Blogging Habits You Will Have Picked Up♥

Three years ago I started up this little blog and since then, I've noticed some common trends. After a while, you begin picking up little blogging habits without even realising. When I began to think about it, I realise how many I've picked up over the years, many of which my fellow bloggers will be able to relate to.

You constantly take photos of pretty things - running a beauty blog in particular, you're constantly taking photos of beauty products. The more you blog, the more you become aware that you're attracted to taking photos of pretty objects. Why? Because they look good in photos. Trust me, I know I can't be the only one.

You own all the rose gold - gold, rose gold or anything shiny. You're like a turkey - instantly drawn towards a shiny object. Makeup packaging, makeup products - anything rose gold, you're sure to own it. After all, they do look amazing sitting in your collection, no arguments required.

The packaging always wins - perfume bottles are especially my weakness. Something with pretty packaging always draws me in - that's why limited edition is forever desirable. Take perfume bottles, for instance, there are no two bottles which are the same. Look at the beautiful, delicate designs each bottle has.

Candles are your best friends - blog photos require props, so what better than candles? Most are inexpensive, there are millions of different candles available and not to mention how good they smell whilst taking photos. Only problem is, they're too pretty to burn...

You have an excessive makeup collection - as well as writing a blog, you're most likely guaranteed to read blogs too. Therefore, you read reviews on products, fancy trying them out so add them to your collection, and it's a never ending cycle. Then, before you know it, you have a makeup collection the size of Boots or Superdrug. Happy days.

Of course, there are many more but these are the most common habits I've picked up in the past three years. And I'm sure there are plenty more to come in the forthcoming years..

Happy 3rd birthday blogsallbeautyy!

A Rather Ravishing Red♥

NYX have been hitting it off majorly in the UK with their lip butters since their launch. I'm yet to actually try one, however, whilst I was out shopping one day, something caught my eye. Let me introduce you to Collection's Velvet Kiss Lip Cream. 

In my opinion, the packaging appears very similar to the NYX butters. I chose the shade "Rosie 3" which is a ravishing red. I was expecting it to be darker as it appears dark in the tube, however, once applied, it's more on the bright side. It feels quite "wet" when applying, but it dries almost instantly. One thing I've noticed when applying is that it smells really good - rather sweet, but not too sickly. It doesn't actually feel drying either when it dries on the lips, and I love how it looks with numerous makeup looks.

Here's a quick snap of me wearing it (whilst in my jammas because that's what us bloggers do best) and as you can see, it's such an easy shade to wear, regardless of your skin tone!

For the low price tag of £2.99 (I got it on sale for £2.50, bargain), it's definitely worth a shot. There are other shades available, including light pinks and nudes, which I certainly want to invest in!

Have you ever tried this range?

Better Skin in 3 Weeks?♥

I find it so hard testing new foundations because I have oily skin and they tend to just slip and slide around. When buying a new foundation, I always try to buy one for oily skin but that isn't guaranteed to happen every time. One day on a whim, I bought the Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation for £5 as I needed a new foundation and I was drawn in my the pump. I hadn't heard of the foundation and at the time it was new, and for £5, what harm would it be?

First thing I noticed was that the shade range wasn't very diverse - I reckon there was only about five or six shades to choose from. I struggled to pick a shade as I felt the lightest shade wasn't even light enough as it felt a bit pink toned. I went for 005 light beige which is a decent shade after you've powdered your makeup. It claims to even skin tone instantly, which I reckon it does. My skin looks airbrushed and flawless, so who can complain. I love how even it looks - I apply it with a damp makeup sponge - and the coverage is pretty high. 

As already stated, the highlight for me is the pump. This is the only foundation I own with a pump and I find it extremely helpful! I know exactly how much to pump out, and this means that I don't waste anything. However, one other thing this foundation claims to do was ensure you have better skin after three weeks of using this. I do believe this is a bit of a myth as how could you possibly have better skin from using a foundation? I can't say I've seen any improvements in my skin from using this, sadly, but apart from that, I do love the foundation.

I have been satisfied with this foundation. I feel it's lightweight enough to wear on a daily basis but it also has decent coverage. I've been using it religiously lately for concealer because I'm running low on them, and this has been pretty good at covering those dark circles! I do find that I need to set this foundation or else I'll appear shiny throughout the day but I think this is due to my skin type.

Have you tried this foundation?

Sainsburys Makeup♥*

Near enough every shop has their own makeup line nowadays. From New Look to Asda, and now Sainsburys. I wasn't actually aware that they had their own line - very rarely do I go into Sainsburys - but when I was emailed about trying some products, I was intrigued. 9/10 times are the lines just as good as some makeup lines you find in Superdrug, Boots, Debenhams etc.

C'est La Vie*; On average, I'm not really a blush gal - I just never really bother. I own a few powder blushes but cream blushes are something I hadn't ever tried before this one. The first thing I noticed was how sleek and smart the packaging was - minimalistic and plain but I feel it still has pleasing aesthetics. The colour of the blush itself is gorgeous - as it's on the darker side, it will be more appropriate in the Autumn time I reckon, but as it's a cream concept, it might be better during the warmer months.

Chock-A-Block*; Lately, I have been absolutely loving bronzer, it makes such a subtle change to your overall appearance, and no complaints that it warms up my pale complexion. It's extremely pigmented and a small amount is all that is required. Even when I accidentally apply too much, it blends with ease and it doesn't appear orange toned either. I love how it warms up the complexion whilst giving definition at the same time.

Turn A Blind Eye; a beautiful golden shade with undertones of brown. It's extremely pigmented and creamy, so as you could imagine, blends with ease. It's a stunning shade, ideal for all over the lid. If you read this blog regularly, you will know I adore golden eyeshadows, so it's no surprise I adore this one. It's quite a shimmer, metallic shadow.

Blaze Of Glory; another golden shade, my love. As the first shadow, it's creamy and blendable, making eye makeup as easy as pie. It has the perfect undertones to compliment blue eyes, and can create either a basic or complicated look.

Wouldn't Bat An Eyelid; a delicate and girly lilac shade. Unlike the previous two shades, it matte, but, I feel that it isn't as pigmented which is a slight let-down. It's the perfect shadow to create a soft eye look with.

Mum's The Word*; such a pretty natural, peachy shade. I would describe it as a "your lips but better" shade. I was thankful the first time I used it as I was expecting it to be sticky, but my thoughts were wrong. For a supermarket lipstick, it has quite a colour payoff, considering it is quite a light shade. It looks lovely with a bold eye look, or paired with the most simple of looks.

The Coast Is Clear*; what more can I say than it's just a clear lip gloss? Honestly, I'm not that big a fan, and it's nothing to do with this lip gloss itself, it's just that I don't particularly like clear lipgloss. I feel they don't really do anything for me, and to put it simply, feel they're a tad boring.

I must say that I have been blown away by Sainsbury's Boutique range. As many stores have their own makeup, I feel they must be a bit "meh", but I have to say that this range is up there. The bronzer has been my absolute favourite item and have been using it every day religiously.

Have you tried Sainsbury's Boutique Range?

*PR Samples

Trying Clothing Stores' Makeup♥

Many clothing stores are bringing out their own makeup range. I fully support them and I'm always intrigued to how the quality is. New Look brought out their own makeup range ages ago, but it wasn't until recently that I first got my hands on some of the range. So far, I own two lipsticks; a nude and a red.

For a store range, the packaging is impressive. It looks sleek and sophisticated. I love that majority is matte with the matte strip and "New Look" wrote at the top of the cap. For £3.99, I believe that they look much more expensive. I know for sure that they look pretty in my collection. Also, I've noticed that the lipstick smells sweet!

Candy Pink || 71; unfortunately I cannot find it ANYWHERE on New Look's site, which is slightly irritating, but anyway. Although it's described as a candy pink, it doesn't show up as expected. It's a muted pink, more of a mauve pink. I don't suit the whole "Barbie pink" lips trend, so I was glad when it never shown up as I was expecting it to. It's not a matte lipstick but it's not necessarily glossy either - it's right in the middle of a matte and sheen finish. For everyday wear, it's a natural colour that could be pulled off with any look.

 Red || 60; as if I don't need another red lipstick, this was a last minute buy when I was making an online asos order. It was the idea that it was red and matte - I own one other matte red but needed an inexpensive alternative. It is gorgeous. A true red, just as it looks in the bullet. As it's matte, I feel that it can be a little on the dry side sometimes, which is the only down side. I never thought anything of the staying power at first. It's fair to say I was blown away. For the price, it lasts for hours, and is still almost 100% in tact after eating too.

I can't believe I was missing out on some bargain lipsticks that are seriously good stuff. I must recommend them, as although these colours might not be up your alley, but the range of available lipsticks is vast!

Have you tried the New Look makeup range? Any products you recommend?

Coco for Lee Stafford Coco Loco♥*

Keeping it between you and I, I am quite lazy when it comes to my hair. I don't really use that many hair products in my hair, and considering I use heat on it and dye it, it's still in pretty slick condition. However, saying that, I can't say no to trying out new products. Anything that smells good and works wonders gets a thumbs up from me, and if you've been a loyal reader of my blog for a while, you'll perhaps remember my love for Lee Stafford Haircare, and when I was asked to try out the Coco Loco Range, I could hardly say no.

The range has a cute, pink packaging theme going on which I adore - it looks really pretty sitting on my shelf. As you could probably have predicted from the range's name, it has a strong, dominant yet beautiful and addictive scent of coconut, which is by far one of my favourite scents ever. Whenever I use one of the products, in particular the hairspray, I can still smell it in my hair by the end of the day; no complaints.

Coco Loco Hairspray* - Hairspray is a tricky one. Sometimes they're too "wet", leaving your hair feeling dry and sticky, or they feel like they do nothing. Thankfully, this one is in my good books. Although at first it feels "sticky", it almost "dries", and you forget you even have any in. The best part is how easily it brushes out. Normally, I have to section my hair and rip out multiple hair balls just to get the hairspray out, but this one is an exception. Major love.

Coco Loco Dry Shampoo* - Dry shampoo is one of those essentials you just need to own, regardless. Therefore, it's no surprise that I adore this one. Not only does it work incredibly, but it smells delicious. Three-day hair? No problem, quick use of this dry shampoo and you're instantly blessed with luscious hair again. Highly, highly recommend!

Coco Loco Mousse* - I find that mousse can be funny. It can either work wonders with your hair, or weigh down your hair, leaving it feel sticky and dry. This is why I was so reluctant to using this at first, then just went for it. It turns out it's not too bad! It leaves my hair looking shiny, and smells amazing. Not to mention that it adds extra volume too!

Coco Loco Light Serum Spray* - I'm constantly wary of using serums, simply because I'm afraid in case they make my hair greasy. I apply a few sprays in my hair before blow drying (it actually helps to brush out the knots whilst it's still wet) and my hair feels incredibly smooth after it has been dried. Smooth, shiny and silky hair right there. It also helps my hair to feel uber healthy too so if those reasons aren't good enough, then what will be?

The Coco Loco range has won my heart; not only for it's exotic scent but for the quality of the products too. They are hyped regularly and I can't believe I haven't tried them before now!

Have you tried the Lee Stafford Coco Loco range?

*PR Samples

Mac Goodies♥

I hadn't ever tried mac makeup until May last year when my mum bought me one of their lipsticks (read review here) and I've been hooked ever since. Then, at Christmas, I received a mac gift voucher, and the excitement was all too much over what I'd spend it on. After various trips to mac, I finally settled for two of the most beautiful products in the shop - Mehr lipstick and Show Gold highlighter.

I'm not going to lie - the lipstick stand was slightly daunting to me. So many lipsticks, too many choices. After what seems like forever, and about 20 lipstick swatches later, I opted for Mehr. I knew I wanted to invest in a lipstick which is versatile enough for a daily basis, is kind of on the nude side and lasts long periods of time. Mehr is a matte formula, but, I find it extremely creamy and non-drying, and it also lasts for a lengthy period of time. It's quite a mauve shade, and is on the cooler side with obvious cool undertones. Surprisingly, this compliments my pale skin, and I know for a fact it would look stunning on darker skin tones too.

Surely you can never have too many highlighters, right? Although near enough everyone and their dog seems to praise Soft and Gentle, I felt it was too "white" for my skin tone. Then, Show Time caught my eye with it's beautiful golden undertones. You perhaps know my love for Mary Lou which is a gold toned highlight, so it's no surprise I fell for Show Time. It's iridescent shimmers are sure to glow in any light possible. The pigmentation is insane, almost blinding, and this is always the ultimate goal. I adore the design of the highlight in the pan, and I feel that the black packaging looks professional and sleek. It's a highlight which is sure to compliment near enough any skin tone to achieve the desired glow.

It did take some time to choose what I wanted, I will admit that, but I am over the moon with the items I chose in the end. They're such beautiful products which are sure to compliment everyone.

Which products do you recommend from mac for my next trip?

A Morphe 35O Lookalike Palette?!♥*

Morphe palettes, Zoeva and now Crownbrush. Such a variety of palettes with so many colours, the options are endless really. When Crownbrush offered to send me out one of their best selling palettes, I was delighted. They sent me out their 35 Colour Nude Shadow Palette* which as you can see, is full of beautiful shades, all of which are right up my alley.

All of the shades are so me - they are screaming my name. Golds, browns and warm toned oranges, what more could a girl (or guy!) wish for? One thing I happened to notice is that the warm toned oranges remind me of the ever so popular Morphe 35O palette. Each shade is different to one another; none of the browns are the same tone and the oranges all vary from shade to shade, which means no two shades are identical. There is a mixture of matte and shimmer too, creating a palette of variety. All of the shades are warm toned, and I personally like that.

I love how versatile this palette is, I can create various different eye looks. I find that at first use, the colours aren't overly pigmented - it's as though there is a layer over the shadows? - but by the second use, the colours will blow you away. Seriously. I accidentally forget how pigmented these shadows are and put way too much on my brush, but that's not a bad thing at all in my view as they blend really effortlessly and the completed look is guaranteed to always look beautiful.

I've been blown away with this palette. Course I had high expectations and it's only fair to say that they were met. If you're looking for an inexpensive palette which has lots of shadows to offer, definitely one to look in to!

*PR Samples

Crabtree & Evelyn Will Save You This Valentine♥*

Throughout Winter, my hands get incredibly dry and sore. Being blessed with the beautiful and freezing Scottish weather all year round means that due to the cold, my hands are guaranteed to end up with dry skin. This is when I decide I need to use hand cream, whether I like it or not. Crabtree & Evelyn are a brand which I see over social media with people praising their products, particularly their hand creams, and when I was contacted, I was more than ready for a challenge.

I was sent three of their Valentine's Range hand creams; Rosewater*, Evelyn Rose* and Pear and Pink Magnolia*. First thing I noticed was that they are all following a pretty, girly pink theme, and I personally adore that touch, seeing as they are for Valentines Day after all. The packaging is ever so cute, but I like how it still looks quite simple and minimal. 

Rosewater*; This hand cream has a strong, distinct scent of rose, and I know that some people are funny when it comes to rose scented items, but to be honest, it doesn't bother me too much. I do find that after the skin absorbs it, the scent isn't too noticeable. I do really like this hand cream though regardless of the scent!

Evelyn Rose*; I find the scent of this hand cream to be rather soft and delicate. It smells pleasant however I cannot quite pin point the exact smell. Although it's a delicate scent, it's also rather "clean", one which would make a marvellous scent for a candle in my opinion.

Pear and Pink Magnolia*; Out of the three, this scent is definitely the most obscure and unique one. It's got quite a sharp scent, which is more on the fruity side as opposed to a floral scent like the last two. It reminds me of some sort of scent that the Body Shop would adapt to one of their body butters or something. If I had to pick, I would say that this one is my favourite of the three purely because the scent is more likely something I would buy myself.

The best part about these hand creams is that they aren't greasy at all. A tiny blob honestly goes the longest way, and I have found that my skin absorb them in record breaking time (for a hand cream anyway!) I recently had a few dry patches on my hand from the cold, so I instantly decided to give these a bash and thankfully, my hands aren't as bad as they had been. I apply some each night before bed, and when I wake up in the morning, my hands are as smooth as can be!

My favourite thing has to of course be the cheeky tin of biscuits they sent on over too. I received the rose and white chocolate ones, however I cannot seem to find them on their site. These are delicious; they smell exactly like shortbread and taste heavenly. Not to mention how beautiful the tin is that it came in - it has quite a vintage feel to it in my opinion!

So if you want super, soft hands, then Crabtree and Evelyn are the way to go. Their hand creams come in a 25g and a 100g tube so whichever takes your fancy, go for it. I promise they won't let you down!

How do you achieve super soft hands?

*PR Samples

Oh, How Too Faced♥

Ha, bet I had you at that title! Nothing out the norm, don't worry, I'm just hitting back with another beauty post, this time with a brand I haven't ever mentioned before - Too Faced. I hadn't actually tried the brand before now, and when I got one of their La Crème Color Drenched Lip Creams for Christmas, I was practically buzzing to try it out. The adorable box was enough to draw me in to the beauty it held inside.

I can assure you now, Too Faced get a strong 10 out of 10 for their packaging - I mean, just look at it! It's absolutely stunning, and for me, I feel the gold adds an element of luxury. I like to keep it out on display in my lipstick holder - it's just too pretty to keep away! I feel that the fact Too Faced is engraved into the lipstick looks uber chic, and at the end of the day, who doesn't love a gorgeously packaged lipstick?

I have the shade Fuchsia Shock - which as you can imagine, is a vibrant, hot pink. I imagined it to be like an ordinary lipstick formula, however, it's not as expected - it's quite a thin, glossy formula. As it's quite glossy, I'm always afraid in case it smudges but it isn't actually too bad. It seems that there is a large variety of shades available so there is something for everyone!

Do you own anything from Too Faced which I should try next?