My Summer Beauty Essentials

I hope everyone has had an amazing Memorial Day Weekend and short week, now we are officially in summer (well in social calendar terms anyway) I thought I would share with you my essentials for the season. Summer is such a fun season and a time to really relax, my makeup tends to be changed up more at this time of year and I love having bronzed skin and bright lips. My beauty essentials range from products that are practical to products that are just damn beautiful.

1.  Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance- This is a sunscreen but because it has such a low SPF (15) I tend to use it more of a body lotion. It has a beautiful bronze shimmer running through it that makes you glow without looking like you ran through a little girls fairy party. A massive plus also is that it smells amazing. I am not sure whether is comes in in a higher SPF at all, I hope it does because I will defiantly be snapping a bottle up.

2. Colourpop Bronzers- As I mentioned above I am obsessed with have bronzed skin during summer, I normally stick to my trusty NARS Laguna but I have been trying out these new Colourpop Cosmetics bronzers. They come in two different finishes, satin and matte. I have the shades Skinny Dip (Matte) and Paradise Cove (Satin), the formula is unbelievable; it is creamy while at the same time feeling soft and powdery on the skin. They have great pigmentation and I find they apply best with a large duo fiber brush. They also come in a range of shades so there will be one out there for everyone.

3. Origins GinZing Moisturizer- This is my summer moisturizer and it's perfect for when you want something lighter during the warmer weather. It feels fresh on the skin while still being hydrating. I find that it keeps my skin from feeling dry but at the same time doesn't make my summer combo skin to oily.

4. Tula Illuminating Face Serum- I love Tula's mask and this serum is wonderful too. I am especially loving it now we are in the summer months due to it really brightening and evening out my skin tone. It adds a dose of hydration while really illuminating the skin, I have also found that my redness has drastically reduced since using it which means I can wear even light bases. Bonus!

5. Chanel CC Cream- I will not be saying to much now as I will have a full review coming up on this next week, but it is seriously beautiful. It has a nice glow but has a satin finish so is good for any oiliness during this humid weather. Plus the SPF 50 (wowza) is amazing in the intense sun.

6. Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil Primer-  It is my favorite things for my hair during the summer months. It de-tangles, heat protects and UV protects. This is especially great so the sun doesn't fade your hair color. It also prevents frizzy-ness in the humidity.

What are you top products for summer? Let me know in the comments. Love...

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Getting Bronzed This Summer...

So the season of wearing less clothing is upon us and I don't know about you but right now I look like Caspar The Friendly Ghost and I need to bronze up my body a little so I don't look quite so dead. Today I thought I would share with you my tanning routine. My current favorite tan to use is St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse. I am always trying new self tanners but I particularly love this one as it is easy to use and is pretty fool proof. If I am feeling prepared (which isn't often) I will apply a body butter or an oil for a few days in advance to make sure I am super hydrated. On the evening I plan to tan I usually take a shower and use a pretty heavy duty scrub like this one from Shea Moisture, it is seriously moisturizing while it still gets rid of any dry or flaky skin. When I am tanning I tend to wash this off with soap so there is no residue left behind. Sometimes if I feel like I really need it I will also use a exfoliating mit. Once I am dry I don't generally apply lotion or any creams before I tan (unless I am so dry I need to) as I find clean residue free skin helps my tan last a lot longer. When I comes to applying I always and would always recommend using mit, now it will depend on the formula of your tan but generally a mit is always good. I always start with my legs and work my way up, for a light tan I go for one or two pumps at a time. It has a color guard so it is really easy to see where you are applying your tan. With this formula of tan you need to leave it on for eight hours before getting wet, this is generally why I like to do it before bed. Come morning I can look a little patchy and I always freak out that I have done a crappy blending job, but then I remember everything turns out beautiful one I wash it off. I jump in the shower and if I do have any stubborn tan patches I give them a little scrub and they always smooth out. This tan lasts about ten days and to keep it from fading I like to scrub every other day and moisturize with my Vaseline Spray and go morning and night. I am now bronzed and ready to pull on my new mint blue shorts, gosh I love summer.

How do you deal with pale skin this time of year? Let me know in the comments. Love...

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The Best Mask Ever?

Tula are a really unique skincare line that focus on the power of probiotics for the skin. All of their skin care include probiotics for external protection of the skin, nutripeptides for nourishment inside and out, vitamins A, C and E, antioxidants, and omega 3 and six. Their Exfoliating Treatment Mask is a dual phase treatment with both chemical and physical exfoliation benefits. Lactic acid works gently to peel away dirt and debris from the face while Bentonite Clay and microencapsulated beads containing jojoba oil, volcanic sand, and vitamin E work physically to slough off old, dead skin cells. It is incredibly gentle, so much so you only leave it on for five minuets and can use it up to three times a week. Unlike a lot of other exfoliating treatments this doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped or depleted of hydration. I have been using this twice a week and have noticed a really big difference in my skin, it's smoother, brighter and almost pore less. I find the lactic acid works really well to brighten the skin while the jojoba oil and vitamin E in the beads keep my skin feeling hydrated. I simply apply to clean dry skin, leave the dreamy blue product on for five minuets and remove using water and circular motions to further exfoliate. The packaging is also beautiful and feels weighty and luxurious, I love the pretty blue color. My skin has never felt better and it's all down to this jar of magic. Love...



Buy Here: Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask $49

*PR Sample, all opinions are my own. Refer to my disclaimer for more information. 

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Aerin Rose De Grasse Fragrance

Aerin.com

Rose De Grasse is Aerin's first premier parfum and boy is it a beautiful one. When I think of Aerin as a brand I tend to think classic, timeless, feminine, elegant, but modern at the same time. Radiating a beautiful modern and feminine aesthetic this fragrance is perfect for the upcoming summer months. I am not usually a fan of strong floral scents but I do love rose so I was incredibly excited to try this. Saying that I was still a little worried it could be too much for me as I am much more of a citrus and crisp scent lover, but little did I know I had nothing to worry about. Aerin describes her inspiration

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Colourpop Monday's In Malibu

I am a huge Colorpop fan and their new summer collection is just dreamy. I made an order a couple of weeks ago now and purchased this beautiful 'Monday's In Malibu' eyeshadow set along with a few other bits including the new bronzers which btw are ahhhhhmazing! Today I thought I would give you my thoughts on the eyeshadow set and show some swatches. If you want to see more of what I brought comment below and let me know and I will do a haul post.

So I have to start by saying the little box they come in is adorable, I love the print and rose gold 'Colourpop' logo. You get six shades which are the normal size and in the same individual pots like their normal super shock shadows. You get two 'pearlized', two 'satin luxe', a 'metallic', and a 'ultra metallic'. The set cost $30 so the same as purchasing six individual shadows. 

Gecko (Pearlized)- This looks quite silvery in the pot but when swatched and in the light it looks almost a light pink. It would make a great lid color or a subtle highlight. The pearlized finish makes it shimmery but not glittery or metallic, I personally like this finish and think it looks good for day or night.

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My Top 5 Blushes

So after rounding up my top 5 foundations a couple of weeks ago I decided that today seemed like a good time to share with you my top 5 blushes. I am a huge blush lover and I think they could quite possibly be one of my favorite makeup items, I can be wearing just concealer as a base and I still always wear blush. It is the thing that completely changes your face by adding some color and warmth, for me I just feel unfinished without it. Whether is it a natural nude color or a bright pink it is always a vital part of any makeup look for me. All of the blushes I will be sharing today it is the formula that I love the most and I own multiple shades of them, I will just be sharing my favorite color from the line. Trust me that was a hard call to make on a lot of them.

NARS Blush in Deep Throat- Inappropriate names aside these blushes are amazing! Deep Throat is a beautiful peachy color with some gold flecks running through it, although Orgasm is a cult favorite this is defiantly my favorite shade. The formula is very nice, they have a good pigmentation to them but not to much that it is going to overload your brush. These blushes come in a whopping 28 shades ranging from bright red's to pale golds. They are on the pricey side at $30 but well worth it.

Clinique Cheek Pop in Melon Pop- These are just the cutest little blushes ever, the embossing of the flower is beautiful and the product is nothing less than that. Melon Pop is a really pretty coral shade that is great for this time of year. The formula of these is a little more sheer but I like that as I can build up the color to the intensity I want it. The shade is seriously flattering on the skin and just adds a healthy glow. They come in 12 different 'pop' shades ranging from a deep brown to a lilac. Coming in at $21 they are relatively affordable in the mid price range.

Colorpop Super Shock Blush in Prenup- I couldn't talk about blushes without mentioning Colorpop Cosmetics. All of their products are amazing (sorry to my readers based out of the US, Australia, and New Zealand I'm being a right tease. Let's hope the extend their shipping soon!) and the blushes are no exception. They have the really cool unique formula that is kind of a cream kind of a powder. Prenup is a really pretty pink berry color and my favorite out of the three I own. I find they are best applied with a duo fiber blush brush but you can use your fingers too. Coming in dozens of shades that are changing up all of the time from neon pinks to bright oranges there is certainly a color for everyone. At only $8 they are the most affordable option out of the five and I would say the best value.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Celebrated- Now I wasn't sure about using this shade as it is limited edition (although I believe it is still available now) but I do love the blushes in general this just happens to be my favorite shade I own. It is a really pretty neutral shade that goes with any makeup look. All of the colors tend to lean more towards the matte side of things but that doesn't really bother me. They formula is lovely and smooth and they really do stay put all day, if I ever need a blush to last me all day in hot humid weather then it is one of these I go for. They come in 16 shades including this limited edition one ranging in mainly pinks and peaches. At $28 they are up there but well worth it if you want a blush that will stay all day.

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Beauty's Touch- So this is technically not classed as blush but damn I say it is. The are three shades of this powder and one of them probably could be considered a bronzer but this is defiantly a blush shade. A mix of a champagne, peach, pink and rose, when all mixed together makes the perfect 'lit from within' healthy glow. It has a really nice finish and the formula is smooth and quite pigmented. At $9.99 this is at the top end of the drugstore but still very affordable. Defiantly one to pick up next time you at CVS, I am thinking I need to try their baked blushes next.

So there you have it my top five blushes, just to quickly mention I also love the Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes but I didn't want to include my palette as thought that may be cheating a little. Share with me in the comments your favorite blushes so I can try out some new ones! Love...

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Eyes To Mesmerise with Charlotte Tilbury

I love a cream shadow, they are easy to apply in a hurry and add the most pretty finish to the lids. You can wear them alone for a subtle everyday look or use them as a base for other eye shadows. I am huge fan of the Charlotte Tilbury line and you may know that her foundation is my all time favorite, so I was very excited to see the release of her new Eyes To Mesmerise. They are a cream-to-sheen formula that glides on the lid with ease, I can see why they are part of her One-Minuet No-Mirror line. There are six shades in total all on the pretty neutral side except 'Cleopatra' which is a beautiful teal color, I have the shade 'Mona Lisa' it is a really pretty chocolate brown with almost hint of purple to it. All the shades are inspired by great women throughout history, which I think is a really interesting concept. The formula is seriously beautiful, it's creamy but has more of a mousse texture than your regular cream shadow, while still packing the pigment punch. Something that I really love is that you have a little extra time than normal cream shadows to blend it out; they don't set straight away. That's not to say they are going to crease though, I haven't found a problem with it, they set within a couple of minuets. For a wash of color in the day time I have been using my ring finger with a tiny amount of product and just sweeping it over the lids for a sheer wash of bronzyness. For a little more intensity I like to give my MAC 239 brush a spritz with some Fix+ to dampen it a little. I then add a tiny amount of product to the brush and pat it on the lid, making sure I blend out with my 217. It gives the most beautiful chocolate bronze eye. That's the great thing about these, you need such a small amount of product and you can create a bold eye. I can see this small pot lasting me a long time. The wear time on these is also very good, I did an eight hour day with no primer and my eyes looked the same as when I put it on come evening.  So here is the big question, coming in at $32 are they really worth it? My answer, yes. They are something that you can wear every day for a quick easy look, they also have a texture very different to any cream shadow I have used before, and the shade range is beautiful. I know I will be buying more... Maybe Bette next? Love...

*PR samples, refer to my disclaimer for more information. All opinions are my own. 

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Emma Stone Inspired Makeup

I am very excited about today's post as it is my second collaboration with the lovely Aymie from aymielouise.blogspot.com. We have collaborated before with our Beauty Q&A so make sure you go and give that a read if you haven't already. We both have a love for Emma Stone so decided to share one of her makeup looks each and show you how to recreate it. I decided to go for the makeup Emma had for the 2011 Golden Globes, now we are going back a bit here (were talking blonde haired Emma) but I just love the bronzed skin and slightly smokey eye. I also thought it would be a great look for summer that anyone could recreate.

I started by using the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation, I buffed this in with a buffing brush for a nice airbrushed finish. I then concealed under my eyes with the Maybelline Dream Lumi concealer and highlighted a little with it. I find the best way to blend this is with your fingers and then a Beauty Blender. I set under the eyes with some bareMinerals Well Rested concealer, I find with this foundation I don't need to powder anywhere else. I then moved onto the eyes, I started with the Maybelline cream shadow in Barely Branded. It's a light highlight shade and I applied this all over the lid and onto the brow bone. I then went in with the Charlotte Tibury Eyes To Mesmerise in the shade Mona Lisa, I will have a full review up on Friday but it is a really pretty chocolate brown. I applied it with my finger to get a sheer wash of color, I then used two shades out of the Naked 2 palette, Busted along the lash line and Bootycall on the brow bone and inner corner. Along the lash line I made things a little smudgy, I didn't really want to line just add some definition to the lashes. I then used MUFE Smokey Lash mascara, it is a more voluminous mascara that adds a lot of definition but not length. I also added some short individual lashes just to create some more volume in the lashes, this step is totally optional (hey what am I saying, they all are). For the brows I just used some translucent brow gel by L'Oreal. Back onto the face I heavily bronzed (not that you can really tell in the photos) with NARS Laguna bronzer, I also added some Kevyn Aucoin contour powder in the hollows of my cheeks just for a little shape to my football head. For the cheeks I used a nice peachy pink, NARS Deep Throat. I used a little MAC Soft & Gentle to highlight the cheekbones and high points of my face. Then lastly for the lips I used a MAC nude lipstick in Pure Zen.
I hope you have enjoyed this post and make sure you go and check out Aymie's blog. Love...

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bareMinerals Complexion Rescue

It was a rough week last week so apologies for no post on Monday, I was feeling rather unwell but I am felling so much better now! I have been obsessed with new bases recently and today I am going to be reviewing another one for you. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue is meant to be cc, bb, and tinted moisturizer all in one. Described as a hydrating gel it concludes that it is best for normal to dry skin. Coming in at $29 it doesn't fair to badly in price, so yes it's not drugstore but we're not talking Chanel prices either. Also it comes in ten shades I think that is pretty impressive for a tinted moisturizer, normally your lucky to get five. I have heard some great things from other bloggers about this so I was very excited to try; so much so that I stalked my local Sephora for three weeks to get my hands on the shade I needed 03 Buttercream.

What bareMinerals have to say:
What it is:
A versatile gel cream that combines skincare benefits and naturally radiant coverage in one. 
What it is formulated to do:
- Mineral-based formulation that combines the best of a BB, a CC, and a tinted moisturizer to provide increased skin hydration after just one week 
- Features SPF 30 sun protection 
- Comes in 10 shades 
This versatile cream achieves dewy, sheer-to-medium coverage to give skin a radiant, soft, and smooth-looking appearance. Formulated with mineral electrolytes to help energize skin, it’s also infused with marine botanicals to help replenish dry skin. It contains heart-leaf globe daisy, an antioxidant, which aids in protecting against environmental stressors—improving the appearance of skin while keeping it hydrated. 

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30 Beauty Questions

Over the past few months Perfect Peonies has really been growing and I couldn't be happier about that! So today I thought I would do a sort of 'tag' post and answer a few beauty related questions so you can all get to know the beauty side of myself more. There are 30 questions so I better get started...

1.) Do you remember your first makeup item?

I feel like it was probably some glittery, frosty lip gloss I got free in some cheap magazine. But if we are talking about what I first brought then maybe a Rimmel London mascara? 

2.) Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?

A mixture of a plastic spiky brush and a volumizing fiber brush, I don't think that exists but two of my favorite mascaras are Dior Addict It lash and L'Oreal Butterfly Mascara. 

3.) What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundations?

Sheer to Medium coverage is defiantly my thing. I am lucky in that I have never had a lot of blemishes but I do have some redness. I prefer a sheer base and then using a good concealer where I need it. If I am going out in the evening I go for something with a medium coverage. 

4.) Favorite high-end brand?

This is hard, I have quite a few favorite brands. If I had to pick one I think it would be Nars, they have a good range of bases, concealers, amazing blushes, good bronzers, and great picks for the lips and eyes.  

5.) What cosmetic brand have you always wanted to try but still haven’t?

Makeup Geek, I really need to try the eye shadows!

6.) Favorite drugstore brand?

Colourpop Cosmetics? They are technically not drugstore but they are in the price range. The lip products are beautiful and the eyeshadows pigmented, not to mention the new highlighters.... Ahhh dreamy! 

7.) Do you wear fake eyelashes?

Not very often and really only on special occasions and then I generally only wear individual lashes.

8.) Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?

Not really, I feel ok going out without makeup, maybe lip balm? 

9.) What is your most cherished beauty product?

Maybe my Chanel lip gloss in a pretty pink shade, I wear it all of the time. 

10.) How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up one item at a time here and there or get lots of goodies at once?

Defiantly little bits here and there unless I have a lot of money for some reason (this never happens) or if there is a sale. 

11.) Do you have a “beauty budget” or spend freely?

I don't really 'budget' per say, I just spend what I can afford to on beauty. 

12.) Do you utilize coupons, reward cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics?

I am all about my Sephora VIB card but other than that no not really. I don't think there are ever very good coupons for cosmetics. If I am shopping online then I might look for a code. 

13.) What type of products do you purchase the most?

It differs by what mood I am in but right now bases, blushes, and lip products.

14.) Is there any brand you absolutely can’t stand?

I don't think there is a brand which I hate that badly but maybe covergirl? I have never really found anything I like by them.  

15.) Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates?

It's great if products don't include them but I don't go out of my way to avoid them. 

16.) Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?

SEPHORA! It is my holy land!!! 

17.) Do you like trying new skin care products or of you keep a certain routine?

I love trying new products, I believe you could always be missing out on something better so why not try everything! 

18.) Favorite bath and body brand?

L'occitane? I love their shower oil and hand creams!

19.) If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?

A side from Nars maybe Hourglass... As long as I didn't actually have to pay for it. 

20.) What brand do you think has the best packaging?

Hourglass or Chanel. Chanel is just very iconic while Hourglass have the lovely bronze and gold colors.

21.) Which celebrity always has great makeup?

Blake Lively always look flawless! I love her with a red lip and winged liner. Ahhh she is just perfection. 

22.) Do you belong to any makeup communities?

Yes, I have just become a contributor to GlossyFinds! GlossyFinds is a great place to read tutorials and hear about the latest products! 

23.) Favorite beauty gurus?

I have a real hate for the word 'Guru' so I am going to say bloggers/youtubers. I love reading Lilly Pebbles blog and watching her videos, I also have been loving watching KathleenLights recently. 

24.) Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?

In theory yes but I find they are never actually great. 

25.) Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

I can be but mainly I can stay pretty neat. 

26.) Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?

Sometimes, if I do it's the Urban Decay original primer potion. 

27.) How many hair products do you use on a typical day?

2-3, Bumble and bumble invisible oil primer and pret-a-powder and then maybe some Batiste dry shampoo. If I am washing my hair then maybe more. 

28.) What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

Foundation, I don't get the applying concealer first, does it not just move about? 

29.) Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?

I don't think so. I think makeup is an individual thing that anyone can do, it's all personal preference. 

30.) What do you love about makeup?

That it instantly makes me feel pretty, I like to think that I am beautiful without it too but I love feeling like I can rule the world and conquer anything when I wear it. It makes me feel like an individual, and I love that I can express how I feel with it.  

So there you have my answers to them all. I now want you to answers these and link your blogs below so i can read them! I can't wait to hear you answers. Love... 

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An Eye Cream That Packs a Hydrating Punch

If you know me then you know that I have skin that is dry as the Sahara, so like everything else on my body my under eyes have been super dry. They have been flaky and just generally gross, concealer hasn't been sitting well and things have been looking bad. So I decided it was time for a new eye cream, after much research I came across the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. It had the best reviews by far for being an ultra hydrating eye cream, and I must say I was not disappointed. It has a super creamy texture and smells heavenly. With ingredients that include Shea Butter, Beta-Carotene, and Avocado Oil you can tell why it's so hydrating. It is also dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested along with a guard that means it doesn't migrate into the eyes, so it is super safe around the area.  I have been using it for a little under two weeks now and I can officially say my under eyes are hydrated and de-puffed. It is a little on the pricey side ($28.50)  but it is worth it's weight in gold, also you really only have to use such a small amount so it should last a good amount of time. Got dehydrated or puffy eyes? Then this is the eye cream for you. This is actually the first product I have tried from Kiehl's, so now I am excited to try more. Have you tired this eye cream? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below, also let me know of any other Kiehl's products you love. Love...

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April Favorites 2015

Ok so mandatory speech going on about how quickly the month has gone is going to happen now! Hasn't this month gone crazy fast? We are almost done with spring guys, I love spring the weather here is perfect temperature (most of the time), the sun shines, and the flowers and blossom are oh so pretty. So it's May and it's time to round up my favorites from the past month. I have done a little bit of shopping this month (blame the Sephora VIB sale) so I have quite a few new favorites to share with you all.

#1 Leven Rose Rosehip Oil- You can read my full review on it HERE, this oil has saved my dry skin this month. It is a dry oil so it isn't greasy or heavy. My preferred way to use this is to mix a few drops in with my moisturizer. Myself and Leven Rose are giving a bottle away so make sure you enter down below!

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