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Charlotte Tilbury's Luxury Palettes

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Charlotte Tilbury has produced some of the most beautiful makeup cosmetics, from the packaging to the wonderfully pigmented products, I never seem to find a flaw with any item I buy from her brand. 
The only downside is the price; However I am one who believes in quality, I am happy to buy if I know the product will live up to its price tag. 

Charlotte's palettes have to be one of my most favourite items within her ever growing collection of beauty goodies. The first palette I purchased was The Golden Goddess, I am a golden girl through and through, I find these shades compliment the colour of my eyes and they are so easy to work with,  day or night they can be left subtle or built up to reveal that desired golden goddess look.



What I really love about these palettes is there are 4 purposes for each shadow, and on the back of the compact it advises how each shade should be used 1. prime, 2. enhance, 3. pop and 4. smoke, so there  is a step by step which is perfect if you aren't entirely used to building up, or working with different looks with eyeshadow palettes, you just do the step by step and you literally can't go wrong!
This palette is has got a lot of use out of me! I wear it so much because these shades are so easy to work with and the bronzed golden affect these shadows give off is truly amazing. On Charlotte's website she also does tutorials on how to work with each shadow which again is another pro point, as most brands don't give you that. 

From right to left, prime, enhance, pop, smoke

The prime in this palette has the most gorgeous buttery champagne colour to it, (which I from time to time also use a highlight). I mix this shade with more of my other palettes as it is so versatile.
The enhance shade is shimmered so really gives off a brightening glow to the lid, then pop is a subtle nudey brown with tiny additions of glitter, which is perfect to build up the look on a night out if you want to go more obvious. Then finally smoke which is a darker bronze so blendable which completes the whole golden look, summertime this is a dream on the eyes!


Next up we have The Vintage Vamp.

This palette has more reddy pinky shades in it, this palette is perfect for a night out, but I find myself using it in the daytime too. Same as the other palettes there are 4 steps within this, these shades are so incredibly pigmented that a little goes a long way, which is good as when you are paying the higher price, the last thing you want is for a product to run out fast!

From right to left, prime, enhance, pop and shade,

These colours are certainly more 'daring'. I was never really a reddy brown girl, but after playing around with Mac's Cranberry I swiftly changed my mind, and when my I was browsing Selfridges last year I swatched this palette and knew it had to be mine!
The prime is a creamy pearlised pink which again like the golden goddess can be a counter part to the majority of my eyeshadows and highlighters. The enhancing shade is more of a reddy brick brown colour, which has the most subtle shimmer it is no way overpowering which I like, as the prime and pop shades definitely give off enough light and shimmer for the entirety of the look. Pop is beautiful, a deep golden glittery hue, I tend to use this in the corners of the eyes as it really pops the look (as the name would suggest!) Another bonus point for these palettes is the glitter within the pop shades is by no means chunky, it doesn't take over the rest of the look, they are only small fragments which blend in just as you would want them too. And finally smoke, a deep reddy burgundy which really gives the perfect final touch, I tend to use this in the crease as it gives off a nice contrast the whole look. 


I will be definitely adding more CT Palettes to my collection in the future, how about you? Do you own any or are lusting after any particular ones within her collection?

Emily xoxo
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Herbie - My wonderful mini Dachshund

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Hi Guys!

So I wanted to mix it up a bit, and talk to you about my most favourite bundle of joy ever!
Herbie  (huge heart emoticon!) 

He was the newest edition to our clan of doggies, incase you didn't already know I am a HUGE dog lover! To the point where I will go up to random strangers and ask if I can stroke their dogs, (I am one of those annoying people!) But seriously I just can't help myself.
We had a total of 4 dogs (crazy dog people) when we got Herbie, he was our second dachshund. And lets just say it was love at first sight!
We drove all the way to Dover to pick him up, considering we live 3 hours away from there, just proves just how much we wanted him!

There was two in Herbie's litter him and his brother, and it broke my heart that we couldn't take his brother home, his brother was black and grey, whereas Herbie had these stunning blue dreamy eyes and a light grey coat with grey patches. His type of breed is commonly known as a dapple dachshund. 
And as soon as I held him we just knew it was meant to be! If i'm honest I don't think I could have left there without him, I am a major weakling when it comes to dogs hence our little clan. 


I don't think it's just me, but does anyone else feel like dogs are the most loving creatures ever, they never judge you, are so loyal and are there to give so much love, I don't understand how there are any people in this world who could ever be cruel to dogs!

It didn't take him long to settle in, our other dachshund Puk soon became matey with Herbs, and they now sleep together which is just the most adorable thing ever!
Herbie has the most gentle kind nature about him, he is now 7 months old and he is just still as cute and gentle as he was from day 1. He LOVES cuddles and I mean loves, he would rather be snuggled on humans than anywhere else, and his best friend is his fluffy duck which he constantly squeaks and when I say constant it really is, we had to buy another one recently as he destroyed his other one through so many continuous squeaks!
He sleeps in a tiny ball in your arms and he is just well and truly scummy. 
If you follow me on Instagram  you will see regular pictures of him just being all long and cute!


You get a lot of crazy cat ladies - I am definitely a crazy dog lady!
I might be bias but he is literally perfect, and you will probably see random updates of the life of my little Herbie!


Are there any other crazy dog lovers?! 

Emily xoxo
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Mac Coral Bliss & Beauty Powder

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Is it just me, or do when you hear the words beauty powder you think of a Disney princess?! Probably just me! But when I saw Mac's Hot Sensation, It made me really want it! 


This powder is very sheer and ever so silky, it works in more ways than one, it is ever so slightly pearlised and has a pinky/peach tinge to it acting as a product that can be used in multiple ways. You can lightly dust it over your face adding light to the areas it needs it most, giving you a more awake look, or simply a sweep across the cheekbones producing a subtle soft highlight affect. Or it can be built up to act as more of a blush, allowing the peach pink tones to shine through more. I can see myself using this a lot on days when I don't need heavy coverage and just fancy a light dusting of powder across the face, I think it would be ideal for days like that. 


 


Mac's Coral Bliss has always caught my eye, it screams summertime to me. This has a cremesheen finish which has always been one of my favourite finishes within the Mac lipstick collection, I like how moisturising the finish feels on the lips it is not drying at all and gives a lovely gloss to the look.
This lipstick has the prettiest coral tone to it, not as bright as sweet and sour but a soft pearly natural coral pink affect. Easily worn not just through spring and summer but the cooler months too, this shade is definitely not as bright as it looks on the bullet, but this natural colour will be versatile for so many different make up looks. It could easily be one of my most go to lippies!


Have you got any cremesheen favourites, or tried any of Mac's beauty powder? 

Emily xoxo
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Sleek Palettes

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What I love most about drugstore shopping, is you can sometimes find some absolute gems at such affordable prices. 

Sleek Palettes are definitely one of these gems.
I own two of the highlight/contour palettes, and they are two palettes within my ever growing collection of make up I use on a regular basis, and the best bit they are £10 and under!

Sleeks Contouring and Blush Palette


This palette is an essential for me, more for the blusher than anything. There are three sections, contour, highlight and blush. These palettes are incredibly pigmented and really do last all day. The contour shade is a matte brown which I think produces a high definition contour line it's very similar to a lot of NARS bronzers I own, but well over half the price. 
The highlight is subtle yet noticeable, it catches perfectly on the light and is just enough to give you that sculpted glowy look. 
Then finally you have the blush, I love this blush,  it has the most beautiful raspberry, peachy pinkness to it with undertones of gold, when blended it achieves a such a gorgeous pinky gold flush to the cheeks. This blush is so pigmented you do not need a lot to achieve the look you want. Another thing I really like about the sleek palettes is you can blend to your hearts content and the final look will always seem like you've used a way more expensive, blush/contour than this actually costs. And they set perfectly into any complexion/skin tone.
I have the shade Light as I found these are still fairly dark shades but not too dark.
You can purchase the above palette here.

Next is the Sleek Highlighting Palette


Sleek Highlight Palette - Precious Metals. 



This has one powder highlighter and the other three, are cream highlighters which all have a metallic base. 
These highlights are definitely more obvious. They are all gold based, and the packaging has suggestions how these should be used. Platinum is suggested to be used across the brown bone, this has a pearly pink sheen to it which gives a radiant pearlised affect to under the brow bone, giving more definition to your eyeshadow colour, which I think sets the whole highlight affect, as the cheekbone is one of the main areas to really enforce another dimension to the face. Secondly Antique bronze is suggested to be used to highlight your cheek bones, producing a warm bronzed glow. Thirdly taking Royal Gold to highlight down the bridge of the nose (which I use as a counterpart to the above  contour shade from my contouring palette as it compliments it beautifully). And lastly take Renaissance to your cupids bow, which voila completes your highlighted look, attracting light and bringing out the features you want made most obvious. 
You can buy that here.

Which above palette do you like the look of most?


Emily xoxo



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Saturday Splurge

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Hi Guys

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend, fortunately I have had a sunny Sunday which is getting me excited for Spring!

Now yesterday my boyfriend and I took a little trip to Cambridge, as I had a few bits on my Mac wish list I wanted to purchase (lucky him). Admittedly I have an extremely tolerant boyfriend, who will follow me round the shops without moaning (although I do try to limit how much I make him come makeup shopping with me, as I am aware it is definitely not a guy thing, but  it's ok I made it up to him by buying him lunch)!  Plus is it just me or do your boyfriends hold your bags he is always very insistent of this which definitely gives him lots of brownie points and makes him an even better boyfriend than he already is, I am very lucky!


Now on to the juicy bit the makeup!

So I may have accidentally fallen in to John Lewis and up the Chanel counter. Chanel has a hold on me, I just cannot help but lust over those beautiful C's! 

I have been, (ever since it was released) crushing on the Chanel's limited edition spring blusher...

Chanel's Camelia Rose Blush... sorry but how dreamy is this blusher! I never want to use it!
It has the softest texture to it, not to mention the beautiful rose pattern embellished onto the product, this pink is perfect for Spring, giving you the perfect healthy flush to your cheeks. 
This is still available in store and online so pick it up before it goes out of stock! 

I was in need of a new eyeliner, and with me I am happy to spend a bit more as they last a long time, and I like eye pencils which don't rub off half way through the day. This one was recommended by my boyfriends lovely sister (thanks Laura)! This always gives beautiful definition to her eyes so I just had to buy it.


Chanel Crayon Khol Pencil  in the shade Noir.
Another plus to this eyeliner, is that it comes with it's own eye pencil sharpener (now who doesn't want a Chanel pencil sharpener)!

Finally my last purchase on the Chanel counter was a nail varnish, there's a few i've had my eyes on, but this has been a high contender for a long time, and seeing as soon it's going to be in the height of brights and pastels I thought this was a must. 


Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in the shade Tutti Frutti, I have struggled to find this online so when I saw it on the counter I snapped it up.
How beautiful is this pinky coral shade?     

Lastly the lady gave me a free tester of Chanel's new range of lip colours soon to be launching, and this has to be one of the cutest testers I have ever owned!

Rouge Coco - Ultra hydrating lip colour (I will also be reviewing these soon with swatches)


I then stopped off at Mac first for about half an hour (oops) there's just so much to look and gawp at I wanted to take my time.

Firstly I picked up a pigment and  as it's been out of stock online and i've run out so was kinda a necessity! And a blending brush (as mine has seen better days and it's a staple for my brush collection).
Mac's Vanilla Pigment and 217 Blending brush 

I always have an on going list of lipsticks (like most bloggers) and eyeshadows I want to get, so thought I would tick some off. 
 Lipsticks, I don't know why it is but I get the most satisfied feeling when picking up new Mac Lipsticks, they are just so perfect and shiny I really don't want to use them as they are just too pretty! Now I know it's a bit ridiculous, as the ones I purchased all look similar but I have such an on going obsession with pinky nudes, I just find they complete any day time look, and go so well with most make up looks. I have other adventurous colours on my list which hopefully I will get round to buying soon!




I will be reviewing these more later on in other posts, but above are the 5 shades I picked up. 
(One summer spring shade and four pinky nudes (shock).

Then I thought I'd buy some more refills for my mac palette, so picked up five shades (two of which are actually discontinued, but the lovely girl in Mac, after our conversation of how much we love buying limited edition things, told me she stumbled across these two shades that same day and they are now no longer available... so I had to really (no restraint)!

 (again i'll be reviewing these in my mac palette at a later date).
Left to right - Woodwinked, Orb, Seedy Pearl, Soba and Vellum.

So that rounds off my makeup shopping trip, my bank balance is definitely not my best friend right now, but my makeup collection definitely is!

What are your favourite mac shadows/lipsticks currently. Are any of the above also in your collection?


Emily xoxo




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My Skincare Routine

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Hi Guys!

Skin care is something I have definitely had my ups and downs with.
I usually get very dry skin during the winter and this lessens and becomes more normal during the summer. 
If i'm honest I never used to take much notice/care of looking after my skin, luckily I am not one to suffer with spots or anything like that, so just used to use a good old make up wipe and a bit of moisturiser and that would be it...
How times have changed!
What I realise now, is that was never helping me or my skin! It was never cleansing my skin thoroughly, and although admittedly if I am ever too tired, or go to my boyfriends I will still use make wipes. My skin routine has most definitely changed and for the better! 
Now I do tend to mix the products I use up but the routine I am going to talk about below is the routine I tend to rely on, and the products I have found that have changed my skin from dry and sensitive to soft and smooth! (which may I add is during the colder seasons too! Winner!)




First off to remove my make up I apply Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm all over my face, I massage it in to my skin then take my Clarasonic Facial Cleansing Brush to buff in the cleansing balm for a good 20-30 seconds over my face. 


The Elemis cleansing balm has really been a life saver, (face saver more like!) This smells amazing and is full of many nourishing ingredients like starflower, elderberry and optima oils. I would say this is certainly good for people who suffer with dry skin however even though mine is no longer dry it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy or oily.
The oils within the balm absorb nicely into the skin leaving you with skin feeling so soft and glowy. 
I highly rate this as it has worked wonders for me and continues to keep my skin feeling clean and clear.



 The Clarisonic Facial Brush is a tool I stumbled upon last year, and again I use it religiously. The Clarasonic range is pricey, but you can get all sorts of similar brushes at cheaper prices and they all do the same thing, so if you are on a budget there's definitely some out there in a healthy price range!
I have found since adding this brush to my skin care routine my pores have definitely tightened so they are not as visible, and it has definitely made my skin look and feel much healthier. The vibrating technique massages your cleansing product deep in within the skin so your face really does get a good old clean, and I feel it works much better than just using your hand!

Then I exfoliate (I don't exfoliate every day, I tend to exfoliate twice a week as everyday isn't necessary and can lave your skin feeling raw).
To exfoliate i've been using Germaine de Cappuccino Exfoliating Scrub.




 I love the fact this exfoliator has menthol infused in it so it leaves your skin feeling cool and refreshed, you just apply a small dash and rub into the skin, and then wash off with a flannel or muslin cloth and voila it will remove any dead skin cells, and leave you with a fresh clean completion.


Next I apply some of my Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic onto a cotton wool pad and I sweep this over my face, this is a brilliant primer for your moisturiser and is an essential part of my skincare routine. Not only does this toner smell divine but it contributes itself perfectly into my daily routine.


This toner contains lots of natural skin quenching ingredients, like cucumber, chamomile, aloe vera and extracts of vitamin e which is very soothing for the skin.

Finally I then apply my Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser, now I have the dry/sensitive formula, as I originally purchased this when my skin was very dry (it definitely did help) however, I do continue to use it as there is extra moisture injected in to this product, (as suitable it's for people with dry skin)  so it increases the moisture that I put onto my skin leaving me with radiant, soft, silky happy skin!




So that's my current/most used skin routine, what products do you use on your skin? Have you found anything that has been a staple to your routine?


Emily xoxo
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Holygrail Highlighters

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Hi Guys!

I hope you have all had a lovely Sunday, I can't believe we are in February already! It's actually crazy, but I can't lie I love Summer more than Winter so I am so ready for it now!

Anyway today I am going to talk about my favourite powdered highlighters, now I have to be honest I am slightly concerned at my growing stash of highlighters, I don't know what it is but If  I see a new highlighter and I swatch it I feel like I need it in my collection... highlighter problems! 
I do have so many, as well as liquid highlighters but I will save those for another time otherwise I could be here all day!!

First up...

Bobbi Brown, Micheal Kors and Estee Lauder.


Now the above highlighters could be identified as bronzers however to me once they are blended they very much suit as a bronzed highlighter.

First off we have Bobbi Brown's Bronze Glow, when I first picked this up in Covent Garden I definitely felt a lot of excitement, however this is limited edition (sad face) but I think Macs Soft and Gentle is actually very similar. 
I adore the finish to this highlighter it gives the most wonderful sun kissed shimmer, there is no glitter in this which for me is a huge plus as I feel sometimes glitter can look slightly false. This gives off an effortless warm shine, the light catches perfectly on to this shade when applied, perfect for any month of the year.

Next we have Michael Kors Bronze Powder in the shade Beam. This some would definitely say is more of a bronzer, but the golden undertones in this make it the perfect highlight for the Summer months. I picked this up at the airport when I went on holiday last year, admittedly the beautiful gold packaging attracted me to it first. The size of this is so generous, that I know it will last me for a long time, and the compact has a big mirror inside too which is perfect for when you are out and about and need to touch up your makeup.
I only wore this in the Summer I didn't need powder or foundation as I had a lovely tanned glow to my skin, I literally just lightly applied the Michael Kor's beam over the apples of my cheeks nose and forehead and I was left with a beautiful sun kissed highlight affect which amplified my tan! Beam is definitely a suitable name for this product as the pigmentation and colour to this bronze highlight is slightly iridescent with beams of golden tones to it.

Next we have Estee Lauder's Illuminating Gelee powder in the shade Shimmering Sands.
Again this is limited edition (why do I do it to myself?!) But these are still going on Ebay so if you like me are a fan or want to nab one before they completely stop Ebay is the place!
I actually think this is fairly similar to Michael Kors, but slightly more reddy golden and definitely more pigmented. The formula to this is a gel, creamy powdered finish... I know how is it possible to have 3 formulas to one product but it works!
A little goes a long way with this and I wouldn't layer this on a bronzer as it is almost a highlighter and bronzer all in one.
This does give off a lovely dewy metallic affect which lasts all day and I don't find myself needing to touch this up, as it stays put throughout the day.



Above are 3 swatches left to right Estee Lauders Shimmering Sands, Bobbi Browns Bronze Glow and Michael Kor's Beam.

Next up...

Charlotte Tilbury and Laura Mercier.



I think Charlotte Tilbury's Bar of Gold was the first CT product I got my hands on, and ever since, added more and more to my collection. 
Charlotte sure knows how to draw people in with the naming of products and packaging, a bar of gold just sounds so dreamy I had to buy it!
I was slightly disappointed the packaging was paper/cardboard I think it would have been more effective if it was a metal compact as it would have gone well with the gold bar theme. 
I have read mixed reviews on this highlighter it isn't greatly pigmented, but to be  honest some days I just want a simple slightly highlighted affect and this is perfect for that. The formula to this is so velvety it transfers from brush to skin perfectly leaving an adorning trail of a light behind.
Perfect for any skin tone, this highlighter is definitely not harsh just the perfect addition of a brightening illuminating affect.

Next we have
This is a beautiful pinky peachy shimmer highlight, perfect for adding a healthy glow to your cheeks, This block contains 4 different highlight shades so you can use each one for different pinky tones or mixed together to create a gorgeous sheen of pink tones. I get complimented on this particular highlighter a lot because it really does have an idealistic soft silky finish with the addition of the perfect pinky highlight.


Left to right, Laura Mercier's Pink Mosaic and Charlotte Tilbury's Gold Bar swatches.

Last up...


Three of my absolute favourties...

First we have Charlotte Tilburys Filmstar Bronze and Glow this was mentioned recently in my January favourites, a new purchase and well deserved to be in this post.
One word to sum up this highlight is perfect I adore this highlighter it is worth every penny I could rave about it day and night (eager) but it really is wonderful.
This has the most soft radiant effect possible and is a highlighter every girl needs in their life, it compliments (the sculpt powder in particular) but any bronzer just perfectly. I have found myself picking this up everyday since I purchased it, it just gives the most seamless luxurious ideal effect possible.

Next is The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer. The Balm is a fairly new beauty hype that has seen itself popping up over the beauty blogger scene a lot recently. 
And I for one wanted to see what the hype was about so naturally picked a highlighter (shock) to try first. 
The Mary Lou highlighter is a definitely more of a metallic highlighter and really radiates out light where wanted most when applied to the face. A buttery silky texture (similar to Charlottes Bronze and Glow) I would say this is more obvious highlighter but definitely a good thing if you want to add a lovely sheen and show off areas of the face. Another added bonus is the packaging it's quirky and fun much like Benefits.

Finally Dior's Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder this I find is slightly similar to the Mary Lou, in it's metallic high shine affect.
This was my most used highlighter of 2014, I enjoyed using it because it gave a transparent glow to my skin, which sounds odd but there isn't a whole lot of pigmented colour to this highlighter it just gives off a lovely radiance over any blush or bronze and again would suit any skin colour which with some highlighters isn't always the case!

From left to right, Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar, The Balm's Mary Lou and Dior's Nude Tan swatches.


So there you go some of my most used favourite highlighters, have you tried any of the above and what's your current most used highlighter? I always like to try and find more to add to my collection!


Emily xoxo
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