Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF50

Calling all holiday goers - this one's for you. Whatever you've heard, there's no denying that using sun daily protection will protect your skin, prevent damage and premature ageing and help to keep the skin moisturised when exposed to excessive UV light. So it's time to stock up. 

Top skin brand Dermalogica has developed Protection 50 Sport SPF50* (£29.90), which has all-important backing by the The International Dermal Institute. It can be used daily on the face and body, saving vital suitcase room and valuable time. After testing it on the top of my hand, I was impressed with the lightweight feel and how well the product spreads. It doesn't leave a white film and is absorbed fairly quickly by the skin. 

To get the best out of this product, it should be applied generously 15 minutes before sun exposure. It also has 40 minutes of water-resistant coverage, but everyone's skin is different - if you feel burning, it's time to reapply. Your skin will thank you for it. 

And then there's the part when you get back to the hotel room. Every good sun screen needs an aftersun to soothe and cool the skin and Dermalogica has paired the protection product nicely with the repackaged After Sun Repair* (£29.90) with calming camomile, lavender and one suprising ingredient - Szechwan pepper?!

What is your go to sun protection product? 

*Free samples. All opinions are my own

Payday Haul: Skin Care, Make-Up & Hair

There's nothing better than payday and Friday and a well deserved trip to the beauty haven that is Selfridges. Naturally what started off as a trip to stock up on thermal water and foundation ended in several pretty things being purchased. Here's what I picked up...

SKIN CARE

Everyone who follows my blog will know that La Roche-Posay is slowly becoming my favourite skin care brand - its Thermal Spring Water has been a staple product in my morning and evening routines for a good few months now and I've repurchased it many times, so I did it again! 

As I love a lot of the products from the brand, I also thought I would try its micellar water for oily and sensitive skin. It's a little pricey at over £10, so I'll probably stick to my highstreet fave - L'Oreal Skin Perfection - in the future.

MAKE-UP

I don't know what's more shocking - the fact I bought an eye palette, which I never thought I would do anytime soon, or the fact I paid £39.50 for it. Either way, the Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Eye Palette is full of stunning nude eyeshadows, a dark brown liner and a double-ended brush. It says a lot that I wanted it so much when I rarely buy eye make-up, so I was pretty impressed with it.

Then I bought one of my all time favourite foundations - Guerlain's Parure De Lumiere Cream Foundation. I've repurchased this about 3 or 4 times, but haven't bought it since my spending ban started or finished. I love everything about this foundation from the packaging through to the colour and texture - it's expensive but its also real winner.

One of my most exciting purchases was the OCC Lip Tar in Black Metal Dahlia - it's like a dark metallic red, which is so on trend right now and exactly what I was looking for.

HAIR

My final purchase was the Bumble & Bumble Creme De Coco Masque, which I've been wanting to try for a while. I really loved using the mending mask on my distressed tresses, so I'm hoping this one lives up to my high expectations.

Did you buy anything this payday? xxx

Olympia Beauty Haul: Make-Up, Nails & Nutrition

While strolling down the many aisles at Olympia Beauty, I had three brands on my mind - NYX Cosmetics, OPI and Inglot.  

NYX Cosmetics was absolutely buzzing with people, but I spotted the Cinammon Powder Blush almost immediately and picked it up for £4.50. This was my first ever NYX purchase and I'm excited to see what all the hype is about.

Then I went to OPI, which was equally as busy but had more floor space. I walked straight over to the Avojuice section as I wanted to buy another hand cream to replace the gorgeous Cran & Berry one I bought some months ago. I love variety, so I went for Sweet Tea this time around. And yes it does smell like tea, with a hint of melon. Love at first sniff! It cost me around £5 for 200ml.

Inglot was at the top of my list of stands to visit, as I've wanted to buy a blusher, nail polish and/or lipstick from the brand for a while. I couldn't take my eyes off the blusher selection and so went for the chic and wearable baby pink (shade 20), which cost me just £5.

But we all know that beauty lovers always buy more than they planned for, so here's a look at what else I got...

NAILS

I went over to the Color Club stand hoping to get my hands on an amazing metallic polish, but couldn't take my eyes off this bright pink neon shade (Warhol). This cost me £5.

Then at the end of the day I remembered there was an Essie polish I was lusting over from the new Fall collection - For The Twill Of It - so I walked (ran) over there to pick it up for £5.80. 

NUTRITION

Finally I got my hands on the much spoken about Baobab Fruit Pulp Powder from Aduna. I've heard such great things about it and have tried it a couple of times. It tastes great, but I think it would be better with yoghurt rather than cereal. I'm really looking forward to reaping the benefits on this one and will do a review very shortly.

What have you bought lately? Link your haul posts below xxx

Street Beauty #2 Romantic Fire

If I was going to find inspiration for my street beauty series anywhere, it was going to be at Company magazine's event with Origins. I loved this girl's soft but edgy tousled, fiery tresses and her make-up was fresh and dewy with pink pop lips. She was wearing MAC's Face and Body Foundation as a base, The Body Shop Bronzer to highlight her cheeks, Maybelline Gel Eyeliner, L'Oreal Lash Architect Mascara and Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick.

Do you love this look? xxx

Street Beauty #1 Geometric Pastel

Artdeco Colour & Art Collection

If there's one beauty brand that's underrated, it's Artdeco. I honestly don't think people know too much about the brand or where to find it, so I thought I'd show you all some staples from one of the latest drops.

I managed to get my hands on three lovely products from the new Colour & Art Collection - the Dip Eyeliner in Turquoise Green (£9.50), Blusher in Pink Juice (£10.25) and Ceramic Nail Lacquer in Green Mood (£9.50). These are all swatched below.

DIP EYELINER

First of all we have this gorgeous shimmery aqua liquid eyeliner, which has a gel texture and is paraben-free. I absolutely adore the colour of this - it's so fresh and would add a sparkle to anyone's eye.

My only issue with this product is its really fine brush, as I prefer a stronger brush for a steadier application.

BLUSHER

Then we have the powder blusher in Pink Juice, which is a lovely velvety coral. I love the texture of this blush and the colour payoff is great. It comes in a magnetic pan too, which is practical for all of you blusher fanatics out there with palettes to fill.

The only thing I would say is its pretty expensive for what you get and you could probably get some good dupes, but for what it's worth the quality is high with this one.

CERAMIC NAIL LACQUER

Although the colour of this nail lacquer could be questionable for some, it applied really well and there's two coats on my nail in the picture above. The bottles are very cute and there are some fantastic colours to choose from, so don't judge the nail polish by this example if green is not your thing.

All of the above products are available online at Debenhams and Beauty Bay.

Have you ever tried anything from Artdeco? xxx

*This post features PR samples. All views are my own

Beauty Looks A-Z: Velvet

With the launch of the Models Own Velvet Goth collection coming to us beauty lovers very soon, velvet is having its moment in the limelight again.

This week's beauty look showcases the best of velvet effect beauty for the lips, nails, eyes, face and body. Prepare to be enabled!

Here's the products:

NARS Fall Collection Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Mysterious Red (£17.50)
Dove Bath Velvet (500ml, £3.09)
Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush in Nude Velvet (£7.99)
GOSH Velvet Touch Foundation Primer Apricot (£8.99)
Mavala Mini Colour Nail Polish in Velvet (5ml, £4.50)
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Velvet Beige (£7.19)
Shu Uemura Black Velvet Feather False Lashes (£18.50)
Veet SupremEssence Hair Removal Cream with Velvet Rose & Essential Oils (400ml, £7.99)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Eye Liner in Pretty Petrol (£4.99)
Revlon Colorstay Nail Polish in Velvet Rope (£7.99)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Line Perfector (£14.99)
Illamasqua Velvet Blush in Sleek (£18)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

R for Riviera

S for Scented
T for Texture
U for Unisex

Love Make Up Wish List

How on earth had I never heard of Love Make Up before?! After just one visit to the home page, I clocked up a hefty wish list and am now counting down the minutes until payday.

Sugarpill Cold Chemistry Eyeshadow in Subterranean
I've never tried anything from Sugarpill before, but the colours are so vivid and deep. I love this teal-toned Subterranean eyeshadow from the new Cold Chemistry collection, which was designed with make-up artist Amelia Arsenic.

Face Atelier Ultra Blush
This is a gorgeous, natural peachy pink powder blusher. It's a product to suit every skin and is currently on sale for £10 down from £20. Result! 

 

Kryolan Black Colour Intensifier Mascara
With this one, I have to admit I'm drawn to the product's name and packaging. Having said that, I've heard great things about Kryolan and the mascara only costs £10, which is quite good for a mid-to-high end mascara. I'd definitely give it a go. 

Ben Nye Classic Translucent Face Powder
I don't even care about Kim Kardashian - this product sells itself. I've been wanting to try the Ben Nye powders for a while now, and I love that they aren't too expensive. Luxury, make-up artist cosmetics for highstreet prices is the dream for us beauty bloggers.

 

Daniel Sandler Micro Bubble Lipstick
I'm not a great neutral lipstick lover - 9 times out of 10 I will buy a bold, bright shade. This lipstick from Daniel Sandler looks like a showstopping orange and would brighten up a monochrome outfit or natural face no end.   

Lime Crime Eyeshadow Helper
The choices are endless when it comes to Lime Crime - everyone lusts over those Velvetines! But as I'm trying to be more adventurous with my eye make-up at the moment, it would be great to try this primer and see if it passes the colour intensifying test.

 

Zoeva Cream Liner in Denim Bar Jeans Blue
I love navy eyeliners a lot, and this one looks gorgeous. I've never tried Zoeva, but there's several eyeliner colours I'd love to swatch on Love Make Up. 

Bdellium Tools Pink Bambu Slanted Contour Brush
There's just something about pink brushes - they are so cute and fluffy! I haven't got a contour brush and I always find it hard to get the right angle with a normal blush brush, so this would be good to have and I'm sure I could find the time to buy a few more to match...

 

Daniel Sandler Beyond Sunset Eyeshadow Quad
This is one of the most stunning eyeshadow quads I have ever seen - the colours are beautiful and so wearable too. It really is all about quality and not quantity with Daniel Sandler, and that's what I love about him and his products.

Have you bought anything from Love Make Up recently? xxx

Luxury Beauty Lust List

As per every other beauty blogger, I'm lusting after a hell of a lot of things. Whether it's skin care, make-up or hair care, I've got my purse at the ready and my bank card trembling in its broke boots.

Just so you know, all of these items are at least £10, so if you are not one for premium beauty, it might be best to turn away now!

OPI Jade Is The New Black

I love bold colours for my nails and I'm always drawn to greens, blues and reds. This one from OPI looks like a wearable, sophisticated green and I need it in my collection.

Kiehl's Midnight Concentrate

I'm really intrigued by night creams, oils and serums at the moment, as I've been using Trilogy's Rosapene night cream and have seen a difference in the appearance of my skin. I don't know if it's the pretty packaging speaking to me here, but Kiehl's Midnight Concentrate looks like a great one to try and it's always getting rave reviews on beauty blogs.

Noble Isle Rhubarb Rhubarb Hand Wash

Noble Isle is such a fantastic brand - I first came across it in a beauty box circa 2010 and thought the shower gel I received (Summer Rising) smelled fantastic and oozed English elegance. Rhubarb Rhubarb sounds fun and fruity, but it is a little expensive at £18, so it might stay on my lust list for quite a while!

Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator

If there's one brand I can't stop lusting over, it's Jurlique. I have wanted to try a fruit enzyme exfoliator for ages and this one looks really good.

Cane + Austin Retexturizing Pads for Body

Even though these cost a bomb and a half, they look incredible. We always hear about retexturising products for facial skin, but not really for the body, so I'd love to put these to the test!

Becca Resurfacing Primer

Resurfacing primers are generally amazing - not only do they enable your make-up to last longer than usual, but also they create a fresh, even base to start off with. I saw a fab review of this the other day, so I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it.

Sacha Juan Ocean Mist

There's loads of rave reviews about this product and it looks so pretty! There's lots of buzz around salt and texturising sprays right now, and I reckon this one is at the top of the list.

Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel

I'm all over at-home peels at the moment - they do an amazing job on my skin! After seeing this in Selfridges a while back, I have been waiting til pay day to make a purchase.

FACE Stockholm Blush-On in Shamballa

This is the item that has caught my eye every time I've been to BeautyMART. It's such high-quality, gorgeous pink blusher and looks like a perfect cheek product for this time of year.

What's on your luxury beauty lust list? xxx

Guest Post: My Handbag Essentials

Hey everyone! I'm Albertine and my blog is DippyWrites. A couple of days ago, Natasha sent out a tweet asking if anyone would like to do a guest post for her and I jumped at the chance.

I've decided to share my handbag essentials with you; these are the quick-fix items I always have with me when I'm on the go.

Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer 

This is the best concealer I've tried ever and I can't bare to leave the house without it. It comes with a blemish and undereye concealer, a setting powder and a tiny mirror all in one sturdy compact, making it perfect for make-up touch-ups on the go.  

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl in Nude 

You know those days when you're up early for work and you just feel and look super tired and drained? Well this eye pencil is for those days! I love having this in my bag so I can just apply a bit to my waterline, instantly making my eyes look a bit more wide awake and alert.

Revlon Crease Brush 

You're probably thinking 'ermmm why do you carry a makeup brush around with you?'. Well, it's for those days when your eyeshadow and primer really just aren't holding up. I like having this in my bag when my eyeshadow majorly creases, so I can quickly blend it again!

Hask Argan Oil 

I love to keep a little vial of this argan oil in my bag for when my hair is being particularly unruly. I just run a pea sized amount through the ends of my hair and it immediately helps to tame them, make them feel silky smooth again.

Carmex Lip Balm

I don't know how I could survive without my massive stash of lip balms! Out of all of them, Carmex lip balm is my favourite one to stash in my handbag. As well as moisturising dry lips, it also has SPF15, which is really useful for protecting your lips from the sun when you're out and about.

Avene Eau Thermale Water Spray 

I love having this in my handbag, especially when the weather's super hot (like it has been recently!). I use this to refresh my makeup throughout the day, but I also like to use it to cool my skin down when the weather is really hot.

So there's my handbag essentials! I hope you've enjoyed reading this - if you have, don't forget to pop over to my blog and have a look at the other types of posts I write.

What are your handbag essentials? xxx

 

Beauty Looks A-Z: Texture

Textures are all the rage in the beauty world right now. Everyone's talking about the latest feather effect nail polishes, velvet touch cream blushers and volumising hair salts.

This week, I've dedicated my beauty looks post to all the crazy textures that have become popular over the last year. It's an interesting one!

Here's the products that are shaking up the beauty world:

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel (125ml, £19.50)
Accessorize Sweetcheeks Cream Blush 2 Bloom (£3.95)
Bumble and Bumble Bb Texture Cream (60ml, £10)
VO5 Give Me Texture Instant Oomph Powder (£4.19)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Foundation Primer (£7.99)
Nicole for OPI Nail Texture Coat in Red (£7.99)
Nails Inc Leather Effect Nail Polish in Dalston (10ml, £12)
Sally Hansen Sugar Coats in Cotton Candies (£6.99)
L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique BB Blush (15ml, £7.99)
TRESemme Texture Style Backcomb Dust (£5.49)
Ciate Velvet Manicure in Berry Poncho (£14)
Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat in Sea (£6.99)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

R for Riviera

S for Scented

GOSH CC Cream Foundation

When it comes to product hype, BB and CC creams have been up there with the best of them for over a year. However, when faced with one of these all singing, all dancing skin perfectors, I run a mile. I just don't see the big deal, especially when BB is being slapped onto every beauty product with a label.

But it wasn't until I tried the GOSH Cosmetics CC Cream in Sand (30ml, £8.99) that I realised what I had been missing out on. Contrary to what I believed, the coverage is quite good, and it wasn't just a tinted moisturiser pretending to be a foundation, or a day cream masked as a cover-up cosmetic. It is light alternative to foundation, with a medium coverage and smooth finish.

In terms of the packaging, I like that there's a small nozzle - it limits the amount of cream I use, as I usually end up with waste until I get used to how much I need.

Then we have the CC cream itself. At first glance, it looks a bit too dark for my skin, but it actually blends in really well. It doesn't take long to sink into the skin, and it doesn't leave it dry or patchy.

I still use a bit of powder to set it, but not half as much as usual. It lasts all day and leaves the skin dewy, but not too shiny.

All in all, I think the GOSH Cosmetics CC Cream Foundation is a great Summer base product and would highly recommend it.

What's your favourite foundation for Summer? xxx

*This post features a PR sample. All views are my own

Boots & Superdrug Haul: Face, Eyes, Body & Hair

Yes, I've been shopping again. And I'm very happy about it.

Like many shopping trips, this one was totally spontaneous. I went in wanting one thing in particular, but every beauty lover knows that the 'just one thing' rule never applies once you start scouring the shelves. Or ever. 

FACE

How cute are these 99p wash flannels? Such a bargain! In my experience, it really makes a difference to use a fresh flannel when cleansing to minimise the skin's exposure to bacteria. And let's be honest - who could say no to the cotton candy colour and sky blue shade?

EYES

Moving swiftly on to eye products, I've been eyeing up the new Scandaleyes Shadow Paints for a while, so decided to give the beautiful bronze Rich Russet a go. I've also never bought an eye primer, even though I have tonnes of gorgeous shadows to take advantage of, so I picked up Revlon's Photoready Eye Primer & Brightener and will have a review up as soon as possible. 

BODY

I know that dry body brushing is good for cellulite reduction and keeping your skin smooth and buffed, so I picked up the Botanics Detox Brush, which has a lovely organic feel to it. I will use this a couple of times a week and see if it makes any difference. Watch this space!

HAIR

Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Colour range is my go-to product for dyeing my hair at home, and it's time to top my roots again. I bought the Iced Chocolate shade, which is a lovely deep, shiny brown. I highly recommend Olia to anyone who regularly colours their hair at home.

Have you tried any of the products I bought? Leave your review links below! xxx

Superdrug & Marie Curie Camomile Facial Cleansing Wipes

It's no secret that face wipes aren't my thing, but I know that many of you like to use them for a cleansing fix after a night out. And when a loved beauty brand makes a conscious effort to support those in need, it's well worth spreading the word.

On the 15th of August, Superdrug will be launching its redesigned Limited Edition 4-in-1 Camomile Facial Cleansing Wipes, which are suitable for use on all skin types. Each pack costs 99p, and 15% will go to cancer charity Marie Curie with every purchase. 

This will be Superdrug's first ever charity project, and I think you'll agree it's a fab one to start with. It is hoped that the money raised will fund 40 Marie Curie nurses, which would be an incredible achievement. So, if you like face wipes, it's well worth giving these new ones a go.

Have you tried any Superdrug skin care products? xxx

Post-Holiday Haul: Nails & Face

Shock horror - I've been shopping again! Although, I have to admit that being on a spending ban has really made me think about what I'm buying. I stopped myself buying two gorgeous blushers during the week - I think you'll find that's dedication.

But of course I found the time to invest in some gorgeous beauty buys at Boots and Superdrug. A lot of it was on offer, which I feel justifies my spending! I know you will agree.

NAILS

Firstly we have the two Revlon nail products I bought from Boots, which both had £2 off the normal price (#bargain). I wanted the Essie cuticle oil, but as it wasn't in the store I went to I opted for the gorgeous blue Revlon Cuticle Softener, which I can't wait to try. Next to that is the Valentine nail lacquer - a gorgeous all-year-round deep red.

My existing Models Own nail buffery thingy is a bit tattered, so I decided to get this one - it's so cute and is the perfect size for my handbag. I also got another set of Quickies nail polish remover pads, which I think are great and a total bargain at under £3. Each pad goes a long way, so you only need to use a maximum of 4 for both hands.

FACE

My final Boots purchase was the Real Techniques Powder Brush. I can't fault the Stippling Brush for my foundation and the Blush Brush, so I thought I would add this one to my collection. Exciting.

Then I popped into Superdrug to get a new bottle of micellar water, as mine had run out during the week! I love the Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Water by L'Oreal and it was on offer for half price, so I had to grab one. 

What do you think of my latest haul? xxx

Saturday Beauty Steal #16

I've been by the sea this week in Clacton and Brighton, and the one thing I couldn't live without was my La Roche-Posay SPF50+ gel cream. But not all of us want to spend over £15 on facial sun care when there's holidays and days out to be paid for, so Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is a great alternative for £2.48 at Superdrug.

What is it?

Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is a light UVA/UVB lotion made with sunscreens to protect the face, hands and chest. It also contains a complex of antioxidants proven to prevent premature ageing and fight against free radicals, and 24-hour skin hydration is provided by Aquarich.

What do I like about it?

Not only does this lotion prevent visible signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines, but also it enriches the skin with antioxidants. It doesn't leave any residue and protects against both UVA and UVB, which is important when the skin is exposed to the sun and the environment in general.

Why is it a steal? 

Given that you can pay over triple the price of this product for those made by premium brands, the Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is an amazing multipurpose steal. It's rare to find an SPF face fluid that looks after the skin in more ways than one at such a bargain price.

You can buy Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid here.

What do you think of this week's beauty steal? xxx

The #JulyLondonMeetUp Haul Post

I'm so excited about this haul post! Yesterday, I was one of 30 beauty, fashion and lifestyle bloggers at the #julylondonmeetup and what a lovely day it was (thanks to Helen). It was even more amazing because it finally marked the end of the the two-month spending ban I'd been on with Sasha, Poppy and Rachel, so we could all treat ourselves to some sweet beauty treats. I clearly took advantage of this momentous day and bought a lot of pretty things. I'll go from left to right, as always.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sorbet

I've been using the Candy Apple lip butter for a while now and I love that its moisturising and has great colour pay-off too. I got Sorbet as it always looks lovely when people blog about it and it's a gorgeous raspberry shade. Perfect for this time of year.

MAC Powder Blush in Full Fuschia

I've been wanting a fuschia blusher for yonks, so took the plunge and tried this one out at the MAC Pro Shop. You literally need the tiniest dot of this per cheek - it's such a pretty colour if you've got slightly darker than fair skin. I'm going to love applying this with my Real Techniques blush brush. 

Mavala Nail Polishes in Bali and Milano

Mavala's range of colours is really something - I was drawn to Bali after seeing a picture of it on Twitter and Milano reminded me of the Grape Clinique nail polish I've been lusting over.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

It's no secret that this is the best top coat around - I just hadn't got round to buying one yet. I'm really looking forward to trying this bad boy out. 

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water

This was a repurchase - it's currently my skin care essential and I won't be without it.

Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque

Since having a quick browse in Boots, I've been lusting over a Bumble and Bumble hair mask. Poppy and I went a bit crazy and wanted everything - but I managed to choose the best mask for what my hair needs right now. At a price of £22.50, it better be good stuff!

Topshop Nail Polishes in Aurora and Suffuse 

I've got the Mermaid Topshop Nail Polish, which is like a silver version of Suffuse, and I absolutely adore it. I've had my eye on Aurora for ages and Suffuse was so stunning that I just had to have it.

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

This is such a pretty highlighter! It's like Benefit's Sun Beam in powder form (which I prefer for blushers and highlighters) and it's gold and shimmery but subtle too. This will be a firm favourite for Summer.

What have you bought recently? xxx

Beauty Looks A-Z: Riviera

When I was younger, I was lucky enough to be whisked away by my aunt and uncle to the South of France, which is one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been to. I'll never forget how luxurious everything is there and will definitely be going back again some time soon.

In memory of my trip, this week's beauty looks post is dedicated to the French Riviera. Enjoy!

Here's the products I'd throw into my beach bag:

Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner (£2.99, 200ml)
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique EDT (£67.49, 100ml)
Guerlain Terracotta Terra Nerolia Tan Enhancing Bronzer (£35.20)
Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Mask (£29, 50ml)
Balmain Hair Creme Hydratante (£20, 250ml)
Piz Buin After Sun Tan Intensifier (£11.49, 200ml)
Melvita Orange Blossom Water (£15.50, 100ml)
Daniel Sandler Instant Tan Wash Off Face Powder (£22.50)
REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (£30, 50ml)
Dior 1 Coleur Eye Gloss Fresh Luminosity and Crystal Shine in Golden Sand (£16, 6ml)
Dr Hauschka Normalising Day Oil (£24.25, 30ml)
Vichy Purete Thermale One Step Cleanser 3 in 1 (£11.25, 200ml)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

What's On My Post-Ban Wish List?

Not only did I go on a spending ban for 2 months, but also I made the really shocking decision to continue the ban with the three other lovely ladies until the #julylondonmeetup on the 27th of July.

I can't deny that I'm proud of what we've done - but I'm definitely ready to splash my cash on the finest beauty currently has to offer.

So this post is all about what's on my post-ban wish list - I'm SO looking forward to getting my hands on these bad boys.

1. Revlon Suede Lipstick in Finale
Absolutely gorgeous raspberry pink lipstick. I keep seeing this all over the blogs and I'm desperate to pucker up and try this out. I'll definitely be buying one or two of these lipsticks.

2. Bodhi Rosemary Chi Himalayan Detox Salt Scrub
I just love the sound of every Bodhi product and the perfect one to start with would be this salt scrub, as these are generally my favourite bath/body product.  

3. Dr Hauschka Rose Body Moisturiser
I've been using the Dr Hauschka Lemon/Lemongrass Body Moisturiser since I bought it from Feel Unique a while ago and I love the formula. I'm keen to try some other scents and see what I like the best, so I'd like to start with rose.

4. Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Mask
I love anything with hyaluronic acid in it and Rodial's Dragon's Blood range has intrigued me for some time now. I've heard some great things about it, so I'll be giving this a go as soon as I can. 

5. Ben Nye Banana Powder
I have been craving this product so much after several twitter conversations. Everyone was buying one at IMATS and it just looks like such a lux product. I want! 

6. Lush Emotional Brilliance Lipstick in Confident
I'm a big fan of the Lush Emotional Brilliance range - the pigmentation is amazing and the colours are so pretty. I'd love to give this one a go. 

7. Sai Sei Mineral Seaweed Bath Crystals
I had a sniff of this when I popped by Space.NK the other day and fell in love. Sea + bath + seaweed = pampering perfection. 

8. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil
It's about time I tried a product from Bumble and Bumble - it's just a case of what one to pick up. I love the look of this oil and it also comes in such a cute orange bottle. 

What's on your wish list at the moment? xxx

Beauty Shots: Autumn Avon & GOSH

Beauty bloggers, meet the A/W 13 make-up marvels from highstreet favourite GOSH Cosmetics and the amazing Avon. I will review some of the samples for you in another post, but for now I just wanted to get some shots up for you stat so you could see what's in store. 

I believe the Avon collection is out on the 24th of August, and the GOSH collection is available exclusively in Superdrug from the 31st of July. Prepare to say hello to your purse!

AVON

Ultra Colour Lip Crayons in Reddy For Me, Showstopper Pink,
Notice Me Nude, Carefree Coral, Fresh Fuschia and Risque Rose

True Colour 8-in-1 Eyeshadow Palettes in The Nudes and The Metallics

True Colour Eyeshadow Quad
in Urban Skyline

True Colour Eyeshadow Quad in Jeans

GOSH

Nail Lacquers in Kind of Pink, Frosted Silver, Frosted Purple, Frosted Gold,
Mysterious Mauve and Denim Delight

Darling Lashes Extreme Volume Mascara (Black)
and Waterproof Volume Mascara (Black)

CC Cream Illuminating Foundation in Porcelain, Ivory, Sand,
Natural, Honey and Golden

BB Powder in Sand, Beige, Warm Beige and Chestnut

What are your favourite products from the A/W collections? xxx

Guest Post: Prep & Prime For Flawless Foundation

Be sure to remove all your makeup and use a night cream. If you have dry skin, add in a night serum or oil to hydrate your skin overnight - this will be a total lifesaver. 

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, put a clay mask on oily spots and keep it on overnight to clear pores and create a smoother base in the morning. But don’t skip out on night skincare if you have oily skin because you think it will increase the oil - your skin needs a break to recharge overnight with some moisturiser.

Although it’s always a good idea to exfoliate, don’t do it more than once per week. Exfoliation is great for removing dead skin cells from your face that foundation may cling to on application, but don’t overdo it or you may enhance the appearance of dry or oily spots.

Before applying foundation

Cleanse and use a toner - rose water toner is my favorite! Toner is an important step because it restores the balance to your skin. 

Next, you should use a primer. Primers are essential because they completely smooth out your skin and give your foundation a clean base to adhere to. They also help foundation to last longer. To create a smoother look, find a primer that has silicone in its ingredients list.

After applying foundation

When you’re done applying your foundation, it's sometimes nice to spritz more toner on your face because it sets your foundation and gives it a more skin-like, flawless appearance.

Thanks for reading xxx

This post was written by Kelly from A Thing of Beauty who won the third place prize in my guest post giveaway.