French Pharmacy Haul

Hi guys! So as those of you who read my last post will know, I was in France recently, and of course, I raided the pharmacy looking for French brands which are overpriced or hard to get hold of in England. I was slightly overwhelmed at the mass amount of products and brands on offer, so I just picked up a few bits I thought I couldn't go wrong with.

December Favourites

Hi everyone! It feels like I haven't done a favourite in ages, probably because I haven't :P but I've been trying out more new products and wearing a bit more makeup this month, so I have quite a few stand-out favourites to share with you!

White Tartan Scarf// Urban Outfitters

I've been at ikea today and I got some amazing makeup storage that is very similar to the Muji range so look out for a blog post on that soon! :) anyway, it was so rainy and windy so I wore my favourite scarf, this white tartan one from Urban Outfitters. It was £16 which I don't think is too expensive, especially for UO! I love the classic tartan print and I think these colours look really traditional and it's so long and soft. It isn't too thick either so you can avoid looking bulky.

Happy Light Foundation Shade 51// Bourjois

I was a bit skeptical to buy this foundation after reading mixed reviews online, but after seeing Anna from Viviannadoesmakeup do a blog post on it, I was sold. It costs £11.99, which is on the higher end of the drugstore price wise, but it's worth every penny. The amount of product you get in one pump is the perfect amount, not too much so you don't waste any. I would say it gives medium coverage, hiding any redness or blemishes without being cakey. It's one of the only foundations that lasts all day on my oily skin without becoming shiny or wearing off. You need to be careful when choosing a shade however, you only have the choice of 5 colours, and they're all pretty dark so if in doubt, go for 50 (the lightest shade). The finish is radiant but not shimmery like Rimmel's 'wake me up', I would say it had a satin look to it.

Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish Highlight// MAC

I have been itching to get this for months and months now but I could never justify spending more than £20 on a highlighter. I always seemed to think highlighter wasn't an essential product because it didn't make that much difference but I couldn't have been more wrong. I've worn this every day since Christmas and I've received so many compliments on my complexion (mainly from my grandma, but still..). It's such a large pan too so I know it's going to last me forever! I use the Real Techniques duo-fibre contour brush to apply this because it gives a light dusting so you don't end up looking like a disco ball because that isn't a good look ;)

Effaclar Duo// La Roche-Posay

I first saw this skin care product in one of Tanya Burr's videos and it sounded£ like the perfect treatment for my combination skin, claiming to reduce pores, moisterise and clear spots. However, I just couldn't seem to find it in Boots, probably because it's only available in the really big Boots, you know, the ones that have everything in them! But luckily, Santa (my lovely mother) managed to get their hands on some for me. I use this morning and night all over a freshly cleansed face and all I can say is wow! This is my absolute saviour now, I'm in love. It really does everything it says on the packet and if you're looking for something to clear up any skin problems, then this is definitely for you :)

Snob Lipstick// MAC

Another MAC product I have had my eye on for a while but for one reason or another, hadn't picked up yet. At £15, MAC lipsticks are at the lower end of expensive lipsticks but they're worth like £100! Ok maybe not that much, but they are the best lipsticks money can buy. They're smooth and creamy, they last all day, they come in a billion shades and finishes (matte, satin etc etc) and they smell like vanilla! What more could you want? ;) you can eat and drink whatever you want and you don't have to worry about your lipstick fading. Snob is a gorgeous cool toned baby pink and I love it on when I'm wearing fake tan.

What have been your favourite products this month?

Jess x

TAG Beauty Talk- my responses

Hi guys! I've been having a bit of a long hard night and didn't know what to post, I'm in the process of writing a huge advice article addressing lots of common, teenage problems so if you have any questions you want answered, don't hesitate to ask!:)

So a lot of you have been asking for my answers to the tag I created and I haven't actually publishedvmy answers yet! Obviously I made the questions with products in mind, so if you want to know all about the particular products that inspired this tag, them keep on reading! :)

What products have stood out to you this year?

Definitely the maybelline colour tattoos, especially in on and on bronze! I have ridiculously oily eyelids so it's a miracle if something even lasts half the day, but these babies have all day staying power! I have also loved the origins zero oil cleanser because it takes away the excess greasiness on my skin with out over drying it, plus I got it for a discounted price at the cosmetics company outlet store :)

Which makeup items would you recommend for young girls or people who are just getting in to beauty?

The MUA undress me too palette is lovely for beginners because it has a wide variety of neutral shades both on the warm and cool end of the spectrum and is only £4 or £5- bargain! I would also reccomend my favourite concealer, the rimmel wake me up does it's job like no other, not only does it brighten up the eye area, but it covers blemishes, not stick to them which is great for someone who perhaps doesn't quite need a full coverage foundation, but needs a bit of something to hide redness!

Favourite high street and high end beauty brand?

From the drugstore, it has to be either Maybelline or Bourjois! Rimmel do some great foundations but the Maybelliene eye products can't be beaten for the price, especially the falsies mascara! And bourjois have outstanding face products, I would happily reccomend any of their foundations and I am currently loving their happy light foundation, plus they have the best bronzing products around :) for a high end brand, it has to be MAC! I just think the quality of their eyeshadows and lipsticks is unbeatable and they are definitely worth the bigger price tag.

Most disappointing product you've tried?

It would have the be the benefit they're real mascara because I just couldn't get on with it :/ it no means was it a bad product, but it just receives so much hype in the beauty community and I don't think it's worth it, especially for the price being around £20.

A beauty item you use everyday?

My body shop Chocomania body butter or soap and glory sugar crush body wash. I love really sweet smelling scents and these two together creates the perfect combination! :) the reason I didn't pick a makeup item is because I kinda pick makeup based on my mood for the day so I don't reach for the same things all the time, plus I like to try lots of new products :)

What are you essentials for winter?

A good conditioner for your hair! I use Tresemme total moisture everyday and my hair hardly ever gets frizzy or dry! Also a good makeup remover because I tend to wear more makeup in the winter so it's important you cleanse your face thoroughly afterwards, I use garnier rose cleaning lotion which brings all my makeup right off and it's a milky texture so it adds an extra bit of moisture to my skin to prevent it from becoming too dry!

Your favourite product for a dramatic, party look?

A dark, matching lip and nail! I just love berry shades right now and my favourite combination is either Topshop lipstick called up or Revlon just bitten kissable balm stain crush on my lips paired with Essie Bahama mama on my nails (and if I'm feeling extra sparkly, I have an accent nail using barry m yellow topaz)

What's on your Christmas wish list? (beauty wise....)

Well this year I have asked Santa for half of the MAC store haha! So we will just have to see what he brings me....

I hope you liked my answers :) this is such a fun tag to do because it covers many different aspects of makeup.

I tag you all to answer! Check out the #TAGbeautytalk page to find out more details :)

Jess x