Last Minute Halloween Makeup

When it comes to Halloween I take my hat off to those who take the time to research, practice and plan their outfit in advance. Every year I tell myself I'll do the same and instead I am rushing around last minute pulling together some sort of 'creation' with mostly my makeup and some black outfit because black is scary right? 

Today I wanted to put together a quick post on some of my makeup staples that are perfect for Halloween for those of us who don't have the time or just don't really like dressing up, but want to get into the spooky-spirit.

When it comes to creating a frightening face you definitely need a bold eye look so a palette I'd definitely recommend is Makeup Revolution Give Them Nightmares. This palette is full of adventurous shades that you'd never really touch for your everyday makeup. This palette is perfect for creating a Halloween look as it has all the shades you could possibly need and for £4 you should definitely have it in your collection. I always associate eyeliner with Halloween, I guess it's from previous cat makeup looks I've tried and failed with over the years. You could definitely create an amazing makeup look with eyeliner, even simple designs like spider webs, stitches or some sort of skeleton look. If on the off chance I wear eyeliner I always reach for Soap&Glory Supercat Liner as this creates such good makeup looks without the hassle of smudges or mistakes.

I've included my Too Faced Sweetheart Blusher because this blusher has amazing pigmentation and what's Halloween without going a little ott on the makeup? Even if you were dressing up you could always use this if you were dressing as a clown or a rag doll.

Halloween makeup isn't complete unless there is something going on with your lips so I've included three budget-friendly Makeup Revolution Lipsticks. If you weren't wanting to dress up but wanted something bold on the lips, then what's more daring than a green lipstick? This and the purple shade is from Makeup Revolution's 'atomic' range and only costs £1. I think these would look great if you were to dress up as a unicorn or a clown, very bold and quirky so great for Halloween. I have also included a very deep purple lipstick that shows up as black, from MR's rose gold collection just in case the green was too daring. This shade goes really nice with a smokey, bold eye to look so definitely a one to grab if you want something not too in your face.

What is your Halloween look this year??

Autumn Beauty Picks

Now that it's Autumn and all the festivities are almost upon us, I have started to switch up my skin and makeup routine. Although I do find it hard to say goodbye to my bright, pastel colours, it's time to say farewell to those and hello to deep red and purple lipsticks and shimmery eyeshadows. 

These are the beauty picks I have been using quite a lot recently.

Colours associated with Autumn are mustard, purple, gold, brown and taupe. I've been reaching for two eye shadow shades in particular from H&M in the shade Ginger Snap which is a shimmery gold, ginger and Mojave which is a more subtle shimmery taupe. Both of these are great for everyday wear in Autumn, they're not the most pigmented eyeshadows in the world, but for everyday wear, they do the job. I love H&M eyeshadows they are so inexpensive and have a large selection to choose. Also on the topic of H&M, I have also been reaching for one of their nail polishes in the shade Decaf, which is a deep mustard/brown toned shade very fitting for Autumn.

I have been going for a more bronze/natural look with my makeup if I wear the Ginger Snap eyeshadow, I just find a subtle nude lip compliments it nicely. I've been reaching for my NYX Lip Cream in the shade Abu Dhabi, which is a lovely brown/nude shade. Nyx Lip Creams are amazing for staying in place and are so easy to apply. If I am feeling more daring I reach for Mac's lipstick in Rebel, which is a deep purple matte lipstick. I love this shade it is very flattering on and these lipsticks, in general, are moisturising which ideally you need that extra blanket on your lips during the cold months. I haven't been wearing much blusher recently but when I do I have been reaching out for my Hourglass Blusher in the shade Luminous Flush. This is a very subtle pastel pink shade that looks perfect with a natural makeup look and a purple lip. If I am wearing a deep lip shade I don't like to overdo it on the blusher.

Who'd of thought hand scrubs were a thing? I have been obsessed with the LUSH Salted Coconut Hand Scrub recently. This leaves my hands feeling so incredibly soft and smelling amazing, I always like to pop this on right before bed. I have also been reaching for Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil and popping a little bit of this onto my face just before bed. I use this on those days my skin is lacking something but I don't know what and instantly I wake up with fresh, rejuvenated skin.

What are your Autumn beauty picks??

5 Body Essentials For The Colder Months

Usually, I get a little lazy with keeping my body hydrated during the colder months, simply because it is just too cold to be standing around half naked for 5 minutes applying products. I'm now a changed woman. Lately, I find myself reaching for body products more frequently and have now got myself into a little routine.

Today I am sharing what my top 5 body essentials are that do wonders during the colder months.

Grounded Chocolate Orange Coffee Scrub

I am sure you are all aware of coffee scrubs, they are something original and unique that is very beneficial. This scrub is available from Boots and they come in a variety of flavours, I, of course, went for chocolate orange purely because Christmas is upon us and I want to be using exciting, nostalgic products. As you take a shower/bath you apply this scrub all over your body/face and let it sit for a while before you simply wash it off. These are incredibly messy scrubs, but the results are amazing, my skin always feels incredibly smooth after I have used this.

Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturizer*

If I can double up having an extra layer of hydration then I will do it. The Nivea In Shower is the perfect product for upping moisturizing. If I am having one of those 'I can't be bothered' days, then I will go ahead in the shower use a normal shower gel and then apply this all over my body and rinse off. I love this product as once I am towel dried I don't feel the need to apply lotions. This product sets me off for the rest of the day and I just love that you can use it in the shower.

Fair Squared Shower Gel*

I like to reach for the Fair Squared Shower Gel before I apply the Nivea In Shower, which smells amazing. I love shower gels that smell yummy and leaves your body nice and hydrated which this product does. I also really like using the Shaving Soap* for shaving, some products leave my skin feeling dry but this doesn't and it again smells amazing. Fair Squared is a great brand to check out if like organic products that don't contain all the good stuff.

Nivea Cleansing Lotion*

For those days I can be bothered to moisturize my body after a shower I like to reach for this product. This smells so lovely and really helps not only keep my skin hydrated but relaxes my body too. I like to apply this just before I hit the hay and I always wake up with smooth skin.

LUSH Coconut Hand Scrub

This coconut hand scrub is something else; I don't even think I've got a hand scrub in my collection. I love anything coconut and this just screamed at me for whenever my hands are feeling a bit on the dry side, I like to wet them and scrub them with this. I am left with very smooth and coconut-smelling hands and I cannot recommend this product enough if you suffer from dry hands, you could probably get away with using this on your feet too.

What are your body essentials for the colder months??

Bath & Body Works Candle Dupes

My apologies for being a little afk with my blog lately I've kind of fallen out of love with blogging so I needed a break for a few weeks. I am back now and eager as ever to write lots of autumns, festive blog posts and what better way to come back then to come back with a cheap and cheery candle dupe blog post.

Someone posted a photo on Instagram a couple of weeks back of these Bath & Body Works candle dupes from B&M. I mean it is probably a good thing not having a Bath & Body Works store here in the UK as my money would just fly out my hands, so I, of course, had to check out the dupes in the meantime. 

When I popped into B&M I was amazed at how many autumn scents they actually had! I picked up Apple Orchard, Brown Sugar Spice, Black Cherry Merlot and Radiant Red Apple (which I've already used). I was almost tempted to get the famous Marshmallow Fireside candle, but I couldn't bear the overly sickly scent. These candles cost you £2.99 each which is such a bargain considering Bath & Body Works are around $20. Since my trip at B&M, I've seen photos of wintry scents on Instagram so I will be making another trip there soon!

I was surprised at how good these candles lasted, to be honest, I thought with them being quite cheap they'd not last long, and yet they did! They give off a very subtle scent that isn't too overpowering, but enough that when you walk into the room you can instantly smell them. I really like these candles and I can see why everyone is rating them well.

Have you tried these candles yet??