August Holiday Favourites 2015

I am BACK!!!

August couldn't have ended in a better way. There I was sitting by the pool, enjoying the Cypriot heat only 2 days ago. But back to normal life now, it feels amazing to be home (even though it’s really cold outside) and it feels even better to be able to update my very much loved blog space. Speaking of my blog, thank you everyone for entering my First Giveaway (if you haven’t yet entered, check it out here, open internationally and until midnight). I am really excited and looking forward to announcing the lucky winner!

Now, going back to the norm, I couldn't start September if not with a “favourites” post. Admittedly, I wore a lot less make-up during my holiday, mostly because the heat was not at all forgiving, but when I did these were the products I kept reaching for. 

MAC Mineralize Blush (shade “Gentle”) | £22

Its mineral formula is so refined that it provides a sheer and lightweight coverage. Colour can be built up, but it does so lightly without looking too heavy. Whenever I wanted a pop of colour to my cheekbones, this is the blush I swept across my cheekbones for that healthy and natural glow. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Make-Up Setting Spray | £9

Simply put, the best setting spray I have come across. It keeps my make-up fresh looking all day long and under the blazing sun it held things in place extremely well. Many have raved about this product and rightfully so! If you haven’t yet tried it, I honestly suggest you to do so, you will love it!

MAC Lipstick (shade “Candy Yum –Yum”) | £15

Entering giveaways is always fun but it becomes even better when you actually win something! I was lucky enough to win this beautiful shade, courtesy of Chloebee, and it has simply defined summer for me. Being a vibrant, hot and bright shade of pink with blue undertones, whenever worn it became show-stopping and was bound to get some attention. It has a matte finish, not too hydrating but not at all drying and lasting power was around 6 to 8 hours which is pretty decent. In love with this shade and even though it will not be worn much come autumn and winter, it is quickly becoming my favourite MAC lipstick.

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara (shade “Medium Brown”) | £4.99

When I had no time for pencilling in my eyebrows, this was the perfect brow tamer. It sculpts my brows without it being too heavy or obvious and yields a more natural look. The formula leaves no streak or clumps and it kept my brows in place all day long. Amazing price tag for what you get if you ask me.

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer (shade “Porcelain”) | £4.99

Once again, a product everyone has read about but I couldn't not include it in this list. Being on holiday meant late nights and early mornings and this is where this little saviour came in. It covered my darker than usual circles extremely well and proved to be crease resistant, exactly what it claims to do. The price tag does not do it any justice because it really is amazing, and I love that this brand is also cruelty free. Will repurchase without thinking twice and cannot wait to get my hands on the yellow version of this for ultimate coverage.

L to R: Concealer, Blush, Lipstick

Have you tried any of these? Let me know below!

Thank you for reading beauties and thank you for sticking around whilst I was away! Things will be going back to normal and I cannot wait to share a few holiday photos with you all.

xoxo

My (Very Extensive) Make-Up Wishlist

If my dad saw me writing this, he would be very confused as to why I want more make-up. To him, the "collection" I have now is more than enough to last me my whole life. BUT I am girl and you simply can never have too much (sorry daddy). There are TOO many new products coming out every year, too many shades and texture to choose from...AHHH it just becomes hard to resist and I can't even keep up. Don't get me wrong, I am not a compulsive buyer. Before I buy something, I make sure I do thorough research and probably read over 100 different reviews. When I am convinced it's worth my money, I add it to this list and here a few things I have been dying to get my hands on. 

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade £15

This! This, in my opinion, is by far the best eyebrow product in the market and the first on this list I intend to buy. I have tried multiple pencils and eyebrow filling kits and they are good......ish. But to up my brow game, I NEED this! It comes in a few different colours and mine is Medium Brown. Sadly, this product is only available online so you need to be 100% certain of your colour. If you click on the price above, you will see where this is available.

2. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing £28

I got a sample of this primer and let me tell you something, 2 words: A-MAZING! It left my skin feeling great, no visible pores and just so so smooth. My makeup was intact for 12 hours but I have a feeling it lasts a lot longer. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the investment.

3.Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Mat £34.99

I don't know about you, but washing my brushes takes so much time and it's so boring, my least favourite thing about make-up. I wash them every week (hygiene is very important you guys!) and this would make my life a lot easier. The price though....yikes! I love the idea so I will be on the look out for a cheaper dupe.

4. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner £18

Been after a good gel eyeliner for some time now. I'm not very confident with liquid liners nor pencil ones, so gel works best for me. Plus, I have oily eye lids and have considered many brands such as Mac, Kiko, L'oreall, Urban Decay but this award winning product has won me over! Come to mama!

5. Too Faced Melted Lipstick - Violet £19

The colour is so beautiful and very "in" right now. It's all about purple lipstick nowadays! I have a cheapy dupe from LA Girl, the colour is great but it does not even come close to the real thing in terms of quality. Spring is coming up and this colour is a must have!

6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Series Contour Kit Medium £39

I know the price is scary and I do have 2 contouring kits already BUT we will all agree that this is on a different level completely! Anything Anastasia does is perfect after all.

7. Nars Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation £31

Bought a pretty similar foundation from No 7; gives me a nice glow and makes me look fresh all day. But when it finishes this is the one I will be getting. My shade is Siberia (the lightest).

8.Mac Glitter Reflects in Pearl, Stepmother and Pretty It Up, each £18.50

Can we pause for a second? Mac + Cinderella! I was very tempted to put the entire MAC Cinderella collection on this list, but must.control.myself. These pigments are so beautiful I may cry. I really should start saving now for this collection because I don't want it, I NEED it! (comes out March in the UK).

9. Sigma Beauty Essential Kit Set of 12 Brushes CK001 £102.94

I confess, I have way too many brushes already but this is Sigma we are talking about. The price isn't pretty but the quality is amazing and a must have for every beauty lover out there.

10. Nars Blush Deep Throat £23 

I am completely obsessed with Nars products at the moment! This blush is so highly pigmented and this shade is gorgeous. Will definitely be my go-to blush for this spring. 

11. Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream Prague £6.50

The cheapest on this list, yet the hardest to find; always "Sold out". I have heard great things about this lip cream and every swatch I see is more beautiful than the next. Will keep checking until it's back in stock. Fingers crossed!

12. Benefit High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer £19.50

I recently started using a highlighter on my cheek bones and if applied correctly, it can give you a beautiful glowing look. I purchased a few (Chanel, Bourjois and Sleek) and they are very nice but this product is liquid and provides a more natural finish than powder; perfect for daylight make-up! 

13.Mac Lip Pencil Soar £12.50

To recreate Kylie Jenner's famous lips, why else! This and some lip balm=Job done! And Marsala is the colour of the year so this is perfect to create very much "in" lips!

In short, I need more monies! I hope you like this wishlist and if you buy any of this stuff, do tell me what you think, I would love to hear your opinion.

Thanks for reading beauties and see you soon!

xoxo