Project Pan #5: 6 Months Of Makeup Empties

It's time for the results of another Project Pan! I've been doing a PP since around Feb/March, so this is roughly six months worth of makeup empties and it's been a challenge!

Whilst I find it relatively easy to use up skincare and body products (as you'll no doubt have seen in my monthly empties posts), finishing up makeup items is a completely different ball game. This is probably because I don't wear makeup every single day, and when I do, I like to experiment a little and reach for a different lipstick or blusher, so it takes me a long time to fully use something up.

I love doing Project Pans because they encourage you to use the makeup that you have (it's a fantastic way to cut down on those impulse buys!) and it allows you some time to properly rediscover a bunch of products that you may have neglected. You can check out my previous completed Project Pans here.

For this PP, I pulled out 10 full-size makeup products that I really wanted to use up, and a couple of samples/minis as well. Here's how I got on and what I would consider repurchasing again.

Superdrug Deep Action Mattifying Shine Control Papers (featured here)

Have used these for years and they come in very handy when you're out and about, so are perfect for keeping in your bag for a quick touch up. They blot away any shine and don't disrupt your makeup. Repurchase? I'm currently using some from Mai Couture at the moment which I prefer, but I'd pick these up again as a budget-friendly option.

MOSSA Skin Perfector BB Cream in Soft Beige

I wasn't a fan of this at all! I found the formula too thick and greasy, and the colour quickly oxidised on me. Repurchase? No.

Dr Hauschka Tinted Day Cream

This was OK and provided a little more coverage which I liked as it still looked fresh, however, I feel that it would be better suited for drier skin types than mine. Repurchase? No.

Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Illuminating Primer* (reviewed here)

It was a very sad day when this primer ran out as it's one of the best that I've ever tried! I absolutely loved using it and it created such a beautiful brightening base each and every time. My skin loved it as well as I never had any breakout or clogged pore problems from using it on a regular basis. Repurchase? As much as I want to, I have some other primers to use up first, though I'm sure we'll meet again in the near future! 

Giorgio Armani Skin Defense Primer SPF 50* (reviewed here)

Although I initially really liked this primer, I slowly began to fall out of love with it about halfway through the bottle because the formula began to get quite thick and gloopy, despite still being well in date. For such an expensive primer, I would rather spend my money on the Juice Beauty one above, rather than risk buying this again and being unable to use the latter half of the bottle. Repurchase? No.

NARS Audacious Mascara in Black Moon

This was OK, but it didn't impress me enough to want to purchase a full-size and I feel that there are plenty of much better mascaras out there that are half the price of this one. Repurchase? No.

Ciate Wonderland Mascara (reviewed here)

Case in point, if you are after a quality high-end mascara, buy this one from Ciate instead! I've repurchased it twice now (always when there's been a discount code or offer on though) and it's fantastic. Gives me big lashes and reminds me a lot of Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara. Repurchase? Yes.

GOSH Blown Away Mascara* (reviewed here)

Like I mentioned in my original review, I wasn't 'blown away' by this mascara at all. It's OK for everyday/natural looks, but ultimately, I prefer a much bigger and volumised lash so this wasn't for me. Repurchase? No.

Daniel Sandler Invisible Blotting Powder* (reviewed here)

Wow, this felt like it lasted forever! I remember hitting pan on it around Christmas time! This is a brilliant translucent pressed powder which is perfect for producing a matte finish. It never looks cakey or powdery, and really does live up to its 'invisible' name. Repurchase? Tempted! 

Lord & Berry Intensity Satin Lipstick in Brick

This was a gorgeous 90s brown-toned, reddy pink and had a similar formula to MAC's Amplified Lipsticks which I loved. I found myself wearing this shade a lot during the start of the year around Jan-April, so I was glad to have finished it up a few months ago as I've had it my makeup collection for ages! Repurchase? I have a couple of lipsticks that are a similar shade so it's a no for now.

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme Cup (reviewed here)

Creme Cup is one of those classic MAC shades and it's such a perfect pale pink nude that looks amazing with a smokey eye. It's also one of the few MAC lipsticks that I've ever repurchased which goes to show how much I must have liked it! Repurchase? I'm holding off as it takes me forever to use up a lipstick, and I do already have shades that are probably dupes. I will save this for Back2Mac though!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner & Ink Liner 

I finished up two mini liquid eyeliners from Kat Von D. I didn't find that there's much difference between these two - they're both pigmented, easy to use and long-lasting, but perhaps the Tattoo Liner lasts a little bit longer? Repurchase? I would definitely buy the Tattoo Liner again.

Benefit Ready, Set, Brow!

I don't get the hype for this at all - it's basically just a clear brow gel! It does the job and does it well, but there are much cheaper products that are virtually identical to this, so I'm glad that I picked it up as a magazine freebie because I wouldn't pay full price for it. Repurchase? No.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise (featured here)

Remember when these were all over blogs and Youtube?! I've gotten through a pot of this Poppy Paradise shade before and I still love it! Very easy to sheer out and it looks so pretty and fresh on. Repurchase? I have too many similar products to justify buying another one right now :(

Eylure Brow Amplifier in No 10 Dark Brown (featured here)

I've repurchased this before and still like it a lot. Super easy to use, it has a teeny tiny brush so that you can fill in small gaps for fuller brows. Doesn't smudge, looks natural and stays put all day. Repurchase? I'm trying out some different brow products at the moment and I think I've found one that I prefer over this - sorry Eylure!

Have you ever done a Project Pan?

Have you tried any of the products that I used up?

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May Beauty Favourites

May was a great month for discovering some new and old beauty favourites, and this roundup features a bit of everything! Let's get stuck in shall we?

Velvotan The Original Tanning Mitt* (£2, link)

As someone who enjoys slapping on the fake tan during the Summer months, I've tried out a lot of mitts from various brands over the years and let me tell you something - the quality of them can vary considerably, and paying more money for a tanning mitt doesn't always mean that it's going to be any good. I'm currently using this one from Velvotan and it's one of the best that I've tried (and I love a bit of leopard print!). I've used it with a couple of different formulas and it's worked well with all of them, plus it comes out of the washing machine looking like new. A steal at just £2 and you can pick it up in Tesco. 

Woodland Trust Fikkerts Bluebell Hand Cream* (75ml, £10, link)

The Woodland Trust are an environmental conservation charity that I've supported since I was a young child, so I was pleased to see this gem of a hand cream in their latest Spring/Summer catalogue. Made by Yorkshire brand Fikkerts, it's a really lovely and luxurious feeling hand cream packed full of moisturising natural ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Honey and Vitamin E. It has a subtle natural scent of Bluebells and leaves hands feeling silky soft. 

MAC Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy (3g, £16.50, link) 

I finally took advantage of MAC's much-loved Back 2 Mac recycling scheme and swapped some old empties that I had lying around for a free lipstick - yay! I chose Velvet Teddy which used to be one of my all time favourites as a teenager, but I hadn't gotten around to repurchasing it until now. When I applied it again, it brought back so many memories and it still suits me as much as it did back then. Happy days!

MAC Lip Pencil in Spice (1.4g, £13, link)

Naturally, one does not go into MAC without coming out with an impulse purchase, and I picked up a lip pencil in the blogger favourite, Spice. This is just one of those great classic shades that goes with some many of my most-used lipsticks and I love how it looks on its own too.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray* (30ml, £10, link)

A long time favourite of mine, this cult classic has recently had a packaging makeover and I think it looks pretty snazzy! I use this a lot during Summer to keep my makeup from melting off my face and it does an excellent job of keeping everything where it should be throughout the day. If you haven't tried it before, I'd recommend getting your hands on this 30ml travel size first to test out, as the full size is quite pricey, but I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Alucia Organics Chamomile & Calendula Calm Balm* (50g, £14, link)

I love trying out different balms to tackle my eczema flare-ups, and my latest discovery is this wonderful Calm Balm from Alucia Organics. It's 99% organic and the balm is formulated with an expert blend of nourishing and soothing ingredients such as Shea Butter, Hemp Seed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Chamomile, Beeswax, Rosehip and Calendula. I find this very effective for calming down my irritated skin and helping it to heal, whilst keeping everything thoroughly moisturised at the same time. As with most balms, a little goes a long way, so I expect this jar will last me a long time.

Organic Be Argan Oil* (50ml, £13.59, link) 

Argan Oil is a firm staple in my bathroom as I use it for both skincare and haircare purposes. It's a fantastic natural multi-purpose oil that you can use literally anywhere to soften and smooth. One of my favourite ways to use it is as an intensive hair treatment, where I'll add a few drops to my dry lengths and ends, plait my hair and then sleep in it overnight. It's much, much easier to wash out than Coconut Oil and leaves my hair feeling stronger and looking shinier. This one from Organic Be is just straight up pure organic Argan Oil which is how I like it!

What are your current beauty favourites?

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The One & Only Make-Up Tag

I was tagged by the lovely Ana from Anagoesgreen to do the One & Only Tag that's currently circulating on the blogosphere.  It was tough going through my make-up collection and compiling what's essentially an ultimate favourites list, but here we go - these are my final picks to the question "If you could only have one.....what would it be?".

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My Most Worn MAC Lipsticks & Swatches

I've been having a much needed and long overdue spring clean this weekend, which has also involved a good, long look through my make-up collection.  I took a ruthless approach and managed to get rid of a few things, as well as selling/swapping/giving away some unused and unloved items.  Included in the products that I bid farewell too were a couple of MAC lipsticks that I'd never worn, or only worn once or twice.  What was I thinking buying that bright purple Heroine when I'm a neutral lover for example?! In the end, I reduced my MAC lipstick collection to just my four most worn ones. 

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Shopping The Stash: Spring Make-Up Edit

With the season finally starting to change properly into Spring, I decided to do a little 'Shopping The Stash' to reacquaint myself with some forgotten make-up favourites and get myself in the mood for a lighter, brighter look.

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Best of 2012: Part 1 - Make-Up

I'm back from my internet-free festive break and I hope you all had a lovely Christmas!  As we're in the very last days of 2012, it seems only right to have a beauty recap of the year.  There were so many products that I wanted to include, so I've split my 'Best Of 2012' into two parts; one for make-up and one for general skin/hair/bodycare.  So without further ado, below are some of my favourite make-up products that I enjoyed using in 2012:-  

2012 saw the much anticipated UK release of Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butters.  I loved the hype across the blogosphere for these lip balm/lip stick hybrids and rushed out to purchase a handful like everyone else.  You can see swatches of my favourite top 5 shades here.  I also began to grow my little collection of Korres Lip Butters!

Out of all the make-up related purchases that I made throughout the year, my best investment was definitely getting two sets of Real Techniques brushes.  I received the Core Collection for my birthday and soon purchased the Your Eyes / Enhanced Starter Set afterwards.  I use these brushes virtually everyday and couldn't imagine being without them now! 

One make-up collection that really stood out for me in 2012, was the release of Liz Earle's full capsule collection.  Everything that I have tried from this range, I've just simply loved, and I already have my eye on a few more bits that I'd like to try in 2013!  You can read my reviews of Liz Earle's make-up here. 

Aside from the Lip Butters mentioned above, Revlon also released their amazing Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains, my favourite shade being Honey (pictured above).  Another big 2012 hyped product came in the form of a pink pot of magic nail polish remover by Bourjois which I reviewed and raved about here.

I also discovered lots of products for the first time in 2012 that quickly made my coveted Holy Grail list.  Some of these include bare Minerals Original Foundation, MAC Sheertone Blush in Blushbaby, MAC Powder Blush in Harmony and Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub.  Other mention-worthy favourites were MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shy Girl, Essential Care Mineral Lipstick in Praline and terre d'Oc Sublime Lip Gloss in Rose Ubud. 

I'm sure that there are many more make-up favourites that I've forgotten to include, so check out my general favourites tag for more fab products that I loved throughout 2012.  Will post part 2 tomorrow!

What make-up items would feature in your Best of 2012?

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Tag: How Much is My Face Worth?

This tag has been circulating the blogosphere recently and I've been enjoying reading everyone's posts so much that I thought I'd join in and do one myself.  So how much do you think my face is worth?

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MAC Harmony Powder Blush - Photos & Swatches

MAC Harmony Powder Blush (6g, £17.50, link)

The British summer weather has gone back to being its usual crazy, rainy self (again!), so I've been reaching for some 'help' in the summer glow department.  My current bronzer/contour of choice?  MAC's Harmony Powder Blush.

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July Favourites

I can't believe that it's the 1st of August today and it's still raining here in England.  My July favourites reflect the weather a little and I have my fingers crossed for a sunny August!

Skincare wise I have been loving Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask.  I have about another use out of this pot before it goes off so I'm going to treat my skin to a little pampering session this evening with it.  If you haven't tried this mask yet and you're skin is playing up, I highly recommend popping into a Lush store and asking the SA for a sample, and you'll see why so many bloggers are raving about it!

At night I have recently started to use Forest People Luminous Serum* which I received in my Organic & Natural Beauty Box from Betrousse UK.  It's quite a heavy serum so only the tiniest drop is needed and I use it under my eyes instead of a cream.  So far I've noticed that in the mornings my concealer goes on so much more smoothly now and my undereye area never feels dry.

The silly English weather has made by hands a lot drier than they usually are for this time of year so I'm keeping them happy with the sample of Jurlique Rose Hand Cream I received last month from Whats In My Handbag.com.  It has the most delicate rose scent, is super moisturising and absorbs into the skin like a dream.

For make-up, I have been enjoying using the two Revlon Lip Butters that came in my US Drugstore Swap.  The shades are Fig Jam and Sugar Plum, and both are easy to wear everyday shades.  On my cheeks I have been mostly wearing MAC Sheertone Blush in Coygirl which is also great for everyday use and looks so pretty.  A new foundation favourite has been found in the form of bareMinerals Original Foundation in Medium Beige.  This provides light-medium coverage which feels so soft and light on the skin, like you're wearing nothing at all.  

And last but not least, I had to give a mention to Essential Care Organic Rose Petal Tonic*.  Although I only used it on holiday for a week, I know I'll be using it more when the weather gets better!  It's very refreshing to use on the go if you've been in the sun a bit too much and want a cool down.

What are your recent beauty favourites?  Link to yours below!

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*PR samples

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What's in my Make-Up Travel Bag?

I've packed all of the above in my Make-Up Travel Bag.  A lot of these are old trusted favourites as well as a few new things:-

Brows: A La Carte Brow Ink in Taupe
Eyes: Urban Decay Naked Palette, UDPP, Urban Decay Double Eyeliner with Zero and Whiskey, Talika Lipocils Expert, Blink & Go Long Lasting Mascara in Black.
Face: bareMinerals Original Foundation with SPF 15 in Medium Beige, Benefit The POREfessional Primer, Everyday Minerals Mint Color Corrector, Bourjois Healthy Mix Correcting Concealer in 52, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in 3 Medium, The Body Shop Lightening Touch Pen in 03, Barry M Translucent Powder.
Cheeks & contour: Bourjois 'chocolate' Bronzer in 52, MAC Sheertone Blush in Coygirl
Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shygirl, Clinique Superbalm Moisturising Gloss in Grapefruit.

And my brushes ( don't worry, all of these were deep cleaned yesterday and only used again this morning!).  I've packed them into the Real Techniques holder that came with the Core Collection, which is so useful:-

From L-R: Ecotools Blush Brush, Everyday Minerals Long Handled Kabuki*, Everyday Minerals Dome Blush Brush*, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Brush, Everyday Minerals Concealer Brush, Real Techniques Contour Brush, Real Techniques Detailer Brush, Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

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*PR samples

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MAC Sheertone Blush in Coygirl

My friend Jenna bought me this little beauty for my Birthday last month and I had a couple of requests to do a post about it.  I have been loving my MAC Sheertone Blush in Blushbaby and I really wanted to try out some more.  She asked which one I'd like, and I decided to go for Coygirl, a  blue/purple cool toned pink, which has enough of a brightness about it that I can pull it off.   

What I love about the MAC Sheertone Blushers is that the formulas are fantastic (beautifully soft, finely milled powder), they wear very well (most of the time they'll last all day on me if it's not too hot out) and they're pigmented AS WELL as being sheer!  That sounds like something of a contradiction, but what I'm trying to say is that when you sheer these out on your cheeks, you don't lose any of the pigmented goodness and you can easily layer these for a more intense look if desired (swatched as such below).

I don't reach for cool pinks like this all that often because I favour more beige/neutral pinks more, but this is lovely for a change and gives me a brighter 'perked up' look when my skin is looking a bit dull.  A new favourite in my make-up bag!

What are your favourite pink blushers?

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June Favourites

I have a lot of favourites this month, so I've split them into two sections below for ease of reading.

Skincare & Haircare etc

Dr Nick Lowe Oil Control Anti Blemish Day Cream

This is one of the best moisturisers I've ever tried for oily skin.  It gives you the hydration that you need (and oily skin still needs some!), whilst also helping to regulate sebum.  I end up using a lot less powder throughout the day when I apply this in the morning as it keeps shine at bay.

Balance Me Radiance Face Mask*

 I've used this twice so far, and I'm really impressed with it.  It's a 3 in 1 mask that "polishes, hydrates and smoothes", which means that it gives you a deep cleanse as well as exfoliating your face.  When you take it off, it leaves your skin feeling moisturised too.  Amazing stuff and 98% natural too.

A'kin 24 Hour Intensive Moisture Leave-In Conditioner

I have been raving about this a lot recently and for good reasons.  Seriously one of the best leave-in conditioners you can pick up that is also 100% natural.  Reviewed here.

JĀSÖN Facial Natural Sunblock SPF 20*

I've always disliked wearing sunscreen in the past because the products I've tried have always been too heavy for my skin and don't absorb easily, I hate that greasy feeling!  This facial sunscreen from JASON is the exact opposite and is ideal for putting on under your make-up.  Reviewed here.

 NEOM Tranquility Organic Pillow Mist

This was from the NEOM Utter Relxation Collection Gift Set that I received for my birthday.  Absolutely love the scent of this pillow spray, so calming and relaxing, just what I need to help me sleep.

Make-Up etc

Real Techniques Buffing Brush & Contour Brush

Although I have been using all of the brushes in the Core Collection, these two have quickly become daily favourites in my make-up routine.  The Buffing Brush is just THE brush for applying foundation with and the Contour Brush has been great for applying very pigmented blushers because the shape of it gives you a lot of control. 

Leighton Denny Remove & Rectify Cuticle Remover

Does what it promises to do simply and effectively.  Reviewed here.

Nails Inc for In Style Blue Bell

Gorgeous summer pastel blue, NOTD.

China Glaze Dress Me Up

I've been wearing this dusky rose neutral shade a lot this month, the formula is just perfect.

NOTD.

Benefit The POREfessional Primer

Love this primer, it really does reduce the size of my pores and foundation just glides over the top of it.  So glad that I picked up a couple of the samples with Glamour magazine!

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shy Girl

My new favourite nude lippie, swatches here.

 Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia

Easy to wear, sheer red toned lip balm.  Gives a lovely wash of colour and is very moisturising.

Swatched here.

What are your beauty favourites this month?  Feel free to link below to your posts :)


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MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shy Girl

I randomly ended up at a MAC counter today (as you do!) and bought a Cremesheen Lipstick in Shy Girl.  I have been having a brief love affair with nude lips at the moment, and this was just perfect for the look I was after.  Buying nude lipsticks can be quite daunting because I've tried so many in the past which have just completely washed me out and made me look like a member of the undead.  Not a good look!  But Shy Girl seems to be just the right tone of nude for me and because it's quite neutral to start with, I can see it also suiting a range of skintones. 

The formula is a bit 'meh' though.  Although it's a cremesheen, it's definitely one of the more drying lipsticks that I have tried in the cremesheen family.  It's not terribly drying or anything like that, but it will cling to any dry parts on your lips, and I found that I had to use a lot of lip balm underneath to get an even and smooth application.  Despite this, I really do love this lipstick and I'm more than happy with the final look it gives.

What are your favourite nude lipsticks?

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May Favourites

I decided to just pick make-up items for my beauty favourites of May because these are all new additions to my make-up bag that I have been reaching for constantly.  All links go to my reviews and show swatches where applicable:-

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - I'm guessing that this is going to be in a lot of people's favourites and it really is a fab product.  I'm renaming it my 'glitter slayer' due to its magical powers that makes removing glitter polishes super easy!

MAC Sheertone Blush in Blushbaby - This has been virtually the ONLY blush I've been wearing all month.  Blushbaby is a pretty beige-pink that is great for neutral/less is more make-up people.  Simple and understated, it's ideal for everyday wear.

Burts Bees Lip Shimmers in Watermelon and Rhubarb - Perfect for hot summer days, these lip shimmers are blissfully cooling on the lips and are really easy to wear.  Nicely moisturising too as you'd expect from Burts Bees.

Blink & Go Long Lasting Mascara - My favourite go-to waterproof mascara that simply does not budge or smudge at all.  Another summer make-up staple for me, plus it lengthens lashes like a dream.

Shiseido Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara - New HG mascara discovery!  If you can find this in the UK anywhere, I highly recommend picking one up to try out, you won't be disappointed.

Terre d'Oc Gloss Sublime Lip Gloss in Peche Panji - Have been wearing this gloss on sunny days as it looks fantastic against sunkissed skin.  Very impressed that this is an all natural product too.

What have been your beauty favourites recently?

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MAC Sheertone Blush in Blushbaby

It's no secret that MAC do some of the best powder blushers around.  Which is why you might find it surprising that I only have two in my current collection (both of which are long discontinued LEs).  So when my incredibly lovely (and generous!) friend Jenna phoned me yesterday and asked if I'd like anything bringing back from the duty free, I immediately jumped at the chance to ask (nicely!) for a MAC blush.  When she asked which shade to get, I replied 'something nice and simple for everyday', knowing that our neutral loving tastes are quite similar, she'd always make an excellent judgment call.  And of course she came up trumps with Blushbaby.

Blushbaby is a beautiful beige-pink.  There are no other words to describe it really.  It is simple and understated, yet gives a gorgeous natural looking flush to the cheeks.  Because it is a sheertone blush, it goes on super sheer, so it can be applied lightly for a subtle daytime flush or built up for a stronger, more opaque finish (swatch below has been applied with a few layers to show this).   It also seems to be suit a variety of skintones, making it's appeal even wider.  Like the other MAC blushes I own, it's finely milled, feels silky soft and has excellent staying power (on my oily/combination skin it lasts all day no problem).  So there you have it.  MAC's Blushbaby, my new favourite blush!

Do you have Blushbaby in your collection? What are your favourite MAC blushes?

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What's in my make-up travel bag?

Keeping my travel make-up fairly simple(ish!) and packing all of the above:-

Brows: Korres Eyebrow Pencil in 1 Dark Shade
Eyes: Benefit Lemon Aid, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Urban Decay Naked Palette, Urban Decay Double Eyeliner with Zero and Whiskey, The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara.
Face: Witch Anti-Blemish Skin Clearing Primer, MyFace MyMix Foundation in Medium 02, The Body Shop Vitamin E Tinted Moisture Lotion, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealers in 2 Light and 3 Medium, Everyday Minerals Mint Colour Corrector, The Body Shop Lightening Touch Pen in 03, Benefit High Beam, Witch Pressed Powder.
Cheeks & contour: The Balm Fratboy Blush, MAC Eversun Beauty Powder Blush, Benefit Hoola bronzer
Lips: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 050 Berry Smoothie, Diego Dalla Palma Lipstick in 42, Barry M Lipgloss Wand in Toffee, Elf Conditioning Lip Balm with SPF 15 in Nice and Natural.





Onto brushes (all of which will obviously be cleaned beforehand! from L-R):-
Joliebox Concealer Brush, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Brush (that came with the Naked Palette), Models Own Eye Blending Brush, Avon Eyeshadow Brush, Elf Complexion Brush, Everyday Minerals Angled Contour Brush, Ecotools Blush Brush, Everyday Minerals Kabuki Brush, Elf Fan Brush, The Body Shop Eyelash Curlers.

Only last thing to pack beauty-wise other than the bigger stuff like straightners and hairdryer etc, are nail polishes, will probably take two or three with me I think.

Are there any amazing Japanese beauty brands I should be looking for?

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3 of my Favourite Limited Edition MAC products

Whenever MAC release a new collection, there is always a fantastic buzz and the subsequent flurry of blog posts and Twitter chat. I love seeing the new collections as much as the next person does, but for this post, I thought I'd take a step back and reflect on 3 of my favourite limited edition MAC products from collections past.

(1) MAC Mighty Aphrodite Blush Duo - When the Wonder Woman collection was released last year, I literally went mad for this blush. It's such a gorgeous peachy coral with a hint of shimmer on the big side, with a strong deep pink featuring in the teeny part. This colour can be applied lightly for a soft flush (which is usually how I wear it) or a little heavier for a night out, and I reach for it quite a lot. As you can see, it's also literally double the size of a standard MAC blush and the packaging is incredible! (2) MAC Eversun Blush - This came out in 2008 originally for the Beauty Powder Collection, but was later repackaged in a fancy gold design for the Style Warriors Collection. It's my favourite blush for wearing in the summer because it suits my tan and makes me look really healthy and glowing. (3) MAC Nail Lacquer in Formidable (NOTD) - One of my favourite shades in my whole nail polish collection was from MAC's Venomous Villains Collection. It looks so different in many lights and is incredibly pretty on.

What are your favourite pieces from past MAC collections?

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January Favourites

So glad that January is over and done with, I swear I thought it would never end! Here are my beauty favourites for January:- (1) Ecotools 6 Piece Brush Set - I have been using this every single day since I got them and they've washed perfectly with no problems, no shedding either. If you are looking for some new make-up brushes I seriously recommend these! (review). (2) Zoya nail polish in Petra (NOTD) and (3) Ciate nail polish in Wait Until Dark (NOTD) - I have been loving purple shades this month and these two have been worn the most. (4)Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Satin Taupe - I know some people have been slating these since receiving one in this month's Carmine box but I really like it. The main criticism seems to be about how sheer they are, but you can build up the colour by adding one or two extra layers. I like how this can be used for a subtle smoky eye that's suitable for daywear. To get this to work for you, it's essential to use a good primer otherwise it will crease, but I've had no problems using it with UDPP. (5)Mac Paint Pot in Rubenesque - Oh Rubenesque how I love you so! You can see my swatches of it here. I love these paint pots and definitely want to pick up more! And finally, (6) Barefoot Botanicals SOS Daily Rich Body Lotion - I was so pleased to win this in a giveaway and it's been my new go-to body moisturiser in this freezing cold weather (review) Smells good too!.

What have been your January beauty favourites?

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MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

I treated myself to this little beauty the other week and have been wearing it virtually every day. MAC Paint Pots are little round pots of cream eyeshadow and they are amazing! They don't crease at all, last all day, and have great pigmentation so I find them very easy to wear. Because they don't crease, you don't need a primer underneath or you can use Paint Pots as primer, and layer eyeshadows over them for a more intense look. Rubenesque is a gorgeous peachy gold shade that's subtle enough to wear in the day time if you like your shimmers, and are also perfect for evenings out when you want to look glam, but not OTT glam. Swatches above shows it in natural daylight (back of hand) and below on the lids with flash, which shows it best.



Do you like MAC Paint Pots? What shades do you have?

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Everyday Make-Up Routine

Whilst clearing out some old magazines, I came across an article which stated that the average woman uses, on average, over 20 different make-up products on a daily basis. Over 20 different products?! That seems like a huge amount, but is it really? I decided to look into this theory by compiling my own list of make-up products that I personally use for an 'everyday look'. Below are some of my regular favourites, as well as one or two new items which I'm testing out.



For everyday I tend to stick to a neutral look, so I start with applying a bit of
(1) Benefit's Lemon Aid over my eyelids with my fingers. I've used this product rather religiously over the last couple of years because it instantly makes me look more awake and one little pot lasts a long, long time. Next, I'll dab on a little of (2) Urban Decay's Primer Potion and whilst that dries, I'll fill in my brows with (3) Korres Eyebrow Pencil in 1/Dark Shade. Under my eyes, I'm currently using (4) The Body Shop's Lightening Touch concealer pen in shade 3, which is their version of YSL's Touche Eclat. It's a decent concealer which does the job, but if you apply too much or don't properly blend, then it has that annoying habit of settling into fine lines. I'll probably try out a different brand once this one has been used up.



On my eyes, I'll probably use two shades of eyeshadow; (5) an overall lid colour and then (6) a darker one for the crease. Urban Decay's Naked palette is still the best thing ever. I mainly use Virgin, Sin, Naked, Buck, Smog and Toasted for everyday looks.



I always wear some form of (7) eyeliner and was given Bourjois' Liner Feutre felt-tip eyeliner pen in 11/Noir recently by a friend. I haven't decided whether I love or loathe this yet. It's amazingly pigmented, a 'proper' black and doesn't smudge at all, UNTIL it gets wet and then it's one great big mess. Hmmm. I'll probably stick to my old faithful Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners. As with eyeliner, I always wear (8) mascara and am currently using up a small tube of Clinque's High Impact mascara, which used to be my favourite until I discovered bareMinerals. Next, I'll dab on a bit of this (9) Witch Concealer stick in 01/Natural onto any spots I might have. I think this concealer stick is discontinued now which is a shame because it's blended with Tea Tree Oil and gives excellent coverage.



I don't tend to wear foundation for everyday, so I've been trying out (10) The Body Shop's Vitamin E Tinted Moisturiser which gives a light coverage and lasts a decent amount of time too. It's a little too greasy feeling for my oily/combination skin on its own so I use (11) Benefit's Hoola Bronzing Powder all over to mattify (I've got olive coloured skin, so Hoola works well as a normal face powder for me). To cover up any red areas, usually around my nose, I apply a tiny bit of (12) Clinique's Redness Solutions, which is a thick green coloured cream which counteracts the red and equals it out. A fab product which also has SPF 15. I finish up by applying a (13) blusher, my current favourite is MAC's Wonder Woman powder blush in Mighty Aphrodite. And lastly, I put on a little slick of a neutral coloured (14) lipgloss such as ELF's Conditioning Lip Balm in Nice and Natural. All done!

So, I clocked up 14 products! Other products that I might use if I had extra time or just fancied it, would be:- a clear mascara if I felt my brows needed a little tidying, a translucent powder for setting everything if I didn't want to use Hoola, and an inner corner highlight for my eyes if I needed that extra illusion of looking more awake.

How many make-up products do you use on a daily basis?

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