Quick Winter Glamour | Makeup Look

It would feel somewhat more ironic to be posting a winter glamour makeup tutorial on a grey, rainy Wednesday morning in January, if we hadn't already had weeks of grey, rainy Wednesday mornings. January, and winter in general, can make you feel blue, Christmas and summer holidays seem distant, fond memories, so why not glam it up with a simple, low-key, quick makeup look (and let's not talk about the terrible picture above, snapped just before going out a week or two ago).

Foundation: Rimmel Wake-me-up 'Sand'

Red lip: Revlon 'Fire and Ice' (the 1950s classic) lipstick and Revlon 'Bordeaux' lip gloss

Eye shadow: Maybelline Mocha Mirage

Mascara: Maybelline Rocket Volume 'Black'

How I Organize My Bags: In Bag Organizer Insert Review

Yes, just as you thought my organisation series had finished here comes another one! Hello there! Since my recent 'how I organize my handbag' posts for my small crossbody and medium handbags I bought this organizer insert for handbags. Let me explain, as I've said before I've always liked to think of myself as organised, but like many women my handbag/bags are often a disaster zone. As happens all too often YouTube magic occurred and I discovered bag organizer inserts. In short, organizer insert are pouches that keep everything you need all the time tidy, allowing you to transfer everything from one bag to another in one smooth move. I bought mine from WMA on Amazon. Even better, it was £3! £3 I here you ask. Yes, but it was made in Hong Kong and the shipping took over a week, but overall I am extremely pleased with this nifty gadget and would recommend it to anyone.

Here's what I keep in my organizer pouch at all times (from top left to right):

1) Lip balm: Boots Essentials Strawberry Lip Balm

2) House keys

3) Lipgloss: No. 7 High Shine Lipgloss 'Smile'

4) Antibacterial wipes

5) Soap and Glory feminine products pouch

6) Denman's travel hairbrush/mirror

7) Reusable tote bag

8) A Pen

9) A Notepad

10) My Mobile

11) Emergency medical kit

12) Lipstick: Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick 'Vintage Pink'

Carpe Diem xx

Beauty Drawer: My Makeup Storage and Organisation, Benefit, Models Own and More

It's kind of a sin to admit as a beauty blogger that you don't own or use a ton of makeup, and even worse to admit that you don't want to, but I have to admit that my storage and organisation is even more important because of the small space I have to store it in. I keep a small but regular supply of products I generally know and like, as well as samples to try, so enjoy having a nose around my beauty drawer!

Striped Box, Accessorize: samples (Benefit 'That Gal')

Secrets Tin: 100ml travel bottles, travel makeup brushes (Real Techniques), Zinc tablets (Holland and Barrett)

White Wicker Basket (from set of 3), John Lewis: extra makeup sponges, spare toothpaste (Colgate)

Gaudi Mug, Barcelona: current lip products to use up (Rimmel Stay My Rose lipgloss)

Spare tissues (Kleenex Balsam travel tissues)

Yes, it does need a sort out, any ideas? How do you organise your products?

Carpe Diem xx

Makeup Monday: What's In My Travel Makeup Bag(s) - Mini Break Edition

When I go away for a three-day 'mini-break' I take my Soap and Glory makeup bag and Soap and Glory wash bag. Here's a sneak peak inside for my first ever Makeup Monday post!

Makeup Bag:

MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara

Maybelline Rocket Volum' Express Mascara

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (Ivory)

No.7 High Shine Lipgloss (Smile)

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick (Vintage Pink)

L'Oreal Natural Blonde Lipstick (Nude)

Scunchi No-snag Hairclips and Hairbands

Dior Miss Dior (small perfume sample)

Boots Essentials Strawberry Lip Balm

Washbag:

Nivea Rich Moisturising Day Cream

Carex Aloe Vera Hand Sanitiser

Johnson's Facial Cleansing Wipes

Sensodyne Pronamel Travel Toothpaste

Tom's Calendula Rollon Deodorant

Boots Youth Maintain Time Delay Eye Cream

Boots Youth Maintain Time Delay Depuffing Roll-on

TangleTeezer Compact Yellow and Black

The contents of my bags of course changes depending on how many days I'm staying away and what I'm doing when I'm there, and I usually chuck extras in at the end! 

What do you pack?

Enjoy the sun and wear Sunscreen!

Carpe Diem xx

July Favourites: Peaches, Company and more....

I know.... it's very late! But here's a seasonal, summer-themed July favourites. 

Food: Peaches; they're in season and I absolutely love them! I usually have them as part of my breakfast to kick the day off with a smile on my face :)

Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation is a brilliant medium-coverage high street/drug store foundation with shimmer and sparkles! Creates a great summer glow

Skincare: I've been loving these samples of Benefit's new skincare range b.right Radiant. Particularly the eye cream for counteracting dark circles 'It's Potent!', and the thick glossy texture of the moisturiser 'Total Moisture' for a barrier against summer aging. 

Reading: My new favourite magazine for the summer months has definately been Company magazine.  It is a slight alternative to the glossy covers of Cosmo and Glamour, particularly focusing on fashion. September's issue features Whitney Port's in stunning flowing locks and glowing summer makeup, as well as a brilliant article on Vlogging, which includes lifestyle vlogger Anna Saccone. Thumbs up from me!

Carpe diem xx

FOTD: Summer Wedding "Sugar Plum Fairy" Makeup Look

Summer Wedding Face Of The Day (Pastels):

Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up (200 Soft Beige)

Mascara: MaxFactor False Lash Effect (Black)

Concealer: Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection 16-hour wear (2 Light)

Eyeliner: Maybelline Expression Kajal (33 Black)

Eye shadow: Soap and Glory Lid Stuff Off the Wall Flowers (Sugar Violet)

Lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Matte (002 Pink Pout)
Blush: Rimmel Powder Blush (004 Pink Rose)

Are you into pastels and brights this summer?

Carpe diem xx

Teen Essentials: Best Budget Beauty Buys (High Street/Drugstore)

I've narrowed down my makeup collection to what I consider the best high street starter kit for teens and students - or anyone who is just on a budget - to this:

(1) Best lipstick: Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick (180 Vintage Pink) - My favourite all-time lipstick, brilliant for paler skin tones

(2) Best lip gloss: Rimmel London Stay Glossy Lipgloss (160 Stay My Rose) - Great basic clear gloss

(3) Best lip balm: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm - A nice slighty minty flavour

(4) Best foundation: Maybelline New York Dream Creamy Foundation (04 Light Porcelain) - Works best on drier and paler skin

(5) Best blush: Rimmel London Powder Blush (004 Pink Rose) - Beautiful rosy glow effect!

(6) Best concealer: Collection 2000 16-hour wear Lasting Perfection Concealer (2 Light) - Easy application and long-lasting coverage

(7) Best mascara: Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara (Blackest Black) - Perfect day-wear black my-eyelashes-but-better mascara

What are your essential high street beauty products?

Carpe diem xx