Brightening Cranberry.

Bobbi Brown –

Brightening Brick in Cranberry

“Your go-to product for a lit-from-within glow, Bobbi’s Brightening Brick in Cranberry combines the warmth of a bronzer and the soft flush of a blush to give you skin gorgeous, subtle luminosity.”

Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks combine the effect of bronzer, blusher and highlighter in one compact, to brighten the complexion with a skin-flattering glow. I’d describe the finish as mid way between their Shimmer Bricks and Brightening Powder, veering closest to the latter.  I have four of the six shades to show you and think these will be a big hit for Spring skin or as a little boost in the dreary in between months.  The powders feel smooth and finely milled, with subtle payoff… designed to be worn as a soft blush (my preference) or all over the face as a luminous veil. They do have a touch more shimmer than the likes of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders - and of course an added flush of colour - so I like to place them carefully on my skin rather than use all over, focusing mostly on cheeks and temples. Infused with Mulberry and Grape, they illuminate while absorbing excess oil, without drying or settling into lines.

I chose Cranberry because out of them all it gave the most colour, and as I wanted to wear it as a blusher, I wanted something that was brightening but that also gave me a nice flushed and healthy look. This is beautiful and I’ve used it every day since I bought it. The 6 shades swatch the same as they look in the pan, however not as strong (obviously), and the squares are big enough that you can use the shades separately which I have done many a time! Its like your perfect blush, bronze and highlighter in one little easy to use compact!

Cosmopolite.

Dior –

Cosmopolite Fall 2015 Collection

Now I love nothing more then a good Dior Collection, and for some reason Fall always has the best collections, for everyone. However, especially Dior!

So, everything starts with the limited edition Dior Cosmpolite 5 Couleurs Palettes and by know you already know about two of them #766 Exuberante and #866 Eclectic. The eyeshadow palettes were inspired by Dior women’s personality which is in constant motion so she can combine the colors and match them to her culture, her ideals and her light. The new Dior Addict Fluid Shadows which come in six shades offer a high-shine, long-lasting effect just like Dior’s iconic lip gloss, so you will achieve a non-slip shimmer with an intense shine makeup look. Dior Vernis will be available in five limited edition new shades  #701 Metropolis, #785 Cosmopolite, #791 Darling Blue, #982 Black Out, #970 Nuit 1947.

So the line up…

Dior Cosmopolite Fall 2015 Collection

- Dior Diorskin Nude Cosmopolite Illuminator

- Dior Fix It 2-in-1 Prime & Conceal

Shades

001

002

- Dior Diorblush Cheek Stick

672 Coral

765 Rosewood

845 Pink

- Dior Sourcils Poudre Pencil

Shades:

093 Noir Black

433 Ash Blonde

453 Soft Brown

593 Brown

653 Blonde

693 Dark Brown

- Dior 5 Couleurs Palette

866 Cosmopolite Edition Eclectic (Limited Edition)

766 Cosmopolite Edition Exuberante (Limited Edition)

- Dior Addict Fluid Shadow – Limited Edition

025 Magnetic

275 Cosmic

545 Phenix

655 Univers

825 Aurora

875 Destine

- Dior Addict Fluid Stick

289 Versalite

499 Avant-garde

784 Chic

- Dior Rouge Dior

542 Nouvelle Femme

753 Continental

956 Unique

- Dior Le Vernis – Limited Edition

701 Metropolis

785 Cosmpolite

791 Darling Blue

982 Black Out

001 Miroir

I have my eyes on that gorgeous nude DiorSkin Illuminating Face Powder with a lightweight texture as well as the three new Blush Cheek Sticks which are perfect for sculpting and ad a flush of color to my cheekbones. Another newness will be Dior Fix It, a multi-purpose concealer for face, eyes and lips and I really feel that I would this new Dior concealer in my life.

Hourglass.

Hourglass Cosmetics -

Christmas 2015 Palette

Wow, SpaceNK posted a preview of Hourglass palette for Christmas 2015 on Instagram which contains the original Ambient Lighting powders, which started the hype,  and also blushers and bronzers.

Look how gorgeous does it looks? I have definitely added this to my Christmas wish list!

Speaking of Hourglass, they brought out more shades of another cult product, their Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil  that is now available in nine shades!

If you’re not familiar with The Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil first of all, just look at the elegant, chic and sophisticated design. When you pay £26 you want your product to look appropriate to the price, and it does! Besides being a beauty, it is a very functional product, too. You get a pencil in a nice triangular shape that is very convenient to use, on one end, and a spoolie on the other. The texture of the product is lovely, it is not too dry or too soft/”greasy”.  It looks natural when applied and “blends in” with your brows, so no one will be able to tell that you have a product in. The finished look, you get fuller, more defined eyebrows and the effect lasts all day.

By the way, I would recommend checking out SpaceNK Instagram account in general, they posted a preview of byTerry, Lipstick Queen and more Christmas releases.

Chocolate, Bunnies and Something Extra Special.

TOO FACED –

Bronzers

Too Faced, as a brand, sits in the same category as Benefit for me. Slightly confusing as their price tag doesn’t really match they’re young and fun packaging, but despite that the products always impress. If you can see past the not my cup of tea packaging, you’ve got yourself a really lovely brand with great products.

Something they are well know for is their huge range of bronzers, there are eight in total and there’s literally one for everyone. Lots of people have been asking which one would suit their skin type or would suit summer/winter, therefore due to Too Faced getting bigger in the UK, I thought it would be a good idea to create a little guide to each bronzer and who its aimed at.

Fresh Glow.

Burberry –

Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base

“Discover Fresh Glow, our iconic Luminous Fluid Base. The effortless formula gives a spectrum of skin benefits and multiple effects – from instant radiance to moisturisation – while gently protecting against the elements. Ultra-fine illuminators give natural luminosity and light diffusion, anti-agers help restore skin elasticity and wild rose extracts increase hydration levels. The multi-effect formula can be used in a multitude of ways: On nude skin for moisturising illumination, as a hydrating and luminising primer under foundation or blended into foundation for a fresh radiance boost. To add highlights to nude or made-up skin – use it on cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, Cupid's bow and chin.”

-       Burberry

Rain or Shine.

Burberry –

S/S15 Runway Palette

“Introducing the Burberry Spring/Summer 2015 Runway Palette, featuring an artwork from the Prorsum collection. The “Rain or Shine” motif, originally hand-painted in the Burberry studio reflects the synergy between Burberry fashion and beauty. This limited-edition powder palette uses colours from the womenswear collection: Pink Azalea and Bright Coral red sit alongside a nude cloud on a Hydrangea Pink background. Effortless to use, the shades blend together to enhance and highlight the skin with a radiant glow. Contour the cheeks to highlight the cheekbones or apply to the apple of the cheeks for natural radiance. 

-Burberry

Sculpting Must-Have.

Real Techniques –

Sculpting Brush 

‘Featuring a wide, angled head, specifically designed to help create defined contours, the sculpting brush is a must-have in your makeup bag to enhance your natural features, or to modify the shape and look of your face. Use with cream or powdered bronzers to define and contour the hollows of the cheeks. Apply a light sweep of blush for a soft rosy finish’ 

– Real Techniques

Natural-Looking Dimension.

NARS –

Contour Blush

“A duo of contouring blush shades to create natural-looking dimension for the face with a lightweight luminous finish. A deeper shade enhances definition while a lighter shade illuminates the high points of the face.” 

– NARS

Filmstar.

Charlotte Tilbury –

Filmstar Bronze & Glow

“This is a secret that silver screen sirens have kept to themselves for years – and once I share it with you – so will you! With Filmstar Bronze & Glow you can slim, sculpt, shorten, trim and highlight your features. It’s amazing what clever shading and highlighting tricks can do to your facial framework - it’s an illusion that I use all the time, particularly for red carpet scrutiny, and my clients can’t get enough of it. Take what you were born with and maximise your assets with Filmstar Bronze & Glow!”

Instant Illuminating.

Dior - 
Diorskin Nude Shimmer Instant Illuminating Powder in 001 Pink

These are described by Dior to be more than a finishing powder but less than a blush/bronzer; these powders are all about ‘radiance’. Ultra finely-milled and with the softest shimmer you can imagine, one sweep of a brush swirled through the pan is enough to give your skin a light-kissed look, without ever coming across as overdone.

But just look at them – do you seriously need any more reason than that?

The powder is housed in a luxurious (does Dior do anything but luxury?) silvery compact bearing the distinctive Dior cannage pattern with a nice hefty feel, and secure magnetic snap closure. It also comes with its own protective velour pouches (must keep that finish pristine) as well as a small kabuki brush.

I know this is going to sound strange but both me and the boyfriend agreed that its delicately scented, not in a bad overpowering way, in a slightly rose way, the fragrance itself is subtle and disappears into the background of your application. To say that these powders are ultra-finely milled, would be an understatement – I experienced no kickback when I swirled my brush across the pan. The tiny kabuki brushes work surprisingly well, and actually do a great job of buffing the powder seamlessly into the skin. Lasting power is excellent as well, going way past the 8 hour mark – when my skin’s oils finally combined with the powder to give an even more natural glow.

This rose/pink shade is the lighter of the two shades available in this powder (the other being an amber shade) and perfect for fairer/fair medium skin tones (which is exactly where I fall). This compact bears 4 hues: the larger sections in light tan & blush, with the pink and pearly white lettering to add a hint of colour. Trying to pick up the individual colours is pretty hard, however can be done if you wish, personally I don’t think it would give the same beautiful glow due to it being made to wear mixed together.
I wore this two ways. The first was a blush, focusing a little more on grabbing the pinker shades to help give a rosy glow, this I find is perfect for everyday wear and gives my face such a pretty healthy glow. The second way was to mix them together and focus on the upper cheek area and my temples, giving an instant brightening, glow effect. This way is perfect for those special occasions, nights out or the times when your trying to make a little more of an effort.
TIP: As with other tinted face powders and/or bronzers, you should be aware that the colour “develops” slowly – it’s best to apply with a light hand, and then wait a few minutes to see the desired result before going in with more product.

Have you tried either of these beautiful Diorskin Nude Shimmers?
If you’ve tried the Amber shade…I would love to know your thoughts on it!

Perfect Topping.

MAC -

Mineralise Skinfinish in Perfect Topping

Ok. I'm not going to lie; I'm not the biggest MAC fan. I don't know why, but nothing from them ever makes me like 'OMG I GOTTA HAVE THAT', which is what happens contently on the Dior counter (bows head in shame). However, I like to have a nosey at their limited addition ranges when they release them to see if anything grabs my attention...and this little beauty definitely did that!

Everyone say a big Hi and Hello to Perfect Topping!

Perfect Topping is described as a “pale pearlized pink”, and part of their Fantasy of Flowers collection. My eyes were instantly drawn to the Perfect Topping Mineralize Skinfinish because of it’s gorgeous champagne, bronze and purple veining. The colours aren’t overpowering in the slightest and it gives a stunning natural glow to the skin. I love to sweep this on the tops of my cheekbones, on my nose and on my cupids bow which just gives a really nice illuminated appearance to the skin without looking overdone or frosty. I’ve also known me to sweep it over my blusher when I’m in a hurry just to give my skin more a glow if I don’t have time to do much else. Its also important to note, unlike some highlighters I have used in the past, this doesn’t sit or highlight pores…yey!

I do have to note that Mineralize Skinfinishes can differ from pan to pan, as it is a mix of different shades and veins, so sometimes there is variance, therefore when you look at different pans, they may look different and therefore may transfer a little differently on your skin.

I am really happy that I picked this up because it’s been great to use on an everyday basis since it isn’t frosty or glittery. This Mineralize Skinfinish comes with 9g of product and I know will last forever.