New In Beauty: June 2015

Clinique anti-blemish solutions 3 step system. Everyone's heard of this by now, it's infamous. Clinique's 3 step program for problem skin. Mine was a little freebie from when my mum bought a load of makeup from there a few months ago. I think the only difference between this one and the one that the sell in store is that I got a little bar of soap, instead of a foaming cleanser. But the steps are the same. 1. Cleanse your face with the cleanser. 2. Exfoliate with the clarifying lotion (feels more like a toner but I'm guessing there are miniscule beads in there). 3. Moisturise with the all-over clearing treatment. Honestly, this stuff has rescued my skin. I think it really does work to help clear and clarify everything and I'd say that it works best for those in their early to mid twenties who maybe have a few blemishes here and there. I notice a difference when I stop using this and then start again. I will definitely be repurchasing these items and keeping them in my skincare routine
I'm afraid I can't find the mini set that I have ( but I think you can get it from airports) so here's the separate products:
Cleansing Bar
Clarifying Lotion
Clearing Moisturiser

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Oh my god, this stuff s incredible and I'm so glad I found it. Whilst in Paris (if you didn't know I was check this out) I walked into Sephora on the Champs Elysee, whilst I was mesmorised by the fact it was a Sephora. I was a tad underwhelmed, at first I thought it was just like the one in Prague where pretty much everything was available in the UK. But not in Paris. I found the Too Faced counter. And as Ben was getting a tad bored, I chose just one thing from there. And oh my am I glad I chose this. . It volumises, it lengthens, it blackens, it does everything. I would say it's just as good if not better than Benefit's They're Real. I am considering writing a blogpost comparing the two with pros and cons, if you want to see it, let me know! I previously thought you couldn't get Too Faced makeup in the UK, HOWEVER, Debenhams have recently launched it. So beware, there will be a Too Faced haul coming this way.
Link here

MAC 129 Powder Brush. I have needed a new powder brush for so long and this really does the trick. It has the perfect consistency in bristles and is really soft, it's easy to apply powder with. The brush itself isn't too big or too small and it doesn't hold an insane amount of powder after its use. It also washes really well.
Link here

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Plus. After a good few months without my favourite powder when I went back to it I fell in love all over again. And EVERYONE commented on how good my base looked once I had this back in my life. It's so good, applied in the right areas it gives perfect coverage to your skin, and mattifies but also doesn't take away the dewiness. Just apply in T-zone, chin, upper lip and apples of the cheeks instead of all over. I also think MAC powders have a really good colour variety

MAC Lipstick in Brave. This was an impromptu purchase when I was out getting my other MAC stuff. I hadn't bought myself a lipstick since September and the last one I got was for Christmas! Sooooo I thought I needed a treat. This is a satin finish and I would consider it to be in the same family as Velvet Teddy, Honeylove, Kinda Sexy and you get me. Such a nice nude/pink colour

MAC Lipstick in Plumful. Unlike Brave, this wasn't an impromptu purchase, in fact, I've been after it for ages. It is such a nice May colour! It's a pinky purple colour, a lustre finish so it just glides on. It doesn't have the staying power of Rebel or anything like that, but that's not what you need in Spring. Just a lovely wash of colour. If you want me to do an updated MAC lipstick collection let me know. I'm currently on 16 so just comment below if you're interested.

Essie Nail Polish in Cute as a Button. Oh Essie nail polish, you have my heart. My collection is growing fast and I couldn't resist this one. It reminds me of a slightly watermelon pink (albeit not the actual watermelon colour from Essie). It's a reddish pink but not too bright. Just beautiful for May and June.
Link here (there's a free gift when you buy 3 Essie products from boots!)

Maybelline Superstay 7 Day Nail Polish in Uptown Blue. I realised my obsession with Essie was a bit much (and also a bit expensive) so I purchased a drugstore polish on a whim. I have to say, I was so impressed with this Maybelline one! One coat gave enough colour and a good consistency, although it didn't last 7 days (I wasn't expecting it to), it did last a good 3 without chipping
Link here

Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Oil. This is the Sleek Restorer one. I am a real sucker for a good hair oil, I love how soft and nourished this one makes my hair feel. It smells amazing, it feels great on the hair and you can use it in 3 different ways. I think you can use it on wet hair before drying, dry hair before styling and after styling too.
Link here

The Body Shop Illuminating Moisturiser. I was using the Garnier Moisture Match illuminating moisturiser but purchased this one when the Body Shop was doing a 3 for 2 and I couldn't decide what to get as my third item! I do love this, it leaves your skin with a subtle pink glow (different from the Garnier one which leaves a yellow glow). Still haven't decided which one I prefer but I might compare and contrast them in a future blogpost.
Link here

St Tropez Tan Booster. Oh my gosh I love this stuff. You can use it on your natural tan or your St Tropez tan and it just prolongs the tan for an extra few days. So if you're like me, and can't be bothered applying fake tan every day or every other day, just use this stuff and it lasts up to 3 days longer!
Link here (currently 1/3 off at boots!)

Not extremely exciting, but there are a good few new purchases on here! I've tried to keep my reviews as unbiased as possible, if you would like to know more about any of these products, just leave a comment below! I'll speak to you in my next one.
CJ x

What I got for my birthday

It was my birthday at the end of October and I got so spoiled! My friends and family really do know me so well and I am so appreciative and thankful of what I received, I have used every single item so far (apart from the gift vouhers and GHDs) so nothing has been wasted!

Beauty

Rose Gold GHD V (latest arrival - only came this morning!)
MAC lipstick in Pink Plaid

MAC lipstick in Up the Amp

Benefit's Bronze of Champions Kit

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Essie Nail Polish mini trio (Madamoiselle, Fifth Avenue and Mint Candy Apple)

Ted Baker Make Up Bag

Lush bag things - Sparkling Pumpkin bubble bar, The Wizard bubble bar, Butterbear bath bomb, Snow fairy shower gel, Star Light, Star Bright bath melt, the Christmas Hedgehog bubble bar, Candy Mountain bubble bar, 

Fashion

Olivia Burton watch
Marc Jacobs purse

White Old Skool Vans

Hollister Shimmering crop tee

Hollister long sleeve striped tee

Zara black bag

Hogwarts Tee
Accesorize every day earrings (not featured/currently wearing)
Accesorize scrunchies

Miscellanious

Handwarmer
Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals

Kopparberg

Vouchers - Boots and Topshop eee!

So that's everything! I had a wonderful birthday and I'm so grateful for everything I received. I even bought a few of these items myself as a gift to me from me.

P.S. How amazing is the Frozen gift bag? I couldn't resist putting it on here, it's so cute!

CJ x

My MAC Lipstick Collection

So I've been building my collection for just over a year - I have a serious weakness for MAC lipsticks and this is what I have so far.
To some of you, this may be a large collection but to others this will seem rather small. I do have a MAC lipstick wishlist too (which is lengthy if I'm honest) 

 Left to right - Viva Glam V (Lustre), MAC Red (Satin), Dark Side (Amplified), Creme Cup (Cremesheen), Creme D'Nude (Cremesheen), Lovelorn (Lustre), Flair for Finery (Lustre), Japanese Maple (Cremesheen), Ravishing (Cremesheen), Rebel (Satin)

As you can see, I only have 4 finishes; 5 cremesheens, 3 lustres, 2 satins and an amplified lipstick

Cremesheen - is my absolute favourite finish it's so nourishing, the colours glide on and give a really creamy finish (as the name suggests) LOVE THEM.

Lustre - this is probably a mix between Cremesheen and Glaze, so it's got quite a sheen to it, but it stays a lot longer (and is a lot less sticky) than a gloss

Satin - 1 step down from matte, so it gives almost a matte finish, but not quite, this babies do not budge! Which is probably a good thing considering my two are in very bold colours, they are quite drying on the lips so be sure to use plenty of lip balm!

Amplified  - gives basically an amplified colour, really pigmented, really long lasting and not too drying on the lips - I'd still be sure to use lip balm though

It's not that I don't like any of the other finishes, it's just that I have yet to try them! 
My wishlist right now is:
Kinda Sexy (matte)
Velvet Teddy (matte)
Russian Red (matte)
Myth (satin)
Up the Amp (amplified creme)
Peach Blossom (cremesheen)
- I know! It's a lot, but I'm OBSESSED with MAC lipsticks - they're hands down my favourites.

Here are some swatches on my arm, if you'd like to see swatches on my lips, just let me know :)
CJ x