Having a break.

As much as I love makeup, I don't think anything can beat wearing none sometimes. Having a week off has given me ample opportunity to do exactly that and I've loved it. My skin goes through phases and sometimes just needs time to breath and have a break from all the stuff piled on it all the time. It's nice to have the fresh air on my face and not have to worry about eyeshadow going everywhere if I need to rub my eyes. Also, it makes cleansing a lot more easier too!

Having a break from wearing makeup allows me to appreciate exactly what I use it for - as an enhancer - because I have no problems going out without makeup. Just ask the guys at my local shop!

Do you have periods of time without wearing makeup?

I hope you've enjoyed reading, 

Holly

Hourglass Blush

I have a huge weak spot for blusher and anything with the ability to make me look more perked-up and awake. I always have my eye on one blusher at least and it is by far the most common thing in my collection.

Last year, Hourglass released their Ambient Lighting Blushers and they are simply stunning. To top it off, they then brought out a palette - the Ambient Lighting Blush Palette - with 3 of them in which coincided nicely with my birthday. It was one of my favourite purchases of the year and I absolutely love it.

The colours within the palette are beautiful, ranging from a deep plum/mauve to a vibrant coral. The highlighting properties within the blush emphasises the colour and adds an extra depth to the look. The blushers are immensely pigmented and have an amazing colour off as well as being very longwearing. They are finely-milled powders, but don't look powdery on the skin - they blend seemlessly. The highlight in each isn't shimmery or over the top, it just gives the right amount off sheen and a lovely glow.

I have absolutely fallen in love with these products and I am desperate to get my hands on some of the other shades in the range.

What do you think of the blush-highlighter hybrid type product?

I hope you've enjoyed reading, 

Holly x

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