9 New Beauty Purchases

1. & Other Stories, Punk Bouquet Body Scrub

This smells SO GOOD and their body scrubs are probably one of my favourites out there. Thats a statement and trust me, I've tried a lot.  There's loads of scents and other body products too and would highly recommend to any one in need of a new scrub - go buy!

2. Korres Guava Body Butter

I'm all about the body butter and never the body lotion, skin feels soft and most importantly it smells like a tropical holiday. Come on summer, where you at?

3. Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shower Scrub

Another scrub you ask?  Why yes! I originally bought this one first, then picked up the & other stories one as a back up. This is a less abrasive exfoliator more for everyday type use, but generally speaking I prefer to whack on the gloves and scrub away until I'm red all over with something a bit more powerful (like the & other stories scrub) but lets not rule this one out just yet.

4. Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish 

I got this for £7?!? A steal! I've heard some good things about the Vita Liberata products recently so I snapped this up to try, its been compared to the Sally Hansens airbrush legs (which is unreal if you haven't tried it by the way). Welcome to Olivia's self tanning shelf, Vita. I think we will get along just fine.

5. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (shade Finland)

I want to veer away from wearing foundation everyday for work but I still want to wear something to even out my complexion and figured a tinted moisturiser may be the way. I've only just got and used it a couple of times, but it covers up redness without looking cakey and lets the skin show through with a radiant finish. Beware for fellow oily skin types however, this guy needs powdering down. 

6. NYX Worth the Hype Mascara

Purchased on a whim, but giving it that name is bold. And I like bold. I also like long volumised lashes, so it shall be put to the test!

7. L'Oreal Infalliable Stick Foundation

I wanted to give a stick foundation another go but this time, not shelling out a lot of money to decide I hated the finish on my skin, *cough makeup forever cough*.  I've had some time to forget and I'm moving on, and before I write off the stick foundations as whole for my skin, I wanted to give another one a go. The one I really wanted to try was the Makeup Revolution stick that everyone is raving about, but that has been and probably will continue to be sold out for forever more. Or at very least a few more weeks and I'm too impatient to hang around.

8. Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops (shade light)

Yes another tanning product, but you have to understand, this one is different from the rest! I promise! Or least it claims to be. Confused and intrigued at the same about the results - which is likely to be my next post, stay tuned. 

9. Dermalogica Clear Start Overnight Treatment

I struggle with my night skincare, because my skin can not handle a remotely heavy serum/oil/moisturiser without clogging my pores and breaking me out but I always feel like by not adding something on I'm skipping a step. Cue this guy, I'm hoping this will fill the void and help out my current congested skin.

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!he route for me. 

Marc Jacobs Beauty Haul

It's been a long week, so treat yourself! I said to myself as I watched the price in my John Lewis basket go up and up. 

One brand I have been waiting to try for a while is Marc Jacobs Beauty, and I've had my eye on two things in particular. The the Glow Stick and the Scandalust palette. I got the glow stick and held off from the eye shadow palette (regrets, guess what I will be buying next month) and I also got a few other bits too!

First things first: Mascara! 

I don't know what it is with me and mascara, but I always get hooked into buying a new one.

It's amazing for bottom lashes and really defines each lash, I also love the inspiration behind the mascara - that Marc watched his mother getting ready growing up and she would shave fibres from a black velvet ribbon to give the illusion she had thicker longer lashes.

Next up: Eyeliner

I bought two of the Highliner Gel Eye Crayons (colours Ro(Cocoa) & Blacquer) and oh my god. These have to be the longest wearing, creamiest eyeliners I've tried??

I think if you wear a lot of pencil/gel eyeliner, particularly in your water line or if you tight line often I would seriously recommend you go out and get one of these to try. So many eyeliners by different brands claim they are long wearing and then disappear or smudge within a matter of minutes, but the Highliner stays put and sets within 30 seconds of application

This eyeliner does not move, I did these swatches at approx 12pm and 5 hours later they look untouched despite me trying to rub them off with my hand and washing my hands various times. 

I want them all. 

And now for the pièce de résistance: Glow Stick in Spotlight

This is legit my favourite highlighter. IT'S STUNNING.

It's everything I need. The search is over. Do you get the message?

Yes, the packaging is strange (I love it). Yes, it does look like a stick deodrant. Yes, it does get dirty quickly even if you are only using your fingers or a brush to apply. Who cares?

It's a cream product that sits well on top of makeup, doesn't separate, it just brings everything together. It's a bit of gold and a bit of silver, and apparently has been created to look good on any skin tone. Its dewy and has this undeniable sheen which doesn't blind you at first sight.

LOVE.

...and here is a photo with everything on:

Hi, again.

It's me. I'm back.

A quick hello (after a few years) to say I'm back blogging again because I missed it (and also because this way I can justify spending all my money on beauty/skincare/clothes)

Come say hi!

Liv x

6 products for beautiful glowy skin

I'm talking about that natural, healthy, radiant, non greasy, 'I woke up like this' kinda glow.

We're all chasing that dewy skin especially in these winter months, and I have put together three skincare products and three makeup products that I hand on heart can say give me that the right level of glow I need in my life.

Skincare:

1. The Hero Project, Glow Drops
This is a dry facial oil, that absorbs into the skin quickly. I use this after I have cleansed and exfoliated to add extra moisture then follow with moisturiser if required. Let it sink in and do its thing and you're skin will thank you for it.

2. Glossier, Solution
I hadn't used very many chemical exfoliators before this one and I have to say firstly, I'm impressed. Don't get me wrong, physical exfoliation is my thing (more out of necessity rather than choice) but chemical exfoliation is a whole other ball game and with the AHA's, BHA's to PHA's - I'm still trying to get my head round it. What I can tell you about this product however is I can feel the dead skin cells are gone after I've used it. Pretty dramatic, but I can! Around my nose and chin I can feel build up if I'm not on top of my skincare game and this product makes my skin feel smooth to the touch and so much brighter.

3. This Works, Energy Bank Skin Glow
This gives a super healthy shine to your skin that I've never got before from any other serums or moisturisers before. I think this product is particularly useful if you do not wear foundation on a regular basis, but want to liven and brighten up your complexion.


Makeup:

4. Becca, Aqua Luminous Foundation
Its light coverage, so its not for all the full coverage queens out there, but for me, getting my skin to the point where I can always get away with light coverage foundation like this of the Chanel vitalumiere aqua foundation again is the skincare goal.  This is light and buildable, a 'my skin but better' type of vibe AND glowy at the same time. Nice.

5. Glossier, Stretch Concealer
I love this concealer. The only issue I have with it is that it a much more oily consistency which means you have to set it, like....have to. Because trust me, if you don't, this stuff will uproot and move to the other side of your face in no time if you're not careful. But putting that aside, I pop this under my eyes to brighten everything up and around my nose to cancel any redness out and bam and beats any other concealer I use. It's a total natural, healthy skin like finish.

6. Becca, Backlight Priming Filter.
So beautiful on the skin, especially on holiday. Use this before foundation or on top (or alone if thats your thing) for that soft focus, luminous, lit from within look. I honestly think Becca does the best illuminating primers, hands down.


What products do you swear by for giving you that extra glow boost?