2015 Makeup Trends

Eau Natural/ Dewy Skin 

With runways giving us less on the face and more on the eyes, it's easy to notice that natural looking skin will definitely be on the cards for 2015. Marc by Marc Jacobs has leaked the word "sweaty" to describe the complexion of upcoming seasons, and this most certainly will involve some high shine. So, out with your old powder compacts and in with the finest dewy setting spray! Although perspiration seems to be the theme, cream highlighters will be a perfect way to re-create this trend from the comfort of your own make-up bag. For a more glamorous and refreshing vibe, the MAC Fix+ not only retails for a reasonable £15.50, but can be sprayed before and after makeup application to create a dewy and healthy finish to the skin. If you're on the hunt for something with more of a sheen and glow- The Body Shop Radiant Highlighter & MAC Strobe Cream will give you a run for your money. Both can be mixed in with your foundation, applied before or after or just simply applied to the places where light will naturally hit your face; cheekbones, cupid's bow, centre of nose and forehead. If you're not quite ready to depart from your powder-based products, then by all means create this glow using your favourite powder highlighter. One of my personal favourites is NARS Highlighting Blush in 'Albatross'- a product that adds a golden sheen to the higher points of the face, helping to add that 2015 glow and enhance healthy looking skin. 

The Body Shop Radiant Highlighter £12.00

Bright Liner for SS15 

With this year being all about enhancing your natural beauty, it's nice to see a bit of colour here and there. Bright liner has been an on-off trend for years now, and with the help of Pat McGrath- it's made it's way back. I find that a natural, barely-there face looks outstanding with just a subtle pop of colour- like bright liquid liner. Something that Lime Crime mastered months ago, but is definitely a product and trend that will make any eye colour pop. It's the perfect way to interpret this Spring/ Summer without wearing all the colours of the rainbow- minimalism is key to keeping it classy ladies. This being said, Saint Laurent showcased another trend for this year- graphic liner, why not incorporate the two? A natural face, glowing cheeks and a bright liquid liner?

Louise Gray for Topshop Long-Lasting Eye Liner 'INTENSIFY' £7.00

Soft Brown Smokiness 

The smoky eye, something that can go from 'oh so glamorous' to "who just punched you in the face girl?". With brown it's easy to get right, and this shade will compliment you light eyed ladies without a shadow of doubt. A wash of colour on the lid will leave you feeling on trend and will add a subtle, naturally sultry shadow to the eyes. Using a smaller shadow/ pencil brush will enable you to smudge your choice of brown eyeshadow onto the lid, and underneath the eye- making them stand out more. Blending will be key to making this work, if you're not feeling that confident start off with a lighter brown shade and then get darker, and smoky as you get more confident. 

MAC E/S - Soft Brown, Woodwinked & Expresso, £13.00

Pop of Purple & Berry 

Whether it be a layer of lavender on the lids to a smudge of berry stain on the lips, this year is calling all purples and reds out to play. A look that can easily be adapted because let's face it, not everyone can pull off lilac purple on the lids without looking washed out- or ill. For the lips, aim for a natural impact that isn't anything too precise, but still effective. Apply in smudge-like manner to create an effortless stain, much like what we saw backstage from Topshop Unique SS15. 

MAC E/S - Beautiful Irish, Parfait Amour & Sketch, £13.00

So, by touching down on just a few of this year's upcoming trends, you can gain some insight on what is going on backstage in the fashion world, and recreate trends yourself. A natural face is easily achievable- it's all about bringing out your inner beauty with some sort of ease- plus a pop of colour here and there. If Rocker-Chic is more your thing, then check out SS15 fashion images for some metallic vibes by Anna Sui and statement liner by Givenchy.

What are some of your favourite SS15 makeup and hair trends?

Kiko Smart Lip Pencil Review + Swatches

It's safe to say that 2014 was the year of the lips. Everything from lipstick colours and plumpers to more controversial trends, such as Kylie Jenner's pout. I'm always on the hunt for reasonably priced, good quality lip liners- but aren't we all? Kiko to me, is almost like a slightly better European version of ELF Cosmetics and has unbeatable prices for the quality provided. I roamed the Kiko Store in Guildford like a sex addict in Ann Summers, where I found beautifully pigmented shadows, vibrant lipsticks and most importantly, cheap lip liners. The colour range is very broad from dark plum purples to bright cherry reds, and amongst all the choices I might have even found a dupe for my holy grail MAC 'Soar' lip liner. I spent a total of £10 for four lip liners- bargain or what? Lets see what I think of them...

First off, I have to mention that these bargain liners are 1) ridiculously pigmented and 2) glide on the lips like cocoa butter to the skin. They don't quite have the stain power of MAC lip liners which I often like to wear alone, but are fantastic for applying underneath lipsticks. The formula is almost too smooth to believe and one that thing that makes these liners stand out, is that they are £2.50 each- yea you read right. You can't really go wrong with a price tag like that and considering the variation of shades in this range; well, why not?

My Chosen Four

Smart Lip Pencil '710 Rouge Noir', £2.50

A deliciously rich plum/ purple shade; something we could definitely see Rihanna sporting all year round. I chose this dark vampy shade because it swatches beautifully against the skin and seems to be a tone that will suit every skin colour. It's creamy and highly pigmented BUT be sure to moisturize your smackers before hand, because I did find that this colour in particular clings to the dryer parts of your lips- creating an uneven application.

Smart Lip Pencil '706 Classic Red', £2.50

So, I'm usually more of a deep red kind of gal, but with it basically being a New Year and my skin starting to appear even paler- I opted for a bright red colour that would be a match made in heaven for MAC's infamous 'Ruby Woo' lipstick. It has a very bright blueish tone that will make your pearly whites sparkle and your skin glow. This would look divine on a paler skin, but who's to say it won't look fab on a deeper complexion?

Smart Lip Pencil, '712 Rose Mauve', £2.50

Whilst in the Kiko store I came across two potential Kylie Jenner lip products, this being the lighter one. It has a more pinky tone to in comparison to the other one and again, glides on perfectly giving that 'your lips but better' vibe. This cheap and cheerful liner has the potiential to be my new favourite and it could possibly be a dupe for MAC 'Soar' lip liner. Scroll down to see them up both swatched!

Smart Lip Pencil '704 Brick Red', £2.50

Now we're still on that Kylie Jenner lip hunt, and that's when I found another shde a bit darker than the '712'. When swatched on camera this colour has a very orangey tone to it, that I hoped would in fact be more neutral and brows. It is still gorgeous on, but gives your 'my lips but better' look a more peachy tone- a bit like a darker, matte version of 'Peachstock' by MAC. This is actually going to be a gorgeous everyday colour for the summer and will look very complimentary with a peachy or nude on top. What do you guys think?

(left to right) 710, 706, 712, 704.

(left to right) 710, 706, 712, 704.

(left to right) MAC 'Soar' Lip Liner, Kiko '712' Lip Liner.

Overall I am very pleased with these bargain lip liners. They have great pay off and will without a doubt, become staples in my make-up bag! Have you guys tried anything from Kiko? If so what do you think? 

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Real Techniques Nic's Picks

When it comes to brushes, Real Techniques have been getting it right since their first release in 2011. The notably affordable and chic looking make-up accessories have intrigued almost every girl around the world and have somehow overtaken MAC and Sigma Brushes in the space of nearly three years. The brushes do not shed after washes, they are unimaginably soft to touch and blend any product to a T. This set comes with a generous (for the price) but yet standard five brushes. The packaging is beyond professional; perfect for anyone with a kit and look pretty fabulous on my make-up table. The contrast of metallic silver with a matte black grip area work brilliantly- let's break it down shall we.

Cheek Brush (Set Exclusive):

My new holy grail foundation and powder brush, although it would work just as fab for contouring and applying cream products. It has not only become a staple in my personal make-up bag, but also in my kit- this brush is the reason I bought two of these sets; don't judge me. The synthetic hairs are incredibly soft but firm, allowing fluid and cream products to blend deliciously. I don't even know the whereabouts of my beloved Beauty Blender anymore- that's how in love I am with this tool! It's a fluffy dream that puts any other foundation brush to shame. 

Duo-Fiber Face Brush:

This baby fits perfectly in the make-up category of anything cheeks. Contouring, blush and even highlighting are made more natural when using this brush; it distributes product evenly and again- blends like nobodies business. This whole duo-fiber bollocks doesn't usually tickle my fancy but when using this brush for powder based products, it genuinely does affect the blending and application. An effortless face is easily accomplished with this tool- bravo!

Base Shadow Brush & Angled Shadow Brush (Set Exclusive):

So, when it comes to the best blending brushes, these are pretty much on par with our all time fave MAC 2'17. The quality is splendid and this shows when working with both eyeshadow and concealer. The Base Shadow Brush in this kit is your standard dome shaped blending brush, it is somewhere between the MAC 2'17 and 2'24. It gives an airbrush finish when used in conjunction with concealer, and blends eyeshadow beautifully in the crease. The Angled Shadow Brush in this set was simply made for applying and blending colour into the outer-v. It is again, soft and can be used for anything; concealer under the eyes, brow bone highlighting, crease blending and as I said, outer-v application. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the infamous MAC 2'17 then look no further. 

Eyeliner Brush (Set Exclusive):

One thing that almost always seems to disappear is my eyebrow brush, so before I found this amazing set I was on the hunt for an affordable one. The hairs are short and firm which results in precise distribution of colour, and really helps to feather out and blend those areas of the brow that you don't want to be as harsh. I am yet to try this brush with eyeliner but I have applied eyeshadow to the lower lash line with and it works fabulously! 

Did anyone else get this December bargain? Does anyone not like it? Overall I am so beyond pleased with these brushes that I as I said before, I actually bought two! One for myself, and one for my kit. Real Techniques are actually just coming out with their 'Bold Metals' Brush Collection as I write this- if anyone has them yet, what are they like? I love the shape of them!

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Nivea Express Hydration Primer Review

As the freezing cold weather starts to take its toll, whether you are enjoying the nightlife of Reykjavik or simply getting the tube into Piccadilly your skin will be effected. A good moisturiser is essential for keeping your face hydrated and crack free; nobody wants crusty skin to compliment their Winter glow. I came across this pot of gold; the Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer, £2.48 down from £4.99 and not only was this product on offer, but is a moisturiser and primer in one! I could tell from the consistency almost straight away, that it would be perfect for oily skin types and nights out in sweaty Oceana.

At first I was very hesitant to even apply this product to my skin because I despise the smell of Nivea body cream; A product that my mum slathered herself in for long car journeys and undoubtedly this would contain their signature smell. I lingered around the shelf it sat on, went away to swatch a few products then remembered how inexpensive it was and voilà; here it is. The jelly like consistency of this product is heavenly and is soft to touch and apply to the skin. The smallest amount of product is needed to moisturise both the face and neck AND of course prime. The smell is of course that profound perfumed scent but strangely, is bearable and doesn't linger on the skin. Like when trying any new skin care product you are always scared that your skin will break out, but surprisingly I have been using it for nearly two weeks and so far, so good. The only really frustrating thing about this product is that for my dry/combination skin it isn't that great at moisturising so if you, like myself have reasonably dry skin I would recommend using a slightly thicker moisturiser underneath. 

PROS - 

• Very Emollient; absorbs almost instantly. 
• Affordable
• Travel Friendly
• Primes the skin really nicely; almost a silicon type effect.
• A little goes a long way!
• Cute packaging.

CONS -

• Could be slightly more moisturising.
• Fairly strong perfume scent.

So, overall I am very impressed with this product and would highly recommend it to you ladies with oily/ combination skin. As I said if you do have dry skin you will need to add something extra for moisture but apart from that this is a really nice product to not only restore a little moisture but also creates a flawless and silky canvas ready for a day of makeup. 

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Bootea 14 Day Teatox Review -

What is it about herbal tea that causes an immense amount of expectation and also makes us believe we are going to shit ourselves skinny? I started my Bootea experience with high hopes and after paying a dear £20 for tea, I wanted to create the best possible results in combination with my diet and exercising.

Before starting my Bootea Teatox, I was drinking 2-3 cups of green tea everyday alongside my diet/ healthy eating and exercising; it was working out really well for me especially because the green tea helped my nerves before bed, helped to boost up my metabolism and essentially, helped to cleanse and detox my body on a regular basis. The first week of my Bootea experience went very slowly, the ingredients are natural and without a doubt had very replenishing purposes as well as detoxing ones; but my gosh, the taste (to me) was dreadful. The night time tea bags are not quite as horrible because they have a slightly minty aroma and taste from the ingredient of peppermint. I had only recently managed to make myself like and drink green tea, so as you can imagine trying a new and even stronger tasting herbal tea was very difficult for me. I tried to be fairly strict with my healthy eating and exercise, I drank my tea as instructed; in the morning and before bed. I also read online that during a detox, meat contains toxins that the body will be trying to get rid of so for the first week I attempted to be Pescatarian/ Vegetarian.

The first couple of days on my detox were very strange, unlike green tea I didn't feel replenished after drinking it but instead more sluggy/ lazy and very tired at times which isn't ideal when you are trying to motivate yourself to then get to the gym. During the first week for some strange reason I was feeling very sick to the stomach, like I wanted to vomit after drinking both the night and day time teas. After a few days of being on the detox that sick feeling fortunately went away but still to this day, I have no reason why it made me feel the way it did. The toilet activities that I had heard everyone raving about with this teatox weren't nearly as frequent with me; again I have no idea why and it could literally just be me but yeah, nothing was happening for me in that department and only did when I ate over my calorie in-take. After my 2 weeks were up I noticed a very, and I mean very small difference in my stomach and nothing else. I had lost maybe around 3 pounds being on this and to be completely honest for the price, I genuinely think that drinking green tea 2-3 times a day and eating healthy along with my exercise worked a lot better for me.

For a possibly expensive price, you are paying £20 for the hype of a new product that has gone viral and is endorsed by celebrities. Without a doubt I am not saying that this product doesn't contain fantastic ingredients for the body but for me personally, drinking green/ white tea in conjunction with my healthy eating and exercise achieves better results for me and makes me feel a lot better and energised. Again, I am not here to offend anyone, this is an opinion based on a personal experience and while it may not have worked brilliantly for me, it could be completely different for you. So there it is guys!