2013 Beauty Favourites!!

Okay so I realise that this is very late! I figured better late than never right? I've been so busy moving back to uni after Christmas but I still wanted to share with you what I've loved this year. Once again, sorry for the awful photo! 

1. Benefit Dallas Bronzer

I have loved this bronzer for years, hence the smashed up box! I hit pan a while back but I'm gonna use it till there's absolutely nothing left. I'm not a fan of muddy coloured bronzer's which is probably why I wasn't a huge fan of NARS Laguna (I know shoot me!). It gives just the right amount of glow and shimmer and has pink undertones which I love! It's not ideal for contouring because of the shimmer but if your looking for a regular bronzer that will give you a natural glow then this is it! 

2. MAC Cremesheen Lipstick - Hang Up

It took me ages to actually take the plunge and buy this lipstick. I always tend to play it safe and go for nudes but I', so glad I bought it! The photo doesn't do it justice at all but its a deep plum colour, not too purple though and It doesn't look too deep if you apply it lightly so it's really versatile. It's been perfect for the autumn months.

3. Revlon Moon Candy Nail Art - 240, Eclipse

I absolutely love these duo's. The Full colours are so gorgeous and they apply really easily and dry quick which is good if you're like me and don't like waiting! The glitter topcoats are thick too with just the right amount of glitter. I didn't like the texture of the glitter, I like a smooth finish but other than that I can't complain. A week later and only a few chips. I have since picked up 2 new colours!!

4.  Real Techniques brushes

I couldn't even begin to name my favourite Real Techniques brush. I think Samantha Chapman is a genius to be honest! I have just included the Stippling Brush and the Powder Brush in the photo. I love the stippling brush for applying cream blushers. It's a match made in heaven! I never like applying cream blushers with my fingers because 1. I apply way too much and end up looking like a creepy doll and 2. It's an absolute pain to get off your hands and ends up everywhere! The fact I can stipple it onto my cheeks means that I get the perfect amount every time. The powder brush is also perfect. Not much to say other than the fact that you don't get overloaded in a stupid amount of cakey powder.

5. Benefit The Porefessional

This is advertised as a pore minimizer and that's what it does. Perfectly may I add. I only use a small amount in problem areas like my nose and chin. A little bit goes a long way and it has such a nice velvety texture. It's also advertised as a primer and this is where I have a problem with it. I have found that It can speed up the whole foundation slipping off your skin process rather than helping it stay put and my skin is fairly normal if not on the dry side so no oil there! If you only use a little where needed then that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Applying this all over your face will not make you look like Barbie, unfortunately. I absolutely love this product, as a pore minimizer and that's why it's in my favourites but I don't think it would have made it as just a primer.

6. The Body Shop Lip Butter - Shea Nut

Let me start by saying that this smells INCREDIBLE I had never tried anything from the Shea range up until this purchase and now I'm sold. I'm not a fan of the sweeter smelling products as I think they can get a bit sickly but this is just perfect for my life. I did notice that it really moisturised my lips and not just for 5 seconds after application. I put some on an hour ago and I can still feel it now! 

7. L'Oreal Shine Caresse Lip Colour - 101, Lolita

I bought this when they first came out and fell in love instantly. I love the packaging which feels very YSL without the student unfriendly price tag. I picked up Lolita which is a blush pink colour with rose gold highlights. The rose gold is very understated and doesn't give too much shine but does make your lips look really glossy without the sticky texture. One thing I would say is that it does dry my lips out a bit but I love the way it applies and the fact that it's so pigmented! I will definitely be picking up more colours.

8. Bedhead Tigi - EpicVolume Styleshots, Strawberry

I picked this up in TKmaxx for a cut price and didn't really expect much from it to be honest. I have fairly short hair and I've never been picky with conditioner, until now. I saw a side to haircare that I'd never seen before. I could finally style my hair without having to backcomb the life out of it and could use heat on my hair without looking like a lion! This really does volumise my hair and the bottle is so huge that I doubt I will run out for a long time.

9. Collection - Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Powder - 1 Fair

I remember back in the days when I used to use the Lasting Perfection foundation which I loved and still do love but never buy for some reason. The concealer is a famous beauty cult product and I had never really bothered with the powder as I always used Rimmel Stay Matte. I have since been converted. My skin Is a little dry and mattifying is never something I'm bothered about because my skin is usually matte enough even after foundation so I was just using the stay matte powder, well because everyone else was really. I don't usually think too much to powder apart from longevity and this one is definitely the winner. I can go out for the night and it will still leave my makeup looking acceptable without horrible patches. 

10. Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick - Kate Moss - 08

Okay so admittedly I have a stupid problem with the fact that Rimmel didn't name the Kate Moss lipsticks. It bothers me. Okay, got that out of the way. I have always liked the Lasting Finish lipsticks and I absolutely love Kate Moss so yeah I bought into that whole collaboration thing. The shade is perfect for my lip colour. I find that its just dark enough to not be a complete match but it's light enough to work with any look at all and I really love the fact that I can be in a rush and know that this one will work. It doesn't dry my lips out and as the name suggests, it has a lasting finish! I also really like the matte packaging. 

11. Diorskin Forever Foundation - 010

I had read a few reviews before switching from MAC Studio Fix and trust me, it was a hard transition. I just found that I was applying too much to get the coverage that I wanted and wanted to try a different brand altogether. I had been reading foundation reviews and hadn't really made a choice. I was walking past the Dior stand in Debenhams (does this review sound like a story?) and decided to try it out and asked the Lady at the desk about it. She kindly applied some for me and I loved it. I know it doesn't work for everyone, especially with oily skin but it gives me medium coverage, full if you build it up and stays on for as long as I need it to. I love the matte packaging and its also very luxurious which is of course to be expected from Dior. A little really does go a long way which is definitely nice given the price tag! 

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think?

LOVE

Leesha 

xx

Beauty Blogger Tag

Saw this floating around  and thought it  would be a nice idea and a chance to get to know me a bit better :) 

Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

My hair has always been poker straight but with really annoying flicky out bits (technical term of course!) at the back that just won't straighten or go away! Maybe when my hair gets longer they will tame a bit more. Would love wavy hair when my hair grows though. 

Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?

It depends really, if I was going to drastically change it then I would go to a salon, dye disasters can look horrific as many of you will know! I usually die it myself though for just a quick fix job.

Do you wear the same style everyday, or do you change it?

My hair is in that really unworkable, inbetween long and short stage, I really want it long again since its shoulder length at the moment but because it pretty much always looks a mess, its either up or down, nothing fancy until it either grows or gets a trim. 

Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?

I usually do my own nails, had them done a few times at a salon but since my nails are really brittle, I need tips or gels to make them look any good really and they can get expensive if it becomes a regular thing. Especially since I'm a student.

How often do you change your nail polish?

About twice a week I would say. Sometimes I leave them naked (ooeyyy) but I can usually be seen sporting a very boring, plain colour. I'm not hugely into doing my nails, I like to have something going on, but I spend a lot longer on my face than my nails.

Do you polish your toes in the winter or just in the summer?

Just in the winter, I usually just pop a colour on at the start of summer and then top it up as it needs it, boring I know but I love a good bright red toe look in the summer and i never really shy away from that. Might have to step out of my comfort zone this year and opt for a different colour! Shock Horror!!

How long does it take for you to put on your makeup?

My everyday routine is probably around 10-15 minutes. Just primer, foundation or BB cream, powder, little bit of blush/bronzer, eyeliner, mascara, nude lip. Think I've managed it in 5 before because I'm clearly superwoman but if I don't want to look like I've been attacked by a small child carrying a makeup bag, it's usually 10/15 minutes. More like 30/40 when I'm going out. What with eyelashes, eyeshadow, lip liner etc, it all adds up!

What do you do first, face or eyes?

Always face. I use the Real Techniques buffing brush to just buff my foundation into my face, all over so I couldn't really do my eyes first or they would just get covered in foundation. I'm a self confessed messy foundation applier.

Do you 'collect' makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?

I want to say that I don't collect makeup but there's definitely things that I have bought and never used just because I liked the colour or the packaging. I definitely have more than I need. Makes me happy so why not!

How often do you wear false eyelashes?

I love wearing them when I go out but I would never wear them everyday. Far too much hassle for the morning. Knowing me,i would turn up to college with my eyelids stuck together and a falsie hanging off my cheek!

Do you do a full face of makeup everyday?

No, I like to save a full face for when I go out or else people won't notice a difference! I like to think i look different when I go out than when I'm just at college.

Do you wear makeup when your home alone, or with family?

This is a straight up, not really. Unless i am going out or have been out of the house, I rarely have makeup on around my family. Poor them!

Will you leave the house without makeup?

Reluctantly maybe. Usually I have to be wearing BB cream, powder and mascara before I will open the door. Maybe a bit of self reflection is needed here. Would like to feel confident enough to go out without it in the future.

How many high-end products do you have? 

A few but not many. Don't really have the money to splash out on high end products. I have a few Estee Lauder products, YSL lipsticks, MAC and Benefit is probably my all time fave.

Do you plan your OOTD every night or decided when you are getting dressed?

I usually decide what to wear after  I have had a hissy fit, dragged everything out, tried everything on, realised everything looks awful, then thrown on the last resort. Very stressful haha.

How often do you change your handbag?

Rarely, I'm not a huge handbag lover so I never really spend much money on them. I do really want the ZARA office city bag though! Gonna start saving.

What time do you wake up and go to sleep?

I'm terrible for sleeping. I'm usually up through the night, I have awful insomnia and can leave it till 6 to finally get to sleep, which means iI can sleep through the day sometimes. Really annoying.

How often or when do you workout?

Definitely not as much as I should, I do ballet twice a week but I need to start running again.

Left handed or right handed?

I'm right handed. Very boring.

How tall are you?

I think I'm average. I'm 5'8 so I'm not sure if that is tall or not really. You decide.

Do you speak any foreign language?

I really wish that I could. Might start learning something cool like mandarin in the summer, just for a laugh. 

How many pets do you have?

I have the cutest little pal in the world called Elliot. He is a Hermanns Tortoise and he's only 2 years old. We often take walks out when it's sunny and sometimes a walk on the beach. I also have an 8 year old Jack Russel terrier crossed with something fluffier and less happy, she's not really anything like a Jack Russel.

How often are you on blogger?

All the time at the moment, when I first started, I didn't think anyone was reading it so I stopped but now I'm just doing it for myself because it's fun and anything else is a bonus!

Do you read comments posted on blogs?

I read them on review posts so that I can read other peoples opinions on the product, I find it really helpful when I'm wondering whether to buy something.

Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?

Not a physical list but I do have a list in my head of things that I want to try.

How did you come up with your Blog name?

This is easy, it's just my name sort of shortened - Ellysia - Leesha and then my middle name. Nothing fancy.

What kind of camera do you use for your photographs? 

I just use a Fujifilm Finepix Bridge camera, I really want a canon but they are just too expensive for this little student budget. 

How often do you clean your house?

Well I don't own the house, but my room is usually organised chaos. I usually start things In the middle of the night, and then can't tidy up because everyones in bed. Insomnia is my downfall.

What's your favourite colour?

I absolutely love turquoise. My room is painted turquoise. I also really like deep purples and reds.

Do you swear?

A little too much sometimes, I work serving drunk people so you get used to it. 

What are you doing with the rest of your day?

Well I think I'm going to have a look for some new blogs to follow, have a little look on YouTube and then get ready for my tea before I go out to babysit. 

If you've survived till here...well done!!

LOVE

Leesha

xx

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine - #9 - Nude In Private

After walking through Debenhams most weekends and swatching this shade I finally caved!

It was love at first sight to be perfectly honest with you and after having a bad morning I needed a pick me up.

I chose #9 - Nude In Private since I'm a student with no money, the £24 I didn't have spare to pay for this needed to go to good use and I figured this was the most wearable shade for me.

The colour range is amazing first and foremost. From deep red's and a very very deep purple to really light nudes, there is definitely a shade for every occasion. 

The packaging is just perfect.

It feels really luxurious and expensive and its just so pretty to look at.

As for the finish, it does what it says on the tin, It gives a shine. Nothing too glossy but a really pretty subtle shine with a really lovely flush of colour.

the longevity is comparable to MAC, I feel that it wears just as normal, no more, no less. It does fade in the centre throughout the day but doesn't leave that annoying line/stain which is definitely a positive.

The only thing I dislike is the smell, most people love it and so It's probably just personal taste, i just think it smells too fruity and doesn't have that familiar lipstick smell. 

Little bit picky but when you're applying it, it does smell quite strongly.

Overall I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a makeup splurge that will make your day just that little bit better.

LOVE

Leesha

xx