MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle

I've really been into highlighters recently and my favourite product to add a subtle glow has been MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle.

Described by MAC as a "Gilded Peach Bronze", Soft & Gentle offers a light frosted sheen that works as the perfect highlight for the tops of my cheekbones, down my nose and on my cupids bow. To the eye and before swatching it looks as if it would offer more of a Bronze tone, but it's definitely lighter and more Champagne once applied. 

Very soft to the touch, this feels really very light and lovely on the skin and with the right brush, applies an absolute dream and not overbearing on the shimmer front.

Surprisingly, I've never really been blown away with any MAC Mineralize Skin Finish products, but this one is most definitely a staple in my current make up bag and I can't get enough of the baked domed face powder.

 Available to buy now, this MAC MSF in Soft & Gentle costs £22 and can be purchased on the MAC online store, as well as in free standing stores and counters in House of Fraser, Debenhams and Selfridges.

Have you tried Soft & Gentle? What's your favourite MAC Mineralize Skin Finish? 

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The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipsticks

I am all about the lipsticks and so whenever a new range or a new collection comes about, I can't wait to get swatching and see what they have to offer. Admittedly, up until now I have never tried a Body Shop lipstick, but when they launched their new Colour Crush range, I couldn't wait to get my hands on some of their lovely looking shades.

The range is made up of three colour families, overall consisting of 24 vibrant shades covering the Nude, Red and Pink spectrum, which for me, is absolutely perfect. 

105* and 110* are probably my favourites out of the six I have swatched above and each offer the most incredible creamy pigmentation in just one sweep, followed by 315* which is a perfect day to day shade. My least favourite is probably 220*, which on the lips was a lot lighter than I expected it to be and is unfortunately too pale for my skin tone.

Made up of high quality crushed pigments, Cherry seed oil and Marula oil, The Body Shops Colour Crush lipsticks feel really comfortable on the lips and stay feeling fresh for a fair while before any need of attention and is a formula that I wish more lipsticks would carry.

Priced at £10 each, I think they come with a really fair price point; a little more than a typical drug store product, but the quality and lower price point of a high end lipstick which is fabulous. 

Having tried only six of these Colour Crush wonders, I think it's fair to say that I'll be looking into the 18 other shades, in particular the rest of the Pink and Nude tones.

The Body Shop Colour Crush lipsticks are available to buy on the Body Shop online store where there's always amazing deals, as well as in stores now.

Do any of these shades stand out to you? Will you be visiting your local Body Shop to see your favourite Colour Crush?

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Clarins Graphic Expressions Collection

Autumn make up collections are most definitely up there with my favourites, and Clarins have once again impressed me with their new AW13 collection, Graphic Expressions. 

Focusing mainly around intensifying the eyes, Clarins have introduced eight Kohls, a 3-dot liner which makes for the perfect application, three Joli Rouge lipsticks in a trio of beautifully deep shades and a new take on their ever so popular Eye Quartet Mineral Palette* and limited edition Face & Blush Powder*, which is probably my personal piece within the collection.

Made up of universal Beige tones as well as Gold and Coral Pink hues, the lightweight powder blends together to create a radiant, subtle illuminated finish on the skin. I personally like to focus my brush on the Beiges for all over my face and the Pinks and lighter tones for my cheeks. Every season Clarins Face & Blush Powders go down extremely well and priced at £30 if you think it will be a welcomed addition to your collection this Autumn, I'd pick it up at your local Clarins counter whilst it's still available as I'm sure it will be a sell out.

Following on from my favourite of the bunch is the ever so pigmented Eye Quartet Mineral Palette. I've recently become very fond of a more made up eye and really love the forest inspired shades of Khaki, Satin Taupe, Intense Bronze and Pale Gold. With the ability to be used wet and dry, I find these shades really versatile, giving me the option to wear them day through to night. Costing £31, I think it's a fair price for a collection palette, working out at around the £7-£8 per shade and if you're into eye shadows then it's definitely worth looking at.

Lipsticks are always a firm favourite of mine, and although I'm not sure that I'm going to love wearing Plum and deeper shades as much as I did last year, the three new additions really are lovely and are made up of a really beautiful buildable formula. Infused with Mango Butter for hydration and nourishment, Joli Rouge lipsticks feel super light and comfortable on your lips and I can't get enough.

As I mentioned before, Graphic Expressions is all about the eyes, and I'm sure the Crayon Kohl range is going to go down a treat. Intense Black, Intense Brown, Intense Blue, Platinum, Intense Violet, Bronze, Smoky Plum and Taupe are the eight shades in question and having recently been enjoying a more intense eye, these pigmented shades have been a pleasure to use. I particular like that as opposed to other similar Kohls, Clarins have popped a natural hair brush on the end, rather than a smudging sponge, which blends the Kohl perfectly well. At £17 each, these Crayon Kohl eye pencils aren't the cheapest you'll find on the market but the shades are absolutely beautiful and their super long lasting qualities make it worth the few extra pennies in my opinion.

Being pretty new to the world that is eyeliners and emphasising my lash line, I know how important it is to have easy to use tools and products, and so I'm pleased that the 3-Dot liner that was around in 2012, is back again, for good. With the triple pointed sponge applicator that helps to create the perfect precise and easily applied line and with the added bonus of its growth-stimulating ingredients to condition your lashes, I think it's a pretty cool product and definitely worth a try especially if like me you're just getting into eyes. 

Clarins Graphic Expressions is available to buy now on Clarins online store and at counters in Debenhams, Boots, Selfridges and John Lewis.

What do you think of this Autumn collection? What product stands out to you the most?

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Bourjois Colour Boosts- Orange Punch & Peach on the Beach

Bourjois are continuously impressing me and I would go as far as to say they have been one of my favourite brands this year and over the past couple of months now I have been absolutely obsessed with two shades from their new Colour Boost range. 

Orange Punch* and Peach On The Beach* are two of the four shades in the current Colour Boost range (I've heard theres some Autumn shades on the horizon) and I honestly can't get enough of them. Its taken me a while to get a blog post put together because I've been struggling to get the right lighting to show of the true shades, and finally I have managed to. Insanely pigmented and creamy, Bourjois Colour Boosts offer the lips incredible hydration like a balm and feel really lovely and fresh on the lips for hours. They come in the crayon like form that we are seeing so many of, but these are hands down my favourites, especially when it comes to shades. 

Offering SPF15 and claiming to last up to ten hours, Bourjois have put together a really lovely formula that is so easily applied and looks lovely and glossy on the lips. 

Peach On The Beach 03 is probably my favourite of the two and is a bright Pink Peach shade and perfect for Summer days. Orange Punch 04 is equally as beautiful and is similar in terms of brightness, but offers a true Orange tone. Both can be applied quite light and dabbed out to a more subtle shade, or built up to quite a heavy intensity too, which I personally like.

My only problem that I have had, is that Peach On The Beach melted a fair bit when it was left out in the sun at a festival, so I would just recommend that you do keep these out of direct sunlight if you're taking them on holiday this Summer.

I'm such a huge fan of these two Bourjois Colour Boosts and definitely will be investing in the other two in the range; Red Sunrise and Fuschia Libra. 

Available to buy now in Selfridges, Boots and Superdrug these Colour Boost Crayons cost £7.99 each.

Have you tried any of the Bourjois Colour Boosts? What's your favourite shade? 

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Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Collection

When I first heard of Bobbi Brown releasing a Rich Chocolate Collection, I was more excited than I have been over a collection for some time now. A full collection dedicated to neutral shadows, Brown eyes and pretty lips is definitely my cup of tea and having tried the collection for myself now, I'm pleased to say I am not disappointed in the slightest and every product is an absolute dream to use.  

I will be going into more depth in individual product blog posts, but for now, I just had to share with you some of the stand out products in a collection overview.

Inspired by Bittersweet Chocolate and Raspberries, the Rich Chocolate Collection has been put together to create the look of soft, standout eyes complimented with rosy cheeks and lips. Perfect for autumn, I can see this whole range going down extremely well, especially the beautifully put together seven shadow eye palette.

Designed to be reminiscent of your favourite luxurious chocolate bar, the seven shadow Rich Chocolate Eye Palette* consists of a range of Brown tones in both matte, shimmer and sparkle finishes. I'm personally a fan of matte shadows and find the range in the palette absolutely stunning. Bone, Cocoa, Stone, Frappe, Champagne Truffle Shimmer Wash, Caramel Sparkle and Rich Chocolate make up the palette with a dual ended shadow and liner brush and I'm really impressed. Super pigmented and long wearing, my favourite shadows have been Cocoa, Stone and Caramel Sparkle and I find them to be perfect for both day and night looks. Costing £39.50, as a limited edition product, if you're into eye shadows in particular neutral shades, I can't recommend this enough. Close to £40, it does sound a little steep, but spread out per eyeshadow, it works out at £5.64 each which I think is a perfect price point.

Following with another eye product, is one of Bobbi Browns cult products; the Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in the limited edition shade Dark Chocolate Ink*. As close to Black as a Brown can be, this Gel Eyeliner is the perfect formula and applies with a fine angled brush like a dream. Sitting a little more subtle on the lash line than a Black would, it makes for the perfect liner for a softer look. Costing £17.50, if you already enjoy the classic Long Wear Gel Eyeliner or you fancy trying a new eye liner for Autumn, this is a must in your collection.

I absolutely love quick and convenient eye products and not being the most talented when it comes to applying eyeshadows, the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Bittersweet* has become a go-to product within my collection. Super blendable and buildable, the Chocolate Brown shade works perfect as both a shadow and for a smudged out liner look. It's so incredibly easy to use and is the perfect make up bag product for going from a day to night look. Costing £20 and again limited edition, this is probably one of my favourite products from the collection and so I can't recommend it enough.

Normally only ever wearing the Blackest Black of mascaras, the Extreme Party Mascara in Black Chocolate* has been a slight change for me and my make up routine. Not too different nor too Brown toned, it sits really nice and light on my lashes and provides a slightly softer yet super complimentary shade for my eyes. Costing £19, if you're a regular fan of Brown Black mascaras and are looking for something lightweight and long lasting I think this Extreme Party Mascara is definitely worth trying. 

Surprise, surprise, the two Baby Pink lip products in the collection have well and truly stolen my heart and formulated in both a Bobbi Brown Lip Colour and Lip Gloss, they're two new favourites in amongst my make up bag. Sitting really naturally and complimentary both alone and paired with each other, I can't get enough and personally find that they're the perfect finish for the soft Chocolate look this collection aspires to create. Both limited edition and also available in Berry and Tea Berry for those that prefer a slightly darker lip, costing £19 for the Lip Colour and £18 for the Lipgloss, being all about the lips I can't rave about them enough and think they'll be a lovely addition to any lipstick collection.

The Rich Chocolate Collection is also made up of two further limited blushes in Berry and Pink Coral, which of course I need and a Long Wear Eye Pencil in Black Chocolate and in my opinion, if the rest of the collection is anything to go by, I imaging they're both an absolute pleasure to use.

I'm really excited about Bobbi Browns current releases and really believe if you're looking for a few additions to your make up bag, the Bobbi Brown Counter in Selfridges, John Lewis, Harrods and Debenhams is one of the places to be as of September, when this Rich Chocolate Collection is released. 

What do you think of this collection? Do any of these products stand out as something you would like in your make up bag?

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