L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Mono Eyeshadows

After hearing some of my favourite bloggers rave about the new L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Mono Eyeshadows, I was expecting big things from the range. I recently tested out a couple of shades, and I'm pleased to report that they far exceeded my initial expectations.

I have four shades from the collection, one matte (106 Breaking Nude) and three nudes (200 Over the Taupe, 201 Cafe St Gemain and 204 Golden Nude). All four shades are extremely versatile, and can be used alone or together to create a number of different looks. These gel infused eyeshadows are creamy and buttery to the touch, and the quality is definitely comparable to higher end brands such as Urban Decay and MAC. Because these shadows are so pigmented, I like to pack on the colour with a flat shadow brush, and then blend out the edges with a fluffy brush for a seamless finish. Even without the use of a primer, the intense colour pay off lasts all day, with no visible signs of creasing or fading. Whilst these aren't the cheapest eyeshadow offering that you'll find on the high street, I'm more than willing to stretch my budget to £5.49 for some of the best eyeshadows that I've ever tried.

Next time you're passing a Boots store, I would highly recommend popping in to check these eyeshadows out. They are excellent quality, affordable and available in a huge range of different shades and finishes. Have you tried the L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Mono Eyeshadows? They are currently on special offer here.

My Holiday Essentials

As I sit down to write this post, I'm filled with a serious case of the holiday blues. Incase you didn't already know, I recently returned from a sunny week in Italy. I thought that the perfect way to get back into blogging was to share with you all some of my holiday essentials.

Makeup
When I'm on holiday, I usually prefer to stay fresh faced during the day, with just minimal makeup in the evenings if I want to look a little more done up. This year I packed the Bourjois CC Cream which provides lightweight coverage with a luminous finish, the Bourjois Cream Blush for a pop of colour on the cheeks, and the Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss in the shade 'glorious grapefruit'.

Sun Protection
A decent sunscreen is essential to ensure that the skin is fully protected against both the short and long term effects of sun exposure. This year, I used the Ambre Solaire 12 Hour Moisturising Protection Spray. The SPF 30 helped to prevent any nasty sunburn, and the spray top was perfect for fuss-free reapplication throughout the day. Alongside this, I used Benefit Dream Screen on my face and Nivea Hydro Lip Care to protect my lips. 

Hair Oil
One of my biggest holiday essentials this year was AVON's Moroccan Argan Oil. I applied a small amount of product to the ends of my hair when it was damp, and it really helped to keep my hair soft and nourished in the sun. If you're in the market for a hair oil, but don't want to take out a bank loan for one of the higher end versions, I would definitely recommend giving this more budget friendly option a try.    

Travel Size Toiletries
Whenever I'm planning to travel somewhere abroad, I always like to stock up on minis of my favourite toiletries. This means that I don't need to worry about making space in my suitcase for the full size versions, and leaves me with enough room to squeeze in as many clothes and shoes as possible. This year, I picked up the TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Shampoo and Conditioner. This lightweight combination was perfect for adding extra volume and bounce to my hair. I also packed a mini Gillette Satin Care Shaving Gel, and decanted some of my Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash into a smaller bottle. 

Sunglasses
If you're jetting off somewhere with plenty of sunshine, sunglasses are essential. Not only do they protect your eyes from harmful rays, but they are also perfect for hiding any dark under eye circles which may have been caused through jet lag or lack of sleep. I picked up my aviator style sunglasses from River Island last summer, but I found an almost identical pair here.

Let me know in the comments if you're going anywhere exciting this summer, I'd love to know what your holiday essentials are. 

Benefit Dream Screen | Review

Whilst I know how important it is that we protect our skin from sun exposure, I'm the first person to admit that I can be both lazy and forgetful when it comes to applying a facial sunscreen. When I spotted Benefit Dream Screen in the Feel Unique sale a couple of weeks ago, I decided that it was time to implement an SPF into my morning skincare routine.

Benefit Dream Screen contains SPF 45 and has a PA+++ rating. This means that it protects the skin against both UVA rays (which cause long term skin damage and ageing) and UVB rays (which cause burning). The consistency of the sunscreen itself is quite watery, but dries quickly into a silky-matte finish upon application. It feels light and comfortable on the skin, and the oil-free formula means that I'm not left looking like a greasy monster throughout the day. Unlike more traditional sunscreens, Benefit Dream Screen is completely invisible, which makes it the perfect base for makeup application. The pale blue and cork packaging matches the rest of Benefit's B.Right Skincare range, and the tiny bottle is the perfect size for throwing in your handbag for top ups throughout the day.

The bottle contains 45ml of product and you can buy it for £25 here.  

WOMF #1 | Everyday Summer Makeup

Now that we are finally starting to see some sunshine, I've been ditching the heavy coverage foundations in favour of lighter base products. The Bourjois CC Cream provides a lightweight coverage with a beautiful, luminous finish. The oil free formula means that it doesn’t look greasy on the skin, and the addition of an SPF 15 makes it the perfect base for the warmer months. To hide any blemishes and dark under eye circles, I like to use the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade vanilla. This provides medium-full coverage, but doesn't cake or crease throughout the day. I then apply a light dusting of the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot to my t-zone. This translucent powder is perfect for setting my base makeup and helping to keep shine at bay. To add some warmth to my complexion, I've been reaching for the Body Shop Honey Bronzer. I usually shy away from bronzers in fear of resembling an Oompa-Loompa, but this one is much more buildable and less orange toned than some of the others that I’ve tried. For a pop of colour on the cheeks, the Bourjois Cream Blushes have become a staple in my summer makeup routine. 01 is a pretty peachy shade, with a cream to powder finish. Finally, to help me mimic that summer glow, I always like to apply a highlighter to the high points of my face. Benefit High Beam is a liquid highlighter which provides the most beautiful pearlescent glow, without the addition of any shimmer. 

For my eyes, I've been keeping things pretty simple with just a wash of MAC Woodwinked across the lid. I like to apply this warm gold shade with a MAC 239 brush, and then blend out the edges with a MAC 217 for a softer look. I then add plenty of the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara to my top lashes, and the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara to my bottom lashes. Finally, I like to fill in my brows with a small amount of MAC Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow for a soft, natural look.

Lips are probably the part of my makeup routine that I change up the most, but recently I've been getting a lot of wear out of the Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss in the shade Glorious Grapefruit. This peachy pink gloss is super hydrating, and doesn't feel sticky on the lips.

How have you been wearing your makeup this summer?