Monty The Penguin Nails

I don't know whether it is because its exactly one month till Christmas eve, but today is the first day I have actually felt Christmassy this year. Although Christmas lights and TV adverts have been slowly becoming more concentrated, I haven't given Christmas a second thought. Due to this, these nails are probably a little out dated by 2 weeks, but my favourite animals are penguins, so I felt I had to do a tribute to the John Lewis Christmas advert somehow.

Here is Monty and his little Christmas Girlfriend!

I started with this white by colour club which I wasn't keen on at first, as it had a pearly finish to it. But actually when it was on I quite liked it, and I even got a few compliments on it as I wore it by itself for a few days before adding the penguins.

The actual penguins are quite different for me, as they're more realistic to my usual cartoony nails. I was inspired by a picture I saw on Instagram and thought they looked so cute and fluffy looking, so gave this technique a try. I used my black nail art pen and just really really lightly drew the shapes of the penguins. The light touch is what gave the penguins their fluffier appearance, as harder lines are more cartoony. I have to admit it took me a good few times to practice, the first one being this awful attempt on the right haha

They still aren't as perfect as I would have liked them to be, but for my first attempt at a more realistic nail art its not too bad, at least you can tell (I hope) that they're penguins! For the other nails, I just used the distressed nail technique with my cool blue MAC colour, and added some glitter on the top for an icey finish.

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation

This is my favourite foundation at the moment, and it is the newest foundation to YSL. The Fusion Ink foundation is aptly named, as it's lightweight, almost watery consistency makes application really easy, and leaves you with a great colour with not much product. It is designed to give you full coverage, yet not feel cakey or heavy. I absolutely love the way this feels on my skin, and I apply it using my beauty blender which is an absolutely winning combination. The foundation is meant to contain oils that evaporate away when it touches the skin, leaving a veil of flawless complexion as well as hydrated feeling skin. It has had a lot of well deserved hype and recieved 5* ratings.

 I also think the bottle is a really pretty addition to my collection, and the bottles frosted glass look reflects the matte finish the foundation gives you. As the foundation has such a velvety feel, it makes a really nice base for other products too. I've used this with my Topshop cream blush and it blends together really well and goes on flawlessly due to the foundation. This retails at £30.50, but is well worth the money, as it doesn't have a pump, but a little applicator wand means you dont use much at all, and gives you full control of how much you use. 

Winter Sun

Now the colder months are officially here, our faded tans are a thing of the past. For me, having a tan can make a huge difference. I go from being a corpse bride, to a normal alive human being. I am not a regular fake tanner, as I rarely go streak free and the smell really bothers me, but when I'm desperate, I will lather up in some bottled sunshine.

I think with fake tan, money does matter, as I have recently discovered. Splashing out on a good fake tan can make a real difference to the 'realness' of your fake tan. I have been using Madame La La tan in light, which retails at £36.00, and is inspired by the rich and famous lifestyles in Malibu. This is quite a new tan on the scene, and is apparently what a lot of celebrities are using. The brand only has two products at the moment. This one, and the normal version which is a darker colour. The tan is in mousse form which is my favourite, as it's lighter and easier to apply. I find I get less streaks when I use a mousse and mitt.

The normal tan has olive undertones whereas the Light one which I have, caters more for cooler skin tones like mine. The tan is described as a DD tan, which stands for Dynamic-Do-All. It claims to hydrate the skin, rid of the fake tan smell, give you an even LA inspired tan, detoxify, and even have anti ageing effects on your skin. As I said earlier, this is inspired by celebrity tans, and has a celebrity favourite ingredient coco water to give the detoxifying properties, as well as a lovely coco-nutty smell. The tan claims to not have a fake tan smell at all, just the coconut scent. It does smell really really nice and sweet, but you can still smell the undertones of biscuits, even if its just slightly, but it only lasts for a few hours after application, after that is is scent free. The Aloe Vera is what gives the skin the hydration, and this in turn, will have anti ageing effects on the skin, as hydrated skin is plumper and fuller! 

This tan gives me a really lovely natural golden colour which suits my fair complexion. So I am a big fan of this! Another high end tan I like is Vita Liberata. It is quite similar to the Madame La La, as it has a mousse consistency and minimal smell. Again, this gives me a natural even tan that isn't to fake looking. The other plus side to high end tan products, is that if you use them a couple of times on one week, your tan will last for 2 to 3 weeks which is always great news!

As I have fair hair and fairly sensitive skin, I don't like to use fake tan on my face as it can break me out or stain my eyebrows and hair line. Instead, I've been using this Garnier Ambre Solaire gradual tan moisturiser for the face. I like a gradual face tanner as you have more control over the colour. I like my face to be slightly lighter than my body, because if I go too dark my makeup are then the wrong shades. When I'm happy with my colour, I just build up my blush/bronzer to match my neck and body.

This again, doesn't have a fake tan smell at all, it is more of a fruity apricot-y smell. As long as you wash your hands after applying, then you have a very subtle glow to your skin that you can build up each day if you need.

What are your go to tan products?

October Glossy Box Pop Art Edition

This is my last Glossybox now because I have been meaning to unsubscribe for ages, but they kept putting in little hints as to what would be in the next box and I couldn't stop! The Nuxe face mask is what sold me on this box, but now it's time to stop! The theme was Pop Art which again, really drew me to the box as its so fun and colourful. 

So Susan Mascara

I really didn't get on with this mascara. The wand's bristles were barely there, and it just didn't do anything for my lashes. I put it on once, and had to put my Lancome Grandiose on top because they didn't really look any different!

Rimmel BB Cream

For some reason, I had bad preconceptions about this product and I couldn't tell you why. I just thought it wouldn't be very good coverage and wouldn't feel very nice. I guess that is packaging for you! On the plus, I actually really liked this BB Cream. The consistency was more of a foundation though. It gave really good coverage and stayed put which is my only issue with some BB creams. It also had a very creamy consistency even though it has a SPF in which is good news for your skin in the future. It proved me very wrong as this is probably one of the best BB creams I've ever used!

Lip Exfoliator

I was really pleased to get this product in my box, as Autumn is the time of year I like to wear darker lipsticks which can really dry out and stain my lips. This lip exfoliator has an easy lip applicator which you squeeze on and rub between your lips. It quickly vanishes and tastes nice so it doesn't matter if you swallow it. (Not sure if your meant too but I did, oops). This is perfect and quick to pop on in the morning just before you apply your lipstick for the day, to provide a nice smooth base for it.

Yves Rocher Perfume

The Quelques Notes D'Amor is meant to be the fragrance of falling in love in a bottle. It is very sweet and has what seems to be a black current undertone which is pretty. It has Rose, Patchouli, guaiac wood, and simmers down to a very feminine scent.

Nuxe Face Mask

This Nuxe face mask is one that you leave on and wait to soak into the skin. I really like masks like this, as I slightly resent having to wash away a lot of product, especially when I have to go and wash mud out of my hair after some masks sometimes. This clear gel can be wiped of with a pad and some toning lotion. This is a soothing and moisturising mask, and I used this when I had some aggressive red spots on my chin. The smell was so fresh and clean and lovely, and you could definitely smell the calming and soothing ingredients getting to work. My skin felt really soft and like it has been really looked after from using this. I really liked it and have been using it regularly and will continue to do so in the up and coming cold damaging months. I really want to try more products from Nuxe so watch this space.

Ciate Nail Polishes

So it now comes to the awkward time I need to confess something. I actually got sent two Glossy Boxes this month which was great for me as Ciate is my favourite nail brand and I was lucky to get two different colours! I know its bad that I got box for free but I've been reviewing them for about 2 years now so I will take it as a personal 'Thank you' from them to me :)

Anyway, the two colours I recieved were 'Talent Scout' which is a cool deep purple which I used for Halloween and 'Skinny Jeans' a gorgeous flat toned blue colour which is my favourite.

Barry M Eyeshadow Palette

For some reason, I have recently been watching lots of makeup tutorials just before bed as I find them really soothing and relaxing. Maybe it's watching someone apply a full face of makeup when I'm lying in bed all clean, that I find so comforting, but it means I have been waking up the next morning feeling a little more inspired about what kind of new makeup looks I want too try. One in particular that stood out to me, was Emma Pickles 'Black Lip' tutorial. The black lip isn't something I will be sporting anytime soon, but I really liked the eye makeup she does, as I think it's very pretty for this time of year. A bit smokey but also quite warm.

 I'm not a very 'make-upy' person, so as amazing and beautiful some high end makeup palettes are, I can't justify spending a fortune of them as I know I won't do it the justice it deserves.

 I went into Boots the other day and spied this Barry M eyeshadow palette which is a dead ringer for the Urban Decay 'Naked 3' eye shadow collection, that had people going crazy a while ago. I think the similarity is no mistake, as the packaging and colours are incredibly similar.

I jumped to get this palette, as the red-y pomegranate colour in it, is something similar to the 'Russet' colour that Emma uses in her video, which is the colour that really drew me to that look. The colour 'Russet' is from the Sigma Warm Neutrals Palette which is $39.00, so the sort of palette I was talking about earlier that I would waste!

The Barry M Natural Glow 2 palette is actually really versatile, as it has a range of lighter and warmer tones. Number 3 is the red/pink tone I lusted after, but towards the higher numbers, there are some really nice metallics. Finally that dark number 6, is a really warm brown that can be used for a bolder look. 

Number 1 is an almost skin toned colour, which is quite handy for clean up but also for highlighting around the eye. Number 2 is a really warm mushroom grey which is nice for a more subtle everyday look.

The larger palette on the right is an eyelid primer, to make sure the colours stay put, but I personally don't think it works that well, and goes on a bit smudgey. I think a normal face primer would do a better job.

Overall, I really love the colours in this palette, however the pigment in them is not fantastic. If you are a confident eye shadow wearer who likes to build up a lot of different colours for a dramatic look, like Emma Pickles for example, then this is not the palette for you, as I imagine you will quickly become frustrated with the lack of immediate intensity, and spending a little more money on a palette may be a better option. However for me, this more opaque palette gives me the confidence to be experimental with makeup, without having to commit to the scary prospect of panda eyes. The colours are quite buildable, so you can find something your comfortable with wearing and then build it up more to make it a bit more intense. For £6.49 though, this is a really great investment to spice up your daily eye look.

October Birchbox

I will go on to talk more about the 'Coppafeel' theme of this Birchbox later on, so for now, lets jump right in and see what the October Birchbox had in store for me this month.

KMS Hair Texturing Style Spray

This didn't give me the best hold, but the almost spray putty texture meant I could really mould my hair into any style. It could still be felt a few days after using meaning mouldable hair was always possible, and it didn't have a sticky, or hard finish to it. As I said, the hold wasn't brilliant so you would probaly need to use a bit of hairspray afterwards to keep it in your desired style.

Balance Me Cleansing Balm

This cleansing balm had quite tough granules in to get the smoothing effect which I find to be a little coarse to start. Other than that, I really enjoyed using this cleansing balm and have found myself being a bit lost without it now. I really like cleansing balms this time of year as they add a little more moisture.

Pixi Tinted Lip Balm

This Pixi tinted lip balm is the perfect colour for a more easily achievable and quick way to do the Kylie Jenner lips I talked about in my post the other day. This dark nude colour is really nice for this time of year, and it's highly moisturising so a bit more comfortable to wear in the colder winter months.

Lollipops Nail Polish

This Lollipops nail varnish is a really curte shade of red. It is proper red if you know what I mean?! It doesn't have any other tones in it so it is a very bright and fresh colour. The consistency was a bit thin so you definitely need 2 or more coats, but as a brand I've never heard of before, this has really impressed me and gone to my go to colour when I want that classic red nail. Perfect for Christmas time.

The Cool Fix

I thought this was an odd product to put in the October Birchbox, as I felt it would have been better suited in a summer box where overshaving legs for summer skirts everyday can cause a lot of in grown hairs and razor burn. Once the cold hits, limbs go back into tights and leggings, so shaving can be kept to a minimum and the inner gorilla in us can come out again. I am joking... kind of. Anyway, I found this to be a really useful product, particularly on my underarms as I have really sensitive skin under there, and this helped to soothe the skin and keep rashes at bay. It also meant shaving the next time could be done sooner than usual and not be a scary, painful experience.

Birchbox Lipstick Pen

The theme of this box was a collaboration with 'coppa feel' which is charity who aim to make sure you are regularly checking your breasts for lumps or any irregularities. This cute little lipstick pen means you can mark in your diary when you last checked, so you can make sure you are keeping up to date with it! I love this little pen, it goes perfectly with my diary!

For more information go to coppafeel.org

Kylie Jenner Inspired Lips

There is no denying that the Kardashian/ Jenner clan are taking over the world at the moment. You will see at least one of them on our TVs, magazines, web pages, cat walks (porn sites. LOL. Don't forget where you came from, Kim).

 One particular sister is Kylie Jenner, the edgier family member who is taking over the beauty blogging and vlogging world at the moment, and that is due to her plump, puckered pout.

Whether they're real or not, Kylie Jenner's lips are something to be very enviable of, and people everywhere are trying to master her look. I too, am one of those fan girls who desperately wants to spend lots of time and money to get that ironically effortless looking lip. 

I have read so many different combinations on what lipstick she uses, and pretty much every site has said that she uses a mac colour of some sort. Which one however, varies from site to site, and I cannot find the exact one for the life of me. As I am not blessed with the families olive toned skin, I went for the pinkier combination I found on Pinterest which is 'Brave' and 'Soar' to match my cooler skin tone.

I wear this on a day to day basis now, and occasionally slightly overdraw the lip to get the extra pouty look. It's a really simple lipstick look, and lasts for most of the day. The lipstick is one of Mac's satin finish lipsticks so is really soft on the lips but needs an occasional top up unlike they're matte finishes which I find tend to last all day.

To finish the look, I just did the slightest bit of basic contouring with bronzer underneath my cheekbones and around my forehead, but I am no expert at that level of makeup so I'll leave that to the pros. A final slick of eyeliner and mascara, and you have the very simple but effective Kylie Jenner everyday makeup look. She usually puts some brown shades of eye shadow on her outer eye which is lovely for this time of year, but as I had nowhere special to go today I kept it simple.

Who would have thought just a lipstick can give you a quick lip fill? This look definitely makes my lips bigger and fuller, just don't go too far!