March Favourites | 2013.

Hi everybody! (Hi Doctor Nick!)

Sorry once again for my absence, it's been a hectic month and it's not going to stop throughout April either. It's all change, but more on that later. Everything feels a little bit all over the place just now, especially my brain.
Finally the clocks have gone forward and there is more light in the evenings, it makes it much easier to take photos and things. However, I am not amused about losing an hour in my bed!

For once I'm on schedule with a post, here are my March favourites. You can read about my February favourites here. As you can see there aren't too many this month, but it's not about quantity is it?

Face.

Topshop Highlighter in Crescent Moon.
Review here.
This the best highlighter I own, I even prefer it over Benefits High Beam (I know it's liquid vs. powder, but still). I'm so glad I decided to pick it up. It's beautiful, and has a more natural colour to it than a lot of other highlighters that tend to be a bit too white.

FOTD | Rimmel, Dainty Doll + FamousX Leopard palette.

Hello! Are you having a nice weekend? I do hope that you are.

I'm going to get stuck right in otherwise this will be yet another unnecessarily long, rambly post. This look incorporates some newish Dainty Doll products that I wanted to try out (reviews to follow tomorrow or Monday!) as well as some firm favourites.

On to the photos.

I'm getting a little better at liquid eyeliner - still some mistakes, but nearly there!

Face.

Collection (2000) Lasting Perfection Concealer.
Dainty Doll Foundation in 003 Medium.
ELF HD Powder in Translucent.

Eyes.

Maybelline Volum' Express The Rocket Mascara.
Miss Sporty Liquid Eyeliner.
FamousX Leopard palette shades Flash and Lavish.
MUA Pro Brow Kit.

Lips.

Dainty Doll Saucy Sailor.
Rimmel x Kate Moss Matte 107.

I sort of tried to do a cut crease type eye thing here, although I'm not sure I succeeded! I still like the way it came out though even if I didn't get the best photos. As you can see I had a bit of a break out, it's not very noticeable in those photos, other than the one on my chin. I think it may have been the Dainty Doll foundation as I had just started trialling it a couple of days before this and my skin didn't handle it well at all. More on that in the review.

FOTD | Red Lips.

Another quick FOTD for you today. This is quite a simple look, bold lips and winged liner. I'd say it's my go-to make up really as it's simple, easy and classic!

Although saying that it takes me a while to get it just right, and a lot of products evidently!

2012 | Beauty Favourites.

Here are my favourite products of 2012. I've been getting into make up and beauty a lot more this year, eventually! I've never really been one of those girls that takes ages to get ready, or to spend money on beauty products, but I'd really like to take more pride in my appearance for many reasons. Mainly because it makes me feel more confident and lifts my mood!

I've split everything into categories, each category has winner (or two, I'm so fickle!)

Foundation.
Rimmel Match Perfection - Shade 010.

I just love this foundation, it's everything I've been looking for; a decent price, nice packaging, medium coverage, a shade that actually matches my skin, a nice smell, and is readily available!
Full review here.

Lipstick.
Kate Moss for Rimmel Matte Collection - Shade 111.

I'm in love with matte lipstick, especially red matte lipstick and this one is gorgeous! I think this whole collection is perfection and I hope that they bring out more colours this year!
Review here.

Beauty Blogger Tag.

I feel like doing something a little different so it's time to answer some questions!

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?  
Well I've had this blog for about 3 years and I was originally sporadically posting my photography here, but I neglected it for a couple of years but I'd say I'm back for good this time! I still occasionally like to post my photos here as it's one of my main passions. I enjoy having something structured to do as I'm pretty lazy most of the time so I find it motivating to have something to write about.

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?  
The first beauty blog I followed was Beauty and Baggage. Seonaids blog is fantastic, so many interesting, honest reviews that I find really helpful. Along with beautiful make-up looks, photos and fantastic style. Ok, I think I'm finished gushing now!
On YouTube it was Grav3yardgirl or Bunny Meyer, she's just so inspirational in so many ways. I guarantee she'll make you laugh and she makes me feel better no matter what mood I'm in. 

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?
It was probably the Naked palette, although it was a gift from my boyfriend I did ask for it. I think it's totally worth it! See my post here.

What are your favourite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger? 
1 - Being able to review things and helping other people find things that work for them, for example I have very pale skin and I like to share when I find a foundation that actually matches! It works both ways too obviously.
2 - It's nice to find people who are passionate about similar things.
3 - I love going out and buying new things to write about, that's an obvious one I think. It does make it easier to justify buying things! 
4 - It gives me something to do other than waste my time perusing the internet randomly. I feel very productive when I'm blogging.
5 - Speaking to new people and as cheesy as it may sound, making new friends. :)

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger? 
So many things, even just in these past few months! I used to just watch YouTube videos about make up and things. I then found the blogs of the YouTubers. I've learned lots of tips and techniques for applying my make-up properly, I'm getting much better at applying eyeshadow. I've also learned to swatch things a lot more before buying. I usually swatch things a couple of times before I commit to buying now, I like to think about it and know I'm sure. Saves a lot of money not impulse buying all the time. Another thing is that just because something it hyped up or expensive it doesn't mean it's the right thing for you specifically. There's probably a lot more things.

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?
I've changed the way I apply make-up as I mentioned before. It does take me longer to get ready if I'm putting make-up on though! I take better care of my skin, I only used to mosturise when I really had to. I do spend more money on beauty products now, but I'm not really buying clothes any more so it's alright I suppose.

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?  
Well I'm still starting out, so I'll just talk about what I'm doing at the moment. Write about what you like, what you know and what interests you. Chances are there will be other people out there with similar opinions and beauty likes. Don't worry if you don't have many followers, it doesn't mean you have a bad blog or that no-one is reading it. As long as you're enjoying what you're writing, that's what matters! Also, you don't have to go out any buy loads of new things, you could start by writing about your Holy Grail products and things you've maybe overlooked in your collection. Reply to all comments you get, be friendly and comment on other peoples blogs too!

Name your top five brands!
Rimmel, MAC, Elf, MUA and Collection 2000 probably. Bit of a weird mixture, but I have a wide variety of brands, they're the ones I have most products from I'd say.

Recommend your top five favourite beauty products!
1 - A classic red lipstick - my favourites are Really Red by Revlon, 111 by Kate Moss Rimmel and Russian Red by MAC.
2 - Naked palette, really does live up to the hype if you like a nude or smoky eye.
3 - MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation in NC 15 - best foundation I've used so far.
4 - Any Aussie hair product, be it shampoo, conditioner or styling products. They are all fantastic and smell so yummy.
5 - Batiste dry shampoo in the scent Boho - if they ever stop making this I'll actually cry. It smells amazing and works wonders on my hair.

Yup, so that's it. I tag everyone because you should all do this, it's interesting and I want to see your answers! Comment if you're going to do it or if you already have :)

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Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick Reviews.

I'm very excited to say that I've bought another two lipsticks from the Kate Moss Rimmel matte collection! The first one I bought is mentioned in my Favourite Matte Lipsticks post (shade 111). I originally wanted shade 107 when I was looking at them the first time but it was sold out. I then found out my mum had it and she let me try it out. I fell even deeper in love with it. When I noticed Superdrug had restocked it I couldn't help myself. I also wanted to try a pinky/nude shade so I also picked up 101. Such a bargain at £5.49 each!

Favourite Matte Lipsticks.

As you may have noticed by now I absolutely love matte lipsticks. I don't think that I suit shimmery lips, a bit of sheen at night is enough for me.

These are some of my favourite matte lip colours (minus MACs Russian Red, which will have it's own post soon).

Please excuse the grody state of the packaging!

First one is by e.l.f, it was mentioned it in my haul a couple of weeks ago. It's a lip pencil in the colour Tea Rose and it cost £3.75. It's a lovely cool pink colour, something that is a little odd for me, but this is pretty much the only thing I wear other than red. I do find it to be a little more drying than the other two I'll be writing about, but it is beautifully opaque.

The next one is from the Kate Moss for Rimmel matte collection. It is in shade 111 - Kiss of Life. I was actually looking for shade 107 when I was looking at them as I wanted to try something a little darker for Autumn, but it was sold out. So I went for yet another red! I'm very glad I did, it's a beautiful colour which I have worn several times. It's a slightly deeper red than a classic red, so it's different from anything I already have. Bonus points for it being matte! This is a long lasting colour and it's not too drying on my already dry lips.
I will be keeping an eye out for 107 though as my mum has it and she loves it! These cost only £5.49.

Lastly, this is my absolute favourite, it's Really Red by Revlon. Revlon is a brand that I had never really paid much attention to before this year. The first thing I bought was their Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie, I was looking to try something a little different and I was pleasantly surprised. From then on I kept an eye on the stand and tried a few different things out. I also saw many blog posts and review raving about their lipsticks so I thought it was time to try one. I bought this about a month ago from eBay, for £5.99.

L-R: Tea Rose, Really Red and Kiss of Life (111).

Do you like matte lipsticks? Any suggestions?

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