THE FOUNDATION LINE UP

Until my spending ban, foundations were probably what I enjoyed buying the most make up wise.  Along with eye shadow palettes of course, and lipsticks, and brow pencils...you get the picture.  I've not bought any new base products in a while, which is actually killing me right now because I am desperate to try the latest offering from NARS!  The ones pictured here today are what I currently have in my collection, some have been repurchased a few times now and others are ones that I'm trying for the first time. 

I'll start with L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Matte and Estee Lauder Double Wear, which to me are both very similar to each other.  They have matte finishes, are full coverage and are really long lasting.  The L'Oreal one is the budget choice, and I find it really easy to blend and cover any uneven skin tone and blemishes.  Double Wear does the same, and I love the lightweight feel of it even though it is full coverage and looks like it's actually thick and cakey.  

Revlon Colorstay is along the same lines as the last two, although I have to say that I rarely use this as even though it is a really good match for my skin tone, I find it really hard to blend and feels like it is clogging my pores around my t zone.  If you want a base that's really long lasting then I'd go for this, but blend blend blend, and then blend again! 

Clinique Even Better foundation is my favourite base when I'm looking for a dewy finish.  It is super light, has medium buildable coverage and lasts well too.  

My most used base has to be Laura Mercier Silk Creme Photo Edition foundation, which just ticks all the boxes.  The coverage is medium buildable to full, the finish is velvety with a natural looking sheen and it just makes my skin look flawless even though it never actually is!  

One that I've been disappointed with is Maxfactor Miracle Match, because it had all the promise of being an excellent drug store find, but it turned out to be hard to blend and also a bad colour match.  A problem that I often find with drugstore foundations is that their lightest shade isn't light enough, and they are often yellow toned which is not very helpful if your skin is pink toned.  This one had yellow undertones, so even when I'd managed to blend it in it made my face a different shade to my neck so I had to remove it again!  

Last up is Jouer Matte Moisture Tint, which technically could come under the tinted moisturiser category but I find the coverage too good be just that.  I've pretty much used this up now, but I lived in it all summer last year because it was so lightweight yet still gave me the coverage I needed.  This one comes second only to Silk Creme for me, I'd definitely recommend giving it a go if you're looking for a light base that still gives some cover.  I really want to try the Luminous Moisture Tint next, so come spring I may have to treat myself!

Let me know which foundations are your favourites!  Do you like any of these? xx

SHOPPING THE STASH | 7

My seventh 'Shopping the Stash' post...I didn't really expect to keep these going for so long, I was convinced that I'd get bored of looking through my old products and carry on shopping for new things instead!  However, I've enjoyed rediscovering make up that has been sat at the back of my drawers and it's been a good distraction from buying new things that I really don't need. 

Peachy lipsticks have been my colour of choice lately, and I really love Melon Shimmer by Estee Lauder and Buenos Aires from NYX.  Melon Shimmer is a light orange lipstick with a sheer but well pigmented finish; it feels really nourishing too which I love.  The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream is a bargain buy, it lasts for ages and the colour is super bold.  

My Benefit It's Potent eye cream is a god send when I have early starts, which is most of the week.  I use it after moisturising and let it sink in to my under eye area before putting the rest of my make up on.  It really seems to fade, if temporarily, my dark circles and smoothes out any tiny little lines that concealer could sink in to.

A couple of nights a week I've been putting on the James Read Sleep Mask Tan, to try and gain a little natural colour in my face.  I love this facial tanner because it is non oily and it soaks into my skin without clogging it up and causing a breakout. 

I'm still really into all things grey, and this includes my nails where I've been wearing a lot of No.7 Gel Look Shine polish in Grey Mist; it is a beautiful light grey shade with a glossy, professional finish - I would definitely add more shades from this range to my collection. 

I must say that my wish list is currently huge, almost every day I see a product I want but shopping what I've already got is a massive help and I definitely recommend giving it a go if you're trying to cut back on your spending! xx

3 TO TRY | ORANGE TONED RED LIPSTICKS

Lipsticks! More specifically...red lipsticks!  To be even more specific/annoying, they're orange toned red lipsticks, but you probably already got that from the title.  These are my favourite shades of red lipsticks, I've found that orange toned reds suit my complexion the best, whereas blue toned reds just don't, to the point where I've got a couple in my collection that just lay there because I tried them and I just do not look right!  

Thankfully, I discovered that orange toned reds were my thing which has since made it much easier to shops for lipsticks and know in advance whether they will suit me or not.  

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Morocco is my pick of the budget lipsticks; at £5.50 they are an absolute steal - they are of high quality and the colour is ridiculously bold and deeply pigmented.  I love Morocco because it is a bright, cheery red that has a matte finish, yet doesn't dry my lips out at all and lasts for a really long time.  This is only one of two NYX lip creams that I own and I definitely want to try some more out.

MAC Dangerous, £15.50, is a classic: the sort of red shade that you would associate with old Hollywood glamour.  I love wearing this on nights out, the matte finish is super flattering and the rich orange red colour stands out nicely against my fair skin.  

Finally, it's Charlotte Tilbury's 1975 Red.  Aside from the beautiful gold packaging, I love this because the colour is the perfect shade of red - it's deep yet bright with a radiant velvet finish.  The style and formula of this lipstick makes it easy to create the illusion of fuller lips too, and I can wear this without any lipliner underneath to stop bleeding.  

These are my three go-to reds at the moment, my spending ban is currently stopping me from trying out any more but I'm really happy to already have these in my collection!  What are your favourite red shades? xx

TEXTURE SPRAYS | HIGH END VS HIGH STREET

The longer my hair gets, the more effort it takes if I want to style it.  I'm happy that it's finally started growing again after what feels like a lifetime of waiting, but I have to admit that I miss having short layers which made creating texture a dream!  I'm now always on the lookout for new styling products to try and give my hair a bit of extra oomph or those pesky beachy waves that everyone else seems to do better than me!

At the moment I'm using two texturising products, both at opposite ends of the price scale but both of which I quite like.  

First there is Fudge Urban Crisp Pear & Sweet Vanilla Texture Spray, £6.99, which can be found in Boots and Superdrug.  I picked this up because I have a couple of other products by Fudge and they smell a m a z i n g!  It's so lovely to use hair sprays that smell of something pleasant rather than that cheap, chemical smell that often comes with cheaper brands, and this texture spray is no different.  It smells just like it says on the can, so it gets top marks for that.  It claims to be a 'back comb in a can', which I also agree with.  I spray this in my hair, rough it up a bit and it makes it 100% easier to style.  The spray gives it a rough, mattified feel that has at least 30% more volume and it stays in place for hours (as long as there's no gale force wind outside!).  I think this is a bargain styling product that really gives the higher end versions a run for their money, I use it daily when I want to style my hair and it gives it that lived in, effortless look.  

Bumble and Bumble Cityswept Finish Spray, £22, claims to give a lived in look with 'separation and sheen' - basically a toned down texturiser.  I use this usually if I've straightened/waved my hair and want to add some natural looking movement to it.  The result is not as dramatic as the Fudge spray, but it isn't there to do the same job.  It's a lot more expensive too, however I've had this can since summer last year, and I've still got around half left - so I think I can say that I'm getting my money's worth out of it!  If I'm going to be out a lot when wearing this in my hair, I do find that I need some hairspray to help it out and keep it in place, so this is where the Fudge spray has the advantage.

I really like both of these sprays, however I think that the Fudge Texture Spray has the edge on the Bumble and Bumble one, because it is such a bargain and it has brilliant hold.  The smell is also gorgeous, I'd go as far as to say you should invest in it for this reason alone!

Do you have either of these sprays?  Which is your favourite?xx 

CURRENT BEAUTY FAVOURITES | 13

This post is kind of proof that my spending ban has failed a little in the last couple of weeks! I first slipped up when I was sick a couple of weeks ago and accidentally on purpose made an order on Space NK, and then I walked into Boots the other day and came out with a (small) bag of new things.  

Since every blogger and their dog have been talking about the Becca Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfecter, I had to see what all the fuss was about.  The shade is Champagne Pop and it's a warm, iridescent peach shade that is so beautiful and flattering; I've been wearing it every day since I bought it.  You only need a tiny amount to get a good glow on the tops of your cheeks, I definitely recommend it if you're on the lookout for a new highlighter!

My other recent purchase was the Fudge Urban Texture Spray, which is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread.  For your hair, anyway.  I picked this up in Boots, and it claims to be a 'back comb in a bottle', which is a pretty accurate description in my opinion.  I've been using this to add some texture and volume to my hair, whether I'm wearing it up or down.  When I'm styling my hair this makes it easier and gives it more hold, and if I'm just wearing it loose it just gives it that mess, lived in look that I'm loving right now.

Invisibobbles are these cute little hair bands that claim to hold your hair up in place whilst leaving no kinks in after you take them out - and they work!  I've always got a kink in my hair somewhere or other, so these have been such a great find.  

It wouldn't be right for me not to include a Barry M nail polish in my favourites this month, I've been wearing various shades from the brand for weeks and this one in Pink Lemonade has been my first choice for work.  It is a really soft, light pink from the Gelly collection which means it's super glossy and has a professional looking finish.

I've been keeping it neutral on my lips lately, and have been reaching for Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk and Maybelline Velvet Beige.  Both are nude shades which I occasionally wear together for that Kylie Jenner look, Pillow Talk in particular is great for creating the look of fuller lips and it lasts for hours.  

So there is another bunch of make up bits that I've been loving for the last few weeks, hopefully my spending ban will be back on track now!  What have you been reaching for the most lately?  Do you like any of these products? xx 

MY CURRENT FAVOURITE NAIL POLISHES

l-r: Rimmel Precious Stones in Diamond Dust, No.7 Gel Look in Grey Mist, Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing in Vengeance is Wine & Essie in Summit of Style

I change my nails every few days, I get bored easily and usually if I see the odd chip here and there that makes me want to change them too.  I have to say that I've been pretty boring lately, and the four that are featured on this post are the ones that have been in my regular rotation for the last few weeks!  

I do love me some glitter, and Rimmel Precious Stones polish in Diamond Dust is perfect for an all out sparkle.  The concentration of glitter is the best I've ever come across, you wear it alone and it's a heavy duty grey/silver sparkly finish.  I tend to wear this with false nails, as it is pretty difficult to remove as you can probably imagine.  

Another favourite glittery offering is Essie in Summit of Style, which is a gold glitter that I either wear alone under a clear or nude polish, or with another colour for extra effect.  I also use this to create a sparkly tip, it's really easy and is a quick way to go from a regular mani to something with a bit more oomph! 

My favourite colour this winter season has definitely been grey, and this No.7 Gel Effect polish in Grey Mist has been my go-to since before Christmas.  It has a super glossy finish, lasts for around 4 days without chipping, and is an all round good'un. 

Lastly, I absolutely ADORE this Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing polish in Vengeance is Wine!  It is the most beautiful deep red shade, and when worn with the topcoat is it incredible glossy and looks a lot more expensive than a drugstore brand.  

What nail polishes have you been loving lately?  Do you like any of these? xx

A VALENTINES / ANTI-VALENTINES DAY MAKE UP LOOK

Valentine's Day is one of those unavoidable events that happen every year - it's less fun and usually more expensive than Easter, if you're single you get love hearts and awful mushy cards all over the high street reminding you that you're single, and if you're in a relationship there's the moderate pressure of comparing yourselves to others and wondering if you've been romantic enough/spent enough blah blah blah.  

However, whatever your situation on February 14th or in fact any day of the year, there's no reason why you shouldn't feel good for you!  I have come up with this look and named it a Valentine's Day one, but to be honest I do my make up like this whenever I feel like it!  There doesn't need to be an occasion to get the pink lipstick out, and as bloggers/make up lovers we should already know this - but I'll shut up now and just go through what's on my face, soz.  

Got a bit carried away with preaching  there, but anyway, I used the above products to create this look.  I used all my usual base products to start with, (which I haven't included in the photo because I feature them all the time) like the Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation, and then did some contouring using my Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow palette.  I used the contour shade down my cheekbones and down the sides on my nose, and a little of the highlighter on places like my cheeks, chin, centre of my nose etc.  I went over the tops of my cheeks with a small amount of the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Champagne Pop, to add some extra glow.  I chose the Bobbi Brown Greystone palette to create a soft smokey eye, with the Maybelline Master Precise eyeliner over the top to create a good old cat flick.  

My pink lipstick of choice was MAC Full Fuchsia, which is possibly my favourite ever shade.  I love how vibrant and bold it is, and there's just something about this colour that seems to make it so flattering to wear.  

Let me know what your plans are for Valentine's Day! xx