Fresh Faced Lineup.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance Bronze* // MAC Face & Body Foundation in C1 // RMS Beauty 'Un' Cover-up Concealer 00 // Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-Aging // Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethist // N7 Pop & Glow Cream Blush Stick in Rose Blossom // Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow Duo in Sculpting/Candlelight // NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara // MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Fearless. //

I don't know about you but as soon as I see the first hint of sunshine I put all my powder products and heavy textures to one side and reach for everything creamy and sheer and glowy. I do love a sultry, sexy winter look as much as the next person but there something about fresh, dewy skin and minimal makeup that makes me incredibly happy. Creamy textures can have a downside though; they can slip and move around your face and go from gloriously radiant to sweaty disaster in no time but I've got you covered. All these products have something in common: they last, and last, and last...

Starting with base, there's a new primer in town and I absolutely love it. The Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance Bronze (£29)* is like a foretaste of summer in a tube: light as air, extra luminous and gives a beautiful bronzy hue to the skin, whilst helping the rest of my makeup stay in place all day. It's quite pigmented and it's easy to go overboard with it, but a little goes a long way and it's excellent to cheat a been-out-in-the-sun-for-days glow in no time. For foundation, the MAC Face & Body (£21.50) is without doubt the star of my spring-summer makeup selection. It's sheer but easily buildable, sweat-proof and unrivaled when it comes down to perking things up and letting your perfected skin shine through. The RMS Beauty 'Un' Cover-up Concealer (£28) is another fantastic product to achieve flawless yet natural-looking skin. With a fully organic formula and a mix of cocoa butter and coconut oil, it's moisturizing and nourishing and does a great job of brightening the eye area and concealing darkness and redness, giving the impression of naturally unblemished skin.

To fake the most perfect pinched-cheeks flush my go-to product is the N7 Pop & Glow Cream Blush (£9.95) in Classic Rose. Hard to go wrong with a long-lasting, easy to blend cream-to-powder formula that leaves a gorgeous pop of bright pink on the cheeks and lifts and brightens my complexion in just a few dabs. To finish off my base I reach for the Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow Duo (£23) in Sculpting/Candlelight to add dimension and give shape to the face in the most subtle way. It's crazy how much of a difference a faint definition can make and this duo is absolutely perfect for the job.

On to eyes, whenever I need a cream offering that won't budge all day, I have a firm favourite: the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour (£20.50) range. The formula is spot on, there's a shade for everyone and, although they're infused with shimmer, I don't find them excessive or tacky at all. My top pick is Amethyst - a soft bronze-ish mauve that makes my brown eyes pop in a very sophisticated way - but there are at least other three shades in my wishlist at the moment. The Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-aging (£10.30) is super handy when I want to rock the naked-lid look as it evens out my skin and conceals those annoying tiny veins, but it's also great to keep my brows in place and seal any powder product in.
For lashes, I've already shared my love for the NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara (£18.50). Extra black and water-proof, it's an absolute nightmare to take off but whenever I wear it I know it will hold the curl and stay in place till cleansing time no matter what.

Lastly for lips, the MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils (£14.50) have completely stolen my heart. I have enough chubby-style lip pencils and the like coming out of my eyeballs but the colour selection is gorgeous and I'm really enjoying the long wearing, super glossy, borderline stain-ish formula. If you couldn't tell by now, I'm having a serious moment with bubblegum pinks and the shade Fearless is right down my alley.

What are your go-to products to look polished but fresh faced?

*Press sample

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April Favourites.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser //  Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Foundation #20 // Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium // Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Caramel // Wayne Goss Brush #14 // Foreo Luna Mini in Magenta // Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Protect spf30 PA+++. //

As a makeup and skincare hoarder I own quite a lot of products and I tend - or try at least - to switch them up on a daily basis; last month, however, there were a few stand-out products that I couldn't just leave alone and I ended up using pretty much every single day.

At the beginning of the month my skin reacted badly to a product and got a little spotty; whenever that happens, I like to strip down my skincare routine to the very bare minimum and dig out the Liz Earle Cleanse&Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 200ml (£24.75). Despite being quite a basic cleanser, it's still pretty amazing and I always make sure to keep a bottle around all the time, in case something like this happens. It melts away all the makeup and grime whilst nourishing the skin and calming any redness, soothing and cleansing without too much fuss. Rather than with the muslin cloth that comes with it, I've been using it with my Foreo Luna Mini (£99), simply washing it away with warm water afterwards. The Luna Mini was an easy choice for this favourites post as it is now a staple of my everyday routine and definitely something I look forward to using morning and night. In just one minute it dislodges dead skin cells, refines pores and leaves my skin baby soft and radiant and ready for the rest of my skincare lineup.

On the beauty front, as I've mentioned in my previous post, I've been absolutely obsessed with brow products in the last few weeks and I have two on rotation at the moment. With a couple of extra minutes to spare I reach for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (£15.50) in Caramel to draw all the missing hair and fill out my far too short brows, for a defined look that doesn't look artificial or too painted-on.
For quick fixes and busy days, enter the Benefit Gimme Brow (£17.50) which is great to set those unruly hair and give definition either on its own or in combination with pencils or powders. Light-medium is an amazing shade for ladies with fair brows like me, as it's not too warm or too ashy and looks very natural and flattering. The gel definitely makes the hair appear thicker and the brows generally fuller, although I can't really see those fibers everyone keeps talking about. This one goes in the essentials pile for sure.

For base, I have a new favourite primer/foundation combo. I've been testing out the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet Foundation (£26) for my pro kit and, while I'm not a big fan of matte foundations on my dry skin, it's impossible not to enjoy the perfect shade match - which is such a rare thing for me - and the long lasting formula that goes seamlessly from day to night without need for setting powder or touch-ups along the way. To keep it light and fresh, I buff an uber thin layer on top of my current primer of choice, the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Protect (£29). It fits somewhere in between the Oil-free formula and the Radiance one, combining a mix of clear glow that shines through the base, great lasting powers and an spf of 30 PA+++ which is an absolute must-have for the warmer days to come.

I'm always on the hunt for the ultimate makeup brush - not the cheapest activity, I'm afraid - and recently I've got my hungry mitts on the Wayne Goss artist brush range. One of my top pick has to be the Wayne Goss Brush #14 (£22) as I reach for it daily to dust on my Hourglass powder, a super sheer layer of bronzer and blend everything together for a flawless base. The uber soft bristles are also ideal to apply anything from insanely pigmented blushes to glittery highlighters and achieve the most natural finish.

Last on my list, the Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo (£4.59) is now a staple of my styling routine and also a great option for anyone on the market for the perfect mix of texturizing and volumizing spray and of course an extra help to keep the hair looking fresh in between washes. It smells divine, doesn't leave any awkward grey cast behind and gives a second day-hair feel without making my locks look gross or in need of a wash the next day. So far the best dry shampoo I've tried.

What are your winning products for the month of April?

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A Cult Beauty Haul.

Foreo Luna Mini in Magenta // Jouer Anti-blemish Matte Primer // Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Caramel // Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel // Jouer Luminizing Mini Moisture Tint in Opal //Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow Duo in Sculpting Medium/Candlelight. //

Apparently everyone and their grandmothers know about my pee-wee shopping addiction, since one of the most frequently asked questions I get is about my favourite websites to shop at. There's plenty of course, but Cult Beauty is definitely at the top of my list with its amazing selection of standout products and beauty junkies favourites. Most of the time I'm simply happy to browse their incredible selection and read through the witty product descriptions but a few weeks ago I've placed not one but two very naughty orders and as usual my picks took my breath away.

The Foreo Luna Mini Magenta (£99) may be the best thing since ice cream. My skin has never looked this good: it's baby soft, radiant and incredibly even. I'm still a bit shocked by how effective this little thing is: it lifts dead skin cells, unclogs pores, drains and de-puffs with no sign of redness or of the faint discomfort that usually comes with other exfoliating devices. It works beautifully with all kind of cleansers but I especially enjoy using it in combination with the OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel (£32.50) which is my new number one cleanser and likely ultimate Holy Grail. I find this works best at night time as it melts away every last bit of makeup, stubborn waterproof mascara included, in just a few rubs. It leaves a small residue behind that doesn't feel unpleasant at all and actually seems to improve radiance and elasticity and nourish the skin, fully harmonizing with the rest of my routine.

I do like my medium coverage foundations but every now and then I feel the need for something a little bit lighter, both in coverage and texture, and that's when the Jouer Luminous Moisture Tint Minis (£17.50) step in. I was already addicted to the Matte alternative of this tinted moisturizer, but this heart-stopping radiant formula has now snatched the crown of best sheer base in my stash. It's extremely lightweight and sheer, but not so much that it becomes pointless, and it evens out my skin tone beautifully. What I love the most about it is the utterly perfect way it reflects the light, only in the right places, making my skin look firm and healthy and my pores almost invisible. Also from Jouer, I picked up the Anti-blemish Matte Primer (£30) on a whim, because I've been looking everywhere for a silicone-free mattifying primer. I'm a huge fan of treatment makeup and this primer is the ultimate skincare hybrid: it calms redness and treats blemishes whilst helping prevent new breakouts and of course keeps the skin shine-free but not overly flat, which I really like. I'm still testing it out but I'll keep you posted.

Last month at Cosmoprof the gorgeous Anastasia - yes, the Anastasia as in Anastasia Beverly Hills, I'm still in awe - gave me a brow makeover and I've been completely obsessed with brow products ever since. I've put aside my precious MAC Fling for a moment and I've treated myself to a Brow Wiz (£15.50) in the shade Caramel, which is a great match for my light golden brown hair. I love that it twists up and down - unlike Fling - and since the nib is extra fine and stiff, I can draw every single hair and fill in any sparse area in just a few strokes. It gives great definition but the result is surprisingly natural and the built-in spoolie is super handy for quick blending and taming. Holy Grail material for sure.
Another great pick is the Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow Duo in Sculpting/Candlelight (£23), something I've coveted for the longest time as I absolutely adore its powder counterparts. It's my current go-to product for fresh, glowy skin: Candlelight gives a stunning, uber flattering sheen to the cheekbones and even if Sculpting looks a little bit dark and scary, it blends seamlessly and mimics the perfect shadow to sculpt and define.

Have you tried any of these products? Did anything catch your eye?

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March Favourites.

MAC Face & Body Foundation N1 // MAC Studio Sculpt SPF15 Foundation NC15 // Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Diffused Heat // Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon Fuchsia Libre // Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Cocoa* // Beautyblender // Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. //

As soon as the weather started warming up, I waved goodbye to the winter blues and quickly embraced the fresh faced spring trend; hence my March favourites are all about luminous skin, hot pink lips and fresh pinched cheeks.

The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner (£25) is the new undisputed king of my skincare routine. It's a mild, non-irritating - and therefore more appropriate for my sensitive skin - take on the popular Alpha-H Liquid Gold (£31.50). It's gentle enough for frequent use but I find that a few drops swiped all over my face and neck after my cleanser once a week, are more than enough and give me super soft, gorgeous radiant skin without going too overboard. Besides being so delicate and yet so effective, I prefer this to other chemical exfoliators as it doesn't rule out the rest of my overnight treatments and I can combine its action with my serum, oil and moisturizer to keep my dry skin under control.

Moving onto face makeup, my current favourite foundation is actually a combo of two MAC bases, the Face & Body Foundation (£21.50) and the Studio Sculpt Spf15 Foundation (£25). Together they turn into such a breathable, lightweight base that has the longevity, glow and thin consistency of F&B and great coverage and just a hint of spf like the Studio Sculpt. It's the best of both worlds, utterly perfect for springtime.
The award for best purchase of the month and outright game changer goes to the Beautyblender (£16). I can't believe it took me so long to cave in and pick this sponge up. It gives an absolutely flawless finish and grants the same amazing results with pretty much any kind of texture or product; on lazy days I use it for my whole face, starting with my moisturizer and moving onto primer and foundation and even apply my blush and finishing powder with it. It's the ultimate multi-tasker and it's pink, it doesn't get any better than that.

My blush stash got a little out of control lately but one product really stole the show and kicked the rest of the gang at the bottom of my makeup drawer. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush (£28) in the shade Diffused Heat hasn't left my cheeks since it landed in my mail box: it applies like a dream, it blends out and diffuses so nicely. Not only is the texture out of this world but despite the powder formula, it doesn't sit on the skin and gives a gorgeous 'flush from within' kind of look that looks natural and healthy.

For lips, I can't stop reaching for the Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon (£7.99) in Fuchsia Libre. It's moisturizing, glossy but not too slippery and it has spf15 which is a nice extra for sensitive lips like mine. It's hot pink and bold yet, somehow, it looks easy and effortless as well. A total winner in my books.
Finally, I've been switching all month between grungy, Olsen twins-style chocolate smokey eyes and soft defined eyeshadow looks and the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour (£20.50) in Cocoa* is my go-to product for both styles. It goes on smoothly, is highly pigmented and stays on forever; it's amazing both as a base or dotted around the lash line and smudged with a pencil brush like you would do with a pencil liner and the slightly reddish deep chocolate brown makes my eye colour pop beautifully.

Have you tried any of these products?

*Press Sample

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