The new Bourjois 12hour Aqua Blush

Aqua blush in Cocoricorail

I was recently having a browse in Boots and I came across this Aqua Blush which caught my eye. After watching all of the colours I went for No2 Cocoricorail. These have a very different consistency to them. It is a gel like/ watery mixture (Similar to custard!) When you blend it out with your finger it almost disappears and dissolves into a thin watery layer that makes the skin look flushed and radiant. I really like this, it is so different to any other drugstore blushes I have tried. It can be so subtle and because it creates such a seamless layer on the skin it looks very natural. I much prefer creme/ liquid blushes as they don't look powdery on the skin. As you can see from the photo, you can really make this subtle which is what I like from a blush. It can also be built up to create a real peachy pink shade. I think these are perfect for the summer and for dry skin types as they don't stick to dry patches on the skin. Once it has dried, they really do stay put.

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

A Review of the Dreamy Glow highlighter from Charlotte Tilbury

I recently got my hands on the limited edition Dreamy Glow highlighter from the Norman Parkinson and Charlotte Tilbury collaboration. This is a golden highlighter that gives a lovely subtle glow to the skin without being shimmery or over the top. I really like this because it has a slight pinky tone to it. It was quite hard to capture on camera as it is beautifully subtle. There is a video tutorial here if you would like to see it in action. The packaging is again beautiful as always with Charlotte Tilbury products and you get a substantial amount of product in the pan.

If this is a little pricey for you, I would recommend the Balm Mary LouManiser highlighter. It is similar in colour but it is a bit less subtle. Here is a swatch to compare. As you can see, it is similar in colour. If you do want to get your hands on the Charlotte Tilbury highlighter- you need to be quick as it is limited edition and I can see this product being very popular. You can purchase it from Selfridges or Charlotte's website here. 

 Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

A Review: The Goddess Skin Clay mask from Charlotte Tilbury

I recently caved in and bought the Goddess Clay skin Mask from Charlotte Tilbury. I thought I needed a good pamper as I have been so busy recently. Lush bath bomb, bubbles at the ready I applied the mask and left it for the recommended 10 minutes. Now what I really like about this clay mask is it doesn't dry. I find a lot of masks dry my skin out and are difficult and messy to remove. This however came off with a warm muslin cloth, very like a thick cleanser.

Now there are lots of claims for this mask, it is supposed to:

• Spanish clay absorbs oil and draws out impurities without drying. 

• Sweet Almond and Rosehip Oil nourish and delay signs of skin ageing. 

• BioNymph Peptide Complex boosts collagen production and improves elasticity. 

• Essential oils create a smooth, hydrating formula that never feels chalky or dry. 

• Frangipani Flower Extract boasts soothing antiseptic properties and leaves skin cashmere-soft.

Now I have to say I am in love! I agree with all the claims about it being nourishing, smoothing, hydrating and leaving your skin cashmere soft. This mask, despite it's smell which isn't my favourite (almondy, plant smelling hmmm!) left my skin feeling wonderful. It was so soft, hydrating and it made my skin glow! When I woke up my the next day my skin felt fresh and dewy. I haven't had any breakouts from it either which is probably to do with the antiseptic qualities. 

Now it is pricey at £45 for 75ml but I reckon it would last around 10-12 applications if you are careful. 

Definitely one to try if you are feeling spendy!

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

A Review: Concealers for Maybelline

I've been looking out for a new concealer to try and I recently picked these up from Boots on a buy one get one half price. I have seen a lot of positive responses in regards to these concealers. One of which is a drugstore copy of the YSL Touche Eclat and the other is an anti age concealer. To put these to the test I wore one on each side of my face all day to compare the two. To be honest I quite like them both but the Dream lumi touch is definitely my favourite. I bought this in 01 ivory and it has a twist end and the product seeps into the brush applicator at the end. It instantly brightened under the eye with quite a good coverage on red patches too. It didn't really crease either. I also like the Eraser eye but I did find this one creased- maybe it would be better with a setting powder but I would definitely recommend the Lumi touch if you were to choose one. Compared to the YSL version, this is a good dupe and much cheaper at only £6.99 (Currently on buy one get one half price in boots). I am going to continue to test these out, I'm not sure if it has replaced my Naked concealer for under the eyes but watch this space.

Pictured here 

Top: Lumi touch 01

Bottom: Eraser eye in light

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

Afternoon tea at Cafe Royal, Regent Street

I recently visited Cafe Royal for afternoon tea as a treat for getting to the end of term! I booked the trip online on afternoontea.co.uk. I scrolled through all of the fabulous pictures and I have to say this one caught my eye. There is currently a deal on for high society afternoon tea with champagne for £65 until September 30th. (For 2 people instead of £110 Click here for more details)

I have to say it was worth every penny! The food was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. We went on a Saturday at 1pm and it was lovely and quiet. There was a pianist playing light jazz music and we were treated very well indeed.

Here is the menu we had:

Amuse Bouche

Low Sidecar muffin (ana)
Apple, goat's cheese and Fisherman's friends 

Selection of Tea Sandwiches

Coronation chicken
Cucumber, cream cheese and red onion ketchup
Mary Rose prawn cocktail, smoked Spanish paprika and baby gem lettuce
Café Royal "Wilde" salmon
Wild boar, crackling, pickled apple and caraway bun
Chorizo, caramelised white onion and thyme "Wellington"

Palette Cleanser

Fruit tea and Baylands marshmallow (ana) 

Pastries

"Profile 66" chocolate
"Opéra 1865"
Seasonal flower pot
Tea macaroon
Strawberry rose "Regent"
Raspberry ripple pavlova 

Scones

Traditional gold raisin and plain scones
Clotted cream lemon curd
Strawberry preserve

Cakes

Fruit cake
Cazzette nut and butter cream
Blueberry and poppy seed (GF) 

A glass of Veuve Clicquot

As well as the sandwiches, scones and pretty deserts on the tray, you could choose from any extra cakes on the trolley. I couldn't fit anymore food in so there was plenty to eat. They had 29 teas to choose from! I opted for Earl grey and a glass of champagne. A definite recommendation if you are in London before September!

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

The best body shop scent ever?!

Now I have been a fan of the satsuma range ever since it came out. I love citrus fresh smelling scents but Body Shop- WOW have you impressed me! Pictured here is the new Mojito limited edition range. I got the shower gel, body butter and scrub. It smells INCREDIBLE! It smells just like a mojito. Its fresh minty with a kick of lime. Perfect for the hot weather and to wake you up in the morning. I really hope this limited edition scent makes it into the full time range and doesn't disappear because I don't think I could live without it! Get your hands on it here.

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

10 products worth the hype... and money!

Listed above:
Naked 2 palette
Charlotte Tilbury light wonder foundation
Charlotte tilbury colour Chameleon
Charlotte tilbury eyes to mesmerise
By Terry Ombre black star
Charlotte tilbury bronze and glow
Hourglass ambient lighting blush
Nars eyeshadow primer
A drug store item here: Soap and glory solar powder

There are some products where I am quite happy using drug store items but there are some high end products that I could not do without. There are always dupes but these products above cannot be duped. I reach for these on a daily basis and have many different versions of some of them for example MAC lipsticks- you can't beat them! I love all the Charlotte tilbury eyes to mesmerise pots and I couldn't choose a favourite. (Picture here is Bette). The Nars eye shadow primer is just brilliant- it stop all my eye shadows from creasing all day and you only need a small amount.

What are your favourite products that you couldn't do without?

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

Laura Mercier caviar stick drug store dupe alert!

I have been riffling through my make up collection recently and have discovered almost perfect dupes for the Laura mercer caviar stick eye crayons.

In fact I think I actually prefer some of the dupes! The No7 stay perfect shade and difine crayons are incredible. They do not budge. When taking off the swatches the No7 ones stayed on a lot longer.

Whilst swatching, I also found that the No7 Coffee bean pencil was a good dupe for the ByTerry Ombre blackstar in no.13 brown perfection.

The Caviar sticks come in at £22 here which are cheaper than the ByTerry Ombre black stars but are still expensive. You can pick up the No7 pencils here which are currently by one get one half price at making them just £6! Bargain. The Rimmel scandaleyes are just £4.49 again on offer here and the Barry M shadow pencils at £4.59 here.

Have you found any good dupes recently?

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

Review of the Charlotte Tilbury eyes to mesmerise cream shadows

As you can probably guess from recent posts on my blog and that there are four shades in this picture! I absolutely LOVE these cream eye shadow pots. I haven't got anything quite like this in my collection and they are so easy to wear. All you need is a wash of colour and they stay put all day. They are so quick and easy to use and the colour pay off is incredible.

Picture here from left to right are:

Veruschkha

Mona Lisa

Bette

Marie Antoinette

I apply these with a Mac 217 and blend out with a clean brush or my finger. You can get a real intense colour or a pretty wash depending on what you are looking for. 

I have also mixed them with powdered eye shadows to create more of a smokey defined eye and they work just as well.

These have to be one of my favourite discoveries of 2015 so far. I thoroughly recommend them.

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx

The new Norman Parkinson collaboration collection with Charlotte tilbury- first impressions

Firstly, apologies that I have been away for a couple of weeks. If you are a regular reader of my blog you may know that I have been getting my kitchen done. There will be before and after pictures shortly when it is completely finished but I have to say I LOVE it!

Last week the Norman Parkinson collection was released and I had to get my hands on a couple of items. In this collection there is:

Filmstar Bronze & Glow - Suntan & Sunlight

Colour Of Youth - Lip & Cheek Colour

Dreamy Glow Highlighter

Matte Revolution - 1975 Red

Matte Revolution - Miss Kensington

'On Call' Makeup Bag

The Bathing Beauty Bag

 I purchased the cream bronze and glow and the matte revolution lipstick in Miss Kensington. 

I already have some of Charlotte's matte revolution lipsticks and I really love them. This one is no exception. It is a perfect everyday nude in the gorgeous rose gold packaging. I also got the cream bronze and glow. I haven't actually got the original powder version as I thought I had enough powder bronzers that I already liked for example: NARs laguna, soap and glory solar powder, Kiko modern tribes bronzer so I have been waiting for this cream version to come out. 


On first swatch it is lovely and creamy and the highlighter has a beautiful golden shimmer- perfect for summer. I definitely recommend going to have a look in Selfridges if you are in London. The limited edition packaging is again beautiful. Stay tuned to see if they make it into my next favourites post.

Thanks for reading

Katherine

xxx