An introduction to Weleda.

Skincare posts are always a bit tricky, as everyone is different and what might work for me, might not work for other people. I do, however, love to test new products and recently I got the chance to try out a few numbers from Weleda, a brand I've always been familiar with, but never actually dipped my toe into. Here's a little roundup of the products I've been using lately.

First up is the Almond Soothing Facial Cream (£13.95)*, a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer that sinks in quickly, leaving the skin smooth and even. The consistency is fairly thick, but not so heavy that it does leave an oily residue on the skin. It does feel calming and soothing, but it's very basic and I wish it was more hydrating, as I notice some dryness creeping back on my cheeks and forehead through the day when I wear this.

Next up, the Pomegranate Firming Face Serum (£34.95)* was a huge let down for me. It caused a truly nasty breakout I'm still trying to recover from - shame on me for not checking out the ingredient list first, there's so much alcohol inside this serum, the fact that my face didn't fall off it's a miracle itself -. This is quite expensive but the formula doesn't live up to expectations - it leaves the skin dry and feeling tight, which is simply bad, especially as it's designed for more mature skins. Leave this one.

During the colder months I seem to go through lip balms like there's no tomorrow and stick balms like the Everon Lip Balm (£4.95)* are ideal to have in your handbag when you're out and about, especially on colder days. If you don't mind the rather heavy fragrance, this is a good option, moisturizing and really soothing for chapped lips.

I'm a huge fan of face oils so a product I really enjoyed trying out is the Wildrose 7 Day Beauty Treatment (£6.60)*, a regimen for stressed skin in 7 vials. The oil blend plumps and nourishes tired skin, leaving it looking healthy and more luminous. It takes a few minutes to sink in and offers the perfect excuse for a good face massage, which combined with the aroma really helps unwind at the end of the day. A good one for stressful periods

Another product I have a lot of love for is the Pomegranate Regenerating Body oil (£21.95)*, a lovely post-shower treatment to condition the skin and leave me relaxed and ready for bed. This smells so good - sweet and sour like ripe pomegranates, very Holiday appropriate - and the scent lingers on the skin for hours once you step out of the shower. I rub a few drops on damp skin, as it absorbs more easily if the skin is not completely dry, and I'm ready to slip into my pyjamas right away. A great winter staple, I definitely recommend it.

Have you tried Weleda?

*Press samples

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Christmas makeup medley - Drugstore edition.

Red and gold for Christmas - I know, groundbreaking. But you know what they say, if it ain't broken, don't fix it, right? To bring a little spice to an old and beloved classic, however, I thought I'd give my luxury products the day off and put together a full drugstore face for the party season instead. I just got my hands on a couple of drugstore goodies I couldn't wait to try and my stash is already packed with little budget gems that could give a run for their money to a few expensive picks. So, today I'm giving you the chance to rummage through my holiday makeup bag and see what I'm gonna wear for the big day. Here it goes.

Starting with the base, I'll definitely be reaching for the L'Oreal Infallible 24h Matte Foundation (£8.99), which is my absolute favourite when I need my foundation to stay put till bedtime. With it's dreamy formula and great coverage, it makes my skin look flawless but still very natural and never flat and dull. For a pop of lit-from-within glow, the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer (£9.99) - a great budget dupe for MAC's Strobe Lotion this one - is the most obvious choice, as it makes a lovely little duo with the Infallible foundation.
Finally, the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (£3.99) is the perfect number to cover everything from dark circles to redness and blemishes, and subtly illuminate the under-eye area. It's like a matte take on the Nars Radiant concealer, I love it.

For my cheeks I'm still completely in love with the Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso (£4.27). A must-have shade for fair skin tones, it's radiant and brightening, and the baked formula is just lovely to work with. The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder 01 (£13) is also back on rotation. It's matte, but it looks almost satin on the skin and gives subtle definition to the contours of the face with an healthy finish. It's my top bronzer for this time of the year.

To define my brows, I picked up the Bourjois Brow Natural Pen in Blonde (£6.99) on a whim during the Black Friday sales and I haven't used it yet, but the shade - a golden light brown - looks perfect for me and the nib draws super fine hair-like strokes, which is quite promising. I'll keep you posted on this one.

Eye makeup wise, I've decided to skip primer entirely and use the Bourjois Colorband 2-in-1 Eyeshadow & Liner in Beige Minimaliste (£5.99) instead, as it's waterproof and once it sets it won't budge - it lasts ages on my eyes and it's so easy to use and blend, and makes for a lovely base for any powder eyeshadow.
The Tanya Burr Hollywood Eye Palette (£6) is for sure the most festive appropriate palette in my stash - with three eyeshadows and one glitter topper it reminds me of the Charlotte Tilbury quads, and even if the quality isn't as good, these are absolutely amazing for the price. The combination of vanilla, light gold, rich brown and glittery bronze is pretty fool proof and perfect for simple day-to-day looks or for something more glamorous and party-ready.

Big, bold lashes add the finishing touch to the soft smokey look - I'm forever repurchasing the Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara (£10.99), it's almost impossible to remove but it keeps my lashes nice and curved for ages and it's blacker than black. And for a bit of extra drama I adore the Eyelure Fleur de Force Fleur Loves lashes (£5.25), which are the perfect 3/4 falsies for fluttery volume and a bit of lift at the outer corners.

At last, and I'm sure everyone saw it coming, I'll be slathering on the Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Standout (£7.99), which is one of my favourite reds of all time. It's matte but it glides on like a dream and is super pigmented. I find that it lasts forever on my lips but it's also really easy to touch up and I won't have to worry too much about it as I cheerfully stuff my face.

What will you be wearing on Christmas Day? Are you sticking with the classics or going for a different look?
Have a lovely Christmas everyone! Mwah!

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Dreaming of a LUSH Christmas.

Oh oh oh! It can't be Christmas without a good ol' trip to Lush, right? They do some of the cutest little gift sets and festive shopping for friends and family is just the perfect cover-up for some well deserved self gratification. I should warn you though, if you're anything like me you might barely have room to move in your bathroom after said trip, but the delicious lingering scent and the thought of all the amazing pampering sessions you're gonna have during the Holidays will make everything alright, I promise.

Some of my favourite Lush products of all time are Christmas limited editions and I always make sure to stock up on those for the months ahead. Snowcake Soap (£3.50) is one of my forever repurchases. I adore the yummy marzipan scent and it's so nourishing it really helps my hands stay soft and smooth during the colder months. My other staple is Yog Nog Soap (£3.50) - clearly I'm a sucker for anything that smells like dessert - which is just divine. With soya yoghurt and coconut oil, it's uber moisturizing and extra creamy, perfect to cleanse the skin without leaving it feeling dry. And do I need to mention the mouthwatering creme brulèe fragrance? Heavenly.

I'm not usually one for rose scented products, but I've been converted with Rose Jam Shower Gel (£4.95)*. To me, it smells like vanilla and sour candies with a very subtle flowery hint. It's a really relaxing and calming blend, perfect to take the edge off and de-stress before bed, and the warming scent lingers in my bathroom for hours afterwards.
Another great pick for any shower lover is Salt & Peppermint Bark Shower Scrub (£5.95)*. I haven't used a scrub bar in ages but this reminded me why I used to love them so much. It's a moisturizer and an exfoliator in one, with fine grains of salt to gently brush away dry patches, cocoa butter too soothe and nourish chapped skin, and a drop of peppermint oil that leaves a light clean scent on the skin.

When it comes to bath treats I usually make a beeline straight for the bubble bars and as soon as I saw it I knew The Magic of Christmas Reusable Bubble Bar (£5.95) had to come home with me. Isn't this the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen? This lovely little magic wand smells so festive, it's warm and cozy but also uplifting thanks to the cinnamon, clove and orange mix in it. I'm a bit sad to use this but I also can't wait to soak in many lovely golden baths.

Star Dust Bath Bomb (£2.95)* sadly lasted only one bath but it was certainly worth it - loved the star-shaped confettis! -. Vanilla and Rosewood oil set the bases for a very relaxing bath but the bergamot oil adds a little citrus kick to the mix. Definitely one to use if you need to re-charge your batteries after a long day of Christmas shopping.

Another favourite that always finds a way into my basket is So White Bath Bomb (£3.65). I'm not entirely sure if this is a Christmas exclusive but the crunchy apple scent is simply perfect for the Holiday season and never fails to put a huge smile on my face as it fizzles away in the tube, turning the water pastel pink.

Finally, Santa's Belly Shower Jelly (£3.95) has to be my favourite product of the lineup. I adore the deep red colour shot through with little stars, it's super festive, but what really sold me on this one is the gorgeous apple cyder frangrance. It's such a happy scent, a good one if you're feeling a bit under the weather, I'm kind of obsessed with it.
If sour apple is not something that tickles your fancy, I highly recommend Snowman Shower Jelly (£3.95)*, a cute little snowman that smells like carrots and it's infused with Sicilian lemon and bergamot oils to cleanse and energize. Adorable.

Have you tried anything from Lush lately?

*Press samples

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November favourites.

Picking up my favourites for the month has been quite challenging this time - I've been testing out a few new things in November and while I've found some nice numbers that will definitely pop up on the blog in the near future, not many have become month long-staples in my routine. There were, however, a handful of products I couldn't get enough of and they're absolutely fab and worthy of some very high praise.

It's that time of the year when my skin gets more and more dry and sensitive and the only way to stop my face from falling off is to pile on all the moisture I can and pray for the best. To bring immediate relief to my thirsty skin I've been reaching everyday for the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist (£18), a lovely spray on-moisturizer, infused with hyaluronic acid, black oat extract and a bunch of vitamins. This stuff is fantastic for my parched complexion that instantly feels more supple and quenched. It's happy skin in a bottle, I'll never be without it.

The Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask (£44) is a long-time favourite of mine that has become a weekly staple for me lately. Every time my skin looks dull and lackluster or feels irritated and congested, I slap on a good helping of this dreamy product and leave it to work its magic. I love it because it does literally everything you might want from a mask, it cleanses and refines my pores, lightly exfoliates and brightens my skin, and feels truly moisturizing and calming. It's an absolute skin saviour.

With Lush Salted Coconut Hand Scrub (£7.95) has been love at first use. It's a gentle scrub, perfect to tend to dry hands this time of the year, as it leaves them soft and nourished. Then there's the scent. Rich and coconut-y but with a twist of lemon juice and sea salt that lift the whole mix. So delicious and long-lasting on the skin, I adore it.

The first makeup pick is quite predictable as I've been chatting about it non-stop - speaking of, have you entered my Holiday giveaway yet? -. I really can't fault the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal (£30), it's such a pretty highlighter, soft to the touch and easy to blend. It's one of the most pigmented luminizers I've ever tried, so if you're after some serious strobing this one is for you, otherwise a light hand and a fan brush are your best friends.

At last, apparently my lipstick collection wasn't already big enough as I felt the need to add another vampy shade to my stash. S. is the worst enabler and as soon as I saw it on her, I knew Chanel Rouge Allure in Rouge Noir (£26) had to be mine. Of course we have very different skin tones, but Rouge Noir is that kind of shade - a super chic deep wine with a satin finish - that seems to flatter all and is simply stunning on my pale skin. Me love.

What beauty products did you love in November?

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Giveaway: Becca glow on the go.

Now, my love for travel sizes and value sets is no secret! I'm always on the hunt for cute kits and new products to try and the Becca Glow on the go set is just my most cherished find at the minute. I'm a huge fan of Becca and their Shimmering Skin Perfectors, and this set includes a miniature size of my current favourite hue, Opal, both in liquid and pressed form. The creamy version is simply amazing, easy to blend and incredibly versatile, as you can either wear it underneath or over your base or even mix it with your foundation for a gorgeous dewy look. On the other hand, I've only used the pressed offering a few times, but I can already tell why everyone praises it so much. It's a soft rose-golden champagne that really packs a punch and will suit many different skin tones. It's the kind of highligther that can be seen from space if you go all out in the evening, but with the right brush and a light hand it can also be sheered out for the day. I love it!

As the Holiday season is well and truly upon us, it seemed fitting that I gave one of you the chance to try these amazing products and rock your glowy skin during the festivities.

You can enter no matter where you are in the world via the Rafflecopter form below - don't forget to give a quick read through the T&Cs. Be sure to follow Strawberry Makeup bag on Bloglovin and leave a comment down here, telling me what's your must have beauty product for winter. Everything else is optional but as usual much appreciated.
The giveaway will run for two weeks to end on December 15th midnight GMT+1 and the winner will be contacted in the following 48 hours. I'll try my best to deliver this as quickly as possible and allow you to enjoy your prize during the Holiday season.

Whether you read every post or this is your first time visiting, thanks so much for reading my blog, it means the world to me. I'll keep my fingers crossed and wish you all good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Che io letteralmente impazzisca per taglie da viaggio e mini set non è certo un segreto. Sono sempre alla ricerca di piccoli kit, adorabili e perfetti per provare nuovi prodotti, ed il Becca Glow on the go set è solo l'ultimo tesoro che ho scovato. Sono una grande fan del makeup di Becca ed in particolare degli Shimmering Skin Perfectors, e questo set contiene due mini taglie della mia tonalità preferita del momento, Opal, in forma liquida ed in cialda pressata. La versione cremosa è semplicemente favolosa, facile da sfumare ed incredibilmente versatile, dato che si può indossare sia sotto sia sopra la base e persino mischiare al fondotinta per un meraviglioso tocco di luce con un effetto quasi bagnato. D'altra parte, la versione in polvere non è da meno e sebbene l'abbia provata solo una manciata di volte, già capisco perché tutti impazziscano per questo prodotto. E' una polvere color champagne che tende leggermente all'oro rosa, dalla pigmentazione intensa ed adatta ad un ampia varietà di incarnati. E' il tipo di illuminante che si vede dallo spazio, perfetto per la sera, ma con il pennello giusto ed una mano leggera si presta anche ad un'applicazione più sheer ed all'uso quotidiano. Lo amo!

Visto che oggi inizia ufficialmente il conto alla rovescia per Natale, ho pensato che fosse l'occasione perfetta per dare ad uno di voi la possibilità di provare questi prodotti meravigliosi e sfoggiare una pelle luminosa da svenimento durante le Feste.

Potete partecipare al giveaway, indipendentemente da dove vi trovate nel mondo, tramite il form di Rafflecopter qui sopra - non dimenticate di dare un'occhiata alla sezione Termini&Condizioni. Condizioni obbligatorie per la partecipazione sono seguire Strawberry Makeup bag su Bloglovin e commentare questo post dicendomi qual è il vostro prodotto skincare o makeup must have per l'inverno. Tutto il resto è opzionale ma come sempre molto apprezzato.

Il giveaway terminerà a mezzanotte di martedì 15 Dicembre ed il vincitore sarà selezionato e contattato nelle 48 ore seguenti. Cercherò di spedire il premio il più in fretta possibile così che possiate godervelo già durante le Feste.

Che siate lettori fedeli o che sia la prima volta che passate di qui, grazie infinite per aver letto il mio blog. Significa tantissimo per me. Incrocio le dita ed auguro a tutti buona fortuna!

my travel makeup bag.

Today I'm off to Palermo for a long weekend with my lovely friends S. and Elena for some much needed time off. I'm always awfully curious about other people's makeup bags and travel choices so I thought you might like to have a nose around my picks. Even if working as a makeup artist has tought me a lot about packing smart and streamlining my makeup bag, the impulse to bring everything but the kitchen sink is still pretty strong, although I'm pretty satisfied with how everything came out - I'm taking the plane of course, so most of this stuff has been depotted or decanted obviously -.

For skincare I made sure to pack the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (£20), which is my current favourite eye cream. It makes such a difference with the way my concealer blends and lasts under the eyes and I can't really be without it. I also packed the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (£9), a thick yet fast-absorbing moisturizer for sensitive and dry complexions that should keep my skin in check in spite of the dry airplane air with ease. A mini bottle of Garnier Micellar Water (£4.99) is perfect for a quick cleanse in the morning but I also brought with me a little bit of Oskia Renaissance Cleanser (£28) as it's fantastic both to melt off heavy makeup and clear out my skin, getting rid of grime and dead skin cells in a matter of seconds. Another product I can't leave without is the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concetrate (£36). This is one of the best night oils I've come across as it makes my skin feel lovely and taken care of, while helping to heal blemishes and soothe redness and sensitivity. Finally, I poured into a tiny spray bottle a wee bit of the gorgeous Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist (£18) , which is just lovely to prep the skin before makeup or even to add a touch of dewiness to the base. It's packed with hyaluronic acid, oat and vitamins to plump the skin and keep it hydrated during the day. I'm obsessed with this stuff!

As for makeup, I really just threw all my current favourites in the bag. I've recently spoke - here - of my love for the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22), which is just a great do-it-all concealer and I absolutely adore the luminous finish. For the base, I depotted a bit of Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation (£29.50) and some Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue (£26), as I like to have an option in the morning and a medium-full coverage base and a sheer hydrating alternative are just perfect for my needs.
Eyeshadow wise I new I wanted to carry a palette with me, as they are much more convenient than single shades, and in the end I settled for two Charlotte Tilbury offerings that are quite versatile and perfect for both day and evening looks. My picks are the Golden Goddess for a natural makeup and the Vintage Vamp (£38), which is just gorgeous and perfect for autumn. The Make Up For Ever Sculpting Blush #12 (£29) complements those colours perfectly and I'm just in love with the shade. It really suits my fair complexion and blends like a dream. To finish off the base I also slipped in my makeup bag a mini Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal (£30). I haven't dipped my paws in it yet but I'm sure it'll add a beautiful glow to my cheeks.
Finally, lip products are probably the hardest thing to cut down for me but I think I've done pretty well with just a nude option, a medium reddish pink for the day and a dark offering should I feel a little more daring - my picks are respectively Bitch Perfect (£23), Walk of Shame (£23) and Glastonberry (£23), all by Charlotte Tilbury, you know I love her lipstick range.

Lastly, I also packed a small bottle of Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne (£42), since these days I never leave the house with a spritz of perfume and this is one of my favourite scents of all time. It's warm and brisk like the wintry seaside, simply perfect for this time of the year.

Have you tried any of these products?

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october favourites.

I'm not sure what happened to October, I feel like this year has completely flown by and I can't quite keep up. Am I the only one that feels like this? On one hand I wish time would slow down, but on the other hand I'm so excited for Christmas, the decorations, the gifts... Anyways, today I'm sharing my favourites round-up and I promise it's a good one. It's all about a flawless base and my signature glow.

We all know my love for Charlotte Tilbury and her lovely makeup range runs deep, and her Magic Foundation (£29.50) is just the most recent swoon-inducing addiction to my stash. It's medium coverage, although is quite easy to build in those problematic areas, it leaves a soft glow to the skin and stays put for so long, which is perfect for busy days. I'm super impressed with this formula and it's definitely one to look at if you're after a new base.

The Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue (£26) is always an amazing choice for easy days. It makes my skin look even and glowy but never sweaty, unlike other tinted moisturizers, and it doesn't feel heavy at all. It blends really easily too, so it's the perfect base if you're in a rush, and overall it feels like 8 glasses of water for your skin, so it's great for those who have dry skin and could use a little help during the colder months.

Recently I went back to using the classic NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22) and honestly I'm still trying to figure out why I stopped using this stuff, because is seriously uh-mazing. It's long lasting and luminous, covers redness, pigmentation and dark circles with ease and even if you happen to top up during the day it never goes cakey. I can't believe I forgot how lovely this concealer is.

For my eyes, I also went back to an old favourite, the NARS Alhambra Eyeshadow Duo (£25) which is easily my favourite combo for a brightening, doe-eye look. It's a pretty pale pink and golden champagne duo, buttery and silky soft, that makes my eyes pop and works well as a single wash of colour with a simple eyeliner flick or with a soft brown gently blended into the crease. It's so easy and simple but it's a lovely look nonetheless.

Another product I have a lot of love for is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in  Luminous Bronze (£42) - my favourite to add a hint of warmth to my complexion at the minute. I won't rant about the gorgeous formula as I've raved about it in at least 100 different blogging occasions, but this bronzer is incredibly soft and blendable, and absolutely dreamy to work with. The lightest touch of a brush is all you need to give the skin a beautiful airbrushed radiance and is pale enough for my fair skin. Me love.

Last but not least, the Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Bitter Buddist (£19) is one of the best polishes I've come across. It's a pretty muted jade, like a dusty sea foam shade, that's creamy, goes opaque in two thin coats and lasts over a week on my nails. It's quite an expensive nail polish and I'm trying so hard not to buy ten other shades, as I'm absolutely obsessed with both the lovely bottle and the formula.

What have you been loving recently?

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LUSH does Halloween.

Long-standing customers might know this already but, if you ever need an excuse to do so, this is the best time of the year to pop into LUSH and threat yourself to some wicked bath goodies. I'm a fairly regular shopper myself, but it's when the deliciously spooky Halloween range and the fabulous Christmas gifts start hitting the shelves that I really step up my game and stock up on enough of my favourite pamper products to last me throughout all winter and beyond. As usual the Christmassy bits and bobs are gorgeous but it's the Halloween selection that really gets me excited at the minute, it's a little small but it's the best one yet.

The Lord of Misrule Shower (S)Cream (£4.95)* is easily my favourite of the bunch. Having tried the matching bath bomb in the past - truly lovely, it goes from mint green to deep oxblood in your bath with the soft crackle of popping candies, and makes the whole bathroom smell amazing -, I was super excited to see the shower gel version, as aside from the odd pamper bath I'm definitely more of a shower person. With a mix of patchouli, black pepper and sweet vanilla, to me it smells like Halloween candies, warm and spicy but also a bit sweet, and the bright green swirled with silver glitter is hilarious.

Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar (£3.65)* is an old favourite of mine and a Halloween classic. This cute and uber glittery pumpkin makes tons of bubbles, leaves the skin really soft and turns the water a lovely sparkly orange shade. The fragrance is very cozy and autumn-appropriate, with hints of grapefruit, cinnamon and juniperberry and it's perfect for a relaxing hot bath on a chilly evening, followed by hot coco and a good movie - that's my Halloween traditional pamper for you, Sparkly Pumpkin and Hocus Pocus -. It also lasts a couple of baths if you can't bear the thought of only getting a single use out of your Lush bars and bombs.

I was really surprised when I smelled Nightwing Shower Jelly (£3.95)*, as I was expecting something dark and musky, like licorice or berries maybe, rather than the zingy, uplifting scent that makes me think of frizzy cola candies. It's packed with carob syrup which is great for nourishing and softening up the skin and lime juice to cleanse without stripping, and just like all other shower jellies is super squishy and fun to use. And it's shaped like the Batman logo! Win!

Have you done your scary Lush shopping yet?

*Press Samples

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September & early fall favourites.

You know when you have one of those months when you feel like switching all the beauty bits in your routine and find the most lovely product combination only to end up wearing it day after day? Well, September was one of those months for me. I've embraced the seasonal vibes completely and fell back in love with a few oldies but goodies that I've overlooked for far too long, and found two gorgeous new shades that have Fall written all over them. Without any further ado, grab yourselves a steaming cup of tea and let's jump right into my September favourites.

I've been wearing Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (£33) on and off for years as it's a very reliable base I always go back to whenever my skin starts to feel a little dry and lackluster. It feels almost weightless on the skin due to its watery, moisturizing consistency and offers a good amount of coverage with a 'your skin but better' kind of finish, so it's perfect for everyday use. Love it!

To finish off my base I've been reaching daily for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (£56), mostly because of the highlighting shade in the middle. Incandescent Light is absolutely stunning, with a soft opal luminosity that looks so delicate on the skin and makes it look perfected and ultra smooth. After going through a phase of starker highlighters that could be seen from space, I took a step back and adopted a more natural look, and I adore the subtle effect.

Because palettes are so convenient and easy to use, sometimes I have the tendency to forget all the fabulous mono eyeshadows I own but lately I've been trying to make an effort and use something different, and that's how the lovely Burberry Eyeshadows (£23) worked their way into my makeup bag. The powders are almost decadently soft and richly pigmented, utterly perfect for sultry autumnal smokey looks. My top picks at the minute include Khaki, Pale barley - one of my all time favourite shades - and Mulberry.

On to two new entries, I haven't had the Faby Nail Laquer in What the Eyes See... (£9.50)* off my nails since I got it. Faby is definitely one of my favourite nail polish brands, the colour selection is on point and the shades are really saturated and require very little building up for full opacity. This one is a creamy, dusty light lavender that lasts ages on my nails before chipping and I find it works really well with my skin tone.

There're many things I love in Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick Walk of Shame (£23), starting with the phenomenal formula, the beautiful packaging and the square-shaped bullet that makes application no trouble at all, even without a lip pencil or a brush, but it's really the shade that makes me go back to it over and over again. It's a deep antique rose with a touch of brick, vibrant enough to make an impression but not too flashy either, so it's still appropriate for day time. I love wearing this with green and bronze eyeshadows but it's also beautiful paired with perfect skin and lashings of mascara for a vintage mood.

Finally, I've put the  lovely Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne (£42) back in rotation. It's the kind of scent you could easily wear all year round but for some reason I feel especially drawn to it in the colder months. It's a comforting scent, inspired by the English seaside, with hints of musk and warmth coming from the sage wood but still brisk thanks to the salty notes. I'm literally obsessed with this fragrance, so much that I'm seriously considering throwing my money out of the window and threating myself with the matching candle next.

What did you try and love in September?

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An Autumn wishlist.

Clearly gloomy days were made to wear cozy pajamas and make up dreamy wishlists...

001 Two weeks ago I popped at the press launch for the new Michael Kors fragrances and I haven't been able to stop thinking about one of them since then. It took me about half a second to fall head over heels for Rose Radiant Gold Eau de Parfum (£35), a cozy, musky mix of vanilla and pink pepper that smells absolutely delicious. Also, hello rose gold bottle! Isn't that gorgeous? I think I might have just found my signature fragrance for the new season.

002 I absolutely adore Burberry powder formulas and I've wanted to try Earthy Blush (£29) for ages. It's the kind of shade that gives just a hint of colour to the cheeks without competing with whatever eye look or bold lipstick you might be wearing and it's also ideal to gently contour on fair skin. Now that the summer glow is long forgotten and I've pretty much gone back to my usual paleness, I think it would be nice to put the traditional browns aside and reach for something more subtle and rosy instead.

003 As a blogger something I always do enjoy testing out is foundation and the Too Faced Born This Way (£29) has been on my radar for a while now. Too Faced as a brand has really grabbed my attention lately and I'm quite curious to try a few products from their range - the contour palette looks really lovely as well -. It's the promise of flawless, skin-like finish and undetectable texture that really sold me on this base and I've heard only great things about it, so I can't wait to give it a go.

004 Charlotte Tilbury's products are always high on my list and at the minute I'm cheekily eyeing up the Mini Miracle Eye Wand (£29), - a concealer/eye cream duo that is supposed to lift the eye area and banish dark circles in two clicks -. In my experience not many makeup brands can pull off a decent skincare line, however I've already tried a couple of numbers from Charlotte's range and they left me craving for more.

005 Only a few months ago I wouldn't have touched a brown lipstick with a ten feet pole but now I might be a little obsessed with how chic these modern browns look on fair skin and 1993 from the Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick (£15.5) range is already sitting in my Sephora basket. Has anybody tried this formula yet? Should I take the plunge?

Do you have your eye on anything?

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5 things: favourite blushes for summer.

I know everybody is going to roll their eyes at me now because duh, not really a secret, but I'm a complete blush junkie. Along with mascara and under-eye concealer, blushes are at the top of my never-without list, as they make a huge difference with just about any look and can take you from drab to fab in seconds, even when you can't bother with a full face of makeup.

Despite a quite alarming and ever-growing collection that has taken over a whole drawer of my IKEA Alex and threatens to spill out any minute now, I seem to gravitate toward the same suspects lately and today I'm sharing my five current favourites for the warm weather.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat (£28) is a stunner to say the least. This radiant peachy pink is technically the kind of shade that works well in every season - it's beautiful in winter for a been-out-in-the-wind kind of flush - but I especially adore it for this time of the year, 'cause it looks gorgeous paired with bronzy skin. Thanks to those accents of Diffused Light Ambient Lighting powder, the formula is really perfecting and gives the most amazing smooth and flawless finish to the cheeks. Absolutely smashing!
If the lovely flower shape is not a good enough reason to pick the Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Berry (£17) up, then I'm sure the gorgeous bright fuchsia will win you over. The satin finish makes my choppers look fresh and glowy, and the extra finely milled powder is super easy to blend, which is essential since the colour is so intense. It's quite the scene stealer and I love to wear this as the focus of my makeup with sheer lips and a tiny flick of eyeliner.

For a creamy offering, the Stila Covertible Color Lip & Cheek in Lilium (£16) is a firm favourite. This nude pink is super pigmented but somehow still really easy to sheer out and buildable at the same time. The formula is a bit tacky and stays dewy on the cheeks which might not be for everyone, especially those whose skin tends to get oily throughout the day, but I love it when my skin feels a bit dry and I long for the extra glow. I own a few of these and Lilium is my most used as it's such a versatile shade, but I also really love Gladiola for a perky orange flush and Rose for a sheer berry rosiness, both on lips and cheeks.
For a cream to powder option, I love the Clarins Multi-blush Cream Blush in 02 Candy (£16.25), a bon bon pink with a soft velvet texture and a demi-matte finish. Because the payoff is quite sheer, it's almost impossible to go overboard with this blush, but on the other hand is the perfect product to complement a minimal, no-makeup makeup look or even a bold lip - when a little hint of colour is all you need not to look too washed-out -. Recommended especially to fair ladies.

My fifth and final pick is a high-street gem. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso (£4.49) is the little black dress of blushes, a golden apricot pink that looks good with absolutely everything. Unlike some other baked blushes that are often loaded with chunky glitters, Luminoso gives a beautiful sheen to the cheeks, like a highlighter and blusher in one, and blends like a dream. It's pure perfection, I'm totally obsessed with it!

Have you tried any of these? What's your must-have blush for the warmer months?

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Get the glow with vita liberata.

Pale girl problem number one: I never, ever tan. I burst into flames. Trust me, it's not pretty.
The transition from lobster to golden goddess takes literally eons for me and usually involves a lot of gross peeling and many, many painful sunburns. Hence why I gave up on tanning like normal people do ages ago and whenever I'm in need of a little healthy colour on my face and body, I turn my attention toward wash-off self tanners and tons and tons of bronzer instead.

When it comes to fake tanning Vita Liberata clearly know a thing or two on the matter and a product I was really excited to try is the Vita Liberata Trystal Self Tanning Bronzing Minerals (£35)*, a loose powder bronzer that promises a gorgeous instant glow and long term fake-tan effects in one convenient pot. Say what?! You guys already know how much I love my double duty products and the idea of tanning my face by simply wearing makeup, was definitely intriguing.
The mineral powder is ultra fine and easy to blend with the included kitten-soft kabuki brush, perfect to take a little product at a time and create a soft gradient on my fair skin. As for the colour, forget those awful orange bronzers that look so obvious on the skin. I have this in Sunkissed, which is recommended for fair and light complexions, and I'm obsessed with the olive tint, it looks absolutely magnificent on the skin and above all, believable. The application is completely fool-proof, simply buff it around the hairline and temples for subtle definition and then dust it anywhere the sun would naturally hit - over the top of the cheeks, the forehead and across the bridge of the nose, making sure to drag what's left on the brush down the neck as well -, either on top of your regular foundation or over clean, moisturized skin.
As far as bronzers go, this is one of the best I've found and I can't really fault it. Unfortunately, Trystal is also marketed as a fake tanner and that's where I find it lacking. The colour washes off in the evening, along with the rest of the makeup, and there's no sign of the promised lasting glow, not even after a few days of consistent application. A bit disappointing, yes, but it's still a great bronzer and definitely worth checking out if it falls within your budget range.

I'm going for a little confession here: I love a bit of sunkissed glow on the body but fake tanning requires a continuous up-keep and I'm not even remotely diligent enough to commit to the task on the long run. Luckily, Vita Liberata have got me covered. Enter Capture The Light in Latte Light (£29.95), a true godsend for us lazy girls and last minute events. This is such a dreamy product, a mix of a light moisturizer and a luminous pigment that gives a gorgeous café au lait tint to the skin. The colour is incredibly flattering and it also has some subtle shimmer that makes your limbs look longer and leaner - who doesn't love a good ol' light trick, right? -. Super easy to apply, it washes off at the end of the night and it doesn't stain hands and clothes. Thumbs up!

What are your go-to products to fake the summer glow all year around?

*Press Sample

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july favourites.

I'm going to start July favourites off with a base I adore, the MAC Face & Body Foundation (£22). I know I've talked to death about it but when the thermometer hits 35°C and above, this is the only foundation I rely on completely, cause I know it won't slide around or budge no matter how sweaty it gets. My skin has been doing so well lately and I'm really happy with its light coverage, but in case I needed a more flawless base, this foundation can also be layered or even mixed with something more pigmented and won't loose its light texture. Holy grail stuff right here.

I'm clearly having a moment with Charlotte Tilbury's makeup range but I surely can't be blamed. It took all my will power not to buy the whole Norman Parkinson collection but I still managed to pick up a lot of it. A favourite has to be the Filmstar Bronze & Glow in Sun tan and Sun light (£55), the creamy sculpt and highlight duo that is just as amazing as its powder counterpart. On the skin the contour shade doesn't come out as dark and scary as it looks in the pan, as it's quite sheer, easy to blend and build if needed, and looks uber natural. The highlighter is also really pretty, a golden champagne that would suit many skin tones and looks really soft at first but can be built for an intense metallic effect. It's my go-to product to give subtle definition to the face while keeping my skin looking fresh and dewy.
I also became a little obsessed with the Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1975 Red (£23), a head-turning orange-y red that is so perfect for summery statement lips. Unlike some soul-sucking dry matte offerings out there, the Matte revolution lipsticks are hydrating and super comfortable but somehow long-lasting at the same time. I love the square tip, I think it makes application much easier, and the colour is so saturated it's completely opaque in just one swipe. Definitely one to check out.

Another CT product I've been loving is the Eyes to Mesmerize in Marie Antoinette (£22), a long lasting cream offering in a bronzey antique gold shade that looks beautiful on its own, but I also love it paired with rich brown shadows for a sultry smokey look. The formula of this product reminds me a lot the Tom Ford cream shadows, but I actually prefer this one because it's a bit more mousse-y and easier to built to full opacity, and it's cheaper of course, so I won't feel too guilty when I pick up a few more shades.

Nails wise, I couldn't stop reaching for the sadly limited edition Nails Inc. x Victoria Beckam in Bamboo White, a super chic bone shade that leans slightly on the pale pink side. I'm a huge fan of the new Nails Inc. formula, it's self-leveling so, no matter how rushed the application, you still get a pretty perfect manicure without too much effort and it lasts forever on my nails. I really hope I'll be able to get my hands on a back up, cause the day I'll run out of this shade will be a very sad one.

There're two skincare items that I briefly want to mention. I have tried a fair amount of thermal waters over the years but La Roche Posay Serozinc (£8.50) is hands down the best for summertime. It's moisturizing and refreshing but also targets enlarged pores and blemishes, and has a slight mattifying effect. The soothing mix is also perfect to calm and treat sweat rashes and irritated skin. Love it!
At last, I've already shared my love for the Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster (£19), which is just fantastic to give a gentle golden tan to my porcelain complexion. It's subtle but buildable and doesn't leave me looking like I've applied fake tan, and above all it's quick and super easy to apply.

What have you been loving in July?

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A midsummer wishlist.

001 I have to take a temporary step back from my endless Jo Malone fragrance wishlist to lust after the Aerin perfume range and Aerin Gardenia Rattan Eau de Parfum (£88) in particular. The packaging is a tiny work of art, with that beautiful semiprecious stone-like cap and an elegant thick glass bottle, but the true scene stealer is the fragrance itself, a lovely mix of white flowers and a hint of sea foam, warmed by a touch of amber in the background. Might have to add it to my stash for those colder days ahead.

002 I've been itching to get my greedy paws on one of the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed (£30) for quite some time - the only thing holding me back being my utter inability to decide between Moonstone and Opal -, but the beauty gods came to the rescue with the perfect in-between shade, the stunning Champagne Pop by Jaclyn Hill, which sadly seems almost impossible to find at the minute. I'm currently stalking my trusty makeup dealers to see if I can grab one, otherwise I think I'll settle with Opal, seeing that I absolutely adore the liquid version.

003 I've sung my love for the Ambient Lighting formula over and over again here on the blog and another long coveted item I can't wait to try is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer (£42) in Luminous Bronze, which is already sitting patiently inside my SpaceNk basket. Coming in at 42£ it's a pricey little number, considering that is just a bronzer, but I suspect the Hourglass range might be infused with unicorn tears or something magical like that, for their powder products make the skin look absolutely fab, like real life photoshop, and I'm always ready to splurge for that kind of flawless finish.

004 I may not be the biggest fake tan person - I quite like my fair skin, I feel that it suits me perfectly, and I'm way too lazy to seriously commit to the hard work a streak-free tan requires - but after falling hard for the face version of this product, I had to put the Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster for Body (£26) at the top of my shopping list. Hopefully, the lovely golden glow it delivers when added to body lotions and oils will be the perfect incentive to be a little less lazy with my body moisturizer this summer.

005 How could I not include the latest installment to the marvelous Laura Mercier makeup range? I may have accidentally spent a whole afternoon browsing for swatches of the Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm (£19.50) and swooning over these plumping, hyaluronic infused sheer lipsticks the whole time. Raspberry Ripple and Amaretto Swirl have my heart singing already but I'm sure those gorgeous deep berry shades are going to be really hard to ignore once I see these in real life.

What have you been lusting for lately?

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Four must-have zoeva brushes.

The addiction to makeup brushes continues, unrelenting. Should I attend a support group for makeup brushes hoarders? Probably, although I have the feeling we'll just end up talking each other into buying more brushes - cue for the group scene in Confessions of a Shopaholic -.
I strongly believe that the right tools can improve any look immensely and, for as much as I love my precious and very pricey japanese artist brushes, I also believe that there's no need to spend a fortune to buy great tools, as some amazing gems can be found on the highstreet as well. Speaking of which, there's no denying that Zoeva are one of the top brands when it comes to low-cost brushes and every addition to their Luxe line has me weak at the knees without fail. A few months ago I've picked up a handful of their newest offerings and I've gotta tell you, these guys are to die for...

The Zoeva #310 Spot Liner (£6) is so tiny but so mighty. It's the ultimate tight-lining brush, perfect to push the product right in between the roots of the lashes, either from underneath or above the top lashes or directly onto the waterline, making the lash line appear thicker and more dense without any tell-tale line. The taklon bristles are firm but not too stiff, so that they don't sting or irritate the delicate area but still allow great precision. I also love it for brow work with gels and powders, to draw individual hair and fill in any sparse area for a softer look. Absolutely dreamy!

The Zoeva #220 Luxe Grand Shader (£7.50) is a large paddle brush that might not look particularly versatile but is actually a great one to keep around. The flat round shape is perfect to apply a soft wash of shadow all over the lid, but the tip is also fluffy enough to lightly blend colour into the crease and over the bottom lid without tugging on the delicate skin. I like to bring my eyeshadow quite far down on the lower lid and this brush is absolutely perfect for the job. It can also be used to sculpt and highlight smaller areas such as the brow bone, the bridge and the sides of the nose, the bottom lip. It's a more affordable and slightly smaller version of the MAC 227 and is just as handy.

To pack colour on the lid and layer eyeshadows with excellent control, enter the Zoeva #325 Luxe Brow Light (£6.50), another paddle brush with shorter and denser bristles compared to the 220. The mix of natural and synthetic hair make it perfect to work both with powders and creams, with dry and wet pigments just as well. With its tapered tip is ideal to smudge pencil liners along the lash line or to smoke out powders but I actually adore it for concealer. No joke, for crisp and perfectly shaped brows and super defined bold lips, just grab this brush and your favourite concealer and see for yourself. It's fantastic.

The density, softness and cut of the Zoeva #114 Luxe face Focus (£11) are sheer perfection, I really can't fault this brush. It's an almond shaped brush, roughly the size of a MAC eyeshadow, tapered at the top and pinched at the base. The hair are incredibly soft but they still have enough texture to pick up product rather nicely. As for its purpose, this brush is a real work-horse: it can do anything from blending foundation and concealer to applying a thin veil of setting powder under the eyes or anywhere on the face with extreme precision; from shaping and sculpting the features with creams and powders to adding a touch of blush over the cheeks, you name it. It's such a heavenly brush, one that will quickly become a staple in every routine and will make you want to hoard multiple back-ups.

Have you tried any of these? What's your favourite Zoeva brush?

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A sephora haul.

So, I did some shopping... A few days ago I've posted a picture of a mini Sephora haul on my Instagram account and since I've got asked a couple of questions here and there about the products I purchased, I thought I might as well share my first impressions here and tell you what I think about my picks.

The reason I popped in was to grab a tube of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (£16.60), that seems to be everywhere at the minute. Literally everyone and their dog seem to love this mascara and I really wanted to like it, but me and my lashes don't get on with it so well. The formula is not as volumizing as it is defining - it gives nice long, feathered out lashes but as soon as I start building the coats to get a fuller look it starts to clump quite badly - and it doesn't do anything for me when it comes to curling or holding the curl for what matters. Also, flakes! This stuff flakes like there's no tomorrow, which is not ideal for contact wearers like me. Definitely not the mascara for me, what a shame! I loved the pale pink tube and the weighted packaging, it feels extra luxurious. Sob.

The Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster (£19) has been on my wishlist for something that feels like ages and I'm so glad I've finally added it to my stash. This brilliant product allows you to turn your regular serum or moisturizer into a fully customizable fake tan by simply adding up to three drops to it and applying like you normally would. The result is a beautiful, soft golden glow that makes your skin appear more even and radiant, like you just came back from a weekend at the seaside. I'm so pale that normal fake tanners can look really fake and way too dark on me, but the colour this product gives to my skin is absolutely believable. If you're looking for an intense bronzy hue look away but if you're pale and want to look less like Casper the friendly ghost and more like a Victoria secret's model give it a try. I'm so happy with it and already have my eyes on the body offering as well.

Also by Clarins, I picked up the Daily Energiser Cleansing Gel (£13) on a whim, as I was looking for something less moisturizing and fresher than my usual cleansing milk to use in the morning. As far as foaming cleansers go, this is probably the first one that doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or tight. A little blob goes a very long way, it lathers well and lifts all the gunk and the excess oils, leaving the skin squeaky clean and toned but not stripped in the slightest. Such a lovely product to start the day!

Finally, two typical 'isle of doom' purchases. The Sephora Targeted Eye Remover Swabs are a handy little product I like to carry in my purse just in case I find myself facing a bold lip emergency or an eyeliner disaster. You simply snap the blue tip open, wait for the waterproof makeup remover to soak the opposite end of the cotton swab and you're ready for a quick, mess-free touch up. Brilliant!
The Sephora Green Tea Eye Mask was a true surprise. It's actually really nice, super cooling and smoothing, and perfect to de-puff and soothe tired eyes. I'll repurchase it again for sure, it's the kind of thing is nice to have around if you need a quick pick me up or if you're feeling a bit congested.

Have you tried any of these?

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June Favourites.

As I slowly melt into a puddle of sweat - damn you, heatwave - I can't find the words to express how happy I am that we are already half way through July, which, as far as I'm concerned, means that we are one month closer to Fall. Honestly, I can't wait for the colder months already.
I've had a hard time picking up my favourites this month, as the amount of makeup I wear on a daily bases has drastically decreased of course, but there're a few products I just kept reaching for, no matter how unbearably hot it got.

I haven't been sleeping that much lately - I swear my dark circles could be seen from space, no joke -, but thankfully the Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher (£25) came to the rescue with a brightening formula that instantly banishes any darkness and make you look awake and well rested. It's like that one famous illuminating pen on steroid, offering a great deal of coverage as well as illuminating and lifting the skin. It's a seriously gorgeous product, also perfect for touch-ups during the day or in the evening, as somehow it does never look cakey and blends well even on top of powders.
A product I've recently rediscovered is the MAC Select Cover-up (£15.50), a beautiful lightweight concealer that easily covers everything from dark circles to scars and redness, and sets to a natural skin-like finish. It's thin and creamy enough for the under-eyes but it also has enough pigment to conceal spots and such, and once it sets it doesn't go anywhere. I remember not liking it that much when I first tried it years ago - not sure why, to be honest - but it's now one of my most used products and I'm not going to let go of it any time soon.

I'm aware that the heat gives quite an intense natural glow to the skin these days but the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal (£33) - also available in this trio - is way to pretty to cast aside. As far as highlighters go, this is one of the most natural looking offerings and easily one of my all time favourites. The gorgeous pale rose gold it's so close to my natural skin tone, it literally blends into my skin, leaving behind the most perfect dewy finish. Love it!

To apply it I've been using the Real Techniques Fan Brush, which is part of the Collector's edition Sculpting Set (£22) - a set I strongly recommend, as it includes my beloved and uber versatile Setting brush and the newly launched Sculpting brush, another great multitasker -. I'm a huge fan brush lover and the RT offering is one of the best I own; I use it to dust a thin layer of setting powder and powder bronzer onto the skin, to knock off excess powder and fall-outs without disturbing my foundation, and even to blend cream highlighters and bronzers for a seamless look. It's really the kind of brush you don't know you need until you start messing around with it.

To set my makeup and make sure it doesn't melt right off my face, I've been reaching pretty much everyday for the Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (£9), which is a true godsend and the ultimate must have for summertime. This non-drying, non-sticky spray has a subtle cooling effect and helps your makeup last longer, ensuring everything stays on the right side of glowy and doesn't turn into a sweaty mess instead.

Finally, I have to quickly mention the L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil (£18), which is an holy grail of mine. First and foremost, it smells absolutely divine, like fresh almonds and a hint of sour apple, a scent that feels extra energizing in the morning and is definitely addicting. In addition to it, this beautiful oil lathers into a soft foam that washes without stripping and leaves the skin silky soft and fresh, with no need for moisturizer afterwards. Win.

Have you tried any of these products?

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Tarte Summer Giveaway. Now closed.

Today I'm putting reviews and favourites on the side and instead I want to take this opportunity to show some love to all of you for visiting this little space of mine and taking time to read my rants and share this little passion that we have in common.

I've recently reached 1000 subscribers on Bloglovin and a lot of new faces joined me on the SMB Facebook page in the past few weeks, so I really wanted to take a minute - or twenty - to thank every single one of you. Seriously, thank you so much! Your comments, emails and private messages never fail to make me smile and I'm always grateful for every single one of them.
But enough rambling and on to the giveaway now. We're all here for the beauty stuff after all and what better than some highly coveted makeup bits to show my appreciation to you guys?

As you probably know blushes are one of my many obsessions and I thought I'd give the chance to one lucky reader to share my addiction and win one of my all time favourite shades and then some. The winner will walk away with the beautiful Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hours Blush in Exposed - a nude pink that gives both a gentle flush and soft definition to the cheeks -, a matching Tarte LipSurgence Power Pigment also in Exposed - a long-wearing lip pencil/lipstick hybrid with a fresh mint scent - and finally the Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess, which is a rich tan shade shot through with golden sheen, perfect to fake the summer glow all year around.

The giveaway is open internationally and will run from today till July 15th 2015 midnight GMT+2. To enter simply follow the instructions of the Rafflecopter widget below and good luck! xo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Oggi metto da parte recensioni e preferiti, perchè voglio invece approfittare di questo post per mostrare un po' di gratitudine nei confronti di tutti voi che visitate questo mio piccolo spazio e dedicate un pizzico del vostro tempo a leggere i miei sproloqui e condividere questa passione che abbiamo in comune.

Pochi giorni fa ho raggiunto le 1000 iscrizioni su Bloglovin e sulla pagina Facebook del blog nelle ultime settimane sono arrivate un sacco di facce nuove, per cui ci tenevo a prendermi un minuto - oppure venti - per ringraziare ognuno di voi. Sul serio, grazie mille! I vostri commenti, le mail ed i messaggi privati mi strappano ogni volta un gran sorriso e mi fanno sempre tantissimo piacere.
Ma basta chiacchiere, passiamo al giveaway. Siamo tutte qui perchè amiamo il makeup e cosa meglio di un paio di bramatissimi prodotti Tarte per ringraziarvi?

Come probabilmente saprete i blush sono una delle mie molte ossessioni ed ho pensato di dare ad una fortunata lettrice la possibiltà di condividere con me una piccola parte di questa mia mania e vincere uno dei miei blush preferiti di sempre, più un altro paio di chicche. La vincitrice si porterà a casa il bellissimo Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hours Blush in Exposed - un rosa nudo che dona contemporaneamente un rossore delicato ed una tenue definizione alle guance -, il matitone rossetto abbinato Tarte LipSurgence Power Pigment  sempre nella colorazione Exposed e per finire il Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess, ovvero una terra abbronzante arricchita da una lucentezza dorata, perfetta per portarsi dietro un tocco d'estate tutto l'anno.

Il giveaway è aperto in tutto il mondo ed inizia oggi per terminare il 15 Luglio a mezzanotte. Per partecipare semplicemente seguite le istruzioni del widget Rafflecopter che trovate qui sopra e buona fortuna! xo

May favourites.

I did everything in my power to keep this monthly round-up post from being overflowed with expensive products but it seems the premium category has taken over my routine lately. Usually I try to keep things a little more even in my posts but these are the products I've been using absolutely everyday in May and I promise they are good ones, so bare with me.

My first favourite is a base I've been talking about a lot lately, the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue (£26), which is my-go to sheer base at the minute for fresh and uber natural skin. The gel texture feels lovely on the skin and it provides just the right amount of colour and coverage to even it out without looking like actual makeup. I like to apply it with a beauty blender to really mash the product into the skin and get the most out of the coverage in my most problematic areas and keep it thin and sheer everywhere else.

Another makeup hero is the Vita Liberata Trystal Self-tanning Bronzing Minerals (£35)*, a mineral bronzer that promises instant glow and long-lasting tanning results. This is a rather bittersweet favourite, because this product unfortunately doesn't seem to deliver on the tanning side but it makes for an incredible bronzer, soft and easy to blend, that melts right into the skin for a beautiful and believable bronze glow. Keep an eye out for an upcoming review with my full rumble about it very soon!

On to lips, I've had two lipsticks on rotation all month. The first product I swear by is the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Red Carpet Red (£23), a fantastic old Hollywood red that leans a little on the cool side, but should easily suit anyone. It might not be the most unique shade but the matte formula is out of this world: it goes on like a dream, it's not drying in the slightest and makes your lips look absolutely divine. One to try for sure!

The peachy-nude lipstick saga continues with Clinique Pop Lip Colour & Primer in Melon Pop (£16), which is just as comfortable as the matte offering but falls more on the glossy side of things. Clinique really hit the nail on the head with this formula, that somehow combines a serious pop of colour, comfort and an impressive wear time for something so moisturizing. Melon - a muted coral - is the first on I've picked but I can tell you already it won't be the last. I want them all!

It's a recent find but with the Pixi Glow Tonic (£18) it was love at first use. I'm normally not a toner person - they rarely do anything for me other than irritate my skin - but I've heard so many good things about this particular one I had to give it a whirl for sure. It's a lovely exfoliating toner that is effective yet delicate enough that it can be used everyday, and it's definitely a great solution for anyone that is looking for gentle exfoliation but suffers from sensitive skin. The floral scent reminds me of some kind of a bathroom detergent - in a good way, I promise - but the product itself is truly amazing, even just one use makes my skin look more radiant and even.

Lastly, I have to mention my absolute adoration for my new Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush M (£48) and Eyeshadow Bush L (£48), which are just dreamy and oh so soft! M is the pencil brush I've always wished for, perfect to blend liners and shadows along the lash line without tugging at the delicate skin, and L is the ultimate blender, as it diffuses any colour in just a couple of swipes and it's also excellent to place powders in small areas of the face. Every time I use them I feel as I'm channelling my inner Lisa Edridge and that just doubles the fun of doing my makeup.

That's a wrap for today's post. Now excuse me while I go grab some food and catch up with the latest Masterchef Australia season 7 ep. I'm obsessed!
What have you been loving lately?

*Press Sample

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