew I was buying something that I loved and would use. 

The foundation itself is a lovely light texture that looks so natural. I love that it covers blemishes and makes my skin look clear and healthy but you can still see my little freckles on my nose! Its dewy is so easy to blend with a brush or a beauty blender. This is also the first foundation that I own that I have properly been colour matched too. Having the perfect shade for my skin really does make sure a difference in the final appearance of the foundation. 

And I have use this a lot. Nearly everyday probably. And it is the only thing I will use for the evening or a night out. 

I don't usually wear foundations or anything too heavy on my skin during the daytime as I like to let my skin breathe as much as possible. But I have been reaching for this foundation on days where my skin is playing up a bit or I just need that extra confidence boost. It looks so light and natural, you can't really tell I am wearing anything. And for the evenings I apply a bit more and after a whole night of dancing it will still look perfect! 

Ted Baker Beauty

Ted Baker Beauty 

Ted Baker is a brand that I have always been drawn to. I love their clothes, their digital print, the smell of the body products and the always beautiful packaging. So when I got these two little beauty gifts for a few of my friends as a belated birthday gift it was a real treat. 

One of the items that I got was this lovely set of body sprays, called Polly and Mia! They are two little scent bottle which look beautiful on my bedroom shelves but are also the perfect size to throw into my handbag when I am going out. They are both really pretty scents, floral but not overly sweet and I think they are really lovely for the transition into Autumn. 

I was also given this beautiful hand cream with the gorgeous rose gold and floral print packaging. I like to keep this one by my bed as I have a cheaper one which I throw in my bag for everyday. I'm trying to use as little as possible as I don't want this to run out, but thankfully a little does go a long way. I'm not really sure how to describe the smell but it is really lovely and the hand cream itself is very moisturising. 

I don't usually buy Ted Baker beauty, they are more of a luxury that I sometimes receive as presents. But I have loved every Ted Baker beauty product that I have tried. And I have a beautiful Ted Baker Wash bag that has travelled the world with me and last years! What do you guys think of Ted Baker beauty? Do you have any product recommendations? I might have to start spending some of my Boots points! xx

Ted Baker Beauty

Ted Baker Beauty 

Ted Baker is a brand that I have always been drawn to. I love their clothes, their digital print, the smell of the body products and the always beautiful packaging. So when I got these two little beauty gifts for a few of my friends as a belated birthday gift it was a real treat. 

One of the items that I got was this lovely set of body sprays, called Polly and Mia! They are two little scent bottle which look beautiful on my bedroom shelves but are also the perfect size to throw into my handbag when I am going out. They are both really pretty scents, floral but not overly sweet and I think they are really lovely for the transition into Autumn. 

I was also given this beautiful hand cream with the gorgeous rose gold and floral print packaging. I like to keep this one by my bed as I have a cheaper one which I throw in my bag for everyday. I'm trying to use as little as possible as I don't want this to run out, but thankfully a little does go a long way. I'm not really sure how to describe the smell but it is really lovely and the hand cream itself is very moisturising. 

I don't usually buy Ted Baker beauty, they are more of a luxury that I sometimes receive as presents. But I have loved every Ted Baker beauty product that I have tried. And I have a beautiful Ted Baker Wash bag that has travelled the world with me and last years! What do you guys think of Ted Baker beauty? Do you have any product recommendations? I might have to start spending some of my Boots points! xx

Longchamp Handbag

Longchamp Handbag 

So here it is! The little purchase that I told you about in yesterday post. A Longchamp handbag! I have wanted the classic Longchamp bag for years. It is just a beautiful timeless piece that can go with so many different outfits and is large enough for everyday. 

I spent Friday in London wondering around Borough Market and Covent Garden with my boyfriend and our friend but after they both had to leave for work in the afternoon I was left on my own to wonder around the shops on Oxford Street. Very dangerous!

And as you can probably imagine I found myself in the huge Longchamp store on Regents Street staring up at the wall of all the different colours and all the different sizes of Le Pliage handbags. It took about a minute standing in front of the mirror with this handbag to know that I wasn't going to be leaving without it. However it took approximately 15 minutes, still standing in front of the mirror with the bag to weight up the pros and cons and mentally justify the purchase! In the end the beauty, quality and the feeling that the handbag gave me that just made me want to squeak with joy overruled the price, and I walked about the store with a beautiful new bag. 

The colour that I chose is the shade "Gunmetal" which is this beautiful dark grey shade. I knew that I wanted a neutral colour bag that I could wear with everything and I was much more drawn to the darker colours, especially now we are going to be heading into Autumn and Winter. I love the navy colour but most people have that one and I also thought that I wear navy jeans most of the time and I didn't want to overload on the navy! I also really like the black but I don't really wear a lot of black. So this dark grey is just prefect for me and I think it is just gorgeous!  

Buying this bag has really made me realise how a more luxury handbag can make you whole outfit look so much more expensive. Here I am wearing a white shirt from eBay that cost less than £10! But paired with well fitting jeans and my new Longchamp bag (and probably my gold watch) the shirt suddenly looks so much smarter. 

I still can't believe that I have a Longchamp bag that I have wanted for so long! I want to really look after it but at the same time I don't want it to be a fancy bag that I am too scared to ruin so I never use it. I am going to use this all the time, most days and I know that it might get a little scuffed at some point, but that will just show how well loved it is!

Hope you enjoyed reading this post. Speak soon xx

Longchamp Handbag

Longchamp Handbag 

So here it is! The little purchase that I told you about in yesterday post. A Longchamp handbag! I have wanted the classic Longchamp bag for years. It is just a beautiful timeless piece that can go with so many different outfits and is large enough for everyday. 

I spent Friday in London wondering around Borough Market and Covent Garden with my boyfriend and our friend but after they both had to leave for work in the afternoon I was left on my own to wonder around the shops on Oxford Street. Very dangerous!

And as you can probably imagine I found myself in the huge Longchamp store on Regents Street staring up at the wall of all the different colours and all the different sizes of Le Pliage handbags. It took about a minute standing in front of the mirror with this handbag to know that I wasn't going to be leaving without it. However it took approximately 15 minutes, still standing in front of the mirror with the bag to weight up the pros and cons and mentally justify the purchase! In the end the beauty, quality and the feeling that the handbag gave me that just made me want to squeak with joy overruled the price, and I walked about the store with a beautiful new bag. 

The colour that I chose is the shade "Gunmetal" which is this beautiful dark grey shade. I knew that I wanted a neutral colour bag that I could wear with everything and I was much more drawn to the darker colours, especially now we are going to be heading into Autumn and Winter. I love the navy colour but most people have that one and I also thought that I wear navy jeans most of the time and I didn't want to overload on the navy! I also really like the black but I don't really wear a lot of black. So this dark grey is just prefect for me and I think it is just gorgeous!  

Buying this bag has really made me realise how a more luxury handbag can make you whole outfit look so much more expensive. Here I am wearing a white shirt from eBay that cost less than £10! But paired with well fitting jeans and my new Longchamp bag (and probably my gold watch) the shirt suddenly looks so much smarter. 

I still can't believe that I have a Longchamp bag that I have wanted for so long! I want to really look after it but at the same time I don't want it to be a fancy bag that I am too scared to ruin so I never use it. I am going to use this all the time, most days and I know that it might get a little scuffed at some point, but that will just show how well loved it is!

Hope you enjoyed reading this post. Speak soon xx

My Favourite Top

My Favourite Top



Last night I went out to the pub for some drinks to celebrate my friend's birthday. And I drove there! Still can't believe I am old enough to do either of those things! Anyway, like I mentioned in my last post I really wanted to share my outfit with you as I was wearing one of my all time favourite tops. 

The top is from Zara and I was lucky enough to get it for Christmas last year. It had caught my eye (and my heart!) while I was shopping with friends at university. But sadly it was near the end of term and my student loan wasn't going to stretch quite that far!



I really do love everything about this top. I love the fabric, even though it is 100% polyester the fabric is really thick and weighty so you don't have to worry about being able to see your bra and it just feels better quality that most other polyester tops. I love the unique print as well. It's very different to a lot of the other items in my wardrobe, not pastel or lace or floral. This printed top looks quite edgy and modern and was a step slightly out of my comfort zone when I bought it. But I think it looks beautiful with the contrasting sleeves and back panel. And as this is quite a loose fitting top I like to wear it with some really well-fitting black skinny jeans and my black heeled boots. 
 


For my makeup last night I did quite a subtle black smoky eye and then used loads of mascara. And I kept my lips really natural with my go to MAC Patisserie lipstick. 
 


I'd love to hear what you think of this outfit in the comments below. And happy Good Friday everyone! xx

My Favourite Top

My Favourite Top



Last night I went out to the pub for some drinks to celebrate my friend's birthday. And I drove there! Still can't believe I am old enough to do either of those things! Anyway, like I mentioned in my last post I really wanted to share my outfit with you as I was wearing one of my all time favourite tops. 

The top is from Zara and I was lucky enough to get it for Christmas last year. It had caught my eye (and my heart!) while I was shopping with friends at university. But sadly it was near the end of term and my student loan wasn't going to stretch quite that far!



I really do love everything about this top. I love the fabric, even though it is 100% polyester the fabric is really thick and weighty so you don't have to worry about being able to see your bra and it just feels better quality that most other polyester tops. I love the unique print as well. It's very different to a lot of the other items in my wardrobe, not pastel or lace or floral. This printed top looks quite edgy and modern and was a step slightly out of my comfort zone when I bought it. But I think it looks beautiful with the contrasting sleeves and back panel. And as this is quite a loose fitting top I like to wear it with some really well-fitting black skinny jeans and my black heeled boots. 
 


For my makeup last night I did quite a subtle black smoky eye and then used loads of mascara. And I kept my lips really natural with my go to MAC Patisserie lipstick. 
 


I'd love to hear what you think of this outfit in the comments below. And happy Good Friday everyone! xx

High End Worth The Hype (and money)

High End Worth The Hype (and money)

I've been planning on doing a post like this for a long time. The luxury beauty industry is huge and growing and something that more and more people are wanting to buy into. But with so many new products making different claims and promising miracles it's hard to know if a product can change your life or you are basically just flushing money down the toilet for pretty packaging and a label. 

Being a student I can't claim to have a vast knowledge of luxury makeup at all. But I have been lucky enough over the last few years to try out a few different products that I would consider to be more luxury makeup (although not quite Charlotte Tilbury and Burberry, one day!). So today I wanted to talk about what I think of all of these products and whether I actually think they are worth the price tag.  

bareMinerals Primer and powder foundation

These two products are some of my most recent purchases, although I have been using them nearly everyday for a good 3 months now. I actually pretty recently did a know blogpost review on both of these products which you can read here if you want more details. Basically I really love both of these. They were recommended to me by a very good dermatologist who has converted me to mineral makeup. I really don't have the best skin but recently my attitude towards my skin has changed. Before I just wanted to cover up everything with as much makeup as possible but heavy foundation was clogging up my pores, making my skin worse and looked so cakey on my skin it was almost doing more bad than it was good. Yes, mineral foundation is a lot lighter and yes you can still see my imperfections when I wear it. But I don't mind that because you can't actually tell that I am wearing any makeup on my skin, it just looks like I have naturally better skin which I love. So would I recommend this? The answer is definitely yes. And the ladies at the counter are so helpful and well informed about choosing the correct shades for you. 

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream

For my 16th birthday I was very lucky to be given the Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume. I loved it so much and wore it pretty much everyday until it ran out. And even then I still have the bottle in my room because it is so beautiful and occasionally I like to sniff it and it bring back so many memories. Does anyone else do that?! So when this came out and I was passing through duty free on the way to Spain this summer I decided to treat myself. The packaging and the smell were both beautiful and I couldn't resist. Up until that point the only perfume that I had ever used had been given to me as a gift, so it was nice to chose a scent that felt really personal. This is quite an expensive perfume and had it not been at duty free I'm not sure I would have bought it. But I am so happy with it. It looks beautiful on my shelf and the scent is so fresh and feminine. And actually there are more and more deals for this perfume so if you haven't yet tried it and it sounds like a scent you would like them I would recommend it. 

Clinique high impact waterproof mascara

I think I bought this with my boots points or chose it as a free gift at the clinique counter. Either way I am glad that I didn't actually pay for this as I really wouldn't have got my moneys worth. I don't really wear waterproof mascaras but I really wanted to try one to see if it would hold a curl better, stay on during the day or flake less. But this mascara is just so clumpy. I actually think something has broken or my one is missing something is the bottle that takes the excess mascara off the brush before you use it. But I'd have to spend ages trying to scrape the excess mascara on to the side of the bottle. To be honest the lasting power of this was really good. But for all of the issues that I had trying to take it off at the end of the day it really wasn't worth it. I know obviously waterproof mascara is going to be harder to take off but it was just ridiculous. I was tugging on my eyes for ages so it was really painful, I lost quite a few eyelashes in the process and when I woke up in the morning I found loads of mascara still under my eyes. So as you might has guessed I really wouldn't recommend spending your money on this one. But I am still in the market for a good waterproof mascara, so if anyone has any good ones or can point me to some reviews or blogposts I would love to know. 

Clinique bottom lash mascara

When I first got this I thought it was really amazing. For big nights out I would do loads of mascara on my top lashes and then this on my bottom lashes and it would look like false lashes. The small brush does make it a lot easier to apply mascara to your bottom lashes. But to be honest unless it is for a big occasion and I am spending a lot of time doing really special makeup then I never really reach for it anymore. There are a lot of mascaras with smaller brushes now that are just as easy to use on bottom lashes. And for nearly £20 I really can't decide if this is actually a great product or a bit of a gimmick. 

Naked Palette 2 

I think this is the first piece of more luxury makeup that I ever owned. I remember my mum had just got back from a holiday with a friend and when I walked up to my bedroom it was just there looking beautiful on my bed as a total surprise. At first it was so perfect I didn't actually want to use it out of pure fear of ruining it. Now the shadows are a bit messy and the packaging is a bit scratched and dented but it is one of my most worn and most used palettes. I've tried and loved pretty much every single colour and there are just so so many different looks that you can create from these 12 beautiful shades. Anything from a really natural daytime look to an amazing smokey eye, making this a perfect palette for taking away with you. Yes £36 may seem a little pricey at first but when you think about it that is for 12 shades. So these shades are actually only £3 each and they come all together in this sleek tin palette with a huge mirror. I honestly cannot recommend this one enough. 

Too Faced Boudoir Eyes

I got this for Christmas this year and I can't stop raving about it. I did a whole blogpost not too long ago with lots of pictures and describing all of the shades if you want to check it out here. These are more purpley pinky shades to the Naked palette but still very neutral and still very pretty. The shades are really quite unique I think but still so wearable and again you can create so many looks with these 12 shades. And I think this is even cheaper than the Naked palette and has prettier more travel friendly packing. I don't think I can actually fault this!

Clinique Chubby Stick - Two Ton Tomato

Clinique chubby sticks I think are kind of old news now and I had wanted to try them for so long. My brother kindly got this for me as a going back to university present and said he was going to miss me loads. They can be cute sometimes! I chose this red shade as I wante a red lip colour that was a bit more glossy and subtle that I could wear everyday. And this is such a great one. The formula is really balm like and glossy and the colour pigmentation is good but not really in your face so I feel confident wearing this. My only issue is it does have a bit of a funky play dough kind of smell. But it doesn't hang around and I can get past it as I really love this. And I also love doing a really thin one swipe of this for a "you lips with a bit more colour" look (not sure if that is a thing or not!). Either way, yes, I would recommend this one. Would love to try out some other shades if you have any to recommend. 

Quite a few benefit bits and pieces to talk about now. A few of these are sample from magazines and gift sets but I thought that I would include them anyway in case anyone was thinking of buying the full size of any of these. 

Benefit the POREfessional

God there was so much hype around this product when it first came out. Girls were literally swearing by this stuff! So when I managed to get my hands on a sample I was very excited. I've had a bit of a love hate with this though. At first I didn't get it and thought the texture just felt weird. Then I kept using it and decided that it was actually great and I was seriously thinking of buying the full size. And now I don't really every reach for it because when I don't use it I really don't notice any different. So if you have a real problem with large pore then maybe this is a good one for you but as just a regular primer I think there are better and cheaper products. 

Benefit Hoola Lip Gloss

Can't remember how I got my hands on this little sample but I think I have possibly worn it once. Lipgloss (apart from the maybelline coloursensational shine gloss) really isn't my think. And I don't know what else to say other than I would advise you not to waste you're money on this one as there are much better high street lipglosses. 

Benefit roller lash mascara

This is the new Benefit mascara which is really having a bit of a moment in the beauty world right now. I got this sample in last months ELLE magazine and did a little review of it a few weeks ago which you can read if you like here. The long story short is that I love this mascara and it is literally all that I have been wearing since I got it. I love the brush and the formula and the shorter bristles that are perfect for the bottom lashes. So yes, I do actually think this could be worth the price and I might have to get this once my sample runs out!

Benefit Tints - Posie Tint, Sun Beam and Cha Cha Tint 

I got a set of these little tints for my birthday last year. They are really pretty and perfect for travelling. And a great way to try out all the different colours. I probably get the most use out of Sun Beam. It's a really beautiful golden highlighter shade which gives the skin a lovely glow. I also really like Posie Tint for a natural pink tint on my lips. I think that this set is a great way to try out all of these shades. But if these weren't given to me as a gift I am not sure that they are something that I would spend my own money on. 


Hope you like this very long post. Congratulations if you have actually made it all the way to the end. And let me know if you have tried any of these products and whether you agree or disagree with me. Hopefully this will be useful to some people. Lots of love xx