30/06/2015

Guest Post with Not In These Shoes

Hi all, today I'm bringing you a guest post from Rebecca at Not In These Shoes. I have followed her blog since starting my own blog and just absolutely love it so naturally I was overjoyed when she agreed to be this months guest on Dreaming Pretty. So without further ado take it away Rebecca...

Seven Deadly Sins Of Beauty




29/06/2015

Soap & Glory Make Yourself Youthful Serum

Today I'm talking about this serum, I used to be a big fan or Soap & Glory skincare but recently I seem to have drifted away and been quite disappointed with a couple of their products. Their body products on the other hand is another story. 

28/06/2015

#26 Sunday Sounds - June Favourites

So it's official, we're now on countdown to Christmas! I completely love Christmas and now that we have passed the longest day of the year I can start counting down. So the weather throughout June in the UK has been pretty shite putting it bluntly, we've had the odd sunny day here and there but nothing to get excited about so I'm glad it's almost over to tell you the truth. Hopefully July might bring us some better weather! But anyway onto my favourites for this month:

First is the Body Shop Smoky Poppy Shower Gel, I love this stuff. It's a really refreshing scent, it's not floral but it's not fruity either, it actually smells quite similar to Johnsons Baby Shampoo believe it or not which I love but it might not be to everyone's tastes. I love Body Shop products and feel that you just can't go wrong with them to be honest, it lathers up really well into a rich foam and leaves the skin feeling super fresh and subtly fragranced. I'm really tempted to pick up the body butter from this collection as I love it so much.

Next is the Dr.PAWPAW Original Balm*, this is a multi tasking balm that can be used for pretty much anything and everything. I have been using it mostly for dry skin patches, on my cuticles and as a lip balm. I haven't been able to put this stuff down and it has now made it's way into my handbag as a firm essential. I will definitely be purchasing another tube of this when it's ran out.

To try and brighten up some dull days throughout June I have using this Clarins Treatment Fragrance in the Sunshine scent. It has a completely unique totally summery scent, the only way it can be described is...have you ever tried the Clarins suncare range? If so, it smells just like the suncare but in a scent form. With plant extracts and essential oils of Sicilian mandarin and grapefruit it makes for the perfect combination of aromatherapy and phytotherapy. I love this perfume and it's been perfect for brightening up some really dull days.

Next is the Percy & Reed No Oil Oil, I received this free with an ELLE magazine a couple of months ago and have only just gotten into the product recently. It gives a good kick of hydration to the hair, whilst giving volume, bounce and shine. I absolutely love this little lifesaver, it's not heavy on the hair at all and is just pretty much perfect for me.

So like most women in this world I am obsessed with fake tan. It just makes me feel more confident, slimmer and generally feel better about myself so as you can probably imagine I have quite the collection and my current obsession is this St Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil. It gives a lovely golden tan with no streaks whatsoever. I tend to apply it with a mitt as I find this easier but you can apply with your hands and then just wash them afterwards as it comes off really easily. The thing I love most about this tan is the scent, there's no distinct tanning smell. It actually smells really citrussy and refreshing and it also contains essential oils so is really moisturising for the skin.

I am seriously in love with the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce range at the moment and this Texturising Spray is of my favourites. It is a great dupe for the Oribe Texturising Spray at a fraction of the cost! It injects some serious volume when applied to the roots and I also tend to spritz all over just to add some grip to the hair to also give it some shape and life. This spray also really helps to keep curls in place, not sure how or why and whether this is even something that the product should do but it definitely does just that. The spray doesn't leave any residue behind and is easily brushed out.

Lastly I kind of fell out of love with the Soap & Glory Heel Genius as I was trying out a couple of other foot creams that I had but I recently found another tube at the back of my cupboard so have started using it again and remembered just how much I loved it. It is so refreshing on the feet after a long hard day and leaves them feeling super duper soft in the morning.

So they're my June favourites, what have yours been?

27/06/2015

Payday Treats

If you're anything like me when payday comes around I seem to think I'm a millionaire and go slightly crazy in Space NK. Gulp. So I thought I would bring you my top products that I believe are worth treating yourselves to when payday comes.

For base/powder products we firstly have the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder. I have this in shades 30 and 40 as I use the darker shade for contouring and the lighter shade as just a normal powder. I just love this and can't be without it. It super lightweight so doesn't feel heavy or powdery on the skin and just gives a lovely healthy and radiant complexion. Also the scent of this powder is just...ah-mazing. Next is the Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in shade Elvis Duran. This is one of those do it all bronzer powders in my opinion, I have previously used this bronzer to contour, sweeped lightly all over my face as a finishing powder, on the apples of my cheeks to give a flush of colour and have also used as an eye shadow just all over my lid. This bronzer is one that every lady needs in her makeup collection. Lastly of course I couldn't not include Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow. This stuff just sells itself really, it's such a luxury product and is well worth the price tag. 

In terms of skincare, I could not be without my cleansing oils. I completely rely on them and this Una Brennan version is just the ticket. It is quite heavy in consistency but feels super luxurious on the skin. The Sanctuary Wonder Oil Serum, now I know I go on and on about this product but I just adore it. If you like serums or oils then this is most certainly for you. I have plenty of heavy oils for the evenings but nothing I can really use in the mornings...enter the wonder oil serum. I don't need to say much about this product as you've all heard it before but just know that this should be at the top of your wish lists for payday. Another skincare favourite that I use alongside the Sanctuary Wonder Oil Serum is the Elemis Pro Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm. This gives the perfect base to apply makeup onto and gives an instant radiance the skin. It glides super well onto the skin and doesn't clump or ball like some other flash balms. If you're buying the Sanctuary Wonder Oil Serum then I would definitely recommend getting this to use alongside it. 

Then we have makeup. Of course I had to include the Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation, this stuff is over £30.00 a bottle which granted is very pricey but it's payday! This lasts all day on me and gives that signature dewy finish that we all know and love. If you have dry skin like me and are looking for a foundation to brighten up your dull complexion and inject some life into it then this is for you, and I suggest you march over to your nearest Burberry counter now and get spending! Every woman needs to have a red lipstick of whatever shape or form in her makeup collection. They are classic and can really transform a makeup look. This NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in shade Cruella is one of my favourites. It stays put all day and night with drinking, eating, kissing etc all taken into account. Then on the opposite side we all need a nude for those days when you're bronzing it up or just wanting to keep things natural. This Lancome Shine Lover Lipstick in shade 212 Twisted Beige is my perfect nude. It's not like concealer nude but it's just a lovely pinky/rosey toned nude. It's quite glossy on the lips and isn't drying whatsoever thanks to the lovely formula. 

Lastly we all have our signature scents right? Those scents that when people get a whiff it reminds them of you. Well this is mine. Dolce & Gabbana Pour Femme Intense. It's such a deep musky scent that's perfect for Autumn/Winter time but I tend to wear it all year round anyway. I am always repurchasing this perfume and with a price tag of £50.00 for 25ml it's definitely one to save for payday. 

So that's it, my choices for those payday treats. Do you own any of these products already? What do you think of them?

26/06/2015

The Drugstore Lip Edit

I've noticed recently that I have been writing more about high end products on Dreaming Pretty rather than the budget/drugstore alternatives and since we have such a fantastic high street for cosmetics I wanted to bring you my favourite drugstore offerings. So there's no denying it, like majority of beauty bloggers out there I am a lippie lover. I mean I literally hoard the stuff so what better than to bring you my favourite lippies. 

First I just wanted to talk about the Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liners, I have 4 shades of this lip liner but today I'm just talking about the shade Red Diva. In the past I have really struggled to find a good lip liner from the drugstore but these little beauties have been the game changers for me. The brand has a great shade range, they apply effortlessly and are really well pigmented. Red Diva is the perfect red shade for me, it's a true red colour and goes with pretty much any shade of red lipstick I own. 

Then we have the Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils. I have shade 310 Berry Much which is a lovely rich berry shade that's perfect for the Autumn/Winter months. These pencils are a great dupe for the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils so are a much more purse friendly option. It applies like a dream and lasts all night long. 

I'm having a real moment with lip crayons currently and have been absolutely loving this Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon in shade 07 Proudly Naked. This is a great daytime pick, it gives the lips a lovely natural sheen adding just a hint of colour. Keeping along the lines of natural finishes I wanted to mention the MaxFactor Colour Intensifying Balm in shade Sumptuous Candy. The way I would describe this is a highly pigmented lip balm, I love this product for daytime use. I love my lip balms and I really like to wear them in the day as lipsticks often dry my lips out so having one that has good pigmentation and gives a hint of colour to the lips is right up my street. 

For neutral shades my current favourites are the L'Oreal Collection Privee in shade Cheryl's Nude and Gosh Velvet Touch Lipstick in shade 122 Nougat. I have always been a nude fan and these two are the ones I have been reaching for recently. They both have a lovely glossy finish and feel really moisturising on the lips. 

When it comes to pink I really like rosey toned lipsticks so the Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in shade 830 Rose. I absolutely love these lipsticks, they are so easy to wear and feel so moisturising and gentle on the lips that I could just wear them all day every day. Shade Rose is a really pretty pink tone that is perfect for daytime wear. There's a really good shade range within the collection and I will definitely be buying some more shades soon. 

For night time I have really been enjoying wearing a bright pink lip and for this my first choice has been the Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Lacque in shade 07 Fuchsia Perche. This is a liquid lipstick with a glossy finish so perfect for this time of year when you want a little shine to the lips. 

And lastly for the lip gloss I have really been loving this Rimmel Oh My Gloss lip gloss in shade 130 Purrr...Glossy Cat. This is a lovely nude toned lip gloss with multi coloured little specks inside the gloss. 

What are your favorite drugstore lip products?

25/06/2015

Dr.PawPaw Original Balm

Hi I'm Amanda and I'm a lip-balmaholic. Anyone that knows me knows about my love for the stuff. I am actually at the point now where I get withdrawal symptoms if I don't have any lip balm on my lips. Yep, ridiculous I know. So when I was contacted about reviewing this Dr.PawPaw Original Balm* I jumped at the chance.

It contains a whole host of lovely ingredients, Carica Papaya which contains vitamin A and C, calcium, iron, potassium all of which help the skin to repair and inject hydration. Olive Oil which is a great anti-inflammatory and Aloe Leaf Juice which helps to restore moisture and promotes healthy youthful looking skin and hair. 

This is a multi tasking balm which can be used on your lips, hair, cuticles, nails and dry skin. I have been using this for all sorts of tasks, for one I have really dry cuticles so have been using this and it has really helped with softening them up so I can remove them with a cuticle remover. On my lips, of course. Some lip balms actually make my lips even drier for some bizarre reason but this balm really helps to soothe my lips and because it's fragrance free and clear in colour I have been wearing it constantly. I have also been using for the dry skin around my nose and on my eye lids and it has really helped to clear this up. You can also use for hair which I am a little apprehensive about as I can't quite see what it would do unless you have really bad split ends etc. I have however been using it on my brows and lashes to help condition them overnight. 

All in all I absolutely love this balm, you can literally use it for anything and everything and at just £6.95 it's an absolute bargain. You can find Dr.PawPaw in Harvey Nichols, Urban Outfitters and ASOS. It's perfect for the festival season coming up and quite frankly I reckon every woman, and man even, need this in their lives. 

24/06/2015

5 Products Worth The Hype

In the beauty industry we love a good hyped product, it's what we live for and it's we love about the industry but not all products are worth their hype. As a beauty blogger and a woman in fact I often feel pressured into buying all the new releases to review and include on my blog, but actually when you think about it, just because the product is hyped does not for one minute mean it's going to a good buy. You need to be doing your research first about a product before buying it just because the beauty industry is hyping it up. 

But anyway, enough of that, I thought I would bring you the products that I believe are worth the hype and am so glad I purchased. First is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. Every beauty blogger and their dog owned this cleanser and couldn't stop praising it. I had heard so many great things about this cleanser from other bloggers that I desperately wanted to try it but the word 'gel' completely put me off. Needless to say it really isn't anything like a gel whatsoever. I personally would describe it as more of a gel/balm that transforms into this luxurious oil upon contact with the skin. This feels so soothing on the skin and leaves skin looking and feeling glowy, youthful and plumped. I am in love with this cleanser and am so glad that I bought into the hype, I love it so much that I have nearly finished this one and will most certainly re purchase and keep doing so until it's discontinued. 

Then we have the By Terry Ombre Blackstar Cream Shadow Sticks. I picked this up in shade Bronze Moon, you all know how much I love bronze shades for my eyes. Oh my god is this stuff amazing or what. It glides onto the lid so effortlessly, it doesn't drag the lid at all. It's so creamy in formula and stays put all day. When blended in all over the lid it looks like 5 different shades all blended together. I am completely in love with this, you all know how I love my cream shadow sticks and this is just the creme de la creme of all shadow sticks. Without a doubt I will be purchasing more shades from this little collection. 

Next is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, yep I think pretty much every single one of us beauty bloggers have either previously owned this foundation or currently own it. It gives a medium coverage with a dewy glowing finish. There's not a lot I can about this foundation other than I absolutely love it and is completely worth the hype surrounding it. 

I've got another NARS favourite next, it's the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in shade Cruella. These pencils get so much publicity and there's good reason for it, these pencils are just dreamy. They glide on like a dream and stay put all day and night through eating, drinking, chatting, kissing, you name it. Obviously they are matte so are slightly drying but nothing too drastic and to combat this I just apply a thin layer of lip balm before applying. 

And lastly is the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow contour duo, this is what dreams are made of. The contour shade is a universal grey toned shade that is buildable so you can tailor it to any skin tone. The highlighting shade is gold in tone which suits me down to the ground. Everything about this duo just screams luxury, from the product itself to the rosey gold packaging. 

So they're the five products that I believe are worth the hype surrounding them, what do you think? Do you agree? Or disagree?

23/06/2015

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Cleansing Oil

I've always heard so much about this brand but never got round to trying anything from the range so when I was in Boots the other day I picked up this cleansing oil to try as my other one was running low.Firstly the scent of this cleanser is just, heaven. It smells like fresh oranges, actually it smells exactly like the Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter, it literally smells like 500 oranges have been squeezed into it. It is much heavier in consistency than I tend to like my cleansing oils to be, I use oils straight on top of my makeup and massage in to dissolve my makeup so I like them to be little lighter feeling. Nevertheless I really like it. It dissolves makeup effortlessly, granted it does take a little while to remove, more so than my usual cleansing oils because it is heavier in consistency but this doesn't bother me as I like to spend my time over my cleansing routine; but for those of you that don't like to take long removing your makeup then this maybe isn't for you. It leaves my skin feeling really clean but not stripped or squeeky clean as I call it. The only niggle I have with this product is the heavy scent, yes it does smell absolutely amazing but I personally prefer my skincare products to be lesser scented purely because of my dry skin. Saying that, this hasn't affected my skin whatsoever so it really doesn't matter I suppose. But it's just personal peference at the end of the day, I could literally sit and sniff this oil until the cows come home as it smells so delicious but that doesn't necessarily mean I want my skincare to smell nice. All in all, I do really like the oil, it removes my makeup easily and leaves my skin feeling fresh and soft. Would I re purchase it? Probably not if it wasn't for my beloved L'Oreal Cleansing Oil is up there on a pedestal and it's going to take some beating to knock it off. Have you tried this oil? What do you think of it?

22/06/2015

The Alternative Eye Liners

If you're anything like me and just stick to the usual black or brown kohl then this post may be a little helpful. I have recently been trying to branch out and try some new looks for eye liners rather than the typical black and brown so I thought I would bring you my favourites so far. 

Firstly is the Topshop Cream Shadow Pot in shade Revealed. This is actually an eye shadow but I have really been enjoying using it with a winged liner brush and applying as an eye liner and either leaving as that or blending out a little to create a subtle smokey eye. This stuff stays put too, once you have applied it it does not budge. 

Then I have been using the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl in shade 005 Nude, this is perfect for applying to the water line on the lower lash line and also to the inner corners of the eyes to create a wide eyed and bushy tailed effect. 

The No7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define Sticks are just lovely as a cream shadow but also as an eye liner. This particular shade, Gunmetal Grey, is just the most incredible and intense blue toned deep grey. It's the perfect partner for a grey/silver smokey eye. This stuff also does not budge, you can apply at the start of the night and it's still going strong when you get home. 

I picked this liner up at the same time as my beloved Rimmel mini palette as I thought it would work really well together and yep I was right. It's the Bourjois Khol and Contour liner in a Khaki shade and looks so pretty against a rusty red toned eye shadow. 

Then lastly I've got two liners from Kiko, I've got shades 2 and 6. Shade 2 is very similar is the No7 Gunmetal Grey shadow stick but slightly less grey and slightly more blue. Shade 6 is a deep purple and I have got to say both liners are so impressive. The colour payoff is incredible, they are so well pigmented and stay put all day/night. I have been wearing shade 6 with a berry toned smokey eye and shade 2 actually on the lower lash line with a brown/black smokey eye to give a hit of colour to the eyes. 

So they are my current favourite alternative eye liners. I got into such a rut of just reaching for either a black or brown liner so it's really refreshing to try out other looks. 

What do you use to line your eyes?

21/06/2015

#25 Sunday Sounds - Brand Focus: Rimmel

Rimmel always used to be one of those brands that for some reason or another would always be missed off my radar, but recently I have really been getting into their products and I am really impressed with the quality.

Probably the first item I ever purchased from the Rimmel range was the Wake Me Up concealer and I fell in love with it that much that I had to get the Wake Me Up foundation. Both products give that perfect Spring fresh faced finish. It attributes it's awakening finish to the Vitamin C which they both contain. This duo is always the one I head for most Mondays when my skin/face needs that extra bit of help to look fresh and ready for the week ahead.

Next is two products from the Scandal Eyes range; a cream shadow stick in shade 011 Bluffing, a metallic brown shade and the Waterproof Kohl eye liner in shade 055 Nude. I love both of these products, the cream shadow stick is great for all over the lid and buffed into the socket and the eye liner is perfect for the water line and inner corner to gives the eyes a more wide awake finish. 

Another eye favourite of mine is the Glam Eyes HD Eye Shadow Palette, this little beauty contains 5 different shades that all work perfectly together; a champagne shade, khaki, a lovely rich rusty pink shade, a deep berry toned chocolate and a dark gunmetal grey. The shadows are really well pigmented and are just so pretty when all blended in together.

Lastly are some lip favourites of mine. First up is the Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liners in shades 024 Red Diva which is a real true red and 063 Eastend Snob which is a lovely nudey pink. I never used to wear lip liners until I found these little beauties. They are so easy to apply and really do help to stop your lipstick from bleeding and creating the illusion of a fuller lip. I also have a berry toned shade within this range so I am pretty fixed for lip liners as I only ever wear nude lipsticks with the odd exception of a red or berry in the Winter months. Lastly is a newish release, it's the Oh My Gloss lip gloss in shade 130 Purrr... Glossy Cat. This is my perfect type of lip gloss for me, it's nude in colour with a slight shimmer to it. Perfect for the evening when you're bronzing it up and don't want anything too heavy on the lips but still want a bit of shimmer. 

So that's it, my favourites from Rimmel. Do you own any of these items? What do you think of them? Is there anything you could recommend?

20/06/2015

Soap & Glory Scrubatomic Face Polish

Generally I'm not a massive fan of abrasive facial scrubs, I tend to lean more towards chemically exfoliating products but I saw this whilst roaming the aisles of Boots and thought what the hell. Plus the cute/minimilistic packaging had me sold straight away. 

It's completely jam packed full of lovely ingredients; antioxidant-rich peach extracts, fast-acting fruit smoothers and tiny little exfoliating beads which sweep away dead skin cells and brighten your complexion. You only need the tiniest amount of product to suffice for the whole face so the bottle lasts a good while. I just mix with a little warm water and then massage onto my skin in circular motions, concentraing on my forehead and nose area. It is advertised for daily use, I wouldn't necessarily use this every day as it would be a little harsh for my skin type but if you have combination/oily non sensitive skin then it would probably be fine to use every day. 

Can I just say, this stuff smells incredible. It literally smells like a peach smoothie. I don't neccesarily like heavily scented products for my face but this is just so good that I can look past that. All in all, I really like this scrub. The exfoliating beads within the scrub are really tiny so aren't too abrasive against the skin which I like so the skin isn't left feeling stripped. After use, my skin feels super soft too touch and fresh ready for the day ahead. 

Have you tried this scrub? What do you think of it?

19/06/2015

Cleansing 101

I'm just gonna start by saying I have a serious obsession with cleansers, I literally cannot stop buying them. When I look in my skincare cupboard it is just overrun with cleansers, I only have one toner, three serums, 4 oils and I would say somewhere in the region of 25 cleansers. Yep, that's right. I am on a bit of a binge at the moment of using my cleansers up and not being able to buy one until I have used 2 up to try and control it! So with that obsession in mind I thought I would bring you some of my favourite cleansers out of my collection, yep that's right, those cleansers in that picture are only a snippet of my whole collection.

Cleansers come in so many different shapes and forms, there are gels, foams, balms, oils, creams, milks, butters, micellar waters, hot cloth cleansers...the list is endless, which is why I think I have so many because they all have so many different uses. For my current favourites keep reading:

First up is the balms, I love cleansing balms. I have dry/dehydrated skin so balm cleansers really suit my skin type and help to inject some much needed moisture into my skin. My current favourites are the Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse, this is a lovely thick balm in a pump bottle that when massaged into the face turns into an oil and feels so luxurious on the skin. I find this quite a heavy cleanser so I tend to only use in the evenings and I use it more in the Autumn/Winter months when my skin is really struggling. And my other favourite balm is the Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Balm, I tend to prefer to use this cleanser to remove my makeup like an oil, I just get a little blob out of the tin and then massage onto my face. It removes makeup so easily and then I just remove with a flannel and then follow with a second cleanse. The product literally looks like lard in a tub but when massaged into the face it turns into a lovely oil and feels really soothing on the skin.

Next it's gels. Generally I'm not a fan of gel cleansers, they really dry my skin out and leave it feeling really tight and stripped and horrid and I've just never been able to get on with them until this little beauty entered my life. The Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel is unlike any gel cleanser I have ever tried, it isn't like any typical gel cleanser. I would personally would describe it as a gel like balm that turns into oil when massaged onto the face. I had heard so much about this cleanser but the name gel had been putting me off buying it for so many months, I am so glad I took the plunge as I just absolutely love it. If you are toying with the idea of buying but the word gel is putting you off then don't let it as it honestly isn't anything like a gel.

Then we have cream cleansers and my favourite for this is the This Works Clean Skin Gentle Cleanser. Containing ingredients such as rosehip oil, eucalyptus and vitamin e it really is a cocktail of goodness for your skin. I absolutely love this cleanser and use it pretty much every morning, it really helps to awaken my skin but also leaves it feeling really soft with a lovely glow ready for the day ahead. There's also cleansing milks which in my opinion are just a runny cream cleanser but hey ho. So for this I have the Elemis Rehydrating Rosepetal Cleanser, this is a lovely light consistency cleanser. Again, I use this in the mornings alongside the This Works cleanser depending on how my skin feels. Honestly, I believe every skin type can benefit from either a specific cleansing milk or cream. If you have dry skin like myself then I tend to lean more on the side of oil based milks/creams or if you have combination or oily skin then you are probably more suited to ones that will have a purifying and brightening effect to the skin.

So hot cloth cleansers, we all know and love them. My current favourites are the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and the No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser. Both feel super soothing on the skin and really help to freshen the skin up. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish feels more awakening on the skin as it contains eucalyptus whereas the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser feels more luxurious and soothing on the skin. 

I rely solely on cleansing oils to remove my makeup at the end of the day as I find micellar waters to harsh on my skin when used on their own to remove my makeup. My current favourite is the Super Facialist by Una Brennan Cleansing Oil. This stuff literally smells like 500 oranges have been squeezed into the bottle, it's incredible! And it's not bad at removing your makeup either. I just think cleansing oils require such minimal effort and remove makeup so easily. They are fuss free. I just slap it straight onto my face on top of my makeup and massage in and then remove with a hot flannel, which is just heaven after a long day. 

Some people remove their makeup solely with micellar water, I can't get to grips with this but I do use these types of cleansers after my full cleanse to remove any residual makeup that may be left over or in the mornings I sometimes just sweep a cotton pad over my face soaked in this Clarins Water Comfort One Step Cleanse if I can't be bothered with a full cleanse. This Clarins version is a great alternative if like me you're not a massive fan of micellar waters, it's really soothing and doesn't feel stripping on the skin whatsoever. 

And lastly it's the foam cleansers, now generally I am the same with foam cleansers as I am with gel cleansers. They tend to dry my skin and leave it feeling really stripped but this Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean foaming wash is just beautiful. I use this cleanser when I'm in the shower to wash my face as it's just not like any of the above. It foams up into a luxuriously rich foam and leaves the skin feeling moisturised rather than stripped. 

So that's it, my low down of cleansers. Considering I'm normally preaching that I only ever use oil/balm cleansers, I actually own quite a few different types. Which cleansers do you use?

18/06/2015

My Top Premium Foundations

I would say I sway a lot between drugstore and premium foundations, there's only probably 3 drugstore foundations that I actually really like and would re purchase and the rest of my collection consists of premium foundations. I actually own more premium foundations than I realised so I thought I would put these into a post for you. 

I always think with premium foundations the shade range is so much better, there is a lot more choice so is better for paler or darker skinned ladies. Generally speaking I do tend to go for more premium foundations as I have just found them to be more long lasting and better coverage over the years. 

Within my collection I have the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation which is a really light consistency, it blends super easy into the skin and gives that 'my skin but better' finish. MAC Studio Fix Foundation is one we all know and love, it gives great coverage without looking cakey. The NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, I love this foundation. It gives a lovely dewy finish to the skin with good coverage. The Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation is very similar to the NARS Sheer Glow foundation but much lighter in consistency and coverage so it's better for a more natural finish. Lastly it's the Clarins Everlasting Foundation, this is the foundation that I turn to when I need my foundation to last all day. It literally stays put all day so I don't have to worry about touching up throughout the day.

I love every single one of these foundations and wouldn't be without any of them. Have you tried any of these foundations? What do you think of them?

17/06/2015

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Color


I have never massively gotten into Laura Mercier as a brand, I have dipped my tootsies on a couple of occasions but never really made the plunge. But the other day Nick and I nipped over to the Trafford Centre in Manchester for a little bimble around the shops. We went into Selfridges for a nosey as I was after a good pink lipstick, I have nude pink lipsticks and I also have bright pink lipsticks but nothing in between. After looking at the usual culprits of Chanel, MAC and Bobbi Brown I wasn't feeling very inspired so decided on the off chance to have a look at the Laura Mercier counter and was very pleasantly surprised. 

The sales lady was very helpful and pointed me in the direction of this Creme Smooth Lip Color in shade Pink Pout. First of all can I just say how beautiful the packaging is for this lipstick. It's a square shape which is a little different to the usual rounded bullets and it's a lovely glossy deep bronze colour. Very pretty. And looks super expensive when pulled out of your clutch in the ladies. 

On first impressions I really like this lipstick. I have only worn it a couple of times since picking it up but I am really impressed. It feels really creamy and moisturising on the lips and is also really well pigmented, just with one layer of product it gives a real rich/deep colour. This shade in particular is a lovely true pink, it looks really pretty on the lips and goes with pretty much every makeup look. It's great for this time of year as looks really fresh and cheers up even the greyist of days. 

All in all I really like the lipstick and I'm really glad I ventured away from my usual brands to try it out. I'll definitely be heading over to the Laura Mercier counter more often. Have you tried this range of lipsticks? What do you think of them?

16/06/2015

My In Shower Essentials

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love having a bath but I am definitely more of shower girl. A bath is lovely for a nice relaxing soak but in the mornings when you just want to have a quick wash a shower is always the best option for me. With this in mind I thought I would bring you my top in shower essentials. 

First up is the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment Mousse to inject some volume. I apply this after my shampoo and leave for a couple of minutes before rinsing out. It gives great volume to the hair for the day ahead. The only thing that absolutely infuriates me about this product is that once you have pressed the nozzle to release the product the product does not stop. I do get it, I know majority of mousse type products do still let a little product out after you have stopped pumping but this is just ridiculous. Anyway regardless of this I still love the product. 

What's a shower without a disposable razor? They're not really items we talk about a lot but they are essentials, I do have a Gillette Razor that has changeable razors which I use when I am taking more care over shaving but for a quick shave and go these are the ones I turn to. 

When you want a slight exfoliation but can't be arsed with the mess of it and don't have the time for an actual salt scrub etc then this is perfect alternative. Soap & Glory Pulp Friction is a foaming body scrub so lathers up like a regular shower gel but still has the exfoliating benefits. 

Lastly if you haven't got the time for a full morning cleanse then this Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Face Wash is just the ticket. I use this in the shower just for a quick wash and it leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh. 

What are your shower essentials?

15/06/2015

Elemis Rehydrating Rosepetal Cleanser

I bought this cleanser at the same time as the Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner as I had a facial last year and the therapist used both products on me. 

The cleanser contains healing Rosepetal, Lecithin and Vitamins E and F which help to replenish moisture levels, whilst gently purifying the skin. It's a cleansing milk so is perfect for my skin type, it helps to restore much needed moisture levels for my dehydrated skin. 

I absolutely love this cleanser, to apply just massage over the skin and then remove with damp cotton pads. Any skincare products that contain Rose are just dead on for me, the ingredient works so well for my skin at healing and restoring. I use this cleanser in the morning, it has a spa like scent to it so really helps to awaken my senses and leaves my skin feeling super enriched for the day ahead. 

I tend to use this cleanser more for the Spring/Summer months as it is a little lighter in consistency, for the Autumn/Winter months I will use something a little heavier. 

I absolutely love this cleanser and would definitely recommend to any other ladies that have a similar skin type to myself. Have you ever tried this cleanser? What do you think of it?

14/06/2015

#24 Sunday Sounds - The Weekend Post

I work in an office environment throughout the week so have the weekends off, on the weekends I just prefer to chill out and laze around in my pyjamas every day, meet up with the bestie for a coffee or do some online retail therapy. 

Today I will be doing exactly that. I always like to apply a face mask on a Sunday afternoon and my perfect mask is this Body Shop Honey & Oat 3-in-1 Scrub Mask, it leaves my skin feeling so incredibly soft and injects that much needed glow for the week ahead. I just completely adore this face mask, it suits my skin type perfectly and will be forever on that pedestal. 

Whilst letting the mask do it's thang I like to read a magazine and enjoy a nice cup of tea. That's right, rock and roll. This is a short but sweet post but I love my weekends and just wanted to share this with you. 

How do you like to enjoy your weekends?

13/06/2015

Date Night Makeup

Nick and I like to go out for meals for our date nights, we do it quite often and recently I haven't been able to stop wearing this look. Nick has even started to comment now asking me if these are the only products I own. Ha, how wrong he is.

For my base I have been obsessed with these two products; as my primer I have been using This Works Perfect Look Skin Miracle. It's technically a tinted moisturiser so for you lucky lot that don't have dry skin you could probably use this alone as a moisturiser and primer in one but for me it isn't hydrating enough on it's own so I use on top of my moisturiser/oil. It gives a lovely warm glow to the skin which is perfect for when you're wanting a more bronzed finish rather than luminous. Next for my foundation I haven't wanted to use anything but this Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation. It gives a light to medium coverage but is totally buildable and gives my beloved dewy finish to the skin.

I've never been a massive one for contouring as quite frankly I just can't be bothered with it but this Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow Palette makes contouring so easy peasy that I can't not do it. Then I use my Chanel Les Beiges to add a little warmth over the face. For my cheeks I have been using the MaxFactor Creme Puff Blush in shade Alluring Rose which is peachy/bronzed in shade so looks lovely on the apples of the cheeks when trying to achieve the bronzed look.

Then for my eyes I haven't been able to stop using this Rimmel palette, it contains 5 shades that all work in harmony with each other and are perfect for green eyes. Along with the shadows I have been using the Bourjois Khol and Contour Eyeliner in a khaki green shade. This works perfectly with the Rimmel shades from the palette. I sometimes add a little black liner but not all the time and for this I have been using the Bourjois Liner Feutre which is quite like a fine nibbed felt tip pen. And then I just finish off with a slick of the Rimmel Wonderfull Argan Oil Mascara, this is so moisturising and nice on the lashes. It doesn't clump or go crispy and just gives a lovely natural finish to the eyes. 

This look is more about the lips and eyes rather than the brows so I go quite natural with them by just brushing the Origins Just Browsing through to tame them. Lastly I add a layer of the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in shade Cruella to give that luxe and romantic feel. 

So they're the products that I'm currently reaching for for mine and Nicks date nights. What products do you use?

12/06/2015

Recent Empties

So you all know I'm having a product using up binge at the moment, especially for skincare items as I just have so many and there really isn't any need to have that many cleansers. She says. 

So anyway these are my recent empties, first is the Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream. I do like this cleanser but it's quite heavy in consistency and there are other cleansers out there that I prefer so I won't be re purchasing this. 

11/06/2015

Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner

I had never previously been a massive user of toners, I just found them a little unnecessary and just another step in a routine that didn't really need to be there. Well that was until I discovered this little beauty. I went for an Elemis Facial last year and my therapist used this toner within the facial and it instantly made my skin feel so fresh and clean. So after my facial I headed straight for the products and purchased this toner. 

It contains Ginseng, Quillaja Wood and Sweet Betty Flower. This cocktail of ingredients work in harmony to revitalise and nourish the skin. Previously I just didn't understand the need of using a toner but now I realise that they are perfect for removing any last traces of facial cleanser and this toner is perfect for rebalancing the skin´s natural pH and to rehydrate dry skin.

This toner always just leaves my skin feeling so fresh and clean after cleansing and gives the perfect base to apply my serums and oils onto.  

This has completely converted me over to toners but quite frankly I don't feel the need to try any other toners on the market as this one is perfect my skin. 

Have you ever tried this toner? Do you use a toner in your skincare routine?

10/06/2015

My Favourite Dry Shampoos

When it comes to dry shampoo I think you either love it or hate it. I personally love it. I have been trying to not wash my hair as often recently as the more often I wash it the faster it becomes greasy so dry shampoo has been my life line to use in between washes. I wanted to just put a post together of my favourite dry shampoos which range from budget to premium.

So going from left to right:

COLAB Dry Shampoo, this is a range by the lovely Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends. The range consists of 6 different scents all named after cities around the world. The formula of this dry shampoo is completely sheer and invisible so this is always the one I take out with me on a night out or pop into my handbag to use throughout the day as then I don't need to worry about my roots looking grey after application. It gives a real boost to the hair and generally just freshens it up. At just £3.49 for 200ml this is an absolute bargain.

Next is the Charles Worthington Balancing Act Dry Shampoo. You know sometimes when you apply dry shampoo it gives an instant fix but then an hour later your hair is starting to look greasy again. Well not with this little beauty, if I apply this in the morning my hair looks and feels like it's just been washed and this lasts all day and quite often into the next day. Also the scent of this product is really fresh so leaves your hair smelling lovely aswell as looking lovely. At £4.99 it is more expensive than COLAB but is still pretty cheap. 

Then we have Bumble and Bumble Pret A Powder, with equal parts dry shampoo, style extender and volume in a pinch. I don't really tend to use this solely as a dry shampoo, I use it more just on my roots and use it freshen the hair and also to add volume to the roots. It's not the greatest dry shampoo if you ask me but when used almost as a texturising powder on roots it helps to freshen up the hair and add some much needed volume. At £21.50 it is a lot more expensive than my other favourites so might not be for all budgets. 

Lastly it's the Batiste Dry Shampoo in shade medium brown. The main reason why I like this dry shampoo is because it is tinted brown so doesn't give roots that tell tale greyish colour. I tend to use this shampoo when I am putting my hair up as it helps to add a bit of grip to the hair, I always find with the Batiste Dry Shampoos that they don't last all day, they only really last a couple of hours which is why I use this shampoo on days that I put my hair up. At £3.99 it's super cheap so great for all budgets. 

Which dry shampoos do you use?

09/06/2015

No7 Shade and Define Sticks

It seems the beauty industry can't get enough of these cream shadow sticks at the moment, pretty much every single brand are jumping on the band wagon and for good reason. They are so easy to use and apply and give a similar effect from one stick as if you had blended 3-4 powder shadows over the lid. 

These No7 sticks are no exception. They are so buttery soft so they don't drag the lid and are really well pigmented. There are 8 shades within the range, I have shades Glistening Ray and Gunmetal Grey. Glistening Ray is a lovely shimmery champagne shade, this is perfect for applying to the inner corners to brighten the eyes. Gunmetal Grey is a bluey toned grey, I absolutely love this shade. It looks so pretty all over the lid and blended out at the edges with a flick of black eye liner. 

In terms of lasting power, these shadows stay all day on me without creasing. They are super pigmented so the colour is really intense on the lid. There's not much more that I can say about these sticks other than I absolutely love them and will definitely be purchasing some more shades out of the range very soon. 

Have you tried these shadow sticks?

08/06/2015

New Skincare Additions

Skincare is a big deal for me, I like to invest in it as I just think you wear your skin every single day and night so it's important to me for it to be looking it's best all of the time. Also if you get the right skincare then I always think your makeup will look even better. So I thought I would bring you a post about recent additions to my skincare collection. 

First is a bit of a cheat product but this Elemis Flash Balm isn't particularly a new addition but it ended up getting pushed to the back of my cupboard when I first purchased it so it is more of a rediscovery. I have been using this alongside the Sanctuary Wonder Oil Serum in the mornings and it gives the perfect base to apply makeup onto. 

Next is the Sanctuary Therapist's Secret Facial Oil, I always prefer to use an oil in the evening and this is my current favourite. After loving the Wonder Oil Serum so much I immediately went out and purchased this oil as I heard it was like it's evening sister. I have only been using it for a couple of weeks but so far so good. 

Then it's the This Works Clean Skin Gentle Cleanser, I have had this now for a couple of months and tend to use it more in the mornings. I love the scent of this cleanser, it just reminds me of a spa and it leaves the skin feeling super fresh for the day ahead. I will definitely be re purchasing this. 

And of course I had to include the Sanctuary Wonder Oil Serum. I honestly can't tell you how much I love this product. It is my perfect skincare item, I love oils and I love serums so having the two combined is just heaven. 

Lastly is the Super Facialist by Una Brennan Cleansing Oil, I've only used this a handful of items so far but on first impressions I really like it. This is the first product I have used from this brand and am really impressed with the quality so may look into purchasing some more items if any of you have any recommendations. 

So those are the most recent additions to my skincare wardrobe. Have you tried any of these products?

07/06/2015

#23 Sunday Sounds - My Perfect Nude Lip

I am a big lover of nude lips, now when I say nude I don't mean skin tone nude I mean nudey pinks that go with nearly every makeup look out there.

I recently purchased this Lancome Shine Lover Lipstick in shade 212 Twisted Beige. It is the perfect nude toned pink that gives a glossy sheen to the lips. And then paired with this Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in shade 018 Addiction. I am really loving the Rimmel Lip Liners at the moment, they have a really great shade range and this particular shade goes perfectly with this Lancome lipstick. 

It just gives that 'my lips but better' look and I have been loving wearing this duo recently. 

Do you like a nude lip? Do you have a perfect combo that you like to wear?

06/06/2015

Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce

Charles Worthington has never been a brand that I have massively used, I either tend to go for Lee Stafford or Aussie when buying hair care or styling products however on this occasion I saw these three products within the 3 for 2 offer and thought I would give them a go. My classic go to look is big and bouncy hair so this looked and sounded right up my street. 

I have tried many a volumising shampoo and conditioner in my time but I always used to find they would leave my hair feeling really stripped and dry and yet, yes they would give good volume, my hair never felt in very good condition after using them. I pretty much expected the same thing with this duo but wrong was I. I have been using these every time I have been washing my hair and it has been noticeably thicker and more voluminous but still with a lovely glossy shine and soft/healthy to touch. The only niggle I have with these two products is the packaging, it is really difficult to dispense the product. You have to squeeze really hard and then loads ends up shooting out but all in all I absolutely love these two and will most likely re purchase when ran out. 

I also picked up the Texturising Spray at the same time as I had been using a Lee Stafford one but it wasn't really doing much for me and plus I had to get another product to make use of the 3 for 2 offer. I have been umming and arring for quite some time now about buying the Oribe Dry Texturising Spray and heard that this was a good dupe for that. I am so glad that I bought this instead of the Oribe version as I absolutely love it, it gives a great boost of volume to the hair that lasts all day/night, it also really helps to keep curls in place weirdly as this is not what the product is for. 

Overall I am massively impressed with these products, they give an almost salon finish at home and are totally affordable. I will definitely be buying more products from Charles Worthington as I'm so impressed. 

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of them?

05/06/2015

Next Time You're In Boots...

Boots is one of those stores that I can just spend hours and hours roaming around and not realise it. Nick always says that if he lost me in a shopping centre the first place he would go to is Boots. So with my ever growing love for the shop I thought I would just give a couple of recommendations for the next time you're in there.  

So the first is this Super Facialist by Una Brennan Cleansing Oil. I rely a lot on cleansing oils to remove my makeup before cleansing as I don't like to use wipes or micellar water and this one is just lovely. It literally smells like someone has squeezed 50 fresh oranges into the bottle. It feels really gentle on the skin and removes makeup effortlessly. If you're in the market for a cleansing oil then this is definitely worth a try. 

Next is the Sanctuary Wonder Oil Serum, now I know I keep going on about this but it's just so dreamy. This has got to be one of my hero products, it is a serum and oil in one. It gives the big hydration kick that an oil boasts but with the quick absorption of a serum. Honestly if you're anything like me where you don't want to spend too much time on your skincare in the morning but need something hydrating enough for dry and dehydrated skin then you will love this. 

Now correct me if I'm wrong but I know you can get Rimmel in Superdrug but I have never seen these eyeshadows in Superdrug before and they also aren't online either. Bit of a dodgy one I know but I'm running with it. This is the eyeshadow palette that dreams are made of, well if you've got green eyes and brown hair that is. This palette contains 5 shades all of which work perfectly together and look great against green eyes and darker haired ladies as they are more warm in tone. 

Lastly is an item from the Boots No7 range. Every man and his dog seem to doing these cream shadow sticks at the moment and there's good reason for it aswell. They are so easy to apply and they just look gorgeous on. They have a number of different shades within the range and I am currently working my way through purchasing them all. These are a great alternative if you don't have the budget for the likes of Bobbi Brown, By Terry, Chanel, Laura Mercier etc. 

So they are the products that I am recommending at the moment from Boots. Have you tried any of these items?

04/06/2015

Stila Convertible Colour Dual Lip and Cheek Cream

So generally as a rule I never used to like cream blushers,  I used to find them really difficult to work with and just used to prefer the finish of a powder blush. But after reading some rave reviews about the Stila Convertible Colour Dual Lip and Cheek Cream - what a mouthful, I decided to give it a go.


Upon approaching the Stila stand in Boots I was pleasantly surprised with just how many shades there were available in this certain product, there were 9 shades in total ranging from light peaches to rich dark bronzes and reds. I ended up with Petunia as I just felt this was the most middle ground of all the shades and a perfect start for myself, a cream blush novice.

I have to admit it did take me a while to get used to this product and how to apply it, resulting in quite a number of times ending up with me slamming the product down onto my dressing table in a huff declaring I wasn't ever using a cream blush again. But something about this product just kept pulling me back to try again and eventually I settled on applying with my ring finger and just gently dabbing until it was completely blended. I have just been applying the blush to the apples of my cheeks and I feel it gives a really lovely natural look. I have also really been enjoying using this product on my lips, I find it quite sheer but it seems to give a lovely natural shine and just a hint of colour. 

All in all, I really like this product and at £16.00 I think it is really quite reasonable for the quality of product you are getting, plus, technically you're getting two products for the price of one so nothing shouts bargain to me more than that. Stila, you've converted me.

03/06/2015

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow

Nick bought me this little duo last year for my birthday and I have been absolutely loving it ever since. This was also my very first Charlotte Tilbury product which is a milestone in any girls life! For me, contouring was never a massive priority, if going on a night out I would crack out the Body Shop Honey Bronze to give a little structure to the face but that was pretty much it until this little gem came into my life. 

The palette contains 2 shades, one contouring shade and one highlighting shade, both encased in this beautiful rosey gold packaging. The contour shade is a matte grey toned powder, the shade is meant to be a 'suit all skin tones' shade which initially I wasn't too sure about but after using I can totally understand why. When applied lightly the hollows of the cheeks, jawline and temples it gives a very subtle shadow effect, the powder is completely buildable so for darker skin tones it can just be built up to give a stronger colour. 

The highlighting shade is the perfect shade for me, it is a warm golden toned shade that is seriously pigmented so you honestly only need the tiniest amount otherwise you end up looking like a disco ball. When applied to the cheek bones, bridge of the nose, chin, brow bone and middle of the fore head the face is given a lovely 'lit from within' effect.

After having this palette introduced into my life I have never looked back, it is absolutely fool proof and gives the most subtle/natural effect with minimal effort...my kind of product! 

Have you tried this little duo? What are your thoughts on it?

02/06/2015

May Favourites

This month has been all about new purchases for me, do you ever find some months that no matter how hard you try you just can't get on with any products and all the new purchases you buy are so disappointing? We've all been there but for May I have absolutely been loving all the purchases I have made recently.

First up has got to be the Sanctuary Wonder Oil Serum, I wrote a full review of this product a couple of days ago so if you want to hear more about it then go give that a read. I am a humungous fan of oils and serums, it's where I get most of the hydration and moisture that my skin needs rather than moisturisers. It obviously pretty much says it all that this product is in my May Favourites post but I am just smitten with this and I'm so glad I stumbled across it.

Next is the Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation, I also did a full review of this product not so long ago so I won't ramble on too much but again I love it. It's a light to medium coverage and gives the dewy finish for my signature makeup look. Also, just a little point, the bottle comes with a pump already built in. I cannot tell you how infuriating it is to me when I spend the good part of £30.00 on a foundation and then I have to pay extra for the pump! Like what the f**k. So a big high five to Burberry for incorporating a pump.

I've always been a big fan of highlighters, I always think they really help towards creating a dewy finish to the skin and can make a massive difference to the shape of your face. As a general rule of thumb I tend to lean more towards gold toned highlighters as they just suit my skin tone more and this highlighter is no exception. It's part of the Topshop Beauty range and the shade I picked up is Horizon. It's a lovely bronze/gold toned highlighter and looks ever so pretty when applied to the high points of the face. Also, it is so buttery soft and finely milled so gives a really subtle luminous effect.

Then we have the Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in shade 830 Rose. I adore this lipstick. It feels likes your applying a lip balm when you apply this lipstick. It's so soft and moisturising on the lips but gives the same colour payoff as any normal lipstick. I haven't been able to put this down this month.

Then lastly we have got two eye products that I have been loving using together. First is the Rimmel Glam Eyes HD Eye Shadow Palette, this little beauty contains 5 different shades that all work perfectly together; a champagne shade, khaki, a lovely rich rusty pink shade, a deep berry toned chocolate and a dark gunmetal grey. This palette is literally all the shades that suit my skin tone and eye colour in one. I love it. The shadows are really soft and pickup super well. To match this palette I have been using the Bourjois Khol & Contour Eye Liner in shade 80 Vert Expressif which is a really nice deep green/khaki shade so goes perfectly with the shadows. I have really been trying recently to not use brown or black liners as I always use them and I've just come to find them really boring and often quite harsh looking on the eyes and this is the perfect alternative.

So that's it, they're my May Favourites. What have been your favourites?

01/06/2015

The Glow Getters

As you all know I love a bit of glow and dewiness so I thought I would bring you my favourite products to help create that dewy/highlighted/illuminated base. 

When I want some serious glow I always head for the Dior Glow Maximiser to prime my face before applying foundation. This stuff packs a serious punch and gives even the dullest complexion a bright and illuminated look. 

To highlight I have a couple of different options depending upon the look that I want to achieve. If I am heading for the bronzed up look then I immediately reach for either the Topshop Highlighter in shade Horizon, this is an incredible gold toned highlighter that is just beautiful. Or the Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator in shade 01, you need the tiniest amount and it gives a lovely gold highlight to the skin that complements a bronzed look perfectly. It can be used to highlight or mixed into foundation. 

When I want just a bright and natural dewy finish then I either head for the No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter, this is a stick form highligher. It blends like a dream and gives a lovely illuminated look to the face when applied to the high points. Or I use the Soap & Glory Glow All Out Powder, it looks pink in the pan but when applied to the skin it just gives a really subtle 'lit from within' finish to the skin. I often just lightly brush this all over my face to give a subtle glow. 

Then lastly to brighten up the under eyes and bridge of the nose I use the L'Oreal Lumi Magique concealing pen, this is extremely similar to the YSL Touche Eclat but I actually prefer this L'Oreal version. It is more concealing than Touche Eclat but still gives a bright eyed finish to the under eye area. 

So those are the products that I use when I want to achieve a dewy and glowy base. What products do you use?