Mini Brand Focus: Charlotte Tilbury

Happy Saturday people!
OK, as some of you may know, a certain lady has sparked an interest in many of the beauty bloggers out there, that lady is the wonder that is Charlotte Tilbury. She is a make up artist to the stars and as of the past couple of years, has her own brand of makeup and even skincare now! I know, it's ever so exciting!
As soon as I heard all about her Matte Revolution lipsticks, I knew I had to have one! So this was my first purchase, and after that I was hooked. This brand isn't cheap but it's definitely worth the money. The quality of her products are amazing and the pigmentation is impeccable. So here's a mini-review of the C Tils products I've tried so far. 

Matte Revolution Lipsticks: Glastonberry
First ever purchase and I don't regret it in the slightest. I have been on the hunt for the perfect dark purple/red/burgundy combination in a lipstick for so many years and this is it. Not to criticize MAC or anything, but most matte lipsticks (especially the more pigmented ones such as Diva) are sooooo drying on the lips. This one isn't. It's a matte but glides on so easily and isn't drying in the slightest. it's also super long wearing and just an all around winner!

Colour Chameleon Colour-Morphing Eyeshadow Pencils: Bronzed Garnet and Amethyst Aphrodisiac 
Eyeshadow sticks are officially the new thing. From clinique to borjouis are jumping on them. But these ones are above all others. They are actually specially designed for each individual eye colour. Blue, Brown, Hazel and Green eyes all have the options for a slightly softer day colour and a more dramatic night colour. I have the ones designed for green eyes and they are incredible. Bronzed garnet gives the perfect 'bedroom eyes' smokey effect for everyday that can give you an instant Olsen twin look. As for Amethyst Aphrodisiac, it really brings out the green in your eyes (even if they're slightly grey like mine) and transforms your makeup look into that of a rock star's. They glide on so easily and are ridiculously blendable. I would highly recommend these to any eye colour.

Colour Coded Eyeshadow Palette: The Dolce Vita
More colour codedness from the gods, these eyeshadow palettes are also incredible. They each come with 4 colours: Prime, Enhance, Smoke and Pop. The Dolce Vita palette is just stunning, anybody looking for those on trend burgundy and gold eyes this year can come straight to Miss Tilbury. Once again, easily blendable, lovely application, super pigmented. You can't go wrong with this palette as all the colours are perfectly designed to give you that film star look.

So, even though I've only tried a few Charlotte Tilbury products, I'm already hooked. I predict her to have the best makeup brand of 2015. I can't wait for her new releases and I'm dying to try more of her products (mainly her Film Star Bronze and Glow and her Lip Cheat pencils!) If you have any recommendations, please let me know as I really want to test more! 
I hope you've been converted
CJ x

The Soap and Glory THE NEXT BIG THING Box

Hello all!
As always, Soap and Glory brought out a limited edition box set for Christmas 2014 and I must say, this year's was bigger and better than ever before. At only £29 this box included 10 full-sized products with a total value of over £70!
I was lucky enough to receive this as a Christmas present, but I was considering buying this for myself. This product is STILL AVAILABLE for only £30! I would get it while you can as it's such amazing value and all of the products really are worth getting. Find it here

 

 

 

First up is the Orangeasm Body Wash (£6.50). This is a product that I've never tried before, but I'm not new to Soap and Glory body washes as I'm a sucker for Clean on Me. However, the Orangeasm is completely different! The scent really does make you feel revitalised and energetic so I really love using this if I'm showering in the morning. Scented with fresh green mandarin, Sicilian lemon and orange peel, this wash really does smell and feel fresh and energising.

Next is the Whipped Clean Shower Butter (£7). This really is a 2-in-1 product, it doubles up as a shower gel and a body butter! It goes on like a cream (or a butter) and then bubbles up slightly as you massage it into your skin. This has the typical Soap and Glory scent (which I adore) of pistachio, almonds and sweet vanilla. If you don't always have time to moisturize, this is the product for you!

If you do have time to moisturize however, there are products for that too! I found the Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion (£10) really unique (albeit hard to get out) as it has a pump. This stuff has a really creamy and buttery texture, a little like the Righteous Butter but with a more citrusy scent. I can see this really working well with the Orangeasm wash as the fragrances are quite similar. This has shea butter and orange waterjuice in it as well as almond, mango and moringa oils and it leaves your skin feeling super soft.

More in the way of body butters is my personal favourite one to use; The Righteous Butter (£10.50). I love using this after Clean on Me as it's the same signature scent that is just to die for. This formula is for extremely dry skin so it's super nourishing and leaves your skin softer than the others (but it does take longer to dry). This is the ultimate pamper evening butter in my house.

A real cult favourite seems to be the Sugar Crush Body Scrub (£8) and having tried a few of Soap and Glory's scrubs, this one definitely reduces the roughness of skin the easiest, I'm not overly fond of the scent as it seems a bit overpowering but I can see why other people love it as it is a nice smell. It has brown sugar, sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains and a little really does go a long way with this product.

Next is the Heel Genius Foot Cream (£5.50) which I swear by! If you walk, exercise or wear heels a lot, this stuff is a life saviour! It leaves your heels (and the rest of your feet) feeling really soft and smooth even if they were previously cracked. Use this once or twice a week to keep that feeling, it's recommended to use it every night or as often as you can remember on the tube, but once again, a little goes a long way! It has macadamia oil, menthol (which you can get the hint of in the smell, and I also hear helps sooth colds?!) and bilberry, orange and lemon fruit acid smoothers. I was over the moon to find this product in the box as I love having spares of it!

A product that's always raved about in magazines and reviews is the Hand Dream Super Cream (£7). This is a definite winter staple if you're getting these cold months! It helps dry, cracked hands feel super moisturised and evens out skin tone (which I have noticed as my veins are certainly less purple). Enriched with macadamia and shea butter to give it that signature scent.

I'm not much of a makeup wipe user, however I am really impressed with the Off Your Face purifying cloths (£4,50). At a first glance, I thought it was a little expensive for 25 wipes but I've been using them after removing my makeup as they are a 3-in-1 cleanser, toner and moisturizer and even exfoliator if you apply enough pressure. They are meant to be pore minimizing and help prevent blackhead build up so I will report back on this! They're also currently on offer at boots for £3.60!

Two things that I've heard so much about in the blogging world and I've been dying to try are the Thick and Fast Mascara and the Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Lacquer (in Charm Offensive). First of all, the Mascara (£10) is in my opinion, one of the best drugstore mascaras I have ever tried. There are a few variations of this including a collagen coat and a lengthening one. The original is super volumizing and really makes your lashes look longer and fuller - a definite repurchase. Secondly, the Lipgloss (£7) is a real 'my lips but better' (and shinier) colour. I felt a slight tingling sensation when I applied it but didn't notice much in the way of plumping, however it really is a lovely product. It comes off easily, but then again, it is lipgloss!

Even though I am already a loyal Soap and Glory user, I am really impressed with the quality, quantity and price of this box! I have never used the majority of these products before and I will be repurchasing a few of them! Also, I am new to Soap and Glory makeup and I already love it, I will certainly be buying more so let me know of any recommendations!
CJ x

 

My Benefit 'Must Haves'

Let's all take a moment to appreciate Benefit make-up - for my daily face, Benefit is my go-to brand! I'm not saying that everybody has to buy these products - but they are my personal favourite products to use at the moment. I haven't tried everything from Benefit, and I also don't love all of them, but some of them are just pure genius!

'They're Real!' Mascara - oh. my. I can't even begin to describe the amazingness (is that a word?) of this mascara, it is unreal! Everybody has heard of this, it's the UK's number 1 best selling mascara and I can see why! One coat of this leaves my lashes looking so much fuller, more curled, thicker, darker, just perfect. Thank you Benefit for this life-changing product!

'High Beam' Highlighter - my most recent discovery, I really needed a highlighter and I was contemplating several different brands but when I went to the counter and tried this on I knew it was the one for me! It's like little drops of pink-pearl heaven and once applied, it just reflects so perfectly in the light and makes my face look so much better!

'Brow-zings' Brow Kit - I received this for Christmas from my Mum and I really don't know how I managed to cope without it! It's just so efficient to do your brows with - I can outline my brows with the wax and fill them in with the powder! Having ridiculously blonde eyebrows, I need a really strong product to actually make it look like I'm a normal person with normal eyebrows. This is also amazing!

'Porefessional' Primer - another recent purchase. I used to be a Smashbox primer user but I have been officially converted! This stuff just glides on to the skin so smoothly and really reduces the look of pores to give a flawless base for make up.

'Boi-ing' Concealer - I like a high coverage concealer and this one does the job! It doesn't crease under my eyes like some thick concealers can do but it still covers every little blemish my skin throws at me! Well done, Benefit!

'High Brow Glow' Brow Highlight - One of my first daring purchases from benefit, this was my first ever highlighter and I honestly think it's the best brow highlight I've ever used. It's so much better than using a shadow to highlight as it's so quick and easy to use, being in pencil form, but it still has that sheen and long lasting wear that you'd want.

'Hoola' Bronzer - I have to admit it, this is my second favourite bronzer of all time, narrowly being beaten out by Nars laguna. This bronzer is one that will suit most people which is great! unfortunately, I think I might be a teeny bit too pale to use this on an every day basis without tan on. (I understand that this isn't shown on the picture,I haven't had a chance to repurchase it yet - oops!)

Wish List

• 'It's Potent!' Eye Cream
• 'Rockateur' Blush
• 'Total Moisture' Moisturiser
• 'Gimme Brow' Brow Gel

Hope you enjoyed my appreciation of Benefit cosmetics, and maybe share my obsession? Let me know of any products I should try in the comments!

CJ x