Lorac Spring 2016

Lorac has recently released their Spring Collection and today I thought I would share a few pieces from it with you. The release includes a brand spanking new foundation along with a collection of blushes and lipsticks exclusive to Kohl's. The Sheer POREfection Foundation is a oil free sheer anti aging base. It certainly is sheer and doesn't have much coverage but would be great if you are after something light. It also has a skin like finish so isn't to dewy or matte making it perfect for all skin types. I have only tried this out a few times so feel like I haven't formed a firm opinions on it yet but I do think it will be a nice all round foundation for no makeup days. The Color Source Buildable Blushes have the most wonderful texture and I have become a huge fan. I have the shade Tinge a nude and Prism a pink, both have matte formulas that are creamy and have just the right amount of pigment. I can't recommend them enough and I will certainly be picking some more up next time I am in the US. Lastly I have two of the four exclusive Alter Ego Lipsticks to Kohl's in the shades Nudist a peach nude, and Optimist a pale rose pink. All of the four shades are very beautiful indeed but I just can't seem to get on with the matte formula. I find it to be just a little patchy and almost too pigmented on the lips, but I will keep persevering with it to see if I can make them work for me. So like any collection there are high and low points but the stand out for me has to be the Buildable Blushes. Love...

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

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Living Out of One Makeup Bag?

This moving malarkey feels like it has been going on for weeks now and quite frankly I'm done, but thankfully the end is in sight. Over the past month I have been living out of a singular makeup bag and I must say I have rather enjoyed having a smaller stash. Concentrating on few products has meant that I have really throughly decided what I love and what will stay in my daily routine, just think of these as firm favorites. Of course a few new favorites are in there such as The Becca Backlight Priming Filter and Laura Mercier Candle Glow Foundation and some old favorites like, Bareminerals Lash Domination Mascara and Hourglass Diffused Light Powder. For contour I have been sticking to Burberry Earthy Blush and it is a perfect colour, I originally purchased it to use as a blush but on my pale skin it just didn't work; perfect for contour though if you are fair. Actual blush wise I do have a few but the most worn has to be Tarte Dollface, it is a lovely poppy cool toned pink that is perfect for spring. Concealer wise I have been using another new favorite, the Makeup Forever ultra HD Concealers and Correctors in the shades R20 and Y23. I am a big liner fan so of course I needed a pencil and liquid option which entailed the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner and Tom Ford High Definition Eye Liner both in Black. For brows I am also using another MUFE favorite; the Pro Sculpting Brow Pencil. The Bronze Highlight Duo is the infamous Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow palette, which of course I am obsessed with. Now the big struggle for me was picking out eyeshadows as that is probably what I change out most. In the end I broke and packed a few to many palettes but the Tartelette in Bloom has been the one I have reached for the majority of the time. The mix of the mattes and a couple shimmer shades makes it the perfect everyday palette and if I wanted something extra I have the Charlotte Tibury Eyes to Mesmerise in Mona Lisa, a deep bronzy shade to slap on the lids. So while the downsizing has been fun and different I can't see I will be slimming my stash anytime soon, what can I say I love owning hundreds of lipsticks way too much. The sooner the shipping container docks the better in my opinion. Love...

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Stila Aqua Glow Foundation

I am all about that glow so a foundation with the word in the title get's me very excited indeed. Although I haven't tried much from Stila what I have tried has always blown me away, and their new foundation release (Aqua Glow Serum Foundation) is no different. The serum like consistency is housed in a lovely gold bottle with pipet dispenser, I usually wouldn't be a fan as I find them messy but the pipet dispenses just the right amount of product. It has a medium coverage that is perfect for everyday or evening wear, and it contains no SPF so would be also great in photo's. It is lightweight but also buildable and never feels or looks cake-y on the skin. Containing Hyaluronic Acid, ionized water, and electrolytes it has real nourishing properties to hydrate and soothe skin. It of course has a glow-y finish but doesn't look wet or oily at all on the skin, I also find it doesn't get any oiler throughout the day so if you have got oily skin but still crave that glowing look it could be one to try.  The more and more I do these foundation reviews I feel like I say the same thing, I certainly have a 'type' when it comes to bases and this Stila option falls right in there. What else can I say, I love it and it has become a staple in my makeup routine. In fact between this and the new Grigio Armani drop I haven't used much else. Oh and more on that foundation soon.... Ok I am going to stop rambling now. Love...



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

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My Favorite Products For Spring

So spring has almost sprung and I don't know about you but I am very excited indeed. I thought ahead of the season I would share a few of my favorite products fro this time of year. As the weather gets warmer (well not much here in the UK) and the days get longer I like to switch a few products up in my routine and I am going to be sharing a mix of new favorites and old loves that come out every spring.

Jo Malone London Orris & Sandalwood- Their latest fragrance drop has become a new favorite of mine and it has just the right amount of sweetness to make it perfect for spring. I have a full post all about it HERE if you would like an in depth read, but needless to say it is going to be my main fragrance this spring. I am also a big fan of Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt as it warms up and their new Herb gardens Collection is perfect too.

Shea Moisture Eyeshadows- Shea Moisture is a great brand sold at Target that has recently launched a makeup line and a very good makeup line at that. Just before I left the US I picked up a few shades of their single eye shadows and the pigmentation as well as formula is amazing! Their shade range is very pretty indeed and perfect for spring.

Tartelette In Bloom Palette- On the subject of eyeshadow this palette is to die for and perfect for spring. The mainly matte palette creates pretty soft eye looks that work really well for spring. Again I have a full post on it HERE where you can see it in better detail.

Chantecaille Cheek Gelee- Coming into spring I love to start using more cream based products and the Chantecaille Cheek Gelee is exactly what I'm looking for. The light gel cream is a very pretty peachy shade that looks wonderfully natural on the cheeks.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #44 and #8- #44 is part of the 'oil in stick' formual and has a wonderful creamy texture. The colour itself is a really pretty nude and one I'm obsessed with. #8 is more pink in tone and part of the original Rouge Volupte Shine range making it a little more glossy.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Glow Foundation- A new development on the original Maestro formulation adds some serious glow in the new bi-phase foundation. Part oil part pigment it is not only nourishing but also adds a decent whack of coverage to the skin. I will have a full review on this coming up in a few weeks time so make sure to check back if you want to read more.

Laura Mercier Highlight 01- This a holy grail product for me and one I do use year round but the frosty pink toned highlight is ideal for spring. It can look natural on the skin with a light hand or it can be built up to be pretty intense.

Laura Mercier Lip Liner in Baby Lips- This pink toned liner is a shade that I have fell in love with recently and have been using non stop, which you can actually see by how small its gotten. It is creamy in texture so still light for spring but doesn't budge.

Pixi Glow Tonic- I am pretty new to the ever so famous Pixi Glow Tonic but already I can say it's going to be a spring staple for glowing skin. I am hoping to do a full dedicated post within the next few weeks so stay tuned.

Kypris Antioxidant Dew- As the weather warms up I am finding my dry skin is needing less and less hydration so my trusty Murad serum can be put away. During the day I have been opting for the lighter serum that is the Kypris Antioxidant Dew. As before I have a full post on the Kypris line HERE.

Love...

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Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palettes

 So I know what you thinking, 'Nicola this collaboration is old news why are you so late on the bandwagon'. Well I have actually been testing these two beautiful palettes for a few months now and thought it was about time I had a little chat about them with you all. First of all I have to say that I was a huge Gwen Stefani fan when I was younger so when I heard of the collaboration naturally I was very excited. The Eyeshadow Palette is a really fun one, firstly I love the packaging; It just screams Gwen I think. The colours are pretty much neutral on the whole but I love the fun pops of blue, yellow gold, and pink. There are a mixture of matte's and shimmers making it quite wearable indeed and a great palette for travel. Of course it has the wonderful Urban Decay creamy formula and lasting power on the lids. I would have to say my favorite shades are Bathwater, Baby, Stark, and Zone. If you already own the Naked palettes or want something a little different from Urban Decay then this is a great pick, I also figure it won't be permanent forever so snap it up while you can. The other palette (Gwen Stefani Blush Palette) released within the Gwen Stefani collection has six blushes ranging from more bronzy tones to highlighters. Again the packaging is beautiful and the formulas are great. Cherry, Easy and OC are pretty blush shades ranging from peaches to pinks and also from matte to shimmer shades. Angel and Hush are really pretty highlight shades for a medium to dark skin tone or blush highlight hybrids for lighter skins like mine. Lastly you get Lo-Fi which I personally use as a bronzer but you could certainly use it as a blush as well. Again because it is all in one palette it is perfect for travel and I think that's quite unusual when it comes to blush, it is also great value because you are getting six blushes at the fraction of the price you would usually pay. Have you tried anything from the Gwen Stefani Urban Decay collection? Love...


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

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An Eye Cream That Actually Banishes Dark Circles?

If you've been round these parts before then you'll know that I am constantly complaining about my dark circles, I know I'm sorry. No matter how much sleep I get or all the different eye creams in the world I use I can never seem to be rid of them. A decent concealer has always been my best friend, until now that is. Clinique have recently launched their Pep-Start Eye Cream and to say it has changed my life might sound bold but it's pretty true. A pea sized amount of this dabbed under the eyes in the morning perks them right up diminishing most signs of dark circles and tiredness. It is like a shot of caffeine for the under eyes and really does work unlike any eye cream I have used before. As well as brightening it hydrates and has a cooling feel to de-puff. I like to squeeze a smidge out and apply it with the plastic applicator tip to really de-puff, then to make sure it's all soaked in I like to lightly tap with my ring finger. Instantly my dark circles vanish before my eyes and my whole face looks more awake! So thank you Clinique for being my dark circle savior. Love...


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

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A New Cream Contouring Favorite

I have a football face so a bit of contouring goes a long way in helping me. I am a no fuss no muss sort of girl so cream contour has always put me off a little but over the past few months I have been trying to branch out more and give it a go. The new Makeup Forever Pro Sculpting Face Palette makes contouring a breeze and you get everything thing you need in one small compact. The creamy formula doesn't feel too wet or slick but isn't powdery either so blends perfectly. I personally like to apply it with a concealer brush or fingers and then blend out with a buffing brush or beautyblender. There are four shades in the palette with the cool toned contour being my favorite. You also get a cream blush in a nice peachy colour, a shimmery highlight that is great for the cheekbones, and a creme highlight shade. The palette comes in four shade ranges which I think is really great, it means that if you're like me then 20 is perfectly pale enough and if you are dark then there're shades for you too.  Cream contouring is my new go to and I love that it looks so natural and just like my real skin just a little more sculpted. What are your cream contour favorites? Love...


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

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Becca Backlight Priming Filter

Long time no post I know but I am trying to get back into things today, the move has gone well and it's time to get back into the swing of things finally. I have been obsessed with glow-y skin recently and as the stress, travel, and general life has made my skin feel very dry and dull I have needed a little helping hand. That's where the Becca Backlight Priming Filter has come in, I picked up a bottle while I was in New York and haven't looked back; it adds the most beautiful but natural glow to the skin. I love wearing it under any foundation for that added boost of glow. It never looks artificial or shimmery on the skin but just adds a juicy dewy looking finish. I have always thought Becca could be a little too hyped even tough I have always loved their products but this primer has just affirmed that I am so wrong, they deserve all of the hype and more. What Becca products are your favorites? Love...

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Life Update- Moving

So the time has come for me to say goodbye to DC and head back home to the UK for good. I can't say I have been looking forward to it but new beginnings are always great. Over the past three years the US has become my home away from home and I have grown not to become only fond of it but for it to feel like my real home. I am going to miss so much from the people to the even weather, but for now it's time to say goodbye. I have loved my time here and it will always hold a special place in my heart, and I know I will be back very soon. I have never felt so accepted or such kindness as I have while living here and I think I can say I feel part American now. So this is also a thank you to all who have made my time here so special. While the moving process is happening over the next week or so I am afraid there will be a lack of posts. I am also cutting down to three a week after that until I am all settled and can put my full attention onto Perfect Peonies. I love blogging so don't fear this isn't the end but just a little break as I move into the next chapter in my life. I will be back as soon as possible in full force and hopefully with some fun new ideas and projects. Thank you to everyone who has stuck by me here in my little corner of the web and I do hope you pop back soon. Love...

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February Favorites 2016

It's that time again, time to round up my favorites form the past month. I have a solid bunch of favorites here that I am going to be keeping with me throughout my move over the next month, so let's jump into it.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair- This serum is iconic and my skin has been loving it over the past few months. It evens skin tone, skin surface, adds radiance and hydration. I have a full post on the line HERE but basically it is unleveled by anything else.

Darphin CC Cream- I think I am going to do a full post on this so I won't go on to much but in short it has your skincare benefits, SPF, and a touch of coverage all in one. The finish is soft and velvety but still with a bit of a glow.

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Concealer's and Correctors- Again I have a full review post of these HERE where I rave and go on and on about them. They are creamy and light but have amazing coverage and hide even the darkest of circles.

Tartelette In Bloom Palette- This palette mixes a few simmers with some beautifully creamy mattes and is perfect if you are looking for a everyday palette. I have been wearing this most days on my eyes and it is just so natural and pretty. I have a post on it HERE if you would like a read.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter- I have a whole post planned for this next week so again I am going to keep it short by saying this just does something magical to the skin. Come back on Monday to read more.

Laura Mercier Lip Parfaits- I have been obsessed with these lipsticks, they are so creamy and hydrating on the lips while having a gloss like finish. My favorite shades recently have been Cinn-full and Rive Gauche.

Kate Spade Card Holder- I was getting fed up of lugging my big purse around in my bag or sometimes it doesn't fit in my smaller bags so I wanted something small and compact I could just fit the essentials in and no loose change. This little black card holder from Kate Spade is perfect for what I was looking for and it has pretty much taken over the use of my purse.

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Jo Malone London Herb Gardens

Jo Malone London has released a new limited edition line for the season all inspired by the great English herb garden. I am a big fan of herb-y and natural scents and of course Jo Malone London rarely disappoints so I was very excited about the launch. The Herb Gardens collection has five new scents available in the smaller 30ml bottles. What I love about Jo Malone is that they really makes fragrances that are different and that you may never even think of. In this collection you have eclectic scents like Carrot Blossom and Fennel, Wild Strawberry and Parsley, Nasturtium and Clover, Lavender and Coriander, and then the scent I have been road testing Sorrel and Lemon Thyme. Sorrel and Lemon Thyme is a fresh citrus scent that settles onto the skin in a more herb like way. The scent is fresh and perfect for the upcoming spring and summer months. For me it is a really hard one to describe other than citrusy, I think that is down to it being so unique; but it is certainly more than just a citrus scent. Of course it has the great lingering power of all Jo Malone London scents and I can't wait to be wearing it more and more this summer. The whole collection is really unique and I love that, next time you're near a Jo Malone London counter or store make sure you go and give them a sniff; I know will be. Do let me know if you have experienced any of the other four scents as I am very intrigued. Love...


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

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