Costa Chic dupe

I loves a bit of Mac Costa Chic, especially when the sun is shining, it's a definate 'pick me up' lipstick. I know frost finish lipsticks are usually questionable but this one's an exception. I was shopping with my mom in Marks and Spencer having a little peruse of the makeup because I'd heard some good things about it recently, looking for coral/peachy lipsticks as I always do and swatched this.












































M&S Perfection Moisture lipstick in Coral is a really good dupe and for only £6 alot more affordable but still good quality, the texture is quite creamy and it isn't shiny in a glossy way which I really like because it means it lasts a good ammount of time. I don't currently have Costa Chic to compare side by side which is a shame but from memory the M&S may be a little deeper in colour, but definately a great alternative if you like this frosty coral shade but don't want to splash out on the MAC. Its my go-to lipstick at the moment, I love it and it's price! I definately reccomend having a look at this and the rest of the M&S makeup range.

Have you tried any M&S makeup? What do you think?

Jen x

Summer foundation saver

When the summer (hopefully) decides to come, sometimes you feel like your usual foundation is a bit heavy and when you get a tan the colour's too light, you can go and buy another foundation but depending on which one you use it can be quite expensive. This product isn't new and personally I don't use wash off tan, but it does work brilliantly mixed with foundation to give a slightly sheerer and darker look, and the bonus? It only costs around £4.

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan comes in matte or shimmer finishes and light, medium and dark colours. I use the light matte mixed with my foundation (Rimmel Wake Me Up, which is also really nice), I mix a blob of each on my hand and apply in my normal way with a Real Techniques buffing brush. What's great is that every time you do your foundation you can tailor it to the colour and opacity that you want that day as your real or fake tan wears off/gets darker. It has a slight scent which doesn't bother me but I know some people don't like scented things on their face so have a sniff before buying if you're not sure.

I love this inexpensive way to make your own custom foundation, do you change your makeup for summer?

Jen x

Blusher collection

Sooo I don't own that many blusher's, and you might sense a theme from the pictures - I like peach and golden hues. For some reason I just don't go for pinks, they look nice on other people but I don't think they suit my face or skintone, anyone else think this? I dont always wear blush, sometimes I just go with a dusting of bronzer but when I do I like a sheer wash of colour, nothing dramatic here thankyouverymuch! A few of these products aren't strictly blushers, but I use them as blusher as well as their main job so they're more of a multi purpose item for me.

1. Benefit 'Georgia' powder 2. Collection 2000 'Breathless' 3. Illamasqua 'Lover' 4. Mac 'Warm Soul' 5. VIVO Baked Bronze 'Healthy Glow' 6. Mac 'Buff' 7. NARS 'Sex Appeal' 8. Mac 'Trace Gold' 9. Maybelline Dream Touch '02' 10. Collection 2000 Shimmer Shades 'Way to glow'

Natural light and flash swatches (would have been much simpler to swatch them in the same order duhh rookie error. Also I'm not a huge fan of arm/hand swatches but meh it demonstrates what it needs to)

My most worn are definately the VIVO, which is great quality for the price and possibly a cheap alternative to some of the MAC Mineralize skinfinishes, MAC Trace Gold when I'm tanned and Maybelline Dream Touch because it's always flattering. My least worn would sadly be Illamasqua Lover, it's gorgeous but it's so pigmented I find it a bit scary.

On my wishlist is; Bobbi Brown Nude peach, Laura Mercier Second Skin Orange Blossom and Lush Nectarine, Mac Mineralize blush Improvise and Cheeky Bronze - more of the same, I know, but I'm still on the search for my Holy Grail cheek colour.

What's your favourite peach blush?

Jen x