Budget Beauty | Boots 17 Makeup | Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara, Glow Is Everything CC Cream & Second Skin Enhancing Concealer review

When it comes to budget-friendly makeup, you can't beat a trip to Boots to see what's on offer. These days, it's easier than ever to choose cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics that won't break the bank. As I've been feeling nostalgic this month, I thought I'd try out some of the bestsellers from the popular 17 makeup range.

If you grew up as a young girl in England, you're probably quite familiar with the Boots 17 brand. Like many teenagers, some of my very first makeup purchases were from this range (if I remember correctly, it was a bright pink lipstick and a lilac single eyeshadow with lots of glitter), so it's been an interesting experience to pick up a couple of products to try out and see how they feel as a mid-30's millennial. The brand has had a much-hyped revival after being discontinued in 2018 and there are plenty of new treats to discover with everything costing £5 or under!

I've played it safe and chosen some everyday makeup staples to see how they compare to what I generally use on a day-to-day basis, which may help those who are seeking some cheaper alternatives due to the cost of living crisis. 

17 Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara in Black (12ml, £4 or £3 with a Boots Advantage Card)

I'll have to admit that it's been a while since I've used a mascara that cost less than a fiver so I didn't have high expectations. 17 has a couple of different mascara formulas on offer and Extreme Extension sounded like the ideal one for me as I typically look for lots of length and definition. The packaging is very basic and quite chunky, but the rubberized flexible wand looked promising. 

First coat on and I really loved the results; it definitely adds noticeable length to my short lashes, defines them nicely, and has great pigmentation. The second coat, however, caused my lashes to stick and clump together so it didn't work for me as a buildable mascara. That said, for a one-coat, everyday mascara, it stays put for a good 8 hours and doesn't flake or smudge which is £4 well spent in my opinion!

17 Glow Is Everything CC Cream (30ml, £4)

Packaged in a cute squeezy tube, I'd seen the Glow Is Everything CC Cream raved about on various socials so this one was an obvious choice for me to try out. Having been pre-warned about the very limited shade range (this CC Cream is available in only four shades), I picked up the oddly named 003P which looked like a standard beige colour online and IRL this was a decent match for my light-medium skin tone. 

Upon squeezing a little of the product out, I noticed a slight chemical/plastic smell but it wasn't too off-putting so I grabbed a beauty blender sponge and cracked on. The light coverage looked surprisingly good with a subtle dewy/glowy finish and lasted well for 7-8 hours of wear. Again, this would be great for every day and those fresh 'no makeup makeup' looks. I did find that it oxidized later on in the day, turning a little orangey on my skin, but I felt that I could maybe get away with it when my complexion is a bit more tanned in the summer months. Not bad at all for the price point. 

17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer (£2)

The most talked about product was the 17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer which retails for the bargain price of just two pounds. Two quid! I couldn't believe my eyes! Into the basket it went, although straight off the bat, the shade range is again very limited with just ten colours on offer. 

001P looked like my best bet which is suitable for light-medium skin tones. The texture and consistency of this concealer is amazing. It blends so easily and definitely delivers a natural skin-like finish which feels velvety smooth! The coverage is also pretty decent; it won't fully conceal dark circles but with a corrector underneath, it achieves a lovely flawless effect that didn't crease into my fine lines and feels creamy and hydrating. I'd say this worked better for my under eyes than a blemish concealer. Like the CC Cream, it does oxidize a little throughout the day so I'd recommend picking a lighter shade. This is currently my best budget buy of the year so far!

Swatches: 17 Glow Is Everything CC Cream in 003P (top) and 17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer in 001P (bottom)

17 Makeup Summary

Pros:

- Amazing value for money, everything is under £5

- Cruelty-free

- Everything is vegan-friendly

- Great for everyday wear

- Easy products to apply & blend

Cons:

- Very, very limited shade range

- CC and Concealer do oxidise

- Packaging does feel cheap & basic

- Products have a slight chemical/plastic scent

Have you revisited 17 Makeup as an adult?

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Payday Treats | New Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Sorcery & Decade | Review & Swatches

Need a payday treat? The new shades of Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss from Lisa Eldridge have me swooning and falling back in love with juicy, shiny lips after what seems like a lifetime of matte lipsticks!

I don't think there's a beauty blogger on the planet who doesn't love Lisa Eldridge so it was a bit of a no-brainer to see how hugely successful her own cosmetics brand has become since its launch four years ago. The legendary makeup artist and creative director extraordinaire, Lisa Eldridge is someone who I have fangirled over for a long time and I just love her makeup tutorials on YouTube. 

I've dipped my toe in the range before and tried a few things such as the iconic True Velvet Lipsticks and the sell-out Cinnabar Eyeshadow Palette, but oddly enough, it's been the launch of a couple of new shades of her Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss that have got me flustered lately.

As soon as I saw them on Lisa's Instagram, I added two to my shopping basket immediately because the shades looked so beautiful, and boy, are they even more gorgeous in real life! These substantially chunky lip glosses come packaged with their trademark gold caps and embellished with Lisa Eldridge's brand signature. 

The whole makeup line is 100% cruelty-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free, and suitable for sensitive skin. Whilst it's not a green/clean beauty range, there are some key natural ingredients included in the formulas, and the vast majority of products are suitable for vegans (just check the ingredients online first if this applies to you).

What attracts me the most to Lisa Eldridge's cosmetics is the performance and quality of the products which are truly top tier as you would expect from a world-renowned makeup artist. It's clear that a lot of time has gone into the development of everything that Lisa launches and you know she wouldn't produce anything that she wouldn't use herself or on her celebrity clientele of famous faces.

With this in mind, let's get back to the glosses. I picked up two of the new shades of Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Sorcery and Decade. This range is a gloss and lip care hybrid thanks to the inclusion of Wild Mango Kernel Butter, Acai Berry Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Vitamin C.

Gliding on super smoothly, these non-sticky lip glosses feel like silk on the lips and each shade offers a different level of pigment. 

Sorcery, pictured above, is a cool-toned earthy rose with a touch of mauve. This is the one to opt for if you love that 90s Indie girl vibe (think Drew Barrymore) and it has a light natural level of pigment so you get a lovely wash of colour along with lots of beautiful shine. I find this shade leans a little pinky on me and gives me that 'my lips but better' finish which I absolutely love for everyday wear.

Decade is another cool-toned gloss that has an insanely rich chocolatey syrup thing going on that's a stunning mix of brown and berry tones. As you can see, this shade offers a medium level of pigment and can be built up with a few layers if you want to have a more statement lip.

I'm so impressed by the quality and performance yet again of these lip glosses; they are by far the best I've ever tried and are such a pleasure to wear as they're so moisturising and non-sticky with no sickly sweet or perfumed fragrance. In my view, they are worth every penny!

Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Decade & Sorcery (4.5ml, £18 each) are available from lisaeldridge.com

Have you tried anything from Lisa Eldridge yet?

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Introducing: Soul Tree Ayurvedic Natural Makeup & Toiletries

Soul Tree is a natural brand that's been on my radar for quite some time as its products are inspired by ethical and ayurvedic formulas. Soul Tree is also big on using organic ingredients and is in fact, the very first Indian natural brand to carry European certifications for its ingredients.

I don't see many Indian brands that have caused such a buzz on the green beauty scene as Soul Tree have. From their super slick packaging to their wide range of products that are handmade using age-old traditional Ayurvedic methods, Soul Tree is definitely one that you can really enjoy exploring.

I've been testing out several of their products recently and wanted to introduce you to some of my new favourites.

Dry skin? Try Soul Tree Hand & Foot Cream (100g, £14.03)

Rescue dry skin with Soul Tree's wonderful multi-purpose Hand & Foot Cream. Featuring active botanicals, this intensive care cream formula is packed with natural anti-oxidants and rich moisturising ingredients such as Kokum Butter and an organic triple blend of oils from Sesame, Coconut, and Apricot. I love the addition of Honey, Aloe, and Turmeric to help soften and smooth dry skin.

Pamper yourself with Soul Tree Indian Rose & Cooling Vetiver Shower Gel (250ml, £11.29)

Enjoy a luxury shower experience at home thanks to Soul Tree's Indian Rose & Cooling Vetiver Shower Gel. Not only does this look beautiful in your bathroom, but it has a delicate rose scent that I feel most people will love, even if rose isn't typically your favourite scent as this one is quite unusual. The SLS and soap-free formula is brilliant for sensitive skin that needs a gentle touch.

Sensitive eyes? Try Soul Tree Ayurvedic Mascara (6g, £16.99) and Pure Black Kajal (3g, £14.20)

Soul Tree has a great range of natural makeup that looks chic in your makeup bag and performs effortlessly well. Their Ayurvedic Mascara delivers a natural-looking, lightweight, and clump-free result on the lashes, with a nasties-free formula that also helps to strengthen and nourish them. It's absolutely perfect for everyday wear! 

For some added drama in the evenings, pair it with the Pure Black Kajal; a true Indian kajal eyeliner that is made to a 3000-year-old Ayurvedic traditional recipe. The liner is richly pigmented and glides on so smoothly, with added moisturising properties for dry and sensitive eyes.

Treat yourself to Soul Tree Hibiscus & Honey Lip Balm (3.5g, £9.33) and Lipstick in Wild Honey (4g, £15.59)

My last two favourites come from Soul Tree's range of lipsticks and lip balms, both of which I highly recommend checking out. The Hibiscus & Honey Lip Balm is one of the best natural lip balms that I've ever tried. It's like smooth butter on the lips and completely eradicates any dryness. I also find that I'm not constantly reapplying it as a soft layer stays on the lips for longer.

I love the Lipstick in Wild Honey which has a similar list of ingredients to the lip balm, yet has a beautiful modern matte finish. The pigmentation truly blew me away as well! Most natural lippies struggle with this, but Soul Tree has really nailed it to perform just like a regular mainstream lipstick, but without the nasties. 

Swatches: Soul Tree Lipstick in Wild Honey, Soul Tree Kajal in Pure Black

Wearing Soul Tree Lipstick in Wild Honey, Soul Tree Kajal in Pure Black and Soul Tree Ayurvedic Mascara in Pure Black

Shop the full range of Soul Tree products at lovelula.com

Have you tried anything from Soul Tree?

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3 Products To Try From Madara - Fake It Natural Self Tan Milk, Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter & Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss - Review & Swatches

 

Madara is one of those amazing green beauty brands which has a massive range of products, from organic skincare to makeup and everything in between! I wanted to focus on three of their hidden gems which I don't see many bloggers talking about; the Fake It Natural Self Tan Milk, Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter and Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss.

Madara Fake It Self Tan Milk* (150ml, £27, link)

After an unseasonably warm weekend with lots of sunshine, Spring most definitely feels like it is on its way, so I've been switching up some of my regular body lotions with gradual self-tanning formulas. These products are a super-easy way to add some much-needed colour and glow to my skin after such a long winter, and they're brilliant for people who find traditional self-tanning products a bit daunting, or perhaps only want a hint of sunkissed colour because it's virtually impossible to go wrong with them.

Madara's Fake It Self Tan Milk gives a beautiful non-streaky, healthy-looking glow to the skin and is recommended for light to medium skin tones which is perfect for me. It looks and feels like a normal body lotion and has a lovely hydrating formula thanks to added Hyaluronic Acid and Jojoba Oil that makes this ideal to use if you have dry skin. 

As with all gradual self-tanners, you'll see the best results by applying a generous amount with a tanning mitt to freshly exfoliated skin so I always do this after a shower. Massage in well, enjoy the fresh scent and by the morning, you'll see a subtle, natural-looking tan with no orangey undertones.

Madara Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter in Naked Chromosphere* (13.5ml, £25, link)

If you've only used skincare from Madara, you're really missing out because their range of organic makeup most definitely deserves a spot on your vanity table. Perhaps one of the most underrated of all of their products is the incredible Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter which is available in three different shades. 

This gorgeous liquid highlighter is vegan-friendly and certified natural and organic by ECOCERT. Not only is the packaging very sleek with a long dropper applicator, but the formula of this highlighter is like pure liquid gold as it's crafted from a blend of ultra-fine minerals and a silky Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe based serum.

Best of all, it's so easy to work with as you can customise it to exactly what you want thanks to its buildable nature. For a subtle glow, add a drop directly to your moisturiser or foundation, or for a more 'hey, look at me!' megawatt finish, use a beauty sponge or your fingers to dab it directly onto the tops of the cheekbones for a stronger highlight. The golden shade you can see above is called Naked Chromosphere and I will be literally covering myself in it come Summer!

Madara Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss in Scandal 76* (4ml, £19, link)

I couldn't resist trying out one of Madara's Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Glosses, and again, I feel this is such a hidden little gem in their organic makeup range. More natural based lip glosses can struggle against their mainstream counterparts, but Madara has managed to tick all the boxes with theirs and this product is very similar to lip glosses that I own from Ilia. 

Like the liquid highlighter above, this Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss does what it says on the label. It delivers a high-shine, ultra-glossy finish which doesn't feel sticky/tacky and it's wonderfully hydrating, so another good choice for those who have dry lips. It's worth remembering that this is obviously a lip gloss and not a liquid lipstick so you'll only get a wash of pigment here (as shown above), but when layered over a lipstick, it really does add a desirable vinyl-like slick of extra colour so it's very versatile. 

Available in a wide range of vegan-friendly shades, I love the vampy blackened purple hue of Scandal 76 for those times when you want to dare to be different and come out of your comfort zone.

Do you have any favourites from Madara?

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Organic Makeup: SARYA Couture Makeup Lip Lacquers & Lip Elixir Oil - Review & Swatches

Having been a fan of SARYA's gorgeous organic couture lipsticks since last year (check out my review here), I was delighted to have the opportunity to try out some of their luxury Organic Lip Lacquers, and these beauties are just perfect for Summer!

If you haven't heard of SARYA before, that might be because they are a relatively young brand who only launched back in 2018. Made in Italy, all of SARYA's cosmetics are proudly certified Organic by Cosmetici Biologici and Cruelty-Free by PETA. Everything is also free from parabens, petrochemicals, preservatives and synthetic fragrances.

This exciting luxury makeup brand boasts some incredible products which have super covetable packaging and fantastic formulas - they really have managed to marry the very best components of a high-end cosmetic company with brilliant green credentials and ethics - well done SARYA!

At the moment, the brand has a small, but beautiful range of Lipsticks, Eyeshadows, Makeup Brushes and Lip Lacquers available and it's the Organic Lip Lacquers that I want to share with you all today.

SARYA's Organic Lip Lacquers* are packaged in stunning frosted tubes with a doe-foot sponge applicator and they have a satisfying weight to them which is always a good hallmark of a luxury brand in my opinion. I was kindly sent a press kit of four different shades to play with, and although at first glance they all looked quite similar, I was presently surprised by the individual differences which quickly become apparent once applied. 

The formulas of these are fantastic and they're made from 100% certified organic ingredients that include moisturising superstars such as Shea Butter, Candelilla Wax, Jojoba Oil and Macadamia Seed Oil. 

These Organic Lip Lacquers are true liquid lipsticks in the respect that they are highly-pigmented and provide an excellent full coverage of colour with just one easy swipe. They do have a slightly plumping effect thanks to some of the vitamins in the formula, and I absolutely love the overall shine! As an extra bonus, I found each one very comfortable to wear with no stickiness. 

A fantastic organic beauty find - the only problem is choosing which one is my favourite!

SARYA Organic Lip Lacquer in Crush

Beginning with the palest out of the four that I was sent, Crush is a creamy pale-pink nude which is always a winner when paired with a smokey eye for a sexy evening party/ date night look.

SARYA Organic Lip Lacquer in Muse

Muse is one of that classic, super easy to wear, everyday pink that is typically flattering on a range of skin tones. I know I'm getting to get a lot of use out of this one!

SARYA Organic Lip Lacquer in Sugar

If you only buy one new lip product this Summer, make it Sugar. It's the perfect balance of peachy pink which makes it irresistible - again, this is another easy and very flattering shade to wear.

SARYA Organic Lip Elixir Oil in Pearl

Finally, we have Pearl which isn't a lacquer, it's a Lip Elixir Oil instead. This luxury lip treatment oil is infused with nourishing natural ingredients such as Almond Oil, Sunflower Oil, Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil, to provide a generous swipe of instant hydration. The finish is a fuller, glossier pout with a hint of pearlescent shimmer - it's very pretty! Can be used alone or over your favourite lippie.

SARYA Organic Lip Lacquers* (3ml, £18 each) and Organic Lip Elixir Oil* (3ml, £20) are available from LoveLula.com with free worldwide shipping

Do you prefer to buy organic makeup?

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Autumn Beauty Buys - Under £13 - #HelloOctober

Need a little beauty pick-me-up? These are some of my recommended Autumn Beauty Buys to treat your nails and hair to this season - all under £13!

Treats For Nails: Leighton Denny Slick Tips Hydrating Cuticle Oil* (12ml, £12, link) & Leighton Denny Nail Polish in Inkjet* (12ml, £12, link)

Autumn is a good time to starting taking more care of your nails, as the colder weather can cause them to become drier and more brittle than usual which can lead to weakness and breakages (central heating also has a drying effect on nails and skin). Massaging in a drop or two of cuticle oil can help though and Leighton Denny's Slick Tips Hydrating Cuticle Oil is a lovely formula to try that's enriched with Jojoba Oil and Vitamins A, B and E to instantly moisturise, smooth and soften for stronger nails overall.

I've also been embracing the return of darker colours for nails and in particular, have fallen head over heels in love with another favourite from Leighton Denny. Their Nail Polish in Inkjet is the most stunning rich navy blue with a metallic silk-like finish - I always get compliments when I wear it!

Leighton Denny Nail Polish in Inkjet

Treats For Hair: Design. ME Puff. ME Light Hair Volumising Powder* (9.1g, £9.95, link)

It may have a long name, but Design. ME's Puff. ME Light Hair Volumising Powder is a must-try for anyone who has fine or difficult to style hair like mine. Free from sulphates, parabens and salt, this vegan-friendly magical volumiser helps to add texture and body to even baby-fine hair thanks to its super lightweight consistency - I was quite surprised by how you can't really tell or feel that you've used any product in your hair. Add it directly to the roots and style as normal - super easy!

A Cruelty-Free & Vegan-Friendly Alternative To Silk Pillowcases: Morning Glamour Satin Pillowcase* (£12.99 for one, link)

Silk pillowcases have long been a traditional beauty secret of many A-list actresses and celebrities, as well as countless skincare and beauty gurus singing their praises over the years, but what if you want a cruelty-free and vegan-friendly alternative? Look no further, Morning Glamour's range of Satin Pillowcases has got your back! 

Available in several different colours to fit your bedroom colour scheme, these pillowcases are just as luxurious feeling as their silk counterparts and help to prevent hair breakages and night time skin wrinkles as it provides a smooth surface to sleep on. They're also great for damaged or frizzy hair types and are non-absorbent so your skin and hair retains moisture better throughout the night - genius!

What's on your Autumn beauty wishlist?

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Green Beauty: Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Collection 2019 - Review & Swatches

Not ready to say goodbye to Summer just yet? Me either! To keep those sunny vibes flowing for longer, just add these beauties from Lavera's Limited Edition Natural Pastels Collection to your makeup bag ASAP.

Lavera is one of the most well-known organic and natural beauty brands in the business and I always get excited when I see a new collection drop from them. Their latest, Natural Pastels, is inspired by the floral shades and colours of Summer, but it's definitely a collection that you can wear all year round thanks to its flattering neutral tones. 

Everything in the collection is just like Lavera's existing products as they are all cruelty-free, certified organic and natural by NaTrue, and are free from parabens, artificial colourings and preservatives.

When I opened up the package from them, I was pleased to see that all of the products are housed in eco-friendly, durable cardboard packaging which fits in perfectly with Lavera's ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability. Once you've used up the products, all of the packaging is recyclable and the mirrors in the palettes can be taken out and re-used. Another thing that I love about these palettes is that there are no unnecessary brushes/applicators, as I always prefer to use my own brushes anyway, and find that most people throw away the ones that are included.

To complement the collection's theme, the pastel pink packaging is adorned around the edges with an intricate silver floral motif, which I think is really pretty!

Lavera's new Limited Edition Natural Pastels Collection features two Mineral Eyeshadow Palettes, two Mineral Blush Palettes and three Lipsticks, of which I have a selection below to show you.

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Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Mineral Eyeshadow Palette in Blooming Nude* (£24.95, link)

Starting with the Mineral Eyeshadows, this beautiful Blooming Nude palette features six large pans and a mirror. There's a matte pale cream, a gorgeous warm rose, a matte chocolate brown, a shimmering copper brown, a shimmering brown with cool undertones and a deep graphite purple/taupe shade. All of the shades are easy to blend and work with and have a silky consistency that has surprisingly little fallout. As you can see in the swatches below, these eyeshadows have a gorgeous sheen to them which is much more pronounced on the second row of colours, so it's a really versatile palette that you can use for both day and night. 

They aren't as crazy pigmented as some mainstream eyeshadows are, but as far as natural/organic alternatives go, they are brilliant! I'm a huge fan of bronzey and taupey neutrals like these, and you can even wear the first shade as a highlighter and the second shade as a blusher - super easy to travel with!

Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Mineral Eyeshadow Palette in Blooming Nude

Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Mineral Blush Palette in Coral Bloom* (£24.95, link)

This Mineral Blush palette is a fantastic selection for makeup beginners, those who travel a lot or anyone who is simply craving some gorgeous blushers! This trio is called Coral Bloom and these shades are so flattering for a wide range of skin tones - there's a shimmering pearlescent highlighter, a stunning peach blush and a rosy pink blush.

As you may expect, the pans are bigger than the eyeshadows above, and there's a handy mirror included. The quality is the same as the eyeshadows and they are easy to build up when you apply them - from sheer to a bolder flush depending on what look you're going for. I am so smitten with this palette and have been getting a lot of use out of it since it arrived!

Lavera Limited Edition Natural Lipstick in Rosy Pastel* (4.5g, £13.90, link)

The last product that I have from the collection is one of the three new Lipsticks. Formulated with a range of natural pigments and moisturising plant-based ingredients such as Organic Blossom Butter, Coconut Oil, Candelilla Wax, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter, Argan Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil, they glide on easily and feel very hydrating on the lips. 

This ultra-buttery texture does make them prone to melting if left in a warm place though (the top of mine melted a bit when I left it in the car), so keep it somewhere nice and cool to get the most out of it. The shade I have is called Rosy Pastel - a pretty neutral-toned nude pink with a glossy finish that's perfect for everyday wear. 

Swatches: Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Mineral Blush Palette in Coral Bloom & Natural Lipstick in Rosy Pastel

Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Collection is available from selected health stores nationwide and online from laverauk.co.uk

Have you tried any makeup from Lavera?

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New In Beauty: Tropic Beauty Boost Sheer Foundation, Mineral Foundation, Kiss Me Quick Lipsticks & Lip Glazes - Review & Swatches

Tropic are killing it with the new beauty releases this year, and their latest makeup products for base and lips have been in daily rotation on my vanity since they arrived! Let's take a closer look at what's new.

Hot on the heels of their customisable Colour Palette (read my review of that here), Tropic has brought out a whole new range of base and lip products for you to fall in love with. From lighter foundation options for the Summer to delectable nourishing lipsticks and lip glazes, there's something for every makeup junkie to get excited about! And as always, everything from Tropic is certified cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

Here's what I've been loving lately:-

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation* (30ml, £22, link)

If you hate the feeling of thick liquid foundations on your skin, this Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation is a brilliant alternative that you'll instantly love the moment that you try it. Not to be confused with a tinted moisturiser, Beauty Booster offers a light-medium level of coverage in a weightless-feeling liquid base. The pigment here is combined with a serum formula that contains SPF35 and it gives the skin a gorgeous dewy finish that looks particularly fresh, brightening and youthful so it's great for perking up dull or tired complexions.

I've been applying it with a damp beauty blender sponge and I love how easy it is to achieve a really natural, healthy-looking finish - very much like 'my skin, but better'! Available in six shades, I have Warm Beige which is perfectly suited to my light olive skin tone.

From L-R: Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation in Warm Beige and Tropic Mineral Foundation in Warm Beige

Tropic Mineral Foundation* (6g, £24, link)

For those who prefer mineral powder foundations, Tropic's bestselling Mineral Foundation has been re-packaged for their new collection. Like the Beauty Booster above, it comes in six shades and Warm Beige was another perfect match for me, without any hint of orange. Instead, it gives me a lovely natural finish on the skin which I'd say is the equivalent of light-medium coverage - a quick sweep over the face will blur any small imperfections, whilst another buildable layer delivers a more even coverage. SPF25 is included in the silky-soft formula and I really like how well this wears throughout the day, without any dry patches forming around my nose or mouth like some other mineral foundations have a habit of doing. Another bonus is that refills are available to cut down on plastic waste.

A word on the packaging though - whilst I like the compact pot with its inbuilt mesh to stop the powder going everywhere, it is a little tricky to get it out onto your brush. You have to push down in the centre to bring the powder up and be quite firm with pressing it into your brush, so a small kabuki is your best tool to apply it.

Tropic Eco Artist Kabuki Brush* (£22, link)

Need a new kabuki brush in your life? I have been seriously impressed with all of Tropic's Eco Artist Brushes so far that I've tried out, and their Kabuki Brush is no exception. This brush is short and compact so that it fits in perfectly with the Mineral Foundation pot above and the smaller size makes it ideal for travelling with as it doesn't take up much room in my makeup bag. A fluffy and dense head of vegan-friendly synthetic fibres allows you to bluff and blend foundation into the skin effortlessly, whilst the sturdy wood base fits nicely into your hand.

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipsticks in Go Go Goji, Plum Pout and Fresh Fig* (5g, £20 each, link)

There is something rather alluring and addictive about opening up a fresh new lipstick and these Kiss Me Quick Lipsticks have had me well and truly smitten since they arrived. The white and gold packaging is not only stylish, but they have been specially made to accommodate Tropic's new refillable lipstick cartridges which makes it easy to switch up different colours and to replace your favourite shade when it runs out.

Formulated with a seriously hydrating blend of plant based ingredients such as Candelilla Wax, Olive Squalene, Babassu Oil, Shea Butter, Mango Seed Oil and Jojoba Oil to name but a few, these lipsticks are ultra-nourishing and plumping with a glossy finish. Due to this, they aren't as long-lasting as I'd hoped for, but with a lipstick this beautiful, I don't mind whipping it out of my bag to show it off as I reapply!

There are currently eight shades available and I have the following three to tempt you with:-

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipstick in Go Go Goji

An easy way to wear a subtly brighter shade in the Summer months and perfect for holidays, Go Go Goji is a lush pop of coral pink that's incredibly flattering on a range of different skin tones.

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipstick in Plum Pout

Aptly named, Plum Pout is a juicy plum-pink that looks equally amazing on pale, tanned and darker skin tones. I love wearing this one for dinner evenings and nights out.

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipstick in Fresh Fig

Oh, Fresh Fig! My new favourite everyday lippie, this is the perfect 'my lips but better shade' as it's just a touch darker than my natural lip colour. I think this is going to live permanently in my handbag from now on!

Tropic Lip Glazes in Sugar Plum and Candy Pop* (5ml, £14 each, link)

For an even glossier pout, Tropic's Lip Glazes will be calling your name this Summer and they smell good enough to eat with a sweet and fruity scent. Available in three shades, these Lip Glazes are super moisturising with a beautiful shine finish and have much more pigment to them than I was expecting. There's no stickiness and they glide on easily. Use them on their own or apply over lipstick for some megawatt shine!

Tropic Lip Glaze in Candy Pop

Candy Pop is like a classic bubblegum pink and candy floss pink, all swirled together! As you can see, this is a really juicy and glossy wash of pink.

Tropic Lip Glaze in Sugar Plum

Although it looks darker in the tube, Sugar Plum translates to a much sheerer colour when applied to the lips and has a subtle shimmer that I love. A great shade to wear all year round.

Shop the full range of Tropic makeup at tropicskincare.com

What do you think of the new collection? Anything that's caught your eye?

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