Spring is officially here and with the warmer weather comes a new slough of beauty products you won't want to miss out on. For example, Benefit has launched an art-deco inspired collection that consists of three new kinds of eyeshadows including a long wearing powder formula. Then, one of our favourite beauty brands, Becca is finally back and you can buy their best-selling illuminator online again. Check out both of these exciting goodies and more by clicking through this slideshow.
December is all about the holidays and spoiling other people — but hey - hasn't it been you who has also been working hard all year and deserves a reward? Look no further, as I've collected six absolutely stunning fashion and beauty buys that will make your heart pitter patter with excitement. Take a peek through this slideshow and leave a comment to let me know which of these delightful gifts you plan on spoiling yourself with this Christmas!
Whilst some people really get into beauty products (what can I say), others use them sparingly and love to stick with a light regimen. Choosing the right gift for a natural beauty can be challenging, but I've come up with six special items that won't miss. For example, check out this light, sheer mineral based foundation from Becca Cosmetics, a lip balm set that takes like sugar and has a tint of colour from Fresh and a beauty gift box that will arrive in the mail each month from JolieBox. The sample sizes will help broaden her horizons and introduce her to products she might not otherwise consider. Scroll through my gift guide here and vote and the end on your favourite pick from the bunch.
It's hard to come by a covetable lip balm these days with every product trying to be everything. But I'm telling you, these three goodies are serious finds. Chanel brings us a glossy, non-sticky lipstick-looking balm, whilst Becca Cosmetics offers a vanilla scented, refreshing, SPF-enhanced product. Givenchy on the other hand has a surprise trick up their sleeve with the launch of their new Magic Lip and Cheek Balm. If you're looking for your next makeup bag must-have, these are three products you most certainly won't want to miss!
New for 2012 are three new nail varnish ranges that will have your head turning. First up, is US based brand The Balm that has recently launched a line of 30 Hot Ticket Nail Polishes (£8 each) with fun names like Pale in Comparison, Girls Just Wanna Have Plum and Don’t Metal in my Business. They are about to make their UK debut soon, so for now, you can buy them here and have them shipped across the pond.
Next up is from designer makeup brand Laura Mercier. At one point in time, a long, long time ago, she did a nail range, however it has been defunct for years — until now. Just recently, she launched a range of pink polishes that sell for £12.50 each and come in lovely neutral shades that suit all skin tones.
Last but not least is Becca Cosmetics. As you know, I'm a huge fan of the brand and especially of their ultra glossy, long lasting, high-performance enamel polishes that they launched at the end of last year. This is their third three-polish launch and the jewel-toned colours are more wearable and on-trend than ever! In the new Balearic Love Collection, there's Pasa Doble, a black plum shade, Tempranillo, a deep red wine colour and Cala Blanca, a sandy camel shade that each sell for £15. Which of these brands excite you the most?
Not to play devil's advocate to Summer or anything, but bright shades of makeup that get launched for this particular season aren't always wearable for the masses. Beauty goodies individually can be little indulgences; however, they can really start to add up if you change your beauty style around often enough. That's why I love the idea of splurging on a bold item every season, but keeping staples neutral.
For example, take this amazing, lip, eye and cheek palette from Becca called the Avalon Makeup Palette (£55). The shades are perfect for day or night and even for a bride. You have your black liner or shadow to take your look from day to night, a best-selling blusher, and two champagne and taupe shadows for the lid. There's also a cream shadow that can double as a highlighter. I absolutely love this palette because of its versatility.
Shop more neutral palettes below that can be spruced up to suit any season or mood — happy shopping!
When I first laid eyes on this Deluxe Travel Toiletry Bag (£40) from Becca Cosmetics, I thought the size was just ridiculous. It seemed big for a travel kit, but something about it kept drawing me back in. Once I got to exploring all the different compartments, I finally just admitted to myself that I do in fact need something of this magnitude. Instead of lugging three small bags for makeup, skin care, and hair care, my life could be so much less complicated.
Basically, this is the best travel toiletries kit since sliced bread. The three zippered compartments along with the three open-top pockets, mesh pockets, and open-zip area in the middle keep you impeccably organized, and, in actuality, it's really not that big. I can't forget to mention that the lining is made of water-resistant plastic and the outside is nylon, making it easy to wash if something spills or explodes. It's not pretentious at all in a rich chocolate brown colour. For the £40 price tag, I have no complaints!
Who makes your favourite dopp kit?
Orange nails varnish has always been on the top of my list in the Summertime. My obsession with it started when I discovered Clam Bake by Essie and my clementine crush has only grown over time.
So when I heard about the range of nail varnishes that Becca Cosmetics launched (a brand you know that I adore), I got super excited in particular for a colour called Tangerine Dream (£12).
This bright sunset coral shade goes on smooth, it doesn't streak, and it packs serious shine. Also, it dries fast and is free of formaldehyde, toluene, camphor and di butyl phthalate. Becca has put a lot of work into creating this formula and I can't recommend it highly enough. Shop even more orange nail options below and let me know which colour you like most!
I have some exciting news to share with Becca fans! Even if you haven't yet tried the brand, I think the new nail varnishes set to launch next week will suck you in with their allure. I have been a fan of this brand ever since I discovered its amazing double-sided concealer, so it was a real honour for me to sit down with Rebecca Morrice Williams, founder of Becca Cosmetics, as she talked me through her latest collection and the polish range over coffees and manicures!
Firstly, let me just gush about the new nail shades inspired by things Rebecca likes and wants. The first batch, which is part of the Halcyon Days Collection (due out in May), includes three retro pinks perfect for Summer and three deeper tones for Autumn. My pick of the bunch is toasted marshmallow, a mauvey-brown tone that I wore for eight whole days without any chips. The polishes are 4-free, meaning they don't contain any toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, or dibutyl phthalate. For all the dirt about Rebecca's favourite part of her job, her must-have products, and what's next for the brand, just read more
Do you ever wish you had more makeup that would flatter you all year round? These universal cream blushers suit most skin tones, whatever the weather. The neutral colours are easy to wear day or night and the smooth cream formula is easy to apply. I personally switch between all five of these shades for different occasions. For travel, I take along Terracotta from Becca, or Peony from Stila because they are so compact. For photographs, I tend to use Rude from Illamasqua because it's the brightest and creamiest, and everyday I love either Something Special from MAC or Canyon from Laura Mercier. Take a peek at these cream blushers and let me know which you fancy most.
