Spring Make-up - Coral Lips and Lilac Nails.

It finally feels like spring is here :) It's been noticeably sunnier recently and it's definitely warmer - full gloves, scarf and ear muffs set is no longer a necessity on my walk to and from uni! haha

With this is mind i was feeling rather springy the other morning and decided my make-up should reflect this - please welcome soft coral lips and lilac nails! Hope you like :)

Lipstick - Oh La La by Topshop
Nail Varnish - Purple Sherbet by Ciate

My Everyday Make-Up Routine

*Mac Pro Longwear in NC20 & Bourjois Healthy Mix in No.52, Vanilla*

I like the Mac Longwear Foundation because of it's long lasting finish, and it's good coverage, although i do find it too heavy when worn alone. I also like that it has an SPF of 10. NC20 is perfect for me when I have a tan, but it is too dark for me at the moment, so mixing it with an equal amount of Healthy Mix not only lightens the colour, but also sheers out the coverage. I apply this in circular, buffing motions using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

*Sheer Cover Concealer*

I used to use Erase Paste by Benefit but wanted to try something new, and had heard good things about this one so decided to try it out. Although i do love how creamy and soft it is, and it does give good coverage, the Erase Paste was much better at covering my under eye circles, so i shall be switching back to that after I finish this one. I dab this on under my eyes, around my nose, mouth and where i suffer from redness, and on any blemishes.

*Mac Cremeblend Blush in Posey*

I love this blusher, it's such a pretty warm pinky peach colour, easy to wear all year round, and the cream formula really sinks into the skin making it look like a natural flush. I dab this onto my cheeks using my fingers, starting on the apples and blending outwards and up my cheekbones.

*Urban Decay Primer Potion followed by Powder*

After applying primer potion all over my eyelids, I powder over and under my eyes, and down my T-Zone using the Real Techniques Contour Brush from the Core Collection - it's so soft and i find it the perfect size for powdering my face. The powder I use is Rimmel's Clear Complexion Powder - it smashed so I ground it down and put in an an old Sheer Cover powder jar, so i now use it like a loose powder with I actually prefer.

*Dandelion Blush by Benefit*

Sometimes, if i feel like I need some extra colour on my cheeks I'll use this over the top of Posey. I also think it sets the cream, making the overall colour last longer. Same story here as with the Rimmel Powder - it got smashed so I put it in another old powder jar that I found. I use my beloved Elf Blush Brush to apply this.

*Sleek iDivine Palette in Au Natural*

For my eyes I use a large flat (unbranded) brush to apply Nougat (a matte ivory) into my inner coner and across my eye lid. I then use a smaller (again, unbranded) brush to apply Bark (a cool toned matte brown) to my outer corner and along my crease. I also use Bark on a 266 brush from Mac, to fill in and define my eyebrows. Read my review on this palette here.

*Collection (2000) Extreme Felt Tip Eyeliner in Black*

I love felt tip liners - i find them so much easier to use than anything else! And for the price, this one is brilliant and gives amazing colour payoff and pretty good staying power when used with a primer. I like to apply it in a classic 'winged' shape. 

*Rimmel Volume Flash ScandalEyes Waterproof Mascara*

Lastly I curl my lashes and apply a couple of coats of this mascara to the top and bottom lashes. I do really like this mascara, but it's not the one - i'm still yet to find Mr. Right on my seemingly never-ending search. I buy a different mascara every time, but don't yet have my sights set on anything in particular for when this one dries up, so recommendations would be much appreciated!

Hope you enjoyed this post, what are your everyday treasures? Let me know if you would like to see a full review of any of the products I've mentioned :) 

Mermaid Hair & Too Much Make-up - F&OOTD

I washed my hair yesterday evening and let it air dry until slightly damp. I then did a french plait on either side of my head and slept in them. I do this a lot since i'm extionally lazy when it comes to washing, drying & styling my hair. This way, i can simply whack it in two plaits without have to dry it and wake up the next morning with it practically styled for me. With a bit of wax and hairspray added, i really like the way it looks. Also, doing this most of the time saves my hair from a lot of heat damage! I applied my make-up as normal, expect for lipstick. (Please excuse the slightly eccentric dressing gown.)

I undid the plaits and gently ran my fingers through them. I then used some hairspray and Garnier hair wax to add volume, before pinning back my fringe/top/side section which is at a very strange awkward length at the moment, so with me being too lazy to trim it I have taken to just pinning it back. Then i put a bit of lippy on (Beguiled by Topshop.... you could've guessed).

• Outfit (not sure what my left arm is doing?)
• Long Sleeve Black T-shirt - New Look
• Check Shirt - Hearts & Bows @ Asos
• Skirt - Primark
• (as usual, worn with my charity shop boots, bag & camo jacket with Topman hoody underneath)

FOTD | Beguiled by Topshop

This winter I finally decided that it was time for me to try out the plummy/vampy lip trend. I knew i wanted a Topshop lipstick because I find that, for the price, they're pretty good quality and always seem to last really well on my lips. I had a small dilemma between Beguiled and Wicked, which was part of their limited edition "Dark Side of Nude" Collection (the eyeshadows of which are still available, and absolutely gorgeous). I went for Beguiled in the end though because i found it was more pinky/magenta toned than Wicked, and i always find pinky tones easier to work with. It looks more pink in the photos above than it does in reality - i'd describe it as a warm red wine colour with a pink undertone.

I picked it up from the Nottingham Topshop store around the start of December and have practically worn it at every chance since. I am in love with the colour, especially how (as shown in the swatch) you can blend it out to give your lips a stain, or build it up to achieve a really bold, statement lip, making it wearable for both day and night. I always make sure to build it up slowly using a small lip brush (i use the detailer brush from the Real Techniques Core Collection) in order to achieve a crisp, neat finish.

I'd definitely recommend Beguiled for anyone who wants a plummy dark lip without looking too vampy.