Spring Beauty Launches | The Good, The Great & Disappointing

Whoa, well I assure you it wasn't supposed to be almost a whole month since my last post, but with Belgium and Ibiza thrown into the mix (amazing times all very well documented on my Instagram!), I became all very slack on the beauty blogging front. The 'trying out beauty front' on the other hand was a very different matter and I have SO many new finds to share with you over my next few posts, starting today with three spring offerings. 

THE GOOD: Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray // I've always been a big fan of makeup setting sprays, particularly from Urban Decay, as I find they're a great way to add glow back into a long lasting base. So it's no surprise I've fallen head over contour for this new vitamin-infused complexion prep spray from the big UD. Not only does this prep, set and refresh makeup, it also comes with all sorts of skincare benefits such as the ability to reduce redness, minimise pores and absorb pesky oil. I've been using this as a toner before moisturiser twice a day and my skin seems to be loving it and behaving itself for once!

THE GREAT: Benefit Hoola Brush // I've always struggled to find the ideal contour brush- some have been so big they've turned my whole face into a rather more questionable level of bronzed, but others have been too thin, making the whole sculpting situation a little too stripy. Cue those babes at benefit strolling in with a brush as technically perfect as it is pretty (look at that oh-so-shiny gold handle). Use with Hoola or any other bronzer for a golden sweep that gives you colour and cheekbones in equal complexion perfection measure.

THE DISAPPOINTING: Bourjois Rouge Edition Souffle De Velvet Lipstick // I've been caught hook, line and lipstick for the Bourjois Rouge Editions ever since velvets first hit Boots' shelves and caused a frenzy. However, I'm sad to report the new souffles don't have me swooning all over the makeup aisle. Promising a sheer-matte coverage and finish, I had high hopes this peachy pink could be my ultimate barely there spring lip, but the reality is a formula barely there for about an hour that wears down so unevenly you need to start the whole debacle again. My advice? Stick to 'Hot Pepper'.

Have you got any new Spring staples to share?

Bunnies & Braids | OOTD

Happy Easter you lovely lot! I hope you're suitably gorged on mini eggs and malteaser bunnies, ready for a spot of outfit post reading this bank holiday Monday. I shared a snap of yesterday's Easter Sunday beauty look on Instagram which went down very well indeed (aren't you a nice bunch), so thought you might like to see the rest of the outfit and get all the hair/makeup deets...

I actually picked both the shirt and pinafore up last season, but they've turned out to be great transitional pieces going into Spring. The h&m bunny shirt is pretty much the perfect piece of Easter clothing and so many people have commented on how cute it is. The camel corduroy pinafore is something I also get asked a lot about and everyone is always surprised to hear it came from Primark- just one of those 'be there at the right time to grab your size and fight to the till' type purchases! I feel like my wardrobe is starting to consist soley of differing takes on the dungaree/pinafore, as they're just so cute and comfy and can be styled in a ridiculous amount of ways. I'm also clearly a child at heart/more like whole head and body.

Yesterday I wanted to go down the more preppy route, so fashioned la barnet into my new favourite 'undone halo braid'. It's taken me a few attempts to pin this- quite literally- down to a style I feel comfortable leaving the house with, but now I find it fairly easy to put together in 3 steps: 1. Part hair to the side (2nd/3rd day hair with texture works best) 2. dutch braid the side of your head with less hair first, bringing it round the back and to the front until you have a full circle 3. Plait any leftover hair into a normal braid and pin this into the 'halo', teasing out the finished style for a more relaxed look. Et voila! The Easter makeup was much more simple, using my beloved Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Foundation, Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer and Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder to create a flawless-ish base, with winged out Rimmel Exaggerate Liner and Kate Moss '107' to finish. Oh yes, just because it's slightly sunnier does not mean I shun my precious '107', or ignore the pile of eggs looking at me for fear of bikini body season for that matter... on with the Lindt!

What looks have you been wearing this weekend?

The March Wishlist

1.Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer // 2. Converse All Star Core White Ox (to replace my tattered ones!) // 3. ASOS A-Line Pinafore // 4. REN Clearcalm Clarity Restoring Mask 

What's on your March wishlist?

Sephora Haul

There are few things which make a girl happier than those two little words, Sephora Haul. This is, in fact, a mini Sephora Haul to show you the main three things I picked up when I went to New York last Christmas. Very late I know, but this way I can give you a mini review of each item too (there's method in my madness/unorganisation...).

KAT VON D LOCK-IT CONCEALER // The unthinkable has happened. After 5 whole years of being faithful to the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, another has stolen my heart. I felt like I couldn't come back to the UK without clutching Kat's infamous concealer and now I'm not sure I could live without it in my makeup bag! The perfect shade match (light 18), creamy blendable formula, hygienic applicator and all day full coverage -without a hint of dreaded cakeyness- make this the go-to for any gal with a little something to hide. 

MARC JACOBS HONEY ROLLERBALL // Oh, I do love a rollerball. In fact, I'm constantly wondering why the rollerball isn't commonplace in our UK perfume world?! Perfect for popping in your handbag and picking up whenever you need a scent spruce, this is an ingenious and perfectly pretty way rocking portable perfume- a travellers dream. I'm a big Marc Jacobs Daisy girl so I love having the slighter sweeter, blossom and vanilla noted Honey in my collection for Spring too.

CINDERELLA COMPACT MIRROR // Would you look how beautifulll this is! I made my poor boyfriend visit 5 Sephora stores in NYC just so I could get my hands on this limited edition Disney Princess Cinderella compact. I also bought my sister the Snow White edition and we're both besotted. I'm afraid they're very much limited edition, but definitely keep an eye out for more collaborations like this one as its a such a special collectors item. It also does makes a very good compact mirror for on the move- if I ever actually let it leave the 'pride of place position' on my dressing table that is...

What's on your Sephora wishlist? (Every beauty junkee has at least one. Or three)