Favourites | May 2014

I’m glad that I’ve started writing regular favourites post as it gives me a chance to really think about what I’ve enjoyed using and why.  Which means, when I buy things I’m a little bit more selective because I’m sure of what I like and don’t like.  I have a lot of makeup in my favourites because I’ve been switching things up a lot recently.  Whereas, I’m sticking to my usual skincare with one exception!  Let’s begin!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Rockin’ Curves Extreme Black Mascara

This is a new mascara in my stash and I’ve been really enjoying using it.  The brush is a ‘S’ shaped brush to give your lashes a real boost of volume at the roots and gives a lot of length as well (see post here for photos).  The formula is nice and doesn’t seem to smudge as much as much as other high street/drugstore mascaras.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Eyeshadow in On and On Bronze

You know I love this eyeshadow (full review here).  I’ve started using it again as I’ve opted for a more shimmery eye makeup look recently.  I’d forgotten how quick this and easy this makes it to apply eye makeup.  Just using my fingers to apply on the lids and voila!  So welcome back Maybelline Color Tattoo, you’ve been missed!

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream

This is the exception I mentioned earlier.  Antipodes is a brand that I feel quite intrigued by.  I love their Aura Manuka Honey mask and I’ve only heard good things about their other skincare products.  So when I ran out of my eye cream, I didn’t hesitate to purchase this.  Although it’s early days, I’m really enjoying this.  I will report back with a full review, once I’ve given it a fair try.

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

I haven’t used this in quite some time.  So I was switching up my makeup, I put this back in my makeup bag.  I love the subtle glow it gives to me skin, dewy finish and completely undetectable.  One of my favourite foundations, the finish, the ease of use and the colour range – Illamasqua is just an amazing brand!  Spring/summer will see a lot more Skin Base on my face!

Illamasqua Lipstick in Liable

Liable is an orangey-red.  The kind of orangey-red that warm-toned gals like me can pull off (full review here).  I love matte lipsticks and this bright lips just perk up the otherwise barely there makeup.  Another favourite from Illamasqua, sensing a theme here?

Barry M Hi Shine Gel Effect Nail Polish in Key Lime

I don’t know why I waited until now to buy a Barry M Polish!!  I’ve been lusting after the gelly hi shine polishes for over a year, but somehow always forgot.  I was in Boots the other day and finally picked up Key Lime and Lychee.  I’m so pleased I did!  I love the finish, they stay completely chip free for 4/5 days (much better than a lot more high end brands).  I adore green colour, and the bright Key Lime shade has added a beautiful shade of bright green to my nails!

Real Techniques Multi-Task Brush

Another new addition (as Amelia Liana would say #feelingspendy!).  I really wanted this brush as I knew I’d love it, unfortunately it’s not available to buy separately.  I ended up buying the Travel Essentials Kit.  Let me just say, it was worth it!  I love, love, love this brush.  It’s the perfect size and shape for blush, bronzer, highlighter and powder!  Another great brush from Real Techniques!

I’ve tried to narrow down the favourites, but find it so hard to pick!  Hope you guys have enjoyed reading my May favourites.

Let me know what you guys have been loving and if you’ve tried any of the above.  Please leave a comment below or tweet me @aspiring_london.

TAG | Lip Product Addict

This TAG just has my name written all over!  Just can't get enough of lipsticks!  Hope you guys enjoy reading!

Secrets of Being Organised and De-cluttered

I’m not the best person at being organised.  However the older I've gotten, the more organised I've had to be.  I make a conscious effort to do things in a certain way to be organised and maintain that organisation.  I’m going to share some of my practices with you guys which may prove helpful!

From My Stash | 5 Makeup Brushes

The latest on my 'From My Stash' series, today's post is about 5 of my most used brushes from my stash.

Escentual.com Sale Wishlist

Escentual Bank Holiday Weekend Wishlist

Escentual.com is having a 25% off everything on their site this weekend (ending Monday 27th May 2014) using code: "ESCENTUAL25".  I've compiled a list of things that are lurking in my shopping basket, hope it give you guys inspirations if you're looking to purchase anything.

Topshop Lipstick Innocent - Review + Swatch

A hint to my ever-growing lipstick collection is this blog; I have endless photos of lipsticks and swatches.  So it’ll come as no surprise to you that I have yet another lipstick for you today.  Yes! I know you’re excited, wait till I get to the swatch!

Spring Edit | Face & Fragrance

This is my last instalment in the Spring Edit series.  I’ve put together some products that I’ve been reaching for since spring has come around, and will probably continue to do so in summer too.

Blushers are one of my favourite products, whatever the weather.  It always perks up my complexion by adding a touch of colour. 

Dior Blush in 533 Passion Fruit is one of my all-time favourites.  It’s a peach blush with golden shimmer.  The peachy colour adds a pop of colour and the shimmer really highlights the cheekbones, I love wearing this on a sunny day.  Sadly this is no longer available, you can try checking eBay, but a nice alternative would be Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher in Rose D’Or (review + swatch here).  Although the Bourjois one is slightly more pink, it will have a very similar effect to the Dior blush.

I have expressed my love for Topshop cream blusher in Head Over Heels in a previous post.  I really love the cream to powder finish how it translates to such a natural flush on the cheek! Available at Topshop, £8.

Illamasqua is the best brand I’ve come across that does amazing range of blushers.  They have a very wide range of colours that would suit most skin tone and their pigmentation is just out of this world.  All the products I own from Illamasqua are very highly pigmented, so lasts the longest time.  Illamasqua’s blusher in Excite is a very vivid almost orange shade powder blusher (Illamasqua describes it as apricot) with a matte finish.  I love matte finish blushes, they tend to look more natural than shimmery/glittery blushes. This is THE ultimate spring/summer blusher to warm up your face.  If you are blessed with olive skin tone, or have a tan, this will look beautiful on your cheeks!  Available at Illamasqua, £21.50.

Clinique’s blush in Pink Love isn’t as bright as the others.  I included this as sometimes, if I’m going out in the evening I may apply a lore intense smokey eye makeup or a more intense li colour.  For those times, I’d opt for the Clinique blusher.  It’s a pale yet pretty pink with silver glitter running through.  The glitter isn’t horrible, chunky glitter but adds something to the pink.  Also, if you’re opting for no-makeup makeup, this’ll be right up your street.  Available at Boots, £21.

For highlighter, I picked the Topshop Glow in Polish.  It’s a cream highlighter so gives really sheeny, natural finish.  It’s pearly colour and quite pigmented, so you only need the slightest touch to give you a beautiful highlight on your cheekbones or the arch och of your brows!  I really, really like this especially if I want a contoured look.  Available at Topshop, £9.

Quick mention to a couple of eyeshadows: my all-time favourite Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze (review + swatch here) and the Bourjois Colour Edition 24H Cream Eyeshadow in Kaki Cheri (review + swatch here).  Both are very wearable during the day or paired with some eyeliner for an evening look.  They’re really easy to apply with your fingers so quite low maintenance.  Both colours are shimmery making them flattering for the spring/summer bright weather!

For fragrance, I’ve been reaching for Marc Jacobs Dot perfume.  It’s quite a sweet, fruity fragrance, but not at all sickly.  It has quite a fresh scent – “blend of red berries, succulent dragon fruit and sweet honeysuckle”.  It’s just the perfect scent for spring for me!  Available at Debenhams, £39.

That’s the end of my roundup for my spring picks series.  What have you been reaching for this spring?  Share in the comments below, or tweet me @aspiring_london!

From My Kitchen | DIY Face Masks

By now you know I am just all about skincare.  I’ve always believed that you should take care of your skin no matter, then makeup will look a lot better.  When your skin isn’t behaving it can be quite upsetting, and sometimes using shop bought masks/treatments can make it worse as your skin will already be quite fragile.

Spring Edit | Lipsticks

After my spring nails picks, I though it natural to follow up with a lips pick.  Be warned, they are all quite bright.  I generally love a bright lippy, and spring/summer just brings that side of me out even more.  There’s quite a good mix of high-end and high-street/drugstore.  I have a selection of 5 lipsticks that are a mixture of opaque and sheer finish, a girl needs options!

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliners | Review & Swatch

Carrying on the theme of my recent obsession with Stila, I have today some Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliners, £13 here.  If you read my blog, you know I have a thing for eyeliners – obsession is the word.  I got this set around Christmas time because I felt every single colour in the set, I’d wear.

Cosmo Blog Awards 2014 | Aspiring Londoner

Image Source: cosmopolitan.co.uk

I officially started this blog at the beginning of last year, however I was super busy as I was juggling a million things and they just took priority and this is evident in my posting schedule.

April Favourites

I have had a hard time narrowing down products for favourites for April.  I was trying to get a good round up of products rather than just many types of one product.

Stila Breast Cancer Awareness Cheek Palette Positively Pink | Review & Swatch

Stila Breast Cancer Awareness Cheek Palette in Positively Pink,£12

Stila is a brand that I had seen dotted around but did not know much about.  I always loved their packaging.  Then when I really got into watching beauty videos on YouTube, I heard Estée from Essiebutton talk about their convertible cheeks and lips colours.

Coconut Oil | Multi-tasking Miracle

Coconut oil has been pretty hyped up in the blogging world.  As a result, there are a lot ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ coconut oil being sold for insane prices!  The reason I say that is because I’ve been using coconut oil all my life and pick up a 500 ml tub for around £2.50 from Tesco/Sainsbury’s!  And it is 100% pure coconut oil as stated in the ingredients and doesn't have any fragrance.

So I thought I’d share with you how I use coconut oil.

From My Stash | 5 Drugstore Mascaras

Being a mascara junkie, I’m never satisfied with having just one mascara in use at any given time.  That’s crazy talk, 5 sounds about right.  Yes, I have 5 mascaras that I’m rotating between currently.  All of them are from the high street, so I thought it’d be good to share with you guys in case you’re in need of a new mascara, what am I saying, you can never have enough mascara!