High End Birthday Beauty Haul

Since I've been home from my year abroad in Germany, I've been getting a little spendy in the makeup department. It was my 21st birthday at the end of June and a few of these were either presents or bought with birthday money. As a student, there's no way I could normally buy all these products within the same month so I really thought about which products would be worth the money and be investment pieces in my makeup bag. 

The Highlighter Round-Up

Ever since the Becca collaboration with Jacyln Hill, the beauty world has gone crazy for highlighters. Whether it's the powder, liquid or cream formulas that float your boat, there really is something for everyone. This post is about my current highlighter collection which is a bit of an update from my post from February My Highlight Heroes. I've tried out so many new highlighters in the past five months from a range of brands and it's now a new step in my makeup routine.

The Weekend Makeup Menu - Rose Gold & Copper Hues

Since purchasing the NARS Hammamet palette, I have been obsessed with rose gold and copper hues when it comes to makeup. I never thought shades like this would suit me but it turns out that in order to pull off certain colours, you just have to experiment with other aspects of your makeup. In this case, I worked out that a copper / rose gold eye look only really looks good (on me) with thick black eyeliner, lots of mascara, bold brows and a nude lip. I've been wearing this makeup combination quite frequently at work as well as weekends and even though it isn't the most summery colour scheme, I think the shades look good all year round. 

A Quick and Easy Office Makeup Look

You know the drill: It's 8am and after hitting the snooze button more than you'd like to admit, it's time to get ready for work, uni or school. Of course no-one should feel they have to wear makeup but for me it's part of my morning ritual and I really enjoy it. One thing I always lack, however, is time. For me the best products to wear to work are the ones that are quick to apply and blend (if necessary) but also the ones that are long-lasting. The last thing I want to be doing in my lunch break is doing a complete makeup overhaul.

The Blush Edit

My Current Eyeshadow Palette Obsessions

Just about everyone in the beauty blogging world seems to be obsessed with eyeshadow palettes and I'm not going to stray from that cult belief that none of them are the same and there is absolutely nothing wrong with hoarding collecting them. Whether it's MAC, Bobbi Brown or L'Oreal that floats your boat, there's nothing quite as exciting as the launch of a new eyeshadow palette that simply must be bought. The palettes I've collected are well-loved for different reasons and hopefully you'll find this useful if you're looking to try something other than the Urban Decay Naked palettes.  

My Highlight Heroes

The words 'highlighting' and 'strobing' seem to be everywhere in the beauty world these days. You can't read the Glamour beauty pages without seeing tips to achieve a glowy dewy complexion. For oily / combination girls such as myself, powder highlighters aren't always as effective and long-lasting which is why I tend to prefer liquid and cream highlighting products when I want to add a little shine. There are three products that have impressed me in this category and I name them my 'Highlight Heroes'. 

Benefit Top Ten

If you asked me to name a brand that manages to stay continually relevant in the beauty world, I would say - without hesitation - Benefit. With its quirky product names and all-round fun feeling, they're a brand that has kept makeup exciting and has followed all the right trends. The packaging plays a huge part in this, making us want to collect everything - like a child in a sweet shop. It's rather addictive and I'm not the first person to say that. Although I haven't tried every product in the range, today's post is about ten things I've loved and would be happy to repurchase...

Holiday Beauty Haul - Benefit, St Tropez & OPI

Happy July, I hope you've been enjoying the summer sunshine - I certainly have! Beauty-wise, summer entails everything from cream blusher, high-SPF coverage and that all-important glowing tan. I'm lucky enough to say I'm going back to Italy in the next few days and these are the products that have got me feeling ready for summer. 

Starting off with the beauty innovation of the summer, the St Tropez in-shower gradual tan, I'm happy to say after three weeks of use I have a glowing report. Yes it does take around three uses to see a difference but it's totally worth the wait. The only downside is the three minutes you have to stand around with the shower off but it's no different than waiting for a hair mask or Aussie 3 minute miracle. Be sure to apply it evenly though, I've noticed a few patches on my foot which everyone finds simply hilarious. 

Moving onto the Benefit mini skincare pots, this set was a kind birthday gift from my uni flatmates which I can't wait to take on holiday with me - the sizes are perfect! I've tried them all out due to curiosity and I've been very impressed. It's unlikely I'll be buying them in full size (due to price and my undying love affair with Clarins) but the Total Moisture moisturizer is fantastic for any dry patches and the foaming cleanser is nice and gentle so great for even sensitive skin. 

The set includes: Foamingly Clean facial wash, Triple Performing facial emulsion, Total Moisture facial cream, It's Potent eye cream, Moisture Prep toning lotion, Refined Finish facial polish

The Benefit Big Easy is a gorgeous 'Better than BB' tinted moisturizer with 35+SPF. As you'd expect, the coverage is light and the formula is aimed at an oilier skintype which is perfect for me. I've been trialling this on my 'better skin days' and so far I've been really enjoying it as it gives a great combination of a healthy glow and shine protection. As it's a liquid to powder finish, it'll stay put even in the heat and that's a big thumbs up from me. 

To pair with 'Big Easy', I also purchased the famous Benefit 'Boi-ing' high coverage concealer which I now can't do without. It's a little pot rather than a doe-foot applicator - if you compare it with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - but don't let that put you off. Make sure you get one of the Benefit ladies to match you with the right colour and you'll avoid looking ghost-like or orange.

Finally the OPI 'Brights' mini lacquer collection was another birthday present which has got me feeling all summery. It includes I STOP for Red - a gorgeous apple-red, Can't Hear Myself Pink - a shimmery rose-pink, The Berry Thought of You - a berry fuschia, My Car has Navy-gation - an inky blue, I See You Wear OPI - a shimmery mermaid aquamarine, and a mini RapiDry top coat. It's been fun to play around with the colours and they've definitely earned their place in my suitcase!

Have you bought any new holiday beauty products? Is there anything I need to add to my collection?

xxx