Smashbox Photo Finish Primers

I'm pretty sure I sound like a broken record as I'm forever raving about the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. I've been using the original clear one everyday for the past year and swear by it. I love it so much that I would say it's definitely reached that holy grail status! If you read my review of this product a little while back you will see that not only does this primer give you a flawless application when it comes to applying you're foundation and other makeup, it also keeps your makeup stay put all day. Ladies you honestly need to see it to believe it to see just how well this primer works.

I know the original primer has been a favourite amongst us beauty lovers for sometime now - Yes I was so late to jump on this train, but since the release of the original primer, Smashbox have released other primers with the same formula which suit different skin tones and create different looks on the skin. For Christmas I received the perfect little Smashbox gift set which contained three small sample tubes of the primer, including my beloved Photo Finish Primer. The other two primers included were the luminizing primer and the hydrating one, both which I have been loving and make me even fonder of the Smashbox brand.

The Hydrating Photo Finish Primer really took me by surprise and having oily to combination skin this is a product that I would never pick up at the shops or think to use. However it's the primer I've been reaching for pretty much everyday this year, which to me just shows how good it really is. Although I have that terrible t-zone that is prone to getting a tad oily and its the one place my makeup is guaranteed to slip during the day, I still suffer from dry skin - Weird right? As much as I don't want to put too many oily products on my skin, there are those days where my skin just feels thirsty and needs moisture put back into it. As soon as I apply this primer in the morning its like my face has had the ultimate hydration boost, my skin feels so amazing. So much so that as soon as this primer has worked into the skin, my eyes look more awake and I can see an instant change in the appearance of my skin - It looks healthy and glowy. 

Whereas the original primer is more silicone based, the hydrating primer feels water based. A little goes a long way and it works into your skin very quickly. It honestly makes such a great base for your makeup to sit on and my foundation glides on whenever I've used this. As for staying power, my makeup does stay put pretty much throughout the hole day, not as well as it does using the original Photo Finish Primer - But I don't feel as though my makeup is running off my face at all. A quick touch up of powder around my nose and forehead is all I need to get my makeup looking perfect again. 

If you have dry skin I would definitely recommend this primer, I promise you that you'll love it, especially if you're already a fan of the Photo Finish Primer. If you have combination skin like me, again this primer would be perfect for you, especially on those days your skin needs that extra hydration boost.

The Luminizing Photo Finish Primer has to be one of the prettiest primers that I've ever used and it creates that gorgeous glow fresh faced holiday skin look. This primer is a little thicker in constancy than the other two primers featured in this post and has a velvet like texture to it and can take a little longer to work into the skin. Once applied it leaves your skin looking so smoothed out and gives you a warm but ever so slight bonzed glow. You're skin really has that luminzied look to it, which makes it appear healthy. 

This primer I know is going to be reached for a lot in the summer, and for best effect I would say that this works great under a foundation that's not too full coverage; One that gives you dewy skin would be perfectly paired with this primer as the gold shimmers would really shine though. 

As with all the Smashbox primers that I've tried, I've found each one to prolong my makeup, fill those fine lines and smooth out the skin. They are honestly the best primers I've tried and I love how there are now so many in the range to choose from - Making them perfect for any type of skin tone and suitable for different times of the year. I would love to try the pore minimising one next, it sounds amazing and one to rival Benefits Porefessional. 

I've you've tried any of the Smashbox Primers, please let me know what one is your favourite in the comments below.

Lots of Love

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January Favourites

I don't know about anyone else but I love the January favourites posts that crop up on everyones blogs, usually because throughout Jan were all trying and testing out the beauty products that we all got for Christmas - So normally there are some good finds and it's pretty fun to see the mini reviews of the makeup items that have been on our wish lists for ages. Last month I was loving loads of the new beauty bits that I received and everything featured in this post is a new favourite of mine. 

Mac Velvet Teddy

This lipstick has been on mine and every other beauty bloggers wish list for the longest of time. For months I would keep checking the Mac website alongside all the other beauty sites to see if it was back in stock, with no such luck. Until the other week that is. It was during one of the midweek beauty blogger chats and I was told that Mac had it back in stock! I wasted no time in heading over to the Mac site, popped one in my basket and ordered it right away. It arrived a few days later, and no joke its all I've worn since. I am in love with Velvet Teddy and I can totally see what all the fuss is about. It's such a gorgeous shade and looks great on. We all know that this is the lipstick Kylie Jenner uses, and I can totally see why - Paired with the right lipliner this lipstick creates that beautiful natural and fuller looking lip. I love it and have become a little obsessed with it.

Makeup Revolution Live For Today

At the beginning of the month Makeup Revolutions I Heart Makeup lipstick in the shade 'Live For Today' was the colour I was constantly wearing. Why? Because I found it to be a rather close dupe for Velvet Teddy. You see I was not exaggerating when I said just how much I wanted that lipstick in my life. At only £2.99 'Live For Today' is such a perfect dupe. It is a little bit warmer and darker in shade and it does have a slight shimmer, but with a little powder dusted over the top of your lips, you can achieve the perfect Kylie Jenner lip. If you would like to see how this looks on, head over to my post 'Nude Lips' post here.

No7 Precision Lipliner Blush

I don't think it's possible that the 'nineties' lip would work as well as it does without the use of a lip liner. During my lunch time break I accidentally stumbled into Boots - As you do! And in the clearance section found the No7 Precision Lipliner in Blush. Perfectly sealed I couldn't see why it was on the shelf, selling for only a £1.00? Especially as Boot's still sell it at full price. At that price it would have been rude to not buy one, and more so because it's the lipliner shade I had been looking for! Mac's Soar is another one of those products that have been on my wish list for sometime, and I thought that this lipliner looked pretty similar and would make a good dupe. The lipliner is this really pretty dusty pink shade that works perfectly with all the nude lipstick I've been wearing. I find that the pink tones in this liner just makes my lips look fuller and a little less washed out when I apply my favourite nudes. Not only is the colour amazing, but its really long lasting, has great wear and feels really creamy on your lips. It's amazing.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner

Smashbox are quickly on their way to becoming one of my favourite high end brands. I keep being drawn to their products and each time I try one, I've never been disappointed. I received the Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner in one of the beauty gift sets I received for Christmas, and I've pretty much used it every day since and LOVE it. Firstly I love this liner so much (and the clue here is really in the name) this eyeliner sharpens it's self, which is amazing. Every time you twist the cap off, it sharpens the liner, always leaving a nice tip which is great for lining your peepers perfectly. Not only is application great, but the intensity of this liner is perfect to create a dramatic smokey eye, it also blends beautifully and stays put until you try and scrub it off at the end of the day. With it being waterproof, removing it can be a little tricky, but I love the way this looks, so it's well worth it.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

You guys must know just how much I love and adore the original Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - I swear by it, but for Christmas I received some little samples of the other primers Smashbox have to offer and have fallen in love with the hydrating one. Out of all the primers in the world, this is the one that I would never purchase myself and would probably avoid, just because my skin can be a little prone to oiliness, especially around my t-zone. However I thought seeing as it was in my collection, I'd give it ago and see how well it worked on my skin. Turns out I love it and it totally surprised me. I won't go into too much detail as I have a full review coming up on this very soon - But I loved the way that this hydrated my skin instantly and it still worked brilliantly at keeping my makeup in place all day.

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze

To help myself feel a little bit better about the colder weather, I've started tanning regularly again. I'm determined to have not let those January blues get the better of me, and as they say, life is better with a tan. Not wanting to go all out and doing that long and intense process of tanning once a week, I've been using the Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze to slowly build up my tan. This is the best gradual tanner that I've used by far and I love the colour that this moisturiser develops into. I reviewed this on my blog earlier this week, so if you want to find out why I love it so much you can read my review here.

So thats everything that made it's way into my favourites this month, I would love to know what products you've been loving? Also I'm planning on scheduling my posts a little bit more on my blog because as of late I think my blog posts have been a bit here there and everywhere. I'm thinking of posting three times a week - On a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So be sure to check back on Wednesday for the next instalment on Miss Sunshine & Sparkle.

Lots of Love

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2014 Favourites || Makeup

January maybe the month of the blues, but one thing that I always look forward too is rounding up all the makeup and beauty bits that I've been loving over the last twelve months and putting it all together for a yearly favourites post. I think over the last twelve months my makeup collection has probably doubled in size and upon reflecting I think it 2014 was definitely a year where I branched out and decided to try and test out more brands and try different types of makeup. I have to say I found it extremely difficult to narrow my yearly favourites down because I as I was looking though my collection there were so many beauty bits that I love; So the ones that have made it on to this post are the true treasures in my collection and the makeup items that I don't think I could have lived without last year. 

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer 

Out of all the products that made it's way into my everyday makeup routine pretty much for the entire year has to be the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. I am so WOWed by this product and it for me it definitely reaches that holy gail status. The first time I applied this primer I noticed how much easier applying my foundation was and this primer continued to amaze me day after day - Whenever I use this my makeup stays put and last for hours - No touch ups needed. If there was one makeup product that would be at the top of my list to try this year, the Smashbox primer would be at the very it.

Benefit Brow Zings 

Not a day passed in 2014 where I didn't reach for my Benefit Brow Zings, this dream eyeshadow kit made its way into my last yearly favourites and you know its real love when you've been loving it even more for a second year running. As you can see from the pictures my kit is more than well loved and its about time I bought myself a new one. I find that the gel works perfectly at shaping and defining my brows, whilst the powder is the perfect shade for me and makes filling in my eyebrows so easy and fuss free. It's so beautifully compact that its perfect for popping in your makeup bag and for any touch ups on the go. I've tried and tested the HD palette but prefer the results of this one by miles. 

Revlon Colorstay Foundation & Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream 

For the best part of the year I would say I prefer a foundation thats a little more heavy duty, one that provides full coverage and works perfectly with my skin type. Not only that I want one to make my skin look pretty flawless too. I tried quite a few foundations during the last twelve months and the one that really stood out to me and got me making a few repurchaches is the Revlon Colour Stay Foundation for oily skin. I love that this is a high street foundation, so its super affordable and does the job brilliantly, I cannot fault it. My skin always looks even and pretty perfect whenever I use this and rarely do I need to touch it up though out the day, even on those hot sticky days during the height of summer.

One foundation that really took me by surprise this year and one that I bought based on recommendations and was some what a bit of a whim purchase for me is the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream. Even though this is labelled a CC cream, its medium like coverage for me makes it more of a foundation and I'm quite happy just to wear this on my skin on its own. I love how radiant this makes my skin look and it always gives it a lovely dewy glow. I also love how the colour correcting side of this foundation cancels out any redness on my skin which makes it look perfect.

Bourjois Poudre Bronze Bronzing Powder 

Another beauty favourite of mine, which has been an all time staple in my makeup bag is the Bourjois chocolate bronzer. I've been using this for years and I've found no other bronzer compares to it. If you've been reading my blog for sometime you will know that I always rave about this product and I just cannot fault it. It works perfectly for contouring or for an all over sun kissed bronzed look. It's not too shimmery and for me is the perfect bronzer, I love it.

Bourjois One Seconde Ultra Black Mascara* 

I would have to say that mascara is the one beauty product that I'm never really loyal too and I think that is the same for the majority of us. There are just far too many out there and its the one beauty product that you can't really swatch or get a feel for whilst your out shopping. Whilst I'm always picking up new mascaras to try, there has been one in particular that has really stood out to me this year, which is the Bourjois One Seconde Ultra Black Mascara. I love it when a mascara gives my lashes plenty of volume, and this one does it beautifully. There are no need for falsies when you use this, and the ultra black formula really makes your lashes super black, which I find creates that illusion that they are longer.

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner 

In 2013 I was more of a gel liner kinda girls, but in 2014 I don't think I picked up my gel liner at all - It was liquid liner all the way. I don't know what brought on this change, but I just find that liquid liners last a lot longer and they look more 'black' when applying and don't seam to fade as much. One liquid liner that really stood out to me is the Revlon Colour Stay liner. This is the liner that just keeps on giving - I've been using it pretty much everyday since August and it doesn't seem any closer to running out. Once this liner is on it does't budge and throughout the day it still continues to look jet black - Theres nothing worse than liner fading as the day goes on. The fine nib of this liner also makes it really precise when doing your liner which is just what you need for those tricky cat flicks. 

Urban Decay Naked Palette 

I've had the original Urban Decay Naked Palette for around two years now and I don't think I'll ever get bored of it. As you can see form the picture my palette is looking a little worse for wear but I would prefer to call it well loved. I just adore so many of the warm toned shades in this palette, they work so well for everyday use,  are highly pigmented and long lasting. It's more of the lighter shades that I reach for, for an everyday makeup look - Sin, Sidecar, Buck and Half Baked are my most reached for shades. I think every beauty lover needs this palette in their collection, I can't recommend it enough, its perfect. 

Mac Chatterbox || Makeup Revolution Lip Geek* 'Ken Will Want Me'

If you know me well, you know I love lipstick, especially pink lipsticks they are my weakness. I'm always drawn to these barbie pink shades in particular, I find them really wearable and they seam to suit my skin tone well and most makeup looks. Mac Chatterbox is another one of those all-time favourites of mine, the one in the pictures looks pretty new, but its about my third one. Its one of Mac's amplified formulas so its really long lasting and super pigmented, I pretty much wear this everyday in summer. A new favourite that I found last year is such a beauty of a lipstick, and I equally love it as much as 'Chatterbox'. The beautiful lipstick that comes in this bright metallic pink and purple casing is the Makeup Revolution I Heart Makeup Lipgeek Lipstick in the shade 'Ken Will Want Me'. I was won over with the name of this lipstick before even trying it, and once on it looks stunning. Its this beautiful barbie pink toned lipstick that has a subtle blue undertone to it, its seriously gorgeous, I just can't fault it.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick* - Happy Nude Year

When Bourjois released the Rouge Edition Velvet lipsticks last year I was one of those bloggers who instantly fell in love with its unique formula. I have seriously been obsessed with these lipsticks from the word go and have built up quite the collection since they're release date. I just love its velvet cream like formula that is in no way drying; Combined with the longevity of these lipsticks just makes them incredible. My favourite shade has to be one of Bourjois most recent releases which is 'Happy Nude Year' - This pink toned nude is the perfect everyday lipstick colour and matches every makeup look and every outfit, I love it.

So there we have it, my yearly round up of all the makeup bits I've been loving over the last twelve months. I love reading these posts, I don't know about anyone else but its a good excuse to start topping up my wish list again and I just love to know what everyone has been loving. If you've done a yearly favourites post please leave your link in the comments below - And of course let me know what you've been loving.

Lots of Love 

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What I Got For Christmas - 2014

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had an amazing one, got spoilt rotten and are still pigging out on all those yummy chocolate treats. Christmas for me this year has been such a busy one, but its been an amazing few days and there's nothing quite like spending quality time with your family, eating good food and laughing for what seams hours on end.  I thought today I would get up my standard 'What I got For Christmas' post as I just love reading these and I think it's great seeing what everyone received from Santa! Again this year I've been totally and utterly spoilt with the gifts that I've received from family and friends and I can't thank them enough for the well thought out gifts. 

My mum definitely knows that makeup is the way to my heart, so I was so made up when I opened up these Smashbox 'On The Rocks' gift sets. My mum knows I've been totally obsessed with the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer this year and so you can only imagine my excitement when I saw not only the trio sample sized primers, but also some other amazing Smashbox goodies for me to try out. The Luminzing Primer has been on my wish list since it came out, and I cannot wait to try and test it. The lip glosses also look stunning, and as lipstick is my weakness, I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of use out of these glittery pigmented wands. 

You all know that I love penguins, but my other favourite animal has to be our beloved fury friends - Dogs. My favourite breed has to be labradors, chocolate ones in particular and if you follow me on Instagram you will know that we have our very own chocolate fury bundle of fluff, Hugo. Before Hugo we also had Glover, who we lost a few summers ago - he was such a huge part of our family and we all still miss him loads, so my mum decided to get me more of a personal Pandora Charm this Christmas, which is this adorable little Labrador that wears a sparkly heart collar. I just love this charm so much and the meaning behind it.

Out of all the Christmas present that I've received over the years, my Mac Book Pro has to be the one present that really took me by surprise and had that WOW factor. Admittedly this was a bit of an early Christmas present as James just couldn't wait to give this to me (secretly I think he couldn't wait until Christmas to have a go on it too). But this baby has been the ultimate Christmas present and I just know it's going to make blogging all the more easier and fun - You guys should have seen the laptop I had been using, ancient is not the word. I honestly can't thank James enough for this, I'm still speechless.

Another present that took my breath away a little and completely surprised me was another special gift from James - He seriously gets full marks for being the best man ever right now. Like most girls, I love my handbags, but if I'm honest I've never been THAT girl to want a designer handbag or anything too fancy. I don't know if it was me just being tight, but I could never justify spending a lot of money on a bag. James must have thought it was about time I had better arm candy, because he picked out the most beautiful leather Ted Baker bag for me and matching purse to go along with it. I am a huge Ted Baker fan, and I am blown away at just how gorgeous this bag is, I can't wait to take it out on it's first outing. 

My sister was also a little treasure this Christmas and treated me to a gorgeous grey and pink tartan scarf. It's one of those really soft blanket kind of ones which I've been wanting all winter, so I cannot wait to get snuggled and cosy with this on those chilly winter walks to work. Along side the blanket scarf was a box filled with falsies and a £50.00 gift card to spend at Debenhams. I have no idea what to spend it on, I'm thinking of picking up the Naked 3 Palette or the Too Faced Chocolate Bar, what do you think?

Along side all these amazing gifts I also received some of those essentials that you get for stocking fillers - Cosy Pajamas, socks and of course chocolate! Lots of it.

I honestly am so grateful for everything I received this Christmas and it's been such a perfect one. Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I love reading these type of posts so if you've done one please leave your link below in the comments and I'll be sure to head over and take a look. I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and have special new year. 

Lots of Love

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Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer £25.00 

If I was to pick one holy grail item in my makeup bag it would be without a doubt the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. I know that this much hyped about primer is loved by many, but I was a little late at jumping on the bandwagon to try it. It came into my life this summer and its been an every day stable in my makeup routine since, I actually love this product so much, I don't know why it's taken me this long to blog about it. 

The beginning of this year was the year that I started introducing primers into my makeup routine, and whilst I saw the difference they made in the application of my makeup and they way they made my skin look pretty flawless, I never found one that managed to make my makeup last all day - Until I tried the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer that is...

I had always heard so many amazing things about this primer, but if I'm honest I was a little put off by the £25.00 price tag and I didn't know if paying that much for a primer would be worth it, but I can tell you its probably the best £25.00 I'ver ever spent, this primer is that good.

I am someone who has always had to re-touch my makeup constantly thoughout the day, and I often find that my skin is prone to getting oily especially around my nose and cheeks, which always causes my makeup to slip and slide though the day, and I'm sure many of you are nodding your heads agreeing with me because its just so annoying. Whilst a good powder has always come to the recuse, it can be a lot of faff and I've always wanted to find that perfect product that just keeps my makeup put. I have no idea how it does it, but the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is that dream product for my skin that really does keep my makeup put, makes my skin look even and flawless and sometimes I don't need any powder touch ups at all, it's seriously makes me go WOW.

The Smashbox Primer is a clear gel that has a silicone feel to it, and you only need the smallest of blobs to cover your face evenly, it this just glides on to your skin so easily - It has a really velvety feel to it and it makes the perfect base for your foundation. I have to say at this stage I don't really notice a huge difference in my skin, other than it feels very soft and it makes my skin tone look a little more even. However it makes applying your foundation or any other base makeup you might use so easy, and blending and working your foundation into the skin becomes effortless.

The real noticable change I noticed using this primer, is that it really does keep my makeup in place pretty much for the whole day. During the summer I had a cheerleading event in London where I was dancing for hours in a parade, I used this primer and my makeup was still perfect, even though it was hot, humid, raining and I was rather sweaty though all the dancing (totally gross I know), but it just gives you an idea at how well this primer is and how well it works for me. It's like it somehow tells the oils in my skin to hold off and puts this barrier up between my skin and foundation. 

I know this primer will be forever in my makeup bag, and if there is one essential beauty product that I could recommend to you, this would be it. If you have a similar skin type to me, I would definitely invest. Smashbox also have such a good range of primers to work for different skin types and I know there is one for minimising pores, I've not tried any of this but I can imagine they are just as good. As for longevity, like I mentioned I bought this in the summer, use it every day and I still have a lot of product left, which I'm amazed at - Your £25.00 really does go a long way.

I totally love this product! I would love to know if your a fan of this Photo Finish Primer from Smashbox and if you've tried any other primers that work just as well - Please let me know in the comments below.

Lots of Love

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