Highlighters of the moment (Jemma Kidd, Balm Balm)

I probably own more highlighters and illuminators than I actually need...but then again which make-up addict doesn't:)
However, the following two highlighters are the ones that I've been reaching for the most lately and they do deserve a mention.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme in Rose Gold

Quite a long name for a highlighter but I have to say that the words "dewy", "glow", "radiance" and "creme" ensured that I was going to get it.
I adore cream formulations so it's no surprise that this highlighter was destinied for my make-up kit.

Dewy Glow All over Radiance Creme in Rose Gold is a peachy gold shade that adds subtle luminosity to the skin and is thus perfect for daytime wear as you can't really go over the top with it.
The soft creamy texture makes this highlighter very easy to apply and blend. It can be used under or over foundation or on bare skin. 

The many uses of Pure Coconut Oil!

Here's a product that I haven't been able to get enough of lately...pure coconut oil!

I purchased this tub a while back from Holland & Barrett and although it can be used for cooking and baking, I've solely been incorporating it into my beauty routine.

The oil comes in solid form and will remain as such if stored below 24 degrees Celsius. When you scoop a bit out and rub it between your hands, it starts to melt making it easy to apply. 
Coconut oil is incredibly moisturising and I'm CRAZY for the scent!!! I'd just like to find a way of permanently attaching this tub to my nose...:) But for now I'll just stick to having a whiff of it each time I'm in the bathroom. 

I've been using it as:

• an all over body moisturiser
• lip balm (not only is it moisturising but you also need not worry about ingesting it as it's edible & actually good for you:))
• hand and cuticle cream
• make-up remover (works brilliantly!)
• facial moisturiser 
• hair mask (leave on for a while before shampooing)
• foot cream 
• excellent for moisturising dry knees & elbows
• and just today I got the idea to rub it into my underarms to test it out as a natural deodorant (can't as of yet specify if it works effectively for this purpose) 

Anyway, if you're mad about coconut oil and have discovered any other uses for it as a beauty product then please share! 

Kryolan V3 Eyeshadow Compact

If there's one thing I love, it's a good eyeshadow palette. Make it a matte eyeshadow palette and the love increases. Therefore you can imagine my delight upon discovering Kryolan's Variety Eyeshadow Compact in V3 Natural.

This eyeshadow palette features 18 neutral matte eyeshadow shades!

The eyeshadows are all nicely pigmented, allowing you to build up colour intensity without going overboard. They're also incredibly soft, smooth and blendable.
This is a great palette for my kit and I haven't stopped reaching for it. It's ideal for neutral every day looks and bridal work.

Now onto some swatches:

1st row 

2nd row

3rd row

Which eyeshadow palettes have you been reaching for lately?

Daniel Sandler Invisible Radiance Foundation and Concealer

My search for the ideal foundation could quite possibly be over.
I do realise that I've probably uttered such words before, along with bold claims of a beauty product being "holy grail material" or "the one"...
However, this is a case of serious adoration as Daniel Sandler's Invisible Radiance Foundation ticks all the boxes for me. When it comes to foundation for my own personal use I am always on the lookout for a glowy, moist and luminous finish.

I first noticed this foundation in action a couple of weeks ago when I was watching a tutorial by Daniel Sandler. This was the foundation that he'd used on the model and I couldn't get over the incredibly dewy finish that it provided.
Instantaneously I'd made the decision to google it and buy it. 
The foundation comes in four shades: Porcelain, Beige, Honey and Deep Sand. I purchased it in Honey and it seems to be an ideal match for my NC30 complexion.

Handy spatula applicator

Invisible Radiance has a silky texture that glides onto the skin with ease.  The coverage is sheer but buildable without becoming cakey. After application the skin is left moist and luminous looking without a shimmer particle in sight. I also love how it makes my skin look fresh and plumped.

The concealer that comes with this foundation is also a godsend. So smooth and buttery...and best of all it doesn't settle into any creases.

In all honesty, I haven't a single negative to say about this foundation. If you're a fan of luminous finishes then be sure to check this one out as you won't be disappointed!

Have you tried Invisible Radiance yet?

MAC Paint Pots

Lately I've been reaching for my paint pots a lot and loving their versatility.
I know that my paint pot 'collection' is nothing to write home about, but if you're a neutrals lover like myself, then these three shades will certainly find a special place in your heart.  

Painterly, Groundwork, Quite Natural 

Painterly is a creamy nude beige shade that I like to use as a base for eyeshadow application. It makes powder shadows go on smoother and blend easier, increasing their durability. I don't tend to wear Painterly on it's own unless I'm keeping make-up to a minimum and simply want to block out any blotches on my eyelids. 

Groundwork is one of those neutral taupe shades that you simply must own. It's perfect for day time and the office. On medium/dark skin tones it will work great as an eyeshadow primer. Worn alone it's one of those 'safe' colours that will go with anything. 

Quite Natural is a dirty chocolate brown. I like to wear it on it's own or as a base for a dark smoky eye. 

I also use it as an eyeliner and for filling in my brows.

Which are your favourite paint pots?

Ciate Cookies and Cream Paint Pot

If you love having your nails painted in nude or neutral colours then look no further. Ciate's Cookies and Cream nail polish represents effortless chic.
It's a light taupe/grey shade that will go with anything and everything. Perfect for daytime, nighttime, work or going out...it's one of those safe and fuss free shades that you can't go wrong with.

My nails aren't exactly in the best shape to be modelling a polish colour but here it goes anyway:

Have you tried it yet?

MAC Mineralise and Face & Body Foundation

MAC Mineralise SPF 15 Foundation

I purchased this foundation on a whim, having read absolutely no reviews on it beforehand. I guess that what drew me to it was the fact that it is a cream based product, hence my favourite texture for a foundation.

The texture is indeed one to die for - smooth, creamy and incredibly buttery - thus resulting in effortless blending. It gives medium to buildable coverage, offering a natural looking finish similar to what you'd be able to achieve if using a tinted moisturiser.
It feels moisturising on the skin so it would be ideal for drier skin types.

Although I can't really fault it in terms of it's compatibility with my normal (and at times dehydrated) skin type, I probably wouldn't repurchase this one in the future. It's one of those products that I've been happy to try, do not regret buying but it also hasn't managed to wow me in any way or form. I think that it's purely down to the fact that I have tried other cream based foundations at a fraction of the cost and they have worked just as well if not better.

MAC Face and Body Foundation

MAC's Face and Body Foundation on the other hand was a well researched purchase...and a very overdue one at that. Lured in by promises of a foundation that provides a dewy, moist finish, I knew that it had to be mine. Yes this was indeed an overdue purchase...however I shall from now on ensure that this foundation  always remains within my reach.

Face and Body foundation has, as you can tell, made quite an impression on me. I purchased it online and thus hadn't a clue as to what shade to go for. I'm an NC30 and when I e-mailed an artist to help me out with the shade, she had suggested C4. I guess that it wouldn't really matter if you had gone for a shade lighter or darker due to the consistency of this product being so thin, but nonetheless my instinct seemed to be telling me to opt for shade C3 and so I did. C3 seems to be an ideal match and I'll probably opt for C4 in the summer time once I start intensifying my fake tan.
The coverage is sheer but buildable without becoming cakey. Application feels a little weird at first as the product seems to slide around a lot but once it sets it stays put.

This foundation is now officially a staple for me. Perfect for everyday wear due to it's sheer coverage, leaving the skin looking like skin, only better. Being a fan of creamy textures it seems rather weird that a foundation of such a runny consistency could impress me so very much.
However it's all about the finish for me  - natural and moist.
So if you're a fan of heavier coverage and a matte finish, I'd suggest you give this one a miss.

Have you tried any of these? Thoughts...

Handy Palettes for your kit!

If you're a make-up artist then these very sleek, lightweight and versatile palettes from Maq Pro are sure to come in handy.

Foundation Palette

The palette is flat packed and features six wax based colours that provide a very natural make-up finish which doesn't sit on the surface of the skin. The formula has light-reflecting qualities and leaves a nice glowy sheen to the skin.
Four of the shades work well as all over foundation bases, with the darkest colour coming in handy for the purpose of shading. The lightest shade is great for highlighting or mixing into the darker colours for a lighter effect.
There is also a green corrector colour which is absolutely brilliant at neutralising any red tones in the skin as well as blemishes.

Swatches: 

Concealer/Lip/Cheek Petite Multi-Use Palette:

Starting from the top we have a dark neutral brown shade that is great for contouring.
Next is a very pale pink/apricot tone that is used under the eyes to correct dark circles.
In the middle we have the same green corrector (red tone neutraliser) that features in the larger foundation palette.
This is followed by a lilac shade that can be used to counteract a sallow looking complexion.
The last colour is a shimmery golden tone.

The bottom row features tones that make for great lip and cheek colours.

I'm really excited about having come across these handy palettes as there really is so much that you can use them for and they always come in handy at every job. An additional bonus is that they take up so little space!

I believe that these Maq Pro palettes are exclusively available from PAM LONDON and they happen to stock many more varieties...happy days!

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P.S. Hope you're all well and it's good to be back blogging!