Up, up and away...

Just a short note to let you know that I won't have any posts for about two weeks as I am jetting off on my honeymoon! 

I am very excited but disappointed to write this at the same time since I have recently, just about, got back into regular blogging, and even though I planned to schedule some posts, time managed to get away from me. I know once I get on the plane I won't feel that guilty though, I'm really looking forward to the break and the chance to relive the newly wed feeling, all the whole creating some lovely memories. 

We will be visiting Thailand, spending four days in Bangkok (mostly shopping I hope) and another six days in Koh Samui enjoying some rest and relaxation. 

I have lots of interesting posts drafted for when I return, including finally sharing my wedding day beauty looks and some tips for brides to be. 

Hope you are all well and enjoying the summer, I hear it is beautiful in the UK right now. Speak to you soon! 

DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX

DHC is a Japanese beauty brand that only knew of for skincare until I attended an event that introduced me to their makeup products.

The most intriguing product was the DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX, not just because it has a super fine tip but because the ink is actually contained in the lid, which means that you don’t need to shake it about or have to worry about the nib not having enough ink and fading half way through drawing a line.

This eyeliner is waterproof and dries quickly to a matte finish and it is also extremely pigmented.

The brush tip is fine and not stiff, which makes it perfect for drawing a defined line and makes drawing a wing that much easier. Of course the line can still be built up to something thicker if that is the look you are going for.

In a normal climate the liner last all day without smudging, since moving to Oman, I have noticed that it has transferred slightly when the day has been particularly hot and humid.

Finally, I have to say that I love the packaging, it is slim and elegant, and after months in my makeup bag still looks good.

The eyeliner retails at £16 for 0.5 ml. You can pick this up from DHC online, Beautymart stands and Amazon.

This is the first pen style liquid eyeliner that I have really been impressed with and have already repurchased a back-up since I know I won't find this easily in the Middle East. I think my quest for the holy grail liquid liner is over.

Date night face #1

Once a week me and my husband try to get out for a date night. While it is lovely to get some quality time together, I also really appreciate the opportunity to play and doing something a little exciting with my makeup.

On this occasion, I used my normal combination of Bourjois 123 Perfect CC cream and concealer, and Nars Creamy Radiance Concealer for a base (look out for a full post of these coming soon). Both give me a close to flawless look and a dewy finish, and most importantly stay put in the humid weather. To add a bit of color and light contour, I use Pur Minerals, Mineral Glow and Benefit's Coralista for blush. Mineral Glow is my favourite bronzer at the moment, in the pan there seems to be a bit of shimmer but this doesn't translate on the skin, and overall it just adds some warmth.

On the eyes, I stuck to my usual routine of a lighter color on the lid, with a matte brown in the crease to add definition, using Sleeks Ultra Mattes Dark palette. I did add some colour and excitement with Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof eyeliner in the shade Blue Remix. I also added a bit of a flick with my favourite liquid liner (again, review coming soon), DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX and finished off with Pur Minerals, Big Blink mascara. I have been meaning to review this for a while, but never really made up my mind about it, some days I loved it and others I felt like it did nothing, and since I have finished it. Go figure. As usual Beautiful Brows is my brow product of choice.

Finally, on my lips I went nude using Molton Brown's nude lipliner and Relvon's Matte Colour Balm in the shade Complex. This is new to my collection and on its own is a little too light for my skintone (I end up with that corpse look) but paired with a darker lip liner I think it works. 

Heaven by Deborah Mitchell Celebrity Skincare Wipes

Over half of all skincare wipe reviews must start with some sort of disclosure and mine will be no different. I haven't used skincare wipes as a way of cleansing for a very long time it was something I was guilty of back in my university days before I understood how important was to have a proper routine. But I don't like to see products go to waste and after was given these wipes by Heaven by Deborah Mitchell at a press event, and told that I would love them, I knew it was only fair to give them a try. 

I'm pretty sure Debra, the head of the brand, said on the day of the event that these could be used to clean your teeth, now I would never go as far as to try these for that, but I can say that the wipes are a very effective make up remover and work great as step one of a routine. They even remove eye make up well and don't leave the skin feeling tight, so I can see where the cleansing, toning and moisturising claims come from. 

The wipes are 100% cotton and as a result feel very luxurious. They are lightly textured and contain apple pectin to exfoliate, honey to heal, and peppermint oil to treat blemishes. I haven't noticed any particular scent and I'm also pleased to report that even though I don't use these often, they have stayed moist in the pack. I have taken to saving these for holidays, chucking them in my flight bag, I've also used them when the days and has been particularly hot here, and I can feel my face sweating. 

The wipes are £7.91 for 30 and for a what can only be described as a luxury face wipe this seems like a reasonable price.

Heaven by Deborah Mitchell Celebrity Skincare Wipes can be purchased from the Heaven Skincare website.

Maybelline Baby Lips (Hydrate)

Many times I have fallen for the hype of products, purchased and been disappointed. So when Baby Lips were first released, I resisted, just how good could a lip balm be? I wasn't going to be sucked in but yet another over-hyped product.

My favourite perfumes

The one class of products that I could never do justice in a review is perfume. I have no understanding of how they are put together (base notes....top notes?) or what categories they fall into (woody, fruity, fresh?). In fact the only thing I do understand is the difference between a Eau de Toilette and an Eau de Parfum. All I know is what I like when I smell it in the shop and my choices are based on that alone.

Quick review: FaceB4 After Cleansing Serum

Once in a while you use a product with very little expectation and are pleasantly surprised. FaceB4's After Cleansing Serum is one of those products.

Bourjois Shine Edition 1,2,3 Soleil!

Bright coloured lipsticks have never received that much attention from me and admittedly this sat ignored in my collection since Christmas after I received it as a gift.

I like to think that every product has it's time though because the summer sun has brought out my adventurous side and after I randomly decided to swatch this, it was love at first swipe. 

The colour, the formula, the shine. Perfect.

I don't expect the packaging it to everyone's taste, but I love it, it certainly stands out in the makeup bag and suits the fun nature of the lipstick. I don't even mind that it doesn't have the traditional bullet applicator.

According to Bourjois the ultra-shine result is thanks to a new ¼ gloss extract. The shade, 1,2,3 Soleil is a beautiful coral. It glides on the lips and isn't sticky or drying. In fact, it is probably one of the most nourishing lipsticks I own. The colour payoff is great, one swipe and the colour is rich and stays put for a couple of hours. I've also played around with blotting the lipstick for a more subtle wash of colour and this works really well too.

 The Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick are £7.99 and can be found in Boots, Superdrug and wherever you find a Bourjois stand.

Bedside beauty

As much as I love my night time skin care routine, some nights there is something about slipping into bed and then slathering on products that gives you a pampered feeling.

I've always kept an arsenal of beauty products by my bedside, usually to act as a nighttime treat or to slap on first thing in the morning. 

Foot pampering with Emjoi Micro Pedi and Elemis

I paid little to no attention to my feet before moving to the Middle East, but living exclusively in sandals and flip-flops means that my feet are no longer protected in socks and are looking a little dry. But I managed to tackle it before it became too much a problem with a lot of thanks to the Micro Pedi by Emjoi.