Drugstore Beauty for Pale Skin.

As far as being pale goes, I reckon I'm definitely on the far end of the spectrum. Seriously, my skin's so white it's almost translucent. 

Being pale - although seemingly more attractive than being the same shade as a tangerine - is a nightmare when shopping for makeup, especially at the drugstore.

It's nice when I go to a high end counter and they have a whole rainbow of shades to choose from, but not so much on the high street. Making sure to swatch - even if you have to open a new bottle - is essential for girls with fair complexions, the orange ring around the jawline is a massive no-no.

The Loreal True Match foundation is a good option for gals with pale skin. It comes in a wide variety of shades to suit any skintone, and is a great all rounder base.

Another good'un is the Rimmel Match Perfection foundation. This one has very pale shades available and provides sheer coverage. Great for everyday use.

As far as concealers go, it has to be the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer. Great coverage and lasts all day, and when used sparingly can work well for under the eyes. 

Any translucent powders will pretty much work for pale skin but the best ones I've come across are the Collection Sheer Loose powder and the Rimmel Stay Matte powder. Both fab products for setting bases in place and lasting a somewhat decent time.

The best contour shade I've come across for pale skin is the NYX blush in taupe. It's ashy toned so it doesn't look orange or muddy on the skin - a must for fair complexions.

The loveliest blush I've come across that looks stunning on light skintones is the Sleek Blush in Rose Gold - a beautiful pinky colour with gold shimmer running through. A blush and highlighter in one. 

Us pale girls can can look good too.

Lauren

xo

Beauty Letdowns.

Apologies for not posting these last couple of days, life has been completely hectic. It's really hard to work your butt off doing umpteen hours, shop for Christmas presents and see your friends and family all in the same week. I'm bloody exhausted.

Today I'm coming at you with my beauty letdowns - those products that just didn't cut it when I was trying them out. I'll be honest, I do like to give everything a fair test run of about a week, if we're still not getting on after that then it's time to ship up and ship out.

First up is the Rimmel BB cream Matte. Even though I picked up the shade 'light', this stuff was straight up orange on me. There was just no possible way of making it work without slathering it all down my neck and chest too. 

Is it just me that thinks the Maybelline Baby Lips were a little too hyped up? I honestly do believe this product is over rated, it's only a lip balm and it doesn't do anything that another lip balm wouldn't. It does smell heavenly though.

Now I love the Revlon Lip Butters, I really do, however I just couldn't seem to see eye to eye with the shade Peach Parfait. There was just too much glitter in it for my liking, so much so that I could actually feel the chunks on my lips. Not attractive.

If you're British, no doubt you've heard of Girls Aloud. Dainty Doll was a cosmetics line established by one of the members, Nicola Roberts. This is by no means taking a dig at her, I love Nicola (we gingers gotta stick together) but this concealer sucks. The colour match is good but the coverage wasn't great and if I happened to get any of this near my eyes it stung so bad. Not good.

Lastly is the Rimmel Exaggerate eyeshadow primer. My eyelids aren't even that oily, the only reason I wear a primer is so I don't have to touch up at all throughout the day. This stuff has my eyeshadow creasing after about 3/4 hours, not handy really. 

A handful of makeup products that really just didn't tickle my fancy. However, don't let my opinions put you off if you happen to like or want to try any of these. I always think it's better to test things out for yourself anyways. 

Lauren

xo

Let's cut to the base.

You know when you're using a new product and it instantly wows you? like you can't help but think this, this was made for me.

Well, these were my thoughts exactly when I first used the Loreal Lumi Magique foundation.

It glides over dry patches, even supplying 24 hours of hydration and it's longevity is really good. I find it does start to break down after about 7/8 hours of wear.

It states that it creates flawless skin that looks lit-from-within and I would wholeheartedly agree. It gives luminosity without the shininess and just makes your complexion look healthy and glowy. 

It's got a decent colour selection - if I can find a shade match then I'm pretty sure anyone can. 

It blends lovely and looks beautiful on the skin. A silky formula that I will most definitely be re-purchasing when I get to the end of this bottle.

Lauren

xo

4 tools every beauty enthusiast needs.

As a beauty and makeup obsessive, there's always a few things that I pretty much use on a daily basis. 

These tools - I believe - are ones that every girl should have in her beauty arsenal. No doubt you'll find countless ways to use them just like I do.

Face Wipes

I don't care what anybody else says, every girl needs a packet of face wipes - especially as a beauty blogger with all the makeup looks and the swatching. They're great for any spillages, giving something a quick once-over (like shoes for example) and for the lazy day cleanse. Don't lie, you've all done it at least once.

A blending brush

I tend to buy blending brushes by the bucket load - I'm really not a fan of brush cleaning so I put it off for as long as possible, even though when it eventually comes to cleaning them I've made more work for myself. It's a vicious circle. 

This one's by far my fave and you can find it here - it's a pretty good dupe for the MAC 217 and blends out eyeshadows like a dream.

Tweezers

I use tweezers for a number of things - from keeping my brows in check to applying falsies. Even though investing in a good pair can be great for the long run, as long as they do the job I don't think you need to spend a small fortune on a metal contraption designed to prevent a monobrow.

Eyelash curlers

Another obvious one really. Curling your lashes before applying mascara can make the world of difference to your overall makeup look. It opens them further and makes you look that little bit less tired. Heat them a little before use and you'll have a curl that lasts all day. 

Lauren

xo

6 boxsets you simply must watch.

I love a good boxset, me.

I get way too invested in the lives of the characters and the locations to a point where I actually think I'm in it (I know, no need to remind me I seriously need to make some life adjustments). 

I'm one of those people that once they really get into a series, they want to watch it all the time. When Netflix starting streaming Prison Break I managed to complete it within a week and a half - that's 4 season with 21/22 eps per season. Safe to say I didn't leave the house much. 

For today's post, I thought I'd just share with you some of the boxsets I've seriously enjoyed so much I've got them on DVD and watched them more than once...and even twice. 

The O.C. - This show is the bomb.com, I freaking love it. It follows the life of Ryan Atwood who, originally from the slums of Chino, is thrust into the high society world of Newport beach when he's taken in by his lawyer. Add in some wealthy teenagers, huge houses, one too many angry jocks, drink, drugs and a Seth Cohen and you've got yourself one hell of a t.v. show.

Prison Break - I've previously raved about how much I love this show - see this post here. If you're into edge of your seat action then this is the one for you. Meet Michael Scofield, a structural engineer who get's himself tossed into the same institution where his older brother's locked up for a crime he didn't commit with only one intention...to break him out. it's thrilling to watch Michael's plan come together, and then fall apart only to come back together again all within the space of an hour. A must watch. 

The Inbetweeners - Another must watch - but not for the faint of heart. It's crude and full of profanity but it's absolutely hilarious. Jay, Neil, Simon and Will - four very different friends with pretty much the same goals...have sex and get drunk. Watching these four make absolute idiots of themselves is the best to brighten up a bad day.

Breaking Bad - Again, already raved about this one here, but I can rave about it again. I'll be honest and say I didn't really get into this when it first came out but after Netflix began streaming it I was hooked. Walter White, the high school chemistry teacher turned crystal meth kingpin, follow his highs and lows with some humorous moments including sidekick Jesse Pinkman. 

Supernatural - I don't think people praise this show enough, two hot guys who kill monsters and demons. What's not to love?

Dean and Sam Winchester are brothers and hunters of all things Supernatural. Cruising the U.S. in Dean's chevvy Impala with a masonry of weapons stashed under the boot is the life that these guys lead. With a little help from their father and family friend Bobby, these two are the shizz when it comes to killing demons. If you're into elements of horror then give this one a go.

Gossip Girl - Last but by no means least. I can't even put into words the amount of love I have for this show. It's dramatic and over the top but so beautiful and enjoyable - and the wardrobe is to die for. Set in New York City, follow the lives of Serena, Blair, Chuck, Nate, Dan and Jenny as they find themselves and more importantly, each other. Heartfelt moments surrounded by family drama, friendship feuds and high rise fashion. It's fabulous.

Let me know what you guys think if you've seen any of these or they're on your to-do list.

Lauren

xo

The perfect gift for the makeup lover.

Benefit are bringing it this year when it comes to their Christmas gift sets and there's only one phrase that comes to mind when I think of them - the bomb diggity. 

There are so many different ones to choose from and all are reasonably priced considering how expenny Benefit can actually get when it comes to their singular products. 

My Mum picked up the Beauty Bonbons gift set for me as an early Christmas present and it's bloody brilliant.

For £39.50 you get a full sized Hoola bronzer and High Beam and travel sized versions of the PoreFessional primer, Hoola lipgloss and the They're Real mascara. A pretty cracking deal if you ask me. 

Plus this is a great way to try out products from the brand at a fairly discounted price as Benefit can get pretty pricey (the Hoola bronzer is £23.50 just on it's own).

If this doesn't sound like your thing then there are many other beauty boxes to pop on your christmas list - another favourite of mine is the Cheeky Sweet Spot gift set for £29.50, all the boxed blushes in one set including Hoola and a sample of the Watt's Up! highlighter.

Santa's going to have his work cut out for him this year.

Lauren

xo

The Foundation Rotation.

As a makeup and beauty enthusiast I don't just have the one foundation, I have a collection. I'd say that bases are my thang when it comes to makeup, I like to own a fair few - not because I go through them so quickly, but because they seem to be the product that I just can't help throwing in my basket when I'm shopping.

It's a problem, I know.

With the cold rolling around thick and fast recently and the biting wind that seems to be blowing through at any given moment I've been switching up my foundations on an almost daily basis. 

The one I've probably been reaching for the most is the Bourjois Healthy Mix. I got along really well with the serum version of this foundation and I'd heard so many people rave about the original that it was almost impossible to not pick this one up. It doesn't cling to dry patches and it looks beautiful on the skin. And the smell, oh my the smell - delicious.

For a longer lasting base I'll go for the Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude. This stuff really does last hours. It comes in a decent range of shades and the coverage is great for day to day. I'd say one of the best at the drugstore.

An old favourite of mine comes in the form of the Revlon Nearly Naked. This foundation is, again, one of the best at the drugstore. It blends like a dream, looks lovely on the skin and has decent coverage. I feel this stuff doesn't get enough credit for how good it actually is.

Lastly is a base I honestly haven't heard that many people talk about and that's the Loreal Lumi Magique. This is great for those who are after that dewy look but still with a good amount of coverage. The best for giving radiance and brightness back to the skin that the harsh winter weather has a tendency to steal. An underrated base in my opinion. 

It's a toughie finding a foundation that can essentially work wonders for godforsaken skin - I know I struggle finding ones that I'm happy with and more importantly, that my skin is happy with, especially in the Winter.

These little bottles of joy come in handy I have to say.

Lauren

xo

The Everyday Jewellery Bits.

I don't wear a ton of jewellery on an everyday basis unless I'm really feeling it. Nowadays, I tend to have a handful of wear-to-death pieces that I grab almost instinctively before rushing out of the door. 

First is obviously my Michael Kors watch. Mine is the MK5569 - a rose gold chronograph from the Lexington collection and I absolutely adore it. It's honestly my most prized possession. My parents got it me for my 21st birthday back in April and I've not taking it off since -  well except for the obvious times. 

Rings. Rings are my favourites - see this post here. I'm not a huge fan of bracelets and although I love necklaces, I don't always like wearing them. Rings are easy to take off and put on whenever you feel. I like midi rings and statement rings with a grungy edge, like my skull and tribal one. I also like to layer my rings, so 9/10 I'll be wearing about twenty...on one hand. Only joking.

Last up is a more recent everyday piece and that's my 'Lauren' necklace. I know, I know, name necklaces had their thing a few years back and held alot of 'chav' connotations. But I always associated the massive ones with chavs, mine's very dainty and you can't really tell what it says unless you're standing 3 feet away. I've had it for years and never took it off when I first got it but back then, I liked to wear alot of necklaces at once and the tangles were just getting on my nerves. I've re-kindled my love for it. 

I do love a good everyday jewellery piece. Something that reminds you of a loved one or just something to wear when you're far away from home. Everyone's everyday jewellery is different - whilst I'd say mine is quite subtle, another person's maybe statement necklaces or a sizeable stack of bangles on each wrist.

Lauren

xo

BBW - How to be high street Savvy.

Shopping on the high street can be a downright nightmare - especially when it comes to makeup. You have other people not budging over enough for you to get a look in, the tester-hoggers (and lack of for that matter) and my personal favourite, the ones who hover until you're forced to put down whatever product you're holding because they simply can't just look at something else other than what's in your hand at that very moment.

Like I said...nightmare.

But don't worry, there are ways to beat the great drugstore depression and I've compiled a few to make sure you're going home with a bag of goodies you actually want without spending a small fortune.

Just because something's on offer doesn't mean you have to buy it.

Ok, I'll hold my hands up and say I'm guilty of taking advantage of Boots' 3 for 2 offers on more than one occasion. However, just because you've picked up four things doesn't mean you have to pick up an extra two just because you'll be getting one free. 

Do you really need that 8th eyeliner if you've still got four unused ones in your stash back home?...Know when to say no.

Make a list.

I find this helpful when I've got to pick up specifics, say I've ran out of foundation *snorts* or shower gel. I'll write down everything I need to pick up in either my notebook or the notes appy thingy on my phone. It makes for easy shopping when you know what you're after and also aids in the saving of pennies every now and again.

TAKE. YOUR. TIME.

Honestly, the amount of times I've gone shopping with my Mum and I've picked up the wrong foundation shade or forgotten something because she's rushed me isn't countable. Non-makeup lovers don't - and probably never will - understand the insatiable need to peruse the aisles of Boots for hours. This is something I tend to to do either by myself or with a like-minded friend nowadays, just because I hate being rushed when it comes to picking stuff out. Whether it takes a minute or an hour, don't leave until you're completely satisfied.

Read reviews.

There are tons of blogs/youtube channels out there on the internet - surely there's at least one that's done a review on that palette you've been wanting for so long?!

Nowadays I rarely buy anything that I haven't read a review on at some point. I like to read a few just so I can't get a range of opinions rather than reading one and believing that person's opinion. 

Product reviews are written for a reason - use them.

Be sure to swatch.

Never buy anything you're going to be potentially putting on your face unless you've swatched it first. That old school routine of 'oh, this one's got a pretty name I'll go for that' just doesn't fly anymore. Same with products like blush and eyeshadow - imagine buying it and getting it home only to find the formulation's crap and the pigmentation is shoddy at best? nothing's more disappointing. 

Even if you've got an armful of colours, swatch until you can swatch no more.

Today marks the last post of Budget Beauty Week and I've got to say how much I've really enjoyed doing themed weeks. I may do more of them in the future.

Thanks for reading.

Lauren

xo

BBW - You've got £10, buy one of these.

It's the penultimate post of Budget Beauty Week and it's time to talk about something that happens to me more often than it probably should. I've got one day left until payday but I really want to treat myself...what can I buy with my last tenner?

The great thing about the drugstore is a vast majority of the products in there are under a tenner, so there's plenty of things to choose from if, like me, you find yourself desperately in need of a new lipstick and simple can't wait 24 hours. 

Don't judge, I know you've all been there. 

The Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation is absolutely amazing for it's price of £8.99. It blends well, has decent coverage, doesn't stick to dry patches from my experience with it and has a sizeable shade range. There's nothing really bad I can say about this foundation.

The Bourjois Happy Light concealer is an all-around smashing concealer. It covers redness and blemishes well, it doesn't go cakey if you apply it sparingly and it also works for under-eye circles. Pricey for a concealer at £8.99, but worth it.

As for brow products, I've raved about the advantages of Rimmel's Brow This Way. I'd say it's a good drugstore version of Benefit's Gimme Brow. It's capable of completely filling in brows by itself and it holds them in place all day. It's just a shame it isn't waterproof, but for £3.99 you can't complain too much.

As far as shadows go, there's really only one option when it comes to adding colours to the lids for under a tenner - and that's the Maybelline Colour Tattoos, specifically in the shade 'On and On Bronze'. These little pots of joy come in a vast range of colours, blend beautifully on the lids and last forever. For £4.99 each, pick one of each shade and go to town. 

My favourite drugstore lippy has to be the Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish in 107. A favourite amongst bloggers and youtubers and probably the most raved about matte berry lip colour on the shelves of the drugstore...and for good reason. It's rich in colour, beautiful in formulation and lasts outstandingly - even through eating and drinking. For £5.49, it's a complete steal.

Tomorrow sees the end of Budget Beauty Week here at The Beauty Ideal, so be sure to keep your eye out for tips and tricks on how to be high street savvy. 

Lauren

xo

BBW - Drugstore Lip Picks.

We're on to the third post of Budget Beauty Week here at The Beauty Ideal, and today I'm going to let you guys in on my favourite drugstore lip products. 

Most of my lipsticks are drugstore. Like mascara, lipsticks are another product that the drugstore do extremely well. As much as I love my MAC lippys, you can't beat the formula of Rimmel's Moisture Renew or the colour selection at Maybelline. 

And if I can get a similar colour for a fraction of the price then I'll take it.

The Nude - Rimmel's Kate Moss Lasting Finish in 03.

I like my nudes on the more beigey/browny side, so this one's right up my street. I have so many nude lipsticks I've lost count, but this is the one I've been gravitating towards more often than any of the others recently. It's cheap as chips and has a lovely formulation.

Retail Price: £5.49

The Red - Loreal's Collection Exclusive in Blake's Red.

Another great range of lipsticks from Loreal's Colour Riche line. Like the 'Nudes' version of this line, it comes in several different shades of red to suit different skintones. I love Blake's Red since I think it's the most true red out of the selection but the others are all stunning too. 

Retail Price: £6.99

The Stain - Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Nude-ist.

A lovely pinky/mauvey colour that goes on feeling like velvet, but sets to a matte finish. Not drying in the slightest and great for everyday wear. This product comes in a fab range of shades and doesn't break the bank. I also own the shade 'Grand Cru' which is a lovely dark red. 

Retail Price: £8.99

 The Gloss - Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creme Brulee.

I don't actually wear lipgloss as a rule - I still remember my schooldays with perfect clarity and I wore it too much back then. I just can't seem to come to terms with a lipgloss not being sticky. The glossiest lip products I own are the Revlon Lip Butters, Creme Brulee being my favourite shade. They moisturise, are highly pigmented and are easy to apply. 

Retail Price: £7.99

The Balm - Classic Carmex.

Carmex is the shizz when it comes to lip balms at the drugstore. I rate it over Blistex Medplus any day. I usually use it overnight, and I can still feel it on my lips in the morning. It heals dry, chapped lips like no other and is brilliant for acting as a base under lipsticks. As I've previously stated, I much prefer the original in a tub as opposed to the tube form or cherry flavour. My holy grail lip balm, I've got several pots lurking around my house. 

Retail Price: £2.69

Make sure to stop by tomorrow for the fourth instalment of Budget Beauty Week, I'll be discussing what I'd be caught buying if I only had ten pounds. 

Lauren

xo

BBW - Drugstore Gems.

Welcome to the second post of Budget Beauty Week. 

Now we all have those treasures that we're actually proud to have come across whilst scouring the shelves at our local drugstores. The products that we recommend whole-heartedly if someone's looking for a new base, moisturiser, lipstick...whatever. 

Today, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite drugstore gems.

Getting the non-makeup bits out of the way first, the Loreal Absolute Makeup Remover Eye & Lip is the best for getting rid of stubborn eyeshadow/mascara. I just bob a little on a cotton pad, swipe it over my eye a few times and it's all gone. Amazing, and only £4.99.

Dry Shampoo (not diamonds) is definitely a girl's best friend. Batiste Dry Shampoo is the best I've come across anywhere. It comes in a range of scents and now colours, so there's one to suit everyone.

A lip balm is a must for any girl's handbag and Nivea's Milk and Honey lip care smells lovely, glides on smoothly and moisturises well too. 

Onto the makeup bits, first up is the Loreal True Match foundation - raved about all over the blogosphere and for good reason. It comes in a vast range of shades (an achievement in itself for any drugstore brand) and blends seamlessly into the skin. It lasts well and looks lovely. Two big thumbs up from me. 

A second foundation that I believe to be brilliant is the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation. It offers a good amount of coverage whilst still appearing undetectable on the skin. I've found that it doesn't cake and it doesn't stick to dry patches. For £8.99, it's a steal. 

A recent addition to my primer collection is the Max Factor Face Finity. I bought this on a recommendation from The Sunday Girl, and I'm more than happy I did. It truly is like glue for your makeup. It keeps my foundation in place much longer than any other I've tried and I've been using it every day since buying it last week. Not the cheapest of primers at the drugstore but I think it's worth the money. 

Concealer-wise, I was going to talk about the Collection Lasting Perfection, but everyone already knows how good that one is. I've decided to focus on an overlooked one in the form of Maybelline's Better Skin concealer. Not the greatest colour range, but brilliant for the under-eye area. It's creamy and glides on effortlessly - set with a powder, this stuff lasts all day.

For blush, Natural Collection do amazing ones and all for £1.99. They're highly pigmented and come in a range of shades for the healthiest of flushes. One of my favourites is Peach Melba, a lovely peachy number that brightens up my face. 

As a girl with oily skin, I've got to be setting that base. The cult classic - Rimmel's Stay Matte is great. It's compact, lasts a long while and keeps oils at bay for a good few hours before needing to be re-applied. I'm also a fan of Soap & Glory's One Heck of a Blot but the Rimmel one is much cheaper. 

A nude lipstick is great for everyday wear. It requires no effort, concentration and 9/10 you don't even need a mirror to apply it. A favourite of mine is the Loreal Collection Privee in Cheryl's Nude (which I think is now J-Lo's nude) - a dusty pink that adds a 'my lips but better' look. 

My bold lip option would have to be Rimmel's Kate Moss Lasting Finish in 107. Again, a cult classic amongst bloggers and youtubers. A matte berry shade that lasts forever and looks incredible on any and everyone. 

A vast array of drugstore picks that I honestly would never like to be without. Re-purchases are consistently made for these products and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Make sure to stop by tomorrow for another instalment of Budget Beauty Week. 

Lauren

xo

BBW - Top 3 Drugstore Mascaras.

Today's post marks the first post of Budget Beauty Week *insert praise Oprah emoji here*. 

Five posts dedicated to all things cheap and cheerful - yay. The vast majority of us don't earn the kind of wage to fund a complete high end makeup collection so have to make do with drugstore counterparts. Some of these end up becoming firm favourites within our album of bases, blushes and bronzers - others become duds and get tossed into the 'to throw or give away' pile. 

I'm coming at you today with my top 3 drugstore mascaras. 3 products that make my lashes look the bees knees when it comes to length and volume. 

First up is a classic favourite amongst youtubers and bloggers alike - Maybelline's The Falsies Volume Express. I buy the waterproof version in every mascara I own (unless it doesn't come with a waterproof version). This one adds so much volume to my lashes that it really does make them look like falsies and holds a curl like a dream. For £7.99, it's definitely one to have in the collection.

Next is Rimmel's Lash Accelerator Endless. This one contains grow lash complex and fibres for extreme length. I find this one isn't the best for volume so it's my go-to for bottom lashes as it doesn't clump and is super-quick to use. If length is more your thing over volume then this is the mascara for you. Again, a steal at £7.99.

Last up is my all time favourite drugstore mascara - Max Factor's False Lash Effect. Again in the waterproof version. This is brilliant for adding volume and length no matter how crappy your natural lashes are. I didn't really get along with it when I first bought it, but with a little patience and perseverance it's become my most used mascara. On the more pricier end of the drugstore at £10.99 but this little tube packs alot of punch.

In hindsight, even though I do own high end mascaras, I think they're a product that the drugstore do so well it's almost unjustifiable to buy one that's high end. Us girls go through them so quickly that I believe it's best to not have a high end favourite since you're far more likely to go bankrupt quicker. When it comes to mascaras, stick to the drugstore, unless you really really can't.

Lauren

xo

New Hairspiration?

I'll be honest and admit I do have a teeny weeny bit of love for Kylie Jenner. Even though she comes from probably the biggest celebrity family in the world and is consistently overlooked in favour of her older sisters - I mean come on, one of them is a supermodel and another's just posed nude for a magazine cover. Despite all of this, the girl's managed to pave her own path in the industry and has strayed away from the pretty and polished Kardashian norm. The Kardashian sisters - Kendall included - are known for their long, dark luscious locks, so what does Kylie do? chops it all off to within an inch of her shoulders and dyes it blue.

Good on ya girl!

Not to mention all the speculation over her lips and the lipstick she uses on them. That speculation catapulted her into the most talked about Kardashian, no matter how short the while (well, until big sister Kim decided to get her jubblies out for a magazine). 

Recently, she's dyed her ombre grey and I've quite literally fallen in love with it - so much so, that come my next hairdressing appointment I'm going to get my own done a similar colour. 

I've wanted really light blonde hair for ages - and I did go fully blonde for a spell - but I couldn't be bothered with the upkeep so I went back dark on top. However, I feel a grey ombre would be a nice compromise. 

And truth be told, I'd like to get all of this out of my system now so 10 years down the line I'm not dropping my kids off at school with strange-coloured hair announcing...

"I'm not like a regular Mum, I'm a cool Mum!"

Lauren

xo

My Current Morning Skincare Routine.

A few posts ago I did my current evening skincare routine - read it here - so I thought it was only fitting to do my current morning one.

I like to keep my morning skincare as faff-free and uncomplicated as possible, on most mornings I get up with barely enough time to even wash my face let alone load it with all these lotions and potions. 

The Simple Moisturising Facial Wash is great for just getting rid of the previous night's sleep whilst simultaneously freshening and preparing my face for the day ahead. It doesn't strip nor dry my skin out and it doesn't irritate it - a huge thumbs up from me. 

After I've dried my face off, I apply my trusty Simple Regeneration Age Resisting eye cream. This is great for adding hydration to my under-eye area and keeping concealer from looking awful and cakey. 

Last up is my moisturiser. Like I stated before, I like to keep my morning routine as quick and straight-forward as possible so I don't bother with any oils or serums in the A.M. - I just whack on a thin layer of Simple's Hydrating Light Moisturiser for a dose of hydration before starting on my makeup.

I don't think a skincare routine can get any more trouble-free than that unless all you do is just splash your face with water. I've mentioned in the past how much I love Simple products - I honestly do swear by them. They're just really amazing products at really affordable prices - I think all of these three come under £15. Bargain.

Lauren

xo

Define & Conquer.

Now this little blighter has been in my 'pick ups' note on my phone for the longest time but it's always managed to evade me whenever I specifically look for it. Don't get me wrong, there was always tons of the 'medium' shade but never any of the 'fair'...story of my life.

Anyway, by chance I had to return a top for my Mum last week and ended up - accidentally on purpose - slipping into Boots. 

And there it was...the product that had eluded capture for so long. I snatched it up so quick I think the lady looking at the lipsticks next to me felt a breeze. There was only one left in the shade 'fair' guys, I wasn't going home without it!

I've been using the Seventeen Define & Conquer Contour kit ever since.

I'll be honest, I don't think it's the best contour colour for pale skin - there's definitely better ones on the market - but it isn't too orange or too muddy that it can't be made to work. 

It's very pigmented so only the tiniest bit is needed to create that shadow beneath the cheekbones , a good point since it's bound to last for quite a while this way. 

I've not gotten much use out of the lighter-coloured powder yet, only that it's good to set my under-eye concealer. 

So far, I've been enjoying incorporating it into my makeup routine and it's serving it's purpose well. The packaging is very Nars-like, sturdy and doesn't seem easily breakable. The clasp is strong so it's not going to come apart and spill all over your makeup bag - extra points for travel-friendliness. 

And for £5.99, there's nothing much to really complain about. I think it's more than worth it and it's a complete steal.

Lauren

xo

The Glow-getters.

We all have those days when our skin's looking a little sallow. Times when our skin looks so dull that no matter what brightening/radiating treatment you put on it it just looks...tired. 

I've been having these days frequently of late - my skin's just been looking more than a little worse for wear over the past week or so, though I'm pretty sure it's from lack of sleep. I feel I literally haven't stopped these past few days. Sigh. 

During these times I like to whack out a few of my more 'glowy' products in hopes that they'll make me look a little more fresh. 

First up is my primer of choice when it comes to a radiant complexion - Bourjois' Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer. It does a great job of enhancing glow without looking sweaty and prolongs the wear of my foundation. Brilliant. 

Two foundations that are great for adding luminosity to the face are Bourjois' Healthy Mix Foundation and Loreal's Lumi Magique Foundation. Both give a nice, dewy base without leaving my skin looking oily. Both blend seamlessly to create a flawless-looking complexion. 

Maybelline's Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer has been brilliant for hiding my ridiculously dark circles lately. It adds just enough brightness to the under-eye area without it looking like I've contoured Kim K style. 

Highlighter has become a firm favourite in my makeup routine over the past 6 or so months. I never used to wear it - I thought it always looked a bit too plastic-y for my liking and it was just all a bit of a faff. However, I've been converted to a highlighter fiend and I've got more than a fair few in my stash nowadays.

A few of my favourites include the Soap & Glory Glow All Out powder, this is amazing at just adding a slight sheen to the tops of my cheekbones making it look lit-from-within rather than full on shimmer. Another great one from the drugstore is No.7's Instant Radiance Highlighter - a little more intense than Glow All Out (and requires a little more effort to blend) but still subtle enough to work in the daytime. My last favourite is Benefit's High Beam - this one I prefer to reserve for nights out just because it's more severe than the other two. It still does a great job of adding glow to the tops of the cheekbones and the Cupid's Bow - I also find this one to be the best for an inner corner highlight. 

A radiance round-up for those of you who suffer from dull skin as often as I do. It's not fun, but with a few of these you'll be looking as fresh as a daisy in no time.

Lauren

xo

My Current Evening Skincare Routine.

I've been known to get pretty lazy when it comes to skincare - I'd much prefer to spend all of my money on makeup. I rarely switch up my skincare, just because I'm a firm believer in 'don't fix what's not broken' - but I do like to add new things in every now and again. Some of these products end up becoming fast favourites...others I'll whip out quicker than you can say 'hot cloth cleanser' . I've had the same evening skincare routine for a good month or so now and so far, it's been working like a dream. As much as I prefer spending money on makeup, I still think it's important to have a stable routine to keep your skin in good working order.

I like to start off by removing my eye makeup. I wear pretty long-wearing waterproof mascara on a daily basis and it can be a bit of a ballache to remove with just my cleanser - pair that with days where I was feeling the liquid eyeliner and it's just a complete messy hassle, so I'll do this separately. The Loreal Absolute makeup remover Eye & Lip has been the best I've come across at the drugstore. A 2 phase product that works brilliantly at removing even the most stubborn of mascaras. I'll pop a little on a cotton pad and wipe away that day's eye look.

I then like to work on the rest of my makeup removal. Superdrug's B.Clean Melting Gel Cleanser has become my new favourite in that department. A thick, jelly-like substance that when mixed with water, emulsifies and eliminates all of the other makeup on my face. It leaves my skin soft and doesn't dry it out in the slightest.

I like to use Superdrug's Vitamin E Moisture Mask every other night. It does recommend 3 times a week, but my skin can get pretty dry - especially during the Winter and it doesn't make any difference how often I use it anyway. It smells delicious and adds that extra surge of moisture that my skin can often lack during the colder months. I'll leave that on for 15 minutes until it's all but absorbed and then dab off any excess with a tissue. 

Taking a little of Simple's Regeneration Anti-Ageing eye cream in the eye area and dab that in with my ring fingers until fully absorbed, following up with a thin layer of Boots' Botanics Organic Facial Oil.

I like to wait for my facial oil to fully absorb before going in with the Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser, this leaves my skin hydrated without any greasiness or tackiness.

 A good handful of products that do exactly what they say on the tin, and new favourites that are no doubt going to become holy grail.

Lauren

xo