New In From L'Oreal

It's that awesome time of year where new products are starting to drop into the aisles of the drugstore, and L'Oreal is leading the pack with so many new launches, it's hard to keep up.

I've been trying out a few things over the last few weeks, and I thought I'd share my thoughts so far with you today!

L'Oreal Infallible Sculpt Contouring Base Foundation: Billed as 'half the weight of normal foundation' , this foundation supposedly creates the perfect flawless base for contour. The product has a slight serum feel to it and definitely sits on the dewy side of things. Weirdly, this foundation only comes in two shades, I picked up the lightest shade and it's almost too dark for me, so it's worth noting that these shades run darker than they look in the bottle. All that being said, I actually quite like this, it's got good coverage and it looks natural on the skin. It doesn't feel heavy at all, and it lasts well throughout the day. It's pot luck as to if one of the shades will work for you, but if it does, it's a great base. 

L'Oreal Infallible Sculpt Contouring Palette: I did not expect to like this product, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. This cream highlight and contour duo comes in inexplicably large packaging, in two shades. I went for the lightest shade being of a ghostly complexion and all, and I'm really impressed with the contour shade. It's ashy enough to look sculpting, but the cream fomula blends nicely into foundation to create a very natural looking shadow. It's basically impossible to go over the top with the shade, it just looks super natural. The highlight shade though, I really can't get to show up on my skin, perhaps I'm too pale? Worth the money just for the contour shade however. 

L'Oreal Infallible Blush Trio in Soft Rosy: I'm always on the look out for a new drugstore blush that ticks the boxes so I was excited to try this out. I love the idea of being able to use the three shades separately, or swirl together for a different look, but I found these a little on the shimmery side for me. If you're looking for something really brightening this is great, but I found that the glitter particles emphasised my pores. Skip this one, you won't be missing anything. 

L'Oreal Infallible Matte Max Lip Colour in 04 Oops I Pink It Again and 01 Silencio: These are perhaps the most unique launch of the season, lip colours that are more like eyeshadows with a sponge applicator than your traditional lipstick. I actually am really impressed with these, the matte formula is incredibly longwearing - acting as more of a lip stain than lip colour, but not at all drying. The sponge tip applicator makes it easy to get a precise line, even around the cupids bow. These easily wear for six hours on me, and I love the colours.

Will you be trying any of L'Oreal's new products?

The AM and PM Routine Tag

When I saw this tag pop up on the wonderful Celina's blog, I just had to give it a go myself! I'm always trying to get myself into a proper morning and evening routine, but this is what things look like right now! 

AM

1. What is your morning beauty routine?

I'll admit to being somewhat terrible with my morning skincare! I keep things super simple, a quick face wash with the Origins Checks and Balances Foaming Facewash, although I've run out so I'm using the First Aid Beauty Red Clay Cleanser, and a little lightweight moisturiser - right now I love the Ole Henrikson Sheer Transformation Creme which sinks in super fast! I then go hell for leather with all the makeup, because I never achieve anything til I put makeup on! 

2. What's for breakfast?

Despite being a big breakfast food fan, I don't eat it very often! If I'm heading out the door I'll just take my cup of tea and a Nature Valley Bar - I like the maple and the ginger ones, or if I'm staying in I'll normally have a slice of toast with avocado, a dash of hot sauce, and sometimes an egg, some tomatoes or mushrooms - whatever I have in the fridge really. I always drink a pint of water before I start my day too, either before I leave the house or when I sit at my desk to start checking emails. But at the weekends I go all out, either french toast or a full english! 

3. Coffee or tea?

Both! I like to start my day with a peppermint green tea, because I find it does wonders for the stomach, but after that I move on to coffee! If I'm out I'll have a soy white mocha from Starbucks, or if I'm in I'll make a vanilla soy latte with our Nespresso machine!

4. How long does it take to get out the door?

This totally depends on the time of day! If I have to be out before nine I try to take as little time as possible so I can spend longer in bed, I'll set my alarm for half an hour before I have to leave. If it's later in the day though, and I need to wash my hair first, it can take up to ninety minutes or so! 

5. What is your go-to makeup look on a fuss-free morning?

A primer to keep what little makeup I do apply in place all day, a light base with decent coverage, something like the Bourjois City Radiance Foundation, and a high coverage concealer for my undereyes, like the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. Lashes and brows are a must, something high impact like the Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara, and something easy like the Bobbi Brown Longwear Defining Eye Pencil. And to finish it all off, a little of a cream cheek product dabbed onto the apples of the cheeks and the lips - I love the Stila Convertible Colours.

PM

6. What is your evening beauty routine?

After taking my makeup off with Bioderma, and cleansing, I go in with an army of products. Firstly, the Trilogy Hydrating Mist Toner, which freshens my skin up and keeps things feeling lovely. I then use my Trilogy Very Gentle Calming Serum which makes my skin feel softer than a baby's bum. I use the Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant Plus three times a week to keep my skin plump and healthy, and help keep breakouts at bay. My current evening moisturiser of choice is the Clinique Moisture Surge Cream which is so intensely hydrating, my winter skin just eats it up. A little eye cream - I'm currently using one from Balance Me which is nice but nothing spectacular, and if I have any breakouts, the La Roche Posay Effaclar AI. 

7. Snack time! What's in the bowl?

I'd love to say something healthy like fruit or nuts, but realistically it's either another helping of dinner, or it's nachos. 

8. How do you wind down and prep for bed?

I like to stretch out and move a bit after spending all day at my desk, so I'll do a few sun salutations, or a quick and easy bedtime yoga routine like this one. I love bubble baths and will often have a soak in the tub to relax my muscles and my mind. I like to slather myself in moisturiser, do my skincare routine, pop on my pj's and make a cup of tea, probably a white tea, something with apricot in! 

9. Cozy up! What are you wearing to sleep?

I get super hot at night so I tend to take off my pj's before bed and sleep in Bridget Jones pants and an oversized tee! 

10. What are some things you must do before hitting the hay?

I fill out my Kikki K Thankful Journal with three things I'm grateful for from the day, spritz my pillow with the This Works Deep Sleep Spray, slather my hands in moisturiser and go mad with my favourite Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm!

Big thanks to Celina for creating this tag! I tag everyone!

Do you have a strict morning and evening routine?

Snippets of Valentine's Day

I had originally planned a full on post on Valentine's day, complete with outfit photos and musings on love and dating in the 21st century. However, when the fourteenth rolled around, I just wanted to chill out, and enjoy the day with my boyfriend, not worry about finding the right light in the right location for photos, or spending 20% of my day adjusting the settings on my camera. So instead I thought I'd just share the few photos I did snap, and tell you why I'm all for a simple Valentine's day.

Now I'm under no illusions that Valentine's Day is really just a farce, but that doesn't mean we don't like to embrace it! For us, that means little gifts, and spending the day together! Con and I were so excited to exchange gifts that we ended up trading them approximately one minute after midnight! I unwrapped the cutest little elephant ring holder, which is now sat on my bedside table, and the makeup bag from Oliver Bonas I've had my eye on for the last month! One lucky lady, I know.

 After a lazy morning, we headed out to Richmond, for a slow amble round the shops (thumbs up for a street that has Anthropologie, Space NK, Cos and Whistles), and then we headed down the river for an explore! There's something so satisfying about getting out and about in the fresh air, exploring somewhere new together. We headed along the river, through the fields and up to Richmond Park. 

 We strayed from the trail headed for Pembroke Lodge, for snacks and giant glasses of water because HILLS GUYS. On the way we found a little clearing with little teepees made of fallen wood. I decided it was the perfect place to stop for a rest, CAUSE HILLS, and took a minute to get my instagram on! 

After we'd been walking for an hour or so we turned around and headed back towards Richmond a different way. At this point we were about 90% frozen and heading back for a hot coffee was essential! We nipped into M&S on the way back to the car and picked up one of their Valentine's meals for two, and coffee from Starbucks! 

Back home and pyjamas were on, TV was playing Scandal, and dinner was in the oven! We had drippy scotch eggs to start, steak, garlic mushrooms and seasonal veg for mains, before taking the bottle of champagne and dessert to bed to watch more Scandal and fall asleep with chocolate all over my face.

 The perfect laid back Valentine's day I think! Did you enjoy V-Day? 

New In From Kiko

Whilst I often while away twenty minutes in a Kiko store having a good old swatch-sesh, I rarely buy anything. I'm not really sure why that is because their products are great, and I always seem to be impressed!

My last trip left me making two purchases, products I'd swatched on a previous trip and then couldn't stop thinking about! The first was one of their new Shade Fusion Trio Blushes in the shade 05. I was totally suckered in by the packaging, it's so sleek and I love the satisfying magnetic closure! What I particularly loved about this blush though was that all three of the shades inside are matte, which is definitely my preference! All three shades are beautiful individually, but swirled together you get a gorgeous natural mauvey glow to the cheeks. A great everyday go to shade!

I also picked up the Endless Love Lipstick in 03 Cute Cherry. Again, the packaging of this is so freaking cute, and the texture of the lipstick itself is buttery smooth. I love the heart shaped bullet but I'll admit it's not the easiest shape to apply accurately - a lip brush to smooth out the edges is kind of a must! I really love this shade though, it's the kind of pink I'm really drawn to, and at £5.90 it's a total bargain!

Have you tried any Kiko products?

Valentines Inspired Drugstore Makeup Look

Today over on my YouTube channel I'm showing you a budget-friendly drugstore makeup look inspired by Valentine's Day! When it comes to Valentine's Day I'm all about beautiful glowy skin, a softly smokey eye and a neutral lip!

Let me know what you think, and what you'll be rocking on Sunday!