Last minute holiday gems

Hello Lovelies! I'm in a pretty good mood for a rainy Wednesday, only four days until I can chill out for 2 weeks in Tunisian sunshine - cannot wait! It is going to be scorching, and I loveeee the sun. For me however it is important that I take care of my skin, no-one wants a tomato face and peeling nose - not attractive! 

I like to use at least SPF 30 on my face and I reapply it often, though I do go for a lower factor on my body as I take a bit of a tan. As you can imagine, there is a slight colour difference in the end - bronze body and milk bottle face - sexy, not so much. 

About 6 weeks ago, Elemis sent me out some sample sachets of their Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser for face. You can guess what happened next - tried it, loved it, bought it. Yep, it needed to join my summer ensemble. So here are my thoughts...

This stuff is clever, it is a lovely light textured day time moisturiser and sits nicely under makeup, but as you get on with your day it magically and subtley tans your skin. It is bursting with amazing ingredients like the anti-oxidant, green tea, ginger water which helps give an even skin tone and rice bran oil to leave skin soft and smooth. 

This product doesn't contain some of the nasties which hide in other tans, it is free from parabens, mineral oils and artificial colours. The biggest positive of this is - no disgusting fake tan smell - it smells lovely and natural.

I love that this doesn't look like you've fake-tanned your face it just looks like you've had a sunny holiday, perfect. I would totally recommend this it is going to take the fuss out of my holiday routine, I don't think I'll need much make-up after a few days of this beauty.

Next up, a wee treat I saw online and had to pick up ...

Laura Mercier - Bonne Mine - Bronze - £26

You can probably tell from all of my recent posts - I am bronze obsessed this summer. I really liked the look of this little face stick and since it's from Laura Mercier, I know it can be trusted. The few times I have used it, I've found it to be fabulous on, the colour is gorgeous. 

It has to be one of the easiest ways to bronze/ contour, just draw some lines (in the right places) and buff it in, can't go wrong. I will be trying this out at night on holiday and once I've made my mind up I'm sure I'll share my thoughts with you all.

What are your summer make-up obsessions?

Rosie xox

Amazing budget concealer

Hello again,

Having written a little about my basic summer make-up, I figured I would write a couple of reviews about some of the products in this make-up routine! I am starting with the concealer which has stolen my heart, it is too good not to review.

Maybelline Fit Me - 20 (sand) £5.99 

This stuff is just a Godsend! For starters the packaging is pretty nice and simple for a 'drugstore' brand as a lot of these brands can package products in bright and tacky affairs. This comes in six shades making it wearable for anybody, I use shade 20(sand) for now this is a shade in the middle, and is ideal for my slightly tanned summer skin. 

The texture is amazing, very creamy but not too thick. I love this as I find thinner formulas to be watery and rubbish for coverage. This covers up any red blemishes perfectly and even combats my dark circles. The staying power, I must say is brilliant, after an 8 hour shift in work it is still doing it's job rather than melting away like many can.

Last Sunday afternoon I was in a mega rush for work and stupidly forgot to apply my foundation (who even does that) - I had this concealer on along with some NARS Laguna bronzer and I didn't even think anything of it, my skin still looked bright and healthy and stayed put all day.

For £5.99 I don't think you can get much better in the way of concealer, and unfortunately for my others, this has taken prime position in my make-up bag as far as concealer is concerned. I would definitely rate this concealer 10/10 on every aspect - it is incredible!

What concealer do you love? Will you be trying this one out?

Rosie xox

My quick everyday summer look

Hello Beauties!
Summer has to be my laziest time make-up wise. I love when my skin gets a few shades darker and my freckles appear, this makes me feel 100 times better about my skin. The key to my summer look is mainly with my skin care routine which I up the pace with but for now I will tell you about the general look I've been wearing this summer so far!

I've been religiously using my Mega Mushroom Soothing face cream, as you can see from the missing letters on the tub, this is fab and definitely calms down any redness in my skin and hydrates. I've recently started using the Origins Ginzing eye cream, it is lovely and perks up dull eyes a treat. 

Onto base, totally obsessed with Maybelline Fit Me concealer, the rimmel wake me up has taken a back seat for now. After this i've been going between a mix of bourjois healthy mix (amazing!!) and the La Roche Posay CC creme picutred above - it is a great wee buy, and excellent for summer with it's SPF 30, my only complaint is its scent, it's pleasant but a little overpowering.

To bronze it all up, it has to be NARS Laguna bronzer for now, (why did I not have this sooner!!) it is perfect and would pretty much glam up any skin tone. For blush my old and trusty Benefit Coralista has been fitting the bill for a splash of colour.

For eyes - I keep it minimal with a lick for mascara and I've been using Volume De Chanel pretty much constantly. Also to tame and add some colour to my brows I have been loving my Benefit Gimme Brow - I've forgotten it in the picture - silly me. I usually use either Carmex or Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour cream on my lips - however today I've a splash of orangey coral on in the form of YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 23 - it's perfect for summer.

The brushes above are the Sephora Professional 45 Mineral powder brush and the Real Techniques Blush Brush, these take the mess and fuss away and make it super quick to achieve this look.

Below are some photos of my summer looks.

Today's Look - The photo doesn't do the lipstick justice.

Before a trip to Glasgow for shopping and lunch

With John my boyfriend

What's your favourite summer lipstick?

Rosie xox

Cosy overnight and more shopping - definitely an addict now!

Hello Lovelies!
Yesterday I went to Glasgow for a bit of holiday shopping and to stay overnight with my boyfriend, we stayed in the gorgeous Citizem M Hotel in Glasgow. It was a great day but I did it again, I bought more things. Oops indeed!
The hotel was sooo unusual, but in a good way. I forgot to take photos, though I did take a wee picture of the shower, and it's cool changeable mood lighting. Everything in the room from the blinds to the tv was controlled by a tablet, that was fun to mess around with! My favourite thing was the waterfall shower for definite!

Worst ever picture - but this was our shower all purple and fancy!

We would definitely recommend a wee night in this hotel, everything was perfect and the staff were lovely. We were mega lazy and had a chinese delievered and watched films, then had midnight snacks from their quirky canteen, the selection was fab! It was an amazing night away.

Onto my accidental purchases ...

Lush - Love Lettuce Fresh Face Mask - £6.25

I fancied a little treat for my face, this promises softer more balanced skin. It smells fab, it has lavender in it, so I will be popping this on while watching some tv before bed to relax. I've never used a Lush fresh face mask, so I am excited to see if it works. I love that they need to be refrigerated and only last 3/4 weeks - this is all the proof you need as to how natural and fresh they are.

Origins - Ginzing Eye Cream £23

This one was definitely an impulse buy, my Mum has been on the hunt for a good eyecream and asked me to have a look around. Today was the perfect day to pick one up for her, I got her the Planscription eye cream (not sure that's the right name). While I was at the Origins counter, temptation got me. An eyecream which depuffs, brightens and sounds ideal for fixing tired eyes, I was sold. Oops, full review to come in time I'm sure.

Cute fabric love hearts £2.50 & 'Love' sign £1 - Primark

I must admit I love some cute girly things for my room from time to time. I like homely decorations, these little stuffed, patterened hearts are adorable and at £1 the sign is very cute too, that's me had my quota of girly for a while!

Travel Bottles - £1 Primark

Love this idea, mini bottles which allow you to take your favourite bodywash, moisturiser, scrubs away with you without lugging massive, bulky bottles. These will be fab for holiday, I've already filled one with some gorgeous body wash for my holiday in three weeks, how excitingggg!

Real Techniques - Blush Brush £9.99

Ever just have one of those days when you have zero shopping self control, this was one of those days. I don't need any more brushes but this blush brush looked fluffy and fabulous, so there we go, another real techniques to add to my collection. I know I'll love it anyway:)

Nike Epic Run Tight Fit - £41 (sale price)

I love the Nike gym stuff, it has to be my favourite and I loved the pattern on these leggings and with a £19 reduction, they had to be mine. Hopefully these will keep me going to the gym, love some new clothes even if they are for exercise.

MUA - Undress Me Too Palette £4

I have saved my favourite til last! I have been so excited about the MUA undress me palette recently, it is incredible so I was deperate to get my hands on the sister palette. This has 12 gorgeous colours, and I know the formula is excellent, can't wait to play around with the beautiful shades. Also can't beat a bargain.

Have you been shopping recently? What did you buy?

Rosie xox

The beginning of summer shopping

Hello!

I've been getting pretty excited for my summer holiday, and this has led to some sneaky purchases, but this is only the beginning I'm sure I'll fit in some more shopping before July.

Let's just say, Zara has some gorgeous summer numbers to brighten up your wardrobe.

Wish I had bought more!

 All I wear on holiday during the day is either a bikini or shorts, nothing exciting. I loved these shorts and had to have them. I bought the light pink ones as they are such a cute colour and will look great with a tan. They are cotton so they will be nice and comfy, I love the silk trims and the little tiers, so pretty and girly, these were only £19.99.

 I bought the silky blue shorts in a Zara store in Valencia last month but stupidly removed the label so I have no idea how much they were. These are lovely and loose and light, perfect for hot weather. I think these will be gorgeous with some gold sandals and plain white t-shirt, nice and casual.

 I will definitely be visiting Zara again for some more holiday clothes!

Next up, another purchase while in Valencia from Bershka...

Bershka - €17.99

Love this little playsuit, to start with I love white for summer It's so fresh and bright. This is quite plain but with a little detail just above the waist which makes it a bit different, this will be lovely on holiday with sandals and some bright jewellery to dress it up!

Avène - Eau Thermale - Micellar Lotion Cleanser £12.50

This is probably my favourite purchase of the lot! So much love for this, I was looking for a new Micellar solution to remove my make-up as my Bioderma is almost finished (so upset about this). I bought this on a whim but am totally chuffed it did. 

This is perfect for removing my make-up, so quick and easy, I use cotton pads soaked with it and my make-up is soon gone. I must say I prefer to use my Clarins eye make-up remover as this takes less time. But this cleanser leaves my skin feeling clean but isn't harsh or drying as the main ingredient, as the name suggests is thermal water. 

If you use make-up wipes, ditch them and pick this up. At £12.50 it is a great price for a bottle that will last ages! If in doubt choose French skincare, they always know best!

Next up - some Topshop goodies...

Topshop Eyes U-turn & Wax and Wane £8 each

 I must be honest I haven't been the biggest Topshop fan of late, though a friend showed me these eye shadows and I had to have my own, they are fabulous, and very unusual. You also can't beat the tiny price tag. I bought the green toned wax and wane, it is a beautiful multi-use product with an amazing shimmer. The second is a warmer toned bronzey gold which I will get more use out of, it is equally shimmery and gorgeous, can't wait to wear them out!

Double Hem Crop Top £22

As I mentioned above I love white for summer, so couldn't resist this lovely top. It is simple but the double hem makes it pretty. This will be lovely with jeans for a casual look or over some shorts on holiday. This is a versatile little top which will be easy to wear. Maybe I've rekindled my love for Topshop.