Shimmer it up...

Recently I have been addicted to dabbing a little bit of highlighter to the high points of my cheeks and down the bridge of my nose for an extra glow.  Highlighting has become my favourite part of my make-up routine. I can't get enough of it, so naturally I am always looking for new highlighting products to try out. 

The Body Shop have released three gorgeous shimmering powders, perfect for sculpting, illuminating and adding that festive radiance to your face. 

Special Edition Shimmer Bauble*

These super pretty pink and gold beads will add a light but dazzling shimmer to your overall look and is perfect for all skin tones. This highlighter goes on best with a slanted brush. I sweep it lightly across my cheeks for an instant pop of radiance, that will last all day and night. 

Brush On*

Illuminate your skin with this gorgeous product, available in 3 shades; Brush On Sunlight (new and perfect for medium skin tones), Brush On Radiance (for light skin tones) and Brush On Bronze (for darker skin tones). I've been using this product in Brush On Bronze to give my skin a sheer and subtle glow.  

Shimmer Waves*

This highlighter is best for sculpting and contouring the face.  The 5 layers of shimmer powders blended together create a softer look. Use the shades individually to add more definition to your face. Apply the darker shades on the lower parts of your cheeks and the lighter shades on the high points of your cheeks and forehead.

~Nas~

*PR Samples 

Stay Flawless

Here we have yet another awesome primer, perfect for this time of year. 

Now, as we all know I am an absolute sucker for a good ol' primer. I have quite a sizeable collection now and it just doesn't seem to stop growing!

Recently, I have attended quite a few weddings, which can only mean one thing - a full face of make-up. Therefore I needed to have a primer that would ensure that my make-up would last all night. Enter Benefit's Stay Flawless 15-hour Primer*! 

This stick primer is super quick and easy to use. Simply apply to the points of your face that would need priming (normally your t-zone) and then apply your favourite foundation and blend the two out together. No mess, no fuss. 

I have found that this primer keeps my foundation looking fresh and prevents it from slipping and sliding all over my face. 

This product is great to use for a long day of work as well as an occasion such as a wedding/party/night out. It keeps your make-up looking immaculate and flawless. As we are now entering the colder months, indoor heating is normally turned all the way creating a super hot atmosphere. This can sometimes be damaging to your make-up, which is why this primer is perfect for this time of year as it prevents any potential damage. I've discovered that it suits well with any foundation including the brilliant Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! foundation. 

~Nas~

*PR Samples 

Prime Time

Who doesn't love a good ol' primer?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with these little gems, allow me to break it down for you:

The main purpose of a primer is to increase the staying power of your make-up. It can also reduce shine and the appearance of pores. 
Generally primer can be applied all over and it can be worn alone or under/above your make-up. They ensure for smoother and easier foundation application. 
It's a very versatile and handy product to have on hand. There are also primer products designed specifically for eyes and lips. 

I normally use Benefit's POREfessional or Lancome's La Base Pro. These two have been in my collection for a while now and I absolutely love them. 

Clinique Superprimer Face Primers* has an oil-free formula. This primer aims to smooth skin's texture, allowing for even foundation application. It comes in five tinted formulas, designed for any specific skin care needs you may have. The formula includes lightweight silicone polymers that instantly perfects the appearance of pores, wrinkles and fine lines.

• Yellow tinted primer: Corrects redness for an even base.
• Pink tinted primer: Colour corrects lacklustre skin for a radiant base.
• Soft, pearlized bronze tinted primer: Corrects ashiness on complexions of a deeper tone for a healthy looking base.
• Peach tinted primer: Helps to correct dark spots, acne scars and areas of hyperpigmentation for a brighter complexion.
• Lavender tinted primer: Corrects colour in sallow skin for a healthy base.

There is also a Universal Face Primer which has a colourless formula, great for the lady who doesn't have any particular concern. 

I have been using this primer in the bronze formula for darker skin tones. I apply it lightly to my t-zone and cheeks before my foundation. I've found that it gives my skin a soft glow and keeps my foundation looking fresh and dewy. 
I do find that my POREfessional primer by Benefit is better for reducing the appearance of pores, but I do like this primer - mainly for the glow it gives my skin.
Obviously these primers have been formulated to work best with Clinique foundations, but they work just as well with others. 

www.clinique.co.uk

~Nas~

*PR Samples 

Nutty for The Body Shop's Brazil Nut

I feel like The Body Shop can do no wrong when it comes to skincare. 
Since April, They have brought back the popular Brazil Nut range. This collection is available for a limited time and includes the following products:

- Brazil Nut Body Butter

- Brazil Nut Shower Cream 

- Brazil Nut Cream Scrub

- Brazil Nut Eau de Toilette

- Brazil Nut Beautifying Oil 

- Brazil Nut Body Mist 

The body butters are one of my all time favourite moisturisers and I am always looking for another flavour to add to my collection. They are super indulgent and provide continuous hydration and are an absolute treat for the skin. The Brazil Nut body butter* smells utterly divine and melts into my skin instantly.

The Community Fair Trade Brazil Nut oil helps to safeguard over 3,000 hectares of the Peruvian rainforest. This is done mainly by providing a livelihood for the nut
collectors and nut crackers, who are part of the Candela co-operative. 

The next two products that I want to get my hands on are the Brazil Nut Cream Scrub and the Brazil Nut Beautifying Oil. 

Make sure you check out this range at The Body Shop before they're all gone!

www.thebodyshop.co.uk

~Nas~

*PR Samples 

American Beauty Haul

Oh. My. Goodness. 

How long has it been since I ranted and raved about my love of all things beauty? 

A VERY long time, is the answer to that shameful question! I must offer my sincere apologies for seriously neglecting my poor, darling blog so :( 

Recently I paid a visit to the good ol' US of A. I had the best time and was genuinely devastated to return home. We hopped all over the place and absolutely loved it! We visited New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Yosemite and LA! 

Whilst in the US, I had the chance to purchase some gorgeous beauty goodies. Two of the brands featured here, are not available in the UK and all of the products are much cheaper. I can also say without a shadow of a doubt that I would have bought MUCH more if I had more baggage space and if my friends weren't constantly dragging me away from the make-up aisles. Although, It is a good thing that my friends kept me in check, otherwise I would have blown through my money in about 30 seconds flat! 

I purchased these products from Sephora, Walgreens and Macy's. 

When I walked into Sephora, I was like a little kid in a sweet shop - my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets and I literally wanted everything! I've been to the Sephora in Paris, but was too young to appreciate it fully. The walls were lined with loads of fabulous brands, packed with dazzling products.

I was in my element.

NARS Radiant Creamy concealer in Amande

I have been on the lookout for an illuminating concealer for ages. I really wanted something to lift my skin and make it look luminous, but not cakey. I went straight to the NARS counter in Sephora and asked one of the ridiculously sweet assistants for help. She immediately suggested the Radiant Creamy concealer and I fell in love. This concealer feels super light on the skin and is perfect for covering up those pesky dark circles and those little blemishes that refuse to leave. The formula is luxuriously creamy and with its doe foot applicator you can build the coverage from medium to full. All signs of fatigue and stress are banished with this little miracle of a product. The formula is crease-proof, long lasting and is alcohol and paraben free. I like to apply this concealer to my under eye area and around my nose and mouth with my beauty blender. It is absolutely boiling in London at the moment and I have been skipping foundation as it makes my skin feel like its suffocating in make-up. All I need is this concealer which I then set in place with Soap and Glory's One Heck of A Blot powder. 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Blushing Bride 

 I knew I had to get my mits on the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush, as I have heard nothing but good things about it. I'm quite pleased as I love the colour which is a gorgeous plumy shade. I'm also a bit suprised as there is a shimmer running through it and I am not a fan of shimmer in my make-up. At all. But I actually love it here. I sweep this blush along the high points of my cheeks and it catches the light nicely. As I have a bit of a tan at the moment (thanks to a heat wave in LA) this blush gives me a bit of a rosy/slightly bronzed look, which I love! The colour is highly pigmented and stays put for quite a while. 

I really like these blushes because the formula is free from harmful ingredients such as parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrances. It also includes natural clay from the Amazonian river, which minimizes oil in and around pores.  

EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint and Carmex Everyday Protecting Lip Balm with SPF 15 in Cherry

 One night, after dinner in San Fran we realised we had to pick up a few bits from Walgreens. So naturally whilst the girls were looking for practical items such as after skin sun care and toothbrushes I made a bee line for the lip balms. 

The EOS lip balm is another product that I have been wanting to try out for a while now. I can't get over the sweet egg-shape of this lip balm and I have always been a sucker for cutsie packaging. To be honest, the performance isn't anything to rave too much about, It's great for flinging in your handbag as your lip balm on the go. Also, the mint flavour is nice and light and isn't overpowering at all. 

Because the sun was so fierce in the US, I needed to get a lip screen, so I went for a reliable brand; Carmex. This  slicks on easily and leaves a nice tingle and a slight cherry taste. As far as I am aware the SPF is sufficient for my lips, as they have stayed nice and supple through the heat wave in California and the one we are currently experiencing here in London. 

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

This is also another product I knew I had to have! This mascara has been around for a while now and at first I thought it seemed a bit silly - to have a mascara just for your bottom lashes? Then I researched the product a bit more and realised I spoke a bit too soon. I LOVE this little mascara with its teeny tiny little brush. It clings to every little lash and has a long-wearing formula that prevents smudging and flaking. It opens up my eyes and makes the bottom lashes look incredibly lush and full. 
My little hero.

Beautyblnder make-up sponge  
This cute little make-up sponge is versatile and eco-friendly as it is non-disposable. This is also another product that has been around for a while. I use this applicator when it comes to applying concealer, it blends the product nicely and smoothly. I like it because it's not fussy and is quick and easy to use. Simply dampen the sponge and use in either a stippling or a light bouncing motion. It can be used with most make-up formulas such as cream, powder (loose or pressed) and liquid. I am aware that It can also be used to create dramatic eyes, but I don't think I'm brave enough to try that out...yet. 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette 
Every beauty gal knows that the Urban Decay palettes are pretty awesome. Having said that, I have never felt the need to invest in the hugely popular Naked/Naked 2 palettes. The reason for this is mainly because they're a bit bulky looking and I already have similar shades that exist within my current make-up collection. But I did want this one, as I love how compact and sleek the packaging is and thought it would be great for when I'm in a rush and need a quick eye look. The palette contains 6 shadows featuring both mattes and satin shadows, ideal for creating pretty everyday looks.

- Venus: A semi-matte off white
- Foxy: A matte ivory shade with a yellow tone base
- Walk of Shame: A light cream with pretty pink tones
- Naked 2: A nude shade with a pretty pink tones
- Faint: A light brown matte with light grey undertones
- Crave: A deliciously dark brown that almost appears to be black 

I particularly like the Faint shade, this colour can be swept over the lids for a soft day look or built gradually for a elegant evening look. Add a bit of Venus to the inner corners of the eye as a highlighter. I am so excited to create more looks with this palette! It's great for the girl who loves a bit of subtle colour on her eyes. 

~Nas~

April Glossybox

Ok, so I have been a bit bad this month and I took a bit long to upload this post about the April Glossybox. I know it's May, but I still wanted to do a little post on this spring beauty box. 

April's box is designed by Pearl Lowe, the pretty floral design was inspired by the sublime English countryside. The girl in me couldn't help but smile widely when I saw the gorgeous pattern of this box. 

Now onto the products... 

Nip + Fab - Dry Skin Fix Body Butter in Coconut Latte 

I am a sucker for body moisturisers - I have a vast collection and I am always looking for new additions. This yummy body butter smells absolutely delish and contains Aquaxyl which provides skin with an instant moisture boost. It's super rich  and I am going to save this little treasure for summer travels!

Essie - Nail Lacquer in Art Deco 

I am a huge fan of Essie, and I have been trying to wear lighter shades on my nails recently as I naturally lean towards moody colours of burgundy (my favourite) and navy. So I was pleasantly surprised to find this colour in my box. I'm happy to report that it suited me quite nicely, and for once I had a "cheery" colour on my nails.  

Modelco - Cheek + Lip Tint in Rosy Red

Who doesn't love multi-use products? This one is so cute! I have only used it a couple of times since I opened my box, but it has already won me over. I have recently developed a little bit of a fetish for blush and contour products, so this product is perfect for me at the moment. A little bit is more than enough for the cheeks, dab don't blend - I have been using my trusty Real Techniques Stippling Brush. To use on lips, simply sweep the product over for a natural pop of colour. 

Yves Rocher Fragrance - So Elixir Purple Eau de Parfum 

Up until last year, I had never heard of Yves Rocher, then whilst visiting family in Mauritius my cousins took me to a little beauty boutique filled with Yves Rocher products. I haven't tried any of their make-up or skincare products yet, but I did like their fragrances. My cousin was kind enough to gift me a little bottle of one of their scents and I smile every time I wear it. So obviously, I did get a little twinge of nostalgia when I saw this fragrance. This little scent includes notes of Tuberose, Vetiver and Patchouli. It's very woody and floral, making it a sweet fragrance for summer. I love the little bottle and the fact that it's purple (purple, being my favourite colour).

Sun Sense - Daily Face SPF

This is the one product that I have yet to try. This little cream has an oil-free base, making it ideal for both combination and oily skin. It is also tinted, so will leave a sheer matt finish and will help to fight premature ageing from sun exposure. I will definitely give this product a whirl. 

www.glossybox.co.uk

~Nas~

The Body Shop's Eau De Toilette

My household is a sucker for fragrances. We are absolutely besotted with The Body Shop Body Mists. So when I heard that these scents had been transformed into Eau De Toilettes'* I was a bit too happy. Below are the scents Shea and Moringa. 

I have been a fan of The Body Shops fragrances since I was a little girl. My mum bought me the White Musk perfume as my first fragrance, I fell in love with it and still get little nostalgic tingles whenever I spritz it on. 

The Body Shops EDT's make wonderful little additions to your handbag, as they come in 30ml bottles and won't take up much room at all. The fragrance itself is not overbearing and is light enough for the coming summer months. You may need to re-spritz yourself now and again though. 

What is great with these EDT's is if you pick a favourite flavour, you can team them with more of The Body Shop products, such as the body butters, body sprays, soaps and more. 

The EDT's come in eight scrummy fragrances:


- Strawberry
- Moringa
- Coconut
- Mango
- Shea 
- Satsuma
- Pink Grapefruit 
- Vanilla

~Nas~

www.thebodyshop.co.uk

*PR Samples.