NOTD: Topshop Celestial

Topshop's Celestial Nail Polish (£5) seems to be one of those shades that the blogger world really hyped up, and that everyone and their mother seems to own!  That being said, it was on the top of my list when I was in the UK a few months back.

When looking at the actual color of it (a lovely lavender-blue shade), what's not to love?  It's a stunning color that can suit anyone. Unfortunately, I do think that Topshop nail polishes may be a bit over-hyped.  As this is the first Topshop nail polish I've ever tried, I'm basing all judgement solely on this particular polish.

The formulation is very creamy, very opaque, and quite glossy - a great mixture in my opinion.  However, I did notice that it peels quite easily, and even days into wear and I can push the polish wherever I want to without any issue, which is an issue within itself.  On the other hand, it does seem to last pretty well considering the problems with the formulation.

Based on this polish, I won't be rushing towards the Topshop nail polishes next time I'm in the UK, but it's a gorgeous color and probably worth any small issues I have with it.

Have you tried Topshop nail polishes before?  Is this how they all are or did I get an off one?

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NOTD: Model's Own 'Feeling Blue'

Everyone has a certain shade of nail polish that they obsess over: pinks, mints, nudes, blues.  I definitely fall into the ‘blues’ category.  I can’t keep myself from buying them!  I think they’re so flattering on any skin-tone, plus they just look cool.  On my rampage of blue nail polish-buying, I find a lot of hits and misses, both in color and formulation.  One of the hits I've found (in both categories) is Model’s Own ‘Feeling Blue’ (£5).

I've raved about the Model’s Own formulation in the past, so I won’t go into it too much.  Basically, they’re all very long-lasting (usually around a week), generally easy to apply, plus they’re a great price!

Onto the color – Feeling Blue is basically a primary blue.  It’s the exact shade I think of when I think of blue – it actually brings me back to my kindergarten days, where everything you own and wear falls into the primary and secondary color schemes.  It’s a gorgeous shade.

Now onto my quips – the brush is very small.  For some, this is no problem, I realize there are a lot of people who prefer small brushes, but I’m just not one of them.  I find fine brushes take a lot more effort to apply and can go clumpy on the nails much more easily.  My only other problem (I know I mention this every time) is that it’s not sold in the US, only in the UK and Ireland, I think.  However, If you have easy access to this color – get it, it’s gorgeous!

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Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Grey Pearl Review

Cream Eyeshadows have never really been my thing.  I find them to be hard to work with, either not creamy enough or too creamy, and crease much too easily on me, so for me to find one that I like is something special.  Enter the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Grey Pearl ($24).

Top: Blended Out, Bottom: Swatched Heavily

This is one of very few Cream Eyeshadow sticks I own, and this is by far my favorite cream eyeshadow I've ever tried.  It's easy and not-messy to apply, blends out easily, and lasts all day without creasing on me with a primer.  In fact, my eyeshadow looks exactly the same when I take my makeup off at night as it did when I applied it that morning - unreal.

Grey Pearl is mauve-grey shade with some shimmer.  It's a cool-tone, but definitely isn't too cool for any skin-tone to pull off.  However, if you're looking for a warmer shade, there's definitely one out there for you in this range of cream eyeshadows, there are a lot of options, so there's something for everyone!  However, this shade is stunning and I can't recommend it enough - it's been donning my lids since purchase day.

Have you ever tried these before?  What's your favorite cream eyeshadow?

Longevity: 5/5
Pigmentation: 5/5

Packaging: 5/5

Texture: 4.5/5

Application: 5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5 

Overall Rating: 9.67/10

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NOTD: Maybelline 'Hot Salsa'

Summer: BBQ, Mojitos, and bright pink nails.  What else could a girl possibly need?

As the heat drags on, as my heart yearns for a bit of rain and the falling of leaves, I’m trying to embrace the joys of summer, while they’re here.  Obviously, the easiest way to get me into the spirit of the season is hot pink nails, which is where Maybelline’s Forever Strong Super Stay Nail Polish in Hot Salsa comes into play.

A reddy-coral shade, Hot Salsa, really follows its namesake.  The bright color makes me think of the sun beating down, slightly (and I do mean slightly) tanned skin, and spending time at the lake.  It sort of pulls together everything that is summer, in my mind.  It makes me nostalgic for Summer Break (which we still don’t have here in Germany – damn).

Who knew a nail polish could bring up so many thoughts? Well, I’m not taking it too far; it really does remind me of those moments.

Even if this color doesn’t make you think of summer days, it’s still a beautiful color!  The formulation is also great, around 5 days wear – not too shabby.  The brush is also great, very thick, which makes smooth application a breeze.

I’ve also raved about Mint for Life here, which is also from the same line of polishes.  This color will sure to make another appearance on my nails before fall comes.

Do nail polishes remind you of certain memories?  I always associate them with memories!  Have you tried any of the Maybelline nail polishes? Which is your favorite?

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NOTD: Barry M Raspberry

Recently, the Summer weather *cough* *cough* has been nothing short of horrific here in Germany.  First, it was ridiculously hot (36°C people, or 97°F) and then it went down to almost Winter weather (11°C/52°F).  Now, I am always influenced by the weather to paint my nails certain colors, if it's horribly hot out: neon, if it's sunny and mild: pastel, if it's cold as can be: darker shades, you get the drift...

On one fateful 11°C day, I had had enough of the neon orange I had been sporting, and decided to switch it up for something more weather-appropriate.  I opted for Barry M Raspberry (£2.99).  I picked this up a few months back in London and I love it!

I've always been a fan of Barry M Nail Paints, but this is definitely my favorite one I've tried.  It's a gorgeous berry shade (I'd say more cranberry than raspberry, though), that I know will be getting a ton of use come this Fall/Winter.  These always last really long on me, too - a good 5-7 days without major chipping!

Plus, look at that price, it's a steal!  Unfortunately, Barry M Nail Paints aren't available in the US, but you could find it on eBay, if you're really interested.  I really can't recommend these, and this shade in particular, enough - it's love!

Have you tried Barry M before?  Which is your favorite shade?

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Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer Review

Primers - probably the least interesting beauty purchase, but one of the most important steps in my beauty regime.  The problem is finding the right one.  Some are too silicone based, making me feel like I slathered something disgusting on my face, whereas others are just pure nothing that I'm slathering on my face for no good reason.  Granted I've only tried a couple of primers, but most of the ones I've tried have been nothing special - and then Along Came Hourglass...

While at the Hourglass Counter in Liberty in London, the woman serving me was telling me about the 'bestselling primer' from Hourglass - the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($52).  I wasn't exactly convinced - everyone claims their products are the best, but then she tried some on my hand.  She put the tiniest dot on my hand and it covered the entire back of my hand (slightly impressed), it had a milky consistency that didn't leave any strange residue on my skin (getting more impressed), then she sprayed a little water on top of my hand and the water droplets stood on top of my hands without soaking in at all (sold).  I left with this in a gorgeous purple shopping bag and a considerable chunk of change missing from my wallet.

As I mentioned, this has a milky consistency, which leaves your skin feeling completely normal, as if you didn't put a primer on at all.  It sinks right into the skin, not leaving your skin with a ghostly white mask on your face, either.  After a few seconds of sinking in (I kid you not, it takes no time, at all), you're ready for your foundation.

One of the reasons I'm always on the hunt for a good primer is not because I have very oily skin (I have normal to combination skin, for reference), but because I wear ultra-light bases (i.e. light foundations, tinted moisturizers, CC Creams, etc.) and have no interest in anything involving the words medium or, God-forbid, high.  My base always fades away within a few hours, making me think I might as well just skip the step entirely.  However, even with the lightest of bases (think Chantecaille 'Just Skin'), this makes my bases last!

Another perk of this primer is that it's oil-free, making it an ideal choice for oily-skinned gals, but it also works well for those with normal skin, and dry skin, too (I believe).  This primer can do no wrong in my eyes!  It may even be, dare I say it, Holy Grail material.

Have you tried this primer?  Is there any primers in your life that you can't live without?

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Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Review

In May, I went on something of a 'sheer base' shopping spree - buying 3 different bases in a very short period of time.  However, the standout of that shopping spree has been the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream in Very Light ($35).

Clinique is a brand that I haven't tried much from, but I've loved everything I've tried from them (see posts here and here).  Their CC Cream is no exception - light in coverage, though heavier than some tinted moisturizers, this base does everything expected.

I don't have a lot of redness or discoloration on my face, so I'm not too sure how it fares against that, but the redness that I have is covered easily and well by this due to it's coverage.  Don't get me wrong, though, it's not a heavy coverage base, it's still light - lighter than any foundation, at least.  It also gives moisture to the skin (hence the name), and keeps my skin feeling hydrated and protected, due to the SPF 30 included (which is unbelievable for a base)!

The color is a pretty good match for me, though it is on the yellow side, making it less than ideal for those of you with pink-toned skin.  Though, the fact that they have a shade light enough for me is pretty shocking, I thought I wouldn't be able to jump on the CC Cream bandwagon because of my ultra-pale skin (just like I can't jump on the BB Cream bandwagon), but Clinique - thank you.

As for longevity, it lasts all day on me with the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, though I'm sure it would last just as well as a regular tinted moisturizer/light foundation would without a primer on you, if you don't wear primers.

Overall, I can't recommend this enough!  The price is a bit expensive, but you definitely get your money's worth with this one.  Even compared to some of my $50+ bases, this holds its own.

Have you ever tried a CC Cream before?  Are you thinking of trying this one out?

Longevity: 4.5/5

Packaging: 5/5

Texture: 5/5

Application: 5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5 

Overall Rating: 9.6/10

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NOTD: Maybelline's 'Mint for Life'

Mint Nail Polish – Spring/Summer can’t go by without a few appearances from the mint color family on the nails, can it?  I’m personally a fan of the mint trend, a cute, fun color to wear on my nails when the sun is shining, iced tea in hand? Yes, please.  The most recent addition to my small mint collection is the Maybelline Mint For Life.

I love these Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay nail polishes, though I’m unsure if they’re sold in the US (I’ve never seem them there).  They last about 5 days on me, and the color selection is really good!  I now have three nail polishes from this line: Ceramic Blue, Hot Salsa, and Mint for Life. 

The brush is great on this, it’s quite large, and so it only takes about one or two swipes to complete each nail.  It also doesn’t clump on the nails, at all, which I’ve found a lot of cheaper brands tend to.  It’s also pretty opaque, you could probably get away with one coat, but I tend to go for two, for a stronger color.

Have you tried any of the nail polishes from this line?

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Daily Make-Up #1

I decided I want to start doing more with this blog than just reviews, I want to start sharing how I use the products I buy, and what I use them for, etc.  I thought I'd post a FOTD every so often, just to try something new.  Also, I'm running out of products to review, and I don't really plan to buy much more make-up in the next couple of months - I already have too much. I might do a blog sale next month, but that means I need to organize and go through all of my make-up - le sigh.

Moving on, this is the make-up I decided to use this morning.

It may seem like a lot of products, but it's pretty light make-up for me!

A gigantic close-up of mah face

I did my make-up in a really weird order this morning.  I normally do foundation, concealer, eyes, and face, but for some reason I started out with my eyes today.  I was playing around with the L'Oreal Lineur Intense ($9) - I haven't used liquid liner in months, and I just wanted to see how it looked.  I think it turned out okay.  I just did a light line, but I think it adds a little something to the eyes, since my eyes are too sensitive at the moment for eyeshadow!  Then I moved on to my foundation - the Diorskin Nude BB Cream in 001 Light ($44).  Despite the pink undertones to the BB Cream, after a lot of blending (and a bit of bronzer), the color actually matches me quite well.  I'm trying this for the first time without a primer, so we'll see how that goes!  Then I moved onto concealer, using my combination of choice: Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 1 Fair (£4.19) for blemishes and the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (£5.49) for underneath the eyes (side note - anyone know when/if this will be released in the US?).  Then I lightly powdered all over with my beloved Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent ($5).

After all that, I jumped back to my eyes and filled in my brows with the Tom Ford Brow Sculptor in Taupe ($42) (review here).  It's amazing and I can't live without it, especially when it's so damn hot outside.  Here's a lovely portrait for you - in the summer (especially when sitting in a crowded bus for an hour, coming back from work), I tend to sweat off my eyebrow makeup if it's powder or just a regular pencil, but since this is a waxy texture, it actually lasts on me - hot bus or not.  I then finished up my eyes with the Maybelline Falsies Mascara ($6), for a little volume, since I'm not wearing much else on my eyes!

Then I just added a bit of the Guerlain Sheer Terracotta Bronzing Powder in 02 Blondes ($51) (review here).  I concentrated it mostly on my cheeks, but I ended up putting a little bit all over my face, and a bit down my neck, too - just for a little bit more of a glow.  I also opted for a new product of mine - the Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer ($24).  This has been talked about quite a bit recently in the beauty world, and I really like it so far.  It applies nicely and gives a pretty glow to the cheekbones.  It's not the most subtle, but it's definitely not too much for day-wear - it's right smack dab in the middle!

I finished off my make-up with one more new product - the Dior Lip Jelly Pen in 636 Carioca ($26). This is a limited edition product, released with Dior's 2013 Summer Collection - Birds of Paradise.  It's a pretty, sheer orange shade.  However, I don't really think it's worth the price. It's a nice lip product, and I'll gladly use it while I have it - but it's a little too glittery for my taste.  Plus, I think the Clinique Chubby Sticks are better quality (not to mention cheaper), and the Revlon JBKBS is also just as good!  So don't fret if you can't find this anymore (but if you're really interested, I got mine recently from Feelunique - see haul post here).

What products do you wear on a day-to-day basis?  Have you tried any of these products before?

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Feelunique Beauty Haul

As if I don’t already have enough make-up, I went and bought some more…

There was a 15% off code for Feelunique last month, and it just would’ve been rude not to, right?  After having watched a video from Essiebutton in June, showcasing a few products I’ve had my eyes on for a while, I decided to take advantage of said opportunity and place an order.

The first thing that went into my shopping basket was the Balm’s ‘Nude Tude Eyeshadow Palette ($36).  I know, who needs another neutral eyeshadow palette? I definitely don’t.  I have a ridiculous amount, but I only really wear neutrals, so at least I know I’ll use it!  Also, I should just mention that the texture of the Balm's powder products is so finely milled - fantastic!

 I also picked up the Balm’s Frat Boy blush ($21), Mary-Lou Manizier ($24), and the Plump Your Pucker Tinted Lip Gloss in Water My Melon ($15).  Frat Boy is a matte, warm pink, which looks really natural on the cheeks.

Mary-Lou Manizer is a champagne-colored highlighter that is subtle on first application, but can easily be built up!

Water My Melon is one of those lip glosses that make your lips tingle.  I don’t know how much plumping it actually does (maybe a little, but nothing too out there), but the very sheer-pink shade is nice, despite the fact that I have to dip the applicator into the product about four times to get enough product to cover my lips entirely (kind of annoying).

One thing I’ll say about the Balm’s products (at least the powder ones), is that they are very pigmented.   I just dabbed my brush into the eyeshadow palette, as I would with any other eyeshadow, and I got a massive amount of product.  I had enough for both of my eyes, plus more!  The same thing happened with the blush, I barely touched it, and I wiped it on the back of my hand, and I still had enough for both cheeks.  Basically, if you decide to try these products out – try not to go overboard, it’s very easy to!

I also picked up a couple of things from Dior (ooh, intrigue).  First off, I decided to finally get the Diorskin Nude BB Cream in 001 Light ($44).  Everyone and their mother has this, so I finally decided to buy it, after months (4 to be exact) of debating.  I have neutral-skin, and I tend to go for more yellow-toned foundations and concealers over pink-toned ones, so I was really nervous that this pink-toned BB Cream would make me look like a ghost, but it actually blends into my skin really well.  I have to use a brush instead of my fingers (my preferred method for foundation blending), and take another couple of minutes to blend it all into my skin, but it ends up looking great!

The other item (and the final item) I picked up from Dior was the Dior Lip Jelly Pen in 636 Carioca ($26).  I’m a massive fan of the Clinique Chubby Sticks (see reviews here and here), so I was interested to see Dior’s version.  This is a limited edition item with the Dior Summer Collection, but I’ve still seen it in stores here in Germany, plus I believe it’s still available on Feelunique, so order away now if you’re interested.  I’m not sure if this will replace my beloved Clinique Chubby Sticks, but it’s nice.  I opted for Carioca, which is an orange shade with shimmer.  It’s sheer, but it does give a tint of tangerine to the lips, and the shimmer is noticeable, but not chunky, so you can’t feel it on your lips.  I don't really think it's worth the price, though...

That’s it for this haul.  This is actually my last haul of my time here in Germany, which is sad :(.  I’m moving back to the US at the end of the month, and even though I’m really excited to be home, it’s still quite sad to leave!

Have you tried any of these products before?  Have you bought any new beauty products recently (if you’ve posted a haul, send me the link, I’d love to read it!)?

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NOTD: Essie 'Naughty Nautical'

Essie's Summer 2013 'Naughty Nautical' Collection recently hit stores here in Germany, and I couldn't resist picking up a couple shades (Naughty Nautical and Rock the Boat).

Naughty Nautical is a beautiful teal shade with some subtle shimmer.  Now, if you're looking for full-on glimmer, keep on walking, as this is definitely subtle.  It's quite obvious in the bottle, but once applied, the shimmer barely shows, especially indoors - you can really only see it if you're looking for it.  It does make your nails shine a bit more when under direct sunlight, though!

As with all Essie nail polishes -  Naughty Nautical is easy to apply and easy to remove.  Even with the slight shimmer in the polish, it still was just as easy to remove as a creamy nail polish, which makes it even better in my eyes!

Also, the color is just stunning, I am totally in love with this color.  Come Fall and Winter, I will still reach for this shade, as it is just something special.  I think I'm going to start a new teal nail polish obsession based off this particular shade...

Have you tried any of the shades from the Naughty Nautical Collection?  I still have my eye set on Sunday Funday, based on all the hype, of course.. 

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Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder 02 Blondes Review

Summer is most definitely here to stay in Germany (and in the US, too I hear).  Scorching temperatures of around 30°C (around 85°F) and a hot sun beating down on me all day - I die.  However, despite the beautiful Summer we're having, I don't get to enjoy it, as I have to study (yes, we still have class in July - it's tragic).  That being said, the only bit of Summer I get to enjoy is new make-up choices - enter the Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder in 02 Blondes ($51).

A gorgeous bronzer that can give a subtle glow to the entire face or can be built up slightly for a small amount of definition.  It comes in 4 shades: 02 Blondes, 03 Brunettes, 04 Sun Blondes, and 05 Sun Brunettes.  I haven't swatched any of the other shades, but they seem to get deeper in color with each number (duh), and since I'm so very pale, I knew 02 Blondes was the perfect shade for me before I even swatched it.

02 Blondes is described as having 'soft suntan tones', which is the perfect description for this shade.  It doesn't bronze you up too much, it just gives a warm glow to the face.  Something I really like about this is that it's not completely matte, but it's not a glitterbomb either.  Since it's made up of different patches of color (a peachy shade, and then four different tones of bronze, only one of which has shimmer), it has different hues of bronze and only a small amount of glitter (which is also very subtle).  It's probably possible to just touch on the matte shades, but it wouldn't be the easiest, and it's definitely not possible to just use the glitter shades - but like I said, it's a very subtle shimmer that is sure to look good on everyone.

One thing to keep in mind before purchasing this beaut is that it's a Light Sheer Bronzing Powder, and it definitely means sheer.  It can be slightly built up, but it's not very pigmented - which you'll either love or hate.  I love that it's sheer because otherwise bronzers tend to go muddy on my complexion.  It gives a slight bronze-glow to the face, but it would be hard to over-do (at least with this shade).

That packaging is also something to write home about - it's so stunning, I could stare at it all day.  One last thing to keep in mind is that it's pretty heavily fragranced - and it smells kind of like my grandma.  Now, I don't mind that it smells exactly like my grandma (I really do mean exactly), because it reminds me of her (how sweet), but maybe you don't like the grandma make-up scent (unlike me), and if you don't you might be deterred from trying it.  My suggestion?  If you really want this, go and swatch it and give it a little sniff, as well.  Can't swatch it in person?  If you live in the US, you can always order it from places like Sephora or Nordstrom (or others, those are just the places I tend to shop for high-end beauty products), both of which have awesome return policies on beauty products.

I'm totally in love with this product, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a sheer bronzer!

Have you tried this product before?  What's your favorite bronzer?

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MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Ultra Darling Review

MAC Lipsticks - they're something everyone seems to have a collection of, myself included, but one of the types of MAC Lipsticks that are often skipped over are the Sheen Supreme Lipsticks ($16).  Maybe it's because they're slightly more expensive than a regular MAC Lipstick, but I never hear anything about them.  However, after a recent trip to the MAC Store, I came out with Ultra Darling.

Ultra Darling is a gorgeous coral color, that looks oh so natural on the lips.  Although, when first applied, the color is quite strong, after about 30 minutes, it starts to settle and look more natural.  As I mentioned, I would call the color a coral, it's actually more of a pink-leaning coral than a straight out coral - making it a good choice for those who find it difficult to pull of more orange-toned corals.  MAC describes it as a 'mid-tone yellow pink', which is kind of what it is, but I would say there's more orange than yellow in it.

As the lipstick is part of the sheen supreme line, it's quite obvious that it's very shiny, but that begins to fade after a while to a more natural 'I just put chapstick on' shine, than a full-on lipgloss shine, which is something I like about it.  Something else I love about this lipstick is how moisturizing it is!  I can put this on instead of chapstick and it is just as moisturizing on the lips.  The lipstick doesn't last too long, only about 2-3 hours, but I tend to top up my lipstick around the 3 hour mark anyways, so it doesn't bother me.

I also really like the packaging on this lipstick, it seems more expensive than the regular MAC packaging, plus it's just different!

Have you ever tried any of the Sheen Supreme Lipsticks?  Any colors you would recommend?

Longevity: 3.5/5
Pigmentation: 4.5/5

Packaging: 5/5

Texture: 5/5

Application: 4.5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5 

Overall Rating: 9/10

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NOTD: Model's Own 'Utopia'

Model's Own is one of my favorite brands for nail polish, unfortunately, it's not available in the US, so I always try and get a couple while I'm in the UK.  Utopia (£5) is one that I've wanted to get since my first trip to the UK, but whenever I went to Boots to find it, it was always sold out!  Thankfully, I was able to get hold of it on my last trip to London.

Utopia is a very light, purple-pink shade, that has enough grey in it to make it work for the cooler months, but still has enough pink in it to make it work for the warmer months, too.

What I love about the Model's Own formulation is that it's really creamy and easy to apply (though the brush is quite thin - not my favorite).  It also lasts unbelievably long - around 5 to 7 days, which is fantastic!  I don't have problems with longevity with most nail polishes, but this is one that really takes the cake, and considering the fantastic price point, you really can't go wrong!

Have you tried Model's Own before?  What are your favorite shades?

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Beauty Bay Haul

I recently found that I had a little more money in the bank than expected, so rather than saving it like a rational person would do, I opted to spend it on some new beauty products instead!  There was a massive sale on BeautyBay, so I thought I'd pick up a couple items I'd been eyeing up for a bit.

The first item that went into the basket was the Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath Oil Collection (on sale for around $40), which comes with 9 different scents from the collection, which each contain 3ml of product.  It's not a lot of product for your money, but I could smell them inside of the packaging, so I doubt I'll need much to fill up my microscopic bathtub with the luscious scents from the collection.  It's a UK brand and isn't sold in the US (as far as I know), so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to try the brand out!  This would also make for a great gift, I'm considering picking up another set for my mom's upcoming birthday, but we'll see!

The next few items are Nails Inc. Nail Polishes in Portobello (a neon coral/orange) and Warwick Way (a teal) (on sale for around $15 each, but they can be purchased for less in the US).  Both colors look stunning and weren't sold online by Sephora (which is why I bought them from BeautyBay instead of waiting until August to buy them).  Nails Inc. has one of my all-time favorite nail polish formulations, so I couldn't skip the chance to add a few new colors to my ever-growing collection.

Another item that I opted for was a set of the Emma Hardie Natural Lift & Sculpt Professional Cloths (around $13 for a pack of 3).  My current muslin cloths are a little worse-for-wear, and seeing as the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm is a massive skincare favorite of mine, it only seemed natural to buy the matching cloths.  I tried one out last night for the first time - oh my.  My skin has never felt so squeaky clean.  It just goes to show that you can have a great cleanser, but the muslin cloth is just as important - I'm a total convert to these now.  Now adding another pack of these bad boys to my next order...

The last item I opted for was the Stila In the Light Palette (about $38 on BeautyBay, retails in the US for $39).  This has been on my wishlist for over a year, and my basket looked a little sad without a new makeup treat, so I went for it!  The colors all look completely wearable, even the blue shade looks like something I could work with.  I'm a fan of Stila as a brand, and I love Kitten Eyeshadow (review here), which is also a part of this palette, so I'm excited to try some new shades out!  Keep your eyes peeled for a review on this, as one will definitely be churned out soon enough.

That's it for this haul post, but I may or may not have (but definitely did) make a sneaky purchase or two (or 6) off of Feelunique, which should be in soon - Haul post to come (these come way too often, don't they?).

Have you picked up any new beauty picks recently?  Have you tried anything that I picked up?

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NARS Luster Blusher Review

You know that blush that you bought so long ago?  The one stuffed in your collection that never seems to see the light of day?  Well, until recently, that was NARS Luster ($29) for me.

Purchased around a year ago, I used this maybe once since purchasing it.  I was on the fence about whether I should sell it or not, until I decided to try it once more just to be sure of my decision - and that's when I fell in love.  It's sort of like that episode of Friends, the one where Monica wants to break up with the guy she's dating, until they kiss and fall for each other.  Luster is the boyfriend to my Monica - (Sorry if you don't watch Friends and don't get that reference, but stop reading this and go start watching Friends!).

Luster is a peach blush, but it's just so much more than that.  It's slightly more orange than just a peach blush, with gold shimmer running throughout.  Sephora describes it as a 'sheer golden apricot' - which is basically true, the golden apricot part at least.  As with pretty much any NARS Blusher, it's nothing close to sheer, it's very pigmented, so it's easy to go overboard with, so be careful not to put too much on!  But because it's so pigmented, it also lasts all day.

Also keep in mind that this is a very warm-toned blusher, which a cool-toned person could definitely wear, but it's still something to be aware of.

If you're in the market for a new high-end blush, definitely go swatch this at your closest NARS counter, as it's quickly becoming my new favorite NARS blush!

Have you tried this blusher before?  What's your favorite NARS blusher?

Longevity: 5/5
Pigmentation: 5/5

Packaging: 4/5

Texture: 4/5

Application: 5/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5 

Overall Rating: 9.17/10

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Chantecaille 'Just Skin' Tinted Moisturizer Review

The thing with 'Cult Products' is you either buy into them or you aren't phased, at all.  I'm the former...

I've been watching Beauty Videos/reading Beauty Blogs for a long time now, and so many of my favorite people to watch/read always rave about this particular Tinted Moisturizer: the Chantecaille 'Just Skin' Tinted Moisturizer ($64).

Within the last year, I've been to London four times, which basically means I've been to Space NK four times, which also means I've been to the Chantecaille counter and swatched this particular tinted moisturizer (you guessed it) four times.  On my most recent trip to London (see hauls here and here), I had a little extra cash left at the end of my trip and opted to pick this up - despite the hefty price tag.

Let's start out with coverage - it's sheer, like really sheer.  This is the sheerest tinted moisturizer I've ever tried, not that that's a fault for me.  I'm a massive fan of sheer bases, looking for the slightest amount of coverage to cover any redness and evening out my skin-tone.  However, if you're someone who wants a little more coverage in a tinted moisturizer, this one isn't for you.  Although, you can build it up to some degree, it's not going to be as heavy coverage as something like the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($42) (which I also really like).

Another thing to be aware of before taking the plunge is that this has a glowy finish to it.  For me, this is both a blessing and a curse, I love a glowy finish to my base, but I also have combination skin, so I don't want to look oily, either.  If you have dry skin, this will be great for you, but if you're more on the oily side, you can still work with this, but be sure to keep some powder on hand for later in the day!

As for longevity, it's not too shabby, considering it's the sheerest of sheer coverages.  Even 10 hours later, I can still detect some coverage!

There's also some added benefits to this tinted moisturizer: an SPF 15 and it's Anti-Smog.  The Anti-Smog benefit makes it a perfect choice for someone who lives in a city or goes to cities a lot, but for those of us, who are a little separated from the rest of the population, well, it sure doesn't hurt.

Do I like this tinted moisturizer? Yes.  Do I think it's worth $64 a tube (or £57 for those of you in the UK)? No.  It's a nice tinted moisturizer, but I don't think it truly deserves the cult status it's acquired.

Longevity: 4/5

Packaging: 5/5

Texture: 5/5

Application: 5/5

Value For Money: 3.5/5 

Overall Rating: 9/10

The Chantecaille 'Just Skin' Tinted Moisturizer contains 50 ml of product.  I wear the shade 'Alabaster' (the lightest shade) for reference.

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