Firstly I apologise for my lack of posting, however with the Christmas period being as manic as ever and spending New Year abroad, I’ve been unable to get online.
Secondly, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a great new year.

I have decided to write my first post of the year about one of the presents I received.

After dropping many hints about Yves Saint Laurent Touché Éclat I was very pleased to find it in my Christmas stocking. I have read many reviews about the complexion perfector being a ‘must have’ however I must say I am a little disappointed with it.

Admittedly I have only saved Touché Éclat for special occasions and am a creature of habit, disturbed by change, but I have found the product to be quite heavy-duty and difficult to blend with minimal coverage.

I usually use Boots’ No 7 Instant Radiance Concealer for £13.50, it’s a bit pricey but it lasts forever and does a fantastic job of disguising my tired eyes.
Perhaps I’m missing a trick with Touché Éclat and not using it to its full potential, so if you use it, I’d appreciate and tips you may have.   

IMAGES:

http://www.vivaadonis.com 

http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/gallery/gallery-specials/25441/2/1/tried-and-tested-concealer/1

No matter what the occasion, whether it being a night out with the girls, or any other social gathering, painting my nails is always an essential for me.

However I can’t afford to visit a nail bar every time I want pretty nails so instead, I have quite a big collection of nail varnishes.

There are a few I like to keep for special occasions like Christmas, and below are my favourite three festive colours.

This green Barry M varnish took a bit of time to grow on me (I received it as a gift) but I think it makes for the perfect Christmas holly-like shade. It takes two coats to build the colour up but lasts ages. I think it’s also versatile enough to be worn during the day or evening.

If you want to look out for it, Barry M is stocked in most Superdrug and Boots stores nationwide, the code is 284 and it’s only £2.99.

As well as using Barry M nail varnishes I have recently discovered H&M’s nail colour range, again great value for money and long lasting.

This varnish (Golden Treasure) has become one of my favourite shades, not only for Christmas but all year round, it’s subtle but adds just enough colour to brighten up your nails. It also goes well with the green Barry M varnish!

This range of varnishes also cost £2.99 in store on online.

Being familiar with breakouts, greasy skin and large pores, I am always on the lookout for new ‘wonder products.’ But rarely find ones that work for me.
However, after much trying and buying I have decided that these five products are my ‘wonder’ products… And most importantly, they actually work!

1. Scrub Your Nose In It, Soap and Glory, £7.40, Boots
2. Dove Soap, £1.25 (for two), Superdrug
3. Superdrug antibacterial shine control Moisturiser, £2.59, Superdrug
4. The porefessional, Benefit, £23.50, Boots
5. Good Things Bright Eyes eye cream, £5.99, Boots

Dove soap is a cheap way to cleanse your face to remove the daily dirt and grime that builds up.

I always moisturise after cleansing but having combination skin, I suffer from dry patches as well as an oily t-zone. Superdrug’s antibacterial shine control moisturiser is perfect as it nourishes the dry areas and controls the grease build up.

I then use Benefit’s Porefessional to create a matte, pore-less finish to my skin before applying my make-up. It’s a bit pricey but worth the extra pennies.

Good Things eye cream is great at combatting under eye circles. Its scent is quite strong and can be off putting but it definitely helps to banish puffiness.

My overall favourite product is Soap and Glory’s Scrub Your Nose In It because it’s an all-round beauty marvel. It acts as a 2in1, providing you with both a mask and a scrub that is great for refining large pores and helps to prevent pesky breakouts. Its duality makes it great value for money too!

I’m always open to suggestions, so what are your top beauty products?