TAG - 40 Beauty Questions!

Hi guys!
So, I've just started my new job (YAY!); hence why there is a delay in posts - as I'm doing pretty intense training for 5 weeks, but I still love to blog & want to blog!
I LOVE tags. I love reading them, I love watching them on YouTube, and I love doing them myself!
So , as you've probably read from the title of this post; I'm going to be taking part in a HUGE tag today, and I tag all of you, so make sure you let me know when you've done it, so I can go take a look and be nosy! :) 



SKINCARE -
How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice, but I am lazier on a night.


What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo) 
Combination - Oily. 

What is your current facial wash?
I'm not using a facial wash but I use the Bare Minerals cleanser twice a day? 

Do you exfoliate? 
Yes.. 

What brand do you use?
I use a St Tropez body exfoliator and a Clean & Clear one for my face. 

What moisturizer do you use?
The new L'Oreal Skin Perfection correcting day moisturiser. (See last post for a full review!) 

Do you have freckles? 
Yes, but only on my body and my nose (especially when i've been in the sun!)

Do you use eye cream? 
Yeah! I use the L'Oreal Awakening & Correcting eye cream! 

Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
No, I've been luckily enough never to had acne. 

Did you ever have to use Pro-activ? 
No, I've never had to use it.

MAKE-UP
What foundation do you use? 
At the moment it's Boujois Healthy Mix! 

How about concealer? 
A mixture between Collection Lasting Perfection and Rimmels Wake Me Up. 

Do you know your undertone color?
I think I'm fairly neutral but I have pink undertones and not yellow. 

What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I love them! Any chance I have, I will wear them! 

Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months? 
Yes, but my mascara never lasts 3 months anyway! 

What brand of mascara do you use?
Maybelline's Rocket mascara at the moment; its amazing! 

Sephora or MAC? 
I'm not American, so we don't have Sephora! So i'm going to say MAC obviously. 

Do you have a MAC Pro-card? 
Not yet ;)

What makeup tools do you use in make up application? 
Brushes! and a beauty blender. 

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes? 
Yes, either a MAC paint pot, Soap and Glory's It's About Prime or Too Faced Shadow Insurance. It depends on the make up look. Too Faced primer is the best for a heavy smoky eye; but it's pricey so I don't like using it everyday.

For the face? 
Yes. Because I have combination-oily skin, I have to wear primer. I use Rimmel's Fix & Perfect, the new Benefit Porefessional or the new L'Oreal Skin Perfection Magic Touch Instant Blur. 

What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I can't choose one; I have too many! All That Glitters from MAC?

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? 
I actually use Gel the most, or pencil occasionally but my eyes don't like liquid eyeliner!

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? 
Not very often, because I don't wear it that much. 

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? 
I do like them but I tend to reach for them the least because of how messy they are! MAC vanilla is an amazing pigment though! 

Do you use mineral makeup? 
Nope; i'm not a huge fan to be honest. I used to use the Bare Minerals foundation but it's not enough coverage for me. 

What is your favorite lipstick?
I have a few but I love MAC Cut a Caper and Creme Cup. 

How about lipgloss? 
MAC underage is gorgeous. 

What is your favorite blush to use? 
MAC pink swoon is gorgeous.

Do you buy your makeup on ebay? 
Nope, not because I don't like too - i've just never searched for any. 

Do you like drugstore makeup? 
Yes, I enjoy mixing it up between drugstore and high end. Plus I can't afford to have a make up bag of all high end products! 

Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets) 
No, I'm not sure if we have them in the UK?! If we do, someone let me know! 

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes? 
Yeah ... I really want to do a MAC Pro class too! 

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
No, I always make sure I have enough time to do my make up. 

Name a makeup crime that you hate? 
Oh that's hard! There's a few; badly blended eye shadow, over plucked eyebrows, bad fake eyelash applications, too much lip liner etc!. 

Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones? 
I'm more of a neutral's kinda girl. but I love bright lips! 

Which celebrity always has great make up?
I've always LOVED Kim Kardashian's make up, but I also like Blake Likely's neutral look. So complete opposites but both gorgeous! 

If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use? 
Either concealer or mascara! 

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Not unless I'm just driving someone to pick someone up etc. and I don't have to leave the car!

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on? 
I guess so, but like every other woman thinks - i prefer myself with some on. 

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
Oh that's too hard. There isn't just one... Every brand is best at a few products i think. E.g MAC is good for brushes, eye shadows, lipsticks/glosses and blushers but I don't like their skincare, foundations or mascara's. 

What do you think of Makeup?? 
I adore it. It's fun, and exciting and it's like art I guess.



Hope you guys enjoyed this  little  hugee tag!
I tag all of you! 
Steph xoxo

Liebster Award

Hi guys! 

So I've been tagged by Katja from 365shades.blogspot.co.uk (her blog is awesome, go and have a look!) to do the Liebster Award. I'd never heard of this before, so I'm excited to give it a go, as it's a way for bloggers with less than 200 followers to be discovered and to integrate into the blogging community! 

The rules:

1. Mention the blogger who tagged you & then each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.

3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.

4. Go to their page and tell them.

5. No tag backs!

11 facts about me

1. I'm British

2. I used to play the piano but gave it up when I got to high school

3. I have performed on The West End in London

4. I can understand French and Spanish but I'm not fluent enough to speak back

5. I have a little bow tattoo on the back of my neck

6. I'm obsessed and addicted to YouTube

7. I'm a crazy TV addict & Pretty Little Liars, The Kardashians, The Vampire Diaries and Revenge are my all time favourite shows but I've only just started watching Heroes on Netflix and I'm becoming addicted

8. I know it's a little bit mental but i'm slightly obsessed with Kim Kardashian; her beauty, her lifestyle, her handbags - ahhhh!

9. I love food but i'm extremely picky - no Chinese or Indian please; i love italian

10. I'd someday love to make videos on YouTube but i'm too shy ... for now. 

11. A makeup/beauty room is a dream of mine & it's in the near future! *excitedly squeals*. 

Now for the questions .... 

Katja's questions:
1. What's your favourite blog?I love Laura at buynowbloglater for fashion etc. and Jen at thebeautyguide for beauty! 

2. Do you have a favorite vlog or youtuber?

I really love Tanya Burr and Fleur De Force

3. What's your favourite Makeup brand?

Hmmmm, i can't choose just one! for drugstore it'd be Rimmel and a bit more expensive would be MAC or Illamasqua! 

4. Do you have a hair care product to recommend?

The L'Oreal EverRiche Nourishing Intense Mask is AMAZING! 

5. Do you prefer nude or red lips?

Nude

6. Is there a eyeshadow palette you couldn't live without?

Yes! The Naked, Naked 2 and Naked Basics are all awesome! I can't choose. 

7. Essie or OPI?

Essie; purely because OPI is so expensive here in the UK!

8. Do you have a secret beauty tip to tell?

If you wash your face with your cleanser and warm water at night and in the morning - splash it a couple of times afterwards with cold water and it makes your face feel more refreshed and glowy ! 

Also - blend your foundation with your brush first and then a damp beauty blender to make your skin look extra flawless

9. What's your favourite highlighter?

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle. 

10. If you had to decide: would you prefer to use bronzer or blush for the rest of your life?

I love bronzers more but in terms of practicality i'd say blush!

11. What's your favorite lipstick brand?

Ooooo thats hard! I'll say MAC purely because I have the most MAC lipsticks and they are so good! 

"Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome"

Therefore, I tag .... 

Amy at curlsandthecity

Danielle at peacelovefashionnnn

Sophie at sophrebecca

Rebecka at rebeckasrambling

Boo at bloomingbooboo

Kerry at talkboutique

Cathy at cathyloveee

Emily at myveryownworldofstyle

Laura at laurathinksabout

Rosie at missrosieapple

Claire at xtouchofbeautyx

Steph's Questions ... 

1. What's on your wishlist at the moment?
2. If you could only choose 2 beauty related items to use, what would they be?
3. Whats your favourite beauty look this summer?
4. In the celebrity world; whose beauty, wardrobe, lifestyle etc. would you love to have?
5. Favourite accessorie?
6. What is your favourite drugstore make up brand and your favourite high end brand?
7. If you were given £2000 to spend on beauty or fashion, what would you get?
8. Favourite beauty item?
9. Up, straight, wavy or curly hair?
10. Favourite item of clothing?
11. Summer or winter?

Don't forget to comment back here, if you have done this so I can go and take a look :)
Steph xoxo

New L'Oreal Skin Perfection Skin Care Range

When I ventured into Boots a few weeks ago to pick up a new tube of La Roche Posay Effeclar Duo, I did not expect to be leaving with 4/5 of the new L'Oreal Skin Perfection range.

I'm not ashamed to say i'm product junkie, but the hot pink packaging did suck me in! *now I hang my head in shame*. 

I have to admit that this range will be the first time I have bought nearly a whole collection, without trying one out on its own first, before rushing off to buy the rest... but hey! I guess I was feeling lucky, and I had confidence in L'Oreal, (for good reason as well!). I hadn't read any reviews on these, so I literally stood in front of them in Boots for 30 minutes reading the info, testing the samples and staring at the gorgeousness that is the packaging.

This new range is designed for younger skin aged between 20-30, and is based around perfecting your skin quality - hence the name! L'Oreal state that the whole range is based around 3 main dimensions; Tone, Texture, Pores - so basically perfected skin. It is suitable for every skin type and ethnicity, and it is just awesome! 

The L'Oreal website says that: "in your 20's and 30's your skin is still young but not always perfect. Stress, fatigue and an unbalanced lifestyle can affect skin quality causing irregularities to appear: imperfections, enlarged pores and an uneven skin texture". 

My skin has been at its worst the past few weeks so after pondering for a while and testing the samples over and over, I gave in and purchased 4/5 of the range! You got me L'Oreal!! *claps hands*. 

Correcting Day Moisturiser - RRP £14.99 but currently £9.99 at Boots!

Now I know this may sound bold but this moisturiser has to be the best moisturiser I have ever tried for this inexpensive price! 
It comes in the most beautiful glass tub that looks so luxurious and expensive, and the product itself is so thick and creamy in the tub but does not sit into your pores at all and it is lightweight on your skin. It's a good sized 50ml tub and the formula is non-comedogenic, which means that it is suitable for all ethnicities and skin types! I have combination to oily skin and it works wonders on my skin - and does not make me overly oily at all!
L'Oreal state that by using this moisturiser, pores look virtually undetectable, skin feels silky-soft and the tone of your skin looks more even - & I have to say that I agree! This is a holy grail product for me & I would recommend it to everyone! 

Advanced Correcting Serum - RRP £19.99 but currently £13.33 at Boots! 

I've never been a fan of serums before and my past skincare regimes haven't really included them - however, this is an exception! It is true what it says on the packaging; my skin has never felt so instantly soft! I find myself now looking forward to applying this twice a day. 
My opinion is similar to that of the moisturiser in that it is also lightweight on the face and it also looks a lot more expensive that it is.
It comes in a 30ml bottle but you only need a couple of pumps to cover your whole face. 

The L'Oreal website states that the serum is "a powerful formula enriched with Perline - P and patented LR 2412 ... it helps transform the appearance of skin quality, as if perfected. Designed to penetrate through the skin's epidermis layers". 

Again, I would recommend this product to anyone, as it is also suitable for every skin type etc. 

Awakening & Correcting Eye Cream - RRP £12.99 but currently £8.66 at Boots!

Whilst, I still think this is one of the better eye creams I have used; out of the four products I bought, this has to be my least favourite. It is still an amazing product and it does exactly what it says it does - I just find myself being more excited about the others?!
My eyes aren't one of the worst features on my face, so they have never really bothered me much, but if it is going to prevent under eye bags and wrinkles from appearing in the near future, and it conceals any dark circles that I may have after a stressful week, then it's a winner for me.
It is slightly tinted - they call it a 'universal shade'. This product brightens and illuminates my under eye area and i'm fairly light so i'm not sure how it would look on those with darker skin but it is the only shade available so I don't think it would be a problem - otherwise L'Oreal would have created more shades right?

The L'Oreal website states that this product; "helps transform the appearance of the eye contour, as if perfected. Dark circles, eye bags and fine lines appear reduced .... The tinted, refreshing eye cream brightens and illuminates tired-looking eyes". 

Again, I have to admit that I agree with L'Oreal (this isn't boring you is it?) it does exactly what it says it does and I am extremely happy with the results - especially for the price! 

Magic Touch Instant Blur - RRP £12.99 but £8.66 at Boots! 

This product is a holy grail item for me. I LOVE love love anything that is like a 'base' for make up and smooths my skin texture and hides my pores; which is exactly what this product is!
Again, it is tinted the 'universal shade' but if you are using it as a base for your foundation etc. then it doesn't matter if it is too light or too dark - but i've found it is perfect on my sister, my mum and I, and we are all different shades in make up. 

You literally need the tiniest amount to cover your face, I'm talking like a pea or even smaller! It is so lightweight but yet thick, and it makes your skin feel incredible. I couldn't stop feeling my face just after i applied this, and you would do the same!
I have redness around my T-zone and as soon as i applied this, it was covered; i really did not need to add foundation etc. 

The L'Oreal website says that; "Enriched with Optical Blur Polymers the formula optically blurs the appearance of shine, pores and irregularities for a soft-focus finish ... The velvety cream works with your complexion to enhance your natural skin tone. Excellent base for make-up". 

Again, I agree with L'Oreal (you knew it was coming right?!) ... I have combination to oily skin and I found that I did not have to re-powder my t-zone in the day when I normally would, and the pores around my nose were fully covered!

The only product out of the range that I did not purchase was the BB cream purely because I wasn't that excited over it, I am yet to find a BB cream that I like, and I am loving my foundation at the moment ... but you never know, it may make an appearance on here in the next month or so. 

How I use these products; 

Morning; (after cleansing) 

1. Awakening and Correcting Eye Cream

2. Advanced Serum 

3. Correcting Day Moisturiser

4. Magic Touch Instant Blur 

Night; (after cleansing)
1. Awakening and Correcting Eye Cream 

2. Advanced Serum

3. A different night time moisturiser

*(A full morning and night skincare routine to come...)*

So to summarise; 

Inexpensive? - Yes. 

Brilliant and awesome? - Yes. 

Does it do what it states it would do? - Yes. 

Would I recommend? - Yes.

Would I repurchase? - Yes. For many years to come. 

Steph xoxo