The perfect bitch: Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick

Not often do I squeak when opening post, and when I do it is always for the wrong reason (brown envelopes I'm looking at you), but a certain package from FeelUnique did this to me recently. All for the right reasons of course, and tucked away in the packaging was the Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Bitch Perfect lipstick from the K.I.S.S.I.N.G range.

I am probably Pillow Talks biggest fan - one look in my makeup bag will show you the lipstick, lip liner eyeshadow palette...ok you get it, and I until I looked up this lipstick for this post I didn't realise how well loved this shade is in the beauty world. Being a gorgeous peach-toned nude this is hardly surprising, and it seems Bitch Perfect from Charlotte’s signature K.I.S.S.I.N.G range has become a bit of cult among beauty bloggers (this shade is said to have been inspired by a modern or classic icon did you know?).

I did think this would be to dark and slightly harsh on my pale skin, but it is surprisingly natural looking and just gives that 'my lips but better look' that I always try and achieve as I'm not adventurous enough for much else. Even my mum said 'oh this is a shade you'll actually wear.'

To be honest though, I think I would of fell in love with this lipstick regardless of the colour purely for how creamy and long lasting Bitch Perfect is. You can definitely tell there are some 'light diffusing pigments' thrown into the formula as even after a few hours of wear this doesn't lose its just applied look like some lipstick do. I would say the K.I.S.S.I.N.G range of lipsticks are very similar in finish to MAC Cremesheen or a YSL Rouge Volupte, just better. Bitch Perfect is mum approved and squeak worthy - what else is needed?

Have you tried any Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks?

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Handcare 101

Hand washing has become second nature to us all (hand wash recommendations are welcome BTW), but wow my hands have suffered as a results, clean yes but dry? No, extremely dry would be a far better definition.

A few tips I picked up the past few weeks?

Ok, pat your hands dry. Do. Not. Rub.

Look to hand creams that contain emollients - these have been my savour. The Body Shops Almond Milk and Honey hand cream needs a special mention at this point.

Old fashioned soap and water is always is preferable. Obviously out & about hand sanitisers are essential, but at home (which is the only place I am the moment) soap is far more gentle on my skin.

Face mask for your hands, or otherwise known as hand masks - yes these are a thing. Epionce’s Renewal Hand Cream is ideal for a nighttime treat, a nice think layer will do the trick.

And now for to add to the glamour of self isolating - gloves gloves gloves. Get the marigolds out - helping minimise the expose your hands experience when cleaning.

Marigolds and loungewear - trust me, they go.

What are tips for keeping your hands in top form?

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The Monday Pick Me Ups: Part Three

Ok, so beauty products won't be much of a distraction from what's going on currently -and caffeine pick me up only lasts a certain about of time, beauty products make me feel uplifted and well, 'picked up' for a little while, or at least somewhat distracted.

Firstly is the Philosophy Pure Grace body butter. This is very much a grown up Lush sort of smell, and I can apply this on a Saturday night and wake up on a Sunday and get a waft of this scent pass me buy - even after a serious Neflix binge. 

Next is the Makeup Revolution Highlight Palette, and being made up of three different shade options I can vary this based on my mood. Well, all of this is providing I actually make it to the point of applying makeup...some days do not quite reach this level...

Lastly is the Lee Stafford Coconut Hairspray. Again, this is providing I get to the point of needing hairspray. Sitting around watching Friends repeats do not require hairspray. But when I do, and when I subsequently move my head I get the most wonderful coconut scent and I almost feel like I could be sitting on a beach drinking Pina Colada out of a coconut, which to be honest, is a thought we could all use as a distract at the moment. 

What are your favourite pick me ups?

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Wallpaper Wednesday

Cliche title? Obviously, but who doesn't want a mid week pick up with a wallpaper change? I change my technology wallpaper more than I drink water (the sin), so naturally I spend far too long browsing the internet for choices/options/new finds - so here are my current favorites:

Corrie Broomfield - AKA best wallpaper around IMO - find all of her creative doings here.

Friday Faye - Pink and motivational? I'm done. Find more here.

 Ariana Grande inspired? Blogpixie, well done. Here you go.

Want to make your phone feel expensive (as phones are cheap eh...) you can't go wrong with a Dior feel.

Ok, I know, marble cliche, rose gold etc - but tell me you can't resist this? Here you go.

Tell me your favourite places to find wallpapers?

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Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter Liquid Starlight

Hello, my name is Annabel and I am addicted to all things shiny. But trying to find the balance between on trend highlight and full face sparkle/illuminating is hard. The struggle is real. So when I found out Makeup Revolution have release 7 new highlight shades, including this Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter Liquid Starlight, my summer was made. 

Spoiler alert: it's incredible.

This highlighter is a reflective, iridescent champagne toned liquid, and it comes packaged in a holographic droplet bottle, which just adds to the fun (because let's be honest, packaging matters). Think Iconic London and Cover FX in terms of staying power, as this highlighter stayed on all day, despite the Bank Holiday heat and ever the swatch I did on my hand was staying put. Makeup Revolution also suggests mixing a little with body lotion for a whole-body unicorn glow.

The other shades from this new range include; Starlight, Champagne, Luminous Gold, Lustre Gold, Rose Gold, Bronze Gold and the next one on my list Unicorn Elixir - because what is that saying? Always be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn, then always be a unicorn. I'll be a very well highlighted one at that.

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter Liquid Starlight?

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Lee Stafford Coco Loco Mousse & Hairspray

I don't often buy things purely for one reason. Well okay, that may be a slight lie I am a slight magpie for pretty things, but generally speaking I like to buy things when there are a few reasons for me to do so. But did this happen recently? Of course not, I saw the word coconut and the Lee Stafford Coco Loco Mousse and Hairspray just fell into my basket....

To give myself credit, I do know I like Lee Stafford haircare and their 'Hair that doesn't grow' range has been a massive hit in my bathroom but I hadn't really seen much on his new coconut range, but nevertheless being a huge coconut fan this purchase was a 'no brainer'. The hairspray is designed to, well do what hairspray generally does and keep hair in place. No hairspray has ever overtaken Elnette, it's Elnette then everything else, but this Coconut hairspray is on par. Yes, on par. No not better, but just as good. Its does just what I want, holds my hair in place without 'showing', and stays in all day and then brushes out. An added bonus for this pink can? Not only does it smell of coconut (duh), you can smell the coconut when you move your head. Genius.

The mousse in similar fashion is designed to give soft, big, bouncy hair with a deliciously coconut scent, and that it does. Its less of a stiff foam then others, but disappears into my hair and leaves me with hair that is full of volume and with no crispy fringe in sight. This is the first mousse I have actually stuck with using, usually I don't see any benefit so I don't bother but Coco Loco has changed this.

Both were so worth the impulse purchase, and if anything my nose definitely thanks me on a daily basis with the coconut trace following me round - being a magpie for coconut has worked in mine, and my flat fringe, favour.  

Have you tried the Lee Stafford Coco Loco Range?

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The L'Oreal Paris Paradise Collection

So, I'm a cliche. I could pretend otherwise, but to be honest I don't mind and I am well on my way to pick up my marble background as we speak....

But, lets be serious as there was no way I was putting down a rose gold packaged mascara and eyebrow pomade was there? It is just far to Instagrammable to miss out on. I'll give myself credit here as I do normally love anything L'Oreal so I knew there was a good chance I'd see beyond the prettiness and use the products regardless. Out of their new range I opted for the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara (£9.99) obviously, and the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Brow Pomade (£9.99) as my new lashes would need new eyebrow friends.

I had heard rumours that the mascara was a dupe for the slightly well known mascara out there... the Too Faced Better Than Sex, and with a price tag of £9.99 compared to £19 and rose gold packaging L'Oreal already had brownie points. L'Oréal's Paradise mascara promises to give "intense volume, spectacular length and a feather soft feel." Which basically sounds like my dream lashes in a rose gold tube. What have pleased me even more with L'Oreal is that I can get away with just one coat of this (hello work mornings), and when one coat doesn't happen, which is quite often, I can build up volume without clumping and with my lashes seeming to grow in length. A versatile mascara? This tube can stay firmly in my makeup bag.

No pressure for the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Brow Pomade....and it was off to a good start at the stand in Boots due to the colour choice. No three shade choices from L'Oreal and I opted for the 'warm blonde', which matches my pale skin and mid blonde hair perfectly. As in it actually looks like my brows, not like I've drawn them on with a darker shade. The natural look that can firstly be achieved with the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Brow Pomade is ideal to match my one coat mascara days. And like the mascara this can be build up (without clogging and looking OTT) to get more of an evening look. But the best thing about the Brow Pomade? The smudge proof qualities...tried and testing accidentally in one of those 'I forgot I put my brows on' situations as I wiped my brows and they stayed put. A miracle. This was then extended to the removal, as this did take quite a firm rub to totally remove.

I am glad L'Oreal didn't let me down here, because as much I don't mind being a walking cliche, I do feel much better about myself (as does my bank account) when the products are nothing less than wonderful. A blonde beauty blogger with a rose gold obsession? Now you don't see many of those around...but least I can have good lashes and brows when I get my marble iPhone out...

Have you tried the L'Oreal Paris Paradise range yet?

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The Natural Health Practice Hair Skin and Nails supplements

Patience isn't my strong point, especially when it come to beauty. Instant results is what I'm after, and anything that takes longer than that doesn't generally work with me. So when I started taking The Natural Health Practice's Hair, Skin & Nails supplement (£29.77) I had already pictured myself with Beyonce-esque wind machine type hair by the weekend. Seems I was being a tad optimistic, as until 6 months ago I firstly I had never thought about taking supplements, and secondly didn't realise that these supplements can take around 3 months in 'get into your system'. Sigh. Nevertheless, I thought adding these into my daily routine wasn't going to do much harm, and hey if I got better hair, nails and skin as a results then that is a bonus.

So why did these stand out for me over the others in the market (apart from a certain Kardashian family not endorsing them)?  The entire The Natural Health Practice brand is formulated by Dr Marilyn Glenville, AKA the Charlotte Tilbury and MACs of the nutrition world. And we all love a expert. The combination of Vitamin C, Biotin and Zinc in these supplements is specifically formulated for health, radiance and beauty and is a special combination carefully chosen nutrients for women - and being one of the female species myself I thought this pot could only do good things. I am sure these would also work for men, I can't see the limitations stopping at women.

Now for the science bit, and if you're not fussed please feel free to skip this next paragraph (just not the rest obviously...). So, the combination of ingredients all help to slow down the ageing process, with nutrients that help with the strengthening of collagen such as MSM, Lysine and vitamin C. The other nutrients include biotin for maintaining healthy hair and skin, horsetail (nothing do to with actual horses FYI) which provides a natural source of silica for strengthening hair and nails, inositol and choline for promoting hair growth and lastly vitamin B12 for healthy cell growth.

Now onto the important bit - do they work? In a short answer, yes. My hair has been my biggest beauty hassle, long story short it fell out when I was 16 due to medical problems and grew back, well sort of grew back all fine and wispy (goodbye to the dark thick hair I used to flick around), and even to this day has never been the same again. When I'm stressed it falls out and I get with 50p sized pieces missing around my head. But the last 4 months have been slightly different, hair-wise at least as my scalp has seen more hair growth than 'normal', and the condition of my hair has been described by as hair dresser as 'very good', and I am normally the person who gets told off by the hairdressers....

I have spoken to some other people who have used the Hair, Skin and Nails, and seems to be one of those products that varies with every person. Some said they noticed a change in their hair in a few weeks, some said it was their nails they noticed the benefit with first. Like I have mentioned, Hair, Skin and Nails has made the most difference to my hair, but then I am lucky with my skin not to get many blemishes (only sugar induced ones), and the same with my nails as they have always been strong like acrylics - but for what these supplements have done for my hair alone I will make sure I remember to take my two a day, and keep working towards my Beyonce goals.

Do you use any beauty supplements?

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Makeup Revolution Baking Powder Ghost Finish

Remember the Luxury Banana powder? As if you could forget that name. Funny off topic story - in my old house we used to have a banana shaped phone. Yes seriously (link link link). Anyway, off the back of banana powder, Makeup Revolution have upped their game for us paler skins and developed a light finishing powder, called the Makeup Revolution Baking Powder Ghost Finish (£5).  Can't say I have ever used ghostly white as as beauty inspo, purely as I'd never be as cute as Casper, but as usual Makeup Revolution have made the impossible possible and I have not put this little pot down all week. 

As you would imagine with the name Ghost, this is a white mattifying powder designed for setting areas you generally place concealer, so for me under the eyes, in the centre of the forehead, on the bridge of the nose and the chin. Or also known as my entire face...but it does give my foundation a highlighted dewy finish when applied at the end of my makeup routine. I loved the finished, so in true me style I wasn't overly fussed if this powder did much more, but I was pleasantly surprised to notice my makeup lasted longer and didn't smudge around my face so much during the day like normal.

The only thing to watch out for is the mini sieve within the lid, while it will prevent clumping and ensure easy application it does make a white powdery mess everywhere when you open it...just be careful where you choose to open this one or expect a bit of judgement. 

I can handle whatever judgement comes by way as I have a dewy face of perfectly set makeup, and being the previously owner of a banana phone I am the last person to throw judgements around. 

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Baking Powder Ghost Finish?

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Hello Summer Nails. Hello Rimmel Super Shine Nail Polish

So what happens when you go into Tesco's for a food shop? You come out with a new Rimmel nail polish of course. Or perhaps that is just me and my lack of makeup self control in the vegetable isle. I don't know quite what happened there, but I love my new Rimmel 60 Second Super Shine Nail Polish (£2.99). A summer cliche of course with the coral, or One Last Tango as Rimmel have named this, but what other colour am I really meant to wear in August?

Obviously I didn't really purchase this for the 60 second claim, or the shine factor, as it was just the only nail varnish choice on offer. But I am very impressed with the brush on this and its much better than most, even Essie. The formula is even more surprisingly, thick and non gappy, two coats was plenty, and I could even skip a top coat. I can safely say this is the best thing I have ever brought from Tesco's.

Have you tried the Rimmel 60 Second Super Shine Nail Polishes?

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