Fake Tan Shopping - I need your help!

Not that long ago, I posted that my current fake tan routine consisted of the super affordable St. Moriz, topped with the Maybelline SunGlow. However, I think it is time for a change.

You see, I have always been pale. For years, I pretty much just embraced it and the only tanning products I would use were perhaps a sweep of bronzer or a little Johnsons Holiday Skin. Then I bought St. Moriz and I think an addiction started. I loved the colour it gave to my skin and how much more confident it made me feel in my clothes.

However, there is always a down side. St. Moriz is horribly patchy when it is time for it to come off. The worst effected areas for me are my arms and my neck, which means I've been wearing a lot of long sleeved tops and scarves recently because no matter how much you scrub, this stuff does not come off until it is ready to itself.

This hasn't however put me off fake tan. I'm desperate to put a little bit of colour back into my skin but I have no idea what to try out next. Here are some of the products I have been tempted by.

• XenTan Mousse Intense
• St. Tropez Instant Mousse
• Superdrug Solait Mousse

I would love to know your opinions on any of these products, or perhaps leave me a link to a review you have done/seen.

As you can see, my preferred formulation is mousse so if you have any other mousse fake tanners you think I should look into, please let me know :)

Tag - Summer Besties

I've seen a few people on YouTube do this tag so I thought I would give it a go to show you the kind of products I have been wearing during the slightly warmer weather :)

Best Lip Product - Any Lip Balm

To be honest, any lip balm will do in the summer. I don't really bother with lipsticks or lipglosses because they just seems little too fussy when it is hot. The ones pictured are from Mac and The Body Shop but I also really like Vaseline, Carmex, and, well just anything that keeps my lips moisturizer really :)

Best Blush - Mac Well Dressed

Although many people will say cream blush is the best product to use during the summer, the one ones I own are the Topshop ones which are a cream to powder formula, so they don't really make much difference. However Mac Well Dressed was the first Mac product I ever bought and I think it is perfect for both summer and winter :)

Best Liquid Face Product - Nars Sheer Glow

Although I would love to say "oh, in the summer I love this tinted moisturiser" it's sadly just not true. I don't feel confident enough with my skin to wear something light and sheer so I stick with my Sheer Glow to provide me with a pretty medium coverage and a really nice glow to the skin :)

Best Powder Face Product - Soft & Gentle MSF and Bronzer in Golden

Ok so I may have slightly cheated but these two products looks amazing together. I don't like to wear fake tan on my face so the bronzer helps to match my face to the rest of my body and the MSF just adds a lovely sheen over areas like cheek bones, brow bones and along the nose.

Best Nail Polish - Essie in Sand Tropez

I only recently got this nail polish but the second I applied it, I fell in love with it! It is such a lovely neutral that goes with just about every outfit for every occasion (I even wore it to my prom this year). I think if I get the chance when the weather is nice I will try to post a NOTD post of this polish in natural sunlight. But if you are interested in purchasing it, it is currently on sale at ASOS at the minute here

Best Tanning Product - St Moriz & Maybelline Gradual Tanner

Ok another cheat but I just cant help myself. I like to apply St Moriz every two or three days,and then in between I like the apply the gradual tanner to keep my skin soft and to maintain the colour. And the best thing about these products is that the mousse only cost me £2.99 and the Moisturizer cost me £2.49 :)

Best Eye Product - CoverGirl Lash Blast

This is honestly one of my all time favourite mascara's. I actually prefer the waterproof one during the summer but I have completely ran out of that now :( I am however currently in the process of a swap with the lovely Christine to get my hands on another tube of this mascara before it runs out :)

Best Accessories - Toms

I only got these a few weeks ago but I absolutely love them and practically live in them! I can't want to get them in loads of other colours like white, black and navy (adventurous i know :P) And I also really like the look of the crochet ones for the summer :)

Best Clothing - Denim Shorts

I just think they are really easy to wear with everything and can either be dressed down in the daytime with like toms or converse and a casual t-shirt, or dressed up at night with heels (or wedges in my case because heels are just a no go) and a nice top.

I actually forgot to take a picture of the Best Hair Products, but during the summer it just has to be Batiste :) My favourite scent is the tropical one :)

March, April & May Favourites

So, it has been a while since I did a favourites post so this is a collection of the past three months worth of products. Enjoy :)

Illamasqua Eyeshadow in Jules My only matte eyeshadow that works great in the crease

DiorShow Mascara Slightly strange smell but really helps to open the eyes and add length to lashes

Revlon ColourStay Foundation Great coverage and a lovely dewy finish, but be careful it can look a little greasy

Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Foundation Probably my all time favourite!

Barry M Nail Paint in White Goes amazingly with a tan

Illamasqua Eyeshadow in Tango Reminds me a lot of a classic Olsen eye when it is smoked out

Calvin Klein Highlighter Pen Really brightens the eye area

Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz at first I didn't like it but on the waterline I think it really makes a difference

Neal's Yard Remedies Eye Liner in Black Smokes out beautifully, and I think it was a freebie in a magazine

Mac Studio Finish Concealer This will forever be in my favourites, the coverage is flawless

Soap & Glory Hand Food Perfect after work when my hands feel really dry

Clearasil Ultra Overnight Lotion I think this really has helped to clear up my skin recently

Superdrug Vitamin E Illuminating Moisture Cream Amazing tapped along the cheekbones

Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Daily Scrub Seriously cannot rave about this enough. I have really dry skin but this removes it all and makes my face feel and look super smooth

Maybelline Dream Sun Glow Instant Bronzing Perfect for an instant tan that you only want for one night

Soap & Glory Righteous Butter Always a favourite!

Collective Beauty Haul

It has been a while since I showed you some of the lovely things I have bought so here is a quick overview :)

St. Moriz Mousse Fake Tan - £2.99

Wilko's SPF 25 Sun Cream - £2.99

Batiste Boho Dry Shampoo - £1.00

Neutrogena Invigorating Daily Scrub - £3 something

Maybelline Instant Tan - £2.00

St. Moriz Tanning Mitt - £2.99

Leighton Denny Polish in Do Me A Flavour - Free in Harper's Magazine

Miss Sporty Nail Polish in 346 & Miss Sporty Disco Tech - about £1.50 each I think

Barry M Nail Paint in Pink Flamingo, Spring Green & White - £2.95 each

Urban Decay Pigment in Smog - £3.00

Bourjois Bronzing Powder - £6 something

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara - £5.00

Girls Aloud Festival Lashes by Sarah Harding - £1.00

Look how pretty they are with the red flicks :)

My Favourite Products of 2010

Happy New Year!

These are my favourite products of 2010 that I found myself using a lot over the past year. There is a great range on high and low end brands so hopefully there will be something for everyone in this post.

Nail Polishes

Essie in Van D'Go

Barry M in Berry Ice Cream

Lipsticks

Gosh in Darling

Mac in Hue

Mascara

Maybelline The Colossal Mascara

Foundation

Mac Studio Fix Fluid

Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep

Primer

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Blush

Mac in Well Dressed

Topshop in Flush

Concealer

Mac Studio Finish

Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil

Eye Shadows

Urban Decay in Sin

Boots 17 in Statuesque

Max Factor in Burnt Bark

Eye Liner

Sleek ink Pot in Dominatrix

What have been your favourites of 2010?

November Favourites

Ahh sorry this is so late :(

Boots No.7 Eyeshadow in Mink Such a pretty colour that is really wearable for school

Mac Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe I've been using this like non-stop ever since I bought it! I love it and I completely understand why everyone has it

L'Occitane Fleur Cherie Hand Cream Such a life saver in the cold weather!

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara I've pretty much used all of this up and I am so totally going to buy another one

Lip Smacker in Coca Cola This smells amazing :) haha

Sleek Ink Pot Gel Liner Still love this more than any other liner and I used it on my friend and she loves it so much now too :)

Topshop Blush in Neon Rose I thought I had lost this :( but then I found it and I remembered how amazing it is :)

Summer Challenge

I've decided to set myself a little make-up challenge this Summer. My aim is to use up all of these six products by the time the six weeks holiday is over.

Products I Plan To Finish:

Mac Eyeshadow in All That Glitters

George Nail Polish in Streamer

Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisuriser in Lite

Topshop Cream Blush in Flush

Maybelline Colossal Mascara

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil

This isn't going to be like a Project 10 Pan because i am still going to allow myself to buy make-up, I just want to get these products finish as i don't think I will get much use out of them in the winter months.

I'll keep you all updated on how well things go :)

June Favourites

In all honesty, I've been really lazy with my make-up this month and have just been keeping it really plain. I've mainly been using products that i know work. Also, as a little heads up, I've put myself on a make-up ban so there is a chance that next months favourites wont be very exciting either:

Mac MSF Natural in Light Medium This is the only face powder I own because it works so well i don't feel the need to pick up another. As you can see from the picture, i have hit pan so i may have to break my make-up spending ban soon to replace it.

Mac Studio Fix Fluid Great for school because i can apply it really quickly and i know it has enough coverage that i don't really have to worry about concealer. It's not ideal for hot weather because it is a little heavy, but it stays in place for hours!

Barry M Nail Paint in Berry Ice Cream My new favourite colour :) I'm currently wearing it on my toes :D

Avon Make-up Brushes They are sooo soft and apply make-up soo well. I will admit i have no mac ones to compare them to but I'm so happy with the Avon ones that i currently don't feel the need to have to try mac's.

Natural Collection Lipstick in Apple Blossom & Natural Collection Lipgloss in Fondant Such a beautiful lip combo. and with both products costing £1.99 each it is such a bargain! I'm really interested to try more colours by this brand :)

CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Recently found this in my collection and it's been great for the hot summer weather :) My mascara usually has a habit of melting into my eye which is VERY painful

Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara I was so upset when i lost this but now I've found it and i love it again! amazing quality for such a bargain brand like Maybelline.

May Favourites

I think just about everyone in the UK has been taking advantage of the great weather this month, and my May Favourites represent that :)

St. Moriz Self Tanning Mousse Wearing Shorts, dresses and leggings means having to add a little colour to my legs, and this is the only thing i have been using recently

Avon SPF 50 Sun Cream I'm a little overprotective of my skin, especially in the summer so i like to wear SPF 50 under my make-up

Lush Tea Tree Water This is so great as a freshening spray on a hot day, I love it!

Topshop Cream Blush in Flush This is my first ever cream blush, and although it is a kind of cream to powder, i really like it, I cant wait to get some more :)

Mac MSF in Soft and Gentle I LOVE THIS! I kind of neglected it for a while, but this makes an amazing eye shadow! if you have it, try it on your eyes.

Benefit You Rebel Lite Tinted Moisturiser I love this when it's too hot to wear full foundation, but i can only really wear it on good skin days

Essie Nail Polish in Van D'Go I love this on my toes when I'm wearing sandals. LOVE IT!

Maybelline Wet Shine Gloss in Clearly Coral So glad to have this product back in my life!

W7 Metallic eye shadows in Golden Eye, Bronzed & Burnt Plum These are my new loves. Can't wait to get more :)

A Little Haul :)

I decided to pick up a few more of the W7 eyeshadows because i love the Burnt Plum one so much! Whilst I was there, i got a gloss too :)

(from L to R) Bronzed, Golden Eye

Bronzed

Golden Eye

There is a little story to this gloss. I bough the exact same shade about a year ago and fell in love with it. Iused it all up, and then found out it had been discontinued :( So when i found it in a little discount make-up store in my town i obviously had to get it. They had two more tubes of it left, so i think i might go and pick those up this weekend before anyone else can, and then maybe try a few other shades if any of them take my fancy.

A Quick Study Leave Haul

After three days of revision i decided to spend the day with my grandparents and go shopping.

I picked up:

• Barry M Nail Polish in Berry Ice Cream
• Barry M Dazzle Dust in Winter Berry (88)
• Barry M Glitter Liquid Eyeliner in Red (05)
• Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Ambre Rose (112)
• W7 Perfect Eyes eyeshadow in Burnt Plum

Ok seriously, W7 have been really impressing me recently. first there was the nail polishes, then the box blushes and now these super metallic eyeshadows. The pigmentation is AMAZING! it is bigger than a Mac shadow and was only £1.49! I need to go back sometime during the next week and get some more colours because they had some really pretty silvers and golds!

I've been wanting to try the Winter Berry Dazzle Dust for ages but nowhere has had it. But i found it today and it is super pretty!

I feel like everyone already has this lipstick, but i decided to pick it up today after wanting it for a while. It's such as pretty colour :)

And finally, this red glitter liner which i saw Lollipop26 wearing in a blog post quite a while ago. Cant wait to try it out

I also picked up some magazines while i was out

This months Harper's Bazaar cam with a free Temperley bag

What have you been buying recently?

Smokey Eye using "Spirit"

I was left a comment on my review for the eye shadow Spirit asking "How would you wear it?" so i decided to show you all a look using it. I hope you like it :D

Start by priming your eye - i used UDPP - obviously blend it, i just used this picture to show you it was there

Apply a shimmery white to the inner 1/3 of your eye lid. I used SMH shadow in Divine wet with Fix+

Then add a glittery silver to the next 1/3 - i obviously used Spirit

Then add black to the outer 1/3 of your lid - i used the black in the Sleek sunset palette

Blend the white & silver together, and then the silver & black together

add some black eyeliner to the lower lash line and smudge it out

apply some mascara and taa daa :) you have yourself a Smokey Eye :)

These are the products i used :)

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Barry M Black Kohl Liner

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Mascara

Mac Fix+

Stars Makeup Haven Shadow in Divine

Boots 17 Shadow in Spirit

Sleek Sunset Palette

Review: Maybelline the Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

in Glam Black

Cost: depends on where you buy it, but i've seen it range from £6-£8

My Thoughts: This isn't HG mascara material, but it is very good. Actually, i think most Maybelline mascara's are good. the colour is a very bold black and i really really like the brush :) I wish the bottle wasn't bight yellow because i think it makes it looks really tacky.

Where You Can Buy:

Superdrug

Boots

larger supermarkets

loads of other places :P

Would i re-purchase: probably not, because there are loads of other mascara's i want to try, not because i don't like it

Overall Score: 7/10

The Brush

Comparison Picture

2 coats of mascara on the left, nothing on the right

Bare Lashes

2 coats of mascara