MAC RIRI WOO LIPSTICK

You may already know that MAC has collaborated with Rihanna to create a four part limited edition collection as there has been a lot of talk about it recently.
Riri Woo is a very popular lipstick so is currently sold out but there are still two more parts of the collection to be released, so keep an eye out for it if you'd like to buy it!

Riri Woo has a retro matte finish. I really like the formula, it looks great on the lips and it's not too drying (never a good thing, right?). It's an amazing classic red lipstick with a lovely matte finish.
The packaging on the outside looks just like a lipstick in the permanent line available all year around, but the actual lipstick has Rihannas signature on it.

Thank you for reading,

NV

xoxo 

REVIEW AND SWATCHES: THE BODY SHOP BB CREAM

I usually like more of a heavier coverage foundation in the morning, just because it's quicker to apply it and go, however in the summer I like to go for a lighter product like this Body Shop BB cream. It's nice because it feels light on the skin but evens it out, while moisturising a little bit at the same time. I do apply a little concealer over it though on any imperfections and under my eyes. As you'll see from the swatches, it blends in pretty well into my skin, and if you're looking for a lightweight reasonably priced BB cream for the warmer months this is definitely a product worth checking out!

NV
xoxo

REVIEW: BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX SERUM FOUNDATION

I think Bourjois is a great brand for face products. I haven't tried many of their eye or lip products, but the foundation definitely doesn't disappoint. It's the only liquid foundation I've repurchased so far, so that's already saying something. It goes on amazingly well, especially with the Real Techniques buffing brush (more on it here). 

The only little downside is that it does enhance any little dry areas on the face a little bit, however I exfoliate anyway so it's not a huge problem for me.
It gives a nice finish to the skin, not too dry and matte but not super dewy. It's worth noting that I do usually need to put some powder on top though, but that makes it last a little longer anyway. I'd say it gives medium coverage, but it is build able.
Overall an amazing foundation, one I'd definitely recommend!

Thank you for checking out my blog!

NV
xoxo

REVIEW AND SWATCHES: COLLECTION COLOUR PRO LIP LACQUER

I love bright lip shades, especially for the summer, and this Collection Colour Pro Lip Lacquer is perfect if you want to add some colour to your look.

It has a glossy finish but doesn't feel too sticky on the lips, and it's so pigmented you only need a little bit for the colour to show. The shade I have is Rebel, which is a very bright hot pink shade, but they have 3 other ones you can choose from. This lip gloss is one of the more expensive Collection products, however it's definitely worth the money, it feels a lot more expensive because of the great colour pay-off.

 I have also done a review of the Collection lip creams, if you like, you can check it out HERE.

NV

xoxo

BOOKS: MAKEUP AND BEAUTY

I thought I'd change it up a little today, and write about some books instead. These are three of my favourite beauty books, and I think they might be nice to look into, especially if you like reading beauty blogs.

The Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is a great read for beauty tips and tricks. It also includes looks in 10 steps as well as what to pack in your makeup bag, and what to put in a makeup artist kit. It's a really useful book overall, one you can keep looking back at when you need extra information.

I also love the Liz Earle Skin Secrets book. This one is more skincare based and include a lot of tips as well, my favourite part is the face mask section because for me, it's the most important part of a nice pamper evening. It's really useful, especially if you want to gain more information about skincare in general.

The Bobbi Brown Beauty Rules is also an interesting read. It's good if you want a little bit of everything thrown in, because it has a beauty and makeup section, but also includes tips on being confident, interviews with famous people and many more subjects related to beauty. If you're looking for a book solely based on makeup though, the Makeup Manual is probabSly one you should go for.

Thank you for checking out my blog!

NV
xoxo

FACE POWDER FAVOURITE: MAC MSF NATURAL

I've tried a few different face powders, but somehow I always go back to this one. The MAC MSF Natural (mine is in the shade medium) is definitely my favourite powder. I do find I need to touch up a little during the day, however this really isn't a problem for me because I have to do this with any other powder too.

It looks great over any liquid foundation I've tried with it so far, it makes the face look matte and provides some coverage but never looks heavy on the skin. It's great over just some concealer too.

It's not the cheapest one out there, but definitely one worth the price, and you can buy it on line or in mac stores and counters.

Thank you for checking out my blog!

NV

xoxo

LIP BALM FAVOURITES

I love lip balms. I've tried my fair share of them, attempting to find the very best one, and I think I've done alright. There are a few more I'd definitely like to try, but these are the best ones so far.

The Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm was quite hard to get, and I actually had to purchase it online. This one is best for night time I think. It's one of those lip balms that stays on, and if you apply enough you can still feel it on your lips the next day. It's also good for if you want to look like you have nothing on your lips but still moisturise them, because it has a matte finish to it, which is quite rare.

The next one is an EOS lip balm. This one, out of the three, is the best for travelling or taking with you on the go, because you don't have to touch it with your fingers to apply it. The packaging is very cool and unusual, and I must admit this is why I decided to purchase it in the first place. I do really like it though, it's lighter than the Nuxe one and less balmy but still very moisturising. The pink one I have is the summer fruits scent, my favourite scent out of all three lip balms.

Carmex is also a good old favourite of mine, I always have one or two of these around. I've tried some different scents but the original one is my favourite. It moisturises the lips really well and leaves them feeling nice and smooth. It's also the least expensive, and easily accessible in the UK.

Thank you for checking out my blog! 

NV
xoxo

MY (SLIGHTLY EXCESSIVE) TRAVEL MAKEUP BAG

I do tend to over pack a little bit, and most of the time I bring twice as much makeup as I need, but hey better safe than sorry, right? I guess I'm going to show you what I pack anyway. 

For face products, I recommend taking a primer, especially if you're going to a hot location because it will make your foundation last a lot longer. I also take a foundation and tinted moisturiser because I like to have a choice, especially in the summer. For concealers I packed a palette because its very useful for travelling, and you can mix and match depending on what you prefer on the day, as well as the mac prep and prime highlighter to brighten under the eyes a little. Then a powder or two (see? told you I bring too much), and a few blushes and bronzers. I also packed an MSF and a Smashbox highlighting wand.

For eyes, I'm going to take my MAC palettes because I like to have a lot of colours with me, however if you're going away for a week or so, you only really need a few different shades for one or two looks. 

If you do wear eyeshadow on a daily basis, I recommend bringing a base to keep it lasting as long as possible. My Maybelline mascara is definitely coming with me too, as well a benefit they're real mascara (a small sample size so it's perfect for travel).

Eyeliners, for me, are a must because I wear them often, so I'm taking two liquid liners, a mac technakohl pencil eyeliner, as well as a Rimmel scandal eyes eyeliner. Archery brow marker is also a definite must as its one of my all time favourite products and makes my eyebrows look amazing.

I'm taking one lip liner, and a few lipsticks in different colours, so I can have a good variety of shades depending on the look I'm going for. 

The make up bag I packed everything in is from river island, it's one of those perfect make up bags that fits everything in but doesn't look too big. I take some brushes with me when I travel as well, and most of the time I put them in a brush roll so they're covered and safe to travel with. The brushes I take are just the basics and you can find them in my previous post here.

So that's all I take with me when I travel! Let me know if you have any travel must haves too!

NV
xoxo

REVIEW AND SWATCHES: COLLECTION LIP CREAM

A while ago, on a shopping trip to Boots, I found these collection 2000 (or is it just collection now?) lip creams. I tested them and instantly knew they were coming home with me. There's 4 shades in the range (I have Cotton Candy and Fairy Cake), and they are just amazing! 

When I tried them I was expecting a lipgloss-type formula, however they feel very different, and as the packaging says, they're 'velvety soft' with a matte finish. 

When you put them on your lips the consistency is quite creamy, after a little while they start to dry a little bit (but they don't dry the lips out) and give an amazing matte and pigmented colour. The lasting power is great too. 

These are well worth checking out next time you find yourself in a shop that stocks collection 2000, especially for only £2.99! 

Cotton Candy (pink) and Fairy Cake (coral)

Thank you for checking out my blog! 

NV
xoxo

TOP 10 MAKEUP BRUSHES

Starting off with the face, the Real Techniques buffing brush is probably my all time favourite. I use it to buff in my liquid foundation everyday because it just makes it so quick and easy, and gives a lovely finish to the skin. 

Another Real Techniques brush I use often is the contour brush which is from the core collection set as well. I use it for cream bronzer because its the perfect size and blends the product in amazingly! 

To highlight my face I use a Bobbi Brown foundation brush which came in a holiday set so its a little smaller. Since I already had the buffing brush for foundation application, I thought I could use this one for my MAC MSF instead! 

I use the MAC 187 stippling brush to apply blush or powder bronzer. Its also great for cream blushes because they don't go on too heavy and blend in really easily.  

For powder I use the MAC 165 brush, it's smaller than usual powder brushes, but that's why I like it! I use it to apply powder all over my face, but it also works great in areas like around the nose and chin because of its shape. 

The last brush I use for my face is a MAC 109 brush, which is actually meant to be used as an eyeliner brush, but I find its the perfect size for pin-point concealing. I use it on any blemishes and it does the job really well and doesn't make my concealer look heavy at all. It does take a little bit longer to do this though, so it might not be a great technique to use if you're in a rush.

The three eye brushes I picked are all by MAC, just because they are my favourites at the moment. The 223 brush is one of my favourites because its a little bit thinner and longer compared to the 217 so I use it to just lightly blend two shades together.

Next is the 217, which is also a blending brush, and i love it because its perfect for blending out eyeshadow for any look.

The last eyeshadow brush is number 239. It's a shader brush, great for applying eyeshadow on the lid because it distributes the colour really well and its super soft. 

The last brush I chose is the Real Techniques concealer brush which I actually use as a lip brush instead! I like that it evenly distributes the lipstick, and i also love the shape because it fits perfectly on the lips. 

So that's all of my favourite brushes i use on an daily basis! Let me know what your favourite make up brushes are in the comments! 

NV
xoxo

EVERYDAY MAKEUP

My everyday makeup tends to be quite natural. I usually have around 30 minutes to do it and I find that this routine works well for me because it's quite quick and easy, so without any further ado, here is what my morning looks like!

I always start off with foundation (or a tinted moisturiser on a good skin day). This step probably takes the most time but makes the most difference. The foundations I'm using at the moment are two by mac, and I actually mix them together to get the shade that best suits my skin. I always apply it with a buffing brush from Real Techniques (my favourite brush ever!).

If i have any areas that need a little more coverage i apply concealer using a very small brush. I also put some on under my eyes to brighten up my face and look more awake! 

I then apply some powder on top to set everything, which adds a little more coverage. I usually go for the MAC MSF natural.

Then I do a little bit of contouring with the MAC bronzing powder and apply some blush, which varies day to day. MAC MSF in Soft And Gentle is next to hilight my cheek bones, and my face is done!

My eyes are usually very simple if i don't have much time, so just a light shade of eyeshdow quickly put on with a shader brush and then (if i feel like it) some winged eyeliner and a few coats of mascara. 

Eyebrows are also very important, they frame the face and they just make me look more polished. I love brow products like Archery by Soap and Glory or MAC's Penultimate brow marker. They both look really natural on the brows and fill them in well. 

After i've finished my eyes and brows, I put some lip balm on and usually a lipstick (which also varies day to day) and my makeup is done! 

Products and Brushes pictured:

• MAC Face And Body foundation
• MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 foundation
• MAC Pro Conceal And Correct palette
• Real Techniques buffing brush
• MAC 210 brush

• MAC MSF Natural 
• MAC Bronzing Powder
• MAC MSF in Soft And Gentle
• MAC 165 brush
• MAC 187 brush

• Urban Decay eyeshadow in Cherry
• Benefit They're Real mascara (mini)
• Barry M liquid eyeliner
• Soap And Glory Archery brow marker and pencil
• MAC 239 brush

• Korres lip butter
• MAC lipstick in Girl About Town

If you'd like a review of any of the products mentioned, please let me know!

NV xoxo

MAC LIPSTICK COLLECTION

MAC is definitely my go to brand for lipsticks because there's a huge selection of colours and formulas. They're also really pigmented which means they give a lot of colour pay off. Most of the lipsticks I have are from MAC, so I thought I'd show you which ones I have. Hope you enjoy!  

Dark Side (amplified)

Party Parrot (matte) 

Costa Chic (frost)

Impassioned (amplified)

A hot pink shade, and quite similar to Party Parrot. 

Heroine (matte)

I purchased this lipstick a few months ago, although I think it came out with a more recent collection as well, an amazing matte purple shade. 

Silly (matte)

Chatterbox (amplified)

A nice wearable pink, great for every day. 

Speed dial (cremesheen) 

Viva Glam Nicki (satin)

A lipstick from the Viva Glam collection, one of two Nicki Minaj ones. This year the Viva Glam lipstick is more of a lavender shade, so I think the first one (the one I have) is more wearable, but it's still quite bright.

Rebel (satin)

MAC Red (satin)

This was my first red lipstick! It's a gorgeous colour.

Riri Woo (retro matte)

Definitely one of my favourite mac lipsticks, partly because it's from the Rihanna collection, but mainly because it's basically a perfect matte red. 

Its currently sold out, but I think it will be coming back in the other two parts of the Riri Hearts Mac collection. I've also done a full review about this lipstick, which you can check out here.

Hue (glaze)

You can see that this one is well loved, and I'll definitely be repurchasing it when I use it up. It's a nice nude shade, and good if you want a little something on your lips, but not too much.  

London Life (lustre)

This one actually melted a little bit a while ago so now I have to use it with a lip brush, but none the less it's a nice pink colour with some shimmer in it.

A little tip about mac lipsticks is if you bring back 6 empty mac containers to their store or counter, you get any lipstick of your choice for free in exchange (apart from the Viva Glam collection as all of the profits from this collection go to charity).
It's a great way to try out some colours you wouldn't usually go for, or just to stock up on old favourites! I recently brought back 12 containers, and got Up The Amp as well as Girl About Town! The only difference is they don't give you the box they come in, you only get the lipstick. 

So thats it! Thank you for checking out my blog, Let me know what your favourite lipsticks are, I'd love to get some new recommendations! 

NV
xoxo