Love Me Beauty - July Edit

I was overwhelmed with last month's bag by how generous they were with the products inside. Love Me Beauty really do not hold back on offering their customers a variety of different products, from a number of different brands, switching it up from old but holy grail favourites, to products that I have not heard of before. Below are the products from this past months bag and I will definitely be purchasing some of these in their full sized versions. 

Remember to use the code 'laurae17' and you can get get yourself a free EcoTools Perfecting Blender Duo!  

July's bag included;

Ecotools Blender Duo - a review on these sponges can be found further back on my blog, but the bigger sponge in this duo is now my go to and has overtaken the Real Techniques sponge.

Ecotools Retractable Face Brush- A compact, travel friendly kubuki brush that can be twisted to disappear into the container to protect the brush and to make it easy for storing and travelling.

Nib + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads - I have only really recently been trying out Nip and Fab products, but these cleansing pads are a game changer as I'm all for skin care products that are easy to use and don't make a mess. These also feel like they are really giving my skin a good clean at the end of the day and primes it well for any serums or moisturisers. 

Nailsinc - This is a gorgeous cerise pink shade, that is bright and vibrant and did not chip on my nails until four days into wear!

Rodial Dragons Blood Eye Masks -  I am yet to use this, but after using the dragon's blood products from Nib and Fab and being really interested in those products, I am really looking forward to using this. These are designed to hydrate and tone the delicate eye area. 

Love Me Beauty - May

Just wing it, life, eyeliner, everything. 

This months bag is called #shinebright and is once again full of exciting and varied products to try out! 


If you have an interest in monthly beauty bags you can get 20% off your first month with Love Me Beauty with the discount code 'laurae20'. 

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Oil Gold 10ml
This is a multi-purpose dry oil for the face, body and hair which combines 30% precious plant oils and vitamin E to nourish, smooth and repair. This shimmery oil is designed to enhance the look of your skin once tanned or for use after sun exposure. I am looking forward to thoroughly using this in the summer months in hopes that it will leave me with glowing and sun kissed looking skin. I am also going to be using it mixed with my moisturiser or foundation to add extra glow to my skin and improve the look of my make up. I have always wanted to try this and am so happy it is featured in this month's bag. 

Nuxe Reve De Miel Cleanser 15ml
I am always open to trying products that remove your make up at the end of the day, and although I enjoy using micellar water as a quick and easy way to do this, I have also tried a few different cleanser gel samples that I have really enjoyed using. This is a face cleansing and make-up removing gel that can be worked up into lather to really remove make-up, but that is soap free and gentle and so does not leave your skin dry or stripped of moisture. 

Gentle Exfoliating Gel with rose petals 15ml
This is a gentle gel that removes dead skin cells and exfoliates, recommend to be used twice weekly. It can be massaged onto dry or damp skin and then rinsed with water. I have some dry skin patches on my face and after use, this left them feeling smooth and soft. Some exfoliates can be drying and too rough but this gel is perfect pick me up for your skin. 

Manna Kadar Beauty Lip Locked Stain

This is a highly pigmented, non drying and long lasting lip stain, that was smooth and easy to apply. This is a new innovation, as in it is a primer, gloss and stain in one. It is not sticky, or uncomfortable to wear and does a great job of keeping my lips moisturised. 

Once again you can get 20% off your first month at www.Lovemebeauty.com with the code 'laurae20' ! 

Until next month! 

May Birchbox

I might have been initially reeled in to buy this month's Birchbox by the beautiful marble design - I am a sucker for it! However, before actually going ahead and purchasing the box I took a look at what was actually going to be inside and was pleasantly surprised by what was on offer for this month. 

I have been so excited all week ever since I ordered the box and it finally arrived and yes it looks beautiful on the outside and the pink pull out draw insert is so cute that I will definitely be displaying this box on my vanity, but I was so delighted to receive the products inside. There is a range of different items inside, including a full size product and I am actually excited to try out every single one of them. I also love that this month, Birchbox is all about little changes that can make a big difference to your daily routine, and I have been wanting to change up my rituals and what products I use as of late. 

Marsk-Mineral Eyshadow 'Vanilla Frosting' Full Size RRP £14.49

This is a pigmented powder eyeshadow that can be used as a wash of colour over the lid or as part of an intense smokey look. I gently coated a brush in the powder and then swept it over my eyelid; it's soft and made from natural ingredients which makes it perfect for my sensitive eyes, and it is super glittery and sparkly. Before checking out, you can choose from the shade 'Fifty Shades' or 'Vanilla Frosting' and I chose the latter as I can create more versatile looks with this shimmery white shadow. 

Doucce-Punk Volumizer Mascara RRP £18

I am currently on a lash extensions hype so at the moment I have no need for mascaras, however soon I want to give my lashes a break from the extensions and head back into using mascaras, and this one is going to be the first one I grab for. This is described as a volumising mascara and I love big lashes and I hope this is exactly the look I will achieve when using it. There is a jumbo fibre mascara wand which looks perfect for grabbing every single lash. 

Laura Mercier-Foundation Primer Radiance RRP £29

I have actually been wanting to try this out for a long time, and this is also a big reason as to why I chose to buy the May Birchbox edit this month. I have heard great things about this from Youtubers and bloggers and went straight ahead and used this the very next time I went to do my make up. This made my skin smooth and left it with a radiant glow, preparing my skin for foundation. I am also happy to say that this made my make up last throughout my working day, so basically if this is everything you want in a primer then definitely try this out. 

Whish-Firming Body Cream Rice Milk RRP £27
This is something I am curious to try out as I am always sceptical as to how much these types of products work. The cream is described as being able to firm and smooth your skin for a toned and even result by stimulating blood flow and reducing inflammation, so I am excited to start using it. It contains organic ingredients; shea butter, cocoa seed butter and green tea.

Beauty Protector-Protect & Volume RRP £18.50
I love the smell of this, it smells fresh and clean and you can slightly smell the product in your hair during the day but you can't tell that your hair has any of the product in apart from the scent giving it away as it light and non sticky. This added a slight lift and volume to my hair as well as making it look shiny and healthy. 

I am really impressed with this months Birchbox and have already determined that I will definitely be repurchasing the Laura Mercier primer. 

April Favourites

It's that time again where the monthly favourites start springing up everywhere and again mine include a mixture of products. Some are new to me that I have only just tried for the first time and there is also some rediscovered products that I have been unable to put down over the past few weeks. 

Nyx Angel Veil Primer 

 One that I was scepitcal towards at first as I have dry skin and as this is an oil free primer I wasn't sure if it was going to work well for me. However recently, my t-zone has been increasingly oily throughout the day and this primer has helped to combat that by contributing to making my make up last throughout my working day. It sinks into the skin nicely, leaving it smooth rather than sticky which creates a nice base for my foundation. I also really like the packaging. 

Pixi Glow Tonic

A product I have been wanting to try for a long while now and I finally picked up a small bottle test out. This has made my skin tone appear a lot more even and feel plumper and firmer. It has also helped with my dry skin, leaving a nice base for my make up to sit on and  this, followed by the Nyx Angel Veil primer, helps to make my foundation blend nicer and last throughout the day. 

Soap and Glory Scrub Of Your Life

After rediscovering this it has made me want to make more of an effort to exfoliate and moisturise my skin because of how well it actually works. Immediately after us my skin feels softer and smoother, with no dry patches. I also like using this to remove any left over tan and dead skin cells. If you are going to try any Soap and Glory product I highly recommend that you make it this one! 

EOS Lip Balm

The second one that I am now onto as I loved my other one so much. I get quite dry lips throughout the year and much prefer lip balms that I can apply straight to my lips from the tube so I don't have to involve my fingers in any way and avoid getting sticky. This moisturises my lips and it is gluten and paraben free. There also loads of different flavours to choose from. 

March Favourites

It's that time again where I have put together the products I have been enjoying throughout the month of March. Some are repurchases, that I enjoyed using so much the first time around, that I then repurchased and have been loving using again. 

Vera Wang Princess Perfume -  This is a repurchase and one of my all time favourite perfumes. Not only is the bottle pretty and elegant, but I would also describe the perfume as being this. It is described by The Perfume Shop as including a mixture of apple, waterlily, mandarin meringue, golden apricot skin, dark chocolate, amber musk and vanilla. They all come together nicely to create a gorgeous scent that isn't too overpowering and wears throughout the day nicely. 

Sleek Power Plump Lip Crayon in Notorious Nude - The small nib on this lip crayon makes it really easy to apply on your lips without leaving smudgy marks or running the risk of seriously over drawing your lips. It does exactly as it is says on the tin, it plumps your lips by giving a tingling sensation as well providing a highly pigmented colour. I love the shade 'Notorious Nude', it reminds me of my all time favourite 'Velvet Teddy' from Mac, except this product is half the price. It is long lasting, with a satin finish and subtly enhances the appearance of your lips. 

Rimmel London Kate Moss Lipstick in Boho Nude - A very similar shade to the Sleek lip crayon and this 15th anniversary range from Kate's collection with Rimmel are packaged in a gorgeous rose gold colour. This range is made up of nudes and reds and from the one I own and having swatched the others in store, they are really pigmented and long lasting. It has a creamy texture which sits nicely on the lips and there are six  shades to choose from overall. 

Colosrpop Super Shock Shadow in Kaepop Sunset BLVD - This is a lovely satin warm golden bronze shade, which I found best used when applied with my finger at this gave me the most product coverage than when using a brush. It then blended really well with a fluffy brush. It is a creme powder formula and has next to no fall out, and whilst it is nice worn on its own I personally enjoy using it with a light brown shade in the crease. 

Seventeen Wow! 3 way Skin Highlighter -  This really is an every day make up product for me at the moment. It can be used as a primer, mixed in with your foundation or worn on its own. I personally like using this with my foundation for an extra glow as well as applied with a beauty blender on the top of my cheeks and below my brow bone. It is a shimmery, but not glittery, iridescent shade that is creamy and silky with a pearly sheen, and blends out well without removing any under layer of foundation. It lasts on the skin, and doesn't lose it's shine and is also great when topped up with a powder highlighter. This is only £5.99, and for that price I would definitely recommend giving this a try!


Vaseline Spray and Go Body Moisturiser - This a convenient spray lotion, making it quick and easy to moisturise your skin. I actually find it such a chore, but want to get into the habit of regularly moisturising my skin after a shower and this product makes it so easy to do so with little effort involved. It does not leave my skin sticky or greasy, buts leaves it feeling soft and hydrated. There are a few different versions and scents of this moisturiser to choose from and its super inexpensive. 

H&M Beauty Blender

I have never tried the original beauty blender but I hope to in the future, the one sponge I choose to use and rarely stray from is the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. However, recently on a complete whim whilst I was browsing the make up section in H&M I came across a black beauty blender type sponge for £1.99 and decided to buy it, with honestly not much hope for it and I ended up being pleasantly surprised. So impressed with it I was that I have not stopped using it since I bought it. 

It has a tapered tip so it is easy to use around the nose and under the eyes and blends out my foundation so well that it leaves my skin looking flawless and evenly covered. I have tried it with a number of different foundations and it does just as good a job as the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. For the price of this one over the Real Techniques one I will definitely be repurchasing this more often! 

What do you use to apply your foundation? 

Primark Precious Metals Metallic Lip Crayons

I have not used any Primark make up before and to be honest it is because I really did not have any high hopes towards it. However, when I saw these Metallic Lip Crayons I did not hesitate to pay closer attention to them. There were three to choose from and when I swatched them all I was so impressed with how easily they glided onto the skin and how pigmented and metallic they actually were. For only £2 I quickly decided that I was going to purchase a couple and I chose a gorgeous rose gold, pinky shade and the gold shade. They also had a deepish brown shade that looked a bit too dark for me but was equally as gorgeous.

They were easy to apply and needed about two coats to get a good colour pay off. They lasted for a couple of hours as I was eating and drinking and did not dry out my lips at all. They actually felt like a gloss when on my lips as they were so moisturising and hydrating. 

Overall I am really impressed with these and it has made me want to try more Primark make up! 

January Favourites

I am so happy that it is the end of January, but as always, I can not fathom where the month has gone, or how it has flown by so quickly, but because it is January, I suppose this time I don't mind!

I have had a busy month so have not really tried out too many new products but I have been testing some I got for Christmas and I have been loving using them on a daily basis, thus why they have made it onto my list of January favourites. 

Alien - Thierry Mugler: This is a perfume that lasts throughout the day, not really changing in scent too much, and one that I can even smell on myself, which I find quite rare in perfumes! Made up of a blend of mandarin, moroccan jasmine and white amber, I think this perfume is unlike many others and maybe not suited to every age group but it is my current favourite and I highly recommend it. The bottle is pretty and elegant, as well as iconic, expected from the lovely range of perfumes from Thierry Mugler. Also, full marks to Thierry Mugler for creating refillable bottles!

Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss -  Soap and Glory: Even though the shade of this looks like a soft pink in the tube it applies to the lips as a clear, slightly shimmery gloss, that you can feel working to add volume to your lips very quickly once applied. It has a micro circulation boosting extract to make your lips look and feel fuller. I have loved adding this on top of a lipstick and it has really made me enjoy wearing lip gloss again. 

Huge extreme lash mascara - Stila: Mascara is a difficult one for me, many of the popular mascaras loved by so many rarely work for me as I have such difficult lashes that just won't get on with so many mascaras. However, after using this, I immediately knew that it complimented and worked with my lashes so well due to it's amazing ability of doing exactly what it is advertised. It is non clumping, but gives my lashes lots of length and volume, and I really love how black the product is. I wear two coats because I love extreme lashes, but really, I do not actually need the extra coat as this does exactly what it says it does after only one application to my lashes. Slightly pricier than drug store brands, but for me, definitely worth it!

Radiance Reveal Concealer - Bourjois: I went out and bought this pretty soon after watching Zoella rave about it in one of her latest Youtube videos. She stated that it works so well for concealing under the eyes, a problem that I have a major issue with, and so anything that is recommend as working well to brighten this area, I am always more than happy to give it a go, and I am very glad I did. It blends out nicely under the eyes and it doesn't get eaten up by my skin like so many concealers do. Although it doesn't quite cover up the blue, dark circles under my eyes as well as my trusty Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless concealer, it does brighten considerably and makes a difference to the overall look of the base of my makeup. 

These products have helped to make me fabulous throughout the month of January, for which I am completely grateful! What products have you been loving this month?

Beauty Favourites 2016

There were some amazing products released in 2016, loads that I liked, and some that I just happened to discover throughout the year. I have listed below the ones that I loved near enough since the first use and use pretty much on a daily basis. 

Nivea Men Post Shave Balm 
I purchased this at the beginning of the year in 2016, and a full year later I am still using it. If you have not heard about this being used as a primer as part of your make up routine, then where on earth were you in 2016. This does not really blur imperfections or pores, but it smooths the skin and keeps your making looking fresh and seated in place all day. 

NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipsticks
I have three of these now, as they are long lasting, non drying, and have an amazing range of different shades. 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer

Simply the best highlighter that I have ever used. After the first use I new I loved it, as it was the first one I had tried in ages that really did cover and brighten the dark circles under my eyes. It is creamy but blends out really nice and does not crease. 

Urban Decay Afterglow 8 Hour Powder Highlighter 'Sin'
This is something that I had to wait a while for before I could get my hands on it, as it was always out of stock and when I did finally purchase it, I was so glad that I did, and the wait was definitely worth it. I get comments every time I wear it, it is quite intense but not overly glittery or shimmery. 

Freedom Eyebrow Pomade 

The product I use every day to fill in and shape my brows. It is such an amazing dupe for the pomade from Anastasia and this one is pretty much a quarter of the price. The shades are great however as far as I am aware, the lightest shade is 'blonde' which I use, which to me is definitely not a light shade. 

Make Up Revolution Pro Fix Fixing Spray
I have re purchased this so many times in the past year as it just never fails me. There are two versions of this which is great as you can buy the one perfectly tailored for your skin type. It does not have an overwhelming scent, it dries quickly and helps my make up stay in place all day. 

Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette
 I reviewed this product here, the packaging is beautiful and luxurious looking, there are four different shades with different formulas, and all are highly pigmented.

Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eyeliner
I was really impressed with this, as I can be quite picky when it comes to liquid eyeliner. The pen is very black, easy to use, and does not dry out quickly. I just wish there was more product actually there, as I have used eyeliners before that have more of a felt tip end than this one, but the product itself is great. 

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

My favourite foundation, that never lets me down and gives a dewy, lovely finish to my skin, covering up my imperfections and pores. 

What were your favourite beauty products of 2016? 

Unicorns Heart Rainbow Highlighter

As soon as I saw that I Heart Makeup had a rainbow highlighter, I ordered it straight away, and I will admit, mainly because it looked so pretty and the packaging was cute, I wasn't really thinking about how it was going to work on my skin. I was slightly worried as the rainbow highlighters I have seen scattered about Instagram recently are really pigmented, and really noticeable on the skin, and whilst it looked really cool, it was not ideal for me on a daily basis! 

This heart shaped, rainbow highlighter however is a lot more iridescent and pastel on the skin, but it is still quite pigmented and can be easily built up for a more intense colour. When I swipe my brush in the pan and transfer it to my skin it gives an iridescent glow which I have loved wearing on a daily basis but when swiped with a fan brush it shows all five shades lined up together. According to I Heart Makeup, the product was 'made by real unicorns'! 

This is perfect for achieving the soft, rainbow shimmer that is all the rave right now! 
Shop more from I heart Make up below!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas is just around the corner, and with it slowly but surely creeping upon us I have put together some of my favourite picks, perfect for gifts this Christmas! Happy Shopping!

Three High Quality Highlighters

Make Up Revolution I Heart Make Up 'Goddess of Love' Highlighter - £5.99
Urban Decay Afterglow Highlighter in 'Sin' - £19
Barry M Illuminating Strobe Cream 'Iced Bronze' - £4.49

I have put together three great highlighters that differ in price, formula and brand. I was first attracted to the heart boxes from Make Up Revolution as they looked like amazing dupes of the blushes from Too Faced, and I am a sucker for such cute packaging. At first I tried the blushes from Make Up Revolution and after being very impressed with them I decided to try one of their highlighters. This also turned out to be a great product, not particularly as pigmented as the other two highlighters I have picked out but a good product for only £4.99. It gives a natural and subtle glow to the skin, and it has a pink sheen to it, not my favourite in a highlighter but as it is not strongly pigmented it does not show up on the skin with too much of a pink shine. 

After watching Manny MUA rave about the Urban Decay highlighter in 'Sin' I was easily persuaded and went and bought it when it was finally back in stock! It is super pigmented and I always get comments whenever I am wearing it. If you are looking for a higher end product for highlight then this one should definitely be the top of your list! 

If you are looking to try a cream product, the the Barry M strobe stick is great and really affordable. It is easy to apply and blend, without smudging or moving your foundation and although there are only two shades to choose from, I am really pleased with the champagne shade of Iced Bronze. 

Highlighter is by far my favourite make up product and so my collection is always growing and very varied. What are your favourite highlighters? 

Rimmel The Only 1 Matte Lipsticks

I have always been a huge fan of Rimmel London's lipsticks, they never disappoint me, They are highly pigmented, have a wide selection of different ranges, tons of beautiful shades, and they always smell so good! 

I was lucky enough to receive all nine shades of their new range; 'The Only 1 Matte'. As is quite clear, they are a matte formula but were not drying on my lips at all, and the colour lasted all day, only occasionally having to re apply the lipstick after eating or drinking. 

All shades are rich in pigment and colour and I believe there is a shade available to suit everyone. It is very difficult to find a matte lipstick that is comfortable to wear or gives you the confidence that it will stay in tact without drying out your lips but after wearing each shade I was pleasantly surprised with each one in the range. The slightly darker shades I definitely did have to re apply after food or drink but that was expected and they still stayed just as vibrant throughout the day. My personal favourites are the brown and pink nude shades as I love wearing these at this time of the year. 

The packaging I like, I could easily distinguish these lipsticks as being Rimmel, and the slanted bullet makes for easy application. I can definitely see myself wearing every single shade from this collection, but the one I have been particularly loving is '700 Trendsetter', I think it is a great dupe for shades such as Velvet Teddy from Mac. If you go out and purchase one for £6.99 use the hashtag #liplibrary' to share your thoughts! Thanks again to Rimmel! 

(Below are some of my all time favourite Rimmel lipsticks!)