Top Summer Bronzers - Drugstore and High End

I love a bronze-y look pretty much all year round, but there's something about the Summer months that really make me want to dive head first into my bronzer collection, (obviously fully expecting to look like Beyoncé..). I don't like things too red, too orange or too glittery, so choosing the perfect bronzers can sometimes be struggle, particularly in the drugstore when most of the bronzers tend to be saturated in shimmers. 

I've narrowed it down to my go-tos from both drugstore and high-end, so hopefully you'll find a new bronzer to fall in love with!

e.l.f Blush & Bronzing Powder in St Lucia

Max Factor Creme Bronzer in Bronze 10

The e.l.f bronzer is actually a duo with a blush, so I guess you're really getting bang for your buck with this product! The blush is actually a little bit too light for my skin tone, so I'm just focusing on the bronzer. It's such a beautiful toasty brown that really brings warmth to your complexion. If you're looking for a little on-the-go palette, this is the perfect package as it comes with a sizeable mirror too! I'd say this is great for light-medium/medium skin tones, and they do lots of other duos with different tones, so there'll definitely be a perfect match for you. 

The new Max Factor bronzer has fast become my current favourite! It pretty much goes against everything I like in a face product, yet somehow it's perfect! When I say it goes against everything, I'm talking about the fact that it's visibly loaded with shimmers AND it's baked, (I'm not too fond of baked products). I'd actually been looking at this bronzer for a while, but I was so sure I wouldn't like it when it was on that I'd put off purchasing until the right offer came along, (hello Boots 2 for 3!). It creates the most perfect golden bronze-y glow, and adds just the right amount of shadow on my skin. The shimmer is undetectable, instead creating a super natural glow. If you're looking for a new affordable bronzer for the Summer, this is my top recommendation. 

Sephora Collection Bronzing Powder in Bali

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Tom Ford Soleil Bronzing Powder in Terra

I've spoken about the Sephora Bali bronzer hundreds of times on my blog, so I won't ramble on too much, but if you're able to get it, it truly is one of the most beautiful bronzers! A perfect mixture of warm and cool tones, and blends like a dream. I'm going to be so sad the day I run out of this little gem! It ain't easy for us UK girls who love Sephora!

One that's definitely not new on the scene, but that's certainly a cult favourite is the Benefit Hoola Bronzer. They've extended the Hoola franchise into creams and liquids, also bringing out a lighter version of everyones favourite bronzer. I'm a true fan of the original Hoola bronzer, and I find it works on my skin tone no matter how it differs throughout the seasons. It's actually pretty similar to the Sephora bronzer in terms of colour, it's the perfect mixture of warm and cool meaning it also provides a subtle contour too. I tend to use bronzing products the same way I would a contour powder, and I love Hoola for this.

Ahhhh, this is the real deal when it comes to 'high-end' products. Tom Ford is the business, and if you're spending some serious money on your make-up, it better be the best thing you ever put on your face. I picked up the Tom Ford 'Terra' bronzer after some serious hype over it, and it truly is worth it. Particularly with the amount of product you get in the pan, it marginally justifies the whopping price-point! It's slightly warmer than the other bronzers, but definitely not orange and there's absolutely zero fall-out. If you're in the market for splashing out on a bronzer or if you're a luxury beauty fanatic, it's definitely one to add to the collection as it will last a life-time.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and maybe discovered some new bronzers to check out! Feel free to suggest some more that I might like too!

Spring Beauty Essentials

Hello! Today I decided to share some of my Spring beauty essentials with you. I guess you can assume from the picture above, I'm all about fresh, glowy skin this time of year, and I'm about to share with you a little collection of products that help me to achieve that!

Clinique Fresh Pressed Vitamin C Powder Cleanser

I guess it's wise of me to begin with the base! You can't build a great house on poor foundations. I take great care of my skin, I'll be sharing some posts based around skincare very soon, but something I've discovered is amazing for a glowing complexion is the new Clinique Fresh Pressed powder cleanser. I've been using this on and off for a little over a month now, I say on and off as it's not necessarily something you need to use everyday, more as something to amp up your current routine. This does what it says on the tin, (or the box), it instantly brightens my face, and smooths out any texture in preparation for make-up. If you're after a new cleanser to give your skin a boost, grab yourself a box asap!

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

We often take good care of our skin, but neglect to look after our under eye area, which should be a main focus! The skin under our eyes is 50% thinner than that on our face, and it's always a massive give away of things such as ageing, tiredness, and more. I've been loving using this Bobbi Brown eye cream recently as it's super hydrating, leaving my under eyes looking as radiant as the rest of my skin, and helping to keep dehydration lines at bay!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick

On to the actual make-up, I love a dewy finish this time of year, so I've been reaching for the Double Wear Cushion Stick foundation. If you're super oily, I'd give it a miss as it's only since my skin has balanced out that I'm able to wear this, but for dry/dry combination skin, this is heaven sent. It's not super full coverage like it's sister, the cult classic Double Wear, but a nice medium/buildable foundation. The product is dispensed from a sponge, however I still like to use a blending brush to apply! 

Sephora Bronzer in Bali

An obvious one I suppose, but who doesn't need a bronzer, especially in the warmer months?! I love a naturally bronzed complexion, and this one from Sephora ticks all the boxes for me. I don't contour specifically, I rather use my bronzer to warm up those areas. With that being said, I wouldn't want a super warm toned bronzer for that purpose, and this one is a perfect mix of warm and cool! It's even lovely thrown in the crease of your eye!

Benefit Cheek Parade Palette

It's time to add a little flush of colour to the cheeks, and I personally love a pop of peach on mine, so the new Benefit Galifornia blush is a dream. It's a super barbie-style peach. Of course, this is a whole palette, but I like having options, okay! It also includes some of my favourite bronzers, so I love having this palette on hand to complete most of my look. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills X Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit

What would a glowy make-up look be with out the ULTIMATE glow? I've been a huge fan of the ABH glow kits since 'gleam' and 'that glow' hit the scene, and have since collected four more, including the killer collaboration which is with beauty guru Nicole Guerriero. I'm not massively familiar with Nicole, but the palette called my name, (quite literally). The variety of shades is gorgeous, and definitely something different which is proving hard these days with the amount of new released we're being hit with! The shades melt into your skin like butter, and provide you with a seriously enviable glow. 

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Fragrance

Last but not least, you just have to have your staple spring/summer fragrance on deck before you leave the door! Mine is the classic Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder. It instantly takes me to a tropical island, (okay, in my head), but it just gets those good vibes flowing. If you haven't tried this fragrance, give it a smell when it hits the stores again! 

What are your Spring beauty essentials?! 

Benefit Brow Launch: Part 2

It's been a little while since I posted, but I previously talked four of the products from the new Benefit Brow Collection, so if you haven't read that yet, make sure you check it out here!

I had those four products before they were actually released, and I'd tested the rest of the products out thoroughly, so I knew exactly what I'd be picking up come launch day! I had to be 'somewhat' selective as I didn't want to spend a fortune on brow products immediately, but I couldn't resist picking up five things. (Seems slightly excessive doesn't it?).

Brow Zings

First up is a cult Benefit product, Brow Zings. The original wax and powder duo. This product isn't news to the majority of us, and is a staple in most make-up bags. I first discovered this product years ago when my aunty handed down to me her Brow Zings in totally the wrong shade, but it was the place I began my brow obsession.

Now, the famous Brow Zings has been re-packaged and expanded it's shade range so we can all bask in its glory. I picked mine up in shade six, the deepest of the deep! This is perfect for my version of a quick and easy brow, with all of your tools compact in one shiny case!

High Brow

Another classic Benefit product, High Brow! Not only has this also been re-packaged, but it's been reformulated to be so much creamier, and much more blendable.

I was always a fan of the original High Brow, but never enough to drop the dollar because it wasn't quite as good as the £16.50 price tag, however I couldn't wait to get a hold of the new and improved High Brow! The minute it glided across my brow-bone, I knew I had to have it. It honestly feels like silk, and cleans those brows up instantly.

3D Brow Tones

This is one of my favourite products from the entire range, 3D Brow Tones. Beauty innovation at its finest, I mean, who would have ever thought they needed brow highlights? I certainly didn't, at least not until I put it on and saw such a subtle yet incredible difference. It's not the shimmery, luminous highlighters we're all used to, but more similar to what you'd have in your hair! I tried both number two and number four, number two is 'light/medium', and four being 'medium/deep', so I really should have known which option would be most suited to me, however it's worth trying both shades to see which finish you prefer! In my almost black eyebrows, number two was slightly too intense, so I opted for number four.

This product is designed for those who often find they're left with dull, flat looking brows after applying product, so this adds some subtle dimension, bringing the life back to your brows!

Angled Brow Brush & Spool & Sharpener

I guess for most these aren't the most exciting products, but I tell no lie when I say I was possibly the most excited about this brow brush out of everything. The brush itself is incredible, I've been telling everybody! Super sharp, dense, perfect for precise application. The fact it has a large, slightly soft spoolie on the end is a winner. You brush you hair, why not brush your eyebrows?!

The sharpener is pretty self explanatory, it sharpens! I don't have any brow products that require this, but I do have lots of lip and eyeliners that do!

Now that the collection is out, have you guys tried anything from the range? I'd love to know what you're using and loving!

Benefit Brow Launch

Unless you've been living under a rock over the past month, you would be fully aware, and anticipating possibly the biggest beauty launch in a long time, and that's the new Benefit brow range! There's a whole host of products being released to aid you all in the quest for fabulous eyebrows. A few oldie but goodies have been reformulated, re-packaged and had the shade range expanded, and then we have some fresh on the scene products too!

I feel very fortunate to have four of the products to show you in advance before they hit the shelves.

Goof Proof Brow Pencil

First up, how perfect is the name?! I think we can all safely say that we've had our 'goofy' moments when it comes to brows.. and I guess now there's a product catered to those moments! This is very similar to the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow definer, in the sense that it has that 'slanted' applicator. Just like the brow definer, there's a spoolie at the other end of the wand to comb groom your brows post and prior to filling in. With variations of pressure, you can create some gorgeous natural,yet defined brows in no time.

Gimme Brow

A classic favourite amongst benebabes, and the number two best selling brow product out there, Gimme Brow has been reformulated, re-packaged and brought back to us with an additional shade! I personally use number 3, (currently known to us as 'medium/deep'), so I won't be utilising the additional shade, but for those with warmer toned brows, this will be a staple in your brow routine! Described as a micro-fibre brow gel, this product is designed to give the illusion of fuller looking brows, whilst taming and setting them in place. I'm a huge fan of this product, and I'm pleased to see it remaining on the shelves, better than ever!

Ka-Brow!

I don't think I could gush enough about this product if I tried, but let's give it a go anyway.. 

Ka-Brow! has taken brow gel/pomade to a whole new level. The formula is so slick and smooth, a little goes a very long way. This is the go-to product out of the entire range for me. The angled brow brush is incorporated into the packaging, and is the best I've used. Pretty good going for a brush that comes with the product! I can create the most sleek brows in a second. My preferred way of using this is to 'outline' my eyebrows, defining the arch and elongating the tail, and then fluffing up the front with ol' reliable, Brow Zings! This is a winner for all, thin brows, thick brows, barely there brows, out of control brows, the lot! If you pick up one product from this range, I highly recommend Ka-Brow!

Browvo! Conditioning Primer

This was the product I was most skeptical about.. I mean, who would have thought about priming their brows? Although, if we're priming everything else, why the hell not?!

Packaged similarly to Benefits 'That Gal' primer, and 'Girl Meets Pearl' highlighter, this is another 'twist-up' applicator, and the product seeps out of the small holes at the top ready for some priming. You can use this as a treatment to grow and condition eyebrows, although having naturally thick and full brows, I've been neglecting that option. I guess its primary function is the prep the brows for some styling! It grooms and sets them into place, and helps with the longevity of your eyebrow products once applied.

So there we have it, a little peak at the collection that Benefit will be unleashing on us come June 24th! Make sure you're groomed and ready for this one..

What products are you excited about? Comment below and let me know!

Benefit Cheekathon Palette

I'm sure you're all very familiar with the Benefit 'Box o Powder' Blushers, and the famous Hoola bronzer. I still remember rushing into Boots as a young teenager with my mum, gazing at the array of pretty boxed blushers on the Benefit counter, and finally convincing her to pick up the peachy 'Georgia' blusher for us to 'share'.. (sorry mum!). Now, unfortunately like many other boxed blushers, Georgia is now a discontinued shade, luckily for us, they still have a stunning range of staple blushers that pull together any look.

As much as I adore these powders, the steep price tag of £23.50 makes it difficult to rush out and purchase every shade, so when I spotted that Benefit was releasing a palette with five full-size powders, I completely lost it. Especially when I realised the price was only £44.50!! An absolute steal in my opinion.

From L to R - Dandelion, Hoola, Rockateur, Dallas & Coralista.
You get a perfect selection of shades, ranging from peaches, to dusty roses to classic pinks, and of course, Hoola!  While the palette isn't exactly 'tiny', (I mean, it has to house 5 full size products after all!), I still find it the perfect travel palette since it also includes a pretty sizeable mirror. You do also get the classic 'box o powder' brush, but I tend to use my own brushes for these products.

So what do you think? Will you be picking up this palette? They seem to be flying out of stock, and I'm pretty sure it's limited edition, so grab it whilst you can! You can purchase it here!