2014 Beauty Favourites.

So it's that time of the year - when all the bloggers/youtubers round up there yearly favourites and compile it into one massive video/post. 

I'll apologise now as this is going to be a rather lengthy one - but I've split it up into sections depending on what I'm talking about.

2014's not been the best year for me granted, but I'm holding out for 2015. I've got alot planned for 2015 so I'm hoping it's going to be a belter. 

As far as makeup and beauty goes, it's been a rather exciting year - so join me in celebrating my 2014 favourites.

(I'm just going to list my favourites as it'd take me hours to talk about all the products too).

Makeup

I've gone through an awful lot of makeup this year - 2014 was the year that I really started adding to my collection and began my blog so naturally, my love for makeup grew...along with the amount I started to buy.

My makeup favourites include;

Rimmel Brow This Way Brow Sculpting Kit

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick in 107

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Maybelline Better Skin Concealer

Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer

Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick in 03

MAC Lipstick in Patisserie

MAC Lipstick in Rebel

MAC Lipstick in Spirit

Loreal True Match Foundation

Bourjois Happy Light Matte Serum Primer

Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer

Max Factor Face Finity All Day Primer

No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter

The Body Shop Instablur Primer

Loreal Lumi Magique Foundation

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

MAC Studio Fix Fluid

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara Waterproof

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara

Natural Collection Blush in Peach Melba

MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork

Soap & Glory Glow All Out Highlighter

GOSH Velvet Touch Lipliner in Nougat Crisp

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

NYX Blush in Taupe

NYX Blush in Angel

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Powder

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder

Skincare

Again, 2014 has been the year where I've really gotten my skincare routine on track and actually compiled a good handful of products that work well for my skin type.

My Skincare favourites include;

The Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Cream

Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser

Superdrug Vitamin E Moisture Mask

Soap & Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream

Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Eye Cream

Vaseline

The Body Shop Vanilla Brulee Shower Gel

Boots Botanics Facial Oil

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

Co Lab Dry Shampoo (not skincare but didn't fit anywhere else)

Simple Moisturising Facial Wash

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Clay Mask

Origins Super Spot Remover

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

Simple Deep Cleaning Face Mask

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream

Nails

I've lost count of how many times I've painted and re-painted my nails this year - and they're a complete state after all of it. However, there's only been a few that I've gone back to time and time again.

My Nail favourites include;

Essie Truth or Flare

Essie Wicked

Essie Sand Tropez

Superdrug Nourishing Nail Polish Remover

Maybelline Super Stay in Nude Rose

Barry M Gelly in Almond

Seche Vite Top Coat

Tools

Not only did I start building on my makeup collection this year but I also started building on my brush collection. Real Techniques have been my favourites by far but others have also sneaked their way in there.

My Tools Favourites include;

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Real Techniques Blush Brush

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Face Brush

Jessup Flat Top Kabuki Brush

Real Techniques Duo-Fiber contour Brush

Spoolie

Real Techniques Brow Brush

Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush

Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush

Cotton Buds

Bobby Pins

Eyelash Curlers

I hope all of you have a truly fabulous New Year and ring it in with style and sass. 

I'll be at a house party, spending it with my closest friends and losing badly at Beer Pong.

Happy New Year from The Beauty Ideal.

Lauren

xo

Welcome to 'Holy Grail' Status...

Honestly, I don't think I can apologise enough for my crappy attempt at blogging these past couple of weeks - I've barely posted at all! 

I'm choosing to blame it on the hectic run-up to Christmas/New Year. 

Is it just me that doesn't refer to these two weeks in actual days? like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday etc... I honestly think of it as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, the days inbetween and then New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Just me? Probably.

Anyway, apologies again and when we hit the new year I'll be back to my full blogging self. Promise.

Anyway, I recently received this as a free gift in one of my many orders from The Body Shop over the Christmas period. 

I've only got one thing to say - O.M.G.

This stuff is the shizznay. 

The Vitamin E Moisture Cream is one of the best moisturisers I've ever had the pleasure of putting on my face. 

You know when products state they make your skin healthy-looking and plump? I've never had that - ever, until I tried this. It adds so much moisture to my skin that I've not had one dry patch since starting using it. It's fab.

We're really hitting our peak here for cold weather in Manchester - it took me 20 minutes the other morning to get into my car. Not start, get into. My doors were frozen shut - and so was my lock.

This keeps all the pesky dryness at bay that I usually start to suffer from at this time of year. It's light, absorbs quickly and easily into the skin and works wonderfully under makeup. It truly does make your skin glow and look healthy. It works well for all skin types but especially those with dry skin.

 A little pricey at £11.00 for the full size, but The Body Shop know what they're doing when it comes to skincare. I'll definitely be repurchasing when I run out of this one.

Lauren

xo

A Festive nail pairing.

Now I don't know about you guys but nothing makes me feeling more festive - other than wrapping presents - than painting my nails in Christmassy colours on Christmas Eve. 

I'm partial to a red nail at any time of year really but since receiving the Nails Inc polish in Hanover Square in my Glamour mag recently (thanks Kate) it's the only one I've been reaching for. I love it. A deep red shade that lasts ages on my crappy, chip-prone nails.

Another nail trend that I love is the accent nail. I always tend to just keep different shades to my ring fingers because I feel like it's more effective. I've used H&M's nail polish in Cleopatra Gold - a lovely, shimmery golden shade that looks beautiful painted on all nails and not just the one. 

This is probably my favourite nail pairing of all the bottles I own. I love the deep, glossy red of Hanover Square mixed with the intense shimmer of Cleopatra Gold. 

So I'm off to finish the last of my wrapping and watch The Grinch two or three times until I can't wish that WhoVille was a real place any harder. 

I hope you all have a truly magical Christmas and a fabulous New Year.

Merry Christmas.

Lauren

xo

Most Loved Two of 2014.

Now I do plan to do a major post of 2014 beauty favourites more towards the end of December, however I wanted to do a separate post for my two most loved products of this year.

I love reading and watching yearly favourites. I like to see if I've had the same favourites as anyone else and also get any ideas for products I haven't tried - if it's a yearly favourite surely it must be good?!

I've had two major love affairs this year - one with a foundation and one with a lipstick. 

Up first is, of course, the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation. I don't think there's a day that's gone by that I've not used or wanted to use this base. I only use different ones because I have so many and need to use them. I absolutely love it. It's my all-time favourite drugstore foundation and foundation in general to be perfectly honest. It lasts well, gives a glowy sheen to the skin and smells heavenly. 

I got along really well with the serum version of this foundation but never actually picked up the original. Thanks to Gabriella Lindley and The Sunday Girl, I'm really glad I did. Best purchase of the year.

Secondly is MAC's Rebel. My all-time favourite bold lip. I'll be honest and say that I don't get alot of use out of it outside the Winter months but I abuse it from October to February. It's just the perfect out-there lip for me. It lasts for ages and just adds a little pizazz to any makeup look - though I prefer to keep everything else quite muted if I wear a bold lip. My first ever MAC lipstick purchase and my favourite for years to come.

Watch this space for 2014 favourites in a couple of weeks time.

Lauren

xo

Bits from The Body Shop.

One thing that The Body Shop does well - other than bodycare - is sales. They do sales like no other and I love it.

I recently made full use of their 40% off by ordering some things online - so much so that I made three separate orders because I kept going back.

The first order I made was for some goodies for my Mum for Christmas - it's a good feeling when an order over £25 becomes less than £15 upon checkout. 

I then received my second order this morning - well, I had to go and pick it up from the post office since I actually missed it's delivery. Story of my life.

I ordered the Vanilla Brulee shower gel and I've got to say how freakin' good this stuff smells. I stepped out of the shower this morning smelling like a cupcake...Oh. My. God. It's sooo delicious. I love it so much I've actually ordered two more this morning because it's one of their seasonal scents and I'm going to miss it so damn much when it's gone. If you love vanilla - get this. No, seriously NOW. Drop what you're doing and get going.

I also ordered the All-In-One Instablur. I've heard sooo many good things about this primer and with the 40% off deal I just couldn't put off buying it any longer. I've yet to try it but I shall be putting it to the test tonight at a family meal so watch this space. 

At the time of this order, The Body Shop were giving away a free Vitamin E Moisture Cream when you spent over a certain amount. I was way grateful since I've also been eyeing this up when I've been popping into the store. I love Vitamin E and it does wonders for dry skin - especially in the Winter time. I know I'm going to love this stuff regardless.

At the moment, The Body Shop are doing £15 off a £30 spend which is amazing. Get yourself online and order yourself some treats. You can never go wrong with a body butter or a hand cream. AND it's free delivery when you spend £5. 

Lauren

xo

Taking a little 'me' time.

This is something I've been doing alot lately. I'm still not 100% well which is why I haven't been posting as much - my apologies. It's just hard to keep up with all the things you usually do when you don't feel on your game. Being ill sucks.

In a weird way however, it's kind of been a blessing in disguise since I've been able to catch up on some quality 'me' time - it's been nice actually focusing on me for once and not having to worry about anything else.

I've been really getting into Paper Towns by John Green. It's starting to get good and since I follow him on Instagram - and Cara Delevingne - I'm excited for the film release.

My skin's been awful these past couple of weeks, so dry. I've been blowing my nose alot and I've not really been keeping up to scratch on my routine so it's suffered. Superdrug's Vitamin E Moisture Mask has been a lifesaver. It sorts out dry skin like no other budget mask I've come across.

Baths also come in handy when you're not feeling on top form. I love a good soak in a hot bath - with Radox obviously. I like the Muscle Soak version since I work in retail and it can get pretty darn tiring.

My Ipod is a must for any 'me' time I decide to take. It's the one device (other than a book) that completely takes me out of my current setting - especially when I'm going to sleep. I just stick on one of my playlists and I'm good to go. You can't even get my Ipod anymore and I dread it ever breaking - I never leave the house without it.

Last up is a nail polish. I like to fully focus on nail care when I have the time rather than just painting them slap-dash. I like to take proper time in filing, buffing, smoothing - the whole nine yards. Essie's Truth or Flare has been my go-to choice of late.

I think 'me' time is essential for any and everyone. Just taking a few hours or even a day to focus on you and getting you back on top. Besides who's going to take better care of you than you?

We don't treat ourselves enough in my opinion.

Lauren

xo

Exceeding my Expectations...

I love purchasing products that end up completely knocking my socks off - at the time, I genuinely feel like I've got my life together. Sad, I know. 

Very rarely do products really 'wow' me. Don't get me wrong, I do get excited about most of my purchases but only a few will really rock my world. I'm quite a tough girl to crack...

One product that has completely wowwed me is Superdrug's B.Clean Melting Gel Cleanser. I absolutely love this. A gel consistency that removes the most stubborn of makeup - and it's a total bargain. Pick yourself one of these up STAT. 

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a contour girl through and through. My makeup look isn't complete without some sort of shadow beneath the cheekbones, but I don't always have the time or the energy to worry about blending. The Seventeen Instant Glow cream bronzer is great for adding a hint of colour without needing massive amounts of concentration or effort. It's my go-to product for subtle contouring. 

I'm rarely seen without nail polish - it's just not in my nature. One of my favourite shades is Essie's Truth or Flare. A greyish blue that's my perfect wear-with-everything shade. Unfortunately it was limited edition so when I eventually do run out I'll have to resort to Amazon or Ebay.

I honestly don't know where I'd be without my Duo Eyelash Adhesive. I tend to wear individuals on a pretty much everyday basis and the last thing I need is to have to be touching them up because they keep falling out. I never have that issue when I use this glue - it lasts until I'm ready to take it off. From here on out, I'll never be without this lash glue.

No doubt I'll be buying more beauty products in the extremely near future and fingers crossed I'll feel as strongly about those as I do about these.

Lauren

xo

Rosy in the Winter time.

For me, Winter makeup is the most exciting makeup of all. It's the time of year when it's totally acceptable to experiment with red eyeshadow and bright purple lips. I think every girl's goal in Winter is to create that flushed look to their face - like they've been out frolicking in the snow just moments earlier...

However, there's a thin line between frolicking in the snow and just getting back from a hot and sweaty run. 

The NYX blushes in Mauve and Angel are amazing for adding that hint of rosy tint to your cheeks without looking like you've just sprinted 10 miles. Never have I enjoyed applying blush more.

I also like to add rosy hues to other areas of beauty - such as nails and lips. My favourite pinks for talons are the Maybelline Super Stay in Nude Rose and H&M's Malin's Mirage - both gorgeous rosy pinks that compliment any ensemble and skintone.

Although I am more of a nude beige person when it comes to lip colours, I am partial to a pink hint from time to time. My favourites are Rimmel's Moisture Renew in Vintage Pink and Rimmel's Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses lip liner in Spice - beautiful dusky pink colours to give a 'my lips, but better' look to your pout. 

Pinks are a great way to add a subtle hint of colour to your complexion and I for one, love a rosy hue on chilly Winter days.

Lauren 

xo

5 things us girls can learn from Lauren Conrad.

Since being ill over these past few days I've been making my way through my boxset of The Hills, and it's just made me remember how much I actually freakin' love Lauren Conrad. 

Not only is the girl my style icon, she's gorgeous, relatable and never have I seen a reality star so full of really useful, sound advice.

Lauren Conrad is Bible.

I thought I'd share a few things that the Queen of reality has taught me...

1. That love is not a 'maybe' thing.

One of her more famous quotes from The Hills - that you shouldn't be blasé about love and look at it indifferently. You know when you love someone and life's too short to be worrying about whether or not you're in the right relationship.

2. You're always going to have an ex that you'll hold feelings for.

I guess most girls can relate to Lauren's golden nugget of "There's always that one person you'll always go back to" and that's okay. For most girls, it's their first love - but remember that you've already read that book and you know how it ends. There comes a time when you need to start writing that new novel.

3. Life's tough, wear a helmet.

Lauren's words of wisdom to Audrina - and to most of the general population between the ages of 15-25. Life is tough but we've all just got to remember to roll with the punches and take it on the chin - it will eventually balance out again.

4. The concept of the 'radar'. 

Ahh, the boy radar. Lauren brought us all to the attention of the boy radar - and that every guy has one. The radar that helps exes know when we've stopped thinking about them, ergo they'll make some sort of contact. FYI, all exes have one.

5. Unfortunately, life isn't always fair.

This is true, and it's a bummer but "it is what it is and it's not always fair" - Lauren's words to Heidi about their friendship. The thing to remember about life is that even though it may not be fair, it's never boring. Make the best of the good bits and pay no mind to the bad bits - it'll all work itself out in the end.

So join me in thanking Lauren Conrad for her nuggets of wisdom that have undoubtedly helped most of us girls through some tough situations - bad friendships and relationships alike. To finish, I want to end with my favourite LC quote of all time...

I want to forgive you...and I want to forget you.

Ahh Lauren...

Lauren

xo

An Ode to MAC Patisserie.

First off, apologies for not posting in what feels like forever. I'm currently battling a nasty bout of the flu that doesn't seem to want to pack up and leave regardless of the medicine I take so I'm typing this from my sick bed. Sigh.

Since I've not had much planned in terms of posts and I've been too ill to take any new pictures recently, I've had a ganders through my library and I've decided to write a love letter to my favourite MAC lippy of them all...Patisserie. 

Yes, it looks like your typical nude lipstick but to me, it's so much more than that. It's the lipstick I gravitate towards when I don't know what lip colour to go for. It literally goes with any makeup look. A lovely mix of pink, peach and brown to compliment any skintone. The beauty about this lipstick - and my favourite bit because I'm lazy - is that it's a lustre finish, so you don't even need a mirror to apply it. 

You can just swipe and go...easy as pie.

Hopefully in the next week or so I'll be back to fully working order and can get back to writing posts that contain a little more substance. Until then, my apologies again.

Lauren

xo 

The Handbag Kit for Emergencies.

We all have those days where we seem to be in need of something that we don't have on our person at that moment in time, resulting in us nipping into boots for some painkillers only to emerge hours later with the same banging headache but 5 nail polishes better off.

I seem to have these days more frequently than others, so I've compiled a little bag of things things that I carry around with me since no doubt, I'll need at least one of these on a daily basis.

Tissues are a must, not only for blowing your nose but also for wiping your hands or any spillages in the facial area - again, this happens to me alot, not ashamed in the slightest. Life's short, eat fast.

I got my hands on these ones from, I think it was somewhere like Bargain Buys, and people are fascinated by them. It's hilarious. I've genuinely had friends who've looked on in horror as I've blown my nose into a £20 pound note before they've realised.

Next up is dry shampoo. Now my hair isn't constantly dirty that I need to use this stuff everyday for cleansing purposes, I just like the texture and volume it gives and nothing's better than a quick refresh when you've been out all day. I've really been enjoying the CoLab dry shampoo which has been developed by Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends. I love it, it may even surpass my love for Batiste...

Deodorant is another I like to carry around, but I only use this on my really busy days like work and shopping. Again, just for a quick refresh. I also like to carry around a perfume in my makeup bag. A couple of my favourites include Giorgio Armani Diamonds and Lady Gaga's Fame. 

Hand sanitiser and hand cream tend to go hand in hand. Hand sanitiser for obvious reasons - now I'm not a germophobe nor a hypochondriac, but when I do actually put thought into the germ count on public door handles I'll admit it freaks me out a little. I also seem to have chronically dry hands from working in retail so a nourishing hand cream is a must - I like the Nivea Rescue and Care hand balm.

Paracetamol is another given in my handbag. I'm like a walking pharmacist, I always keep painkillers on me because I suffer from quite severe headaches from time to time. Not fun. It's important that I always have some sort of painkiller on me. I keep spare boxes everywhere - handbag, car and the occasionally coat pocket. 

Powder and a hairbrush are also obvious for us girls. Powder because you can't be letting that oily skin get the better of you on that 24 hour shopping trip and a hairbrush because if like me, you tend to tease your hair knots can form quite easily. I've had knots so bad that I've had to cut them out of my hair, no joke. It's a good job I have so much of it or else I'd have probably been bald by the age of 17. 

Just a few things I like to take out on any day ventures I may have. Although not always needed in emergencies, it makes me feel more justified in carrying around 2 smaller bags in my already half full handbag. It's like inception for bags.

Lauren

xo

Back-up Worthy Products.

I go through beauty products like there's no tomorrow. I really do. It's a bit of a 'mare when I actually stop to think about how much I spend on a monthly basis but if it makes you happy, then it makes you happy.

Every time I run out of a product that I need, I always make a note of it on my phone so I don't forget. I'm notorious for popping into Boots, picking up a few bits, getting home and then realising that I didn't pick up cotton buds, cotton pads and deodorant but 6 lipsticks and a new mascara. Doh. 

Whilst making my latest list of pick-ups it made me think about the things that I should really already have replacements for before the originals have even run out...but let's face it, I'm so forgetful and disorganised that this will probably never happen.

First up is the Loreal Absolute Makeup Remover Eye & Lip. I love this stuff for removing stubborn eye makeup and waterproof mascara. Not everyone gets along with it but I sure as hell do.

Batiste Dry Shampoo is a bit of a given really. I simply can't live without dry shampoo. Not only does it temporarily de-grease my roots but it also adds extra volume and texture to second and even third day hair.

The Origins Super Spot Remover is the one when it comes to significantly reducing the size of troublesome blemishes. Pricey for such a small bottle but it honestly works miracles when shifting spots.

Another given, the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer. Amazing coverage and lasting power for a drugstore concealer and actually goes pale enough for us Casper-like girls.

Essie's Sand Tropez is probably the best nude nail polish I've ever come across. It's lovely beige shade just adds class and sophistication and gives a 'my nails but better' look to your talons. My most used polish shade.

Maybelline's The Falsies mascara has become somewhat of a holy grail mascara in my collection, I just love it. It adds volume and length without the spider lashes and that's difficult to find - especially in a drugstore mascara. I find this one does a better job than most of the high end mascaras I've tried.

Lastly is MAC Patisserie. The perfect nude lipstick. It's a lustre finish so you don't even need a mirror to apply it. The perfect blend of pink, beige and brown to give a lovely natural sheen to your pout. 

Is it bad that, as a beauty community, we have products that we can't seem to go a few days without? I'm not sure but for right now, I'm happy being a slave to makeup.

Lauren

xo

A Contouring Calamity.

I love a good contour, me. Anything that makes me look carved from stone with the cheekbones of Cara Delevingne I'm all for, really. 

I really got into contouring about 6-8 months ago now. Not like full on Kim K contouring, but a little under-eye highlight and a bit of shadow in the hollows of your cheeks never hurt nobody.

I contour everyday. I have to now, it's my thang. 

I like to keep it fairly subtle during daylight hours, a slight shadow beneath the cheekbones, on the sides of my forehead and below my jawline just to add a bit of definition back into my face.

I don't heavily contour unless I'm going on a night out - then I slap that baby on and give myself cheekbones to make Maleficent jealous (I'm kidding, I'm kidding).

My first foray into the chaos of contouring was with the NYX Blush in taupe. I'd heard from many bloggers/youtubers that this was a good one to use if you were pale and Lord knows, I'm as pale as they come. I fell in love with it's light, ashy tones and I'm currently on my third one. It's my go-to contour shade since it's difficult to put too much of it on.

After I'd gotten the proper hang of it (don't believe what you hear, contouring is bloody hard to get the hang of), I started looking for other products that could do the job. Enter the Sleek Contour Kit - a contour and highlight in one. Darker in colour than the NYX blush and a little warmer in tone, but still lovely to use on pale skin.

My only cream contour comes in the form of Seventeen's Instant Glow. A warm toned, easy-to-use cream bronzer that can be used for décolletage too. I really do love this one, even though it's not extremely pigmented it works because it's hard to apply too much. It's always easier to add than take away. A good starter product for people who are looking to getting into contour. 

The Seventeen Define & Conquer is also another good'un for starter contouring. It comes with a highlight powder and a contour powder. The highlight powder isn't great, but it does set under-eye concealer amazingly and adds a little luminosity but the contour shade I really like. It's on the warmer side so not great for really pale skintones but if used wisely and sparingly, can be made to work. I also really love the packaging for this one - sturdy, travel friendly and very Nars-like.

Last up is a new favourite, Benefit's Hoola. An ashy toned matte bronzer that works excellently as a contour shade and to just add general warmth to the complexion. Not in everyone's budget but definitely worth the money. Save your Christmas pennies for this one.

Contouring still remains one of the more scarier aspects of makeup - thanks Kim - but honestly, anyone can learn to master it. It just takes time and practice.

Trust me, if I can do it, you lot can.

Lauren

xo

Top 5 of the Moment.

I frequently switch up my products on a daily basis, if I didn't it'd be next to impossible to get through any of the ones I currently own - and it doesn't even stop me buying more. You can probably picture the vicious circle my life with makeup has become.

Don't feel too sorry for me though, I do actually enjoy using and abusing all of my makeup. It's the little things in life...

However, I do have phases where I'll over-use certain products because I've fallen that hard for them or I just want to use them up and get them out (but the latter rarely happens). 

The Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation is definitely up there in my top 5 all time favourite foundations. I don't think I've ever fallen in love with a base as hard I have this one. It's just...aaaaah. It smells delicious, blends lovely and makes my skin look flawless whilst still looking like skin. I love it.

The Seventeen Phwoarr Paint has become a firm favourite in the under-eye concealer camp. It covers my dark circles faultlessly and it's a great match for my skintone - which is lucky since I didn't even swatch it when I bought it, I still don't remember why. It lasts all day too.

I'm pretty sure the Max Factor Face Finity All Day Primer has become my favourite drugstore primer. It makes my base last for ages. It's nice to actually get to the end of a day and still look like I'm wearing makeup since I'd spent a good 30 minutes applying it that morning. It truly acts like glue for your makeup.

As far as contour goes, I've been loving Benefit's Hoola Bronzer. It's warm but ashy at the same time so it can be used for contour or just plain old bronzing. It's made me want to get my hands on some of Benefit's other boxed blushes.

I'm still feeling the 90's nude/Kylie Jenner lip of late and my preferred product of the moment is the Maybelline Color Drama lip pencil in Nude Perfection. A perfect mix of beige, brown and pink to give a 'my lips but better' look to your pout - and it lasts ages.

Give it another week and I'll be professing my love to a handful of new products, feelings can be so fickle when it comes to makeup. Sigh.

Lauren

xo

The Everyday Beauty Tools.

Most of us - if not all of us here - wear makeup on a pretty much daily basis. Whoever came up with that age old phrase of girls only wear makeup to impress boys was so off the mark it's actually pretty funny. I couldn't care less if boys were impressed, but I do care about how much I'm loving that new foundation, or eyeshadow combo, or lippie... 

Anyway, along with applying makeup, you tend to need tools to do it with. I've picked up four of my most used, and believe me when I say they are most-used. 

Eyelash Curlers

Bit of a given really. I curl my lashes everyday, I physically can't not - I don't even forget. Plus I hate the look of my lashes without curling them, they're long but ridiculously straight - like a camel's. A quick curl always does the trick in the morning.

Brow Brush

Thanks Sam and Nic for creating the best brow brush in existence. Ever. It's dense enough that it makes quick work of painting your brows on, but still with enough movement that it's not too stiff a job. I've been preferring doing my brows with powder recently so this just makes it ten times easier.

Spoolie

Now a spoolie is an amazing tool to have in your beauty arsenal. It's the bomb at taming any unruly brows, for distributing and combing powder through and for fixing any overzealous mascara application. I mainly use mine for combing my brows into a proper alignment, those puppies just don't like to stay in one place for too long. 

MAC 187 brush

A recent addition to my brush collection but has become a ridiculously fast favourite. A duo fibre stippling brush that I like to use to make my foundation that little bit more flawless. I'll buff it in with a flat-top kabuki and than spend a few minutes just swirling this around my face. It gets rid of any unnecessary product whilst blending still. I originally bought it for cream blush but hey, if the shoe fits...

It's important to have complete faith in your everyday beauty tools, that you can trust they'll do a good job and make you look and feel like the best version of yourself. For me, this is no mean feat so I'm pleased I've found a handful of instruments that can take me from Miranda Hart to Miranda Kerr (I wish).

Lauren

xo