MAC - Marilyn Monroe collection Scarlett Ibis

Let me introduce you to my favourite lipstick ever. Not only is it a beautiful shade, texture and in a beautiful casing but it also has incredible sentimental value.

When the Marilyn Monroe collection was released I was a full time college student and working on the weekends only - there was no way I would ever of even considered spending £15 on a lipstick. I plonked this on my Christmas wish list and thought nothing of it. Then it sold out - I think I actually cried. On Christmas day my boyfriend gave me a little lipstick shaped box - and this baby was inside of it. He had bought the lipstick for 3x retail because that's how much I wanted it. Because of this I only ever wear it on very very very special occasions.#

This colour for me is the perfect orange-red. I have not been able to find another quite like it! It is a matte lipstick however it is not too drying on the lips, applies like a dream and only needs an occasional top up on a night out (I smoke, unfortunately - I am working on giving up I promise!)

Une Skin Glow Pencil

Bourjois Une Skin Glow Pencil G01 - £1.99

Due to working full time, it is very difficult for me to get my shopping fix mid week. This is where my newest discovery - Fragrance Direct - comes in. I'll have a spare couple of bob, or a stressful day (usually the latter) order this and a few days later It'll turn up on my desk! I have heard of this wesbite before, but I had absolutely no idea that they did make up, and more importantly that it was so affordable! 

It was here that I first discovered Une, an all natural, organic all singing all dancing sister to Bourjois. I bought the shade G01 as from looking at swatches, it looked incredibly similar to my HG Benefit's Eye Bright.  

When I popped the lid off of the tube, the colour itself was more like Benefit's High Brow - a warmer version of Eye Bright. Consequently, I use this on my brow bone and down my nose, occasionally under my eyes - as this pencil is matte, I usually use this on one of my "dressing down" days where I don't feel like contouring my face too much - just a little nifty dab here and there really opens up the face and makes me look much more awake! 
Of the Une products I have tried, this has been by far my favourite and I fully recommend this as a fanstically subtle radiant highlighter!

Revelling in the Revlon

Revlon Colour Stay Aqua Mineral Makeup in ivory.

Aqua, mineral powder... you must be joking, right?! wrong.
I am like a magpie with a shiny 50 pence coin when it comes to things which seem a little odd, so of course when I saw this I just had to get it! When I first picked this up, I was very sceptical. Now, it has replaced my HG powder on a night out, and if my skin is looking mighty fine I use this by itself. I am a full coverage girl, and although this claims to be a mineral powder foundation, I would not dream of using it on its own unless I was having an extremely good skin day (which happens very very rarely) I tend to dust this over the top of my make up, especially if I know there is going to be some happy snappers where I am going. 
This powder is very finely milled and contains coconut water for hydration, which applies like a dream and feels god damn magnificent. The powder is predominantly matte however there are light reflecting particles that can admittedly look a little shimmery in day light, but at night or under artificial light this is just the best.  
Back to the coconut water - this makes the powder feel moist and light, but not in a cakey "I didn't take my make up off before I went to the gym" way. 
I am very very pale and the lightest shade has a slight yellow undertone which when paired with the correct colour and tone of foundation works beautifully.
I do not like the brush that the powder comes with, although it is a pretty neat idea I feel the tightly packet bristles are far too harsh on my sensitive skin - a real techniques buffing brush works perfectly for this little pot of wonders.

Oh, just Pink About It!

Essie: Pink About It £7.99

This is my all time favourite Essie nail colour. Unfortunately, it is no longer in the current shade range so I am saving it for super special occasions! it is very similar to Muchi Muchi, but it has a subtle iridescent cool shimmer which I cannot get enough of. 
As with every Essie nail varnish, the brush requires a knack and as with every Essie, it is prone to chipping. It is also prone to "oh my god I love this colour... It's still tacky? Do you know what would make it less tacky... Another layer!!!" With that being said, with my trust Jessica top coat it easily lasts the week on my 9-5 office job hands- and nothing makes the day go quicker than looking at your girly princess nails! I feel this colour looks good on short, long, real or fake nails.

Carley x

MAC lustre drops in Pink Rebel

MAC Lustre Drops "Pink Rebel" £18 for 18ml

I have never fallen for anything as hard as I have fallen for this little bottle of liquid sunshine. I originally went into MAC to repurchase "Sun Rush" but, as RiRi had just launched her collection and her highlighter was of course all sold out, Sun Rush being really very similar sold out quickly too. The lovely assistant in the shop dabbed a little of this on my cheeks and I was in love. 

On the website this is described as a bronzer but I feel like it is more a highlighter. I use it on a night out to brighten my face up and I even use it before heading off to my 9-5 desk job as a shimmery subtle blush! 

I usually have issues with MAC skin products (I'm looking at you, studio fix...) but this has not caused me any problems at all! Although the bottle may look a little weenie for 18 big ones I can assure you a little goes a long way. I have used this every day for over three months now and I don't even think I've hit the "main" part of the bottle yet! 

You simply take a drop and dab underneath your eye sockets for a perfect, wide eyed look with a subtle shimmer! I wouldn't recommend mixing this colour with foundation like you would with the golden counterpart of this product as it will leave you looking fabulous but also a little bit like you've had a few bottles of merlot and fallen headfirst into the Barry M display at boots. But, as a glitter and wine lover that is usually the look I go for!

The lemony flutter cuticle butter miracle.

Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter - Lush - £6.50/50g

This is an absolute miracle.
I have always been such a fan of Lush - both for the ethical side and the actual product side. I have never, ever been disappointed with a Lush product and I doubt I ever will be.
Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter is a lemon scented moisturising butter that leaves you feeling ever so soft and smelling even better. A little of this product really does go a long way, the amount on my hand in the bottom picture is more than enough to do your hands, elbows and dry patches anywhere else on the body (although if I'm telling the truth you will probably apply this every where because of how god damn good it smells!) The fragrance is light and zingy - not lemony in a toiler cleaner way, in a fresh lemonade kind of way.

A tub this size will last me around 6 months so the price is amazingly good! They could probably double the price of this and I'd still continue to repurchase it! 

Like all Lush products this has been approved by the Vegetarian Society.
I also use this product on my face as although I have oily skin, I get incredibly sore dry cheeks and lips. I actually first bought this around 7 months ago and this tub is a repurchase, I first bought it because I had such sore dry lips, the lovely assistant in Lush directed me to this before anything else. If you want sexy, soft kissable lips I definitely recommend this.