Base Layer

My base layer is something I always take my time on because it allows for everything else to look good. I am always changing and switching up my base and the products I use, but there is one that I will always fall back on, whether because I need it to last for a very long time or simply because I love the finish it gives. They are my holy grail products for base:

Garnier Moisture Match
I've found a real love for this range because they do what they say they're going to! I use the most hydrating one because my skin often lacks moisture in the morning and I find it gives a really fresh finish, providing a perfect base for foundation.

Nars Sheer Glow
There are a lot of people who love this foundation and quite rightly so. It gives a lovely satin finish and has incredible lasting power. I will review thoroughly at another date!

Benefit Erase Paste
I always use it on my dark circles as the peachy tones counteract the blue. It has a thick consistency, but blends like a dream.

Nars Creamy Concealer
I'm all for extra coverage under my eyes and on blemishes and this ticks all the right boxes. It's a nice addition to use for when I want to hide the peach tones the Erase Paste gives, just so my skin is all one colour.

Despite loving other base products which are brilliant, I will always come back to these! What are your favourite base products?

I hope you've enjoyed reading,

Holly x

Happy Birthday Topshop Beauty!

This month marks the 5th year anniversary for Topshop beauty and although I have never tried anything from their cosmetics range, I have dipped into their nail collection.

From the three that I own, Buck Naked, Parma Violet and Pool Party (l-r) I can understand why so many people love them, with Parma Violet being one of their ultimate best sellers and is part of their new range to celebrate their birthday. The formulation is brilliant and I only require two coats. They have incredible staying power and last a while without chipping on me. The shade range is incredible and they cater for every season and every finish.  Mine are perfect for the spring and I know that I will continue to get a lot of use out of them as I have done previously.

The new collection is in limited edition gold packaging and are very pretty! What do you think of Topshop's nail polish?

I hope you've enjoyed reading, 

Holly

Full Coverage Face Brush

One of my most expensive purchases was the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush and it was worth every penny. I never joined the hype of the Real Techniques Buffing Brush so I had nothing in my makeup collection quite as dense or well suited to buffing in foundation therefore I thought the Bobbi Brown was a good place to start.

Firstly, it has a tiny handle compared to other brushes so it is perfect for travelling - always a bonus. The bristles are so soft and are very densely packed together. Like the name suggests, it is perfect for blending in fuller coverage products, but it is equally as perfect for blending in lighter products, e.g. tinted moisturiser. It works the product into the skin amazingly well and never leaves any of those dreaded orange marks around the rim of the face. It is also good for concealer on the face or cream products, e.g. cream bronzer/blusher. I never apply foundation straight to the brush as especially with thinner consistency products they could soak into the brush. I apply the product to my face first and then use the brush to blend - I find this to be the perfect method.

The brush washes really well and the product isn't difficult to rinse out at all. I never leave it too long before I wash this brush because I don't want a mass build up of foundation. I find that washing the brush once a week keeps it in perfect condition. It is such a good little brush and I can't see myself using anything else.

What do you use for foundation application? I want to try the Beauty Blender.

I hope you enjoyed reading, 

Holly x

Summer Fun

Source: Pinterest

I know it's only April, but the weather in England at the minute is so nice that it feels like Summer is definitely coming. Every year I make the promise to myself that I want to cram pack my summer and I always make sure I do and this year is no different. However I am pretty certain that this year will be even better considering I have a 10 week holiday!

1. I'm so desperate to get out of Nottingham, even just for a day. I often go to Derby or Sheffield during the summer, however I would really like to go further afield and explore some new areas of the country.
2. I want to focus my time on the people who mean the most to me and really enjoy some quality time with them. *cringe*.
3. Bike rides and picnics. I don't think there is anything that screams Summer more than going out in the fresh air and enjoying good food with good company. (Pringles and cocktail sausages tend to be high priority on our picnic list)
4. I really want to go to an outdoor cinema at nighttime.
5. Go camping and have a real wood fire. I don't do well with cold!

They are just a few of the things I want to do this summer, what do you want to do?

I hope you've enjoyed reading,

Holly x

Transitional Makeup

During the last 2 weeks or so, the weather in the UK has been really nice and the temperature has risen slowly with us having many blue-skied and sunny days. When these days do decide to rock around, I hate wearing a lot of make up and for 90% of the Easter Holiday, I've enjoyed wearing no make up at all.

However, when I have decided to make an effort, I've opted for much more lightweight products because, lets face it, no one wants makeup sliding off their face due to warmer temperatures do they?

For my base I've been trying to remember to prime my t-zone. I hardly every remember in the colder months, but now I've been making a conscious effort to use primer, just to make sure my makeup foundation doesn't melt off my face. I like the Benefit Porefessional because it leaves my skin feeling very smooth and acts as a good base for foundation. My foundation of choice has been Maxfactor Skin Luminizor. I have been absolutely loving this, paired with Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer because they provide a very luminous finish without acting as a mask. I've been leaving my base like that as the sun brings out a flush in my cheeks so there's no need for blusher.

For eyes, I've been religiously using my Smashbox Photo Finish Eye Primer along with a new discovery of The Collection Uncovered Palette in Nude. This has been my favourite find of the month as it is such an easy, go to palette and the quality is amazing! To brighten up my eyes, I've been using a white eyeliner from L'oreal and put lashings of mascara on - my favourite at the minute has been the Clinique High Impact Mascara. And to finish the look off I've been sporting a simple nude lip by MAC.

What have you been wearing as the weather is getting warmer?

I hope you enjoyed reading,

Holly x

The Pudding Pantry

A couple of weeks ago, myself and a couple of friends went into town in the pouring rain to get a slice of the
action at The Pudding Pantry. It is a place that I've never really heard of before, but was interested to see what it had to offer.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with an array of cakes and delicious goodness - all which made my mouth water. We could have chosen from afternoon tea, pancakes, brunch, cakes, a full breakfast, anything.

I chose the 'salted caramel brownie' and I was quite apprehensive considering I've never tried salted caramel before. I was pleasantly surprised and the brownie was absolutely delicious. Something that we all agreed on. I also had a taste of Abi's American style pancakes which were very nice!

The cafe was small, but quaint. The atmosphere was lovely and the place was decorated in a very retro-style manner. The staff were so nice and cooed over the fact Fern had a Polaroid camera and offered multiple times to photograph us.

I had a lovely afternoon and The Pudding Pantry is definitely somewhere that I'd go back to!

Do you like afternoon tea or do you prefer brunch? Or would you skip the savoury completely and go straight to pudding?

I hope you've enjoyed reading,

Holly x

Drugstore vs. Highend

For today's post, I thought I should talk about two of the well loved foundations in the beauty business that are often compared to eachother: L'oreal True Match Foundation and Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. The L'oreal foundation is often said to be a brilliant dupe for the luminous silk foundation.

Personally, I have never used the L'oreal foundation because it appears like too much of a cakey foundation for me, however, my sister loves it so I thought I would get her verdict on the foundation and do a comparison to my view on the Giorgio Armani one.

True Match

"This is a foundation that I have used religiously for 6 months and it is very good for the price. It is a fairly runny consistency, but that means a little goes a long way. Although in my opinion, it is too runny for me. It gives a nice medium coverage that is build-able without creating that full, heavy effect. It leans more towards the side of being quite a matte finish, yet doesn't make my makeup look flat. It lasts all day on my skin and applies very easily. The shade range is vast so will cater for all skin colours and it is a very affordable foundation. A very nice drugstore foundation in my opinion."

Luminous Silk

This is the foundation that I have lusted over for months and when I finally got it for my birthday, I was so happy (lame I know). It's everything I expected it to be. From what I have tested of the True Match foundation, I don't think that they are similar at all, but that is just my personal preference. The foundation applies like a dream and is extremely lightweight in texture. It isn't matte nor entirely dewy, it sits in the middle as sort of a 'my skin but better' foundation with a lovely healthy sheen. The coverage is lighter than the True Match, however it can definitely be built up to be a medium-full coverage, but still lets your natural features show through. It's extremely long lasting and never cakes. There are a huge 21 shades in the range so I doubt anyone would struggle to find a match! The only downside to this product is the price tag - if it can be overlooked, it is an amazing product!

I know a lot of people prefer one to the other or have a soft spot for the both of this foundations, what do you prefer? Is there one which you have yet to try?

I hope you've enjoyed reading,

Holly x