Holy Grail Beauty

It's not often that I will go so far as to declare a beauty product a 'Holy Grail' item, and in oder for me to do so it really does have to be something special. There are so many fantastic products out there, but often I am left with the feeling that there must be something better out there, even when it comes to the products that I love. Let's face it, there's not really such a thing as a miracle product. But upon thinking about my own beauty collection and which products I really, truly couldn't live without, I came up with these six little gems. If I love them that much, then it's only right that I should share them with you, so here goes.

Topping the list, it has to be the Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir Reparative Serum. Of all the products I own, this one has made the single most dramatic difference to both my appearance and to the way I feel about myself, and a good eye cream is most certainly not easy to find. Generally, they tend to be over-priced and promise the world, but when it comes to delivery there is usually a lot to be desired. This little beaut, however, does exactly what it claims to on the tin, reducing the appearance of dark circles and taking down puffiness like no other. The only area in which I haven't noticed as vast a difference is in the reduction of fine lines, but in my eyes (excuse the pun) there really isn't much that can be physically done about those once you've got them. I'd highly recommend this eye cream to anyone who struggles with any under-eye issues, and will continue to buy this again and again. Unfortunately it is rather pricey, but it lasts for months on end, and I'd rather pay out for one cream that actually works than five cheaper ones that don't change a jot. Full review here.

Next up is the MUA Pro Brow Kit, which at just £3.50 is an absolute bargain. Now, I know you're going to be annoyed with me for not showing you the inside, but trust me, you really wouldn't want to with the current state it's in. Let's just call it well-loved, and I'll refer you back to my full review here if you want to see it in all it's brand-new glory. The kit contains two brow shades (one lighter, one darker) and a contour which can be used beneath the browbone. There is also a rather handy pair of mini tweezers, as well as a flimsy slanted brush which I must admit, I never use. What I love about this product is that the darker brow shade is an exact match for my own, and once applied it stays put all day. I love how sculpted and groomed it leaves my brows looking, and how natural the finish is. I suppose the fact that I literally just use the one colour and the pair of tweezers is a bit of a shame, and perhaps doesn't say a lot for the product as a whole. But at a bargainous price, it gives me exactly what I want as does the job to perfection. It's rare that I will pick up the same product, day in, day out, but that's exactly what I do with this little kit, so for me it deserves HG status.

Two blushes I can always rely on to perk up my complexion no matter what are Nars Deep Throat (review here) and Mac Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen. Deep Throat is a soft peachy pink which would flatter any skin tone, and Peachykeen (review here) is more of a dusky burnt peach. Both add a subtle, glowing sheen to the cheeks without making you look like a glitterball, and when I am feeling really tired and run down, or just generally having a bad face day, one of these two can always manage to sort things out and get me looking alive and awake again.

Last up, two skincare products. I reach for the Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser every single morning, and it works wonders at keeping any excess oil at bay. Even better, it leaves kin feeling soft, smooth and comfortable - not dry or tight as you might expect. If you've got an oily t-zone or blemish-prone skin then this one is a must-have (full review here).  The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner is another daily necessity for me, as containing AHAs, it gently exfoliates the skin, removing any pore-blocking debris which as a result, keeps blemishes and breakouts to a minimum. It's not a miracle worker, but then I don't think there is a product in this world that can curb hormonal breakouts completely (if there is then please do let me know!). It has, however, made a noticeable difference since I first began using it, and it leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft to boot.

Which products would you be willing to give the coveted Holy Grail Status?

xx

The Summer Shopping List

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray  //  Tigi S-Factor Serious Conditioner  //  Jo Malone Cologne in English Pear and Freesia  //  By Terry Soleil Terrybly Hydra Bronzing Tinted Serum  //  Nars Multi-Protect Primer  //  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder  //  Topshop Cream Blush in Head Over Heels  //  Oribe Dry Texturising Spray

Hi everyone, can you believe how long the sunny weather is continuing in the UK? It's almost unheard of these days that there be an actual summer, but this July really seems to be going above and beyond - it's almost as if it's trying to make up for all the dreary washouts of the past few years. It does make me laugh scanning my Twitter feed though, as inevitably the same people who were complaining about the bitter cold just a couple of months ago are now feeling all hot and bothered in the warm weather. I think complaining about the weather is something quintessentially British - we are never satisfied, are we!?

Anyway, with the soaring temperatures in mind (it's still roasting where I am too), this week I have put together a little bit of a shopping list, consisting of a few products that would get anybody through a long hot summer, with no need to compromise on looking up to scratch.

First and foremost, I tend to reach for texturising hair sprays at this time of year, and I'm certain I'm not alone on that score. Fortunately, my hair has a natural wave to it when left to dry naturally anyway, so with a bit of a helping hand from something like the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray I'm well on my way to a laid-back, beachy look. For night time, the Oribe Dry Texturising Spray would be perfect - as well as giving it that tousled look, it claims to add incredible volume as well as absorbing oil at the roots - and let's be honest, who couldn't do with a bit of extra help in both of those departments when your hair is frizzing out and slicking itself to your forehead in a less than attractive manner? Speaking of which, it's impossible to get through summer without a good deep conditioning mask like the Tigi S-Factor Serious Conditioner. Spending long periods in the sun tends to dry out ends to the extreme, especially if you've got colour treated hair. I haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds like a really nourishing treatment that hair would drink up gladly a couple of times a week - and better still, it smells like strawberries, so it's pretty much a win-win.

Something else we could all do with is a bit of extra colour in our cheeks, and the By Terry Soleil Terrybly Hydra Bronzing Tinted Serum sounds like just the job for giving you a naturally bronzed-looking, sun-kissed complexion. Add to that a light dusting of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder for evening and skin should be glowing in no time without looking oily or shiny. Of course, to keep it all in place it's always a good idea to pop on a bit of primer first, and the Nars Multi-Protect Primer seems a good choice for both day and night, aiming to protect and soothe skin as well as keeping everything where it should be (it's SPF30, making it a great choice for summer, but it might be an idea to swap it out for a different primer at night to avoid the dreaded ghost face if you are planning on taking lots of photos!).

A pop of colour on the cheeks is a must, and I currently favour cream formulations, and having spotted Topshop Cream Blush in Head Over Heels I am keen to add it to my shopping basket. I already own Flush, which is a bright coral pink and is an absolute summer staple. Head Over Heels is a slightly more delicate, peachy coral, and would look fabulous with a tan.

At this time of year, I find myself wanting to smell like summer itself, and that means whimsical fragrances like the Jo Malone Cologne in English Pear and Freesia. In fact, there are a number of fragrances in Jo's collection that to me are the absolute epitome of summer - light fruity scents merge with delicate summer garden florals to create that perfect balance, and with choices like English pear, fig and nectarine they truly do sound good enough to eat.

What's on your summer shopping list?

xx

The Duty-Free Wish List

DIORSKIN Nude BB Cream  //  YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick  //  Nars Creamy Concealer  //  Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation  //  Jo Malone Wild Fig and Cassis Cologne  //  Chloe for Women Eau de Parfum  //  Illamasqua Hydra Veil  //  Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow  //  Nars Sheer Glow Foundation  //  Marc Jacobs Oh Lola! Eau de Parfum

With my move home now just around the corner, I've inevitably got a lot on my mind. There's a new house to consider, a new job....and then of course, there's the Duty Free! 

The closer we get, the less I am able to stop myself dreaming about all those beautiful high-end products, and while there is more chance of me winning the lottery than actually buying all of this stuff, a girl can dream. So, I thought that in order to get it all out of my system, I'd pop together a 'little' wishlist of the bits and bobs that have been filling my mental un-shopping list over the past few weeks, and looking at it, it probably isn't even the half of it. Fingers crossed, I might be lucky enough to pick up a couple of bits in Paris, so I'm going to have to get narrowing things down to the bare essentials. 

Nope, not fooling anyone, am I - no essentials here. But they are just so pretty....

I know I said I'd had it with BB Creams, but a little voice has been nudging me in the direction of the Diorskin Nude BB for some time now, in spite of myself. For a start, it's Dior, and I can't imagine anything with that name on it being sub-standard. Today though, it's place on my wish list was cemented when I watched this Vivianna Does Makeup video and saw with my own eyes just how beautiful it is. It seems to give such a gorgeous, natural glow as well as evening things out quite impressively, so it's now become a summer must for me.

I'm also in need of a new foundation, and have had my eye on both the Laura Mercier Silk Creme and Nars Sheer Glow foundations since last year, so I'm hoping to finally pick one of those up. The Nars Creamy Concealer also looks promising for under-eye circles, so I've thrown that one in for good measure.

I really fancy finally treating myself to one of the YSL Rouge Volupte lipsticks, another long-coveted product for which I just haven't been able to justify the price. They have to be the most beautifully packaged lipsticks of all time though, and one day a coral or peachy shade shall be mine.

Aside from that, I'm itching to give the Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow a go, as it looks like the perfect partner when it comes to contouring. The Hydra Veil has also been calling my name. It's a gel-powder base which is applied before your foundation for a flawless look, and to say I'm intrigued would be an understatement.

Last but not least, I need to stock up on perfumes, which is something I always tend to do when going through duty-free - I don't buy them for myself unless I'm travelling, and I'm running really low at the moment.

And that is it. I say this, but you know there are tons more things popping into my head as I write. Fingers crossed I won't have any currency in the airport, and then I won't be able to do any damage!

Ha. I jest. 

(Sort of).

xx

The Weekly Selection

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good weekend and that there's a bit of sunshine where you are. It's really hot here today so I'm thinking of getting out in the garden with a good book this afternoon and making the most of it before I come back home to the usual British downpours!

This week saw me shunning my favourite summer blushes (Topshop Flush and Mac Peachykeen, if you're wondering), in favour of an old favourite I found lurking at the bottom of my makeup bag - Nars Deep Throat. It's such a gorgeous, natural peachy-pink shade with ever such a hint of shimmer, and while I'm only to pleased to dot on a pop of colour throughout the summer months, sometimes a subtle glow is far more flattering. I'm talking about those days where you wake up looking pale, drawn, and just plain exhausted - those days where a bright blush only serves to add to these effects, but that Deep Throat will always throw me a lifeline and make me look alive again.

Skincare-wise, it's been all about the Elemental Herbology Cell Food Radiance and Vitality Serum*, mainly because it does exactly what it says on the tin. It absorbs into the skin withing mere seconds, and since I've been including this in my daily routine, I've noticed a dramatic difference in the condition of my skin. It looks healthy and even, with a lovely glow, and as a result it has fast become a daily staple.

It's all about the fruity fragrances at this time of year, so I've been spritzing myself with an old favourite, the Nina Ricci Eau de Toilette. It's subtly sweet without being sickly, and the aroma of apples is so fresh and delicious that I'm only too glad to reinstate it as my signature fragrance throughout the summer months.

Last but not least, it would be rude not to pop a bright colour on your lips to celebrate the sunshine, and this week my weapon of choice has been Mac Impassioned. It's a gorgeous bright, fuchsia pink with a hint of coral, and is enough to liven up any natural, undone look.

What products haven't you been able to live without this week?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Crop Tee, Topshop  //  Light Optimising Primer Broad Spectrum SPF15, Nars  //  Ombre Bracelets, New Look  //  Boots, Office  //  Lip Bullet in Covet, Topshop  //  Bracelet, Topshop  //  Pierre Hardy for Nars Blush Palette in Boys Don't Cry, Nars  //  Satin Lip Pencil in Lodhi, Nars  //   Nails in Aurora, Topshop

Why hello, hope everyone is having an awesome weekend so far! I don't work on Fridays, so mine started yesterday, but I'll save that for tomorrow's round-up post.

I'm feeling quite satisfied at the moment in terms of beauty products, clothes and accessories, as within the last month or so I have acquired quite the selection of goodies. As you probably know by now, I did do a liiittle bit of shopping for my birthday, and obviously I was lucky enough to receive some presents as well, so I'm pretty much sorted for the time being. That said, there are certain websites that will always have something that will tickle my pickle, so of course when browsing on the Nars website earlier in the week there were one or two things that caught my eye. I'm missing a primer in my makeup routine, and the Light Optimising Primer Broad Spectrum SPF15 sounds like just my cup of tea, as I'm a sucker for anything that aids or promotes radiance, which this one promises to. I've also quite fancied trying out the Satin Lip Pencils since they came out, and Lodhi seems to be the perfect spring peach shade. Last but not least, I couldn't help but notice the selection of blushes by Pierre Hardy. It's not that I need another one, but there's just something so appealing about Nars blushes, especially when they come in such pretty designs.

I would really love to add some new boots to my wardrobe for spring, preferably something a bit more in-keeping with the season and the colour palette I'm most likely to be embracing, which is mainly made up of pastels. These gorgeous crochet boots from Office are just the ticket, and I think they're so unique.

Other than that, I was bound to be tempted by a few bits from Topshop - mainly the gorgeous multi-tonal Aurora nail polish - and New Look. I've spent so much time admiring statement necklaces of late that arm attire seems to have taken a back seat, so I don't currently have much in the way of bracelets and feel the need for a bit of an update.

I hope everyone's been enjoying the warmer weather - if that'snot the perfect excuse to crack out the spring wardrobe then I don't know what is!

What's on your wishlist this week?

Have a lovely weekend.

xx

The Daily Face: Changing it Up

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Nars Blush in Deep Throat

I'd been eager to try something from Nars for such a long time, so I popped online in the hope of picking up a pretty blush/bronzer duo. But since the shades available weren't really my cup of tea, I eventually decided to go for the infamous blush in Deep Throat. I could've gone for Orgasm - after all, it is a cult product - but having been disappointed by hyped up products in the past, and finding myself preferring the look of this one, I decided to go for it.

Each Nars blush comes in a rubberised compact, with quite a big mirror inside the lid, which is fantastic for applying on the go. The packaging itself, though attractive in appearance, does tend to attract grime, and it's not easy to remove the marks. However, I wasn't about to let that put me off.

Deep Throat is described as a 'flirty, sheer peach', but to me it's more of a peachy-pink (bordering on coral) with very very subtle gold shimmer. It's apparently less shimmery than Orgasm, which is fine by me, as while I like a blush to give my cheeks a healthy, luminous glow, the glitterball look is a step too far.

This is supposedly one of the less pigmented of the Nars blushes, but though that might be the case, it's very buildable, and you could create quite a vibrant look with it if you wanted to. However, I think it looks best as a gentle flush on the cheeks, which would look as great on tanned summer skin as it does on pale wintery white!

This blush is finely milled and has a lovely, soft texture, making it a dream to apply. On the cheeks, it leaves a beautiful satin finish.

I've been layering this up with my Mac MSF in Soft and Gentle and have been really enjoying the glowy, healthy look I can achieve with this pairing. While I'm not sure it has quite knocked my beloved Benefit Coralista off the top spot, it's right up there with it.

The only down-side is the price. I do think that Nars is quite over-priced in general, and it's not a brand that I would buy all my makeup from because of this. However, there is definitely something about their products that makes me want to! Next on my list are both the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser and the Sheer Glow foundation, as well as one or two of the Velvet Matte/Velvet Gloss lip pencils.

Please excuse my nails in this picture - they're not dirty, my nail varnish is just chipped!

Have you tried anything from Nars?

If so, what's your favourite product?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Burgundy Knit  -  Tote  -  Aztec Tapestry Corset  -  Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Body Butter  -  Wetlook Peplum  -  Origins Warm Up Candle  -  Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser  -  High Waist Lace Trim Shorts  -  Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit

Hello lovelies, can you believe it's only two and a half weeks to Christmas!? I can't. Sometimes I wish I still believed in Father Christmas/Santa Claus, as Christmas is so exciting when you really expect him to pop down your chimney in the dead of night to stuff your stocking full of treats. My sister and I always used to leave him a mince pie and a glass of sherry, and some milk and a carrot for Rudolph, and I remember how excited we'd be in the morning to see that the whole lot had been polihed off. Little did we know that my dad had gobbled down the mince pie, my mum had sipped on the sherry, and the carrot and milk had simply gone back in the fridge! Did you used to have any similar traditions?
This week's wishlist consists of a selection of cosy winter warmers, spicy winter scents and a couple of bits to get me through the party season. The Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit is just the latest in a long line of under-eye products, and I've heard great things about this one. Coupled with the Nars Sheer Glow tinted moisturiser, I'm hoping that these two will help me to fake a glowy complexion despite the seasonal indulgences.
I absolutely love that the Body Shop have done some Christmassy versions of their body butters, and this gingerbread one would go down a treat in my stocking. Continuing on the ginger theme, I'm itching to light up the Origins Warm Up candle during some cosy pre-Christmas nights in watching festive films and sipping mulled wine.

What's on your wishlist this week?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

 

Petite Collared Playsuit, £48,Topshop
Cream Blush in Deep Throat, Nars
Rose De Rose by Terry, £40, Space NK
Studded Bag, £59.99, Zara
Petites Studded Printed Shirt, £38, Miss Selfridge
Stila Convertible Colour, £16, Space NK
Leopard Print Shirt, £35, Miss Selfridge
Topshop Nails in Twilight Tease, £6, Topshop
Topshop Nails in Queen of Green, £6, Topshop
Jordan Studded Shoe-boots, £60, Topshop
Studded Pumps, £28, Miss Selfridge
Studded Shorts, £32, Rare @Topshop

As you can see, I most definitely haven't got bored of studs since last week, and yet again, they are well and truly dominating my Wishlist! These have turned out to be a huge trend this summer and are set to continue into the Autumn, which frankly, is fine by me. They can continue forever if they want.
I've also gone a bit blush-mad this week, with Nars Deep Throat, Stila Convertible Colour and Rose De Rose by Terry all making an appearance. The Stila one is actually designed for both cheeks and lips, while Rose De Rose is a liquid blush which has a buildable satin finish. It's sheer, and can be used all over the face in spite of the colour it looks in the bottle. Actually, the one I want is called Amber Rose, which is a peachy-bronze nude, but I could only get an image of this pink shade, which is called Fresh Rose.
Yet again, Miss Selfridge have got some gorgeous printed blouses in and I was pleased to see that they had my favourite one in Petite.

I haven't been up to much this weekend so far. My other half's family might be coming for lunch tomorrow, and we really want to have a barbecue in the garden, but really, I can't see the weather cooperating! My spending ban has gone really well this week and I haven't bought anything I don't need, but I am worried that the money I have been squirreling away instead of going shopping is now going to have to be spent on fixing the car! I really hope not. Will have to wait and see what happens on Monday when we take it to be looked at.

What's on your wishlist this week?
Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!
xx

Weekend Wishlist

1. Studded Crown Tank, £20, Topshop
2. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, £27, House of Fraser
3. Black Studded Skater Dress, £49, Miss Selfridge
4. Mint Studded Shirt, £39, Miss Selfridge
5. Soap and Glory 'The Fab Pore' Facial Peel, £8, Boots
6. Coral Platform Bow Heels, £48, Miss Selfridge
7. Monochrome Bag, £25, Topshop
8. Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask, £19, Boots

Has anyone noticed a slight theme in this week's Weekend Wishlist? Yes, that's right. Studs. I'm obsessed.
I literally just can't get enough of studded clothing at the moment. I've been eyeing up the infamous Zara studded collar blouse for an absolute age now, though I still haven't been able to bring myself to pay the extortionate prices it is being sold for on Ebay. I've also fallen in love with all the studded denim shorts that are flying around at the moment, and I think they are a brilliant summer investment, as they go with everything and are pretty timeless. And as an added bonus, they can be paired with tights and boots in Winter, so they definitely earn their keep.

This week, I've discovered a whole plethora of studded treats, courtesy of the high street. My favourite, by far, of all my picks is undoubtedly the mint green studded blouse. Not only does it have studs, but it is my absolute favourite colour of the moment. Of all the pastel shades I have been enjoying this summer, mint definitely takes the cake, and I've been wearing it on my nails, and in the form of a cropped tie-up shirt from New Look and a lovely Primark blazer.

The studded crown tank top is really versatile and will go with absolutely anything, plus I think it's a timely nod to this year's Diamond Jubilee and our beloved Queenie. Ok, so it's been and gone, but I'm still in love with the best-of-British theme and am still happily munching my way through cream teas at every available opportunity. Given the chance, I'd have the bunting back up in the garden and be sipping Pimms and pots of tea with my friends in the illusive sunshine in a jiffy (Did I just say jiffy!?)
The black skater dress is just a classic piece and can be dressed up or down, worn day or night, and come rain or shine. It'd be rude not to, really.

You'll notice that I've included two face masks on this week's list, and that, quite frankly, is because I love them. It has become my Friday night ritual to have a nice hot shower and then curl up with a cup of tea and a face mask to catch up on my favourite blogs, and I am always on the hunt for a new one to try. Actually, those I have tried of late have been somewhat lacking (more on those coming soon) and I really want something nice and thick that I can slather on for a good, intensely moisturising feast for my little face, and then remove to reveal baby-soft, ridiculously hydrated skin. From the reviews I have read of these gems, I am in for a treat.

And last but by no means least, the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser.
Now, Nars as a brand, is pretty impressive, with their Orgasm blush and Laguna bronzer both becoming cult , Holy Grail Products to the masses, and that, in my eyes, is no mean feat. If Nars has the ability to pretty much conquer the beauty world, then who am I to stand in the way? I have been loving tinted moisturisers for the summer months, and have been pleasantly surprised by how nice my skin actually does look when wearing them. In the past, I had been disappointed, as it was obviously a point in my life where a little bit more coverage was required, but these days I can't get enough of Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint and Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup. As predicted, I have heard rave reviews of this one, and am definitely looking to add it to my collection.

So, those are my picks for the week. I hope you found them interesting or inspiring!
What is on your lust list at the moment?


xx

Weekend Wishlist

1. Sleeveless Print Shirt, £39, Miss Selfridge

2. Scarf Print Shorts, £30, Topshop

3. Bow Collar Necklace, £9.00, Dolly Bow Bow

4.Black High Waist Crochet Shorts, £30, Miss Selfridge

5. Moto Studded Shorts, £30, Topshop

6. Dr Jart+ Black Label Healing Detox BB cream, $42

7. Leather Strappy Flat, £35, Miss Selfridge

8. Cutwork Holdall Bag, £42, Topshop

9. Collar Tips/Necklace, £10, Topshop

10. Calypso Print Crop, £12, Topshop

11. Escada Rockin Rio Eau de Toilette, £33, Boots

12. Chocomania Body Scrub, £12.50, The Body Shop

13. Aztec Print Bralet (Originally Topshop), Ebay (Auction).

14. Petite Scottie Dog Playsuit, £48, Topshop

There are just soooo many gorgeous things in the shops at the moment, it is actually paining me not to be buying them all up. And it doesn't help that there are sales on EVERYWHERE! Ordinarily, that would be a good thing, but when you are not supposed to be spending at all, that means even sales aren't allowed. I'm cheering myself up by reminding myself that whenever I try to sale shop, they never have anything left in my size anyway. Plus, sales make me buy things I don't really want, just because they are going cheap, and they I have nothing left to invest in items I really have been lusting after. So there, sales. I don't like you anyway.

This week, I have decided to try something a little bit different, and so my picks are coming to you in the form of a collage. If I'm honest, I am just trying to figure out how to use Picasa, so what you see here was my first little dalliance with that. Please do let me know what you think in the comments below, whether you like to see my wishlists in collage form, or if you prefer my usual, more traditional format.

These three lonely guys didn't make it into the collage, for some reason, but check out how gorgeous they are, and how bargainous the bright printed scarf is!

Print Scarf, £7 (Sale), Miss Selfridge

Skull Print Blouse, £11.49, Ebay

(Originally Primark, not sure if it's currently in store or not.)

The Multiple in Laguna, £29, Nars

Hope you enjoyed this week's picks!

What's on your wishlist at the moment?

xx

Most Wanted

There are so many products on my beauty hit-list right now, it seems that every time I get my hands on something I want, a better or more innovative one comes along and so my list never seems to get any shorter! I am always eager to try new things, and I think I definitely do fall into the trap of trying to find the perfect everything, which is proving to be a never-ending search! 

Of course, I do have my favourites which I keep coming back to, and equally, there are a select few items which have been topping my list for a while now, so here they are.

Topshop Lips in 'Brighton Rock'

I am really enjoying the Topshop Lips products at the moment. I already own 'Infrared' and 'All About Me', and I find myself pretty much living in them. I'm keen to add to my collection and have got my eye on probably most of the shades available, but this one is really floating my boat at the moment and I cannot wait to try it!

Urban Decay Naked 2 Pallette

I have been dying to get my hands on this pallette for a while now but never seem to have the money spare, which frankly is ridiculous, because if you added up the cost of all the smaller bits I buy then I probably could have bought it a few times over! I loved the original Naked pallette, but this one seems to have gone one better as there are several gorgeous, rich metallic shades in there along with a selection of very wearable nudes. I don't think this choice really needs much justification as it's been big news in beauty land for a while now.

Do any of you have it? If so, which of the two Naked pallettes do you prefer?

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint in shade 'Beige 02'

I was sent a free sample of this when I purchased my Liz Earle skincare products from the website, and I fell in love with it the moment I applied it. It gave my skin a gorgeous, dewy glow and made me look really healthy and alive, and that's saying a lot for a tinted moisturiser. Personally, I have never found one before that I felt comfortable in as, despite having generally good skin, I generally prefer something that provides slightly more coverage to even out my skin tone. 

Nars Orgasm Blush and Laguna Bronzer Duo

This blush is a cult classic and after testing it, I can certainly see why.

This duo is a genious idea, allowing you to try two of Nars's best sellers in one go. Being quite pale, I am keen to try out the bronzer and I am hoping that the two together will prove to be the perfect pair.

Mac Amplified Creme Lipstick in 'Impassioned'

Once again, loving bright lipstick shades at the moment. I have always been one to concentrate more on my eyes when it comes to makeup, so I have often left my lips bare. I'm not a huge fan of gloss as I can't stand it when strands of hair get stuck to my lips on a windy day! Haha. Now that I've started experimenting a bit more with lipsticks, it's like a whole new world has opened up to me and I just can't get enough! I never used to see the point in nudes but have recently been discovering the benefits of them, too, so anything lippy is on my list at the moment!

Illamasqua nail varnishes in 'Blow', 'Wink', 'Nudge', 'Caress' and 'Nomad' (£13.50 each)

I'm eager to update my nail polish collection for Spring and I adore all the new pastel clothes that are all over the shops at the moment. However, I haven't actually seen that many pastel polish shades, until I came across these little beauts, and I think they are the perfect way to wear pastel if you don't want to go the whole hog with your outfit or feel that your skin tone generally benefits from stronger colours. Love.

They are a little pricier than I would like to spend on nail products though, so I will definitely be shopping around to see if I can find any dupes. For me, it's not a huge deal if they don't last long on my nails as I get bored quite quickly anyway!

It's actually going to be my birthday tomorrow, but sadly, I am not expecting to receive any of these goodies as I am currently over in Brazil and such products are RIDICULOUSLY expensive over here! I can't say I am too thrilled about the fact that I am going to be the grand old age of twenty-six, as this means that I will now be considered to be in my 'late' twenties. Next stop, thirty!!! Scary stuff. But in all seriousness, the alternative to getting older is not really one any of us want to have to face, so here's to being one year older!

What's on your beauty hit list at the moment? Have you tried any of these products? Would love to hear what you think.
                                                                       xx