Paring Back Round 2: They See Me Haulin' (Again)

Remember how I was going to implement that 'one in, one out' policy? Yeeah, it's not really working for me. Payday came, payday went... And a whole lotta makeup came with it, much to the Boyfriend's distain. Having not had a high-end splurge since January, things got a little bit cray, but nothing has been a disappointment as of yet.

There were three major crime scenes: Escentual.com, SpaceNK (duh) and, somewhat inevitably, Boots. Some purchases were made for nostalgic reasons, some because I have two jobs now so why the heck not (girl logic at its finest, I believe), and some to test out blogger hype. But enough of the rambling - let's get to the good stuff. Brace yourself for a rather word-y post here.

Escentual.com - AKA the online French Pharmacy

Sometimes, a girl's just got to stock up on her goods. This was one of those times. Throughout March, Escentual.com has up to a third off of its French pharmacy brands, including one of my all time faves, Caudalie. I mentioned in my latest wish-list how I was craving their Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, and oh boy, it is good to be reunited. I may have stocked up on two bottles due to a price reduction of 20%... And I may be planning to stock up on a couple more later this month. It's a fantastic serum, considerable better than the much-hyped Indeed Labs. Hydraluron, with which I don't particularly get on very well. Within one use, my skin is calmer, softer and generally happier. This with a lick of Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm (which also entered my shopping basket) = a happy, hydrated Sophie.

Also from the Caudalie Vinosource range came the SOS Morning Eye Rescue. My eyes can be crazy puffy, which isn't the easiest thing to mask with makeup - trust me, I know. I was expecting this to be a gel formulation for some reason, but it is, in fact, a light cream. I've only been using this a for a few days, but so far it seems nice. Nothing revolutionary, perhaps, but maybe I expect too much. It's hydrating and cooling on the eyes, which is always a relief, it sits really nicely under makeup and has a pleasant cooling effect. So far, so good.

Next on my hit list was a new cream cleanser. Don't get me wrong, I've really been missing my Aurelia Miracle Cleanser, but I wanted to try something new. Enter the Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream. This has been doing the rounds on the blogosphere of late, but I can easily see why. This stuff is lush. I like my balm cleansers a lot, but I find them to be a bit heavy when used repeatedly day in, day out. Cream cleansers are a bit lighter, it seems to me, but have similar effects. Not only was this £5 less than the RRP of £25, it's a massive 200ml, so should last for a while. On application, it feels like a heavy moisturiser that won't absorb, meaning it can easily be massaged into the skin. It feels uh-mazing. Again, we've not been together long, but so far I'm enjoying using it as my morning cleanser and to take my makeup off at night, as it is so bloomin' gentle on the skin.

I also popped the Crabtree and Evelyn 60 Second Hand Fix in Citron Honey and Coriander as a little Mothers' Day gift, and although can't report back on that for obvious reasons, it must be said that the packaging is adorable. Within the cute little box, you can find their Hand Recovery and their Hand Therapy. I don't honestly know what the difference is, but I shall get my mother to report back with the results.

Space NK - AKA the beauty lovers' Spiritual Home

I'm always wary to take a list with me into Space NK, or else I get tempted by just about everything, actually. This time around, the list served me well. First on my list was an old favourite I had been missing: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in the shade Light 2 Alaska. This was the first high-end base I ever bought, so it holds something of a special place in my heart. It's a brilliant tinted moisturiser, in my opinion, and I prefer it to the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser SPF25. It's sheeny, light, has a slight burring effect and covers well, not to mention the broad spectrum sun protection and SPF30. My only gripe is the colour range. The next shade up, Finland (which I used to wear, gooo anaemia) is too light, whilst Alaska is a little on the dark side. It's not a deal breaker, however, and the Boyfriend has given it his seal of approval ("You look very glowy and it matches the back of your neck"), so it's become my new base of choice, for the time being, at least.

Next up on my list was the NARS Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Custard. Sadly, it was sold out, so no joy there... But I've signed up to be notified when it next becomes available. Someday, we will be together.

My consolation prize? NARS Blush in the shade Douceur. This little pan of joy has been on my hit-list for well over a year now, but due to it's somewhat 'meh'-ness in the pan, it got overlooked in favour of other goodies. But no more. This stuff is just the bomb. It's so beautiful on the cheeks. I use it where I would usually use bronzer to add a bit of life to my face. It's difficult to say what this does, exactly, but it just looks good. The matte formula doesn't draw attention to the textural issues on my cheeks, flatters my skin tone and adds a touch of contour and definition when used with the right brush. I don't honestly know how I coped without this stuff for so long. I haven't touched my bronzer since I bought it, and that, my friends, is saying something.

Lastly from Space NK came a terrybly naughty purchase. By Terry has long been a brand that, for me at least, captures what luxury beauty should be. Unfortunately, this is reflected in the price tag. However, I couldn't resist their Ombre Blackstar "Color-Fix" Cream Eyeshadow in the shade 4. Bronze Moon. Holy cow, this stuff is the shizz. Long-lasting, smooth, complex in colour and hella pricey to match, I'm in love with this little stick of wonder. The colour is comparable to the Maybelline 24h Colour Tattoo in the shade On and On Bronze, but infinitely more beautiful. It just looks very sophisticated, elegant and understated when worn with nothing but a lick of mascara. More please.

Boots - AKA the beauty lovers' budget Spiritual Home

3-for-2. Why are you doing this to me, Boots? This trip was mostly stocking up on basics, with a couple of exciting things thrown in for good measure. Namely a second No7 Shade and Define Eyeshadow Stick in the shade Glistening Ray and the EcoTools Tapered Blush Brush. The formula of the former lives up to its pinker counterpart, Pink Pearl, which has already earned its place in my stash. Slightly on the sheer side, this provides a golden champagne wash of shimmer across the lid, and works exceedingly well when pared with it's By Terry cousin. The latter, although used only once thus far, has already proved itself. The Tapered Blush Brush picks up just the right amount of product to create a light wash of easy colour. Maybe not an essential brush, but I'm glad I have it.

Soap and Glory was my next stop, and shower gel was the target. I find that theirs last for months and they just smell amazing. I picked up Sugar Crush Body Wash, with its sweet and zesty lime scent, for my gym bag, and Foam Call for at home. This smells like hot buttery popcorn to me, so it should be enough to get me out of bed in the morning.

I also repurchased the L'Oréal Fibrology Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner. Certainly not the most exciting purchase ever, but its testimony to how good these are. My hair is noticeably thicker and fuller for having used these and I would recommend them to anyone with fine hair.

So that's that. I had to pull out a couple more MUJI drawers to fit this lot in, but it was worth it. I'll try and do some more in-depth individual reviews in time, but this should wet your palette a bit... Until the next haul, keep my purse away from me.

Sophie Makes Up for (Sort of) Lazy Days

I'm a big fan of lazy days. Seriously. Knowing that there's nothing that needs doing urgently and that you can make the day what you want it to be is a pretty darn satisfying feeling. But let's face it, such days are few and far between, but that doesn't mean we can't pretend with makeup... I'm a big believer in the idea that our external appearance reflects the way we feel inside, so using makeup to create a serene, chilled out and ready-for-anything version of yourself seems to me to be a bit of a good idea.

The look I'm going for is a slightly more polished version of that old classic, 'no makeup makeup'. Seeing as your day could be going in any direction, you want to make sure you're looking up for it, of course... But you can't really be bothered to make too much of an effort. FYI this is pretty much my rule of thumb for err... everything.

First things first, a nice and light foundation. On days like this I opt for the Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation SPF 15. To me, this comes somewhere in between a tinted moisturiser and a foundation. It's more buildable than the former, but feels lighter than the latter. It's not my favourite base - it's a little bit too dewy, actually - but it does the job on days like these. Top up with concealer as and where you need it.

As for the eyes, I'd recommend a quick bit of definition through the socket and a nicely defined, but not overdone, brow. After watching this Lisa Eldridge video (all hail Lisa), I tried a little bit of Snakebite from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette through my crease and y'know what, it looked pretty good. Follow with a good layer of mascara or two, I like Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara worked into the lashes for this, and you're good to go.

For a bit of a flush, you can't beat a bit of bronzer in my books. I'm currently hooked on the bronzing veil from the Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Palette due to its easy-peasy cream consistency, but use whichever takes your fancy. Anything that gives you a slightly sunkissed warmth without looking too 'try-hard' will do the trick.

And lastly, the lips. I'd always recommend your go-to lip product. You don't want to be wearing anything too high-maintenance, but you want to feel like the best version of yourself. If this means a lick of lipbalm, go for it. If it means a bright red, splash it on. For me, it's the YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in the shade 6 Bergmasque, a peachy pink MLBB colour.

After this, the day is yours to make of it what you will. Whatever that means...

Summer Skin... In February?

After nearly 20 years on this planet, I've come to the conclusion that I am not, in fact, a Winter Person. As much as I love seeing frost on the ground and love a good bit of rain (I am English, after all), there is nothing better than a long sunny day spent lounging around outside, the feel of the warm sun on your shoulders and being able to wear flip flops 24/7. Nothing.

The other best thing about the summer? Summer skin. I've got a Mediterranean-ish complexion (thanks, Mum), so I actually tan pretty easily, but lose this colour come winter. Le cry. My solution? Bring out the summertime big guns and fake it.

First of all, the prep work. After finishing my normal skincare routine, I slap on the SPF to protect my skin from the sun's harmful rays. This is such an important step in my routine and have been using some SPF in some form or another for almost a year now and my skin is so much better for it. Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defence SPF 50 PA+++ UVA is a great option as it's so darn light for a factor 50 lotion. However, it is on the pricier side so might not be for everyone, so Soap and Glory Feel Good Factor Translucent BB Cream SPF 25 may be something to consider instead for those on a budge because, again, this is so light on my skin and it smells like peaches, score. My other recommendation would be La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Tinted Cream SPF50, which sits somewhere between the two price wise. This is a fantastic product that got me through last summer working outside. It's tinted, meaning you need less foundation, which, let's face it, is always a bonus come summertime. All three protect against UVA and UVB rays and have adequate SPF protection. I'm not going to try and explain why SPF is so important just yet, but you can find Caroline Hiron's reasons here.

Next up, the good stuff: makeup. I've never really been a big lover of fake tan (it always seemed like such a lot of faff for something that never looked natural), so I rely on my maquillage to bronze myself up. As far as I'm concerned, the best brand for feigning a summer glow is Chanel. As expensive as it is, nothing else seems to compare. I first of all use their Soleil Tan de Chanel Sheer Illumination Fluid on the high points of my face, and follow with the oh-so infamous Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel Bronzing Makeup Base. Not only do these products have incredibly convoluted names and the price tags to match, they are, in effect, summer in a bottle (or two). The former provides a slightly shimmery, bronze-y, gold-y gleam to the skin. This is probably my favourite highlighter of all time as it works wonderfully no matter how I use it. Ironically, I actually bought this by accident, meaning the pick up Bronze Universel, but neither the shop assisstant or myself knew what I was looking for. I use the latter product everywhere else on my face, neck, ears and chest to bring my skin tone down a few shades. I think that this will work best on olive toned skin as it is slightly orange, so pale girls might struggle with  it a bit, but it is amazing if you can get it to work for you. It has a silicone-y slip that makes it an excellent primer for your foundation.

When I'm all bronzed up, I either reach for my concealer or a tinted moisturiser, depending on the state of my skin. At the moment things are still pretty bad (but getting better!), so I'm using a mix. I'd recommend Dr Jart+ Water Fuse BB SPF25 as it adapts to suit your skin nicely and has a beautiful sheen on the skin. Add a lick of mascara, brush through those brows and cream eyeshadow - I recommend a mix of MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Indianwood (which does not receive nearly enough attention online IMO) and Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Longwear Luminous Eyeshadow in Divine for a golden, shimmering eye.

So there you are, how to feign summer skin in the midst of winter. But in the meantime... Where's the Lemsip?

Keeping Things Base-ic...

Lately I've not really been feeling the heavy bases, shunning them for something a little bit lighter. Now I'm no stranger to the tinted moisturiser. In fact, it was NARS' offering that really got me into high quality makeup in the first place Here, however, I think I'm onto something special...

There's nothing quite like a bit of so-called 'foundation mixology' to create your perfect base. My skin's quite combo at the moment so I've been opting for a mix of two slightly lighter, fuller coverage TMs: Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20 in Porcelain and the Garner BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfecter for Combination to Oily Skin in Light. The former is slightly too light, the latter slightly too dark, they have very complimentary textures and blend into the skin beautifully. I've got a feeling that this will be my go-to mix for Spring...

Next up on my line up is concealer. For about a year now my pick of the crop has been Laura Mercier Secret Camoflaugue. This lazy blend is excellent for covering blemishes and hyper pigmentation. I've not had the best luck with colour matches in the past, ranging from SC1 (way too pale!) to SC4 (way too dark!), but it is still an excellent and very usable concealer.

Lastly, I use Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot to set my base in place. Not only is the name absolutely punderful (yes I just said punderful), it's a lovely fine-milled translucent powder that definitely helps my makeup to last through the day.

So there we are... A base-centric mix that can be added-to or taken-away from to keep you going until Spring.