All Loved Up: January Favourites

My final post of this month will celebrate the makeup products I have been loving so much!

From L-R:

#1. Bobbi Brown BB Cream in Medium: I had a sample of this and really loved the finish so I thought I'd try the full size and I am enjoying using it. It has suited my skin since I have tanned a little but I do switch between this and the Garnier one depending on which look I am going for.

*Laura Mercier although it is amazing has now taken a back seat as I just can't wear it in this climate over here. So I've saved it for when I am back in the UK.

#2. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer mixed with Collection Lasting Concealer in Dark: As mentioned in my previous post I really love the consistency and buildable aspect of this product. I have had to mix the medium shade with the Collection concealer as my skin colour has darkened a little. But it works well and provides enough coverage as well as being long lasting.

#3. Isa Dora Liquid Liner in Black: I actually haven't been wearing so much liquid liner on my top lash line but when I do I have been reaching for this one, because of it's pigmentation and preciseness.

#4. MAC Pearlglide Liner in Black Swan: This colour looks so pretty on the lower lash line as it's black with gold shimmer and sparkle.

#5. Sleek Powder Blush in Sunrise: I love the pigmentation of Sleek's blushes and this colour is just beautiful. It is a brown with red undertones but delivers such warmth to the skin with a slight shimmer. I have been HOOKED!

#6. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Rose Gold: Again, as mentioned in my last post, I adore this highlighter and love how subtle or intense you can make it appear on your skin.

#7. TBS Lip Liner in 10 (Pink Brown): My all time favourite lip liner which defines a more natural lip.

#8. Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Skinny Dip: A nude-pink-mauve which again looks very pretty for more natural make up looks.

So they are my faves for this month - I'm pretty sure there will be some changes for next month though!

So that's all for now - I hope to blog soon with more beauty and travel updates!

Love & Blessings,

Sara

#Best of 2016: Makeup

Hey,

So here's my post as promised showcasing my best makeup products of 2016. I have grouped some of the products up and will detail more below.

Skindinavia Setting Spray, Garnier BB Cream, Maybelline Age Rewind Concealers, MAC MSF in Give Me Sun, Becca SSP, Isa Dora Liquid Eyeliner, MAC & Urban Decay Eye Liner Pencils, Benefit Roller Lash Mascara, UD Cannonball Mascara, L'Action Lip Plumper, TBS LipLiner, MAC Pro Longwear Liner, Colourpop Liquid Lipstick, Gerard Cosmetic Liquid Lipstick, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, NYX Butter Lipgloss.

#1: Skindinavia Setting Spray: I had wanted to try this as I knew they created the formula for the UD All Nighter Setting Spray. They are so close in comparison but the Skindinavia one is slightly better in terms of longevity. It really keeps my makeup on in hotter climates which is great!

#2: Garnier BB Cream for Combination Skin: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cream and it is my daily cream to use after the Kiehls Serum. It blends into my skin seamlessly and blurs any imperfections and gives me a smooth, hydrating and brightening base for my makeup.

#3: Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in Medium and Light: I started using this maybe 6 months ago and have not used an alternative concealer since. It is so blendable and the coverage is excellent. I use the Medium to conceal blemishes/marks on my face and the Light as an undereye concealer.

#4: MAC MSF in Give Me Sun: Although I have recently stopped using this, as I like to switch up my makup when the climate changes, I really liked this bronzer. When I saw HollyBoon using it, I was afraid it would be too orange on my skin but it isn't. It provides enough warmth that you can actually wear it alone, however I do love my blush so I add that on top too!

#5: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Powder in Rose Gold: This has been my 'go to' highlighter pretty much all 2016. It gives a nice subtle glow with slight shimmer. It adds a nice amount of warmth to my skin. I love it!

#6 Isa Dora Liquid Eyeliner in Black/Navy Blue: So I used to swear by Collection's black liquid liner however I found that it used to flake off easily so I decided to try out Isa Dora. I love the applicator as it is like a felt tip but much narrower and the pigmentation is intense. I own the black and the navy blue and I have used these all year. I now want to get my hands on the brown one for a more natural look.

#7 MAC/Urban Decay Eye Liner Pencils: I have found myself reaching for these brands this year. UD has always delivered with their eyeliner pencils as the formula is perfectly smooth but not too creamy, whereas MAC has a great formula too especially with their kohls and pearlglide liners. I have loved MAC's Black Swan PG and Minted EK. From UD, I loved Ultraviolet ( discontinued) and Covet 24/7 liners.

#8: Benefit Roller Lash & UD Cannonball Mascara: My favourite mascara combination to give my lashes volume, curl and extreme flutterness!

#9: L'Action Lip Plumper: I've mentioned this product before so won't go into too much detail other than it's an extremely moisturising lip plumper.

#10: The Body Shop Lip Liner in 10 (Pink Brown discontinued) / MAC Pro Longwear Lip Liner in Boldly Bare: I love a nude - pink/brown lip and these liners have provided me with a natural outline. Unfortunately, my favourite out of the two has been discontinued which is a shame but I have switched to MAC Lip liners as they have a similar consistency and colour payoff. The shade I matched was 'Subculture'. Boldly Bare by MAC is a pro longwear pencil which is more creamy. Whist I like this formula for this particular shade, I actually prefer the normal lipliners from MAC as I feel they last longer.

#11 Colourpop Liquid Lipsticks (Solow pictured): Colourpop create an amazing range of makeup which are definitely affordable. I own a few of their liquid lipsticks such as: Solow, Trap, Echo Park, Notion, Midi, Brooklyn and Man Eater.  What I love about them is how I mix them to form my own unique shade at times and whilst they can be a little drying, nothing beats the colours they rock.

#12: Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipsticks (Skinny dip pictured): I think these were the first liquid lipsticks I owned and I loved them as they were pigmented, hydrating and long lasting too. I still own a good range of colours from them but 'Skinny Dip' has been my favourite as it's similar to my lip colour but with a touch of mauve.

#13: NYX Soft Matte Cream Lipstick (Cairo pictured): These are great for when you you're not wearing any makeup or you want a more natural looking lip. I own Cairo and San Paulo, which I wear individually and mixed together. Although they are not long lasting, they are indeed moisturising and the range of shades is fantastic!

#14: NYX Butter Lipgloss(Creme Brulee) : These glosses are so creamy and yet pigmented too. I owned the 'Peaches & Cream' one but now I have been using 'Creme Brulee' more. The formula and glossiness is amazing!

#Best of 2016: Skincare

Hey,

Wishing you all a belated New Year! I had a lovely time back in the U.K but it went way too fast! 2016 for me was a fun year where I've been able to travel to Kenya, Sri Lanka and Tanzania, as well as continue my passion for teaching in Oman. I'm really excited about 2017 as I've taken on a new role at school and hoping to travel more but also figuring out a volunteering experience too! I hope you all have a blessed new year full of happiness and where you can achieve your dreams.

Anyways I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and do a 'Best of..' blogpost as it has helped me pick out which items were really my favourites last year. This is my skincare post and I also have a make up and 'What I'm Loving' post coming up too!

L-R: Nivea Body Moisturiser, Soap and Glory Peaches & Cream Cleanser, Bioderma Hydrabio Micellar Water, Liz Earle Superskin Eye Cream, Kiehls Hydro Plumping Re-texturising Serum, Neutrogena Spot Control Gel, Superdrug Vitamin E Oil, Kiehls Cranberry & Tumeric Energising Face Mask, ELF Lip Exfoliator.

#1: Nivea 'Nourishing' Moisturing Body Cream: I found out about this wonder from 'MakeupbyShayla' and thought I would give it a go. I have not been disappointed at all, it is a beautifully light but incredibly moisturising cream that leaves a glistening sheen to your skin. I use this every day and it has replaced my Garnier Body Tonic cream by far!

#2: Soap and Glory Peaches & Cream Face Cleanser: I've used this on and off for the past 2 years but have always found myself coming back to it. It's actually hard to find here and very pricey too, so I stock up when I am back in the UK. It's a lovely creamy cleanser which I apply after I have used Bioderma to remove any other residue from my face. It leaves my skin really nice and smooth but hydrated too.

#3: Bioderma Hydrabio Micellar Water: Ah Bioderma! I remember when this was constantly raved about when the micellar waters were introduced. I have tried the red/pink capped one as well as the green one too. I am not too fond on the red/pink capped one but I did like the green one which was great for when I had a major breakout. Although as I've tried all, I have to say the blue capped bottle aka 'Hydrabio' is the best for my skin. I have normal/dry at times and it really freshens, cleanses and hydrates my skin well. I use this to remove my makeup and sometimes as a toner.

#4: Liz Earle Superskin Eye Cream: I had really only heard of her cleanser so I thought why not try this and I am glad I did. I really noticed a difference in how it brightened up my eyes and reduced my dark circles. I have just purchased another as the results were pretty good!

#5 Kiehls Hydro Plumping Re-texturising Serum: I adore this serum. I got a sample a while back and then went back to repurchase the full size. It really moisturises and plumps the skin making it look healthy and young. This is actually only my second bottle as it lasts ages!

#6: Neutrogena Spot Control Gel: A fab product to use when you have a break out! I've noticed that before my 'time of the month' I get a break out. It's horrible but I know I can rely on this spot gel. I apply it in the morning and in the evening and it helps reduce the redness quite quickly.

#7: Superdrug Vitamin E Oil: I have used this for years and sadly this one is running out and I don't have a top-up! Vitamin E Oil is great for smoothing, nourishing and reducing the appearance of scars/blemishes. I usually use this in the evening and apply a few drops, by the morning my skin feels so soft and smooth. I have tried this on spot scars and if you use it consistently, they do minimise and eventually disappear.

#8 Kiehls Cranberry and Tumeric Face Mask: Kiehls is a great brand with a vast range of products I have gotten on well with ( - Calendula range as it broke me out!). I use this every 2 weeks and I really feel a difference, my skin looks and feels smoother and brighter. It is a great 'pick me up' for sure.

# ELF Lip Exfoliator: This has to be the best lip exfoliator I have used. It's so practical and I really feel the smoothness of my lips after. The only downside is, I have owned 2 of these and they can break quite easily. But saying that, I still used them and they performed well.

I hope you enjoyed reading. Stay tuned for my 'Best of Makeup' post coming up soon!

Love & Blessings,

Sara