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

2014 Favourites!

Hello everybody!
 I am so, so excited to be doing my first ever yearly favourites. I have decided to tell you my top finds of 2014. All of these products have either been discovered in 2014 or I have only bought them in 2014. Without further adue, these are my top contenders:

Makeup

Palettes
- This has to go to Urban Decay. I bought their Naked and Naked 3 eyeshadow palettes this year and they are my life. I wear them pretty much every single day and with 12 colours in each palette to choose from, you can't go wrong. Thought I'd give a sneaky mention of their all-in-one Naked on the Run palette too. 6 eyeshadows, bronzer, blusher, eyeliner, mascara AND a lipgloss, this really is the perfect palette for those 5 minutes to get ready days! Honourary mention would be the NARSissist Palette (if that's how you spell it) Laguna, Orgasm and a highlight all in one. Perfect for travel.

Primer
- this HAS to go to the Body Shop's Instablur primer. I used to be a loyal user of Benefit's Porefessional, which I still use from time to time, but the Body Shop have really succeeded with this primer. It's amazing and keeps my makeup on all day long, even if it does have a strange consistency.

Foundation
- This year's discovery has been the Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation, I normally wear Max Factor but it was the 3-in-1 Perfection one and I just found it a bit too heavy. The Luminizer really adds some brightness back into your skin and makes you look dewy without being shiny, it's perfect for winter in my opinion.

Concealer
- Goes to Benefit's Boi-ing. This stuff is great, it covers up, adds brightness, doesn't crease, lasts forever and there's not much else I can say except you need to try this.

Bronzer/Blusher
I discovered Nars Laguna and Orgasm in 2014, and honestly, nothing else I have tried since has compared to these. Laguna adds just the right amount of bronzeness and is great for contouring and Orgasm is the perfect shade of peachy pink with shimmer to last you all year round. P.S. they're super long lasting too! Laguna lasts me about 6-8 months because I wear a lot of bronzer and I've had Orgasm for over a year and have only just hit pan on it.

Eyeliner
- Has to be the Topshop Magic Liner. It's so easy to apply, it lasts a really long time and it's super black. It's really helped me improved my eyeliner game.

Highlight
- It was going to the Benefit High Beam, however I feel that it's a bit too heavy duty. A fantastic daytime subtle highlight is the Benefit Watt's Up (a great dupe is the Topshop Glow Stick), it's such a gorgeous shade of champagne you can wear it at any time.

Lipliner
MAC Subculture is the winner for me. While everyone is out buying Whirl trying to get the perfect Kylie Jenner lips, I find that Subculture is a fantastic alternative - and much easier to get hold of! It's the perfect pinky, browny nude for my skin tone.

Lipstick
A draw between MAC Honeylove (another great alternative to get the Kylie Jenner lips - velvet teddy is still out of stock everywhere I look) and Charlotte Tilbury's Glastonberry. I am a loyal MAC lipstick lover but I have to say that the formula of C Tils' Matte Revolution Lipsticks are unlike any other I've tried before. They are so pigmented, not drying on the lips and last forever!

Drugstore
Maybelline Colour Tattoos. These are such a good dupe for MACs paint pots! Even though their colour selection is limited, I still prefer the drugstore versions. My personal favourites are On and On Bronze (which looks amazing under a smokey eye using the Naked Palette), Metallic Pomegranate which is a perfect cranberry colour and Pink Gold. There are some brilliant matte colours too.

 

 

 

 

Skin/Hair/Nails/Scent

Makeup Remover
Garnier Micellar Water - this is a product that I can no longer live without. Pour a small amount onto a cotton pad, press against your eye for 10 - 20 seconds and your makeup just melts away. This is an alternative to Bioderma (which I'm yet to try, I promise I will be doing soon though!). It helps your makeup come off so easily and it doesn't spread it around your face the way a makeup wipe would. It's really helped improve my complexion too. Check out my review here.

Night Cream
The Body Shop Tea Tree Night Serum. Another product that has changed my skin for the better. Applying this before I go to bed has become a habit. It helps with those suffering from an uneven skintone or acne scarring.

Lip Balm
EOS  - love these. I'm a sufferer of extremely dry lips and I honestly don't know what I'd do without an army of lipbalms. I literally have them everywhere.

Haircare
What my two previous favourites did for my skin, Garnier's Ultimate Blends Hair Oil did for my hair. I had a chin-length bob back in 2013 and my hair stayed shoulder lengthed from September 2013 all the way to around March 2014. However, after I discovered this stuff in October, my hair grew so much! It's not overly long, but it's growing at a much faster rate than normal. It makes my hair feel super silky and smooth - and my ends always need a bit of a repair.

Hair Appliance
I'm in love with my GHDs. They're my first pair, they do an excellent job of styling my hair without burning it, they heat up and cool down in seconds and they're such a beautiful rose gold colour.

Nails
Picking a favourite nail polish was a really difficult task because I discovered Essie and Ciate this year and I really couldn't decide. I finally came to a conclusion and it goes to ....... Essie's Bahama Mama! It's such a beautiful dark red/purple colour and you can wear it pretty much all year round. The name is awesome too.

Frangrance
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is my signature scent now. My boyfriend wears Spice Bomb all the time and the two just coincide perfectly together (obviously). It is a little heavy as a day time scent, but it smells so good!

 

Other

Books
The Fault in Our Stars and Girl Online. Both brilliant. The Fault in Our Stars was a real cult classic last year, especially with the film coming out and it did not disappoint! It was so beautifully written and a really lovely story. Girl Online is the long awaited novel by Zoe Sugg (Zoella) and I was really impressed! I read this on my way and coming back from Prague and I really enjoyed the story.

Candle
Yankee Candle in Candy Corn. Every time. Need I say any more?

Place
My favourite place of the year has to be London, it was the first time I'd ever been and I want to go back at least once a year from now on! I love the pace, the underground, the shopping, the diversity and everything about it Check out my London blog here. Prague came in as a close second as it looks as if it's in a fairytale but it just couldn't beat London. Check out my Prague blog here.

Congratulations if you stuck with me till the end of this blog! I know it was extremely long but it's been long awaited. It took me forever to decide what the winners were but I got there in the end. Let me know your favourite products of 2014 and I'll be happy to give them a try!
CJ x

November/December Favourites

Apologies for the delay in this blogpost, I've just been so busy these last few weeks! I didn't try many new things throughout November and December so I thought I would put everything together in one favourites post as many of my monthly favourites from November carried on.

Beauty

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick - Glastonberry. This is possibly my most favourite lipstick of the year. The formula of these are incredible.

MAC Lipstick - Up the Amp

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Tigi Bed Head After Party - this is perfect for the 'morning after the night before hair', just smooth some onto the ends of your hair and it's instantly de-frizzed!

Essie Nail Polish in Style Cartel (from the Fall 2014 collection)

Essie Nail Polish in Dressed to Kilt (from the Fall 2014 collection)

Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation

Fashion

New Look Backpack

New Look Burgandy Patent Brogues
Asos Boots

Hollister Long Sleeve Crop Tops

Zara Faux Leather Jacket
Missguided Pink Coat (purchased a while ago)

Home/Books/Films/Music

Christmas Eve Yankee Candle
Girl Online - Zoe Sugg
Lonely Planet Prague Travel Guide

Lonely Planet Best of 2015

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1

The Imitation Game
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Taylor Swift - Blank Space

Goerge Ezra - Listen to the Man

Jamie T - Rabbit Hole
Paolo Nutini - One Day

That's everything I've been loving over the past two months! I'm sorry there isn't a link for everything but my laptop has been playing up recently! Keep a look out for my 2014 favourites which will be up in the next week!
CJ x

Huge Autumn/Winter Collective Haul!

Happy Holidays everybody!
I hope you've enjoyed your time off (if you got any), celebrated and ate to your heart's content - I know I did! I took a week out from blogging to enjoy some quality time with my family and with food, but now I'm back - and with a massive haul for you all!
I did not buy everything in one go, the purchases began at the start of November and went on to just before Christmas but I put them all together and thought I'd show you everything!
Everything on this haul is brand new to me (except one item) and I would highly recommend all of it!

Fashion

- Most of these items were bought in Autumn so it's a bit too cold for a few of them now! Nevertheless, I still wear them. My hoody in particular is the comfiest item of clothing I own and I have it on all the time!

New Look Oxblood Bag

New Look Patent Brogues
New Look Leather Look Trousers
Hollister Crop Top in Navy Blue
Hollister Fluffy Jacket in Grey
Monki Fluffy Jumper
Zara leather jacket
Asos Boots
Victoria's Secret Pink Top and Leggings
Victoria's Secret PJs

Beauty

- As you can see, I went a little bit mad on the nail polish front, I discovered Essie Nail polish recently and just had to buy all the colours!

Essie Nail Polish in Style Cartel (blue)
Essie Nail Polish in Bahama Mama (purple)
Essie Nail Polish in Partner in Crime (brown)

Essie Nail Polish duo in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (navy blue and silver glitter)

Essie Nail Polish 3 in 1 care coat
Essie Nail Polish in Dressed to Kilt (red)
Essie Nail Polish in Take It Outside (taupe)
Essie Nail Polish in A Cut Above (pink glitter)

MAC lipstick in Creme Cup (repurchase) (pale pink cremesheen)

MAC lipstick in Peach Blossom (peachy nude cremesheen)
MAC lipliner in Subculture (dark nude) 
Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Glastonberry (berry red)

Home

- Just my standard candle and books haul with a mug thrown in because it was too cute to resist!

Yankee Candle - Fireside Treats - I used this for November, the smell of burning marshmallows is incredible
Yankee Candle - Christmas Eve - my all time favourite Christmas candle

Disney Mug- Little Mermaid
Lonely Planet Prague Travel Guide
Lonely Planet Best of 2015 Travel
Girl Online - Zoe Sugg
Paperchase Notebook (which I'm using for blogging!)

- See you all in 2015!
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

October Favourites!

Beauty

I can't believe November's almost over! Like where has it gone?! I apologise for a very belated favourites this month, I have had it done for ages I just haven't had the time to post!
I wasn't very adventurous with beauty last month, so some of these are rediscovered products and products that I've previously mentioned, but I've been so busy that I've not even used that many products. Here are my top buys for October -

Mac Lipliner in Subculture

Mac Honeylove (again - but it's so nice!)

Mac Rebel

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Metallic Pomegranate

Lush Lip Scrub in Bubblegum

Witch bursting beads scrub

Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Oil

Viktor Rolf Flowerbomb

Fashion/Home

It was my birthday at the end of the month and I did a lot of shopping so there didn't seem to be much point putting them in a favourites when I can put them in a haul! Keep a look out

Monki Jumper

Missguided Cardigan

Topshop Joni Jeans - Blue and Black

Black Old Skool Vans 

Toffee apples

Yankee Candle - Fireside Treats (as you may have noticed, my yankee candle favourites are usually more appropriate for the next month, as Candy Corn was a September buy, I used it as a favourite and I used it throughout October, which is the same with this one).

Books/TV/Music

All my law books (I haven't read much else)

Grey's Anatomy - sky living

Modern Family - sky one

Criminal Minds - sky living

The Big Bang Theory - e4

Wicked soundtrack (I saw this for the second time in October and it was AMAZING! My favourite musical of all time)

Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran) - single

Blame it on me (George Ezra) - single

Hope you all had a wonderful October and November too (now it's almost over), sorry this post is so late but I do have a few more schedualed so keep a look out over the next couple of weeks!
CJ x

September Favourites

Happy Sunday and Happy October!
I thought I'd finally get round to doing my September favourites (seeing as it's been October for 12 days already - can you believe it?). I've had them picked out for ages I just needed to get round to writing the blogpost and taking pictures but here it is!

Beauty

I have been LOVING loads of new pieces of makeup and skincare recently, the first 6 items I have only tried and purchased this month, but the last two are long time favourites as they are amazing! I think the beauty bits I've picked out this month are just perfect for Fall.
MAC Honeylove
Kiko Lipstick
Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze
Topshop magic liner
Tea Tree Night Serum
Garnier Micellar Water
EOS Lip Balm (in general)
Bed Head Small Talk

Fashion/Home

Once again, I've picked out items that are very weather appropriate! I've been really in to patterned trousers recently (maybe you can tell) and I just love snuggly jumpers, even though there isn't a picture of my jumper on here - sorry! Also, how perfect is the Candy Corn Yankee Candle? Let me know if you've tried it!
H&M pants
H&M jumper
Brandy Melville Striped Dress
Topshop Dogtooth Pants
Topshop Hat
Kurt Geiger Boots
Yankee Candle - Candy Corn

Books/TV/Music
Not much tested out on the entertainment side of things this month really - I've been so busy with work and university this month! If I was being completely truthful, one of my favourites of the month would be my law books haha.

You're The One That I Want - Giovanna Fletcher
Our Zoo - BBC
America's Next Top Model
The 1975 (I saw them this month!)
Bang Bang (single) - Jessie J ft. Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj

Hope you enjoyed this months favourites! Let me know what you've been loving in the comments, whether it's the same things or something you think I should try. Wishing you all a lovely October!
CJ x

Skincare Routine

I used to be someone who just took their makeup off with a wipe, washed their face with whichever cleaner I fancied buying that month and be done with it. But, as this year has gone on, I've branched out and really begun to love skincare products! (mainly thanks to the Body Shop). I am getting older now, and I'm definitely noticing that some products and brands work better than others, so I thought I'd talk about my new skincare routine!

Every Morning

• Simple Kind to Skin Makeup Wipes - the first thing I do every morning is use a makeup wipe to make sure I've got rid of any excess makeup that I may have missed the night before (usually a bit of mascara - damn you benefit!)
• The Body Shop Tea Tree Foaming Cleanser - I cannot recommend this stuff enough! I have combination skin and I don't find this drying at all. My skin cleared up so much after using this stuff for about a week, and it feels foamy and incredible
• The Body Shop Seaweed Exfoliator - my skin feels so nice and smooth after I use this, it gets off all the dead skin on my nose that I tend to get and just gives a really glowing feel
• Nivea Everyday Moisturizer - as my skin doesn't tend to get overly dry (yet) apart from my cheeks, I find that a cheap, everyday moisturizer works perfectly to keep my skin hydrated

Every Evening

• Garnier Cleansing Lotion and cotton wool pads - I find that a cream cleanser is so much quicker to take your makeup off and it's much better for your skin than makeup wipes! This stuff really does the trick, however it's the first one I've tried to I'm open to suggestions of more!
• The Body Shop Tea Tree Foaming Wash (again)
• The Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream - again, this was the first night cream I've purchased so I'm a bit unsure of it. The Tea Tree night serum has been recommended too and I have a tester so I'll be giving that one a go! The Vitamin E one however, works really well to moisturize the skin at night (obviously) and made my skin feel much softer!

Twice a Week

I use The Body Shop (shocker) Warming Mineral Mask twice a week. This was actually my first purchase from the Body Shop and this is what got the whole obsession started. This mask is perfection. You can actually feel it warming your skin up and after you've taken it off, and applied a bit of moisturizer, your skin feels like a dream! Love this.

Twice a Month

The Glamglow Youthmud mask is honestly the best mask I have ever tried in my life! It goes on almost black and dries grey, but where it's pulled out the excess oil from your skin remains black so you can really see how well it's worked! I wouldn't recommend using this mask any more than once a week as I feel like it's too harsh a treatment (and too expensive) to be used more than that.

As I've said, skincare is my new obsession and I'm open to suggestions of any sort, I'm looking into eye creams and cream cleansers at the moment if anyone has any recommendations! Thanks!

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