Best of 2013 | Make up

       

       

           

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

To kick off my 'Best of 2013' posts I wanted to start with my favourite category, make up! A little round  up of the products I have loved and used most this past year.

Foundation is my weak spot so you shouldn't be surprised that two have made it here. A high end pick that saw me through Spring and Summer being YSL's 'Touché Éclat' that helped me to achieve a dewy, Summer glow whilst offering medium coverage and smelt delicious! This'll be brought back out as soon as the Sun starts shining in 2014! The second, Rimmel's 'Stay Matte Mousse' although a newer purchase in my make up bag, still one that hasn't left it from October and will be brought with me into the new year. At just £5.99 a tube and readily available in most Boots and Superdrugs there's no worry of wasting it just to wear to work like with high end foundations. It's staying power rivals that of Estée Lauders 'Double Wear' and the colour match works for me spot on. 

I know a Naked Palette will appear in most yearly favourites but for me nothing came close. A neutral eye lovers must have palette that contains 12 super pigmented, blend-able, long lasting shades with a mix of shimmers and mattes. Compact enough to travel with to easily create subtle everyday looks to a deep, dark smokey eye. My most used shades this year have been 'Sin' for all over the lid and 'Smog' blended into the crease. I think the Naked 2 and 3 palettes are going to be New Year purchases! 

Chanel's 'Tan de Soilel' had to have a place here as my most luxurious product purchased. Having never tried a cream bronzer before this I didn't know what to expect but found myself reaching for it everyday in the warmer months. It's creamy texture allows it to glide evenly over the skin enhancing a signs of a tan and adding bronze radiance. I found wearing it alone on holiday whilst I had a tan worked great at evening out my skin tone without having to apply foundation. I still pull it out now for special occasions although I'm worried about using it up! The packaging as you would assume from Channel is truly stunning and I can see myself repurchasing again and again just to have in my collection. If you wanted to try something similar without splashing out on this the Bourjois 'Bronzing Primer' is a great drugstore dupe for a fraction of the price. 

Being a girl of routine I sometimes find it hard to stay away from products I know just work which is why this Mac blush in 'Pinch Me' is so well used. My fail safe blush that I must've worn at least 300 days this year couldn't not be featured. If I'm ever in doubt, in a rush or just want to look like me this will be on my cheeks. 'Pinch Me' is a sheertone, matte blush from Macs permanent range. This terracotta coloured blush doesn't look much in the pan but once applied really compliments any skin tone adding to your natural flush. Application is defiantly the key to achieving a natural look with this one as it is very pigmented so a light hand and blending may be needed. I can't believe I haven't picked up any more of the sheertone blushes, another to add to my list!  

The final product I have included had to be a lip product. I'm rarely seen without something on my lips whether it be a lipstick, gloss or even just a balm. I hate the feeling of dry lips so you'll find at least 5 different options in my bag at all times! Choosing a lip product was by far the hardest task throughout all the Best of posts. I had to go with my favourite that has been applied throughout the year and never been bored of, the Clarins 'Instant Lip Perfector' in 01. It's a gloss like texture which is in no way sticky yet stays on the lips and gives off a sheer sweep of colour. I'm a huge fan of the applicator these have, it's so soft on my lips I can just sit there reapplying and reapplying! Great for when you are on the go or in a hurry to make you look polished and put together. I'm so impressed with how long my mini version has lasted me, as soon as it runs out ill be picking up a full size.

And that's it for my Best of 2013 Make Up products, let me know if you've tried any of these products or if you have any recommendations I should try from products you have loved this year! 

L'oreal Gift Set

        

        

        

       

        

        

        

        

First things first I am not a gift set girl. I much prefer to receive an item I really want than a few items I'd use up but this L'oreal set I spotted during my weekly Tesco shop was an offer to good to pass up. All gift sets were half price making this one £5, the micellar water retails for £3.72 alone and the moisturiser £6.89 alone so you can see why I grabbed one! 

Micellar waters made an almighty splash onto most bloggers radar earlier this year with Bioderma. I've been a huge fan of Bioderma for the past year or so but it is expensive and hard to get hold of so when this similar L'oreal version was released earlier this year I'd been meaning to pick up. A micellar water is an alcohol free make up remover that contains water and oil. Although it contains oil its by no means greasy and no oily residue is left on the skin making them great for all skin types. The L'oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar solution claims to do 3 things; dissolve make up, unclog pores and remove impurities whilst toning. I would agree with 2 of the claims but I can't say I've seen a difference in my pores. I use it by applying some on a cotton pad, holding it on my eyes for a few seconds and then sweep the make up away. Once all my eye make up in removed I then like to use another cotton pad with some on all over my face as a pre cleanse, you do end up going through a lot of cotton pads but in my opinion its worth it. Even though some eye make up removers have irritated my eyes in the past I've had no problem with this and it seems to remove even the most stubborn of waterproof mascara! For under half the price of Bioderma and being much more readily available L'oreal has defiantly won me over on this one, if only they did it in a bigger bottle! 

The triple active day moisturiser is something I've tried before and being included in the gift set made it a lot cheaper than buying it alone. As you can probably guess but the name 'triple' this moisturiser offers three key elements; hydration, protection and comfort. Hydrating it most certainly is, I almost find it too hydrating for the day time that my make up finds it hard to stay put on top so prefer to use it as a night cream. It's rich and luxurious texture could be mistaken for a cream of much more expense. The smell is my only criticism, its not the scent itself that puts me off but the amount it smells. I've always been skeptical with skincare that is strongly fragranced as I instantly relate it to being the cause of breakouts but so far so good with this one so fingers crossed! 

If you've wanted to try either of these products I highly suggest getting yourselves down to Tesco and trying to grab this set as I'm sure it won't be around for long! 

  

   

    

    

   

     

Boots Hauling

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

After suffering with that dreaded Sunday feeling a few weekends ago I headed to Boots with an urge to spend money and forgot about the weekend nearly being over. Luckily (for my bank balance!) Boots had a 3 for 2 offer across all make up so it would've been rude not to! Here are the three items that have taken up place in my make up bag recently..

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in 'On and on bronze' 

Not one to usually jump on the bandwagon just because of the hype, the Maybelline Color Tattoos are loved by so many I couldn't resist any longer. I opted for the shade 'On and on bronze' which as you may be able to guess is a neutral based, wearable, metallic bronze. It's super quick and easy to apply for those mornings when you're in a rush and just want a wash of colour over the lid, I like to apply it with my finger and then blend it out with a brush. I've heard they work great as a base for other eyeshadows too, they've been said make other shadows last longer and add vibrancy. I'm shocked at how creamy and smooth the texture of this is and haven't had any problems with creasing. Ill defiantly be looking to pick up more.

Maybelline 'Mega Plush Volum' Express' Mascara

I rarely leave the house without mascara so having a good couple is essential in my make up bag. I've been a big fan of the Maybelline 'Falsies' mascara for a while so thought it about time I try one of the new releases from the range. I think the turquoise and pink packaging sold it to me! 'Mega Plush' is Maybelline's first gel mousse formula that is light weight and leaves your lashes long and fluttery. I do think 'Volum' Express' is slightly miss leading, it does add volume and length but I wouldn't go to this for that specifically. I've been leaning more towards wearing this in the daytime for a wide eyed, awake look and my Make up Forever Smoky Lash in the evenings. My main gripe with this mascara is the flexi wand, I like the concept but for me it just doesn't work. When applying to your lashes the resistance you can apply is just far too low and the brush ends up wobbling around all over the place! I will persist with and continue to use it for work but don't think ill be repurchasing! 

Bourjois 'Delice de Poudre' Bronzer 

The infamous Bourjois 'chocolate' bronzer as known to most. This is a re-purchase I've been meaning to pick up for a while after smashing my last one into hundreds of little pieces. A good bronzer is a staple in my make up bag for achieving a glow i try to keep all year round. Its the perfect shade of bronze that adds a natural looking colour without leaving you muddy or dirty looking that applies smooth and evenly. I tend to apply it with my 'Gosh' Kabuki which is more dense than a regualr big fluffy brush to really work it into the skin to create an airbrushed finish. On first glance it looks matte which I like but if you look closely does contain subtle shimmer particles. I think i shall be adding  Nars 'Laguna' to my collection next, have any of you tried it? 

The Sunday Post #1

                       

                        

    

001. Hello and a big thank you to my first few followers! It's great to know there are some of you reading my rambles. Don't be shy to get in contact either here on twitter @behindthedoor51 as I'd love to speak to you. 

002. This week has been spent visiting my mum near Chester. I don't get to see her very often so it's always nice the time we do spend together. I find my time here so relaxing , it's almost like my escape! I've spent the week relaxing by her pool, walking the doors and eating lots of naughty food. 

003. We went shopping on Friday to Chester which I highly recommend a visit to if you every get the opportunity. The city itself is very unique with old Tudor style buildings which the shops are actually in. There's a great mix of shops and department stores so bound to be something that everyone likes. Zara is my shop of choice at the moment and being a sale and all it did not disappoint. I picked up a beautiful pair of structured navy shorts for my holiday for only £7.99 and a black floaty tank top with detailing on the back for £9.99, bargain! I could've spent a lot more but restrained myself! 

004. I am loving how low maintenance my nails have been this week since having shellac put on. I originally had them done for my dads wedding last weekend but they seem to have lasted really well, I opted for a gorgeous glittery gold which complimented my nude dress perfectly. Usually my nails chip awfully and I'm having to repaint them every other day so this is a nice change. I'm thinking about having shellac done on my hands and toes before my holiday a vibrant coral always works well with a tan. 

005. Being away has given me plenty of time to think and start putting plans into action. Over recent months I've been unsure where my future lies and what it is I want to be doing. I can't think of anything worse than being stuck in a mundane job I hate. Make up is my passion so I've decided to go for it and do a make up artistry course, I know the industry is competitive but its something I know I'll enjoy. I've been looking into a few courses around me and think I've chosen a course which suits my needs. I'm just working out funding as for a weeks course they can be very expensive along with kit etc, and hopefully will be starting within the next month. I am finally excited and looking forward to the future and the opportunities it shall bring! 

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend :)