Best Make-Up Bits For Colds

Beauty Must-Haves For Your Summer Holidays

So, as of today, I can say 'I AM GOING ON HOLIDAY THIS WEEK!'. Late Saturday night we'll be traipsing to the airport to catch a flight to Crete for a week of sun, beaches and all inclusive food/ drink. Honestly, what more could a girl want? When we booked the holiday in March, it seemed ages away, but (as it always does) time has seriously crept up on us and this weekend I realised I needed to start thinking about what I was going to pack (and also whether my summery clothes still fit me, cue bank holiday shopping trip!). When it comes to beauty, I am usually fully stocked up and always buy bits and bobs whenever they are on offer, so luckily I have most things I need already. I thought many of you will have summer holidays approaching, so thought I'd share some of the beauty items which are going to be must-haves in my suitcase.

Review: Dr Pawpaw's Multi Purpose Soothing Balms

If there's one thing I love, it's a good multi-functional beauty product. Not only do they give you an extra 10 minutes in bed, but can save oodles of space in your make-up bag (not to mention saving you money!). Dr Pawpaw is one of these products that have many uses; the balm can help temporarily soothe dry patches of skin, provide some glossy moisture to lips, be used as a makeshift cuticle oil and also provide a hint of tint to cheeks (and this isn't the end to its uses!). Their multi purpose soothing balms are something I have heard a lot about but never tried out for myself. Although they aren't a product I find myself constantly turning to, I have found they are a good beauty item to keep in your handbag for when emergency chapped lips strike.

Favourites: Some Amazing Lip Balms To Soothe Dry Lips

Although we're now in February and positively thinking that winter is nearly over, it seems as though it is still getting colder by the day! I'm currently wearing my thickest winter coat, big cosy scarf and gloves whenever I decide to venture outdoors; add to this the dreary rain and you've got yourself a recipe for awful British, cold weather. Whilst some of you may see this bleak temperature as an opportunity to snuggle up under a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate (cream and marshmallows on mine, thanks), I personally can't wait until it starts getting lighter, sunnier and warmer- not least because of the havoc this chilly weather is causing my skin! Not only do I need to reach for the extra nourishing night creams, but my lips get so sore, red and dry with the slightest drop in temperature. If you're anything like me, cold months call for heavy duty lip balms, so here are a few of my favourites.

My Current Winter Handbag Essentials

I've never really done the whole 'monthly empties' or 'handbag must-haves' before on this blog, but that's usually because nothing tends to change that frequently in my routine. I have an army of trusted products that I always have to hand which may change, say, every season. Although light face mists and boring-but-necessary deodorants sit in my handbag during summer, when the colder months come swooping in my beauty routine does get a bit of a shake-up. Although the core perfumes and balms remain, a few products get adapted to my skin's winter needs. Heavy duty lip saviours and products that keep my skin hydrated help banish the dryness which can often seep in during chillier times, so as my handbag products get their seasonal shake-up, I thought I'd share what I'm turning to on a daily basis. 

The Best Things In Life Are Three? The Soap & Glory Trio I've Fallen Head Over Heels For...

It's not Christmas without a Soap & Glory gift set of some sort, is it? This post is a bit overdue, as my wonderful mum got me this S&G trio for Christmas. However, I've been so wrapped up in actually using the products that I totally forgot to rave about them on this site. I know, what kind of blogger am I?! I am already a huge fan of Soap and Glory products; I use their Archery brow pencil everyday, adore their Supercat eyeliner, and simply cannot resist indulging myself in their body butters during these colder months. When I opened this beautiful little gift set on Christmas morning I knew my mum had got me sussed. The elegant box, topped with a present-appropriate bow, contains three products I had never tried before- a gold Thick & Fast mascara, Love at First Blush and a Sexy Motherpucker Gloss Stick in a gorgeous berry colour. It's safe to say I am in love with all three.

MUA Sweet Sheen: The £2 Tinted Lip Balm That's As Good As It's Pricier Rivals

For me, tinted lip balms are just perfect for summer. Instead of wearing a heavy lipstick or sticky gloss, wacking on a bit of tinted balm when you're out and about is an absolute lifesaver. It requires minimal effort, is incredibly low maintenance, but produces just the right amount of colour you need to make an impact. There are tonnes of tinted lip balms out there, from high-end Benefit and Bare Minerals, to much more affordable Max Factor, but finding one which gives you a vaguely strong colour for a decent amount of time is actually quite difficult. While the brands mentioned above all have fab lip balms, not everyone can afford their relatively hefty pricetag. This is where MUA steps in with a fantastic dupe for only £2...

Primark P.S Love Beauty Haul; Why It's Not As Bad as You'd Think

Primark is incredible, isn't it? While it may often look like a jumble sale, you can pick up a multitude of bargains ranging from clothes, accessories and even cosmetics. Recently, Primark have done a lot to revamp the image of their P.S Love beauty range. The results show sleek-looking products that aren't as bad as you may think. Being so cheap and having the reputation of a budget store, it's easy to assume the quality of Primark beauty products is pretty naff. There are, of course, many things which fit this category (lotions, face wipes, and kohl eyeliners), but within the beauty shelves it is possible to find some real gems that shouldn't have the reputation of 'if it's cheap, it's crap'.

Beat The Snuffles: 5 Make-Up Tips For When You Have A Cold

It's that time in the year when everyone inevitably picks up a cold. Being back at work, university and school means that the offices and commutes yet again become prime germ-spreading locations. While getting dressed up is usually the last thing on your mind when you're coughing up buckets of phlegm, here are a few beauty tips to help you look your best while you battle that runny nose.

3 Must-Have Lip Balms To Help You Through Winter (Which All Cost Under £4!)

The colder months wreak havok with our skin; extra moisture is needed in order to prevent it from drying out. Your face might feel tighter, your hands cracked, and your lips chapped. Winter is a known curse for lipstick lovers, but these three balms might prove to be life-saving as Britain freezes over. Here are the beauty balms I swear by...

Review: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms

I seem to spend far too much money on lipsticks. I spend even more time complaining that they either dry out my lips or dissipate after half an hour's wear. Revlon's Colorburst balms have managed to solve both of these beauty problems in one fell swoop. Continuing on from Clinique's chubby stick trend (which pretty much every brand has attached themselves to), these chunky lip crayons from Revlon are one of the few worth keeping a place in your make-up bag.

SWATCHES: Barry M Cor Balmy

I must admit, I was desperate to try out Barry M's new Cor Balmy range after seeing gazillions of bloggers post about them. Many other brands have attempted to release tinted lip balms with (in my opinion) little success. The products themselves look like they promise a huge punch of colour from the outside, but when applied, the moisture element takes over and the tint is left behind. However, these Barry M balms are something else, and I was left really impressed by the budget brand.

Cosmetics Fairy Haul

Cosmetics Fairy is a website I've heard a lot of, and looked at a lot, but I just somehow never made a purchase. I was mainly worried about the products being completely tacky, old, and unusable, especially as you cannot see them in person beforehand. However, I recently took the plunge and grabbed some goodies. The prices are so low; my purchases ranged from 50p to £1 for some very well-known brands!